#needed a place to store resources and my likes are too much of a mess to find anything

[nocturnetta]

Welcome! This is my resources sideblog where I reblog psds, headers, icons, gif packs, etc. I post my creations on my sidelogs. Here’s where you can find me:

@starsuncounted — Main (period dramas, literature, photography)

@emyn-arnens— Tolkien

@hmsannlett — Turn: Washington’s Spies

@islacrvces — Pirates of the Caribbean

@lucy-pevensies — The Chronicles of Narnia

[peachesfather]

Can you mizu with a healer fem reader thats in lonfon and very jealous of taigen?? I want it very fluffy but also smutty if ur ok with it :) please and thank uu

thanks for this request !!

Doing way too much

mizu x black fem! reader blue eye samurai

warning:+18, smut, fluffy, fingering, bad grammar, suggestive language, and jealous mizu is a way to put it.

I was the best healer in my store in London, i get a lots of praise from how good i am at healing people's wounds, the pay was very good for me and my mother who were very poor.

I swept the floor with a broom while listening to some jams on the radio, i signed and humed to the music, i heard the door open and paid it no mind at all i just continued to clean. i was abrupt by someone in front of me with their eyes being blue as the ocean but had a no emotion face along with someone else with them but he staring at my potions.

"what do you need?" i looked at his tall figure and waited for a response but no reply so i put my hand on their shoulder to tell them to reply for their request.

He snatched my hand from their shoulder and squezzed it very hard, i hissed and told them to stop.

"I just need to be heal thats fucking it, and also need resources for my travel" she let go of me and i basically rolled my eyes at her behavior. "You couldve just said that and not squeezed my fingers." i said while still being angry at this customer. (bby got issues wrong bitch tho)

"okay, sit in this chair please sir" he gave the other man who came along with him a sword and came my way to sit down in the chair. The guy who was holding the sword was looking me up and down while bitting his lips. i ignored him and shown eye contact towards the blue eyed man in front of me.

"Where does it hurt?" He pointed to where their gut is so meaning to where the injury is there. I closed my eyes to see if the energy of the wound could be healed, water has appeared on the gut to clean throughout and he hiss in the healing process, i patch him up. "you're finally done, that would be $50" he put the money in my hand and stared at me for few seconds and then snatched the sword from the other guy, "i be outside Taigen, grabbed the other resources for our travel" she put her glasses back on her face and left my store, the other grabbed the stuff he was told to buy.

"is that all?' he just stared at my face and told him again "IS THAT ALL SIR YOU STARING UP THE STORM" his eyes widned and laughed at my outburst. “You’re so cute what’s your name?” He said while staring behind the counter at my ass.

“Okay, I give you my name, it’s y/n.” I blushed and facepalm at how cringe of how I falling for this bullshit, I noticed a couple glances from the window outside the store, it was the guy who I healed he looked angry and pissed must be because of this fella right here, I think he’s talking himself or flirting idk what bro is still here for.

“The cost is $100, do you have it?” He paused and stopped talking about whatever mess he was going on about, he smiled and started to look in his pockets for his money or changes.

Me, being the nicest person that I’m going to be and letting this nigga off with his resources to getting out of my store, I told him he doesn’t need to pay for it under one condition is telling him and his friend to come over to my place for a meal.

He quickly agreed and said “yes, now we can get to know each other in a better way” he rubbing his fingers together while licking his lips I was disgusted but happy at the same time because he was leaving my store, I gave the guy outside a wink. He scoffed and looked away instantly. (I need her so badly don’t play to get pookie)

When the clock hits 5 pm, I was already done cooking curry chicken and rice for my guests, I clean the table and put the table cloth on to be proper.

I heard a knock on my door I was guessing it was them, taigen was smiling like he had done a whole crime while being very sketchy, he was nicely dressed with his hair down. However, for the mysterious man he was still in his old clothes doesn’t make him unattractive but he could’ve done something to spark his appearance. His eyes on the other has drew more attention.

He catches my glances and looked away in annoyance. I signed and ask his name because i wanted to get know him better. He looked me in the eye and said “my name is Mizu”

That’s a cute name awee” I said that brought me and him in awkward silence until taigen grabbed my chin to rizz me up or whatever saying “ma, you look good tonight in them jeans and showing your figure very nicely.

I kinda blushed at him complimenting my body, his way of words were blinding from getting to know mizu. Taigen gave mizu no emotion face that became a snickering expression towards him to letting know that he trying to get to have me. Mizu smirked and smiled at him for being too foolish.

We was eating the curry chicken and rice at the table, taigen was tearing my food up and said It is good and wanted seconds. I gotten up just to give him more.

Mizu was looking me up and down from knee from how my jeans looked on me, she squeezed her thighs and looked at taigen who was staring back at her already.

“Aye, stop looking at her she is going to be mine, bitches like her cannot resist me.” Taigen said while crossing his hands by giggling at how easy you are. However, Mizu was disgusted of how he talking about you , even though she barely knows anything about me to care.

I came back to table so happy about someone being grateful about my cooking. Taigen grabbed the plate from me and said thank you. Mizu was staring into my soul, I was confused but I sat down and looked at taigen finishing his second plate of curry chicken.

“Y/n, yo if I was your man bro I wouldn’t never disrespect how bad of cook you is” he said while staring at mizu then laughed at how fucked mizu looked.

“You wanna be my man? Well, you must want to take good care of me” I said while lovey dovey staring at him

“I take care of that ass of yours real good” he said while chewing. Mizu started to shake the table and ask to go where to bathroom. I told him that it is upstairs I got up and walked himself to the bathroom.

She stops mid way, it made me confused until she grabbed me and push closed the door in the bathroom.

“What the heck mizu” I was pushed against the wall and was held by my hands from mizu who showing no emotion to the situation of having me like this.

“You want to stay quiet or what, I know you want me all this time you fucking brat” she stare at my face who was resisting her touch.

“I need you so badly please..” you said while bringing your hands to her hands to guide her to you hips, she grabbed a chunk of your ass and lean in to kiss your lips that had lipstick onto them.

“You don’t know how much I have done to get to fuck you like this” she said holding onto me while locking eyes with me I stare back with her with a nervously smile.

She slip her hand in my jeans while standing up with spreading me out with her fingers, I grasp and moans “. fuckkk..mm mizu your fingers” I was literally dripping mess under her. Me and her touched heads while she fingered me at a quick pace while she laughing at me.

I screamed in my hand while she thrust her fingers in out of me out one last time. I wrap my hands around her neck to give her lips a peck, she snickered and kiss me back. We sat in comfortable silence till leaving the bathroom together.

Okay, this was very bad you guys can diss this onee !!

[tinyowlthoughts]

"I can divide by biographies!"

My favorite episode. Donnie is such a patron, and I empathize with the librarian so much. So, a librarians view of the library episode:

-Donnie is so fucking excited to be at the library. Mood. -Inhaling that bibliosmia, which is the proper term for 'old book smell'. -He has opinions on the nonfiction area. ("Geology stinks.") -Is absolutely IN LOVE with the idea of being IN a book. -"Holy Gutenberg." I'm stealing this to use with my coworkers. -Patron is asking for something but doesn't come right out and say it, instead rambling about personal stuff instead of making it easy for both of them. -Doesn't actually ask the librarian for guidance to the information, instead strikes out on his own to find it. (aka Ignoring a resource right at his fingertips, one of the biggest reasons large, high-traffic libraries employ professional, master's degree holding librarians) -Knows what the Dewey Decimal system is and how it works. -Intuitively figured out the mystic library cataloging system, which is hella impressive. -Doesn't write down the call number of the book, thus leaving his brothers in a lurch when he gets blasted into the baby zone.

And can I just say, the book being part of a display was my absolute favorite part. The name of the display, the beautiful display shelf - peak librarianship right there. Making displays is one of my favorite things to do.

Feel so bad for the Bat Librarian (who deserves her own name for the BS she had to put up with!). Like - the wreckage, the destruction, the falling books? Do y'all have any idea how long it would take to collect, organized, catalog, and reshelve those thousands of books?!?! And then the work that would pile up since she has to focus on that? I didn't notice any other librarians in the episode, and it is a well known fact that if you're not a librarian, page, or trained volunteer, we would prefer you put the books on a cart instead of shelving them yourself because there are many nuances to both Dewey and the alphabetical order (St v Saint, etc.). Also it's a mystic library, so maybe there's no need for other librarians because if everything is running smoothly, Ms. Bat can handle it.

I'm fairly certain that if Donnie showed up to apologize, he would be put right to work assisting her in the mundane shelving task. And let's be honest, he would adore it. Raph might be granted the chance to help, since he's such a softy and would likely be genuinely apologetic for the mess now that Mayhem is out of danger. I could see him using his powers to help hold the larger stuff in place for repairs to the shelves, walls, etc., or moving large pallets of books around for Donnie to shelve.

Leo and Mikey? Straight to the kiddie room, if not outright banned from ever entering the mystic library again. (Yes, libraries ban patrons. It happens all the time - when you enter a library, you are agreeing to follow the Code of Conduct. You break it, we ban you, from a month to life.)

Such a good episode. One of my all-time faves from the series.

Honestly, if I made an OC for this world, it would probably be a library manager for a smaller branch of the Mystic Library that is more present in NYC, likely disguised as a 'used book store' that is more public library and less academic library, and more easily accessible for the Yōkai living in the human realm. Instead of hush bats there would be a big, fluffy library cat named LoC who sits on you if you're being too loud.

[twistedwonderlandsimps]

Yuu (Al-) Asim and Jamil

Look, I needed to get this off my mind, alright? Here’s some low-key, high-key Jamil discreetly having a crush on Yuu who is Kalim’s older sibling and it might also be a teeny, tiny bit yandere but not much (maybe). Might or might not be canon to the Sibling!Yuu AU lore. I just needed to get this off my brain, okay? I might make a part 2 but with overblot Jamil though I’m not sure. Anyway, enjoy! 

===

Yuu didn’t plan on staying at NRC for long. It was fun catching up with their younger brother and letting loose for a while but at the end of the day they were still a traveling merchant at heart and wherever there’s money to be made, they will be there. In fact, the only thing that made them want to stay for so long was because of the amount of students overblotting in the school. Yuu was very sure this shouldn’t even be a normal occurrence but it’s weird that it’s happened three times already within the span of a few months.

Riddle Rosehearts of the Heartslabyul Dorm was the first one to overblot. Yuu hadn’t really planned on getting tangled with whatever was happening in the Heartslabyul Dorm at first, but then Ace Trappola had come knocking on Ramshackle’s doors and Yuu really didn’t have the heart to turn the poor boy away, especially when he had nowhere else to go. Ace had been under the impression that Ramshackle was an abandoned building so he was thinking of spending the night there. 

Ramshackle was abandoned until Yuu rented it from the Headmaster. Yuu had more than enough money to pay for it anyway. They turned Ramshackle into a small shop that sold simple, fun things that they’ve amassed from their travels. Sure, they could’ve sold the same things as what Sam had in his store and they had the resources to definitely do it but they didn’t want to compete with the local business. The older Asim child didn’t even mind if they didn’t make a lot of profit. Additionally, they weren’t an idiot to mess with Sam and, by extension, his friends on the other side. Their sense of self-preservation was working properly, thank you very much, they didn’t need to test it.

The next one to overblot was Leona Kingscholar of the Savanaclaw Dorm. Again, Yuu hadn’t planned on interfering with whatever was happening but then the students just kept getting injured left and right. Yuu didn’t have it in their conscience to just let everything be so they asked permission from the Headmaster to investigate. That one was a wild run from start to end but thankfully everything ended well.

Finally, the latest to overblot was someone from the Octavinelle Dorm by the name Azul Ashengrotto. He had tried to take Ramshackle away from Yuu after Ace and Deuce made a contract with the Octavinelle Dorm Leader and failed to uphold their end of the deal. The stern lecture those two got from Grim was really something Yuu could never forget. Grim didn’t stop until two hours later. In fact, the cat-like creature would’ve most likely continued on for a few more hours but Yuu had taken pity on the Heartslabyul boys whose legs have become numb from sitting for too long and intervened.

Though after the overblot events, Yuu began to have a sneaking suspicion of its emergence pattern. They weren’t saying they were being paranoid but they weren’t taking any chances, you see? So, they discreetly placed Kalim under heavy watch for a few days and only eased up when they could finally be assured that their younger brother wasn’t acting any different and was not in danger of overblotting. 

Currently, they and Grim were in Scarabia Dorm. With Yuu’s living arrangement in NRC, they tended to alternate between staying in Scarabia and Ramshackle since they didn’t want to impose on their brother too much, much to Kalim’s disappointment.

Having said goodbye to the others as they went back to their homes for winter vacation, Yuu also began to pack their luggage and started planning on where they and Grim would go next. Coral Sea was out of the potential candidates since the ocean was bound to be frozen at this time of the year. Yuu didn’t want to pickaxe their way through the frozen ocean. Hmm… The Briar Valley was a good place, perhaps? Or maybe the Rose Kingdom–

“Yuu?” A familiar voice spoke up and Yuu paused in the middle of what they were doing to turn their head towards the source of the voice. Standing at the doorway was Jamil. “What’s all this?”

“Oh, good morning Jamil!” Yuu greeted cheerfully with a small wave. Jamil was Yuu’s younger brother’s attendant. Yuu remembered having had an attendant once at a point in their life, too… Not anymore, though…

Well! It was best not to dwell too much in the past! Yuu had Grim by their side anyway!

“What’s wrong? Did you need anything?” Yuu asked, watching as Jamil’s questioning gaze moved to the luggage in Yuu’s bed and the older Asim realized that they hadn’t actually told anyone they were traveling soon, did they? Silly them! They forgot that it wasn’t just them and Grim here now. If they disappeared so suddenly, their brother would surely try to look for them!

“Oh, right! I forgot to tell you and Kalim, didn’t I? Grim and I are planning on traveling again.” They said and continued packing their clothes. “So sorry for such short notice! We don’t really tend to stay in one place for too long and we often travel without a heads up,  you see.”

Jamil hummed in acknowledgment and Yuu could hear the Scarabian boy approach them from behind. “Is that so? Well, would you like some help?” He kindly offered. Yuu chuckled lightly and shook their head. They didn’t have a lot to pack, they could finish this quickly. “It’s alright, it’s alright, you don’t have to! I’m about to finish up, anyway.”

However, it seemed like Jamil wasn’t taking ‘no’ as an answer as he reached out and firmly gripped Yuu’s arm, stopping them from putting their folded shirt in the baggage.

“Oh no, no, I insist.” Feeling the other grip their arm a bit too hard, Yuu instinctively whipped their head up to look at Jamil but as they did, they met his gaze and…and…

…

…and what were they doing again…?

Yuu stumbled backward, the feeling of vertigo consuming them momentarily but Jamil quickly reached out, a hand firmly planted on Yuu’s back as they helped the older person steady themselves.

“Are you alright, Yuu?” Jamil asked, worry etched in his features. Yuu blinked owlishly, dazed, and then frowned. They brought a hand up to their forehead and massaged their temples.

“Yeah… Yeah, I’m fine, I just…” Yuu said unsurely, a look of confusion on their face. “What was I saying again…?”

Jamil calmly said without skipping a beat, “You were planning on staying for a few more weeks. The weather’s awfully cold so you were going to live here in Scarabia instead of Ramshackle.”

Huh, that… that didn’t sound right. Did they really say that? Yuu tilted their head. “Is that so?” They couldn’t help but doubt it. Something here wasn’t adding up but Yuu couldn’t quite put a finger as to what.

“Hm…” Jamil hummed, scrutinizing them. “Maybe you’re feeling a bit under the weather? Well, why don’t I help you unpack your luggage since you said you weren’t going to be traveling as of yet. After that, I’ll make you food to help you feel better.” He gave Yuu a warm smile.

Seeing the other smile at them made Yuu smile too. What a kind and caring boy Jamil was! Kalim was really lucky to have such a compassionate and thoughtful attendant like Jamil. They were almost jealous!

Taking a quick glance at their almost-full luggage, Yuu hesitated for a bit, something in the back of their mind warning them of a danger they don’t remember, before helping Jamil unpack their things.

It was probably nothing… right? 

