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celosiaa · 4 years ago

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can I get a martin over working himself (season 1 I don’t like to acknowledge canon) and getting really sick? If not it’s ok!! I just am having a rough day at work and comfort characters

hi friend!!! I’m so sorry you’ve had a rough day!! I hope this will make it a little bit better, and I hope it’s what you wanted <3

“Martin?”

At Jon’s soft call, Martin jolts to attention, blinking rapidly as his head adjusts to the sudden change of position. Moving his eyes quickly over him, he takes a moment to consider his appearance—the pallor of his face, the unusually mussed tangle of his hair, the way his eyelids seem to droop below their typical station—all serving to make Martin look decidedly unwell.

“Jon! Christ, you scared me,” he breathes, resting a hand against his chest in relief.

“I’m sorry,” Jon says at once, and finding that he means it. “What…what are you doing here, exactly?”

“Could ask the same,” he replies, a bit of accusation coloring his tone—and Jon supposes he deserves that.

“Forgot to lock up.”

“Could have texted me, I’d have done it.”

“I didn’t know you were here.”

At last, Martin drops his gaze, smashing a hand over his unkempt hair. Something about this simple action stirs up something incredibly fond in the pit of Jon’s stomach—and he does his best to repress the feeling in favor of professionalism as quickly as possible.

“Which begs the question—why are you here?” he asks, watching carefully as Martin worries at his bottom lip, clearly hesitant to say something.

“I’m just—just finishing up a couple of things, that’s all,” he replies with a smile, tone kept intentionally light and jovial.

Something about this is not right, and Jon is determined to find out what.

“What are you working on?” he asks incredulously, squinting to get a glimpse of Martin’s laptop screen. “It’s after nine on a Friday, Martin—you shouldn’t be here.”

“You’re one to talk,” he mutters under his breath, so openly that Jon is taken aback.

I suppose I deserved that too.

“I’ve…been trying to get better about that,” he says lowly, a bit hurt at the irritation he seems to have stirred up by his presence alone.

“I know,” Martin replies with a sigh, taking off his glasses to scrub a hand over his eyes. “I know you have, Jon. Sorry.”

The silence they hold is far from comfortable, but the look on Martin’s face tells Jon that he’s considering carefully what to say—and Jon will not hold that against him. After a long inhale, eyes closed in an effort to—brace himself?—Martin speaks.

“I needed to catch up. Because I was gone.”

“…oh.”

Oh, Christ.

Jon could just kick himself over this, over forgetting about his mum’s health scare this week��the one he had learned about only after he had gotten very terse with Martin over the quality of his work. Perhaps a bit more than terse, to be honest.

“Martin, I—I didn’t mean—“

“No, it’s alright,” he is quick to intercept, holding his hands up to stop him. “You were perfectly in the right, and I know this work needs to get done. So I will do it.”

Oh god oh god

It kills him—the exhausted smile shining across Martin’s face, just knowing that he is the one who put it there.

“I didn’t…I didn’t know.”

“I know.”

“I shouldn’t have—“

“It’s alright, I just—“ he cuts off, removing his glasses and setting them on the desk before leaning his head on one hand. “It’s my fault, Jon, really.”

Jon finds himself unable to control the expression of shocked incredulity he feels washing over his face at these words.

“How on earth is this your fault?” he asks, tone ticking up in incomprehension.

“I don’t—“ he pauses, beginning to rub circles across his forehead and temples with the tips of his fingers, in obvious pain. “I don’t know, Jon. Just…it is.”

What are you talking about? Jon wants desperately to say—but he stops himself in favor of taking in the renewed pallor of Martin’s cheeks that deepens with every passing moment.

“You…you don’t look well, Martin,” he says, stepping just a bit closer, forcing his tone into its gentlest possible shape. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” he replies at once, eyes still closed tightly where he leans on the desk.

You’re not fine.

“Let me—look, you should have some water at least, before you go home,” he says, turning to retrieve some from the kitchen—before turning back at once upon hearing the rather disturbing sound of derisive laughter from behind him.

“Not sure I am, though,” Martin says through his horrible laughter, swiping at his eyes with his sleeve.

“W..what?”

“I didn’t pay my bills,” he says, the sound of it coming out wet and muffled from behind his hands. “I had to go up to Devon, and I left in a rush, and I didn’t get back in time, a-and I’m just…I had to spend so much on my stay that I’m not even sure I can cover it all—“

“Ah—Martin—“ Jon steps quickly over to him as he breaks off into a choked sob, patting his shoulder in what he knows must be the most awkward manner—but how could he just stand there, and do nothing?

“S-sorry, sorry,” he gasps as he struggles to contain the tears, driven by what Jon has been recently made aware has been a lifetime’s worth of pain and anger and solitude.

This won’t do at all, Jon thinks, starting to rub gentle circles between his shoulders as his breathing begins to even out.

“Come home with me,” he decides as he says it, voice now edging back into its usual commanding presence.

“Oh no, Jon—“

“I insist, Martin. Get your coat. We’ll get your bills sorted in the morning,” he says, already stepping towards the corner of the room to grab his coat for him.

“Jon, no, I really couldn’t—“

“Coat,” he says, holding it out towards Martin’s face with a meaningful glare. “Now. You are coming with me.”

He looks at Jon hard and long, clearly disbelieving of his kindness, searching for the hidden motive behind it all. Though he cannot say why…something painful twinges in his chest at the very thought.

“Alright,” Martin replies at last, carefully standing, both knees clicking and popping in the process. “I—thank you, Jon. Really, it’s too much.”

“It’s nothing at all,” Jon replies quietly, watching intently as Martin dons his coat, arms at the ready to support him should he start to fall. “Nothing at all, Martin.”

#tma #the magnus archives #tma fic #tma fanfic #hurt/comfort #my writing

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hayleyb100 · 4 years ago

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Light My Way, Part 5

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 10 - Part 11 the end

⚠️ WARNING! ⚠️ -It is a twisted story of Pokemon Sun and Moon, and a crossover of Pokemon SM and SWSH. -It features Hau and Kabu as the main characters. -Extremely angsty. -Everything is headcanon. -It isn’t spoiler-free.

"This will be your room from now on. If you need anything, let me know anytime, dear."

Kabu smiled as he introduced Hau to his new room. It was cozy and lovely, filled with a comfy bed, bookshelves full of storybooks, and pokemon stuffed toys. Hau stared at Kabu with a little intimidated look. He kept asking if it was alright for him to go in, and Kabu nodded with another grin.

Hau hesitantly went into the room and looked around. He fiddled with some toys for a bit, but soon sat down on the floor and stared back at Kabu. It seemed like the child was lost on what to do. Kabu felt great pain for him. He should be a carefree child who would run straight to play with toys, but he was busy reading Kabu's face.

"Well, it is late and you must be tired after a long flight. I'll leave you to sleep, alright? See you tomorrow morning."

___________________________________

The next morning, Kabu went to check on the child first thing, only to have his heart sink. There was no sign of the child. Hau was missing from his room. The bed was still neat and tidy - without a trait of using it. The toys were still staying in the boxes.

"Hau? Hau! Where are you??"

Kabu called out completely flustered. How did such a thing happen only after a day they arrive in Galar?

Then he noticed that the door of the wardrobe was peeking open. Hau was hiding in the wardrobe holding his breath.

"Phew, you gave me a fright... Isn't it stuffy in there? Come on out."

Kabu tried to get the child out of the wardrobe by holding him in his arms. But the boy shook Kabu's hands off freaking out a bit.

The Fire Gym Leader felt as if his heart was torn apart, because he had a feeling of what was going through the boy's mind. Ever since he stepped into Galar, Hau never complained about anything. He must have been uncomfortable since Galar is a lot different from Alola from climate to food. But the boy never complained about anything. He was only a child who ought to complain a lot when they don't feel like home. Instead, Hau was acting as if he was walking on eggs.

Hau had enough of getting abandoned by someone. He was scared he might experience it yet again. That pain. The feeling of being someone worthless. Hiding was the compromise he reached after going through all the turmoil. He was dead thirsty for love, but if the foster parents see something that doesn't suit their taste, they will abandon him again. So he decided to keep it down. Behave and don't show himself. He was desperate for affection, but he wanted to stay here more. It's even okay if he was to be fed and raised like a pet. All he ever wanted was to stay. He was his way of screaming, "I will behave. Please don't dump me."

It was such a heartache for Kabu to see his boy like that, but he decided to stay strong and keep to Hau's pace. He sent messages to his acquaintances to please restrain from calling or visiting so that he can focus on his new boy as much as possible. He was glad that it was the close season with no Gym Battles. He made a little world for just the two of them, so that they can relax and bond.

Kabu didn't rush things. He didn't try to pull the boy out by force or scold him. All he did was to bring a pile of books to entertain himself, and read it by the wardrobe.

And when his eyes met Hau's, he smiled gently, sending a silence message: "I'm always here for you if you need me. Call me anytime."

During the meal and bath time, he gave Hau some food or bath products, and strolled around the Motorstocke City for a bit. He knew Hau didn't feel comfortable around him yet, so he gave him time to do it himself. But as he cleared away the empty plates, he dreamed of dining on the same table with Hau someday. Kabu did everything to win Hau's trust that he isn't someone to hurt him.

When Hau fell asleep in the wardrobe, Kabu tirelessly studied how to care for an adopted child. He never gave up his dream to adopt him one day, when Hau was ready. He didn't forget to jog around the Wild Area with his pokemons at dawn before Hau wakes up, so that he relieves stress before taking care of the child. It was a tight schedule since he had to be by Hau most of the time, but he never felt tired. In fact, Kabu started to feel joy from the bottom of his heart.

The way the child was slowly becoming the center of his life.

That was the procedure of becoming a parent.

It was the bliss Kabu never felt in his life.

Living and dedicating purely for someone else.

And after a few weeks...

His effort paid off.

Kabu was exhilarated that Hau finally came to him, but kept calm as best he could. He wore the same warm smile as he asked him.

"I am very happy that you have decided to let me spend some time with you. Very brave boy. Would you like me to read you a story?"

Hau nodded, still a bit nervous.

Kabu pulled out a children's story book called Scorbunny and Chewtle from Hau's shelf and started reading. Kabu's soothing voice calmed Hau down. Before Hau noticed, he completely forgot about the fear and was leaning on Kabu's arm, concentrating on the story. The warmth from someone else gave Hau such relief. Sooner or later, he yawned. Sleeping all curled up in the wardrobe was so uncomfortable that he had catnapped all the time. The relaxing from Kabu made Hau drowsy instantly. He tried to keep awake, but fell asleep without noticing.

When Hau woke up, he was shocked. Kabu was sleeping next to him, patting him gently. It's been a while since he felt such tranquil feelings. His fear and sorrow melted away like snow in spring. Hau kept as still as possible, because he wanted this to last forever. He wasn't completely sure if Kabu would accept him as he is, but hope started to bloom.

Few days after that, when Kabu was setting up the table for dinner, another miracle happened. Hau came close to him, showing interest in meals.

"Are you hungry, dear?" Kabu asked with a slight excitement.

Hau nodded.

Kabu happily allowed him to sit next to him, and gave him some food. But soon after, Kabu noticed Hau was shaking his hand a lot. It was the aftermath of the cold sleep. Hau tried his best to keep his hand still, thinking Kabu will dump him if he finds out he is still unwell. Kabu calmly suggested.

"Would you like my help? Or would you like to give it a try?"

Hau gripped his spoon tight, indirectly saying he can do it alone. Kabu was sad that the boy doesn't fully rely on him yet, but he reminded himself to let Hau do it at his own pace. Hau was surprised at how Kabu never raised his voice when he spilled food or dropped utensils. The hope grew more and more.

________________________________

Weeks turned to 3 months, and there were a lot of changes. Hau stopped going back to wardrobe and started to have a little bit of brightness in his face. He no longer ate alone but dined and slept next to Kabu.

It wasn't only Hau who changed, though. Kabu learned just how wrong he was. He started fostering Hau out of sympathy honestly, but he realized that he can't adopt a child with that sort of trivial emotions. It was so much more than that.

Even the tiniest smile on Hau's face pushed Kabu on cloud nine. The smallest pain on Hau's face pushed Kabu down to pits of worries.

The attachment he shared with the child was so much deeper than he thought. It wasn't something to be taken lightly. It made Kabu brace himself once more to take the child-parent bond seriously. Kabu was surprised at how he was so attached to the child already, that it will be impossible to turn back.

#pokemon hau #rival hau #trainer hau #pokemon kabu #gym leader kabu #pokemon gen 7 #pokemon generation 7 #pokemon sm #pokemon gen 8 #pokemon generation 8 #pokemon swsh #pokemon sword and shield

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domesticcleaningservicesedi-blog · 4 years ago

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aion-rsa · 4 years ago

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Rick and Morty’s Most Gruesome Deaths

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The super-slick, super-sick Rick and Morty brand is known for many things: the warped, borderline-abusive dynamic between its titular characters, its deliciously dark humour, the gleefulness it takes in capsizing the conventions of a thousand genre tropes. Then there are the catch-phrases, and the colourful cast of supporting characters – everything from fatally-depressed Mr Meseeks to embedded family friends like Mr Poopybutthole. What really characterises it though, is death. That it’s not the first association you make with the show is possibly a by-product of there being so damn much of it that it stops registering.

