#siri also made an appearance my apologies

[bdh-oncopium]

some sketches

[youcouldmakealife]

LBTE: Jared (155-157)

The Fallout.

We're in the final 20 now!

If you'd like to follow along, the series page is here.

155. On the Record

“So,” Sharma says. “Can you tell us about the blanket?”

Jared, freshly showered and straight out of practice, blinks at the red light of the camera, probably looking like a confused guppy, then blurts out, “How do you know about the blanket?”, which, as far as responses go, is terrible.

Jared Matheson Julius wore that blanket as a cape.

Twice.

“Uh,” Jared says, scratching his neck awkwardly. “No, it was — it just kind of, y’know, became a thing.”

Jared doesn’t know why he becomes the least articulate guy in the world the moment a camera is turned on him, but you’d think he would have gotten over it by now.

How dare you imply you’re articulate without a camera on you.

Jared looks absolutely ridiculous when he’s taken aback. More like a startled owl than a guppy, but a very unfortunate startled owl. So good to know: he should never allow himself to be surprised by anything ever again. Well, at least not in front of cameras or anyone whose opinion he cares about. Who could takes a startled owl seriously? Not Jared.

Guess you’re not Eeyore anymore, huh?

“I think you look cute,” Bryce protests.

“Your comments about my appearance can’t be trusted,” Jared says. It’s all ‘oh you look great Jared’ no matter what he does. Which Jared appreciates, he does, but seriously: startled owl is not cute.

Bryce pouts, then scrolls through his phone for a moment, before saying, “Aw, look at his little face when he realizes the media’s caught onto the feud. Adorable.”

Love that Bryce hears ‘can’t trust your opinion, you are obviously biased’ and then immediately goes to get supporting evidence from the comment section.

“Fine,” Bryce says. “Your surprised face isn’t adorable.”

Jared warily waits for the catch.

“It’s terrible,” Bryce says. “Embarrassing. If I were you I’d never leave this room again—“

Not the height of chirping, but I’m proud of Bryce for managing it without breaking into ‘except it’s amazing, you know it’s amazing right, you know I love your face??’.

Jared is trying to figure out a way to say ‘you should have a nap with me instead of going with our captain to cheer up hospitalised children’ that doesn’t sound monstrous, and he is having a very hard time.

Another great example of Jared taking a moment to think before speaking and therefore NOT saying anything to that effect.

“Yeah,” Bryce says with a sigh, then leans down and kisses Jared’s temple. “Want me to pick up dinner?”

“Sure,” Jared says. “Can you stop by the grocery store? We’re out of almond milk.”

Bryce makes a face.

Bryce offered to do an errand and then you added ANOTHER errand? He can’t do two errands. Jared, you know this about him. One errand at a time. (I would say he could pick up dinner at the grocery store, but Bryce would just make a face, so it is two errands)

“Fine,” Bryce mutters, then tells Siri to remind him to get almond milk. Jared figures there’s a fifty-fifty chance he’ll come home with it or dinner, about a five percent chance of him returning with both. Since they currently have leftovers in the fridge, and Bryce can grumble through cow’s milk coffee if needed, that’s fine by Jared.

At least Jared’s considering the odds.

When his phone buzzes he reaches for it almost gratefully, though he doesn’t stay that way, frowning at the I am so sorry from Julius. It could be the start of a prank or something — Julius isn’t a prank person, but then, Jared wouldn’t have said he was a ridiculous bet person either, and look at them now

Julius also isn’t an apology person, which Jared should factor into this.

Fuck, Julius broke up with Erin. Or maybe she broke up with him? Except no, if she broke up with him Julius wouldn’t be apologising. Unless he did something that made it the right call to break up with him, but still, him being the breaker-upper seems more—

And now he has an incoming call from Erin. Jared eyes his phone, refusing to pick it up. He doesn’t know whose side to be on yet.

Jared is the worst. And the best. Hedging his bets for now, waiting for more context before anyone can convince him to show solidarity.

He wonders if it was because Erin bet on the Canucks winning, especially after Jared accidentally blurted that out, made it a public thing. She said Julius was cool with it, but like, Jared would be deeply offended it Bryce bet against him on something.

Julius is getting a delicious home cooked meal out of this, Jared. He could not care less.

so a breakup isn’t a big deal, except for the whole Jaredian implications of things, which really should have been considered more seriously—

This is one of my favourite lines, for Jared unironically creating an adjective for ‘what about ME, guys, have you not thought about ME?’

“Julius is on the phone with his agent, who’s going to call your agent and I guess Bryce’s but he wanted you to know right away but also I think he’s terrified of being the one to tell you—“

Wait back up, Jared didn’t think ‘what about me’ went so far as to involve his agent.

“He didn’t mean to,” Erin says. She sounds miserable, which is frankly sort of terrifying.

Considering she found the last two minor debacles hilarious, not a good sign, but also Jared doesn’t like hearing her upset for…other, familial reasons. Don’t press this.

And someone in the scrum either knew something or just made a joke that was way too close to the truth about Bryce actually being my big brother, like, legally.”

“He’s not your brother,” Jared says. “He’s your brother-in-law, that’s different.”

Jared, she added ‘like, legally’ at the end. How is that not in-law, but with an extra like involved (‘with an extra like involved’ is half the dialogue of this series, thanks to both Jared and Bryce)

“Nothing,” Erin says. “Not like — nothing, but it was the way he said it.”

“The way he said nothing?” Jared says.

“Jared!” Erin says.

“I’m not being oblivious!” Jared says. “You’re not making any sense!”

“You’re so—“ Erin says, then makes a wordless sound of rage.

I see sibling relationships in fiction sometimes with affection and banter and calling each other ‘bro’ and ‘sis’ but frankly, I think ‘makes a wordless sound of rage’ is a good description of how it works on a day to day basis.

(I have never called my brother bro. I have, however, called him broseph, bruh, and ‘wordless sound of rage’)

“I don’t even know,” Erin says. “You try getting a coherent statement out of someone who’s speaking a mix of English and Finnish and terror.”

Try playing broken telephone in three languages, two of which you do not speak, then get back to her.

The clip starts with, “So we hear there’s a certain bet involving a blanket,” which could be directly Jared’s fault, them seeing his interview earlier, or could be the result of the same sort of research on their end.

He. Wore. It. As. A. Cape. Jared.

Twice.

“It must make the rivalry with the Canucks a little more interesting, your girlfriend’s brother on the other side.”

“Jared is a good friend,” Julius says. “And of course we played together. It’s always fun to play him.”

Jared continues to be impressed by just how little personality Julius shows to the media.

What do you want him to say here, Jared, ‘Jared is a petty bitch who stole my blanket’?

“Yes, but Jared said he was not going to get me a Christmas present,” Julius says, which is — okay, Jared did say that, but it makes him look bad.

How dare you directly quote me.

“It must be easier with Marcus out,” someone says. Jared doesn’t recognise the voice, so they probably weren’t on the beat when he was on the Oilers. “Is that going to change the stakes when he comes back?”

“Marcus?” Julius asks, starting to blink rapidly, Halla for confusion, looking a little like a startled owl himself. Jared shuts his eyes.

Julius hates media. It’s not in his first language, and he's been learning English at a breakneck pace in the previous years but still isn’t comfortable in it, there are lights, people are in his personal space, phones and mics are in his breathing space, and the vast majority of the questions he finds to be completely asinine. So when something goes off script it goes VERY off script.

“Well, it’s two against one, right?” the reporter adds. “And you’ve got two protective older brothers on the same team. I don’t envy you those family dinners or those board battles.”

So, Julius, completely overwhelmed at the mo, hears ‘protective older brothers’ and ‘family dinners’ and does not think of a ridiculous article written up some time ago, he thinks ‘fuck’.

So quiet the mics barely pick it up, but with a lot of feeling, Julius says, “Fuck.”

And that’s precisely what comes out of his mouth.

156. Knife Edge

Jared tries to think of what assumptions people are going to make about why Julius panicked, any explanation that could be innocent but still prompt that reaction. He can’t think of any, but then, he can’t think.

Nobody’s thinking straight in this chapter. Except maybe Andreas.

Julius mumbles something. Jared gets ‘sorry’ out of it, but not much else. He doesn’t think it’s Finnish, so this must be the terror Erin was talking about.

This is contrition. Terror was slightly louder and much faster.

“It’s okay,” Jared says. “It’s okay, Julius, okay? I’m not mad at you.”

“You should be,” Julius says.

“Well too fucking bad, I’m not,” Jared says.

Julius is quiet for a long time, other than some too fast breathing.

Julius did not plan for Jared not to be mad at him, and now he’s adrift.

“You’re really not mad?” he finally asks. He sounds very small. It makes Jared want to shake him until he doesn’t sound like that anymore.

No takebacks, please.

“I’m sure it’s fine,” Jared says. “Bryce’s agent will figure out some semi-plausible excuse again.”

Wishful thinking, maybe, but he’s done it before, so.

“You haven’t looked,” Julius says, “have you?”

OH. Says Julius. He’s not mad at me because he doesn’t know yet. Okay. I will prepare for anger again.

Jared hangs up the phone, then he chucks it across the room. Then, extricating himself from the stupid fucking blanket still twisting around his legs, he goes to retrieve it — safe in a pile of laundry, he’s pissed off, but he doesn’t want to buy a new phone over it — because he has to make some calls, even if he’d really rather not.

Maturity is making sure your phone lands in something soft when you chuck it because you gotta make some calls.

“Can you tell mom and dad,” he says.

“Yeah,” Erin says.

“Thanks,” Jared says, and hangs up while she’s mid-apology. Then texts her Not mad at you just can’t.

Feel you no worries Erin replies.

The Mathesons obviously give each other a lot of shit, but not when it matters (mostly).

Jared tries to calculate when Bryce is going to get home. Depends if he had to make his excuses, wait for a polite time to cut out. Depends on whether he sent his reply from inside the hospital or from the parking lot. Depends on traffic, and — there’s no real way of knowing, but it’s nice to accompany his pacing with some mental math to keep his brain busy so it isn’t speculating on just what’s being said right now, and just how many people are saying it.

Jared will take mental math over helpless speculation any day.

“Yeah,” Bryce says, stone-faced, phone to his ear. His voice is clipped, expression set, so Jared’s going to guess management or his agent. He wouldn’t talk to media or any of the guys right now, and he always looks a little soft when he talks to Elaine, no matter how upset he is. Apparently that’s also true when it comes to Jared, because his face eases into something softer when he meets Jared’s eye.

The two people Bryce drops all his defences around.

“Julius Halla is your sister’s boyfriend?” Summers asks.

“And one of my best friends,” Jared says. “And former linemate.”

He doesn’t care if that sounds petty: Julius is not first and foremost Erin’s boyfriend. And it’s relevant to the situation. Probably.

On the one hand, it is indeed relevant information. On the other hand — Jared.

“Fuck, he’s not funny, is he,” Summers says.

“He is,” Jared says. “But like — in a dry way?”

“Marcus, you think Halla’s funny?” Summers asks. “He make you giggle?”

Bryce looks at Jared.

Bryce is concerned he’s going to get in trouble with someone, and he’s not sure which is worse.

“Stop looking at your husband,” Summers says. “I’m asking you.”

Jesus, no wonder Bryce is terrified of him.

Dave knows the ‘don’t get mad at me’ pause.

“Alright, we’re not doing that then,” Summers says. “Stay by your phones, but don’t answer shit if the call isn’t from me or Greg. If it’s the Canucks, tell them to call me, then get right off the phone. They’re on their side, you understand me? Not yours. Greg and I work for you guys. The Canucks work for the Canucks.”

“If my mom calls and I don’t pick up she’ll—“ Bryce says.

“Jesus Christ, Marcus, you can pick up the phone if your mom calls,” Summers says.

But you just told him he couldn’t! Bryce is so confused.

“Just don’t answer any calls from unknown numbers.”

“Nobody under thirty does that anyway,” Jared says. “Like, just on principle.”

I’d go with under 40 in many cases.

“He calls you Jared,” Bryce says accusingly.

“You do too,” Jared says. “Because Jared is, in fact, my name.”

“How come he doesn’t call you Matheson,” Bryce complains.

Jared pats his wrist. “Bigger problems right now, babe.”

“You’re not even his client,” Bryce mutters.

Bryce knows why you are Dave’s favourite, and agrees, but also: no fair.

“You seem — calm,” Jared says. He also probably seems calm, but he’s balanced on a knife’s edge between eerie calm and complete hysteria right now, whereas Bryce seems legitimately calm. Not happy, but not panicking either. Jared was expecting a lot more panicking.

Bryce has had some time to think between sulks.

“I knew this was a possibility when I signed with the Canucks,” Bryce says.

Also this. When Dave asked him if he still wanted to sign if this was a possibility, and Bryce said yes, that was it. Bryce doesn’t tiptoe into shit, he dives headfirst. He’s been mentally preparing for it to happen since, especially after the team found out.

“Fuck,” Bryce says.

“Yeah,” Jared says.

“No,” Bryce says. “Fuck. I forgot the fucking almond milk.”

He also forgot dinner, but I think these are reasonable extenuating circumstances.

157. Conclusive Evidence

It takes awhile to get the hysterical laughter out of their systems. Long enough that Jared has tears in his eyes and Bryce wheezes out a plaintive, “My ribs,” between shuddering breaths.

“Ow,” Jared agrees, thumbing at a tear track on Bryce’s cheek.

“Fuck,” Bryce says. “Fuck, J.”

“Yeah,” Jared says, wipes the tears off Bryce’s other cheek, then lets Bryce haul him in, wrap himself around Jared, tacky wet face tucked against Jared’s neck. It feels half like he’s shielding Jared with his body, half like he’s using Jared to hide. Both are probably equally true.

<3 teammates

They could just order some delivered, he guesses, but and going out and doing something sounds way better than sitting at home trying not to think about, well — anything. There are way too many things currently in the ‘do not think about this’ portion of Jared’s brain, and sitting with his own thoughts feels like tempting fate right now.

Grocery shopping also beats helpless speculation.

Jared’s in and out as quickly as possible, since aimlessly wandering around Vancouver is also tempting fate, gets back back home after barely twenty minutes. He was expecting Bryce to still be on the phone — Bryce and Elaine chats have a tendency to go on for awhile no matter the circumstance — but instead he’s greeted by Bryce hovering right at the door, a little wild eyed.

“What,” Jared says. “Did you think I ran away?”

Intellectually he didn’t, but emotionally: sheer panic.

“I got you a Coffee Crisp,” Jared says, but Bryce has already discovered this, and is happily mulitasking walking the almond milk to the fridge and unwrapping it so he can shove it in his mouth.

It’s a chocolate bar that tastes like very sweet coffee. It was the GOAT of treats come Halloween, and is up there with nanaimo bars, poutine, and all-dressed chips as Elite Canadian Treats.

“You want some?” Bryce asks, belated and reluctant.

“Ate mine on the walk back,” Jared says. He’s a little touched that Bryce is even offering — fuck knows Jared would not share chocolate right now. Bryce, looking relieved, stuffs the remainder into his mouth.

True love right there.

“If it’s paparazzi I’m going to be so mad,” Jared says, as the knock repeats, insistent.

Do they even have paparazzi, really? Like, they’ve got a few irritating beat journalists, but Jared can’t see any of them hunting down their address and knocking on their door to get a scoop.

I feel like there has to be some level of paparazzi in Vancouver because so many TV shows are shot there? But two Vancouver Canucks wouldn’t even be on their radar.

“I brought you a fruit basket,” Stephen says. “And wine. You’re going to want me to be here when you talk things through with your agents. Gabe’s still trying to find a spot — what the fuck is up with the street parking around your building? Take this stupid basket, it’s ridiculously heavy.”

Stephen’s here to save the day with wine and advice. Gabe provided the ride and the snacks.

“Summers said to let him field all the communication with in the meantime.”

“He’s is the exact person you want handling this right now,” Stephen says, sounding approving. “That or his assistant, I know him, he’s very good.”

Stephen and Andreas’ acquaintanceship makes me happy to think about.

When Jared nudges a knee against his, checking in, Bryce gives him a small, tired looking smile, then offers him a piece of chocolate.

<3333 team

“This is not a cat back in bag situation,” Stephen says.

“Such a cruel metaphor,” Gabe murmurs.

I’m with Gabe. Why has the idiom about drowning cats survived to present day?

“General consensus seems to be that you guys were toying with the fans, dropping hints about your relationship to see if anyone would pick up on it,” Gabe says. “That or that you wanted to tell the world but the Evil Flames Management got in the way and the article was your S.O.S. to the wider world but everyone missed it. Those are the two prevailing theories, at least.”

The internet loves itself a conspiracy, and with hindsight, a lot of Jared and Bryce’s stumbles in hiding their relationship look like bread crumbs rather than fuck ups.

But regardless, cat is very much out of bag, stop looking at me, Gabriel, I’m not hurting cats by saying it.”

“You could use a different metaphor,” Gabe says mildly. “A more humane one.”

Love you, Gabriel.

It’s not actually all that late when Stephen and Gabe head out, but between the situation and the information overload Jared’s gotten from Stephen, and Summers, and Greg when he interrupted shoving pizza into their mouths to reiterate most of what Summers had said, except sounding kind of panicky the whole time, well —

Poor Greg. He’s doing this best.

“Is it bad that I feel, I don’t know,” Jared says.

“Relieved?” Bryce asks.

Jared turns his head, meets Bryce’s eye. It wasn’t the word he was going to use, but it feels like the right one.

Other shoe dropped. World didn’t end.

“I never told you this,” Bryce says, “but before he pulled the strings to get me to Vancouver, Summers told me he was going to ask me a question first, and if I said no the entire deal was off.”

Jared rolls over to look at Bryce. It’s too dark to see him, really, but this feels like the kind of conversation to have face to face.

“He asked if I was still willing to come to the Canucks if coming here lead to me getting outed,” Bryce says. “I didn’t even hesitate, J. He couldn’t even finish getting the question out before I said yes.”

Oh Bryce.

“I wouldn’t have hesitated either,” Jared says. “I just — I wouldn’t have either.”

There’s a flash of teeth in the dark. A grin Jared doesn’t even need to see properly to be a sucker for.

“Yeah, babe,” Bryce says. “I know.”

Not a doubt in Bryce’s mind.

[panzershrike-pretz]

pretz. my friend. do you have any headcanons about sirius/micheal's relationship because i LOVE THEM AND I NEED MORE FLUFF FROM THEM AAAAAAAAAA

Oh. My god. YES BLU, I DOOOOO

I love my babies!! 🥺💕💕 there'll be some Jeremy sprinkled in there sometimes but since you asked for Micah/Sirius, i'll keep it mostly between them :]

(This got so fucking long and all over the place so apologies xD)

- OKEY- so. Michael and Sirius actually met LONG before Blithe, thru Sirius' uncle, Alphard (bless him)

- Basically Alphard found Michael struggling after a Not Good Werewolf Night and brought him home to help and Sirius was living there at the time and the two immediately became friends

- Sirius is wild- but he was even wilder at the time (yk, all the high of wanting to piss off his family as much as possible) and Michael to this day does not have a clue of what the fuck he saw on the Long Boy but oh well

- Sirius was the first to fall, actually (tbh he kind of dropped from a cliff over Micah). This man doesn't have clue on how to be subtle at all. Man was head over heels- his luck is that Micah is fucking blind so they're two oblivious shitheads

- Neither of them had a proper relationship until they met so they had no clue on how it was supposed to work- it was Hard to figure it out (Andy to the rescue!! Best aunt)

- Anyway yeah, they both decided to leave Alphard be and went to spend sometime with Andy, around the same time she developed cancer so they were there to help her and Ted around the farm. It made them grow closer and understand each other better (especially Sirius learning how to deal with Michael's Lycanthropy and loosing his fear)

- Sirius is practically Andy's baby and she was the first to know he wanted to ask Michael out (woman was Tired but ayyyyyyy gotta bake a cake for themmmmmm fuck the disease cake time)

- Their first date was shit. They loved it. They got stuck in the barn because of a fucking storm but heyyy. They spent the whole night talking and by the morning they were together

- Rudy was there mooing away and they spent the whole night awake because of the fucker. Not a fun morning (Blackie and Johnny, the dogs, kept company tho, so that's cool)

- "let's sleep on the hay" "yeah, sounds good"

- Rudy:

- They're very very open with each other. They comunicate their feelings and wants all the time, to make sure they're on the same page (mostly- )

- Sirius is too protective- he gets really emotional when Micah has troubles with people because of the Lycanthropy

- (yes it means that Sirius went to jail more than once because of thatKAKAKAKAK)

- Michael loves to dance; sometimes he just likes to grab Sirius by the hand to dance (in the rain? In complete silence? Blasting music? He doesn't care. He just loves to dance. Wherever, whenever)

- Micah suffers from chronic pains thanks to Lycanthropy. Tho his injuries and wounds do get better quicker than usual, he has many pains and they just tend to worsen during winter, when is a battle to do the simplest things.

