#meanwhile in my head voices of the past sound just like Ian

[badassfetish]

"Old Rules for New Side Pieces" by @goodkwuestion

[hayffiebird]

Taste of Strawberries, chap. 35

Hayffie Post-Mockingjay Multi-chapter, Rated M SUMMARY: Four years have passed since the end of the war when Effie returns in to Haymitch’s life once again. An old friendship is renewed. Will it lead to something more? Meanwhile Panem has entered a new era. The rebellion’s over, the borders are open but in the shadows, anger and mistrust are smoldering. Something that will affect Haymitch and Effie’s life in a way they never saw coming. Chapter 35 Stolen moments “I’m home!” Effie thrilled and dropped the duffel bag on the hallway carpet. “Wait until you see what Sae got us!” Snow dripped off her muffler as she unwound it. The house was heaven after the vicious chill outside. Struggling with the buttons of her coat, she blew some life into her hands. Even with mittens on her fingers turned stiff as fish sticks right out of the freezer. “I ran into Hazelle on the way home,” she prattled on, carrying the bag through the house. “She said we’re welcome over for coffee on Saturday. That gives us more than enough time to practice baking those peanut butter cookies I told you about. Peeta got me this amazing recipe! Oh, and I arranged a play date for the twins and Sae’s youngest grandson next week. It will be fab…” Her voice trailed off. Through the walls came a sound she hadn’t heard in ages. No, not for many years now. Is that Haymitch? Couldn’t be anybody else. She followed the sound into the living room. Appeared just in time for the twins to join in. They sat on the floor. All three of them. Haymitch with his back to her, cross-legged on the carpet. Amy and Ian sat before him, supported by a sea of pillows. All around them were pieces of paper, torn apart. Haymitch just took a fresh one and ripped it in two. The children giggled like mad and they weren’t the only ones. With a big smile on her face, Effie leaned into the doorframe, watching. Before the twins were born she’d only ever heard Haymitch laugh like that, laugh until tears rolled down his face, when he got drunk with Chaff during the Games.

Unaware of her presence, Haymitch took another piece of paper and Amy and Ian squealed with giggles until they fought for air when he ripped it apart, letting it sail through the air. He repeated the game over and over and joined in their amusement with that big belly-laugh of his that she loved and got to hear so infrequently. “Oh, man,” Haymitch got out in between chuckles and wiped the tears with the back of his hand. “You guys are the best!” Watching Haymitch with his children these past few months had revealed a whole new side of him that Effie had never seen before. She used to believe that the Games killed the man Haymitch could have become but maybe a part of that happier, more relaxed side of him had always been there, deep down. Never dead, just dormant. Like tulip bulbs embedded in the earth, waiting for spring. It was a precious, precious thing she was fortunate enough to witness. Those tender new leaves, new blossoms that Amy and Ian brought out in him. Haymitch Abernathy’s capacity to love was enormous. Greater than anyone she’d ever known. She always suspected it of course, especially after Katniss and Peeta were thrust upon him. But ever since Haymitch became a dad she got daily reminders in a dozen different ways of just how big his heart actually was. He’d fallen head over heels in love with the twins. No question about it. “Knock, knock,” she said with her fist against the wood. Haymitch turned his head. “Oh, hey Effs. Come on in.” Smiling, she pushed herself off of the doorframe. “Hello, my loves.” She dropped a kiss to first Amy’s, then Ian’s head. “Having a good time with dada?” “Yeah, we’re havin’ a blast,” said Haymitch. “You could’ve saved a fortune in toys, Eff. I tell ya. Our tots are the most easily entertained kids in all of Panem. Here, have a go!” “Alright,” said Effie and accepted the paper. She ripped it swiftly in two and the twins gave a toothless giggle. She handed the pieces back to Haymitch. “I’m not even upset that it’s my most expensive letter paper you’re tearing to shreds.” Haymitch ripped the twos into fours, chuckling when they chuckled. “Huh? What?” he asked. “Nothing.” She joined them on the floor with the duffel bag on her lap. Ian had gotten his hands on a slip of paper and Effie retrieved it by second nature before he stuffed it in his mouth. The paper was still big enough to be ripped in half and she handed it to Haymitch, who didn’t disappoint. She treasured these moments. Even with the lack of sleep, the past couple of months were some of the happiest days of her life. Especially since their return to District 12. In times like this she could almost, almost believe there would be no more bad spells. Believe that Haymitch lead a sober life now. For his children. But sitting right next to him, there was no denying the fierce shakes in Haymitch’s hands, the redness of his eyes, his clammy forehead. It both warmed and pinched her heart that he managed to find happiness like this, even though he struggled more than ever before. Haymitch never used the word “alcoholic” about himself but he wasn’t a dumb man. You didn’t hallucinate during withdrawals, shaking and screaming at terrible things only you could see unless you were in serious trouble. Maybe, possibly there’d been a time when she believed he could find a way to drink responsibly. That with her help and the help of Katniss and Peeta, Sae, Hazelle – all the people who cared about him – he’d manage to keep it under control. But at the end of the day she knew it was all wishful thinking. Haymitch was an addict. The Games, losing his family and the hell he went through watching those tributes die year after year after year had driven him to drink when there was no other way out. And even though this new phase in his life had brought some unexpected happiness, she knew that a family who loved him and cherished him and needed him to be whole wouldn’t magically make him so. Deep down even Haymitch must know that the kind of help he needed couldn’t be given by anyone in this room. A grace period. That’s what these past few months were, really. And she could only wonder: How long this time? “Here,” she said and placed the duffel bag on Haymitch’s lap, brushing away those depressive thoughts. “I have a surprise for you.” Haymitch unzipped and peeked inside, upended it and the twins watched in wonderment as baby socks and baby mittens fell out followed by rompers and onesies and bodysuits, playsuits and all other suits you could think of. “Cute, aren’t they?” Effie smiled. ”Courtesy from Sae and her family. And these,” she added and picked up two snug-fitting, one-colored jammies from the pile, “are my favorites! Forest green and robin’s egg blue. Oh! Don’t you just love it? Sae told me they once belonged to the most adorable little boy you ever saw.” ”Who?” Effie chuckled. ”Why, you of course!” ”You kiddin’?” He reached out and brushed one of the tiny sleeves between his thumb and forefinger. Effie held the green pajamas up against his chest, head tilted to one side. “Can you imagine you were once so little you fit into this?” She let him have it and fitted Amy a gray beanie that the girl immediately pulled off and bit into. With her attention elsewhere, Haymitch’s gaze dropped to the baby jammies in his hands. He hadn’t laid eyes on them in ages. It was wrinkly and threadbare, being put to good use over the years. But he saw no reason why Amy and Ian couldn’t wear them if Effie really wanted them to. He ran his fingers through the fabric; sensed Ma in every stitch. Effie might think of the clothes as his but they weren’t, not really. Amadeus wore them last, before he outgrew them too and they passed on to Sae’s ever-growing family. “I cannot believe they’re already six months old,” Effie said and brought him back to the present. She watched Amy and Ian explore the pile of hand-me-downs and there was an odd air of loss in her voice. “In just a couple of weeks they won’t even need these pillows. They’ll learn how to crawl, how to walk, talk. One blink and it’s over.” “Yeah,” Haymitch said. “Time does go by.” Effie folded the blue pajamas and dropped it in the duffel bag. “I’ve been thinking.” “You don’t say?” “What do you think about making them godparents?” “Who?” “Katniss and Peeta, silly.” “Aren’t they already?” “No, we never asked them officially.” “Oh. Well… they would make great babysitters whenever we feel like getting the hell out of dodge.” “Language,” said Effie but even she was suppressing a smile. “By the way, Haymitch. About Sunday dinner. Wouldn’t it be nice if we invited them over for a change?” “Now, Effs. Remember our rule. We only cook for people we don’t care if we poison.” xXx “Bit further to the right. Lil’ more. Lil’ more. There you go!” “Haymitch,” said Effie, torn between amusement and annoyance. “I have built snow lanterns before.” She scooped up another handful and packed it into a firm snowball that she placed in the one existing hole in her creation. Since Peeta and Posy’s first one, years ago, the big snow lantern in front of Haymitch’s house had become something of a Victor’s Village tradition. “Did you bring the matches?” “Left pocket,” Haymitch said, leaned back against a frosty tree. Amy moved sleepily against his chest, snuggled up next to her brother. The stretchy wrap was a gift from June and Annabel, during the dinner party. Effie got one too but Haymitch hardly ever gave her the chance to use it. “Well, Effie carried them for nine months,” Peeta joked. “It’s only fair that Haymitch takes his turn now.” And he did enjoy keeping them close. At least then he knew where they were. Course, he had another reason – a secret reason – for using the stretchy wrap for all it was worth, even for short moments like building a snow lantern. The very first night after Effie and the twins moved in, he got out the biggest bags he could find and paid a visit to every single one of his stashes around the house. Clinking with bottles he then headed out and hid it in the one place he was certain Effie wouldn’t go to. The goose pen. And he wasn’t just keeping it out of her sight. True, it would be many months before the twins had the run of the place – a place that was baby-proofed, but just thinking about finding them playing with a bottle made him sick to his stomach. To say he was sober as a judge these days would be a big, fat lie but he was definitely close. As good as, really. All thanks to Amy and Ian. That’s where the stretchy wrap came in. Whenever he had a hard time and the goose pen looked more and more inviting he came up with some excuse to wear it. Hell, as of now the four of them had already visited ever single inch of District 12, including the slag heap and the neighboring woods. Because a secret sip or two when everyone else was asleep was one thing. Another altogether drinking while his kids were strapped to his chest. He couldn’t do it. He’d hang himself from the nearest beam before he let that happen. Effie put the match out and rose, admiring her soft-glowing snow lantern. She caressed the twins’ apple-red cheeks and slipped her hand through the crock of Haymitch’s elbow. “Let’s go visit uncle Peeta at the bakery,” she smiled. “I’m sure aunt Katniss will join us when she comes back from the woods.” xXx A full moon shone off of the ice crystals in Effie’s creation. The night and the cold had blown the candle out. Haymitch felt inside his pocket and sure enough, the matches were still there. Crouched in the snow it took him three efforts to light a flame. He stuck it through the opening but only managed to brush his wrist against the side. “Damn it,” he muttered when parts of the snow lantern collapsed in on itself. He put the match out and fumbled with the snowballs to try and fix it, only making the rest of Effie’s hard work cave in. Our life in a nutshell, he thought minutes later when he stepped inside the goose pen. A life where Effie tried to build things up, only for him to tear it all down again. “Hey, how you doin’?” he said and slumped into the hay of the secluded, free zone he now shared with the geese. Breathing in the scent of fresh straw, bird feathers and manure he dug inside the hay until he came up with a dusty bottle of the finest white liquor in town. “I’m having just this one, alright,” he told the geese. “Don’t let me go for a second.” The birds watched with round, expressionless eyes as he twisted the top, feathers ghostly pale in the moonlight. “Oh, don’t judge me. This is the first cold one I’ve had in like 50 years. Or… tepid, really,” he added after a sip. One sip that became two, that became three and four and five. He belched and wiped his mouth with his shirt sleeve, throat so raw he felt just about ready to spit blood. Arms rested against his knees he rolled the content of the flask in slow, pondering circles. “You guys are livin’ the dream,” he said. “All you ever do is eat and shit and fuck around. No real responsibilities. No fear of losing anything. ‘cept for the eggs I take away and give to people,” he added after a moment’s pause. “Wish I’d been born a goose.” He tipped the bottle up. Finished almost all before he spoke again. ”You wanna know somethin’?” He pointed the bottle toward the dust-speckled window. “Over it that house is the best damn thing that ever happened to me. It’s true. A gorgeous, kind-hearted woman who really cares for me. The sweetest couple o’ kids a man could ever ask for. Three people who somehow manage to make life almost livable. And some time very soon yours truly will have to tell those three to pack up and leave so that when I obliterate everything they won’t get hurt. The best thing I’ve got!” The geese watched, silently in the dark. Even if they could speak, what would they say? Haymitch eyed the bottle in his hand. Watched the moonlight glint off of the clear glass like some precious jewel; imagined the lovely crash when he tossed it into the wall. Instead he drank it dry. Turned it upside down so as not to waste a single drop. When there was nothing left but cold, hard, dirty glass he just let the bottle slip from his hand with a soft thud. It sounded like defeat. Author’s note: I’m having too much fun writing Haymitch opening up to a couple of birds when he has like 5+ people in his life that he could confide in instead. The scene with the twins and Haymitch playing around with paper was inspired by a youtube video I saw which included a father, his baby son and a rejection letter. Hope you liked it! Leave a review and tell me what you thought!

[unbridgeabledistances]

Prompt: Sandy and Debbie break up and Ian and Mickey each take a side. During the fall out Ian worries that Mickey has the same complaints about Ian that drove Sandy to break up with Debbie. But in the end Mickey reassures Ian that their relationship is nothing like theirs.

hi!<3 thank u so much for this prompt, it was so fun to write! hope u enjoy:)

also this scenario could take place anytime between ep 2 and ep 3 of s11, because ian still has his warehouse job

**

“Jesus, Debbie, calm the fuck down. You’re being dramatic”

“Sandy, if you call me dramatic one more time, I swear to god. I’m not trying to be controlling I’m just asking you where you were last night, which is a perfectly reasonable question—”

“Reasonable if you were my mother, maybe, but I can go wherever the fuck I want without you needing to smother me all the time! I was on a run with Terry, because I have no money and don’t really know what to do with myself, and I’m never fucking good enough for you, and that’s literally all you need to know—”

“Trouble in paradise,” Mickey commented as he poured Ian some coffee, breaking the silence in the kitchen, where everyone was staring at their breakfasts and listening to the voices shouting upstairs.

Ian rolled his eyes. “Yeah. Debs isn’t known to be the most… secure partner in a relationship.”

“You can say that again,” added Liam, wrapping his poptart in a napkin and shoving it into his backpack. “I’m just gonna eat on the way to school. It doesn’t seem like this screaming is going to stop anytime soon, and while you and Mickey having sex twice a day is bad enough, Debbie and Sandy having a lover’s quarrel has somehow pushed me over the edge.”

Ian smirked and sipped his coffee. “Can you drop Franny off on the way?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Liam led Franny out of the kitchen, where Ian and Mickey remained, listening to Debbie’s shrill voice drifting through the floorboards.

“Fine, if I can’t know what’s going on in your life, I guess you don’t need to be in mine anymore!”

“Are you fucking serious, Debbie? Why do you need to know where I am, you can barely handle knowing the whereabouts of your own kid—”

Ian and Mickey traded raised eyebrows while Ian silently took a bite of toast.

“Sandy, get out of this house! I don’t need you and your illegal bullshit anyways, all you’re doing is putting me and Franny at risk with Terry and all of his issues—”

“Okay, little miss perfect, but don’t expect me to give a shit when you come crawling back.”

“Fine!”

The door upstairs finally slammed, and seconds later Sandy came stomping down. She looked at Ian.

“Your prissy fucking sister is a pain in my ass. The sooner your whole family realizes that your garbage father is as bad as Terry is, the sooner you’ll hop off of your superiority complex over the Milkoviches and realize that your way of surviving is literally the same as ours.”

Sandy shoved past the kitchen table and out the back door.

Ian breathed out a laugh. “Well, that was an eventful morning.”

“I’ll say,” Mickey agreed, looking at the door Sandy had just walked through. “Do you think I should go talk to her or some shit?”

Ian shrugged. “Nah, I’m sure it’s fine. I’m sure Sandy’ll grow up and apologize for whatever illegal shit she was doing with Terry, Debs will calm down, and everything will go back to the way it was.”

Mickey looked slightly uncomfortable as he placed his mug down on the table. “I mean, she has got a point. I’m sure whatever Sandy was up to was no big deal, Debbie doesn’t need to be freaking out.”

Ian scoffed. “Yeah, if getting involved in all of your dad’s shit is no big deal. Sandy could at least tell Debs whatever she’s up to, that sounds pretty fair to me.”

Mickey stood up, clearing their plates and walking over to the sink. “Whatever, Gallagher. I’m just saying Sandy does have a point about you being marshmallows. If she’s not telling Debbie what she’s up to, it’s probably for her own good.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean, Mick? Last time you disappeared on a run with your dad without telling me where you were, I literally thought you murdered our PO. How is that better than just telling me you’re hawking some stolen guns or whatever you get up to?”

Mickey distractedly wrung his hands with the dish towel, looking sightly pissed and defensive that Ian would even bring up that onslaught of memories, of their almost-wedding and Ian’s rejection at the courthouse and everything that followed.

“I don’t know, asshole. Maybe because Sandy’s right, and you all can be a little judgy about all the illegal shit. I get that you’re a goody two shoes breaking your fucking back in a warehouse, but that doesn’t mean that everyone needs to work their ass off to make minimum wage like you. I used to do shit for my dad all the time, so does Sandy and she doesn’t need anyone to be her keeper.”

Ian rolled his eyes, taking a final sip of coffee and standing up. “Alright, whatever. I’m gonna be late.” He pecked the top of Mickey’s head as he put his mug in the sink. “Enjoy your hard day’s work of watching TV and jacking off.”

Mickey turned and flipped him off as Ian strode out of the room.

Later that day, as Ian was mechanically checking expiration dates on an order of off-brand crackers, he couldn’t help but replay he and Mickey’s conversation from that morning over and over in his mind. Was Mickey seriously going to defend Sandy for sneaking with Terry behind Debbie’s back? He knew Mickey didn’t give a shit about making minimum wage right now, but was Mickey really going to spend the rest of his life following in his dad’s footsteps, depending on his next heist for cash? And, worst of all, did that mean he was going to live a life of feeling like he needed to hide every move from Ian? Ian knew what he was signing up for when they got married, that being with Mickey always meant some level of scamming and schmoozing; but for some reason, he thought that now that Mickey and his dad had fallen out that Mickey’s existence would stop being so constantly on the brink of incarceration.

He’d expected marriage to be a partnership—but so far, it felt like he and Mickey were on different pages about pretty much everything.

When Ian finally made it home and stumbled in the front door, tired and bleary, Sandy was still noticeably absent from the Gallagher house. Debbie and Franny were in the kitchen, along with Liam who was muddling through his homework at the table. Ian went upstairs and found Mickey laying on their bed, watching some sort of video on his phone at full volume. He didn’t look up when Ian came into the room.

“Hey, Mick. Can we talk for a sec?” Ian asked, taking off his hat and coat and gingerly placing them on the bottom corner of the bed.

Mickey still didn’t look up from his phone. “Don’t know what the fuck you want to talk about.”

Ian sat on the edge of the bed. “Did… Sandy and Debbie make up yet?”

Mickey huffed. “What d’you think.”

“Guess not. How’s Sandy doing?”

“Don’t know, haven’t heard from her yet. Figure she’s just off somewhere blowing off some steam.”

Ian approached the next topic with caution.

“So, uh, I was thinking. And I think we need to talk again about, y’know, our mutual expectations.”

“This shit again? Listen, we already did this, I know we agreed that we aren’t fucking other people—"

“No, no I mean about other stuff. Not even the money stuff again really, just like… if you’re ever going to go back to doing the shit that Terry does. For example.”

“What the fuck are you even talking about man, you know I don’t talk to that asshole anymore.”

“I know, but—what if you want to do stuff with Sandy, or someone makes you an offer for a big job? What if you end up in jail again? What if you feel the way Sandy does and you feel like you need to hide all this stuff from me, meanwhile I’m just here working my ass off trying to make a life for us—”

Mickey paused the video and finally looked up from the phone.

“What the fuck are you talking about, Gallagher?”

Ian ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I just… I don’t want you to not tell me shit, the way Sandy was with Debbie. I’d rather know what illegal bullshit you’re up to, even if you think it’s going to piss me off. I… I don’t want to lose you again. I don’t want you to have to lie to me, and I don’t want you to go to jail again. I just wanna be on the same page.”

Ian inched his hand over the covers and placed it on top of Mickey’s as he kept talking.

“I know we’ve been fighting a lot lately, not agreeing on stuff. But I just…want you to know that I’m in this. I love you, I’m your fucking husband. I want us to work together, and I don’t want you to think that I can’t handle anything, or that we can’t tackle everything together.”

Ian looked down at their hands, letting the silence swell as he traced Mickey’s palm with his thumb.

“Hey, Gallagher. Look at me.”

Ian met Mickey’s eyes—Mickey was looking directly at him, unguarded and open. It reminded him of the look on Mickey’s face when he had tried to break up with Mickey the first time, back when they were both kids sitting on the front stoop and Mickey had sprinted over when Ian called; when Mickey had split himself open, had told Ian how much he loved him, through sickness and health and everything they were about to go through.  

“Sandy’s got her own bullshit to learn. About people caring about her, caring where she is, caring if she throws her life away. But I’ve been here this whole time, and I’ve learned that. Why do you think I used to throw myself into as much risky bullshit as I could, before I was locked up? I was losing myself in everything, because all I ever wanted was this.”

He put his hand up to Ian’s face—a small gesture, but probably the most intimate touch he’d given Ian in weeks. It stung like ice and fire on Ian’s cheek, like electricity was flickering where his fingertips met Ian’s skin.

“I’ve pointed a glock at my asshole dad’s head and been willing to take the bullet for this. I’m not getting involved in any shit that can take you away from me, Gallagher. Am I going to stop forging my payroll for my PO? Or stop selling shitty expired brownie mix? Probably not. But I’m not gonna do anything risky, anything that might take me away from you for good. Never was.”

Ian sighed. He was being stupid, and he knew that. But between all of their senseless bickering the last few weeks, he couldn’t help but worry that Mickey was feeling more and more indifferent about this whole marriage situation, or getting restless about being pinned down. He listened earnestly as Mickey continued talking.

“How many times have I told you—my family was never there for me. You’re the only family I need. And I made that shit official when I put a ring on your finger, or I guess when I forced you to put one on mine. I’ve always been there for you, I’m always gonna be there for you. We fought long and hard enough for this, Gallagher. You just gotta believe in me.”

There it was—that fondness in Mickey’s eyes, the softness that he tried to hard to hide, but showed up anyways as he was tying Ian’s tie, or holding him close through a wave of depression, or kissing his forehead when he gave Ian his meds. Mickey was never going to let anything come between them again, not after all the pitfalls and heartbreak they’d been through—Ian realized that now, even more than he already had.

“I know, Mick. I believe you.”

“You’d better, asshole. Now c’mere.”

Mickey led Ian’s chin forward, and their lips met—just a ghost of a touch, at first, but it made Ian grab the back of Mickey’s neck and pull him in closer, fiercely slotting their lips together again and again.  

They broke apart, and Ian smiled sheepishly. “Sorry for freaking out.”

“I’m all yours, Mr. Milkovich. Whatever shit our families get into can’t change that.”

[cakesunflower]

Matter of Time [C.H. One Shot]

Summary: Bringing the guy she had feelings for along as her date to her ex’s wedding was probably the smartest decision Talia could’ve made.

A/N: honestly this was supposed to be a short thing but it ended up being like nearly 9k words smh. also. these pics of Calum sure did come at the right time because this is exactly how i pictured him in this fic,,,,,maybe with his trusty chains thrown somewhere in there as well.

“He invited you to his wedding?”

Talia felt her shoulders deflate, nodding solemnly to Calum’s incredulous question. As they wandered around the mall, hands carrying a few bags that were some much needed retail therapy after the invitation she had received, she let out a sigh. “He did. I don’t know if I’m annoyed that he’s already getting married, or because he’s being the bigger person by inviting me.”

Calum swallowed a sip of his coffee—she had dragged him out to the mall quite early, she felt kind of bad for not letting him sleep in—before his slow, still morning voice responded, “Maybe he’s just bein’ petty by inviting you.” Lifting a finger that was wrapped around the Starbucks cup, he pointed at the brunette and spoke after smacking his lips, “Show him you’re the bigger person by showing up like it doesn’t affect you.”

Talia frowned at his words, stopping short as she faced her tall friend and blinked up at him. “It doesn’t affect me,” she stated firmly, hoping he heard it over the busy noise of the mall around them. She didn’t want Calum—or anyone—thinking that she was still hung up on an ex with whom a relationship had ended a year ago. Sure, Ian had broken up with her and it had hurt, especially since she had loved him, but that was in the past. She’d moved on. But that didn’t mean she was jumping at the chance of attending his wedding while she was still single. Not that it was a competition. It was just a bummer.

Calum lifted his chin, looking down at her with curious, challenging eyes that kind of had her breath hitching. “Prove it,” he said, prompting Talia to raise her eyebrows. “Show him you’re unbothered and how you hadn’t thought about him until the invitation showed up by attending the wedding to congratulate him.”

With a scoff and a roll of her eyes, Talia pointed out, “I doubt he’s gonna be paying attention on his wedding day, Calum.”

Her friend took a step closer towards her, enough to let the familiar scent of his favorite cologne wash over her, forcing Talia to tilt her head back ever so slightly to maintain eye contact with his taller figure. She ignored the butterflies in her stomach at his proximity, something she’d nearly become an expert at doing over the past few months when something unexpectedly switched in her head and she wasn’t looking at Calum as just her friend anymore.

He was an observant man, but Talia desperately hoped he didn’t notice the way her throat worked through its sudden dryness or the tenseness of her shoulders as he stood so close to her. His brown eyes held every bit of intensity that she had come to know yet still melted under, eyebrows raising subtly in encouragement as he responded, “Then prove it to yourself, Tal.”

She bit down on her lower lip, telling herself she imagined the brief second in which Calum’s gaze had dropped to her mouth before returning to meet her eyes, as she thought over his suggestion. Honestly, Talia doubted that she’d feel any kind of pain at the sight of Ian vowing to love another woman for the rest of his life—that wasn’t why she was hesitant on attending. Like she had told Calum, it was more of an annoying self esteem thing. Ian had found someone else to love; meanwhile, Talia was struggling to keep her feelings for her friend at bay out of, what? Fear? Anxiety? Nervousness?

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

Maybe if she took Calum’s suggestion, maybe if she faced this one thing, she would find some courage to face her feelings. Maybe it would give her the push to actually do something about them.

Ugh. She kind of hated that Ian was giving her this opportunity.

“Fine,” Talia found herself answering, lifting her own chin decidedly as Calum raised his eyebrows. Then, with a smile, “But if I’m gonna attend my ex’s wedding, I need a new dress.”

She then turned, purposefully walking towards a dress shop they had passed, hearing Calum groan behind her as he followed and complained, “You already have so many dresses.”

She scoffed, shooting him an unimpressed stare as her gaze briefly dropped to what he was wearing. “Just because you wear the same Nine Inch Nails shirt every day, doesn’t mean everyone else is the same way.”

Calum frowned as he sipped his coffee, chin touching his chest as he looked down at his tee and asked, almost poutily, “What’s wrong with my shirt?”

Talia sighed, but kept the words to herself as they continued. Nothing. Nothing was wrong with that damn shirt; it hung off of him adorably and it was so soft and she kind of loved hugging him when he wore it. But she wasn’t about to admit that to the Australian. Not when just thinking about it warmed her cheeks foolishly.

Despite his initial complaint, Calum kept up with Talia, asking what size she wore before looking through the many dresses hung on the many racks. She found herself, on more than one occasion, glancing over to wherever he was, feeling the smile grow on her lips when she noted the subtle concentrated furrow on his eyebrows, sifting through dresses while taking sips of his coffee in between.What was even better was the two dresses hanging off his arm already.

“It’s a no on the blue one.”

