#my Rook will always have the biggest crush on her

[lottiesnotebook]

Oh i’d love to hear the story of Rook trying to impress someone.

Thank you for the ask! I hope you enjoy a little story about my Horrible Nepo Baby!

From the Rook Storytime Prompts:

The biggest problem with Skyhold, at least in the eyes of Cara Hawke-Laidir, was that she mostly ended up there because her mother was doing something too scary and interesting to take her along. She understood her mother worried about her, but she was almost thirteen now, and practically a full mage! In a Circle, they might already be talking about Harrowing her, but apparently, that did not make her mature or useful enough to be taken anywhere Actually Interesting.

There were, however, some significant advantages to Skyhold: endless walls to climb, far more people to watch than she'd seen since Kirkwall, and of course, there was Lace. Scout 'Call me Lace!' Harding with her beautiful red hair pinned up in braids, who was only seven years older than her, and not even a mage, but so quick and so clever that even the Herald called her 'invaluable'.

Lace never treated her like a baby. Lace was always ready to talk to her about the problems or dangers of scouting, and if Cara had ideas or suggestions, she listened to her as she might listen to anyone. Lace had even, after much persuasion, shown her how to light campfires without magic and to shoot a bow, which her mother said they might all come to regret, but Cara thought was an excellent and useful skill.

All this to say that Lace was quite possibly the most beautiful and interesting person that Cara had met in her twelve years of life, and the crush she had on the older girl could quite reasonably be described as 'devastating'. Cara certainly felt devastated by it, every time she remembered that she was in fact only nearly thirteen and it would be years before Lace might reasonably return her feelings. Right now, she knew, Lace had her own crush on the Inquisitor, who was in fairness very handsome and charming and could do absolutely insane things like jump off the battlements and walk away unscathed.

"It's a knack," he told Cara, breezily, the one time she got the opportunity to ask. "When you're as old as me, you'll have figured it out too, I'm sure."

The problem was, Cara was getting unbelievably tired of waiting to be old enough for things like going adventuring with her mother, or getting Lace to fall in love with her, and really, jumping off things didn't look that hard.

So, really, it was Inquisitor Trevelyan's fault when she yelled "Lace, look!" and jumped off the Skyhold steps. She broke two ribs and her arm in three places, but to her credit, it did very much get Lace Harding's attention.

[burning-academia-if]

1. What would each RO’s dream wedding be like? (Who would be there, what would the theme be, how would they react to seeing MC walking down the aisle/standing at the alter, etc)

2. How would each RO react to waking up after dreaming about the wedding? (Crush stage)

Oh man lol

Rook:

He'd like something small, in a venue a bit away from a town/city. The details he'd probably leave to you, but despite his social butterfly tendencies, I think he'd only want his closest friends there, and his dad, plus whoever you want to invite. Just really simply and quaint. My man would be in absolute shambles the minute he sees you, there's an ethereal light glow about you to him, and he's /this/ close to a total emotional breakdown from joy

Him finally having a happy dream about MC??? He'd be so flustered and embarrassed. Thank god he's a master at masking his feelings because he's going to be thinking about it all day, especially when he sees you.

Beck:

The true dream is back home at Puerto Rico with all his family present with their usual mayhem and all the food he misses eating lmaO The more realistic dream would be beach themed, probably not on the beach because Sand but in a venue by the beach side. Regardless of version Vivir mi Vida by Marc Anthony somehow plays because it's at every Latino party ever. He has the biggest smile when he sees you, eyes gleaming. He can't look away from you for the whole night.

It makes him so soft. He wakes up curled in bed, a small, sleepy smile to himself. He's never really thought of marriage with anyone before, but it feels right that it's you.

Rhea:

She'd plan out a meticulous wedding, at a gorgeous nature-esque location that her high brow family can actually afford. She puts a lot of attention to detail, and she's always asking for your opinions. The ceremony is in a classical type building, but the reception is in a garden adjacent to it. She's silently crying tears of joy when she sees you, and she doesn't even wait for the vows to start before she kisses you, so full of love.

She's flustered, when she wakes up. Her skin feels warm and she can't help but touch her cheeks. The two of you aren't even dating, so it consider something so serious feels silly. Still, her thoughts keep going back to it throughout the day.

Zoe:

They actually don't care much for marriage. It's not really a requirement for them when it comes to a life long partner, and they look at a lot more practically like 'oh health benefits and taxes' lmfaO It's very much more what you want, although they do request something small and private. They'd probably be more keen on planning out the menu and dreaming about that, then anything else lol When it does happen though, their heart is soft and they give you the gentlest small as you walk down the aisle. You look so happy, and that's really everything they could ever dream of

They're not looking at you for the rest of the day. They can't fathom why they'd dream of such a thing, and when you try to talk to them, they keep looking away. You, as their spouse? Their heart trips a little over the thought of it.

Lars:

Also doesn't care about marriage, or rather a wedding ceremony, because what a waste of money LMFAO better to save that for the honeymoon. He can't really picture it, mostly because he never considered he'd have a lifelong partner, and also would there really be anyone who would show up on his side? He goes along with it for you though, and he's pretty helpful during the process surprisingly. When he sees you, his eyes are soft and the smile touching is face is one of his few genuine ones. Despite his feelings about marriage, he really does want to be with you for a long time

Why the hell is dreaming about these things? He squints at the ceiling, wondering why is it one of the rare occasions he actually gets sleep, he's dreaming about marrying you? Acts more annoyed with you then usual throughout the day, and yet, somehow more...forward?

???:

The concept of marriage and weddings is pretty foreign to them, but they love the idea of it actually. Something in the woods, with lanterns and fairy lights strewn about would be pretty, especially during the Spring or Fall with all the different colors. They wouldn't give the traditional vows, and the two of you would probably work together to rewrite the whole usually spiel that's given so it fits a lot more with how you two fit together. The world almost doesn't feel real when they see you. After everything, the two of you can have this

It's a pleasant feeling, spreading through their chest and into their veins. They almost don't want to wake up, just so they can imagine it a little longer. When they speak with you, the feeling of their voice is warmer, softer. There's more affection laced through it then what you're used to.

[elcor-thespian]

Even more answers to questions no one asked! This time from Thematic Headcanons.

I have 7 Rooks so for each of these that sounded interesting I just used a random number generator.

Family Themed Headcanon: Konstantin Ingellvar does not have any idea who his actual family is, but they were raised communally but Senior Watchers, and would say they were primarily raised by Vorgoth. Emmrich very much treats him as a son, which Konstantin doesn't really realize.

Friendship Themed Headcanon: Nasreen Aldwir has had exactly one friend in their life up until the beginning on Veilguard, and it's Aleksei (my Laidir). At the beginning on the game she would say she has no friends. Bellara does not know that and absolutely thinks they are friends (eventually Nasreen agrees).

Romance Themed Headcanon: Konstantin (rolled the same number again!) develops crushes so easily. He's always got like 8 active crushes. He never acts on them beyond being super nice to them and pining for them. Poetry writing is involved. The second he meets Neve Gallus he immediately forgets all other crushes that have ever existed and fills up multiple notebooks with doodles and poems about her. His greatest fear is someone (coughAlekseicough) discovering these journals.

Love Themed Headcanon: Aleksei will sleep with just about any consenting adult, but he's never been in love. Lots of people have been in love with him, and it often takes a 3rd party pointing it out for him to notice. He's very quick to break it off at that point because he genuinely doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. The VG has to have an intervention with him at some point because he's openly flirting with everyone all the time, not realizing that Bellara has caught actual feelings and is getting her heart broken. When told he needs to either commit to Bellara or stop giving her false hope he realizes he like ACTUALLY likes her and then gets very very nervous around her.

Sad Headcanon: Brenna Thorne's family cut off ties to her after she joined the Wardens. She's the oldest of six, and she's only six years older than her youngest sibling, so they were all very close. Her and her sisters used to talk about being in each other's weddings and she kind of always held out hope that one of her siblings would invite them to their wedding. A month before the events of the game she found out that her youngest sister was finally engaged, and that she isn't invited to this one either.

Lie Themed Headcanon: I rolled a 1, which is Nephele Mercar, my canon Rook, which almost feels like cheating. She lies about so much shit, especially to cover up her biggest lie, which is that she isn't from Tevinter and her whole backstory is made up.

Here is a list of my Rooks in order of best liar to worst liar: Nephele Mercar, Brenna Thorne, Elspeth de Riva, Nasreen Aldwir, Aleksei Laidir, Paloma, Konstantin Ingellvar (bless his heart)

Headcanon about a secret they keep: Aleksei literally hasn't told anyone about the fact that he was a slave for a period of time after becoming a sailor, or that he can barely read (the only person that knows that is Nasreen because they grew up together). Aleksei actually isn't a very good liar, but he is good at deflecting and redirecting. If you do manage to corner him he will fold immediately.

Sleep Themed Headcanon: This is the last one I'm going to do tonight, so let me fire a little bit for each of them:

Nephele: Has a lot of routines established around sleep, because she has a lot of anxiety and nightmares that can make sleep difficult. She has special incense, an herbal supplement, a warm beverage, a specific configuration of pillows. If she can't do all her steps she almost certainly has nightmares, if she can fall asleep at all.

Aleksei: One of these obnoxious people who can function perfectly off of 3-4 hours of sleep. But when he's tired he just sort of drops wherever. It's not uncommon to find him on the floor of someone's room, or curled in a chair in the dining room, or literally on top of Assan.

Nasreen: Sleeps best outside, due to growing up Dalish. When she first moved in to a permanent house, she would go days without sleeping. Her adopted mother noticed and started staying up with her to bake, talk, do mending, etc until she got comfortable enough in the home to be able to go to sleep with everyone else. She still has trouble sleeping inside new buildings and had trouble adjusting to the Lighthouse at first.

Brenna: After years bunking with the Wardens, Brenna can't sleep if it's too quiet. She also has a lot of trouble sleeping at first at the Lighthouse because everyone is so far away from each other. It reminds her of being a kid, growing up as a noble, where everyone of her sibling's rooms were down another hall, but they would often sneak in to each other's rooms at night.

Elspeth: Being a Crow, Elspeth has been trained to be nocturnal. The constant light at the Lighthouse actually makes her tired, because her brain thinks it's always day time. It's very confusing. She also drinks a lot of coffee.

Paloma: Paloma finds it very hard to fall asleep, but when she does she is the heaviest sleeper in the group. There is simply no waking her until she wants to get up. People have tried shouting at her, sitting on her, splashing water on her. No use. She will not be moved.

Konstantin: Konstantin is very sensitive to light since he grew up underground. The second he senses light he'll wake up, so he has a room in the Lighthouse with no windows. Once he starts sharing a space with Neve he learns what blackout curtains are.

[cecilebutcher]

Twst characters headcanons

Just some headcanons for the twst boys. This time for heartslabyul.

This is just my headcanons and opinion!!

R.Rosehearts

British, and has an accent.

I darkened his eye color and gave him some beauty marks.

Has scars from the overbolt.

Demi-sexual. Not in a relationship.

Loves anything containing strawberries.

Has a heart hair pin that cater gave him.

^^he uses it to tie up his hair when he’s studying.

His favorite type of music is classic.

Really into mystery novels.

Also mystery games.

And mystery shows.

Basically love’s mystery and stuff like that.

When he’s feeling stressed he’ll go and hang out with the hedgehogs. Sometimes the flamingos as well.

His favorite housewarden to be around is Kalim.

After that is Vil.

While he hates Floyd’s guts, he still cares for his annoying classmate.

T.Clover

Also British. But his accent is less notable.

Gave him one brown eye one gold + some beauty marks.

Cater painted his nails for him.

Unlabeled. Dating Cater

Hums whenever he bakes.

His favorite thing to bake is cheesecake.

Cater makes him braid his hair.

Used to French braid his little sisters hair.

Speaking of sister, his siblings send him good morning and good night texts all the time.

Though usually they aren’t even in the morning or night.

Him and Rook study together from time to time.

He also helps the ADeuce duo when they’re having trouble.

Heartlabyul mom.

Goes on hikes with Jade a lot of the time.

Loves hearing Cater play the guitar.

C.Diamond

Scottish(don’t ask) but with no accent.

Since Cater is generally fucking perfect. I only gave him a bit of eye circles.

Also ✨freckles✨.

Bisexual. Dating Trey. Used to have the biggest crush on Vil that ever existed. 

Ok that crush might still be there.

But it’s very tiny, barely exists

Also dated Idia for like, a week.

His lock screen is of Trey baking.

Has a camera that he takes with him when going to new places.

Really fucking good at editing.

Plays the guitar, bass and ukulele.

Has a nice singing voice.

A.Trappola

Filipino. Again, no accent.

Speaks Filipino when he’s seriously angry.

Gave him some of scars from the overbolts.

I also gave him ✨freckles✨ and an earring.

Bisexual. Dating Deuce.

Tells his older brother almost anything.

Has two of the chillest parents ever.

Only Deuce has met his parents in person, But Riddle talked to them once on the phone.

When they got told ace almost got expelled on his first day they were like “yup, sounds about right”!

Always has playing cards on him.

His U.M is gonna have something to do with playing cards.

Is a lot smarter then he lets on

Is an average C+ and B- student.

Used to be an average A and B+ student but stopped trying when he entered nrc.

Can play the flute.

Knows how to drive but doesn’t have a license.

Little spoon.

Loves forehead and hand kisses.

Has a nice singing voice.

D.Spade

Half Latino half British.

Tons of scars from both overbolts and fights.

Homosexual/gay. Dating Ace.

Goes to the gym regularly with Sebek and Jack.

Has a small pocket knife.

Has both ADHD and Dyslexia.

Knows how to play the ukulele.

Sticks a bit of his tongue out when too focused.

Isn’t that good at cooking, But likes helping out in the kitchen.

Tons of piercings, and I mean TONS.

Has a small tattoo in his lower back (regrets getting it)

Had a small spade tattoo on his arm.

Likes having his hair played with/ run through.

Suddenly switches to Spanish when stressed.

Used to have a dog when he was a kid.

Has one friend that he knew from kindergarten that was in a gang with him.

^^ they still talk and Deuce considers him one of his closest friends.

Has three cousins and is close with all of them

One of said cousins goes to nrc

Favorite fruit is blueberry

Least favorite are bananas

Allergic to strawberries

Is surprisingly good at baking and cooking

When starting school he’d call his mom everyday, now he only calls her thrice a week.

His mom knows everyone’s names and looks because he keeps talking about them.

Remember these are my headcanons and opinions. Yours can differ and disagree with them.

[ghostzzy]

also. my current companion opinions:

- i was NOT expecting to be an emmrich guy but i totally am. he’s charming… and he’s a bone freak….. and i think his fear of death and the choice you make about his lichdom or manfred is actually really interesting and thematically relevant to the rest of the game

- i like davrin… idc about the grey wardens that much in general sorry but i found davrin’s writing pretty strong and tonally consistent with the story at large… rook didn’t feel like his therapist as much as some of the others, which helped. and him & assan were so cute.. i am not immune to the puppy bird…

- i am very endeared to bellara. i find a lot about her very cute and i’m always a sucker for tragic brother backstories (even tho i thought the ending w cyrian was kinda lame). she’s good i always liked having her around

- i have a huge crush on neve. love her voice, love her vibe. think her personal quest was super boring unfortunately. but depending on some of the choices, she gets to do some sick batman shit and i do love that

- i liked a lot of harding’s story Conceptually but her personality felt flimsy to me sometimes, her voice just wasn’t as strong as some of the others? idk something just wasn’t clicking for me. she’s adorable tho…

- taash fell flat for me. i have A LOT of opinions about how they were written, it deserves its whole own post. but all of that aside, they just felt really young and kind of superfluous and it sucks cuz i really wanted to like them. sighs

- lucanis was my biggest disappointment… he is SO up my alley, on paper, but in execution i just. felt nothing. he had no real edge. spite never felt like a real pressing threat. idk i was just. bored.

[twstidolart]

Some doodles for Minerva’s Headcannons:

- Minerva is mostly and idol to fulfill her partying hunger and to boost her ego. Can get annoyed if people ruin her vibes or get in the way of her spotlight.

