#so i just gotta work on the main body more. study! study! study!!

[despair-tea]

okay, I did two 20min sessions just drilling the Fortune BnB.

22x + 31x. Phewwwwwwww. We're starting to get there. Now I'm gonna need to start practicing on live dummies.

[viasdiary]

☆ jerk with benefits (luigi mangione x reader)

☆ word count: 1.8k

☆ warnings: unprotected sex, smut, hate-sex dynamic

☆ conceited frat luigi clashes with a stubborn main character, but they have insane sexual chemistry.

you’d been hooking up with luigi for a few weeks now, and honestly, the more time you spent with him, the more he got under your skin. his smug smirk, his stupid one-liners—everything about him was insufferable. you couldn’t stand luigi mangione. but, god, the sex? that was the only thing that made it even remotely worth it.

it had been one of those days. everyone was getting on your nerves, you had so much fucking work to do, and quite frankly you didnt have it in you to do much of anything.

even though you were at your wits end, you still found yourself outside luigi's chapter house, your hands tucked in the pockets of your navy blue sweats. if this was what it took to relieve your stress, then so be it.

you walk up to the door and knock a couple times.

luigi answers the door and the warm afternoon light highlights the curls in his dark hair. his broad chest is on display as he stands shirtless, his grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips, revealing the elastic band of his boxers.

a wide conceited grin spreads across his face as he studies you.

“just couldn't get enough of me, huh?” he teases.

“can i come in? it's fucking freezing.” you reply, unamused.

he moves out of your way as you push past him into the house.

the usual beer cans and pizza boxes are scattered in the kitchen. he walks behind you as you find your way to his room down the hall.

you enter luigi's room, the familiar scent of his cologne hitting your nose. without a word, you turn to face him, your eyes meeting his dark, intense gaze. the tension between you is palpable, a mix of contempt and visceral attraction.

luigi closes the door behind him as you take a seat on the bed, that infuriating smirk still plastered on his face. he sits next to you, placing his hand on your thigh.

"rough day?" he asks, his voice still as smug as ever.

you roll your eyes, not in the mood for his stupid small talk.

"shut up." you reply, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling him close.

his lips press into yours, hungry and demanding. your fingers tangle in his curls as his large hands roam your body, slipping under your sweater to caress your skin, feeling your bare waist.

the kiss deepens, and you feel the stress of the day melting away. you part your lips as you pull away and whisper

“y’know, you’re so nice when you’re not fucking talking.”

luigi chuckles against your lips, his breath hot on your skin.

"and you're so much nicer when you’re not complaining," he retorts, his hands sliding down to grip your hips firmly.

you bite back a moan as he trails kisses along your jawline, down to the sensitive spot on your neck. your fingers tighten in his hair, tugging slightly as he nips at your skin. you’d been craving this all day. as much as you couldn’t stand him, the feeling of his body against yours, your lips interlocked, it all just felt so right.

your hands roam over his broad shoulders and down his muscular back as luigi's lips continue their assault on your neck. you can feel the heat building between you, your body responding to his touch despite your best efforts to resist.

"god, i fuckin' hate you," you mutter, even as you tilt your head to give him better access.

luigi chuckles against your skin, the vibration sending shivers down your spine.

"feeling's mutual, sweetheart," he murmurs, his hands sliding under your sweater to caress your bare skin.

in one swift motion, he pulls your sweater over your head, tossing it carelessly to the floor. his eyes rake over your body, that cocky smirk still playing on his lips.

"but i gotta say, you look so good like this."

you roll your eyes, grabbing his face and pulling him in for another agressive kiss. your teeth clash as you kiss him roughly, pouring all your frustration and desire into it. luigi responds with equal fervor, his hands roaming your body, traveling between your shoulders and unhooking your bra, letting it fall onto the bed.

you push him down onto the bed, straddling his hips as you break the kiss. looking down at him, you can't help but admire how good he looks - his curls mussed, lips swollen, eyes dark with lust.

"shut up and fuck me already," you say impatiently, grinding down against him.

luigi's hands grip your waist tightly, his hips bucking up to meet yours.

"so demanding," he teases, but there's a strain in his voice that betrays his own need.

in one fluid motion, he flips you over, pinning you beneath him. his weight presses you into the mattress as

his lips crash into yours once more, hungry and insistent. his hands roam your body, caressing and teasing as he grinds against you. the friction sends waves of pleasure through you, making you arch into him.

luigi's mouth trails down your neck, nipping and sucking at your sensitive skin. you know he's leaving marks, but you're too far gone to care. his lips move lower, kissing along your collarbone and down to your breasts. when his mouth closes around your nipple, you can't hold back the moan that escapes you.

"fuck, luigi," you gasp, your fingers tangling in his curls.

you feel him smirk against your skin before he switches to your other breast, lavishing it with the same attention. his hand slides down your stomach, dipping beneath the waistband of your sweats. when his fingers brush against your sensitive core, you gasp and arch into his touch. luigi groans against your skin, feeling how ready you are for him.

"so wet for me already," he murmurs, his voice low and gentle. "and you say you hate me."

you tug sharply on his hair in retaliation, eliciting a groan from him.

"i already told you- just fuck me already," you demand breathlessly.

luigi doesn't need to be told twice. he hooks his fingers into the waistband of your sweats and underwear, pulling them down in one swift motion. as you kick them off, he begins to remove his own sweatpants, his erection springing free.

he settles back between your legs, teasing your wet cunt with the tip of his cock. you wrap your legs around his waist, trying to pull him closer, but he resists.

"tell me how much you fuckin' want me, how much you need me” luigi breathes against your ear, his voice husky with desire.

you groan in frustration, digging your nails into his back.

"fuck you," you spit out, even as your hips move upwards, seeking friction.

he chuckles darkly. "that's the idea, amore. but i wanna hear you say it."

his teasing is maddening, the tip of his cock sliding through your wet folds but never quite entering you. you're so wound up, so desperate for release, that you're willing to swallow your pride - just this once.

"fine," you sigh, your voice thick with need. "i want you. i need you inside me right fucking now. happy?"

luigi's smirk widens. "ecstatic," he taunts, and in one smooth thrust, he buries himself deep inside you.

you both groan at the sensation, your walls stretching to accommodate his size. he stills for a moment, allowing you to adjust, his forehead resting against yours. then he starts to move, setting a relentless pace that has you gasping and clawing at his muscular back.

the room fills with the lewd sound of skin slapping against skin, punctuated by your moans and luigi's grunts. he angles his hips, hitting that spot inside you that makes you see stars. your legs tighten around his waist, pulling him deeper with each thrust.

"fuck, you feel so good baby," luigi groans against your neck, his breath hot on your skin. his pace quickens, each thrust driving you closer to the edge.

you're lost in the sensations - the fullness of him inside you, the friction of his body against yours, the intoxicating scent of his cologne mixed with sweat. as much as you hate to admit it, no one else has ever made you feel this good. him stretching you open like this is hard to manage.

“luigi, it‘s too much,” you whine, feeling him deep inside you. but even as you say it, your body betrays you, arching into him, craving more.

he exhales heavily, his lips brushing your ear.

"i don’t fuckin' care." his hips snap forward, driving into you harder. "i think you can take more, amore. i think you want more."

you bite back a moan, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. but god, he feels so good inside you, filling you completely. your nails dig into his back as you feel the tension building inside you, that familiar coil of pleasure tightening in your core.

luigi's hand snakes between your bodies, his fingers finding your clit and rubbing tight circles. he has you gasping, your hips moving wildly against him as you cry out his name desperately.

"i thought you wanted this, baby. thought you needed me to fuck you."

his words, combined with the torturously slow drag of his cock inside you, make you whimper. you're so close, teetering on the edge of pleasure so intense it's almost painful.

"i do," you gasp, your nails digging into his shoulders. "don't stop. please, luigi, i'm so close."

he continues relentlessly, picking up the pace once more, his fingers still roughly moving against your clit. the added stimulation has you arching off the bed, a cry of pleasure ripping from your throat.

"that's it," luigi encourages, his voice strained with his own approaching climax. "cum for me, amore. let me feel you."

his words push you over the edge. your orgasm crashes over you in waves of intense pleasure, your body shuddering beneath him as you cry out his name. your walls clench around him, pulling him deeper.

luigi groans, his hips moving erratically as your climax triggers his own. he buries himself to the hilt inside you, his cock pulsing as he finishes. you feel the warmth of his release filling you, prolonging your own pleasure.

for a moment, you both lie there, panting and intertwined. luigi's weight presses you into the mattress, his face buried in the crook of your neck. you can feel his heart racing against your chest, matching your own rapid heartbeat.

finally, luigi lifts his head, meeting your gaze with that stupid smirk of his.

"still hate me?"

[cripplecharacters]

Hello! I have a question about characters with a facial difference and animal attributes (like, Kemonos).

A story I'm planning has the protagonists coming from our world to one with magic, where the magic usually shows on your body, like someone with light magic having glowing hair and stuff like that.

One of the characters has strabismus. In my original idea, she was going to be an animal shapeshifter, since she studies zoology and likes improv theater; her visual cue would be being a mix and match kemono (like, a rabbit ear, a dog ear, and a lion tail, or something like that). She'd keep the strabismus in all forms.

But I think while scrolling the blog I saw something about disabled people/people with FDs often being likened to animals, so now I'm worried that it might fall into that trope, though it wasn't intended. There will be other characters with FDs who aren't Kemonos (including another main character), and there's other kemonos and characters with animal-based magic who don't have a FD, but if it falls into an uncomfortable trope, I can come up with another magic for her and give the shapeshifting to someone else.

Thank you all so much for all the hard work you're doing on this blog, by the way!

Hey!

This sounds fine to me, mostly because of a few things:

she isn't originally an animal, and even then only has animalistic attributes;

she chooses to transform into an animal, and the decision is related to her passion rather than “all characters get innate magic and the visibly disabled one just 'happens' to be the sole animalistic one”;

ears and tails are almost* always fair game IMO;

there are other characters with facial differences who aren't associated with animals;

there are other characters without facial differences who are associated with animals.

*- things that are exceptions to that (for future reference if anyone wants it): - rabbit features + cleft lip; - cow features + vitiligo; - rat anything + anything, I actually like rats a lot but as an animal they gotta stay away from being associated from like 99% of minorities' representation; - “funny animal” + strabismus/drooling/skull conditions, as a rule of thumb: if the character looks like a wojak it's time to stop.

So yeah, I don't see anything wrong with it. It sounds pretty cool.

I'm usually not a fan of animalistic characters with facial differences (unless we are talking about a story where everyone is an animal, that's a completely different thing) because I, and quite a lot of people I know, have been compared to them as part of bullying or a microaggression. For me personally, it was both by people who were intentionally trying to harass me, as well as genuinely well-meaning people who just didn't consider that maybe telling someone his face reminds them of a dog's one is kinda fucked up.

The reason I don't think that's what's going on here is that you seem to be aware of the trope's existence and try to avoid it, along with giving your character actual agency. The magic giving her animal features isn't because of her disability (which is clear based on the fact that there are other characters with one but not the other trait), it's because she as a character likes animals!

I will also say that I'm not really against all kinds of animal-related magic when it comes to characters with facial differences. If there was a Disney princess with septicemia scarring on her whole body who talks with deer, it would go hard as hell. But the 99.9% of animal-related characters with FD I see are more akin to “scary scarred man is likened to a [predatory animal] because he's so scary and has scars, also he's drawn in a collar and half his dialogue tags are animalistic”, thus the blanket “no animal people with FDs please” statement you saw on some of my previous posts.

Hope this helps and explains my reasoning. Good luck with your writing,

mod Sasza

[astroyongie]

Sooo Here I am with another astrology ask cuz I just love the way you explain it it makes it so easy😭🫶🏽

So I saw it’s gonna be Venus it retrograde. And I just don’t understand what this means… is it like Mercury or better? And what about shadow everyone is saying is it basically and extend of retrograde?

It really depends on where in your current house Venus is going to hit! Venus will get into Aries and Pisces during their retrograde so you gotta see in your chart which houses these two signs are. based on that you can then find where the energy gonna impact the most.

-> 4th house, 5th house, 7th house, 11th house: Impacts Love and Relationships

There's the possibility of old lovers coming back to your life or unresolved relationship (platonic or romantic) wounds might resurface once again or these people might come back to either do more wounds or try to heal.

huge possibilities for breakups between couples, arguments, time outs, cheating and temptation but also in some cases deep transformations in partnerships which can potentially result in marriage

Its also a time where you can have more clarity on whether a relationship is aligned with your values or if it's going to work or not in the long term

The planet and the energy also helps exposing unhealthy patterns in love relationships such as codependency, lack of self worth and insecurities you might have, avoidance, etc.).

-> 3rd house, 8th house, 12th house: Impacts Self Worth and Inner Healing (Health)

It's a period where the person will go through a lot of brainstorming and often ask themselves a lot of questions and be in doubt about their own values and realizing if they are settling for less then what they deserve

Many also go through huge shift in how you see yourself (depending on other placements it bring either positivity or negativity), so it can lead to self love breakthroughs or to negative impact on your self esteem and on your mental health

In some cases this energy of retrograde also helps releasing outdated beliefs around love and attraction, allows someone to be more open and to see new experiences with others

-> 1st house, 6th house: Impacts Beauty and Aesthetic Changes

In this period you should avoid major beauty changes (drastic haircuts, plastic surgery, tattoos) as you might regret them post retrograde once the energy shifts again. or they can also not go as planed. This goes for everyone who wants to do something drastic to their bodies

it can also help redefining what beauty means to you on a deeper level, and again depending on some placements this can have positive outcomes like peak of self esteem, or negative outcomes like feeling not beauty standard enough

-> 2nd house, 9th house, 10th house: Impacts Money and Finances (also Studies)

This is mostly a time for people to reassessing spending habits and financial priorities. They need to be more careful with their money and how they manage it so they don't get in difficult disputations. People who study shouldn't make drastic changes in their cursus

In some cases it shows also old debts or financial issues that may need attention. financial difficulties can also be a main topic as for studies it can reveal poor outcome in your academics

Not the best time for big purchases (luxury items, investments). Retrograde doesn't particularly gives luck in that aspect. stay save and stay put

[navyhealthyglow]

glow up diaries no.3 - life update, december plans

Hello loves!!

Ahh it's so good to finally be posting here! I had such a crazy week I didn't have time to even plan any content here. Before we'll get to my plans for december and goals for the next week, here's a little life update:

I had my dancing debut! Last weekendI I attended my first show, and it was the first time in 7 years since I've been on a stage. I used to dance as a kid, but I quit after I turned 10. It was such a crazy weekend, but I was so grateful to be performing you wouldn't believe it. Cannot wait for the next show<3

Finished all my exams and officially started holidays. Friday I had my spanish exam, which was the last of my exams for my 3rd year of highschool (oops you can guess my age now). Nevertheless, I am glad it's over, I have a 6.0 GPA which is like a max in every subject, gotta love homeschooling. However there were some complications and I almost would have to finish in march, gladly I found an examiner just in time.

Lots of studying. Aside from passing my exams I studied a lot this week. Three days ago I took my test geography final, but to my surprise it wasn't as bad as I'd expect it. Also I finally downloaded my japanese textbook, so I can't wait to start learning again

Apart from all the things that happend I also had some work to take care of, I extended my library deadline (I still hadn't finished these 2 books) AND someone who I didn't expect to reached out to me, although it won't go anywhere it did made me excited. The con is that now it'll take me at least a week to get over it.

That's the end of the updates, now let's go over my goals for December and for the upcoming week.

DECEMBER GOALS:

Recently I had trouble sticking to my habits. I spent too much time on my phone, slept in, didn't care what I was putting into my body and went to bed late late late. That's why my main goal for december is to quit these habits, and stick to healthy ones that make me feel good. Second thingI want to focus on is to read more. I extended my library deadline, so I am looking forward to finishing No Longer Humand and Crime and Punishment in the next week. Also, I want to read The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Plague by Albert Camus (can you tell i'm into classics?) Last but not least, for me december is all about selfcare. I created a selfcare calendar with things to do each day. I am planning to take care of myself, and focus on improving my mindset towards a more positive one.

