#none of this MATTERS when we put all the drama into the table because HOLY SHIT IS IT UNCOMFORTABLE TO TALK ABT TOWN!!

[theotherace]

Fic Recs: Taang

I’ve made two or three rec lists over the past few months, but I thought I’d make a proper, comprehensive one that’s easy to add to in the future. Not all of these are exclusively Taang, but they all feature the ship to some degree. I will only recommend one or two stories per author, but some profiles are definitely worth checking out further. So! Here goes.

Multi-Chapter, Complete

Whisper Into the Sky by damagectrl – Toph has two choices: Go home and get married or have the family fortune and her inheritance given to a stranger. Her problem: She wants to keep her ties to her family, but is quite content traveling with Aang. Her solution: Fight her way through suitors for her freedom. Literally. | General 

The Slow Path by Tazmainian Devil – Eight years after the fall of Ozai, Aang returns to the friends he left behind. | T

A Matter of Honor by Adridere – Almost 4 years after the war. Aang is engaged to Katara and is up to Zuko to teach him the facts of life. Yep, the bees and the birds. Crazy kings, bananas and the ultimate contest for the hand of a reluctant maiden. | M

Roommates by breeeliss – An unlikely tale of two unlikely people being forced to live together under unlikely circumstances.| Modern AU | T

Fall of the White Lotus by Boo-82 – Three years after the war Zuko is living a life of duty while Katara reluctantly travels the world with Aang. So, when General Iroh orders them to find Zuko’s mother and save his Order they seize the opportunity with both hands. It’s the beginning of an adventurous journey of discovery, but as time runs out a rising threat puts their bond to the test. | T

Half Asleep by The Crushinator – Five years after the Hundred-Year War, Fire Lord Zuko is hit with an assassin’s dart, and falls into a coma from which he cannot wake. A week passes, and his prognosis is grim. But Katara could swear she hears him in her dreams… | T

Yaaburnee by aviatordame – Avatars aren't meant to belong – that's as much as Aang can fathom. | M

Getting Lucky by roca-dos – Crazy things happen in college every day. | Modern AU | T 

All Fall Down by DJNS  – Aang copes with a tragic loss and finds renewed hope in an unexpected place. | M | Warning for Major Character Death

The Princess & the Badger-Cat by panaili – In a land never torn apart by the Hundred Year War, the sixteen-year-old Avatar Aang is trying his best to keep the balance between the four nations, including the increasingly antagonistic Fire Nation, which, despite his friendship with the Crown Prince Zuko, refuses to acknowledge him. Elsewhere, Sokka and Katara have been separated on their quest to find their missing father, and Sokka, pursued by the same bandits who kidnapped his sister, finds himself on the balcony of some rich girl’s house in Gaoling. Oh, and a sorcerer has turned him into a badger-cat. It’s just one of those days. | Teen and Up

Reborn by Jakia – Life. Death. Rebirth. This is the cycle that all spirits must abide to, even the Avatar. Aang and Toph face death and the reincarnation cycle. | T

New Girl by tiffaniesblews – After coming home early from a business trip, all Katara wanted to do was surprise her boyfriend, Jet. Imagine her surprise when she got home and Jet was in bed with another woman. Not wanting to live with her ex, and unable to live with her best friend, Suki, Katara takes her brother Sokka's offer to move into his loft with his two roommates. Aang is perky and sweet, the owner of a st. Bernard and a cat, who's often confused about his direction in life. Zuko, on the other hand, is a closed-off bartender, who takes some time opening up to others.The four could not be more different, and yet? They work out perfectly. Even if Katara's feelings for Zuko get a bit more complicated as time goes on. | Modern AU | Mature 

The Ties That Bind series by LdyKirin – An exploration of the ties that bind for good and ill. Toph and Zuko are both shaped by the family they were born to and the family they choose. Lots of found family feels. | T

What Happens In Kyoshi by BlackVelvetBand – Prince Zuko, and the GAang take a vacation on Kyoshi Island. Flirting, fighting, and embarrasment ensue as Sokka takes it upon himself to defend Katara's virtue...in a dress? A short,chaptered fic featuring Zutara, Sokki, and Taang. | T

Under the Night Sky by mycomfortblanket – Aang hears the chattering of teeth during a cold night. Was an AU that I found on tumblr that I made fit into this story. Orginal prompt: "We have to go camping together and share a sleeping bag even though we are complete strangers | General

On The Precipice by JoyDragon – They’re just best friends. Or maybe they’re teetering on the edge of being something more. | General

Oneshots, Complete

Air and Stone by Wolvenfire86 – A few Taang stories munched together. My first submissions. I hope everyone likes them. Please review, it makes me feel special. | K+

Taang Week 2020 series by teabagginses | Teen and Up & Mature

Our Little Secret by IrisPlumeria – Toph and Aang, sat next to one another dressed in their finest under paper lanterns and surrounded by copious amounts of food and friends, cringed at the disgusting noises coming out of Sokka’s nostrils as he blew his nose into Suki’s handkerchief. “I can’t believe two of my best friends are finally married!” Sokka sobbed, earning a supportive pat on the back from Suki, who didn’t flinch at the snot coming out of his nose. “I’m so happy for you guys!” Toph and Aang's family are happy for their nuptials, but will they be able to survive their wedding party without letting slip a big secret?Written for Taang Week 2020 - Tradition. | General 

All Roads Lead To Ba Sing Se by irisbleufic – "I was thinking," [Mai] said, tucking her last remaining dagger into her belt as she strode to meet him, "that it's about time I let Fire Lord Zuko know that I quit." When Kuei smiled at her, she could see the sunshine at which she once cringed."Notice that's six years overdue is better than none at all." "Indeed," said the Earth Queen, and grinned at him. | Teen And Up

Lady Fu’s Fortune Telling by Lady Cleo – Katara and Toph visit the local fortuneteller to get their fortunes told. Added a part two with Zuko and Aang. | T

The Perfect Companion by Morna – Aang seeks comfort outside of the arms of his wife, Katara. Taang, slightly lemony. | T

Box by JoeMerl – Written for Taang Week, one-shot. Toph ticks off Bumi, but Aang is willing to fight his old friend tooth and nail to get her out of trouble. Humor, light romance. | K+

2 am by shmulia – Whoever set off the fire alarm at 2 in the morning is on Katara's shit list. Even if he is hot and shirtless. | Modern AU | K

And its sequel, 11:45 – House parties aren't Katara's thing. Sokka's drunk, Suki's on a mission to set her up, and Toph is... well, Toph. But for every cloud there's a silver lining, and for Katara it comes in the form of a second chance with her neighbour... | Modern AU | T 

Treat by PsychEmpress – She felt the corners of her own lips quirk as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “Consider this my treat,” he said and Toph allowed a smile to break out. OR In which Toph is a stressed architecture student who gets a free cup of coffee from the handsome waiter after she helps his friend. Taang. Mentions of Sukka. | Modern AU | T

Sawaru by metacognitive – This love is simple. Non-Korra compliant. | K+

Newlyweds (and basically everything else) by PandaCookie – Everyone’s a bit hopeless right after they’ve been married. | K+

Rhythms by xcgirl08– For now, though, her child’s heartbeat was hers to contemplate. | K 

Tenderness by Adridere – He wanted to keep her, even though he was not supposed to. He promised her freedom, and she promised him sanity in his own household. She kept her part of the bargain, but he found a way not to keep his. | M

Holy Matrimony by Loopy – After their marriage, Zuko and Katara deal with conflicting religious beliefs, and look to the friends for advice. Between the Zutara and the religious satire, every single person who reads this should feel offended. | General

Blind Maiden’s Grace by Adara_Rose – You can learn a lot of things from a flower… | Not Rated (I’d say General) 

Etched in the Earth by Dance_Elle_Dance – She knows the feel of Aang’s footprints better than her own, and that reality scares her. | Teen and Up

No One Asks About The Scars by voleuse – Write about how you learned to curse in order not to be cursed. | General

When in Rome by dtmars – She wasn’t stupid. She knew what she was doing and what she was getting herself into. They both did. | Modern AU. | Explicit

Like Real People Do by DerAndere – The moon is full and bright when he falls out of bed, awake, asleep, inside a dream, and starts walking, driven by the feeling he does not understand, tugging on him relentlessly, and he is Aang, and he is not, and the world is cold. | General | Full Disclosure: This is my story.

Meet Me Under The Table by avatarfan16 – A story of how Toph and Aang find love, in the most unusual of places. TAANG | K+

Aftermath by Zaram'delar – In any celebration, there's always one or two people with a habit of disappearing. Taang drabbleish series. | T

I Choose Dare by for_darkness_shows_the_stars – An ode to how Aang, under the power of a mighty temptress, was forced to grow a beard. Oh, and the birth of his first child, too, he supposes. | General Audiences

Multi-Chapter, In Progress

Heartbeat by AngelicBee – Avatar Aang's soulmate probably died 100 years before, but he can't help but feel she's closer than he thinks. | Teen and Up

a mighty ocean (or a gentle kiss) by poweradequeen – no, the title doesn’t make sense but i don’t care. i couldn’t think of one so now you’re stuck with a cheesy line from two by sleeping at last.it’s a taang fine arts university au. because i said so. | Teen and Up

Neither is Love a Cage by cali-chan – Love is the freedom of flying accompanied. It is letting be without possessing. PG-13 (possibly M later on), drama/romance/angst, Zuko/Katara + Aang/Toph, post-finale but diverges before LoK canon.

Operation: Zutara (REVAMPED) by dtmars – Everyone could see that those two were in love with each other. Everyone except for them. So Toph takes the initiative and fills in for Cupid to give them a little push, while Aang just tags along for the ride. | Teen and Up

Taang One Shots by stitch1830 – A collection of short stories about Toph and Aang that I've had saved in my notes for a few months. Stories are in the ATLA/LOK universe (not canon compliant), and typically revolve around their relationship and family. | Teen and Up

[nothingbutimagines]

Frenemies (Peter Parker)

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader

Warning: Cursing 

Summary: Peter and Y/n are friends...kinda. Peter thinks they’re friends, even though Y/n picks on him and they’re constantly bickering or competing for the top spot in their classes. Peter thinks they’re friends while Y/n sees them more as frenemies, but the two are confronted with their feelings towards one another when they get roped into playing Romeo and Juliet in the school play. 

Author: Dizzy

A/N: Just a little something I whipped up while procrastinating on my finals. Senior year is too hard, ugh. Just a heads up, starting Dec 13th, tomorrow, I will be starting 12 Days of Ficmas with another Peter fic, so keep your eyes peeled!

Masterlist Request Any Of These Peter Parker/Tom Holland Masterlist

__________________

“Any volunteers to act out the next scene?” Your Drama teacher, Ms. Newman, asked the class, a bright smile on her face as hands flew into the air. “Everyone has to read at least once, since we’re using this class to decide on who will be Romeo and who will be Juliet.”

You rolled your eyes, resting your chin in your hand as you watched other students wave their hands around wildly. 

Of course everyone wanted to act out the next scene, one of the most romantic scenes of the play, you thought to yourself. While everyone either loved or hated Romeo and Juliet, you found yourself indifferent to it all. You liked the play just fine, but you wouldn’t say you loved it nor would you say you hated it. It was all just okay in your mind and you sure as hell didn’t want to be Juliet, or be in the play at all. 

Unlike everyone who had their hands up, waving them like mad, you didn’t quite care for romance if you were going to be honest. Perhaps it was that you’d never connected with someone in such a way that caused you to like it or you just hadn’t found the perfect Nicholas Sparks movie to cry to, but you hated romance, almost dreading it. 

“Y/n?” 

You looked up to see an extended finger pointing right at her and a smile on Ms. Newman’s face. 

“Come on up, dear. You can read for Juliet and Peter here can read for Romeo.” She waved you up onto the stage, directing you onto a higher platform to read. 

“I don’t know if I can do this.” Peter mumbled from beneath you.

You bent down to his level, a hand on his shoulder as you gazed into his eyes. 

“You can do this. And you know you can trust me. Because I don’t care enough about you to lie.” 

Peter rolled his eyes as you straightened back up. 

“Gee, thanks. I totally feel better now.”

“You’re welcome. I’m a very helpful person.” You chuckled, turning your attention back to Ms. Newman.

“Alright, Peter, you are Romeo, talking about Juliet and unbeknownst to you, she is right up there on the balcony, speaking about you. Y/n, stand up straight and give us your best performance, don’t look so down. Now, ready, set, action!”

You looked over at Peter, who gave you a small smile before breaking eye contact to look down at his script, his brown hair falling in his face before looking back up at you again.

You could barely act as it is, and looking at the brown haired boy looking at you, you sure as hell couldn’t act like you were in love with Peter Parker, the kid you couldn’t help but tease and pick on even though you were kind of friends and kind of enemies with. 

“But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,

Who is already sick and pale with grief,

That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.

Be not her maid since she is envious.

Her vestal livery is but sick and green,

And none but fools do wear it. Cast it off!

It is my lady. Oh, it is my love.

Oh, that she knew she were!” Peter spoke, acting as if his life depended on it, his eyes gazing into yours.

You bit your lip, unsure of what the sudden warmth in your chest and cheeks was from as you watched him gesture to you, speaking boldly like the character he was pretending to be. 

You looked away, breaking the eye contact for a moment to look into the small group of students in the class, your breathing slow as the warmth dissipated and you brought a hand to your cheek. 

“... Her eye in heaven

Would through the airy region stream so bright

That birds would sing and think it were not night.

See how she leans her cheek upon her hand.

Oh, that I were a glove upon that hand

That I might touch that cheek!”

You brought your hand from your cheek to your heart. “Ay, me!” 

Peter glanced up at you once more, before turning to the group. 

“She speaks.

O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art

As glorious to this night, being o'er my head,

As is a wingèd messenger of heaven

Unto the white, upturnèd, wondering eyes

Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him

When he bestrides the lazy-puffing clouds

And sails upon the bosom of the air.” 

You couldn’t help but chuckle at the boy standing not that far below you, the way he gave you a funny look as he turned back to you and the way he so seriously taking his part. You couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in his mind, what had him acting his little heart out. 

“O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name.

Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,

And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.” You cried out, mustering up as much passion as you could, realizing halfway through your lines you had more than you thought. 

“Cut, cut!” Ms. Newman cried out, waving her arms at you. “I think we’ve heard enough from you two, let’s let someone else have a chance at this scene. Rebecca, Trevor, why don’t you two go next?”

You hopped down from the platform you had been standing on and followed Peter off of the small stage, taking a seat beside him. 

“Good job.” He nodded to you, a shy smile on his lips. 

“Oh, uh, thanks. You weren’t so bad either.”

“Not so bad? You think I’m a shitty actor, Y/n?” Peter teased, giving you a slight nudge.

“I didn’t say that,” you rolled your eyes, “I just didn’t realize you had such passion and gusto. it was very impressive.”

“Yeah, well that was all me since your pep talk wasn’t much help.” 

“I’d like to think it was pretty good. Very honest. Honesty is what makes pep talks great.”

“Isn’t the point of a pep talk to lie to a person so they can do something they think they can’t?”

You rolled your eyes and smiled. “Well, duh, but you could do it so I didn’t have to lie. It was a kinda anti-pep talk.”

“You’re kinda anti-everything aren’t you?”

“I like to think of myself less as ‘anti-everything’ and more of a rebel outcast.”

“You’re the co-captain of the cheer squad.” Peter replied very matter-of-factly as you fell silent, leaving him without a response. “You hear that?”

“Oh, I hear you.” You replied, crossing your arms over your chest, “I wish I didn’t.”

Peter opened his mouth to speak, but shut it as Ms. Newman began talking.

“Alright, class! We are at the end of time, so I will announce who I have picked as our leading man and lady. Can I get a drum roll, please?”

The class erupted in hands rapping and drumming on tables and legs as you crossed your fingers, eyes shut. 

“Please, don’t let it be me. Please, don’t let it be me.” You mumbled to yourself as the noise began to dial down.

“Romeo will be played by Peter Parker-”

“Yes!” Peter gasped, punching the air beside you. 

“-and Juliet will be played by Y/n L/n.”

“Fuck!” You hissed softly, groaning as you put a hand to your face. 

“Thank you all for your time today, the rest of the roles ad castings will be on the board if you’d like to look at them, otherwise, have a great lunch! We will be leaving the theater open for you to go over your lines and learn them together.”

You gripped your bag as you stood up, slinging one strap over your shoulder as you made your way out of the classroom, Peter trailing close behind.

“Holy shit, Y/n! Can you believe it? We got the lead roles!” 

“Oh, goody!” You gasped, mocking his happy demeanor as he made it beside you. 

“You know, you’d be a better actress if you could at least act excited about this.” 

"Ugh, sometimes I can’t stand you.”

“Speak for yourself.”

Peter chuckled as you gave him a playful push, pushing you back while you both entered the cafeteria. 

You couldn’t stand him sometimes, but there were moments, mostly when you thought he had a sense of humor and you could laugh together, that you thought Peter Parker wasn’t so bad. Sure, he was a know-it-all and a goody two shoes, but he wasn’t that bad once you got to know him, even if he was annoying at times. 

Peter handed you a lunch tray as you both scurried into the lunch line, knocking your trays together as you picked out your lunches. 

“Do you ever wonder how we’re friends?” Peter asked after moments of silence.

It was as if he read your mind. You handed the lunch lady the change for your lunch and guided Peter to your usual table with Ned and MJ. 

You shrugged. “Nah, I don’t really like to question myself on the things I do. Act, don’t think. It’s better that way.” 

You took a seat beside MJ on one side of the table as Peter took a seat besides Ned. 

“Are you okay?” MJ asked, looking over at you with a concerned look on her face. 

“Why? Did that pimple I popped this morning not go away?”

MJ shook her head. “No, not that. You look flushed.”

“Y/n and I just found out we’re gonna be Romeo and Juliet for the spring play.” Peter stated simply, taking a bit out of his pizza. 

MJ burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. 

“Oh, my god, that’s a great joke, Parker. A fucking riot.” 

“I’m, uh, I’m not kidding.” 

“No, you’ve got to be joking, Y/n would never agree to that.” 

“Uh, actually...” You cut in. 

“Holy shit, you’re not kidding.” MJ’s smile fell slightly as she looked at you, grabbing you by the arm and pulling you out of your chair.  “Y/n, I have to go to the bathroom, come with me.”

“Oh, okay.” You agreed awkwardly, allowing her to begin dragging you from the table.

“That was weird.” Peter stated as you followed MJ out of the cafeteria. 

“Agreed.” Ned muttered, watching MJ and you interact from the doorway. 

“Why the hell would you agree to being in the spring play?” MJ questioned, her arms crossed over her chest as she glanced back into the open doorway of the cafeteria. 

You groaned. “Ugh, I-I really don’t know! I panicked! Newman announced it and I just accepted my fate.”

“Did you accept your fate or play along with the fact that you get to be up close and personal with Peter?” 

“Don’t you dare insinuate the fact that I-”

“That you what? Have feelings for Peter?” MJ asked, giving you a smirk as you felt the same warmth in your cheeks as you had in class. “You act like I don’t know you, that we haven’t been friends since first grade. I know when you like a boy.”

“I don’t like Peter. He annoys me to death. Quite frankly, he sucks.” 

“Tell that to the blush on your face.” 

“You bitch.” 

MJ shrugged. “I don’t know why you’re mad at me for telling the truth.” 

You tore your gaze away from her and looked into the doorway to the cafeteria, your attention now on Peter and Ned as you could see them talking to one another before Peter looked away and over at you, your eyes making contact. You quickly looked away, turning your attention back at MJ. 

“What do you think I should do?”

__________________

You walked down the hallway towards the theater, slipping past students as you made your way through the crowd, gripping your backpack tightly. You ran through the little plan MJ and you had concocted, repeating affirmations to yourself as you approached the door.

After admitting that you didn’t hate Peter as much as you led on, MJ walked you through the plan she had been secretly putting together the moment she had figured out you had feelings for Peter. 

The plan, as MJ illustrated, was simple. You told Peter how you felt. 

You went through about one hundred different ways to tell Peter how you felt, each one making you sick to your stomach with anxiety. 

As you entered the theater, you could feel that anxiety bubble up with every step and every thought as you got closer and closer to where Peter had decided to set himself up on the stage. 

“Hey.” Peter greeted, looking up from his script as you set your bag down on the ground beside his. “So, I’ve been going over the script since study hall and I think we should just start with the scenes that we’re in together and then on our own, go over our separate scenes.” 

“Uh,” You cleared your throat, “yeah, yeah. That sounds like a good idea.” 

Peter raised a brow at you. “You okay? Normally you try to fight me when I tell you what to do.”

“Yeah, I’m fine, just stressed since I have cheer practice after this.” You lied. 

“It’s Wednesday, you never have cheer practice on Wednesdays.” 

“Maybe I do, how would you know? Do you stalk me or something, Parker?” You snapped. 

“No, God, never mind.” Peter cleared his throat. “No need to yell. Let’s just go over act one, scene five.”

You nodded, letting out a relieved sigh as silence fell between the two of you as you looked for your lines in the scene. You could feel your chest grow warm as you held your breath, awaiting Peter’s next instruction, pretending to read your script as your mind wandered. 

You couldn’t stop thinking about how wrong MJ was about Peter. It was clear he didn’t like you in any way other than a friend. And why would he? You bullied him constantly and bickered over trivial things with him. Hell, you’d even once gave him all the wrong answers on a test when you’d realized he was copying you and then went back to fix your own, making him get a 40% while you had gotten a 90%. 

“Y/n, did you hear me?” Peter’s hand on your arm forced you out of your own head. 

You shrugged his arm off and nodded. 

“Alright. I’m ready when you are.” 

“I’m ready. Go on.”

Peter reached out towards you, taking your hand in his before you pulled away quickly.

“What are you doing?” You snapped, holding your hand away from him.

“I was acting, you know, as the script tells me to.”

“You don’t have to touch me.”

“It literally says that I have to take your hand.” Peter argued, reaching out for you again. “Just give me your hand, okay?”

You held your hand out for him to take with a confused look on your face before he took your hand, a shy smile on his face as he pulled you closer too him. 

You stumbled over your own feet as he pulled you closer, tripping and falling into him.

“Shit, I’m sorry!” You gasped, looking up at him, his hands still firm on your hips. 

“It’s, it’s fine.” Peter replied, gazing down at you.

“You can, uh, let go of me now.” 

“Oh, right! Right.”

Peter let go of you as you stood up straight, fixing your hair as you looked at him. 

“Maybe we should go over lines now?” Peter asked awkwardly, hand on the back of his neck. 