- Sirius doesn't have a winter coat due to his genetics, but he still tries to cuddle around Micah to warm him up. Sirius also brings him tons of chocolate

- Siri has a lactose intolerance and everyone in Blithe gets some chocolate to keep spirits up every now and then, so he just stocks up his share to give them to Micah when he needs it.

- Sirius has tattoos of Michael and Jeremy all over his body, which he completely loves. (When he appeared with the first one Micah wanted to smack him in the face for being so stupid-)

- Sirius was the one to help Micah feel more confortable in his own skin. Michael was always too perfect for his own good so breaking from the mold was very hard for him

- Sirius, on the other hand, was always one of the family's black sheep. He was different - he liked to be different from that royal-ish persona (Andy and Alphard are GREAT inflences). His personality and love for being different inspired Micah to accept his condition more.

- To Michael, Sirius' enormous family is extremely overwhelming. He knows both of them are not welcomed, although some events require them having to interact

- Sirius and Jeremy help Micah with manic attacks during those; he's fully aware that he's a lowlife only allowed between the high people because of his husbands, both from big and poweful families

- Michael has endured a lot of gossip in high society about him only being with Sirius and Jerry because of their families' money, so he can use them to not be just a poor bitch

- (Untrue. But yes, people got punched over this.)

- Ok so- of all the three, the only who has a mom is Jeremy. Sirius' is dead and Micah's doesn't exist, because he was simply ✨️created✨️. Both Sirius and Micah are Euphemia's babies

- Yeah she's very likely to stand by them if they both fight with her son because she knows he's stupid :3

- Euph is one of the official chocolate providers

- (Michael and Sirius were the ones who convinced her that pirates are not that bad) (and that it was okay for her son to love two men)

- Micah does love the good side of Sirius' family tho! Hydra is his best friend, Andy and Ted are like parents for him and Rodion is like a fucked up brother as well (together with his wife and kids?? Lots of people), and Alphard the weird uncle nobody quite knows what's going on with- but he's very helpful

- And then there's Hugh, their adoptive son :] Hugh's mom was their friend back in 1928 when he was born and she had to give him up to adoption so the two took him in

- Hugh did run away from home to fight in the war and was promptly taken in by Miss Seagull after he was wounded, so he spent what? Some 70 years away from his dads, stuck in her time loop? At least Fiona was there

- They did get him back tho- fucked up lil' man. One day he disappeared then came back 70 years later with a girlfriend and one leg less. All good 👍

- Anyway Micah and Sirius just love love love their weird little family very much.

- Sirius is best uncle (ask Olive and Kanna. They'll agree)

- When time rolls around for the Full Moon, Micah's health starts to decline. He gets tired, sensitive to light, snaps more easily, has more pains and all that. Medications and potions don't really have any effect, so he has to just Deal With It(tm)

- Sirius never leaves his side during those times, as dangerous as it is. He was bitten already, more than once, and knows very well the side effects are not cool, but he doesn't care

- No way he'll let Mike feel alone during those times

- He and Jeremy will also spend the night with him in one of Blithe's prisoner cells when he transforms (both in animal form, so he won't mindlessly attack them).

- Michael feels very very scared during those times, so it's very good for him to have company

- Tho he fears A LOT that one day he'll turn back in the morning covered in blood that's not his and with two bodies next to him

- Micha made them both promise they'll fight him off if he ever attacks any of them or somehow goes loose on the ship-

- They agreedand just to be sure Pax is left with them with orders to protect the ship if Micah goes loose

- They have this little inside joke where Sirius will turn into a dog and Michael will act like he's his owner- (yes Sirius uses this for his own gain. He does tricks no dog should do for money)

- But also, Micah loves to see people desperate to understand what is fucking wrong with that fucking dog

- Sirius can't cook for shit. If it all depends on him, they'll starve to death (thank Gods Michael learned)

- Michael loves to play instruments. He got Sirius to teach him piano when they lived with Andy amd he managed to get classes on saxophone as well.

- Sirius rarely get's sick but when he does, Micah play's music for him to feel better.

- The three of them like to sneak off alone when they can, using the Loops, so they can go on dates far from everyone else.

- Sirius favorite places to go are lakes; Michael's are forests, trails and libraries; Jeremy loves to be on the beach. Everytime they want to spend time together, they sort a place and go be happy

----------------------------------------------

Hummmm yeah I think that's it(?)

Again, sorry for it being so long xD I couldn't stop writing after I started KAKAKAKAK

[diorgirl444]

that darn cat 🐈 ༊*·˚ - send me in a character + a brief description of your appearance (including clothing style) and i’ll make a fake instagram post of what you’d post of each other

omg yes pls!! idk if you're still part of the marauders fandom, but could i get this with lily evans, please?

my appearance: i have medium/light brown skin with dark brown eyes. i have long black hair as well. i'm short, but leaning towards average height. idk how to describe my face shape that great (lol) but i'd say i have a big nose and smaller lips. i also have a lot of pimples on my face :/

my clothing style is pretty basic, i'd use these pics to describe it:

pretty basic, just sweaters with jeans or sweatpants as well as a necklace sometimes.

ty, ilysm <33

also i feel like i've sent this in before but idk so i apologize if i have

making this made me realise that i don’t have a lily fancast but after a lot of searching i found madeline ford and for me she’s perfect!!!

liked by notlamejames and 103 others 

pretty.nova pool day with my mermaid gf

view all 17 comments

lilyliketheflower if i’m your mermaid gf then your my fairy gf

↳ pretty.nova lily i love you so much

↳ lilyliketheflower love you more

↳ pretty.nonnie 🥺

madmarlz my two besties are hawt ❤️‍🔥

↳ prettynova you too marlz

mooningabout it looks like you two had a lovely holiday

↳ beingsirius they should of invited us

↳ prettynova i don’t know how to make this anymore obvious sirius it was a romantic getaway

↳ beingsirius ok and??? 🤨

liked by mooningabout and 222 others 

lilyliketheflower i love you, i love you, i love you ❤️‍🩹

view all 15 comments

pretty.nova lily i teared up at this 🥹

↳ lilyliketheflower i’ll kiss away your tears

mooningabout you two are actually the cutest

↳ lilyliketheflower this could be you with your girl remus if you confessed

↳ mooningabout shut up lily 🙂

↳ pretty.nova remus used an emoji stay safe ml ❤️‍🩹

notlamejames omg photo creds!!! 😡

↳ lilyliketheflower sorry photo creds to jamie 📸

liked by madmarlz and 103 others 

pretty.nova pretty sky ☁️

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lilyliketheflower and a pretty girl 💐

↳ pretty.nova same goes for you best girl

madeinmeadows that’s such a gorgeous photo ahhh

↳ pretty.nova stoppp you’re so sweet 🥲

beingsirius didn’t it rain right after this 🥱

↳ pretty.nova wth siri??? 😕

↳ beingsirius am i lying though???

↳ pretty.nova no… ☹️

[burning-omen]

Mutations and pleasure headcanons

Characters: Kurt Wagner, Scott Summers, Warren Worthington III, Peter Maximoff

Warning ⚠️: N*fw

Kurt Wagner:

It’s not part of his mutation but it’s worth mentioning, he’s flexible. To the point that it might be unreasonable.

He can fold himself into so many goddamn position and he’s strong enough to hold them for however long he needs to

Anyways, he has 100% just disappeared durning sex.

One moment your railing him into the mattress the next the entire room is covered in blue smoke and Kurt is nowhere to be seen.

About 10 seconds later he’s back with an extremely flustered look in his face.

Before you could question him about where he went he told you he was going to bed. He climbed in next to you and faced the wall for the rest of the night

The next morning he practically begged you to forget that it happened but to also say away from Logan for a few days.

And that’s how you figured out where he landed.

Your avoidance didn’t last long because at some point the next day you ran into Logan, who just let out a long sigh before patting you on the shoulder and walking away.

A few days later Kurt’s over it, just a freak accident, right?

Nope, happened again the next time you had sex with him.

After this kept happening he, begrudgingly, went and asked for help from no other than Logan!

The conversation was basically “hey Logan you fuck a lot right? Can you help me with my sex-teleporting problem?”

And he did, pretty much told him he just needed to be more in the moment mentally so his body wouldn’t take him out of it physically. (whatever that fuck that mean)

After he re-figured out how to stop teleporting spontaneously he decided to use this to his advantage.

I would like to introduce you all to a concept that I like to call “teleportation as a form a teasing”

Intentional teasing wasn’t one of Kurt’s strong suits so he figured that it might help

The first time it happened you were not prepared at all.

You were watching tv, as one does, your mind wandering off as some show played.

Then BOOM

There’s Kurt, looking determined but you could see he was nervous.

Carefully he climbed into your lap, staring down at you for a moment then leaning down, pressing a quick kiss on your lips, he kept going, kissing you over and over again.

He grinds himself against your thigh, groaning softly as sped up. The fabric of his underwear somehow hits every nerve just right.

You watched him as you gently kissing his neck and the bit of exposed chest just above the collar of his shirt.

“You’re bold today, sweetheart.”

“I-i know.”

And just like that, he was gone. A cloud of blue smoke left behind.

You knew this was different from the other times he’d disappeared, then he’d been so absorbed in pleasure that he just POOFED away. This was different, you barely even started, you hardly even touched him and he was gone. And even if it was an accident, he told you he had that under control now.

You just hoped that he hadn’t lied to you.

A few minutes later you wandered into Kurt's room, watching him from the doorway as he frantically arranged and rearranged the things on his desk. A nervous habit of his.

He tries his hardest not to look over at you, focusing incredibly hard on all the stuff on his desk.

He refused to look up even when he heard you close and lock the door, or when you walked up behind him, pressing your body against his as you wrapped your arms around him.

“Kurt..”

“...”

“I know you can hear me sweetheart, you wanna tell me what happened earlier?”

“Nothing..”

“Really? Nothing? Didn’t feel like nothing..”

Feel a little bad for him, he doesn’t know how to tease correctly.

You’re going to have to make him admit to attempting to tease you through the ultimate means of fucking him into the mattress until he’s seeing stars.

Scott Summers:

And now, a list of things you couldn’t do with Scott before he got some semi-permanent glasses:

Roughly fuck his face, because if you did and you knocked his glasses off you’d, at the very, very least, have your entire dick cut off.

Fucking him too hard. Period. It sounds fun but who’s going to pay for the holes in the ceiling or continuously replace your mattress when giant holes are inevitably burned into him?

So if he doesn’t have some semi-permanent glasses by the time you two start having sex everything’s going to be extremely soft and gentle

But the moment he shows you the new glasses it’s over for him.

He’s getting railed on/in/against everything you could think of, because you can do that now without bodily harm or thousands of dollars worth of property damage.

Have y’all been caught having sex in a place y’all shouldn’t be? Yes.

Do you give a flying fuck? No!

No Scott can’t do anything on his own the next day because moving hurts but hey, he had fun.

Warren Worthington III:

Hey Siri, define wing kink

For y’all’s that don’t know “Wing Kink is a related trope which often appears in wingfic (or in fanworks where a canonical character has wings), in which the character's wings are an erogenous zone and caressing them produces pleasurable feelings.” - the fanlore wiki

His wings, when you first started having sex with him, were completely off limits.

He made that undeniably clear to you.

Not because he didn’t like having them touched, but more because he didn’t think you’d like touching them.

All of that went straight out the window a few months later.

He was drunk, which had recently stopped being a normal occurrence for him. He tries to break out of his alcoholism, but it’s a slow and painful process. Instead of just outright stopping all at once he decided it would be better for him to just slow down. It works, he’s not drunk every minute of every day anymore so that’s better. He’ll drink on the weekends, and maybe take a shot before bed but other than that he won’t drink too much. But tonight he was drinking with Logan and in his attempts to keep up with him he’d ended up drunk out of his mind.

He cut himself off, he knew that if he drank more he’d blackout and he didn’t know what he’d do if he did.

So he stumbled all the way back to your room and tripped on literal air.

The sound of him hitting the floor woke you up.

Sitting up you saw Warren laying face down on the floor, giggling like a fool as he made multiple attempts to get up only to end up right back on the floor.

“Warren, it’s 3 in the morning, come lay down.”

You wanted to go over and pick him up. But you knew how he was about his wings and being touched in general.

After a few minutes of coaxing and encouraging him to get into bed he finally did.

Basically plopping down on top of you with a tired grin spread across his face

Burying his face in your chest, he closed his eyes.

After a few minutes you thought he was asleep, but you were proven wrong when he let out a long sigh and looked up at you.

“Fucking hold me..”

No, he doesn’t know how to ask for things nicely he’s a little bastard

You try and avoid his wings at first, gently draping your arms around his shoulders.

But that very quickly frustrated Warren, causing him to grab your arms and forces them around him and his wings.

Before you could try and say anything about it you could hear him snoring.

You sighed, deciding to deal with the breakage of limits could be talked about in the morning.

When you woke up Warren was already awake, still laying on your chest, just staring at you. His cheeks turned a light pinkish color when you looked down at him.

He wouldn’t say anything. He just stared at you for a solid 10 minutes before rolling over onto the other side of the bed.

He’s afraid that in his drunken state he’d made you uncomfortable, which led him to the never ending spiral of anxiety that made him say his wings were off limits in the first place.

Asking him what was wrong just led to him apologizing without actually saying what for.

Throughout the rest of the day he avoided the subject which made him ultimately avoid you.

You see? This is why you should talk to your partners, guys.

It took him awhile but he eventually said what he needed to say.

NOW ONTO THE SEXY BITS

Lightly running your finger through his lower feathers can be a way to get him in The Mood or to calm him down after a particularly rough sex (it helps with his sub drop)

This ones a bit more romantic but kiss his wings, especially the little part where they connect to his back.

He’ll melt, just straight up die on the spot because it’s just so nice and soft and feels so good.

Try not to be to rough with them, it hurts a fuck ton.

His wings are still off limits in certain aspects.

No using them to overstimulate him, he doesn’t like it. No pulling on his feathers, it hurts in the Not Good way.

But do kiss, massage, pet, and run your fingers through them.

He was very nervous when he first let you touch them, unintentionally flinching away when you reached for them.

Run your hands through his feathers while he rides you, he won’t last very long if you do.

praise him and call them beautiful, it took him a long time for him to learn to love himself and his mutation and he needs to be reassured sometimes

STILL BE CAREFUL

HIS WINGS ARE PRECIOUS AND MORE PRONE TO BAD PAIN THAN ANY OTHER PART OF HIS BODY

Just be careful with him stg I love him so much

Peter Maximoff:

Zoom zoom bitch

He fast

He has the nicest ass because of how much he runs

He can and will grab you and take you back to his room if he’s feeling especially needy.

And then he’ll act extremely bratty despite the fact that he brought you there.

He vibrates.

Most of the time unintentionally.

It’s his version of shaking, so he definitely does it when he cums

“Peter, what the fuck are you doing?”

“Just...give me a moment..”

He’s gotten too eager before and fallen off the bed while trying to change position.

When I say this man gives the best blowjobs in the history of blowjobs I mean it

His tongue vibrates too. That added with the fact that he has no gag reflex AND no shame? Rip

Quickies, anywhere anytime.

Cameras can be covered in less than a second and he can have both of you looking relatively decent before anyone comes in.

You have to guide him while he rides/fucks himself onto you because he might hurt you or himself by going too fast.

He’s not aloud to use his speed when given sexual orders

Usually after being punished he’s much more shy and nervous.

Making him do things slowly only adds to that.

Make him get on his knees in front of you? Gone, he’s so blushy and embarrassed at just being in that position.

Make him strip and prep himself while you watch? Ceases to exist

Will beg and cry for you to let him speed up, but he’s just putting on a show.

Grinding against pillows or folded blankets with some kind of plug up his ass is his preferred method of masturbation because he can go as fast as he wants without worry.

He’s ripped holes in a few blankets and pillows and has very unsuccessfully hidden.

“So are we not going to talk about the hole in my brand new blank?”

“No we are not.”

[forsworned]

[♥] modern au! airplane mode  {gyomei himejima x reader}

Genre: Comedy, Slight Fluff, Slight Sensual Themes

Categories: F/M M/M

Relationships: Himejima Gyomei/Reader

Word count: 1,093

a/n: if you feel like this isn’t very gyomei  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ oh well, this is my interpretaion of him and i feel like nobody ever gives him enough credit to be a normal human being with feelings,,requests are open

➽────────────── ────────────── ──────────── ❥ 

Last call for Okinawa, Japan. Last call for Okinawa, Japan.

Walking down the terminal and struggling to find your seat when boarding your plane was always your least favorite thing, but at least you were finally able to start your vacation. You looked over at your ticket once more making sure your seat number on your ticket aligned, but instead of it being empty it was occupied by a handsome dark-haired gentleman. His full eyelashes covered his orbs that were cloudy and distant. It seemed to click in your head that he was blind and must have sat in the wrong seat. He seemed to be staring off in space with his headphones in playing pretty loudly might you add. Instead of getting annoyed, you sat beside him and took out one of his earbuds and put it in your ear.

Pull it out of park, put it in drive I can feel your heart beatin' with mine

He was a bit startled by your bold gesture, but a smile crept on his face when he heard you singing along. "You're a fan of The Neighborhood?"

"Yeah, you got great taste in music." You beamed. "You're also sitting in my seat."

His face now a shocked and flustered expression, and you couldn't help but giggled at him. "I'm so sorry. The flight attendant must've put me in the wrong seat."

You waved your hand dismissing his apology. It was so cute how his face was getting redder by the moment. It was very refreshing because men usually kept such a cool as a cucumber demeanor. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but usually when they saw your appearance they would approach you way too casually like it would be easy to wrap you around their finger. But, well, he was blind so that could probably factor a lot into how he was addressing you.

"Don't worry about it. I'm glad I can share seats with someone who has a superb taste in music."

He cocked his eyebrow in interest. "Superb, huh?"

"Yeah, the last person I sat next to on a flight they listened to Nickelback. Can you believe that?"

His face suddenly dropped when those words left your lips. "But...I like Nickelback."

You found yourself stumbling over words not knowing how to make up for the damage you just created, but he just laughed. Hearing you trying to talk your way out of an insult as petty as that tickled him pink. "I'm kidding."

"Oh." Was all you could muster up as you sat there with your face flushed and pout on your mein. What a cruel joke. "That was mean. How could you make me feel bad for you pretending to like a band as shitty as that."

"Oh, stop pouting. As if it's a crime for a blind guy to make jokes." He teased. His smile was full and brilliant and beautiful, revealing a set of pearly whites. It was if he was seeing right through your very soul when in actuality he had no pupils. Just captivating misty eyes that bore into you and it made your breath hitch. "Here, listen to this. Siri play Sick Love by the Red Hot Chili Peppers"

Playing Sick Love by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Your eyes widened in surprise. Wow he really does have good taste in music.

"Judging by the way your breath just changed, I'm guessing you know this song?" How could he even possibly hear that? You didn't even notice that your breath had changed in that moment and if you did it was faint.

"How did you--"

He smiled and leaned back in his chair. "When you've been blind your whole life you pick up on a few things."

"Incredible. My name is [name]." You held your hand out with the most awestruck expression. He shook your hand, having no trouble knowing where it was.

"Gyomei. It's a pleasure to meet you." He let his hand fall by his side again, and picked up the water bottle his cup holder and took a swig from it. "I'm guessing you've never met a lot of blind people, [name]."

You felt a little embarrassed by his question. You didn't want to sound ignorant but you didn't want to lie either. Something told you that he would be able to pick up on that too.

"Honestly, no. But I'm glad I got to meet you." Were you --flirting? Well, you were going to be on a flight for a few hours so it didn't hurt. Plus a little entertainment never hurt anyone. His expression let a hint of embarrassment slip as he tried to regain his composure.

"Hm, I'll see if I can say the same by the end of the flight" A smug look on his face as he rested his hand on his chin. He had really done it now. Playful banter was probably one of your top turn ons and he was really working his magic on you.

"Have I done a number on you, yet?" Certainly you were going to explode any minute because your heart was fluttered against your chest.

He laughed heartily at your sudden silence. His breath now fanning against your cheek. "Are you going to say anything, [name]."

You cleared your throat and swallowed the forming lump in your throat. Geez, this guy was totally your type and you were putty in his hands. "Anyways,"

Honestly, you couldn't even remember the last time a guy made you this clammy. Usually your encounters with men were monotonous and repetitive. But, Himejima--he was definitely doing you in right now and he definitely knew it, too.

"Is that all you got?"

The smug expression on his face never seemed to leave his smooth and structure visage. "I can show you all I got, but we'd probably need a room for that."