THIS WEEKS GOALS:

prioritize sleep cause I hadn't been sleeping well lately

no phone 30 minutes before bed and after waking up

finish No longer human for good this time and read at least 50 pages of Crime and Punishment

post more cause I miss u guys 💙

Oki doki, that's it for today. I am going to write another post for this week now, and you guys have a great evening/day/night. Love you foreva<3

Find me here: 🤍💿

#navyhealthyglow - all my og content #navyhealthytips - glow up tips #navyhealthyjourney - my glow up journey

[mayfay-analysis]

Danny's Medical Complications

Or: I had an idea and it won’t leave (and unfortunately I can’t do dialogue to save my life)

It started simple enough, a quick visit to Frostbite for a general checkup. And then it kept going. New machines, techniques, people, and an increasingly worried yeti was starting to freak Danny out a bit. Eventually it all went away and Frostbite set him down for A Talk.

See, Halfas are hella rare for a reason. The conditions needed to form them are really rare yes, but they aren’t the Main problem. No the main issue is the Disparity. Ghosts are beings of emotions, sufficient stress, emotional/mental harm, lack of ecto, and more can all lead to death. And Halfas crank that up to 11. They have a human side to take care of that’s constantly changing and growing, a higher ecto requirement to fuel their higher base strength, and a myriad of other minor complications that haven’t been properly studied cause Halfas are rarely found and usually don’t form ghosts on death

Say what

What do you mean “don’t form a ghost” they’re already half way there!

And there lies the problem, they’re halfway there. Ghosts are pretty static. they might change yes, but it’s usually due to major events or over the course of eons. And how do they decide on what they’re gonna be? By dying of course! Once the body dies its ghost is formed based on the current life situation and they move on. Simple, quick, easy. No complications here no siree!

Enter Halfas

They already died, and while infant ghosts and experience some major changes as they settle it’s nothing to the degree humans do. And as time passes the static ghost half and changing human half can drift, wobbling on that line between life and death. And once it gets to extreme? They fall. If the ghost half starves or dies the human half experiences Major health complications, leading to death shortly after. If the human side dies they try to form a ghost using all the ambient ecto the ghost side has been feeding on, leading to the ghosts death in most cases but if not they’re practically two different beings and fusing them will kill both anyways.

Good news though! With all the combat and rediculously high ecto levels Danny was exposed to to form his other half, his ghost side has stayed pretty adaptable! The other ghosts didn’t realize they were fighting a literal infant thanks to the high ecto levels he had (and the knowledgeable ones that Did had other reasonings the meant a little smack down they totally wouldn’t lose was an acceptable trade off for them). Horrifying, he will spend the next century finding all sorts of animal pelts, boxes, music tracks, etc landing on him in the middle of the night. But it has a silver lining! Thanks to not being allowed to settle Danny can still shape his ghost form to a degree. And Clockwork, brilliant old man that he is, has an Idea on how to fix this.

Great! Lay it on him Clockwork! What’s he gotta do? Get de-aged and die? Ha Ha! You sure know how to make a good joke old man-child, now what’s the real way?

Oh

Oh no

Danny Can form a ghost on death, but it’ll require dying while as mentally and physically similar to how he was when the portal closed. Problem there, he’s changed. He’s changed a Good Bit. Luckily Clockwork can handle the physical aspect but Desiree needs some extra time for her end. See, she Can change brain chemistry and whatnot, but it takes time to become permanent. A quick fix like her usual work is fragile (lies, it’s still stupidly powerful but forming a ghost relies on the persons deepest core, and that takes time to settle in to Desiree’s magic). So they just have to de-age Danny to an appropriate age where once he hits around the age he was when the portal closed Desiree’s magic will have settled, molding his personality/core to as close as they can be.

And then he has to die.

Doesn’t have to be as extreme as the portal incident was (in fact new factors like major doses of ecto would be a Very bad idea, his malleable ghost side is already pushing the limits with the minor variation he’ll already have) but it Does need to be in an area with high levels of ambient ecto, preferably his new hometown to match his current life’s lack of geographic movement.

He’ll also need to have his ghost half locked away to a degree. He’ll still need to be liminal of course, that long term exposure to ecto is needed to fuel a ghosts transformation, but proper ghost powers are getting put away unless Clockwork thinks they’re needed (and if it Does get to that point he’s getting pulled out for a second try anyways).

So where to put him? Well Gotham of course!

Clockwork…. Why are you like this (it’s all for the good of the timeline. And Lady Gotham owes him a favor he prepared just for this)

From there if he ends up in the Bats care (Nasty Burger explosion, Ghost Jazz, or simply not having anyone capable of properly raising him knowing he’ll die at 14) it doesn’t take long for one John Constantine to notice the Heavy Infinite Realms influence on the small child and drag the big bat away for his own Talk (double angst if he’s able to recognize the specific brand of Time Magic indicating a death prophecy). If he ends up under Jazz’s care then it might take a bit longer, but she’ll likely end up tied up in Bat business and from there it wouldn’t take long for a Very stressed Jazz to accidentally reveal something (or a child Danny not realizing “I know when I’m going to Die in excruciating detail!” is Not something you share with strangers, especially not ones as paranoid as the Bats).

Also for loose threads I imagine Ellie is unstable because her ecto is cloned off of Danny, while her human half is its own person. That large disparity usually leads to death (as seen in the other clones) but she’s able to force it off with sheer ecto strength, using the ecto shots as fuel to Force her body to stay together until they reach an inevitable conclusion or potentially meld together like Dan does).

As for Dan he’s not Properly a Halfa. I never watched the show so I don’t have all the details but I understand he’s some kinda mix of future Danny and Vlad gone evil and destroying the world. This mix Might be able to last longer than a regular Halfa would due to the insane amounts of ecto he has in his system. And as time passes the mixed ghost halves Could be unstable enough to sort of meld with his human parts, creating something of a Highly unstable ghost-human hybrid (seperate from Halfas since this is a blending of the two, not a distinct line between two halves).

That wouldn’t work with Danny cause it requires a second ghost mixing with him And the two somehow not destabilizing during the years it takes for the blend to settle. And the Ellie route is out since that requires So Much fine control and vigilance over a Very long period of time to slowly manually shape the ghost half to better fit the human half, rather than the other way around like Danny’s doing.

[mayfay]

Danny’s Medical Complications

Or: I had an idea and it won’t leave (and unfortunately I can’t do dialogue to save my life)

It started simple enough, a quick visit to Frostbite for a general checkup. And then it kept going. New machines, techniques, people, and an increasingly worried yeti was starting to freak Danny out a bit. Eventually it all went away and Frostbite set him down for A Talk.

See, Halfas are hella rare for a reason. The conditions needed to form them are really rare yes, but they aren’t the Main problem. No the main issue is the Disparity. Ghosts are beings of emotions, sufficient stress, emotional/mental harm, lack of ecto, and more can all lead to death. And Halfas crank that up to 11. They have a human side to take care of that’s constantly changing and growing, a higher ecto requirement to fuel their higher base strength, and a myriad of other minor complications that haven’t been properly studied cause Halfas are rarely found and usually don’t form ghosts on death

Say what

What do you mean “don’t form a ghost” they’re already half way there!

And there lies the problem, they’re halfway there. Ghosts are pretty static. they might change yes, but it’s usually due to major events or over the course of eons. And how do they decide on what they’re gonna be? By dying of course! Once the body dies its ghost is formed based on the current life situation and they move on. Simple, quick, easy. No complications here no siree!

Enter Halfas

They already died, and while infant ghosts and experience some major changes as they settle it’s nothing to the degree humans do. And as time passes the static ghost half and changing human half can drift, wobbling on that line between life and death. And once it gets to extreme? They fall. If the ghost half starves or dies the human half experiences Major health complications, leading to death shortly after. If the human side dies they try to form a ghost using all the ambient ecto the ghost side has been feeding on, leading to the ghosts death in most cases but if not they’re practically two different beings and fusing them will kill both anyways.

Good news though! With all the combat and rediculously high ecto levels Danny was exposed to to form his other half, his ghost side has stayed pretty adaptable! The other ghosts didn’t realize they were fighting a literal infant thanks to the high ecto levels he had (and the knowledgeable ones that Did had other reasonings the meant a little smack down they totally wouldn’t lose was an acceptable trade off for them). Horrifying, he will spend the next century finding all sorts of animal pelts, boxes, music tracks, etc landing on him in the middle of the night. But it has a silver lining! Thanks to not being allowed to settle Danny can still shape his ghost form to a degree. And Clockwork, brilliant old man that he is, has an Idea on how to fix this.

Great! Lay it on him Clockwork! What’s he gotta do? Get de-aged and die? Ha Ha! You sure know how to make a good joke old man-child, now what’s the real way?

Oh

Oh no

Danny Can form a ghost on death, but it’ll require dying while as mentally and physically similar to how he was when the portal closed. Problem there, he’s changed. He’s changed a Good Bit. Luckily Clockwork can handle the physical aspect but Desiree needs some extra time for her end. See, she Can change brain chemistry and whatnot, but it takes time to become permanent. A quick fix like her usual work is fragile (lies, it’s still stupidly powerful but forming a ghost relies on the persons deepest core, and that takes time to settle in to Desiree’s magic). So they just have to de-age Danny to an appropriate age where once he hits around the age he was when the portal closed Desiree’s magic will have settled, molding his personality/core to as close as they can be.

And then he has to die.

Doesn’t have to be as extreme as the portal incident was (in fact new factors like major doses of ecto would be a Very bad idea, his malleable ghost side is already pushing the limits with the minor variation he’ll already have) but it Does need to be in an area with high levels of ambient ecto, preferably his new hometown to match his current life’s lack of geographic movement.

He’ll also need to have his ghost half locked away to a degree. He’ll still need to be liminal of course, that long term exposure to ecto is needed to fuel a ghosts transformation, but proper ghost powers are getting put away unless Clockwork thinks they’re needed (and if it Does get to that point he’s getting pulled out for a second try anyways).

So where to put him? Well Gotham of course!

Clockwork…. Why are you like this (it’s all for the good of the timeline. And Lady Gotham owes him a favor he prepared just for this)

From there if he ends up in the Bats care (Nasty Burger explosion, Ghost Jazz, or simply not having anyone capable of properly raising him knowing he’ll die at 14) it doesn’t take long for one John Constantine to notice the Heavy Infinite Realms influence on the small child and drag the big bat away for his own Talk (double angst if he’s able to recognize the specific brand of Time Magic indicating a death prophecy). If he ends up under Jazz’s care then it might take a bit longer, but she’ll likely end up tied up in Bat business and from there it wouldn’t take long for a Very stressed Jazz to accidentally reveal something (or a child Danny not realizing “I know when I’m going to Die in excruciating detail!” is Not something you share with strangers, especially not ones as paranoid as the Bats).

Also for loose threads I imagine Ellie is unstable because her ecto is cloned off of Danny, while her human half is its own person. That large disparity usually leads to death (as seen in the other clones) but she’s able to force it off with sheer ecto strength, using the ecto shots as fuel to Force her body to stay together until they reach an inevitable conclusion or potentially meld together like Dan does).

As for Dan he’s not Properly a Halfa. I never watched the show so I don’t have all the details but I understand he’s some kinda mix of future Danny and Vlad gone evil and destroying the world. This mix Might be able to last longer than a regular Halfa would due to the insane amounts of ecto he has in his system. And as time passes the mixed ghost halves Could be unstable enough to sort of meld with his human parts, creating something of a Highly unstable ghost-human hybrid (seperate from Halfas since this is a blending of the two, not a distinct line between two halves).

That wouldn’t work with Danny cause it requires a second ghost mixing with him And the two somehow not destabilizing during the years it takes for the blend to settle. And the Ellie route is out since that requires So Much fine control and vigilance over a Very long period of time to slowly manually shape the ghost half to better fit the human half, rather than the other way around like Danny’s doing.

[lvlyhao]

PAC: what are your dreams telling you?

Hello, lovely people! Wow, this was SUCH a positive reading for all piles, I was honestly shocked, but good for y’all haha Also, I’ve been in an Ateez mood lately, so enjoy these beautiful men

♡ Please follow, like and reblog if this resonated with you so I can do more fun readings like this in the future. My paid comissions are open! ♡

How do I choose a pile?

Take a deep breath or two, close your eyes, and focus on the question we’re asking the cards today. Then, take a look at the images above. Which one of them calls your name?

───⋆☆───────────────

If you chose San, welcome to pile 1!

Song: treasure (ATEEZ)

Card: 10 of cups

Wow, ok. This is a very direct message here with both the song and the 10 of cups coming up. It looks like you may have been dreaming about your future with a certain someone lately. It does feel like someone you’ve known for a while, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in union right now. I feel like they might be physically away from you too. It could be the case that they’re travelling or you just haven’t been spending time together. You could also be childhood friends, or maybe you know them from school. It’s like you’re spending your awake time wondering about all the “what if’s” that could come into your life if your relationship went into the next level, and this is actually an amazingly positive prospect. There is no greater emotional fulfillment than this card, my darlings. I’m honestly excited for you!

If you’ve been wondering whether to make a move or not, your dreams are straight up giving you the green light. Go for it! This is about an absolutely fantastic person, who is going to treasure you beyond what you could have ever imagined. They know your value and so do you, so the future you see for the two of you could very well happen in real life. If you know who Spirit is talking about here, I beg you to NOT be afraid of commitments with them. Now, if you’re not sure, it could be that your dreams about them haven’t happened just yet, but they will. Trust yourself and your heart at this moment.

If you chose Wooyoung, welcome to pile 2!

Song: i’m the one (ATEEZ)

Card: queen of cups

The Queen of cups came right out for you, pile 2, and I’m hearing a very clear message about the next few months. It could be that you haven’t been satisfied with where you are right now in life. This could be regarding your personal relationships, your work, studies, anything, really. You just feel stuck and like you can’t seem to feel good about yourself, and that’s fine. What this card is telling me, however, is that the time has come for you to show some compassion and love for yourself. In this case, that means getting your life together and cleaning up your act. The Queen beckons you to create your favorite version of yourself, and to not let past experiences define you anymore.

The past is the past. It’s quite literally water under the bridge, and what went away will not come back. Starting soon (when you feel ready) and from then on, you gotta treat yourself like the main character. You are the one!! You can be the person you’ve always wanted to be. That you already exists somewhere within. So hold your head high and decide where to start. If you’re looking for a physical glow up, this could mean working out and implementing more things to your diet, like fruits or vegetables. If you’re looking for a mental glow up, She advises tons of meditation and spending time outside to connect with the world around you. You are entering the best era of your life.

If you chose Hongjoong, welcome to pile 3!

Song: illusion (ATEEZ)

Card: temperance

My dears, it seems that you might be having quite a mixed bag of dreams and nightmares lately. Either that or you haven’t been feeling well-rested. The Temperance tells me you’re trying to balance out having fun and taking good care of your body and soul, but it’s been difficult. I get it. It’s easy to fall back into old habits while trying to build new ones, but don’t let that get you down.

What this card tells me is that you’re on the right path, and you’re doing the right thing. There’s no need to doubt that. What you do need, however, is to be more patient with yourself. Taking one or two steps back sometimes doesn’t mean you haven’t made any progress. The progress is still there, and it will start to show soon if you just persist. This could also be about manifesting, if you’re into that. Maybe you’ve been going back and forth between thinking ‘I got this’ and then spiraling, wondering why you don’t see any movement. I’m telling you right now: there IS movement. Don’t fall for the illusion that you’re doing it wrong! Getting out of your own head could also be good for you now. All this self-reflection sometimes makes us look inwards a bit too much, so spend some time with your friends, family, and/or pets.

[nerdieforpedro]

Missing My Baby

Marcus Pike x Reader

Summary: You’re missing your fiance Marcus while he away. Having time alone isn’t good for everyone.

Word Count: 543

Warnings: loneliness, depression, obsession, angst (did Nerdie manage this?!)

Notes: Written for the Selena Drabble Challenge put together by the wonderful @fhatbhabie 💕

Main Masterlist / Writing Challenges / Marcus Pike Masterlist

He’s gone. Not permanently of course. Marcus, your sweet fiance is in France, one of the most romantic places on earth. Why are you not with him? It’s for work, he’s part of a team dispatched to the Louvre Museum to study different arts and methods of identifying pieces from different time periods.