“I have a confession to make.” You blurted out, immediately regretting saying it. 

“What is it?”

“Peter, I just need to tell you this. I think I like you, and I know you don’t feel the same--.” 

“Y/n, I really like you too.” 

You fell silent, staring at him blankly before responding, “I don’t know what to do with that information.”

“Oh, shut up and let us have our moment.” Peter chuckled, grabbing your hand and pulling you towards him again before kissing you softly.

[redxblueihateloveyou]

Ok so I've been stalking your blog for the past couple of hrs after seeing your TadaAi posts (I'm drowning in the period drama that is this ship) and I find you ship Tododeku and rinharu (god i can't stand bakudeku and makoharu) and seems like we share a lot of our views on fandom and ships probably because we're older (I'm 22). Followed and looking forward to your input in the future!

Also you might've given me the motivation to finish watching Free! XD

Hehe yay, please, we need more ppl in our “house of oldies”, make yourself at home lol. And we share a lot of ships?! Even better <3

I knooow, I can’t believe we’ve got a gay “master who fell in love with his servant” ship in the anime, just what I needed for my idiotic collection lmao

But also these two have too much going on between them, so much wasted potential in my opinion, it’d be so interesting to explore (but sadly no xD), they were still the only interesting thing for me lolz. I love complicated morons, who became the victims of a huge unrequited requited love misunderstanding, bc they’re insecure morons lmao and they just have 2 of my fav ships vibes, so it’s probably mostly this haha. 

Oh, I’m inputting *wink wink*, can’t wait to finish the vid, I’m having too much fun with it. I’ve just literally spent several minutes trying to get whether I’ve put Tadashi’s sexy mole in the right distance from his eye in the “him moaning on the table” manip lolz. What can I say... I picked the best hobby, with all the support I’m getting with my vids, I’m living a dream xD

You know, I think I’ve said it before, but when it comes to bakudeku, I at least understand what ppl hope to see there and why, but like.. it’s just not happenning. Also imagining Bakugou lovingly hugging Midoriya is just so OOC I start laughing all the time. And whatever ppl say, in any ship whether they’re enemies or rivals or anything, if you can’t imagine them being tender with each other, smth is not right in my opinion. Also once again, who needs idiotic bleating Midoriya, idk. I’m just tired of the endless “die, deku/out of my way” yelling, I like watching Bakugou going to parties and amusement parks and doing silly stuff, too. Like I’ve said before, pride won’t ever let him change the way he behaves with Midoriya, even when they’re doing “great”. If he was the one, it wouldn’t have mattered, no matter how tough you are, and it wouldn’t take that long. I also don’t think they’re that kind of relationship, like they move each other for sure, sometimes, yeah (not always in a good way tho), but be together in a relationships? Can’t imagine that. Like not all rivals have the rivals to lovers dynamic, no matter what ppl say. But I get the shipping, bc 1stly these two are playing too huge of a role in each other’s lives, 2ndly Midoriya is obsessed with him and Bakugou obsessed with him too (just in a bad way lmao) and 3rd ppl want that “enemies to lovers” dynamic, since many love it (me included, when it done right and progresses right), so they’re trying to write that “to lovers” bridge, that just doesn’t fit here in my opinion, simply bc Bakugou won’t be soft with Midoriya, like ever in a way, you’d want, and I don’t think it’s possible for them to go there.

Tododeku on the other hand, 1stly they also play too huge of a role in each other’s lives, 2ndly Midoriya is obsessed with him too and Todoroki is lovingly obsessed with him in return, 3rdly they are also rivals to lovers, and I have no problem imagining the second part, it won’t be OOC, 4thly Midoriya when he’s with Todoroki is my fav Midoriya, he’s happy, he is cocooned and he’s badass af (and like when he told Endeavor to fuck off or yelled at Todoroki “the fuck are u doing?” xD are still the best), 5thly Midoriya forgets about Bakugou, when he’s with Todoroki a lot and it’s just funny to me, 6thly they healed each other so nicely, I can’t not be into that, 7thly when they’re together I have like 0 worries, idk I’m like “he will catch him” anyways haha, Bakudeku just don’t give me this vibe. It’s like yeah, they won’t let each other die, but it’s always this chaos of “out of my way”, “I don’t want your help” and “let me punch you before I punch the villain” that I’m just “oh for god’s sake, pls bring in Kirishima and Todoroki so we could just go home, it could’ve been solved in 2 minutes” lmao. Etc, etc.

Tododeku just have too many winning points over bakudeku for me, same with kiribaku over bakudeku, even tho I 100% get bakudeku as a ship ofc. Also idk whether things would be different if Todoroki wouldn’t exist in the equation, but the moment I saw that s2 scene where Bakugou started yelling and Todoroki just ignored him and was like “was Midoriya always this good?”, there was no going back to me XD. Like they both obviously see that Midoriya is wonderful, but only one reacted to that in a way that I wanted. And I’m a sucker for the ships who don’t give a fuck and like “yeah, I find him amazing and everyone should know that”. Todoroki is also one of those guys, who if you give them the much needed love, they’ll return it tenfold with a forever devotion. And all of my fav ships are like that: Yullen, Rinharu, Mikayuu, Wangxian, Akakuro, etc. They’re like “well, I ain’t an idiot to let someone this precious go”, you know lol

On the other hand, when it comes to Kirishima, Bakugou can do all kind of ridiculous thing I wouldn’t imagine he would do to keep him or make him happy, you know. Kirishima is also the only one, who can put his arm around Bakugou without it being cut off, so I don’t make the rules here lol.

So it’s not like I can’t stand bakudeku, more of like can’t imagine this work, to me it’s easier to imagine todobaku in a relationships, but not bakudeku lolz.

But when it comes to makoharu, I just have a huge problem with it and I will never get it. Bc they don’t bring anything good in each other like AT ALL, I don’t even understand what kind of relationships this is from their shipper point of view; they give each other nothing, and one of them is totally in love with someone else and wants a future with him. And that someone also head over heals with him and also wants a future with him. And I hate how 99,9 % of mh fans don’t give a fuck about Haru or Rin whatsoever and just ignore their character’s everything. Bc Makoto. I’m also like if you love him so much, the fuck would you want him to be with Haru anyways, dude doesn’t reciprocate, like at all. I’m at confusion, like name good points of this ship and what good can they do for each other characteristically. There is none, it’s like a damn swamp. Like usually I can give my notp some points, but this is like... they’re both no good for each other... like... why would anyone even want this idk. Don’t tell me “for the childhood friends” one-sided dynamic, like why won’t you also ship Shion with Safu then, like even he seemed more invested in that, than Haru in makoharu lol.

Even if you think of them from the point of view of “the two who are always walking together” ships, that are everywhere nowdays (even tho since Haru moved to Tokyo, he was always with Asahi instead), but even if... those kind of ships are usually at least make each happy and are enough for each other. Haru on the other hand, when he doesn’t have Rin, he is walking with Makoto like a ghost, not even caring if he’s talking next to him AND he’s getting ennoyed by him. Like explain, how someone’s shipping them romantically. It’s been showed like 20 times, that with Rin, but without Makoto, he can be perfectly happy, without Rin tho, he never is.

Also someone explain, what exactly is the point of splitting up two characters, who are happy together, make each other the best versions of themselves and want to be together whole-heartedly? Like I know many start shipping smth, bc the relationships are better in the other pairing, for example, but this is like... definitely not the case here. Like what exactly is missing in rinharu, that makoharu has? Lack of progression and mutual inspiration?

So yes, if you’re into rinharu, totally finish Free! They’re like doing sooo incredible and holy shit they’re inspiring, I mean, look, they’re now the tokyo olympics ambassadors, like how many of yall gay ships reached that? you can’t miss out on them, and also they’re so hilariously romantic, they literally made a wish to swim with each other since they were 13 and did everything to get each other there, I’m.. you’re lying, if you didn’t cry watching them as chibies making wishes on a star and watching them now. One of the most wonderful development in my opinion. Like who would’ve thought back in s1, that we’ll get Haru yelling on top of Rin about how he made him want a future with him, def not me lmao and now all the olympics boyfriends fanfiction are true, I mean, idk what to say anymore. I miss them so much, I can’t wait for the movie :D

[brooklynislandgirl]

Beth and UARF!Billy - ❤♡❥ღ💕💘💝💓💌💟💙💚💜💛

Heart-Eyes || -

Five A.M.

Beth’s barely awake as she comes into the office, coffee in hand, only to come face to face with the widest grin she has ever seen on Hal Gates’ face. Dark eyes dancing, he relieves her of her thermos cup, takes both her arms in his hands, and swing-dances her around the cramped space where they work.

“We’ve done it, girl!”

Though abjectly confused, Beth can’t help but grin in return. “Wha’ve we done?” She wants to be just as thrilled, wants to share in the old man’s joy. “We’ve got data on white pointer mating! I’m running the compile now, we should be able to parse it and watch the video footage within an hour or two!”

She’s floored.

The shock is clear on her face, even her mouth drops open a little. Often bandied about as the Holy Grail of marine biology, great-white mating is known to exist. Despite decades of research into the habits of the species, that particular bit of knowledge has eluded marine biologists.

“Wha...? How?”

“Mate of mine, Crawford down in New Zealand has taken a fisherman’s eye-witness account on our elusive little friends, and shared video. Crawford sent me all of the data.”

“Oh, Hal.”

Dr Gates nods at her eagerly and once again promenades her around some tables, brushing past a stack of hastily shoved aside folders with charts of migration patterns, weather reports, and feeding data. Then, far more carefully, he hands her into a seat and plops down into an office chair, slapping his knees in pleasure and pride.

“Speaking of mating rituals...”

Beth laughs but blushes at the same time, eyes askance. She suddenly knows what he’s going to ask, or at least of whom.

“...And since we have so little to do until all the research is collated and complied...”

“Must we?”

“No finer time, girl.”

She holds her hands up to stave him off until she gets up, crosses the room and takes a sip of her coffee. Not exactly how she wanted to start the day, but there’s no real reason not to humour her mentor.

“Have at, den.”

“Excellent.” Hal Gates really is an inveterate old gossip.

~*~

❤: who is more affectionate in public? in private?

Beth laughs. Okay, so this isn’t really so bad. “I t’ink I gotta say...I’m more affectionate in public. Mos’ of da time, Doctah Manderly... just doesn’t know what t’ do. Very stiff, hands in his pockets or stand at parade rest.”

The last cocktail party had been a half disaster, between trying to get William to mingle with the public attendees and not leave to check on his seals at first opportunity. The one time he surprised her was when he put a hand on the small of her back though the illusion was broken when she found that the six-foot-six man was trying to ultimately hide behind her. No amount of mock-tails were going to spare him any acute discomfort.

“Probably for da best. No offence, but he’s very definitely...ah....British.”

“None taken.” Hal offers her a wink and taps the side of his nose.

“But even behind close doors? He just... lil uptight, I guess. I sometimes wonder if mebbe he’s worried about havin’ an episode, and some affections are difficult when you have a service dog nearly t’ree-quarters ya size intent on doin’ her job, but I’d say he at least tries when it jus’ da two of us. Fingahs in my hair, brush against my arm. Da kine.”

Hal nods, knowing the specifics without having to drag them out of her.

♡: who is the bigger romantic openly? secretly?

"I t’ink,” she begins, carefully considering this one. “Dat anyone who loves da sea so much dat dey would give up a whole life to dedicate demself to it...got a big romantic soul. What is da ocean, if not love an’ life, an’ all dat we dream of in songs an’ poetry? I only t’ink it’s harder for him to express dat because well..”

She makes a dismissive gesture.

It isn’t that he grasps the concepts of language and expression, they’ve certainly entertained passionate arguments, verbal jousts that have filled the air with sign and countersign.

“Romantically speakin’ I jus’ don’ see him as da type dat I’m gonna find outside my window wi’ an ole boom box, playing In Ya Eyes by Petah Gabriel, ya know? But I also don’t believe he wouldn’t t’ink about it. So secretly? Him. Openly, me.”

❥: who is more likely to plan something big for valentine's day?

“Honestly, Hal...I’d have t’ say him. He’s a planner. Wants every detail to be perfect, will second guess himself a hundred times jus’ to make sure dere no wrinkle in the research. Me? Always been da spontaneous kine, except when it came to really wantin’ to work wit’ you.”

Hal pats her lap, his face soft.

ღ: who is more likely to initiate hand-holding in public?

“Again, it would be William. I don’ know wha’ he’s t’inkin’ a lot of da time, if he’s even aware dat I am dere sometimes. An’ I don’ really wanna make a big deal about it, don’ wanna ovahstep. For me, it’s a much more difficult proposition, is like...touch is where I’m most comfortable, outside of typing endless notes or readin’ data.”

She nods toward the words scrolling along the screen. She fully disclosed her disabilities when she applied for the position so thankfully she doesn’t have to explain now. Most of the other people at the facility don’t even really notice. Except for maybe Ben who sees too much and maybe says too little. That’s to be expected though when you gather a bunch of scientists and stick them in one beautiful place.

“You want him to initiate more, don’t you?”

“I would, yeah. But dere always more important kine and so really guess it nevah really matter.”

💕: who is more likely to make huge declarations of love in front of other people?

“Fair question an’ I guess dat would be me. We...we agreed not to make a big t’ing about any of dis, you know how quirky everyone here is, an’ in case it doesn’t work out, we don’ want da kine t’ get weird. Especially wi’ James an’ Miranda. So if somet’ing like dis were t’ happen it’s probably because he push all my buttons an’ my tempah got da best of me, right? Could see it happenin’ over breakfast. On da beach. Mebbe by da pools.”

Which is why she tries so hard to keep her passions in check. She doesn’t want to blurt out anything that can’t be taken back.

💘: who developed a crush on the other first?

“Couldn’t say,” and in those two words it is the breadth and depth of her honesty. Beth doesn’t have crushes in the same way most people do. She’s never seen anyone and instantly found herself immersed in fantasies, desires, a desperate need to be around them. She might find someone intellectually stimulating and enjoy the conversation. She might notice that something about them calls to her artist’s eye and be aesthetically pleasing in its symmetry, someone might make her laugh but she doesn’t dwell. And by the time there is the first inkling that she might want more out of a situation or relationship, she’s already become close friends. Or she watches as that object of her affection drifts beyond reach and she tells herself she’s happy because they clearly needed something more than she’s even capable of giving.

And sometimes, Beth wonders if she isn’t really broken or damaged in some way. Because she can’t even say she ever had a crush on Billy. She doesn’t know that she can say she has any expectations other than they look good together on paper, and it’s been drilled into her since birth that appearances *do* matter. “Mo’beddah you should ask him.” Gates doesn’t say anything, he only nods.

💝: who spends more time (possibly overthinking) what presents to get the other?

“William. For same-same reasons as Valentines Day, an’ da need for everyt’ing to be as exactin’ as he can make it. Like, how hard and how long it take him to find...or more likely, *breed* dem two purple neocardinas in my office?” Shrimp like the two in her tank, deliriously happy and spoiled and free of predators, are rare in size and colour, and yet… there they are. Then there’s the allegorical evidence of his severe and frothing dislike of mass consumption marketing, the complete commercialisation of every secular and religious holiday, the pastiche of feelings tacked on almost like an afterthought.

💓: who initiates most physical contact?

Beth hesitates. That’s slightly more personal than the other questions so far and truth be told she’s a little ashamed of having to answer without specific parameters. But it is a question, and she did agree to answer them with the same honesty as she offers Hal in all their other work and conversations. “I’ve always done well wi’ sensory input dat was based in kine oddah dan auditory. Smell, taste, seeing… but of alla dem, touch has always been important to me. Textures, near imperceptible data processed t’rough skin. An’ I guess dat I use dat wi’ him. Way to express ideas or sensations dat might not come across ordinarily. Enthusiasm, excitement, humour, rage, disappointment. I wan him to feel an’ understand when I don’ have da words in me, or know how to express. A lot of da time, it’s accidental or at least….subconscious.” A beat goes by. “I don’t believe he really cares much for it.”

💌: who is more likely to send cutesy texts to the other?

This one is hard for her to answer because they aren’t really cutesy text people. Most of their days are too filled with very real world drama, service to the greater good, the understanding and conservation of the most vulnerable environments and animals within. There’s weather, there’s reports, there’s an entire litany of experiences that don’t leave much time to play around until well after hours when they can finally seek well deserved liberty. However, Billy does sometimes send her pictures of the seals doing very cute seal things, or Annie shepherding him and his charges with the boss-vibes of the Queen Mother. In the end she only offers her mentor a smile and a shrug.

💟: who spends time reading their zodiac compatibilities?

“Oh absolutely I do. Find da whole pseudo-science of it fascinatin’, especially when da stars are not in da same position as dey were when it was invented an’ da psychological impact it has on our species is jus’ totally wild, you know?”

Beth knows that she’s the textbook definition of a Cancerian woman, and Billy does a good job providing a counter-argument on being a Libra. Further there’s a bit of an annoyance factor; he thinks junk science ‘belongs in the bottom of the bin with the rest of the rubbish.’ And he has a point, to some extent, even if she doesn’t agree with him. Not everything can be cold facts and numbers. Sometimes a little playfulness was in order and he absolutely needed to be reminded of that.

Hal laughs and shakes his head. “You’re going to do my chart then, aren’t you?” “Wit’out a doubt, Doctah Gates.” She wiggles her brows.

💙: who is more protective?

“I think objectively, I am. You know William’s troubles, and I have to keep them all in mind dough it’s not like he can forget dem, right? Some of his facts aren’t… I’ve consulted with some medical doctors and if we are careful, dere’s a lot he can experience dat he sees out of reach but I don’ like bringing dem up because I don’ want to agitate him. Only can lead t’ problems.” She does wish though that he’d trust her a little more, that he’d let go of some of his well deserved fears. That he’d let himself out of his shell and accept that even with limitations he can do many of the same things as the rest of the group does. But he seems content enough to hang back, ever the observer. And she doesn’t know if it’s her place to try to drag him into things though she might be better at it than anyone else. Miranda has told her as much.

💚: who tends to get sick more often? who is better at taking care of the other?

Hal’s question is really a continuation of the previous one and once again she has to call Billy out on it. Because she’s never really been sick a day in her life, not since early childhood and the culmination of that was the test bite that nearly lost her the leg she keeps tucked away, hidden out of sight whenever possible. “Dat seems a small kine ingenious, he no can help his seizure disorder. An’ I feel like he really ought to have a good psychologist. I t’ink some t’erapy would do him good. Spends too much time in his own head an’ mebbe not enough taking charge of his life. I know he can be afraid of lots of t’ings but it nevah really *has* to be dat way. But I also don’ wanna push him, for same-same reasons I mention before. You can lead a shark to chum but no can make him frenzy, know what I mean?” The analogy is silly. Billy wants so much more than what he feels he has. And a darker current in the back of her mind wonders if they would still be the same if he felt he could reasonably have them. That feels so selfish and toxic and she really has no place casting judgement on him when maybe she’s no better off than he is, only expressing it differently.

💜: who said "i love you" first? or, if neither has said it yet, who is more likely to say it first?

It’s strange how perceptive he is and goes in for the killing bite. The honest truth is that neither one has said it. And neither one likely will. Billy has layers of guilt and trauma, has beliefs that she cannot get a single foothold to try and tear apart. He doesn’t feel deserving of such a finer emotion. And Beth? She has her own reasons. She doesn’t even know if love is a thing that exists or if it’s some fairy-tale people tell themselves to make it easier to get by. She believes in affection, and she believes that people bond the same way packs and pods and herds do. But she feels the concept of love is poisonous. Ruinous in the way it can destroy someone from the inside out. And how any time she’s ever thought she’d felt it, it was ripped out from her grasp. She won’t say it. She won’t hear it.

She doesn’t answer him immediately, but instead gets up and paces away, appearing as though she’s checking on some of the cameras situated around the bay. The wall that she’d left down for Hal goes back up, slamming into place.

“Research from both psychology and neurology fields have found that there are twelve different areas of the brain that light up and work together when two people are attracted to one another, releasing chemicals like dopamine, adrenaline, oxytocin and vasopression. All the symptoms people experience are simply animal-instincts provided to guarantee that we as a species survive by either wanting to mate, or flee.”

💛: who believes in soulmates?

And Gates understands he’s made an error in judgement, though he’d only been trying to be helpful in a meddling kind of way. Anyone at the facility could see that Billy and Beth were two sides of a very quirky but ultimately needed coin. That they’d both changed each other in the two years she’d been a research fellow, and how they’d both blossomed for it. Well, anyone but the two of them. And this had seemed like such a good idea at first, tied into shark mating habits which he’d hoped she’d take better than she is.

Her answers have thus far matched up quite nicely with the boy’s.

Sadly, especially this one. She doesn’t turn to look at him. “There are no such things, Doctor Gates. And even if there were, statistically it would be almost impossible to meet a soul mate. Within the same general age group there are about a half a billion potential companions all over the world. One would have to travel the entirety of the world, every remote pocket of the planet. Secondly, there’s no scientific proof that souls even exist, and enough studies across various disciplines to prove that they don’t. Believing in such nonsense only makes a person unhappy. And all that aside, most mammals are not biologically programmed for monogamy and I doubt human beings are either.” Because if they were, why would anyone leave someone they claimed to love?

[higuchimon]

[fanfic] Tea Time

He’d been told a vampire dwelled here. Edo eyed the place distrustfully. It didn’t look like any lair he’d seen before. Most of the time what he saw were places that were run-down, old, and as much death-traps as they were places for anything vaguely human might want to spend their time.

He’d never noticed that vampires had much of an interest in interior decorating. Yet from what he could see, this place had been clearly kept up.

This isn’t right. What he should do was go back to base and bring in a few more of the others. This wasn’t a mission that he should do alone. It wouldn’t be the first time that he’d found himself dealing with an entire nest of vampires instead of just the one he thought would be here.

He shook his head. He’d dealt with nests before. He checked to make sure he had enough holy water – Juudai told him it was holy water and while Juudai could be flaky as hell, he usually knew when something had been blessed – and that there were enough stakes to deal with a nest. A nest consisted of anywhere from three to thirty vampires. Beyond that and even he would go looking for a little assistance. Probably someone with a few more muscles, like Kenzan.

Certain of his tools, he carefully prowled forward, keeping an eye out for any signs that the area had been booby-trapped. He saw nothing out of the ordinary. Frankly, that worried him more than if he’d seen danger. If he’d seen traps, at least that was what he would have expected. But no matter how he circled the mansion, all he saw was a single door and several windows. None of them were broken and all of them had glass in them.

