#r town chapter 26

[girl8890]

R Town | Ch.26

Namjoon x Daisy (FemOc)

word count: 3.8k

POV: Daisy

Warnings: Insecurities, Vaginal sex.

Index | Ch.27

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After living such a terrible life for such a long time, you would think that being introduced to an easier one would be a piece of cake. Well... it's not.

I've been prostituting myself since my parents died when I was sixteen. I had no family to look after me and ultimately ended up on the streets. Losing my virginity in the game and losing my soul a couple of times too. Sadly, getting a job at Felix's club was not the worst part of my life. At first, it was heaven on earth since I had a steady pay coming in. Wasn't the best, but better than what I was making on the streets. I also met M while working at Felix's club back in Washington. She quite literally saved me from her husband, but that's not a tail I wish to retell today.

After living that kind of life for so long, my point is that changing into a domestic role is challenging. Finding a job was a piece of cake, thanks to Namjoon. He's been my rock this entire time. He's even been helping me pay for my cosmetology classes. I try my best to pay for most of it now that I'm sweeping floors at the hair salon J-hope manages when I don't have school.

I can't cut hair without a license, and that's what always stopped me from trying to be a hairdresser in the first place. I've worked as a prostitute for so long, having sex and getting paid every night and sometimes until the morning. Going from that to attending school three times a week and having a 9-5 job isn't exactly a similar change.

Like today, I would already have 3 or 4 hundred dollars in my pocket at Lee club, but instead, I'm probably only at half of that because of taxes taking away my minimum wage salary. I try not to think of that while I sweep the hair of J-hope's latest client. His client was an older lady that works at the coffee shop down the street. I watched J-hope cut the women's hair like a master, and I longed to be the one that got her thanks in return when she was done. But I know it will be a long time until I get any praise for hair styling.

I sweep up the last of the woman's blondish-gray hair; then, I dump it in the trash bin. I look above me at the clock on the wall and sigh when I see my shift is almost over.

"Not very fulfilling, is it?"

I turn to the sound of J-hope's voice and see him sitting in one of the spinning chairs clients sit on. Unlike him, though, I'm not smiling. "No. Truthfully, it's really not."

J-hope laughs at my honest answer, which has me tilting my head in confusion. He then taps the armrest of the chair next to him, indicating he's asking me to sit with him. I place my broom on the wall to lean against it; then, I sigh again as I sit on the weirdly comfy plastic chair.

"I remember being like you once."

I raise an unbelieving eyebrow at him. "You remember quitting your job at sex and strip club to sweep floors?"

J-hope laughs at my response again, and I start to chuckle with him this time. Both J-hope and Suga know what my life was like before this. I felt the need to tell them once I met them since Namjoon asked them for a job for me. Namjoon is such a honest guy, and after leaving Lee club I wanted to be just as honest. They were both shocked that a "pretty girl like me" was living such a life. But just like Namjoon, they don't know my whole story.

"Wellllll, not exactly that, but I do remember my days of sweeping floors. This shop." J-hope raises his hands to gesture at the whole salon. "Actually used to be managed by my mother. Watching her cut hair made me what to be in her position so badly, but I also remember it took a while for me to be like her."

I now understand why J-hope is giving me this little backstory. I feel bad for acting like a downer now about the job. It's just so... different.

"At least you were set with a job because of your mom, and she could teach you. Besides the cosmo school, I'm self taught. I don't know if I'm ever going to be as good as you."

J-hope smiles at me, and it's weirdly comforting at that moment. He reaches out his hand, and I let him clasp his fingers in mine. "Not everything is easy. It takes time. You'll get the hang of it eventually. Then, who knows? Maybe you'll be having this conversation with one of your own hair sweepers one day."

I roll my eyes, but it's not at all sarcastic, especially when I feel my own smirk gracing my face. "When did you become so wise, J-hope?"

J-hope leans back in his chair and smirks. "Part of my many secret talents."

"Some of those secret talents only I can enjoy." We both look to the voice and see Suga is the one that just said those words. Him walking in from the front door with take-out in hand.

J-hope rolls his eyes at him. "Don't start the flirting now. I don't want Daisy running off because of your lewd suggestions."

Suga places the takeout, which looks like Tai food from the bag, on the table in the middle of the store. "My lewd suggestions? Your the one that suggested we should do it in the exact seat she's-"

"Shut up! Be quiet! No more!" I laugh when I see J-hope's face heat up in a beat red, but when I rethink Suga's unfinished words, I suddenly feel uncomfortable in my seat. "Ignore him, Daisy."

"She would never! I'm too funny to be ignored."

J-hope rolls his eyes again. "Try annoying."

Suga leans close to J-hope by holding himself up on the armrests of J-hope's chair. "And you love it."

J-hope's annoyed stare turns to one of admiration, and I feel my eyes soften when I look at the two men in love. "Yes," J-hope pecks Suga on the lips. "I do, but I'll love him even more if he gives me my Tai food."

Suga shakes his head and smiles, then does what his boyfriend asked of him. My last hour of work was eating Tai food with Suga and J-hope, and watching them play fight and flirt at the same time.

Watching this perfect couple in front of me reminds me of my own relationship with Namjoon. I find myself missing him a lot, even though we live together. I also find myself having insecurities because of him a lot too. Not that he's said or done anything, but seeing this perfect couple in front of me reminds me that I'm not the perfect girlfriend. I may "look perfect," but my life is far from it. I'm constantly worrying about being a good person like Namjoon, and worrying about how he thinks of me. Just trying hard not to fuck up, and ruin what he have.

Do you know how much pressure that is? Sure, I've been judged before. The type of lifestyle I was living has judgment in the job description, but I'm out of that life now. The last thing I want to do is disappoint the person I love most in this world.

But it's just so... hard!

Every day is a new challenge, and I've been lying through my teeth every time Namjoon asks me how my day was. I don't want him to feel bad if I say how it's really been going for me. That sweeping floors and going to school is no picnic, and I find myself wondering how much money I could have made if I stayed at Lee club.

Of course, J-hope has been making the job of sweeping floors much more favorable for me, and the thought of making Namjoon proud in the future if I graduate with my cosmetology license is a positive in itself, but why does it need to take so bloody long?

I try to repeat J-hope's words to me each time that thought crosses my mind, but even on the walk to my car, I'm feeling my emotions grow worse and worse. I even find myself looking at the Lee club on my drive home in longing.

Jesus... What the fuck is wrong with me?

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The only time I'm not struggling with my thoughts is when I'm with Namjoon. Right now, we're watching a movie, popcorn on my lap and my legs in his, while he's playing with my hair and my hand over his heart. Feeling his steady heartbeat under his hard chest makes me feel calm. Like all of my struggles I've been feeling throughout the day weren't even there to begin with.

Namjoon kisses my temple, and I smile at the contact. This is the place I always want to be at. Being cuddled by the man I love and him being a constant positive reminder of why I should want this type of life.

Although, my insecurities always come back when Namjoon asks, "How was your day?"

My smile falls, and I try to pick it back up before Namjoon notices. He notices, though, because his smile starts to fall, and he raises a pointed eyebrow. I try to deflect the situation by lying through my teeth like I do every day to this question, "Great! Amazing! Can't wait to do it again tomorrow."

I then let out a fake little giggle and look back at the tv. Hoping my lousy acting doesn't get caught by the inspiring actor next to me.

"Daisy?" I shut my eyes, not wanting to hear what he is about to say. "What's wrong? You just lied right there. Did something happen?"

I feel a tear come out of my eye, and I feel so pathetic because of it. I feel even more pathetic as more fall without my control. "I feel so stupid," I admit.

"Hey, hey, hey. What's wrong, Dais?" Namjoon tries comforting me by pulling me closer to him by my waist when he sees me crying. All the while, I'm wiping up the tears I wish would stop falling.

"I-I've been lying to you, Namjoon. Everyday has been so hard for me. I feel so stupid now crying, but it really has been. I w-want to tell you everyday about how amazing everything has been, truthfully, but I-it's hasn't been at all." I dive my face into his neck and cry onto his shoulder. I'm surprised not to feel radiating anger come from Namjoon since I've been lying to him, but I get kisses on my cheek and comforting hugs instead.

Further proving my point on how I don't deserve this perfect man.

I hear Namjoon sigh above me, but it was more because he felt at a loss. "I never expected it to be easy. I knew this would eventually happen, but you've been seeming so happy... I'm sorry I didn't notice sooner."

"There's no reason for you to apologize. It's just... I wanted it to be easy. Even when I told you I may fuck up, I was telling myself I wouldn't. That I would be perfect for you. But now look at me." I pick up my head from his shoulder and point at my face, which probably has mascara streaks going down it.

Namjoon wipes my tears, then holds my face in his hands. "You are perfect, Daisy." I shake my head. "Your perfect to me."

"N-no I'm not. I wonder everyday how much money I could be making a-at the club instead of sweeping floors. There's no cash flow with sweeping floors, and your already helping me out so much... I just wish there was a way I could repay you and be the person you deserve."

Namjoon's eyes widen, and I realize I said the words again. The words that put me down. He doesn't like when I put myself down, especially when I say I don't deserve him.

"Stop saying that. When are you going to get it through that beautiful blonde head of yours that I love you, and it's not about who deserves who." Namjoon moves us apart a little, so he can look me in the eyes while we continue this conversation. "I'm in love with you, Daisy. I know all your faults, and most of your past, but I still love you! We knew from the very beginning that it was going to be hard for you to adapt to this life, but I also knew another thing."

Namjoon clasps his hands in both of mine, and I glance down at them. "W-what is the other thing?"

"That I don't care. I don't care if it takes you a year, or five, or ten, fricken forever even for you to get back on your feet again. As long as I have you here." He kisses both of my palms. "I'm happy... D-do I still make you happy?"

It pains my heart to hear the stutter and desperation in Namjoon's tone of voice from his question. This has me pulling him closer to me until I'm wrapping my arms around his neck and straddling his thighs. "Of course, I'm happy with you, Namjoon! The only reason I'm here, trying to live this life, is for you."

I lean my forehead against his, and it makes me happy to hear Namjoon whisper between us, "Thank god."

I can always count on Namjoon to make the struggles worth it. Even if we have this conversation a million more times, it's good to know Namjoon is willing to have it with me. I know it will take a while to adapt to this ordinary life, but having Namjoon in my arms makes it all worth it, especially when our lips touch. Feeling Namjoon's soft lips press against mine has my toes curling.

It's never just kissing with Namjoon. The kisses are full of love and passion. He knows how to tell me without words how much he loves me.

I feel his hands go under my shirt and rub my back. The electricity radiating off his skin has me whimpering in his mouth and arching my back so my chest presses against his. Namjoon moans into my mouth at the contact, and I smile against his lips.

He slowly lowers me down on the couch without detaching our lips from each other. I moan into his mouth when I feel his want for me rub against my thigh through his sleep pants. Me wearing only shorts and a tank top, making the friction even higher for me.

My sweet Namjoon praises me against my lips, "Your so perfect, Daisy." Then he kisses me deeply one last time, then pulls our lips apart. "C-can we do it, baby? Please. I want to be inside of you so badly."

Namjoon always asks me this question before we have sex, but even after the many times we've already done it, my cheeks still heat up in a blush. I guess I'm just still not used to having sex with someone so caring, so it takes me a hesitant moment to reply. "Y-yes, Namjoon. Of course! I want you just as badly, baby."

Namjoon smiles down at me, then resumes kissing me in the passionate yet gentle way he always does. When our kissing gets more heated, and I'm pulling Namjoon so close to me it's surprising I haven't cracked his back, he finally starts to touch me. We've had sex many times since that first time over a month ago, and Namjoon still treats me like his precious doll. Something I've found to like a lot.

He slowly moves his hands from my back to the front of me, under my shirt. He cups my breasts in his hands, making me shut my eyes even tighter. When his thumbs rub over my hard nipples, I moan into his mouth again. This time, needier than before.

"Mmm, Namjoon. Please just get inside of me. You know I'm already wet for you." My dirty talk has Namjoon sputtering. I watch with a smile as he swallows thickly and then removes his hands from underneath my shirt.

"As long as your okay with it."

Which, I'm very much okay with it.

I strip off my tank top and enjoy watching Namjoon shyly gawk at me. His dimpled cheeks heat up, and I rub his one cheek with my thumb. I know what he wants to do to me, and because I'm the best girlfriend when it comes to sex, I pull his face towards my breast until I feel his lips attach to my nipple. I love how his tongue swirls around my nipple, and he sucks on the buds so gently, but nothing beats feeling his want for me harden even more against my thigh.

My Namjoon is definitely a boob man, and even though I want him inside of me so badly right now, I can't deny my baby what he wants when he looks at me with such shy lust filled eyes.

While Namjoon sucks and fondles my breasts, I remove my shorts, throw them to the side, and then lower his sleep pants with the heels of my feet. Namjoon detaches himself from my nipple with a gasp when his cock rubs against my very wet slit.

He knows I won't let him enter me until we're evenly matched in clothing. I'm just not into being the only one naked while the other person isn't, and I guess that has to do with my old life. The old life I had before I fell in love...

Namjoon, being the sexy man he is, takes off his shirt by putting his hand behind his back and removing his shirt by pulling it over his head. I'm biting my lip when I see my boyfriend fully undressed in front of me. I openly admire his beauty. Namjoon smirks as he watches me gawk at him and my fingers glide up his abs.

He then lowers himself back on top of me, and I'm wrapping my arms around his neck while locking my ankles behind his back before he even goes to align himself with my entrance. Namjoon places his hand on the couch's armrest, and I slowly feel him enter me.

When he bottoms out, I'm moaning at the feeling of being filled by him again. I press my ankles into his back, wanting him to go as deep as he possibly can. Namjoon screws his eyes shut because of it.

"God, Daisy... You always feel so amazing~."

Besides his words making my stomach tingle, he starts to pull himself in and out of me. The even pace feels so good, and I love to watch my boyfriend's face contort in multiple ways above me because of how good I'm making him feel. I pull Namjoon's face closer to mine with my arms still wrapped around his neck and kiss his soft lips.

The passionate kiss made Namjoon lose some of his control and thrust into me much faster. It gets to the point where I have to stop kissing him to whip my head back against the couch because he's making me feel so incredible. Touching me in the best places.

"Namjoon! Please, g-go faster!"

Namjoons kisses my forehead then starts thrusting into me so fast my head repeatedly hits the couch armrest. I don't care about the headache I may get from the constant bumping because I'll be cumming within minutes at this rate. I'm screaming out his name over and over again and ripping at his back with my nails.

Namjoon, the sweet man he always is, even during rough sex like this, picks my head up by the back of my neck until my face is buried in his shoulder. Keeping my head from hitting the couch. This just makes me hold onto him tighter and clench around his harder, him stretching my walls perfectly. I hear Namjoon grunt, and I know he's close when his thrusts begin to go slower but more profound.

"Daisy, I'm-..."

"Me too! Oh god, Namjoon!"

We both cum simultaneously, and even though this is the shortest part, it's also my favorite. Cumming together is so beautiful; every time we do it, a lone tear escapes my eye. And my eyes don't exclude today. Namjoon holds me against him so tightly that I'm surprised I'm not somehow a part of him. Although his dick pulsing inside of me would say different. I, on the other hand, am holding on to Namjoon with my arms and legs still wrapped around him. Like I'm almost being lifted in the air, but I know that's just my euphoric state getting to me.

When Namjoon and I are off our combining highs, I slowly let myself detach my arms and legs from him while he takes himself out of me. Namjoon doesn't go very far, though, because then he presses our foreheads together and kisses my nose while he tells me, "I love you so much, Daisy. Never forget that because this love will never go away."