His excitement was written all over his face when he came home and told you. Of course you were proud of him, you always are. Outside of him being an FBI agent in the art crimes division (sounds like he could have his own TV from that alone), he’s so patient, kind and understanding. He’s also one of the most handsome men you’ve had the pleasure of knowing, both with facial hair and without.

It’s been a full month and you swear you’re fine. It’s what you keep telling yourself, family, friends and Marcus. You ensure your best self is shown to him. If there’s one thing that worries you about Marcus is that he can be rather selfless when it comes to marking out time for himself in his own schedule. You had encouraged him to go, do something for himself and that you’d hold down the fort of your two bedroom apartment.

After another FaceTime call with your dear special agent, you drag yourself to his side of the bed, laying on your side so you can breathe in his scent. It’s a light musk that’s mixed with pine based off of the body wash he uses. Unfortunately tonight, you’ve been sleeping on his side of the bed one too many times and it smells more like you than him. Sitting up on the side of the bed, you take hold of his pillow and laugh at how silly you’re being. You’re an adult, so is he. He’s only gone for work, it’s an excellent opportunity for him.

Your chest still hurts though. It doesn’t stop your face from contorting with tears. This is making you wonder if you should just tell him to come home. You could, and you know with all certainty that Marcus would be on the next plane home.

He would never leave again unless he took you with him. That makes you smile, but your head is buried deep into the pillow. You need to believe he’s coming home safe. Things will go fine and he’ll be back in two more weeks. Just because you miss him doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be allowed his own advancement and interests.

But the same part of you that misses him want to have him tethered to you so you can hold him tight, never let him out of your sight. You’d be able to feel his heartbeat next to yours and tell him over and over that you love him. Don’t go anywhere again Marcus.

“Time keeps passing by. I’m missing my baby…Missing my baby, weighs on my mind…”

Your tears continue to wet his pillow as you stand and begin to pace the room, keeping your eyes trained on a photo the two of you took on your six-month anniversary at the Smithsonian.

“Missing my baby, missing my baby. I’ve gotta have you here by my side and hold you tight. I miss you Marcus…”

Pike pool swimmers (safety first!) 🛟: @secretelephanttattoo @trulybetty @magpiepillsjunior @i-own-loki @morallyinept @pedritapascal @yorksgirl @goodwithcheese @marcus-is-my-muse @megamindsecretlair @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @pamasaur @pedroshotwifey @missladym1981 @harriedandharassed @maggiemayhemnj

[fantasy-anatomy-analyst]

Do you have any advice on how to go about designing monsters and animals and the like? I like the idea of creating those kinds of things but I always blank on how to go about it, like I know little facts like Allen's Rule but I don't know how to find out about something like that intentionally or even think of it for my thing. (me when I have no idea how to explain that I have no idea how to research smth lol)

first I've heard of Allen's Rule, so that probably says a lot about the fact that I'm mostly self taught lol.

here's the wikipedia page about it for anyone else who didn't know.

to sum up, it is a rule stating that animals in cold climates tend to have shorter/thicker appendages while animals in hot climates tend to have longer/thinner ones. Arctic hare vs desert hare, as an example.

the first thing to do when you want to design anything is to do a lot of studies. just in general. look up images of any animal or insect and draw sketches studying how they're built. do it for people too! you'll always be better at making new designs if you have a basic understanding of how real things are shaped and how they function.

study from videos by sketching fast gesture poses as you watch the creatures in motion! I have also done this while attending sports and dance performances. studying bodies in motion by watching olympic athletes or videos of people trying and failing to do a sport. just study the heck out of everything you can! it's as simple as putting down some lines and shapes to show the main body forms. heavier detail studies are also useful! tracing images in order to study the details is not wrong. I do it all the time, as you can see in a lot of the advice posts I make! I frequently provide traced images of the creature references I've found in order to show my process of breaking down the simplified body shapes.

my actual sketch process often looks like this:

(image description: multiple layers of very loose scribbly sketches in different colors. visible notes on two layers of sketches read "aerial silks dance" and "flying birds". the clearest and topmost layer of sketch is a humanoid figure with wings, performing a dance.

as you might be able to see if you can even begin to parse the mess that is all my study sketching, the final pose sketch I made here for my bird dude Morianon doing a little dance does not even match the poses I sketched from reference videos! This is because gesture sketch studies like these are more based on vibes than accuracy! They're a good way to warm up and practice making really fast gestural doodles that just show the form and motion more than anything well proportioned. It also frees you of the pressure to draw anything perfect! this is messy on purpose! you gotta be messy, it's how learning works.

and then once you're more confident with speed studies, you can get more specific with detail studies. all of this is essential if you want to be able to design creatures. it's all about artistic confidence and developing the skills to notice details. and then you get better at applying those details.

I have two posts on how to study and use references! one over here focused on humans. and another one here about non humans.

this is getting longer than I expected lol. I have other posts on my to-do list that will also be helpful to you I think, and you can explore the links on my pinned post to find more advice on a lot of topics! I might have to make a post on the more general topic of "how do I even get started on designing a creature?" because it is kind of the whole premise of this blog, huh? I have a lot of advice for people who already have a solid idea and just need some advice to overcome a few obstacles along the way, but I don't think I've made a proper advice post for what to do when you don't even have a starting idea.

the tldr version of creature creation is this:

pick a niche (mountain people, flying predator, burrowing creature)

study real life creatures in similar niches

start throwing ideas at your page until something sticks and then take the things that stick and build on them until it feels good

refine your design

[spooky-jordan]

get to know your moots

Been tagged a few times now so here you go :)

What's the origin of your blog title? I think mine speaks for itself hahaha

OTP(s) + Shipname: Mulder and Scully! I am all about the MSR

Favourite colour: All the purples

Favorite game: I'm not much of a gamer, but I did once spend a solid month obsessively playing Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Song stuck in your head: Headlock - Imogen Heap (I blame all the TikTok edits)

Weirdest habit/trait? Sometimes I pretend like my life is a TV show and I'm the main character, to the point that I imagine there are cameras watching me constantly and occasionally "break the fourth wall" by shooting them a look à la Jim Halpert in The Office

Hobbies: Writing, reading, going to concerts, watching TV, watching movies, occasionally cooking, travelling, or otherwise just hanging out with my friends just talking shit and making each other laugh

If you work, what's your profession? Currently working part-time in hospitality but desperately trying to get out

If you could have any job you wish, what would it be? Writer or else some other kind of creative. I'd love to work in the movie industry but wouldn't even know where to start

Something you're good at: Writing, sometimes. Laughing in the face of existential dread

Something you're bad at: Taking care of my body. Public speaking

Something you love: Stories

Something you could talk about for hours off the cuff: The joys of sobriety, The X-Files, movies, funny/horrifying stories from my sordid past, feminism, sex and sexuality, what it all means???

Something you hate: Strawberries, the far-right, and being told to do something I was already about to do

Something you collect: Concert wristbands, band merch, Stephen King books

Something you forget: Why I walked into a room?

What's your love language? All of them? I'm very tactile with my friends, so maybe physical touch? Words of affirmation are good, too, since my brain likes to constantly tell me how much everyone hates me

Favorite movie/show: The X-Files (duh)! Favourite movie changes all the time, but In Bruges has a special place in my heart for being the first movie I remember watching that made me realise I LOVED movies

Favorite food: Anything Italian or Korean (but not together lol)

Favorite animal: I love all beasts great and small but especially cats and dogs because you can't cuddle an alligator

What were you like as a child? Tomboy. The "weird" girl. Obsessed with make believe, until hitting puberty and suddenly trying waaaaay too hard to grow up too fast

Favorite subject at school? I hated school and everything about it, but now I'm a mature student studying English Lit, so I guess English?

Least favorite subject? Maths

What's your best character trait? I'm good at empathising with people who are struggling. I have endless compassion for people society looks down on (criminals, addicts, "crazy" people). I have been all of these things. I also think I'm pretty adaptable - I've made it through a lot of things I didn't think I would

What's your worst character trait? I can be selfish. It's a good and a bad thing. Gotta look out for number one, no one else is going to. Sometimes, though, it couldn't hurt me to do more for others. I also should be nicer to my Mum

If you could change any detail of your day right now what would it be? My day will be spent catching up with a friend, drinking endless coffee and writing fanfic. There's not a damn thing I'd change about this day

If you could travel in time who would you like to meet? You know I've never really thought about this? I mean... 90's David Duchovny would be a start... although I'm not sure I'd survive that interaction

Recommend one of your favorite fanfics (spread the love!): Anyone who knows me know that I'm obsessed with the Iolokus series by RivkaT and MustangSally. If you've not read them, I highly recommend, but tread lightly cause shit gets DARK

Thanks to @cecilysass, @randomfoggytiger and @sagan-starstuff for the tags. I'm sure most people have been tagged already but I'll just tag a bunch of ya'll anyways —

@mulderrrrrrr @spookysexy @slippinmickeys @cowboyslikedean @danascepticscully @thatfragilecapricorn30 @muldersfingers @muldersmeat @danakatscullys @thursdayinspace @invisigoth421 @therealsaintscully

[thebluemoonjune]

The Sounds Of A Black Dahlia- Chapter 2

Family Affairs

Summary:

Michonne and Shane have a 'heart to heart'. Confessions and truths come out. Secrets everywhere. Things in the family are being set in motion.

The whole building was closed off as the police gathered everyone who wasn’t in the vestibule or main hall to take questions. Anyone who’d been seen slipping out during that time. She had made sure to let them know that he was with her on the second-floor balcony attached to the lounge before they segregated Rick, who’d been Holly’s date. Michonne had heard him whisper, ‘They killed her’ as the corpse rolled out. She was confused. How could he have known she was murdered? What was it that he was hiding? Who did he think was responsible for the young woman’s death? Why would they kill her? The more questions that plagued her, the more suspicious she grew of Rick. The longer she thought about what happened, the harder it became holding onto the fleeting illusion of security. Standing outside the dark 1:00 a.m. sky, the wind brushed against her exposed skin. A faint sound rang out in her clouded mind; each toll of the bell caused her heart to stammer, all while her body remained impossibly, unnaturally, and agonisingly rooted. It was almost as if she'd fallen into a catatonic state. Her silver heels and the hem of her red dress were the only objects in her sight. It was when a warm suit jacket dropped on her chilled, exposed shoulders that she’d freed herself from the cage she called her mind.

“Rick… Are they done?”

“For now, I guess…” Rick placed his hands in his pocket, staring at where Holly fell. “From what I can tell, they don’t got much to go on. This is tryna find a needle in a haystack.”

“You think someone killed her? You said it yourself; I heard you.” Michonne stepped closer, her brown pools stirring.

“I ain’t denying it. I know someone did.” He stepped closer as well, leaving no gap between the two. Unlike her jittery persona, Rick mimicked a predator on the prowl. “Gonna have to go to the station tomorrow. This is probably gonna be ruled a suicide. I’m sure that’d make you happy to know.”

“What do you take me for?”

“A liar for one.”

“You got some nerve! Let me make this absolutely clear—”

“Michonne!”

“Shane…”

“I heard what happened. You okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m not the one who’s dead.” He places his hand on her back. In an attempt to comfort her. “Rick, I’m sorry, man. Would’ve come sooner if they ain’t have us hauled up in there.”

“No worries. I got a long day ahead of us tomorrow. I’ll leave you two to it.” He pranced away, not giving them a heads-up as he waved them bye.

“Just like that?”

“Your brother’s date just died; he has to go to the station in the morning. Don’t be insensitive.”

“I ain’t tryna. He just left in a hurry; ain’t even take his jacket… You wanna talk?”

“Not right now. I’m ready to go.”

Shane got the driver ready whilst she waited. They bid goodnight to her in-laws and left, discreetly, unaccompanied by the media, clamouring for a spectacle on their backs. People rushed past each other on the sidewalks, cars honked and screeched on the streets, and sirens wailed in the distance. 

The car ride was silent for the first half, with the couple’s breath being the one indication of people in the back seat. Shane studied the way Michonne tilted her head towards the window. The lack of sound was overwhelming, so he went against his instinct and asked,

“Chonne, mind telling me what happened? Why you weren’t in the hall?”

The way her eye twitched was enough to tell him to stop pressing for an answer. He was thankful to know she was here, her heart still beating, body bumping with blood. He wouldn’t press on.

“You ain’t gotta answer… It must be hard.” He inched closed and interweaved their fingers.

“I’m sorry. I’m being unfair.”

“Nah. Like you said, I’m being insensitive.” As he diverted his gaze, Michonne spun her body to find a middle ground.

“Shane, I have something to tell you… Your father isn’t giving you control like you thought.”

“What? Where’d you get this from?” His brows progressively lifted in anticipation of clarification.

“I— Shane… I overheard your parents talking about it. Well, fighting if I’m being real here… Eleanor didn’t know; she let him have it in the second-floor lounge. He never intended to give you control, He hasn’t decided on a successor yet… I’m sorry.”

“No, no… No. Nah. You fucking with me? Is this about the same shit earlier?” His eyes squinted at the confused tangle of facts in front of him, irritation and disbelief visible in his expression. He didn't want it to be true. He needed it not to be.

“I am not that petty… It’s true. You can ask Eleanor. She’ll confirm it… I’m sorry.”

Shane sat there, licking his lips uncomfortably, indicating his inability to find the perfect words to communicate his perplexity. Not uttering a single word, the rest of the ride. His face turned blank, a sharp contrast to the resentment that had been present only moments before. After they made their way through the outer security gate, the Guard at the front of their horseshoe driveway ushered them in. Shane didn’t wait for her; hopping out of the car, his footsteps echoed from the granite walkway and steps, making heavy strides to their home. She grabbed her purse in hot pursuit.

“Shane!”

“I need to think!” He unlocked the front door and stormed down the hall to the living room, where he dawdled around, as if he couldn’t remember where he was supposed to go. 

“You still have your 3%.”

“And what the fuck am I gonna do with 3%?”

“You still have a say. You bide time till you’re in a position to fight back. Shane… He wants you to fight back. We’ll talk to K; you do your part. We need Eleanor too; she’s not going to accept this… Shane, do you really want this?”

“What?”

“Briton. You don’t have to…” drawing nearer and cupping his face to continue, “Is it worth it?”

“Yes, it’s worth it. I'm doing this for us, for them! It’s ours!”

“Alright, tomorrow, I’ll go to my mother. You remember my aunt, right?”

“The one married to Sean Monroe?”

“Yeah, I’ll get my mother to help facilitate a meeting. If we can win her, she can help us win over Deanna Monroe.”

“That’s…good.”

“When Morgan Jones comes back from the Bahamas, you’ll have a meeting. He thinks you’re taking over, we need to see if he’ll still take your side.”

“We’ll follow your idea.” His gaze held a warm intensity that whispered of deep affection. With her plan coming together at the last minute, she fell onto the couch with a pleased sigh.

…

Michonne gazed at Andre and Maliyah sleeping soundly in her bed. Sometimes when their dad wasn’t home, or ran late, they would sneak into her bedroom while she was in the shower, only to fall asleep before she had the chance to catch and send them back. If she was being honest, she didn’t mind these little antics at all. She would lengthen her bath sometimes just so they’d fall asleep waiting for her. Maliyah was a messy sleeper, often contorting her double-jointed body all over the place, making it hard to share a bed. Her big toe, currently in her brother’s nose. Michonne crackled to herself, fixing her distorted body. Admiring her three-year-old, her mind unexpectedly ran to Rick’s words on the balcony the night before.

“And what if I said Lori was part of it?”

“So you admit there are other reasons.”

“I admit that you’re gonna be crying soon. John made it so.”

He obviously intends to fuck everything up! How did he know about Lori? Did she say anything? What else does he know?

“I expect a visit from you soon. I’ll text my number.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Shane. Specifically, the children…”

“Is this a threat?”

“No, darling… But you need an offer from me. I don’t wanna be an enemy to you of all people.”

So Michonne… What’s the play… How do you deal with this… What does he even want from me? Fucking bastard!