They’re not even blackout curtains.

His skin crawled. Something wasn’t right about all of this. If this was where a vampire nested, then he had to clean it out. Leaving even one vampire could mean that there would be more. He’d seen what happened when vampires got out of hand.

A tiny part of him forever mourned his first partner. He would never forget having seen Ryou, surrounded by starving vampires, with only one stake in his hand, urging Edo to get out of there. He’d fled – he had nothing else he could do at the time. It was just the two of them.

He wanted to believe Ryou died there. The alternatives weren’t ones he wanted to think about.

He brought his attention back to where he stood now, in front of the door. He heaved in a breath, checked the heft of his stake, and moved closer to it. He expected the door to be locked – it wasn’t. Granted, that wasn’t much of a surprise. This wasn’t a neighborhood prone to burglars and if it had been, they would likely only strike at a vampire’s lair once, with limited odds of emerging on their feet.

On the other side of the door there stretched a corridor, with several doorways opening off from it. All of them were closed except one at the far end. Of course. The hallway was lit like any other hallway, with normal electric lights.

Do vampires pay the electric bill? He’d never encountered this before. Usually lairs were lit with candles or lanterns. He’d not heard anything about someone leaching off of the power grid here. But he hadn’t checked, either.

He started to wonder how much he’d failed to check on that he should have. Then with a firm shake of his head he moved forward. It wouldn’t matter once he found the vampire – or vampires – and took them down.

He headed for the one open door, making certain not to move too quickly or let a single footfall sound. When he reached the door, he ducked as low as he could and peered inside. Even vampires didn’t stare downwards that often.

Never before had he seen a room like this in a vampire’s lair. It wasn’t the first time he’d thought that since seeing this place but this was a properly decorated and organized sitting room. A fire crackled in the fireplace. There were two chairs pulled up near it, one turned as if inviting him to sit in it. In between the chairs there rested a table, and on that table someone had set a cup of tea.

Edo mentally swallowed at that. He never ate or drank for at least an hour before he went out on a hunt and even from here he could tell that it was his favorite flavor of tea. How had whoever set this up known?

“Because there isn’t much I don’t know about you, Edo Phoenix. Please, come in and sit down. Your tea is getting cold.”

Before the first word finished begin spoken, Edo leaped back, raising his stake and looking for whoever spoke. Then he spied movement and from the other chair there rose a tall figure.

Edo wasn’t one to be distracted by an attractive face or form. More than one such person had attempted to distract him with their looks. When they were vampires, he dusted them and went on about his life. When they were human, he ignored them and went on about his life. But now he stared at the one who stood there and breathed in quickly.

Whoever this was, they stood taller than he did. Their hair was a rich blue black and fell down in a shimmering wave to his knees. The eyes were a glimmering shade of amethyst that pierced into Edo’s heart and made him wonder about everything he’d ever known in his life. But perhaps worst of all – the stranger smiled. And he had fangs.

“You’re a vampire,” Edo said, straining to keep his attention on what was important. He needed to plunge his stake into this person and yet he couldn’t move.

“I am. I am also Saiou Takuma. It is a pleasure to meet you in the flesh at last.” Saiou gestured to the chair. “Please join me. I made this tea for you.”

Edo took two steps forward before he stopped himself. “What? Why would you do that?” This made no sense at all and every instinct he owned told him to do the deed and get out of there. But he didn’t.

“Because you’re thirsty. Because we need to talk and it’s better if we do that while you’re not thirsty.” Again he gestured to the chair. Edo did his best not to look into those eyes; a vampire had to meet your eyes in order to control your mind. But he found himself going over to the chair regardless.

“What do you mean we need to talk?” He asked as he settled down in there. The chair was very comfortable. Saiou returned to his own chair and folded his hands over one another.

“You are a vampire hunter. You seek to avenge the death of your father.” He stared into the flames. Edo wondered what he was thinking. “I can help you with that.”

Now Edo suspected something. He had all along; this just made it worse. “Why would you? Do you know who did it?”

“Yes, I do. But you won’t believe me and you won't like it. So I will not tell you – yet. Not until you know that I can be trusted and that I would not name this person unless they were the one that you seek.”

Edo eyed his new acquaintance suspiciously. “What are you talking about?” He wasn’t at all sure of if he could trust someone who called him by name when he’d never mentioned his name. Granted, he’d been killing vampires for three years now. A few of them had escaped – they probably told stories about him.

“There are vampires who can be trusted and those who can't. I can guide you to those who consider humans nothing but cattle and ensure that you do not harm those who would prefer to feed only off of those who are willing.” A bit of a smile flickered across his lips. “I am of the latter. In seven hundred years I have fed only on those who willingly offer themselves to me. There are not as many of those as there could be.”

Edo frowned. “As many people to offer or as many vampires who do that?”

“Both. But we can discuss that in detail later. You came to kill vampires. I can take you to a nest of vampires that stalk and kill humans – or worse, sometimes turn them to increase their ranks.”

Edo shook his head. “Why don’t you kill them if you know where they are?” He knew what vampires were capable of. Super strength, super speed, a variety of powers, all that would make killing others child’s play. He’d never seen vampire kill vampire, though.

“Because a vampire cannot kill another vampire. Only humans can do that. Or sometimes others – but you are human. And you want to kill them.” Saiou said simply. Edo stared at him. Had he gone to sleep without even being aware of it? All of this seemed a little surreal to him.

Then he slowly picked up the cup, sniffed at it, and took a sip. It was exactly what he’d thought it would be. Whatever else Saiou was, he could make an amazing cup of tea.

“Tell me more,” he said at last. If he tried to kill Saiou now, he’d lose out on important information. He could do it another time – when he’d killed all the vampires Saiou knew about.

And maybe after he’d had a few more cups of tea.

The End

Notes: Anyone actually believe that Ryou is perma-dead? As opposed to undead?

[2telluthetruth]

before i watch some shit i gotta know how the story ends. if not, ima critically analyze the whole movie until i figures it... it usually takes me 30 minutes to figure out the whole plot but that’s besides the point. knowing the ending of a movie allows me to pay attention to alll the little things leading up to the end. the directors choice in lighting, the way that certain actor did a certain movement to portray a certain feeling, setting, like camera work, basically everything i just the last 4 years of my life studying get applied to my enjoyment of a film. 

I wish life was like that... you get to like google how it all ends for you. like what will happen in your life all the way to the end. you can always have what you envisioned for yourself, your plan, your schedule of things but then life has a funny way of letting you know that shit happens. and you learn whatever it is you need to from that incident, apply the lesson, and keep going. it’s actually pretty simple. like looking both ways before you cross the street and still almost getting hit by a car because a person felt the need to speed thru an intersection because maybe he had a family emergency or he had too much to drink. regardless life will thro curveballs, ain’t that fucked up? like bitch. lemme read my book of life so i can move accordingly. but i guess that’s not fun anyways because God would just tell us what to do and there would be no free will. and we all know how people hate being told what to do with there life from a higher up lmao

....but idk none of this shit really applies to me. I guess I’ll just share my testimony here since I'm only people who really give a fuck about me would give a fuck about this post. ( Which i recently found out is ME, i’m the only person who opinions/decisons matter when it comes to me life)

SO HERE IT GOES

Since a child, I always knew i was going to be a very wealthy person. I’m smarter than my peers, i’m stronger than my peers, and way more wiser than most of people i meet. It’s very rare I met a person who’s intellect is as diverse as mine in terms of emotional knowledge and regular book smart shit. Like i’m sort of a hood intellectual, but like different because my Dad is a foreigner who comes from i guess what you would call a decent background, My grandfather was an engineer in Germany lmao. Like wtf. That’s very hard to do. Them mfs got some history of disrcrimnation if you know what I mean. And another ancestor of mine on my father side was adopted by the priest of a missionary because he was so smart, hence why my last name has french origins. and you know what i found out this year during my research dives on the different religions in the world..

There is a Saint in the catholic religion named St. Malo and his birthday is the same birthday as mine. He’s french as well. LMAO SO like i said I AM BUILT DIFFERENT. But that’s not what i really wanted to go talk about so let’s talk about how I’ve always knew I am dying a extremely rich woman. First of my name type shit.

So yeah. 

I LOVE PERFORMING AND PUTTING ON A SHOW OKAY! SINCE BIRTH!

I’m not even dramatic. I remember dancing in front of my family all the time.   Ask my auntie teena and she’d tell ya I would dance in front of anybody at any place in a drop of a dime. There’s literal footage of me dancing at every function at BayBay (Vivian) house. Lmao I still dance with all my family members at the bbqs I attend. Dancing really is my shit.

 Singing is too.

 I remember going to church with my daddy, some spot in LA/ the Jamaican jawn with uncle Jerry, and singing “Because of who you are” in front of everybody. No fucks given, And i kid you not I felt the holy ghost. That’s the best feeling in the world. Happened to me a couple times but I’ll tell ya bout it later some day when it matters. i remember one time coming home and singing and HITTING THAT HIGH PITCH ASS MARIAH CAREY NOTE! ( we got the same birthday too)

and i always loved music. the only time i didn’t cry was in my daddy cars listening to the reggae and bass booming thru the fucking trunk. 

During school I remember performing all the time. School plays, I got the lead role. School assembly, I’m putting on a show. Shit even for my 5th graduation I choreographed the whole MJ we are the world dance routine. Lol for hispanic heritage month I always was the girl who had the authentic skirt for the folklore dance. it was black and red. Very pretty. Mrs. Sanchez was enamored with me girl. She was like your the star you gone be centerstage in the middle only black girl while everyone else wonder why your on stage lmao. We were so good we entered a competition and got a trophy. 

Basketball was fun. I do not like team sports so that ain’t work out. Plus i think i suck. Well I couldn’t have been that bad because in middle school I made the All City team. I didn’t play because my hair wasn’t done I kept the jersey though LMAO. They was hot. HS was whatever. Lowkey only did it because of the niggas and cheer was boring/got too intense for me. I had commitment issues back then like crazy lmao.

Track was fun too. Made championships when I ran. Heart really wasn’t into to it if I’m keeping it G-Real. Didn’t fuck with the track meets plus the girls on the team hated me. I was always with the guys but the weren’t like the guys i hung out with all the time. them niggas was squares, homeschooled and all that. i hung out with delinquents lmao. Shit they always more fun. I know why Jesus hung out with the sinners mmkay. They loyal and know how to have a good time.

In middle school, I won a poetry contest about this poem I had about being a tree and not falling despite what happens. I also got like  award for being the top 3% of scoring in the whole district a couple times. Moms got me a iPod touch lmao.

High school ASB President, got accepted into more than 20+ colleges, in AVID. Cheer team. Basketball team. My drama Teacher, Mrs. Borek called me the baby Viola Davis. I directed and produced my own play lol. Boy, when I graduated I was on stage with admin and faculty. 

But anyways overall, 

I’ve always been the cream of the crop in any arena I apply myself. And I’ve never ever experienced a situation where I’ve been down bad that I didn’t plot and maneuver my way out of it (besides the shit that happened this year 2020 but i’ll give my 2020 review later ). I’m continuously blessed. Even when  I shouldn’t be. 

In elementary, I could’ve caught a case because I punched this boy in the head and he hit the tetherball pole then the floor. Buddy was knotted up lmao

In elementary school during after school day care I banged this girl head on the table and a pole lmao. 

In the carmelitos i gave this girl the business at auntie meanies house. Abri said beat her ass so I did. Trust me daddy, I’m always on go lmao. Her family was from some type of hood. They ain’t retaliate. 

Middle school I was beating boys up after school never got in trouble. LMAO None of the girls wanted to fight with they scary ass. 

High school I did the dumbest shit freshman year but didn’t get suspended. \bro i’m tired. i’ll tell the rest later.  but closing statement life’s a gamble for people who don’ t know the code. once you figure out your role play to the best of your ability and pray to God to constantly look out for you. *  4:48 

[honeymoonjin]

day 11 & 12

With Festa in full swing last week, I feel like I didn’t have a chance to breathe let alone sit down long enough to articulate a review worthy of Day 11. I shall endeavor to do my very best to make up for that here. And, upon reading the start of Day 12, I am actually kinda glad I waited because I think that it gave me time to put both chapters into perspective. 

Day 11 was a very emotional one for Jungkook and I feel like we got to see those emotions coming to a head in this chapter. On the whole, Day 11 was such a fun, lowkey entry that I wasn’t really sure if I would have anything coherent to offer beyond high pitched squealing accompanied by the occasional swoon and cooing. But after seeing the tension and subsequent squabble that transpired at the breakfast table on Day 12, I see that perhaps there was more to ruminate concerning the feelings that Jungkook had experienced in the confessional booth. It’s so interesting from a writers perspective that you chose Jungkook to be the one to reiterate the whole point of the show; he’s younger, thus perhaps conventionally he’s a bit more emotionally immature than the rest of the guys. And yet, from the beginning, none of these guys have ever been portrayed as stereotypical or conventional; you have always expertly reminded the audience that each of the contestants (including our lady!) is more much complex than what meets the eye. It’s one of the things that I love so much about this series; none of the characters are ever “too perfect” and it’s those candid moments of vulnerability or weakness that truly makes this story stand out from a lot of other stories that I read. So to choose Jungkook as the person to make those “bold” comments and to have Namjoon be the one to call him out for being insensitive makes me feel like Jungkook’s response was much more complex than what it seems at glance. Like, it’s pretty obvious that Jungkook likes and respects our lady and perhaps he realized his indiscretion just a little to late but now he’s put on the spot, he’s been called out in front of everyone, and beyond the fact that he probably feels like shit for saying what he said and inadvertently hurting our lady in the process. He’s probably also hella embarrassed. I wonder too if maybe Jungkook is also ashamed that the person who called him out was Namjoon, someone who I want to believe, he respects and perhaps maybe admires a little. And despite the fact that I chuckled a little bit when our lady noticed that Jungkook was “staring at his pancakes like he’s trying to make them burst into flames”, I realized that he might also be both angry and disappointed in himself for his behavior. *sigh* Boy, you were so right all those weeks ago when you said “emotions are messy”. Anyway, that’s my roundabout way of saying, I liked the breakfast scene. Haha! Drama is inevitable; I love that you don’t shy away from presenting conflict for them to overcome. It offers opportunities for character growth and character exploration and I really appreciate that! 

Speaking of character growth, Namjoon got a chance to really flex those skills he acquired from “Hoseok’s School of Sexual Prowess”. That scene left me melting! Melting, I say! I’m not sure if you noticed but I make it a point to not reveal who my actual bias is in these reviews because I feel like I want to give all of the guys a chance to win me over for fan favorite. What I will say though is that you kind of hit on a lot of my personal preferences with Namjoon’s scene. Beyond the fact that the scene was really, really hawt, it fulfilled me on an emotionally intimate level, so it made the scene extra special. Bravo! 

And I suppose Jimin also deserves a standing ovation for that amazing show he put on. Holy smokes that was so hot. From the light banter and quips at the beginning of that scene to Jimin actually owning that entire lounge! And as amazing as the show (plus subsequent private scene with our lady afterwards) was, my favorite bit might be the exchange between Jimin and Hoseok, another scene that filled with tension and new revelations! It might actually be the most fascinating scene because it gave a glimpse at something rather unexpected; something has transpired between Hoseok and Jimin. I might be reading too much into the exchange but it feels as though something has happened away from the cameras between them. Because it feels like there has been a shift from blatant hostility between these two to something more akin to a genuine understanding that this is now a battle for power and control. I could be reaching but I feel like, at the very least, there have been words exchanged between them! It made the scene all the more intriguing! I loved every moment of it. Oh! Speaking of which, what is up with Jin?! When Yoongi asked Jin to speak to Kookie about what had happened that morning, it seemed he was a bit apprehensive to take up the task. I know that there might not be anything more there than just the fact that Jin might not want to be the one to have to broach the subject with Kookie but I feel like there’s more there than what meets the eye as well… my theory is in it’s fetus stage though, so I feel like I’ll hold back on my thoughts concerning Jin for now. And Yoongi, for that matter! I feel like there is something more there as well. AH! Too many theories to juggle! I will let you know what my thoughts are about it once I have gathered more adequate information. 

I still feel guilty for not being able to give you a full length review of Day 11. It really was such a great, light day. Jungkook’s scene left me all hot and bothered to the point where I spent the entirety of the week, searching up Jungkook smut fics to fulfill my Jungkook fix that that chapter evoked in me! Not to mention that the boys getting up to antics for a whiteboard that in the end they didn’t really need just made me all the more baffled by their behavior. It was fun, hilarious and just what I would expect from the guys.

To make up for not having anything for last week, I would like to take the opportunity to tell you about me loving this amazing story so much I nearly force-fed my best friend to read it with me so that I would have someone to fangirl with. Let me tell you a little bit about her. See, she doesn’t consume fanfics with as much verocity as I do. She is a very casual fanfic reader and if she does (which is rare in it of itself) she only ever reads MxM. Period. So when I told her the premises of “The Gentlemen” she was curious enough to read the contestant profiles. But I must say, from Day 1, you had her HOOKED! She would text me screenshots and emoji filled fangirlings in the wee hours of the morning (the only time she had to read at all) every single thing she loved about each chapter and it brings me so much joy that she was really dissecting and appreciating all the little things that I too loved about your story! We would have long, deep discussions about her prompt theories, her favorite members, tiny details that you’ve so expertly woven into the story (like Jimin’s tattoo for example, which is something she is obsessed with, btw) all of her favorite traits that our lady of the house has. It’s been so blissfully fun having this to share with her especially since I have her to thank for getting me into BTS in the first place. So, please know that you have a secret fan of “The Gentlemen” who would like you to know that she has been enjoying herself thoroughly and that she looks forward to your updates just as much as I do now! 

Anyhoo, I think I’ve prattled on long enough. Thank you so much for your continued hard work and dedication to this series! This was such an amazing chapter I cannot wait to see how everything unfolds; it feel as though these last 2 chapters have planted some major seeds (no pun intended!!); I look forward to see what it sows in the coming days. 💜 Jan

Oh my gosh! In all of my ramblings, I forgot to say "shout out to Lady Mango! You go get that stake, girly!" Also, YAY Grandma Park!! Heck, that entire exchange in the bathtub made me uwu so hard my heart is just a pile of mush rn! Also, also!! Jin x Tae is lowkey underrated, so thank you for that! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*✲ﾟ*｡⋆ I lub u so much!! kthnxbye

---

i’m not ashamed (okay, maybe a little) to admit that i kinda teared up and did a happy lil dance when i saw the email that you’d sent in a submission fksdjfkds i figured you’d probably been busy with life or with the mountainloads of content bighit is giving us these days so i was content to wait patiently, and it just made it that much more exciting when i saw this come in !

thank you, as always, for being so sweet and articulate and thoughtful in your reviews of the chapters. often you point out things that make so much sense that perhaps i hadn’t even noticed when writing. other times you hit an idea that i’d slipped in right on the nose. 

jungkook definitely is having a pretty tumultuous time on the show. for him, i imagine he feels like he’s the only one having a difficult time ironing out his feelings, or that if anyone else is struggling too, that they’re acting like nothing’s up. i also feel like jungkook’s competitive streak comes through in unexpected ways. of course he feels proud of his sexual prowess and kinda wants to showboat a little bit, but i think there’s an aspect too where he needs to be the one that’s always bolder than the others to assert his position. writing the namkook scene i kind of drew on that feeling where you’re fighting with someone you care about or think highly of, and even as you realise you’re wrong, you don’t want them to think badly of you and so you desperately scramble for a way to come out on top or prove you’re in the right. there’s also def a degree of him trying to convince himself the show is just about sex and that the rest doesn’t matter. he certainly doesn’t feel that way inside, but we see him vouching from that position so fiercely in d12. 

i’m glad you liked the namjoon scene !! one day i’ll figure out your bias fkdsjfksdjk you do such a good job at analysing and discussing everyone equally that it’s difficult >.<

it’s so fascinating to hear your jihope theory that they’ve spoken before. i must keep my silence on the details BUT there will be a very important scene between them coming up in the next few days of the show that i think will really change things between them and also how the readers see them. i’m super excited to write it ! 

beyond that, i’m happy you noticed something about jin in this chapter.... yn and jin still haven’t resolved their issues yet, plus here we are having jin not respond that well to being asked to counsel one of the members, something he always stated he was happy to do,,,,, hmmmm 0.0

i love hearing your theories so much !!! i eagerly await getting new content out so i can see how they shift and change from release to release

and also you really don’t need to feel bad ! there’s never any obligation to write out a long review for every chapter, but you do so anyway and that means a lot to me xx if you’re busy one week you don’t have to force yourself to make time for it. we have over 50 chapters, so we’re in for the long haul ! there’s really no rush

ahhhh that’s so cool to hear about your friend! it always warms my heart hearing stories of people that got their friends to begin reading and stuff, honestly even the thought that people think about tgm outside of reading it blows me away, it feels so special that it’s something y’all wanna share and discuss w your loved ones xx 

YES LADY MANGOOO i love adding little slips of her in the chapters, i know she doesn’t factor into the main story that much but everyone can rest assured that all of the members of the house (okay, and probably our three on-site producers too) spend a lot of time with her, walking her and cuddling her and playing with her. tae is probably currently trying to teach her some commands, but of course the only one she’s got the hang of is lie down jskfjsd

(finally YES taejin is such an underrated duo i love them)

[akp-1327]

dear diary // chapter one

Hi, everyone! This is the first chapter of the new series I’ve started. I hope you enjoy and stick around for future chapters! 💕

Find a series “description” and other detailing here!

Word Count: ~ 5.3k

(*) Warnings: none

July 16th, 2020

Dear Diary,

Nothing would make me happier than to visit the city. The bright lights, the busy streets, the shops, the smell of car exhaust. For all the wonders I’d discover, for all the opportunities I’d face. For the experience, for the fun.

Living in a small town is boring. It’s the same, day after day. Then as soon as you bat an eye, you’ve turned eighteen and have barely left the state. Some would call me a hobbit, some would call me lazy. But it’s hard to get out of town when your family can’t really leave because of their job and you’re too scared to learn how to drive.

The diner that my parents own is great; awesome pancakes, delicious milkshakes, and every single pie flavor you could ever imagine. It’s called the Golden Griddle and it’s located right in the heart of Cedar Cove, Oregon. You’d have to be blind to miss the sunny yellow paint (that’s ever so slowly chipping away, but don’t tell my dad) smeared on the bricks.

Anyway. I’m Charlotte, but you knew that already, didn’t you? Of course you did. Well, if you needed a reminder of my sob-worthy life story...my brother and I are adopted. But you probably remembered that, right? Wow, I need to stop ranting about how you probably remember me. You’re a literal book for God’s sake.

