#someone said he was road colored and that blew my mind. cars love me women fear me

[joltning]

i was gonna draw wash today but decided against. too bad

[oneofyatosfollowers]

Yatori Week Day 5- Memory/Cooking

@yatoriweek2020

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25401826/chapters/61827550

Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13648502/1/Yatori-Week-2020

Tucked away in the mountains, curling along a large lake, was a quiet town called Takamagahara. It was the home of Hiyori's grandmother, the place she settled down after she met her grandfather. Once her mother went to college and met her father, they lived in the city where Hiyori was born and raised. Still, Takamagahara had a certain charm that had Hiyori's mother coming back every summer, something Hiyori kept into her young adulthood.

The roads were small as Hiyori drove to her family's home, they wouldn't be arriving for another week so Hiyori would be meeting up with her childhood friends. Driving through town, Hiyori smiled at the familiar buildings, remembering how often she walked down the streets with her grandmother. Just before turning down her street, Hiyori eyed a small ally. One of her foggiest, happiest memories was somewhere down that alley.

A chocolate shop turned bakery, where her grandmother used to buy her the best chocolate capybara-pops. The shop used to be just a confectionery store, specializing in chocolates and other candies, but shortly after her grandma passed the chocolate store was replaced with a bakery. The pastries were still delicious, but Hiyori still mourned the loss of a sweets shop.

Not in the mood to unpack, Hiyori dropped her stuff off and took the nice walk into town. She waved to a couple of familiar faces, greeting some new ones. The town was alive, wrapping up the end of fishing season and still starting the school year. Counting her money, Hiyori thought about getting some food.

"Hiyori!" A young woman greeted with a squeal. Her curly pink hair flounced as she trotted around the corner, running straight into Hiyori's open arms. They giggled and asked each other about everything that happened within the last year.

"I missed you, Kofuku!" Hiyori said honestly.

"We missed you too, Hiyori! Come in, come in! Daikoku knows your favorite, we can chat while he makes it!" Kofuku gestured to the cook in question, who waved happily to Hiyori. Kofuku was raised here and Daikoku was a fisherman she met during their time in highschool. He was a gruff, burly man that couldn't stand being at sea and away from his lover. Hiyori gasped when Kofuku showed her a rather large rock on her ring finger, the diamond glistening a soft pink on a rose-gold band.

"Engaged! Kofuku I'm so happy for you!" Hiyori cooed. They giggled with their heads bent, glancing at the man in the kitchen with headphones on.

"Thank you, I- we are very happy too," Kofuku beamed, "It's finally happening! And of course you'll be one of my bride's maids, right?"

"Oh Kofuku, I'd love too! When are you planning on having it?"

"Next summer. So you'll need to at least get a date by then! Of course, getting your own ring isn't too bad either," Kofuku wiggled her eyebrows at Hiyori who sputtered. Daikoku sighed at his fiance as he set the bowls of ramen down.

"Hiyori, don't get engaged to someone you've only dated a year." He said.

"I-I won't! I would never-!" Hiyori pouted when she realised the couple was just teasing her, on the same page as always. The women thanked Daikoku and dug into her meal.

"But for real, Hiyori," Kofuku said around her noodles, "there isn't anybody you can bring to the wedding? No one comes to mind?"

"No, no one." Hiyori sighed, truthfully, "and getting engaged is about as likely as that old chocolate store coming back."

"Hmm, maybe not that old one. But a new one moved in and took over the bakery!" Kofuku shrugged.

"Really?" Hiyori perked up. Of course there was no way the chocolates were the same as before, but she still loved the idea. Kofuku grew a teasing smirk and her eyes gleamed at Hiyori.

"Yeah! We can go check it out after Daikoku closes the shop! We know the owner and he lets us in after closing time for desert. We also invite him and his son over for dinner most nights, they're really sweet!" Kofuku giggled, it was clear why she suddenly got excited.

"He has a son?" Hiyori pointed out.

"A single father," Kofuku wiped an imaginary tear, "He adopted the kid but still, he's such a good dad." She grinned again and Hiyori sighed.

"Well how old is he?" Hiyori threw Kofuku a bone.

"He's our age!" Kofuku gratefully took it, "Just a couple years older! And his son is 14!" She tacked on. Hiyori laughed slightly as she took a drink, looking up when Daikoku came over to collect their dishes.

"Kofuku stop trying to set up good-hearted Hiyori with that weirdo," Daikoku chided. Hiyori gasped and looked at her friend in offense while Kofuku whined at her fiance.

"He's not a weirdo, Daikoku! Don't say that!" Kofuku turned to Hiyori, "He really is very nice, Daikoku just can't understand how he thinks! He's the one who will carter the desserts for our wedding!"

"How he thinks?" Hiyori repeated, doubtful. She looked to Daikoku for a more realistic description of whoever Kofuku was going to shove her with.

"He's an artist," Daikoku griped, "has a very eccentric personality. He's got a lot of energy and likes to come up with these wild, out-of-the-box schemes that end up blowing up in his face."

"Sometime literally!" Kofuku chimed.

"I see," Hiyori sighed. She looked as Kofuku stretched across the table and reached for her, a smile on her face.

"But seriously, he's awkward but still kind once you get to know him. He just really likes his job! He's literally a kid in a candy store!"

"Ha, yeah, and that kid is the owner." Daikoku scoffed at the thought, earning a laugh from the girls. Finishing up lunch, Hiyori walked out the door with a wave over her shoulder. A block down the cobble-stone steps and a harsh wind blew through her hair and ruffled her dress.

A scent wafted up across her nose, sweet and tangy. Before she could even label it, a memory burst through her senses. Black and white tile floors with glass containers filled with little chocolate squares and pops. Her grandmother in a white kimono, unwrapping a capybara pop and handing it down to little Hiyori. The smell reminded her of the taste that bloomed across her tongue as they walked through the jiggling doorway to the old chocolate shop.

Hioyori snapped out of it when the wind stopped, hardly a second later, the memory fading with it. Emotion clenched around her heart as Hiyori readied her purse and turned towards the street. The ally was just across the street, a bit further away from her home. She waved to the car that let her cross, speed walking across the pavement and down the sidewalk. There were a couple new stores, but everything was pretty much the same. Since the bakery moved in, Hiyori hasn't been down this alley, but it was still as narrow and uneven as she remembered. Only two stores occupied the ends of the small road, the other end a parking lot for the shoppers. To the right was a bathing suit and water-sport store, and the left was the chocolate store.

Hiyori slowed down as she approached it, breathing heavily as the scent consumed her senses. She walked in casually, drinking in the new interior and relating it to the old. All the white glass containers still lined the walls and counter, stretching high with candy of all colors. In the past, the walls had been a chocolate color, but this time the walls were blue. The floors were also re-done from checkered tiles to hardwood. What surprised her the most was that there was a small section of candies like lollipops and taffy, and a little cooler of ice cream.

"One second please! I'll be with you in a moment!" A young voice jolted her out of her staring. Embarrassed, Hiyori looked around to find the person, maybe the crazy owner her friends told her about? There was a counter directly in front of her, it was clear the kitchen was behind it and there was someone bustling around there. Walking towards it, Hiyori was distracted by another noise to her right.

There was another body behind the ice cream counter, heaving out empty ice cream containers and lifting new ones. The first thing she noticed was a head of fluffy blonde hair under a 50s waiter hat, bent over in the cooler. With a sigh, he pushed himself out and slammed the glass covering closed. Hiyori made her way towards him, noticing that the boy was young. She wouldn't be surprised if this was the son of the owner, but he looked a little younger than 14. Especially when their eyes met, his face was still rounded out by some baby fat and his hazel eyes were large.

"Can I help you?" The kid asked as Hiyori came closer. It caused Hiyori to pause and she realised she didn't know what she wanted, or why she came here.

"Hi, um, I'm- a- friend of Kofuku and Daikoku? I just thought I'd stop in and say hi." Hiyori explained.

"Oh! Well, uh, it's nice to meet you. My name's Yukine," he quickly wiped his hands and came around the counter. Hiyori smiled and took the hand he offered. He wore a light blue shirt that matched the lines of his hat and a long white apron that matched his pants.

"It's nice to meet you too. I come here every summer and usually spend nights at Kofuku's so we'll be seeing a lot of each other for a while." She smiled at Yukine who only blushed and nodded. He looked around for something to say then perked up.

"Um, one second," Yukine smiled politely at her before turning towards the kitchen, "Yato! Get your butt out here, one of Kofuku's friends showed up!" He cupped his hands around his mouth as he hollard, causing Hiyori to flinch. She forced another smile when Yukine whipped around and flashed her an adorable grin that she couldn't help but feel was fake.

"I'm busy! Just bring 'em back here!" Another voice shouted back. It caused the kid to sigh and wave his hand at Hiyori.

"Here, follow me." Yukine said as she followed him, "he's working on a really big online order and it's difficult to pull him away from projects. I have a hard enough time getting him to Kofuku's to eat." The kid muttered and Hiyori thought it was adorable that this child was the caretaker for his caretaker.

The back of the store was tiny, crowded by large ovens and machines, surrounding a long metal table. Hiyori gasped at the monstrosity at the end of the table was a tall chocolate-something. It looked like an abstract flower, ribbons of chocolate stretching up towards the sky, curling around each other and sporting different swirls of colors. Next to it, a young man in a floppy chef's hat was carefully cutting a strip of chocolate from a large slate.

"Hey Kiddo!" Yato looked up with a smile. His face was smeared with chocolate as well as his white t-shirt, and Hiyori had to admit his face was also really cute.

"Hello," Hiyori greeted, "my name is Hiyori Iki." She grimaced when the man grinned and wiped his hands on a dirty rag before running around the counter, shimming past a large stone oven.

"The name's Yato! You're the one Kofuku said comes around every year, right?"

"Yes, that's me," Hiyori blushed at the thought of Kofuku talking about her to total strangers. She shook his hand when he offered it, feeling it was slick with sweat and confection. The ovens made it rather hot in here.

"Nice to meet ya!" Yato wrapped an arm around Yukine's shoulders and pulled him in close, "We just moved to the area right at the end of last summer so we're really new to the area. Hope you'll take good care of us!" He beamed another dazzling smile at her and Hiyori didn't have the heart to tell him she wasn't really a local. Kid in a candy store indeed. Speaking of kid, Yukine looked disgusted at the contact and pushed Yato's arm off him.

"She said she eats dinner with Kofuku too so we'll see her later," Yukine said.

"Oh that's good. Daikoku's cooking really is the best!" Yato nodded like he was agreeing with himself. A timer going off distracted him and he hustled to a taffy machine, shutting it off.

"Yukine, treat her to something would ya?" Yato looked up at Hiyori, "Whatever you want, okay?" He winked like he didn't just offer up his kid's money, though Hiyori supposed this is where Yukine got it from.

"Actually, I came here because I smelled some chocolate?" Hiyori drifted off when she heard how obvious that sounded, "I mean like some fresh chocolate?" Her face burned when the boys just stared at her, then Yato looked around.

"Well I did just pour out some molds and put them in the freezer. Was there something specific you had in mind?

"Well, there used to be a chocolate shop here when I was little and my grandma used to get me these chocolate pops. I recognized the smell so I wanted to come here to see if it was the same." The longer she talked the harder it was to look at them. Even though Yato was listening, Yukine was starting to give her a funny look. She clutched at her dress as her blush spread to her ears, maybe she should make an excuse to leave and skip dinner with Kofuku.

"So basically, you want to try my chocolate to see if it's the same as the one your grandma used to buy for you?" Yato cocked his head.

"Yes! That's right!" Hiyori was happy he understood and she wasn't weird. She smiled when Yato grinned at her.

"And what do I get if mines better?" he asked. Hiyori let out a straggled noise at the realization he was teasing her. Her heart pounded and Hiyori noticed just how blue his eyes really were. Their moment was broken when Yukine walked over to Yato and elbowed him in the ribs.

"Just let her try one," Yukine huffed. Yato yelped and rubbed his side, glaring at the kid.

"Why not let her try one of yours?" Yato's smile was back on when the kid blushed and refused.

"You make chocolates too, Yukine?" Hiyori tried to distract them from their play-fighting. She had doubts earlier but they really were like a family. Yato snickered at him and sent a wink to Hiyori before making his way to the fridge.

"Uh, sometimes. I mostly make hard candy? I'm still learning and all," Yukine toed the ground, refusing to look at her. Hiyori giggled at his bashful expression.

"You're too modest, Yukine," she offered. Yato laughed from inside the metal refrigerator, peaking over his shoulder.

"You got that right! The kid's a fast learner and makes the best rock candy! I'm very proud of my little prodigy!" Yato smiled at his kid then stuck his face back into the fridge. Hiyori giggled at the blush Yukine wore.

"I'd love to try something of yours too," Hiyori asked.

"Yeah. Maybe." Yukine muttered at the ground. They turned back to the chef when Yato made a noise of urika.

"I found them!" Yato pulled out a large metal tray, letting it hang from its spot in the holders, "Which shape do you want? I made a ton: we got hearts, swords, cats?"

"-Um," Hiyori piped in, "Do you have a capybara?" It was embarrassing to say, but she came this far so she might as well go all the way. She missed the way Yato's body froze.

"Oh no," Yukine groaned. Before Hiyori could question his words, Yato came barreling towards her, stumbling over his feet and knocking into basically everything. Bracing herself, Hiyori prepared for the chef to knock her off her feet, only for him to simply grab both her hands and shake them up and down.

"You truly are a woman of great taste, Hiyori! I knew from the moment you walked in here you were something special, you got a good eye! The kid doesn't understand the true majesty of the capybaras- he's the one who makes me design chocolates in other shapes- which is such a shame! I would make all my chocolates into capybaras if I could! It would make them that much sweeter-oof!" Yato choked off when Yukine whacked him again and smushed his hands in Yato's face.

"-Would you shut it about the capybaras! Not everyone has an obsession like you do!" Yukine caterwauled. He then marched over to the fridge and pulled a stick off the parchment paper and brought it to Hiyori.

"Thank you," Hiyori smiled.

"It's on him," Yukine huffed. Yato whined while Hiyori took a look at the treat. Her memories came flooding back to her again, the wizard-capybara mold the same as when she was a child. The room went quiet as she took a bite of the ear and let it melt on her tongue.

It was amazing, the flavor was everything chocolate was imagined to be. The sweetness was there, mingled into the natural bitterness of the chocolate, in a way that put all mass produced sweetness to shame. It even lacked the heavy stickiness of other chocolates, easily gliding down her throat like cream. She could tell it was homemade with the skill of a professional.

Still, it didn't spark a single memory from her childhood. There was no nostalgia, Yato's chocolate was too unique to even come close to the one the old shop used to make. Despite how delicious it was, Hiyori couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"You don't like it," Yato spoke. Hiyori's head whipped up when she processed his tone. It was scary, he didn't sound angry by any means, just equally-if not more- disappointed. He didn't look upset either, Yato's face was impassive as he let the question hang.

"I like it!" Hiyori quickly insisted, "I love it, in fact! It's really delicious! You even used the same mold from before!" Her hands waved back and forth as she tried to reassure the chef. Snapping out of it, Yukine came between them.

"It's fine, really! This guy just takes his craft way too seriously," Yukine patted Yato's chest with an awkward laugh.

"What was wrong with it!" Yato stepped forward, "I mean what was different? How can I change it to fit your tastes?" His rapid questions were serious and he was carefully gauging her reaction. It was clear as day she was no chocolate connoisseur, but Yato was ready to take in her feedback carefully.

"It was, um," Hiyori swallowed under his piercing gaze but took in his answers seriously, "I remember it being sweeter. The chocolate was also a lighter and it wasn't shiny." She tried to think of anything else but it was so long ago and Hiyori was clearly no expert. Still, Yato took her words into consideration, humming in thought. He took another step closer and Hiyori's heartbeat suddenly picked up the pace. The man really was attractive and he smelled like sweet cream.

"That makes sense. More sugar and no tempering," Yato mumbled to himself. Hiyori's lips fell open in a silent gasp when Yato placed his hand on top of hers, bringing the chocolate up to his mouth and taking a large bite.

Heat spread through her body as Hiyori couldn't help but watch his lips move around as he tasted, eyes looking down in distant concentration. His hand was warm on top of hers and his fingers were sticky and calloused from sculpting works of art out of candy. Yato hummed again, almost like a moan, and he smiled at her. The action brightened his eyes further and stopped Hiyori's breathing.

"Okay! I think I got it. I can do it no problem," Yato's hand slipped from hers, "How long you here for?" His words brought Hiyori back down to Earth and she sputtered from self-embarrassment.

"Two-two weeks," Hiyori spluttered.

"That's perfect! I'll have a new batch for you to try by next week!" Yato seemed ecstatic at the idea of making even more chocolate, waving to Yukine to write everything down on an order form.

"You idiot! Don't just- you can't just take a bite of someone else's food! She's a- customer," Yukine said with a bright red face. Hiyori silently thanked him for addressing the issue without actually saying it.

"Ah, it's fine she can have another one. There're other capybara molds and I'm not against the extra cash," Yato waved the two flushed people and went back to his statue.

"Hmph. It's on the house," Yukine huffed and snatched another pop off the rack. He didn't get a response, Yato was already immersed in his project. Hiyori took it numbly, she watched Yato's hand guide the small knife through the slab with calculated precision.

