#my other aunt…it’s hard not to dislike her for all the shit she’s down to my cousins and my aunt and my mom

[mycomori]

playing happy host and trying to act as sober as possible is just my fuckin forte innit like god that’s pathetic i’m turning into my aunt cept at least i keep my composure but hey im still young i got years to go to be exactly fuckin like them and i never want that

[ourloveisforthelovely]

Bad Ideas Part 9

Regulus Black au

Summary:  It started as nothing now it’s something. Voldemort has been defeated but that doesn’t mean the wizarding world is still a good place to be.

Pairings: Regulus Black x Reader

Rating: M

Part 8 Link

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Arriving at the restaurant, you stood between Regulus and Harry. You had quietly bribed Regulus to be good. As much as you wanted to see Regulus scare the shit out of Vernon, you also wanted to see what your aunt and uncle had to say.

Were they going to apologize for all of the years of mistreatment? Was one of them dying and wanted to make amends or were they simply wanting to brag about their new car? The possibilities were endless. You weren’t sure which option you wanted to go with. Time would have to tell on that one.

“My offer to climb across the table and slap them real good still stands.”

Regulus commented. Harry glanced over to the other man with a raised eyebrow before fighting a smirk. While Harry wanted to dislike Regulus for making a move on you, he really couldn’t. Over the past little bit, Regulus proved himself enough to Harry. He also made you happy so that was enough for your twin. His offer to slap Vernon around also made Harry happy.

“I may take you up on that.”

Harry replied as you shook your head.

“Before we start slapping people around, why don’t we see what they want? I would be surprised if they honestly just wanted to see us.”

Regulus rolled his eyes. He had enough about Vernon and Petunia Dursley to do him a lifetime.

“Sorry love but I highly doubt that’s what it is. If they just want to catch up I would be more shocked than if I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet.”

You only nodded in agreement. Common sense told you that Vernon and Petunia didn’t want to catch up. Harry was, after all, the reason that the Dursleys had to leave their “perfect” little home. Why would they want to see you again?

“There they are.”

Harry’s voice pulled you from your thoughts. You looked up to see your aunt and uncle sitting at a table in the middle of the restaurant. Petunia held her hand up to motion to come over.

“Here we go.”

You murmured before squeezing Regulus’ hand. The expression on his face had gone from mildly annoyed to straight haughty and holier than thou. He didn’t have to say anything for you to know that he already hated Vernon and Petunia. He was also looking for “ANY” reason to let the insults start flying.

Arriving at the table, neither Petunia nor Vernon stood to give you any form of a hug. You didn’t expect this so it really shouldn’t have surprised you. Vernon only nodded while Petunia forced a smile.

“Harry…Y/n…it is so nice to see the both of you. How are you?”

Regulus moved to pull the chair out for you to sit in. You gave him a small thank you before turning your attention back to your aunt.

“We are alive. I hope you both are doing well.”

Petunia nodded again forcing a smile.

“We are doing fine. I received your letter about that madman being killed. I’m guessing all is well in your world?”

Your world….

You knew that was hard for Petunia to say. The fact that it wasn’t accompanied by some kind of insult was a miracle in itself.

“Yes, everything is fine…for the moment. It's just getting everything put back together.”

Harry replied. You were thankful that Harry came in. Your brother always knew when you were ready to say something snarky.

“I’m glad to hear that. We have been worried.”

Again, Petunia sounded like she had been forced to say that. Your aunt was as worried about you as you were worried about her.

Vernon, meanwhile, had been staring at the young man by your side. He hadn’t said a word since sitting down. His cold grey eyes had been flickering between Vernon and Petunia as he looked at them as if they were garbage.

“So, who are you?”

Vernon finally asked. Regulus looked right at Vernon as if he was personally offended to be spoken to by a muggle…or at least a muggle like Vernon.

“Regulus.”

Regulus replied in a cold cool voice. Vernon was even more annoyed. He expected a little more than a first name.

“Pleasure. So, are you funny like them?”

“Funny?”

Regulus questioned, narrowing his eyes on Vernon as if he were a mouse. You had to swallow back a chuckle at how Regulus’ cat-like nature coming out.

“A…wizard…I guess.”

Vernon replied, feeling suddenly uncomfortable under the younger man’s icy gaze.

“I’m not a comedian. I suggest that you watch how you speak to me, Vernon Dursley. Harry and Y/n may be nice to you but I won’t be. I should climb across the table and choke you out for how you lot treated them as children. If you were any kind of aunt or uncle, you would have never treated your niece or nephew so poorly…stupid prejudices or not.”

Vernon swallowed, clearly uncomfortable. He had got his answer on what Regulus’ background was.

“Well…”

“Well, nothing. You’re a shit excuse for a family…the both of you. I personally don’t see why you lot even bothered checking in on them. They had done just find during this whole war without the help of either of you.”

Petunia blinked a few times before beginning to speak.

“You don’t understand it was… we did what we thought was best…given the circumstances.”

Regulus raised an eyebrow at Petunia instantly making her rethink her life choices.

“I understand enough. You treated your sister’s children like shit. That’s enough for me to understand. I can understand you a lot being scared of things that you don’t understand. That, however, gives you no right to be shitty individual to people…especially children. There was no treating them the best in anything that you did.”

Neither Harry nor yourself moved to say anything. You gave Regulus a proud smile. It was nice hearing him say something like this. Those words alone proved just how far Regulus had come as an individual. Had this conversation happened never would have happened. Regulus would have probably berated Petunia and Vernon for being muggles and simply existing.

“You don’t know anything.”

Vernon snapped. Regulus stood up making Vernon cower lower in his chair.

“I know enough. Y/n, Harry let's just get out of here. This is a total waste of both of your time.”

Neither Harry nor yourself argued. You came, you saw, and now you were ready to get the hell out.

It took until the lot of you arrived back at Grimmauld Place for Regulus to calm down. Harry was silently laughing to himself for a few moments before speaking.

“Regulus, why don’t you just pull a gun on them the next time?”

Regulus shook his head and hung his coat up.

“I’ll just punch him in the face.”

Harry nodded.

“I’ll agree to that.”

Harry turned to walk into the dining room leaving the two of you alone. Regulus sighed…then my mother came out.”

Regulus was relieved when you smiled. While he didn’t really expect you to be angry with him for going off; Regulus really didn’t try to hear the Dursleys out. He pretty much saw them and went ballistic.

You stood on your tiptoes to press a kiss to Regulus’ chin.

“I found it rather amusing. My inner child was healed seeing them have their asses handed to them.”

Regulus wrapped his arms around your waist and rested his forehead against yours.

“You always deserved better.”

Regulus said with a soft sigh.

“OH MERLIN…is that Regulus?”

Both Regulus and yourself instantly stood up and turned to the voice. Your mouth dropped seeing what had to be your parents standing in the doorway. Rubbing your hands on your eyes a few times you had to make sure that you weren’t seeing things. James and Lily looked just as they did in the photos that you had.

The better question was why were dead people suddenly turning up like long-lost people coming for a friendly visit? Not that you were entirely complaining. Without this odd-ass situation, you would never have been able to be with Regulus. Now your parents…

Regulus looked clearly as shocked as James.

“Oh Merlin is that James?”

Regulus replied in a snarky tone. James turned to Lily who looked equally as shocked. Never in a million years did they expect to see Regulus alive…and holding you…their daughter.

“What is going on around here?”

James snapped. Sirius who was looking ready to jump out the window groaned.

“Man, don’t make me say it.”

James turned to Sirius. Harry winced, from his place beside his godfather. This wasn’t really how he wanted to drop the “Y/n is dating Regulus” bomb on his poor unsuspecting parents.

“Is he dating my daughter?”

Sirius again groaned. Regulus rolled his eyes before chuckling.

“Wow, there is no getting past you.”

You moved to stand in front of Regulus. The last thing that you wanted was to see fists or hexes start flying.

“Okay…what is going on here? Mum…dad…you’re alive…what is going on around here? Not that I am not thrilled to see you both…but…is everyone killed by lord Snakeface turning back up?”

James and Lily couldn’t say anything for a moment. It was Lily that spoke first.

“Sweetheart, I don’t know how to answer that but we can be a family again….as we should have.”

James nodded before turning his attention back to Regulus.

“What about him?”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Regulus replied. James glared at Regulus. After coming back from the dead, the last thing that James ever expected was to see his only daughter in a relationship with Regulus Black.

Yet….here I am.

James thought before speaking.

“What makes you think that you are good for her? I know you…at least how you used to be. Leopards don’t change their spots.”

Regulus raised an eyebrow before turning to face you. He gave you a gentle smile. The last thing that Regulus wanted was for you to hear what he was about to say.

“Sweetheart, wait for me upstairs. We can catch up with them later.”

You turned and walked from the room without another word. As much as you wanted to stick around, part of you wanted to get away too. This was too much all at once. Your fight or flight feelings were about to come roaring back and thankfully Regulus recognized it.

It's nice having someone on my side.

Regulus waited until the door to his room closed before turning back to face James and Lily.

“With me, Y/n gets to come first. She had always come second to Harry and for once she gets to come first. That’s what makes me good for her.”

_____

@amelie-black @justfinishthis @jessyballet @knreidy1 @georgeweasleydumbhoe @criminalyetminimal @mimisparkle12 @teletubiswszpilkach @fific7 @siriuslyceleste @golddustwomann @littleshadow17 @ell0ra-br3kk3r @livshifts @jsjcue @stelleduarte @millies0bsimp @coffeeaddictednymph @readtomeregulus @rogue-nyx88 @i-love-scott-mccall @s-we-e-t-t-ea @taylor-will-be-the-death-of-me @f4iryluvy @panpride @daddyslittlevillain @saramaple @missgorldafirst @buttercup-beeee @gugggu6gvai @mentally-unstable-hoe @yousmellllikecaca @jag9000 @quinis @haroldpotterson @goldensunshineshit @aurorasnape12 @ad-astra-again @dumybitch @melaninnbarbie @marichromatic @ravenhood2792 @play-morezeppelin @spideyxalmighty @lucasfilms77 @rubyroscoe1 @lostarc24 @brokencasbutt67-writer @authoressskr @moldy-old-boot @moldy-old-boot @hankypranky @emiwrites3reads @shaylybaby2032 @knight-of-gleefulness @untoldshortsofthefandoms @deanwherescas @shitfaceddaniel-blog @wontlookaway @sprnaturallover @li0nh34rt @tas898 @mycuddlycorner @bennyberry @bxcndd

[nfumbewalk]

Hard Roads

I stand - ready, willing, and able to reap what I sow and sow what I reap - so be ready to get bloody & smell death! 💀

Everybody claims, "Oh my life is so hard! My hair won't set or my food is cold. Or politics is...blah blah..I need my Versace purse! College is sooo hard, I failed underwater basket weaving! I was abused! I drink two bottles of vodka every night..." Whatever!

Who cares about petty problems? Get over them! It doesn't take a genius. I liked alcohol too much and so I stopped drinking it. No AA or therapy, just stopped. Ppl can stop, they just don't want to. They're weak. Both my grandma & my mom both stopped drinking without anyone but their doctor knowing. Same here. Counselors ask me how?? I said, "Don't buy alcohol & don't drink any."

My grandparents on both sides were galvanized. They were born in 1921, at least my maternal side was. I think my dad's dad, grandpa Ben, was born in 1918, and grandma Jane was born in 1921. Grandpa Ben, I'd love to try my necromancy with. He sounded cool. A machinist! I never heard anything about him or his life, temperament, likes, dislikes, etc. But I have a feeling he had the Thorp family power. My dad passed it to me & my brother got none!!

Story goes: August 22nd, last year. I heard three, very intentional knocks - evenly dispersed and firm. Thought to myself: "Three knocks usually means someone is gonna die." I put the thought away. August 23rd - I text my brother asking how dad & the family is. I get his text later saying the nursing home had him rushed to the hospital.

My brother offers to drive 2 hours South to pick me up. We go to the hospital and find out dad looks terrible and cannot talk due to his dementia and he has C. Diff infection! Awful! He's on aggressive antibiotics & is in so much pain, I can see it on his face. Imagine looking at your father, in agony, & you cannot exchange words! How hard is life now, puny political protester?! Lol! Fucking weak willed children!

So yeah..my brother & I (moreso ME) talk to palliative care the next day - the 24th. We (I, again) decide to take dad off of antibiotics because we know he's not going to make it, he's miserable & we want him comfortable. He got the morphine, thank god!! The next day, he is dead, and the nurses didn't have the decency to fucking close his eyes. They could have before rigor mortis set in. Fuck! So Jerry, my brother, the *atheist* couldn't believe how I basically knew there was something wrong with dad!

Of course I knew! There is the Thorp family power. Dad had it strong & for years I didn't know or believe him! He was always so intuitive compared to my brass knuckled mom. She loved psychic shit but had no measurable gifts of her own. She may have, but was so uptight that she couldn't access them.

And now, I have little family left. My son, my brother & nephew. A few aunts, a couple blood related uncles, some cousins & little known relatives (like 3rd cousins) in Germany. None of these relatives are near me, except my brother & nephew. How little my family is!

But alas! I have my husband. We are all each other needs. Sounds lonely but we're not at all. 😘 Ppl think that you need to be social. Well, being around others is very draining & tiring. I pick up all the energies if my guard is down. Putting on a show for others is exhausting & pointless. I'm not putting on airs or being egotistical. I tell the truth. And the Thorp family power lets me see the real person you are & I'm rarely wrong.

Mmmkay. Ready & done with this post!

M.M. 💖💀💖

[thegeneralguy]

A good role model

Hello! Thanks to @amalianetwork for helping me out with this story. Its a bit shorter than what I usually post on here, but it struck some heart strings inside of me. I hope you enjoy it.

Twitter | Blog

“Come on Matt! We’re going to be late for the festival!”

The excited shrieks came from a young child not older than ten years of age. His wavy blonde hair was encased in a blue baseball cap, and he was wearing an old button shirt. He was grabbing the hand from an older young man, pulling him forward with haste. Both boys looked very alike, age being the most differentiating factor between them.

“Ease up Cole, your number starts at seven. There’s plenty of time.”

“Yes, but I want to rehearse one time before the show. Mrs. Davis said all kids in our class had to meet an hour before to practice our song”

Matt advanced reluctantly, feeling uneasy in his attempt at formal attire. He adjusted his badly-knotted tie and tried his best in accommodating his oversized shirt. But he knew it was a necessary sacrifice, because this was supposed to be Cole’s “big night”. He would do anything for his little brother, even if it meant dressing as a buffon. The boys were rushing through the parking lot of the local theatre, amongst a sea of other families heading to the entrance. They entered the building and immediately headed backstage to deliver Cole to his class. Matt made sure his small bowtie was in place, but when he tried to take the cap from him, Cole swatted his hand away.

“Cole, you know you’ll get in trouble if you throw a fit over that cap again. All the kids in your class have to be dressed the same.”

Cole pouted and grabbed his head with both hands, securing it on his head.

“Please let me keep it. I’m scared to perform without it.”

“Okay you win. Just this one time though. You’re a big boy now, there are some rules you have to follow.”

“You’re the best Matt!”, said the little boy hugging his brother.

“Just remember to have lots of fun! I’ll be watching you from the front rows. And remember, once your act is over we gotta go.”

“That's not fair! Mrs. Davis is gonna take us all for pizza once the show is over.”

“I’m sorry C. You know Aunt Gertrude doesn’t like it when we go out late.”

“I don’t like Aunt Gertrude. She’s mean.”

Matt kept a straight face not to give a bad example, but he knew what his brother was talking about. Their aunt was a real menace sometimes. Especially when her rules were disobeyed.

“Don’t be like that buddy. Aunt Gertrude has been nice to us, so we have to obey the rules of her house. Besides, I’ll take you for pizza on the weekend. What do you say?”

“Yay! Thanks Matt. I’ll hurry up after the show, I promise. See you later!”

Cole then turned around and sprinted towards his group. Matt looked at his brother tenderly, remembering all they have gone through together. The blue cap was originally his, a gift from their father. They never had a lot to begin with, and after his parents were gone, the cap was one of the only mementos he had from them. He remembered hugging it terrified, as the police explained to him with gruesome detail for a twelve year old how his parents had been killed in a mugging. Cole had been only five at the time. Their aunt was their only living relative, so they were placed in her house. Cole couldn’t stop crying during the first night, so Matt gave him the blue cap and told him as long as he had it, his father would be there with him. Five years had passed, and the little boy still took the cap everywhere. Convincing Cole to take it off to wash it was a real hassle sometimes, but Matt managed. He was a good big brother after all.

Matt went to his seat and watched the recital in silence. Group after group they performed, excited families bursting in applause every time their kid went onstage. The young man was growing increasingly nervous, watching the minutes turn into an hour. The show was taking too long, which meant arriving at his aunt’s too late and having to deal with her wrath. He was lost in thought when suddenly Cole’s group was onstage. He cheered and applauded his little brother, who along with his classmates presented a potpourri of popular songs. He immediately recognized him due to the blue garment sticking out of the sea of white shirts. Once the number was done, he stood up from his seat and went to meet his brother backstage to take him to their aunt’s.

Their Aunt Gertrude was a solitary woman, preferring to live alone and far away from any other neighbor. The little house stood right at the edge of the woods, standing lonely amongst the dark trees. The car was parked on the driveway, so Matt knew immediately their aunt was home. He prepared mentally for the fit she was about to throw when she saw them coming in through the door. Once they made it inside, he sent Cole straight to his room and went into the living room, where his aunt was sitting on her usual chair watching TV.

“So, look who finally decided to show up. This isn’t a hotel you know.”, said the fat woman looking hatefully at the scrawny teenager.

“I know Aunt Gertrude. Cole had a school event he couldn’t miss, so we stayed out until late.”

The woman sneered at Matt, and then continued watching her show.

“You know misbehavior has consequences right? You were out past dinner time, so there won't be any dinner for you.”

Matt felt the rage coming up from his stomach. He disliked the woman a lot, but he knew she was the only reason the brothers were allowed to stay together. She knew that too, so she made sure to exploit that fact every time she could. He didn’t mind missing dinner, he was used to it. But Cole had to eat, or his stomach would hurt again and he wouldn't be able to sleep.

“I can miss out on dinner today and tomorrow if you want, but let Cole eat something. It was a tough day for him.”

“You should’ve thought that before breaking the rules. Rules are necessary, or else you will end up like your good for nothing dad. He got my sister killed, you know. Only a bad person does that.”