From the other side of the door, Talia heard Calum groan before he said, “At least let me see!”

Talia’s face scrunched up as she looked at herself in the mirror, head tilted as she scrutinized the way the dress hugged at her waist too tightly. “No, it looks weird. What’s the point in showing you if I’m not getting it?” she called back smartly, smiling in triumph when she heard him huff in exasperation.

He sounded much closer to the door and Talia glanced down to the space between the door and the floor to see his Docs right in front. “Wasn’t that the last one?”

Her gaze flickered to the lavender colored number hanging on the hook on the door. “No, I’ve got one more.”

“At least show me that one.”

Talia took off the blue dress she wore with a mumble of “we’ll see,” before grabbing the lavender dress, feeling a chill run down her spine as the air hit her bare skin. As she slipped it on and put her arms through the spaghetti straps of it, Talia admired the softness of the material as well as the color of it. It was fitted on top and looser at the bottom, going a little past her knees. It was kind of plain, a little simple even, but Talia loved it.

Her right hand reached behind her, fingers toying with the zipper before realizing she wasn’t able to pull it up all the way. She rolled her lips into her mouth, staring at her reflection on the back wall mirror, wondering if she needed to zip it up. Except she wouldn’t know the proper fitting of it, and Talia let out a heavy yet quiet sigh as her head tilted back to look up at the ceiling. It wasn’t a big deal. She could ask Calum. She needed to relax.

Licking her lips, Talia’s throat worked briefly before grabbing the door handle and opening it as she found her voice long enough to say, “Can you zip this up for me?”

She turned around as she said it, so the door opened for Calum to look at her back and Talia reluctantly allowed for her gaze to wander over to the mirror right in front of her. She watched as Calum stepped forward, the coffee cup long gone, his body easily towering over hers as his hands raised to grasp the zipper, and Talia fought the bristle in her body that threatened to ripple through when she felt the warm touch of his fingers brush against the exposed skin of her back.

The buzz of the store and the music playing throughout sounded like background noise over the thrumming of her heart, racing in her ears as she watched Calum’s ducked head and felt the movement of his hand as he pulled the zipper up, the dress gently tightening as he did so. He no longer had curls that brushed along his forehead, his dark hair shorter now, the blue disappearing as his hair grew out. She wasn’t sure how she felt about being so acutely aware of his warmth radiating to her, or how she could just barely hear the sound of his breathing. Talia wondered if she imagined the jolt of electricity at the touch of his fingers against her skin, biting the inside of her lower lip as Calum finally raised his head.

Right before his gaze met hers through the reflection, Talia turned around and took half a step back, lifting her head to finally meet his gaze. Or, she would’ve, had it not been for the fact that Calum’s dark eyes were oh so slowly trailing up her figure, her stomach twisting into excited knots as she watched him admire—was that too conceited? Too yearning?—her so openly. It had Talia’s skin warming, especially when his eyes finally met hers and a smile upturned his lips through a breathy chuckle.

She saw a glint in his eyes as he smirked boyishly, “Bride’s gonna be pissed you’ll be taking the attention off her.”

Talia’s cheeks flushed as she ran her hands down the smooth material of the dress, looking down at the way it hugged her nicely and speaking through the butterflies erupting in her stomach as she modestly responded, “Alright, relax,” with a sheepish chuckle. God, she used to be able to take his compliments. Now, even the simplest of admirations from him, nothing but platonic, overwhelmed Talia’s senses far quicker than she could put them down.

If anyone had an affect on her, it was Calum.

“Seriously, doll,” he spoke up with a light chuckle, prompting for her dark eyes to meet his once more, taking in the smile he wore that pushed up his cheeks the way she adored. “That dress looks amazing on you.” Then Calum grasped her shoulders, bare thanks to the thin dress straps, and used his grip to turn her until she was facing the mirror once again. The air locked in Talia’s throat when Calum stepped forward until his front was against her back, tattooed left arm draped across her collarbones, the sight of his skin wrapped in ink fluttering her stomach as his warmth seeped into her. His chin rested on top of his head, gaze meeting hers through the reflection, and Talia silently willed for her heart to calm down as he rasped, “Lavender is definitely your color.”

It was proving to be difficult to think about anything else other than the way Calum’s body felt against hers. God. They’d hugged plenty of times, had been close just as much, and yet the proximity still sent her heart racing, thundering in her ears as the warmth settled like a comforting blanket. Was Talia crazy to feel so safe in his embrace? To feel as though all of her worries slipped away for as long as he was holding her in some capacity?

She probably was crazy, especially given that whatever she was feeling, was more than likely to be unrequited. How pathetic to be setting herself up for inevitable pain yet not doing anything to resist the pull Calum seemed to have on her?

Finding her voice, Talia let out a gentle scoff and raised her eyebrows at their reflection. “You’re a flatterer.” Calum rolled his eyes, not releasing his hold on her—not that she wanted him to. Talia subtly tilted her head, not wanting him to lift his chin, as she ran her gaze down her reflection before humming, “Something’s missing.” She knew exactly what. The thoughtfulness was an act. She took a leap of faith, unsure what exactly gave her the courage to do so, as she grinned at Calum’s raised eyebrows. “Arm candy.”

She turned around, which unfortunately meant for Calum to drop his arm from her as he stared down with narrowed eyes, like he knew what she was about to say as Talia grinned sweetly, pleadingly. “I haven’t sent in my RSVP yet—will you please come with me?” Calum parted his lips, and before he got the chance to protest, Talia quickly pushed on, “You know what’s better than going to your ex’s wedding? Going to his wedding with a hot date.��

Okay, yeah, she was a masochist set on igniting her face on fire as the words slipped past her mouth without much thought. Talia fought the urge to bite down on her tongue as she kept smiling up at him, hoping she could silently encourage him despite the heat spreading across her skin under his intent gaze. Calum looked at her, raising his eyebrows as he took in a deep breath as he contemplated her offer.

He puckered his lips momentarily before asking, “Open bar?”

“I think so.”

The corner of Calum’s lips quirked as he remained silent for another second before deciding, “I’m there.”

Talia let out a gentle scoff, raising a single eyebrow as she questioned, “Just ’cause there’s an open bar?”

His smirk widened, boyish and heartbreaking as he took a step back, out of the fitting room with his hand on the door handle as he winked, “That’s just a bonus.” And then he was out, shutting the door and leaving Talia alone with the thunderous pounding of her heart.

*****

When Calum stepped out of his house, dressed in a black suit with his rings, bracelet and chains around his neck glimmering in their silver delight under the sun. Her grip tightened on the steering wheel as he locked the door behind him and headed down the two steps, sunglasses shielding him from the rays as his jaw worked to chew the gum in his mouth. “Oh, shit.” He looked incredibly good, unfairly so, and Talia quickly tapped her fingers against the steering wheel and let out a sharp breath as Calum offered her a quick boyish greeting nod, a smirk on his lips as he walked around the front of the car and got in.

“Hey, doll,” Calum greeted easily, reaching behind him to shut the door as he leaned forward to press a quick kiss to Talia’s cheek. Brief, yet the tingle of his touch lingered. Her car was greeted with his cologne, fresh and citrusy and pleasantly musky. He settled back in his seat, strapping in his seat belt as he looked at her from behind his sunglasses. His smile returned, soft and sweet, as he said, “You look gorgeous, Tal.”

She knew the blush she wore would do nothing to hide the pink the warmth on her face was spreading, yet Talia returned his smile and found a teasing tilt in her voice as she said, “You don’t look so bad yourself,” as she put the car into drive. Man, was that the understatement of the century. She glanced to see him look down by his feet, apparently having hit something, and Talia told him, “Oh, those are my heels, sorry.”

Driving in heels wasn’t something she was fond of, deciding to put on her favorite slip ons for the drive to the wedding venue. “All good,” Calum chuckled, picking up her phone as he asked, “Can I?”

She knew he was only going to go on Spotify, and if it was anyone else, Talia would’ve told them no because it was her car, so the music choice was hers alone. But it was Calum, and their music taste was achingly similar, and with a quick mental check of not having sent any incriminating texts to anyone about her wedding date—not that Calum would go through her phone, he respected her privacy too much—she gave an affirming hum.

He put in the passcode and scrolled through the playlist, settling on a Post Malone song as Talia drove onto the freeway. She noticed Calum pick up the wedding invitation, reading it over, before he scoffed and asked, “What kind of name is Damaris?”

Talia pressed her lips together, feeling the smile come on. She had the same reaction when she read the name of the bride. “Stop,” she chuckled, though there was no real pressure for him to actually stop. Almost reluctantly, with a huff, she acknowledged, “I’m sure she’s a nice girl.” Not that she particularly cared.

“Oh, I’m sure, too,” Calum reassured, a smile in his voice, and Talia could feel the heat of his gaze as he added in a knowing tone, “I may not like the guy, but he’s got great taste in women.”

The belief he held in that statement was loud and clear, enough to flip Talia’s stomach as the breath hitched in her throat. He shouldn’t really be saying vague-but-not-really things like that to her while she was driving. Talia hated that she was so aware of her feelings for Calum, because now it rendered her incapable of receiving compliments from him without her skin igniting on fire and her stomach becoming residence for a thousand butterflies.

It was funny, how when the so-called butterflies kind of made her nervous when it came to her feelings for someone else. She used to refer to them as moths instead. It didn’t seem natural, to feel something nauseating as reference to the excitement of merely seeing the person you harbored even the slightest bit of a crush? But then her feelings for Calum made themselves known, just one day where Talia saw her friend in a different light she hadn’t expected, and her breath was gone and the moths were suddenly butterflies and acting like the mere thought of him didn’t bring a smile to her face was her number one priority especially when around him. God forbid she made her feelings obvious.

Which was getting kind of hard with her being unable to maintain her breathing when he complimented her like he’s done a million times before.

Half an hour later, Talia pulled the car in front of the estate, right where the other cars were, catching sight of the valet attendants a few ways ahead. Taking the opportunity, she asked hastily, “Can you pass me my heels?” while toeing off her slippers and tossing them in the back.

“Sure,” he chuckled, grabbing her shoes and handing her one of them and she quickly put her right one on, eyes on the windshield as she blindly and expertly strapped it on before doing the same with the other. Next to her, she could hear the subtle awe in Calum’s voice as he laughed, “Impressive.”

Eventually, they pulled up in front of the valet podium and got out of the car, and Talia tucked the ticket into her purse as she looked up at the grey stone building—manor, actually—in front of her. Talia blew out a slow breath as the guests around her wandered inside, heels clicking and chatter sounding, and she couldn’t help but think Ian and his bride had some good taste in wedding venues. Maybe she’d hire the same wedding planner. If they used one. Or if she was ever going to get married.

She felt Calum step up to her left, glancing at him to watch as he offered his right arm and asked, “Shall we?”

Talia smiled, heart drumming as she linked her arm with his before the two made their way inside. They walked through the gorgeous manor, walking past a sign that read Graham & Drew Wedding and through a pair of glass doors that led to a stunning forecourt with greenery in the center and a few staircases around that led up to the terraces of the manor, as well as some steps up ahead that led to a garden where Talia could see the ceremony would take place.

People were lingering in the court to take pictures before heading on down, and Talia was more than ready to just sit down and wait for the ceremony to start. But that idea derailed when Calum led her towards one corner of the court and said, “Come on, let me take a photo of you.”

Talia groaned lightly as he pulled her along and said, “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” Calum decided, dropping his arm from her and shooting her a serious look before gesturing ahead. “Pretty thing like you deserves to be photographed.”

There went the blush.

She stood where he asked her to, the view behind her incredible, and Talia couldn’t stop the smile from growing onto her face as Calum pulled out his own phone and hung his glasses on the neckline of his button down before holding his phone up. He was grinning at her, at the view of her on his phone, and Talia’s own smile grew as she posed and he praised, “That’s it! Fuckin’ glowing, love.”

A laugh escaped Talia, using her fingers to tuck her hair behind her ear as she whispered dramatically, “The boomers are giving you nasty looks.”

Calum scoffed, unbothered as he kept clicking away, moving this way and that to get the angles, which Talia found too damn endearing. He looked up briefly for his dark eyes to meet hers, smirking as he added, “Let ’em—they’re jealous I’ve got the hottest date here.”

Oh, her face needed an ice pack or something. She smiled but her heart was in complete overdrive as she let out a chuckle that sounded nervous to her own ears and raised an eyebrow and wiggled her fingers at him, “Come take a picture with your hot date.”

He grinned, that dumb lower lip biting smile that drove her crazy as he nodded before finding a random stranger and asking them in that polite, boyish charm if they would mind taking a picture of the two of them. Calum then stood to her right, arm easily winding around her waist as hers did the same, fighting the urge to press herself closer to him as she felt his hand settle on her hip.

The woman who took their picture returned the phone with a smile, “You two are a gorgeous couple.”

Talia bit the inside of her cheek, merely smiling in return as Calum thanked her without correcting her, and she tried to ignore the tug in her heart and the hitch in her throat. Oh, lady. Talia wished.

*****

“So are you from the bride’s side or the groom’s?”

Calum stuck his gum to the inside of his cheek as he let out a short chuckle. “Groom—kind of,” he answered with a chuckle. The woman in front of him raised her eyebrows, smile ever present, as Calum clarified, “I mean, I know the groom but I’m here as a plus one for the girl who does know him.” He felt the smile tug at his lips at the thought of Talia, eyes wandering until his gaze landed on her. She was only a few feet away, chatting with someone he didn’t recognize. The sun was shining down on them all, but she was the only one glowing under it. Bright and gorgeous. He nodded over at her. “She’s right there.”

The woman, Sarah, followed his gaze before exclaiming gently. “Oh, Talia? You’re here with her?” Calum met her eyes and saw the smile she wore as she nodded. “She’s a sweetheart—of course, I’ve only met her once when Ian brought her around for Thanksgiving.” Then Sarah chuckled, waving her hand. “I think it might be taboo to talk about my nephew’s ex at his wedding but I doubt there’s any bad blood if she was invited.”

Calum chuckled along with Sarah, despite the awkwardness he was feeling. Truth be told, though it was none of his business and he had no right to feel that way, Calum wasn’t too fond of remembering the fact that Talia and Ian had been together. He hadn’t particularly liked Ian, and for a while Calum had assumed it was because of Ian, period. And, truthfully, he was definitely part of it. The guy kind of hadn’t gotten along with any of Talia’s friends himself, Calum included, and would always prefer if she hung out with his friends than him with hers.

He’d seemed like a decent enough boyfriend to Talia, but always preferred to keep her to himself rather than share. And, to be fair, Calum didn’t blame him, but he wouldn’t be a dick about it the way Ian used to be. It wasn’t like Calum could say anything either, out of respect for Talia and her relationship and, truthfully, the mild fear it would backfire on him and piss her off. So he kept to being her friend, as usual, knowing she had been doing her best to keep both her boyfriend and friends happy. In the end, the asshole left and she had them. Calum hoped they were enough. That he was enough.

Eventually, the ceremony was about to begin, and Calum met Talia in one of the middle rows as the two of them sat down towards the end by the aisle. And when the bride, Damaris, walked down the aisle, Calum’s gaze went from her to the woman standing next to him, raising his eyebrows at the fact that Talia was looking ahead at Ian instead of the woman in white making her way down.

For a moment, something twisted in Calum’s chest. But then, as if feeling his gaze on her, Talia spoke up quietly through a smile, “He looks genuinely happy.” Calum bit the inside of his cheek, noting the genuine sincerity in Talia’s warm brown eyes, his own muscles relaxing as she added musingly, “Good for him.”

He felt his lips mirror her own smile, though he felt happier for her than the couple of the hour. To see her watch her ex get married with no semblance of jealousy or sadness, not even a hint of self pity, had him smiling for Talia. It may be stupid for him to think, not that he cared, but he was proud of her. She’d been somewhat frazzled that day at the mall, and then the days leading up to the wedding. Now to be here, with the sun bright above them and her in that dress with that smile. . . He was glad to be here with her. For her.

So when they settled back down on their seats, he draped his arm around Talia, mindful of the drumming of his heart as he caught sight of her smile when she leaned into him. Calum felt her relax against him as the ceremony progressed, not sniffling and teary eyed like many of the guests around them, but watching with a contentment he was happy to see. It really was a lovely day for a wedding. It was a lovelier day to be Talia’s wedding date.

When the ceremony was over and the newly proclaimed husband and wife walked down the cheering aisle with bright grins on their faces, everyone got up to make their way to the courtyard where the reception was being held. The next little while went by in a blur; the two of them found their assigned seats, sitting at a table with people Calum didn’t know, sticking by Talia’s side as she was pulled into conversations with the few members of Ian’s family and his friends that she had met during their eight month dating period. Not only had Talia made a lasting impression on Ian to be invited to his wedding, but she did so on his parents and friends as well, all of whom had stated their delight in seeing her again.

Calum smirked lightly, silently agreeing with them. Who wouldn’t be glad to see Talia?

Soon enough, the DJ was announcing the arrival of the newly appointed Mr. and Mrs. Graham, and Calum stood next to Talia, clapping along with everyone else as Ian and Damaris walked down the stone steps, hand in hand, and into the courtyard where everyone was waiting for them, with the bride having undergone a dress change. They went right for the makeshift dance floor, a recognizable Ed Sheeran song playing for them to have their first dance to.

Next to him, Talia whispered, “Is it rude for us to go to the bar while they’re dancing?”

Calum suppressed a chuckle, but liked where her mind was at. “No. I think we’re far back enough to not be noticed.”

He caught her grin before she started moving slowly, Calum following her to where the bar was set up as everyone’s attention was on the happy couple up front. Calum stepped up to the bar, keeping his voice low as a way of not being rude as he said to the bartender, “Two whiskey neats, please.”

Talia scoffed lightly, telling the man, “Make mine a double.”

“A double?” Calum hummed, elbow resting on the bartop as he faced Talia with an amused raise of his eyebrow. The song had just hit the bridge, it would be ending soon. His gaze trailed Talia up and down; she was mirroring his pose, right hand on her hip as she looked over at the crowd. Calum fought the urge to allow his stare to wander the length of her figure once more, the dress hugging her perfectly and complimenting her. Absolutely stunning. But he tried to pay more attention to the topic at hand than her gorgeous she looked. “Thought you were good with this wedding?”

“Oh, I am,” Talia responded, her voice airy and assuring. He had half a mind to believe her, and he should. But he was just a little bit worried. She then turned her gaze to meet Calum’s once more, brown eyes meeting brown, her smile bright and even a little amused. “But I think it’s fair that I take advantage of the bar at my ex’s wedding, don’t I? Why else am I here?”

That brought a grin to Calum’s face, a chuckle escaping as he nodded along in agreement. She had a point there. So when the bartender handed them their drinks, the two picked up their glasses and clinked them together, a pretty glint in her eyes just as the song ended and they took sips of the whiskey. It happily burned at Calum’s throat, smacking his lips lightly and exhaling a satisfied breath. Talia was right; raiding the bar would definitely make this trip worth it.

Not that it already wasn’t. One look at her and Calum would be inclined to agree.

They eventually found their seats once again, just in time for the Best Man and Maid of Honor to make their speeches. Calum remained leaned back on his seat, right ankle resting on his left knee as his left arm remained settled on the top of Talia’s chair as she joined him in sipping their drinks. She didn’t look particularly entranced by the words being said about Ian and Damaris and the love they shared. Like she didn’t care about their relationship, and it proved the point she had made to Calum the day they went to buy her dress about Ian’s wedding not affecting her.

Unsure of how long the speeches were going to be, Calum let out a long sigh, gaze flickering to Talia to see her pull out her AirPods case from her purse. The smirk tilted at his lips as she offered him one, and Calum chuckled lowly as they each put on in and Talia scrolled through her playlist before settling on a song by The Maine. They were half way through the song as Talia let out a small chuckle and murmured, “We’re such assholes.”

Calum clicked his tongue in disagreement, uncaring that if anyone looked, they’d see the AirPod in his ear, while Talia’s hair hid hers. Quietly, he replied, “Weddings are only fun if your friend or family member’s the one getting hitched.” He leaned towards her, catching just a bit of her familiarly pleasant perfume, and added, “We’ll have fun at Mike and Crystal’s.”

Talia laughed quietly, knocking her knee with his as she turned her gaze back to the Maid of Honor who was all teary eyed and smiles as she spoke. Calum got to choose the next song, deciding on an Arctic Monkeys tune and, thankfully, the speech was over right when the song ended. Talia seemed to share the sentiment as she muttered, “Thank God,” while pulling out the AirPod, taking the one Calum handed to her as well and tucking them away. “I need food. And then we can be on our way.”

Calum pouted, arms crossing as he tilted his head at her. “Not even gonna stick around to dance?” When Talia shot him a flat look, Calum returned his arm to the top of her chair and leaned in close, knowing he didn’t imagine the way her throat worked when he closed the distance between them. Enough to see the gold flecks in the brown of her eyes, framed by pretty long eyelashes. “Come on, doll.” He may be pushing it, offering her his best pleading look, the kind she called his puppy dog face with the wide eyes and pouting lips, knowing it always got him his way. He didn’t miss the way her gaze flickered to his mouth, fighting the urge to smirk. “Just one dance?”

He heard the soft breath she took, finally meeting his gaze, before rolling her eyes lightly and responding reluctantly, “Fine. One dance,” while holding one finger up to emphasize her point.

Calum let go of his self restraint for once—or maybe the empty glass of whiskey had something to do with it—but he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her finger, returning the grin that tilted at Talia’s lips and adoring the pink of her cheeks. She curled her finger into itself, her smile still present as she gave an endearing, amused shake of her head at him. Calum thanked the music that the DJ had began playing, or else he would genuinely worry that Talia could hear the erratic drumming of his heart. Part of him felt as though he was playing with fire, but mostly, Calum didn’t care. He was too busy wondering that if kissing her damn finger or cheek had his lips feeling as though they’d been shocked, just how would it feel to actually kiss her. For now, he could only dream.

*****

“Wanna dance?” Calum inquired, grinning at Talia. They’d finished eating a little while ago, the music still playing and those who had eaten already dancing and enjoying the wedding festivities, many taking advantage of the abar and photobooth that was aso set up.

Talia looked up at his already standing figure, gaze flickering to his offered hand before letting out a gentle laugh as their eyes met. “Sure.” Grin widening, she added, “I’m already two and a half drinks in anyway.”

Calum snorted, despite the warmth he felt when she held his hand and he pulled her up. “That’s the spirit,” he hummed, pulling her towards the dance floor just as a slow song started. His lips twitched into a grin, silently thanking the DJ for unknowingly working on his side as he and Talia moved within the group of dancing guests.

The DJ had good taste in music, Calum couldn’t help but think, as Dream a Little Dream of Me by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong began playing. Calum used his grip on Talia’s hand to pull her towards him, her left arm around his shoulders as their bodies began moving to the gentle melody of the music. His own free hand settled on her lower back, trying not to stare at the way his fingers interlocked with hers, the few rings she wore clinking against his.

Calum’s eyes didn’t leave Talia, which is how he could tell she was trying her best not to meet his gaze. It kind of made him smile, this sudden shyness she was displaying, wanting her to never feel that way around him while being reassured that she felt around him what he felt around her. He’d just had a lot of practice hiding it, he figured, and he wanted to tell her that she had no reason to feel that way around him.

With a subtle lift of his chin, Calum mused, “Have I told you today how pretty you look?”

He knew he had, of course. He just wanted to remind her.

Talia let out a gentle laugh, gaze meeting his. “Yes, you have,” she responded. Narrowing her eyes playfully, she said, “At this point, I think you just like seeing my face turn red.”

Calum tilted his head back as he blew out a puff of air. “Nah, just like tellin’ you the truth.” Then, smirking, he shrugged a single shoulder before adding, “But, yeah, seeing you blush like that is adorable.”

Talia shook her head, either amused or embarrassed as she muttered, “Shut up.”

He chuckled as they continued swaying to the music, humming along to the tune as they moved, feeling the warmth of her body against his. Calum loved being this close to her; he could make out every detail in her features. The subtle dimple on her right cheek if she moved her lips a certain way, the four freckles—easily counted—on the bridge of her nose, or the tiny beauty mark right at the corner of her lips. Small little things that made her Talia; the girl he’s been crazy about for God knows how long.

If only he had the guts to actually tell her. Innocent flirting aside, when it came down to it, Calum was consistently holding himself back from saying anything because, what? He was scared? He didn’t want to ruin their friendship? From the way he’d catch her looking at him, Calum could tell there was a chance—even a small one—that she felt the same for him. Just maybe.

Right as the song was coming to an end, a familiar voice cut through the two of them. “Talia, Calum—so glad you guys could make it!”

They paused as Calum looked to his left, taking a breath at the sight of the bride and groom grinning at them. Talia was the first to recover, surprisingly, as she offered a smile. “Of course,” she replied, letting go of Calum just so she could accept the hug Ian was offering. Calum watched; it was nothing more than a hug between two. . . Exes? Friends? Acquaintances? Something of the like. Talia then hugged Damaris as she added, “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you both.”

When she pulled away, Calum saw in her smile that she genuinely was.

“Yeah,” Calum joined in with a smile, pushing aside whatever lingering contempt he may have for Ian as they shook hands. “Happy for you.”

“Thank you so much,” Damaris gushed, that happy bridal glow sticking to her justifiably as her arm linked with Ian’s.

“Man, I gotta say,” Ian laughed, shaking his head as he looked back and forth at Talia and Calum, the latter raising his eyebrows at the amused look they were receiving from the groom. “I’m not surprised the two of you ended up together. Kinda saw it coming.”

Calum’s eyebrows dropped. Wait. What?

His gaze instantly flickered to Talia, who was too busy gaping at her ex in a look of utter dumbfoundment, which he completely agreed with. Calum could feel the thrum of his heart, quick and erratic. His eyebrows drew together in bewilderment when he looked back at Ian, who seemed oblivious to the shock he’d startled the two of them with. Honestly, he looked like he was just delivering news he thought everyone was aware of.

“You saw it—” Talia cut off with an awkward, nervous chuckle as she frowned in confusion at Ian. She scoffed lightly, the tendons in her neck working as all she could end up managing turned out to be, “What?”

“Oh, come on,” Ian laughed, all good natured, which Calum realized he found more annoying than the douchey attitude he was used to. Gesturing at them, Ian continued, “It was only a matter of time—a friendship was never gonna be enough for you two.” He pulled Damaris towards him, an effortless grin taking over his features as he mused, “Glad it worked out for all of us.”

Just like that, the bride and groom were pulled away, leaving Calum and Talia standing amidst a group of dancing wedding goers, paralyzed in place by the bomb dropped on them by her ex. Calum rolled his lips into his mouth, eyebrows drawn together as he tried to slowly work out what the hell had just happened. It was only a matter of time? What the damn hell was Ian on about? Was he saying that it had been, what, obvious that there was something between Calum and Talia? An attraction that was mutual that neither of them had picked up on until recently?

Calum’s throat worked, trying to lose the dryness that suddenly itched at it, and looked over at Talia—only to find that she wasn’t next to him anymore. Calum blinked in confusion, gaze flickering around in attempt to catch sight of his date. “Talia?” His voice wasn’t loud enough for her to hear, wherever she was, over the music and chatter, so Calum mumbled a couple of excuse me’s and pushed himself out of the crowd while trying to search for her.