"Make sure you walk Hiyori home, or back to Kofuku's or wherever. Bring your phone." Yato muttered down at the chocolate. Next to her, Yukine tsked and looked up at an analogue clock.

"You got three hours till Daikoku makes dinner. I'll come and get you, so be ready," Yukine interrupted Yato's rebuttal, "you're going." He smirked to himself when Yato grumbled but didn't say anything. Hiyori giggled too, she found herself looking forward to dinner.

Daikoku wasn't kidding when he said Yato was eccentric; the chocolatier was a hard-working whirlwind of sweets and art. It was clear he loved his job, and his kid, and he was very vocal about his crazy thoughts and ideas. Originally, Hiyori planned on bringing some work to the beach while she relaxed until her parents arrived, but she quickly found herself in the chocolate shop with the two boys. It started when she walked down to the beach to find Yato doing laps, Yukine already lounging in her favorite spot. They invited her to breakfast, her treat, then offered her more chocolate in return. She became Yato's honorary taste-tester and even gotta try some of Yukine's food.

The types of jobs and people that walked in and out of Yato's shop were interesting to see. They each had different combinations of tastes and visions, Yato more than up to the challenge to meet their wants. Which he always did, perfectly. The more the days ticked by, the more excited Hiyori got for what Yato would make for her. All the chocolates she tried were amazing and she almost didn't care to remember the old chocolate.

So she spent every day in the candy store and every night at Kofuku's. Within that time, they've definitely gotten closer. Kofuku and Yato got much more touchy feely when intoxicated; their lips looser. Hiyori heard the story of Yato feeding Yukine hand-made treats while he stayed away from home, eventually being led into his apartment like a toddler to a van. That was over a year ago, once the adoption was done, and Yato saved up enough money, they packed up and moved out here. He did call Yato 'dad' on occasion, thought usually it was saved for extreme emotion. Hiyori had only heard it when Yato completed a massive project, and again when the oven exploded with the chef next to it.

And now, it was the twelfth day since their meeting. After they had lunch, Yato announced that her chocolate was just about finished and that she could come taste it after dinner. Yukine was off with some friends for the night so it would just be the two of them. The thought made her giddy, Yato was a lot of fun to be around and it wasn't just because he gave her tasty chocolate.

She pushed open the door and walked in like she was the chef. The shop's lights were off, save for the ones in the containers and the kitchen. The bell above the door rang again as it shut behind her and there was some clattering in the kitchen.

"I'm sorry we're closed," Yato stumbled through the doorway with a bowl tucked into his elbow, "Hiyori!" He grinned when he noticed her, causing a big smile to stretch across her face too. She followed him into the kitchen, looking at the table for the next big sculpture only to see it have a single metal tray intended with molds of capybaras.

"Your chocolate is in the fridge already and should be ready to try soon! Do you mind pouring the rest while I clean? Yukine will have my head if he comes home to a messy kitchen." Yato was already handing her Yukine's apron and the bowl.

"Oh, I can clean if you need," Hiyori tried.

"Nah, I'm pretty quick at cleaning and you still don't know where everything goes," Yato pushed the bowl in her hands with a wink. She made her way to the grey pan, awkwardly picking up the spatula Yato gestured at. He got to work in a large sink, bustling around the kitchen like he did during rush hour. Hiyori looked back down at the bowl, the smell wafting from it already bringing her grandmother's kimono to mind.

She got to work pouring in the molds, the chocolate sliding out quickly and splattering over the sides. After about three modes of uneven pouring, Hiyori got smart enough to use the spatula to help lessen the flow. Something she saw Yato and Yukine do on occasion. Somewhere behind her, Yato put away the final bowl and closed the cabinets with a sigh. She felt him move somewhere, but it wasn't until he spoke that she realised how close he was.

"Hang on," Yato spoke next to her ear, "use the spatula to wipe the drips when you start a new one. It keeps them neat and won't waste as much." His hands fell on top of hers again, body lightly pressing against her back as his jaw brushed against her head.

"O-oh," Hiyori tensed up when Yato's hands actually guided her own through the motions but she hesitantly leaned back. Yato's chest was solid as she pressed against him, the sweet smell that followed him everywhere overriding her other senses and making her forget all about the old chocolate in her hands. He was so warm, her heart pounded against her chest, making it difficult to breath. Instead she forced intensely on the movements, working to clench and unclench her fingers when needed.

"It looks good," he breathed, "see if you spread it up and down like this, it comes out much more even. Up and down, up and down, see you got it." Yato let his hands go when Hiyori hummed and she worried for a moment he would leave. Instead his arms fell and wrapped lightly around her waist, hardly bringing her any closer.

"Is this alright? You can say no and hit me like you usually do, I'll still give you chocolate," Yato asked. Hiyori giggled at him, moving onto the next mold. She felt him press a smile to her shoulder while watching her work. Hiyori looked good making chocolate, here with him, like she completed the picture.

"No, this is fine." She hummed. It was relaxing to work, the movement very easy and repetitive. The room was warm and Yato's body was warmer, the room quiet and sweet-smelling. It felt like home.

Soon Hiyori was done with all the molds and she quietly set the empty bowl dow, along with the spatula. They stood like that for a little while, the seconds ticking on the clock seeming to have hours in between. Neither of them said anything, Hiyori letting her head rest against his as Yato leaned heavily on her. If it wasn't for his hammering heart, Hiyori would have thought he fell asleep. She moved to put her arms over his, stopping when she noticed the amount of chocolate covering her hands. The moment was shot when Yato's hand grabbed hers before she could reach her mouth.

"No! That will ruin the surprise!" Yato un-coiled himself from her and happily scampered to the refrigerator. Hiyori sighed in amusement and disappointment, but excitement still bubbled in her chest. She already knew Yato was an amazing chocolatier- she would even say his creations are her favorite- but if he managed to capture the tastes of her childhood Hiyori would truly be blown away.

Hiyori noticed Yato's posture suddenly shift, his normally boisterous attitude became unsure. A chocolate pop was pulled off the parchment paper and hidden quickly behind his back, then Yato mosied up to Hiyori with forced casualness. She swallowed when she took in his red cheeks and the way he couldn't quite meet her eyes. The chocolate pop was hidden behind his back.

"So, um, I did some research and the old chocolate shop that was here was more of a candy store that bought and sold other brands. But you said that the guy made the chocolates- and there was some candy makers left- but if I had to guess it was more of a side thing?" Yato coughed, "a-anyway, I think the chocolate you liked was the amature type people make at home."

"Uh-huh," Hiyori smiled at his rambling, "that makes sense." She watched Yato shift awkwardly in one place before pitying him and taking a step forward. Open palm held out, Yato looked at her for a moment before pushing the candy in her hand. He didn't look at her reaction, only shrinking in on himself when he heard her small gasp of surprise.

The chocolate pop Yato gave her was not in the shape of a capybara, but rather in the shape of a heart. A medium sized, extremely detailed heart with tiny hearts lining the edges had the words "thank you for your help" in fancy calligraphy. Hiyori's own heart squeezed so tight it made her light-headed. She felt her whole body re-heat even hotter than before as a feeling sweeter than Yato's chocolate lifted her lips into a wide smile.

"I love it," Hiyori breathed, showing her glee to Yato who immediately beamed.

"Try it! Let me know if it suits your tastes." Yato watched her lips closely as they took in the treat. Hiyori made a noise of surprise, then a moan. Yato perked up but quickly panicked when he saw her eyes water.

"Ah-! Hiyori is it-? What is it?"

"It's perfect," Hiyori quickly wiped a tear and laughed at herself, "this is exactly what my grandmother used to buy for me when I visited. Thank you, Yato." She smiled wide at him as he worked to calm down. Gaps of her memory were filled and bloomed with detail. Hiyori remembered the interior of the old shop, the dress she wore, and the feel of her grandmother's hand. This chocolate was straight out of her mind and with it childhood happiness.

"I'm really happy you like it," Yato confessed. A couple steps and Hiyori was pulling him into a hug, Yato tensed as she squeezed her arms around his neck then relaxed and returned it. She pulled away, but just barely. Just to look into his eyes.

"You mind if I have a taste?" Yato asked. Hiyori snorted at his gluttonous habits and held out her pop for him to bite. With a grin his hand wrapped around hers and pushed the candy down. Surprise crossed Hiyori's face for a moment as he leaned in and waited, but she met him in the middle.

He smelled just as sweet as always but he tasted even more so. As their lips moved together, Yato pulled her in a bit tighter. Hiyori let her hand slide up his neck and rest on his cheek, her fingers brushing the bangs that escaped his ponytail. She let Yato lick his way into her mouth with the skills of a professional taster, squeaking when he kissed her senseless. They pulled apart, breathless, and let their foreheads rest against each other.

"So listen, um," Yato spoke over the candy, "I know you're leaving in a couple more days but I'd really like to take you out sometime?" His nervousness was back but he held her wide-eyes much better this time.

"I'd like that." Hiyori smiled. They beamed at each other like idiots before sharing more pecks, Yato letting the chocolate pop melt in his hands while Hiyori worked to make new memories.

[jacksonroseroth]

Tales Of The XX Chapter 1

A/N: Aaaaaaaaaaand I’m back with another Colson fic. I’ve been working on these two(Waste Love) for about a month now? Maybe two. Anyway, this is an Italian Mafia AU based off the lyrics ‘young, blond Don and the Double-X Mob got a gang out in Sicily’ from MGK’s Floor 13. Hope you guys like it!

Warnings: Weed usage I tried to limit the amount of Italian I used, so if anything seems to be wrong, please let me know!...I didn’t get a great grade in Italian in college XD

Words: 4,248

Moodboard made by me, none of the pictures are mine

~

The sun scorched down on the black SUV as it drove along the Sicilian roads. Colson sipped his Scotch and gave a sigh, annoyed with how long the supposed 4-hour drive was taking. He would have rather taken the coast route, but the driver had other instructions. Shifting in his 3-piece suit, Colson pulled a hand through his bleached blonde hair, making a mental note to speak with his assistant to make him a hair appointment; Spying the natural dark hair that began to grow again when he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror.

Any further thoughts flew from his mind as they, finally, pulled up to the iron gate, the driver speaking to the intercom. A piercing screech sounded as the gates squeaked open allowing the car to pull in and around the fountain in the courtyard, to park. The back doors opened and Colson, along with his crew, filed out and up the stairs where the double doors opened for them.

“Mr. Romano.” An older man said, dressed in a black suit with graying brown hair. Colson glanced at him as they entered, not really focusing on him. His high was wearing off as his anxiety kicked into overdrive. Rubbing his hands together as the man led them through the foyer to a side room, he said, “Luca. How is everyone feeling today?”

“As they do at every meeting, Signore. Old, miserable, bitter, and upset.” Luca said. A brief smirk tugged at Colson’s lips as Luca held open the door to let Colson and his men in. Colson hated bringing his personal crew with him to meet with the Dons and the family. Most of his organization and general security were the Italian-born and bred sons, but his most loyal were three gangsters he picked up from the States and happened to consist of two black men. Colson despised their initial reaction, seeing color before loyalty, and struggled to keep his feelings about it under wraps, especially at meetings. Every time there was a threat and there was a meeting, Colson only trusted those three men to escort him and no one else.

Through all the years of his life that he gave to the Mafia, he’d learned to savor loyalty, having seen the use in it. While visiting family in New York, he was put under the protection of the three men that stood behind him now. After an attempt on his life, those men proved their value and Colson refused to have any other security to join his inner circle. While the Dons and the family disagreed, the only reason Colson’s request was allowed was because of his best friend; JP ‘Rook’ Cappelletti, the son and heir apparent of the XX Mob. However Rook wasn't the sole reason it was allowed, but the reason it was still allowed. It was Colson’s father and uncle, along with Rook’s father, who helped Colson’s grandfather form and create what the XX Mob was to this day. When Colson’s uncle, Aureliano, died, it was his last remaining ally among the elders and the Dons, leaving Rook as his sole lifeline to his birthright.

From his teenage years, it was a long believed secret rumor that Colson would be excommunicated when his kin died, as he had caused an enormous amount of trouble for the mob. But once Colson and Rook formed a closer friendship, Colson was given a second chance as the Dons and the family saw he had begun to change.

When a second door opened to reveal the elders on their usual pedestals, Colson sighed and walked in, up to their seats and bowed as his men filed into their box. Rook smirked at Colson, both him and his father sitting below the elders, trying to ease his anxiety, while his father gave Colson an acknowledged nod, silently telling him to take his seat. Colson turned and took the foremost seat, sitting back and, crossing a leg over his knee, resisted the urge to punch out the Don next to them, who was eyeing Slim and AJ with a semi look of disgust. His blue eyes burned with the urge, but once John Sr. began to speak, his anxiety spiked, high, and his hand twitched.

“Is everyone here? Good.” John started. Colson watched Rook lean back, looking around his father to the empty seat on his left, and smirked. Colson wasn’t sure who was meant to be sitting there, as it was always Rook and John. As he sat wondering, his question was soon answered as John continued speaking, “I would like to thank the Dons for coming on such short notice. The reason I’ve called you here today is-”

John was interrupted as the doors burst open and everyone turned to look as a dark, curly-haired, young woman blew in, two flunkies by her side. With a chipper smile on her lips and a mischievous twinkle sparkling in the two emeralds that sat on her face, she made her way before John and dipped into a brief curtsy, as did the flunkies. Rook smirked and watched her, as did Colson. John, however, was less than amused.

“Atta,” John said. The woman, Atta, looked up at him, still smiling despite the man’s tone, and replied, “Father.”

Leaving her spot, she climbed the short stairs to take the vacant seat on his left. After leaning over to place a quick kiss on John’s cheek, Atta said, “I’m sorry I’m late, Father. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything?”

Murmurs rippled among the Dons, as her gaze swept around the room, of ‘No. Not at all’s, while they looked away from her, with respect. Atta smirked and sat back, crossing her jean-clad legs and folding her hands in her lap.

While John gave a soft grunt of disapproval, he still continued speaking, brushing past the interruption. As John spoke, Colson studied the second Cappelletti sibling. Though her and Rook were twins, it made sense that they would both be present, but in the same token, Colson couldn’t recall her being at other meetings he attended and was intrigued to see her there. Atta froze her face and emotions to a pleased yet neutral look. She despised being called into meetings, though it didn’t happen often. JP was the heir apparent and would take their father’s place once he died, and John never seemed too keen to involve his only daughter in the family affairs, not that Atta minded.

She was in charge of running the Cappelletti General Store, taking over a few years back when their mother got sick. It was a position she took to like a duck to water and was involved enough in the family affairs. Relations and affiliates of the Dons, sometimes the Dons themselves on occasion, visited the shop on a semi-frequent as a way to throw the cops off their trail. Atta’s mother did everything in her power to prove her store was a legitimate business and the only reason these mobsters came to her store was because of her husband. While it seemed like a shaky story, as the police kept surveillance on the shop for a month, John was adamant that none of the mob’s business be taken near the store, wanting to give his wife something of her own. Once it was well established the store had no real involvement with the mob, it was left to those same deceivers, though they protected it with their lives. They would come in with a message or an order that Atta passed to the elders and her father. As the daughter of John Sr., by rights, she was the Princess of the XX. She was more well known on her small island of Sicily, still known well enough on the mainland, and that was enough for her.

“-Cannot sit idly by while these Germans push in on our territory. I put it to this council, in the hands of the Dons; Someone must remove this German threat before they bring the AISE down on us all.” John’s speech brought her back and she started listening again.

“Not to split hairs, Don Cappelletti. But wasn’t Don Romano the cause for this rivalry?” One of the Dons stated. All eyes turned to Colson’s box, while Colson glared at the old man. “With his pathetic attempt to charm Mr. Muller’s daughter, before his father’s death, was the start, was it not?”

Colson opened his mouth to respond, but someone spoke before he could. “A shrewd observation, Don Moretti. But if you remember correctly, other things were put into motion that affected the Germans, well before Don Romano made his appearance. Mr. Muller saw Colson’s showing as the last straw, even though Colson had not taken Vittorio’s role as Don Romano.” Colson’s head whipped around at the first sound of her voice and continued to stare in shock as Atta came to his defense.

Many of the boxes began to buzz with upset. While Atta was respected as the family’s only daughter, many of the old men believed there was no place for women in Mafia business, save for being arm and eye candy, housewives, and mothers. This being one of the first times that Atta spoke up in a meeting, there was a bigger upheaval for the simple fact that they disliked Colson and had plans for their own sons to take over his territory.

Rook smirked and looked down as he attempted to suppress a snicker. Atta heard the faint snort and her lips twitched upward in a smirk of her own. John glanced at her and smiled, turning to Don Moretti and held up his hands to calm the Dons as he said, “Do not be upset by my daughter’s words. Especially when she speaks the truth. As I recall, it was your grandson, Adriano, who was sent to America to take out a hit and botched it. That was when Mr. Muller put us on his radar. Having taken out one of his men by mistake.”

Don Moretti grumbled and mumbled as he looked away in shame of the truth. John cast a glance to Colson, with a small smile, and said, “That is why I said this task is in your collective hands instead of singling Don Romano out; As it was not his fault.”

