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ajetromat · 12 days

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Window Tint Phoenix: Protecting Your Vehicle and Home from the Desert Heat

Phoenix, Arizona, is well known for its relentless sun and scorching temperatures. The desert environment, combined with over 300 days of sunshine each year, creates unique challenges for residents. Whether you’re a homeowner or a driver in Phoenix, the sun can impact your daily life in more ways than you might think. One of the most effective ways to combat the heat and sunlight is through window tinting. Window tint Phoenix services offer a host of benefits, from reducing glare to lowering energy costs, and are essential for anyone looking to protect their property and enhance comfort in this sun-drenched city.

Understanding the Importance of Window Tinting in Phoenix

In a place like Phoenix, where the summer heat can be particularly intense, window tinting is not just about aesthetics; it’s about functionality and protection. The desert climate brings some specific issues that window tint can help address, making it a must-have for homes, businesses, and vehicles alike.

1. Heat Reduction

Phoenix experiences some of the highest temperatures in the United States, with summer days regularly exceeding 100°F. This excessive heat can turn your vehicle or home into an oven, making it uncomfortable and unsafe. Window tinting helps block out the sun’s heat, reducing the temperature inside your car or home by as much as 60%. In vehicles, tinted windows can prevent the interior from becoming unbearably hot, which not only makes driving more pleasant but also reduces the need for air conditioning, leading to improved fuel efficiency.

For homes, window tinting helps to keep indoor spaces cooler by blocking out a significant portion of the sun's infrared heat. This reduces the strain on your air conditioning system and lowers energy costs, a crucial factor during Phoenix’s long, hot summers. Whether you’re inside your car or at home, tinted windows allow you to enjoy a cooler, more comfortable environment.

2. UV Ray Protection

Another key benefit of window tinting is the protection it offers against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Exposure to UV rays can have harmful effects on both your health and your property. Over time, UV rays can cause skin damage, increase the risk of skin cancer, and lead to premature aging. UV radiation also causes fabrics, carpets, furniture, and other materials to fade and deteriorate over time.

Most high-quality window tints block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, offering protection not only for your skin but also for your belongings. Whether you’re driving or sitting inside your home, tinted windows provide a barrier between you and the sun’s damaging rays, making it easier to maintain the longevity of your interior furnishings and your health.

3. Glare Reduction

Glare is another significant problem caused by Phoenix’s intense sunlight. When driving, bright sunlight can reflect off the road, buildings, and other vehicles, making it difficult to see clearly. This can lead to eye strain, headaches, and even accidents. In homes or offices, the glare can make it difficult to work, relax, or even watch TV comfortably.

Window tinting reduces glare by filtering the amount of sunlight that enters through the windows. This makes driving safer and more comfortable by improving visibility, especially during sunrise and sunset, when the sun is low on the horizon. In homes, tinting allows you to enjoy natural light without the harsh effects of glare, making it easier to focus and relax without having to constantly adjust blinds or curtains.

4. Privacy and Security

In addition to the functional benefits of reducing heat, UV exposure, and glare, window tinting can also enhance privacy. Tinted windows make it harder for people outside to see into your vehicle or home, providing an added layer of security and privacy. This is particularly beneficial for homeowners who live in busy areas or near streets with heavy foot traffic.

For vehicles, Window Tint Phoenix helps protect against theft by making it more difficult for potential thieves to see valuables inside your car. It also discourages break-ins, as criminals are less likely to target vehicles when they cannot easily see what’s inside. In homes, window tinting can provide peace of mind, allowing you to feel more secure without compromising on natural light.

5. Aesthetic Enhancement

Window tinting doesn’t just offer practical benefits; it also enhances the appearance of your vehicle or property. Tinted windows give cars a sleek, modern look that many people find attractive. For homes and offices, Window Tint Phoenix provides a polished appearance, adding to the overall visual appeal of the building.

In Phoenix, where the sun can be harsh and constant, maintaining the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle or home is essential. Tinted windows prevent fading and sun damage, helping to preserve the appearance of your interior and exterior for years to come.

Types of Window Tinting Options

There are several types of window tints available, each offering different levels of protection and performance. Understanding the differences between these options will help you choose the best tint for your needs in Phoenix.

1. Dyed Window Tint

Dyed window tint is one of the most affordable and commonly used types of tint. It uses layers of dye to absorb sunlight, reducing heat and glare. While dyed tint is effective for aesthetic purposes and offers basic heat reduction, it doesn’t provide as much UV protection as other options. Over time, dyed tint may also fade due to prolonged exposure to the sun, which can reduce its effectiveness.

2. Metalized Window Tint

Metalized window tint contains tiny metallic particles that reflect sunlight away from the window, offering better heat reduction and UV protection than dyed tints. This type of tint is also more durable and resistant to fading. However, the metallic nature of the tint can interfere with electronic devices, such as GPS systems or cell phone signals, which is something to consider for drivers and homeowners.

3. Carbon Window Tint

Carbon window tint is a high-performance option that blocks a significant amount of infrared heat while also offering excellent UV protection. It has a matte finish that gives windows a sleek, modern appearance. Carbon tint does not fade over time, making it a durable and long-lasting choice for Phoenix residents who want superior performance without sacrificing style.

4. Ceramic Window Tint

Ceramic window tint is the most advanced and premium option available. It offers the highest level of heat reduction, blocking up to 99% of UV rays and infrared heat. Unlike metalized tints, ceramic tints do not interfere with electronic devices, and they are highly resistant to fading. Ceramic tint also provides clear visibility, making it an ideal choice for both vehicles and homes in Phoenix. While ceramic tint is more expensive than other options, its superior performance and durability make it a worthwhile investment.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Window Tint in Phoenix

When selecting the right window tint for your car, home, or office in Phoenix, there are several factors to consider to ensure you get the best results for your specific needs.

1. Local Regulations

Before installing window tint on your vehicle, it’s essential to be aware of Arizona’s window tinting laws. These laws dictate how dark the tint can be on different windows of your vehicle. For example, the front windshield must allow more light to pass through than the side or rear windows. Be sure to check the legal limits for window tint darkness to avoid fines or having to remove the tint.

2. Heat and UV Reduction

Given Phoenix’s hot climate, heat reduction and UV protection should be top priorities when choosing a window tint. Carbon and ceramic tints offer the best performance in these areas, making them ideal choices for maximum comfort and protection.

3. Durability

Durability is another important factor to consider, especially in a place like Phoenix where the sun’s intensity can cause cheaper tints to fade over time. Investing in a high-quality tint like ceramic or carbon will ensure your windows remain effective for many years without requiring frequent replacement.

4. Budget

Window tinting costs vary depending on the type of tint and the size of the windows. While premium tints like ceramic are more expensive, they provide superior heat reduction, UV protection, and durability. However, if you’re on a tighter budget, dyed or metalized tints can still offer decent protection at a lower cost.

Conclusion

In the scorching desert climate of Phoenix, window tinting is more than just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Whether you’re looking to protect your vehicle, home, or office from the intense heat, UV radiation, and glare, window tinting offers a practical solution. By choosing the right type of tint for your needs, you can enjoy greater comfort, lower energy costs, enhanced privacy, and improved aesthetic appeal. With the right window tint, Phoenix residents can beat the heat and stay cool all year round.

#Window Tint Phoenix

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abcwindowtint · 20 days

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ABC WINDOW TINT

At ABC WINDOW TINT of Phoenix, AZ, we understand that quality window tinting matters to our customers. We offer only the finest products and services, installed by our well-trained and friendly personnel. Each installation undergoes rigorous inspection to ensure maximum satisfaction for our valued customers.

Contact Info:

Address: Phoenix, AZ United States Mail: [email protected] Phone Number: 480-463-4290

Website URL: https://www.abcwindowtint.com/

#Window Tinting Phoenix

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keplerdealer · 1 year

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Window Tinting Phoenix, AZ | Window Film Tinting Specialist

Your local Kepler dealer offers window tinting services in Phoenix, AZ. Protect your car, home, or office from UV rays with Window Film Tinting. Get your offer now!

Visit: https://www.kepler-dealer.com/locations/window-tinting-phoenix-az/

#window tinting phoenix az #best window tinting phoenix #car window tinting phoenix az #Home window tinting phoenix az #window film phoenix az

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ceramicpronorthphoenix · 2 years

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Expert window tinting services in Phoenix

Expert window tinting services in Phoenix is here to help you choose the window tint percentage that will keep you comfortable in your vehicle when driving. The most common concern is which tint percentage should I go with? Ceramic Pro North Phoenix is here to best recommend the tint percentage that will look bet for you cars interior and exterior.

#window tinting phoenix #Best window tinting phoenix #expert window tinting services in phoenix #Ceramic Pro North Phoenix

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starseungs · 3 months

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a phoenix's ashes. ksm.

kim seungmin x gn!reader — from a love that burned bright to a love that fell like ashes. only a sincere wish from the heart would make a love twice as better rise from its remains.

genre/s — exes to lovers, second chance, angst with a happy ending, pianist!seungmin, violinist!reader • 1.5k words

warning/s — not much other than pain, lack of communication as a theme

note — another seungmin fic because i need to get over this man 🧍‍♀️ its messing with my brain chemistry... | song inspos are « i don't want to watch the world end with someone else - clinton kane » and « huling sandali - december avenue »

2024 ⓒ starseungs on tumblr. do not steal, repost, or edit.

In the windows of your sight, the view tints green.

They were a startling contrast to the bright white lights illuminating the stage ahead. It framed the picture of the scene well, you suppose. With the two performers seemingly glowing in the tints of yellow provided by the Brazilian maple flooring. You couldn’t help but be mesmerized by one of the two, who was donning a beautifully polished violin in her hands. The strings sang in delight as the woman delivered the intricately thought-out vibrations to all those who could hear.

And those who did, listened. Down to every last sound.

To word it in the simplest way you could muster, it would have to be perfect. The type of playing every person who has learned the violin even once has dreamed of achieving. A small but content smile makes itself known on your face as desires and memories paint themselves in splashes. You were once like that; you hummed to no one in particular. Acknowledgement lost in the silence of muted praises. The green you were presented with made much more sense in the moment of awareness.

Envy. It was an emotion you've come to know, admittedly very well. Drips of resentment seeped through the river of flowing emotions that were overwhelming you. Despicable as it was, you let it be. After all, it was what kept you grounded. Only a fool would discard an anchor when heading into the chaotic sea. The precaution may not always apply—especially not in the depths of the darkest waters—but the thought is what keeps a lost sailor hopeful with the dreams of land.

A certain ring of a key brought you back to the moment at hand. In what seems like a flash, your eyes lost sight of the violinist you were dedicating your absolute attention to. Instead, your gaze shifted to her side, where a male was sitting in front of a sleek black grand piano. The furrowing of your eyebrows proved to be an unstoppable action as your mind connected the face to a name. One that you had refused to utter from the moment his figure stepped on stage. A dark, almost black, blue tie hung securely around his neck. It was in a shade that made you shudder with an awful interpretation.

Longing. You deciphered the tingle of desperation. Every piano key he pressed seemed to grow louder in your ears. It almost scared you to think that the pianist would overpower the strings of the violin you adored so much. A clawing feeling sank itself deeper into your skin, wishing to avoid memories of the time when the two sounds co-existed as a symphony. But it was eventually deemed unfruitful as the score ran to its end.