N̷̠͖̹̜͖̂͆̔͐͘ǫ̶̞͚͕̀,̸̳̑̓̐͒ ̸͈̭̟̫̭̃̈́n̸͔͋̕õ̶̘̳̩̪͂͝,̵̩̪̉͝ ̶̯̫̭͌̽̏̄͠ň̵̥̻̙͙̃͋ờ̵͉̇͑̔,̴͉̩͍̥͋̚̚ ̶͔͛n̵̲̎̂́́̍o̶̢̡̨̠̒,̶̫͇̕ ̸̞̞͔͈̏̎͛̌n̶̤̔ȯ̵̡̍͐͗,̵͓͐̀́̂͑ ̷̲̖̲̐̋͑̉ș̷̼̗͊̿̓n̸̨̜̭͗͛͝ä̴̡́̂̽p̶͚̤͖͘ͅ ̴͍̍̈͐͠ȏ̷̮̟̱̻͘͠u̴̧̩̤͒t̶̡̲̼̠̒̾ ̷͚͚͉̋o̸͚̹̊͒f̶̻͙͛̑̓̿̉ ̸̖̆͆i̶͔͔̗̩͆̎͆̈͐t̸̡̏̋̕͝,̸͈̬̈́́ ̴̢̳̗̎̓s̸̗̄̒͂o̶̖̤̳͐̀̇m̵̛͎̝̂͘̚e̷̦͈͐̔̄̈́́ͅt̴̳̽̕h̸̳̩̱̗̒̀͘ȉ̸̢̩̘̠̼̎͛̔͂n̷̳͋g̴͖̼̪͙̗̊̊’̸̘̈́̕��͓̻̺s̴̳͍̟͖͗̂̚ ̴̪͗͝w̶̘͈̞͇̿̓̔͛r̴͓͍͉̈̑͌̚͠ǫ̷̞̎n̷̤̒͂̋̑͝ģ̶̜̘͕̙̀̀̃̽̈́,̸̥͉̎ ̵̲̲̥̍̆̈́̚ś̶͉n̵̺̞͎̞̄̽̐̉͝ȃ̷̧͉̩̉̀̄͝p̷̧̢̛̛̜͇̟̃ ̴̛̘̾ó̷̭̭͍̜̕͝ͅu̷̪͍͓͂t̷̖͈̔̇̄̎̓ ̸̙̺̳̍o̷̧̯̻̮͑̌̌̾f̶̮̲̈̌́͜ ̸̱̘͈̈ḭ̷̾̿̕t̵͎͇̗̯̀̔̽̄̕,̴̩͗̐̄̚ ̸̧̝͙̄̍͑͛s̷̜̘̓̊͛͠n̷͍̜͇̮͆́̆̈́̆â̴̼̕ṕ̶̧͙͈̿ ̸̯̋̽͛̈͒ờ̶̢̻͍̹̤̔̕ú̷͕̭̠̽̋t̷͍͊̚͠ ̵̹̎̇̒̕ͅo̴̙̦͎͔͌̂̉͘f̴̛̣͛̐̏͠ ̶̰̖̹̏̅̕i̵̼̩͙͛–̸̯̌́͆̈

Right...

–

“Fngyaaa…” Grim collapsed down into the bedsheets, exhausted. “Yuu, you notice it too, don’t you? Kalim’s acting really, really weird! It’s as if he’s possessed or something! We managed to talk him out of having to force his dorm members to staying here but then he suddenly just shifted as if he was another person!”

Yuu groaned from beside him, lying face down on their bed. “Mou… I didn’t expect he’d actually force us to train with them… To think we’d be marching the desert for hours… Was he really that upset about losing the Magift Tournament? But he didn’t seem like he was affected, even with the stress of the exams.” Yuu would know. They did put Kalim under heavy surveillance, after all. So, why now? What was so different now? “In the first place, why did we have to exercise and study with them? We aren’t even going school here.” They sighed tiredly.

The two stayed silent and still for a brief moment before Grim’s ears perked up. The feline creature sat up from the bed and tapped Yuu’s shoulder repeatedly. “Hey, Yuu… Yuu, why don’t we just go and leave? It’s about high time we start travelling anyway.”

Yuu looked at Grim with a confused expression. “What? What do you mean?”

“Fgnya! It’s not like we have to stay here! You’re Kalim’s older sibling, would he really force you stay here if you were firm about in leaving? You have to put your foot down and really mean it, Yuu! Don’t spoil him!”

Yuu sighed but didn’t deny his words. Grim had a point. They knew they should be acting their part as Kalim’s older sibling and scold him for being too hard on his dorm members. To use their vacation time for training and studying without even being able to see their family was just unnecessarily cruel. Although they felt like they were being a bit unfair to Kalim too, they just couldn’t stand by and see him ruin himself.

Yuu sighed once again but rolled out of bed. “Alright, alright. You stay here, I’ll go talk to Kalim that we’ll be heading off at the soonest convenient time.”

After making sure they looked presentable in the mirror, they left the room.

Walking down the hallways of Scarabia, Yuu didn’t expect to bump into Jamil.

“Oh, good evening, Jamil…” Yuu tried to greet the other with the same cheery expression that they usually had but judging by the look on Jamil’s face, they weren’t successful. Yuu was just too exhausted to care right now, anyway.

“Are you alright, Yuu?” Jamil asked, putting a hand on Yuu’s back as they led them to a nearby balcony to get some fresh air. Yuu felt touched by their thoughtfulness and the cold night air really helped. “Was there something you needed? You could’ve just called one of the dorm members. I’m sure they won’t mind getting you what you need.”

“No, it’s…” Yuu scratched the back of their head. “It’s fine. I was just heading over to go and have a small talk with Kalim.”

“Hm? Why is that? Why do you need to go have a talk with him?“ Jamil inquired in curiosity. Though, had Yuu been paying attention closely, it was more like he was interrogating them.

“Well,” Yuu started. There was a lot of things they wanted to say, honestly. But they don’t know where to start. “I was going to tell him to cut your dorm members some slack, you know? I know there are times to get serious and times to have fun but Kalim’s just… taking it too far right now.”

“Ah, I see… I can’t say I’m not surprised.” Jamil nodded, agreeing with Yuu’s words. “Kalim has always been… willful. Though, he wasn’t always like this. Perhaps being the Dorm Leader of Scarabia is taking a toll on him. It is hard to manage all this all on his own but the way he’s going about it is…” Jamil trailed off but Yuu understood what he was trying to say.

Some people were just good at being leaders and some people just needed… maybe more than a few lessons here and there to be good at leading. And right now? Kalim wasn’t… fit to lead, as harsh as it sounds. He was acting more of a tyrant than anything and if Yuu knew anything about tyrants, it was that people were bound to overthrow them sooner or later. Yuu didn’t want to see their brother get hurt once that happened.

Yuu sighed once again. They’ve been sighing a lot ever since they decided to stay here. Maybe staying at one place for too long was getting to them. They weren’t used to it. Ever since Yuu was young, they’d always had the habit of travelling all around different places. Yuu looked up at the night sky and watched as the stars twinkled up above.

“Objectively speaking…” Yuu gave a quick glance at Jamil through their peripheral vision. He, too, was looking up at the stars and quietly waiting for what Yuu had to say. “I think… you’d suit to be the Dorm Leader right now, Jamil.”

“...!” Jamil, not expecting that Yuu would  say this out of the blue whipped his head to the side to look at the older Asim with wide eyes. “...What?”

“I know I’m foolish at times, but I’m not blind.” Yuu laughed lightly, finding the face Jamil was making at the very moment funny. 

“I’m a merchant, Jamil. I have an eye for these things. Although you’ve tried to hide it, it’s clear that you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. You’re more than capable enough to run this place. I know Kalim’s currently the Dorm Leader but he’s still… young. He still has a lot to learn.” Yuu’s smiled turned melancholic. “Though, I do understand if you’re against it. There are a lot of households serving… attending the Asim Family and to go against them… us would be a bad idea.”

Jamil stayed silent. Yuu looked over to him with a small smile. “But, if you wanted to be the Dorm Leader, would you, Jamil?”

“I… that…” Jamil looked conflicted but he didn’t answer. That was fair. Jamil had been serving the Asim Family for so long that he was probably hesitant to even do something that would be perceived as going against them (not really but it’s not like Yuu knew what was happening). Yuu patted his shoulders gently and gave him a cheeky smile. “It’s alright if you don’t have an answer now. But if you ever do want to, just call me, alright? I may have not visited home for years now but I know my words still have weight around in the Asim Family. I am the oldest Asim child, after all.”

The two became silent, only the sound of the howling wind and the chirping of crickets preventing it from becoming becoming fully awkward.

Yuu lightly coughed. Right, they almost got off track for their real reason they left their room. “Anyway, have you seen Kalim anywhere? I also need to tell him that Grim and I are going to depart as soon as we can.”

“What?” Just like that, the peaceful– almost gentle– lull of silence between the two was broken. Jamil looked at Yuu with furrowed brows, not understanding why Yuu would just say that out of nowhere.

“Grim and I are planning on going to travel as soon as we can. ” Yuu confessed. It wasn’t like they had any reason to keep it from Jamil. Jamil was so nice and considerate and caring and– these aren’t your thoughts, why are you thinking these things, you have to wake up–they know they could trust him!

“I don’t know what happened last time but we really are planning on continuing our travel this time. I was about to head over to Kalim to tell him about this. I wouldn’t want him to wake up next morning and wonder where we suddenly went, hahaha!” Yuu chuckled lightly but their amusement died down as Jamil made no noise or movement beside them.

Feeling something in the current situation was weird, Yuu looked towards Jamil with a frown. “Jamil…?”

Although Jamil was smiling, their face held no joy. In fact, his smile appeared strained and the aura around him seemed… dangerous. Yuu tensed up, feeling a chill run down their spine. Their intuition that they honed through years and years of travel screaming at them to turn away immediately and start run. And who were they to deny their intuition when this had saved them multiple times from getting terribly injured?

Just as they were about to turn away, Jamil opened his eyes and met their eyes, the smile on his face gone. Yuu found their limbs locked in place. No matter how much Yuu tried, they couldn’t find it in themselves to look away from Jamil’s piercing stare.

“And here we were having such a sweet moment, but you’re still actually thinking of such things?” He said in a low voice, scowling in displeasure. “Looks like I need to completely wipe that thought out of your mind again. Really, why do you keep trying to leave when you can just stay? Now, look into my eyes. Snake Whisper...”

The next day, Yuu woke up in bed with no memory of what had transpired the night before. They never got to speak to Kalim about leaving, either. How odd… When Grim asked them about this, Yuu just gave him a weird look and firmly stated that they were staying in Scarabia, much to Grim’s chagrin.

Though, Yuu felt as if they’ve forgotten something very important… They wondered what it was but they couldn’t seem to get their mind to focus as Jamil smiled at waved at them from the front as the entirety of the Scarabia Dorm was preparing to go to the East Oasis. 

Yuu smiled and waved back, the nagging feeling they had getting pushed back to the back of their mind. Well, if whatever they had forgotten was important then they’ll most likely remember it later. Right now, they should get ready to march.

[sergeantsporks]

Hi sporks! This is kiiinda a weird ask but do you have any ideas/resources for beginners learning to sew?

I know you've been at it for awhile, and idk where else to look lol

Oooo, okay, so I have Resources for Free Patterns

CholyKnight has a bunch of free patterns, and they're also rated by difficulty, so you can find ones that work for your skill level. There's also some explanations of how to do sewing stuff like darts and whatnot. Definitely great for beginners.

Mood Sewcity, more free patterns

Free Sewing, Patterns, these you can adjust with your measurements

Fleece Fun, these are relatively simple. It's where I got my cloak pattern. You do have to sign up for emails, but lots of patterns for free, and fleece is relatively inexpensive. Fleece is pretty good for starters, too, because it's a relatively strong fabric that doesn't fray but isn't too thick to sew through

As far as actual resources for learning, I don't really have much because I was taught to sew by my older sister and my mom, and I figured most other stuff out on my own. So I made some short things of basic stitching stuff

This one is called a running stitch. It's the first one I learned, and is really easy. Just back and forth through the fabric. I made the stitches pretty big here and in opposite colors from the cloth for visual reasons, but you want to pick thread closer to your cloth color, and the smaller your stitches are, the stronger they'll be. There is an exception to this, it's called "basting" and it's basically doing the running stitch but really big and loose. It's supposed to be temporary and just holds pieces in place until you do something else

This is just a way to anchor your running stitch with a knot. I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to do this, but I'm paranoid about my stitches coming out, and when you're doing it by hand as a beginner, they probably WILL come out, so. Yeah.

This one's called a "whip stitch" (I learned recently. I've been doing it for ages, didn't know the name). You're basically popping the edges together and sewing in little circles around them.

This one is a ladder stitch/slip stitch/invisible stitch, and I'm doing it kind of messily here, but the objective is to make your stitch invisible when you pull it tight. You're sort of sewing on the "inside" of the fabric, folding it over and making the thread go behind the fold so it's hidden, then pulling it over to the other side. I use this one to close up my plushies mostly.

Other Random Tips and Stuff:

A "seam allowance" is how much extra cloth you can put on the other side of the seam

You don't need a special cutting board/table for your fabric, I literally just use the floor or the kitchen table

Tacky glue is great for tiny pieces you don't want to sew, like eye shines. It does take some time to dry, though. I put books on top of the fabric to press it together. It will wash out, though, so don't use it on things you intend to throw in the wash

Get pretty good at hand sewing before you try messing with a sewing machine

Fabric scissors really do make a difference in cutting from regular scissors

If you look up "free fabric samples" a lot of cloth places will send you a few little squares of fabric. These are great for practicing and also figuring out different materials, and you don't have to pay for them

Felt is also pretty inexpensive and you can get it at most craft stores, even if they don't sell fabric by the yard. It's also good for details on plushies, like eyes. It is scratchy, though.

Pins are very helpful, but watch out because they will stab you

Little details and things are usually easier to sew by hand rather than machine, especially if there's curves on it. It's just not worth the hassle.

If you're making a plushie, pull the stuffing apart before you stuff it, or the stuffing isn't as soft/it clumps up.

Don't start with a huge major sewing clothes project. My first sewing stuff was making dresses for my barbies when I was 10 and they were literally just tubes with straps on them. I was pleased with this. Trying a big project first will probably just be frustrating, so get used to basic sewing stuff first.

Yeah, I think that's most of it! Let me know if you have any other questions or let me know what you end up making! Other sewing people feel free to add on

[faint-kitten]

This battle pass looks fucking terrible.

I don't like any of these rewards. They just gave everyone the same white and black outfit and slathered the same goop on one side. I don't know enough about design to tell you why, but nothing here looks good. These skins are fucking aweful.

Like I'm genuinely considering not purchasing this battle pass and I have free coins. Like, did they burn up all their ideas last season? Last season was killer. Like did they put a lot of work into their cosmetics to make up for not having a new legend? I was okay with it. But so far this season is not impressing me... Something I came to realize playing fortnite last week was that I will always have that addictive dopamine rush of unlocking a new thing just to keep a game fresh, but once I get it I'll realize: oh I only really like using X Y or Z. I unfavorited a lot of skins in apex because I just don't like them and I'm very wary of buying new ones in fortnite because once the rush is over I just keep using the same 3 or 4 I like. Maybe I'm reaching that point where I just have one GOOD skin for every character in apex, and I'm privledged? But I don't think I'd use any of these. Everything I have is better. Which sucks because Seer's been needing a weird new skin, all of his stuff looks the same. I just. I look at these, and I see a mess. Like a Michael bay transformer, these look like a mess. For contrast: here's the skins we were given for free, in the battle pass, event stores, or that I unlocked last season (though some aren't season specific)

I might be slightly off on the timing of some of these, but like... These are all skins where you can fucking clearly see a design, an intent, a goal, the colors work well together, you can tell what the fucking character is. These new skins are nothing. (I'll also grant that the lifeline and bloodhound skins are old re-works but I only got them last season) My point is, looking at these new skins they're fucking nothing. There's nothing there. I am excited for Apex to have it's very own Juri Han from SF or Jinx from League of Legends type girl, A lot of characters get the same basic apex pack skins and you get some characters like Catalyst, or Wraith, or Valk, or Lifeline where the colors are placed well and look good on a character. Conduit's overall scheme changes and pops based on even the basic skins. You kind of need to find a balance of colors and a space where the familiar stuff like "Arachnophobia" and "alpha royal" textures can dramatically alter the skin, and the texture can pop. Sometimes you get Ballistic, or Wattson where it's either too small, or it's paired with Wattson's weird grey scheme so they stuff doesn't work together. I do think some of Alter's stuff pops pretty well in the rare tier: I've never liked either of these, but they look phenominal with her hair and sort of head shadow.

