#sorry for disappearing for like a week mb

[le-agent-egg]

This was not worth 2 and a half hours.

I FORGOT TAKAS WHISTLE DAMNIT

Anyway i am of the belief that he draws his eyebrows on with eyeliner

[gayrainbowl3]

WHERE DID THE BLACK PHONE FANDOM GO??? TF?? YALL DISAPPEARED FASTER THAN MY DAD DID, DAMN

Also, mb for the Spanish, it isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if it doesn't make much sense lmao

Anyways, I'm bored and bring this.

___

After the Grabber, Finney Blake didn't see much of the ghost boys. They popped up here and there, but he never really got to talk to them.

Especially Robin.

He never got to see Robin.

It pained him more knowing that Robin was there.

He got peeks of him every so often. His messy hair, parts stained and drenched in blood. His voice, talking and sometimes, ever so rarely, laughing.

That was the thing that hurt the most. Like he was intensionally avoiding him. Finney Blake missed his best friend, no matter what Gwen said, or how his dad acted, they couldn't change his pain or grief. He missed laying under the trees and talking, taking walks while locking pinkies, and even just sitting in class. At least then, he knew Robin was there. He was always there. That's what Robin was, he was a constant.

Was.

He got to learn more about the other boys though. Sometimes through run-in's he had with them, or getting the information from family and friends.

Griffin was an only child, his favorite color was blue. Denim blue to be specific. He had a single mother who worked two jobs, yet always made time to have Friday movie nights. He liked to bike around occasionally. He hated being alone.

Finney felt horrible for not knowing anything about him. He felt guilty for having to learn about him like this.

Billy had a younger sister, and a dog that he took nearly everywhere with him. The dog's name was Dottie. He had been the paperboy for about a few months, maybe a year, before it happened. His favorite class was biology. He hated being out late.

Finney felt like he was going to puke once he learned more about him. The guilt was starting to eat at him.

Vance was a mama's boy, and was pretty smart. He had a strong relationship with his mom and they would often cook together, even if Vance occasionally burned everything beyond saving. He loved reading and writing. He hated most men.

Finney felt like sobbing when he finally spoke to Vance's mom. She was so nice, and he finally could see why Vance was always so violent and hotheaded. He was trying to protect her.

Bruce enjoyed math and a good challenge. He loved baseball, which Finney already knew. Bruce had a younger sister who searched for him relentlessly. He liked watching people from afar. He hated bullies.

He cried himself to sleep that night, and nearly screamed until his vocal cords snapped.

Robin. Robin with his pretty tan skin, and nice smile, and protective demeanor. Finney knew all there was to know about Robin, at least, he thought he did. It wasn't until he and Robin's mom finally sat down and spoke that Finney's whole world flipped.

Finney couldn't help but feel mad after.

He felt so many emotions. Anger, grief, sadness, and absolute love and adoration. Finney learned about them all in little ways, he tried his hardest.

He even left little things here and there for them. Popcorn and movies for Griffin. Bike locks and dog figurines for Billy. Baseballs and letters his sister made for Bruce. Chokers and flowers from his mom for Vance. Bandanas and enchiladas for Robin.

They all took and appreciated the gifts, all except Robin, who Finney never seemed to be able to get to. Not until two weeks later, when he finally saw the Mexican boy sitting underneath a tree, staring at him with a soft smile. Finney simply sat next to him and stared. At that moment, it all finally settled in.

Robin was dead. And so were three other boys. Three boys around his age. Three boys who saved him.

His Robin was dead. Never to be the same. Never going to school together again. No more watching movies together. No studying together. Nothing.

So, he let himself cry and cry underneath that tree, cry until he had no more energy to, but the tears never stopped.

In a way, he was still trapped in that basement. The place he lost half of himself. A place people lost their lives.

After the basement, Finney didn't see much of the ghost boys. He saw them, glimpses here and there. Griffin and Billy seemed to be attached by the hip, he never saw one without the other. It was the same way for Bruce and Vance. But Robin however, he didn't see much of.

Yet no matter how much it hurt, he knew it was for his own sanity. Robin loved him. In his own miserable, knowing, grief stricken way, Finney knew what Robin meant. The words he whispered to him under that tree. And he could live with it, sure.

In a way, Robin never left. He knew that. Even if he couldn't always see him, Robin was constantly by his side. And whenever he would want to doubt it, those words rung through his head.

Estoy a tu lado, y lo lograremos juntos mi amor.

I am by your side, and we will make it together my love.

[youllneverknowrac]

Oscar Diaz-Shut Up Mom!(MBS)

Hey guys! Hope you enjoy this request!

Make sure to show some love if you liked it!

@b3mybunnybaby

~

“Mommy can you help me with a Tik-Tok prank on daddy?” Carlos asks from where you rest on the couch with your swollen feet up, Alexander taking a nap in your arms.

“I wanna watch Tik-Tok.” Angel says as he sits in time out from a tantrum he had minutes prior.

“No talking. You sit there and think about what you did.” You warn him before turning your attention to your third born,”What do I have to do?” You ask him with a smile, you needed some excitement in your life and this was the perfect way to get that. Especially since your little girl was about to be here any day now.

“Okay so all you need to do is...” Carlos begins to explain the instructions, even showing you a few videos as a reference,”Got it?”

“I do, but do you think you can out run your dad? Maybe we should tell Anthony or Junior to do it.” You suggest, already knowing that Oscar doesn’t play when it comes to your kids being disrespectful.

“Junior won’t be back until this weekend.” He says as he thinks his idea over,”Let me go ask Tony.” He decides before taking off up the stairs and into their shared bedroom.

“Mommy? Can I come sit with you now?” Angel asks quietly from the corner,”Pwease?”

“Are you sorry for being mean to Alex? You have to share with him, he’s your little brother. And soon Santana is gonna be here, are you going to be mean to her?”

“No mommy, I’ll be good. I’ll tell Alex sorry when he wakes up.”

“Okay, but if you mess up one more time today I’m telling daddy.”

“No! No daddy! I’m a good boy. Pinky promise.” He says as he runs over and jumps on the couch next to you,”I’m gonna be a good big brother.” He says as he carefully places a kiss to the sleeping boys head before doing the same to your stomach.

“I believe you. Now shhh, don’t wake him up.”

“Shhh.” He repeats with a head nod before laying back against the cushion and grabbing his tablet.

“Okay mom, I’ll do it but if he ends up grabbing me I’m throwing hands.” Anthony says as he comes down with Carlos.

“I’ll have your back.” Carlos says firmly with a clap on his back. Angel chiming in that he will to as he keeps his eyes focused on his game.

“Then you better run fast.” You laugh,”He should be home any minute now, so stretch those legs.”

You guys end up practicing a few times, Alexander awake in his pack n play by the time Oscar’s truck is pulling into the drive way,”He’s here, get ready!” Angel screams as he peeks out the window. Carlos hands you his phone, the app already set up before taking a seat with Angel. Anthony sitting on the steps mentally hyping his self up.

“Best looking Diaz is home!” Oscar shouts out after walking in the house and kicking his work boots off by the door,”Whatcha all doing?” He asks as he joins you all in the living room, undoing the buttons on his dirty uniform.

“Nothing I’m just trying to get these boys to clean up their rooms.” You sigh after pressing record, Oscar leaning over the back of the couch to peck your lips in greeting quickly,”They haven’t been listening to me all day.”

“Why aren’t they clean?” He asks as he looks in between the three older boys,”I’ll go throw away every toy and video game I bought if those rooms aren’t spotless by tonight, when your mom says to do something you do it. Understand me?”

“Yes sir.” All three boys nod simultaneously.

“Well go on then, I’ve been telling you all day. Anthony please clean y’alls bathroom too.”

“Oh my god, shut up mom. Quit nagging so much.” He says as he stands up, Oscar snapping his head over to the older boy so fast and dangerously walking towards him.

“The fuck did you just say?” He asks lowly,”I know damn well you ain’t talking to your mom like that.”

“I did and what?” He retorts, you guys deciding to take it a bit further than the original videos.

“Getcho ass over here!” Oscar shouts as he reaches out for his shirt, Anthony two steps ahead as he takes off in the opposite direction.

“Now Angel!” Carlos screams as they each grab onto Oscar’s legs and hang on for dear life.

“It’s a joke Oscar! Chill out!” You laugh as you scramble to your feet,”Look it’s for a video, I knew he was going to say that.” You add as you stop recording and show him.

“Oh y’all trying to play me for a fool?” Oscar says as he reaches down and picks up Angel by the ankles and holds him upside down,”Where you in on this? Huh?” He asks him with playful anger.

“No! Mommy help!” Angel laughs as he swings his body back and forth.

“Put my baby down.” You scold with a smile as you grab him with a low groan,”You’re so heavy now.” You comment as Oscar snatches Carlos up from the ground and holds him at arms length,”I know this was your idea.”

“Maybe.” He says innocently as he flashes his smile, a few baby teeth missing and being replaced with incoming adult teeth.

“Haha. You all think you’re so funny, I was about to air the whole roof off of this house. Y’all need to ask about me, you just don’t know what dads capable of.” Oscar boast as he lightly shoves the scrawny kid away with a push to his forehead.

“Um can I come back down?” Anthony yells from the top step.

“Yeah come down!” Oscar says, rubbing his nose with his thumb and index finger,”I ain’t gonna hurt you. Don’t be scared now.”

“It was for Tik-Tok.” Anthony says as he slowly descends from the steps,”I wouldn’t talk to mom like that for real.”

“You’re lucky.” Oscar jokes as he throws a few punches in his direction,”Don’t mess with the big dogs hyna.”

“Aye, I’m not that scared.” Your second born laughs as he doges the hits,”You ain’t that athletic anymore dad, old age is getting to you.”

“Hey! We’re practically the same age and another thing I’m your wife. Once upon a time I was your hyna, but you can’t call me that no more.” You scoff playfully as you sit back down with Angel, Alexander growing upset that he hasn’t got any attention yet.

“Yeah, but you look like a teenager, dad not so much.” Anthony laughs

“Aight, ima let that slide for now.” Oscar smirks as he goes over to pick up the baby after blowing a kiss and wink your way in understanding,”When you’re least expecting it though ima be on that ass.” He jokes before turning his attention to Alex,”You wouldn’t play a prank on daddy? No you’d never do that.” He says, placing a kiss to the top of his head after.

“What’s a hyna?” Angel asks looking between the two of you,”Whatever I don’t care, I have fruit snacks. Um mommy can I go get some pwease?”

“Yes, just one bag though. You can all go get a little snack, I’m ordering Chinese for dinner so don’t go overboard.”

“Awesome!” Carlos says before all three boys head into the kitchen.

“Y’all better eat at the table!” Oscar calls out behind them,”I don’t need any roaches in this house!”

“Yes sir!” They all shout back

“Bring me him.” You say and wiggle your fingers in their direction.

“You have a baby in your stomach, hold that.” Oscar says as he takes a step away,”Besides he’s the only one that didn’t play a prank on me so I’m gonna go give him some juice and cuddles.”

“What?!” You laugh as you throw your head back,”If you don’t give me my baby back and go change out of your dirty work clothes I’m gonna...”

“You’ll what? Chase after me?” Oscar teases as he bounces Alex in his arms,”Come on mama, come take him from me.”

“I don’t even have to get up, watch this...Alex, mommy’s baby boy. Come here.” You say and hold your arms out from the couch,”Come to mama.”

“Mama.” Alex says as he reaches out for you with a smile, his legs kicking out,”Mama.” He repeats with grabby hands, not waiting even two seconds before he begins to wail.

“Not fair.” Oscar says with squinted eyes as he hands him off to you,”That’s okay cause my princess is gonna be all about daddy. Then you’ll finally see how it feels to be second favorite.”

“It’s cute that you think your second, you know that’s Cesars spot.” You joke, Alex already calm in your arms as he sucks his thumb.

“What’s this, make Oscar upset day?” He scoffs as he leans over you,”Cause it’s working.” He tells you before pressing his lips to yours lovingly once again.

“I’ll make it up to you tonight.” You mumble against him mouth with a smile,”But you need to go shower first.” You laugh and turn your head away a second later,”Now please.”

“This smell coming off of me is called hard work mami. Hard work and money!” He laughs as he walks backwards towards the master bedroom,”Get on my level!”

“I’m above your level papi. I stay home all day with my baby’s and take your paycheck at the end of the week. You wish you were on my level!”

“You’re a smart ass.” He chuckles as he points at you,”But I love it.”

“Hmh love you.” You say and stick your tongue out at him, Oscar flicking you off before disappearing out of your sight.

“Mommy!” Angel shouts from the dining room,”Come in here with us!”

“Coming, give me a second.” You huff as you set Alex down and opt for holding his hand instead as the two of you head to join the other Diaz boys. A good time to ask them what other prank could be played on their daddy.