If only—oh, if only you could retrace your steps back to that time. Back when the music floated carelessly through the air. Without fear or judgement of those who were out of the equation. Back to when you loved with a passion. The days that let your heart skip in a melody resembling the piece being played. You let out a silent chuckle.

Maybe in another life. For now, the present will have to do. A soft smile graces your lips once again as you watch the pianist stand, plastering a content-looking smile at his splendid performance.

You could only clap in respect.

Witnessing the last stage of the day brought an odd feeling. With the hall lights appearing to guide the audience away, the darkness being chased away was akin to multiple weights being lifted off your shoulder. That itself would have been the best way to end your afternoon.

If only that didn’t mean having to walk under the dimming evening sky.

“You came,” a voice called out. The two words were short and concise. Straight to the point. A statement rather than a question. The frigid tone of someone who, in your memories, was always so warm made you exhale too shakily for your liking. It was humorous, as it was a great complement to the vibrant orange sunset amidst the chilly air of the incoming night.

The pavement crackled under your feet. “And you made it,” you stated back. His stare shot straight into yours from the minute you turned around. “Congratulations, Seungmin. You did well out there.”

“Even if it’s not the same?”

“What was there to be mourned about? The dynamics sounded heavenly in my ears,” you admitted. The moment of hesitation before your last sentence lingered in the air. You watched a lone leaf swing downward in the space between the two of you.

His next words were spoken through gritted teeth. “It could have been better.”

“Seungmin, you should know by now that I’m never going to be the mind reader you expect me to be.” You sighed in defeat. “I could know you, but I could never be you. So, tell me what you actually want to say.”

“That’s exactly what it is,” he spits out. “You knew me too well that I let myself take advantage of the security you gave me. But that didn’t mean you had to break what you’ve built for yourself just because of me! How much more selfless do you want to be, to the point that you become a selfish coward!”

A car rushed by the barren sidewalk the both of you stood on. The sun had long since been gone, replaced by the moon to be the sole spectator in the exchange between two old flames. Lines of streetlights resembled the lights on the stage you had abandoned, imitating previous performances you once shared with Seungmin. You clenched your fists at the flashes of memory.

“You can’t just hold on to the past like that, Seungmin—”

“Not if it was the present and future that I wanted!” He cries out. “You would never understand what I had to go through when you stepped off that stage for good. The endless nights that I thought to myself, how you could just make that decision like it was nothing. But in the end, it was just me refusing to acknowledge that you had given up. You gave up on me. On us.”

The spear that had lodged in your heart long ago started moving again. You had so much to tell him—that you couldn’t. Not when your conversations with the constellations had you blaming yourself the same way he did to his own. It was never about whatever thought Seungmin made into a conclusion on his own.

It was the complaint-turned-advice that you failed to apply to yourself.

“Stand on stage again, Y/N.” You flinched at the emotional cracks in Seungmin’s voice. “Stand beside me again.”

In that moment, you proved him right once again. Exactly how long are you going to act selfless to shield your selfish cowardice? You claimed that you wanted to be the muse for Seungmin’s harmony. Yet the moment your skills were questioned, you let go of everything without even a second glance. Now, did you really have the right to dictate whether you were enough for Seungmin or not?

“The violin is no longer for me,” was what came out as a whisper. You watched as Seungmin’s eyes glistened to produce clear beads resembling diamonds. Fear that he might have caught on to the undertone of weariness you were trying to hide after a year of endless convincing. “I’ve left it behind me. It’s been a year.”

A storeowner nearby shuts the front doors of his shop.

“Even the person I fell in love with?” Seungmin asks. “The person you were at the beginning of what we used to call us? The person who shone brighter than the high-grade theater lights, no matter who else was beside them? The same person who could never compare to the stars in the night sky with how much they burned with passion? If so, then tell me right here and right now. That the one I loved has long been left behind by the year as well.”

Your hands twitch to grip an imaginary violin and bow.

“Seungmin.”

“Please,” he pleads desperately. “Break what’s left of the man who loved that version of you. I refuse to let the fragments of what you were continue to be the reason I keep myself understanding of the pain you bring to me. This is my last wish to you, Y/N. Please let my heart hate you as well.”

Something wet fell in droplets right by your shoes.

“I can’t.”

There were streams flowing down your face.

“I haven’t left that version of me behind.”

A bubbling wail makes itself present in your throat.

“I never forgot how much I loved the violin.”

Slow footsteps echoed through the area.

“And especially not how I continued to love you even throughout that one year.”

Warmth. Like the yellow tint emitted from the Brazilian maple flooring when the overhead lights hit it during a performance. Like the heat of the moment when you reach the climax of a piece. You were back in Seungmin’s arms. In the stage where only you and him existed.

Just where you needed to be.

SERIES TAGLIST ━ STATUS: OPEN — ASK OR COMMENT 🫶

@fairyki @hysgf @euncsace @comet-falls @starlostseungmin @ameliesaysshoo @hyunverse @wnbnny @xocandyy @minluvly @moon0fthenight @estellaluna @hanjsquokka

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justliketoreadsowhat · 2 months

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Self Indulgence ☀︎︎

☀︎︎ 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐠𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝐀/𝐧: 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

______________________________

“𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞“ 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐯𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟, 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐚.

Phoenix was one of the many places you had marked on your list of places to visit this summer before you went back into hibernation for school. You had made a stern promise to yourself that you would get out of the house more and become less of a homebody.

Solo trips and dates became a common factor when venturing out. Being by yourself wasn't the downfall of your vow, you didn't mind being solo, peace rained throughout your mindset as you found solace within your life.

Stepping up to the venue, the windows deeply tinted, allowing the smallest bit of view to see from the outside. On the side, cars were aligned in unison, Mercedez, Maybach's, and Range Rover's easily toppling over thousands of dollars.

Reaching out to open the small double doors, you were met with a security guard who looked everything but amused, towering over your frame aimlessly. His eyes red and low quickly scanning over your attire. He began to nod slowly to himself, pondering with his own thoughts.

Speaking up with a ragged tone "Oh you must be one of their girlfriends right?" his head motioned behind him, revealing a dim purple hue, the area filled with dangerously tall women scattered around each section.

Just go with it

"Uh- yes, sorry I hope I'm not too late" you pressed, falsely checking your gold-plated watch that hasn't ticked in years.

The guard shook his head slightly, "Nah we're just getting started" his free hand released from his biceps motioning you to walk through the entrance. Grounding your steady footsteps, walking into the shallow doorway, the smell of alcohol and prominent fragrance swiveled through the air making your head dizzy.

Music blared through the speakers with bass that shook the ground, how could anyone hear themselves think? To calm your senses, a drink was added to your agenda, a good fruit mixture would never lead you in the wrong direction.

Locating the crowded bar planted in the far right corner was easy, but physically getting there was not. People swarmed every inch of the floor making it nearly impossible to move without touching someone. Cautiously maneuvering through the crowds, you soon acquire that everyone here was in fact a woman, not a male figure in sight, excluding the stoned guard.

Women of all dynamics, tall, muscular, and every lick of beautiful, coming from all different shades. Instantly you knew you were way out of your element, and you'd be indulging every second of it.

Approaching the bar, attempting to blend into the vibe that was flowing through the atmosphere. Cool, calm, and collected. Looking over the different variations of drinks displayed behind the counter.

"You know the pink Whitney and Shirley temple mix goes crazy together, you should try it" a low voice rang in your ear sending a small shiver throughout your body. Eyes darting to the view next to you met with a pair of ocean blue ones.

A small smile masked the impending nervousness growing. "I'm not really a Shirley girl but I love a good pink Whitney"

Her face twisted in shock "Really?!, you look like the type though" Paige asserted, slowly licking her lips and tasting the faint alcohol that lingered. Her demeanor was soft, yet so dominant at all once. It was hard to tell whether she was fully sober or if she was just naturally charming and spoke to whoever was in her line of sight.

"Now what does that mean?" you questioned tilting your head slightly, remarking on her ability to maintain eye contact so easily.

She shrugged "Most pretty girls love Shirley temples" smiling to herself.

"I take it that you're one of them hm?" confiding in the way her features correlated so nicely. Lips the perfect shade of pink, eyelashes curled to perfection, hair slicked back without a single strand out of place. Her tall frame made every aspect match perfectly, including her two-piece set that had dashes of purple stitched within each pattern.

"Something like that" she bantered, tapping her fingers against the cold counter "Here let me buy you one" plucking the gold Amex card stashed in the back of her purple phone case. Good to know you could skip the whole "What's your favorite color" mantra.

"Oh no no it's alright, you don't have to spend your money on me I got it" gently sliding her card back into the slot. Denying Paige was not on your game card for tonight, but you refused to let anyone buy you anything, ever.

"Nah it's not a problem" Paige insisted "Are you here with someone?"

Replaying the guards' assumption in your head, you quickly denied "No I'm just here by myself.." 2nd guessing your answer, a silent prayer sped through your mind, hoping that you didn't talk yourself into a frenzy.

"Mm." she hummed softly against her lips, almost as if she knew you were spiraling on the inside.

"Why do you ask?" your tone more so concerned rather than confused.

Her eyes lightened at your expression "I'm just asking mama, no pressure" a smirk plastered across her face as she watched your eyes widen at the name. She knew what she was doing, this was nothing new to her.

But The Way She Made You Feel Was All New To You

#paige bueckers #uconn women’s basketball #uconn wbb #paige x reader #fanfic #uconn huskies

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zumicho · 3 months

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home┊002┊004

003: monsters under the bed

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[ RINTARO POV ]

“do you think we’re bad people?”

she stumbles into my room, dispatching yellow tinted light to disrupt the peaceful darkness of my sleep. If she were a different person, it would’ve been a problem. It’s unexplainable why I can’t bring myself to treat her the same way I treat everyone else.

yelling and exaggerated laughter spill in from outside - a sign that my teammates haven't stopped abusing the ‘freeflow sake’ perk we were gifted by reception. I was lucky enough to slip out before it got too crazy; from the looks of it–she wasn’t.

her head tilts, a supposedly small movement, but it does wonders. she frowns down at me–and for a minute I think it’s my bedhead.

“..what?”

“you didn’t answer my question.” oh.

"'bad' is subjective."

and she pouts, amplifying her already apple-red cheeks.

"do you think I'm a bad person?" I ask.

our hands brush together as she leans over the bedframe, conducting a scientific analysis of my nose (it feels like). "yes."

"why--"

"you invited me over, but you only really talked to me at the door. saying hi when you let me in and ignoring me for the rest of the night makes you a terrible host. and a bad person." I would usually laugh at someone this drunk, but no one's ever been this offended that I didn't talk to them. I sit up, guilt stabbing at my side.

"I would try and make it up to you," I squint at the clock above the window. "I can't think of anything other than walking you home though." that earns me a sigh.

"unless you want to sleep over." my mouth has a mind of its own. "there's only one bed in this room." her liquid courage is contagious.

she bites at her bottom lip, and I stare. I'm not ashamed. I'm just being relatable. atsumu would agree. anyone else would do the same. this is normal. not just me.

"no." her hands meet her hip, a failed attempt at being stern. "that would make me a bad person too." she lectures, all the while crawling under the covers and laying her head on the pillow beside mine. aran's going to complain in the morning, but that's a tiny price to pay for this view.

an hour passes, and I think she's asleep, but as I close my eyes, I find out we were both awake. her fingers intertwine with mine as she whispers: "are there monsters under the bed?"