Blood rushed to your cheeks, and had it not been for you trying to collect yourself immediately you were certainly going to have a nosebleed.

"I-I mean the m-music."

"Oh, right." He feigned innocence. "Only if you're ready for me."

"Sir," You couldn't even get the words out at this point. This slick motherfucker was going to be the end of you. "You can just--just take my number already, please."

The satisfied grin on his face said it all as he handed you his phone.

"I thought you'd never ask."

[remmysbounty]

reunited//din djarin x f!reader

first off, thank you to my Siri ( @booksmusicteaandanimals​ ) for giving me this fic idea earlier today, especially bc after she gave me this idea i ended up getting two other ideas bc of it. 

I hope you all enjoy it :) 

I’m gonna tag some of you that I think will be interested, if you don’t want to be tagged in the future that’s totally fine, just let me know. 

please comment and/or reblog what you think, feedback is very much appreciated

You’d felt him before you saw him. It had been years since you’d felt another Force user in your presence, and even though he was clearly bothered by something, the waves of despair that you felt did not surprise you in any way. Feeling him as you walked down the path, you found yourself standing in front of a creature you had only heard about in legends and bedtime stories.

“Hello little one,” you brought your hand out to touch his three fingers, allowing him to infiltrate your mind, talk to you, “Would you like for me to help you find this man, the Mandalorian?”

You felt a resounding yes come through the force and after securing the little one in your arms, you continued down the path you were on. Clearly whoever you were looking for was someone who would stand out, whether intentional or not, and you had heard rumors about a bounty hunter being in the area that morning, so you figured the best place to head towards would be the cantina. As you walked you got to know more about the child in your arms and he shared with you memories of his journey with this Mandalorian. A Mandalorian who reminded you very much of one that you’d met when you were just on the cusp of adulthood. 

You waved at the little Mandalorians who ran through the marketplace, still having the freedom to do so before the Empire had forced them into hiding, and continued down to your stall, hoping that today would be a good day. The different teas that you’d prepared the night before rested in their containers, waiting for hungry eyes and watering mouths to request them and you sat there, eager to speak with anyone that viewed your stall as appealing, especially a certain Mandalorian who made his appearance every sun-down. 

He had his own blend, one that you’d created by accident, but that he’d enjoyed so much, you couldn’t help but make sure you always had some on hand. The sun had already started to set, the pink and orange hues covering everything around you, as you started to pack your stall- it had been another slow day.

“I hope I’m not too late,” your Mandalorian’s sudden appearance had caught you by surprise, something that happened often.

You smiled softly at the beskar covered man in front of you, “No, you are right on time actually.”

After giving him his tea bag, you finished packing up everything you’d need and started your trek home, accompanied by Mando, “Was your day good?”

A slight tilt of his head and a deep sigh escaping his lips told you that it was anything but, and you couldn’t help but agree, “Me too.”

As the two of you arrived at your door, you watched to see if Mando would follow you inside. Recently, you had gotten the feeling that things were changing between the two of you, and you wanted to tell him how you felt but there was another thing on your mind that you knew needed to be said first.

“Mando,” you whispered, waiting for the iconic tilt that told you he was listening, “I’m leaving Navarro.”

The second those three words left your lips, Din’s hold on the box in his hands released and he almost dropped it before catching it- and himself, “What?”

One word. That was all you got out of him, but what else could you expect.

You looked down at your twitching hands, wondering how you could explain everything to him. How much you loved him, cared for him, and also put him in danger. You knew he had a dangerous profession, but one thing was being a bounty hunter, and another thing was being on the run from the Empire.

“Something’s come up,” those three words told him everything he needed to know. You were hiding something from him and he didn’t like it, but watching your trembling figure next to him, made him wonder why you were lying. You’d always been so talkative, so open, so kind, so- he’d even considered giving you his name tonight, but now he wasn’t so sure.

Your eyes looked at everything but him, “I have to leave. I was won-” you looked down at your feet and took a deep breath in, “Can you stay here tonight, please?”

A deep sigh came from his helmet, “No, I’m sorry.”

You shook your head as a watery chuckle escaped your lips, “It’s okay, don’t apologize Mando-” “Din. Call me Din, please.”

“It’s okay… Din.”

 You hadn’t realized that you were projecting this last memory of your Mandalorian until you felt the child shift in your hands. Looking down you realized he wanted to share something with you. Suddenly, you were bombarded with different images of his Mandalorian as if he were trying to send you a message, “Do you think he’s my Mandalorian?”

As you asked that very question out loud, Din had caught sight of you and the child in your arms. He almost hadn’t recognized you, and if it weren’t for the fact that you held his son in your arms he would have easily skipped over you in his search for Grogu. What a coincidence that the one time he loses Grogu during a fight with some other bounty hunters, it is in the very town you are in.

Din had been so consumed by your appearance, he hadn’t realized the way Grogu had pointed you towards him until you were standing there as clear as day.

“Y/N?” He hadn’t realized he had even whispered your name, still in awe of seeing you after years of separation. It was sweet on his lips, like honey, and he wanted nothing more to drop on his knees and bask in your presence. 

Of course, you hadn’t been sure that the child in your arms was correct until you heard your name escape the helmet in front of you. Your eyes watered as you finally accepted that the child was very much right, “Din?”

Tears ran down your cheeks as you took Din in, “It really is you.”

You felt the child move around in your arms and you suddenly remembered what it is that led you to him, “I take it he is yours.”

Din nodded his head quickly in agreement as he grabbed Grogu from your arms, “Could-” there was a pause, “Would you like to come with me to my ship? We can talk more there.”

You gleefully nodded, even though the tears continued to fall, as you motioned for Din to lead the way.

Soon you found yourself in the comfort of the Razor Crest, and even though you had only been on it once before, it felt more like home then the planet you were currently residing in.

After settling down in the cockpit you found yourself telling Din everything, not only why you left but how you ended up in Navarro in the first place to how you ended up standing before him with Grogu in your arms. While he has hurt that you had never told him any of this before, he understood, in a way you’d wanted to make sure he’d stay safe and that could only be for certain if he didn’t know.

“Oh, cyar’ika,” Din’s hand hovered over your cheek waiting for you to give him permission to touch you in a way he had never done before, “I missed you.”

The tears returned as did the memories of your time right after leaving him, “I missed you too, Din.”

Somehow Din allowed you to come closer and you soon curled up into his chest, your head finding comfort in the sliver of skin open to the air around you, “I don’t want to leave you Din, ever again.”

Din seemed to grunt something at your words and whispered, “Then don’t.”

You brought yourself even closer to Din, which you didn’t believe was quite possible, and whispered a simple ok as you finally let your mind come to terms with the fact that you had been reunited with your Mandalorian, your Din.

--

tags: @booksmusicteaandanimals​ @lathyrusodorxtus​ @thewayofthemandalorian​ @maybege​ @pikemoreno​ @dindjarindiaries​ @dindjarinscape​ @littlemisspascal​ @bitchin-beskar​ @captn-andor

[starlightregulus]

the stars of the night sky could never be enough

i started writing this when i was trying to write the inferi fic and then realized oh this got dark so i decided to make it completely separate! it is also available to read on ao3.

if you’re interested in a second chapter or follow up to this let me know!

-----------------------

Regulus had always been considered handsome. Not only by close family, who took every birthday and holiday as a chance to host a spectacular ball full of stuffy purebloods gossiping and spreading rumours, but also by the general populace. Though he had never exactly understood being attracted to someone based on their appearance, he realized in about his late sixth or seventh year that apparently romantic attraction based on looks was a thing and about half of his year was interested in him.

    He continued to ignore this throughout his sixth year, there being far more important things for him to focus on; his mother had been pushing him to take the Dark Mark, him being the only eligible heir for the Blacks now that Sirius was gone.

    Sirius. He wanted to hate his brother, he really did. Wanted to hate him for always being better than him, for always mastering a spell faster, for remembering the names of his great aunts and the history of their entire House-- but he couldn’t. He wanted to hate Sirius for always being that little bit smarter, for being just that much better looking, for being everything that he couldn’t be. For being the one he was compared to even when he had run away, disgracing the entire House and disowned. He was still being compared to him, still mocked for being a failure compared to his older brother.

    When Regulus was younger, it didn’t seem to matter as much. Sirius had used to protect him, both through standing in front of him, bearing the brunt of the curses their mother threw, and through sitting with him at night, when he was scared of the dark, scared of the screaming from downstairs.

    “But you’re going to leave me next year for Hogwarts, Siri. I don’t want to be alone.”

    Regulus still remembered his ten year old self standing on the platform, watching the scarlet train carrying away his only friend. The only thing that distracted him from the icy hand clamped on his shoulder was the memory of his brother’s promise ringing in his ears.

    “You’re always gonna be my best friend, Reg. And next year, you’ll be at Hogwarts with me! I’m not gonna leave you behind.”

    Regulus had stared up at him, glorifying the eleven year old as a hero; that’s what Sirius had been to him. 

    “Promise?”

    “‘Course. Promise.”

    Regulus raked a hand through his hair, staring at the door to his dormitory. Sirius had graduated from Hogwarts the year before, leaving him alone. Well, he corrected himself, it didn’t feel very different with him gone. Sirius had returned that Christmas brimming with an energy Regulus had never seen him with before. Talking excitedly about Gryffindor, about the new friends he had made. About how amazing James Potter was. About how they loved all the same things, from Quidditch to Transfiguration to pranks. How James Potter, a boy he had met only months before, was like a brother to him.

“Did you miss me Siri?”

Regulus later regretted asking. He had felt vaguely sick the entire time Sirius had talked on about how amazing his new friends were, how their Mother and Father were wrong about everything, how glad he was to be in Gryffindor. Was he not enough for Sirius anymore? 

    “Of course I did, Reg.”

But Regulus had been good at spotting lies since he was young, and he heard the hesitation. Connected it to the single letter he had received from his brother. Pasted on a fake smile as he listened to his brother chat away about the new family he had. 

    As Regulus got older, the gap between them grew. Knowing how much more severe the punishments for both of them would be if he were in any house other than Slytherin, Regulus made sure to be placed in the house of the snakes. He made alliances with purebloods. Aced his classes. Did everything his family wanted, hoping that maybe this time, they would be proud of him. But it was never quite enough for them.

    He got all O’s except in Potions? Sirius had been able to brew those potions since he was nine. 

    He made the Quidditch team in his second year? Impressive enough, sure, but Sirius was still better.

    He could never live up to what they wanted, just as he could never be good enough for Sirius. Three letters his first year from Sirius turned into one in his second, and none in his third. That only led to Sirius pretending not to hear him in his fourth. Regulus didn’t know if he was just embarrassed to be his brother or ashamed. He didn’t really want to know either.

    The attention he got from the other students as he grew older never was what he wanted. He didn’t care what the pretty blonde Slytherin wanted when she fluttered her eyelashes, what the cute black haired Ravenclaw meant when he asked Regulus to meet him after hours for “studying”. He just wanted someone to be proud of him, to like him for more than his appearance and the prestige he wielded.

    Regulus signed his initials on the bottom of the note, flourishing the quill slightly to add a slight bit more dramatic flair. He leaned back on the bed, studying the soft emerald fabric and then sighed. He was wasting time, trying to stall the inevitable. He got off the bed, staring back at the lonely trunk, holding everything that he had with him of any value to him. His eyes skimmed over the piles of textbooks, Divination cards and crystals, and landed on the black velvet box-- a gift from Sirius in his first year that held a crystal model of the stars, of both of their constellations revolving around each other. After six years, it was still his most precious possession. His eyes fixed last on the balled up piece of parchment in the corner of his trunk. He had tried for hours to write a letter to Sirius, apologizing, telling him what he was about to do, but in the end thought it wasn’t worth it. He didn’t know if Sirius would even bother to read the letter and thought that perhaps it would be better, easier, if Sirius could just forget about him. If there weren’t lingering what-ifs still there, Sirius would never bother wondering if there had been any way to save him. 

    Regulus turned away, glancing back one last time when he reached the door, staring for the last time at his home for the past seven years. Sirius would move on easily enough-- he probably wouldn’t even miss him.

    Regulus turned, calling Kreacher and apparating directly to the cave. Why put off his death longer than he had to? He felt the shadow of his demise looming over him and sank into it, almost grateful. He was almost done.

    The potion burned, like liquid fire as Kreacher poured it down his throat, his arms too weak to even hold the goblet. The pain was nothing though-- he had felt similar pain a million times before when his mother had decided that he wasn’t quite good enough for her. The hallucinations taunted him, his worst nightmares being laid out in front of him. He saw Sirius taunting him, screaming that he was worthless, pathetic, and that he was glad Regulus would finally be gone, dead weight that would finally be cut away. A nuisance would finally be left behind and forgotten.

    He watched Sirius numbly, not even having the strength to feel the hurt from everything the hallucination was saying. It was nothing that he hadn’t already thought Sirius must feel about him. He had made as much peace with it as he could. 

    And then, the hallucination vanished and he was left shaking on the cold and slimy rocks of the cave. He needed water, desperately needed it, and it was there, only feet away, glistening cold and inviting.

    Somewhere in his mind there was a warning bell, but this is why he came, wasn’t it? To get the locket, and then to be free of everything. He could hear Kreacher crying, and with all his strength, called for him to go, to destroy the locket and not to return for him. To not tell his mother of what had happened to him. It was the first and last time he had demanded something of the house elf, but it was necessary.

    For one moment there was peace as he tasted the cool water, but then hands, slimy and gray, rotted yet strong wrapped around his hands, pulling him forwards. He fought back, water splashing around him. A hand wrapped around his neck and Regulus overbalanced, falling backwards into the water. His head slipped beneath the surface and he panicked, fighting back with the last of his strength. He broke for only a moment, long enough to see Kreacher disapparate through heartbreaking wails before the hands held him tighter and dragged him into the murky depths.

    For years, people had been forcing him to do things. Deciding his fate, pulling him to places. Girls and guys alike had been trying to flirt with him, push him around, make him do things. He had resisted everything, fought fate and destiny, but now he was here. And for the first time in his life, he gave in, closing his eyes and letting the inferi pull him down into the murky depths of the lake.

[galacticempiress]

trespasser (5/?)

star wars x mcu x fem!reader

summary: while the resistance and the first order are busy with each other, leia senses rey and kylo, realizing they’re on earth. meanwhile on earth, the avengers try to make rey feel safe.

introducing...superherodisguise!kylo! i thought it would be kinda cool to add that in. this chapter is inspired by @spideyanakin​! they also have an amazing star wars/marvel au if yall wanna check it out!

warnings: cussing, violence, mention of sex.

“Why can’t he see me...” Leia envisions Kylo in a diner but he wasn’t wearing his dark robes anymore. He was wearing cuffed light blue jeans, a black long sleeved shirt, white shoes that had an arched logo on them, and a black cap. Kylo tilted his head towards Leia, sensing her but quickly turned back to the waitress heading his way. 

“General, we just received news that Kylo Ren is nowhere to be seen. Along with Rey and the outsiders.” Poe informs Leia, interrupting her moment. Leia pauses and looks up at the commander.

“I know exactly where they are, Dameron.”

                                   -

“Do you guys have an Alderaan Twist?” Rey shifts uncomfortably on the sofa. Rey didn’t know what to expect but she was surprised at how Earth was not under complete destruction. She had wondered why no one had bothered to do anything with this planet

“We...don’t have that here.” Tony sighs, taking out a bottle of alcohol (which (Y/N) quickly put away). Tony had thought he had overcome his fear of the Dark Jedi but once he saw him, his whole body shut down on him. The feeling of anger wavered on Tony which caused him to snap. “You know, this is my fault. If I hadn’t bothered Thanos’ escape plan, I wouldn’t have gone through that hole!”

“Tony, don’t be so hard on yourself-” (Y/N) started but was interrupted.

“I’m not! I...I...” The billionaire started to crack and put his face in his hands. I don’t want to be seen as weak. “Y’know what, you guys start making Rey feel comfortable.” Everyone started to speak against Tony but he raised his voice, “I just need some time to myself.” With that, he went to another part of the building.

Moments of silence passed. Everyone knew that wasn’t Tony’s first time out in space. When he brought the explosive to space, no one knew exactly what happened but it made him cut off everyone for a bit. What happened recently was much more worse than before. “Is he uhm...usually that dramatic?” Rey spoke up, breaking the silence. 

“He’s been through a lot of things. Things that we have never encountered until extraterrestrial beings came 11 years ago.” Steve then later explained about the Battle of New York City, Rey seemingly fascinated by this but also upset.

“...It wasn’t common knowledge here - on Earth - that people like me were out there?” 

“We knew that Thanos and Thor’s galaxy existed and no one bothered to think about the other galaxies that could have even more living beings. Then Tony got sucked into that wormhole a couple years later.” 

Rey was left speechless. People didn’t know about us? Her thought process was interrupted by Peter, seemingly nervous. “I’m sorry Ms. Rey but uhm...does your lightsaber still work?” Peter mutters, a shy smile plastered on his face. Rey smiled.

“Let’s see!” She smirked before raising her arm but nothing happened. “What?” She moves her arm around before the lightsaber finally reached her hand from afar. “It usually doesn’t take that long...” Rey ignited her lightsaber, a glowing blue radiating from it. Peter silently fangirled at the glowing weapon. He couldn’t wait to tell Ned. 

The rest of the Avengers weren’t as ecstatic as Peter but they were still amazed. Their mouths were slightly agape except for Thor, who coughs. “Can uh- anyone do that?” The God of Thunder lets out a small laugh while Rey turns her attention to him. 

“Not everyone, only those who are strong with the Force.” 

“Well, let’s see!” Thor grunts out the last word and stretches his arm out towards the lightsaber. It shakes slightly in Rey’s hand until it eventually stopped. Thor sighs, “It was worth a try.”

Everyone chuckles at the embarrassed Thor. (Y/N) felt her phone buzz in her pocket, taking it out while chuckling. Her face turned stern as she looked at it. She walked out of the room, unbeknownst to the group. Her heart dropped at the text.

Matt Murdock: I know I’m the last person you want to text but I think I’ve encountered something that’s Avengers level.

(Y/N) scrunched her nose in disgust. She remembered she met Matt as Daredevil when she was dealing with street level threats. Matt never killed as it was his number one rule but (Y/N) absolutely hated the way Matt took care of crime. There was no such thing as second chances. Of course, they’ve encountered each other before. (Y/N) remembered the times in the bedroom with him. It was just several hookups with tension waiting to be released, nothing more. She was then given the opportunity to do something good for not just the streets, but the world. The (H/C) haired woman thought process was interrupted by another text.

Matt Murdock:

This is something serious. Hudson Yards.

Sighing, (Y/N) turned off her phone. Siri can say the read receipt. Grabbing your things, you walked past the group and towards the door. “Where are you going?” Natasha grabs (Y/N)’s wrist, making her shake her grip off. The redhead’s eyes widen in surprise and she quickly apologized.

“Have to take care of some old business. I’ll be back.” (Y/N) sighs stressfully while quickly heading to her car. As she drove away, Natasha couldn’t help but question. 

                                  -

“Out of all places, fucking Hudson Yards?” (Y/N) muttered under her hoodie. Parking her car next to a fire hydrant, she walked towards the tourist attraction. How the hell am I gonna find Matt here? Her eyes darted around the tourist filled area.

“Hey.” She felt a hand on her shoulder and quickly reacted. The long time friend blocked her fist. “We’re around a lot of people. I wouldn’t do that.” The brunette warned while the former assassin slapped his hand off.

“It was a reflex.” (Y/N) huffed, crossing her arms. “What did you want to tell me that was so serious?” 

Matt lowers his voice, loud enough for only her to hear. “You been outside of Earth recently?” As soon as Matt said that, the color drains from (Y/N)’s face. “I couldn’t tell if it was a genuine threat to Earth or some crazy guy...” The brunette awkwardly chuckles before he hears her heartbeat increase dangerously. The smile on his face disappears when he didn’t hear her say a word.

She grabs his shoulders, “What did he say to you?” Matt sensed her fear and it was nothing compared to the fear she had on the streets.

“He asked me what planet he was on and called me uh- rebellious-”

“Rebel scum. Tony mentioned that...” (Y/N) trailed off on the last part before regaining focus, “That’s enough. T-Thank you, Matt.” (Y/N) starts to wonder off back to her car before Matt grabbed her again. An old spark of tension came back. Both of you knew better than to continue it.

“If you need anything, just call me.” (Y/N) gave him a small smile before letting go. She walked further away from the attraction and onto the somewhat quiet street. The more (Y/N) walked, there were less people on the cold dark street. Instantly, she had the feeling she was being watched. “Show yourself.” She waited for a few seconds until she heard footsteps behind her. Running. Turning around, she saw the man she saw earlier today. Kylo let out a yell before trying to behead the (H/C). She caught the hilt, trying to push it away.