The grumbles of old men soon died down and John spoke again, “Discuss this matter with your families and each other. I want to hear names at our next meeting at the end of the week. Now, the other reason for this meeting and the reason for my daughter’s presence…”

Atta flinched and Colson saw her face twitch. Rook glanced at his sister and watched as she gripped her own hands so tightly, she white-knuckled. John reached over to place a gentle hand on hers and said, “Atta turns 26 this next week, on the 13th. I believe it is high time she was married and settled down. Many of you have expressed interest in my daughter’s hand. Each family will produce a suitor for my daughter at her party. From there, she will choose her husband.”

“You are letting her choose, John Paul? She could draw it out and never choose!” One of the elders called in a gravelly voice. “We’ve never given daughters free choice. You shall choose her husband.”

“Don Greco. We all value your input as the elders. But our children were born into a much different age. They have seen much in their young lives. My daughter will make her own choice. By her next birthday, she will be married.” John said, announcing the last bit to the room in a firm and final tone. Atta glanced at her father and gritted her teeth before standing and walking out in a deafening silence.

~

As the meeting went on without her, Atta hung around the gardens, finishing one of her last joints. As the smoke trailed from the burnt orange end, she placed a delivery order to restock as she made her way back to the manor. When she reached the porch, she set up shop on the swing bench to finish the roach.

Just as she snubbed it out with the toe of her boot, the doors flew open, causing her to look up. Colson walked out, rubbing his hands over his face and muttering. With a muffled groan, he dropped his hands and sighed, still muttering. Once he finally turned to begin pacing, he noticed Atta off to the side and gave her nothing more than a cursory glance as he paced, evenly, trying to quell his anxiety and his anger.

Atta watched him for a moment as she patted herself down to find her lighter and last joint. Giving it a few good puffs to get it nice and lit, Atta stood and went to Colson, offering it to him once he paced back to her. He accepted it and took a large hit, trying to allow as much of it to soak in as he could before he let it go, blowing out a slow line of smoke. Colson closed his eyes with a sigh as he took another hit. It made Atta giggle.

“You seem a lot jumpier than you used to be.” She teased gently. Colson opened his eyes and gave her a look. The look only made Atta smirk as she leaned on the hands against the brick wall. Colson took another hit before handing it back as he said, “Thanks.”

“No problem,” Atta said, softly, taking the joint. As Colson passed to walk back inside, Atta turned, quickly, and caught his hand. Colson turned and his expression softened as he saw a small, flirtatious smirk spread across her face while she stepped closer and looked up at him. “You should come by the shop sometime. I’m closing all this week. Could use the company.”

Her fingers played with his in the sweet, innocent way she did when they were younger. There had always been a mutual attraction between them, but Atta had to be seen with someone who was favorable to the family and Colson was a very far cry from that. So, they kept their friendship as a way to still at least be able to be around each other.

With a chuckle, Colson said, “Yeah. And what happens if John or one of the Dons walks in? Sees us alone together. They’re already gunning for me.”

“Gunning for the Gunner? They must have a death wish.” Atta teased with a chuckle as she took a small step closer to close the already small gap between them. She brought her joint to her lips and inhaled slowly. Colson smirked and plucked the joint from her lips and said, “You’re cute.”

Atta blew out the smoke as he took a hit and held it in for a moment as he said, “You must have a death wish for me. John would kill me if he found out. Damaging his precious princess’s reputation.”

Atta laughed as Colson finally let out the smoke, then she said, “Please. I damage it on my own. 25, living alone. No husband, no fiance. The family already treats me like I’m living in sin.” Atta scoffed and rolled her eyes as she took the joint back. She looked up at Colson and asked, “So, will you come see me tomorrow night?”

Waiting for his response, Atta took another drag as Colson took a step back, taking the joint from her as she offered it. After taking a final drag and handing it back, Colson said, “Sure.”

Atta’s face began to light up, but skidded to a halt and dropped as Colson, who seemed to take her smile, said, “If Rook is there.” He snickered as Atta sucker-punched his shoulder and said, “Not funny.”

“I thought it was.” He said with a small shrug and a smirk. Colson chuckled and took a step closer to bend down and kiss her cheek. “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Atta watched him walk back inside and down the hall with a sigh. She kicked a chip of brink before finishing the joint and stamping it out before going in as well to find her friends. Colson approached his gang and smiled when he saw Rook turn. The men chuckled and clapped hands before Rook said, “Hey, Colson, my dad was asking for you. He wants to see you before you leave.”

Scrunching up his face, slightly confused, Colson asked, “Did he say why?” Rook smirked and said, “It’s nothing bad, bro. Promise. But don’t keep him waiting.

Colson sighed, sightly, calling to his men to hang tight, he then turned to find his way through the mess of halls to get to John’s office, no doubt that’s where he would be waiting. Two knocks on the door, Colson prayed that his high set in soon, as he felt the pricklings of anxiety form again.

“Entra.” The command came, slightly muffled behind the heavy oak door. Colson pushed the door open and walked in, closing the door behind him. When Colson turned, he saw John’s back facing him as John flipped through folders and papers, standing in front of a filing cabinet.

“You wanted to see me, John?” Colson said, taking a few steps to the center of the room and clasping his hands behind his back. John turned, folders still in hand, and smiled at him before closing the drawers.

“Colson. Sí, Sí, come in.” John said, waving the young man over. Colson approached John’s desk but didn’t move to sit down until invited. John set his papers and folders down on his desk and grabbed two crystal glasses and a decanter of scotch. Filling the glasses, he held one out to Colson, inquiring, “You still drink scotch?”

Colson smirked and nodded, accepting the drink. “Yes, sir. I do.” Colson said. Both men chuckled and clinked glasses in a cheers. John quickly downed the amber liquid and refilled his glass before indicating the chair in front of Colson, saying, “Please. Sit.”

Colson sipped the scotch as he sat down. Taking another sip, Colson began to choke and sputter on it, caught off guard when John said, “About the wedding…”

Colson coughed and set the glass down, wiping his face as John looked up in confusion and watched him. Once Colson was able to pull himself together, he looked at John and said “Uhm the wedding? Atta’s?”

John chuckled and said, “Not to you, dear boy. That’s why I’ve called you here.”

“I’m sorry, sir, I don’t understand,” Colson said. John gave a heavy sigh as he continued to speak and look over papers.

“Colson, our families are very close. Aureliano and Vittorio were like brothers to me. It pained me when the elders asked that I step in as head of this family instead of you. I think of you as my own son.” John finally looked up at him and continued, “When I asked that each family produce a son as a suitor for my daughter...Whom did you expect to name? Yourself?”

“Well, I-Yes?” Colson answered, still confused as to why he had been called there. John smiled and nodded, looking back down at his papers.

“As I expected. You are the only Romano son left. It is the logical choice and I understand that.” John said. “But you must understand when I say, that you cannot present yourself, nor any of your men, as a prospect for Atta. The Romano family will not have a suitor.”

Colson blinked in surprise and questioned, “Sir?”

John looked up, watching Colson for a moment then sighed and said, “You know as well as I do; The Dons are not overly fond of you or your choice of men. If I were even to entertain the notion that I would allow Atta to consider you, there would be an uproar. You have your seat on this council because your grandfather made XX what it is today.”

“I’m aware of my lineage and birthright,” Colson said, with blatant disdain as obvious by his lip curling in a sneer. John smirked and said, “I have no intention of removing you from your position, Colson. But one I am gone, if JP cannot keep the Dons and elders happy...He will have no choice but to remove you once they call a vote.”

Colson sighed and sat back, refusing to admit defeat, but also at a loss. “Then, what the fuck am I supposed to do here, John?” He asked, throwing a hand up. John stood, as did Colson. He went to the young, blonde Don and clapped a hand on his back, steering him to the door.

“Nothing. Right now, at least. The Dons know of your friendship with my children. They will expect you to offer yourself for Atta’s hand. Surprise them all, Richard.” John said. Colson couldn’t help the twitch that took over his face at the use of his first name, but he knew John only used it to drive home a point. As the door opened, Colson sighed and nodded, turning to John and shaking his hand.

“Yes, Sir.” He said. “Was there anything else?”

John chuckled and said, “Don’t start a fight at her party. We both know it won’t be me or the Dons that will punish you for it.”

Colson smirked, recalling the day when a very young Colson and Rook started a fight at Atta’s 13th birthday. Both boys left with black eyes and scars from Atta’s ring. He nodded and walked out, making his way back through the maze of halls to the foyer where only Rook and Colson’s men were left.

He said his goodbyes to Rook and the group walked out the front doors and made their way down the stairs. Light, lyrical laughter met his ears and he looked up to see Atta and her friends getting into their car. Colson watched as her curls bounced and shone in the sun as she turned to talk to one of the girls; Carina was her name if Colson remembered correctly. Atta’s eyes flickered up to Colson and her smile widened a touch before the car door opened and she looked away, thanking the valet that held her door open. She slipped him a few bills before climbing into the SUV.

As Atta’s car drove off, Colson made his way down the stairs, a few steps before his car, when a young man stepped in front of him, a smug look on his face and dressed to kill. Colson repressed the urge to sneer at him. Or punch him out. He showed an extreme amount of self-control as the man began to speak.

“Young Romano. Good to see you again.” He said, briefly touching Colson’s shoulder.

“Enzio d’Este...Good to see you as well.” Colson said, half a second away from rolling his eyes at the smug bastard. Enzio chuckled and continued, “I hope you haven’t gotten too many hopes up?”

Raising an eyebrow, lazily, Colson offered, “About what, exactly?”

“Atta choosing you,” Enzio said. “I know you, her, and Rook are i tre moschettieri, but I’m a d’Este. No woman can resist a d’Este. Everyone knows that.”

Colson chuckled and shifted. “d’Este...If she chooses you? I respect her and her choices...Enough to shoot you after everyone is gone. No woman needs to see that mess.” He said. His smile dropped as he added, “Even if she does choose you, Enzio...If I find out you’ve hurt her, or you’re the reason she cries, you’ll find yourself at the bottom of the Tyrrhenian wearing a pair of cement Mary Janes with a matching hat...Am I in any way unclear, d’Este?”

Enzio chuckled and stuck a cigarette between his lips and lit it before he said, with a gesture to Colson, “You have a good night, Don Romano.” With almost an even bigger ego than before and even more smug, Enzio walked away, back to his own family as they piled in their cars and left. Colson groaned softly and got into the backseat of his own SUV, his buddy, Slim, had waited for him to get in before sliding in next to him as the door closed.

“The fuck did that smug asshole want?” Another man from the back asked, scratching at his beard as he sat forward. Colson glanced at him and chuckled.

“Eazy, Baze.” He said to the man. Baze had a run-in or two with the d’Estes and wasn’t fond of the eldest son, Enzio, at all. “He’s just trying to rattle us so we fuck up and I lose my power.”

Baze scoffed and sat back, unconvinced. The other man beside him, AJ, nudged Colson and said, “What’d John want?”

Colson glanced at him and sighed. “He told me I’m not to name myself or any of you for Atta. He basically forbade me from marrying her.” He said. The car suddenly went silent as the rest of them were in shock. While they knew Colson would offer himself as he was the only Romano left, save his daughter, they all thought it would be a sure thing and John would be overjoyed to welcome him to the family. But as Colson explained the nature of their conversation, they understood and dropped the subject.

~

Next Chapter

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[phoenixfeatherquill]

To Catch A Swan (14/22)

Once upon a time, not so long ago, Neal fell asleep in a car.

He liked the yellow bug.  It was a little ostentatious and it was probably foolish to steal it—a white sedan was probably a little less obvious.  But he couldn’t help it.  It reminded him too much of those Herbie films.  There was a homeless shelter in Denver that had zero movies in the rec area, save those movies, so he’d watched them all during a particularly nasty blizzard. He didn’t have fond memories of Colorado, but he liked those movies.  (The remake was crap.)

He hadn’t been long in Portland.  In fact, it was supposed to be his last night there.  No cash for a motel, shelters were packed, so he slept in his car, parked in a little alley to avoid cops.  He actually liked crashing in his car.  It was a little cramped, sure, but there was something soothing about falling asleep to the sound of rain on his roof.  It reminded him of better times.  

So it was quite the shock when he awoke to someone breaking in.  

The sound of the metal sliding through the window was what woke him.  He watched in utter shock as the thief easily unlocked the door and got inside.  

She was the most beautiful thief he’d ever seen.  Golden hair caught up in a messy ponytail, dark hipster glasses (clever, to avoid detection in Portland), a small smile that indicated she’d done this before.  She withdrew a screwdriver, a large rock, and started the transmission.  He watched her start to drive off before finally announcing his presence.

“Impressive. But really, you could’ve just asked for the keys.”

He dangled them for emphasis and she yelped.  The squeal of shock only made her more adorable.  He rested his chin on his fist and observed her.  She didn’t seem to know how to react to this situation (it was new for him too), so she remained silent.

Neal gave a little wave of approval.  “Just drive, it’s fine.”

“I just stole your car, your life could be in danger!” She’d snapped, perhaps trying to regain her earlier confidence.

“Neal Cassidy,” He introduced himself.  

“Yeah, I’m not telling you my name,” She’d fairly snarled and her irritation only made him more amused.

“I don’t need it to have you arrested when the robbery’s in progress,” He chuckled a little.  

She set her chin.  “Emma Swan.”

Emma Swan.  A good name, and he told her so.  

“So do you just live in here or are you just waiting for the car to be stolen?” Emma Swan asked sarcastically.

“Why don’t I tell you over drinks?” He suggested amiably.  

She turned to look at him over her shoulder in shock.  “Excuse me?!”

“Eyes on the road!” Neal pointed at the stop sign Emma blew past.  The sound of irate Portland drivers filled their ears. She straightened a little, probably embarrassed.

“I am not having drinks with you, you might be a pervert,” She informed him.  

“I might be a pervert,” Neal acknowledged. “But you’re definitely a car thief.”

“I said I was sorry.”

“You didn’t, actually,” Neal felt it relevant to point out.  She huffed a little at this but both of them stiffened in fear when the heard the siren behind them.  Emma swore a little.

Neal groaned and raked his fingers through his hair.  “That’s why I said eyes on the road…”

He could see her eyes flick around and he knew from experience she was judging whether or not it was worth it to make a run for it.  But there didn’t seem any good places to run to so Emma put on an artificial smile as she nervously awaited the officer.  Neal, however, immediately snatched the screwdriver out of the ignition and replaced it with the keys.  

“License and registration?” The officer’s bored and patronizing tone towards Emma’s bright greeting gave Neal an idea.

“Terribly sorry, officer, but this is actually my car. I’m…I’m trying to, uh, teach my girlfriend how to drive stick.” He gave the officer a sheepish grin, one he’d perfected over years of conning authority figures.

“She’s got a lot to learn,” The cop said coldly.

“Yeah, I know, but you know…women.” Neal gave a helpless shrug.  

Emma gave him the dirtiest look.  But he knew what he was doing.  He read the cop the moment he’d walked over and looked Emma all over, condescension fairly dripping from his uniform.  

“All right, I hear you. It’s a warning. This time.” The cop gave Emma a stern, paternal look before returning back to his car.  Neal thanked him grandly and popped out of the backseat to join Emma in the front.  

“What are you, some sort of misogynist?!” Emma demanded as he clambered into the passenger seat.  

“You’re welcome,” Neal glanced over his shoulder as the cop drove off. “Oh, go. We got lucky.”

“We?” Emma stared hard at him and he grinned at her mischievously. “This isn’t your car either, is it? I stole a stolen car?!”

Her outrage was palpable and hilarious.  He beamed unrepentantly and cocked his head.

“Now how about that drink?”

It had hit him like lightning.  It wasn’t merely attraction or companionship.  It was something far greater, something he hadn’t understood at 23. His father—before he became the Dark One—had always spoken sadly of love, had seemed almost wary of it.  As the Dark One, he’d been mocking towards it.  Though even he had apparently been caught up in its magic, with this mysterious Belle character…but no one had prepared Neal for it. He’d fallen in love at first sight with Emma Swan.  

She had been understandably apprehensive of him, but charmed too.  She expected him to take her to a dive, somewhere they wouldn’t check her ID.  He took her out for cocoa instead and brought her to one of his favorite spots—a deserted amusement park.  He’d never forget the utter delight on her face when he turned the lights of the carousel on.  It was at that moment he wanted to do nothing but make her eyes sparkle like that for the rest of his life.

They’d sat together on that carousel and talked.  She’d asked him his story and he was tempted to say, “Which one?” He’d lived so many lives across the years he sometimes wasn’t even sure who he was anymore.  

She’d asked about his past and he’d admitted to her his problems with his father. He had shoved his fear and hatred for Rumplestiltskin in a dark place in his heart; it was unbelievable that he was sharing it all with her now, even confessing how he missed having a home.  

Their gaze had met and for the first time in a long time, Neal felt like he had a home.  Wherever Emma was…was home.  

And that night in the sheriff’s office, when she kissed him, something in his heart settled and Neal felt like coming home again.  

Everything in his mind went blank.  There was only Emma, only how right it felt for her to be in his arms once more, the feel of her soft lips against his, the tangle of her golden curls in his fingers.  This was right, this was real, this was home, and he was never going to let it go again…

The phone rang.  They were abruptly ripped back into reality and Emma dove for the phone like a drowning woman would grab a life preserver.  Panting a little, she answered the phone.