I smile. real & big. "you're baby in a grown woman's body." is all the sarcasm I can manage. looking at me through her eyelashes, all starry-eyed in a I-could-kiss-you-right-here-and-now-but-that-would-absolutely-destroy-the-both-of-us kind of way, she asks, "so you don't believe in monsters?" "I do. but I bet they'd be scared of me," I joke. I swear her grip on my hand tightens, and she's closer than she was. maybe it's just hopeful imagination.

I’ve never been akin to commitment; why is it now that I feel the need to change?

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ib: @/wipsbymaya on tiktok, it’s embarrassing how much inspiration I get from that app but it birthed this so I guess it’s not so embarassing

author’s note: how we feeling chat

@phoenix-eclipses @thechaosoflonging @yuminako @nbcvs @tenjikusstuff4 @intergalacticrory @sonicsolos @yenonnoff @wyrcan @cnnmairoll @causenessus @reads-stuff-quietly @giocriedpower @applepi25 @gra-eae @lilchubbyyy @thvvluvr @toges-cough-syrup @steiins

#haikyuu fic #wholesome #haikyuu fluff #hq x y/n #hq smau #hq x reader #suna x reader #suna rintaro x reader #suna rintarou #the man that you are #smau series

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neonovember · 1 year

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Careful

Mafia!au x Steve Rogers

CHAPTERS: 1 2 3 4 5 6

summary: your escape to Brooklyn was harboured by secrets and a harrowed past, left abused and betrayed, you accepted your destiny of being swallowed by the crowd. Until the King of New York showed up in front of you and wanted a piece of you for himself.

divider by @firefly-graphics !

Taglist 🏷️ (send an ask to be part of my taglist for this series!)

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The sound of chirping birds sifts through the linen curtains draped over the balcony doors, and the gentle breeze of the early morning cause goose bumps to arise across your body strewn about the disturbingly large bed.

Through the haze of half-sleep, you peek one eye open, catching the enormous ceiling-high windows overlooking a meticulously manicured lawn, with tinted cars parked on the cobblestone driveway and everything's all wrong and this isn't your house.

Your heart drops to the depths of your stomach, and everything slows like a picture, you squeeze your eyes shut to will yourself back into the slumber you had just felt before but all you are met with is a nauseous burn crawling up your throat.

You can't think twice before you shoot up from the bed, miraculously finding the bathroom just in time before pouring the entirety of your stomach into the porcelain toilet. You weren't one to get sick, no matter how much you had used that excuse at work, and the putrid stench of day-old liquor rang familiar in your mind as you continued to dry heave.

You don’t waste time before reaching for the flush, watching the disgusting weakness of your strength wash away into the underground sewers, you can't bare to look at yourself and you wish you could wash away the embarrassment just as easily.

Your preoccupation with yourself has momentarily distracted you from the alarming reality of the foreign room you had awakened in, and you suddenly feel that fear blooming within you for the first time in weeks. You hadn't really noticed, but you were less scared of well, everything when Steve had inserted himself into your life, and now you wished you could go back.

Your ears perked up for any sign of movement outside your door but it was desolate, you reached for a candle stick perched on the basin before opening the bathroom door. Eyes surveying the expansive room, you can't help but expect your husband to barge in, laughing down at you as you were captured within his palm yet again.

The prospect wasn't entirely outlandish, you know your husband owned several properties he kept in secrecy, and you hadn't had the stomach to find out what he had them for. Yet something was gnawing at the edges of your mind to step forward, like an unconscious shadow within you, guiding your body towards the door and stepping into the room you had run from. The fear was there, as it always was, but you weren't holding your breath, your body didn't chill from the air of evil that always seemed to emit near your husband.

Your eyes survey the expansive bed situated in the middle of some sort of guest room, even despite your hasty escape, the room looked impeccable, wainscotting outlining the ceiling-high walls, with the shine of sunlight pouring in from the balcony windows like honey.

The marble floors reminded you of your own bedroom you had occupied for years months ago, and suddenly the elated feeling of luxury leaves just as easily as it came.

It unnerved you, being in the presence of such opulence after months of your bare quaint apartment. Even though you had lived in it for years before, it was never truly yours, this life was never truly yours. You were only ever borrowing it until your husband would find the balls to get rid of you.

Your eyes catch a note on the bedside table however, and written in that elegant ink that belongs to only one man that had strung you along in the palm of your hand is placed on a silver tray, along with a pill and a bottle of water, still cold from the tap.

Your fear begins to dissipate from your stomach, as you realise that your anonymity had remained unchanged, and you weren't back into the cage of your husband's imprisonment.

You reach for the note, eyes skimming the perfect lettering you secretly envy;

“You got into a little trouble last night, brought you here to keep you save”

You scrub your face with a hand, mentally thanking him for not delving into the details of what you knew was a haunting moment of weakness.

God, you can’t believe you had done that, let yourself get so weak you sunk back into an addiction you thought you had overcome. It was harrowing how quick it had happened, one moment you were walking home and the next you were crowd-surfing across the bar.

“P.S, take the pill, it’s Advil and if I really wanted to poison you I would’ve done it in your sleep”

You scrutinise the white chalky pill anyway, observing the A outlined in the middle, you roll your eyes before looking down at your attire. Pink striped Pajamas.

You bristle as you realise he would have had to undress you whilst you were in a haze of drunkenness.

And suddenly that’s enough to reignite the temper that had been stamped out by the waves of liquor you had foolishly consumed.

He had lied to you, even if you felt protection here, he had lied, and he did it straight to your face. Did he think you were foolish? Just a stupid girl from a town no one knows that he could take advantage of? You couldn't bear to keep the fueled rage burning within you.

Reaching for the Advil, you swallow it with gulps of water that ease your parched throat, before searching around the enormous room for the clothes you had gotten drunk in. You find them folded neatly on an ottoman to the side, and make quick work of slipping them on before storming out of the room.

You don’t know where you're going, the endless hallways are as foreign to you as the paintings occupying the walls, but you follow the dyed carpet’s twists and turns hoping to stumble into Steve’s office.

Your mind is too preoccupied with the rage brewing within you, your eyes fail to catch the figure watching you closely from one of the hallway doors, causing you to stumble into a brick wall of pure muscle and heat.

You catch yourself at the last minute, looking up to meet familiar slate-grey eyes peering down at you in interest

“You’re up already?” Bucky says, his hand coming to steady you but retracting at the last minute and falling back into the pocket of his suit jacket.

“I want to speak to Steve” You reply, ignoring his attempt at small talk, or more so his declaration of your consciousness.

“Steve? Well-” Bucky beings before you cut him off momentarily

“Don’t give me that bullshit alright? I need to speak to Steve, now” You reply in indignation, Bucky watches you carefully, eyes scanning across your face as he nods slowly. You don't notice his eyes fixated on your fists wrapped in a tight fists. Your voice falters toward the end and you hope you sound as confident as you feel.

“Follow me” Bucky replies with a sigh, and as you walk side by side with Bucky, the click of his dress shoes clashes with the gruff sound of your work boots. You would never harmonise with this life, it's as clear as the shoes you wear.

You try and memorise the left and rights that Bucky takes you, as a kind of backup in case things go wrong and you need a way out, fast. It’s irrational you know, but you can only blame your husband for destroying your idea of rationality.

Bucky turns down a corridor, and you are immediately met with a rush of men in suits carrying boxes and briefcases, leaving and entering the enormous double french doors situated at the end of the hallway like an army of ants. Men stand stationed outside the doors and along the hallway unmoving, like formations of statues pillaring themselves in front of Steve.

The glint of their guns shines iridescent against the morning raze, and you understand that Bucky has some sort of clearance as they merely nod without a word as you pass them.

You and Bucky are about to pass through the double doors before a familiar face pokes at you, eyes widening at your presence in a clearly confidential space, the man that had talked with you with Bucky those weeks ago murmurs into Bucky's ear, the gruff sound of his voice hidden beneath hushed whispers.

You crain your ear to catch anything, but all you can make out is Bucky’s whisper of your name, along with “last night”. Sam shifts his gaze towards you, and a look you can't quite decipher falls over his face. Bucky is continuing to whisper to Sam but he doesn't take his eyes off of you, and finally, after a moment he simply nods and opens the door for the both of you.

The oak doors open into an enormous office space, the panelled french walls are washed with a chestnut gloss, oil paintings of war and glory hang on the walls and every corner has a designated purpose. A bar towards the left is graced with brown liquor in glass bottles and you have to turn away from it to calm the churning in your stomach.

Situated in the middle is a large walnut desk, carved with intricate patterns and relics along its sides, matching leather seats surrounding the desk, the floors a deep mahogany wood you crave to feel the cold touch of beneath your toes.

Men surround the office, some stationed behind the balcony windows, others near the bookcases lining the ceiling-high walls, and you don't notice it at first, but the second you walk in, everything stops. The sound of urgent whispers and conversations comes to a halt as they all stare towards you in fixed interest.

You didn't know this, but there had been no other individuals besides Steve’s men and himself, who had the ability to step foot into this floor of the house, let alone Steve's own office, and they can't help but ogle you like a piece of meat.

You catch their eyes all over you, pulling your stained cardigan closer against your body, you feel Bucky bristle beside you, his grunt of disapproval towards the men, shooting a silent warning that causes them to look away without a blink.

Steve's dirty blonde hair is tousled across his face, and he mutters something under his breath as he looks up from his seat at the office desk. His eyes immediately find you, unblinking as he never leaves your face, the papers in his grasp fall to the table, and let out an exhale as you match his gaze.

Bucky coughs and it’s as if Steve finally realises you're not the only person in the room,

“She wanted to speak to you,” Bucky says, his shoes tapping against the wooden floors, Bucky gives Steve a silent look, nodding towards the men fixated on your presence.

“Did I tell you all to stop?” Steve says in a booming voice you've never heard him use.

They all immediately get back to the phone calls in their hand and the tasks they had ignored at your expense. Steve stands from his seated position near the desk, his suit jacket laying over the office chair, leaving him in a crisp white shirt with a leather shoulder holster tucked into dark black suit pants.

Steve nods towards the balcony, and you step towards the glass doors slowly, you can feel the heat of Steve's hand near the small of your back, gently manoeuvring you through the room and men and through the doors of the balcony.

The gentle breeze of the morning lets you finally let in a breath you hadn't realised you had kept in, your eyes find themselves looking towards the manicured lawn below, gardeners and housekeepers are knelt pulling and plucking at the overgrown weeds, snipping away at leaves and bushes until they were smooth and pristine. Flowers are planted across the lawn, in a discreet way that makes you notice how the colours harmonise, and a ceramic fountain near the middle sprouts out water that shines against the sun.

You notice stepping stones snaking their way to the edge, leading to a vines archway where a vegetable garden hidden under a mesh covering meets your gaze, you try and look further past the vines walls, seeing the top of what looks like a stone pavilion under a low hanging tree that looks like its melting, but Steve steps towards you and you stop immediately.

“You wanted to tell me something?” Steve says, and you look towards him, eyeing his expression. He looks like he truly wants to listen to you and hear what you have to say despite the business of his life.

“Yes, I uh-” You start before the balcony doors open, and a slicked-back mop of black hair enters the balcony, the sound of a voice that you wish you would never hear again causing your stomach to twist into a sharp knot.