He didn’t find her around the courtyard where the reception was taking place, a furrow in his eyebrows as he looked over the heads of the guests, squinting against the sun that damn near blinded him. Calum moved further and further away from the courtyard, scoffing to himself because how far could she have gotten in a matter of minutes? His gaze cast over to the forecourt on higher ground near the actual manor, and his eyebrows drew together once more when he caught sight of a lavender dress in the distance.

He walked up one of the sets of steps that led to the forecourt, Talia’s back to him as she looked out at the gardens on the opposite side. His shoes clacked lightly against the stone as he approached Talia, unsure if she was aware of his presence. Calum felt something nervously tug at his chest; had Ian’s words rubbed her the wrong way? Was she embarrassed, even though she didn’t have any reason to be? Calum was just as taken aback at Ian’s statement as Talia probably was but. . . He’d be lying if he said there wasn’t any truth in the statement.

Calum’s hands were in the pockets of his pants as he finally reached Talia, turning so he was leaning his lower back against the stone bannister, head turned to look at her. She, instead, was staring straight ahead, a silence settling upon them for a few moments, only disturbed by the distant sound of music playing at the reception.

He wanted to break the silence, to cut out whatever tension was in between them, but Calum was at a loss for words. He ducked his head, gaze dropping to his black shoes and rolling his lips into his mouth. Then, without much thought, Calum asked, “Why’d you disappear?”

“Ian can’t keep his mouth shut,” was Talia’s way of answering, and Calum looked at her to see her gripping the top of the bannister tightly, jaw working as she still refused to meet his gaze. He wanted to see her pretty brown eyes.

For a moment, Calum considered what to say to that, considered if he should take the coward’s way out or, for once when it came to Talia, be straightforward in what he was thinking. For too long had Calum kept his thoughts, his feelings, to himself; first out of respect for her relationship, then out of fear of potentially disrupting the close friendship they had. It was funny how feelings could make or break a preexisting relationship, and what he had with Talia was not one he wanted to lose under any circumstances.

Maybe it was selfish of him, to want to just let her know. To want to be out with it and tell her how he felt and let her decide what to do with it. But Calum wasn’t blind—not totally, at least. He’d noticed over the past few months how he and Talia had grown closer than they already were; how lingering gazes burned his skin and absent touches that weren’t so innocent sparked something inside of him. Moments he replayed over and over again in his head, wondering if he was overthinking and over analyzing, telling himself he was even though the doubt was prevalent. He was sick of questioning everything between him and Talia. He needed answers.

So Calum kept his gaze on her, knowing she was well aware of his stare, and kept his voice smooth as he asked, “Are you mad he was saying what neither of us had the courage to admit ourselves?”

He noted the subtle widening of Talia’s dark eyes, neck tensing as she instinctively turned her head to look at Calum. The sun was shining down on her face, makeup glittering against her skin and lips a faded pink from the lipstick she had yet to reapply after eating. Her eyes met his, a furrow in her eyebrows as her surprised voice asked, “What?”

Calum scoffed through a slight incredulous, amused, and maybe even nervous smile. “Come on, Tal,” he pressed, tilting his head towards her. “Ian’s got a point, doesn’t he?” Calum shifted then, standing straight and facing her, still a few inches taller than her even when she wore heels. She remained put, only tilting her head to look at him, the surprise still widening her brown eyes. Calum’s own gaze dropped to her lips briefly, unable to help himself, before taking in the sight of her. Always so pretty. His voice was low, deep, as he confirmed, “A friendship was never gonna be enough for us.”

He wanted to know what she was thinking as she peered up at him, appearing as though she was registering his words. Talia took a soft breath, voice quiet as she said, “We’re not gonna have a friendship if something goes wrong.”

Calum’s throat worked. “Are you so afraid of that happening that you’re not willing to try?”

This time, Talia turned to face him, a frown mimicking distress furrowing her eyebrows as she questioned, “Aren’t you afraid? People fight and they break up and friendships get fucked because of it.” She scoffed, an edge slipping into her voice as she shook her head to look away from him. “Sorry, but I’d rather not lose a friendship.”

Calum frowned as well, lips curling downwards as he kept his eyes on her. His stomach coiled a bit as he responded, “Why’re you looking at this so negatively? You don’t think there’s a chance we’d make it work?” His left hand reached up, fingers grasping her chin to get her to look at him once more, purposefully meeting her gaze as he asked, “You don’t think after wanting you for so long, I wouldn’t fight to make it work?”

He felt her jaw working under his touch before she said, “I think we’d be screwing with a perfectly good thing we already have.”

Calum’s hand dropped from Talia, a dead weight at his side as he felt the disappointment spread. He didn’t want to pressure her, push her into something she didn’t want. But Calum knew Talia, and part of him knew she was speaking only out of fear and hesitation. And he understood that. But to let something that hadn’t even started go, a chance for them to be what he knew they could be, didn’t feel right.

“I just—” Calum paused to let out a short, empty chuckle as he shrugged, taking a step back from Talia, one that hadn’t gone unnoticed by her. His eyes met hers, a bit dejected, as he truthfully said, “I think you’re wrong. I think we won’t know what we have unless we try and, shit, Tal, I wanna try.” He shook his head, licking his lips as he forced himself to continue. He frowned against the sun briefly before saying to her, “But if you really don’t want to, then, uh, that’s okay.”

A silence settled upon them once again, the tension heavy in their ears and deafening them to the party as they stood facing one another, eyes unmet. Calum could feel Talia’s gaze on him, but he kept his own eyes on his fingers, nails lightly scraping at uneven cement on the top of the bannister as a feeble attempt of distracting himself. There was a bitter taste in his mouth; he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed, or that his heart had sank into the very pit of his stomach at the thought of not pursuing whatever it was that was between him and Talia. Because he knew something was there. Something worth exploring.

“Are you really willing to risk it?”

Her voice was soft and quiet, hesitant as she chanced a glance at him. Calum returned the gaze, noting the nervousness and hope that glimmered in her eyes. Like she was willing to move forward, only if he was completely sure of it. And he was. He wanted her to see that. What he felt for Talia easily won out again any reluctance in pursuing her.

Calum took a step towards her, offering a smile that was often reserved only for her, hand reaching to grasp hers. He enjoyed her touch, wanted more of it. Talia glanced down at their joined hands, her fingers moving to return his hold as she took a breath. When she looked at him again, Calum’s soft smile returned as he said, “I don’t see it as a risk, sweetheart. Just a step forward, y’know.” He gave her hand a squeeze before bringing it up, clasping it between both of his and resting his chin on top. Talia’s own lips tugged into a small smile when she caught the look he was wearing, pouty and puppy dog and adorably endearing. “You’re worth it.”

Talia inhaled sharply as she rolled her smiling lips into her mouth, cheeks pink as her free hand pressed against her own cheek. His words warmed her more than the sun above them, heart racing as Calum so effortlessly somehow made things easier. She peered up at him, taking in the glow of his skin under the sun and the warmth of his gaze, and Talia mentally admonished herself for even considering walking away from the opportunity of being with him. She’s wanted him for so long, kept in her feelings out of fear and hesitation—how could she possibly turn away now that she knew he felt the same for her? She’d be a coward, an idiot, to.

So Talia gave into her impulses, throwing caution to the wind as she brought her hand to his cheek and closed the gap between them, leaning forward and smiling when Calum followed her lead and met her lips with his. It felt like a breath of fresh air, kissing him, finally giving into what had been tugging at her for so long. Calum’s lips moved with hers, inhaling sharply as he kissed her as if he’d been dying to do so, releasing her hand as his arms wrapped around her waist while her now free hand grasped the back of his neck to keep him close.

Calum felt Talia melt into him, the heat of her kiss spreading through him like a wildfire as his lips worked with hers. He would’ve stayed kissing her, with the gentle breeze tickling them and the distant sound of music in the background, but they soon had to pull away and Calum took in a breath as his forehead rested against hers. He didn’t quite yet want to give up the proximity.

He felt Talia’s nose nudge against his, a smile in her voice as she giggled softly, “Only a matter of time, huh?”

Calum felt a smile tug at his own lips as he felt her fingers gently play with his hair at the back of his head, his own arms around her giving her a squeeze, fronts pressed together. His heart felt like it was floating and he knew it was all because of Talia, as always. Her repetition of Ian’s words weren’t lost on him. He found it amusing as he did the same, “It worked out for all of us.” He opened his eyes, tilting his head back as he looked down at her with a smirk and a raise of his eyebrows. “So. . . You’re not sad your ex got married?”

His smirk told Talia he knew the answer, yet she still rolled her eyes with a scoff. “I wasn’t sad,” she reminded, earning a snicker from Calum. “Just bummed. But, y’know, like you said: it worked out for everyone,” she finished with a coy grin, her subtle dimple just poking through.

Calum let out a breathy chuckle, leaning forward to once again close the gap between them. He already knew he’d never tire of kissing her. “Lucky us.”

--

tags: @irwinkitten @sweetcherrymike @meetashthere @valentinelrh @softforcal @astroashtonio @hereforlukescruff @novacanecalum @captain-what-is-going-on @angelbbycal @singt0mecalum @hopelessxcynic @lfwallscouldtalk @bodhi-black @findingliam-o @softlrh @calntynes @calumsmermaid @erikamarie41 @quintodosuniversos @longlastingdaydream @babylon-corgis @lukehemmingsunflower @imfuckin10plybud @pastelpapermoons @conquerwhatliesahead92 @rotten-kandy @metangi @neigcthood @ohhmuke @old-zeppelin-shirt @5sos-and-hessa @trustmeimawhalebiologist @vxlentinecal @pettybassists @vaporshawn @lu-my-golden-boi @visualm3nte @isabella-mae13 @dontjinx-it @lifeakaharry @neonweeknds @antisocialbandmate @ixcantxdecidexwhosxmyxfave @calpalbby @grreatgooglymoogly @sunnysidesblog @cocktail-calum @miahelizaaabeth @madelynerin @dramallamawithsparkles @aulxna @theagenderwhocriedwolf @kaytiebug14 @hoodskillerqueen @bitchinbabylon @empathycth @xhaileyreneex @inlovehoodx @calistheloml @aestheticrelated @bloodlinecal @sublimehood @madbomb @raabiac @britnicole11 @outofmylimitcal @fluffsshawn @bloodmoonashton @vxidhood @tea4sykes @gorgeouslygrace

[heirloommtomatoes]

don’t read the last page but i stay

Mickey and Ian go on another lunch date :) Just some quick super simple fluff! Literally nothing at all happens in this other then a cute date. These boys deserve nothing but sweet domesticity forever and ever, thanks.

Word Count: 2.3k~

———

Mickey picks Ian up from his afternoon shifts whenever they can cram it into their schedule. Do they live together? Sure. Did they get out of prison barely a year ago where their combined shared space was half the size of their Gallagher house bedroom? Sure. Do they still try to spend almost every waking moment together? Absolutely.

Ian’s schedule as an EMT, as sporadic as it has the potential to be, has fallen into a steady routine the past few months. Since Debbie’s arrest, Lip moving out, and the increased responsibility in the Gallagher house, Rita makes sure that every Friday Ian hands his shift over by 5pm. Mickey was promoted at his work — a promotion that warranted his first real Gallagher party a few months back — and is working steadily at the mall as the general security manager.

Ian’s laughing with the new members of his team over some pictures of their kids from last weekend when his phone buzzes. He slides it half-way out of his pocket to look at the screen:

Mick: hey dipshit I took a photo of me waiting for you

Mick: Attachment: 1 Image

Ian swipes on the message and unlocks his phone. The photo is of a mummified, presumably ancient corpse sitting cross-legged on a ridge, probably out of some National Geographic article he’d found while scrolling endlessly through random news pages while waiting for him. He stifles a laugh as he types his response.

Ian: 🖕

Ian: be out in a sec

Mick: 🖕

“That your husband?” Samantha, a younger EMT fresh out of training, nods toward his phone.

“Yeah,” Ian responds as he slips his phone back into his pocket, “Meeting him for dinner and drinks.”

Rita looks over her shoulder from where she’s rummaging around her locker. Ian expects her to make some witty remark at his expense as per usual, but instead: “You got the best relationship record outta any of us here, Gallagher,” she says with a self-deprecating laugh.

“Yeah, well,” he shrugs, “Eleven years, a bipolar diagnosis, and several prison stints seems to be the trick.”

He doesn’t mean to really joke about it; if what they went through together doesn’t count as some seriously real shit, he’s terrified to think of what does. But if he can’t make light of it now and then, if he can’t at least try to ponder the distance between then and now and look back at how far they’ve come and laugh at the simple joy of it all, then what the hell else is he supposed to do?

Laughs ripple around the locker room as Ian raises an warm to wave goodbye to everyone, overlapping “Bye Ian!”s and “Have a good weekend”s following him out.

Ian emerges from the garage, shrugging off his EMT jacket in the mid-afternoon summer sun in a way that makes Mickey’s heart flutter in his chest. He carries it loosely in a hand at his side.

“Bout time, Gallagher,” Mickey says to him with a grin. He’s been smiling a lot these days, he thinks; not that that’s anything new around Ian. He’s been making him smile since he was seventeen.

“Hey,” Ian responds easily, throwing an arm around his shoulders and planting a kiss to his cheek. A blush creeps up Mickey’s face and he grins at the ground as they walk. Ian starts babbling about the kid who broke his arm on the monkey bars and an older woman who fell down her stairs and Mickey listens, butting in for the odd comment or exclamation here and there as they make their way down the block to Boystown. It’s become their once-a-month Friday evening tradition. Mickey picks him up from work, they fill each other in on their days as they walk, they grab dinner and drinks either at one of their favourite spots in Boystown if they’re feeling like they want their own little escape, or at The Alibi if they feel like keeping it close to home. Today is too beautiful of a day to not make use of the clean outdoor patios the bars in Boystown can provide.

Mickey recounts his day when Ian’s done and maybe it doesn’t sound quite as glamorous on the surface of things, but it barely occurs to either of them. They’re both doing something they’re good at, something they’re each coming to realize they genuinely enjoy, something that makes them feel useful, and if that isn’t success, what is?

“So this old woman stuffs a bra between her boobs. Like hell I was gonna reach in there and drag it out,” Mickey huffs as he finishes up his story. Well, maybe something they genuinely enjoy most of the time. Ian laughs and it’s Mickey’s favourite sound. It’ll always be Mickey’s favourite sound.

“You sure you’re not gay?” Ian asks skeptically, recounting all the times Mickey’s jokingly —and not-as-jokingly — denied the label.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Mickey says, casting a mischievous glance his way, “My husband is, though.”

“Ohh, I see,” Ian says with a nod, casually changing the subject as he remembers Mickey’s earlier texts, “Oh hey listen, that was a really cute photo of you earlier, Mick. You’ve found your angles, I’m impressed,” Ian says, his voice dripping with mischievous sarcasm.

“Ohhh, thanks, man,” Mickey responds with a playful nudge to Ian’s ribs, “My beauty secret is this really cool thing my husband does called making me wait for ten fucking minutes.”

Ian raises his brows at him. Game on. He opens his mouth to respond in kind, but Mickey’s grabbing him by the upper arm and tugging him into a brick-lined alleyway. Ian grunts in protest, hands flying to Mickey’s biceps to steady himself before he’s shoved against the wall.

Mickey’s kissing him like he’s been thinking about doing all day while Ian’s out here being fucking Superman, like he’s been thinking about doing his whole life. He feels Ian’s smile against his mouth and his heart leaps in his chest and he loves him. He loves him. Mickey’s not sure how or when it happens, but suddenly Ian’s grabbing him and he’s being spun and his back’s being shoved against the wall so quickly his breath almost leaves him.

“Watch it, tough guy,” he breaths, and doesn’t mean a word of it. It’s the closest he’ll come to saying do whatever you want with me.

Ian huffs a laugh, threading his left hand into Mickey’s right as he studies his husband’s face. The cold metal of his wedding band brushes against his fingers and Mickey leans forward, capturing Ian’s lips in a warm kiss that reminds him of the dugouts, reminds him of when they were teenagers too skittish and childish and young to know what to do with the swelling in their chests every time they looked at each other. Ian’s the first to pull back, but he tugs on Mickey’s hand and leads them out of the alley.

“I’m hungry,” he says with a shrug by way of explanation when Mickey gives him an incredulous stare.

“So am I,” Mickey replies quickly, glancing pointedly downwards toward Ian’s crotch. Ian barks a laugh and rolls his eyes. He’s never said it out loud, but damn if he doesn’t love how fucking funny his husband is. No one really knows that about Mickey, he thinks. Distantly he remember’s Mickey’s “now they’re black and blue balls” in the hotel room that one night when they were teenagers. Damn if he didn’t think about that one and swoon over his protectiveness and Southside charm for a good week after. In the back of his mind, he remembers Byron’s list of complaints: he’s socially inept, he’s politically ignorant, he’s violent…

Meanwhile, Ian looks fondly at Mickey and knows that he’s funny, he’s thoughtful, he’s loyal, he’s his husband.

“The fuck you starin’ at?” Mickey snaps at him, an eyebrow raised halfway up his damn forehead.

Ian rolls his eyes, “Nothin’. What do you wanna eat?”

Ian sees the hint of a shy smile on his face as Mickey turns his gaze to the various restaurants they’ve been passing, “Uh, I’m kinda feelin’ Sheffield’s, man. That sound good to you?” He asks, looking back at Ian. The midday sun silhouettes his head, creating a halo out of his red hair and glowing against the hard edges of his face. Mickey remembers the round-faced, freckled boy at the convenience store with the floppy bangs and oversized flannels. Hell, he remembers him before that. He remembers third grade, and some loser with a mop of curly red locks and oversized front teeth leaning over and asking him for a pencil. Looking at him now with his wedding band catching the light, his chiseled jaw, and the lop-sided grin directed right at Mickey, he looks like fucking Adonis.

“…Mick?” Ian’s voice snaps him back to reality.

“Huh?”

“I was saying we’re here, Neil Armstrong,” Ian quips, “Come back to Earth, I wanna eat.”

“Ay, references like that are my thing,” Mickey says as Ian’s arm around his shoulder steers them toward Sheffield’s. They continue bickering as they walk in the restaurant, much to the server’s constant exasperation as she leads them to the patio. “Since when?” “Since fuckin’…always, man.”

They sit out in the Chicago summer sun, basking in the warmth of it together as they sip their drinks. Mickey, ever the loyalist, gets the cheapest beer on the menu after casting his eyes over the ludicrously long list of names, only a third of which he can pronounce. That’s what you get for going to a brewery, he figures absentmindedly to Ian. Ian gets one of the beers lower in proof, but he knows it’ll still bring him a pleasant buzz.

“If nothing else man, your meds make getting drunk economical as hell,” Mickey says to him with a breathy laugh as he hands the waiter their menus with a nod.

“You’re telling me,” Ian responds as he leans back lazily, comfortably spreading his legs in the chair as he grabs the sunglasses hanging off his shirt collar and slides them over his eyes. Mickey follows suit with his own pair of sunglasses and damn if the two of them don’t look good. Mickey changed out of his work uniform before coming to meet him and he’s wearing a pair of jeans that actually fit him, a black tank and blue short sleeve button up top that’s open and fluttering in the light breeze. He looks so relaxed and in his element, and Ian can’t help but wonder if this is what he used to wear in Mexico. For once the memory isn’t tinged with heartache; they’re here now.

“You look good,” Ian says, eyeing Mickey up and down from across the wooden picnic-like table.

Mickey flashes him a smile, “Says you,” he responds, and it’s so disgustingly sweet and domestic that he barely knows what to do with himself. He’ll never get used to this, he thinks, and he doesn’t want to. Ian smiles in return before Micky continues and leans forward, “I was thinking about getting my GED.”

“No shit,” Ian responds, mimicking Mickey in leaning forward across the table, a casual hand still around his beer, “What prompted that?” He asks before taking a sip.

Mickey shrugs, “I like my job now, but I was talking to Larry and he thinks it’d be a good idea. It’d give me better hirability or whatever, and…I dunno, I like my job now,” he repeats almost sheepishly, like he’s about to admit something terrible, “But I’ve been thinking about wanting…more, I guess?”

Ian smiles and reaches across to put a hand over the one Mickey has resting casually on the table, “Let’s make it happen, then.”

Mickey meets his eye for a brief moment with a shy half-smile that he hides by taking a sip of his beer.

“I’m serious, Mick. We can get some study books for you, Kev and V can look after the kids when you need the house to be quiet for two seconds so you can study…” he trails off, lowering his head slightly to prompt Mickey to meet his gaze.

“Alright, alright, Jesus,” Mickey finally says with a chuckle, turning his hand over to grasp Ian’s and rub his thumb over his knuckles, “Love you,” he adds quietly, but it’s not shy or embarrassed or scared; it’s just for Ian, and only Ian.

The two of them sit for what could be hours or minutes longer, chatting about their future plans like it’s nothing but it means fucking everything to both of them. Neither of them had ever really let themselves dream of a future like this. Whenever Ian’s mind had wandered to thinking of moments like this, of sentences like “Kev and V can look after the kids”, he’d dismissed it as the wishful thinking of a manic episode. “Fucked for life” had practically been Mickey’s life mantra. They share a house, they share food, they take turns making dinner, they have monthly goddamn traditions that include sunshine and drinks and risky kisses in alleyways.

They stay at Sheffield’s far longer than they had originally intended as the waiter informs them there’s live music that evening. So they stay, both buzzed on their beers and drunk on happiness and sun and music, sharing insults and laughs, basking in the comfort and familiarity of each other’s presence as the sun casts an orange glow over the Chicago skyline.

[doof-doofblog]

"You Might Aswell Just Come Out!"

Thursday 10th September

Good evening again everyone! Hope your day has been a good one - whether you've been relaxing at home or whether you've been out and working, hope it's been a good day for you all! We are back again with another episode tonight, we know Tuesday's episode ended with Chantelle dropping the bombshell on Kheerat that she is planning on leaving Gray the very next day!! Clearly something is going to stop Chantelle in her tracks, but what?!

Let's delve right into it! The episode starts with Ian waking up in the Vic, Sharon has only gone and made him a full English Breakfast!! The absolute works! I can still sense the flicker of guilt from him - he doesn't really deserve the Vic or the appreciation that Sharon is giving him. She thanks him for looking after both her and her baby boy, saying how she feels like a princess each time he's ran out to get groceries for her! He's there giving her a smile, even though it looks a bit forced! It's as if everything with Dotty has been forgotten about, Sharon hasn't even begun to even suspect for once that Dotty could be telling the truth. It's only going to hit her harder when she realises.

Across the Square, it looks as if Gray is finally heading back to work. Chantelle is stood behind the counter looking nervous and scared to even talk or move. It's the day she's planning on leaving her husband for good! Before he leaves he asks her whether she has her phone, he demands her to keep it with her, oh you know, just in case! She asks him softly on what time he'll return, she tells him she'll have dinner ready. Is this so she can time it right for her to get away before he gets back? So if what I'm thinking is right - she has until 1 o'clock to get away! As he leaves the house she grabs her phone and makes a call, it sounds as if she's making an enquiry about an apartment or house of some kind that she can stay in? During the phone conversation she looks down at her ring, is she going to pawn her jewellery just so she'll be able to afford it?!

In the Market, Mick bumps into Tina - I'm sure they probably haven't seen each other since lock-down. I'm unsure where Mick and Linda are staying right now but it sounds as if they're all settled in their new home. Linda is doing well to stay sober also, the only downside is that Mick is struggling to find a job, with him being Landlord of the Queen Vic for a good few years, it's probably been hard for him to find something he's qualified for - as he explains to Tina, he's had 4 interviews but not got the job in any of them because he's overqualified! Luckily, Tina decides to give him a permanent position at The Albert. I don't know about you guys but it feels so weird seeing both Mick and Linda looking for jobs in the Square now, they've been a part of the Queen Vic for so long, it's weird not seeing them behind that bar! It's true they're already popular within their neighbourhood and community, I'm sure they'll have plenty of people rallying round them if they needed any help.

In the Mitchell household, Ben still has his little package in his pocket ready to give to Callum. Oh bless! He's all excited and ready to go the seaside to listen to the seagulls with his partner, only Callum refuses to go. I feel sorry for Ben at this moment in time, as he has no idea what Callum has found. He's been struggling to come to terms with the fact that he could potentially lose all his hearing, until yesterday when he had the implant and it was the first time in weeks that he heard Callum's voice! He explains to his boyfriend that that was one of the biggest days of his life and he's disappointed that Callum doesn't seem to care. Only we know, that Callum knows that Ben has been lying to him. It's kinda sad to watch because all Ben is wanting to hear, is Callum tell him that he loves him. Of course Callum wouldn't deny that he doesn't love Ben, but knowing that he's plainly lying to his face is just getting him more and more angry. Why won't Ben tell him the truth? To save him the upset possibly? To not come between him and his job? Who knows? But when Callum decides to bring Danny Hardcastle up, once again Ben lies to his boyfriend and says he's not seen him since that incident at Ruby's. Callum scoffs in disbelief that once again his boyfriend has lied to him, he leaves the conversation before anything else can be said.

The next time we see Chantelle it looks as if she's leaving the pawn shop, Karen approaches her excitedly saying how much she has missed her and the kids. Did any one else notice that Chantelle was fidgeting with her sleeves? Like she was trying to cover up her hands so her Mum wouldn't see that she's not wearing her ring?! Chantelle tries to dash as she uses the excuse she needs to take the children to the dentist. As Karen begins to leave, Chantelle then calls to her Mum that she'll bring the kids round to see her, as she's missed them so much. Plus with Chantelle's plan on leaving, she'll know she'll never forgive herself if her Mum and Dad didn't get the chance to say goodbye to their grandchildren. Only will this cause her to run late and corrupt her plan to get away?!

Ha! Sorry I just need to applaud Dotty for messing with Ian's head! She is brilliant! She actually made him believe that Sharon loves him! Did you see that little smile appear on his face after she walked away?! He actually believed her! Sharon has always said from the beginning that she and Ian are just close friends. Ian has only been "her rock" the past few months out of guilt. She fell apart after Dennis died, he took her in and looked after her and her baby son, and also as a massive gesture - bought her the Queen Vic! And since lock-down he has been living with her and Albie, as Dotty says - in the hopes of things actually getting more romantic and intimate between them. I think it's no secret that Ian has always held a bit of torch for Sharon, they've been close friends for years but I think deep down he has always truly loved her. As for Sharon, she's never seen Ian as anything else other than a close friend, she's never had any romantic feeling towards him - ever! So why the hell should she start now?! I love that Dotty has used this information to her advantage, Ian is only going to make another fool of himself!

Meanwhile, at the Taylor's, Chantelle is visiting her parents. As she sits down and listens to Karen talking about much she is missing Chatham and Riley, also Keegan and Tiffany now they've moved out, Chantelle is looking round and looking at all the family photos. I think she feels this will be the last time in a while that she'll get to see her Mum and Dad, so she's taking everything in. She turns to her Mum and tells her how much she loves her, and how much she loves her family and her parents. I'm sure deep down inside it is killing her knowing she'll be fleeing in a few hours. I just hope she would tell her parents exactly what was happening and why she has to leave. Just for a split moment when Mitch was going to hand her some money, I thought she might've said something then ... she slightly hesitated, did anyone else notice?  She decides to decline her Dad's offer of the money and says to him that Keegan would need it more, she takes one last look at her parents and softly says goodbye to them, not a thought in their mind aware of what she's about to do!