Wait; back on topic. I want to go to see the city. So badly. Oh, and have I mentioned that I got accepted into my dream school? New York University, here I come. How have I not written about that yet? Holy crap. NYU preparations have been coming along nicely. I already have half my room packed and almost all my dorm stuff that my mom insists on buying. My brother Henry, too. He’s going to Ohio State on a football scholarship and a desire to pursue athletic training. Big dreams!

Me, you ask? Good gracious, Diary, stop interrupting! (Oh boy, I’m talking to myself. Skye would laugh...). I’m pursuing acting and theater, of course. A major in drama and a minor in production. I’m chasing the sun here, okay? I am a future Broadway star and actress with dreams as far as the eye can see!

I am ecstatic to make the big move at the beginning of August. More updates to come. Sorry if this ending was abrupt. My dad made his famous chili tonight and I gotta go get it while it’s hot and before Henry inhales it all like the vacuum he is.

Yours, Charlotte :)

*

*

The faint, familiar smell of spices filled my senses as I put the old and tattered diary down. It was a gift I got years and years ago from a friend, but I never used it. May as well start before the wild ride of my new life starts, right?

I threw my blonde hair into a bun as I walked out of my room, avoiding boxes piled up high on the floor. Right as I stepped into the hallway, however, my foot met a ball of fluff curled right outside my doorway.

“Aw, Cooper,” I cooed, leaning down and scooping the little snowball I called a dog into my arms, cradling him close, “you’re missing all the food downstairs, buddy!”

A small whimper came from him as I made my way down the stairs. Henry was spread out on the couch and watching some sort of European soccer, er, football on the TV.

“Hey, just in time!” Henry smiled, waving me over to sit next to him. I obliged, setting Cooper down onto the floor and taking a seat next to him. 

...It was crazy how he was twice my size. And how I was the older one by three whole minutes.

“What’s up, Henry?” I asked, nudging his arm. A laugh escaped his throat as he gestured to the screen and unpaused the video (wait, it was paused this entire time?). I watched the screen to see a player get hit in the head with a soccer ball.

“Hah!” Henry laughed, his deep pitch echoing off the walls. I gasped and swatted his arm.

“Henry! Laughing at someone else’s pain is so rude! What if he got a concussion that ended his career?” I said, a twinge of amusement in my tone. All in all, I loved to see my brother get all flustered. He was such a goody-two-shoes that even something like this comment would make him blow a gasket--

“He’s laughing, sis. I don’t think the dude’s hurt.” Henry said, his tone smug. Maybe college was finally really going to his head.

I shook my head with both surprise and disappointment as I stood up, gesturing for the walking vacuum to follow suit. “C’mon, knucklehead. Dinner’s almost ready.”

We both walked into the kitchen to see the finishing arrangements being set up for dinner; Mom was retrieving bowls and utensils as Dad strained the water from the elbow macaroni at the sink.

“You two are in here early,” Mom teased, giving us a side glare as she placed the bowls and spoons on the counter, “what about?”

A sweet, innocent smile crossed my face as I batted my eyelashes at her. “It just smells so good that I couldn’t stay away!”

“I’ve heard that one before, you jest. Come get your bowls.” Mom chuckled, stepping away. Henry and I grabbed a bowl right as Dad turned to us.

“Get it while it’s hot!” Dad said, grabbing a bowl of his own. Henry and I both dove for the noodles and chili, somehow managing to get our servings without making a complete mess like we usually do. It’s crazy to think of how people mature over time...

The old seats at the table squeaked as we all sat down and started to dig into our chili. A comfortable silence blanketed the table and just as I got used to it, Mom broke it.

“So, you two have been packing, yes? Even the stuff you aren’t bringing?” Mom asked sweetly, dabbing a napkin at the corners of her mouth. She’d always been the politest one in the family; too bad no one else at the table had her mannerisms.

“My room is basically packed except for some of my clothes and books,” I said in between chews of the (extremely hot) chili in my mouth, “but otherwise I’m good.”

Henry nodded and pointed his thumb at me, his eyes never leaving his bowl. “Mhmm.”

“That’s great! Your flights leave in only a matter of days!” Dad cheered, giving Mom a high five. It was such a weird but common thing to see parents do: act like teenagers.

“You sound excited about that?” Henry questioned. I looked over to see half his bowl already gone. 

Mom heaved a sigh.

“We’re excited for you both to finally experience the world. We can’t wait for your lives to truly start!” Mom said, a smile encompassing her features. Her kind, brown eyes flitted between Henry and me.

“You two have the world at your fingertips,” Dad added, glancing at Mom. They shared a fond look. 

At that moment, for the briefest second, I wished that I had a connection like that; a soulmate, someone who you could spill your heart out to. Someone who you could love and be loved by. Someone who’d want nothing more than to see you happy. 

Also at that moment, I decided that I would make it a small goal of mine to make this wish come true during my time at NYU.

*

*

My blankets were soft around my legs as I sat propped up against my pillows. Leila and I had been talking on the phone all night. I felt like I was in that moment in Mean Girls where Gretchen was switching between Cady, Karen, and Regina. Except...I wasn’t switching between anyone at the moment. 

Leila Maciel is my best friend. She’s someone with a sarcastic personality and a snarky remark to anything. She’s as smart as a whip and could, without a doubt, put you in your place if you stepped out of line with her intimidating strength. Though, she also has a soft and caring side that she only reveals to those who she deems trustworthy. A confident, kind, and bold girl indeed. 

We’ve been friends for our entire high school careers, but it feels like I’ve known her my entire life.

During our freshman year, Leila was in an extremely toxic relationship. Her ex-girlfriend, a “sweet” but a rather manipulative girl, was to blame for our friendship. This girl, Sadie, ticked all of Leila’s boxes; beautiful, smart, compassionate, sweet... 

Remember that Leila and I had only known each other for a month at this point.

Leila and Sadie’s relationship was adorable from the outside. Both bright-eyed and bushy-tailed freshmen with hearts in their eyes. It was something you’d see in a more realistic version of High School Musical because let’s be real...those movies aren’t realistic. (I still love them, though!)

About a year into their relationship, though, Sadie transformed from sweet to sour. She used Leila to get what she wanted like she was her very own puppet. Her antics ranged from cheating on tests to almost stealing a designer handbag before I intervened. Then, like the cherry on top of this extremely nasty sundae, Sadie revealed that she cheated on Leila with a college girl for the majority of their relationship. Let’s just say that their relationship was terminated seconds after that bombshell blew up.

Leila was broken for months. She truly believed that she loved Sadie, but upon further examination, I found that Leila felt guilty whenever she had the opportunity to say no. It had never been any sort of love; it was an obligation. Also after that relationship, Leila decided that instead of focusing on liking girls, she’d be open and love anyone. She was sick of limits.

So, here we are today.

Now, as we talked on the phone, I thought about how she’d also be going to NYU, majoring in business. We were roommates! It was like a dream come true.

“Uh, Charlotte?” Leila asked with a laugh. “You alive?”

Reality snapped back into place as I blinked my eyes rapidly. “Oh, uh, yeah. What’d you say?”

“Did you buy a fan for our dorm?” Leila asked monotonously. This made me laugh for some odd reason. “Dear Lord, what’s so funny?”

Honestly, though. What was funny, Charlotte? One could say that I was losing my mind.

“I don’t know, spur of the moment? But otherwise, yes; I got the one you pointed out at Target.” I said, surprising myself with how even my voice sounded. A familiar hum came from the other end of the line in response.

“Cool. Then you’re all set to go for next week?” Leila asked, her voice making it sound like she was smiling. I laughed again and nodded to myself.

“Yes!” Was all I could say.

Leila’s sigh was so loud that I could swear that I felt her breath through the phone. “You’re not stressing out over this, are you?”

My eyes widened at her question. Was I stressing out about this? I’d been packing for days on end without breaks. I had folded, re-folded, and re-re-folded all of my clothes several times in my duffel bag. I had splurged on so many things, like that fan Leila mentioned, without a second thought. I don’t think I’ve had a proper shower in almost a week; I was too busy being a nervous wreck.

“Maybe a little bit, but not too much,” I responded, my tone a bit somber as I tried to conceal my lie. My fingers twirled the fringed fabric of my tie blanket around as I waited for Leila’s retort.

“Stressing out over this is like a circle, Charlotte. It’s pointless,” Leila said, her voice starting to reveal her exhaustion, “and you need to relax. We’ll be fine.”

Thoughts buzzed through my mind as I contemplated her words. Would we be fine? Is “fine” even the correct word to describe this situation? How about rephrasing the entire statement entirely by saying “there is a chance that we’ll survive, but it definitely ain’t high.”? That version was more accurate, in all honesty. Moving across the country for school didn’t sound like a situation that could only earn the word “fine”.

“Aren’t you worried, though? A big city, a new city, a scary city...we’re diving into the deep end here, Leila! We have no idea what the hell we’re doing!” I panicked, squeezing my eyes closed.

Now it was Leila’s turn to laugh uncontrollably. Though, hers was more of a witch’s cackle.

“Wow, okay. First of all, we’ll stick together. Second, not knowing what we’re doing is all apart of the college experience. We’ll seriously be okay if we stick together.” Leila assured, still laughing - she never was the sympathetic type in these types of situations.

“If you think so, then I guess I need to believe it.” I yawned, tucking myself further into my blankets. Leila broke out into a yawn as well, making me think that she was actually tired for once (the girl was the definition of a night owl).

“We should get some sleep. We’ll have plenty of time to talk later.” Leila stated. I could imagine her rolling her brown eyes at her own words. A laugh escaped me instead of the hum I intended on.

“Jesus, why do you keep laughing? Why do you have so much energy?” Leila groaned, making my laughter subside.

“I honestly don’t know, I’m a complete and utter mess. We’ll text tomorrow?” I suspired, resting my arm over my eyes to completely block out this embarrassing reality.

“You bet. Love you lots.” Leila said. Her declarations of love truly became more meaningful after that whole spectacle with Sadie. She had a ginormous heart of gold beneath that rough exterior.

“Love you more! Good night!” I said, hanging up after she murmured a farewell. I tossed my phone onto the soft fabric of my blanket and stared up at the ceiling, a nostalgic feeling washing over me. All of the nights during elementary school where I’d do this exact thing, except I would be thinking about my Barbie dolls or my recess adventures. Now, I thought about the future and what waited for me.

College better live up to its well-known reputation.

*

*

Before I could comprehend what was even happening, I was standing in the middle of Portland’s airport with the arms of my family around me. 

Days legitimately whizzed past with nothing short of a greeting. I mean, it was already August 4th...somehow.

“You have all your bags, right?” Dad asked, his voice wavering the slightest bit. I looked down at my belongings for the fourth time; a large duffel bag of clothes, a chest full of dorm stuff and personal items (including that stupid fan, yes), and a very large and heavy carry-on stuffed with all of my technology. And, for the fourth time, I confirmed that I had everything.

“It’s all here, Dad. For the last time.” I giggled, shaking my head. He could only respond with his usual eye roll and grin.

“What about Leila? Are you completely positive that she’s on your flight?” Mom asked, her eyes inspecting mine. A sigh freed itself from my lungs as I nodded.

“She’s already waiting for me by the baggage area, Mom. You even saw her when we walked in, remember?” I stated, returning her inspecting gaze as she fondly smiled in remembrance.

My hands were reaching down to pick up my bags before Henry lightly punched my shoulder. “Wait, whoa, where’s the love, sis?”

“It’s hiding from you,” I teased, punching his shoulder before I pulled him close for a tight hug, “I’m gonna miss you bunches, you know.”

Henry’s grip tightened before he pulled back to show me the tears in his eyes. I gave him a sad smile, knowing that familiar look in his eye; he agreed but didn’t want to admit it.

“Don’t worry, Henry. I’ll only be a call away if you ever need to talk to me,” I said, putting my hands on his shoulders, “and I’ll be a nine hours’ drive away if you ever need me in person.”

He cracked a smile that was identical to my own and let out a deep breath that turned into a shaky laugh.

“Shut up, midget. Go catch your flight.” Henry laughed, shaking his head to compose himself. His blonde hair was tucked away in a red hat with a big, fancy ‘O’ embroidered in gray and black on its face. My heart swelled with pride to see it, too.

“Ditto!” I laughed while reaching down to grab my bags. “Well, I ought to get going. Leila’s been waiting on me for a while”

“Travel safely and call us when you land, no matter the time!” Mom said, hugging Dad and pulling Henry close. My eyes burned with tears as I nodded.

“Can do,” I shakily breathed, “I love you guys.”

Mom blew kisses my way and Dad smiled. Even Henry gave me a rare, genuine grin. I waved, and with a final glance, turned around and headed to the gate that was just behind me without looking back.

The weight of the bags in my hands doubled with each step towards Leila. She was sitting in the waiting area, her bags all around her, scrolling through her phone. Her straight black shoulder length hair was accessorized with a jade green headband, matching her comfy outfit that consisted of a matching jade green tee and a pair of workout leggings.

“Took you long enough, you slowpoke!” Leila smiled, patting the blue seat next to her as she tucked her phone in her backpack. I dropped my bags in relief as I sat down next to her. “How emotional were your parents?”

“Enough to make me almost cry?” I laughed, wiping the wetness below my eyes. “Well, maybe I did cry a little.”

Leila laughed and wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “It doesn’t take much to make you cry, Charlotte. But I am beyond glad to see that you held in most of your alligator tears.”

We both laughed, though our laughter faded after about a minute, turning into a stressed silence...

“We’re really doing this, aren’t we?” I said while taking a deep breath. After almost a year of building up the nerves, the day was finally here.  College...adulthood...life...

Leila turned to me, her eyes showing the most vulnerability that I’ve ever seen in them, and took a deep breath with me. “We may be crazy, but at least we’re crazy together.”

*

*

Bag security was a surprising breeze; little to no lines and no troubles. The security guys even smiled at me. Talk about weird.

Waiting for the flight time was tiring. I did, however, get a text from Henry saying that he’d successfully reached his gate and would be taking off for Ohio at dusk. So that was at least something to keep me occupied for a good two minutes.

Another distraction was to play matchmaker with Leila. It was our favorite pastime in high school, so why not continue the tradition?

“Ooh, that business guy over there wearing the red tie, and...” Leila trailed off, scanning the rows of seats until her eyes focused on a woman talking animatedly on the phone only a few feet away, “her.”

“Wait, the Adrian Raines-looking guy paired with that preppy woman?” I asked, my eyes narrowing. Leila hummed with approval next to me, making me cringe immediately; why, and how, would that work? They were polar opposites!

“Leila, listen. He looks like the type of guy that’d bite your head off if you gave him the wrong coffee order and she looks like the type of girl to organize a charity event. It’s all in the eyes and the cheekbones, even the eyebrows.” I explained, shaking my head. Leila, however, disagreed like she always did.

“They’d balance each other out. He’d soften up and she’d harden up. It’s that simple! Plus, it helps that they’re both very attractive...” Leila smirked, her eyes examining them both with a wistful sigh.

“And they’re probably much older than us, so don’t even get ahead of yourself.” I sighed, rolling my eyes. “But back on topic. Are you talking about the whole ‘opposites attract’ lore? Because that’s just not...plausible. Maybe it is in the movies--”

Leila let out an exasperated breath that hindered the rest of my thought. “It is plausible, though! Just think about how you would feel in this situation. Would you want a guy who has a prickly exterior and a mushy-gushy heart?”

My heart started to palpitate as my hands started to sweat. I have learned to loathe Leila’s ‘boy talk’ because it’d always turn into her setting me up with guys that were either way out of my league or guys that just didn’t meet my expectations.

Her question, though, did deserve some deep thought. I guess I can set my pride aside for a mere second and give her some sort of approbation...

So, the question on the table: did I really have a thing for those types of people? Snarky but also impossibly soft? I guess I’ve never really been invested in relationships of my own. The idea of romance, sure, but not for me. It just never really seemed as important as the ACT or my GPA. I’m starting to regret my valedictorian title; I focused so hard on my studies that I forgot about the fun aspect of high school like the average, rebellious boyfriend with a leather coat and a motorcycle.

“You know what, Leila?” I started, carefully testing this ground as to not lead her down the matchmaking rabbit hole, “I would like a guy like that. A sarcastic and snarky guy with a secret soft side? Yes, please. Oh, and glasses that he’d push up his nose when he was frustrated? Even better.”

An uncharacteristic snicker escaped Leila; she was never one to snicker like that, and now that I actually think about it, our boy talk always had that stereotypical effect on her. Man, this hobby was melting her brain. Is there any research out there on how the quietest whisper of romance can turn the human brain to goo? If so, I need to get my hands on it ASAP. 

“I knew that you had a thing for that! I’ve been scoping this out for years, Charlotte!”

Of course she has.

“Glad you’ve been looking out for me. That or stalking me, but that’s up to you.” I teased, bumping my shoulder with hers only to receive a tired groan in response.

“Oh, hush. You know exactly how damn predictable you can be sometimes. Don’t even try to contradict that, either.” Leila stated, giving me a side glare. I gave her a bright, innocent smile in response as I fiddled with my duffel bag’s handles.

My mouth opened to bring up another round of matchmaker, but I was overpowered by a loud speaker.

“Flight one-hundred two for New York boarding at gate fifty-six!” A voice said gently over the speakers. Leila and I instantly looked at each other with the same anxious looks that slightly weirded me out.

“Um, Leila--” I stammered, trailing off as Leila hopped up and started to grab her things. She wore the biggest and brightest smile when she glanced at me out of the corner of her eye.

“C’mon, slowpoke! We gotta go! Move those short legs of yours!” Leila beamed, grabbing my duffel bag with her open hand. Before I could retort, I was ushered into standing and walking towards the luggage area.

“Alright, eager one, slow down a bit?” I asked through a huff. Only two months off of the cheer team and away from drama and I’m already bent out of shape.

Leila threw my duffel bag and her own suitcase onto the conveyor belt and so I followed suit.

This...this entire experience was moving faster than I expected.

*

*

The plane ride wasn’t really all that exciting. Just Leila falling asleep on me, like I expected. Throw in a couple packs of peanuts, a dash of watching Dirty Dancing and Grease religiously, and a sprinkle of a baby’s obnoxious tantrum...and you end up with the definition of a typical plane ride.

Woo, college. Already kicking off with such an exciting start.

*

*

We were about thirty minutes out from The Big Apple when Leila finally woke up from her sleep. I felt my shoulder lighten and then felt the instant soreness from the five and a half hour flight.

“How’d you sleep?” I asked, busying myself by pausing Dirty Dancing on its second playthrough. Of course it was right as Baby started to awkwardly dance down the staircase and onto the bridge.

Leila’s response didn’t come when I thought it would, so I looked over to see if she fell back asleep on the plane’s wall. To my surprise, I saw that her eyes were glued to a figure a few seats over. 

The girl who sat there had this gorgeous auburn hair that cascaded over her shoulders. Her black headphones stood out against her pale complexion and revealed the slightest trace of taupe freckles scattered about her cheeks. Also from the girl’s side profile, you could just barely see the tint of matte black lipstick on her lips.

A gentle but teasing smile formed when I looked back over at a wide-eyed Leila, her cheeks now starting to redden with embarrassment.

“See someone you like over there?” I asked, softly nudging her arm with my own. She cleared her throat and blinked rapidly before turning her attention to me.

“I thought she was snoring?” Leila stammered, now rubbing her tired eyes. I looked back over at the girl - her head bobbing slightly to whatever she’d been playing on her laptop - and let out a laugh.

“Sorry to break it to you, Leila, but she’s completely awake.”

Leila whipped her head back around to see and then let another deep blush cover her cheeks. It was hard to notice against her olive skin, though it deepened enough to see from miles away.

“Okay, um, she was snoring a little bit ago. I swear on your life.” Leila said, pressing her hands to hide her bright red cheeks. 

I let out another laugh. She had never let herself get this flustered...ever. This was so rare that I’d only ever seen it once and that was back in high school. Leila locked eyes for a solid twenty seconds with a junior guy named Michael Harrison at lunch during our freshman year. She couldn’t stop blushing or stuttering for the rest of the day, and that’s not mentioning the dejected look she had when Michael walked out of the building with an unfamiliar girl on his arm after school.

As expected, Leila only responded to me with her notorious deadly side glare.

“Shut up right this instant, Charlotte Parker.” She hissed between her gritted teeth.

Did I listen? Of course not.

“Looks like Miss Maciel has been struck by Cupid’s arrow...” I teased, dramatically leaning into her lap with my hand against my forehead. She grumbled and leaned her head on her palm, looking out the window. After I sat up, I could see her brown eyes flit over in the girl’s direction every once in a while and couldn’t hold back my smile. Not teasing, but happy.

I knew that wistful look in her eye well enough to know that she’d been enamored.

*

*

The plane landed at about seven in the evening. Before getting off the plane, I looked over to the girl. She was frantically putting her computer away in it’s decorated case. I saw a patch with the familiar NYU bobcat...right next to another patch with the name “Skye” in this sort of horror-ish calligraphy.

Huh.

“I think her name is Skye,” I said, leaning in to whisper to Leila, “and I think she’s going to NYU.”

Leila glanced over as she stuffed her neck pillow (that she never used) in her bag.

“Cool. Um...Skye, you said?” Leila said, a blush blooming across her cheeks again. 

I’m seriously loving this.

“Yep, Skye. Maybe she’s a freshman like us?” I said. Leila bit her thin bottom lip.

“Maybe,” Leila said, a smirk crossing over her features, “just...maybe.”

*

*

Waiting for our luggage was so boring. I decided that it was even worse than waiting for our fight.

“Ah, it’s mine!” I heard a girl a few feet away from my tired figure cheer. She rushed forward to grab a gaudy pink suitcase bedazzled with fake gems. Leila pretended to gag next to me.

“Gross,” Leila sighed, though her eyes suddenly lit up, “hey, wait, those are our bags!”

She pointed toward a cluster of familiar bags on the conveyor.

“Ah! C’mon!” I stammered, rushing forward and grabbing them. We both started to laugh as we lugged them off.

“Jesus, this is heavier than I remember.” Leila huffed, lifting her bag onto her shoulder. I did the same, though almost toppled over because of the weight.

“Are we sure that these are ours?” I asked, unzipping the duffel bag to see my familiar coat. Relief flooded my features as I looked back at Leila.

Her face was a sickly greenish pale.