Rumlow whispers towards the man stationed beside the balcony doors, relieving him from his position and instead taking his place. His eyes find your own frozen ones, a glint of a smirk pulling at his features and he raises his eyebrows mockingly.

Steve notices the sick look that falls over your face, his eyebrows scrunched up in confusion at the sudden change in your demeanour.

“Hey, hey, you alright?” Steve asks in worry, but you can't take your eyes off of Rumlows condescending smile, as if he had known you would be here, his eyes almost threatening you to tell Steve what he had done before the tap of his pistol causes you to swallow down the bile rising from your throat.

“I um, I uh” You stutter out, and Steve looks at you in worry, his hands coming up to steady you causing you to flinch automatically.

“Fuck” Mutters Steve under his breath and he quickly retracts his hand, he begins to say something but you can’t hear anything besides the ringing in your ear and the rhythmic tap of Rumlows gun.

You shake your head, hands in tight fists that cause indentations to form in your palm, Rumlow clocks his head to the side, behind Steve, giving you a silent warning

Careful.

And he walks through the balcony doors and back into Steves's office like he was never there.

You let out a constricted breath, squeezing your eyes shut before opening them to make sure he was truly gone, Steve gently murmurs your name, and you turn your attention back to him, meeting concerned eyes.

Steve's words finally break through the surface, and your grapes his arm, causing goosebumps to arise across your skin. Steve looks up at you in surprise, his large hand coming to wrap yours around his, feeling the rapid beat of your heart slamming against your chest.

‘Just focus on me, alright? Don’t worry about anything else, I just want your eyes on me, okay? Can you do that for me?” Steve whispers, and you nod slowly. Watching the swirls of blue and grey clash like waves within his eyes.

You stay like this for a while, until the rapid beat of your pulse slows to a rhythmic beat, but Steves keeps your arms wrapped around his own, and you hope to god he does feel the goosebumps arising on your skin.

“What happened just now?” Steve says after a beat, his brow locks falling over his face

“I uh, I don't know, I just starting feeling sick,” You say, teeth biting down onto your bottom lip in nervousness.

Any other time that excuse had worked, whether it be at work or family or any other instance when you felt the ground beneath threaten to give way. But the way Steve looks at you now, in that air of scepticism, it’s like he doesn't believe a single thing that left your mouth.

And it's like you've been called out, the embarrassment of lying causing you to look away.

Steve sighs before nodding,

“I’ll get one of my men to arrange your drive home,” Steve says

“Could you, could Bucky take me home instead?” You say, and Steve looks towards you, a glint of something in his eye as he looks through the windows of the balcony doors, eyes fixated on Bucky before replying with a strained sure.

You step towards the balcony doors, hand coming up to grasp the handle before Steve stops you

“We are going to have to talk about it eventually,” Steve says

“Talk about what?” You turn your head to meet Steves's gaze

“Talk about why you're scared shitless of Rumlow” Steve replies, and you towards him in open-mouthed shock.

How did he know?

Steves share a pointed look, “I see everything, even things that happen behind my back. When I see you later tonight, do me a favour?”

You nod quickly, shutting your open mouth.

“Don’t lie to me” Steve mutters, before opening the balcony doors for you, his hand pressed tight against the small of your back as his warmth tickles the side of your neck.

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strawberraemochi · 1 year

Text

Day 2 of Narumitsu Week: Truth!

Day 1 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5

Theyre uhhhhhh finding the truth. Together. Because they are in love. And care about the law. Love wins babey

Close ups under the cut.

[ID:

Miles Edgeworth and Phoenix Wright sit on the couch in the Wright and Co. Law Offices. Behind them is a bookshelf on the right and Charley on the left. The scene is blue tinted to indicate that it is nighttime. Moonlight from the (unpictured, but implied) window on the left softly illuminates the left side of the room. The tv is partially pictured at the bottom of the piece, and it is implied that it is on because of light that shines from it.

Miles and Phoenix sit close together. Miles sits on the left, wearing his typical maroon suit and glasses. He is holding a Manila folder filled with papers. He is looking at Phoenix with a soft smile, appearing to be listening to what he is saying. Phoenix sits on the left, pressed against Miles’ side. He is wearing his typical blue suit, minus the suit jacket. He points at the papers in Miles’ hands, his mouth open and eyes focused on said papers. There is another open Manila folder with papers in it spread out on Phoenix’s lap. Between the two of them, their hands are interlocked, held at about shoulder height. Phoenix’s index finger is held aloft as though he is using it to emphasize his point. Both of them are wearing wedding rings on their left hands. Next to them on the couch is a pile of more Manila folders filled with papers. End ID]

#my art #fanart #ace attorney #aa #phoenix wright #ace attorney fanart #miles edgeworth #naruhodo ryuichi #mitsurugi reiji #art #narumitsu #wrightworth #nmweek23day2 #nmweek23 #day 2 #mitsunaru

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choccy-zefirka · 5 months

Text

The sky is a bowl of swirling tinted water. The little droplet of blue ink that was eye-dropped into the rich streaks of orange and peach, somewhere far at the horizon, has now begun to spread. By the minute, it grows more saturated, more condensed. The vibrant mix of sunset paints is now velvety dark, all the more so in contrast with the first shimmer of the stars.

Kenyatta — carelessly sprawled in an armchair with her legs dangling over one of the arm rests and a scroll with diagrams of sick peki symptoms in her lap — could really use a lamp to make out all the little details of plumage falling out. But the truth is, she stopped reading quite a while ago.

"Huh, the night sky hasn't been this clear in days," she notes, pulling out the pencil she’s been lazily chewing and pointing at the window.

Chayne glances away from the tea he's been brewing for himself and his apprentice, and smiles softly.

"I did not know you had an eye for such things. It warms my heart when people stop and contemplate the beauty of everything Maji has given us."

Kenyatta blows her hair out of her face.

"Well, of course I have an eye for such things! Like, my brilliant strategy for sneaking out to see Nai'o is gonna be completely different in different weather! But anyways — "

She re-contorts herself into a more... conventional sitting position, and stares straight at Chayne.

"I am not just making fancy small talk. The sky is clear, which means you can go off and do your stargazing schtick."

Chayne shakes his head in fond amusement.

"A little ruse to cut tonight's lesson short, I see. I cannot blame you. It is getting rather late, and I know you have less patience for reading theory than for healing real animals."

"Oh for the Dragon's sake, old man!"

Kenyatta protests so loudly that Chayne nearly smashes his poor little teapot.

As he frantically clutches it in his clumsy oven-mitted hands, she goes on, arms dramatically up in the air.

"You promised you-know-who you'd stargaze with her! Heard that with my own ears!"

Thankfully, the teapot is safely back on its tray, among the teacups and stacks of round little cakes. Because this time, Chayne would surely have dropped it to the floor.

You-know-who. She means Phoebe. Of course she means Phoebe.

Phoebe Nix — the name given to the disoriented, amnesiac stranger by Jina, as a bit of wordplay. For it sounds a lot like Phoenix, and she is the Phoenix's child. One of the many warm-skinned, round-eared puzzle pieces — not unwelcome, yet still strange — that came pouring out of the old human ruins that one fateful day, forming a picture of a new future that is still incomplete. One of many, but somehow, standing out to Chayne in particular. Eyes sharp and clever, messy ponytail dyed into the splendor of sunset; always on the move, always exploring, always so full of eager questions, and so excited to help whichever Kilima resident she runs into.

Day after day, he's found himself smiling at her... First during their conversations, at the shrine to Maji or in his humble home or along his daily route through the village. Then, at the very first sight of her racing up to him through the swaying grass, waving, flushed with the strain of exercise (what else could it be?), bright orange leaves caught in her hair like a glittering crown... And then, at the mere hint of soft silvery smoke rising over the hills, from where the humans have started making a home for themselves. Because that must mean she is home, she is here, safe and sound, not hopping from cliff to cliff on her glider (Chayne knows she always sticks a landing, he knows she had plenty of practice before taking to the sky; he truly does; but the first time he saw her vault across that spinning blue, higher than the windmill wings, his heart nearly burst through his robe).

Maji alone can tell what his face must have looked like as his thoughts tumbled down this chapaa hole. All he is aware of, is the intense heat pooling all over his cheekbones and biting at his ear tips. Next, very suddenly and very acutely, he also becomes aware of Kenyatta. Still staring at him. Expectant.

"Well? You can see the stars bright and clear tonight, and our lesson is just about over — you're out of excuses this time around. Just visit that human already!"

"Surely, she is busy," Chayne mumbles weakly.

That is always his last resort, as far as excuses go — now that bad weather and his duties are off the table.

She is busy; she has to be! There are always so many people who want her to rush off to see them, to lend a hand. From Zeki with his... savvy business plans, to Badruu with his farm troubles, to Elouisa with her cryptid sightings, to fellow humans with their ceaseless hunt for new Flow groves. Surely, Phoebe will have no time to entertain a foolish old priest, who only suggested watching the night sky together because he'd been holding her gaze for too long, and the ache that had sprung up somewhere between his heart and his stomach had gotten too strong, too sharp and, paradoxically, too sweet... And then his tongue slipped.

He would never fathom that Phoebe might actually take him up on the offer. He would never dare be so presumptuous. Hers is to discover this new world she awoke in; his is to give her guidance along the way, as a good Shepp should. Never straying from his duty. Never doing anything selfish.

"Ugh, why are you like this!" Kenyatta groans. "You can't keep letting us down!"

Chayne blinks, fumbles his way out of his mitts, and takes off his (slightly cloudy) glasses to wipe them off — so confused that the image of Phoebe, hovering among puffs of pink in his mind's eye, pops out of existence like a carnival balloon punctured by a Grimalkin claw.

"Us?" he echoes, barely aware of how he's hoisted his glasses back on his nose. "Who is 'us'?"

"Oh, you know!" Kenyatta shoves the pencil behind her ear and begins curling her fingers to count off names. "Me, Jel, Tish, Reth, Zeki sometimes... Nai'o is also there, and Auni always tries to poke his head into our business, but we don't let him 'cause he's too young to get it..."

"Get what?"

"The thing you and Phoebe have going on! Obviously!"

Kenyatta rolls her eyes. Another teacher might have scolded his apprentice for such an overly familiar demeanor, but Chayne is too petrified — and every word she says next only makes his stupor worse.

"I think Tish was first to notice the way she looked at you when you weren't watching, and the way you looked at her when she wasn't. Tish told Jel, who was obviously over the moons with the..."

She ruffles her hair and comically changes the pitch of her voice, obviously miming Kilima's melancholy tailor.

"The romance of it all!"

Her voice returns to normal, and she crosses her legs, tapping one foot on the floor.

"And now, here we are. Gathering at the reading hall now and then. Watching. Waiting for either one of you to make a move. Zeki wanted to egg us into betting on who cracks first... Ugh, I sounded like Nai'o's old man back there..." Kenyatta huffs, making about a quarter of an effort to show disdain.

"But Caleri said no gambling at the library; and good thing too, cause as your apprentice, I would have been, like, honor-bound to bet on you or whatever, and I don't like losing. Unless — "

The taps grow faster, more impatient — the only thing punctuating the heavy silence that has fallen over Chayne's living room.

Maji preserve him, what has he stepped into?! Of course, this is all a terrible, terrible misunderstanding. A group of gossiping youths, restless in the sleepy quiet of their village, seeing storybook intrigue where there is none. That is normal; nothing to be outraged about. He just wishes he did not give reason for their imagination to run wild, with his... his foolishness.