There are long deaths, slow deaths, good deaths, bad deaths, sad deaths, funky deaths, perfunctory deaths, ironic deaths, iconic deaths, horrid deaths, hilarious deaths and hectares of borderline disturbing deaths.

Here are the most gruesome, in all their gory glory, season by season. (It’s a testament to Rick and Morty’s perpetually heavy ante that a little girl having her head sliced off by a Freddy Krueger substitute doesn’t even make it onto the list.)

I hope you haven’t eaten yet.

S1, E3 ‘Anatomy Park’ Come Flay With Me

Morty fails to save a fellow miniaturised man when things go south in ‘Anatomy Park’, a themed pleasure experience situated inside the body of a chronically unwell homeless man. The poor soul is sucked through the dying tramp’s windpipe and out through his mouth, the skin and flesh being stripped from his bones in the process, leaving him a peeled human spit-ball.

S1, E3 ‘Anatomy Park’ Space Guts

Things aren’t any less gruesome when the bloated corpse of the tramp is made giant by science. It ends up floating in space – because of course it does – whereupon it’s blown to smithereens, sending bone and guts spiralling into the void.

S1, E5 ‘Meeseeks and Destroy’ Who You Gonna Kill?

Morty not only finds himself preyed upon by parasite zombie versions of his family, but also has to watch as they’re trapped, burned, squished, melted and pulled into a piece of trapping technology that Rick clearly ripped from Egon’s ghost-busting manual.

S1, E5 ‘Meeseeks and Destroy’ Fairytale Ending

A fairytale giant – in the ‘Fe Fi Fo Fum’ mould – slips in his kitchen and slams his skull on a table-top. He bleeds out, a look of mystified shock frozen in his eyes, convulsing as his life-force ebbs away. RIP childhood.

S1, E6 ‘Rick Potion #9’ RIP and Mortal

In a sequence as chilling as it is gruesome, Rick mishandles some super-dangerous piece of kit and blows himself and Morty to Kingdom Come. Their crumpled remains, spattered with blood, smash against the wall; Rick’s eye pops out. Our own – thankfully unscathed – Rick and Mortys arrive from a doomed neighbouring dimension to bury them and take their place.

S1, E8 ‘Rixty Minutes’ Lepre-gone

You should never watch Inter-dimensional TV on a full stomach. In this advert, a cereal-hocking leprechaun – the mascot of this universe’s favourite breakfast cereal, Strawberry Smiggles – is pinned down on a tree stump by a little boy and girl, who proceed to slit open his abdomen and feast on his spilled-out innards; even squeezing out cereal shapes from his intestines and gobbling them like Pez sweets.

S2, E4 ‘Total Rickall’ Memory Massacre

Morty and family encounter shape-shifting alien parasites that reproduce through implanting false memories in a host’s brain. Their pus-fountained death throes – as their bodies wither, wilt, and burst in a screaming fanfare of tentacles – is pretty gruesome to behold, but thankfully you become desensitised to it pretty quickly.

S2, E7 ‘Big Trouble in Little Sanchez’ Rick Kills Himselves

At least Rick is an equal opportunities murderer. Even another version of himself isn’t exempt from his nihilistic rage. Here he gleefully smashes, drop-kicks and hacks up his own glass-encased surrogates, leaving a pile of bloodied parts strewn across the floor.

Rick and Morty: A Guide to Every Voice Actor

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S2, E8 ‘Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate’ Man vs Car

Another Interdimensional TV segment, another stomach churner. Literally this time. A punkish strongman is crushed to death under the wheels of a car he’d hoped to repel, his blood and body parts thrown from the fast-spinning tyres like fireworks from a Catherine Wheel.

S2, E8 ‘Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate’ Jerrymurdering

Jerry is violently shot to death, leaving his face a drooping, lacerated, blood-dripping husk. Thankfully he’s in a technologically sophisticated futuristic hospital that presumably offers socialised healthcare.

S2, E9 ‘Look Who’s Purging Now’ Mashes to Mashes

When Rick and Morty don robo-suits and enter the Purge, expect blood. When Rick hoists a purgee off the ground and pops his head off like it was a bottle-top, sending a fountain of blood arcing into the air, it’s pretty damn disgusting – and admittedly also a bit cool – but for gruesomeness you can’t beat the sight of two people having their heads slammed together leaving a mess of pink-hued, brain-flavoured mashed potato.

S3, E1 ‘The Rickshank Rickdemption’ Pop Goes the Weasel

In the midst of some inter-dimensional Rick and Morty-based carnage, a poor Morty is crushed to death with one swift trample, as if he were nothing more than a tube of toothpaste. His dead body lies on the ground like a stuffed tiger rug, his hollow eye sockets and melon-mouth aflame with blood.

S3, E2 ‘Rickmancing the Stone’ Bad Beth

Summer flips a Mad Max-style baddy’s death-machine, maiming him horribly. He drags his torso towards her from the wreck, on a slime of entrails, pleading with her to put him out of his misery. ‘OK,’ she says, ‘But not because you told me to.’

S3, E2 ‘Rickmancing the Stone’ Give Him a Big Hand

For maximum yuk, you really can’t beat Morty smashing skulls to a pulp in a Thunderdome-inspired death arena with his beefy, vengeful and murderously sentient replacement arm.

S3, E3 ‘Pickle Rick’ Rat-a-tat-splat

I’m going to condense multiple deaths into one here, all perpetrated by that mighty, vegetable-based superhero, Pickle Rick. First, he slices off a rat’s head with a trap and harvests its bones and sinew to add limbs to his pickle body. Next, he proceeds to dispatch a whole army of rats with his makeshift power-tools in a variety of brutal and ghastly ways: pummelling brains; suspending bleeding corpses from the ceiling; cutting them into strips, and even cleaving them in two. Riotously disgusting.

S3, E3 ‘Pickle Rick’ Laser Tag

Pickle Rick’s human opponents fall just as easily – and horrifically. The best, and messiest, kill is when Pickle Rick bores a laser-shot through the heads of three of his enemies, and then proceeds to stare cockily through the tunnelled lens of charred goo like some pickle-based James Bond.

S3, E4 ‘Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender’ Falling Down

Speaking of Superheroes, let’s say hello and goodbye to Morty’s favourite team, The Vindicators, most of whom met a particularly savage end. First there’s Vince Maximus, who flies into a ceiling vent, and is shot to death in such a spirit of Rambo-esque overkill that his disembodied legs drop to the ground like a downed plane.

S3, E4 ‘Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender’ See You Later Alligator (In a Pile, Crocodile)

Then there’s Croc-u-bot, splatted into a green pulp by a springing trap.

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S3, E5 ‘Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender’ Ants in His Pants

And the perpetually angry Alan Rails, whose gullet is invaded by the shifting, morphing body of Million Ants, who first inflates him then detonates him in a riot of guts.

S3, E5 ‘The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy’ Game Over

This one if possibly the most viscerally gruesome death in the entire show. A little girl is shot through the head by her giggling boy pal just as Rick deactivates the invincibility shield protecting everyone inside the dome from death.

S3, E5 ‘The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy’ A Bug’s Death

Another death that’s psychologically, rather than physically, gruesome. Three little bug-people sit toasting each other’s health and happiness. ‘Let’s just relax and enjoy our retirement,’ says one, as he’s snatched by a bird of prey and carried to his doom. The last thing we see of him as he’s ferried to his horrible off-screen death is the open portal of his screaming mouth.

S3, E6 ‘Rest and Ricklaxation’ Party Poopers

A furry party-entertainer and a bunch of happy young kids are engulfed in a toxicity field. An angry exchange ensues, which culminates in the brutal beating, beheading and evisceration of the entertainer. They’re also available for weddings and Bar Mitzvahs.

S3, E7 ‘The Ricklantis Mixup’ Morty’s Flush

Thousands of dead Rick and Mortys float eerily through space having been tossed from the airlock by a homicidal Morty.

S4, E1 ‘Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat’ Crystal Death Addiction

When Morty first gazes upon the death crystal we see a shimmering smorgasbord of possible deaths. If you’ve got a fast pausing-hand, or the eyes of a spider, you’ll see such memorably brutal deaths as: Morty being sucked through a spacecraft toilet and ejected into the cold, airless void of space; dropped into a nest of giant baby birds and torn asunder; decapitated by an elevator door; and even falling from a skyscraper and being whisked to death by helicopter blades.

S4, E1 ‘Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat’ Rick’s Crystal Maze

Rick carks it in some hellishly grizzly ways, too. He’s torn in half by Squanch, is eaten by a giant spider, has his head splattered open like a melon by a swinging log, and – in perhaps the most horrific segment – has his body churned through a rectangular aperture in a giant Play Doh maker.

S4, E1 ‘Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat’ Clunk, click. Dead Rick.

Rick soon after dies for real (but not forever) in a spacecraft crash following some death-crystal-related shenanigans, smashing through the windscreen and impaling himself on a spike.

S4, E1 ‘Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat’ The Wasp Factory

Extra points for top tier body-horror gruesomeness with this one. Wasp Rick lays eggs in giant Rick’s eye, causing fast-hatching grubs to spill out from his massive mouth. Seconds later, a horde of Rick-wasps hatches en masse from his face, splitting it open like an overboiled hot-dog. Yuk!

S4, E3 ‘One Crew Over the Crewcoo’s Morty’ Treachery Will Tear Us Apart

Heist artist Miles Knightley is torn apart like a chicken dinner by a medley of bizarre alien creatures – a cross between the ghosts from The Real Ghostbusters intro sequence and something that fell out of Clive Barker’s nightmares – whose piece de resistance is yanking the skin from his wet skull like it’s a bad mask.

Are there any particularly gruesome deaths you’d like to add to the list? Or would you like to weigh in on which of these fatalities repulsed or horrified you the most?

The post Rick and Morty’s Most Gruesome Deaths appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/3bCWI0f

#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

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rebecccabush · 4 years ago

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Sorts of Gardens - Residence Gardening Leisure Activity

