#romance suspense author

[devil-in-the-details-ay]

19

Chapter 18

After a rocky night, morning brings surprises....

Fingertips danced over the soft skin of Yara’s upper arm. She was still deep within the confines of sleep but Astaroth had awoken hours earlier. His mind kept turning over everything that had happened since his wife had first walked into his office with the information that she was to be his new intern.

Astaroth did not do relationships. He did not do emotional entanglement. Yet, here he was doing both with the woman in his arms with her head resting on his shoulder. Not only that, but he felt a protectiveness and possessiveness over her that he had never felt towards another. Never was he one to share someone he was with, but his reaction should they stray was simply to remove them from his life. Watching the men in the club lust after Yara had awakened feelings within Astaroth that were completely foreign.

How could one simple demoness have so affected him? He did not believe that she was deceiving him, but he wondered if Lucifer had done something. Was there an ulterior motive? Maybe who Yara’s mother was would shed light on what was going on. It was not like suddenly Death would change after being the same since the dawn of time. Yet, perplexingly, he had.

*****

Hours later, Yara awoke, stiĺl finding it hard to believe that Astaroth hadn’t rejected her or left her during the night. His acceptance and the vow he had made the night before were unlike anything she had expected or experienced before. There was a part of her that kept being afraid that this was one of her father’s illusions and it would disappear before her eyes.

As the couple were relaxing together and enjoying the morning breeze in the tropical island mansion that would be their new home, others were finding that their access to the two of them was no longer as free as it once had been. This did not go over well.

Lucifer was enraged. He’d already tried to send messengers to the island, but they couldn’t make it through the numerous wards erected by Astaroth. By creating his own island, Astaroth had created a pocket dimension connected to Earth, it technically didn’t exist ON Earth, and he was the creator and ruler of it. So, in order to enter it, you had to have Astaroth’s permission and only one being in all of creation did: Yara.

It did not take long for Lucifer’s displeasure to reach Astaroth’s office in Hell. His employees were used to dealing with the demon king and knew that there was nothing he could do to them. They answered him with dismissive tones and threw him out of the office, something that enraged him more. He had forgotten that the only reason he'd been able to entrap Astaroth in this whole scheme was repayment of a debt owed.

That Lucifer was apparently having a royal temper tantrum in Hell amused Yara no end. Astaroth had shown her the text messages and videos he’d been sent from friends of theirs in Hell. They really could not have asked for a better wedding present than him losing his mind over not being in control of the situation in the slightest. When he found out where Astaroth was taking her next on the “A&Y World Tour Honeymoon”, there was no doubt that Lucifer was likely to become even more apoplectic. Not that there was anything he could do to separate them after where they were about to go. Lucifer was a demon with no more power than a lesser god, and they were about to visit one of the major ones to have their marriage blessed. No matter what was in that cursed contract of his, after this day, it wouldn’t be worth the time that it had taken Lucifer to come up with it.

*****

“Are you ready for today’s adventure, Papilio?” Astaroth looked over to where she was finishing getting ready. She seemed calmer than she had been before and he hoped that their conversation the night before had set her mind and some of her worries to rest. Later, when things were calm and settled, there would have to be more conversations.

“I might be able to answer that if you told me where we were going!” Yara was laughing as she looked over at her husband and stuck at her tongue. He absolutely refused to tell her where they were going and it was driving her absolutely insane with curiosity. He promised her that she would enjoy it far more than their venture the previous night. At first she hadn’t been sure if he had been joking or if he had been serious.

“We, my beautiful wife, are going to find out who your mother is.” He sauntered over and leaned against the door frame as she froze and looked back at him through the mirror. It was clear that she was in shock, and not quite sure if she could believe him. “Who it is that is going to tell us, that my darling, is a surprise. One you’re not going to find out if you do not get that lovely posterior of yours into gear and finish getting ready.” He winked at her with a sly smile forming.

“You’re serious?” She looked at him skeptically through the mirror, still so surprised by all that Astaroth was doing and had done. The events of the previous night were still confusing to her, but that he had already arranged for them to take the first step in finding out who her mother was completely shocked her. There was nothing about her husband that made sense to her.

Astaroth chuckled and walked up behind her, placing his arms around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder. “I have no reason to tease you with something like that. Of course, I am serious. Plus we are going to have our marriage blessed by a full godhead and ruler of a pantheon. So, you finish getting ready and I’m going to scry my friend.” Kissing the side of her neck, he gave her a wicked smile in the mirror and then turned to leave the room, leaving her speechless.

Less than twenty minutes later, she was ready. Astaroth was grinning, his plans coming together beautifully. If he could have Odin sanctify their marriage, then there was nothing Lucifer could do to break them apart, Yara could relax. Odin also had Mimir’s head, the strange oracle, and that was who he hoped would be able to tell him where they could find Yara’s mother. If not who she was, then at least someone who could help them find her. If this didn’t work, he was going to have to go to Delphi, and he hated having to fuck around with the Greeks.

Support banner: @cafekitsune

[blunderbus03]

The Flipside - Chapter 1

The Before

Cold radiates from the window, my forehead pressed against the glass. I notice frost clinging to the corners of the panel—then I hear it—the familiar, unmistakable hum of Frank’s car. He pulls into our driveway, tires crunching over patches of ice and gravel. I grab my bag and fly out the door, locking it behind me since Mom already left for work.

I climb into the back seat, slamming the door behind me, and toss my backpack onto the floorboard. The heater’s blasting, and Quiggly’s already sitting in the back seat, leaving Frank alone up front to be our chauffeur.

“Morning, Dante,” Frank’s chipper, like he always is in the mornings. “I see you survived Christmas?”