Chayne's heart plummets; for a moment, he feels light-headed, feeble almost. Oh no. Oh no no. If Tish and the others saw his air-brained gawking and read too much into it, could Phoebe have also done the same? Great Dragon above, what would she think of him? It is bad enough he once asked her to run errands for him, when they both have their commitments to the village!

That... outlandish notion Jel came up with is not exactly forbidden for Majiri priests, but... Chayne cannot... must not, ever, be allowed to even consider that! That would be asking for too much, far, far too much! Phoebe cannot be led to believe… to realize… he actually wants that!

"Perhaps, " he mutters out loud, not really addressing Kenyatta. Her ears perk up nonetheless.

"Perhaps I should clear the air with Phoebe. Explain that I cherish her friendship and — "

"Yes! Finally! Progress!"

She leaps out of the armchair and nigh drags him to the front door, like she's a feisty ormuu and he's a heavy, clunky plow.

"Go on, you old muujin! Get that human! Don't worry, I will clean up!"

"I am not — "

He tries to object, but the door of his own house slams in his face, and he is left alone with the cold night breeze that soothes his burning flush, but only for a few moments.

No choice left but head for Phoebe's, then.

He has been to her house a couple of times before. Once, he rushed here with an unseen iron wire cutting into his spine and discomfort squirming in his stomach. Nothing makes him feel worse than conflict. He came to apologize for being short with Phoebe, when she told him she'd asked for help on his behalf, when he had expressly begged her not to (after all, he was imposing too much on the community already by letting his moon observations distract him from his work). One look on her face, one smile of forgiveness, was enough to put him at ease.

"Getting help is not a failure, you know," she told him, and while he is still uncertain if he's... allowed to believe this, that moment still glows within his memory, like a Crystal Lake lotus, delicately plucked and put on display. Because she took his hand into hers.

And then there was that night — or, well, very early morning; he remembers the faint green tint in the sky, the first inklings of dawn — when he walked her back from her Acceptance Ceremony. It had been a wonderful, heartwarming occasion, with fireworks and festive wreaths, mouthwatering food, and, of course, a generous flow of drinks — for which Phoebe had all the enthusiasm of Sifuu, but none of her tolerance. She clung on to him all the way from the Mayor's mansion, erupting into the sweetest giggles whenever she almost sent them both tumbling to the ground, and gushing on and on about what an incredible Shepp he was, and how perfectly handsome. Chayne himself had... imbibed somewhat, mostly to be polite and to show appreciation for all the hard work his dear friend Ashura had put into the preparations. At the time, Phoebe's slurred praises went to his head, and he almost accepted them as more than silly ramblings. He almost believed that she meant it when she blurted out, "You have such a beauuuuutiful, kind smile, and your nose is so lovely! I'd boop it over and over if I... hic!... could!"

Now, of course, he knows better. She remembered none of this when she woke up, and he had best forget it as well.

Now. Here comes the final bend along the path, and the familiar rickety gate. And beyond, is his destination. Oddly recognizable in how… unrecognizable it is.

Each time he stepped foot on Phoebe's little land plot, her house looked entirely different. And so it does tonight as well. The cluster of ever-branching, asymmetrical wings — bristling with scaffolding, and far more maze-like than most of the other human residences he has seen — is constantly being reshaped, renovated, and rebuilt anew. It seems that, whenever Phoebe is not mingling with the Majiri or with her own people, she is always neck-deep in some elaborate construction project. And if not that, then digging around in her garden, which also expands and changes with each new visit.

She is doing that just now, it seems: Chayne spots her as he hovers tentatively behind her fence, and the corners of his lips move up, without fail, like they always do, the instant he makes out her silhouette. She is digging a narrow groove in the ground, leading towards the dark, rustling silhouettes of her apple trees... The first inklings of an irrigation system, perhaps?

She's brought along an oil lamp to see by, securing it in the metal jaws of one of the several clockwork chapaa that dot her front lawn. Its glow falls upon her like a cloak of gold, allowing Chayne to, dare he say (he shouldn’t) bask in the sight of her, from muddied overalls to unruly hair… Until that sweet ache blooms within him once again.

"It is rather late for gardening… Are you certain it is safe?"

He scarcely hears his own voice — for him, there is only her abrupt exclamation of surprise, and then the sound of his name, bouncing joyfully off her lips.

"Chayne! You remembered! I was wondering if you'd ever come by!"

"I wanted to — "

Wanted to make certain I am not acting untoward, he plans to say. Or something along those lines. Something that befits a wise spiritual master, a Shepp, a conduit of Maji's light... But in a few leaps, she is beside him, clasping his hand again in her earth-smudged fingers... And then drawing back.

"Sorry. Boundaries. I am a little, uh, sleep-deprived. Been working non-stop on all sorts of things. Experimenting with this and that. But I will..."

She wipes her hands along her pant legs. Again and again, long past cleaning them.

"I will gladly stargaze with you, like I always... Like we planned."

Chayne squints in the bleary mix of starlight and the now distant lamp. Phoebe does look rather more frazzled than usual. It could be the play of light and shadow, but are those... Dark circles under her eyes?

Come to think of it, the last time she came by his shrine, she was frantic, jittery, and did not stop for long.

All the wilting poetic anguish, which Jel would have surely reveled in watching, vanishes from Chayne's mind. He is now a Shepp, first and foremost. And a friend.

"Are you feeling well, child of the Phoenix?" he asks, as tenderly as he can, laying a hand on her shoulder without second thought. "You said you were not getting enough sleep."

"It's nothing, I just want to get so many things done in a day, I — "

She looks up at him, transfixed by something in his eyes... And suddenly lurches forward and buries her head in his robe.

They've never been so close. Not even when she swayed next to him in their drunk embrace. He swears he hears her heart thumping next to his, fast, erratic... Frightened?

"I don't want to lie down and close my eyes. I... I know it makes me sound like a petulant toddler, but..."

Her hands travel up his chest now, clutching at the fabric. Like he is the sole anchor keeping her from drowning.

"The moment I slow down, the moment I'm left in the quiet with my own thoughts... I start panicking. You know how you discovered odd volcanic flashes on the moon? And how my people vanished before? In a huge, devastating disaster? What if..."

Her voice crumples into a tiny, helpless whisper, and Chayne suddenly finds his fingers gliding through the tangled strands of her ponytail. Stroking her head in comfort.

"What if our return is a bad omen? What if we are destined to bring about some terrible doom upon... all of you?"

She tears away from him to look up in his face again.

"I can't bear to imagine it. But the thought haunts me; it comes back, again and again, whenever my hands are not doing something, building or gardening or I don't know what; whenever I am not so dead-tired I just collapse. I..."

Her voice, her lovely, energetic voice, which has always been like a song to Chayne's ears, cracks into a hoarse half-sob.

"I am so sorry. I did not mean to come here. None of us did. I've... I've fallen in love..."

She casts her eyes down and blushes deeply. Humans have such a rich skin tone palette compared to Majiri; she is one of the pale-pink ones, which makes the rush of blood to her face incredibly obvious, even in the night.

"...With Palia... But if whoever sent me here meant for me to be a weapon of its destruction..."

"Phoebe..."

For a while, Chayne has no words left in him, save for her name.

He wraps his arms around her, locking them tight, and holds her until the frenzied drum inside her chest slows down, falling in time with his own heart's rhythm. She is warm and soft, and smells of damp earth and fresh apples, with a sharp tang of paint, from whatever she must have been tinkering with inside her house. He ought to comfort her as a Shepp would, dependable and selfless and wise... But instead, he drinks in her scent until his head spins, and wins the bet Kenyatta never got to make.

The kiss he gives her is almost chaste — an awkward��brush of lips against lips. He is rather out of practice for anything more. When was the last time his mouth touched something that was not a relic of Maji, or the forehead of a devout spiritual sibling? Oh, so many years ago, back when he was still a young wanderer, looking for his purpose. But even this small kiss is already scandalous, and the instant their lips part, he's already mentally berating himself. Will Phoebe ever forgive him for this?

She lifts her hand to his face, tracing the outline of first his jaw, then his beard.

"Will you ever forgive me for this, Chayne?" she whispers, through rising tears. "For upsetting the balance in your world, for disturbing your peace..."

"You never did that," he mouths, his own voice beginning to tremble. He takes a few steps away from Phoebe, but only to properly look upon her once again. His hands find hers, and do not let go.

"Your people strengthened our peace; you brought us joy and companionship and new knowledge. The Phoenix has not yet revealed to us why you are here, but I trust in Her will, and in Maji's. I refuse to believe that something that made us all so happy — made me so happy — is a sign of the end times."

She parts her lips to reply... But is abruptly cut off by a deafening clamor that has erupted inside her house. Something, somewhere — another one of her late-night projects? — has collapsed, sounding like two Galdur rolling down a hill, hitting rocks incessantly along the way and perhaps also punching one another.

Phoebe whips her head around.

"I should... Probably check on that," she says.

Chayne sharply inhales the cold, sobering night air. Gods. He could have shared all those encouraging words without —

"But it can wait."

Turning back to him, she pulls him in again — and returns the kiss. Open-mouthed. With her tongue caressing his. With her scent headier than ever. He closes his eyes, glasses knocked sideways, and surrenders himself to this nigh-divine trance, comparable only to his most fervent prayers to the Dragon God.

She is doing this on a poorly considered impulse, she is overly emotional and sleep-deprived, do not presume she wants you as much as you want her, he tries to warn himself. But her hands are back on his chest, touching him, guiding him, inviting him. They are over the fence now, past her porch, through the front door.

Inside, her house seems to be as much of an elaborate maze as outside — but he has no time to study the layout, or even deduce what it was that fell and broke so loudly. For now, the only relevant piece of interior is the couch she pushes him onto, pillows and plush chapaa raining from under him in all directions.

Oh, the young matchmakers from the library would surely hate a fade to black, but he and Phoebe need their privacy. Even Maji himself would have to wait until Chayne is… available.

#palia #palia mmo #palia fanfic #palia chayne #chayne x oc #palia oc #really nervous writing my first-ever fic for this game sfhjhdjdhfhjfds #original things

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black-flag-if · 5 months

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hi! who would be up for doing it inside or on the car?

Our dear Lane and Ryder may or may not have already done so. 👀

Definitely the two of them would do so again, except Lane only with tinted windows. Ryder is the one that likes to experiment so wouldn't be surprised about anything.

Riley is too romantic for that, and Phoenix doesn't do public.

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diamondcrownacademy · 11 months

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DCA Info Part 1: Early Concept

The Original Logo

The original logo appeared to have a pink fleur-de-lis in the center. On the top of the heart rests a golden crown with heart and swirl detailing on it. On both sides of logo are a pair of feathered wings, with the left side being purple and the right side being an off-white color.

Character Designs: Evonie and Ella

Evonie's original design didn't appear to change much from her current design. There were a few differences.

🍎 Evonie's Early Design

- Evonie's hair was more black without the royal blue tint and appeared to be less wavy.

- The sleeves are a bit less transparent and feature golden swirls, although the floral pattern reminds.

- The bottom of her top appeared to have triangular hems on each side.

Much like Evonie, Ella's original design didn't appear to change much from her current design either. But much like Evonie, there are a few differences.

👠 Ella's Early Design

- Ella's hair appeared to be more of a dusty off-red color and her hair originally reached to her upper shoulders.