“Hello?”

Neal watched her, his fingers twitching.  She glanced at him, the color in her cheeks rising.  

“Yeah, fine. I’m…I’m going to get her. And then I’ll question her. Yes, I’ll let her know you’ll be present. Okay. See you then.”

She hung up the phone.  She stared at her desk like it would reveal her fortune and Neal cleared her throat. She straightened and looked at him.

“That was Regina. She wants to be present when I question Mary Margaret.”

He nodded.  They stared at each other, unable to vocalize what had been lost.  The moment was broken.  Neal desperately wanted to snatch it back.  But did he have any right to?  

Emma crossed her arms over her chest.  “I’m…I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” Neal broke in immediately. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

She laughed harshly.  “I kissed you.”

“Yeah, well, I kissed you back.”

There was another long pause while Neal pondered what to do next.  Emma wiped her chin absently and Neal tried to reclaim his frazzled mind.  

“I should—I should go,” He said finally. “Get some sleep. You should too. I’ll…I’ll call you tomorrow morning, okay?”

She nodded but did not meet his gaze.  He quickly strode out of her office as fast as he possibly could.  

Running away again, coward?

Neal ignored the hateful thought.  He thought vaguely that perhaps he ought to do as he’d told Emma, go back to the cabin and sleep.  But he had more important business.  He turned the corner and heaved a sigh of relief.

The light in Mr. Gold’s pawnshop was still on.  He strode forward and banged on the door.  

Sweat beaded his forehead.  He exhaled again when he heard the slow footsteps of his father approach the door and open it.  Gold said nothing about the lateness of the hour, Neal’s frazzled appearance.  

“Mary Margaret needs your help,” Neal said without preamble.  

Gold leaned against his cane.  “Oh?”

“It’s—it’s Regina. I’m sure of it. Regina is setting her up, framing her for the murder of Kathryn Nolan. You have to help her. Mary Margaret needs a good lawyer and fast.”

Neal felt dizzy.  He was actually asking his father for help.  Was he insane?  Whenever his father helped him, people died!  But the heat from Emma’s kiss, his fear for what would happen next, everything scrambled his mind.  

“I was already intending on offering my services,” Gold said smoothly. “Pro bono, of course. I know what I charge her for rent, after all.”

Neal stilled.  “You were going to—why? What do you get out of it?”

Gold said nothing.  He watched him and picked up a silver chalice.  He polished it carefully and Neal watched the methodical movements in frustration.  

“What are you trying to do?”

For some reason, the question cast a shadow across Gold’s face.  It disappeared as quickly as it appeared, but Neal, who was an expert at his father’s expressions, felt very cold.  All of this was a chess match to his father. He was placing different pieces on the board, arranging his surroundings until the moment he would strike.  To trap a queen—but which queen?  

Neal turned and walked out of his father’s shop.

                                                                       XXXX

Neal did not call Emma.  Instead, the two of them gave each other a very wide berth as Emma conducted her investigation.  He trusted that she would call him if she needed any help.  But he needed to figure out what exactly Gold was up to.  

What did Gold want?  The obvious answer was power.  But didn’t he have power here in Storybrooke?  Aside from occasionally going toe to toe with Regina, but overtaking her didn’t seem to be a priority of his.  But if he remembered who he was…what else would he want?

The answer struck Neal like lightning as he entered Granny’s diner. Gold would want magic.  

But this world had no magic.  So how on earth could he—

Neal stiffened when he noticed August talking to Henry at the counter. He marched over and snatched August’s shoulder.

   “What did I tell you about talking to my son?” He growled.  

August sighed dramatically.  “Always so suspicious! I was just offering Henry a little friendly advice.”

“Dad, he believes in the book!” Henry said excitedly. “He could help with Operation Cobra!”

“He can help by getting the hell out of here,” Neal said very softly, in a tone uncomfortably reminiscent of Gold’s.  August well remembered Neal’s fists and hastily made his exit.  

Nolan took the newly unoccupied seat.  “Henry, I want you stay away from that guy.”

“But Dad!” Henry complained. “We need all the help we can get. And he’s right. He said we need proof to help Miss Blanchard and we do.”

“Emma is working on finding proof,” Neal nodded at Granny in thanks as she filled him a mug of coffee. “We have to trust her on that.”

“Yeah, well, we found a big knife in Miss Blanchard’s heating vent,” Henry informed him loftily. “And my mom obviously planted it there. So we’re finding proof in the other direction.”

“Does Emma believe the knife belonged to Mary Margaret?”

“Of course not!”

“Then trust her to find the truth. That’s something Emma’s really good at,” Neal took a long sip of coffee. “In the meantime—I mean it, Henry. Stay away from August. He’s not a good guy and he could get you into trouble.”

Henry sized his father up.  “How do you know him?”

Neal hesitated.  He didn’t want to keep secrets from his son.  Rumplestiltskin lived in secrets and darkness; Neal wanted his relationship with Henry open and honest.  But how could he tell his son such a thing?  That August had played upon his insecurities, frightened him with his warnings of Emma’s destiny and the Enchanted Forest—and had convinced him to leave her?  Could Henry ever forgive such weakness?  

“Look,” Neal put his hand on Henry’s shoulder. “I just want you to trust me on this one, okay? Stay away from him. Promise me?”  

Henry’s brow furrowed and Neal was strongly reminded of Emma.  After a long moment, Henry nodded.  

“I just want to help prove that Miss Blanchard’s innocent,” He sighed and pushed his now cold hot cocoa away.

“I know it’s frustrating,” Neal acknowledged and ruffled Henry’s hair. “But trust me, kid. Emma knows what she’s doing. And I’m looking into it too. If Regina is setting her up—”

Henry’s eyes lit up.  “I’ve got it!” He crowed.

Before Neal could ask what he was talking about, his son hugged him fiercely and dashed out of the diner as fast as his short legs could carry him.  

                                                        XXXX

Neal wasn’t able to catch his son the day after, to find out what exactly had inspired his outburst.  But he learned that Mary Margaret had accepted Gold’s help and her arraignment was scheduled for the following morning.  At the very least, Neal had confidence in his father’s talents.  He would keep Mary Margaret from being arrested. Not everyone could nearly beat a man to death and persuade (or blackmail) a judge to ignore the matter.  

The rest of the day was quiet but very busy.  Jefferson nearly overwhelmed him with odd jobs the entire day, so much so, that by the end of the evening, Neal almost decided to crash at Granny’s inn rather than make the long trek home.  It was still freezing and nothing seemed more unpleasant than a cold, windy walk back to the cabin.  It hadn’t been the first time he’d crashed at Granny’s.  And he could check in at the sheriff’s office first thing in the morning. Maybe bring Emma some coffee…

But he still hadn’t talked to her about that kiss.  Did she even want to see him?  

Finally, Neal decided to walk home.  He needed the time to figure out if it was even worth broaching the topic of the kiss.  Emma was completely immersed in Mary Margaret’s case—as well she should be. It wasn’t really time to talk about the nature of their relationship.  He should leave it alone.  He knew better than to push Emma.  No one could deny she had walls—many she’d built because of him—but breaking them down forcefully would only wreck her further.  

He’d nearly reached the cabin on Jefferson’s land when he noticed something odd.

There were lights on in Jefferson’s house.  

At any other moment, this would not have concerned Neal.  Jefferson was something of a night owl and Neal had gotten used to his odd employer taking walks at 3AM, occasionally skulking around the gardens in the middle of the night, or even having an all night nightcap, which he often invited Neal to join in.  But Jefferson had specifically told him that he would be out of town tonight and it was doubly urgent that Neal complete all of the errands by that evening.  

Why would Jefferson have lied to him about being out of town?  It made no difference to Neal.  They weren’t exactly friends.  Neal didn’t care what Jefferson did or didn’t do.  

Unless…had he dumped all of those errands on Neal to keep him away from the house?

  The idea was paranoid.  But Neal couldn’t seem to escape the niggling feeling that something was off.  And he’d learned at this point in his life it was best to trust his instincts.  The last time he hadn’t, Graham had ended up dead.  

Jefferson was always extending invitations for drinks.  He would go up, have a glass of beer with him, see if anything was amiss, and head back home.  No problem.  

Neal cast one more longing look towards his cabin and shut out the yearnings for his nice, warm bed.  He trudged up the hill towards Jefferson’s front door and raised his hand to knock. He then thought better of it and tried the handle.  

To his surprise and unease, it yielded immediately.  

He stepped inside.  “Jefferson? You here?”

The house was eerily quiet.  It had always been far too big a place for one person and Neal had repeatedly told him so.  Jefferson always smiled an odd little smile and agreed.  

“Hey,” Neal called out again. “It’s Neal. Everything okay? I thought you were going out of town tonight.”

He continued to walk down the hallway.  He thought he heard something, a scraping noise, metal against stone. He followed the sound and turned a corner—and nearly ran into Emma and Mary Margaret.

“Emma?!” Neal said thunderstruck. “What are you doing here?”

“Neal, thank God!” Relief broke over Emma’s face. “We have to get out of here. Right now. He’s crazy! He tied Mary Margaret up!”

“Keep your voices down!” Mary Margaret implored. “He’ll hear us!”

“Neal, quick, we have to—”

They were interrupted by the click of a pistol cocking.  

“Sorry, Neal,” Jefferson said ruefully aiming the gun towards them. “I really didn’t want you to be here for this.”

                                                     XXXX

“What the hell is going on?! What the hell are you doing?”

Jefferson clucked sympathetically and pointed the gun at all of them.  “You should’ve stayed in Storybrooke tonight, Neal.”

“Put the damn gun down!” Neal moved bodily in front of Emma and Mary Margaret.

“I’m afraid that just isn’t possible,” Jefferson sighed. “Emma. Tie Spot back up, please.”

Neal calculated his odds.  He was likely to get shot if he rushed Jefferson but there was a chance he’d only hit Neal, and the scuffle would give Emma and Mary Margaret a chance to escape. But before he could make a move, Emma placed a hand on his shoulder.  

He looked at her and she shook her head.  After so long, how could she read him so well?

“Single file, please,” Jefferson said in a bored voice. “Forward march.”

They slowly walked into a small, dark room, where a trembling Mary Margaret returned to her seat.  Emma whispered something to her and tied her wrists and replacing the gag.  She then turned to Jefferson.

“Your telescope,” She accused. “You’ve been watching me.”

“You’ve what?!” Neal thundered.

“It points towards the Sheriff’s office,” Emma’s eyes never left Jefferson’s face. “Why?”

“I need you to do something for me,” Jefferson replied quietly. “Neal—if you make any move towards me, I swear, I will blow Miss Swan’s head off. Let’s go.”

He must have noticed Neal’s fingers twitching.  Boiling hot rage coursed through Neal’s veins and he said in a low voice.

“Is this why you hired me? To get close to Emma?”

Jefferson didn’t answer.  He nudged them out of the room, indifferent to Mary Margaret’s screams, and prodded them forward.  He took them to a small room Neal had never seen before, lined with top hats.  

“Sit down, Neal,” Jefferson ordered. “Hand me that cell phone in your pocket. And keep quiet.”  Neal obeyed, regretfully.  

“I don’t know what you think you’re doing,” Emma burst out. “But if you hurt my friend, I swear I’ll make you regret it.”

“Hurt her? I’m saving her life.” Jefferson said softly, walking towards her not unlike a lion stalks its prey.  

“How do you figure that?” Emma demanded.    

“Don’t play stupid. We all know what happens when people try to leave Storybrooke.”

And in that moment, it hit Neal like a ton of bricks.  Jefferson knew.  He knew everything.  He knew about the curse, he knew who he was, where he came from…did he know about Neal?! Did he know who his father was?!

“The curse is keeping us all trapped,” Jefferson murmured. “All except you two.”

“Have you been reading Henry’s book?” Emma said perplexed.

“Henry and his book of stories,” Jefferson mused. “The ones that Emma chooses to ignore—but Neal pays very close attention to. Ever wonder why?”

Neal’s fists clenched.  Emma glanced at Neal in bewilderment.  

“For the last twenty-eight years,” Jefferson began to circle the room, like a vulture, keeping the pistol aimed high. “I’ve been stuck in this house. Day after day, always the same. Until one night, you two roll into town, the clock ticks, and things start to change. You see…I know what you refuse to acknowledge, Emma. You’re special. You brought something precious to Storybrooke—magic.”

“You’re insane,” Emma said flatly.

“Interesting,” Jefferson bared his teeth. “Perhaps you’re the one who’s mad. After all, what’s crazier than seeing and not believing? Ask Neal. He knows.”

Without waiting for this, however, Jefferson took Emma by the shoulders and sat her down at the table across from Neal.  The table was littered with sewing supplies, pins and pincushions, scissors of all sizes, scraps of fabric.  

Jefferson bent and rested his chin on Emma’s head, staring at Neal blankly. “She’s the only one that can do it, Neal,” His voice was barely above a whisper. “She’s going to get it to work.”

And in that moment, Neal realized who he was.

The Mad Hatter.  

“The hats…” Neal sucked in his breath.  Magic hats that could open a portal.  

“The tea!” Emma exclaimed. “Your psychotic behavior. You think you’re the Mad Hatter.”

Jefferson clearly did not like to be called that.  “My name is Jefferson.”

“Okay,” Emma set down the piece of fabric and took a deep breath. “You’ve clearly glommed onto our kid Henry’s thing. They’re just stories. The Mad Hatter is in Alice in Wonderland—a book. A book I actually read!”

“Stories…” Jefferson smiled a little. “Stories. Tell me, Neal. What do you think of these stories? In high school, you studied the Civil War, yes? You learned that in perchance a book? And what are storybooks based on? Imagination? Where does that come from? Neal—where do you come from?!”

“Jefferson,” Neal said in a low voice. “You can’t—you—”

“This is it!” Emma gestured around her. “This is the real world.”

“A real world,” Jefferson corrected.  He leaned towards her, across the table. “How arrogant are you to think yours is the only one? There are infinite more. You have to open your mind. They touch one another, pressing up in a long line of lands. Each just as real as the last. All have their own rules. Some have magic, some don’t. And some need magic. Like this one. And that’s where you come in.”

Jefferson pointed the blade of the scissors towards Emma while keeping the pistol firmly trained on Neal. “You, Spot, and Neal are not leaving here until you make my hat. Until you get it to work.”

The scissors clattered as he dropped them in front of Emma.  Both she and Neal jumped at the noise.  Jefferson smirked a little at their tenseness and spun around towards Neal.  

“I truly did not want you involved,” He said apologetically. “Believe that, at least. I know who you’re hiding from. And I know why. But I have to get my daughter back.”

“What?” The color drained from Neal’s face.

“The curse,” Jefferson told him. “He did this to find you, you know. To make all of us feel what he felt. Like everyone else, what I love has been ripped from me. Look.”

He gestured for Emma to go to the telescope.  She peered through but Neal remained rooted to the spot.  He did this to find you, you know.  To make all of us feel what he felt.

 “Her name is Grace,” The pain in Jefferson’s voice was palpable. “Here it’s Paige. But it’s Grace. My Grace. Do you have any idea what it’s like to watch her day in and day out, happy, with a new family? With a new father?”

“You think she’s your daughter?” Emma asked.

“I don’t think, I know. I remember. She has no idea who I am. Our life together, where we come from. I do. That’s my curse.”  Jefferson turned towards Neal.  He reached a shaking hand out and ran his fingers through Neal’s curls.

“Do you understand now?” Jefferson asked quietly. “Do you understand what he’s done to me? To all of us?”

“What—what who’s done?!” Emma asked, her eyes flitting between Jefferson and Neal nervously.

“Jefferson,” Neal’s mouth was dry. “I—I’m so sorry. I didn’t—I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want him to find me. I never did. I just—”

“I know,” Jefferson nodded frantically. “I know. You and I are the same, Neal. We will do whatever it takes to get our family back.”

“That’s why you want me to make the hat.”

They both turned to look at Emma.  Her expression was vulnerable.

“You just want to take Grace home,” She exhaled slowly. “To your world.”

Jefferson stared at her.  “You believe?”

“If what you say is true, that woman in the other room is my mother. And I want to believe that more than anything in the world. So maybe you’re right. Maybe I need to open myself up more. Maybe, if I want magic, I have to start believing.” Emma stepped towards Jefferson.  

“So you’re—you’re going to help me? You can get it to work?” Jefferson was half-begging.  His voice trembled and Neal’s heart broke for him.  

This was all because of him.  The curse, Storybrooke, all of it—all of it had been done because Rumplestiltskin was trying to hunt him down.

It was all his fault.

Emma swallowed hard.  “I can try.”

He backed away and turned to grab the hat Emma had haphazardly stitched together. But as he did so, Emma seized the telescope and knocked him unconscious.  He fell to the floor instantly.

“Crazy son of a bitch!” Emma burst out and snatched the gun. “Neal, are you okay?!”

“I’m fine,” Neal stood up and embraced her. “Are you? Did he do anything to you?”

“He drugged me, but that’s it. You got here before anything else could happen. C’mon, we’ve gotta get out of here!” She grabbed his arm and tried to pull him along with her, but Neal stopped short.

“You get Mary Margaret out of here,” Neal told her. “I’ll keep an eye on the Mad Hatter here. Then come back here and arrest this asshole.”