“Hardly, almost froze to death,” I tighten the coat around me. “You?”

“Eh, it could be worse.”

I give Quiggly a raised eyebrow and she rolls her eyes, mouthing ‘dad.’

I dip my head forward with a grimace. I peek at Frank through the rearview mirror to check if he’s watching us. I lower my voice so only Quiggly can hear. “Did you get it?”

Quiggly reveals a small black box from her tweed coat, her grin widening as she opens it. Removing the box’s lid, Quiggly extends the piercing gun into my hands. It catches the weak sunlight and a dull gleam shines against the cheap plastic. “Of course I got it, what do you take me for?”

Frank must've caught our whispering. He glances at us in the rearview mirror and his eyes narrow. “What is that?”

Quiggly smirks, taking back and raising the piercing gun a little higher so it can be seen in the mirror. “A piercing gun.”

Frank groans. “You’re kidding me. No. Way. No way you’re doing this now. Not in my car—not before school.”

“We’re absolutely doing this before school,” Quiggly cooly shoots back.

I can’t help but huff a laugh. “Come on, Frank. Where’s your sense of adventure?”

“It died somewhere around the last time you two dragged me into one of your body mods. It took forever for my eyebrows to completely grow back in.” Though Frank’s objecting, I catch the faintest curve of his smile on lips.

Quiggly fiddles with the gun as we drive, testing the spring. Frank cuts the engine in the school parking lot. 

“I’m not cleaning up any blood,” Frank points an accusatory finger our way.

“We’ll be fine,” Quiggly assures, “it’s just cartilage anyway. It’s not like we’re giving ourselves stick-and-poke tattoos in the school bathroom.”

“It’s pretty close, Quiggly!”

I stare at the gun in Quiggly’s hands and I briefly hold my breath in an attempt to suppress my nerves. “You’ve done this before, right?” 

“Nope,” Quiggly pops the ‘p’ with such casualty that makes me even more nervous. “But how hard can it be? Point, squeeze, done.”

My eyes dart to Quiggly, then at the gun—then back to Quiggly again. “I’m doing yours first.”

Quiggly reveals another small box from her pocket. Inside are two sets of small, silver studs.

I raise my brows. “Matching earrings?”

“Well, yes!” 

Frank groans again from the driver’s seat, leaning his head back against the rest. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

Quiggly doesn’t hesitate despite Frank’s protest. She flips her hair over her shoulder and tilts her head sideways, waiting. Her confidence makes it easier somehow. I align the earring in the gun’s chamber and then I push the tip to her earlobe, my hands steadier than I expect, and pull the trigger. There’s a soft click, followed by a sharp inhale from Quiggly.

“Hurt?”

Quiggly shakes her head. “Not really. Felt a pinch, that was it. You’re okay to do the other side.”

I repeat the loading of the gun and bring it to Quiggly’s other ear. I pull the lever again, sending another punch through. “Done,” I draw back to inspect the studs. “They look even.”

After ruffling her hair to rest down the front of her shoulders, Quiggly grins. “Your turn.” Taking the gun, she lines up one of the earrings in the chamber. “You ready?”

Cocking her head to one side, Quiggly’s hair falls across her face, and for a moment, I almost tell her no. Instead, I nod. “Do it.”

Quiggly slants forwards, her fingers ice cold as they brush against my ear. The implement feels heavier than I expect when she presses it against my lobe. There’s a faint click, and then a sharp pinch—not bad, but enough to make me wince.

“One down,” Quiggly pulls back to admire her handiwork. “Easy.”

I reach up, touching the stud. It’s warm against my skin and the tiny weight feels heavy. I’m sure the newness will eventually wear off.

Quiggly loads the gun again with the last earring and gestures for me to turn my head. “Last one.” But when she lines up the second stud, something feels off. The gun jams halfway through the motion, catching on my ear.

“Uh.” Quiggly frowns at the gun.

“What do you mean, ‘uh’?”

“Relax,” Quiggly squints as she lightly tugs. “I can fix it—hold still.”

I yelp. “Don’t pull it!”

“Stop moving!”

Frank whirls around in his seat to face the two of us, both pawing at the piercing gun and my ear. “What did I say about blood? If you two—”

“There’s no blood!” Quiggly and I yell at the same time, though it’s a statement that doesn’t hold my complete confidence.

“Hold still,” Frank’s arms twist around. He angles himself over the console to grab the gun, giving it a precise twist and click. There’s this horrible crunching of my cartilage, but then the device comes free, and I feel the weight of the stud settle into place. 

“There,” Frank drops the piercer into Quiggly’s lap. “Dante, you okay?”

I feel around my ear gingerly, sensing a slight heat from where the new piercing sits. “Quiggly—you nearly maimed me!”

“Oh, please. You’re fine,” Quiggly brushes aside my mock outrage.

Frank shakes his head in disapproval as he twists back into his seat. He adjusts the sun visor’s mirror downward, momentarily studying himself. “It’s always on a Monday,” he mutters, the words aimed more at his reflection than at us, before opening his door.

Outside the car, I linger for a moment to catch my own reflection on the car’s side mirror. My matching studs gleam in the faint light. 

It’s good to be back around the Dovecotes. Though we had all of the winter break, we never actually see each other during that time. The Dovecotes always have family parties and events to attend. For me, my family’s activities are less eventful and leave plenty of room to feel the dull pang of missing my best friends.

Maybe it’s because it’s our first day back and I’ve adjusted to my school free routine, but classes drag by in a haze of lectures and half-hearted note-taking. By now, the cafeteria is a welcome change. I’m trying to drown out the clatter of trays and snippets of conversation when Quiggly’s voice slices through. 

