#not to mention his... his big red c----- [bus drives by] | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

sukunasbabymama · 4 years ago

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Long car rides.

⌗ Pairing: Manjiro Sano (Mikey), Ken Ryuguji (Draken), Baji Keisuke, Chifuyu Matsuno, Takemichi Hanagaki, Mitsuya Takashi, Hakkai Shiba, Nahoya Kawata (Smiley), Souya Kawata (Angry), Yasuhiro Muto (mucho), Sanzu Haruchiyo.

⌗ Warnings: mention of cheating bc we are nosy bitches, slight cursing.

⌗ A/N: I just had a 9 hour car ride with my family and the whole trip I was thinking about the reaction of the boys to the same situation.

Manjiro Sano Mikey:

You are the driver, do not argue with me about this.

And the guide because y'all got lost three times when he was reading the map.

The type to be playing with your fingers while you drive with the other hand.

RIDING WHILE IN PAJAMAS.

He has his little blanket and would spread it over your lap if you’re cold because he refused to turn off the A/C.

Would make you stop so much damn bro can you be quiet.

"Can we stop to bu-"

"No, we are already late and all Toman is already there"

"I'm the leader, I can be late"

"But I don't want to"

"Babyyyyy" His whines make you roll your eyes.

"This is the last time"

Ken Ryuguji Draken:

He drives with one hand on your thigh almost the whole ride.

Would listen to everything you say about which way is better cause you are actually good at reading maps.

Let you lean on him and when he stops at a red light would kiss your head.

A million-dollar smile on his face when you start to sing love songs to him.

Or not so lovely… but hey, he’s your personal hypeman so it’s all good.

“Back keep flowin’, hit the gas, keep goin’~” You sing with no intonation or sense of shame.

“Yeah, them girls on tour going city after city~” He sings back in a happy tone.

Chris brown - City girls is the song I’m quoting. He got no love in this house but I like the rhythm in this.

Baji Keisuke:

Another one that drives with a hand on your thigh, because he’s so proud of calling you his partner pls let him have his moment.

Has a big smile almost the whole time because the vibes are really relaxing and he feels good that he’s driving you around in something different than his bike.

You would feed him every snack so he can focus on driving and y’all don’t have to stop and waste time.

Would sing songs about his gang with all his chest.

And you? You would second him cause that’s your clique too now.

“WHO YOUR FAM, WHO YOUR CITY?” He screams at the top of his lungs, squeezing your thigh.

“WHO YOUR GANG, WHO YOU REP?” You scream back.

Any person that sees you both in a red light straight thinks y’all on drugs.

Jidenna - Tribe is the song.

Chifuyu Matsuno:

Would talk to you the whole ride about the last manga he read if you let him.

Together y’all would come up with a bunch of conspiracy theories on why the main character leaves his wife alone to become a villain.

You would have your hand on his thigh when he has both of his on the steering wheel.

Y’all would sing sad songs together even tho he’s the happiest when he’s with you.

It’s the feels.

If he’s not talking about manga then you’re filling him in all the tea from your job.

And your tea is exceptionally good.

Pls, y’all are such petty bitches talking about everybody.

“AND LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT SUZY—” You say and sip on your smoothie.

“OH MY GOD, WHAT DID SHE DO NOW?” He says excitedly to talk crap about poor not-so-poor cause she’s fake Suzy.

Takemichi Haganaki:

Would drive so slow omg, and you’re there just 🧍🏾‍♀️

Would also want to buy a bunch of coffee or Red Bulls in order to not fall asleep and would decline your offer to drive for a bit.

“Bubs I can drive till the next city so you can rest for—”

“No, I’ll take you there safe and rested” You roll your eyes, he never accepted help for fucks sake.

Would tell you stories about his fights with Toman that he thinks are embarrassing because of how he ends up but you love every single one of them.

Doesn’t know how to say no and would stop every time you want.

Mitsuya Takashi:

One of the chilliest rides ever.

Hands interlocked almost at all times.

Would kiss the back of your hand with a small smile at random times.

Changing velocities while still having your hand in his.

Would put your feet on his lap and massage them with one hand.

Singing old love songs to each other in a soft tone.

Would talk about a future together with such naturally that you start to question if it’s true y’all only been dating for six months.

“Baby, when we have our apartment I want a room for my sewing, you know, so I can make a lot of outfits for you to wear around the house,”

“Are you for real?” You ask in shock, and his smile grows.

“Don’t like the idea? We can save and buy a big house so you can have a room too for your hobbies”

Hakkai Shiba:

Another bitch that would gossip so much with you omg.

Like damn, where do y’all have the energy to find so much tea about the people y’all supposed to hate.

Would put his hand on your thighs or the back of your head.

You would put your hand on the back of his head and scratch his scalp softly.

Would buy a bunch of snacks beforehand and put them in the back seat.

Would be so happy when you feed him while he’s driving.

“So, babe, the other day we were fighting this gang and the leader’s girl of that gang came yelling that he cheated on her,” He says and you both burst into laughter.

“So he loses AND got his ass exposed? Oh my God—”

Nahoya Kawata Smiley:

Bickering, all the damn time.

Because you say to go one way but he thinks the other one looks prettier it doesn’t

Because he wants to has his hand on your thigh but you want to hold his.

But after a while, he would take your hand to his lips and give it a soft kiss.

Another one that would change velocities while holding your hand.

Almost fight someone when y’all stop for a quick break because they were “looking at you funny and he doesn’t play that shit”

On red lights would put his hands on the back of your neck and pull you to him so he can kiss you.

Gets mad if the car behind horns at him.

Mf you’re holding the line for some kisses?

He doesn’t care, he wants to kiss you at all times.

Souya Kawata Angry:

Pretty chilly vibes.

You drive while scratching his scalp.

Would feed you so you can focus on the driving.

Always checking if you buckle your seatbelt after y’all come back from a short break.

Would tell you stories about him and his brother.

Is on cloud 9 when you ask questions about his stories because he actually thought they were making you bored.

Would force you to change sits so he can drive for a bit and you can rest.

Would massage your hands absently when you’re getting gas.

Your shoulders too when y’all are out of the car.

Yasuhiro Muto Mucho:

First thing he does as soon as y’all get into the car is lean and buckling your seatbelt for you.

Hand on your thigh, groping it absently.

Hums to every damn song you put, you wonder if you play them that much for him to memorize the rhythm.

Let you lean on him.

Would put his hand on your face, pushing your cheeks together, and would pull you to give you a soft still kind of rough cuz mf is big kiss.

Type of guy that would hear every tea you have for him in silence, without making a fuss about it, humming here and there to let you know that you have his attention.

“And then she called me crying that he left her,” You say shrugging.

“But, didn’t she cheated on him first?”

“I KNOW RIGHT?”

Sanzu Haruchiyo:

You would do a lot of the talking.

Let you put any song you want as long as you sing them for him.

Hand on the back of your neck.

Or holding your hand.

Or on your thigh, mf can’t keep his hands to himself.

But it’s okay because he’s letting you be a nosy bitch.

But don’t get it twisted.

Didn’t y’all saw this menace before being in the fifth division? Feral, and after? Feral. He was being held by Mucho’s calm ass.

So he would actually yell at people for driving bad. That’s the only time he talks over you.

Would go fast and when you tell him to slow down tells you “but then we gonna be late” like y’all aren’t at the middle of the ride already pls

Tells you to feed him and when your fingers are close to his mouth he bites them.

And you whoop his ass while he’s driving cause you don’t give a fuck either.

@milliumizoomi @saturnmitsuya 🧸🎈

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sexkies · 5 years ago

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WHAT DID I JUST WRITE

You were still working when you see the clock pointing at 10.

“Fuck!” you muttered as you rubbed your tired eyes. It was late and everybody already left, but there you were sitting behind your desk, glaring at your monitor trying to finish your job assignment. Why were you still there? Well, you could blame your crush Eun Jiwon for that. Earlier in the monthly meeting, your boss aka Eun fucking Jiwon, told everyone to level up your game for the upcoming game project. He asked whether any of you could accept additional work as his assistant. By assistant, he meant someone who works overtime with him including on weekends. Nobody answered his question since nobody wanted that of course. As tempting as being alone with him may sound, working overtime was just a big no no.

Your game company was doing really fine till now anyway. Last year, GZONE, your company name, released LOVE 4 DEAD an online multiplayer zombie survival dating simulator. It quickly became a big hit among the gamer community and GZONE constantly being mentioned as one of the best new comer of game industry. So really there was no point of having anyone overworked.

To your surprise, Eun Jiwon suddenly pointed out about how close your house was with the company and how it was convenient for you. It was surprising because both of you didn’t actually talk a lot except for work related things. Upon hearing that, everyone perked up and suddenly praised you for the hard worker you were, how you never come late and always leave at last. Way to betray your own coworker. As a result, he pointed you as his assistant. Then there you were, on your sixth cup of coffee, still at work on Saturday night. Definitely not the Saturday’s date you were expecting.

You stole a glance at your boss’s office. Between the blinds, you saw Eun Jiwon staring at papers on his desk. You couldn’t help but notice his attractive figure and the dim light didn’t actually help either if any it just made him sexier. His black hair slicked to the back, dark eyes going back and fourth to his computer. Your eyes moved along his profile and stopped at his lips. Occasionally, he would open his mouth a little bit, tongue teasing you from time to time to lick his dry lips and sipped some coffee. This view alone stirred something in your guts and made you wet.

Your boss Eun Jiwon was 42 years old, married once and divorced. People at work, including you, always talk about how hot he was and how it didn't make sense a man in his 40s could still looked as good as he was. Some of your female coworkers even admitted to wear more exposed clothes to get his attention. You did it once, but it was proven to be futile since he didn’t show much interest in woman nor relationship. The last time you did it, he told you to change to something else. Don’t ever come to the office looking like that again. You gonna kill me like that. Wow, harsh. You were kinda upset about that so you stopped.

Some say it was because his trauma on marriage before that he became more careful. That was why you never really tried to make a move to him, because you were scared it would only annoy him. You were just falling in love alone hopelessly.

You were still staring at your boss when he bit his pen on the corner of his lips and suddenly turned his eyes on you. Only then you realized you were mouth agaped. Flustered, you turned your body facing your computer and spilled your coffee over your clothes.

“A C !” you jumped out from you seat.

“You alright?” you heard your boss asking you.

“Oh, yes I’m alright, sir. I just... spilled my coffee,” you answered.

“All over your shirt and pants.” He said while staring at the coffee stain.

Well that was embarrassing. First he catched you staring, second you spilled your coffee, and now he was staring at the coffee stain... on your clothes. You realized it now that your clothes were wet it slowly became transparent.

“Let’s call it a day.” He looked at the clock. “I think you ran out of focus now.”

You just nodded your head still embarrassed.

“Do you bring some spare?”

“Huh?”

“Spare clothes. Do you bring any? I have one if you want.”

“Oh... it’s alright sir, you don’t have to.”

“Oh, so you are comfortable in wet like that?” he asked you, corner of his lips twitched upward. “Not that I mind.”

His question catched you dumbfounded. You didn’t know why, but after your overdose of caffeine your spidey sense was active and it was sensing danger. “Um... I’ll fix myself in the restroom.”

You excused yourself to the restroom, but he stepped on your way and stopped you. You glanced up from your shoes and met his eyes. Wow, he looked tall from here, you never realized the height difference between the two of you.

“Wait here, I’ll give it to you.”

Jiwon went in to his office, quickly rummaged his bag and came out with a shirt and a pair of pants.

“Here.”

You stared at the clothes on his hands. Not sure whether to accept his kindness or not. The idea of wearing your own boss’s clothes never crossed your mind before. And by the look of it, it was clean but used.

“It’s clean, if that’s what you’re worrying about. Well... relatively.”

“Alright.”

You finally accepted it, since your clothes started to feel sticky and it smelled like coffee. Taking a bus in this state would be embarrassing and uncomfortable. You quickly went to restroom to change. You noticed how wet your panty were. Wow, fuck. I was just staring at him. What happen if he really fucks me? You noticed the smell emanated from his clothes and inhaled it deeply. It was a mix of cigs, cologne and a bit of alcohol.

“Oh, it smells... intoxicating.” You said while closing your eyes, mind wondering about his body.

After tidying yourself and calming yourself down, you came out from the restroom and found the lights in Jiwon’s office were already out. You figured out he already went home and you missed your chance to thank him. So you quickly packed your things and left the floor.

By the time you came out from the lift, you found Jiwon standing still near the corner of hallway with his back on the wall humming the twinkle twinkle little star. With his face facing the opposite way, you could clearly see his handsome side profile. Man, you can hurt someone with that sharp jawline. Perhaps because it was after work, you noticed his top botton undone revealing some of his skin. Something you couldn’t usually witness at work. It looked like he was waiting for someone tho. “A date perhaps? It’s Saturday night after all. I wonder if he’s dating someone from the company.”

“Oh, you done?” he asked while straightening his posture then walked closer to you. He bent his body next to you and took your bag. The familiar smell was coming back. His smell. Now closer, you could see his neck adorned with veins. You could even peeked inside his shirt finding his chest. You bit your lower lip holding back the urge to jump on him and kiss his whole existence. One fucking botton was enough to drive you crazy.

“You okay with my clothes?” He asked holding your gaze. You nodded coming back to reality. “Thank you.”

Jiwon put one of his hand on your back giving you a gentle push, made you shiver a bit. You unconsciously walked with him side by side to the exit door. When both of you stepped out, Jiwon’s black car already parked right outside the office.

“Come, I’ll give you a ride. Your house is not far anyway.” He said to you while opening the passenger’s door. “It’s already late. I can’t let you go home alone. It’s too dangerous.”

Perhaps you made a face, so he laughed. “It’s okay, I won’t bite.”

Well, he was right, it was late. You needed to wait at least 15 mins for the bus to come, so yeah why not, you could save some money this way. It was definitely not you making excuse to normalize spending time with your boss. Not just you were wearing your boss’s clothes, now you were sitting in your boss’s car. At this rate you wouldn’t even surprise if you woke up on his bed. Lol u wish.

His car was really him. Everything was black with a little red here and there and looked luxurious but not too much, it was cool and classy. You noticed some plastic containing KFC left over on dashboard and an ukulele in the backseat. Oh you didn’t know he played.

“You good? You are quiet.” His question brought you back.

“Oh, I’m just admiring your car, sir.”

“Yeah? Cool huh? Kinda messy tho haha.” As if on cue, Jiwon gathered the KFC left over in a plastic and put it somewhere you couldn’t see.

“It’s a nice car. I see an ukulele in the backseat. Do you play, sir?”

“Oh that? Yeah. I just learned it recently tho. Haven’t mastered it yet.” His eyes lighted up when you asked him about ukulele. “Anyway, just drop the sir. We’re off work now. Just speak casually with me.”

“Well, I... I’ll try my best, sir. I mean, um...yes... Jiwon.” Oh no you hated it. You hated it because just calling him by his name made you flustered. Get a grip you.

“That’s more like it. It makes us a bit closer.”

You choked on your own breath. You stole a glance to Jiwon only to find him moving closer to you, made your heart skipped a beat. Jiwon put his one hand on the door handle and another to the back of your seat, made sure you couldn’t escape. Now his presence looming over you. Fuck. Suddenly the temperature was rising. His face kept coming closer to you, eyes locked to yours, but you couldn’t turn away, no you didn’t want to turn away. Oh his smell. The mix of cigs, cologne and alcohol. It’s so intoxicating. Your heartbeat quickened, your body getting hot and you became dizzy so you closed your eyes. *Click* you swallowed hard as you could feel his breath was getting closer and hotter on your neck. Tickling.

But the kiss you were waiting for never came, so you opened your eyes again. Jiwon still facing you, just some inches apart, nose almost touching.

“Why did you close your eyes?” He smirked.

“No, I- I just-“ you couldn’t answer him. “I feel hot.”

“Why? The AC is on.”

“It...it doesn’t matter. What were you doing?”

“I was just putting your seat belt on.”

You looked at your seat belt. Oh he really put mine on.

“Were you expecting something?” he licked his lips teasing you.

You couldn’t answer him and just whimpering. He knows.

“I saw you staring at me back then. Did you like what you see?” he purred in low voice.

Jiwon started to caress your face. He played with your plump lips while licking his own.

“That wasn’t the first time. What were you thinking while staring at me? Did you think about fucking with me?”

“As for me.. “ He suddenly grabbed your neck roughly and put it beside his. “I definitely like what I see.” He whispered.

“You didn’t know did you? I was trying to hold myself back there, being alone with you at the office.” He slipped his hand in your shirt caressing your back unclipping your bra, sending a shiver down your spine while the other one stroking your thighs making it way upward unbottoning your pants. You could only holding to his shirt for dear life.

“My mind kept wondering how it feels to fuck you on my desk.” He finally kissed your neck leaving his marks while you tried hard to repress your moan.

“Or on my sofa?” His hands unbottoning your shirt and getting rid of your bra, revealing your breast.

“Or do you want me to spread you on meeting room?!” He bit your neck and a moan escaped from your lips.

“Oh..and then you spilled your coffee. Did you do that intentionally? Looking all wet in front of me?!” He kissed you down to your breast while his hand playing with the other one. Caressing and pinching them. You grasped for his hair, you didn’t even hide your moan anymore.

“You fucking turn me on. You wearing my clothes and shit!” Jiwon suddenly put his fingers in you, three at once ignoring your cry.

“Ahh! It hurts, sir! it hurts!”

“I said call me by my name!”

“Ji-Jiwon-ah! It hurts!”

“Ohh but do you want me to stop?” he smiled slyly knowing you wouldn’t say stop.

“No...ahhh.”

“You’re so fucking wet for me.” He chuckled darkly while kept pushing his finges in and out roughly.

“It makes me hard, fuck.” He grunted while biting his lower lip.

You closed your eyes out of ecstacy. “Ah Jiwon-ahh...please...”

“Please what? What are you begging for?” Jiwon pushed his fingers even faster now made it hard to breathe

“Please...ah fuck me, Jiwon-ah.”

Jiwon suddenly pulled out his fingers and moved back to his seat still facing you. He put up one of his leg on his seat, showing his clothed hard bulge. He licked his fingers one by one tasting your juice. He took out a pack of cigs from his pocket. Malboro gold touch written on the package. He pulled one out, lighted it up and put it on his lips.

“You still have a seat belt on.” He blew the smoke to you.

“Take it off then you can have this.” He pointed at his own dick teasing you.

“But once you take it off, there’s no turning back.” His smirk looked so sexy.

It didn’t take you long to decide. You were rushing so you found it hard to take the seat belt off. You jumped out of it instead and rushed to Jiwon now on your four. You unbottoned his pants to see his shaft sprung out to live. It was already hard and dripping with precum.

“Fuck.” Jiwon gasped when you touched his shaft. He was already sensitive that even a little touch could drive him crazy.

You rubbed it slowly and put it in your mouth, sucking every inch of it. From the tip to the base to the balls. Jiwon pushed your head deeper sometimes making you gag at the size. You heard Jiwon swearing from time to time and it only made you even wet. He would sucked on his cigs and hissed at you enjoying your tongue. Sometimes he dropped the ashes on your back, made you bend deeper and moan. You knew he was getting closer when he threw his head backward.

“Shit... shit... ah fuck...I’m... close....”

“Ah fuck!” Jiwon grasped, he held your head with his dick deep and finally released his cum inside your mouth. You gladly swallowed it.

Both of you were staring at each other and breathing erratically. That was it you thought. You made this man came. The man you had loved all this time. You didn’t expect that Jiwon would find you hot and actually got so aroused by you like this. The man that you thought was so unreachable. You were almost smiling until suddenly Jiwon put his hand on your neck choking you.

“You thought it was over? No, it’s not.” He smiled mischievously.

He finally kissed you hard, his hands both on your head trying to pull you closer. His breath reeked of cigs. His lips tasted like nothing you had ever tasted before, it was sweet and bitter. Oh, the lips I’ve been waiting for so long. You wrapped your hands behind his neck slowly down to his back leaving some subtle red scars. He bit your lips and sucked it again and again. His tongue asked for an entrance and you gladly offered it. Both of you exchanging saliva, sucking at each other’s tongue. Moans escaped between kisses.

“You taste like strawberry.” He said while smiling.

He kissed your eyes, your cheeks, went along to kiss your ears and played with it a little.

“Ah..” you moaned softly. “Jiwon-ah...”

“Fuck, I can’t hold it back anymore.”

Hearing you calling his name drove him nuts. He ended the kiss abruptly and hastily put you on top of him. Didn’t even give you a chance to adjust, he slipped his shaft inside you making you scream.

“Ah, Jiwon-ah! Jiwon-ah!”

“Yeah scream like that, scream my name.” He was aroused with your screams.

You screamed his name even louder with each thrust. He kissed your lips to shut you up. He pushed and pulled you up and down against his shaft filling you up completely. He made you rode him like a fucking rodeo he was. His movement was rough and he kept swearing while pulling your hair as if it was a chanting to hold his cum. Your brain was a mess and you felt like you were being ripped from inside.

“You are so fucking tight. Fucking hot inside.” Jiwon thrust even faster now while biting your neck. You also moved your hips to match his pace. The sound of his dick clamping on your pussy made you hornier. You threw your head backward and turned into a moaning saga.

“Jiwon-ah, ah I’m near.”

“No, not that fast honey.” Jiwon grabbed your ass and carefully angled his dick and found your g spot.

“Ah there, Jiwon-ah, fuck me there, please.”

As if on cue, Jiwon fucked you even harder. His dick kept aiming the same right spot and it sent you straight to heaven. You couldn’t stay still and kept bending your body, unconsciously making his job easier. The whole car was shaking now.

“You are so fucking beautiful.”

“Jiwon-ah, please let me come. I’m cumming. I’m cumming.” You cried losing your mind.

“Kiss me.” He pleaded to you as he started to lose his pace signaling that he was close too. He pushed deep inside you making sure his juice wouldn’t go wasted. Both of you moaned and came at the same time. Hot juice filling your inside dripping out from you pussy.

“Fucking hellahhh.”

You fell on top of Jiwon, head on his shoulder. Both of you panting.

“That was amazing.” Jiwon chuckled, he kissed your forehead softly. “It’s been a while since the last time I moved my hips so much.”

“It hurts...”

“You need to get used to it. That’s how we’ll play from now on.” He laughed lightly.

Now that you were calm down, both of you tidied up and went home for real. The car ride filled with lots of chat. You didn’t know Jiwon could be so talkative. He talked a lot when it came to music. He told you about his favorite miami bass so you told him how you listened to Plug in Baby by MUSE as lullaby at night. About his childhood dream to be an idol, about how he almost debuted with SECHSKIES but then quit after realizing he wouldn’t have enough time to play game as an idol. He told you about his ukulele, he made that in Hawaii.

“Maybe if I already mastered it, I’ll sing a song for you.”

I ain’t gonna write for a long time after this thank you no.