Ooooh look! Frankie's back! It's nice to see her making more of an appearance on the Square! It looks as if Kathy has given her a job at The Albert! Ooops - only to find that Tina has also hired Mick! #Awkward! ... In the recent new trailer that was released, it showed Frankie taking pictures of little Ollie. Does she have some kind of connection to the Carter's? Why would she be taking pictures of Ollie?! I'm looking forward to seeing more of Frankie and what could be her story-line involving the Carter's. I know Frankie was meant to have a story-line with Ben, I kinda have a feeling we haven't seen that yet? Only she was introduced to him by Callum, are we going to see something more from that side of things? Is Frankie going to show Ben the deaf community and how it all works, even though he's slowly getting his hearing back, it would enlighten Ben I think. Poor Mick, he decides to let Frankie have the job at The Albert, but as he leaves you can see the look of disappointment on his face, another job he's potentially lost? Will he be able to find something?

Back at Vic, Linda is having a lovely catch up with her best friend, Sharon. To be honest, it's lovely to see these two having a nice catch up and a chat the way they are. Obviously the roles have reversed with now Sharon behind the bar and Linda sat as a punter - but I watch them and I can't help but think it's so real how they've done it. With the whole social-distancing aspect in place, Sharon is behind the bar and Linda is sat at her table ... I think that whole scene was brilliant and it just felt very realistic. I loved how Ian was eavesdropping on their conversation, Sharon complimenting him on how amazing he's been to her though-out lock-down. He is going to high jump to conclusions! I love how they both laugh at the thought of both herself and Ian being an item, little does the poor man know how humiliated he's going to be!

Does anyone else seem to understand what Vinny and Ruby are up to? I kinda didn't understand that moment, to my understanding Ruby doesn't have insurance for the club? Am I right in thinking that? So Vinny is going to help her in some way - saying she's needs cash or something? I am so confused with this one! Vinny is seen loitering, waiting - for what looks like - Ruby to come out the club, she previously told him the club would be empty with cash in the safe! Is going to try and get that money for something or someone?

Awww and Chantelle looks as if she's ready to flee, she waiting for children, calling for them to hurry. Kheerat approaches her and pleads for her to tell him where she's going. Little does Chantelle that from across the road, Gray is watching her from his car. Watching as Kheerat and Chantelle have their little quick discussion, the look on Chantelle's face is utter fear as Gray makes himself known, Kheerat backs away and Gray reminds her that he didn't want Kheerat talking to her. I really feel for Chantelle right now, she almost got away. She was almost out of his grasp, as they walk into the house - Kheerat watches from a distance, catching Chantelle's eyes and Gray's. I am so sure that Kheerat's going to suss Gray out, he's going to find out exactly what's been happening! The BIG question is - will it be too late before he does?!

Back at The Albert, Ben finally catches up with Callum. He joins him at the table and apologises. He seems to think that Callum is upset because of Danny, but to what extent and why. It's only when Callum reveals that he'd figured out that he'd been lied to for months! He questions him why and what it means for their relationship. Ben claims it's literally because he's joined the police force and nothing else, but then again - it shouldn't matter what Callum's job was, he still should've told him the truth. He claims he was trying to protect him, protect him from what though? Protect his job? Protect his safety? The seriousness of the situation really hits home for Ben when he realises that he's been seen on CCTV! What does this mean for Ben and the Mitchell's? How is Callum going to be able to ignore it?

The following scene, Chantelle is back in her bathroom trying to find a hiding place for the money. She decides to put it in a make-up bag and hide it in the toilet, Gray shouts out for her as she makes herself look busy in the bathroom. Of course the first thing Gray notices, he engagement ring is missing! Oh shit! How is she going to be able to explain that one?! Perhaps say it's gone down the drain something?

Oh gosh this is really cringe-worthy isn't it! Ian trying to find the words to say to Sharon how he feels about her. How many women has he claimed to love on this soap?! Sharon seems to think there's something wrong with Albie, but he decides to jump right in the deep end and pour his heart out to her. Oh and I can see how awkward this is making Sharon feel, an awkward smile on her face, a nervous giggle, twiddling her fingers ... he tells her he loves her and even claims to know that she feels exactly the same way about him ... only when she explains to him that she doesn't, you can see his face drop in dismay. He's clearly realised he's made a huge mistake and has made himself look a fool. What's going to happen now between them? I don't think they'd be able to live together now things have been made to feel awkward between them. Will Ian move out and back in with his Mum while Sharon stays at The Vic?! Will Ian realise that it was Dotty who was playing with his mind?

Okay, so the last scene of tonight's episode, Vinny is seen sneaking out of Ruby's club, carrying a hefty looking bag ... Martin clicks on as to where he came from and begins to give chase. Has Vinny nicked all the money that was in the club's safe?!  Vinny heads to the back entrance of the Minute Mart, Martin slowly closing in ... he calls for him and slowly enters the shop, looking in all the nooks and cranny's. Only Vinny appears from behind and bashes him over the head with a fire extinguisher. Martin is left lying unconscious! What the hell has he done?! and why did he attack Martin in such a way?! Why does Vinny need the money? Was he getting the money for Kheerat as a favour?! Will Martin be okay?!

Once again folks, i'm deeply sorry for this post being posted late! Unfortunately it may take me a few days to write up about tomorrow's episode as i'm going to be away from my laptop/computer for about 3/4 days. But I promise I will be up to date as soon as I can. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! Thank you all so much for taking your time to read my blog, I know the posts can be long but I just want you to know I appreciate it immensely! Thanks again folks! xXx

[terry-perry]

Preyed Upon pt. 3

As always, (majority of) OCs were created by @ladyfluff​. Give her a follow if you haven’t already.

Also as always, enjoy the read!

They didn’t know what their next move could be after they left Raymond’s place, and all remained silent as they went back to Y/N’s apartment with more than millions of thoughts swimming in each of their heads. Once they got there, they each went about the place like mindless drones, still not one of them saying a word. With Peter being the most active on autopilot, he scurried over to the kitchen and looked through the fridge and cupboards. Luckily he was able to find some things to help keep him occupied for the time being.

Cooking had always been a way for him to cope with tension-filled situations since it was something that kept him busy and his mind at ease. Which was why not long after, when the place began to produce a sweet smelling aroma from the desserts being made, he had a moment where he was feeling a form of contentment. That was until reality came back in the form of Adam.

“What are you doing?” He had asked, looking around the kitchen and witnessing the various ingredients and plates of snacks already made.

“Thought I’d make a little something for Ian,” Peter said. “I’m sure he hasn’t eaten anything since...all this.”

“It looks like a bakery in here, Peter,”

“Well maybe he’s one of those zombies that stress eats!”

Peter let out a sudden, irritated huff and put down the mixing bowl he had been stirring on the counter. It was harsher than intended, with some of the batter jumping out. The two stood there in awkward silence after his outburst, waiting for one of them to at least remotely address the situation they were in.

“Where’s Eve?” Peter asked.

“In the bedroom, having a bit of a row with Ava,”

“What are they arguing about?”

“Eve’s trying to push her into trying to remember whatever can be useful in finding Y/N. While also chastising her over her taste in men,” Adam explained, a ghost of an amused smirk appearing. “Where’s Rowan?”

“In one of the other rooms, talking to a neighbor of ours that’s watching over the pups while we’re gone,”

Neither had asked about the whereabouts of Ian, having seen him go straight up to the roof while mumbling about having a smoke. So seeing no other way to beat around the bush, the younger brother had decided to express what had been on his mind for some time now. 

“Do you remember the first person from our past life that we saw die?” He inquired, almost expecting Adam to not answer. “After we’d been around for a good while?”

“Henry,” Adam responded with.

Peter confirmed with a quiet nod. Their parents had died long before their brother did, but they didn’t include them since they each passed away about five years or so after the three siblings were turned. Although they didn’t attend either of their funerals, it wouldn’t have raised too much suspicion if they had. With Henry, however, it was already a good 40+ years when they caught wind of his nearing death and decided to pay him a visit. Funny enough, it was Y/N that had insisted on going to see him.

“He was just a senile old man on his deathbed,” Peter recalled, sounding so far away. “Didn’t even bat an eye to us looking the way we did.”

He gave a bitter and tight-lipped smile as he remembered the final moments they each shared with their late brother; taking a withered hand and smiling down at him on the raised bed. He had managed to raise his tired eyes that could only widen slightly from seeing his estranged siblings.

“Sweet sister, you’ve grown to be quite the beauty,” he had expressed in a croaking version of his younger voice.

“Adam, you’re due for a shave...Ah, little Peter...I use that term ironically now,”

They had let him spew out tales from their childhood and young adulthood. Peter shook his head a bit when remembering the way Henry had babbled in an almost child-like way, giving his spin on the way he tormented the family growing up. He had always been the one that was more of a bully with the way he “playfully” picked on everyone.

“He was such an asshole,” Peter remarked. “Probably the biggest one when we were kids. But I was still sad to see him go.”

Adam heard the sadness in his voice. He knew he didn’t like to talk about their past lives very often since there weren’t much fond memories to look back on. So it was rare for them to talk about the family that had been dead and gone for centuries now.

“Y/N has always been the good one,” Peter went on to say, appearing to be quite spaced out. “Since the day she was born, she had been so sweet. I don’t know where she could’ve gotten it from. The rest of us  were full of such meanness and resentment.”

“You, at least, had a reason to be bitter,” Adam brought up lamely.

But he was able to see what he meant. Y/N was always someone with a kind heart; an open-minded free spirit that always had at least an ounce of empathy for people. It didn’t matter who you were, she would do what she could to understand you and the things you did. It’s why even when they struggled with seeing eye-to-eye about certain things, they always had been able to confide in her when it came to their deepest emotional thoughts. Whether it be Peter talking to her about his sexuality for the first time, or her helping Adam be momentarily distracted from his darkening thoughts, she was always the light of the family.

“I just keep thinking,” Peter suddenly choked out. “What’s going to happen if we can’t...how we’d react if she-”

“Oi, don’t think something like that for even a second! We’re not going to let that bastard get the best of us.”

“Adam, face facts! He’s got her locked up somewhere and is most likely torturing her every time one toe is out of place. He’s already winning!”

“He isn’t winning!” Adam argued, his voice rising. “The only way he will is if we continue with all this negative thinking. And since that’s coming from me, that should tell you plenty about how much you need to lighten the fuck up.”

The tension grew after that outburst, as though that were possible. Anyone else would’ve been shocked or hurt by the way his stoic demeanor broke so harshly, but Peter only rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“I just don’t see how we’ll be able to get her back,”

“There might be a way,” Eve called out.

They turned and found her standing in front of them with a sulking Ava by her side. 

“Ava has something she needs to say,”

“If it’s an apology, I’m not really in the mood for it,” Adam grumbled. Peter just resumed stirring his mix. It’s not that they blamed her for this situation, but they’d be lying if they said that they weren’t more than a little upset with her for bringing Raymond back into their lives. Despite multiple warnings to do otherwise.

“I don’t know where Raymond’s keeping Y/N,” Ava started with. “But I know someone that might,”

That drew their attention back.

----

Everyone had gathered into the living room to hear what Ava had to say.

“A couple days ago before this all happened, Raymond had gone to see Victor,”

“Victor?” Adam inquired. “Are you sure?”

“The guy’s been living in the same place in Brooklyn for over 70 years. I’m sure. I don’t know what he asked from him since I was left in the car while he went inside, but I’m certain whatever it was helped with getting Y/N to wherever she is now.”

“Wait, who’s Victor?” Ian asked.

“He’s someone like us that has been known to get things,” Peter told him. “There’s hardly anything he can’t get his hands on. Especially for the right price.” He threw a question of his own to the rest of the group. “But you don’t suppose he’d actually do business with Raymond, do you?”  

“Only if he wasn’t told everything,” Adam stated. “You know Victor, he doesn’t ask a lot of questions if you flash enough cash his way to keep his mouth shut. He probably doesn’t even know about Y/N.”

“Most likely not. He wouldn’t have sold anything to the asshole if he did.”

“So what now?” Rowan asked next. “Do we just go over to Victor’s and ask him what he may or may not know?”

“It’s better than doing nothing,” Adam reasoned. “If anything, we can go over and see what he has in stock that might help somehow.”

He took a glance at the window, estimating how much was left of the night. “I’ll go there myself, but the rest of you should get some sleep,”

“No, I’m going too,” Peter claimed.

“Are you sure?”

He stepped over to him, a sheepish smile forming on his face. “You were right before. We’re not going to let him get the best of us. We’re going to get her back.”

Adam didn’t say anything except nod in agreement. But then he was spun around by Eve who gave him a worried expression.

“Adam-”

“There’s no sense in all of us going,” he interrupted her with his explanation while giving pleading eyes of his own. “I don’t know what kind of information will be handed to us, or what situation we’ll be landing ourselves in. But I’ll contact you as  soon as I can. Just stay here, please?”

“The things I do for you,” she uttered in return. They then shared a good, loving kiss.

“Hopefully we’ll be back in a night or so,” Peter meanwhile assured his own love. “And if things go well, Y/N will be with us too.”

“I’ll try my best to not worry,” Rowan could only half-joke about that. “And I’ll keep you updated about the babies while you’re away.”

“Thank you,”

“I’m going too,” Ian piped up, getting up from the couch.

“Ian, it’s probably best that you stay here-”

“Yeah, no offense Adam, but I wasn’t asking permission,”

That definitely caught everyone off guard.

“Look, I know you guys are way smarter and stronger than I am -- and there’s still a lot I don’t know about your kind -- but I can still be useful. I want to be, anyway. Because she’s my girl, I want to do what I can to save her.” 

 Adam peered over to Peter who just shrugged and gave him a look that said it was his call. He went back to look at Ian.

“All right, but stay close. I’m sure Victor will be able to supply you with a gun, if needed. You ever use one?”

“Does a paintball gun count?”

“Sure,” Peter answered him with that same weak smile on his face. “We should probably get going before it gets light out.” He returned to Rowan and shared a few more parting words.

Ian stood off to the side as he watched Adam and Peter share goodbyes with their partners. He did his best to ignore the twinge in his heart that came from doing so while also doing what he could to avoid the wandering thought of how he should’ve done better in savoring the last moment he shared with Y/N...

----

Y/N ran her fingers through Ian’s hair while his face stayed hidden in her neck. With his weight on her, she could easily feel his thundering heart as he continued to catch his breath. She started giggling when he lightly rubbed his nose against her cheek. She had no choice but to turn and share several lazy kisses with him. They broke apart eventually, going on to look at each other with hooded eyes and sated smiles.

“That was amazing,” he whispered, still a little out of breath.

“You always say that,” she teased, sliding her arms further down to hug him closer to her.

“That’s because it’s always amazing,”

He gave her one more kiss then rolled off her to go on his side of the bed. They had spent majority of that night between the sheets, only taking breaks every so often to wash themselves off, share a smoke, cuddle or let him recharge with some food. They made love through the dark hours until the transition of the first morning lights when slept it all off.

Had he known that that would’ve possibly been the last time, he would’ve made more of an effort to memorize her movement, the noises she made. He would’ve stayed up a little longer to watch the peaceful way she slept, the cute way her face would subtly twitch from the dreams she had. Had he known what was to come, he would’ve tried harder to keep them in bed. 

----

Adam glanced up towards the rearview mirror and caught sight of Ian in the backseat, still lost in thought since leaving the apartment. Did he even realize they had left? When he turned to look at Peter in the passenger seat, he saw that he was checking on him too. They shared a look with each other afterwards, seeming to be thinking the same thing.

It was usually smarter for their kind to not get too close to many people, safer. But the ones they did have in their lives were always going to be the ones they stayed loyal to and kept safe. The brothers might’ve failed in keeping Y/N away from Raymond’s clutches, but they were going to do everything in their power to get her back. And they were also going to do what they could to make sure Ian was well taken care of. They knew she would’ve done the same if it was Eve or Rowan in his position.

So they made a silent agreement on the way that no matter what happened, he would be protected and come back in one piece.

[aurianavaloria]

CAW 2019 - Day 1

Hello, all Cullen fans! I have here a small drabble for your reading pleasure, written in accordance with the guidelines for day one of @cullenappreciationweek - “Maker turn his gaze on you - Cullen as a Templar and before the games: Childhood dreams, Kinloch Hold, Kirkwall, reflections on past actions- this day is dedicated to all aspects of Cullen’s service to the Order and how he got there.”

In this drabble, a mage boy goes missing at Kinloch Hold, and Cullen is the one to find him...

Enjoy! :D

----------------------------

The Shannon boy was missing.

Word had spread through the Circle of Kinloch Hold like wildfire and transformed the normally sedate tower of mages into a whirlwind of activity.

The rest of the children, the apprentices, and the Harrowed mages had all been sequestered to their quarters while the Templars scoured the tower from top to bottom. Some mages prayed that the boy had successfully escaped – it wouldn’t have been the first time the lonely tower on Lake Calenhad had seen a breakout in recent years. Others, meanwhile, hoped it was merely a case of the boy being in hiding, because if it wasn’t, then it would almost certainly mean harsher restrictions on the rest of them.

Three hours into the search, and nothing.

Cullen sighed as he descended the stone steps into the tower storerooms. Greagoir was going to have a fit when they finally found him. If they found him. The last escapee – no, repeat escapee – had just been released from solitary confinement a fortnight ago. Yet the mage they called Anders had been old enough to know better. Ian Shannon, on the other hand, was seven years old and had been brought to the Circle a mere week prior.

Still, there was no way Greagoir was going to tolerate another repeat offender.

The storeroom was deathly quiet as Cullen progressed into the chambers half-lit by glowstone lanterns. Normally, the Tranquil of the tower would be busily sorting containers and organizing shelves, but even they had been gathered into the mage quarters and put under guard on the off-chance one of them might have abetted the child’s escape. Now, the place was empty, and it had become even eerier than it normally was, the lights both reflecting off of his polished armor in hues of brilliant turquoise and casting black shadows behind the bookshelves and crates. Cullen knew the entire tower like the back of his hand, and yet he couldn’t help but feel the need to draw his sword, as if he had entered some alien and dangerous place.

“Ian?” he called, his voice so loud in the empty chambers he winced at the sound.

Nothing.

Cullen’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the darkness. Part of him secretly hoped he’d find the boy before the others. It was a bit of a shock to think that he was only eleven years older than the ward for which he searched. Not that long ago, he too had come here as a stranger, starting a new life. Ian, however, hadn’t had a choice in the matter.

It was then a sudden noise broke the young Templar out of his thoughts, and his head snapped in the direction of the sound. He stopped in his tracks, stilling…

And then he heard it again. A sniffle.

“Ian?” he called again.

No sooner than he had said it, the owner of that name came wandering from behind a crate shoved in the far corner of the storeroom, his eyes shining with tears that left shimmering trails down his round cheeks. In both hands, he held a tiny, dirty furball of a kitten like a lifeline. No doubt it was the offspring of their new mouser – the one that had come after the fabled Rage demon cat…

“I’m here, ser.”

Cullen was so flabbergasted that for a moment, he couldn’t find his voice. “I… I see that. You were hiding with a kitten all this time?”

The boy nodded. “I miss my cat, ser. But then I found Tiny,” he glanced down at the kitten in his arms, which twisted its head around to watch Cullen with curious green eyes. “Willford said the Templars would take him away. Are you going to take him away, ser?”

Cullen hesitated. Technically speaking, the mages were forbidden from having pets of any sort. But, that wasn’t to say they couldn’t be affectionate towards the tower mousers from time to time…

“No,” he said at length, smiling gently. “I’m not. But I do need to take you to Commander Greagoir so everyone can stop worrying about you and looking for you.”

Ian hung his head guiltily. “Yes, ser.”

At that, Cullen put a hand on his shoulder and began to steer the boy for the stairwell, notably with no resistance. But when Ian made to put Tiny down to leave the kitten in the storeroom, he stopped him, allowing him to continue carrying the purring bundle of fur to Greagoir’s office with him. Ian happily hugged Tiny close to his chest then, the cat only purring louder and tucking its head under the boy’s chin.

All the while, Cullen had a feeling the little kitten would be instrumental in smoothing some ruffled feathers…

[dukereviewsmovies]

Duke Reviews: Thor Ragnarok

Hello, I'm Andrew Leduc And Welcome To Duke Reviews Where We Continue Our Look At The Marvel Cinematic Universe...

Where Today We Are Looking At The 3rd Outing For Thor And The Second For The Hulk In Thor Ragnarok..

This Film Finds Thor And Hulk On The Planet Sakaar Where They Must Escape So They Can Stop Thor's Sister, Hela The Goddess Of Death And The Impending Ragnarok, Will They Succeed?

Let's Find Out As We Watch Thor Ragnarok...

The Film Starts In Muspelheim, Where Thor Has Been Captured By A Being Named Surtur (Voiced By Mr. Krabs)...

I Wish I Were Kidding...

Anyway, Surtur Taunts Thor, Telling Him Not Only That Odin Is Not On Asgard But That In His Absence Asgard Is Vulnerable For Him To Unleash Ragnarok By Getting The Eternal Flame From Odin's Vault...

Calling Mijolnir To His Hand, Thor Breaks Out Of His Chains And Fights Surtur's Minions...

(Start At 2:53, End At 4:18)

(End At 1:37)

Returning To Asgard, Thor Meets Heimdall's Replacement, Skurge (Played By Leonard McCoy) Who Tells Him That Heimdall Has Been Declared An Enemy Of The People And Is On The Run. Upset By This News, Thor Goes To See His Father "Odin" Who Is Watching A Play About The Death Of Loki...

Which Has An All Star Cast Including, Luke, Brother Of Thor As Well, Thor, Dr. Alan Grant As Odin And Some Guy Jimmy Kimmel Never Has Time For As Loki...

Seeing Through "Odin's" Deception, Thor Forces Him To Reveal Himself For Who He Is And What A Shock, It's Loki. Taking Him To Earth, He Shows Thor Where He Sent Odin But Unfortunately The Retirement Home He Placed Him In Has Been Demolished...

Taking A Little Time To Talk With His Brother, We Learn As They Do Talk That Thor Broke Up With Jane, Saying That It Was A Mutual Breakup. However, Loki Is Sent Somewhere By Someone Who Leave A Card With An Address To The Sanctum Sanctorum...

Meeting Doctor Strange (Played By Smaug The Terrible) We Get A Version Of The Doctor Strange Mid Credits Scene That Involved Thor And It's Aftermath With Strange Discovering That Odin Is In Norway. Releasing Loki From Where He Sent Him, Strange Sends Thor And Loki To Norway...

Finding Odin, The 2 Brothers Discover That Odin Released Himself From Loki's Spell He Placed Upon Him But He Is Dying And His Time Is Limited As He Tells Them That Hela, The Goddess Of Death, Who Is The Sister They Never Knew Will Be Released From Her Prison When He Dies And That She Is More Powerful Than Both Of Them Combined...

So, Telling His Sons That He Loves Them One Last Time, Odin Dies, Transforming Into Pure Energy...

Angered At Loki For Causing Odin's Death, Any Thoughts Of Vengeance Are Set Aside For The Moment As Hela (Played By Cate Blanchett) Is Released From Her Prison But When The 2 Brothers Refuse To Bow To Her Hela Attacks Them Creating Spears To Fight Them...

Throwing Mijolnir At Her, Hela Just Grabs It And Shatters It As Loki Calls The Bifrost But During Their Return Trip, Hela Throws Both Loki And Thor Out Of The Bifrost. Making Her Way To Asgard, Hela Is Met By Volstagg And Fandral Who She Kills On Sight...

Well, It Makes Signing With The DCEU To Do Shazzam Easy, Right, Zachery Levi?...

Recruiting Skurge To Her Service, Hela Starts Her Takeover Of Asgard As We See That Thor Landed On A Planet Covered In Trash And Wormholes Called Sakaar, Where He's Confronted By Hostile Scavengers Which Thor Manages To Fight Off Till One Of Them Uses An Electrified Net On Him So They Can Beat Him To A Pulp..

But When A Spaceship Lands, A Drunk Woman (Played By Tessa Thompson) Says Thor Is Hers And Fires Her Ship's Guns At The Scavengers Obliterating Them...

Thanking This Woman, She Doesn't Reply And Just Places A Small Disc That Allows Her To Electrocute Thor And Render Him Unconscious At The Touch Of A Button Oh, It Also Prevents Him From Escaping...

Back On Asgard, Hela Faces Asgard's Armies, Led By Hogun Who Will Bow To Her Rule Even When She Tells Them About Odin's Death And That She Has Taken Care Of Thor And Loki, So She Kills Them All...

Wow, A Whole Army And They Couldn't Even Stop Her?!? Boy, Asgard Sucks!

Meanwhile On Sakaar, Thor Awakens To A Holographic Presentation (With Pure Imagination From Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory In The Background, Why?) About Sakaar And The Grandmaster (Played By Ian Malcolm)

Wait A Minute, Dr. Alan Grant And Ian Malcolm Are In The Same Movie And They Don't Have A Scene Together? I Want A Refund!

Anyway, The Grandmaster Is Not Only The Ruler Of Sakaar But Is The Host Of The Gladitorial Contest Of Champions. Buying Thor From The Drunk Woman, So He Can Pit Him Against His Champion In A Battle Saying That If He Wins He Will Earn His Freedom...

Still Restrained, Thor Discovers Loki In The Grandmaster's Company Who Tells Thor That He's Been There For Weeks Earning The Grandmaster's Favor And Is Fitting In Rather Nicely Apparently...

Thrown Into The Gladiator Quarters, We Meet The Funniest People In This Movie, Korg (Voiced By The Director Of This Movie, Taika Waititi) Who is A Kronan And His Friend A Bug Named Miek Who Has Scissors For Hands...

And I Absolutely Love Them!

Anyway, Despite Telling Thor That No One Has Beat The Grandmaster's Champion, Thor Gets Ready To Fight This Man....

Back On Asgard, Hela And Skurge Go To The Throne Room Where Hela Reveals By Destroying The Royal Mural, Another Mural Showing That She Used To Be Odin's Most Powerful Weapon In His Efforts To Create A Powerful Asgardian Empire, But When Her Ambition Outgrew Odin's He Imprisoned Her...

Going Down To Odin's Vault, She Declares Most Everything There To Be Fake, Before Looking At The Casket Of Ancient Winters, Surtur's Crown And The Tesseract Before Looking At The Eternal Flame Which She Uses To Revive The Fallen Soliders From Her Time And Her Pet, The Fenris Wolf To Help Her In Her Conquest...

As Thor Picks His Weapon To Fight The Grandmaster's Champion, He Runs Into The Drunk Woman That Sold Him To The Grandmaster Where He Realizes That She Is An Asgardian Valkyrie, But Unsympathetic To The Plight Of Asgard, Thor Calls Her A Coward Before Being Taken To Get His Hair Cut By Stan Lee...

Stan Lee Cameo!

Before The Fight...

Taken Out To The Stadium Afterwards, Thor Meets The Grandmaster's Champion, Who Happens To Be The Incredible Hulk To Loki's Displeasure And Bad Memories...

Overjoyed To See His Teammate, Thor Attempts To Negotiate With The Hulk But Makes A Mistake When He Accidentally Calls Him Banner...

Back On Asgard, Hela Sits On Her Throne and Talks With Skurge Stating That When Odin Was King She Was His Executioner And Now Skurge Is Hers...

Going To The Bifrost With Her Soldiers, Hela And Skurge Discover The Bifrost Sword Missing Which Means One Thing, Heimdall Has Returned And Has Taken It From Them, Stopping Hela From Conquering All The Realms For Now...