“You sure?” Emma handed him the gun.

“Don’t worry about it,” Neal said grimly. “I’d like to have a few words with him in any case.”  

Emma nodded curtly.  “Here. Time him up.”  She handed him scraps of fabric that would do as light ropes.  Neal bent down and tied Jefferson’s wrists together tightly.  The Mad Hatter’s eyes flickered slightly and Neal kicked him in the gut for good measure.

“I won’t be gone more than fifteen minutes,” Emma promised. “I have to get Mary Margaret back to her cell before her arraignment.”

“I got him,” Neal said, still staring at Jefferson’s unconscious form. “Go.”

“Neal…” Emma hesitated. “I just—about what happened the other night—”

He gave her a half-smile.  “You know, I was all worried about bringing it up with you because you had so much going on. And now you’re bringing it up right after you’ve been drugged and tied up?”

“Okay, fair enough,” Emma coughed. “Raincheck?”

“Raincheck. Get out of here.”

                                                           XXXX

When Jefferson awoke, he was tied to a chair facing Neal, a gun pointed directly at his head.  

“Let’s review,” Neal said in a dangerous voice. “You hired me so you could keep a close watch on Emma and figure out her movements. You drugged the mother of my child and tied her up. You terrorized her mother and tied her up. And you tried to force her to send you back to the Enchanted Forest. Am I missing anything?”

Jefferson spat a wad of blood on the ground. “Neal…”

“Trust me, I sympathize,” The dangerous glint in Neal’s gaze faded slightly. “I get the desire to get your kid back at any cost. But you cross a goddamn line when you endanger my family.”

“You have to let me go,” Jefferson pleaded. “Before she gets back.”

Neal laughed harshly.  “Oh yeah? And why the hell should I do that?”

“Because I know where Belle is.”

[weapon13whitefang]

TWD 9X5 [What Comes After] Thoughts and Feelings - Late Response.

With things at work being completely crazy, I haven’t had the energy when I get home to work on my breakdown of the show, so this is a little later than I meant to post it (like cutting it close later!). But it’s here and I just have a lot to say about this.

So on my way to work / during work, I was listening to @dynamicsymmetry AKA Sunny and their thoughts on the show. They give a very honest opinion on the show and while I do not always agree with them, they are good to listen to when it comes to me trying to outline what I want to talk about / what I need to think about with this show. So give them a listen! I enjoy their podcast immensely no matter how I agree or disagree with something and to me that’s a good podcast.

So, onto the show.

I’m going to flat out be honest; I did cry. Not like burst into tears crying. But more like I just got emotional. It hit me that even though I knew Rick would be okay (I just knew this wasn’t the end of Rick Grimes because of the way the damn show was advertising it, the constant talk of the bridge, and the whole emotional investigation Rick had to this whole Savior idea AKA we all know that shit needed to be aired out before anything could be done), I wasn’t ready to see his friends and family suffer.

Seeing Michonne have to be restrained – just like she had to do Maggie back at the end of AoW was heartbreaking and it just hit me that the women on this show do not have good luck with loved ones (Or the Gay folks either). Michonne – like a lot of fucking people on this show – has lost a lot. She’s lost two sons – her biological and the son that was also a true friend who helped bring her out of a dark place – and she lost a very close friend – Andrea – and has now lost the man she loves and has only Judith left of anything that brings her close to Carl (since technically Judith is Shane’s… Or maybe not, but that’s what Michonne and Rick believed) and Rick (in spirit!) and it’s just… Maggie’s line about raising a child on your own… Ouch.

Daryl’s reaction killed me more than I thought it would, actually. I was ready to be hurt by Daryl loosing Rick but I wasn’t ready for the pain that gave me that, for a good reason, Daryl is going to never return from this and he is never going to let himself forgive his actions – how he lead Rick so far out even if he didn’t want to hurt Rick it still got him hurt, how he didn’t make Rick get on the fucking bike with him, how the last thing Rick said to him was “You, too” as in you be safe as well…  There’s just so much there and the way Norman played that scene – the lip wobble, the complete pain and disbelief, the utter horror – was amazing and beautiful… It was just as heart wrenching as watching him loose it after Merle was found and he had to put him down because that was another brother lost…. Also the look they shared before Rick blew up the bridge like yeah thanks, Rick, Daryl needed that memory too!

Okay! Had to get that out of the way and just say, yes, I had an emotional reaction to the damn “death” even though I smelled and saw that shit coming two thousand million miles away… Sometimes being a theatre and cinema major can just make TV shows not as surprising to watch, ya know?

Now let’s talk about – first – the side story that happened with Maggie and Michonne and Maggie and Negan.

I’ll start with Maggie and Michonne because I loved that scene but there was a part that did actually kind of piss me the fuck off and I’ll explain. First off, you have two very strong characters – two strong women – facing once another with two different choices… But also similar views. We all probably agree that a part of Michonne did believe that, yes, Rick did not have the right to make the final call on Negan. There’s a lot of calls Rick did not have the right to make without coming to an understanding with the others. But I’ll talk about how I’m glad he tried what he did.

So Maggie wants Negan dead because of Glenn. Michonne wanted Negan alive to help Rick honor what Carl wanted. Like Rick, she also couldn’t let go of Carl… But Michonne understood things better and was seeing things better. I really wasn’t surprised when she consented to giving Maggie the key to Negan’s cell. Because as I said, of course she knows what Maggie feels. Because she understands. But she wanted to give this to Rick and to what Carl wanted… But it isn’t up to her or Rick. None of the big choices with the Saviors and Negan should’ve been completely left to Rick.

Michonne steps aside and lets Maggie go… Now I’m okay with that. What I am NOT okay with is the line Maggie has about how she doesn’t know what Glenn would have wanted… That is complete and utter cockadoodle bullshit. Maggie… You are telling me that after all this time, all the private moments, all your memories with Glenn… That you don’t know what kind of person, what kind of choices, Glenn would make? Because I fucking know. I believe Glenn would not want you to kill someone in cold revenge and blood. And fuck off everyone who says “Well Glenn was gonna try to kill the Governor to get revenge for what he did to him and Maggie-“ NO. Shush. Yes, Glenn was in a dark place at that point… But Glenn DID NOT do it. Why? Because Hershel snapped him the fuck out of it and Glenn pulled himself out of that dark hole the rest of the way to be there for Maggie. He thought of her and his family before making a choice to back off. So yes, Glenn had his rage out moment. But he still chose to be bigger than his revenge and anger. Which is what I believe Glenn would’ve wanted for Maggie. “Maggie, I’ll find you” wasn’t just Glenn’s last words of “I’ll see you in the afterlife”. It was “I’ll find you in spirit and be with you and help you in your dark times”. That’s what that line spoke to me as Glenn was dying. That’s his final words to Maggie and I think, while tragic, it’s beautiful… So Maggie, dude, you KNOW what Glenn would’ve wanted and it’s bullshit for you to say otherwise.

I’m not gonna talk too much about the Negan VS Maggie shit, but I have seen people saying “he only said that because it’s what Maggie wants and he’s manipulating her” and… Yeah. A part of me agrees with it… But I also think not. Negan at that moment was still not completely in his head because of Michonne revealing what happened to “Lucille” AKA the bat. I believe that a part of Negan is a little unbalanced right now. But I believe he’s not so totally out of it that he can’t try to manipulate a situation. That’s something they told us. Negan is a manipulative person. That’s how he was in the comics and that’s how he is in the show. He manipulated the others to follow his way. He manipulated Rick. He tried to manipulate Daryl with psychological torture with Dwight. That’s what Negan does… So while I believe he was genuine in his “kill me”, I also believe a part of it was a manipulation to Maggie. I wouldn’t put it past his character.

I know a lot of people wanted Maggie to kill Negan but I’m glad she didn’t for her human side. I don’t really mind Negan. He’s just kind of a villain that is there for me… But I’m also glad because it gives us a chance to have this interesting choice of Judith being the one to become his new youthful communication with the outside world instead of Carl as it was in the comics… I’ll get more into that in a bit.

Now for Rick’s scenes. First off, I didn’t watch any spoilers for this episode because I wanted to be spoil free for Andy’s big moment here… And when Rick pulls his body off that slab, I about gagged. Not because it was gross, because God knows we’ve seen nastier shit on this show… But because I have never heard Rick in that much pain on the show. The pure scream of grief and agony and pain choked at me because goddamn you could FEEL that rod in his side as he pulled himself off it. That was amazing and I was there in pain with Rick. Plus getting to see him struggle to climb that horse (Rick, stay the fuck away from horse’s dude) and leave that blood on it’s pure white coloring was so… Beautiful and tragic looking.

Let’s start with the first visit. His iconic image of riding into Atlanta on his horse, an image so popular they used it to promote the show in season one and played it heavily in the trailers because of how surreal it was to the audience back then. It’s still one of my favorite TWD images honestly. And having Rick once again trotting down the road into the city was a nice little nudge… But also an interesting start for him to meet up with Shane again.

So before I get into Shane, we have three big scenes with Rick. His ride into Atalanta and running into Shane and the flipped over car. Ending up back on the farm, in the walker barn, with Hershel. Exiting the hospital hallway and stepping out into a sea of dead bodies and running into Sasha… The transition of these scene and the set up of them interests me because… They’re kind of out of order. Now of course we had the scene of Rick looking at his younger self in the hospital and looking outside and seeing birds turn into helicopters, so technically we have four big scenes with run ins with different characters. Because, yes, Season 1 Rick is not Season 9 Rick… But it’s the order that surprises me.

Twice Rick is back in Atlanta. Twice he in the hospital area. If you go in order, it should be Rick with Shane in the patrol car, Rick in the hospital, Rick going to Atlanta, and then making it to the farm. Now of course this is a fever dream so suspense of reality but I’m just fascinated that they even had Rick going to Atlanta… Because it really served no purpose. Twice.

We see Atlanta outside the window of the hospital room and then Rick is walking to Atlanta but he had no reason to be in Atlanta… Maybe if he had imagined Merle (Don’t see why the fuck he would since him and Merle were far from close) or maybe the time he met Glenn, then yeah I could understand the walk to Atlanta… But literally he’s in Atlanta and then he’s in the car with Shane in the field where he got shot… So I don’t fully understand why his brain kept taking him to Atlanta. Yes it’s where it started… But it didn’t serve anything in the fever dream… Again it’s a fever dream so it doesn’t necessarily need to mean anything but from a psychological stand point and from a viewers eyes and someone who studies film and scripts, I have to wonder why they wanted to showcase Atlanta so much… It just seems… Random. It’s really not but in some ways it is. Hmm…

But back to Shane. First off, I love Shane. He’s a complete asshole scumbag and he’s a nasty dude, but I really just was so happy when I heard we were gonna see Shane. I missed seeing Jon Bernthal outside of The Punisher and Daredevil honestly and plus, Shane was a big changing moment for Rick. Shane brought out just what Rick would do for his family. He made a choice and took down someone that was dangerous to Rick himself and the people around him. But also, it was a big change for Daryl and Rick to in terms of Daryl taking over as Rick’s right hand man and brought them closer. It’s also the big choice that put Rick in charge fully. He didn’t ask for it. It just… happened. Shane is the one who pushed Rick into this role. I believe that fully… That and I just always believed that the Sheriff in Rick was always geared to try and take over in situations. I work with our county Sheriff and I can honestly say that he would definitely try to take over as a leader in a live or die situation. So I think that was always in Rick. He’s not a good one by any means. But he is a leader type.

So at the farm, I was so emotional because seeing Scott Wilson made my heart swell and cry. RIP to this amazing character and to this amazing man that all I’ve heard is genuine love and appreciation for him from others around him and that makes me so happy that he got to have this final scene and moment with Andy and the show and as Hershel… But I will say, seeing him clean shaven again threw me off because no matter how I visualize Hershel, he still has his Santa beard lol. But they say in Heaven you’re younger looking and I thought he did look younger there so maybe he was Angel Hershel coming down to reach out to Rick (I don’t know if that’s what they were going for but it is what I felt and saw).

Anyway, Hershel shows up and has Rick look out across the land from the barn and Rick breaks down with apologies for what happened to him. But not just him. He apologizes for his family in general.

Rick: I'm so sorry for what happened to you. To Beth and Glenn. For everything Maggie's lost. Hershel: Rick. Rick: Maybe if I tried harder, done things different, listened more Hershel: My girl, she's strong, and my grandson, he'll only make her stronger.

Now of course it made me smile to hear Rick say Beth and Glenn’s name because it’s important that he acknowledge that he let these characters down. I do believe that Beth could be alive, there’s no hiding that I do… But even if she isn’t, it’s been a long time since we’ve heard Beth’s name and hearing that made me smile and sigh because it’s something.

This whole scene with Hershel was beautiful in that it was Rick talking to his heart. Hershel was his heart while Shane was Rick’s drive to make the heavy discussions – his strength. Hershel taught Rick that you still have to have heart in this world because you can’t just rely on physical strength alone. That’s what Hershel was for Rick. His heart and faith and this peaceful talk in the barn was just so heartwarming to me. I’m very happy for it.

So now for the scene that everyone was ready for and a scene from the comic covers… Rick in the field of bodies. So Rick ends up back in the hallway of the hospital he woke up in. Instead of running away from the chained door, he goes to the chained door… Which instead of reading “Don’t Open, Dead Inside” it reads “Don’t Open, Dead Outside”. Rick opens the door and outside we just see bodies upon bodies. Around Rick’s feet are the dead. Around his feet are the dead bodies of his family and friends.

Interestingly, this is where people from TD jerked up because we get a shot… of Beth. Of course it’s not Emily Kinney, it’s a stand in (I’m thinking she couldn’t come on due to maybe some scheduled conflict or something) and she’s wearing the yellow polo with blood all over her arm and none on the back of her head.

So here’s my bit of TD for you. One, I think the blood on her arm is from Daryl shooting Dawn. Dawn fell near or on top of Beth’s body when Daryl shot her. The way she jerks and falls down makes me think she fell on Beth… And the blood we see in the last shot of Beth’s hand, is Dawn’s blood. The shot we see of the blood pooling by Beth is Dawn’s since one, her body fell forward and when you have a massive head wound and lean forward, blood pools out (I have confirmation from my father whose head was split open after he was run over by a four-wheeler and the hole was big enough for my grandfathers hand to fit straight down without touching either side... A lot of blood pulled out every time he leaned forward or took a step).

Two, she’s not wearing the sweater and is just in the polo shirt and… Rick never saw Beth wearing just the polo shirt. I’m pretty sure the last time he saw Beth before the exchange, Beth was wearing the dirty grayish blue tank top over the yellow tank top thing and her jeans and boots… And when Daryl carried Beth out / during the exchange, Beth was wearing the gray button up sweater with the yellow polo underneath… So where is the sweater? Also, interestingly, Sasha is wearing the outfit she wore in S4. Daryl is wearing the outfit for season 9, Maggie from season 8 I believe, and Jesus season six and seven… Basically everyone is in different states of dress from different seasons and it’s interesting to me because for some that’s how Rick first saw them or how he sees them now… Or how he remembers them in general like with Sasha. Everyone except for Beth… Because Rick never saw her wearing just the polo shirt…

Now I’m thinking “Listen, Linds, this doesn’t mean anything”… But it’s a costume choice. This is the outfit they chose to put Beth – the stand in – in and it’s not an outfit Rick last saw her in or even knows… Also, the blood on Beth’s arm – on her right arm – is also the same side Rick was bleeding on and where all the blood was coming from.

Also, like everyone else, I did notice that she didn’t have her head wound… Now that doesn’t throw me off that much because like Sunny said in their podcast, everyone does look peaceful and a lot of them do have blood on them… But it is fascinating that Maggie and Beth have blood on them – we can see it. I don’t see any on Daryl or Carol. There’s a smudge on Jesus’s forehead to the left…. But I don’t see any on anyone else that’s team family… Which is interesting because Maggie is basically gonna be M.IA. for the rest of the season, Beth is considered dead, and it’s been rumored that Jesus is going to be dead (I don’t think he’s gonna die but I do think he’s going to disappear for a bit).

So little shit like that caught my eye and was fascinating to me…

On to Sasha! So am I the only one that was fascinated that it was Sasha standing up from the bodies… When back in I think S5, Sasha was killing walkers and then laying in a hole with them… She was laying among the dead. Now she’s standing among the dead with Rick in his fever dream… I thought that was kind of a nice little opposite parallel to how Sasha was then to how she is for Rick here… Plus I just was happy to see her. People seem to forget that Maggie isn’t the only one who lost someone she loved… Sasha had lost Abraham. Rosita lost Abe a long time ago and sure it hurt her and she she still deeply cared about him when he was killed, but Sasha loved Abe and Abe loved Sasha and she lost him and that really hurt her… So seeing her speak such hopeful, peaceful things to Rick… It was where Sasha was always trying to be with Bob and then later with Abe; at peace. It’s Sasha taking on the side that Tyreese was always trying to teach her to be and I think that’s beautiful.

