#oh well. isolation yay the good times were nice while they lasted

[vasoconstriction]

i have been totally infected with misanthropy lately and i dont know how to reverse it. it sucks i dont want to feel this way i dont think its my true hearts wish but i kind of want everyone in the world to die

[nataliedanovelist]

GF - We’re Coming Back Home

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

1st, 2nd, 3rd.

~~~~~~~~~~

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

Okay, well, mostly intact. Partially intact. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yay! Sounds great!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Total’s now 32.14.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Why?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

~~~~~~~~~~

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

“Hey sweetie, welcome back.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[isabellitah]

🤍 HARGREEVES x SIBLING

Title : ...well then

Pairing : none but this focuses on your relationship with Ben 🤍

Warning : curse words and verbally abusive Reginald

they’re all young here- like, around the age wherein they stopped that bank robbery

no one knows why but their father suddenly started berating all of them for anything and everything under the sun

“Number One, how incompentent must you be to be unable to lead the Umbrella Academy?!”

“Number Two, are knives all you know- can you not speak properly?!”

“Number Three, your power is extraordinary yet incredibly useless as it seems you don’t know when to use them!”

“Number Four, stop being a coward and use your power for what it was meant to be!”

“Number Five, you are not ready to jump to the future. You do not understand the depth of time travelling!”

“Number Eight, if you can’t make something as simple as a water tornado on the pond, how do you expect to be good enough to stand with the others?!”

The worst one off was Ben...

“Number Six, stop looking down! Look straight ahead, have I instilled no manners in you?!”

“Use your powers, Number Six!”

“Stop being afraid of your powers. That fear is all in your head!”

“Don’t be so pathetic!”

And the insults went on and on and on. Every single one of the siblings (minus Vanya who was practicing the violin in her room) wanted to stand up for their brother but was too scared of their father.

They can all see Number Si- no, Ben retreating deeper and deeper into his insecurities and fears the more Reginald listed them out for the entire yard to hear.

Let’s make something clear here, no one’s seen Number Eight mad. Sure she threw a tantrum here and there but those were minor and easily fixed with candy. But the moment Reginald opened his mouth, “Were your siblings in danger and you’re their last hope, they’re as good as dead, Number Six!” and Ben’s whimper and choked sob echoed throughout the silent yard, Eightie spoke up, “Can I say a bad word?”

The sibling closest to her, Ben, was thrown off to say the least. Rubbing his slightly teary eyes with the back of his hand he asked, “I- uh... what?” His eyes darted between his youngest sister and their father. ‘What is she up to?’

“cAn I SAY A BAD WORD?!” your sudden increase in volume startled everyone including Reginald, who immediately regained his composure, but too late, Five saw him. Startled, Ben replied, “uhmm... oka-”

“YOU MOTHERFUCKING BITCH!”

Although they were all born at the exact same time, Number Eight was sheltered compared to the rest of the siblings for the sole reason that her siblings did their best to protect her from their father’s wrath. What they never considered was protecting their father from their sister’s wrath.

Klaus’ eyes widened and he felt a twitch at the corner of his mouth until a grin formed as he watched you torpedo pond water towards your father right at his abdomen. Said father was yelling something but couldn’t be heard as your torpedo blasted him some houses away until you all heard a distinct plop! and splash! carry out.

Luther was torn between helping their father and berating you.

Diego was smiling like a loon.

Allison looked shocked yet you can see the amusement in her eyes.

Five was smiling happily.

And Ben was hugging you while you were shocked because you have never ever before made something so big and powerful. And to think, your first successful water torpedo was tested on your father himself! Ha!

Klaus found himself very happy to be sober- at least he got to remember the day Reginald Hargreeves got dunked into a pool by a girl nearly half his size. Ah yes, if being sober was rewarded this handsomely, he’d be fine with being sober.

“... Well then.”

Everyone’s faces dropped. They forgot Pogo was there with them. Pogo seeing their tensed forms, shook his head and started the journey inside. Without looking back, he called for them, “I’d hurry inside before he comes back. Master Hargreeves probably won’t show himself for the remainder of the day. However, be prepared for harder training tomorrow. Especially you, Number Eight. Now that he knows what you’re capable of, he will exploit it.” and with that said, Pogo shut the door behind him.

All was silent until, “Best day ever. Thank you for that, Eightie. Never knew you were a spitfire.”

Confused on if you should take that as a compliment or insult, you turn to look at Klaus while still in Ben’s arms, “uhh, thank you?” You flashed him a smile that reminded him of sunshine and the feeling of being high- light.

You were in Ben’s room on his bed just cuddling into his side as he read a book. You were content just being glued to his side and hearing his calm heartbeat in the silence of the room.

“Thank you... for standing up for me,”

“You would’ve done it for me.”

Placing his book down, his thumb in between the pages to mark where he last stopped reading, he turned his head to you, “How are you so sure, Tee?”

“Because I trust you,”

Ben was shocked to say the least. You had that much trust in him? He knew you loved all your siblings. You say so everyday. They, including him, love you too. But to think you trust him that much?

Noticing his silence you continued, “and because we love one another. But if ever none of you are there to defend or protect me, that’s okay too. I’ll protect all of us to the best of my abilities. Y’know why, Ben?”

“...why, Tee?”

“Because we’re family.”

One of Ben’s worst insecurities popped up, “But... we’re not.”

You tilted your face upwards to look at him, confused, “What do you mean?” He looked away with a sad look in his eyes, “We’re not family... we’re all adopted by a billionaire because our mothers were bribed with money.”

You frowned for a while before looking back towards his door, gaining your initial position, “Family by bond is stronger than that of blood, Ben... And I don’t care what anyone says. You’re my family and I love you, okay? I’ll always be here for you, even when I’m not around, okay?”

Ben smiled softly at the ceiling of his room, tears slowly gathering in his eyes. Tears of happiness. Of relief. To hear it being said out loud and by someone else brought him such relief and it made him feel light. Like the weight of the world left him.

“Yeah, okay... I love you too, Eightie.”

You looked at him with an amused smirk, one all of your siblings seem to have, “I know.” and quickly looked at a random part of his room.

Ben smirked, placed his book on top of his bedside drawer, placed an arm behind his head, and stroked a hand through your hair.

And just like that, Ben’s insecurities slowly eased with your words and actions. While you, well you just discovered the strength of your power. And you’re currently having a nice nap.

Outside Ben’s door was Allison listening in with a smile, Diego with a disgusted look, and Luther with a contemplating look. Five was leaning against the wall looking at the three while Vanya was, again, with mom. And Klaus was... somewhere.

“Awww that was so-”

“D-disgusting.”

“Oh shut up, Diego-”

“N-no you sh-shut up-p, Nu-number O-”

“Don’t you dare call me Number One!”

“Wha-whatchu g-gonna do a-about it, huh?

“We-”

“Nu-number One. Number-er O-one. Numbe-”

“Shu-”

“Will you two quit it?! If Tee wakes up because of your incessant banter, I will drop you both in the middle of nowhere.”

Although intimidated, both brothers snorted at Five, “C-can you e-even carry Luther-er?”

“Yeah- hey!”

“What? I-it’s true.”

“Well-”

And just like that, Five jumped with the two leaving Allison outside Ben’s door, bewildered.

“Hey!”

“F-Five! Y-you can’t j-just leave us h-here!”

With a sarcastic smile, “watch me.” he left his two eldest brothers on the sidewalk a few houses away from their own.

Sighing, they both started the journey to their house. They should’ve known he’d go through with his threat- this wasn’t the first time he’s done this.

“Wait a minute,”

“W-what?”

“What’s incessant?”

“I don’t know?”

“Five mentioned our bantering was incessant, what does that mean?”

“In-interesting?”

“Hmm... Nah, doesn’t sound right.”

And so, on the way home, both brothers filled the silence between them by trying to guess the meaning of the word incessant.

Hearing a semi-soft argument happening near you caused you to wake up a tad disorientated. However, you didn’t move from your position as you were quite comfortable cuddling with Ben while his hand stroked your hair. Listening into the conversation, you deduced that Klaus was in the room wanting to join in the cuddling.

“Klaus, no.”

“But, Benny!”

“No 🤍”

“Oh come on-”

“No, Klaus, you cannot sleep on my b-”

“It’s fine, Be-”

“YAY” without hearing you finish your sentence, Klaus hopped onto the space behind you, right by the wall- squishing you between Ben and himself. He immediately turned to his side, wrapped his arms around your waist and shoved his face to the back of your neck.

“Oof” you were shocked by the speed of his actions but giggled nonetheless.

Ben, on the other hand, was no impressed, “Why, Eightie.” He asked exasperated.

“You love me, Benny.”

“In your dreams.”

“Oh believe me, you do not want to be in my dreams.”

“Nasty, Klausy.”

“Ew, dude. That’s- ugh- tmi”

“You suggeste-”

Not wanting to hear an argument between them, you cut Klaus’ sentence off, “Night Klausy. Night Ben,”

“Night Eightie,”

“Night Tee.”

“Love you guys,” with that mumbled, you felt yourself drift off to sleep with a smile. But not before hearing them mumble it back to you.

You didn’t see it, but just hearing you tell them that you love them brought a sincere smile to their faces, and a light warm feeling to their hearts.

Plop

Plop

Plop

Reginald Hargreeves was not having a good day.

First, Number Seven’s powers continued to become stronger even while in isolation and this proved to be troublesome. Then the rest of the little brats didn’t show competency during today’s training. And now- now he was soaking wet walking towards his own house. People were looking at him- the eccentric billionaire walking home soaking wet- how humiliating.

Ah yes, Reginald Hargreeves was definitely not having a good day at all.

[jerichomere]

MBS EPISODE EIGHHHHT

weak. I hate to say it but I could feel it in my heart from the start. It had good moments but this episode just didn’t bring it home. I’m going to break this up into my usual notes and then some general evaluation. Notes: What is the deal with curtain and food? He has so many weird scenes with meals.. there’s probably some hidden meaning here but I don’t know what it is And they didn’t get to chuck-root the school :((((( Constance? Wants to pour acid on curtain’s feet Haha I liked Kate’s little “Nyoope” when the recruiters found her Martina redemption and the fighting tetherball team, sure Jackson and Jillson get even more unhinged. they terrify me We got Kate yeeting Constance up the tower, but her bucket had a built in rope motor somehow WE GOT KATIE-KAT but we didn’t get Sorry it took me so long And Milligan’s still moody instead of joyous Go Constance, break the thing, yay Number Two and Rhonda had some real shippy energy in this episode and PLEASE they are SISTERS Two more close profile shots of curtain in this episode, one where he is physically shorter than Milligan but dominating the interaction, and one where he’s physically looking down at Reynie but Reynie’s getting to him. Reynie has a heart to heart and curtain passes out. That’s different. Sticky even said, “it’s anger” and he was like “no, it’s vulnerability” oooooookay then. The whisperer is not an intercom/loudspeaker. sheesh. So the kiddos leave and the twins talk, resolving nothing, then curtain escapes REYNIE AND MISS PERUMAL NO COMPLAINTS HERE *sobs* Kate and Madge at the end <3 Constance refuses adoption!?!?!?!??! And no age reveal obviously rip Sticky’s family redemption he’s going to the totally not made up Boatwright Academy now Mr Benedict is like, I love you all, no snowball fight, the end. SIKE Curtain, SQ, and a totally real engineer lady are on a BOAT. You know, I felt bad for the engineer this whole series, as she is portrayed as kind of doing the technical work hoping it’ll be used for good, while curtain abuses its practical application, but her mood really shifted in that last scene. She was like heheh hey guy that I know is definitely is evil, howabout this mysterious blueprint... are they really trying to set up the sequel. Some tree branches will have to get pretttty bent.

Evaluation: keep reading! (sorry it gets long)

To recap what I’ve said from the start, I think the casting is fantastic but the tone is wrong. The darker, more saturated filter, the isolating camera shots, and very understated music make things colder and stilted. This is a constant throughout the whole series. The book was warm, messy, and full of charm, which I didn’t feel watching the show.

characters were.. compromised? Mr B starts off with a LIE about test winners going to Boatwright Academy. That undermines EVERYTHING he does from then on. “Regrettable but necessary” DOESN’T cut it. He’s also just so anxious and jittery instead of his gentile, kind, strong book self. Just from the show, they didn’t frame his genius very well. He seems more like a fool. Not really confidence-inspiring. In the same way, Being directed to cheat is one thing, but Reynie should NOT have lied to SQ to manipulate him into seeing the forest or whatever. Yeah reynie felt bad about it and SQ called him on it, but this is like the core values of our protagonist team, the strong love for truth. Also, I feel like in the show Reynie’s leadership isn’t highlighted. Like, everyone else has their thing but you almost wonder why he’s framed as the main character. The girls got bonding and the boys got bonding but there was hardly opportunity for him to really bring the team together into a cohesive unit Also, as much as I love Number Two’s life of crime (because it’s funny), she too should have that love of truth, but instead regularly does unlawful things. AND they never explained her eating, and even stopped having yellow clothes :( Additionally, the side story of her and Rhonda’s friction (entertaining I suppose) also really changed the character dynamic. In the book, the adult team was unwavering and wise, a sturdy basis for the perilous missions of the children. But their internal strife, while adding drama, makes them seem unreliable and less absolutely good and trustworthy. And I think trust and integrity are key parts of the book’s solid narrative. Constance’s refusal of the adoption felt wrong too. She was like, “Respectfully decline, but. I’ll stick around here.” I think they were trying to keep going with her contrariness, but it just comes across as foolish pride? Constance is a LITTLE GIRL. She DESERVES a FAMILY. SHE DESERVES A LOVING PARENT (and two wonderful sisters). Yeah family doesn’t have to be by blood OR lawful paperwork, but her actions in this scene really just. cuts off the feels at the knees. We KNOW she’s strong and independent but that doesn’t mean she HAS TO BE or even necessarily WANTS to be all the time. Over the course of the series we see her warming up to people, a kind word here, a little smile there, but this adoption refusal is.. harsh. Then we’ve got Sticky. Yes, he struggles with the comfort of the whisperer. And he overcomes it. BUT in one of the earlier episodes, they had him fighting with the team, defending the whisperer, dismissing his friends... and I count this as betrayal. It may be extreme on my part, but I think he went too far. The Society is the Society. In the book he bested his fears for them and with their support. Yeah he desperately wanted to just give in but he had PRINCIPLES and knew why he couldn’t. His honor, his responsibility to stop curtain, and his loyalty to his friends got him though. But in the show he just dumped them. And then was like, oh oops jk I’m back. (I knowwwwww the book has the privilege of being able to explain characters’ thought processes and emotional states, while shows have to work with more tangible actions and words but stilll I did not Like That) And finally, curtain wasn’t smart. He had hired people doing all the work. He just used it to his ends. Less evil genius and more manipulating creep. But this? I’m more ok with. As an villain, he got the job done. But this makes him less of a foil for Mr Benedict and more of an antagonist, if that makes sense. In the book they never knew each other, but were both alone in the world and greatly smart, and they chose verrry different paths. Whereas in the show he and B were always kind of opposites, warring in motivation and method from the start.

Let’s talk about the boss battle (such as it was). I said it was weak and I meant it. The book is heart pounding. There is so much going on, and so many people in play, the narration jumping all over the place in real time, all culminating in that clash at the top of the tower. Now, the show... the highs weren’t the highs. It felt more like checking off story points. Kate and constance outside - check. Resist the whisperer to stall for time - check. Milligan reveal - check. Reynie starting to figure out narcolepsy triggers - check. Constance shouting then you are the greatest fool of all - um, no, that didn’t happen. Constance defeating the whisperer - check. Curtain escapes - check. We got zero action. No good fights. I know Emmy Deoliveira is a kid and I’m not mad at her for not being able to do action sequences or run with Constance piggyback. But there was almost no physical conflict on-screen, and that’s Kate’s real time to shine. Also they had Number two and Rhonda in the tower ready to fight and then they just didn’t. All this build up for nothing. Furthermore, and I think this is the biggest problem, there was no momentum. Yeah they cut from scene to scene, but the music and tone cut scene-to-scene too. So there was like, dramatic music, Kate’s ready to fight! Get hyped! and then cut to absolutely silent, mr curtain staring at someone. feel mildly disturbed. and then cut to Rhonda and Number two being friends and ready to fight! Aww! And yay! Get hyped! And then cut back to Sticky sitting in a chair, dead silent. It goes on like this. The music, the urgency, should have carried throughout, building in intensity and desperation as the kids come together and curtain unravels more and more and then BAM! curtain down and OH NO! the whisperer and finally Constance’s “I... DON”T.... CARE!!!” and then the madcap escape from the island. Watching, I just couldn’t get swept away. Storywise, they tied it all up and logically it made sense but the emotional culmination just wasn’t there. It was over and done too quick. It fell flat. I didn’t feel the struggle, the suspense. And then they gave us a fabricated Mr B and Curtain conversation that didn’t really help anything. And then the falling action had some nice moments but as I mentioned, the things with constance and sticky kind of made it feel less relieving, joyful, and sweet. I know a snowball fight is elaborate to set and film but I would have loved to see it.

Final thoughts I can’t help but love the kids. I’ll say it again, I sure liked this casting. And for all the changes they had to make, the original central plot was there, and most of the characters were recognizable even with all the alterations. So I did have problems with some of that underlying integrity, as well as the overall tone and execution, but I also laughed at the little funny things, jammed to the title theme, and was excited to see this, my favorite book in the world, get more recognition. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to adapt a work of prose into an audiovisual medium, and considering how outlandish the book sometimes got, they gave it their best shot. I didn’t love it but I can recognize the accomplishment. In terms of faithful and well-made adaptations, on a scale of Percy Jackson to Harry Potter, I’d give The Mysterious Benedict Society a 6.5/10.

