#so you just have to sit there going “oh no keisha. don’t go into that basement” while being painfully aware that she can’t do anything else

[podcast-hemocytoblast]

It’s really funny to me that Alice Isn’t Dead is called that, because when you first listen to it, Alice is very much not the character whose life you worry the most about. Like, Keisha, I am so glad your wife is alive, but I’m more concerned about you right now. A guy literally devoured a dude (not sexually) AND an omelet (also not sexually) right in front of you, and it seems like that doesn’t even make the top 10 worst things that happened to you this month. how are YOU not dead yet?

[glitchyk]

Mafia blacks incorrect quotes pt 2:

Other mafia incorrect quotes

Characters:

M!Jeffery

M!Rabid @mafia-rabid-mercenary2

M!Dia @mafia-dia-smthidk

M!Bun @mafia-bun

M!Dash @the-mafia-bear

M!Moshieee @mafia-moshie

M!Kay @mafia-kay

All canon characters in this, as of recent times, for the blacks. I might do one including everyone’s favorite non canon characters if I get the time and people wanna see it. Remember that these are all just for the sillies.

Yeah dash is in these, but I made them a while ago.

That’s why this one is short, we have to cut out the traitor 💃 so I’m posting all the old ones so I can do the new ones and slander him.

••+^+••

M!Kay: If you get in trouble, I'm gonna be like... a lawyer to you. Ok?

M!Dia: Okay.

*later*

M!Bun: M!Dia! Sit down on the chair, you're in trouble.

M!Kay, whispering: Deny everything.

M!Dia, loudly: That isn't a chair.

••+^+••

M!Rabid: Astrology is fun because I can pretend that all of my behaviors are just a result of being a Gemini and not symptoms of mental illness.

M!Jeffery: Being a Gemini is a mental illness. That’s not hate it’s just a fact.

••+^+••

M!Dash: Anybody got any crayons so I can color in my Ph. D.?

••+^+••

M!Jeffery: What's the scariest horror movie you've ever watched?

M!Rabid: IT.

M!Kay: Annabelle.

M!Moshieee: Paranormal Activity.

M!Dash: High School Musical. All throughout high school I was scared that everyone was gonna randomly get up and start singing and dancing, and I would be the only one who doesn't know the words.

••+^+••

M!Bun: Good morning!

M!Jeffery: Is it? Is it really?

••+^+••

M!Moshieee: Croissants: dropped

M!Dash: Road: works ahead

M!Bun: BBQ sauce: on my titties

M!Dia: Shavacado: fre

M!Kay: Miss Keisha: fuckin dead

M!Jeffery:

M!Jeffery: ...I didn’t understand a single word of that and I hate every single one of you.

••+^+••

M!Dash to M!Bun: Me? I'm the bee knees, but, you? You're just...

M!Dia: Cockroach ankles!

M!Dash: Ye- uh, what?

••+^+••

M!Dash, spraying a melted cutting board with a tiny water gun: We gotta cool this bitch down. Cool it down.

M!Moshieee: I actually just put the cutting board in the oven...

M!Dia, visibly confused: Okay, so they decided to put the cutting board in the oven?

M!Dash, spraying M!Moshieee: You FUCKING DUMBASS!

M!Moshieee: Dude, I forgot-

M!Dash: OH MY FUCKING GOD! We're trying to make Chicken Alfredo right now, and you fucking MELT the cutting board in the oven at 400 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT!?

M!Bun: *Watching in complete confusion while trying to process this whole situation.*

••+^+••

M!Kay, about a fight between M!Moshieee and M!Dash: It scares me how many knives were involved.

M!Rabid: There… weren’t any knives involved though?

M!Kay: That’s what scares me.

••+^+••

M!Kay: Are you good?

M!Dash: In what sense?

M!Kay: Generally.

M!Dash: Oh, definitely not.

••+^+••

M!Kay: Hey, M!Moshieee, have you thought about having children?

M!Moshieee: ...

M!Moshieee: Does looking over you and the others not seem like I already do? Because I promise you, it sure feels like it.

M!Kay: But we're not childr-

M!Moshieee, already distracted: M!JEFFERY, PUT THE FIRE DOWN!

••+^+••

M!Kay: What do you think M!Rabid will do for a distraction?

M!Bun: They'll probably, like, make a noise or throw a rock. That's what I would do.

*Building explodes and several car alarms go off*

M!Bun: ...or they could do that.

••+^+••

M!Moshieee: Remember, if you get captured, no matter what they do, don’t talk!

M!Dia: What if they torture us?

M!Moshieee: Just don’t talk!

M!Dia: Can we scream a little?

••+^+••

M!Rabid: That’s the longest worm I’ve ever seen.

M!Jeffery: That’s a snake.

••+^+••

M!Rabid: Hey, about that love letter you sent me-

M!Jeffery: *blushes* What are your thoughts?

M!Rabid: The fourth sentence-

M!Jeffery: Yeah, that’s where I got really emotional and I-

M!Rabid: It’s “you’re” not “your”.

••+^+••

M!Dia: Reverse tooth fairy where you leave money under your pillow and the tooth fairy comes and leaves you a bunch of teeth.

M!Kay: Why?

M!Dia, shaking a bag of teeth: Just because.

••+^+••

M!Rabid: M!Jeffery told me to stop being immature, so I told them to get out of my fort.

••+^+••

M!Dash: I just wanna be called cute 21/7.

M!Dia: Why no 24/7?

M!Dash: Snack breaks.

••+^+••

M!Rabid: What’s it like being tall?

M!Rabid: Is it nice?

M!Rabid: Can you reach comfortably for the cupboards?

M!Bun: We live in constant fear of the short ones who, in my experience, will climb 4 chairs, 2 boxes, a small coffee table and 6 oddly placed stools to get what they want.

M!Dash: It was one time!

••+^+••

M!Moshieee: Of course I have a lot of pent-up rage, you fool! I've been the same height since I was twelve!

••+^+••

M!Rabid: If you spell skeletons backwards, it still spells skeletons.

M!Bun, deadpan: Wow, I can't wait for Halloween to see some snoteleks.

••+^+••

M!Bun: What’s sexting?

M!Moshieee: I'm not having this conversation with you.

••+^+••

M!Moshieee: Problem, I can't tell if this food is over-sauced or undercooked.

M!Rabid: Solution, just pop it back in the oven for another 10 minutes. There's at least a 50% chance that'll fix it, right?

M!Dash: Result? Food has somehow become unpleasantly soggy and unpleasantly crunchy at the exact same time.

M!Jeffery: No better time than this to pull out my favorite word! Slunchy!

M!Kay: ...put it away.

••+^+••

M!Moshieee: M!Rabid told me that brown is just navy orange, and I have never been more disappointed with something I agree with.

••+^+••

M!Jeffery: How’s practice going?

M!Moshieee: Terrible. I want to stab everybody there.

M!Jeffery: Okay, just don’t get any blood on your clothes.

M!Moshieee: …you shouldn’t be condoning this.

M!Jeffery: Don’t tell me how to live my life.

••+^+••

M!Dia: We need a plan to beat them.

M!Jeffery: Okay, listen up. First, we fill their shoes with wet cat food.

M!Dia:

M!Jeffery: Judge me all you want, I get results.

••+^+••

M!Moshieee: I love you.

M!Dia: How many people have you said that to?

M!Moshieee: Everyone.

M!Dia: What?

M!Moshieee: I told everyone that I love you.

••+^+••

M!Kay: Just a minute. I need to go take out the trash.

M!Moshieee: Oh. We're going out?

M!Kay: Wh...

••+^+••

M!Dash: M!Dia, you're an asshole, man.

M!Dia: You are what you eat M!Dash.

••+^+••

M!Dia: I suppose you’re right. We really would be better off working together.

M!Moshieee: So, then… détente?

M!Dia: Agreed.

M!Moshieee: Understanding?

M!Dia: Possibly.

M!Moshieee: Cooperation?

M!Dia: Maybe.

M!Moshieee: Trust?

M!Dia: Out of the question.

••+^+••

M!Kay, playing a video game: How do I play?

*M!Kay has drawn first blood!*

*M!Kay is on a killing spree!*

*M!Kay is on a rampage!*

*M!Kay is unstoppable!*

*M!Kay is dominating!*

*M!Kay is godlike!*

M!Kay: Don’t worry guys, I figured it out.

••+^+••

M!Dia: We need a way to lure in new customers?

M!Moshieee: Maybe we could have some fun, interactive events!

M!Dash: M!Kay bath water.

M!Kay: ABSOLUTELY NOT!

••+^+••

M!Kay: Wow, great work on the Halloween decorations. Where did you get the fake skeletons?

M!Rabid: Fake?

••+^+••

M!Dia: We've got to find a way to cut down our expenses. What can we live without?

M!Kay: M!Jeffery, probably.

••+^+••

M!Bun: Okay, two person huddle.

M!Jeffery: You can't huddle with two people. This is just a hug.

••+^+••

M!Rabid: I'm not funny, I'm just really mean and people think I'm joking.

••+^+••

M!Bun: BEHOLD, the field in which I grow my fucks! Lay thine eyes upon it, and thou shalt see that it is barren!

••+^+••

M!Moshieee: I am an expert at identifying birds.

M!Bun: Okay, what about those ones flying over there?

M!Moshieee: Yeah, they're all birds.

••+^+••

M!Dash: I dropped M!Jeffery.

M!Moshieee: M!Dash, what the fuck.

••+^+••

M!Rabid: Hold on, I can explain!

M!Dash: Really? Can you now?

M!Rabid: I can if you give me a minute to think of a convincing lie.

••+^+••

M!Jeffery: Wow. I keep stepping on a lot of crunchy twigs.

M!Dia: Those are bones, M!Jeffery.

M!Jeffery: *looks straight up* Not if I never look down.

[all-for-the-simps]

ROTTMNT characters x Platonic!male reader

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles {INCORRECT QUOTES}

Context: Reader could be a human, mutant, mystic creature- whatever. He could be another brother, a friend, a friend who’s basically a brother– you get it. A/N: Quick and easy content for my completely empty mind.

🚫female-aligned people DNI🚫

-----

1 -

Raph: Time for plan G.

Leo: Don’t you mean plan B?

Raph: No, we tried plan B a long time ago. I had to skip over plan C due to technical difficulties.

Mikey: What about plan D?

Raph: Plan D was that desperate disguise attempt half an hour ago.

Y/N: What about plan E?

Raph: I’m hoping not to use it. ‘Cause Leo dies in plan E.

Donnie: I like plan E.

2 -

Mikey: Croissants: dropped.

Raph: Road: works ahead.

Leo: BBQ sauce: on my titties.

Donnie: Shavacado: fre.

Y/N: Miss Keisha: fuckin dead.

Splinter: 

Splinter, grumpy: I didn’t understand a single word of that and I hate every single one of you.

3 -

Leo: Hewwo.

Mikey: Hihiiiiii!

Donnie: Greetings, Humans.

April: Three kinds of people.

Raph: I want pudding.

Leo: Four kinds of people.

Y/N: WHAT’S UP FUCKERS?

April: Five kinds of people.

4 -

April: Dumbest scar stories, go!

Mikey: I burned my tongue once while drinking tea.

Leo: I dropped a hair dryer on my leg once and burned it.

Donnie: I have a piece of graphite in my leg for accidentally stabbing myself with a pencil in the first grade.

Y/N: I was taking a cup of noodles out of the microwave and spilt it on my hand and I got a really bad burn.

Raph:

Raph: I have emotional scars.

5 -

Leo: Would you guys be there for me if I was going through something?

Raph: Nope, absolutely not.

Mikey: I hope it sucks, whatever you're going through.

Y/N: I hope it emotionally scars you for the rest of your life.

April: I hope you reach out to me so I can ignore you.

Donnie: I can't wait to go to your funeral, knowing I could've changed that outcome.

6 -

Raph: We need to distract these guys.

Donnie: Leave it to me.

Donnie: Ahem… Centaurs have six limbs and are therefore insects. Discuss.

Leo, Mikey, and Y/N: *Immediately begin arguing.*

April, watching in horror: Oh, this... I don’t like this... I don't like this at all.

7 -

Leo: Rules are made to be broken.

Raph: They were made to be followed. Nothing is made to be broken.

Y/N: Uh, piñatas.

Donnie: Glow sticks.

Splinter: Karate boards.

Mikey: Spaghetti when you have a small pot.

Leo: Rules.

Raph:

8 -

*Reactions to being told ‘I love you’*

Leo: Thanks, fam!

Y/N: Oh no.

Mikey: *Cries* I love you too.

April: Sounds fake, but okay.

Raph: *A flustered mess*

Donnie: Can I get a refund?

9 -

Y/N, walking into his house: Hello, people who do not live here.

Leo: Hey.

Raph: Hi.

Donnie: Hello.

Mikey: Hey!

Y/N: I gave you the key to my place for emergencies only!

Mikey: We were out of Doritos.

10-

*Everyone is standing around the broken coffee maker*

Splinter: So. Who broke it? I'm not mad, I just wanna know.

Everyone:

Mikey: … I did. I broke it.

Splinter: No. No, you didn't. Leo?

Leo: Don't look at me. Look at Donnie.

Donnie: What?! I didn't break it.

Leo: Huh, that's weird. How'd you even know it was broken?

Donnie: Because it's sitting right in front of us and it's broken.

Leo: Suspicious.

Donnie: No, it's not!

Raph: If it matters, probably not, but Y/N was the last one to use it.

Y/N: Liar! I don't even drink that crap!

Raph: Oh really? Then what were you doing by the coffee cart earlier?

Y/N: I use the wooden stirrers to push back my cuticles. Everyone knows that, Raph!

Mikey: Okay let's not fight. I broke it. Let me pay for it, Dad.

Splinter: No! Who broke it!?

Everyone:

Raph: Dad... Leo's been awfully quiet.

Leo: rEALLY?!

*Everyone starts arguing*

Splinter, to April: I broke it. I burned my hand so I punched it.

Splinter: I predict 10 minutes from now they'll be at each other's throats with warpaint on their faces and a pig head on a stick.

Splinter:

Splinter: Good. It was getting a little chummy around here.

-----

I’ve recently discovered that Rise was a thing and now that my remaining brain cells have latched onto these characters… I had no choice but to write something for them. (Ignore the fact I’m still working on requests–)

All incorrect quotes were randomly generated from here:

[morticialittlefont]

Bringing forth her Wings

As a little girl, Talia watched birds obsessively, and learned how to draw just so she could capture their wings. Figures ranging from pilots like Bessie Coleman to superheroes like Storm were especially her favorites, and she voraciously tore through any piece of their media she could get her hands on.

——————

This especially came true once her chronic pain started, right around her eleventh birthday. Scraping aches that dragged into her shoulders, like she pulled the weight of the world behind her, haunted Talia’s every move.

A couple weeks later her Mom came in to give her a goodnight kiss, and put her hand onto Talia’s shoulder, and Talia whimpered.

Her mom pulled her hand back as if scalded. “Baby? Baby, what’s wrong? Oh my god!”

“It’s okay, Mama. The pain is just really bad today.” Tanya squinted to hold back the tears watering in her eyes and smiled.

“Pain? Talia, baby, what pain? Sit up, if you can, let me look.”

Talia grumbled about being comfortable, but did as her mom said, dragging herself up by the bars of her headboard. She only winced once, but that was enough for her mom.

“Malik? Honey, come here!” Her mom called as she lifted up Talia’s shirt, exposing her back.

Her dad shuffled in, rubbing his mouth with his hand like he always did when he was tired. “What’s wrong, Keisha?”

Her mom didn’t answer, but only stared.

Her dad came and stared too for a moment. Then, he growled, “Who did this to her?”

“I don’t know. I just patted her back and she cried out.“ Talia’s mom gently guided her to the edge of the bed, so her dad could keep looking at her back but her mom could face her. “Baby, did anyone hurt you?”

Talia was confused. “No?”

Her dad said, “Natalia. Your shoulders are black and blue. Who’s been hitting you?”

“No one, Daddy.” Talia looked at her mom. “Isn’t this just growing pains?”

Her mom twisted her mouth. “Maybe.” That meant no. “How long have your shoulders been hurting, baby?”

“A couple weeks. Mama, I’m okay, right?”

Talia’s mom twisted her mouth further.

Her Dad rumbled from behind. “Talia, I can make sure this won’t happen again. Who did this? You don’t have to keep them safe. I pro-“ He took a deep breath. “I promise I won’t hurt them. I just want to talk to whoever did this.”

“Daddy, isn’t this just growing pains?”

After assuring her that no, that it wasn’t just normal growing pains, her mom drove her to the hospital and her dad stayed because he had an early morning and someone had to stay home with her little sisters.

It was scary. The lights were bright, and her mom kept fussing about her back pain, offering her lap to lie on and staring down anyone that so much as looked at Talia. The waiting room wasn’t that full, but it still took two hours, Talia slipping in and out of sleep despite the pain and the light, before they were called up.

When the nurse saw the bruises, her mom was lead away and a bunch of people asked her a lot of questions.

Eventually, though, some doctor noticed that the bruising was ‘deep but consistently in the same spot’, which would be weird for abuse. They did some X-rays and noticed that her shoulder blades were large, tilted and spread farther away from her spine than was usual.

Her mom remembered that her grandmother had often complained of shoulder pain, so the doctor said it was probably congenital.

“Miss Roberts,” the doctor turned to Talia. “I’m going to prescribe you some medicine. We can’t do anything to fix this right now, because you’re growing, but if you’re ever in pain, you tell your Mom right away and she’ll give you some medicine, mkay?”

Talia nodded, and that was that. The two went home, and passed out, and Talia got to miss school. Later they went out for the medicine and ice cream.

——————

The medicine never really helped, so when it ran out, Talia didn’t remind her parents to get more. She could ignore it anyway.

——————

Years later, Talia was in the middle of getting a degree in aerospace engineering, but that didn’t stop her from still creating art.

She finished a particularly ambitious painting, and after one or twenty encouragements from her parents, submitted it to the art show.

The painting was kind of a self portrait, kind of a fuck-you to her chronic pain, and kind of a callback to the Flying Africans stories.

At the bottom and to the right lay the world, and over that, the sky fading into space. Above both was a flying woman.

The subject was viewed from above, arms out to the sides, broken manacles on both, and a leg stretched out to West Africa. Dark wings like those of a glossy starling covered left side, too big to fit entirely on the canvas. The feathers closest to the subject’s back were covered in blood.

It wasn’t obviously her, because the viewer couldn’t see the subject’s face, it being tilted down to look at the world below. But both she and the subject were the same rich umber, and she included a couple moles on her shoulder and upper back. Talia figured those little details might tip off people who knew her.

“You think I should send it in?” She asked her mom. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

Talia could practically hear her mom roll her eyes. “Baby, I’ve been telling you since middle school! You’re good! And from what I saw over winter break, it’s beautiful!”

The university had a gallery, and every February before the senior art students had settled on their own gallery set ups, they held an art show for the other students to submit their work. So Talia brought it in on the Friday deadline.

The student curator was her friend, Selena, and she went wild when she saw it. “Oh my god, please tell me you have more!” Selena pleaded.

Talia shook her head and looked down, hiding a shy grin. “Nothing this big. I have a lot of sketches, though?”

“Go get them. Right now. You gave me an idea.”