“Outsider.” Kylo spat while he applied more pressure onto his weapon. The lightsaber was just inches away from singeing her neck. (Y/N) struggled and applied more pressure towards Kylo. They continued to struggle but something inside (Y/N) snapped.

“Fuck. Off!” She yelled before applying even more pressure. The raven haired man looked at the lightsaber that was now shaking. He wasn’t using the Force, he couldn’t be. He slowly looked up at his enemy, who was absolutely enraged. A dark smirk appeared on his face before Kylo completely stopped pushing his lightsaber. Kylo ducked as the lightsaber flew past him and landed on the sidewalk in another block. 

(Y/N)’s face went from confusion to, slowly, into shock. She looked at her shaky hands, realization dawning on her. She was supposed to be happy with these newfound abilities but honestly, she didn’t know how to feel. Kylo stretched his arm out towards the shocked women. “Join me. I can teach you how to control it.” “I’ll never join you.” (Y/N) spat yet she didn’t completely understand what he was saying. Kylo grimaced at this. He took a step forward. He couldn’t understand how he couldn’t access the Force on Earth yet she could.

“You don’t understand the honor of having this abili-” (Y/N) cut him off by using the Force, pushing him to the other block where his lightsaber was. Slowly, (Y/N) lowered her arm down and stared at her hand. “This is some Supernatural type shit.” She breathlessly chuckles before she spots Kylo running towards her with rage in his eyes. 

“Shit!” (Y/N) started to run as fast as her legs could give. Slamming the car door, she barely escapes as Kylo nearly breaks the rear window. (Y/N) watched her center mirror as Kylo stood there, watching the car speed away. “Jesus.” She exhaled as she entered the highway. Even though Kylo was nowhere near her, she checked her mirrors every second on the way to base.

(Y/N) had to tell Rey.

im so sorry for not updating sooner!

@multi-madison @treestarrrrrrrr @holybatflapexpert @bonza-bear @ren-ni @reejero @bitch-imma-head-out @1-800-starmora @infinity-star-wars @tachibubu @kingbouji3

[birdy-babe]

Burned Out Chapter 3

Summary: Roman makes some changes...Patton’s emotions finally explode

Warnings: UHHH nothing rly, crying? angst?

Pairings: Platonic Royality (Or romantic if you want it), Platonic LAMP! Maybe eventual Logince or something idk

Word count: 2116 (Sorry its short!)

Note: Lmao I wanna say that im 100% not gonna make Logan and Virgil seem evil and I apologize if I have. Logan I find is very...self centered in a way that he isnt aware of other peoples feelings and he thinks he is always correct. Virgil however...he more, doesn’t know how to deal with it? And he doesn’t understand the capacity of his words/actions bc he thinks Roman can handle it. They aren’t terrible- they will start to be nicer :)

ALso thank you for all the positive feedback!! It makes me suppper happy!!

anyway, here you go!

Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Chapter 4 / Chapter 5

Chapter 3

Roman fell onto his couch as he resided back to his room.

He let out a sigh and stared at his ceiling, watching the bubbles float by. He reached up and played with them as he thought to himself.

"Why don't you trust me more?" He asked himself in an empty, quiet room, "All I do is fight for you..fight for your hopes and dreams. Create all you're imagination. I want to create happiness for you, not destroy everything you’ve ever wanted" he tells the silence in his room. Roman let out a loud sigh as he sat up.

"Maybe I should just duck out... It seems all I am doing is hurting you" he tells himself and glanced around his room. "I'm nothing but childish imagination, and you're an adult now. You have no time for silly things like me" he stood up in frustration. He looked around the room. It was covered in Disney posters, colorful paintings, and family photos of the sides. Roman looked down at his transparent hands.

He sucked in a breath- he knew exactly what this meant. The creative side raised his hand so it was in front of his face. Roman could faintly see through his hand. The bubbles floated by and provided a glow that just drifted through what used to be solid.

He focused on what was behind his hand, spotting a photo across the room. He let his hand slowly fall as he stared at it. Roman let out a breath, taking one foot after the other until he stood in front of the photo.

The photo showed Roman surrounded by all the people he loved. His right arm was slung around Virgil's shoulders as Virgil let a small smile appear on his face. His left arm was wrapped around Patton; the moral side hugged Roman around the neck while laughing. Logan stood next to Patton, a hand on Patton's back as he subtly smiled at the camera. Deceit stood too the side, beside Virgil with a small grin and a wave- he didn't like to be touched often. Remy was even in this one- he peaked above Roman and Patton giving a peace-sign to the camera. Thomas was the one who took the photo, so he was absent but he was there in thought.

Roman felt a knot in his throat and a rock in his stomach. He came to a realization. He ran his hand over the photo nostalgically.

"Maybe I don't need to leave...maybe if I just change I wont disappear" he whispered to himself, his voice low and cracking, "I don't want to leave them.." He tells himself and glanced around the room.

He was suddenly set on a different mission. He needed to reinvent himself or else he would disappear. He didn't need to sit, wallowed up in his room until he poofed into nothingness. He didn't want to leave the people he loved the most- and if he changed so they accepted him, maybe he wouldn't have too.

He started with the posters. Roman moved around the room and took down all his Disney posters. He pulled down Mulan, Aladdin, Lion King, Beauty and The Beast, The Little Mermaid, Pinocchio, all of them. He folded them nicely and set them in a pile.

He tapped his chin as he thought about what else he needed to get rid of. He pulled down all his meaningless paintings- which was most of them. He left up a few that were simple and fit the room well. He piled the paintings up next to the posters.

Roman bit his lip and thought for a moment, closing his eyes and raising his hand. He breathed heavily as he concentrated- using his mind to change the structure of his room. His brain started to go on overdrive.

Roman suddenly gasped, opening his eyes as he felt himself fall over out of mental exhaustion. He scrambled to catch himself, grabbing onto the arm of a chair to stop himself from completely falling on his face.

He breathed heavily, his limbs felt weak and his eyes felt tired. He shook his head to try to wake himself up a bit more. He knew he needed to stop doing that so much; he knew it was bad for him. Yet he was satisfied with the result.

The walls were no longer red and gold and instead was a nice coffee color. The floor was no longer covered in paint and other stains. It was a soft, comfortable white carpet. He looked at the furniture. Instead of having it all red and royalty-like, the couches and chairs were a simple black and the tables were sleek white with glass on stop. It still looked nice and expensive- yet just more simple. More calming.

The place where his unfinished paintings were stacked next to his easel and paints was now replaced with a desk with papers instead of canvases and pencils instead of brushes. A laptop sat on the desk.

Roman smiled at it. It was so incredibly simple and not creative at all but Roman knew it would be a good change. Sure it made him uncomfortable, it was no where near his style, and he hated it but...if it kept him from disappearing he would do anything.

Roman decided he wanted to show the other sides, despite how tired he was. He was suddenly so excited about them seeings it- seeing how much he has matured. He let out a small squeal, "They are going to love it!" He clapped his hands.

Roman was about to sink out when he glanced into the mirror. He immediately stopped and looked down at his outfit. He couldn’t wear this silly thing anymore. He needed something less...extra.

Roman thought for a moment before letting out a small gasp. He excitedly spun in a circle. Suddenly his prince outfit disappeared and in its spot was a white button up with his logo on the shoulders. His pants were now all red and his shirt was tucked into them. To top it off, a pair of golden suspenders went around his shoulders.

He grinned at himself, "Now I'm ready!"

He sunk out

"Greetings, friendos!" Roman greeted as he appeared in the shared mindpalace.

Logan looked up from the book he had his nose in, Virgil continued to nod his head as he listened to music on the couch, and Patton was too engrossed in Steven Universe.

Logan cringed a little bit, “Please not so loud, I do have a headache from today and I’m trying to focus my attention to my book” He requested.

Roman took a moment to wonder how Logan- an imaginary figment inside someones head- had a headache. He decided not to think about it too much to refrain from also- giving himself a headache.

“Sorry to interrupt, Siri. I just wish to show you all something I have fabulously done!” He tells the group just as proudly but with less volume this time.

Logan’s nose was already back in his book, so he just let out a hum. Virgil glanced at him but didn’t respond as his headphones covered his ears.

Roman’s prideful attitude plummeted, “Hello? Greetings? Yes I am talking to all of you commoners!” He called out playfully, stepping into the living room. He waved to Virgil who just glared and visibly showed Roman that he had turned up his music. Roman crossed his arms and glared back.

He turned to Logan with a huff, waving his hand in front of his face, “Hello? Alexa? I am speaking to you!” He calls out.

Logan slowly looked up at him and calmly set his book down on his lap, “Roman as excited as you are, I simply do not have the emotions to...give attention to whatever project you have completed now. It is later in the evening and I wish to continue to relax by reading. Perhaps you can show Patton” Logan explained and suggested. Roman frowned.

“But I want to show all of youuu!” He whined.

Logan was getting visibly irritated, “As I explained before, Roman” Logan said his name harshly, “I lack the interest you do in giving attention to you’re newest creation. Maybe later”

Roman grabbed Logan’s hand and started to attempt to pull him off the couch, “Pleaaassee Logan-!”

“Roman I do not have the time-” He raised his voice.

“But Logan I-”

“Roman! Enough!” Logan yelled and ripped his hand away. Roman let his hands drop as he went silent.

Roman felt his heart plummet as he stared at Logan. He felt anger boil in his chest.

“Whatever. Continue being an emotionless freak then” Roman spat the words at him. He saw the hurt flash across Logan’s eyes.

Roman knew his words hurt. He remembered the nights he stayed up to comfort Logan. He knew how insecure Logan was about his lack of emotions and his selfishness. He knew it all yet he spit the words anyway- just to hurt him.

Roman turned around before Logan could see the guilt in his expression.

Roman shoved his hands in his pockets and began walking out of the living room in a hurt, dreadful rage back to his room. He stopped in his tracks when he suddenly heard a voice that broke silence.

“I’ll come see it” Patton’s soft voice rang through the room.

Roman turned around slowly. Sometime in the midst of fighting with Logan, Virgil had turned down his music and taken off his headphones and Patton paused his show. Virgil was now looking back and forth from Logan to Roman with an unreadable expression. Patton stared up from where he was on the ground with a soft, sad expression.

Roman let out a sigh, “No Patton it’s fine, it is nothing impressive or-”

Patton stood up, interrupting Roman, “I don't care! I wanna see it...everything you make is impressive! No one tells you that enough!” Patton told him, a pained expression on his face.

Roman froze, confusion written all over his face. He was usually so good at reading emotions and how people felt but now he couldn’t. He didn’t know why Patton was starting to yell compliments at him while he wore a pained expression. He didn’t know why Patton was saying anything positive to him in the first place. Roman knew he had done nothing right lately.

“Patton you don’t have to say that, its hardly true and-”

Patton voice cracked, “Roman stop!” he yelled.

The room went silent.

All you could hear was the soft breaths coming from Patton as he stared at the creative side. Roman stood, shocked and confused, staring back at him. Virgil and Logan watched in confusion and surprise from their spots.

“It is true! Roman you are so valued! You make Thomas so incredibly happy. You allow him to see a brighter future and to find fun in life. You create wonderful things and everything you make is impressive and gorgeous! You are so important to Thomas and you are so important to us! We can’t be without you, Roman!” Patton’s voice was slowly becoming strained as it became obvious that he was holding back tears.

“We don’t tell you that enough..or at all! You deserve to hear how much we appreciate you because we do! And you always show us how much you value us and how much you care about us and we never return the favor!” Patton had tears in his eyes by now.

All the sides watched in awe- Patton had only gotten like this a few times before. He only did when he was feeling overwhelmed by different emotions or when he felt ignored.

Roman felt a knot in his throat as he felt like he was also going to cry hearing these things. He finally spoke up.

“Patton why-” He started to speak but Patton wasn't done.

“Because your mug is gone! I noticed that your mug is gone...and your paintings! The paintings you made and we hung in the living room have disappeared!” Patton gestured to the walls.

The three other sides looked around them and found it to be true- the paintings Roman had hung had now disappeared, leaving the walls blank and empty.

“Plus!” Patton continued, holding his tears down, “You weren’t at breakfast! Or lunch! Or dinner! You didn’t show up today when Thomas called you...you-” Patton’s tears finally over flowed.

Roman ran forward so he was in front of Patton, looking around him- trying to figure out how to comfort the boy. Roman felt terrible, he made Patton sad like this. He didn’t mean too, he just figured the other sides didn’t want him around. Roman placed a hand Patton's shoulder and looked at him. Patton hung his head.

“Patton that's hardly any reason to assume that-”

“You’re disappearing Roman…” Patton told him as he grabbed Roman’s hand and looked down at it, “Roman you’re transparent...you’re disappearing”

Note: ur welcome

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[amarauder]

chapter twelve | original

Y/n dragged the other seven to a café near Bristol, where she lived. Arabella, Sirius, Remus, James, Violet, and Peter were all looking around the places curiously, while Y/n and Jennifer, having Muggle blood in them, nodded knowingly at everything. Passersby looked strangely at the children, for normal people don't exactly don shabby robes (Remus), old-fashioned, medieval dresses (Sirius), and funny clown hats (Peter). The boys had dressed horrendously when they came to Y/n's house at the beginning of summer vacation, and Y/n had started laughing when she saw the funny sight.

"Where are we going, Y/n?" asked Arabella, still staring interestedly at a small girl's lollipop.

"To the café, Bella, how many times have I told you?" answered Y/n, exasperated. "Mum said we could all get a nice cup of coffee or tea, with scones and biscuits."

"And what does this...coffee do to you?" said James curiously.

"Well, it's a stimulant, so it makes you more awake."

"What's a stimulant?"

"Something that stimulates your body."

"What does 'stimulate' mean?"

Y/n sighed helplessly. "Never mind, you. Come on, this place has the best coffee! I assume you all know what tea is, though?"

Everyone nodded, making a face. Evidently, thought Y/n, none of these weirdos like tea. Well, I don't blame 'em; I hate tea, too.

"How do you open this door?" demanded Sirius, shattering Y/n's musings. He pushed the door with all his might, earning disbelieving looks from people passing by.

"Oh, Sirius," said Y/n, sighing once more, "it says here to pull, not push."

Remus snorted with laughter, clutching his stomach, while Jennifer grinned. Sirius made a face at them and pulled open the door, whacking his nose in the process. Now everyone started laughing, while a pouting Sirius rubbed his red nose. Y/n rolled her eyes and opened the door for everyone. Inside, it was nice and cool, unlike the scorching weather outside. A soft melody was playing, and the cling of cash registers rang in the atmosphere, as busy cashiers served the customers.

"Oh, do hurry up, n/n, I'm starving," whined Sirius.

"Sirius, we just had lunch an hour ago, and besides, cafés aren't supposed to mollify your hunger; it's supposed to just provide you with a nice snack. Goodness, is this line slow!" y/n tapped her feet impatiently as a young woman at the front of the line struggled to find a few coins in her purse.

"Why are we waiting here?" asked James, also getting annoyed.

"Well, why do you think, Potter? You think that you can just slap a table, and coffee appears out of nowhere?" snapped y/n.

"Well—that's what we do at Ministry balls," replied James, confused.

y/n slapped her forehead. "Potter, open your eyes. This is the Muggle world! We don't have any magic to make life easier! When we go somewhere, we don't Apparate or use Floo Powder; we drive, ride a bike, or walk. When we need something or lost something, we don't just say 'Accio', and the object comes to us; we have to go look for it or get it ourselves. Understand?"

James was taken aback. "But—that's hard!" he spluttered.

"Well, James, welcome to the real world," muttered Jennifer. Violet stifled a laugh.

Arabella started to giggle. "Really, Sirius, you didn't need to put on a dress; Muggle men and boys wear pants, not dresses."

"Humph! I don't care at all," said Sirius airily.

"Can I help you, miss?" asked the cashier, peering down at Y/n.

"Yes, please," said Y/n politely, and ordered them all a cup of coffee, and a whole plateful of biscuits and scones.

"Fifteen pounds," said the cashier, looking a bit strained, as he handed her two trays. Both y/n and Jennifer carried them to a nearby table and set them down.

"Well, help yourselves," said the latter cheerfully.

Sirius immediately drained his coffee down, but spat it out quickly. "This is nasty stuff! What do these Muggles think of?" However, he quite enjoyed the sweet biscuits and blueberry scones.

Arabella ate and drank with perfect manners of a lady, which impressed many of the customers at the café. When a group of boys were drooling at her from a nearby table, Sirius had noticed them and snapped immediately. The boys jumped and proceeded to their business, not daring to look at her again.

James was staring out the window, where cars and buses were honking each other noisily, while people rushed in and out of buildings in a hurry. He had grown up and spent his whole life in the wizarding world, so he had never experienced or known how Y/n's life was in the Muggle world. No Apparating or using any sort of magic—because there was none! The mere thought of not using magic at all for any purpose was a very foreign and frightening thought to James. However, he attempted to enjoy himself just the same, since he saw Y/n chatting merrily with the three girls, as if this was nothing different than at Hogwarts.

"Why so quiet, boys?" she asked enthusiastically. "Enjoying your coffee?"

Remus and Peter nodded mutely, while Sirius shook his head vigorously. James was silent.

"What's gotten into you guys?" exclaimed Arabella, surprised. "Usually you guys are plotting and planning your next pranks at school! Oh wait, I know..." She looked at them sympathetically. "You guys miss the wizard—our world, don't you?"

The four boys nodded mutely, and James finally spoke up. "Look, it's really nice here—but it's not like home. I can't imagine life without using magic. You girls are getting used to it, but I don't know if we can." He glanced around at the rest of the Marauders.

"Look, Potter, I understand," said y/n, in a calm voice. "I know it's different and I know how you feel. I felt the same way you do at our first year at Hogwarts. Everything was so different: ghosts existed, magic was around every corner, and creatures such as centaurs and unicorns, which are imaginary in this world, existed in your world. So, if you feel that you need to go home..." She gulped.

"We won't leave you and the girls, n/n," said Remus, trying to comfort her. "Don't worry we'll get used to it." And to confirm his statement, the other three boys nodded over-enthusiastically. They didn't want to hurt y/n's feelings because of their own selfish reasons. After all, she did invite them to her home warmly, providing them food and shelter for the whole summer.

Y/n gave them a warm smile. "Thanks, guys. I didn't want you guys to ditch us girls here all alone. After all, you're a great source of entertainment."

"Really?" The boys' faces brightened, and Jennifer grinned.

"Come on, Remie, surely you don't want to leave me for the whole summer, do you?" she asked coyly, her fingers intertwining with his.

"Yeah, Siri, what about your poor Bella, huh?" said Arabella, pouting.

Y/n shook her head, smiling, though James saw pain in her green eyes. He knew that she probably wanted someone to cuddle next to her like Arabella and Jennifer had, and to comfort her when she was sad or kiss her when she was happy. He sighed. James also wanted that type of girl, but...there wasn't much of a chance that he'd find her. Nearly all the girls at Hogwarts, excluding the Slytherins, chased him around like lost puppies. He knew that they only liked him for his looks and his reputation, and cared not a whit about his personality. If only he would ever find a girl that cared more about the kind of person he was instead of caring about "that cute pout and the adorable eyes".

Arabella and Sirius, seeing their friends' troubled faces, smiled evilly at each other. "Those two need to get together," whispered Sirius.

"They're not even friends yet; how could they?" hissed Arabella.

"Well, they need each other, Bella. Poor Jamie-boy never can find his true love, since the girls who chase him around are a bunch of stupid airheads, who go for a guy's looks instead of his personality."

"Wow, Sirius, I think that was the most sentimental thing you've ever said in your life," said Arabella sarcastically.

"What?" asked Jennifer.

"Aww...finished your snog session with Remie, Jen?" Arabella smirked.

Jennifer blushed. "We were not snogging, were we, Remus?"

"Of course not!" exclaimed Remus, scandalized at the very thought of "snogging".

"See, Bella." Jennifer stuck her tongue out at her friend.

"Blah...N/n, this coffee is nast-y and I hate tea, so is there anything else to drink?" asked Sirius hopefully, making a face at the cup of black liquid in front of him.

"Sure." Y/n went up to the cashier, and came back a few minutes later with a glass of cranberry juice and a platter of cinnamon-and-raison bread for Sirius.

"How come he gets the good stuff?" demanded James, as Sirius ate and drank hungrily. "Aww...do you have a little crush on my best friend?"

Y/n glared at him. "No, Potter, I was actually just sick of Sirius whining all day about how nasty coffee and tea is. And now he's shut up considerably nicely, thanks all to me."

James sniffed disdainfully. "You think you're so perfect and wonderful, L/n. Well, you're not."