Matt tightened his fists so hard his nails dug into his skin causing some bleeding. His father was his aunt’s favorite subject, always belittling and berating him. But he was a good man, very hardworking. A real example for Matt. His only mistake was being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Don’t you dare talk about him…”, he grumbled quietly. His aunt let out a cruel cackle, and glared at him angrily.

“Or what? You are just like him, you know. A useless dead weight under my roof. But not for long. You got one more night. After that, you’re turning into an adult, which means you gotta earn yourself a life.”

Matt had been so busy with his brother that he had completely forgotten about his birthday the day after. His aunt had been telling him she was going to kick him out that same day, but he always thought she said that only to intimidate him. Thinking about leaving Cole with that monster alone sent a chill down his spine.

“Are you serious?”

“Do I look like I’m joking you little asshole? As soon as you’re eighteen, you’re legally not my problem anymore. Besides, it’s good you learn how the world works. Not that your father ever taught you that. In fact, I think Cole was lucky to grow up without his bad example!”, said the woman laughing loudly. “Now, better get your shit ready. I’m calling farmer Joe tomorrow to see if he has some job for you. If you’re lucky he might even let you stay in the barn with the rest of his boys. Now, get out of my sight. My next show’s about to start.”

Matt just turned around and left completely speechless, hearing the loud music from the TV and his aunt laughing as he went upstairs to his room. Cole was already showered and wearing his pajamas, the blue cap still on his head. Matt sat down next to him on his bed, trying to keep his composure and not burst into tears.

“Listen Cole, I have to tell you something,'' he said, his voice faltering as he struggled to find the right words. “You know tomorrow is my birthday, right?”

“Of course! I wouldn’t forget. I even wrote it in my calendar to get you some chocolate.”, he said excitedly before realizing he just ruined the surprise. “Oh no, I just ruined your present.”

“No buddy, it's okay. You know I love chocolate.”, said Matt grabbing the little boy’s head. “But listen, tomorrow I’ll be eighteen. And that's a very special number. So special, that people invite you to participate in certain activities!”

“What do you mean?”, asked Cole with a puzzled look on his face.

“Well, farmer Joe has invited me to his special club on his land, so I’m very excited I can go now. There’s only one small problem, I have to go sleep there too so I can do everything the guys there do.”

Cole just stared at his brother, tears welling up behind his eyes.

“You’re gonna leave?”

“Don’t be sad buddy. This is a great opportunity for me! Besides, I’ll come to visit you every day, I promise.”

Cole threw himself at Matt, his little arms embracing him as strong as they could. Tears ran down his rosy cheeks, and he could barely articulate the words due to the knot in his throat.

“But I don’t want you to go! I don’t want to be alone in this house. I’m scared.”

“I know buddy, I know.”, said Matt hugging his little brother. “But listen, remember what I told you about that cap? As long as you have it, dad’s going to be here with you. And so will I.”

Both brothers embraced for hours, refusing to let each other go. Cole cried until he fell asleep, so Matt tucked him into bed and waited until it was late enough to go down and steal some food for the boy. His aunt went to bed just before midnight, so he had to wait until she was gone to go to the pantry. He was almost falling asleep when he heard the TV going off, and the heavy steps of his aunt going into her room. He hesitantly stepped out of their bedroom, and swiftly went down to get some food for Cole. His body was very light, so that helped him move silently on the wooden floor. He brought up some snacks, leaving them on Cole’s night table, completely missing the clock just striking midnight.

He went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Taking off the horrible oversized shirt he stared at himself in the mirror. He was practically just skin and bones, lacking the proper nutrition and exercise for a good development during puberty. His dirty blonde hair was pulled back on a bun, looking just a shade darker than his brother’s. His aunt was right, he was pathetic, scrawny and weak. Barely a fitting example for Cole. But he didn’t want his brother to grow up without him. It was already bad enough he had to grow up without a dad, only to have his big brother be taken away too. He wished that both of them could stay together. That he was enough for his little brother, so he could provide him with the life he deserved.

The lights in the bathroom flickered, and the window was suddenly opened by a strong gust of wind, startling Matt. He started to get lightheaded, grabbing the small sink to prevent himself from falling. “It’s probably hunger”, he said to himself. But the more seconds passed, the worse he felt. He started sweating cold, drops falling down his face and his pale body. He watched a shadow creep over his skin, thinking he was starting to faint from starvation. When he raised his hand to touch the darkness, rough bristles greeted his fingertips. He was growing hair, all over his body. He watched it get longer and thicker, a thick mat covering his chest, and crawling down his flat stomach painting a thick treasure trail on his skin. Tufts of hair poked out from under his arms, his sparse armpit hair getting far denser. The shadow then climbed up his neck, fully flourishing on his face to form a short beard. Matt felt its roughness with the palm of his hand, fully enthralled by the sensation.

He then felt his bones elongate, shooting him a few inches towards the roof and lengthening his limbs. He looked like that creature slender-something kids were so obsessed about. Once his skeleton finished its growth, the muscles followed suit. He felt incredible heat emanating from his body, as each muscle twitched and grew to enormous size. Size packed on his chest, fully forming two massive pillow-like pecs sticking out from his torso. His cleavage was so deep he could probably put his entire thumb in it, and probably crush it too if he squeezed hard. Muscle packed on his shoulders as well, growing like two bowling balls. It made him look monstrously wide, fully condemning him to a life of having to go through doors sideways. His arms surged with power and grew as well, fully surpassing the width his legs had before. Thick hairy pythons hung to each side of him, resting at an angle due to the thickness of his triceps. His back then rounded out like a shield and expanded into a hairy muscular landscape. The lats were so big they looked like the could fall off of him at any moment.

He heard his stomach grumble, as it blew forward sticking out just a few inches behind his chest. Thick abs could be seen on the curve of his belly. His ass blew his dress pants into oblivion, each cheek swelling like a Christmas turkey. The legs followed suit, thickening into titanic proportions, powerful enough to sustain such a heavy top. Even his feet grew a few sizes, fully completing his transformation. Matt just stared at his new body speechless, feeling control over each fiber. He flexed his big arms, and bounced his heavy chest. A deep chuckle left his throat, and he realized his voice grew much deeper as well. He was so entertained by his new figure, he missed the clumps of hair falling from his head. His hair thinned out a little bit, and shortened itself into a clean cut, contrasting with its previous unkempt image.

Matt looked like a new man. His kid used to tell him he looked the size of a barn, just like that Disney song he liked from the film with the talking furniture. He was very bad with names, but he knew what movies his son liked. Matt scratched his head, confused by the thought of having a child. He was only eighteen, barely old enough to have a kid. But a body like this couldn’t belong to a young kid. A body like this took years of dedication, of pain and sweat, of discipline. He looked like the perfect dad, strong enough to protect, and big enough to climb over like a jungle gym. Matt smiled looking at himself in the mirror. His features changed and rearranged themselves into those of a masculine man. His nose was bigger and his brow stuck further out. Even a cleft formed on his now square jaw. He looked tough, but also lovable.

The maelstrom of memories fully blew Matt’s mind away, turning him into a perfect dad. He felt his dick snake up under his belly, and his balls drop lower and heavier like a mature plume, virile enough to spread his seed wherever he wanted. The rush of testosterone triggered more changes in him. His muscles got denser, more lived in. Crow feet printed themselves next to his eyes, and his skin got rougher fully aging two full decades.

“I’m one sexy motherfucker.”, grunted Matt, flexing before the mirror. He dedicated years of hard work and discipline to his body, and it showed. He loved the tight feeling of a shirt about to burst due to his titanic arms, or how the buttons popped open on their own due to his heavy chest. But even his glorious physique wasn’t his most valuable treasure. That was his son.

Reality rearranged itself around Matt, as memories of Cole growing up with him changed into those of a father raising his son. He remembered how tiny he looked when he held him in his arms, or how scared he looked when Matt dropped him in kindergarten for the first time. He remembered the recitals, the little league games, the birthday parties, the nights with Cole on his bed due to a nightmare, the camping trips. Everything he did, and had, was for his son. He was happy to grow up next to him, so he could teach him about the same hard work and discipline he put into his own life. Hopefully, Cole would grow up to be a good man like his father. And with those genes, hopefully big and strong too.

When Matt came back to his senses, he was standing in a nicely furnished bathroom. He adjusted the glasses on his face, and checked himself one last time before going out. The short sleeved shirt looked perfectly fitted to his big body, his arms almost ripping the tight sleeves apart. He came out of the bathroom to find the luxurious interior of a suburban home. He wanted his kid to have all his necessities covered. The memory of the tiny house in the woods and the monster within fully erased from existence.

“Come on Cole, you don’t wanna miss out on a good pizza, do you?”, he shouted, his deep bass shaking the foundations of the house.

“I’m coming dad!”

Young Cole came rushing down the stairs. His blonde hair shined brighter, and his blue eyes sparkled with excitement. He took his coat and headed towards the front door, where his dad was waiting for him. Matt noticed the small blue cap on the little table next to the door.

“Aren’t you gonna wear your cap?”, he said, handing it to his son. Cole just smiled at his dad, and turned the cap away.

“I’m not scared anymore dad. I don’t need it.”

Matt just smiled and opened the door for Cole. The happy family then headed out into the sunshine to live the rest of their lives together. Nothing would be able to separate them.

[izzy-b-hands]

I survived

It took half the last edible caramel I have

There was... so much more but to sum up in a few key moments:

-my uncle ditching for an hour before we were going to open gifts to go DUI test ppl his co-workers arrested tonight. He talked abt it gleefully, saying it didn't matter what they blew on the machine, no one was going home. I resisted the urge to ask him how he'd feel if he was in that situation, bc he thinks he's gods gift and presumes he'll never do anything he personally would dislike others doing. sure. whatever asshole

-My 16 yr old cousin watching my grandma open up one of those massage gun things (like the one they made a spectacle of at Thanksgiving) and shouting that she doesn't have to come moan in their living room anymore (she has chronic pain in multiple spots, so she was making noises but like. it's ur grandma bro can u pls not)

-the 18 and 21 year going off on each other during present opening over just. nothing. the way one opened a gift, the way she laughed, anything. Then cut to two seconds later and them gossiping abt their fellow CNAs like they love each other. Wouldn't mind the sisterly whatever the fuck that all is, but god they can scream so loud.

-my uncle finding out the 21 year old had a sip of margarita my grandma made for her and my aunt to share earlier in the day, and immediately losing his shit telling her as his daughter she will not fucking drink, ever. I personally find she's a 21 year old adult who can make that choice herself, but ya know. He likes parenting now that she's an adult and doesn't need as much, my aunt took care of a lot of the hard shit for him years earlier.

-my mum getting mad that only I tried the appetizer she made and brought, and when my grandparents said hey there's just a lot of food leave us a tray to try for leftovers, she instead gave most of them to me and begrudgingly left a tray for them. I wanted to cry, my grandma looked so hurt. Not that I'm not very grateful for the extras for myself but like. It didn't have to go down like that either.

-mum's bf had us leave as soon as presents were done bc he (understandably lmaooo) can't stand being around our family for long for a good few reasons (kids swear, are too loud, act entitled, fight most of the night, complain abt & critique their gifts tho that actually only happened once or twice tonight.) I both wanted to leave and didn't. Wanted to stay and have another small plate and talk to Grandma and Grandpa while the kids checked out their new stuff. But also, still not feeling amazing and definitely v overwhelmed like. I have maybe two spoons left to get myself showered and some more food in me, then im mucking around on here and just. yeah. idk. lots of weird conflicting family feelings.

However all that said, i am grateful I had family to visit, that the food I managed to eat was delicious, and that they were very kind in the presents they got me. I just wish it could be a little less of the above and my earlier posts sometimes.

Im gonna go slump on the bathroom tile for a bit and cry i think. then back to reblogging pirates and stuff

[percywinchester27]

A lot like ‘Us’ (Part-34)

Word count: 3.4K

Pairing: Sam X Reader AU

Warnings: Feels, fluff

Series Summary: Y/N Y/L/N is eager and honestly, still in awe that she managed to get herself an acceptance from Stanford Law School. On the face of it, her life seems as put together, mysterious and independent as one might hope for. On the insides, she carries the burden of past that haunts her till date. Seemingly, she’d left it all behind; that is until she sets foot in the class of the Law School’s youngest, most promising professor.

A/N: The story employs two different timelines. The present timeline for the story takes place in 2014. Please let me know what you guys think :)

Beta: @deanssweetheart23​​. I love you so much, darling <3

A lot like ‘Us’ masterlist

The rest of the week was hard.

There were things you wanted to do and then things that you had to do. Unfortunately for you, the Venn diagram of those two things were two circles that did not touch.

Normally, you loved your job, you loved studying and your classes. But sitting through Sam’s class was becoming a new, different type of torture. The pretension was wearing you down. You could see it grating him, too. You rarely spoke up in his class now, trying not to draw attention, neither did he call upon you like he did with other students. 

The library was still your second home, though, thanks to the untimely desertion of the other odd shifts librarian, you were left to run double shifts. Molly was sorry about it, but she didn’t have a solution for you, not until she had a new hire. That meant you were stuck in the library all the time. The guys in the apartment were starting to miss you. Kevin came over one evening to inform you everything sucked when you weren’t around. His face had made you hug him.

As for you? Without the free evenings, you couldn’t go over to see Max. You missed him terribly and it would do no good to whine about that to Sam, since you were still unsure about how he would take your excessive attachment to his son. 

Not that you didn't have the chance to talk to Sam. After Sam put Max to bed, each night he’d call. You would sit in the alcove of the library widow and talk to him for hours- about the day, the classes and everything under the sun. Sam told you about the cases he was working on, the judges he really disliked and the girl Chase was chasing. Sam thought he was named aptly. He was also your faithful informant about Max. Apparently the playground bullies were back at it with the mean words. You blurted out loud how you wanted to punch the kids and Sam piled on top of that. Cheerful conversations about shaking kids followed.

It felt so juvenile to talk with him over the phone, like when he worked in New York and you were stuck in Lawrence, but not quite. Now, it was exciting to imagine him blushing on the other end when you accidentally said something complementary. Or if a student decided to stay in the library late night, you had to giggle in hushed voices so they wouldn’t overhear your conversations. The thrill of it was exciting. Those few hours had become the highlight of your day.

So, when Madison asked you what you were smiling about in the last lecture on Friday, you had to make up a reason. You couldn’t very well tell her that the bruise Sam was sporting on his cheek was because Max outran him on the basketball court and Sam slipped and fell.

“Just thinking of something funny.”

“Wouldn’t have to do with the green eyed hottie from Monday, would it?” Madison wiggled her eyebrows.

“Who, Dean?” You burst out laughing. “Maddie! He’s married to my sister.”

She laughed with you, face apologetic. “Dang! He’s really hot. Is it bad that I’m sorry he is married?”

“Definitely not,” you giggled. The good old Winchester genes had caused many casualties.

On the dais below, Sam collected his things.

“Ooohh, Professor Winchester is heading out. I better catch him before he leaves. You wanna come? Talk about the assignment?”

“No, you go on.” Sam had given you a run down of the assignment last night. You wanted to pout that he was right. You could have done better.

“Still awkward about the whole drowning thing, huh?”

You looked away, not wanting to remember the pool.

Madison wasn’t paying attention. “You were… I don’t know, delirious. You kept calling him by his name and…” Madison looked at you warily. She did not complete the sentence.

“Y/N saw the opportunity and took it,” said Rebecca from the next row. “I would sell my soul to be lifted like that.”

You slung your bag around your shoulders and made a move to get up. For all you cared, Rebecca could get hit by a truck. Not only were you furious at her for planning that prank with Brad, it made you feel murderous when she objectified Sam like that, reducing him to some greasy creep of a professor. It was insulting.

“Wait up now, sweetie!” She came up from behind. “Don’t act so prissy now. We all know you’re not as innocent as you make yourself out to be.”

“Excuse me?”

“You think I’m blind? To not see how you’re playing with all these men to get what you want? First, you have Brad panting after you, so you get the attention? Then you’re dancing with some random blue eyed man at the induction dance. The very next day you’re swaying in the arms of Chase Lincoln of all people. The moment you touch the pool water, somehow Sam Winchester is miraculously saving you… and two days later you’re crying like a damsel in distress in the arms of yet another man!” She was counting off her fingers. “And people call me slutty! I’m going to find out what your secret is, Y/N. Because I know you have one! And when I do...”

“You know what, Rebecca?” You said as calmly as you could. “Why don’t you go screw yourself.”

With that you headed straight for the library. When Madison caught up with you, her face was red. “Can’t believe I was ever friends with that hag! Gave her piece of my mind.”

“Madison, you should catch professor Winchester before he leaves. I’ll be okay.”

She assessed your words against your expression, then nodded and left.

You wanted to be by yourself. 

Thankfully, cataloging was time-consuming and tedious. It took your mind off of Rebecca’s awful words. For the life of you, you couldn’t understand why she was so mean to you. 

“Excuse me, miss, can I borrow this book?” Enquired a sweet voice. 

You dropped the marker in your hand and looked up. Max was standing beyond the desk, a huge grin on his face. You gave a little yelp of your own and hurried from behind the counter to throw your arms around him, kissing him on his cheek. 

“Gosh, I’ve been dying to meet you,” you said, pulling back to look at him. 

He was wearing a plaid shirt over a small faded t-shirt and jeans. Such a mini-Sam. You couldn’t resist the urge to lean over and kiss his other cheek.

Max started blushing, looking down at his shoes.

“What’re you doing here?” You asked, leading him to one of the benches.

“Alex broke her arm last night. She couldn’t come over today. Dad’s got work. He asked me to hang out here.”

“Oh, no, is Alex okay?”

Max snickered. “Yeah. She was trying to sneak out for a party and fell out of the window.”

You pursed your lips trying not to laugh with him. “Poor girl.”

“Aunt Jody’s super-mad!” He added and you couldn’t help the giggle that burst through your lips.

“Max, is that you?” Molly asked, sticking her head from behind the shelves. “Darn kid! It’s been ages. Where did you run off to?”

“Mechanics camp!” He told her. “I know where an engine goes now. And how to hot-wire a car.”

“They taught you that at the camp?” You asked, skeptic.

“No, uncle Dean did.”

This time you laughed in earnest.

“You know Max?” Molly frowned.

You nodded. “Remember my little friend I told you about?”

“The one you were holding a bake sale for?”

“Yep, he’s the one.”

Molly put her hand to her lips. “Well, no shit! Do you know who his father is?”

You and Max immediately looked at each other, confirming your secret with a tiniest of nods. 

“He’s Sam’s boy, this cute little nugget here.” Molly pulled his cheek. To Max’s credit, he didn’t rub his cheek afterwards.