Attempting To Round Everyone Up To Discover Where Heimdall Is, Hela Sends Her Soliders Including The Woods But While Chasing Some People, Heimdall Arrives And Kills Hela's Undead Soliders Before Taking The People Back To His Hideout In The Mountains Where He Has Been Organizing A Resistance Against Hela...

Finding Himself In The Lap Of Luxury With A Naked Hulk...

Which Is Something I Never Wanted To See...

He Tells Thor That He Arrived In The Quinjet He Stole From Ultron In Age Of Ultron, And That He's Not Going Back To Earth As Here He Is Respected, Where On Earth...

Well, Let's Just Say The Bad Hulk Has Done On Earth Has Kind Of Outweighed The Good He's Done At This Point In The MCU...

Upset At This, Thor Tries To Leave But Gets Shocked By A Force Field On The Door Meant For Him. So, With Hulk Going To Train With Valkyrie, Thor Tries To Mentally Reach Heimdall Who Tells Thor Some Stuff I've Already Said, That He's Working On Evacuating People From Asgard And That They Don't Have Much Time...

Later That Evening, Thor Is Mad At The Hulk But It Eventually Leads To A Bonding Moment Between The 2 That Gets Hulk To Help Thor Talk To Valkyrie, To Try To Convince Her To Help Again And To Steal The Control Device So He Can Release The Disc On His Neck...

Breaking Through The Window, Thor Makes For The Quinjet (Which Is Still In Good Shape For What It Is) But The Hulk Starts Wrecking The Ship When He Doesn't Want Thor To Go...

Because If He Goes, It's Just Him And Valkyrie!

However, When Thor Comes Across An Old Video Of Black Widow Trying To Contact The Hulk From Age Of Ultron, Hulk Starts To Turn Back Into Banner Who's Been The Hulk Since Sokovia Which Leads Banner To Freak Out...

As The Hulk Had Completely Taken Over And He Has Absolutely No Memory Of The Past Few Years Which Has Him Start To Fear That If He Becomes The Hulk Again, Banner Won't Come Back...

Back In The Grandmaster's Chamber, He Gives Loki And Valkyrie Orders To Find Thor And The Hulk, But After Loki Shows Valkyrie A Vision Of Herself And Her Sisters Against Hela All Those Years Ago Which Ended With Only Her Surviving To The Point That She Drank To Try To Drown Her Misery, She Decides To Help Thor And Banner Escape...

Kidnapping Loki, He Tells Thor That His Favor With The Grandmaster Has Paid Off And That He Has All The Security Codes To The Grandmaster's System All They Need To Do Is Take Him With Them. However As Thor And Banner Decide To Take Loki Or Not Valkyrie Tries To Find A Way Back To Asgard But Thor Tells Her That The Only Way Back Is Through The Devil's Anus...

That Looks Absolutely Nothing Like Kathy Bates' Nude Scene From About Schmidt...

Only One Problem, Valkyrie's Ship Will Never Survive It Which Leads Them To Release Korg, Miek And The Other Prisoners From Their Cells...

But Despite Helping Thor Get To The Grandmaster's Luxury Ship, The Commodore Which He Only Uses For Orgies Apparently...

Aww, Man! Now I'm Going To Have That Image Of Jeff Goldblum At An Orgy In My Head For Hours, Thanks Thor Ragnarok!

Loki Betrays Thor, Sounding The Alarm As He Escapes But Knowing He Would Thor Placed The Same Disc That Valkyrie Placed On Him On Loki, Saying To Him That He Will Always Be The God Of Mischief But He Could Be More...

Going Through The Devil's Anus, They Arrive At Asgard Just As Hela Is About To Assault The Fortress Where Heimdall Is Hiding People From Asgard, But When Thor Calls Her Back To The Throne Room, Hela Faces Off Against Thor...

(Start At 1:22)

Realizing That The Destruction Of Asgard Was Inevitable, Thor Thanks Loki For Returning For Him And The 2 Brothers Reconcile, Before Taking The Captain's Chair And Assuming His Birthright As King Of Asgard With His Friends And Family By His Side As They Set A Course For Earth...

We Get A Mid Credits Scene Where Loki Wonders If He Will Be Welcome On Earth After Everything He Did In The First Avengers Movie But With Thor Telling Him That He'll Deal With Everything But Not Before Dealing With A Giant Spaceship That Will Ruin The Happy Ending That Came From This Movie...

We Also Get A End Credits Scene With The Grandmaster Confronted By The People Who Used To Be His Slaves As He Tries To Declare A Draw To No Success...

And That's Thor Ragnarok And It's The Best Thor Movie Ever!

The Story's Great, The Characters Are Great And Hillarious And I Like Hela As The Bad Guy But I Think They Shouldn't Have Had Skurge The Executioner In This Movie Without The Person He Actually Serves, The Enchantress (Yeah, I Know They Had A Character Called Enchantress In Suicide Squad But Marvel's Enchantress Is Alot More Sexier Than Her) But Aside From That Criticism I Defiantly Say, See It...

Till Next Time, This Is Duke, Signing Off..

[thesinglesjukebox]

BILLIE EILISH - EVERYTHING I WANTED

[7.11]

Meanwhile, congratulations to Finneas, now a Grammy nominee with one listed album credit and zero Wikipedia bios...

Will Adams: Billie Eilish ruminating on fame via song is to be expected after this year, but "Everything I Wanted" is a more relatable take on the format: straightforward but brutal imagery -- a nightmare about jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge and no one caring -- set to the harried pulse of "Ribs." And at its core, it's not a "woe is fame" screed but a dedication to Billie's brother, who acts as her anchor amidst the storm. It's touching, but it's also the kind of vulnerability one could only get from a teenager who's been thrust into such a situation. [7]

Ian Mathers: There's an undertow to a lot of Eilish's songs, production-wise, vocals-wise, lyrics-wise, emotionally even: something that seems to be pulling back or ebbing away. Here, it's that piano, and the almost muttered delivery. "Everything I Wanted" hits several of the spins you might expect from someone this young after this kind of banner year -- dreams, her relationship with her brother, that "everything I wanted" might not be what her fans assume it is, etc. -- but puts a slightly different torque on nearly all of them, while being more outright lovely than anything on her album. [8]

Isabel Cole: It feels odd to describe a song describing a nightmare of unmourned suicide as sweet, no matter how warm and unfussy its piano line. But it's the chorus's depiction of unwavering support that lingers after, maybe because the song wisely avoids playing it musically as a big uplift. She still sounds fragile and morose, especially on they don't deserve you, like maybe she doesn't believe him but is grateful for his presence all the same. [7]

Katherine St Asaph: The first Billie Eilish single in a while that I actually can imagine someone else releasing, and I don't think it's entirely due to the music industry commissioning 10,000 Eilish knockoffs in the past year. The track is melancholy strobing late-night house (think "Vermillion") with few surprises; the chorus swells in conventionally touching form. This would probably be an [8] from anyone else. [6]

William John: A maudlin dance album from Lorde, produced by someone like DJ Koze, is high on my list of things from 2020 that I would love to see but know I'll never get. "Everything I Wanted" makes me think that maybe it's likelier I'll get that album from Billie Eilish. The whole song is spellbinding, but the bit that really sticks in my head is the introduction of an unexpected harmony on the pivotal word "change" in the chorus, demonstrating her ability to wring the most out of simple tricks. [8]

Kylo Nocom: She's fallen into the trap most people fall into as they grow older: mistaking sonic normalcy for a sign of maturity. Balladry and temperance are weaknesses that Billie still needs to work out, but she can't help but call back to the simple harmonies and modesty of "Ocean Eyes," even when she's worked in vicious rage enough to understand this as her strongest suit. As always, however, she writes about teenage hurt with enough precision to make this watered-down ambiance forgivable, and almost meaningful. [5]

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: What "Everything I Wanted" lacks in the camp department, it gains in coherence and poise-- it's more fully formed than her ballads tend to be, less chaotic than her uptempo numbers. It's not the most interesting thing she's done -- "fame sucks" songs rarely are -- but it's an artistic step forward and an indicator that Eilish has the potential to be more than just a zoomer icon. [7]

Alex Clifton: I can't imagine what it's like to suddenly have your entire life spotlighted when you're a teenager who also deals with anxiety and depression, skyrocketing to fame after having your music live in your own head for so long. And Billie Eilish has spun those feelings into a better piece of art than I've ever been able to, her voice worn and fragile like someone older and more tired, but always caught by the security of Finneas's gentle piano line. I hate the idea that art requires suffering to be good and worthwhile, but this deals with it beautifully. [7]

Edward Okulicz: Eilish trades intense drama on a cinematic scale for an intimate close-up, adding emotional chills to dance chill. Few people today are using the untamed emotional palette of a teenager to such interesting and popular effect. She just makes it sound effortless. [9]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox]

[selenecrawford]

Selene Crawford: The Lady, The Promise, The Kiss

Warning: Cursing and a bit mild sexual scene

Nobunaga walked with a purpose to his meeting with Kincaid. When he set the meeting late night the day before, Kincaid was reluctant until he heard about the shooting. It was then that he told Nobunaga to bring all of his men as soon as possible to the docks. Approaching the entrance he met with Hideyoshi, Mitsurani and Mitsuhide.

“Where is Kincaid?”

“We just arrived a couple of minutes ago. Ever since we here, I got the feeling that we are being watched.” said Hideyoshi taking a look around.

“My, always late for the party Hideyoshi. This place is really kind of unique, considering what it's real purpose is.” Mitsuhides comment just earned a frown of disapproval but nothing else. He on the other hand was excited, finally the forbidden den was opened for him to explore and dig it's secrets. Too bad she wasn't here to see her face. An yet, he wouldn't want her to get hurt. The girl felt like a kindred spirit. But at the same time he also wanted to protect her. It was a shame that she choose the dragon instead of him. Chasing her away from his mind he started walking when little red dots appeared from nowhere next to him.

“I thought we were allowed in there? Are we missing something?” putting his hands up Mitsuhide turned around looking for the snipers. “A Secret handshake or,...”

“Ah this is why you were banned from here young Akechi. That tongue of yours and your eyes of a sly fox. No wonder they don't want you here. You should be humble and grateful, after all you finally got in, isn't it?” the old voice echoed thru the space with a hint of sneer and almost regret.

“Thanks for coming Kincaid.” Nobunaga approached the old man with caution extending his hand to salute him.

“Ah, Oda is nice to see you here. I see you brought everyone. Follow me they are w” he gave a look at Mitsuhide still with his hands up. “Come and if any warning is good, don't stray from the path we are walking, or you won't come out of this place ever again.”

“I guess that's for you Mitsuhide.” said Hideyoshi passing him by while following Kincaid.

The path was thru the whole fish market on the docks, Mitsurani kindly smiled to everyone and at some point a  Russian blue cat tag along. She meow sweetly and kept following Mitsurani. Meanwhile, Hideyoshi behaved like a gentleman with the ladies and the women. Nobunaga just observed the whole scene played out in silence. Mitsuhide took in into the place, from time to time counting the people who we ready to jump into them. Yes, this was getting amusing, interesting and maybe...dangerous. They kept walking for another half an hour until Nobunaga stopped. Kincaid turned around raising an eyebrow.

“Something wrong Lad?.”

“We been walking around the place for 30 minutes now, what's this?...”

“Ah, the Devil, The Brains, The Snake and the gentleman or perhaps mother hen? But some people are missing, I said bring everyone didn't I? Where is the Dragon? And the Do...”

“He is out of the equation...” Nobunaga cut it, only to be interrupted again.

“For now, I don't like to waste my time with this. That girl is such a troublesome thing. First the wedding now this. Where is she anyway?”

everyone turned to the right to see an old tall man walking to them. He seemed to be on his fifties with an old classic black with fine white stripes suit, leather shoes, a cane with the head of a Viper. Behind him Shingen and company were also walking.

“Great of you to join us. Shingen here is involved, so you will have to make a truce and come with us.” another old man appeared in front of them.

“And if we don't agree?” asked Nobunaga tentatively.

“Ah you live up to your reputation, Devil. Selene told me you were wise for your age so asking dumb questions is not wise. She has a lot of faith in you, even you Akechi.” the man answered with a sarcastic chuckle. “So you left her with the Dragon aren't you?” the old man continued to walk toward Nobunaga and stopped in from of him.

“It was the best choice, Masamune will take good care of her.” said Hideyoshi.

All the old men started laughing at once. Shingen's group and Nobunaga's exchange a confused look to each other. Only Kenshin was also laughing. After calming himself he said. “ The moment he gets outnumbered is over. That man does not do well on cases where he needs to protect people I believe the girl is still in danger.”

“Wrong, God of War, I'm surprised you haven't found out. That girl is such a stubborn thing sometimes. We didn't raise a fairy tale princess if that what you think. If the bad comes to worse she will be the perfect killing machine, but we made sure she never went down that path if she and the Dragon are truly soulmates as that old witch said they could wipe anything that dares to oppose them. Come, we need to talk.”

“You are still blabbing all those things Ian, that old woman died years ago. Stop spitting old nonsense.” Said the Old suit guy.

“Oh, piss off Lancelot, you know those where her last words, and so far Selene always, loved to hear her. I hope he takes good care of her. Because no one wants to see her pissed off like that time uh Kincaid? Come its getting cold.”

Nobunaga and Shingen started walking and their men followed.

Selene finally woke up sleeping next to Masamune. She slowly and calmly went out of the bed and washed her teeth and went to the  bag that was left on the floor of the room. Revising the things Hideyoshi packed were underwear a pair of sweat pants and a couple of t shirts. She was only wearing Masamune's shirt and felt her cheeks growing hot from embarrassment. Once she put on a sports bra, panties and the sweat pants, Selene started to explore the kitchen. The clock on the wall indicated that it was 3 am. She started to investigate the freezer when she felt his presence behind her. Putting an arm to block  her from leaving, Masamune rest his chin on her head and ask.

“Hungry?”

“Yeah, I was looking to make a simple sandwich. You?” she didn't move, her heart skipped a beat when he got close to her.

“I want a princess, rare,” both chuckled and Selene started taking things from the fridge.“Too bad there is none around here.”

Masamune took a bottle of water and opened it. Giving a long sip on the bottle. He stood next to Selene and said. “Meh, I spotting one in front of me right now.”  finishing with a wolfish smile.

“This princess stuff is getting old. First of all I'm not pretty, second will you stop...” any other reply died on her lips at the moment Masamune shut her up with kiss.

Selene closed her eyes and put her hands on his shoulders. Gripping the his shirt when her knees started to getting weak. Masamune assaulted her lips with a sweet yet firm demand. His tongue teasing her until Selene gave up and open her mouth with a soft moan. While one hand hold the base of her nape the other hand went down her shirt caressing her ribs and her stomach sending shivers, turning to the left he pin her between him and the counter. Lowering  his hands to each tight, Masamune lift her sitting her on the counter without stopping his assault. Masamune wasn't letting her think just feel, letting her know how much he wanted her. He didn't care about the damn scar, or anything only her. Reluctantly, he broke the kiss and touch her forehead with his. Both, were panting agitated trying to catch their breathing. Still Holding her by the thighs he took her to the sofa. He took a sit in the middle of the sofa and let her sit stranded on his lap. She now hugged him and rest her face on his chest. Hearing his heart beating as fast as hers Selene closed her eyes and let him caress her back.

After a couple of minutes, Selene  retire from his chest face him and spoke softly with a soft tremble in her voice. Her face was flushed red and her eyes like two shinning emeralds while her lips were swollen from the kiss.

“I'm not worthy of you...”

“It's me who is not worthy and yet I can't stop thinking about you. “

He saw her eyes opening wide and put her mouth on a fine line. “This is not a competition you know?. Who are thou worthy of who?” he couldn't help it and started laughing. “Lass, really? Now we got Shakespeare? I kissed you because it was the only way to let you know that I want you.  I want to know you better also, Selene. I like what I see, and I don't care if you are even a demon I want you ok?” the look of desire on his eyes sent a shiver to Selene.

The doubts were still there in her eyes he could see them. But also he saw something else. Everyone had a past, he knew that very well. But which past she had and how bad was only time will tell and her will tell.

“So you don't mind take things slow?” he hesitation was understandable.

“No kitten, with you I don't.” he looked her directly at the eyes.

Slowly Selene raised her hands to cup his cheeks and kiss him softly on the lips. “OK then can we go back to my sandwich? I'm starving.” with a smile Selene stood and offered her hand to Masamune.

“Right, lets get some food on that stomach.” he stood up kissed the back of Selene's hand and said.

“ I don't make promises but on this case I want to make an exception. I promised I will make sure you are always safe, no matter the situation.” Masamune looked intensely and serious.

Selene felt her heart pounding furiously on her chest, with a smile she squeezed his hand and said  “I want to make a promise to you too, Masamune Date, I will also protect you, no matter the situation, you are now mine to keep and cherish until the end. No matter what happens.”

“Hey, that sounded cooler than mine,” he frowned at her confused.

Giggling Selene replied “Common, is a promise, besides I'm cooler than you.” she just winked at him while going back to the kitchen.

“As if.” Masamune followed her into the kitchen intended to keep making her smile as long as he lived.

@colivara @datemasamunemaiwaifu @elievalentine @unstoppablelinda @la-piperina @epicdragonlady @jennacat84 @ikesenhell @serenity-writes @xathia-89 @kimi00twin  @notsafefortum-blr @mikamiw @yeshasays @masa-little-kitten

[streetpark]

Secret Agent’s Helper

The bar was busier than June expected, but then, the hotel was busier than usual this weekend too. Looks like there was some sort of artist convention and a wedding reception both being held in the hotel itself. From the entrance coming from the hotel lobby, she scanned the crowded bar. There were several large groups of obvious from the artist conventions, decked out in they’re ‘I’m wearing a statement clothes” and the like, boisterously talking trash about the art world in general. 

Most of the other tables were taken by duos or trios of men and women dressed in wedding casual pants suits or pencil dresses; polos and khakis. Most looked like they were knocking back one or two drinks before heading out for some more fun in the big city.

She didn't spend too much time studying the groups it was Ian she was looking for. For fun, she would study and wonder about them.

There were two single women one was sitting at the bar, the other at a table near a window. The woman by the window was obviously waiting for someone. She kept looking out the window while nursing a drink in a tall glass. She hadn't taken off her jacket and she checked her phone every so often. The woman at the bar was also obviously waiting for someone, although it seemed equally obvious to June, that she didn't have anyone, in particular, she was waiting for. She had a dark skirt and a tight top with a plunging neckline that, coupled with the way she sat, showed off her deep cleavage.

First come, first served, June thought with a smile.

There were a handful of single men, although they all seemed entranced by the sports channel or their smartphones at least for the moment. Except for him.

It didn't take June long to realize there was something different about him. He was sitting at the bar, a tumbler of dark amber drink in front of him. His finely-tailored charcoal suit and crisp white shirt fit him perfectly. His features were chiseled, his hair cut short.

Yes, he looked fine, but it wasn't just that he was handsome that made him stand out. There was something about the way he carried himself the look in his eye. Unlike the other men in the bar, he seemed to have a clear purpose for being there. He wasn't just killing time uncomfortably waiting for something to happen. It was already happening whatever it was.

June smoothed down her short one of those pencil 50’s style skirt and pulled her thin tight sweater down to make sure it hugged her curves just right. With confident strides, she made her way to the bar. She purposefully made eye contact with the other woman at the bar and let a small smile across her lips. Little Miss Cleavage was sitting about 5 or 6 seats away from the gentleman at the bar and June took a seat in between them. As she mounted the bar stool June had the satisfaction of catching the glare of annoyance from the other woman. Without even a glance at the handsome man sitting only a few feet away from her, June flipped her hair and caught the attention of the bartender. She was about to order when she felt a presence behind her.

"She'll have a Sweet Heat," a commanding male voice said.

His voice was quiet and smooth with the hint of a foreign accent that June could not place.

The bartender, a young man, cocked his eyebrows at June to gauge her reaction to the man's attention. She smiled, shrugged her shoulders.

"I'll take a Sweet Heat," she said to the bartender. "Thank you," she directed to the stranger who was already moving his drink and taking the seat next to her as the bartender brought her a cocktail glass filled with a yellowish drink and garnished with what looked like slices of ginger and a hot pepper.

"You will love it," the stranger said. "It is sweet, of course, with notes of ginger, but underneath is a definite fire. Very spicy. It will suit a lady like you well, I should imagine."

June took a sip. She appreciated the strong ginger flavor one of her favorites. The underlying kick from the hot peppers was subtle and not as unpleasant as she feared.

"It is very good," she said after taking another sip. "Again, thank you."

In response, he raised his glass to her slightly before taking a swallow, never once taking his eyes off her. His stare was laser focused.

"I'm June, by the way."

"It's very nice to meet you, June. I'm Maykop, Penza Maykop."

"Are you here on business, Mr. Maykop?"

"You could say that," Maykop looked past June, his focused eyes quickly sweeping the room. "There's a gentleman I was hoping to meet here tonight."

June moved to get up, "Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Maykop. I didn't mean to intrude on your evening. I'll leave before I interfere with your plans."

He placed a powerful hand gently on hers.

"Don't be silly, June sit. The gentleman I'm looking for is here already, has been for nearly an hour. He knows I'm here. I know he's here. Our paths will cross soon enough."

June looked intently into Maykop's serious eyes. "What line of business are you in, exactly, Mr. Maykop?"

"I work for the government, June," Maykop said as he twirled the drink in his glass slowly before taking a swallow. "I'm a problem solver."

"What sort of problems?" June leaned in closer to him, letting her hand brush against his arm.

"Problems the government doesn't want you to know they have." He nodded slightly towards someone behind June. "Problems like our friend over there."

June slowly turned about to get a view of the tables behind her. A few tables away, sitting alone, was a swarthy man wearing a light orange button up shirt. The collar was open showing a tuft of thick chest hair. "You mean that man in the coral shirt?" She asked as she turned her attention back to Maykop.

"Yes, he's the one." Maykop took another casual swallow of his drink. "He's the man you have business with? Who is he? What's his name?" "His real name is classified information, I'm afraid," Maykop said. "But in my circles, he's known as Agent Surgut."

June tried to hide a smile by taking a sip of her drink.

"Don't laugh, June," Maykop leaned closer and lowered his voice almost to a whisper. "He's very dangerous. Not to be trifled with. Just so you know it stands for Biysk Surgut, that’s his name. I just like calling him Surgut "

They were very close to each other, with him leaning into her. June liked the way he smelled. His cologne was light and smoky. He casually reached up and gently brushed the hair away from her eyes. She noticed, with satisfaction, that his gaze drifted from her face down to her breasts.

"And he's up to something," he said, his eyes going back to Agent Surgut.

"What? What is he up to?”

"I don't know exactly. That's what I have to learn. And then I have to stop him."

"Is he dangerous?" June's voice was barely a whisper.

Maykop smiled. "I wouldn't be involved if he wasn't."

Suddenly Maykop's eyes flashed. "He's on the move. I've got to go."

The sudden change caught June off guard. She looked around, a bit confused. Agent Surgut was getting up from his table. Their eyes met across the lounge and for a brief moment, they stared at each other. Agent Surgut cocked his head slightly, quizzically and narrowed his eyes a bit, perhaps a bit confused about why this woman was looking at him. He looked from June to Maykop and back again before breaking off the gaze, collecting his things, and heading towards the exit.

Meanwhile, with fluid, confident motions, Maykop placed a large bill on the bar next to his drink, caught the bartender's eyes, and stepped away from the bar, his eyes following Agent Surgut's retreat.

June caught hold of Maykop's arm.

"I'm coming with you," she said as he turned to look at her.

"No you are not," he said matter-of-factly. "This is far too dangerous. I can't risk getting you involved."

"Like hell," she shot back with a cocktail of bravado and fear. "I'm already involved. He just looked at me. You should have seen the way he looked at me. His eyes. You said he knows who you are, well now I'm connected with you in his eyes. I'm not going to wait around here for him to come back for me to eliminate the threat."

Maykop looked back at the door to see Agent Surgut disappear through it as he headed out towards the hotel lobby. Maykop looked down at June's hand on his arm, her thin fingers clutching the fabric. Then he looked into her eyes for what seemed like an eternity.

”Let's go," he said at last as he took her hand and pulled her towards the door at a brisk pace.

A large group of rowdy wedding goers was coming out of the elevator and congregating in the hotel's lobby as Maykop and June emerged from the bar. Maykop scanned the large lobby quickly. There didn't seem to be any sign of Agent Surgut.

"Do you see him?" June asked as she looked towards the large revolving doors at the front of the lobby. "Do you think he went outside?"

"This way," Maykop said without looking at her or acknowledging her questions.

He walked with long, confident strides across the lobby. June struggled at first to keep up, but soon the heels of her black, strappy shoes were tapping smoothly on the tile floor keeping close pace with Maykop.

They weaved among the groups of people and past them, leaving the lobby behind and heading down a quiet side hall. June gripped Maykop's hand a little tighter their fingers were intertwined and Maykop lazily stroked his thumb along hers as they walked.

Their pace slowed a bit in the empty hallway. They walked past darkened meeting rooms, a business center, and some restrooms. As they went further down the hallway the boisterous sounds from the lobby became a muffled murmur.

Maykop suddenly stopped and put his finger to her mouth in a shushing motion. He looked one way down the hall and then the other. June tensed, squeezing Maykop's hand tighter and moving closer until she pressed lightly against his side. They stood motionless and silent for a few moments. June thought she heard a whisper of water running in a sink, but she couldn't be sure. Then she heard a door opening somewhere further down the hall. Maykop's muscles tighten as he sprang into action.

"This way," he hissed between clenched teeth.

He led June into a small, dark room some kind of a storage closet. He pulled the door shut leaving a small crack so they could see out into the hallway. There wasn't much room for the two of them. Maykop's back was pressed up against a cart and June's back was pressed up against Maykop. They both leaned forward in order to look through the crack in the door to see what was going on out in the hall. He wrapped an arm around her and pressed forward, squeezing her lightly against the door. His breath was warm against her neck and hair. She heard him breathe in deeply and she smiled he was breathing in the scent of her hair, she was sure of it. Very slightly she pushed her body back against his and was rewarded for her efforts when he, very slightly, pulled his arm more tightly around her waist. His cologne, which was intriguing in the bar, was intoxicating in this dark enclosed space. His muscled arm was sure and strong against her waist and she placed one of her own hand on his. She let her other hand fall to her side and then slowly and lightly stroked his leg through his suit pants with her fingertips.

"Look," he whispered into her ear, as his own fingers began to lightly play across her waist and belly.

Through the crack in the door, she saw Agent Surgut emerge from a restroom across the hall. He looked about nonchalantly while he tucked in his coral shirt and then took out his smartphone. Casually, he leaned against the wall and began flipping through his phone. Maykop's hand moved slowly, but purposefully up June's body until he was cupping one of her breasts.

"Don't make a sound," he whispered as he nuzzled into her neck.

For a moment she held her breath but was forced to exhale as he began to gently fondle her breast with his firm hand. She wasn't wearing a bra, and it didn't take long for Maykop to feel her nipples harden beneath his palm. Through her sweater, he rolled her distended nipple between his thumb and finger. He kissed her neck as he gave her nipple a gentle twist. June pressed her body harder back against him, giving her ass a little wiggle as she felt his erection growing in his pants. She moved her hand up his leg, hoping to give him some encouragement, but their positioning was too awkward for her to get very far up certainly not as high as she wanted. Instead, she brought her hand up to his the one toying with her tit. She placed her hand on top of his and urged him, by example, to fondle her breast harder. He obliged and soon the two of them were squeezing her tit roughly in tandem. This whole time, she kept her eyes glued on Agent Surgut, who was still aSurgutorbed in his smartphone only a few yards away. She was trying to be quiet, but her breathing was coming out ragged and her heart was pounding. A pressure was growing deep inside her an itch that desperately needed to be scratched. Her pussy was getting wet and her nipple was starting to ache. She wanted to turn to face Maykop, to kiss him, or to feel his tongue on her nipple instead of his fingers.