Selena sent her back twice before she was satisfied, calling for anything from other smaller paintings to doodles in the margins of notebooks. “For the record,” Selena said as she grabbed the pile of papers from Talia’s hands, “I’m not doing this just ‘cause you’re my friend. We didn’t get a ton of submissions but,” Selena winked. “We also didn’t get much of anything at this caliber.”

Talia’s face heated up and she mumbled something about getting lunch together later.

“Mmmm, I’m not sure about that.” Selena eyed the piles of artwork. “This might take me a while. Would you mind if I ripped some of the drawings?”

“Huh?” Talia started reaching for her work.

“Just the margin doodles! And maybe a few of the smaller drawings. Just to get rid of the empty space! I promise. I will NOT rip the actual drawings.”

“I don’t know-“

“Please! I promise you’ll love it.”

“Tell me what you’re thinking, over lunch.”

——————

Selena sketched out what she was thinking on a napkin in the dining hall. “Do you see?”

Talia did see. “That’s a lot of work, Selena. Are you sure?” Her back throbbed - anxiety always made it flare up.

Selena laid her hand on top of Talia’s. “Have I ever steered you wrong?”

Talia took a bite of her burrito.

Selena sucked her teeth. “Shut up. How about this - I can use the big pieces up on these parts, and then you come supervise me doing the little bits how you like it.”

Talia kept chewing, thinking it over.

“Please? I feel inspired. I pretty much got everything else planned out, the lighting and set up will be super easy. Yours will be the fun part! The challenge!“

Talia raised an eyebrow.

“Okay. I also kind of miss doing collages. Between coursework and this job, I have NOT had enough time for fun or my own stuff!”

Talia pursed her lips - she could still taste the jungle juice from the party the weekend prior.

“Okay! And I have to impress my supervisor. She was kind of disappointed in my set up for that pottery exhibition last semester, and that bitch Gina has been sniffing around. I gotta keep this job!”

Talia grinned. “I was just playing with you. Yeah, okay. But how about I help you do the little bits when I’m done writing my paper tomorrow?”

——————

Talia couldn’t believe how beautiful it ended up looking.

The wings that flew off the canvas were extended by her drawings over the years, layering over each other like feathers on a backboard Selena procured. The doodles were artfully ripped and scrappily pinned on the edges, to mimic how some remiges separated when spread out in flight.

Talia did end up having to rip around some of her larger drawings to add to those feathers, but ny the end, she was smiling. The other feathers weren’t the same color as the wings on the painting, but-

“It looks like she’s coming to life.” Selena said while pinning up the last few ‘feathers’.

Talia nodded, heart swelling. “Like magic or something.”

“Yeah.”

Once they were done pinning the perfect shade of colored paper to cover up the rest of the backboard, both women laid down in exhaustion. Selena fell onto her back, arms flopped out, but Talia carefully folded up her own and laid on her stomach.

“It looks beautiful, Selena.”

“Yeah it does!” Selena punched the air. “Thanks, Talia.”

Talia raised an eyebrow at that. “No, thank you, Selena. I just thought I’d get a corner on a wall, not a whole-“ she cast her eyes around for a second. “Display.”

Both ladies chuckled.

“You have to put your name on there now.“

“No!” Selena sat up and looked at Talia.

She was already shaking her head. “I mean it, Selena. I wouldn’t have tried this - I wouldn’t even thought of it! Yeah, it’s all my drawings but you shaped it. As long as my name goes first, you should put your name on the placard, too.”

“Oh shit!” Selena sprang to her feet. “I got to go and make the placards!”

Selena shooed Talia out of the gallery - non-employees weren’t allowed to stay without supervision - promised to maybe put her name on the sign too, and rushed to the printers, hoping they’d still be open this late.

Talia just laughed, and went to bed.

Selena had insisted they hang the backboard next to the canvas and then pin the collage, so they’d create the perfect perspective. However, Selena was short, so that meant Talia spent most of the time decorating the high parts, with her arms above her head.

As such, her arms and her back ached. Still, between the excitement of the day, the opening of the gallery on Monday, and a feeling of accomplishment from the work, Talia drifted off to sleep quicker than usual. The paper could wait until Sunday.

——————

Sunday had her stuck in bed all day from pain. She managed to finish her paper and eventually get a shower, but that was it.

——————

Dressed in a mint green button-down and a long grey skirt with pink accents, Talia walked into the gallery opening like she owned the place. And that night, she did.

Pride swelled her heart as people walked around the room, and always stopped to stare at her painting. Several left long comments about her work in the logbook. One even mentioned her work on the box braids in the painting - it justified all the agonizing hours spent on the details.

Once the opening party was over, Talia, Selena and the other attending artists poured over the book, and then took pictures with their works. Talia did one where she stood to the right of her canvas, and then one where she mimicked the subject, life imitating art imitating life, wings stretched behind her.

As the week went by, there weren’t nearly as many attendees as there were opening night - but according to Selena, they all still stopped at her painting. She came near closing each day to check on the comments in the logbook.

On Friday, she had a little time to kill, so Talia came early and people watched. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw one man stop and consider her work for a solid twenty minutes.

Selena snuck over. “That’s the third time he’s done that. Wednesday, I was busy, but yesterday we talked for a bit about the composition. I bet he’d love to talk to you.”

“No, I-“

“Yes, you!“ Selena poked Talia in the side. “Go!”

Talia went.

Recognition struck as she got closer. He was an international student who worked in the Tutoring Center, and helped her a couple times with her physics. He was kind of cute, but no name came to mind.

Pretending to be a patron, she walked around the room until she reached her painting collage, and stared for a bit too. With slight dismay, she saw that one of the doodle scraps that made up a remige higher up looked it was going to fall soon.

“I wonder…” he said suddenly.

“Yes?” Talia said, rising up on her toes slightly.

He shook his head, smiling to himself. “Just thinking out loud.”

Unable to uphold the pretense any longer, she blurted out, “I’m the artist. Ask away!”

He turned to her. “You did this?”

“Yeah?”

“Wow. Of course such a beautiful piece came from such a beautiful woman.” He grinned, catching her eye.

Blood rushed to her face and she looked down. “I had some help.”

He jerked his chin towards Selena, who was on her phone. “Yes, she told me. And she did a wonderful job, I’m sure. But from what I understand, it was mostly you.”

The heat did not leave her face, but she tried to smirk. “Yeah. It was me.”

He held out a hand to shake. “My name is Theo, Theo Boateng.”

They shook, and got to talking. He had a lot of questions about her inspiration for the piece - “Did you base the feathers off of a specific bird?” “Yes, my favorite, the Glossy Starling.” “Good choice. Mine is the pennant-winged nightjar.” - but once Selena shooed them out so she could close up, they moved to other topics. She was getting a degree in aerospace, he was getting a degree in agricultural engineering. Her home was three hours away by car, his was fifteen by plane. And so on.

A walk around campus became dinner, and then dinner became dessert, and somehow they ended up at her quad and on the couch, watching a movie.

Theo was smooth.

They started on opposite ends of the couch. But he’d shift closer to ask a question, usually about an unfamiliar turn of phrase, in a low tone, as if afraid of interrupting the film. She would move closer to answer, compelled to match his energy, head leaned conspiratorially close. He’d catch her eye and smile, then look down at her mouth. Her face would burn, and her eyes would flit back to the screen.

Eventually, their shoulders brushed, and an electric shudder moved through her body. Theo cast an appraising glance at the contact, like it was a confirmation of a suspicion. That time, Talia kept her eyes firmly on the screen.

The arm moved around her shoulder. She made a conscious move to settle in closer, daring to even put her head on his own shoulder. They were about the same height, but if she scooted down slightly, it was comfortable.

He played with her hair, and she leaned into the touch. But when the final action scene came up on screen, it slowed to a stop.

She waited until the scene was just past the climax, and put her hand on his thigh, rubbing gently.

Theo looked down at her, and licked his lips.

She met his gaze and bit hers, then quickly looked down.

It all happened so fast. One second, she was sitting next to him. The next, she was suddenly laying back on the couch, legs tangled with his as he brought his lips to hers.

Their teeth clashed a little but at this point she didn’t care. She put a hand behind his head, the other pressed upon his lower back. Any space between their bodies suddenly felt too far away.

Theo’s hand crept up her shirt, and she gasped against his lips. She moved her hand lower down his back until it slipped under his pants, grabbing his ass.

They continued like this for a while, kissing and touching, Talia rocking against the taught material of her pants and the bulge in his, until Theo sat up and started unbuttoning his shirt, her hand slipping out of his pants and onto his hip by necessity.

Talia gave it a little squeeze. “Hold on. I don’t know when my roommates will be back…”

Theo’s eyes widened. “Of course! I apologize!” He stood up and started to button his shirt back up.

Talia laughed. “No! No.” She stood up and reached for one of his hands.

A little lost, he gave it to her.

She lead him to her bedroom.

His eyes brightened, and he let out a sign of relief.

Talia threw her tights into the hamper and crawled onto bed to root around in the cupboard next to it. Just when her she grabbed a condom wrapper, she felt Theo squeeze her ass. She sighed, and he started massaging her thighs and ass, hands occasionally ghosting across her pussy through the damp fabric.

She moved a little further back, condom in her hand, and moaned when he brushed against her clit.

“You’re so wet,” he said.

Talia spotted his face in the mirror, a mixture of a smirk and wonder all over.

It made her even more wet. “All for you, Theo.” Despite knowing the man for less than a day, he really did have a strange affect on her.

To that, he slipped his fingers under her panties, dipped his finger between her lips, and gently started rubbing her clit in circles. She moaned, and rocked slightly.

She heard and felt the creak of the bed as he put a knee onto the mattress. Talia felt his stiff length pressed against her ass as he moved against her, fingers still teasing her clit and now her breasts as he reached around her, over her, covering her, a heavy and hot weight that stole her breath away.

“You need this,” he whispered into her ear. “My dick inside of you, stretching out your little hole.”

She nodded, almost frantically.

“Take off your shirt,” he ordered, and sat up a little, taking his hands off of her but not stilling his hips.

They both ended up taking off all their clothes, a little too into it to extend the foreplay. She ended up on her back when she was done, her interest in the view outweighing any possible pain, and rubbed her clit while he fumbled with his belt.

The moonlight illuminated his grin when he was ready, free and hard, and she licked her lips. He was beautiful, she felt beautiful, and she wanted him inside of her.

He descended upon her lips and neck first, kissing and invading and sucking. She met him blow for blow, but only just, rolling waves of need making thinking hard.

Talia hooked a leg around his plump ass, urging him closer. His shaft started to rub deliciously across her clit, so she slipped a hand down to his dick.

It jumped at her touch, and she pumped it gently from base to tip, precum slicking her hand.

While he sucked a mind blowing spot just below her jaw, Talia started to guide his dick into her pussy, clit throbbing and condom forgotten.

Theo pulled back and laughed shakily, need filling his voice. “Talia,” he savored her name for a moment, “I don’t think you’re ready.”

Talia laughed back. “We’ll see.” She reached for him again.

He smirked. “Eager, are we?”

She smirked right back. “Are we doing this, or not?”

He sighed playfully and reached for the condom, which had ended up on the blanket by her head. He rolled it on. “Do you have anything … larger?”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Tight condoms are just as much of a problem as loose ones. That’s how I ended up with so many little sisters.”

Talia snorted. “Then why don’t you have one?”

“My wallet’s in the other room, and I haven’t checked if it expired.”

Talia snorted again, but reached for the cabinet drawer again, turning over to reach further. She felt a hand on her ass again, and she shook it a little. The hand tightened. She turned back and sat up, handing it to him.

Theo stole another kiss and rolled the condom on.

Now that she was sitting up, it did look … large. But the condom fit, so she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and opened up.

He did his best to guide himself in, but the head barely popped in, and when he tried to gently thrust a little more in, it felt like too much.

Talia gasped, pleasure and pain making it hard to articulate. “You were right. God, it’s been a while.”

She felt his smile against her neck and then a kiss. “Alright. Lay back. I know a good trick or two.”

She did as ordered, and Theo knelt down and gently took her left leg and put it on his shoulder, then the same with her other leg.

She shook. “Oh God, Theo, you don’t have to-“

But he did.

Theo’s tongue was gentle, at first. He licked delicately along the top of her wet lips, up and down, paying a little extra attention to her clit. She did her best to stay still.

But soon she was squirming as his tongue started delving between her, opening her sticky folds, swollen with arousal. Talia whimpered and grasped at the sheets.

When Theo’s tongue dipped inside her hole, she gasped and tried to squirm, but the hands on her hips held her still and against his face, moaning and smacking. She caught his eyes, which crinkled in a grin, and then he focused on her pussy again, thrusting his tongue and switching to flickering at her clit and back to her hole again. Over and over and over until waves of pleasure wracked her body and he went in and out, tongue thrusting within and lathing her lips and sucking on her clit, tracing circles with a finger when his tongue was occupied. He ate her out like a man possessed, and all she could do was rock against his face and take it.

A singular desperation overtook her body just as Theo stopped. Talia whined, but he just grinned and moved up over her body, kissing his way up until he reached her face.

She felt his erection, throbbing and hard through the condom against her leg as his lips reached her neck. She chased his mouth for a kiss, his wet face, covered with her own arousal making it all strangely hotter. Barely able to get out the words, she rocked against his body and said, “Try again. Now.”

He guided himself in as she pulled him into a deep kiss, her tongue slipping between his lips in attempt to feel him everywhere, closer, together. But she had to pull away in a gasp as the stretch tipped from pleasurable to painful. To make matters worse, her shoulders started to hurt.

But Talia was too worked up to stop. “Let me just …” she reached for the lube in her drawer, Theo’s dick slipping out once again. “Lay back.”

Theo did so.

“Good.” She pumped some into her hand, and then started fingering herself, staring into Theo’s eyes, sharing a grin as he started to touch himself too

He was thick, and dark, and her body ached to have him inside, to press her hips against his and get her lips on his neck.

When she reached the point where her pleasure was ratcheting higher and higher, she straddled Theo’s hips and settled down onto him.

He entered her slowly, inching in and out but gaining ground with each dip of her hips. Despite being in charge of the pace, Talia couldn’t help but moan a little desperately, nearly overwhelmed but unwilling to do anything other than chasing the high of having him completely inside. Her clit hit against his pubic bone repeatedly, and to her delight, she started clenching rhythmically around Theo’s thick length.

He grabbed her ass with one hand and sat up, rocking his hips to increase the intensity but still letting her drive the pace. She met his mouth with hers for a moment, but couldn’t breathe from it all, and gasped away. She pulled him against her instead, caressing his head and feeling the deliciously large muscles of his shoulders and upper back.

For a moment, amidst the sweat and pounding pleasure, she felt some sort of beating against her hands, as if something trapped was fluttering against his skin, but then her orgasm hit and she breathed out his name as she was gone, gone, gone.

When she returned to her senses, he just seemed to be loosing his.

He grabbed at her shoulders, as he mouthed at her neck, pushing her down against his dick as it thrust rapidly inside her aching pussy.

It hurt, more her shoulders than below, but the lasting pleasure left an indulgent haze over her mind, so she barely protested more than a little yelp.

Theo looked up at that, breath caught in his throat, and he looked slightly panicked, so she shook her head. So he kept on, pulling her flush against his hips.

His hands on her shoulders hurt, but in a fascinating way, like poking a bruise. Talia, in a post-orgasmic haze, wasn’t going to argue.

Finally, with a drag of his nails against her shoulder blades, she felt a pulse, and he groaned her name between babbles of gratitude. The condom caught it all, but the wetness that escaped her and dripped into their tangle of legs secretly thrilled her.

Fucking a hot stranger had not been part of her Friday plans originally, but damn! Satisfaction pushed her to kiss his cheek and neck, laughing at his glazed eyes and lips parted in desperate pants, like that hadn’t been her moments before.

When she leaned back, to look at their handiwork, an odd rustling caught her eye. Talia turned around sharply, dreading cooling her ardor. A cracked door and an accidental peeping suite mate would be a nightmare to handle.

She did not see an open door.

Instead, she saw blood. Glossy light reflecting the moon. And blue feathers everywhere.

Talia scrambled off the bed, panicking, “Wha- What did - happened? Do to me? What?” She knocked the lamp off her desk with one wing, and screeched when she saw that her nails had become like talons.

Theo sat bolt upright, and smiled. “So you are one of us!” He suddenly was much the same, talons and wings, though his were brown and orange, with a long white pennant on each wing.

She stared at him.

He continued as if everything was perfectly normal. “When I saw your painting, I thought: Surely not! But I just had to know. And then when I felt your shoulders, I knew.” He grinned, and spread out his arms and hands, also tipped by talons. “But I don’t think you did.” He prattled on, idly wondering how painful, how awful it must have been to have to keep one’s wings bound for so long.

She didn’t know what to say, sinking to the floor, wings awkwardly pooling cupping themselves around her body in the position.

This was why? After all this time, she actually got to find out why?

Theo finally saw her position, and walked over sheepishly, her clothes in his hands. He was still naked, but that didn’t seem to bother him. “Are you alright, Talia?”

She laughed shakily, elbows on her knees and hands in her hair.

He laid the articles at her feet and pulled on his own. Then, seeing she hadn’t moved, he gently helped her up, and helped her dress.

The wings briefly shimmered out of existence - Talia felt it! - as he pulled her shirt over her head. Bras were apparently unneeded. When she looked back, the wings seemed to go through her shirt, but they felt physical, and weighty.

Theo looked her in the eyes. “I’m sorry, Talia. I didn’t think, and I hurt you.”

Her eyes were hot with tears, but suddenly, she couldn’t stop smiling at the sudden lightness in her chest, and the weight on her back. She grasped his hand and kissed his lips.

“Can I show you something?”

She nodded, hand still in hand, and he lead her out the door, out to the quad, and to a parking lot that was out of the way, near a cliff, and thus never had students on the weekends. It was clear he was familiar with the route.

Her heart beat with an ambitious tempo, and when her bare feet hit the grass of the cliff, her soul started to soar as the wind rustled under her wings. It was like it knew her, and had missed her, and was ready to dance.

“Talia,” Theo turned to her, limned beautifully in the moonlight, like he was the night itself. “Let’s fly.” He started running towards the edge, and she did too, hands clenched around each other’s wrists, afraid of letting go.

As one, they leapt into the stars.

It was like she had always known how to fly. Her wings, huge and iridescent and catching every glimmer of starlight, caught her before she could descend.

Talia executed a hard pull, whooping as she reached for the heavens above.

Theo whooped back, matching her joy.

They danced and caught each other and flipped and a million other things, exhilaration like never before chasing away all exhaustion, all cold, all worries.

Tonight, the pain was gone, the sky was forever, and she was everything she was meant to be.

[ak8shi]

FWB HQ Boys: In which you beat the player at his own game!

warnings: Time skip spoilers, mentions of sex(all characters are 18+), alcohol, stupid people in love

a/n: ahh I’m sorry I’ve been a little MIA!!! But I’m back with this pls enjoy ! I think the fandom really make germaphobia his only personality trait sometimes which makes me sad because I think he’s actually a quirky/classy dude and very functional in social situations,, I hate to say it but ya’ll would get played by him… sorry.