Which reminded you. “You wait right here, Max. I’ll be back in a minute.” You quickly found the stash of cookies you were saving for tonight's dinner and hurried back to him. Eating at the library wasn’t allowed, but Max was an exception to every rule. “Cookies for you. I know these are your favourite.”

Max’s entire face lit up. True to his nature, he offered you one before digging in. You watched as he took a few bites, sneaking looks to the book he was holding- Adventures of Sinbad. 

“I read one of those when I was kid. It had a monster bird that carried Sinbad away to its nest.”

“Oh, the Roc! That one’s my favorite!” Max clapped his hand and the cookies clattered to the floor.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, trying to pick up the bag.

You stopped him with a gentle nudge. “Let me.” After cleaning the cookie crumbs from the carpet, you unwound the scarf from around your neck and used it to clean the crumbs stuck to Max’s mouth and shirt, fussing over getting it all away.

When you made him stand up to clean the hem of his pants, you noticed Sam standing behind you, arms crossed over his chest. He had a peculiar expression on his face- tender but also guarded.

“You’re not supposed to eat the library, young man!” Sam tried for stern, but ended up sounding amused.

You straightened up. “I make the rules here. Max can do whatever he wants.”

Max gave Sam a smug look, before running to him. In a motion that must have been more of less a reflex, Sam reached out and hefted Max up in his arms. 

“Look, what I found!” Max showed him the book.

Sam made a face. “Sinbad again? That sixth voyage was lame.”

“I wanna find out how it ends. There’s only one adventure left!”

“Alright, but this is the last of Arabian tales for the year. I get second hand sea-sickness just reading about it. I’m starting to miss Charlie and the chocolate factory.”

“You hated Charlie and the chocolate factory!”

Sam smirked. “You’re this close to getting my point.”

Max turned the book over. “We’re out of authors,” he told you.

The words shook you out of your quiet and you smoothened your expression. The scene before you was making your throat close up. You had never seen them together before. Max’s entire body language changed- his shoulders relaxed and he became less polite… just a bit more demanding, the way a child should be. Sam on the other hand radiated contentment. His voice changed, becoming softer, loving when he spoke to Max. You were sure you had been staring at them hungrily as if you couldn’t get enough of the interaction.

“Any suggestions?” Sam asked, tone still mild.

“T-Tolkein,” you stuttered. “You should try The Hobbit.”

Sam rolled his eyes. “Elven songs. Wonderful.”

Molly came over to greet Sam and you excused yourself to go back to the desk and take a stock of the emotions coursing through you. At any point it could get too much and you didn't want either of them to see that.  

On their way out, Max waved at you. “Bye, Y/N!”

“Bye, Max.” You blew him a kiss. “You turned my day around, bud!”

There were too many people in the vicinity, so when it came to Sam, you nodded. “Professor.”

He mirrored your gesture. “Ms. Y/L/N.” And with a look full of promise of later, he walked away. You waved at Max till he was out of sight.

“Such a lovely boy,” Molly sighed. “Horrendous business what happened to him.”

“Yeah.” You cut the topic short, still unable to think of Max’s past without feeling faint. Thinking about it was so hard for you, Max had lived through it. 

Molly was in no mood to change the subject.

“Sam’s an amazing guy to give up the lawyer life and settle down here for that kid.”

You narrowed your eyes. “What do you mean?”

Molly threw out her hands, slightly embarrassed. “It’s Sam’s personal choice and all that, but he had a solid career in LA. After that Simmons affair blew up in the media, he could’ve stuck around and bagged A-list celebrities as clients. He moved out to this place for Max’s sake- so there was some normalcy and stability in his life. Then, again, Sam’s had his share of downs.”

Your back felt like ice, knowing what was coming.

“I’m not supposed to talk about it but it’s just you.” Molly leaned in closer. “Did you know his wife left him?”

She must have interpreted whatever your face showed as shock, because Molly continued. “Don’t know much about the whole thing. I heard bits and parts from the grape wine. Some girl he met in Kansas straight out of Yale. Took a plunge in a couple of months and this girl bolted not even a year into the marriage. Can you believe that? I mean, look at him… What the fuck was she looking for that he didn’t have!”

You could taste the blood by biting into your lip too hard.

“Never heard of him dating anyone since. I think he’s still in love with her.” Molly whistled. “At least they have each other- Max and Sam. That kid spends a lot of time here. You’ll keep finding reasons to feed your little friend cookies.” Molly flashed you a grin. You couldn’t quite return it.

It was past twelve when your phone rang. You’d just locked the library behind you and had given up on all hopes of the call.

You hurried to pick it up.

“Hey,” Sam breathed. “Sorry it took me so long.”

“It’s alright,” you sighed in relief at the sound of his voice. The sinking feeling in your stomach since the talk with Molly began to dissipate. 

“It’s your fault really,” Sam said. “Max liked The Hobbit too much and went to bed real late. How am I supposed to wake him in time for his class tomorrow?”

His concerns were so normal, comfortingly mundane. Sam made it sound so easy, when in fact, all this must have been so hard. One time you heard someone say a mean thing about Sam’s wife and it had you rankled. Sam must’ve lived through years of whispers, stories and ugly rumours. He must’ve had to defend his choice of staying committed so many times. Hadn’t the words shred his heart?

“Y/N? Everything okay?”

You cleared your throat. “Uh it’s just… it’s good to hear your voice.”

He was immediately on alert. “What happened?”

“Nothing. Weird day.”

“Where are you?”

You looked about your dark surroundings. “Crossing the playground, almost to my building.”

“Do you want to come over?” He asked, voice hopeful but unsure. “We can sit in the front lawn if you want.”

You made an impulse decision. “Yeah okay.”

Ten minutes later you were sitting on one of Max’s swings. Your tan sweater wasn’t helping much as you shivered in the chill, waiting for Sam to show up. Weird how you made it before him. He lived right there!

Noiselessly the front door opened and closed. Sam walked briskly towards you. He was dressed in dark grey sweatpants and a black full sleeve t-shirt. In his hand he carried an afghan, a thermos and two mugs.

“Here,” he handed you the afghan. It was the same one that was wrapped around you on the night of the pool party. The memory brought blood to your face.

“We don’t have adult juice around here today, but we do have hot chocolate.” Grinning impishly, he tilted the thermos in your direction. He sat on the ground in front of you, carefully filling up the two mugs with the rich, brown liquid while you wrapped yourself in the Afghan. 

Eagerly, you took a sip and moaned indecently.

“Good, isn’t it?” Sam chuckled. 

This was very close to what heaven would feel like. 

“So, what’s the deal, huh?” He asked after a few sips. 

You hesitated, not wanting to admit what the real problem was. It would be the case of a teapot crying to a boiler.

“You know you can tell me things, right?” His voice was soft, beguiling. 

“It’s something Molly said after you left.” You gave in, selfishly spilling it all. 

Sam listened to the whole story, then shook his head at you in exasperation and beckoned you with his hand. You blinked a couple of times, then gave up and went in willingly. 

What the hell, right?

 Sam tucked his arms around your shoulder once you slid on the ground next to him.

“You and I, we know what the truth is,” he said. “How does it matter what anyone else says?”

“Is that what you told yourself all these years?” You asked in a small voice, unable to meet his eyes.

Sam sighed. “Why are you doing this to yourself, Y/N?”

“You didn’t answer me.”

His fingers curled around your shoulder over the afghan. “No, I didn’t have to tell myself anything. I knew I loved you. That was enough.”

“I don’t know if I can be as strong as you.”

“That’s because you’re so much stronger,” he said. “None of those people have lived your life, they don’t know what you’ve been through. I can bet my ass, they wouldn’t have made it out of half of it in one piece. It’s easy to judge.”

“That’s not my problem,” you argued. “I don’t care what they think about me. But I can’t stand how it makes you look!”

Sam surprised you by chuckling lightly. “You’re cute when you’re indignant. Especially on my behalf.”

“Quit making this into a joke, Sam.”

“I seriously don’t know what else to do.” He put a finger under your chin, tilting your face up. “Look at me. I’m the happiest I've been in years! Do you really think I give a rats ass about what anyone’s got to say about me? My personal life has never been anyone’s concern except mine and yours. The only other person who has any say in this is Max. And that kid doesn’t shut up about you.”

Sam’s eyes were scorching, melting against the night sky.

“Molly’s wonderful, and I know she has a soft spot for me. But by the end of the day, it's just gossip. There’s no substance to it. So will you please drop it?”

At long last you nodded. 

“That’s like my Y/N.”

A rustle from the other side of Sam’s fence made you stiffen. The bushes behind the planks began to shake.

“What’s that?”

Sam shrugged. “Probably Alex sneaking out.”

You frowned at him. “Didn’t she break her arm doing exactly that?”

He snorted. “When has that stopped teenagers? It does make life a bit difficult. Jody’s grounded her. She can’t babysit Max for a while and I got work tomorrow.”

You saw Alex creeping on the sidewalk in front of the lawn. She saw the two of you huddled and froze like a deer caught in the headlight. Sam winked and waved a salute at her. After a minute she unfroze, returned the gesture and went off on her way. 

“Why don’t you drop him off at the library in the morning? I’ll keep an eye on him. I’m covering the first shift.” You worked to not sound too excited.

“Yeah, that still doesn’t fix the afternoon. I won’t be back before four.”

“Easy. I’ll wait with him here.”

Sam looked at you, hazel eyes wondrous. “You’d do that?”

“Sure. I owe him a pie anyway.”

“You’re a lifesaver!” He exhaled. “Seriously, I could kiss you right now!”

All you had to do was look up. Sam was right there.

Another crash sounded over the fence, louder than the first, followed by a muted ‘ow.’  You saw lights flare up in what must be the living room. From somewhere inside you heard Jody curse. “Jesus fucking Christ! Claire, what’re you doing on the ground.”

“Why do you always have to catch me!” Claire whined in the darkness. “Alex just left!”

“What. The. Fuck!” Jody yelled. “Get in the fucking car! We’re going to find your sister.”

That did it for you as you buried your face in Sam’s chest, smothering the giggles. His arms wrapped tightly around you. Sam himself was shaking with silent laughter over you.

Yeah, this was pretty close to heaven.

*********************

A/N 2: Thank you for all the support over the last week. 

Sam was right when he said-  “You and I, we know what the truth is. How does it matter what anyone else says?”

I’m going to take his advice :)

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[ikassienatics]

𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐥 ↬ 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐩.

summary: half the population survived the blip and that includes peter your boyfriend, while the other half was erased from existence just like you. five years later, the snap was reversed but the world you once lived in changes

warnings: angst but not really, mj being a really cool bad bitch, life lessons from michelle jones, peter moving on, endgame spoilers? but i know you've seen the masterpiece already, mj cursing a lot like a lot.

author’s note: y’all it’s been soo long since i wrote something and this idea popped inside my mind while watching infinity war for the hundredth time, and i just can’t help myself!!!! though to warn y’all, i’m actually not that proud with the outcome of this one, it felt like something is not right, like something is missing or whatnot. and if there’s probably a fic i wrote in which i disliked, this will be it.

a handsome god trying to invade new york is bullshit, a malfunctioned artifical intelligence trying to take over the world is too much. but a purple alien named thanos erasing half the population in your planet is full of shit. the world is a crazy place indeed, you thought you guys have enough, that everything is being handled with care, for fuck’s sake earth has avengers. but turns out, even the earth’s mightiest heroes can’t stop nor survive the snap.

everything happened so fast, one second every student in your university is standing happily inside the gymnasium as they awaited the announcement about the upcoming ball, then the speaker suddenly turned into dust, she fades away like she was nothing, like a bubble, turned into ash. then everyone panicked including you, you just saw a person turned into dust before your eyes, of course you will panic

then you stood up from your seat, taking your boyfriend peter with you as you both decided to run for the exit, then it happened to everyone too. they also started turning dust

then it was your turn.

you didn't really know how it was your turn, you just sensed it that you will fade away just like them, so you did what common teenagers would do. you clung in your boyfriend once you felt the tingling sensation inside your body. it was a scary feeling, and for some reasons the numb pain started fading away, like it find some way to connect with your brain to tell it that there's nothing wrong when technically, everything is wrong. like it was convincing your mind that you don't feel anything. you have never been scared like that before

peter was by your side when that happened, holding you tightly on his arms as if he's trying to stop you from leaving. but nothing stopped the snap, no one manage to stop the blip. not even the earth's mightiest heroes.

and now you're back, sitting alone on the bench with no peter by your side, you stood up from the bench seeing mj looking at her hands weirdly, only half the students inside the gym remains and the speaker on the front, the other half? your peter? they're not here.

rushing towards the tan lady, you approach her with your hear beating faster "mj!" she look up from her hands, eyebrows furrowed and seemingly as confuse as you are

"y/n?" she stood up before you can even reach her sit "what the fuck just happened?" she look around as well, everyone started reaching for their devices, calling their family to make sure they're safe and okay, some even rush towards the exit while some started crying

"i have no idea." you pursed your lips, you and mj are never close. you always get insecure because of the tall girl, thinking that she may have a thing for peter but she always assure you that she don't date boys, she prefer girls. so standing in front of her, let alone talking to her is still awkward for you, but there's no time for that

"did you just came back as well?" she asked you, reaching for her bag and hanging it around her shoulder, you nodded your head "i was actually wondering where peter was. . ." your eyes widen, she might think you don't care about anything but peter, or maybe she will think your ignorant because even after what happened, even if there's a lot to be concern about, you still ask for your boyfriend first "i mean, everyone, i was wondering where half of the students are."

"yeah, me neither." she grabbed her phone from inside her bag, planning to text her parents just like everybody else when she suddenly caught a glimpse of the date on her lockscreen "oh shit!"

your eyes widen "what? what is it?" even though you two were never close and you felt like overstepping a line, putting your nose in her business. you can't help but get curioused because of the expression written all over her face

"what the fuck is this." she showed you her phone and there you saw a 2023 instead of 2019, your eyes also widen in realization reaching for your phone as well and seeing the same thing in your lock screen, you even saw a couple of text and calls from your parents and friends five years ago

five years ago

what the fuck

you licked your lips, about to call your mom when you heard someone speak from behind you and mj "y/n?" the voice is familiar, turning on your heels, you came in contact with a person no other than ned leeds, one of peter's friends.

mj also turn her head making ned switch his eyes from you to her "mj?" he asks, still can't believe what he's seeing. ned changes a lot even after just five minutes, he grew a beard, his hair looks so fresh from hair cut and his body is more lean than before, he looks older. weird

"ned! oh my god." you run towards him, jumping in his arms and hugging him tightly, he did the same closing his eyes in the process and praying that this is not a dream, not anymore, no. this has to be real, everyone has to come back, this has to be the reality.

"hey, man!" mj nodded her head at the man in front fo you, he still looks confuse but not as confuse as the pair "what happened here?"

his eyebrows furrowed "you don't know?" the way he said those words made your heart clench, what really is happening? and where's peter? if ned is here, then peter must be somewhere near, knowing that guy. him and ned are usually always together, even in your dates ned has to tag along, not that you mind. you enjoyed it most of the time

"what? what do you mean?" you look back at mj "we just came back, what happened? why do you look older? did you just came back as well?" you bombared him with question

he shakes his head "no, half of the population survived." your eyes widen, then if half the population survived, does that mean peter survive as well? or maye he's also part of the snap? but where is he. you look back at your seat not long ago, expecting your partner to pop our of nowhere. but there's none, no peter.

"while the other half fade away?" mj continued or more like, asked.

"y-yeah." he nodded "it's been five years." so that's why it's year 2023 and not 2019? but how, how could it happened? why? who did this? you can't help bur ask yourself

"yeah, that answers our question." the curly brunette beside you spoke, referring to what you both just witness a while ago. biting your lip, you fidget with your fingers as you find the right time to ask him a question

"what are you doing here if it's been five years?" you questioned

"i helped my cousin get enrolled, then everyone just. . . just started to come back and i think of going here to see if both of you came back as well." he answers softly

you slightly smiled at him "w-where's. . . where's peter?" you saw how ned's body froze, how almost all the blood in his face dissapeared by your question, like he's suddenly afraid of something. his happy and chill personality faded just like the snap

"p-peter? y-yeah uhm." he clears his throat, you look down on his fingers and unexpectedly saw a ring in one of them

"you're married?" both you and mj said in unison, he look down on his hands as well before nodding

"yeah, betty and i you know. we made it work, aftee graduating i decided to take our relationship in another level." his eyes sparkles with joy as he tells you the news "she's. she's actually pregnant, two months."

"congratulations." you and mj both said

"and peter, uhm. he now lives in, he no longer lives with aunt may and he also. . . he's not an avenger anymore." you saw how ned had a hard time on telling you what he knows, the ned you knew not long ago is gone, ned usually knows how to compose himself immideately and maybe that's one of the reasons why him and peter fits each other perfectly, your boyfriend is an akward person, a weird one and he always stumble upon his words, while ned is more composed and often helped him.

"wait, what?" michelle gasp

while you stayed still, confusion erupts in your mind. how did it happened? why did peter left the avengers? he always love helping people, finding comfort in swinging around queens and fighting for those who cannot fight, and being an avenger? it's his dream, so why would he turn his back on a life he always wanted to have?

at this moment, you felt like you never knew peter anymore, or ned, he changes so much and you wish peter is still the same after five years even though you know it's impossible, many things can happen in those years, many things can change.

"yeah, after. you know, he got anxiety after the blip, he really had a hard time with keeping up so, uhm. yeah."

"wait, i don't understand a single thing." mj speak once again, trying to make the situation clear

you saw how ned gulped, as if he's about to spill the biggest tea there is "he just, shit happens. you know? and people change, how they see life, their perspective and peter. well, peter. he, he change. he's grown up now."

"like, how grown up?" did he move on?

"i can't tell you that, i'm sorry but he lives in." then he started tellng you the adress which you gladly wrote down on your phone with shaking fingers, imagining how peter would seeing you after five years, would he be happy, sad? or maybe he moved on?

god you don't want to think about it, peter moving on from his relationship with you? can that really happen? can peter really do that to you? no, no. peter won't do that, maybe ned is right. he changed but he's still peter, you refuse to believe that peter forgot about you, that he replaced you after being a part of the blip, because if tables have turned? if peter is the one who has been snapped and you're the one who survived? you don't think you can forget him or move on.

the trio was about to continue keeping up, but ned's phone started to ring and you saw a picture of a woman on the screen "sorry, wife calling." he turn his back on you quickly answering the phone while you and mj just nodded your head, giving him a chance to answer the line

"i always knew peter is a freak." she whispered beside you, trying to make the mood better as she started to see the doubt in your eyes "but a grown man? come on, just because he grow up and finally became a man doesn't mean he has to forget stuffs, you know?"

you slightly smile at her, nodding your head in agreement "you're right."