Maykop had his own pressure building. He pulled June tighter against him and pushed his hips forward, rubbing his manhood against her ass reveling in the way her curves moved in sync with him. He kissed his way up her neck and nibbled and licked her earlobe. He loved the way her hair smelled soft and delicate, with an earthy hint.

Agent Surgut coughed loudly and cleared his throat. The two in the closet stopped moving stopped breathing their bodies tense. They watched through the door as Agent Surgut put away his phone, adjusted his shirt and headed down the hall towards the lobby. Once he was out of sight, June spun around in the tight confines of the closet, forcing Maykop back against the cart. She kissed him hungrily, her tongue flicking into his mouth. Her hands cupped his ass and pulled him closer into her grinding her hip against him.

"Oh god, Penza," she moaned into his mouth, but then whimpered curtly as she felt him pull away.

"June, I have to go after Agent Surgut," he said huskily, obviously struggling to catch his breath. "It's clear he's just been transmitted his final instructions and now he's on the move. If I don't intercept him who knows what mayhem he'll cause." June nuzzled into Maykop's neck kissing along his strong jawline. "June, he's getting away. I can't let that happen."

She abruptly pulled away from him and studied his eyes. He stared unflinchingly back at her for a moment. She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the storeroom and back into the now empty hallway. The two of them walked quickly back towards the lobby, smoothing and adjusting their clothes. The lobby was quiet now. A young desk clerk worked at her computer. The sound of traffic floated in from outside. Agent Surgut was getting onto an elevator. Maykop and June watched as the door slid shut and the elevator started to go up. It was one of those glass-enclosed elevators that seem to hang off the wall. They could see Agent Surgut look down at them as he rose up away from the ground floor.

Maykop took June's hand. "This way," he said leading her to the stairs.

He took the stairs two at a time and June had trouble keeping up. After the first two switchbacks, he stopped at the landing and began speaking into the cufflinks on his left wrist.

"This is Agent Double Eight reporting in," he said as June made her way up to the landing. "I am closing in on the rat's lair. Repeat, I am closing in on the rat's lair."

When June reached him he didn't wait for her to catch her breath but grabbed her hand and pulled her up the stairs with him. She squealed softly in protest as he quickened his pace, but somehow she managed to keep up. At the next landing, they exited the stairwell and found themselves on the second floor of the hotel. The elevator door was closing it was empty and a familiar coral shirt was disappearing into a large room.

The pair hurried after Agent Surgut. The room they entered was one of those large meeting rooms hotels have that usually company banquets or awards presentations. This one was currently being used for some sort of art show, probably related to the artist convention being held in the hotel, June figured. The harsh fluorescent lights were off and instead the windowless room was lit only by the tightly focused spotlights illuminating the various sculptures and paintings scattered throughout the room. The effect was dim pools of yellow light in what was otherwise a dark room. There were a couple of people slowly wandering around the large room, taking in the art pieces. Occasionally someone would cough or make a quiet comment about a particular painting. Maykop spotted Agent Surgut standing alone on the left side of the room, looking at a portrait of an old woman hanging clothes to dry. Maykop gave June's hand a squeeze and motioned slightly with his head in Agent Surgut's direction. She looked and nodded her head. Then the two of them started slowly walking among the art pieces on the right side of the room, keeping one eye on Agent Surgut the whole time.

Agent Surgut seemed listless. He didn't stay long at any one piece of art some he walked right past with hardly a glance. Maykop and June kept pace with Agent Surgut on the other side of the room as the three of them all made their way towards the back of the exhibit. In the back corner of the room, Agent Surgut stopped at a sculpture of a nude nymph bathing. She was holding what looked like a stone jar that she was filling from a stream or pool. Maykop and June watched out of the corner of their eyes as Agent Surgut examined the statue closely. He slowly walked around it, apparently taking in the beauty of the marble piece. Maykop and June were stopped near a large, but mediocre, painting of a fruit bowl. After a minute or so, Agent Surgut abruptly left the statue and headed back towards the exit. As he briskly walked out he took his smartphone out of his pocket. Maykop and June quickly walked across the room towards the nymph statue.

"This must be it," Maykop said as they approached the marble nudes. "There's something about this statue that's the key to Agent Surgut's plan."

The couple studied the statue for a moment, June admired the artist's fine attention to detail. It looked like the nymph was crouching on a grassy stream bank covered in fallen leaves. A few leaves hung suspended in the nymph's long hair that cascaded around her bare shoulders and down to her pert breasts. But the wings were most impressive. They were small, like butterfly wings attached to the nymph's back. Somehow the artist had managed to make the stone wings appear ethereal, almost see through. While June examined the front of the statue, Maykop walked around behind its pedestal. He examined the statue's base looking for any clues. He studied the walls near the statue. Suddenly, something caught his eye.

"June, I found it," Maykop hissed from the shadows behind the statue.

"Come to stand closer to the pedestal." June obeyed stepping nearer to the statue.

"What did you find?" she whispered.

June jumped slightly as she felt hands on her legs. She looked down to see Maykop, crouched in the shadows at the base of the pedestal, his hands slowly creeping up her legs.

"What are you doing?" June whispered.

"Just look at the statue," came the soft response from the shadows. "Don't draw attention. I just need a few moments." And then under his breath, he added, "And your panties."

"What?" June said incredulously.

”Just look at the statue."

June forced herself to study the statue, willing herself to ignore the tickle as Maykop's strong hands began to slowly, lightly, but purposefully trace a path up her legs. Calves, shins, knees, thighs, Maykop left a trail of heat as his fingertips worked their way up under the hem of her skirt. When his fingers began tracing along the bottom of her boy short panties she parted her legs slightly and then looked around to make sure no one was watching. The other people in the exhibition hall were engrossed in the art and didn't seem to notice what was happening in the dark back corner. Maykop ran his hands up June's butt cheeks, lightly squeezing the round mounds. June could feel Maykop's warm body pressed close against her legs and crotch, his face was pressed provocatively against her belly button. June's breath caught in her throat when she felt Maykop's fingers slip under the waistband of her panties and begin to pull down. He ran his fingers along the waistband, exploring through the top wisps of her trimmed pubic hair. He slowly pulled the panties down over her hips and the tops of her ass cheeks, teasing and worrying each inch of newly exposed skin with his fingers as he went. She shifted her hips and wiggled her bottom to help him as much as she dared, but was painfully conscious of just how close the other people in the room were to her. She was equally conscious of how wet she was getting and how sensitive she was becoming. Her flesh prickled every time Maykop's fingers explored some new region. When his fingers found her mons and lightly explored her slick cleft she gave out a quiet whimper. Her legs buckled a little under her own weight when he flicked across her clitoris and then quickly inserted a finger partway into her sopping pussy. She moved her hips to rub against his hands, but the contact was fleeting as he continued to pull her panties down and too soon managed to get them down past her thighs. He gently urged her to carefully step out of her underwear and then his hands were gone, her flesh left cold and wanting more as he quickly disappeared again into the shadows behind the statue taking her panties with him. She closed her eyes and sighed, but was shocked back into reality when a quiet voice spoke to her from behind.

"It's a lovely sculpture, isn't it?" a woman's voice said.

June turned to see an older woman standing a few feet behind her admiring the nymph sculpture.

"Yes, it's very striking," June managed, although her words caught in her throat a little. She was very aware of the musky scent of her own arousal and wondered, a bit embarrassedly, if the other woman was aware of it as well.

"I particularly like the way the artist managed to make the water drops feel so fluid even though they're carved from stone," the woman said as she came up very close to June and dropped her voice to a whisper. "See there, on the breasts especially."

June hadn't noticed the water before, but the woman was right. There were drops of water seeming to cascade down the nymph's breasts. One of the nipples, a taut bud begging to be teased, had a drip of water dangling precariously from it. It was amazing, June admitted, that the stone could be shaped to give such a vivid impression of movement.

"It's wonderful how the moment has been captured, a moment of ecstasy," the woman continued in a hushed whisper. "I almost feel guilty, like I've stumbled on an intimate scene no one was meant to see."

The woman placed a hand lightly on June's butt cheek giving it a little squeeze.

"Oh well," her voice lightened as she smiled at June and winked. "Enjoy the rest of your night."

"I will, thank you," June managed as the other woman slowly walked away and rejoined what must have been her husband who was aSurgutorbed in some painting of a field of flowers in a rainstorm on the other side of the hall.

"June," an abrupt whisper from Maykop made June jump. As she moved around the statue into the shadows she realized her heart was pounding in her chest.

"What is it?" she asked as came around the pedestal to find Maykop standing against the wall, reaching up for something over his head.

"I need your help," he said without turning to face her. She could see he was fiddling with her panties and something that looked like a small pipe or conduit climbing the wall in the corner of the room.

"What can I do?" she came up behind him and placed her hands lightly on his muscular back. "And what are you doing?"

"I discovered Agent Surgut's plan. This gas pipe has been rigged. It's leaking deadly gas into the hotel. We've got to stop it."

"How?" she said all business.

"My belt, I need my belt," he said through gritted teeth as he continued to struggle with the panties. "We've got to stop the leak. I was hoping to tie your panties around the pipe to shut off the gas, but I can't get it tight enough. My belt should do the trick. I need you to take my belt off and hand it up to me before this leak gets any worse."

June pressed up close behind Maykop and reached her hands around to his front. She ran her fingers along his Surgut, under his suit coat, down along his shirt front until she found his belt buckle. She previously went past it and found he still rock hard cock pressed against his pant and gave it a good squeeze. Then she slowly was at his belt to undo it, the jangle of the buckle making what seemed like an incredibly loud sound in the quiet hall. Leaving his belt dangling open, June also used this time to explore with her fingers down the front of Maykop's pants. She traced an outline around that bulge in his crotch and was delighted when it began to stiffen more and grow under her fingertips. With her fingers and palm, she gently massaged up and down the hardening bulge, gently, but firmly, squeezing his package again and again. She heard Maykop swallow a lump in his throat. "Hurry June, I need my belt," he coughed out.

While her left hand continued to massage and explore the cock now obviously straining against his pants, June used her right hand to pull his belt free. The belt whispered against the fabric of his pants as it came free from around his waist.

She handed it up to him, giving him a lingering kiss as he took the belt from her. While he got to work wrapping the belt around the pipe in an intricate lashing, June crouched down and moved around to Maykop's front. With manicured fingernails, she quickly unzipped his fly, reached into his pants and fished out his cock, which looked a little persuading get it all out from his pants. She held his erect member in her hand and tentatively licked the head, that forced a small groan from him. Maykop took a break from working on the pipe and glanced down at June, who smiled up wickedly at him before wrapping her lips around his cock and sucking greedily. Maykop flexed his hips, pushing more of his cock into June's wet, warm mouth. She swirled her tongue around the tip of his cock and stroked him leisurely with her hand as she sucked hard.

June lost herself in what she was doing. Was it minutes or hours she'd been pleasuring Maykop? She didn't know or care. But she was suddenly brought back to reality when she felt his hands grab some of her hair. She reached around with her hands, grabbed his firm butt and pulled him closer to her as she sucked him in farther. Maykop was in heaven, watching this gorgeous woman give him one of the best blowjoSurgut of his life. He could feel the pressure building in his balls as a familiar tingle started moving down his legs. He wanted to cum, but he knew he couldn't. Not here. Not yet. He pulled harder with June’s hair, there was a popping noise that seemed to echo in the gallery as she reluctantly let go of him. Maykop pulled her up to her feet. She pounced at him, her lips searing his with a passionate heat.

"We've got to go, June."

"Why, Penza? Let me finish you off," she said in between kisses.

"We've got to get out of here before Agent Surgut figures out what we've done," he said, pushing her gently away from him, putting his cock back inside his pants and readjusting his clothes. "Who knows what that dirtbag would do to you if he found out you helped me foil his plan. I can't risk that. I've got to get you safely out of here, now!"

With one last quick, hot kiss on her lips, Maykop took June by the hand and led her back through the art gallery. When they reached the exit, he led her straight toward the elevator. As they stepped into the elevator, Maykop pressed the button for the 27th floor June saw him...Agent Surgut was walking straight toward them, fast. Their eyes met and she felt a slight twinge of panic. She quickly pressed the "Door Close" button several times in quick succession willing the elevator doors slowly to close. It seemed the door was closing in slow motion and as it narrowed, Agent Surgut picked up the pace, raising his hand to try to catch their attention.

As the elevator doors closed, leaving Agent Surgut out in the hallway, they heard him say "Hey!" Then the elevator began to go up. The only sound was the humming of the elevator's machinery. June and Maykop looked at each other with relief. Then the passion swept in for each other and they were soon kissing feverishly, hands exploring each other's bodies. When Jane broke off the kiss forcing Maykop to nuzzle June's neck she asked him, "Where are you taking me?"

"We can go to my room, it will be safe there," he mumbled from her neck.

"No," she said as she punched the button for the 26th floor. "We'll go to my room. I'm sure Agent Surgut knows exactly what room you're staying in. Why wouldn't he? That's probably the first thing he found out when he learned you were on his tail."

Maykop broke away, "You're probably right," he said as he then went to nibbling on her ear and ran a hand up her skirt and cupped her naked ass.

"Well go to my room. That will be safe."

When the elevator bell dinged the two of them straightened their clothes, as the door opened they casually, but quickly, walked down the hall to room 2618. June used her key card to unlock the door and led him inside. He closed the door and immediately peered through the peephole.

"I think we're safe," he said. "I don't think he followed us."

As he turned around, June threw herself into his arms, pushing him back against the door hard. Taking some wind out of Maykop, her mouth hungrily devoured his while her hands began tearing at his clothes. He joined in on the frenzy and soon they were both naked, their clothes scattered across the floor. He pushed her back onto the bed. She fell with a squeal but didn't have time to catch her breath before he buried his face between her thighs and began lapping at her pussy lips. She closed her eyes, arched her back and raised her hips slightly off the bed to give him better access to her hot center. Maykop made long, slow licks up and down her pussy, flicking out at her tender clit every time he reached the top of her sex. His hands kneaded her inner thighs and ass cheeks, pulling her closer into his mouth, hungry with need.

June cupped her own breasts and began squeezing and working her nipples. Her breathing was coming out in shallow gasps as Maykop's tongue continued to play across her pussy. When he slipped a finger inside her and focused his oral action on her sensitive clit, she let out a cry of ecstasy.

"Oh, just like that Penza. Don't stop. Whatever you do, don't stop."

He didn't. His tongue flicked back and forth across her nub while his finger twirled about inside her tight cunt. He could feel the tension mounting in her body. Her face was scrunched up, her hands were roughly squeezing her own tits. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Then she let out a cry, squeezed her thighs tightly against the sides of his head and pushed her pussy hard against his mouth as she came.

He kept licking her until her body began to relax under him, then he flipped her over onto her stomach, her legs spread and her ass slightly raised off the mattress. He stood behind her, admiring the view of her pussy, open and inviting, capped by her small ass hole, winking up at him like a small unopened bud. With one hand he massaged her ass cheek. With his other, he guided his cock into her hot slick pussy. He pushed in all the way in one stroke and then began slowly fucking in and out of her.  While he did he pressed his thumb firmly against her ass hole, just a little pressure, massaging her bud in small circles. He felt her tighten beneath him and heard her give out a soft moan of pleasure. He pressed his thumb a little harder and fucked in and out of her pussy a little faster. It didn't take long for his own release. With one final stroke, he pushed into her as far as he could and gave out a grunt as he came hard. She felt his hot seed empty into her and she clenched her pussy tighter around his cock.

He collapsed on top of her, kissing the back of her neck and rubbing his hands up and down her body.

"Oh, June. That. Was. Amazing." he said at last.

"It certainly was Maykop. Penza Maykop."

The next morning, June and Maykop got dressed and walked hand in hand to the elevator, down to the lobby and up to the hotel's front desk. A chipper young man greeted them.

"Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Walker. It's good to see you again. How was your stay this time?"

"Great, as always, Jimmy," Mike said. "The rooms you got for us were just perfect."

"How's your sister doing, Jimmy?" Jane said as Mike fished out his credit card from his wallet. "Is she liking college?"

"She is, Mrs. Walker. She's having a great time at school. I'll tell her you said hi."

Jimmy ran the credit card, handed it back and called for a bellhop to you two a cab.

"Will we be seeing you two again soon?" he asked as Mike and Jane walked towards the doorway.

"You can bet on that Jimmy," Mike said. "Probably in a month or so."

"Should I schedule your stay now?"

"No, don't worry about it. I'll call when I know the dates."

And with that, Mike Walker took his wife's hand and led her out of the hotel to the cab waiting outside.

[joyofcrime-elinorhigh]

Dragon Ball Super: Battle of Gods Arc REVIEW:

Hello everybody, my name is JoyofCrimeArt and as I've said in the past screaming and punching is awesome! This is just an undeniable fact. And when it comes to the "screaming and punching" genre of cartoons there is none that does it better than Dragon Ball Z. (Okay, that's probably not true at all, but shut up alright? I'm trying to segway into this.) The best way to look at Dragon Ball Z, and the Dragon Ball series as a whole is to look at it as just a really cool superhero series, that doesn't try to come across as needlessly "dark" or "mature." It has dark and mature moments for sure, but not in the way that some comic books do where they try to shoehorn in these elements in order to be shocking or edgy. Dragon Ball does something that a lot of superhero type stories now of days tend to forget to do, and that's just be fun. From the over the top characters and powers, to the tonnes of convoluted lore that they make sound important, even though ever arc just ends up being a contest of who can punch the hardest, Dragon Ball was just a fun series. Flawed for sure, yes, (Seriously, next time you watch a Dragon Ball series play this game at home, it's called "Find the inconsistency.") but still a lot of fun regardless.  After finishing up the story of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z the original author, Akira Toriyama, decided to step away from the series for almost twenty years. He did help with some designs for some spin-off properties based off of the series, but for a long period of time Dragon Ball was pretty much over. But, and this a true story, after seeing the American live action adaptation of his series, Dragon Ball Evolution, and hating it so much, it inspired him to make another Dragon Ball Z movie. One that he would be directly involved in. That movie was 2013's "Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods." and the movie was a huge success. So much of a success that it got a sequel called "Dragon Ball Z: Reserection 'F'." The Dragon Ball franchise was given new life. And naturally with all this success, it was only natural for Toei Animation to announce a new Dragon Ball tv series. After 19 years there would finally be a new series, and that new series would be called "Dragon Ball Super." Fan's were hyped....

 ...Until it was announced that the first two arcs would be adaptations of the two newest movies.  

Yeah, fans were not happy to learn that they would have to wait 26 episodes before getting any "new" content. Especially since the movies had just came out a few years ago. But, who knows, maybe this could be a good thing. Maybe these longer versions of the movie could expand on the movies, and add new scenes or different plot elements to improve the movies story, and make it even better. How did this movie retelling work out? Well, let's dive into this and find out. But first some context.  First things first, when it comes to these reviews I will be reviewing the dub. This is because I started actually watching Dragon Ball Super at episode 63, when the website Crunchyroll started subbing it. I was following what was happening in the series before hand using online recaps and such, but I never really went back and rewatched the first 62 episodes, save for a few. So I'm using the new English dub to actually see for myself what I have missed. And since most fans of Dragon Ball seem to like the dub more anyway I think it be better to do it like this. Also, I just want to say that I will be comparing this to the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods film. It's kinda hard not to what with them being the same story and all. Also I want to state for the record that I LOVE the Battle of Gods film a lot. I was a casual Dragon Ball fan before watching that film, but after watching that movie I fell in love with the franchise. I loved the more comedic feel the film had, while still keeping in the drama that was needed. I loved the way it built upon the lore, and how it created a story and a villain completely different from anything that Dragon Ball had seen before. I consider the film of version of "Battle of Gods" as not just a great Dragon Ball film, but a great film in general! So keep all that in mind. Also, SPOILERS for everything Dragon Ball from here on out. Okay, ready? Let's go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsPw7x8LZC4

So just a quick rundown for anybody not in the know. Dragon Ball is the story of Goku, a psychopath man child alien who loves to fight things. He was sent to Earth as a baby to destroy the planet, but forgot about his mission after his adopted grandfather accidentally drops him into a motherfu*king canyon. Goku and his friends travel the world collecting the Dragon Balls, magical orbs that can grant any wish, but over the course of the series pretty much just becomes there "get out of death free" card. Then half way through the show suddenly becomes about fighting aliens. One of these aliens they fight is named Vegeta. A member of Goku's race called the Saiyans who, over the course of the show, goes from evil big bad, to anti hero, to just a frickin' tsundere by the time Super comes around. The Saiyans have the power to become more powerful using the power of "Super Saiyan" transformation, which increases there power and hair mass exponentially. Also this arc takes place four years after Goku defeats the evil pink bubblegum man, but six years before he abandoned his family to train some random Indian boy. HOPE THAT CLEARS EVERYTHING UP FOR ANY NEWCOMERS!  Anyway, this arc begins in space where, in typical Dragon Ball tradition, we are introduced to a new villain who just happens to be way stronger than our last villain, and has just happened to never be mentioned by anybody until now. This new villain is Beerus, a God of Destruction. His job, as we learn, is to go around the universe destroying planets in order to maintain the natural balance in the universe. Beerus looks like a giant purple cat, and this reflects his personality a lot. Because like a cat, all Beerus cares about is eating, sleeping, and being a general dick. Only this cat has the power to effortlessly destroy planets with a touch of his fingers. Beerus also has a helper, named Whis. A flamboyant but snarky blue guy who's job is to look after Beerus and make sure he's doing his job. He also acts as the straight man to Beerus's antics, and these two characters have great chemistry together. This is helped by the great voice talent of Jason Douglasas as Beerus, and Ian Sinclair as Whis. They do a great job portraying the duo.  We learn that Beerus has been sleeping for the last thirty seven years, so he just conveniently been sleeping for most of the Dragon Ball series. But he was awoken by a premonition dream, as he foresaw something called a "Super Saiyan God." and this "God" would provide him with someone he could call a rival. Beerus, like most characters in Dragon Ball, has a love for the thrill of combat. But since he's so powerful there are few who he can fight without just obliterating in an instant. So thus, he is really dedicated to finding this Saiyan. However, despite having the dream, he has trouble remembering the details of it, so he goes around destroying planets and eating, hoping that doing that will somehow jog his memory.  The way Beerus is portrayed is a point of contention for some Dragon Ball fans, when comparing the film to this arc. In the movie, while still mentioned that he was a destroyer of worlds, we never really saw it. And it seemed like he did it less out of malice and more because, as a destroyer god, it was his job to. While in the anime we see him destroy the planets, over petty things like the food he eats on the planets not being tasty enough. Most fans prefer the film version, but I actually don't mind the change that much. I mean we still knew that he had destroyed planets, so I don't see why showing it matters much. What I don't like about Beerus in the first half in this arc though, is the fact that they really play up him bumblingness a bit to much. The Beerus from the movie was able to really balance being a wacky, fun character and a real threat. He acted silly because he was so powerful that he didn't have anything to prove to anybody. Here they push it a bit closer to the comedic side, which I think is a miss because the movie got it just right, in my opinion.  After obliterating some more planets Beerus fully remembers his dream. He ask Whis how many Saiyans are left in the universe and Whis answers five And so Beerus and Whis decide to head out and find out which one of them can be the "Super Saiyan God." But enough about our villains, what are our hero's up to? Well, it's Bulma's birthday and everybody from the original series is invited. I really like this, because after being away from the Dragon Ball series for almost two decades it's great to have ever character from the old series, major or not, show up and just be themselves. It's nice seeing these guys when there not fighting and just hanging out. In the movie the party was just held at Bulma's mansion, but here it's on a cruise shop. I kinda like the former better, but it doesn't really matter.  Goku and Vegeta are both uninterested in the party, and want to spend there time training. Goku goes off to King Kai's planet to train but Vegeta is forced to go to the party because Bulma's his wife and more importantly scary. Meanwhile Old Kai and Kibito Kai sense that Beerus has awoken from his slumber. They are worried that if Goku finds out the Beerus is awake, and is as strong as he is, Goku will try to fight him, and that fight could risk that fate of the universe. By the way, I love how the gods view our hero and our villain as equal threats to the universe...There not wrong. We also learn that it was Beerus who trapped Old Kai in the Z sword. It doesn't say why, but I like to imagine that it was because Beerus wanted to make a SICK prank video for his GodTube channel bra!

 Old Kai tells King Kai to not tell Goku about Beerus. However, this doesn't work out very well as Beerus is already on his way to King Kai's planet to find Goku. When Beerus does find Goku he challenges him to a fight to see if he is the prophesied Super Saiyan God, and Goku accepts. In the original film Goku goes straight to Super Saiyan 3, but here he goes through each form one by one. It is kinda cool to see the fight extended a bit, but it is definitely there to pad the length, and also doesn't make to much sense on why Goku would start at a weaker stage, but it's kinda cool to see. Which version of the fight is better though will depend on what your looking for. Something quick or something a bit more drawn out. (And I'm not going to talk about the bad animation, because it's beating a dead horse at this point, plus they fixed it by the time it aired dubbed so who really cares?)  Regardless of which version you watch though, it's a complete curb stomp. Goku doesn't even land one hit on Beerus, and Beerus takes Goku out in three hits. Goku is left beaten and wounded, and Beerus decides to head to Earth to see if Vegeta is the Super Saiyan God. King Kai uses his telepathy to warn Vegeta about Beerus and tells him that if he can keep Beerus happy, they all might just live. Vegeta suddenly has a repressed childhood memory about a time where Beerus visited Planet Vegeta, and made a mockery of his father, using the King of all Saiyan's as a mere footstool. This knowledge, plus knowing how easily Beerus defeated Goku, makes Vegeta decide to suck up to Beerus. The only problem is that none of the other people at the Bulma's party knows who Beerus is, and Vegeta has no time to tell them. (They assume Beerus is some friend of Vegeta from space. Which is dumb because Vegeta has only been a "friendly" person for a couple of years at this point, and none of those years was he in space to our knowledge.) So Vegeta has to make sure that nobody at the party annoys Beerus, or else they'll all die. It's actually some good stuff as we get some good comedy and some actual character development out of Vegeta. The prideful Prince of all Saiyans has to swallow his pride and act a fool for the sake of the planet. It's good stuff. In the original movie we get to see Vegeta singing and dancing to a ridiculous bingo dance to distract Beerus from his rage, while here we see him being an over the top sushi cook. Both are good but...come on, bingo dance has this in the bag. No contest.