Gardening around the residence can be a fun leisure activity. There are many ideas that you can select when it concerns landscape design making use of horticulture as your ideas. Depending on the area that you are attempting to cover and the budget that you're on, you may have the ability to change the landscaping every other week. There additionally numerous benefits to horticulture for both the garden enthusiast and also the garden that is being grown around the house. Anyone can delight in the hobby of gardening, as well as it can be a satisfying experience no matter what sort of yard you choose to have. Different Types of Gardens Vegetable Gardens: Vegetable gardens provide you with a lot of veggies throughout the year, and additionally advertise healthy eating. Depending on the kinds of vegetables expanded, they need to be grown and also gathered at specific times throughout the year. Fruit Gardens: Fruit gardens are similar to veggie yards since you have to grow and also collect the fruits during specific times of the year. Not only that, but fresh produced fruits are healthy and also good to consume. Flower Gardens: Flower yards are rather as well as can add some landscape to your home. You can pick from a broad variety of blossoms as well as only go with a choose few or vary them out depending upon which blossoms you like. Natural Herb Gardens: Herb gardens are great for those people who like to cook using the herbs, as well as who would like to sell them. A lot of individuals utilize natural herbs for other things so this would be a helpful yard to have without needing to buy fresh natural herbs weekly. Mixed Gardens: Blended yards are stunning, and you can grow a great deal of different things in them consisting of, yet not restricted to fruits, vegetables, flowers, natural herbs, hedges, and any kind of others things that you intend to include. Benefits of Gardening Not just will you really feel better when horticulture since you're doing something pleasurable, however you likewise remain in the sunshine. This can make any individual seem like a hundred bucks. The outside of your home will certainly also look far better with blossoms and shrubs that embellish around your home, as well as also along the bushes. Planting a vegetable yard will offer you with all-natural, residence grown veggies and fruits throughout the year which are wonderful for health and wellness and also health. There are a number of various yards that you can grow depending upon what you would such as from the garden. With many landscape ideas for the garden enthusiast, you will certainly make sure to have everything covered when the moment comes to create a gorgeous location for a garden. Not just that, but given that horticulture features a broad variety of benefits for both the gardener and the garden, there is nothing to fret about. Horticulture can be a fun hobby, or a way to connect one on one with your environment-friendly thumb. Develop household time together when horticulture also as well as get the entire household included or spend some alone time planting things you enjoy in your front or garden. If you rent out and also are a garden lover, it can be tough to have a wonderful yard. You don't wish to invest a lot of cash, as it is not your residence as well as you could have to relocate. It can be challenging, if you don't do anything due to the fact that you feel you just might be there for a year, five years down the track you will certainly desired you had done some enhancements. On the various other hand, you may create a fantastic garden and then all of a sudden after just 18 months get the notice of eviction. It can be ruining. You have actually invested a lot of love, time, money and currently you need to leave. Property Representatives enjoy it when you claim I will look after the yard as well as I am sure I obtained one home in South Melbourne since I said that. My concept is not to invest excessive money due to the fact that I don't own the home. Another problem is if you have actually stayed in the very same home for years, you begin to feel it is yours, when actually it isn't. Relocating can be heart wrenching specifically when you leave some plant pals. To start with, you require to select a home, that has the right amount of sunlight wherefore you want to grow. You require to determine where north/south/east/ west is as well as it is actually essential, to exercise where the shadows drop as well as the setting of the sunlight in winter season. What may be a bright front garden in summer season, might be an extremely dubious yard in winter. It is a good concept to get the proprietors approval before you go making way too many modifications. One house I leased, I really did not bother to ask whether it was okay to pull up the paving and also make yard beds. They might not want to you produce a beautiful yard due to the fact that as soon as you move out, they might not wish to care for it. It is heart damaging to drive previous and see all your hard work, mosting likely to weeds. To produce a wonderful garden in a rented residential or commercial property is simpler if the residential property is little as this indicates you do not require to do as much job. If it is a big rental property, you may make a decision to just establish one location. An additional suggestion is to speak with the owner and also obtain them to agree that if you do the job, they will spend for the plants and whatever else is required. I often believe home owners do not recognize that if you develop a great yard, this will enhance the value of their home which implies money in their pocket. I have just one policy when producing a yard in a leased property which is not to get pricey plants. So I only ever before get tubes (3 inch pots) or 6 inch pots. This limits me investing a lot of cash on something I can't take when I move. I likewise figure that anything in a tube, will turn into a larger plant gradually. Additionally smaller sized plants overcome their transplant shock and start growing quicker than big plants in pots. A cheap method to create a garden is to take cuttings of the great old made plants such as geraniums, lavender, salvias, daisies as well as hydrangers. These plants strike really quickly, do not require a great deal of care as well as grow truly fast. You will have a wonderful garden within twelve month. Slower plants such as roses, camellias and deciduous trees take numerous years prior to they are ready to planted out in the garden. If you are renting out, you might assume you can't have a vegetable patch. Well that is not true. Nowadays you can grow great deals of vegetables in pots and there is now a big series of different vegetable growing containers. You can utilize old wheel barrows, old cut down storage tanks, old wood boxes and your can even acquire wood dog crates from some veggie growing businesses. The same rules apply, high quality dirt which is enhanced with compost and also animal manure, well drained pipes as well as in full sun. It is heart wrenching when you have to leave several of your unique plants. One means I navigated this issue was to plant some of my much-loved plants in pots. I have an incredible array of pots in my garden, from significant ones to little one. I even make use of some of them to complete the spaces of my garden which is one method I change points around when I really feel the yard is looking tried as well as I am unwell of the same old appearance. It is true that relocating is a discomfort, because I have so many but this aids me to develop promptly a brand-new garden when I move and also makes me really feel a lot more resolved. One more technique is when you learn that you are relocating, is as well run around the yard and take cuttings. It is truly the last thing you wish to be doing while you are in this zone, however you will regret it if you don't. I have two uncommon salvias which endure the shade and also I didn't want to shed them. So, I took cuttings of Salvia miniata which has shiny eco-friendly leaves as well as traffic signal red blossoms. To take cutting, you need to make use of a top quality propagation potting mix, not average potting mix due to the fact that it is not designed to drain for cuttings. So there is a path of this red salvia being left behind in all your homes I have stayed in over the last 10 years. I have actually additionally been recognized to collect plants when I figured out I was relocating. This is what I made with my various other shade loving plant - Salvia forskaohlie. It has beautiful blue flowers with white dots on the throat of the blossom as well as will self seed. This is an outstanding suggestion particularly if you are relocating winter, as taking cuttings is not always possible. Clean some old pots, obtain a high quality potting mix as well as dig away. The only disadvantage of this is when you have actually relocated and have a million others things to do, caring for your plants especially in the height of summertime can be difficult. There is a substantial array of pots from plastic, to terracotta to concrete to select from. You can additionally use old wooden boxes, old oil tins (cleaned up) and the great old a glass of wine barrel. I have a lavender growing in an old oil that a pal found for me. It is going terrific weapons. The only draw back about pots whatever they are is the huge ones are heavy. If you relocate frequently, it may be a good idea to by a trolley. They take the back splitting job out of relocating heavy pots. They are conveniently available now. When you are actually physically moving your plants, it is a great idea to obtain a close friend to aid, due to the fact that lifting pots, especially big ones is truly hefty and also hard work. Last time I moved, I employed a trailer, best point I ever done. My buddies and I packed whatever up as well as moved them done in one hit, rather than several brief trips in my automobile. I watered them well first, then when we got to the brand-new residence placed them right into a dubious setting until I had actually exercised where the locations were and also I was ready to organise the yard. So you can have a nice garden if you are renting out, it simply takes a little planning as well as organisation. Growing plants in pots offers you a great deal of chances that you do not have if you are renting and don't wish to grow into the garden. Growing plants in pots likewise allows you to transform points and keep the garden interesting.

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terpia · 5 years ago

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Under Pressure

Summary: Dani is struggling with law school assignments, and Fiona is determined to do her best to help her. Unfortunately, life has slightly different plans for her.

Rating: T

Words: 2424

Ao3: (link)

Notes: This was written for the @phandomficfests secret Santa exchange, as a gift to the wonderful @yikesola. A big thank you to @jestbee for beta reading it!

For as long as Fiona could recall, winter used to always be her favourite time of year. Between the break from school, Christmas and her birthday in January, the winter season just seemed to bring so much joy and excitement into her life when she was little. In many ways, that still hasn’t changed. Just thinking about the upcoming (and much needed) break from uni, the fast-approaching holidays and her January birthday “week,” as Dani called it, brought a smile to her lips. Unfortunately, growing up and progressing further in the education system sullied somewhat the purity of her winter enjoyment by introducing a new depressing factor: end of semester assessments.

Fiona stared grimly at her planner, where 3 major assignments and an exam were all crammed together in the first week and a half of December. Although purely number-wise this was less workload than she was used to while doing her undergrad degree, the increased requirements and larger word counts of a master’s programme meant that she found herself busier than ever. And this year, grades and meeting deadlines were not the only things she was worried about.

Fiona glanced across the room to where Dani was lying on the bed, surrounded by what seemed like ten thousand textbooks; some of them in small unstable stacks, others lying half-opened and abandoned, while others still were bulging with various objects that Dani has decided to use as bookmarks, ranging from pens and highlighters to empty wrappers and other textbooks. The books all had titles like “Legal Research and Writing” and “Introduction to International Law.”

Dani was staring pensively out the window, the open textbook in front of her completely ignored. Fiona noticed that the page Dani was on had some sort of diagram on it, completely unremarkable except for the fact that it was the exact same diagram that Dani was on an hour earlier.

Fiona gently closed her laptop and went to sit by Dani, who didn’t even turn her head as she sat down on the bed. Fiona just looked at her for a few moments. Even after almost a year of being together, Fiona still could not get over how pretty Dani was. As she took in Dani’s deep brown eyes, her curly shoulder-length hair and a hint of freckles on her cheeks, Fiona could feel a frown forming on her face. Dani’s curly hair, which was usually carefully straightened. Her freckles, which she typically took great care to cover with concealer. Her eyes, and the grey bags beneath them, indicating how little sleep she’s been getting recently. The sweatpants and hoodie she’s been wearing for the past week.

Dani started law school just this September, and it was already becoming pretty obvious that the study of law and Dani were not meant to be. She was struggling enough as it was with her regular classes; the upcoming assignments and exams were driving her up the wall. She was in turns ravaged by anxiety, pacing around restlessly in the middle of the night, or taken over by this strange silent apathy. Fiona didn’t know exactly how to help her, but she was determined to do her best, encouraging Dani and being there for her. She knew that the next few weeks would be hard, but she also knew that together, they could do this.

***

Fiona opened her eyes to a lovely and bright late November morning, and immediately knew that she could not do this. Her temples were throbbing, her eyes were swollen and way too sensitive to the light, and her throat felt as if it was lined with sandpaper. She had her suspicions yesterday evening, between the strange light-headedness and the inexplicable ache in her back muscles, but now it was certain: she was sick. Fiona groaned quietly. Now, of all fucking times. So close to the deadlines. But there was hardly anything she could do about it, feeling so dreadful she could barely force herself to get out of bed. After a brief internal struggle, she took some medication she found in her kitchen cupboard, texted Dani to cancel their studying session, and then immediately went back to bed.

Three hours later, she was woken up by the sound of someone knocking on the door. At first she had no intention of moving, but as the knocking persisted, Fiona at last found some strength to get up and go open the door.

Dani was on the other side. She still looked dishevelled and the grey bags under her eyes were still present, but there was also a strangely determined look in her eyes and a plastic bag in her hands.

Fiona blinked in surprise. “Oh, Dani! Come in.”

As Dani walked in, putting down the bag and getting off her coat, Fiona eyed her with confusion. “What are you doing here? Did you forget we cancelled our study session?”

Dani hung up her stuff. “Nope. You’re sick, right?”

Fiona thought that her swollen eyelids, paler than usual complexion and the pyjamas she was wearing in the middle of the day were rather obvious indicators of her current state, but she didn’t say any of this, biting back the unkind words that were pushing to the tip of her tongue. The cold was making her cranky. Instead, she just nodded her head.

Dani nodded back once in response. “Well then. That’s why I’m here. You’re my girlfriend, so I have to take care of you.”

And with that statement, she went to the kitchen. Fiona followed her in.

“I bought you some cough syrup, Lemsip and a nasal spray, as well as a tin of biscuits, because why not,” Dani said, taking stuff out of the bag and putting it on the counter

“You really don’t have to do this, Dani,” Fiona said as gently as possible. “It’s just a normal cold, really, and you have so much other stuff to do.” Dani’s first exam was in just three days.

“No, I have to be here. You’re more important than uni and I should be here for you when you’re feeling unwell.”

As sweet as that sentiment was, the way Dani avoided Fiona’s eyes when she said it seemed to suggest that there was more to it than she was letting on. Fiona wanted to argue the point further, but she was too tired to deal with anything right now. Giving in, she returned to bed with mumbled thanks, and fell asleep within five minutes. The last thing she heard were the sounds of Dani bustling in the kitchen.

***

When she woke up a few hours later, she was feeling a little better and her head was a little clearer. Dani was sitting across her on a beanbag, which Fiona had impulsively bought after spying it on sale. Dani was mindlessly scrolling through her phone, but as soon as she noticed that Fiona has woken up, she got up with a smile.

“Good evening, sleeping beauty. While you were asleep, I made us some dinner. It’s just pasta with tomato sauce, which I know is not the most conventional ‘get better’ kind of meal, but hey, you can only work with what you got.”

“It’s just as well I’m not with you for your incredible cooking skills,” Fiona croaked with a smile, her voice raspy with sleep and the cold.

“At least I didn’t light myself on fire the way you would’ve had, Ms Master Chef,” Dani said, rolling her eyes.

“Hey, that was just one time! And it could have happened to anyone.”

“I seriously doubt that anyone but you turns on the stove using their feet.”

“It was an accident! I was just trying to grab a Sharpie lying ON the stove with my foot, and accidentally turned the ignition on.”

“As if that makes it any better?”

And bickering in this way, they went into the kitchen.

The food, as simple as it was, did actually make Fiona feel a lot better. And it was great to see Dani being so cheerful and energetic again, after what seemed like months of constant stress and moodiness. Nevertheless, even as they were joking around and laughing while discussing some ridiculous hypothetical situation (what if you were born with an extra pair of thumbs on your thumbs?), Fiona couldn’t help but to feel worry building up somewhere deep within her. Even though it was good to let off some steam like this, Dani’s sudden readiness to drop everything to take care of her made Fiona feel uneasy. Dani really should have been pouring all of her energy into studying right now.

She decided to delicately broach the subject.

“Besides making this culinary work of art, what else did you do while I was asleep?”

“Why, worried that all your priceless china has suddenly disappeared into thin air?” Dani teased.

“Nah, with you I’d be more worried about all of my Ribena mysteriously going missing.”

“Well, can’t make any promises on that front, mate. If you wanted your Ribena untouched, you should’ve hidden it better instead of just leaving it completely unprotected in the fridge. It’s basically your fault I drank it.”

“I’ll invest in a safe in the future,” Fiona joked lightly. “But seriously. What else did you do?”

Dani’s gaze dropped to the table. She fiddled with her glass, turning it round and round with one hand. “Oh, you know. I washed up the dishes. Cleaned up a bit. You really should stop leaving your dirty socks just lying around everywhere, it’s disgusting. I also read up a bit on how to best deal with the common cold. Apparently, green tea with honey is supposed to be really good.”

“Did you study at all for your exams?” Fiona said. She regretted asking that as soon as the words left her mouth. Dani’s body instantly tensed up.

“No, I didn’t. I don’t see why that should matter right now. It’s more important for me to see that you get better soon, right?” Dani’s voice was sharp, yet brittle. She still hasn’t looked up.

“I didn’t mean that as an attack,” Fiona said quickly. “And I appreciate you being here for me, I really do. It’s just that I’m worried, your exams start so soon, and I know that studying for them hasn’t been the easiest for you-”

“Well, I’m sorry for being so bad at it,” Dani said. Her shoulders hunched up even more. “I hope I haven’t offended you with my not trying hard enough and not meeting your fucking studying standards.”

“Dani, that is not what I meant,” Fiona said, beginning to panic. “I just-” Fiona’s voice cracked. She was being too loud, too shrill for her sick vocal cords. She went into a coughing fit which seemed to last for ages. When she finally looked up, tears streaming down her face, Dani was looking back at her, her face sombre and unhappy. She nodded her head towards the bedroom.

“You should be in bed right now. Go lie down and I’ll make you some tea.”

Fiona just nodded weakly and did as she was told. A few moments later, Dani walked in. She gently set down the steaming mug on Fiona’s bedside drawer and then slowly sat down on the floor and leaned against the bed.

After a moment, Fiona reached her hand towards Dani, who took it and gently squeezed it.