━Sakusa Kiyoomi

Some of you may be like ???? Omi fucks around ?? how ?? BUT he definitely does in his own way

He probably doesn’t do much in high school to be honest, he’s mostly focused on improving as a volleyball player and achieving his goals

Once he reaches pro level though,,, it’s a different story lmfao

I can see him being picky as hell about his hookups, but just because he’s a bit of a germaphobe doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel attraction or doesn’t have needs…

….He’s so hot too… girl

His hook-ups are always taken seriously though… like he’s the type that feels like he has a professional image to upkeep, so he always arranges things beforehand; he’s definitely not messy about it and sets clear boundaries

I think what makes him kind of a player is how standoffish he can be…and he doesn’t really give anyone a chance because he doesn’t think they what it takes to deal with his lifestyle lmao

He’s just like, its easier to call the uber right after, get into the shower, and wait until he can hear the front door of his apartment shut I’m screamingg

Sakusa also isn’t one to kiss and tell, even with the boys… he doesn’t think its tasteful and would rather not have Atsumu up his ass about his flings

ANYWAYS,, let’s get into this, so you know Atsumu through mutual friends and met during college, and the two of you just instantly clicked since you also were a part of the same sports medicine program as him

Atsumu signed with MSBY and you were so happy for him, but you were bummed because you were busy with PT graduate school and couldn’t really attend any of his games

A year passed and you found yourself texting Tsumu to see if he could meet up and grab coffee since you were on winter break!!

You: hey I’m back in town wanna grab coffee sometime?

Him: who is this

You: I see you haven’t changed ❤️

LMFAO, so you catch up with Atsumu and he talks about his new career and his teammates, he seems so happy :(( we love to see that!!

He invites you to MSBY’s game the following weekend, and you’re pumped to go!! Tsumu got you great seats, and he meets you before warmups to make sure you’re okay finding your way around

Atsumu: don’t take yer eyes off me <3

You:

He’s so…

You’re enjoying the match and you even go to grab Onigiri from Osamu’s stand, but you can’t seem to look away from number 15 on Atsumu’s team

He’s .., scrumptious to say the least 🥴

Like he’s so composed and calculated on the court, and you find it so funny how he rolls his eyes whenever Tsumu says something to him and how Tsumu gets so heated about it 💀

The match ends and you go down to meet Atsumu near the lockers, showing the security your family/friend pass 😌

You walk through the halls trying to locate the setter, but you can’t seem to figure out where he is

The only person in the hall is the tall, dark haired man that caught your eye earlier; he is already walking towards the exit with a mask covering his face, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder, sweats embroidered with “Sakusa” adorning his body we’re all looking..... respectfully

He’s truly so intimidating but you’re like….highkey lost… so you don’t really have another option

You catch up with him, poking his shoulder gently; he turns around and his attention on you is almost STARTLING.. like his eyes are SO dark

Him: can I help you

You: sir… if you don’t rail me, I’m gonna have to intervene‼️😈😹

After getting over your initial shock, you hear multiple footsteps rumbling down the hallway towards the both of you

Sakusa lets out an annoyed sigh, muttering about how he has to go, but before he can escape you hear Atsumu’s loud voice LMFAO

“OMIIII, where are you goin’? Its team karaoke night remember?”

Tsumu sees you and slings an arm around your shoulders, “Oh-? So I see you’ve met our outside hitter Omi?”

You glance over at Sakusa, his expressionless eyes glued to your face, then slowly trailing down to analyze the way Atsumu casually has you tucked under his arm

Atsumu nudges him, and he grumbles that he’ll meet them after changing at home before walking off in the direction of the private parking garage

You meet the rest of the MSBY boys in the uber, and find them super friendly and welcoming; Bokuto and Hinata buy the first round of drinks at the karaoke bar, but you only have one because you have work to finish the next day WE STAN

Atsumu already has a pink glow setting into his cheeks when you see the boys turn their attention to Sakusa walking through the front door, looking as handsome as ever in his dress pants and fitted white t shirt

They all shout out incoherent hello’s, and he takes the only open seat next to you with a glass of gin and tonic in his hand he smells so good god

You’re unsure what comes over you, but you find yourself turning towards him, and you just start asking him about himself and his career, and surprisingly he’s very polite and much more animated than you previously thought

His voice is like…so alluring and he never looks away from you when you talk, its like he’s absorbing every word

Meanwhile, Atsumu is stumbling over the stage with Bokuto belting Love by Keisha Cole LMFAOO😭

Tsumu kind of ‘warned’ you in the car ride over that Sakusa was a germaphobe, but you know that Atsumu tends to invade people’s personal space sometimes and it probably wasn’t as dramatic as he made it out to be

However, you weren’t expecting the outside hitter to lean over from his seat after checking the time on his phone, whispering in your ear, asking you if you wanted to meet him at his place later than night WHEW

Girl I would be sweating… and you say yes ofc because who’s going to pass up this type of opportunity-

He gives you a charming smile and is like,, okay cool, I’ll see you later then 😊 I’m dead

Ya’ll exchange phone numbers and he’s like if you need any help with my idiot teammates let me know before he takes off

You don’t tell Tsumu about your little… entanglement plans dsnjaknda but honestly he wouldn’t even remember based on the way he’s slumped against you in the uber he owes you big time

You get home after dropping off Tsumu at Osamu’s, and operation dick appointment with the professional volleyball player is put into action 😈

He sends an uber over to get you ladies do not settle for less please, and you’re BIG nervous but in a good way as in you know this dick is about to be bomb af

SO you’re standing in front of his apartment door, and when he opens it, he’s still in the clothes he wore to the bar and its like 1 am he’s so powerful

Um I feel like he would get straight to it honestly, probably starts with a little convo on the couch and then…

YOU WEREN’T AWARE HE WAS SO DIRTY,,, it was SO good too like after getting home that night you’re going through a crisis… like you had so much chemistry together for having just met, and you wonder if he feels the same way🥺

You caught yourself in sleepless states some nights, kept awake by the thoughts of the way his hands felt against your skin, the way his five o’clock shadow gently rubbed against your face when you kissed, and how he would hold you(only after a thorough shower together of course)

As it happens more and more, he lets you into his life little by little, and you notice and remember small facts about him and he often remembers a lot of the things you tell him about you, its really enjoyable for both of you

Its weirdly domestic to a point but that’s why its so good for both of you???it adds a bit of spice ??

Sakusa: can you come over tonight

You: sorry the retainer is in already <3 no dick sucking for me tonight <3

Him: I bought pastries from that cafe you like

You: say less✈️ I’m coming💃

AND he HAS jokes okay, like he’s funny as hell and very witty when his true self comes out; but he’s also a HUGE tease and he’ll say something completely straight-faced that someone else might take offense to like “you look ugly,” but you just know he’s kidding from being around him long enough and from seeing the little glint in his dark eyes

It becomes a routine thing while you’re home honestly, and you try your best to hide it from Atsumu because you just KNOW you would never hear the end of it; for all he knows, you met him that one time at the bar and that was that

Everything is going smoothly until you slip up at one of their games

You were sitting in the waiting area with the team (mostly talking to Atsumu), when he just says something that makes your short circuit

Atsumu: what kind of animal do ya think omi would be? An octopus maybe?

You: yeah I mean with those flexible wrists it makes sense

Atsumu: what the fawk🤠

He’s like… how do you even know about his flexible wrists IT TOOK ME 6 MONTHS TO GET TO THAT STAGE WITH HIM-

Oops, lmfao so you kind of tell him about everything and he’s literally shocked for you, mostly because he doesn’t want you to get hurt :(

Atsumu: So I see he’s just sleeping with ANYONE anyone

LMAO noo he definitely thinks you’re too good for him and he kind of lectures you, telling you that he had a hunch that he messes around with girls like that, but also you’re an adult and you can take care of yourself, and it isn’t like it’s a serious thing!!

Meanwhile, Omi is like going through a bit of a crisis all alone because everything around him reminds him of you or something you said when you were together

He got with people who were compatible sexually often, but he never had the urge to have them stay over after the deed; he usually immediately called them an uber and wouldn’t speak to them again

He found himself thinking about seeing you in the stands at his games, wishing you were there to cheer for him only, and he adored the way you respected his boundaries unlike many of his hookups

Atsumu probably notices something is off with him at practice

Atsumu: hey…if ya ever want to talk about somethin’-

Sakusa: no

Girl… he doesn’t disclose any of this to anyone

Its nearing the end of your break, and you head over to sakusa’s for probably the last time before you go back to school

You’re kind of at the point where you don’t think anything will happen and you know you shouldn’t get your hopes up, and it goes how it usually goes? Except he kind of hugs you goodbye and your heart goes: 🦋🦋🦋

You go back to school, occasionally texting Tsumu about your graduate program, and before you know it, like 5 months pass by and you’re back for summer!

Tsumu texts you and is like… sorry but I’m forcing you to be my plus-one tonight for this dinner thing I have to go to

So you dress up and he comes to pick you up, and you’re really not sure why you were surprised to see Kiyoomi sitting at the table when you arrive you give Atsumu a nice smack on the back of the head for not warning you

You sit down at the table after greeting everyone, trying your best to not act awkward when you shoot sakusa a small smile that he returns politely (but you don’t see it because of his mask)

Atsumu sits weirdly close to you the entire dinner with his arm around the back of your chair, and he’s just acting strange in general??? Like he’s bragging about your degree program and about your accomplishments, you just know he’s trying something funny; but you don’t really say anything because you don’t want to disrespect him in front of the team’s staff as a guest

You almost choke on your wine and you catch on when Bokuto starts making comments after Atsumu says something,

Atsumu: …so yeah, pretty much she should be our next president in my humble opinion

Bokuto: 🙈WOAH. WHAT?😍 HOW COULD SHE GET ANY BETTER⁉️🙄 OR HOTTER⁉️💪🏼💋

You, sitting there: 🧍‍♀️

He’s so bad at acting I’m crying..,, it becomes so obvious that they’re trying to make Kiyoomi jealous

(the boys plotted beforehand, trying to get Omi to ask you out officially; after you left, he literally would never shut up about you whenever Atsumu mentioned you, and it was just obvious he was in his feels when it came to you)

Atsumu: she’s studying at a café tonight for finals

Sakusa: Yeah so I’m glad you brought it up, because I’ve been thinking about it for days. Fine I guess I’ll say it. Her favorite coffee blend is French roast and she only likes a dash of sugar with a lot of cream, but it has to be hazelnut creamer or else she doesn’t like any-

Everyone in the gym: 🗿

LMAO ANYWAYS ITS LOWKEY WORKING you look over at him and his face is like stone.. girl..

The dinner is almost over and Atsumu gets up to go to the restroom with a wink I hate him, and you get up to catch a breath of fresh air outside

You sit on a bench for a minute, calming yourself down after the eventful dinner, but then you see the door to the restaurant swing open, Sakusa looking around the corner before spotting you

Your heart pounds in your chest as he walks over and asks if he can join you, inspecting the bench before sitting down, pulling his mask down as well

He eases into a conversation by just asking you how you’re doing, basic stuff, but then in the middle of you going off on a tangent about your stupid professor, he stops you

“I missed you.”

He crosses his legs, not looking at you as he takes your hand, intertwines it with his, and places it in his lap

You gaze at him, taken back at his confession, noticing the slight pinkness tinging his pale cheeks

You say you missed him too, and then he’s asking you if you would like to go on an actual date with him

You: wait are you asking me out officially?

Him: Yes. No I’m not. Yes I am❤️

SKSLD Please he’s awkward help him a little, you agree and then you hear a tap on the window behind you, you turn around to see Tsumu, Bokuto and Adriah behind you with big grins on their faces LMFAO 🤡

Kiyoomi rolls his eyes, but you don’t miss the small upturn of the corners of his lips as he hears Bokuto happily scream through the glass

[chalkrevelations]

Brandie had told her once that her older sister got birth control by hanging a white shirt out her window, so that it was visible from the street. A few days later a little bottle of pills had arrived, with instructions on how to take them. When she was out, Brandie’s sister just tucked some money in the bottle and dumped it in a flower pot on her windowsill. The bottle was eventually replaced. Brandie told her that even when her sister didn’t have money to put in the bottle, they still refilled it.

She had heard, Brandie said, that if you needed something else, if it was too late for birth control, you could change the white color to red.

It had been worth a try. Keisha had stuck a red sock out on the bathroom window, wedged in between the sash and the sill, just a little visible. Then she had waited.

The first night nothing had happened. Then her mother had found the sock and given her a look. But she’d left it there.

The second night, she’d fallen asleep on the floor of the bathroom waiting for something to happen. She’d woken in the morning to her brother banging on the door shouting about needing to piss. Nothing.

Keisha didn’t know how long she had, really. She was afraid to Google pregnancy in case there was some tracer somewhere that logged that stuff. If she hadn’t been pregnant, she wouldn’t have had any problem going to the reference section in the library and looking up things in a medical book or something, but now that she was, she worried that she was being watched. Where were the cameras? Were there really sensors in the plumbing? If she threw herself down the stairs, would they know she’d done it on purpose? What if it didn’t work? What if it killed her instead?

Keisha’s mom was at work, and her brother had passed out in front of the TV at midnight, so there was no reason she couldn’t just sit there on the toilet seat and wait for something to happen. Would they leave her something if she was right there? What was that saying about pots and boiling? When Keisha was a kid, she’d sat up waiting for Santa, but he’d never seemed to come until she fell asleep. Of course, Santa was really her mom, so that wasn’t going to work here; she was a hundred percent sure the abortion fairy was not her mother.

Keisha didn’t have any more tears. Her face felt hot and blotchy, and she’d used almost half a roll of toilet paper. She poured herself a glass of water from the spigot and slumped on the floor under the window. Maybe if they didn’t see her in there they might leave her something. Maybe she was scaring them away. She covered her cold feet with a towel and turned out the lights.

It was still dark when she heard a sort of bonking at the window. Keisha woke from a sound sleep at the kerthonk of something hitting the glass, and she froze, not daring to move. If she moved too quickly, they’d run, like deer and take whatever they had with them.

Someone jumped down from the stone fence and into the gravel driveway. The pebbles crunched under their feet, and then went silent when they hit the sidewalk.

She gave that person a few more seconds, and then scrambled up to see what was on the windowsill.

Brandie had said that her sister used a flower pot, but there was nothing like that there. Instead, her sock was rolled into a ball and set on the sill. Keisha lifted the sash and blinked at it. Her heart felt like it was going so fast, her breath couldn’t keep up with it. Her head was hollow, and her stomach fluttered. She snatched the sock from the sill and slammed the window shut, then she unrolled it and let the contents fall into her hand.

“Oh my god,” she whispered as she stared at the little bag with the three white pills and a folded paper of instructions in it. Stapled to the bag was a pink paper heart with typed information:

HELLO THERE. WE HEARD U NEED THIS. DON’T WORRY, WE LOVE YOU. EVERY PART OF YOU BELONGS TO YOU.

Keisha glanced out the window, and down the block she saw a flash of something move. It could have been a person in black. It could have been a dog.

“Oh my god,” she breathed, the package already sweaty in her clenched fist. “Thank you.”

[crying-in-a-stall]

Incorrect Sanders Sides

Virgil: Who the fuck added me to a fucking group chat? Roman: >:O language Patton: Yeah watch your fucking language Janus: OKAY WHO TAUGHT PATTON THE FUCK WORD? Roman: 'The fuck word'. Logan: Are you stupid? You guys use the f word all the time Roman: Oh my god they censored it Remus: Say fuck, Logan. Virgil: Do it, Logan. Say fuck.

Virgil: Well, aren’t you all a rag-tag group of adventurers with unclear goals and good hearts! Oh, let me guess: you’re out to save the world! Roman: Well, actually, that sounds like a pretty fair assessment. Janus: More or less, I guess... Patton: That sounds awesome! Let’s do that! Remus: I’m new here, but I am open to the concept. Logan: I thought that’s what we were doing, guys, come on!

Roman: Hewwo. Patton: Hihiiiiii! Logan: Greetings, Humans. Janus: Three kinds of people. Virgil: I want pudding. Janus: Four kinds of people. Remus: WHAT’S UP FUCKERS? Janus: Five kinds of people.

Logan: Just be yourself. Virgil: 'Be myself'? Logan, I have one day to win Roman over. How long did it take before you guys started liking me? Patton: Couple weeks. Remus: Six months. Janus: Jury’s still out. Virgil: See, Logan? Virgil: 'Be myself'. What kind of garbage advice is that?

Virgil: Croissants; dropped Roman: Road; works ahead Remus: BBQ sauce; on my titties Patton: Shavacado; fre Janus: Miss Keisha; fuckin dead Logan: Logan, grumpy: I didn’t understand a single word of that and I hate every single one of you.

Patton: We need to distract these guys Remus: Leave it to me Remus: Centaurs have six limbs and are therefore insects. Discuss. Logan, Roman, and Janus: *Immediately begin arguing* Virgil, watching in horror: Oh this. I don’t like this. I don't like this at all.

Virgil: Rules are made to be broken. Logan: They were made to be followed. Nothing is made to be broken. Patton: Uh, piñatas. Remus: Glow sticks. Janus: Karate boards. Roman: Spaghetti when you have a small pot. Virgil: Rules. Logan: …

Logan: Dumbest scar stories, go! Roman: I burned my tongue once drinking tea. Patton: I dropped a hair dryer on my leg once and burned it. Remus: I have a piece of graphite in my leg for accidentally stabbing myself with a pencil in the first grade. Janus: I was taking a cup of noodles out of the microwave and spilled it on my hand and I got a really bad burn. Virgil: … Virgil: I have emotional scars.

Logan: Anyone d- Virgil: Depressed? Roman: Drained? Patton: Dumb? Remus: Disliked? Janus: Distrusted? Logan: -done with their work... what is wrong with you people …

Patton: Imagine if someone handed you a box full of all the items you have lost throughout your life Virgil: Self-esteem, haven't seen you in years! Janus: Oh wow, my childhood innocence! Thank you for finding this! Roman: I knew I lost that potential somewhere! Remus: My moral code, is that you? Logan: ... Patton: I was just gonna show you this cool trunk my mother left me but do you guys need a hug?

Janus: Nothing in life is free. Patton: Love is free! Roman: Adventure is free. Logan: Knowledge is free. Virgil and Remus at the same time: Everything is free if you take it without paying.

Patton: What does 'take out' mean? Logan: Food. Roman: Dating Virgil: Murder Remus: IT CAN MEAN ALL THREE IF YOU'RE NOT A COWARD.

Remus: I’ve done a lot of dumb stuff. Janus: I witnessed the dumb stuff. Virgil: I recorded the dumb stuff. Patton: I joined in on the dumb stuff. Logan: I TRIED TO STOP YOU FROM DOING THE DUMB STUFF!!!

Janus: What did you guys get in your yearbook? Roman: 'Prettiest Smile' Patton: 'Nicest Personality' Remus: 'Most likely to start a bar fight' Virgil: 'Least likely to start a bar fight, but most likely to win one'

Logan: There are seven chairs and ten kids. What do you do? Virgil: Have everyone stand. Patton: Bring three more chairs! Janus: The most important ones can sit down. Remus: Kill three.