“Uh, Charlotte, this...this isn’t...” Leila stuttered, carefully shuffling through the bag. There were lots of black sweaters and lots of striped shirts. A couple pairs of ripped jeans, a few rock band tees along with an NYU sweatshirt...and a tag on the strap.

I reached out for the black tag on the strap and flipped it over. It read...

Skye...Crandall?

“Leila, remember that girl from the plane?” I asked, showing her the tag. Her face immediately fell, though I could see the flame of hope flickering in her deep brown irises.

“Oh. My. God.” Leila groaned, taking the tag into her hand. “You’re kidding. Charlotte, this seriously isn’t happening right now.”

Despite her panicked state, I laughed. And laughed. And laughed.

“I’m officially calling you Eliza Schuyler because you are helpless!” I giggled, doubling over. Leila loudly sighed.

“No, no no no...” Leila whispered, zipping the bag closed, “how are we going to find her now? I bet she left already with my bag.”

I sadly let my laughter subside as I wiped the humored tears from my eyes, being careful to not let my light layer of mascara run or smudge into a huge mess. That was the last thing I needed right now.

“Alright. Well, I think we should wait and see if your bag is still here. We don’t know for sure that she has it,” I stated, patting Leila’s shoulder, “but if it doesn’t show, we’ll track this Skye girl down and give her the right bag. Okay?”

Leila nodded, her face still contorted with a mixed emotion of annoyance and helplessness.

“Welcome to New York, where we lose your freaking bags and make you chase after freaking girls that you like,” Leila mumbled in a bad imitation of a New York accent, pinching the bridge of her slender nose.

“So you do admit it! Aww!” I cooed, booping her nose. She caught my wrist and gave me another glare, though this one was downright teasing.

“Shut it or I will mercilessly write on your face tonight with a Sharpie while you sleep,” Leila teased, “but let’s get going. We still gotta find our dorm and the sun’s already starting to set.”

I nodded and gathered up my stuff, taking another look back at the conveyor...

“Oh, everyone’s gone?” I questioned, my eyes scanning the now empty area around us. Leila rolled her eyes and started to drag me along towards the masses of people with her free hand.

“Yes, but now let’s go find this girl before I lose my mind. I need my bag and I can bet that she needs hers.”

[alejaosbastardos]

On the Road

Summary: Ten years after the massacre at the border, Daniel’s life had changed a lot, the death of his father and brother, his escape to Puerto Lobos to start a new life, dragging a past that he could never leave behind. When Daniel decided that he would never see a familiar face again, the past and the present cross in his road.

Chapter 6: Friendship II

Chris looked curiously around, there were many people walking on the streets in the morning. In the place where Daniel had parked his pickup there was a stall with a vendor in each corner.

"Hey, don't get lost, stay close to me." Daniel said when he saw the blond man approaching the stall of crafts to see what they were selling.

"Dude, I'm not five years old, let me see those small pyramids."

Daniel laughed.

"If you want any cliché souvenir from Mexico you should buy a Mexican hat."

Chris ignored him and took a small sculpture that had a Mayan calendar.

"How much does this cost?" Chris asked the woman who was selling it.

"500 pesos, young man." Said the woman. "Take advantage, it's very cheap!"

Daniel took Chris by the arm and approached him.

"Dan! Let me buy something!"

"Dude, that woman wants to cheat you."

"It’s cute."

"500 pesos for a poorly painted small souvenir?"

"Well, but it has a Mayan calendar."

"Dude, she knows you're a foreigner and wants to take advantage of you." Daniel said shaking his head. "If you want something like that I'll take you to a better place later."

"You know what? I want to buy souvenirs just to contradict you." Chris said amused.

"Well, if you want to spend 500 pesos on that ugly souvenir, I'm not going to stop you." Daniel said raising an eyebrow.

Chris laughed.

"Geez, it doesn't matter, let's buy the things we need." Chris said as he pushed Daniel to keep walking.

"Daniel!"

Both boys turned their heads.

A dark skinned boy with green eyes and black hair taken in a ponytail quickly approached the boys as he raised his hand in greeting to Daniel. The boy has several tattoos on his arms and has a nose piercing.

"Man I didn't know you were going to be here today." Said the man surprised while clashing his hands with Daniel's.

"Hey, Alex." Daniel greeted. "It's weird to see you here in the morning."

"Dude, you say it as if I could never wake up early." He said laughing and his eyes stopped on Chris.

Chris felt uncomfortable with his presence, Alex looked at him from head to toe and a smile formed on his lips.

"Hey.. Who is your friend?" He said looking curiously at Chris.

"Alex, don't bother him." Daniel said and sighed. "Chris, he's Alex, my coworker."

"Nice to meet you Chris." Alex said shaking his hand as he winked at him.

"Umm, hello." Chris said returning the handshake and quickly withdrew his hand when he felt the man squeeze it.

"Ignore him, he just likes to bother you." Daniel said while nudging Alex. "Well man, Chris and I are leaving, see you tomorrow."

"Wait, I want to tell you something." Alex said to Daniel. “It’s very important.”

"Hey, anything about work is spoken on the cell phone." Daniel interrupted him as he directed his gaze at Chris.

"It's something I just found out.. Chris, do you mind giving me and Daniel a few minutes?" Alex asked to Chris. "I promise to return him in a few minutes."

"Um .. Sure." Chris said not very sure looking at Alex and then Daniel before walking to a store of crafts.

When Chris walked away from the boys Alex jumped towards Daniel.

"Dude, where did you get him?" Alex asked excitedly. "Your friend is very cute, can I do him?"

"Did you really hold me back for that?" Daniel asked amusedly as he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "I doubt he's gay so leave him alone."

"Mmm, do you really think that? I had my gaydar on"

Daniel rolled his eyes.

"Anyway, I'm leaving, see you tomorrow." Daniel said walking away.

"Daniel! Hold on a minute! Besides your friend being hot, I received a call from Alejandro." He said.

"What did he want?"

"Man." Alex said as he lowered his voice. "The military stopped the boat that was going through Panama."

"Holy shit."

"I told him that he had to send us the packages again or return the money to us."

"Well, what did he say?"

"He is going to return the money to us since he wants the issue of the police investigation to calm down a bit."

"What a shit."

"I already talked to another supplier we have."

"And it will be more expensive."

"Yeah, the supplier is in Mexico, so we avoid another drama like the one that just happened until things calm down."

Daniel clicked his tongue.

"Whatever, when do they arrive with the packages?"

"Tomorrow morning at 3:00a.m." Alex explained. "He told me that we had to wait for them at the entrance of Puertos Lobos."

"Have you transferred the money?"

"No, not yet, I wanted to ask you first what do you think about the new supplier."

"Do it, see you tomorrow."

"Whatever my boss wishes." Alex said winking.

"Tell Andrés to join us too."

"Damn it." Alex cursed. "Why does that guy have to work with us? he ruins all the fun."

"Because he has my total trust and is a good bodyguard unlike you."

"Come on dude, do you still hold a grudge? I swear they had the gun very well saved and I didn't saw when they aimed at you."

Daniel rolled his eyes.

"See you tomorrow."

"Hey, call my sister, she keeps asking me about you! She says she called you several times yesterday and you didn't answer any calls."

Daniel ignored him and went on his way.

"What a jerk is this guy." Alex sighed.

____________________

"I will buy it for 250 pesos." Chris pointed out a small pyramid of various colors.

"I sell it at 400 pesos." Said the woman.

"300 pesos?" Chris asked hopefully.

"350 pesos, and it’s my last offer."

"Deal." Chris said as he looked for the money in his pockets, but before giving it to the woman who was happy, Daniel took him by the arm and pulled him to where he was.

"Chris, stop giving them money."

"I thought we had agreed that you weren't going to get in." Chris reproached him as he released his arm from Daniel's grip.

"I don't want those motherfuckers to make easy money by taking advantage of you."

"it's okay, you win, jesus." Chris said resignedly. "Did you finish talking to your weird friend?"

"Yeah." Daniel laughed. "Weird?"

"Yes man, he made fun of me without knowing me."

"Chris, he didn't make fun of you, why do you think that?"

"Dan, didn't you see what he did when you introduced us?"

"Yes? Flirt with you? He does that with whom he thinks is cute."

"Oh."

"Yes, don't worry, I told him you don't go that way." Daniel said laughing as he patted Chris on the back.

".... Alright." Chris said without saying much.

"Well, let's buy the things we need, it’s getting late." Daniel said while looking at the time on his phone.

Chris nodded and followed him.

____________________

After Daniel and Chris bought the things they needed, they decided to first leave the flowers in Sean's grave before arriving at Daniel's house.

"Dan is very late, it's 2:00 p.m." Chris said as he entered the house with some bags in his hands and looked at the old clock Daniel had in the kitchen.

"It's never too late to eat, can I help you with something?" Daniel said leaving the bags on the table.

"You can help me chop the tomatoes and the onion, I have to put the pasta in the pot and prepare the pan." He said leaving the bags on the table to look for things he needed.

"Okay."

Daniel took the first knife he saw and began to chop the tomato.

"Dude... did you wash the tomatoes?" Chris asked when he saw his friend chop them on the table.

"... No?" Daniel replied not very sure of his answer.

Chris laughed.

"Jesus, you're gross Dan." He said laughing. "You have to wash them and then you have to chop it into small pieces, those pieces that you are chopping are very large."

Daniel looked at the pieces he had that were the size of a finger.

"What's wrong with that size?"

"Later the sauce won't cook well." Chris explained as he took the knife and chopped a tomato. "See? This should be the size."

"Well, we have a chef over here." Daniel said with a mocking tone.

"This is super basic cooking." Chris explained. "Seriously, how do you feed when you don't buy street food?"

Daniel shrugged.

"Normally I buy TV dinners, I just have to heat it in the microwave, like ramen or pizza."

"Dude, that is disgusting."

"The pizza you ate yesterday was one of those frozen pizzas sold in the supermarket and I didn't see you complaining about the taste."

"You know what people say, if they are giving you free pizza you have no right to complain." Chris said smiling. "But starting today this kitchen is mine until I leave, and therefore we will eat what I cook, none of those disgusting frozen things."

"Shit, I didn't know that my friend's visit included a housewife." Daniel said laughing. "If I had known this I would never have let you into my house."

"Your worst nightmare became true." Chris said laughing.

"Chris, seriously I don't care about it, do whatever you want, this house is now yours too..."

"Well, that's very nice of you, thanks Daniel."

"... I don't care while you cook for me."

"Well, I guess somehow I have to pay for my stay, but you're going to clean the dishes."

"Damn it."

____________________

Chris was sitting drawing in one of the beach chairs that Daniel had placed in front of his house.

In the neighboring house, there was a family gathered near the beach, everyone drank and laughed while some children played on the shore.

Daniel left the house with two beers and a sketchbook in his other hand.

"For you." Daniel gave Chris a beer.

"Thank you." Chris said opening and drinking it.

"What are you drawing?" Daniel asked curiously as he sat on the chair next to Chris.

"I'm just practicing landscapes." Chris said as he showed him what he was drawing.

"Shiiiit, dude, that is fucking awesome. It looks like a photo." Daniel said while admiring the drawing.

"Thanks to many years of practice and many afternoons going to the outskirts of Seattle to practice landscapes."

"You have fucking talent." Daniel said as he passed the sketchbook pages, on several pages he could see drawings of faces, animals, landscapes and superheroes. "I mean, you draw amazing, you cook very well. That pasta was delicious."

Chris smiled, his cheeks flushed.

"Thanks, I don't think I'm so amazing but I'm still trying to improve."

"You are the only one who doesn't see how incredible you are, Jesus." Daniel stopped at one of the pages where there was a drawing of two superheroes. "Chris.. This drawing.."

Chris smiled sadly.

"Yeah, it's another version of what we drawn together 10 years ago." Chris explained as he looked down. "You should look at the last page."

Daniel quickly turned the pages until he reached the last drawing.

"Our drawing, wow." Daniel said and laughed. "I really drew so badly?"

"Dude, I also drew pathetic." Chris said. "I was a disaster and thought those drawings were amazing."

Both boys laughed.

"I never forgot you.. well, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be alive right now."

"Man, don't say that."

"I met you at the time I needed more someone to help me.. literally." Chris said. "How could I forget someone who did so much for me?

"Well, I'm glad those damn powers saved you."

"You think I’m lying because I feel pity, but you are special, and I don't think you have those powers for nothing."

"Oh shit, here we go again." Daniel said as he drank of his beer. "I won't have another talk with you about my powers."

Chris shrugged and drank of his beer too.

"I already fulfilled part of our deal." Chris reminded him. "Now you must show me your sketchbook."

"Please, have some mercy, don't be so hard on me." Daniel said in a mocking tone as he gave his sketchbook to Chris.

"How do you want your score to be, from 1 to 10 or from 1 to 100?"

"I think 1 to 10 would hurt less."

Chris laughed and opened Daniel's sketchbook.

He saw several drawings of faces, animals and landscapes of Puerto Lobos.

"Dan, they're awesome!" Chris said admiring Daniel's strokes and the shading he used in each of his drawings. "I love how you draw the shading.. And your strokes, you have a unique technique.."

Chris turned the pages until he got one that caught his attention.

This drawing.

Daniel has it tattooed on the left side of his chest.

"Dude .. Is he your brother?" Chris asked curiously. "You tattooed the drawing."

"Yeah .. I got that tattoo 4 years ago."

"Oh."

Both boys remained silent for a few minutes while watching the sunset.

"I wanted something special on the chest, near the side where the heart is, so I thought a picture of Sean would be perfect." Daniel explained. "I made the design of the picture and I took it to the tattoo artist."

"Well, it looks amazing." Chris said sincerely.

"How did you know it’s Sean's face? I always hide it with my clothes." Daniel asked as he looked at Chris rising his eyebrow. "Little stalker."

"Well, I don't know if you remember, but this morning you did a striptease in the room after I left the bathroom." Chris said with a smile.

"Oh shit, you're right, you were there." Daniel said laughing. "You enjoyed the view, right?"

Chris rolled his eyes and looked straight ahead, hiding the faint blush on his cheeks.

"It's not like there was much to look at, to be honest." Chris replied as he finished drinking his beer.

"That was fucking rude man." Daniel said laughing. "Hey, I'd like to show you something, hold on a minute."

"Okay."

Daniel got up from the chair and entered the house, Chris kept looking at Daniel's drawings.

Many of Daniel's drawings Chris saw a person who looked like Sean but with a beard.

Esteban, Daniel's dad, of course, Chris had read what had happened to him in the news after he began investigating the whereabouts of the Diaz brothers.

Chris suddenly felt sad thinking about what Daniel had to suffer when he was just a child, knowing his father died.

God dammit, there's nothing fair about it. Chris thought bitterly.

When he closed the sketchbook Daniel left the house with something red in his hands.

Chris's eyes were wide with amazement and he got up from the chair when Daniel showed him what he had in his hands, his memories displayed in his mind like a movie.

"Here." Chris said while taking off his cape. "This is your cape"

"Do you remember it?" Daniel asked with a smile on his lips.

"You are the real superhero"

"Daniel, that is my old cape.." Chris whispered without even believing that Daniel still had his cape with him.

"Yes, I kept it with my stuff when Sean and I fled Beaver Creek." Daniel said while looking at the cape with love. "It meant a lot to me when you gave it to me, so I made sure to keep it safe and not to lose it."

Daniel looked at him surprised, and gave him a sad smile.

"Thanks Chris, that is super cool."

Chris touched his old cape and felt his heart beat faster.

"Like you."

"I guess it's time to give it back to the true hero of this story." Daniel said smiling wistfully as he gave it to Chris. "Thanks for everything Captain Spirit."

But before Daniel could do something, Chris hugged him.

"I already have something better back to my life." He said with tears in his eyes and resting his head on Daniel’s shoulder. "And that's you."

Daniel was surprised by the gesture of his old friend, but a few seconds later he smiled and hugged him tightly too.

"Me too." Daniel said, he felt his heart warm.

[addictofsupernatural]

The Southsider (pt. 5)

Sweet Pea x reader

Chapter Summary: School isn't going too well for y/n, but there are both old and new friends that have her back. And later, she prepares for her first date.

Author's Note: y/i means "your initial"

Word Count: 2410

Chapter 1 • Chapter 4 • Chapter 6

You walked into Biology with a big smile on your face. Sweet Pea had just asked you out. You felt people staring at you, but you didn't care. You didn't care how they looked at you or what they were saying about you. Sweet Pea had just asked you out.

"Hey." Toni said as you sat at your joined table you two shared together. "You okay?"

"Huh? Yeah, I'm good."

"Are you sure?" She put a hand on your shoulder.

"What? Oh, yesterday. Um, lot of crying, lot of drama, found out some stuff about my mom, but Sweet Pea was there for me the whole time. And, uh, yeah." You fiddled with your pen.

"And what?" Toni teasingly smiled.

"We may have started going out." You looked up. "And we have a date later today."

She playfully pushed your shoulder. "I'm so happy for you!"

"Am am I." Cheryl said, smiling. "Today we're supposed to work in groups of three. Is that okay with you, raggamuffin?"

"Sure." Toni said, scooting her chair away as Cheryl brought up a chair in between you two.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to her." You said.

"You talking to me or her?" Toni asked.

"Yes." You smiled.

"Anyways," Cheryl said. "Before we get on the topic of that date, what did you learn about your mom?"

"Oh, about that." You took the jacket out of your backpack. Both of them were shocked. You nervously laughed. "So funny story."

You explained to them everything that happened, from what happened at Jughead's trailer to the letter. "Wow." Cheryl said.

"Yeah." Toni agreed. "So, are you going to join?"

"I don't know. I'm thinking about it."

"You should start thinking about going back to the Southside." Some bulldog said as he passed your table.

"And you should start thinking of getting your head out of your ass." You said sweetly. "It's not a hat." You then turned to Cheryl and Toni, who were both trying to hold in their laughter. "So yeah, that's the story."

"Alright," Cheryl said, still smiling from your comment. "Back to the date. What are you going to wear?"

"This?" You didn't think anything was wrong with your outfit. It was just jeans and a t-shirt with the Back to the Future car on it.

"Yeah, if you guys were going to a classic rock concert. You do have clothes better than this, right?"

You shifted in your seat. "No. All I have are novelty tees and jeans. I don't see anything wrong with that."

"And there's nothing wrong with that." Toni interrupted.

Cheryl shook her head. "Okay, here's the plan. After school you and I are going to my house, where we will find you the perfect attire for your date with that tall gang member."

"Uh, okay. I just need to go shopping for food first. I haven't had anything to eat in my house for a few days now."

"Then it's settled. I'll go grocery shopping with you, then we go to my house to make you a better you." Toni rolled her eyes as Cheryl smiled.

As you went to second period, you felt the stares of people burning into your back. You told yourself that it wouldn't get to you, but you were beginning to get fed up. Instead of being embarrassed and sad like you thought, you were just annoyed. You didn't even know most of these people. They had no right to talk about you.

During break you were heading to your locker, finding Fangs in the hallway. You two had the same third period, so he went with you. As you two walked together you felt people stare at you.

One person harshly bumped your elbow, making you stumble into Fangs. "Hey!" Fangs yelled. "Apologize."

"Fangs it's fine." You tapped his arm. "Let's just go." You were a little happy that someone new had your back. The Serpents really were loyal, even when you only knew them for a short time.

As you got to your locker there was a crowd of people around it. You and Fangs slipped your way through to find someone had written Southside Slut on it. This one hurt.

You slowly unlock your locker, and open it. Suddenly it's slammed shut by a guy in a letterman jacket. A bulldog. He's expecting you to be mad, but you couldn't have that. You give him a smile. "So, how's Reggie?"

"Suspended because of you. For two weeks. And he's off the basketball team." He glared.

"Aw, RIP." You flash a smile.

"But don't worry," he says. "Until then we'll carry out what he wanted."

You scoffed. "You know, I am so fed up with all of you. None of you even knew I was from the Southside, and we sure as hell didn't have a problem then. I don't even know you."

You unzipped your backpack. Taking out the jacket, you slipped it on. It was a good fit. You grabbed your textbook, slamming the locker shut. You then leaned on your locker, smiling. "Tell your mouth breathing leader that I say thank you, for making me remember where I came from. Because of him, I think I'll embrace my roots." You then turned to a shocked Fangs. You grabbed your backpack, slinging a strap around your shoulder. "Let's go."

After their period the two of you went to English together. Sweet Pea was already there. Fangs went in before you, quickly going to Sweet Pea and hitting him on the shoulder. "Dude." He said, smiling. Sweet Pea looked at his friend in confusion, until he saw you walking to your desk in a Southside Serpent jacket. He sat up quickly and smiled at you. Were you going to do it?

As you sat Toni passed you a note. It told you to send a picture of your outfit, as well as her number. You gave her an okay sign with your hand. Sweet Pea and Fangs looked at the two of you confused.

After the bell rang you walked towards the school library, where your friends always meet up for lunch. Sweet Pea walked right in front of you l, gently ghosting his left hand over your right hip, barely touching. He leaned into your ear. "I'll pick you up at your house at 5." He whispered, kissing just below your ear.

He then walked off smoothly, with you watching him go as you put your hand where his kiss was. You snapped out of your daze when you couldn't see him anymore and continued walking. You sat down next to Kevin when you got there.

"Jug, Bets-" You began.

"Look, I wanted to say that I'm sorry. My dad shouldn't have kept that from you for so long, and I-" Jughead cut you off.

"Jug." You got his attention. "It's fine. I read the letter, I get it. I'm not mad anymore. I'm sorry for overreacting."

"No, y/n. You didn't overreact." Betty said. "We understand that you were going through an emotional time, and it was perfectly okay to react the way you did."

"Thanks guys." The three of you went into a group hug. The other three joined in.

"Betty told us about everything. Sorry if you didn't want us to know." Archie explained.

"No, it's fine. I'm okay now."

"So," Veronica said. "Are you going to join the Serpents? You're wearing the jacket."

"Yeah, I think it'll be good for me." You nodded, looking at Archie. He was still your friend, and has had run-ins with the Serpents before.

"We support you, no matter what." Archie said. You beamed and nodded your head giddily.

You meet up with Cheryl at the outside of the gym after school. You both go to the grocery store and shop for food. "If you want something, I don't mind getting it for you." You offer.

"No thanks." She said, looking around. "Shouldn't your guardian or something be shopping for food instead?"

"It's just me looking after myself." You explain. "My aunt sends money while she's on her business trips. She sometimes doesn't send enough, so I picked up a job at Pop's. I mean I don't have any parental figure breathing down my neck, so I'm fine."

But you weren't. You were lonely. Sure, you have Jughead and FP, but you didn't feel like you belonged with them. Hopefully the Serpents would change that feeling.