[sweetchup]

Thanks for the last question! c: 💞 I Also love those two little spiders, they are just cinamon rolls; could you do some Hcs about that scenario? (Sorry, I don't know if I made the request in the right way, I'm a little stupid 😅💔)

“Family” Scenario General Headcanons

Oh you’re not stupid! Trust me I get confused all the time, you should see me during class. Here’s an example for future reference. Ex: Hello! Can I have a Headcanon about what the two sons from your Chrollo fanfic Family think of the troupe? Or Hi Do the boys from Family know that the reader isn’t their real mother?

Yay.... Perfect Family. Two Head spiders, Two itsy bitsy spiders and 12 Aunty and Uncle Leg Spiders that creates an amazing 16 person huge crazy family.

This will all seem super crazy to you. You had expected to be fighting for the boys from Chrollo grasps or, at the very least, forced to come up with some visiting plans to allow him to visit. But, this? The fact that you and your sons are now on the road with the troupe, the other members are now aunts and uncle spiders, Chrollo, your sister’s ex, is now your Husband and Chrollo is trying to get you pregnant.

It also didn’t help that you soon come to find out that Chrollo has been watching you all for 2 years before showing up. He even has pictures of moments of you and the boys such as them opening presents on Christmas and you all going trick or treating. Major creepy vibes. So, you basically wanna just get away with your sons from these psychos as quick as possible.

But, escape plans aren’t going to work out for you since Chrollo has full intentions on having you stay and making you fall in love with him.

So he comes up with a plan that has Kao and August each choose 6 uncles/aunty spiders to go train with and learn Nen off in the world. The boy’s first adventure! Yay... but that allows you two to be left all alone.

So, you’ll be forced to be locked in a room with only your basic needs. The fact you were chained to the bed made it easier for Chrollo to make love to you and isolate you until you experience harsh signs stolkhome syndrome.

Well....., that’s what you imagined he would do.

Chrollo actually wants your real affection, he knows stolkhome syndrome will likely take a small toll in making you fall in love with him but he wants to still try to make it as natural as possible. After all, he has spent the past 2 years watching you all from afar you all being a happy family. It makes his heart clench and his stomach turn every time he has to leave. But, he knew he had to wait. He had to wait until the troupe knew they could trust the new number 4 and 8.

So, while the boys are gone, Chrollo actually ends up taking you out on real dates, to intresting places and attempts to talk to you like an equal. The public would actually end up seeing you two as a michevious and bickering young married couple instead of the actual dark true side of the situation.

Chrollo isn’t in any rush on making you fall in love with him either. He has plenty of time. After all, learning Nen can take a long time, about 6 months to a year for the basics.

Though, even with all this nice things, this doesn’t mean Chrollo is still not a manipulative asshole. He still in charge of this relationship and has no intentions on stopping “making love to you”. He fully intends on getting you pregnant with his third child even if you aren’t in love with him at that moment. Such a doting husband...

Also don’t worry about Kao and August. He’ll take you monthly for a week to see the boys and Machi is doing regular check ups on them. He can’t have his family getting hurt or falling apart can he.

Truly, even if you didn’t like the fact of the boys hanging out with the troupe. You couldn’t deny it was cute watching them interact with the boys. Especially when it came to August trying to play fight Uncle Uvogin or watch Kao sit and play video games on Uncle Shalnark’s lap.

Soon, no matter how much you didn’t want to, you eventually warm up to these psychopaths in about 6 months. You even realize you have felled hard for Mr. Edgelord himself, Chrollo. But, being so stubborn, you fully intended on not wanting to show it. You wouldn’t give up so easily.

Well... not exactly.

It was an early Sunday morning and you were sitting against the old cobblestone wall of the current hideout. The reason you were currently sitting against the cold ground was because you were carefully and slowly attempting to fix Kao’s favorite scarf. It had gotten ripped during his training with Feitan and Phinks so you were trying to get it fixed so he would no longer pout or glare at the two. It was honestly scary seeing Kao so unusually upset.

“Mommy! Mommy! Can me and Kao have Pizza for dinner tonight?” August yells as he and his brother come running over from their play spot. Stopping and looking up at the boys, you sigh. Pizza, again?

“Well, let’s check with your father, okay?”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure the boss finds it okay, (y/n)” Nobunaga chimes in from afar, yawning and stretching from his spot on a tilted pillar. Of course nobu chimes in on this, Pizza is one of his favorite too.

“Well, this is the third time this week the boys have had pizza, Nobunaga. Too much isn’t good.” Franklin says, weighing the options. Thank goodness you have members like Franklin and Pakunoda who think of the logical side of things instead of giving the boys whatever they want. You were honestly worried they were getting too spoil from their aunts and uncles.

“Aww but Uncle Franklin! it’s so gooooood~~” August exaggerates, stretching his arms as far as he could to show that its super good.

Small chuckling and giggles echo around the room from the troupe at the boy’s silliness. You really wished you could give it to them but you really knew it wouldn’t be good for them.

“No buts August. And Kao, don’t huff. I’m sure you remember all the stomach aches you’ve had from not eating the right foods.”

Kao blinks rapidly and looks worried at his stomach. Kao has always had a very sensitive stomach that causes him a lot of pain. At first you thought maybe he had something like a gluten or dairy allergy but, after taking him to the doctors, it was just he had a weird stomach. Kao was actually really good on staying away from the things that upset his stomach but, he hasn’t exactly learn that he shouldn’t be eating too much or too often of greasy food like pizza.

You pat your son’s head, giving him reassurance. “Don’t worry Kao. I’ll find something else you’ll eat if you are worried.”

Kao seemed happy by that answer as he huffs and wormed his way into your lap. You giggle at him, you have such a silly boy for a son. As soon as determined Kao is comfy, you go back to sewing his blanket.

“Mommmm can I please have pizza? Pretty please with a shiny on top?!”

You just shake your head and let out a small laugh. Stubborn August wants what he wants and he’ll contunie to try until he somehow gets it. Though thankfully he isn’t too greedy and you can usually pick out what he’ll want next.

Not looking up from your stitching, you yell for the twin’s father. He’s been sitting on his perch and not doing anything all day so let’s have him deal with this. “Chrollo!”

“Yes? What do you need, my loving wife?”

You snort and shake your head. He’s still at it with that ridiculous nickname. The twins always gag and groan at Chrollo’s yucky nicknames for you. Though, you can’t help but feel your face heat up at them.

“August wants Pizza for dinner.”

You hear Chrollo close his book “Only him? Isn’t this the third time this week too?”

“Well, I really don’t want Kao to eat pizza again this week due to his sensitive stomach. August is fine but, you know, it...”

Chrollo finishes for you. “...it doesn’t mean it’s healthy.”

“Exactly.”

“Well I agree with you on that. I think August should eat something else for dinner tonight.”

“Aww but dad!”

“August.” You warned, playfully glaring up at him. “There’s many different things for you to eat. I’m sure there’s something else you’ve really wanted to try?”

It’s silent for a moment in the abandon building as August thinks. He pokes his chin, a habit he does when he can’t remember or pronounce the name of something.

“Buuu... Bugoli? Bowlgoog....”

You allow him to try it out for a couple of times to see if he can get it. It’s better for him to try and figure it out by himself since it helps him learn and grow. Though, sometimes you do have to help him. No one gets it right all the time.

“Bulgolgi?”

“Yeah! Bulgogi! Bulgogi.... Bulgogi” August says it a couple of times to taste the new word. Probably trying to remember it for next time.

“Well then. I’m sure Feitan knows some really nice places and recipes around here for it.” You look over to Feitan for confirmation and he nods. You smile and give a small thank you before looking down at your other son. “Does Bulgogi sound good for you too, Kao?”

Kao blinks twice telling you a “yes”.

“Well that settles it then. Bulgogi it is.”

“Yay! Bulgogi!”

August runs off outside chanting Bulgogi. Kao wanting to go follow him, slips out of your lap and claps to his chant. The air in the room gets a lot more happier at the boys’ extra silliness and the other troupe members laugh and follow them outside as well. Wanting to see and play with the crazy itsy bitsy spiders.

You sigh at the boys’ antics but still go to stand up to join the others. Though, you notice something unusual. Chrollo wasn’t joining? This isn’t like him. He usually wants to see everything his itsy bitsy spiders are up to and will even sometimes join in on the fun.

“Chrollo?” You softly call out to the man up above and facing away from you. He turns his head at your call and looks down at you, waiting for you to continue. “You coming?”

“Ah yes I am. Were you—“

Chrollo cuts himself off with a hiss as he attempts to stand up. He’s able to move his body to a standing position but, unable to keep it any longer, he soon falls back down in pain.

You stood there in shock. Chrollo was injured? That’s never happened before. Well, atleast not anything major. What happened? Was he okay? Of course he’s not okay, he—

You cut your own thoughts off as you realize Chrollo was attempting to get up again. Quickly, you climb up the broken rumble to get to the higher area to stop him.

Finally, you reach him and grab onto his shoulders to get him to stop. “Hey. Shhh it’s okay. Here, just lean against me.”

Your coos and soft voice seem to work as you are able to make Chrollo lean against you. His back pressed against your chest and both of your pairs of legs tangled, as he heaves.

Slowly, you put a hand up to his forehead. It wasn’t that hot nor cold so he wasn’t running any sort of fever or chills.

“Hey. What’s wrong? What happened.”

“N-nothing. I’m fine.”

“You don’t look or sound fine, Chrollo. Did you get injured yesterday? I heard that was a pretty bad mission.”

It’s quiet as Chrollo doesn’t bother to answer you. For such a logical and bright leader man, he’s unusually very stubborn. You wonder if that’s where August gets it from. But, you need to find out what happened. If he can hardly stand that could possible mean he has something really wrong with his back or, worse, Spine.

“Chrollo. Can you please tell me what’s wrong?”

It’s silent again as you finish. Chrollo doesn’t bother to answer again. Letting out a soft sigh, you lay your chin on top of his head.

“Pleassssseeeee Chrooooooolllloooo.” You whine, making sure to specially exaggerate his name.

Chrollo doesn’t answer again. But, you wonder if he atleast has a small smile on his face. Actually, maybe trying to get him to ease up will be the best way to get him to talk to you.

“Chrrrrrrollllloooo Luuuuuuccilllllfferrrrr!” You whine causing your weird tone of voice to echo off the walls.

Nothing again. You guess you have to step it up a notch.

Bring up your hand you lightly knock on the side of Chrollo’s nogin. “Youuu whooo? Anybody home?”

No response but you, at the very least, get a small chuckle from him. Man, he’s so stubborn. Stubborn. Stubborn!! He’s glad you’re in a silly mood today or you would have just chose to smack him already.

“Hmmmmmmmm.”

You knit your brows in consentration. You were trying to think of a way to step it up from here to make him crack. But, how... what would get him to talk no matter what.

Oh! You could always...

Your face heats up at your train of thought. Was it really the best idea to finally admit your feelings for him? You honestly didn’t think so. Though, there were no reprocrusions for doing so.

“Awwww. Chrollo ain’t home. I really wanted to tell him something!”

Chrollo doesn’t do anything but you know, from experience, that he was definetly curious and was thinking intently on what you possibly wanted to say.

“Welp, I guess I’ll leave a message then. Dear, Chrollo Lucilfer.” You change to bubble voice as if you were writing a letter. “I wanna let you know that...”

You take a gulp due to you being nervous about what you were about to say next.

“... I love you. I really do and I’m not saying that to get you to talk. Or to get you to—“

You cut yourself off as Chrollo moves his head and presses a kiss to your neck. It wasn’t sexual. You could tell he kissed your neck, of all places, because he couldn’t reach to kiss your lips or cheek.

Slowly and Carefully, You move so you two were now face to face. You breath hitches as Chrollo puts his forehead against yours.

“Say it again. Tell me that my darling wife loves me.”

“I love you, Chrollo. I love you with all my heart.”

Finally, Chrollo impatiently leans in to capture your lips with his. You could tell based on the pure passion and need of the kiss that he had been waiting so long for this moment. The moment you would finally tell him you were actually his.

You two slowly pull away, not wanting to stop, but having to due to a stupid thing known as air. Your heart flutters at his next words and the small smile on his face.

“I love you too, (y/n).”

Flustered and face beat red, you attempt to hide your face in the fur of his jacket. You couldn’t help but finally get flustered at all this lovey dovey and fluffy stuff.

“Don’t tell me your embarrassed by just 5 words. I’m sure you remember the worse things we’ve done together?”

Never mind. Moment officially ruined. Damn it...., why did you have to fall for him again?

“Well, you still have to answer my question Chrollo. What happened?”

“You are doing the same as me. You avoided answering mine.”

“No, That isn’t even a question.”

“Sure it is. Not everything has to be answered in what, who, where, ho—“

“Please don’t go off on another rant.”

“Just admit that I’m in the right, my wife, and I won’t try to continue.”

“Right about what? The fact you don’t have to tell me you are in pain?”

“Not exactly. But, you have to follow what I, your husband, says. It’s in your best interests after all.”

“Yeah right. Exactly when has that actually happened?”

“Well, My suggestion of using a plug to keep my semen in has proven very effective so far. We are going to the doctors tomorrow after all to check if you are pregnant. It also was very helpful —“

“Chrolloooooo! Stop rambling!”

[youvebeenlivingfictional]

Love Isn’t Always On Time Part Forty Three

Previous Part | Next Part | Masterlist Notes: Not Beta-Read. I hope everyone’s well 😁 Warnings: Cursing; slight angst Summary: My interaction with my fellow fugitives was fairly limited; I’d spoken to Natasha a few days beforehand, and Wanda before that. I had yet to touch base with Vision, but I had a feeling that that would be a shorter conversation than the others, and could probably wait a while.

“So how’s-- Oh. You’re frozen again... There you are,” I laughed as Sam’s fuzzy image because to move again my screen. It was clear enough that I could see him rolling his eyes. “Don’t gimme that look, I’m piggybacking off of really crappy internet, I told you,” I justified. “Last I heard, Wakanda’s got high-speed,” Sam’s voice was a little static-y, and seemed harsher through my shitty earbuds. I fought the urge to pretend the signal had cut and end the call. He’d been dropping not-so-subtle hints like that for the last half-hour. “Yeah, well,” Was my clever response. Sam shook his head. “Come on, what are you doing?” He asked, not bothering to keep the critical edge out of his voice. “Same thing you all are. Keeping my distance for safety’s sake,” I said, “Now you come on, how’s Amsterdam?” I had been in Cairo for nearly three weeks, and had gotten an apartment far away my friends. They’d housed me for a few nights, but I didn’t get used being around other people constantly, knowing it could put them in danger. I hadn’t heard from Steve since I’d arrived. Okoye had reached out once; Shuri texted me every other day at least (usually memes). My interaction with my fellow fugitives was fairly limited; I’d spoken to Natasha a few days beforehand, and Wanda before that. I had yet to touch base with Vision, but I had a feeling that that would be a shorter conversation than the others, and could probably wait a while.