Logan: Good morning. Patton: Good morning. Roman: Good morning. Thomas: You all sound like robots, try spicing it up a bit. Virgil: MORNING MOTHERFUCKERS

Patton: What if the person who named Walkie Talkies named everything? Remus: Pregnancy tests are Maybe Babies Janus: Socks are Feetie Heaties Virgil: Forks are Stabby Grabbies Remus: Defibrillators are Heartie Starties Virgil: Nightmares are Dreamy Screamies Janus: Stamps are Lickie Stickies Logan, annoyed: You are disappointments Roman: Why isn’t the statue smirking at me? Logan: It isn’t smirking at anyone, they’re all just imagining it. Patton: Three of us saw it, Logan. How do you explain that? Logan: *points at Janus* Sleep deprivation. *points at Virgil* Paranoia. *points at Remus* Delusional personality disorder. And you just believe everything, Patton.

Janus: Favorite horror movie? Remus: It Logan: Saw Roman: Annabelle Virgil: High School Musical. After watching it I spent all my middle school years terrified that the entire school would start singing something and I’d be the only one who didn’t know the lyrics

Virgil: We need more help. Maybe I should call my friends. Remus: ... Your what? Virgil: My friends. Janus: Are they saying “friends”? Remus: I think they're being sarcastic. Janus: No, no, no, this is delirium, they've cracked from being awake all night. Hey, Virgil! All of your friends are in this room. Virgil: I have other friends! You asked me to make new friends, I made new friends! It was a task. I complete tasks.

Patton, trying to convince Virgil to join the group: You know... I thought it'd be good to have someone come along who's really... strong! Roman: And grumpy! Logan: And oblivious to reality! Virgil: …

Roman: You lying, cheating, piece of shit! Virgil: Oh yeah? You’re the idiot who thinks you can get away with everything you do. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD Roman: I’m leaving you, and I’M TAKING PATTON WITH ME Logan, picking up the monopoly board: I think we’re gonna stop playing now.

*Patton is cooking* Roman: Any chance that’s for me? Patton: It’s for Logan. I’m planning on making some bad choices tonight, and I need them on my side. Virgil: I never realized the forethought that went into being a disappointment.

Patton: Hey, is Roman sleeping or dead? Virgil: Hopefully dead, I hated their guts. Logan: Yeah, so did I. Roman: Okay first of all, fuck you-

Virgil: Is stabbing someone immoral? Janus: Not if they consent to it. Remus: Depends who you’re stabbing. Logan, who was dragged into the dark sides meeting: YES?!?

Janus: Self care is actually getting into fights with randoms in dark alleys. Patton: No, self care is stuff like taking a bubble bath, or putting on a lot of makeup if you like it, or taking a nice warm nap! Logan: Self-care is any necessary human regulatory function which is under individual control, deliberate and self-initiated. Janus: Self care is the burning heat when rage washes over you!! Virgil: Self care is when you feel the bones crack under your powerful fists!! Roman: Self care is the fear in your enemies’ eyes!!! Remus: Lmao self care is taking your birthday cake just so I can eat the frosting. Patton: If you touch my birthday cake I’ll make you eat your hands.

Roman: You are now one day closer to eating your next plate of Nachos. Logan: That's the most hopeful thing I've ever heard. Virgil: But what if I die tomorrow and never eat any Nachos? Patton: Then tomorrow is nacho lucky day.

Roman, banging on the door: Virgil! Open up! Virgil: Well, it all started when I was a kid... Logan: No, they meant- Patton: Let them finish.

Janus: Come on, I wasn’t that drunk last night. Virgil: You were flirting with Remus. Janus: So what? They're my partner. Remus: You asked me if I was single. Virgil: And then you cried when they said they weren't.

Store Worker: Would a ‘Janus’ please come to the front desk? Janus, arriving at the desk: Hello, is there a problem? Store Worker: points to Remus and Virgil Store Worker: I believe they belong to you? Remus and Virgil, simultaneously: We got lost :( Janus: I didn’t even bring you guys here with me-

Janus, driving Remus and Virgil: So how was your day? Remus: We almost got surprise adopted! Janus: What? Virgil: We almost got kidnapped. Janus: Oh, okay. Janus: *slams on the breaks* WAIT WHAT?!

Janus: Sometimes I drink milk straight out of the container. Remus: The cow??? Janus: What? Virgil: Remus, W H Y?

Roman: Virgil, my old arch enemy. Remus: ... I thought I was your arch enemy? Roman: I have a life outside of you, Remus.

Remus: How's the sexiest person here~? Janus: I don't know, how are they~? Remus, flustered: I- Virgil, from across the room: I'm doing great, thanks!

Patton: Are you the big spoon or the little spoon? Virgil: I'm a knife. Roman, from across the room: They're the little spoon.

Roman: So, what, now I’m just supposed to do anything that Logan does? I mean, what if they jumped off a cliff? Patton: If Logan were to jump off a cliff, they would’ve done their due diligence regarding the height of the cliff, the depth of the water, and the angle of entry, so yes. If you see Logan jump off a cliff, by all means, jump off a cliff. Roman: You jump off a cliff! Patton: Gladly. Provided Logan did first.

Janus: I know you snuck out last night, Remus. Virgil: Play dumb! Remus: Who's Remus? Virgil: NOT THAT DUMB!!!

Roman: Fitness tip, never stop pushing yourself. Logan: Some say 8 hours of sleep is enough. Why not keep going? Virgil: Why not 9? Why not 10? ]Janus: Strive for greatness. Roman: Next time you’re working out do 15 push ups instead of 10. Run 3 miles instead of 2. Patton, from the background: Eat a whole cake instead of just a slice. Remus from the background: Burn your ex’s house down. Roman: You can do it. I believe in you. Thomas: There were so many mixed messages in that I can’t-

Remus: I can’t believe you live nearby, and you won’t let anyone crash at your place. Virgil: You people already know too much about me. Janus: I know exactly three facts about you, and one of them is that you won’t let any of us crash at your place.

Virgil: Janus, can I talk to you for a second? Janus: Yeah, what’s up? Remus: Lemme guess. You and Roman are having problems and you want me to teach you how to kiss? Virgil: What? No, stop that. I know how to kiss. I’ve read books.

Remus: In my defense, I was left unsupervised. Janus: Wasn't Virgil with you? Virgil: In my defense, I was also left unsupervised.

Remus: Okay, help me please! Virgil: Got two words for you. Janus: I bet they won't be helpful. Virgil: Your problem. Janus: I was right

Virgil: So are we flirting right now? Roman: I AM LITERALLY STABBING YOU Virgil: That doesn’t answer my question

Patton: Where are you going? Remus: To get ice cream or commit a felony, I’ll decide on the way there Patton: Can you get me a strawberry cone? Janus: Can you kill Virgil? Virgil: Can you kill Roman? Roman: Can you kill Janus? Logan: Can you not commit a felony?

Logan: It’s dark in here Patton: Don’t worry fam, I got this Patton: *Stomps their feet* Patton: *Sketchers light up*

Logan: So what do you do? Janus: I work in genetic research, and I'm currently trying to eliminate all Cancers. Logan: Wow, impressive. Janus: Then I'll move on to Leos.

Remus: Don’t worry, I have a few knives up my sleeve. Roman: I think you mean cards. Remus, pulling knives out of their sleeves: No, I do not.

Virgil: We went through an entire character arc during quarantine Janus: We all became more evil if you’re curious Patton: We're still in quarantine, don't worry, there's time for a redemption arc still! Remus: I’m going to get worse on purpose

Patton: Am I in trouble? Logan: Take a guess. Patton: No? Logan: Take another guess.

Patton: Oh just so you know, it's very muggy outside Roman: *holding in a laugh* Logan: Patton, I swear, if I step outside and all of our mugs are on the front lawn... Virgil: *Sips coffee from bowl*

Virgil: You kill people for money?! Virgil: Can I pay you? Janus: Virgil no- Remus: And all this time I’ve been doing it for free like a chump!

Roman: What are your goals? Thomas as Patton: To pet all the dogs. Logan: No, fitness goals. Thomas as Patton: To be able to run fast enough to pet all the dogs.

Patton: I've already sent good vibes your way… they’re coming. There’s nothing you can do to stop them. Virgil: This is the most threatening way I’ve ever been cheered up.

Virgil: Name a more iconic duo than my crippling fear of abandonment and my paranoia. I'll wait. Patton’s Card: FAM - ILY Virgil, tearing up: Okay.

Logan: I actually have a black belt. Roman: In what, karate? Logan: No, from Gucci.

Remus: Am I going too far? Janus: No, no, no. You went too far about seven hours ago. Now you're going to prison.

Patton, motioning to a Halloween display: All these ghosts! All these ghosts! I still can’t find a boo. Logan: Babe, I’m right here.

Remus: You think I really give a fuck? I can’t even read.

Virgil: Okay okay stop asking me if I'm straight, gay, bi, whatever. I identify as a FUCKING THREAT. Roman, from across the room: You tell ‘em, babe!

Roman: You can de-escalate any situation by simply saying, 'Are we about to kiss?' Remus: Doesn't work for getting out of speeding tickets, by the way.

[noirandchocolate]

All right, since I was asked very nicely by a couple people when I complained in general about how Americans don’t get properly taught about their own Constitutional rights, here is a post explaining why, in the US, jurors are not permitted to do their own research outside the courtroom (even if they think something a witness said might be incorrect or ‘wrong’).

The Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution states that a person may not be deprived of her life, liberty, or property “without due process of law.”  More specifically, the Sixth Amendment guarantees a criminal defendant the right to a trial by “an impartial jury,” and the right to be “confronted with the witnesses against him.” 

The “impartial jury” rule has been interpreted to mean, among other things, that the jury must make its decision based solely on the evidence presented in court, and that the verdict must not be tainted by outside influences.  The “witness confrontation” rule also comes into play with this topic, as I’ll explain below.  But basically, the short answer to the question “why can’t jurors do their own research?” is “because the Constitution says they can’t, and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.”  But that doesn’t explain WHY that’s the rule, and is therefore unsatisfying, so here’s some good reasons why a criminal defendant shouldn’t want jurors to be able to consider things outside the evidence presented at their trial!

1)  Publicity--One of the major things jurors are instructed not to look at while a trial is ongoing is news media.  Why?  Because news outlets are not forbidden from reporting about ongoing criminal matters (First Amendment!), and exposure to such publicity can jeopardize the impartiality of a juror.  Let’s say you are charged with robbing a convenience store, and your trial has just started.  A news reporter posts an article online about the robbery.  It has a pretty sensational headline, something like “Father of Two Threatened with Gun in Convenience Store Holdup.”  A juror hearing your case, let’s call him Rick, is curious about the location of the store, and googles its name.  The news article comes up and Rick sees this headline.  Oh, wow, the cashier has kids?  He was threatened?  It was a “holdup”?  That sounds terrible!!  Humans are very susceptible creatures and can be swayed by all kinds of things.  Would you, the defendant, want Rick to read that headline, much less the article giving out a bunch of details that haven’t (yet, or ever) been revealed in court?  Would you trust Rick to listen to your side of the story, and base his decision in your case on the evidence in court, after reading such inflammatory things about the incident?

Many times, very high-profile cases are moved out of the jurisdiction where they would normally be tried, because the local area has been inundated with pretrial publicity making it difficult to find jurors who haven’t heard about the case and formed some kind of opinion, conscious or unconscious, about it.  Keeping a sitting jury from being exposed to media publicity during a trial is just as important.

2) Right to Confront Witnesses--As stated above, the Sixth Amendment guarantees this.  What does it mean?  That the prosecution must base its case on witness testimony and evidence that it puts before the jury in court, and you the defendant must be given a chance to cross-examine those witnesses about their testimony and the evidence presented, to call its truth into question, challenge whether it establishes all the elements of the crime you’re charged with, or otherwise poke holes in the case against you.  This is the reason hearsay evidence is barred unless one of a number of exceptions applies.  So what does that have to do with jurors doing outside research?

In our faux robbery trial, let’s say that juror Keisha thought there were some gaps or inconsistencies in the cashier’s testimony, so she looks him up online to see if he talked about being robbed on social media closer to when it happened.  Not only does she find his tweets from right after the incident, which bolster the story he told on direct examination (and that your counsel did their best to bash holes in during cross), she finds his cousin’s Facebook.  The cousin has an emotionally charged post about how the cashier came to her house sobbing after talking to police, and everything he told her about the robbery.  During deliberations, Keisha shares the tweets and the cousin’s post with the other jurors.  Now, wouldn’t you be mad if you found out that there was another witness against you in the case (the cousin) that you didn’t get a chance to question?  Wouldn’t you be upset to hear that the jurors were using the cashier’s tweets as evidence for your guilt, when the prosecutor didn’t present them in court and you didn’t get an opportunity to ask the cashier about them (and they may have been inadmissible, as discussed below)?  Your Sixth Amendment right to confrontation has been violated, because a juror did outside research!

3) Expert Witnesses--This is obviously linked with the last point.  When explaining evidence will involve some technical knowledge, the prosecution may present an “expert” witness to provide that background and knowledge.  Such an expert might or might not have any other link to the current case.  For example, where a gun is involved in a crime, a ballistics expert might be called to testify in general about bullet calibers, how guns work and how bullets can be matched to them, etc., and then may be asked to provide an expert opinion based on that knowledge--perhaps whether, after performing some examination, she believes a bullet fired into the floor of the convenience store during the robbery appears to “match” with a gun found in your home.  Before an expert witness may provide such testimony, both the prosecution and the defense will ask her questions about her qualifications as an expert, such as her education on the subject, whether she has any certifications in the field, whether she attends ongoing training to update her knowledge, things like that.  Then, the judge will make a finding whether the qualifications are sufficient for her to testify as an expert, and will tell the jury that it should consider those qualifications when deciding whether her opinion has any weight.

Now, for an example, let’s say juror Winn didn’t think the ballistics expert sounded very certain about matching the bullet to the gun police claim they found in your home, and is wondering how much weight  they should even give the witness’s testimony.  At home, they do a quick google search to see if the kind of gun police claim was at your house uses the type of bullet they found at the store.  They find a website listing many types of guns and bullets, read that the gun can indeed fire that type of bullet, and even see the site creator’s opinion that this kind of gun is an “assault weapon” and that those bullets are particularly damaging.  During deliberations, Winn tells the other jurors what they learned.  Whoops!  That website may have been used by the jury as an “expert witness,” despite the fact that its creator may only be a hobbyist gun enthusiast without formal education!  You didn’t get to question this mysterious person about their qualifications to speak about ballistics, you didn’t get to cross-examine their opinions...and you should really file an appeal if you’re convicted.

4) Inadmissible Evidence--Prior to any criminal trial, there will probably be at least some discussion (and motions) by your counsel and the prosecutor about whether certain evidence is admissible at trial.  For example, your lawyer might move to suppress your confession to police, because they used improper interrogation tactics or violated your Miranda rights.  Or, if you have a prior record, the State might try to submit evidence of your earlier convictions (a type of evidence that is highly prejudicial, because it makes it look like you’re “a criminal,” particularly if your prior conviction involves a similar offense to the one currently charged).  In fact, let’s go with that example.  Let’s say you have a prior conviction for assault, from several years ago.  The court rules that the prosecution may not bring up that conviction to make you look bad during their case.  However, if you choose to testify, the prosecutor will be allowed to ask you some basic information about it--its degree, and when it happened, but NOT what offense it was for--so the jury can assess the credibility of your testimony with the knowledge that you have broken the law before.  Maybe you choose to testify anyway, and that “sanitized” (a legal term) info is told to the jury.

Hearing that you had a prior conviction, Amir is curious, and searches for your name and the phrase “conviction.”  He finds the record of your conviction, which is public, and finds out it was for assault.  Well, the very information the court ruled inadmissible is soon shared with the whole jury, and several members now think of you not just as someone with some vague prior offense, but as someone who assaults people.  You know.  Like a robber does.  Alternatively, let’s say you decided not to testify, because you worried that the jury would find out you had a prior conviction and become biased against you.  So, the prosecutor wasn’t allowed to talk about the subject at all.  But Amir still wondered in general about what kind of person you are, so he still did his google search for your name and found out about your conviction anyway.  You gave up your chance to tell your side of the story, and the jury still discovered exactly what you wanted to hide! 

This point can also dovetail with the prior ones.  What if Amir found your mom’s blog post where she mentioned how you confessed the robbery to police, despite the fact that the judge ruled your confession inadmissible and the jury would otherwise have no idea it existed?  The jury now knows that you “confessed,” but since the confession was never discussed at trial you didn’t have a chance to cross-examine the cops that interrogated you about the subject.  So the jury doesn’t know they withheld food from you for hours and wouldn’t let you speak to your attorney.  As far as the jury knows, the cops did nothing wrong!  You didn’t get the chance to confront that evidence against you.

5) Mistakes or Misinformation--Seriously, a website might have a typo in it.  The problem can be as stupid and yet as vital as that.  Plenty of sites have agendas or viewpoints they’re trying to push, too.  Sure, a person testifying in court might lie (on pain of being found out and charged with perjury!) or make a mistake or not remember something correctly.  But it’s a really bad idea to add into that mix the chaos of internet research, when a criminal defendant’s liberty is on the line.  Jurors are expected to evaluate whether they think witnesses are credible based on what goes on in the courtroom.  Allowing them to “check” witness testimony online, using sites that might also not be credible at all, simply doesn’t make sense.  In court, at least a witness can be cross-examined.  You can’t cross-examine a juror’s Wikipedia trail.

6) Even Positive Stuff is Bad--Okay, you may be saying, but all these examples involve jurors discovering stuff that’s bad for me the hypothetical defendant.  What if a juror googles a cop witness and finds his racist tweets, hurting his credibility?  What if a witness lies about something, and a juror finds their Facebook where they told the real story?  What if a witness misstates something and a juror looks up a website that tells them the accurate facts?  That would help me!  I guess so, and the lack of prejudice to you the defendant’s constitutional rights might be taken into account if, say, the prosecutor finds out about these types of jury taint and moves for a mistrial.  But the government also has a strong interest in maintaining the integrity of a trial, and that will also be weighed.

In the end, the answer to the question “why don’t we let jurors do outside research” is “because your Constitutional right to a fair trial is so important.”  You shouldn’t be deprived of your liberty without due process, and due process includes the right to question, cross-examine, and call into question all of the evidence against you.  As a result, the verdict in your case needs to be based on the evidence officially presented in court during your trial, not whatever mishmash of sources the jury might discover outside.  Even though there might be the off chance that some juror’s research could help your side, there are so many ways you could be hurt by it.  If you were facing the possibility of several years in prison, would you want to take that chance, and have this key rule be changed?

[ihopethisendswell]

Incorrect Quotes because I'm planning on writing something for Alexis and I need to set up.......I mean,

INCORRECT QUOTES PART 4 ~UWU~

Danica: Lol heads up if you try to make a candle with food coloring, the food coloring will just sink to the bottom of the glass, and when the flame eventually reaches the bottom all the food coloring will catch fire and become one giant tall flame that you cannot possibly blow out and the glass will start to crack and then you'll throw your tea on it in a panic and then the extremely hot food coloring will boil and sizzle horribly and then the glass will shatter. Please take my word on this lmfao

Emmet: What did you do op?

Danica: A MISTAKE

( okay this one is actually from tumblr but I don't actually know the post, so if you do, please tell me so I can credit them!)

________________

Leon: Would you guys be there for me if I was going through something?

Sonia: Nope, absolutely not.