 Oh, something that I forgot to mention is that the Pilaf Gang are in this arc. The reason I forgot is because they really don't contribute anything to the story here. We learn that apparently at some point off screen they managed to find the dragon balls and wish to be younger, but they didn't specify how young and were turned into babies. So now they've naturally aged back up to about Goten and Trunk's age. They basically act like Team Rocket from the Pokemon anime, which is fun to see in a Dragon Ball series, but my problem is that the tv version cut out all there best scenes from the movie! They cut out the weird sudo-romance with Trunks and Mai, they cut out the hostage scene with a drunk Great Saiyan Man. Why? I mean we were trying to extend the film out the twelve episodes anyway, and heck that Trunks Mai romance thing actually comes up later in Super, and only makes sense if you saw the Battle of Gods movie, which I don't think is even cannon anymore. (Though I do like this one scene later on of Whis and the Pilaf Gang just kinda chillin'. It's funny seeing the most pathetic Dragon Ball villains and one of the most powerful characters actually getting along.)  Anyway, back to the main plot Vegeta is actually doing a good job of making sure that Beerus stays happy. This is until Beerus decides that he wants to try some pudding, but finds out that Buu is hogging all of it. Buu refuses to share and this enrages Beerus to the point of him deciding to blow up the planet. If there's no Super Saiyan God AND no pudding then what's the point, right? At this point all of the Z fighters start to realize that this Beerus guy is trouble and try to take him on, only to be very quickly clobbered. Bulma actually get's so fed up with all this crap that she slaps Beerus and tells him that he's ruined her birthday party. This causes Beerus to back hand Bulma, and this infuriates Vegeta. It's a touching and awesome moment showing how far Vegeta has grown since his first appearance as a sadistic killer. (Though this scene drags on way to long in the series.)  Vegeta channels his anger. He refuses to stand by and watch Beerus walk all over him and his friends. Vegeta's rage is so strong that it actually causes him to get stronger. Stronger than even Goku! Vegeta has finally surpassed his rival for the first time since the Cell saga and is about to unleash all of this new found power on Beerus head on!  ...It goes as well as you would expect...

(But hey, at least you landed a few hits onto him Vegeta. Be proud of that.)  Beerus is about to destroy the Earth, but he decides to give our heroes one more chance. If they beat him at rock-paper-scissors he'll spare their planet. Oolong is chosen to represent our heroes. Finally, after like four hundred combined episodes it's time for Oolong to enter the spotlight once again and save the Earth. Also THEY SPEND AN ENTIRE EPISODE ON ROCK-PAPER-SCISSORS! OH MY GOD! AND YOU WONDER WHY MOST PEOPLE PREFER THE MOVIES!?  Anyway eventually Goku shows up, healed from his previous battle. Goku decides that if he doesn't know what a Super Saiyan God is, he can just use the dragon balls and ask Shenron about it. Beerus decides to let them, and we get a funny bit where even Shenron is scared by Beerus. (Though is this really a surprise? I mean even King Piccolo could kill him.) Shenron tell the legend of the Super Saiyan God, and how it can only be achieved by six pure hearted saiyans combining there power, and channeling it into one host. This is a problem though, because even with the half saiyans they still only have five. But threat not, as  Gohan's wife Vedel reveals that she is pregnant, and thus the baby is a quarter saiyan. It's a long shot, but they might have a chance to actually pull this off. They all hold hands together, and channel all there power into Goku. And then, Goku starts to transform and OH MY GOD THIS FRICKIN' TRANSFORMATION IS CARTOONISH LEVELS OF OVER THE TOP! It goes on for almost five minutes and has everybody glowing, the sky turns gold. It goes from day to night and back again.(Somehow? Seriously is that effecting the rest of the Earth?) It rains, it snows. It's all just to over the top. Especially since (outside of the manga) we NEVER see this form again after this arc. It really feels just like padding.

Anyway, after what feels like an eternity we finally see it. We see Goku's new form, the Super Saiyan God! I really like the design. After Super Saiyan 3 there was no way to make the Super Saiyan form buffer and with more hair, so like Super Saiyan 4 in GT they chose to reinvent the look. I like how it's slimmer, and the hair isn't as spiky. It works because it's reminisce of his base form, which works as this is suppose to be a new starting point for Goku. I like the way the red looks, and I like the touch of his eyes and even his skin turning red as well. It's really cool.

 Goku and Beerus begin to fight it out, though Goku has the disadvantage as he is still getting use to his new god power. Here Beerus's personality reverts into something a lot closer to the film version, which is very welcome. Old Kai and Kibito Kai monitor the fight and note that it doesn't seem like Beerus is actually trying to kill Goku, but rather teach him how to use his new found power. (After all, all Beerus wants is a rival who can challenge him, so why not help Goku reach his full potential.) It's really cool to see that element in the fight, as Goku and Beerus take on the student and mentor roles. The fight very quickly escalates into upper orbit. Then, as one of my favorite online reviewers Mr. Movie Sunday would say, "They punch for a bit then they're mates."  There are pros and cons to both the fight in the movie and the fight in the series. In the film the fight, in my opinion, feels a bit to brief due to the movies time constraints. The series has the opposite problem though, as the fight seems to drag on in some points. It's weird to say that, considering that the fight only last about five episodes, which is nothing by the standards of the Z. I think it might be because the fight mostly takes place in one location, and the quicker tone of Super makes all the stuff that seemed common place in Z just feel a bit off from a pacing perspective. I wish maybe they spent maybe one less episode on the fight, and devote that episode to more of Beerus at the party.  The film's fight also brings up the idea that Goku actually doesn't like using Super Saiyan God, because he doesn't like the fact that he needed other people's power to obtain it. (Though the Spirit Bomb is just fine I guess?) The theme is touched on in the series, but only in one line or two. Which is a shame because I actually think it's an interesting look in Goku's character.  The series also adds some additions to the fight scene that weren't in the movie, and these additions are very hit or miss. Some things are really cool, like how Goku actually mimics the three attacks that Beerus used to knock him out in there first battle. There's also this really powerful scene where Goku is drowning that really shows what Goku's character is really all about and has AMAZING voice acting from Sean Schemmel. We also get a great scene of the prideful and arrogant Mr. Satan begging for Whis to stop the fight, not because of he's scared for his own life, but because he's scared for the life of his pregnant daughter. It actually really touching. There's a scene of Piccolo getting up in Whis's face that's pretty bad ass and episode fourteen in general is awesome, feature voice acting and even animation that comes close to rivaling the film, which is beyond impressive for a tv budget.  But then there are some less good changes. Like there's this bit where the shock waves of Beerus and Goku's fight are so powerful that it might destroy the universe, and even does destroy some random planets. This is weird because, while Beerus is stronger than anybody we've seen fight in Super afterwords, he's not using full power in this fight and Goku get's way stronger in later arcs. So how come the universe is becoming torn apart here but not say next arc when a stronger Goku is fighting Golden Frieza?  Why is this needed? The fate of the Earth is already at stake, we don't need more risk. Also we get Vegeta dramatically staring up at the fight without talking FOR THE ENTIRE FIGHT! Why? what is this suppose to be indicating? YOU CAN'T SEE THE FIGHT VEGETA, THERE PRACTICALLY IN SPACE!

(D-Don't worry. That planet was PROBABLY not inhabited...Goku PROBABLY didn't just accidentally help commit a global genocide...hehehe.)  Anyway, as the fight goes on we learn that Goku's Super Saiyan God transformation is only temporary and he loses the power half way through the fight. However, he absorbed the godly power, making it a part of him. I honesty don't like this, cause it just confuses things on how this power thing works. Is base Goku now stronger than Super Saiyan 3 Goku was before this arc. And if so, are all the Super Saiyan forms stronger? And how does Blue work? Why couldn't God just be a transformation like it is in the manga, it's design is so cool! (Sigh) Well whatever. So Goku is now fighting Beerus in Super Saiyan Classic, but with the power of a god. But even so Beerus still out classes Goku and actually beats him! Yeah, that's honestly something really interesting to see. Goku isn't able to actually beat the bad guy, even with a new form and all of his talks about breaking his limits. Beerus is just to far out of his league.    Beerus heads down to Earth, ready to destroy the planet, and there's nothing our heroes can do to stop it. Beerus however, so tired from the fight, ends up falling asleep right as he fires the death beam and just happens to miss the planet. Or at least how it appears to be. What we learn afterwords is that Beerus never fell asleep, but rather chose to spare the Earth on purpose, as he finds the two Saiyans on that world most interesting. Probably regrets telling Frieza to blow up planet Vegeta now, huh. (Oh yeah, apparently Beerus did that. You would think that that MASSIVE Revelation would impact something, right?....nope.) In the movie, Vegeta demands that next time they use the Super Saiyan God ritual on him, while in the series Goku suggest doing it, Vegeta refuses, as he believes that he doesn't need some cheap ritual to shortcut his way to more power. I honestly like the series version better here, as I think it's more befitting of Vegeta's character.  So yeah, that's where the arc ends. Do I recommend it? It's kinda tough to say, honestly. Some of the new scenes that are added are really cool, and are definitely worth seeing. But there is also a LOT of padding, with scenes like the Super Saiyan God transformation and the rock-paper-scissors game that are a drag to get through, and only exist to help turn this hour forty minute movie into a fourteen episode saga. If you love Dragon Ball and really want to watch those really good moments, then you'll probably enjoy this arc. You'll just have to slog through some REALLY drawn out padding in order to get there. This arc isn't bad by any stretch, but in my opinion it just doesn't top the movie. The movie is much quicker, has better animation due to having a theatrical budget, and for ever good scene they have in Super there's a good scene in the movie that they cut out. (Seriously, they cut out Beerus break dancing!) You can watch the Battle of Gods film and then just jump into the rest of Super without missing much.  HOWEVER, if you do chose to skip over this arc, I do recommend you watch the first two episodes of Super anyway. These are the "filler" slice of life episodes, and there amazing. One of the best things about Super is the slice of life episodes where we get some fantastic comedy seeing the Dragon Ball gang in pretty much sitcom situations. The first episode is about Goten and Trunks trying to get a wedding gift for Videl, and the second episode is about Vegeta going on vacation with his family. Yeah, remember that one line from Z where Vegeta says that he'll take Trunks to an amusement parks if he's able to hit him? THEY BRING THAT BACK! Akira Toriyama forgot about who Launch was, but remember that! THESE WHERE THE FIRST TWO EPISODES OF DRAGON BALL AFTER ALMOST TWO DECADES OF WAITING! AKIRA TORIYAMA IS A MASTER TROLL!

(I don't care how many flaws Dragon Ball Super has, this one images justifies it's existence to me.)  So yeah, that's my review of the Dragon Ball Super "Battle of Gods" arc. Not as good as the film, but still with some really good elements in it. But what do you think of this arc, or Dragon Ball Super in general? Leave those thoughts in the comments down bellow. I'd love to start a discussion, even if we don't see eye to eye. Also tell me what you think of this review. I hope to review every arc of Super as the series airs on television, so I really hope you all like this review. If you did like this review than please fav, follow, and comment and have a great day! (I do not own any of the images or videos in this review all credit goes to there original owners.)

https://www.deviantart.com/joyofcrimeart/journal/Dragon-Ball-Super-Battle-of-Gods-Arc-REVIEW-678214005 DA Link

[juniper-rose-blower]

A Blast from the Past

June picked up a rock to skip across Olivia’s pond. She wound her arm back and lugged it forward.

SPLOSH!

The flat stone landed with a thunk in the water, sinking to the bottom. If there was ever a time when she wished Ky were with her, it was now. Her mind went back on everything said the night before...

June stood at the door of the Stormwind office, hesitating in her attempt to knock.

Malodar wrinkled his nose as they passed through the acrid air of the Dwarven district, waiting behind her patiently when she paused. "Are you alright? Second thoughts?"

The Botanist lowered her hand, shaking her head. "No... just..." she let loose a sigh, "... just remembering what happened the last time we were here."

The Gilnean gnawed on her lower lip, her hand moving to rest over one of her pockets. She let out another softer sigh, shook her head, and raised her hand to knock on the door. RAP! RAP! RAP!

The little slit near the top of the door made a grinding sound, and a pair of eyes appeared through it. "Can I help you?" a muffled man's voice drawled lazily.

Mal cleared his throat in a way that vaguely resembled the word 'rude'.

Juniper glared up at the eyes, sniffing softly before her mouth twitched on one side in recognition. She pointed to herself and then to Mal, "We're here to see Chief MacLeod."

The eyes narrowed at June, "Do you have an appointment?"

June nodded, motioning to herself, "Asset Lark for a consult, accompanied by Asset Crane."

The pupils narrowed more, brow arching, "Anything physical to confirm that?" In response, June pulled the reassignment note from her pocket, holding it up just enough to show the seal on the paper.

The elven healer folded his arms, quietly staring and lightly sniffing the mixing scents around them. He offered no response, examining the pair of eyes with a serious gaze.

Ramirez scrutinized the paper, examining the seal for several long moments. Then without a word, he disappeared from the slit in the door, its cover grinding back into place as if they were just going to be left on the doorstep. Several moments later, the door opened and the wiry Ramirez waved them in.

The Botanist walked through the open door with Mal behind her, doing her best to steel her nerves as Ramirez motioned lazily up the stairwell, "If you want to see the Chief or the Major - they're upstairs, as usual."

To this June bowed her head in a single nod, reaching into her pocket to pull out a folded note, "Thank you. Can you get this to Captain Wren please?"

A quirked brow and a five second silence later, the cheesy-smelling man plucked the note from her grasp and went to go find Quai's favorite arcane kitten to get the missive sent out.

Once alone, June and Mal headed upstairs. It took several long minutes before June found the courage to knock on the sanded wood door of the office. In response, a crisp voice called out: "Enter!" Exhaling the breath she didn't know she was holding, June pushed the door open and walked inside, Malodar following behind keeping a neutral but examining expression. He took position at the back of the room, leaning in a corner.

Glenice was sitting in another corner, working at a side-desk, various files and folders spread haphazardly across its surface. Alanna, meanwhile, was standing on the side of the main desk closer to the door, back to June and Mal as they entered. Juniper cleared her throat gently before saying as neutrally as she could: "You... wished for a consultation... Chief?"

Malodar was brought back to the memories of their previous encounter with the chief and her staff and had to suppress a frown. He remembered his unfondness for her tone and demeanor. She struck him as being quite too fond of her own position of authority.

Alanna lifted her gaze as she turned, irises shifting from June to Mal and back again several times. She gave a curt nod of her head. "I did." When June held out the reassignment missive, the Chief took it and set it on the desk out of the way, "That was nearly two weeks ago...?" Her tone was far more relaxed this time, though it still held a little formality to it.

June shrugged unapologetically, "Couldn't find a portal, so we took a ship instead." She left it at that, waiting for the woman's reaction.

Mal kept his ears trained on the conversation. At hearing her tone he relaxed, however slightly, and leaned on the pillar with his arms crossed. "My fault, portals do not treat me well."

Alanna looked back at Malodar curiously, nodding twice. "Yes, that is curious. But not as curious as to why you are also here, Recruit." She did not wait for Mal to answer before turning to look at Glenice, "Major, do you still have the file for Asset Lark regarding Azurecoast Port's algae problem?"

The conversation had taken a turn June never expected it to take. Her facial expression changed immediately, brow furrowing as a confused curiosity shined in her eyes. Her lips parted slightly, mouth hanging open in recognition.

Glenice located the file and held it out to Alanna. The Chief walked over to take it, flipping it open to observe a shot taken by a Gnomish camera of a gloomy port town under an overcast sky. She lifted the picture so June and Mal could both see it - the only thing out of the ordinary was that the normally crystalline blue water appeared bright orange from an overabundance of algae-covered kelp.

Malodar tilted his head as he examined the picture, taking in the details briefly. "Looks like a lovely vacation locale," he said with more than a hint of sarcasm, unable to stop himself.

The Gilnean's face blanched at seeing the picture up close. A lost look shined in her expression, mouth still hanging open. Alanna placed the picture in June's hand, tilting her head sideways, "Something on your mind, Asset?"

Mal was glad his slip up didn't seem to interrupt the flow, and stepped up to take a closer look over June's shoulder at the image.

Juniper blinked as Mal stepped up behind her, and she looked at Alanna with a frown, "They could try freezing it to remove it. But they'd have to dispose of it carefully to keep it out of the soil," her statement was said rather quickly, ending in an inhale taken to transition to her next, her tone shifting from expository to hopeful, "Do you have an extra picture or two of this place?"

Mal stole a glance to June's face before moving back to the photograph, trying to gauge the connection between the picture and her tone.

Alanna shrugged gently, "Perhaps. Just depends on what Ramirez took." She dug through the file and pulled out an image of a large tower in the mountains and a second image of an ornate town with little houses about its body and a great estate house at its head, wreathed in more mountains in the background. She handed both to June, quirking an eyebrow, "You are familiar with these places then?" To this, June said nothing, looking at the two additional pictures with glossy eyes and giving the tiniest of nods.

Malodar frowned more deeply as she examined them and looked up with a deep breath. "Where is this again?"

Alanna pointed to the first image, turning her gaze to Mal to speak to him directly, "Azurecoast Port. In Gilneas."

Mal face dawned with understanding. He hadn't recognized the name of the port initially, having never ventured to that particular region. Now recognizing it as June’s homeland, he at least started to get the beginnings of her tense reaction.

The Gilnean gave a slow nod and held the images back out to Alanna. They were taken from her grasp and slid back into the file folder, "Are there any long term effects they should know about in regards to that algae?"

June shrugged, "It's not exactly my strong suit... but if they bring the amount down a little, it should help the fish population grow." She shook her head confusedly, "I don't understand, that port was evacuated after the Wall fell... has Lord Sterren returned?"

To this, Alanna shook her head, "No. It was recently rebuilt with the aid of House Matheredor, from what we gathered. Some sort of trade agreement for stone from House Sterren." When the Botanist still looked confused, Alanna added, "Headed by a Kaldorei or something... Lady..."

June recognized the race immediately, stopping Alanna, "Headed by the Sentinel Captain... strange... why not Lord Sterren?"

At this, Glenice piped in, "According to intelligence, Lord Ian Sterren, Count of the Blue Mountains, was lost at sea two years ago... no one has seen him. His widow Lady Shadestar has since undergone a name change... twice."

Alanna inclined her head, motioning to a copy of the Courier over on the desk's corner, "Didn't she just have twins or something?"

Glenice nodded, "That's the one."

Mal followed along, at quite a loss from all the names and houses being bandied about. If he was generally unconcerned with the trappings of society in his homelessness, he was incalculably uninterested in the goings-on of human nobility, which from his occasional interactions struck him as somehow even more inane and nonsensical than the military. None of which it felt appropriate to express as of now. He let their exchange of information continue, absorbing what he could and cataloguing the rest for June to fill in later, in more amenable company.

June 's brow furrowed at the mention of Lord Sterren lost at sea. Something she didn't understand panged in her heart and she looked down at the floor. Alanna shrugged and turned to look back at June.

"Well, that was what we needed consulting about. Since it just needs to be managed, we'll pass the word along." She exchanged a glance with Glenice. Her blue irises moved back to June, "Was there anything else you needed?"

The Botanist seemed at a loss for words, standing there in the silence. Malodar chewed the inside of his cheek in the awkward silence, stepping sideways a little to set a hand briefly on her shoulder before retreating back to the wall.

The Gilnean looked between Alanna and Glenice, chewing her lower lip softly. Eventually she spoke, "Would... would you happen to know where Lord Sterren was last seen?"

At this, Glenice shook her head, not even turning around, "That would take more digging to find out." Alanna motioned to Glenice lightly, looking back at June.

June held her own, unblinking as she stared back at Alanna, "Could you?"

The Chief gave a nod, "We can see what we can find. In the meantime, I'm assuming you want a portal close to where the others are, to catch back up?"

At this June hesitated, brow furrowed again, "I... don't know that they need me."

Mal bit his lip, and hard too, though it likely went unnoticed by anyone else. He stayed silent, unblinking.

Alanna looked back at June and shook her head, "Kid, you're too hard on yourself sometimes. I doubt your Captain would've vouched for you as she had if they did not need you." After a few moments of silence, she added, "It will take time to dig up the information you've asked for. And if anything comes up as covert or red-lined, there won't be anything I can do. But we'll look into it. You should at least try to rest from your trip."

At this, June nodded, pale gaze shifting down, "I also will be looking into something... with the monks past the back edge of the District... Do we have leave to leave the city?"

After a few moments of thought, Alanna nodded nonchalantly, "Certainly. Our courier can find you when we have more information." June nodded in understanding, thinking of Ky playing with the little kitten Quai despised so much.

The elven healer tensed up somewhat as they went back and forth, but slowly eased back down. He put his hands in his pockets, lost in thought for several minutes. But at the last he withdrew his hands again, exhaling slowly.

June relaxed where she stood, shoulders sinking several inches. She looked over Alanna as the woman moved back to her desk and sat down. June bit down on her lower lip hard, looking uncertain about something, but Alanna seemed to pay it no mind. She motioned to the door gently, "Did you need anything else, Miss Blower?"

At the shift in tone and the use of her real name, June shook her head, glancing back at Mal before responding only with, "Just Lark is plenty... and no."

Alanna gave a nod, lip quirking in the corner briefly, "Well, then, Asset, you and Crane there are on leave until you either request to be sent back or we find another mission that needs your attention. For now, that is unlikely. As long as you keep your armband, we'll be able to send the courier to your location, so feel free to go wherever you like... assuming it's not in the middle of Horde territory, if you please. We don't need to be starting a war."

June let out another soft sigh, looking out at the lake. Lord Sterren, lost at sea. It just didn’t sound right. She was antsy to get more information from MacLeod and Morcant, but knew it wasn’t going to happen overnight.

“Let me seek out a colleague,” Mal had offered after they’d eaten a decent meal that hadn’t been prepared in a ship’s dirty galley, “I think her opinion on how to proceed with your healing abilities will be invaluable.” His hand on her shoulder was reassuring when she gave him a nod and watched him head toward the Cathedral District.

Things were so strange right now... she’d take any help in direction she could get.

(( so many mentions!!! : @malodarstarstrike @killerkyara @quai-mason @brian-wellson @ephriza-dawnblade @selene-duskwind @alanna-macleod @glenicemorcant @ladysaraholt and so many other supporting characters coming to light as June’s past comes into the light! ))

[ninjazaku]

Windows to the Soul: Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own BNHA. 

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE’RE GOING TO BE LATE?!” Ian yelled as he scrambled to put on his pants in the small apartment he and Gabbie had settled into some nights ago.

“IT’S NOT A HARD CONCEPT TO UNDERSTAND, IAN! WE HAVE 15 MINUTES TO GET TO SCHOOL OR WE’LL BE LATE!” Gabbie responded, messily buttoning her shirt and fumbling to tie her red tie and put the pin on the knot.

“IT’S KIND OF HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHEN IT WAS YOUR JOB TO SET OUR ALARMS, WHICH SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF AN HOUR AGO SO WE HAD TIME TO WALK TO THE CAMPUS!”

“I LEFT MY EARPLUGS IN WHEN I FELL ASLEEP!”

“WHICH YOUR DOCTOR HAS REPEATEDLY TOLD YOU NOT TO DO!!”

“DO YOU WANT TO HAVE THIS FIGHT RIGHT NOW, IAN?!”

“I’LL HAVE THIS FIGHT WHENEVER YOU WANT, GABRIELLA!”

The two simultaneously burst out the door with breakfast still hanging out of their mouths. Ian reached back using a large construct of a hand to close and lock their door behind them. The two began to quickly gain pace as they hit the street below them and Gabbie shifted to her intimidating, lycanthropic Hybrid appearance, while Ian used his light constructs to form wheels onto the bottom of his feet so he could pick up with Gabbie’s large strides.

“We’re still not gonna make it at this rate!” Gabbie growled.

“I’m sorry, do you have a better idea?!” Ian responded, still trying to chew his last bite of food.

“Can you still make a hang glider? Like we used to when we were little?” Gabbie suggested

“I’m sorry, do you remember what happened last time we tried that?” Ian scoffed

“We’re nowhere near as high as we were back home. There’s a much lower chance of us passing out from altitude sickness or lack of oxygen.”

Ian rolled his eyes. “You’re lucky I’m too sleep deprived to fight with you.”

Ian reached out and locked arms with his sister, who hoisted him up and sat him onto her shoulders. With one powerful lunge she leaped onto a nearby wall and began to use her claws to scale the building as quickly as she could. With one last push of her powerful legs, the two were launched up and over the skyscraper’s top. Ian looked over their surroundings and spotted the UA campus’ unmistakeable silhouette. He felt Gabbie grip onto his legs and he reached his hands into the air as he began to concentrate.

The translucent objects that began to form over the duo were a light grey color, with a defined firmness to them. The first objects to form were a set of clamps that secured Gabbie’s grip onto Ian’s legs, assuring that the larger of the two would  not fall. Then, immediately after, a harness formed onto Ian’s chest, from which two rods emerged, extending upward towards the sky. Ian grasped the rods and out sprouted a glider; the glider caught the air with a resounding THOOMP and he began to guide the two’s descent towards the campus.

As they approached the campus, Ian circled down and approached the ground. A chorus of boos and cheers came from the ground as they began to approach their landing spot. Just as he was about to brace his sister and warn her of the ground he felt a hitch in his throat and his constructs suddenly dissipated. Gabbie’s fur suddenly began to recede and she returned to her human form. The two of them fell roughly 4 feet before landing flat on their backsides. The two stumbled to their feet and saw the teacher of class 1-A standing on the main walkway, his eyes staring into the souls of the two young students.

“We’re here to shape you into heroes, not circus clowns. If you’re going to use your Quirks irresponsibly, ignore your duties as a student, or all around make UA look like a joke, I suggest you leave the school now and save us teachers some trouble. Are we clear?”

“Yes, sir.” The two said, bowing their heads at the long haired teacher. They smiled nervously at each other before walking through the UA Barrier and hurrying to class. They switched out their sneakers for their formal shoes at their assigned cubbies and quickly made their way to their homeroom.

As they slid open the oversized letter-shaped door the two were greeted by a cacophony of sights and sound from the assortment of young men and women within their classroom. They were quickly waved down by Chae-Yeong, whom they had kept in touch with in the brief stint of time between the exam and the beginning of the semester. As they made their way to their assigned seats, Ian looked over their classmates. The first seat was a young man with a large plume of violet hair and bags under his eyes that made it look like he had never known a moment of sleep. Next to him was Nicoleta, and next to her was the vacant seat where Ian would sit. But there was also a girl with piercing white eyes, a set of students with mirrored heterochromatic eyes, a girl with a crown made from tinfoil, a boy with feathers for hair, and a boy who was more entertained by the prospect of brushing the fur on his pitch-black tail than any of the introductory conversations going on around him. And that was just Ian’s first glance around the classroom!

Ian took his seat next to Nicoleta and gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder, which she acknowledged with a quiet grumble as she continued reading her book. Looking past Nicoleta, Ian continued to be mesmerized by the boy with the tired eyes. As his mind turned, the boy’s eyes shifted from their fixed point at the front of the classroom and suddenly met Ian’s. Ian jumped at the sudden acknowledgement and the boy’s face broke into a sly smile as he chuckled to himself. Ian paused, mumbling slightly and trying to figure out why the boy had startled him so much. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he’d have to figure it out later.

Gabbie, meanwhile, had already plopped into her seat next to Chae-Yeong and put her feet up on her desk with an exaggerated grunt of relaxation. Chae-Yeong giggled quietly and made the ASL sign for laughter with her right hand. Gabbie grinned a big, sharp-toothed grin. She felt a gentle tap on her shoulder and she leaned her head back so that she was looking at the student in the desk behind her (upside down)

“Excuse me b-but…” came the chattering request of the girl behind gabbie. Her hair was blue as were her eyes; a small icicle hung from the tip of her nose and she wore a sweater over her uniform. She was shivering and seemed to be perpetually cold.