Michonne ran to her dresser, picking up the rose-coloured diary Lori had entrusted her with. Shane never went through her stuff, except the night he rummaged through the house in a fiery rage four years ago, so he didn’t know about this. If Rick started whispering in her husband’s ear, she’d have to guard against it, for everyone’s sake. It was a can of worms that no one needed. He was already in the running for COO from what she gathered from Shane’s call before he went to the office. 

The kids’ room—that's where I’ll hide it for now.

And so it was. Michonne placed it in the kids’ shared walk-in closet, far from the children's reach. She was the only adult who entered here, not even the housekeeper, Mary, as Michonne preferred to clean the bedrooms herself. Leaving her kids to sleep upstairs for a while, she went downstairs for a glass of wine. She needed it. To her surprise, passing the living room to go to the kitchen and the wine cellar, she met her husband sprawled out on their U-shaped, navy blue corner sofa, tie loose on his neck, suit jacket on the side, brown eyes stuck on her in the dimly lit room. Michonne held her chest in momentary fright.

“I didn’t know you came in.”

“I thought you were sleeping… Ain’t wanna disturb you… The kids?”

“Asleep… In my bed.” Even standing a couple feet away, even in the dim room, she could see the tiredness and frustration in his eyes as they were motionless and far away. Not from her, but outside. Regardless of it, he still snickered at the news.

“Can’t catch a break… Can I get a drink?”

“Why? There is no reason to.”

“Ain’t you heading for a drink yourself?” His lips curled into a tired sneer.

“And what makes you say that?”

“Why else are you headed towards the kitchen? Why not?” Michonne sighed.

“I was but you know why. When you’re stressed, which you obviously are, you tend to not know when to stop.” She folded her arms.

“Just one glass… Just one.” They stared at each other for an entire minute before she gave in.

“All right. Just one then…”

She strolled over to her original destination, grabbed a bottle of Pinot Noir from the cellar,  went to the kitchen to Shane’s rum cabinet and took an almost finished bottle of bourbon. Holding the bottles with one hand, she grabbed a wine and a rum glass with the other before returning to the living room. Shane cast his gaze on his wife’s every move. From her placing the two glasses on the large, rustic, handmade, blackwood coffee table Rick and he had made after their son was born. She sat, opened both bottles, poured each into their respective places, rested them back on the table, and got up, passing through the gold bead curtain, where she began setting ablaze the sandalwood incense on the corner table. Shane looked around the room, from the marble flooring and the family portrait to the abstract black, navy and gold mural, completely covering the wall behind him, that Michonne painted five years prior. They had made this home together for their family. When he spun back around, she was standing four feet away. He took in his wife. He thought her a peculiar person. Always prim and proper, only allowing a flaw within her bedroom. 

“Want me to play something?”

“Nah… come sit.”

“Want to talk about it?”

Shane raised his head gently, trying to calm his eyes. He didn’t kiss her, but instead gripped her chin, forcing her to look back at him. He drew her in closer, taking her on his lap and placing his left hand on her waist, his right hand on her jaw. They remained in that posture for a minute, just breathing each other in. On his breath, she could smell whisky. He hadn't drunk from the glass she poured yet, so it became obvious that he was drinking prior to returning home.

“This is good… It’s good”

“How much alcohol did you have before this?”

“I passed by a club with a few buddies of mine.”

“Why?”

“Destress, have fun... Don’t worry, I ain’t cheated on you. We both done had enough of the behind the back stuff, right?”

“Shane.”

“No need to pretend like it ain’t happened... It’s in the past… We’re grown enough to talk about it. At the time, I wanted to snap that pretty neck of yours, but, in hindsight, that’s quite the lick back. To think you almost had another man's baby.”

“I don’t want to talk about this—”

“I should’ve been at the hospital…” He tugged her back after she tried leaving. “When you got home and I saw her, I knew our little girl was a Walsh, that she had my blood.”

Shane kissed Michonne after she gulped. He didn’t stop, repeatedly capturing her lips so that when she breathed, he was the one she was taking in. She pushed his chest two times to distract herself from the sensations he was instilling in her, and he followed, grabbing her around the waist once more. Michonne put her arms around his neck, and they both felt as if they were about to fall. Michonne grabbed at the back of his shirt, wanting it off, as he raised her body to slide her panties down in a frenzy and she unzipped his pants, pulling out his cock. He was distracted by nibbling her, especially as he kissed down her jaw and began on her neck. 

Sex was a drug for both of them. It was how they solved their problems, regardless of what the problem was. They didn’t waste time with foreplay and she was already wet so she lifted her hips and lowered onto him. He grunted and air caught her throat. He held her tight as he slid his body down and she rested her head on his shoulder as the husband and wife went to work. They pounded till her shrieks entered a crescendo while both their climax drowned them. Shane felt his dick quiver and the warm dripping of his come painting his cock and her insides white. Descending from their highs, they clung to each other for a while, their chests heaving heavily and their noses buried in the creeks of the other’s neck.

“You still on your birth control?”

“Why?”

“Ain’t seen you take it recently.”

“My mind’s been hectic. I’ll take a pill in the morning.”

“Don’t bother. I think it’s time we had another kid… Lia’s three; I’m sure she won’t mind another sibling.”

“Is that something you want?” She lifted her head to see his face while he was still inside her.

“Of course… I’d have a hundred babies with you if possible. I never wanted you on birth control anyways… We weren’t in the best place at the time, so I never said nothing.”

“You make it sound so simple.” She turned away from him.

“Why can’t it be? We’ve hurt each other enough. A baby can mean so much. It can mean we forgave each other.”

“I thought we did.”

“Have we really?” His lips pulled into a half-formed, smile. “Every time we get into a scrabble or fight, you bring up the d-word. I know you don’t mean it; hell, you been saying it since forever, but it ain’t never made it easier; even if I’d never give you a divorce. You, the kids, y’all are the most constant thing that I care about in my life…”

“I’m not going to just up and leave. I promise you that, but what about her?”

“I told you—”

“You told me a lot of things. You told me that it was complicated, that the two of you had kids together, that she was in the picture before me, that it wasn’t her fault... that you loved her.”

“Michonne—”

Michonne carefully lifted herself from her husband, still very tender from their tumble, and rose from the sofa. She put on her panties, turning away from him. Michonne moved to the kitchen, grabbing the empty rum glass without looking back at him. 

A cruel man is what you are.

7 years 7 months prior

Michonne's delight shines through the windows of her eyes more brightly in the dawn.  There is a deeper sweetness in the morning that resonates within and finds a way to express itself. Michonne had that. Her first pregnancy was, on some days, an epic voyage of vomiting and sickness that lasted all day; other days, none at all, not even a smidgeon. She'd gotten up late that day yet miraculously managed to kiss her spouse goodbye, nausea and all. She wrangled her will, snatched a book from her unread collection, and marched downstairs, reluctant to spend the day in bed. Her nutritionist, whom Eleanor had 'given' to the couple after her pregnancy was revealed, prepared her a well-portioned and balanced meal that she could eat and that she much loved. In the group chat, she texted Sasha and Maggie, beckoning them to come visit and keep her company. She was reading 'The Paris Wife' by Paula McLain while waiting for her friends when the house phone rang. Michonne got up, fully expecting it to be her mother-in-law, but was met with the unfamiliar voice of a woman, a young woman.

“Hello. You must be Michonne.” The woman giggled on her end.

“This is her. Who is this? Do I know you?”

“Yes! I know you—very very well, but you don’t know me, not yet at least.” There was a sing-song pitch to her voice.

“Look, I don’t have time for nonsense—”

“I have news about your husband. You’ll want to hear it.”

“Who is this?”

“I’m Jessie. Jessie Anderson… Shane and I have been together for over four years, now.” Michonne held still, attempting to digest what she had just been told. “We have a son together; he’s three. And I’m currently pregnant again—almost seven months. I was wondering if we could meet up. You know… talk?”

“What did you say your name was again?”

“Jessie. Jessie Anderson. I understand it’s a lot to take in but—”

“Jessie, don’t call this house again, or I’ll have you served.” She disconnected the phone and hurled it across the living room with unexpected strength. Her demeanor soon grew misleadingly serene, her astonishment confirmed by a vain popping grip on the living room bookcase next to her.

That woman just wanted to stir up trouble! How dare she say something like that? It’s not true true; I know it’s not…

Present

Shane sprang up, hurriedly adjusting his clothing and striding after her. She had already rinsed the glass. He noticed her standing in the center with a dish towel, but her eyes hadn’t risen from the icy grey tiles. He couldn’t help running his fingers through his black hair with shaking hands. It was unclear how long they remained at a stand-still, but his gaze never left her, not once. He quietly walked over and embraced her from behind, resting his chin atop her head.

“Can you give me some time?”

She heard him. She heard the begging and the worry in his voice, though no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t bring herself to answer his question. His grip tightened.

…

Walking through the stone garden, full of Saucer Magnolia trees, the bustling sound of murmurs greeted the four of them. Sasha agreed to accompany her and the kids back to her maiden home, given Michonne had long ceased to have the mental fortitude to deal with her maiden family, especially that of her mother and older sister. It was understood that there’d be a clash for blowing them off at the party, though she’d hoped they’d let it go given the unfortunate catastrophe that took place, it nevertheless became apparent when her mother didn’t come out to greet her and the butler had been rather ‘formal’ even to her children. Two could play that game. Just because she wanted something didn’t mean she’d become the begging dog; they’d do well to remember they needed something from her too. They sat at one of the woodland stone tables where guests gathered.

“Andre, sweety.”

“Mama?”

“I won’t keep you here to bore you. Go play, but you know the rules.”

“Sweet!” 

He dug deep into his mother’s Birkin bag with level speed in search of his case holding his marbles. The little fox didn’t even wait for any other words from his mother or his aunt Sasha, simply taking off with a wide, mischievous grin on his face.

“That little brat!” Sasha let out all her playful shock, fixing little Lia in her hand. “AJ didn’t even wait! Who in God’s green heaven does that little twerp take after?”

“Well, at least he’s not craving your attention today.”

“Does that mean he’s growing up?” She pouted. “Our baby’s growing up!”

“More like he’s acting his age.” Michonne giggled at her best friend’s overreaction while she reached over to stroke her daughter’s chubby, dimpled cheek.

“Mama? Can I go?”

“Oh, baby girl… No, you can’t.” Michonne wouldn’t let her run freely with all these people present. Maliyah was smart, but small for her age. “Hang out with me and your aunt Sash then later, we’ll get that bike I promised you, I’d even get you a doll. It’s that okay?”

“You prowmise!”

“I promise, baby! I promise.”

“Can we go see Daddy?”

“Uhm, I don’t know, babygirl. Daddy’s really, really busy with work.”

“Oh.”

“How about after we leave, we call your dad and ask? If he’s too busy, let’s go to the playground and have fun.” Sasha kissed her cheek and patted her curly, dark hair, and she in turn smothered her petite face in her aunt’s neck.

The children missed their father. He’d been coming home late for months and with the recent transition of CEO, they barely saw him anymore. Andre, being the ‘big boy’, pretended it didn’t affect him; Lia, on the other hand, being a daddy’s girl, didn’t take it well. Michonne and Sasha stared at each other, not knowing how to respond.

“Michonne! Sasha!”

“Jocelyn! Hey!”

“Jocelyn…” Sasha couldn’t pretend to have Michonne’s enthusiasm for the woman who stood before them nor did she care to.

“I didn’t expect to see you both here, especially you, Michonne, since everything happened to that girl. It must’ve been hard for your family; I mean, it’s not the first time something like that has happened. Bad luck, I guess.” This caught the attention of the nearby women. Sasha rolled her eyes; Michonne, however, graced her with a smile.

“Ah yes, it’s been hard for my family; no one likes to witness death; I’m sure it’s harder on the victim’s family. It would be insensitive and tone-deaf to the ones truly affected by this tragedy. As for my attendance today, I should take the time to visit my maiden home when I have the chance, shouldn’t I?” Michonne sat in anticipation of a response, while Sasha smirked, eyes sharp as a hawk’s.

“Your right. Well, I should leave you to it.” They watched her walk away when Sasha spat out all her disgust.

“That fucking bitch… This is why I hate coming to these dumb things. How you have the patience, I’ll never know.” Maliyah perked up, reminding her aunt of her presence.

“You said naughty words!”

“Those aren’t words for you to repeat. If I catch you saying it, I’ll beat your bum. Don’t say that word; that’s a bad word.”

Michonne was about to add to the discussion when a young man, probably a worker on the estate, whispered a message intended for her ears only. It was from her, a childhood friend who happened to be the daughter of her old nanny, who worked here like her mother did. The more she heard, the more her chilling stare drilled into an unseeable foe, making it difficult for the other ladies to ignore the shift in aura. As she leapt up from her seat, her mouth pinched shut, as if keeping back what she truly was tempted to say, although her tensing jaw, expanding chest, and toned shoulders pushed back made her tiny body appear larger and more formidable, indicating her deep ire.

“Michonne? What is it?” Sasha, knowing her friend, asked in an effort to help.

“You stay with Lia I have a bit of family issues to address. I’ll be back.” And with that, she marched off, not spearing a second thought.

When Michonne arrived, her eyes met with her son’s, who was bleeding from a slash on his face, kneeling on the floor. He was teary as he bit his lip, trying not to cry in front of these irreverent people. Not only did John despise it, but her boy was as proud as she was and would never allow outsiders to see him that way, even though he was just a six-year-old boy. Her blood began to boil but she kept her face and tone neutral and almost lifeless as she addressed the adult, ignoring Macie’s son and the maid who stood with them. Her family was very ‘ traditional ’. Michonne knew they were going to beat him. She cast her head straight ahead at the woman she called mother.

“What is this and why is my son bleeding?” She walked to her child.

“Before you come in guns blazing, Mrs. Pompous, he did it to himself! It’s my Kyle you should be showing concern about! We had to pull that animal off him! On top of that, he broke the jade vase that Mom just won at the auction last week and called my child illegitimate and me a prostitute!”

“I didn’t; they’re lying!”

“Did you?” She made sure to watch his every movement, though she already knew the truth. Just in case.

“I called them names because he hit me first! I didn’t do the other stuff! They’re lying! Mom, I’m telling the truth.” She stroked his curly black hair and pulled him closer.

“I know, baby. I know.” She whispered, giving him comfort that she was on his side.

“Kyle said you did so you did! Plus, the maid saw it.”

“Is that so?”

“Instead of antagonising everyone, you should do your duties as a mother; he should be punished and apologise for his action. He behaves like this because he sees how you act.”

So this is what it’s about...  The party? Trying to embarrass me, trying to punish me by using my child, okay…

Michonne stared coldly at her mother and felt sick to her stomach. Even at her own all-white party, Michelle Marie Hawthorne stood in a dark green knee-length Chanel dress with cream-coloured pearls on her neck and hair in a neat side part bob cut, right hand placed gracefully over her left right above her belly as overseer, all her close friends watching. She wanted her to stoop to her, but she would not, nor would her baby boy.

“Sweetheart, say your piece.” He looked up at her and she nodded in approval.

“We were playing marbles and I won all of ‘em!”

“No, you didn’t! You cheated!” Kyle finally came out from behind his mother, showing his black eye.

“Yes, I did! He didn’t wanna pay up so I took ‘em myself! And then, he hit me and we started fighting, and then the vase broke! When I was on top of him, he cut my face! So I beat him up some more and called him names!”

“He’s a liar! He cut himself!”

“Just because you got caught doesn’t mean you get to blame my son! The maid saw it!”

“And what exactly did your maid see? How did my son cut his face? What’s your name?”

“Vivian…”

“Well, go on, Vivian; let’s hear and don’t stall!”

“You! This is not your place; you don’t get to come to my house and disrespect the individuals here! Including your older sister.”

“I’m just trying to find out what happened, mother. Vivian.”

“Well, uh… He wanted the young master’s marbles and when he wouldn’t give them to him, she started attacking the young master verbally and physically, so much so that I had to pull him off.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. He was acting like an animal.” The young woman took a stance similar to that of the matriarch standing at the front. Macie was going to add but Michelle raised her palm to cease.

“Michonne.”

“Mother.”

“Since the truth is out and there’s a witness, no need for this wild display any longer. And since you cannot discipline him well, I’ll do it as his grandmother. Vivian, get the stick.”