#sexkies #sechskies fanfiction #sechskies fanfic #eun jiwon fanfiction #eun jiwon fanfict #sechskies #eunjiwon #eun jiwon

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pixiemunsons · 6 years ago

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harry holland alphabet

this is an apology for not uploading any one hundred years recently! i’m v sorry they are coming but i’ve had a lot of personal stuff going on right now. i hope you understand, and i’ll have the 1920s installment soon. until then, i hope you enjoy this

a = aftercare (how they are after sex)

so sweet and lovely, it’s like the second you finish he becomes a new person- he just wants to look after you and make you comfortable

b = body part (their favourite body part on them and you)

i feel like he really loves his own hair, like he never cuts it and i feel like he really enjoys when you play with it and pull it during sex

on you- harry is an ass guy and i will proclaim this until the end of time, boy loves resting his head on it, grabbing it, playing with it he just loves your ass okay

c = cum

harry would love to come inside you, whether it be your mouth or your pussy. he loves claiming you as his own, and thinks that that is the best way to do it

d = dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

i don’t think you and harry would have that many secrets, but i think that he’d definitely keep it to himself that he wanted a threesome. not that he thinks you’d disagree- quite the opposite, actually. as much as he loves the idea of fucking you alongside another man, he’s way too possessive to ever let it happen

e = experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing)

i don’t think he’d have been with loads of people before you, but definitely enough to know what he was doing and make you feel good

f = favorite position

i 100% think harry is an ass man so maybe doggy or missionary but with you on your front. i don’t think he’d be into reverse cowgirl but that’s only because i think he’d like to be in control

g = goofy (are they more serious or humorous in bed?)

harry would be serious until he had a reason not to be if you know what i mean? like i think he’d be really into it but if you accidentally hit heads or something you’d end up laughing and you’d have to stop for a minute

h = hair (how well groomed are they)

i think he’d be the same as anyone in any relationship, like keep it up for the first few months but i think as you become more comfortable with each other it wouldn’t be that much of a deal to either of you how either of you groomed really

i = intimacy (how are they during the moment)

i think he’d be really focused on getting you both off, honestly. i think he’d be really caring and sweet but that he’d want to finish you off before him every time, and i think he’d prefer it rough and hard

j = jack off (masturbation headcanon)

i feel like harry would have to let you know whenever he jacked off, including sending you which photos of you he was using, the ideas he had for the next time he saw you and, on the odd occasion when he felt especially cheeky, he might send you a video of what he was doing

k = kinks

harry seems like someone who is very open in the bedroom, and is up for anything you want to try. however, i do feel like he’d be really into light bdsm stuff like spanking, hair pulling, light face slapping etc. his kink is honestly making sure you’re both enjoying it as much as possible

l = location

a n y w h e r e he feels like it. obviously, if you’re not into it, no big deal, but i think he’d try his luck anywhere. tom’s trailer, his living room, the back of the tour bus, a bar. most of all though, he’d just love having you in his bedroom, where no one will disturb you and you can go as long as you want

m = motivation (what turns them on)

he’s a young guy so i don’t think it would take much, but harry seems like the sort of person who gets turned on by a lot of non-sexual stuff as well as sexual things. for example, he’d love red lingerie and you biting your lip but he’d also love when you ran your hands through his hair or when you adjusted your jeans

n = no (something they wouldn’t do)

probably not any really intense kinky stuff. like i think he’d be really open to most stuff, but things like knife play and wax just don’t do it for him

o = oral (preferences in giving or receiving)

obviously most everyone prefers receiving oral, but i think harry would enjoy giving just as much. for him, there’s nothing hotter than knowing that you feel good and it’s all because of him

p = pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual?)

definitely sensual and caring, but rough and fast at the same time. i think harry would be very good at switching his style up, and adjusting to suit the mood of the sex, whether its a quickie or a long love making.

q = quickie

living with five other people in his house, the two of you get very used to quickies, grabbing a quick five minutes whilst everyone is out or ten minutes while they’re in the back garden. he’d always make up for the short sessions when you had more time though

r = risk

harry’s definitely the sort of boy that would fuck you with one hand over your mouth as he replies to his mother through his bedroom door and that is a hill i will die on. as i mentioned earlier, i also don’t think harry would care if you were in public, so he’s definitely a risk taker

s = stamina

depends on the situation. if you both want a quickie after not seeing each other for months, it would be a few minutes of really intense, passionate sex. However, if you wanted to spend time with each other and draw it all out, he could go for hours

t = toy

he’d probably find your toy by accident and he so intrigued by it that he’d want to use it straight away. like if you’d gone to grab some water and came back to find him sat on your bed with your vibrator in his lap, you’d probably blush bright red at first. that is, until he’d look up at you with a little smirk and ask for a demonstration

u = unfair

he doesn’t seem like he’d ever be unfair. he’d want you to enjoy every second as much as he did, and he never understood those boys who were okay knowing that their girl wasn’t happy with their sex life

v = volume

ya boy is LOUD. like, loud. even though you were constantly shushing him and telling him that the whole of london could probably hear him, he still kept up the volume. he knew you loved it secretly, even if it led to a few awkward moments with his brothers

w = wild card (get a random head canon)

can you imagine the first time you slept with him? you’d maybe been seeing each other a month or so, and you weren’t expecting much from the first time because it was never amazing with someone new. however, the first night you slept at his house is what some would call a sexual awakening. despite having previous sexual partners, the way harry used his tongue and fingers on you had you falling apart before he even got inside you. each orgasm would be punctuated with a cheeky smirk, and before you knew it, you were both hooked on each other

x = x-ray (let’s see what’s going on in those pants)

he EXHUDES big dick energy on a level seen in few. the way he speaks, smiles, talks, the way he holds himself. all these things honestly just lead me to believe he’s packing a good 7.5 up

y = yearning (how high is his sex drive)

like i said earlier, he’s a young man, barely out of his teen years really, so his sex drive is likely huge. wear his shirt? he wants to fuck. walk past him and wink? he wants to fuck. you could probably fold his laundry and he’d want to fuck

zzz = (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

you’d probably both fall asleep really quickly, because no matter how rough or gentle, fast or slow the sex is, it’s always really intense

bonus: he’s small spoon 90% of the time, because he just really loves a cuddle

178 notes · View notes

prism-rush · 6 years ago

Text

King of Prism Road to Shiny Seven Stars 2 Main Story translation

Good Afternoon! The Steamy Hot Spring Tag Battle

Since this is the second event in the Road to SSS series, you may want to read the first one if you haven’t yet:

Road to SSS 1 Main Story

Translators Notes: You also may want to watch episode 39 of Rainbow Live if you haven’t yet. (Even if you’ve never seen Rainbow Live before. Just watch it anyway trust me ahah.) I LOVE this event. Nothing happens in it. Haha no that’s not true. This event actually sets up the plot for the entire Road to SSS series of events. But before and after that it’s just a bunch of connecting scenes of the boys being boys. And that amazing ending!! It’s classic and even funnier than I remembered it being. This event is the kind of filler I could only dream of being able to see in the anime someday. Oh, and rock/paper (without scissors) is a way of making teams. That wasn’t a typo ahah.

(One morning, at the Edel Rose dorm…)

Leo: *yawn* Huh… it’s not even 5 am yet…?

(This keeps happening again and again lately. At first I was happy to think that maybe I’ve become a morning person.)

But waking up before my alarm goes off every morning has been making me feel tired during the day… Ohh.. And since I haven’t been sleeping well it’s been drying out my skin.

(Oh! Now that I think of it, I saw a special in a magazine about skin problems! It was called… Chronic Skin Trouble! Beware the Turning Point…)

C-Could it be!? No, No… it can’t be… I’m sure… probably… maybe….

O-Okay! Since I’m up anyway, I think I’ll go for a walk.

(Outside)

Yukinojo: Oh…? It looks kind of sickly…

But I suppose as its caregiver that’s my own fault…

Leo: Yuki-sama! Good morning. You’re up early.

Yukinojo: Leo. Good morning. You too.

Leo: I just woke up on my own for some reason. I haven’t been sleeping well lately…

Yukinojo: I see… Things have been hectic with the new school year. Maybe you built up some stress without realizing it?

Leo: Now that you mention it… I think you may be right, Yuki-sama. Are you tending to your bonsai tree?

Yukinojo: Yes. However, it’s not going too well. But I guess a bonsai can’t be built in a day…

Leo: ….?

(I don’t really know what he’s getting at, but Yuki-sama sure seems unhappy.)

Don’t worry! I’m sure Mr. Bonsai Tree will come to understand how much you care about him.

Yukinojo: Leo… Heheh, thank you.

Leo: N-No problem. It was nothing.

Minato: ~ ♪ Yup, almost time for harvest.

Leo: Minato-san! Good morning!

Minato: Saionji? Good morning. You’ve been waking up early recently.

Leo: Yeah, I have. For some reason I just can’t sleep well… *yawn*

Minato: If that’s the case then I’ll whip you up some black tea with freshly picked herbs! That will wake you right up.

Leo: Wow, this turned into my lucky morning! Thank you so much!

Minato: I’ll start making breakfast as soon as I’m done watering the garden.

Leo: Yay!

(Inside)

Kakeru: Hmmm… as usual the price of oil is high…. If the price of materials keeps rising it will drive up the price of commodities… Someone has got to do something before it’s too late….

Leo: (Wow…! Kakeru looks so serious when he’s reading the paper in the morning!)

Kakeru: Hm? What is it, Leo-kyun? If you keep staring at me with those pretty doe eyes of yours, you’re gonna make me blush ♪

Leo: Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to stare!

Kakeru: It’s no biggie. Would you like a glass, Leo-kyun? It’s veggie juice. They say a morning’s dose of vitamin C is good for your skin…

Leo: I’ll take it!

Kakeru: …Slow down there. Are you feeling a little sleepy? It looks like you’re starting to get bags under your eyes–

Leo: WAH! D… Don’t look…!

Taiga: …….

Kakeru: Hm? Was that…

Leo & Kakeru: Taiga-kun!? / The delinquent!

Kakeru: He’s always the one who sleeps in the latest. What’s he doing up so early? I smell something fishy….

Leo: And carrying such a big bag with him… He’s not just going out for a walk, is he….

Taiga: ….. *glances left and right*

*tip toe, tip toe*

Kakeru: Leo-kyun, what are you doing?

Leo: Ah! (I automatically hid myself like I was doing something sneaky!)

Taiga: ….Okay. I’m not forgetting anything am I?

(At around the same time, in the mountains somewhere)

Louis: Wow, look! All the green scenery is so beautiful!

Alexander: Yo. Louis Kisaragi. I’m gonna take a nap. So wake me up when we get there. Got it?

Louis: Hey, Alec-kun. What kind of a job do we have today again?

Alexander: Whaa? You forgot?

Louis: Eheh. Just kidding. I’m looking forward to the event today.

Alexander: ….. As usual I have no idea what’s going on in that head of yours.

Staff: Louis-san, Alec-san, we’ve almost arrived!

Alexander: Zzz….

Louis: Alec-kun, time to wake up. We’re getting close.

Alexander: …O.. Oh yeah… Hm? That mountain….

Louis: …Is that steam rising up?

Staff: Yes! This area is famous for hot springs!

Louis: Hot springs….

(Meanwhile…)

Kouji: Are you two ready?

Kazuki: All set! Hiro, don’t forget anything.

Hiro: Wait a sec, Kazuki. Why are you only telling me that.

Kouji: Ahah. It’s a little exciting to think the three of us are actually going on a road trip.

Kazuki: Haha that’s right. And this time we’re headed to…

Hiro: Ohoho. Well let’s get on the road already. To that oh so familiar place…

The Rainbow Hot Springs!

(Back at Edel Rose)

Taiga: (The waterfall where Kazuki-san did his training… If I go there, then maybe I too…)

I don’t have much money on hand. But as long as I can stay on the bus for as long as possible I should be able to get there somehow.

And I’ll make up the difference with walking. Determinated walking!

Kazuki-san! You’ll see! Someday I’ll catch up to you.. and then… I’ll overcome you!!

Leo: Hmm hmm hmm….

Kakeru: Leo, what’s wrong? You keep pacing back and forth.

Leo: There’s gotta be something going on with Taiga-kun! I just know he’s hiding something!

Shin: Kakeru-san, Leo-kun, good morning! *yawn*…

Yu: *yaaawn* Is breakfast ready yet…?

Kakeru: Shh! Be quiet you two!

Shin & Yu: ???

Leo: Could it be that Taiga-kun… is running away from Edel Rose!?

Kakeru: Running away!?

Shin: WHAAAT!? Taiga-kun is running away!? Since when did that happen!?

Yu: *yaaaawn* ..... Who’s running away?

Leo: Anyway, we have to stop him!!

(Concerned with Taiga’s suspicious behavior, the group secretly followed him…)

Yukinojo: A bus terminal… It seems whatever he’s sought out to do, he won’t be sticking around here…

Shin: But it doesn’t look like he’s getting on a bus to Aomori…

Minato: So he’s not going back home then.

Leo: C-Could it be he doesn’t want to be around us anymore…?

Kakeru: No, I doubt that…

Yu: I’m hungryyyy.

Yukinojo: Oh. It looks like he’s getting on a bus for Hida.

Leo: After him! Quickly!!

*sneaky sneaking*

Yu: Hey. If we get on the same bus as him he’s bound to see us.

Shin: W-We have to think fast or we’re gonna miss it!

Yukinojo: Okay then. Let’s use these old newspapers!

Leo: Mask your face!

Kakeru: Whatever you say… This is starting to get kinda fun.

(A few minutes later)

Taiga: *snoring*

Minato: He fell right asleep as soon as he got on the bus. It must have been tough getting up so early for him.

Yu: ….. We’re practically right next to him. How is it he still hasn’t noticed….

Kakeru: Out delinquent has got his cat-like “anti-social shield” blocking out the world around him running at full capacity ♪

Yu: …..

Shin: B-But anyway, it’s a good thing we were able to get away with this without being noticed.

Leo: I wonder how far he’s really planning on going…

Minato: We’ve really been riding for a good while now…

Kakeru: It’s been maybe about five hours.

Yu: I’m starving you guys.

Shin: Where are we headed to? I’ve never seen this place before…

Taiga: *snore* *sn…* …Ah! (Oh crap! I’m gonna miss my stop!)

Leo: Oh, Taiga’s up! He woke up and it looks like he’s getting off the bus!

Shin: This is…

Leo: Rainbow Hot Springs….?

Yukinojo: Hot springs! How excellent!!

Leo: I guess Taiga’s just coming for a bath….?

Minato: Secretly in the mountains, by himself…?

Bus driver: Everyone off who’s getting off! Door closing…

Yu: Hey hey hey we have to get off the bus too!

Kakeru: Hold up!

Leo: W… Wait for us!

Yukinojo: Leo, stop pushing me–

Minato: Ah, Tachibana now you’re pushing me–

*THUMPTHUMPTHUMP*

Shin: AHH no we’re falli–!

Everyone: …Ouch….

Taiga: ….Oh?

Everyone: ……Oh.

Taiga: What are you guys doing here!?

Leo: Taiga-kun! How terrible of you to abandon us all without saying a word!!

Taiga: WHA!?

Minato: Kougami! If something is troubling you, just talk and we’ll listen!

Kakeru: And if you’re looking for hot springs, I could recommend a way better place than this dump!

Taiga: ….What are you guys even talking about….

Shin: Um… well… see we were all worried about you running away from home and…

Taiga: Huh?

Everyone: (Ah, he said it!)

Taiga: Um, guys. I have no particular reason to run away.

Kakeru: Called it!

Yu: So it was all Leo’s misunderstanding?

Leo: B… But! Then what were you doing sneaking out so early in the morning?!

Taiga: Uh. About that…

Leo: About what?

Taiga: Well… the truth is…

………..

Everyone: …….?

Kakeru: Oh ho! Taiga-kyun is turning red!

Minato: Just like a bright red apple!

Yukinojo: Do you have a fever?

*touch*

Leo: W-W-Woah! He’s burning up!

Shin: Ahhh! We need to call a doctor!

Taiga: LAY! OFF!!!

Yu: Look, he’s got plenty of energy. So what’s the deal? You must have some sort of reason for coming this far out into the mountains.

Taiga: Yeah.

T…. This is the place where Kazuki did his training for the Prism King Cup….

Leo: Wow! So you heard about this place from Kazuki-san?

Taiga: …No, I just heard a rumor about it… So I decided I would try training here too.

Leo: So that’s it… Ahh! But you gave me such a fright! Sorry we all jumped to conclusions….

Taiga: It’s fine… Don’t sweat it.

Leo: But now we’ve all selfishly tagged along behind you and gotten in your way…

Kakeru: Leo-kyun, calm down. What Taiga really meant was “Thanks so much for worrying about me!” So no worries ♪

Taiga: ….Nobody asked you.

Yukinojo: But if you only had told us you were going to a hot spring, I could have brought my personal toiletries….

Kakeru: Yuki-chan, that’s what you’re upset about?

Minato: Well, well. Since we’re all here anyway, how about we all have a dip?

Yu: As long as we can get some food already!

(Inside)

Shin: Wow…! This is…

A five star hotel?

Yu: It does say that. The sign does. …Just the sign.

Yukinojo: Five… star… hotel…

Minato: The walls have cracks…

Taiga: ……

Kakeru: Oh my. It seems “Five Star” is just the name….

Leo: Ahah… But it’s kind of a delightfully mysterious place, isn’t it. This is fun.

(Despite their many concerns and various questions, the boys put away their luggage and headed to the hot springs…)

Minato: Wow… So Kazuki-san did his training way out here, huh?

Kakeru: Ahah. Check out at the seven kappa statues. They’re really funny-looking!

???: Good afternoon, everyone!

Shin: Huh? That voice…. !? Hiro-san!!

Kazuki: Woah, how’d you end up all the way out here, Taiga? You sure came a long way!

Taiga: KAZUKI-SAN!!!

Kouji: Look time, no see everyone.

Minato: Kouji-san! You too?

Yu: Whaaa!? What are you guys doing here…

Hiro: We came in when we heard some familiar voices. Eheh. How’s the water?

Kakeru: To think we’d run into all three members of Over the Rainbow in a place like this…

Taiga: Kazuki-san, why are you all here?!

Kazuki: Um. Uh yeah, about that…

Taiga: About what…?

Kazuki: Well, um, the thing is… Kouji and Hiro said they just really really wanted to see the place where I did my training! Ahahah!

Shin: …….

Yukinojo: …….

Leo: …….

Minato: …….. ?

Yu: …….

Taiga: Something’s off….

Kakeru: (…They’re hiding something.)

Hiro: Oh come on now. Let’s not harp on the details and just enjoy the bath together! …Ahhh… this place is just like I remember it. It hasn’t changed a bit.

Kouji: But we sure have. Things weren’t quite so relaxing the last time we were here.

Hiro: Ahaha… those old times…

Kazuki: Yeah! And to think that the three of us would find ourselves back here again! And that we’d come all the way here by Kouji’s car!

Everyone: Car?!

Yu: What?! Since when did you have time to get your license?!

Kouji: The genius songwriter Kouji Mihama doesn’t need to take a driving test more than once. ♪

Yu: Hmph! I could get a license easy-peasy. I could get one right now if I wanted to.

Minato: Oh… I’m sorry. Could it be the three of you actually came here to spend some quality time alone….?

Hiro: Well, that was the plan. But a hot spring with our beloved underclassmen is even more fun!

Kouji: That’s right. There’s nothing like getting naked to bring everyone closer together!

Kazuki: We haven’t all gotten together like this since Shin and Taiga’s entrance ceremony. Let’s take this opportunity to have a good time together!

Everyone: All right!

(Later)

Minato: Phew… That hot spring sure hit the spot.

Leo: There’s rainbow face lotion! “Make your skin shine in seven colors!” What does that do… !?

*clink, clank, clink, clank*

Yukinojo: Oh…!

*clink, clank, clink, clank*

Taiga: ……

Kakeru: Chan-Yuki, that massage chair is sure making some ominous sounds…!

Yukinojo: Hm? Yeah. But it feels so good. I’ll let you use it next.

Kakeru: Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll pass ☆

Yu: *gulp, gulp* ….Ah! There’s nothin’ like milk after a hot bath!

Kazuki: You bet! Fresh, chilled milk from a glass bottle is the best! Taiga, you want some?

Taiga: Okay! *gulp, gulp*

Kazuki: Hey, slow down! If you chug it all in one go you’ll choke!

Shin: Ah, Yu! Hold on a sec, you have kind of a milk mustache going on….

Yu: S.. Stop it! I can take care of it myself!

Kouji/Hiro: *smiling like idiots*

Shin: There, I got it!

Yu: …..Hey. What are you guys looking at?

Hiro: Huh? Kouji did you see something?

Kouji: Nothing, nothing. How about you?

Yu: Grrrr…. I can’t stand you guys.

Kazuki: ….Oh, it’s almost time. Where’s the remote control… Ah, here it is.

*click*

Shin: …..A press conference?

Tanaka (on TV): Tanaka.

Shin: Oh! I remember that guy from the Prism King Cup….!

Hiro: Ah, the announcement is finally starting! His opening statement just now was so gracious and dignified.

Shin: Huh? (What opening statement… was that it…? But I thought all he said was his name…?)

Tanaka: Tanaka!

Over the Rainbow: WHAT?!

Tanaka: Tanaka….!

Kazuki: A street style….

Tanaka: Tanaka.

Hiro: Duo tournament….

Tanaka: TA-NA-KA!

Kouji: Is about to be held!

Everyone: WHAAAAAAT?!

Shin: How can you tell?!

Hiro: Everyone here’s going to participate, right?

Kazuki: Picking who your duo partner will be is gonna be really important!

Kouji: I wonder who we’ll all end up with.

Everyone: H… Huh….

Taiga: (A street-style duo tournament….) U.. Um… Kazuki-san… who are you gonna partner with…?

Kazuki: Me? I… uh… *side glance*

Hiro: Heheh. This sounds fun.

Kazuki: ….I haven’t decided yet. There’s still a lot to consider before making that decision.

Taiga: …Oh… I see.

Shin: Hiro-san, you’ll partner with Kouji-san right?

Hiro: Me… No, not me. I’m the definitive idol. So street-style is, well… It’s important for me to keep up my image.

Yu: Hah! If you’re scared of the competition, just say so!

Hiro: ….!!

Shin: I wonder who I could partner with….

Taiga: Hpmh. Well, whoever I end up pairing with, I’ll be aiming to win.

Yu: Don’t forget about me! When I get under those big lights, you’ll all know… the power of Zeus!

Yukinojo: Street-style, huh… (This is a field I never thought my path would cross through. But this may be a good opportunity to break out of my shell.)

Kakeru: It looks like everyone’s rearing for a fight!

Minato: Oh yeah, what about you Kazuo?

Kakeru: ……. Well, it doesn’t really matter much to me. ♪ Oh! What about you, chan-Leo?

Leo: M-me?

I’d love to join. But I don’t think anyone would stand a chance at winning with a partner like me…

Kouji: There’s still a lot of time to think things over before the tournament.

Hiro: Yes indeed. It’s not like all of us are forced to participate.

Kazuki: …….

TV: And this concludes the announcement by President Tanaka. Next up is the evening news….

Kazuki: Well, since the announcement is over, shall we go?

Kouji: Ah, that’s right.

Taiga: Kazuki-san, go where…?

(Later)

Kazuki: Okay, we’re here!

Taiga: This is… the waterfall where Kazuki-san did his training…!

*POUR*

Taiga: …Yikes! Kazuki-san, you actually trained under this ferocious downpour!?

???: HUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Kouji: Hm? There’s someone there?

Shin: Alexander-kun!?

Kazuki: Ohhh! Look at him go!

Alexander: Wha? That voice… Pfft. Him again. How dare he just appear out of nowhere whenever he feels like it. Well, whatever. Right now I need to keep total concentration.

HUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

Yukinojo: That primitive roar could nearly part the waterfall…

Yu: What an amazing aura…

Kazuki: Alec will be in the duo tournament for sure… Now I’m really looking forward to it.

Leo: (As I thought… Something like that would probably be impossible for me…)

Taiga: Hmph. He’s got nothin’ on me. I’m not gonna lose to the likes of him!