But her common skins are kinda nothing. Idk my big takeaway as I get older are developers struggling with deadlines have to choose what to invest their time into and I feel the more I play things like Fortnite, Apex, Starfield, MMO's I'm starting to recognize 'where the budget' (not just money, but resources and time) went. And I feel like Last season they just blew their whole load, and behind the scenes they were working on a new character, and by the time they finished her and blew all those other crazy skins out they maybe just didn't have any good ideas left? I dunno. I guess it's thematic but this...this season...these rewards...they're nothing. Also I'm not liking the look of yet another fucking currency added to the game. I know about as much as anyone else does about exotic shards, but until I have enough in a quantity that matters, or they lock something I want behind them I'm just gonna have the stance of "I don't completely get them, but after burning through almost all my level ups to get what might be my one and only heirloom I'm lowkey kinda pissed you're introducing something ELSE I could get into my apex packs."

----- Edit: Since initially posting this, I've tried solo's and ngl I kinda love it. As someone who's never cared about winning and feels like looting is taking too long in this game, the idea of just "KILL KILL KILL KILL *die* QUEU UP AGAIN! KILL KILL KILL!" is a lot of fun.

[loser-female]

""you're susceptible to propaganda" said the ones that cannot make up a coherent reason on why porn sites like that should exist in the first place, especially considering the constant reporting of true SA (some of which ended up in, you know, actual convictions of rape) and CSA on the site and the refusal from the company side to do anything about it."

The thing is that isn't even fighting against pornhub. They know that the people who want to keep viewing their site will just use vpns. Pornhub needs to be held responsible, but this isn't doing that, nor is it going to fix the issues with the porn industry. Uploading your real government id puts you at risk of identity theft if the servers are hacked, so all this is going to do is fuck over the people who comply and push more people toward more illicit sites if they don't want to risk that. The liquor store doesn't keep a copy of my id after I leave.

I don't even use porn sites, and I absolutely want pornhub and sites that do similar to be held responsible. I want the industry to improve and change. But the more porn is pushed underground, the less chance there is of doing that and the bigger the market for actual sexual assault videos and csam will become because the people running the other sites that host it are better at hiding themselves.

Hi! All of these are actually good questions and considerations. I'll go technical with this on the cybersecurity side.

Under the cut because it's VERY LONG.

They know that the people who want to keep viewing their site will just use vpns.

Yes, but consider that most VPNs do still take your data for their own use - not to mention that a lot of websites don't allow you to register an account when you use a VPN because the risks of spammers. [Don't make me explain how a VPN works please, it's too early in the morning]. There are providers outside the US that might not be forced to hand data if petitioned.

Uploading your real government id puts you at risk of identity theft if the servers are hacked, so all this is going to do is fuck over the people who comply and push more people toward more illicit sites if they don't want to risk that. The liquor store doesn't keep a copy of my id after I leave.

These are three different things, I'll explain to you . First of all, when you take a security measure, any security measure, you weigh the benefits and the risks. And to me, a rando adult that gets their CC or ID stolen is surely a risk. But I think the social damages caused by children accessing porn sites or being exposed to (accidentally or otherwise) is worse than the personal damages caused by poor security on big porn sites getting hacked. And I don't mean morally worse - I mean materally worse. Also a child don't have the meaning (unless someone taught them how to) to access illicit websites. Security is not privacy. There are many many other examples I could make about this. You can have features that dramatically improve your security and the user security but completely invade their privacy And... I hate to break it to you, but darkweb activities are still monitored by governments. I do cyber threat intelligence for a private company and one of my duties is to monitor hacking forums and data leak websites. If I'm able to do that, definitely people who have much more training and resourced than I do will. Not to mention you need skills to access the dark web, skills most people just don't have(or they don't have SecOps, or they mess it up...), and google is messing up algorithms. Putting a barrier on accessing something doesn't necessarily work as physically preventing people from doing something, but actively discouraging them to do so usually is good enough.

Considering that the problem being addressed here is children accessing pornography, yeah, that's a good deterrent. Most GenZ don't use a computer, which would cut them off from the illicit websites.

I'm european and I have to hand my ID a lot when I do things like booking an hotel room or being pulled over, so I'm also used to have it checked. And now in certain cases you can do verifications without storing the data (which seems to be the issue here).

But the more porn is pushed underground, the less chance there is of doing that and the bigger the market for actual sexual assault videos and csam will become because the people running the other sites that host it are better at hiding themselves.

That's something a lot pro-porn activists say, but I actually have no evidence of. As I said before, most people are just not skilled enough to go to search for those, and if they do, the chance that they will make a mistake is quite high. (you can look up for computer literacy, it's quite low) and these activities are still monitored. You also need skills to put on those websites.

What people don't realise is that... the market is very high demand - also because mainstream porn promoted these kind of kinks and fetishes. Porn 40 years ago was the picture of a naked woman posing suggestive. Porn now is extreme BSDM practices passed off as the "regular sex routines". Consider how many teens now engage in anal or chocking (also stats can be found online, and sure parents are negligent and often ignorant, but the rest of the fault completely lies on people promoting porn). 40 years ago, having the picture of a naked woman would brand you a loser and a pervert, now if you say that a man with a rape fetish is a uselss creep and you don't want to date them he feels oppressed and starts crying that he is The Only True Feminist and you're a souless bitch. And sorry, I don't want these people around me as an adult woman.

[tourmalineme]

5k Donut Break my Heart

Jiminpark Never felt anything like this! Japan is amazing J Glad to have @joonie by my side <3

1,763 likes • 455 comments

SmileHoya Got @suga and @seokjin78 to come down to the studio ;) i’m the GOD of persuasion ahah

             367 likes • 98 comments

Pop!

The sound echoes through the empty shop, hitting every corner and coming back to Jungkook’s ears like a taunting haunt, a reminder that he’s been chewing on this bubblegum for so long it has become rubbery and tasteless, but he guesses that’s a pretty appropriate way to describe his mood right now.

Time doesn’t seem to go by any faster as he lazily scrolls down his instagram timeline for the bazillionth time this evening, which he would probably be yelled at for doing during the day shift, but since he’s the only one here at this time and the walls don’t talk, Jungkook is off the hook. 

God, I hope the walls don’t talk. He rolls his eyes before putting his phone down and flexing the muscles on his back, stretching out the effects of being in the same position for several hours.

He looks up slightly, cringing at how his reflexion looks on the refrigerator’s door, hair being squished down by the stupid pink cap he has to wear, oily bangs sticking uncomfortably to his forehead. 

He’s about to take the hat off to fix the mess sitting at the top of his head, or what Jungkook would better consider a fucking raccoon, because at this point it smells just as bad as it looks, the hours spent in the kitchen having made the fried donut oil smell linger between the strands, bothering his sensitive nose and making his late night snack threaten to come back where it came from, when he shrugs and slumps back down on the kitchen wall. 

What’s a little more water thrown into the fact of a man standing in the rain, huh? 

Here, ladies, gentlemen and non-binary folks, is what you call the Third Level of Nightshift Jungkook, The Unbothered Jungkook, three hundred fire trucks could go by and another thousand run him over, at this time of the evening, the boy would not care.

So if he’s still obligated to stay for the rest of his shift and not immediately go home, shower and take this fucking smell off him, it’s safe to say he’ll complain all the way through it.

The moment the bell sound rings through the store, signaling someone’s just opened the front door, Jungkook’s completely enraptured in a twitter thread that describes in detail each cheating Justin Bieber has ever done to Selena Gomez and, oh god, does the boy know he’s reached the Fourth and Final Nightshift Jungkook Level, the guy who once read the entire bee movie script and then recited it, in both trot and shakesperian style, all to not have his grave say 

Jeon Jungkook, 1997 - 2019

Gone too soon, ‘cos he died of boredom.

The thing is: No one comes during the night. He’s had many arguments about this with his manager, fucking Sean, how no one ever comes and the company is wasting money and resources by keeping the shop open at a time where literally no one wants to buy a dumb donut. 

Clubs? Absolutely can be open at the night. Bars? Hell yeah. Pharmacies? Always necessary. Supermakets? Everyone needs a good groceries run at midnight sometimes.

But a donut shop? Not to mention opening only during the day would allow Jungkook to get the good work hours and the decent sleep schedule he’s been dying for. 

And if someone comes, it’s either a creep, a beggar or someone running from the police that needs a place to hide for a few minutes. Most times, the three figures combine into one and while Jungkook gets the shop’s broom to kick out the creeps and the low-level criminals, no one needs to know he might have let two or three homeless people sleep on the cushions for a couple of hours during the cold nights, especially not Sean and his fucking obsession with company policy or what the fuck ever.

Let’s just say Jungkook doesn’t pay much mind to the ringing bell, still thoroughly entertained by the tweets because, oh my fuck, Justin Bieber is a hoe.

The poor boy isn’t even allowed the simple, most futile and void pleasures of life like gossipping, it seems, because the next second a deep voice resonates from behind Jungkook, in the service area. 

“Hey? Hi? Someone out here? I’d like to order something.”

A beat of silence passes. Jungkook closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, putting his phone down gently next to him.

“Hello?”

Jungkook grunts before rolling himself out of the kitchen, looking down as he makes his way to the cashier. He dumps the bubblegum-turned-probably-plastic unceremoniously in the nearest trash can and sighs deeply as he initiates the compute.

“Goodnight, what can I get you on this dainty day?” He drawls lazily while not even meeting eyes with the person, probably not great customer service but Fourth Level Jungkook absolutely doesn’t give a-

Work policy is a bitch.

He assumes by the voice it’s a guy, which he’ll surely reprimand himself later for, but being politically correct is something for a post-nap and stomach-full Jungkook, right now it could be a merfolk talking to him and he probably wouldn’t notice. 

However, by the sake of getting this whole ordeal done and over quickly so he can back to memorizing each model on Selena Gomez’s hit list, he looks up, accidentally meeting eyes with the stranger.

It is a dude. And he’s staring wide eyed, hard at Jungkook. That startles the boy, considering the redness of the customer’s eyes makes him look dazed and sort of demon-like, in Jungkook’s opinion. 

He’s high but maybe a creep too, huh. Don’t get a lot of that combo in a while. Jungkook scoffs unashamedly, because who has time for shame at three in the morning, and the guy seems to get the hint and takes his eyes elsewhere. 

The man whips his head to the menu flashing above them. “Uh- So yeah, what- what’s good here, man? I really have no preference- I mean, what kind of dickhead has a preference on donuts, you know? They’re just donuts, but I guess the topping really matters if you have allergies or something. Imagine someone would eat and then have allergies, be all bloated and shit- “

“Sir.” Jungkook interrupts his weird monologue. “What can I get you?”

The client looks at him like there’s three of Jungkook standing there in the obnoxiously pink polo shirt this stupid place makes him wear, mouth open and eyebrows furrowed, as if he’s just discovered something.

“You’re cute.” is what comes next.

To be frank, Jungkook’s a bit shocked. “Pardon me?” The guy smiles weirdly, only one side of his mouth curving up as he leans both elbows on the white counter, getting closer to where Jungkook is. “Pardon me?” (Wait who says that?) 

“I said, You’re cute. Oh, do you have trouble listening?” He points to his own ears before loudly speaking. “HELLO. I SAID, LIKE BEFORE I MEAN, THAT I THINK YOU ARE CUTE. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?”

“I can hear you just fine, sir.” Ever the robotic professional, even at 3 in the morning to a stoned guy, Jungkook feels his will to live start to fade away. “I’d just like to know what you’re going to order.”

The man supports his head on the arms in the counter, looking up at Jungkook with wide eyes and that weird half-smile. “Your pick, cutie. Just get me like five, yeah? Kinda hungry, to be honest.”

Jungkook scoffs, it’s really not the first time to be hit on at work, but maybe it is the first time for the person to do it at this time and be as intoxicated as this. “Alright then,” He types in the order number and the code before confirming the purchase. “It’ll be five chocolate cake donut with rainbow sprinkles coming right up, sir.” He turns back to the customer. “That gives your total of 10 dollars.”

“Woah, hold up. Did you just have that memorized?” He gapes, his head already reaching half his arm.

Jungkook needs to scratch his head and throws his bubblegum out before actually responding. “Yeah, I work here. It’s expected of us.” God, this is giving him a headache. “Would you like to pay up in cash, debit or credit card? We are not accepting checks right now, but sometime next week we maybe-”

“Go out with me.” The client says, having switched to lean on his other arm while Jungkook was speaking.

The robotic cashier persona drops and Jungkook splutters. “Why? Why would I even? I mean, no.” He shakes his head repeatedly, right knee jerking with it.

“Hm. Because you’re cute. And smart. “ He stands upright, surprising Jungkook. “Memorized all the donuts and their prices, that’s some smart shit right there. And because you’re cute.” He reaches into his pocket, pulling a 20 dollar bill out to slip it across the counter, in Jungkook’s direction. “Wait, have I already said that? I can’t remember.”

He’s looking deep into Jungkook’s eyes as the boy reaches for the money. “God, am I really that high I’m just imagining you exist?” As Jungkook’s grabs the money, the man pulls it back, making Jungkook gasp and go forward. “Go out with me.”

Jungkook grabs the money hard and pulls. “No.” He opens up the cash drawer and deposits the money before taking out a 10 dollar bill. “Here you go, sir.”

The man giggles and his smile is boxy and beautiful, pink lips stretched around white teeth. “Sir? You make me feel like I’m 56, cutie.” His eyes go wide. “Which I’m not! Okay? Is this why you refused me? Because I mean..” He scoffs playfully and gestures to his own body. “Who would refuse this, amirite?”

Jungkook cringes before handing him the 10 dollar bill. “Your five chocolate cake donuts with rainbow sprinkles will be right over, sir.” He walks to the freezer where they keep the pre-made dough, grabbing five of them, and puts on his gloves.

“What’s my final answer, then?” Jungkook can tell he moved by where his voice is coming from. If 1 year and 8 months working in this hell hole was useful in anyway, he guesses the client is sitting at one of the counter stools, spinning on it, by the annoying sound it makes because of the loose screw he keeps telling management to fucking fix.

“I believe my mother used to tell me ‘No means no’.” Jungkook puts the dough in the fryer basket, before dipping it into the oil. The stool sound stops.

“Oh my god. I’m not- I mean- I never meant to-“ The man struggles and Jungkook feels an odd urge to laugh about it. “Listen, I’m all about consent, okay? I know no is no, I get when people are uncomfortable. I’m all up for that Me Too thing, you know, I’m on women’s side- erm..not only women I mean, every genders side! Gender side is the side I’m on, I mean I’m a feminist! I promise.” 

Jungkook can’t help but chuckle, feeling the ranting guy’s eyes burn at the back of his shaking shoulders, while he keeps an eye to not get actually burnt on the hot frying oil.

 “I don’t mean to sound like- like a creep or anything, I just think you’re like so so so so so so-“ Jungkook starts giggling, a little laugh slipping out. “Uh, god. I’m embarrassing myself. What are you doing, Taehyung? Pull yourself together, dude. Uh, what was I saying? Oh, yeah. You’re like really cute so I think we should go out because I’m also really cute, so that’s why I’m insisting it. But if you think I’m a creep, just tell me to fuck off and I will, alright?”

Taehyung. It sounds nice, Jungkook thinks, as he gets the fried doughs out of the basket and sets them out to dry.

Taking a deep breath, he speaks. “I’m not gonna tell you to fuck off and I don’t think you’re a creep.” He grabs a knife and slices through each dough. “I’m telling you no, because it’s three am and you’re high as hell.” He plops a big chunk of chocolate filling in each of the doughs, spreading it on top of the part he’s just sliced.

“So?” Taehyung scoffs. “That’s no big deal.”

Jungkook closes both halves of each dough, grabbing the melted chocolate before pouring it all over them. “Maybe.” He grabs the rainbow sprinkles, sprinkling them. “But the big deal is, you’re not gonna remember any of this tomorrow. Not asking me out,” He puts them on a tray, leading them to the freezer. “Certainly not my face.” He turns back to Taehyung.

“I could never forget a face like yours, cutie.” He’s leaning his elbows on the counters again, head supported by both his hands, eyes sparkling. Jungkook cringes. Again. 

“Alright, then.” He searches under the counter for a paper pack for five, finding it on the corner of the shelf before putting it on the counter. He sighs tiredly and begins to set it up.

“So you’ll go on a date with me?” Taehyung perks up.

Jungkook smiles a little after he’s done and walks away to get the donuts from the refrigerator. “That’s not what I said.”

“Then let’s make a deal.” The man has a dead serious face on when Jungkook returns.

It makes him want to laugh again. “A deal, huh?”

“Yeah. If I come here tomorrow, sober, day time, sun’s shining and everything, and I remember you and your face, will you go out with me?” Jungkook puts the donuts in the pack, putting it inside a paper bag.

“Maybe.” Jungkook walks over to the cashier and grabs his receipt.