Nessa: I hope it sucks, whatever you're going through.

Raihan: I hope it emotionally scars you for the rest of your life.

Piers: I hope you reach out to me so I can ignore you.

Alexis/ Hop: I can't wait to go to your funeral, knowing I could've changed that outcome.

( you have no idea how happy I was when I found this. This is the exact thing that comes into my mind when I think of these characters, holy shit)

________________

Naomi: What does 'take out' mean?

Hop: Food.

Kiran: Dating

Marnie: Murder

Levi: IT CAN MEAN ALL THREE IF YOU'RE NOT A COWARD.

______________

Bede: Who the fuck added me to a fucking group chat?

Naomi: >:O language

Hop: Yeah watch your fucking language

Levi: OKAY WHO TAUGHT HOP THE FUCK WORD?

Marnie: 'The fuck word'.

Naomi: Are you stupid? You guys use the f word all the time

Hop: Oh my god she censored it

Kiran: Say fuck, Person F.

Hop: Do it, Person F. Say fuck.

__________________

Alexis: I CAN'T DO IT!

Elliot, laughing: I CAN'T EITHER!

Alexis: I CANT FUCKING DO IT ANYMORE

Bianca: WELL I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, YOU CAN EITHER GIVE UP NOW, OR YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT. BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU, AND WE KNOW YOU CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT US.

Alexis:

Alexis: I appreciate it,

Alexis: BUT LOOK WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH-

Alder: Person A-

Alexis: YOU GOTTA DRAW THE LINE SOMEWHERE!

Cheren: Person A we gotta-

Alexis: YOU GOTTA DRAW A FUCKING LINE IN THE SAND. YOU GOTTA MAKE A STATEMENT.

Alexis : YOU GOTTA LOOK INSIDE YOURSELF AND SAY 'What am I willing to put up with today?'

Alexis, motioning to N, Ghetsis, Team Plasma and his dead pokemon: NOT FUCKING THIS

( this could literally be applied to all the protagonist with there respective cast)

______________

Levi: I’ve done a lot of dumb stuff.

Marnie: I witnessed the dumb stuff.

Kirab: I recorded the dumb stuff.

Hop: I joined in on the dumb stuff.

Naomi: I TRIED TO STOP YOU FROM DOING THE DUMB STUFF!!!

_____________

Naomi: Croissants: dropped

Kirahln: Road: works ahead

Levi: BBQ sauce: on my titties

Hop: Shavacado: fre

Marnie: Miss Keisha: fuckin dead

Bede:

Bede, grumpy: I didn’t understand a single word of that and I hate every single one of you.

( you can't tell me that's not canon)

______________

*Everyone is standing around the broken coffee maker*

Alexis: So. Who broke it? I'm not mad, I just wanna know.

Everyone:

Milo: ...I did. I broke it.

Alexis: No. No you didn't. Person C?

Raihan: Don't look at me. Look at Person D.

Sonia: What?! I didn't break it.

Raihan: Huh, that's weird. How'd you even know it was broken?

Sonia: Because it's sitting right in front of us and it's broken.

Riahan: Suspicious.

Sonia: No, it's not!

Gordie: If it matters, probably not, but Person F was the last one to use it.

Nessa: Liar! I don't even drink that crap!

Gordie: Oh really? Then what were you doing by the coffee cart earlier?

Nessa: I use the wooden stirrers to push back my cuticles. Everyone knows that, Person E!

Milo: Okay let's not fight. I broke it. Let me pay for it, Person A.

Alexis: No! Who broke it!?

Everyone:

Gordie: Person A... Person C's been awfully quiet.

Piers: rEALLY?!

*Everyone starts arguing*

Alexis, being interviewed: I broke it. I burned my hand so I punched it.

Alexis: I predict 10 minutes from now they'll be at each other's throats with warpaint on their faces and a pig head on a stick.

Alexis:

Alexis: Good. It was getting a little chummy around here.

( I know it would have made sense for one of the elders to do this, or at least Leon, but Alexis would totally do this)

______________

*The squad is having dinner together*

Leon: Raihan, can you pass the salt?

Raihan: *Throws Piers across the table*

They're on a date

______________

Leon, driving Hop and Naomi: So how was your day?

Hop: We almost got surprise adopted!

Leon: What?

Naomi: We almost got kidnapped.

Leon: Oh, okay.

Leon: *slams on the breaks* WAIT WHAT?!

_____________

This batch of Incorrect Quotes were * chef kiss* wonderful. This has to be my favorite.

[rogue-smelter]

Since the generator is really fun I had to do some for the whole squad: 

Tarn: Who the fuck added me to a fucking group chat? Kaon: >:O language Vos: Yeah watch your fucking language Nickel: OKAY WHO TAUGHT VOS THE FUCK WORD? Helex: 'The fuck word'. Tesarus: Are you stupid? You guys use the f word all the time Vos: Oh my god they censored it Helex: Say fuck, Tesarus. Vos: Do it, Tesarus. Say fuck.

- - - -

Tarn: Everytime I hear someone talking about updog, I’m torn between not wanting to fall for it and wanting to help them complete their joke. Kaon: Okay, but what is updog? Vos: Updog is a long sausage in a bun, often served with ketchup, mustard, onions, and/or relish. Nickel: Not, that’s a hot dog. An updog is when a new version or patch of an application is released. Helex: No, that's an update. You’re thinking of the fourth largest city in Sweden. Tesarus: Surely, that’s Uppsala, where’s updog is the giant spider in Harry Potter. Tarn: That’s Aragog. Updog is a symbol conventionally used for an arbitrarily small number in analysis proofs. Nickel: You’re thinking of epsilon. Updog is an upward-moving air current. Vos: No, that’s an updraft. An updog is the modern version of a henway. Kaon: What’s a henway?? Tarn: Oh, about five pounds.

- - - - - 

*The squad right before Tarn's wedding* Kaon: Well I have to go, I have a wedding to attend. Vos: Wait... Oh! I have a wedding to attend too! Nickel: Oh, I have a wedding to attend as well Helex: I THINK WE ALL HAVE WEDDINGS TO ATTEND Tesarus, panicked: I THINK I HAVE A WEDDING TO OFFICIATE

- - - - -

*Everyone is standing around the broken coffee maker* Tarn: So. Who broke it? I'm not mad, I just wanna know. Everyone: Kaon: ...I did. I broke it. Tarn: No. No you didn't. Vos? Vos: Don't look at me. Look at Nickel. Nickel: What?! I didn't break it. Vos: Huh, that's weird. How'd you even know it was broken? Nickel: Because it's sitting right in front of us and it's broken. Vos: Suspicious. Nickel: No, it's not! Helex: If it matters, probably not, but Tesarus was the last one to use it. Tesarus: Liar! I don't even drink that crap! Helex: Oh really? Then what were you doing by the coffee cart earlier? Tesarus: I use the wooden stirrers to push back my cuticles. Everyone knows that, Helex! Kaon: Okay let's not fight. I broke it. Let me pay for it, Tarn. Tarn: No! Who broke it!? Everyone: Helex: Tarn... Vos's been awfully quiet. Vos: rEALLY?! *Everyone starts arguing* Tarn, being interviewed: I broke it. I burned my hand so I punched it. Tarn: I predict 10 minutes from now they'll be at each other's throats with warpaint on their faces and a pig head on a stick. Tarn: Tarn: Good. It was getting a little chummy around here.

- - - - - 

Tarn: Just be yourself. Kaon: 'Be myself'? Tarn, I have one day to win Vos over. How long did it take before you guys started liking me? Nickel: Couple weeks. Helex: Six months. Tesarus: Jury’s still out. Kaon: See, Tarn? Kaon: 'Be myself'. What kind of garbage advice is that?

- - - - -

Tarn: Croissants: dropped Kaon: Road: works ahead Vos: BBQ sauce: on my titties Nickel: Shavacado: fre Helex: Miss Keisha: fuckin dead Tesarus: Tesarus, grumpy: I didn’t understand a single word of that and I hate every single one of you.

- - - - - 

*Squad reactions to being told ‘I love you’* Tarn: Thanks fam! Kaon: oh no Vos: *cries* I love you too Nickel: Sounds fake but okay Helex: *A flustered mess* Tesarus: can i get a refund

- - - - -

Tarn: If you bite it and you die, it’s poisonous. If it bites you and you die, it’s venomous. Kaon: What if it bites me and it dies!? Vos: Then you’re poisonous. Jesus Christ, Kaon, learn to listen. Nickel: What if it bites itself and I die? Helex: That’s voodoo. Tesarus: What if it bites me and someone else dies? Kaon: That’s correlation, not causation. Nickel: What if we bite each other, and neither of us die? Helex: That’s kinky. Tarn: Oh my God.

- - - - -

Tarn: Time for plan G. Kaon: Don’t you mean plan B? Tarn: No, we tried plan B a long time ago. I had to skip over plan C due to technical difficulties. Vos: What about plan D? Tarn: Plan D was that desperate disguise attempt half an hour ago. Nickel: What about plan E? Tarn: I’m hoping not to use it. Helex dies in plan E. Tesarus: I like plan E.

[canisterofsoda]

incoming long list of incorrect quotes because im getting annoying on discord so you people have to deal with me now

Kei: Looking left cause you don’t treat me right

Han: Looking right because you left

Rose: Looking up cause you let me down

Oliver: Looking down cause you fucked up

Blair: What is wrong with you guys

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

Kei: Bridge the generation gap by combining old and new slang into one!

Han: Tubular AF!

Rose: Mood to the max!

Oliver, annoyed: Groovy, I hate it.

Blair, just as annoyed: If she breathes, she’s a square.

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

Kei: What’s something you guys are better than Han at?

Rose: Mario Kart.

Oliver: Yeah, video games.

Blair: Emotional vulnerability.

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

Kei: There are seven chairs and ten kids. What do you do?

Han: Have everyone stand.

Rose: Bring three more chairs!

Oliver: The most important ones can sit down.

Blair: Kill three.

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

Kei: Favorite horror movie?

Han: It

Rose: Saw

Oliver: Annabelle

Blair: High School Musical. after watching it I spent all my middle school years terrified that the entire school would start singing something and I’d be the only one who didn’t know the lyrics

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

Kei: Poison is a magic transmutation potion that turns people into corpses.

Han: This knife is actually a magic wand.

Rose: Meet me in the Denny’s parking lot for a wizard duel.

Oliver: *cocks gun* Magic missile.

Blair: What the fuck is wrong with you people.

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

Kei: Imagine if someone handed you a box full of all the items you have lost throughout your life

Han: Self-esteem, haven't seen you in years!

Rose: Oh wow, my childhood innocence! Thank you for finding this!

Oliver: I knew I lost that potential somewhere!

Blair: My moral code, is that you?

Kei:

Kei: I was just gonna show you this cool trunk my mother left me but do you guys need a hug?

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

Kei: What if the person who named Walkie Talkies named everything?

Han: Pregnancy tests are Maybe Babies

Blair: Socks are Feetie Heaties

Oliver: Forks are Stabby Grabbies

Han: Defibrillators are Heartie Starties

Blair: Nightmares are Dreamy Screamies

Oliver: Stamps are Lickie Stickies

Rose, annoyed: You are disappointments

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

Kei: Where's Han, Rose, and Oliver?

Blair: They're playing hide and seek.

Kei: Where?

Blair: I don't think you get how this game works.

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

Kei: You kidnapped Han? That’s illegal!

Rose: But Kei, what’s more illegal? Briefly inconveniencing Han, or destroying our dreams?

Kei: Kidnapping Han, Rose!!!

Oliver: Kei, listen, whatever I may think of you right now- these guys are counting on you to inspire them!

Kei: What, to kidnap people?!?!

Oliver: To work together!

Kei: TO KIDNAP PEOPLE?!?!?!?!

Blair: Kei, we all agreed a Han is a not a people.

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

Kei: Anyone d-

Han: Depressed?

Rose: Drained?

Oliver: Dumb?

Blair: Disliked?

Kei: -done with their work... what is wrong with you people ...

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

Kei: Nothing in life is free.

Han: Love is free!

Rose: Adventure is free.

Oliver: Knowledge is free.

Blair: Everything is free if you take it without paying.

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

Kei: We need more help. Maybe I should call my friends.

Han: ... Your what?

Kei: My friends.

Rose: Are they saying “friends”?

Oliver: I think they're being sarcastic.

Blair: No, no, no, this is delirium, they've cracked from being awake all night. Hey, Kei! All of your friends are in this room.

Kei: I have other friends! You asked me to make new friends, I made new friends! It was a task. I complete tasks.

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

Kei: Good responses for being stabbed with a knife?

Han: Rude.

Rose: That’s fair.

Oliver: Not again.

Blair: Are you going to want this back?

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

Kei: Are we really going to let Han keep Rose?

Oliver: We kept Blair.

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

Kei: What does 'take out' mean?

Han: Food.

Rose: Dating

Oliver: Murder

Blair: IT CAN MEAN ALL THREE IF YOU'RE NOT A COWARD.

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

Kei: If you bite it and you die, it’s poisonous. If it bites you and you die, it’s venomous.

Han: What if it bites me and it dies!?

Rose: Then you’re poisonous. Jesus Christ, Han, learn to listen.

Oliver: What if it bites itself and I die?

Blair: That’s voodoo.

Himari: What if it bites me and someone else dies?

Han: That’s correlation, not causation.

Oliver: What if we bite each other, and neither of us die?

Blair: That’s kinky.

Kei: Oh my God.

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

*The squad is over at Kei's house*

Han: Ohhhh, we each get our own oven?

Kei: ... N-No...

Kei, laughing: How many ovens do you think I have???

Han, motioning to their kitchen: Three, I thought!

Rose: I see a-

Kei, motioning to one device: This is a microwave.

Han: Oh, well I-

Kei: Hey wait wait, actually- hang on- *fiddles with the buttons on the microwave*

Kei, amazed: Its got a bake setting!

Oliver: Ohoho, you learn something new every day!

Blair: Do we- Do we roshambo for who gets to pick first?

Kei: Now I've just discovered I have more ovens than I thought, we don't have to roshambo nothin!

Kei: I am someone who owns four ovens...

Kei, louder and way too happy: I am someone... who owns FOUR OVENS...

Kei: I didn't know I was so rich with ovens...

Himari, pointing to another appliance: Also the toaster oven!

Kei:

Han: Ohhh, toasty boy! Four- Five ovens!

Kei:

Kei, fucking ECSTATIC: I AM SOMEONE WHO OWNS FIVE OVENS

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

Kei: Rules are made to be broken.

Han: They were made to be followed. Nothing is made to be broken.

Rose: Uh, piñatas.

Oliver: Glow sticks.

Blair: Karate boards.

Himari: Spaghetti when you have a small pot.

Kei: Rules.

Han:

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

Kei: Who the fuck added me to a fucking group chat?

Han: >:O language

Rose: Yeah watch your fucking language

Oliver: OKAY WHO TAUGHT ROSE THE FUCK WORD?

Blair: 'The fuck word'.

Himari: Are you stupid? You guys use the f word all the time

Rose: Oh my god they censored it

Blair: Say fuck, Himari.

Rose: Do it, Himari. Say fuck.

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

'Can I copy the homework?'

Kei: I can help you with it!

Han: Yeah, sure.

Rose: Bold of you to assume I did the homework.

Oliver: lol nope.

Blair: Wait, we had homework?!?!?!

Himari: *Read 5:55pm*

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

Kei: Time for plan G.

Han: Don’t you mean plan B?

Kei: No, we tried plan B a long time ago. I had to skip over plan C due to technical difficulties.

Rose: What about plan D?

Kei: Plan D was that desperate disguise attempt half an hour ago.

Oliver: What about plan E?

Kei: I’m hoping not to use it. Blair dies in plan E.

Himari: I like plan E.

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

Kei: We need to distract these guys

Han: Leave it to me

Han: Centaurs have six limbs and are therefore insects. Discuss.

Rose, Oliver, and Blair: *Immediately begin arguing*

Himari, watching in horror: Oh this. I don’t like this. I don't like this at all.

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

*The squad right before Kei's wedding*

Han: Well I have to go, I have a wedding to attend.

Rose: Wait... Oh! I have a wedding to attend too!

Oliver: Oh, I have a wedding to attend as well

Blair: I THINK WE ALL HAVE WEDDINGS TO ATTEND

Himari, panicked: I THINK I HAVE A WEDDING TO OFFICIATE

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

Kei: Croissants: dropped

Han: Road: works ahead

Rose: BBQ sauce: on my titties

Oliver: Shavacado: fre

Blair: Miss Keisha: fuckin dead

Himari:

Himari, grumpy: I didn’t understand a single word of that and I hate every single one of you.

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

Kei: Everytime I hear someone talking about updog, I’m torn between not wanting to fall for it and wanting to help them complete their joke.

Han: Okay, but what is updog?

Rose: Updog is a long sausage in a bun, often served with ketchup, mustard, onions, and/or relish.

Oliver: Not, that’s a hot dog. An updog is when a new version or patch of an application is released.

Blair: No, that's an update. You’re thinking of the fourth largest city in Sweden.

Himari: Surely, that’s Uppsala, where’s updog is the giant spider in Harry Potter.

Kei: That’s Aragog. Updog is a symbol conventionally used for an arbitrarily small number in analysis proofs.

Oliver: You’re thinking of epsilon. Updog is an upward-moving air current.

Rose: No, that’s an updraft. An updog is the modern version of a henway.

Han: What’s a henway??

Kei: Oh, about five pounds.

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

Kei: Just be yourself.

Han: 'Be myself'? Kei, I have one day to win Rose over. How long did it take before you guys started liking me?

Oliver: Couple weeks.

Blair: Six months.

Himari: Jury’s still out.

Han: See, Kei?

Han: 'Be myself'. What kind of garbage advice is that?

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

Kei: I CAN'T DO IT!

Han, laughing: I CAN'T EITHER!

Kei: I CANT FUCKING DO IT ANYMORE

Rose: WELL I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, YOU CAN EITHER GIVE UP NOW, OR YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT. BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU, AND WE KNOW YOU CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT US.

Kei:

Kei: I appreciate it,

Kei: BUT LOOK WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH-

Oliver: Kei-

Kei: YOU GOTTA DRAW THE LINE SOMEWHERE!

Blair: Kei we gotta-

Kei: YOU GOTTA DRAW A FUCKING LINE IN THE SAND. YOU GOTTA MAKE A STATEMENT.

Kei: YOU GOTTA LOOK INSIDE YOURSELF AND SAY 'What am I willing to put up with today?'

Kei, motioning to Himari: NOT FUCKING THIS

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

*Squad reactions to being told ‘I love you’*

Kei: Thanks fam!

Han: oh no

Rose: *cries* I love you too

Oliver: Sounds fake but okay

Blair: *A flustered mess*

Himari: can i get a refund

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

Kei: Hewwo.

Han: Hihiiiiii!

Rose: Greetings, Humans.

Blair: Three kinds of people.

Oliver: I want pudding.

Kei: Four kinds of people.

Himari: WHAT’S UP FUCKERS?

Blair: Five kinds of people.

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

Kei, walking into their house: Hello, people who do not live here.

Han: Hey.

Rose: Hi.

Oliver: Hello.

Blair: Hey!

Kei: I gave you the key to my place for emergencies only!

Himari: We were out of Doritos.