“Shut up, Frank! My grades have nothing to do with this!” Quiggly’s tone is sharp, yet lined with the faintest hint of laughter. Her loudness echoes in the cafeteria, over the distant chatter of students.

Frank swings his legs idly, letting them dangle from the edge of the table. “Okay, Quiggly, sure,” he says with a sarcastic laugh. “So you’re telling me you’re going to ace Mr. Thompson’s capitals quiz?”

Quiggly’s face lights up with an odd certainty, her hair bouncing as she nods with vigor. “Definitely. I love geometry.”

The words stagnate and I almost choke, a stifled laugh bubbling up as I cover my mouth with my hand. “You mean—”

“—You know what I mean!” Quiggly huffs, her eyes narrowing at me. She pounds her fist playfully on the table, making our cups rattle. Quiggly then slips back to the familiar, comfortable place of half-annoyed banter. “Today’s our first day back, anyways. I have a couple of weeks to study, so it’s not like I need to be quiz-ready right now.”

“No offense, Quiggly, but have you considered getting a tutor?” Despite Frank’s joking tone, he’s half serious.

“Now why should I when you can tutor me for free. Besides, you and I are home together more often than I would be able to get with a tutor. It’d be way easier.”

“No, not really.” Frank picks at a piece of lent on his jeans. “Student council is picking back up with the community service stuff, and I've been doing my own studying trying to up my ACT score. Have Dante tutor you,” Frank suggests.

My eyes widen, and I look up at Quiggly, trying to appear confident even though I feel put on the spot. “I mean, yeah, why not?”

“I suppose we could. If you don't mind.”

“When would you wanna start?” It’s not how I planned on spending my future evenings, but I can’t say I’m particularly upset to be hanging out at the Dovecotes house—a place where I feel more at home than my own.

“Tomorrow? I have my flash cards. You can test me.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Perfect,” Quiggly leans back into her chair. “Also—sidenote—are we still going to The Parlor when I get out of fencing practice? Fitch wants to have a meeting with me—but he said we could talk any day this week.”

“I’d like to go, if Fitch can wait just a day.” Frank’s gaze drifts to the other students at another table. “It might be awhile before I can go again. I’m about to be a slave to the government.”

A noise escapes me, something between a snort and a scoff. “School government, you mean?”

“Yeah, that,” Frank smiles. “Going to have to start getting here early now, as well as staying afterwards for the meetings.”

“Oh, rough,” Quiggly wrinkles her nose. “Guess that means no more carpooling, huh?”

“Probably, unless you’d like to be here at seven every day?”

Quiggly frowns. “Hard pass, but thanks, though. I don’t mind driving, anyway.” She pauses to pivot towards me. “I’ll be picking you up from now on then. You’ll have to adjust to my driving.”

The cafeteria speakers crackle, the feedback shrill and harsh, causing a few heads to turn. “Franklin Dovecote, please report to the principal’s office.”

All three of us freeze. Frank’s expression falters, his mask slipping as confusion and dread flicker across his face. He slides off the table, his stance suddenly uncertain as he glances between us.

“Uh-oh,” Quiggly says in her best singsong voice.

A flash of bewilderment crosses Frank as he begins to take a few nervous steps forward.

From another table, Kaden Lark yells out to Frank in mockery. “Guess the golden boy isn’t so golden after all. What’d you do, embezzle the bake sale funds?”

Frank shoots Kaden a mixed expression of disbelief, confusion, and disappointment. “Oh get bent, you roach.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Kaden fires back.

Frank rolls his eyes. “Go jump in a lake.”

And this is how it always goes. The two boys trade passive-aggressive jabs, their comments just weird and vague enough to keep them out of trouble. When staff intervenes, they suddenly morph into the perfect picture of camaraderie, acting like they adore running the council together. Kaden always claims that he’s, ‘only here to support Franklin as a loving and supportive vice president.’ But we all know better.

“I’m sure it’s nothing!” I say, trying to drown out Kaden’s taunts.

Frank doesn’t look back.

“Probably student government stuff. He’ll be fine,” Quiggly assures me. Or assures herself.

The three of us follow our usual routine after classes. Frank parts ways with Quiggly and me so he can hold one of his student council meetings, leaving the two of us to attend the fencing club. I don’t actually participate—I just watch Quiggly and silently cheer her on from the bleachers in the gymnasium.

Two and a half years ago, when Quiggly first joined fencing as a freshman, I thought I’d get booted from the bleachers or scolded by the instructor for being a distraction. That hasn’t happened. Honestly, I think Fitch and his members are happy to have a small audience.

Quiggly’s gotten pretty good at it, too. She attended several fencing camps over the summer, and I didn’t expect them to make much of a difference. But it’s clear they did—she’s improved so much that her fellow members are no match for her.

I watch intently as Quiggly advances on her opponent, her sabre clanking against the other’s sword. The sound is harsh but satisfying, and she racks up fifteen points in no time, completely demolishing her opponent. Quiggly has no trouble dominating her clubmates. Though her face is hidden beneath her helmet, her bold strikes and confident steps radiate assurance. She’s proud of herself.

Typically, the clubs finish their meetings in just over an hour, including student government. As president, Frank stays behind for a few minutes to clean up. Quiggly is always eager to hurry to The Parlor for something to eat. I can’t blame her—if I had been fencing for a solid hour, I’d probably feel the same. That’s why I stash protein bars in my backpack for those times when Frank takes just a little too long for Quiggly’s liking.