BUT Like a lot of people and like Sunny said… I was surprised. I was expecting Glenn… And the stuff Sasha was saying is stuff I would expect to have Glenn say to Rick. So I agree with Sunny on that and kinda have to ponder if Steven Yeun simply couldn’t come/didn’t want to come or if they really just had Sonequa in mind… Also! I’m a little frustrated we didn’t get to see Carl or Lori. I mean I’m glad Rick saw Michonne but Lori and Carl were his family too, dammit.. I get it. The actors probably couldn’t/didn’t want to but… I don’t know, I wish we could’ve seen more characters from Rick’s past (I’m telling you, if Rick had seen Merle I would be cackling cause you know he’d say “Officer Friendly” to him lol) like Andrea or even Jim would’ve been interesting since that’s the first victim Rick had to leave behind/couldn’t really help you know? Or even seeing a flash of Sophia – the Barn scene was there but Sophia was also a big moment for Rick – would’ve been interesting… I just feel they missed a chance to really dig at Rick’s past. But I’m also aware they might not have been able to so… Yeah.

Now… I want to jump to the time jump. First off, I’m not sure exactly how many years have passed… Between season eight and none, it was said a year and six months – by Maggie – had passed since Glenn died… The AoW took place over about a week or two so… Yeah about eighteen months… So Judith had to be another year older, give or take… Now she’s supposed to be around ten years old (as stated by many articles) – similar age to how old Carl was in the comics (I believe he was 9 in the beginning) – and that means that she was around four/five when Rick died and that means that it’s been about five/six years later by the end of the episode…

First off, Judith Grimes is wearing the Sheriff hat (A symbol for Carl and Rick), has Rick’s gun (wonder if they found it among the rubble of the bridge looking for something of him), a katana (to represent Michonne), but did you all see that she is wearing a purple plaid shirt… Which is what Lori wore in many of her season photos and in the show… So they have Judith paying tribute to Carl, Rick, Michonne, and her biological mother Lori… Now we just need her to rub her head a lot and she can be showing signs of Shane (I kid I kid LOL!).

Is it a bit fanservice? Of fucking course it is… But who cares? This is a zombie show. I stopped caring about realistic shit forever ago with this show lol. Plus I kind of like it. It makes sense for Judith to be… Well, kind of a little asskicker. First off, that’s a tribute to Daryl nicknaming her that. Plus this is a child that completely grew up in this kind of world. Carl was still old enough to remember the old world. Judith only knows this world. It makes sense to me that she’d be more “adjusted” than anyone on this show. You grow as your environment allows and this is the world Judith knows… SO I’m okay with her being a little fanservice like… Now I just need to hear her call Daryl “Uncle Daryl” please!

And… I am beyond fascinated by her taking Carl’s roll to talk to Negan. To seem to have formed some kind of semi-comfortable relationship to Negan of all people… Think about it. Negan, the man who once had a Harem and who tried to kill her family, becoming some kind of associate to Judith is fascinating... It’s very similar to Carl in the comics (not completely since Carl was pretty vicious in the comics and Judith doesn’t seem vicious to me… yet) so… I’m very curious about this. Because Negan in the comic does a few things to try and make Carl trust him and even considers Carl a friend… I wont spoil that for those that haven’t read it but man I’m so so so interested to see where they take Judith’s character now that she’s older (Plus, hello, she’s played by Baby Rey! I may not be the biggest fan of the new Sta Wars movies but I did like Rey enough that I perked up when I saw it was Cailey Fleming… I can’t wait to watch this little girl get to grow her acting chops on the show).

So overall for the episode as a whole… It was a good episode. I’m heartbroken that Daryl has been off on his own in the woods in a crappy tent for the last five-six years but hey, least he gets a dog… That’s nice. I’m interested to see the new folks (especially Magna and Yumiko… Honestly, I’m excited for Connie and Kelly too because in the comics Connie isn’t deaf and Kelly in the comics was a male and Connie was his girlfriend… So they’re going way different here and I love it) and I’m VERY intrigued by the fact they’re focusing on Radio signals and reaching out to new people again.

Tonight’s episode is going to be fun, I think. I’m ready to see how everything is after the time jump and how they explain somethings and what’s changed.

[kneesheee]

Sweet Pea’s Sapphire

|four|

WARNINGS: SMUT AND VIOLENCE

A few days had passed and somehow Toni had managed to convince Sapphire to return to the school. Her high grades and the money she funds it being the only reason she was allowed the two weeks of unexcused absences off.                

Sapphire grumbled but she went to the school in her simplest outfit to date. Black skinny legs, a random band tee, her serpent jacket, her favorite converses, and her hair thrown in a ponytail. She looked nothing like Sapphire anyone was used to let alone the heiress to her family’s company.

               She had been walking out of physics when it happened. The doors to the school burst opened and police started grabbing everyone wearing the serpent emblem including her. Sapphire screamed in shock and outrage as they yanked on her and threw her against a locker.

               She blinked, and she saw two officers throwing Sweet Pea, Toni, and Fangs on lockers further down from her. But she saw red when she saw her den also get pinned. Sapphire snarled with anger as she fought the officers even as she had been handcuffed.

               “What the fuck! Let me go!”

               The police said nothing as they carried her out through the doors. “How the fuck are you going to arrest me! I know you see those walking glitter sticks doing jingle jangle over there! I’m getting all of you fired!”

               She had been lowered and pushed into a cop car with Toni being pushed in right beside her. Both girls looked at each other with glares of anger before Toni nodded her head outside the window. She watched the mayor look at them being led out and tossed around like animals while wearing a smirk.

               It is fucking on.

When Sapphire was walked into the station alongside the rest of the Serpents, she immediately smiled the second she saw her lawyer who rushed over and demanded that Sapphire be let free. The second the cuffs went off it took everything Sapphire had to not put her fist in Mayor McCoy’s face.

But she did walk up to the women and snarled, “You’re going to call every single one of their parents for a pick up right now! Or I swear I will take it to the judge that none of us had our rights read to us. Let alone the fact that you didn’t have a fucking warrant.”

               Mayor McCoy furrowed her brows at Sapphire, “And who are you?”

               “I’m Sapphire Motherfucking Stone, you old hag. And you just crossed private property without permission. I doubt you want to go in front of a judge with that!”

               Mayor McCoy bristled at the insult before replied coolly with, “Southside High is the town of Riverdale property.”

               Sapphire only laughed as she watched the police looking particularly angry that by law they had to free the same people they had just arrested. “As of yesterday afternoon, Southside High of Riverdale became the property of Stone Enterprises and functions now as a private schooling. Don’t believe me? My lawyer has the papers with her.”

               Her lawyer, Ms. Bow, stepped up behind her and fumbled through her papers until she pulled out the deed she had just picked up from the Sheriff and then showed off the printed email that came from the Mayor’s office in agreement to the payment. Mayor McCoy’s eyes furrowed as she looked at the paperwork in front of her before turning to look back at Sapphire who wore a bitter smirk.

               “Checkmate, bitch.” -- Sapphire had been leaning in Sweet Pea’s embrace as she watched FP’s son get ready for his race against the ghoulie leader, Malachai. She hadn’t wanted to come but her friends declared that she need to get out the house and what better way than seeing one of their fellow Serpents race for the ultimate control of the school.

She watched with an uninterested eye as Toni moved to kick off the race when Cheryl Blossom got in the way to do instead. But Sapphire didn’t pay too much attention to that. No, she paid attention to the way Toni looked at the other girl.

And though it disgusted her that Toni would hold interest in Cheryl Blossom of all people, she made a promise to herself to get them together. If Toni actually felt that way about the girl.

Sapphire phone rang, and an unfamiliar number popped up. A number with a San Junipero zip code. She answered the phone quickly.

“Hello,” she stated hesitantly catching the attention of her three friends.

The familiar sound of her brother’s voice comes through the phone and Sapphire swear her heart stopped beating, “Sapphire? Mi hermana?”

“Quin,” she stated breathlessly, and all her friends stood up straight as they looked at her. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I heard about what happened. Are you okay? Are you alright?”

Tears gathered in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “No. I’m not. Quin, please, I just… I need my brother back. Please. Everything’s been going to hell.”

“I can’t do that, mi hermana. You know that; not until everything cools down,” Joaquin replied from his end of the phone. But before Sapphire could reply, Jughead zoomed back down towards them and screamed for them to leave. The cops were on their way.

“Shit. I gotta go, Joaquin. I love you and don’t be a fucking stranger. If you’re going to be running off, the least you could do is keep in contact,” she snapped before she hung up the phone and placed back in her pocket. She jumped onto the back of Sweet Pea’s motorcycle and wrapped her arms around him tightly. She tucked her head in-between his shoulder blades as he took off down the road to the familiar sound of other motorcycles and cars revving up behind them. --

Sapphire watched with a satisfied yet broken smile as Nick St. Clair, battered and bruised, was walked away in handcuffs. Even mommy and daddy’s money couldn’t save him from justice especially not when other girls came forth and told their own encounters.

She was leaving the court house when his parents walked up to her and Sapphire tensed, but the only thing that happened was his mother hugging her.

“I apologize for what Nicholas done,” the lady sniffled. Her husband right beside her nodding shooting a look of disappointment at the door his son was just lead out of.

               Sapphire choked back a sob as she tried to smile, “Thank you. I’m sorry for bringing a scandal to your family name.”

               But his father shook his head quickly, “All that matters is you and those other girls received justice. I just hope this experience should open Nicholas’ eyes.”

               Sapphire only nodded because she didn’t give a damn about Nicholas’ seeing the light. If it were up to her, he’d rot in that cell of his for the rest of his miserable life. The three exchanged a few more pleasantries before Sapphire’s security team (made up of Serpents) were leading her away from all the cameras and reporters.

When she made it home, she was told to go change into something casual. She rose a brow, but did as asked before the older Serpents were dragging her out of the house and towards the Whyte Worm. She managed a smile as she saw how much room had been added on since she bought it. Enough for there to be room for the ones who couldn’t find babysitters during meetings. An arcade for when the pool table and dart boards are full. She had to deal with a lot of sulking Serpents who were sad and frustrated during the three weeks it was closed but it was worth it.

               The second she crossed the threshold she was awarded to the sight of all the Serpents standing before her with actual streamers and balloons covering the inside of the building. In the center of it all were Sweet Pea, Toni, Jughead, and Fangs. She smiled brightly as she walked into the building accepting hugs from everyone that came up to her, congratulating her on winning her case, and telling her to call them whenever she feels unsafe.

She made it to her friends and blew out the candle on the cake that Fangs was holding. “You guys… what?”

Jughead laughed a little, “We heard that you won, and that justice was served so we decided to help you celebrate.”

Sapphire smiled again and gave each of them a hug being careful to avoid the cake in Fangs’ arms. “Thank you.”

“Anything for my Gem sister,” Toni stated as she bumped her lip lightly against Sapphire’s.

“Well let’s get this party started,” Sweet Pea yelled and cheers from the other Serpents echoed through the bar. Someone near the back turned on the radio and music fluttered through the speakers. She recognized one of the songs from the mayor’s daughter band, The Pussycats.

Sweet Pea grabbed her hands and pulled her to the dance floor as their friends went ahead of her. He pulled her close to him and held her body tight as they danced against each other. Sweet Pea watched as the music seep into her bones and it was as if it wiped away weeks of stress. Color returned to her face and her eyes seemed to spark. Her smile was brighter and filled with life as she through her hair every which of way.

He watched as her dark brown eyes disappeared as she closed her eyes to moved along to beat and the way her lips moved as she sang the lyrics. He felt a heat bubble under his skin as he looked at her. Sapphire’s eyes flickered open look at Sweet Pea as she felt how intently he was staring at her. It made her nerves tingle. She noticed the way he seemed zone out as he stared at her before she looked up to his eyes and noticed how dark they had gotten. She saw the way he rolled his lips in-between his teeth and Sapphire’s heart stopped.  

She hadn’t been in this kind of position with Sweet Pea in a while. She felt how his arm wrapped tighter around her around and pulled her almost impossibly close. The two of them were still looking in each other’s eyes as the tension spike around them.

Sweet Pea had been leaning down to kiss her when a hand on her wrist pulled her away and she spinning to dance with Toni and Jughead. Her eyes were wide as she let her mind catch up to her new predicament. Sapphire laughed nervously as she once again started to dance, but she found herself trailing her eyes over to Sweet Pea who had his eyes closed groaning at the loss opportunity once again.

A few minutes later, Toni was pulling the group off the dance floor and into the room where FP deemed as his office. Inside were presents sitting on the desk from each of her friends.

Toni smiled at her best friend, “We know that you can afford to buy whatever you want, but we still tried and its really hard to buy a gift for a person that has nearly everything.”

Sapphire laughed, “I don’t have a yacht,” she teased and grabbed the gift that Fangs handed her.

When she opened it, it was branded studded dagger with a snake carve into the hilt. Fangs looked at her smile, “Just so you can have more protection in case none of us are around.”

She smiled at him and nodded. She placed the dagger into her pocket already thinking of the perfect outfit to go with it. Then Jughead passed her a bag and she pulled out a shirt with her face on. A smirk pulled at her lips.

“Fuck me, I’m sexy as shit.”

They all laughed as she fists bumped Jughead. And took the gift that Toni presented her. “I was saving this for your birthday next year.”

In it was a scrap book filled with pictures from when Sapphire was nine and had first made friends with them up until the night of the incident with Nick. “Oh, my fuck, Paz, this is… wow.”

She hugged her Gem sister tightly and placed the book by the shirt. When she turned to look at Sweet Pea, she felt lightheaded at the sight of him down on one knee.

Fangs chuckled awkwardly, “Sweets, I love you man, but if you’re proposing to Saph, I’m going to have to kick your ass in Joaquin’s and FP’s honor.”

Toni and Jughead both laughed at his words and Sweet Pea mock glared at him. “No, I’m not proposing to her. But I am asking her to be my girlfriend.” And Sapphire’s eyes widen as she watched him pull out a box and opened it. It was a charm bracelet with two charms already on it. A small sapphire and a snake charm.

Fucking cheese on a cracker. He just asked me to be his girlfriend.

“Fuck yes,” she exclaimed as the other three cheered. Sweet Pea smiled brightly before standing up to clasp the bracelet around her wrist.

“Call me, Sweet’s Pea, bitches,” Sapphire joked as she waved around her wrist. Sweet Pea snorted before they all nearly fell over laughing. -- Sapphire was in the gym with Sweet Pea and Fangs. She had supposed to been working out with them, but ultimately got distracted with the way Sweet Pea’s muscles moved. But she hadn’t wanted him to know just what was bothering her, so she sat on floor not far away and started playing on her phone.

Her eyes flickered over her timeline before she clicked off twitter and moved on to her Tumblr. She reblogged a couple of things, made a few gifs, and liked a few posts. But she was bored and hungry.

“Be right back, boys” she stated as she pushed herself off the floor carefully avoiding looking at Sweet Pea especially since he now had his shirt off. “I won’t be long.”

“Where are you going,” Fangs questioned from his spot by the punching bags. She didn’t glance at him either because if she looked at him, then she’d look at Sweet Pea and her hormones couldn’t take that right now.

“Vending machine,” was all she mumbled before she heard movement behind her.

“Don’t worry about it,” Sweet Pea stated. “We’re just wrapping it up now.” Sapphire sighed a little before she leaned against the door waiting for the two of them. They did their cool down before moving around to clean up the equipment. Once that was finished, they grabbed their bags and headed out.

The three of them jumped into Fangs’ car before he dropped the two of them off at her house. Sapphire rose a brow because she hadn’t been informed that Sweet Pea was staying over, but she didn’t say anything as she waved goodbye to Fangs.

Everything changed the second they walked through door and locked it. One moment she was closing the door and the next moment she was pressed against the wall with Sweet Pea’s lips on hers.

He pulled back slightly at the gasp that escaped her before she was surging in and kissing him.

A groan escaped his lips and she pressed her hands on his face and kissed him with everything in her. He pushed her forward until it was as if he was trying to press her through the wall and continued to kiss her deeply. When he pulled back that time, his lips immediately latched themselves onto her neck and she was so grateful that she lived alone as she let out a loud moan.

He had a clear enough head to reach out and lock the door to the house before reattaching his lips to her neck. He felt her hands move up his back and to tug gently on his hair which a caused a low groan to escape him.

“Fuck, that was hot.”

Before Sweet Pea could make a comment, her lips are on his again and the kiss is fierce and full of love and so many unspoken words between the two of them that Sweet Pea nearly drowns in it.

She tugs on the stands of his hair again and Sweet Pea moans at the feeling. He slips his tongue into her mouth and takes pleasure in the moan he receives in retaliation. And the sound is so perfect to him.

He wonders how many different sounds she could make and how loud she could get.

Sweet Pea lowered his mouth back to her neck and placed kisses there. He sucks at the skin, pulling it in his mouth and massaging it with the flat of his tongue. He continued to pepper kisses onto her neck as she moved her hands from his hair and down to the muscle shirt that he was wearing.

He felt her cool hands press against his body and accidently thrust his lower half into Sapphire’s. She whimpers at the pleasure as she bucked her hips to get that feeling of pleasure back. His mind went blank when one of her hands slipped from his stomach and began to rub vigorously at his length through his jeans.

He barely has time to process the moment before she disappeared from his sight and the feeling of lips kissing the front of his jeans.

“Fuck…” he manages as he felt the cool air attack his legs and the warm touch that wrapped around the base of his dick.