"anyways, i got to call my dad. you call your family too, they must be worried and confused. all this shit is probably all overt the news by now."

***

two days passed after you came back from the blip, everything you thought you knew? gone. it's like you never existed in the first place and you had a hard time keeping up, keeping up with the world you once knew. your parents on the other hand, they are more understanding than ever, letting you stay lock up in your room so you can think but occasionally asking you if you want to go on a family vacation but you told them you have to fix yourself first. your parents reaction when you came back is priceless especially your mom, she almost didn't want to let you go after embracing you if it weren't for your dad and you saw the longing in their eyes.

of course, their only daughter went missing five years ago then came back as if nothing happened.

you tried to read as many newspaper as you could, news from the last five years, trying to blend in once again. you felt sick thinking about the new society you are now stepping on. but even after those things, you have mj with you and you two became close, facetime here, facetime there. helping each other stood back up from their feet.

two days later, that's when you decided to visit peter, two days of dreaming about the guy, imagining what his reaction would be if you showed up in his door step, and a part of you wished you didn't came back after what you saw, after what you learned.

the house that ned told you was huge, it's white and there's a mailbox standing outside with a name 'parker' in it, it's more like a family house, a car on the garage and a small bike right beside it, a small bike? why does peter have a small bike on his house?

and if you weren't that stupid, you're going to be able to put the pieces together, the bike, the house, the mailbox, ned seeming like he's nervous about something. it all made sense especially when you knock on the door and it was opened by the one and only liz allen. the small bump on her stomach also didn't go unnoticable by you, and the small boy running around from the inside looking like you're boyfriend? yeah, fuck. you get it. he moved on, what else can you do?

nonetheless, she invited you in and you could have said no, but you didn't. there's a lot of question you want to ask peter, why? and how? but you're not going to blame him because of the decision he made. you fully understand it, that maybe his feelings for liz didn't really fade away just like he told you when you two started dating, or maybe he forgot about you. five years is a long road

and that's how you saw yourself inside the kitchen with peter sitting in front of you, the house smelled like home, like love, like family. his family, her family. liz was upstairs trying to give the both of you a time to talk while their son went out to play with some kids outside.

"you're married?" you asked, although it's obvious. you still want it to come out from his mouth. your voice came out like a whisper but you know he heard it, he only nodded his head in response, not knowing what else to say.

"you left me for her." you said once again

and that's when he spoke back "i didn't left you, you left me." his voice is deeper than before, more manly and he didn't stumble upon his words just like before, he looks like be know exactly what he's doing, what he's saying.

he's not the peter you once knew anymore, just like everybody else.

"are you blaming me for what happened?" you whispered shouted, not wanting liz to hear your conversation even though you know that peter will tell her later once you got out

"i'm not blaming anything on you, i'm just trying to explain that i'm not the one who fades away to dust, who left me with nothing for five years. what do you expect me to do?"

"i expect you to wait for me, i came back didn't i?" you saw how your vision started to get blurry, telling you that any time soon a tears will fell from your eyes.

"i waited for you but i lose hope."

"how could you do this to me?" and that's when a single tear drop from your eyes, then another. but you didn't do anything to stop it

"how could i? can you put yourself in my position for once? i was left with nothing for the past five years! i have nothing, tony was a part of the snap, may and i fell apart because all this shit! and liz? she's just, she's there with me. she stood by my side during those times and neither of us can't help it." and if your heart broke after finding out that peter moved on, now it's being shredded to pieces especially after what he just told you

"you find comfort in another woman."

"don't pretend like you will do this differently if i were the one who got snapped." you drop your palms on the table causing it to make a loud thump

"don't you there turn the tables, because if i were the one who survived and you're the one who does not. i will still wait for you no matter how fucked up everything is." you said angrily "did you ever loved me? or did you just used me to get over her? to make her jealous?"

"don't fucking change the subject." that's the first time he ever cursed in front of you, in those eight months of you two dating, no matter the situation, he never cursed or yell at you. yeah you fight often times but it didn't come this far, no yelling, no cursing, just a calm fight.

you wanted to be selfish, to steal peter away from liz just like how she teal him away from you. but you couldn't, you can't even think about it. you don't want to be the person, the woman who stole their dad away from them, you don't want their child to grew up without a dad, to grew up longing for a father.

"look, i know it's hard but believe me or not. i loved you." he said softly this time "but i have a family now, a family to take care of, a children to look after and none of this can bring back the past, none of this can bring both of us together just like before. you have to understand the situation that none of this is inevitable, maybe we're not meant for each other, maybe this is meant to happened, what matters right now is you're back and i have the family i always wanted, maybe not with you. but i'm happy now."

he held your hands from the table, soothing it gently to calm you down "i loved you, and i still do until now but not as much as i love her."

"you don't know how many men will kill just to be with you, you deserve beter and i wish you all the happiness in this world." he added, you look down on his hands, biting your shaking lips as you refuse to believe everything he told you

everything is just too much, it happened so fast. that your brain could not even keep up, but you have to accept the truth, the truth that the both of you are no longer the couple you were used to be. that he moved on and you must do the same

***

you lay down, facing the ceiling before sighing. even after two weeks, fourteen days, even after all those minutes passed you can't seem to get used to the world you were in right now. you're starting to drift away from your parents, not liking to go out and instead you prefer to self isolate yourself inside your room. but no one can blame you for your actions, it's hard. keeping up with everything, it's hard facing complicated things like this especially because peter is not by your side unlike before.

and for once, you just wanted to. . . you just want everything to stop for a while. everything, just. just to give you time to understand

if only it weren't for the snap, or what everyone prefer to call that 'thing'. if it weren't for that, then maybe you already graduated by now, maybe you're the one who's married with peter instead of liz. maybe

"i thought that if i acted like it didn't matter. it wouldn't." you said, eyes still focused on the ceiling as you tried to think about everything that had happened in the past ever since you came back from the ash

mj, who's quietly reading a book on the sofa inside your room decided to join you in your comfy bed, laying beside you and facing the white and boring ceiling as well. unlike you, mj asked for help. she started seeing a therapist to help her get better and to guide her in this journey where she's trying to fit in once again.

but you? you prefer to be alone no matter how many times your parents tried to talk to you or asked you if you need help, even if they kept their arms open for you, even if every person who survived the snap kept their arms wide open for those who didn't. you can't bring yourself to do it, to ask for help like mj. unlike you, mj handled all the problems like a champion, you never see any discomfort in her eyes ever since you came back. yeah maybe the first day, you saw how scared she was but now? she's getting better while you felt like you're getting worse.

you drift away from your parents, never answered or check your phone, you completely shut down peter and liz no matter how many times they tried to invite you like when their son celebrated his birth day. but you see yourself getting closer to mj

which is. weird

you never see it coming,

you never see any of this coming.

"it's okay not to be okay, you know?" she mumbled from beside you. closing her book and fixing her eyeglasses

"shit happens, we get sad, stress, depress, you name it. and that's okay, that's normal. everybody felt that too." she added

from the ceiling, you turn your body to face her before asking her a question "how did you do it?" she seemed taken a back but manages to compose herself right away

putting her other hands behind her head, she licked her lips before answering your question "how did i do it? i didn't do no such thing." it was a whisper, but because of the silence evaporating inside your room you manage to hear every letter that came out of her mouth

"i was scared, afraid after all this shit you know? and it made me think that feeling those things, that self isolating myself or being sad or what the fuck will not make anything better." she told you "like, if i cry in my room because i felt left out, will that make anything better? no right? if i stay in my room and get so emotional, will that bring back the past? will the pain bring back everything? no, that's why instead of being like the others, instead of following what i feel, instead of letting my fear take over. i just told them to fuck off, i go out, tried understanding the world more, have fun, be with my loved ones, forget the fact that i became an ash. because no matter how sad you feel, or how depress you've become. the world will not stop spinning for you, and because of that. might as well as spin with the world, you know what i'm saying?"

from her laying position, mj sat up completely facing you and holding your hand in hers "i know you're having a hard time, we all are. but don't forget that you're not alone in this. you don't have to be, you don't have to face all this shit alone because i'm here for you, your parents, your friends, peter. maybe not in the way you want him to be, but all of us will be here for you." she said sincerely

"i know it's tough, and it's probably much more harder in your case because of peter. but things aren't always going to be there, you know? nothing is permanent. i can't be sitting here with you forever because i have to go home or else my dad will probably burst out." you laughed at her humor "but i'm serious, sometimes everything is not meant to be that way. and i think that's what makes life special, nothing is permanent, because of that life teaches us how to cherish every moment."

"avengers fought with their dying breath just to give us a second chance, and i'm glad they did. we were all given a second chance to live in this world and i don't want to waste that."

that's when you realized how lucky you are, she's right. you were given a second chance, a second chance to live, to be happy. avengers bled for this, for all of you to return. you should live your life to the fullest, and that's what you're about to do

peter is one of the best things that ever happened to you, maybe he's not with you until the end but at least you manage to be with him and to feel the love from spiderman in the past.

maybe in some other life, in a distant universe, in an unknown world, in a small city, you and peter have your little love story going on, and you both are living there your happily ever after.

disclaimer: all publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. the original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. the author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.

[randomestfandoms-ocs]

Rachel Eliot: The Infodump

Here’s just a big info dump on my oc Rachel, with explanations of canon characters & her relationships with them — it was written for a friend who hasn’t watched The Society so it should be comprehensible even without being familiar with the fandom!  I’m just very excited about her lmao!  However it does contain spoilers for the show!

Her twin brother is Sam Eliot, the deaf & gay character (in other words, obviously my favourite) — he's about the nicest person in town tbh

their older brother campbell is a piece of shit and a psychopath (however it's very hollywood-sensationalized and really the only thing I sort of dislike about the show, so I'm debating if I might go for a more realistic route or fully lean into that and go angsty as fuck)

she's a lesbian, and she's dating a guy on the football team named Grizz (best boy, literally a human ray of sunshine) — they started dating when she was 14 and he was 15; when she was 16 and he was 17 she told him she was a lesbian and his reaction was basically "oh thank god, I'm gay — also I have a crush on Sam", however neither was ready to come out, so they're still dating as far as everyone else knows

canonically speaking, Grizz isn't out and has slept with girls in the past and his plan has always basically been "pretend to be straight until I graduate, go to university, come out, never look back", and I thought it would be an interesting dynamic to play with in terms of they very much are soulmates and love each other so much, they have slept together and they're comfortable kissing to keep people off their backs, but neither of them are any less gay for choosing not to come out yet bc fuck gatekeeping in queer communities

and she's in love with Becca, who's Sam's best friend!  Becca (spoilers!!!) is pregnant and refuses to tell anyone who the father is, and when she tells Sam about her baby (and her fear of what people will say if there's no father), he immediately offers to step up and be the father; both in terms of helping to raise the baby and in terms of "you can tell people that I'm the bio dad and that we experimented or something"

so needless to say, the baby will have a very confusing family tree —  "this is my mom becca and my dad sam and this is my other mom rachel who's also my sam-dad’s sister and this is my other dad grizz who used to date my mom-aunt rachel"

In terms of her personality/interests/hobbies:

Rachel is an artist and a writer!  She's about to be done her junior year of high school when they end up in this parallel world

Grizz is her best friend and her safety net, Campbell is pretty much the only person she's afraid of, she has bpd (undiagnosed at that point, but I know it about her!), and she's got a bit of an atlas complex!

at first she has no intention of really trying to be a leader in their new society — she'd rather just stick by Grizz's side, and when she can't do that then she's helping Sam try to investigate how they ended up in the town!  When Grizz gets put in charge of taking a team into the forest that now surrounds them, to look for land for farming, she's the first to sign up and is his second in command on the team, because the idea of being in New Ham (their town) without him terrifies her

When they return, things are kind of a mess, and that's when she gets this sort of "someone has to do something, and I guess I'm the one who has to do it" mentality, particularly about dealing with Campbell (it's not that Campbell has a soft spot for her by any means, but rather that if he's going to hurt someone then she'd rather it be her than anyone else and maybe, just maybe, if she survives his game for long enough, she'll find a way to win)

she's self sacrificing to a fault, keeps her emotions locked down tightly with everyone but Grizz (and eventually Sam & Becca) but cares *so much* about everyone around her, and she's pretty much constantly 0.2 seconds away from having a panic attack

and she's an honorary member of the football team bc of Grizz!  She usually hangs out with them (which can be really hard bc Campbell also hangs out with them often-ish) and even though the three who aren't Grizz can all kind of be assholes, they do actually care about her and see her as a sort of little sister

And, she becomes the historian for their new society!  Her cousin Cassandra is the first mayor and I have this moment between them planned when jobs are being assigned where Rachel just goes up to her and goes "I want to write" and Cassandra says something about like "I know you do, and I want to go to Yale, but we can't do that right now" and Rachel just being like "No, I want to write.  We're either going to be found, find a way home, or die.  And someone, someday, should know what happens to us.  I want to write it all, I want to record it."

her job comes to include recording & tracking of all of their resources, writing a newsletter (that gets posted in the few central areas in town since paper is a limited resource) that recaps everything that's happened and has a schedule for town meetings, movie nights, meals, etc, and any new laws that get put into place, and then her half-journal almost (except she tries to record everything that's going on not just what's going on for her, and she tries to keep it unbiased) about every single day and everything that happens in town and how people feel about choices that get made and whatnot

[captainseaweedbrains]

The Dance of the Color Guard, Op. 64 Ch. 4

Katniss and Peeta used to be best friends when they were kids, but now in high school, they're barely on speaking terms. It isn't until they are forced together as the titular star-crossed lovers for their marching band's field show that they will have to face their past mistakes and try to get along if they ever hope of defeating the notorious Capitol Height's Imperial Marching Crusaders in competition.

It's all about winning and if that means pretending to be in love with Peeta Mellark, so be it.

A/N: Thank you to @rosegardeninwinter​ for editing and helping push me to finish! You are the best and any mistakes found are mine. :) 

Start at the beginning on Ao3: X

Ch. 4 Ao3: X

June

“Peeta really isn’t that bad,” Madge said for what felt like the millionth time. Katniss rolled her eyes and flipped the page of her magazine. Ever since learning that Peeta was going to be the Romeo to Katniss’ Juliet, Madge had been defending him every chance she got. “He’s really not. And he’s so smart, Katniss. Picks up on things real quickly. So all this moping around you’ve been doing all week is stupid.”

Katniss frowned and shoved her sunglasses further up her nose, preferring the screams of the children running around them on the pool deck to Madge defending Peeta Mellark to her once again. Was she being overly dramatic about this? Maybe. Was Madge right that Peeta wasn’t as bad as she made him out to be? Perhaps. But it still sucked and she couldn’t stop complaining about it.

“I know you’re Team Peeta,” she sighed, “but would it kill you to see things from my perspective just this once? Isn’t that what girl friends are supposed to do? Side with their other girl friends?”

“Maybe if you were right about him being a bad person, I would,” Madge sniffed, picking up her own gossip magazine to flip through. “But as of right now, you’ve provided me no evidence in support of your claim.” It was times like these Katniss wished her friend wasn’t the daughter of a prestigious lawyer.

“Gale sides with me,” she argued, pointing at her tall friend standing in line between two twelve-year-old kids for their slushies. “Doesn’t that count for anything on my behalf?”

“Gale’s an idiot.”

“An idiot you’re dating.” Madge stuck her tongue out at that, unable to refute her long-standing relationship with Gale and Katniss smiled. Of all the relationships she’d seen throughout the years—and band romances had provided plenty of weird, random romances, the weirdest being Johanna Mason and Melinda “Cashmere” Hewitt—Madge and Gale’s was the only one she saw that made no sense on paper yet made complete sense in person. The spoiled rich girl with a heart of gold and the rough-around-the-edges boy from the bad part of town? She never used to buy it in the movies, thinking the concept too ridiculous, but Madge and Gale proved her wrong time and time again.

Even when they had broken up sophomore year, claiming they were just too different, Katniss was still proven wrong because they couldn’t shut up about each other—griping about how she just didn’t understand and he always has to be right and I can’t believe I lost my virginity to that, a fact Katniss could have gone her whole life not knowing. When they got back together, it was hard to say who was more thrilled about it: the happy couple or Katniss.

“Come on, Madge,” she sighed, flopping back in her lounge seat. “Why must you always be the diplomatic one?”

“Someone has to be between your impulsiveness and Gale’s anarchy attitude.

“Did someone say anarchy?” the anarchist himself joked, handing Madge her lime-flavored slushie with a kiss on the lips for a tip. He handed Katniss her watermelon one and jokingly asked where his tip was. Katniss threw her three dollars at him with a “Keep the change” rebuttal. Gale laughed and pocketed the cash, lifting Madge’s legs up and over onto his lap so he could sit.

“So what did I miss?”

Madge snorted and offered her boyfriend a sip of her slushie. “Here’s a hint: it’s Katniss’ favorite subject.”

Gale rolled his eyes and accepted the drink. “Mellark again?” He took a large sip and winced at the sudden brain freeze, handing the large cup back. “God, I’m so sick of hearing about that guy. Katniss, get over it and move on already.” Even Gale was getting sick of her talking about it? Somehow, that hit lower on the pathetic scale. Gale was her complaining companion. Her bitch buddy. The person she reserved all her annoyances for because she knew he’d have his own trivial things to complain about. Hell, their friendship was founded upon complaining, starting in 8th Grade Science when their teacher kept giving them busy work to cope with the very public scandal of his wife sleeping with their school principal. They complained about everything with each other.

And now even Gale had said enough.

Well this sucked.

“Fine,” she said, not really feeling fine about it. “I won’t talk about it anymore.” Her friends looked doubtful. “I mean it! No more talk of Peeta Mellark and how my whole summer is practically ruined because I have to have extra practices to teach him how to dance on the field. And I’m not going to talk about how that cuts into my shifts at Aunt LuLu’s store, which means my spending money is going to be next to nothing by the time school starts. So if you two ever want to do anything more fun than hanging around the school parking lot, I guess you’re shit out of luck.”

Gale smiled sweetly at Madge. “I’m so glad she’s not talking about it anymore.” Katniss scowled and gave them the middle finger, causing them both to laugh.

“I think you both are very biased over this whole thing,” Katniss said after a while. Gale and Madge didn’t say anything, too focused on tanning and summer reading homework. That didn’t seem to stop Katniss from continuing. “You’re both too friendly with him because of classes and band. He’s gotten to you.”