“Only maybe?” Taehyung follows him as he walks, now, each from opposite sides of the counter and it’s ridiculous if someone was to look from the outside.

He sighs and smiles at the absurdity of it all. Grabbing the paper bag and the receipt, he offers it towards Taehyung. “It’s a Wednesday, I don’t work today’s daytime and tomorrow’s my day off. On Fridays, I work nights again and the restaurant is closed on weekends. I only work day shifts on Mondays and Tuesdays.”

Taehyung does his weird half smile again and gets the paper bag and receipt. “Did you write your number on the receipt, too?”

“No.” Jungkook takes his gloves off. “That would help you remember.” He throws them on the trash and crosses his arms, looking back into those reddened eyes. “That’s not fair, is it?”

“Well, I, for one, think the world’s completely unfair.” Taehyung tries.

“Have a dainty day, sir.” Is all Jungkook replies, before moving back to the kitchen.

“I’ll come back!” Taehyung calls after him.

Jungkook yells “I’m sure you will.”

He hides behind the kitchen’s wall again, more animatedly than the last time he stood there. He hears the front door bell ring and can’t help but smile, grabbing his phone to check the time.

03:59 AM

So, another hour.

Slumping down at the wall again, Jungkook smiles as he thinks. I’ll be fine.

***

His cheeks are cold where they meet the pearly white counter, polished for a whole twenty minutes so Jungkook wouldn’t hear another “This is not Dainty Donut policy, Junglebooks. We need you to be better than this.” from his manager when he was clocking out last wednesday.

Well, I leave one spot on the counter and it’s the end of the world, but he knows my name and yet he still-

Jungkook huffs, borderline whiny. He’s sat at the service area this time, cap discarded somewhere on the counter, phone in hand again, playing one of the many games he’s had to download on his phone simply to not die from boredom in this place.

He doesn’t even know why the shop is open at this time, no one comes to get a donut at three in the morning. It would be so much easier for Jungkook to get all his shifts to be during the day, so he wouldn’t be downing two coffees every morning as if he needs it to breathe.

 No one. Except maybe cute boys high on most likely weed, Jungkook’s brain helpfully supplies.

It’s not that he spent hours wondering whether or not Taehyung would actually be back, the whole thing too amusing to be considered an actual occurrence. He told Hoseok about it in the morning, after he had regained all his brain functions in a 30-minute nap, and they both laughed about it, no big deal.

Still.

Moments like this, where the only thing he can hear is the wind making the glass door flutter and the menu panel lights flicker, gets Jungkook thinking. Who even was that guy? Taehyung. A name and a face that Jungkook fails to easily forget, nagging and even a little taunting to him. They make their way into the front of Jungkook’s brain the moment he doesn’t have anything else to think about, and he finds himself doing nothing to push them away.

That’s the thing, isn’t it? Jungkook’s an easily intrigued person. He’s fascinated with just about anything, from flowers, dance moves, buildings, landscapes, to pink lips, red eyes and a killer smile. He doesn’t just meet, doesn’t just let go, he has to keep thinking about it, every step of their interaction, how Taehyung rambled and mixed up words, how he had trouble keeping his head up, how shameless he was in asking Jungkook out.

There’s no hope, the boy swears to himself, no expectations. It’s just intriguing, a random appearance in his life, an open door, that makes him wonder. Will he see him again? Will they never see each other again? What’s his full name? How old is he?

You’re a creep, Jeon Jungkook.

He isn’t, he’s just curious. Curious and thinking.

He likes to do this, from time to time, appreciate life. He may never see Taehyung again, but they’ll always have interacted, even if they both die tomorrow in a terrible accident; their paths have been crossed and their timelines, tangled. It’s the uncertainty that most people fear and panic over that Jungkook likes, he finds it rather thrilling.

In 50 years, maybe, he’ll have forgotten about all of this. Taehyung, his red eyes, his black hair and slurred speech. He’ll have forgotten about this place, his horrid uniform, about the screech the stool’s loose screws make. Maybe he’ll be dead, who knows. But this will always have happened, he’ll always have worked in Dainty Donuts for almost two years, always have met, flirted, with the stoned costumer who came to get donuts at 2AM and let him choose. If he hadn’t done all of this, maybe his future would have been different.

Or maybe it wouldn’t, he’ll never know.

Jungkook giggles. That’s the fun part.

He’s spiraling, he thinks, having been on your phone for most of the past five hours was bound to cause that effect and at this point, he can barely concentrate in matching the three candies he needs to finish this Candy Crush level. To support his statement, he thinks he just imagines the front door open, bell ringing loudly in the annoying silence, because there is  no way in hell.

The sounds of footsteps and laughter snap him out of it, and the crippling cold feeling of professionalism runs through his veins, making him straighten up and grab the pink cap, hurriedly adjusting it over his head. He stands expectant, back tense and ears alert, just as he was trained to do.

A familiar voice flits through the door and holy fucking hell if it doesn’t at least incite a small surprised smile from Jungkook, who makes sure that’s nowhere to be seen when the voice gets closer and closer.

“And then I said, ‘Well, what more do you expect from me?’ and she-” He wheezes out. “She didn’t reply! Because she’s a plant and plants don’t speak!” Laughter, loud and clear, fills the place, breaking the natural silence. 

It’s him. It’s Taehyung. Laughing.

“I would’ve never pictured you as someone who talks to plants.”

He’s not alone.

The two figures approach the counter, attached by the hip, literally, hands on waists and Jungkook can see it all so clearly. As they get closer, he can see Taehyung and all his strong neck and jaw glory, his eyes are red and unfocused, body lazy and completely dependent on the person next to him to remain standing.

Funnily enough, it’s the man supporting him that looks at Jungkook first, probably ready to order, so the employee is quick to play his part.

“What can I get you on this dainty day?” The man’s eyes are red too, like Taehyung’s, crinkling up as he bursts into laughter.

“��Dainty day’? Is that what they’ve got you guys saying now?” He laughs and Jungkook clears his throat uncomfortably. Taehyung hasn’t said a word, mind probably too enticed fogged up, unfocused because of all the smoke he’d inhaled. “I’ll have something with caramel in it, yeah? Get me those packs with like six of them.”

Jungkook’s lower back hurts, the side of his head already aching. “Would your friend like anything too, sir?” He looks up, only to meet eyes with a smiling Taehyung.

It’s a mix of a smirk and his typical half-smile, but that’s not what bothers the boy behind the counter, but the glint of recognition that sparkles in his intoxicated eyes does. He frees himself from the other man’s grip, stretching an arm on the counter, in Jungkook’s direction.

“Don’t you remember me, cutie? I sure do remember you. How could I not?” He smiles but can barely hold himself up so reluctantly sits at one of the stools. “I told you I’d be back. Told you so.”

“Is this why you wanted to come here so badly? To flirt with the donut place guy?” The other man also sits down, probably afraid Taehyung will fall if he’s not supported somehow. “How haven’t you mentioned this before?”

Taehyung’s eyes never leave Jungkook, who stands with clasped waiting hands on the top of his belly. “Hm. He doesn’t remember my cutie, which is a pity, really, look how cute he is.”

“He? Who doesn’t remember him?” The man voices every Jungkook’s exact thought bouncing on and off in his brain and he’s glad for it. Taehyung dismisses his questions with a wave of long delicate fingers like it’s the stupidest thing he’s ever heard.

“Him, you know.” He makes a gagging sound. “Sober Taehyung. Ever the bore, isn’t he? I think so.” He rips his gaze from Jungkook to glare at his friend. “By the way, how don’t you get tired of him? You’re truly an angel, Jimin.”

Taehyung’s friend rolls his eyes. “Here you go. You do know ‘Sober’ Taehyung is still you, right?” They have completely forgotten Jungkook is here it seems, whose lower back hurts from his discomfort, his fingers squeezing each other so hard he’s sure they’re white by now. “And I would never get tired of you, dickhead.”

If there’s anything he cannot get over after all this time working in the dessert parlour, it’s being ignored. The invisibility, the submission this job requires him to have is incredibly crushing, the mentality that ‘the costumer is always right’ goes against all his morals, makes his skin itch.

So he speaks up, moodily. “Is there anything you would like to add or can I get you your check?”

Two heads snap in his direction. So they really did forget he was there, Jungkook thinks. He defiantly holds his head up, arms crossed and posture tense, waiting anxiously for something, anything.

“I’ll have whatever you picked for me last time, cutie.” Taehyung calmly speaks, as if he’s soothing an angry animal. “It was a good choice.”

Jungkook huffs and it’s silent now, fingers heavily pressing the keys to log the order in resounding louder than how it is supposed to. His knee jerks anxiously while they wait for the receipt to print, both guys having gotten their heads closer, whispering to each other.

He holds the printed receipt out for Jimin, the closest to him to take, but his eyes meet Taehyung’s. “Your total is 12.95 dollars, would you like to pay up in cash, debit or credit card? We are not accepting checks right now, but sometime next week we maybe be able to do that.” Taehyung’s head cocks, a ghost of a smile plays in his lips.

“Cash.” It’s Jimin, as Jungkook’s learned, who answers.

He pays, too, for both of them and Jungkook wonders if he made the wrong assumption that they are just friends. He takes the money, giving back his change and the receipt. “A pack of caramel glazed donuts, coming right up.”

When he walks away, Jungkook feels out of breath. He starts to make the donuts automatically, hands used to the motions but his ears are alert, straining to hear the conversation between the two men behind him. A couple minutes later, as he pours caramel, he catches something.

“Wait for me outside, ok buddy? I’ll get our food and then we can get going.” It’s Taehyung.

Taehyung’s just asked his friend to leave, to wait outside, so he and Jungkook would be alone. If the worker’s hands shakes and his heart drops to his stomach, well, that’sonly for him to know.

He turns around when the bell rings, setting the tray on the counter and ducking to find a pack, and then, a wave of Déjà vu washes over him. He’s here again, this late at night, packing donuts for Taehyung, who sits in the exact same place as last time.

He stands straight again, but doesn’t dare to look up and meet those sultry eyes, I can’t, not this up close, Jungkook decides. Instead, he focuses on his job, making sure everything is secure and ready to be delivered, when a sudden warm hand suddenly falls over his, fingers delicate and beautiful.

“I told you I’d come back and I did. I suppose you owe me a date now.” Has his voice gotten even deeper? Jungkook can’t tell, can’t breathe, it’s 3 in the morning and he feels absolutely exhilarated.

He takes a deep breath, never looking up. “I told you to come sober, you came high again.” He’s done packing so he just presses his palms in the cold surface and the contrast with the warmth of Taehyung’s hand almost makes him shiver. “I think you promised something about daylight, too.”

“Got some memory in you, huh?” The hand is gone and Jungkook suppresses the urge to show he misses it immediately. “Shame Sober Taehyung doesn’t, he’s a real dumbass.”

Jungkook frowns at the white counter, but the man doesn’t stop talking. “I’m glad he can’t remember you, you’d be disappointed. He doesn’t know how to handle you.” He speaks confidently.

The employee’s eyes snap up to his. “Why do you do that?” He lets out a breath. “Talk about yourself in the third person, like you become someone else when you’re high.”

Taehyung only smiles, lazy and satisfied. “I like to think so.” Then, he repeats. “Go out with me.”

“Why do you feel that way?” Jungkook ignores him. “What makes you different from him?” What do you want to hide when you smoke? He wants to ask.

“You’re curious?” He sits straight, broad shoulders giving him a serious poise. “Go out with me to find out.”

Jungkook doesn’t miss a beat, he’s getting aggravated. “You sure were chatty the other night, what changed?”

Taehyung sighs. “Listen, I-“

He doesn’t give the customer the chance. “And who would I even go out with? You? Him?” He’s past aggravated now. “Quite frankly, you don’t even know my name. More than that, you don’t know anything about me.” Please want to. The neglected voice in his head says. “So go find another person to toy with at this ungodly time just because you’re bored, please.”

Silence.

I can’t be here. Jungkook makes to leave, maybe he’ll hide in the kitchen again, or wait for the man to leave so he can close the shop.

All his plans are ruined by the warm fingers curling around his arm.

He reluctantly turns back to Taehyung. “I know your name, Jungkook.” His eyes are calm, sincere, less red. “I’m sorry I made you feel like you were toyed with.” He doesn’t let go of his arm, just rests his own elbow on the white surface, the only thing separating them. “I guess I’m not that different from Sober Taehyung after all.”

Jungkook sucks in a harsh breath. He feels like he’s been standing there just breathing for at least half an hour, even if he knows it’s only a couple of minutes. 

“How do you know my name?.”

“Oh sweetheart,” Taehyung’s eyes overflow with something that can only be named as fondness. “It’s on your name tag.”

Stupid, idiot, fool. Jungkook calls himself all those things when he looks down and sees that, yes, he’s wearing a tag with his name on it. Not much left to do, he sighs.

“The deal is the same.”

Taehyung’s eyes go wide. “What?”

“The deal.” Jungkook’s eyes are almost shy in looking at the man still holding his arm. “Come here sober, during the day, and I might consider going out with you.”

There’s a determination in the other’s eyes he hasn’t seen before. “I will make sure he remembers you, I’ll set up notes, alarms, reminders, anything. He’s gonna have to come here.”

The hand on his arm trails down, reaching and caressing his hand. “You’re more than something to toy with, Jungkook.” His hand is so warm. Jungkook is feeling a bit dizzy if he’s honest. “Doesn’t matter how, where or when we met, you’re not a toy. And I’m gonna come back for you.”

It feels like a promise, but it shouldn’t. Because they are strangers, two people who should mean nothing to each other, should never even look twice the other’s way and most certainly not promise anything. Because Jungkook’s still wearing that horrid uniform, disgusting khaki pants and he’s sure he looks anything but cute.

Still, he says. “Okay.” Then nods frantically. “I’ll be waiting.”

They exchange one last look and Jungkook pulls back first, carefully. Taehyung eventually hops off the stool, grabs the donut bag and heading out, bell ringing when he opens the glass door. Meanwhile, the employee makes his way into the kitchen, walking backwards quietly, watching the other leave.

Before the door closes, he thinks he hears:

“Hi, buddy. I’m gonna need you to remind me of something tomorrow.”

***

The next time Jungkook has to work, his hands aren’t as carefree to go through every single feature available on his phone in a pitiful attempt to get through his work hours faster. 

Now, sweat drips from his hairline, a drop of sweat falling on his lashes and making him blink repeatedly while trying to make his way out of the kitchen. Unfortunately, Jungkook’s never been a guy to succeed in his tries.

“Watch where you’re going, Junglebooks!” Jungkook bumps into his supervisor 

[onmywaytofanfic]

CHAPTER 1: I have never forgotten you (IBIKI MORINO x OC:EIKO YAMANADA)

WORDS: 1506

Warmings : None

Hope you enjoy the beginning of their story. Yes, I want to narrate it using flahsbacks as a resource for them to remember their childhood. Hope you enjoy this approach and them!

Chapter 1 : I have never forgotten you

The rain in Konoha hits like needles when you are just trying to find a way to cover yourself from it, and even more when you are wearing your silly uniform. She had a very fluffy dress that the wet of the rain just put it down, the lace that marked her hip was undone and looked horrible. The big backpack full of everything that she ever truly belonged was hanging from her left shoulder, she sighed and took away her wet fringe. - An umbrella sounds soooo good - buffed while looking at the menacing sky, she was at the doorsteps of a tiny convenience shop, trying to cover herself a little bit from it. She leaned on the wall and closed her eyes, her mind started to rumble “The umbrellas are at how much was it? 500 ryo? That means like a quarter of today’s work. I had 4000 Ryos from today’s shift plus 1500 that I have saved from that little gig in the dango shop. A few hours well-paid.But… the room is 3000 per night… I’m sure there should be a cheaper place. If it wasn’t because of the rain, I could have gone to the park and then just go to the onsen for a quick bath. Fuck this weather” She couldn’t hold it - Fuck you Autumm! - said out loud. The door opened and the seller looked at her - Are you going to buy something or are you just going to mess around with my clients? Leave! 

-Okay don’t need to be that pushy! I remember that people used to be kinder here, it seems you are rotten or something. A bug is messing around with your ass or what? - she buffed and left the place. She tucked her backpack and started to walk away, letting the rain screwed her hair. He cracked a small smile behind the small street right beside the convenience store - You haven’t changed, princess.- The shadow figure just left the spot, leaving no traces behind that someone ever stood directly under the rain, listening to her soft breathing. 