Hiro: …..

Kakeru: Hiro-san?

Hiro: …Eheh. He’s really something else. That Alec.

Kouji: (Hiro…)

Kazuki: ……

*grumble*

Kakeru: Oh?

Minato: S-Sorry, that was me….

Kouji: Hehe. No need to apologize. That’s our signal it’s time for dinner, isn’t it?

Hiro: Indeed. I think it’s about time we headed back to the hotel.

(And so they returned to find a very colorful meal waiting for them…)

Minato: These are some ingredients I’ve never seen before. What’s this…?

Kouji: Apparently it’s local vegetable from the mountain. It turns a bright, yellow color during cooking.

Minato: Wow…! So that’s its natural color. And the taste… it’s a bit bitter, but it pairs well with the sweet sauce.

Kouji: You’re right! It would be great to try in a western-style dish with olive oil!

Minato: Wow…! And then you could add garlic and chili peppers to make something like aglio e olio…

Shin: Wow! It’s practically shining! I’ve never seen rainbow colored cooking before!

Yukinojo. Neither have I. So they call this “rainbow fish” I see.

Kakeru: Oooh! And this egg custard is delish!

Leo: And the welcome sweets were so good!

Taiga: ….. (Is this sashimi… even edible…?)

Kazuki: *chew chew* Just like I remembered! The food at this place is amazing!

Taiga: ………… *chomp*

It… it IS!

Yu: Ack…. (Rainbow-colored steamed fish paste… !?) *slide*

Kouji: Oh? How odd. I thought I already ate the fish paste.

Yu: Hey, Kouji! If you don’t learn to clean your plate like me you’ll never grow big and strong!

Kouji: …..Oh, is that how it is. In that case I’ll let you have my serving too.

Kazuki: What great food! I’m stuffed! Oh yeah, this place has table tennis, right?

Hiro: You’re full of energy tonight. Okay then, I’ll take you on. Shall we have a tournament?

Kouji: What are you going to give me when I win?

Hiro: Oh what’s this? The genius songwriter Kouji Mihama thinks he’s already won.

Kouji: But you were thinking the same way weren’t you?

Kazuki: Ahaha. You guys never change. What about all of you? Will you join is too?

Taiga: I’m in!!

Leo: I… I’d like to join.

Yu: I’ve only just finished eating so I’ll hang out here to digest.

Hiro: I guess you just have no confidence in winning, then? If you’re scared of the competition you should just say so.

Yu: WHA……!

Hiro: Well, the appeal of playing table tennis in yukatas after a bath is better understood by adults, isn’t it? I guess you’re a little young…

Yu: Huh… !? Hmph. Well if you really insist on losing to me that badly, I’ll grant your wish. Just don’t cry about it later.

Hiro: Ehehe, you think you can beat me?

Kouji: Hiro, you’re such a kid.

Kazuki: Look who’s talking.

Minato: I’d like to spend a bit more time researching these recipes.

Kakeru: And I think I’d like to just relax after eating such a big meal. So I’ll see you guys later!

Yukinojo: *chew, chew*

Shin: *chew, chew*

Kouji: Shin and Yukinojo are still eating. I think we’ll be fine with six members for table tennis.

(And so the group relocated to the game room.)

Kazuki: …Hm? They only have one table for table tennis.

Hiro: What should we do? We could make a bracket and play one-on-one.

Kouji: But if we do that then a lot of us will be sitting around waiting… So how about we play 2 on 2 doubles, and the other two can referee?

Kazuki: I agree. Let’s do that.

Kouji: Okay, I think we’re ready then. I’ll explain the rules just in case… Usually you just lob the ball back and forth to each other. But hot springs table tennis is different…

Yu: …Oh? (What have I gotten myself into.)

Kouji: At the perfect opening, when your very fiber of being screams “NOW!” you must seize the moment to return the ping-pong ball… The bond between you and your partner will be the one thing that decides your fate.

THIS IS IT! THE SECRET RULE TO HOT SPRINGS TABLE TENNIS!

Kazuki: That was a “rule”?

Yu: In the end, we’re still just hitting the ball back and forth though aren’t we?

Hiro: I guess so. Well it’s not like this is an official tournament or anything. We might as well play along.

Kouji: Well then. I’ll be everyone’s cheerleader.

Yu: Uh, could you not.

Kazuki: Ah, well then, I think I’ll cheer along with Kouji. Okay, Taiga! Show ‘em what you got!

Taiga: Alright!!

Kouji: Let’s make teams with rock/paper. 3, 2, 1….

Kazuki: Oh ho. These teams sure are interesting…

Yu: Ugh. Whaaat. I’m stuck with Hiro…. ?

Hiro: I guess you’re probably not ready to defeat me anyway.

Yu: GRRRRRR…..

Leo: And I’m with you, Taiga-kun. Okay! Let’s do this!

Taiga: You’re goin’ down!

Kouji: Okay, let’s get started. Game on!

Yu: Take this! You bow to the name of Zeus!

Hiro: Ah! Yu, don’t take your eyes off the court!

Yu: I don’t need your help!

Leo: (Okay, next turn I’ll..)

Taiga: Ah!

Leo: Eek!

Yu: Hiro!

Hiro: I got this!

Taiga & Leo: …..!!

*roll*

Kouji: The Hiro/Yu Team are the winners!

Hiro: Thanks! It was all because of you, Yu! (…Yu might actually be a good partner for the duo tournament.)

Yu: Heheh! Yeah you better be grateful! (Being on a team with Hiro was a lot easier than I thought…?)

Kouji: …Heheh. It seems like the two of you may have discovered something new.

Kazuki: Taiga, Leo, don’t sweat it!

Taiga: …….

Leo: I’m really sorry, Taiga-kun. I…

Taiga: It’s not your fault.

(Meanwhile, the boys who chose to remain in the banquet room made an interesting discovery of their own…)

Shin: Hmm? Kakeru-san, what’s this thing?

Kakeru: Oh hoooh! I have had quite the experience with these ♪

Shin: Huh….!?

Kakeru: And this song lineup is giving me goosebumps!

Shin: Songs…? Could it be this is a karaoke machine?

Kakeru: YES! How nostalgic. This really is a hot springs hotel vacation.

Minato: Oh, oh. And here are the mics.

Kakeru: Thank you Minatocchi! Well, that settles it. We’re having a karaoke tournament!

Yukinojo: Karaoke tournament?

Kakeru: Yes yes. For this tournament the winner is whoever has the most fun! First up I think I’ll sing a duet with Yuki-chan! ♪ Shall I choose the song?

Yukinojo: Sure. I’ll leave it to you.

(And so began the impromptu karaoke tournament….)

Yukinojo: Yes, for your love~♪ I’d climb a distant mountain~♪

Kakeru: Yes, for your love~♪ I’d cross the deepest sea~♪

Kakeru & Yukinojo: Now… Fate will bind us… ♪

Shin: Wow… Yukinojo-san and Kakeru-san are really good at this!!

Minato: 100%! They got a perfect score!! Kazuo has a real knack for karaoke.

Kakeru: Ahaha. I spend a lot of time around older men.

Yukinojo: I have had similar experiences. I’ve been exposed to a lot of enka music.

Shin: I want to hear more!! Sing me your favorites!!

Yukinojo: Oh, really? In the case I’ll pick the next one.

Kakeru: Okay♪ We’ll keep on romancing the crowd.

Yukinojo & Kakeru: ~~~~♪

Minato: Their duet is really in sync. It really warms the heart… It’s almost like I can see the ol’ homeland floating before my eyes….

Shin: Minato-san?

Minato: Zzz….

Shin: ….He fell asleep sitting up. (Ah. I think I’ll take a bathroom break…)

(Shin leaves.)

Shin: What a nice night. I think I’ll go for a walk before I head back.

A duo tournament huh? I wonder who I should enter with.

“Shooting”? In a place like this?

Hm. The last time I tried shooting was…

???: Good evening.

Shin: Yeah it is such a nice eve–W-WOAH Louis?! What are you doing here?!

Louis: Hi. I had a Schwarz Rose job nearby.

Shin: Oh, I see! Did you come by yourself?

Louis: No. Well I am alone now, but.

Shin: I see….? (He had a Schwarz Rose job… I wonder if Alexander-kun came to do the same job?)

Louis: Shin, you look really good in your yukata.

Shin: Huh–really? Thank you! You look really nice too, Louis!

Louis: Ehehe. I’m so happy.

Shin: Oh yeah, Louis! Let’s try shooting together!

Louis: Huh?

Shin: I’m sure it will be super fun!!

Louis: ….Sure.

Hehe, I feel like I’m burning up.

Shin: Oh?! What’s wrong? Are you getting sick?!

Louis: The opposite. Having you here with me, I’ve never felt better. Thank you.

Shin: I don’t really know what you mean but…. You’re welcome?

Louis: Hehe. Well, will you teach me how to shoot?

Shin: Ah! Sure! Let’s go then! (I’m from Edel Rose and Louis is from Schwartz Rose.)

(But… If only I could do a duo show with Louis, I think it would be really fun.)

(While everyone else was enjoying the hot spring hotel…)

Leo: …..*sigh* A street-style tournament huh… And a duo tournament… I can’t enter by myself… (In the table tennis match Taiga-kun and I weren’t in sync at all… and never mind that, it’s a street-style tournament. For someone lacking in manliness like me it would be impossible…)

(But what does manliness even mean to me anyway–)

*POUR*

Leo: Huh? Where am I…

(I was so lost in thought I just kept walking without paying attention to where I was going.)

…I ought to get back before I make everyone worry.

???: HUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!

Leo: That voice… Yamato-san? (He’s still here training!? Could it be he’s been here all this time…?) He’s got a firm goal in mind, and he’s working so hard for that goal he believes in…

Yamato-san is so masculine and cool.

I’m nothing compared to him, I… I wouldn’t even be worthy of kissing his feet…. *sniff*

Alexander: ………..What!? Dammit…..!

AHHHH!!!!

*SPLASH*

Leo: Huh?

*silence*

Leo: Huh? Huh? Did he just fall into the waterfall basin…

AH! There’s no time to waste! I have to go and save Yamato-san!!

*SPLASH*

Leo: *gasp* *panting* Heave….. HO!!!

Alexander: ….Ug……

Leo: Phew… Somehow I got him out.

Is he still breathing…? Okay, he’s good. But his eyes aren’t open yet.

Yamato-san! Yamato-san, stay with me! Yamato-san!!

Alexander: …Ugh… W… Where am I….?

Leo: Ah! Yamato-san!! Can you see me!?

Alexander: Huh….? You’re one of those… Edel Rose…..

Everyone: Leo! / Saionji! / Leo-kun!!! / Chan-Leo!!!

Leo: Everyone! What are you doing out here…?

Yu: That’s our line.

Yukinojo: We’re out here looking for you because we were worried sick about you, of course!

Leo: *gasp* Yuki-sama….

Kakeru: We heard from the delinquent that you seemed down after the table tennis tournament.

Leo: From Taiga-kun?

Taiga: …..Sorry…. about what happened… at the table tennis tournament….

Leo: No, I’m the one who should apologize!

Minato: Well anyway, we’re all just so glad you’re safe.

Shin: We’re so glad!!

Leo: Everyone…

Kouji: By the way, why are the two of you soaking wet?

Leo: Ah! Oh yeah Yamato-san! It was crazy! He fell from the waterfall and–

Hiro: What?! He did?!

Kazuki: …..Wait. Leo, does that mean you–

Leo: Hm?

Anyway I’m just glad Yamato-san is OK now!

Kazuki: (Leo carried Alec through that rough current… by himself?!)

Haha! Leo, you’re amazing!

Everyone: (….! Leo really saved Alexander all by himself!! Wow!!)

Alexander: ….Uuh… that laughing voice…..

KAZUKI NISHINA! SHOW YOURSELF!

Leo: No, Yamato-san! You need to get some rest!

Hiro: …… Hehe. I guess nobody can compare to the true Leo. (Things are sure gonna get interesting in the street-style duo tournament…)

(One morning a few days later)

Everyone: Let’s eat! *chew, chew, chew*

Kakeru: Oh ho? Chan-Leo you seem to be in high spirits today.

Leo: Eheh. For the first time in a long time I had a full night’s worth of deep sleep! And thanks to the hot springs, my skin is tight, most, and smooth! ♡ (I got myself all worked up over a lot of things along the way, but...)

I am gonna be me, the way I am! That’s the best thing to be!

Taiga: (That jerk Alec… He pushed himself to his absolute limit…) I have to train even more!

Kazuki: Taiga, you’re on fire! I won’t lose either!

Hiro: The duo tournament, huh….

Kouji: Hiro?

Yu: Oh what’s this, are you gonna participate after all? Don’t worry, I’ll let you lose gracefully when the time comes.

Hiro: I’m sure you would. But I’m the definitive idol, so…

Yu: Ugh, that again?

Hiro: (….If I do participate, it would have to be as the true me.)

Continue to Road to SSS 3 Main Story

#king of prism #kinpri #king of prism sss #road to sss event 2 #poor yu all he got dragged all the way out to gifu prefecture when all he wanted was breakfast #also i love how kakeru was the only one who knew from the beginning taiga wouldn't run away and just tagged along for fun

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psychobhyun · 6 years ago

Photo

P Y S C H O

Foreword: You dig deeply into me, like the thorn of a red flower stuck in me; filled with poison. Even I can’t control myself. I put a bitter smile over my expressionless face. I’m a psycho.

Warnings: stalker!au, violence, mentions of death, possessive behavior, personality disorder

Genre: smut

Endlessly it’s trying to destroy me...

just how far will I fall?

To Baekhyun, you were his light at the end of the tunnel. You came to him when his life was at the lowest and he has developed an intense liking to you. He would be in the corner of the club watching you in case some man would take advantage of you, he would be in the library whenever you studied for mid-terms, he would follow you home, keeping a safe between so you wouldn’t notice him trailing behind you.

To you, Baekhyun is a classmate. You shared one or two classes together, but you only knew him because you had a group presentation coming up about psychological disorders for a class. Since the class mostly consisted of girls, Baekhyun was well liked. Baekhyun is really charming and knows his way with words. You’re surprised he’s still single.

A notification shows on your screen and it’s your best friend, Sehun. The text says he’s going to pick you up at 6 p.m. You reply with a simple okay and a heart emoji and focus on the lecture again. It’s kind of hard though. You feel like you’re getting stared at for some reason. You don’t know if you’re just paranoid or if it’s really happening but it’s been bothering you for some time.

But then Sehun bailed at you because he suddenly had a meeting with an organizational group he joined in university. You shrug and went to the bus stop to get a ride home but a black car pulls up just in front of you. The glass window rolls down and it’s Baekhyun. “Hey. Want a ride?”

You really didn’t know Baekhyun but he seems nice. He probably does this to every other girl in the campus so you decided to not think too much into it. He turns on the radio as soon as you entered the car and he sings to the music. “You have a really nice voice,” you complimented him. He smiles. “Thanks, beautiful.”

Is he flirting with me? You thought. You look to the side and notice that you’ve arrived at your neighborhood. You’ve never told him your address before. “Hey, my apartment is that way!” You point at the building you live in and Baekhyun stops right in front of it. You wave goodbye at him and enter your apartment. You didn’t even realize Baekhyun just parked across of you and stayed there until it’s almost midnight.

You dig deeply into me

like the thorn of a red flower stuck in me;

Filled with poison

Baekhyun was absent the day before your important presentation and your group mates showed concern about his condition. When you told them that you’d bring him soup in case he stayed in because of sickness, everyone agreed but since it was so sudden, they couldn’t go with you.

When you got his address through one of his friends, you went there alone with a boiling pot of hot soup you made at home. He lives alone and his apartment was only 15 minutes away from yours. You ring his doorbell and when he opens it, you see a shirtless Baekhyun with water dripping from his hair.

“I’m sorry I came unannounced, I brought soup in case you were sick,” you explained. Baekhyun chuckles and lets you inside. His apartment isn’t that big but it’s very clean and polished. “Your apartment is nice,” you said, trying to start a conversation. “It’s lonely here, though.”

You ignore his reply because you knew he was enunciating something else. You just laugh it off and went to the kitchen to put the pot on a stove to reheat it. “Since you’re not sick, I’ll just go home then!” You scratch your scalp even though it’s not itchy. “Can I go to the toilet?” You spotted the bathroom in Baekhyun’s room but he stands in front of you immediately.

“Uh, you can use the other toilet? Near the kitchen?” You shrug and went to the toilet. Baekhyun must never let you see the picture of you he pins on his bathroom’s cabinet. You must never. He loves how much you care about him though. He tasted the soup you made and thought about fucking you in the kitchen when you’re cooking dinner for him.

Even I can’t control myself

I put a bitter smile on my expressionless face

When the presentation goes well, you give everyone a hug of appreciation. You even hugged Baekhyun tightly. And that other guy in your group named Jongdae as well. Baekhyun clenched his fists. He didn’t want to punch Jongdae in front of you and scare you.

“Let’s go eat somewhere!” One of your group mates suggested. Everyone thought it was a good idea. Baekhyun only agreed to come because you were going to be there. When you arrived at the restaurant, you sat beside Baekhyun and it shocked him. You even initiated conversation with him.

But he sees you hugging Jongdae again when you go your separate ways and he’s furious. Baekhyun could only put on a fake smile.

As you can see, I’m dangerous

Come closer, I need you

My head feels like it might burst

Get away, keep your distance

Game over

Baekhyun watches you as you take off your clothes. You forgot to close your curtains but Baekhyun wasn’t complaining. But he’s concerned if he’s not the only one looking at you. He looks around but sees no one so he takes his cock out to masturbate at the sight he has blessed you with.

You’re also wearing red panties to university? Red is his favorite color and you don’t know how easy it made Baekhyun erect. He just wanted to rip the panties away from you and shove his cock so deep inside you. Baekhyun comes all over his car’s dashboard and cleans it with a tissue. He noticed that you finally closed your curtains. It was Baekhyun’s cue to go home.

Baekhyun can’t wait until you’re finally his. But despite his overwhelming desire to own you, he knows you’re going to find out sooner or later the true nature of his being. He’s filled with darkness but he doesn’t want to soil your pureness.

I'm psycho I'm psycho, there's somebody inside of me

That's right the psycho taking me over (Game over)

I'm psycho I'm psycho, he's talking to me

That's right the psycho, and I give in (Game over)

You entered the club and Baekhyun was already standing in the corner. He knows of your plans to go to the club when you talked about it during the class you shared together. He was there to make sure you were safe. And to make sure no one touched what was his.

But of course, his nightmares happened. You were dancing and a random dude came up behind you and started griding on your ass. You were caught off guard and tried to get his hands off of you but he was so much stronger than you were. Baekhyun took matters into his owns hands and punched the living daylights out of the assaulter.

You screamed when the guy started bleeding but Baekhyun showed no signs of stopping. Baekhyun was delivering jabs to the guy’s face and you were afraid he was going to die. Something.... or someone took over Baekhyun and he just wanted to kill the person who tried to touch you. He couldn’t because you tried to come in between the fight and he accidentally punched you.

You whimpered and held your stomach as he carried you into his car to drive you to his home. When you arrived, he placed you on his bed and got you water. He said sorry multiple times and tried to explain himself but you shut him up by giving him a kiss.

“It’s okay, Baekhyun. You were just trying to protect me. And to be honest, I liked it.” Baekhyun’s eyes widen. He’s going to come in his pants if you don’t stop looking at him like that. Like you needed him. You kiss him one more time and he leaves you to let you rest. He probably won’t be able to control himself if you and he do something more than kissing.

What you're seeing now

Take a guess, who am I this time?

In the blink of an eye

I can change my face

You think it’s crazy how easily Baekhyun can change his expressions. One minute he’s smiling and laughing at how you messed up the arcade game you’re playing together with him and the other minute his nostrils are flaring when someone cat calls you.

After that incident at the club, Baekhyun always tries to not punch every guy that disrespects you even though he finds it very hard. But your arms hugging around his own melts his heart and he does it for the sake of not scaring you. You love it when he protects you but you hate it when he’s blinded by anger and punches everyone. Baekhyun is strong and even a single punch should be able to knock someone out.

“Baekhyun, don’t,” you warn. You kiss his fingers as you look up at him. His frown shifts slightly but it’s not a smile yet. He shoots the guy that cat called you a look and growled at him. “You disrespect my girl once more and I’ll kill you for real.” Baekhyun turns his eyes to look back at you and he can see the way your brows furrow in worry.

“I won’t, angel.” You smile at the nickname he’s been calling you ever since you started dating. It’s incredibly romantic and you find yourself falling deeper and deeper into Baekhyun’s charms. You stand on your tippy toes and peck Baekhyun softly on his lips. He cradles your face with his hands and kisses you deeper. He opens his right eye and stares at the guy with a deadly gaze. With a smirk, he kisses you deeply in front of him and his friends.

That’ll show them who fucking owns you.

I feel like I'm going crazy

You probably won't understand me

All of this was you (woo)

Baekhyun inhales your scent deeply as he watches you sleep beside him. You just had a date with him that resulted in a heavy make-out session and you fell asleep right after you changed into his oversized t-shirt. He thinks you look small like this and even teases you about it. You roll your eyes and slept inside his arms.

He’s having trouble sleeping because you’re so close to him and it’s distracting him. Something dark awakens inside him and he has the overwhelming urge to just bend you over and fuck you relentlessly now that you’re this close to him. All he has to do is push your body slightly so he could-

“I love you,” you murmur in your sleep. Baekhyun could barely hear you but he catches what you said loud and clear. His cock hardens at your confession and he can feel it pressing a little bit on your thighs. When you change your sleeping position and accidentally brush against his crotch area, he groans.

Baekhyun unzips his pants and lowers it down a little bit so he could pull his cock out. He takes a deep breath once more and your sweet scent invades his sense of smell and he’s just thinking about how innocent you look under him.

Baekhyun comes a little bit on the comforter and makes a mental note to change it tomorrow morning so you wouldn’t notice. He’s also going to tell you that he loves you so he could hear you tell him that for real and for the first time in his life, he’s truly excited about something.

I'm psycho I'm psycho, there's somebody inside of me

That's right the psycho taking me over (Game over)

I'm psycho I'm psycho, he's talking to me

That's right the psycho, and I give in (Game over)

You’re panting under Baekhyun’s body because holy fuck, he just made you come three twice with just his fingers and mouth alone. Your hands hold onto his hair and you pull on it whenever he hits a spot within you that makes you see stars. You bite your lip as you watch Baekhyun licks his own, devouring the sweet juices that are dripping out of you.

“I fucking love you,” he says for the nth time tonight. You smile at him and he leans in to kiss you on the mouth. You taste yourself on his tongue as he slides it inside your mouth to intertwine yours with his. “I love you too, Baekhyun,” you say as he kisses your neck down to your collarbone.

Baekhyun shakes his head and presses his forehead against yours. His hot breath is fanning on your cheeks and his long eyelashes look really pretty from this angle. You admire the features you adore so much and kiss him quickly. He smiles. “I’ll love you for eternity, my angel. You are mine and I am yours.”

Baekhyun hopes you never know about the blood he has spilled just to get you in his arms. The news is reporting missing people and they are all people that have touched you, hugged you, or even said your name in front of Baekhyun. All Baekhyun has to get rid of now is your best friend, Sehun.

Baekhyun wants to be the only man in your life and he’s willing to let that someone else inside of him to take over him. He’s a psycho, after all.