Sam didn’t seem like he was having the best time - but none of us really were. We were isolated, unable to get close to anyone or see one another, constantly looking over our shoulders. Sam told me about his apartment, his cute neighbor (he did not appreciate the joke I made about that neighbor possibly being a S.H.I.E.L.D agent), the sightseeing he’d done. “Steve came out a couple of weeks ago, stayed for a day.” I nodded, trying to keep my face in its neutral set, but it was difficult to ignore the pang of misery I felt at the mention. We went quiet for a few moments, and I knew it was purely my fault, and not the faulty video stream. “How is he?” I asked hesitantly. “... Tired. Stressed-- I’m not saying this to make you feel bad, but he misses you, kid.” I sighed, leaning back against my headboard. “You couldn’t have at least waited to say goodbye to the guy?” Sam pressed. I shook my head. “It’s not that easy, Wilson,” I insisted through gritted teeth. I’d already had to defend myself to Natasha and I wasn’t sure I do it again. Nat certainly hadn’t bought my bullshit. Sam gave in, though, holding his hands up in surrender. “Look, it’s late,” He said, “I’m gonna go. But think about calling.” He gave me a long look, like he was fighting the urge to say something else. “What?” I asked sharply. Sam grimaced. “He’s awake.” -- “It’s real nice to hear your voice, doll.” I was so glad I was only doing this on the phone and not with video. Bucky was less likely to pick up on the sound of my labored breathing this way, but the tears would’ve been hard to miss on a video call. I swallowed a sob, taking in a deep breath. “It’s good to hear yours, too, Bucky... Fuck,” I pinched the bridge of my nose, “You’re-- Everything’s--” “I don’t know how she did it, but Shuri disengaged the sequence. She explained it to me, but I’d just woken up and I was... A little out of it,” Bucky chuckled. The sound was warm, and sweet, and sent pangs of want through me. If I closed my eyes, I could see us back in our apartment in Brooklyn, curled up in the corner of that beat up old couch; could feel myself tucked against his chest, see the twinkle in his eye as he looked down at me. “Tell me about Wakanda,” I implored gently. I just wanted to keep him talking. Four days. Bucky had been awake for four days. Sam had told me, Shuri had confirmed it and told me that she’d assumed that Steve had passed the news on. It was a fair assumption, just incorrect in this case. I knew that Steve was mad at me, but this stung. I wasn’t sure what he’d thought keeping this news from me would do. I didn’t pin this blame on Bucky - he was still adjusting, had enough to worry about, and maybe hadn’t known that Steve hadn’t told me. I listened to Bucky tell me about everything - the children that came to visiting him every day, the fact that Shuri and the others called him the White Wolf. “Stevie and I went to a market the other day,” He said, tone besotted and sweet at his name, and I tried not to let it turn me bitter. “Yeah?” I asked instead, “How was it? What did you see? Did you get anything?” Bucky chuckled at the onslaught of questions, but he answered each in turn (it was nice, a lot of stuff, not this time). “Shuri’s been working on a new arm for me, but I’ve been getting around fine the way I-- Hang on-- C’mere,” I heard Bucky’s voice fade, and panic thrummed through me as my ear caught on the distant timbre of Steve’s voice on the other end. “Who do you think it is, it’s the person you’ve been moping over.” Bucky’s was trying to joke with Steve, but his words made me want to curl into a ball. “... Steve, come on,” Bucky’s tone went stern after a few moments, and I cringed. “Buck, don’t,” I said loudly enough for him to hear, even with his ear a bit away from the phone, “It’s alright, don’t make him, just let him-- It’s okay.” Bucky sighed heavily on the other end, and I could practically see him shaking his head. “It’s my fault,” I tacked on softly, “Don’t be mad at Stevie. This is on me.” “He’s just hurting and missin’ you, babydoll,” Bucky soothed, “We both are.” I felt my lower lip wobble. “I miss you, too,” I murmured. “Can you come soon?” Bucky asked. I hesitated, looking down at my bedspread. “I don’t know, hon, I’m still getting settled here. Maybe in a couple of months.” “Okay,” Bucky’s answer was almost indulgent in how quickly he yielded to it, “Will you call more?” “Of course I will, baby,” I promised, “Every day if you want.” “I want,” Bucky answered, and I smiled despite myself. “Okay,” I agreed. “I’m gonna go try to talk to Steve, but I’ll talk to you later,” Bucky promised. “Alright. I’d say ‘tell him I say hi’, but that may not be a good idea right now.” “Want me to say anything to him for you?” Bucky asked. I thought for a moment. “No,” I said after a moment, “Anything I have to Steve I’ll say myself, I won’t make you go between us.” “Takin’ the high road,” Bucky teased. “I should’ve started with the high road,” I pointed out, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Buck.” “Alright. I love you, doll.” “I love you, too, Bucky.” We murmured our goodbyes a few more times before we finally hung up. I tossed my phone onto the bedspread, drawing my knees up to my chest. I felt as isolated and helpless as I had in the Raft, but this apartment was a prison of my own making. Every creeping moment of quiet taunted me, echoing the same thing: ‘You chose this’. Tag list: @gloryevans @redryderdesigns @winter-scolder @aactuaaltraash @secretagentben @staplerrrr @elliee1497 @adayinmymeadow  @allonszassbutt @mannls @witch-of-letters  @niallssweetheart22 @uneniffler  @rinthehufflepuff @panic-angel3314  @firstangeldragonranch @kaetastic @mcuwillbethedeathofme @skeletoresinthebasement @i-dont-know-what-im-doing-yay @kkaos15 @iamnotoverlyfondofwhatfollows  @bassclarinety @tomshelbystits @rvgrsbrns @marvelmenarebeautiful @tenaciousperfectionunknown @intricate-melody​ @stuffandstuff-stuff​ @fanfuckingtastic04 @messybunnyartist @anescapefromtheworld  @shesa-riott​ @bihoeofmanyfandoms @martyniasz @mamooska8 @silver-winter-wolf

[mangobilorian]

deception | (gen)

Pairing: Toddler! Ahsoka & Mace Windu

Genre: Fluff

Words: 3368

Summary: Ahsoka dashes from the wall and runs at full speed, throwing a toothy grin at him. She grips his lightsaber in her hand and zaps away. Well, if that’s the game, Mace will play. He can be a damn good hunter after all.

Or: Ahsoka tricks Mace into acknowledging his emotions and having fun for the first time in forever.

Ahsoka scares Shaak. Seriously. Togrutas are born hunters— they have to be since the akul rule their homeworld—but she’s never met one as terrifying as Ahsoka Tano. Force, when she was an Initiate herself, all those years ago, Shaak had the demeanor of a predator too. She’d stalk around teachers, tear into meat, jump at small creatures and fight at large ones. But at least she didn’t have the absolutely insane urge to chase High Council members for fun.

Everyone thought that Ahsoka would always be Plo’s little one. She followed him everywhere, and he let her. When not napping on top of him, Ahsoka could be found wrapped around the edges of his robes or clinging to his chest. Things changed when, on a regular, unassuming day, Ahsoka ran into Adi Gallia’s legs and didn’t let go. Adi had tried walking away, telling the little girl that she had important Jedi Master stuff to do, but Ahsoka was relentless. Adi even tried handing her off to Plo who attempted to sway his foundling back to him (a useless endeavor). It took a long game of hide and seek to pry Ahsoka off of Adi and back into Plo’s arms.

The next week, it was Yaddle. They had quite a nice time around the Temple, and Yaddle even invited other younglings to join. They didn’t play much; Yaddle taught Ahsoka a few acrobatic moves instead (which Ahsoka later employed upon an unsuspecting Oppo Rancisis).

Eeth Koth served as the next victim of Ahsoka’s gaze, and she had forced him into a game of pretend. He was the princess and even had a paper crown while she served as the knight, a practice saber clipped to her side. The “dragon” had been Ahsoka’s stuffed akul. Instead of stabbing her stuffy with the saber, Ahsoka made peace with it and successfully rescued Eeth from his bindings. To this day, no one knows how a youngling tied and restrained a Jedi Master with bedsheets, and Eeth doesn’t like talking about it. After that encounter, Ahsoka stuck to Plo when she had the chance. The Council thought she got tired and preferred her founder’s presence once again. It was a welcome reprieve (namely for Eeth and Oppo).

Until, out of nowhere, Ahsoka declared that she wanted to play with Master Windu. That caused quite the ruckus in the chamber. Some, like Plo and Yaddle, advocated for it. They said it would create more trust and connection between Masters and Initiates. Others like Eeth declared that Ahsoka was a menace but a cute one and should be experienced at least once. The last group consisted of those who decided that Ahsoka should be stopped from causing even more disorder, but they didn’t want to spend resources on that endeavor.

Which leads to now. Shaak stands next to Ahsoka who tugs at Plo’s taloned fingers. She admits that Ahsoka is quite cute but everyone knows to never underestimate her.

“Master Windu is here. I know it!” Ahsoka beams, and Shaak smiles at her. Force, she is adorable . Big eyes, stubby montrals, grinning lips. As a member of the same species, she’s filled with a surge of maternal warmth. Shaak always wondered why Ahsoka never clung to her then realized that Ahsoka “attacks” members she wasn’t familiar with. After spending a lot of time with her and Plo, Ahsoka probably filed Shaak as a member she knew well, a thought that makes Shaak particularly happy.

“I don’t feel him here, little ‘Soka. Why don’t we try the next floor?” Plo says, guiding his foundling with a gentle hand. Shaak loves watching after Ahsoka and other younglings, but in some instances, she needs to curb the girl from causing damage.  

“Don’t you have homework, Ahsoka? Master Koon and I can take you back to the crèche,” Shaak says with a smile, but Ahsoka blinks slowly at her.

“No homework,” she says, pouts. She tugs harder on Plo’s hand, “He’s here! I can feel him.” Shaak shares a look with Plo who turns the other way. If two Jedi Masters can’t feel Mace, how could Ahsoka?

“Master Ti is right. Even if you don’t have homework, we can do other things. How does hide and seek sound?” Ahsoka frowns.

“Yes, Ahsoka. The three of us can play hide and seek like Master Plo said. Is that good?”

“I wanna play with Master Windu,” she says and stomps her foot on the ground. Oh dear. It’s tantrum time. Shaak opens her mouth but Plo speaks first.

“We’ll look around this floor then leave. Okay?” Shaak glares at Plo whose Force presence radiates cheekiness. Shaak feels slightly betrayed.

“Yay!”

Mace isn’t hiding. He isn’t . Why would he— Jedi Master, Vaapad creator, and the Order’s champion— hide? Nothing on Coruscant could scare him enough to make him hide. Not even massive, terrifying beasts or ancient Sith ghosts strike fear through him. If he were to see an enemy, he’d take them down immediately, seeing the shatterpoints and taking advantage of weakness. He is Mace Windu , for Force sakes and-

Well. The point is that Mace isn’t hiding because there’s nothing to hide from, and he’s better than that anyway. Mace simply wants to sit in a little corner of the Temple, content to be alone. Yes, he prefers peace and quiet over the long, boring Council meetings (which, as the Master, he probably shouldn’t say but kriff it). His little corner is tucked away in a mostly unused hallway. In the middle of the day like this, most Initiates attend classes, Padawans train with their Masters, and Knights rest or prepare for missions. Only the occasional Temple Guard plows through. Mace has enough control with the Force to conceal his signature and not bring suspicion to his… unusual relaxation spot.

He closes his eyes and controls his breathing. The corner is a far cry from his own quarters (which aren’t that comfortable anyway), but it’s a moment of isolation at least. For each feeling and thought at the forefront of his mind, he assesses them then lets go. Some feelings are easy to drop. The slight flare of annoyance at the lack of special pastries in the mess hall flies away without hesitation. Others, like his frustration at today’s meeting, are harder to release. Kriff, why did Qui-Gon and his Padawan have to overthrow a monarchy? Sure, they got the mission done but seriously? Mace doesn’t know whether to be angry at his friend or the Council or himself.

Regardless, Mace pushes all feelings away, and his mind clears. It’s comforting to have an empty head, a place where his thoughts are just that. Thoughts. Nothing real happens in one’s thoughts except for self reflection and, in Mace’s head, shatterpoints.

All the shatterpoints he sees are simple possibilities, what-if scenarios that may never come to fruition. It’s difficult sometimes to see people as who they are , and not what they can do. After decades with the ability, he still struggles with separating the two. It’s especially harder when a growing darkness looms over Coruscant. The Force is cloudier than he’s ever felt it. Maybe that’s why he has such a cranky demeanor. Or maybe his peers are just too damn annoying, and sarcasm is his only coping mechanism. Well. Whatever. With those thoughts, he releases them into the Force and continues breathing.

Mace hears footsteps, ceasing his meditation. He reaches out and curses at what he finds. There, glowing in the Force, Plo Koon, Shaak Ti, and Ahsoka Tano walk towards him. He opens his eyes, scanning the area in search of an escape route. Well, not an escape route, just… an alternate pathway for him to continue his search for peace. After looking around, he slumps in his position. He, with a great amount of ignorance, trapped himself into his corner. How wonderful. Mace tries again, almost with an air of desperation as the sound of footsteps increases in volume, but there’s nothing. There’s no way out of his little corner without revealing himself which is the main pur- one of the main purposes he sought the corner for.

The footsteps stop a few feet away from Mace, and he curls impossibly tighter. Kriff. At this distance, he can hear everything the trio says.

“Right here! It's glowy and stuff.”

“There’s no one here, little ‘Soka. It’s an empty hallway.”

“Master Plo is right. We should hurry and get some food from the mess.”

“But-”

“Trouble, there is? Frustrated are you?” Yoda’s voice inserts into the conversation, and Mace sighs. Hopefully Yoda will spare him and allow Mace to leave in peace.

“Master Yoda! Where’s Master Windu? It’s play time.” Mace can hear her pout the last sentence.  

“Hmmm, yes. Talented Jedi, Mace is. Good at hiding. Here, you will not find him.” Mace breathes out. Thank the Force for Master Yoda, the ever wise and forgiving Grandmaster. He feels Ahsoka’s presence plummet into disappointment and frowns.

“A few feet away, however, he hides. In a corner, he is.” Wait, what?! No, no, Yoda did not just-

“Master Windu?” Ahsoka Tano’s big eyes stare at him and his coiled body and tilts her head to the side. He sees the pure shock on Shaak’s face and the unwavering rolls of smugness from Plo. Mace composes himself.

“Greetings, Initiate Tano. I’m simply meditating.” Ahsoka nods but her eyes are trained on Mace’s side. What- oh. His lightsaber. Her hand reaches out, and Plo moves to place a hand on her shoulder, stopping her sticky hands from nearing Mace.

“Master Ti, Master Koon, come with me, you must. Many things to do, there are. Will of the Force, this is,” Yoda says then cackles. Mace restrains himself from showing visible signs of anger. Shaak breaks away first, shooting Ahsoka a small smile before leaving. Plo glances at his foundling and speaks up.

“I told you she’ll want to play with you. I’ll see you later, little ‘Soka.” She beams at him then turns her full attention to Mace once Plo leaves.

“So.”

“Hi, Master Windu! Can I see your saber? Pretty, please?” Mace sighs and brings his lightsaber out. The sooner she’s satisfied, the faster he can have some peace. He ignites it, the purple sheen illuminating her eager face. She admires it with little coos then pouts when Mace turns it off. That should be enough entertainment.

He stands up from his position, Ahsoka still watching. “Well, Initiate. You saw the lightsaber. Run along now,” he orders, shooing her away with a hand. She nods, still frowning, but her eyes make Mace pause. There’s a brief flash of something predatory, something hungry. He brushes it away. She’s just a kid, after all.

Mace turns around, eager to return to his duties. The little pitter-patter of skips ring from the opposite side of the hallway, and he sighs, relieved. The last time he had to contend with her had been nothing short of a nightmare. Mace swears he’ll never let a youngling take a nap on him again. Just as Mace reaches the end of the corridor, he feels around his belt to adjust his lightsaber.

Except there’s nothing but air. His fingers graze an empty belt. No familiar metallic hilt, no gentle humming from his crystal. He fumbles around, almost frantically, but his lightsaber really isn't there. Which means…

“Ahsoka Tano,” he mutters. Mace turns around to find an empty hallway, no sign of the pesky thief. He curses under his breath and hurries his pace. There aren’t many places she could hide, and when he reaches into the Force, there’s nothing there. Kriff. How can she hide her signature completely? Mace knows she has a lot of potential with the Force but this? Performing an advanced Force technique as a youngling?

He breaks into an almost-sprint and feels the eyes of passersby stray to him. At least the Temple guards have masks. After a few more minutes of searching, there’s still no visible sign. No inkling at all about Ahsoka’s whereabouts. Already, he mourns for his lightsaber. He’ll get it back regardless, but who knows what damage a crazed youngling could do to his precious weapon?

He feels a small nudge in the Force and chases after it. Mace controls his steps then— like a whisper in the wind— he hears a muffled giggle. Mace stops, straining his ears. The giggles remain, and he follows it to a small alcove in the wall. As he nears, he can feel the gentle, comforting presence of his crystal. Almost there…

Ahsoka dashes from the wall and runs at full speed, throwing a toothy grin at him. She grips his lightsaber in her hand, and zaps away. Well, if that’s the game, Mace will play. He can be a damn good hunter after all.

He sprints after her, arms pumping at his sides. He’s faster than her, but she’s much too agile and flexible for him. She dashes between random people, jumps over stairs, slides under benches. It would be too much for anyone else, but Mace is not some random Jedi. No, he’s the Master of the whole Order. A Togruta child is no match for him.

Ahsoka leads him into a public, outdoor area, scores of Jedi milling about enjoying their day. Most stop to see the commotion then freeze at the sight. Mace pays them no mind. Ahsoka darts in between stray obstacles, and Mace admires her strategic chase. She’s clearly using her strengths to her advantage, utilizing the Force to quicken her reflexes and distracting him. Ahsoka even howls in glee and taunts him, sticking a tongue out at one point. Of course, he can see her vulnerabilities and weak spots; his shatterpoint ability shows him all. A gentle Force push, and she’d trip with enough momentum to release his lightsaber. There are multiple ways to get it back. As Mace mulls over his next decision, Ahsoka runs.  

Mace lets her. If he were to go full speed, she would be no match for him. He sweats, not because he’s tired, but because the sun is out. Besides, the exercise is enjoyable, possibly even fun. He hasn’t run like this in a long time. Mace spies Ki-Adi Mundi up ahead and slows a bit. “Stop her, Mundi,” he barks. “She has my saber.”

Ki-Adi looks at him with pity and shakes his head. He hears Ahsoka giggle. “Sorry, Master Windu. There’s nothing I can do.” Next to Ki-Adi, Saesee chuckles. Amazng. Mace loves his loyal Council members.

No matter, Mace continues his chase. Ahsoka leads him back into a mostly empty hallway. Her steps slow, and her breathing grows heavier. Mace admits that he’s a tad more tired than before. Without warning, she halts, and Mace almost careens into her.

She turns, grinning, and hands him his lightsaber without hesitation. He takes it and doesn’t know whether to scold her or walk away and spare himself more interaction with the girl. Before he can decide, Ahsoka hugs his legs.

“Thanks, Master Windu,” she says, her voice muffled against his robes.

“What-”

“For playing tag. I love tag! You’re good. Like Master Plo.” Mace shoves the image of Plo running away from Ahsoka out of his mind and thinks instead about the situation. They were playing tag . Stealing his lightsaber was a ruse, a manipulation technique. He feels tricked. Deceived. A pawn in Ahsoka Tano’s game. The idea is jarring, and he’ll never admit it. So he sucks it up and regains his composure.