- Her best friends are Cater and Epel. Cater is great for her social media plus she loves his passion for fun and teasing. Cater and Minerva also have a mutual agreement to not piss each other off, since both have a similar home life (Minerva being the youngest out of 5 siblings). Meanwhile Epel and Minerva have an interesting relationship, they both have a dislike for Vil (well actually Epel is kind of more like a frustration thing and Minerva is mostly because Vil calls her mangy and uncooth). Minerva feels like a big sister to Epel and loves hearing his natural dialect, besides she admires him when he stands up for himself.

- Minerva loves the extremes of the tastebuds, spicy or sour even though her favorite food is sushi. She’ll douse hot sauce on it anyways.

- Azul really wants Minerva to perform in Mostro lounge for business profits. This usually ensues in a weekly visit from the eel brothers. Azul thinks if she were to become a lounge performer she’d be more valuable to him. Minerva always dejects the concept because it’s “not the vibe”.

- Rook’s nickname for her is “Reine des Chatons”

- Minerva gets so excited when Rook is around, she loves being pampered and complimented even if they come off a bit…hunter like. Plus he always makes such a fun game of cat and mouse despite who plays which part.

- Rook loves teasing Minerva when she gets an attitude. He thinks it’s cute and reminds him that she is a true wildcat by nature.

- On the other hand Kalim has the biggest crush on Minerva. As a happy go lucky boy himself, Minerva is intoxicating to him. He has a pretty hard time hiding it too.

- She prefers flight class over any other subjects because it’s exhilarating.

- Also part of the Pop Music Club.

That’s about all I can throw out so far. My brain is going AH! Trying to conjure up more scenarios makes me go 🫨

[dreamywritingdragon]

Rook Questionnaire

An occasion to yap about Ysleen? Consider it done!

Original post here

1: Where in the Thedas is your Rook from?

Ysleen is from Nevarra. At least that's what everyone assumes, since she was found as an infant in the Necropolis, and non-Nevarran don't usually come there to drop their kids. She always assumed her mother was from Nevarra City.

2: What is your character's alignment?

Neutral Good

3: Race and subclass?

Human Mage, deathcaller (necromancy vaccuum ultimate, my beloved)

4: If your Rook was a companion, where would they be found?

She'd be either outside, taking notes about the Fade, or in her room, working on her quilts

5: What emotion did they usually pick?

Diplomatic

6: What companion are you platonically close with?

Neve and Emmrich. Ysleen's first thought when she met Neve was "she's insanely cool, I don't know if I want to be her or be with her!". They flirted a bit before Minrathous was attacked, then Ysleen worked in regaining Neve's trust.

As a fellow necromancer, she likes geeking out with Emmrich about all things death magic, and sharing gossip about other Watchers (don't tell me Emmrich isn't one of the biggest gossips of the team!)

7: Romantically close with?

Lucanis. Same as Neve, she saw him and went "ok. He's insanely cool." Then she got to know him better, and ever little kernel of knowledge made her fall even deeper.

8: Who are they suspicious of?

No-one, sadly. She even gave Solas the benefit of the doubt, at the start.

9: Does your Rook get along with their chosen Faction?

Kinda. She's grateful they didn't let her die when she was an infant, but she's still pissed they decided to make her leave after the War of the Banners. She gave so much to the Watchers (I heacannon there is a Foundling House and that she worked there), it hurt to see politics being placed before family/friends/colleagues.

10: Are they proficient in playing any instruments?

Nope! She never learnt, but enjoys the sound of harp and violin.

11: Weapon of choice?

Staff. Because you can beat ennemies off with it when they get too close.

12: What is their orientation?

Bisexual. She swings left and right, and not only with her staff.

13: What are their thoughts on killing? Is it a necessary evil or do they enjoy it?

A necessary evil. As Emmrich says, all Watchers must chose where they put the line regarding killing and death. Ysleen will murder you if you touch her friends, no questions asked.

14: What hobbies does your Rook have?

She loves quilting (it's a creative way to use the sewing techniques she learnt on corpses and the blankets make great gifts!) and candle making (she loves playing with scents, and asks for Taash's opinion often)

15: What NPCs do they like? Which one's do they dislike?

Biiig crush on Teia (Ysleen isn't immune against the people who look extremely hot in all circumstances). She doesn't like Staalgard, too blunt for her taste, and was super pissed to have confirmation that Hezenkoss is...like that, because some of her early work was good???

She really likes Mila, who reminds her of the foundlings she took care of.

16: Do they have a favorite creature in the Thedas?

Baby griffon :p Ysleen, Bellara, Lace and Neve are giving Assan aaaaall the snuggles.

And she's always wanted to see a fennec

17: Do they enjoy life as an adventurer?

Kinda? She likes discovering places over Nevarra, but misses the comfort of home and sleeping in your own bed.

18: What would your Rook be doing if they weren't recruited by Varric?

If she didn't fight in the War of the Banners, she'd continue her work in the foundling house.

Otherwise, she'd travel some more, maybe find a part-time job as a healer, and wait for the Necropolis to call her back

19: How do you think they'll meet their end?

Happy, old, in her bed, surrounded by her family

20: Would they side with Solas or fight him?

Fight him. She ultimately chooses to redeem him, but she reeaaally wanted to punch him as hard as she could

21: What is your Rook's favorite ability?

Fuck it, I cast fireball

22: What languages is your character fluent in?

Nevarran and common, that's it. She had a bit of a reading disability, and never had to learn another language.

23: What do they do after an absolute crisis?

Have a good shouting session about it, then back to business

24: Does your character believe in the afterlife?

Yep! She holds to the belief that the dead enter the Fade and can be reincarnated

25: What specialization best represents your Rook?

Deathcaller

26: What animal best represents your Rook?

A Siberian cat. Fluffy and cuddly, expensive looking (don't trust her, she's a goblin)

27: What was their life like before the events of Veilguard?

Working in the foundling house, she oversaw the accounts (so fun with dyslexia <3) and taught the kids history and basic magic

28: Is your character the de facto leader of the party? Or do they consider someone else to be the leader?

She takes up Varric's role from the beggining, in a "somebody's gotta do it!" way

29: If you could choose a different faction for your Rook, which one would they have joined and why?

I wanna say Antivan Crows, but that's because of Lucanis, and she ends up joining them anyway when they marry. Otherwise, with her affinity for magic, she'd be a good Veiljumper

30: What's your favorite thing about your Rook?

Everything? :p She got me back into writing, and I'm super happy about that!

[hustlemeanokay]

After playing Veilguard for a few days (no spoilers)

So, I do this thing with RP games. I make my 1st character however I want, do whatever I want, with zero thought as to the consequences as far as disapproval/approval goes. Just wing it. Then, as I go, I'll make characters that are more tailored, more specific play styles etc.

I currently have two Rooks and am making a third. No, I'm not kidding. I do/did the same thing with BG3. I simultaneously play multiple characters. I'll play one character for a few days and then swap over to another for a few days and back and forth and around and around until I finish them up and then start on whole new ones. Just the way my brain works.

So, when I've said in the past that I have a lot of Wardens, a lot of Hawkes, a lot of Inquisitors... I meant it. And each one has their own in-depth story, relationships, histories and futures.

Right now - I have my 1st Rook - she's just winging it, completely. She doesn't have a clue. Purple options almost always. I went with a random generated name on her because I was like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Zea Laidir. Lords of Fortune elven mage. And I have to say - the fighting for mages is on point and awesome. The only thing I did that was kinda like "oops" was I made her crazy short LMAO. I didn't mean to make her quite so small but it is what it is and she's a little thing.

My second Rook - Grier Thorne. Grey Warden - dwarf - warrior. And somehow, he ended up looking like a cross between Erend from Horizon Zero Dawn and Soap from CoD. He's direct but a smartass when the need calls for it. And I can already tell he has the biggest crush on Lace (who is so incredibly huggable it isn't even funny). I'm usually a distance fighter in games so warriors always take some getting used to but I'm slowly getting there - luckily they can take a beating.

I will say that I do like how your faction choice actually does come up a lot and in real ways. Not just in passing comments. OH and - Lucanis' voice doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would which I'm so happy about because I was worried there for a bit.

But I am having so much fun with this game and I don't care what other people are saying, they're just being mean. They want Inquisition. They want DA2. They want Origins. They want all of that in a new game. They didn't actually want a new game. They can argue all they want but that's what it boils down to. If it wasn't those exact lines, those exact quests, those exact references, those exact places and look the same? They weren't going to be happy. There's no pleasing some people and that's just how it is. As the saying goes - haters gonna hate.

But for me? I'm loving it. The styling is different. The look is different. (And the heads are only big if you make them that way dipshits). But the voice acting is amazing, the story is engaging (if you aren't expecting it to be a regurgitation of the previous ones) and if you genuinely want to be engaged. If you're looking for a reason to be bored? You'll find it anywhere. I like that it's not rushed nor too slow, it gives you breaks and time to explore and pick up extra quests if you want but you don't have to. So yeah - I'm happy. (❁´◡`❁)

[darthkvznblogs]

Favorite Ben 10/ Marvel/ Miraculous characters and why?

Good question!

For Ben 10:

-Ben himself; I really love that he's kind of a goofball hero most of the time, but can bring himself up to be super serious and efficient when it comes down to it, and his power set is probably my favorite in all of fiction, maybe second only to Danny Phantom.

-Rook Blonko; even just his inclusion makes Omniverse worth it (though I do think it's overall a really worthy conclusion to the original Ben 10 series), he works so well as Ben's foil and I honestly kinda love Revonnahganders and their sort of space Amish schtick.

-Kevin Levin; I hate the retcons, but I love that he goes from hothead nemesis to practically being Ben's brother. He balances out the Alien Force crew super well!

-(early) Julie Yamamoto; it was so refreshing to have a superhero's partner be so up for his wacky alien adventures...shame about, y'know, everything else that happened with her.

-Max Tennyson; just one of fiction's best mentors, bar none.

Marvel (the MCU, really)

-Tony Stark; I fell a bit out of love with him in the later movies, but the charm, the wit, and the undeniably awesome armor was just too powerful a combo. I truly hope it comes across in the Kryptonverse that he's my favorite hero in the MCU.

-Natasha Romanoff; I'm a sucker for redemption stories and women who can kick all the ass. She works where Clint doesn't, for me, as the oddball cohesive tissue of the Avengers - through thick and thin, she's always gonna be at the core of the group.

-Carol Danvers; controversial take (and she was admittedly super bland in Endgame), but I loved her portrayal in the film. Sarcastic and cocky with the power to back her up, undeniably one of the strongest beings in the MCU, the powerhouse that turns the tide just by being around. She just needs a bit more personality in the films, tbh.

-Thor; honestly, I found Thor kinda boring to begin with, but Ragnarok made him the perfect blend of fun himbo/noble king. Kinda ruined by IW and Endgame for me, but that's probably an unpopular opinion.

Miraculous Ladybug:

-Marinette Dupain-Cheng; her terminal clumsiness is utterly relatable to me and I can empathize (if not relate, not since my awkward teens) with her probably-not-so-hopeless crush

-Adrien Agreste; he's so much fun as Cat Noir and I think it's honestly super cool that one of the unequivocally heroic protagonists of the show has Destruction as a main power

-Chloé Bourgeois (but like, fanon Chloé); I found her accidental (and unfortunately aborted) path to heroism so compelling I straight-up added Miraculous Ladybug to the Kryptonverse just so I could write my version of her redemption (I kid, but it was definitely the biggest reason)

-Kagami Tsurugi; no nonsense socially awkward fencing queen and Holder of the flashiest Miraculous? Sign me the eff up

There's a ton of honorable mentions, but those were just off the top of my head!

[yan-twst]

That one request with a crush on lesbian mc with the dorm leaders really got my heart thumping💓💓💓. Can I request a crush on lesbian mc this time with the first years? 😳😳😳 I really love your writing thank you sm❤❤ Hope you're doing well!!

once again hell yeah lesbians rise up!!!

ace trappola

ace is like. ok well this sucks for HIM a little bit because of course he managed to crush on a girl who just so happens to be a lesbian

but he’s also just... kind of relieved? it’s way less awkward to be turned down because of that than if just... if she was straight and just turned him down.... just thinking of that is horrifying

he might try to talk about his past relationships with her because uh, bonding between people who... like women...? but it kinda backfires because she just reaffirms he was kind of an asshole to his ex girlfriends. he might even be forced to call them and apologize

all in all, ace is just glad to keep one of his closest friends. it’s a thousand times better to have a little one sided crush that simply can’t be returned on his friend and continue being friends, than if he were to date them and then it didn’t work out and the friendship was ruined

being the little shit he is, he won’t hesitate to find the situation hilarious. is it fun to be a lesbian stuck in an all boys magic school? whatever kind of accident or magic that sent her here really did her dirty. doesn’t she know of all the prestigious girl-only schools out there? too bad! she’s stuck with The Boys

this revelation is also very very good for his own sake. ace used to get jealous when he saw her hanging out with other men, especially if she seemded to be too friendly with them- and he’d usually just express that displeasure with teasing or just huffing and crossing his arms. 

now? oh, he feels nothing but smugness when he sees another dude being suspiciously kind and cooperative with her- because if they really are trying to subtly flirt with her, welp, then they got a big surprise coming and he finds it hilarious to know they’re gonna get the same surprise he did

deuce spade

deuce is the kind of kid who somehow has like, lesbian aunts he hangs out with, and at the same time does not know what a lesbian is. don’t ask how that works because he doesn’t know either until everything clicks in his brain

deuce’s immediate reaction is to get flustered. it’s a mix of embarrassment because now he feels like he should have noticed sooner...? and also because he’s mortified he might have annoyed or offended his friend

he apologizes for crushing on her, despite her telling her it’s really not a problem? it’s flattering, really? deuce is so busy apologizing and fretting because he, bless his heart, genuinely feels like he did something wrong

you know that trope of the slightly dumb but golden-hearted jock who is besties with the lesbian? this is that. it’s quite literally that

deuce still wants to bring her over to meet his mom even if it’s just as a friend. he’s talked too much to his mom about how amazing she is, so now he has to introduce her to his mom. he- he’ll make sure his mom understands it’s not a dating thing!! don’t worry!!

deuce becomes even more wary of the students that try to get close to his friend now. before, it was infuriating to see the boys all be so keen on getting close to the one single girl in the whole school, but he tried to reason that if she liked to meet new people, he shouldn’t get in her way, but... if it’s flirting, deuce has no problem acting as her personal guard to shove clingy and hard-headed dudes off

jack howl

fun fact there are records of homosexuality amongst grey wolves

in fact this isn’t even something that shocking to jack...? maybe it’s because there’s a handful of gay beastfolk in his pack so he simply doesn’t assume people are straight by default, so when his crush tells him she’s a lesbian he’s like oh fair enough

sure, it’s not like he isn’t a bit sad; he did have a crush and it’s never easy to let go of those emotions. but once again, he did kind of always consider this as a possible outcome, so it’s not like he’s completely thrown off his groove

besides, even though he might act strong and tough, it’s clear jack is a complete softie and values his friendship with her more than anything else. he lets her have some of his cacti when baby cacti grow in their pots. he doesn’t let just anyone touch his plants

if there’s one change, it might be that jack becomes more insistent on taking her out to train with him. in his own words, she’s “gotta be strong to support her future wife” or something- it’s his way of looking out for her

he’s simply so, so glad things turned out fine. being as hard-headed (as tsun, as she calls him) as he is, he had refused to even acknowledge he had a crush for a long time, and once he did, he was stressed it’d ruin this... just really nice friendship he didn’t think he’d find at NRC. but once everything is all talked out, it’s like a stone has been lifted off his chest. he’s fine, she’s fine, they’re still friends: this is all he could ask for, really

epel felmier

you cannot convince me epel’s little farming village didn’t have at least a couple little old gay grandmas that all pretty much adopted him as a grandson and all baked apple pies for him and gave him little embroidered handkerchiefs for his birthday. this is a fact and you cannot change my mind

when his darling first tells him she’d just... never be able to feel the same way, he’s crushed at first. it’s more of the shock of the rejection than anything else: he hears all she says, but he’s not listening

it takes a couple hours for it all to sink in. oooh. ooooh. ooooh it all makes sense now

he’s so embarrassed about how he first of all never bothered ask if she was even into men, and second of all how he reacted to being turned down for the most logical reason on earth, that he’s fretting over how to apologize. he almost considers asking rook for help but quickly realizes that would be the worst decision he could ever make.

he wants to show that it’s ok!! even if he got turned down and even if he did crush on her it’s cool and he still wants to be friends!! he’s a man and he’s only going to get manlier so of course a romantic relationship could never work, but... he still wants to maintain their friendship!!

he most likely comes over with a carved apple and an apology so genuine that his country accent slips out heavily. everything he’s said he still means! even if it’s just as friends, he still wants to take her to his hometown to pick apples, and he still wants her to be on front row when he’s playing magift- because she’s his closest friend!

sebek zigvolt

honestly yeah this works out yeah

sebek’s biggest stressor is that his crush doesn’t let him concentrate on protecting lord malleus. silly little romantic thoughts about his friend make him get distracted for one second and then poof lord malleus has gone to explore some abandoned building and now him and silver have to comb the entire campus to find him

he’d actually planned to bottle it up until it went away, but it wasn’t going away, so lilia pushed him to confess saying he’d “feel better once he got it out”. and what he got from it was a gentle rejection and an explanation that she’s actually just into girls, which was... a relief??

sure, it hurts a little. a lot, actually, because sebek is already terrible at managing his emotions. but once he looks at the situation, he... feels like it’s actually quite a good deal

he gets to keep his closest friend (although he’d be dead before saying something so cheesy about them), his little crush has been popped and deflated so he can go back to guarding malleus, and it almost feels like there’s just... more trust between him and her?

in the end, sebek is just happy to have someone to be friends with, even if he’d never admit it. sure, he might say lord malleus is all he needs in life, but lilia can attest that sebek looks equally as happy- if not happier- when he���s hanging out with his friend than when he guards malleus

[getbacktoworknovice]

🐎Snarky, Handsome Devil

[an AU in which you are a summer time employee who works at a riding ranch for kids and have a massive crush on one of the instructors Jacob Frye~ (this is part one of a series (reposting some older Ao3 stuff~)]

You always looked forward to summer.