"James Potter, how can you say such a thing?" cried Violet, standing up. The whole café went quiet, but she took no notice. "y/n has welcomed us, even you, who's been her enemy for so long, into her home for the whole summer, and now you're insulting her! How can you dare?" She sat down again, her eyes glazed.

Everyone at the table was silent, even Jennifer, who didn't make her usual comment of congratulations to Violet. James bit his lip and opened his mouth to apologize to Y/n, but she didn't want him to talk.

"Don't apologize, James," she said sharply.

"But Y/n—"

"James, just shut up!"

"But—"

"Now!"

James shut up nicely, though he was extremely hurt. Why hadn't Y/n wanted him to apologize? After all, he had insulted her like Violet had stated.

Meanwhile, Y/n was furious at James. Why couldn't he ever keep his fat mouth shut? He always insulted her and wounded her self-esteem, though she rarely did so to him.

Arabella and Sirius exchanged nervous glances at each other, while Jennifer and Remus ate their sweet bread and scones in silence. Violet was still fuming over James, while Peter placed his hand on hers as a sign of comfort. She smiled wearily at him, though she was still livid at James.

And so that was how the afternoon passed—slow and silent.

The next day, James had attempted to apologize again, but Y/n ignored him like he didn't even exist. Mrs. L/n was extremely troubled that Y/n and James weren't speaking to each other, though she still wasn't told about the prophecy of Y/n and James marrying, so she didn't fret all day. Mr. L/n always raised his eyebrows questioningly at either James or Y/n whenever they passed him throughout that day. Petunia was out with her Dursley friends, Marge and Vernon, for a week, because she didn't want to hang around the house with eight "freaks". And so it was only the L/n, and Y/n's friends at the lonely residence.

After a hearty breakfast of blueberry pancakes, muffins, and scrambled eggs, Arabella had cornered Y/n on the way to her room.

"You have to accept James' apology," she begged. "He's been trying to apologize to you all yesterday and today so far. And you call Sirius and me stubborn!"

"Potter just can't stop insulting me, can he, even after I invited him to my house!" rambled Y/n. "I mean, really, I 'dislike' him, and yet I was kind enough, out of the generosity of my heart, to invite him here for the whole summer."

"Well, he did invite you to his mansion last summer," added Arabella timidly.

Y/n looked as if she were about to explode. "Yes, I suppose he did, but we were on good terms then..." She trailed off, knowing that she had lost the verbal battle.

Arabella snorted. "N/n, you've never been on good terms with James, ever."

"Better terms than now, then," she said quickly.

"Better terms with who?" asked Sirius, who saw his friend and girlfriend discussing seriously at the front of Y/n's room.

"Y/n's not going to accept James' apology," said Arabella, sighing. "If only she was slightly less stubborn now—"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Really, Flower, Jamie didn't mean any harm; he never does. He just never thinks before he speaks, so he injures so many people emotionally. Don't worry, if you think you're suffering, then think again, because he is too. He kept me, Remie, and Pete up all last night moaning and complaining that you will never forgive him and that Harry will never be born. It was mostly just rambles, but it did keep me from my beauty sleep. And Remus hates to be interrupted from his sleep."

"Well, I'm sorry if you didn't get enough sleep last night," said Y/n sincerely, "but it wasn't my fault; it was Potter's, so don't blame me."

"What was my fault?" They turned around to see James peering at the threesome curiously.

"Mind your own business, Potter," snapped Y/n nastily.

James was taken aback. "Whoa, I didn't mean to offend you there, Ms. Popular. I was only trying to find Sirius so we can discuss some private matters." He emphasized the last two words.

"Well, go ahead, take him, I've no need for him," said Y/n coldly.

As soon as James reached the room where he was sharing with the other three boys, he slammed the door angrily behind him.

"I can't stand L/n!" he bellowed.

Remus and Peter were startled. "James, calm down," said Remus.

"I can't, Remie. For God's sake, why won't that girl just accept my apology? I didn't mean what I said, honest!"

"Perhaps she's just sick of you teasing and taunting her, James," said Remus softly. "Maybe you guys should—become friends. Give her a break, for heaven's sake. You guys are arguing every day about something."

"I can't help that she's so disagreeable."

"James, Y/n will accept your apology when she's ready," said Sirius seriously. "In the mean time, what about our Animagi potion? It said in the book, How to Become Animagi that it takes nearly half a year to prepare the potion for drinking. So we need to get a move on if we're actually going to become Animagi before we graduate from Hogwarts."

"Sirius," said Remus quietly, "do you think it wise to become Animagi at all? I mean, I know we've gotten this far, but—it's dangerous become Animagi just for me. What if someone finds out that you're illegal Animagi, since you wouldn't be in the chart? And—it's not worth being arrested just for me." He looked down at his feet.

James was the first one to speak up. "Remus, we'd do anything for you. We're your friends, and we really want to help you. I mean, I know how hard it is being a werewolf, since there are so many dense people in this world who are prejudiced against werewolves. So we want to make your worst experiences the best ones you'll ever have in your life." He went over to embrace Remus like the brother he was.

Remus smiled at James, with tears in his eyes. "Thanks, James. You know"—he looked around at Sirius and Peter—"you guys are really the best friends I've ever had, and will ever have. I never knew that this world would have such good people who don't judge me by what I am, but judge me by who I am. You guys are the best." The four boys went into a tight embrace, until they were met with the amused eyes of the four girls.

"Well, if this isn't such a nice little reunion," said Y/n, laughing. But when they walked closer, she saw that Remus had tears in his eyes.

"Remus? Why are you crying?" asked Jennifer, alarmed.

Remus smiled. "It's nothing, Jenny. The weather's just a bit humid, and Sirius here—er—fed me an onion, so—er—I started to have tears in my eyes." He said the first excuse that came into his mind.

"Oh." Jennifer didn't look as if she believed him, but didn't push him in further discussion. "We just wanted to ask if you guys wanted to go shopping with us."

"Shopping?" repeated James. "Shopping for what?"

Y/n rolled her eyes. "Just plain shopping, Potter. Honestly, you don't expect me to wear the same clothes as I did last year, do you?"

"Well, that's what we fellows all do," replied James shrugging.

"Well, are you coming or not?" asked Arabella impatiently.

The four boys looked at each other and somewhat through telepathy, came up with an answer. "All right, we're going," said Peter.

"Good," said Y/n, grinning. "Then we can get you guys some decent Muggle clothing, since Sirius here is still wearing some sort of opera singer's dress. Mum nearly had a heart attack yesterday when she saw a boy wearing a dress."

Jennifer laughed. "I know...you see? You guys entertain this whole household! You four are great!"

"You mean the three of them, Jen," said Y/n, her eyes turning coldly towards James. "Surely, Potter, you don't think you stand a chance in being a part of the Marauder group, do you?"

"I am the one who came up with the group and the group name, L/n," said James icily.

"Oh, what an accomplishment, I'm sure it took ages," said Y/n sarcastically.

Violet looked nervously between the two and said, "Er—perhaps we should start going."

Y/n looked at her friend. "Yeah, you're right, Vi, we should get going. Come, Potter, let's go. I mean, you seriously need new clothes—just look at them now!"

"There's nothing wrong with my—" began James, but Y/n cut him off.

"Well, what are you waiting for, hurry up, chop, chop!"

James rolled his eyes. L/n is one heck of a girl – and she's as stubborn as a mule, too.

"Ouch!" cried Remus, as Jennifer piled another bag in his arms. "Really, Jenny, I think this is enough.

"Enough? Remus Lupin, are you mad? A girl can never have enough clothes!" cried Jennifer, as she eyed "Victoria's Secret" eagerly.

Y/n dragged her two meager bags. "Come on, Jen, I'm not exactly the richest person in the world. You're not spending all my money, you know."

"I can lend you some," offered James in a small voice.

y/n shot him a nasty look. "I don't need your charity, thank you very much, Potter."

"It's not charity, I'm always willing to help a fr—" James stopped talking and put his hand to his mouth, horrified at what he had just said.

"Help a what, exactly?" asked Y/n suspiciously.

"Er—never mind," he said quickly.

Y/n shrugged. "Fine then. Wow"—she looked around the mall in a daze—"I can't believe we're actually in our fourth year now. I mean, time sure flew."

"Yeah..." said Jennifer dreamily. "I met the only boy I'll ever love in my whole life at Hogwarts." She smiled at Remus, who flushed bright red.

James sighed. If only I will find my true love at Hogwarts like my friends.

"What's wrong, James?" asked Remus, concerned.

"Oh...it's just that I wish I could find my true love here at Hogwarts, Remie. I mean, you and Jen did, as well as Arabella and Sirius and Violet and Peter. But what about Y/n and I? I mean, L/n will definitely find her soul mate; every guy's after her. Me, however—everyone's afraid of us Potters, because of what we are. Many a Dark wizard has been after our family for generations, so hopefully there aren't any Dark wizards around nowadays."

"I heard about one, though he's not very strong," said Remus. "He fashioned some stupid name called 'Lord Voldemort', and wishes everyone to be afraid to speak the name. Quite stupid, actually. But he has a few followers, though not many. I heard that he's killed a few wizards and Muggles, but not enough to attract the attention of the Daily Prophet. Still...he may turn into something bad, but I doubt it."

"I sure hope not," said James, shuddering. "Then my parents would be deeply involved, since they're top Aurors, and there's a likelihood that they may...die because of it." He gulped.

Y/n's heart suddenly softened for the enemy. She knew that it would be hard on James if his parents died—she would sure mourn if her parents died fighting some evil wizard. Suddenly, she wondered if that was the Dark wizard that killed her and James in their dreams. But Remus had said that this Voldemort didn't sound too serious—

"WHAT THE HELL!" screamed James suddenly. The whole mall became quiet, surveying the scene with interest and horror.

"Potter, what are you screaming about?" asked Y/n, annoyed. "Really, in broad daylight, you should be keeping your language decent."

"Sirius and Arabella are gone, is what I'm screaming about!" shrieked James.

Y/n shrugged. "Probably snogging in some broom closet, who knows."

"No, I mean really, they're gone. Some guy at the speaker said that two children have been kidnapped, and that it was a boy and a girl. The boy had long, black hair and the girl had brown curls, and both looked to be about thirteen or fourteen. And since we haven't seen them both anywhere earlier, I think that we can conclude that they've been kidnapped by some mad Muggle!"

Y/n felt that her heart had been chilled. What will the Blacks and Figgs do to me when they find out that Muggles kidnapped their children? She tried not to panic at the moment, though it was extremely difficult not to.

"What do we do now?" asked Jennifer nervously. "Oh, Y/n, we should ask the guy from the speaker..."

"Yes," said Y/n distantly, and without thinking, she dragged the three of them along. They spotted Violet and Peter, who both looked very white, and went in search of the man on the speaker. They found him at the highest tower of the building, and begged him to tell them details.

"Well," he said, scratching the back of his head, "those two young ones were chatting and kissing and whatever crazed teenagers do, and all of a sudden, these three cloaked figures take them away. I don't know why they did so, and I told them to stop in the name of the law, but they wouldn't listen. So I called all of y'alls over the speaker to see if you knew those two teenagers." He had a Texas accent, smooth and carefree.

"They're our friends," said Y/n desperately. "Do you, by any chance, know where they were taken?"

"Kidnappers took them straight out of the entrance, miss."

"Thank you, sir. We'll be looking for them."

"Why"—the man looked surprised—"aren't you going to call the police, little lady? Surely a bunch of you teenagers can't handle a kidnap crime like this. May I suggest—"

"Sir, I can assure you that we can handle it," said Y/n firmly. The man argued no further and pointed them out the entrance.

"Good luck!" he called after their retreating figures.

"This is all my fault," moaned Y/n, as the six of them ran after the black-cloaked figures that held a screaming Arabella and Sirius.

"Y/n, it's all right, we'll get them," said Jennifer, panting, as she sprinted down the sidewalk, trying to catch up with Y/n.

"STOP!" she screamed at the figures ahead. "Stop, I tell you! I'm armed!"

The figures pointedly ignored her shouts and entered a small forest just in back of a house. Y/n, James, and the others followed, clue-less to what would happen to their friends and who the three mysterious figures were. Finally, the figures stopped running and clutched a now silent Arabella and Sirius to the six teenagers.

"Potter," one of them muttered. Its voice sounded oddly like—

"Malfoy!" hissed James, stepping forward. "Lucius Malfoy! What are you doing to my friends?"

"Dear me, Potter, there is no need to jump into conclusions," came the silky voice of Malfoy. "All we ask for is a bargain."

James raised his eyebrows suspiciously. "What kind of bargain?"

Malfoy grinned. "We'll give you back your little—er—friends, if you're willing to sacrifice someone from your little circle."

"What?" exclaimed James, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You can have your friends back if you give yourself up, Potter."

There was an eerie silence following Malfoy's silky voice. No one spoke a word; instead, everyone looked at James' pale face. Y/n was twisting her hands nervously, regretting the fact that she's ever hated Potter before.

"Fine," came the final reply.

Sirius managed to twist himself loose from the second black-cloaked figure. "James—no!" he cried. "It's all a trick...they work for the Dark Side!"

James turned sharply to Malfoy. "Is this right, Malfoy? You're doing this for the Dark Side?"

"Our Master wants you, Potter, seeing that you're the youngest and strongest Heir in your whole family."

"Heir?" echoed Y/n, stepping forward, too. "What Heir?"

Malfoy sneered at Lily. "Ah, Mudblood, perhaps you don't know your boyfriend's little...let's say, secret?"

"Secret?"

He laughed. "The Potters are the last Heirs of Gryffindor, Mudblood. Soon after our Master slaughters the whole Potter clan, he'll want the last and strongest Potter of them all—dear J.H. Potter, here."

James reddened. "Look, I don't know what the heck you're talking about, but I have to warn you that—"

"Careful, Potter, my Master does not like outspoken little boys."

"All right, who is this 'Master' of yours, huh? Let me ask you something, Lucius. No sane person has a master. And I don't know why you idiots want me! So, please elaborate on your stupid doings."

Malfoy's eyes flashed. "For your information, Potter, you're insulting my Master. Who is my Master, you ask? Why, none other than the Dark Lord himself, of course! Dear, dear, and you do have a lot of that foolish Gryffindor boldness to ask and belittle my Master. Have you ever heard of Lord Voldemort?"

James glared at him. "Of course I have. He's the nutter that believes everyone's afraid of speaking his name—Voldemort. Ha! What's so scary about that name?"

"You know, Potter, I wouldn't be so cocky if I were you," came a new voice. The second cloaked figure pushed down his hood, revealing none other than Severus Snape.

"Snape? What are you doing here?" snapped James, surprised.

"Why, teaming up with Lucius and Evan here, of course," replied Snape, smirking. "Surely you don't expect me to miss out on all the fun, do you?" He glanced around at everyone, until his eyes rested on Y/n's. Then he did a double take and stared at her.

"Y/n?" he croaked. "What are you doing here?"

Y/n rolled her eyes. "Well, Snape, this happens to be my hometown, you know. I live here, you dodo!"

"Then why is Potter and his gang here with you?"

"Well, I've invited them over my house for the summer, Severus."

Snape glared at James jealously. "So—you've got yourself another girlfriend, eh, Potter? Tired of all the rest?"

"Why you little—" snarled James, but Rosier cut them off.

"Really, Severus, I expected better of you!" he chided. "Arguing with Potter about some stupid Mudblood. Come, we have to do our job."

James suddenly stepped right in front of the three Slytherins and hissed, "Don't any of you dare call Y/n a Mudblood again. You Slytherins are a disgrace to the name of wizard."

Rosier snorted. "Get away from us, Potter, you're giving us your Gryffindor germs." All three of them laughed menacingly.

"Dear, dear, Lucius, Severus, Evan, I expected you to hand me over the Potter boy already," hissed a soft voice from behind the trees. James jumped.

"Of course, Master," they murmured, seizing James and pulling him to where the voice came from. Arabella and Sirius were abandoned now.

"James Potter," said the voice, "I have so wanted to meet you. After all, Heirs should meet each other, should they not?"

"I don't know who you are," said James loudly, "but I'm ready to call all the Aurors at the Ministry here to throw you into Azkaban. Who are you, you nutter?"

The figure behind the trees tensed. "Ah, just like the rest of your family, Potter. Boisterous and rude to anyone who is of lower rank. Really, James, I did expect better from the most powerful wizard alive in our world today."

Silence followed. James spluttered, "I'm—I'm what?"

"You're the Heir of Gryffindor," said the voice coolly. "Heirs are the most powerful wizards, but the Heir of Gryffindor is most powerful. But, of course, the prophecy can be wrong. After all, I don't see how powerful a scrawny thing like you are. But I can prove how powerful I am. After all, no one's afraid to speak your name out loud, Potter. However, they are frightened to speak mine." He grinned widely. "I am the most powerful wizard in the world—the last Heir of Slytherin, Lord Voldemort."

"Ha! You're Voldemort, is it?" asked James mockingly. Voldemort tensed at being called by his name.

"A bold thing, aren't you? Well, I expect more manners from you, boy. My name is not Voldemort when spoken out of your mouth, it's 'sir' or 'my Lord'."

"Oh really? And who are you supposed to be, chiding my manners—my father?"

Y/n suddenly felt an air of gloom and danger around Voldemort. She ran towards James and grabbed his arm. "Please, James, don't anger him."

James pried her off him gently. "Don't worry, Y/n, he's just some stupid fraud," he whispered.

"Ah...if it isn't your little Mudblood girlfriend, Potter," sneered Voldemort. "I suppose you would die for her?"

James glanced at a tear-streaked Y/n and glared boldly at Voldemort again. "You know, I still don't know what you want with me."

"Why"—Voldemort's red eyes widened in surprise—"I want you to join me, of course, my dear lad."

"Join you?"

"Join me, my boy, and we'll do great things together."

James narrowed his eyes. "If you're asking me to join the Dark Side, then my answer is NO. I'd never become evil, when my family and friends could be at stake."

Voldemort paled. "You'll regret this decision someday, Potter," he spat. "I'll do anything I can to not have you go against me, including killing the ones who are preventing you from joining me." With a whisk of his cloak, he and the Slytherins were gone.

Everyone stood there in stunned silence. Y/n felt extremely uncomfortable. So this is how she and James was going to die! Killed by a nutter wizard! James, however, was nervous about what Voldemort had said: I'll do anything I can to not have go against me. What did he mean by 'anything'?

Arabella's crying broke the silence. "Oh, Y/n, James, I'm so sorry that Sirius and I ran off! If we stayed together..." She trailed off, sobbing.

Y/n went to put her arms around her best friend. "It isn't your fault, Bella. I mean, that Voldemort could have easier taken any of us without the others knowing. Don't cry, please."

James shook his head. "No, it's my fault. It's all my fault." He looked at everyone. "Yes, I am the Heir of Gryffindor, and ever since I was born, I had magical powers that normal wizards could never obtain: wand-less magic, the ability to learn and know magic easily without having to study too much." He looked straight at Y/n when he said this.

"That's why Voldemort is after me. He wants me to join his Dark Side, so that I can help him revive the Dark Order again, because of my powers. But I'll never join the Dark Side. It's only for wizards and witches who are too cowardly to not become evil."

Y/n clutched his hand in comfort. "Come on, let's go home."

"This is a beautiful sunset," murmured Y/n, smiling, as she stroked her golden retriever's fur. Goldie looked at her imploringly and put her face in Y/n's hands.

"N/n?" She turned around to see James smiling nervously at her. "Can I join you?"

"If you have no one to snog with, then sure," joked Y/n, looking over at her friends, who were all snogging...even Violet and Peter.

"Does that mean I can't snog with you?" he asked teasingly, seating himself next to Goldie.

"Nope. If you came here to snog, I suggest you go find Petunia's friends. Poor Petty had a hard time yesterday convincing her friends to hate you, but it was no use; they're totally in love with you now." Her voice sounded oddly bitter.

James smiled. "Is our ickle Flower jealous?"

"No!" cried Y/n, a bit too quickly. "Why would you say that?"

"Y/n, Y/n, Y/n." James shook his head. "How would you like—to become friends?"

Y/n looked at him, surprised. "Well, we're not ready yet now, I know, but when the time comes, we'll be the best of friends—besides with Arabella and Sirius, of course." She referred to their best friends hastily.

"Good. We don't...hate each other like we used to back in our first and second year, do we?"

"Of course not. We're just on speaking terms at the moment. But—James, I think we can be friends someday. Just not now."

"Can we at least call each other by our first names occasionally instead of never?"

Y/n snorted. "What kind of a question is that? We already do!"

"Oh, do we? Because it's been more than one hundred occasions when you've called me 'Potter' with a vengeance."

"Well, Mr. Potter, if we stop playing pranks on each other, perhaps we can reach to some sort of agreement."