“Yes, I’m very good at tag. I was the best in my clan,” he says then pauses. He didn’t lie, but it’s been quite a while since he thought about his clan mates. Mace always beat Qui-Gon in races (the other was more content to sit in the dirt), and his only real competition had been Eeth, and the man was a Zabrak for Force sake. His childhood feels so far away now, a distant memory.

“Really? That’s cool,” Ahsoka says, breaking away. She holds her arms up in a universal sign of “hug” but Mace knows the truth; he’s seen Plo do this many times before. Sighing, he picks the girl up in his arms, and she curls into his chest. The top of one of her montrals almost stabs his eye, and he stomps down a flare of annoyance.

“Tired,” she says, snuggling deeper into the embrace. Mace rolls his eyes, and begins walking towards the crèche. He can see her in the Force now, and reaches out. Mace senses a calming tiredness and an overwhelming amount of satisfaction. Well.

“Next time, don’t steal my lightsaber,” he scolds with the same voice he uses to scare Knights. While they cower, she simply hums.

“Next time? More tag?” She asks, pulling back from his chest and looking up. Mace didn’t intend to insinuate another game of tag, but she looks so damn hopeful that he sighs.

“If I’m not busy, then we can maybe play tag again. Is that clear, Initiate Tano?” She nods with a toothy grin. Mace can’t deny that she’s adorable. Adorably scary. Ahsoka doesn’t say anything more, content to cuddle against Mace. He hasn’t hugged someone like this in a long time.

Mace thinks of Depa and how she was probably the last person to hug him. He remembers how young she was when he rescued her from pirates. When he took her on as his Padawan. Now, she’s a capable Master with a seat on the Council. He feels a lot of pride when he looks at her and hears of her achievements. While he contributed greatly to her learning, Depa’s success is entirely her own.

Sometimes, he acknowledges that he misses her. He shouldn’t; attachments are forbidden. But- he’ll always see Depa as a daughter even if it’s wrong. There’s a large part of him that’s empty, that’s stayed empty since she passed her Trials and became a Knight. Now, they barely see each other outside the Council meetings. She’s a busy person and has only taken on more dangerous missions as a Master. Depa will do great things in her career (has done great things), but he worries about her nonetheless. She walks the Light and Dark like him, yet there’s always the temptation of Falling. Mace will never surrender himself to darkness, but the same can’t be said of Depa.

He’s scared that if she Falls, it will be because of him. That it’ll be his fault because he taught her Vaapad; he showed her the temptation first.

Mace shoves that thought out. Depa will never Turn if Mace has any say in the matter. Never. He nears the crèche, arms still cradling the girl. Ahsoka fell asleep a while ago, her little snores muffled into his robes. The situation reminds him of when he found her sleeping atop Plo in the Room of a Thousand Fountains.

As he enters the crèche, the other younglings turn to him with awe, a tinge of fear, and a lot of confusion. He gently lays Ahsoka down, careful with her lekku and montrals. She holds a hand out, reaching for him, then drops it to her chest. When he looks at her, he sees Plo’s reflection. For a while, Mace considered confronting Plo about his attachment. Attachments lead to obsession and fear and the Dark Side. But Plo’s relationship with Ahsoka is so pure and full of Light that he never bothered with the conversation. Already, the pair have the makings of an incredible bond that could last decades. The Force sings whenever they’re together.

When he sees Plo and Ahsoka hugging, Mace thinks of Depa and himself.

Mace tucks Ahsoka in, not bothering to acknowledge the many eyes following his every action. Against his better judgement, he rubs a gentle hand along the side of her face, and she nuzzles into it. He whispers a small goodbye, projecting a wave of calm through the Force. As he leaves the crèche, Mace decides to contact Depa soon. And Eeth. And Qui-Gon. Not for official Jedi business but as family.

After all, attachments are forbidden but love is not.

a/n:  Yoda totally wasn’t the one leading Ahsoka to Mace and also never hid Ahoska’s force signature. Nope ;) I know Shaak wasn’t on the council during/ before Phantom Menace, but I wanted another Togruta there for some representation. Also there isn’t as much cute Ahsoka stuff but she’s the cutest when with Plo and a terror with everyone else so…

[demonfox38]

Prompts? If you need one I have an idea. Soma becomes a vamp and Alucard helps him adjust.

I think this prompt may have triggered some social isolation feels…

/***/

To say that Soma Cruz was not feeling well was a mild understatement. There were colds, there were flus, there were viral outbreaks, and then there was vampirification. Even that was becoming an annoying regularity in Soma’s life. Get abducted by a cult? Turn into a vampire. Get Arikado’s blood in an open wound during a life-or-death fight? Drac was back. Feeling a little angsty about work? Boom! Acne and rashes and huge-ass fangs.

He laid on a futon that wasn’t his, staring at the mottled drop ceiling. These containment apartments Arikado’s agency owned were terrible. Not in an infestation way, no. Each were sparkling clean, scrubbed down to the baseboards. They were just so boring. There was a kitchen he couldn’t use, a bathroom that would kill him, a TV with five million channels showing ten billion people having way, way more fun than he could. Even the walls were starting to screw with him. He was so used to the unified paint color that his brain was starting to invent pink, yellow, and blue splotches on them.

He wasn’t even sure if the rattling at the door was actually the HVAC system kicking on or someone paying him a visit. At least, not until Arikado passed into his line of sight.

Long legs folded onto a discarded couch cushion on the floor. “Good morning.”

Soma’s head drifted. “Good morning, or good evening?”

“Good evening, I suppose.” If Arikado was annoyed with Soma’s attitude, he was at least keeping his own in check. “It is 20:00.”

“Hooray,” Soma sighed.

More clinking drew his attention. He watched as Arikado lowered a tray onto the coffee table next to Soma’s futon. Even in the shadowy confines of his containment center, he could still see shining streaks bouncing off the edges of glass and metal. Two drinks were propped on the tray. Soma’s stomach sank at the sight of them. He could hope that they were tomato juice or Bloody Mary cocktails all he wanted, but he knew what Arikado had brought him.

The dhampir kept cool, clinical. “I have contacted both Julius and Yoko. They will be arriving in Tokyo within the week. They should be able to cure your condition after that.”

“So long?” Soma asked.

“International travel has been restricted, somewhat. A viral outbreak in London has had repercussions for any outgoing flights,” Arikado explained. “I suppose, in a fashion, we are all in a bit of a lockdown at the moment.”

Sarcasm could only mask so much of Soma’s discouragement. “Yay.”

“At least they were able to get clearance.” Arikado smoothed the creases of his dress pants. “For what it is worth, Hammer sends his regards and wishes for your recovery.”

The futon creaked as Soma sat up. “You called him, too?”

“Of course,” Arikado nodded. “He is your friend, after all.”

Soma smiled. Even prickly Arikado could be nice, now and then. “And Mina?”

Arikado’s silence said far more than he could.

The young man flopped back into the futon. Oh, boy. What was it this time? Was Arikado purposefully hiding what had happened to Soma? He couldn’t be that stupid. He had to know that Mina could get just as unhinged as Soma did when something bad happened to her. Perhaps in a more delicate, sensible way, but still frantic.

If he could do anything while he was trapped here, at least he could force Arikado’s hand. “Does she at least know what happened to me?”

“Yes,” Arikado replied. “She requested clearance from my employers to visit you, but—”

Soma knew the end to that sentence. “She got rejected, right?”

Black hair fell as Arikado tilted his head. “It is more that you did.”

Another groan escaped Soma. Blackballed again. What was it this time? Was it his irrational way of hightailing it into dangerous areas? How about how he would lose his cool any time Mina was in danger? Maybe even that last millennium he spent waging war against anyone with a cross and a bible at his front door? That could have something to do with it.

For as bad as Arikado was about not answering Soma’s questions, he was far better at addressing those that the young man never asked. “You have performed marvelously during your recent infection. However, we have protocols to follow.” He drew his ankles under his seat, sitting up as straight and tall as any prince. “We would prefer to test your instincts around some of our female agents prior to authorizing any visits from Miss Hakuba.”

Soma just rolled his eyes. “I’ll probably see Julius and Yoko before I pass all of those tests.”

“Most likely,” Arikado agreed.

Well, at least Arikado was being honest. Or, should Soma be worried about that? The only third-party verification he could get at that moment was from the television set. Even that was more concerned about old educational specials or high school dramas. Maybe a week wasn’t forever. Hell, even two weeks would be manageable. It wasn’t like anyone could notice his hair getting any whiter from panic.

Soma sat up, then reached for one of the two drinks Arikado brought. It felt as warm as tea, condensation beading on its sides. He didn’t need to smell it to know what it was. Its scent invaded his nose anyway, jabbing his sinuses with pikes. Blood. Yay. He could only hope that it went down smooth, that he didn’t have to gag down coagulated hunks.

“You know,” Soma sighed, “You could have at least put a celery stalk in it.”

Arikado shook his head. “That would have provided no nutritional benefit to you.”

“At least it would have looked like a Bloody Mary,” Soma laughed. “Just humored me, right?”

“I suppose,” the agent agreed.

Pale fingers took the other drink. Soma cocked his head, confused. Well, there had to be a reason there were two glasses of blood on the tray. But, was Arikado really going to drink blood, too? He hated the stuff. Or, at least, that was what he said. Maybe it was like how some humans hated the taste of water. Just…slightly less hygienic.

Arikado stared at the rim of his glass, his reflection never to be found. “I realize that this is difficult for you, right now.”

“Yeah.” Soma scooted into the corner of his futon. “I’m starving, but nothing’s good, you know? I want something filling. Bread, rice, curry.”

Arikado could empathize all too well with those sentiments. “Though, you may find a serving of curry to be fatal, at the moment.”

Goodie. Soma’s favorite dish was now akin to swallowing hot coals. “Is it weird, Arikado? For a vampire to hate drinking blood?”

“Not in the slightest.” Dark eyes caught his own, their membranes shining in the shadows. “To be honest, I am glad to hear you say that.”

With that, Arikado pressed his glass to his lips. Their milk blue pallor warmed to pink, the blood reaching them from within and without the dhampir’s body. Soma drank alongside him, swallowing both blood and his pride. He trusted Arikado. He knew the source of this blood had to be collected in an ethical fashion. Perhaps he was in no condition to be demanding that his food was fair trade and locally sourced, but it was better he got it from a willing donator than some random stranger in a back alley.

Soma smacked his lips, clearing a bitter buildup on his tongue. “You don’t have to drink this with me if you don’t want to.”

“I understand.” Arikado lowered his glass to the floor, cupping it like a coy debutant. “However, I think it would be for the best that I dined with you until we rectify your situation. At any rate, I want to know that you are receiving proper nutrition.”

“I appreciate it, but really. I know you hate this.” Soma waggled his drink. “Get yourself, like, I dunno. A salad? Soup? Maybe some crackers? Whatever you eat.”

Arikado nodded again. “I also know how it feels to smell something that you cannot eat.”

Oh, man. That feeling was the worst. Even when he could eat normal food, there were days when Soma was plagued by that feeling. Chicken roasting in the stalls of street vendors while he was on his way to classes. Hamburgers wafting from the university cafeteria as he walked home. Butter, garlic, cheese, salt. He wanted them all, no matter how bad they were for him. Excess calories used to be his only worry. Now, what he wanted could literally kill him.

“This situation is isolating enough,” Arikado murmured. “The last thing I want to do is aggravate you with the scent of food on my person. Therefore, I think it would be wise for me to forgo other consumables, for the time being.”

Soma’s eyes widened. “A blood only diet? Really? Are you sure about this?”

“You do not have a choice in the matter,” the dhampir pointed out. “It would be cruel to torment you with my presence if I were not doing the same.”

Arikado spoke more truth than Soma liked to admit. Vampiric senses were already driving him nuts. He could smell bleach in the bathroom from cleanings weeks ago, creamer on the breath of other agents, milk and blood and things he probably shouldn’t be able to smell on a normal human. Deodorant was annoying, perfume overwhelming. Even worse was Arikado’s scent. It was familiar, reassuring—a snapshot of Dracula’s DNA. That of his wife. That of bodies long lost braided together in their offspring.  

With a single palm, Soma rubbed his cheek. No wonder Arikado’s employers wouldn’t let Mina visit him. Even someone as clean as Arikado still bore a benign body odor—triggered memories from a mind that wasn’t his own. At least he had the strength of spirit to fight them. Few vampires could.

Soma buried his nose in his drink once more. “Thank you.”

Arikado bowed his head. “I just wish I could do more.”

“Well…” Lifting spirits drew Soma out of his glass. “Maybe you could.”

The dhampir arched an eyebrow. “Do tell.”

“Could you…” It was hard for Soma to articulate his request. “Your cellphone…my TV. Can they…you know. Sync up?”

“I should be able to do that,” Arikado nodded. “Would you like to watch a video?”

For as pale as he was, Soma could still beam. “Yeah. I'd…I’d like to watch a sunrise.”

Arikado blinked.

“I-I mean, assuming it wouldn’t kill me or anything,” Soma stammered. “Like, I don’t think the TV is capable of throwing that many lumens or anything. Right? At least, I’ve never heard of a vampire being killed by a TV.”

“It will not be a problem.” The dhampir tapped on his phone, pulling up a streaming service. “I am just mildly surprised at your request.”

Soma grinned, melting into his futon. “You know how it goes, right? It’s always when you can’t do something that you want to do it.”

Seeing his friends. Eating curry. Spending moonlit nights with lovers long lost. Even just watching the sun rise. For as threatening as Soma was, he felt powerless. The only mercy he had was from a man who had killed him two times in the past. But, he wanted Soma to recover. So did old enemies, new allies, even bureaucratic strangers hovering outside of his containment center.

Vampire and dhampir folded together, staring at the sun through the safety of humanity’s technology.

[waynedunlaptheorgandonor]

alpha/beta are carol/daryl foils: an analysis no one asked for; twd s10 spoilers, obviously

hoo boy. okay, so i’ve been intending to write this for days, but i had to let it marinate, and also i haven’t been sleeping and couldn’t concentrate long enough to write it down, but whatever, i digress. “we are the end of the world” was something, wasn’t it?? it is so weird to have a plotline in twd that’s like...good? and SO refreshing to have a villain who isn’t a macho, rapey, white dude. i personally believe that all showrunners should be women from now on. oh, i’m digressing again, my apologies.

here’s the actual content, under the cut bc it’s a fucking novel:

so, from alpha’s very first episode, when i saw her shaving her head, i literally thought, “oh, so she’s carol’s foil and they’re going to have an inevitable showdown, huh?” guess who was right? this bitch. but what i didn’t catch right away was how beta is also daryl’s foil, and how the main focus of this season is alpha/beta vs carol/daryl.

let’s take it apart individually first, yeah?

carol vs. alpha:

like i said, the scene that made me instantly aware of what they were setting up was when alpha shaved her head. carol’s hair was a big thing in season 9, and the fact that we had just had henry talking about carol growing her hair out long, juxtaposed with alpha shaving hers off, is what set the alarm bells off for me. i have said over and over that i don’t believe kang does anything unintentionally, and girl loves her symbolism, so those two opposing scenes was a taste of what she was setting up.

carol and alpha are both near-indestructible forces who also happen to be mother’s suffering the loss of their children at the hand of the other. (carol isn’t directly responsible for lydia, but she’s included with “the others” that took lydia from alpha, so i think alpha still sees her as part of it.)

carol and alpha both have transformed themselves to fit within the confines of the world they currently live in, while recognizing that their children weren’t meant for it, even within their own grief. let us refer to figures a and b (lol) below.

figure a:

here in “the grove” we have creepy girl who i hate and am terrified of asking carol if sophia died because she was weak, and carol straight up is like, “yes.” she doesn’t even sugarcoat it. she accepted that her daughter wasn’t going to survive from the jump, because “there wasn’t a mean bone in her body.”

figure b:

here we see alpha losing her goddamn shit, because she’s having a come-to-jesus moment with beta about losing lydia, because she can’t have lydia and be the alpha at the same time, because lydia “is not like” her. 

conclusion: carol and alpha both mourn for their daughters, but have accepted that to be the people they need to be in the apocalypse, their children needed to die (or in lydia’s case, be dead metaphorically). in short, carol and alpha are two sides of the same coin. they’ve both found ways to survive, except one is for the good guys, and the other is for the bad guys, and now they’re head-to-head, and it is d e l i c i o u s.

moving on.

daryl vs beta:

idk why the parallels didn’t occur to me when they had daryl fighting beta. i blame henry, he was distracting me by being a delightful idiot (rip my dumb bitch), but that seed was planted in season 9, too. go kang for continuity. who knew twd could do that? anyway.

the big thing that compares daryl and beta is who they were before they found carol and alpha respectively. we obviously don’t know a whole lot of details about beta’s life, but we have enough to extrapolate and compare, and extrapolate and compare we shall.

alright, so we got our favorite lovable, filthy redneck, who grew up abused and isolated, and then here comes the apocalypse, and the only person he has left is his brother, and that’s what defines him until he loses him, both when rick chained him to a roof, and then again, after a brief relapse, when merle sacrificed himself. 

next we have beta, who again, our info is limited, but he does not become “beta” until after whoever that walker alpha puts down is gone. judging by the size, approximate age, and the closeness beta had to him, i’m betting on, you guessed it, his brother. 

observe:

figure a:

figure b:

these are both turning points for these men, where they Fully Become the dudes that we know. daryl couldn’t be the daryl we know and love until merle was gone for good, and whatever his actual name is couldn’t become beta until smiley face shirt guy was smooshed. 