#baekhyun #baekhyun smut #baekhyun scenarios #baekhyun x you #baekhyun x reader #exo #exo smut #exo scenarios

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toothedsmile · 6 years ago

Text

The puppeteer: Chapter seven

Masterlist

Chapter seven: A hero’s guilt

Warnings: mentions of suicide, mental breakdowns, lots of sad fluffier stuff will appear soon enough…I hope

Your lifeless eyes were looking straight at the wall, your sight getting interrupted every once in a while by blinking away the tears that were building up and trying to break free every time you thought of the night before.

While hiding partially underneath your covers you heard the doorbell ring downstairs. Faint footsteps could be heard walking towards the front door. After it was opened you could hear some voices, a small pause, and the door closed again but the other person or people were still inside the house.

The familiar sound of your mother coming up the stairs was heard, she walked straight towards your door and knocked.

“Y/N? The police is here to talk to you. Please do come out and finally tell us what is going on.”

Keeping quiet you walked to your door and opened it, your mother getting a relieved smile when she saw your face but it fainted quickly when she saw that you looked terrible.

Tears tracks were visibly running down your face, your eyes were bloodshot and the red veins in them were very visible.

Your mother took your face in her hands and slowly brought your head towards herself and give a small kiss on your forehead.

“Please don’t do this to yourself.”

Those words, those cursed words. The very ones you uttered in panic while another took their life right in front of your eyes.

Don’t, please don’t do this. This isn’t the right thing.

But they didn’t listen and they fell from their personal hell into heaven.

Your breathing became harsher, breath coming faster and heartbeat speeding up.

Snot filled your nose and the tears came flowing again.

Everything was getting blurry, your head felt faint but your heart was painfully beating even faster in tandem with your breaths.

“Y/N? Y/N! It’s okay, please calm down. Breath with me darling, come on. You can do this.”

The tender warmth from a mothers love was wrapped around you as your mother hugged you, hand stroking over your head as she let out some soothing noises as one would with a baby.

While you were sitting there getting some sort of attack two people had come up the stairs after hearing some commotion coming from upstairs.

They looked at the sight and felt horrible for the news they had to give to both your mother and yourself.

A few minutes passed and you had successfully calmed yourself down enough to look up at the two unfamiliar presences.

Right there in front of you stood two police officers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All four of you had gone downstairs to sit on the two couches in the living room, the officers sat in front of your mother and you.

“Hello Y/N. We are officers Ackles and Padalecki. We would like to ask some questions about the phone call you made yesterday around 11PM.”

For a moment you mother looked confused and mouthed the words ‘phone call’ before turning her head in your direction.

“Y/N, what phone call are they talking about?”

The officers shared a glance and nodded at each other. The tallest one sighed softly and looked your mother right in the yes.

“Miss L/N. Yesterday a person has committed suicide and your daughter has seen everything happen. She was one of the first who called the police. Some witnesses have mentioned seeing some sort of golden light when the person jumped and we’d like to ask some questions about what she has seen.”

With every word that officer Padalecki said the already pale face of your mother turned several shades whiter.

“S-suicide? She called in a suicide?”

Both officers nodded seriously. They looked back at you and saw that you weren’t really feeling good at the moment. Your face was pale, your eyes were red and there were black bags beneath them from crying and the lack of sleep. Even you hair wasn’t spared from the horrible experience you had as it was completely dishevelled and a big mess of tangled strands of hair.

Officer Padalecki stood up and squatted down in front of you, with a soft smile that screamed “don’t worry” he began to talk to you while officer Ackles took your mother to the kitchen to talk.

“Hello Y/N. As I’ve already said I’m officer Padalecki. You’re not in any trouble. You did the right things, calling us, it was very brave of you to pick up your phone and call the police. The only thing we need now is some explanation about why you were there and what you know about the golden light. Nothing more, nothing less. Then we’ll go away, we might inform you later when the case is handled with some advice about traumatic experiences.”

Swallowing hard you dared to let your eyes look at his, he still had the calming smile on and his whole demeanour just told you that he meant no harm.

“Ok- Okay. Um so, I wanted to -to go out you know, without my parents knowing. B-but I saw th-thi-this shadow on the top of a bui-building and-and he-he,” Taking a deep breath you tried to take control of your sobbing and continued with your story. “He uh, he seemed like he-he was talking to someone and for a moment it looked like he didn’t want to jump bu-but then he just turned around and stepped of the-the roof and this golden light came after him li-like it wa-was trying to stop him or something I don’t know bu-but he went so-so fast and he just fell on the ground and the blood ju-just flew everywhere. Oh god the blood, there was just so much red and-and-and I just ran. I just went ho-home and c-called the police.”

Padalecki nodded, during your explanation he went to sit next to you and rubbed a hand over your shoulder to soothe you. Just thinking about it all made you cry even more, it was like your sadness wanted to be know as it came out as soft screams of horrible pain and torture from your throat. The anguish that was trapped inside your voice was heard and you felt the warmth of a hug around you, a big hand rubbed up and down your back as your curled into yourself and cried out to the world.

The guilt you felt for not having stopped that man in time, the guilt for his family, his parents that had probably loved him so much. The guilt that you had to let them feel the pain of losing a loved one, someone who should’ve gone after them and not before.

Your mother who had just finished talking with officer Jensen came running to your side and took the place of the kind officer in soothing and calming you down as she rocked you within her arms like a baby, holding you so close to her in the hopes of lessening your pain.

The officers slightly looked away of the sight and offered a silent apology for the fact that you had to go trough such great pain, and so with a quiet nod and goodbye from your mother they left your home silently, wishing for you to get better soon.

It took a good hour for you to calm down again and to keep the images of that death out of your mind. Your mother now finally understood why you were so unwilling to go to school that day, officer Jensen had explained everything that had happened the night before and the reason why you most likely looked so horrible in the morning.

She notified the school and they understood the issues and said that they would ask permission to your teachers to film the lessons so that when you went back you would be able to follow the lessons better after most likely missing a few days. They would provide some counselling on the school if you would wish so but they said that the best course of action would be to go to a professional. If it was needed anyway.

For the rest of the day you stayed inside your room with the occasional support of your mother, every once in a while your friend would send a message or call you on your phone in the hopes of knowing what happened to you and how you were feeling as they were concerned about you because you hadn’t come to school and simply thought that you managed to get sick while out yesterday.

While you laid there in your bed you couldn’t help but think about what happened, about all the things you could’ve done, the things you shouldn’t have done.

The guilt came back, everything you had thought about previously came back with so much force, the guilt seemed to grip you tightly. It was forceful and seemed to surround you, it felt like you were drowning in the guilt, like you choked on it every time you breathed in and out, pressing harshly on your chest.

And yet you couldn’t stop thinking about how you could’ve helped him, how you could’ve done something, said something that could have stopped him from jumping to his end.

It made you think.

What is a hero?

Is It someone who saves people from villains?

Someone who fights against evil for money of just for the fact that they wanted to help?

Who knows.

But you, you wanted to let people see that there was more to it than just beating up villains.

More than good vs evil.

Heroism was not just fighting the evil on the streets, no, it too was fighting the evil that hid in ones mind, that tortured innocent people. The evil that was inflicted to some by those around them.

Yes. A hero that saves people from dangers other than villains.

A hero that you would become.

You will turn that guilt into your beginning drive force to help others.

It might take a while before you would be able to turn that guilt into the fire you needed, but you would the very best you could and hoped that the person who killed himself looked down to you from heaven and would look over you, wishing that he would be proud that you would be able to help others like him, how you could’ve helped him.

You might not become the symbol of peace. But you wanted to become a helping hand to those who needed it the most, even if they were villains.

Yes, even they had stories. And you knew, you knew that you wouldn’t be able to help everyone but you would damn well do your very best to do so anyway.

You may not have had a good beginning but you might be able to make a beautiful end.

(Chapter is not yet edited. i hope you enjoyed!)

#bnha x reader #bnha #reader insert #bnha various x reader #bnha midoriya izuku x reader #bnha bakugou katsuki x reader #bnha todoroki shouto x reader #bnha various #The puppeteer

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theyearoftheking · 5 years ago

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Book Eight: Cujo

“The world was full of monsters, and they were all allowed to bite the innocent and the unwary...”

Guys... I’m going to be perfectly honest here. Cujo was just one big trigger for me. I love dogs. I love children. I don’t want to read about dogs attacking and (SPOILER) killing children.

If nothing else, let this blog serve as a PSA: please take good care of your dogs. Keep them up to date on their shots. If you notice something might be off with them, take them into the vet. If you’re going to leave for a weekend, make plans to have someone feed your dog for you. Just, please take care of your dogs. If you won’t do it for me, do it for the sweet baby angels in my life. Please and thank you.

If you couldn’t tell, I didn’t love re-reading Cujo. I didn’t particularly love it the first time, but in the spirit of this challenge, I agreed to leave no page unturned. I will say, there were a few Easter eggs I picked up this time I hadn’t before. For example, the book is set in Castle Rock, Steve’s fictional town in Maine. Castle Rock was still reeling from serial killer Frank Dodd (remember him from Firestarter?); and Dodd’s former partner is convinced Cujo’s evil is the direct result of Frank Dodd’s spirit transferring into him. Or, it could be rabies. Either way. But it was interesting to see the Castle Rock universe start to build on itself a little bit.

The story could best be described as, “cellphones have made this whole story line completely irrelevant today”.

The Camber family lives out in the sticks, where husband Joe runs an auto repair shop, son Brett owns lovable Cujo the Saint Bernard, and wife Charity just won the lottery and is planning her escape to see her sister. Also, the family only has one telephone... in the kitchen of their house... nowhere near Joe’s shop. In this day and age, he’d have a cellphone out in the shop with him. Just sayin’.

The Trenton family lives in Castle Rock. Husband Vic works in advertising, wife Donna is having a regrettable affair with tennis pro, Steve Kemp, and son Tad is convinced the evil spirit of Frank Dodd is residing in his closet (he’s not wrong). The Trenton family also owns a Pinto that has been having some engine problems as of late.

After finding out about Donna’s affair (Steve Kemp mailed a Dear John letter to his office. Steve Kemp is classy motherfucker), Vic has to leave to handle an ad emergency for Sharp Cereal. If you were to eat their newest cereal, Red Raspberry Zingers, you’d projectile vomit red dye. Sooo he had to get out in front of that. He and Donna are on rocky terms when he leaves, what with her screwing the tennis pro and all. But, Vic knows her Pinto is having some issues, and tells her to take it out to the Camber farm to get it fixed. Donna dithers about it.

Meanwhile over on the Camber farm, Charity tells Joe about her lottery winnings, and gets him to agree to let her and Brett leave to go see her sister in the city. Joe, a functioning alcoholic, convinces his equally drunk neighbor buddy, Gary Pervier, to take a trip into Boston with him. They’ll get some hookers, drink some beer, maybe watch a baseball game. Good times. So, Charity and Brett get on the Grayhound bus, and set off for their vacation. Meanwhile, Cujo is super rabid from sticking his head in a hole, and getting chomped on by some rabid bats. Before Joe and Gary get to leave for the city, Cujo mauls them both to death in a rabid fury. It’s gross.

Donna decides to drive out to the Camber farm to get her Pinto looked at. She’s called several times, but no answer. She chalks it up to the fact the phone is in the house, not in the shop, and Joe will be around to help her with the Pinto. Again... text messaging would have solved this issue. Just sayin. Tad begs to come along, so she agrees. The Pinto dies as soon as they hit the Camber driveway, and as soon as Donna opens her car door, a rabid Cujo comes after her. Luckily she makes it back into her car in time, but she and Tad are basically trapped in the car for two days, with a small thermos of milk, and very little food. Oh, and it’s basically the hottest summer on record, so the car has turned into a greenhouse. Horrible. If Donna had a cellphone, she could have called for help. She could have posted on social media. She could have made an SOS call. She could have sent a text. But none of these things happen. Instead, she’s stuck inside the Pinto with a dehydrated kid, while Cujo growls and pounces on their car from outside. Fun times.

Meanwhile, Vic is starting to panic since he can’t get ahold of Donna. He calls the Castle Rock police who go to the house and find it completely trashed. And semen all over the bed. Because, again, Steve Kemp is a classy motherfucker. He had casually stopped by, looking to see what kind of impact his letter had on Vic. Finding no one home, he destroyed the entire house. As you do.

The police tell Vic to come home ASAP, and he tells them all about Steve Kemp. They issue a BOLO for his sex van, but they are also super curious where Donna’s car is. Vic remembers the Camber farm, and they dispatch an officer to go check it out. The officer heads over, and finds Donna and Tad mostly dead inside the Pinto, but before he has a chance to call for help, Cujo guts him.

So close to rescue! So close!

The police find Steve Kemp, but there’s no sign of Tad or Donna in the sex wagon. They bring him into the police station for questioning, but he’s not talking. Because classy motherfuckers don’t kiss and tell. They just send letters to their mistresses husbands.

Vic decides to take a trip out to the farm to look for the Pinto, and arrives to find Donna bloody, bitten, and beating the shit out of Cujo with a baseball bat. But, he also finds Tad dead in the Pinto. That’s the biggest gut punch of this entire novel; Donna fights so hard for her and Tad’s survival, only to have him die a few hours before help arrives. It’s also a big “I Told You So” on Tad’s part. He had told his parents monsters were real, and coming for him. They didn’t believe him. Welp, this is awkward...

That’s Cujo. No Wisconsin references, no Dark Tower references, nada. But I will give the book credit for two things. First, the format of the book is kinda cool. It starts with this...

And the rest of the book reads like a cautionary fairy tale. No chapters, no parts, just one long narrative story. I liked it. I also liked the fact Steve gave Cujo a voice. I didn’t feel too bad when he died, though. So I feel conflicted about that.

The other thing I appreciated was the author photo on the back. After last week’s Firestarter brooding Glamour Shot, I was happy to see this gem.

Looks like Steve plays tambourine in a folk band. Or sells hand-tooled belts at the local swap meet. Or can give you a bag of some really dank weed. The possibilities are endless.

Total Wisconsin Mentions: 9

Dark Tower References: 6

Book Grade: C-

Rebecca’s Definitive Ranking of Stephen King Books

The Shining

The Stand

The Dead Zone

‘Salem’s Lot

Carrie

Firestarter

Cujo

Nightshift

Next up is Danse Macabre. I’m stupid excited to read this, because I love Stephen King non-fiction. I find his humor and insights really shine through when he’s using his most authentic voice. I’ve read the updated introduction so far, and have already laughed a few times. I mean, he talks Bride of Chucky. How can you not appreciate that?

Until next time readers, Long Days and Pleasant Nights!

Rebecca

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ecofinisher · 6 years ago

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Wedding in Japan - Chap. 4

Chapter 4

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18972931/chapters/45226396

https://www.wattpad.com/739249079-wedding-in-japan-chapter-4

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13295790/4/Wedding-in-Japan

The next morning Adrien walked in the restaurant of the hotel he had overnight to head to the breakfast buffet a couple of guests were standing scooping for themselves, what they wanted to eat. The blonde stood in the queue behind two men, who were taking from a cheese plate a bit of cheese for their plate, then Adrien looked at the croissants, that lied inside a basket covered with a white cover and two tongs on it for the use. Adrien took the tong and picked a croissant from the basket, then placed it on a plate, that was on top of a pile of dishes, then picked it up and walked forward to pass by other types of breads, then took two toasts with another tong laying beside the layer-in-layer lied pieces of bread afterward he looked down at the portions of butter, jam and margarine. Adrien picked two pieces of portion butter and one cherry-flavored jelly, moving forward to the cheese and meat plates, where another man was serving himself by taking a few salami slices onto his bread to make a sandwich after it. Adrien took from the six available varieties two of each to his plate, then the next plate in front of him, where a younger boy stood together with a woman, that aided him by putting cheese slices on the plate, Adrien waited for the woman to finish, then she handed Adrien the tong, making the blonde smile.

„Thank you, “ Adrien said looking at the various cheese sorts on the plate all presented nicely to the guest and behind each sort lied a small card with the cheese‘s origin and its name. The blonde took one of each sort and walked away to another table, where a service worker stood serving drinks to the customers.

„What can I offer you to drink Mr. Agreste?“ The man asked the blonde.

„Orange juice please“ Adrien responded watching the man fill a glass with a dark liquid, then handed it over to Adrien. „Thank you“ He friendly thanked the service worker, then looked around the room at the many tables, that were available for him to sit down. Adrien walked the dining hall to look for a place to sit, then he smiled as he found Kagami sitting on a table for two persons and was all by herself eating a bowl of Bircher muesli. Adrien walked to the woman stopping by the table.

„Is this seat taken?“ The blonde asked, then the woman looked up at him and smiled as she saw it was his friend.

„Sit down“ Kagami offered the blonde, that sat down vice versa to the woman. „Where‘s your friend Nino?“

„He left a little earlier“ The Frenchman replied. „He had to look for something here he couldn‘t find in France“

„So we‘re the only ones, that haven‘t left the hotel yet“

„Yeah, “ Adrien said taking a slice of cheese into his mouth, therefore he opened the butter portion, then used his knife to spread it on the toast. „What kind of cornflakes is that‘“

„Bircher muesli“ The blue-haired woman responded. „It‘s mixed with cornflakes, Milk, fruit and yogurt,“

„Sounds delicious“

„It really is“ Kagami admitted taking another bit with her spoon and led it into her mouth. Adrien watched her chewing her breakfast mannerly, then Adrien held up his toast close to his mouth to bite it off and chew it. After taking another spoon and swallow the food down, Kagami faked a cough, before she raised her voice to speak to the friend.

„Are you going after breakfast to the airport?“

„Yes and you?“ Questioned the blonde taking another bite of his toast bread.

„Same“ Answered the Japanese girl. „We could both take the bus together?“

„I don‘t mind. Sure I‘ll go with you“

„Good and you better be fast, the bus comes in ten minutes and we have forty minutes to the airport“ Warned Kagami earning a nod from the blonde.

„Good, “ Adrien said finishing his toast, then picking up the second toast. „Does the bus come every hour or something?“

„To the airport, I only saw it drives one time per hour. Two or three times are other line buses“

„Okay,“ Adrien said taking a bite of his bread. „We still got three hours before the flight and we don‘t need to deliver our baggage“

„I know, just it‘s always better to plan a little more time, than usual. Just in case“

„You got a good point,“ Adrien said at the woman shoving his whole toast into his mouth. „I‘m awmhost donn,“ Adrien mumbled with the food inside his mouth making Kagami chuckle a little.

Adrien and Kagami sat inside an articulated bus together behind the gaiter holding their backpack on their arms while they were traveling with the public transportation vehicle.

„Chloé is going out with my cousin Felix and are at the moment in New York with her mother.“ Told Adrien her friend. „I have chatted with Chloé last week and she‘s loving New York so far“

„It‘s amazing, how you and the others are still in contact“

„Our class chat is actually still present, most of us still chat with each other there“ Explained Adrien. „Oh and recently Mylène posted a picture of an ultrasound scan she had last week. She‘s expecting a baby“

„That sounds amazing“

„Yeah“ Agreed Adrien. „I think she's in the third month“

„Sweet“

„Are you…..uhm…. Planing in the future to h….have a child?“ Questioned Adrien a little warily the girl, who shrugged her shoulders.

„Well I‘m waiting one or two years“ Responded Kagami. „At some point, I have to have one to not let my mother down or out legacy“

„But if you don‘t feel like you want a child you don‘t need to have one. It‘s your life, not hers“

„It‘s not that Adrien, I would really love to have children, but I don‘t think we‘re both ideals for it,“

„Why not?“ Questioned Adrien. „You two like each other, that won‘t be a problem, “ Adrien told Kagami, who then looked away from the blonde to observe the landscape making Adrien feel worried about her relationship with her fiancé.

„Is there something wrong between you and Hiroki?“ Questioned Adrien and Kagami shook her head. „Then what is it?“ Questioned the blonde and the blue-haired woman looked back at him opening her mouth to speak, then a loud burst ran on the outside of the bus shrieking Kagami, Adrien and the other passengers of the bus and the bus started to slow down. The two looked back to the other passengers, that noted the part, where they sat had sunk a little, therefore, the bus had turned the warning lights to stop the bus on the right side of the road.

„What was that?“ Asked Kagami, then Adrien looked behind, where he saw two passengers look down from the window and talking in Russian about the situation.

„I think it was the tire“ Replied Adrien looking at the cockpit, where the bus driver sat speaking on his communication device with the central.

„Gosh we‘re not even ten minutes inside the bus and now we have a breakdown“ Kagami said annoyed placing her hands on her forehead.

„Don‘t worry Kagami, everything will be fine“ Adrien calmed Kagami down, then in front the bus driver turned on his microphone who spoke in Russian to the passengers.

„I hope anyone here speaks English cause I don‘t understand, what he‘s saying“

„He‘s telling, that the bus‘ right tire had broken and that we needed to get out and look for another transport vehicle, cause this bus was going to get towed“ Responded Kagami.

„Oh, I totally forgot your mother used to teach you Russian, “ The blonde guy said doing a facepalm. „And now we have to go look for ourself for another way to get to the airport?“

„Most likely, “ Kagami said getting up from her seat and walk to a map with the city and all the various connections of the public transportation of Saint Petersburg. „I only see this bus with a direct connection to the airport“

„And everyone else you need to move out in some stops, but which ones will be difficult to figure out“ The Frenchman mentioned to his friend following with the index finger a red line away from the airport.

„I ask the other passengers, “ Kagami said walking to two women around her age to question them about the connections of the transports.

„Okay….“ Adrien said hearing his phone whistle as it got a message, then he took out his phone from his jacket and saw a message of his friend Nino Lahiffe.

„I‘m already at the airport, where are you?“

Adrien opened the message, then typed down for his friend a message.

„I and Kagami were going together with a bus and it had a breakdown. We‘re now trying to find another solution to head to the airport.“

Adrien put his phone back in the pocket, then Kagami approached him taking him by his hand, surprising him.

„Uh…..“

„We got a big problem now Adrien“ Kagami warned the blonde. „In 8 minutes there is a train, that passes by the airport and the trainstation we need to get one is about 20 minutes away from here acording to the navigation“

„And the next train?“

„In a half hour“ Responded Kagami. „Come get out of the bus“ Kagami ordered pulling Adrien behind her out on the sidewalk.

„Okay and where‘s the train station?“ Questioned the blonde as Kagami had let is hand down.

„I‘m trying to recalculate the destination, but it‘s taking long, “ Kagami said a little tensed about the situation, then Adrien placed his hand on her shoulder.

„Kagami take a deep breath and keep calm. We‘re going to make it in time“ Adrien promised. „If we don‘t, we can always book another flight and a direct one“

Kagami sighed and nodded to her friend, that calmed her down. „You‘re right, I‘m sorry“

„After 1000m turn left, “ Kagami‘s phone said and the two looked down at the navigation system of her phone working.

„Now let‘s follow her instructions.“ Adrien said earning a nod from the blue-haired woman and both walked on the sidewalk listening to the GPS giving them the direction.

After an hour Adrien and Kagami sat inside a train heading to the airport. Kagami leaned against the window observing the landscape while Adrien stared holes in the air waiting until the ride was over for them. Adrien took out his phone then saw a missed call from Nino and a message, then he opened the message to see, what he wrote.

„For real?“ Adrien asked as he read the message and the Japanese looked at him wondering, what happened.