[ineed-to-sleep]

Get to know me tag

Tagged by @rosewoodcasket thanks for the tag c: (sorry for taking so long, I almost forgot to do this ghskgjh)

Name/nickname: Emanuele, but it usually gets shortened to Manu or Neli

Gender: I don't know actually kfkgkfkfk I'm questioning a lot rn but currently I identify as a cis girl

Star sign: pisces sun and scorpio moon

Height: 5'4(?)/168cm

Time: 7:37 AM(I woke up in the middle of the night and didn't manage to sleep again fjgjkgkg)

Birthday: March 7

Favorite bands: Florence + the machine, Massive Attack, Carne Doce

Favorite solo artist: IAMX I guess. I don't listen to a lot of solo artists I think? From what I can see on my spotify at least fkgkvkkg

Song stuck in my head: none atm

Last movie: Jennifer's Body

Last show: Rupaul's Drag Race(I'm watching season 13)

When did you create this blog: I decided to look it up and I’ve had this one since 2015. I had another one before since like 2012 but I think I made a new one bc I changed emails

What do I post: mostly I reblog stuff and post my art. Sometimes I make a couple of posts where I say things and then spend like a week in silence fkgkkgkg this used to be just a reblogs blog, like I think my first actual post was in 2017 when I was playing The Arcana and I posted a couple of drawings, followed like 50 people in the fandom and disappeared a month later

Last thing I googled: climq(I was checking the weather and made a typo but google picked up on it anyway)

Do I get asks: like once in a blue moon. I like getting them tho bc I love a free pass to ramble fkkfkf

Why I chose my url: I've got a really bad sleep schedule since like forever and I struggle to sleep a lot. I wanna change it tho to something that's short so I can mb watermark my art, but I still have to come up with one

Following: 283

Followers: 354. I’ve only started posting frequently last year so this is mostly people in the VTM fandom who followed me bc vampires dhsgfglf

Average hours of sleep: l o l²

Lucky number: 7 bc it's the day I was born so it's gotta be the best number of all the numbers uwu

Instruments: I really admire people who can play them, but I’m definitely not one of them

What am I wearing: t-shirt and pajama shorts

Dream job: not sure tbh. Something to do with art? I consider doing animation and comics a lot or making concept art. I'd love to do something of my own someday. Or maybe I'll drop all of that and become a psychologist. Anyway I'm still figuring that one out

Last book I read: a Bukowski poem book I got from my dad. I'm not a big fan of Bukowski as a person honestly but I like some of his poems

Favorite food: I'm not sure, I like almost anything with pasta and/or a lot of garlic

Nationality: brazillian

Favorite song: this one is impossible I can't choose either

Top 3 fictional universes: VTM, Fallout and TES

So I'm supposed to tag 30 people but I don't wanna tag ppl I don't even know ckkfkfkf I'm too shy for that I'm sorry. If anyone wants to do this consider yourself tagged by me <3

[nyisles]

Magic In The Hamptons

Part FOUR

part one | part two | part three 

Player: Mathew Barzal 

Words: 3.2K 

Warnings: language, questionable steam? - tryna keep this pg 13 because i’m not a smut writer. 

Notes: thank the LORD the writers block has passed. Lmk what you peeps think (i crave validation), of course she isn’t edited so yeah just uhh enjoy. 

         Deep breath, you reminded yourself. It was hard though as you looked around the room you were in realizing this definitely was Mat’s place. The pictures of him and his family on a bedside table, and a hockey bag in the corner of the room. What did you do last night, (Y/N), you thought to yourself. You laid in bed for another two minutes before realizing you couldn’t just hide here, as comfortable as it was. This wasn’t even your apartment. Sliding your legs over to the side of the bed, slowly bringing yourself up, a pounding headache came on like you knew it would. You cursed yourself to never drink again, especially never a drink that Mat Barzal makes. Padding down the hall, you found yourself in the living room, the only place in Mat’s apartment you’d ever seen before. It was all nicely decorated, barely looking like a bachelor pad and something a bit homey-er. Much to your surprise Mat was curled up in a few blankets, sleeping quite peacefully on the couch. Had you kicked him out of his own bed after… well… after maybe what you think might have happened. “Mat.” you whispered. No response. “Mat.” you whispered a little louder. No response. Suddenly you found yourself going over and poking him square in the chest. “Mat.” 

         His eyes fluttered open, and a sly little smile came across his face. It disgusted you, well not really, it disgusted you how much you loved it. “Ah, glad to see you’re alive this morning. I was a little worried.” He said in the raspiest morning voice you’d ever heard in your life. It felt like your knees might give in, his morning voice was just that attractive. Do something gross, you said internally trying to challenge him. You just sighed, throwing your head down doing a little bit of your best mopey charlie brown impression. “I literally had to throw you over my shoulder after the uber, force you into the bathroom to change and then you had the audacity of saying the sweatpants i gave you were scratchy so you made us swap right then and there.” Sliding his legs over so you could sit down on the couch, you let out a sigh. “I am...so sorry.” was all you could muster up not even looking at his face. The embarrassment was far too strong. “(Y/N), you have a killer ass, I am not sorry.” 

         Your face turned the brightest shade of red in the whole human existence, you were truly a tomato, not even... You were a fire hydrant. “Jesus, Mat.” was all you could mutter before giving his legs a little push as he tried to stretch them out across your lap. In all honesty you couldn’t even make eye contact with him, so you just had to watch him from the corner of your eyes. “Honesty is the best policy, and to be fair that is all I saw.” He said throwing his hands up in the air to prove his innocence, hard to believe he was all that innocent. Deep down you were slightly pleased, and completely relieved that’s where it ended. A subtle showing of the ass was something you could live with, or at least learn to get over in a few months, maybe days. “And maybe next time you can let me at least have half of my bed instead of telling me I had to stay on the couch. This shit is going to mess with my back, have fun telling all of Long Island you’re the reason I’m out due to undisclosed back issues.”  Rolling your eyes you, picked the pillow off the back of the couch behind you whacking his body with it. He let out a little groan as he decided to sit up, as he glanced over at the clock on the wall. “You’re joking, (Y/N). It’s only 6:30.”

         “Then go to your real bed, I should probably go home, pop an advil, and try to sleep this off.” Mat rolled his eyes, standing up then taking your hands and standing you up off his couch. “Advil is in the bathroom cabinet, I’ll see you in my room.” He said walking off down the hall from where you’d come from, not giving you a moment to even think or respond. To be fair, you felt obligated to stay, you didn’t even know where your clothes were from last night, how could you leave? It was only 6:30 anyways, you doubted that there would be any real ubers driving around and it was way too early for Reese or any of your other friends to pick you up. So you walked yourself to his bathroom, popped an advil and almost immediately found yourself back in Mat’s room. He was already laying in bed, scrolling through his phone. 

         Pulling the sheets over, you snuck yourself into bed trying to give Mat some personal space. You had no idea if he was a cuddly guy, or just thought you both deserved a little bit more rest. Glancing over you saw him now shirtless, you were too nervous to move any of the blankets further seeing what else he had on. You were aware it wasn’t that weird, most boys liked to sleep shirtless and in boxers. Hell, if you were home alone you’d rip off these sweatpants and sleep without pants. Mat glanced up from his phone looking at you practically hanging off of the edge of the bed. Instead of making some sort of comment, he tossed his phone on the side table next to him and grabbed the waistband of your sweatpants gently tugging you over to him. “You were so into me last night, and now I have to drag you over here to cuddle. I thought you were an affectionate kind of girl.” He said softly as he closed his eyes, “It’s not fair.”  

         “So needy. I thought you wanted to sleep.” you said now cuddling into Mat, trying not to overthink this. “Originally sure, but there’s a ton of things we could do here.” Mat wiggling his eyebrows as you, as you gave him a small smack on the chest. Wincing, Mat get out a laugh, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head. You weren’t going to lie to yourself, in this moment, life was pretty good. It’s almost like your hangover had disappeared. You were perfectly content laying next to this seemingly perfect guy, but at the same time Mat did have a point. Your feelings of wanting to go home with him last night hadn’t changed, now you were just sober with a less forward attitude. Tilting your head up planting a kiss on Mat you figured there was no better time to go for it than right now. Sliding your leg over his body, you found yourself in his lap, slowly grinding yourself down on the boy continuing the makeout, pulling away briefly. “Alright Barzal, whatcha got?” You said with a cheeky smirk. He didn’t dare speak. It’s like the green in his eyes turned dark, and his hands found your waist flipping the two of you over so he was on top. And the good news was, you would definitely remember this.

- - - 

         You spent the next weeks floating around on a cloud. Mat’s training had picked up since the season was soon to start, and work was a bit more demanding, but the two of you had managed to keep up, sometimes he’d even call you when he was ‘bored’ before some preseason game and couldn’t nap, and he’d slept over your apartment twice claiming your apartment was ‘closer’ to the rink when in reality it was just about the same distance thanks to Long Island traffic. It felt like any fears or doubts about Mat disappeared. He’d thrown you into a group chat with Tito, Emma, and Derick and made an effort to get to know your friends. Your girlfriends were constantly hounding you when you two would define whatever it was that the two of you were doing, though you ignored it knowing you couldn’t push it with him. Every conversation about that made you think back to when you’d originally met some of the wives at Sydney’s wedding, who made it seem like you couldn’t force a hockey player into anything, they’d just spite you with way girls who were way prettier. The last thing you wanted to do was push Mat to Whitney. It was funny because she’d even requested to follow you on instagram, though you left her request pending. You never brought it up to anyone besides Tito who just laughed it off and told you not to accept it. 

         It was hard not to find yourself daydreaming at work as you typed away on your computer, but the buzz from your phone brought you out of your thoughts. Looking down you saw Mat’s name across the screen. It was hard not to smile a little bit, you glanced around the workplace making sure no one would be pissy you answered a personal call. “MB” you said softly into the phone, “you trying to get me fired?” 

         “Would that mean you’d be free this Friday night?” 

         “I can be available even with a job this Friday night, why what’s up? Big plans to fall asleep on my couch five minutes into a movie?” you joked trying to poke fun. It was far too easy, and you both had a solid flirty banter to keep up with. “Actually no, it’s opening night. I wanted to know if you would support your favorite hockey player. Derick Brassard.” You couldn’t hold back the laugh, as you took another glance around your office noticing that no one really cared who you were on the phone with. “(Y/N), this is where you say, of course. I’d love to watch my favorite hockey player and Mat on the ice at the same time.” 

         “I hope Emma doesn’t get too jealous, but I’d love to go.” With that you got little butterflies in your stomach. This felt like a pretty big deal, being invited to the opening game of the season as Mat’s plus one? Or person? Or female friend? That was all very much up in the air, but it felt as if things were headed in a good direction. “Cool, cool.” Mat said so casually, but what you didn’t know was how excited he was and how ‘cool’ he was trying to play it on the other end of the line. “Listen, I’m gonna go run some errands, but I’ll talk to you later.” Within five minutes you had been added by Emma to another group chat, this time assuming it was the other girls since you were welcomed with a warm text from Grace. 

         Grace Lee: Isles bitches, pregame in the coli parking lot on Friday. I expect everyone to be in their best orange and blue. Chipolini sangria will be flowing, so drink up for me, #preggers. 

         A small squeal escaped your lips, your dumb ass was too drunk the last time you saw her to even realize she probably wasn’t drinking. You sent back your best ‘congrats and can’t wait to see you all’ like all of the previous texts were starting to read. All of the ‘who is the xxx number’ texts came pouring in and before you could type back. 

         Grace Lee: (Y/N) scored the elusive MB13 tix and that’s the number. Our baby has arrived. We have been waiting for you in the gc.

         You could only love her message trying not to draw too much attention to yourself, but it was like Grace was the big sister you needed to show you into this world. Emma did a pretty good job at helping you out, but she was still new to the isles wags and basically the same age as yourself. She, maybe, had known these women for as long as you had. Derick was still new to the team. 

- - -

         The next thing you knew it was 2:30 on Friday, skipping out of work as early as you possibly could to get ready to be in a parking lot with girls who were practically models at 5pm for a 7pm game to which you were still incredibly nervous for. Your nerves might’ve matched Mat’s. He had sent you at least three different pictures of suits lying on his bed asking which he should wear. It felt super domestic, and you loved telling him how you thought the black velvet suit jacket would be cute, especially with the grey tie. He was also kind enough to let you borrow some clothing, he didn’t know it actually, but you’d managed to steal a white islanders t-shirt and one of his plaid jackets, that honestly you looked better in. Paired with a pair of jeans that made your ass look fabulous, how could the day go wrong?

         It didn’t for a while. Grace had gifted you with a pom beanie that had the number 13 blinged out on the front in orange sparkles. The rest of the girls and you were laughing, having fun and genuinely enjoying each others company in your matching beanies. They showed you all the cool places they’d watch the games. Sometimes in a box, sometimes down low if they were actually wanting to watch the game. For tonight they settled on sitting in one of the boxes, wanting to celebrate the start to a hopeful new season. This time you had learned your lesson and made all of your own drinks. Your buzz was only light, and you were able to enjoy the game. 

         The first period was fun, the game was tied 1-1. It was in between periods as you and all the girls just sat around chatting about what it’d be like this season. They filled you in on how fun a win was, and how miserable a loss could be. Hockey talk didn’t last long as you quickly moved onto Grace’s baby, to what other events you all could do together since it was a ‘fun group of girls.’ The group almost didn’t notice the door to the box open and slam shut, but it was like the girls had seen a ghost. A different kind of silence came across the room. With your back being towards the door you turned around, and immediately your heart had dropped. Your hand immediately ripping the stupid sparkly 13 beanie off your head, not caring if it left your hair looking a total mess. “Ladies!” a girls voice exclaimed. You’d studied her enough to know it was Whitney. Fucking Whitney. “I’m so glad Mat left my ticket at will call. My flight got delayed and you know how much traffic was on the expressway.” 

         You couldn’t even speak, you just felt your throat close up, as Grace who was sitting next to you on the couch gave your arm a gentle ‘i’m here for you’ squeeze as she was the only one brave enough to open her mouth. “Whitney… I didn’t know that Mat invited you. We haven’t seen you in a while.” She said trying not to be too direct. “Matty always leaves me a ticket.” She quickly came across the room finding an open seat across from you as she grinned. “And we have a fresh face, and who are you?” she said playing dumb as if she hadn’t requested to follow you on instagram, or as if she didn’t see the stupid hat laying in your lap. 

         “(Y/N) is a good friend of ours, Whitney.” Megan Bailey came to your defense. Not wanting anything to get more uncomfortable than it already had been, you noticed the game starting to pick up again. “Oh… guys, game’s starting.” you managed to say in a soft voice trying not to get yourself worked up. Your brain was running a mile a minute. Did Mat bring you here to embarrass you? He invited two girls to the game. Did he really think that both of you would show up, were you just supposed to be the backup? This girl had flown in from Vancouver for him. Surely he had to have some idea that this chick would be here. The next 40 minutes of the game came and went and you were honestly to paralyzed and in your feelings to move yourself off the couch and out of the box. It didn’t help that the boys ended up losing by one goal and honestly having an okay game, at best. 

         “You’re not fucking leaving.” Grace whispered to you, gripping onto your wrist. “You’re going with us to meet the boys downstairs outside of the locker room and you’re getting an explanation.” She didn’t have you in that tight of a hold, but you were still too shocked and in your own head to do anything. Thoughts were running a mile a minute. The girls put distance between you and Whitney as you all made your way down to the spot where you would meet the boys. Originally Sydney had planned a surprise dinner for the whole group, but now you weren’t feeling like you could face the boys. At least you were being brave enough and not crying.. At least not yet. 