Another tear escapes from my eye, but I let it streak down my face. I don't know how I ever gained such luck to have a person like Namjoon tell me he loves me, but I always tell him in return, "I'll never let you go again. I love you too damn much to ever be stupid like that again."

Namjoon chuckles at the memory I just brought up, and he kisses my lips in response to my repeated confession.

This right here, the love we share for each other, is why I'm okay with my daily struggles and insecurities. I'll probably always feel less than Namjoon, but that's only because he loves me so much and not because he degraded me in any way. It's because I love him so much, and my feelings are because of that fact.

This man right here, this beautiful, blue-haired man above me, is the reason I wake up every day. I wake up every day with the brightest smile. Even if I know it's going to be a day hard for minse to push through, I still smile because I know I'll be waking up next to him.

Namjoon makes the struggles worth it, and I'll try my best every day to make sure he knows how much he means to me. He's my whole heart, so I have a lot of love to show and give him. -

-

-

Ch.27

[jmvore]

Jokes on You ➻ Prologue

» RATING › 18+ [M I N O R S D O N O T I N T E R A C T] » GENRE(S) › smut, angst, fluff » AU › infidelity, polyamorous, married!au » PAIRING(S) › jimin x reader, yoongi x reader, & jungkook x reader » WORD(S) › 700(w) » SYNOPSIS › It was supposed to be your annual Christmas date that you have every year. A chance to talk and to try to get an understanding of where you are within your arranged marriage but... He didn't show, leaving you sitting in the middle of a crowded restaurant and embarrassed about being stood up by your spouse. It’s okay though at least you have three other men who want to spend time with you. » WARNING(S) › no warning(s) to account for aside from your husband being an absolute shit-head. » SMUT WARNING(S) › none here. will put on each chapter. » ORIGINAL POST DATE › 12/26/2001 » RE-POSTED DATE › 9/9/23 » A/N › Thank you @/saradika for the divider(s)! they’re so cute. Anyway thanks for reading lovelies.

[11:23pm] dickhead: I won’t be able to make it, baby but I’ll make it up to you. I promise. I’m so sorry.

You’ve been staring at his text message for damn near an hour in utter disbelief. What pisses you off more is the fact that he waited until he knew you would be there to tell you. You would have been fine. There are other places you could have been spending your time. Other (deserving) people you could be spending your time on.

However, leaving you here with nothing to go on but this text message he sent an hour ago?

Frustrated doesn’t even begin to describe your mood. You’re trying your hardest not to break your phone or make a scene because what the hell? If this was any other type of dinner, you wouldn’t have cared.

But…

It’s Christmas Eve (soon to be Christmas) and it was his idea to spend the night celebrating. He was the one who made the reservation for the night. He was the one who said he had planned a night in the town. He was the one who told you to wear that red bodycon dress that shows off your assets and makes you look and feel pretty.

And it was him who had you sitting in this fancy-ass restaurant waiting like a damn fool.

You reached out to him to try and figure out where the hell he was but he didn’t even have the decency to call or text you back. It’s only when you leave him a shrew of messages cursing him out is when he shoots back with that half-ass apology.

No explanation as to where he is.

No care in the world of how him leaving you here made you feel.

Sometimes you wonder why you let your parents marry you off to him in the first place. You knew it was for their benefit. Something about their business being in debt and you being the one to (hopefully) bring their business back from the dead through this union. You weren’t truly paying attention. In the end, it didn’t matter because soon after you said your vows they went bankrupt, forcing them to give up everything they worked decades for. You never forgave them for forcing your hand. Especially after you learned the reasoning behind the marriage.

You were their wild child. Their problem child. They hoped you being married would force you to settle down. To give them the grandchildren they desired seeing as their only other child, your sister Eun-ji, had cut all ties (and now you see why honestly).

After a while, you found yourself distancing them from you and your life until you got to a point where you only talked to them every once in a blue moon. Which, wasn’t often. Maybe once every two or three months.

As for your husband… Over time you grew to tolerate his presence within the confines of your house. You could even say you grew to like him but you never loved him.

Not the way he used to love you.

And now, this whole sham of a marriage has been nothing but disappointment after disappointment. That feeling of ’like’ you had slowly dwindled into disdain and in return, you gave up. You're not as upset as you should be but it doesn't matter. You hoped that he would slowly realize how irrelevant he is because you realized it very early on. Honestly, you’re ready to take that next step to leave this burden of a marriage. It not benefiting you anyway.

The first step, however, is getting the hell out of here.

You stand to leave. Brain on overdrive because you want to leave this establishment as soon as possible. You flag down a waiter as another waitress makes her way toward you with what looks like a bouquet of lilies. She mentions he had them reserved for you before bowing and apologizing. You’re getting more pissed off as the time ticks by and the more you look at the flowers, the angrier you become.

All you want to do is go home.

You pay what little bill you had before bowing and apologizing. You hoped the walk to the valet outside wouldn’t be that terrible but, of course, nothing ever goes to plan. 

You turn to leave and immediately smack right into a waiter holding a tray of drinks. The tray crashes to the floor as the vase of lilies falls and crashing to the ground causing it to shatter. She apologizes profusely, trying to wipe off the remnants but it’s a little too late. Your favorite dress is ruined and you’re already growing sticky. It’s uncomfortable and it makes you feel repulsed. You know it’s not her fault, rerouting your anger to your soon-to-be ex-husband. You tell her it’s fine when she offers to get you another vase for the flowers but you refuse. You didn’t even want them in the first place.

Finally outside, you wrap your coat tighter around your body as the valet brings your car around. You thank the man and give him a small tip before settling, you let your tears of frustration fall. Embarrassing doesn’t even begin to describe how you feel. From being stood up to having drinks dumped on you (not intentionally of course), you wondered how could this night get any worse.

Glancing at the clock you realize it’s almost thirty minutes away from being Christmas and you’re about to spend it alone. Although, you don’t want to go home. You don’t want to see his face and you for sure, don’t want to be in the same house with him. You much rather spend it with someone you know who wants to spend it with you.

You groan, tossing the present (you wish you hadn’t had) for him to the back seat. You don’t want to look at it anymore, a reminder of a horrible night.

“I should call him…” You grumble and scroll through your contacts until you see the person you’re looking for. You dial his number and he picks up on the third ring. Excited that you had time to call. You shouldn’t be this thrilled to talk to another man that’s not your husband but… the would have mattered if this marriage was a complete farce.

“Hey…” You sigh in relief, knowing the night is going to be just fine and he leaves you in a much happier mood after the shit show you’ve just endured

You can skip chapters to who you want to read!💖

Prologue

Choice 01⇢ Yoongi ⇢ Bittersweet  ⇢  6k+

Choice 02 ⇢ Jungkook ⇢ You Make Me Better  ⇢ 5.6k+

Choice 03 ⇢ Jimin ⇢ You & Me ⇢ TBA

Epilogue

[ashbrat488]

Foul Play - Henry Cavill Fanfic - Complete

Rugby AU Enemies to lovers Word Count: 41,847

Trigger Warning: Assault/R@pe (I'll put another trigger warning on that chapter) Drug Use. Violence.

Millicent "Milly" Bailey loses her mother just before her high school graduation and decides to move to England with her newly found father, Darren, she didn't know about until she turned 16. Now she's an American from a small town in Iowa, thrown into a new country and a new culture at one of the most prestigious colleges in the world. She's quiet and mostly likes to keep to herself until she catches the eye of a handsome rugby player, Henry Cavill.

Henry thinks it's funny to tease Milly, bullying her with the help of his friends. That is until his last year of school where he really needs to buckle down and obtain the proper grades if he wants to be scouted for the England Rugby Team. Neither of them are happy when the dean, Milly's father, puts them together in their last year for Milly to help him graduate. Can they learn to see eye to eye and get along or will everything fall apart before graduation?

Started: June 15, 2023 Finished: September 27, 2023

Wattpad link here

Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Epilogue

[whimsicallyenchantedrose]

Christmas Reruns 2024–Day 15: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Merry Christmas if you celebrate it and happy holidays if you don’t!  One of the things I love about Christmas is watching reruns of all the old classic Christmas movies–Christmas is a big time for nostalgia.  A few years ago, I decided to incorporate that tradition into my fandom life and post my CS holiday reruns.  So here you go!  Enough holiday (mostly) fluff to get you to New Year’s Day. (With a new story posting on Christmas Day.)

Word Count: 5072

Other chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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Notes: This story was written for CSSS in 2019. It should hopefully be obvious from the story itself, but this is a canon divergence from 3x20.  It’s been a minute, so a quick reminder of what was going on in our favorites’ lives at this point in the story: Zelena cursed Hook’s lips so that the next time he kissed Emma, she’d lose her magic.  She threatened to kill Emma’s family, starting with Henry, if Hook told Emma about the curse.  Hook then decided to send Henry to New York where he’d (hopefully) be safe, but before that could happen, Zelena’s monkeys attacked.  With the help of Emma and the Charmings, Hook was able to defeat the monkeys, but not before Zelena showed up, told everyone about the curse and promised to kill Henry.  Emma and the Charmings are furious at Hook for keeping the curse secret.  This story takes place in the following episode just after Hook and Emma head to the farmhouse to confront Zelena.  Divergences for this story: 1. Snow hasn’t yet gone into labor. 2. Zelena and Rumple aren’t waiting for CS at the farmhouse.  3. It’s Christmas Eve. 4. Blizzard.

–Without further ado:

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Emma stomped into the farmhouse, ripping off her thoroughly snow-covered beanie and scarf and tossing them to the floor.  Of course she was trapped in the freaking Wicked Witch of the West’s creepy farmhouse–with Hook–on Christmas Eve–because of course she was!  That’s the way her life worked anymore.  Why’d she ever let Hook talk her into taking that memory potion in New York?  Her life was good there.  No monsters.  No over-the-top fairy tale villains.  No magic.  Just her and her son living their lives and being a normal family.

Granted, none of it had been real, she’d almost gotten engaged to a flying monkey and a part of her, even during the best moments in New York, felt like there was something missing, but that was beside the point!  She and Henry had been happy.  Was it really such a terrible thing to want to be happy?

Why the hell did Hook have to show up and destroy it all?

“We’re in luck, love,” the man himself called out cheerfully as he stepped inside and then, with some difficulty, closed the door against the bitter, howling wind.  “Zelena may be wicked, but at least she’s practical.  She left a nice, neat pile of firewood on the far side of the house.  Perhaps being stuck in a blizzard is’t the ideal way to spend Christmas Eve, but at least we’ll be quite comfortable.”

She rounded on him, wanting nothing more to wipe the smile from his face with a swift right hook.  “Not ideal?  Not ideal?!  Hook, my son, my parents, my baby brother or sister and the whole town are in danger from a crazy witch who wants to go back in time and wipe out my entire family line.  I think we’re a long way past not ideal.”

The smile slid from Hook’s face.  “It was not my intention to be flippant, Swan, but we must deal with the situation at hand.  You will be of no use to your lad or the rest of the town if you freeze to death, and at least we have the means to prevent that.”

“But Henry–”

“Will be fine,” Hook reassured, striding across the room until he could place reassuring hand and hook on her shoulders.  “He’s with Regina, and even at the height of her villainy, she loved Henry.  Protecting him will be her number one priority.”

Loathe as she was to admit it, Hook was right.  After the whole debacle yesterday–the storybook bringing back Henry’s memories, Zelena showing up and exposing Hook’s whole kiss curse situation, Zelena promising to kill Henry, Henry and Regina breaking the curse with True Love’s Kiss, the revelation of how the curse was cast in the first place (she still couldn’t believe her mother had actually crushed her father’s heart to cast it!)–Regina’s first act was to place a number of complex protection spells over Henry and every location he frequented.  Henry would likely suffer no lasting damage.

But Emma hadn’t wanted to take any chances. With Regina protecting Henry, and with Emma’s brother or sister still showing no signs of coming out to greet the world, Emma decided she was done playing defense. It was high time she take the fight to the Wicked Witch.  It was time to end this.  So armed with her magic and her faithful pirate, Emma had stormed out in the direction of Zelena’s farmhouse.

Stormed, it seemed, being the key word.  It began snowing just before she and Hook left her parent’s loft, and by the time they reached Zelena’s place, they were dealing with a full on blizzard.

Really, being home was the least Zelena could do given the fact Emma was giving up Christmas Eve with her son to kick her ass, but no.  She couldn’t even give them that.  There was no telling where Zelena and her Dark One puppet had gone, but it was clear they were not at home.

Emma hoped the witch froze solid in the blizzard.

Killian busied himself arranging the logs in the fireplace and then tried–without success–to start a blaze with the lighter he’d found lying upon the mantle.  Emma watched him struggle for a while, before growling, pushing him aside and calling on her reserves of anger and frustration to produce a fireball that soon had the fire blazing merrily.

“Bloody brilliant, love,” Killian murmured in obvious awe.  Despite herself, Emma felt her confidence soar in the wake of Hook’s constant, never-wavering faith in her.  

“You know Swan, it could be worse,” Hook said with a wicked grin.  “At least you’re trapped with a dashing rapscallion like meself.  There are any number of ways we could find to amuse ourselves that I can promise would be very enjoyable for both of us.”

When he waggled his eyebrows in that ridiculously over-the-top way of his, she lost it.

“Are you freaking kidding me right now?” she nearly shouted.  “We’re stuck here, my family’s in danger, a psycho witch and her equally psycho Dark One sidekick are still on the loose and all you can do is flirt!”

Growling, she turned to the fireplace, and tossed another fireball at the kindled wood for good measure, furious beyond belief at Hook, at Zelena, at the situation and, if she was being totally honest, at herself for the secret thrill that went through her every time he made outrageous or suggestive comments to her while giving her that look.  There was nothing between them!  There never would be.  She wouldn’t let it.

The farmhouse was silent for several moments, save for the crackling of the fire, and Emma eventually turned back toward Hook.  The look he gave her was a little too knowing, a little too understanding.  When he’d come for her in New York, he’d told her he knew her better than she knew herself, and though she hated to admit it, it was true.  It was a little unnerving how very well he understood her.

“Swan, what is this really about?” he asked simply.  

Emma growled.  “What do you mean, ‘What’s this really about?’  Did you forget about a certain green bitch with an insane grudge against her sister?”

“Of course not,” Hook said patiently, “but despite being snowed in, we are in no worse straights than we were yesterday.  You heard it yourself from your mother when you used your talking phone to let her know of our whereabouts.  Your family is fine, and Zelena hasn’t been seen since our confrontation in the boat house.  I reiterate.  What’s this really about?”

Emma glared at him for a long moment, before she finally sighed and dropped rather dramatically onto one of the ornate armchairs before the fire.  “It’s just…it’s just Christmas is Henry’s favorite time of year.  That kid loves Christmas.  Every year back in New York–and then in Boston before that–Christmas Eve was special.  We made a tradition out of it.  We’d sit before the tree drinking cocoa, reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’, singing our favorite carols.  Sometimes he even managed to talk me into letting him open a present or two.  It was the one night I never, under any circumstances, accepted a case or worked on one I had ongoing.�� Christmas was for us.”

Emma felt the tears threatening at the back of her throat and she swallowed roughly, doing everything she knew to keep them from spilling over.  “And now, here I am on Christmas Eve, separated from him.  The kid’s going to be crushed.”

“Love,” Hook said gently, “the lad has a kind heart and a good head on his shoulders.  He understands the circumstances are beyond your control.  He knows how much spending this night together means to you, and he knows you’d never willingly miss spending it with him.”