“One of us is biased,” Gale said, “and it’s not us. It’s you. You’ve hated him for as long as I’ve known you.”

“With good reason!” she huffed, crossing her arms. They didn’t ask her to elaborate on that, already making it clear they were done talking about Peeta Mellark and all the annoyances he brought to her life, and she hated the fact that she did want to keep talking about him. About marching band. About the whole stupid situation. But she kept her promise and kept her mouth shut. 

No one said anything further until Madge declared herself starving and Gale suggested they stuff their faces with greasy burgers and fries at Sae’s.

**********

Sae’s Diner was packed with its usual lunch crowd—men and women from the factories nearby on lunch, sitting at the worn pastel-colored counter; a couple of kids they recognized from school goofing off in the corner booth, shooting straw wrappers off the straws; and a book club filled with women in their fifties discussing some brick of a book over coffee and Sae’s famous blueberry and cream pie sitting in the center of the small diner. The old woman herself smiled warmly at them when they’d walked in, asking if they were wanting the usual. 

“You’re the best, Sae,” Gale thanked as they waved and headed to their booth next to the front door. 

As they waited for their cheeseburgers and chocolate milkshakes, Gale chatted about some war movie he and his brothers saw that sounded god awful boring, no matter how much he tried re-explaining the plot to them. Madge and Katniss rolled their eyes and told him if he wanted to see the movie again so badly, to go see it by himself. “I’m not going to the movies by myself like some weirdo,” he scoffed, taking his hands off the table as the waitress deposited their plates of food and drinks. 

“Why not?” Katniss asked, picking up a french fry to dip into her milkshake. “I do it all the time.” 

“Because you hate people.” 

“So do you.” He shrugged, not having much to argue there, and picked up his burger. 

“So what time is Trinket summoning you tomorrow?” Gale asked, changing the subject completely, and tearing into his burger. Grease dripped down his hands and Madge tossed a pile of napkins at him. He accepted with a smile and slid his side of pickles over to her, something he purposely ordered more of because he knew how much she liked them. Madge happily bit into one, her eyes gazing at him with such adoration, Katniss rolled her eyes. Their coupling was too much for her sometimes. 

“I thought you didn’t want me talking about marching band,” she said innocently enough, taking a bite into her own burger.

“I didn’t want you talking about Mellark,” he said pointedly, wagging a fry at her. “Marching band is different. Less annoying and less boy drama. So what time does Miss Cream Puff have you coming in?”

It irritated her that Gale simplified her great dislike for Peeta Mellark as mere boy drama because it was far more complicated than that, but there was no point trying to explain it to Gale. He understood a lot about her, but when it came to Peeta… Well, it was best to let him believe whatever he wanted. “Eight a.m. sharp,” she said sourly, dipping another french fry into her milkshake.

Gale winced. “That sucks. Why so early?” 

“Peeta couldn’t get out of working his afternoon shifts and it was either that or not have a single weekend off until November.” She was still bitter about the change in schedule. Originally Miss Trinket wanted them twice a week outside of color guard’s normal rehearsal times, but with Peeta’s work schedule not being as flexible as Katniss’, she’d decided to make it morning rehearsals and make those shorter, which forced them to add another day of rehearsal to make up for the cut time. Now instead of having rehearsal four times a week, Katniss had five with her weekends full of shifts at Aunt LuLu’s shop for the extra cash she desperately needed. This summer was going to blow.

“I still think you should’ve been picked for Juliet,” Katniss told Madge teasingly. “You and Gale, maybe?” she cooed. “The true star-crossed lovers of Athens Ridge.” 

Gale scowled. “I’d rather drop dead than have to deal with Trinket when she’s in choreographer mode. She’s a total tyrant.” 

“She’s not so bad once you get used to her.” 

“Tell me what you think after dealing with her for a whole season, oh captain, my captain.” 

Point taken.

Much like at the pool, they talked for a bit about things going on in their lives—Madge taking some online French class because her grades last semester weren’t great; Gale’s successful find for parts with Thom in the junkyard. Katniss didn’t say much as she munched on her burger and fries, afraid Madge would lecture her again on Peeta Mellark and her inability to let things go with him. That and she promised she was done talking about him. But outside of marching band and him, not much was going on in her life. She felt a bit pathetic about that. 

Conversation picked up when Sae came over, asking how things were doing. The three smiled at the old woman, happy to fill her in on all the small details of their lives. Sae was the unofficial grandmother of the Seam. Always there to show her support for her kiddos. Her small diner was covered with pictures of sports teams she’s sponsored over the years, pictures of her and kids dressed in dance gear, holding certificates. 

“Did you hear the news about Katniss, Sae?” Madge asked when the topic of marching band came up. Sae was always interested in that, loving watching her talented kids play as they wove around the field. “She’s going to be our Juliet this year! Isn’t that exciting?” 

Sae’s grey eyes warmed, turning to Katniss. “Is that so? Captain and the lead part?” She shook her head in astonishment, her salt and peppered colored hair coming loose from her hair tie. “You were always so talented with those flags. I’m not surprised. Who’s your Romeo?” 

“Peeta Mellark.” The name felt lodged in her throat, but thankfully, it squeezed out without too much of a squeak in her voice. 

Sae didn’t know all the kids on the west side, but she definitely knew Peeta. He would often tag along with her and her dad on their trips to the woods, stopping at the diner after for hot chocolate and pie. In fact, his picture was one of the first ones you saw coming in—Sae and six-year-old Peeta smiling at the camera, her arm around him as he proudly held up his lost baby tooth. Her dad had taken the picture, she remembered, and if the camera’s lens had shifted a little more to the right, it would have also captured five-year-old Katniss pouting on the side, upset that he kept losing his baby teeth when she’d lost none. It was a picture her gaze avoided whenever they visited Sae’s, unable to stomach the sight of an old friend turned asshole, the memory of her dad’s laughter as he took the photo. 

“Oh, Peeta,” Sae chuckled, the familiar twinkle she always got in her eyes when he was around. The old woman doted on him when they were kids and he ate up her attention like there was no tomorrow. “How is that boy? Staying out of mischief, I hope?” 

Gale and Madge looked to her with knowing smiles, wondering what she would say. Katniss cleared her throat and looked down at her half-eaten plate for a moment. “Fine, I guess. We don’t hang out anymore. You know that, Sae.” 

She did know that, but it never stopped her from asking whenever he came up. “Aye, girl, I do. I suppose you aren’t happy with Effie Trinket’s choice, then?” 

Gale snorted. “Happy? More like obsessively pissed. She hasn’t shut up about it since May.” She glared at her friend and he shrugged, popping a fry in his mouth. “What? You haven’t.” 

Sae gave one of her warm, crooked teeth smiles. “Maybe this is the push you kiddos need to kiss and make up.” Katniss’ cheeks warmed at the mention of kisses, remembering Leevy’s comment how they were so going to have sex by the end of the year. She still hadn’t fully forgiven her friend for that suggestion.

“I’m afraid that’s impossible, Sae,” she said, her voice still a little strained. “We’re just too different.”  

“Ah, well. I suppose we grow in different directions sometimes,” the woman sighed with a shake of her head. A woman from the book club table called for her and Sae gave them a parting wave and smile. “Tell Peeta ol’ Sae misses her boy and that he needs to come in more. I haven’t seen him in ages.”

Katniss pointedly avoided Gale and Madge’s amused smirks, focusing on the burger in front of her. “I’ll be sure to pass the message along,” she muttered, taking a big bite of her food to avoid continuing this conversation. She loved Sae. Thought of her like a grandmother. But there was no way in hell was she telling Peeta that. No way. Then he’d think she was gushing about him to anyone who would listen, thrilled to be his Juliet, a role many girls at school would kill for (Probably. Maybe. She thinks.), and then his stupid ego would just get bigger and he’d be even more obnoxious to deal with. No, best not to mention anything and lie next time she saw Sae. 

A small part felt guilty at that, though, because Sae was like a grandma who wanted the best for her, and Peeta too, she guessed, but again, Sae didn’t know what happened between them. And Katniss wasn’t going to fill her in on their broken history six years too late. 

Her phone next to her plate vibrated, signifying a text message just came in. Wiping her greasy hands, Katniss frowned, picking up her phone. Who was texting her? Everyone who’d text her was either sitting right across from her or were busy at work or camp. The little text message lit up at her touch, showing it was from an unknown number, and her frown turned into a scowl as she read it. 

Hey!!!!!!!!!1!1111!!!!!!! the message read with a thousand typo-filled exclamation marks. God, who text like that? Trinket gave me ur ######## Hope thats cool. Thought Id give mine!!!!!!!111111 🤗 Ill see u  Mon dearest Juliet ❤️❤️❤️❤️!!!!!!!!!!!!111!😘😘😘😘!!!111!!!!!! 

For the briefest of seconds, Katniss swore her vision blacked out. One moment she was staring at her phone. The next, darkness. Like her brain couldn’t process the simple text on her phone and chose to shut down instead. When her vision cleared, the message was still there, glaring brightly at her with those thousand exclamation/number marks. 

Peeta Mellark texted her. He had her number.

         Her stomach churned and now she feared that what her mother always warned about Sae’s greasy food would come true now and she’d throw it all up. 

Peeta Mellark texted her. It was truly official. He had her number and she had his and they were partners now. If she had any doubts about this whole thing before—as if she had dreamt the last four weeks of her life—they were wiped clean now. Replaced with this typo-filled text message from the very boy who hurt her. 

“You okay?” Madge asked.

Katniss nodded and clicked out of the message, tossing the phone into her bag. She’d deal with it later.

[musicfeedsmysoul12]

Plague Rat Chapter 3

Three months later…

 “Hello and welcome to Channel Eight! I’m Erica, bringing you the news!”

 “Today we are speaking of what is now called ‘the Plague of Truth’, brought upon us by the Akuma Plague Rat.

 Due to the Akuma’s powers of infecting people with a deadly virus resembling the Black Plague but targeting liars, many secrets came about. And many consequences have occurred. The most high profile ones are the former mayor, his wife and a dozen city officials who are now closing ranks and trying to-“ Marinette turned off the TV and closed her eyes.

 After she had been purified, the girl had been horrified at her actions, feeling ill and disgusted. She had done that? She had attacked people? She had nearly…

 Luckily there was a therapist employed by the hospital that sat with her and spoke with her. He was open and honest and she had a lot off issues she usually kept locked up. 

 He helped her speak of them and confront them. Helped her understand her issues. Helped her realize how many were people putting things on her and expecting things if her when they shouldn’t. 

 She still didn’t feel okay. Knowing what she did made her feel sick, but her classmates where there. Alix spoke with her softly, the girl knowing she had killed one. Kim spoke of rewatching his actions and feeling horrified. Rose shuddered at what she had done.

 It helped. 

 More so, honestly, it helped knowing that her actions had exposed Lila and a lot of corruption. Not only had she hit the mayor, she’d hit the commissioner, Audrey, Nadja and a bunch of others. 

 Andre had been removed from office and was now facing trial for his crimes. The commissioner had been removed from office along with Roger being fired and were also facing charges. Rumors said they would probably get ten years at least.

Audrey was going away for child abuse, corruption and the abuse of her staff. She had admitted everything and Chloe had been removed from their care in a second, being placed with an aunt on the other side of Paris who hadn’t spoken to her sister in years and had never cared to. The aunt had agreed to take Chloe in but had warned the girl she would not put up with any of her actions.

 Marinette hadn’t heard anything since as Chloe had been expelled by the new principal that had replaced Damocles when the fact he was being bribed came out. Bustier had also been replaced. Marinette wasn’t sad to see them go- even if it was only recently she could go back to school after the shock to her system becoming an Akuma had been. It wrecked her metabolism again and she’d been stuck in a bed for months.

 Luckily, there was a friendly nurse around who was happy to take over for Akumas. Marinette has the best time hearing her rant about magic and how stupid it was she couldn’t tell who Ladybug was when she was in the hosptial. Often right in front of her door.

 Tikki found it hilarious to.

 But she had finally left the hospital and Tikki said she could go back to fighting, something she was glad about. She missed it, not that she’d admit it.

 But before that, there was a trial to be had.

 -0-

 “So you willingly did it-“

 “I did.” Alya interrupted the lawyer. “I willingly exposed her to sick children but that was at the urging of Lila who said she had to be lying. I believe the videos I’ve given show that.” Alya felt like a bug as everyone in the courtroom stared at her. She kept her chin up though. She would not be cowed by this lawyer Lila’s father got her. Apparently Lila’s nasty habits came from someone and that was her father. Her mother had been furious to know she was in contact with him and was not pleased by the lawyer but agreed to it.

 She didn’t want her baby in jail either.

 He was a good lawyer, knew how to come at things from all angles.

 But Alya had been Rena Rouge. The Fox Miraculous left marks deep in her soul, which made her slippery and sly. She had forgotten and gotten caught in lies herself, but she remembered now.

 And she would not yield. 

 “I wonder, if anyone actually knows that the reason she wants Marinette dead is because she called her out on her lies in college.” Snapped Alya, suddenly latching onto the thought. The lawyer blinked. “Didn’t know that? Lila is just angry that Marinette didn’t follow her around. That Marinette called her out.” The lawyer actually stepped back and turned to look at Lila who couldn’t hide her furious face fast enough. Alya smiled at her while the lawyer said he had to dismiss himself from the case now, his clients had been lying to him.

 Alya hadn’t been a good person for a while. She had followed a liar and had blinded herself to truth for a long time. But she had once been a hero, once been a good person. 

 She was going to start again.

-0-

 “So you thought it was like tabloids?” Dr. Shaw asked Adrien who sighed. 

 “Yeah I mean…” Adrien shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe if I hadn’t known the truth I’d have believed hem but when I did I saw how stupid they were and they reminded me of the tabloids. I thought they’d figure it out themselves. I didn’t think she was hurting anyone.”

 “But she did. Her actions almost caused many of them to miss out on incredibly important opportunities for their futures. It was lucky your friend Marientte managed to convince them it was a good way to show case their skills to the supposed contacts Lila had.” The doctor said and Adrien winced.

 “I… I didn’t want her Akumatized again.”

 “And yet Marientte was.” Adrien looked down. “Adrien, if I can be very blunt- you despise conflict and prefer a passive approach to it. While disliking conflict is fine, and I encourage you not to seek it out, not confronting people who you know are in the wrong isn’t always the best idea.”

 “...” Adrien didn’t want to think about it anymore. But he had to. His father had made him go to therapy and Plagg had told him it was a good idea for him to do so. He needed to get over this. “It’s easier when it’s not me.” Adrien blurted our. “Online I mean.” He quickly covered. It was easy to confront people as Chat Noir. 

 “Then pretend you’re not Adrien when you confront people.” The therapist offered and…

 That was really good advice.

Two months later…

 “Hello and welcome to the new Ladyblog!” Alya grinned on the screen Marientte was watching. “As you know due to certain circumstances I left this blog for the last few months. This is due to Lila and her actions towards my classmate and my own actions. However, this is a new start. First and foremost- this blog will now only contain facts. I have three people to check over anything I post that’s an article and needed to be researched who will do so. I spoke with Ladybug and she’s agreed to an interview with all heroes providing they agree-“ that was the only small crack, a shadow of sadness. After Miracle Queen everyone know she’d been a hero, and seeing a new fox must hurt.

 Marientte though was just amused that Alya was such a good actor. Sure she no longer used the fox but she fit the Turtle very well. And Nino was a fine Dragon, while Luka was a great Fox and Kagami was an amazing Bee.

 It hadn’t been to hard to manage to have an interview with them- though all separate. It was enough to show Paris they were human to.

 Marinette smiled,  watching as Alya continued her speech. 

 Things had changed since she’d become Plague Rat. Lila was now in jail back in Italy. Youth jail but still. She would spend two years there before being released on parole for either ten years or for the rest of her life depending on her actions. While she had lost her first lawyer they had been assigned a second one who had managed to get a psychiatrist in to look at her. 

 The man said she was either a psychopath or a sociopath. They had tried to say that meant she was allowed to be free but that was ended when the doctor pointed out she knew what she was doing was wrong. She just didn’t care. 

 She wasn’t allowed back in France and apparently other countries had also banned her. She was forever stuck in Italy.

 The former mayor was also in jail. Five years, chance of parole in two and a half, maybe less depending on behaviour. Nadja had lost custody of Manon after it got out she routinely used the girl to gather info and had put her in risk multiple times. Audrey was in jail, Roger had lost his job and was on probation. 

 Paris had experienced a revolution after Plague Rat. The new mayor was a woman who took no shit and was a hardass who was happily funding the police to find Hawkmoth, and bring him down. The new commissioner had fired all corrupt cops- Roger had been part of this sweep- and now Paris was thriving.

 Adrien as well seemed to have changed. He had formally apologized to her for his inaction and he was taking steps to be able to confront people. He’d already had a fight with his father about being a model and had leaked to the press how Gabriel treated him. Gabriel was in therapy now and Adrien had a social worker doing random checks on him. 

 “I guess even Akumatized I’m a hero.” She remarked to Tikki who chuckled. 

 “Perhaps. But I like you as you.”

 “Same.” She still has nightmares about what she’d done. She still freaked out about the hospital. Hell she was still recovering months later from the stress of being Akumatized while suffering from sickness and a horrible immune system. 

 But she was doing better. She was moving forward.

 And that was all she could do.

Tagged: @anastasian-dreamer @magicalfirebird @kibastray @thesunanditsangel @virgil-is-a-cutie @marinettepotterandplagg @heaven428 @sofmimis @so-freaking-done-with-people @moonystars14 @slytherinhquinn @spartanxhunterx

[fizzyxcustard]

Something Borrowed (1)

Fandom: North and South (modern AU)

Summary: Requested by the wonderful @dabisburntnut Your eldest sister is getting married and you have been invited. However, your family are quite pushy about hooking you up with someone, so you ask your boss (and friend), John Thornton to go with you. 

Pairings: Modern!John Thornton x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Silliness, insecurity, drunkenness, very slight anxiety mention, slight overweight!reader mention. 

Word count: 1544

Comments/Notes: My newest tag list is still under construction, so by all means send me an ask or message if you want to be added for all fics, a particular series or fandom. I’m using Lucas North as my modern!John Thornton. Come on, it’s RA anyway. ;) 

Music listened to while writing this piece: ASMR video by FredsVoice ASMR on YouTube.

Masterlist of fan fiction here

It was your lunch break. You plopped down in the seat opposite John, your boss and owner of the factory where you worked as his receptionist. “Can I borrow you for the weekend?” you asked, grinning.

John looked up from the stack of papers on his desk and gave a tired smile.