We have a solid system. Frank and Quiggly pick me up in the morning on their way to school. After attending and participating in our afterschool activities, we head to the Parlor, and then they drop me off at my house before going to theirs. Fridays are the exception—I’ll go straight to Frank and Quiggly’s house with them. Most weekends, I spend both Saturday and Sunday with the Dovecotes, unless my mom has a rare day off work.

When Mom’s off, I try to spend time with her, but with her taking more shifts than ever, I’ve been spending most of my spare time with my best friends. Lately, though, with Frank needing to dedicate his time elsewhere, our whole arrangement feels uncertain.

At least today feels normal.

I give Frank a minute to sort through his basket of fries before I bombard him. “So what did Principal Gale want? My curiosity’s been driving me nuts.”

Quiggly enthusiastically puffs her cheeks with air. “Oh yeah! Did you get in trouble?”

“Oh, no. Well, maybe,” Frank hesitates. “The pool supply and maintenance closet was found open on Monday during winter break. Apparently, it was wrecked.” He pauses, running a hand through his hair. “Since the student council usually runs the latest out of all the extracurriculars on Fridays, Principal Gale thought it might have been me or one of my members.” Frank half-shrugs, palms turned upward. “The door’s supposed to be locked anyway—it’s a staff issue—I don’t know why he jumped to me or the council members about it. ” 

“Weird,” Quiggly hums as adjusts her grip on her waffle cone. “Doesn't swim doesn’t meet on Fridays?"

“That’s my thinking, too,” Frank agrees. “But I’m not about to argue with Principal Gale. I don’t think it’s a huge deal, but there are a bunch of chemicals in that maintenance closet, so he wanted to address me about it as soon as it was appropriate. I just took the blow and told him I would talk to the members about it at our next meeting—which was today,” Frank sighs. “I’m already feeling slammed. I really do feel bad about not being able to meet up as often with you guys—but I really do have to get my community service hours in. I didn’t meet the quota last semester, but they’re letting me stack them onto this one.”

“It’s alright, Frank, really,” I insist, a smile tugging at my lips. “It just means we’ll be doing more studying together, that’s all. We have all summer to do anything else.”

My gaze drifts to the window, where sunlight slants across the room. Past summers flash through my mind—lazy afternoons sprawled on the lawn, endless conversations that blurred into the early hours of morning. A quiet comfort settles over me at the thought that we still have at least a couple more summers ahead before everything changes. Without the two of them, college would be like walking into a void. It’s why maintaining what we have now is so important to me.

“What are you thinking about?” Quiggly interrupts my thoughts.

“Just about college, I guess.” I glance down and realize I’ve mashes up my styrofoam cup that held my ice cream

“Have you started applying yet?”

“Not yet. Feels a little too soon.” My eyes land on Frank. “What about you, mister Student Council President?”

“I want to try to raise my ACT score a bit more before I apply,” Frank leans back into the booth. “And I would like to be able to put on my application that I was student council president for a whole couple of semesters. Can’t quite put it onto paper if I haven't achieved it yet,” Frank explains. “And details like that are the kinds that could make or break me getting the scholarships I’m aiming for.”

“It’ll be a miracle if we can get into the same college.” Quiggly snorts as she bites into her waffle cone. Crumbs scatter onto the table and she brushes them aside halfheartedly.

“It’ll be fine.”

“Frank. I’ll be lucky if I even get into a community college with how bad my ACT score is—and my GPA.”

Frank grabs another fry, pausing before he speaks. “You can bring up both of those things still, it’s not too late at all.”

“Yeah,” I chime in, trying to keep my tone light. “Remember, I’ve got your back. We still on for studying tomorrow?” I hope she catches a flicker of my optimism.

Pushing her dirty napkins aside, Quiggly collapses into her arms, sprawled onto the table. “Ugh. It’s just so hard sometimes.”

“Have you talked to Mal about things getting worse?” Frank leans closer and lowers himself to Quiggly.

Quiggly flops her whole body side to side, face still pressed to the table. It takes me a second to realize she’s trying to mimic shaking her head.

“—What’s getting worse?” I ask.

Quiggly brings herself back upright. “Just the words moving more on the page, letters changing and switching up on me. Dyslexia stuff. And my ADHD stuff.”

I scrunch my nose. “Sounds like they should up your med dosage or something. If that’s how it works?”

“Oh, I totally agree, but that means setting up an appointment with the psychiatrist. And by the time they could squeeze me in for a reevaluation, well, the semester would probably be over.” She groans and slumps back into our booth seat. “I feel like a failure.”

“Listen, you’re putting too much pressure on yourself. You’ll get by.” Frank gives Quiggly a reassuring nudge with his foot from underneath the table.

Quiggly grumbles in response. “Says you.” She lightly kicks back, aiming for Frank but catching my shin instead.

“Hey! Wrong target,” I yelp, rubbing my leg, but I don’t let it derail me. “Look, Quiggly. Frank is a whole eleven months older than you, and you have dyslexia—and ADHD problems. Despite that, you’re keeping up with him—and me—at the same grade level. If you’re holding your own alongside mega-genius Franklin, then surely you can figure out that you’re not a failure.”

As soon as I finish, doubt gnaws at the edges of my confidence. Did I just put Frank on a pedestal? Did I accidentally make it worse? My chest tightens as a rushed panic rises, and I look to Frank for backup.

Frank gives me an appreciative nod. “In summary, you’re doing great despite the circumstances. You weren’t dealt an even hand, and you should be proud of yourself for powering through. You’re one of the most determined people I know.”

Frank was always better with words than me.

Quiggly takes a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing a little. “Thanks, guys. I’m going to try really hard. For myself. Maybe I’ll even retake the ACT with you, Frank!”