A chance to get away from school, your siblings and your parents for three glorious months. Not that you didnt love your family of course, it was just a nice break from the reality you were stuck in nine months out of the year.

Every summer, ever since you started high school, you worked part time at the Frye Riding Ranch, a sort of summer camp for underprivileged kids to get a chance at taking care of and learning how to ride horses.

The people who ran it, Ethan Frye and his twin children, Jacob and Evie Frye, were very generous being that they only charged the families one dollar for the three month camp and in some cases, they let children join for free.

Apparently they had come from hard times as well.

You yourself were an actual hired hand, hired on by Ethan your first year at high school and kept on as he seemed to like your personality. You were hoping he would, after all, you loved kids AND horses and this was like a dream come true to you.

Kids were always so much easier to deal with than adults and they adored when you did your funny little voices, especially the British one as the owners whole family were Brits. Adults tended to give you odd looks.

Especially Jacob.

But then he would just give you that annoyingly charming half smile of his and go back about his business as if he hadn’t been looking at you at all. He rather loved kids too (which was part of why you found him so attractive) and even referred to them as his little “Rooks”.

He was kind with the horses as well. You’d caught him before as he was giving one a bath, talking to her sweetly and patting her lovingly as he got her cleaned up. It was the cutest thing you ad ever seen. Though you were certain he would deny he ever did such a thing if you asked him.

To be perfectly honest he had annoyed you at first. On your first day he had paired you with the worst horse they had to “break you in”, he’d doused you several times with the power hose and made you shovel so much manure you couldnt smell anything but for three days after.

You definitely hadnt had much of an appetite your first week, making Evie worry for you and then give Jacob a harsh telling off when she found out what he’d done. He wasnt a bully, she assured you, he was just…a pain.

Needless to say you’d avoided him for a month afterward but towards the end he came around. Apologized even. Which surprised you. You didnt realize you had a crush on him until you came back the next year and he gave you a big hug…

and you could feel every muscle he had.

He was every inch the rugged cowboy you’d seen on many a cover of romance novels. Muscled, rough around the edges, wild hair and eyes…and that damn smile of his! Yes indeed to you every inch of him was rugged and wild…and you loved it.

You just wished you were able to tell him. He was four years older than you and you just figured it was a passing fancy. You’d get over it. Yet every time you saw him and tried to still your beating heart it never worked. He would smile and nod at you, or say something that made you laugh, or stand too close to you when you saddled the horses for the kids.

He was the sweetest asshole you’d ever known.

You actually looked forward to getting up in the morning.

Today was turning into one of the funner days you’d had in the last three years. It was the day before graduation and to celebrate they always had a giant bonfire and a mini rodeo of sorts where the kids got to show off what they’d learned and earn a “badge of honor” for their efforts.

They were just cheap plastic sheriffs badges, but to the kids they might as well have been solid gold trophies. They got the biggest smiles on their faces and your heart just melted at the sight. Even Jacob took it a bit easier in terms of joking around, taking the event as seriously as the kids did.

You were in charge of getting all the firewood ready for the bonfire the next night as well as making all the certificates the kids would be receiving along with their badges. You were sitting at one of the tables in the rec room with Evie, writing out all the kids names neatly on their certificates, while Evie printed out the pamphlets for the parents.

“I do hope it doesn’t rain.” She was saying as you finally finished with the “S” names, rotating your wrist a bit to work out the soreness in it. You loved calligraphy but it hurt. Looking up when you heard her words you gave a curious gaze out the window, noting it was a bit stormy looking.

“Maybe it’ll blow over.” You said hopefully as you didn’t want it to ruin the kids’ fun. “If not I suppose we could hold the ceremony in here.” She said just as rain started to pelt outside. You gave a bit of a groan as now you’d have to go and cover up the wood with a tarp.

“Shit…” You grumbled as you grabbed up your coat and headed out the door. Te bonfire pit was a good ways away from the rec room and cabins so you had to book it to the barn to grab up a tarp. By the time you made it to the bonfire it was pouring down rain.

Quickly you began tucking the tarp into the corners of the pile, doing your best to get the wood covered so it would actually burn tomorrow, but it was getting windy and every corner you managed to get covered would pry itself loose by the time you got to the other end.

You were about to lose it when you felt someone grab the other end of the tarp to assist you. Giving a relieved sigh you looked over to see it was Jacob. You felt your heart begin to beat wildly again and you couldn’t control it. “Jacob…!” You started but he only yanked on the tarp.

“Dont just stand there like a fish!” He insisted as the rain pelted him without his jacket. “Move!” That snapped you out of it and you began to help him, tucking the tarp into place and covering it to help it stay safe from the rain.

With his help you got it done rather quickly and one he was certain it would stay the two of you took cover in the barn. You were both soaked but Jacob had gotten the worst of it, his black t-shirt stuck to him and his jeans were soaked through.

You were so glad you’d grabbed a jacket.

“Thanks,” You managed to say after you’d caught your breath. “I was about to give up there for a minute.” You admitted and Jacob laughed. “Wind was bein’ a bit of a bully wasnt it?” He grinned, taking off his baseball cap and wringing the water out of it best he could.

“Oh yeah, just a bit.” You teased in return with a smile that quickly turned into a blush when you saw him strip off his soaking shirt. You never knew he had a tattoo, but you turned your head so quick you didnt actually see what it was.

“What’s the matter love?” You heard him tease. “Never seen a man without a shirt before?” You felt your face get redder. “I-I…n-no…I mean…!” You were so flustered you couldnt even get a word out. “Sh-shut up!” You finally grumbled but he only laughed.

“Oh come now, you dont have to be so harsh with your tongue.” He said as he took your shoulder and leaned in close to your ear. “Your not having dirty thoughts are you?” He teased and you whirled on him to tell him off.

But stopped short as you felt his lips against the corner of your mouth.

Giving a small squeak you jumped back, your eyes wide in surprise. “J-Jacob, what the hell!?” You stammered, completely flustered. Jacob however only smiled that cocky little smile of his. “Been wantin’ to do that.” He said as he wrung out his shirt.

“Wh….what? What do you mean youve been wanting to do that?” You stuttered and he gave you a sideways grin. “Why, precisely what it means. I’ve been wanting to kiss you for a long time.” He said in plain terms.

You felt your knees buckle a bit and your heart began to thump in your chest. “R-really..?” You asked slowly. You felt like you must be dreaming. Youd had a crush on him true but you never in your life expected it to be reciprocated by him.

“Why?”

That question seemed to get to him as his cheeks actually turned a little pink. “Well…because I like ya.” He said with an honest shrug, putting his shirt back on. “I thought that was obvious but I guess I went about showin’ ya the wrong way.” He admitted sheepishly.

You gave a snort. “Yeah, making me shovel maure isnt the fastest way to my heart y'know!” You insisted with a swat to his arm. Jacob laughed aloud, a laugh you’d grown to love. “I guess I did fumble that one up a bit…” He admitted, giving you a soft look with his brown eyes.

“So…how is it you feel about me?” He asked and it was your turn to flush in the cheeks. You honestly didnt know what to say at first. “I..I mean I really like you Jacob. I’ve…I’ve had a crush on you for a while…” You hated to admit that out loud.

“I just…I feel like I’ve known you forever,” You said as you looked up at him. “I know it sounds silly but I’ve really come to like you.” You said, feeling a sense of relief at finally getting that out in the open.

Sensing your relief he gently took your cheek getting you to look at him. “Well since I like you and you like me….ya wanna try that kiss again?” He asked. He wasnt pushy about it or trying to force himself. His stance was relaxed, and his hand gentle.

How could you say no?

Leaning up towards him his lips met yours halfway, cupping your cheek as he kissed you long and deep. It was the most amazing kiss you’d ever tasted in your life. When you finally pulled away from him he rested his forehead against yours.

“So…theres only a week left of camp,” He said as he looked down at you with a bit of curiosity in his gaze. “I dont suppose you’d be willing to…let me come visit you in the city sometime?” he asked. You just gave him a smile and kissed his nose.

“You can visit me anytime….just make sure you come by car. If you ride a horse into the city people tend to freak out.” You teased. Jacob only laughed aloud.

“I make no promises.”

[heartofsnark]

This Is Love (Chapter Six):Burnt Offering

Notes: So, given that the last chapter was kind of short, at least by my standards. I decided to go ahead and post the next chapter this month. We're starting to near the point where what I post and where I'm at in writing are meeting up, I have chapter 7 done and am currently about halfway through writing 8,  so don't be shocked if we end up with a slowdown in chapters like what's had to happen with my other fic series. It just happens, such is life. 

Word Count: 9243

Chapter Warnings: Blood, Domestic Violence, Alcoholism, POV Switches, Talks of the Testicle Festival,

For chapter one and the warnings about this fics overarching themes, please click here!

For the previous chapter; click here!

The cruiser door shuts with a heavy thud, followed by Rook’s boots hitting the asphalt. Staci stifles a laugh, the newest addition to the Sheriff’s Department has a pea sized bladder and a penchant for guzzling energy drinks like an idiot. He’s had to pull into the Golden Valley Gas Station for her to run off to the bathroom, again.

His joints pop and crack as he gets out of the car, taking the chance to stretch his legs. The sun hangs high and bright in the great blue sky, warming his skin as rolls his shoulders to get out the kinks. It’s nearly noon and if he has to be here, he might as well find something to eat, the door of the gas station chiming as he walks in. He looks over the hot food options, garbage mostly, but tasty garbage. Hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs-

“You getting lunch?”

Staci jumps at the sudden question, a voice over his shoulder that he wasn’t ready for catches him off guard. A soft laugh as he turns to look at Rook who’s just scared him, sometimes she’s like a bull in a china shop and other times she’s silent as the grave. He can’t keep up and ends up glaring at the smirking woman. She finds way too much enjoyment in his misery, she’s the probie, he’s supposed to be giving her shit not the other way around.

“Someone needs to put a fuckin’ bell on you, I swear.”

“I thought you could ‘hear me coming a mile away’,” she says trying to imitate his voice when he mocked her earlier.

“That was then, this is now, and right now, you’re a sneaky bitch.”

He can’t resist the chance to wipe that dumb little smirk off her face and grabs her cheek between his fingers, stretching the soft tan skin. A small sharp pain in his wrist when she smacks him away, but it’s more than worth it to see her looking a little less cocky.

“Bite me.” She says and knocks against his side as she grabs a hamburger, nearly throwing him off balance.

“Don’t tempt me.”

“Ew.” Rook grimaces at his little attempt at flirting, like an asshole. Then again, with her, she may not realize he was trying to flirt.

He grabs himself one and follows after her to the drinks, he watches her line of vision immediately go to the large sized slushie cups. They’re nearly the size of the short deputy’s head.

“No,” he tells her, voice low with warning, he already has to worry about pulling over  for her constantly.

“What?”

“You drink that and you’re gonna be needing twelve more bathroom trips before our shift ends.”

“You’re so dramatic.”

“You nearly pissed yourself, five minutes ago.”

“I’ll be fine.” Rook rolls her eyes as she fills up the giant cup with blue slush. No matter what he says, he swears she’d break her neck just to do the opposite.

They buy their lunches, if it can even be called that, and leave the gas station. The weather’s too nice to eat in the cruiser, a soft breeze and a clear sky to eat under instead.  Staci instead sits on the trunk of the car, balancing his drink on his thigh as he eats. Rook follows his lead, for once since she’s been here, and sits down on the car as well. She pulls one of her legs up onto the car and under her, keeping her drink in hand.

It’s quiet as they eat, but unlike the awkward still of when they first started patrolling together, this silence is surprisingly pleasant.  Staci has never liked quiet, making those first patrols painful to sit through, but their time spent in silence has grown more bearable with every shift.

Rook is weird, but not bad; he’s decided. She’s quiet and serious, especially so at the start. But, she never misses a chance to talk back or give him hell, which might be his own fault.  She’s dedicated to the job and never seems to shy away from what it entails, only ever seeming bothered by the work when she was stuck pushing papers.  Despite her constant scowling and resting bitch face, Rook is eager to help people.

He doesn’t know much about her, which is only natural with her short time with the department and her lackluster communicative skills. She likes her job, Hudson, animals, and giving him hell. She hates crowds, churches, and talking. That’s about all he’s got. And dress codes he guesses? Though since the Drubman incident she’s stuck with modest tanks and tees under her uniform, other than buttoning it up, it’s the same damn thing. Hell, even Hudson and him don’t button it up all the way. 

When she was first hired, the week separating her hire and her actual first day, he asked Whitehorse what he was thinking when he hired someone so young. The sheriff just laughed, saying she had a good heart. He supposes her jumping to help Mary May the day of her interview was proof of that.

There are a lot of reasons why people become cops, not all of them necessarily good or right. Staci himself is exhibit A of that. He’s always been honest with himself and others that he became a cop to get laid, it was nothing short of a whim. Something women are attracted to and didn’t require too much education, so he could avoid debt. No ideas of helping people or delusions of keeping the peace; he chose his career based entirely on the prospect of getting his dick wet.

Hudson is better than him in that regard, well, in many regards but that’s beside the point. But, her choice mostly stems from her family. Almost everyone in her family has had a career in either the military or law enforcement. Her mom is a veteran and her dad a veteran turned police officer, retiring early due to injury.  One of her brothers works as an officer in Billings and the other currently in basic training. It only seemed natural she’d follow one of those paths, becoming a cop because it’s what they do in her family. A fact she’s always taken pride in. 

Danny, not to speak ill of the dead, was probably a hall monitor in high school. He was a stickler for details and rules, he enjoyed being the one enforcing order. But Staci isn’t confident that Danny enjoyed it because he believed in what was best for the public so much as he liked rules for the sake of rules and being the one to crack the whip. It’s strange to say after so many years of butting heads, but Staci misses that asshole. It hit Joey hardest, Danny being her partner, but it hit him too. Danny was with the station since before him or Joey were hired on, for him to just be gone one day… Hope County is a sleepy little place, it can be easy to forget how dangerous this kind of job can be when speeding and hunting violations are the biggest crimes. Danny was a grim reminder and hopefully, the last one Staci will ever get.