“You bloody well need it by the looks of it,” you said, seeing the dark circles beneath your friend’s eyes. Had John been sleeping at work again? A couple of times you’d come in at half seven, only to find him asleep in his chair, arms and head on the desk.

“Isn’t your sister getting married?” John asked, stretching back in his seat.

“She is, and my mum is pushing at me to take a guest with me, preferably a man,” you sighed.

“Ahh, a means to an end?” John chuckled wryly.

“No. I didn’t say that,” you replied. “I was thinking of asking you before, but you’ve been so snowed under with all these orders and signing them off, and opening up the new factory, I didn’t think you’d want to go. Or have time to. I’m comfortable with you, John. I don’t feel that with many people.”

John couldn’t help but smile shyly at you. “Well, I’m glad you feel like that.”

“The wedding is at some large country townhouse. Most of what my sister tells me just goes in one ear and out the other, so I don’t really know. All I know is that I’m getting a lift up with my auntie and uncle. We don’t want to take too many cars, so we’re all piling in as few as we can.”

John leaned forward in his chair and watched you, your arms moving this way and that as you explained everything to him. He loved watching you gesticulate; you were so passionate and every word you spoke always sounded so heartfelt. You did nothing by half measure. So if he had been invited to such a close family member’s wedding, then you must have really thought a lot of him.

When you left the office, John sighed to himself and leaned back in his chair, looking out the window behind him. His heart was finally beginning to settle back down to its normal rhythm. You always had this effect on him, but he enjoyed every second of it. The only thing he didn’t enjoy was pondering constantly if you actually felt something for him as he did you. Each lunch break you shared with him; you text each other regularly out of work and, a few times, John had even given you a lift to and from work when your car was being repaired.

***

For the next three days, you began searching for your dress. Of course, like you normally did, you left things to the last minute if they were things you didn’t want to do. Seeing your sister get married was not something that particularly bothered you; she had always seemed to dislike you, constantly taking the opposite stance to you in debates, and she made it clear that her life was more complete because she now had a man she was about to marry and had three children from a previous relationship. Her husband to be wasn’t much better either. Most of the time he ignored you, only passing pleasantries because he felt obliged. The saving grace in all of this was John. He would be your comfort and your familiarity. None of your family made sense to you. Your parents were middle-aged, fairly well off, and found more interest in their twice yearly holidays in Spain and Italy. Your two sisters had their own lives to lead now, and you rarely saw them.

It hadn’t come as a surprise that your sister hadn’t chosen you to be a bridesmaid or her maid of honour. Those titles went to your sister’s best friends, more people who looked down on you like you were a piece of excrement they had just trod in.

By the time you chose your dress, it was almost closing time, two days before the big day. You had settled on a lilac strap dress. It was quite modest, simple and wouldn’t (hopefully) bring too much attention to your thicker curves.

***

On the morning of your travel to the wedding venue, you got up and began your normal routine of shower, breakfast and podcasts on your phone. John would be arriving at ten and then your aunt and uncle at eleven to pick you both up. Your uncle was nearing eighty now so you had asked John if he would possibly take over driving half way as the town house was about a two-hour drive away in the middle of nowhere.

Your small suitcase was ready for the two-night stay away. The voice of a kind man spoke into your ears as he discussed ways of combating anxiety and making the most of your life. Listening to podcasts in a morning and journaling always encouraged you to meet the day with a brave face, and today you would desperately need that brave face. The thought of all your judgemental family in one place didn’t particularly please you. If only the earth could open up and you could disappear somewhere for a couple of days.

John arrived at ten promptly. You let him in and closed your eyes, basking in his wonderful aroma as he wafted past you. “Do you want any breakfast?” you asked.

“I already ate before I came out,” he replied. John placed his weekender bag down in the hallway next to your wheelie suitcase.

***

The drive to the venue was quite uneventful. Your uncle Mike drove slowly and you couldn’t help but keep looking across at John from your seat, ready to laugh at the speed. In the middle of you was your five-year-old niece, Lily. She kept looking up at John, grinning.

“Is this your boyfriend?” Lily asked you.

“No, he’s my friend,” you replied, blushing hard.

“Come on now, dear. You’d make a lovely couple,” your aunt Janet chuckled.

John folded his arms and looked out of the car window. You couldn’t help but feel sorry for him; his long legs made him look incredibly uncomfortable, as though he had been folded over many times to fit in the car.

“You should be looking for a nice husband, you know?” uncle Mike said, looking at you through the review mirror. “Mr. Thornton here seems like a good match.”

“Can we just change topic, please?” you insisted. “I think you’re embarrassing him.”

“We didn’t mean anything by it,” aunt Janet replied, sounding sad for upsetting you both.

Once you had arrived at the large house, the grounds covered in acres of trees, plantations and fountains, you all grabbed your belongings from the car and began a steady walk to the hotel which was situated just behind.

Lily held your hand, and for the first time you wondered why she had been forced to come with you. Why hadn’t she gone with your mum and dad? Not that you minded your niece coming along, but it seemed quite harsh breaking her up from her siblings. At least she was with family.

“Auntie (y/n)?” Lily asked politely.

“Yes, sweets?”

She beckoned you down with her small hand so she could whisper in your ear. Her high pitched, melodic voice became low in your ear. “Can you ask Mr. Thornton to dance with me?”

“I’m sure he won’t mind,” you replied, looking over at John.

“Pardon?” John asked, still looking a little uncomfortable and out of place.

“Lily was asking if you’d dance with her at the reception.”

John bent down to the little blonde haired girl and smiled. “You’ll be first on my list,” he said.

The sight of John interacting with your niece made you feel something warm in your chest and it spread outward through you.

“Come on, darlings,” aunt Janet called.

The hotel behind the main venue was a lot more modern, having television screens in the reception and plenty of coffee machines. “Hello,” a well set, dark-haired man said, offering you all a smile. He was dressed in a black suit and you noticed the name Peter on his name badge. “You must be part of the group for the wedding planned for this weekend?”

“We are,” aunt Janet said.

You still kept hold of Lily’s hand and watched John avert his gaze towards the door, as though he wanted to disappear and never be seen again.

“You’ve all been booked into rooms. Can I take all of your names, please?” Peter asked.

Of course you knew that Lily would have to check in properly with her mum and dad, who were strangely absent. Considering that your uncle drove so slow, you seemed to be the first group who had arrived.

Peter then turned to you and John. “I see we just have a ‘plus one’ for you, Sir,” he told John. “But can we take a name.”

“John Thornton.”

“That has all been checked for you. A king-size room is now available for you both.”

You blanched. “Is that one bed or two?” you asked.

“It’s one large bed.”

Oh, shit!

Main tag list: @shikin83​ @deepestfirefun​ @emrfangirl​ @dabisburntnut​ @aspookybunny​ @karlthecat15722​ @tigereyesf​ @swoopswishsward​ @sunnysidesidra @la-meneur-louve​ @moony-artnstuff​ @mama-tole-me-not-2-come​ @wolfavatar17​ @morganofthecoves1​ @narnvaeron​ @hobbitoferebor​ @meganlpie​ @thequeenoferebor​ @mynameisnoneya1991​ @jumpingmanatee​ @xxbyimm​ @annewoods91 @nowiloveandwilllove​ @inhabitant-of-the-void​ @thorinthehottotty​ @rachel1959​ @reinabell​ @paracosmfantasy​ @blankdblank​ @sherala007​ @creativelyquestioninglife​ @c-s-stars​ @phyreblue​ @middleearthmama​ @luna-xial​ 

[cursed-ice-spirits]

Unique First Impressions Part 2

When one turns 17, a young pureblood of a noble house will be eased into society through a party held by the Head. Rebecca Lord is no exception.... but perhaps, she has something up her sleeve.

MC Featured: Aleksia Aries @aleksia-aries-hogwartsmystery, Aisling Baskerville @elefseija, Garrett Avery @thecursedvaultchild

Previous.

Next

The first of the guests trickled in and already Rebecca buzzed with unrestrained energy. 

Standing still for so long without something to fidget with has always been an issue. All she’s been able to do is curtsey to any purebloods who came through, shake their hands, maybe let the young men and Heads kiss her hand, and wave at them as they come in. It’s been the most physical contact she had with strangers in one night and it’s far more than what she’s comfortable with. 

Her hands twitched as she nodded another guest in, but one look at her uncle’s glare had her gritting her teeth and curling her hands into fists to try to still them. This is revenge for that warning, she told herself, taking deep breaths so she won’t lash out at him. He's a petty bastard and I’m not apologizing.

But by god, that is hard.

“Rebecca!”

A sharp tap prodded the back of her head. She sent a quick scowl at her uncle, before realizing it wasn’t her uncle who called out her name, and looked to see who it is, because if someone’s calling out her first name explicitly, then it must be a friend.

Two friends actually. Aleksia Aries and Aisling Baskerville strolled eagerly up, warm smiles on their faces as they waved, their parents trailing behind them. 

Aleksia was dressed in blue, a deep royal blue that suited her perfectly. It’s made out of floral lace from the texture, creating an interesting layer. It has a V-neck with spaghetti straps. The back of the skirt skims her ankles, while the front merely covers her knees, and is cut in an A-line style. She had smokey eye makeup, with gold and silver mixed in, and her hair was loose, with several smaller parts sectioned off to twist into braids. 

Aisling’s dress is one of red and reaches down to her ankles, and the top is of floral lace as well, with butterfly sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. The lower half had black lace layered over it, matching her heels, with vines and flowers covering the dress. At a closer look, the flowers were glittering roses, with little leaves sticking out. It was laced up at the sides with a wide black waistband. Her hair was braided into a side mermaid braid and tossed over her shoulder, two smaller braids tugged into the main tail, and red highlighted her eyes and lips.  

 Rebecca barely caught glimpses of their parents’ elegant attire before rushing to greet them — it was one thing to hear that they’re coming, it’s another to actually see them — but a soft cough stopped her in her tracks, and reminded her exactly who she was standing next to. 

She quickly smothered her grin with a stiff smile, dipping down into a curtsey as they approached. “Hello to you both as well.”

Aleksia gave a wary glance at her Uncle, no doubt seeing the tension between her and her uncle and connecting it to her own father, before settling on Rebecca and she smiled brightly. "It's so good to see you, my friend. It's been too long!" she grasped her hands and gave a gentle but reassuring squeeze. Her eyes shone with an unnoticed promise of support, something that reassured her greatly.

Rebecca couldn’t help it. Her smile softens and she squeezes back. “It has only been a month since we've seen each other, Aleksia.”

“Oh, but a month nonetheless!”

Nicknames are fragile here. Her uncle must not know how close she is to Aleksia and Aisling. It is enough he knows she cares deeply for Summer and Garrett. Aleksia knows enough about this to understand why.

She turns her attention to her other friend. Aisling scans Giddeon with the same amount of caution, something she’s not too surprised about, but once her eyes land on Rebecca, she smiles too. Then she does something odd. 

She flicks her eyes to her parents then to Giddeon. They glance at her, then at each other, then smile. 

Her father murmurs something into Aleksia’s mother’s, Leanna, ear, while Aisling’s own steps forward. Immediately Rebecca sees the resemblance. Both seem soft, but just like Aisling, Brighid Baskerville can be fierce.

 “A good evening, Giddeon.”

Giddeon raises an eyebrow. “I’m surprised you came. When my niece persuaded me to send an invite, I didn’t think you’d exactly come.”

The corner of Brighid’s lip twitches into a smile. “We Irish are full of surprises.”

She pulls him into a deep conversation, the other two adults joining in. With Giddeon’s eyes away from her, Rebecca blinks, and realizes just what Aisling was planning.

That sneaky girl.

She lets out a laugh, then pulls the other into a hug. “You know you didn’t have to do that.”

Aisling smiles and hugs back, Aleksia quickly joining the hug. “Oh, but I wanted to.” She says as they pull away. “You were so tense until now.”

“Well, that’s what happens when you’ve spent the last hour greeting arrogant purebloods.”

They laugh, quietly so they won’t catch her uncle’s attention, and she smiles too, her shoulders easing up.

“I didn’t think you both would come. I know I convinced my uncle to invite your family, but I thought Irish purebloods don’t trust purebloods from Great Britain.” She glances at Aleksia. “And you don’t go to these parties either.”

Aisling shrugged. “We saw it was about you, so of course we’ll come. Why wouldn’t we?”

“And well,” Aleksia folds her arms and takes a look inside the ballroom, “my father and cousin aren’t here, right?”

Rebecca laughed. “No, we’re a lesser family. Maybe some families come to see who they’ll be working with but with the kind of people your father and cousin are, there’s no way they’re going to a party belonging to us.”

Aleksia beamed. “Then I’m safe here and we’re coming to support a friend. It’s a win win.”

Gods, she really does have wonderful friends, huh. Her smile widens. “Thank you both.”

 She takes a few moments to converse with them for a while, before complimenting their attire.

“You both look wonderful by the way.”

“You too!” Aleksia beamed. “Is that Andre’s work?’

Rebecca nodded. “It is. I wanted to pay him but he refused. Said it was an honor to do my dress.”

“Well, he did a wonderful job.” AIsling smiled. “I’ll give kudos once we’re back in school.” She glanced toward the adults. “We better get going. Our parents can’t distract him forever.” She squeezes her hand. “See you inside?”

“Of course.”

They gave her one last hug, then grabbed their parents and disappeared into the ballroom. She watched them go, then sighed and let herself get a breather for a moment. Her hands itched to do something…

“Heads up,” Giddeon said simply, not looking at her. Her smile falls. She’s not so lucky now. She was only allowed one chance to relax and she won’t get it again. She shot him a glare and straightened, eyes flickering to the persons approaching and forcing a smile on her face despite how much she wanted to throw hands with her uncle and scream at him to get her out of here, but she knew how that would go. 

So instead, she watched as two ladies, one older and one her age, approached the archway, both dressed in black. She went to blend down to greet them… until she saw the orange patch in one of the ladies’ hair.

You have got to be shitting me.

Merula stood in front of her, lavender eyes glowering. Her hair hung over her face, uncombed and wild as always although this time it seemed like someone took the liberty of styling it so it looked more natural. Her lips were painted a ruby red and they were pressed into a firm line, likely in disdain at the sight of her. She wore a black dress with specks of green that admittedly looked very beautiful, and she sported black heels at her feet. As the light flickered on her, the black fabric shimmered with delicate embroidery. 

If Ethren was here, Rebecca is sure he’ll be struck by her beauty, but to Rebecca, Merula is decidedly not a welcomed sight. 

Rebecca folded her arms, a deep frown replacing her fake fake fake smile. “Snyde,” she said, a layer of ice coating her voice. 

“Lord,” Merula said through gritted teeth. 

“Girls,” Giddeon said sharply as he greeted the woman with Merula (who Rebecca suspected was her very absent aunt). “Behave.”

The last sentence was directed at her, which annoyed her, considering she’s not the only one involved. 

“Yes Merula,” Merula’s aunt said airily. “Behave. This is the young Caldwell’s introduction party after all. We came here for a reason.”

As Rebecca turned to look at her, she finally took her in. Dark hair fell in curls and framed her face, which held elegant features and dark eyes. Pearls decorated her dark attire and looped around her neck, and crystals decorated her ears and hair. Several rings were set on her fingers.

She was the very description of beauty and Rebecca would have mistaken her for someone close to Merula due to her rich background if it weren’t for the emotional distance between the two.

Merula shot her a glare, but pulled herself together and dipped into a curtsey. Not too deep, but not too short either. A show of respect, something that surprised her coming from the Slytherin. Rebecca followed suit, jerking her chin up proudly as she straightened. Her eyes flickered to the adults, who went back to conversing, before flickering back to her enemy. 

“I’m surprised you bothered to come. We are known for our… mutual dislike,” Rebecca said lowly, eyes narrowed in suspicion, wary of any sabotage. Maybe she wasn’t as bad as their first few years but she’ll still keep an eye out. 

Just in case.

Merula let out a soft ‘hmph’ and folded her arms over her chest. “Of course I came. Your uncle invited us. It’d be a great offence if I didn’t come.”

“In other words, your aunt forced you to come.”

Merula glared at her. “Watch your mouth, Lord,” she warned her. “The only reason I’m not bad mouthing you right now is because my aunt told me to behave.”

“As if you don’t find an excuse to insult me anyway.” Rebecca gave her a sweet but sharp smile, just for appearances. “Be thankful Ethren likes you.”

“Be thankful Caplan likes you.”

“Come along Merula,” Merula’s aunt said suddenly before Rebecca can say something she will surely regret (in the face of her uncle). “I must see who came to this party.”

In other words, flirt with them. Giddeon tilted his head, giving the woman a firm smile. 

“It was a pleasure to meet you both.”

Merula eyed him, an odd look flashing over her face, as if she didn’t know what to think of him, but she turned her face away and followed her aunt inside the ballroom.

Giddeon folded his arms behind his back. “You weren’t joking when you say you and Miss Snyde don’t get along.”

Rebecca let the smile fall off her face and rolled her eyes. “Like cats and dogs, sir. And what use would I have to lie about that?”

“Point taken. Ah, Lord Avery. A pleasure to see you here. I am surprised you came.”

If it was possible, her heart lifted and shrunk at the same time. Quickly snapping a polite smile in place, she straightened her shoulders and glanced at the direction of the men approaching. 

The first of them was of medium stature but carried himself as if he was the tallest in the room. His hazel eyes were dark and intimidating, neatly framed by gelled dark hair. The rings on his fingers indicated he was one of high standing and large wealth. Black robes flowed around him, making his sons behind him seem smaller.

Immediately behind him was a man slightly taller than the first. His dark hair was long and pulled back in a neat ponytail. His identical hazel gaze swept critically over Rebecca and Giddeon, a faint sneer as he observed the party.

And trailing behind was Garrett, taller than his father and brother by a few inches, and nicely dressed in dark blue. His dark hair was swept to the side, handsome as ever. His green eyes were tired but quickly brightened as he met Rebecca’s gaze. Her own smile widened as well.

And noticeably absent was Lady Avery, having been dead for some years now.

"Thank you, Caldwell. Yes, well, you can thank Garrett for that. He said he'd come without me but that simply wouldn't do. After all, this is certainly a party to evaluate Miss Lord's entrance to society." He took her hand and kissed it, barely grazing it, just enough to be polite. She fought the urge to pull away. This is the man who hired us to kill his own son after his graduation. And you can’t do anything about it.

Garrett's roll of the eyes did not go unnoticed. His brother, Gerald, elbowed him. She fought back a smile, then, as she gazed at her friend, she got an idea.

Perfect.