“You know what the worst part of it is?” Emma asked bitterly. “The worst part of it is, as you’ve pointed out to me multiple times, none of it was real.  It didn’t happen.  It was nothing but the pleasant fake memories Regina gave us.”

Killian took ahold of her hand, and in a move that shocked even her, she let him.  “This past year, the lost year, was real.  Trust me love, Henry understands why you weren’t with him during the first ten years of his life.  He knows you didn’t abandon him.  He knows you did what you had to do to give him a good life.”

“Maybe,” Emma said, a lone tear breaking free and flowing down her cheek despite herself.

“Definitely,” Killian said with conviction

The lights flickered once and then went off completely, pitching the farmhouse into darkness, save for the flickering light from the fire.  Despite it being merely late-afternoon, the storm outside seems to have eclipsed the sun entirely.

“Fabulous,” Emma said with a groan.  “As if being stuck in a witch’s farmhouse on Christmas Eve wasn’t bad enough, now we’ll probably freeze to death without the heat.”

“I rather doubt that, Darling” Hook said with a flirtatious quirk of his eyebrow.  He slid his tongue along his bottom lip in a way that had Emma’s pulse racing, before invading her space and whispering the last bit.  “I’m sure we can come up with a way to keep warm.”

Emma leaned into him, actually leaned into him for a moment, before shaking herself out of it and taking a deliberate step back.

“Stop, Hook, just…stop!” she said through gritted teeth.  “This whole thing is your fault!  All of it!  We were happy  in New York, and you had to barge in and destroy it for us.  Then we get back here, and you manage to get yourself cursed–joke’s on Zelena by the way.  If she was smart, she’d have chosen to enchant the lips of someone I’d actually kiss.  Then you decide to take matters into your own hand instead of telling me about the threat to my son.  Hell, this is probably part of the plan too, isn’t it?  Get me alone, stranded in a blizzard and then try to seduce me.”

She’d hurt him.  She saw that clearly in his face for the space of two heartbeats, and then that hurt coalesced into anger.  “Despite what you may think of me, Swan, I’ve not yet developed an ability to control the weather.

Without another word, he stomped to the door.

“Where are you going?” she yelled after him, fire still flashing in her eyes.

“To gather more firewood,” he answered, voice hard.

And with a fierce slam of the door, he was gone.

For long moments after the door slammed after Hook, Emma continued to seethe.  Why was her life the way it was?  Why couldn’t she just be normal?  Why couldn’t she go back to her pleasant, comfortable life in New York with her son?  When she told people she was going back after this whole Zelena situation was over, why did they all look at her like she had just stated her plan to kick puppies?  This was her life, and she could live it as she pleased!  It was her prerogative to do what she felt was necessary to protect her son.  Where did Hook get off trying to convince her to stay with her family–and with him?

It’s not like she’d never see her loved ones again.  They’d still visit, and her family was welcome to come visit them.  But she was done.  She was done being the “savior”, done going after psychotic fairy tale villains, done being everything to everybody.  And most especially, she was done dealing with a pirate who made her heart race in a way she couldn’t control.

She’d done the whole “falling in love” thing before, and she had no intention of doing it again.

But as the minutes continued ticking past, Emma’s anger began to fade, and concern took its place.  Hook had been gone a long time; way too long to just gather up firewood.  What if….what if she’d finally driven him away?  What if he’d actually left her this time?  

A sick feeling took up residence in the pit of her stomach at the thought.  She wanted to tell herself she didn’t care; that she was glad he had finally stopped pestering her, but she couldn’t lie to herself anymore.  Hook had become much more than an ally to the heroes’ cause.  He’d become a friend, quite possibly the best friend she had.  He was her confidant, her support.  His endless faith in her gave her confidence when she no longer had faith in herself.  And the fact that he was so drop dead gorgeous and romantic that her insides turned to mush whenever he looked at her couldn’t be denied, at least not in the deep recesses of her heart where the truth resided.

Truth was, he’d been everything she needed during this whole stupid Wicked Witch business.  Despite what she might have said to him, she knew he pushed her not to further his own romantic interests but because he genuinely wanted her to find happiness.

And what did she do?  Time and time again, she pushed him away.  Time and time again she reforged the wall around her heart, trying to drive him away with cruel, cutting words.

Had she actually succeeded this time?  Was he ready to give up on her like everyone else had?  Gods, how was she going to handle it if he had?  Through everything, he’d been a constant in her life.  Why did she always do this?  Why did she always push away the people in her life that meant the most?

A small kernel of hope still lived inside her, reassuring her that he’d never abandoned her before, he wasn’t going to start now.

But that thought brought with it an entirely new concern.  What if something happened to him?  What if he was lost, freezing to death in the blizzard?  What if Zelena was lying in wait for him?  What if…?

As the minutes continued to pass, increasingly more fantastical worries about what may have happened to him took up residence in her mind until Emma feared she’d go crazy with the worry.  She was just on the point of going after him, when suddenly the door swung open, the furious blizzard winds blowing in both Killian and a fair amount of snow.

Without a word, Killian deposited an arm full of firewood beside the fire and then stepped outside to grab one more thing, before firmly closing the door again and shaking his head and shoulders like a wet dog.

The relief that suddenly flooded Emma was so strong that she couldn’t help herself.  She threw herself in his arms and buried her nose in his icy cold neck.  He was here; he’d come back to her.  He was okay.

For a moment, Killian stood still, but then his hooked arm came around her, and he hugged her to himself as tightly as she clung to him.  “Swan?” he asked.

Emma stepped back, wiping at her suddenly damp eyes.  “I’m sorry, okay?” she said, voice wavering with the emotion still at the back of his throat.  “I thought you’d left, and I get it.  The stuff I said to you–it was over the line and I’m sorry.”

Killian took a quick step back, unmistakable hurt back in his eyes.  “You thought I’d left?  Emma, haven’t I proven to you by now that I’d never leave you?”

“I know!” she was quick to reassure.  “It was stupid okay?  I just–I don’t know; I got scared, and when I get scared–” she shrugged.  “Wounds from the past tend to linger.”

His face softened.  “Well they needn’t with me,” he said gently. “I’m not so easily driven away.”

She smiled at him, a small, tenuous thing, but then the item in his hand caught her eye.  “Is that a pine tree?”

Killian smiled again.  “It’s not much, I’m afraid, but it was the best I could find in this tempest.”

“You got us a Christmas tree?”

Killian suddenly turned away, scratching at the back of his ear.  “I thought about what you said, Swan, about the traditions you are missing with your lad today.  I know it’s not the same as spending the day with him, but I thought–” he shrugged self-consciously, “I thought perhaps it would make your holiday marginally less bleak if we recreated some of your favorite traditions ourselves.”

For the second time that evening, Emma threw her arms around Killian.  “That’s one of the most thoughtful things anyone’s ever done for me.”

“I aim to please.”

******

Two hours later, Emma and Killian sat with each other before the fire, steaming mugs of instant hot cocoa in hand.  Emma smiled, looking over at the tree that they’d managed to decorate with bits and baubles they’d found scavenging through Zelena’s house (and leaving quite a mess in their wake, which felt rather satisfying).  Phase one of “Operation Christmas Cheer”, as Emma decided to call it in honor of Henry, complete, they’d turned their pillaging to the kitchen, managing to put together a haphazard meal of bread and cheese that Killian had toasted over the fire.  It was Emma who found the box of instant cocoa mix in Zelena’s cupboard, and, resourceful as always, Killian had heated it over the fire in a small saucepan.

Meal prepared, they’d raided every bedroom and closet, bringing all the pillows, blankets, comforters and afghans they could find and arranging a nest for themselves before the fire.

“I’m afraid we’ll need to bed down for the night here before the fire, Swan,” Killian said, once again scratching at his neck.  “With the storm still raging fiercely, we’d freeze in any of the bedrooms.”

Truth be told, Emma thought, as she bit into her grilled cheese sandwich, though she missed being with Henry, this Christmas Eve wasn’t turning out half bad.  

They ate in companionable silence, and when the last crumb had been consumed, Killian turned toward her with a smile.  “Are you ready for your story, Swan?”

“Story?” She asked.

“Of course,” he answered.  “That was an integral part of your Christmas Eve tradition, was it not?  Reading with your lad?”

Emma smiled.  “It was, but don’t worry about it.  It would be too much to ask that the Wicked Witch would keep any Christmas books around.”

“No matter,” Killian said, settling more comfortably onto his side of their blanket nest.  “I’ve no need of a book.”

“Oh really?” she grinned.  “How are you going to manage to read me a story with no book?”

“I’ve all I need up here, love,” he said, pointing to his head.  “Sit back and prepare to be transported into the holiday spirit.  ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house…”

Emma’s jaw dropped.  “Wait, you know ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’?”

Killian gave her a mock offended look.  “I do read, Swan.  Quite extensively in fact.”

Emma smiled, laying upon her pillow and pulling a comforter up to cover her.  “Well, by all means, then, continue.”

As Killian’s voice droned on, reciting the story of a man awakened by the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve night, Emma felt her eyelids become heavy, and before she knew it, she was drifting off to sleep, not visions of sugar plums, but visions of a thoughtful pirate that she just might be starting to fall for, dancing in her head.

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

Christmas morning dawned clear and bright, the blizzard finally at an end.  Emma woke to bright sunshine streaming through the front window.  For a moment, she was disoriented, wondering where she was and how she’d gotten there, but then the previous day rushed back to her.  Going after Zelena, the blizzard, being trapped in the farmhouse, taking out her frustration on Hook, being afraid Hook had left her, being overjoyed when he returned, his thoughtful Christmassy gestures.

Still thinking of Hook, Emma gradually became aware that she was quite warm and comfortable–and that was all thanks to the man who was currently spooning her, his strong arms holding her close.  They’d gone to sleep with a respectable amount of space between them; how did they wind up in each other’s arms?

For a moment, Emma wanted to run.  This was too close, too intimate, too–much.

But the more Emma thought about it, the more she realized she didn’t want to run, not anymore, not from this man.  He’d been proving himself to her over and over again since Neverland.  In the past few weeks alone, he’d been her rock as all this Wicked Witch crap had been going down.  He’d found her in New York–somehow; she was still fuzzy on the details–restored her memories, brought her back to her family, contributed an excellent strategic mind to planning sessions, been one of the best listening ears she’d ever had.

And then the harder to swallow stuff.  In these early morning moments, she could admit to herself that though some of the things he said to her were uncomfortable, they were uncomfortable truths.  Walsh’s presence in her life proved that she couldn’t get away from the fairytale crap, not really.  The fact that Henry had his memories back meant she couldn’t take him back to New York, at least not without a hell of a fight–with him, with Regina, with her parents, with everyone. He’d spoken the truth to her about all of it, even at the risk of her turning on him completely.  It was the mark of someone who truly, genuinely cared.

And all the while, she’d treated him like something nasty she’d stepped in.  She’d pushed, and pushed and pushed, but he’d stayed by her side.  He’d been so patient with her, he really ought to qualify for sainthood.

It was Christmas, the time to be with the ones you loved.  The time to tell them what they truly meant to you.  

She turned over in his arms and ran a hand over his stubbly cheek.  Still caught up in sleep, he mumbled “Swan” on a fond sigh, before opening his eyes–and then jumping to his feet faster than any person she’d ever seen.

“Swan!” he said, face flaming.  “My apologies love.  Not that I didn’t enjoy waking up with you in my arms, but I had no intention of taking advantage.”

Emma smiled, rolling her eyes fondly.  “Sit back down, you Victorian drama queen.  You didn’t take advantage.  Somehow we just–ended up like that over night.  Besides; I kind of liked it.  You’re warm.”

Killian did as she asked, sitting cross legged beside her as she sat up to mirror him.  “Just warm, love?  I’ve it on good authority that I’m hot.”

Emma laughed, playfully swatting his arm.  “Do you ever run out of these cheesy lines?”

“Haven’t yet in my three hundred years of existence.”

They laughed together for a moment, but then Emma turned serious, remnants of her musings of the morning still very much in mind.  “Hook, I think we need to talk.”

The smile slid from his face.  “As stated in Neverland, love, I find when a woman says that, I’m rarely in for a pleasant conversation.”

“You might be surprised this time.”

“Aye?” he asked, brow raising in interest. 

“I just–” she started, not sure how to even go about untangling all of the thoughts twisted up in her head.  “I get it; I get why you didn’t tell me about the lips curse thing.  I get that you were trying to protect Henry the best way you were able in an impossible situation.  I’m sorry I jumped down your throat about it.”

“You were concerned for your lad,” Killian said.  “I quite understand being angry at finding someone was keeping something about his welfare from you.”

“It’s not that,” Emma said, “or at least not just that.  Hook, I trust you; I really do.  I know you wouldn’t deliberately hurt Henry.  It’s just–hearing what Zelena threatened and what she did to you, it just brought it home again that I’m not enough.  Even with the whole savior thing, I can’t do a damn thing to help my family.  Zelena knows if she takes my magic, I’m useless.”

Killian straightened, frowning ferociously down at her.  “I cannot abide that kind of talk about the woman I–well, the woman I care for, particularly when it is blatantly false.  Emma, you are enough.  You’re more than enough, and it’s because she knows it that Zelena is going after you.  She said something similar to me.  She told me that she wants me to take away your magic, the thing that makes you special, but she was wrong as well.  Your magic isn’t what makes you special.  There’s not a bit of you that isn’t extraordinary.  Swan your determination, your goodness in the face of a difficult childhood, your strength and courage.  All of it make you who you are.  All of it convinces me without a doubt that even without your magic, you could defeat Zelena.”

Emma felt like a ball of warmth surrounded her, suffused her at his words.  She loved him.  She’d never admitted it to herself before, but nonetheless it was true.  She loved him, and she was done hiding behind her walls.

And she was certainly done letting villains try to determine her love life.

“Killian, can I ask you a question?” she asked.

“Anything, love.”

“Back in New York, when you first came to my apartment.  That was True Love’s Kiss you tried, wasn’t it?”

There was the scratching at his neck again.  “Aye.  I knew it was a long shot, but I had to try.”

“So you…you love me?”

His eyes widened.  “Swan, if you haven’t realized that by now, I don’t know what to tell  you.”

“No I mean, you truly love me, like curse-breaking true love?”

“For my part, aye,” he said, looking directly in her eyes.  “There’s no doubt in my mind, but for True Love to break a curse, it must be reciprocated.  New York proved that it is not, as is your prerogative, of course.”

Emma was silent for a moment, gathering her courage.  Finally she met his eyes.  “True Love’s Kiss also doesn’t work when one party doesn’t remember the other.”

He stared at her incredulously for a long moment. “Are you saying you think we share True Love?” he began, apparently unable to finish the sentence.

Emma shrugged.  “I mean, I don’t know. How could I?  But–I’m willing to test it out.  Are you?”

He swallowed hard.  “Gods know how badly I wish to kiss you, Swan, but are you sure?  Your magic is part of who you are.  I cannot be the reason you lose it.”

“You won’t,” Emma said, scooting forward and invading his space.  “I think this will work, but even if it doesn’t I know that there’s nothing our family can’t accomplish.  With or without my magic, Greeny doesn’t stand a chance.  So what do you say?  Are you willing to take a leap of faith?”

In answer, Killian leaned forward covering her lips with his own.  Emma sighed into the kiss, everything about it felt right.  Come what may, she was not denying herself this pleasure again.

Emma had just tilted her head to deepen the kiss, when suddenly a shockwave burst forth from their joined lips and suffused the entire farmhouse.  She pulled away.  “Hook–was that–?”