“That’s gonna fall,” Rook’s voice cuts through the quiet, her finger pointed at the drink balanced on Staci’s thigh.

“It’s fine,” he dismisses her out of hand, and she rolls her eyes, sunlight making the brown look nearly gold. 

She’s cute, it’s something he’s had to admit, as much as he’d rather not. While he’s always been a bit of a womanizer, it still feels weird acknowledging he’s attracted to his newly acquired pain in the ass. But…Rook is real easy on the eyes. Even with her constant sourpuss of a face, she's cute. Though the rare times he’s seen her smile… It’s a good look on her.  Hell, it's a good enough look that he asked her out on an impromptu date to the F.A.N.G Center the moment he saw it. Though that ended up being botched; the Junior Deputy inviting Joey along and then abandoning them partway through the day.

He’s gotten to spend hardly any time with her outside of work, between that and her never tagging along to The Spread Eagle, a part of him has to wonder if she just doesn’t want to deal with him when she doesn’t have to. God knows, it’s not Hudson, he’s pretty sure Rook would break her neck to spend more time with Joey.

Staci’s mind is drawn back to Rook’s dismissal of his mild flirting, she seemed uncomfortable with Adelaide’s more…forward tendencies too. But there’s no denying she has a huge annoying crush on Joey. Her face going redder than a lobster anytime the two are near each other. He’s asking her on dates without even meaning to and he’s not even sure what way she swings.

“So, what’s your deal?” He decides to just ask, it might be a long shot, but no harm in seeing if he has a chance. Right?

“My deal with what?” She raises an eyebrow and takes another slurp of her drink.

“Well, I know you’re into women; so are you gay?” Rook chokes on her slushie, blue dribbling down her chin as he continues, “Bi? Pan?”  

“What the fuck, dude?!” She yells, scrubbing her slushie covered hand against her jeans, her blue stained tongue catching his eye as she freaks out.

“It’s just a question.”

“A real fuckin’ personal one.” Her face is a vivid red, making her blue chin and tongue stand out even brighter.

“What? You worried ‘cause, ya know, Montana?”

“No, I’m not worried because of that.”

“Good, because I promise you most people here don’t give a fuck.”

“No, it’s not, I just don’t like talking…”

“You can honestly stop that sentence right there.”

“Pff,” she lets out a soft laugh and the corner of her mouth curves up as she says in a gentler voice, “I don’t like talking.”

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” He gives her the out and she groans.

“Look, dude, not that it’s any of your business but I barely know what the fuck’s going on in my own head. If I can’t figure that shit out, how the hell am I supposed to explain it?”

“I know you like Hudson.”

“Yeah, I do… I can’t say I’m not attracted to men? I don’t think, I’ve thought men are attractive. I just, women catch my eye more,” she shrugs, face still red, “though I don’t know if that’s because of me or ‘cause of the….selection here.”

“What do you mean?”

She glares at him, dark eyebrows furrowed as if she’s trying to figure out if he’s serious while she slurps on her slushie. He can nearly see the gears in her head desperately trying to turn.

“Dude, seriously?” She asks raises an eyebrow when he doesn’t budge.

“Seriously, you make it sound like the men here are drooling apes.”

“Women in Hope County.”

Rook points out a woman stepping out of her car, long tanned legs and daisy duke shorts.

“Men in Hope County.”

She gestures towards a man at the gas pumps, bent over with his jeans half falling off his ass with plumber crack on display for the world.

It’s his turn to choke, pop catching in his windpipe as her sputters and gags on his laugh, leg jerking and sending his entire drink falling into his lap.

“Jesus fuck,” he manages to cough out as cola soaks his crotch.

“Told you it was gonna fall.”

“At least I don’t look like I blew a Smurf.”

“Fuck off.” She roughly shoves him as they both laugh.

“So, all us Hope County men are just too ugly for you?” He says with mock hurt in his voice as he stands from the trunk, walking around the cruiser.

“Don’t say it like that.”

“No, no, I get it, I mean, how could anyone stand to even look at me.”

“What do you want from me?” She’s glaring at him now from over the cruiser, each at their respective doors as they talk.

“Nah, it’s my cross to bear, I have to learn how to deal with being hideous.”

“I mean, we can always get you a paper bag.” Her face breaks into a smile and she starts laughing halfway through her own joke, blue tongue pressing against her canines.

“Wow, fuckin’ wow, just double down.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

“Unbelievable.”

“I’m sorry,” she rolls her eyes, face still flushed from laughing, “for what it’s worth, you’re one of the more attractive guys in Hope County.”

“Thank you,” Staci can’t help but genuinely smile, between the compliment and her expression, something about the moment settles warm in his chest.

“Which is kinda like being a tall dwarf.”

“Fuck you,” his outburst makes her laugh and he can’t help but laugh right along with her, “you can’t let me have anything can you?”

“Nope.”

They’re still smiling, stomachs and cheeks aching as they climb into the cruiser. He turns the key and starts up the engine, pulling them out of the parking lot. The soft tapping of Rook’s finger against the door is the only sound as they drive through the valley. She’s always moving, he’s not sure he’s ever seen her completely still.

The cola on his jeans has barely started to dry by the time the radio starts to crackle, dispatch putting out a call.

“Units please respond, we have a domestic disturbance at the Ramsey Residence, neighbor reported yelling coming from the home and threats of violence.”

The Ramsey place is about fifteen or twenty minutes out from where Benjamin and Julie live. They’re familiar with the Sheriff’s department. He hates to sound so jaded and cynical, but they’ve done this song and dance so many times.  Benjamin has been an abusive drunk since as long as Staci’s lived in Hope County. No matter how many times they cuff and drag him away; Julie refuses to press charges, bails him out, and welcomes him back with open arms. It’s an endless cycle and Hope County doesn’t have the resources to break it. With that in mind, he grabs the receiver.

“Deputy Pratt and Hale responding, over.”

He flips on the sirens, lights flashing and the speaker squealing as they rush towards the Ramsey house. Tires spitting up gravel as he drives along the backroads, following them to the old farmhouse. It was once a beautiful house, he’s sure, but it’s started to fall apart over the years. The white paint peeling and the wood of the porch starting to rot away.

There’s a tension in the air as the deputies get out of the cruiser, grass crushing underfoot as they make their way to the home. Despite being Staci’s subordinate as far as standing in the department goes, Rook is in front of him and taking the lead. Not because he wants her too; she just does that.

The porch lets out a loud creak when the junior deputy takes a step, straining under her weight. That doesn’t bode well for him, while not a particularly heavy guy, he’s over a foot taller than Rook and fit. She may have muscle mass, but he’s sure he still weighs more at the end of the day. 

“You might wanna be careful,” she warns him, standing next to the door, clearly having gone through the same thought process as him.

“Yeah, this porch has seen better days.”

It strains and creaks, echoing a louder under him as he takes the steps up. Then his foot goes through the porch. He curses as he starts to fall through, broken rotted wood splintering into his jeans and boot. A hand wraps around his wrist, Rook steadying him as gets his bearings. He grips the railing as he his rips his foot back out of the wood; breaking and ripping apart boards with the force of it. The smell of mildew, rotted lumber, and muck getting kicked up from it.

“Fuckin’ hell.”

He has to shift back onto the steps that were able to hold him, he could step over or around the broken gap, but the chances of it just breaking through again are high. Rook lets go of his wrist once he’s on stable footing and turns back to the door. She knocks on the door three times, before calling out.

“Hope County Sheriff’s department, we got a call, just here to make sure everything’s okay.”

There’s no response, of course they’re in no rush to open the door for police. A beat of silence  and then something breaks from inside the home, like glass crashing to the ground.

“You ever deal with them before?” Rook asks as she tries to open the door, but it’s locked.

“Plenty, he always has to be taken kicking and screaming. ”  

“Is he dangerous?” She’s slid a pick into the door lock, twisting and turning it. Why the hell does she know how to pick locks?

“Only to his wife, every time I’ve dealt with him, he’s no worse than a drunk toddler.”

“Hmm,” she nods in understanding, “go around back and see if there’s a back door or something, we can’t take anyone out this way. I’ll head in.”

“Since when do you give the orders, probie?”

“Pratt,” she says his name like a warning, just as the door clicks open. She’s right and he Staci knows that, but that doesn’t mean he has to like being bossed around by the probie he’s supposed to be teaching the ropes.

He waves her off and goes walking around the house, all this trouble and splinters in his shin over some damn drunk who should have been locked away years ago. There’s a set of concrete stairs up to the backdoor, not attached, but sturdier than forty-year-old rotted wood. He shakes the backdoor and finds it’s locked, because of course it is.

Staci slams his shoulder against the door as he hard as he can, putting all of his weight into it. The lock and frame give out from the force, a boom and splintering sound ringing out.

“Fuck!”

It’s Rook’s voice, no mistaking it, a groan of pain punctuating the curse. Staci’s blood runs cold and he runs into the house; feet hitting the floor in heavy thuds as he runs to where he heard the sound. Nearly tripping over himself as he enters the living room.

Adrenaline coursing through him, Staci recognizes two figures instantly as he enters. Ben Ramsey standing over a curled up figure dressed in the familiar green of their uniform, blood is on the carpet, soaking it through.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! What’d he do? What did that son of bitch do to her?

From his angle, Ben’s back to him, Pratt can’t make out anything other than her fallen body. He can’t tell if she’s breathing, if she’s moving, where the blood is coming from, if she’s even alive.

Words stick in his throat and his mind only spins curses, his hand pauses, body frozen. Only a moment in reality, but in eternity to Staci; just enough time for the old drunk to pull his leg back and slam a boot into the young deputy on the ground. A sickening crack and curse from the young woman.

And for the first in his career, Staci pulls his gun out. It may be too quick of a move and maybe in the hours after he’ll think of how he should have gone for the baton or taser, but his hand is on his gun. Pointed at another human being. There’s a shake to his hands.

“Ben Ramsey, you’re under, under arrest! Put your hands up!” His words stall for a moment and he curses himself for the way fear seeps into his voice at the worst times.

“Fuck you-“

His words are cut off by a yell, Ben’s body convulsing for a second before he hits the ground with a heavy thud. Rook taser in hand moving as it happens, quickly cuffing him, and Staci can breathe again. He’s not going back to the station alone. The side of her head is stained with blood, hair matted in it, her left eye shut and that half of her face red. Her nose and lip are busted open, blood streaking down her chin.  She’s hurt, but she’s alive. His head is swimming, drops his grip on his weapon, his shoulder aching and making him realize just how tense he was. He’s not even certain his finger was on the trigger, he realizes as he holsters the thankfully unused gun.  Her lips move over and over again, but the words don’t cut through the fog of his brain until another moment passes.

“Pratt, radio backup, now!” Her hands are on the man’s cuffed wrists, keeping him in place on the ground, subdued for the moment as the man’s thankfully still dazed from the shock.

He’s hesitated, his delay to grab his radio no doubt wasting precious seconds. Why does he always fucking hesitate? He’s tripping over his words as he talks, because of course he is.

“Officer Pratt, we need backup and, and emergency services to the Ramsey house, immediately. Officer injured, suspect is belligra-belligerent and dangerous.”

“Suspect’s wife is injured as well.”

There’s more than three people in the room, Julie Ramsey curled up in a ball beside the couch, sobbing desperately at the entire scene. He didn’t even notice, fuck, he fucking hell.  He gives the exact address and gets confirmation that someone is coming.  Staci crouches down, closer to Rook’s level where she’s kneeling next to the suspect, he’s able to get a better look at Rook’s injury. He can smell beer, both from the suspect and from her head, shards of brown glass clinging to the blood-soaked skin. He bashed a beer bottle over her head, then kicked her in the face while she was down.

He needs to get something to hold against her head, to help stop the bleeding. Staci’s starts to move to get his overshirt off, thinking it’d be better than nothing, but then sirens screech at them. Police officers for the station and EMTS coming through the house. It’s going to be okay.

No thanks to him. He did nothing. He wants to pull his hair out, scream at himself, why the hell is he this fucking pathetic?

Ben Ramsey is arrested and charged, taken to one of the officer’s police car. Meanwhile Julie and Rook are assessed before being taken to the back of ambulance. Staci follows them, moving on instinct to follow and make sure Rook is okay.

He doesn’t speak the entire way, just grateful to be allowed in the ambulance, he listens as they access her. Lacerations, contusions, possible skull fracture; the words swim around his head as they look her over in the ambulance. He watches as the EMT forces Rook’s left eye open, seeing why it’s been shut, blood vessels damaged across part of the white, red irritation in the other half that goes into the brown, blurring the edge of the iris.

Ideas of her losing vision in that eye flood through his mind, how severe is the damage, could it impact her career? Is she going to be out of here before she’s even finished probationary hire? He was supposed to be looking out for her.

He sits outside her room at the Hope County Clinic, privacy or some sort of doctor crap, he can barely even remember the rest of the ride there. His back against the wall as he sits on the floor, ringing his hands, mind racing through a million possibilities. 

“What the hell happened?” Whitehorse’s voice is what ends the frenetic mess in his head, if only for a second. The presence of the sheriff easing some of his nerves, knowing the older man will be able to handle this, whatever the situation may be.

He scrambles to his feet and explains everything that happened; from the porch falling in, him pulling his weapon but not firing, and an injured Rook having to subdue the suspect. Each word of it making him feel just a bit more pathetic, a bit weaker, he really fucked this up.

Whitehorse squeezes his shoulder, a warm heavy hand to comfort him.

“It’s okay, Pratt. Everything is gonna be fine, Rook’s made of tougher stuff than this.”

He sighs, unsure of how he feels by the statement. It’s meant to comfort him, and it does some part of him. He wants Rook to be okay, fuck does he need her to be okay.  But, Whitehorse’s unwavering faith in her strength, makes him feel all the more pathetic in comparison.

The hospital room door opens, a doctor walking out, looking over at Whitehorse and Staci.

“You can come in now, if you’d like.”

Staci follows behind Whitehorse as they walk into the little clinic room, off white walls and floors greeting them. Rook’s sitting on the side of the white sheeted bed; seeing her cleaned up and moving is instant relief for Staci’s frayed nerves. Her face is bruised, her eye still messed up, but she’s no longer painted red with her own blood. His hands twitch, he realizes he wants to hug her, to pull her close and feel that she’s truly okay. But he can’t find the nerve to do it, unsure of how the young woman would react. 

“So, what’re you dealing with?” Whitehorse asks her and she sighs. 

“Needed some stitches, some glass scratched my cornea so vision in this eye is gonna be a little blurry, but it will heal. Minor skull fracture.” 

“Skull fracture?” Staci can’t help but blurt out, that’s  bad, isn’t it? Skulls are kind of important, being the thing that protects your brain. Why the hell is she just shrugging it off?

“It’s not bad, they don’t do anything for it. My head is gonna hurt like hell for a bit,” she shrugs, “if spinal fluid starts coming out my ears and nose, call 911, though I think that’s the rule for everyone.” 

“Alright,” Whitehorse speaks up, “there’s gonna be some paperwork to take care of with your injury and your time off.” 

“I’m not taking time off.” She’s emphatic, shaking her head like the sheriff is ridiculous to even suggest something like that. 

“I’m not sending you out like this, Rookie, you need to worry about healing up.” 

“You want me to take time off, during my probationary hire, that’s ridiculous.” 

“Don’t stress, it’s not going to affect anything, just take two weeks off-” 

“One week, max.” 

“Fine, one week," Whitehorse gives him with a hefty sigh, "just take it easy. And actually take it easy, not doing anything to hurt yourself in the meantime.” 

“Pfff,” she huffs out a breath and rolls her eyes, hopping up from the bed. 

“We’ll go back to the station and take care of the paperwork.” 

Whitehorse puts a hand on Staci’s back; the other on Rook’s as he walks them out the door. Staci feels exhausted as he gets into Whitehorse’s truck with them, someone having taken the cruiser back to the station for them. His body slackening into dead weight as he leans against the door; his nerves are shot to hell and back, he just wants to collapse after everything. She’s okay and that’s what matters most; his own insecurities be damned. 