         Hearing Anders tell the boys it was only game one, and it was their year was kind of sweet and brought a halfhearted smile to your face as you watched the boys come out of the locker room, freshly showered and honestly not looking as depressed as you might’ve thought. Mat was one of the last boys to walk out of the locker room with Tito and it’s like you didn’t even have a minute to approach him before Whitney was throwing herself in his arms. His face seemed shocked, it disgusted you, he probably didn’t even think he’d get caught in having two girls come as his plus one to this stupid game. “Whitney…” he said awkwardly. “Thanks for leaving the ticket. I missed the first period, but I heard you played great.” She quipped back not letting him even finish speaking to her. His eyes glanced around the group until they found your face. You handed your hat back to Grace. “I don’t want this anymore. I’m sorry, I’m just going to go now.” You said feeling your eyes watering up. 

         “You’re a tough cookie, don’t let him see this shit hurt you.” She said softly as the rest of the group tried to act normal as wives and girlfriends met back up with their significant others. Anders came over giving your back a gentle rub, “If it means anything, we like having you around.” You put an awkward smile on your face giving him a nod, as you found the nearest exit. The cool October air hit you like a ton of bricks as you pulled Mat’s jacket around you trying to find more warmth but it only made you more upset. Luckily there were taxis just waiting to take home fans and you quickly found one not lingering around the coli any longer. 

         (Y/N): don’t contact me anymore. you’ve embarrassed me and you know it… in fact block this number.   

         You sent Mat a text as quick as your fingers could type it out, as you let tears just fall from your eyes in the stupid taxi, looking like some sort of crazy girl. 

         (Mat Barzal):  (●●●)

         You watched the little dots come and go. No text ever came. You were relieved.

[kkulmoon]

Hi lovely!!! I'm so sorry i basically disappeared for like 2 weeks, nothing is happening, i'm just dealing with my mental baggage rn and it's taking some times to figures it all out. It's just a short mssg this time to let you know i'm alive and I miss you. I want to properly reply to your reply so yeh :(( i hope you'll have a great day/week 💕💕💕💕💕- Valley's Lilies

bub no worries!!! i’m barely holding it together cause i started off an assignment WAY too late and overestimated my skills 🤡 take your time, handle it all at your pace and hopefully you can figure it all out soon 🥺i’ll be waiting for you 💖💖💖💖 and this week better be kind to you or i’ll throw hands 😠 also here’s a random joon mb i made out of  pictures of him i recently saved, maybe it can cheer up even if it’s a little 🥰

[ihavejarlsberg]

Blue Christmas

Author’s Note: I had a really sad idea for a short fic, so I wrote it so you all could be sad with me.  You can pry the headcanon that one of Malcolm’s top love languages is giving gifts from my cold, dead hands. Have some Christmas angst, everyone! (Read more is added for those on mobile… head to AO3 if it’s cut off for you. :D )

Word Count: 2,300-ish.

Summary: Three days after Malcolm has been taken, the team discovers he had bought them all Christmas presents. It doesn’t help them miss him any less. Link: AO3.

They each found them on their desks, tucked in with the rest of their respective pieces of mail. It was obvious Malcolm hadn’t wrapped them, himself; he had clearly paid someone to do a better (and much more festive) job than he ever would have. But that didn’t matter. Not really.

Edrisa found hers first. It was, naturally, an incredibly thoughtful gift, based on a little seed of information about her she had thrown out once that Bright had picked up and tucked away into his pocket for later like a small boy collecting shiny stones.

It was a puzzle. A 1000-piece beauty that was clearly hand drawn by an artist. The pictures on it looked like they were taken straight from an anatomy book, then set ablaze with tremendous color by a talented artist. She loved it with her whole heart, and she burst into tears as soon as she got through the wrapping paper and saw what it was.

Who knows how long it would have taken the rest of the team to find theirs, had Edrisa not mentioned it. As soon as she did, they immediately went to their respective desks to check their own mail. It had been three days since Bright’s disappearance on December 25th; whatever postage they had been missing out on in that time frame was literally the last thing on their minds. Until now.

JT’s was the smallest, as far as size went; a maroon envelope sealed shut with gold-colored wax. It stood out like a sore thumb in his mail box amidst the standard white envelopes that had been accumulating. “Damn,” he’d said to himself, running the pad of his thumb over the dried wax of the seal, “Even this dude’s envelopes are rich.” He had quieted, though, once he’d opened up the card and started reading what Malcolm had written inside with his neat, all-capitalized handwriting.

 JT, Sorry for crashing your date. The next one’s on me.

 Merry Christmas!

 MB

 P.S. Justin? Jerico? Jeremiah?

JT had to laugh, despite everything. Attached to the card was a $100 gift card to Amsterdam Billiards. He stared at it, unblinking, for several seconds before his eyes started to water from being open too long (mostly).

“Damn it, Bright,” he muttered to himself as he closed the card. “Where you at, bro?”

x

There was a small black postage box waiting for Gil on his desk, hiding under a manila envelope. It was not the sort of small black box one would buy a woman; Gil knew was it was the moment he pulled it out from his mail pile and saw the company name stamped on the side in raised silver lettering. He stared at it for a moment, until it blurred together in his vision beneath a sheen of tears.

His fingers traced over the letters on the front of the box, and for a moment he allowed himself to just feel how smooth the cardboard was on the delivery box the gift had come in. He had to clench his jaw against the lump steadily climbing up his throat. Before he even made a move to open the box, he pulled back his right cuff, exposing the watch he wore on his wrist. Despite how worn and well loved it was, the watch was in excellent condition for being nearly fifteen years old. Especially considering that Gil literally wore it every day, to the point that he felt naked without it. It had held up marvelously over the years, which wasn’t surprising, as it had likely been expensive. Just as expensive as the new one he was holding in his other hand.

Without warning, the memory came back, unbidden. He could recall it like it had taken place last week. Malcolm, no older than twelve, handing him a dark blue velvet box with a hand that shook so fiercely, Gil immediately moved to take it from the poor kid before he dropped it.

It hadn’t been Father’s Day, then. The Whitlys didn’t celebrate Father’s Day anymore. But it had been damn close to it, and Malcolm had thought to buy a gift for Gil. As a man with no biological children of his own, Gil had cherished this more than he ever could have put into words. He still wore the same watch to this day.

And Malcolm noticed. Obviously. Because Malcolm Bright noticed everything.

“You still have that watch I gave you,” he had said, exactly 1.5 days into the investigation of the “copycat” Surgeon case, as he stared at Gil’s wrist.

“Of course I do,” Gil retorted. He was standing close enough to Bright at the time to reach out and give his shoulder a slight squeeze. “I wear it every day.”

Malcolm had all but beamed at that. “Looks a little worn, though,” he added, as his gaze drifted back down to the silver time piece on Gil’s wrist.

Gil had shrugged. “It’s well-loved,” he said simply. Malcolm had frowned just slightly at that, clearly deep in thought.

And now he knew what Bright had been thinking about: a wardrobe update for Gil Arroyo.

Gil sucked in a breath, holding the air in his chest for a few seconds to help expel some of the fear that had taken up residence there. He wasn’t afraid a new watch, obviously; unfortunately, he knew exactly what he was afraid of, and it was too terrible for words.

He was afraid he was holding the last piece of Malcolm Bright he was ever going to see.

(They all were afraid of that, deep down.)

The atrocity of that thought propelled him into action, and he started ripping open the little box’s packaging tape. Inside was a hard, velvet case, just like the one a much younger Malcolm had first presented to Gil all those years ago. The watch inside was magnificent. It was all black, even its face, and incredibly sleek. Clearly this time, Malcolm was going for an updated, modern look for him. Gil loved it. There was a small, folded card inside, and Gil pried it open with hands that had gone numb. He recognized Malcolm’s handwriting instantly. It was simple, sweet, and to the point.

 Merry Christmas, Gil!    Thank you–for everything.

 Love,

 Bright

Seeing the words in Malcolm’s handwriting was what finally put him over the edge. It had been three long days of fruitless searching for their profiler; they were all exhausted, and none more so than Gil. He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose, not even bothering to keep the tears at bay anymore.

“Thanks, bud,” he whispered to an empty room when he could finally find his voice again. “I love it.”

x

By the time Dani found out Bright had all gotten them Christmas gifts and had them sent to the station, she was exhausted. Just at the end of her rope mentally, physically, and emotionally. When Edrisa came up to her in tears, shaking a box in her face, Dani nearly lost it on her. Until he heard what she was saying.

“He got us gifts,” Edrisa squeaked out.

Dani felt the blood rush out of her face. She had a good idea who the ‘he’ in question was, but still had to ask, “Who…?”

“Bright!” Edrisa said. “Bright got us all Christmas presents. Incredibly thoughtful, probably expensive presents.” Her lower lip wobbled, and she looked like she was going to start crying again. “I didn’t get him anything. I thought about it! But then we just got so busy with the case load and… and…” She trailed off.

“And then Bright went missing on Christmas,” Dani finished for her, deadpanning. Edrisa nodded, sniffing once. Dani looked down at the box in Edrisa’s hands, studying it. “He got you a puzzle?”

Edrisa nodded vigorously again and offered up the box to Dani, who took it gingerly, like it was something to be cherished.

“It’s gorgeous,” Dani said genuinely.

“I know,” Edrisa agreed, “I’m scared to even open it. Like I’m going to ruin it somehow just by touching it. But I thought I could get started on it tonight… Maybe have it done by the time you find him, you know?”

Dani’s heart surged at the words by the time you find him, and she ground her teeth together at the familiar tightness in her jaw that meant she was definitely close to crying. Edrisa didn’t seem to notice; she was staring at her puzzle box. Dani placed it back in her arms gently, and Edrisa hugged it to her chest. The pieces inside all fell to the bottom of the box with a soft swish.

“We’ll find him,” Dani said simply. We have to.

Edrisa gave her a watery smile and nodded. “Hopefully before I even have the chance to finish this beast.”

Dani returned her smile. “So,” she started, eager to turn the subject away from the fact that Bright was still missing. “You said he mailed it?”

“Oh, right. Yes,” Edrisa said, “Apparently he mailed them all to the station. Which is kind of silly, but he must have just paid to have everything wrapped, and then he probably didn’t know our addresses, so… They were just here, waiting for us. Since Christmas.”

Dani swallowed. Part of her almost wished Bright had forgotten about hers, that he had sent something to everyone else but her. But the thought was a wasted one; Bright would never forget about her.

Dani’s gift was a fairly large box, about the size of two shoeboxes lined up side by side. There was no way she could have avoided seeing it, once she got back to her desk. (Had it really been that long since she’d been back at her desk, away from the search for him?)

She stared at it for a few moments, willing herself to keep calm, before she took out her pocket knife to cut through the box’s tape. Dani didn’t really do Christmas presents; with her immediate family, sure, but she couldn’t remember the last time she had either given or received a gift from a friend. Even the team–Gil, JT, and Edrisa–usually only went out for a drink, rotating who would pay the tab, for holidays or birthdays. Gifts were not her forte. This was foreign territory, and it left her on edge.

She could almost feel Bright watching her, those brilliant eyes of his staring at her hopefully, like he so wanted her to love whatever it was he had picked out for her.

Inside the package, after she removed a fair amount of bubble wrap and colored tissue paper, was a large wooden box. The moment she read the scripted letters burned into the top of the it, she knew exactly what she’d find inside, and she huffed out a shaky breath. As soon as she opened it, she knew she was right; the smell wafted up from the contents of the box, despite the fact that they were vacuum sealed, and it hit her like a punch in the gut.

 I love Earl Grey.

She could hear his soft laugh, his words back to her. “I know. It’s the aroma, isn’t it?”

She was staring down at a beautiful box of British-imported loose leaf Earl Grey tea. Included was a small metal tea strainer, and little wrapped bags of spices and citrus peels, all individually wrapped and sectioned off into their own little spots in the box lined with velvet. In the center was a burgundy tin, and Dani smiled as soon as she read what it housed.

For someone whose tea-drinking habits involved microwaving water and using whatever brand of bagged tea was cheapest, the custom-built box before her was intimidating.  And somehow, Bright knew it would be. (Because of course he did.) Inside the tin in the middle were fifty already-assembled tea bags of Earl Grey from the same gourmet ingredients, ready to be slipped into hot water without hassle and enjoyed immediately.

 With friends.

It was one of the very best gifts she had ever been given in her life. And she felt a renewed hatred for Paul Lazar that Malcolm wasn’t there to share it with her. She reached down and pulled the tin out from the box. It popped open easily, and she was overtaken by that delightful smell again. She breathed it in for a few moments, until her nose grew used to it and the smell wasn’t nearly as potent to her.

Eventually, she removed the entire wooden box from its packaging, and that’s when she found the card. It was a simple folded card, red on the outside, blank on the inside, save for Malcolm’s writing. It was simple enough–just wishing her a merry Christmas and a happy new year, but the way he had signed it made the breath halt in her chest.

 Your friend,

 Malcolm Bright

“God, Bright,” she murmured, grinding her teeth again as she willed herself not to cry. But it was a fight she soon gave in to. What was the use? They had been searching for him for days, pouring everything they had into finding some kind of lead on where he had been taken, all to have nothing turn up. And then he’d gone and gotten her a damn thoughtful gift for a holiday he had been kidnapped on. It was all too much.

So Dani let herself cry for a few minutes. When it was over, she felt better and worse at the same time. She closed the lid of the wooden tea box and tucked it into the biggest drawer of her desk. The little card from Bright she taped, open, on the side of her computer monitor; she would see it each and every time she sat down at her desk.

And she vowed she wasn’t going to be drinking any tea at all until she found him, until he could sit and have a cup with her, himself.