“I’m sorry,” they both blurted out suddenly. A second of startled silence and a quick exchange of glances. Fiona could feel her shoulders beginning to shake and soon they were both giggling like little girls, aware that nothing that funny really happened, but unable to stop.

As they both slowly calmed down, the change in the room was almost palpable. Even though the atmosphere was still awkward, some of the tension seemed to have left. Dani leaned back a little more and grasped Fiona’s hand a little more firmly.

“I’m the one at fault here,” Dani said. “You asked me a well-intentioned question, concerned for me even while not being well yourself, and instead of being thankful for having a girlfriend who gives a shit or two, I just got mad and yelled at you. And after all my talk about taking care of you, too.” Dani frowned. “I’m so sorry, Fi. I really don’t deserve you.”

“You’re talking nonsense,” Fiona said. “And I’m the one who should be apologising. I knew that this is a very stressful period for you, and even so, my first response to seeing you more relaxed than I have seen you in weeks was to start pressuring you to work more as soon as I got a chance. And that’s after you’ve come into this lair of disease and made me food. If anything, I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you.”

“Let’s just agree that we both could have handled things better,” Dani said, a small smile playing on her lips. Then she dropped her gaze down again. “And it wasn’t you pressuring me to study that set me off. If I can be completely honest...” Dani stopped and was silent for a while. Fiona said nothing, letting Dani express herself at her own speed and just gently squeezing her hand for encouragement. Finally, Dani said quietly, “I don’t think I want to study law any more.”

“You want to drop out?” Fiona asked, making sure to sound as supportive and non-judgmental as possible.

Dani just nodded her head once.

“You know that I’ll always stand by you and support you, whatever decision you’ll end up making.”

That made Dani turn round and look at Fiona. The smile on her lips, although still small and shy, managed to somehow lit up her entire face.

“Yes. I know.”

***

Later, after Dani has made Fiona more tea, gave her a back massage and helped her to take a shower (well, the type of “help” that Dani offered did not actually help Fiona at all with the cleaning process and, if anything, only ended up making her more sweaty, but it still managed to considerably brighten Fiona’s day), they were both lying in bed together rewatching Buffy for the n-tieth time. In spite of Fiona’s protests that she’d get sick too, Dani was cuddling up to her.

“You know,” Fiona said contemplatively after a while, “perhaps all along the real bug here has been the love bug we caught along the way.”

“God, you’re so lame,” Dani said, pressing her face to Fiona’s neck in an attempt to hide her smile.

#phan #phanfiction #phanfic #dan and phil #my fic #the ending is beyond cheesy #but people seemed to like it so i'm happy <3

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choicesfanatic86 · 6 years ago

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TTS: Part 33 In Liam’s Eyes (2/2)

DISCLAIMER: All characters belong to Pixelberry Studios, except characters unique to my story. Those belong to me. ;)

PAIRINGS: Riley (MC) x OC, Riley (MC) x Liam, Liam x Riley (MC) x OC, Olivia x Drake, Bertrand x Savannah, Maxwell x OC

SUMMARY: Liam learns of Riley’s accident, and is having a difficulty time coping.

If you are new to the series and would like to catch up by reading previous parts, please check out my master fan fiction listing. CATCH UP HERE

TAGS: @herladyshipxx @theroyalweisme @blackcatkita @devineinterventions2 @hopefulmoonobject @captainkingliam @pbchoicesobsessed @cocomaxley @queencatherynerhys @mfackenthal @boneandfur @spetstoof @bobasheebaby @grapefrults @pessimystic-fangirl @dralenamax @mspaigemoore @drakelover78 @kaitycole @jayjay879 @hhiggs @umccall71 @penguininapinktuxedo @topsyturvy-dream @decisso @pnhanga @ladynonsense @mrs-simmy @jamielea81 @alwaysthebestchoice @hamulau @mrsdrakewalkerblog @crookedslimecreatorpasta @liamxsworld @flowerpowell

5/20/18 - This is part 2! And I’m done for tonight. <3 Part 34 will be out maybe tomorrow. :) As always thank you for the awesome feedback. SO blessed and lucky to have ya’ll reading my fics!

PART 33 - In Liam’s Eyes (Part 2)

It had been nearly twelve hours since Andy had left, and Liam found himself unable to sleep. It was futile trying. His mind kept wandering to her. He pictured her hooked up to a bunch of wires, unconscious, tubes piercing through her beautiful fair skin. He wondered then if it was a car accident or if she had gotten hit by a car. It was New York after all. He was sick with worry. He wouldn’t be able to sleep again until he knew she was alright. He decided that the only way to get his mind off of things was to hop on his bike and go for a ride. He needed to clear his head. He didn’t know what kind of news to be expecting. It could be awful, and that Maxwell was right, she was in a coma fighting for her life . . . or it could be a simple car accident and her assistant just jumped the gun in calling Andy. He hoped that was the case. He couldn’t withstand it if it were the former. He’d never forgive himself.

He’d been riding around for an hour when he found himself at the doorstep of the Beaumont Estate. He remembered the last ride that brought him to this doorstep. It was the night he saw her for the first time again in two years. He remembered how beautiful she looked, how absolutely breathtaking. He loved her best when she was dressed down – no makeup, no fancy dresses, just Riley. And that’s how he saw her that night as just Riley.

He glanced up to the front of the house and noticed that Bertrand was on the porch, sipping a cup of something.

“You’re still up?” Liam asked, taking his helmet off.

He nodded somberly. “Can’t sleep,” he said bluntly. “No one can. We’re all waiting for Lady Andy’s call.”

Bertrand looked tired. Hell, he was certain they all looked tired. Worn. Broken. They’d all be the same way until they heard any news. It had to be any moment now. She’d had to have been in New York for at least a few hours . . .why hadn’t they heard anything? Liam left Bertrand to his thought as he entered the house. He wandered through the living room, remembering the last time they had spent time together, how everything had been so amazingly perfect. It was then that he decided he wanted to marry her. The days they spent locked away loving one another had been the best days of his life. He never thought that he’d ever feel that happy or that content. He never wanted it to end. Then it had all gone so terribly wrong. He let his jealousy get the better of him, and he took it out on her instead of trying to allow her to explain what had happened. He loved her. He knew what kind of person she was, but his goddamn pride and stubbornness had blinded him to all of that. He wanted to believe she was at fault in all of this, but he knew it was him.

And now? Now he didn’t know if he’d ever have the chance to apologize to her. To tell her how much he regrets the words that flew out of his mouth. He wished he could blame the scotch, but he was drunk of jealousy and rage and it made him hurt the most important person in his entire world. The atmosphere inside the house felt so terribly depressing. He felt like he was at a funeral. Drake, Savannah and Maxwell sat around sharing stories about their times together during the social season, and how amazing Riley was. It was all too much for him. He couldn’t treat this like she was in their past.

When Maxwell’s phone started to ring, he could feel his heartbeat quicken in anticipation. The news at the end of the line could possibly change his life forever. A world without Riley? He was already living in that world. But a world where she was gone . . . forever? He couldn’t imagine it. He didn’t even want to think about it, yet the possibility was there. Lord knew what kind of accident she had been in. Every moment of waiting made him feel just a bit more empty and broken inside.

“Quiet down, it’s Andy!” Maxwell exclaimed. In his eagerness to answer, he nearly dropped the phone in the process.

“Tiger Lily? Any word?”

“Oh thank God is right,” he breathed a sigh of relief. “She’s okay, guys,” he said eagerly to the waiting faces around him. “We’ve all been worried. That’s such a relief,” he turned his attention back to the phone.

“What happened?” he asked. “Was it serious?”

“Little Blossom looks unwell?” His eyes drifted to everyone around him. “Yes, I remember. She did look rather pale, but I just thought it was the screen coloring,” he admitted.

“What are you doing to do?” he asked with concern.

“A broken leg?” he asked horrified. “Her face, too? Jesus, poor Little Blossom,” he said overcome with emotion. “I think I should be with both of you. I can charter a plane, or ask Liam for his assistance again,” he made eye contact with the King, and Liam’s face immediately turned to one of equal concern.

“Her assistant is staying, too? But, Tiger Lily, don’t you think she’d be happy to see me? I mean, my handsome face alone would certainly bolster her spirits,” he joked.

“Does she really look that bad?”

“Oh my God,” he paused. “I should be there. She needs all of us, Andy.”

Liam couldn’t handle the phone conversation. He wanted to know what Andy was saying, but it didn’t feel right to grab the phone away from him. After all, he had given the right to know any intimate details about her well being up when he kicked her out of his life. He doubted she even wanted him to know about her condition.

“What’s the matter?” Bertrand asked. “What is she saying?”

“No, that was Bertrand,” he sighed. “We’re all just a bit overwhelmed. It’s hard to be here when both of you are there,” he admitted.

“Perhaps Maxwell is on to something; maybe we should all take a short trip Stateside. Check in on Lady Riley, see how we may be of assistance in her recovery,” Bertrand said frankly to the rest of the group.

“Bertrand, Andy would like you to quiet down. Tiger Lilly, I really think we should talk about us coming out there,” he said again.

“Give me the phone, Maxwell,” Bertrand grunted.

“Alright, Bertrand. Tiger Lilly, Bertrand would like to have a word with you. It will just be for a moment, I swear,” he said handing the phone to Bertrand.

“Lady Andy. I trust you are in Lady Riley’s company? Then why didn’t you call us much sooner? We’ve been unable to continue with our normal affairs out of sheer frustration and worry. Yes, well, it wasn’t soon enough. Where did you go first? And did you speak with her physicians? Find out what occurred and her prognosis? Well why the bloody hell not? Didn’t you ask to speak to someone in administration? Someone with more authority than a simple peon behind a computer screen? Well, at least you’ve found her, now you can talk her into coming home to Cordonia. We can hire a nursemaid who will provide her with round the clock care until she’s well again. Well you should try harder to convince her that this is the only option. She doesn’t know what she wants. If she did, she wouldn’t have been so damn emotional before she left. Why? Fine,” he sighed, handing the phone back to Maxwell.

“Yes, love? Alright, but he can be quite persistent. Drake’s here as well, would you like to speak to him? He’s very worried. Are you sure we shouldn’t fly to New York? It would only be an eight hour flight . . .we could be there first thing in the morning your time.”

“Liam’s been taking this very hard,” he gazed at Liam.

Liam’s eyes met Maxwell’s gaze, shaking his head.

“That wasn’t very nice. You know very well that there were complications . . . a misunderstanding. They just needed time and to talk things out. He’s still very much in love with her. Everybody can see it. Apology accepted.

Liam cleared his throat, standing up to pace the floor. He was quite aware the they all knew he still loved her. It was the general consensus that he was a moron and should have just gone after her and made things right the moment she flew back to New York. It was an unspoken understanding amongst their little circle of friends; it was very different to hear it spoken about so freely as Maxwell just had done.

“Please call me first thing tomorrow to let me know how she’s doing. I really think we should fly out there. Little Blossom needs her favorite Cordonians. I know, I’m sorry. I love you, Andy. Be well, love. Goodbye.”

“Well, gentlemen. I feel a bit better,” Maxwell announced. “It seems like she’s on the mend. A little banged up, but nothing that time won’t heal,” he said happily.

Liam exhaled a large sigh of relief. “At least she alive,” he said seriously. “My mind was going toward some pretty dark scenarios all day,” he admitted.

“I know,” Drake nodded in agreement. “Lawson’s tough. She’ll bounce back.”

“I’d feel better if we had spoken with her physicians. Lady Riley has such a laissez-faire attitude about things. Even if something were seriously wrong she probably would think nothing of it. She can’t be expected to take care of herself,” Bertrand said seriously.

“But Andy and Alicia are there,” Maxwell reasoned.

“Wonderful, the blind leading the blind,” he snipped.

“Well, she told me that we shouldn’t go down there. I don’t want to upset any of them,” Maxwell explained.

“Maxwell’s right, we should just let things settle and see what happens,” Drake agreed.

“Liam, I’m sorry . . . about what I said . . . I just hoped that she would maybe send the message to Riley, and then you guys would be good again,” Maxwell said bashfully. “I wasn’t trying to make you uncomfortable.”

“Ever the hopeless romantic,” he clapped his friend on the shoulder. “It’s fine,” Liam murmured. “I need to head back to the palace. Call me? With any updates?”

Maxwell nodded. “I’ll call you whenever I hear something new,” he said earnestly.

True to his word, over the next three days, Maxwell had called Liam constantly. Each time Maxwell received a call from Andy, he would hang up and call Liam to ensure that he repeated everything to Liam while it was still fresh in his mind. Although the updates seemed fairly positive . . . there was just something that didn’t sit well with Liam. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he still felt like there was something very wrong. Perhaps, it was the fact that he wasn’t the one getting the messages direct from Andy. Or maybe nothing would truly feel right except being there with her and seeing for himself that she was indeed on the mend.

It was the second call on the third date of updates that solidified the fact that something was terribly amiss. It was the first time that Maxwell had shared with him his growing concerns over Riley’s wellbeing.

“Liam . . . I suspect that there may be something more going on with Riley,” Maxwell sighed into the phone. “Andy’s acting odd, and she’s beginning to cut our phone conversations shorter and shorter. Then, just a while ago, I heard Riley vomiting profusely in the background. I would expect her to be better by now. I think they’re not telling us how sick she is.”