"It is much appreciated to have you all to witness her entrance," Giddeon said, a half smile on his face as he took a half bow. Making sure he wasn’t looking, she flicked her eyes to the ballroom, then to Garrett, the corner of her mouth twitching, and hoping he'll get the message.

He did.

Once Lord Avery pulled away, she took the corner of her dress and dipped into a curtsey.

"Thank you for coming nonetheless."

Lord Avery nodded and swept away, Gerald following close behind. Garrett lingered longer, more subtly winking then slowly walked after his family.

Rebecca glanced at her uncle, who was keeping an eye on who's coming next and was thankfully distracted, then murmured through the corner of her mouth, low enough that only Garrett can hear. 

"Mind dancing with me for the first dance?" Her words were normal, but her eyes shone with excitement. 

Translation: Sum and I got a surprise. Mind helping me out?

His eyes gleamed and his mouth curled mischievously. "I'd be honored to."

She kept her reaction neutral, but her lip twitched into the faintest of smirks as she turned her face away. "I'll see you then."

He looked as though he was suppressing a growing smirk, but he nodded. "Catch you around." He swept into the ballroom, looking around, most likely for Summer.

With nobody as a witness, she allowed herself a smile, the smile she usually wears when she’s planning something. 

Step one complete.

[merakiaes]

Meeting The Shelbys - Finn Shelby

Pairing: Finn Shelby x reader

Requested:  Yes.

Prompts: None.

Warnings/notes: I probably didn’t make her as shy as you wanted, but I hope it’s alright anyways. Let me know what you think!

Wordcount: 1694

Summary: First time meeting Finn’s family.

“What if they don’t like me.” You whined as Finn dragged you along down the grimy, muddy street, his hand holding onto yours tightly as if to keep you from running away.

He only raised an eyebrow at you, not really seeing what all the fuss was about. Not that you’d expect him to, in the first place. He wasn’t the outsider who was currently on his way to meet his significant other’s gangster family.

“I love you, so why wouldn’t they?” He questioned, as if it was that simple, to which you just scoffed.

“Because I’m a fucking snob, Finn.”

He slowed down his pace, halting in his pulling on your arm and coming to walk by your side instead. “Snob or no snob.” He mused, throwing an arm around your shoulders. “You already talk, fight, drink and fuck like a Shelby whenever you’re with me, so it’s not going to be hard for you to win them over.”

Your eyes widened at his words, looking around in panic to see if someone had heard him, a blush rising to your cheeks and hand coming out to slap his chest out of instinct. “Finn!” You scolded, to which he only laughed.

“What? It’s true, innit?” He raised a careful hand to your head, brushing away some of your curls to inspect one of the many lovebites he’d left on your throat the night before, that you had so desperately tried to cover with concealer to make a good impression on his family.

He smirked. “Leave me absolutely knackered every fucking night, you do. Don’t know where you get all that energy from.”

You could only glare, but still, you couldn’t deny the feeling of your heart picking up speed in your chest. “Don’t let them hear you say that. They’ll think I’m just some common whore.”

“You are for me, though, aren’t you?” He raised an eyebrow simply, smirk only widening.

You scoffed, turning to face back forward as the blush quickly spread from your cheeks to your neck and ears. “Do you want me to hit you?”

He shrugged from your side, clearly having fun with flustering you. “I wouldn’t mind.”

“You’re insufferable, you know that?” You snapped, keeping your gaze forward and doing your best attempt at hiding the obvious affect he had on you by rubbing your arm with his thumb.

“How could I ever forget when you remind me every day?” He chuckled, to which you only gave yet another scoff.

“I hate you.” You muttered.

He poked your side sneakily, shaking his head. “No, you love me.”

A sigh left your lips. “Unfortunately.”

“And I love you, which is why I know they will, too.” He leaned in and pecked your cheek, before yet again pulling you forward hastily as his aunt’s home came into view. “Now come on, we’re here.”

As he walked inside without knocking, you could feel your heart beating harder and harder in your chest the further into the house you got, jumping when the door slammed shut behind you.

You might have been very daring and unafraid in Finn’s presence, but that was just because he had been a shy, flustered mess when you’d first met him, the only person you’d ever met who was shyer than yourself, which gave you the opportunity to finally dominate something. This something being him and your relationship, that is.

But with other people, you were different. Especially strangers. When you, on the rare occasion, met someone under the same circumstances as you had with Finn, them being shyer than you, you were able to show some more confidence and forwardness.

But when it came to rough, intimidating people who just radiated confidence and power wherever they walked, you would crawl back into your shell and stay in the shadows to your best ability to avoid making a fool of yourself.

Today, however, you couldn’t do that, as you were the sole reason for this family dinner, Finn having insisted that you finally meet his family, as he had yours.

Your dad was a very wealthy, respected man, and had always been on good terms with the Peaky Blinders, offering his help in form of protection, security and finance whenever he was needed. This probably should have made you at ease with the whole situation at hand, but you were absolutely shitting yourself.

The second the unfamiliar voices reached your ears you stopped in your tracks, forcing Finn to stop as well as he was still holding onto your hand.

He gave you a questionable glance, and you instantly brought your free hand to rub your arm, cowering back slightly. “Maybe this wasn’t a very good idea.”

“What are you talking about? Come on.”

He tried to tug on your arm, but you just shook your head. “I don’t think I can do this.”

A loud laugh came from the room next to you, and you involuntarily flinched, causing Finn to grow even more confused.

“I don’t get what the big deal is. Your father’s helped us for years.” He was confused.

“Yeah, but that’s him.” You answered in a slightly whiny tone. “He’s strong. He can handle himself.”

Finn raised an eyebrow at this, turning around fully and grabbing your upper arms softly, looking down at you. “You don’t seriously think any of my family would try to hurt you, do you?”

“No, of course not.” You quickly shook your head. “But I just… I don’t want them to dislike me.”

“They won’t.” He reassured you, opening his mouth to speak again. However, before he could get another word out, a loud voice yelled out from the other room.

“Finny boy, is that you?!”

You chewed on the inside of your cheek lightly as Finn gave you a comforting look, taking you by the waist and beginning to steer you to what you guessed was the dining room. And this time you didn’t stop him, hesitantly following his steps as you walked toward the source of the loud voices, his whole family appearing into sight only seconds later.

You were spotted almost immediately as you entered the room, a man with slicked back, blonde hair instantly rising to his feet from the table where all of the Shelbys were already seated, obviously drunk off his head, holding out his arms in a dramatic gesture.

“Ah!” He yelled. “There’s the lass! And she’s a looker, too. Good job, Finny!”

Your eyes widened slightly at his loud voice and behavior, which one of the other men at the table instantly caught. “Oh, sit down, would you, John? You’re scaring her away before she’s even made it through the doorway.”

He then turned to you, blue eyes inspecting you closely, but not in a way that left you uncomfortable. “Please.” He motioned to the two empty chairs at the end of the table. “Have a seat.”

Forcing a nervous smile, you nodded softly, thanking him quietly and instantly scolding yourself in your head for how pathetic you sounded.

Finn pulled out your chair for you to sit down, beside a woman whom you could only guess was their aunt Polly, before sitting himself down beside you, his hand instantly finding yours under the table as he could practically feel the anxiety radiating form your body.

Introductions were made, putting names to all of the new faces, and soon, you were all eating and chatting. Obviously, however, most of the chatting came from John and Arthur, the two not having stopped teasing their baby brother since you sat down.

You didn’t say much, really only speaking when spoken to, but as minutes passed, and with some help from Finn’s thumb tracing your knuckles, you started feeling more at ease, seeing that they were actually just as much of a family as yours, and taking note of the way they obviously tried to keep family and business apart.

Ada was for most part who actually tried to spark up conversations with you, asking about your interests and life.

Polly and Tommy joined in some of the times, pitching in to ask about your father and his business once or twice, while Arthur and John, who were both drunk even though it was barely six in the afternoon, seemed to stay out of the small talk, cutting right to the case and asking about your sex life, much to Polly’s dismay.

Their teasing had left you a flustered mess within the half hour, and Finn was beyond annoyed, snapping at his older brothers to cut it out every time they would start to tease you again.

As they tried for what seemed to be the hundredth time, Tommy finally set his foot down, metaphorically speaking. “Alright, you two.” He addressed his brothers, letting the chicken bone in his hand drop down to the plate. “That’s enough for now.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Arthur only waved him off, before turning to look at Finn at her side, the boy fuming by now. “Picked a quiet one, ay, Finn?”

Before Finn got the chance to answer however, you heard your own voice cut through the air, before the words had even processed in your head.

“Well, it’s not easy to get a word in edgewise when you never stop talking, now, is it?”

While Finn’s lips instantly pulled into a smug smirk, the boy leaning backwards slightly, putting an arm around the backrest of your chair, the others had gone completely silent, which made you realize what you had just said.

Your face flushed red at the realization, opening your mouth to start apologizing. But before you could, everyone started laughing, save Arthur who was still looking flabbergasted.

“I like you.” Polly chuckled, offering the girl a smirk much like the one who was currently etched onto her boyfriend’s face.

John reached over and gave Finn a brotherly shove, still laughing loudly. “Ye, little brother. You did good. You did good.”

And from that moment on, you didn’t fear the Peaky Blinders any longer, instantly relaxing when they confirmed their fondness of you and welcomed you into their family. Just like Finn had said they would.

[ooops-i-arted]

Miscellaneous 101 Yoditos AU Things

Din now owns an insane amount of Galaxy’s Best Dad mugs.  Anyone who knows him thinks it would be the perfect gift, and if one of the Babysitting Brigade takes the kids out Life Day or Father’s Day shopping, they really want their Dad to know he is the best, surely another mug saying so will confirm it.  Din uses them as soup bowls for the 101 as well as to drink the massive amount of caf he uses to survive raising 101 small children.

The 101 call Din a whole variety of things.  Dad, Papa, Buir, Daddy, etc.  Each has their own preference.  Din answers to any of these.  (As an experiment, Cara once addressed him as Dad for an hour and he didn’t notice, even when they weren’t talking about the kids.)

The kids quickly learn which caretaker is best for getting treats, pushing boundaries, etc.  Cara is the Fun Aunt who allows shenanigans.  Hera and Kuiil are the Do Not Cross Ever ones who are called in when they’re being naughty.

Leia is very busy with work and not a regular caretaker, but she used her Senator Voice on the 101 once when they refused to take a nap and was instantly upgraded to Do Not Engage Under Any Circumstances status.

Cara "I don’t do the baby thing” Dune is the one who lets the kids do wild shit and they know it.  She lets the kids yeet her and will yeet them in turn.  “Why are you upset, Din?  They always catch each other!”  She is also the #1 Sweets Sneaker.

Cara and Leia hang out and reminiscence about Alderaan, and end up teaching the 101 Alderaanian songs and fairy tales and games.  Both are really glad to pass on their culture and not let Alderaan be forgotten.  The kids love it, and Din also likes it because according to the massive amount of Child Development Space Googling he does every day, a multicultural education is good.

Din has a veritable library of articles, Holotube tutorials, and various child development related media bookmarked on his Space Internet Browser.  It is as neatly organized as his armory, sorted into categories labeled things like “Potty Training”, “Carnivore Biology”, and “Aurebesh Activities.”  Especially when he first picked up the kids, you could tell how his day was going just from his search history.  A lot of teacher/parenting blogs look forward to the weird anonymous questions he asks.  There are a lot of debates over how the hell you would childproof a ship against telekinetic toddlers.

Because of their Force sensitivity + being brothers who know each other well, emotions spread like wildfire through the 101.  One being scared by a spider means Din will be calming down not just him but another 30 who picked up on the fear.  But the opposite is true too - cheer up one, and the others will quickly follow.

This also means that if Din feels crappy or grumpy, he will be swarmed by Yoditos aiming to make him feel better.  It is very hard to maintain a bad mood when drowning in Yoditos, especially ones hell-bent on making you feel better.

In general if the 101 get a thought in their head, especially if it’s something they’re united on as a clan (i.e. seizing cookies) there is no dissuading them.  They are stubborn as hell.  Din can’t figure out why people keep telling him “Oh, they’re just like you.“

The kids think yeeting each other is hilarious.  Din thinks it will give him a heart attack.

There was an Emergency Clan Djarin Meeting to discuss personal boundaries and safety after Ezra persuaded the 101 to yeet Zeb as a prank and it ended up turning into a free-for-all yeet-for-all.

The most important thing in Din’s life is his sons.  The second most important thing in his life is sleep.

If he can’t get enough sleep he makes do.  He’s been informed in multiple Space Starbucks that the amount of caffeine in his preferred order is illegal in that system.

Din keeps a running tally of Things My Clan Will Eat.  Being carnivores he at least doesn’t have to worry about keeping fresh produce around, but he’s always searching for suitable and frugal food sources since feeding 101 children, even very small children, takes a fortune.  (He drew the line at the time 15 of them got into a bag of loth-cat food and ate it all and liked it, though.  He is not feeding his children pet food.)

Whatever the Star Wars equivalent of Frozen is, the kids have seen it five billion times and have all the songs memorized.  Because of this Din also has all the songs memorized, very unwillingly.  He would give a camtono of beskar to never have to hear one of those goddamn songs again, but he would sooner take off his helmet than let the kids know how he really feels, and enthusiastically praises all their performances.  (Plus, putting on Space Frozen lets him take a shower and eat in peace and get some Introvert Recharge Time.)

It turns out that carbonized bounties are the perfect things to teach parts of the body with, and if you lay them flat they make great activity tables.

Once the kids accidentally hit the de-carbonite button.  Luckily the poor bounty was so taken aback at being used as a road for dozens of toy speeders Din could just quickly recarbonize him.

In addition to learning Basic, the Yoditos have their own language of chirrs and coos they can communicate with.  Din isn’t sure if it’s a native language or instinctual sounds or just a side effect of being lab rats and not getting a formal education, but a gathering of Yoditos purring and chirping at each other is not an unusual sight.

There’s a purr-rumble-like sound in particular that’s used to comfort.  (Think the sound Baby Yoda makes at the end of Sanctuary, when WInta is hugging him.)  Din has woken up from a flashback/nightmare involving the loss of his parents to several Yoditos curled on his chest and under his arms and draped over his legs, purring furiously.

OG Yodito has been around long enough that he's picked up on Din’s dislike of droids.  If a droid approaches his Dad, he will stand by him or whine until he’s held, and simply stay with Din until the perceived threat is gone.

If anyone potential hostile approaches Din, even if they don’t outwardly react, they are all bristling with “If you even look at Din Djarin I will stomp you to death with my hooves” energy.

Din also suspects they “communicate” through the Force to some degree.  In particular, the older ones will sometimes come tell him things on behalf younger ones who can’t talk, such as telling him they’re hungry or hurt, and they’re always right.  Despite the Cain instinct/sibling culture the older Yoditos are frequently embroiled in, the older ones are very protective of the little ones.

The ten youngest Yoditos, who are basically babies, are so small they can fit in one of Din’s hands.

Any doctor visit is absolute hell, due to the whole Raised In A Lab thing.  It’s like taking a loth-cat to the vet times ten.  Din won’t take them except as a last resort, and always allots time after for extra cuddles and treats to help soothe them and tell them how brave they were.

One of the best rewards in the 101′s opinion are Jetpack Rides.  Jetpack fuel ain’t cheap or easy to get a hold of on a regular basis, so Din only saves it for special occasions, but they love flying.  Refusing “Again, Dad, again!  Pleeeeeeeeeeeease?” + puppy eyes is really hard.

[parkersharthook]

The More I Drink

Peter Stark-Rogers & Stark-Rogers!reader (twins)

warnings: alcohol consumption, idiot 21 year olds

2.1k+ words

series masterlist

Another truth or drink because I can’t come up with my own ideas :))))) (x)

“Hi I’m Y/N Stark-Rogers.”

“And I’m Peter Stark-Rogers.”

“And we are here with Cut to celebrate our 21st birthday which occurred one week ago!”

“And to celebrate our 21st we are playing Truth or Drink twin edition.”

[Welcome to cut, we are very happy to have you here with us today. To get started, who is the favorite child?]

You laughed slightly, “between just us two or also Harley and Morgan?”

“Well if we include them, it’s definitely Morgan.” Peter laughed

“Oh hands down it’s Morgan, no questions asked.” You sipped at the rum and coke they provided you with, “but between the two of us it’s you Peter.”

Peter rolled his eyes and sipped at his own drink, “I don’t know about that…”

“Well, I do. It’s you.”

“whatever.”

[Did you know when the other lost their virginity?]

Peter grimaced, “Ew no! and I don’t want to hear about that!”

You rolled your eyes with a frown, “And I don’t want to tell you… geez. I also don’t want to know when you lost yours.”

Peter nodded, “Good we’re in agreement.”

[Have you ever stolen from each other?]

You nodded with a laugh, “Oh most definitely.”

Peter did a double, almost spitting his drink out. “What?! What did you take?”

You laughed and shrugged, “I’ve definitely taken money from your room, I steal your shirts and hoodies all the time. Oh I took your iPad for a while… I gave that one back but yeah I took it.”

Peter looked at you in shock, “You little menace…” He shook his head in disbelief, “At least I know I’m the better sibling now though because I have never stolen from you.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“believe it.” Peter said over the rim of his glass.

[Who’s the more successful sibling?]

You both answered at the same time with the same answer, “Me.��� Call it twin-tuition or whatever but it also might just be siblings thinking they’re better than the other.

Peter defended himself first, “are you kidding? I’m literally graduating from MIT the top of my class.”

“And I’m graduating from Columbia!” You shouted incredulously

Peter rolled his eyes, “yeah with a business major.”

Your jaw dropped in shock and slight anger, “Just because you do biomechanical engineering doesn’t make you better than me!”

“No but at least I’ll be able to get a job.” Oh you wanted to smack the smug right out of his words.

You were now shouting at him, “I’m literally taking over dad’s company when I’m older!”

Peter pointed at you harshly, “We’re both doing that and you know that. You’re just gonna be the Pepper Potts in the situation.”

You smirked at him “And you’re trying to tell me that Pepper is less successful than dad?”

Peter groaned and threw his head back, instantly reaching for another drink. “fuck, fine you got me. She’s definitely not.”

[Have you ever stolen from either of your dads?]

Peter snorted, “well I’m assuming the answer is yes if you stole from me.”

You rolled your eyes, “Well I value dad and pop’s stuff more than yours so me stealing from you means nothing.” Peter rolled his eyes as you thought about the question. “I actually don’t think I have, I’ve never needed to.”

Peter stared at you with an offended look. You raised your glass in toast to him and took a sip. Peter answered, “I took the car without asking once. That made them pretty mad but it’s not like I kept it or anything.”