“My son is many things but a liar isn’t one of them. My son never lies. Look at the other one. Have him open his hands.”

“Why are you blaming him?” Her sister snapped in annoyance.

Michonne didn’t even look at her sister and mother. She walked over to her nephew, prying his hands open, revealing a piece of the broken antique jade vase. She took it and tossed it on the floor for the room to see. Strolling back to her son, who gazed at her with soft eyes and a grin, he held her hand and gave a teasing gaze to Kyle. Vivian got quiet as she bowed her head, not daring to add more.

“Malicious woman!”

“I am deeply sorry! I—” She turned to Michelle, then to Macie. Neither gave attention.

“Kyle should not have raised his hand first and Andre should not have called him names or tried to take what wasn’t his; it led to this mess. But still, it was squabbles of children. It was just a vase. No real harm done. Let us leave this here.”

Michonne’s giggle was soft and tinged with fascination at the situation. Crossing her arms over her chest, she tried to take her breath in response to the criticism directed at her kid.

“AJ, baby?”

“Yes, mom?”

“Do you know where you went wrong?”

“Mhmm…” His voice was hushed. “I shouldn’t have called him bad names and fought him—”

“Wrong! I taught you to defend yourself. If someone hits you first, then by all means you have the right to hit them back, but I also thought you should come to me when I’m there.”

“I’m sorry…”

“You shouldn’t have called him names but that’s not your fault; it’s mine.” She said it louder so everyone could hear it. “It’s my fault for speaking such things as the child’s birth around him.”

“You shouldn’t have said it in the first place!”

“Why not?” She covered her son’s ears. “Is it not the truth? Did you not go after your best friend’s married father and destroy a home? Is your child not a product of your behaviour? You go after any wealthy man you can get your hands on, regardless of who they belong to. You’re a high-class prostitute, a courtesan if we’re being classy.” Michonne brushed her locs back nonchalantly.

“How dare you; you bitch?”

“The responsibility of André’s discipline falls to me and his father. Touch my child again and see…”

“You should clear this up, Mother, lest others think my son is going around bullying his cousin because he believes himself better, an opinion you and Macie seem to share.”

“Are you going against me?”

If I don’t put a stop to this today, there is sure to be a next time. I’ve gone through it enough with these people, but it ends today. I won’t put my children through it again, bridges be damned!

“My child was accused of things he didn’t do; an adult lied on his name and you and Macie even intended to beat him without so much of a hesitation! His face was even cut in the process. Do you think what Kyle and the maid did was right? If he’s right, André will have to bear the fallout. Think about it carefully. If they are wrong, then there should be some punishment, like what you wanted to inflict on my son. Tell me.”

“You disrespectful—”

“Would you rather I lie? Would that feed your ego better? Would that make you feel better and finally give my son some justice?”

“How dare you!”

“Mother, you should do the right thing.” Michonne only knew her brother had entered the fray when he stepped next to her, backing her up. “The maid should be fired. As for him, give him the stick.”

“How can you just choose her side? Am I not your sister too? Is he not your nephew too?”

“It’s not about sides! It’s about principles! He actively lied to get someone else in trouble. What kind of vindictive shit is that?”

“Michael, don’t play favourites! They are both your sisters. I decided to let it go so that, as cousins, they should not hold grudges against each other. I will deal with Vivian.”

“You talk to Mike about favouritism? You’ve been playing favourites my whole life.”

“Chonne… Don’t.” She ignored her brother’s plea.

“No. I have never been able to get away with any of the shit that both Mike and Macie have done. Not once! I didn’t understand then, but I’m not a kid anymore. I did everything I was supposed to do. The two friends I have are a result of my knowing my place.”

“Ungrateful! After everything Mom and Dad have done for you, to stand there and make it sound like you’re some victim! But what was I expecting? You’ve always been a pompous, self-absorbed, attention-seeking bitch who always got what she wanted. You had your whole life planned out for you and it still isn’t enough. You fucking bitch.”

“It just irks you that I’m better than you in every single way, doesn’t it? Whether it’s grades, the arts, or just any attention I got from others at all. You are such a jealous—”

“So you admit your father and I treated you fairly.”

“Fairly? There was a point in my life when I wasn’t allowed friends mother, when Mike and Macie were. They were allowed that and going out and make mistakes. Mike could kill someone and he’ll still be your sweet boy. Any affection I got was tangent on my behaviour and how I reflected on our family. Macie is so jealous of my marriage that she should’ve had. And we all know even your friends watching us know why.”

“What are you talking about, bitch?”

“Shhh, Mace, I’m getting to that. I wasn’t supposed to marry Shane… You were. But because of your love for married men, you got knocked up and Mom and Dad couldn’t give you the life you wanted because of your actions. In our oh-so-traditional family, you got knocked up and nothing from them! Nope, nothing! They just quietly moved on to me. So you see, dear sister, I’m not the one they planned for.”

“The life that you have now is because your father and I gave it to you.”

“Yes, I can’t dispute that… However, I remember Dad’s words, I’m a Walsh; my responsibility is to my current family, so my children have nothing to do with you nor do I. This is the last time I’ll come here.”

“Disrespectful child!”

Michonne gripped her son tight and bypassed every single person, not spearing a glance. She was dead serious. Both she and Sasha decided to make good on their commitment. When they arrived, Sasha took the kids inside so Michonne made a call. No one would hurt or use her children and she’d never let this incident go, waiting for the right time for a home run. The first step in this was to let her spouse know. Shane, however, was currently on the necks of his board of directors.

“What are we? Answer. That’s a real question.”

“Our business model is scalable: Our brand fuels many value propositions and generates diverse revenue streams. Briton's business isn’t just about making movies and selling news; it’s also about creating and sustaining brands.” The short, curly-haired man named Aaron stated it matter-of-factly.

“Exactly!”

“That being said, we are an all-American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate that people want to see fail... Becoming a monopoly is not the best move.” Aaron surmised, knowing it was not what Shane wanted to hear. Soon after, an Asian woman chimed in.

“He right. Maybe we should slow down and focus on our current situation. Stabilising is the most important thing. Let me say, may that girl rest in peace, but the bad press is hurting us and we have the issue with the bank.”

“We’re already a fucking monopoly. Bad press; what a fucking joke. We’re a fucking multi-media company. Who’s fucking us, huh? Who, just who’s gonna tell my old man no? Yumiko, I get it… I do.” Her shrewd decisions were why the company survived the last depression without any major damage, he’d still fight. “It still don’t mean shit. If we privatise, it helps?”

“Well, yes but that is not—” A phone rang.

“Hold on…” Shane hurried out, putting his phone in his ear.

“Babe. What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“You can’t rely on my family... I kind of disowned them... about fifteen minutes ago.”

“What happened? The phone went quiet. “Chonne, talk to me.”

“They slashed your son’s face.”

“You serious? You being real right now?

“Yeah, I’m being dead serious!”

“You did the right thing. I deal with this when I get home. Where are you now?”

“With Sash, at a fun house, trying to lift the kids’ spirit…”

“That’s good. They need it… Babe, I gotta go—”

��Shane, wait!” She sucked in heavily. “Can we come by… Babe, the kids miss you.”

“I’m sorry, you can’t. I’m swamped. I gotta important meeting. I only took a break to take this call.”

“I get it; I do. Can you at least come home early?”

“I don't—I don’t know, but I’ll try.”

“You have to go to Ronan today. You can’t miss it.”

“Ah shit. I forgot… I’ll be there, but I gotta go. I’ll see you later. Love you.”

…

The lush emerald leaves fluttered in the air, their faces gleaming in the sun. The falling leaves seemed to be having a constant, quiet conversation, their murmurs and whispers filling the air and rustling as the wind blew across them. With the garden in full bloom, the air was filled with the scent of early May. Michonne didn’t care for the mansion, but for the large, peaceful gardens she stood in and for the azure blue sea that sprawled far and wide and blended with the sky on the distant horizon concealed behind the frigid white mansion's walls. Her eyes were unfaltering yet soft while she focused on the sounds. At times, raging waves slammed against the cliffs, and the ocean’s voice turned into a chorus of screaming giants. At times, the ocean’s rhythm was like a soothing pulse, a continual reminder of nature's presence, as it is now. She closed her huge brown eyes, absorbing everything, until the sound of a heavy, uneasy footstep jolted her out of her reverie. Magna stared at Michonne as though she were studying a paper. From her grey, satin, dolman-sleeve knee-length dress to her black T-strap heels. Michonne stared back at her, calm and composed. Not a ripple in sight.

“May I help you?”

“Oh, no. Mind any company?”

“Make yourself at home. Any guest of ‘my good brother’ is a guest of me.”

“Thank you.” Magna took a deep breath and rubbed her chest.

“Your first pregnancy?”

“How—”

“Try ginger. It’s old-fashioned, but it works. Until then, have a mint; it’ll help.”

“Thank you…” She stared cautiously at the mint as Michonne smiled with a stretched hand.

“You are very welcome. Walk with me?”

“Oh, alright.” Michonne hooked their arms together at Magna’s confirmation, strolling through the garden.

“So how did you meet, Monty?”

“A mutual friend introduced us.”

“And did this mutual friend happen to introduce you at one of his ‘special’ parties?” A momentary look of discomfort crossed Magna’s pretty face. “I’m not judging you, but a word from the wise, don’t let anyone know. Even if Kendall is friendly, don’t trust her. What’s your sexuality?”

“I’m bi… Monty already told me about his grandfather; he’s—”

“Traditional… He doesn’t care who you fuck; certain family ‘associates’ might... Don’t bring up politics; speak less, listen more. You need to change how you dress; you’re trying too hard.” Michonne stared her up and down. Processing the white and pink, long-sleeved floral dress, yellow straw sun hat, and pink pumps.

“What makes you say that?” Her lips grew thin and firm, breaking from Michonne, like she’d touched something hot.

“The men might not notice but the women definitely will. Let me take a guess about you… An aspiring actress or model. You were raised poor. You’re the oldest of three, maybe four, girls. Your mother wasn’t in the picture, that’s for sure. Probably dead… No, probably left when you were young, leaving your dad to raise you. Anger issues and Juvie?” Michonne saw her muscles stiffen. “Should I go on?” Spasms of irritation ran laps across her face. Just as she was ready to lash out, Michonne switched gears. “Do you like flowers?”

“What? Uh, I guess?”

“I love flowers... I love their beauty, I love watching them grow and I love the different meanings they hold… Do you know this one?” Michonne reached out to touch one of the deep, dark crimson flowers in front of them.

“No, they’re pretty.”

“Hmm, these are called black dahlias. They represent death, betrayal and anguish and should not be given carelessly.”

“Why the hell would they grow them here?” Michonne tilted her head to the side inquisitively at her question and chuckled.

“Ronan’s third wife gifted him this flower the day before she was murdered, so he plants them.”

“Wow…”

“Yes, and yet I can’t think of a place more fitting for it. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Michonne’s face never once fluctuated throughout this entire conversation. Magna took a clear look at her and came to the realisation that, though she still had that polite smile on her face, her eyes gave away nothing; they were empty. Those brown pools of hers read her like a book yet revealed nothing unless it willed it. Monty had made it clear that she should get closer to her. But she didn’t understand why. The woman next to her was dangerous. 

This is a bad idea, Monty! I don’t think—

“Monty sent you to me, didn’t he?”

“How—” Michonne began to circle her like she was a cornered rabbit.

“You know the difference between Monty and a condom? Condoms have evolved; they’re not so thick and insensitive anymore…I may not like him, but I admit he’s insensitive and ignorant, not stupid. He understands there are certain things he won’t be adept at dealing with. We women fight differently; we’re more calculated, and quiet. Even so, just as ruthless and important. Women underestimate the power they hold…”

“Can I trust you?” Magna decided it best to just come straight out and ask. “Can I?” Michonne stopped moving and bore deep into her before letting out a booming laugh at her silly question.

“No! You can’t… Monty miscalculated… Now that you shared this thought, I hope it made room for something smart?”

“Excuse me?”

“A piece of advice... I would hide my pregnancy for as long as possible and after that, watch what I ate and drank and my back. If I could figure it out, so could Eleanor, Andrea, and others... I’ll leave you to it then.”

Walking back to the mansion, Michonne could sense someone’s attention on her. Certain it wasn’t Magna, she came to an absolute standstill. Her lips opened, but she uttered nothing. She immediately clenched her jaw, gnawing on her bottom lip as an innate response to the jumbled mix of ideas in her head, and turned to confront his commanding gaze. They stood there in their silent battle until Michonne broke eye contact and went on her way. Entering the gathering room on the ground floor, she joined her mother-in-law on the white, vintage velvet settee, where she was having a glass of red wine. Her legs lapped as she watched Andre and Maliyah torment each other. Eleanor wore a white lantern-sleeve, button-up silk shirt with red, high-waisted trousers and a lip to match. Her jet-black hair wasn’t slick back today; she wore it in a wavy retro bob and white Mary Jane platform pumps on her feet. It didn’t matter where she was or who she was with; Eleanor had to look good. Michonne couldn’t help but sigh.

“You look lovely.”

“Naturally.”

“Did those two knuckleheads give any trouble while I was out?”

“Other than harass each other? Nah… What happened to his face?”

“My nephew… It’s a clean cut. It won’t scar. It won’t happen again.”

“Say away from those people… That thing with John, I’ll talk to Ronan about it later.” Michonne nodded in acceptance, at the same time she saw Magna enter with Monty, gaining Eleanor’s attention. “What’s that boy thinking?”

“He brought her... He’s definitely serious…”

“Is she pregnant? Is that why he’s doing it?”

“I don’t… think so... I spoke to her in the gardens earlier; she even asked for a cigarette before I told her I don’t smoke… You dislike her?”

“Well, look at her. She dresses like she’s playing doll house and she’s the fucking doll. She’s so fucking easy to read; her intentions here aren’t pure… at all.”

“Are anyone’s intentions pure?”

“No, but she’s too obvious, and not in an endearing way. Sometimes I wonder if Monty is right in the fucking head. She can’t help him; she’s not like you, me, or even the blonde hussy in the other room; she has nothing to offer, and she doesn’t know our ways. She’s green. Far too green.” Michonne leaned in a hushed voice to retort,

“I didn’t know anything either and look, I made it. I think she has something there. Look at you. You came from nothing and did well for yourself. I don’t think you should write her off just yet. Monty seems to actually love her.”

“It’s not the same thing. You may’ve been sheltered but learned quickly, you were a part of this life. And I… I did whatever necessary. Not judging her because she’s poor… She just doesn’t have it… She relying on Monty, is the dumbest fucking shit I have ever bore witness to. Relying on a man? I’ll trust a thief with my money before I do that! I learned long before I got married that John wasn’t shit.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know it; you’ve seen it... Two months before I married, a woman contacted me. Jacqui, that was her name… Told me she was pregnant and John was the father. Part didn’t want to accept it. Believe it or not, there was a time when I’d been in love—with him. I made it clear to her not to contact me again—I ignored it for a whole month! That was until I saw ‘em—saw how he looked at her. He’d never looked at me that way and I had to know why. So, I found out where she worked and showed up at her job… I understood exactly why. She had it—that thing that men loved. Do you know what I’m talking about?” Eleanor replenished her wine glass.

“No.” Michonne swallowed the saliva stuck in her throat. Her entire body felt cold, though there was no draft. Eleanor’s eyes made the hair on her body perk up. Her mother-in-law downed her glass, refilling it.

“Yes, yes you do... She was pretty, but she had nothing on me. However, she had it. All the things that aroused feelings of love and affection in men. She even had this air of innocence that could trick you… There, I stood in front of a woman my fiancé was in love with, who was also carrying his baby… I told her to get rid of it, but she wouldn’t so I warned her and left... I wonder how it felt for him not being able to marry her… Jacqui was black, you see… I may’ve been poor, but to those he was doing business with at the time—those he aligned himself with when he was digging his way to power—she held no benefit. You know those ‘ conservatives ’. Different time, I guess... “

“And you? What happened after?”