Liam could sense the fear, frustration, and anxiety in Maxwell’s voice. Riley was like the sister he never had, and he knew that he cared for her just as much as any of them. But Liam didn’t know what to do with this newfound information. He had an inkling there was something wrong, and apparently, he had been right. Riley was sick, and he suspected that her accident may have been the result of said sickness. He just wondered what it was that was causing her to be sick for so long. His mind began to worry, contemplating if he should have a specialist flown to New York since obviously, the physicians there hadn’t corrected the problem the first time.

“Thank you, Maxwell. She’s going to call you again tonight, won’t she? Will you ask her if she’s been seeing any other doctors? Maybe we can figure out if she’s seeing the right people,” Liam reasoned.

“Will do. I’ll call you if I hear anything else,” he said quickly before ending the call.

Two hours later, Liam had been knee deep in paperwork. He had been so overwhelmed with all of the work he had been procrastinating on for the last few days, that he hadn’t noticed he’d missed a bunch of notifications. Several being missed calls from Maxwell. His hands began to tremble, worrying that something had happened. He dialed Maxwell’s number instantly, but there was no answer.

“Shit,” he said angrily, tossing his phone on his desk. He was just about to get ready to head out toward the Beaumont Estate when his study door flew open forcefully. Liam was started to see Maxwell with a tearstained face and worried expression.

“Maxwell – “ Liam looked up in surprise. “I tried calling you back-“

“She’s back in the hospital,” Maxwell said in a panic. “I threw what I could together. Bertrand and Drake are in the car waiting . . . I know it’s asking a lot but I was hoping we could use your plane again. We have to be there with her. Figure out what’s going on. Andy’s not handling things well, and I don’t want her having to go through all of this alone,” he explained.

Liam stood up quickly. “Is she okay?”

“We don’t know. Andy just called me to tell me they were going to take her back in. Apparently she hasn’t been doing well at all. Andy thought things were under control,” he sighed.

“You can have anything else you need. I’ll happily oblige any request. Anything for her,” he murmured.

“Come with us then?” Maxwell asked hopefully.

“Except that,” he shook his head. “You’re wasting time. Just go. I’ll make the arrangements now.”

“Liam, this is ridiculous. The woman you love is not doing very well thousands of miles away, and I think you have something to do with it,” he said pointedly.

“How so?” Liam looked at him confused.

“Maybe you broke her heart so terribly her body couldn’t handle it again,” he fumed. “Just come back with us.”

“I can’t.”

“You can’t? Or you won’t?” he narrowed his eyes at the king. “You ask about her every single day, Liam. Multiple times a day. You still love her. Why are you being so foolish?”

“Because I’m ashamed,” he said sadly. “Did Riley tell you what the last thing I said to her was?”

“Not in so many details,” Maxwell shook his head. “I know there was fight, a misunderstanding,” he explained.

“I told her that I wouldn’t try to find her this time. That she should just leave, because it’s what she does best,” his eyes scanned over his desk, falling to the envelope Drake had given him the night of Riley’s accident. “She told me that she wasn’t going to let me break her again,” he said, his voice cracking in emotion. “But I guess I still did,” he looked up toward Maxwell, his eyes filling with tears.

“Liam . . .” Maxwell said slowly, unsure how to approach the normally strong King.

Liam’s hand reached for the envelope, holding it up for Maxwell to see. “You see this? She wrote this to me . . . I haven’t had the strength to open it. I’m not sure what she could possibly say to me. I guess I’m scared to find out,” he sighed.

“Liam . . . you need to let this go. Who cares what happened before . . . all that matters is what happens now. Come with us. Tell her how much she means to you,” Maxwell

“Just go, Maxwell. Head straight for the airport, the plane will be ready for you when you get there,” he turned away, the envelope still in his hands.

“Liam, you’re a goddamn fool,” he admonished before slamming the door to his study shut.

Liam closed his eyes. He’d never felt so terrified in his life. Things had gone from bad to worse, and Liam didn’t know what to do. He could normally handle any situation that he was faced with, but this . . . this was too personal. This was dealing with Riley. He couldn’t fix it. He was thousands of miles away and he couldn’t fix whatever was wrong with her. His hand reached for the envelope . . . . his hands trembling as his finger slid through the envelope’s seal. He licked his lips in anticipation, preparing himself for all the hurt and pain he had caused her to come barreling out in a hatred-filled letter. His eyes wandered over the letter . . . studying her handwriting. It felt amazing to touch something she had touched. He missed her so much. Maxwell was right. He wanted to be with her, but too much damage had already been done, why make it worse? He started to read the letter, grasping the paper tightly.

Liam,

Well, I suppose our love story was never really meant to have a happy ending, huh? I want you to know that I don’t regret any of our time together. Not any of it at all. I love you. I probably always will. It’s just so heartbreaking that we could never seem to get it right. You said something once that we’re victims of bad timing. I think so, too. Always too late or too soon, never just right.

I remember thinking that love shouldn’t be this hard. It’s always been hard for us, hasn’t it? First with the Coronation, then with Madeline . . . it was obstacle after obstacle and somehow we got to this point, and I truly thought that it would be our turn for the fairytale life together. I was wrong.

I used to think that love should be easy, and fun, and simple. It shouldn’t be about fighting, and tears, and heartache. Then I met Paul . . . and it was easy . . . being in a relationship with him was simple and nice, but he wasn’t you. It wasn’t love. Then I realized, that love wasn’t meant to be easy. If it were easy, why bother? It’s the hard stuff that makes life worth living. With every tear and every fight and every struggle, the relationship builds stronger so that together, you can endure whatever comes your way. Getting through it is what makes love stronger. I suppose none of this even matters anymore. You made it clear how you feel. I know you don’t love me anymore . . .at least not how I love you, and it’s okay. I don’t blame you.

This wasn’t just a fling for me. I think out of everything you said that hurt the most. I wanted a life together. I think a little part of me still wants a life together. The last week and a half has meant everything to me. I just want you to know that I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry for back then. I’m sorry for now. It was never my intent. I only wanted to love you, Liam. Everything was real. Every single moment of it.

Yours, Riley

Liam couldn’t catch his breath. He read the letter once, twice, three times before fully comprehending the fact that she still loved him. At least she had the day that she left. What the hell was he doing here? He needed to get on that plane. He needed to be with her. He was such an idiot. She had done nothing but love him, and he just scorned her love for him and tossed her out like she was nothing. He needed to show her how wrong he had been. He needed to show her how much he loved her.

The ride to the airport had been a frantic one. He’d only had enough time to pack the essentials and a small bag of clothes. He usually had people pack for him, but there was no time. He needed to get there before they left. When Bastien dropped him off at the private airfield, he was relieved to find that the plane hadn’t taken off yet. In fact, it looked as if it were waiting. It was waiting for him!

“I called ahead, sir. The pilot is waiting for you,” he murmured.

“I don’t know how to repay you . . . “

“It was my fault you turned her away in the first place. Just go,” he smiled lightly.

Liam ran up the steps of the loading stairs, lugging his carryon bags behind him.

It was Bertrand who noticed his arrival first. “Your Majesty?” Bertrand asked, “What are you doing here?”

He was breathing deeply, trying to catch his breath. “Needed . . .needed to get here . . . before you left,” he explained.

Maxwell narrowed his eyes at him. “Came to say goodbye?”

“I changed my mind,” he said stoically. “I’m going to come with you.”

“You are?” Maxwell’s face lit up, as he turned to Drake looking at him enthusiastically.

“You sure about this?” Drake asked him, staring at his best friend long and hard. “She’s not well, man. Don’t come if you aren’t one hundred percent sure about this. She doesn’t need to feel worse than she already is.”

Liam adjusted the collar of his jacket nervously, his eyes meeting Drake’s. He was just as fiercely protective over her as Liam. All of them were. She had become a part of their little family, and he’d forced her to leave them. Twice now. He may have been stupid enough to close himself off to her this last time, but he certainly wouldn’t be allowing it to happen for a third time. This time, he was playing for keeps. He didn’t care how long it would take, he was going to do everything in his power to make amends with her, and show her that he loved her with every fiber of his being. He licked his lips as he cleared his throat. “I am certain about this.”

“Alright then,” Drake clasped him on the shoulder. “Wheels up in twenty. I’ll let the pilot know we have a last minute add on,” he motioned for Liam to take the seat next to him.

He dropped himself into the seat, releasing a breath he had been holding since reading her letter. He loved her. Desperately. And if she’d have him again, he would never let her go.

#choices #choices: stories you play #playchoices #choices fandom #choices the royal romance #the royal romance #theroyalromance #the royal romance fan fic #trr fanfic #trr #choices trr #trr fic #trr au #liam x mc #king liam #liam rys

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passiveaggressiveturkeys · 3 years ago

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OMG... I just finished reading "take me back to the start".... And it was quite possibly one of the best season 4 fix its that i have read. Gosh I hope you come back and finish it someday....Anyway thank you for helping lessen my grief over Logan's death. (I just finished season 4 last week and am absolutely devastated).

Also do you think Veronica's actions were a bit ooc this season? How would you have fixed it?

Thank you so much, that’s honestly so nice to hear. I do really want to come back and finish it one day, honestly I started writing it cause of one scene that I thought would be really funny and I’m only like half way through to getting to that point so really I’ve gotta go back and at least get that far. I’ve just been quite unwell over the past year or so, nothing serious but don’t have much energy these days, that coupled with Veronica Mars not currently being my hyperfixation (ADHD so I jump from one thing to another relatively quickly but VM has been my fixation 3 times over the past 8 years so I have no doubt I’ll eventually become obsessed again at some point and if I haven’t gone back to my fic before then I definitely will when that happens)

It really started as a way for me to deal with my own grief with that god awful ending so I’m glad it’s helped you at least a little too

And oh yeah, I mean I guess I don’t see it so much as ooc, in the way that if she’d still been 16 it would’ve been a fine characterisation of her but it was like the writers threw out all the growth she’d had over the first 3 seasons and especially the movie and made her act like her moody loner teen self again. Just like humans, characters need to be able to grow and it’s annoying cause Veronica actually had shown growth before. I would’ve loved a S4 that actually developed the Veronica we saw in the movie and the books but sadly the show pretty much died in that bombing so no more canon movie/book version of adult Veronica.

Sorry that was kinda a rambling mess but really thank you for sending this, it’s so nice to hear☺️

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mikumanogi-blog · 3 years ago

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2017-09-01 “Even though I know it” Kubo Shiori Blog #22 [ENG]

Ninth month, September, ninth month of the lunar calendar.

Summer is over. It is the arrival of both hot and cold days. Everyone, you haven’t fallen ill have you? Every year at the changing of the seasons I, Kubo Shiori, feel unwell. But I wanted to ask. To tell you the truth, since joining Nogizaka46 I haven’t fallen ill a single time and moving forward I don’t play on getting sick. Above all else, your health is the most important.

Hello everyone, thank you for your continuous hard work. I’m Nogizaka46’s 3rd generation member, 1st year high school student, 16-year-old, Kubo Shiori. It’s a pleasure to meet you. LET’S GO!!!!! It’s been a while since I’ve done a ‘here you go’(´･_･`)

My notepad is just bursting with all the stuff I want to tell you today.

Without delay, let’s get into it!

August 22nd and 23rd was the Midsummer Tour in Nagoya!!! Thank you very much!!! “AHHH it was so fun (´･_･`) so hot (´･_･`) so hype!!” As expected, live concerts are the best aren’t they. On top of that I think it’s also good that the atmosphere due to the venue is different.

In Nagoya I ate chicken wings! I also ate Oni-manju (´･_･`) it was delicious (´･_･`) I want to go back to Nagoya! (Is what I say, but I’ll be there in 3 days) At any rate it was a fun two days. Thank you.

On the next day, August 24th, I participated in the ‘Seventeen summer school festival!’ It was super fun (´･_･`) But I was quite, considerably, fairly nervous... It was also my first time walking down a runway… I wondered whether or not they would be accepting of a reader, and so I had feelings of uneasiness (´･_･`) But there were people that made sign boards and fans for me… I was overjoyed (´･_･`) Thanks to the nice senior models at SEVENTEEN I became more relaxed and half way through I was able to enjoy myself. I’m genuinely full of feelings of gratitude. Being able to work as a model I’m glad that I’m able to show off a different side of Nogizaka 46’s Kubo Shiori to everyone. I hope you can see me model more.

At this moment, I’ll be participating in ‘Girls Award 2017’ as a model for Seventeen. Thank you very much. Because I’m working as an exclusive model for seventeen, regardless of the fact that I’ve just been signed, I’m overjoyed and thankful for being given such a precious opportunity. I don’t know (´･_･`) but, I definitely feel stiff from nerves. (´･_･`) Although I feel nervous, I think it will be good to attend this event while being able to enjoy myself. I’ll do my best. Thank you very much.

The weather’s been unstable recently hasn’t it (´･_･`)

When I was in 4th grade, I had to take a picture, somewhere around the school, of a place that looked like a face. Based on that, I had to draw a character based on that for one of the major assignments for my drawing class. While people were saying things like

“The windows in the gym look like eyes!” or “The shoe boxes look like a mouth!”

I thought that the screws on the blackboard eraser looked like a pair of eyes and so I took a picture of the blackboard eraser. Furthermore, the setting for the character was someone that controlled the weather form up above the clouds. Even I don’t know why I chose the blackboard eraser and why I gave this character that setting. I can’t help that it is a mystery.