Frank squints at her, hopeful. “Really? You will?”

Quiggly puckers her lips dramatically. “No. No, I won’t.”

Frank slowly blinks before casting his gaze elsewhere. “Didn’t think so.”

“But I will still try. You're serious about tutoring me, Dante?”

“I was never joking about it. I want to help.”

“I might be demanding.”

“Just drive me home, or something,” I counter. “If that will make you feel better about it.”

“Only if you agree to getting into my car in the morning?”

I toss my hands up in defeat. “Okay, alright.”

“Good!” Quiggly swiftly stands to her feet and snatches our trash and dirty napkins, sauntering away in victory.

My eyes shoot back to Frank to see him whisper a quiet, “Thank you.”

[gyuluvrrr]

The Jazz Spirit

wc: 2,705

ao3 link: https://href.li/?https://archiveofourown.org/works/51004867

audience: teen and above

tags: fluff, suspense, slow romance, mentions of alcohol, mingyu x female character

Summary: Mingyu has been singing at the same jazz bar for a year now, his everyday life being the same boring nights where he sings for drunk or elderly customers. That is until his new co-worker Celeste starts working at the bar, discovering supernatural secrets it keeps within its walls.

note: this is my first fic, let me know what you think !

—

You have reached your destination

Celeste clicks off the navigation on her phone and steps out of her car to see the jazz bar in front of her already being full of life. She used to work in an accounting office, her work life being out of balance messed with her a lot so she decided to quit and find something a bit more lighthearted, something she thought would be less stressful.

The bar was on her way to work, so one day she saw that they were hiring new bartenders and quit after her application got accepted by the owner.

She was nervous since it was her first day at a new job she had never tried out before but was determined to leave a good first impression on her boss. He was an older man, probably in his mid fifties but seemed more kind than he looked at first glance.

“You made it just in time! Welcome to your first night at Heaven's Jazz.” he said smiling at her as she walked into the bar with a firm handshake, the music and scent of alcohol hitting her senses immediately.

“Thank you, I am ready and excited for my first shift!” she exclaimed happily, her nerves seeming to fade after seeing how happy everyone else in the bar was.

Some were dancing, some were talking while others quietly enjoyed the music that was being presented by a young man on the small stage. Celeste was not introduced to him yet, so he did catch her attention with his deep voice and honey like skin that matched his dark hair and eyes perfectly.

“In case you forgot, my name is Eddie and I work from morning until noon almost every weekend to keep everything on track. I sent you a mail with your regular work schedule, if you need any help you will find some sheets on the bar that explain how the machines work.” the elderly man took her attention away from the handsome singer, instructing her with her tasks for the day before he left to go back to work.

It was a rainy Saturday, so most customers asked for hot drinks to keep warm inside while the soft yet deep voice of the same singer filled up the room with smiles. Celeste stood behind the bar most of the time, cleaning and filling up the drinks.

It was almost midnight, when the singer decided to end his show, receiving loud applause and whistles from the customers before stepping off the stage and sitting down on a stool at the bar.

“Could I get some water please?” he asks with a bit of a husky voice, resting his elbow on the side of the bar as he leaned his head on the side of his muscular arm.

With a nod she gave him a cup of water, trying to hide how she's eyeing him and admiring his unique face features. He must've been a model in his past life.

“You're new right? I’m Mingyu, I sing here every weekend.” he says introducing himself with a soft smile, the exhaustion slowly starting to show on his face after he gulped down the water in one go.

“Yes ! My name is Celeste, this is my first day here actually.”

“Good luck, this bar goes crazy on weekends, as you can see..” Mingyu says as he points behind him. There were only a few stools empty even though the day was about to end in a few minutes.

“I like it honestly, its a huge change to get used to for sure though.”

“You weren't a bartender before?” he asked, surprised.

“I worked at an office before, accounting specifically.”

This made Mingyu chuckle, “I used to work at a finance office too.”

Celeste's eyes widened at his response, it's rare for her to find someone in a similar work field who quit as well. Most of them stay since it's well paid and lets you buy some fancy stuff for yourself.

“Funny how we both ended up here then. Did you always want to sing?” she asked, now more curious to know what made him quit and why he didn't start with music in the first place.

“I knew that I had potential but never used it up until now. My family pushed me to it.” His honesty caught her off guard, he's confident but in a humble way.

“You do have a very nice voice, I enjoyed the third song the most.” her confession made her blush, oddly enough she rarely did but something about him made her cheeks heat up during the conversation. Maybe it was the way he held eye contact and the way his lashes fluttered with each sentence.

“It's one of my favorites to perform. These days it's been hard.” he finishes his second cup of water, checking his watch with a faint sigh.

Not knowing how to reply, Celeste gave him an understanding smile before Finn, another bartender, walked up to her to alert her that her shift had already ended a few minutes ago. The bar was such a lovely place, she completely lost track of time and didn't even want to leave, even though this was usually her time to go to sleep anyway.

She wished everyone a good night before going back to the locker room to put her apron into her assigned locker. While lost in thoughts of how she could decorate it with cute stickers and sheets she had at home, she heard a faint tap on the left corner of the room. Thinking she had imagined it, she tried to brush it off and forget about it until a second tap at the wall appeared a few seconds later. She slowly took her bag and walked over to the sounds she heard to investigate it, leaning her ear against the wall while trying to figure out what it was or where it came from.