His legs threaten to give away as she wraps her lips around him as groans escape his throat as he melts into the velvety warmth of her mouth, the lapping of her tongue, and the impossible suction that exists in there.

He places another hand on her head- to which she responds with a muffled moan and a deeper bobbing. He wants her… No, he needs her, but he’s got to stop soon before her mouth completely claims him. And dammit, is that the back of her throat?

He gently pushes her head away as he steps further out of his pants. He doesn’t say anything as she pulls him to her room with her eyes darkened with lust and her cheeks rosy. She pushed him down onto the bed and reconnected their lips as she rubbed her body against his. He thrust up against her and watch as she disconnected their lips to throw her head back in a low moan. He reached up and pulled off the hoodie she was wearing before ripping off her bra to trail his fingers across her nipples.

She had helped him remove the hoodie all the way and basically ripped away the tee he was wearing. Sweet Pea flipped the two of them over before he began kissing across her bare chest. He slid his hands down pass the tights and underwear she was wearing and rubbed his fingers against her folds.

That time she let out a loud moan as he traces a line of kisses to her right nipple, reverently guiding it into his mouth with his tongue as his left hand gently cups her left breast, softly massaging it with tender care and attention.

Her hand makes its way back to his hair-stilling him in his place as if he was even thinking about moving anytime soon.

He goes back to slowly, achingly, teasingly sliding his hand between her folds before his middle finger settles on her clitoris and make swirl softly and gently around it, occasionally pressing in to alternate the pressure. She let out her loudest moan yet as her pelvis involuntarily bucked against his finger in a desperate plea to continue.

Even with his hand still so far down, she pulls him back up towards her and kisses him fiercely. The sound of their moans as their tongues fight for dominance. He takes the plunge and slides his finger into her. She shuddered against him as he began to slowly slide the finger in and out, along with gentle, tender circles around her clit as she danced on the surface of her building orgasm with the abyss of curses, loud screams, and warm pleasure. But he could tell them as she grew closer to her orgasm.

There was a wild look in her eyes when he removed his finger from inside her. She pulls Sweet Pea to an upright position, turned him around, and pushed him onto the bed as her lust took over her.

There’s only one look when you’re in the grip of passion and lust, only one look where all you can think about is fucking someone senseless, and Sweet Pea sees that she has that look down to perfection as she hastily slides out of her underwear.

He took a moment to curse for any other guy that had the pleasure of seeing her in this way.

For a moment, Sweet Pea is struck with how beautiful she is. His mind was constantly flashing back to times before everything went to hell as they rode and caused havoc across the Southside either with each other or with the friends. He remembered the first time they had sex in the concession stand at the Twilight Drive In. The time he took her virginity.

Then he comes back to his senses as he felt something smooth roll over his dick. He blinked as he felt the grip around his dick, holding it into position as she slowly lowers herself onto him. Powerful moans, repeated curses and many, many utters of blasphemous phrases fall from her mouth mingled with the moans of her name and outright pleasured groans from him, and while she completes her descent, she kept her hands on his chest while his rested on her hips.

She moans again as he begins to fill her completely inside, her hips slowly riding him as she begins accommodating his length, the muscles involuntarily were pulling the rest of him in. It’s all he can do to hold himself back, especially when she looks at him and sees the look of pure and undisguised love that was in her eyes.

The bucking increases in speed and strength as she feels the familiar buildup in her core, and Sweet Pea has to distract himself by moving his hands up her chest to focus on something other than his own buildup, to which she responds by grasping them and attaching them firmly to her breasts before returning her own hands to his chest.

The furious motions become almost bruising until, inexorably, she falls off the edge of rationality and into the acute lighting storm of orgasmic pleasure, throwing her head back and screaming his name at the top of her lungs, dragging her nails across his chest and letting her hips thrust against him in involuntary power.

It probably didn’t help that he was thrusting back up in her to heighten the sensation for her.

Then he slowly slides out of her, makes sure the condom is still good enough to use, before he makes his way behind her. And when he slides himself back into her with a guttural growl from his throat and loud, high pitched moan from hers, with his hands firmly on her hips as her ass is in the air, he takes immense pleasure of being back in another familiar position with her after so long.

Causing a rhythm, Sweet Pea slowly started thrusting and he bucked his hips gently against hers. After a while they had begun a steady pumping and were again both moaning loudly enjoying the sensation of a perfect connection. He slipped one hand away from her waist and moved back towards her folds again rubbing teasing circles around her clitoris. He felt Sapphire clamp around him whenever he reached a certain depth, knowing he hit the girl’s spot and forced moans that grew louder with each snap of his hips.

He gripped her by her hair, his fingers tugging whenever he thrusted deeper into her. The moans of pleasure and pain that were coming from the girl were like music to his ears, as he continued to swirl his finger around her. A moan passed her lips as she flipped around with him still inside of her pulling him closer and tighter against her body. She wrapped her legs around him as she forced him to go deeper inside of her.

He couldn’t believe he almost forgot how good sex could be, feel so right and fulfilling. He didn’t want it to end. He could feel his own orgasm build up as he forced himself to go slower inside of her. She whined as she arched up prettily against him trying to desperately get him to continue his actions. He didn’t say anything as he looked into her eyes again and kissed her deeply. She moaned even as he started to pepper her face with kisses repeating repeatedly, “I love you. I love you. I love you.”

He had plunged deeper into her when he felt his orgasm hit the edge and take control as she clamped down tightly over him. They both came with loud moans of each other names and breathed deeply at the end.

He slowly pulled out of her, tied the condom up and threw it in the trash in the room before crawling back into the bed with her. She gazed at him lovingly as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.

“I love you too, Sweet Pea.”

The day afterwards, the two of them walked into school. Sweet Pea had his arm wrapped around Sapphire and she was back to her usual self. No more ponytails and whatever she laid her hands. Now back to carefully picked out outfits and hair buns, French braids etc. They parted ways with Sweet Pea giving her a deep kiss right in front of a group of Ghoulies that were staring at her boobs. When they pulled away from each other, they became aware of the cheers from the other Serpents and both fought off their blushes. But the two did managed to throw smirks over their shoulders at their friends as Sapphire made her way into her classroom and Sweet Pea continued to his class.

The day passed on with many of Serpents coming up to the two of them congratulating them on finally getting their head out of their asses and getting together. They had been sitting in the back of their English class laughing together as their substitute parading around trying to get their attention. Sapphire found it kind of funny, since you know, their last English teacher turned out to be a drug dealer.

“Excuse, Miss Anna, may I go to the bathroom?” Sapphire requested feeling like her bladder was about to burst. The lady nodded her head nervously failing in subtlety glancing at the serpent emblem on her jacket. Sapphire rolled her eyes before taking the pass to the ladies’ room.

She walked in and handled her business before she left out to see a figure with a black ski mask covering their face. She had barely managed to scream before a bullet was flying into her gut.

Down the hallway, everyone jumped in their seats when they heard the scream. The four Serpents left in the English class turned to each other paling a little before jumping out of their seats. They had just exited the classroom a second after a figure left out the door.

Toni ran towards the restroom and opening the door to see Sapphire lying on the ground groaning in pain.

               “Call the police,” she yelled as she ran to her best friend’s side taking care to put pressure on her wound. Jughead pulled out his phone quickly already dialing the number. Sweet Pea and Fangs ran into the room also but stopped short at the words on the wall.

Serpent Slut

               “They’re on their way,” Jughead stated before he too stops short at the words on the wall. Sweet Pea turned around furious glaring at the people crowding in the doorway trying to get by. He walked up to a small rookie Serpent and grabbed a fistful of their shirt. “Go get the rest of your den now.”

   Fangs had moved back to the door pushing everyone away as Sapphire groaned and moaned in pain. “T, it hurts.”

               “I know, Saph. Don’t worry, help is on the way,” Toni stated brushing the hair out of Sapphire’s face. A sheen amount of sweat adorned her face as she slowly started to lose consciousness from the pain. “No. No. No. No, Sapphire stay woke. Please.”

               Sweet Pea hurried back over to her side cursing the police and ambulance for taking so long. “Sapphire. Baby, look at me. Come on. Sweetheart.”

               Sapphire could hear the voices of her loved ones, but the pain was so overbearing, and she eventually gave in to the darkness pulling at her.

[theliterateape]

The House on Deer Creek Road: Part 2

By J. L. Thurston

Willow, are you sitting down? Your mother’s dead. They found her this morning. They need you at the Porter Police Station.

Creak, creak, creak, creak.

She was found on the entryway floor, face-down, Willow. She’d been dead for four months. The electricity company, they shut her off but they were concerned, you know. Sweetheart, the cops performed a wellness check found her rotting on the floor. The stained floorboards have to be replaced.

She was lying there. No one knew. No one cared. Willow, hush. Listen. Can you hear her? Can you hear your mother? Look at her, lying there. She’s looking right at you. What is she saying?

“Come with me into the basement, Willow. Come with me.”

I snored so loud I woke myself up. I spent the wee hours of morning dozing on the couch while Jane crawled around on a blanket, surrounded by toys. She wiggled her way around, drooling on each item in turn.

That’s when the piano began to play by itself. Not a song. Just the plink, plunk, plunk as if a child were noodling on the keys.

The piano was in the foyer, a useless space just off the entryway where excess junk was kept in heavy cabinets and shelves. The piano was against the wall, an upright Steinway stained a dark cherry color. The keys weren’t moving. It seemed that the strings inside it were making the sound somehow. Mice could do that if they were inside. Mice could also make creaking sounds in the attic and knock over teetering boxes.

The playing of the piano relieved me. Mice made sense. I should have left right then and there. Very soon, I’d be so deep into the darkness of the house, but at that moment I could have walked away undamaged. But mice made sense and I guess the mind relies on simple, safe explanations when faced with fear and uncertainty.

I called the local exterminator, waking him up, and made an appointment. I had plenty of time to run to the supermarket in Porter before he’d come check for mice.

I’ll admit, driving my truck away from my house with my dog in the back and my daughter riding shotgun, I felt the most normal I’d ever felt in my whole life. I’ll admit, I was smiling.

It was that day at the supermarket that I met Nyla. Stumbling upon her was like finding a hundred bucks on the sidewalk. I wasn’t expecting her, but as soon as I saw her, I wanted to keep her.

We were different in the best ways, and alike in important ones. I was sand, and she was an acorn. I was a fallen branch, and she was a bonfire. Does that make sense? I don’t know, that’s just how it was.

You’ve seen her picture, I’m sure. It was all over the news. That one photograph, the one with her hair down, the black coils bouncing all around her, that one is my favorite. I like it because it is just how she looked when I first saw her. Her eyes were sparkling, her smile was genuine. It was a meal after weeks of starvation.

I had never before looked at a person and physically reacted to them the way I did with her. I was nervous and uncomfortable. I began to sweat. I had a hard time thinking straight because my brain just wanted to focus on her face and her voice and her confidence.

Nyla’s first reaction to seeing me was to flirt with the baby. I stood there awkwardly, trying to remember how to breathe. Nyla told Jane she was adorable and don’t ever let anybody tell her different. Nyla worked at the supermarket. She asked if she could help me because I was struggling with the car seat and the cart. I didn’t know the car seat fit on the top of the cart. Nyla talked a lot. She didn’t mind that I didn’t.

Followed me to the register and said goodbye. She blew Jane a kiss and said a few goodbyes to her. When she was out of earshot, the cashier became a talker, too. She told me all about Nyla. Poor Nyla, she lost her baby to SIDS. She’d never been the same. She only smiles when she sees kids. She seemed to like me.

No one ever really seemed to like me. Except for Mrs. Jones and she was stuck in a nursing home. Well, Aunt Pat liked me, too, but that was it. The idea that Nyla seemed to like me lit a fire in me that suffocated all the uncertainties that plague my soul throughout each day. It was a warm thought, one that made me want to find her and talk to her again.

It dawned on me that Nyla and I were alike in an important way. We were alike in that we both wanted to be good mothers. Nyla lost her chance, and it wasn’t her fault. That didn’t seem fair to me at all.

I did a thing I normally never ever do. I went back and found Nyla and asked her out to coffee. I had to wait for her shift to be over, but she said she’d love to hang out. I didn’t know what to do, so I went to the house and put away groceries. I cleaned, I changed my clothes, then I changed them back. Jane cried for food, diaper, and diaper again because I don’t think she was finished the first time. She seemed to like it when I made shushing sounds at her. That made me smile.

I met Nyla at the little café next to the courthouse. We sat outside at a metal table. I learned that she knew all the lyrics to Hamilton and owned every book written by Isaac Asimov but I knew she was joking because he had hundreds of stories.

Everything about Nyla was enthusiastic and upbeat. We were so different that way. Usually, when a person wants to talk, and talk, and talk, I get frustrated and I feel like little prickly spikes are sticking out of my skin in all directions. But, oddly, when Nyla talked, I didn’t get any pricklies at all. Not like that. I got a different kind, and they were sort of pleasant.

She held Jane, fed Jane, and burped Jane. She talked about her baby girl’s short life. Her eyes got huge and watery. She told me her daughter was an accident. The result of a mistake made on a bad night. She told me she loved her daughter more than anything and will miss her forever.

I felt guilty. I couldn’t tell her I’d given my baby up. We were so different, but also alike.

She knew about the house on Deer Creek Road. You see, Nyla was the first to tell me that it had a reputation in Porter. Everyone knew it was haunted, she said. I didn’t laugh, and I think she wondered if maybe it really was haunted. But when I invited her to come over for a home-cooked dinner, she didn’t refuse. I thought she looked excited. That made me nervous.

She followed me to the house. She didn’t have a car, she had a scooter. It was cute and made me smile. I wanted to ask her if bugs ever flew in her mouth, but I didn’t because the exterminator was waiting on the porch. He was banging on the door but stopped when he heard my tires on the gravel.

The exterminator was one of those nice guys. Middle-aged, friendly, like a family-type guy. He gave Bones a lot of scratches behind the ears. Bones wouldn’t get out of the truck. I apologized for making him wait. I had forgotten all about calling him.

He told me he was worried about the old guy inside the house. I felt my stomach start to harden as I told him I was the only one who lived there.

“Ma’am, I don’t want to alarm you,” he said. “But there’s someone inside. I can see him moving around through the window. Tall, thin, hard of hearing? He was walking sort of hunched over.”

The front door, you’ve seen, has a huge oval window. With that floral design frosted over it you can’t look in and see the inside too clearly. You can bet Nyla and I had our faces pressed to that glass, trying to see the person the exterminator was describing.

Nyla wanted to call the cops. I thought about the creaking in the attic. I let the exterminator make the call. It took a while for a squad car to arrive and when it did I was disappointed to see an overweight police officer in his late sixties roll out of the car. He was not the nice, friendly, family-type guy like the exterminator. He was the jaded misogynist who thought two hysterical women were frightened of a big, old house and needed reassurance. I firmly clamped my jaw shut as he followed me, Nyla- who was holding Jane- and the exterminator around the house. There was no sign of trouble, but also no sign of mice. We looked in every room, except the basement. At that time, I still did not know where the basement door was. We even circled the house, inspecting the windows, the garden, the shed, the side porch, and the garage.

No one was there.

The police officer left, smiling slyly. I did not like his face. The exterminator left after charging me fifty bucks for his time. I liked him less after that.

Nyla stayed. She played with Jane in the kitchen while I cooked. It took more time than I thought it should, but luckily Nyla was a master when it came to babies. Jane hardly had time to fuss for anything before Nyla’s skilled mind figured it out. Mentally, I added a new item to Aunt Pat’s checklist of needs.

6. Nyla knows best.

I’m a great cook, and I wanted to impress her. I was clumsy, though. Probably because I wasn’t familiar with the kitchen. Nothing inside it, save for the food I’d just bought, belonged to me. And I had to wash everything before using it because there was an inch of dust coating every item.

Nyla was all eyes. She watched me cook, she watched the windows, she looked at all the oddities in my mother’s house. She asked about the dried herb bundles. She touched the half-melted candles. I don’t know if she chose to ignore the jars of bugs or if she simply did not see them.

That was when Bones began to lose it outside. He was in the side yard, just outside the kitchen. He was snarling, barking like a dog who was ready to kill. By the time Nyla and I got outside, the dog had backed himself up to the tree line. He was foaming, barking directly at the garden.

Minutes ago, we had walked through that garden with the cop and the exterminator. Nothing had been amiss. Now, the wild-growing foliage was uprooted and tossed all about. Scratches traced through the dirt. They were so deep and so long I don’t even think a bear could have made them.

We stared and stared. It just didn’t make any sense.