“I remember the face he had when she lost that baby. Remember well. He still married me though, because he knew right then what he needed by his side. I would never get his love, and I lost whatever affection he had for me as time went on. It didn’t matter to me. That man is so much worse than I’d ever be. The things he could think of, my mind could never conceive... I might be going to hell, but John sure is coming with me. Shane and Monty—they’re too much like their father to have just anyone by their side. The girl’s too green. Her eyes are bigger than her stomach. She’s going to cause problems sooner or later.” Michonne didn’t know how to respond and her chest felt heavy. Luckily, Maliyah came running in her lap, mouth pouting far, while her blue pools filled with tears as if the world had wronged her.

“Mama!”

“Baby? What’s wrong?”

“AJ pulled my hair!” Michonne grabbed her closer and began to soothe her brown, shaggy curls, kissing her dimpled cheeks.

“Andre,” Michonne called with a critical squint.

“Nuh-uh! No, it’s her fault! She wanted my iPad and got her hair tangled in my chain. That’s not my fault! I never told her to fight me.”

“My… Why are you fighting your sister?”

“I wasn’t fighting! I just don’t wanna give her my iPad. It’s mine!”

“Can’t you two share?”

“Why? it’s mine… I don’t touch her dolls…” He turned his face away, scrunching his nose to high heaven with a pointed chin. Eleanor, watching this, grinned, completely letting it envelop her face. She rubbed freshly trimmed curly black hair.

“He’s right. What his, is his. I get it, but you and Shane spoil her too much. She can’t have everything.” Hearing her grandmother’s words, Lia buried her face in her mother’s bosom. Andre calmed and settled between Eleanor and his mother.

“I know… I’m trying; I am... Shane doesn’t help. He makes it hard being the stern parent when he lets her get away with murder.”

“Of course it’s him.” She sighed. 

“Lia?”

“Mama?”

“You do know I have to comb your hair in time for dinner now, right?”

“No…” Her bottom lip protruded.

“Yes…”

“Eleanor?”

“Mmm?”

“I’m taking Lia up stairs.”

“Go. I’ll watch Mr. Man here.”

…

Michonne quickened her pace to try catching up to her energetic daughter when she saw a familiar but unwelcome person holding her. His gaze was gentle, complimented by a comely smile—a smile she was once fond of. She saw Maliyah tug on his beard and a strong, joyful laugh fell from his mouth. Michonne paused her steps at the sight that befell her and her chest tightened and her entire body became impossibly still. Nausea swept over her in a wave. The sound of her heartbeat was overwhelming in the silence as she gathered the mental fortitude to confront him. She stood firm, ready to take back her child, but he made no sudden movements, simply kissing Lia on her temple. After what felt like forever, his piercing blue eyes glanced up at her, beating a rush of excitement in her chest, only to bring his gaze back to her child.

“She’s just perfect, ain’t she?”

“She is; I think I’ll keep her.” Michonne stretched her hands to take her; however, Rick pulled back.

“Hey, Mal… You don’t mind getting to know me a bit, right? I’m sure if you say yes, your mama will agree.”

“Mama? Can I play with Uncle Rick? Pwease?” She knew her child better than herself. The little brat didn’t want to comb her hair. She knew when to be cute to get her way—when to get her needed attention.

“Lia, please, let’s not—” She knew it was pointless, so she simply asked, “Where’s Carl?”

“Keeping the old man company. Where’s your husband? With the mistress?”

“You are not doing this with my daughter here. Give her to me.” Rick looked back and forth between the two.

“You’re right. She didn’t need to hear this, but we ain’t done talking.” He kisses Lia once on her crown as he sees a maid leave Ronan’s bedroom and flag her over. “Sweetpea, I need to say a few things to your mama for a bit. Can you go with Miss Carla so she can take you to Grandma? Just for a little while.”

“Okay…”

“Good girl.” He handed her over. His eyes were still and he never left her until she was out of sight. That’s when he decided to grace her with his gaze again. “Look at her... Perfect.” He opened the door to Ronan’s study so they could talk without prying eyes.

“What is it? What do you want from me?”

“I told you to expect a call from me.”

“I got no such call.”

“I never said you did. I had to settle Carl first… I talked to Shane; he helped me get Carl into the same school as your boy.”

“What are you doing here, Rick?”

“I’m back with my family... Am I not allowed?”

“Cut the bullshit! We both know damn well that you’re not here for them. And what’s this about you being COO? How did you even push Cophe out when John was set on him? Your brother loves you, so whatever you’re planning, leave him out of it. I don’t know what you think happened to Lori but it was suicide.”

“You and Lori were close leading up to her death; don’t try bullshitting me, she told me herself… I’m gonna ask you some questions and you will answer me.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Oh, you better. A lot is dependent on how you behave, darling.”

“Rick.”

“Was Lori pregnant when she passed?”

“Ye—Yes.”

“Who was the father?”

“I think I—I don’t know—”

“Who do you think? Be honest.”

“John… I saw them once, just once…”

“You saw ‘em… Who else? Did she mention anything suspicious? Like name or—”

“Rick. I can’t; I made a promise. Please.” A momentary look of discomfort crossed her face as she glanced around, not focusing on anything; she didn’t meet his eyes. Rick took her arm.

“Think about Carl.”

“I am thinking about him. It’s why I can’t say anything. If you care about your son, don’t. Just don’t. You are not the one that matters here.” He released her but kept the gap closed and bent his face to her ear.

“And your family ain’t got nothing to do with this? You’re still so selfish, even after all this time… Let me ask you this. Who is Maliyah’s real father?” Her eyes flicked for a millisecond; however, she managed to rope it back in and kept her tone deceptive even as she gave a mocking crackle.

“What the hell are you on about? I’m not doing this; you’re crazy!” As she walked away, he pulled her back.

“I told you Lori was one of the reasons I came back. I’m giving you another one… You let another man raise my child all this time… Fucking me over once ain’t enough?”

“You’re insane!”

“You’re a fucking liar!” He grabbed her face. “All you do is lie! Can you tell the truth for a goddamn change? Or is that beyond you? You’re such a piece of fucking work. God, you drive me crazy! You take me for a fool; you always have... Tell me the truth.” Michonne’s lips were wide, hanging loosely in a forlorn mental state.

“I had my reasons. You know I did…” Her eyes were scarcely open, yet he noted how they glistened with unshed tears. They fell when she whispered, “I’m sorry…” He nodded in rapid motion in acceptance. His slight smile gave way that he was trying to overcome. “I’m sorry…”

“How long… how long did you know? Was it before I left or—”

“Rick…”

“Just tell me.”

“Before… Rick. I had my reasons.”

“Why? After a whole other woman, two miscarriages, two outside children, the drugs… Do you love him that much?”

“It’s not that simple... I do love my husband… He and I have hurt each other so much so, I’ve lost count. It’s unfair for me to expect more from him when he’s just not built to be a good person. He’s not like you, and he never will be. I didn’t stay with him because I loved him. That may sound like a contradiction to you, but it’s the truth.”

“So why? Are you in love with him?”

“I—I honestly couldn’t say... I don’t know... As for why, there are many reasons.”

“Like what? You gonna stand here and tell me you destroyed everything that I worked for—that we did, you gave a man my child and you ain’t even sure of your goddamn feelings for him. Nah, you better start talking.”

“It’s so easy for you. You can call me selfish, but you’re the most selfish person I know! You want to know... Well, for one, I had my son to think about!” She yelled, banging her chest, locking in a heated glare with her former lover. “I’m a piece of work? Well, you make me sick!”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah!”

“Yeah?”

Rick snatched her by the waist and they stared as though hypnotised. His eyes conveyed vulnerability that she saw only when he was with her all that time ago, and before she could say a thing, he had covered her full lips with his own. As the kiss deepened, his right hand was caressing her all over, soon finding its way under her dress. She was like the opposite of Shame plant, wrapping his arms around his neck unconsciously. When his finger made way to enter her, Michonne ceased his hand, snapping away from his lips, thwarting any movement from either of them till her hands jerked back like she’d touched fire. She covered her mouth and adrenaline jolted through her veins, signaling her to leave.

“So much for making you sick.”

Anger rushed in the moment the shock faded at his arrogance, and she pushed past him, not willing to face her partner in crime and bolted down the staircase. Magna watched Michonne from across the room. She seemed different from their encounter. Frazzled, on edge. Her arms were wrapped around herself while she tiptoed over to her kids.

What’s her deal? Where did she come from?

“I don’t like her.”

“Come on, Magna.”

“I thought you said she’d help?”

“I told you to try and get her on your side. You didn't; that’s on you.”

“Screw you.”

“You’re already doing that, Blondie.” Monty sipped on his glass of gin and cast a gaze on his sister-in-law. “You may not like what she said, and you sure ain’t gotta; however, she’s danced this song longer than you can dream. If she says your fucking trash, that’s what the hell you are.”

“Wow, what good moral support.”

“I ain’t here to hold your hand; it’d do you more harm than good if I did hold your hand.”

“She told me to hide my pregnancy for as long as possible.”

“She did? She knows?” Monty’s hand was only a few inches away from the glass’s stem when his eyes dilated, his usual conciseness replaced with foggy scepticism.

“She said that if she could tell, so would others, like your mom could find out as well, and that when it does finally come out, to be careful.”

“I see. I don’t think she’s told Mom anything yet. You should’ve told me this first… She says she won’t help but she kept it, huh?” His face brightens like a glowing sign, and he forfeits his body to the revelry, tracking Michonne’s every move. “She ain’t change a bit; still so soft.”

“But she said she won’t help.”

“She won’t go out of her way, but unlike the others, she won’t actively hurt you. She’s just washing her hands of what happens in the future.”

“So, what do I do?”

“Stick to her. Beat her down. I’d tell you to seduce her, but I don’t think she’s into that.”

“So cheating is not the problem? But the fact that she doesn’t swing my way.” Her brow rose with his smile.

“No, that too, though unlike you, she’s actually wife material. Nothing like the both of us, baby.”

“Oh, kiss my ass.”

…

Joseph Walsh, his heavily pregnant common-law wife Mortica Pines, his three children, Ethan and his wife Reya, Emmanuella and Evan, and his three grandchildren, Rachel, Lena, and Luke, had just arrived in time to kick off the dinner leading into the family weekend. Shane and Kendall weren’t here, much to Eleanor’s disgust. Michonne made her way to Ronan’s bedroom at her mother-in-law’s behest to let it be known that dinner was ready and everyone else present was gathered in the dining room. She reached to turn the knob and paused when the whispering Ronan and Rick enticed her ears to eavesdrop. Not much was learned considering only bits and pieces survived the muffled travel. Words like ‘Company’, ‘Dept’, ‘Shares’ and ‘Son’ induced small hair to rise on her body. Her cheeks blew out with a heavy breath meant to steady her and a smile was forced in an effort to conceal her worry and doubt, a skill she fostered for years. The bells were ringing once more, and she didn’t know why. She was frozen until the voice of a young child shook her sane, causing her to finally open the door and greet them.

“Ah, I forgot to knock. Sorry, hope I’m not disturbing.”

“No, no, my dear! Come, let me see you!” Michonne sprints and kneels next to Ronan’s wheelchair, taking his hardened palm. Coldness from his six mammoth sized rings invading her. 

“Aunt Michonne!” He dashed, hugging her.

“You remember me? You were so young when you left!”

“Of course I do! I still got a picture of you and Dad!”

“A picture…Oh.” She immediately fixed her faltering smile. “Dad’s had you lock up all day with great gramps?”

“Yeah, Dad’s been busy, but grandpa fun!”

“Yes, he is, but I sure it wouldn’t have hurt to have someone around your age to play with.”

“There’s nobody like that here.”

“Not true! There’s my son Andre, and uncle Joseph just got here with his family. He’s got grandchildren around your age.”

“Really?”

“Yeah! Tomorrow, I expect to see you out and about!”

“Joe's here…” Ronan mumbled to himself.

“That’s part of the reason I came up. Dinner is ready. Shall we go?”

…

Rick kept his gaze fixed on Michonne as she strode across the room. Michonne had been a slender woman with unexpectedly generous curves for as long as Rick had known her. She created an outstanding figure with her full lips, breasts, and round hips. Michonne's most attractive features were her rich chocolate-brown complexion, big brown eyes to match and the long black butterfly locs that she seldom allowed falling below her waist when she wasn't wearing them in a tidy styled bun. A prideful woman, never a hair or speck out of place. She made sure Andre was properly seated and went on her own, placing Maliyah on her lap. Lia sneakily reached out to the table to steal a piece of meat. Unbeknownst to her, Rick was surveilling her every movement. Rick tried to suppress his chuckling but delved into low laughter at her little antics. This earned the attention of the family, who spun in their chairs to see the commotion. Michonne had sensed his gaze on her and Lia the entire time. She delivered a warning glare, cautioning him about his shameless behaviour.

I shouldn’t’ve admitted shit! Can’t he have some decorum?

Not catching a reason for his outburst, everyone went back to eating. Michonne adjusted Lia and decided not to pay any more attention to the immoral clown on her left.

“So, Carl, are you liking being back home in America?”

“Michonne, you should have gotten a high chair for her.” Reya implored.

“This one is a picky eater; she makes a mess everywhere; better not.” She implored.

“Oh, nonsense! She three! It’s her job to be those things. Besides, what are the servants here for?”

“Why the hell are you telling her what to do with her child? Don’t you got your own demons to micro-manage. Look at that jackass at the end with the damn lamb sauce.” Rick chin point towards Luke.

“I’m sorry. Who are you?” Ethan and Rick became locked in an intense staredown.

“What was that, you stupid cunt?” Eleanor turned, blue eyes cold and proud, same as Rick’s.

The whole table grew stagnant, and gazes bounced out off each other. Even Andrea had nothing to add. Ronan placed his utensils down on the table, picked up a serviette and wiped his mouth. Making all cease movement. The tensing of his jaw informed the room that it would end now. Logan partially raised Rick. He gave him all the fine things in life and never let him perceive himself as less, as much as possible, among his remaining grandchildren. When Rick made the choice to leave, Ronan used all tactics in his book to keep him from going. Rick wasn’t a Walsh, but it didn’t matter. Many saw him as an outsider and a bastard, but none vocalised it. For Ethan to utter such a foolhardy question, one wondered if he was indeed a cunt.

“I hear the media’s on your asses… That girl?” Everyone’s face went slack at the twist. “What is this?”

“It’s still being investigated; no harm done. I’ll be over soon enough." John said. "Don’t worry about the media. We are the media. Don’t think too hard, Dad. Shane will deal with it; he’s dealing with it now.”

“All this mess; I’m getting too old to make the big decisions.”

“Your still young, Rone! Don’t sell yourself short.” Eleanor smiles, softening him up a bit.

“Always the silver tongue with you... Still, I think it’s time.”

“Time for what, Rone?”

“I’m giving Richard my stocks in the company!”

If a person's goal was to create World War III, Ronan’s words were the perfect catalyst. Michonne lifted her head, fiddled with her daughter’s hand, and surveyed the members of her esteemed ‘Royal’ family. For the first time this evening, Monty looked rattled. Ethan, Emmanuella and Evan sat unblinking, processing the new devastating blow. Reya kept looking back and forth at Ronan and Ethan’s faces, hazy with uncertainty. Eleanor’s brow slid up, though she hid a slight smirk on her pretty, red lips with her wine class. Joseph clearly wanted to add something but held his tongue, seeing John not say a word. Out of everyone here, John was the most contradictory in terms of reactions. He did not move a muscle, didn’t even seek out his father, and continued eating.

Would he really allow another man’s child to hold so much power in his company? Did he love Rick that much? A man like him?

Given Rick was now the second most influential person to the company, with the second most stakes only behind John and to be the knew COO, She could understand ‘The Plight Of Man’ she bore witness to. A pity that Kendall and her husband weren’t present to receive this gift. She couldn’t help but ponder whether her husband would still trust his most beloved brother. She knew the man causing all this smoke was waiting for her attention, nonetheless Michonne didn’t meet his gaze and bluntly declared,

“Congratulations.”

“Grandfather, you're not serious, are you?” Emmanuella didn’t care, this was ridiculous to her.

“And why wouldn’t I be serious?”

“What’s she tryna say is, this is a family business, and though Rick is family, I’m sure everyone agrees with that.” He spun he neck everywhere as if trying to get others to join in his ‘sacrifice’. “It’s not really the same as actual blood.”

“What you name again boy?” Ronan stroked his chin.