[miraculous-ladybum]

Miraculous Fic Idea

I’m not sure if I’ll ever actually write this, but I dreamt it up one night and feverishly wrote it down at 3 AM. In case I never get around to it, here’s the rough outline I wrote. (I’m sorry for the terrible writing but again it was 3 AM and ya girl was going FAST)

·       Ladybug gets sick of chat’s flirting, tells him he can’t possibly think it would actually work

 “but my lady I am so suave”

 “ok then pick a random girl and pretend she’s me for a week and tell me how that goes”

“what but my lady”

“is there a girl in front of you in class?”

 “no”

“behind you?

Ya

She single

Ya

She cool

Ya

Her

What

Do it and then tell me how successful you are I promise she’s gonna be just as annoyed

·       Ladybug think she smart bc she offloads chat onto someone else

·       Adrien starts flirting with marinette and she is v confused

 Marinette.exe has stopped responding

·       Chat is like wah she hates me I love you this is pointless

“u gotta act like SHE IS ME buddy ok you gotta get over this”

Chat realizes she was trying to get rid of him

§  Dumb bb takes a fucking hint for once

§  “FINE THEN OK’

·       Actually acts like it’s her

Marinette starts responding like ladybug when she’s off guard, Adrien v encouraged

Wow this is actually getting easier also she puns too #soulmate

·       He asks her to a picnic, it’s awks at first then they have a fuckin blast

Actin like ladybug and chat noir

Possible chasing antics

·       Cue AKUMA

·       Ladybug asks how it’s going he says well but he feels wrong abt it when he still has feelings for ladybug

Lb is like listen bub it looks like you got smth good with her and it’s not gonna happen with me ok

What no

Ya know that guy I’ve been in love with for like forever well recently it’s actually been going really well with him and I think we have a chance so like.. you need to move on ( >:) DRAMATIC IRONYYY)

·       Cue Sad Adrien

·       Decides to Actually Try To Move On with mari

Asks her on a dinner date :O

·       Awks at first then he’s like UGH I’m sorry I can’t I just can’t get over this girl

Mari sad

But like she said it’s never gonna happen and I need to move on and I really like you but it doesn’t feel fair while I’m in love with her

Mari Grows A Pair and is like well frankly My Dear this girl is not worth it she is an IDIOT for turning down an amazing guy like you yadda yadda yadda she blind and her heart is stone cold and you deserve a girl that’s gonna return the love you give out #becauseyoureworthit and I think we have a great thing going (she starts to ramble and almost says bc I really like you but then she realizes what she’s saying and is like oh shit)

Adrien is just like :O

She’s like WOW LOOK AT MY WRIST I HAVE A PANINI IN THE OVEN I MUST LEAVE and starts to leave but then Adrien is like what were you going to say

And she is all torn but then swallows it bc GODDAMMIT THIS WAS GOING SO WELL UGH and is like I really like you

Then he’s like thank you marinette that actually…really helped. You’re right

And she’s like …yeah duh

Then he’s like oh you had to go?

No the panini can wait the oven wasn’t on

And they have dessert

·       When he drops her off he’s like thank u for what u said at dinner

And she’s all blush blush

·       Then he kiss her on the cheek and with his lips like an inch away from hers he’s like I really like you too

Then he gets in the car

Marinette is frozen then does a whole happy dance

·       Cue Adrien starting to get an Actual Crush on mari

Marinette looks amazing today wtf

No she looks normal dude

No way (gushes abt her)

My man you’ve got Marinette Vision

§  Cue whole class being thirsty 4 mari

§  Chloe tries to deny it but then sabrina outs her as thirsty too

·       Flirting shenanigans yeehaw

·       After class one day on the steps Adrien is abt to get in the car then runs back and movie kisses mari

I’ve been wanting to do that for a while

·       Kitty and lb have a <3 2 <3 abt their new boos

·       More dating shenanigans

·       Lila gets mad and is like mari is cheating on Adrien w/cn

Whole class gets mad

Mari is upset and is like babe I promise

 Adrien is like lol that is the wurst lie evah I believe u mari

 Nino sees them bein Happy Couple and is like dude u gotta know

Adrien gets Mad

Tells off lila in front of EVERYONE hahaha

·       Ok time 4 a reveal I think buckle in

·       Ok so Circumstances Happen and they end up in a battle with hawky

·       Chat’s ring gets removed somehow and he promptly gets stabbed by the hawks

Emotional Scene w/ lb

ADRIEN NO

“ladybug...take my ring... beat this fucker”

He dies

She gets ring somehow (depends how he lost it rn tbh)

She kiss him one last time

Puts on ring becomes GOD

·       Everyone is like :O (mb rena and carapace are there idk yet)

·       She MAD

Transformation is she GLOWS FROM EVERY ORIFICE AND FLOATS OFF THE FLOOR MENACINGLY AND HER HAIR IS FLOATING AND IT’S MAD WICKED MAN

Everyone still like :O

·       Hawky tries to say something and she is like SILENCE (also her voice is all boomy and needs to be in a Scary Font)

·       Dumb boi hawk still tries to fight and she just wipes her hand and both she and him disappear

Go into a meadow v peaceful as just themselves

They have a heart to heart

Gabe knows he been beat and gives his miraculous

They reappear and she does the most fuckin snatched miraculous ladybug of all time

Like Ultra Power

EVERYTHING in paris is fixed

Not just akuma stuff EVERYTHING

§  People in the hospital are cured

§  Adrien revived ofc

§  But also

·       Peacock miraculous is fixed (maybe they got it on the way to gabey haven’t decided yet could be an interesting future plotline but idk yet)

·       And So Is Emilie

Downstairs, deep under Agreste mansion, someone else awakens…

·       Gabey goes to Jail

Nobody checks on emilie bc he didn’t tell mari she was in a Shrine she thought she was like Dead ya know

·       Everyone is happy

·       Butterfly miraculous is returned

·       But then like a week later they discover that master fu has been brutally murdered

His apartment is ransacked and the butterfly miraculous is GONE

Idk yet How the others survived but they do

§  We’ll figure something

·       Suddenly, an akuma!!!

·       There’s a new Hawkmoth in town

·       Emilie.

·       Ya then like a whole second part maybe with post reveal relationship or just a cliffhanger and then there can be a sequel or just ya know a segue into the adult canon

[sheilarice1]

Silver Death- Part 11

Plane Seats?:

When I go to bed that night I sit in my room with my door closed until Winter comes in.

"So what else can I do?"

"What?"

"You were going to tell Wido-Natalia that I could do something else other than become invisible and make fire."

"Ah that."

"Yes that. Would you like to tell me what I can do?"

"As long as you don't get mad at me."

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Because what you can do could make you feel that you made Steve like you against his will."

"James. I want to know. What can I do?"

"You can alter people's emotions. And you can shift your physical appearance. But the altering emotions and shifting thing got suppressed by HYDRA and since the dosage will probably wear out soon they may come back."

"Wait. I might be making the people on your team like me? Even if they don't."

"It's a possibility. But know that before HYDRA started doing experiments we had already met. And I already cared for you. HYDRA gave you those powers."

Standing up I grab earbuds and my phone.

"Silv where you going?"

"Shed. I wanna keep working. My mind needs to stay busy."

"I'm coming with you."

"No. You need sleep. I don't. Go to bed Winter."

"Only if you come too. You need sleep. Your not a machine."

"No I'm not a machine. I'm going to work on a machine."

"What kind of machine?"

"I don't know yet."

Opening the bedroom door and walking out I grab my boots not bothering to put them on and leave the house.

When I get to the draining grate I look at the camera Natal-Widow had set up, and open the passage door.

Sliding down the ladder I want to cry, but I won't because that is what I was taught. Don't cry because crying is weak. And the weak get killed.

Climbing to my nest I see Clint sitting there, with his hearing aids in.

"So what's with you and sitting up here alone?"

A look of contemplation crosses his face. I wait for a few moments until he responds.

"I am not supposed to tell you this but S.H.E.I.L.D. is looking for us. We were compromised and think that S.H.E.I.L.D is going to lock us up when we get back to New York."

"Shitty. But why are you staying away from your team?"

"I want to go home. To my wife and kids."

"But you can't. So why not just find a way to contact them and oh I don't know drag them here?"

"I wouldn't know how."

"Your wife have e-mail?"

"Yah. Why?"

"I have a computer room. Come."

I stand up and jump off the edge of the nest with Hawkeye following a few moments after me.

Once we reach the computer room I turn on my main computer and log into my email.

"What's her email?"

"Um. Laura_Barton@gmail.com"

Typing it in as he says I get him to check it only for him to nod. Putting inscriptions on I send an email saying

'CB is safe in a nest, with a spider as company. For more information please click here.'

Positioning the mouse over the send button I grab Hawkeye's hand and set it on the mouse.

"Go for it."

He hits send and within the next five minutes of me sitting behind him messing with a dismantled computer I hear a sharp binging noise.

1 new email.

To: Silver_Killer@hotmail.com

'Who is this? Tell me and then I will clink the information link.'

To: Laura_Barton@gmail.com

'Your hubby is here. Click the dam button he wants to talk to you.'

"That wasn't a nice reply Silver."

"Well it worked. You can hit the accept button."

"The what?"

As soon as he says it a FaceTime request come onto the computer screen.

"The that. Now hit accept."

He hits it.

"Clint? Is that really you?"

He only nods.

"You were supposed to be back home a week ago. I assumed worst."

He starts snapping his fingers at me.

"What? Forget how to speak?"

With him nodding I sigh and come into view of the camera.

"Hi Laura. My name is Silver. Your husband is currently unable to speak due to the fact that he's crying. Would you mind coming to Canada to see him?"

"Canada? He's still in Canada?"

"Yah. He crashed the Quinjet into the field near my house. So he and his team are here. Tell me a time that works best for you and your tickets will be purchased."

"Um, whenever."

"Okay. If you wouldn't mind giving me just one second while I find a airport near you."

"Did Clint tell to where we live?"

"No I tracked where this FaceTime originated from. If you get to the airport in the nearest city say umm Janesville, maybe on Monday since it's is Thursday now I can have a flight booked for you and your kids."

"How did you track where I am?"

"I will explain when you get here. Until then I leave you with your mostly composed husband. Have a good night. You will be flying into Winnipeg MB and I will pick you and your kids up."

Leaving the room only to hear the first part of the conversation

"I'm so sorry for not finding you sooner."

"You are okay though? The girl said you crashed."

"Yah. Everyone is safe. Where are the kids?"

"Outside. Do you want to speak to them?"

"No. Give them a good surprise when they get here."

"Okay. Clint ho..."

By the time I am out of earshot I am across the shed and standing by the entrance to the gym door.

Going in I can hear some hitting the punching bag. Captain America is in a white muscle shirt and sweat pants.

I stand and watch him for five minutes before I walk away.

I go back to the house and go to find Widow.

Knocking on the door to the room she is occupying I call her name.

"Widow? I need some help with something."

"Coming."

"Thank you."

As she walks out the door I glance the clock.

"Did I wake you?"

"No, I was reading."

"Ah. I am getting some plane tickets for the Barton family to come see Clint. What would the best places for them be? Like middle seats? A section where there is a window?"

"Laura and the kids are coming here? Is that safe?"

"Yes. I have fake passports and a fake ID for Laura. I am buying the tickets so that they don't have to. But I need to know the best seats for them."

"Cooper- Clint's son- likes a window seat. Lila the daughter likes an isle seat. Laura just needs to be near her kids."

"That is very helpful. Would you like to help me pick seats?"

"Sure."

We go up to my room where Winter is asleep. I pull the covers over him to keep him warm.

Sitting down on the stool I give Widow the office chair so she can be comfortable.

"Do you think West Jet would be okay?"

"Yes Silver I think it would be."

"Okay. And what about seats. What ones do you think are the best?"

She points to the screen "maybe these ones."

"Okay. Booked. And I need someone to come pick them up with me. Would you mind coming with me?"

"Of course I'll come, but I don't think we will all fit in your truck."

"I have a van that we can take. It can hold like 10. Plus luggage."

"That works. Where is that?"

"In the shed that looks like it's gonna fall over."

Nodding she stands up and stretches.

"Where is Clint?"

"He was in the computer room. Steve was in the gym. And everyone else is asleep as far as I know."

"I'm gonna go see Clint and maybe talk Laura. Is that okay?"

"Go for it. I'm gonna log off of this and hopefully sleep."

"Good luck. At least you have a human heater."

"Is you room cold? I can turn up the heater!"

"No no the room is fine. Wanda is just an ice cube. It's rather funny."

"Okay. If you want the heater in your room turned up feel free to."

"Okay. Thanks for helping Clint like this."

"He has a family that's worried about him. He needs for them to know he's safe. And he includes you as family."

With a nod she leaves.

I sit and wait for awhile until I grow tired.

Sliding Winter so his back is near the wall I climb into the bed so I'm at the edge, I want to keep him safe before I disappear again. But when I disappear this time, I won't be found.

[fearofaherobrine]

Roleplay Server Log #278

“Sammn Goes Out, Cp Surges, Mb Aggravation”

-Le little bit of time passes-

[Sammn] - (dreaming) Is running, out of breath and terrified of something chasing her. A deep and disturbing echo of laughter urges her forward, blindly through the darkness. In front of her, a dark shape looms out, blocking her path and making her trip, trying to stop -

[VOICE] vos potest non currere a me – The shape starts moving toward her, the ground shaking with each step –

[Sammn] – scrambles back away –

[VOICE] citius dare, citius nos occidere potest, his nos oportet – The shape leans down toward her, reaching out –

[Sammn] – cowers, screaming –

[??] WAKE UP – NOW!!!

[Sammn] – wakes up screaming, only to find herself standing outside, once again -

[Doc] Was taking a break outside and runs to her with a roar, thinking she's in trouble - Sammn?

[Sammn] - falls down, gasping for breath -

[Doc] Regards her sadly- bad dreams again?

[Sammn] - nods, not quite able to speak yet -

[Doc] Loafs near her so she can lean on the dragon if she wants- just take it easy... You're safe

[Sammn] - Leans against hir - I ... am so...sick of this

[Doc] Puts the fluff of hir tail on on Sammn like a blanket- I'm sorry. I wish I could help you. I'm no good with dreams though. That's more Cps thing.

[Sammn] - shakes head - I have a horrible feeling these aren't just dreams. I keep hearing the same voices.