- The jewel on both her tiara and brooch are purple in color. This was because Phoenix didn't think much about what to do with the gems until she decided to change them to accommodate to the original princess (In this case, Cinderella).

- Ella's skirt, despite having the same argyle patterning as her current skirt appears to be a ruffled one.

Character Designs: Allison and Briar

Allison's original design appeared to be very different from her current design.

🐰 Allison's Early Design

- Much like Ella, Allison's hair in her original design appeared to be an off-red color, before it was changed to be reddish-pink.

- Allison's original outfit was very different from her current one. Her sailor top was blue in color, with the center part having an argyle pattern, with hearts, spades, clovers and diamonds. The shirt also has red jewel buttons on it. The collar also has the same pattern, with the addition of a dark teal outline. The collar flap appears to be made of lace, with heart detailing at the edge. The scarf tied to the sailor top is black in color.

- The two layered skirt is somewhat similar to the current design, with the exception of the color palette. The top layer is a solid black while the bottom layer is navy blue with a line pattern.

- Allison's original headband is very different from the current one. The headband is black in color with a crown in the center. On the side of the headband are four gold bows, each with a card suit charm decorated onto it. The charms are in this order from top to bottom: red heart, blue spade, green clover and yellow diamond.

- Allison's collar, while the same as the current design was black in the original design.

Briar's original design while similar to her current one, the original design did have some differences.

🌹 Briar's Early Design

- The rose hair accessory appeared to have more of a pastel color palette.

- The blue gem on Briar's tiara looked darker.

- Her turtleneck sweater remains pink, but the collar part in the original design was light blue with a rose pattern.

- The rose in the center of the golden ribbon on Briar's left shoulder was red in the original design, instead of fuchsia.

- The jewel buttons were pink instead of light blue.

- Her original skirt was light blue in color and had the same rose pattern as the collar section of her turtleneck sweater.

- Briar additionally had red rose earrings in her original design. But they were removed because according to Phoenix, the rose earrings would take too long to draw each time Briar would have to be illustrated and they were cut to minimize Briar's drawing time.

Early Bios and Original Dorm Crests

(Note: The katakana for Evonie's given name is incorrectly spelled as "Evonia")

The original Pommeneige dorm crest featured a golden mirror with golden swirls. The interior of the mirror features colors that make it resemble a stained glass window and in the center of the mirror is a red apple.

In her original profile, Evonie is described as a woman who's willing to help others and is known for her vocal range and charisma. She is described as liking apple based desserts and clean environments, though she dislikes messy places and tricks (likely pranks).

(Note: Ella's tiara and brooch gems were still purple in the original profile, this was before they were changed to be white)

The original Glastanzerin dorm crest originally depicted a glass slipper on a purple flower shaped pedestal.

In her original profile, Ella is described as an airheaded crybaby who's excels at dancing and is popular with students for her tailoring skills. She is described as liking pumpkin based recipes, sewing and miniature figurines, though she dislikes rabid animals and doing too much housework.

(Note: Futterwacken's original dorm crest was recycled for the current crest, the only difference is the color palettes)

The original Futterwacken dorm crest was depicted as being a clock with a golden outline with Roman numerals and the inter part of the clock featured two shades of green. Probably the most notable part of the crest is the rabbit head in the center.

In her original profile, Allison is described as a girl who enjoys throwing parties and is very curious about everything. She wishes to explore anything that catches her interest. Allison is described as liking parties, mysteries and rabbits while having a disliking for being chased, sharp objects and being late.

The original Rosadormienti dorm crest had three roses (blue on the left, red in the middle and green on the right) above what appeared to be Princess Aurora's crown.

In her original profile, Briar is described having powerful magic that tries her out if she uses it to often, she is also described as being able to sleep on any surface no matter how hard or soft it is. Briar is described as liking plushies, sleeping and fairies while having a disliking for sharp objects, lizards and isolation.

#DCA info #general information #diamond crown academy

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dausy · 10 months

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I'm about to upload a weekend vlog to youtube for this weekend but I didn't make an outro. I heard that Ross is selling some Sailor Moon collectables now and I may run out to go look.

I was holding off too on going to the grocery store but I may go for just a couple items (I say that all the time). I just don't want food to rot in my house while I'm out of town. I'm driving to the Phoenix area (sorta) for Thanksgiving because my in-laws are sweet and don't want me to be alone. Its not a difficult drive until I get to like downtown Tucson and Phoenix but I've never driven by my self, always with my husband so I'm a little nervous.

When we were on the east coast and I'd drive to my moms house I knew the gas stations that I could stop at. I'm not terribly familiar with the gas stations on this side of the country. Mainly because I plan on taking my car which holds less gas. I have this anxious fear that I'll one day get a flat or run out of gas on the side of the road in the desert. In my husbands truck we only have to stop for gas once but I don't want to take his truck because I just got the battery in it replaced (and what if they did it wrong!!?!?!?) and he has a dark window tint. We got pulled over the last time because his tint was too dark. That would be something to happen to me. They arrest me because we never fixed the tint. I'ma take my car but I'll have to stop more often and I just got the breaks replaced (WHAT IF THEY DID THAT WRONG TOOO!?!?!)

and then here in a about another 2 weeks going to drive back to the in-laws because we are going to Disneyland. My in-laws bought my ticket as a christmas gift. Again, very nice. I plan to be home alone for christmas but again, they're taking me to Disney. I havent been to Disneyland in almost 10 years. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I love my in-laws but I have social anxiety and I think they think I'm weird and I have no spousal-back-up. I'm so used to be by my lonesome I can already feel the overstimulation. So pray for me. Theres gonna be a lot of people.

I also ordered me a couple blindboxes to open on christmas so I have something to be surprised about. My husband sent me 2 gifts to open too. If anybody knows of any lucky bags or artist advent calendars I don't already know about, let me know.

#watercolors #sketchbook #illustration #realmedia #drawing #sketch #traditionalart #mixedmedia #artblog

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lahotelbellamuerte · 3 months

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𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐎𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐧- floor three. eight's blind shadow

series masterlist ! current: eight's blind shadow ! next: men in suits could be a kink...right?

pairing; no exact pairs as of yet warnings; suggestive language, phoenix's intro! not proofread! word count; 6.2k notes; none!

DOPPELGANGER /NOUN/ AN APPARITION OR DOUBLE OF A LIVING PERSON.

FIVE COULDN'T BELIEVE HIS EYES AT THE SIGHT. This woman was exactly the same looking as his wife, just a few minor details were off. Bright dark purple hair and tattoos littered her arms. Not to forget the round red-tinted glasses covering her eyes.

The girl crossed her arms and rose a brow, "Well I don't have all day? Either tell me your business or get the hell out," she spoke then pointing from the way they came from.

Chris and Klaus made their way towards the purple-haired girl, as Five could do anything. He was frozen in shock.

"Woah, you look just like Ellie," Klaus dragged a smile on his face as he glanced at the girl, "Not gonna lie, you do look cooler than she did," he finished with a giggle.

The girl sighed and wiped her hands on her shorts, "Name your business," she asked once more turning her head in the direction where they all stood.

Before any of the Hargreeves could do anything Chris stepped forward, "Okay, look we were sent here by someone, and we need your help, Phoenix?"

The purple-haired girl rolled her eyes, "That's a nickname, but you can call me that," she paused her eyes head moving towards the young man, "Who sent you here?"

"Eight Hargreeves," Five replied before Chris even had a chance.

Phoenix pause her stone demeanor and clenched her jaw, "Come with me," she then said and began walking away from the bikes, "Eight is a name I haven't heard in a long time, especially with the last name Hargreeves."

"How many Eight's do you know?" Klaus wondered aloud, the others ignoring his words.

Five then scoffed, "So you did know Eight," he asked, "Why'd you act stupid when I said the name?"

The bright-haired girl just rolled her eyes, but they didn't know that. Instead, she continued walking around the building towards another small one beside it. Most likely her office.

Five rose a brow as he watched her have her hand out, almost as if feeling where the door knob was. But rather than point it out he ignored it. As the four walked in, they couldn't help but be in awe of the room.

The room had plenty of plants with large windows, some hanging from the ceiling while others huddled in the corners of the room. A large brown desk sat on one end with a computer and a chair. While plenty of bookshelves surrounded the walls of the room. Each one was filled with a variety of books. Most of them seemed to be thicker than most average books.

Five watched as she walked to a shelf brushing her fingers on the spine, and pulled out a pale green book, "I didn't know Eight as you do, or never did anyway," she started moving to sit at her desk.

"I met her when I was around six years old," she started opening the book and pulling out a couple picture, "She had looked like this when I met her," she paused and slid it over.

The time traveler picked up the photo and realized it was a younger version of his wife. The photo was taken when they still were a part of the Commission. It was either during or after a mission she decided to jump through time and find another version of herself.

The teen looked up at her, "What did she tell you?" he simply asked.

Phoenix intertwined her hands and leaned forward, "Not much, she just mentioned sometime in the future when I'm older she would need my help. Someone would be coming to me," she paused and moved her hand to move them, "And I'm guessing you are that someone."

"Did she mention what you would be doing?" Chris asked crossing his arms.

The girl shifted her head towards him, "She did, but don't ask, because I swore to not speak a word," she paused and wondered where the older woman was, "Where even is she?"

"Dead," Five simply replied, not wanting to talk to a stranger about his wife. Even if that said stranger had her face.

The girl nodded and pursed her lips, "Ah, so it begins."

Five rose a brow at the response, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Not sure if the old lady ever explained to you our unique situation," she started looking at their confused faces, "And from those looks, I'm assuming she didn't," the girl concluded, then sighed leaning back into her chair, "In the vast universe that we exist in, there are timelines, ones where we exist or don't.

"And in this one, I could feel you don't belong, based on the fact that I live here, that means Eight didn't," she continued watching as their faces listened intently—well except Klaus who didn't look too interested in the conversation, "Well, in these thousands and millions of timelines, the entity that exists in Eight and myself—resides only is us. Two versions of us exist."

The time traveler was smart, but this was slowly becoming more than him, "What do you mean only two?"

The girl shrugged, "Not sure, maybe the universe knew to not create vast energy holders like us. We were born with abilities nobody should ever want. I alone could destroy existence as we know it. I'm sure you've seen glimpses of what the old lady could do," she continued as she looked at the males before her, "If more existed who knows? Would one of us have blood thirst and destroy everyone? Maybe that's why your old lady came by all those years ago, to make sure I didn't become the evil version of her."

Klaus then was confused, "How did you know we have powers too?"

Phoenix deadpanned, "While Eight may have been a brilliant woman and thought ten steps ahead, I was blessed to have a tighter hold on my abilities," she paused and without moving the room had a small glow of gold, "Around you is a pulse that feeds into the air that is different than others, yours feels different," she said pointing at the small glowing beads around them.

The three looked around and true to her word, the small beads flickered around them, "Yours flickers a little weaker, so I'm guessing it's weaker," she motioned to Chris.

The boy looked up and indeed his were orange, "Yeah, Eight had gifted it to me before her passing."

Klaus rose a brow, "It's also Orange why don't you point that out lady? That's easier," he huffed trying to catch one of the beads.

The purple-haired girl sighed and stood from her desk, moving her hand to take off her glasses, "I'm blind idiot, I don't see color," she finished with an unamused glance.