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

Kei: *Posts a super low-quality image to the group chat*

Han: If I had a dollar for every pixel in this image, I’d have 15 cents

Kei: If I had a dollar for every ounce of rage I felt in my body after I read this text, I would have enough money to buy a cannon to fire at you

Rose: Actually I did the math, Han would have $225, not $0.15.

Han: Fam I’m right here....

Oliver: If I had a dollar I would buy a can of soda :)

Kei: while you’re there could you buy me an apply juice please?

Oliver: Sorry I only have a dollar

Kei: :(

Rose: Hey I just realized my friend is right, Han would have $22,500 because it's a dollar for every pixel, not a cent

Oliver: If I had $22,500 I would buy a can of soda and an apply juice

Rose: You can buy anything you want with $22,500

Blair: Yeah and they want soda and apply juice

Rose: Apply juice to what

Himari: Directly to the forehead

Han: Great chat everyone

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

Kei: Would you guys be there for me if I was going through something?

Han: Nope, absolutely not.

Rose: I hope it sucks, whatever you're going through.

Oliver: I hope it emotionally scars you for the rest of your life.

Blair: I hope you reach out to me so I can ignore you.

Himari: I can't wait to go to your funeral, knowing I could've changed that outcome.

[bdeharrington]

𝕞𝕠𝕧𝕚𝕖 𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 - 𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕧𝕖 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕥𝕠𝕟

p l o t- the kids, robin, and your boyfriend steve watching a scary movie at your house all cuddled up as it storms outside..ingredients to a perfect night!

Since Starcourt went down this meant that the kids weren’t able to see movies every Friday like they used to. You felt bad and decided that every Friday they would come to either Steve, Robin, or your house to watch a movie of their choice.

On this Friday it was your turn to have everyone over at your house to watch movies, throughout the week you always looked forward to it. This was a great opportunity for the kids to spend time with you, Steve and Robin.

Considering all you guys would do was work and in your free time you would go to college to take a few classes but Fridays was your time to spend with the kids.

You worked at Melvalds general store with Will’s mom Joyce, after work you picked up the kids at the Wheelers. You honked your horn twice, you then saw El and Max run out followed by the boys.

“Shotgun!!” Max yelled making sure all the boys heard her, “Oh come on!!!” Lucas says as Max gives him a sassy smirk.“Come on guys Robin and Steve are waiting!!!” you say, after everyone piled up in your car you then drove toward the Family Video where Steve and Robin worked.

“So what movie are you guys wanting to watch today?” you ask, “Well it’s either between The shining or Friday the 13th” Mike says.“A scary movie is perfect to watch tonight since it’s supposed storm pretty badly tonight” Dustin adds,“ooo well im excited with whatever!!” you say as you pull up to the family video.

As Steve sees you walk in he could not contain the smile that came across his face, he came from behind the counter and walked to you.You look up into his light brown eyes and smile softly, he grips your waist as he pulls you closer. “Hey beautiful.” he says, “Hey bubs” you tell him. He then kisses you passionately, you then hear the “ewwws” and the fake gag noises come from the boys and from El and Max you hear “awww” and “soo cute”.

You pull away from Steve and smile at him again, he then sees Dustin. “Henderson!!! What goes on man!!” he says as they do their peculiar handshake. You chuckle as you walk toward robin as she resides behind the counter with her other coworker Keith.

“Hey Robin!!” you say, “Hey y/n!!” she says as she gives you a quick hug. You then set your eyes on Keith, “hey Keith!!” you tell him as you smile.“Hey y/n by the way can you leave the make out sessions with Harrington at home i’ve got customers getting grossed out” he says.

“Oh come one Keith it was only one kiss!!!” you say as you sit on top of the counter, “Hey get off!!!” he says “Keith lighten up a little why do you hate me so much!!” you ask in a playful tone.Keith rolls his eyes and says,”I’m going to go sort the movies” you chuckle as you get a lollipop from a jar that robin had put out.

Steve walks over to you and smirks, “Shut it Harrington!!” you say as you already know what his mind was thinking. Robin laughs, “You guys are adorable so what movie is it today?” she asks the kids as they also make their way to the counter.

“Shining or Friday the 13th” Will says, “Okay well since there’s an uneven amount of us so we’ll just do a draw, y/n write the two movies on strips of paper and then Dustin can we borrow your hat for a minute?” Robin asks. Dustin nods his head yes and takes off his ‘camp know where’ hat and gives it to robin, you then put the strips of paper in dustins hat.

“Okay we should have a random person pick!!” Steve adds, everyone shakes their head in agreement, you look around along with everyone else.“What about Keith??” Mike says, everyone approves “Keith can you come here a second?” Robin yells.Keith rolls his eyes and let’s out a big sigh,”what is it now?”

“we just need you to pick a strip of paper out of dustin hat” you say, Dustin looks at Keith in complete and utter disgust “great he’s going to spread his nasty rash to me!!” he says.

Keith looks at Dustin and says, “I’ve already told you acne isn’t a rash and isn’t contagious you pubescent waistoid” they then argue back and fourth.

“Can you just pick out of the godamn hat Keith?” Max added, he sighs again and finally picks.

Everyone huddled around Keith and waited for him to open the crumbled piece of paper,”What does it say” Will says “I can’t see!!” Mike adds.

As he unfolds the paper he reads it and looks at the kids, “You guys might want to sleep with your mommy Steve tonight because looks like you guys are watching friday the 13th” he says.

You laugh as you look at Steve, the kids then cheer “Can we go to the store to get snacks??” Lucas asks steve he shakes his head yes and they cheer once more.

“Well you take the boys and Robin and i will take El and Max and then we’ll meet at the bradleys big buy okay?” you tell Steve.

He shakes his head and you give him a quick kiss as you and him exchange goodbyes, you, Robin, El and Max all walk out of the family video and towards your car.

“Okay shitheads make it fast go get the movie while i get my things from the back!” Steve says to the boys.

They run to the isle where they had the movie and grabbed it, as Dustin and Will make their back to where Steve was Lucas and Mike stay back.

“Okay were going to be watching a scary movie so it’s your job to make sure El feels protected by you okay?” Lucas says.“What do you mean like what should I do?” Mike asks,”Okay when there is like a jump scare and she gets scared hold her or like grab her hand trust me girls dig that stuff, works on Max like a charm!!!” Lucas tells Mike.He shakes his head,”Okay I’ll try it!!”

“Try what?” Steve says as he walks out from the back room,”Oh nothing there’s this new candy that Lucas was telling me about.” Mike says.“Whatever okay let’s go!! Keisha make sure you lock up okay buddy?” Steve says to Keith as the boys laugh,“Suck it Harrington!!!” Keith yells back.

Steve and the kids then get in the car and starts to drive towards bradleys, as they pull up you Robin and the girls are waiting outside your car.

Your sitting on top of your trunk with El while Robin and Max are talking about the movie, “I wonder if this movie is going to be like really scary” Max says.“Well if it begins to be to much we will watch something else” Robin tells her as she smiles.Considering everything that has happened over the years.

You then hear loud music coming from a car you look up to see your boyfriend pulling up next to your car, you and El jump off your trunk and walk towards Steve and the boys.

“Alright you guys ready we have to make this quick before it starts to storm” Steve tells the kids, you look at him and smile.

The way Steve interacts with the kids always makes you melt inside, he cares so much about them and he definitely shows it.

The kids and Robin walk in front of you and Steve, he interlocks his fingers with yours and kisses your cheek softly.

You along with everyone else walked into the store and walked to the junk food isle, the kids eyes lit up as they see the snacks.

Everyone grabbed the snacks that they wanted,you look at them to see stuff falling out their hands considering they had an entirely to much stuff to carry. you laughed as you helped with their stuff and walked to the check out isle.

As you wait for the cashier to scan the items that the kids picked out, Steve came up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist, a smile came creeping upon your face.

You turn your head to kiss him on the lips, “I wish tonight could just be us two..” he whispers. You look in his eyes,”I’ll make it up to you I promise” you say as you wink at him.“You better princess because if you don’t you will have no idea what i will do” he says,you bite your lip as his words brush over your ear.

You turn around to see his face, a sly smrik came across his face you rolled you’re eyes and smiled,once the cashier was done scanning the items Steve got out his wallet so he could pay.

“Hey you didn’t have to I could’ve payed for it.” you said, Steve looked at you and put his index finger on your lips softly.“Shhh it’s okay i got it” he said as he processed to pay, a light tint of pink appeared on your face as you smiled.

Once you helped the kids with their bags you headed to your car, the kids were scattered throughout yours and Steve’s car.

As you and Steve arrived to your house it started to pour, the loud clap of thunder made you jump and the rain was cold on your skin. Everyone hurried to get in, thankfully you guys didn’t get super soaked.

“Okay everyone get comfy!!! im going to get the blankets and extra pillows..Steve help me please?” you asked, steve jumped to his feet as those words came out of your mouth.

You walked to the closet where your mom kept the spare blankets, you then went into your room to get the pillows.

As you walked to your bed Steve tackled you and started to kiss you softly, this surprised you but you didn’t mind it at all.

“Steve...” you said, “I know i know but can you blame me i mean it’s hard to be around you and not want to just completely ruin you..” he said still hovering over you.“Steve!!! Shut your mouth there’s children right outside!!!” you said giggling a bit, Steve shook his head and smiled.

“Your cute you know that?” he said kissing you once again he then made his way down to your neck knowing that this drives you insane.You laugh, “Stop that tickles!!” you say as you try to squirm out of his grip. “Oh it does huh??” he says as he grabs your waist and starts to tickle it.

You laugh loudly as he tickles you, you weren’t able to hear the six kids entering your room, “Um what the hell???!!” dustin says.Steve jumps, he gets off of you and stands up he then looks at dustin with a cocked eyebrow, “What??? Can’t we get a little privacy??” he said.

“Not when we are all waiting to watch a movie!!” dustin says back, “come on Dustin it’s not like we were waiting long” Max says.“Yeah Henderson lighten up!!” Steve says as he throw a pillow at Dustin, everyone laughs and you and Steve get the rest of the pillows to take to the living room.

“Took long enough, struggled getting a couple of pillows and blankets dingus?” Robin said, Steve mocks her as he makes a goofy face.Everyone took their places on your sectional couch, you cozied up next to Steve laying your head on his chest as he plays with your hair softly.

El is next to you as she lays her head on mike’s shoulder, Max is sitting next to Lucas as she puts her legs on his.Robin sits on the end of the couch on her stomach next to Will, while Dustin volunteered to be on the floor next to you and Steve.

As everyone got comfy and situated with their pillows, blankets and snacks they looked at the blank tv.“So who’s putting in the movie?” Will asked, everyone looked around of course not wanting to move out of their comfort.

“Nose goes!!” Lucas says as he puts his index finger to his nose quickly followed by everyone else, Mike was the last one to put his finger to his nose. He groans and complains.

“Awww come on!!!! Why can’t Dustin do it he’s the one on the floor!!!” He whined, “Hey i’m not the one who was last!!! So hurry it up i want to watch the movie already!!” He said. Mike let out a big sigh as he put the vhs tape into the player, he sat back down to his spot trying to find “the right spot”.

You and Steve looked at each other and smiled you gave him a quick peck on his jawline and he gave you a kiss on your head as he pulled you in closer.

You then had set your eyes on the tv as it played the scary movie but you felt Steve’s eyes still on you as he admired you in aww, you have caught Steve doing this several time since you been dating but never said anything because you loved it so much.

The night ended with everyone but Steve falling asleep kinda at the same time, when he saw you asleep on his chest he picked you up bridal style and placed you on your bed.He crawled onto the bed with you and held you close he then whispered, “Goodnight my baby” as he kissed you.

A/n: Okay i know i haven’t posted but!!!!! THIS IS SO CUTEE LIKE I DIED WHEN WRITING THIS FUCK!!! STEVE WHY YOU DO THIS TO ME🥺🥺🥺

[goodguydotmp3]

hi i came across ur answer about harry/his music, there was this -- "I also really hate that one song that Zayn did with Usher and Chris Brown, because you have these awful men completely misunderstanding what it means to write a love song, and then you have Zayn at the very end all like “actually I really am in love tho…” I thought the same bcz his verse is so different & feels like it doesn't fit can you explain more about it if you'd like plz? thanks :)

SO I had to re-listen to the song for this ask and it was just as uncomfortable as the first time <3

Alright lets break this down.

I. General Feel

Okay so this song is. It’s just not a good song let me put it like that. It’s an pop R&B song, obviously meant to be at the very least sexy. You have three men that are known for their sexy pop/R&B lyics and/or songs, and somehow two of them forgot how to be sexy? make it make sense. Where is the romance? the ambiance? the vulnerability? No not like that Chris Brown. 

And yes there were three other writers, but that just means there is even less of an excuse for this nonsense. It literally makes my skin crawl.

II. Lyrics

Girl bye. 

a. Usher, what is you doing? He starts off the verse with

Come and ride on me like the waves I flip the pages 'cause I wrote the book On the way how to sex you up, sex you up We can do it like I'm on the stage, we'll have an audience Baby, I'll show you the way that I sex you up

When I tell you I could fucking scream. Who let Usher Raymond do this? I want names, phone numbers, and addresses. 

This sounds juvenile. If someone rapped this over a Nitti Beat back in 2012 I would have thought this was fire. That’s how fucking childish this is. This can’t be the same man you used to sing stuff like “if you didn’t know you’re the only thing that’s on my mind, cause the way i’m starin at you makes me wanna give it to you all night” or “I’ve been waiting all day to wrap my hands around your waist and kiss your face” or “I’ll get you hot I know you oh so well”. now are those groundbreaking lyrics? No. But they sound leagues better then whatever the hell he was doing here, Especially in context, especially when he sung them but I wanna talk about that later.

Next point of contention is:

Or I can lick you up and down 'til you say You love how I eat on that pussy You just might go put a tat' on that pussy That says Usher, Usher There's no other, other (Yeah!) Damn girl, yeah, you got that juicy Love when I make you cum, I make it gushy One without the other I'm the champion lover, lover Fuck you to sleep, wake you up again (Oh) I go so deep, beat it up again (Oh) Girl, come and sit on my tongue again 'Cause I love to taste you, yeah

Would someone be so kind as to let me know when 2010 lil Jon possesed Usher? Or maybe it was 2008 Lil Wayne? 2012 Pitbull? Either way, 2016 Usher just aint got it like. Truly if this was being rapped in a club with the bass all the way up and the melody loud enough that you couldn’t hear it, I would be like “ okay maybe horny people wanna shake they ass” but this is supposed to be sexy? Who is this seducing????? Are they okay? Can they name the current President? How many fingers am I holding up?

Last of his verse is what really gets me heated like

I can tell you been eating your pineapples (Mmm) Girl, your pussy taste like pineapples (Oh) Girl, when I hit your G, you feel like you gon' pee Baby, cum for me

First off, pussy taste like pussy you fucking coward. Second, stop god modding you clearly don’t know all that if you still think pussy taste like pineapples. And this is that immaturity coming back into play I feel like, who is this song for? Not adults. Not like this.  I feel like I can’t over emphasize that this man had been putting out original music for 26 years. 26! Not only are your fans too old for this nonsense, but you should be a master song writer! I know this song came out in 2016 but that’s still over 20 years of experience.

b. Chris Brown

Huh, now where you been? It's been a year Baby, I ain't seen you, you know I miss you (Oh, woah) Baby, let me love you back to sleep once more And I know we don't speak no more (Oh) But I just wanna tell you I'm sorry (Hey!) For fucking 'round with Keisha and MaKayla (Huh) For all the Georgia peaches in Decatur For all these bitches in the elevator I just want you to love me (Yeah, yeah) Yeah, baby, don't test me (Huh), you know I'll do it You want me to say your name, girl? Okay, Karrueche

I Just

What...praytell...is sexy or romantic about...anything said there.

See this is what I was talking about in my other post, He completely misunderstands what it means to white a love song , but more than that, to be vulnerable. Saying you’re a cheating whore and begging for forgiveness in this manner is not actually apologizing for your actions, it’s just airing your dirty laundry. 

If he wants to do that then fine I guess?? But I feel like he wasn't. Like, the idea totally reminds me of Charlene, Wherein Anthony Hamilton name drops his lover and begs her to come back to him. The thing about Hamilton’s song is that he doesn’t sound like a manipulative ass for one. Hamilton makes it clear there were several places he knows he fell short in the relationship, and in the end, he doesn’t make it out to be a callout post, but he does let her know that he intends to wait for her should she come back, and then promises to change his behavior. This is not that at all. When Beyoncé and Alicia Keys said Say you love me and  Put it in a Love Song, This is not what they meant.

ALSO DON’T REFER TO WOMEN AS BITCHES

c. Zayn

Baby, just stay comfortable, I want you as you are Baby, just lay there naked waiting for me Let's not get emotional, let's be who we are Can we do that? Can we do that? Can we? Know it's been a long day, it's 'bout to be a long night So keep your eyes closed 'til I roll through So, baby, when you're feeling like a woman in the sheets Somebody splitting your knees, don't worry that's me I'm over here putting work in Baby, you ain't gotta tell me what you want

Am I Floored? No. Is this his best work? Also no. Is it a helluva lot better than whatever the fuck Usher and Chris B thought they were doing here? Hell yes. The vulnerability! The pleading! The fucked up headspace! This verse has it all!

III. The way the song is sung

terribly Let me start there. Wtf was usher trying to do here. The lyrics were chringy, and so was the delivery. It felt choppy as hell. Like who is fucking to this? Asking for a friend. WHo is aroused by an usher vulva tat 

we need to have words.

second Chis Brown sounds like a whiney piss baby I really hope no one actually paid for that song thinking they were getting a sexy R&B hit and got that.

Zayn sounds fine on this song, like the tone is overall bittersweet, but it matches the lyrics.

okay the last thing I want to talk about is the chorus. after hearing the verses It really doesn’t match. It’s a really basic premise I feel and Usher and CB felt like they were on another song in between the chorus. Like In Sex Room, Ludacris talks a really big game, and the chorus is really simple, but It’s literally all about what he plans to do in said “Sex room”, Usher like someone told him he was gonna be singing a sex song and then went back and put a line that tied to the song at the last minute if that makes sense?

and then CB....okay.

The last thing I wanna say about Chris Brown is I actually listened to the original song, thinking maybe the original was also trash. No actually? It’s not the best, not even by Chris B standards but its not bad like?? Who let him but out this remix monstrosity?

Anyway, I actually have a Sexy R&B playlist if you’re looking for something...better. Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t all romantic, but they’re damn sure sexy, and way better that wtf this song has going on

[hopetofantasy]

“Thank you”

Part 1: ‘Soft, sweet lips’

Part 2: “Your turn now” 

A VDS FIC - PART 3 (fluff / little angst)

“Sander... Can I ask you something?” The beach blond boy was sitting at the lake’s edge, illuminated by the upcoming sunrise. He held the usual coffee mug in his hands. A puzzled look appeared on his face. Their relationship was purely focused on teasing Robbe, so they weren’t exactly the conversational buddies. But Jens really needed an outsider’s perspective. 

“Yeah sure, Jens. Something seems to bother you, what is it?”