„Are you alright?“

„The planes won‘t be able to take off or land, because the people at the airport are striking“

„Oh gosh, now that!“ Kagami complained as she heard the bad news. „And now?“

„I‘m trying to call him, “ Adrien said clicking on Nino‘s phone number and pressed the green button to call him. „Hey Nino, what happened?“

„I don‘t know, suddenly the workers on the field of the airport stopped doing their job and appeared down at the main entrance striking“

„And you can‘t now leave the airport?“

„I‘m sitting inside the plane and we can‘t leave it at the moment. But the way the strikes are going there won‘t be any landings or takeoffs today“

„Darn it and now how we‘re supposed to go to Japan?“ Questioned Adrien.

„I don‘t know, maybe there is another airport you two could go instead?“

„We‘re inside a train heading to the airport. We could try and see if the airport in Moscow would be free of strikes and then board there into a plane to Japan“

„I‘m not sure if it‘s going to work out. It‘s going to be difficult to find a flight today or this week“

„I don‘t know, I could ask Kagami to look for flight tickets from Moscow to Tokyo...“ Adrien suggested looking at Kagami, who quickly took out her smartphone and entered into the internet to look up for flight tickets.

„I‘m on it, “ Kagami told Adrien, which nodded at the woman.

„She‘s on it, “ Adrien said. „I hope we‘re going to find some“

„If you don‘t, try to find for the other days or your only chance would be cross the whole country and try at other airports.“

„Well I hope we manage to find spots in Moscow“

„Well I don‘t know, what you think, but if you two have to cross the whole country together just to find an airport, you should both go together. I don‘t think your smartphone‘s battery survives this long“

„Well I got the power bank inside my backpack, but I don‘t know if it has enough charge or not“

„Sure, in case you really have to cross Russia by train or anything else, don‘t waste your phone‘s battery. Use those days to get to know Kagami better. Maybe that‘s your chance to show Kagami how much you care for her and she might fall in love with you again“

„You‘re right Nino, I‘m gonna take this chance and make the best out of it“

„That‘s my boy, so I better turn the phone off, before you lose more percent of your battery“

„Yes thank you, Nino, for the information“

„No problem dude, feel free to send me any messages of how your trip is going and between you two“

„Sure I‘ll do, “ Adrien said turning his phone off and putting it back in his pocket. Adrien looked at Kagami putting her phone back and sigh disappointedly.

„I can‘t find any tickets before the wedding day, only two weeks after it“

„Oh no, “ Adrien said looking unhappy at Kagami.

„What are we going to do now?“ Questioned the Japanese girl.

„Nino suggested in looking in Russia for other airports, possibly we‘re going to have to cross Russia by train for the next few days“

„I have looked for Moscow, the next one on the list was Khanty-Mansiysk, which had also no free space to fly to Tokyo“

„Okay well our only choice now is to head to the central station and get informed about other airports and possible trains to go there“

„Correct and our last chance would be the Vladivostok airport at the other end of Russia if it has any free spots to fly to Tokyo or not“

„Good“

„And we might have better luck there since short flights to certain cities usually have like five or six times per day. The chance is great for us to be able to book one to Tokyo“

„And when are you planning to book them?“ Questioned the Frenchman.

„I think later“ Replied the Japanese woman. „First I need to know, how many days it takes to head to Vladivostok when I know the exact days I can book one“

„Sounds brilliant, “ Adrien said earning a nod from Kagami.

„Thank you, “ Kagami said and the two looked out of the window, where the train was slowing down to stop at the first station to collect more passengers for the upcoming stations, the train hasn‘t passed yet.

#adrimi #adrami #adrigami #miraculous #miraculousladybug #fanfic #fanfiction #update #ao3 #Wattpad #Kagami Tsurugi #adrien agreste #kagadrien

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trashmouthhharrington · 7 years ago

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Thin Mints and Menthol (Part II) (Steve Harrington x Reader)

PART 1

PART 3

Pairings: Steve Harrington x Reader

Summary: It’s set a year after Season 2 has finished and you’re a senior in high school who’s often getting into trouble with the law for petty crimes. And Hopper usually gets you out of trouble. Then one night the new officer Steve Harrington joins him.

Words: 2.2k (i just didn’t know when to stop apparently)

Warnings: Mild swearing, mild mentions of smoking, abusive behavior.

A/N: This is the second part to my series ‘Thin Mints and Menthol’, I got so many requests for a second part! Also I’m not American and I don’t smoke, so if I got any terminology wrong I’m sorry! I’m really thankful for all the amazing feedback. If you want a next part or to be tagged in future parts, let me know! Hope you enjoy!!

“And where the fuck have you been?”

His harsh voice startles You turned your head to face the man in front of you, his vice like grip on your wrist feeling like it could almost snap your bone. You winced slightly due to the pressure. You wince and whimper slightly, like a kicked puppy. It’s your Dad.

“Daddy, I’m sorry, I was studying at… Nancy Wheeler’s house and I forgot the time.”

“So why did Jim Hopper drop you off home?” You pause, you can feel the heat rising in your cheeks. A dead giveaway.

“H-h-he saw me walking home in t-the dark and offered my a ride home on his way back to the station.” The grip on your wrist loosened, you could see his anger slowly subsiding. Apparently your lie is good enough to fool him. An almost devilish grin creeps across his face. He places a wet kiss onto your cheek, the smell of alcohol is suffocating. You gip as the smell of beer and body odour hit your nose as he pulls you into a hug. Coughing slightly as he does so to cover how disgusted you feel.

“Sorry Daddy, I’m really tired and I need a bath before I go to bed. May I be excused?” You ask politely, almost whispering, wary that anything could set him off again. Suddenly you feel his dirty nails dig into your back. As quickly as they do, he releases you again. His Cheshire Cat smile still plastered across his face, dirty yellowing teeth reside in his mouth, like mismatched gravestones. His face is unshaven, greasy and definitely unwashed. He looms over you threateningly, processing the question you had just asked him

“Sure.” He says finally as he saunters slowly over into the kitchen. You watch him as he opens the run-down green fridge and pulls out another beer. He starts to turn around but before he can face you, you’re running up the stairs to escape his gaze. You quickly dash into your room closing the door carefully so you don’t disturb him and cause him more anger. Tears spill from your eyes and cascade down your cheeks splashing onto you blouse. Breathing in unsteadily, you wait till the volume on the TV downstairs increases. Safety.

You slowly re-open the door and creep down the hallway to the bathroom. Pushing the door open and pulling on the cord. The bright fluorescent lights blind you as you walk in and hastily shut the door behind you. Sighing you lean on the door, it’s cool surface calming you slightly. Your father has not always been the awful ogre-like man that resides on the sofa wasting all his money on beer, he used to be a gentle and kind man, but when he lost his job he changed. You think back to the time he used to carry you on his shoulders like you were a princess. Looking down at the angry red marks around your wrist you shake the memory from your mind, instead focusing on running your bath.

As you watch the water pour into the bath, a shiver travels through your body. Great Dad forgot to turn the heating on. You shove your hands into the pocket and giggle. A single camel cigarette is in your pocket. Hopper. You quickly open a window, strip your clothes and sink into the warm water, reaching over into your jacket to pull out your lighter and the one cigarette from your packet. You spark up and light the cigarette, taking a long drag in you lean back your head resting on the back of the bath. You suddenly sit up coughing, you reach up to your mouth pulling pieces of tobacco out of it.

“Jeez!” You accidentally say aloud. “Who the fuck smokes unfiltered cigarettes in 1985?” Shaking your head you can’t help but laugh at the hilarity of the situation. The town’s chief of police handing out a cigarette to his favorite shoplifter. You stare at it, still lit, deciding it would just be better to stub it out and throw it out the window.

That’s my last ever cigarette, I quit.

You quickly wash your hair and body, lathering soap over every inch of yourself to try and remove the slime left over by your Dad. Scrubbing at your face to fully remove your smeared eye makeup. You take in a shaky breath as you look at your arm once again. Both have an inch wide burn encircling them, like bracelets, from the rope you’d been bound in. However your right wrist now has bruises forming in the shape of fingers like small snakes that have bitten into your skin. Four crescent shaped cuts are embedded into your skin, from his overgrown fingernails. You grimace slightly as soap and water seeps into the small lacerations.

You quickly get out of the bath,no longer wanting to think of your Dad, pulling the plug as you do. You wrap yourself in a towel and make your way down the hall. Stepping lightly as you walk. Loud snores travelling their way up the stairs as you enter your room. You hastily get ready for bed, pulling on your mismatched pajamas and braiding (Y/H/C) hair. You climb into bed, praying that when you wake up life will be different for you.

That night you dream of a magical kingdom, and a Prince with a charming smile who saves you from the clutches of an evil dragon keeping you captive in a tower.

After a weekend of avoiding your father in the house, Monday morning comes as a blessing. While you don't like the drama that comes with being at Hawkins High School, being able to escape him for around 7-8 hours is a luxury for you. You aren’t bullied at school but you don’t have any friends either, once your Dad lost his job four years ago you closed yourself off to everyone. Fearful of what they thought of you. You miss being able to laugh and confide in someone, but it was easier this way.

You pull your sleeve down on your jacket as you walk out of your home, the bruises that your Dad had left were still present on your skin. They’d only faded slightly in the three days since he’d marked you. The wind was fierce this morning and it was chilling you to the bone, you pull your thin jacket close to you, it was zipped to the top and yet you were still freezing. It had been nearly 2 years since you’d had a new winter coat. Money was in short supply these days. But you brave the cold and set off walking towards the bus stop. You live on the edge of town so the walk to the High School was too far.

There are a few people already milling around, talking to one another. You stand outside of the group, not that there’s even any chance they’d involve you in their conversation. Whilst waiting for the yellow crowded bus, you pull out a tattered poetry book from your bag, borrowed from the library. You look up as car rolls up in front of you and the window winds down. An eager looking Steve Harrington is beaming up at you.

“(Y/N)!”

“Harrington.” You clench your jaw, forcing yourself not to smile. Despite your efforts it still tugs at the corners of your mouth.

“Fancy a ride?” He asks you sincerely, you turn to look at the group of teenagers standing at the bus stop with you. They’re all staring at you, jaws slack. You turn back to look at Steve once again, you laugh in disbelief.

“Sure, why not?” You toss your bag into the trunk of his BMW and make your way round to the passenger side. You climb in, smiling sweetly at the girls sneering jealously at you. You roll you eyes as you shut the door. He’s wearing his police uniform, presumably he’s driving to work. “Nice uniform.” You tell him smirking as he looks down proudly at it.

“Thanks, I just got it last Monday so it’s still nice and clean. Not a spot of blood in sight. Yet.” He looks in his side view mirror to check theres no oncoming traffic and sets off towards the school. You take the small moment he was distracted to stare at him, you sigh shakily as you feel yourself falling down a rabbit hole you know you shouldn’t.

“The addition of ‘yet’ scares me, are you actually going to beat me with a baseball bat and then chop me into small chunks?”

“Well I don’t know depends on how annoying you get.” He turns to you, you flash him a sarcastic smile.

“I’m not annoying I’m a delight to have, and do I need to remind you that you’re the one who offered me a ride?”

“No I remember, I’m just regretting my decision.” You playfully hit him in the arm. “Ow! Don’t distract the driver!” He rubs his bicep pretending to be hurt.

“Don’t pull that face you’ll get wrinkles, and you’re ugly enough without them.” You tell him jokingly. He turns to you his mouth open in surprise.

“Okay that was just harsh.” The smile on his face tells you that he isn’t really offended.

“So… Either you just happened to see me at the bus stop OR you just have a habit of giving High Schoolers rides to school.” He chuckles and glances at you whilst shrugging his shoulders.

“No, you’re definitely the first. Unless you count Dustin. Oh, and sometimes I give Max a ride if her brothers being an asshole.”

“Dustin? Max? Are they Seniors?” He erupts into laughter again. You gave him a confused look, lifting your hand to really show you didn’t understand. He stops chuckling and coughs to hide his obvious embarrassment.

“They’re, erm, Freshman, I’m sort of Dustin’s honorary big brother. Or something I don’t know, it’s sort of complicated. They’re Mike Wheeler’s friends. Nancy’s younger brother. I know it’s sort of weird but they’re good kids.” He takes a hand off of the wheel and rubs the back of his neck, which turns up his collar. You instinctively lean forward and fix it. When you look up at him again your eyes lock just as they had done last Friday. Steve’s mere inches away from you, closing the gap between you would be so easy. Instead you just smile at him and lean back, deciding looking out the window would be better.

“Keep your eye’s on the road.”

“I told you, don’t distract the driver.” He tells you firmly, but you can hear the smile in his voice. You blush at the very idea you could distract him.

The rest of the ride is short, you don’t speak and yet there is a comfortable silence between you both. You open up your poetry book and read till Steve pulls into the parking lot of the High School you close the cover and immediately grab at the handle to exit the vehicle. Before you can leave he gently grasps your wrist. You wince as he he grips the spot where your father had seized you. He retracts his hand instantly.

“(Y/N), wait. Please.” You recline back into the seat, Steve leans over to open his glove box and he rummages around in his glove compartment. He finally pulls out a small green and white box. Across the front reads:

‘Menthol Fresh. SALEM. Unfiltered Cigarettes.’

“I thought I’d buy you some, might convince you to commit less thievery...I guess it’s also an early birthday present.” He tells you sheepishly. You gingerly take the packet out of his hand. You’re fingertips brush against his as you do.

“You remembered that my birthday’s this week.” You doubted even your family remembered you’re turning 18. You gaze up at him, his mouth opens slightly. Suddenly there’s loud frantic knocks on the window. It startles you both and you whirl your head round to find out who it is. It’s a group of smiling Freshmen. Steve rolls down the window.

“STEVE!” They all say almost in unison. You recognize one as Mike Wheeler, Will Byers is there too. The others are strangers to you. With Steve distracted you take the opportunity to exit the car and make your way to the high school. It’s only when you reach the main doors you realize you had been clutching onto the packet of cigarettes in your hand so hard it had creased slightly. You smile shyly, biting your lip and carefully put them in your pocket. Maybe I’ll quit smoking next week. You think to yourself.

What you failed to notice as you strolled into the high school is that Steve Harrington was watching you longingly.

Part 3???

Tags!!: @deepsouth, @blackjacksdonuts @bliazezabini

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington #stranger things #joe keery #joe keery imagine #stranger things 2 #stranger things imagine

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anothertccblog-blog · 7 years ago

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May TC Challenge

As usual, sorry for inactivity! This time, though, I have a legitimate excuse! I have AP exams coming up this week (first is tomorrow) and next and I’ve been working hard! I have a moment now, though, and I decided that since this month will likely be very busy for me, I’m going to do the entire May challenge now just to make sure I finish everything. SO without further ado, the May TC Challenge!

1. Have you ever said something embarrassing to/in front of your TC?

I mean yeah, lots of times. Nothing comes to mind in particular, but I definitely remember having moments where I was super embarrassed that they overheard something. I think I blocked a lot of these out lmao.

2. When did you TC start teaching you? Does he/she still teach you?

B started teaching me in the fall of 2016, my sophomore year of high school. He no longer teaches me. P started teaching me in the fall of 2017, and will be my teacher until the end of this month.

3. Do you know anything about your TC’s childhood/youth?

Surprisingly, I know more about P than I do about B. I know he’s the youngest of 5 or 6, and I know he was a Boy Scout. The other day he told us about the time he took a shit behind his sister’s bed when he was two. I don’t remember how or why it came up in class, but that’s what sticks out the most when I think of his youth.

4. Describe your TC’s eyes.

The most beautiful hazel you’ll ever see. They change with the weather and the color he’s wearing; on sunny days, with lighter/brighter colors, they’re very pale and more green than brown; on cloudy days, with darker colors, they’re darker and much more of a brown shade. I think they give him character.

5. What’s your favorite outfit on him/her?

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but P is the long distance coach for our track and field team. So, he has this really nice black pullover that says the name of our school with the logo and “Track and Field” embroidered on the left breast. Usually on Fridays, he’ll wear that pullover with a pair of dark wash jeans and these grey and blue tennis shoes he has. He looks really nice in dark colors and I love the cut of the jeans, so that’s my favorite outfit.

6. How do you try to impress your TC?

A lot of times, I don’t really try. I don’t like to force it or feel like I’m trying too hard. Most of the time, I’ll just answer questions in class or joke around/banter with him because I know that’s what earns his respect.

7. Describe what you think your wedding would look like. What are you both wearing? Who’s invited? What’s for dinner?

It would be outside, first of all. Probably in a park. I’d want a more understated dress, natural makeup, my hair down and in loose curls. I think my bouquet would have roses, lilies, and hydrangea. Maybe I would braid some flowers into my hair, just to spruce it up a bit. He would wear a black tux with a red tie, to match the roses in the bouquet. My bridesmaids would be some of my best friends (the maid of honor would probably be my closest friend, I’ll call her C). His best man would be his best friend, who I’ve called K in the past, and his groomsmen would probably be his brothers. We both have large families and we both value them highly, so I think it would definitely be a very long list of guests. I would want steak and salad, and I’d want the cake to be marbled with chocolate frosting. The reception would be more casual and understated; I’d probably change into a different dress and he’d likely take off the suit jacket. My family is very... fun-loving when it comes to weddings, so I think we’d probably be out all night. I’d want our honeymoon to be in Italy or Ireland.

8. Have you ever caught him/her staring at you? How did you react?

I caught B staring at me once during class last year. We were doing a group assignment and he was sitting on one of the desks in front of my group, facing our direction. At one point I looked up and we made eye contact, and he seemed to be a little zoned out. I just kinda waved until he snapped out of it. As for P, I was in his room last Friday studying for psychology, and he was sitting at his desk. When I looked up from my notes we made direct eye contact, like he had already been looking, and I just blushed and looked away. I think that was just timed well, though, because there were a few of us there and he had been looking around the group.

9. If you would buy your TC socks, what would your chosen ones look like?

I actually have bought B socks before, for his birthday. They were blue with little amoebas on them, since he’s a science teacher. If I bought socks for P, they’d probably have some kind of sports logo on them, like the logo for his college or for the White Sox (his favorite baseball team).

10. If he/she visited your family for any reason and you’d have to cook, what would you cook?

Lasagna! My family is Italian so we have tons of pasta recipes passed down from past generations, and our family lasagna sauce is hella good.

11. If you lived together, would you rather have kids or pets with him/her?

Pets. I’m not big on kids. But I would definitely have kids with him if the time was right; he would be an amazing dad and I do like kids, don’t get me wrong, they’re just not my number one aspiration in life. Plus, we’d both be living on teachers’ salaries and I feel like I’d be concerned with supporting anything more than a dog.

12. What is your opinion on age gap relationships? Do you think a certain age gap isn’t good anymore?

I think as long as the parties are both consenting adults, it doesn’t really matter. Let people do what they want to do; they know what’s best for themselves.

13. What would you do if a friend told you she had a crush on your TC?

Outwardly, I’d probably express comfort/understanding. Inwardly, I’d probably be a little peeved. Luckily, P isn’t really ~super hot~ by any conventional means so I don’t think this would become a problem.

14. Do you know when your TC’s birthday is? How hold is he/she?

B’s is March 6 and he’s 45. P’s is sometime in September (I can’t remember the exact date off the top of my head) and he’s 28.

15. What would you do if he/she found your blog, knew it was about him/her but he/she was still trying to figure out whose blog it is?

Nothing. He’d figure it out in due time. I’m the only person taking both APUSH and psych. I’d let him come to me if he felt the need, and then I’d justify myself if need be, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to do anything suspicious.

16. If you were on a class trip with your TC and a friend of yours wasn’t feeling well in the middle of the night, would you be the one to knock on your TC’s door loudly and wake him/her? Would the sight of his/er sleeping face and pajamas be worth standing there in your own pajamas and with your sleepy face?

I’d probably try to resolve the friend’s problem myself, but if I really needed to get him I definitely would. And hell yeah, seeing him like that, hearing his voice all gravelly from sleep, would 300% be worth it.

17. Can you remember what happened in the last dream you had about your TC?

I remember something about aliens, but that’s about it.

18. Has your TC ever had a conversation about you with your parents? If yes, what did he/she say?

Yep! For parent/teacher conferences I sat in on his conference because I wanted to hear his praise comments. He said the usual joy to have in class/hard worker/etc. stuff.

19. Think of a song that reminds you of your TC and tell us your favorite line from it?

Whatever You Do by Brandi Carlile makes me think of B. My favorite line is “There are days when I could walk into the ocean / With no one else but you to leave behind.”

As for P, In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel is a big one. My favorite line is “When I want to run away / I drive off in my car / But whichever way I go / I come back to the place you are.”

20. What has been the best mark you had in one of your TC’s tests? Did he/she say something to you about it/write something on it?

There have been tons of little things here and there. In APUSH, we wrote and in-class DBQ and like a dork he wrote “Boom! Nailed the intro!” For psych, one time he gave me a fist bump after I did really well on a multiple choice test and every time I score perfectly on a short answer he writes “Fridge” on the top (a direct quote as to why: “put it on your fridge ‘cause you did so well!”

21. Have you ever stalked your TC online?

I mean, I’ve done a Google search. I found his twitter and his engagement photos (and I’ll admit, I cried when I looked at those. Not my proudest moment.) His twitter is really adorable and cute though. He reblogs teacher memes.

22. Does your TC come to school by car/tram/bus? Do you know what car he/she has?

He does come by car, but I don’t know what kind it is. I think it’s black. He’s called it “reliable” in the past.

23. Did your TC ever change something on his/her appearance or wear something different that didn’t suit him/her?

Sometimes he’ll grow out some stubble and it looks hella good, but that’s generally the only real change aside from hair cuts.

24. Where do you think you’d live with him/her and what would the interior look like?

A little house, somewhere quaint, probably near his work/my college (luckily, I’m going to college close, so this wouldn’t be too hard to accomplish). I would want it to be very cozy and lived-in, but not overly cluttered.

25. Does your TC do any sports that you know of?

He does track and field, cross country, and basketball.

26. Does your TC bring coffee or tea to class? If yes, what does his/her cup look like?

He constantly has coffee in his hands. He has a ton of different mugs and stuff. He usually uses one with his college’s logo on it or one with our school’s logo on it.

27. 5 things that make him/her your ideal partner.

His passion, his kindness, his sense of humor, his genuineness, his stories.

28. A song, film, and book that you would recommend to your TC.

I would recommend Netflix Trip by AJR, A Quiet Place (dir. John Krasinski), and In Cold Blood by Truman Capote.

29. What do you think about the TCC and how has it helped you?

I think it’s pretty solid for the most part. It’s definitely given me an outlet and a place I can express myself. Of course, people have views that I don’t necessarily agree with, but that’s to be expected.

30. A new language you would love to learn together with your TC.

I’ve kinda been dying to learn Italian and I think it would be fun to swear at each other in it.

31. What does your TC smell like?

Not that I go around actively smelling him, but he smells a little fruity and very fresh/clean.

#may tc challenge 2018 #time to continue torturing myself with his engagement photos!#glad this reminded me

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hmhteen · 7 years ago

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HMH Teen Teasers: HIDING by Henry Turner!

Don’t freak out: there’s someone inside your house.

JK, we were just teasing the plot of Edgar-award nominee Henry Turner’s latest book, HIDING! It’s a psychological thriller starring a teen boy who is hiding in his ex-girlfriend’s house...and no one except him knows why. What does he plan to do? Why is he there? And what secret is he trying to keep hidden? You can find out in the book, which we are sharing an excerpt of below.

CHAPTER ONE

I’m good at hiding. I think it’s what I’m best at. If you’re going to believe anything I say, I think you have to know that.

I’m very good at hiding.

I don’t just mean hide-and-seek, going in a closet or some- thing. That’s just one kind of hiding.