They arrive at the station; since it’s regarding just her injury and leave, Staci isn’t needed for the paperwork on this one. He instead waits outside, he’s not sure why, but he doesn’t feel ready to just go home yet. It’s after shift and usually he’d be at The Spread Eagle by now, sipping cheap beer and shooting the shit with Joey. 

Speak of the devil, the older  deputy is coming down the hall, nearly jogging towards him. And he’s wondering if she’s felt the way he did when he heard something happened to Danny, before they told him about the former deputy’s death. That anxiety of knowing something is wrong but not knowing the details, fear building ideas of what could have happened. 

“What the hell is going on?” 

“Rook got hurt, she’s gonna be okay, but, uh, Whitehorse is giving her the week off.” 

“Thank god,” Joey lets out a sigh of relief, tension noticeably leaving her body, “I thought, jesus, I don’t know what I thought.” 

“Yeah, uh, been a rough day…” 

“How you holding up?” 

“I fucking choked, Joey. The asshole was trying to kick her damn brains in and I choked.” 

“You can’t blame yourself,” she tells him, a faraway look in her eye, “I get it, I do, but you can’t blame anyone but the asshole who hurt her.” 

“It's not just that…” He sighs; is he really going to have this conversation? It feels so damn pathetic. 

“So, what is it?” 

“I...don’t worry about it.” 

“Well, I’m certainly not gonna complain about skipping the feely talks. But, uh, for what it’s worth, hindsight is twenty-twenty. Beating yourself up over what you should have done, what you wish you’d have done, is pointless. You do your best in the moment and it’s all you can do.” 

“I guess…” 

“So...how this affect your little crush on Rook?” She asks after a beat of silence, trying to turn the conversation light-hearted.

“Ugh, don’t call it that. The only crush around here is Rook’s on you.” 

“Yeah, right. You got it bad and we both know it.”

“I might have asked her if she’s gay.”

“Seriously, Pratt?” 

“What,” he says halfway through a laugh, “she always follow you around like a puppy dog, I had to make sure I even had a chance.” 

“Well, do you?” 

“Maybe…if she stops crushing on you.” 

“Eh, that’s nothing, she’ll be over it before you know it.” 

“What makes you so sure?” 

“The only reason she’s like that with me is ‘cause she thinks I’m pretty, it’s completely superficial, like a little kid.”

“Well, do me a favor and stop being pretty?” 

“No can do, you just gotta sack up and ask her out.” 

“‘Cause the F.A.N.G Center went so well.” 

“Okay, so ask her out and this time, be specific and talk slow.” 

“She’s oblivious, not brain damaged.” 

“Ehhh, debatable.” 

He thinks for a moment, he likes Rook, he does. She’s cute and spending time with her is nice; being able to tease each other has made his job way less mind numbing. Relationships that go beyond the bedroom have never been his forte; it’s honestly been a while since he’s been on an actual date. But, he thinks it could be nice with her. There’s no telling if they’d actually click romantically, that’s not something you find out until you try it. It could be worth a shot. 

But he thinks about today and thinks about the future for a moment, something he’s not fond of doing. Rook is still on probationary hire; who’s to say she’ll be here after the six month period. He doubts Whitehorse will get rid of her, maybe due to her age, he handles her with kid gloves and he’s always been a bit soft as far as sheriffs go anyway. But,  it’s always a possibility if she crosses too big of a line or does something unforgivable. 

Hell, she might decide she wants to leave, might realize Hope County is just not the place for her and head back to Louisiana. 

 At the moment he just likes her, nothing intense, nothing he can’t deal with losing. If he found out tomorrow she was fired and leaving, he’d be bummed sure, but he’d recover relatively quickly. But if they started dating, if it worked out and one date led to another. If they hit it off, meshed as well as he thinks they could and that ‘like’ grew into something more and then she had to leave... 

“Once her probationary hire is over, I’ll do it,” he says out loud, committing himself to the action in front of Joey. Once that threshold has been crossed, once he has a little more reassurance that he can pursue Rook without fear of her leaving, he’ll go for it. 

“You sure you can hold out that long?” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“You tell me, Mister asked her out on the first day.” 

“Shut up.” 

Dahlia signs the last of the paperwork, her hand cramping, all of this fuss because someone hit her with a beer bottle. She’s still sick from the idea of having to take off a week, better than two, but she’d rather just do her job. So, her vision in one eye is a little blurry and her head hurts like crazy, big deal. 

“There’s something else to address.” 

“What’s that?” She raises an eyebrow at Whitehorse, let her out of paperwork hell, please. 

“It’s up to you if you want us to press charges against him for assaulting you.” 

“Oh.” 

“If it matters, we’ve dealt with Ben a lot, he’s been beating his wife black and blue for years. But, she’s never willing to press charges and nothing’s been severe enough to bring him up on charges from the state.”

“Let’s do it, then.” She’s not sure how much it will help, without counseling and after care, who knows if the cycle can break. But, if she can get the guy put away, it will at least give her a chance to get out without fear of repercussions. 

There’s some more paperwork associated with that, filling out a statement and the like. But, that’s more than worth it. She finishes it up and is massaging her hand to help alleviate the muscles that are cramping in distress. 

“Also-”

“If I have to sign one more piece of paper, I’m gonna kill you.” She cuts him off and earns a chuckle in response. 

“No, I just wanted to tell you, hell of a job, today.” 

“All I did was get beat up.” 

“You were in a high stress situation and you resolved it as best you could, you subdued him without deadly force, and showed you know how to handle yourself.”

“The standards are low, aren’t they?” 

“You did good, be proud of yourself for a moment,” he tells her, squeezing her shoulder as he passes by.  Her heart warms at the gesture, he thinks she did good. Despite being stuck taking a week off, he still thinks she did well. 

Hands in her pockets, she’s grinning as she leaves the office, Hudson and Pratt are just outside; talking about who knows what. They’re usually off drinking right now, but he seemed freaked out about her injury, maybe he’s trying to make sure she’s okay. She’d appreciate it if that were the case. 

“Hey, Rook,” Hudson greets her, bright smile, and Dahlia gives a small nod of her head. Unable to force words out of her throat. 

“Everything taken care of?” 

“Yeah...guess I’ll get to see you guys in a week,” she grumbles, still upset about it. 

“Hey,” Hudson stops her before she can leave, “why don’t you come out to The Spread Eagle with us?” 

“You know I can’t drink, right?” 

“They serve water and pop,” Hudson says, shrugging. 

“Um, okay…”  Dahlia scratches sheepishly at the back of her neck, she gets to go out with them, her heart is warm. Between Whitehorse’s praise and being invited out with the other deputies, this is a pretty good night. 

“Is that why you weren’t tagging along with us?” Pratt asks as they start to head towards the door. 

“I didn’t know you wanted me to tag along…” 

“Oh my god, you awkward little disaster.” Pratt ruffles her hair as he insults her and she playfully smacks his side, happy to see him joking around again. 

The neon sign of The Spread Eagle flickers above Dahlia’s head as they walk to the old bar. It’s cheesy and ridiculous the logo of a scantily clad woman with she assumes eagle wings.

 “So, I'm gonna live my life like it's my last damn night.”

“Cause when the clock strikes twelve, we're all gonna go to hell”

 The jukebox and lowlight greet them, people spread around drinking at the bar and cozied up over the wooden tables. A little stage in the corner for those nights when they have live music. Behind the bar, Mary May works away at getting people their drinks, honey blonde hair tied up in a bun and her flannel’s sleeves pushed up to her elbows. A window behind her shows a glimmer of the kitchen, an older man with dark hair slaving over the orders.

“You’re late,” Mary May teases Hudson and Pratt as the deputies all grab seats at the bar, Dahlia between the two of them.  

She’s never sat at a bar before and something about it feels decidedly mature to the young officer. That is until she can barely climb up there and unlike her two coworkers, her legs aren’t long enough for her feet to comfortable rest on the ground or even part of the stool. Her legs left to swing like a child’s.

“You can blame the probie for that one.” 

“I’m sorry, I’ll try not to get my ass kicked in the future.” 

“You finally gonna get your round of free drinks, hero?” Mary May asks her, a slight smile on her face and dear god, why must the women in this county be so pretty? The apples of Dahlia’s cheeks are growing warm. 

“‘Fraid I can’t, still got a year before that’s legal,” she says, never mind if it’s maybe a bit closer to a year and three months. 

“Well, a free meal it is then.” 

“No, no, I can’t do that,” She quickly dismisses the idea, local businesses tend to need every dime they can get, she’s not letting Mary May cut herself short just because Dahlia did her job. 

“Seriously, if it weren’t for you, I’d be shut down for the month, it is the least I can do.” 

“Give it up, Rook, she’s not gonna budge,” Pratt tells her. 

“She’s stubborn as a mule,” Hudson warns. 

“You heard them, cowboy, your money’s no good here.” The cowboy nickname is a new one, but Dahlia doesn’t mind it, or the way it makes her smile. 

“Fine, free meal, but I’m tipping.” 

“Okay, okay, I can work with that.” 

Hudson and Pratt get cheap weak beers and Dahlia gets a pop as they look over the food options. Everything makes her stomach growl; desperate for something more than convenience store food or microwave meals. There’s a sign below the window into the kitchen, saying they deliver, she wonders if the trailer park is too far away for it.

She decides to try something she’s never eaten before, a burger with huckleberry barbecue sauce, never having heard of the condiment before. Orders in, she can’t help but look around the room, taking in the decorations. Newspaper clippings beneath a neon blinking sign for Lease Lager, a little flag for Hope County Cougars, and a smaller flyer advertising something she’s seen billboards for all over; the Testicle Festival, advertised with a little screaming cartoon bull.

“The fuck is a Testicle Festival?”

“Pffff,” Pratt laughs and chokes on his beer, pulling it away and licking the beer away from his lips. Hudson cracks a big grin, pressing a hand to her mouth to hold back chuckles.

“I mean, it’s basically exactly what you sound like,” the older woman says, shrugging her shoulders.

“People get together and eat bull balls,” Pratt adds.

“Willingly?”

They both laugh as Dahlia looks at them wide eyed, that’s so fucking gross, why the fuck would someone eat that? She’s never been one to turn her nose up at any meal, but that so disgusting, her stomach churning at the very idea.

“Yeah, it’s a thing, I, don’t know what to tell you.”

“Montana is gross…”

“Oh, shut up, I’m sure they eat gross shit in Louisiana too.”

“Not really,” she shakes her head at Pratt, trying to think of the weirdest food she’s ate, well weird to them, “I mean, I’ve had alligator before.”

“You’ve ate alligator?”

“Yeah.”

“And you don’t think that’s weird?”

“I didn’t eat it’s balls!”

They cackle and laugh at her outburst, she’s joining along before she knows it, face flushing as she cracks up. She barely can remember the ache in her head or the blur in her vision, the more painful moments of the day forgotten as she loses herself in dumb banter and jokes. The burger is incredible, she’d lick the plate clean if she wasn’t in public. Hell, that fact is barely holding her back. She’s not sure how many colas she’s drank her way through, but at some point, her bladder is screaming at her.

“Let me guess, you gotta piss,” Pratt taunts her, reminding her of their little bickering match this evening, she’s an adult she’s allowed to piss.

“Fuck off.” She grabs a grimy fry off the ground andt she drops it down into his beer as she walks by.

She uses the bathroom and washes her hands, catching her reflection in the bathroom mirror as she does so. It’s the first time she’s got a proper look at herself since she was beat up. Stitches over the laceration under her eye, the skin bruised, the white of her eye purple with busted blood vessel with the brown of her eye blurring into it. An absolute mess and she grins.

There’s something fulfilling about getting in a fight, not starting but, making it through one.  Having the marks to show it, knowing she held her own. Whether it was fights in school or when she’d fight back against her step-father, no matter how it ended up, she’d feel proud of herself. Whether because she fought back or simply because she survived. The aftermath was nothing more than a badge of honor marking what she went through. She’d take a thousand more stitches and bruises over the week off, if she’s being completely honest. Dahlia leaves the bathroom once her hands dry, shoving them in her pocket as she goes.

Oooh, oooh, ooh~

If I told you a lie, you could smile, my love.

You’d never understand.

The jukebox hums and Dahlia finds her eyes looking around the room, taking in the faces of the patrons. A shift of a door and the step of boots draws her eyes towards the door. Her breath catches in her throat, what the hell is a Seed doing here?

John Seed, the youngest of the brothers, is walking through the door. All of the siblings make her uncomfortable in some fashion, largely to do with their religiosity, but then they each have their own unique brand of unsettling. John reminds her of a sleazy car salesman, too sharp smiles that don’t reach his eyes. Even when he shook her hand at the church, something about him felt off, like he’s wearing a mask but she can’t quite tell what’s under it.

If I told you a tale, you’d cry, my love.

You’d never hold my hand.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Mary May yells over the bar, when she sees him.

There’s a glimmer of something in his eyes when he looks at her, not unlike a cat finding a mouse to tear apart.  He strides to the bar with purposeful steps and he smirks, but unlike those salesman smiles, it reaches his eyes.

“I just thought I’d check in,” his eyes lazily scan the room, looking at the beer bottles and glasses of whiskey in patron’s hands, “do we really need to have this conversation again?”  

“It’s a bar, the hell you expect me to serve?”

“I expect,” John puts his hand on the bar with a sharp sound, “you to listen to reason and start to understand your position.”

“Is something wrong?” Dahlia’s question escapes her without another thought, everything about John’s body language putting her on edge. 

When it all bleeds out, you don’t know.”

When it all bleeds out.

John’s eyes leave Mary May and land on Dahlia, those piercing blue eyes cutting through to her core. He looks her up and down, as if she’s the mouse now. But she doesn’t shrink away or avoid his gaze, unwilling to show any signs of backing down in the face of his intensity. 

Wake up, little man.

Don’t you break her heart. 

“Dep-yoo-tee,” John speaks in a low drawn out way, emphasizing every syllable with the slow drag of his gaze on her.

“Stay out of it, Rook,” Pratt warns her as she walks past him and Hudson at the bar. She shakes her head and rolls her eyes, why the fuck would she stay out of it? Supposedly, John already tried to get members of Eden’s Gate to steal Mary May’s alcohol shipment and now he’s showing up to push her around; fuck that shit.

“What the hell is going on here?”

Oh c’mon, little man.

Don’t you fall apart. 

“I was just trying to have a little talk with Mary May, though she’s never been one for civility. More importantly, what happened here?”

He reaches out towards her face and she flinches out of reflex, John’s fingers grazing her bruised cheek before she smacks his hand away. Not sharp enough to truly hurt, but enough to force him away.

When the devil’s got you, but only by the hand. 

“Hazard of the job and, please, don’t touch me.”

John’s eyebrows furrow, eyes growing dark and face scrunching for a moment in anger before he forces a soft smile. It doesn’t touch the stormy look in his eyes; another little mask hiding whatever’s lurking beneath the surface.

Let go, little man.

Let go, little man.

“Ah, you poor thing, you” his voice deepens with concern, but it feels more like pity. He fidgets with his sleeves and lets out a sigh, irritation seeping through the false concern. She has to resist the urge to smile, something satisfying in seeing his true emotions bubbling up.

“It is what it is, are you done with your ‘little talk’ now?”

His nostrils flare and he bites his lip, it feels like poking a bear, but she’s having fun with it. He gives another fake smile and she wants to wipe it off his face.

“With Mary May, yes, but I was hoping to speak with you more. Though,” he looks around, “this is hardly an ideal setting. Have you given any more thought to tomorrow?”

“Like, I said before, I have to work,” she says the white lie and dismisses him with a shrug, hopeful it will appease the Gucci wearing gremlin in front of her.

“You know, it’s not often The Father goes to the trouble of inviting someone himself,” he tells her, as if it’s meant to entice her. Instead the title ‘The Father’ just makes her skin crawl, not unlike the title her step-father took on with his own church. As if she needed more reasons to avoid these people.