His face a mask of awe, Killian answered.  “I think so.  Give it a try, my love.”

Emma concentrated her emotions, directing them toward the place within her where her magic had always been.  Continuing to focus, she waved her hand, and suddenly a fireball shot forth, reigniting the fire that had burnt down to mere embers.

“True Love,” she said in shock.  “It’s true love.”

“Aye that it is,” Killian said, moving toward her once again.  “The question is, what are we going to do about it?”

“Well, for starters, this,” Emma said, surging forward with enough vigor to knock him to the floor.  Emma took his mouth with the kind of wild abandon she’d never even imagined displaying.  He gave back as good as he got, his hand tangling in her hair and his hooked arm molding her to himself.  

Emma’s hand had just moved to unclasp his vest when suddenly the farmhouse door opened and Leroy burst through, walkie talkie in hand.  “Relax your majesties,” he said.  “I found ‘em.  They’re at the farmhouse sucking face like a couple horny teenagers.”

Emma sighed in frustration before getting to her feet and then offering Killian her hand.

“You know, Swan,” Killian said when he was back on his feet.  “I think someone needs to muzzle that dwarf.”

Emma giggled, as the sound of her father’s shocked “WHAT?!” on the other end of the walkie came through.

She shrugged.  “What can I say?  It wouldn’t be Christmas without a little family drama.”

“True enough, love.  Shall we adjourn to your parents’ loft and face the music together?”

“Absolutely,” Emma answered, taking his hand and lacing his fingers with hers.  “Together is how I see us doing a lot of things in the future.”

NEXT CHAPTER->

[blackmoonlightexpress]

TTEOTM Master Post

Opinion/Explainer Articles

TTEOTM vs. the Industry: Or Why TTEOTM is much more than a TV show (link)

About the Mixed Responses in China and Why I Think TTEOTM Will Prevail in the End (link)

Clarification: There were never 58 episodes (link)

How TTEOTM made "clam town" famous (link)

Further Reading

Novel English translation: Happy Ending Chapters 127, 128, 129, 130, 131 (credits go to Micha101), Full Novel

Novel vs. TV: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (WIP!)

Screenplay: Cut Scenes from the Ending (link)

Worldview & timeline logic (link)

Easter Eggs: Part 1 (plot), Part 2 (production), Part 3 (costume)

Compilations

Viewership Data: TTEOTM is the most viewed non-dangai xianxia drama since Ashes of Love (link)

Costume Count: Luo Yunxi (41), Bai Lu (35), Chen Duling (16), Deng Wei (18), Other Main Characters, The Uncles

Fun Facts: Creative Team, Production (link)

Merchandise: Top 7 Officially Licensed Merch (link)

Promotional Materials: Videos (link), Poster: Main, Dunhuang, Three Lives, Character Portraits

Concept Art: Part 1, Part 2

OST with English subtitles (link)

Complete OST guide with timestamps (link)

Luo Yunxi's many talents (link)

News/Updates

TTEOTM nominated in the 2023 Seoul Drama Awards (link)

TTEOTM finally reached Top 1 TV programme in Singapore (link)

Goodbye message from Luo Yunxi (link)

Goodbye message from the screenwriter He Fang (link)

LuoYunxiActing is #1 trending topic in China (link)

Reddit Episode Discussion Threads

Hostage Prince Arc: 1-6, 7-8, 9-10

Dream Arc: 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17, 18

Jing Kingdom Arc: 19, 20, 21-22, 23, 24, 25-26, 27, 28, 29

Cultivation Arc: 30, 31-32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40

More on r/TilltheEndoftheMoon!

Shui Long Yin 水龙吟

The Official Announcement (link)

What do we know so far (link)

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday, July 17

OFFICER: That's some artillery you two were puttin' together. You with one of them girl gangs? FAITH: (sarcastically) Yeah. We're the Slayers. The officer laughs. Faith doesn't think it's funny. FAITH: (quietly to Buffy) You wanna get outta here? She slouches down in the seat. Buffy realizes what she intends. FAITH: (impatiently) We can't save the world in jail. Buffy slowly slouches down also. Faith raises her legs, and Buffy follows her lead.

~~Bad Girls~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Not So Fragile by badly_knitted (Buffy, Joyce, PG)

Weekly Drabbles #148 — Believer by veronyxk84 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Lies My Teachers Told Me by SouthSideStory (Buffy/Spike, M)

Restless by killerqueen1985 (Kendra, G)

as close to you as I can get by evesock (Buffy/Giles/Jenny, E)

From a Certain Point Of View... by Saranac (Buffy/Spike, Adult Only)

Every Step To That Dance by Miss Marisol (Buffy/Spike, R)

What the Drabble? Vol. 2 - Ch. 48 by VeroNyxK84 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Infinitely - Ch. 61 by Laragh (Willow/Tara, M)

The Engagement - Ch. 10 by ChecksAmali_23 (Buffy/Faith, E)

The Idol - Ch. 1 by TiffyB (Buffy/Faith, Buffy/Dawn, E)

Faith: Five Dollars, Same As In Town - Ch. 6 by Michaelt (Faith, T) COMPLETE!

Carpark fun - Ch. 2 by Rippertish (Giles/Faith, E)

Blame the candy - Ch. 3 by Rippertish (Buffy/Giles, M)

In Case You Haven't Noticed... - Ch. 26 by Sdhuskerfan (Buffy/Giles, E)

With Arms Wide Open - Ch. 35 by jaybird023 (Buffy/Giles, E)

something so lonesome about you - Ch. 3 by silvain (Jenny/Ethan, Giles/Ethan, M)

Close to Home - Ch. 3 by Sigyn (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Wedding Belles - Ch. 3 by buffy_loves_spike (Buffy/Spike, R)

Buffy Summers and the Major Case of the Wiggins - Ch. 3 by Soulburnt (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Watcher - Ch. 19 by In Mortal (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Love Lives Here by Passion4Spike (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Under the Influence - Ch. 9 by Hostile17-1996 (Buffy/Spike, R)

Love Can't Fix Us - Ch. 2 by calikocat (Xander-centered, Herbie the Love Bug and Teen Wolf xover, FR15)

Crave - Ch. 1 by NautiBitz (Buffy/Spike, Adult Only)

Blood and Fame - Ch. 4 by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, Adult Only)

Unicorn - Ch. 5 by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, R)

The Watcher - Ch. 19 by In Mortal (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Eyes Forward, Monster - Ch. 5 by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) COMPLETE!

Love Lives Here - Ch. 87 by Passion4Spike (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Shaping Trust - Ch. 5 by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, PG) COMPLETE!

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: [taking requests!!] illustrating memorable scenes from the show Buffy... by ibtravart (Buffy, Dawn, worksafe)

Artwork: Slayers - by tiredsai (Buffy, Faith, worksafe)

Lyrics: virginia woolf, the waves by dogmetaphors (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Lyrics: clementine von radics, the lion by dogmetaphors (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Gifset: Buffy the Vampire Slayer 2.22 | 5.14 | 6.06 by spikedaily (Buffy, Spike, Joyce, Dawn, worksafe)

Gifset: And it just takes so much strength. I don't have that much. -- Well, I've got so much strength, I'm giving it away. by ladyverdance (Buffy, Willow, worksafe)

Gifset: ALPHABETICAL FAVES ⟹ S is for… Spike by clarkgriffon (Spike, Buffy, worksafe)

Gifset: ANGEL THE SERIES | (2.15) & (3.02) by cangelgifs (Angel, Cordelia, worksafe)

Gifset: Ranking Buffy Summers' hair evolution (as voted by my followers) 2/11 by buffysummers (Buffy, worksafe)

Fanvid: did it to myself | the dark age + passion GILES AND JENNY TIME!!!!!!! by watchriverdale (Giles/Jenny)

[Reviews & Recaps]

3x11 Gingerbread is hilarious by classified12345

"Inca Mummy Girl" Gets a Bad Rep, But It Has Good Moments... by Randy_Giles1880

PODCAST: Episode 65: The Initiative by Gym Was Cancelled: A Buffy Podcast

[Recs & In Search Of]

ISO: Mother-Ad-3324 seeks help identifying Mystery Autographs

[Community Announcements]

summer_of_giles: Summer of Giles 2024 is now open

[Fandom Discussions]

... bianca lawson was brought onto buffy thinking... by tridentarius

If I had a nickel for every time a guy on Buffy metaphorically cheated on his girlfriend... by slayer-pride-parade

I'm never not thinking about drusilla. [also Buffy] by fallinginaforrest

[Meme] by emilylovesdean

... Faith Lehane is 90% (at least) a female Xander Harris by confusedguytoo

smg does not get enough credit for her comic timing. by comradesummers

POLL: Vampire Media Guys Round 20: Spike or Carlisle Cullen [from Twilight]? by vampirewrestlinglover

POLL: have you watched Buffy and/or Angel? [is it worth watching Angel?] by dancedance-resolution

POLL: who is THE STRAIGHTBAIT EVER? [barbie characters or] angel and cordelia chase by straightbaittournament

Question - Who really is Buffy's "best" friend? updated by multiple

Halloween Implications by Sarlax

Warren didn't need the trio. (Part 2 of the trio going solo) by drawandpaintbyfire

Souless Angel:BtVS2 vs An4 [calling him Angel vs Angelus] by Evening_Teaching_710

Should Xander have gotten powers or been apart of the Initiative after season 3? by melanieispunk

How can people be cool with an ensouled Spike wearing [his jacket] by SafiraAshai

Better Portrayal: SMG as Faith or Eliza as Buffy by D_B_4986

Tales of brave Ulysses [Giles playing this song in Forever] by Beans_0492

Favorite Non-Canon Ship by Past-Throat-6788

Loved this from Cordy… [Cordelia in Helpless] by DanTrueCrimeFan87

Scrubs' hospital in S02E03? by Smashman2004

I finished watching Buffy... [are the comics worth reading?] by cyruscrawler

Comics [should I read them?] by incantopatronus

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

James Marsters to Attend Huntington Comic & Toy Con 10-11 August 2024 [Huntington WV] via dontkillspike

Patrick Dempsey and Sarah Michelle Gellar Spotted Together On the Set of Dexter: Original Sin via DexterDaily

Juliet Landau Joins San Diego Comic-Con [schedule] via reddit user middleageyoda

Comic-Con 2024: Buffy: “Once More with Feeling” [screening] via reddit user Visual-Ad-2262ww

SMG to moderate the Dexter: Original Sin panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024! via DexterDaily

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

[maiawe]

Generation o n e : Isabelle Sanford

Index P A R T O N E : Moving to Del Sol Valley

Part TWO : Building a life together >>

Isabelle moves to Del Sol Valley to achieve all her professional dreams and start the life she wants. But her path crosses with Jasper's, and all her plans are quickly turned upside down.

• CHAPTER ONE : The end of an era, and the start of an another •  1. Isabelle is finally leaving Strangerville 2. Aria has some advices for her daughter 3. Saying goodbye is always the hardest part

• CHAPTER TWO : Meeting old and new people •  4. Isabelle just arrived to Del Sol Valley 5. Emma is so happy to finally have her bestfriend by her side

• CHAPTER THREE : Sometimes, all you need is your mom •  6. Isabelle was feeling a bit homesick and sad 7. The landlords were here to speak with Isa 8. Isa decided to go to the library in town

• CHAPTER FOUR : Let’s have a good night together •  9. Isa agreed to meet Em at her favorite nightclub 10. Maybe Em wasn’t complety honest with her bestfriend… 11. Jasper is trying to make a move on Isa

• CHAPTER FIVE : Let’s talk somewhere private •  12. Isa is getting to know Jasp 13. Isa really likes him

• CHAPTER SIX : Why not spend the night with you ? •  14. First night together

• CHAPTER SEVEN : Time to go home •  15. It’s now time to say goodbye

• CHAPTER EIGHT : Let’s focus a bit on work Isa •  16. The next days were a blur 17. Morning routine

• CHAPTER NINE : The first date •  18. Isa is meeting Jasp at the museum 19. Lovely time together 20. Neither of them want this to end • CHAPTER TEN : Make me yours tonight •  21. Isa & Jasp at Isa's place 22. Isa is grateful for that day

• CHAPTER ELEVEN : The morning after •  23. Jasper spent the night at Isa's place 24. Isa is a bit lost this morning 25. Em doesn't have the solution to her problem 26. Her day at work was actually really good

• CHAPTER TWELVE : Isa is overthinking •  27. Isa had a lot to think about 28. Jasper finally called her again

• CHAPTER THIRTEEN : Isabelle is back in Strangerville •  29. Isa has finally time to go back to Strangerville 30. Isa is frustrated with Aria 31. Isabelle has some hard time calming herself alone 32. Her whole family spent almost the all afternoon with her 33. Rose has some advices for her 34. Isabelle is ready to see Jasper a little more calmly • CHAPTER FOURTEEN : Isa has a lot on her mind •  35. Isabelle needs a serious chat with Jasper 36. Jasper is sneaking up his girl to his place 37. His father is not stupid • CHAPTER FIFTEEN : Emma is living her life by the fullest •  38. Emma is actually living her best life 39. Isa wants to know everything about her best friend's relationship 40. Emma is shooting her scenes 41. Emma is starting to make herself a name in this industry • CHAPTER SIXTEEN : The pool party •  42. The whole group is meeting to go to the pool party 43. The first real meeting between Isa and Naito 44. Emma is speaking to the man she likes 45. Isa is having a chat with Maya 46. Pool party in Del Sol 47. Lovers • CHAPTER SEVENTEEN : Isa is trying to readjust to her life •  48. Isa is finally back at her place 49. Jasper is actually thinking a lot about his relationship with Isa 50. Isa think it was his best idea 51. Isa is feeling even worse than usual

• CHAPTER EIGHTEEN : Everything is about to change •  52. Isa has an important announcement to make to Jasper 53. Jasper has the same opinion than her

[merge-conflict]

18, 74, 26 for the fic writer asks! 🖤

Questions here

18. Do you title your fics before, during, or after the writing process? How do you come up with titles?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

I usually retitle a fic or chapter at least once. I used to sit and agonize over the coolest title and just could NOT move on until I've done it, but now I just relax because I know I can update it. Generally what it's named in my Scrivener project is just some sort of placeholder or feeling. My usual vibe is "lyrics from a song which vibes" (yes. it is often the mountain goats... but not always! sometimes it's brown bird.) or "common phrase, but changed slightly" or "technical in-joke". Whatever I find most amusing.

Recently posted a fic called "done dying" which was originally titled "anthem for the already defeated" both of them from song titles (the first is actually "When I Was Done Dying"). I wrote all of the "the binds that tie" (playing with "the ties that bind") before settling on the title, but in my drafts it was always 'sudo chown -R vim:vim .' (now the chapter title). I like to have my cake and eat it too whenever possible. For stuff I can't come up with names for I've started titling them 'scrap: brief summary' or something I think is grandiose or funny so I can stop obsessing over it and start writing lol.

74. You’ve posted a fic anonymously. How would someone be able to guess that you’d written it?

Gosh. I've been thinking about this lately, and I do think I have a distinctive style but it's hard to describe because it's just.. the way I write? I know I have a problem repeating adjectives like 'just' 'some' 'only' a lot, so that's one give away. My habit of just smash-cutting into the middle of a scene without much setup is probably another. My habit of using repetitive sentence construction to hammer in a point. My habit of writing too much damn banter.

26. Which of your fics would you call your wildest ride?

Tbh the damn things overlap was created to be each damn thing overlapping the next, a huge mess, very little time to breathe (condensing the canon timeline down to about two weeks of Valentine going through main storyline stuff. ~a week of which is actually in the the fic!) I wanted to write a story where you feel relieved when characters get to sit down or take a nap, and I think I've succeeded thus far.