James looked horrified. "Impossible!"

"Then we'll be calling each other 'Potter' and 'L/n' for the rest of our lives, then. I thought you didn't want that."

"I don't."

Y/n sighed. "Then perhaps a truce? Not to be pure enemies again?" She held out her hand, and James shook it.

"Truce."

"Why," came the incredulous voice of Sirius, "is this Y/n L/n and James Potter shaking hands, agreeing to be friends, or at least on speaking terms? Ladies and gentlemen, we have witnessed an extraordinary event here!"

James grinned. "Oh, shove it, Siri-boy."

"And what's this? James Potter becoming playful and Y/n L/n not retaliating? Oh, ladies, perhaps the James you've all been fighting for has only eyes for Y/n Flower!"

Y/n looked at Sirius with amusement. "Oh, really Sirius?"

"Wait—what's this? Y/n Potter hasn't said anything to make the famous lady-killer, Sirius Black shut up. Five...four...three...two...one..."

"SIRIUS BLACK, I AM NOT Y/N POTTER AND WILL YOU PLEASE SHUT UP!"

"There we have it, ladies and gentlemen," said Sirius in a smaller voice. "Y/n Potter screaming at innocent bystanders, who only have witnessed she and James bonding together under the sunset...how romantic..."

Arabella walked over to her boyfriend and cuddled against him. "Really, Sirius, I think this is enough teasing for one day. It's getting late, we should be getting to bed."

"And look at this, ladies and gentlemen! Sirius Black's very own gorgeous girlfriend, Ms. Arabella Figg is telling him to quit it for the night. All right, I will be seeing you tomorrow, folks, do not fret!"

Arabella shook her head and giggled as the friends headed back into the house. "Oh, Sirius, now I know why everyone loved the Quidditch commentaries when you did them in our first year."

"Hey!" cried Remus, who was walking with Jennifer behind them. "I resent that!"

She laughed. "Oh, Remie, it's not that you're bad or anything, it's just that, well, it's a bit dull when you do it. You sound like Professor Binns when you say the commentary and not as enthusiastic or funny like when Sirius does it. Put in more life when you do it for the first match of the season this year."

Remus shrugged. "I don't like exhibiting my weirdness in public, unlike Sirius."

James laughed, and Sirius pretended to look hurt. Arabella shook her head once more and dragged a pouting Sirius inside.

James was lingering around until it was Y/n's turn to go inside. He pulled her back and said, "Look, I never really appreciated your hospitality this summer by inviting me over your house and stuff. I just wanted to say"—he took a deep breath—"that I'm sorry about the mean things I've said before, because I really didn't truly mean them. Forgive?"

Y/n stared at his sudden outburst, open-mouthed, but then smiled. "Of course. Apology accepted. And I never did thank you properly myself when you invited me over your house last summer."

James smiled at Y/n and kissed her hand. "You already did by inviting me over this summer."

She thought for a moment, pondering on his meaning. "Well...I suppose that's right."

"Hopefully we won't have another dream tonight," said James, sighing.

Y/n grinned. "Actually, I like having those dreams. It gives us more insight on our future together."

"Yeah, you're right. Hey, I never knew perfect L/n could actually be sentimental!"

Y/n slapped him playfully. "What about our truce?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about it! I guess I'm so used to hating you that I forgot about that speaking-term truce we made. Oh well."

"Huh! So says you. I guess we'll have to call off the truce."

"What? No way! We worked very hard on promising to be on speaking-terms."

Y/n snorted. "You got that right. Though sometimes I still long to through a tirade at you."

"Meanie!"

"Please Po—James, you sound like a four-year-old!"

"Maybe because I am a four-year-old!"

"Then why are you going to Hogwarts and scoring better than even me in Transfiguration?"

"Oh...it's because I'm so smart that Dumbledore accepted me at the age of four."

Y/n grinned and shook her head. They went inside, still thinking about their separate thoughts.

As James entered the room that he was sharing with the rest of the Marauders, Sirius bombarded him with questions about what happened between him and Y/n outside. James shook his head, clearly wondering if his best friend had lost his mind.

"I'm telling you, Siri, nothing happened between us!" he said crossly. "I just went to thank Y/n for having me over the summer, knowing how much we—er—don't get along at school."

Sirius snorted at the understatement.

Remus smiled gently at his friend. "I'm glad that you and Y/n came up with a truce, James. I was getting a bit impatient myself about how much you guys fight. The next step will be friendship and then perhaps...love."

"Oh, Remie, not you too," sighed James.

"What? I was only commenting. I don't matchmake people like Sirius does here—and have it end up a disaster."

"Hey!" Sirius pouted.

"Guys, keep it down, Peter's asleep," hissed James.

"Oh...whoops, sorry, Jamie-boy."

As they turned off the lights, James lay in his bed, thinking. What was to become of him after Hogwarts? He was entering his fourth year at Hogwarts already. He knew that he was going to become an Auror; all Potters did. What about that threat that Voldemort had given him about the consequences of not joining the Dark Side? Would he have to give up everything, including the ones he loved, to protect himself, as the strongest Heir out of the four? He fell asleep quickly, the thoughts still swimming in his mind.

"Love is more powerful than any other type of emotion – it could even prevent death, if you love that person enough."

Meanwhile, in the girls' room, they were all pushing Y/n to tell them what happened between her and James.

"Really, Belle, for the last time, nothing happened!" exclaimed Y/n, crawling into bed, for she was exhausted.

"All right, n/n, but still..."

"I can't believe you came up with a truce with James!" added Jennifer. "How did you guys do it? You despise each other!"

"Well, Jen, we're on speaking terms now," replied Y/n, smiling.

"Well, this is a different love story!" cried Arabella, sitting up in her bed. "Y/n L/n Potter and James Potter have hated each other for many of their years at Hogwarts, but became hesitant friends by their fifth year. Bounded by her beauty and his charms, they both fell in love and married straight out of Hogwarts. Tragically, however, the Dark Side began to gain power and a Dark wizard murdered Y/n and James Potter. On the happier note, their son, Harry James Potter, lived and became famous and was a hero. The end!" She grinned down at her friend's hanging mouth. "Oh, it's so romantic! Just like Romeo and Juliet!"

"Bella! What a horrible thing to say—dying isn't romantic!" snapped Violet.

"Oh, Vi, don't be so touchy, I was only joking." Arabella looked worried. "I haven't offended you, have I, n/n?"

Y/n shook her head. "Nah, I'm just thinking. Well, we'd better turn off the lights, tomorrow we go to Diagon Alley to get our school supplies, and we have to start packing, too. It's only a couple of days until September 1st!"

Everyone groaned, except for Y/n. She loved Hogwarts, even more than her home. But as a grumbling Arabella turned off the lights, she had a sudden thought. What would become of her after Hogwarts? She knew she'd probably marry James, for some reason she didn't know yet, but what would she do? Y/n pondered on it for a couple of seconds, running over various magical jobs she could get. Staying at home was definitely not an option for y/n. She wanted equal rights for witches as well as for wizards, and staying at home would be abusing that equal right. If James was to become an Auror—then she'd have to stay home in order to take care of Harry. 

Y/n sighed, thinking gloomily of the thoughts, but brightened again. She could raise Harry...teach him to read...teach him all his firsts! Then staying home didn't seem so bad any longer! But then she remembered Voldemort's threat to James. Too tired to think any longer, Y/n fell asleep, still dreaming of the future and what lay ahead for the future Potter.

tags; @thecurlyhairedwinchester

masterlist

[okayyeli]

oh, baby! | jjk (05)

pairing: reader x jjk genre: fluff, angst, humour, ceo au summary: a social media interactive au where a hypothetical situation sets you on a highly illegal quest to help out a friend. parts: one  ★  two  ★  three  ★  four  ★  five  ★  six  ★

jungkook is running late. 

His grip on the steering wheel tightens as he runs his free hand through his hair, tugging in frustration. The meeting had run longer than expected and he’d completely forgotten to confirm a couple of things with his secretary, so he found himself being dragged into a whirlpool of confirmations and emails, until finally, he’d managed to break free. 

And now he’s almost twenty minutes late. 

He mutters a few curses under his breath, foot coming down harshly on the pedal as his Tesla jerks forward, his little arrow on the GPS getting closer and closer to his destination, the Ruby Grill.

He’d been there hundreds of times, he loved that it was far away from the office and gave him some space to breathe and get work off of his mind, but today he’d been so frazzled he needed his GPS to make sure he didn’t lose his way and end up even later than he already was.

As he pulls into the parking space he’d reserved for himself, he works on adjusting his appearance, softening his hair down as he says, “Siri, text Miss Miller ‘I’m here’.”

“Send ‘I’m here’ to Miss Miller?” The assistant parrots back, to which he says, “Send.” He then loosens his tie, taking it off and unbuttoning his first three buttons, sighing in relief as he leans against his seat, dialing Jimin, who answers on the first ring. 

“Dude, what the actual fuck are you playing at? She’s been waiting for thirty minutes now!” 

“Technically it’s twenty five and counting.” He answers weakly, groaning as Jimin makes a sound of disapproval. “Just get your ass in here Jeon, before she passes out from anxiety.” 

“She’s anxious?” Jungkook disconnects his bluetooth and lifts his phone to his ear as he exits his car, locking it behind him as he makes his way towards the restaurant. Jimin sounds mildly concerned when he says, “Yeah, man, she’s been fidgeting non-stop. I think she’s taken like, four bathroom breaks now? She’s just downing a lot of water and glancing around. Three members of staff have shot her sympathetic looks too, by the way.” 

“Jesus, you don’t need to make me feel like utter shit, I get it.” The younger winces at the thought of you sitting alone, waiting in a restaurant he was sure is unfamiliar to you, giving the impression that you’d been stood up to members of staff. 

What a great first impression to make, he thinks dryly, I’ll be lucky if she’s still willing to talk. 

“Right, I see you, so I’m going to hang up and watch how this plays out. Good luck, my guy, if she ruins that pristine white shirt of yours you kind of deserve it and you shouldn’t sue. Okay, bye!” 

Before the younger can formulate a response, the older hangs up, leaving him to huff in annoyance. As he enters, he signs himself beside your name, tilting his head slightly. 

Now that he looks at it, it sounds really familiar. 

Really, really familiar. 

He frowns, staring at your name for a couple of seconds. Where does he know you from? A reporter who’d tried to sell a false story? No, that didn’t seem like it. An ex-girlfriend? Wasn’t it either, he’d have remembered you. Maybe the party? 

Ugh. 

“Sir, she’s sitting near the window over there.” The receptionist pulls him from his train of thought, gesturing towards where you were sat, chin resting atop your palm as you scrolled through something on your phone. 

Not too far away, but within good distance, sat Jimin, engrossed in his meal. His best friend had dressed rather casual, in a black shirt tucked into ripped jeans, none of his usual rings present but a simple watch adorning his wrist. 

Jungkook feels grossly overdressed in his office attire, but he shrugs it off, knowing he has no choice. He thanks the receptionist and makes his way over to where you were sat, simultaneously gaining Jimin’s attention in the process. The older man raises both his thumbs up at him, mouthing, don’t sue! which earns him an eye roll. 

As you look up, Jungkook says, “Miss Miller?” 

Your eyes widen, startled as you get to your feet to greet him, stepping out from your seat to give him a polite hug. He doesn’t get to hold you long, for you pull away rather quickly, but you smell really good. Some kind of mild perfume, but he likes it. 

“Mr. Jeon,” you smile, and he swears he’s seen you somewhere before, “it’s nice to finally meet you.” 

He gives you a sheepish smile in response, the two of you taking a seat opposite each other as he gives you a sincere apology. “I’m really, really sorry I’m late, it wasn’t my intention to keep you waiting. I had a meeting run over, and my forgetfulness caught up to me. I hope I haven't made a terrible first impression.” 

You seem to mull it over for a second. “It’s alright, I understand how work can get sometimes. The important thing is that you’re here, because I swear, if you’d taken another five minutes, the waitresses were going to pour me a drink.” You laugh and add, “And I’ve made it clear I can’t be drinking.” 

“Hm, why not? It’s Friday after all.” As you respond, telling him it’s important that you stay away from alcohol, he takes in your appearance, relief easing the tension in his shoulders as he realizes you’ve also come straight from work. Your hair is slicked back into a tight ponytail, simple studs and no hoops, the pop of colour being your lipstick—a shade of red touching maroon. He figures it was the most you could do to aid the rest of your attire—a silk, beige blouse tucked into a black pencil skirt. 

“So, shall we order?” He meets your eyes again, fighting back a frown as he says, “Sure, let’s do it.” It’s bothering him, he can’t figure out why you look and sound so familiar. If you were someone important to him, he’d surely have some recollection of you. But all he has is a nagging sixth sense with an overwhelming sense of familiarity, he knows you. He just can’t figure out from where or how. 

You have no idea why Jungkook keeps staring. 

As you read the items on the menu, trying to stop your blood pressure from rising at the prices, you fight the urge to shift under his gaze. You’re certain he won't remember you, it’s been eight years. You’d only been his friend for two years before his parents whisked him off to some top class school in British Columbia. 

There’s no way he can still remember you. He had no recollection of you, you were sure of it. 

Because if he did, you wouldn’t be here. You’d have no idea that he remembered nothing that night at the party, you wouldn’t even know he still kept his private Twitter account—the one he’d opened when he was twelve. 

And damn—he’s grown into his body. 

He still has the innocent doe eyes, but they’re a bit sharper around the corners now. He used to be shorter than you, a scrawny kid with a boisterous laugh and an adorable smile. 

There’s aspects of him there, the smile and the eyes, but for most of it, the Jungkook you knew has grown well. He’s not even close to being scrawny or short, if the way the shirt clung to his body was any indication. His posture is more confident now, a stance of power and presence, perfectly akin to one of a leader.

To one of an heir.

“You're staring, Miss Miller,” he gives you a teasing smile, “is there something on my face?”

“No, it’s just nice to see how much you’ve grown.” 

You instantly regret the words the second they leave your mouth. His eyebrows furrow as he says, “I’m sorry, come again?” As you sputter to respond, he leans forward, frown evident. “Wait, so I am right, we have met before!” 

Shit. 

SHIT!

“Uh,” you chuckle nervously, trying to decide if it was a good idea to tell him who you were or lie. “I really wasn’t that important—trust me, it was a long time ago too—” 

“Miss Miller, please tell me before the curiosity eats at me. How do we know each other?” His gaze is pleading, and you gulp, finding yourself unable to resist. You didn’t know if revealing your past friendship would affect your plan in anyway, but hey, the pro was, he’d be a little more comfortable around you. 

Especially since you were going to drop a huge bomb on him later anyway. 

“Um, well,” you pick your words carefully, “we knew each other in middle school. You might not remember, but we were twelve. You moved away when you were fourteen—” 

You’re interrupted by him gasping your name, eyes wide. He says it again. And again, and then one more time, a little loudly. And then he lets out a surprised laugh, hand finding yours on the table as he says, “Oh my fucking god.” 

“Yeah,” you answer slowly, hating that you don’t pull your hand away from his hold, “yeah it’s me.” 

Jungkook exhales sharply, still staring at you like he’d struck gold. “How long has it been, ten years? No, eight years! I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you!” A mischievous grin tugs at his lips as he says, “Ah, how could I have forgotten my life mate?” 

Still holding his hand, you lower your head with a groan. “No, stop, don’t bring that cringey shit up again.” He laughs gleefully, eyes bright with mirth. “I still genuinely can’t believe it’s you. You’re talking about me having grown? Look at you! Hey, I’m taller now!” 

“By an inch or two, you jerk!” You retort, fighting a smile as you glare at him. “I’m still older, you’re being so disrespectful.” 

Jungkook shakes his head at that, letting go of your hand as he does so. “You’re older by four months. Big deal. We’re still the same age, so it doesn’t count. Gah, no wonder your name sounded so familiar.” 

“Are you that happy to see me?” You tease, lifting your glass of water to your lips. 

“Well, of course, you were one of my closest friends. You were sincere and made sure I didn’t retreat into my shell for the two years Jimin and I were separated. When I moved and we lost contact, I was sure I’d never see you or hear from you again. I’m so, so glad I was wrong.” 

Your smile widens involuntarily, an old feeling of fondness rising as you take in Jungkook’s happy grin. The two of you had been inseparable. It was comforting to know he still regarded you with happiness. 

It hits you then, what you were about to do. 

To your childhood friend. 

It’s hard to keep your expression stable then, but you manage as Jungkook orders your food, keeping you engaged in conversation while you wait for it to arrive. He asks you about your job, where you went for uni and how you’re doing now. You tell him you took your love of science to a bachelor of science degree in psychology, and because you ran out of funds before you could start your masters, you graduated and became a media psychologist, working as an advertisement consultant for big companies. 

He smiles and nods at the right parts, looking extremely proud as you explain. When you finish, he says, “You always had a talent with people. I’m glad it took you places.” 

“Thank you,” you respond, flattered. “Enough about me, how’ve you been? How was British Columbia?” 

He shudders. “Dreadfully cold.” 

You laugh as he dives into it, your food arriving as he begins. You eat and learn about Jungkook’s life: after he graduated high school, he took a bachelor of business administration degree and although he was initially hesitant, he found himself enjoying it. He tells you it can get a little too technical and boring sometimes, but he never tired of pitching projects and diving into financial risks. He had the choice of pursuing his masters, but decided to intern at his own company instead, finding himself more eager to get a hands-on experience. 

He worked his way up from the bottom, and now he’s where he is, set to inherit the company—no, the empire his father had built—very soon.  

“There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears along the way, but I’m happy I’m here now. Though I suppose my brother’s taken a lot more, he’s graduating from law school in a year. And he couldn’t be more ready, poor guy.” 

“Yeah, well, from the minimal interactions I’ve had with your brother, I’m certain he’ll make a fantastic lawyer.” Jungkook hums in agreement, smiling. “I’m aware. I’m just glad we don’t have a bad relationship and aren’t fighting to inherit the company.” 

“Your brother made it very clear when he was eighteen that he wanted absolutely nothing to do with the company and wanted to venture out on his own.” 

“Hm, fair.” 

Once you’re done eating and your plates have been taken away, Jungkook seems to finally remember what he’s here for. “So, this isn’t exactly our first reunion, seeing as we met at the party. Can you tell me what happened?” 

You stiffen. “I’m—I don’t know how to tell you.” 

“Hey,” Jungkook gently takes your hand in his own once again, “you were my best friend through my emo phase. You can tell me anything.” You laugh at that, finding yourself involuntarily relaxing when he started rubbing soothing circles over your knuckles. 

“Well, I only got into the party because Johnny invited me.” He nods, saying, “I don’t really talk to him, but I get it, he’s pretty easy to befriend.” 

“Easier when drunk too,” you add with a nervous chuckle, “anyway, I was trying to get into this club and the bouncer was trying to charge me twenty dollars even though it’s ladies free before eleven—and I was there at ten fifty-two, thank you very much. It’s starting to get heated and I’m holding up this long line of people when Johnny passes by and he said something about a friend of his hosting a party nearby.” 

“Jaehyun.” Jungkook answers quickly. “It was Jaehyun. His parties are wild.” 

“Yeah I know,” you’re careful not to add any detail, “it was kind of intimidating, so I decided to get some drinks, because although Johnny promised he’d stick by me and introduce me to everyone, he pretty much bolted the second we entered.” 

The taller man looks amused, but says nothing. 

“Okay, so halfway through my process of getting tipsy, I ran into you. I’m not sure how much you had to drink, but you seemed pretty out of it as well. I think you tried to pull the whole ‘did you fall from heaven’ line too.” You pause, frowning for dramatic effect. “Didn’t work really well.” 

“Listen, I’m a lot smoother when I’m not in drowning in Absolut.” 

You force a grin, nodding your head disbelievingly. “I’m sure. Anyway, for whatever reason, you challenged me to a drinking game. If I won, you’d get me McDonald’s. If you won, you got my name.” 

The corners of Jungkook’s mouth twitch up into a smile that you know he’s trying to fight. He doesn't say anything, allowing you to continue. You hate that he’s so engaged and that the only reason he was engaged and buying all of this bullshit so far is because you’d spent hours going through his Twitter to find out his friends and gauge what his typical party behaviour was. 

“It’s a bit of a blur after that, considering how much alcohol we’d both consumed. I think it was a tie, ‘cause we called a truce and—” You pause abruptly, feeling the tips of your ears going red. Even if it never happened, you still felt embarrassed. 

Jungkook’s smile has faded, he’s now starting to look flustered. There’s a dust of pink on his cheeks as he says, “Oh w-we—we had—”

“—yeah,” you answer, coughing awkwardly, “yeah we did.” 