The three men in the room all stood silent as they glanced over to see her pale emotionless eyes, "Anyways, what are your names before we go," she asked putting on her glasses again.

Chris smiled, "I'm Chris, the one that looks high is Klaus, and he's another timeline you's husband, Five," the boy pointed at each one.

Five didn't miss the twitch of her lips when Chris mentioned his name. He wouldn't ask about it while his stupid brother and Chris who was just there. He didn't trust this chick for a minute, "When were you born?" he then asked stuffing his hands in his pockets.

The girl smiled, "October first, 1989," she replied just as quickly.

Five stepped closer to the woman, "Eight looked like she was eighteen when she died because of a miscalculation, how do you look the same if you were born thirty-one years ago?" he hissed getting face to face with her, "I don't trust you one bit."

Phoenix just smirked, "Obviously I knew how to handle my powers better than your wife did, I traveled through time a lot in my lifetime boy genius . I'm just a very experienced eighteen-year-old," stepping closer, so that they were face to face, "You may not trust me, but your little wife did," she hissed.

Now, violence is never the answer, no matter the genre or situation. But at this moment Five was a pent-up teenager, who had not only been stuck fixing the world twice but lost his wife to a knife. He didn't care who the fuck this Phoenix was, no one talked shit about his wife, whether dead or alive. The teen rose his fists before he could even think about what he was doing.

But like Phoenix said, she was a much more experienced user with her ability. She didn't even need the vision to know how to use it, before the time traveler could tell, he was on his knees. Facing up at the girl in the red glasses, "Don't think for a second you'll lay a hand on me, Five Hargreeves, because the next time you do, I'll make sure you join your wife," she threatened, her dark red energy floating around him. Then released him from her hold and moved on to look at the others with a smile.

"Well, let's hit the road shouldn't we," she chirped and walked out the door the other dumbfounded duo following behind in shock.

Five released a breath and looked up to the ceiling, "God Eight, who'd you leave me with," he sighed and reluctantly followed the trio. Now noticing she had a duffle bag in hand.

Klaus clapped, "Yes, now it's my turn for the trip, get ready for a good one!" he celebrated by getting into the car.

Chris and Phoenix sat in the back while the Hargreeves sat in the front. The curly-haired man waved at all the buff biker men in the shop's driveway. The purple-haired girl cringed at the smiles he threw at the men that worked with her.

As they were on the road, she couldn't help but snort when she realized, "We're in Australia, Klaus, we drive on the left," she drawled her accent thick sounding.

The man served the car harshly, "How do you even know that you can't see," he replied with a snort.

"You're an idiot," Five sighed glaring at the outside, "You can't just say things like that."

Phoenix rolled her eyes again at the driving, "Is what you're searching for in Australia?" she asked leaning forward, her lips closer to Five's ear. The boy hated that he felt goosebumps rise on the right side of his face.

Chris sat up, "Oh right I need to get us back," he replied getting ready to portal them back. "Let me be the guest," she replied and with a wave of her fingers, the car and everyone broke apart as sand. Then a second later regrouped to become whole again, back on the highway Chris had disappeared from.

Chris rolled down his window and threw up, "Holy shit," he gasped coughing, "That was the weirdest feeling I've ever had," he finished then shivered.

Klaus was stuck frozen as he drove back to the right side of the road, the appearance then not had been way too fast for anyone to realize.

Five didn't say anything, but he knew he still didn't trust that woman sitting in the back seat. So he didn't say much and just laid back on the seat, and thought about what Chris and Eight had in store for him.

On the long road, much more green covered the rads, as Klaus the Seance drove. Phoenix lay back on the seat, just enjoying the drive and listening to the two Hargreeves bicker.

Music softly playing the background as she listened in. Every once in a while feeling blue eyes linger on her showing skin. It was warranted that she often received lingering stares from men, and Five was just a man that seemed to like what he saw.

She knew he was beating himself about it. After all, she did look like his late wife, just hotter. At least that's what she thought. It's not that she could completely tell what she looked like.

"This actually isn't so terrible," Five sighed lifting his head from the headrest, his eyes then flickering to the rearview mirror to the purple-haired girl.

Klaus smiled and looked over at his younger-older brother, "See, I told you, we even found friends on the way," he replied sipping his drink.

Five sighed it was starting to feel lonely, the forever warmth he felt inside seemed to fade. Eight for the longest time was the thing that kept him going. Now, that she was gone, what was he supposed to do?

"Come to think of it, my whole life I've been under the gun. Missions for dad, working for the Commission, trying to survive the apocalypse," he paused to look down at his ringed finger, "And to think Eight was there for all of it. Advising me for what's best, who's supposed to help me now?"

The Seance nodded, "Ellie was good for you, but hey you just have to get out there again. I'm sure some other lass will love you like Ellie. You get to breathe now Little Five."

"Oh! All right!" The teen exclaimed jolting the girl in the back from her short nap.

"Jesus old man, keep it down will you," she mumbled rubbing her tired eyes under her glasses awake.

Five turned his head and glared, "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted," he said with an annoyed tone, "So, I've circled all the roadside attractions along the way," he said reaching forward to bring out a huge map with small circles.

Klaus looked over and furrowed his brows, "I'm not sure we're gonna have time..." he tried to say but Five just continued going.

"We have the Brownsville Big Nickle," he started, "Oh, Ricky's Bakery has award-winning pies..." he continued to ramble.

The Seance began to feel a little worried about his brother getting the wrong idea, "If you let me explain.." he tried to cut in once more.

Phoenix rolled her eyes, "You Americans with your tourism," the girl drawled, "This is why the rest of the world doesn't like you," she mumbled loudly enough that Klaus and Chris snorted.

Five snapped his head to face the girl, "Will you shut the fuck up, I don't trust or like you, so be a good girl and zip it," he hissed glaring at the bright hair girl.

She only smirked at the teen, "Bite me," she replied and bit the air lowering her glasses to throw a wink toward him.

He only huffed and turned around back to Klaus, "Look we could have so many stops—"

"Listen to me. Just shut up for two seconds, okay? Just two seconds? All right?" Klaus then added before he could ramble on about more tourist stops.

The time traveler just nodded and folded his map, "Okay I'm all ears," he replied and turned his body to face his brother.

In a hopeful and slow voice, he stated, "We are going to Pennsylvania to find, my birth mother. Yay!" he quickly finished turning to celebrate.

"Excuse me?" Five asked furrowing his brows, was he just now lied to? He wasn't honestly that surprised, it was Klaus for Pete's sake. It was only a matter of time before something happened to him.

He was already annoyed with the teen in the back seat, who just happened to be naturally beautiful. Her pretty thighs, tan from the sun most likely, inked arms littered with beautiful designs, the shorts and tank top weren't helping his situation all that much. If he wasn't mourning for his wife that died not long before, there would be no hesitation in jumping that train. But let's not think like that right now.

Phoenix could only smirk from the swarming thoughts of the teenage boy. Unlike Eight the girl had no promise to not invade anyone's thoughts.

"I'm sorry okay? I'm sorry," he started off the bat knowing Little ol' Five would hate his news, "I just needed somebody to come with me for emotional support," he replied.

Five scoffed, "Oh, emotional support, like a Schnauzer?" he asked.

The girl once again leaned forward, "You're more like a small Border Collie," she suggested only to raise her hands when she met, Five's intense glare.

"I knew you wouldn't come if I told you, so what was I supposed to do?" he said with a slight frown.

Five sighed, "You're goddamn right I wouldn't have come, Klaus. You know why?" he paused and didn't say anything. Everyone in the car was silent waiting for an answer, "Because I am supposed to be retired!" He then yelled making everyone jump.

Phoenix rose a brow and looked over at Chris, "Retired?" she mouthed asking him.

The boy waved a hand, "I'll explain later," he whispered and snuggled back into the seat of the car.

"This was supposed to be a carefree road trip," he added with a huff, still wildly annoyed.

Klaus then spoke up again hoping to fix it, "Well, it still can, babe," he replied

Five looked in disbelief and huffed looking forward.

Now Phoenix absolutely hated America, after a few run-ins in the country, she hated everything about it. She was also a hypocrite since she loved tourist sites, even in her own country. Loved it.

"Ball of Twine!" she screamed in joy, catching the attention of Five.

The teen was retired and wanted to see the Twine, so he did what he could think best of. Leaning over and turning the wheel to go and see it.

"What? Five! Five!" Klaus called fighting to turn the wheel, and when he did all of them shifted with the harsh turn. Almost causing an accident with two other cars around.

Phoenix looked over to Chris, "This is who Eight was related to?" she groaned rubbing her head from the quick turn, "I should've ignored you both..." she trailed off and sighed.

The young boy shook his head, "I'm sure it'll be worth it," he said trying to relax, "Plus Klaus' adventures always go wrong, so we'll have something to do."

The Seance gasped and turned back, "Hey, they do not," he tried to add.

Five rolled his eyes, "You were kidnapped by Hazel and Cha-cha all those weeks ago, you started a cult, got trapped in the past in a war..." he paused knowing there was more.

The purple-haired girl laughed, "Oh, dear Klaus you are much more than I expected," she said with a smile, leaning forward to pat his shoulder, "This ought to be good."

It was odd for the Hargreeves to look at the purple-haired girl and hear not their usual American relative. But instead a heavy Australian accent with a tattoo-clad girl. They had yet to see her in action, but based on what she had demonstrated earlier, she was a force.

The drive after the harsh turn wasn't long, Klaus parked the car and the four walked towards the large brown Twine. After a short ramble from Klaus going on about he had to come to Pennsylvania to see his birth mother.

Phoenix stood beside Five with her arms crossed, "You know I'd thought it be bigger, based on what people mentioned," she said clicking her tongue, "Disappointing."

"How can you even see it?" The time traveler replied, hands in pockets, looking up at the large ball.

The teen girl turned to him and dipped her glasses down her nose, "I can't," she replied with a snort.

he turned to her with a glare, "And what is that supposed to mean bird?" he replied, "but it is big."

"Of course, you would think it's big," She smiled at the newly given nickname, then pushed her glasses back up her nose.

At this, he fully turned to the new addition to the group, "Listen you little—"

"—Oh okay how about I ask Klaus," Chris paused to break up the two, "How do you know your birth mother is here?"

The seance who was enjoying the hated energy between the two teens, "Well because I was on the ass end of a two-week bender, and I can't you the exact date," he started stumbling over to the arguing teens, "Because we were booking Xanax and the whole business, but Amy Winehouse was at the top of the charts. So that puts us somewhere, where? In the mid to late aughts? I helped myself into Dad's office, looking for the key to his safe. But instead, I found a treasure trove of our family history, told in expired check stubs."

Pheonix didn't want to hear the rest of the story. The oh-so disappointing price to give up a child. She then wondered how much her doppelganger had gotten. Even thought about the possibility of Reginald looking for her in this universe. But who knew?

"Well, can you really call what we had as a family?" Five questioned, the dyed girl returning back to reality.

She snorted, "Not really, I mean only two of the eight came around to help whatever situation you are in," she said, "And the only one that is actually helping is a dead woman and a boy from the 60s."

Five sighed at her words, "As much as I hate to agree, you're right Bird," he turned to look at her, "What is family? Do you have one?"

The girl shrugged, slipping her hands into her back pockets, "I had parents to grow up with, they are now retired and old," she started, "You love, fight, hate, but never leave each other," pausing to look at the ugly ball of twine, "but like this thing, you are tightly wounded."