Honorable mention to when her edges soften, where Johnny and Valentine hit the town and each other. Straight from "I'm not gonna fuck you" to competitively tracking the number of orgasms they've both had in the past 3 hours while fucking in alleyways and cars. That might qualify as a sort of wild ride. :3

[4town4lyfe]

feelings at the cabin, chapter one - Escape 2 Solitude

so some clarifying things, this story is in imanis pov

my age 4 the band

jesse - 26

aaron z - 23

aaron t - 23

robaire - 22

imani - 22

tae young - 18

Aaron Z is referred to as 'Z'

Aaron T is referred to as 'Aaron'

dont wanna spoil so early but this is gonna turn into aaron t x imani x aaron z, kk?

also, this is set in modern times, the band concept is y2k and late 90s early 00s, so nothing changed about them except the time period

aaron t and imani r in an established relationship already, so i gotta do something to that lol

let me know if there r any mistakes or if u want me to either add something or take it out

ill only be writing on here cuz this is the only place i can find with active 4town lovrz lol

sorry if anything is out of character, i gotta do what i gotta do

enjoy reading :)

Every December, we go to the cabin to get away from the fame and prying eyes of the paparazzi and crazed fans, spend time with one another, and have a sense of peace.

As much as I love our fans, it gets overwhelming, and our trips each year give us some solace among one another.

This year was supposed to be like every year. But it wasn’t. Something was threatening to tear us apart, and I couldn’t help but feel it would be my fault. 

As we drive farther and farther away from the city, I can feel my heart pounding. Why do I feel so nervous? 

I turn my music up in my ears to drown out the worry I feel. I glance over at Aaron T, who is  already staring at me. Staring at me with a loving look, he places his hand on mine and pecks me on my cheek. 

He starts to tell me a joke, and I can’t help but to laugh. He was always so funny and kind. He still is, I’ll never not think that. As he nods off to sleep, I look at him, his freckles more apparent and his cute curly hair that is slightly messy. 

But I still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Something is wrong with me? But what? I.. I don’t know. Maybe it’s this bus, with all six of us in here, it’s a little cramped, maybe that’s it. 

I feel my stomach growl. Maybe I’m just hungry. Or tired. “Everything’s fine.” I tell myself as I admire my boyfriend as he snoozes away, snoring softly. My eyes wander around the bus. 

There’s Tae Young, making his little stuffed bunny dance to the music on the radio. He always takes Byeol on our trips, she’s like a comfort to him, I guess. Nothing wrong with that. 

Tae loves these trips, mainly because he can get away from his father. His father doesn’t deserve Tae Young as a son, he’s so sweet and kind, but all his father sees is the nail polish and the singing.

I don’t like his father, his mother either. They don’t like the idea of their son being a singer, but I’m so proud of him for continuing to pursue his dreams and follow his heart.

I glance at Jesse, his hair slightly blowing in the wind since he has his window down, before Robaire tells him to roll it up. I don’t know why Jesse likes the cold, it’s like he’s Elsa in disguise. 

Jesse is like the father of the group, mainly to Tae, but also me. Me and Robaire never had a father in our life, having walked out, not wanting his kids to be singers.

So, our mother tried to make us be anything but singers, neglecting the love and attention you need from your mother. 

Then the money came in once we got signed as 4*TOWN, then she was all with it. But she’s always treated me different then Robaire.

I zone out for a little bit, thinking about my childhood, when I feel someone tapping my knee, I look up and it’s Aaron Z, nodding his head toward Robaire, who is turned toward me. Wait, so is Jesse and Tae, why are they staring? 

I take off my headphones and put them down beside me. “What’s wrong?” I question, confused as to why everyone, except Aaron T of course since he’s such a heavy sleeper, is looking at me.

“I called you like four times!” Robaire says with a hint of annoyance to his voice. “What? You know I had my headphones on.” I say, I always tell people I can’t hear them with my headphones on, and they don’t seem to get it.

“Someones gotta go into grab snacks? You’re the designated one, you hit your head or something?” Robaire says as if it was obvious, gesturing to the gas station we stopped at. 

“I didn’t hit my head.’’ I say, I don’t know why he thinks I hit my head, if I did, I wouldn’t be talking. Would I? I didn’t even realize we stopped anyways. “What do you guys want?” I ask, hesitantly ripping out a sheet from my sketchbook.

I look out to get a closer look at the gas station, this is a different one than what we usually stop at. Why do we have to go to a new place? I don’t even know what they have here!

But I know they won’t just leave because I don't like it, so I get everyones requests down with a small frown, my day feeling a little worse than before. I pull on my disguise, just a hoodie, a toque, and sunglasses, and climb over Aaron Z to get out, he leans back a little so it’s easier.

I look down at my list as I walk into the gas station, the door automatically opening with a welcoming ding. I go down one by one, first is Aaron T, I already know what he wants so I didn’t have to wake him up, it’s a hassle to. 

I walk down the aisles, he usually gets the big bag of nacho Doritos, a Mountain Dew, and a bag of… I reach up to a shelf, got them, Dubble Bubble bubblegum, I always steal some of his, so I grab the biggest bag I can. I drop them in the basket. 

Next is Z. He’s a simple guy, salted plantains and a Coke. Hard to find plaintains, especially in a gas station, but I surprisingly find them. I drop them in my basket and think about what I want. Wait, gotta go through the list.

Next up is… I glance back down at my list. Tae. Haribo Berries, Hi-Chews, and a Minute Maid, pink lemonade flavor. He really likes fruit flavored things, I can’t judge, but I'm more of a chocolate girl. I place them in my basket and look down at my list, when I notice two women about my age, oddly close to me beginning to whisper. 

Great.

I walk out of that aisle as quick as I can, looking back down at my list. Next up is Jesse. He’s like an old man sometimes, all he wants is beef jerky, and a diet Pepsi. Not my taste, but again, I cant judge. I know Robaire is next, all he wants is a big bag of Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles, and a Coke.

Yay, my turn! I always get the same thing at gas stations, a Pepsi, a bag of chips I’m feeling in that moment, tonight will be… I scan the rows and rows of chips, before landing on a bag of Takis. Spice is nice. I grab them, before going back to the candy aisle to grab me a Hershey's chocolate bar. 

As I grab the chocolate bar and set my basket on the counter, I feel a finger tap me on my shoulder. I turn to see those two girls from earlier, but as I turn, their faces distort from excitement to disappointment.

“Can I help you?” I say, waiting for the seemingly dumbfounded girls to say something so I can leave and I can get away. 

One of the girls look at me with a weird expression, seemingly disgusted. The other girl speaks up. “Sorry, we thought you were Robaire.” She says, her voice seeming disappointed with a hint of frustration. 

I don’t see it when people say me and Robaire look alike, we only have similar eye color, but thats about it. I have two beauty marks, he has one, I have thinner eyebrows, and he has thicker.

“Where is he, anyways? He's here somewhere, don’t lie. We want to see Robaire, not you.” The other girl says, her voice coming off as stuck up and rude. The other girl jabs her arm into the mean girls shoulder, causing her to wince.

“Sasha, don't be rude!” She says as her face contorts into an angry one. “Oh, hush, Rebecca. You know we only like 4*TOWN for the guys, not her! Theyre called boy bands for a reason!” Sasha says, as if I'm not even here.

Just when I thought my night couldnt get any worse. I don't understand why they don’t like me, I didn’t even do anything to them…

I begin to zone out as the two argue. But then something snaps me out of my thoughts, just to put me down in another set of thoights.

“Aaron T should've broken up with you on your birthday!” Sasha yells out as the store owner shoos them out, quickly coming up to me to apologize, telling me that everything is on the house as he scans my items and bags them.

I start thinking about that day, how my anxiety got worse by just a little bit. Everything between me and Aaron started this year, August 4th, my 22nd birthday. It was a surprise party at our clubhouse, I got sent to pick up pizza, I though they had forgotten my birthday.

When I came back, I saw the Happy Birthday banner that made me momentarily happy, before I saw Aaron and our now former manager, Hailey, kissing.

Though now I should've known it wasn't consensual, seeing that Aaron had his eyes wide open in shock before gently but forcefully pushing her away, but in the moment, I couldn't tell if it was real or a nightmare.

I quickly dropped the pizza box on the coffee table before storming out, my shoes clacking, which alerted the guys, and also Aaron, who ran after me before being stopped by Robaire, asking what happened.

I felt a hand grabbing mine, it was Z. At ifrst, I couldn't talk at all, feeling too overwhelmed to do so, but as he engulfed me in his warm embrace, I began to calm down and explain what I saw. As I talked, he looked at me with an expression that made me feel something weird inside.

He was shocked and a little hurt to say the least, and was about to go get Aaron so he could get his side of the story, when i caught a glimpse of Aaron, watching me and Z hug with an unreadable expression. 

Aaron ran over and began to explain himself, although I can usually keep up with his sometimes fast talking, I couldnt this time and Z had to tell him to breath and slow down. They locked eyes for a second, and that weird feeling came back, though it felt a little different. I don't know why.

Why did I feel like that?

As Aaron explained and Hailey rudely told the truth, that she came on to him and not vice versa as he would never do such a thing in the first place, I still felt a pang in my chest. I felt hurt, even though Aaron would never hurt me, and it was just a misunderstanding.

Now it's December 1st, and me and Aaron are going great again, we got a new manager named Paul, he's radical. Although we should have fired Hailey right after that concert in Toronto with the crazy giant talking red panda women and the other talking red panda ladies, plus the smaller yet taller than me talking one, Meilin Lee was her name.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts by the cashier, and I feel embarrassed. I pay and quickly walk out. Why did she have to bring that up, why would she say that? My day is terrible and I just want to get to the cabin so I can cry in peace.

I go back to the van and hop in the backseat, before being instantly bombarded with questions like “What took you so long?’’ and “What's wrong?”

I quietly hand everyone their correct snacks, giving out a weak “I’m fine, I'm just tired.” and hoping they will get that I don't want to talk right now. I then notice that Aaron is awake, looking at me with a slightly concerned expression, and he holds my face and wipes away my tears.

Tears?

I didn't realize that I was crying.

“What happened?” he asks me, his voice soft as he looks at me with wide eyes and furrowed brows. I just lean into him, handing him the bag with his snacks. “I dont want to talk about it right now.’’ i say, hoping I'm not coming off as rude.

I seemingly don't, as he pecks my forehead and holds me close. I decide to spend the rest of this drive sleeping, not feeling hungry for my snacks now after everything that has happened.

I can hear the faint Michael Buble playing on the radio as I rest my head on Aaron’s chest and drift away to the world of wondrous sleep.

[sirswooshnoodles]

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

2 Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkein

3 Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte

4 Harry Potter series -7

5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee -1

6 The Bible

7 Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte

8 Nineteen Eighty Four – George Orwell

9 His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman

10 Great Expectations – Charles Dickens

11 Little Women – Louisa M Alcott

12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles – Thomas Hardy

13 Catch 22 – Joseph Heller

14 Complete Works of Shakespeare -4

15 Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier

16 The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien

17 Birdsong – Sebastian Faulks

18 Catcher in the Rye

19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffeneger

20 Middlemarch – George Eliot

21 Gone With The Wind – Margaret Mitchell

22 The Great Gatsby – F Scott Fitzgerald -1

23 Bleak House – Charles Dickens

24 War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy

25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams

26 Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh

27 Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky

28 Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck

29 Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll

30 The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame

31 Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy

32 David Copperfield – Charles Dickens

33 Chronicles of Narnia – CS Lewis -6

34 Emma – Jane Austen

35 Persuasion – Jane Austen

36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – CS Lewis -1

37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini -1

38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

39 Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden

40 Winnie the Pooh – AA Milne

41 Animal Farm – George Orwell

42 The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown

43 One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney – John Irving

45 The Woman in White – Wilkie Collins

46 Anne of Green Gables – LM Montgomery -1

47 Far From The Madding Crowd – Thomas Hardy

48 The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood

49 Lord of the Flies – William Golding -1

50 Atonement – Ian McEwan

51 Life of Pi – Yann Martel

52 Dune – Frank Herbert

53 Cold Comfort Farm – Stella Gibbons

54 Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen

55 A Suitable Boy – Vikram Seth

56 The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon

57 A Tale Of Two Cities – Charles Dickens

58 Brave New World – Aldous Huxley

59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Mark Haddon

60 Love In The Time Of Cholera – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

61 Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck

62 Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov

63 The Secret History – Donna Tartt

64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

65 Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas -1

66 On The Road – Jack Kerouac

67 Jude the Obscure – Thomas Hardy

68 Bridget Jones’s Diary – Helen Fielding

69 Midnight’s Children – Salman Rushdie

70 Moby Dick – Herman Melville

71 Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens

72 Dracula – Bram Stoker -1

73 The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett

74 Notes From A Small Island – Bill Bryson

75 Ulysses – James Joyce

76 The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath

77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome

78 Germinal – Emile Zola

79 Vanity Fair – William Makepeace Thackeray

80 Possession – AS Byatt

81 A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens

82 Cloud Atlas – David Mitchel

83 The Color Purple – Alice Walker

84 The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro

85 Madame Bovary – Gustave Flaubert

86 A Fine Balance – Rohinton Mistry

87 Charlotte’s Web – EB White

88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom

89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

90 The Faraway Tree Collection – Enid Blyton

91 Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad

92 The Little Prince – Antoine De Saint-Exupery

93 The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks

94 Watership Down – Richard Adams

95 A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole

96 A Town Like Alice – Nevil Shute

97 The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas

98 Hamlet – William Shakespeare -1

99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl -1

100 Les Miserables – Victor Hugo

26 read in full, not counting my bible reading. 2 that I consider read in full because I got that close to finishing. Moby Dick, which I've started like, 4 times, got nearly 30 chapters in once, and Animal Farm, which I had a few chapters read to me.

this imo, equals 28 full reads, plus probably 5 bible books worth, and two partials, for a sum total of 35 book I am familiar with from this list!

How many have you read?