August 27th, the national handshake event in Nagoya. Thank you very much〜 I was paired with Ayano chan! Yoshida Ayano Christie chan. It made me happy that there were a lot of people that came to the lane that said, “I came to be healed,” (´･_･`) The effects of Ayano chan’s healing powers are immense. Those who desire healing please make sure to shake hands with Ayano chan(´･_･`) Her healing powers are so good that even I, who was watching from beside her, wanted to go line up (´･_･`) It was a lot of fun! Thank you very much!

The same day was Matsumura san’s birthday. “I’m very shy around strangers but I plucked up the courage to come wish Matsumura san a happy birthday, directly,” is what I told her. “Her smile is beautiful,” is what I always think to myself. Happy Birthday!

It was also Hazuki’s birthday recently! We were sharing a hotel room and so I sneakily hid a letter for her under a box of chocolates she was carrying. However, because I hid it it’s a mystery as to whether she read it. Happy Birthday!

Oh yeah, on the day of the handshake event I got to meet Iku san for the first time in a while ♡ More than meeting her I’m glad that she’s healthy〜

Next, I’m going to talk about a story that happened 5 minutes before the mini live concert. Kana san was chasing after Kotoko san. The one fleeing was Kotoko san, the one chasing was Kana san. “That looks amazing,” I said grinning while watching them…then suddenly “Whaaaaat? When did this happen,” Kan san and I trapped Kotoko san and we caught her with a SQUEEZE. While they were talking about “Let’s go on stage like this〜 Just kidding,” I let the bliss of that moment wash over me. (You’re jealous aren’t you) Happy Birthday Kotoko san!!

I have a lot of stories from that day.

Going back a day to August 26th. There was a special event for the 3rd album, there was a Pop-up pirate party, tea party, portrait party, thank you for attending!!

If there was one event I wanted to talk about first it would be… that I’m really bad at pop-up pirate, genuinely. Therefore, all the fans that came got to see me put one hand over my ear as I pushed in the stick. Then, the further and further we got into the game I found it more and more difficult to continue… I’m sorry.. Each time I put a stick in I would scream… I caused trouble for the people around as well… I’ll reflect upon this (´･_･`) By the way out of 5 people I lost 5 times. Another way to look at it is that I’m glad I was able to give everyone winning as present.

Next! The tea party! I talked one on one with everyone but outside of that, due to my shyness of strangers, I didn’t drink my tea and it went by in a hurry (´･_･`)

Portrait drawing party, the things I’m most guilty for is whether or not my drawing skills are good or bad… If you’re happy with what I drew then I think that’s alright.

Koshien is over, after thinking ‘I feel empty’ (´･_･`) it was announced that the Japanese soccer team would be appearing at the world cup. I was so happy wasn’t I 〜 I’m looking forward to it! On top of that, in September, Vollyaball will be starting. “Ahh 〜 I’m so excited (´･_･`) I need to watch it!

Thank you for your patience! Even though I did it recently in a SHOWROOM stream, I’ve been wanting to do a Q&A! (Is what I’ve been saying, but it would make this blog even longer and so I’ll split it up for the next blog)

I really want to do another SHOWROOM stream 〜 Before I say, ‘Let’s start the Q&A’ this is the popular forehead from when I streamed.

· What are some summer memories from this year?

Hmmm… This year my summer-like memories would be, probably watching one my favorite movies ‘Summer wars,”? I always have the desire to watch Hosoda Mamoru movies in the summer. I love them.

· How does Kubo chan spend her day at home?

If, I have the whole day off, what I want to do after cleaning, washing and other housework is probably non-stop watching videos. After that, probably writing letters. No, I definitely write letters.

· How do you pick yourself up when you’re feeling down?

I’m really bad at picking myself up. Therefore, I just wait until those feelings to disappear.

· What kind of woman do you look up to?

I look up to women who properly follow the rules. Someone that holds on tightly to those rules. Someone who carefully refines themselves. Someone who holds on tight to who they are and shows that off to others. But not in a way that hurts them. It’s not really as though I look up to a certain woman, but up to certain human traits. I think that’s the person I want to be. On top of that there are lot of people that make me think, ‘I want to be like that,’ and ‘I want to be like this!’

· Where do you want to go on vacation?

Hmm inside the country, there are a lot of places I want to go that are not very popular with very few people. Going to places by car and by Shinkansen are obviously good, I like watching the scenery pass by while I’m in the car. There are a lot of places I want to go that take time by car!

I’m going to end the Q&A here for today! Thank you for all the questions! I’ll do a large recruitment of questions again! There were a lot of questions about skin care that I wanted to answer, but I thought it would take to long, so I put in the cart since this blog is already long.

I’m sorry, I’ll continue again soon. From here on I have something important thing to talk about.

The stage play ‘Migoroshi Hime’. It has been decided that the 3rd generation members will do a stage play. Thank you very much. The venue is AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo, the same place we performed Principle.

Even now, we still don’t know the details about the stage play and what it’s about. That’s why I’m full of feelings of excitement.

The second I heard that we would be doing a stage play I was instantly reminded of Principle. When I did a stage play for the first time I had no experience and for me I didn’t know anything. Things like how to remember lines, how do facial expression, the volume of your voice, there were a lot of things I had to be aware off. I was also someone that was completely lost, didn’t know right from left, and so I tried doing everything I could possibly do. Reading, writing, watching real practice. Thinking back on it now, I gambled everything for that play.

Like I just mentioned, I don’t know anything about this play. However, without forgetting my single-mindedness of the first play I want to face this play like I faced Principle.

Honestly, there are something I’m worried about. Since the 12 of us will be standing on that stage, I’m worried about the roll that will be given to me. I strongly feel that sense of responsibility.

Since Principle, I’ve seen many other stage plays done by the senior members and one of the things I’ve noticed is the deep bonds between those up on that stage. “So this is what a play made by everyone is like,” is how I always think about it.

During Principle there were a lot of different difficulties and conflicts that arose, but for that day on the stage I want to show that I’m an even bigger person than I am now, and I want to work hard with all of my strength. Please wait for me. I believe that this stage play will cause something inside of me to change.

Please let me make some announcements.

“On sale now”

· AKB Shinbun san

Yamashita and I are on the back cover. We talked about some pretty deep and uncommon things. At the handshake event there were many people that told me they read it, that makes me happy. (´･_･`)

· B.L.T san

Den chan and I, 3rd generation member publication. The anmitsu was delicious…(´･_･`) I felt the need to work harder that day, and so I did the photoshoot highly motivated!

· Gekkan Entertainment san

The new 3rd year middle school group did a talk. We talked about the future. I feel like it was my first time having an in-depth conversation with these members.

· BUBKA san

Riria and I did a dialogue. This is the first time we’ve done a dialogue together. The Northern most and southern most 3rd generation members. We talked about the fact that if we didn’t meet in Nogizaka46 we wouldn’t have met at all.

“On sale soon”

· September 4th Nikkei Entertianment! San

All the 3rd generation members make an appearance. One year after joining, we did various activities, and we look back on them one by one. Please check it out once it’s on sale!

· September 15th Ex Taishu san

Yamashita and I are on the front cover. I’m very glad that I was able to take my very first solo front cover shot. I caused a lot of trouble during the photo shoot, but…I think I was able to convey my straight and honest feelings. Please check I t out!

· September 28th platinum FLASH san

I did a solo photoshoot. I’m very happy… (´･_･`) It’s very difficult to not talk about the details, that’s how I feel about it. The contents are very detailed, I think! I talked about a lot, a lot of things… Please check it out. Thank you very much.

I think previously at about the same time I thought the same thing, that “I genuinely like photoshoot.’ This time, being able to appear solo as well as be on the front cover, I’m overjoyed that I’m able to tell this to everyone. In order to make myself more visible one day, I’m going to work hard without forgetting who I am. Please always watch over me.

On October 11th the 19th single, “Itsuka Dekiru Kara Kyou Dekiru,” will go on sale. This is the main theme for the movie, “Asahinagu.” After listening to this song, I have positive and straight forward feelings of wanting to do me best. This is one of my favorite songs. Please wait for it with anticipation!

Recently, I just started doing handshake event and so I’m still unsure about how it will work for the 18th single…(´･_･`) Under these set circumstance, I need to do everything I can work hard focusing on what I can do. October will be here before you know it. Please look after me until then!

You can see my hands.

Finally, the ‘High School Quiz!!!” Today! It’s today! Please check it out (´･_･`) Ever year I wait by the television for it to start. This year my preparations are perfect. Please make sure to check it out.

Speaking of the ‘High school quiz,’ the theme song is my beloved ‘Naitatte iijyanaika?’ (´･_･`) I pretended to dance it, I imitated by watching other members and after dancing it in front of Yoda chan she burst out laughing. By the way I also like ‘Onnaha hitori jya nemurenai,’I tried dancing this one too, but I was told I was just making fun of it (´･_･`) I’ll study it (´･_･`)

Recently, I’ve been more interested in beauty than ever before. At the turning point of the season my skin becomes more sensitive (´･_･`) Let’s do our best to look after our skin. Even though it’s not quite beauty culture, this Fall and Winter, I think I want to try challenging fashion styles that have a hat. I’m collecting hats.

After that, I don’t really wear monochrome colors but, I want to try challenging this fashion as well!

Since I ate too much before fall it won’t be the fall of good appetite but the fall of challenges.

Everyone what do you want to try? Let’s do out best.

Ahh… I don’t have any pictures with any other members… I’m sorry.

I’ll write again soon.

Kubo Shiori.

I think it’s important to say what you think. Just thinking about your feelings and not voicing them is the same as not thinking anything at all. If you don’t tell anyone, then those feelings mean nothing.

Therefore, if, for example, there’s something that you always wanted to do. If something was your idea and you don’t want to tell other about it and then the people around you end up doing it before you. If you say that ‘I thought of it first,’ no one will listen to you. Even if you say it first, or even if you aren’t the one to say if first by voicing your feelings your making that progress as a single turning point for change. You will feel braver and more courageous.

However, this is not always the correct answer, sometime there are times when it’s good not voice your opinions but rather it is better to act upon them.

It’s hard to fight against something bravely if you can’t see it.

https://blog.nogizaka46.com/third/2017/09/040515.php

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hayleyb100 · 4 years ago

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Light My Way, Part 2

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 10 - Part 11 the end

⚠️ WARNING! ⚠️

-It is a twisted story of Pokemon Sun and Moon, and a crossover of Pokemon SM and SWSH. -It features Hau and Kabu as the main characters. -Extremely angsty. -Everything is headcanon. -It isn’t spoiler-free.

It suddenly felt warm as if the long grim winter passed and the spring came. Hau slowly opened his eyes. His last memory was that horrid, fearful scene of a blonde lady's smirk, but somehow, he woke up on a hospital bed.

"Oh my gosh! He's awake! Doctor! Nanu! He's up!"

Olivia, who was nursing Hau, quickly summoned the doctor and Nanu who were talking outside.

"Are you okay boy? You sure got us worried." Nanu asked scratching his back head.

Hau, still looking confused, nodded slowly. He only then realized that the respirator was attached to his nose along with other medical monitors.

"You were out cold for 8 months, kid." Nanu shook his head, as he told what was going on to puzzled Hau.

"Th... That's as far as he has to know, Nanu." Olivia stopped him.

Hau finally realized what was going on. The glass case, sheer cold, blackout, evil smirk, frost. He was in a cold sleep like the other pokemons for half a year. Everything felt like a dream. It didn't feel real that Hau slept for that long.

Hau tried to move his fingers and limbs, but they didn't cooperate well. Instead, the pain struck Hau that made him frown and twitch.

"Don't try to move so much yet... Your muscles are not healed completely from the cold sleep. And since it wasn't used for a long while, you need time for rehabilitation." Olivia explained.

Despite Olivia's explanation, Hau desperately moved his head around to search for people who he needed the most right now. Someone who can comfort him. He tried to call them but even his voice wasn't working.

"Are you looking for your mother and grandfather?" Nanu sighed.

"Nanu! Not now!" Olivia interrupted Nanu, flustered as heck.

"Hey. He has to know. The more we hide, the more he'll hurt." Nanu snapped.

"Listen. Your mother and grandfather... Passed away. 5 months ago."

That was as far as Hau could hear. Hau kept telling Nanu that it isn't real with his eyes. He wanted to deny it so badly, but Nanu's serious face was telling it was a rigid truth.

"After you have gone missing, your mother was looking for you everywhere. But she had a tragic accident near the coastline. She didn't rest enough for many days so she missed her step at the beach cliff in extreme fatigue. And..."

Nanu inhaled deeply before he continued.

"And your grandfather... His heart gave out when he heard the news about his daughter-in-law. He was already feeling way too guilty that his son left Alola and you have gone missing because of him, but that was the last straw."

Devastation came crashing down like a meteor.

Hau's world started caving in. The despicable fear of being left alone in the world engulfed an 11 years old boy in an instant. Olivia held Hau's hand saying Nanu and she would stay beside him and take care of him, but those words just scattered into the air.

Only one thought obsessed Hau.

It's my fault.

I lead my mom and Tutu to death.

Because I was stupid to follow that woman, I lead my whole family to death.

Hau's eyes lost the liveliness in a snap of a finger and his body froze yet again in despair.

"Don't worry! We are reaching out to your father in another region, so I'm sure he'll come to get you soon." Olivia told something to lay the hope on, but Hau kept trembling in fear.