-Fuck you convenience store, you think your store may have something useful? It looks just like shit. You know you should really use some bleach to clean all that filth. Maybe even you know…- She bite her lip - Don’t be mean Eiko, relax, just fucking low your head okay - people were looking at her - and your voice down too would be look you fat pig.- she held her hand, the necessity to hit herself with the palm of her hand was strong. She held her instincts. The shadow figure was just a few steps beyond her, listening to her rumbling. she did not notice him, until she tripped over him - So…damm. Sorry, so, so sorry are… are you good? - The shadow just stood there and helped her to stand still. She raised her head and looked at him, he was waiting to scare her to hear her shout once she saw his scars. She did not, she stood there…She blinked and turned her head, she looked like a puppy - Deadfish Amhya? - said surprised. Ibiki did not expect that answer, but who is he going to lie to? None of them have never forgotten their eyes, and they will never be. Time froze, a wave of memories hit both of them…Thoughts, hopes and dreams that they have buried deep in their minds… Thoughts about what they were doing, hopes about seeing each other, dreams that were kept in hidden places. 

—

-Everybody, shut up! - Don sensei has always been like that, maybe not the best shinobi around but definitely a teacher to consider. A new student was about to join their class, their steps sounded more like squeaks when they entered. The class hid their laughs under their hands, she was wearing the flashiest of dresses. It was in a vivid lila with white laces and a big and very elaborated ponytail. She inflated her chest, grasping for some hair - Looks like a pig - muttered Amhya Kudo under her breath. - This is Yamanada Eiko, she would be our new student - Don looked fiercely to her, she immediately did a small bow - Nice to meet all of you, my name is Yamanada Eiko. I hope we could all be friends - The class greeted her and the teacher signed her where she should sit. - Great…-buffed Amhya, the girl sat beside her. Amhya just lay her head on her hand and looked at her puzzled as to how and why somebody like her there. Suddenly, her hair hit her nose when she turned her head fiercely towards her - What’s wrong deadfish? Do I have a monkey on my face or what? - she spit barely moving her mouth. Amhya was and never will be someone who could be easily scared of - Your face is enough of a trouble, if you had monkeys on it, it would actually make you look more human like, piggy - returned her. The little girl squinted her eyes - Look who's talking, have you seen your face? Dead people look more alive than you… deadfish - Kudo did not like that and nailed her eyes on her, Eiko was neither someone easily scared of and kept her eyes on her too. It would be something common among them, looking at each other trying to see who would be the first one to stop pretending. Eiko flinched a little - You actually have pretty eyes for a dead fish - blurted out of nowhere. It startled Amhya and she retired her glance - Wh..what? - Eiko smirked triumphantly - I won, you took your eyes of 

It won’t be their last.

—

Ibiki needed to breathe a few times, trying to keep up with what he just heard. Eiko was there, as puzzled as him. - I…I have abandoned that name, it’s Morino Ibiki now - Eiko looked at him curious - It actually suits you better

-Quite straightforward, don’t you think?

-You always look more like a snore rather than a dream

He grunted annoyed by her, she kept her eyes fixed on him.

She smirked a little bit and step back a little 

-You should have thought about the scars sooner - Ibiki hid his smile “You haven’t changed at all” , she folded her arms triumphantly but, sadness, a small drop of sadness, darkened her vivid eyes. Ibiki raised an eyebrow, Eiko was sad about the circumstance that she had encountered him, and even sadder just remembering how much of a fool she had been sending those letters. She now understood, or so she thought, he never answered back because she was misgendering him. That’s what she thought, but…he could have mentioned that in his letters, if he ever bothered to answer her. The fact that he was there, must mean that he received the last letter that she sent him. Or so she thought. 

She gulped some saliva, she did not want to be near him. Even less thinking about his eyes. He glanced at them once more, those small eyes, he had these fierce fine eyes, long and vivid. His pupil solid brown and his hidden lashes… he remembered his eyes so vividly. She had dreamt of those eyes so many times. “You can never change those eyes…” found herself thinking, a small noise, his little laugh. She looked at him, a side smile showing off his white teeth and those spiky fangs. She found herself trembling, she fell in love with that solid attitude of his, how secure of him he had always been. She just found herself going back to all those fantasies. where originally it was Amhya who saved him, but now it was Ibiki. She froze for a moment. 

-Bye- said quickly and left him with his words in his mouth. “It can’t be!” keep thinking “It can’t fucking be!” She had got used to thinking about Amhya and had convinced herself that she was just infatuated by her, arousing by her but…now. Was she aroused by her? Was it just infatuation upon Amhya? Was it something deeper? She gulped saliva. If it was infatuation, it should have gone when she saw Amhya as Ibiki, shouldn’t it? But…it did not.. they came back as strong as they always come, with that burning feeling at the end of her throat. The ringing in her ears, the heat behind her eyes… She had made herself believe that it was just a silly infatuation but, everytime she found herself thinking about both now, the feeling just kept rising. “Stop being silly” She grasped some air “He said Morino, didn’t he? Then…he must be married.” She was confused, and so was he. Vivid thoughts and emotions started to run freely in the man’s chest. “Don’t be silly.” He thought “She is a fugitive…”

[pearlyslopes]

exercise 2: draft 1

Driftborn Scavenger January 3, 2104 Ghost Maps

We moved the colony again. Driftborn kids like me don’t get to stay in one place. The ocean owns us now, shifting borders with the tides and bringing warships too close for comfort. Home is just a floating mess—rafts lashed together with cables, fishing nets, and scraps from sunken cities. We Driftborn live off whatever the ocean gives us, and we hide when the warships come. They say the war started when the corporations began hunting old wrecks—sunken ruins and ancient ships with knowledge buried inside.

It’s been two years since my parents disappeared on one of those wreck dives. They said they were trying to protect something—something hidden in the water. I’ve carried the holo-map they left me ever since, even though it hasn’t made sense to me. Until today.

While scavenging near the border, I found a copper plate covered in carvings. It looked old, like it belonged to a long-forgotten ship. When I placed it on my map device, the holo-map came alive, showing me an underwater route leading to a wreck deep inside contested waters. I think it’s what my parents were looking for.

I need to go. I’m only 12, but if I wait too long, the war will swallow this wreck whole—along with whatever they tried to protect.

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

January 8, 2104 Shifting Currents

The holo-map is like a puzzle, showing old currents and lost coastlines—places that no longer exist. The cartographic regression software rewinds the tides, tracing forgotten paths through the ocean. My parents must have used this same technology when they tried to find the wreck.

The factions fighting this war don’t care about the history buried down there. All they see are old technologies and resources they can use to win. They send drones and semi-autonomous warships to patrol the ruins, looking for anything valuable or dangerous. The Driftborn like me? We’re just kids living in the way.

Kara, one of the older kids in the colony, says we should sell the map to the navy for safe passage. But Driftborn don’t get “safe” anything. They’ll take the map and leave us with nothing, just like they always do. I don’t know what’s down there, but I know it matters. I have to go after it, even if no one else understands why. ****************************************************

January 15, 2104 War in the Waters

We left at dawn—me, Kara, Mika, and Juno. Four scavenger kids on a stolen raft, heading straight into war-torn waters. I uploaded the holo-map to their wristbands so we’d all know the route, but it still feels like we’re diving blind. The ocean changes so fast, and no one knows which border belongs to which faction anymore.

We brought what little gear we had—two oxygen tanks, a broken drone we patched together, and some rations. It isn’t much, but it’ll have to do. Every few hours, we hear the rumble of warships patrolling overhead, their drones scanning the water. We stay low, drifting just beneath the surface, hoping they won’t notice us.

Mika keeps saying we’re going to get caught. “No one makes it past the border,” he says. Maybe he’s right, but if we don’t try, the wreck will be lost forever—and so will my parents’ legacy.

The holo-map shows an ancient city hidden beneath the waves, long abandoned and broken apart by the tides. If we can reach it, we might find the archive my parents died trying to protect. This isn’t just a wreck. It’s our past—our history. And if we don’t claim it, someone else will.

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

January 19, 2104 The Drowned City

We made it to the wreck. It’s a graveyard of ships and sunken streets, hidden in the deep, where no faction has found it yet. The copper plate I found fits perfectly into an old vault door buried beneath coral and silt. We activated the drone to scan the vault, and it confirmed what my parents must have known: this isn’t just a wreck. It’s a biometric archive.

The vault stores memories and records from the people who lived here centuries ago—before the flood, before the wars. The data is encoded into coral structures, waiting to be accessed. If we can unlock it, we might find answers—not just to the past, but to who we are as Driftborn. We’ve spent so long running from the war that we’ve forgotten where we came from. We don’t have much time. The holo-map just pinged—warships are closing in. They must have tracked us.

We barely made it out alive. Drones dropped from the sky, and the water boiled with the sound of engines. Kara wanted to hand over the archive, hoping the navy would let us go. But I knew better. The factions would take the archive, twist it into a weapon, and erase our past for good.

We set the drone to self-destruct, collapsing part of the wreck and burying the archive beneath the rubble. The blast shook the water, and the warships retreated, thinking the archive was destroyed. I know where it is now. I’m the only one who can find it again.

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

January 23, 2104 The Weight of Heritage

We made it back to the colony, but everything feels different. The war is still out there, creeping closer every day. The ocean is a battlefield, and no place is safe for long.

But something’s changed inside me. I know what the archive holds now—the stories and memories of the people who came before us. It’s more than just history. It’s proof that we belong to something bigger than war, bigger than borders.

The factions can’t have it. The Driftborn may be scattered and forgotten, but we have something they’ll never understand: a legacy worth protecting.

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

January 27, 2104 A Legacy to Protect

Mika says we should leave the colony, head deeper into open water where the factions can’t reach us. But I can’t run anymore. Not after everything we’ve seen. The archive is out there, waiting beneath the waves, and I can’t leave it buried forever.

I don’t know when, but I’ll go back one day. I’ll find the wreck again, and I’ll unlock the stories hidden inside. Until then, the holo-map stays with me. This is my inheritance—our history. We may be Driftborn, but we are not lost. And one day, the world will remember us.

[creamdemonsworld]

8/1/2024

Hi Tumblr, here's what happened today.

Today is Thursday which is my Sunday because I take Wed-Thurs off. I tried my best to fix my sleep schedule last night and woke up at 10am! which is better than 1pm. I notice that when I wake up earlier I feel more refreshed and less foggy. So tonight we're shooting for 9am wake up time.

I did not eat breakfast because I needed groceries so I lazed around until I had therapy. I showered, got ready, and had a very productive therapy session. I love my therapist she's amazing. I've been going to therapy since early childhood and with my current therapist I feel like I'm actually getting things done with my trauma. I talked about how I suddenly feel safe in my new home because of an accident.

The accident: Every night I make sure to lock all my windows and doors to my house - including my bedroom door - before yesterday I never even dared to sleep with the window open. But yesterday I went to go open the huge window on the front of my house, unlocked it, realized it was locked. And then came to the conclusion that my window had been unlocked ever since I moved in here. A happy accident! Because nothing bad has happened since my window was unlocked. Which in my mind means that I am safe!

To celebrate my conquered fear, I slept with my window open and my bedroom door unlocked. I slept so good with my nice cool room. I has been so stuffy these past couple weeks. But yay!

There was more stuff that I talked about with my therapist but it's just housekeeping stuff like my relationships and my art. She really wants to heal my relationship with art. I do too.

After therapy I went to the grocery store for my weeks worth of groceries. $98 later I put it all away and my cold brew kicked in so I deep cleaned my kitchen.

My kitchen/living area has been a total mess from moving. I moved into a much smaller place so I've been slowly chipping away at this huge pile of stuff I no longer have space for in the kitchen. Today I made a HUGE dent. I was brave and threw a ton of boxes in the recycling, and even put three boxes by the door to eventually put on the sidewalk.

I then called my girlfriend and had a lengthy talk with her. We're poly and she has a fiancé. I came from being strictly mono to being wither her so this is all new to me. I told her that if she wants two life partners she needs to treat me like a life partner. And we decided to start things over with no expectations just to see where things go. It was a really satisfying conversation honestly. I do wish she could come see me more but if that doesn't end up happening I'm just gonna end it by the end of the year. I can't handle being with someone who has the resources to come visit but still doesn't.

After my conversation with gf I clipped my cat's nails. He is such a good boy. He just complains about being wrapped in a towel but never bites or scratches. He got lots of treats.

The rest of my day was relaxing, I vegged out in bed for a minute and then decided to try and paint something after 3 years of not creating. I need to start it over but I'm not mad at myself like I usually am. I really hope the therapy is helping heal my relationship with art. I crave creation so badly but my brain has so many triggers around it so it's a very hard thing for me to do.

Anyway, it's time for bed. My work week starts tomorrow and I have rent damage I need to make up. Goodnight Tumblr!

[asirensrage]

there's a heaven above you (don't you cry) - Part 8

Rating: M Pairing: Lost Boys/OC Fandom: The Lost Boys Warnings: swearing, self-criticism and violence Summary: The thing no one ever tells you about time travel is that you don’t have any control over where you end up or when you leave. It just happens. It also hurts like a bitch. Notes: This will be a poly pairing, so if you’re not into that, don’t read. previous/masterlist also on ao3 and ffn

Part 8: Papa Don't Preach

She woke up in her bed. For a second she thought it was a dream before she moved and realized how tender she felt. Definitely real. She stumbled out of bed and headed straight for the shower. How did she get home? And why couldn’t she remember it? Darcy wasn’t that deep of a sleeper, not when around people she didn’t know. Even in the post-sex haze, she should have at least been aware of getting here. It wasn’t like he could have driven her back on the motorcycle if she was sleeping.

Darcy got into the shower, still trying to figure it out. There were bruises on her thighs and nail marks on her hips. That was unusual. Men rarely had nails long enough to leave any. She traced them lightly with her fingers, standing under the hot water when it hit her. They didn’t use protection.

“Shit!” It turned into the fastest shower Darcy had ever taken. “Motherfucking shit!” She had been so wrapped up in the man, in his stupid fucking praise and mad fine skills that she didn’t even think. She was an idiot.

How could she forget about something so fucking important? She could practically hear her sister telling her she was stupid, her mother’s sigh of disappointment and the way her father would say it was typical. She shouldn’t have expected the man to be prepared or to actually take responsibility.

It took a few moments before she remembered the fact that Planned Parenthood existed. She thanked whatever higher power was out there that she hadn’t been sent back to somewhere before it was formed. The phonebook was buried in one of the drawers of the nightstand, next to the bible she had tossed in haphazardly. She didn’t expect to need either.

It didn’t take too long to find the entry. San Jose. The same place as the concert that made her fucking lower her guard and get herself into this mess. She should have just gone home. She should have listened to her instincts and told the men to shove it...more than she already did.

Cursing the rotary phone for how long it took to dial, she sat on the bed, still dripping and wrapped in the scratchy motel towel, with the earpiece held between her shoulder and head. It felt like forever before someone finally answered.

“Hello, Planned Parenthood?”

“Hi, um, do you guys have walk-in services?”

There was a pause. “We do. What service are you looking for?”

“I need an STD test. How much is that going to cost?” Darcy tried to quell the panic that she felt growing in the base of her throat.

“We have a sliding scale. You’ll need your ID--”

“I don’t have it,” she said quickly. There was silence from the other end and she thought quickly of an excuse. “My boyfriend, he...he doesn’t let me keep it.”

There was another beat of silence before the woman on the other end spoke, her tone slightly softer than before. “Of course. It’s mainly to qualify for free services but it’s not required. And for your safety, we can arrange something like that you call us to get your results instead of a call or letter from us.”

There was a slight release of pressure and Darcy sighed. “Thank you.”

“Of course, honey. You get yourself here, we’ll help you out. We also have resources available, but we can cover that when you’re here.”

She didn’t know what type of resources she’d need. Darcy might know more about what STDs are out there than the general public just from the internet. “Thanks. I’ll...I’ll get there as soon as I can.” She hung up.

So fucking stupid.

Darcy had money saved. She made a call to Sampson saying she was sick and unable to open the store. He told her not to worry about it, to open it when she was better and that he’d check on it in the meantime. Half the time it felt like she was the owner and him the employee. She had no idea how he managed before she showed up.

She grabbed and hid enough money to hopefully cover the test and a motel if she needed to spend the night. She might stay a night regardless of whether or not it was needed. Darcy needed a break from the men following her around at night. She needed space to breathe and the last time she had intended that...well, it led her to where she was now.

It wasn’t hard to catch a bus out to San Jose. The drive felt like it took hours instead of the one and a half that she had been told it would. It took another 20 minutes to find the place.

She was still mentally cursing herself as she walked in. She felt like a kid again, ashamed for not thinking something through that wasn’t entirely her fault. The woman at the desk was kind, gave her some forms to fill out and told her to wait. Darcy sat back in the plastic chair available and tried to distract herself by coming up with realistic-sounding information for the sheets.