(side note: how fucking rank does that t-shirt have to be by now? at least the mask dries out, but do you think that t-shirt is just like, melded into beta’s skin at this point? gross.)

so time for the fun part.

alpha/beta and caryl in season 10:

season 10 finds both duos in similar circumstances, by which i mean, alpha and carol are losing their minds, and beta and daryl are like, “uhhhh, you ok?” the men are these women’s confidants, their person, the one they trust and love above all others. carol saved daryl and brought him into a community, and alpha did the same thing with beta. you want more visual aides? well, sure thing, scout!

figure a:

we’re carylers, we already know carol’s the reason daryl has the confidence and self-esteem to become part of the group, but juxtapose this with the following pic, which i will label

figure b (again):

and you will see that alpha sees something in beta that no one else does. she sees this lonely, talented man, who’s adrift and in solitude, and she essentially calls dibs. sound familiar? inorite?

so daryl and beta are now loyal to a fault to their women, and this season already has them being wary of how they’re acting. yes, i have more pictures. i like taking screenshots, okay?

figure a:

one of the first scenes we get with caryl is daryl asking carol if she’s still thinking about alpha, and if she is Dwelling, which is interesting, because...

figure b:

...that’s exactly the same thing we get with alpha and beta. the first scene in “we are the end of the world” with the two of them in present day is him questioning her motives, and then later on he’s like, “fuck, are you Dwelling?” 

and both women immediately are like:

and neither dude knows wtf to do about this, because they’re used to the women being the strong ones. carol’s whole, “you’ve got to feel it, but not me, i’m good repressing, conceal don’t feel” thing, mixed with alpha’s, “we’re living like the dead and the dead don’t feel emotions so obviously I Am Fine” motto is what their boys are used to, but suddenly carol is hallucinating dead children, and alpha is making shrines, and our poor dudes are like, “plz stop???” esp bc they know these women are FUCKING TERRIFYING, and should never be left to their own devices if they’re being crazy crackers.

ergo, both men are clinging to the hope that they can bring the women back from the brink. my last visual aides, yes i know, how sad:

figure a:

figure b:

both scenes have these dudes reaching out to their women and essentially expressing, in their own way, “i’m worried about you, can you plz stay within eyesight at all times, ilu,” bc neither daryl nor beta is equipped to have a nice long sit down conversation about feelings, and obviously carol and alpha wouldn’t bother to entertain it in the first place, so like  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. they tried. 

will it work? unlikely! because after that showdown at the end of both eps 1 and 2, these bitches ain’t about to stop for nothing. they just straight up made enemies for life, and they’re going straight harry potter with this shit, neither can live while the other survives, someone has to die, and while beta and daryl are not super on board with this whole “being bonkers and bent on revenge” thing, you better bet your ass that they’re going to make sure their woman is the winner, which means they automatically are paired up against one another as well.

so in a nutshell: we could have just stuck goatees on mmb and norman reedus, cast them as alpha and beta, and called them mirror!verse caryl (star trek reference, yay/nay?), because they’re mother fucking foils setting up for the mother fucking fight of the century, and oh my god, can you feel it in your bones how exciting it is that it’s not going to be a rick + negan dick measuring contest again? i am So Hype.

and ofc, as a hardcore caryl shipper, i obviously have to throw in that alpha and beta are totally in love (which is esp fun, bc whisperers aren’t supposed to feel love, uh oh, vulcan violation, yes i made another star trek reference, bite me), and if they are paralleling caryl, well...extrapolate from the evidence.

i love kang, you guys. i love how she tells a story. i love that she knows how to tell a story. this show is good again, and idk how she did it, but damnit, she did.

thus endeth my pointless critical analysis. forgive me. i was an english major and have absolutely no other use for my degree.

i’m ashamed too. 

that’s all. tomorrow is the early release of the caryl episode, i mean the new episode. looking forward to dying a valiant death with the lot of you. until then, friends.

deuces,

-diz

addendum: i was editing this, and was trying to think if there’s a parallel to the bracelet scene, and the only thing i could think of that alpha gives beta is his mask. she encourages him to take the face of his brother(?), and that keeps him grounded, which is interesting, bc my prediction for the bracelet is that it’s going to end up being a grounding device for carol when she’s dissociating. i don’t have a solid conclusion drawn there, but i thought i’d mention it before posting, just to plant the seed. 

k, done 4 real, bye

[pandawritespoorly]

With Time: Chapter 15 - Bullying

Author’s Note: Saturday, yay! I love updating. You guys were so sweet in the comments last chapter, thank you so much! I really love seeing what you guys have to say.

A slightly shorter chapter today, but that doesn't mean it's safe from a strong language warning! This chapter contains the words 'bitch' (twice), 'shit',  'asshole', 'bullshit', and 'shitty'. Enjoy!

Chapter Summary: Adrien goes to school, and Chloe doesn't hesitate to tell people the cold hard truth.

First |  Previous | Next

Adrien really dreads going to school everyday. To think that just over a year ago it was his biggest wish. It’s not that school is never fun, but with Lila there it’s exhausting. Especially without Marinette.

He misses seeing her everyday.

He arrives before Lila as usual, so there’s that. Alya is sitting in her seat behind him, looking downtrodden. That’s odd. He’s fairly certain it’s her birthday today.

“Hey, Alya.” He greets her as usual, half-heartedly. 

“Hey.” As usual, she doesn’t notice there’s nothing behind his greeting, but today it seems like she isn’t noticing much of anything.

“Happy birthday?”

“Oh, yeah. Thanks.”

Nino walks in mopey, “Hey.”

Was everyone upset today? Was there some news he missed? Maybe Lila had finally left. 

Speak of the devil and she shall appear, Lila walks in, “Hi guys! Happy birthday Alya!”

Well, he could always dream.

Lila manages to get a half-hearted smile out of the journalist, “Hi Lila.”

Lila sits next to Adrien, as is the usual ever since his princess left, “Oh, Alya, is everything alright? You look so sad!”

Alya thinks for a moment then, “Lila, did I do something to upset Ladybug? I think she’s mad at me. What did I do?”

Lila hesitates for a moment, then pulls on a doleful mask, “I don’t know if I should tell you. I’d hate to upset, especially on your birthday…”

Alya and Nino fall for it, hook, line, and sinker. They turn to her and Alya speaks, ”No, no! Tell me! It’s not your fault anyways.”

Crocodile tears come to her eyes, “Oh but it is! I should have done something! I just thought Ladybug knew better…”

Adrien mentally prepares himself for one of those days. It would seem his closest friends - Marinette and Ladybug - were Lila’s favorite targets. Either to hurt or get attention. Ladybug seems to be on Lila’s bad side now.

He hates listening to this nonsense in silence, but there’s little he can do. If he makes any sort of scene at school, Father would pull him out immediately and give him even less freedom than before. He would take it as proof that Adrien had been wrong and the boy would be trapped in his awful room for forever again. 

He tries to shut his mind down at school now. Numbness makes it go by faster, and no one has commented on his quietness. 

“What? What happened?!” 

“It’s… Ladybug and I aren’t friends anymore. She’s been talking with her and now she hates me!” The liar covers her face.

“Who! Who has she been talking to?!”

Oh no. Adrien pretty sure he knows who Lila is pinning this on. Please be wrong. Please don’t be-

“Marinette.”

Alya’s sadness turns to burning fury, “That bitch! She’s not even here anymore and she’s still ruining everything! I can’t believe she was ever my friend. It disgusts me!” 

Nino shakes his head, “Yeah, she really took a turn last year. Kinda’ a shame, she used to be so nice…”

“It’s just, she’s been talking to Ladybug, and she’s convinced her that I’m horrible. She must have talked bad about you guys too! Oh, I should have done something!”

“It’s not your fault. Just tell us what happened.” Alya rests a hand comfortingly on Lila’s shoulder.

“Well, a while ago, Ladybug mentioned she made a new friend - I was so happy for her! But then, Ladybug started being more toxic and she started being mean to me. I found out she had been hanging out with Marinette. They’ve both been bullying me for a while now… Ladybug helped Marinette hurt me that day…”

Oh no. Marinette isn’t even here anymore and Lila still pins everything on her. What is even the point?!

“Ugh! I hate that girl! She ruins everything good! I guess it really was fitting to call her our ‘everyday Ladybug’!” Alya stews for a moment, then pulls out her phone, “You know what? Ladybug clearly sucks. Paris needs to know.”

Lila looks surprised. Adrien sees the moment when she realizes that such a statement could put her web of falsehoods on the line, “No, no! Please, I’m not comfortable telling all of Paris about my failure to help Ladybug!” 

Alya softens, “Lila you didn’t fail, but I guess I won’t post something if it makes you uncomfortable. If that’s too much then maybe I’ll just delete the Ladyblog instead. It’s supposed to be a place for Ladybug fans, but no one should give a shit about that kind of person and the self-absorbed asshole that goes by ‘Marinette’.” 

“Woah, Alya, are you actually deleting your blog?” Adrien did not see this coming. The anger he feels at everything she just said slips into his voice despite his efforts to keep it level.

Alya looks at him sympathetically, “Oh my precious sunshine boy. I know you were a huge a Ladybug fan. It must be such a shock. I know it is to me. I am deleting my blog. Ladybug deserves worse for the kind of stunt she’s pulled. Lila is such a sweetheart, and to think Ladybug left her for Marinette of all people.”

Adrien can feel Plagg shifting angrily in his pocket and it takes every ounce of self-control he has to just turn away and focus on the front of the classroom. He thought school was a nightmare before, he’d forgotten he’s bad luck - it can always get worse.

Marinette’s lucky charm hasn’t done him much good recently.

Maybe she was the good luck charm in his life.

---

It’s lunch period and by some miracle no one’s been akumatized yet. Alya’s phone dings and he sees her look at the notification in shock. She opens her phone and starts texting quickly and furiously, mumbling to herself.

He sighs, at least she found a way to distract herself from hating his favorite people. 

“Come on Adrikins, let’s have lunch somewhere that people aren’t ridiculous!” Chloe hooks an arm through his, dragging him away. Sabrina walks beside them as well. They’re out of the school and on the street. They’ve been waiting for a minute or so for Chloe’s driver to arrive.

Adrien’s phone dings, it’s Claude.

  Kid Mime: i know you know alya. If you’re near her you need to get her to stop texting mari. now.

 Adrien’s heart drops. When Alya starting text a few minutes ago, had she really…? He didn’t stop to wonder how, he just turns and rushes back into the school. Chloe looks up in surprise and she and Sabrina follow in confusion.

He hurries into the cafeteria and sure enough, Alya is still furiously typing away at her phone.

He puts a hand on the table harshly, drawing her attention, “Alya, you need to stop.”

“Stop?! Do even know what I’m doing?! That bitch had the nerve to text me! I’m just giving her a piece of my mind!” “Adrien, are you really on Marinette’s side?” Lila makes her voice sound full of hurt shock.

“Bro…”

Adrien pauses. He wants to tear into them so bad. Marinette deserves better and so does Ladybug. Neither girl deserves all this hate, but he can’t cause a scene. Father would pull him out and he’d be isolated again. 

Alone.

Unable to see either of them.

Chloe shoves past him, “Really Césaire? Cyber-bullying? Leave Dupain-Cheng alone and listen to more of Lie-la’s nonsense.”

“Excuse me? I’m not bullying anyone! Marinette is the bully here! Her and Ladybug! I finally understand why she chose you - birds of a feather flock together!”

Chloe glares down at her, “Are you blind or just plain stupid? Dupain-Cheng hasn’t texted you back at all from the looks of it. Are you even reading what you’re sending? That’s bullying Césaire.”

“Oh, you would know.”

“I would.” Chloe’s voice is hard, “But at least I know my faults. You’re just some self-absorbed wanna-be journalist who can’t see what’s right in front of her.” “Leave her alone Chloe.” Nino glares at the blonde.

“Shut it Lahiffe. You had a crush on Dupain-Cheng and knew her as long as I did. You should know better than to believe this faker’s bullshit. I do find it interesting that you finally grew a spine and decided you should speak up to me. Where was that back-bone all those years I went after Marinette?”

Nino just looks at her. Lila speaks up, “Oh Chloe, there’s no need to take your anger out on us. Just because Ladybug hasn’t called on Queen Bee for so long…”

“And she won’t be again. She told me so last night. I get it, it’s her decision and I’m just glad she ever considered me. That’s not what this is about.”

Alya slams her phone down on the table, standing to get in Chloe’s face, “Listen up Chloe, you don’t get to pretend you’re better than us-”

“I don’t have to pretend. It’s just the facts.” She flips her ponytail airily.

“Just because your dad’s the mayor doesn’t mean anything. I worked for what I got.”

“And then you threw it all away for some fake stories. Some journalist.”

“Lila would never lie to us!”

“And Dupain-Cheng would?”

“Yes! She’s a bully!”

“Since when have you been so protective of Marinette, Chloe?” Lila adds in.

“Because she’s a better person than everyone here. Haven’t you noticed how much her absence has messed the class up? Sheesh!”

“She’s one of the worst people alive! Her absence has only made things better!” Alya is shaking in fury.

Chloe wrinkles her nose, “Let me know when you wake-up and look around yourself. Adrikins, Sabrina and I have places to be.” The trio walks out. As soon as they’re out of earshot, Chloe turns to her friend, “Did you get it Sabrina?”

“Yup!” She holds up her own phone triumphantly.

“Get what?” Adrien didn’t see what Sabrina had been up to during the yelling match.

“I took screenshots of what she sent to Marinette. I sent them to myself then I deleted the pictures so Alya wouldn’t know. I also deleted Marinette’s contact from her phone.

Chloe nods approvingly, “Good thinking. Now she can’t text her, because I doubt she put in the effort to remember her number.”

“Why’d you take screenshots?” He doesn’t understand the point of documenting whatever horrible stuff Alya said to Marinette.

“To report her for bullying, duh! Of course nothing will probably happen until Lila’s gone, seeing as even the school’s administration has their heads in the ground!”

Sabrina nods seriously, “That’s true.” Adrien isn’t experienced in how schools are supposed to work, “Is the school really so bad?”

“Adrikins, why do you think I go here? This place’ll let anyone get away with anything. It’s ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!” She thinks, “Maybe when I finally go to another school I should have Daddy do something about that.”

Adrien looks at her in surprise, “You’re transferring too?!”

“Not until the end of the year, obviously. Sabrina and I are out of here, this much of a stressful environment is bad for my hair.” At his look she says, “Oh don’t worry, we’ll get you out too. It won’t be too hard to convince your shitty father that a school with a more prestigious reputation would be better for his legacy. Maybe you can join your precious Marinette.”

He flushes slightly at that, then frowns thinking of the texts she must have seen. He really hopes she’s okay.

Chloe’s driver pulls up, and they all pile in. He sends Mari a quick text before turning back to those in the car with him. There’s nothing he can really do now

He trusts her new friends will take care of her, at least until he can be there too.

---

Author’s Note: Don't worry, we're seeing Mari's perspective next week. By 'next week' I actually mean Thursday! I try to post bonus chapters for holidays, and Thanksgiving is already here!

I have the google doc that I write this on shared with one of my friends. We were sitting nearby when she opened it up to read this chapter. She read the title and strong language warnings and turned to me in a panic asking what I did to Marinette this time. I just smiled.

I usually try to prepare chapters to be posted the night before I post them, to make it quicker in the morning. If this one is a little late, it's probably because I slept in. I'm sick and it's finally the weekend, so apologies if that does happen. I doubt I'll sleep past my usual post time, but we'll see. On a similar note, I feel like I've forgotten something I typically put in the notes, but I'm not sure what. If you notice something, please let me know. It could be nothing, I've been feeling like that all day. I blame my cold.

Thanks for reading, and constructive criticism is welcomed in the comments below! Feel free to just tell me your thoughts too!

Actually, I really need to change my tumblr sign off - all I do is delete the link to my tumblr. Constructive criticism, thoughts, comments, or anything really are welcomed in my ask box or through reblogs. I’ll have to come up with a better way to phrase that.

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[sunsetcurve]

Waves of Thunder * Family Danger Chapter 3

Sorry, at work right now but I know a big chunk of this chapter was Thunderbolt related, so I just inserted the whole thing. 😬

The Man Cave was in shambles ever since Charlotte left. At least that was exactly how Henry made it out every time he called her for an emergency. She went with it a while. Henry was pretty dependent in some aspects and she had only given him a couple of weeks to wrap his head around the changes. Eventually, though, she simply had to tell him very firmly that she couldn't continue to do this. 

She had a job search. She had weekly labs. She was going out for an internship. She just… couldn't coddle him. “Henry, Schwoz is standing right next to you. I can hear him breathing. The man taught me practically everything I know about the place. Turn to him for this help…”

“LAAAAAME!!!” Henry practically shouted. She just held the phone and blinked her eyes, with a sigh, staring ahead. He was about to say something when she started speaking to someone in her background.

“Hey. What're you doing here? I thought our thing was tomorrow?”

“I got here early for some meetings. Want me to go?” A guy said. 

Henry suddenly and oddly felt bothered by this call intrusion. “Who dat?” 

“No. I was just saying goodbye.”

“No you weren't,” Henry claimed.

But, she didn't hear him. Instead, she said into the phone, “Bye, Hen. Good luck on your mission.”

“Oh, that's Henry? Heyyy, Henry!” He said into the mouthpiece. 

She giggled the way that she had when she met Captain Man at Jasper's birthday party. Henry noted this because he didn't hear that type of behavior much from her. She wasn't very giggly. “Get outta my personal space, Max!” She said. Henry doubted she meant it from her giggling, and WHO was Max? “Max says 'Hi,’ but also 'Bye’ because you've got an emergency and we've got science things.”