You went to your house and put your groceries on the kitchen counter. You then went to Cheryl's house. As you entered the mansion, you went to a living room where Cheryl's mom and grandma were. "Mother, Nana Rose, this is y/n."

Her mom glared at you, as if looking down upon you. "Oh, dear," Nana Rose said. "You look just like your mother."

She then gained your attention. "You knew my mom?" There was something about her that was unsettling, although you also felt that she was harmless.

"Oh yes. Sweet little thing. Her mother abandoned her when she was so young, going on about not being ready or whatnot. She was always such a stickler. How is she, by the way?"

"Um, she passed away four years ago."

"How awful. I bet that man she was dating had something to do with it. I never did like him."

You let out a humorless laugh. "Me neither." Cheryl then led you to her room.

While Cheryl was looking for an outfit for you I'm her walk-in closet, you were looking at all her lipsticks. "I get that your Nana is creepy and stuff, and I'll just let that go since I have a soft spot for old people, but what's up with your mom?"

"Mother is horrendous." She said from the closet. "She dislikes it when I only bring one person to my room."

You were confused by that response. You would understand if it were a guy. Then it clicked. "Oh my God!" You said, walking towards the closet. "You're bi."

She quickly turned around. "Excuse me?"

"Holy crap you are!"

"I don't appreciate you making accusations about me. Especially when I invited you into my home." She stomped over to you.

You sighed and walked to the bed, taking a seat. "Sit." You gently said. She stared at you, but reluctantly agreed as she sat next to you with a huff. "Cheryl, I don't give a crap what your sexuality is." You laughed. "It doesn't make you any different. And I promise I won't tell anyone."

She looked straight ahead, refusing to look at you. She kept a straight face. "So there's nothing wrong with me?"

"No." You urged.

"People look at me differently." Her voice was starting to waver.

"People look at you the same way they look at me. It's because of our crazy ass family, not your sexuality. Okay?"

"Okay." She sounded like she was crying. You gave her a side hug and put your head on her shoulder.

"Hey, this is kind of like our first date, huh?" She shrugged you off as you giggled.

She then got up and grabbed an outfit. You snorted and looked down at your hands, smiling. "What?"

You then quietly say, "You're in the closet." You bursted out laughing.

"Just put this on!"

You took a look at yourself in her mirror. You wore tight leather pants and a dark green crop top. You ran your hands over your stomach, not used to showing this much skin. "I feel like I look awkward."

"Nonsense, your greasy snake boyfriend with love it." She said, choosing to ignore the look you gave her. "Sit. I need to do your makeup."

She put a dark burgundy lipstick on you. She put on a small amount of eye liner and blush. She then put your hair in a half bun half down style.

She took a step back, examining her work. She then snapped her fingers, going into one of her many drawers. "Of course. You need a choker." The choker she handed you had a design of little black vines with tiny red roses on them. You put it on. "Perfect."

You smiled. "Okay, I usually hate taking pictures of myself, but I told my friends I would. Do you want to take some pictures together?" She smiled back.

After taking a few pictures, you went to your jacket and took out your camera from your pocket. "One more picture." She looked at it, amused. "Don't judge. This thing is special."

Cheryl led you downstairs, where her mom and grandmother still were. "Oh my," Nana Rose said. She reached out for your hands, which you took. "Are you going somewhere dear?"

"Yeah. I'm going somewhere with someone special."

She gently squeezed your hands. "Well have fun dear."

"Thank you so much." You smiled. "I'm so glad that Cheryl has at least one family member who isn't evil." She laughed in return, giving her daughter-in-law a look of triumph. She let go of your hands. "Bye guys."

As Cheryl compressed her laughter, she led you the door. "Have fun. Your serpent boy will be pleased with you."

"Thanks." You laughed. "You know, you and Toni would look really cute together."

She gave you an annoyed look. "Bye now." And with that she closed the door.

When you got home you texted a picture of yourself to your friends.

V ~ OMG you look amazing 😍😍

V ~ He's going to love it💓💓🐍

Gay Best Friend ~ masterpiece 🖤

Gay Best Friend ~ you look like Sandy in Grease at the end of the movie

B ~ you look great y/i have fun

Jugster ~ you're really going out like that?

You ~ thanks Jug🙃

V ~ he's just mad that his sister and friend are dating each other🙄😏

Archie ~ have fun y/n

Archie ~ if anything happens though let me know

Jugster ~ ditto

You ~ will do ._.

You then texted Toni. You sent her a picture of you and Cheryl.

Toni ~ looks hot

You ~ me or her lol

Toni ~ ha ha

You checked the time. 4:50. You saw your forgotten groceries and decided to preoccupy yourself by putting them away. You finished a lot more quicker than you wanted and sat on the couch nervously.

You then heard a knock. You checked yourself though your phone and stuffed it in your pocket. You opened the door to a Sweet Pea who wasn't wearing his jacket. He only had his black flannel and a smile on his face.

"Wow."

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Author's Note: sorry that there was less Sweet Pea and more y/n in this part

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Also (pls read): I already have the gist of the date planned in my head. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions that I could add

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Tag List:

@madaboutlili @sireennotsiren @elsie2018 @greyfairie @iamaunicorn4704 @wanna-plan-world-domination @whenallsaidanddone @t-a-i-l-o-r-m-a-d-e @live-love-bailar @thecraziestcrayon @cvvlxx @grim-adventures58 @official--fangirl @jesus-jagiya @skeletalwolfcat @theunofficialduke

[27emailsicantsend]

Platonic Jarty/Dumba$$ Trio: New Beginnings

Author’s Note: This one shot was requested by @remedymoods. We wanted to give Jonah more of a fair chance since he still seemed like he wasn’t totally connected with the GHC in the finale. This is one of my spins on their story, as well as how the two of them became connected to TJ. Enjoy! 😊

Click.

Jonah finished snapping the photo and handed the camera back to Andi. It was a photo of Andi, Cyrus, and Buffy all together, but for some reason they didn’t ask him to be in it. He put on a brave face as he took the photo, but for some reason he felt hurt. Maybe even a little betrayed? These were supposed to be his friends. Wasn’t Cyrus the one who said he was in the Good Hair Crew (GHC)? Why didn’t they even ask to take a selfie so Jonah could join? It was like none of the past two years mattered to the rest of his friends. He understood that these guys had been friends for a long time (to the point of knowing each other’s dental appointments!), but he also thought he was drafted into their group. That he was one of them. Not a temporary member, but an honorary one.

He wondered if it was because of everything they had gone through. He had to admit, his relationship track record wasn’t the greatest. Dating Amber twice, lying about it the second time, breaking up with Libby who was good for him, off and on with Andi, not being honest about his feelings with any of them, and at some points dragging his other friends (especially Cyrus) into the relationship drama of it all... it made sense if there was a little bit of disconnect from the rest of the GHC. 

But they had a lot of fun times together, too. Buffy and Cyrus helped him move, he was one of the only people invited to Bex and Bowie’s wedding, Chinese New Year at the Mack house, all of the times at school, sharing baby taters at The Spoon, hanging out with his friends not just during Space Otter’s Ultimate Frisbee team practice... it just made no sense why none of them would want him in the photo. Especially Andi.

Yes, he and Andi had rough patches, but he was wearing her bracelet. He cared about her because of the close bond they formed throughout the ups and downs of their relationship history. Even when they weren’t dating, they were still friends and supported each other. He considered them best friends, even if she didn’t.

In a last attempt to feel accepted in the GHC, he hugged Andi, saying, “love you, Andi Man”. It wasn’t to make her feel bad, but to let her know that she was loved by him. That he wanted her and the other friends in his life forever, even after she left for SAVA. The response, however, was not what he was wanting or expecting.

The response? Silence.

Jonah thought she would at least say she loved him back. A friendly love. A love that only comes after everything they had gone through. He didn’t want a romantic love with anyone. He didn’t feel that connection to anyone, but he did feel a love for Andi. One that was deep, because he cared about her so much and only wanted her to live her best life. Maybe that best life was at SAVA... away from him for a bit.

Jonah felt lost, wondering who he was going to be friends with now that Andi was gone. Would he be a temporary replacement for Andi in the GHC? No. He didn’t want that. He would never replace her and he was worried if he spent all of his time with Buffy and Cyrus, that might happen. He needed friends of his own and he needed them fast.

The group had agreed to meet up at The Spoon the next day for some of their ritual baby taters. Jonah walked in and saw Andi already sitting down at a table- Amber next to her, full uniform, talking her ear off.

Jonah hopped in a chair next to Andi. “Hey guys, what’s up?”

Andi’s face broke into a massive smile, “hey, Jonah! How are you?”

“I’m good! Hey, Amber”.

Amber’s face softened towards him. “Hey, Jonah. Listen, I’ll go get started on your Baby Taters and they should be ready by the time Buffy and Cyrus get here”.

“Ok, great. Thanks, Amber!” Andi said politely.

“Amber, wait!” Jonah said, quickly, hopping up from his chair, “can I speak with you a minute?” He got close to her so they were out of ear shot from Andi.

Amber looked uneasy. She rubbed her arm uncomfortably as she said, “look, Jonah, if it’s about us, I really don’t want to talk about it”.

“It is,” Jonah said. The moment he said it, Amber got a callous look to her eye and began to walk off. Jonah touched her arm in an attempt to stop her from walking away. “But,” he continued, “it’s not anything too serious”.

This got her to stop, turn around, and look at him again. Her face still showing some frustration.

“I just wanted to know if it was ok that I am here again. I know we talked about me giving you some space and I don’t want to invade that. This was more of a celebratory thing for Andi”.

“I know,” Amber said, her face showing warmth again. “You can come back here again. I appreciate you not showing up for a bit. I know that was hard for you, but it meant a lot to me that you respected me enough to do that. Go join your friends”.

“You’re sure?” Jonah asked, once more.

Amber smiled. “Yes, Jonah. I’m sure”.

“Thanks, Amber,” Jonah said, a slight dimple showing in his smile.

He turned around to walk back to where Andi was sitting, but saw four more bodies sitting at the table. He didn’t realize that in the time he had taken to talk to Amber that Buffy, Marty, TJ, and Cyrus had all shown up. There was a seat between Cyrus and Andi, meant for him to sit at. This made his heart jump a little.

Jonah sat back down as he said, “hey guys!”

“Hey!” “What’s up?” “J-man, how are you?” they all greeted Jonah in unison. This version of a welcoming committee made Jonah feel more accepted than the night before and he was happy to feel not as closed off from Amber or Andi, either.

“So... I didn’t expect to see all of you here,” Andi said as she looked specifically at Marty and TJ, a little gleam in her eye.

Buffy smiled softly, “well... there’s something we need to tell you, Andi”.

Andi’s eyes widened and Jonah could see the excitement racing across her face.

“Marty and I,” Buffy continued as he put an arm around the back of her chair, “we’re together”.

“Oh my gosh,” “Finally,” “Took you long enough,” the table chattered excitedly.

Buffy gave Cyrus an “excuse me?” look at the last remark.

“Well, I’m really happy,” Marty said, staring at Buffy with a massive grin.

“We’re both really happy,” she said, looking back at him, reciprocating the smile as she put a hand on his lap.

“I’m glad you told us,” Cyrus said, “because...” He lifted his hand up from under the table. His fingers laced with TJ’s. Jonah hadn’t even noticed their hands were down the whole time.

“Oh my gosh,” “Finally,” “Took you long enough,” the table echoed. This time, it was Cyrus glaring back at Buffy.

Amber brought over the baby taters and slid them on the table. “Hey!” she said excitedly to the four who just showed up. “Did I miss anything?...” Amber’s voice trailed off as she noticed the couples physical sentiments towards each other. “Gotcha.” She said as she keyed in. 

“Are you going on your break soon?” Andi asked. “Would you like to join us?”

“Actually, yeah, I would love that!” Amber said as she raced to her work time clock to take her break. She showed back up a few minutes later without her apron and hat and pulled up a chair between Andi and Buffy. 

The group laughed, made jokes about the new couples, did some tater theater, talked about old times and new times, and even dunked their baby taters in a shared strawberry shake (Buffy’s favorite). When it was time for everyone to go, the group gave each other hugs good-bye, except for TJ and Marty who still didn’t know each other well and Jonah and Amber in a failed attempt at making things less awkward between them.

“Hey, if anyone needs a ride, let me know,” Marty volunteered.

“Actually, I would love one,” Jonah said.

The group went outside and everyone got rides except for Marty, Jonah. They sat on the ground outside, waiting for Marty’s mom to pick them up.

“So, you and Buffy then?” Jonah asked, trying to break the silence.

Marty laughed and shook his head, “yeah, I’m still pretty surprised myself”.

“I’m sure you are. Isn’t it crazy we all went on that double date about a year ago?”

“Holy cow,” Marty exhaled. “That was a long time ago, wasn’t it? Thank goodness I had the patience to wait for her”.

“You literally dated someone else,” Jonah said with a flat tone in his voice.

“Ok, ok, so we all make mistakes, but Buffy is definitely not one of them”.

“Do you think you would have been better friends with us had things not ended badly between you and Buffy?”

“Jonah, that’s a pretty loaded question”. Jonah had to agree, Marty was right. But it really made Jonah think that maybe the GHC wouldn’t be the only people he relied on had he tried and talked to other people in the meantime and extend his social circle. He realized he spent so much time with them, that maybe he had been throwing away other opportunities to make new friends. New friends that want him in their photos and won’t leave to other schools.

“But maybe,” Marty continued, breaking Jonah’s train of thought. 

“However, Buffy wasn’t ready to be with me yet and I was kind of in a one track mind with her. I had other friends to go to when she didn’t want to be with me, so I didn’t really think about it,” Marty said, blowing heat on his hands to keep them from getting to cold in the beginning winter air.

Marty did exactly what Jonah wanted. Just then, Jonah got an idea and acted off of impulse. He stuck his hand out to Marty. “Well then, Marty, I’m Jonah Beck. Nice to meet you”.

Marty got a suspicious look in his eye, but played along. “Hi, Jonah Beck. I’m Marty from the Party. Nice to meet you, too”. 

Marty’s mom pulled up right after this exchange and both boys hopped into her van. Jonah and Marty talked excitedly about their similar interests in sports, parties, and dad jokes the entire way home. The two boys were laughing so hard, that they were to the point of tears by the time they got to Jonah’s new house.

Marty’s mom smiled as she watched the boys get along so well from the rear view mirror. She let the boys keep talking, so that Jonah could get out of the van whenever he was ready.

“Woe! Is that?!” Marty asked, amazed and confused as he spotted Jonah’s mom.

Jonah looked away sheepishly. “Yes, that’s her. That’s my mom”.

“Your mom is an internet celebrity and you never told us?!” Jonah realized he had only told this to the only people he had considered friends, until now.

“Actually... Buffy, Cyrus, Andi, and Amber all know... but now you do too. So congrats, man”.

Marty was still in shock. “I have to come over and meet her sometime”.

Jonah’s face dropped a little. Maybe he didn’t want to be Marty’s friend if the only thing he cared about was getting to know his “famous” mom.

“And we need to play more video games together, go skateboarding, we should try ultimate, oh! and basketball, and I have to show you this series on TV,” Marty continued to ramble without even noticing Jonah’s changed facial expression. Jonah’s face lit up again as he realized Marty didn’t want to know Jonah for his mom- he just wanted to know Jonah! His mom was more like an added bonus.

“Why don’t we exchange numbers and then we can chill sometime?” Jonah asked.

“Yeah, man! That sounds great!” Marty said excitedly.

“Docious,” Jonah replied, handing Marty his phone, opened to a “add new contact” screen.

Marty’s face suddenly looked really confused. “Docious?”

Even Marty didn’t know that? Jonah realized he stopped saying that a long time ago. He suddenly got a little embarrassed.

“That’s sick, man. I love that word. Can I use it?”

Jonah laughed. “Sure! Anytime”. 

“Docious,” Marty said again, with more pondering to his voice. Marty finished putting his number in and handed the phone back to Jonah. Jonah felt so much approval from Marty. Marty liked his funny phrase and didn’t mock him for it to the point of him not using it anymore. Marty wanted to spend time with him, not asking for space. He and Marty don’t have a messy background story he had to work through. They were just... friends.

Jonah hopped out of the van. “I’ll text you my number!” Jonah said as he shut the door and Marty waved good bye.

The next day Jonah got a text from Cyrus. 

Cyrus: Hey, JB, me and TJ are going to the park and we wanted to see if you’d like to join? 

At first, Jonah didn’t want to because he didn’t want to third wheel, but he found it a good opportunity to make new friends.

Jonah: Sure! Mind if I bring a friend?

Cyrus: No problem, my man! We’ll be there at one!

Jonah: Doc!

Jonah felt good adding that last part. He texted Marty inviting him, to which Marty replied with an enthusiastic, “yes!”

All four of them met up at the park and Jonah, Marty, and TJ all decided to play a game of two-on-one basketball. Marty and Jonah against TJ. It was a close game, but Marty and Jonah won by two points. Cyrus just watched, cheered, and made sure TJ had enough water. 

When they won, Jonah thought TJ was going to get mad, instead he responded with a, “yo Marty! Nice game!”

“Yo TJ! Same to you”

“Yo”, “yo”, “yoooo”. The boys threw the word around for another two minutes before Cyrus lost it.

“Could you guys possibly think of any other words to say?!” Cyrus asked, rolling his eyes and throwing his hands in the air.

Marty grinned, playfully, “aight”. He said with a smirk.

The other two played along and began throwing the word, “aight” around like a bunch of mimicking seagulls.

“I give up!” Cyrus said as he rolled his eyes again and put his hands in his face.

“TJ, homie, you’re awesome,” Marty said.

“Thanks, man. You too.” TJ said, patting Marty’s arm.

“We should do more stuff together. I think we’re a pretty fun group of dudes,” Jonah chimed in.

“Of course,” TJ said with a ‘duh’ expression on his face.

“Yo, let’s get a photo,” Marty said. The three of them got in together to take a picture on his phone. Marty snapped the photo and as he put the phone down to get TJ’s number so he could to text the both of them the picture in a new group chat, Jonah looked over sadly at Cyrus, who still had his hands in his face in shame.

“Hey, Cy!” Jonah called out. Cyrus’ face perked up. “Come get in the photo with us!” he said, waving Cyrus over. TJ and Marty also agreed and began waving him over. Cyrus jumped up and ran over to grab Marty’s phone.

“What are you doing?” Jonah asked.

“Taking a photo of you guys. That’s what you asked, isn’t it?”

“No,” Jonah said, grinning. “Be in the photo with us. We’re all friends.”

Marty snapped a photo of the four of them together. Jonah couldn’t have been happier. When he went to bed that night, he opened up his phone to a few missed messages from Marty and TJ. They were trying to make plans for the next day. When he opened up the messages, however, he realized he was in a group chat with the two of them. It had the picture of the three boys from earlier that day and TJ had renamed it, “The Dumba$$ Trio”.

[throwawayov]

The Case of You, Who Saved Me on Mondays

ReiRan Omegaverse AU. Not proof-read yet. Apologize for horrible grammar this is written at 2 AM lol not really intended for being published as well buttt yeahhh

TRIGGER WARNING : substance abuse

 --Sunday, Ranmaru Kurosaki POV--

"Ranran, are you perhaps...an omega?"

Fuck.

Ranmaru had played this scenario over and over in his head for countless times. What to say when someone suspects something. What to answer when someone asks. What to say when someone confronted him. What to do when some batshit insane alpha attack him. What to do when someone smells something…

But he didn’t quite prepare when Reiji was the one who asked. Reiji, of all people. The only person Ranmaru ever respect in the industry so far… his most endearing and strong Reiji.

He then counted the pills in his head. The shot. The supporting ointment. All the nasty chemicals he took in the morning as his usual buzz. All seemed fine. All should be fine. But the fact that they just finished a very tiring live concert concerned him. Is it my sweat?

No, no. This is Reiji, afterall. Ranmaru knew full well how the guy can say the most random thing just to annoy him without batting an eye.

I’m fine. I’m fine.

He put down his bottled water carefully on the table. He glanced at his own hand, making sure he’s not trembling even the slightest.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Stupid.”

He walked to the sofa and threw himself without even looking at Reiji. “I’m taking a nap,” he covered his eyes with his arm. His mind is still racing. Thank God Camus and Ai went out of the room already, else they would’ve picked up his crazy loud heartbeat when they sat on the sofa.

A couple of seconds passed. The lack of response from the oldest Quartet Night member disturbed his act.

God fucking dammit say something, Reiji. Or should I say something? No. No. But—

“Ahahaa, sorry sorry! I just want to see your reaction! Don’t be maad~”

Ranmaru can hear Reiji sat down on the sofa across him. Ranmaru didn’t move. His heartbeat and breath were suddenly a lot steadier. He wanted to take a nap for real now.

“Maybe you’re stronger than I thought?” Reiji said suddenly.

Ranmaru moved his arm from his eyes as he tilted his face. “What?”

Reiji smiled, “Nothing!”

Ranmaru knew it was Reiji’s stage smile. And he’s got a bad feeling over this.

---

--Sunday, Reiji Kotobuki POV--

Reiji Kotobuki never really liked being an Alpha. 

The pressure, the expectations, the way society treated him as the leader of the pack…it’s suffocating. The way some people smell so good that he needed to hold back his primal urge was maddening. He hates holding back. Yet he hates letting himself out bare. It’s disgusting.

His only channel to let out all his suppressed emotions were singing. The lights, the sound, the cheer, the dance, the team…they are his ultimate pills. On the stage, he never had to notice any tempting smells he always tried so hard to ignore. It feels so liberating.

And then here he was. On the locker room with just his teammate, the beta-rocker Ranmaru Kurosaki.

Reiji really liked the guy. What started as an admiration of the younger’s work ethics now already became something more… precious. He’s still not sure what to label this feeling as. It always fascinated Reiji; the way Ranmaru sings wholeheartedly on the stage, moves his body around with rough yet gentle precision, his rare but tender smiles, his smell…

Wait, did I just think smell? Gosh. There’s that smell again.

Sometimes Reiji can smell something when he’s alone with Ranmaru. It was always faint. At first, Reiji just thought it’s the former’s perfume. But this time it is far from faint and more than just perfume.

Ranmaru just exudes a really really alluring scent around him.

"Ranran, are you perhaps...an omega?"

Ah shit. Why did I say that out loud?

“What nonsense are you talking about? Stupid.”