The BBC estimates that most people will only read 6 books out of the 100 listed below. Reblog this and bold the titles you’ve read.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen 2 Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkein 3 Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte 4 Harry Potter series 5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee 6 The Bible 7 Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte 8 Nineteen Eighty Four – George Orwell 9 His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman 10 Great Expectations – Charles Dickens 11 Little Women – Louisa M Alcott 12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles – Thomas Hardy 13 Catch 22 – Joseph Heller 14 Complete Works of Shakespeare 15 Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier 16 The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien 17 Birdsong – Sebastian Faulks 18 Catcher in the Rye 19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffeneger 20 Middlemarch – George Eliot 21 Gone With The Wind – Margaret Mitchell 22 The Great Gatsby – F Scott Fitzgerald 23 Bleak House – Charles Dickens 24 War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy 25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams 26 Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh 27 Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky 28 Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck 29 Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll 30 The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame 31 Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy 32 David Copperfield – Charles Dickens 33 Chronicles of Narnia – CS Lewis 34 Emma – Jane Austen 35 Persuasion – Jane Austen 36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – CS Lewis 37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini 38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres 39 Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden 40 Winnie the Pooh – AA Milne 41 Animal Farm – George Orwell 42 The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown 43 One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez 44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney – John Irving 45 The Woman in White – Wilkie Collins 46 Anne of Green Gables – LM Montgomery 47 Far From The Madding Crowd – Thomas Hardy 48 The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood 49 Lord of the Flies – William Golding 50 Atonement – Ian McEwan

51 Life of Pi – Yann Martel 52 Dune – Frank Herbert 53 Cold Comfort Farm – Stella Gibbons 54 Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen 55 A Suitable Boy – Vikram Seth 56 The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon 57 A Tale Of Two Cities – Charles Dickens 58 Brave New World – Aldous Huxley 59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Mark Haddon 60 Love In The Time Of Cholera – Gabriel Garcia Marquez 61 Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck 62 Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov 63 The Secret History – Donna Tartt 64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold 65 Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas 66 On The Road – Jack Kerouac 67 Jude the Obscure – Thomas Hardy 68 Bridget Jones’s Diary – Helen Fielding 69 Midnight’s Children – Salman Rushdie 70 Moby Dick – Herman Melville 71 Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens 72 Dracula – Bram Stoker 73 The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett 74 Notes From A Small Island – Bill Bryson 75 Ulysses – James Joyce 76 The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath 77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome 78 Germinal – Emile Zola 79 Vanity Fair – William Makepeace Thackeray 80 Possession – AS Byatt 81 A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens 82 Cloud Atlas – David Mitchel 83 The Color Purple – Alice Walker 84 The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro 85 Madame Bovary – Gustave Flaubert 86 A Fine Balance – Rohinton Mistry 87 Charlotte’s Web – EB White 88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom 89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 90 The Faraway Tree Collection – Enid Blyton 91 Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad 92 The Little Prince – Antoine De Saint-Exupery 93 The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks 94 Watership Down – Richard Adams 95 A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole 96 A Town Like Alice – Nevil Shute 97 The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas 98 Hamlet – William Shakespeare 99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl 100 Les Miserables – Victor Hugo

[gazrgaley]

C.R.OW (Chapter 26)

God, this was going to be a long car ride," Victoria thought as Devon hurried into the elevator behind her. He moved so sluggishly, and talking to him was nearly impossible; it was like talking to a wall. No, scratch that--a wall might have been easier.

When he spoke, she was initially taken aback, not comprehending that he had spoken at all, let alone what he had said. "What did you say?" Victoria snapped, certain she had misheard.

"I said you're nothing special. Grendel talks to everyone like that," Devon repeated. Of course, the one time he managed to utter more than three words to her, it was an insult.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" she retorted.

"The person who's driving you across town, despite you not bothering to ask first. Just assuming I have nothing going on and can drop everything for you," he said, his tone far from his usual self.

Victoria took a step back, surprised by this unfamiliar side of Devon. She was at a loss for words. What could she possibly say in response?

"I'm not trying to be rude," Devon softened his tone, speaking a bit quieter. Nevertheless, it was still quite different from his usual demeanor. "I'm just saying, he's a player. And I don't think you or anyone should trust what he says." Avoiding her gaze, he became fixated on something in the corner of the elevator.

"Obviously," Victoria replied, feeling insulted by his remarks. "I mean, there's a level of trust we have to maintain. We're fighting side by side. But that doesn't mean I'm going to believe his flirting is genuine. Or that a vampire can ever be fully trusted."

"I just mean, you shouldn't have sex with him. You haven't, have you?" Devon interrupted, his face reddening as he fidgeted with his hands, making a concerted effort to avoid eye contact.

"Have you?" Victoria shot back, feeling the need to reciprocate his invasive questioning. As if someone like Grendel would ever waste their time with someone like Devon. It was akin to when kids in grade school asked the least appealing person out on a date--cruel, but something people like him did.

Devon's eyes bulged as he turned to her. "Wait, did you say vampire?"

It dawned on her that Devon hadn't been there the previous night. He probably wouldn't have had time to read the report, even if it was fully written by then. And she was certain nobody had informed him.

"Oh, yeah," Victoria started to explain, unsure where to begin. However, the elevator doors opened on the third floor, and someone entered--a pale, peculiar-looking man in a tweed duster. She had refrained from discussing such matters in public the previous night, but now, knowing what she did, she couldn't help but wonder how many other people, whom she assumed were human, were actually vampires. How many did she pass each day?

Neither she nor Devon spoke until after they were in the safety of his car, if that's what you wanted to call the rundown little car he drove, safe. Surprisingly it had been quite clean inside. At least it smelled nice and she was never afraid of sitting in a mess.

Breaking the silence, Devon asked, "If you found out they were vampires, why are they still alive?" His hands tightened on the steering wheel, turning his knuckles white.

It was better than the eerie silence. So Victoria started from the beginning-- from the raid, then Grendel's heart being torn out, to implanting them with devices to feel safer working with them.

As she finished her story, Devon's fingers clung to the steering wheel as though grasping at a lifeline, looking as if they might fall off at any moment. He muttered something derogatory under his breath, which Victoria didn't quite catch, nor did she care much.

The tale occupied the entirety of the ride, which was her intention, sparing her from having to entertain follow-up questions. She leaped out of the car before it had fully come to a stop, arriving ten minutes earlier than her scheduled meeting time with Rex, already late by his standards. This was not going to be enjoyable.

Rex tapped his fingers against his desk. He had been working on writing a summary of the night before, but his eyes kept drifting from the screen to his phone. He had already texted her to remind her they were planning on meeting to talk about everything. And she had already told him she was on her way.

There were still over ten minutes before she was meant to be here. If he sent another text before that, she would accuse him of being a control freak. He wouldn't have had to be that way if everyone else in the world would just do their damn part.

Now it was confirmed there were vampires on the team. For how long would this go on? If it was up to him, he would just have killed them the previous night. Be done with it. One less thing to worry about. It seemed that he was the only one who wasn't taken in by their charm. Was this an ability they had? Or was he the only one in the group who wasn't stupid?

As the front door opened, he leapt up, looking over the half wall that gave the illusion his workspace was separated from everyone else's. Victoria emerged through the door. "Sorry, traffic was a bitch." She dumped the bag next to her computer.

Rex stopped her before she was able to turn the computer on. "I was hoping we could go downstairs for this," Rex said. Victoria gave him a look as she grabbed her bag.

"I had already written most of the report. I just wanted you to look through it." Rex glanced out the window. "It's just, after what we learned last night, I don't feel comfortable talking about this up here."

"Yeah," she said as she followed him to the back of the building. "I know what you mean. It took a second to kick in. But I was riding down the elevator at the Motel Dam Sanctum, and it hit me. Milo and Grendel don't have the telltale signs of being vampires. How many more of their kind are out there?"

Hesitating only a second before entering the pass-code on the invisible number pad in the middle stall, he asked, "Why were you there?" His mind went to places he didn't have time for. Well, at least she found someone with money.

"Turns out Milo and Grendel are staying there." Her casual tone made it worse.

"Why were you there?" Rex snapped. "I mean," he tried to calm himself down. This wasn't a good look. "Is it smart to be in a secluded place, alone with two vampires?"

She gave him the look, the same look she would give him before she would lose her cool. "Oh, gee, glad you said something. I wouldn't have thought of that." She said as she punched him in the shoulder. Not a hard or even painful one. There was something playful about it. At the very least, it helped in lightening the mood.

"I agreed to meet Milo for coffee, in what I thought was a public place," Victoria started to explain as they descended in the elevator. "Next thing I knew, we were in their penthouse. There was something wrong with Grendel."

"What was wrong with him?" Rex questioned, only to receive a shrug from Victoria. "That was stupid of you to go up there. It was probably part of their plan."

"What plan?" Victoria questioned him like he didn't know what he was talking about, then she shook her head. "Nah, Milo seemed really shaken up by it. Well, as much as Milo could... you know, show any emotions. I think it had to do with what we did with them last night."

"It was a trick," Rex said flatly. "They know we know what they are and are now trying to win you over with sympathy since getting into your pants wasn't working. Unless I'm mistaken and he already has."

Rex knew he made a mistake before the words left his mouth. A second later, he felt a quick, painful sting across his cheek.

"Fuck you," she shouted at him. He wanted to be mad, but he could hear the hurt in her voice. "We are not together anymore. And regardless. Even if I would be stupid enough to fall for his charm before, do you really think I could... with a vampire?"

Rex had known for a long time that the two of them would never get back together. He had expected that she would end up with someone who wasn't him. And he told himself as long as it was the right kind of person, he wouldn't care.

He still firmly believed this. But even before finding out Grendel was a vampire, he knew he wasn't the right kind. He was, in fact, the worst kind. He knew it was impossible to get this through to her without looking like the crazy ex.

So there was no point in holding back. Victoria opened her mouth to say something else, to say something more. But Rex spoke up before he even fully understood what he was going to say. "If I find out you slept with him, I'm never talking to you again."

Victoria took a step back, eyes slowly blinking. Taking in a deep breath, she composed herself. "Fine. If that's how you think you can talk to me, let's get this over with so you don't have to be around me more than you have to."

[girl8890]

R Town | Ch.25

Suga x J-Hope & Jungkook x FemOC (SIDE)

word count: 3.6k

POV: Suga

Warnings: Cheating (past tense), Alcohol consumption, Drunk confessions, Biting, Anal fingering, Anal sex

Index | Ch.26

。・°°・°°・。 。・°°・°°・。 。・°°・°°・。

Out of all things to happen during a late Thursday afternoon, hearing an apology from Jungkook was not one of them. It shocked me enough that he walked into J-hope's hair salon looking for me, but then he looked at J-hope and it looked like he was about to have an aneurysm.

"Your J-hope, right?"

J-hope squints, unrecognizing who just walked into the hair salon at first, but then his eyes get as big as mine out of shock. J-hope must have just realized the man who was a part of breaking up his marriage is right in front of him.

"Yeah... and your Jungkook." Jungkook nods his head awkwardly. "How's Juliet?"

I cringe at J-hope's tone of voice. He's not at all happy about seeing Juliet's ex-lover in front of him. I know I should be feeling jealousy that J-hope may dislike the guy because of that fact, but at the same time, it's understandable if he is. They had a long marriage, after all. Even if it was full of lies.

Jungkook glances at me then he returns his eyes to looking at J-hope and swallows. "I wouldn't know. I haven't spoken to her in months."

J-hope tilts his head to the side, not expecting that to be his answer. "Weren't you guys tog-"

"No!" Jungkook interrupts right away, and the roll of his eyes indicates that even the idea of him and Juliet being an item is annoying. "I used her like she used me. Something I've overheard she even done similar to you, but you actually gave a shit about her."

It's my turn to roll my eyes in annoyance, and I catch J-hope looking at me with sympathy because of it. It still pains me a little to hear about J-hope and Juliet's relationship, even if it no longer exists. It does surprise me a little to hear, however, that Jungkook was using Juliet in return. Truthfully, I wasn't sure where those two stood, but I also never thought Jungkook had feelings for the girl.

Jungkook steps forward, and I hear him sniffle like he's about to cry which confuses me, until he explains, "I've recently lost someone very special to me because of another person. Her husband, actually. And it made me realize I-I've never apologized to you about Juliet... I should also apologize to you too Suga because it wasn't fair of me to cut you off afterwards. I was just going though-" Jungkook sighs. "-a lot."

J-hope's stance goes from rigid to content again. I guess he assumed this conversation was going to go in a different direction. "I never blamed you for the Juliet situation. We didn't know each other, and I'm also sorry about coming off so cold. Honestly, I feel like I should thank you."

Both Jungkook and I look at J-hope perplexed by his last comment, but then it's clear when J-hope walks over to me. He wraps his arms around my neck, and by instinct, I wrap my arms around his waist. J-hope then continues while gazing into my eyes, "Because if it wasn't for what happened, I would have never ended up with Suga. The true love of my life."

I grin so wide because of his words, and I don't think I'll ever get over them coming from him. These past few months with J-hope have been so amazing. Everything I ever dreamed of doing with him, and so much more, has happened. It's like an ongoing dream every time I'm with him.

I pull J-hope closer to me and kiss him on the lips because any chance I see of doing so I take. His honey-flavored chapstick is as sweet as ever, and I feel a groan coming on from the taste of him.

Before I do, however, Jungkook reminds us that he's here by fake coughing. I pull apart from J-hope and smirk when I see his ears heat up by forgetting the guest we currently have in the building. Jungkook then sighs, and I see a small smile grace his face although I have a feeling it doesn't match his true emotions for other reasons. "I'm happy for you two. T-true love only comes o-once..."

Jungkook cuts himself off there, and I'm startled to see an actual tear run down his face. He wipes it quickly, but the evidence is clear on his face. He going through something. Something that's making his emotions go all over the place.

Although Jungkook was just forgiven by J-hope, and it's been a while since Jungkook and I talked, he's always been a tough guy. The only time he ever lets loose is when we're drinking, and seeing him in the state he is in now makes me think he really needs a drink right now.

That's why I turn to J-hope and say, "I'm going to go catch up with Jungkook for while. I won't be out late though, so wait for me."

J-hope rolls his eyes, but the smirk on his face says it all. He leans in to whisper into my ear, "I'll be ready for you to return," and then I feel his wet tongue lick my ear.

I breathe through the groan that was about to escape me and glance over at Jungkook to, fortunately, see he wasn't paying attention to us. Him just looking out the store window in a gaze. I quickly pull J-hope closer to me, so I can whisper back in his ear, "I think I created a monster in you."

J-hope laughs, which does get Jungkook's attention back on us, so he pulls away from me altogether. "Have fun you two!"

With J-hope's last words, I walk out of the store with a depressed Jungkook in toe. Once we're both out of the store, Jungkook jogs up next to me to ask, "Where are we going?"

I smirk in his direction. "To the place we always go when you are in desperate need to spill your sorrows." Jungkook stops in his tracks, and it takes me a second to realize it, but I eventually stop, so I can turn and look at him directly. Jungkook is once again looking like he's battling himself to not have a crying fit, and this time it worries me. I step closer to him and raise my hands in some type of comforting way. "Dude, are you okay?"

Jungkook shakes his head and looks at the ground. "No, it's okay. Drinking! - I definitely need a drink or eight."

He then starts speed walking in the direction of the tavern he and I usually go to. It's actually out of town, but not that far out to the point it's easy to walk to. I sigh to myself when I see Jungkook's speed walking turn into a sprint. And I can tell right then and there, this is going to be a long ass night.

。・°°・°°・。 。・°°・°°・。 。・°°・°°・。

With a whole bottle of whiskey gone, and two hours later, Jungkook is face planted on the table. He's not sleeping, I know that for sure. Because he keeps muttering things like, "I can't believe she's gone" and "I should have done something." He's been going through drinks like it's water since we got here, and besides the obvious that this is about the girl he mentioned earlier, I haven't understood a single thing.

The worst of it, I'm stone cold fucking sober! Every drink I order, Jungkook takes it. I think I've only actually drank two drinks since I got here. Usually, when Jungkook and I go out drinking, we're both wallowing over our childhood crushes, so I'm also having a goal of getting flat-out wasted. But I have my childhood crush now, he's quite literally waiting for me at home. Jungkook's childhood crush on the other hand...

Wait a minute.

A girl he's lost to another. Check. Wanting to drink really badly. Check. Being close to tears many times. Double check. The goal of getting wasted.

Holy shit...

"Is M, the owner of the Lee club, your M?"

Jungkook picks his head up and I see his eyes are bloodshot now. He takes a big sip of his drink, then he puts his cheek lazily in his hand to lean on his elbow. "Yup."

My jaw drops. I can't believe I haven't put two and two together before. Everyone knows about the owners of Lee club, and I knew Jungkook's childhood crush's name was M, but I just didn't think they were the same fucking person!

M is a common nickname for people. As long as your name has an M in it, then it could be your nickname! But now that I know who we're exactly talking about, I'm fricken stunned.