[Doc] Bad memories then perhaps? Your mind might have conciously blocked them out to protect your sanity.

[Sammn] Possibly, but... it feels .... worse than memories.

[Doc] I'm sorry Sammn, do you want to go over to Lies and grab a calming blossom? It might help you relax at least.

[Sammn] - shrugs - I have nothing else planned...can't hurt.

[Doc] just climb up, ill carry you

[Sammn] - climbs on -

[Doc] Trots gently over to Lies house and hunts around for her- Lie?

[Lie] Is replacing glass in the green house- Over here Doc!

[Doc] Can we trouble you for a calming blossom Lie?

[Lie] Forms one in her hands- It's no trouble at all, what's going on?

[Sammn] - reaches down to grab it - Thanks Lie.

[Doc] More nightmares, or flashbacks maybe? She was sleepwalking.

[Lie] - Do you want a dream flower then?  It might help you get a peaceful nights sleep...

[Sammn] - sighs - I don't know. I don't think there's are just dreams, but also not memories either.

[Doc] I mean it wouldn't hurt. If you don't need it, it's still a pretty flower. You can just stick it in your hair or something.

[Lie] Begins concentrating, working on making another dream flower-

[Sammn] If I could just get a decent night's sleep... It's getting hard to think some days. Even if I nap, I wake up elsewhere.

[Doc] Do you need to be locked up? Like just shut in someplace with a bed until you wake up?

[Sammn] - shrugs - I tried using a lead to tie my leg, but it failed. I woke up in a tree. Maybe if I'm locked somewhere... - yawns -

[Doc] I can help you if you need me.

 [Lie] Finishes the flower- Here, at least try this as well

[Sammn] - reaches for the flower - Pretty.

[Doc] Lovely as always. -sniffs the flower delicately-

-The mist like edges of the flower swirl around a little-

[Sammn] - stares at the flower, entranced -

[Doc] A little birdie told me Cp was in trouble. Well, kind of a big birdie actually.

[Lie] - Yes, he is

[Doc] Still?

[Lie] - He's not allowed in the house right now

[Doc] Ah.

[Doc] You okay Sammn? It really does make a nifty little mist, doesn't it?

[Sammn] - is still staring at the flower, not listening -

[Doc] Loafs, just letting her take her time.

[Lie] Gently touches Sammn's arm- You okay?

[Sammn] - jerks away, startled - Ah... What?

[Lie] - Are you okay?

[Sammn] - shakes herself, trying to chase away the fog that was filling her brain - I..am just tired.

[Lie] - I have a spare bed inside if you want to take a quick nap...

[Doc] You know... You could just sack out on me and I'll grab you if you start wandering.

[Sammn] I guess. I mean, I don't want to be a bother. You must have things planned, watching me sleep can't be one of them.

[Lie] - My schedules open

[Doc] Curls hirself into a rough circle. - I'm sure I can entertain myself if need be.

[Sammn] - looks between the two of them, then down to the flower - Alright. Maybe it will work.

[Lie] - Do you want some tea to help you relax?

[Doc] Gets comfy and offers Lie a paw to sit on.

[Lie] - Let me go get a book first

[Sammn] - shakes head and tries to find a comfy postion. As soon as her eyes close, she's out, relaxing -

[Doc] Puts hir tail fluff over Sammn like a lap blanket and pulls out hir computer. By the time Lie gets back xe's staring at it utterly fascinated and theres a comforting narration with a British accent coming from the box.

[Lie] Settles down on Doc's paw to read-  So what are you listening to Doc?

[Sammn] (dreaming) - is in darkness, surrounded by faint whispering. She strains, but can't make out what they are saying. Dread fills her as the voices seem to press in on her, circling like a wolf staking it's prey.

[Doc] Look at this Lie. It's so cool - On the screen is a small feathered dinosaur and someone talking about it.

[Lie] - Oh, I think I remember those

[Doc] Chuckles- You're not that old? Are you Lie?

[Lie] Gives Doc a little swat- No, but there were programs like this on tv pretty often

[Doc] The graphics they're using are pretty nice.

-The narrator switches to talking about larger dinosaurs and there's a bit about Spinosaurus-

[Doc] Hey! I know that one!

[Sammn] - twitches in her sleep, whimpering -

[Lie] - Yeah that's the one we tested my offensive pod on

[Doc] Feels her twitch and cranes hir neck around to check on her- A sucessful test. Quite funny too. Your face was so red!

[Lie] - That poor triceratops...

[Sammn] (dreaming) - The whispering grows in volume and now she can make out parts of words. She struggles to move, the dread turning into fear. -

[Doc] I wonder if it was a male or a female? At least it couldn't get pregnant.... Sammn?

[Lie] - No idea

[Sammn] (dreaming) "Run, rescape, flee!" The whispering is loud now, almost thunderous. Crawling, she screams back at the voices.

[Doc] Here, hop up Lie!

[Lie] Quickly jumps off the paw-

[Doc] Rolls sideways and holds Sammn in hir paws- It's okay... you're safe....

[Sammn] - kicks out, eyes snapping open. Her eyes are solid purple and glowing. She opens her mouth and a voice, not her own speaks - Debet evaders!

[Doc] Clutches her tightly, afraid she'll hurt herself. - Sammn!

[Lie] Spawns more calming flowers-

[Sammn] Ianuae magicae! - she disappears in a puff of purple sparkles.

[Lie] - Sammn!?

[Doc] Did she do an ender teleport?! Maybe that's why she's ending up in random places!

[Sammn] - a chunk away, she reappears up in the branches of a tree, falling limply. As soon as she lands, she 's awake and screaming.

[Doc] Snatches up Lie and the command block and runs towards the distant sound-

[Lie] Yelps in surprise-

[Sammn] - is in shock and curls up, crying -

[Doc] Runs to her- Sammn!

[Lie] Spawns even more calming flowers, not sure what else she can do-

[Doc] Tries to comfort her - At least now we know why she keeps waking in random places....

[Lie] - Yeah...

[Sammn] - slowly stops crying, but is shaking - What... happened?

[Doc] You teleported in your sleep-

[Lie] - It was a bit surprising

[Sammn] - stares - Teleported? They said to run... but...

[Doc] Do you want me to turn your tp ability off? I'm an admin, I can probably  block it that way.

[Sammn] - thinks for a second - Yes. I don't know how I'm doing this. This... Can't be good.

[Lie] - Do you have...  Any?  Idea as to what's causing this?

[Doc] Okay - xe starts typing in the chat and blocks Sammn's tp privledges specifically-

[Sammn] No... I don't have any memories of being able to do anything like this. - shivers and whispers - They said run.

[Lie] - Who said run Sammn?

[Sammn] - Shakes head - No clue, I heard voices. A lot of them, telling me to run, escape, flee.

[Lie] - Can I look?  I may be able to see something mentally...

[Sammn] - nods -

[Lie] - Just think about what you heard and saw- She begins concentrating and also projects it to Doc

[Doc] Is just listening intently-

[Sammn] - thinks about the dream. Darkness, sense of dread, and voices. 100's of them, taking over each other but all saying run.

[Lie] Although there are no visuals, they do hear all of the voices and Lie shudders a little-

[Doc] Well that's terrifying...

[Sammn] - hugs herself - These are different than the other ones.

[Doc] Different how?

[Lie] - So what exactly can we do to help?  I mean, maybe a hypnotist could do something...

[Sammn] One, is kind. It tells me to wake up, that is not real. The other... It... wants me to give in. I really don't know. - taps her temple - It's locked up in here.

[Doc] telling someone to wake up sounds very... Herobrine...

[Lie] Thinks of her husband- Yes...  It does...

[Sammn] Again, I don't know. I just know I trust that one. I get no... fear from it. Anger, yes, but nothing directed toward me.

[Doc] Do you think your brine is still, protecting you somehow?

[Sammn] Possible. If he was able to contact you,  he can reach out from where ever he is.

[Doc] I want to help him too, if it's even possible to find him.

[Lie] Places a reassuring hand on Doc-

[Doc] respectful and thoughtful silence, but a small smile at Lie.

[Sammn] - sighs - He had to have had a reason for asking you to get me. I just wish I had a clue why. I feel like this is... my fault.

[Sammn] There has to be some way to make me remember.

[Doc] Well nobody deserves to never get a good nights sleep no matter the circumstances.

[Lie] - So what do we do?

[Sammn] - yawns, suddenly exhausted as her adrenaline wears off - Maybe if I could sleep with no dreaming. For all I know, these dreams have been keeping me awake for awhile. If I could rest, maybe my head might be clearer.

[Doc] Apart from Cp, the only thing I can think of thats a guaranteed knockout is going irl for the first time. That's like a week of sleep, at least.

[Lie] - I'd rather not ask anything of my husband right now

[Sammn] At this point, I'm willing to try anything. I can't keep going like this.

[Doc] You said you wanted to go out there anyway? Didn't you? I mean it's painful and it sucks for a while, but it gives you more places to go.

[Sammn] - nods groggily -

[Doc] Taps out a quick note to Deerheart. - Lie? Do you need anything? I mean. If you want to keep me company.

[Lie] - Sure, I don't mind stepping out for awhile

[Doc] The tv is still set up in the one we used last time... I can always pop back here for any supplies we need. Or pull them out of the creative.

[Lie] - Then I think we're ready

[Doc] Got it- Xe rears hir head back and bangs it forward, smashing a decent-sized hole in reality. The darkened space is visible beyond and there's a bit of a musty smell laced with the flowers Lie left behind.

[Lie] - Come on Sammn, we'll be right here with you

[Doc] Shrinks down and walks into the hole, waiting to catch her on the other side-

[Sammn] - stumbles forward -

[Doc] reaches out to catch her-

[Sammn] - gives a surprised yelp as pain flares, basically everywhere, the worst centered in her skull. One half stumble step and she pitches forward -

This message has been removed.

[Lie] Goes and pulls the blankets off one of the beds, flapping it to get the dust off-

[Doc] Grabs her so she doesn't fall and helps her to the bed - Easy Sammn

[Sammn] - mumbles incoherently, unable to think past the pain in her head -

[Lie] Runs the blanket through her inventory real quick before putting it over Sammn- Just sleep Sammn, you'll be okay

[Sammn] - mumbles once more and passes out -

[Doc] Tucks her gently in-

[Lie] Sits on the other bed- Well good thing I still have my book

[CP] Perks as he see's Lie leaving the server, his emotions rolling out in waves-

-A small endermite scuttles up the trunk of the tree and buzzes at Cp from under a leaf block-

[CP] Punches downwards-

-There's a panicked POOF and TLOT appears next to him-

[TLOT] That was uncalled for...

[CP] - Where did they go?

[TLOT] They took Sammn irl...

[CP] Makes a whining noise-

[TLOT] I don't think it was specifically to punish you or anything.

[CP] - I'm not even allowed in the house right now!

[TLOT] Somehow I think that's on hold. I mean, you need to feed Hope at least.

[CP] - The kid is in there

[TLOT] Oh? He's not with Firebird? Well he probably wanted some space. He never did learn to fly. Shame really.

[CP] - I'm sorry, what?

[TLOT] Oh, Firebird caught him plucking his poor parrot. So I arranged for a suitible punishment.

[CP] - And nobody told me?

[TLOT] Well Firebird hustled him off to teach him how to bird. I didn't see him again until he came to me begging to be made human again.

[CP] Grumbles under his breath-

[TLOT] What? Did you want to chase the little birdie? Firebird was apparently throwing him out of trees trying to teach him to fly.

[CP] - That would have been entertaining to watch

[TLOT] I was just disappointed that he didn't get anything positive out of it. Well... he won't try to pluck anything living again at least. And he probably won't deliberatly piss me off either.

[CP] Is getting fidgety-

[TLOT] Watches him cautiously - I know you miss your mate Cp... but that's no reason to... wait. Where's your Honedge?

[CP] - Fuck if I know

[TLOT] That's not good. Can you... call it or something?

[CP] - No idea

[TLOT] Maybe we should go talk to Deerheart... I'm pretty sure Pokemon can call for one another. Maybe we can get her Shaymin or Mudsdale to summon your sword.

[CP] - I'm fine

[TLOT] I think that's not the case... - in chat- Deerheart? Can you please bring one of your Pokemon to Lie's house?

[Deer] - I don't think I can move right now

[TLOT] Why? Do you need help!?

[Deer] - No, I should be fine by tonight

[TLOT] Should we come to you?

[Deer] - Er, no, I'm good

[TLOT] I think I'll start heading your way all the same. This may become urgent quite quickly. - turns to Cp- Are you going to walk with me? Or do I have to force you?

[CP] Floats off a distance-

[TLOT] Got it. Hard way it is. - He steps back and swells into an ender dragon shape and darts towards Cp-

[CP] Darts away as quickly as he can-

[TLOT] Gives a mighty flap of his wings and tries to snag Cp's shirt in his jaws.

[CP] Is caught- Fuck!

[TLOT] Flaps some more, closing the distance between them and the castle easily-

[CP] - Let me go!

[TLOT] Muffled- No. I recognize that twitch. You need your sword.

[CP] Growls- I do not!

[TLOT] Lands on the porch and shoves Cp into the side door of the shrine before following him in- will you please just trust me? I'm psychic, I can see you're on edge.

[CP] - I will stab you in the face

[TLOT] Yes, yes. Very intimidating. - Is shoving Cp along-

[CP] Digs his heels into the ground-

[TLOT] Just keeps shoving. - Can you actually walk down the stairs? Or do I have to tp you for safety reasons?

[CP] - Just fuck off!

[TLOT] Is musing aloud. - I wonder if the Gastly eats energy? I know the Galvantula just likes electricity....

[CP] Tries to tp back to his tree-

-The tp fails because Doc missed a line and turned it off for everyone-

[CP] - THE FUCK!?

[TLOT] Stops - What now?

[CP] - I can't teleport!