Tap

Another one, this time a bit more loudly since she moved closer towards it. “This can't be real.” she quietly said to herself, she must be going crazy. This took her back to when she was a child and people made fun of her for having imaginary friends. She used to hear voices or sounds from a young age, so this is nothing new to her. Usually it only happened in her own house, never outside of her own comfortable four walls. She had names and stories from the spirits in her home, thats how invested she was with the world of spiritual beings and supernatural events.

“What.. are you doing?”

Celeste jumps as she hears the already familiar voice of Mingyu who is peeking his head from the side of the door, not daring to go in yet which she cant blame him for. He just saw her head against a wall, she probably looked like an insane woman.

“I heard something, nevermind it though.” she tries to brush it off with an awkward laugh before walking towards him, wishing him a good night again before quickly walking towards her car, rushing out of the situation. He couldn't get a word in since she had left already, his curiosity now peaked at what she may have heard.

During the whole ride home she kept thinking about the embarrassing moment, cursing at herself for how ridiculous she might have seemed in front of Mingyu. That was not the first impression she wanted to leave, nevertheless she was happy with her first night at work. It seems like this could finally lead to more peace in life, or at least that's what she thought back then.

____________________

The next few weekends played out the same way. Celeste gets to work, admires Mingyu's beautiful singing and gives him his water without him even needing to ask, hears something tapping or knocking in the locker room whenever she is alone and goes home with bittersweet thoughts about the night.

At this point she was dying to tell someone about what happens to her whenever she finishes her shift, wanting to know if she’s going crazy or is some type of medium like the ones she hears about in ghost hunting videos. It’s one of her favorite things to watch whenever she’s bored or eating alone at home.

That's when on the next saturday she finds the courage to talk to her coworker Finn about the strange noises she has heard so far.

“I’m pretty sure you’re the only one hearing that because I, personally, have never.” he says with a perplexed look on his face while the both of them were cleaning up cups behind the counter.

“I know it sounds crazy and ridiculously unreal. But… I feel like there’s more to it that I just can't seem to figure out.”

Celeste was lost in her thoughts and didn't notice that she had a guest peeving into the conversation with curiosity written all over his face.

“What is this strange thing you’re talking about?” asks Mingyu as he takes a sip of his regular coffee he gets before he goes on stage to energize himself fully.

Once again the handsome man had startled her while she was lost in her thoughts, placing her hand over her chest while facing him she hesitated before replying, this could change his view and opinion of her completely. There was no doubt of her attraction towards him, so his liking towards her was important to stay positive.

“It’s a tapping noise I hear in the locker room whenever I'm about to go home. It’s probably nothing.“

“That could just be the old building.” Finn shrugged confidently.

“Or something trying to talk to me.” Celeste tried to defend herself, though knowing how fake it all sounded.

“You’re thinking too much into it, this place is not haunted. I would know that.” he says with a sassy voice. Celeste didn’t know what to make of Finn yet, he was usually kind but his skepticism made her feel negatively about herself in some way, as if she was making it all up for attention.

Mingyu sat with his chin cupped in his palm as he smiled, thinking for a moment while listening to both sides before speaking his mind. He thought of Celeste to be a very sweet person, he liked an open mind in people as well which made him more fond of her. He rarely talked to Finn for that reason, he was too sure of himself and his world view and never accepted different opinions.

“I don’t think it’s that crazy, it could be something more than just the crummy building. Don't try to obsess over it Celeste, that makes it worse and less fun.” he says before leaving the bar to make his way over to the stage. Celeste wasn't sure if she had imagined it, but it seemed like right before he turned his head, he left her a small wink with a slight grin.

His comment stuck with her for a while, also the way he pronounced her name so perfectly and so smoothly. It sent a shiver and tingling sensation down her spine. Did he mean something else by that? Could he be talking about his obsession for music that is slowly becoming less fun for him? The thoughts about who Mingyu might really be running through Celeste's head were tiring her as well as the loud music so she decided to take a quick break in the employee room after Finn agreed to being alone behind the bar for a while.

As she walked in she saw Eddie sitting alone in the room, writing down some things in a notebook.

She joined him for a warm coffee, talking about her new work life and how it strangely makes her feel comforted and happy being in the bar late at night. While talking she contemplated a lot about whether or not she should tell him about her experiences in the locker room but decided to not do so since she didn’t want to lose her job over something that unrealistic. One person already thinks she’s crazy enough for it.

She also didn’t talk about how sometimes, especially male customers, went over the top with their snarky comments. She’s used to it since she’s a young female in her twenties but her eyes did roll a few times when she heard another man blatantly talking about her looks.

Oddly enough these things didn’t make her leave, she was too invested now to back down from her secret mission, which was to investigate the place.

After her break she went behind the bar again to do her daily duties as a bartender which she now really enjoyed doing, by this time Mingyu had already started singing his second cover. His voice alone was enough to move something within her. Some of the customers left great tips which made Celeste happy, she dreamed of collecting them to buy herself a big treat with the full amount she’d get over the year. A physical attribute to her success was sadly, usually needed.

It was already mid autumn in Seattle, the weather being chilly yet enjoyable for the most parts. Spooky season was coming soon, Celestes favorite time of the year for obvious reasons.

“Thank you everyone, I will be taking a quick break.” Mingyu speaks into the mic as he’s met with applause as always and steps down to go towards the bar. Celeste already prepared him his water as he walked by and handed it over to him. He took it with an appreciative smile and gulped it down hastily after he whispered a small thanks. This has become their ‘thing’ over the few weekends she has worked at the bar already.

“Exhausting huh?” she says awkwardly, trying to stir up a conversation which is not one of her great strengths.

“Incredibly, these days it’s been getting harder.”

This made her think for a while, she didn’t know if she was allowed to ask him what had been bothering him, she has noticed his state of exhaustion a lot more lately even though it's been only five weeks at the bar so far for her.