“Uhh, Granddad… it’s Ethan...”

“Listen here, Ethan… It’s mine… and I get to decide what the fuck I do with ‘em. Fuck off… I tired… Help me Richard.”

“Sure, old man.”

And that is how dinner concluded.

…

Shane gazed out the window, momentarily confused as to why it was so dark. His wonder ended when a lithe voice bombarded him. A voice he was familiar with all his life.

“I heard Dad’s fucking you.”

“Yeah, well…”

“Wanna talk about it?”

“You of all people? You gonna sit here and play Kumbayah with little ol me?”

“Oh, cut that shit out... I shouldn’t’ve asked. Ugh!”

“Come on, K.” He grabbed her hand before she stomped away in annoyance.

“Don’t fuck with me.”

“Let's talk.”

“About?”

“I don’t know... life? Dad? Why we’re both late?

“I’m… I’m thinking about selling... We’re at risk of getting eaten anyways.”

“K… you serious? If you need help, just ask.”

“I’m not giving Dad any leverage... If I ask, it means I failed.”

“You and your ego; it’s fucking horseshit. You gonna throw away everything you worked for for pride?”

“Yeah… If I sell, I’ll make the decision. I’d ended it on my terms. So yeah.”

“Alright, sell… Come work for me. No, work with me.”

“Shane…”

“I know you said you ain’t wanted nothing to do with Briton, but we both know that’s bullshit. Dad ain’t never wanted you to get involved and—”

“He’s a parochial cunt!” She snapped, “And still don’t trust that I can do this.”

"K..."

“Why me? Why not Monty? He could be a better help.”

“I don’t trust Monty. I trust you and I trust Rick… What do you say?” He put out his right hand, waiting for her to accept. Kendall stared at him, then down at his hand, a motion she repeated about five times till she took it.

“Okay… Okay, but I have to get a real say. A real seat at the table.”

“Alright!” Shane boldly affirmed his stance towards her.

“Alright…By the way,” she remembered a thought that nags her. “Philip Blake? What the fuck? What happened to Lance Hornsby?”

“Hornsby is running for his final term. It’s simply replenishing the stock. You know better, K.”

“With Philip Blake?”

“Dad and Grandpa likes him. Little matters. You know that. Besides, it ain’t our concern.”

“Not our concern? If he’s anything like Hornsby, it's definitely yours.”

“I ain’t had a one-on-one with the guy yet. What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Shane… You gotta a black wife and biracial children. Come on.”

“My family was fine before; they’re gonna be fine after.”

“Okay.” Kendall threw up her hands in defeat. “We are late, so we should head in.”

Dinner was long concluded. Light from the patio shone through the small window, a scented candle aiding in the welcoming shadows of the. At 11:00 p.m., only the estate guards were active. Kendall went upstairs first, leaving Shane sitting on the bottom stairs. He washed his face with his hands as if attempting to wake himself up by wiping away the fatigue and puffiness. Getting up, he considered it to require more work than it was worth. When he and his wife slept at his grandfather’s, the corridor to their shared bedroom seemed four times longer than usual. Walking in, he noticed her sitting up in the bed with her back against the headboard, reading 'Anna Karenina' by Leo Tolstoy. She didn’t raise her gaze at him, nor did she welcome him as she always did. He dragged out a fresh bathrobe and went to the bathroom. The water from the shower was relaxing, and when he came out, he wondered if he should have stayed since his darling wife had now decided he was worth her time.

“Nothing to say, huh?”

“Michonne… not tonight. I’m fucking tired.”

“Okay!” Head nodding up and down like a bobblehead, she bent the tip of the page she was reading and put her book on the nightstand. “You’re… tired! Shane is tired! Should I buy a cake? Should I invite Beyoncé to sing for you? Should I go outside naked and scream it at the top of my lungs?”

“You gonna overreact?”

“Overreact… That’s what I’m doing, huh? Overreacting?”

“Imma break this down for you to understand, babe. I got work!”

“Oh, my fucking gosh—”

“I gotta work, to provide, for my kids, So that your ass can enjoy all the fancy shit you love—”

“You’re full of shit!”

“That fancy wine, that fancy clothes and shoes, The nice houses and nice cars—”

“Cut the bullshit! You are a billionaire! You don’t have to work a day in your life because unlike most, you were born lucky! And you will inherit billions more when Ronan and John croaks, throw your mother in there! This isn’t about me or the kids! It’s not about us, It’s about you!”

“Me! You're so damn vindictive…”

“I don’t get your need to have your daddy’s attention... You are his favourite. Does that make you feel better? You’re his favourite, which means you’re his favourite toy.”

“Don’t. Just don’t.”

“What is with this need—this desperate need for recognition and affection from a man who doesn’t deserve it? If it weren’t for the monthly family weekends, which you’ve been ducking for how long now, your kids wouldn’t have even gotten a glimpse of you! When was the last time you saw them awake, Shane? Do you even remember?”

“Everything I do, I do for my kids! I ain’t like you making it sound like I’m out here abandoning my kids. You been telling ‘em this shit? It ends now! I ain’t having it!”

“Keep your voice down or so help me, God! The fact that you think I’d even do something like that... Go sleep in another room. I don’t want to see your face right now.”

“People will see us.”

“They’ve already fucking heard us, Shane! Your voice, it tends to carry.”

“Imma give you your space… Gosh, you’re fucking crazy.”

“Maybe so, but I’m not a piece of shit like you. Get out Bill Clinton. I need my beauty sleep.”

Shane stood unmoving, examining his wife’s back as she prepared for bed, not paying him any mind. He rubbed his hand over his face, through his hair and bit his lip before storming out, slamming the bedroom door behind him shut. It was only when he was out of the room that Michonne let her locs down and looked at where he left. She slipped into her silk nightgown and went to bed. At the same time, a young man with ocean-blue eyes, walked under the starry night sky, thinking back to a simpler time.

7 years, 7 months prior

The sky was illuminated with stars like embers. It was the promise of life in the dark, a feeling of warmth emerging from the cold. It should've been a vastness to offer humility and an unending expanse to inspire thankfulness for the comfort of home. Rick considered each night’s sky a new gift, no matter how many years passed. It made him feel better. And he hopes it will now. As he walked through the starry night, he met the figure of a woman’s back. She didn’t move a muscle and uncharitably gazed at what he sorted out. He recognised her immediately, and as he stepped unwittingly towards her, he noticed her tear-drained face. Each drop is like a shard of glass or a diamond.

“Michonne?” She didn’t answer. It was almost like she was lost in her mind. “Michonne?” It was the second call on which she turned to him. She stared at him, then ran her fingers over her wedding ring.

“Did you know?” It was uttered so minutely, he didn’t know if he missed some of her question.

“What?”

“Did you know about her?” They both understood exactly who she was referring to.

“I’m sorry…”

“Who else? Who else knew?” He couldn’t answer her obvious, but tragic question. “So everyone knew? I was just a fool to laugh at.” Rick could tell she'd sobbed extensively and for a long time since her eyes were swollen and most likely red. Her lips formed a half-formed, lifeless smile, and she tightened her crossed arms until she was more or less cradling herself.

“Shhh, it’s not worth it.” He rushed to her and gave her the warmest embrace he could muster. “I’m sorry.”

“I lost my baby… I lost my baby…”

He wrapped her more tightly, unsure how to react. She rocked softly back and forth, her voice devolving into an inconsolable whine, gasping between wails, hardly able to gather her breath for the next, unaware she even was doing it. He gave her a soothing hug and offered compassion without words, whilst he placed a hand on her lower back and gently guided her to sit down. They didn't say anymore and held her chilled hand, enabling her to let it all out.

Present

If Rick could mark the day their relationship changed, it’d be then. He stopped being the distant brother-in-law and became a friend. He became a friend for her to cry on and he never minded. He reached in his pocket for a smoke, making his way through the graceful garden, when he saw a woman smoking by herself.

“I didn’t expect you here. Come to your mother.”

“It's quiet out here… It’s nice…”

“As opposed to?”

“Your son and his wife are fighting…”

“Hmm… Is it about that woman?”

“I don’t really know.”

“Your brother needs to let that woman go, for his own sake.”

“Mmm… Mom… I—I’m probably gonna break your heart. I just hope you can go on loving me like you been… I know it may be a selfish thing to want, but I want it nonetheless…”

“You were premature when I had you… So small—so frail yet perfect. I spent six months up and down with you in a hospital because I could not lose you… Shane, Monty, Kendall... They’ve never been mine, but their father’s. You—you’re mine. You’re my boy, my sweet boy and you’ll always be my boy.” Eleanor held his cheek. “You got as much right as they do to fight. I love you, and I always will.”

…

…

…

Keynotes-

Sandalwood is a proven relaxant, decreasing anxiety, calming the nervous system, and assisting with better quality sleep. Its benefits are realised upon inhalation of the sweet, woody fragrance or when absorbed through the skin.

The Paris Wife is a fictional account of the relationship between Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley Richardson. The book follows the doomed relationship from its inception up until its dissolution several years later.

Black dahlias symbolise betrayal and sadness. They aren’t actually black but a really dark crimson that can sometimes give the illusion of them being black. Most notably, they're associated with the infamous murder of Elizabeth Short in 1947 in Los Angeles. This case became known as “The Black Dahlia” murder, and it remains unsolved to this day. Can you see where I’m going with this ;D

Mimosa pudica, or shame plant, is a creeping annual or perennial flowering plant. It is often grown for its curiosity value. The sensitive compound leaves fold inward, droop when touched or shaken and re-open a few minutes later. Mimosa pudica is not a carnivorous plant.

Anna Karenina is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published in book form in 1878. The narrative centers on the adulterous affair between Anna, wife of Aleksey Karenin, and Count Vronsky, a young bachelor. Karenin's discovery of the liaison arouses only his concern for his public image. Anna promises discretion for the sake of her husband and young son but eventually becomes pregnant by Vronsky. The story tells about the dangers of idealising a partner, the pitfalls of Romanticism, the difficulty of marriage and the importance of communication.

The plight of man is a biblical reference. It means to be under the control of someone else or something else or it means that the human race is under the domination of sin. We are all part of the dominion of sin. Man outside of Christ is under the control of sin and he is helpless to escape from it.

Prologue

Chapter-1

[decks-writing-blog]

Sparky

Summary: Alyx adopts an orphaned reviver pup.

[A/N] During my gnome run in HL: Alyx I had the dev commentary on. And in one of their nodes about the Reviver, they talked about how they had to redo its animations and sounds because it was too cute before and play testers would rather take it home as a pet than kill it. Which gave me the idea for this fic.

~

Yes, it would grow up to be a dangerous electric dog headcrab thingy. The exact kind of thing best not messed with unless one had to. But right now it was a cute baby and she’d killed what was presumably its mother – or father or just parent – making it an orphan. Since she was the one who’s orphaned it, she was now responsible for it, right? She certainly couldn’t just leave it here to slowly die without its caretaker to tend it. And it was making such sad whimpering sounds.

Alyx glanced around. Other than the orphaned alien baby, she was alone. The electric thing she’d killed was in the other room, part of its still twitching body visible through the doorway. If it had a mate that was helping with its nest, said mate was nowhere in evidence. How did these things even reproduce? They knew how headcrabs made more of themselves but this wasn’t one even if it did have some similarities. In fact, they knew almost nothing about these things. Adopting the baby, if they could keep it alive, would give them a good opportunity to learn.

Not Alyx’s field of expertise or something she was particularly interested in, she preferred computers and machines, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t curious. Isaac had helped raise her after all. His enthusiasm had a tendency to rub off on anyone who spent significant time in his presence. He’d be delighted by the opportunity. And well, she was here on a mission for him anyway; collecting spore samples to study with the intent to explore the possibility of setting up a Resistance hideout in the Quarantine Zone if they could do so safely. A bonus pet wouldn’t be unwelcome.

“Okay little guy, I’m going to try to pet you now so… please don’t shock me.” Even if it did shock her, per Dad’s insistence she wore proper protective gear this time even though it had been a couple months since her first trip through the Quarantine Zone and nothing bad had happened to her. The argument that she’d been cleaned of the contamination in the Vault might be valid but it was still be annoying to suited up so thoroughly. At least it was coming in handy now though.

The little electric dog looked up at her voice and flinched back with a whimper as she lowered herself down in front of it. She extended her hand slowly, trying to exude an non-threatening aura. How one did that, she wasn’t sure but she tried her best. Seemingly she succeeded too as the little guy didn’t run as she touched it and lightly ran her fingers down its back. If it tried to shock her or had any natural electricity, she couldn’t feel it through the gloves. So far, so good.

After a few strokes it seemed to calm down. Maybe it even enjoyed it. Either way, it crawled closer. She shifted her hand to hold palm up in front of it. It hesitated a moment before crawling onto it. Barely bigger than her hand, it was very light. Pulling that hand close to her body, she stood.

“Looks like you’re coming with me then. Awesome. Sorry about your mom or dad or… whatever. If I’d known it was guarding a nest I probably would’ve just left.” Especially since with her rubber boots she couldn’t be zapped anyway. “But too late now I guess. Um, I have a few more samples I gotta collect and then we’re gonna head home, ‘kay?” It couldn’t respond of course so she just turned to get back to work instead.

~

“Hey Dad,” Alyx said as Dad stepped up to greet her upon her return to the main Resistance hideout. “Look what I found.” She gestured to her new pet, now riding on her shoulder.

He stepped forward, frowning a little as he looked at it. “What is it?”

“You know those lightening dogs I told you guys about, its a baby one of them. I accidentally stumbled into its nest apparently and kind of killed its parent, orphaning it, so I adopted it. I’ve decided to name him Sparky because well… yeah, you get it, he sparks.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Well, ‘suppose I can’t say I’m shocked.” He winked, indicating the pun was intentional. “Isaac’s brought home so many aliens I’m actually a bit surprised you haven’t picked up the habit before now.”

“And you brought home the vortiguants so we’ve all done it now, huh? Not that that’s really comparable since they’re, you know, people, but you get the idea. But speaking of Isaac, could you watch Sparky while I deal with this?” She gestured to herself, indicating the protective gear. It was hot, sweaty, and awful, the sooner she could get out of it, the better. “So I can give him his spore stuff.”

“It’s safe to hold him?”

“I think so. He’s been through the decontamination thingy and he’s a baby so he’s not sparking as much as the full grown ones.” She carefully lifted Sparky and placed him in Dad’s offered palm. He immediately crawled up to sit on his shoulder. Seemingly he liked to be there.

“’Kay, I’ll take good care of him.”

~

First Alyx handed Isaac the sealed vials containing samples from as many different types of Xen flora as she’d been able to find. She let him ooh and ah over them a little bit as he unpacked them from the case, having barely taken the time to put on gloves before doing so. All well and good, an important mission complete but as exciting as that was she had something more lively to share too.

“And while I was hunting spores and stuff I had another run in with one of those lighting dogs I told you guys about. I killed it of course because it was trying to kill me.”

Isaac perked up, his eyes widening behind his glasses. “Ooh, did you bring back its heart? You said it acted as a power source, correct? I’d love to study it.”

Even before he’d finished speaking she was pulling it out of her backpack’s side pocket. “Yep.” It was still pulsing seemingly just as strongly as when fresh pulled from the thing’s corpse – she’d put the baby back in its nest and closed the door before doing that, it would’ve felt wrong to let it see that.

“Fascinating. Let me go get a specimen jar for it.” He scrambled off to the other side of the lab, Alyx following. After digging around in one of the boxes, clinking glass, he pulled out a wide jar. Upon unscrewing the lid, he held it out for her to drop the heart into.

Before he could start to say anything as he screwed the jar closed… “Not only did I bring back its heart but also…” She reached down into her backpack’s main pocket, holding her palm open for Sparky to crawl onto it. He gladly did so, scampering up her forearm towards her shoulder. Perhaps that behavior had something to do with their instincts. Like they normally rode around on their parents’ backs or something. “… its baby. And for the record, I didn’t know it had a baby. I would’ve left without killing if I had known. By the time I found this little guy it was too late. And well at that point I couldn’t just leave it there. So I brought him home. His name is Sparky.”

“Alyx! You’re a fabulous lab assistant. You never fail to deliver above and beyond what is asked of you.”