“yeah I don’t think I’ve even done that.”

Peter rolled his eyes and pointed at you with his drink before taking a sip, wincing at the strong drink. “one, you’re just saying that because they’ll watch this. Two, this is literally tequila on ice.”

You laughed loudly, a little snort coming out making you cover your mouth and Peter to laugh at you. You shook your head fervently, “No, I’m not just saying this because they’ll watch it. I’m telling the truth.”

[Who’s the better looking sibling?]

Peter shouted, “Me!”

You shook your head at him, “Me!”

Peter looked at you with furrowed brows, “are you joking?!” He began to count on his fingers, “I’m tall, I have abs, I have curly brown hair, I wear glasses, I’m literally the definition of a hot nerd.”

You rolled your eyes, “Just because you’re more conventionally attractive doesn’t make you better looking.”

Peter took a small sip of his drink and shrugged, “I really think it does.”

“don’t body shame me.”

“I’m not- what?”

You sighed and groaned, “fine. You can take that one.”

[Who’s the smarter sibling?]

You took a long sip of your drink, the tequila burning your throat as it goes down. “We both know it’s you so we don’t even have to argue this”

Peter smiled, “yes… but I feel like I also radiate more dumb bitch energy.”

You laughed loudly before leveling your head, “that’s fair.”

[Who's the sluttier sibling?]

You laughed, “Oh me by like 10000 percent.”

Peter shook his head and took a generous sip, “I didn’t want to say it but….”

You smiled and nodded at him, “No, I wear that badge with pride, it’s definitely me.”

[Have you ever hooked up with one of my friends?]

You rested your chin on your fist as you looked to the ceiling. A finger on the other hand danced around the rim of your glass, your eyes squinting in though.

Peter furrowed his brows, “why do you have to think so hard? I feel like it’s a very simple yes or no answer.”

“I’m trying to remember!” you shouted in the midst of your laughter.

Peter laughed along with your, “well I haven’t!”

You pointed at him, “Lies!” You chuckled at Peter’s shocked and confused face. You continued, “You are literally dating MJ. She’s my best friend so….”

Peter scoffed and rolled his eyes, “ok but we were all mutual friends. It wasn’t like I went out of my way to pick one of your friends to hook up with.”

You groaned, “Fine, I’ll let it slide.”

[which parent do you like better?]

You giggled slightly as you finished off your second glass, “I think I might be a little drunk.”

“off two glasses?” peter knocked back the rest of his, “lightweight.”

“that first drink was more rum than coke and this one was probably 4 shots of tequila over ice.”

Peter raised a single brow at you and poured himself a shot of vodka, “lightweight. Shot?”

You rolled your eyes, “yeah sure.” The two of you knocked back the shots easily, only a slight grimace present on your faces.

Peter shook his head like a dog and smacked his own check lightly a few times, “focus. Back to the question.”

You looked off camera with a lazy smile, “which was?’

[which parent do you like better?]

Peter shook his head, “I’m not answering that…”

You also shook your head, “I’m not answering that either… I mean, I have an answer but I’m not gonna say it.”

Peter widened his eyes at you, “you have an answer? I honestly don’t think I could choose.”

You winked obnoxiously, “I can and I did.”

Peter giggled, “they are so gonna kill you when they see this.”

“are you kidding? They’re gonna shower me with shit to become the favorite or to woo it out of me.”

Peter laughed again and you could see his cheeks get a little pink. Oh yeah… he was getting drunk. “now they’re not because you said that.”

“oh they definitely paused the video right after I said that. The rest of this is moot to them.”

Peter laughed loudly, head thrown back and eyes shut tight. He sobered up pretty quickly though when he remembered, “wait do we have to take a shot because we didn’t answer?”

“fuck.”

Two more shots down the hatch.

[did either of you have sex in the others’ bed?]

You grimaced and shook your head, “no.”

Peter gagged obnoxiously, “god no.”

You nodded, sipping your third drink. “good.”

Peter agreed, “I’m glad that’s that.”

[Have you ever disliked one of your sibling’s partners?]

Peter leaned his head against the back of the chair and slouched dramatically, “oh god yes!”

You opened your mouth like a gaping fish, “What?!”

Peter threw his hands out, exasperated. “you’ve dated such shitty people!”

You pointed at him, “But that’s not fair! You’ve only had one girlfriend and she’s my best friend.”

Peter shrugged, “I mean I kinda dated Liz…”

“Yeah but I liked her too, she was also my friend.”

Peter smiled a little smugly and sipped his cup with a pinky raised, “I guess I just have good taste.”

You snapped your fingers, “Oh wait! there was one I didn’t like.”

Peter frowned in confusion, “what? Who?”

“Harry.”

“oh.” A pause, “Ooohhhhh.” Peter chuckled loudly, “You just didn’t like us together because you wanted him for yourself.”

“Not true.”

“so true.”

You pinched your fingers together, the two hovering a centimeter apart. “Fine, a little true. But he was also kinda a dick.”

Peter nodded and sipped at his glass, “good thing that didn’t last long.”

[who of your sibling’s friends is the hottest?]

You clicked your tongue, “Oh Johnny by farrrrr.”

Peter scrunched his face up, “really? Johnny?”

You nodded enthusiastically, “Oh yeah and I know you can appreciate beauty in men so you must agree with me.”

Peter shrugged slightly, “I don’t know… I guess Johnny just isn’t my type. Also, Harley is not going to be happy about that. He’s very protective over his friends.”

You smiled into your glass, “Well he can get over it soo… What about you?”

“MJ, obviously.”

You rolled your eyes, “Cop out.”

Peter scoffed, “do you want me to name someone other my girlfriend who I think is hot?”

You groaned, “Ugh fineee”

[If your sibling killed someone, would you help them hide the body?]

Peter shook his head and sighed, “no.”

“What!? I would help you!”

Peter threw his hands up in defense, “no! I do not need to be dragged into that. One of us has to make dads look good!”

“Okay well, we already established that that wasn’t going to be me.”

Peter shook his head at you, “still not helping you.”

You looked at peter with contempt, “Wow, I bet Harley would help me.”

“Then ask him.”

[Who’s your favorite aunt/uncle?]

You shrugged and rolled your head slightly, “I don’t think I have a favorite… I’m closest to Sam but that doesn’t necessarily make him my favorite.”

Peter laughed, “oh, so you can pick a favorite out of our dads but not our aunts and uncles.”

Your eyes rolled so hard, Peter thought you might’ve seen the back of your head. “Oh my god… let it go. Can you pick a favorite aunt or uncle?”

Peter nodded and answered quickly, “Thor.”

You laughed, “Nat’s gonna kill you”

Peter’s eyes widened in shock, “fuck! I take it back, it’s definitely Nat.”

You shook your head, “Can’t take it back now…”

Peter shrugged and casually said, “I’m dead.”

[What’s the most embarrassing story you can think of about one of our family members? If you can’t answer take 2 shots]

Peter grimaced and looked to the camera, “I don’t think we can answer that…”

You shrugged, “I’ll answer it no problem.”

Peter looked to you, “y/n…”

You scoffed playfully, “right, like Clint doesn’t embarrass himself in public on the daily.”

“c’mon y/n… I don’t think-"

“pussy.” Peter frowned at you. You turned to the camera animated, “One time Clint was trying to pull a prank on our dads and he was executing said plan through the air vents and one of the vent opening grate things was loose and when he put his weight on it, he fell through and onto Bucky’s lap in the common area so everyone saw it.” You waggled a finger in the air, “Very funny.”

[Are there any secret relationships going on in the tower? If you can’t answer take 2 shots.]

“Can’t say.”

“Can’t say.”

Two more shots. Both you and Peter grimaced as the alcohol went down. You both were definitely a little drunk now.

[Is the black widow a maternal figure?]

Peter smiled, “actually yeah…”

“She babysat us all the time when our dads were unavailable or had date night or whatever.” You smiled as you recalled the fond memory.

“Best aunt we could ask for.”

You chuckled slightly, “Don’t tell pepper, she’ll be mad.”

[Last one, do you enjoy being a twin?]

“of course!” Peter exclaimed

You shrugged casually, “Eh.”

Peter looked offended, “y/n!”

You laughed, “Kidding, kidding. You know I love you Pete. I don’t think I could life without you.”

Peter smiled at you, “ditto.”

“ditto?! You fucking respond to that with ditto?!”

Peter laughed and took one last sip, “love ya sis.”

-

edited 5/18/20

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #315

“can’t breathe to scream  /  suffocating in this dream  /  long way down”

Who was your first big crush? I would probably say this guy in high school named Sebastian. We sat beside each other in Art, and I definitely liked him a lot. Man, my freshman-sophomore years honestly involved a handful of crushes before Jason popped into the picture and I lost all romantic interest in everyone else. Where was the first place you drove after you got your license? N/A Is it a blue sky outside right now? No. All North Carolina has known for weeks on end now is rain. We've had very rare sunny days, but for the most part, it's just gray and gross. Was your last breakup a bad one? Nah, I'd say it ended maturely and with a mutual understanding of "why." When was the last time you were surprised, in a pleasant way? Hell if I know. Is there an ice-cream flavor that you strongly dislike? Which one? Yeah, like strawberry. What was the last sitcom you watched? No clue. ^ Do you have a favorite character in that sitcom? Why is that character your favorite? N/A What does the last group you joined on Facebook concern? I am 90% sure it was this group I joined that is literally just about cute yet dangerous animals lmao, mostly reptiles and invertebrates. "Misunderstood biteybois and where to befriemd them" or some stupid shit like that. Has there been a spider in your house at any time recently? Not that I've seen, no. Do you like wearing make-up? Not at all. I only like wearing it for pictures and then taking that shit off. ^ If so, how old were you when you first started to wear it? I started consistently wearing it my freshman year of high school. Then some time later I just showed up one day without any, shocked all my friends, and then only wore it when I felt like it. What foods are you craving lately, if any? Nothing, really. What were some of your favorite foods as a child? Chicken nuggets of course, as well as spaghetti, peanut butter sandwiches, just the typical stuff that kids tend to enjoy. When you were younger, did you ever have a friend that your parents hated? No. Have you ever talked in your sleep before? That's very normal for me, especially now that I have nightmares like every goddamn night. What was the last song you heard, that reminded you of someone? Well, not a real someone, but "The Ordinary World" by the Hit House is 110% one of Fetch's soon-to-be themes. What has brought you joy today? Nothing brought me "joy," really. When was the last time you won a prize in a raffle? What was it? I actually recently won an art rafle on deviantART hosted by a truly amazing artist, like I thought I had no chance, and she's going to be drawing Moondust!!!! :'''') What is the next non-essential item that you intend to buy for yourself? I'm still paying the bulk of my tattoo in May. Is there anywhere in your town/city that's rumored to be haunted? Oh, I'm sure. When you were younger, did you ever think that a certain place was haunted? Bitch I still do lmao. What were your school meals like? Did you enjoy them? This really depended on the menu for the day. My school lunches were nowhere near as bad as some people make theirs sound, but most things still weren't great. I think school pizzas are the most notoriously bad. What kind of granola bar did you eat most recently? I had a cashew bar earlier today. Do you have any books on your shelf that you've read multiple times? I never reread books. What did your last post on social media concern? That I personally wrote, something regarding subtle racism still being racism, pretty much. How do you feel about people using graphic images as a scare tactic to promote their beliefs? (i.e.: PETA, abortion…) I have mixed feelings on this. Like sometimes seeing the brutal side of certain things is definitely useful in opening someone's mind to things they don't want to see/think about, but then there's that, too: it can just be so invasive and unexpected, and thus very upsetting and even scarring. I'd say I'm most for the "appropriate" social media route: using censorship that the viewer can decide whether or not to remove. But you obviously can't do that in like, a public protest with a sign, so idk. Which is harder for you: writing creatively or academically? Honestly, both are pretty easy for me. I enjoy writing creatively far more, though. Do you think gender neutral bathrooms are a good idea? I think it's fine to have them as an option. When was the last time you voluntarily went outside of your comfort zone? Just talking about stuff in group therapy recently. Would you ever use a dating site that costs money, like Match.com or eHarmony? Have you known anyone who had good experience with such sites? No, and yes. Do you think it’s fair that people are able to make a reasonable salary and live comfortable lives just by making YouTube videos? Yes? It takes charisma and talent in some area (humor, education, etc.) as well as consistency for it to be a reliable career, and just consider how often you hear about creators burning out. That happens for a reason. Entertainment is a valid job category and should not be seen as an unfair joke. Whether you’re in college or not, do you become fearful about whether or not you’ll find a good job? Story of my life. What is something you can only understand if you've experienced it first hand? Deep heartbreak. Do you think it's a double standard that a woman can hit a man and expect to get away with it, but if a man hits a woman it's assault? Obviously. Abuse knows no gender, and hitting another person is just that. I do, however, believe in self-defense, also regardless of gender. In terms of a wedding, put these things in order from what would be MOST important to be perfect, to LEAST important... Engagement ring, dress, hair, venue, ceremony, food, pictures, decorations, honeymoon. This requires too much thinking, haha... but I do know the quality of my honeymoon would be most important to me, given that that's personal time with my new spouse and not a public celebration. I feel like what goes on behind closed doors is more important and heartfelt than how you act publicly. Do you have a go-to small talk conversation topic? Probably video games or music, idk. Define "small talk." Does anyone owe you money? Do you owe anyone money? (Besides credit cards) Mom does. She just a few days ago had to borrow $100 for rent. If someone was going to buy you any practical gift (anything except a house or car), what would you choose? It'd be dope as fuck if someone could pay for Venus' next terrarium, but that's a big purchase that I'd have a hard time accepting. How many people do you know with the same first name as you? At least one, but her name is spelled differently. What in your opinion is the best love song ever written? I'm not sure, but I can tell you that "When It's Love" by Van Halen has always been high on the list for me. Was your mother married when she had you? No, actually. I thought she was until my most recent bday, I think. It was just part of a conversation. How old was the first person you kissed? He was a few months into 18. The first person you were in a relationship with, do you still care about them? Of course, he's a sweet guy. We don't talk or anything, but that doesn't mean I don't care about him. Has anyone ever sang to you? Yes. So, what if you married the last person you kissed? That'd be pretty rad. What are you listening to at the moment? "Long Way Down" from the The Evil Within soundtrack. It's funny, like I've loved the game for many years, but I'm now in a serious semi-obsession phase after watching another let's play of it. Have you read the The Hunger Games trilogy? I only read the first book. I loved it, but just never continued. What is your boss’ (or school prinicpal’s) name? N/A Who is the person you dislike the most? That I personally know, probably a former best friend, oddly enough. Do you text your parents often? If Mom's not home, it's not unusual for us to text. I don't text my dad much because he's not a fan of texting. Do you watch YouTube videos often? Pretty much always. Do you know anyone with celiac disease? Sara, my aunt, and my cousin. Those are the ones I know of, anyway. Do you currently have any alarms set? No. How many cars can fit in your driveway? Barely even two. If someone else is here, they usually just park where the road meets the sidewalk of the cul-de-sac. Do you have the ashes of a family member or a pet? Of my dog Teddy, yes. Have you ever been involved in a car crash? Yes, as a kid. Do you prefer flash or no flash on a camera? Definitely no flash. It's more natural, and especially with people, it obviously prevents red eye. How often do you use hashtags? Just about never. Have you ever had whiplash before? No. Have you ever given another person or an animal a bath before? Pets, yes. I could never bathe another human. Is there a birdbath in your yard? No. Weirdest place you’ve ever had a cramp? Nowhere weird, I think... How many lamps are in the room you’re in? How many are actually turned on? Technically three, if you count my snake's heat lamp. Right now that's the only light that's on. Are there any activities you enjoy doing, but can only do for a short amount of time before you get bored or tired of them? Yeah, reading comes to mind first. Is there anything coming out soon (books, albums, movies, video games) that you're looking forward to? I'm not up-to-date on this stuff at all, not even video games. What is something someone recommended to you that you disliked/hated? I know Girt's recommended me music I haven't been a fan of. We like the same general stuff, but there are specific sub-genres we differ in opinion about. Can you unwrap a Starburst in your mouth? ... There are people who do this to even know in the first place??? What is the last thing you ate? Popcorn. Who is your favorite person to spend time with? Sara. Do you know how to grill a steak? I don't know how to cook, period. Do you have a large dog? We don't have a dog currently, but Mom is looking for one pretty intently. We don't know the size it'll end up being. Do you like walking places? Absolutely not. I can't walk far at all without my legs starting to scream at me because leading such a sedentary lifestyle led to muscle atrophy in my legs. It's incredibly embarrassing. Are you a fan of bands most people don’t know of? That's not uncommon for me. Have you ever sent an X-Rated picture to someone? No. Do you think your voice is higher or lower than average? It's deeper than the average woman's. Do you have a pool? No, but I really, really want one... Given how easily I sweat, I would love to use swimming to strengthen my legs. I could also stop the very moment I feel I need to; it in general sounds like something I could quite easily do. How many times have you been on a plane? Ummm including the trips going back, at least six times. Favorite ice cream flavor? Oh my gooooood, if you haven't tried Ben & Jerry's "phish food"... fucking try that shit. It is innnnnncredible. Do you have a TikTok? Nope. Do you enjoy driving? Fuck no I don't. Your favorite store as a teen? Hot Topic was and still is my fave, ha. Favorite YouTuber? There's this one called Markiplier that I think's pretty cool. How many online accounts do you have? A LOT. My whole life is essentially on the computer, so... .-. Do you tend to always be in some sort of drama? Quite the opposite. Do you collect quarters from every state? No. When was the last time your living room furniture was rearranged? Not since we moved into this place. When you were little did you like watching Cartoon Network, Disney or Nickelodeon more? Disney probably topped Nickelodeon. I didn't watch much CN. Who was the last person to kiss you on the cheek? Either my niece or nephew when saying bye. Have you ever seen a magic show? Yes, as a kid. I even had a magician for my bday once. When was the last time you vomited and why? It's been a year or so. It would've been a side effect of starting a certain med that I didn't stay on because it so consistently made me sick. Where do you usually sit when you eat dinner? Either in my bed (I know) or at the dinner table if Nicole is here to eat with us. What time do you usually go to sleep at night? It's typically around 7:30-8:30, occasionally a bit later. I can't believe as a teen, it was my "rule" that I couldn't go to sleep before 10:30 because it was "too early." Nowadays, I can barely imagine regularly staying up that late. Do you avoid using public restrooms? As best as I can. I've seen some nasty shit. What’s your favorite type of cookie? Chocolate chip. How basic.