"Jungkook... your telling me." I point to myself. "That you." I point at Jungkook. "Are in love with M Lee? The owner of the club down the street that she owns with her husband."

Jungkook clenches his jaw, and I'm bewildered by how dark his tone of voice is when he speaks. "Yeah, but they shouldn't fucking be!" Jungkook downs the rest of his drink in one gulp. "He's a piece of shit, and he took her with him! Fuck.. just when I h-had er' back."

He hits his head on the table, back to wallowing. I roll my eyes because even if her husband is a piece of shit, it's more clear to me that Jungkook is jealous of this situation. "She not gone, dude. Just married. I'm sorry that there's no way-"

"No, Suga!" Jungkook picks his head up so fast it makes me almost fall out of my seat. "She's not gone, as in, not available to me! S-she's gone, as in, he took her out of town! Poof! Vanish! Adi-fucking-ous! And just when we started to become something - Hick!" Jungkook's cheeks go red when he hiccups, but he ignores the awkward sound.

Not only am I confused now, but I'm very concerned. Maybe instead of bringing Jungkook to get drinks, I should have brought him to get therapy. Not that I don't believe him when he said M left town with her husband, but it's very unlikely they were actually becoming something. I mean, she's married! This isn't a J-hope and Juliet part two scenario. And what I've heard from J-hope, that he heard from his yappy clients, is that M and Felix are actually a cute couple. One that always keeps each other close.

I know Jungkook doesn't want to hear any of this, though. I wouldn't if I were in his position. So, I just sit there and wait for him to continue his rant.

"I-I love her, Suga. I do with all my heart, and after what we experienced together..." Jungkook rubs at his eyes, not wanting tears to start coming out of them, but he fails this time. "I k-knew it would hurt a-afterwards, but I did it anyway. I let myself be selfish, like always, and took what she offered me. And now she's gone... I'll never know if she's alive again."

That last sentence has me raising my eyebrow in confusion. Not that any of Jungkook's words made sense, but something about him worrying about her being alive is a little - no, very - concerning. I was about to ask Jungkook to clarify, but then I watch him fall out of his seat in slow motion. Falling asleep on the dirty tavern floor once his body hit it.

I sigh to myself, then before the bartender can kick us out, I say to him, "Don't worry. We're leaving."

。・°°・°°・。 。・°°・°°・。 。・°°・°°・。

Getting Jungkook home was a complete fucking mess. Not only does this man weigh more than he looks, but his body was basically lifeless the whole way. As I was dragging his lifeless body home, he only woke up when I started dragging him up the metal stairs that lead to his apartment. Once his eyes opened and realized where we were, he bolted right out of my arms and pushed me away from the door. He looks like a drunk ninja by the way he's standing, like he won't let me near the front door of his home.

I roll my eyes, then raise my hands in fake surrender. "Please, all mighty Jeon. Don't kill me with your powers of the death stare."

Jungkook rolls his eyes, then straightens up so he no longer looks like a ninja. "Har-har. Thanks for getting me home, dude."

"Yeah-yeah. Just plan on paying next time you decide you want to drink a bar clean."

He chuckles at that remark, and I watch my friend stubble to get his keys out of his pocket and through the door. It's then I remember his words from earlier.

I'll never know if she's alive again.

I feel like I should really get clarification on those words now that he's no longer in an alcohol coma, but watching him repeatedly drop his keys and miss the keyhole, has me going down the stairs instead. Whatever is going on with Jungkook really isn't my business. As long as he's safe, and not doing stupid shit, I don't care. Maybe I'll be curious enough one day to ask him about it, but right now he seems too heartbroken about M to want to talk about it sober-ish.

On top of the fact that it's almost eleven at night, and I have my own love of my life waiting for me at home. I walk home with the biggest smile on my face thinking about my precious J-hope.

。・°°・°°・。 。・°°・°°・。 。・°°・°°・。

"Mmm, Suga," J-hope whimpers in my ear as I stretch his hole wider by adding a third finger. Once I add it, I realize once again there's pretty much no resistance, and he's very soft here.

I lean in until my chest is flat against his back, and my mouth is at his ear. "Did you touch yourself while I was gone, J-hope?" I feel J-hope clench around my fingers, making me smirk at how my lust-filled tone affects him. "Huh! You did~" I nip at his ear. "You dirty boy."

"That's not- Ah!" I smack his ass before I can hear him protest against the naughty nickname I gave him. I then bite at his shoulder, not hard enough to hurt him, but with I put enough pressure into my bite to hear his beautiful whimper again. My favorite sound ever made my J-hope.

I then kiss the surface of my small bite mark, and say, "Did you think of me while you touched yourself?" I watch J-hope's ears then turn red in embarrassment, then he hesitantly nods his head. "Did you imagine this." I pull my finger out of him, and rub the head of my cock against his hole, getting a throaty moan in return from him. "Being inside of you."

"Mph! Suga please, stop teasing me." I chuckle against his shoulder, and even though I want to do the exact opposite of what J-hope is asking, the shakiness in his voice indicates he's already close to finishing. I don't want him cumming from just my words or my fingers though, so I slowly enter the head of my cock inside of him.

I guess J-hope is a little impatient today because he starts to back his ass up, but I stop him by pushing his hips flat against the mattress. J-hope groans in annoyance because I stopped him, so I tsk at him. "Not so fast, baby."

I see J-hope grab onto the sheets for dear life as I slowly inch myself inside of him. I try to let him adjust when I bottom out, but he's already moving for me, making me grab onto his hips again. "Jesus, baby. Did you miss me that much?"

"W-what do you think?" J-hope pushes himself closer to me again, and I groan at the feeling of his tight walls.

"Okay," I say against the back of his neck. "You asked for it." I pick myself up off of him until I'm sitting straight, and I lean back, making J-hope's body go falter on the mattress. Then I fuck into him so fast he starts to scream out in pleasure. He clench's around me the second I start thrusting into him, and I feel myself about to black out because it feels so good.

He's chanting, "Suga! Ah! Suga!" And it's stirring me on to somehow go faster and deeper inside of him. I lean forward and grab his shoulder with one hand, while the other is still on his hip. I make him arch his back and have to hold onto the bed frame to not fall backward. "Shit, Suga! Ah! Too much. Too much!"

I slow down, but still, continue to push deep inside of him. "To much? You were just begging for me a minute ago," I say with a smirk. J-hope goes to whimper, but then I thrust right against his prostate hard and it turns into an uncontrollable moan.

I continue my slow, but deep thrusts into him, each time hitting his prostate, and I slowly watch J-hope fall into fucked out bliss because of it. His hand eventually slips from the headboard, making him fall against me. I groan when he falls even deeper onto my dick, and I have to wrap my arms around him to steady him and not cum at that moment. For J-hope, on the other hand, he wasn't able to hold it in because I watch him shoot out onto the mattress in front of him. Crying out my name like it's the only thing he can. "Sug - ah!"

I keep myself inside of him but take one of my hands off his waist to pull his head until it's resting on my shoulder. I kiss his temple, then ask softly, "Felt good baby?"

J-hope nods his head but has more to say, "Don't s-stop. I want you to fill me up." He then extends his neck to nip at my ear, and my dick swells up more inside of him because of it.

"Your wish is my command," I say, then I pull him off of me to flip him over onto his back. Making sure to not lay him directly on top of his cum trail.

I don't waste any time. I lift his thighs so they're folded on top of him, then I thrust my dick back into him. Bottoming out right away. My deep groan from the intensity mixes with his sensitive moan. I stare J-hope in the eyes while I resume thrusting into him like it's the last thing I'll do. Deep, fast, and oh so amazing!

As I'm close to the brink of cumming, J-hope places his hands on the side of my face and clicks our foreheads together. I watch his eyes flutter shut, then he leans in to kiss me deeply on the lips. I moan at the contact of his honey-flavored lips and thrust into him as deep as I can while I spill all of my wants for him inside of his tight entrance.

We don't pull apart, from me inside of him or our lips, until another minute has passed. Usually, I detach myself once I hear J-hope whimper from sensitivity, but tonight he's keeping me close to him. I detach our lips but only pull an inch away from him to stare down at his fucked out expression. I move a stray sweaty hair from his forehead and look at the love of my life's beautiful face.

"I love you so much."

J-hope smiles up at me. "I love you so much more, Suga."

It's right then I start to remember what my life was like before getting with J-hope. When I was the one asking Jungkook to go drinking and spill my sorrows to him. When I was the one that needed help getting home, Jungkook was the one to usually look at me with worry and somehow carry me all the way to my room.

I kinda feel like a bad friend now for thinking about what I have been. Not trusting everything he's said, or at least not taking it seriously. Maybe it's because I just wanted to get back to J-hope, that I didn't think too much about what Jungkook was saying tonight. Unlike me, Jungkook doesn't have his girl to go home to. His girl left, as he said. Left with her husband, and I was feel kinda shitty for wanting to rush home and be with my lover again.

I rest my forehead on J-hope's and thank whatever God blessed me with him. I waited a long time to be open with that man underneath me, but it was worth every second of agony to feel him pepper kiss me all over my face. I chuckle at J-hopes cuteness, then detach him from me. It is not until J-hope wraps his arms around my neck and pulls me into his chest that I feel content again. I hear his heart under my ear through his chest, and I have an emotional thought of thinking it beats for me. Mine was always beating for him.

I pull J-hope somehow closer to me by wrapping my arms around his small waist, then I feel his chin rest against the top of my head. Having J-hope in my arms is the most incredible feeling, so I don't ever want to imagine what it would be like to not even have him in my view. As in, not in this town with me.

I'm so great full for the man in my arms. I just hope my friend finds the girl of his dreams to say the same.

-

-

-

CH.26

[writing-in-lesbian]

A heiress in love

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff / Female Reader Tags: angst, fluff, enemies to friends to lovers Translations: skyprisa = Sky Princess Synopsis: You’re Y/N Woods-Griffin, daughter of Lexa Woods and Clarke Griffin, queens and rulers of the Triku Lands, a powerful and well know kingdom. Enter a mad king trying to “restore” the old world. In order to stop him from gaining control, your mothers decide to seek the union of their kingdom with the next powerful one, the Avengers Kingdom. Only problem? Their Heiress hates your guts. A/N: I know I need to finish “I chose you” but this idea won’t leave my mind. Hope you like it. Also this is just kinda of an AU (that nobody asked for!), kinda like a merge between the 100 universe and a What If universe but with technology because plumbing, I see it like a combination of an advanced steampunk universe. And some characters might be OOC. A/N 2: There’s not a lot of trigedeslang translators around so I hope this is correct.

Chapter 1 - Receiving the news.

Your life was great.

You were happy or as happy as you thought you could be.

And you were planning to make this summer, the best one so far.

Being an heiress comes with pretty rewards.

You had everything you wanted, you were highly educated and had access to heavy training per your mother’s request (you were very proficient with swords, archery, guns, hand combat and could ride a horse blindfolded… not that you ever tried it), and as a compromise with your mom, you were also receiving an education in medicine. Since you have inherited your mother’s type of blood it made it easier to treat yourself if you got injured while away or overseas.

You were also able to travel… a lot. You loved visiting smaller towns and kingdoms, enjoying helping people when you could, and in general thinking and developing projects to keep your people (and those who swore loyalty to your kingdom) well.

And that made people love you. You were a well-loved and known heiress, admired for your intelligence and your skill sets, or that’s what you liked to think and not just for your looks. Your mothers received several letters asking for your hand in marriage, kindly declining all of them. They believed that, if you ever wanted to marry, it would be for love.

And you believed that too… until this morning.

“No way! I won fair and square, you should just accept I’m getting better than you aunty Tavia!” You said while walking back into the living room, cleaning your face with a towel.

“You’re too old to be calling me aunty… and I’m too proud to keep letting you call me that,” the raven-haired girl, slightly taller than you says, all while trying to punch you in your arm.

“Aunty Tavia, aunty Tavia, aunty Tavia” you scream running around the room.

Octavia watches you running around, a small smirk appearing on her face. She’s seeing you grow up, as Lexa’s second in command (something Indra and Lincoln were proud of even if they didn’t say it out loud) it has been her duty to train you harder than any recruit she has.

Just when she’s about to start chasing you the doors open again and Gustus comes through them.

“Princess Y/N, your mothers are waiting for you,” he says but his voice is filled with tenderness. Since you came into their lives 26 years ago, you have been nothing but a ray of hope and sunshine.

“Gustus… catch,” you say this while jumping towards him, hoping he reacts fast and catches you… which he does.

He grabs you and hugs you for a few seconds before letting you on the floor.

“Your mothers await and you know Lexa considers-“

“Punctuality is a high virtue among the respectable people”

“Exactly and as much as I love to be in your company, I respect Lexa a lot, so come on princess… chop-chop”

Octavia says while taking you away from Gustus's reach and walking you towards the “Throne Room” which is just a regular meeting room but with your mother's chairs on a higher level.

“Aunt, I need to clean first” you whine

“I agree, you stink but they love you anyway"

“Rude!”

She pushes you slowly towards the hall and you can help but smile. You hope that whatever it is they want to talk to you about is not too serious or long. You kinda promised Lincoln you were going to tag along with him in the afternoon.

Before you enter the room, you try to fix your sparring clothes, you know presentation is also a quality your mother values even if you have come just from training. Octavia pats your back and leaves you there. Off to know where.

You knock 3 times, announcing your presence. A quiet “come in” is heard. You count to 3 in your mind, exhale and proceed to enter the room. Your mother is writing something on paper at the end of the table while your mom is reading something next to her.

“You wanted to see me?” You say while approaching the table. Clarke stands up and engulfs you in a tight hug which you gladly return.  

“Y/N love, how was training?” She says while inspecting your face, seeing the small cut on your lips with dried blood. “How did this happen?”

Clarke’s concerning voice is enough to get Lexa’s attention. She stands as well, leaving her writing and walking towards you. She carefully turns your face towards her. You try to read her expression but it remains blank, not giving anything away.

“Did Octavia wasn’t careful enough daughter?” She asks and her voice just like her face gives nothing away.

You hate to admit it but you don’t want Octavia in trouble. See, despite being a well-trained person and with high fighting abilities… you’re kinda clumsy when not in a fight or training.

“No mother… I… kinda crashed into the door while getting breakfast today”

The reason is still bleeding a little its because you chew your lip as a habit and when you’re nervous, which you were basically doing while walking here.

Lexa tries, she really tries but she can’t help laughing after your small admission, despite your physical appearance being closer to hers, you get most of your personality trials from Clarke, her clumsiness included.

“Lexa! Your child is injured and you laugh?”

Clarke takes you from Lexa’s grip and brings you closer to her chest, holding your head just like when you were a baby.

“She’s not really injured Clarke,” she says while still laughing. You smile at her getting a small smile in return.

“I’m okay mom” you try to ease the situation knowing well the mood your mom can get into. You hug her tightly before releasing her only to be kept at a close distance. Her blue eyes roam your face one last time before nodding.

You go to sit to your chair, placed at Lexa’s left (while they're not at their “thrones”. They both hate how you kind of mock it but deep down you know the importance of this room and what it represents). You know one day, you’ll sit in their place but it’s something you’re not waiting for anxiously.

“Y/N prisa, we have asked for your presence today since we have some important news we want to share with you,” Lexa says and for the way she says it you know well this is a “royalty matter” so no funny business would be allowed if you want your mother and mom to remain calm.

“It has come to our attention that King Ultron is heading to Wallace’s kingdom”

Who seriously names her child Ultron? No wonder that guy grew up to hate the world, with a name like that. Wait… did she say he’s going up north? To Wallace’s territory? That’s not good news at all.