Real hiding happens when everybody can see you, but they don’t notice you. That’s the real thing.

To do that, you have to be really aware of other people. You have to kind of get to know what sort of people they are to be sure they don’t ever look at you, or notice you.

It’s kind of hard to understand.

Of course, I find it easy to understand, because I’ve been hiding all my life.

In one way or another.

It all started when playing games as a little kid. I loved the weird sense of being totally alone behind a bush while who- ever I was playing with was out there creeping around trying to find me. I loved watching them look. I felt so safe and pro- tected, like the whole world had gone away, and I thought I never really wanted to be found.

But I no longer need a bush, or a closet or a box or some obvious place — what everybody calls a hiding place. I feel I can hide anywhere, even when I’m standing right next to you.

There was a kid in my class who said the teacher always called on him when he didn’t know the answer. This was, like, the fourth grade. He was this kid who always sat in class lean- ing back in his chair really far like it might fall, and sometimes he scratched himself or even picked his nose like nobody else was even around, and these were of course the moments the teacher always chose to single him out.

But he didn’t think she called on him because of that stuff, or because he was sort of overweight and had a big fan of frizzy red hair and was definitely the most noticeable kid in class anyways.

She did it, he claimed, to embarrass him and show that he was stupid and just sort of blind to the world, and he thought she got a big kick out of doing it, like it was some sort of game for her.

How she treated him was pretty mean, I’ll admit that, but that wasn’t what I told him.

I said to him, “Well, there’re two ways to deal with that. Study, or learn to hide.”

“Hide?” he said. “I wouldn’t want to do that.”

We were in the cafeteria while we talked, eating lunch, and even then he was leaning back really far in his chair — I can’t remember whether he was picking his nose or not.

But I do remember he rolled his eyes and said I was a little nuts.

I couldn’t agree with that, so I went on to ask him if he knew why the teacher never called on me, whether I knew the answer or not.

“No,” he said. So I told him.

I said I watched her. I always paid attention to her, even if I wasn’t looking straight at her. She never saw me drifted off like a sitting duck, waiting to be picked on. She never really saw me at all. I never got so comfortable that anybody would ever think I was blind to the world, but always stayed really well aware of it, and I would sit so still and watch her so calmly that she never noticed me and never thought of singling me out for anything.

I just wasn’t there. For her, at least.

A better example is something I did three months ago— actually just a little less than three months ago; I mean the end of last May. It happened at this funeral, and it’s a perfect example of how I sometimes can walk around and never be seen by anybody.

Now, I call that hiding because I can definitely be seen if I want to. But I usually don’t want to.

The truth is, I never even meant to go to the funeral at all. I didn’t, really. I certainly wasn’t invited or anything. The thing is that I’d been walking around — it was a Sunday and this was almost three months ago, like I said, and I really never had anything much to do on Sundays anyways, especially right then after school had let out for summer.

I guess I wasn’t feeling too good at the time. My girlfriend had just broken up with me. You get the idea. So I was out just sort of wandering around, telling myself I was not headed anywhere, when I found myself trudging up the hill from my house, passing this intersection at the top of it, and cross- ing the street into the next neighborhood, which is, like, the pretty wealthy area, where all the houses are big, and where my girlfriend — my ex-girlfriend — lives.

All I can say is that I never really consciously thought about it or meant to do it, but pretty soon I was hiding in the bushes across the street from her house.

It’s not like I expected to see her or anything, but I stayed in the bushes a while, just thinking about her, and other stuff too, but mainly her, and that’s when she came out of the house.

Laura didn’t look like herself. That’s her name, by the way— Laura. She looked older. Serious and somber. Like a real young woman, not a girl anymore at all.

She looked different than I’d ever seen her.

For one thing, she had on this very sheer black dress that went down to her knees. It shone really bright against the bright green grass of her lawn. She didn’t usually wear such stuff. Her hair, which fell to her shoulders and is dark brown, shone too, just like the dress. She had a little shawl around her shoulders, black as well. And she had on black shoes with pretty high heels.

She looked beautiful, as usual. Except her face. Her face looked terrible. I don’t mean she wasn’t pretty anymore. She was always pretty. But she felt sad, I could tell.

More than sad. She felt terrible, I could see it. Something awful had happened. I didn’t know what.

Her mother was there with her. She also wore black. Not Laura’s dad — he was off somewhere on business, probably; he always was.

Her brother, Jack, was there, though. Big guy. Football. Stanford, I think. He didn’t wear black. I seem to remember he didn’t wear any black at all.

They stood there a moment, close together, in front of the very green lawn in front of their house, in relief, almost, because of all the black they had on — except of course for Jack. None of them said anything. It was like they needed to take a moment, or hadn’t quite made up their minds about something.

Then they all piled into their car, which was parked on the street, and headed off down the road, with their headlights turned on, even though it was daytime.

I watched the car drive away. But it didn’t feel right just to stand there. I had to know why she looked like that. So I came out of the bushes and followed them.

Well, I don’t know if followed is the right word. Let’s just say I walked in the same direction they drove, because it isn’t like I could keep up with the car or anything. It was out of sight pretty quickly.

But other cars came by, with their headlights on too.

I knew what that meant. The cars were a funeral proces- sion.

So every time I saw another car with its headlights on, I just kept walking, and it turned out all I had to do was walk straight about a mile and down a big hill to York Road, which separates the rich area from people who are really pretty poor, but there are businesses and stuff on the street, because York Road is a big wide street in my city, with plenty of businesses and gas stations.

And a funeral parlor.

When I got to York I stood on the corner. Passing traffic blew up clouds of gritty dust from the street. I spotted Laura’s car parked on the side street beside the funeral parlor, which was on the corner right across from me. Her car was easy to spot because it was long and black, and everything else was a junker.

All I did was sort of dart across the street, between buses and cars because the traffic was pretty heavy there, always is. I just slipped through, and I’m sure nobody really saw me.

When I was across, I went up the side street and crouched between Laura’s car and this beat-up Toyota behind it. I waited a minute, listening, and when it seemed everything was set- tled inside the funeral home, I went around front.

The window was crowded with flowers. I looked through. I saw a bunch of people with the usual sort of attitudes. I knew the deal; I’d been to a couple funerals before. Some of the peo- ple were crying, a couple women, especially. Most were just standing around. It was a closed coffin — I could see that when the crowd parted. I didn’t see Laura; she was buried in the crowd. There were more flowers everywhere and the room was white.

Two men in suits came out front and started smoking ciga- rettes. I turned and acted like I was waiting for a bus, standing behind this pretty thick telephone pole next to the bus-stop sign. I seriously thought the men didn’t see me. I’m actually sure they didn’t. But I could hear them pretty clearly, despite the rush of the traffic, because I stood so close.

They talked about what was going on. The actual funeral had been at a church up the road. Just family. This was for everybody else. A kid had died. He’d killed himself. I listened very closely as they talked, and one of them said he’d ridden his skateboard under a bus, on purpose. People had seen him do it. It was some kid I probably didn’t know. Some prep school kid Laura must have known; she knew lots of kids.

Hell. I can think of a lot of ways to die, but that’s the last way I’d choose.

The people started coming out, carrying flowers to their cars. They were all leaving. I was going to leave too. But the men had mentioned where the burial was going to be. I knew the place, and it wasn’t too far.

I didn’t really want to go. I mean, this was private, and I’d seen those women in there crying, really crying.

But I had to see her again. Just once more.

So when the bus came I got on it and rode a few miles.

I got off in this neighborhood near downtown, a sort of rough area full of dirty row houses. Rough neighborhoods don’t bother me. You walk with your face down, but you always look everywhere. You cross the street if anybody up ahead looks at all threatening. So as not to get stranded, you stay out of alleys and never cross a bridge alone on foot — you find another way around. It’s really no problem for me.

I walked until I got to this stone wall and I went up some stairs. I saw the cars parked in a long line on a gravel road winding through the grass. I saw Laura’s car. They were already there.

I stood back for a while, watching. The graveyard was huge, that old famous one on Greenmount Avenue; it’s got this big stone church with a really high black steeple. The trees were thick in places, and very green. The grass was very green. Everything was really quiet and still; all I heard was the traffic away in the street and crows cawing.

I walked from tree to tree. The tombstones slid past me, the old marble like dirty chalk, the names and dates filled with soot. I didn’t read them. I watched the burial, coming closer and closer to it.

I came up behind the crowd. They all wore pretty fancy clothes. But then again there were guys like Jack in just jeans and a button-down. I was dressed okay. Nobody noticed me. I didn’t bump anybody.

I slid ahead until I was standing two feet behind Laura. I knew it was her even though she was wearing a veil. I thought only married women were supposed to do that. I mean wid- ows. But she wore one. Her shoulders were beautiful, bare under the straps of her dress and below the veil. I smelled the freshness of her hair. She was sobbing horribly, and shaking.

Her mom and Jack and a few other people were standing around her. Her mom didn’t seem to know what to do; if any- thing, she looked embarrassed, her face sort of stricken, and her eyes, too. I could see that from the side of her face as she nervously looked around. But Jack at least patted Laura’s back.

I wanted to touch her.

I wanted to reach out and put my hand on her arm and tell her I was there.

But I didn’t.

What good would it have done?

She didn’t love me anymore, she’d told me. Nothing I did would make her feel any better.

I started walking backwards, slowly. I’d seen her. That was enough. I didn’t know why she was crying. Maybe it was a boy I didn’t know about. She’d never told me much about her other friends. Maybe she loved him. I didn’t mind. He was dead. I felt bad for her.

I walked backwards until I was out of the crowd. Some- body was saying a few words, but I didn’t listen — it was just a man’s voice, sharp in the stillness.

They were lowering the coffin into the grave when I turned and walked out of the cemetery.

Nobody had seen me. They’d have needed a picture to know I was there.

Now, that’s hiding. Real hiding.

CHAPTER TWO

I can’t tell you what this is all about.

I mean what started with the thing with my elbow. I mean not yet.

Really, what I want to do here, if you haven’t already guessed, is tell you about my all-time greatest job of hiding, but I can’t just come right out and say where I was when I hid or exactly why I was hiding.

First, it has to do with a lot of things — I mean there were a number of different reasons why I hid — and if I just jump ahead and tell you all about it, and especially about what finally happened, you’ll think I’m really weird or I’m just mak- ing it all up.

Well, maybe I am a little weird.

But I’m not making anything up, so please don’t start thinking that. Not because my story is in any way unbeliev- able, but even I’ll agree that things like what I’m about to say just don’t happen to people like me.

You see, I’m one of those unique people to whom nothing really big ever happened.

I’m not feeling sorry for myself. Please don’t think that, either. But it’s just true that nothing big ever happened to me. I’ve never won a trophy or a prize or anything, or even had my number come up in a raffle. I’ve never even been on a real vacation; we could never afford it. I know kids who ski and scuba-dive and go all over the place; my neighborhood is full of them. But I haven’t.

Maybe one day I will. I was talking to a girl I know and I said I think my life will start when maybe I’m twenty-five. She thought that was depressing, but not me. I hoped it would. I mean, I hated thinking I might have to wait until I was thirty- five.

What I can tell you right now is what was happening when it all started, but even for that you need to go back a few months, when I think about it.

Three months ago the big event in my life was that Laura dumped me. I can honestly say it was the biggest event that had ever happened to me in my whole life. She was my first girlfriend, and I’m sixteen, so you know how that is.

If you don’t, I’ll tell you.

I worshiped her.

That’s what wrecked everything.

You see, I have some perspective on it now. I can see things a lot clearer. At the time — I mean when we were actu- ally going out, which we really hardly ever did, I mean on real dates; we mainly just met up a bunch of times at my house, or a park, or the house where she baby-sat — I couldn’t see any- thing clearly at all.

All I could see was her.

I never wanted to see anything else. I couldn’t see anything else.

That was the bliss of it. I felt so good being with her that everything else just sort of went away. That’s why I think I worshiped her. I mean, that all adds up to worship.

But you can’t worship a girl. It’s just not fair. It can even be boring.

Boring for her, I mean.

Now, in case you’re wondering how I ever got so philo- sophical and intelligent about all this, don’t worry, it’s not me. I didn’t think of any of that. It all came from my mother. When I was with Laura I spent a lot of time talking about her with my mom. I sure as hell couldn’t talk about her with my dad. Even after we broke up, he just didn’t care, because this was right around the time he started moping around so much, for reasons I’ll get to in a second.

My mom was interested that I finally had a girlfriend, and wanted to tell me things so I wouldn’t mess it up, because when she asked me how I felt about Laura and I told her, to tell the truth, she looked a little worried.

And she would know. My mom did a lot of dating in her day when she was a teen — and I guess she was pretty good at it because she wound up marrying my dad when she was nine- teen. Maybe she was too good at it, because when I think about it, nineteen’s still pretty young.

She wouldn’t really talk but just sort of recited from her roster of thoughts about how it is with boys and girls and love and everything, and I will admit that I did get a lot out of what she said. But I didn’t actually accept it all as a sort of, like, gos- pel of truth because in lots of ways — though she never actu- ally admitted it — what she told me about how to treat girls was sort of like a criticism of how my dad was. I mean, if she said a boy should do some particular thing, or not do it, it was usu- ally in reaction to something I knew for a fact had to do with my dad.

Anyways, it was her who told me that you can’t worship a girl. They don’t like it. She said if you get too gushy they start to feel sort of embarrassed by it, and even ignored after a while, like you’re in love with love and not really them, and they start to wonder, you know, if it’s real.

That kind of surprised me.

What’s funny is that my mom left my dad just a few days after Laura left me. That’s the reason why my dad got totally bummed out, but to tell the truth, things hadn’t been so hot between them for months.

He tried keeping it together, but after she left he stopped going to work. I mean, it’s not like he can’t go back or any- thing, because he sells real estate and works for himself and can take as much time off as he wants, but he just sort of lost all his vital energy, if you get what I mean, which is what he always said.

I can’t really say what happened between them. I mean, my mom always complained about how there was never enough money, which is what made my dad mope around a lot, because he felt it was a problem he just didn’t know how to solve.

But other than that they loved each other a lot. My dad was really kind of crazy about my mom. They were crazy about each other. A kid can tell.

Then something happened, and everything changed. They never really told me anything about it. It was obvi-

ously something personal — something very, very personal that you just can’t explain to your kid. And after my mom left, my dad just lay around, on the couch, mainly, watching TV.

Anyways, the night this all started was like that. He was on the couch. The TV was on. I was standing in the hall and I could see him. He looked sort of dazed, or glazed, really — I mean his eyes looked glazed, shining in the dark with little moving pictures of the idiotic show he was watching. I swear he seemed hypnotized.

Now, usually under these sort of circumstances when he sees me out here, he’ll look over and ask me something, usu- ally whether I want to play rummy, because he’s a big rummy fan and used to play it with my mom all the time.

But this night I’m talking about, which was right at the end of last August — right at the end of summer vacation — he didn’t say anything. He just lay there like a zombie, wearing the same old T-shirt he’d had on since that morning when he’d gone out to clip the hedges.

To tell the truth, I knew exactly how he felt. After Laura left me — after she’d told me how her mom had said I was “ just a boy” and that she didn’t see me as a guy who’d grow up to “accomplish anything important” like Laura’s dad and everything — I used to mope around a lot too. I’d also lie in bed watching TV shows, stuff I’d never even heard of. I felt so wiped out, I mean so incredibly devastated that Laura had insisted we had to break up, that I just couldn’t move, and I was tired all the time, I mean so completely and totally exhausted, that all I could do was lie around, which of course just intensi- fied how much I was thinking about her.

All I could think about was how beautiful she’d become when she’d left me.

I mean, she was beautiful when we met, but the funny thing was that she became more and more beautiful, until she really did become, at least for me, truly the most beautiful girl in the world, which finally happened the day she said we had to break up.

You wouldn’t believe how she told me, either. She said, “My mom says you’re just a boy.”

We were standing on this playground behind my old ele- mentary school. We used to go there a lot just for privacy, but this time there were lots of kids on the jungle gym and I heard their voices and saw them running around.

I instantly knew what Laura’s words implied, and it made me feel terrible, like I was stuck being just like the little kids on the jungle gym and I’d never really grow up.

I looked at her darkly and said, “What else should I be? I am a boy. Does she want you to go out with somebody older? Does she want you to go out with a man?”

“That’s a pretty stupid thing to say,” she said, like I was mocking her mom’s wisdom. She winced at me. “Don’t be so sarcastic!”

“I can’t help it,” I said. “I feel sarcastic.” I felt my voice trem- ble. “Are you leaving me?”

“Yes,” she said.

I just looked at her. Her face was so incredibly beautiful

— so hard and cold and incredibly beautiful. And the awful thing was that it was becoming more and more beautiful every second, like it was somehow becoming exponentially more beautiful, to use a math phrase, because isn’t that how things get with a girl when she’s ending everything and you just can’t stop it? And her eyes, which are dark brown, by the way, sort of very liquid dark brown, looked so incredibly hard. I knew her mind was made up about us no longer being together, and nothing I could say would ever make a difference, and I just couldn’t stand it.

“I’ve thought about it a lot,” she said, watching the kids play, so all I could see was the side of her face. Then she turned to me, her beautiful face hard as stone. “I agree with my mom. She can’t understand why we’re together. She says you’re doing nothing with your life. You’re just not an achiever. She said that. I agree with her. You’ll never accomplish anything important. She’s right.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I mean, I didn’t want to put her mom down, but really, how did she know what I would be when I’m older?

Maybe I will accomplish something important.

I probably won’t, that’s true — I mean, there’s certainly no groundwork for that ever happening, and certainly my dad didn’t do much to kind of propel me ever going in that direction, so maybe she was totally right, but it just sounded so mean and petty.

Not that the idea hadn’t already sort of occurred to me. Like, sure, of course it had, and I’d even seen that book

called Rich Dad Poor Dad, all about how only successful dads can raise successful kids, and I must admit the whole theme of it completely bummed me out, because who can really go lay- ing these sort of curses on a kid?

What Laura said hurt so bad I could hardly talk. But what I did manage to say was I thought her mom couldn’t say that for sure about me, because nobody knows what will happen to them later on, and that anyways I thought my life would begin when I was twenty-five.

I know I already told you I said that, but I think it’s impor- tant for you to know that it was Laura I was talking to, and she got a little depressed by it, like I said.

At first I thought it was a very clever, relationship-saving thing to say, because it did, at least, suggest that maybe in the future I might have a sort of turnaround. I even wanted to tell her how I’d made plans all about it, hidden plans that I’d never told anybody, about how when I was twenty-five I’d be old enough to be on my own and get out of the nosy neighbor- hood and live downtown in some big old empty hotel, and that she could even do it with me, and we’d be free to kind of be anonymous and just be ourselves away from anyone who wanted to tell us what to do or be or anything like that. For months I’d really dreamed and hoped about that and made all kinds of plans, especially since I’d met her.

But the truth is, saying the thing about being twenty-five only worked totally against me and buried me even deeper, because she was obviously looking for further reasons to dump me — I could see that she needed them — because her eyes looked hard, like I said, but still had a little sympathy — I could detect just the dimmest little glint of sympathy — but that little glint extinguished completely, and she said, “I can’t wait that long. I need a boy whose life begins right now. I just can’t love you anymore.”

And that was that. That ended it. She walked off. I saw she was crying really hard, but she didn’t turn when I called after her, so what difference did tears make?

What I didn’t understand was a look I saw in her face right before she walked off. It was like maybe she loved me but she wouldn’t give in to it, and it, like, tortured her. I’d never seen anything so terrible, and I swear I didn’t just imagine it. I mean, I could see her face sort of trembling with a struggle, because right under the coldness I saw such warmth and beauty and sadness and humanity, which is what I always saw in her face, and I think it was meant for me.

But it didn’t matter. Her mind was made up. I didn’t say a thing. I just watched her walk away, crying.

I can’t even tell you how my stomach felt. I was losing her forever and it reminded me of building some incredibly intricate thing, like some big complicated Tinkertoy thing I might have made as a kid, and now it was all falling apart and all I wanted to do was locate the secret crux place where I could reconnect things so it would stay standing, and I’m fum- bling around everywhere but I can’t find the secret crux place, because no matter where I reach and grab and try to steady it, the thing just keeps falling until it goes ka-plotch.

Anyways, that’s why I knew how my dad felt. I sort of related to it. And probably his ka-plotch was even worse than mine — I mean, it had to be, because after all I wasn’t married to Laura or anything — we hadn’t even talked about marriage, although I will admit that the idea had certainly occurred to me many times.

But with my dad, he’d been married to my mom for, like, seventeen years and they’d had me, for god sakes, so I knew he was having a very hard time, and I will say that I felt pretty sorry for him, although in all honestly he was not too much fun to hang out with — I mean, it had gotten to the point where I could barely stand seeing him just lying around, and all I could think of at that moment was going outside to sort of get away from him.

So I said, “Hey, Dad. I’m going to go take a walk for a while.”

He didn’t even answer me — just sort of made a little groan and maybe waved his hand.

I waved back and in a few seconds I was out the door and crossing the yard in the dark.

CHAPTER THREE

The porch light was out in front of our house because my dad had forgotten to turn it on, and as I came across the grass I saw all these hedge clippings lying

all over the place, because he’d sort of given up doing the clipping when he was only halfway done and didn’t bag eve- rything up and take it out back like he usually does. I guess he just didn’t have the energy; that whole summer he’d com- plained about never having much vital energy. For a second I thought I’d bag the clippings, because the lawn did look a little shabby, and in my neighborhood, certain nosy neighbors— especially our next-door neighbor — are very sensitive about things like that. But to tell the truth, I felt sort of tired already because it was pretty late, and I knew there’d be no harm in waiting to bag it all up in the morning.

I left my yard and crossed the street beside my house and went over to where this big red brick building is, and I crept into the shadows behind some hedges and stood still. You see, in my neighborhood, just like I mentioned with my next-door neighbor, you have to be careful, because people in a way are always sort of spying on you.

My next-door neighbor — his name is Mr. Miller, by the way, and he used to be the dean of this girls’ college out in Harford County, but he’s retired now — actually sits on his porch every day — you can see him through the gray screens— and I swear if he’s not watching for the slightest disunity in the houses and yards all around him — and especially in our house, because it’s closest — then I don’t know what he’s doing out there. At least this is what my dad has always said about him, and I have to say I agree.

People in my neighborhood really are a bit nosy — actu- ally more than a bit. I think it’s why they move here, if only to exercise that option. My dad says that too, and he’s lived here all his life, so he ought to know. He says you have to watch out because what the neighbors do is start casting aspersions on you if you aren’t careful to do everything right. They keep up on you. I don’t mean like a Neighborhood Watch to look out for vagrants and outsiders or stuff getting stolen or kids coming up on porches and wrecking stuff — although there has been plenty of that around where I live, and I even know lots of kids who have done it. I don’t mean that sort of criminal stuff, because about that naturally all anybody’d do is call the cops and have the person arrested, and he’d be in trouble and have to pay the penalty, et cetera, et cetera.

It’s a different kind of thing I’m talking about. A different kind of trouble.

In my neighborhood it’s like you feel you’re in trouble all the time, but you know you haven’t really done anything to deserve it. So you keep trying to do little things to get your- self out of the trouble you feel you don’t even deserve, little things like keeping your yard perfectly straight or your house perfectly painted and your car new or at least perfectly clean. Because if you don’t, you feel you’ll have to pay some sort of awful penalty, although in the absolute truth, nobody ever says what the penalty might be, or even what the rules are that you’re trying to keep up with. It’s really kind of an easy place to sort of look down on yourself all the time, because you get to feel everybody has maybe a sort of snooty attitude toward you and your whole family, and when you come right down to it, they don’t think you really belong. And I don’t mean just little things like bagging up your clippings right away after cutting them, but more important stuff like what people think of the school you go to or what your dad does for a living.