“Ah, thanks. And just so we’re clear, he’s my pet. You can study him and stuff but I found him and named him so he’s mine.” She’d grown rather attached on the way down here. Other than Dog, who barely counted as a pet since he was more guardian and helper, the only other pet she’d ever had was Bug, the snark Dad had given her to keep her company while she watched the Citadel’s construction. She’d gone back to look for it as soon as she could but it had escaped. Which was for the best of course, otherwise it would’ve starved to death with her gone. It did leave her without a pet though so time to fix that.

“Of course, dear, of course. I have a pet of my own now after all and she’d get awfully jealous if I tried to bring home a baby too.”

“That headcrab you caught the other day?” He’d said he’d intended to keep it as a pet when he’d brought it in but Alyx still wasn’t entirely sure how good an idea that was. Headcrabs were dangerous in a uniquely unsettling way.

“Yes. I have successfully debeaked her, now I just need to get to stop jumping on people’s heads and pick a name. I’m thinking Lamarr or Hedy after Hedy Lamarr. But first, Sparky!” He clapped his hands before turning and starting back towards the middle of the lab. “We need to work on figuring out what he eats and what kind of environment he’ll be most comfortable in. No time to waste on that either. Babies tend to need to eat a lot, don’t want him starving while we dilly-dally around.”

Oh. Alyx hadn’t considered that. She quickly followed. She’d signed up for this when decided to adopt him so time to do her best.

[doomed-era]

very quickly speedrunning hi can i ask about the return alt chapter the ghosts gboh chapter and the unreleased the devil went down to gerogia fic devil voice okk byyeeeee

HEHEHHO UH I can actually tell you more about the return it's not. actually spoilers it's just throwing a lot of things at you with no context. And it's set like, four years before ALT proper starts. I gotta leave for work in a few so this will be a while in the making

the return here is a very literal title again, it's about blasse returning home from. Something. It also alludes to the origin of the scar he has on his face

As for what I enjoy about it, I really like the buildup to an exchange Blasse has with Lance.

He would have been home by now. Lance would be in his study-turned-room, brooding over a poem he had been stuck on for a month or writing in his journal, and the captain would have burst through the door. Every other day he tried to get fish from the market, claiming he had caught it from the river himself. The younger soldier would groan at his stupid, repetitive joke, then they'd make dinner.

"Now I've really caught something," a familiar voice said. "Not as scaly as I'd like." The captain put away his sword, and removed his hood, grinning impishly.

Lance and his not-dad are so silly and I love them smh. I. MIGHT post it soon but only after I get through a good portion of Chapter 4 and finish something I want to write to give more context about Lance and Blasse's relationship.

Just a Ghost is also fairly straightforward. It's a chapter dealing with Link's feelings about Mipha, and the chapter title references that. I really enjoyed writing Link having some good moments with Hylia here, too. In both the story itself and in regard to her purpose in the story, she's not *just* there to torment him, technically.

We also have that one flashback scene with Paya. Yeah the mysterious person is her!! That whole scene was to establish what happened to Link and why he is Like That about Mipha, but it's also partially because I haven't really liked fics that handle trauma very much. Honestly if that's not your main focus, that's completely okay, not everyone is gonna talk about how the big adventure will affect the protagonist in very negative ways, and not every person will even be affected at all. Still, I see a lot of people treat trauma like it's something you can kinda just slap onto a character to make them cry for a scene and remove once it's convenient, which I loathe, since I've been treated like I should just get over stuff before I was ready to, and I've seen people treat others this way too. It's an unkind mentality, and I don't want to see it in fiction where I'm supposed to accept it and see it as good!

Sorry I have feelings about that. uhh. yeah that was a major driving force behind this chapter.

Okay now for the devil went down to georgia :) I am shameless this is a song title and i loveee this song please listen to it. I am somewhat tentative about the title because I'm afraid people are gonna think "the devil" is in reference to ganondorf when he's actually more like the other character in the song lol. also to be fair the "devil" in this situation isn't even evil she's just chilling. Title is also in reference to this:

For one moment, just one, Ganondorf felt his will slip, and he did as all ghosts do. He sank.

I really haven't written much of it it's more of an outline in my head but he meets the goddess of decay here and she eventually promises to help him get a new body :)

[secretswiftymarvelfan]

The Demigod On Earth - Steve Rogers x Reader (Turkey Time!)

A/N: Happy Thanksgiving! I am very very thankful for all of you!

Summary: It's the time for giving thanks and goodwill and after meeting a teen in central park you decide to do some good.

Word Count: 1.7k

Warnings: Fluff! Minor Angst!

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Masterlist / Main Masterlist

Turkey Time!

You watched with a soft smile as you watched JJ kick his soccer ball around Central Park. Steve was working today so you and JJ were having a day out together. You had already visited Central Park Zoo and now were just having a kick about before heading home.

“Are you sure we don’t need a larger Turkey?” Steve asks over the phone, he was planning on getting the last of the Thanksgiving shopping on his way home.

“Yes I’m sure, it’s just the three of us this year,” you tell him as you watch JJ.

“Thor’s not coming?”

“No he’s still on his health kick so he doesn’t want to give into temptation, so it’s just you, me and JJ as Bucky is going to Sam’s” you confirm “And JJ’s not gonna eat much and I don’t want to be eating leftovers for the next month”

Steve let out another long sigh “But… we do eat more than the average person” he points out.

“Alright Joey Tribbiani, if you think you can eat a larger turkey, you get a larger turkey but I won’t be helping” you state.

Steve lets out a small chuckle “alright fine, smaller turkey it is, but we’re still having pie right?”

“Yes I’m still gonna make a pie” you chuckle, looking back over at JJ you watch him just as he kicks the soccer ball so far that he hits a teen walking through the park “Sorry Steve I gotta go, text me if you have any more questions,” you say hanging up the phone.

You quickly jog over to JJ and the teen were now talking “hey i’m sorry, he’s got a pretty strong kick” you apologise to the teen, running your hand through JJ’s hair.

“No, no it's okay” the teen says with an awkward smile “You could go pro with a kick like that” he continues smiling down at JJ.

“Wanna play with me?” JJ asks hopefully.

“Oh, I’m sure that um-” you say realising you didn’t know the teen’s name.

“Peter, Peter Parker” the teen coughs shuffling from foot to foot.

“I’m sure Peter has to get on a be somewhere JJ” you continue.

“Oh,” JJ says with a disappointed pout.

“Hey no it’s okay, I’m sure I can spare a few minutes” Peter smiles.

“Are you sure, it’s okay if you have to be somewhere” you reassure him.

“I don’t” Peter says with a smile that almost looks sad.

You study him for a moment before nodding “Okay yeah sure, sounds good, I’m just gonna call my husband back… he’s a bit lost with the Thanksgiving shopping” you say making Peter chuckle.

“Sure, don’t worry I got him Mrs Rogers,” Peter says making you startle slightly since you hadn’t introduced yourself “Sorry, I- I uh just recognised you from the news, i’m not some criminal or anything just… just a kid from queens” peter quickly rambles.

The sudden spike of nervous energy leaves your body, you weren’t sure why but you felt like you could completely trust this kid like you’d known him for years “Okay, thank you” you smile softly.

For the next fifteen minutes you watched as JJ and Peter kicked the ball around together, it was like they were old friends or even family the way they seemed so familiar with each other. You wondered what it was that caused adults to lose that innocence.

Far sooner than JJ wanted it was time to head home “Thanks for sticking around and playing with JJ” you smile thanking Peter.

“It’s nothing enjoy your holidays” Peter smiles stuffing his hands in his pockets.

“You too, got much planned?” you ask him.

“Oh uh no, it’s just me, my aunt died a couple of weeks back” Peter explains, his face turning sullen as he quickly sniffles.

“Oh I’m so sorry” you sigh sympathetically.

“I- I’m okay” Peter says but you could tell he was lying “I’ll uh- let you get on, thank you… for today” he says taking a couple steps back before turning.

You watch as he goes, feeling a sudden feeling in your gut that it was just wrong to let his kid just go “Hey Peter” you call out making him stop “It’s just gonna be us this Thanksgiving and I already know Steve it gonna buy more food than we need so um if you’re looking for somewhere to go… you can have thanksgiving with us?” you suggest.

Peter looks back at you completely shocked “But… but you don’t know me” he points out.

“I know… but I have a pretty accurate gut feeling and I have a really good feeling about you and I really don’t like the idea of you being alone on Thanksgiving” you explain, you could see Peter hesitating so you quickly scribble out your address on a piece of scrap paper “just consider it okay,” you say passing him the note.

“I uh will thank you,” Peter says with a hesitant smile.

“Cool, well maybe I’ll see you later this week” you smile “C’mon JJ let's head home”

“Bye Peter!” JJ calls out waving his hand wildly.

“Bye JJ” Peter smiles waving back.

Even though it was just the three of you Thanksgiving was still pretty hectic. Thankfully JJ was pretty distracted playing with Scout and since Steve’s cooking abilities had improved it wasn’t just you in the kitchen.

Soon enough it got to a point where everything was sorted and you were just waiting for everything to finish cooking, allowing you and Steve to collapse onto the couch. You let out a heavy sigh as you checked the clock trying not to feel disappointed that Peter hadn’t shown up.

“Hey,” Steve says softly, reaching out to take your hand “There’s still time” he reassures you.

You look over to give him a gentle smile, when you told Steve that you’d invited a someone who was basically a stranger to Thanksgiving he wasn’t impressed. The two of you argued about it for most of the evening, you understood Steve’s concerns but you just couldn’t explain the reason why you couldn’t just let this kid be alone.

“I know… I just hate the idea of him being alone so soon after losing his only family” you sigh “Nobody should be alone on Thanksgiving”

Steve hums in agreement, wrapping his arm around your shoulder and pulling you into his side so he could kiss the side of your head “More turkey for me” he mutters.

“Steve” you snort shaking your head at him, slapping his chest.

“I know, I know I’m sorry” He chuckles kissing your temple once more.

You let out another long sigh “We should probably finish setting the table” you say standing back up from the couch.

“Sure, we’ll set it for four… just in case” Steve says as he follows earning a warm smile from you.

“Thank you” you whisper leaning up to press a kiss to his lips.

You were about to step away when you heard someone knock on the door, a wide smile breaks out on your face before rushing to the door. Steve chuckled as he watched you go, remaining by the door to the living room while you continued to the door.

Taking a deep breath to calm yourself before you open the door, smiling when you saw it was Peter holding a small bouquet of fall-coloured flowers “Hey, I knew I should bring something but I’m not great at cooking or old enough to buy alcohol so” Peter rambles as he holds up the flowers.

“They’re great thank you Peter” you smile as you let him inside “I’m glad you decided to come”

“I- I’m sorry I’m late… I just… I-” Peter stutters.

“Peter it’s okay, I understand, you’re just in time” you smile softly as you lead him through the house “This is Steve” you say introducing Peter to Steve.

“It’s an honour to meet you sir” Peter says holding out his hand towards Steve.

“Call me Steve” Steve smiles as he shakes Peter’s hand.

“Steve” Peter repeats with a nervous chuckle as the three of you continue walking into the kitchen “Is there anything you could do to help?”

“Uh, why don’t you help Steve set the table? Those flowers would be lovely in the centre” you suggest with a smile.

“Yeah sure no problem” Peter smiles before following Steve into the dining room.

Steve gives you a look to say he knew exactly what you were doing and you just wanted them a chance to get to know each other but that wasn’t going to stop you.

Your plan seemed to work though as a few minutes later the two of them returned to the kitchen laughing and talking like they were old friends “Hey Pete do you want a drink?” Steve asks walking to the fridge and pulling out two beer bottles.

“Oh um I’m only 17,” Peter says shaking his head.

“That’s alright, I won’t tell” Steve winks as he pops the tops and passes Peter a bottle “You’ll be off to college soon and we all know what college kids get up to”

“Oh I won’t be going to college,” Peter says as he takes a small sip of his beer.

“Really? You seem like a smart kid” you say your brows furrowing in concern.

“Thanks,” Peter says with a small smile “but with everything that happened, I ended up having to drop out of high school but I’m working to get my GED” he explains “Plus there are a few things keeping me in New York”

“Okay… well if you ever consider university, I’m a professor at NYU, I might be able to help” you offer.

“Thank you… I’ll let you know” Peter smiles.

“Peter!” JJ shouts as he enters the kitchen, scout in tow “You came!” he smiles running over to greet Peter with a hug.

“Yeah sorry I’m late pal, why don’t you show me how much better your soccer is” Peter suggests bending down to be at eye level with JJ.

“Yes! C’mon!” JJ beams grabbing Peter's hand and dragging him outside.

You smile as you watch them go before turning back to Steve “alright you can say it” he sighs knowingly.

“I told you so” You grin victoriously as you walk over and wrap your arms around his waist.

“He’s a good kid” Steve agrees as he presses a kiss to the top of your head “You did good inviting him”

“It’s what Thanksgiving is about right?” you smile.

“Exactly” Steve smiles cupping your cheek and kissing you deeply “Maybe he can babysit so we can have some time alone” he smirks.

“Give Bucky a break” you smirk “Sounds like a good plan”

Sharing is caring so please reblog if you enjoyed this and maybe even leave a comment to make my day!

I have no schedule, please don’t ask when I will be updating!

Masterlist / Masterlist

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[monetsfog]

personal reflections on the fall 2025 term

not my first term at university but definitely very stressful... writing this as i’ve come down with a cold in the middle of exam season. it was a roller coaster semester so here are some reflections on what i learnt this semester and i hope that it resonates with some of you!

the earlier the better.

i wish i hadn’t fallen into the trap of promising myself i would do it later. if you have the time and energy to do it before hand, just do it now before everything gets messy. i tend to procrastinate so i will definitely start using fake deadlines and try to keep up with all my lecture content asap.

listen to your body.

stress is so unbelievably detrimental to our health, in the short-term and long-term. and unless you take responsibility for physically detoxing that stress, it’s going to sit there and drain your energy. believe it or not, self-care does not look like hours on netflix or social media, its moving the body and treating it with the necessary nutrients. i'm also learning how to work with my energy cycles, so sleep but also working out when & how caffeine intake affects me.

use uni resources & stay connected with profs and ta’s from the beginning.

no matter if this is a major course or an elective, ESPECIALLY if its an elective, just stay connected with them and ask questions about content and assignments. ta’s are the ones who are marking most of the time, so get clear with their expectations and welcome their feedback. most profs are excited to share what experience and knowledge they have! i think having the confidence to stay connected depends on what i previously said about staying updated with the lecture content. also, i didn’t expect so much access to academic articles through my uni library site?!

simplify as much as possible.

tis was the semester that my unrealistic expectations ran me to the ground. i don’t mean by having unrealistic goals, just unrealistic expectations to get there. i found my main mistakes were overdoing basic steps and expecting everything to be easy and realizing that it’s not, only a day before tests or assignments. when things got difficult and messy towards the end, i found myself repeating “don’t let perfect be the enemy of greatness” and that greatness is found in the late nights, frustrating confusion, and moving with fear. so yea, make it simple and get it done.

don’t underestimate motivation.

there’s a lot of emphasis on discipline in the study tumblr.. but honestly, it’s just tiring and meaningless to go through that if you don’t have a clear goal in mind and motivation enough to get you there. i’m glad to say i’ve finally gotten to a point where i’m in LOVE with what i’m studying. i definitely will be writing about how i’ve gotten there and even more on why motivation is a gamechanger, especially both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

planners, planners, planners.

“write to think” is a phrase that i remind myself often. when im overwhelmed and have just too much on my mind, i put it down on paper. especially during that busy time, just putting down all you gotta do for the next week is so relaxing. i’ll be honest, its only 50-75% of the time i meet everything on my schedule, but i do like to overbook just in case i find spare time.

if you’re continuously struggling to keep up, pivot.

look at your schedule and find problem areas. prioritize what is most important and get rid of what isn’t worthy of your time. why would you keep continuing when it doesn’t work? who cares what people suggest you to do, if the results are clearly not there and you’re just ramming yourself into a wall?

thank you for reading this longer post! definitely a lot of things remembered and learned, but i have no regrets as i know i earnestly worked to the best of my ability. happy holidays everyone!!