Few days passed, but there was no sign of Hau's dad anywhere. Hau's dad lied low and refused to come back to Alola because he didn't want to take responsibility. Since Kahuna Hala was respected by many Alolans, it was obvious that when he goes back, everyone will flak him intensely. So he decided to abandon Hau YET again, and dump all his responsibilities on his son. He was sorry, but he had no choice. He had to live.

But to Hau who doesn't know his so-called father's dirty intentions, only thought that his dad isn't coming because he hates him. It was no surprise to him since he leads his whole family to grim death and his body isn't functioning as well as it used to. Hau thought he was well worth abandoning. And it was double the pain to think he is as worthless and forgettable as a scab. It wrecked his self-esteem to the rock bottom.

Few weeks passed as Hau went through the remedial exercise programs to get his mobility back, but it didn't make a lot of progress. Hau's will to get back on his feet was zero since he saw no point in it. He frequently refused to eat and take medication. The doctors were struggling too, as the patient wasn't cooperating. Nanu and Olivia took turns to take care of Hau, but Hau severely refused to see Kahunas since it is what pushed him to extreme pressure and ended up running away from home... Ultimately, to his family's downfall.

Nanu and Olivia discussed the matter on how to turn the table around. Olivia suggested that they should hurry and find a loving new home for Hau. If adopting is difficult, they should find at least a foster family to take care of him.

"Wouldn't he refuse to get into a new family?" Nanu questioned.

"Yes, but Hau needs a new home anyway... When he is discharged from the hospital, he doesn't have anywhere to go. So we need to arrange a home for Hau as soon as possible. It would have been the best if he followed you or me, but he is refusing it. Plus, Hapu and the other Captains are way too young to take care of a child. And there's no way we can leave that poor little boy all alone in an empty home at Melemele Island. So, he needs someone."

Nanu nodded since what Olivia said was true. Although they didn't know why Hau was pushing them away, he adamantly refused to stay with either one of the two Kahunas. Hau's trauma of losing his grandfather forced him to push them away. He was afraid that the same fate lies if he stayed with them. He insisted that he would rather stay home alone in Melemele Island than owning them.

After a few weeks, doctors seriously thought Hau settled with a new family first, since the treatment wasn't making any progress. They realized that he needs support and love to treat wounds at heart before anything else. So they discussed with the two Kahunas about Hau's foster family. Many foster parents volunteered to take Hau in. But one couple caught the Kahunas' eyes since their home is located in Akala Island. They thought it would be better for Hau to stay away from Melemele Island for now to avoid triggers. They arranged and bridged the foster couple with Hau. Hau was unwilling to go, but they didn't want to burden Nanu and Olivia anymore, so he followed the foster parents.

But that didn't end well. Not at all.

The foster parents were expecting a sweet and innocent child, but Hau was none of that according to them. He was gloomy and quiet and was even unwell. They got tired of Hau very quickly, who isn't the child they were hoping to get. Within only a few weeks, they gave up the fostering as if they are refunding the item they purchased.

Nanu and Olivia were extremely upset, so they were determined to get a proper home for Hau this time. The next foster parents seemed very kind and gentle, but Nanu and Olivia didn't let their guard down. But for a while they dedicated a lot to Hau, giving Kahunas the trust. But they gave up on fostering yet again. In reality, they were coveting over Hala's bequest. Since there was no love for Hau, to begin with, they easily got fed up of taking care of sick child. Hau was sent back to the hospital and they vanished to somewhere, away from Kahunas' rage.

Hau was now careless. He knew he wasn't worth loving, but the two times of rejection weighed heavily on him. At this point, Hau was feeling helpless and giving up on himself. He thought even if he was kicked out from the hospital and left alone on the street, it was fine. After all, everyone would be frustrated if they have to take care of a child that isn't worth their time and effort. It would be frustrating for them to care for a child that everyone hates. Hau understood. He took away Kahuna everyone loved when he wasn't even cut to replace Hala's place.

I am worth being hated, Hau thought.

It's a cruel tragedy how children are so innocent, that they cannot imagine how some adults can be so malicious. And since they can't imagine that fact, they always blame themselves when it is the adults who are irresponsible and selfish. It was the same with Hau. Everything felt like it was his fault. If I wasn't such a coward, if I wasn't stupid enough to follow that woman, if I have just listened to Tutu... All the regrets choked him and justified all the childish and selfish behaviors of adults around him. He just gave up. He didn't even want to know what would happen next. He even felt that it would have been better off if he remained in cold sleep, forgotten by everyone. Hau grew gaunt day by day.

Several weeks passed, and the season changed. Hau remained indifferent and emotionless. He blankly watched how sprouts grow and flowers bloomed day by day outside the hospital window. Everything changed except him. That made him even more miserable. Little did he know, the turn of his life was approaching him.

"Hey, kid."

It was Nanu. And he was with someone.

"...I know you're fed up with me for saying this, but someone who wants to foster you is here."

Hau didn't pay attention. He just looked back at Nanu as if he was saying whatever. He thought he would just stay for a few weeks and come back to the hospital again.

The person who was standing next to Nanu smiled gently and stroked Hau's hand.

"Hello, Hau. My name is Kabu, the one who will foster you."

#pokemon hau #rival hau #trainer hau #gym leader kabu #kabu #kahuna nanu #kahuna olivia #pokemon sun and moon #pokemon sm #pokemon swsh #pokemon sword and shield #pokemon gen 7 #pokemon generation 7 #pokemon gen 8 #pokemon generation 8

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unfolded73 · 7 years ago

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This Graceful Path (4/19)

Summary: Emma has just moved in with Mary Margaret and started working as a deputy in the Storybrooke sheriff’s department when she meets Killian Jones, the town’s introverted harbormaster. When a prominent Storybrooke resident is found murdered, Emma tries to juggle solving the case with new friendships, parenthood, and romance. A Season 1 Cursed!Killian AU.

Rating: Explicit per CSBB guidelines (violence, sex); more of an M on unfolded73’s scale. The sex, when we get there, is not extremely graphic in nature. Same with the violence.

Content Warning: This fic contains two major character deaths, one canon and one not. (You’re already past them.)

Total word count: ~ 75,000

Acknowledgements: Thank you to @j-philly-b for betaing this monstrosity. Thank you to @caprelloidea for all of the read-throughs and cheerleading; not sure I could have written it without your excitement early on. Thank you to @teruel-a-witch for the original prompt on tumblr which sparked this fic. Thank you to @pompeiiablaze for the wonderful art which accompanies Chapter 3 and also will accompany later chapters. Thanks to the CSBB mods (@sambethe in particular, who had to look at my check-ins) for your support and for enduring my neuroses.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 – AO3 Link

Chapter 4

She hadn’t had anything to wear to a funeral.

Mary Margaret had only had one black dress in her closet (she wasn’t really the type to wear black), so Emma had gone to one of Storybrooke’s clothing shops and bought the only vaguely appropriate things she could find on such short notice: an itchy blouse which she kind of loathed, and a black blazer that didn’t really even fit her, that she had to cuff the sleeves of so that they didn’t engulf her hands.

After Graham’s burial, she and Mary Margaret returned to the apartment, collapsing onto the sofa.

“This sucks.”

“Yeah,” Mary Margaret agreed, taking her hand. They sat in silence together.

“Did I tell you what Dr. Whale said about his heart?”

“That he had a congenital heart condition? Yeah, you told me.”

Emma turned to face Mary Margaret. “That must be why he had that weird idea that his heart had been taken out of his chest, right? He must have been feeling that something was wrong with his heart. Why didn’t I insist he go to the hospital? Maybe they could have caught it and saved him—”

“You did the best you could, Emma; no one could have done any better. When someone is in denial that they’re sick, there’s not much you can do.” Mary Margaret gave Emma’s hand a comforting squeeze.

“Do you know the first thing I thought while I waited for the ambulance that night?” Emma said. “I thought that somehow Regina was responsible. He’d been so convinced for a moment that Regina had stolen his heart; like literally stolen it, and then they had this big fight and he dumped her, and that whole night was so weird that I started to have this paranoid fantasy that somehow Regina had killed him.”

“But she didn’t, Emma. He was just unwell.”

“I know.”

“Although… I mean, I know you can’t talk about the investigation of Mr. Gold’s death, but do you think Regina…”

Emma grimaced. “I thought of that. Not that I had any reason to think she killed him, other than that she’s an evil witch. But Henry was with her that night; there’s no way she could have been out murdering someone in the woods without him knowing. Besides, I don’t think she would have had the strength for that kind of stabbing. It was… vicious.”

“And Graham? I mean, if he wasn’t in his right mind, if he was under Regina’s thrall somehow…”

“You’re suggesting Graham killed Gold?” Emma let go of Mary Margaret’s hand and shifted on the sofa, sitting forward. “What possible reason would he have—”

“None, of course, but he found the body, and if he was mentally unstable like you described—”

Emma shook her head. “He was sick, and it was making him confused. That’s a long way from murdering someone. Besides, whoever did kill Gold would have gotten blood on their clothes, and I think I would have noticed if Graham had been covered in blood when I met him that night at the crime scene.”

“True.” Mary Margaret gave her a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be trying to be an armchair detective.”

“Please, I need all the help I can get. I took this job to help Graham hand out parking tickets and, I don’t know, deal with Leroy for being drunk and disorderly. Instead, I get a murder investigation? I don’t know the first thing about investigating a murder. I’m this close to googling ‘how to investigate a murder’.”

Mary Margaret patted her arm. “You’re clever, so I’m sure you’ll figure something out. In the meantime, you should at least take it easy the rest of today.”

“No, I can’t, I’ve gotta do something, I can’t just sit around. All I do is think about the way he collapsed in front of me.” She stood up, squeezing her eyes shut, trying to block out the sickening crack of Graham’s head connecting with the sidewalk. “It gonna be such a huge job now; I can see why Graham wanted to hire a deputy.”

“You could hire your own deputy.”

Emma rubbed her eyes, exhaustion pressing behind them. “Yeah, I might do that if I can figure out who I can trust in this town.” She glanced at her roommate. “Do you want to be a sheriff’s deputy?”

Mary Margaret laughed. “I think I’ll pass. So what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to start interviewing people, establishing who had motive, who doesn’t have an alibi for the night that Gold was killed. And, much as I hate it, I guess I should start with Regina’s prime suspect.”

~*~

Killian sat across from her at the metal table in the interrogation room, looking around at the walls and at the big one-way mirror over her shoulder (not that anyone was on the other side — it was only her here now). Emma didn’t want to admit that this was the first time she’d been in this room as well. She leaned forward, her elbows on the table, hoping she looked more at ease than she felt.

“I’m sorry to have to call you in here, Mr. Jones. I’m doing all of these interviews in front of a camera,” she said, gesturing at the video camera she had set up, “for your protection as well as to keep a record of your answers.”

“Not sure why you’re choosing to interview me, but all right.”

She smiled tightly. “I’m working to establish who knew Gold, how they knew him, if they saw him the day he died, things like that.”

“I knew him,” he said, holding up his index finger, “I saw him monthly when he came by my office to pick up the docking fees I collect,” — he held up a second finger — “and I think I may have seen him coming out of his pawn shop a week or two ago.” Finger number three. “Can I go now?” He leaned back in a lackadaisical pose, but his eyes told a different story. He was nervous. But then again, who wouldn’t be nervous in his position, being interviewed by law enforcement about a murder?

“Can we back up a second?” She pointed at the video camera again. “Can you state your name and occupation for the record?”

He sat up and put his hands in his lap almost primly, which made Emma feel like he was making fun of her. “Killian Jones, harbormaster, Storybrooke, Maine.”

“Thanks. Now you say you handed over the docking fees to Mr. Gold? Not to the mayor’s office?”

He shrugged. “Mr. Gold owned everything in this town, I’m sure you’ve been here long enough to learn that.”

“And that includes the harbor?”

“Aye, I suppose it does.”

That seemed odd to her, that a town’s harbor would be privately owned, but she let it go. “How would you describe your relationship with Mr. Gold?” Emma asked.

“I didn’t have a relationship with him. He showed up, I handed over a bag with money in it. We barely exchanged a half dozen words each time. That’s it.”

“There was never a time you didn’t have the money or had some dispute with him about the amount? Anything like that?”

“No.” He frowned at her. “Why would you ask that?”

“Word is that there was bad blood between the two of you. I’m trying to figure out why that was.”

“There wasn’t,” he said, his jaw clenching. “Why would anyone say there was? I’m telling you, I barely knew the guy.”

Emma watched him carefully. He seemed to be telling the truth but hiding something from her at the same time. Regina may have had her own reasons for pointing the finger at Killian, she knew that, but there was something that made Emma want to keep questioning him. She decided to change tactics.

“How did you lose your hand?” she asked, glancing down at his prosthesis where it now rested on the table.

“Sailing accident.”

“When?”

“A long time ago, lass. Long before I came to Maine.”

“And how long have you lived in Storybrooke?”

His eyes drifted up and over her shoulder like he was trying to look through the one-way mirror.

“Killian?”

He shook himself, wiping his hand over his face. “Yes?”

“How long have you lived in Storybrooke?”

“Several years.”

She was sick to death of the vague answers she got from people in this town. “How many years?”

“What does it matter?” His jaw clenched again.

“It matters if you don’t want to answer a simple question for some reason.” She huffed in frustration and decided to veer to another topic. “Do you ever walk in the woods? For a hike, maybe?”

“No.”