He watched as Ranmaru threw himself on to the sofa. “I’m taking a nap,”

Reiji couldn’t believe himself, but the smell is getting stronger. It’s definitely coming from Ranmaru. It matched perfectly with his reaction; it’s the smell of omegas when they are very nervous. Unfortunately, Reiji knew this smell too well.

He is an omega, alright. How—Wha-Why is he hiding this? D-Does anyone else know? Isn’t it dangero—

His mind halted. To hide the fact that you’re an omega is an enormous, if not impossible, task. Alphas can sense omegas presence in a heartbeat. Reiji is an Alpha. Hyuuga is an Alpha. God, they even worked closely with four freaking alphas in STARISH on daily basis. There’s no way none of them never picked this up these past 5 years.

But then again, Reiji never really sensed anything strong either, until now.

“Ahahaa, sorry sorry! I just want to see your reaction! Don’t be maad~”

He slowly walked to the sofa across Ranmaru and sat down. He studied the younger’s face intently, as Ranmaru covered it with his arm anyway so he wouldn’t noticed. The smell didn’t go away…

He didn’t want to think about it. If Ranmaru is a beta, then that means Reiji can now even smell a beta’s pheromones, which is very unheard of, but… it’s plausible. And it made Reiji want to throw up. Really? Even beta? I’ve evolved into something more disgusting than I already am.

But if Ranmaru is indeed an omega… Reiji didn’t want to imagine what crazy stuffs Ranmaru had done to cover this up really well for so long. That must’ve been extremely difficult and painful.

“Maybe you’re stronger than I thought?”

Oh, fuck me and my blabber mouth. Why Reiji, whyyyy…

“What?” Ranmaru tilted his head and looked straight at Reiji’s face.

Reiji tried his best to act natural. “Nothing!”

---

--Monday dawn, Ranmaru Kurosaki POV--

Ranmaru Kurosaki really hates being an omega.

The day they announced his secondary gender result was the worst day of Ranmaru’s life. His parents were both alphas so the result was crazy upsetting for his whole family. No one wanted to admit this. An omega? In Kurosaki family? It must be a fluke. They proceeded to test him 3 more times.

The result was always the same; a full-fledged omega. Cue the cymbals, a joke of the century for the family.

He still remembered how his parents told him during middle school that they found a way to help him cover this up. To convert him into a beta. To patch the embarrassing stuff. To basically neuter him of his being. It was risky and cost a fortune…but his father was willing to pay anything for it.

In the end, the procedure was botched. Literally nothing came out of it. If anything, it created a deep emotional scar for Ranmaru rather than physical one.

Then his parents business crumbled with all the financial and emotional burden it created and the story went on just like a fucked up drama that is Ranmaru’s life.

Ranmaru Kurosaki really despises being an omega.

Right after arriving in his apartment, Ranmaru ransacked through his medicine cabinet. One, two, four, eight… he gulped them all. All these disgusting pills that keep me sane.

He coughed and almost threw up. He held himself together over the sink.

They are really just normal pills omega used to suppress their hormones. Normally omegas only took two kinds of medicine; hormone suppressants and birth control pills if they are sexually active.

Ranmaru is a virgin and he took 4 kinds of birth control just for the heck of it.

Sigh…now comes the hard part.

He steadied his breath. He glanced at three blue vials in front of him. This stuff is the most expensive thing on his chemical cocktails. The experimental drug his fellow bandmates introduced him. The holy grail for omegas like him, the ultimate suppressant.

Even someone who is physically strong like Ranmaru dreaded the aftereffect of this drug. It made him want to claw out his insides just to stop the scorching sensations it caused.

Just stop thinking and get this over with. He injected himself with the blue liquid quickly on his upper arm. He squirms. It’s painful. It’s painful. I’m dying. No—

He threw up on to the sink. Today is going to be great.

---

--Monday evening, Reiji Kotobuki POV--

“So, Kotobuki-kun, what is it like, being the only alpha of the group? You’re doing such a great job bringing the pack together nee~”

Reiji’s smile grew wider.

I want to punch this interviewer’s face right fucking now. Pack? Are we dogs now, bitch?

“Ah weeeeell, it’s just really fun because we are all friends, you know! It doesn’t matter whether you’re alpha or beta or omega, riiiight guys?” Reiji winked to all his teammates besides him.

Camus let out a scoff. “Hmpf. We never see him as an alpha anyways,”

“I believe we are a group of 4 betas here,” Ai added with a nod.

“Come on, guuyysss, why are you so meeeaaan!” Reiji pretended to cry. As usual.

The interviewer just laughed and move along with other questions. Reiji silently relieved that this antic never failed to please the outsiders. He glanced over to Ranmaru and caught the silver-haired staring at his face intently. That caught Reiji off guard.

“What is it, Ranran?” Reiji asked when both of them were in the changing room. Camus and Ai went out already for another interview regarding their duet project.

“What is what?” Ranmaru asked from the sofa in front of Reiji. He looked really tired his literal color almost gone from his face.

“The whole interview you’re just straight up staring at me and not saying much! Is there something wrong with my face? Or you just want to admit now that I look cool?? Is that it? Aaaww I’m so flattered, Ranran!”

Ranmaru put his palm over his face. “Ugh, just drop the act already,”

Reiji smirked. He knew already that Ranmaru is sharp. “Yeah yeah, but you know me, we need to be professionals,”

“You need to tell them to stop asking that kind of questions,” Ranmaru sighed. “You hate being an alpha, don’t you,”

Oh wow, it stings. “Hmm? Nooo? I never hated it?”

“I told you to drop the act. Just like me, you’re disgusted with yourself,”

Reiji drew his brows together. What feels like an eternity was only 5 seconds of silence. “What do you mean, just like you?”

Suddenly the room is filled with a really strong smell it almost suffocated Reiji. He put his hands over his nose and mouth, “What the—“ he saw Ranmaru on the sofa, clenching his chest. He didn’t know what happen but he looked so…red. And in pain. And breathless.

“Ranran, oh my God, are you okay??” Reiji stood up and tried to reach him. But the smell now literally suffocated him. It’s like a really strong chemical trying to burn and poison his head, but it felt so good.

What the hell—

“Get out, Reiji,” Ranmaru whispers under his labored breath. He’s drenched in sweat.

Reiji froze. His mind went blank but his body is burning for some reason.

“GET OUT, NOW!” Ranmaru now screamed. In pain.

Reiji took a step back. He clawed on his own head trying to control himself. What the hell what the hell what the hell—

“NO! Ranmaru where’s your medicine?? Where is it??” Reiji ran to the vanity desk and scrambled through all the bags on it. He trembled so bad he knocked everything off the desk. “RAN YOU BETTER TELL ME YOU BROUGHT YOUR MEDICINES,” He looked back quickly and noticed Ranmaru was crawling on the ground, both his arm clenching tight on his chest. He’s drooling a lot and struggled to breathe.

“My jacket,” Ranmaru whimpered. “—pocket,”

Reiji practically flied through the other side of the room to the hanger and scrambled through all the jackets in lightning speed. “This blue vial?? Is this it??” Reiji pull out something that looked like a strange blue epi-pen.

Ranmaru didn’t respond. His breaths become shallower and shallower. “Ranmaru!!” Reiji grabbed Ranmaru’s shoulder and shaking him hard. Though in this close distance Reiji actually almost fainted himself trying to keep his sanity intact.

He couldn’t think anymore. He administered the injection into Ranmaru’s outer thigh with haste. “UGH—” Reiji closed his eyes. He couldn’t take it anymore. This smell. This heat. He bit on his own lips hard.

“FUCK!” Ranmaru suddenly jolted open his eyes and screamed. He sat up and moved Reiji out of his way. He leaned on the wall and tried to catch his breath.

Reiji tried so hard to calm himself down. His labored breath and bleeding lips aside, his mind slowly creeped back to sanity. A minute passed just for them to slowly steadied their breath. “Ranmaru, listen to me, you fucker,” Reiji scratched his own head hard. “You are an omega, are you not?”

Ranmaru didn’t answer.

“That,” Reiji gulped. “That is a freaking heat if I knew one. That’s one violent heat. I never see an omega went into heat that sudden and look like they’re dying at the same time. And then, and then—What—What the fuck, Ran?”

“Shut up,” Ranmaru muttered.

“NO, I WILL NOT SHUT UP!!” Reiji screamed. “The-Then—What fucked up drugs did you just take? It went away just like that, Ran. What the hell? That’s not normal!”

“SHUT UP, I AM NOT NORMAL, OKAY?” Ranmaru screamed on the top of his lungs. “What do you want me to say? Oh yes I’m sorry I’m an omega guys, please be careful around me I am craving to be filled all the time yada yada yada?”

Reiji was still trying to catch his breath. His mind is a lot calmer now. “No—no, I’m sorry that’s not what I’m trying to say, okay?” He stood up and walked slowly to Ranmaru. “I’m—I’m just worried about you,” he extended his hand to help Ranmaru stand up.

Ranmaru looked up. “I don’t need your pity,” he said while slapping Reiji’s hand away. He stood up by himself slowly.

“I need to take a shower” Ranmaru said before opening the door. “Reiji, can I trust you not to tell anyone about this?”

Reiji couldn’t say anything. “Please?” Ranmaru added.

“…Okay,” that’s all Reiji could muster up.

This is just too much for me to handle.

---

Tuesday Dawn, Ranmaru Kurosaki POV

Ranmaru stood in front of his sink for a whole minute without even moving a single muscle. He looked horrible. He didn’t get a blink of sleep last night and the black lines around his puffy eyes looked worse than his ghostly Halloween makeup last year.

Out of all people, why Reiji?

He couldn’t stop asking this question in his head. His precious Reiji. The one who taught him how to be a professional on the stage. The one who smiled through all the sleepless nights just to not disappoint his fans. The one who showed him how to keep on going through anguish and distress. The one with the gentlest touch, literally and figuratively, out of all the people in the universe…

The only person who made Ranmaru want to appear strong every day.

The embarrassment of showing Reiji his weakest and most disgusting side had grown into gnawing pain in Ranmaru’s whole being. He always wanted to catch up to Reiji… It’s useless now isn’t it?

His eyes locked into his pills on his hand without care.

One, two, three…four…eight…

He fought back a sharp pain inside.

…twelve, thirteen…

And Ranmaru gulped them all.

---

Tuesday Dawn, Reiji Kotobuki POV

Reiji was driving way above the speed limit for the most of his sudden early morning trip. He kept one of his hand on his phone’s handsfree, trying to call Ranmaru for the bazillionth time.

Still, no answer. Goddamit Ran please answer my call I know you’re always up early…

Since last night Reiji couldn’t sleep at all. His mind wandered to the big revelation that is Ranmaru being an omega after all this time. He couldn’t stop thinking about the weird drugs. He was extremely worried.

When his morning alarm suddenly blazed off, Reiji decided to check on Ranmaru by calling him. He didn’t answer. At the beginning Reiji just thought he’s still asleep…

But then he remembered how Ranmaru is. His Ranmaru who always put his pride on his performance above all. His confidence and rock-solid belief in his performance he always gives on the stage… his most beloved and strong Ranmaru. What happened last night must’ve been really took a toll on him, right?

He called again and again, but no answer still. He became extremely worried.

And now here he was putting the pedal to the metal trying to reach Ranmaru’s place.

Please please please please I hope I’m just being a paranoid…

He reached Ranmaru’s place in record time and bolted to the door. He knocked slowly. “Ranran? It’s me, Reiji. Let’s go to work together?” Reiji called.

He knocked again, louder. “Ranran?? Are you okay??”

Silence. He tried to call Ranmaru’s phone again and listened carefully at the door. Ranmaru’s phone ringtone can be heard from outside.

He’s inside. Damn it—

“Ranmaru, please open the door before I open it by force!” He banged on the door again.

The lack of sound except the ringing phone put Reiji on edge. He took a couple steps backward and readied himself. “I’m coming in!”

He put all of his strength to his shoulders and threw himself on to the door.

It didn’t budge. Fuuuuuck it huuuurts, it looks easier in the movies…

He tried again. Twice, thrice…

The door finally gave in on Reiji’s sixth try. “Ranmaru!!” He screamed when he got inside.

He looked around the spacious flat and found no one there. He checked the doors hastily before finally opening the bathroom door.

What Reiji found inside was a scene from his true nightmare.

--- TBC soon

[mars-the-4th-planet]

The Quantum Virus - Final Victory

Chapter One

Four andalites, with two missions. One sort of secret, the other extremely secret. Two did not even know about the extremely secret one, but what are you gonna do?

Yup, it's me, Marco. I am probably the last person who should be telling you how this all went down but I might as well include my perspective right? After all I don't want to be remembered in the history books as the monkey boy who didn't have anything to do or say.

And yes, future bored kids reading textbooks will call me monkey boy. You can't convince me they won't.

Anyway, the andalites showed up. At first we were all like "oh ---- yeah, we're saved" cause we thought they were here to actually save our butts right? Wrong. This was a one-way mission to take out the head of the invasion of earth. They were gonna kill Visser Three. Which is cool I guess, good luck with that. Can't wait to meet the new Lord of the Slugs- that's not copyrighted, right?

But they fail pretty hard, Visser Three survives, and that is when we find out about their super duper secret master plan whipped up by the biggest nerds in the andalite species. That's right, weapons of mass destruction! One of the few horrors of war me and my ragged fellow animorphs have not been on the receiving end of. Yet. Right now it looks like that might change, but... We can talk about it later.

So, you know what a Quantum Virus is. You don't need me to explain it. (Not to mention I am not at all sure what it is.) But a couple of the andalites sneak into the yeerk pool complex (one of the worst places to sneak into I might add) with the plan of dropping an anti yeerk virus into the liquid of the yeerk pool. Problem is, it might kill us humans too. Thanks Mr Andalite! Boy do I appreciate you gambling my entire species like that.

Me and this (honestly kind of cute) andalite girl sneak down there too, with a plan to stop the andalite guy who has the virus. But we were just a little too late, he drops it into the water and chaos ensues.

At first, for like a few seconds, it is all normal. (in that horrible, yeerk pool sort of way) Then, an alarm goes off. An another. Apparently yeerks are dying in the pool so fast that nobody is even sure how many are dead so far. Distress signals are transmitted into holograms, brought up straight from the yeerks in the pool. What is bizzare is, nothing looks any different. If not for the yeerk technology I would have no idea if it worked yet or not.

So like a minute later... The yeerk pool is just, dead. There are no live yeerks in it left as far as the yeerks outside of it can tell. Nobody seems to know what happened or why except for us obviously. Everybody is panicked, a hork bajir says something about the Visser, I assume warn the Visser or get the Visser. All the hosts start getting packed into cages. But while that is happening, the controllers start screaming and clutching their heads. They start losing control of their hosts. I play along too, screaming and holding my head and thrashing on the floor like an idiot. Maybe I even overplayed it because I got some funny looks but it didnt matter because none of the controllers were in a state to fight anyway. The hosts start getting away, and helping each other get out. More and more controllers succumb to the virus. It is slower than in the pool, but over the next five to ten minutes all the controllers are free from their yeerk masters. Still none of them know what happened but human and hork bajir alike are going as fast as they can to free each other. Me and everybody else get the hell out, I still pretend I am a freed host like the rest to not draw attention to myself.

So that is how my Tuesday went, how about yours? Did you catch the whole thousands of people claim they had an alien living in their head thing? Did you see the helicopters fly over my town? Did you hear about the NASA explorers who got shot by hunter-killer robots while trying to analyze the yeerk pool facility?

That was just two days ago. We haven't heard from the Chee but I am guessing they will let us know how things are going for the yeerks in space or if Visser Three actually survived.

I am guessing he did. That slug is practically a cockroach. And I know a thing or two about cockroaches.

Well, I am still alive so I guess the virus does not kill humans after all. Yet, anyway. Me and the other animorphs have been spending time with who makes us happy. For me, that is Estrid. Can we talk about Estrid instead? Yes we can, because I am the one writing this log.

Estrid, is brilliant. And funny. She's got all the charm of Ax but even more unfamiliar with earth stuff. It's almost nostalgic to hang out with her. Like when Ax was first trying to do things with us. Except unlike Ax, Estrid is a cute alien girl. And holy moly I swear on the sixth season of Buffy being good that she likes me. She likes my jokes. She doesnt laugh at them, but she likes them IN A WAY. That is more than any human girls would say.

"Estrid, that is not food. That is a video game controller."

"I know it is not food, I am not stupid! I am putting. ting. In my mouth so that I may impress. Press. Immmmm. Press. You."

I laughed a bit at that. "How is that supposed to impress me? I'm curious."

"I saw a picture of a human on a computer. Pooter. Who was female and put one of these in her mouth. All the males seemed very happy with her, based on my analysis. Sis. Of the text based responses. Text is a cool word."

"Text is a very cool word. But I don't want your spit on my games, please."

Estrid smiled at me in her human morph. Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "Where, then, do you want my spit? Spi-tuh."

That took me a little by surprise. I felt my cheeks flush slightly. "How much time have you spent on the internet for the last two days?"

"Seven hours, nine minutes, and forty-three seconds."

"That was rhetorical."

Estrid smiled more at me. "I know."

God, I am crushing hard on this alien right now.

She put the controller on the coffee table and stood up. "Marco, the wireless entertainment device was unsatisfactory to taste. Let's go eat something?"

"Estrid we just--okay." how can I say no to her? She is going to eat me out of house and home, I swear. Worth it though. Dad may not agree.

We go into my kitchen, and start looking for more for her to eat. We don't really store a lot of food here. She ate most of the light snacks. All of MY snacks in particular. Still worth it. I had to resort to bringing out my secret candy stash to deter her from eating my dad's stuff.

Estrid began chomping down chewy peanut butter candies, pausing only to chug some soda. She immediately figured out earlier how to open a soda can. I didn't even have to explain it, and she says they don't have lids like that on the andalite world. Estrid is just so smart that she can easily understand alien technology. She keeps beating me in all stragety video games. Actually can we delete that last sentence? And can we add that she repaired a computer someone threw out that was so broken it wouldn't come on? And rigged up her own internet receiver without having to pay a dime? Thanks. Estrid is incredible, maybe she can give me fast and free internet next.

Tomorrow we are going to go on an actual date. Our first one. Let's hope this doesn't turn out like some kind of romantic drama cliché.

[sittingoverheredreaming]

Girls’ Night

Happy Valentines Day! Who’s ready for a fic that has nothing to do with the holiday or even romance? This turned out very different that what I set out to write, and it hits some personal notes for me (warning for slight butch and homophobia). Yes, it’s just under 2K words of Haruka starting to connect with the Inners beyond Mina.

_____

None of the girls knew what to expect when Minako announced-- and she had announced, rather than asked-- that Haruka would be coming to their next sleepover. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say they all had expectations, but knew them to be incorrect and somewhat less than kind.

Makoto felt preemptively defensive. If Haruka dared deride any of their activities as too girly or childish, she was ready to fight. Ami was nervous that Haruka would not come without Michiru. She could not tell if she specifically did not want Michiru there, or if she thought a couple would be inappropriate. Likely, she conceded privately, it was both.

Rei braced herself for another boisterous blonde in the group. Usagi worried everyone, including herself, would be too flustered to have fun.

But when Haruka arrived, she did not appear boisterous or haughty or even suave. She looked nervous, shoulders raised, a plastic bag of clothes in one hand and a value-sized tub of cheese puffs in the other.

“I, um, brought these,” she said, handing the later to Usagi. “Thank you for inviting me.”

Usagi smiled and did not say she hadn’t invited her. “Of course, we’re glad you came! Everyone’s in here.” She took Haruka and the cheese puffs into the living room. They had their usual set up, squeezed just a little tighter to ensure a sixth person could fit. “So what sort of movies do you like, Haruka?”

Usagi had meant it as an innocuous question, but everyone’s attention shifted to them to wait for the answer.

“Oh, um.” Haruka scratched the back of her head. “I like about anything, really.”

“You can tell them, buddy,” Mina said from her spot on the couch, without looking up from the fashion magazine she’d filched from Rei.

Haruka flushed. “Really, anything is good, I don’t want to throw you guys off too much.”

There was a flash in Rei’s eyes that clearly said Too late, but no one voiced the thought. Haruka squeezed in to sit next to Mina, doing a poor job of feigning interest in the article she was flipping through on the summer’s hottest dress styles.

Makoto looked on from her other side. “You ever wear stuff like that?”

“Um, not really, no.” Haruka’s neck and ears flushed pink. “It’s just not really my thing? I mean, I had to wear dresses when I was younger, but…”

“Mhm,” said Makoto, and Haruka felt this was somehow the wrong answer.

Mina threw an arm around Haruka’s shoulders. “Haruka likes pizza though! We should get to ordering.”

Haruka tried to relax into her embrace. “Yeah, pizza’s great. Any kind of pizza is great.”

“Everyone loves pizza!” Usagi held up her phone like it was a holy sword, ready to order. “Pizza is the great uniter of the people.”

Haruka couldn’t help but laugh. “Actually, would you believe Michiru doesn’t like pizza? I didn’t think it was possible.”

No one else found it amusing. “She does seem the type,” Ami said cooly. Rei and Makoto nodded. Usagi still held her phone in the air, face contorted as she tried to process the words doesn’t like pizza.

“Why don’t we get two large pepperoni?” Mina said as though nothing at all had transpired. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ravenous.

Five uncomfortable murmurs of assent, and she declared the pizza would be on its way. For a long stretch, they all pretended to watch the pizza tracker. Their order had been received. The restaurant had not begun preparing it. Mina tapped her screen to keep it from going dark.

“You know, I’m pretty good at painting nails. Mi…” Haruka shifted and cleared her throat, sensing at the last moment that mentioning Michiru again was not the best course. “I could do it for you guys, if you wanted.”

“Maybe after the pizza,” Rei said. “If our nails don’t dry, it’s hard to eat.”

“Okay.”

“Look.” Mina tossed her phone to type side and pressed her palms against the table. “She did mine the other day.”

Her nails were a simple red. It was the most Haruka could do, but it was hardly impressive to anyone besides Usagi.

“That’s amazing! Why didn’t you tell us Haruka did them?”

Haruka had sworn Mina to secrecy, but she knew better than to say that. “It’s her secret power.”

“I’m jealous. I always get it all uneven.” Usagi pulled off her socks to wiggle her toes, where polish clumped at her cuticles and stuck to the skin around her nail.

“You just get too impatient.” Rei smacked at her socks. “If you just took your time--”

“I do, Rei, I do!” Usagi swung her socks in Rei’s face. “I go so slow! You’ve seen me, I just can’t do it good.”

“You only think you can’t.”

“Reeeeeiiiiiiiii.”