The younger teen didn't say anything, but if anything he agreed. He remembered the days in the apocalypse when he had his own little family. Had a wife and a son who he loved unconditionally. Five wondered if it was the same for this girl. Did she suffer as much as his wife did to become who she was now?

Klaus just looked at the ball and smiled softly, "I know you aren't Ellie, but just like her at least you came," he paused then looked at Five, "I'm also glad you came, you're a good brother," he then lastly looked at Chris, "Don't really know why you joined also, but thanks, it feels like part of Ellie is still here with me."

Five didn't say anything, "Let's go find your stupid mother," he added then walked away, not waiting for any of them to follow.

"Got anything else on Eight?" Five asked Chris who sat in the back concentrating on painting Phoenix's nails.

The boy shrugged, "Sure got tons," he mumbled, "Got into fights all time with dad about guys she would date," he started, "Hated them all, but she was great at sneaking out and would find ways to never miss a date. but none of them stood a chance, she didn't go on second dates."

"Absolutely loved coffee, she'd have a cup in the morning and at night. She loved helping dad in the office too and was good at it too. You had yourself a smart lady."

Five couldn't help but smirk, "Are you any of those things Bird?"

The girl rolled her eyes and flipped him off, "Just pay attention to the stupid mother, huh?"

Soon enough in the drive, they made it to the countryside, where everything was much more conservative, "Oh fuck me, this place Klaus?" The purple-haired girl groaned, feeling the expansive land and who resided on it.

"This explains everything," Klaus breathed out looking around.

The three others rose a brow, "How does this explain anything?" Five asked removing his hat.

"Because look. Look at this place! This is everything my childhood was missing," he said with a smile, walking slowly away from the ground.

Five didn't like this one bit, "Hey, uh, Klaus?" he called reaching his stupid brother.

The Seance looked back, "Yeah?"

Chris knew what was happening, "Right, Doppelganger check, feeling anything funny?"

Five nodded, "Itching, sweating, gas, anything like that?"

"No. No, I feel great," He replied walking away.

"Alright, good luck," The boy said turning his head slightly to see the men in white shirts and girls in dressed glaring at dear old Pheonix. Then again she was wearing a spaghetti-strap tank top with some pretty shorts. Her skin is all on display.

"Huh, you're not coming?" he asked.

Five shook his head, "This one you gotta do alone unless one of these two wants to go."

Pheonix snorted, "I don't think I'll do good in there," she added shaking her head, "Y'know can't see and all."

Chris was curious about the whole Hargreeves family so he decided to go, "Come on," he mumbled and pulled the curly-haired boy along.

"Why didn't you go?" Five asked the teen who just looked around.

The teen gave him a look, "Yeah, because the Amish will definitely like booty shorts, tattoos, and dyed hair," she replied and walked back and sat on the hood of the car.

"What do you know about my wife?"

Pheonix turned to look at the saddened teen, "She knew more than you and I combined Five, we just have to trust that she brought me in for a reason."

Five rolled his eyes, "There isn't a reason, no apocalypse, she's just dead and was paranoid something would happen. You can go back to your little repair shop if want."

What stick did he have up his ass? The Eight Hargreeves she had met would not stand for the bullshit he was pulling. Her eye twitched at the mere insinuation. The girl then turned and punched him right in the face.

Five hissed, "What the fuck," he groaned as his eyes shut in pain. Holding his nose he opened his eyes to see his surroundings had changed.

He was no longer in the countryside with the Amish. Instead in a sizeable lush field with a little blonde girl at the center. Sitting and braiding flowers together her head facing up. Letting go of his nose, he began walking closer to the girl. He frowned at the sight of her pale white eyes looking off into the distance.

"Hello?" he called but she didn't respond as she continued braiding the flower crown in the lap. When she didn't look at him, he immediately walked around her to notice who it was. This was Eight as a little girl but not in the home they had grown up together. As he reached to call her again, a light crackle grabbed his attention.

There he saw an older version of Eight. Long blonde hair brushed against her back, her face youthful with a small smile. He watched her call out a name, but he couldn't hear it.

"How do you know my name?" The little girl called out to the pretty blonde, she felt her near.

Eight walked forward with a smile, "It's a lot to explain my dear, but bear with me," she started and reached a hand forward.

Flickers of dark colors flowed in her fingers, "You have this too right? You could feel it?" Eight questioned moving her fingers in the air.

The young girl nodded and lifted her much smaller hand, an orb of dark red with slivers of gold appeared in her hand.

He watched as Eight's eyes looked at it with curiosity, "You are meant to be the better one out of both of us, little one," she said and moved her hand to tap the side of her head. For a second her eyes glowed an eerie green before she blinked and looked at Eight with a nod.

Eight then began talking but the little girl didn't listen all that much, "I'll help you," she said but what freaked Five out was the direct eye contact she had with him. Almost as if she knew he was standing there.

His wife looked behind her to see nothing, "What are you looking at —," again he wasn't able to hear the girl's name.

The little girl shook her head, "Oh nothing," she replied and looked back at her explaining the situation to her.

"Did you see me?" he mumbled looking at the girl, "It looked as if you could see me for a moment."

The older Pheonix appeared beside him, "I'm not completely sure, I don't remember this part of the memory if I'm being honest, then again I can't see, so it may look like I did."

"I still don't like you," he replied as the memory fell slowly like sand, returning them to the Amish land.

The girl shrugged, "And I don't really care, I'm not here for you," she told him, then turned to reach into the car for her nail polish. Sitting on the hood of the car as she painted them while humming, it was hard, but she managed.

"How are you able to function without sight?" He then asked the question he's been dying to know.

The girl paused her activity, "My abilities let me have a sixth sense, heightened my other senses to the point that I know where everything is. I just don't see color to faces and all that jazz," she said humming.

He just nodded, he didn't get it, but it's not like he cared all that much, so he went back into the car. Singing to himself as he looked over the map he had in hand. The two did not really mind their surroundings until nowhere a largely invisible force pulled against the air. There was no noise coming besides the distant birds.

"Bird do you hear that?" he asked getting out of the car.

The girl nodded, "Yeah nothing..." she mumbled eyes furrowing on the empty green field beside them.

"Fuck..." the two mumbled knowing what it meant.

The boy looked over at her, "Wait why did you say fuck? I know why I said fuck, why did you?" he rambled grabbing a marker and shutting a door closed, and began writing on the glass.

Phoenix sighed, "Look I can't explain right now, but if think I know what is happening, we are most certainly fucked," she said gripping her head.

He glared at her, "That still doesn't explain what you know?"

"When I said I was a very experienced eighteen-year-old, I lied," she started, "I know what the Commission is, I know all of that, for a while I was chased down because I was timeline hopping."

His eyes bulged, "Into other timelines? Do you know how dangerous that is? You could've been killed by other versions of you."

Pheonix groaned, "Obviously you're a shit listener, there are literally only two versions of us that exist, one of them is now dead. I wanted to see other places okay, it was stupid, but obviously, I got reverted back in age and now I'm eighteen again. I'm assuming the same happened to you," she finished with a roll of her eyes, that he couldn't see.

The boy just hummed, he would return to this. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could the two heard screaming.

"Five! Five! Start the car!" The two yelled loudly as they were chased by very much angry men in suits.

Five groaned at the sight, "Jesus you two just bring trouble don't you?" he yelled running over to the car, he then paused to look at the purple-haired girl, "Well get in, before you get left behind," he hissed, eyebrows furrowed.

Panting the two gripped the doors open, "We tried, we really did—" Chris started but pushed Klaus, "Dude the lady," he said pointing at the woman with a book in hand.

"Klaus, we got to go!" the teen girl yelled from the passenger seat, "Thanks lady!" she waved as she gave Klaus a small smile.

"Drive!" Three different voices yelled as Klaus got in the car. All while the Amish men yelled angrily chasing the car.

The Doppelganger turned to Klaus, "What does your stupid book say?" she asked her as she tried to calm her heart after what had just happened.

"My mom died here before I was even born!" Klaus gasped

Five eyes widened and slammed his foot on the brake, sending everything lunging forward.

"Ow, what the fuck!" Pheonix cried holding her nose as she hit her face on the dashboard.

The teen male momentarily looked at her and rolled his eyes, "You shut up. What did you just say?" He said his eye was slightly twitching towards Klaus.

Klaus nodded brushing hair out of his face, "Yeah," he confirmed and even pushed the book closer to him.

Five pulled it to his lap for a moment and flipped through the pages, "Your mom isn't here, bird," he said out loud. Beginning driving with a clenched jaw, "How is that possible?"

She shrugged, "I mean she's still an old lady now, but very much alive," she paused to feel around the pages at her fingertips, "Your family just keeps on getting odder, little bloke."

The teen driving sighed, "You've to go no idea Bird."

Chris didn't get the recent news. After they had left the 60s it seemed as if everything went back to how it was. But if things like this were happening...it meant the people who met the Hargreeves did something in the 60s that changed the future. But just exactly who changed the future? Eight was never adopted, but it seemed that it wasn't even close to the soul that Eight had. Ben was alive in this world...where are the others?

Eight's plan by the minute kept on becoming clear, and he hated it. Was she a part of it? Did she do all of this?

It wasn't long before the group reached the hotel where they had been staying at.

Pheonix snorted, "Hotel Obsidian, nice choice," she said and high-fived the Seance who smiled, her other hand gripping her cane in the other hand.

As they all started walking forward Five stopped the teen girl, "Look before we walk in there, try and understand that Eight was a huge part of our lives. And you look too much like her..."

The girl waved a hand, "Yeah, yeah calm down mate."

Five rolled his eyes and gripped the book tightly, and began walking towards the hotel entrance. In a rushed state the other two followed close behind. He then walked over to the bar and saw his siblings.

Pheonix took her time and felt around the Hotel that she hadn't visited in quite some time. It still smelled old and grimy. Just as it had always been, the lights all gave off the aged look.

"These are our mothers," Five started as he flipped through the pages.

"And they're all dead," The purple-haired girl spoke up, catching the attention of everyone.

Viktor looked up and his eyes widened, "Eight?" he whispered at the sight, the others now all looking up to see the familiar face.

The teen shook her head, "No, unfortunately not your sister, different timeline. Your dear old pops did not adopt me," she explained tucking her free hand in her pocket, "Your mothers died on the exact same day, October 1st, 1998."

Viktor's face saddened at the girl, "That's our birthday."

Five shook his head, "Not anymore, it isn't. They all died before we were born," He started.

Diego rolled his eyes, "That's dumb. If we weren't born, how can we exist?"

"Bingo, whatever your little family did to come here, created a paradox," Pheonix explained with a shrug, "And according to what I've seen, not just any paradox..." she paused walking closer to the family, "The grandfather paradox."

Allison scoffed, "Okay I'm sorry but who the hell are you? If you arent' Eight or Eleanor, where did you come from?" she asked already getting tired of this girl, eyeing her whole attire.

"I'm Pheonix if you must know sour puss, I was born in this timeline, you're in my home and are on the road to destroying it," she said pointing her cane towards her.

Klaus pulled the girl beside him before anything bad could happen, "Uh, what the hell is a grandfather paradox?"

Chris cracked his knuckled and neck with a smile, "Let me do the honors—"

#the umbrella academy #five hargreeves #five hargreaves x reader #five hargreeves x oc

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