There, she thought. That was a lie. She could almost always tell when someone was lying if she was paying close attention, and that had definitely been a lie.

“So you weren’t in the woods last Tuesday night?”

“No.”

Another lie. “Where were you? Between, say, three p.m. and ten p.m. on Tuesday?”

“My office and then my apartment,” he answered. She could feel the jiggle of his knee bouncing under the table, and a fine sheen of sweat had appeared on his upper lip.

“Did anyone see you in your office?”

“Not really.”

“What about after that? What time did you go to your apartment?”

“I don’t know, exactly. Five o’clock or thereabouts.”

“Do you drive or walk from your office to your home?”

“It’s barely a quarter of a mile. I walk. I don’t own a car.”

“Did you see anyone on the walk?”

“No.”

“What about in your apartment building. Did you see any neighbors? Any friends stop by?”

“No.”

“Call anyone on the phone? Use your computer? Watch Netflix? Play a video game?”

He threw up his hand in frustration. “No, but why does it matter?”

“Because if you were logged into some kind of account like that, it would help establish your alibi.”

“Why do I need an alibi for the stabbing of a man I barely knew?”

Emma’s heartbeat accelerated, and she tried her best to school her expression into neutral territory. “How did you know it was a stabbing?”

“I read it in the paper,” he said, his fingers drumming on the table.

“We didn’t release that it was a stabbing, Mr. Jones.”

“Well, I heard it somewhere! I don’t know!” He was very agitated now, spots of color high on his cheeks, sweat on his forehead. Had Regina been right? Had she caught the killer already?

“Where did you hear it, then?” It was possible that the information had gotten out via Dr. Whale or one of the paramedics who had handled the body, but if so she should be able to trace it back to them.

“I don’t remember!” Killian shouted. He seemed to fold in on himself, his face getting suddenly pale. “Saw the Crocodile. Know him anywhere,” he muttered.

“The what?” First wolves, now crocodiles?

“A man unwilling to fight for what he wants deserves what he gets.” His eyes were unfocused, almost like he had forgotten she was sitting in front of him. It reminded her eerily of the way Graham had behaved when he was convinced his heart was missing.

“Mr. Jones,” she said in a loud, clear voice. His eyes seemed to swim back to her from a long way away. “I’m going to let you in on a little secret,” she murmured, softening her tone. “I’m pretty good at knowing when someone is lying to me. Now, I’m asking again. Were you in the woods on Tuesday?”

“Yes,” he whispered.

“Why?”

“I went for a walk, like you said. And I saw…”

She waited several seconds before prodding him. “Saw what?”

“I saw the Crocodile.”

“What’s the crocodile?”

He shook his head as if to clear it. “I saw Mr. Gold. He was already dead. I swear to you, I didn’t harm him.”

Emma studied him. That appeared to be the truth. “Why didn’t you call the police?”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t feeling well, and I ran. And later I thought… Honestly, I thought I imagined it.”

“Do you know what time it was when you saw Gold?”

He shook his head. “Maybe around four o’clock? I don’t know for sure.”

“So you were out for a walk in all of those miles and miles of woods, and you happened to come across a dead body that was a half mile off the hiking trail?” Just as Graham had happened to come across it, chasing after some wolf. How busy were those woods that day?

“I guess so,” he answered. “Miss Swan, I swear it, I didn’t kill anyone. Why would I?”

Emma narrowed her eyes. Again, he seemed to be telling the truth, but the circumstances were certainly suspicious. “I’m going to need to search your office and your apartment. If you’re really innocent, then you won’t have anything to hide, right?”

Nothing in his demeanor indicated any fear at that prospect. Still, she wanted to do it now, before he had a chance to get rid of any evidence. “I assume you walked here to the station?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She stood up from her chair. “Then you won’t mind riding with me. Come on.”

Leaving him for a moment in the main part of the station, she stopped by the supply closet to pick up the bag of evidence kits she’d tossed back in there the night of the murder. She scanned the shelves again. The other thing she’d learned (because as it turned out, googling ‘how to investigate a murder’ had been really pretty useful) was that luminol would have come in handy for looking for blood traces, even blood that had been pretty thoroughly cleaned up, but the sheriff’s department of Storybrooke didn’t seem to have any. She’d ordered some, but fat lot of good that did her now.

The car ride over to the harbor was quiet. Killian unlocked the harbormaster’s office for her, gesturing and giving her a shallow bow to indicate she should precede him into the office.

His office was really just a small room that was part of a building where it looked like boats could be brought in and repaired. It was neat and organized, with a shelf full of logbooks behind a simple metal desk. The desk itself was dominated by a large radio which she assumed was used to communicate with ships out on the water. Other than that, the only other things she saw were a pen cup, a stapler, and a travel coffee mug.

“Where do you keep the money you were talking about?”

He thumbed through his key ring and unlocked a desk drawer, showing her the blue vinyl zipper bag. In it was a mixture of cash and checks, with the pink copies of some old fashioned carbon-copy receipts. She spied a receipt book on the shelf and pulled it down to see that it was filled with matching originals, filled out in what must have been Killian’s neat penmanship.

She looked around a little longer, but there was really nothing else to see. There were no personal items: no pictures, no cards, no nothing. It was a depressingly spartan place to spend time.

“Okay, let’s go on to your apartment, then.”

After another short, silent car ride, they got out at a small duplex building near the beach.

“Who lives on the other side?” she asked as he unlocked his door.

“Guy by the name of Billy; he works down at the auto repair place in town.” Once again, he politely ushered her through the door. “Good neighbor; he’s quiet as a mouse.”

“That’s lucky,” she said, looking around his small living space. Like the office, it was tidy and spare. He had a small kitchen that was open to the living area, and then a short hallway that presumably led to a bedroom and bathroom. From his main window, she could see the ocean. “Does it cost a lot to live down here by the beach?”

He shrugged. “It’s a little more, but the apartment is tiny so it balances out. I like being near the water; I find it calming.”

“Fan of boats, are you?” The only decoration in the room was a framed charcoal drawing of a tall sailing vessel, the sails unfurled and full as it was tossed about on a choppy sea.

“Ships,” he corrected. “And yes.”

She headed back toward the bedroom. Other than a discarded t-shirt on the floor, it too was clean. A few books were stacked on the bedside table, and the bed was neatly made. There was a laundry hamper half-filled with clothes, and she pulled a pair of nitrile gloves out of her bag and put them on before starting to sift through it. Killian watched her. “Was Gold your landlord?” she asked.

He nodded, looking uncomfortable. “Sure, like everyone else in town. Wasn’t he yours?”

Emma stopped, thinking about that. “I guess; I just moved in a couple of weeks ago. I give my share of the money to my roommate and she takes care of paying the rent. Did you ever have any kind of contact with him about the rent, or this apartment?”

Killian shook his head. “I rented it through the broker in town, and I mail my rent to a post office box. There have been a few maintenance issues, but I take care of them myself.”

Emma looked at each item of clothing, blushing faintly at the fact that she was rifling through a strange man’s underwear. She dropped each item on the floor as she examined it.

“May I ask why the fascination with my unmentionables?” Killian asked, a small smirk on his face.

“It’s not your… unmentionables in particular,” she said as she dropped a pair of dark blue boxer briefs. “I’m checking for blood on any of your clothes.”

“You think my master plan was to murder Gold, and then put the bloody evidence in my laundry hamper?”

“I don’t know; people have done stupider things.” She looked in each drawer, rifling the clothes, remembering the fact that Whale had written ‘short sword or dagger’ on the medical examiner’s report. Same story with the bathroom, the closet, the kitchen. She even checked the air vents and stomped around looking for a loose floorboard. No luck. If he’d hidden a sword somewhere, it wasn’t in his apartment.

“So, do I pass inspection?” he asked as her search wound down. “And more importantly, can I offer you a drink?” He held up a bottle of brown rum and a short glass, grinning at her in a way that she was sure most women found charming.

“I’m on duty,” she said with an eye roll, running her gloved hand along the back of the ship picture frame.

“After what happened to Sheriff Humbert, you must be working long hours. Surely you can knock off a little early today, having so thoroughly pumped me for information.” His tongue darted out and ran along his bottom lip.

“Gross,” she said, making another circuit of the apartment. “I don’t drink with murder suspects; it’s kind of a hard and fast rule of mine.”

“Surely I’m not still a suspect anymore; you’ve found nothing to implicate me.” He hooked his thumb in his belt, leaning back against the kitchen counter. Whatever had come over him during the interrogation, he seemed perfectly fine now.

She raised an eyebrow at him. Admittedly, the drink was tempting, as was the man. Which was exactly why she shouldn’t get anywhere near either. “Don’t get too cocky; I haven’t ruled you out.”

~*~

The Thanksgiving holiday intervened to take Emma’s mind off the murder case for a few days, leaving her free to fret over the fact that she was spending the holiday without Henry. She imagined him shut up inside that big house with no one but Regina for company for four days, imagined the two of them at either end of a giant table laden down with a huge Thanksgiving feast, eating silently. Emma at least had the boundless optimism and perfectly roasted turkey of Mary Margaret, and as she sat sipping from a glass of port and nibbling on a piece of store-bought pecan pie, she had to admit that this may have been her best Thanksgiving dinner ever.

On Monday she was finally able to see Henry again, resuming their semi-regular afternoon meetups at Granny’s after the end of his school day, before Regina expected him home.

“Did you have a good Thanksgiving?” she asked.

Henry shrugged. “It was okay. Mom let me stay up late and watch a movie, so that was cool.”

Emma felt a stab of jealousy in her gut. She wanted to be the one to let him stay up late, it occurred to her suddenly. She wanted to be able to sit with him and watch a movie. She wanted to be the one he meant when he said ‘mom.’

Henry was fiddling with the sugar dispenser, and he knocked it over, spilling sugar onto the table. Emma sighed, sweeping the sugar up and into her saucer.

“Sorry,” Henry said.

“No worries.”

The door to the diner rattled and she glanced up, seeing Killian Jones walking in. It was a bitterly cold day outside, but he only wore his simple leather jacket.

When he spotted her, his face lit up with a smile and he walked over to their booth. “Hello, Swan. Hello, Henry.”

Awfully friendly for someone I interrogated last week, she thought. And also—

“Wait,” she said. “You two know each other?”

Killian looked slightly sheepish. “Aye, I met Master Mills last summer. We don’t have an open library here in town, so with his mother’s— er, the mayor’s permission, I lent him some books.”

She did remember the set of bookshelves in his apartment that had been packed with books. She’d looked behind every one in her search for a murder weapon.

“Also, Killian taught me to tie some knots. He’s going to teach me to sail when I get bigger.”

“Is he now?” Emma looked back and forth between the two of them. “And Regina’s okay with this?”

Now it was Henry’s turn to look sheepish. “There’s no point in asking her until I have to,” he said.

“I would never take the lad out on the water without your and Mayor Mills’ permission, of course,” Killian hastened to add. “It’s just an idea I had since Henry seemed interested.”

Emma appreciated his inclusion of her in the decision-making process, but she really didn’t have any standing to offer permission as to whether Henry should take sailing lessons or not.

“Your order’s up, Killian,” Ruby called.

“Good afternoon to you both,” he said before leaving them to go pay at the register.

“What do you think of Killian?” Emma asked when he was out of earshot.

“Why, are you going to go out with him?” Henry asked.

“What? No!” She felt her cheeks flush. “He’s a little strange, that’s all.”

“I think he’s nice. He’s one of the few adults around here that talks to me like I’m a person.”

Emma turned around in her booth and watched him leave the diner.

“He’s Captain Hook, I think. I mean, he’s not in the storybook so I don’t know for sure, but that’s my best guess,” Henry said.

Emma swung back around and stared at him. “Killian is Captain Hook? Why, because of his hand?”

“Yeah.”

“He doesn’t have a hook, you know. Just a prosthetic hand,” she pointed out.

“Well, yeah, but that’s because of the curse.”

“Wouldn’t that make him the bad guy? You said he was nice.”

“I don’t know, I always thought Peter Pan was kind of creepy. Maybe the bad guy in Neverland isn’t who you think it is.”

~*~

“I can’t help but notice that Killian Jones is still walking around, free as a bird,” Regina announced as she marched into the sheriff’s station. The two of them hadn’t spoken since Graham’s death almost two weeks ago. Emma wondered if Regina had cared enough for him to even grieve.

Sighing, she put her pen down. “If you’re referring to the investigation into Gold’s death, I did question him. I also searched his office and his apartment. There was no evidence that he had anything to do with the murder, so of course, he was free to go at the end of it.”

Regina’s mouth pinched, highlighting a thin scar perpendicular to her severe lipstick line. “Not good enough.”

“He didn’t even seem to know Gold that well; he certainly didn’t have any kind of dark feud with him like you implied.”

“He’s lying,” Regina said through clenched teeth.

“I don’t think he is.” Emma thought about Killian’s initial lie that he’d been in the woods and seen the body, but she elected not to share that with Regina. That alone didn’t make him guilty. And when he flat out said he hadn’t killed Gold, she got no sense from him that that was untrue.

“You aren’t the sheriff, you know,” Regina said. “There will be a new election, and the townspeople get to select a new sheriff to succeed Graham. If you think that’s going to be you, an outsider with a criminal history, then you’re in for a rude awakening. Good day, Miss Swan.” With that, she stalked back out of the station.

Chapter 5

#csbb #cs ff #captain swan ff #this graceful path fic #cs s1 au #my fic

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