“What are you talking about, Rook? You got a week off for your injury, remember?”  Pratt pipes up and Dahlia’s blood runs cold, why the fuck would he do that to her? Why would he do that? John’s eyes go bright and a sly smile stretches across his face.

“Wonderful, I’ll see you there, dep-yoo-ty, service begins at nine in the morning.” John gives her arm a hard squeeze before he leaves, Dahlia’s skin crawling beneath his touch. Empty air where he once was within the next moment.

Yeah, I vow to the moon, yeah, I howl at the wind.

I’m bleeding and I can’t stay clean.

 She’s expected to come to the service, dear god. The air is punched out of her lungs. Even being outside of a church put her nerves on edge, she’s not sure if she could step foot in one without getting sick.  She moves behind Pratt and puts her hand on his shoulders.

“Hey, Rook, what are you-uuck-” Pratt’s words cut off as she moves and wraps her hands on either side around his throat. Not hard enough to genuinely hurt him, but enough to feel it as she shakes him and pretends to wring his neck .

“Why the fuck would you do that?!”

“It was funny,” he defends himself when she lets go and throws herself onto her chair, bringing one foot up into the seat as she leans back. Her body going slack with exasperation, she’s seriously going to have to go church?

“I fucking hate you, I actually fucking hate you.”

“God, you’re dramatic. It’s church, not like I volunteered you for a root canal.”

“I’d rather have the root canal.” She tosses her head back with a sigh, staring at the ceiling. Pratt doesn’t know her issue with religion, she knows that, so she can’t truly be angry at him. But, fuck, would it have killed him to keep his mouth shut?

“Well, I think I should probably get out of here before Rook kills me,” Pratt says as he pays for his meal and drink, standing up from his seat.

“I’m gonna head home too,” Hudson stands up and ruffles Dahlia’s hair, “cheer up, Rookie.”

Dahlia doesn’t even have the energy to get worked up about Hudson’s touch, peacefully letting the casual touch come and go with a mere blush. Then the two have left and Dahlia is trying to gather the energy to get up, with the looming reality that she’s expected to go to church in the morning, she no longer wants this night to end.

“Deputy,” Mary May says after a moment, baby blues watching Dahlia sigh and rub a hand down her face.

“Hmm?” Dahlia straightens her posture enough to look at Mary May properly, realizing how somber the bartender’s expression and posture really is. The blonde chews her lip, looking away, visibly searching for her words.

“Eden’s Gate has been in this county for a long time, hell, I was in high school when they moved in on us. They started buying places out left and right, they own half the damn county, now.”

“They have that much money?” Dahlia can’t help but ask, aren’t churches relatively low profit ventures, assuming you aren’t selling snake oil or asking people to donate money for Jesus.

“Got that much money, that much power, and they know how to twist the law to suit their needs. They want the entire county and everyone in it under their thumb…”

Her knuckles whiten as she grips the edge of the bar, a far away look in her soft blue eyes. Dahlia puts her hand over Mary May’s, hoping the warmth of her touch can help ease the sting, even if she’s not sure what’s hurting the blonde. It’s enough in the moment, it seems, Mary May looking up at her and giving a soft smile, speaking again after a beat of silence.

“You’re one of the few people around here who’s not rolling over and letting them do whatever the hell they want. I don’t wanna see that change. Just do me a favor, don’t drink the Kool-Aid.”

“Look at me,” Dahlia looks directly into Mary May’s eyes, “I’d rather play jump rope with my own intestines than join a church.”

“Good.”

Mary May is satisfied with that answer, smiling as she’s called away to get someone else a drink. Dahlia’s not sure what the history is there with her and John, but clearly something has happened. Other than the Eden’s Gate members stealing alcohol and Lonny’s asshole behavior, there’s not conclusive evidence that they’ve done anything more than petty theft. John’s opinion on Mary May selling alcohol, supporting that he might ask them to do that. Otherwise, anything else is just bad feelings and hearsay. She wants to trust they’re good people, just staunch in their beliefs and a little strange, always wanting the believe the best of people. But, she’s going to be sure to keep an ear to the ground and stay wary of them, knowing she’s apparently not the only one concerned about their shit.

Dahlia shakes her head and gets out her wallet, getting out enough for the meal and then some, calling it all a tip for the sake of getting past Mary May’s generosity. She puts it down on the bar under her plate, letting the bartender know she’s taking off for the night.

The night air chills her skin as she leaves the bar before she’s caught. She pulls a cigarette out as she loiters outside the bar, leaning back against the building’s porch. Dahlia takes a deep inhale looking off into the distance.

Even in the valley, the statue of Joseph Seed is looming in the distance, the tallest thing in the entire county. There must be light around it, setting the statue aglow at night. She lets out the smoke in her lungs as she’s reminded of the real man. It wasn’t long ago she could barely believe he was a real living person. The statue makes him seem too large, too imposing, too important to be tangible. Meeting him and his family still feels like a fever dream.

Faith is like a living fairy, floating along in a white dress with flowers in her hair. An ethereal being with long dirty blonde hair and bright green eyes. Dahlia’s dream or perhaps exhaustion induced hallucinations of chasing after her still making the woman feel like a specter.

John feels like someone pretending to be human or maybe it’s just how out of place he seems in the rustic little county.  Dark slicked back hair, designer shades always on top of his head, silk shirts, and tailored vests; he looks like a Ken doll someone drew tattoos on.

The brother who didn’t bother to offer his name cuts possibly the most intimidating figure of them. He seemed larger than life. At least six foot six and wider than a door, dressed in army attire with his ginger hair shaved at the sides. The man could snap her spine in half if he had a half a mind to.

Then there’s Joseph, The Father, goosebumps raise on her skin when she thinks of his title. It’s bias, projections of her trauma that bring up those gross feelings when in reality he’s done nothing to her. His statue is true to his likeness in some ways, dark hair pulled back in a small bun and the full beard that seems standard for all men in Eden’s Gate. But at the end of it all, the statue is a composed sterilized version of the intense man who stood in front of her. The concrete can’t capture the intensity of his blue eyes, the way they cut through her, the way his choice of sunglasses turn them green. His unblinking stare as he stood out in the cold of night, shirtless with ink and scars marring his skin, sweat still sticking to him and strands of hair falling into his face.

But despite the wild appearance, he spoke calmly, he spoke deliberately and with devotion. He’s intense and he’s all encompassing, everything about him is too much, from his stare to the way his touch lingered for a moment more than it should have. His presences like a raging fire that can’t be ignored. 

She has no real reason to dislike him, he’s done nothing cruel, he hasn’t wronged her. But every fiber of her being screams at her to stay away, that he’s everything she doesn’t want near her. A forest fire that her body is urging her to run away, lest she be burned to ashes.

It may be paranoia and experience perverting her feelings; and it may be gut instinct trying to save her.  

But regardless, it seems she’ll be burned alive come morning.

[western-writer]

Friendship on the Rocks

Fandom: Far Cry 5

Warnings: small angst, language

A/n: I know I've been MIA, but I've been writing this so here you go!!! Enjoy! I missed writing so much! I didn't edit this so if you find a mistake feel free to tell me and I'll fix it.

Summary: Staci finds out about Jacob and Braeden's relationship and it doesn't go well at first.

Staci wasn't an idiot. He caught all the flirtatious remarks shared between Braeden and Jacob through the radio. He saw how Jacob's mouth curved into that slight smile when Braeden said something sarcastic back to him, taunting him exactly as he does to her.

No, he thought. Braeden would never do that to me. She would never have a relationship with that man.

He couldn't believe it. He wouldn't. He refused.

That is, until he saw them.

How Braeden managed to get into Jacob's office with no one noticing was beyond Staci, but she did it. There they were, Braeden sat on the desk and Jacob standing over her. His hands are on her hips, lips pressed to the side of her neck and Braeden giggles.

The intense feeling of betrayal surged through his body at the sight, hitting him like a freight train. The sudden rush of anger and pain made him dizzy.

Braeden then realized Staci was watching them and her eyes went wide, pushing Jacob away from her. Staci began to retreat, eyes focused on her as he did so.

"Staci, wait!" Braeden called after him as he turned away and disappeared. She cussed under her breath harshly, jumping off the table and going to the doorway.

She didn't understand how he was able to disappear so quickly, but he did. She glanced around outside the office and he was nowhere to be found.

"Goddammit," she cursed under her breath. Braeden turned back to face Jacob.

Jacob stared at her quizzically as she began to pace around. He has never seen her like this: panicked.

Through all the time Jacob as known the Junior Deputy, she's held a facade of calm and collected, never letting the enemy see the true fear underneath. Of course, Jacob understands the weight of Staci's discovery. He's not an idiot, he knows exactly how close the two of them are and that this could destroy their friendship.

"I need to find him, Jake," she says frantically in a hushed tone. "I need to talk to him. I need to talk to him before this destroys us..."

The panic in her face is a bit startling.

Jacob took the initiative from her and made an announcement over the intercome. Braeden watched his lips move as he talked and within minutes the Vet's Center was cleared of all Peggies.

"Go," Jacob spoke to her. "Go find him."

Braeden exhaled harshly and nodded, turning on her heel and taking off through St. Francis. She ran up and down every hallway, through every room, but he was nowhere to he found.

"C'mon, Staci, where the hell are you..." Braeden mutters to herself.

The Vet's Center is empty, abandoned. Jacob's announcement made them clear out and clear out fast. It's... peaceful. Or, at least, it would be if it weren't for Braeden's friendship on the line right now.

She searched for what felt like forever and had scoured the whole building. As a last resort, Braeden went outside and found Staci sitting alone on a bench, away from the prisoners. Her face fell a bit when she saw him, a look of heartbreak plastered on his face.

You did this. The voice in her head hisses. You ruined everything. You always ruin everything.

Braeden shakes her head and approaches him cautiously, unsure of how to start this conversation.

"Staci...?" she whispers faintly. "Can... can we talk?"

"About what?" he growls quietly. If Braeden hadn't known him the way she did she would've taken his tone as anger, but she knew him too well. Staci had a habit of making his anguish as anger and that was exactly what he was doing right now. "There's nothing to talk about, Rook."

Rook. Braeden thought resentfully. He never calls you that. Never.

"I wanna talk about what you just saw."

Staci's eyes finally wander up to meet her own and they're bloodshot: bright red with the veins more noticeable than usual.

"What I saw, you mean whatever the hell it is you have going on with Jacob? He's a monster, Rook, not to mention being twice your age! He supports that psychotic brother of his, who, seeings as it seems like you've forgotten, has people kidnapped and brainwashed."

"I know..." Braeden mutters, taking a seat next to him. "I just... there's no excuse. I know that..."

"Then why the fuck are you still doing it!? You can't really believe that he cares about you, can you!?"

Braeden thought a moment. "I... I don't know what I think and I really don't care. It just-something between us changed, Staci."

Staci stared at her, prompting her to keep talking.

"I don't even know how it happened. I just went away for a couple days. I needed to get away from all this cult shit and Jacob had the same idea. We ended up going to the same spot and after some distrustful banter we decided on a truce, just for those days, for that time. And we talked. I saw him in a new light, Staci. I stopped seeing him as this being that's untouchable and started seeing him as a human."

"So you two spend a couple days together and you suddenly forget your job and your obligation to this county? Whitehorse made a mistake on bringing you on, Rook. You made a promise when you put that badge on and took on the title as Junior Deputy and you failed. Putting your own selfish desires above everything else."

"Oh, I'm selfish!? For months I have put myself through the wringer trying to save this county, trying to save you and Hudson. Maybe I'm tired of being 'The Deputy' all the damn time, Staci. Why's it up to me alone to save this whole fucking county!? It isn't fair! I'm just one person!"

"News flash, Rook! Life isn't fair!" Staci is on his feet now, yelling in her face. "Your job comes first! You do not get to go running around with the bad guy! And as for me and Hudson, voice done shitty job at helping us."

"That isn't fair. I've been trying to convince Jacob to let you go. I've been trying to get you out and I've been trying to figure out how the hell to get Hudson out too! I'm only one person! Who the hell are you to tell me what I can and what I can't do, Pratt!?" Braeden is on her feet now too. "When I'm with Jacob, the crushing weight of the lives of a l whole county disappears. I don't have to worry about being shot, beat, taken, drowned, or drugged! How is it fair to leave the fate of Hope County to me and me alone!? For just a little while there are no Peggies or cult. I can just be Braeden with out the 'Deputy' title attached to my name."

"So just because you wanna take a vacation means that the whole county gets to suffer and it excused all of Jacob's actions."

"No, it doesn't, but look around Pratt. When I'm with Jacob the county settles down more than when I'm out causing trouble. And face it, the Resistance is not completely innocent. They kill unproked and will kill Peggies that lack even a knife for protection. I have seen people attack unsuspecting Peggies while they're sleeping and they weren't even soldiers! Everything is not black and white when it comes to right and wrong, especially not now in the situation we're in."

"You're just saying that to make yourself feel better," Staci hisses. "Wait until the county finds out. You'll be exiled. You'll never be safe again as long as you're here and the moment this war is over, Whitehorse will make you hand in your badge and you'll be lucky if you're not thrown in jail for treason. Or dead. You're the biggest disappointment this department has ever seen. You're parents would be ashamed of you. I hope you're happy."

The words stung like boiling water on her skin.

"You can go to Hell," Braeden growled. "And to think that I actually felt bad because of whatever Jacob might have put you through. What a joke. If this county can't survive on their own, that's their problem. All they've done is rely on me to do the heavy lifting and I'm done. I quit. They can handle the cult themselves."

Staci couldn't believe what Braeden had just said. The county is doomed and he knows it. What did he just do...

The moment Braeden reentered Jacob's office, he could tell that it hadn't gone well. She nearly slammed the door behind her and huffed, leaning against it.

"How'd it go?" Jacob questions. Her eyes flicker up to him, a glossy, lost look on them.

"I just lost my best friend, Jacob."

"So, he didn't take it well?"

Braeden shoots him a look he's never seen. It's a warning. "Can you blame him...?" she mutters, shaking her head. "He... he called me a disappointment. Said I was selfish and that my parents would be ashamed of me. Told me that Whitehorse bringing me on was a mistake and that when this is all over I'll be lucky if he doesn't make me hand in my badge, if I make it out alive."

Jacob inhales sharply. Staci wasn't just angry, he was furious.

"I would've understood if it was about things between you and him... but he didn't even mention that once. He made it all about my obligations to the county, as if I'm some supernatural creature with supernatural abilities and not just a single person." She looks up finally and locks eyes with Jacob. "I quit the Resistance, Jacob."

"What...?" he breathes out.

"I quit the Resistance. They use me and I'm sick of it. Staci made me realize that. This doesn't mean I'm joining you, but I'm not fighting against you anymore. I'm neutral from here on out."

A slight smile flickers onto Jacob's face and he approaches Braeden, cupping her face in his hand and leaning down to kiss her forehead. This is a side of Jacob that Braeden has never seen before but she'd be lying if she said she didn't like it.

"He basically threatened me, Jacob."

"What?" Jacob snapped, straighten his back quickly and looking down at her.

"He told me to wait until they found out. I'd never be safe as long as I'm here. That I'll be exiled."

"I'll make sure that doesn't happen, even if it means you staying here with me. They won't get to you, I promise."

A few days later, Jacob takes Staci for a ride. Staci is apprehensive to get in the truck with him but does anyway. The ride is quiet and Staci is preparing for whatever may happen to him but is surprised when the truck comes to a stop and Jacob puts it in park. He looks over at him.

"Aboit half a mile up the road is one of the outposts Braeden took from me."

Staci furrows his brow, hand on the doorhandle. Is this some sort of trick...?

"W-what?"

"You heard me. Now get out of the truck before I change my mind."

"You're letting me go? Just like that?"

"Do you not wanna be let go or somethin'?"

"No, no! I wanna go, I'll just-" Staci cuts himself off and goes to get out of the truck, but Jacob catches his wrist.

"And if I ever find out that you threated Braeden again, your body will never be found."

"W-what...?" Staci stammers.

"She told me what you said to her." Jacob's voice is low. Dangerous. If he wasn't frightening before, he sure is now. "I'm lettin' you go for her. Not you." Jacob lets go of his wrist. Staci exits the truck quickly and just before Jacob started it again he calls out the window. "Remember, Peaches. I keep my promises."