“You a-aren’t supposed to put your feet on the d-desk.”

“I guess you’re right.” Gabbie said, sitting up straight and whirling around. “I guess I could just move over to yours. Maybe I could warm you up a bit?”

The young girl squeaked and a small flurry of snow buried Gabbie and her desk. Ian looked over, saw his sister slowly emerging from the situation, saw the distressed girl behind her, and resumed his conversation with Nicoleta. A large feline grunt came from under the snow pile as Gabbie’s tiger head emerged and she undug herself. She used her paws to quickly shovel the snow out the window and then reverted to her human form and grinned.

“Well I guess I might come on a little strong. I didn’t mean to upset you, though. I’m Gabbie.” Gabbie said, introducing herself in earnest with her trademark toothy grin. The surrounding classmates could only stare in confusion at the sudden tonal shift.

There was a large BANG as the sliding door was forced open by a large man who appeared to have eyebrows, a beard, and hair made from burning coal. The rock moved and crackled as he moved to the front of the room, slamming the door behind him. His hero costume was a red jumpsuit with black gloves and black combat boots; he also wore an unzipped black tactical vest over the jumpsuit. He wrote his name on the board in the appropriate kanji and then turned to face the class. His face suddenly split into a soft smile and he spoke gently to the children.

“Good morning, boys and girls. My name is Ryusei Jigoku. You probably know me better as Hellfire Hero Ragna-Rock. It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I look forward to helping you all along your journey.”

The class sat with jaws hanging open, confused at the living contradiction that had just stumbled into the classroom. Finally, one of the students behind Nicoleta raised their hand. It was one of the twins, a boy with more freckles than one knew what to do with.

“Ah yes. How can I help you...Mister Sasaki? Was it? One of the twins, correct?” Mr. Ryusei asked.

“Yes sir. I just wanted to make sure that everything was...ok. A lot of the pre-exam rumors are very...well...intimidating. They say that the teachers for the Hero program are ruthless and will cut students at a moment's notice. And even you, as a hero… you’re the Hellfire Hero! You stopped an attempted coup on a foreign diplomat on your own with your Quirk before! So...it’s a little off putting to receive such a quiet reception.”

“Well, all of that is true. I did do those things before accepting my position here. And my fellow teachers have been known to cut students if they feel that a student cannot contribute as a Hero. But… I’m not as cut and dry about that as, say, Eraserhead is. He’ll kick one of his students on the first day if he thinks they’re not up to snuff. But this is, first and foremost, a school. You’re here to learn how to be heroes. So I’m going to teach you how to do that. So without further ado...go put your gym clothes on, kids! We’re going to go get a good idea of your abilities.”

And so, like the other classes, the eight physical trials used in the Quirk Apprehension Tests to determine the prowess of the students and their quirks came and went; The 50 Meter Dash, The Grip Strength Test, Sustained Sideways Jumps, etc. They all came and went and the group performed beautifully.

“Splendid. Well done, students.” Cheered the gentle voice of the teacher. He clapped his hands together a few times and then let them fall to his side. “You’ve all earned a day of rest. I’ll see you all tomorrow. And be prepared. This is just the start of your journey.”

And so the week pressed on, and they of course went through actual school topics like all their other peers. Mathematics, History, and English - which Ian and Gabbie, being native speakers, were actually happy to help with. As the next day came they got their first chance to actually use the school lunchroom. The two had brought their own lunches from home, not in the traditional Bento but packed away in their bags nonetheless. They heard a call from across the lunchroom and saw Nicoleta and Chae-Yeong sitting on their own, waiting for the siblings to join them.

The two joined their friends and sighed as they began nibbling away at their meals. Gabbie, of course, was the first to speak up. “You guys hanging in there?”

-It’s been a rough go for me- Chae-Yeong signed forlornly -I’m sorry I keep having to have you sign things to me over and over, Gabbie. Hopefully I can find a language tutor or something here soon!-

“You’re fine, honey.” Gabbie assured her friend, signing as she spoke. “We’ll get you taken care of. I promise.”

“I’m beginning to wonder when the other shoe is going to drop here.” Nicoleta mused between bites of food.

“What do you mean?” Ian asked

“It’s all too happy and peaceful. We’re surrounded by the most powerful, high-profile heroes on the planet. This place is a target. And it’s only a matter of time before someone realizes that.”

The remaining three stared at Nicoleta with concern as she continued to munch on her food.

“What? Too morbid?”

“Little bit.” Gabbie noted, giving Nicoleta a reassuring one-armed hug.

“Oh, DARLING!” Came a thundering voice, accompanied by a thundering march of bootprints. Ian quickly found himself snatched out of his seat and squeezed with the force of a vice grip. As he began to feel his face redden from lack of air, all he could see was a pair of goggles and a mop of hot pink hair.

“Mei…?” Came Ian’s desperate squeak. He was immediately dropped and he promptly began gasping for air. The girl chuckled confidently as he stood back up and he noticed something he hadn’t the previous time they’d met - without her large metal boots, Mei was actually slightly shorter than him. Ian smiled a bit as he took notice of this, but then saw the girl’s confident smirk, and the reticles of her crosshair-like eyes focusing onto his own and he felt the blood rush to his cheeks once again.

“I’m glad you took my advice and made it here, Ian, my darling. It would have been a shame to leave such a gentleman hanging, never get to return the favor.” Mei said, her voice intentionally lingering on every syllable. As she finished the sentence she playfully elbowed Ian.

Gabbie, stifling her giggling, let out an exaggerated cough. “Ian, are you going to introduce us to your friend here?”

“Oh, my god. Are you really doing this?”

“I’m really doing this.”

“I hate you so much.”

“I love you too.”

“Mei, this is my sister, Gabriella De La Luna. Gabbie this is...oh my gosh I didn’t get your full name I must sound like such a jerk.”

“Don’t sweat the formalities, darling.” Mei scoffed.“ Not among friends.”

Mei plopped down happily next to Gabbie. “Hatsume Mei. Department of Support’s genius inventor extraordinaire and future millionaire, at your service.”

Gabbie grinned ear to ear as Mei sat down. “Where did you find this one little bro? What does a gal like this see in a guy like you?”

“Why do you do this to me?” Ian asked, deadpan

“I have to agree with her. You’re out of your league here, curcubeu” Nicoleta mused with a small smile

-I agree as well- Chae-Yeong signed.

“Wow! Okay! I can feel the love you guys.” Ian murmured sarcastically. “Those two are Nicoleta Damian and Chae-Yeong Moon.”

“Charmed, my dears.” Mae giggled. “Rumor has it that your class is taking on the Battle Trial after lunch. Are you prepared?”

Ian nodded and rummaged through his bag, pulling out his goggles that he had worn the day of the exam. “I’ve got my lucky goggles. They’ll keep me out of trouble.”

Without warning the goggles were snatched out of Ian’s hands by Mei,who scooted in so close to Ian she might as well be sitting on his lap.

“These were what let you see the heat signatures within my boots right? It looks like the different lenses are tinted and shaped differently to allow your eyes the necessary wavelengths of light that they would need to process the specific information. It also looks like there’s a very minor electric charge going into the primary framing that allows for the shaping to remain consistent and not warp back over time. I can simplify this and get you a more simplistic pair, no problem.”

“Wait, what--”

Mei rummaged into her bag, pulled out a tool kit and began fiddling with Ian’s goggles. Sparks flew and pieces began to be thrown left and right, one even hitting Nicoleta in the temple as Mei giggled madly to herself.

“TAH-DAH!” Mei exclaimed as she held up her finished product. She lifted her own goggles and made eye contact with Ian and scooted closer and closer with each finished sentence. “With these upgraded babies no need for a set of bulky goggles with 5 different pairs of lenses. Just one set of lenses that can be dialed into the specific frequency of light by rotating the outer casing on each eye. It’ll change the electric frequency charging the glass, and also slightly change the shape - thus allowing you to have greater control over your optic quirk! Aren’t I fantastic?!”

Ian’s jaw dropped at the small miracle she just pulled off. He could physically feel the shit-eating grin of his older sister boring into the back of his skull, but elected to not turn around and instead proceed with the conversation.

“This is...incredible. I don’t know how to thank you Mei.” Ian murmured.

As he finished his sentence, Mei slipped him a piece of paper with her personal contact info, including her email and phone number. She smiled a sly smile and winked at him.

“Sending me a message every now and then will be thanks enough. Break a leg today, darlings!”

Ian could physically feel the heat rising off of his face. He huffed a small huff and adjusted his glasses. “What just happened?”

“That, little bro, is what we call ‘being asked on a date.’” Gabbie chuckled, patting her brother on the shoulder. “Come on. We’re going to be late for class.”

The group packed up their bags and walked to class. Not long after they sat down, the door burst open and an unmistakeable voice thundered into the room. The children looked at the door with raised eyebrows.

“I! AM HERE!” All Might bellowed “In through the door, ha! I got you!”

The teens laughed half-heartedly and a mixed round of applause came from the class. Nicoleta remained silent.

“You’re the last group of the day, so let’s get right to business! You’ll be facing the Trial of Battle today! Today, you shall be receiving your hero costumes that you requisitioned before the school year began and heading into the testing grounds!”

All Might pressed a button to pop the cases which contained the various multicolored costumes out of their hidden panels in the walls. All ranges of fabric and design were contained within, and the murmurs of excitement charged the air.

“Once there, you will be divided into teams of two, and square off! Some teams will be assigned to be ‘villains’, who will be protecting a fake weapon! Others will be ‘heroes’, whose goal is to reach the weapon to disarm it! If time runs out before the heroes can reach the weapon, the villains win! Teams will be picked by lottery! Now head out, and suit up!”

The students all boarded the shuttle and scrambled into the locker rooms at Testing Ground Gamma. Each of them strutted out onto the battlefield with a new sense of pride.

Ian’s suit was a stark white, broken up by a silver belt and a golden stripe on the chest; the silver and gold also lined reflective prismatic disks placed on Ian’s hips and shoulders respectively, placed strategically to allow Ian to amplify his constructs with the prisms. Running all across the suit, up and down the arms and legs, were what looked like translucent gauges ready to be filled. As Ian flexed his hands preparing for battle, the translucent material shone the same color as the light he emitted. On his legs he wore silver boots and greaves to protect his legs.

Gabbie’s suit was simpler and sleeker than her brothers. Her top was a form fitting teal shirt with a white stripe across the shoulders, designed to expand with her musculature whenever she shifted. On her legs she wore tattered blue shorts, short enough to allow her her full range of motion. She wore no shoes as to prevent her claws from destroying them mid-transformation.

Nicoleta’s suit radiated the same ominous energy as the girl who designed it; she wore skin-tight black leather pants and red high heels. She had a black cloak draped over her shoulders and black bandages wrapped around her arms all the way up to her shoulders. On her head she sported a stereotypically witchy hat, red as blood, but as she fiddled with it, she groaned in frustration. Unable to get the hat to fit comfortably, she tossed the hat to the side for now, where it landed squarely on the head of the oblivious All Might.

Chae-Yeong’s suit flowed like water with every step she took. She wore a full-length blue dress and a pair of knee-high open-toe violet boots. The top of the dress was as bright as the sky, but gradually darkened as the dress continued towards the ground. This effect was lost however by the startling juxtaposition of the scarlet corset binding Chae-Yeong’s midsection. Chae-Yeong brushed her long locks of red-and-purple hair behind her ears and smiled a devil’s smile as she walked towards the battlefield.

The lots were drawn and teams were assigned. Gabbie and Ian were on a team, as were Chae-Yeong and Nicoleta. In fact, most of the people in the class began murmuring to themselves about how fortunate they were...before they all remembered that one of their classmates, Asahina Fuku, had a quirk called “Lucky Lucky”...they all silently decided not to bring the lot results to All Might’s attention.

“All right! First up! Heroes: De La Luna Gabriella and Allistair Ian! Versus Villains! Shinsou Hitoshi and Kuroo Ikuto! Young Gabriella! Young Ian! You two have a special bond, being family! Let’s see some good showmanship out there!”

Gabbie and Ian stood at the doorway to the building where their trial was to take place. Ian was adjusting the sizing straps on the new goggles Mei made for him and Gabbie was stretching her legs.

“Ready, bro? This is gonna be the real deal. You scared?” Gabriella teased

“Oh I’m the one who’s scared? This coming from the actual cat person who can’t be in the same room as a mouse.” Ian bounced back.

“You promised that would be a secret.” Gabbie gasped

“I had my fingers crossed.”

“TRIAL OF BATTLE! BEGIN!”

[Begin Battle Music - What I’m Made Of ]

The two burst into the building and began scrambling up stairs, quickly reaching the second floor. As they began darting towards the second set of stairs, Ian felt a tickle in his throat, and noticed the air start to thicken. He dialed his goggles to filter radio waves into his vision and noticed a bouncing set of waves in the distance. He stopped his sister and began signing back and forth with her. She nodded and the two split up.  Ian clenched his fists and pressed into the haze.

“Spectrum Shift: Green Guardian.”

The translucent lines on Ian’s suit glowed a bright green as he held up two green shields to defend himself from the smoke billowing in from all sides.

“You can't really just block out my smoke like that, bud.” came the voice of Ikuto “You’re gonna have to breathe eventually.”

“You’re not wrong.” Ian wheezed. He then reared back his hands and flipped the shields over so that they were attached to his palms. With a single swing he clapped the two constructs together, blasting a large chunk of the smoke away with the improvised move.  As the smoke cleared Ian gasped for air.

There, in the clearing, Ikuto stood. His outfit was fairly simple. He had black combat boots and a pair of military-esque pants with an unnecessary amount of pockets. He wore a black tank top, and on his back was strapped a strange apparatus that appeared to be generating smoke and pumping it through tubes; the tubes were strapped to Ikuto’s arms and allowed the smoke to exit at his palms. He wore a high grade gas-mask on his face to shield his own lungs from his attacks.

“Nice move. But you’re going to need more than one second of visibility to get to me.” Ikuto sneered.

“Wasn’t for me.” Ian coughed, gesturing upward.

From behind Ikuto came a low, bestial growl. His heart sank as he turned to see the towering figure of Gabbie in her lycanthropic hybrid form. Ikuto reached up to spray Gabbie in the face with smoke but she simply gripped his wrist and squeezed, hard enough to damage his equipment, but not enough to hurt him...much. She then took out the capture tape provided to them by All Might and wrapped Ikuto to a pole.

Ian took a few more breaths to cleanse his lungs and gave his sister a thumbs up so that they could move on. She rocketed up the stairway ahead of him and he lingered back, as was their usual tactic. She made contact with Hitoshi, and the “bomb”, first.

Hitoshi’s outfit was more designed for tactics than anything, by all appearances; his face was framed by a headband, and his mouth was covered by a cloth mask. The top portion of his suit appeared to be layered to give additional protection, and the design on it was segmented and angular, making it appear more intimidating. Two sets of straps met in the center of the chest at an “x” buckle, and all of them were lined with pouches for various storage purposes. He, like Ian, wore silver shin guards, but Hitoshi’s were strapped over a pair of black combat boots and a pair of simple black pants that bore the same design as his top.

“Well, well. Looks like you guys weren’t completely incompetent after all. Congratulations!” Jeered the fluffy haired antagonist.

“Oh, is that what you expected? I’ll show you incompetent you smug little--!”

From his hiding space in the stairwell Ian suddenly heard silence. With Gabbie, that was never good. “Gabs? Are you ok?”

A sudden ferocious growl rocked the hallway around him and Ian felt a chill run through his spine. He put up one of his green shields as the wall he was standing behind was blasted to bits by one of his sister’s punches.

“Now I’ve heard of intense sibling rivalries…” Hitoshi chuckled “But this is a little overboard, you guys!”

Ian grimaced and bit into his bottom lip. He formed a pair of headphones over his ears, not knowing if the words Shinsou was saying were the source of his Quirk like was the case with Chae-Yeong.

“Spectrum Shift: Brass Boxer!”

Ian’s shield dissipated and the detailing on his suit shifted color from green to brass. Brass colored gauntlets formed over his arms, as well as extra muscles to enhance his punches. As Gabbie wound up for a swing with her claws, Ian ducked under her swing and jabbed her in the kidney. As the brainwashed catgirl gasped for air, he ducked under her and got a shot in the stomach and a quick palm strike to her chin, completely stunning her. Thinking fast, Ian grabbed her legs and made made for a hail mary; gathering all his strength, Ian threw Gabbie at the bomb.

“What the hell?!” Hitoshi yelled, ducking out of the way as the 8-foot tall lycanthrope slammed into the prop bomb, knocking it over, as well as knocking the girl unconscious.

“Gabriella and Ian win the match!”

Hitoshi sat up quickly and growled at Ian “How could you so willingly punch out your own family like that?”

Ian crouched down next to Hitoshi and held up two fingers. “You made two mistakes. First: Gabbie and I have been sparring partners our whole lives. We’ve given each other far worse beatings than that.”

Hitoshi almost smiled. “Just my luck. Someone who was actually prepared. And second?”

Ian scooted a little closer to Hitoshi and collected his thoughts. As he did, the color on his suit began to change to an...unsettling shade of violet. “You really upset me. I thought you really put my sister at risk. But even when I realized you didn’t, you took away her control. Which is even worse, for her. So don’t do that ever again.”

Hitoshi nodded, slightly disturbed by the deadpan nature of the threat as Ian stood and collected his sibling, gently rousing her from unconsciousness and escorting her back to where the rest of the class had been watching.

As they joined the rest of their class, Ian was greeted with a high five by Nicoleta, and the two siblings were given water bottles and a bout of frantic signing from Chae-Yeong. As Hitoshi and Ikuto followed behind them, the villains received a round of obligatory “good job” murmurs, and pats on the back.

“Good work, young ones! Now, let’s move on to the next match!”

“All Might, why are you wearing Nicoleta’s hat?” Ian asked

“WHAT?”

After Ian secured Nicoleta’s hat, the lots were drawn again. “MOON CHAE-YEONG AND DAMIAN NICOLETA! HEROES! SASAKI MAMORU AND SASAKI NATSUKI! VILLAINS!”

Unlike Ian and Gabbie, Nicoleta and Chae-Yeong decided to use the element of surprise to their advantage. Using one of Nicoleta’s warps, they tore a doorway straight into the second floor and cut their time in half. The two started making their way towards the stairway when the boy of the Sasaki twins, Natsuki, bolted around the corner.

Natsuki’s outfit was fairly simple: they sported a one-piece suit that was predominantly black, and was missing one sleeve. They had one sleeve going down their right arm which was, instead, black. He wore an armored bracer over his right arm and had a pair of combat boots on over the suit; a utility belt with several pouches adorned his waist.

Nicoleta cast down several explosive traps with her Quirk. Seemingly in response to this, Natsuki slammed his fists together and then pounded his right hand into the ground. Red energy pulsed through the ground like a wave and as the wave hit Nicoleta’s traps, the runes crackled and faded away. Chae-Yeong grasped Nicoleta on the shoulder and nodded slightly, gesturing for Nicoleta to go forward. Nicoleta nodded in return and tore open the air next to them, hopping into it and popping out behind Natsuki, then running up the stairs.

Chae-Yeong simply smiled a sly, almost sadistic smile. She took a deep breath and let out a blood curdling sonic shriek that shook the building as it traveled.

Nicoleta, meanwhile, spent several minutes popping in and out of reality, scouting the remaining floors of the building for the bomb. Finally, she found Mamoru and the bomb on the roof, waiting for them. Mamoru was holding her forearms together pointing straight up. Her outfit was the same as her brothers, save for the fact that they were mirror images of each other. The air around her seemed to shimmer for several feet. Nicoleta tried to toss an explosive rune, but it bounced off and hit the concrete several stories below. She tried to pass her hand through a tear in reality, but it could not penetrate the shield.

“I-it’s no use! It’s an absolute defense. Nothing can penetrate it!” Mamoru boasted.

Nicoleta smiled coyly to herself. An ethereal melody came echoing through the stairwell, growing louder with each moment. Soon, the door began to slowly creak open and it reached a climax.

“Are you sure about that, dear?” Nicoleta cooed.

Chae-Yeong walked forward, continuing her melody as she went; the song was followed by an entranced Natsuki, looking for a way to assist the creator of the beautiful song. Chae-Yeong, as she came to a stop, gently gripped Natsuki’s chin and whispered something in their ear. He nodded and then slammed his fists together before running up and plowing his fist into his sister’s shield, disintegrating it. As the shield came crumbling down, Natsuki slowly came too, but before either of the twins could counter, a hand reached out from a tear in space time and gently tapped the bomb.

“Checkmate.”

“AND THE HEROES WIN AGAIN!!!”

And so it went that all the remaining teams performed the battle trial. After several discussions on proper heroics, All Might dismissed the class to return to their normal school day. After the day concluded, the group of Ian, Gabbie, Nicoleta and Chae-Yeong gathered outside the UA Barrier.

“That was pretty intense for our first taste of heroism” Ian began

“Oh really? No, these bruises you gave me on my midsection are peachy.�� Gabbie complained.

“I’m sorry, who went running in to fight the one person whose Quirk we didn't know anything about??”

-Mom. Dad. Please stop fighting.- Chae-Yeong signed sarcastically

“If you two keep this up all year I am going to shave Gabbie bald in her sleep.” Nicoleta groaned.

“But--” The two both began

-HUG AND REMEMBER YOU LOVE EACH OTHER- Chae-Yeong signed angrily.

The two siblings flinched and hugged each other tight. After a beat the group all sighed.

“So. I guess this is the start. What do you think the year has in store for us?” Ian asked

That evening…

On a rooftop somewhere in the night, two figures watched over the city as it slept. One was large and imposing, their face shrouded by the night. The other was smaller and sat with their legs tucked under them, looking up at the larger individual.

“You got that message from Daniel, a few weeks back, yeah? Bout those kids he wanted us to keep an eye on?”

“Yeah. Watched their UA auditions. I think they could be...helpful.” the larger figure replied.

“He said he didn't want his kids gettin’ mixed up with his old crew.”

“He said he wanted it to be their choice. So, we’ll let them choose.”

At the same time, in the underbelly of the city, a loathsome group sat in comfort, surrounded by trinkets of unspeakable deeds. One of them sat in a chair adorned of gold and sipped a glass of wine. They gestured to the feminine figure in the shadows and they stepped forward.

“I hear you have family in town, my dear.” The shadow spoke.

“It is of no concern to you, sir. I can--”

The shadow rose a hand to silence her.  “We are your family too, my dear. Your business...is our business.”

Chapter end.

[prettylittleliarsxxxx]

Since the show premiered in 2010, “Pretty Little Liars” has had a problem with statutory rape. Now, as the series winds down, it weirdly seems to be celebrating the much-discussed issue.

For seven seasons, “Pretty Little Liars” asked fans to root for Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale) and Ezra Fitz (Ian Harding) ― aka “Ezria” ― despite their creepy, exploitative origins and the fact Ezra should be in jail. (The show is set in Pennsylvania where the age of consent is 16, but allows 16 and 17 year olds to only consent to those under the age of 18).

The student-teacher relationship is an all too common trope on teen TV, but at least the parents on “Riverdale” had the sense to chase Ms. Grundy out of town when they discovered she was having sex with Archie. That isn’t the case when it comes to “Pretty Little Liars.”

For years, the characters were offered plausible deniability by having 20-something Ezra meet teenage Aria in a bar. When they hook up in the bar’s bathroom, viewers are meant to assume Ezra had no idea she was underage or that she’d take a seat in his English class at Rosedale High the following day.

It’s not until Season 4 that the show reveals Ezra knew exactly who Aria was and that she was underage when he had sex with her. The big reveal that season ― Ezra was trying to write a book about Alison’s (Sasha Pieterse) “death” and began dating Aria for research ― is evidence that the series celebrates statutory rape and inappropriate relationships.

In the four seasons prior to that reveal, the series sold the “Ezria” relationship not as one where a teacher was abusing his position of power and committing statutory rape, but as star-crossed lovers who are destined to be together.

The show has somewhat improved since the five-year time jump at the start of the second half of Season 6, which allowed the teen characters to become adults and the show’s writers to no longer worry about things like final exams or age of consent laws. But even after discovering that Ezra was just dating Aria for his book all those years ago, “Ezria” is still kicking and set to walk down the aisle.

With the series finale looming, the show is finally addressing the fact that the “Ezria” relationship was born out of statutory rape, but it also seems to be celebrating its problem romanticizing dangerous relationships.

For years, the show danced around the issue and kept consequences to the vague idea of “getting in trouble,” as Dame Magazine pointed out last year. It wasn’t until the fourth season that Aria was confronted about the relationship by her principal and told, “It’s illegal for a teacher to have sex with a student.”

The most recent episode might be the show’s first attempt at addressing statutory rape head-on, when Aria recovers a police report she never filed as a teen:

I am a student at Rosewood High School and I have had a sexual relationship with my former teacher Ezra Fitz since I was a sophomore until now. I have been too ashamed to come forward, but I have come to realize Mr. Fitz is a twisted, conniving, predator and I need to stop him from doing this to anyone else. He needs to be charged with exploiting a teenager when he was in a position of power.

The episode also featured a musical dream sequence in which Aria, distraught over villain A.D.’s threat to release the report to police, has a nightmare to the tune of Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock” and imagines Ezra in a prison jumpsuit being beat bloody by other inmates.

Then, as Aria is doing the bidding of A.D. and becomes increasingly more withdrawn from Ezra, he addresses the fact that their relationship is based on a lie.

“You still have doubts about me ― about whether you can trust me or not. Maybe there’s some part of you that has never forgiven me for taking advantage of you and your friends for the sake of a book,” he tells her. “I wish that I could change history, but I can’t. I fell in love with you Aria, and this is where we are now, and I truly believe that we are stronger for having weathered those storms. Don’t you?”

With a show like “Pretty Little Liars,” it’s impossible to trust anything. But Ezra’s monologue sounds like the writers’ attempt to convince viewers to root for the couple even as they blatantly acknowledge that Ezra not only committed statutory rape, but manipulated and deceived Aria for years.

What’s most disturbing about this is that the show wants them to have a happy ending ― or so we’ve been led to believe. Creator I. Marlene King told The Hollywood Reporter in 2014 that “Ezria” “are like magnets who attract each other for hopefully the run of the show because I think they are soulmates.”

Meanwhile, Lucy Hale, who plays Aria, also shares King’s opinion and called the “Ezria” relationship “super sexy” when she spoke to Cosmopolitan in April.

“There is something about a forbidden romance that draws people to it. It had a little Romeo and Juliet vibe at certain points,” she said.

Interestingly, the one voice of reason among the three is Ian Harding, who plays, Ezra.

“One company dropped its advertising for our show in one of the early seasons, because they didn’t agree with the relationship,” he told Cosmo.  “And I was like, ‘No shit, our relationship is illegal!’”

“And Marlene said, ‘No, it’s not yours, it’s Emily’s [same-sex] relationship [that’s the problem].’ So I could be seen as a statutory rapist, and people are like, ‘I know, but love knows no bounds, as long as there is a penis and a vagina involved.”

It’s unbelievably irresponsible for a showrunner, whose series airs on Freeform (originally ABC Family) and has almost exclusively been honored by the Teen Choice Awards, to endorse a relationship like “Ezria” to its largely teen audience.

Even if the series doesn’t let “Ezria” live happily ever after― which is definitely a possibility ―  that’s still seven seasons worth of gleefully romanticizing an unhealthy and inappropriate relationship.