Damn, he forgot how perceptive Sander could be. Maybe this was a bad idea. Jens didn’t even know how to approach this inner turmoil. But talking to his best friend was out of the question. Robbe would go on about feelings and intentions. He didn’t want to explore those things yet. 

Jens sighed. When he woke up a few minutes earlier, he didn’t expect to be standing here. At that moment, he had felt pure bliss. Last night was one of the best in his life. Everything fell into place: he was the person he was supposed to be. He wanted this feeling to last forever. All wrapped up in love and passion. 

But when he turned over to meet another pair of arms, reality had struck. 

Lucas was gone.

No beautiful boy in the morning light. No blue eyes in the golden hour.

Jens jumped out of bed immediately. Turned around to his scattered clothes, his thoughts already cluttering his mind. Did Lucas dump him? Was this a one time thing? He needed to tell Lucas he liked him. Right now. He felt like a whole person again. Different, but the same. He already started walking towards the other cabin, when he noticed Sander sitting by the lake. 

“I just wanted to know... how- how come you were so sure? About Robbe, I mean? You were together with Britt, like together-together. So how did you... Euhm -”. God, this was hard. Could he ask the question he desperately wanted an answer to?

“How did I know I was in love with a boy, even when I’ve been together a girl?"

Well, he really cut through the bullshit, didn’t he. Jens analyzed Sander’s face, who strangely didn’t seem bothered by the question. He even looked quite amused. “That’s what you’re asking, isn’t it? How did I know I like boys as well as girls?” Jens turned red. “Yes.”

Sander sighed. “Well, I don’t know. Britt and I were together for a couple of months. She was a handful, but never boring. I really liked the spark in her, you know? She challenged me. Only it was too much. But I just didn’t know how unhealthy some parts of our relationship were, until I met Robbe. Did he ever tell you about the time I first met him?” 

Jens shook his head. “Well, no surprise there, he’s very private,” Sander chuckled. “The first time I saw him, Noor took him to spray some garbage trucks. I was there as well with a group of art friends. Then suddenly the moonlight fell through a crack in the ceiling and light up his whole face. 

I was gone for him. Really. Like a sudden rush of feelings. Love at first sight. It scared me at first, but i just couldn’t stop thinking about him. So I kinda... stalked him a bit. Even went to the skatepark to see him. That’s why I said yes to the beach trip, when Britt asked me. To see him.” 

This took Jens by surprise. He never knew Sander went this far for Robbe. He’d always thought they met on the beach trip. He didn’t know when the boys fell in love, but he assumed it happened somewhere between the beach and the break-up with Noor. When he wasn’t being a good friend to Robbe. When he wasn’t there to help him out. The thought made him feel guilty.

“What I’m saying is,” Sander continued. “I don’t know how it happened. It’s just did. I know Robbe is the love of my life and that won’t change. No need for a label. And if you’re wondering if it affects anything: it might cause some reactions, but the most important thing is that you’re always yourself. Out there, finding happiness. Are you happy, Jens?”

Jens shrugged. 

“I guess.” 

Sander snickered and put his hand on Jens’ shoulder. “You’ll be alright. Life is a rollercoaster sometimes, but that’s what makes it worthwhile. Trust me, I know how high or low it may get. Just go along with it, okay? Now, I guess I’m going to wake up a certain sleepyhead we both know so well.”

After that statement, he stood up and walked back to the cabin with the empty cup in his hand. Jens stayed, to stare at the calm lake. He’d tried to find some peace in his feelings. The story was still ringing in his ears. After hearing a slight huff, he turned around to a smirking Sander. His look all knowingly.

“He’ll be worth it, Jens.”

——————————————-

“What are you doing?”

Jens whispered breathless.

The Dutch boy almost gave him a heart attack, creeping up to Jens without any sound and wrapping his entire body around him. Not that he mind the hugging, but they needed to watch out. The boysquad were just a couple of meters away. Fortunately, they didn’t seem to notice anything.

“I’m kidnapping you,” Lucas simply stated. His eyes were filled with mischief. He took his hand and dragged him into a green grove of trees. “I’m going to take you to my favorite spot,” he said deliberately. Jens’ feet almost tripped over a branch, due to all the tugging and pulling. Why was he such a klutz in Lucas’ neighborhood? 

“Lucas, we really need to talk -”

“We can do it later, Jens”, Lucas answered and gave him a quick peck.

Jens was getting very annoyed. He didn’t want to go to this mysterious place. He wanted answers and Lucas listening to him. He hated being so insecure. His life was always in control, or at least put into separate segments to address later. His home, his parents, his friends. One by one. He always searched for a way to deal, without breaking down any barriers. 

Breaking down wasn’t an option. 

"We’re here!”

He’d almost forgot they were going somewhere. Lucas let his hand go and pointed to a small treehouse. It looked really cool. It couldn’t have been big, maybe just enough to fit a couple of small children. The construction was about four meters up. Old yellow paint made the thing seem very eerie and old. 

Lucas was already on his way up and looked down to persuade Jens to climb. The latter one was still contemplating the safety of the wooden ladder. He then shrugged his shoulders and took his chances. 

Inside the tree house, his eyes registered a pillow fort, a laptop and a couple of snacks waiting for them. His mouth fell open in awe. 

“What’s this? A setting for a playdate?” 

His questions were answered by a red flushed Lucas. “I thought it would be  nice to go on a little date. You know, learn more about each other. I wanted it to be relaxing. But if you don’t like it...” Oh no, he seemed to have hit the wrong nerve. Lucas looked hurt, he must have put a lot of effort in this. 

Jens brought his hand to the nape of Lucas’ neck. His other hand lifted his chin so their eyes would meet. “I love it, Lucas,” he said with a huge smile. “I would love to go on a date with you.” His lips slowly traced the soft, pink lips. He really liked this surprising boy. He hoped for more surprises in the future.

He is going to be so much trouble.

——————————————-

“So, am I your first?”

The question came out of nowhere. They were halfway through the movie ‘Romeo + Juliet’, which Jens had never seen before. He wasn’t really a fan of DiCaprio. But he didn’t dare to insult Lucas’ actor crush. Even when he deserved to be teased, since Lucas couldn’t stop comparing Leo to Jens. 

“Yes, you’re my first boy. I’ve been with some girls before. Keisha, Britt, Jana. But never a boy.”

“Well, that’s good. It makes me feel superior. Since I’ve been with a guy before”,  Lucas said jokingly. He should have known Lucas had more experience. Jealousy was already starting to rear his ugly head. Especially when he asked the question: “Who was it?” Did he really needed to know the answer? 

“Well, it was a drunk encounter at some indie rock concert. I was high as a kite, but I really wanted to kiss a guy to prove something. So I met this foreign dude on the way to the toilet. The name didn’t stick with me. Steven... Baeven... I know it ended with ‘Even’ at least. But yeah, we kissed like there was no tomorrow. I guess that was my gay epiphany.” 

Lucas said it in such a casual way, like it didn’t affect him whatsoever. He was gay. Yet, for Jens, it was too hard to say that sentence. To accept himself. He liked girls as well as boys. Bisexual. Jens is bisexual. Why was it so difficult to admit? He knew he accepted Robbe’s sexuality in a heartbeat. 

Suddenly Lucas pulled himself out of Jens’ arms and looked at him with clear determination. He seemed to have read his mind. He probably picked up on Jens’ heartbeat. Or he had developed a sixth sense for internalized homophobia. But he knew Jens was struggling somehow. 

“Jens, I know it seems difficult. It’s okay to doubt what you want. You don’t know everything about yourself. That’s alright. No need to push yourself. But be careful, it’s not healthy to separate your feelings or experiences. If you want to feel, you can feel. 

I just really had a great time with you. If you don’t want to continue this, I understand. For me, our first kiss started with loneliness, but there is still something about you. Something real. You’re different and I like you, okay?”

Jens gasped loudly. The revelation hit him like a truck. He didn’t now what to do with this information and kept on staring into those blue pools filled with love. He felt a burn in his throat. Like a bubble that was about the burst. He didn’t try to stop this heavy feeling, let it completely surround him. 

Lucas sensed what was coming. He put Jens’ head against his chest and gently stroked his hair. 

Jens couldn’t hold it in anymore. Tears were welling up in his eyes, until they overflowed onto his red cheeks. Everything started to blur. And then, suddenly, he was sobbing. He wanted to curl up in a ball. Didn’t want to be strong and confident. His heart couldn’t deal anymore. 

So he cried out all his pain. 

His mom and dad fighting. His sister’s sorrow. His inability to do something about it. His guilt of being a bad friend. His loneliness. His insecurity. Him not being who he thought he was. 

Then this boy, who just said it was okay. Who liked him nonetheless. Who knew. Who held him close and made little shushing sounds to calm him down. Who kissed his head. And held him until it was almost over. 

He stayed in the hug, even when it was safe enough to face the world again. And in between the last sob and a hiccup, he softly whispered to Lucas.

“Thank you”

[airis-paris14]

How to Top an Oscar

A/N This has been sitting in my drive TOTALLY finished and I never posted it. Anyway have been missing you guys just busy with school. Hope you enjoy!

T’Challa x Black! Reader

“Yeah I’ll be there Saturday with you,” Nayely nodded her head. She glided into her driveway, only to see an unfamiliar black Lexus in the drive. “Hey Keish, i'll call you back in a minute.” Nayely interrupted her friend. “Yes I promise. And honestly Keisha, you could walk down the aisles a sack  and Tony would still think you were drop dead gorgeous. If we don’t find anything this time, we’ll keep looking, maybe get a dress custom made. We’ll make it work babe.” Nayely reassured her friend. She hung up the phone after a brief goodbye and quickly got out of her car. The Lexus, upon closer inspection was much nicer and more advanced than any car she had ever seen. 

There were no locks or handles visible. The license plate was missing too. “I swear to god, if this car is stolen,” The young director muttered. She practically ran to her front door before glancing at the car once more. She let out a mix between a scoff and a laugh. “He’s got some fucking nerve,” she hissed, eyes zeroing in on the Howard bison plate attached to the front of the car. She quickly opened her front door. “T’Challa fucking Udaku!” Nayely yelled as she walked in the front door. She shut the door, tossed her purse on the couch, and turned around almost running into the man himself. 

“You don’t know how nice it is to hear you call my name again umhle,” the man in front of her smirked. Nayely took a moment to gather her senses as the warmth of his cologne encircled her once more. “Why are you in my apartment?” 

“A friend can’t come visit his friend?” 

“Not when he went awol for three years. Not returning any of her messages or calls.” 

“Umhle, I am so sorry,” the king reached out for her. “Don’t touch me,” Nayely moved away from him. “What do you want T’Challa?” 

“That can wait. I haven’t seen my best friend in years and I would like to hangout with her today. Maybe take her out for dinner.”

“Now you want to play catch up,” Nayely raised an eyebrow. “Please,” T’Challa gestured towards the couch. “Whatever,” The black woman sighed settling on one half of the couch. “How have you been? I have been following your career online since we graduated,” T’Challa began. “So you’re stalking me?” 

“Look Nay, I’m sorry. But family and duty called. I had to go back to Wakanda. I should have called and I didn’t. But I’m here now, I want you to be a priority in my life again. As you should’ve been all these years.” 

“Did you like the movies?” 

“Romantic comedies are not usually my style, but they were all wonderful.”

“That isn’t all I write or direct,” Nayely cracked a small smile. “I know, and your Oscar is a testament to that. You gave a beautiful speech by the way.”

“Thank you, but I don’t know how I’m going to top the Oscar. I never expected to get it so young,” Nayely trailed off. 

“It is a testament to all of your hard work. Even in college you always knew you wanted to end up here. And you made it happen.” He smiled, reaching for Nayely’s hand. 

How have you been… I heard about your father,” the woman stood, making her way to the kitchen. 

“It has been hard..” the king trailed following her. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you,” Nayely frowned. “It is my own fault. I didn’t allow you to.”

“I guess that makes you king now…” the director trailed. “ should I call you your majesty?” She teased. 

“T’Challa is just fine,” he smiled, “I missed your laugh.”

“Me too Challa,” Nayely smiled. 

“May I take you out to dinner?” 

“You’re paying right?”

“Of course, we gotta treat the Oscar winner,” the king smiled. “Sure, let’s go.” The king put his hand up, “not like that, we need you to look nice.”

“What's wrong with what I’m wearing?” 

“I am taking you somewhere that has a dress code.”

“You’re joking right?”

“Just change, I made reservations,” The king pushed his friend towards the stairs. 

“How’d you know I was gonna say yes to dinner?” Nayeley frowned, crossing her arms. “Lucky guess?” The king smirked. “Look T’Challa, I don’t have anything to wear, we can just go eat here.”

“No, no. This is special. I put a dress in your room,” the king began. “Why were you in my room,” Nayely interrupted. “Just go put on the dress. Please,” the king asked once again. 

“Fine,’ the woman raised her hands in defeat. “Thank you.”

“Thank you,” Nayely mocked as she headed up the stairs. “Love you too,” T’Challa called as she reached the top of the stairs. Nayely walked into her room and saw a black garment bag hanging from her closet door. “What on Earth do you have up your sleeve Mr. Udaku?”

The howard alum sighed before unzipping the bag. She smiled as the dress was revealed. “At least he’s got taste, She hopped into the shower and washed away the day. Reapplying her makeup, she touched up her hair and shimmied into the dress. “Umhle, are you almost done, it’s time to-” T’Challa barged into the restroom, “Looks like I’m just in time,” the king strolled over and began to slowly zip the back of the dress. “Didn’t your mother teach you to knock?”

“You always told me I was a hard head,” the king teased, handing her the shoes she found next to the dress. “How do you know my dress size anyway?” Nayely grabbed his  shoulder to step into the heels. “I have my ways,” he wiggled his eyebrows, before bending down to lace the heels around her ankles.

“That’s not creepy at all,” Nayely muttered. “I am glad you feel that way, Expect to be getting more gifts like that.” 

“T’Challa, you didn’t have to spoil me in college, and you don’t have to spoil me now. You aren’t buying my friendship, your friendship is payment enough.” The king did not reply, he simply kissed the back of her hand before leading her down the stairs.

He helped her out of the door, the car doors raising open. “How the hell did you do that?” Nayely wondered out loud. “There is much I have not told you about Wakanda,”T’Challa chuckled as he helped her into the car. “Obviously big head,” nayely teased. 

“How is your home country?”Nayely asked once again. 

“Well she has a new king, so that is ‘cool’ ,” T’Challa smiled.

“Oh I bet, I wonder what he’s like?” she teased. 

“I heard he’s looking for a queen,” T’Challa shared. “Oh really?”

“Yeah, his council wants to see him marry and rule with his wife.” T’Challa signaled a turn. “Why can’t you rule alone?” 

“Ruling is a big job for one person, they and my mother think it is best if I have someone to share it with.”

“Ah, so you gonna choose one of your little girlfriends from Howard?”

“She’s from Howard, but we never really dated.” 

“Oh, have I met her?”

“I’d say you know her quite well.”

“As long as I get an invite to the wedding,” Nayely started. “Don’t worry about that, I want you to play an active role in the ceremony.”

“The groomswoman?” 

“Think bigger,” the king grinned at his best friend. “Maid of Honor?”

“Bigger still,”

“What’s bigger than-”

“There it is,” The king glanced at her. 

“You want ME to be your queen?”

“Yes. I understand if you need a couple days to think about it,” the king began. “Whoa hey, I need more than a few days. This is a big deal T’Challa. I mean we have never dated, or anything. This isn’t just letting you move in. This is MARRYING you, moving to another COUNTRY halfway across the world, then RULING SAID COUNTRY!”

“I’m sorry entle but we only have a few days,” T’Challa frowned. “This is too much Challa. I mean my best friend is getting married later this year, and I am her maid of honor. I can’t do that and plan our wedding,” Nayely argued. “So you’re open to the idea,” the king glanced at her. 

“T’Challa That is not the point right now. I need more time to think this through. I can’t just agree to move with you and leave this weekend.” 

“And I am not asking you too,” the king pulled into a park and turned his full attention to Nayely. “I just need to know whether you are willing to give us a try.  Me and you together. We can figure everything else out later. We would have to head back to Wakanda soon but we can make trips back and forth to handle things as need be. You can finish out the wedding and any other commitments you have.” 

“Just give me a few days T, there’s a lot I gotta think about.” Nayely sighed. “We can talk about it  later.”

“Of course,” the king pulled off the side of the road and continued on to the restaurant. When the Lexus glided to a stop on the L.A streets, paparazzi wasted no time in trying to photograph the couple. T’Challa hit a button and tossed a pair of keys towards the driver, suddenly the car looked more normal with door handles and a press to start button. The king shielded Nayely from the photographers as the couple rushed into the restaurant. 

They were quickly escorted to a private table and drink orders were taken. Once the waitress left them in private, Nayely turned to her friend, “So what have you been hiding from me?” 

“The king smirked, “you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” 

“Try me.” 

The king leaned over the table, “Wakanda is not a third world country. We have vast amounts of a resource that allows for the creation of technology light years ahead of the most advanced known technology. We have never been colonized and pride ourselves on mixing old and new. Most of the time anyway.” 

“Sounds wonderful,” Nayely smiled. “One of the most amazing places on earth,” T’Challa smiled, Nayely’s heart fluttering at the sight. “Why me?” She dropped her vision to the glass cup in front of her. T’Challa reaches out and grabs her hand on top of the table, “What do you mean entle?” 

“Out of all the women in the world. The princesses, movie stars, politicians, politicians daughters. Lawyers, future politicians, doctors, professors. Why choose me?” Nayely looked up to search her friend’s face. 

“They are not you. Look Nay, I fell in love with you at Howard. I was afraid though. Afraid of breaking your heart, not living up to your expectations. I knew that I couldn’t give you what you wanted. You wanted your career, to win an Oscar. Write stories for black people. You wanted a family. At the time I couldn’t give you that.”

“What makes now any different?” 

“Now I am king. I can make my own rules and choose whoever I want. I choose you. I want you by my side for the rest of my life. I know I’m being selfish, because you cannot continue your career. At least not as often. Wakanda needs her queen as much as her king. Thought I would definitely stay this upstages an Oscar, if you choose to come with me.” 

“I still don’t know about this ruling thing. I don’t know how to rule a country. I went to school to make movies.” 

“And I went to rule a country. I trust your judgement and your heart for people. Together we will do what is right by Wakanda. To help her come into the new world.” T’Challa was interrupted by the waitress delivering their meals. “We didn’t-“ Nayely started. “I ordered ahead,” T’Challa reassured her. 

The two enjoyed their meal in relative silence before Nayely spoke again. “When I said I wanted a different last name. I never thought it would be Udaku…” the director teased. T’Challa’s head shot up and his eyes grew wide. “You’ll do it?” He breathed. “I’ll try. If you have this much faith in me, The least I can do is try. I’ll need two weeks before we can leave the country, I have a project about to premiere in theatres. Then we can head out, unfortunately I’ll be traveling most of my first few months in Wakanda for international press tours. After press tours, I won’t take on any more projects. I’ll need help to move all my stuff, and tell my parents. Also I’ll need to let friends know, put my house up for sale… better yet, give me three weeks.” Nayely reasoned. Whatever you need love,” T’Challa reassured, he gestured for the check and handed over his card. 

“We can wait a little while before getting married right?” Nayely asked once his attention was back on her. His gaze softened, “I do not see why not. I am sure the elders will understand. But, there is one thing I need to do,” The king rose out of his seat and took a knee beside the table. 