It’s a place where people can sort of act like you don’t even exist, even if they actually know you really well and used to be your friends, which is exactly what happened with Mr. Miller’s niece and nephew, who are twins my age. We used to play all the time together when they came by to spend the day with their uncle. But one day I came out when they were chucking this ball to each other in their yard, and they didn’t come into mine when I asked them. They didn’t even look at me until one of them, still without looking at me, said, “We’re not allowed to play with you anymore.”

I stood there speechless for a minute. Then I asked, “Why?”

But neither of them answered. They just went on chuck- ing the ball back and forth like a couple of zombies. It occurred to me to maybe yell at them or go in their yard to get their attention, but from the blank zombie looks on their faces, I just didn’t want to. I mean, it didn’t really seem to be worth it, and anyways, I figured it would probably just make things worse. So I just stood there looking at them, feeling kind of sick, until I went back in my house.

I don’t know what it was. I never found out. Maybe Mr. Miller had heard my parents arguing too loud or maybe he thought something was wrong with our house. It’s impossible to say, but from that day on, those kids acted like I wasn’t even there.

And let me tell you, it’s experiences like that — and I’ve had plenty of them — that put your imagination in a certain place, a certain sort of paranoid place, so it’s really no wonder why I went around hiding all the time.

Maybe this all sounds crazy to you and you’ve never heard of a neighborhood like mine. But I’ve been around a bit and seen lots of other neighborhoods, and I know for a fact that my neighborhood’s not the only one like that, believe me.

So when I crossed the street this night I am telling you about, I made sure to leave my yard at the farthest possible point from the streetlight on the corner, and I dashed across the street like a shadow, because you never know when some- body might be watching.

True, I didn’t see anybody at any window, and you better believe I’d paused to take a look. I didn’t even see any light at any window, so I realized it was probably a little later than I’d thought, probably almost midnight, maybe even later, because now, when I thought of it, my dad had been watching one of those long sales shows on TV, one of those celebrity-hosted infomercial sales shows — I think it was about a new kind of blender — and usually they only sell cable time for that sort of junk way past prime time.

But nobody was watching me, at least as far as I could tell. Still, it actually looked like the houses were watching, because they all had this sort of dark, shuttered look, and they all look a little the same anyway, all built on variations of the same sort of plan just like my house, with three stories and slanted roofs and brown shingles, and windows on the second level that look like lidded eyes if you factor in the shutters, and porches with low roofs and fence railings that with only the barest added imagination always look like a grinning mouth with gritted teeth.

Anyways, I just stood there. Hidden.

In the bushes.

Or rather, behind this long hedge that runs along the bot- tom of this concrete ramp that leads up to the entrance doors of this big red brick building, which by the way is the only commercial building for miles around, because my neighbor- hood really isn’t zoned for business.

The air felt pretty cool. I hadn’t brought my Windbreaker. That was a big bummer, because I have a pretty good Wind- breaker; my mom had bought it for me just about a week before she left. But I didn’t have it, and I sure wasn’t going to go back into the house to get it.

Suddenly it occurred to me that it was a pretty dumb idea to take a walk. It was late and it was getting cold. I mean it was probably only sixty-five degrees outside, but compared to the heat of the day that was bad enough.

I wrapped my arms around myself — I suddenly felt so cold and it felt so late. True, tomorrow wasn’t a school day or anything. Some of the local schools had already started, espe- cially the private ones — during the day I’d seen kids in uni- forms walking home. I was still on vacation, but it was pretty late to just be roaming around.

Through the hedge I could see the street. I tried to consider my options. I could go down through the woods to the farm store; it was still open. My house is on a hill — at the bottom there’s this strip of woods with a stream, and beyond that the street rises up another pretty steep hill crowded with more houses. If I went to the farm store I could go through the woods, which would be spooky as hell, but at least I wouldn’t be seen by anybody. My friend Carol and I had done that a few times, on these nights when we’d sneak out together just for fun. The woods are maybe a mile long and there’s this open- all-night farm store I mentioned pretty much right at the end of them.

But I’d never gone through the woods alone, and to tell you the truth it sort of spooked me, because there’s the usual empty wooden sheds and stuff along the trail, and even this old abandoned church graveyard that totally freaks me out, and freaked out Carol even more, because he used to be a Catholic school kid and was still very susceptible to those kinds of fears surrounding graveyards and stuff.

But the truth is, I didn’t have any money, and anyway, without having Carol around I wouldn’t have anybody to talk to, which was really all the fun of why we ever did it in the first place. So that option was out.

Next I thought about how if I went up the hill in the dark I’d pass through this richer neighborhood called Oaks, or The Oaks if you want to get really technical about it. If I passed through there I’d finally get to this business district about two miles away, with sub shops and gas stations and this whole sort of poor, rundown neighborhood of flimsy houses beyond it called Greenway Terrace, which has an atmosphere I sort of like, don’t ask me why, except that I’d been there scads of times to visit my grandma. My grandma still lives there in the same house my mom grew up in and never sold it, even though my grandpa died, like, almost sixteen years ago, just a few months after I was born.

I spent my whole childhood with my grandma — I mean my mom’s mom — and she’s like a classic grandma and really pretty nice, with those wire glasses and white hair that’s like a cloud because she goes to those beauty parlors, and when I was little she always used to baby-sit for me.

She usually came to my house, but sometimes — especially on weekends, because this was back when my parents used to go out pretty late together on sort of dates, and my grandma didn’t want to get home too late — I’d spend the night at her house, sleeping in my mom’s old room, which still had some of her stuff in it, dolls and pennants and things, from when she was a kid.

My grandma’s house is pretty small and sort of cramped, but full of sofas and raggy quilts, so it’s super cozy. I’d sit in this crazy recliner chair that went all the way back, and she’d bring out these old lacy photo albums and put them in my lap, full of pictures of my grandpa before he died, from a long time ago when he was in the army. She even had some pictures of my mom when she was a teen, and Grandma told me there used to be lots more of them. But my mom had torn up a bunch because she hated how she looked with one of those big hairdos that Greenway Terrace girls had back then, though I thought she looked really pretty.

We always had a great time, Grandma and me, but the big event was that right before it got dark, we’d take a walk down to the street where the shops were, and she’d buy me a Coke or something before we walked home.

I know it sounds silly saying it was a big event, but Gre- enway Terrace seemed like a whole different world to me. It was like I was on vacation. I remember thinking how different and simpler it all was from my neighborhood, where life felt like a game of hopscotch you had to play with a blindfold on. I’ve always been pretty sensitive to how people looked at me. But up there in Greenway Terrace I never felt like everybody was sort of staring at me and wondering what I was all about. I always felt freer in Greenway Terrace, like I could do what I wanted and just be myself. I mean, I did sort of feel pretty anon- ymous, but in a really good way. And my grandma without even trying was, like, really supportive with all that, because unlike the people down the hill, she never put any pressure on me to be anything other than what I already am. I mean, for some crazy reason she seemed satisfied with that.

Anyways, walking along I thought about how we always had a great time together, my grandma and me. I thought I should probably go visit her again soon, to let her know she still had a grandson.

I didn’t have to worry about visiting my dad’s parents, though. They moved away right after I was born and let my dad have their house, which, funny enough, is the same one he grew up in.

I sort of got the idea that my dad never really liked his parents too much, but I must admit he never actually talked about it. He would talk a lot about some things, especially the neighborhood, because he really did like dissecting the neigh- borhood into what he called all its levels, which is something he sort of infected me with, because I know I do that a lot too. But other things he never talked about and never tried to fig- ure out — I mean like his parents. Of course, nobody ever tries to figure out that sort of stuff too much anyways, so I can’t really blame him.

But it was never like that with my mom’s mom. We always got along great.

So I decided to go to Greenway Terrace.

Well, I won’t say that I exactly decided to go there, but that was the direction in which I headed, just sort of ambling along without a plan, and running between the streetlights to get warmer after I’d scoped out the house windows to make sure no one was watching and checked the street for no cars.

Now, I know you’re going to think I’m lying right now. I mean about my intentions.

You’re definitely going to think I’m lying, especially after I told you about me going to the funeral, because I’m sure you’ve realized that I walked exactly the same way that day.

But before I say anything more about what I did, all I can really say is, I didn’t have any intentions at all.

None whatsoever.

Like I already said, I was going up the hill past all the watching houses to go through The Oaks to get to Greenway Terrace, which was a dumb name for the place, because I don’t think a single house on any street up there actually had a ter- race, and if it did, it was probably littered with junk like old washing machines and spare tires.

I was just going up the street, and I finally got to the big intersection that’s a four-way and all lit up, and there was nothing I could do there to not get seen except just wait for the light to change, which I did, and I was lucky no cars came by and nobody saw me.

I got over into The Oaks, and I’ve got to say I liked it there, I always have. For one thing, it smells really good. When they picked the name The Oaks they weren’t kidding, because in the air there’s this very verdant sort of smell, like in a forest, heavy and green, because the trees up there are so thick that’s where you think you are. And unlike my neighborhood down the hill, most of the houses in The Oaks — which by the way are these really big houses made of stones, almost like castles in France — they don’t stare, but just sort of peek out behind these big trees and bushes, and all you can see are the edges of them, even though they are so damned huge.

I knew I’d be in trouble if I got spotted here — because believe me, these people up in The Oaks are sort of extra-spe- cial cautious about looking after their property — so I started going through yards, behind bushes. I went through yards on Whitley Avenue and then cut over through a back alley to White Oak Lane, and then when some dog started barking behind a fence I cut back to Whitley.

I started walking slower.

I looked over, and saw a certain house. And I stopped.

It was Laura’s house.

***

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notprincehamlet · 8 years ago

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tecklenburg misadventures & meeting pia again: a post

August 13.

11 am. I come to the Düsseldorf train station to leave for Tecklenburg.

11:15 am. Turns out my train, of all trains, is five minutes late. Interesting.

12 am. Someone kicks me out of the seat because they booked it. After that I start realizing I will probably miss the second train because this one was late in the first place. Mild fear begins to settle in.

1 pm. The train arrives. I jump out and see that my other train has not left yet. I sprint down and up the stairs with my heavy-ass suitcase in two seconds. I make it to the train. Some guys are laughing at me. Then I see the info board. Turns out this train was also late. It doesn't leave the station for the next ten minutes. I begin to get the jokes about Deutsche Bahn.

2 pm. I arrive to Lengerich. Now I only need to catch the bus to Tecklenburg. I see two buses approaching but I'm not sure if any of them is mine. I have to check. By the time I finish checking, both of the buses have left. One of them was definitely mine.

2:30 pm. I find the bus schedule on the wall. Apparently, the next bus will only come in two hours because it's Sunday. I want to punch myself in the face. The station is eerily quiet. I sigh, sit down and start rereading Rebecca.

2:45 pm. A taxi drives by to the taxi parking. The driver and I exchange glances. I'm not sure if I should do this and spend the money on a taxi. But what if the bus doesn't come and this guy also leaves?

3 pm. My anxiety and I approach the driver. "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" I ask hopefully - hope is always the last to die, after all. "No". Hope dies in agony. "Können Sie mich nach Tecklenburg fahren?" He can. We drive.

3:15 pm. The hotel door is locked. This can't be happening. I start pushing every button I can find on the wall because I’m smart like that.

3:16 pm. A man parks his car nearby and comes to the door, carrying some boxes. I ask him if he knows how to enter, adding the shameful "Ich spreche aber fast kein Deutsch" at the end of my sentence. Turns out he works here.

3:20 pm. The key to my room is missing. I love adventures. The room, however, isn’t locked, so I can at least come inside and get ready for Rebecca. "Der Schlüssel kommt später," says the guy. Cue nervous laughter.

4 pm. I come down to ask if anyone has found the key. Nope. Someone, however, is gonna come in an hour, and that someone apparently has the key. I start googling mild German insults, just in case.

6 pm. I come down to leave for Rebecca and see the key hanging on the board behind the counter. The girl (she speaks English) hands it to me. "Sorry, I found it too late", the woman next to me says, also in English. She is beautiful. I'm gay and not angry anymore. She tells me to open the front door with the same key because it will be late when I return from the musical. She asks me if I would like to have breakfast tomorrow from 8 to 10. Maybe I would but I’m too gay to think about it right now. On that bright note I lock my door and leave.

***

I did manage to come earlier, which was nice after all the nightmares I'd had about being late to Rebecca (yeah, I guess being a bit late to Elisabeth in June took a toll on me). It was such a nice weather and I'm SO grateful for it, especially since it had been raining so hard the night before. Tbh I’d been kinda skeptical about the production at first becase it looked so different from the Stuttgart one and I thought the costumes looked ugly but my friends told me I’d definitely like it (especially if I didn’t rewatch the Stuttgart production - which I didn’t). AND SURPRISE, I LOVED IT. Let me just say I will never doubt open air productions again. Everything was so cleverly done imo and I loved the changes made to adapt to the demands of an open air stage and the costumes didn’t look so ugly in person :”) I would’ve loved it even if it hadn’t been Gay™ and that’s huge because Gayness was my main criteria for this show (i know.... i know)

We all know the main reason I came there for (Gay Icon Mrs Danvers aka Pia Douwes aka Actual Light of my Life etc etc) but I was really excited to see the rest of the cast. I was curious about Milica since I’d only heard like.. one song of hers. And I loved her (d u h I almost cried during Zeit in einer Flasche), though her Ich seemed a bit too mature for my liking. As for Jan Ammann, I still can’t believe I saw and heard him live, I love one man ;~~; and I don’t know him personally but I.... trust him. Also! He looked more like Laurence Olivier than usual, 10/10 would recommend 😍 I was very much looking forward to Roberta Valentini as well. I love Kerstin Ibald’s Beatrice with all my heart but Roberta was wonderful too, and I think I would’ve picked her Beatrice if I ever had to choose. I’m glad I don’t actually have to choose though C: I also really liked Thomas Hohler, which was a surpise since I’ve never given much thought to him. Guess I gotta check him out in Elisabeth or something.

(there was also this one guy in the ensemble whose face was dead serious the whole time he was dancing and it was h i l a r i o u s. also #mood. and he reminded me of Thomas from Downton Abbey)

Now, to the Love of my Life. Mrs Danvers was Extra Gay in this version, I would like to thank everyone involved in making the gayness happen ;~; the Gay Subtext™ was palpable and I loved every second of it. Pia was amazing and killed it in every song, and by it I mean “IT but also ME”. The stage was pretty big and I died a little every time Pia was upstairs or in Rebecca’s bedroom because I couldn’t see her properly then. Good thing I have a strategy for such cases; it’s called “press glasses as close to your eyes as you can and squint as hard as possible”. Now to (some of) the songs and general moments.

Sie ergibt sich nicht: gay, upstairs, the orchids are red, nice Die lieben Verwandten: ROBERTA AND HER PLAID TWEED LOOKS The scene after Bist du glücklich: the way Danvers asked Ich what she did with the remains of the statue made a Danvers-shaped hole in my heart (and I don’t even like Mrs Danvers l o l)

Danvers: *lurks at the back of the stage looking pensive* Me: *clutches chest* oh my god (was she realy somewhere on stage during Hilf mir durch die Nacht or did I imagine it? or was it during another song? I honestly can’t tell anymore)

Was ist nur los mit ihm: I just listened to it again and almost cried, I love Roberta so much and I loved her in that green dress Sie war gewohnt, geliebt zu werden: THIS IS MY FAVOURITE SONG FROM THIS MUSICAL NO JOKE and I loved the whole setup with Rebecca’s bedroom. Not sure what to think of the whole Favell on top of Danny thing but I had to try very hard to block every association with amateur porn from my mind because EWWWW. In other news: this song is still gay and I l o v e it. Rebecca: I REALLY ACTUALLY HONESTLY HEARD IT LIVE CAN YOU BELIEVE IT. ICONIC. Obviously, this song became 198776542x times more gay (I thought it wasn’t possible but here we are) because of that Rebecca shadow thing and Danvers putting the nightgown on her. I had vaguely heard about it and I’d heard it was controversial so I didn’t really know what to think at first. It’s hard to overestimate my undying belief in not having any physical representation of Rebecca at all, and I feel like this wasn’t really necessary, but on the other hand the production didn’t suffer one bit because of it. Plus the Rebecca/Danny shipper in me says YES PLEASE THAT WAS AMAZING. Yeah, I’m pretty biased here (BIased!!!!! get it????/?). Finale erster Akt: I got chills.

Then came the intermission and after an hour of sitting on a wooden bench my lower back was Not Happy.

Rebecca (Reprise): I felt like someone was cutting my heart out of my chest thanks to Pia, plus goosebumps all over Nur ein Schritt: I live for creepy!Pia tbh. And the rocket was real! Have I mentioned I love open air now? Mrs Danvers bin ich: Danvers looked so hurt, m*rder me right now :”) and I was looking forward to hearing Pia shout “Nein” but I got distracted right before it l m a o. Life is hard when you have the attention span of a goldfish. The court scene: I live for this kind of symbolism!!!!!!! The scene where they found out Rebecca was sick and it was like someone stabbed Mrs Danvers when she heard it.... that moment ended me. I thought that was IT. But I knew nothing yet. Ich war ihr nah: WOWZIES. I’m always a sucker for some suffering!Pia, especially when she’s alone on stage. Just. Wow. Her voice. Her acting. She really did THAT. Also...... gay. Jenseits der Nacht & Manderley in Flammen: I LOVED the way they handled the fire!!!! That was the thing I was looking forward to the most. Everything looked so good. Besides, the weather was really cooperating which only added to the atmosphere. My friend had told me I would die and I *was* dying, but then The Scream happened. THAT was when I truly died. The Scream & Rebecca taking Mrs Danvers with her: DID SATAN CREATE THIS? IS THIS A FANFIC OR?? I’M???? #DEAD #SHOOK #SHOOKETH Tbh I was about to crawl to the nearest cemetery, dig my own fucking grave and just lie there. Then again, that moment was absolutely unnecessary from the rational point of view but I enjoyed it SO much and I felt SO emotional that I don’t give a single shit. THAT WAS AMAZING.

***

After the show and multiple bows (I love these people) it was over. And when you leave, you have to walk up the stage and towards the entrance. May have screamed a little when I saw the set up close, may have taken a blurry selfie (or three). Anyways, I found the stagedoor, I found my friends, I managed to burn my finger on some vile stingy plant all within the scope of 30 minutes, and THEN She came out. And She was the sweetest. As always. I just. Talent aside, I will never get over how genuinely NICE and GOOD Pia is. She took her time to talk to everyone, she posed for pictures, she signed everything and she was very excited about her gifts :”) she is such a good person and I honestly can’t deal with the way she radiates that energy.

I wanted to give her a book of translated Russian poetry as a gift, I’d even wrapped it up in craft paper and stuck a “thank you” sticker on it. I wish the book was thinner but it was the only one I found that had most of my favourite poems lol #priorities. I had A LOT of doubts about it but then again, I’m pretty sure it’s not the weirdest gift she’s ever got. So I finally came up to Pia, said hi, gave her the gift, pointed out the “thank you” sticker and explained that it meant “thank you for your work” (her face was so close holy shit). Honestly, I keep saying sorry and thank you every time I meet her lmao but I’m thankful!!! and I’m sorry!!! and I want her to know that!!! what else am I supposed to do!!!! And I *think* I said something about the show being great and her being great in it, but I’m not sure.

Then she was like “and you’re from...?” “Russia”, I told her, not expecting her to remember anything about me. Then she went “Of course! We’ve met before, right?” “We did, yes” “I was gonna say Russia!” WHAT KIND OF FACE MEMORY DOES SHE HAVE OH MY GOD. Well, probably the selective kind, let’s be real here, but this is still unbelievable. As of August 13 it has been a little over a year since our last brief meeting - a year, three months and 12 days but who’s counting? - and after all this time there was something that made her go "wait, I know her” when she saw me ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ And it’s the SECOND time she remembered me so we’re practically married at this point, right? Right??? I replied with something generic like “oh, you remember me? That’s so nice!” yeah, “nice” indeed :“”“) I will be raving about it forever because I honestly can’t believe it keeps happening to me. What have I done to deserve this? Could it be possible to love this woman more? At that particular moment I thought not, but the evening wasn’t over yet. Then this happened:

Me: thank you 😍 Pia, taking the gift: thank you! Me, distracted by her closeness: thank you 😍 Pia, pointedly: thank you for the gift Me: Oh. You’re welcome. (jesus fucking christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Then she signed my programme and then I almost left without a picture because I was THAT awestruck :’’’’’’’) As we posed, she was standing THIS close to me and she was touching my elbow behind my back all the time we were posing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can see how hard I’m trying to conceal my emotions in the pics because um ??? an actual Goddess is touching my arm right this second???? And then she said she appreciates my coming to see her again ♥ I’m sorry but I’m pretty sure being this precious is illegal, I’m gonna have to alert the authorities. Oh, and I’m tattooing every single generic phrase she said on my forehead.

Then I just hung around for a while and even took a good enough picture of my friends and Pia! My hands weren’t shaking like they always do when I feel Emotions!!! I am truly growing.

After a while the crowd started to dissolve a bit and I spontaneously decided to try and ask if I could give her a hug. Yeah, I know, I don’t recognize myself either. And I did ask her, with countless “I’m so sorry”s and “I understand it might be intrusive”s (her face was so close and she was looking at me so intently i’.m!!! dying!! I was Not Prepared) because making her uncomfortable is my worst nightmare.

And then

she DEADASS GRABBED THE BARE PART OF MY ARM (my sweater covered my elbow but not my forearm so it was a skin to skin contact with the goddess!!!!! I’m a normal person with a normal life and zero obsessions I swear), looked me in the eye and started explaining why she doesn’t normally do it - because, quote, “then she *nods at someone* would wanna do this, and she would wanna do this and I would be here till 3am”. Somehow my brain didn’t shut down completely: all I could feel was her hand on my arm, but I was actually registering what she was saying and I was even ANSWERING stuff like “that’s totally fine, yes, i understand, everyone would want to do this, that’s absolutely fine, thank you so much”. But she honestly has THE SOFTEST hands, it’s literally like touching a cloud, what kind of magic is this (and what kind of hand cream), I couldn’T COPE. SO SOFT. AND SHE WAS SO CLOSE. HER PERFECT FACE. CLOSE TO MINE. SAYING THINGS. SMILING. I LOVE HER. And it seemed that explaining the reason was very important to her and she wasn’t letting go of my arm the whole time 😭 honey….. you don’t have to explain anything to me…. I’m just happy to be here…. And she was looking me in the eye the whole time too. Anyways, I FINALLY timidly put my other hand on top of hers (!!!!!!!!! living that self-insert fanfic life) and told her it was absolutely fine again while trying very hard to conceal my emotions (hahaha who’s freaking out? not me lmao hahaha lol). I LOVE HER SO MUCH WHAT A GODDESS WHAT AN ICON. Not to be dramatic, but I can still feel her calming touch :”) she may have cured my anxiety or something. And yeah, well, I told her it was absolutely fine and she told me to take care and that was it.

Did I sound like a complete tit? Certainly. Did I still sound more coherent than the other two times I met her? Absolutely. I’m SO proud of myself. Am I still #shook? You bet! I can’t believe life is this good to me. And I’m still very sad I don’t know when I will see Pia again :/ certainly not next year because it’s my final uni year and I’m gonna be busy as shit, plus all these trips are getting expensive. I hope she doesn’t do anything HUGE next year and saves it for the time I can travel again ~

Oh, by the way, it was pitch black almost the whole time I was walking back to the hotel and I even had to pass by a church graveyard. Fucking T*ckl*nburg.