“What kinda science things?” Henry asked, but Ray shouted,

“Like, right now, Kid!” He punched the enemy, but held onto his phone.

Before Charlotte hung up he heard her say to this Max, “From the sound of it, he's the fight. Probably wouldn't remember you anyway.” Her voice was fading as the phone headed for her bag. “He'll remember your sister.”

“He still crushing on her?”

“Who knows?” And she hung up. 

Henry was fighting as he put his phone away. He'd definitely look into this later! Who the jack was Max? And who was this sister of his that he had allegedly crushed on? And was she still hot? But more importantly, whether or not she was, who was that Max guy to Charlotte? 

Science things were usually not discussed between them. To be frank, they bored him and she didn't need to waste her breath, for both their sakes. But this sounded suspiciously like science things, but being enjoyed with a guy. A guy that made her giggle. A giggle with zero effort. It's not like he was jealous, but he probably should at least size this dude up. Charlotte never dated in school. Her parents didn't allow it. She could hang out with friends all day every day if she wanted, but no boyfriends and no dates. Only high school graduates could date in her house, an unfair stipulation, considering that she was an only child.

But, Henry was distracting himself. He and Ray bagged their bad guy and he headed home shortly after that.

…

He and Charlotte spoke a few more times, while playing on their live video games, and he called her a few times, but she apparently had gotten the internship she was shooting for. All she'd texted was, “Got my internship. Yay!” 

But, her social media post had, “So grateful for this opportunity. The youngest intern for this program in a decade. The only freshman this year. Big ups to my parents, teachers, mentors, and special thanks to Max for so many nights of helping me with my entry project. #TheScienceBroIBeenWaitnFo” Then she included hearts, hugs and kisses emojis. Why hadn't his text been so impassioned?

Henry stared at it for a while before going to the comments and reading an entire 46 comments thread of exchange between her and this guy. 

To sum it up, Dude was super excited for her, and said so, and included a bunch of emojis of his own, and they spoke science here and there, some simple, some went over Henry's head, but the thing that didn't was Max's use of parentheses when he repeated Science “Bros.” 

Now… it was very much so possible that in the short span of time that Henry guessed she knew this dude, he'd quickly caught on to her penchant for not being a “bro,” but since in this rare instance SHE used it, he figured that Max was hinting at something else and honestly, it was on his nerves. 

He checked out the guy's page. “Maxy-T. Corny,” he muttered. But, he looked familiar… Then, Henry saw photos of he and the sister. “Phoebe? This is Phoebe's brother, Max???” That dude was a villain, last time he knew of. Oh, but in his profile, it clearly stated that he'd left villainy behind to be the best hero he could be. Henry groaned, but couldn't force himself to leave the page. Mainly because there were a lot of photos of Char there. She wasn't tagged, so he hadn't seen them before, but they were like… uncomfortably cozy.

One was of her in a lab of some sort, in her pajamas and protective gear, side-by-side with one of her at a science gala, all dressed up and… surprisingly hot, Henry had to admit. The caption said: Get you a girl that can do both. And Charlotte had liked the post and commented with a smile and a wink. “Oh! Okay.” Henry said, nodding as he continued stalking the page. 

One was a video of Charlotte in this field of sunflowers, wearing sunflowers and doing one of those dance challenges. He… didn't know Char could dance like that! And then she levitated? Must have been with Max's help. The caption said: Hope floats. #DoYouLoveMe #SheGotMeInMyFeelings “EXCUSE ME???”

While he was yet stalking, dude went live. “Hey, we're here at Char's lab, working when we should be celebrating…”

She giggled from the background and said, “Oh, so you're gonna shade me like this? I steal your lab?” 

“Charlotte's lab, that Charlotte built with her own two hands and is at working, everyday…” 

Her face appeared to interject, “He totally let me borrow his lab everyday. I was only pushy the first time!” They both laughed and exchanged looks and whatever the look was, Henry hated it.

…

Whenever they talked, she didn't mention Max, and whenever Henry brought him up, she laughed it off and changed the subject. One of the times that they were talking, Henry was in the Man Cave and Ray came upon their conversation. “Is that Charlotte?” He asked and rushed over, jumping into Henry and Charlotte's video call. 

“Dude!”

“Hey, Ray!!!” Charlotte cheered and waved both hands. 

“Charlotte,” he folded his arms, “I've been told you're fraternizing with the kid that turned us over to a room full of villains.” 

“It's not that serious, Ray. We hang out. Besides, that's in his past. He's legit Z-Force, now. Actually, he loves pranks. I think that you'd get along with him, now.”

“Oh because he loves pranks?” Ray asked.

Henry chimed in, laughing, “Yeah, just because he loves pranks.”

Ray: I mean… I also love a good prank.

Henry: Yeah, a good prank is worth a lot to me.

Charlotte: He'll be here soon, if you wanna chat 

Henry suddenly remembered his frustrations, “No! I was checking on you, because you two seem like you're dating. This guy's older, has had way more dates, probably. Probably has a lot of groupies.”

“Superpower groupies,” Ray added.

“The absolute most desperate of groupies.”

“That isn't a lie,” Ray bragged.

Charlotte told them, “The most insulting thing about this conversation is that both of you think that there's something that you would think of that I wouldn't.”

Ray informed her, “We know how guys think.”

“Oh yea? What do you guys think he's thinking about?” 

They both stuttered and Ray finally answered, “Well, grown up sleepovers, for one.”

“Yeah!” Henry seconded, then shuddered, “Gross.”

“Oh, it's gross that someone would be interested in me?” Charlotte snapped. Henry tried to explain that wasn't what year meant, but she had ran with it, “For your information, I love grown up sleepovers and I'm told that I'm excellent at it!” 

“I'm out,” Ray said, leaving the conversation. Busting Charlotte's chops, maybe even giving that Max kid a hard time, he had been ready for, but one of his “kids” having grown up sleepovers? That was where he tapped out.

“Charlotte, that isn't what I was getting at, but wait, what? You've… slept over with that dude? Do your parents know?”

“Do yours know about your… things?”

“That's different. My parents are super not attached. Yours used to have you keep tabs of where you were and who you were with in Goofle Drive.” He laughed, remembering that.

“My parents know that I'm seeing Max and they support me, unlike my so-called best friend who hasn't had anything nice to say to me in months.”

“Char..  I have had plenty of nice things. I just kept them to myself.”

“That's helpful.”

“What do you want me to say?”

“Match the wingperson energy that I gave you for every single girl you were interested in during the course of this friendship.”

“I don't recall.”

“I encouraged you to ask Bianca out, and after you made me regret it by basically making a fool of yourself, I still motivated you to tell her how you felt before the world ended. And because of it, when the world kept existing, you'd gotten a kiss and a girlfriend!”

“Okay, that did happen, but…”

“Then you rejected my very helpful advice to NOT try to do a dual identity date with her and Chloe. And after you didn't listen, you spent most of the night isolating me from my other friends to try to advise you through a problem that I never would have been stupid enough to find myself in.”

“Char…”

“And you never even said thank you, or more importantly SORRY!”

“I see your point.”

“Henry, you once told me that you would never date me because I was like a sister to you.”

“You said that you wouldn't date me because I was a dishonest idiot and it already complicated your life enough just being my friend!”

“And… that was true then and is true now. But, you're acting… not like my brother. You don't pull this with Piper.”

“I don't feel the same way about Piper as I do about you,” he blurted out. 

“Precisely. And like the idiot that I said you were, you waited until I found someone else to acknowledge this. I'm not Chloe, Henry. I'm not giving you a shot because you decided that you don't want to see me with someone else. Especially when I was there to witness herbe neglected until she left for Kids in the Woods.”

“I don't want to date you.’

“Good. Then there's no reason that you can't be supportive.”

“Yeah. Well, I gotta go. Swellview emergency.”

“Cool. Be careful out there.”

“Will do.”

…

Flashback:

Charlotte told Henry, “We should come up with a backup story. We'll need cover if Jasper is ever going to buy that we're dating. My cover is that we're keeping it a secret because my parents won't allow me to date. Easiest fiction is something steeped in the truth.”

“Oh, yeah, your parents don't let you date. Now, you ewwwing at me makes sense.”

“We made the sound at the same time, and that's not the reason that I did.”

“Friends should never date. First off, you might ruin the friendship and on top of that, I mean, I see you like a sister. You understand.”

“I don't understand any of that. If I were going to date, I'd definitely want the person to be my friend first. I want us to have common ground. I want us to have things that we can share together as friends even though we're dating. And, I have literally never thought of anyone as a sibling. Maybe it's because I am an only child, or maybe it's just because we have such different ways, you couldn't have possibly ever grew up as my sibling. My parents would have disowned you by now.”

“Harsh, but realistic… WAIT! Then why'd you say EWWW?”

“I said ewww, because you're a dishonest idiot and it already complicates my life enough just being your friend.”

“Charlotte, that's the rudest thing you've ever said to me… but it's maybe true, possibly.”

“I don't need you to tell me that I'm making sense. What about your cover? Jasper will have so many questions and most of them, I'm sure he'll ask you.”

Henry waved her off, “Between the two of us, no matter what we say, he'll believe us.”

…

Having a hectic schedule, but still no paycheck was a bummer. Charlotte really needed one of these searches to come through. As she played videogames with Henry and Jasper, she complained about it on the headset. 

“Why don't you see if Ray has something you could do from there?” Henry wondered.

“He's been a lit.tle. fussy with me since my notice. Henry, do you really think Ray might consider that?”

“Don't see why not. He often asks me 'Are you and Charlotte talking again? I have wanna ask her something!”

“When were we not talking?”

“He only means that he knows I'm no longer a priority.”

She paused for just a moment and her character was almost killed! She took a moment, put her head back in the game, and practically whispered, “You’ll always be a priority, Hen.” He smiled to himself, and even though she couldn’t see him, she countered, “Don’t be smiling.”

A/N: I usually do these at the front, but I wanted to just tag this bit of info in here… I do not know WHO I got the idea of Charlotte + Max Thunderman, and I’ve seen very little of the Thundermans, so Idek none about them. If I’m OOC with him or whatever, charge it to my head and not my heart. 

[quickspinner]

this isn’t really an ask, but i just wanted to say that i Adore your writing so much! i’ve been binge reading your work over the past few days, and the way you portray marinette and luka is just so lovely and warm?? you remind me of all the reasons why lukanette is such a captivating and sweet dynamic! i’m a bit too shy to comment on each individual chapter/post but all of them have genuinely impacted me and inspired me! i’m so eager to draw lukanette now! thank you! i hope you have a nice day!

Oh this gave me so many feels - first off, I’m so excited to have inspired you! That’s like the greatest compliment ever. I also love it when people tell me they’ve been binge reading my work, that makes me feel so good. 

Uh, I got a little wordy on the rest, so...

I get being too shy to comment, I’m a massive ball of overthinking anxiety 99% of the time and commenting is frequently an act of bravery for me. So don’t feel like you have to.

But! With that said, don’t be scared of me I am a massive dork who has to put half her brain in a fantasy world to get through the day and no one should be scared of me. In fact I’m really grateful for people who read my tumbler posts and still try my work, because I know I am a spaz on here, because people are looking at meeeee and I just kinda write as fast as I can and run away and it shows in the difference between the style of my posts. 

I have one regular commenter who almost always comments exclusively in emojis and I was like good for you! Awesome you found a way to combat comment anxiety and let content creators know you like their work without having to worry about finding the ‘right’ thing to say! And I have commenters that clearly put a lot of thought into what they say and that’s awesome too (so awesome). And then there’s people on here, where I look at a post I made and if it has about fifty notes I’m like, okay, that did pretty well and if it has more than fifty I’m like wow, people liked that, and if it has less than fifty I’m like wow, that didn’t hit like I wanted to. And then there are the random posts I put up without much thought and suddenly they have like a bajillion notes and I’m like holy crap what happened. (I cannot believe a joking post about Luka carrying around period supplies got so much attention, I hid under my blankets for like a day) 

ANYWAY. (see? I am not scary, I am rambly and weird) even if you leave just a little comment, it lets me (or other content creators) know that you liked a thing and that is never bad. Because seriously, I posted a thing and people were like MORE OF THIS and I was like really? and the notes kept going up and I was like huh...okay...well I have this thing I wasn’t really going to do anything with but it might make y’all happy, so...it’s not very good, but you want it? And now Out of Your League has like 450 notes at this point, what the actual fuck, what is happening, help they are going to figure out I am a fraud. But I never would have posted it if people hadn’t asked for it. It’d still be sitting in the scrap folder, apparently being secretly awesome, and no one would know. The soulmate AU WIP Wednesday was another example, I didn’t think people would like it that much.

I also can’t tell you how many times I almost didn’t publish a thing because I was like “no one will read this” (especially because there are so many people out there crafting masterful plots with suspense and drama and intrigue and I am over here building Fort Fluff and planting a Lukanette flag on top) and then people did! The first comment comes in and I’m like oh thank God, someone read it, and then a second or third one comes in and I’m like oh yay, I am not alone in the world, and it just gets better from there. Story’s old? Don’t care! Comment! I will be ecstatic someone cared enough to go through my backlog! There’ve been times where I haven’t published anything in a while and someone comments like “hey, just found this, loved it, thanks for writing it” and my day is immediately improved.  Commented on every chapter? OMG so awesome. I love seeing how readers experience the story as they move through it. Read the whole thing (or my whole catalogue) and commented on the last one? I’m psyched you read it, seriously. Even the comments that occasionally come and I’m like...well I’m not sure what that had to do with my story, but it made you think, so that’s cool! 

Seriously, there is no such thing as a bad comment, and I am really really trying to internalize this myself and comment on other people’s works myself, but I know it’s hard. Honestly even replying to comments is hard sometimes. So if you can’t do it, that’s okay! But one of my favorite quotes about writing said something to the effect of “The greatest irony of the writer’s life is that we spend all this time isolating ourselves while trying desperately to connect” (I think it’s from The Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner). So when people like or comment or whatever, it feels like “yes! mission accomplished.”

So...yeah...all that to say...fear not, go forth and comment, for I am but a massive dork who will eat it up no matter what you say.

[allie-and-her-fandoms]

Our Silly Sick Days - Part One

AN: Hey guys! Now that I am officially done with the first year of college, I'm back to writing, and this time I chose my favorite, underestimated Fairy Tail ship, AlBis (it's also my first FT fic, yay!!). Before we get into the story, huge shout outs to @sweetmemories2606, who may have gotten diabetes from this fic (sorry not sorry Lu; you asked for this) and @ship-ambrosia (LY, Bree). Warning: massive amounts of F&F (fun and fluff). Enjoy (or endure)!

"Al, you know that you gotta go to the doctor. It’s for your own good.” Bisca Mulan repeated, concerned for the health of none other than her best friend, partner and crush, Alzack Connell.

“I know, Bisca. I really do. But… You know how that old lady reacts when one of us goes to her for help. I don’t want to go,” he wailed. “Besides, I think I feel a bit better now – ACHOO!”

“Al, you need to go to Porlyusica, to make sure that your sickness is not life-threatening! Who am I gonna go on jobs with, if something happens?” the emerald-haired Mage scolded her partner, the same way a mother scolds her misbehaving child.

“Alright, fine! I’m going. But there is no way I’m confronting that woman by myself; she’s scarier than Erza!” Alzack stated, a shiver running down his spine, not only because of the illness he contacted after their latest job, but also because of the memory illustrating the last time he encountered the ill-tempered woman.

“Then I’m going with you! You got sick on my watch, so there’s no way I’ll let you go alone. We’d better hurry though; your fever is becoming worse.” Bisca replied, placing her palms on his cheeks. They were burning!

“Uhhh, Bisca… Didn’t we have to go somewhere?” the Gun Mage asked, realizing that his partner kept her hands on his cheeks for quite a while, intensifying the redness.

“Oh, well, um… Yeah. Let’s go to Porlyusica! The sooner you get there, the better! Yeah…” the Requip Mage babbled, embarrassed that she did not remove her hands off his cheeks sooner. However, despite the pallor of his face and the redness in his cheeks, Alzack was still pretty much the same man she fell in love with. 'He looks like a teddy bear.' Bisca told herself. Shortly after, she felt blood rushing into her own cheeks. 'What are you thinking, you dumb woman?! You need to get your partner to a doctor, ASAP!' her subconcious yelled at her, slamming her cheeks softly.

“Oi, Bisca! Are you alright? Did you get it too? Your cheeks are all red!” Al stated, worried about his blushy partner.

“Oh, no. No no no, Al! Everything is okay. I’m fine. Well… let’s go to Porlyusica’s place, shall we?” the bold cowgirl quickly replied, trying to erase her blush from her face. 'You idiot,' she thought.

--

“You two have no reasons to be worried. It seems like this man right here has just gotten the flu. Now, I’m gonna prescribe some medicines for you, so you can get out of my hut already! Pesky humans!” the pink-haired Healer muttered the last part, while preparing some tiny bottles and writing something on a sheet of paper, as she mouthed slowly how reckless one can be; she really hated to see humans in her hut!

Bisca sighed in relief. Her partner was going to be alright. “I don’t think we can thank you enough –“

“You can thank me by not putting yourselves in situations like this and by GETTING OUT OF HERE! Didn’t I tell you that I disliked the human scent?! Now get these medicines,” Porlyusica snarled as she threw some pills and herbs in Alzack’s lap – who was too scared to utter a single word – “take them at the times written on this paper,” she let the paper fly into his hands. “AND MOVE YOUR BUTTS OUT OF MY PLACE ALREADY! First, that idiot of a Master and his bunch of delinquents disappear, now this?! Give me a break already, you blasted humans!” the healer snapped, as the two young Mages ran out of her house, and slammed the door after their departure.