[TLOT] Matter o-fact-ly - Then that's another reason to talk to Deerheart. With Lie and Doc out she's the only other admin. I hate resorting to this with you, but you're really annoying me right now.  - He leans backwards as if to do a flip and changes into a very large spider with glowing eyes. Deftly he grabs Cp and scuttles down the stairs with him, through the chrous hallway, the magma room and the kitchen, heading for the lab. Mentally he calls out for Deerheart- I'm sorry but this is kinda urgent... Cp might be close to another energy surge, he's lost his Honedge. Also he can't tp right now. - He plunks Cp down on the edge of the lava pool with his feet in it and tries to tp himself to Cp from a few feet away- Oh fuck... I can't tp either! Something is definetly wrong!

[CP] - Sucks to be you, now I'm leaving

[TLOT] You are not going anywhere until we find your sword! - he piles a bit of weight around Cps feet to hold them down in the lava and types out - Deerheart I really really need you right now.

[CP] Scowls and the lava around his feet starts getting hotter-

[TLOT] Stop that. Unless you want to be chest deep instead of just your feet in it - annoyed, he tries calling out for Lost Silver instead

[Silver] In chat- Yes?

[TLOT] Silver can you please come over by the slime cage and bring one of your Pokemon?

[Silver] - Oh, um sure- In a few moments he's there with Sylveon

[TLOT] Thank goodness! Just the man I need! Cp has lost his Honedge and he's building up energy fast. Is there a way for trainers or other Pokemon to call for a specific one?

[Silver] - Well yes, but sometimes a pokemon just wants to be alone for a bit

[TLOT] Yeeessss but Cp losing his shit could be really bad with Lie not here too. Do any of yours eat life energy?

[Silver] Shakes his head- Sorry, they don't.  You need a ghost type

[TLOT] What about the mama gastly? Can we lure her?

[Silver] - She might be able to take a little, but that one won't really take much energy until it's a Gengar

[CP] Is just waiting for TLOT's concentration to waver so he can move-

[TLOT] Dammit... I really doubt Doc wants her to evolve either.... She's kind of a pest.. What about the Banette? It's still in Lies house somewhere, right? Isn't it a ghost type?

[Silver] - Yeah, but it feeds off of negative emotions, Honedge feeds off of life energy

[TLOT] Gives Cp a slow look obviously thinking that Cps life energy IS mostly negative.

[CP] Is wondering if he can get the ground beneath the lava hot enough to melt and just slip through TLOT's nether energy-

[TLOT] Makes a really defeated face and calls out over the chat again, there's a bit of pregnant silence and then some tromping on the stairs-

[Mb] Comes down with Celine- what do you fuckers want?

[Celine] Hi!

[CP] Narrows his eyes at MB-

[TLOT] To offer you your favorite thing.

[Mb] Suspicious look-

[TLOT] Cp has too much energy and it's building up to a level where he could be a danger to anyone who comes near him.

[Mb] And I care why?

[CP] - I'm fine!  It hasn't happened yet!

[TLOT] I want you to take him somewhere and spar with him. I'll watch Celine.

[Mb] Actual genuine smile- gladly.

[Celine] lots of small peeping noises

[CP] - TLOT you are over reacting!

[TLOT] Cuts him loose from the weight- am I? I'm trying to help you. Go get some exercise.

[CP] - Fuck you!-  He tromps out of the lava

[Mb] givesTLOT a hard look. - take care of her, or else. [TLOT] You don't have to threaten me. Come on Celine, I'll read you a story. And Silver, thank you for the advice. [Celine] BOOK! BOOK!

[CP] Is growling-

[Mb] is just watching Cp, thinking he might bolt

[CP] Sits down, refusing to move-

[Mb] Aww, you're just gonna pout when we got the go ahead for some bloodshed at last?

[CP] - Only to prove TLOT wrong

[Mb] chuckles darkly- Petty motherfucker

[CP] - Besides, wouldn't you like to see the "love god"  proven wrong?

[Mb] Ha! I don't have a personal beef with him like you apparently do.

[CP] - Besides, if given the choice I'd rather fuck my wife

[Mb] Oh yeah... - his voice is oily- saw her go out... With Doc...

[CP] Grits his teeth a liitle-

[Mb] Also, it's more fun to grief you then TLOT, you actually have combat experience. He just tries to subdue everyone. It's lame.

[CP] - No shit!  The first time he just sat on me as a full grown dragon!

[Mb] Laughs- you seem to have a long history of being annoyed by dragons!

[CP] - You know, if you ever really want to fight TLOT, all you have to do is hurt Steve

[Mb] Why, what happens when you do that? He just has some kinda fit?

[CP] - He'll probably try to murder you

[Mb] Meh. Another pissed off Herobrine is nothing unique. I presume that fucking weight trick just has a crushing mode or something?

[CP] - Don't know, all he's ever done to me with it is immobilize.  But if you piss him off, he'll turn into a giant monster

[Mb] Floats up a bit and does a little roll in the air - Now that sounds unique! Do tell all the gory details!

[CP] - Where's the fun in that?  Wouldn't you prefer to find out yourself?

[Mb] Ha! You just want to see me get my ass kicked! Fine, be mysterious as you want fuckhead. I'll do it when you're not around.

[CP] - Oh I'll hear about it later because I'll probably get blamed for it.  You know Steve can be vicious for the absolute most ridiculous of reasons

[Mb] Now you're fucking with me! The 'lamb'? He's just a Steve. They all throw decent punches, but that's about it.

[CP] - Mess with his hair

[Mb] ...seriously? Why the fuck....? -Incredulous- Is it because TLOT brushes it perfect or something?!

[CP] - No idea, but go try it out

[Mb] Smarms- Not right now. - He floats close enough to give Cp an irritating poke in the head-

[CP] - Fuck off

[Mb] Come on... The kids are at the sitter, let's fucking rumble.

[CP] - Don't feel like it

[Mb] Keeps poking him-

[CP] - Stop it

[Mb] Nope

[CP] Stands up and just starts walking away-

[Mb] Pulls out a sword and makes a shallow jab at one of Cp's butt cheeks-

[CP] Turns with a snarl-

[Mb] Gives him an answering growl and a wicked smile-

[CP] He can feel his energy building and knows his two choices are always fight or fuck, and due to the massive lack of fucking in his lafe lately, that is the way he is leaning-

[Mb] Swishes his sword a little, just waiting.

[CP] - Don't wanna fight right now

[Mb] Suuure.

[CP] His breathing is becoming a bit harder as he starts walking off-

[Mb] Stalks him at a short distance.

[CP] Is heading for the outside-

[Silver] Is worried and backs away, retreating to his room with Sylveon-

[Mb] shrugs and follows-

[CP] Makes it outside and takes to flight-

[Mb] Spawns his two clones and flies after him at an unhurried pace.

[CP] Goes back to his pouting tree-

[Mb] Waits at the bottom for a few moments and then knocks a block of wood out of the trunk-

[CP] - Stop that

[Mb] Knocks out a few leaf blocks too.

[CP] - Fuck off

[Mb] Sends off one clone and theres some annoyed squawking as he dumps a pail of water in the chicken pen and gets them all wet and bunched up against one corner from the shallow current-

[CP] - Stop messing with my wife's animals!- His breathing is picking up even more now

[Mb] Why? They're all clean now. -Smirks-

[CP] - Just go away!

[Mb] No!

[CN] Comes outside- Where's Lie?

[CP] - Fuck off kid!

[Mb] She went someplace with Doc, pipsqueak.

[CN] - Without me?

[Mb] Sends one clone closer to talk to him, just floating over him - She went outside kid. Where you can't follow.

[CN] Starts tearing up- But...  But...

[Mbclone] What the fuck is your problem?

[CN] - I...  I wanted to tell her about the new thing I did that helped!

[Mbclone] Oh I gotta hear this. -Hovers over him- What did you do little NOTCH?

[Mbclone] Stops teasing the chickens and comes over too-

[CN] - I...  I talked to a...  To a programmer, and I was able to help her by giving her numbers...  And, and I talked on a phone!

[Mb] Comes over himself so Cn is basically surrounded. - What the fuck... You talked to a programmer? -eyes narrow- What kind of numbers?

[CN] A bit nervously- NOTCH numbers, they are programming new NOTCH's and trying to keep them relatively peaceful...

[CP] Is listening from the top of the tree-

[Mb] Looks unsettled- Why the fuck do they need new NOTCHs?

[CN] - So...  So when one dies they can be replaced...

[Mb] Makes a snarling noise, his sword is still out.

[CP] Darts down- Back off from the kid MB

[CN] Looks up at CP a bit surprised-

[Mb] Gives Cp a suprised look- Since when do you care? I thought you hated this little NOTCH?

[CP] - I do, but Lie cares about him and I don't think you want to get bit by one of her pods

[Mb] Yeah, but she aint here. -Uses his two clones to menace Cn a bit-

[CP] Punches the two clones in the face-

-Both clones pop and despawn-

[Mb] Smug-  Though you didn't want to fight?

[CP] - I don't

[CN] Moves a bit closer to CP-

[Mb] But you'll defend this teeny little NOTCH?

[CP] - Yes, because I prefer my mate be happy

[Mb] Feints towards Cn-

[CP] Blocks with his sword- CN, go to Notch's place, now

[Mb] Ugly laugh - Maybe I want him to stay here-

[CP] - Go

[CN] Darts off-

[Mb] Squares off with Cp and makes some small jabs towards his legs

[CP] - How about this, as soon as I lose control, you'll be the first to know

[Mb] Oh I'll know, because I'm staying right the fuck here.

[CP] - No, you're not

[Mb] You're gonna make me go away? That's never worked for anyone.

[CP] - Then I'll go somewhere you can't

[Mb] And that would be?

[CP] Creates an opening- The real world

[Mb] Hisses and backs down sullenly- That's cheating.

[CP] - Actually, it sounds like a wonderful idea

[Mb] mutters- asshole.

[CP] Starts going through, he's created an opening to the manor where he knows he's less likely to be followed to-

[Mb] Flips him off and leaves.

[CP] Enters his room and flops onto the bed, getting ready to ride this out-

[cosleia]

your millicent ficlet is so cute and so perfect!! i see u boys, both talking about each other incessantly. i see u. is there any chance of a follow up to that one? i'd love to see how things progress w benarmie. no pressure though of course! it's just too cute a set up to resist apparently! (you did your job too well mb haha! 💕)

Previously on benarmie coworkers au

He’d thought once his noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones arrived he would finally be free—that finally he would no longer be subjected to Ben Solo’s bored sighs, odd grunts, and random comments floating over the cubicle wall.

He had, of course, completely neglected to factor in Ben Solo’s natural skill at being an absolute pest.

“Hey, Red!” Ben yelled from behind him, leaning around Armitage to force eye contact. “Why so antisocial?”

Armitage made a show of waking his phone screen, hitting the stop button on his “get me out of here” playlist, delicately removing the headphones and placing them on the desk, and finally turning to look at Ben, eyes narrowed coolly. “What was that?” he asked, and his cheek only twitched a little.

Unfortunately, Ben seemed completely unaffected by Armitage’s obvious disdain. “I said, why so antisocial?”

“This is work,” Armitage said. “I’m working.”

“Aw, come on. You know the only way to get anywhere is to network.”

Armitage did know, and he hated it. He hated how he was expected to meet everyone, to learn all their names, to act as though what they had to say was interesting. He hated how hard it was for him to do any of those things. And he hated how Ben Solo made it look easy.

He wanted to come in, do his job, and go home. He did not want to spend all his brainpower on socializing.

It was practically treasonous to have these thoughts, so Armitage forced himself to voice none of them. Instead, he stretched his lips into the closest approximation of a smile he could manage and responded, “You’re right.”

Ben positively beamed at him. Armitage wanted to shove his keyboard down Ben’s throat through that big mouth of his. “So how about we socialize?” Ben said, and his stupid grin made his lips curl and his eyes sparkle like he was some kind of Disney prince.

Armitage held it together valiantly. “What did you have in mind?”

“How about lunch?” Ben asked, glancing away.

Ugh. Lunch. Ben always went with a big crowd of friends. It would be loud and crowded and confusing and annoying. Armitage opened his mouth to lie that he had packed his lunches for the rest of the week, but Ben spoke up again before he got the first word out.

“Nobody else is free today and I don’t like eating alone.”

Armitage looked at him for a moment. Ben’s usual confidence had disappeared. Was he really that hard up for companionship that he’d force himself on the biggest recluse in the office? He frowned a bit and glanced back to his monitor.

“If you’re too busy, that’s okay. I’ll figure something out,” Ben added quickly.

Armitage jumped on the excuse. “I am pretty busy,” he said. “Sorry.”

And that was apparently all he needed to say. Ben shuffled away, back to his own row, and Armitage pulled his headphones back on.

When lunchtime came, Armitage wandered down to the company cafeteria to find some soup. Ben was sitting alone in the corner, a sandwich and a bag of chips sitting untouched on the table in front of him. He was staring out the window, and he looked utterly despondent.

Armitage wasn’t sure he was hungry anymore. The chicken bowtie soup he’d been looking forward to didn’t seem particularly appealing now. Wasn’t that just like Ben Solo, barging in on his day and making him feel guilty over something that wasn’t even his responsibility?

“I hope you’re happy,” he snapped, setting his soup down across from Ben and dropping into a chair.

Ben turned away from the window so fast his voluminous hair actually bounced. A huge smile spread across his face. “Red!”

Armitage jabbed his spoon into his soup. “Let’s get one thing straight right now,” he commanded. “You are never to call me that ever again.”

The smile seemed to be permanently plastered to Ben’s face. “Sure,” he said eagerly. “Whatever you want.”

Armitage rolled his eyes. If he were to truly have what he wanted, he’d be alone right now, eating his soup in blissful solitude. Millicent could be there, he supposed.

“What are you thinking about?” Ben asked. “You always look like you’re thinking.”

Armitage abandoned his spoon and crossed his arms. “My cat.”

“Millicent, right? She’s really pretty.”

Armitage wasn’t sure how Ben Solo knew his cat’s name. “Yes,” he agreed.

Ben kept asking him questions, which made it difficult for him to eat. Eventually Armitage worked out a system whereby he took a mouthful of soup as soon as he’d answered. After that, it wasn’t terrible, having lunch with Ben Solo. It was a break from sitting at his desk, at least. And Ben didn’t appear to mind hearing about Millicent, and Millicent was easy to talk about.