Nayely took a deep breath as he reached into his pocket and fished for the ring. “ Nayely Gabrielle Hall, You are my best friend. I have loved you for years now, and I want to spend the rest of eternity together telling you how much I love you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, and ruling Wakanda by my side?”

Her eyes grew wide as the diamond shone in front of her, kicking her nerves back into overdrive. She took several deep breaths as fear creeped back into T’Challa’s eyes. “Yes,” she breathed, breaking into a small smile. T’Challa sighed in relief as he slipped the ring onto her finger. “I thought you were going to change your mind on me.”

“The ring just kinda made it all so real, real quick,” Nayely explained, fidgeting with the ring. “Do you like it?”

“I do, it’s just kinda surreal. Everyone is gonna lose their mind,” the director laughed, imagining the various reactions. “Do I need to hide it from the paparazzi?”

“Only if you want to,” T’Challa smiled, gripping her hand once more, bringing her attention to his face. “I want to tell my family first,” Nayely revealed.

“Then we will wait,” T’challa kissed the ring before accepting his card from the waiter. “Congratulations,” the young man placed a to go box with pieces of cake in the box. “Thank you,” Nayely smiled as T’Challa shook the young man’s hand.  “Let’s get out of here,” T’Challa offered his hand to his new fiancee and walked with her out to the car. The simultaneous flashing of cameras and yelling voices, forced the couple to ignore everything but each other as they made their way to the car. 

“King T’Challa who is this?”

“Is she pregnant?”

“Is she blackmailing you for money?”

“Who will be your new Queen?”

“Is she the new Queen?”

“Your long lost sister?

“Are you having an incestous relationship?”

The questions got wilder, and louder as the couple piled into the car and drove off. “Incest? Really?” Nayely part scoffed, part laughed as she pulled off her heels. “Better get used to it. They will say anything to evoke a reaction from you umhle.”

“Well they can kiss the left cheek of my bla-” 

“Eh eh, we have to curb that habit too, no cursing at least not loudly or in public.”

“Fine. Sorry, “the young woman apologized. “That’s ok. I always thought it was a rather endearing quirk. “I missed how you talk,” Nayely admitted. “How I speak?” 

“Yeah, it’s so formal and beautiful.” Nayely blushed.

 “Even when I say kiss my black a-” 

“Why do you get to say it!” she fussed. “Because I am king,” T’Challa laughed. “Whatever,” She side eyed him. “Why don’t you call your mother?” T’Challa suggested moments later. “And tell her the news?” 

“Yeah, why not?”

Taglist: @oceanscorazon @royallyprincesslilly @sarcastic-sunshines @purple-apricots @chaneajoyyy @90sinspiredgirl @royallyprincesslilly @writingmarvellousimagines @iliketowrite1996 @sisterwifeudaku I probably missed a lot sorry!

[blueboxesandtrafficcones]

It’s Nice to Have A Friend

Day 26 of 2019′s 31 Days of Ficmas

Thanks to @doctorroseprompts for the prompt list!

Prompt: friend

Rating: General

Pairing: 10xRose (human AU)

Summary: Rose and James meet on her first day at a new school - and the rest, as they say, is history.  Based on a song of the same name (but not a song!fic)

2019 31 Days of Ficmas masterlist

AO3

-

Six Years Old

Rose Tyler sat on the edge of her seat, holding her breath as she stared up at the clock.  She only had a vague idea of how to tell time, but she knew her numbers, and her mum had said- had promised- that as soon as the big hand was on the twelve and the little one on the three school would be over and she could go home.

Home, she scoffed, resolutely ignoring whatever her teacher was saying – she could barely understand her anyway.  We may live there now, but it’s not home.  Home was London, the Powell Estate, where Mickey and Cousin Mo and Shareen and Keisha and Bev were.  Home was that tiny pink flat, with their pictures on the wall and the markings on the kitchen doorframe showing Rose’s growth.

The ‘home’ that Jackie meant wasn’t that; it was the flat a few blocks away from the school, easy walking distance, where they knew no one and everybody talked funny, yet they looked at her as if Rose was the one talking weird.  I hate Glasgow, Rose fumed, narrowing her gaze further at the clock and trying to hold back tears.  I hate school, and Scotland, and I hate Mum for making us move here, an’ I hate Dad for dying and leaving us and letting her do this.

The bell rang then, startling her as everyone around her bust into action, talking and laughing as they gathered their books.  Rose rushed to join them, grateful for the day to finally be done.

Hat and coat firmly situated, backpack on, she followed the stream of kids out into the hallway and then out the doors into the sunlight.  Looking around her eyes widened, panic starting in her chest as she realized she couldn’t remember which way to go.  Mummy said follow the kids, she reminded herself, biting her lip as she watched them stream in every conceivable direction, none of which looked familiar.  But which ones?

Tentatively she inched towards the sidewalk, standing in the middle and looking left and right, hoping something would look familiar.

Nothing did.

A boy from her class bumped into her from behind, knocking her down, and it was the final straw – sitting on the ground Rose burst into tears, drawing her knees up and hiding her face, sobbing.  I want to go home!

“Uh, ‘scuse me, are you okay?”

Sensing someone crouching down in front of her Rose lifted her head, using the sleeves of her coat to wipe her eyes as she looked at them.  It was another boy from her class, one of the few who hadn’t teased her throughout the day, and she blinked at him.  “Me?”

He looked kind, with brown hair and brown eyes, and a little familiar otherwise.  “Yes, you,” he smiled.  “Do you need help?”  He stood then leaned down, offering her his hands, and after a moment she accepted, letting him pull her to her feet.

“Thanks,” she sniffled, fixing her backpack straps and shuffling her feet.

“You’re new, aren’t you?”

Rose narrowed her eyes, but nodded.  “I just moved here from London over Christmas.”

“That stinks,” he shrugged, before glancing behind him.  “I think you live in my building – Burns House?”

She had to think for a moment, before agreeing.  “Yeah.”  She sighed; it sounded similar to Bucknall House, and she’d give anything to be there right now.

“D’you want to walk together?”

Her first instinct was to argue that she was capable of finding her own way home thank you very much, then reconsidered.  He didn’t look like he was teasing her, wasn’t smirking over her shoulder at friends as some of the boys who’d tried to talk to her at recess had, and he did look familiar from the courtyard, maybe…  “Okay.”

“Allons-y!”  He turned on his heel and started walking, Rose quickly falling into step.

“What does that mean?  Is it Scottish?”

Her new friend glanced at her, before shaking his head.  “It’s French,” he said knowledgeably, “it means ‘let’s go’.”

“Then why not just say that?”

“Because it’s more fun.”  He shrugged.  “Why’d you move to Glasgow?”

Rose sniffled.  “My dad died in October.  Mum got a job here.”

“Oh.  I’m sorry about your dad.”  He was quiet for a minute before offering softly, “My parents died last year.  My aunt moved up here to be with me.”

“I’m sorry.”

They walked in silence for a minute, Rose watching her feet as she thought about her dad.  “It’s not fair,” she said abruptly.  “They shouldn’t be allowed to leave until we’re grown up.”

“They shouldn’t!” the boy agreed quickly.  “Until we’re old.  Like, really old.”

“Like, thirty!”

They giggled together as a brisk wind blew, making Rose shiver and try to hide her hands in her sleeves.  Where did my gloves go?

“No mittens?”

Rose shook her head, frowning as she patted her pockets.  “Oh, no!  I must’ve lost them,” she moaned.  Or they were stolen.  Like my snack.

“Here.”  He pulled one of his off, holding it out to her.  “You can use this.”

“Won’t you be cold?”

“Nah, I can do this,” he said brightly, wriggling his now-bare hand inside the remaining mitten.  It was a tight fit, but after a moment both were covered.  “See, if I link my hands, then it’s perfect!”

He looked silly, his hands clasped in front of him and covered in a solitary mitten, but he didn’t seem to mind, and biting her lip, Rose copied him.  “Hey, that works!” she was delighted to discover, lacing her fingers. “Thanks!”

His answering grin made her stomach flip, and eyes going wide, she stared down at the sidewalk, hoping her hat hid how her ears were getting hot.  A light dusting of snow covered everything, one she didn’t remember being there that morning, but just underneath a hint of color peeked out. Stopping, she scraped away some of the snow with her toe to reveal a picture made with sidewalk chalk, one she abruptly recognized.  “Hey, I remember coming this way this morning!” she said in surprise, looking up at him.

“That’s good?”  He blinked at her, head tilted and looking like an owl from her picture books.  “I mean, why wouldn’t we be going back the way we came?”

Rose shrugged.  “I dunno.”

He shrugged too.  “Okay.”

They started walking again, and only a minute later the building came into view.  It was taller than Bucknall House, but not as long, and a little prettier.  If it wasn’t so far from her friends, it might’ve been an okay place to live, if they couldn’t have stayed where they were.

He held the door, letting Rose in first, and they climbed to the fourth floor together.  He turned left as she went right, and they paused to smile awkwardly.  “Thanks for walking me home,” Rose said shyly, dragging her toe along the floor.  “I… couldn’t remember how.”

“It’s on the same street,” he shrugged, “just turn left when you leave school.  Can’t miss it.  At least, I haven’t, and Aunt Sarah says I’ve my head in the clouds all day.”

Rose giggled.  “Still, thanks.”

They turned, and she trudged towards her door dejectedly.  She already knew her mum wasn’t home, was supposed to be at work, and she wasn’t thrilled at the idea of being home alone.  It would’ve been fine in London, she could’ve gone to any one of her friends’ flats, but here she knew no one.

“Um, Rose, is it?”

Hand against the door, key halfway in the lock, she turned to find him still standing at the top of the steps, hands shoved in his pockets.  “Yeah. Oh!”  She’d thoughtlessly put the glove in her pocket, but pulling it out, she hurried back to him.  “Sorry!”

“‘S’okay, wasn’t what I meant, though, thanks.  Um, I was wondering… wanna hang out?  Maybe? I got a new video game console for Hogmanay.”

Rose didn’t even look back at her own door, nodding eagerly.  “Sure! Sounds like fun.”  She followed him to his own door, pausing as he pushed it open.  “I, um, don’t-”

“James,” he interrupted, grinning, before calling in, “Aunt Sarah, I’m home!  I brought a friend.”

A friend.

Smiling to herself, she felt a little bubble of hope rising in her chest for the first time since her Dad died.

It’s nice to have a friend.

-

Nineteen years old

Humming to herself, Rose unpacked the last box in her bedroom and looked around.  After spending the better part of nine months in St Andrews, living alone and being independent, it was strange to be back in her childhood bedroom.  Hopefully Mum respects my request to let me be free.  She’d made it clear that she wanted to be an equal partner in the flat for the summer, including rent and bills, in exchange for her independence.  No curfew, no guilt for the hours she kept, to be a roommate.

She snorted.  That’ll be the day.

Her mobile buzzed and she dove for it.  Reading the message she’d been expecting, she didn’t bother trying to rationalize the butterflies in her stomach.  Instead, she grabbed a bottle of wine and her comforter, slipping out of the empty flat and darting up the stairs.  Heart pounding, and not from the exertion, she burst out onto the roof, feeling all of her stress and worry melt away at the beaming smile waiting for her.

“Rose!”

“James!”  With a shriek of laughter she threw herself at him, and he spun her around twice before setting her on her feet and pulling her close.  They hugged tightly for what felt like forever, soothing the wrinkles in her soul that had developed since they’d last seen each other at Christmas.  For the thousandth time since he’d hesitantly announced his plans to go to Cambridge, she cursed the physical distance between the schools.

“How are you?” he asked, finally pulling back and stooping to pick up her abandoned stuff, leading her towards where he was already set up.

“Better, now,” she answered truthfully enough, plopping down on a pillow and grinning up at him, thrilled beyond measure to see him again.  Texts and calls, while helpful, were no substitute for her best friend.  “You?”

“Same.”  He settled cross-legged beside her, uncorking the wine and pouring them each a generous helping.  “What’s new?”

Accepting the plastic wine glass, she took one look at his genuinely-caring face, those soulful brown eyes, and promptly burst into tears.

-

“Right, twenty questions,” James said brusquely, once her sobs subsided.  “Ready?”

Rose hiccupped, straightening up and wiping at her eyes carefully.  “Fine, but that’s your first question.”

“Fair enough.  Go.”  He handed her a paper napkin and her wine glass, sitting up straight and waiting expectantly.

Taking a long pull off the glass, she stared out towards the sunset for a moment.  The sky was a gorgeous blending of pinks and oranges, truly spectacular, and she focused intently on it as she asked, “Dating anyone?”

“Nope.  You?”

“Nope.  How was your first year?  Really.”  He’d always been upbeat, so bloody positive about uni, about what an amazing experience it would be for both of them, but she’d seen the truth in his eyes.  Facing him she raised an eyebrow, reminding him of their promise the very first time they’d played twenty questions, the first week they’d met.

Promise to tell the truth?

Always.  I swear, Rose Tyler, I will never lie to you.

James sighed, expression falling, and he lay back against the pillows.  “I’ve… been pretty stressed out lately,” he admitted, closing his eyes.

Rose stretched out as well, nestling her head next to his and staring up at the sky above them.  “Yeah, me too.”

He opened his eyes and turned his head, and she did as well, feeling a thrill at how close he was.  From here she could see the flecks of gold in his eyes, the light brush of freckles that would emerge as the summer progressed, even the product he denied putting in his hair.

He smiled and she did too, her heart catching and then leaping when his smile dropped, as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

Something he found there gave him a jolt of confidence, for his eyes widened before crinkling, and fingertips brushed, hesitantly, against the back of her own hand.  Spreading her fingers she let them tangle with his, blushing and darting her eyes up to the sky.

The sun sank, the bright sky fading to dark, and they never moved, barely holding hands, hope beating a tattoo in her chest as she let her heart dream.

“You’re my best friend,” he eventually whispered, when a clock in the distance struck midnight.

“Mine too.”  She smiled up at the sky.  A shooting star passed overhead, flaring bright for only a moment before burning out, but she didn’t bother making a wish; the only thing she could wish for was next to her.

It’s nice to have a friend.

-

Twenty-Six Years Old

Bells began to ring as they broke apart, the cheering of the guests drowning out the Minister’s words.  Pure joy flooded through Rose as they turned to face everyone, her cheeks beginning to ache from smiling so much.

James lifted their joined hands victoriously, making her laugh, before squeezing her palm.  The pressure made her rings (one ten months old, the other ten minutes) dig into her fingers, but she didn’t care; rather, she liked the physical evidence of their vows.  She looked at him to find him watching her, that wonderful awestruck expression on his face she hoped never faded, her smile growing brighter still.

“Run,” he whispered when he had her attention, and with identical giggles, they took off up the aisle, bursting out into the weak January sun.  Their family and friends streamed out behind them, and they waited anxiously as everyone lined the path from the church steps to the waiting car.

“You look unbelievably incredible,” James murmured, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and leaning in.

Rose snuggled closer, grateful for his body heat in the winter air.  “You look pretty handsome yourself, babe,” she giggled, beaming up at him.  “I’m so happy right now.”

“Me too.”

His head dipped as she surged up, lips meeting in a tender kiss that drew cheers from their guests.  Breaking apart they saw everyone was ready and made their way down the stairs, James helping her so she didn’t trip in her heels.  Their friends tossed rice over them as they passed, and Rose was thrilled to see it cover the ground.  They’d chosen the date carefully, had hoped and wished and prayed for snow, but it hadn’t been meant to be; the rice was enough, though, to give the illusion of powder.

James helped her into the car before jogging around to the other side, and she smiled and waved out the window at their friends.  They would see them shortly at the reception, but they had an appointment to keep first.

-

They chatted and giggled during the short drive, toasting with champagne before Rose changed her shoes.  They hadn’t told anyone what they were doing, had left it deliberately vague because they didn’t think their loved ones would understand, not really.

When they pulled up she waited for him to leap out and come around, shooing away the driver in favor of opening her door himself.  Rose let him help her to her feet, using her momentum to buss her lips against his cheek.  “See you in a minute,” she giggled, as he draped her cloak over her.

Adjusting the skirts of her wedding dress so they wouldn’t drag on the ground, she walked quickly to her assigned spot, the memory still strong after twenty years.  “Ready!”  Turning her back on the street she pretended to study the school building, swaying slightly back and forth as she waited, humming to herself.

“You’re new, aren’t you?”

She spun on her heel, smiling widely, letting her eyes rake over him.  Tall and lean, no one knew better than her the muscles that hid behind his deceptively slight frame.  Spiky brown hair and glittering brown eyes, he was a childhood dream come to life – it had been so long ago now, she couldn’t remember if he matched her idea of perfection or was the basis for the ideal.  To sweeten the deal, he held their champagne flutes in hand.

“I am, and I can’t remember the way home,” she clucked her tongue, shaking her head.

James nodded, looking intrigued.  “I think we’re in the same building – care to walk together?”

“That would be lovely, thank you.”  He passed over her glass before offering her his arm, and she happily laced her own through it as they turned onto the sidewalk.  Car trailing behind them down the street as they strolled, recreating their first moments together twenty years earlier to the day, though now instead of getting to know each other’s past, they planned their future.

“I’m glad we decided to do this,” James sighed happily, straightening his arm in favor of taking her hand in his.  “I know it may be cheesy, but… this day, twenty years ago, was the best day of my life, even if I didn’t know it. I mean, I suspected, but how could I have known?”

Rose rested her head against his bicep, peeking up at him.  “Doesn’t matter how cheesy you are, babe- ‘cause I’m right there with you.  I got your back.”

“And I’ve got yours.  Every day, for the rest of our lives.”

They stopped walking to kiss, though they were both giggling too hard for it to be much of one.  As they separated the first snowflakes began to fall, making Rose gasp in delight.  “Oh, yes!”

James laughed, pressing his lips to her forehead tenderly.  “I love you, Rose Tyler,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms, where she went willingly.

“I love you, James Smith.”

They started walking again, admiring the perfection of the tiny flakes.

“So, now will you tell me our honeymoon plans?” she teased, as their old building came into view.  Over time they had all moved back to London, James first and then his aunt Sarah, Rose following after uni and her mother shortly after that, but it was still, in many ways, home.  What a difference two decades makes, Rose admired, thinking fondly of the rooftop that had seen that first, tentative touch of hands, his sweet stuttering asking for a first date; the stairwell where they shared their first, passionate snog; his flat, where they first played and had a sleepover in tents in the living room; hers, the site of their first adult sleepover, where they made love and heartfelt promises.

“On Monday we fly to Rome and rent a car,” he boasted, looking pleased with himself at her squeal.

“It’s Friday – what about between now and then?”

James hummed, leading her towards the idling car, detour completed.  “I was thinking video games and addition worksheets, and maybe a kickaround?”

“Babe,” Rose scolded, laughing, as they settled in the warm car and headed for the reception.  “Really.”

Stretching his arm around her, he leaned back in his seat and swept his eyes over her, lingering at her bust before meeting her eyes.  “Oh, we’re staying in bed.  The whole weekend.”

“Well if you insist.”

Nothing could stop their happy giggles as they sipped champagne and giggled together, Rose leaning her head on his chest and watching the city go bye.

It’s nice to have a friend.