#the great pia meltdown 2k17 #~

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vickisventures · 6 years ago

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The Grand Canyon-trip report

I’m going to try and make this so that anyone considering a trip to the Grand Canyon, can use this as a reference for planning their trip. I will include the pluses and the minuses. If you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, it should be on your bucket list.

Where to stay the night: I highly recommend staying in Williams, AZ for this trip. There are places to stay in Tusayan and even in the Grand Canyon but unless you are rolling in the dough or don’t want various dining options, I would rule that out. Besides, Williams is on Route 66 so you get a feeling of nostalgia thrown into your trip. Williams is a very walkable town. You can easily walk to all of the shops, restaurants, train depot, etc. Just stay anywhere between the Rodeway Inn to the west and Red Roof Inn to the east and you’ll be good to go.

How to plan your trip:

I think one should reserve at least 2 days for going to the canyon, 3 or more if you plan to do some serious hiking. Anything less and you’ll feel rushed to see it all. 2 days was just perfect for us. For day 1, we had purchased tickets on the Grand Canyon Railway ($67/RT ticket). There are various car options depending on what you want to pay but we went cheap and didn’t regret it. We rode in the Pullman car. It was a 1923 Harriman style coach car fully refurbished by the Grand Canyon Railway and it has windows you can open. This is the only car they have without A/C. If you go in a hot month, you might consider one of the air-conditioned cars (cheapest one is $82/pp) but otherwise, save your money for souvenirs! Steve liked the fact that he could take pictures without glass between him and the scenery. Also it was a nice day and the breeze felt good. We didn’t feel like the scenery warranted the domed coach which was $122 more. Part of the way it was just wasteland, the other part, forest. We saw very little wildlife along the way and I realize that can vary from day to day. You have to get your tickets an hour prior to departure so I recommend you go the day before if possible and pick them up in the depot. The day starts at 9 a.m. with the wild west show. That was not the highlight of the day! The actors’ mics were not very good and made it difficult to hear their lines. Also there’s no fear of talent scouts coming for these guys and taking them away to Hollywood. I was really kind of surprised they weren’t any better than they were assuming they’d been doing this all summer long. After that it was time to board (at 9:15) and the train departed at 9:30. The train trip took 2 hours and 15 minutes. On the way to the Grand Canyon, your PSA (Personal Service Assistant) gives you the lowdown on the canyon and sights along the way. Ours, Adrianna, was very spirited and entertaining and made the trip enjoyable. A guy and his guitar came through each train car and sang a few songs (not nearly enough, in my opinion.) If you were lucky enough to sit by some kids, you’d get to hear the sheriff when he came by “harassing” the kids or doing a magic trick. We were lucky enough to get to witness one of his gags. There’s a restroom (about like a plane’s bathroom) at the back of the car and the car behind us was the “dining car.” They sold various snacks and drinks. We didn’t check it out but I assume you pay way too much for things there. Better to bring your own snacks! The trip there seemed to go rather quickly.

Once we arrived at the GC, we were whisked off to our bus tour with only a 3 second view of the canyon. This tour was 1 ½ hours on an air-conditioned bus. Sit on the right side of the bus, on the top level; wish we had, it makes a difference. Our driver/guide had a thing for birds, so we heard a lot about condors and hawks and other flying things. Our tour took us to the west side of the South Rim. We stopped at the main sights along the road (which is bus only, no cars allowed, Apr-Nov) and got out to take lots of pictures. After we were let off at The Village, we had about 1 ½ hours before we had to reboard the train. Our goal was to get some lunch, but we found out that they don’t really make things bus tour friendly. They tell you all the places you can dine and what is good there but forget to tell you that you can’t get seated and eat before time to board again. There is a “food court” type of place in Bright Angel Lodge that we probably should have tried but we chose another place which couldn’t seat us for 35 minutes. We ended up at the snack bar sharing a cold, turkey sandwich and eating a scoop of ice cream ($16) for our lunch. (By the way, they made a big deal about the ice cream only to find it was just Dreyer’s ice cream…$4 a scoop.) We had a bit of time to see some of the things in The Village before it was time to go. I’m not sure what the answer to that lack of time to eat is. Our hotel room didn’t have a fridge or we probably would have packed our own sandwiches. We didn’t have that option so we just carried snacks; but it’s hard to live on that from 9-5:45. The train trip back was the same scenery. Ha! They had a lady playing the accordion on the return trip and at least she stayed for a while. The actors came on and held a mock train robbery and the photographer came through hoping you’d buy the photo he took of you on the trip up. ($20)

The final word: If money is tight, you might want to skip the train. If you’ve never ridden on a train or want a different kind of adventure, then cough up the money and go. We don’t regret spending the money on the train tickets.

Tour options: There are 2 bus tours you can purchase to show you around the park. Both tours leave as soon as the train arrives. Remember, if arrive by train, you have only 3 ½ hours before the train leaves the Grand Canyon; it doesn’t leave you a lot of time to see the sites. The bus tour allows you to see a lot of the rim in a short time. One tour included lunch and the other doesn’t. I never like paying the extra money for an expensive lunch, but I might reconsider knowing what I know now. The bus tour takes 1 ½ hours so that only leaves 1 ½ hours for lunch. Sounds like a lot of time but refer back to my comments about lunch in the section above. The difference in ticket prices is $13.50/pp which is the cost of the lunch. Both tours take 1 ½ hours..the lunch one just adds another hour for lunch. Maybe $13.50 would be worth the cost to have a real lunch and know that you’ll still make it back for the train!

Day 2: We decided to drive into the canyon on our second day. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Williams. Do not be fooled into stopping at the Visitor Center in Tusayan. (We did because there’s another one with the same name IN the Grand Canyon park.) You can buy a pass that will last 7 days and you can either buy it with your train ticket if you choose to go by train first OR you can buy it at the entrance station. We chose to buy a National Park Pass and it will let us go to some other parks we want to visit this year. Big savings! GC Park passes are $35; an annual National Park Pass is $80. The line into the park was short and we zipped right in and parked at the Visitor Center on the east side of the rim. Since our bus tour had taken us west and to The Village, we wanted to use this day to see the other side. We were ambitious and wanted to do some hiking so we figured we should do that first. The GC has a great shuttle bus system that allows you to go quickly to all of the great points in the park. So we hopped a bus and went to the South Kaibab Trail and proceeded to hike down it. It’s pretty good going down but a doozy going back up. We started at the trailhead and almost made it to Cedar Ridge. (The picture at the top bottom of this section shows the trail points and drop in elevation.) They say plan for it to take twice as long to get back up than it did going down. Also bring plenty of water. There was a water nazi along the trail, disguised as a volunteer ranger, asking people how much water they had and suggesting they go back up if they didn’t have enough. It was worth the sweat and “tears” for the great views we had. After we got back up and fought back the elk for some water for our water bottles, we caught the shuttle bus and continued to see some of the highlights on that side of the rim. It was equally beautiful which is why I believe you should take at least 2 days and experience the whole South Rim. We were going to do the Desert View (a 50-minute drive with nice viewpoints) but we were beat and ready to eat. Once again, we had trouble with lunch…there were no restaurants on the east side. The visitor area had a small coffee shop but no real food to speak of. So, once again we were living off of peanut butter crackers, mixed nuts and beef jerky. They do have a 22-minute video about the Grand Canyon that is shown in the Visitor Center that is worth your time.

Where to dine:

We stayed in Williams, so we ate in Williams. As I mentioned, it’s on Route 66 so lots of cute diners and eateries. I will review all of the places we tried. I used Trip Advisor and Google Reviews to choose restaurants to try.

Twister- It’s a cute old fashioned diner with a lot of Coke memorabilia. Also they had an old Ford sitting outside with Elvis by it. I had a burger and fries and Steve had the bbq brisket sandwich and fries. They have skinny fries and steak fries. We both preferred the skinny fries although we tried both. My burger was good (nothing special though) and Steve said his sandwich was okay.

Goldie’s Diner- We both ordered burgers and fries. I think they must have lost our order because everyone was getting their food lickity split and we had to wait on ours. The buns were a bit burned on the edges. Again, nothing special. I think the burger at Twisters was better.

Pine Country Restaurant- We had heard about their great desserts and country-like atmosphere so it was a must. I had read they had Navajo Tacos and it sounded good. Steve and I decided to split it so we would have room for pie. The Navajo Taco was a disappointment. The taco was really not what I think of as fry bread…theirs was a bit thin and blah. It was good; not great. Then we looked at the pie menu. HOLY COW, they have a huge list of desserts. They have all kinds of pies…some strange ones like Strawberry Peanut Butter and normal ones like Coconut Cream. We chose to share a piece of Chocolate Peanut Butter ($5). It was really yummy! I recommend you check out the pies here! As for food, maybe we just ordered the wrong entrée.

La Casita- We always have to find some Mexican food when we travel. This place was not on Route 66 and really wasn’t walkable from our hotel, but it was close by. We both had burritos (Steve had the shredded beef and I, the green chile pork.) Both were good but we both agreed that the pork was better. The salsa was good too. Being from Texas, it is hard to find anything we consider amazing Mexican food so I couldn’t give this place 5 stars but it was a solid 3.5. We weren’t disappointed; especially after so many other disappointing meals on this trip.

Anna’s- We wanted to eat breakfast on the day we left and I found a place that we hadn’t tried that had really good reviews. I heard it was in the red light district. The restaurant is pretty small so you may have a wait but when we got there they had seating available outside and it was a nice morning so we enjoyed it. They have Mexican food as well as regular breakfast items. I was craving pancakes so I got the small stack(2) and a side of bacon. The pancakes were huge…and delicious. Bacon, nice and thick. Steve had the biscuits and gravy. I believe they were around $6-7 (good price in general) and the portion was huge. I got to taste his and it was good too. Sausage gravy was well made! I sure wish we’d found this place earlier because I would have liked to try their lunch and/or dinner options. I’d also would have liked to try their Mexican food but it was too late…we were done being tourists.

Weather:

Don’t be “dumb” like us and think when you put Grand Canyon, AZ in the search on weather.com that you are getting the temps for the rim! We’d been panicking seeing temperatures of 97 and 99 at the Grand Canyon and were so upset. We had intentionally chosen this time to go because school was back in session (hopefully fewer people) and the temps were better. So you can imagine our disappointment. I did a lot of praying! When we got to Williams, it was in the upper 70’s and cool. I told Steve, we’ve got to be mistaken about the temperatures in the canyon. So he got out his phone and did a different search. This time he looked for weather at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Guess what? High one day was 80 and the other 82. Now that’s what I was expecting originally. I think God got a good laugh! I could imagine him chuckling and saying “You should have known, I had this all of the time.” And he did. The weather was great. A little warm in the direct sun but nice in the shade and clear days, perfect for picture taking. There was a fire south of Williams that brought in some smoke so there was a little haze but it wasn’t bad.

SO what have I left out? I’ve tried to be thorough for those of you haven’t gone but would like to. If you think of something I missed and would like to ask me a question, feel free to send them my way! The sooner the better; my memory is pretty good right now!

#Grand Canyon #trip report

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mara-the-cactupus · 8 years ago

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Let’s Hit the Highway at Warp Speed - 4

“Jim!” he cried cheerfully. “But... aren’t you a wee bit early for your shift, lad? It’s only – what – now hang on a second, it’s only seven’o’clock in the bloody morning!” he said accusingly, brandishing a clock. “What sorta trouble have you and your little friends gotten yourselves into that you need to wake up poor Scotty at seven in the morning on a Sunday?”

- 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - (ao3) -

Nyota had been correct in saying that packing would be easy. In fact, “re-packing” would probably be a better word for it; she promptly unzipped her suitcase from college and began transferring neat stacks of still-folded shirts into an empty duffel bag, wedging sunscreen and toiletries between the gaps. She made quick work of the other boxes of clothes and coats, rifling through them efficiently: no to winter fleeces; yes to a light rain shell and a pair of sturdy sandals. Her notebooks and a waterbottle filled a small hiking backpack. Then, with one last glance around her room, she grabbed her phone charger, slung a bag across each shoulder, and was off. “Nyota, honey, are you sure you can’t stay for breakfast?” came her mother’s voice, as she tied the laces of her sturdiest walking shoes. “Sorry, mom, I don’t want to miss my plane.” Nyota gave her mother an apologetic smile, and turned to hug her father goodbye. “And I’m sorry this is all such short notice. I should have told you guys last night.” “Or a couple of days ago,” chided her mother, with a sad chuckle. “Your grandmother’s flying in from Kenya next week. She'll be disappointed to hear that you won't be around.” Nyota hesitated. “She is? But it wasn't on the calendar...” “We didn’t tell you because she wanted it to be a surprise,” explained her father. “Is she staying for very long?” “Five days.” Nyota nodded, calculating. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone...” Outside, a car horn began to honk erratically. She tried to focus, but her brain couldn’t help but compulsively translate Jim’s Morse Code into English; she opened the door and waved at him to stop.

- - -

Jim snapped a quick salute and sat back in his seat.

Beside him, Spock was staring at various details of the car’s interior with interest, his hands neatly tucked around a tray of coffee cups, probably itching to open the glove compartment or run a finger along the steering wheel. Jim’s own fingers were tapping restlessly on his knee. Nyota and her family continued to hover in the doorway, speaking intently, but the car door blocked out the sound of their voices.

“So, how do you like Earth so far?” asked Jim, fiddling with the A/C.

Spock lifted his gaze from the dashboard. “‘Like’ is not a concept familiar to Vulcans.”

“What do you mean?”

“Vulcans value logic above all else. Emotions can interfere with logical decision-making, and so while we may appreciate something for its objective superiority, ‘liking’ something, at least as far as my father has explained the concept, is... irrelevant.”

Jim nodded slowly. “So... if I set two pens in front of you, exactly the same except that one was blue and the other was green... what would you do? How would you pick one?”

Spock hesitated. “I would likely pick whichever one was closer to my hand,” he reasoned.

Jim let out a guffaw, causing Spock’s brows to furrow in alarm. “Yeah, I’ll bet you would... so you don’t have a favorite color or anything?”

“That would be illogical.”

“Right. Well, mine’s blue.”

Spock nodded. “I shall endeavor to remember that.” He paused for a moment, before adding, “on the subject of Earth... it is colder than Vulcan, but not unpleasant. The clothing you have provided is sufficiently warm."

He was dressed in jeans and a university sweatshirt, so he wouldn’t stand out in his conspicuous Vulcan robes; Jim had also lent him a beanie, which was pulled down over the tips of his ears. Altogether, he looked pretty human.

“So... Earth is objectively ‘okay’?”

“It is satisfactory,” agreed Spock.

At that moment, the car door wrenched open and Nyota appeared, slamming it closed as soon as she had dumped her bags on the seat beside her and swung her legs out of harm’s way. She buckled her seatbelt and started the process of waving to her parents, who were still standing on the porch.

“Long time no see!” said Jim cheerily, as Spock quietly appraised her from the passenger seat. “Didn’t take you that long to pack, huh? I was hoping we’d be invited in for breakfast.” “Oh, you’d better drive away before they hear you,” warned Nyota, giving one last wave and dropping the smile. She sat back and clapped her hands to her thighs expectantly. “Now, are we leaving or what?” - - - Scotty's auto shop was a large, one-story garage that looked a bit like a sunken airplane hangar standing alone on the side of the highway. The front lot was paved with gravel, and as they crunched into a parking space, Nyota noted that the cars around them seemed to be separated into two groups: battered and disassembled, or shiny and new. It was early enough that the big firefighter-style garage doors were closed, the front office appeared to be empty, and the sign hanging in the window read "Please Honk for Assistance." Jim laid on the horn. "Jesus Christ, Jim!" shouted Nyota, covering her ears as the single note continued to blare. Beside Jim, Spock looked startled but curious. "Is this the traditional manner of greeting people from cars?" "No; Jim's just being a dick," replied Nyota. “Traditionally, we get out and knock.” "I'm just following the instructions," grinned Jim defensively, holding his hands up off of the steering wheel and landing on the gravel outside with a hop. As it turned out, even the horn hadn't done the trick, because when Jim whipped out a key and led them through the cluttered front office, they found a very grumpy (if only half-asleep) man, curled up on a bunk at the back of the tall-ceilinged garage. “What time is it?” he grumbled sleepily, holding up a meek hand to shield himself against Jim, who stood proudly with his hands on his hips like he was watching his puppy successfully perform a trick. The man blinked. Then his entire demeanor changed, and it was like watching a flower slide into bloom.

“Excellent question,” said Jim, beaming like the sun. “Well, you see, we’re going on a roadtrip and we need to borrow the Enterprise.”

Scotty leapt to his feet, now fully awake. He was dressed in red pajamas.

“Oh, no, you don’t, not until I get a better explanation than that!”

Spock took the opportunity to offer him a cup of coffee from the drive-through four-drink cup holder he was carrying. Scotty eyed him suspiciously, then accepted the peace offering with dignity, sipping at the hot beverage. “Where’s he from, anyway? I don’t remember you mentioning him,” he said, bobbing his head towards Jim.

“Well, you’re gonna have to trust me on this one,” said Jim, taking a deep breath and then letting the words just spill out in a quick sentence. “He’s an alien from outer space who crashed into my corn field after mistaking the crop circles I made for a message from his dad. Oh, and we’re driving him to California. So we need to borrow the bus.”

Scotty took a long pause, then a swig of his coffee, before turning confusedly to Nyota. The new face seemed to catch him off guard. “Ah, you must be Miss Uhura,” he said warmly, and she accepted his handshake with a smile. Then he cleared his throat, eyes darting to Jim. “Now you’ll excuse me for my hearing, but I thought –” he coughed “– this man –” his nodded towards Jim, as though the man in question couldn’t hear or see him “– just said that your little friend over here is an alien. Could you elaborate?”

“You heard him correctly,” sighed Nyota.

“I am unclear as to what more requires elaboration,” Spock interjected politely. “However, if you have any specific questions regarding my status as an alien, I would be happy to provide answers, to the best of my abilities. Jim seems to think that the unusual shape of my ears are the most convincing form of proof.” He tugged up his beanie, revealing the pointed tips in question.

“Right. I– so– how did you get here, exactly?”

“We arrived at our current destination via a small vehicle which I believe is referred to as a ‘car,’” replied Spock. “Before that, I entered Earth’s atmosphere in a Vulcan spaceship.”

Scotty’s lips mouthed the word “spaceship,” and he glanced at Jim.

“Yeah, it’s crazy, powered by warp energy or something,” elaborated Jim, waving his arm at Spock. “The point is, we need to borrow the bus so we can get to California–”

“Warp energy?” repeated Scotty, focusing his full attention on Spock.

“The technology is referred to as ‘warp drive,’ because it enables starships to travel at warp speed,” explained Spock. “I am unfamiliar with the limits of human technology, but I would guess that you have yet to move beyond light speed. My father’s spaceship is small enough that it does not contain a warp core, instead relying on stored light energy from nearby stars. As a result, we cannot travel any faster than light speed, and so it is not technically ‘powered by warp energy.’”

The two men gaped at him.

“Although, admittedly, your addition of the words ‘or something’ would technically excuse the rest of your sentence,” added Spock, when they continued to stare. He turned to Nyota, who rolled her eyes.

“Well, Mr. Scotty, could you tell us about that van Jim mentioned?” She glanced around the garage, her eyes falling on a shiny VW vanagon parked in the corner. “Is this it?”

Somewhere between swiveling back and forth at Spock and Nyota, his mouth opening and closing like a goldfish, Scotty managed to get control of his voice again. “I – oh, well, yes, that’s the Enterprise,” he squeaked, regaining his focus. “Spent about a month on repairs, and worth every minute.” He pulled out a set of keys and unlocked the sliding door, opening it to reveal the van’s interior. “She’s a beauty, isn’t she?”

“Yeah, she looks nice,” said Nyota, running a hand over the smooth painted sides. The word ‘Enterprise’ was printed below the shotgun window with careful, hand-drawn precision. Inside were three rows of seating, with the first two pairs placed back-to back, so that the couple sitting directly behind the driver faced the three-person backseat. Opposite the sliding door was a fold-out table, and under the seats were drawers for storage.

“An efficient design,” complimented Spock.

“Aye, and she’s got a few tricks up her exhaust pipe, too,” said Scotty proudly. “The roof pops up for extra sleeping space, of course; the engine itself is powered by the rooftop solar panels, just like that spaceship of yours, so there’s no need for gas… oh, and we sawed her right in half and jacked up the floor so we could fit in some lower-level luggage storage, accessible through a trapdoor and from the sides. That was a fun weekend, wasn’t it, Jim?”

“Ah yes, my scars are still healing,” laughed Jim.

Nyota raised an eyebrow, impressed. “You redid the entire engine just so it could be solar powered?”

“We redid the entire everything, practically. What, did you think I was just a mechanic?” asked Scotty, laughing incredulously. “I’ll have you know that I’m one of the best damn engineers you’re likely to meet, thank ye’ very much.”

“This guy put a jet pack on a motorcycle,” added Jim. “I’m telling you, he’s crazy.”

“Aye, but you’re the one who rode it,” Scotty snorted.

“Yeah, but we don’t need to hear about that,” said Jim, sobering up. “So, we ready to break her in for a test-drive yet?” he nodded at the Enterprise.

Scotty hesitated. “Well, much as I would like to help you three... I cannae just give a vehicle away, and you know I can’t just leave the shop with Keenser either...” At the sound of his name, a little old man came hobbling into view, wearing overalls and a pair of small round glasses that made his eyes look especially beady. The man poked Spock in the knee and gestured towards the coffee tray; Spock lowered it to his level and he took a cup, muttering incoherently.

“How about this: we’ll forget about that money you still owe me, from when I bet on Cassian in that drag race,” pitched Jim.

“Ehh...” Scotty cringed, like a teapot leaking steam.

“And I’ll work free for a month, as soon as I get back?”

“Well...” he broke off as Keenser tugged his red pajama sleeve, and leaned down so that the smaller man could grumble in his ear. After some heated whispering, they finally reached an agreement, and Scotty straightened up again. “All right. Two months, no pay; but I’ll give you that money from the bet if you bring her back in one piece. And I expect updates, at least every other day. I want to know about everything from the solar cells to the air conditioning.”

“Deal,” said Jim.

“And, of course, I’ll be expecting some video calls with this fellow,” Scotty added, gesturing at Spock. “I’ve got a lot of questions for you, my friend.”

Spock looked a bit confused, but accepted the deal with a nod.

Jim clapped his hands together. “Well, with that settled, we’d better be off!” he announced. “Thanks, Scotty – you’re a lifesaver.”

“A fact you’d best remember,” agreed Scotty. “Now, Miss Uhura, Mister Spock, I trust you to look after the Enterprise, and make sure this man doesn’t get you into too much trouble. He’s a bright lad, but you’d better keep a watchful eye out. Oh, and if anything breaks, just stay where you are and I’ll drive out there myself to fix it,” he warned earnestly, scribbling his number on a stray post-it note and handing it to Nyota.

“We will,” she promised.

The garage door opened, baring the sun, and the five of them squinted at the sudden brightness.

"You two ready for this?” asked Jim. Spock and Nyota shared a glance. “I gotta warn you, I have awesome taste in music.”

“Oh, great,” sighed Nyota.

And then they were off.

#mara actually writes stuff (!!!)

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