“Well,” Alzack finally commented, “that went better than I expected, actually. I expected her to get that broom of hers and whoop our butts out with it.”

“That’s because we didn’t wait for her to get it out, like the last time.” Bisca replied, trying to catch her breath after the mini-marathon she and her partner had to perform. 'Well, it was all worth it; it was for him, after all.' the jade-haired mage smiled fondly to herself. He was so worth it, after all the adventures they went through.

--

“Are you sure that you are feeling well? Did you get enough rest? Did you take your medicine as Porlyusica wrote you to? Are you in need of anything else?” Bisca asked worriedly, while keeping an avid eye on the stove and on the steaming pot.

It had been six days since she and her partner found out he got the flu - and from that moment on, the Requip Mage has decided to pay him at least two visits per day, just to make sure he took his medicine, got enough rest, had enough food (at least for the day), and that he didn’t feel lonely. In all honesty, she had felt the pang of solitude just as hard as her partner, or even worse. How could she not, without him by her side?!

“Yes, yes, yes, and not anymore. Trust me, Bisca, I’m fine. You should stop worrying so much about me.” Alzack replied - still a bit feverish, but with a genuine smile on his face -, as he stood on one of the dining chairs.

“Okay, good to know that. Wait… ‘not anymore’?”

Alzack felt the blood rush into his cheeks. His words left his mouth without consulting his brain. Again!

“Um… What I meant… You see… Sometimes, I do wish I were with the others in the guild hall,” he confessed, as he covered his fork with his left hand and started staring at them, so he wouldn’t have to face his partner’s concerned gaze. She had already done so much for him! “Because there are times when I feel a bit… isolated from the rest of the world, since no one ever comes here. And… Yeah.” Alzack stuttered, while his eyes were focusing on the fork he was now holding between his left index finger and his left middle one. “By the way, have you… gone on any… quick jobs lately?” he asked his partner.

“Oh. I get it.” 'So, he was indeed feeling the same emptiness she did for the last six days', Bisca nodded softly. “Also, no. I didn’t even check the Request Board. It wouldn’t feel right to go own my own, without my partner.” she answered, the last three words barely whispered, though loud enough for Alzack to hear – causing more blood to rush into his ENTIRE FACE now.

“Oh Mavis, are you okay?! Are you having a fever again?” the jade-haired Mage shrieked, ignoring the pot on the stove and rushing to check on her ebony-haired best friend.

Alzack was startled by her reaction, but a small part of his heart was leaping out of joy when she started wandering her pale smooth fingers on his flushed warm face.

“Uhhh… No; I’m fine, Bisca. I do feel much better, I promise.” He stammered, as he gave his partner a small smile. ‘Thank Mavis she thought it was a fever’, he told himself. “By the way, what’s for dinner? It smells delicious.”

“Nothing much. Just some pot-au-feu. I asked Mira for her special recipe before she went to Tenrou Island. I really hope I got it right!” she chirped.

After five more minutes of small talk and glances thrown at each other (without the other’s knowledge, of course), the food was finally done. After the plate of pot-au-feu was placed before him, Alzack could sense its heavenly scent much better, and the dish looked mouth-watering, as the carrots looked eager to melt into his mouth and as the beef was slowly, but surely,tempting him to taste it.

“Alrightie then. I guess it’s time I left now. See you tomorrow, Al!” Bisca looked at the clock, getting ready to leave and waving her partner’s way. She could’ve stayed and spent more time with him, but… No, he needed his rest! Besides, he’ll be good as new soon enough, she’ll make sure of that! So, no matter how much it pained her to leave Al all by himself (until next morning), he was her number one priority. And he needed peace! But –

“Can you please stay?” Alzack asked, interrupting Bisca’s train of thoughts, as both his and his fellow Western comrade’s eyes widened after the rather bold request was made. “I believe it would be nice to have someone to dine with. Y-You’re not forced to stay, if you don’t want to! You might also get the flu! Y-Yeah!” Alzack nodded quickly, his voice trembling. ‘What are you doing, you moron?!’, he cursed himself.

“Well, if you asked so nicely, and if you are truly okay with it, I don’t mind staying here for a bit longer. I don’t have anything left to do anyway.” Bisca approved, as a scarlet blush bloomed into her cheeks; a shade that would rival even Erza’s hair. Her heart started pounding like crazy, while her lips were curving into a soft smile.

--

When she finally sat down to eat next to her crush, they both pressed their palms against each other, thanked for the food that was waiting for them and before they started savoring the appetizing meal in front of them, they tried to grab their utensils, gently brushing each other’s forearms in the process, making both Mages to retract them at the speed of light, the blush spreading even more on their faces.

“I know I’ve already said it before, but this is one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my life!” Alzack preached, after a few minutes of awkward silence, sometimes interrupted by the sound of metal utensils hitting the porcelain plates. “Compliments to the chef!” he smiled Bisca’s way, neither of them being capable to blush any more.

“Thank you. I’m really happy that you like it, Al,” she replied brightly.

“Thank you, Bisca. For everything. I just…” Alzack stopped, before humiliating himself. No, this was Bisca he was talking about. His best friend, his partner, his… soulmate. He could tell her everything, and she would patiently listen to him, give him a piece of advice, or even hug him. She always knew how to make him feel like the best man on Earthland. “I just hope I wasn’t that much of a burden to you.”

Bisca looked at her precious nakama in disbelief, thinking she might’ve misheard the words that had just left his mouth. He was her precious comrade, and the one person who always truly listened to her, and was there for her when she needed him. And for that, she was thanking those who founded Fairy Tail for giving her a family, and most importantly, for giving her the best man she could’ve asked for.

“Al, you are not a burden. We’re nakama, remember? And not only that, we’re best friends. Family. Al, now look at me.” Bisca asked Alzack, and as he complied, she wrapped him in her arms. “You are amazing, strong, compassionate and the best partner I could ask for. So please, promise me you won’t think something like this ever again.” She pleaded, her dark purple eyes gazing into his onyx ones.

A sigh left Alzack’s lips, as he found himself nodding. “Okay. I promise I won’t think about it as much.” Now it was Bisca’s turn to nod. This was still better than nothing.

“That’s good enough. For now,” she told her black-haired comrade. “Now, let me go wash these dishes and I’ll go home.”

“Okay. But you’ll let me help. Please…”

“Al…” she sighed. “Okay; but just drying the dishes. Nothing more, nothing less.”

 --

Washing dishes has never involved more fun – or more water – before for Bisca. As she started washing the utensils, Alzack accidentally sent “a few droplets” of water her way while trying to dry the dishes, which resulted in her spraying him with a bigger amount of water, the little water fight went on like this for minutes, the forks and knives long forgotten in the sink.

“Just remember to take your medicine tonight and tomorrow morning. And if you need anything else, just let me now. Okay?” Bisca asked, while getting ready to leave.

“I will, no worries. Thanks again for everything, Bisca. And see you tomorrow.” Alzack replied, waving to the leaving Requip Mage. He was indeed saddened by her leaving, but he knew he’d see her again the next morning. And maybe, in the future, he’ll see her angelic face every day, every moment. Maybe in the distant future…

AN: Hope you enjoyed this story. Any kind of feedback is more than welcome!😊😊 👆👆👆

[fabfemmeboy]

Things about the Season 3 Finale of Handmaid's Tale that Don't Make Sense

I will say first that I preferred this episode to much of the season, even if there were parts I thought were unrealistic to the point of absurdity while I was watching it.  But after a day and a half, the list of nonsense keeps growing.

June was walking with an armed escort since her walking partner is dead.  While some of the girls were sneaky about their soap, it was a lot of them - and some were downright Not.Subtle.  I'm not just talking about Janine, either, but let's start with her.  Why didn't the guardian - whose whole job is to make sure the handmaid in his charge can't get up to something - not even notice? it wasn't like she just grinned, either, she was giddy and spoke and talked about how she couldn't wait.  If my job is to make sure the person I'm guarding doesn't get up to something, in particular if I'm used to seeing myself as above the person I'm guarding, then I'm asking questions.  I'm demanding answers.  I'm checking the bag.  This guy stands next to her and stares into space.  Did she just get the guy who's really bad at his job?  (How convenient!)  Is he so used to assuming that "those silly women chattering on about nonsense" can't be plotting anything serious?  (Really bad outlook for a guard to have)  Given some of the other guardians we've seen and how they handle far less communication between handmaids, why doesn't this guy seem to give a shit?  Is he secretly in the resistance, too? Is literally everyone except Fred, Serena, and Aunt Lydia?

For reference, Rebecca and her martha traveled about 12 miles by modern roads, likely much more than that when you factor darting through woods and back yards.  How the hell big is the martha network that one in Lexington knew about this plot?  How does a martha from central Boston, whose duties generally aren't going to let her go too much outside the city, get information all the way out there?

Oh, and how the hell did the martha get rohypnol?  You can make it impossible to get antidepressants, but date-rape drugs are still floating around?  Was the use of that particular substance deliberate, given the assault in Gilead, rather than simply making it sleeping pills or whatever Mrs. Lawrence took?

Speaking of whom - so Lawrence is just going to let it go that June either let his wife die or actively killed her?  The look at the end of the funeral last week seemed to indicate he knew or at least suspected.  But this guy, who clearly adored his wife and tried to protect her for *years*...doesn't even take his anger out on June? She's mouthing off to him and he just shrugs and lets her do it?

Rebecca looks to be about 8-10 and doesn't really remember before.  She's one of the oldest kids in the bunch.  The younger ones have literally never known a pre-Gilead time.  Why are none of them upset at being taken somewhere?  Why is not one of them crying for mommy and daddy?  Why aren't any of them whining that they want to go home?  Hell, it's been several hours and a lot of walking - none of them are complaining that they're bored or tired or itchy or hungry or bored.  Has Gilead managed to break children of complaining? Because *that* is quite a feat!  But seriously, if at age 6 my neighbor (whom I knew and trusted) had told me "we have to go now, be very quiet" and made me leave my home without my parents, I would have tried to be quiet for awhile but would have had a LOT of questions.  Like why aren't Mom and Dad here? Where are they? Are they ok? What's happening?  Why do we have to be quiet? Why are we going through the woods and not on the street? To avoid being seen - but why? Why can't the guards see us? They see us all the time.  And if the answer came that she was taking me out of the country, I would have a lot more questions about why and why couldn't mom and dad come and what would it be like there.

And by the way, "you can be anything you want to be" doesn't really work in a world where there don't seem to be professions other than "martha" or "commander" or "lady of leisure" or "sex slave."  Getting to wear whatever you want doesn't really make sense if everyone wears the same thing, either.  It's not like the kid is going to think "oh, good, I can wear red because I like that colour but here only those women wear it."  Like...that's not helpful.  And I get that nothing she could say would be helpful to these kids because how do you explain a completely different world to someone who has no concept of what that world includes? But these are not helpful answers.  So let's go with what the kids might have a concept of - what refugee children talk about when they leave:  violence.  Guys with guns on every corner (yay canada!).  People who disappear without warning.  Though maybe the kids won't have any concept of that, either, because the commanders' families are kept so isolated and protected.

Were all the kids from commanders' families? They made it sound like Rebecca was an anomaly in that regard, but technically all the guys in suits with wives and handmaids are commanders.  And those are also the only homes that have marthas.  Everyone else has econowives, and everyone dresses in grey - even the kids.  So these children, in their pale pink and blue, they all have to be the children of commanders/wives/handmaids, right?  Why were only Rebecca's parents looking for her? Sure, she'd been gone longer, but if it's getting dark and my child isn't home, I'm going to be pretty freaked out and calling the guys with guns to find her, especially given the community turmoil lately - Nicole was "kidnapped," Serena and Fred and the guy from DC were all "taken" by Canada...considering how protective everyone is of their children, particularly in this world, they don't seem to pay very close attention to the kids' whereabouts.

This has bothered me since Emily at the beginning of the season but came up again: When you're trying to avoid being seen by helicopters overhead, TAKE OFF YOUR WHITE HAT!  It's bad enough you're in red...though I suppose given how few handmaids were on this adventure at least a few of them could have changed into spare martha dresses so they blend into the woods a little better.  (June has several dresses, you can't tell me marthas - who cook and clean - only have one.  You're telling me that the woman who thought to soap the back gate so it wouldn't squeak, who has gone undercover before, couldn't think to change into less visible clothing?)  But at the very least, the white thing on top of your head is going to be incredibly visible at night, even without flashlights.  Take it off ffs!

Was Janine always going to be going?  Why are no other handmaids trying to get out?  We have a handful of marthas who see this opportunity and are getting on a plane, but only Janine - crazy, traumatized, batshit-screwy Janine - has the wherewithall to think "...if a plane's leaving, it could take me with it too"?  Has she finally stopped trying to get back to baby Angela?  And if so, can she give June lessons in that because this whole "I'm staying behind to find my daughter" thing is getting to be a really old plot device.  

Were we supposed to be surprised that June was wiling to forego her seat on the plane? Because from the reactions of the other characters, I think we were supposed to be, but I was never under the impression she was leaving with the kids, I assumed she was going to stay and try to do another of these hair-brained schemes in a way that got more people of colour killed because that's what she does at this point.  

Why the hell did you think there wouldn't be guardians at the tarmac?  Even if Rebecca weren't in the group, even if no one were looking for these kids (and they should be, btw), but just in general: it's a plane that brings things into Gilead.  They're not checking for contraband?  Because if they're not, then the guardian are a) stupid and b) missing out on fantastic bribery/extortion opportunities.  

Did June tell Lawrence about giving away his art collection? Because poor Billy is in enough trouble already, but he thought at least he's be able to go raid that house.  But now that Lawrence stayed behind, I'm just picturing the bartender showing up in a truck to take out paintings and being greeted by a very angry commander.

Not one child pops up or down from the group at the wrong time.  Clearly these writers/directors have never seen an elementary school concert.

Back to the tarmac.  They made a big deal about June bringing her gun.  Why the fuck is she throwing rocks?  Is it because she's worried she's not a good enough shot?  If so, why bring it? And even then, since your goal clearly isn't to kill him - just distract him - given that you're throwing rocks which aren't going to hit him unless he's a blind moron...why not shoot his car?  Shoot, as long as you hit *something* he's going to turn to look for the source, you duck, repeat, same as the rocks only at least that way poor Janine gets the fuck out of Gilead.  And all the other marthas.

BTW, when June takes off running to draw the gun away from the tarmac...did everyone else go board the plane? They could have, but somehow Janine was still in Gilead.  Were the rest of the rock-throwers?  Because most of them are going to end up dead otherwise.  But the plane only seemed to have a small handful of adults, and the only one we saw enough of to recognize was Rita.

Ok, so we get to Canada, and I have to ask: Do they just have a hanger ready for refugee planes at all times? Because this operation was very well-stocked for a plane that just departed 40 minutes ago, and given that they had no idea kids were on-board, I suspect there wasn't a whole lot of communication beforehand about the plane coming, so how did the refugee assistance people even know to go wait at a hanger? That's also a really nice hanger for a random cargo plane.  Was all of that arranged in advance?  Because otherwise I imagine a sudden flurry of calls to Moira and co from the head of the RAFC going "holy shit, a plane full of refugees just arrived at the airfield where the fedex planes leave from, get people down here to help!"  But they've clearly been there awhile setting up and knew to expect people...but not to expect kids.

Unlike Hannah, who kind of remembers June but doesn't really feel connected to her anymore, Rebecca not only recognizes her dad but runs to him and throws her arms around him, as happy to see him as he is to see her.  So she doesn't remember before, but remembers her dad clearly enough to have actively missed him.  That...doesn't make a ton of sense given what we've seen so far.  Like, she's happier to see her dad than Oliver was to see Emily, and Oliver has had his memories of his mom actively reinforced by Syl this whole time.

(On a separate note, the most wrenching moment of the whole episode was Luke hoping for Hannah.  I love when shows use "the audience knows something the characters don't" to heighten emotions like that.)

Why, when Fred picked things to tell Tuello, did he go with pimping June out and NOT with the fact that they raped her to induce labor?  Is it because Fred still thinks that was totally fine, but June/Nick was a betrayal somehow?  Because given the fight they had at the house, it was clear Serena had decided after the fact that it was wrong and tried to throw it in his face when he was adamant he did it because she told him to and because he was trying to "fix [her] mess."    

(Also was I the only one who thought it was going to be that she had done something way worse? Been the one left holding the bag on the terrorist act that started the civil war?  Had secretly poisoned some prominent people? Hell, it wouldn't surprise me if she were the one who came up with the Ceremony in the first place, and architects of war crimes are still war criminals - hence Lawrence, remember?)

The morning after 52 children and a handful of adults escape Gilead, 6 women in bright red robes can walk through the woods near the tarmac from which the kids went missing to search for, rescue, and carry back another woman all in red...without anyone noticing.  Sure, that sounds like the guardians we all know and love for convenient plot purposes.