“You did a wonderful job, as always. I seriously could listen to you for hours. ”

His tanned skin showed a light blush of pink on the top of his cheeks, at this point he wasn't sure if he wanted to hide it so he just leaned his head down a bit.

This gesture made Celeste overthink her words, should she have said something different? Is it even her fault? There's no doubt that he was not satisfied at all, whether with his life nor with his singing career.

“Anything I can do to help?” she asked after a short pause in the conversation.

Mingyu looks up at her, his eyes widening at the question. He didn’t expect her to notice his words out of what he mumbled, yet is appreciative of her attentiveness.

“Thank you, but I'm not sure what I could need at this moment to feel better.”

His honest answer made Celeste feel a bit lost, she was never good at comforting people, especially if they were still kind of a stranger to her. But even with her closest friends she struggled a lot so the usual thing she’d do is give a big hug and a comforting smile. Which in this case would be a bad idea, remembering who’s actually sitting in front of her. Though she wouldn't mind finding out how it would be to be between his biceps, embraced by him fully.

After a short cut between the conversation by a few more slow songs by Mingyu she smiled at him when he sat down in front of her again. They held another small conversation about his closing performance for the day before Celeste decided on suggesting probably the most ridiculous idea she could think of to make him feel better, or at least get his mind off of his current issues that were still a secret to her for now. ´Here goes nothing´ she thought before asking him boldly:

“Wanna go talk to ghosts?”

[melaniem54]

Review:  Don't Come For My Operator: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 1) by Annabella Stone

Rating:4.75🌈 I came into this book absolutely not having read any of the many connected series and books in this complicated black ops universe but I still found myself throughly invested in the gripping story and the complex characters. Don’t Come For My Operator: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 1) by Annabella Stone is part of a black op universe of multiple stories,…

[blueskiesandwindchimes]

One Step Closer!

Happy New Year! Here’s a nice vintage card picture I came across online.

Also, I gave some big news. I am one step closer to finishing my second book! I finished the outline which is very detailed. All that’s left is filling it in with all the thoughts and conversations! Here is some teaser art for the potential cover.

My first book is still available on Amazon. Here is the link to that.

[deepwaterwritingkellyscott]

                               Blood of my Blood PROLOGUE       ndeepwaterwriting.com   I had woken up only about an hour ago I was finishing up in the bathroom. I'd heard my mom come in from work.  Finally! I said out loud,  'Hey, guys, we got Pizza!' I heard her yell. She grabbed me in a big hug and squeezed me and spun me around as she was hugging me.  Listen To him cackle ya'll! I gott'em now!’ I was laugh'n so hard, she told Sabrina to go get her sister because it was time for us to eat. Sabrina agreed and went to get Khloe. Mom asked my brother Jon to turn the tv off, so we could all eat pizza and talk like a family is supposed to. Mom hollered for the girls: Sabrina, Khloe, come on girls; It's time to eat! SCREEEAAMM! It was Sabrina, ‘Mom! Mom! Mom!’ She cried!  ‘Mom, it's Khloe! Mom!" It took my breath when I heard it! The high-pitched sound of a panic-stricken voice was enough to take my breath when I heard it!" It was awful, consumed with the sound of pure terror. It sounded like it came from one of Sabrina's horror movies. Jon shot up out of his chair! ‘What did she say?’ he asked; Mom reluctantly dropped her eyes to the floor. She bent her elbow and brought the back of her frail wrist to support her head. I saw the back of her shoulders start to bounce up and down, again and again. She then dropped down, to sit on the floor and then used her feet and legs to help slide her back up against the wall then she used her arms and elbows as a pillow to cover the tops of her knees. She started to rock back and forth. It seems like mom would have rushed in to see what Khloe was screaming about, but no, she wasn't moving, I know she didn't, but it almost was like mom already knew, somehow, that she didn't even have to go look.  I know that sounds crazy, but... And Jon almost made me fall as he hurled past me, and around mom to go back to Khloe's room where he then started hollering for Mom, she stayed glued to her position. I watched her tears make little splashes on the floor. It made me think of grandma's pond, in her back yard, the way it looks when the smallest rain droplets fall, barely bursting through the top of the pond's water, making that perfect tiny, tiny, plop; on top of the pond's surface, I've always liked to look at that pond at the very first stage of rain. Not this though, I can't stand to watch mom cry! ‘Come on mom,’ Sabrina said after she kneeled, and was helping mom to her feet, ‘ You have to face this,’ she told mom.  She finished helping mom up and began to walk her down the hallway. Mom never expected, on her drive home, the horror that awaited her arrival. Never had she ever, thought of the future torment that would devourer her soul for the rest of her life. https://www.amazon.com/Blood-my-Kelly-Scott/dp/B0DF473W9R/ref=asc_df_B0DF473W9R?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80883014056787&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584482482210376&psc=1&msclkid=f1942b97ea2319ae7d724c848f1f1f00

[cannibalisticchild]

Okay.. Here goes nothing. This is my Writeblr intro..

Hi! My name is Holly. I go by She/Her. I am in my late teenage years and currently am trying to figure out where to go in life. I have so many options yet none at all. I am in love with books and poetry. I love Taylor Swift's music and it really brings me into a good headspace for writing. I love serial killer anything and I am a sucker for a mystery book.

I feel like writing poetry and books is a way to express myself into the characters I make up. I like to vent every once in a while but I mostly just reblog cute things I like or stuff that means a lot to me. I love doing book reviews as I just did my first one and I thought it was so fun.