And with that, Jacob drove away. Staci stood by the side of the road for a minute, watching the truck disappear before leaving himself.

"How did things go with Mary May?" Jacob asks as Braeden walks through the door. She looks up at him and down to her bruised fist.

"About as well as you could expect," Braeden answers.

"You're not welcome here anymore," Mary May spat at Braeden as she walked through the door to the Spread Eagle.

"Its a free country, Mary. I just wanna talk."

"There's nothin' to talk about, Deputy. You left the Resistance so you left us."

"At least I did something for the Resistance, Mary. I don't see you out there taking back outposts or getting drugged, kidnapped, and beaten every week."

Mary came around the counter, sticking a finger in her chest. "I'm not the one that put her own selfish needs above everyone else!"

"Here we go again with the selfish thing! All you've done is use me! I do the heavy lifting while you stay here in the safety of Fall's End. You didn't even look for me when I dissapeared for days on end. Maybe I'm being selfish but it's better than using someone!"

Without warning, Mary May pulled back and swung on Braeden fast. Braeden backed up and caught her wrist swiftly and knocked her down with one square punch.

"I feel for you, Mary. I'm sorry that you can't see that what you and most of the Resistance did was wrong. I came here to talk but you weren't ready so you know how to find me when you are ready."

"Sounds like an eventual day," Jacob remarks.

Braeden nods a bit and sits down, sighing. "I need to talk to Eli."

"What? Why?"

"I owe him an explanation. It's the least I could do. And I got some intel that Staci made it to the Wolf's Den. I wanna speak for myself before whatever bullshit he told them sets in..."

The mention of his name causes pang of guilt and sadness to hit her in the chest. She'd never admit it, but she misses him. She misses him a lot.

"Well," Jacob says, standing up. "I don't think it's a good idea, but I won't tell ya what to do." He goes to leave but Braeden calls after him.

"Hey, did you ever figure out how he escaped?"

Jacob responds with a mere handshake and disappears out of sight.

And so Braeden went to the Wolf's Den. Cautious at first in order to avoid being shot but able relaxes a bit after seeing that the Wolf's Den is mostly empty.

"Eli...?" Braeden calls out softly. "Are you here?"

"In here," Eli calls back. Braeden enters the Den and into the weaponry. Eli glances up at her and smiles softly, a pleasant surprise. "What's up, Deputy?"

"I assume you've heard about me and Jacob and my leaving the Resistance," she says, leaning against the doorframe.

"I have," Eli replies.

"You're not gonna... I dunno, cuss me out? Yell at me? Call me selfish?"

"I think you've got enough of that from everyone else."

"You're not... mad?"

"If I'm being honest, I was. I was furious. But then Deputy Pratt found his way here after Jacob let him go and told me everything that happened between you two." He sets down his bow he's cleaning and turns to face her. "It got me thinkin' that you're right. We placed too much responsibility on you. I don't necessarily approve, but I understand."

Jacob let Staci go...? Braeden wonders. Why did he tell me he escaped...?

Braeden sighs, relieved. "I've seen some awful shit, Eli. Stuff a person should never have to see."

Eli stares at her. "I was... I was leading a group to get supplies. There were a bunch of Peggies camping around it. Mothers and fathers. Children. They couldn't even fight back, Eli. They didn't even have weapons but they got massacred. It wasn't self defense. It was murder."

"That's horrible, Dep. I'm sorry you had to see that."

"Me too. I wish I could scrub the images from my head."

Eli stares at her for a second, crossing his arms. "Can I ask you somethin', Dep?"

"Sure, Eli."

"Whaddya see in Jacob...?"

Braeden laughs a little bit, crossing one leg over the other. "I was waiting for you to ask that." She looks at the floor and then back up at him. "I... I really don't know. It's just different with him. I'm not 'The Deputy' when I'm with him, not anymore. I'm just... Braeden. I never thought in a million years we would've ended up like this. When I saw him in that church..." her thought trails off and is cut off by Jacob's voice coming through her radio.

"I guess that's your cue to go," Eli says.

Braeden nods softly and turns, preparing to leave but turns back around and throws her arms around his shoulders. "Thank you, Eli. For everything."

With that, she disappeared out of the Wolf's Den and Eli sighed, content. As long as she's happy, the Resistance will survive.

Over the next few weeks, the war between the cult and the Resistance has come to a standstill. Members of each side no long go out of their way to harm each other. An effect of Braeden leaving the Resistance, maybe, no one's quite sure. What everyone can agree on, though, is that the standstill certainly isn't a bad thing.

Staci has seen what's been happening. He sees the seemingly peacefulness in the county. He can't help but wonder if Braeden's absence has caused this. Her being with Jacob no doubtly slows his operation, which in turn slows everything else down.

Or maybe it was intentional.

He doesn't know.

What he does know, though, is that he needs to talk to Braeden. It's been a month, at least. Jacob releasing him got him thinking and now he's thinking he was wrong the whole time.

He ruined the relationship with his best friend because he couldn't see things from her perspective. He doesn't know what she's gone through these last months. He doesn't know the things she's seen, how close she's come to death. All he cared about was him.

"Hey, Eli...?" Staci mutters.

Eli glances up at him from the camera screens. "What's up, Pratt?"

Staci sighs. "I think I fucked up..."

Eli turns his whole attention to Staci. "Braeden?"

"Yeah." Staci takes a deep breath. "I might've ruined our whole friendship and for what? Because I held her up to impossible standards? Because I couldn't realize that she's human like the rest of us?"

"Well, to be fair she did some pretty inhuman stuff. The fact that she was able to do so much against Eden's Gate by herself would make anyone forget she's human."

"I still was an asshole. And then Jacob released me and... I dunno."

"It made you rethink everything?"

Staci nods. "Yeah. Yeah, it did."

Eli sighs a bit. "You know, I used to work for Jacob before all this cult shit happened."

"You did?"

Eli chuckles. "Who do you think built all the cult shit?"

"Oh..."

"Anyway, I used to work for Jacob and we... we were friends. He wasn't... he wasn't a bad person. I still don't believe he's a bad person, he's just... misguided. They all are. They're misguided and doing misguided things."

"You call all of this misguided?"

"I mean, obviously it's not an excuse for their actions. They think they're doing the right thing, though."

Staci sighs again. "I need to talk to her... I need to apologize and make things right. I just dunno if she'll speak to me..."

Eli sighs and walks toward him, clamping a firm hand down on his shoulder. "I couldn't say I'd really blame her, but just try. Ask her to meet you. Something tells me she'll show up." With that, Eli walks away, leaving Staci with his thoughts.

Braeden walks into Jacob's office and is surprised to see the other three in there. All four of them stop talking and look at her and Braeden freezes.

"Oh shit," she mutters. "This isn't awkward at all..."

Joseph laughs a bit, motioning for her to enter further. "Come," he says.

"I mean... the last time I saw him " she points to John. "I had to throw myself down stairs to get to Hudson only for him to nearly bliss me out. And then everytime I see her she makes me go on the biggest drug trip I've ever had."

"Nice to see you too, Deputy," John states, his voice laced with sarcasm. Faith just smiles softly.

"Braeden. Just call me Braeden." She walks over and the chair and sits down.

"Where're you been?" Jacob asks.

"Needed to clear my head," Braeden responds distantly.

"Why?"

She looks up at him, arms crossed over her chest. "Staci. He called me on my radio and said he wanted to meet with me to talk."

"What? Why?"

"How am I supposed to know!?"

Jacob sighs, nodding. "Are you?"

"Gonna meet with him? I dunno. I kinda wanna hear what he has to say."

"If ya do, I'm goin' with."

"Fine. I don't care. I'm gonna go take a shower." Braeden stands up and walks toward the bathroom, stopping to kiss Jacob on the cheek. He watches her disappear before turning back to his siblings.

Together, Braeden and Jacob ventured to the meeting spot with Staci: Hawkeye Tunnel. They arrive first and wait and wait for what feels like forever until finally another truck pulls up and Staci steps out.

"Thank you for meeting me," Staci says quietly, coming to a stop a few feet in front of them. His eyes dart to Jacob briefly before settling back on Braeden.

"I wanted to hear what you have to say," Braeden responds. "I figured I owe you that."

"No, you don't owe me anything, but thank you anyway."

It's strange for Braeden to see him wearing something besides his uniform. Over these last few months that's all she's ever seen him wear.

Staci takes a deep breath that turns into a sigh. He crosses his arms and starts talking. "I want to apologize."

"You-what?" Braeden stumbles over her words.

"I... I was an asshole. I see that now. It wasn't fair for me to expect you to save the whole county. I never stopped to think about what it could be doing to you. Truth is, I just didn't want to see something bad happen to because of him," he glances at Jacob. "But then he let me go and it got me thinking that maybe... maybe I was wrong about you and him."

From the corner of her eye, Braeden watches Jacob tense up at the mention of him letting Staci go.

"Why did that make you change your mind?" Braeden questions, taking a few steps forward.

Staci looks at Jacob, then back to Braeden. "Because he showed me that he really cares about you and that's all I've ever wanted for you, Braeden. You're not only my coworker, but my best friend-my sister. And I don't want to see you hurt. But now I realize I was the only one hurting you."

Braeden smiles at him softly and closes the gap between them, throwing her arms around his shoulders and hugging him tightly. Surprised, but relieved, Staci hugs her back.

"That's all I wanted from you, Staci," Braeden whispers. "I couldn't understand why you never brought up being mad about us because of things between you and Jacob, but now I get it." She pulls back and looks him in the eyes. "It was never about you and him. It was about him and I."

After the friendship was repaired, things in the county got even better. Braeden even managed to convince Joseph to stop everything. To stop killing people and kidnapping people. Then she got the Resistance on board for the truce and everything was peaceful again, but that's story for another time.

Not to say that everything went back how it was before, because there was no going back to that, but it's normal. Their normal. And the people of the county wouldn't have it other way.

[sinnersusa]

Where She Belongs ||Joseph Seed x Deputy Request

Thanks @starstruckhandssharkegg for being my first Request!! It’s not as fluff as I first planned but I hope you like it!

Laughter pleasantly flowed through Seed Ranch. The family was seated in the dining room as they finished up their meal. Rook smiled over her glass at the sight before her. John continued to wave his arms frantically in reference to a joke of a lawyer he knew back in Atlanta that kept hearty chuckles falling from Joseph’s lips while Faith giggled mercilessly. Even Jacob had an amused smile supporting his mouth at his little brother’s antics. John’s eyes were bright with pride and accomplishment with being the center of attention. Joseph watched his brother fondly, gently reminded of the child he once was. So eager to please, desperately trying to please him and Joseph knows that.

The Father’s eyes drift over to his love. He watches her tenderly as she smiles at his family’s table. Where she belongs, he thought. It took time for her to be this close with them. Many failed attempts during their Holy War, as people liked to call it. But Joseph was persistent. He made sure to look for her when her Resistance was not near. To have private moments with her. Not letting others fill her head with lies, poisoning her against him. No. They would sit quietly with each other. She wouldn’t speak much, only when she had a question. He could see the toll her Wrath and Pride were taking as her shoulders hunched and her eyes watered when she would speak her mind on those still nights by the river.

She was broken, battered, and bruised when she came to him. Shaking with blood coating her palms like grease, tear tracks lining her checks through the dirt. He had gently taken her shoulders and brought her into him. Holding her close he asked her gently what had happened. He had huffed out quietly when her grip seemed to crush him against her. Her form bobbing up and down with broken sobs escaping her lips. He waited for her to be ready, for her to confess the sins that unfolded to lead her into his arms. A pieced together story of her stumbling upon one of his followers scavenging through an abandoned cabin. A conflict arose between them and the Deputy fired a round off to finish it. When she felt she was in the clear she saw a small head of blonde hair peeking out of the cabin door way. A child no older than five stood in fear of the known hero of the county. Tears dripping off their chubby chin as they stared at their mother laying glassy eyed in the dirt.

She had found a way to get the child in her vehicle with promises of taking them to The Father and bringing their mother back to have a proper funeral.

“I can’t do it anymore. I can’t keep fighting.” She had sobbed harshly into his shoulder. He shushed her gently as his hand carded through her hair.

“I can’t keep doing this if I’m ripping mothers away from their children.” He was about to guide her to his compound to get cleaned up when the next thing she said made him freeze.

“I want to confess. I want to atone.” Her voice rasped with conviction.

After that day, Joseph worked closely with the former deputy on her path to Atonement. He baptised her himself in one of the non-blissed lakes near the Ranch. He held her through her confession while John etched her sins across her body. She stayed with him, in his home he made with his flock. With more time spent together he could feel them grow closer.

Now she was with him. Together they molded the Project until God deemed the right time to cleanse the earth and they would walk to New Eden together.

Rook slowly rose from the table, dishes clanking softly while her delicate yet worn hands swept them away. She disappeared into the kitchen as Joseph’s loving gaze followed. He expected her to return shortly but then heard the faucet start up.

Joseph stayed with his siblings as the night grew darker. It wasn’t very long before John noticed that Rook had not returned and swept his way into the kitchen.

“My my, my dear, you are too kind to the house staff.” He joked as his lips turned up in a devilish smile. Rook shook her head at the man she once hated for his every remark. Getting to know him she started seeing him as an annoying little brother more and more. She still cringed and felt sick from time to time knowing what he does to those who don’t know the Power of Yes, but she always tore herself from thinking lowly of him compared to her own sins.

“They do not have to wash the dishes when I’m perfectly capable. Besides it is quite relaxing.” Rook shrugged as she placed the blue flowered plate into the drying rack.

John rolled his eyes at her mockingly before gently bring his hand to her cheek as he stood at her side. “But that is their simple price they pay for being saved.” He all but whispered as Rook glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek before sauntering his way in the direction of the dining room.

“Can I not pay the same simple price for being saved?” Rook spoke with a quiet fierceness. John stopped in the doorway. He recognized the Wrath in her tone, he was taken back to the first night she was in his confession room, before saying Yes was ever an idea in her stubborn head. The cold stare she settled on him was unwavering as he gave his monologue. The deep seated look of hate had the hair on the back of his neck stand on end but it exhilarated him. Someone in the Resistance who he felt could actually do the job of destroying his family. Oh how proud Joseph would have been if it had been he who broke the Resistance’s greatest assets. To be the one’s who will was stronger than this sinner’s.

John was pulled abruptly from his memories with a soft yet firm hand on his shoulder. “I believe you have paid enough for your salvation in many ways, my love.” Joseph crossed the kitchen with small thudding steps as his boots came behind his former deputy.

John excused himself when Joseph wrapped his arms around the woman’s waist. Rook’s rigid form settled against the Father’s. He pressed a long kiss into the crown of her head.

“You make me the happiest man in the world.” His baritone voice soothed her tense mood. She melted at his words. He always said there was a reason that God brought her before him on that first night in the church. She felt she knew the reason now.

Her soapy hands that had rested along the sink’s edge gently took hold of his around her waist. His hands were warm and strong, something she always admired when he held her like this. She had been the protector of so many for so long that being the protected was foreign in the beginning but she welcomed it now.

“Joseph.” Her voice trembled quietly as he hummed in response. She gently pushed his hands down until they rested low on her stomach. She held her breath before closing her eyes as she spoke allowed what she’d known for weeks. “I’m pregnant.”

Joseph couldn’t comprehend anything for a moment. His body felt nonexistent as his tongue was led in his mouth. His eyes laid on the shining handle of the faucet unfocused, unmoving.

“This is the Lord’s greatest gift.” He spoke lowly before turning her to face him. Rook looked shyly at the man she had fallen for. His eyes glistened with tears as he stared at her in awe.

One hand cradled the side of her face while one stayed along her stomach. He pressed his lips to hers as if to show her how much this meant to him. His mustache rubbed against Rook’s lips but she couldn’t find a reason to care. Pulling away Joseph laid his forehead against the woman who used to be his biggest threat but was now his saving grace.

“Our family will be complete.” He whispered as a smile made its way across his face. She huffed out a laugh as he embraced her tightly against his chest.

Where she belongs.