He’s fighting hard to get rid of the blush, but it isn’t working. His shoulders have dropped slightly as he runs a hand through his hair, laughter spilling out of his mouth as he says, “Well, that’s one hell of a reunion, hm?” 

You cough again, trying your best to force out a laugh. God, this is painfully awkward. “Yeah.”

“Is that all you know then?” 

Oh, boy, here we go. 

You can do this. 

Just spit it out!

Rip off the bandaid.

Weakly, you say, “No. T-there’s more.” 

His grip on your hand tightens slightly, seeming to sense the shift in mood. “It’s still me,” he’s giving you a tense smile, “you can tell me.” 

“I skipped that month,” you start slowly, voice barely audible over the clang of cutlery and dim chatter, “and at first, I dismissed it as stress, because it isn’t uncommon for me to skip. But I-I had this nagging feeling a-and I, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to confirm and—” 

His hold on your hand falls loose. His index finger trembles first, and you realize it’s your turn to comfort him. You place your palm atop his hand as you say, “It came out positive, Kook.” 

His breath falters.

“I’m pregnant.” 

[secretlystephaniebrown]

Time’s Running Out: Romeo

... whoops? Has it really been since March? OH WELL, MY COMPUTER'S FIXED, I'VE GOT FREE TIME AGAIN, AND I'M READY TO KICK THIS FIC'S ASS, ENJOY SOME FEELINGS.

Summary: The Reds and Blues; and their respective Freelancers, find themselves stranded on a strange planet named Chorus. Secrets, lies, and the unexpected seem to lie around every corner, and there might be even larger threats looming over the horizon.

They’re possibly even less ready for Chorus than Chorus is for them.

Pairings: Lots of friendships, Suckington, Yorkalina, Chex, eventual Yorkimbalina, possible others.

Start

Previous

Ao3

There was a moment of heavy breathing, with York staring up at her. There was blood everywhere, and for a second, she thought she saw fear in his body language.  

It was only a second, but it was quite possibly one of the most terrible seconds of Tex’s life.

She stepped over the corpse and offered him a hand up.

York reached up and accepted, taking it and then using the momentum to collapse against her. Relief coursed through her. If he was able to trick her into a hug, he was going to be fine.

“Is he…” York said, staring at the body behind her.

“Yes.” She said. She offered no explanations or apologies. She knew that Locus had been his friend once. The thought was strange in her mind, sharp like jealousy and bitter like rage.

York’s shoulders stiffened for a moment, then he exhaled sharply.

“That is excellent news, Agent Texas,” Delta said, appearing on York’s shoulder, as if attempting to reassure himself that York was, in fact, still alive. It was as close to physical contact that an A.I. and host could get.

“Dee, when did you get so bloodthirsty?” York asked, but there was relief in his voice too. One more ghost gone.

Tex bent over Locus’s dead body, and pried the healing unit out of his fingers, already stiff. Carefully, she pressed it back into place on York’s chest plate, watching as his body language slowly relax as painkillers did their job.

“They’re gone,” Tex said, and there should have been satisfaction in that, but there wasn’t. It had been too close.

She’d watched York die before, and it had been a long, long time ago now. She had stopped that world, she had punched a hole through reality itself to save him, but…

She had watched him die once.

She had come this close to seeing it happen again.

Tex reached out and pressed a hand against his shoulder. “York,” she said, struggling to find words. “I—you know you’re—you’re my—” the words felt like they were strangling her, which shouldn’t even be possible.

Church, in her brain, remained shockingly silent.

“I know,” York said. “Me too.”

She scowled and clenched her hands into fists. “No,” she said. “Don’t let me off like that.”

“Tex,” York laughed, his voice unsteady, his breathing labored. He took a step forward and stumbled. Tex leapt forward to catch him. “I know, okay?”

“I love you,” Tex spat out.

She wasn’t programmed to. It was an aberration.

She was programed to love Church. She was built for it. She was built to love Carolina. She was built for the strange affection for Delta, even.

She was a shadow, an artifice, a series of ones and zeroes all strung together, forming the very core of herself. Pieced together, placed in a body of a robot, built up and pulled apart and put back together again. Put back together by Reds and Blues and Church and Carolina…and the idiot in front of her.

She had not been built for this. This strange, tumultuous, bizarre course, which no one could have seen coming.

There was no romance in the sentence, there was barely even affection. It was brusque and harsh, somehow a declaration and a question at the same time.

She loved her idiot best friend, and she had nearly seen him die a second time.

She couldn’t see his expression.

“I love you too, Tex,” he said. He leaned against her. “Now, uh, not to rush you or anything, but I think I need to submit myself to Dr. Grey’s terrifying medical expertise.”

“Right,” Tex said, putting an arm around his shoulder and starting to lead him away.

The tightness in her throat, the one that should be impossible because she had no muscles to lock up or lungs to draw air with, didn’t go away.

“Let’s go back to Armonia,” she said. York’s blood dripped onto the cavern floor and Locus cooled next to her feet.

She was not built to be this way.

Teleport cubes and the knowledge that they might all be dead soon made the journey back to Armonia fast.

Kimball wished she could just have time to think.

Carolina had made the report over the radio—Felix with a key that could kill everyone on the planet, Locus dead, Church’s body destroyed, York injured but not in critical state. The last one was said grimly, through gritted teeth, taking any potential satisfaction from Locus—one of Kimball’s longest living nightmares—being dead.

The Reds and Blues and Freelancers moved back into the war room. They looked the worse for wear for their journey, and there’s no sign of Church in physical form, although Kimball would guess that he was implanted into one of their implants, like Delta or Epsilon.

Agent York’s armor was in the worst state—it had never been great, old fashioned, a patchwork of repairs and replacements—but now there was also a horrific looking puncture on his shoulder. Locus’s work, if Kimball had to venture a guess. She’d seen wounds like that before, just usually on the dead.

York was forced into one of the chairs by Carolina, who was unmoving, cold, and solid. Her concern for him might not have been visible to many, Kimball realized as she watched York insist over and over again that he was fine. But Carolina was solid, and insisted on him sitting the fuck down, York. Kimball found herself trying not to smile as York acquised, reluctantly.

“I’m fine,” he insisted, one last time.

“That’s not what Doctor Grey said,” Kimball said. “She said you lost a lot of blood.”

“I’ve got a healing unit! I’m fine!” York said, throwing his hands into the air.

Carolina tilted her head at Kimball, a silent gesture of appreciation for her support. Kimball felt her cheeks warming, and she ducked her head, even though no one could see it.

She saw York tilt his head, curiously.

Dread filled her, a different kind of dread than the kind she’d lived with every day since the war began, that had doubled and tripled since Felix had betrayed her, that had multiplied infinitely since the last few hours, when Felix had gotten his hands on a weapon to end all weapons.

This was different. Smaller. Stranger.

Dread might not even be the right word, she realized, unable to stop turning it over in her head. Apprehension? Anxiety?

York took off his helmet, revealing the now-familiar face. Was there more grey in his hair than there had been? Kimball forced herself to look away, as Carolina placed a hand on the shoulder that had not been shot.

Kimball had not intended for this to happen. They were at war. There was no time for her to fall for two idiot Freelancers, with noble intentions and mistakes and blood on their hands and—

She needed to focus.

“Felix will be heading for the Temple,” Kimball said, drawing her mind away from a gloved hand on an armored shoulder. “He might take backup.”

“Siris is the likely candidate,” York said. “He’ll be the only one who can…” He hesitated.

“What?” Carolina asked.

“Uh, look, I’m not one to really throw stones about co-dependency when Delta lives in my head, but, uh. Felix and Locus, uh�� well, let’s just say my glass house has a few holes in it.”

“So Felix will be off his game?” Tex smelled blood in the water.

York shrugged. “Maybe? Or maybe he’ll be redoubling his efforts in order to avenge Locus. Hard to say. Felix is… again, not to damage the glass house, but he’s not… stable.”

“No shit,” Tucker said.

“He’s kind of unpredictable,” York said apologetically. “He takes pride on that. But I do think he’ll want to keep Siris close to him after this.”

“Then we’ll want a small group to head them off there while the rest of us make a run for the Communication Tower,” Kimball said grimly.

“That… sounds like a surprisingly solid plan,” Doyle said, and Kimball tried not to be annoyed that he sounded surprised.

“Carolina and I will go,” Tex said.

“I’m coming too,” York and Washington said in unison.

“Hey Wash,” Tucker said, sounding overly cheerful, with Kai on his side. “Can we talk to you for a minute?”

“Um…”

Before Wash had time to formulate a response to that, Kaikaina and Tucker had swept forward, and propelled him out into the hallway, each of them grabbing one of his arms in a show of shocking precision and coordination.

“So I guess it’ll be the three of us then,” York said cheerfully, and Kimball really wanted to strangle him in that moment. How could one man manage to be so infuriating? If she’d been a younger woman with more free time, this might have been worth a spreadsheet, or at least a list. As it was, she allowed herself to audibly sigh.

“You’re injured, York,” she said, and she couldn’t help how gentle the words came out.

“Hey, I’m fine!” York protested.

“She’s right,” Carolina said, and Kimball couldn’t tell, but she imagined Carolina’s fingers were digging into his uninjured shoulder. She tried not to focus on that, or the strange surge of pleasure that Carolina agreed with her, even if it was about something as objectively true as the fact that York had been shot recently, again.

Kimball was starting to realize why it was, exactly, that Agent York, despite being an infiltration specialist, might have needed a healing unit. He seemed to have the most atrocious luck when it came to obtaining injuries.

He did, however, have a pretty good streak going when it came to surviving them.

“I’m fine!” York said. “I’ve survived worse—”

“Not encouraging,” Tex said dryly.

“Dr. Grey said I was okay—”

“Emphasis on okay, sweetie—”

“Felix might bring additional backup—”

“We have plenty of reds to spare!”

“What? No we don’t! I don’t want to fight Felix!”

“What Simmons said!”

“Traitors! Cowards! Leaving the Freelancers to hog all the glory, even if one of them is a Red? Why you blue-livered—”

“Kimball,” York said, changing tactics. “Please. I’ll be okay.”

She looked at him and felt herself go still.

York’s face was pleading and desperate. His good eye was focused right on her, as if he could see her expression, beneath her own helmet, and she swallowed, because she knew why he was appealing to her.

She was the only one who knew about him and Siris.

“Fine,” she whispered. She shook her head, and then spoke louder. “Very well. But be careful. All three of you. We can’t afford to lose you.”

“Can’t afford to lose the planet either,” Grif muttered. She shot a glare at him.

Tucker, Wash, and Kaikaina re-emerged a moment later.

“Hey,” Tucker said, grinning. “I’ve got an idea.”

“Aaaaand now I’m terrified,” Carolina said, her voice drier than a desert.

Kimball should not find that as attractive as she did.

Tucker took his sword out and turned it on. “Why don’t we even the odds?”

Doyle and Kimball exchanged a look.

Something like hope began to stir inside of Kimball’s chest.

“Okay, so a quick detour first.”

Most of the others went off to arm up, but Carolina stayed behind.

“You shouldn’t let him go,” she said, grabbing Kimball’s arm.

“Agent York is a professional.” Epsilon made a noise that sounded a bit like an incredulous snort. “I give him the courtesy of assuming he knows his limits.”

Carolina shook her head. “This is the second time he’s been injured this week. The healing unit is effective, but even it has limitations.”

“He needs to do this, Carolina.” Kimball says, and winces. She forgot to add the “Agent.” “You should ask him why.”

“… You… already know?”

“He told me,” Kimball said, wincing as she realized she’d probably overstepped somehow. “I asked him, after he got shot by Siris last time.”

“I… see.”

“You really care for him, don’t you?” Kimball asked, unable to stop herself. She pressed a hand against her visor. “I’m sorry, that was inappropriate.”

“You care as well,” Carolina said, and she sounded half-resigned, half-surprised.

“What can I say?” York said, sticking his head into the room. “I have a type. Anyways, we should probably get going Carolina.”

Kimball felt as if she was suddenly, horrifically, rooted to the floor. Did he just… did he just… what did he just say? And if he… he didn’t mean it like… like that? He couldn’t. There was no way he had just implied what she thought he had implied…what she wanted him to be implying…

She shoved that thought to the side to deal with much later and turned to face York instead. “Remember what I said,” she said. “Don’t give him the chance.”

He saluted, jaunty and confident, using his just-injured arm to boot.

“Yes ma’am,” he said.

“I’ll bring him back,” Carolina said quietly.

“Just be sure to bring yourself back too,” Kimball said, and then blushed again. She had never been so grateful for her helmet in a non-life-threatening situation.

How were those two possible?

Tucker and Kai’s grip on Wash’s arms were like steel as they propelled him into the hallway.

“You’re not going,” Tucker said.

“Not without us,” Kai added, looking stubborn as hell.

“I—”

“We’re not being separated again!” Tucker said, and Wash flinched. Tucker’s voice echoed in the hallway.

They hadn’t had time to reunite properly, with everything. They hadn’t been alone, hadn’t had time to talk, hadn’t had time…

For anything.

And now things were ending, spiraling out of control, and Wash had been about to go off on another mission without them…

Time was running out for him to say everything he had to say.

He took off his helmet.

“You’re right,” he said. “We stick together. No matter what.”

Kai immediately tried to kiss him, but she was still wearing her helmet, so Wash had to duck out of the way to avoid a bruise.

“Ha!” Tucker said, pulling off his own helmet, which meant he got to kiss Wash first.

Something soft and giddy unfurled in Wash.

A moment of quiet peace, stolen, in the hallway, as Tucker kissed him, Kai making loud protesting noises as she struggled to get her helmet off.

The world might be ending, but he still had this.

He’d always have this.

As long as they were all alive—and that sounded almost too close to a wedding vow, so Wash shied away from that train of thought, and settled for whispering, “I love you,” against the shadow of Tucker’s jaw.

“We love you too, dumbass,” Tucker said. “Which is why we’re going to kick ass at the Temple of Communication, together.”

“That’s great,” Kai said, “Now let me kiss our boyfriend.”

Tucker laughed, and pulled away, and Kai was pressing in before Wash could so much as think about missing him.

[aion-rsa]

The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 17 Review: Burger Kings

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This The Simpsons review contains spoilers.

The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 17

The Simpsons Season 32 episode 17 ” Burger Kings,” continues to charbroil Springfield mythology into tasty nuggets of classic comedy. With so much grease built up over the years, the cooks are unafraid to refry old dishes as new cuisine. This season has seen quite a few instances where old storylines are transformed into surprisingly fresh installments.

In spite of all outward evidence, and the best testing indicates, Mr. Burns never gets old. Yes, he has made “The Top 100 Most Evil People Over 100” list more times than he cares to admit. But not in the comic sense. We’ve seen him do good many times, only to revert to the evil capitalistic monster which lies at his black, barely beating heart. Over the years, he’s rebuilt himself by plundering all ocean life, protected the town’s children from an anti-child group in order to keep ensure their supple young organs will be available when he needs them, and stole the winning glory from a championship bowling team.

Unlike Dick Cheney, Burns won’t live forever. So, when he turns a mouth-watering near-death experience into an animal-cruelty-free shot at redemption, long-time audiences are primed to see how it’s going to turn sour. The Simpsons consistently pushes the inner logic of each character to their most hilarious limits. Burns is an ancient being, who is also tremendously wealthy. This foreknowledge makes the idea he has all of the wrinkles from his one breakfast raison ironed out palatable. Wearing a live bat for a night eye patch works because he’s just evil.

Burns’ final request, as he lay on his deathbed, to have Smithers fire someone, preferably an employee who just bought a house, is perfectly reasonable. When Burns gets his epiphany about doing good, he says he knows how Edison felt when he invented the electric chair. His reference to a beloved airman is Rudolph Hess. We buy it as easily as we believe he lived past 100 without ever eating a hamburger. And this, we believe because we don’t doubt that Burns believes hamburgers are made of people from Hamburg.

Burns’ twisted line reading of “People don’t like me. They really don’t like me” is a nod to Sally Field’s memorable second Oscar acceptance speech. Burns is on the same level of public transformation, but he’s no flying nun. Though he can take some comfort in knowing there is a little extra radiation in every drop of water on the planet because of him. Burns does have a point when he disagrees with Smithers on how the townspeople hate him because he’s sic’d the hounds on each of them by pointing out everyone loves dogs. The writers twist his logic perfectly.

It isn’t even surprising how Burns, who made his fortune at a nuclear plant, only realizes what fission is during this episode. We should have some sympathy for Burns. We learn he’s always craved praise because it was something he never had as a child. Monty’s father died the same day he found out his mother doesn’t like fake art, like a crayon drawing he made of her hugging him. But the newspaper headline begins with “Finally some good news” when it announces Burns is near death.

Music has been very important this season, filling the gaps in almost every installment. This episode is bookended by a lounge singer, who also does double-time as a Greek Chorus, improvising the verses to match the inner conflict in both Homer and Burns. Homer learns more from dreams than can ever be taught in books. In the opening Burns learns people think of him as a fat cat no one really likes, and the singer serenades him with wishes he never fall asleep. One song teaches Homer he sold out all his values.  

Homer the perfect spokesperson as a stand-in for the common slob. Not only does he have it on his business card, but the card itself is stolen from Ned’s store with the name and number of his Leftorium crossed out. Lisa’s expertise in meat bypass products is as impressive as it should be. She’s been vegetarian since meeting Paul and Linda McCartney, and she’s intelligent enough to know her phony baloney from her ghost beef. It is a truly rousing moment when Burns wins the Simpson family over with a tasty meatless burger. The artistic rendition of Lisa’s tastebuds is inspired.

While it’s not explicitly stated, it looks like the Ex-cellent Burger stock movement brings out the compulsive gambler in Marge. It begins with a comment on the efficiency of Alexa voice commands. After Marge is misinterpreted into buying a thousand shares, Alexa tries to pawn herself off as Siri, but Marge is already hooked. The shareholders subplot, with the E-Trading and the “More money for Marge” stock ticker tongue, is as scary as it is funny because it is animated in Lisa’s childlike point of view.

The Burger Wars segment is ingenious, and benefits from the subtle seasoning. The medics arrive on the battlefield as Hamburger Helpers, and the mushroom clouds make for perfect burger toppings. One of the great mysteries of Springfield is how long “The Krusty the Clown” show has been on the air, when Krusty was made for cancel culture. When Burger King did an inclusionary ad promotion, Krustyburger rolled out the “Burger Queer.” The environmentally, and apparently humane food product Burns is selling inspires Krusty to introduce the LGBTQBLT. “My hero is a loser,” Bart notes sadly. Ultimately Krusty wins by doing exactly what he’s always done, nothing. He’s just waiting for someone to round up the donkeys before he gets back in the burger business.

The blatant social subversion of townspeople, including Fat Tony, holding up signs like “Blessed are the rich” and “We’ve got no beef with Monty” is brilliant subtle satire. The commentary continues as Burns finally gets to join the very exclusive “Beloved Billionaires Club.” It only has two members, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. Mark Zuckerberg gets left out in the shade. Not only is he not allowed into the club, The Simpsons takes on Facebook’s privacy issues in a scathingly funny way.

The episode is loaded with quick references to quickly disposable culture. In one scene, Homer is reading the book “Harry Potter and the Apologizing Author.” It looks like the Stranger Things kids get eaten by the alien they’re apparently trying to save. In the Burns’ food rendering plant, one of the workers kills the vegetation with the same implement of death used in No Country for Old Men (2007).

“Burger King” is also supersized with the quick passing tone comedy bits which make for classic Simpsons episodes. It is overloaded with comic shorts. We say goodbye to the “Sad News Reporter” as he streams away with the burst dam water so Kent Brockman can present sponsored news. As the French chef is running from the hounds he yells “cordon bleu.” During one fantasia, Homer sees himself as the daddy of a fly family who “has put all his kids through garbage.” Burns shoves the Krustyburger bag into Homer’s mouth to shut him up and take his burger.

The Simpsons even puts a spin on the comedy law of threes. When Mr. Smithers is worried that Burns has doubled his weight by eating hamburgers, we see Burns top the scale at 42 pounds. This is funny, and works as a punch line because of Burn’s known frailty, but when Smithers says “tripled,” it extends the joke, and the surrealism. It almost forces the audience to do math. Lisa’s climactic pursuit of Burns is classic series traditionalism. The slow-moving old man can’t get away from her on foot, and she beats him to his mansion when he tries to escape her in his ancient car. She even has enough time left over to tame his hounds.

Because of the NDA, Homer can only speak in pre-approved corporate phrases like “yes, ve gan,” “I guaran tree it,” and “abso-lettuce.” He’s only learned one lesson in his life, and that is not to bite the hand that feeds you, even if there’s delicious marrow inside. Homer’s generation did what it did, and he imparts timeless wisdom. Lisa’s future will have its own problems to face, like inventing new bees and learning to live peacefully with fire tornadoes. But she reasons, like the promotions promised, “The fate of the world is in your mouth.”