Makoto chuckled and leaned back on the couch. “You sure got them started.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean--”

She waved Haruka off, feeling momentarily charitable. “They get like this no matter what. It’s what you signed up for just by coming.”

“Yeah. It’s kind of nice. You guys are, I mean, when you’re just…” Haruka trailed off.

Makoto softened a little, loosening from the animosity that had built between them. “It’s always nice when people stop being on their best behavior for you.”

Mina beamed behind Haruka’s back. Even Ami, on the other side of the room, looked more comfortable. By the time the pizza arrived, she was sure this was going all according to plan. They all dug in happily, and for a moment it seemed nothing could go wrong. Usagi tried to match Haruka bite for bite-- a simple, yet admirable feat-- while Rei berated them both for their manners. Mako laughed at them all, big and loud, and Ami laughed small and quiet.

But as Mina knew very well, a victory so easily won was just as easily lost.

“It’s movie time!” Usagi declared when the pizza boxes were put aside in favor of various snacks. “What should we watch?”

Everyone-- besides Haruka-- threw in their ideas. Ami got groans for suggesting an Einstine documentary, but so did Rei for her historical drama. Mina, for once, did not suggest anything risque, but instead put forward a rom-com everyone had liked the last time they’d watched it. Makoto also suggested a rom-com.

And then Usagi pulled out a dog movie.

“Mama said this was really good!” She pointed at the cover art. “And the dog is super cute.”

“I heard they did a lot of research on dog behavior for that, it’s supposed to be very accurate.”

Rei nodded as though she was just as interested in scientific accuracy as Ami. “That’s my vote.”

“I’m down.”

Everyone looked to Haruka and Mina. “Um…” Haruka looked at the floor. “Wouldn’t you guys rather watch something more romancey?”

“Why?” Makoto asked, bristling again. “Is that all you think girls like?”

“No, I just like them, and--”

“What, you think the women are hot?”

If looks could kill, Mina would have murdered Rei on the spot.

“No!” Haruka waived her hands in front of her face. “I mean, sometimes, maybe, I don’t know, but probably not any more than you do.”

“Than I do?” Rei went tense, and the room went tenser.

“Than any of you, I mean.”

As soon as she said it, she knew it was a misstep. Ami blushed very red. Makoto looked to the ceiling. Rei crossed her arms, mouthing the beginning of arguments and shaking her head. Usagi didn’t look shaken, at least, just thoughtful, like maybe the idea just hadn’t occurred to her before.

“Well I guess the closet walls are coming down tonight, huh?” Mina said, too loud and cheerful. She clapped her hands. “We don’t have to unpack this right now, so why don’t we--”

“I think I’m gonna go.” Haruka grabbed her bag. “I’m making everyone uncomfortable. Sorry.” She was out the door before Mina could stop her.

“What the fuck, you guys?”

“Don’t what the fuck us. What the fuck you, you brought her.” Rei pointed an accusatory finger. “None of us wanted her here.”

“Yeah, you made that painfully clear. You could have been nice and gave her a shot.”

“I did and she accused me of--”

“Rei Hino you are a lesbian and everyone knows it, she didn’t accuse anyone of shit.”

“She was making fun of us,” Makoto said, tone terse and measured. “She thinks we’re too girly.”

Mina took a breath. “Firstly, projecting much? Secondly, she does like rom coms, and painting nails, because she’s a complex human being, and she just didn’t want to watch the stupid dog movie because she was gonna cry when the dog died, and she’d get all embarrassed about that.”

“THE DOG DIES?”

They ignored Usagi. Ami looked around, and, realizing it was her turn, shrugged sheepishly. “I just don’t like her much.”

Mina rose a finger, but then dropped it. “You know, that’s actually pretty fair. Thank you for being honest.”

Usagi, being ignored already, took the opportunity to slip outside. She was happy to see Haruka hadn’t gotten any further than her car, having taken a moment to brood behind the wheel. She forced a smile as Usagi approached. “You shouldn’t be outside barefoot, kitten.”

“I want to apologize for everyone. Can I come in?”

Haruka shrugged, so Usagi climbed into the passenger seat. “I didn’t know the dog died. In the movie, I mean.”

Haruka chuckled. “That’s okay.”

“I would have cried too.”

Haruka flushed, and they were silent for a long stretch.

“It’s hard to think of you as just one of the girls.”

“Yeah, I know. I get that a lot.”

“Not… not just that.” Usagi stared at the dashboard. “You’re only a year older than us, but you seem so… so far ahead. I don’t think Michiru would be any less intimidating. You know parts of yourselves we can’t even fathom yet. And you’re like, practically married.”

“And you and Mamoru aren’t?”

“That’s different, we have a whole other life and destiny tying us together. You just chose each other.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Haruka folded her arms over the wheel and rested her chin on them. “I don’t feel older than you guys, though. You guys have built this whole thing with each other, and I don’t have that with anyone. I mean, Mina likes me alright, and we hang out, but that’s it. I haven’t had a group like this since I was real little, and even then it was mostly boys.” She smiled weakly. “They stopped liking me when I started beating them at sports and not kissing them.”

Usagi laughed. “Well, you can beat me at all the sports, I’m sure, and I won’t stop liking you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah!” Her eyes widened and she pumped her fists. “Let’s have our own sleepover in here!” She leaned back her seat and started to pull up movies on her phone.

“It won’t be comfortable.”

“It’ll be better than spending the night with meanie Rei. Here, this is a movie I’ve seen, nobody dies and it’s real cute” She balanced her phone on the window so Haruka could see. “We can have a nice little girl’s night.”

Haruka sighed and leaned her seat back to join her. “I guess this could be fun.”

Mina looked on from the front step as Usagi hit play. The others would come around with time, she was sure, and if nothing else, this was a good start. She slipped back inside to make sure no one would interrupt Haruka’s sleepover.

[tvdiaries-imagines]

Fancy Meeting You

Pairing: Kol x Reader (Ft. Caroline & Klaus)

Warnings: None

Word Count: 2202

*GIFS ARE MINE (:

—

Mystic falls has grown on me. I haven’t been here long, roughly two weeks or so, but I’m excited to say I’ve made residence here. Other than learning that my best friend, Caroline is a vampire and so are a handful of her other friends, everything else is easy peasy lemon squeezy. They’ve always been substantial at keeping me distant from their vampire drama, especially from that half werewolf half vampire guy, Klaus Mikaelson. I’ve met him maybe once or twice and from what I’ve gathered, he’s not shy from stressing the gang out.

I’ve been in dire need of consuming my body with alcohol tonight due to a stressful week at work, so Caroline tagged along with me to the Mystic Grill.

“Another round!” I exclaim after two shots in. Whiskey has always been a favorite of mine and Caroline has vampire tolerance so she can handle any type of liquor.

“Ditto.” Caroline agrees. I call the bartender over to pour us another round.

“And this one is my treat.” A deep voice beside us adds. Both of our views turn to see that it’s coming from Klaus. I also notice he’s brought someone along with him. He wears chocolate brown hair and a dimple chin, greeting me with a smile. Not a word spilling from his mouth. I mirror his expression to be courteous.

Caroline scoffs dramatically at Klaus. “No thank you.”

“Why are you cross with me, love? I’m only being polite.”

“Can you go be polite somewhere else to someone else?” My bestie dismisses the hybrid with a shooing motion, but he doesn’t leave. Him and his companion stay put. However, I can’t help but notice his gaze still on me. I shift uncomfortably, unaware of his thoughts of my appearance.

Is there something on my face? Is my top wrinkled? Is he a mute?

“No matter.” Klaus said. “Oh. And where are my manners, Y/N?” His attention is now on me. “I’ve brought with me my brother Kol. Bloke needs to let off a little steam.” Klaus pats his brother on the back.

“Kol Mikaelson.” So he’s not a mute. Kol extends his arms to meet his hand with mine in a handshake. Caroline ignores our introduction and downs both my shot and hers.

“Hi Kol.” I greeted, accepting his handshake. “Name’s Y/N.”

“Pleasure, darling.” The elevator look he gave me was far from noticeable. Here I go again feeling insecure.

“Good enough. Come on, Y/N.” Caroline demands, grabbing a hold of my wrist to lead me to the dart board.

I’m watching her plays darts and I can easily sense that something is bothering her. The way she’s throwing each dart at the board is with a mixture of anger and frustration.

“Easy, Care Bear. I think you need another shot.” A chuckle escapes my mouth. I catch Matt waiting bussing tables nearby so I holler at him to fetch another round for us.

Finally after one more shot and additional space from Klaus, Caroline started to calm down and loosen up a little. She shared outrageous stories about the supernatural that she and the gang has dealt with. While I spoke of my boring 9 to 5 job. Besides that, it was nice being in her company. I always have a great time hanging out with my best friend. Whether we’re out and about or doing nothing together at home, I enjoy her.

I glanced every now and then at Kol and Klaus standing beside the bar. Both Mikaelsons were just staring in our direction for a hot minute. Are they talking about me or Caroline?

“They won’t stop looking over here.”

“You mean, Kol won’t stop looking at you.” Caroline raises a brow at me, hands at her hips, cocking her head to one side.

“What are you talking about?” I spat in disbelief.  “Klaus is the one crazy about you.”

“Ew ew ew. Stop.” She shakes her head, gesturing her hands in front of her to get the image of him out of her head. “Anyways. I have vamp hearing remember? I heard everything. I have to pee so I’ll be back.” She slowly vanishes into air rushing towards the restroom.

(Meanwhile…)

“May I ask why I’m just now meeting that delight, Y/N?” Kol speaks of you to his older brother, drink in hand.

“She quite new to town. How is it you fancy her already when you’ve only exchanged introductions?” Klaus asks.

“I dunno, Nik. But she is stunning, I must say.”

“Well alright then. Go on and pursue her, little brother.” He points his glass towards Y/N’s direction.

(Back To Reader & Caroline…)

I keep myself occupied trying to master darts, but it’s a fail of course. Some of the darts would be nowhere near the target and others would just fall to the ground.

“Since tossing around darts isn’t your strong suit. How’s billiards sound?” A voice almost familiar to me asks.

I’m feeling pretty buzzed so I couldn’t tell who the voice belonged to until I turned around to see Kol, coat off, pool stick in hand, wearing a grin. He’s kind of cute now that I’ve examined his face some more.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you Kol, but I’m terrible at that too.” I shrug my shoulders before setting the darts aside.

“Perhaps I can teach you.”

Shouldn’t he be spending time with his brother, why is he wasting his time with me? Is teaching me how to play billiards his way of flirting? I’m way too good to be anyone’s one night stand. “I get it. You’re using it as an excuse to get too close behind me. Come on you really think I’m that thick headed.” I huff, rolling my eyes.

“Funny. That wasn’t my intention. I just need an excuse to be in your company a while longer.”

“Good luck. Caroline will end up dragging me out of here if I’m anywhere near a Mikaelson.”

Speaking of Caroline, it’s just now occurring to me that she hasn’t returned back from the restroom. I scan my surroundings to see if I can catch sight of her, but Kol has an answer for me so my attention is brought back to him.

“Nik’s got her occupied.”

“Fine.” I obliged. “Let’s sit and talk then. I have a million questions anyways.” I walk over to the nearby table.

Kol sets his pool stick away, then goes to sit across from me. “I have all night.” He says.

The questions I had for him kept on flowing and I was intrigued instantly. From him telling me he’s over 1000 years old, vikings and all. He also told me about the insane parties he’s attended and how different things have changed. Kol even mentioned how down he is about the years he’s missed because he was daggered. He hasn’t completely forgiven Klaus for it, but it’s a work in progress.

I am puzzled as to why he’s taken a liking to me out of all people, though. I’m just plain, boring me. But, he is very easy to talk to and I’m slowly feeling comfortable around him. To be honest, he’s easy going if you compare him to Klaus. Not so much as easy going as Elijah, but still better company than Klaus.

“How’s the throwing hand, mate?” Kol snickers at Matt who walks by, still bussing tables.

Matt stops in his tracks. He doesn’t look too happy with Kol. And I didn’t even notice the wrap around his hand earlier until Kol mentioned it just now. “Stay far away from this sicko.” Matt says to me, ignoring Kol’s question, shaking his head as he marches off.

I squint my eyes looking into the distance in thought and then it occured to me. “So you’re the Mikaelson that broke Matt’s hand?” I remember Matt mentioning it to me last night. Poor thing was in so much pain and he doesn’t have health insurance. I tried convincing him to allow Stefan or Damon to heal him but Matt’s a stubborn human. Whatever, his loss then.

My brows furrow looking at Kol as it occurs to me that it was him who’s done such a thing. Now I’m starting to feel just a tad frightened. What if I happen to piss off Kol? Who knows how he’d harm me. I tense up, breathing heavily.

“Relax, darling.” He gently signals his hands in defense. “It’ll heal.”

“Yeah. Well. What if I annoy you? What are you going to do? Stab me with a pool stick?” I hug my stomach with my hands putting in my mind how much that’ll hurt.

“Never that. I’d never lay a finger on you.” Kol seems sincere, but I’m still a skeptic.

“And how should I know that? I just met you.”

“Because.” He pauses. “I cannot explain why, but I fancy you.”

“What? Why?” I jolt back in my seat, dumbfounded at Kol’s comment.

“You tell me, Y/N.” He reaches to grasp my hand and I somehow allow it. “I’ve been around a millennium and I’ve met loads of women. However, just one look at you and I think you’re splendid.”

My brows twitch and I stifle a smile. “Um, thank you.” I am amazed that Kol Mikaelson, the original vampire has taken a liking to me. Love at first sight is a little corny, but coming from him, it’s kind of sweet. I mean, he has been daggered for over a century so he’s obviously not with the program of dating in the 21st century.

“I’m ready to go, Y/N.” Caroline shows up beside me, scowling at Kol. “You’ve had enough time with her.”

I got to my feet. “It was nice getting to know you.” I say to Kol.

The corners of his mouth quirk up. “‘Til we meet again, darling.” He reaches for my hand, then his lips meet my knuckles. I can feel my cheeks blushing. Holy cow he is romantic.

(Two Days Later…)

Yesterday was my day off and I cannot fathom why I couldn’t get Kol out of my cranium. I haven’t confided in anyone about this feeling, not even my own best friend. I know she wouldn’t be too thrilled about it anyways.

I have to admit though, I really do want to see him again but I’m too stubborn to ask him. And I’ve even thought to myself, maybe he’s just being nice and doesn’t genuinely want to pursue me. He would’ve at least asked for my number or something before we went our separate ways that night at The Grill. How can he just leave me wondering like that? ‘Til we meet again’ my ass.

Work today was very busy so it sure helped keep my mind off of Kol in the meantime. But once I clocked out and made myself comfortable in my car, I thought about him throughout the car ride. I was zoning out, but thankfully my muscle memory lead me home.

I pull up to my driveway, doing the usual. Putting my car in park, taking the keys out of the ignition and grabbing my purse before getting out to lock my car.

Strolling to my front porch, my heart skips a beat. I’m shocked to find Kol sitting on my porch bench holding a bouquet of roses. “Whoa. Wh-What are you doing here?” The words spill out of my mouth before I can stop them. I didn’t mean to sound slightly rude.

“Apologies if this burdens you, Y/N.” He stands, his smile shifts to a frown.

“No no no.” I shake my head as I’m walking closer to him, accepting the roses in my hand. “I didn’t mean it like that at all. I’m just surprised to see you.” I’m screaming internally at that fact that the man that’s been stuck in my head these last couple of days is here. Here on my porch. With flowers. Waiting for me.

“And I’m surprised myself that I’m even here. With these.” He points his hand at the roses.

“Thank you.” I inhale the roses. “They’re very beautiful. This is so nice of you.”

“You’re quite welcome. And may I ask you something?” His chocolate brown eyes stare into mine. I hummed in response.

“Do you mind if I take you out sometime? Dancing? How does that sound?” Kol asks, anticipating my answer.

“That sounds...Yes...Um…” I choke at my words from excitement, chuckling in embarrassment, he blinks and gazes at me. “Sorry.” I clear my throat to try at it again. “Yes, that sounds great.”

A look of joy plastered on his face. “Perfect. And when would you like me to acquire you?”

My patience to spend time with him again is running low. “Pick me up tonight at 8.”

“Not a minute later.” He winks, then scurries off to his car. Of course he would be driving a Mercedes. And I wonder who taught him how to drive? I shake the random thought and shuffle inside my home. Once the door is closed behind me, I melt to the floor. I can’t believe I’m going on a date with Kol Mikaelson.

[gethealthy18-blog]

11 Marriage Tweets That Will Make You Cry-Laugh For Days

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/getting-healthy/getting-healthy-women/11-marriage-tweets-that-will-make-you-cry-laugh-for-days/

11 Marriage Tweets That Will Make You Cry-Laugh For Days

Anjala Farahath March 19, 2019

Is it too late to say that marriage is a universally accepted and acknowledged institution that gives us free access to a daily dose of drama, humor, romance, and love? At times, all at once, and sometimes, none at all. No matter which part of the world you live in, the relationship between married couples is pretty much the same. We discover how much we love ourselves and how much we tolerate our significant other. We fight over asinine issues like toilet paper, and we laugh our sorrows out. We basically sign up for a lifetime course on each other. To prove this, we compiled some popular and totally relatable tweets about marriage. Take a look-

1. Marriage Is Like Adopting A Child

My wife said I need to grow up. I was speechless.

It’s hard to say anything when you have 45 gummy bears in your mouth

— Josh (@iwearaonesie) October 10, 2014

Don’t you think it’s time to universally accept that almost every man is a man child? Okay, all of you who are ready to hurl a #Notallmen hashtag at me, I explicitly said that *most* of them are just overgrown children in bodies of adults. Now, maturity is something that comes with age. But, that can’t be said for men. They just get bigger cars, get better at pranks, and make better excuses. At least, that’s what this man’s life looks like. Don’t you think?

2. Dirty Texting Takes A Whole New Meaning

MARRIED SEXTING: I’m not wearing any underwear…because you never put the laundry in the dryer like I asked you to 100 flipping times.

— Christie Johnson (@cjohnsonking5) September 19, 2015

Well, there’s nothing like a sweet, surprising, kinky and dirty text message from your spouse in the middle of the day, right? But this is probably what happens when you start dealing with life together and have to remind each other about doing the chores in an unconventional manner. Or maybe, that’s how intimate texting works after the holy union of marriage and living together for years.

3. The Never Ending Wait

99% of marriage is waiting in the car for your spouse.

— Sammy Rhodes (@sammyrhodes) January 30, 2016

Have you ever seen anyone complain about waiting for their partner when they’re dating? The men voluntarily wait, and the woman use the waiting time to perfect their makeup. But, when the game changes and when we talk about waiting among married couples, waiting feels like the worst punishment that we voluntarily signed up for, doesn’t it?

4. Ah, That Feeling Of Looking At The Love Of Your Life

That moment when u look at the love of your life n think: I’d really like to punch u in the face right now. #MarriedPeopleIssues #TrueStory

— Paymefornada (@cbbrankley) August 17, 2015

When you look at the love of your life, your soulmate, your life partner, you feel a lot of things — butterflies, oxytocin releasing in your bodies (love hormone), you see your future with them, etc. But, there’s another important feeling that you acquire when you get married. You feel like punching them in the face, but you don’t. Because you love them. Sigh, the struggle is real, after all!

5. Main, Meri Patni Aur Humaara Blanket

At least 10% of divorces can be avoided by buying bigger blankets

— X Alqee (@Xalqee) July 9, 2012

Whether you roll up in your blanket like a caterpillar or whether you build a tent for yourself to read your book in bed, your partner might be planning a revenge plan against you for not sharing the blanket with them fairly. And that is a big deal! Of course, we love our partner and we can do anything for them, but no, we cannot sacrifice our blanket!

6. When You Spend Time Together…And Wish You Hadn’t

We’re assembling a crib from Ikea… Which option on their toll free number gets you a marriage counselor?

— Mommy Honesty (@momesty) March 11, 2015

When you’re married, you have to do a lot of things together…like fixing your table, setting up your house, pacifying babies, etc. And since the unsaid rule of marriage is to always disagree with the partner, it would be nice of our toll free folks to connect us to a marriage counselor.

7. Tonight’s Gonna Be A Good Night

I’m at the level of marriage where “getting lucky tonight” just means we’re having tacos for dinner.

— mark (@TheCatWhisprer) July 27, 2015

If you’re thinking that a good romp in the sheets can make your night a good one, you are in for a surprise. A good night is when you’re getting a special dinner, which is loaded with some nachos, cheese, and lots of unhealthy stuff. Now, that’s more orgasmic than you know…?

8. Marriage Is About Others

Marriage is mostly about knowing which hand towels you can use and which ones are for the better people who visit your wife’s home.

— Troy Johnson (@_troyjohnson) May 28, 2015

Be it your porcelain dishes or the cabinet full of chinaware, it’s not meant for you. It’s for the guests. The broken, worn out and old stuff is for you to use. Well, those are the rules. Who made them? Trust us, if we knew, we wouldn’t let them live peacefully.

9. Oh, How Can One Refuse Such Requests?

keeping our marriage fresh/exciting via texts pic.twitter.com/XB3dktiSnA

— Jeff Lyons (@usedwigs) January 16, 2016

Now, isn’t that so romantic? No kidding, it’s a sign that your relationship has reached a level of comfort that’s unfathomable. You can talk about each other’s poop patterns, you can talk about your nasty vices, and you can even talk about exchanging pictures of the commode. Anything is possible when you’re married.

10. Opinions Do Matter…Maybe?

Relationship status: My wife asked me what I wanted for dinner and then told me I was wrong.

— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@XplodingUnicorn) February 22, 2016

We value your opinion and that’s why we ask for it. But, we don’t decide based on your opinion. We just don’t want you to feel like you don’t have a say, because you do. And that’s why we ask.. It’s just up to us to consider that opinion.

11. Your Partner Will Always Be There Beside You

When I awoke from the car accident in a full bodycast, my wife was right at my bedside to let me know that childbirth is still more painful.

— Kent Graham (@KentWGraham) May 24, 2015

Remember your vows? You promised to be there for each other in sickness and in health and to love and cherish till death does you apart. In those vows was one hidden vow that you didn’t notice. You partner vowed to remind you, every breathing second, that their pains are greater than yours. After all, it’s the labor pain we are talking about. And we agree, don’t we? (Go back to point number 11).

Marriage isn’t easy, but trust us, it’s a lifetime subscription of humor and drama. Who needs Netflix, right? Were you able to relate to any of these marriage truths? Tell us about the annoying things that you face in a marriage that are so silly yet so irksome.

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