[enchantedamusedslightlyconfused]

73 questions.

I was tagged by @wescoasts @machine-gun-casie (BABES)

Almost all my friends have been tagged and I don't wanna be that asshole so ill try not to be. I tag @awkwardrocker @backoftheroomandnotbelonging @trixiehoe @she-who-is-timey-wimey

On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about life right now?

Well it’s finals week so about -864. After that I have two weeks of legitimate nothing where I will bake my heart out so we’ll see

Describe yourself in a hashtag?

#yikes #ughshesinherfeelsagain 

If you could do a love scene with anyone, who would it be?

Milo Ventimiglia, Kells, Rook.....being a music video love interest is only my life’s pipe dream 

If your life was a musical, what would the marquee say?

And that’s on daddy issues and no supervision...

What’s one thing people don’t know about you?

I used to model like went to modeling school and got paid for it type shit

What’s your wakeup ritual?

get woken up by my dog tired of hearing my alarm, walk said opinionated quadruped, feed quadruped, get dressed, COFFEE, then take life as it comes

What’s your go to bed ritual?

melatonin gummies (gotta make anxiety fun), skincare when executive dysfunction will allow, brush teeth, fight dog for my spot in bed (moving a 90lb animal is no joke), turn on my sleep playlist or use my ambient noise app, stare at ceiling

What’s your favorite time of day?

witching hour followed by golden hour

Your go to for having a good laugh?

lately tiktok and Kellyvisions, previously vine compilations or Netflix specials

Dream country to visit?

Ireland. I NEED to go to the motherland. My families castle is still standing and I get in for free. its on my bucket list FOR SURE. 

What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had?

getting into nursing school and chiropractic school. I’m a loser and I’ve never had a surprise party. I’d melt in puddle of love tbh

Heels or flats/sneakers?

Flats 98% of the time. Heels are reserved for business casual necessity, Halloween, or if I’m feeling myself 

Vintage or new?

both, depends on the item

Who do you want to write your obituary?

Amy-Sherman Palladino 

Style icon?

lmao a what? on the real though catch me fucking with those eco-friendly kitchen witch vibes. All the dainty jewelry, linens and converse/docks fam

What are three things you can’t live without?

my dog, my family (found and blood), healing people however I can (medicine ruined me for any other career and its sucks you guys)

What’s one ingredient you put in everything?

tbh salt, I question a recipes validity if salt isn't involved 

What 3 people living or dead would you like to make dinner for?

Kells and the band (I'd be too nervous for a one on one), a dinner party with my MGK fam, Elvis

What’s your biggest fear in life?

Failure, not accomplishing anything 

Window or aisle seat?

window all day everyday, on the wing preferably cause I like to feel the landing gear #pilotsgranddaughter 

What’s your current TV obsession?

Roadies forever, pry that series from my cold dead hands (also Gilmore Girls and Criminal Minds)

Favorite app?

tie between Tumblr and Pinterest (im an aesthetic slut)

Secret talent?

I am bomb at disney princess songs, the girls I babysit for treat me like a jukebox at bedtime, cutest thing ever

Most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?

delivered a baby has hands down been the coolest thing I’ve ever done

How would you define yourself in three words?

I fucking hate this question. always have. empathetic, resilient, intuitive 

Favourite piece of clothing you own?

overall: my senior prom dress. its emerald green, backless, with a slit to upper thigh chefs kiss 

everyday wear: Colorado sweatshirt

Must have clothing item everyone should have?

I second Jude: over sized hoodies

Superpower you would want?

nonspecific healing powers so they aren't limited to physical ailments

What’s inspiring you in life right now?

Colson

Best piece of advice you’ve received?

HA. probably that the body remembers more about trauma than the mind and your seemingly irrational physical reactions to things are your brain’s attempt to protect you

Best advice you’d give your teenage self?

his mistake does not define your worth. I went for a variant of these boys aint shit don't judge me cause she needs to hear it

A book that everyone should read?

Harry Potter series (yes the whole thing), Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Giver by Lois Lowry 

What would you like to be remembered for?

empathy, the way I made people feel

How do you define beauty?

FOR THE LAST TIME ITS SUBJECTIVE, things that give you peace, it could be a song, a person, a sunset, a scone, a leaf. If it makes you stop a second and exhale then its beautiful to you

What do you love most about your body?

holy trigger question Batman...my eyes, my hair color, texture, and its ability to grow

Best way to take a rest/decompress?

drive with the windows down and blast music while singing at the top of my lungs

Favorite place to view art?

unexpected places, like street corners, carnivals, just somewhere it takes you off guard and makes you stop and pay attention

If your life were a song, what would the title be?

it’d be one of those crazy long 2000s fall out boy titles for sure, subject matter yet to be determined 

If you could master one instrument, what would it be?

violin hands down, it hits me different

If you had a tattoo, where would it be?

I have a bunch planned, plane on my right shoulder, Kells related between 3rd and 4th ribs (maybe lower in case I ever need a chest tube), watercolor portrait of my dog at some point location TBD

Dolphins or koalas?

dolphins are stoners and they're super smart, but koalas cause they’re grumpy af and honestly same

What’s your spirit animal?

again Jude and I are vibin: I've been identifying with a phoenix as of late. according to pottermore im a greyhound though (yes a patrons is a wizarding spirit animal. fight me)

Best gift you’ve ever received?

seven year old me was stoked to get a functional microscope and metal detector, I was in my egyptology/archeology phase, I still have them lmao

Best gift you’ve ever given?

oh hell idk...I made my cousin cry once cause I made cupcakes for her birthday party, they were cherry limeade flavored and had little straws and everything. that was pretty cool, granted she was seven. I also made my teacher cry cause I made sea salt caramel chocolate cupcakes for her going away party. I guess my baking brings people to tears

What’s your favourite board game?

candy land, battleship, cards against humanity even though there isn't a board

What’s your favourite colour?

forest green atm

Least favourite colour?

bright yellow/orange, its offensive to my general The Dirt Mick Mars disposition

Diamonds or pearls?

pearls (actually opals though)

Drugstore makeup or designer?

not picky provided they are evironmentally friendly. I really like Besame Cosmetics though

Blow-dry or air-dry?

air-dry, I don't have the patience for blow drying

Pilates or yoga?

yoga

Coffee or tea?

COFFEE, im still learning to like tea

What’s the weirdest word in the English language?

holy shit how much time do we have, my favorite weird word to say is fistula or omphalocele (they're medical conditions, don't goole it unless you have a strong stomach) 

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

dark chocolate

Stairs or elevator?

stairs 

Summer or winter?

neither FALL BITCHES   winter if I had to pick cause I love Christmas 

You are stuck on an island, you can pick one food to eat forever without getting tired of it, what would you eat?

burgers

A desert you don’t like?

red velvet cake....just why is it a thing that exists 

A skill you’re working on mastering?

baking scones or shit that’s flaky in general 

Best thing to happen to you today?

being tagged to do this twice, I felt special for a hot second (thanks babes)

Best compliment you’ve ever received?

that I would make a good doctor (I handled a scary pt situation like a champ, they didn't know I threw up after I made sure my pt didn't die. puking in a foreign country on the download is a skill in and of itself)

Favorite smell?

bergamot, baking bread, baking spice cakes at Christmas

Hugs or kisses?

HUGS CAN SAVE THE WORLD

If you made a documentary, what would it be about?

gifted kid fall off

Last piece of content you consumed that made you cry?

In These Walls - Machine Gun Kelly

Casual Sabotage - Yungblud

genius assholes...

Lipstick or lip gloss?

lipstick for special occasions but actually tinted chapstick or lip stains 

Sweet or savoury?

savory to eat sweet to make for someone else

Girl crush?

Brittney Furlan Lee, Alexis Bledel, Lauren Graham 

How you know you’re in love?

you look at them and just say yep. them. usually while they're doing something stupid 

Song you can listen to on repeat?

imma out myself but Swing Life Away - Machine Gun Kelly

If you could switch lives with someone for a day who would it be?

the grass is not greener ya’ll. id rather go back and relive days 

What are you most excited about at this time in your life?

hopefully passing my first trimester of chiropractic school. fingers crossed pls

[dankcranks]

100% serious. It'll help me get out of my own head, too. I've had a kinda blehhh day

same here friendo

putting this under a cut cause it’ll be long

☝ - How tall are you? - fun story for years i thought i was 5′7 cause that was the height the last time i was measured at my doctor’s office in my late teens, but they measured me “just to see” the last time i was there, and i’m 5′8???? the last few years of my life has been a lie

✔ - Sexual Orientation - ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ still trying to figure this out tbh. def pansexual, probably panromantic but also possibly on the grey spectrum??? i value platonic relationships over romantic ones, but do still have the ability to have romantic attractions towards others (although it’s rare) and idk what that means

🚬 - Do you Smoke? i used to a lot a lotttt but nowadays it’s only when i’m with friends that smoke and can bum one off of them (cause i’m incapable of making good choices when it comes to my health)

🍷 - Do you Drink? - yes, but rarely and generally only socially 

♒ - Do you Take Drugs? - prescription yes. but similarly to smoking, i used to smoke a lot a lotttt of weed but now only do when i’m hanging with the person in my life that smokes regularly

😳 - Age you get mistaken for? - honestly idek. late teens? people are always suspeeshy of me when they id me and see my birth year, and i feel like i look like a teenage boyo which isn’t helped by my shit skin

💉 - Have Tattoos? - ocarina of time style ganondorf and skull kid (with the mask you give him on) on my left upper arm, the chorus of hilf mir fliegen by tokio hotel on my back, and schwester on my foot (for my sister)

✏️ - Want any tattoos? - oh hell yes i have like a backlog of tattoos i want

✂️ - Got any Piercings? - snakebites, industrial, rook, lobes x3

✌ - Want any piercings? - occasionally i think about a nose ring, but nah, i’m happy with the ones i have

👌 - Best friend? - i live with one of them, and the other lives on the other side of canada :’)

♥ - Do you like anyone? - lmao nah

🎤 - Top 5 favorite bands? - KSJHDSAK kay i’m putting these in no particular order, cause it’s hard enough limiting it just to five, let alone determine a favourite. also this is subject to change at any given moment. twenty one pilots, weezer, alexisonfire, linkin park(💔), one direction anD HAHAHAHA I’M COUNTING THEIR SOLO CAREERS AS PART OF THIS FIGHT ME

🎶 - Top 5 favorite songs? - this is even fucking worse than trying to limit my top five bands alfhdalfhlsjdkf i’m gonna go with the top five songs that i currently keep listening to on repeat (again, no particular order)top - addict with a pensleeping at last - saturnniall horan - seeing blind ft maren morristop - a car, a torch, a deathpale waves - television romance

😒 - Biggest pet peeve? - forgetting about plans (i literally do nothing with my life so like, when i make plans with someone, i'm really really looking forward to it)

📝 - Story from your childhood. - so when we got our family cat, i really wanted to call her cookie. but my mom decided on sophie, and i was highkey offended because i wanted a cute non human name like cookie??? but it’s hilarious now, because i only name animals by human names

💬 - I wish… - i wish i could afford to have more cats in my life

‼️ - Something you’ll change? - ...the amount of cats in my life

💦 - What makes you horny? - i literally had to finish these questions and come back to this lmao. physically, arms and nice hair i guess. otherwise, jfc idk, i’ma go real lame and say personality. idk how the fuck i get turned on okay, it just happens sometimes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

🌟 - A wish you’ll wish for? - m o r e  c a t s  i n  m y  l i f e

🔥 - Something spicy you like? - fuckIN INDIAN FOOD (i’m eating some curry i made right now lmao) shoutout to other east asian spicy foods

👃 You hate the smell of …. - idk fertilizer

👊 - Something you hate? - myself lmao #relatable am i rite

🚶 - Are you single? - yup

💬 - Can we text? - i have no idea who you are

💌 - Fan mail me? - again, i have no idea who you are

💍 - Marry me? - i literalLY DON’T KNOW WHO THIS IS 

💘 - Be my tumblr crush? - ^^^^^^^^^^^^

💭 - Favorite foods? - indian foods, bagels, cereal, ramen, sushi

☀ - Story about your day. - my cat tomi is having one of those days where he decides he’s going to be a gigantic piece of shit. he keeps coming over to me and yelliNG, reaching up to my desk and trying to knock things off. he keeps trying to get in fights with the other cat too. currently, i can hear him getting up to shit in the living room

💘 - Top 5 celebrity crushes? kay so there aren’t enough “celebrities” of sorts that i have that traditional celeb crush on that set my loins ablaze SO here have a list of celebrities that my ass will stan until the day i die because of their raw talent and for the way they treat those around them: tyler joseph, harry styles, uhhhh, josh dun, louis tomlinson, niall horan

🎥 - Top 5 favorite movies? ah fuck. spirited away, eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, and i’d be doing my child self a disservice if i didn’t include the nightmare before christmas, ace ventura when nature calls, and fantasia (the three movies that truly shaped me as a person)

📺 - Top 5 favorite TV shows? - i’m about to expose my nerd ass lmao. in no particular order - avatar the last airbender, dragonball z, card captor sakura, battlestar galactica (the 2004 remake also this just reminded me it’s been a while since my last rewatch *heavy breathing*), and, uh, idk, mr bean?

✏ - Random fact about yourself. - am very musically inclined. percussion instruments is my home (piano included in this, cause it’s a percussion instrument thanks)

✈️ - Where are you from? - canada, north of toronto

🚀 - Where do you wanna visit? - germany and more of canada

😍 - Do you have a crush? - lmao no

😷 - Something you hate eating? - fuck kay i’m actually a really picky eater and because i’ve been working around it for years i always forget what foods i hate. uhh. turnips?

🙈 - What makes you shy? - people, but that’s directly related to my social anxiety ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

💃 - Can you dance? - i mean, i CAN, but is it any good? no

💏 - Do you love anyone? - YEEE i love my friends and family (animals count as family)

👟 - Favorite shoe(s) to wear? - i finally got real converse and i  l o v e  t h e m

🌴 - A island you would visit? - when it comes to like, traditional island type things, that’s like, warm places, and i’m not particularly a fan of warm places. like beachy vacation places? nah fam. so like, the kinds of islands i’d want to visit would be countries like japan or ireland

🌎 - A country you would visit? - g e r m a n y

🌀 - Favorite type of weather? - fall, when the leaves aren’t green anymore and some have fallen, and it’s a little windy, and it’s the kind of temperature where you go out in the morning with a jacket, but in the afternoon don’t really need the jacket

🔮 - Do you believe in luck? - kinda?

📱 - What kinda phone do you have? - i literally just bought my roomie’s old lg g4 off him

📅 - Favorite time of the year? - fuckin october because fall and SPOOP SEASON

📚 - Career goal you want? - ...lmao. one that lets me afford to adopt mature cat babes to love and care for

🍴 - Favorite food(s) to eat? i immediately wanna say indian, but i feel like it’s biased cause i’m eating it right now

🍭 - Favorite Candy? - probs sour patch kids

🍇 - Favorite fruits? - bananas? apples? kiwi?????

🚘 - Dream car(s)? - a functioning car that is one solid colour

🚔 - Have you ever been arrested? - nah but i’ve been in cahoots with the law for dumb shit

🚑 - Have you ever driven in an ambulance before? - this question is phrased weird and it’s making my brain fucky. but i’ve been taken somewhere in an ambulance before, yes

🎫 - Do you have a license? - yee i have my full driving license as well as my boating license (lol)

🚼 - Do you have or want kids? - nO only animal frens

🔞 - Are you under 18? - nah

🐶 - Do you own a pet? - ngl i don’t like the phrasing of “owning a pet” buT i do live with animal babes that are under my care :3

😔 - Something that makes you sad? - thinkin about all the animal babes at animal shelters that don’t get adopted cause they’re not babies or they’re a little broken D8

😡 - What pisses you off? - boy howdy that’s a loaded question. lets go with a nice blanket response of “the state of the world”

😏 - What turns you on? - go back to the horny one

😈 - Are you a freak? - this is a very subjective question. to normies? yeah. in the sheets? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

💪 - Do you work out? - like bimonthly when i decide i’m gonna look after myself better lol