Return for nightfall, Day Two at the House on Deer Creek Road

[wonderingangelsuniverse]

February 2nd 2018

I don’t even know where to start with all the many things that have been going on as of late. I can’t decide if I should start with two weeks ago or just begin with today. Well there has been an abundance of anger going on within me. I think today is a good example of this. We were all sitting on the couch. I was drinking my coffee remembering back in the day when we used to all meet up really late at night and go to the diner together. The boys would add so much sugar to their coffee. Hope and ApprenticeBoi were reading and Moe was stirring up the whole living room with his intense boredom. That’s when out of fucking no where at 2:30pm Hope just had a seizer mid conversation. He looked around the room and then bam. Kept his page for a while even. I just went and got his dad because I was so pissed off I couldn’t decide fast enough to push him over or let him remain on the couch. Hope and I’ve become significantly closer sense I’ve returned back to Hawaii. I guess his condition keeps getting worse and worse. I swear I can’t remember a time when this has happened so randomly. He bit his tong making blood spewed all over the couch. Gabe heard me tell ApprenticeBoi that he was having a seizer because the small ignorant boy started laughing. Apparently our student teacher relationship is very close as well as I didn’t fucking flip for his immature behavior. The only comment I ended up making was something along the lines of, “ How about you sit and read your book instead of making terrible comments.” He seemed to listen to me as I was being quite urgent. I wasn’t mad at him though. I then spaced out and asked Gabe what he was getting ready for right after he took a shower. I can’t say I’ve been being super bright these days either. I have a theory that I’m just not listening to me as well unless I verbally state what I’m saying. Update: I just talked to Hope’s dad and he mentioned that Hope had just gotten up. That makes this whole situation a lot less concerning to me. I guess the neurologist had explained that he tends to have a his episodes in the time where his brain is beginning to boot up after awakening. I didn’t realize how long it takes for a brain to start running but I also didn’t realize that they could know so much about his problem and yet still not completely fix it.  

Who’s Gabe? Yeah, that goes back two weeks ago when I started this whole gig cleaning air planes. A week before MelloMad and I started Gabe had gotten fired due to the closer of the Santa Maria unit of the airplane company. Sandy, the head director of the airline for Hawaii is stationed in Kona and for the most part to my understanding he runs at least Honolulu as well. He called Gabe only a day after he was fired to offer him a place with the intimate group of mechanics here on the Big Island which was apparently about a month before he came here, That’s when he stayed in the pilot’s grew house for about a month. I guess around six months ago Gabe’s goil Lee Ann died a slow death due to the cancers. I know this experience very well. I feel like Gabe and I are meant to be friends.

Jerry, the lead mechanic of the later in the weak mechanics groups, Wednesday to Saturday, was the blessed man to get us the job cleaning. He lives only up the road from us. He would have been able to help us out in these hard two weeks that nearly drove me to stabbing my best friend haha. I said, “would” for a damn good reason though. The day of the missile or that Saturday, he was riding his motorcycle through an intersection and like most nearly fatal biking accidents was drove into by a car trying to make a left turn. It really is a shame for both Jerry and the now traumatized driver of the car. I guess from what I heard, Jerry got up and walked over to the guy to give him what he deserved in violent words, which tells you the kind of guy Jerry is, before he sat down declaring that he thinks he needs an ambulance. One of the other mechanics on the other shifts neighbor found him and called the emergency services. We saw him last weekend and oh my was he bruised and shattered. His hole left side was completely wrecked. He shattered on of his knee caps and had a giant circular chunk taken out of his leg. His other knee is broken and both spots right above his ankles are fucked. He’s going to be out of work for four months. He told us he’s headed to his mom’s in Cali. I don’t blame him. I would want my mom as well.

With Jerry out of the picture, MelloMad and I would have to rely on the fact that BoldFuck and Mom-o-pan go to Kona each day if we are to return home. Sounds good yes? Our shift is from 8:30pm to 4:30 am. That means BoldFuck and Mom-o-pan cannot be that inconvenienced sense they have children. Fine, whatever, I get two weeks of helping us out while we wait to get paid does seem a little over whelming.... We did get the job in the first place so BoldFuck could quote on quote stay home with his kids. More about this later. I’m so happy to be writing after all this time omg. Alright any how, all these sentences lead up to the fact that Kona Airport is sitting in a dry hot lava rock climate around five miles from the city. No money combined with MelloMad’s inability to walk long distances for some form of foot related problem leaves us stranded at the airport all week. MelloMad and I managed to find a nice culvert buried deep under the highway to take refuge in. The two of us kind of swore off BoldFuck and Mom-o-pan after that because honestly this was insane. I’d end up paying four hundred of the four hundred and thirty seven dollars I made on my first weeks work to them for the month of January after I spent two weeks of that month sleeping in a fucking storm drain.You crazy fucking assholes.

This is where Gabe. our Hispanic 47 year old friend from the gangster areas of both Nevada and LA, would come in. He had the pilot’s car, I can’t remember the model lol. It was a really small two door car that wasn’t even a hatchback. We banned together with him since he was sleeping in this car as he both already blew all of his money on women and alcohol and the fact that Kona living is nearly impossible. Between the three of us our best bet would be to find a car over a house so we could in fact live. Hilariously I found a great deal on this apartment that I’m half tempted to keep trying for, for the four of us. I have a small wish of chilling in the condos shared backyard pool in a pink floaty, like the man from when we were on Hilo side chilling with my wondrous Angel of Melody. Haven’t texted her in a hot minute haha.

Angel of Melody is actually a great segway to why I think Gabe and I are meant to be friends. When he did return the car he joined us for about a week and half in the storm drain. BoldFuck and Mom-o-Pan would come pick us up for the weekend but man does rivet-y metal cylinders *fuck me* sucks to sleep in. I’m gay and I think that amazing and magical fact has to come with some form of repercussion in itself for I live in a time where abnormality, although worshiped, often is actually frowned upon. “It’s good to be unique!” Lies I tell you, unless its going to make you an abundance of cash to swede people other wise. One person that we all know very well as Wondering Angels’s number one anti lesbianism antagonist is MelloMad. He could probably easily defend himself by stating that he doesn’t mind lesbians at all as he watches porn of it.. Maybe? I actually question that lol. Plus lesbian porn is fucking stupid. I tried to tell him but he told me it’s because I want the love and not the lust. It’s probably where I’m watching it. Honestly though, how many time’s do lesbians have to clearly state to people that scissoring isn’t the fucking bee’s knees of lesbian sex? I haven’t even had sex with another women yet and I can agree. I’d give you some sources to this from my hours of researching when I was having a crisis but…. I don’t have internet right now alongside the point that I just don’t want to. It’s hard for me to say something so opinionated on other peoples behalf sense I can imagine MelloMad seeing this as an opportunity to disprove my point. I could even imagine a different color text being typed across here like: This is MelloMad and your wrong because I never hear anyone say that. Yes, I understand your word is way cooler then mine, awesome. Even just yesterday when MelloMad was having a good day and I was asleep in the backseat, I heard him tell Gabe I needed to prove to him I’m gay. Gabe even told me MelloMad thinks I switched… SWITCHED. Look, what the fuck?! I actually did bother explaining to Gabe why this was and it brought up my mother which was good. Actually it all lines up really well. I’m just getting to good at my job. Gabe isn’t homophobic in the slightest and that’s so refreshing. Someone whom of which MelloMad has no influence over would like to hang out with me and isn’t homophobic haha, perfect right? So I can give Gabe support on Lee Ann and he can give me support on my very CLEAR gayness.

Can we stop here to speak about how I’m not fucking curious? Yes, we can because this is my letter to you and not the other way around. Here is a brief essay on why.

I am not curious because, I was born very gay, I have no sexual feeling towards men, and sex isn’t everything. When I was only hardly a handful of years old my brother Chris had a girlfriend named Christal. Christal was this super fucking hot blond chick that I would pretend was my girlfriend. When I was in the third grade I joined the boys and girls club because my friend Liza went there after school as well and she was really hot! I found out she was signed up for the other side of the club. I was quite lonely there but I continued to attend because this sixth grader named Sam, whom was another hot blond, walked the same way to the bus as I would. If I was fast enough getting out of class, I was able to catch her. My sister-in-law and my mom both knew I was gay. Mom’s always know! Secondly I am not curious because I have no sexual feeling towards men. That ALONE should be a good enough fucking reason you ignorant fuck. Finally FUCKTHIS.

Well teach, I didn’t probably not get a very good grade on dat essay but anyways, I don’t know much more about what’s going to happen between Gabe and I accept that he’s going to help me get some spine talking to women. He’s also taught me a bit about airplane mechanics and some Spanish. El avion esto muy limpio. El avion esto sucio. Airplanes are men in Spanish. I am Spanish as I am from Spain and therefore some Spanish won’t kill me sense its so widely spoken. I quite enjoy learning. Trying to get the sentence; my favorite game is life is strange, down now. It’s like: Mi favorito Jewenkn something something esto esto extrago or something. Yep lol one time reading it off Google translate and I got this haha! Ironically I can read Spanish quite well so if I wanted I could just translate everything but meh why not memorize it?  

Let’s go back to the spine and women thing. I was at Gabe’s favorite bar having a single IPA when I staring at the bar tenders ass as she was wearing this cute pair of black short shorts. I think it should be illegal to be that hot because why am I such a sucker for blonds with hips? Her name’s Shy. Gabe informed me last night that she’s trying to get a plane ticket to Maui for her birthday but she has a boyfriend to go with her. Gabe and I were talking before he found this other blond to be bothered with cause he knew what I didn’t and I mentioned to him again that I’m gay. I was trying to be obnoxious about it in hopes Shy would maybe start speaking of it but I think she sadly didn’t hear me. I guess repeating I’m a lesbian, I’m a lesbian, isn’t going to help me get laid any faster but that’s why I need Gabe to help me out. Now, I didn’t think or think she heard me because she was in the other room. Now the sad part before I go on is that she’s the bar tender so she’s supposed to be nice for her own benefit. This is America after all. She could of easily of done this because I’m friends with Gabe or it could have been completely coincidental. Destiny does tend to spoil me. I did state I had no fucking money though and Gabe did buy me the beer. He’s a really good guy. Let me tell you, I was watching chopped all star addition. I’ve really fell out of chopped over the years but it gives me such a nostalgic feeling from back when that was our jam. Did my mom like chopped? I feel like we would watch it together when we were babysitting at my brothers. Remind me to mention this when I tell you something cool about lately. Next paragraph maybe. Alright back to Shy. She kind of was trying to talk to me but I couldn’t keep myself together at all. I was so damn nervous I wouldn’t stop touching myself all over my head like I was trying to calm myself. I had my hands tangled in my hair I was super insecure, I was just all wrong. Really I just wanted to watch Chopped, sadly. The extremely hot girl was making things so difficult. HER VOICE SOUNDED LIKE the Angel or Dreams or Dream Angel’s HELP. I can’t, alright, alright, okay okay. Gabe was gone and only one other person was at the bar. Now I was sitting by the TV where I could read the sub-tittles which happened to be by the register and most of the tap, oops. She had a moment and stopped to read the TV. I looked right at her like a not so sly moron. She turns to me and is like, “Oh she has a wife, that cool to see a lesbian on the show. They should have a strictly gay version of chopped.” She looks me dead in eyes and I just say, “Yeah then there wouldn’t be any room for discrimination.” That’s when the conversation was over. “I’d watch the shit out of that.” or “I’ve always wanted to be on chopped.” FUCKING ANYTHING REALTED TO ME WOULD OF HELPED. FOR FUCK SAKES I’m SUCH A NARASISTIC FUCK HALF THE TIME, ALWAYS SPEAKING OF ME AND HERE I AM COMING UP WITH A COMPLETELY NON ME RELATED THING TO SAY. I guess it’s better then being like, “Fuck me.” Rip…. I was so mad I just ignored her existence even harder and left the bar after drinking the rest of Gabe’s beer. I just angry ranted in the bathroom for a good hour after that. I was chilling in the car when MelloMad and Gabe thought they would pull a prank on me by trying to insist we needed to turn our badges in. I didn’t believe it because MelloMad wasn’t pissing angry. We just went to get Gabe’s new badge scanned for documentation and MelloMad and I’s member ID’s were in too. Now we can fly free on all of our flights. 

Well when we were at the bar and Gabe walked off with that blond, MelloMad messaged me cause I guess he was with Gabe about how the car might get toed sense we left it at our new bank. We opened an account before hand. When I got there I saw the notice from security  under the whipper. A parking violation warning. I snagged it up in so MelloMad didn’t have a direct reason to bitch around or at me. Well I guess he didn’t even see it at all. The blond Gabe was walking with was older and she was all over MelloMad whom was working on some music. He was getting more and more pissed at her annoying him. It was hilarious. We dropped her off at her house in which she was selling due to her Ex Husbands assholishness. I suggested she rent it out xD ;). Hope lost but later after their little fired prank they failed to pull off. I got Gabe good as I walked off, put the note back where it was but now in the airport parking lot and then went to rant in the bathroom as if I was busy. When I returned they both thought they drove with it on the windshield. YEAH totally. Gabe sounded worried for a second and I decided sense there prank was so shit, I’d quickly spoil my good one. I confessed to putting it there, luckily I didn’t get reamed but I also didn’t get a single laugh either which pissed me off anymore. 

All in all I’ve been hella angry lately. Considering how fucking anxious, depressed over his grandfathers sudden death, and emotional MelloMad has been due to just a random on slot of sudden change.. It sucks cause that’s all Gabe knows MelloMad for. Yet Gabe is/has been slightly over emotional too. I don’t blame either of them so I just sit SILENTLY. Somehow I’ve remained mostly silent. I think it might have thrown MelloMad through a bit of a loop. I’m never quiet but I to know I’ve had quite a bit of anxiety therefore to remain strong I’ve just kept quiet during any even potential arguments or problems that could a rise verbally. I must say even with my efforts there has been twice now where I’ve snapped at MelloMad. One time over me trying to help MelloMad find a solution he can effectively use regarding a bank account which we already went over, we both opened one. I was trying to get him to open maybe a pay-pal. You can use a debit card, master card or vista, bought for roughly a dollar or so or even order a pay-pal debit card. No banks involved in that option. MelloMad insisted that at max three dollars was to much but can’t get over them holding his check for over twenty four hours. Obviously both quite irrational rebuttal and to his surprise the nice man who set us up with an account made sure our money didn’t get held. So fuck me for trying to help. The other argument was at work and was literally over how much sugar per flood ounce was in both the tea and monster energy drink and which had more sugar. Yeah I to got tired of this argument just reading that sentence. This is what happened, seriously this is ridiculous as is. I was board and I calculated his tea as the two servings which would come out to 54 grams of sugar in his entire 24 ounce bottle. I didn’t calculate as two servings and did the math of 19 grams of sugar for the 16 ounces. Obviously mine already has less sugar? Well that’s about 1.2 grams of sugar per ounce on the Monster and 2.3 grams of sugar per ounce of tea meaning the tea had double the sugar per ounce. I didn’t even explain all my reasoning to Erwin when he concluded that I was terrible wrong. I listened even though he never gave me a breath to fully explain especially after he pointed out there was in fact two servings in my Monster. He also insisted over and over that there was three times more sugar in my Monster. Well like I said I’m not afraid to be wrong. I love it. usually if said person doesn’t make me feel like shit over it. My love for learning usually out weighs all. So the Monster had 38 grams of sugar to its 16 ounces meaning there also 2.3ish maybe 2.4 grams of sugar per ounce. For some reason when I did the math last time and fixed it and then did it on my calculator the tea had exactly 2.2 percent more sugar per ounce but that doesn’t make any sense meow unless somehow the second time I calculated it during the argument I managed to calculate the percentage. I mean 27 twice is 54 and dividing that by 24 goes into 2 and 6/24 which is in fact 2.4. Which I mean if you just multiply my first answer my 2 its still going to come out the same amount of sugar per fluid once. No matter what it isn’t three times...  I was quite angry he even accused me of interrupting so I suckered him into interrupting me lol. I am considering the idea that he might be literally going insane. I also think MelloMad has a hard time accepting that I am actually very smart. Considerably and debatably, smarter then him. He was frustrated that I finished signing up for the websites we use at work with so much faster then he. He was almost instantly mad at the computer as soon as he laid eyes on it though so I don’t know what he expected. I don’t see why in anyway it matters if I’m in anyway shape or form more ineffectual. I wasn’t born smart I worked hard to be smart. He could easily do this as well and I know for a fact there are things I know not much about that MelloMad knows plenty of. We are equal even if so. I wonder if he just sees me normally as less adiquite so when I do prove him wrong its more frustrating. I on the other hand hold MelloMad to an equal standard. If he does fail in any way I trust him to figure it out or at least I’ll help him. I’m talking so much shit about him because of how frustrated I’ve been with him lately. I really hate how much pent up anger I have even if I know exactly why its happening. I have to go off to work in thirty minutes so I’ll have to continue this whole part another time.

My Mom loved chopped. Remember that sentence? Well My sister-in-law friended me recently on facebook. I’d imagine I’ve mentioned it. I saw a heartwarming post of before she friended me about how she was having a coffee totie 2 remember her Mother-in-Law I nearly broke down crying. I don’t believe in evil. I can’t see the evil. I even had Guy admit to me that hell as of now, according to the Bible, doesn’t and won’t exist until judgment day. I think its ironic and amazing that I was finally able to get him to confess. By the way, I’m not Christian. MelloMad in the mist of our difucklty was contacted by his father’s sisters. His aunts he didn’t know of. This inspired me with my new found friendship on facebook to ask my sister-in-law of my own half sister. I didn’t know her name until now but I’ve known of her for a long time. I’ll have to tell you all about her later but I told her all about me and as soon as she’s completed her cool nursing exam she will respond to her long lost sisters brief life summary. She didn’t even know I existed until I messaged her haha. Well anyways I have to go to work. Stay awesome Pain!              

PS can’t forget about last nights anxiety dream about the room change. That song I showed to jenny. The dream was much wow. Very refreshing and Hope there too