The entire thing took about an hour, including having a woman offer her birth control so she wouldn’t be baby-trapped, thank god for her implant, and try to give her ways that she could leave the imaginary boyfriend who held her ID. Eventually, Darcy just took the info so she could get out of there without any more fuss.

San Jose wasn’t that exciting of a town in the daylight. Part of her wanted to just go back to the motel she found and crash. Possibly hole up with some junk food and pray that she hadn’t caught chlamydia or something. Did the treatments for sexually transmitted infections change over the decades? God, what if it didn’t work? What if she had something that she knew could be fixed but they didn’t yet. This problem had never occurred to her when she thought about time travel. You never think, Darcy. She shoved that thought down. It wasn’t true, but it fucking felt like it now. Fuck it. She stopped wandering around and found a place to grab a burger. She’d hit up a store on the way back to the motel, nicer than the one in Santa Carla, and not come out until sunrise. Maybe then she’d feel a bit more like herself.

Eighties TV did not provide the distraction she was looking for. Especially since channel surfing was such a tedious thing to do. She missed Netflix. Now that she was alone and the panic of the morning had faded with getting the test done, she was able to actually think about the other night.

She sat outside the motel room, sitting on the stoop and smoking. No matter what the laws were, she couldn’t bring herself to smoke indoors. You’re ours and we’re yours. That was what Dwayne said before all fucking sense left her and she got on that bike.

“Makes no fucking sense,” she muttered, flicking the ashes off of her cigarette. People didn’t want her. She learned that a long time ago. At best they seemed to tolerate her or keep her around because she had something that they wanted. Her own family didn’t even like her and that was fine. She stopped giving a shit a long time ago. But now she had potential psychopaths following her around, telling her she belonged with them...and they were really attractive, even with their stupid hair. Dwayne had even a chance to murder her last night and instead he gave her funnel cake and ate her out before they had sex. He kept using the term we too.

Not that that really surprised her with the way David has kissed her in the store, or the way they all seemed to flirt, but this was new fucking territory.

She took another drag, staring out at the passing cars on the road. He said they’d give her everything. Darcy just didn’t know how she could trust it. She didn’t know if she wanted it. The memory of Dwayne between her thighs sprung to mind and she shifted in place. That was a lie. She wanted everything they offered, she just didn’t trust it. Not without some sort of catch.

She smothered the tip of the cigarette into the ground and stood up. She didn’t need this. She was going to get these stupid test results, murder Dwayne if he actually gave her anything, and then tell the rest of them to fuck off. She was better off alone.

She went back to Santa Carla the next day.

A quick call to Sampson letting him know she was fine and Darcy was back to opening the store. She fell back into the routine of checking the donation bin, throwing things in the wash and helping the few customers that did walk in.

Clark appeared as usual but Darcy stopped what she was doing as soon as she saw him.

“What the hell happened to you?”

He shifted in place. On the side of his face was a large bruise that almost looked as though he had been shoved into something. She was gone for one whole day. If the Surf Nazis actually harmed the kid, she was going to ensure they all drowned the next time they were chasing waves.

“Clark? What the fuck happened?”

“They were looking for you,” he said. His hand brushed his cheek when he went to push his hair back and she caught the wince.

“Who?”

He stepped back at her tone. “The guys from the other day. The Lost Boys.”

She leaned forward, watching him carefully. “They hurt you?” She asked softly.

“He was just looking for you. Said they couldn’t find you.”

Darcy tried to calm down so she didn’t scare him. “Which one?” Clark shifted again, looking like he was about to run out of the store so he didn’t have to answer her. “Clark. Who was it?”

“The leader. With the white hair.”

Forget Dwayne. Darcy was going to murder David first. Painfully. She wasn’t going to have to worry about showing up on those missing posters because she was going to put them there first.

Stewing in her anger, she didn’t see Clark leave. She was half tempted to go and find them immediately but she had no idea where. It was fine. They’d find her eventually and she’d deal with them then. In the meantime, she’d plan.

She closed the shop before sundown. She didn’t want them to find her there in case she ended up murdering him. Cleaning that much blood would be hell, or so she imagined. Really, she just wasn’t able to concentrate and felt so strung up from the previous day and the news that Clark had been hurt.

It had been one day. If she hadn’t made the decision to tell them to fuck off before, it was cemented now. This was why cellphones were necessary. Then again, they probably would have found her in San Jose if she had one. That left her with one option in her opinion.

She went to the boardwalk.

They didn’t appear until the sun went down. She heard the motorcycles first and the sounds of people diving out of the way. It wasn’t hard to blend into the crowd once she wrapped her hair with a scarf she borrowed from the shop. People gave her a wide berth as she walked up behind the men who seemed to be scanning the crowd.

They didn’t notice. She pulled out the same knife she had used to cut the brake line of that asshole's car and slashed the tires of each of the motorcycles. They were so certain that no one would touch their bikes, they didn’t have a single precaution for them. The sound of the people screaming on the rides of the boardwalk hid the air whooshing out.

Some of the people around who saw her stared in shock. She closed the knife, slipped it back into her pocket before adjusting the grip on the bat she had brought with her. She moved forward until she was nearly right behind them, lifted it and slammed it down on David’s back. She was aiming for his head.

He stumbled forward before turning with a snarl until he saw her. He straightened and she ignored the calls of her name from the others. She lifted the bat again and slammed it across his face. This time she didn’t miss. The cigarette fell from his lips. He didn’t look angry though. Instead, he looked pleased.

“You motherfucker!”

He wiped his bleeding lip and smirked at her. “Where you been, Darcy?”

“Don’t fucking Darcy me!” she snarled, pointing the bat at him. “Why the fuck did you hurt Clark?”

“You were gone, babe,” one of the others said. “We were worried.”

“Bullshit.” That seemed to make David drop the amusement on his face. “That doesn’t give any of you a fucking excuse to hurt a kid.” She looked over at all of them, ignoring the way people were staring. “I don’t know who the fuck you assholes think you are, but I’m done. You ever touch Clark again, I’ll beat your fucking head in until your brains are fish food, got it?”

David nearly snarled, moving forward faster than she expected and grabbed her arm that held the bat. His grip was firm but tight. “Your friend wouldn’t tell us where you were,” he said.

“Let go,” she warned, ready to shove her fingers into his eyes if she had to.

He leaned down, staring at her intently. “Where were you, Darcy?” Where were you? The sounds of the boardwalk faded around her and she dropped the bat.

“San Jose.” She didn’t know why she said that.

“What were you doing in San Jose?” his voice was low. Tell me.

She scowled. “I had an appointment at the clinic and I needed space. Because I fucked your friend and -” his grip on her arm tightened slightly and pain cut through the haze. The sounds came rushing back.

She shoved David back but he didn’t move, glaring down at her. She grabbed the knife from her back pocket, pressed it open and pressed the blade under David’s chin. His eyes shone. “Let go or I will slice your fucking throat.”

“Okay!” She heard Paul say before she was suddenly picked up and thrown over someone’s shoulder. The momentum caused her to drop the knife. At the same time, David released her and she saw Marko standing in front of him, hand on his chest.

“Let me fucking go!” She snarled.

“Hold on, wildcat. Let’s talk.” Paul was running, holding her in place. People were staring as they passed, talking amongst each other.

She reached up as best she could and grabbed his hair before yanking it back.

“Ow! Fuck! Not the hair!”

“Put me the fuck down, Paul!” She tried to kick him but the man was surprisingly maneuverable and seemed to dodge every attempt she made while still running.

Finally, he stopped. He placed her gently down before rubbing the back of his head where she pulled his hair.

“Did he hurt you?” he asked, eyes glancing down her body.

“Who? David? I’m fine. He won’t be though if I ever catch up to him again.” She glared at Paul. He had taken her away just when she was going to start getting her point across.

“Dwayne. Did he hurt you?” He seemed abnormally serious from how she knew him.

She stared at him for a moment, the anger starting to fade now that she wasn’t actually looking at her prime target and was faced with this odd sincerity. “No. It was...” she cut herself off. Regardless of this we business that Dwayne spoke about, Paul didn’t need to know that the sex was amazing.

“We didn’t mean to hurt the kid,” he said suddenly. “We couldn’t find you and Dwayne took off to see...family. We wanted to make sure you were okay.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. “That doesn’t make it right. I don’t give a shit that you were worried. Clark has a bruise the size of his face on his actual fucking face. You don’t do that.” Darcy looked around, trying to see where he had actually taken her. They were on the beach. Of course they were. She still had sand in her hair from that night with Dwayne. At this rate, she was never getting sand out of her clothes again. “I’m not doing this anymore, Paul. I meant it when I said I’m done.”

“Why?” he asked, pulling something out from one of his pockets. It looked a bit like a cigarette until he actually lit it. “Because you slept with Dwayne? He that bad?”

“He’s not--” she cut herself off again. “No. It was great bu-”

“Then what?” He offered her the joint. She took it automatically. It wouldn’t be the first time and probably not the last if she was honest with herself. She just didn’t like to get too wasted on anything. She had enough problems with her anger already.

She inhaled and held it before passing it back to him. She exhaled slowly as she tried to figure out how to explain it. “I don’t understand this,” she shoved her hands into her pockets.

“Not that hard to understand, babe.” He took another hit and offered it to her. She waved him off. “We want you.”

“Why?” she couldn’t stop herself from asking. “I’m nothing fucking special, Paul. There’s a bunch of other fucking women on that boardwalk who’d be happy to lay at your feet. I don’t need you acting like you want me to just pull the rug out from under me when you decide you’re done. I’m not here for your shits and giggles.”

“They did a real fucking number on you,” he muttered before taking another toke of the joint. Before she could even ask what he meant, he continued. “We don’t want them. You think any of those bitches would have taken a bat to David’s head?” he grinned at her. “That was sexy.”

“What is it with this we business?” She snapped. “I’m not going to be fucking passed around like meat for whoever’s interested.”

He frowned at her. “That what you think?”

“I don’t know what I think!” She felt like raising her arms to the sky and dropping them in exasperation. “I’ve never...I don’t understand, Paul. What do you want from me?”

He shrugged. “Whatever you want to give, however you want to give it.” He leaned down slightly to look her in the eyes. “We want you, Darcy. You just gotta decide if you want us. We can share.” He gave her a wink before taking another hit of the joint. He seemed content to let it lie, not looking at her and pressing for more. It was the first time one of them actually said they wanted her. Dwayne had just stated it like ownership.

“I went to the clinic,” she said suddenly. He looked at her and just waited. “Dwayne and I...we didn’t use any protection. I got tested for STDs.”

He snorted and she scowled at him automatically. He held up his hands fast in defence. “Not laughing at you,” he said. “Just...we don’t have anything.”

“That you know of,” she retorted. “Things show up differently between men and women. It was a stupid thing to not make sure he wore a fucking condom. I’ll be lucky if the tests come back negative.”

“They will,” Paul gave a shrug. “You wanted to be safe. It’s a smart move. We’ll do better from now on. Just don’t fucking take off without telling anyone.”

“You’re awfully fucking confident that I’m going to choose you.”

“Maybe I’m the time traveller,” he grinned at her. He reached out, fingers waggling. “Want to know your future?”

She shoved his hand down, away from her. “God no. All I care about the future is that it’s better than the past.”

“It will be, Darcy, girl. I guaran-fucking-tee it.”

Paul walked her back to the motel. He seemed adamant that she not be left alone and he laughed as she cursed while she tried to get sand out of her shoes. She was going to dump an entire bucket on his head next time he wasn’t looking. He kissed her quickly before darting back as she swiped at him.

“Gotta know what you’re gonna miss,” he teased.

Planned Parenthood | Official Site

taglist: @raith-way @ocfairygodmother @lokitrasho @zeleniafic @jewelswrites-ish @reggiemantleholdmyhand-tle @chickensarentcheap @booty-boggins @residentdormouse @dickspaghettii @avengers-fixation

[zafirosreverie]

How they propose to you (KH’s characters)

Agatha Harkness:

This witch is a drama queen, it's not a secret. But when it comes to you and this very important step in your relationship, she prefers to keep it private and just the two of you.

Agatha would be unusually quiet, which would worry you a bit, but she wants this to be perfect. She knows that something like that could affect absolutely everything, considering that both are witches, and marriage means joining your magics as one.

Interestingly, that is precisely what she uses to propose to you.

"Y/ N, I want to unite my magic with yours, make us stronger and be one. Will you marry me?"

Of course, if you say yes, she won’t stop bragging about it at any moment given.

“Y/N is so cute, I might ask her out”

“She’s your fiancee, Agnes”

“I KNOW! Isn’t it wonderful?!”

Olivia Octavius:

For the smart woman that she is, Liv can be quite...shy, when it comes to personal relationships. She is a mess, okay? And not even the powerful and confident Doctor Octopus can help her.

Listen, she doesn't even have a clue how she ended dating you in the first place. It just...happened (but she was so thankful for that). Therefore, the first plan was to wait for you to take that step...but she was not a very patient woman either.

So in the end she decided to do it herself. After all, she had always been brilliant at making plans.

Too bad Olivia Octavius for the first time flinched. She had tried to propose to you during a romantic dinner, but the words hadn't come out of her mouth. So, she ultimately she had to put on the armor that she was comfortable with and Doc Ock was the one who ended up doing it.

"Would you be my partner in crime for the rest of our lives?"

Ursula Gernsback:

She was programmed to be Hugo's wife. There was no proposal, no previous relationship, nothing. She was simply "born" being his wife.

It was you who taught her what a true relationship was, who showed her that she could be more than just a robot in a store. You taught her to be a little more human.

Therefore, she had no idea how to propose to you. She tried searching the internet for ideas, but none of them convinced her at all. So, she just did what she always did: ask you unashamedly.

You had told her that she could always be honest with you about her emotions and thoughts, that she could always tell you what she needed or wanted and she wanted you as a wife.

Still, it didn't mean that she couldn't be resourceful about it.

She asked you to help fix a "flaw" on her chest, and when you opened to check, you found a simple but beautiful ring. You looked at her in surprise and she just shrugged.

"You already have my heart, I had to replace it with something ... but you can have the ring too"

Weren't exactly the words "will you marry me?" But they made you just as happy

Carla Dunkler:

She...didn't.

Well, to be honest, she had been thinking about it for a long time. You were kind, good to her son, you supported her in everything, you were beautiful and sexy, what more could she ask for?

Courage. That she desperately asked for.

Courage to be able to ask you what she most yearned for so that the right words would come out of her mouth. But she couldn't. Since she was trying to be a better mother, Carla had spoken to Jackson about it, asking how he would feel about her marrying you. The boy was delighted with the idea, he loved you very much and he thought you were great.

So when he saw that his mother could not utter her words, he did it for her over dinner.

"Y/N, would you marry my mom?"

Carla almost choked on her food and you turned red.

"Did you just propose to her for me?"

"Well, someone had to do it, Mom!"

You already loved this family.

Eve Fletcher:

Promise.

Jennifer Barkley:

You always thought that your relationship with Jen didn’t go beyond the sexual, no matter how much you were falling in love with her. It was just logical, you know? She was a busy woman and she had never shown any signs of having deeper feelings for you.

Well...that was a lie, there were times when you noticed a different look, or her hands stayed on you a little longer than necessary. Sometimes she even she was jealous of you. But that was not a confession of love.

So it took you by surprise when she invited you to a fancy dinner and it turned out to be too exclusive. Jen used to take you to places where she could show you. But now it was just the two of you.

Your pulse quickened when she saw her take out a velvet box. You didn't want to get your hopes up, it was probably just a necklace or something and- OH GOD. It was a ring. One of diamonds that you were sure cost 10 times more than your house.

You didn't even hear all the speech the older woman was saying until she got to the last line.

"Y/N, will you marry me?"

Delta Simmons:

Everyone  knew it was a matter of time before it happened.

Delta hadn't really wanted anything with anyone after her divorce from Arnold, so it was a surprise when she started dating you. But her children adored you and after a while it became clear that the woman was completely in love with you, perhaps even more tha she ever wasn with Arnold.

Soon, there began to be bets on when she would propose to you.

Delta wanted it to be special, but as much as she tried, she seemed like she could never find the perfect time to be completely alone (and she didn't want to do it after sex...it would be awkward). So, after failing miserably, she decided it was best to use what they both loved so much: the theater.

After a particularly successful performance, Delta stopped the applause to call you to center stage. You were nervous as hell, but you still did it. Your heart stopped when the woman knelt in front of you and you didn't even hear anything because of the screams from the crowd, but it wasn't necessary. Anyway, you would say yes.