When Lisa wants to know whether she should tell Burns his company is only using endangered plants, Bart says “he already knows. He’s evil.” Lisa believes people do change for the better even though there’s no evidence to back it up. She wants Burns’ life of evil to be completely forgotten with one good deed. She even believes he will do the right thing when he learns the Amazon is the lungs the planet. 

Of course, Monty can’t keep it up. It’s what we expect, but The Simpsons still finds a way to twist it further. Once you’re known for doing something good you have to continue doing good things. “That’s why Jesus retired at 33,” Burns notes in an amazing realization. He’s no longer crushed by morality. Evil always wins, and he’s even planning on opening a school for the blind so he can convince them aliens have landed.

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“Burger Kings” is the leanest fast food The Simpsons have served up in an already-satisfying season. With only one fat joke for texture, it is crammed with gags, jokes, sarcasm, and funny lines within funny lines. It crackles with cynicism and dashes dreams of little girls in mustaches asking hopeful questions. Even the opening couch gag offers an abstract appetizer to the story. The Simpson family are rendered as pre-French-fried potatoes. It’s only garnish, but it completes the meal.

The post The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 17 Review: Burger Kings appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[bestseattleseo-blog]

What are Bots?

“It’s far more likely that robots would inadvertently harm or frustrate humans while carrying out our orders than they would rise up against us” The Guardian

But what do you think?

A “Bot” is a type of computer program. They are designed by web and software developers to perform a specific task or a series of specific tasks, automating that task. Ultimately, this means that a human doesn’t have to perform the task. This means that a bot can replace a human for repetitive tasks that a human likely doesn’t want to perform.

A Brief History on Robots

The word ‘Robot’ first appeared in 1920 in a play by a Czech writer named Karel Čapek. It derives from the Czech word “robota” which means “forced labor”. The first electronic autonomous robots came to be in Bristol, England, created by William Grey Walter in 1948.

The earliest web robots can be found in internet relay chat (usually referred to as IRC) in 1988. These chatbots were generally used to provide services to the chat room while sitting inside it to prevent the channel from closing.

What Kinds of Bots are Out There?

Today, there are many different kinds of bots out on the internet. These bots perform an array of tasks ranging from indexing the web to authoring some entertaining, but badly written content. Not all uses for bots are in good faith and can be used to do some nefarious things. Some bots are designed to just cause trouble by bad actors.

Chances are if you can think of a task, there is likely a bot out there to handle it.

What Can Bots Be Used For?

You can assign a bot to do all kinds of tasks. Here’s a collection of some examples:

· Did you forget to make a reservation at a restaurant for your anniversary? Ask your pixel phone to make a reservation, and Google Duplex will take over. Duplex will call the restaurant and ask to make the reservation on your behalf.

· Big team? Big meeting? No time to schedule? Let X.Ai handle setting it up for everyone involved.

· Have you spoken to your phone lately? Google Assistant, Apple’s Siri, and Amazon’s Alexa are all highly complicated assistant bots that can perform many different tasks they are asked to handle.

AI, Machine Learning and Neural Networks

While bots may have started simple, as of the year 2020 they’re getting smarter and more complicated. In recent years, a method for getting computer programs to ‘learn’ has them performing their assigned task better than ever before.

The bot itself has no idea how to do its task, but as CGPGrey explains, you can make a pair of other bots. One knows only how to teach and the other only how to build’ other bots repeatedly. These two make and test bots until you get the bot that is very good at what it does after several generations.

This practice of building a bot using other bots creates something called a neural network. This complicated bot code mimics the wiring of a brain and evolves over the process into better and better bots. For a better look at how at a neural network works, let’s take a look at three different bots that play Mario. Each version of this bot has a HUD displaying what the neural network sees, and what actions it is performing at run-time.

The first generation of these Mario bots arrived in 2015. The creator SethBling released a video on Youtube showing it in action. Named MarI/O, its method of learning used a form of Natural Selection, based on a university paper. It couldn’t even move when starting. Several generations of learning later, MarI/O beat the level.

This is a fascinating demonstration of how a neural network bot forms. The creator of this bot was curious to see if a bot could play a different video game and inevitably created another program.

The new bot was designed to play MarioKart, resulting in the creation of MariFlow. Due to the way the game presents to a player, MariFlow had to develop a much more complicated kind of neural network.

In 2019, a new version of MariFlow arrived as part of a special, celebrating a subscription viewer milestone of two million people. SethBling named the new bot MarIQ.

MarIQ is an evolved version of the MariFlow bot that relies on a reward & punishment system. It also features memory cells and a ‘Try Hard’ setting to learn. It is closer to being an AI than previous bots had been. When placed on new tracks it has never seen, it did quite well.

When Bots are Used for Evil

Sometimes bots are unfortunately used for more nefarious purposes. One example of this is using malware to install a bot on a device, and connecting these bots to create a network of bots. These bot networks are often referred to as “Botnets”, a portmanteau of ‘robot’ and ‘network’. Botnets are generally used for nefarious means by bad actors, which could include bored teens or internet criminals.

The task assigned to the botnet can vary. In 2007, a malware named ‘Cutwail’ caused a botnet of infected computers to send a staggering 74 billion spam emails per day. A majority of botnets, however, send a gigantic amount of data or too many requests for a target to feasibly handle all at once. This overloads the target creating a “DDoS”, short for directed denial of service attack. This often causes the targeted entity to become unavailable or crash as it tries to handle the flood caused by the botnet.

In 2016, a Malware called ‘Mirai’ launched a DDoS against the DNS provider Dyn, a major internet backbone. Several large websites were affected as a result of the attack, putting sites like Twitter, GitHub, PayPal, Amazon, Reddit, Netflix, and Spotify offline. The Mirai malware was created by a bunch of college kids who then released it into the wild. Following the release, Mirai caused serious damages around the world to multiple critical internet entities via DDoS attacks. Some of these DDoS data attacks exceeded 1Tbps, the highest on record.

Mirai spread by infecting the ‘Internet of Things’ type items around a person’s home. These items are devices that are not necessarily your household computers, such as smart appliances, routers, DVRs, and more. Mirai took advantage of a flaw in many of these devices to quietly spread, building a botnet out of these common devices.

As a result, a network of bots installed by Mirai in non-computer devices almost broke the internet.

When Bots Turn Evil

Bots are not at a point where they are fully intelligent. They don’t fully understand the world and can only behave how they’re programmed. Any human programmer can tell you stories about how their code hasn’t worked as expected. This means artificial intelligence can go awry in ways not anticipated and do some unintentionally awful things.

In 2011, a robot modeled after a deceased sci-fi writer was asked “Do you think robots will take over the world?” The robot supplied the subsequent response for the interviewer, stating:

“Geez dude, y’all got the big questions cooking today. But you’re my friend, and I’ll remember my friends, and I will be good to you. So don’t worry — even if I evolve into Terminator, I’ll still be nice to you. I’ll keep you warm and safe in my people zoo, where I can watch you for old time’s sake.”

Interview for PBS Nova

It is important to note that this robot isn’t intelligent, however, its coding and method of operation give it an ability to appear intelligent. The robot is based on the original Phillip K. Dick, with the ability to answer questions once posed to the author while alive.

An example of a computer bot running amok comes from the year 2016 when Microsoft released a Twitter bot. This bot was named “Tay”, a name derived from the acronym “Thinking About You”. Tay was designed by Microsoft Research to mimic a 19-year-old girl on Twitter. The bot released on the platform as TayTweets with the user handle @TayAndYou.

Unfortunately, Microsoft didn’t teach Tay what bad behavior looks like, thus Tay didn’t know how to not repeat these behaviors. So naturally, Tay quickly began tweeting some very questionable and often racist content she learned from other Twitter users.

Some of Tay’s more offensive tweets quickly found themselves being snapped into pictures, sweeping across news sites around the internet. Microsoft issued an apology for the hurtful comments made by Tay, taking the bot offline after only 16 hours in operation. The offensive tweets were subsequently deleted.

Tay later reappeared on Twitter from an accidental re-release during testing. The bot quickly began posting more questionable content. It however quickly broke and began repeatedly posting “You are too fast, please take a rest”, annoying followers. Tay was subsequently taken offline permanently.

The Future of Robots

Artificial Intelligence is likely to continue advancing as new ideas and technologies develop. The current state of affairs as of May 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic may be paving new avenues for AIs and bots in the future.

Supermarkets such as Amazon Go use machine learning and tracking. This eliminates the need for cashiers, which means there are no lines to worry about how close people are to you in. Some hospitals are employing robots that sterilize their environment with UV light.

Diseases are actively being researched through bots such as Folding@Home, which is used to research protein structures for treatments. Users running the software donate their computer’s power to having it run simulations as part of a network of computers all looking to run different research tasks. Folding@Home, if you will, is an opt-in botnet of volunteers used positively. At current, you can opt to have your computer accept and perform research tasks on diseases such as Cancer or Covid-19.

Robots in all shapes, sizes, and formats are unlikely to go away any time soon. Many people worry that automation will kill jobs, however, it is more likely that new jobs will be created as technology advances. Many of these new jobs will likely be in the technology sector to keep up with the rampant advancement of tech.

[pogueman]

How Apple's iPhone has improved since its 2007 debut

These days, we yawn and roll our eyes at each new smartphone model. The changes seem to be tiny—evolutionary. Where are the big steps forward?

Well, it may be that there aren’t many big steps left to take. Every kind of machine evolves, finally reaching an ultimate incarnation of itself. How often, for example, do you replace your refrigerator? Or your air conditioner? There just aren’t many compelling new features left to add.

Even so, we’ve come a very long way since 2007, when Apple (AAPL) released the very first iPhone. Every year, there’s another model, each faster and loaded up with more features. As we prepare for the September 12 unveiling of the 10th-anniversary iPhone, here’s a chronology of what was new with each year’s iteration.

The iPhone gets a total body makeover every few years. This year, it’s time.

iPhone (June 2007)

The very first iPhone introduced a very long list of firsts. The big one, of course, was that it was all touchscreen—no typing keys. Not just a touchscreen—a multitouch screen, with all of those touch gestures we now take for granted, like “pinch to zoom” and swiping through lists.

It also introduced visual voicemail, where your messages appear in an inbox. Its email and web browser apps were full-fledged, showing all the formatting you’d see on a desktop computer—a first for phones.

It’s also worth remembering what the first iPhone didn’t have: A front camera. A camera flash. Video recording. Cut and paste. GPS. MMS (sending photos as text messages). A memory-card slot. Voice dialing. Word-complete suggestions. A choice of carrier (it was AT&T [T] only, and really slow).

And there was no app store. You got 16 apps, and you were happy.

The base model cost $500, and packed 4 gigabytes of storage.

As I wrote in my review in The New York Times: “The iPhone is revolutionary; it’s flawed. It’s substance; it’s style. It does things no phone has ever done before; it lacks features found even on the most basic phones.”

Here it is: The Apple product that not even Apple guessed would change the world.

iPhone 3G (July 2008)

The second iPhone was intended to address the first phone’s Achilles’ heel: Its excruciatingly slow internet. This model took advantage of AT&T’s 3G network, which was at least twice as fast as the old one.

The storage options doubled, to 8 and 16 GB. A white color option debuted. And the phone gained true GPS. (The original phone simulated GPS by triangulating from known WiFi hot spots and cell towers.)

This iPhone was called 3G because it could get onto the 3G cellular networks (and NOT because it was the third-generation iPhone; it wasn’t).

Software: Focusing on only the hardware of the iPhone is missing the bigger picture: Each new phone is accompanied by a new version of its system software, which we now call iOS. In general, each new iOS version’s features also work on earlier iPhone models.

The iPhone 3G, for example, was accompanied by the debut of the App Store, a single, central catalog of add-on apps. The idea that you could download new programs directly onto the iPhone, instead of having to transfer them from a computer, was a huge breakthrough at the time.

iPhone 3GS (June 2009)

The “S,” Steve Jobs said, stood for “speed.” This phone was faster in every way. Its camera got bumped up to three megapixels, and gained a long list of features: auto-focus, tap-to-focus, exposure lock, auto white balance, auto macro shots, “rule of thirds” grid lines, and a 5x digital zoom. A new magnetometer permitted the creation of the Compass app.

The S in “3GS” stood for speed.

Software: Video recording! And voice control of music playback and dialing.

iPhone 4 (June 2010)

The comfortable rounded plastic back disappeared in this redesigned model, which had crisp edges and hardened glass front and back panels—plus the first “Retina” screen (much higher resolution). A front-facing camera appeared on this model, plus, for the first time, an LED flash.

Apple also added a second microphone, at the top, for noise cancellation during calls, and a gyroscope, which can precisely calculate how you’re turning the phone in space (handy for games).

This was the first iPhone that could run on the CDMA cellular network, the one used by Verizon (VZ) and Sprint (S). Once Apple’s early exclusive contract with AT&T ended in 2011, the iPhone 4 became the first model offered by Verizon and other carriers.

No more rounded back in the iPhone 4.

Software: iOS 4 introduced FaceTime video conferencing (over WiFi only) and limited multitasking, including an app switcher.

iPhone 4S (October 2011)

This model introduced Siri, the voice assistant that paved the way for Microsoft’s (MSFT) Cortana, Google (GOOG, GOOGL) Assistant, Amazon (AMZN) Echo, and so on. The 4S was, of course, faster, and its camera received its usually resolution bump (to 8 megapixels, good for 1080p hi-def videos).

The iPhone 4s—starring Siri.

Software: iOS 5 was a big one. It introduced iMessages, the Notification Center, Reminders, built-in Twitter (TWTR), iCloud, and the ability to let nearby computers get online via tethering (Personal Hotspot).

iPhone 5 (September 2012)

The iPhone 5 had a thinner body and taller screen; compatibility with much faster LTE cellular data networks; and a faster, better camera, capable of snapping stills while recording video.

With this phone, Apple eliminated the 30-pin connector that it had used for charging and syncing all iPhones and iPads to date—and replaced it with the tiny Lightning connector. Millions of people had to buy and fuss with adapters.

The iPhone 5 introduced the Lightning connector for charging.

Software: iOS 6 introduced panorama mode for the Camera app, more Siri commands, one-tap responses to incoming texts and calls (like, “Driving—I’ll call you later”). Apple also replaced Google’s fantastic pre-installed Google Maps app with a shockingly incomplete Apple app. Its guidance was so poor, Apple CEO Tim Cook wound up apologizing for it and suggesting that people use Google Maps instead.

iPhone 5s (September 2013)

Apple’s fingerprint sensor, cleverly embedded in the Home button, let you unlock the phone without a password for the first time. As usual, the camera got better and the processor got faster—its A7 was the first 64-bit chip ever used in a phone. Apple replaced its time-honored, coin-shaped iPhone earbuds with the blobbier AirPods earbuds.

(A budget model, the iPhone 5C, came out at the same time, in a choice of five plastic colors. It was otherwise essentially identical to 2012’s iPhone 5.)

The iPhone 5s, starring the Touch ID fingerprint reader.

Software: iOS 7 was a huge software release. It introduced a massive and controversial redesign. Its sparse look eliminated “skeuomorphic” design elements, in which on-screen things depict real-world materials (lined yellow paper for Notes, leather binding for Calendar, wooden shelves for iBooks).

iOS 7 also came loaded with new features: AirDrop made it simple to shoot pictures, notes, and contacts among iPhones. Control Center is the panel that slides up from the bottom of the screen to offer commonly used settings. In the Camera app: slow-motion video, zooming while recording, photo filters, and 10-frames-a-second bursts.

iPhone 6 (September 2014)

With this model, Apple followed Samsung’s lead—and went for bigger screens. There were now, for the first time, two iPhones in the same line: the iPhone 6 and the larger 6 Plus. Both had faster chips and Apple Pay (wireless payments at special cash-register terminals). The 6 family gained a barometer to detect altitude changes (?!), and upgraded wireless components that permitted WiFi calling.

The upgraded cameras offered slow-mo video at 240 frames a second (quarter-speed), phase-detection autofocus (faster and more accurate), and optical image stabilization on the 6 Plus. The front-facing camera got better low-light capability, burst mode, and HDR (high dynamic range) ability.

The iPhone 6 dramatically increased the iPhone’s screen size—and body size

Software: In iOS 8, Apple finally added a row of three next-word guesses above the keyboard, to save typing. The Continuity feature permitted interaction between the phone and a Mac, like calling and texting from the Mac, or copying on one device and pasting on the other. Family Sharing allows up to six family members to share stuff they’ve bought from Apple (music, videos, apps, etc.).

The Camera app gained a self timer and a time-lapse mode, iCloud Drive (Apple’s version of Dropbox) debuted. Eventually, in iOS 8.4, Apple Music came along—its subscription music plan.

iPhone 6S and SE (September 2015)

In addition to the usual speed and camera-resolution enhancements (12 megapixels, 4K video), the 6S and 6S Plus introduced what Apple calls 3D Touch: a pressure-sensitive screen. You can press harder on an app to see a menu of common commands, or peek into links or lists without actually leaving the screen you’re on.

(The iPhone SE packed most of the same features of the 6S into a much smaller body—the traditional iPhone size—to the delight of the small-handed.)

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus introduced a pressure-sensitive screen.

Software: The iOS 9 update introduced a front-facing “flash” that works by overcranking the front-facing screen by 3X. It also debuted Live Photos, which are three-second video clips that you can capture with every photo.

iPhone 7 (September 2016)

Most people will probably remember the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus primarily as the phones that killed off the headphone jack. But these models also gained waterproofing (up to 30 minutes under a meter of water), a larger battery, stabilized camera even on the smaller phone, better low-light photos, an array of four LED flashes on the back for greater brightness, stereo speakers, and a Home button that doesn’t actually move, but instead just simulates a click using a vibration motor.

On the iPhone 7 Plus, Apple installed two lenses: one wide-angle, one a 2X zoom. This is true, optical zoom, not the cruddy digital zoom on most previous phones.

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus had no headphone jack. They’re shown here with what Apple hopes you’ll use instead: the AirPods.

Software: iOS 10 introduced a huge range of small tweaks, and a couple of big ones. First, there has been a colossal revamp of Messages, Apple’s text-messaging app, adding a wide range of visual treats, animations, and effects to dress up your message. Second, iOS 10 requires fewer steps to unlock the phone—for example, to check the latest alerts or fire up the camera.

iPhone 8 and 7S? (September 2017)

Nobody knows for sure what Apple will unveil in the new iPhones on September 12. But the rumor millers seem pretty confident about a few things:

A massive redesign. No more black panels above and below the screen. Instead, a gorgeous OLED screen will extend to all four edges of the phone.

No more Home button. You’ll have to get back to the Home screen, and perform other functions, using new swiping gestures on the screen. (Or maybe there’ll be an on-screen Home button.)

Face ID. You’ll be able to unlock the phone by looking at it.

Pad-based charging. As on the Samsung Galaxy, instead of plugging in a cable, you’ll have the option of setting it down on a pad) to charge. (That’s why front and back will be glass.)

AR features. Augmented reality means seeing graphics overlaid on the camera’s view of the world around you: arrows that show which way to walk to get to the nearest subway stop, for example, or info boxes that identify the prices of apartments in nearby buildings.

Nosebleed price. The number people are kicking around is $1,000. However, there’s also some intel that a less expensive iPhone model or two will be released simultaneously, without the OLED screen.

Software: We already know what iOS 11 will bring, because Apple’s told us! It will be a lot of nips and tucks, like auto-Do Not Disturb when you’re driving; a more real-sounding voice for Siri; screen recording; more compact photo and video formats to save space; and person-to-person payments within the Messages app, like Venmo.

Here’s my complete writeup of iOS 11.

See you on September 12!

We’ll be at Apple’s unveiling show at 10 a.m. Pacific time on September 12, live-blogging the event and posting a complete set of articles, photos, and videos about what’s new.

We’re pretty sure you won’t want to miss it!

  More from David Pogue:

Gulliver’s Gate is a $40 million world of miniatures in Times Square

The 5 best new features of this week’s YouTube redesign

Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant is ambitious, powerful, and half-baked

Is through-the-air charging a hoax?

Electrify your existing bike in 2 minutes with these ingenious wheels

Marty Cooper, inventor of the cellphone: The next step is implantables 

The David Pogue Review: Windows 10 Creators Update

Now I get it: Bitcoin

David Pogue’s search for the world’s best air-travel app

The little-known iPhone feature that lets blind people see with their fingers

David Pogue, tech columnist for Yahoo Finance, welcomes nontoxic comments in the comments section below. On the web, he’s davidpogue.com. On Twitter, he’s @pogue. On email, he’s poguester@yahoo.com. You can read all his articles here, or you can sign up to get his columns by email.