Eventually Armitage’s phone alarm chimed; their lunch break was over. He hadn’t noticed the time passing so quickly.

Armitage rose from his seat. At this point he was perhaps supposed to say something, but he didn’t know what, so instead he just turned and walked away from the table.

“Later,” Ben said quietly behind him.

Armitage stopped and looked back. “Later,” he parroted, managing a small smile.

Ben’s face broke out in a grin. “Or I could walk with you, since we’re going to the same place?”

There was probably no way to escape, so Armitage shrugged, and Ben bounded up from his chair. It was fine. Ben wasn’t completely horrible. He’d agreed to stop using that awful nickname. He’d listened to Armitage talk about Millicent. And he’d never once made fun of Armitage’s lack of social skills, which Armitage would have expected by now from someone as popular and sociable as Ben Solo.

(Armitage had also come to realize during the meal that Ben was rather nice to look at.)

Walking alongside Ben to the elevator, Armitage felt himself smiling—a real smile this time. It might not be so intolerable having Ben as a coworker after all.

[youllneverknowrac]

Oscar Diaz-Lockdown

(MBS)

“Anthony, mijo you are ten years old. You should know this multiplication shit by now.” You hear Oscar say as he sits in the dining room with both school age boys and Junior who had his own work to get done. Angel sitting at the table as well as he pretends to do school work by coloring,”Do the problem again and actually show your work.”

You guys have been stuck in the house for three weeks now due to the virus, the only person that was able to leave being Oscar since he still had to go to work. Thankfully it was Friday afternoon so that meant he was at home and could take over the role of teacher. It was fun being able to teach your kids at first, but after three days you wanted to pull your hair out. Carlos and Anthony, your two sweet boys, hated anything to do with school and put little to no effort. The only good thing that came out of this virus was that your oldest son was now home, his campus closing down for the time being. Even though you were glad he was back, you couldn’t wait for things to go back to normal. You were going a bit stir crazy and needed time to yourself. But alas the mommy role was a never ending one.

“I have snacks.” You smile, coming in with a tray of finger sandwiches you made and a bowl of chips. Oscar has been at it for the last hour with them and you figured they could use a break.

“Oh yeah! Oh yeah! Give me.” Angel says and drop his crayons excitedly, Carlos and Anthony sighing in relief that you came to the rescue.

“Say please.” You remind as you set the items down

“Please mommy.” He says and holds his hand out

“Good boy.” You smile and pass him one of the smaller cut sandwiches, letting the boys eat while you go check on Alexander who sat in his pack n play in the living room.

“Hi fat boy.” You coo at him, making him giggle as he wobbles to pull him self up,”Do you want to come with mommy?” You ask, picking him up and giving him a kiss,”My happy baby, yes you are.”

“I will switch right now.” Oscar says from behind you,”I’ll take the baby, you take them.”

“Hmmm let me think.” You smile as you turn around, Alexander snuggling into you chest,”No.”

“Mami please.” Oscar begs,”I love our kids, but they are going to make me jump through the fucking window.”

“How do you think I feel? I’m here 24/7.” You say,”With ALL of them. At least I offered to watch the baby while you help them with their work.”

“Fine, but if I start yelling and shit starts getting thrown you can’t blame me.” He groans

“If you yell at any of my baby’s.” You start, setting Alex down on the floor to scoot around,”You’ll be sleeping on the couch tonight.” You finish, wrapping your arms around your grumpy husband,”So you better take a few deep breaths and remember that you asked for this life. You put those kids in my stomach so you can’t get frustrated with them when times are hard.”

Oscar sighs and looks up at the ceiling in thought before meeting your gaze,”I’ll try my hardest to not go crazy.”

“Good.” You smile and pucker your lips, Oscar rolling his eyes before pressing his own against them,”Love you, now get back in there.”

“Yeah, yeah, love you too.” He mutters, turning around and heading back to the dining room. You can’t help but laugh as he sulks, sitting down on the floor with Alex while you pass the time by watching one of your shows.

~

“Mommy! I’m done with my work.” Angel says about half a hour later causing you to exit out of the program, no way you would be able to pay attention now.

“Oh yeah? Let me see.” You smile and take the page from him, the once white paper now filled with random color scribbles everywhere,”Good job baby, it’s so good. What color is this?” You ask him as you point to a green line that he drew.

“Um green. Like the grass.” He answers with a smile,”I’m a smart boy mommy.”

“The smartest.” You say and set the paper down on the coffee table, letting him sit across from you. Alexander sitting a few feet away while he plays with some toys.

“Mommy?”

“Yes?”

“Can we go to the park?”

“No, you know we can’t Angel.” You sigh,”Why don’t we go play in the backyard?”

“Backyard is boring.” He says with a shake of his head,”I wanna go to the park. Park!” He yells his mood instantly changing as he grabs one of the toys that laid near him,”Park, park, park!” He repeats angrily as he cries, the toy flying across the room.

“Go to timeout, you don’t throw things.” You say and stand up, grabbing his arm and helping him up to his feet, Angel trying to pull away with all his might,”Now.” You say more sternly

“Let me go.” He screams,”Play at the playground!”

“Angel, stop.” You sigh before your husband swoops in and picks the toddler up, holding him at arms length.

“A quien le gritas?” He asks,”Are you screaming at mommy? You are a kid and you do what she says, no questions. So go get in timeout now.” Oscar says as he sets him back down, his little feet taking off to the corner and facing the wall,”Stop crying, o te daré algo para que llores.” He warns, all noise ceasing from Angel.

“Thanks.” You say not meeting his gaze, you knew the kids needed discipline, but that was the area you failed in when it came to parenting. Oscar was usually the punisher which is why the kids never questioned his authority,”I feel like we’re all gonna snap any day now.” You admit, running your fingers through your hair messily.

“Yeah, but he still needs to listen and he can’t be popping off like that.” Oscar shrugs,”Even before all this lockdown bullshit started he always threw a fit when he couldn’t get his way. I’m tired of it, you need to stop babying him.”

“I don’t baby him.” You lie with a shake of your head. It was true, he was probably the one you babied the most out of all of the kids. Even when his brothers were his age you didn’t have to treat them like you do Angel.

“So you don’t carry him around on your hip all the time? You don’t let him sleep in our bed still? You don’t pick up every single thing after him? You don’t...” Oscar continues before you cut him off.

“Alright so maybe I do just a little.” You say, glancing back at him,”I don’t know why I do it, maybe it’s cause he has a different personality than the boys did. He lets me baby him. He can claim big boy status all he wants but he loves being my baby. I know I need to stop but it’s just so hard.” You groan, resting your head forward on Oscar’s chest, letting him embrace you.

“I like when you baby me too mami.” He chuckles softly,”But there has to be a limit.”

“You’re right.” You sigh and pull away,”Can I start tomorrow though? I just wanna cuddle him right now.” You admit, Oscar playfully rolling his eyes and not even bothering to respond before going back to the other kids.

You walk over to the sulking boy and pick him up,”I’m sorry mommy.” He sniffles and rest his head on your shoulder as you hold him,”I hate inside.”

“I know baby, me too.” You smile sadly and press a kiss to his forehead,”Are you going to be a good boy now?”

“Yes. No more timeout pwease.” He begs, even though he wasn’t even there for more than two minutes,”I’ll be a good, good, good boy.”

“Works for me...How about we build a fort? A huge one?” You ask him excitedly,”It’ll be so much fun.”

“Yeah!” He cheers,”Come on! We need to get blankies.”

“Go get the ones from my room, I’ll stay in here with Alex.”

“You got it.” He laughs before running down the hall and disappearing. You grin happily and go over to pick up the baby, heading to the dining room to ‘let school out.’

“Enough work, come help me and Angel build a fort.” You say, Anthony and Carlos darting up and racing to the living room,”You guys too.”

“Sure, why not?” Junior shrugs as he closes his laptop and goes to join his brothers.

“Come on.” You grin and hold your free hand out for your husband.

“I’m coming.” He reply’s, nonetheless taking your hand in his. The two of you joining the rest of the household for some quarantine fun.

~

“I know they are a lot to handle, but I think we would be bored if we didn’t have all of them in here with us.” You whisper to Oscar, all five of your kids spread out around you and fast asleep in the makeshift bed. After building the fort you guys spent the rest of the inside of it watching movies and eating junk food. Each kid falling asleep one by one until it was just the two of you awake.

“Yeah, I thought about that too.” He yawns,”We’re pretty lucky. Even luckier if you finally gave me my babygirl.”

“Stop.” You whine, Oscar bringing up this conversation at least twice a week,”We don’t need another kid. Are the five we have not enough?”

“They are enough, but I wouldn’t mind one more.” He chuckles

“That’s easy for you to say when you’re not the one carrying a whole human for nine months and then pushing said human out.” You remind him,”Besides what if it’s another boy? Are you still going to want to try again after?”

“If it’s a boy then it’s a boy.” He shrugs,”I know it’s going to be a girl though.”

“You said that about Alex.” You laugh,”And he’s most definitely not a girl.”

“Oh my god, just have another baby. Who cares?” Junior groans from somewhere in the fort,”I’m trying to sleep.”

“Aye, callate la boca.” Oscar says amusingly,”Don’t be listening to our conversation fool.”

“Kind of hard to do when your two feet away from me.” Junior retorts, turning on his side as he try’s to fall back asleep.

“We’ll talk about this tomorrow, but the answer is still going to be no.” You say to Oscar,”Now go to sleep, you have a class tomorrow morning Mr.Diaz.”

“Nah, I’m going to play hookie. One day isn’t going to kill them.” He chuckles,”Lets go for a drive or something, we don’t have to get out of the car. We could just drive along the beach.”

“That actually sounds fun. Let’s do it.” He agrees.

“Awesome.” You grin excitedly,”I cant wait, we all need to get out for a while.”

Oscar hums in response, lightly rubbing his eyes tiredly,”Night mi amor.” He says moments later

“Good night.” You reply, kissing his cheek before letting your eyes close. Angel’s foot digging into your back, but you didn’t care. You were too tired to move him. Each day since being in lockdown making you more and more exhausted, but it was okay. Being trapped in the house with the people you love most is way better than being stuck all alone.

[kihyeet]

almost all of the clubs im in are music related bc im a nerd hskdfks but im in drumline and mb and my school's advanced choir. and im taking spanish!! it's my second year but my teacher has me working w the third year students bc she thinks im advanced?? and the language classes put on like. a musical every year called cabaret so im in that too!! also i am The Worst im sorry hskdhs school has been ruining my life but im on break right now bless - soft anon

oooooh my goodness soft anon i thought you’d disappeared but this was just hiding in my inbox this whole time omg im so sorry ksdjksd how are you spending your break queen :O i got 2 weeks left before my break sjdsk finals and such

ur probably advanced as hell in spanish bc mbb are smartbebes...... and i really wish i had musical talent :oooo im like tone deaf and cant play anything 

[rebeccahpedersen]

April, 2017: Transition Month, Or A “Blip” On The Radar?

TorontoRealtyBlog

The jury is still out on this one.

A lot of people think that the surge in inventory in April, combined with the lower-than-expected sales figures, signal the beginning of a transition to a more balanced market.

Others think that in the midst of an insanely hot September/October/November market, we’ll look back at April as a “blip.”

I want to revisit the month of April and present five major events that, combined with one-another, may have caused the market to pause, or as some have put it, cool.

Just when you think you know what’s going on in the market, you’re immediately going to be contradicted.

On Tuesday, the market absolutely exploded with new listings, the likes of which I haven’t seen in a while.

Over 140 new listings in the downtown core, C01 & C08, whereas 60-70 new listings is normal, 80-90 is a lot, and over 100 is absurd.

Yes.  140…

For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been talking about this “transition” that’s going on in the market, and how more and more properties are being re-listed, offer dates on condos are disappearing, and even a handful of freehold houses are being listed at fair market value with “offers any time.”

Of course, as soon as I think I know what’s going on in the market, something happens to the contrary.

Of all those listings that hit yesterday – the 140 downtown, the 50 on the east side, the 40 on the west side – almost all of them had offer nights.

Even the cookie-cutter condos, which I find shocking.

I’m sorry, Fort York Boulevard, Fleet Street, and Dan Leckie Way – you do not necessitate an offer night!

A 1,000 square foot hard-loft with a 600 square foot terrace?  Absolutely, set an offer night, and see what buyers are willing to pay!

But this isn’t January, when listings were down 50%, and 4-6 offers on a condo at 4K Spadina Avenue was the norm.

So once again, I’m left to wait-and-see, to try and make sense of this market.

Of all the houses and condos listed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week, we’ll have to keep track of them, and see how many sell on their scheduled “offer nights” this week, and whether or not the post-holiday-weekend market regains the form of February/March.

So what changed in April?

What was the cause of the market slowdown, whether it is to be short-lived, or extended?

Two weeks ago, I wrote a blog called “What Conclusions Can We Draw From April?”

That post was more about the TREB stats: sales, active listings, new listings, and average price.

Today, I want to look at the causes of those numbers.

It’s one thing to point out the what, but it’s another to point out the why.

The way I see it, there are five events, incidents, or sentiments that contributed to the strange month of April.  On their own, these might not be significant.  But combined, I think the following five items were enough to hit the PAUSE button for 3-4 weeks, and that’s why we are, where we are.

  1) The Ontario Fair Housing Plan

This has to be at the top of the list, and for good reason.

Ironically, that reason might not actually be the contents of the Liberal government’s 16-point-plan, but merely the idea itself that the government wants to bring about change.

As I wrote in a blog post entitled, “The Liberal Government’s 16-Point-Plan Comes Up 14 1/2 Points Shy,” I really don’t think the plan itself has any legs.  But the general public doesn’t know that, or might not even agree.  The average buyer might have no clue what to make of this, and many people who had an opinion, one way or the other, simply wanted to see if there was any fallout.

In fact, I would argue that Kathleen Wynne could have stood in front of the podium and offered absolutely nothing but a name and a logo, and the public still would have taken notice, and started to question the future of the Toronto real estate market.

The general questions that lingered for buyers were essentially:

1) What effect is this going to have? 2) What else might we see put into play?

Both questions can only be answered with rampant speculation, and both questions would take time to answer.