Milly Campbell:

She knew she could never marry you, at least not traditionally. Firstly, because she was already frowned upon for her divorce from Shep, and secondly and more importantly, you two were women. It was impossible and an aberration for society.

But Milly didn't care.

There was a time when she did, when she would have cringed at looks of disgust and hateful comments. But she had almost lost a child in one of Shep's outbursts of anger, and you had opened the doors of your house and your heart to her. She had understood what true love was, and she wasn't going to let anyone take it from her.

So even if she couldn't marry you in the traditional way, she Milly did what she could and she took you to the river. There, with a small ring, a simple one and not marriage per se, she proposed to you to spend the rest of your lives together.

No papers or ceremonies, just the two of you and the love you had for each other and the little family you had formed.

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

KH's tags: @natalia-helena-alianova-romanov @roseclear

[nataliedanovelist]

GF - We’re Coming Back Home

A Drifting Stars AU one-shot, the last one I plan to do, in collaboration with @clownwry.

1st, 2nd, 3rd.

~~~~~~~~~~

Somehow, miraculously, through all of Ford’s traveling, through countless dimensions, his Quantum Destabilizer remained on his back and fully intact.

Okay, well, mostly intact. Partially intact. 

When he was finally ready to attack Bill and put an end to his reign of terror, his plans had been put on hold when a crack in space-time opened. He didn’t dare hope that it was a way home, but maybe if he aimed correctly, the shot would not only kill Bill, but fly him home. But no, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a young girl fly out of the hole, and with reflexes he developed over thirty years of staying alive in the worst circumstances, he hooked his Quantum Destabilizer onto his back, caught the girl, and swam through the gravity-less air for safety, hiding behind an asteroid, putting a hand over the girl’s mouth and hissing for her silence, swearing she would be okay, and they barely made it out as Bill’s words echoed through the Nightmare Realm.

“Sixer’s caught a Shooting Star, boys!”

Ford had no idea what that was supposed to mean at the time, but now a month later, he thinks he finally understood. His niece, Shermie’s granddaughter, Mabel, loved stars, and was very much like one herself. Always shining. Always so bright and full of hope. Many times in history, and even today in other dimensions, runaway slaves used the stars as maps to guide them to a better place. Ford often wondered if Mabel was his star, maybe not guiding him physically to a safe haven, but guiding him to a happier mindset. Guiding him to a life that isn’t completely isolated. Guiding him to a life that included love.

The last few weeks have been challenging, sure, but not that much more challenging than traveling alone; Mabel was a fast learner, and while she refused to use a knife or gun (“Cuz those hurt, Grunkle Ford!”), she was perfectly comfortable with pop-rocks and making foes lose their footing and fall down so they couldn’t attack. And she was very good at hunting for food and water and other reliable resources. 

In fact, Ford would easily say the last few weeks have been the happiest of his life. Maybe only tying with when Fiddleford joined him in Gravity Falls, before work on the portal became dangerous, but after he realized that maybe the woods had been too quiet the last six years.

After just a day and a half, Ford was fully-aware of his attachment to his niece and how much it would ruin him if he lost her. Mabel was everything a good person strives to be: kind, sweet, a pleasure to be around, but not a pushover, either; Mabel Pines knew how to stand her ground.

And so the last month was littered with so many happy memories. Ford was a little hurt when she “borrowed” two broken fishing poles and fixed them up so they could fish, but he very quickly enjoyed sitting on a log by a river and fishing with Mabel. Ford found it brought her much comfort to brush her hair, and he also discovered he enjoyed a calm brush himself. Ford found he didn’t mind the extra weight of his niece on his shoulders; quite the contrary, he found it comforting, and he was always swallowed with peace when she was so relaxed with him that she fell asleep, using his fluffy gray hair as a pillow.

No longer was Ford met with suspicious looks when he walked down the street of a market alone, face hidden. Quite the opposite. He was always met with smiles and warm greetings, and sometimes a little extra food was thrown into a purchase for free. Be it because people saw him as a parent with an adorable child, or because of Mabel’s charm. Or both.

The dimensions they came across were random and different, just like it was when Ford traveled alone. Some dimensions were like an alien sci-fi movie, completely different with no humans. Some dimensions were scaringly like home, with a small difference here and there. Ironically, the alien-like dimensions were typically safer, because they were used to travelers and weird-looking creatures. 

But Ford guessed it would be okay if he and Mabel stepped into a normal grocery store to buy some food.

They had come across a “normal” dimension, and while Ford’s first thought was to retreat for the woods, he heard Mabel’s stomach growl, and he decided her health was more important. So they stepped in and kept to themselves.

Ford and Mabel were picking up crackers when the little girl grinned at rows of cereals behind them. “Grunkle Ford, can I please pick a cereal?” She asked politely.

The old scientist thought about it for a moment. Cereal would definitely cover a few meals and be light and easy to carry, and it wouldn’t get hold too quickly, and he had wanted to get her at least one nice thing while in the store, so he nodded and said, “Yes, dear, you may pick one box. Any flavor you want.”

“Thank you!” And Mabel took the time to hug him before skipping over to the cereals to look.

Ford chuckled and picked some crackers, then decided to browse the fruit snacks, debating if it would be wise. Probably not, because if they get stuck in another desert climate the gummies could melt and make a mess, but they could make a good snack for Mabel. He held his chin, debating the idea, while a couple was also looking over the cereals.

“Which do you think Dad would want?” The yellow-haired woman asked.

“Honey, who cares what Rick wants? Just get a cereal you’ll like.” The husband said with an eye roll.

Ford froze at that name. No no, that was most definitely a different Rick. It was a common enough name, and there were billions of dimensions. There was no way Ford and Mabel somehow managed to stumble into C-137. He ultimately decided against gummies and he then looked at the trail mixes and granola bars. Both were always a good option.

“I know, but I want him to feel welcome, you know?” The wife said as she picked a box. “He’s been travelling in space alone for years…”

Oh no. No, no, no. Ford quickly chose some packets of trail mix and several granola bars and hurried back to his niece. He was not going to do this today. Nope.

Mabel grinned at him, a box of cereal in hand, and she held it out to him. “Look, Grunkle Ford, do you like this flavor? I can pick a different one if you want.”

“Oh, thank you, my dear, but I like the one you picked.” Ford did a decent job masking his uneasiness and he took her hand and smiled. “Why don’t we pick up some fruit for today, and then we’ll go fishing for dinner?”

“Yay! Sounds great!”

Ford didn’t miss the yellow-haired woman smiling at them as they left the aisle. If that was who he thought it was… She really didn’t look anything like him. She might have just favored her mother. Who else would have spent years traveling space? Bastard.

Ford may have hated him for many reasons, but choosing to abandon his girls was at the top of the list.

At the checkout line, Ford nervously watched the total of their purchase go up with each beep. He recounted their cash and made a small list of items in his mind for them to go down if they couldn’t afford everything. A few granola bars can go. And, maybe they could find band-aids elsewhere and “borrow” them.

The worker rang up the last item and Ford smiled when he saw the total was 29.89. He had thirty. But then the worker pressed the total button and taxes were added. Shit, right. That made their total 35.45. Ford winced. Mabel looked up at him worriedly, but she smiled and stood on her tippy-toes to see the worker better.

“Hi, I’m Mabel! Can you please put the cereal back? We don’t really need it.”

Ford looked down at her, surprised and also a little disheartened. He had really wanted to get her at least one nice thing, but truth be told the cereal was the most expensive item, so it made sense to get rid of it first. Still, it sucked.

“Total’s now 32.14.”

Ford bit his lip. “Very well, may we please put the band-aids back, too?”

The worker nodded, seeming tired and annoyed, but they didn’t say a word. Blissfully, the total went down to 29.99.

With hands full of bags, Mabel and Ford paused at the beginning of the parking lot to move their groceries into their backpacks. While they worked, the old scientist said, “I’m sorry I could afford your cereal, Mabel.”

“Oh, it’s okay!” The girl said instantly. “I’ve got something even sweeter.” And she grinned at her grunkle and gave him a warm smile.

Ford smiled back at her tiredly. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Yes you do.” Mabel insisted and hugged him around the neck, nuzzling her face into his shoulder and determined to sink as much comfort as she could into his skin. “I love you Grunkle Ford. Please don’t beat yourself up, m’k?”

Ford hugged her back and petted her short brown hair. It was certainly easier to feel better with a ball of sunshine in his arms.

They both heard rustling behind them as a buggy rolled from the door to the parking lot. They both looked behind Mabel and saw a bag with the cereal and the band-aids in it. They looked around and saw no one, except for the yellow-haired woman and her husband going to their car.

Mabel grinned and hollered to them, “Thank you!”

They didn’t respond, but the woman did smile and wave before putting groceries into her car. As appreciated as Ford was for her kindness, he wanted to get as far away from her as possible. No offense to her. She seemed like a very lovely lady.

But then it hit Ford like a pile of rocks. What was it he had said before he had pulled out his gun and left Ford to travel alone? “And hey, if you ever wanna travel without customs or waiting for wormholes to open, don’t come looking for me.” And then he winked and fell backwards into a pool of green, leaving Ford to curse his name.

If this was like before, when Ford was alone, he wouldn’t dare. But if he could help get Mabel home…

Ford took Mabel’s hand and muttered, “Come with me.” And she followed without question.

Beth felt good helping the old man and the little girl, and she didn’t expect anything more. Really, it was only five dollars worth of stuff. But she was happy when they started to walk towards her, so she trusted Jerry to finish loading up the car and she smiled at them.

“Excuse me, miss, I just want to thank you for what you did.” The old man said.

“Oh, you’re welcome, it was no trouble at all.”

“I… I hope I’m not being too invasive, but… but I believe you know someone I know.”

Beth smiled. Small world! “Really? That’s great! Oh, are you a relative of Dave’s? Or, you know, I do know a lot of people indirectly from the horse-track.”

“Er, no.” The old man gave her a more serious look, and then asked quietly, “Do you know Rick Sanchez?”

~~~~~~~~~~

Beth was so excited to give Stanford Pines and his niece, Mabel, a ride, and to invite them to dinner, not only because she thought seeing an old friend might make her dad smile, but maybe she’ll learn more about what he’s been up to all these years. The man was very polite and the girl was as sweet as can be, both of whom looked rough and in need of a cozy bed and maybe a soothing bath. Jerry was a little unsure, not wanting “more Ricks” into his house, but after a huf from the girl and a cheerful greeting, Jerry couldn’t help but tell the girl she was more than welcome, so now he was roped in.

Mabel noticed that her uncle looked distracted. He was looking out his window, but his eyes were elsewhere. He was thinking. So she decided to try to help him with his thoughts. “Grunkle Ford, who’s Rick Sanchez?” She asked quietly.

Ford looked at her, sighed quietly, and muttered, “He’s an intergalactic scientist. He’s ridiculously intelligent and clever, and… a bit…” Ford pursed his lips. All the words that came to mind he didn’t want Mabel hearing, so he settled on. “... mad.”

“Oh. Is he like a real mad-scientist?” Mabel asked, eyes sparkling with interest.

“Yes, but with less laughter, more slurs and sluggish demeanor, and even less consideration of other living things.”

Mabel noticed his cold tone and grew concerned. “You don’t like him, do you?”

Ford bit his lip. No, he didn’t. But there was a more important reason why he didn’t want to see Rick today. 

Mabel leaned in closer and whispered, “Is he mean?”

Trust Mabel to sum it up perfectly for her uncle. “Yes.” Ford said just as quietly. “And I don’t want him meeting you.”

“Why?”

Ford hesitated. But being blunt and honest seemed to be working, and it was best for Mabel to prepare herself for the lion’s den they were walking into. “I don’t want him to hurt your feelings.” a bit elementary, but it was the best way to explain it to a child without scaring her too much.

Mabel, however, grinned. “Grunkle Ford, no one can resist the Power of Mabel.”

Ford smiled and ruffled her hair softly. “We’ll see…”

“So, if you don’t like Mr. Sanchez, then why are we going to go see him?”

“He’s an expert on interdimensional-travel.” Ford informed her. “He might know how to get us home.”