“Okey” you nod indicating to them you’re on track so she can continue.

Lexa takes out an envelope and Clarke brings you a cup of tea. You thank her silently and proceed to take a sip: green tea with jasmine and a spoon of honey. Perfect for an after-training drink.

“If he manages to convince Wallace to join him that can only mean trouble”

“But Wallace is a prideful man, he will never make an alliance with someone he considers lesser than him”

Lexa nods in agreement, reaching for some of the cookies at the table, how come you didn’t see them before? You make a movement to reach for them but Clarke puts a fruit plate in front of you instead, taking the cookie plate away from you. You frown but take the grapes from the plate nonetheless.

“We know that, but Ultron doesn’t. So we need to cover our bases, it’s bad already that he declared war against Raven”

“Okey. What does that have to do with me and the current situation? What can I do? Are we forming an army as well?” You munch on some apple slices.

“Sort of,” Clarke says. You look at her.

“Peace is something we have valued since your mother and I met all those years ago” You see her grabbing your mother's hand. Deep down you’re yearning to have an epic love like theirs. “We’re a big kingdom already, with 15 clans on our side, we’ll have no problems dealing with them if it comes to it. Whatsoever, it is important to keep our alliances and seek more”

You see your mother reach a letter. She plays with it before speaking again.

“Our neighbors in the Storybrooke Kingdom have confirmed their alliance with us, their letters arriving today"

“I feel a but coming,” you say looking at both of your mothers.

“If worst comes to worst, we will need a kingdom bigger and more powerful than both of us combined”

Nothing more is said, letting you deduce the clear answer. Your stomach drops in realization.

“You want me to marry someone, don’t you?” You want to throw up. Honestly, you thought these barbaric and old ways were past you. Apparently, it’s not.

You know your mother tried to rule out that stupid tradition, but with so many men still in power, it was kind of a miracle a lot of the new laws they proposed were accepted. Your better guess was that they were actually good for the people, hence why they were accepted. Happy people, happy kingdoms.

“We do” you loved and hated how honest and direct your mother was.

“Y/N” Clarke who has remained silent takes your hand.

“We have put a lot of thought into this since we got word of it. Believe me when I tell you we explored any and all solutions before agreeing to this one”

“Agreeing? So this means it’s already approved?”

Lexa gives you the envelope she has in her hands. You take it with trembling hands and as soon as you see it your eyes get wider in disbelief.

“You want me to marry a child? I mean, I know this stupid law is old and archaic but this?” You say while getting out of your chair and pacing the room.

“What? / Where did-“ You don’t hear them speak while you continue rambling.

“Absolutely no mother. I can get behind the arranged marriage but not like this. How old is Morgan anyway? She was like 10 last time.”

You feel a pair of hands grab you by the shoulders and stop your pacing.

“Y/N darling, what the hell are you talking about?” You look into the blue eyes of your mom, you anchor yourself in the shade of it, the one that reminds you of clear sky and sunny days.

“The envelope has the Avengers Kingdom seal, meaning it comes from King Stark, meaning he only has one child since I don’t think he will be offering one of his 2 adopted sons”

“I told you we should have told her rather than giving her just the letter Clarke”

Lexa’s voice startles you as you heard it so close to you.

She looks at you while chewing on a cookie. She’s unimpressed with you and that’s saying something since you're her daughter, hello!.

“Lexa, you’re not helping”

“It’s not Morgan Y/N, not any other of Stark’s adoptive sons in any case”

“Stark has many supporters and alliances. Any of them will help us as well since it will have his support. Plus, the offer came directly from him, not from us”

“Okey, if not Stark, then who?”

“Count Barton’s adoptive daughter”

The hope you might have, small as it was, of maybe getting to know whatever person they will marry you into and maybe fall in love with them goes down the drain as soon as you connect the dots.

The adoptive daughter of Clint and Laura Barton is none other than:

Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, a nickname you have heard some town folks uptown refer to her. You don’t know why honestly or how it was given to her and at this point you’re afraid to ask. In true fashion, you’re kinda excited about the possibility of finally, finally getting to know Wanda. You might or might not have a tiny (huge) crush on her since you laid your eyes on her all those years ago.

There is just one problem with your mother's, and apparently, Stark’s and Barton’s plans: Wanda Maximoff hates your guts.

You don’t know why, but she does. You only talked to her once and that was enough for her immediate dislike towards you. Since she’s two years older than you, you see her sometimes at balls and some other social gatherings. Wanda has seemed always reserved and in the company of her twin brother, with whom you get along really well.

“Are we sure about this?” You ask in a small whisper.

“We already sent the answer confirming it this morning. We will have a small gathering here in a week to make it official and make the presentation”

Wait, if they’re making the official presentation in a week…

“Does this mean?” your voice stops. Your throat refused to give space to your voice.

Lexa looks at Clarke and both of them grab your hands. You feel a squeeze but you’re not sure who is giving it to you.

“The wedding will be held here in two weeks skyprisa”

Well crap.

So much for your perfect summer.

[delicrieux]

･ﾟ☆ MAKE YOU SAY "OH"

⋆｡° the lowdown on this mess . . .

the first time he says “oh” is when you make a video that his fans think is because of him. the second time he does it when he accidentally likes an old picture of yours on instagram. the third time’s trying to frame you in among us. the fourth time is when he finally sees you in real life. you think your mission is complete after that.

pairing. corpse husband x f!reader warnings. crack, horrible gen z humour, 16+ language, anime references, overall madness format. mostly soc media, but there are parts of a mix of sm + written text. written parts are marked with a (W) status. finished 🖤

  ↪ back to ultimate masterlist.

INTRODUCTIONS.

PART 1:  bhaddie behaviour

PART 2: oh?

PART 3: ghosted

PART 4: bts not real

PART 5: rat

PART 6: onlyhands

PART 7: oh fuck

PART 8: cat boys (W) PART 9: strawberry cow

PART 10: big dick is back in town (W)

PART 11: go outside & touch the grass

PART 12: yogurt w jelly

PART 13: ...o-oh? (W)

PART 14: couple

PART 15: whores in private

PART 16: god complex + five nights at freddie’s lore

PART 17: cutie & magic dildo

PART 18: pg-13

PART 19: clingy

PART 20: the boys

PART 21: the g word

PART 22: adam sandler

PART 23: pretty boy (W)

PART 24: oh...hi (W)

PART 25: baby (derogatory)

PART 26: single in 7 languages

PART 27: maps r an ancient egyptien tablet + bros b4 hoes

PART 28: amish y/n

PART 29: jana wedding

PART 30: made you say oh

FANWORKS 💗:

syk x y/n wearing cat ears, villain yn & pretty boy!corpse x villain!y/n ( 🖼 by @moomiiebun)

y/n as an egirl ruining corpse’s life (🖼 by @orionhorcruxes)

corpse is simping hard for egirl!yn & rae is done w it (🖼 by @theboywhocriedlupin)

y/n and her strawberry cow 🍓 (🖼 by @rosy-feels)

music to say “oh” to ( 🎶 by spotify nonnie)

myso soundtrack & pov: you’re yn ( 🎶 by @songofcosplay )

myso soundtrack but you’re emo (as you should be!) ( 🎶 by @celestephantasm​)

baby & pretty boy & yn + corpse in cow hoodies (🖼 by @depressed-flower-child)

myso covers or just women supremacy (🖼 by @peculiarwiitch)

EXTRAS:

myso memes (the first part)

myso memes (the scandalous return)

a helpful tutorial

memes/reaction images used in myso

the roaches meme from that one chapter in myso

tinder (one shot)

corpse is NOT dom, y would u say that??

tana x jake paul vegas wedding but it’s actually y/n x corpse

doja cat reads myso

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Thursday, February 22

Giles: Welcome home, Buffy. Buffy: I got in a few hours ago, but I wanted to go see my mom first. Giles: Yes. Yes, of course. How, how did you find her? Buffy: Well, I pretty much remembered the address.

~~Dead Man's Party~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Do We Have A Deal? (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by veronyxk84

For Eternity (Buffy/Angel, G) by Pinkperson

Debrief (Lindsey/Lilah, M) by TheClowniestLivInExistence

Worship the Rain (Angel/Cordelia, M) by MyCosmicAlice

Side Effects (OC, E) by Novel_Ningan

An Itch She Can't Scratch (Buffy/Spike, T) by EllieRose101

Closeted (Buffy/Cordelia, T) by LittleRaven

Back In Town, Punks (Buffy/Faith, T) by Val_Creative

o zi normala (Giles/Jenny, G) by CoraClavia

Staked (Buffy/Spike, E) by SirenOfTitan

something old and borrowed (Buffy/Spike, E) by cheju

[Chaptered Fiction]

Forgiveness Doesn't Come Easy, Chapter 23 (Buffy/Spike, R) by Slaymesoftly

My Person, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Faith, E) by Moonkid10

Greatest Love Story Postlude, Chapter 3 (Angel/Spike, M) by FalseGinger

Same Coin, Chapter 1 (Buffy, OC, G) by The_Eclectic_Bookworm

A Little Poet in Her Monster, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, R) by Desicat

A Vampie and a Slayer Walk Into a Park..., Chapter 16 (Buffy/Spike, AO) by holetoledo

A Breath is But a Soundless Whisper, Chapter 24 (Buffy/Spike, 18+) by Blackoberst

What the Drabble?, Chapter 87 (Buffy/Spike, R) by VeroNyxK84

The Day After, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, G) by Maldorana

Love Lives Here, Chapter 26 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Passion4Spike

I Do!, Chapter (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Dusty

Coming Through, Chapter 41 (Buffy/Spike, AO) by hulettwyo

Oblivious, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by hulettwyo

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:Spike painting! by be_ts

Comic: by

Artwork:Power couple powering. by isevery0nehereverystoned

Artwork:[Spuffy stained glass] by thegothicalice

Artwork:[Spike] by murkycrush

Gifset:"But I will always look after you, Mother. This I promise." by justafriendofxanders

Gifset:[Sprusilla] by justafriendofxanders

Gifset:5x01 Buffy vs. Dracula by peeta-mellark

Gifset:2x22 | “Becoming Pt. 2” by clarkgriffon

Gifset:"Life was staring to get so good again, and you're a big part of that." by lovebvffys

Gifset:S7E14: First Date by spuffygifs

Video: Recreating Willow’s Bag | Crochet Tutorial by Purple Mango

Video: buffy & angel | bones by lostlcve

[Reviews & Recaps]

Lie To Me by Revolutionary_Key325

Praise for 4x17 Inside Out by evolutionleftovers

Love for the final scene in Beneath You by Kardnival

Vengeance (Selfless and Supersymmetry) by Fancy-Fate

[Buffy Novels: The Deathless] by deep-aural-fixation

[Welcome to the Hellmouth review] by inconsistentlywrittensoul

Review - The Harvest by Nathan Thackeray

Buffy-bot the Vampire Slayer 6x1 "Bargaining Part 1" | Normies Group Reaction! by The Normies

"What's My Line Part One" REACTION | Buffy The Vampire Slayer FIRST TIME Watching 2x9 (Commentary) by Tyler Alexander

Once More, with Feeling: Buffy The Vampire Slayer 6x07 Reaction PART ONE by Dakara

Once More, with Feeling: Buffy The Vampire Slayer 6x07 Reaction PART TWO by Dakara

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER - S6 EP 18 ENTROPY (2002) REACTION VIDEO AND REVIEW! FIRST TIME WATCHING! by Reel Reviews With Jen!

The Re-Watcher's Council #12: "Prophecy Girl" Buffy S01E12 Spoiler Review by LGRN - Entertainment

Podcast: And With Your Seat Belt - Angel S05E19 - Time Bomb by Pop Culture Role Call

[Community Announcements]

James Marsters & Charisma Carpenter's Lexington Comic & Toy Con 2024 Schedule by DontKillSpike

Thursday Tags by Comment Fic

[Fandom Discussions]

re: Helpless by breezybeej

[Scoobies as part of Buffy] by yesitsterriblysimple

Slayers Cancelled by multiple authors

Orpheus and the shopkeeper by multiple authors

Was Anya treated as disposable and just a Xander sidekick? by multiple authors

Observation Goulash by multiple authors

Does anyone else have a collection of real world items that appeared on the show? by multiple authors

Top 3 moments you wish you could give a character a comforting hug? by multiple authors

What Buffy quotes make you feel powerful and like you can do anything? by multiple authors

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

Publication: Huge Buffy The Vampire Slayer Questions Won't Be Answered Now (& It's Very Disappointing) via ScreenRant

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

[mwcowan]

Let’s Try This Again

Chapter 5, Gone Fishing. Or Diving. Whatever, just Gone.

Back in Manila tonight, to catch a flight to Coron tomorrow morning for a little R&R. Not a word from any of you about life being nothing but R&R over here, not with the way we’ve been working to get the house back to where we like it.

A few updates on the house: The Vigan tile installation in the bedrooms should be done today, except for sealing and polishing, which we’ll do when we get back. Blinds (26 of them!) for our windows were installed this week, a long-awaited, pandemic-delayed, improvement in sunlight/heat resistance and privacy – you never know when those sneaky monkeys might be taking a peek. And with much work on the landscaping the outside is looking much better. A number of areas where we’d tried to have grass are now covered in decorative stones, which will outlast even the worst gardener. Plus we now have plenty of rocks to throw at the monkeys.

Our coming trip will take us to one new island, Chindonan, a small island known for it’s diving. It’s in Coron Bay, south of the island of Busuanga, which in September 1944 was the site of a famous battle where US Helldiver bombers sunk 12 Japanese cargo and warships in one day. We’re not really into wreck diving but there are a lot of other good spots around the island. We’ll go back to Coron Town on Busuanga for a few days. Coron Town is a fun/funky spot we’ve enjoyed before. Then finally a few days at Club Paradise on Dimakya island, just to the north of Busuanga. We were there 6-7 years ago and have always wanted to go back. This time I hope to dive with Dugongs (manatee-like creatures) which inhabit the waters around the island.

Since we probably won’t have internet/WiFi on the islands, and maybe (hopefully?) not even cell service, it might be a couple weeks until you hear from me again. I should have some good pictures to share by then so hopefully it’ll be worth the wait. Until then, a couple random things…

Beach Day!

OK, I started off with a rant about working so hard, but apparently last week’s rant about working so hard struck a chord with the boss. We finally spent an afternoon at the beach! It was good to get back, still as beautiful as ever and the San Migs were as cold as ever. Hung out in the shade of our favorite tree. As usual, we were the only ones down there.

I snorkeled my “personal aquarium” and was pleased to find a lot of fish. My underwater photography skills were a little rusty, but I did find the first nudibranch (slow mover, good photography subject) I’ve ever seen there. Never sure which is the front end of these guys.

Strange Fruit of the Week

If you’ve been reading my Philippines blogs, early on this was a frequent topic, but it tapered off as there were fewer and fewer strange fruits I hadn’t tried. Today I was presented with the Kamatsile or Camachile. Native to Mexico and Latin America, it was brought here by the Spanish some 400 years ago and is now found throughout the Philippines. It’s also called the Manila Tamarind because it's found in Manila and the seed pods are somewhat reminiscent of a tamarind, but there’s no relation to the real tamarind.

The “fruit” is the pithy whitish part surrounding a small seed. Kind of mealy and dry, a little sweet, astringent, maybe a bit apple-ish in flavor. Not much to it, not on my list of things I need to have again, but I tried it.

That’s it for now. I just wanted to write a quick update, and to let you know that I’ll be checking out for a couple weeks. Take care!