Currently I have one WIP and I'm working on my outline. The only issue I have is when I start writing is, I don't actually know where to post the chapters and whole story. I was obviously going to post it on Wattpad because that's where I started but I don't know if there's other platforms I could publish on.

I tend to write more about romance and mysteries. I love the idea of anything with suspense and I love world building. I'm slowly making progress on my outline but I've been going through stuff so it's taking me longer than usual.

I'm going to start posting more updates on my WIP and reblogging others intros to help them out because I would want the same.

My wattpad: @Deimos_And_Phobos

Love and hugs to everybody <3

-Holly

[snamioneasks]

Between Scylla and Charybdis by Ms_Anthrop - E, 8 chapters - "Merlin's saggy ballsack, since when has Granger had decent tits?"

Their affair started in a ballroom, centred on a series of jewellery heists, migrated to a closet, and became very complicated in the process. Being stuck between a rock and a hard place didn't begin to describe it, especially when Hermione's rock was a blood magic curse and the hard place was Severus Snape. NOW COMPLETE

Written as part of the 2018 round of the SSHG Gift Fest for Cabepfir.

[bumblebbook]

I've been so busy these past few days. But I've managed to finish a few books. Reviews coming soon

[bookstattoosandtea]

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Hoodoo House by Peter E. Fenton

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Mann Hunt By Peter E. Fenton Declan Hunt Mysteries, Book 2 FROM POPULAR AUTHOR OF LGBTQIA ROMANCE PETER E. FENTON How far would you be willing to go to keep a secret? When writer Malcolm Tull is discovered dead at his writing desk, all signs point to suicide. But Malcolm’ s editor isn’ t so sure. There’ s the matter of the man’ s missing computer, a mislaid…

[blunderbus03]

Blurb for The Flipside

Dante Kordell’s most impactful high school years are divided into two—The Before and The After.

In The Before, junior year, Dante’s world revolves around Franklin and Quiggly Dovecote, a sibling pair who are as constant as they are contrasting. Those days consisted of ice cream after classes, helping Quiggly manage her dyslexia, and bailing out Frank—the ever-responsible student government president—on his endless council projects. The trio perfectly orbited around each other—until they didn't.

The After, his senior year, Dante finds himself placed right back into the middle of the Dovecotes, forcing them to confront their fractured friendship and how each individual has been impacted. A darkness emits from Quiggly’s room, where she has withdrawn from everyone, turning herself into a shut-in. Meanwhile, Dante sorts through his own problems at home, involving his mom’s parasitic boyfriend, Calvin.

Past bleeds into the present, Dante and the Dovecotes navigate the mending of their friendship, and the Dovecotes’ dynamic has shown itself to be even more complex than Dante originally believed it to be.

[triviareads]

if I see three people on the cover of an upcoming romance novel and they don't all end up together what's the point

[karihighman]

trying something new 🙃

PS: @bookish-taurus it’s done! 😅

[insomniasymphony]

“I know there’s no room for us on this ship, but I’m asking once again to come with you,” I begin slowly. “Alola is ... not my final destination and ... I would like to explore the world – perhaps as a professor.” My inner desires linger on this group’s quest. On a being who feels the same urge for freedom as I do. “Besides ... this Rayquaza ... I’d like to see it again.” It’s a short-term idea, but a warming thought. This Pokémon has mesmerised me with the sight of it. Its voice, its search, all these things have left me with familiar feelings. I would like to see if it could find what it was looking for. “My answer remains unchanged,” he replies. His casual demeanour is stoic and everything in me wants to show him I am not to be underestimated. However, a fight remains impractical. “There’s no room for you here.” “Not even if it can give you an advantage?” No matter how insane I sound, it’s worth a try. “What do you mean?” “I can hear Rayquaza when it’s nearby.” I tap my temple briefly. “His voice is in my head. That’s true for ... some special Pokémon, it seems.”

Pokémon Fanfiction: Whispers. Chapter 11.

[acourtofwritingandreading]

Sea Side Cove is a tropical resort in Orlando, Florida. Guests come from all over the world to visit. It’s home to acres of white sand beaches, tiki bars, twelve bottlenose dolphins, and a dedicated team of lifeguards.

Carly Adams had been the top lifeguard for two years when Ryan Harris arrived. There’s an instant spark between them after they meet during a rescue. Ryan’s determined to win her over, but Carly has issues she’s afraid will scare him away. None of that matters when they find themselves in the path of a Category 5 hurricane, and Ryan has to find her when she wrecks her car in the middle of the storm.

Coworkers to friends to lovers with elements of forbidden romance. First person, dual POV. A standalone suspense romance with a guaranteed Happily Ever After and no cliffhanger. Carly and Ryan flirt, but she never cheats. Recommended for readers ages 18 and up.

Free in Kindle Unlimited!

This is the first book I wrote. I'm currently almost done with the sequel which is due out in May. Figured if I was going to give any website money for advertising, it should be Tumblr.

[eveebeemusic]

NEW CHAPTER - Finding Alice

Allison Halloway is a crime novelist going through a rough patch in her marriage. She is struggling with her addiction to alcoholism. Alice has thrown herself into her work after a miscarriage. After a heated fight with her husband and with him threatening divorce, she flees to a local hotel. One night at the hotel, she meets a stranger. She shares a few drinks with this stranger, named Henry, a man dealing with the aftermath of a nasty divorce. One thing leads to another. Filled with guilt, Alice is determined to forget her mistakes only to discover Henry is no stranger. Alice finds out that Henry is a man from her past, driven to make her life a living hell. Blackmailing her and threatening to ruin her career.

mood board by moi support banner by the lovely @benkeibear