Mabel’s eyes widened and she “oh”ed as she realized what was going on. 

~~~~~~~~~~

The garage door was open to let in good lighting and fresh air. But that wasn’t an invitation to come in whenever people feel like it; Rick will have to work on a security system to keep nosy neighbors away. He was opening a box and getting organized when he heard his daughter’s car roll into the driveway. He didn’t bother to look up, instead waited for the sounds of car doors opening to say something.

“Hey sweetie, welcome back.”

“Dad,” Beth said, sounding giddy. Rick hated giddy. But he had only been here for a week and he didn’t feel like making his daughter hate him just yet, so he settled for rolling his eyes and continuing what he was doing. “I have a surprise for you!”

“Wow! You have a nice house! Cool garage, too!” A young voice said.

Rick was halted. He turned in his chair and raised an eyebrow to find a young girl with short brown hair and braces holding hands with an old nerd with fluffy charcoal hair, glasses, and six fingers.

“Oh my God!” Rick laughed. “Holy-...” A dark look from the old traveler made Rick stop; he can piss him off later. First he needs to figure out why the hell he is here and what the hell he wants. “Jeez, you look terrible, Fordsie.” The mad scientist snorted as he leaned against his desk with his hands in his pockets.

Ford rolled his eyes and said, “And you still look like a soft breeze will blow you away, Sanchez.”

Mabel bit her lip and quietly, “Oooooh”ed, like she was listening to a rap battle.

“So,” Beth stretched, clearly hoping for more information or a more satisfying reunion, but she wasn’t getting it naturally, so she decided to push a little. “How do you two know each other?”

“The Multiverse is a pretty big place, sweetie.” Rick answered. “Don’t worry, I’ll have this nerd gone before you finish unloading the car. Don’t want to risk another mass genocide.” He sneered.

Ford’s face turned red and he yelled, “I didn’t know it was a planet! It looked too similar to a sandwich for it to be a planet!”

Rick laughed and looked at the little girl. She looked maybe a little younger than Morty. “Who’s that you got with you?”

Ford closed his eyes, debating if he should tell Rick it wasn’t any of his business, or get the introduction over with. But before he could make a decision, Mabel beat him to the punch.

She let go of Rick’s hand, hopped to him, and looked up at his bean-pole stature and smiled and waved. “Hi! I’m Mabel! You’re a scientist, too? Cool! I like your hair! How old are you? Have you ever met a dinosaur? What’s your favorite food?” 

Rick blinked like a startled lizard at the girl, glanced up at Ford, and then looked back down at Mabel. Rick smiled and sat in his chair to be closer to her level, and held out a hand to shake, which she happily accepted and shook a little rough. “Hey there, I’m Rick. Yes, I’m a scientist. Thank you, I like your hair, too. Yes, I’ve met a dinosaur, several in different dimensions. And, pancakes.”

Mabel’s eyes sparkled. “I love pancakes, too! Maybe we can make some together!”

“Maybe, but I’ve got the feeling that’s not why you’re here.” Rick suggested kindly. And no, Ford wasn’t at all suspicious that he was being kind to Mabel.

“Oh! Yeah! Grunkle Ford thinks you can help us get home.”

“Huh. You’re great-uncle, huh? Sure, okay, let’s get started.” Rick rolled over to a cabinet and took out an odd machine. It came with a tiny needle and was attached to the machine by a small black wire, and the boxed machine had a screen of some sort on the side. “Mind if I prick your finger?”

“Sure!” Mabel held out her finger to him and Rick carefully held her wrist and pricked her finger, so small she hardly noticed it. “What for?”

“I need a blood sample to find your home dimension. Gotta send you to the right dimension.” Rick explained. “Fordsie, lemme get yours, too. How’d you two find each other, anyways?”

“I was in the Nightmare Realm when some idiot opened a portal and this little starshine fell into my arms.” Ford explained, stepping forward and giving Rick his finger.

“Okay, got it.” Rick said. “Well, there’s a possibility that you two come from different dimensions. Nothing too different about your homes, but there’s millions of dimensions. The probability that you two came from the same timeline and reality… there we go. It’s a match. That makes things easier.”

The small heart attack Ford was having went away. The idea of his starshine not being his was a nightmare. His life was complicated enough; he didn’t need his girl to not actually be his.

“Dimension 41’\. Huh, okay, gimme two seconds…” Rick pulled out his trusty portal gun and plugged it into the machine. A long list of dimensions popped up, and Ford prayed 41’\ would be on the list. “You two are lucky. I can go as far as 42’\, but the other 40s are out of range. Huh, i’ll have to work on that.”

“So,” Mabel grinned. “You can get us home?”

Rick smiled smugly and shrugged as he stood. “Yeah, sure.”

“Grunkle Ford!” Mabel cheered and hurled herself into his arms. “I can’t believe it! I’m gonna see Dipper again! I can’t wait for you to meet him!”

Ford smiled softly. He couldn’t believe it. It was all happening so fast and effortlessly. He was going to get Mabel home. They were both going home. Suddenly the idea of seeing Stanley again, meeting his grandnephew and all of Mabel’s friends and her pet pig sounded… a lot. He didn’t realize it, but he was becoming anxious and spacing out. But Mabel noticed, and she kissed his stubbly cheek and brought him back to reality.

Rick shot at the wall with his gun and an oozing green portal appeared. “There we go, 41’\. Wait, sh-oot, gimme a location.”

“618 Gopher Road.” Ford stated as he let go of Mabel. “Gravity Falls, Oregon. USA.”

“Got it.” Rick made the last portal disappear and shot a new one. “There. Now get-... Go on home.”

Mabel stepped up to Rick and said sincerely, “Mr. Sanchez, thank you for helping us.” And she hugged him around his tall skinny legs.

Rick pursed his lips awkwardly, unsure of how to respond to such positive energy and kindness. The old scientists looked at each other, Ford giving Rick a warning look, but something hidden in his face or eyes told the drunk that the nomad was actually grateful for his illegal device.

“Uh…” Rick settled on patting Mabel’s head and said, “Y-Y-You’re welcome.”

Mabel let go of Rick and held out a hand to Ford. “Ready?”

“Nope.” Ford took her hand and squeezed it. “Let’s do this.”

And without another word, the Pines walked through the green portal.

[icarusgf]

okay so two of my older siblings r in college and here’s what i’ve found out from them

1. office hours r really important for making connections with your teachers and better understanding content. if your school is bigger it matters even more to make yourself stand out, plus teacher relationships = future recs and better grades

2. you need a pair of flip flops for the shower. like this is mandatory. and a decent bathrobe

3. don’t bring your whole wardrobe and realize you will be looking decent/mediocre for most of your days. do bring office clothing for professional events.

4. look for summer internships as early as possible because they recruit super early. like right now recruitment for summer 2023 is happening.

5. JOIN CLUBS. like that’s how you’ll make friends esp if you and your roommate aren’t super besties. also go to the events your RA throws if you can because they put in work and they can be nice/have free goodies. join soros/frats that are cultural or based on a common interest (not greek life tho cause that can get really bad. my sister is in a band sorority and dues are pretty cheap, you don’t live together, but it’s a community and where she’s met her bffs)

6. your academic advisor is almost always more often than not to be bad at their job/not going to help you. figure out your specific major and minor requirements on your own so that you have your plan. many people end up graduation a semester or two later with having to take summer classes because their advisor led them astray. don’t rely on them for your path.

7. register for classes as early as possible. like figure out the class codes and diff professors and register immediately so you can get the classes you need

8. minor in what you love. like literally whatever silly thing your heart desires to know more about.

9. don’t put too much stock into your freshman year roommate. most likely they’ll just be some person you lived with who you won’t speak to again, but do try to get along as best as possible.

10. pls have a place to store refrigerated food and know how to make some basic meals. cheap frozen chicken breast and microwave rice and veggies can be your bff(or frozen potstickers). also stock up on sauce and spices because food will be bland and tasteless without it. like honestly go to college with like a jug of oil and different base spices (salt,pepper, garlic, onion, cayenne, paprika,parsley) that will improve anything tenfold.

11. don’t stay in your dorm. get out of it as much as possible. study in the library in the rain just not in that tiny room. especially if your view isn’t sunny it can really worsen your mental health to stay in such a confined space for long.

12. use the library to its fullest advantage. talk to your librarians and ask for resources/use computers. your grades will thank you

13. this is not the best time of your life. that comes later.

14. if it’s free— go to it/ take it. this school is bleeding your bank dry you take it back with every piece of merch and free food and whatnot.

15. drinks r dead after they hit the table. never pick it up whatsoever it’s not yours anymore and nobody is to be trusted so completely. also tipsy but not drunk is best.

16. nobody is doing anything for the most part in a sunday. unless you go to a christian school and you have mass that day: people are nursing hangovers and sleeping off parties. use sunday to chill recuperate and prepare for class.

17. my dad used to take vitamin c tablets to stay awake for studying. this was 1980/90s france but it probs still works and is safer than the alternative.

18. go use all the services you pay for in your fees!! gym, therapist, everything!! if it’s included in your fees for that school, use the service.

19. clean up after yourself in the dorm kitchen. or really just any shared space in your living arrangements. you don’t want to be the a-girl who leaves a mess everywhere

20.don’t take 8am classes.

have fun!!! honestly it’s an experience unparalleled in the community you live amongst at college and i wish you all the best there💞💞💞

tysm omg <3 will keep this all in mind

[scapegrace74-blog]

New Ways of Turning into Stone, Chapter 4

A/N  Some strong reactions to the last chapter, which I admit caught me by surprise.   Writing is a funny craft, where you spend a lot of time and effort trying to show your reader exactly the picture you have in your mind, but then also have to surrender to each reader’s interpretation of what you wrote.  That said, some interpretations miss the mark entirely, and for that reason this chapter is entitled “False Assumptions”.   Trigger warning for childhood disease.

Jamie’s weekly appointments continued through the grey slumber of late April and into the wakening month of May.  Thursday became Claire’s favourite day of the week, for reasons she didn’t care to scrutinize too closely.

With regularity came a certain brand of predictability.  Their appointments took one of two forms, she realized.  Some days Jamie was full of life, witty and exasperating by turns.  He would spin long yarns about some trivial aspect of his life, fascinating tales that turned out to be nothing more than surface reflections, revealing little of the murky depths beneath.  He was also adept at using his considerable verbal charm to draw her into divulging more about herself than she ought.  Those visits left her equally frustrated and challenged.

The rest of the time her patient arrived with a weary slump, the thousand watt bulb of his personality dimmed to an occasional flicker.  Given his offhand comment about whisky and women, she tried not to ponder if he was hungover or suffering from the effects of an all-night hook-up.  From a diagnostic point of view these days of low ebb were beneficial because Jamie was far more likely to offer some nugget of inner revelation, truth sneaking out through the cracks of his weakened defences.

“I was away on business, in Hong Kong, when my Da passed,” he said on one such afternoon, the skin below his eyes drawn tight and the copper in his hair somehow muted.

“Did it happen suddenly?” 

“No’ really.  Jen had been at me fer months tae come hame, sayin’ that Da was workin’ himself tae death.”   Jamie looked out the window, eyes reflecting the overcast skies beyond.  “I ignored her.  Too wrapped up in my own grand self tae pay any heed.  Twas Ian, my brother-in-law, who called tae say Da had dropped in the pasture.  Massive coronary.  I caught the first flight back, but he was gone before I landed.”

She watched Jamie’s face closely as he spoke, but beyond the understandable emotion of reliving the sudden loss of a parent, he remained inscrutable.  The urge to draw him out overcame the deference she paid to Jamie’s well-defined boundaries.

“Do you think you’re to blame for his death?” she asked, half-expecting to be met with silence or a nimble deflection.

Jamie shook his head ruefully.

“Nah.  I dinna think I’m tae blame.  I ken it.  I was the only surviving son, ye see?  In the Highlands, tradition is everything, an’ a Fraser man had worked those lands fer generations.  I was only meant tae complete my studies abroad, an’ then return tae Lallybroch and take o’er from Da.  Instead, I left my sister an’ Ian tae watch o’er the farm while I played the business tycoon.”

“Is Lallybroch still in your family?” she wondered aloud, the name rolling about in her mouth like marbles.  

“Jenny and Ian couldna keep it.  I wasna well enough tae object, an’ they sold tae a developer.  It’s some kind of corporate wellness retreat now,” he finished with a distasteful grimace.

For every disclosure Jamie made, two more questions arose in its wake, like hacking away at a many-headed Hydra.  She wished she could delve further, but the chime from her computer announced the end of the session.

“Will I see you next week, Jamie?” she asked as he reluctantly rose to leave.

“Aye,” said with a sad smile.  “I’ll be here.”

***

The following Tuesday, Claire took the afternoon off work to perform an errand she’d long been avoiding.

Her departure from the Royal Hospital for Children had been so precipitous, she hadn’t filed the necessary paperwork to close her employment file.  The Human Resources department had been pestering her to complete the process for months.  The threat of holding up the transfer of her accreditation finally forced her hand.

To her great relief, the personnel offices were nowhere near the actual wards.  They lay at the end of a long white hallway broken by large windows looking into a series of meeting and activity rooms.  Her plan was to get in, sign the damn forms, and leave without running into any former colleagues or patients.   

The sun slanting into one of these sparsely furnished rooms glanced off the top of a bent head, causing it to glow like a freshly minted penny.  She stopped and stared, trying to reconcile the image of James Fraser seated in a too-small plastic chair, surrounded by a group of hospital-gowned children.

He must have caught sight of her while she stood gaping.  Running to the door before she could find the motor function to turn around, he called out joyfully from behind a blue hospital mask.

“Doctor Beauchamp!  Fancy meeting ye here.”

She mumbled something incoherent, damning herself for the blush she felt enveloping her cheeks.   Behind Jamie, a row of dewy eyes watched on.   She recognized the paper-thin skin and missing hair of chemotherapy patients, and a salty knot rose in her throat.

“Can ye spare a few minutes? Ye’re jes the pair of steady hands we need.”

She longed to decline, to disappear, to come up with a plausible excuse why she couldn’t enter that room.  Her heart thumped angrily in her chest, warning of its fragile state.

Seeing her conflict, Jamie extended a welcoming hand.

“Come, Sassenach.  The lassies would love tae meet ye.”

The space smelled of sterile laundry and sawdust.  With a habit borne of years of practice, Claire disinfected her hands in the small utility sink and donned a spare mask from the nearby dispenser, all while wondering what the hell she was doing.

The children were seated on colourful chairs arranged around a low table, its surface covered in pieces of pre-cut lumber, colourful pots of paint, a glue gun and all manner of cheap decorations such as you would find at a craft store.  The little girls ranged in age from pre-school to young teen, but they all looked at Jamie as though he’d hung the moon as he addressed them.

“Ladies, I’d like ye tae meet Doctor Beauchamp.  She’s a braw doctor but I bet she kens next tae nothing about woodwork.  Ye’ll have tae show her how it’s done.”

A chorus of nervous giggles was the only response.  Claire knew from experience that being a medical professional wasn’t going to endear her to children who spent much of their lives being essentially tortured in the name of science, hoping for some kind of miracle.

“Hello, everyone,” she waved meekly.  “You can call me Miss Claire, if you like.  Now, whatever are you doing with all this wood?”

It turned out that Jamie was supervising the construction of a half-dozen birdhouses.  He had pre-cut the lumber for easy assembly, but was assisting each girl to create a custom masterpiece that would hang outside her hospital window.  With the patience and steady manner of a primary school teacher, Jamie led the group through each step.  

A waifish girl of perhaps six sat directly to Claire’s left, her bare scalp covered by a brightly coloured bandana, offset by a huge pair of peacock-blue eyes that glimmered above her mask.  Eyes that were the mirror of the ones that visited her office every Thursday.  Something heavy settled inside her ribs.

“What’s your name, sweetie?” she asked in a low voice as she pushed an open pot of sky blue paint away from the table’s edge.  Small hands busied themselves pulling apart a package of cotton balls that looked suspiciously like the ones kept in the hospital’s supply cabinet.

“Margaret Murray, Doctor, errr, Miss Claire,” came the timid reply.  

Not Fraser, then.  But that didn’t necessarily mean anything.  She snuck a glance across the table at Jamie, who was just then teasing the youngest girl by tickling her cheeks with a fake feather.  Despite her heavy thoughts, she couldn’t help but smile.  That smile faltered when she noticed that the inside of Jamie’s elbows bore a matching set of fresh bandages.   A series of puzzle pieces tumbled into place.

Perhaps sensing the weight of her scrutiny, Jamie looked their way, whistling in admiration when he saw Maggie’s near-complete birdhouse.

“Tis a fine hame ye’ve built fer yer wee birds, Maggie.  What is all yon white fluff for?”

“Tis clouds, Uncle Jamie,” Maggie replied with the certainty of childhood.  “I dinna want the birdies tae miss the sky, even when they arenna flyin’.”

Claire watched the words hit him as surely as though they had been bullets.  A frozen gasp, a shudder that travelled the length of his body and the crest of tears that he tried valiantly to blink away.

“Aye, ye’re right, a nighean.  Any bird would be fair honoured tae sleep in yer skyhouse,” he managed to reply, voice bouldery with contained emotion.

When each birdhouse was complete and left along the window ledge to dry, Jamie set his small crew of helpers the task of clearing up the mess.   Claire stood next to him as he loaded his tools back into a small carrying case.

“Thanks for inviting me to join you, Jamie.  It was... well, it was unexpectedly wonderful,” she admitted.

“Ye’re most welcome, Doctor Beauchamp.  We couldna have managed wi’out yer steady hand manning the glue gun,” he teased.

“You’re not my patient here, Jamie.  You don’t need to use my title,” she said, a bit vexed by his formality.

“Aye, but it doesna feel right tae call ye by yer given name either.  An’ Miss Claire is jes weird.”

She had to acknowledge that he had a point.

“What was it you called me earlier?  Sassa-something?”

“Sassenach.  My Da woulda skelped my hide if he heard me call a lady by that name,” he said ruefully.

“Why, does it mean something terribly offensive?”  She was almost afraid to know, having enjoyed the delusion that Jamie felt as fondly towards her as she did towards him.

“Nah, tis jes an old-fashioned word for an English person in Scotland.  Seemed tae suit ye, is all.”  He shrugged, seemingly embarrassed by the explanation.

“Well then, Sassenach it is.  When I’m not on the clock, that is.”

Jamie’s eyes danced above his mask the way they did when he smiled, and she imagined hers replied in much the same way.  A long moment passed when nothing was said, neither of them looking away.

“You’re her platelet donor,” she said at last.  “Maggie’s, I mean.”

“Aye.  Every week while she’s in hospital for chemotherapy.  Tis the least I can do.”

It was an explanation that fit all the facts, but one that she never would have guessed.  Jamie had always worn long sleeves to his appointments, but she was certain the weeks when he was haggard and worn out coincided with the times he was donating the litres of blood necessary to distill into the platelet concentrate that would then be injected into Maggie’s body, helping her combat the poisonous effects of her chemotherapy.

“Whisky, women and song?” she prodded, relieved and yet frustrated that his offhand comment had kept her from seeing the truth.  “Why didn’t you just tell me, Jamie?”

“I didna want yer pity, Sassenach.  Fer once in my life, tis no’ about me, ye ken?  I didna want ye lookin’ at me like I was some kind of hero.”

She held back her reaction that his was a textbook definition of heroism, and instead asked the next obvious question.

“Are you a compatible bone marrow donor as well?”

Jamie shook his head slowly.  Although he was a close match, he explained, it wasn’t close enough.   Maggie’s older brother, Wee Jamie, was a perfect match but the law prohibited him from becoming a donor until he was at least sixteen, in seven long years.

“We’re jes tryin’ tae buy her enough time,” he said sadly before stepping out of the room, explaining he’d be back momentarily.

Claire stood in a daze, running through everything she’d assumed about Jamie in light of these newest facts.  A light tug on her hand drew her back into the moment.  Maggie was looking up at her with wide, trusting eyes.

“Are ye the Sassenach lady Uncle Jamie and my Mam argue about?”

“I suppose I might be,” she replied, curious what had been said between the siblings that Maggie had overheard.

“Are ye a heart doctor?” Maggie continued.

“Well, no.  Not exactly.  I’m the kind of doctor who helps people who are sad, and I try to find a way for them to be happy again.”  It sounded so easy when explaining it to a six year old.

“Sometimes Mam and Da talk about Uncle Jamie when they dinna ken I’m listenin’.  I’m verra good at sneakin’,” Maggie confided, and Claire couldn’t help but smile.  What a precious child.    “I’m sure you are,” she replied warmly, a hand coming to rest gently on the tiny cloth-covered head.

“Mam says Uncle Jamie is more stubborn than a mule and that he canna see past his own big heid,” Maggie continued.  Claire couldn’t say that she disagreed with that assessment.

“But Da says Uncle Jamie’s heart has been broken too many times, and thas’ why he’s given up on living.  Can ye fix his heart, Miss Claire, so that it isna broken any more?”

She couldn’t have stopped her tears if she tried.   She knelt on the floor and gathered Maggie’s thin, fragile body in her arms.

“Oh, Maggie.  I’m certainly going to try.”