How much time?

Certainly enough to put the market on pause for a week, or two, or three.

This was the hottest media topic of the month, perhaps of the year, at least in the business and/or political sense here in Toronto.

Every day for a month, there were newspaper articles, and “Top Story” pieces on the evening news.

It’s all anybody wanted to talk about, no matter where you went.  You couldn’t get into an Uber without the driver asking, “What do you think about these rent controls?”

And so many buyers wanted to see what would happen, thus we started to see market activity slow toward the end of April.

Combined with the following four events, it gave buyers every reason to take a breather…

2) The Home Trust Scandal

Is it fair to even call this a “scandal?”

The scandal itself happened years ago, when mortgage brokers were fired for falsifying loan applications.

But the news in April about Home Trust wasn’t scandalous, but rather newsworthy.

It was something to talk about!

Their stock was plunging, and institutional investors were pulling their funds.

As a result, and since Home Trust lends on………wait for it…….houses, people started to suggest that the real estate market was in trouble.

Ignoring the fact that the declining stock price had nothing to do with the health of the real estate market, real estate bears seized this as an opportunity to suggest the market was softening, or worse.

I wrote about this at length in a blog post called, “What’s The Fuss About Home Capital?”

If you haven’t read it already, take a look.

3) Mortgage Backed Securities

With the Home Trust scandal just starting to break, the timing could have been any better (or worse) for Bloomberg to give us this: “BMO Bundles Uninsured Mortgages In A Canadian Bond First.”

I can’t tell you how many people asked me about this, and how many conversations I had with people trying to somehow link this to the Home Trust scandal.

One had absolutely nothing to do with the other.  But it didn’t stop market bears from suggesting that “all the signs” were pointing to an epic market crash.

“Lenders are going bankrupt, mortgage-backed securities are being sold – the crash is coming!”

It was too easy for bears to link these two things together, and none of them wanted to stop to consider: a) the Home Trust “scandal” was a stock market story, and b) MBS’ have been sold in Canada forever.

But once again, the general public saw this story, and they started to get a bit uneasy, and the “wait-and-see” approach suddenly felt appropriate.

4) Easter & Passover

In 2016, Easter fell in the last week of March.

In 2017, it was in mid-April.

Call this insignificant if you want to, but just as the market was dead this Victoria Day long weekend, we see the market completely die down over the Easter long weekend.

But 2017 was even more interesting, and even slower than years’ previous, because it almost directly coincided with Passover.

Two big religious holidays, in the same week.

First and second night Seder’s were on Monday, April 10th, and Tuesday, April 11th, and Good Friday was on Friday, April 14th.  That led to the Easter long-weekend, with many people taking off Monday, April 17th as well.

When all was said and done, an entire week in the real estate calendar was lost.

Buyers put their searches on hold, and some were slow to pick the search back up again.

One of the best deals I got this year was for a Wanless Park home that had their “offer night” on the first night of Passover, and then continued to show the property through the week, and into the long weekend. We ended up getting the property for well under the asking price, which is rare in this market to say the least.  Had these sellers listed in the last week of March, I think they would have got another 10% over what we paid.

5) Buyer Fatigue

This comes last on the list, but perhaps it’s the most important.

We hear “buyer fatigue” so often that it’s almost lost all meaning, but let me put faces and names to the term.

John and Lucie started their housing search in late November of 2016, which was essentially at the tale-end of the 2016 market, but it was early enough for them to see a couple of houses, visit an open house, and start chatting with their buyer agent.

After the calendar turned to 2017, and the real estate market picked up, John and Lucie started their search.

They were shocked at some of the sale prices early on, and it took a full month for them to adjust their expectations and realize that the houses they saw sell for $800,000 in November, were now selling for $850,000 or more.

They made an unsuccessful bid in the beginning of February, and that’s after having seen about a dozen houses, and seriously considering three of them.

They bid again on a similar house two weeks later, and this time they were blown out of the water, as the highest bid was over $100,000 higher than theirs.

They lost another bid in early March, and another bid later that month.

By the time April rolled around, John and Lucie had made four offers on houses, and lost all four.  They had seen about 40 houses, read 10-15 home inspections, and were complete slaves to their email accounts – constantly looking for that next “new listing” notification.  They missed out on dinners with friends and family on account of having to see houses every weeknight, their weekends were usually spent at open houses or driving around getting a feel for neighbourhoods, and by the time April struck, they were just worn out.

This is buyer fatigue.

And it’s very common in this competitive market.

It’s not uncommon for buyers to lose five, six, or ten bids.

And I feel as though so many buyers were unprepared for the 2017 pricing, that many watched the market get away from them, and constantly chased it.

After four months, a slew of buyers out there hit the Easter long weekend, and just said, “I’m pooped.”

Add in the Ontario Fair Housing Plan, the media attention surrounding Home Trust, and the desire for a few weeks away from the search, and I think buyer fatigue was at its peak in the month of April.

–

As I said at the onset, each of these events would be insufficient, on their own, to cause the market to slow down.  Even the Ontario Fair Housing Plan, which is a biggie.

But these five events combined?

That’s tough to ignore.

Show me another month where there was so much uncertainty, and attention, on the real estate market.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen one.

So now we’re watching the proverbial dust settle, and if yesterday was any indication, the market may very well pick right back up where it left off in March…

The post April, 2017: Transition Month, Or A “Blip” On The Radar? appeared first on Toronto Real Estate Property Sales & Investments | Toronto Realty Blog by David Fleming.

Originated from http://ift.tt/2qn5nKR

[rebeccahpedersen]

April, 2017: Transition Month, Or A “Blip” On The Radar?

TorontoRealtyBlog

The jury is still out on this one.

A lot of people think that the surge in inventory in April, combined with the lower-than-expected sales figures, signal the beginning of a transition to a more balanced market.

Others think that in the midst of an insanely hot September/October/November market, we’ll look back at April as a “blip.”

I want to revisit the month of April and present five major events that, combined with one-another, may have caused the market to pause, or as some have put it, cool.

Just when you think you know what’s going on in the market, you’re immediately going to be contradicted.

On Tuesday, the market absolutely exploded with new listings, the likes of which I haven’t seen in a while.

Over 140 new listings in the downtown core, C01 & C08, whereas 60-70 new listings is normal, 80-90 is a lot, and over 100 is absurd.

Yes.  140…

For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been talking about this “transition” that’s going on in the market, and how more and more properties are being re-listed, offer dates on condos are disappearing, and even a handful of freehold houses are being listed at fair market value with “offers any time.”

Of course, as soon as I think I know what’s going on in the market, something happens to the contrary.

Of all those listings that hit yesterday – the 140 downtown, the 50 on the east side, the 40 on the west side – almost all of them had offer nights.

Even the cookie-cutter condos, which I find shocking.

I’m sorry, Fort York Boulevard, Fleet Street, and Dan Leckie Way – you do not necessitate an offer night!

A 1,000 square foot hard-loft with a 600 square foot terrace?  Absolutely, set an offer night, and see what buyers are willing to pay!

But this isn’t January, when listings were down 50%, and 4-6 offers on a condo at 4K Spadina Avenue was the norm.

So once again, I’m left to wait-and-see, to try and make sense of this market.

Of all the houses and condos listed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week, we’ll have to keep track of them, and see how many sell on their scheduled “offer nights” this week, and whether or not the post-holiday-weekend market regains the form of February/March.

So what changed in April?

What was the cause of the market slowdown, whether it is to be short-lived, or extended?

Two weeks ago, I wrote a blog called “What Conclusions Can We Draw From April?”

That post was more about the TREB stats: sales, active listings, new listings, and average price.

Today, I want to look at the causes of those numbers.

It’s one thing to point out the what, but it’s another to point out the why.

The way I see it, there are five events, incidents, or sentiments that contributed to the strange month of April.  On their own, these might not be significant.  But combined, I think the following five items were enough to hit the PAUSE button for 3-4 weeks, and that’s why we are, where we are.

  1) The Ontario Fair Housing Plan

This has to be at the top of the list, and for good reason.

Ironically, that reason might not actually be the contents of the Liberal government’s 16-point-plan, but merely the idea itself that the government wants to bring about change.

As I wrote in a blog post entitled, “The Liberal Government’s 16-Point-Plan Comes Up 14 1/2 Points Shy,” I really don’t think the plan itself has any legs.  But the general public doesn’t know that, or might not even agree.  The average buyer might have no clue what to make of this, and many people who had an opinion, one way or the other, simply wanted to see if there was any fallout.

In fact, I would argue that Kathleen Wynne could have stood in front of the podium and offered absolutely nothing but a name and a logo, and the public still would have taken notice, and started to question the future of the Toronto real estate market.

The general questions that lingered for buyers were essentially:

1) What effect is this going to have? 2) What else might we see put into play?

Both questions can only be answered with rampant speculation, and both questions would take time to answer.

How much time?

Certainly enough to put the market on pause for a week, or two, or three.

This was the hottest media topic of the month, perhaps of the year, at least in the business and/or political sense here in Toronto.

Every day for a month, there were newspaper articles, and “Top Story” pieces on the evening news.

It’s all anybody wanted to talk about, no matter where you went.  You couldn’t get into an Uber without the driver asking, “What do you think about these rent controls?”

And so many buyers wanted to see what would happen, thus we started to see market activity slow toward the end of April.

Combined with the following four events, it gave buyers every reason to take a breather…

2) The Home Trust Scandal

Is it fair to even call this a “scandal?”

The scandal itself happened years ago, when mortgage brokers were fired for falsifying loan applications.

But the news in April about Home Trust wasn’t scandalous, but rather newsworthy.

It was something to talk about!

Their stock was plunging, and institutional investors were pulling their funds.

As a result, and since Home Trust lends on………wait for it…….houses, people started to suggest that the real estate market was in trouble.

Ignoring the fact that the declining stock price had nothing to do with the health of the real estate market, real estate bears seized this as an opportunity to suggest the market was softening, or worse.

I wrote about this at length in a blog post called, “What’s The Fuss About Home Capital?”

If you haven’t read it already, take a look.

3) Mortgage Backed Securities

With the Home Trust scandal just starting to break, the timing could have been any better (or worse) for Bloomberg to give us this: “BMO Bundles Uninsured Mortgages In A Canadian Bond First.”

I can’t tell you how many people asked me about this, and how many conversations I had with people trying to somehow link this to the Home Trust scandal.

One had absolutely nothing to do with the other.  But it didn’t stop market bears from suggesting that “all the signs” were pointing to an epic market crash.

“Lenders are going bankrupt, mortgage-backed securities are being sold – the crash is coming!”

It was too easy for bears to link these two things together, and none of them wanted to stop to consider: a) the Home Trust “scandal” was a stock market story, and b) MBS’ have been sold in Canada forever.

But once again, the general public saw this story, and they started to get a bit uneasy, and the “wait-and-see” approach suddenly felt appropriate.

4) Easter & Passover

In 2016, Easter fell in the last week of March.

In 2017, it was in mid-April.

Call this insignificant if you want to, but just as the market was dead this Victoria Day long weekend, we see the market completely die down over the Easter long weekend.

But 2017 was even more interesting, and even slower than years’ previous, because it almost directly coincided with Passover.

Two big religious holidays, in the same week.

First and second night Seder’s were on Monday, April 10th, and Tuesday, April 11th, and Good Friday was on Friday, April 14th.  That led to the Easter long-weekend, with many people taking off Monday, April 17th as well.

When all was said and done, an entire week in the real estate calendar was lost.

Buyers put their searches on hold, and some were slow to pick the search back up again.

One of the best deals I got this year was for a Wanless Park home that had their “offer night” on the first night of Passover, and then continued to show the property through the week, and into the long weekend. We ended up getting the property for well under the asking price, which is rare in this market to say the least.  Had these sellers listed in the last week of March, I think they would have got another 10% over what we paid.

5) Buyer Fatigue

This comes last on the list, but perhaps it’s the most important.

We hear “buyer fatigue” so often that it’s almost lost all meaning, but let me put faces and names to the term.

John and Lucie started their housing search in late November of 2016, which was essentially at the tale-end of the 2016 market, but it was early enough for them to see a couple of houses, visit an open house, and start chatting with their buyer agent.

After the calendar turned to 2017, and the real estate market picked up, John and Lucie started their search.

They were shocked at some of the sale prices early on, and it took a full month for them to adjust their expectations and realize that the houses they saw sell for $800,000 in November, were now selling for $850,000 or more.

They made an unsuccessful bid in the beginning of February, and that’s after having seen about a dozen houses, and seriously considering three of them.

They bid again on a similar house two weeks later, and this time they were blown out of the water, as the highest bid was over $100,000 higher than theirs.

They lost another bid in early March, and another bid later that month.

By the time April rolled around, John and Lucie had made four offers on houses, and lost all four.  They had seen about 40 houses, read 10-15 home inspections, and were complete slaves to their email accounts – constantly looking for that next “new listing” notification.  They missed out on dinners with friends and family on account of having to see houses every weeknight, their weekends were usually spent at open houses or driving around getting a feel for neighbourhoods, and by the time April struck, they were just worn out.

This is buyer fatigue.

And it’s very common in this competitive market.

It’s not uncommon for buyers to lose five, six, or ten bids.

And I feel as though so many buyers were unprepared for the 2017 pricing, that many watched the market get away from them, and constantly chased it.

After four months, a slew of buyers out there hit the Easter long weekend, and just said, “I’m pooped.”

Add in the Ontario Fair Housing Plan, the media attention surrounding Home Trust, and the desire for a few weeks away from the search, and I think buyer fatigue was at its peak in the month of April.

–

As I said at the onset, each of these events would be insufficient, on their own, to cause the market to slow down.  Even the Ontario Fair Housing Plan, which is a biggie.

But these five events combined?

That’s tough to ignore.

Show me another month where there was so much uncertainty, and attention, on the real estate market.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen one.

So now we’re watching the proverbial dust settle, and if yesterday was any indication, the market may very well pick right back up where it left off in March…

The post April, 2017: Transition Month, Or A “Blip” On The Radar? appeared first on Toronto Real Estate Property Sales & Investments | Toronto Realty Blog by David Fleming.

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