[five-wow]

9.15 reaction under the cut!!!

is it just me or is every vaguely spanish speaking villain nicknamed “el diablo”? but hey, so far the only thing we’ve seen him do is tip well, so i’m inclined to not hate him too much, to be honest.

we’re barely a couple of minutes in and rachel is flirting. that is... flirting. at least danny looks slightly confused about it, omg (and hey, same) (but you know what the sad part is? i actually really love this premise of rachel and charlie taking shelter at danny’s during a storm and it could be so nice to see danny have a good relationship with his ex, but i don’t, as in do not, want them to turn that relationship into something romantic again, which clearly the show is angling for at the moment)

i’m glad they mentioned grace, though! no disappearing kids this time around! yay!

it’s kind of funny to me that the show keeps using “hpd doesn’t have enough man power so let’s send tani and junior out there to help them out” as a reason for why they’re doing hpd work, because i don’t actually mind, but... is calling on two people from five-0 who never even graduated the police academy actually going to do something about their problem in any meaningful way?

a shady guy who is staring at people from a car and says some cryptic spanish things on the phone!!! i think we’ve found a second Bad Guy, gasp

now he has a gun AND a knife. subtle.

not an actual complaint, but as a european sometimes i’m randomly reminded just how intensely American this show is, gosh. bad guy from random non-us country who has KILLED people, HUNDREDS, and death would be TOO GOOD for him so we need to put him in our WORST PRISON. [insert random speech from steve about a Good Navy Man who served his country and had a picture perfect american family that died]

tani and junior’s banter on the phone while they’re both driving through the storm is giving me life, aww. love them

there’s some heavy danny/rachel flirting and. i have SUCH conflicting feelings about this, because on the one hand, as an isolated scene, completely cut loose from all context, i actually think this is cute and the actors are good together and i like it? but there IS context and that means that this is a VERY BAD IDEA and it makes me extremely nervous. at least charlie comes to the viewer’s rescue with his reminder that he’s there too and he needs food, dear parents, you can’t feed him with misplaced sexual tension

random fbi guy has been chasing el diablo down for ten years and “that man cost me EVERYTHING I CARED ABOUT”. i’m so sorry, five-0 writers, because i know this was probably meant as very serious and gripping and you did your best, but i keep having to laugh at how perfectly, beautifully cliché this is

jerry and lou performing first aid on the wounded officer was a nice scene! i’m not sure how realistic it was, but i like that they took the time for that. usually random extras who get attacked either just die or are immediately whisked away into an ambulance or another random extra’s waiting arms.

charlie being put to bed is always sweet!! (and i like the parallels with that time steve put him to bed - more evidence for the Steve McGarrett Is 100% A Real Parent To Danny’s Kids argument)

fjdkfdjkfd oh my GOD this MUSIC after rachel implied they could use danny’s bed together WHY

and then they’re playing a dice game together instead of having sex. fjdkfjdk this is the GOOD kind of fake out, haaa.

not being able to hear your prisoner when he screams for help is kind of not great, oops

so they can’t keep their prisoner in the cell they had him in until now (because it’s full of gas) and they can’t keep him in the hallway, so steve says that their best option is to lock the guy in steve’s office. steve’s completely glass-walled office. are you... are you sure that’s your very best option?

lou’s story is nice!!! so far jerry and lou keeping watch over this injured guard might unexpectedly be my favorite plotline this episode.

of course all three of the fbi guys are taken out immediately so steve has to fight the Bad Guy all on his own in dramatic hand to hand combat. oh no, steve, babe

adam storms in just when steve is done. adam, my friend, your timing is awful.

i’m almost disappointed that junior came in and shot the guy that tani was fighting because i kind of loved that bit? tani managing just fine all on her own in that house full of people who aren’t very friendly towards her is my jam (although i will admit she was in a bit of a pickle there, at the end, so junior’s rescue might have been for the best :p )

i love charlie, omfg. he SHUSHES his parents (“i’m watching this!”) when they start up with some awkward nonsense about why they were sleeping on the couch together. thank you, charlie, because i didn’t want to hear it either. you’ve been all around wonderful this episode.

i’m not appreciating the meaningful looks between rachel and danny while rachel says “i had lots of fun”, but, you know, i can deal. it’s all been a lot less terrible than i was bracing myself for, i think? there’s been a lot of flirting but we haven’t seen anything explicit (no kisses, no actual sharing of beds, no literal “hey let’s get back together!” talk) and with a bit of willpower, it’s entirely possible to read this episode as very friendly exes looking after their kid together and having a fun night playing board games and falling asleep on the couch (with possibly some overt flirting from rachel, i’ll admit, but danny never really outright responds to that? so it could be interpreted as one-sided flirting, mostly)

there’s a knock at the door and it’s STEVE. AMAZING. adam could learn a thing or two from steve’s timing.

charlie launches himself at steve which is also very A+, and there’s a steve and rachel hug, which, unexpected, but i’m on board

steve: “also wanna make sure there was no... disasters, you know, natural or- otherwise.” I’M YELLING. that’s a jealous steve. you cannot convince me that wasn’t a jealous steve, or at least one that was unsubtly hinting “don’t date rachel don’t date rachel don’t date rachel”, especially with the camera cutting to rachel right after he says “or otherwise” while he talks about disasters that could have happened last night, holy shit

“that was a little awkward.” STEVE. I LOVE YOU

okay, this final scene i’ve seen, but can i just say that i absolutely love this??? i mean, a lot. A LOT.

“oh, i don’t call it a bribe. i call it pancakes.” YES, steve, you GET YOUR DANNY PANCAKES. EYES ON THE PRIZE.

and danny sputters and asks if steve is five after steve gives his very specific pancake order, but he GOES TO THE KITCHEN ANYWAY.

this is the happy end i didn’t even know this episode could have

final verdict: okay. OKAY. i’ve been very scared about how this episode would turn out, so maybe that has something to do with my feelings about it now because i’ve been expecting the absolute worst, but in the end i didn’t really mind it that much at all? most of the plots were pretty interesting, danny and rachel did some flirting but didn’t actually get back together (yet, because it is very obvious that they’re going there now, but i’m not thinking about that too much until it becomes an actual problem) and there’s absolutely room to interpret their interactions differently from what the writers probably intended (as in, room to ignore the romance they’re hinting at). and that last scene where steve suddenly turned up and got his pancakes?? that was perfect. 10/10 for that. best twist ending i could have hoped for, awww.

[umbrella-kun]

A gift from me to you

What could be a good present? Something that wasn’t expensive of course, but also not too cheap. A bouquet of poinsettias? Boxes of chocolates? Maybe a new sweater for Saeyoung? (seriously though that boy probably has been wearing the same sweater for so long that it was probably stuck onto his body). As for Saeran maybe a sketchbook with a couple of booklets with puzzles in it. But what if he didn’t like it? What if the twins didn’t like the presents and instead were disappointed.

“ I never thought that finding a gift for those two would be so hard” Yoosung mumbled into his pillows.

“How about you just buy them christmas cards and a basket of goodies” Zen said as he took a sip from his beer.

“Aww come on Zen, I came to you so you could help me out! I want to give them something special. This is going to be their first actual Christmas.” Yoosung exclaimed causing Zen to sigh and finally give in

“Fine fine, hmmmmmm well first you need to figure out their interests. What do they like? What they enjoy, etc. For example, Saeyoung likes cars,cats, MC, junk food. As for Saeran he likes………...shit what does Saeran like?” Zen asked. Yoosung tilted his head to the side, placing his thumb and forefinger on his chin and started to think about Saeran’s interests. Yoosung knew a little bit about Saeran, he would talk to him but Saeran was still very isolated from everyone. Saeran was more open up to MC out of everyone (but that made sense since he known her the longest)

“That’s it!” Yoosung suddenly jumped startling Zen in the process

“That’s what?” Zen asked quickly

“I’ll ask MC she’ll probably know what I can give Saeran for Christmas! Thanks Zen for helping me out! I owe you one” Yoosung said happily before running out of Zen’s bedroom and out the door.

“No problem, even though I didn’t do anything”

*Yoosung’s place*

“Thanks for inviting me over Yoosung, but it seems to me that you need help with something?” MC giggled as she noticed Yoosung was eager about something

“Really is it that noticeable?” Yoosung said shyly

“Since I started living with the twins, they tend to get into trouble or cause havoc. They have tried to hide it from me but fail terribly. Like the other day I bought a toaster and it didn’t last 24 hours” MC said

“What happened to it?” Yoosung asked confused

“It ended up on the ceiling and they blamed it on a burglar that tried to attack them. Or the time I couldn’t find my makeup box and Saeyoung for some reason looked sexier than usual when it went missing” MC giggled at the memory, taking a bite of the cookie Yoosung had offered earlier

“To this day I can’t find my makeup box” MC sighed

“They seem like a handful” Yoosung commented

“Saeyoung for sure, but as for Saeran he’s calmer and quieter. Speaking of Saeran I’m meeting up with him later today if you want to come along” MC said

“Oh, where are you guys going?”

“We’re going for a walk at a garden he likes going to. He loves observing the flowers, it’s a type of therapy for him I guess you could say” MC said. Yoosung took a cookie from the plate and bit one of the corners. Flowers? Saeran liked flowers? He could definitely see Saeran admiring flowers, so what could Yoosung give Saeran that could be flower related? Bouquet of flowers? Nah most people do that. This had to be different.

“Its ok Yoosung. Doesn’t matter what the gift is. What matters is that you thought about the person when you bought it, it’s the thought that counts. Whatever you buy the twins I’m 100% sure they’ll love it. Especially Saeran” MC said as she stood up

“You’re really good at reading people” Yoosung chuckled as he walked her to the front door.

“I developed this super power ever since I started dating Saeyoung. Anyway if you need anything make sure to call me. Sadly I won’t be able to spend Christmas eve with you guys, I’ll be will my family but I’ll make sure to be here for Christmas day.” MC said before hugging Yoosung and making her way out of his apartment.

“It’s the thought that counts…..I guess you’re right.” Yoosung said before grabbing his wallet and keys. He had finally figured out what would be a prefect gift for Saeyoung and Saeran.

*Christmas Eve*

“Saeyoung, I’m pretty sure that MC said not to get a giant ass Christmas tree..and what did you do?” Saeran asked

“I got a giant ass Christmas tree…..” Saeyoung said sadly

“Exactly. Its so damn huge that we can’t even put the star on the top!” Saeran exclaimed

“Don’t worry my little brother I will figure this out. All I have to do it jump on the sofa and onto the tree to reach the top.” Saeyoung explained.

“Are you freaking kidding me?! You’re just copying the guy from Elf!”

“But it will work”

“No it won’t”

“Yes it will”

“No it won’t”

“How much you wanna bet?”

“Fine, if you can make it to the top without falling I will tell MC that I asked for a big Christmas tree even though she asked us not to buy one, but if you fail…..I’ll tell MC you took her makeup box-“ Saeyoung quickly cut off Saeran before he could finish his sentence

“You win.” Saeyoung pouted as crossed his arms in defeat.

“No fair, You always use MC against me. Wait till you fall for someone I’ll use them against you! Then you’ll know how that feels” Saeyoung mumbled, Saeran laughed at him before getting hit with a pillow.

“It seems my little brother believes that he has won this battle but little does he know that I Saeyoung Choi will win the war!” Saeyoung shouted as he stood on the sofa. Saeran was ready to shoot Saeyoung down with a pillow which was beside him but quickly stopped when he heard the doorbell.

“Guess we’ll continue our battle some other day. Yoosung is here! Yay!” Saeyoung shouted. Saeran got back on his feet as he followed behind Saeyoung who skipped toward the front door.

“Yoosung, you’re here! Hurry get inside, I need the warmth to stay inside!” Saeyoung chirped before pulling Yoosung inside.

“Alright alright. No need to be rough jeez.” Yoosung argued. Saeran gave a weak smile as he welcomed Yoosung inside. He was still getting used to seeing each of the Rfa members but it seem that he could get along with Yoosung. He watched as both Yoosung and Saeyoung made their way toward the living room to place the gifts under the tree but Yoosung came to a sudden stop.

“Whoa that is a huge tree, how the heck did you fit it through the door?” Yoosung asked shock at the size of the tree.

“I asked him the same question earlier” Saeran said before walking toward the kitchen.

“Yoosung, my boy, I don’t know if you realize but I’m the defender of justice. I always find a way to get things done.” Saeyoung said proudly

“You say that yet you can’t clean your room or bother going to the grocery to get food for the week” Saeran said from the kitchen.

“Saeran stop embarrassing me!” Saeyoung exclaimed. Yoosung watched as the twins went at it in a playful matter. Saeran saying that Saeyoung was a lazy bum who only cared about cats and honey butter chips. After around 20 mintues of auguring Saeran got close to Saeyoung with a serious look on his face.

“ Well guess what, you don’t look good with the new foundation you bought the other day”

Saeyoung gasped as he stumbled backwards shocked by his brother’s words

“How could you?! You said it looked great on me!”

“I lied, it doesn’t suit you. It never did”

“How could you?! I trusted you!”

“Sometimes you shouldn’t even trust your own family”

“Hmm guys..I bought you guys some gifts” Yoosung finally had built the courage to say something fearing that the tension between the two would grow. Saeyoung quickly turned his head and his expression completely changed.

“Gifts for us?! Aww Yoosung you shouldn’t have” Saeyoung chirped before taking a hold of his gift and sitting on the sofa to unwrap it. Both Saeran and Yoosung watch as Saeyoung unwrapped his gift. He ripped through the wrapping paper until he reached a beautiful frame. He stared at the picture but neither Yoosung and Saeran could read his expression. He didn’t seem sad but he didn’t look happy. The picture was of them going to an amusement park earlier in the year. It was Yoosung,Saeran, MC and Saeyoung. That day meant a lot to Saeyoung.

“Thanks Yoosung. I really love this gift. I will cherish it” He finally said before skipping toward his bedroom, probably to place it beside his bed.

“”As for you Saeran this for you” Yoosung said with a smile. Saeran stumbled a bit backwards startled by the kind gesture. He slowly grabbed the neatly wrapped box and compared to his brother he carefully unwrapped his gift. He made sure he didn’t rip the wrapping paper and chuckled softly as he looked at his gift. A book based on the significant and usage of all different kinds of flowers.

“MC told me that you love observing flowers so I thought that maybe you would like to learn more about them. You know like the meaning behind all the flowers and as well as using them for house remedies.” Yoosung said happily

“Thanks Yoosung I’ve been wanting to get this book for a while now. But my anxiety got the best of me and I would just end up staying home. But now I feel bad because I didn’t get you anything for Christmas. How about I make you a nice warm cup of hot chocolate with whip cream and marshmallows on top” Saeran said, Yoosung nodded his head but before they could make their way toward the kitchen Saeyoung stormed into the living room and jumped onto the sofa.

“Stop! I have an important announcement to make” Saeyoung shouted. Both Saeran and Yoosung turned toward him wondering what on earth Saeyoung had to say

“I have a gift for all 4 of us!”

“4?”

“But there’s only 3 of us”

“Oh, you’re right! How could I forget about my beautiful future wife MC who was unable to attend our small Christmas party…..well that’s her lost. Anyway lets pretend this bag of honey butter chips is her.” Saeyoung said before drawing a smiley face with feminine features on the plastic bag of chips.

“Like I was saying, I have a gift for all 4 of us! Drum roll please!! Dududududududududududu! I got us tickets to a cruise ship around the world!” Saeyoung finally said. Both Yoosung and Saeran looked at Saeyoung dumbfound by the news

“You what?!”

“Cruise ship around the world?! Saeyoung you know I can’t miss school”

“Yoosung of course I know that. That’s why I schedule the trip for after graduation. We leave the following day after your graduation as well as MC’s.” Saeyoung said as he got down from the sofa.

“Think of it as a Christmas and graduation gift from me and Saeran”

“Wait but I didn’t-“ Saeyoung quickly hushed his brother by placing his entire hand against his brother’s face.

“Like I said a gift from Saeran and I” Saeyoung said with a smile. Yoosung thanked them both for the amazing gift and tried his best not to show how excited he was about the cruise ship.

“Now that we have given each other our gifts how about we eat and play some video games!” Saeyoung said excitedly

“Fine but first I owe Yoosung a cup of hot chocolate” Saeran said

“Ooooo can you make one for me too?!”

“You have hands, you’re perfectly capable to make one yourself”

“Come on Saeran! Everyone knows you make the best hot chocolate, pleasssssee!” Saeyoung whined.

“Absolutely not”

“Its like you have some sort of super power when it comes to sweets! I bet you eat so much candy that you’re able to communicate with sweets that explains why you’re so good at making cakes, cupcakes and hot chocolate!”

“What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Yoosung watched as the twins went at it again but he couldn’t help but laugh. It was pretty obvious that this Christmas was going to be different than any other Christmas he’s had before. Maybe he was thinking too much about the gifts, what truly matter to the twins was that he decided to spend this Christmas night with them, that was probably the best gift they had ever received

Epilogue

“Can someone please explain to me why there is a bag of honey butter chips with a face drawn on it” MC asked

“Yeah Saeyoung, why does this bag of chips have such feminine features…” Saeran taunted, which only caused Saeyoung to let out a nervous laugh.

“Well…..you see…..ummm it represents 2 of the things I love and cherish in the world!” Saeyoung finally said.

“Is that so?” MC asked

“But of course”

“Ok, so I’m guessing that you drew my face on a bag of chips. And if I’m correct you didn’t use a marker to draw my face.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Because this is eyeliner and the lips are a light pink…you use lipstick.” MC finally said bringing her gaze toward Saeyoung whose eyes grew wide.

“Gotcha” MC said before sprinting toward Saeyoung who made a run toward his bedroom. Saeran sighed as he continued to eat his ice cream as he listen to the rampage going on in his brother’s bedroom. He couldn’t believe his brother was dumb enough to use MC’s own makeup to draw on a bag of chips.

“You should of use a permanent marker stupid”