#the amazing part is that i haven't managed to burn myself out on it yet

[doom-dreaming]

i'm beginning to understand why all the good video essayists disappear from the face of the planet for several years between projects

[an-ominous-night]

Ominis x MC

Ask Anon, and you shall receive.

Based on my post about Ominis outing his feelings accidentally when muggle born MC distills their own perfume and he thinks it's amortentia. No proof reading, we die like men.

Ominis can hear the clinking of bottles and the fizzle of steam and fire faintly from within the Undercroft as Sebastian brushes past him, on his way out. 

"What are they making?" Ominis asks, trying to catch Sebastian before he exits. 

"Not sure but it smells amazing."

Ominis navigates his way deeper trying to locate a chair though he quickly realizes they have pushed everything out of the way in favor of a long table that he can vaguely sense has tubes and vials littering it as he waves his wand in its direction. 

"Oh, Ominis," they say from their perch half standing half resting on a tall stool. "What brings you in? Hope you're OK with a little distraction. I'm afraid I drove Sebastian away already."

"I'm sure I can manage, so long as you can tell me where all the furniture has run off to," Ominis says leaning against the far end of the table.

"Yes, I pushed it all out over there," they gesture in a direction. There's a pregnant pause and they glance at Ominis's outstretched hand. "Oh bollocks!" They fish a sickle out of their pocket and drop it into his palm. There's the sound of dragging furniture as they lazily cast to bring a couch out of the corner of the room. 

Ominis takes a seat, ear trained on them still trying to deduce what they could be brewing without seeming too interested. He can hear the heat go higher as steam begins to rise from their basin. 

As it brews further, a languid scent starts to fill the room. He hears them cast glacius on some part of the concoction as he tries to place the scent. 

Floral roses and lithe lavender are among the notes, with something a little earthy, a root perhaps. He stays in the comfortable silence for a bit longer before suddenly he is able to place the scent. It's them. It smells like them. A blush creeps up his neck, he can feel the heat crawling across his skin. He can only hope it is not as stark as Sebastian has pointed it out to be in the past. He stretches his arm out across the back of the couch, hoping to hide in the collar of his shirt but this action brings the exact attention he was trying to avoid.

"The scent is pretty strong I imagine, especially since you have such sensitive senses. I suppose I should have done this elsewhere," they say, thinking him uncomfortable. 

"I'm surprised at you really," Ominis says before he can really stop himself. "I do hope you're not planning on selling that to anyone."

"I might, I haven't decided quite yet. Seems a good way to make quick money and my broom could use a repair. Though I might keep it to myself still," they say casually.

"And what use would you have for it? What with half our year enamored with you already," Ominis can feel the heat rising past his neck, burning at the skin of his ears and cheeks. He nearly groans at how jealous he sounds to his own ears.

"I'm sure it's one of the reasons but I like to think it's my charm," they laugh.

"That's wholly irresponsible even for you," Ominis says at their admission, his eyebrows scrunching in disapproval. He makes his way closer, his lecture already brewing. "And to consider selling it even more so!"

He can hear them blinking hard as they try to find words, "Ominis exactly what do you think I'm making?" 

Ominis falters at the playful lilt in their voice. A mistake has been made, he gathers. He must be positively scarlet from the way they laugh again. 

"Its..is it not? It smells just-"

"Just like me?" They laugh again. "It's my perfume Ominis." 

Ominis wishes the ground would swallow him whole as he hears whatever they were holding clink onto the surface of the table. He can hear the grin in their voice as they approach. 

"Did you think I was brewing amortentia, Ominis?" 

Ominis thinks if he died on the spot that might be alright. He tries to stammer an apology but they don't wait for him to find the words.

"Does amortentia smell like me to you, Ominis?" They're so close now he can feel the heat coming off their body and the fragrant steam that had made its home on their skin. 

He presses his lips into a hard line and, though he cannot see them, casts his eyes downward. 

"That's ok," they say quietly, brushing a finger against his hand. "It smells like you for me too."

Ominis lets out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding and leans forward until his forehead is touching theirs, his hand turning to capture their fingers between his own. 

"Well, now I feel like a right git," ominis says, a bashful smile pulling at his lips.

"You're an idiot," they say before quickly pressing their lips to his, their fervor pushing him into the table he'd been leaning against. His left arm quickly comes up to encircle their waist and the other grips the edge of the table as their pushing against him almost causes him to have to sit. 

They pull away, tugging slightly on his bottom lip with their teeth, "sorry." 

But they don't sound sorry at all. 

[cloudninetonine]

Reading the crossover stuff you've written for linked universe is rotting my head so much that it got me back into writing!!! (which is honestly a miracle I haven't written anything for myself in ages)

but like. I'm imagining a player's aid! insert who's also a big fan of Sky: Children of the Light (great game btw very fun with friends I recommend hehe)

and one day they just. find a random sky child????? In Hyrule??? so obviously since the sky child is all on their own where they really shouldn't be, mc just. adopts a kid. they can't really communicate well, if at all, except through very very exaggerated body language and gestures (emotes in the game is a common way to talk with strangers. or spam honking to get someone's attention. imagine the noise.) but eventually the player and the sky child become so close that they can just share looks or read each others body language and just know!

Wind has a new sibling now who is very happy to mess around and help play pranks on the others. The sky child wouldnt be afraid of Wolfie because they dont really have much reference for dangerous creatures except for the krill/dark dragons and Wolfie is too cute and small to scare them! Sky would probably really like them too because they can fly and they could be a really musically inclined sky child and be able to play different instruments! Like the harp in-game!! one of the links might find out about the child's arsonist related needs and be concerned, but the mc insists that the child is fine! Don't worry at all, Hyrule. They genuinely won't get any burns from standing directly on top of the campfire! they aren't a normal hylian child, they actually kinda need fire to stay alive and rain isn't good for them, it puts out their light. now I'm imagining angst with rain oh no-

the sky child (who would probably be a veteran who's been around a long time and was probably exploring out of bounds areas and somehow managed to get to Hyrule. whoops) is kinda confused but up for exploring this vast realm and find mc and they just. adopt this weird not-a-spirit-yet person who kind of has light too? so maybe a moth? (affectionate term for new players gicitdkgdigditdoyd)

and when the sky child first meets the chain, they are probably just freaking out over their clothes lol. cosmetics and basically dress up is a very big part of the game and the sky child would not be above begging to get their hands on their own really pretty blue scarf, black pelt, cool looking armour, etc etc.

So the sky child is super caring and protective over mc. they would probably bite legend at some point lmao. they can just sense the bad vibes from him! They don't really understand it, but legend doesn't like their moth, and obviously they won't stand for any slander so they bite :D (even if there could be a communication barrier because they can't speak the language, only HÖNK)

side note, I'm actually writing a crossover fic for linked universe and Sky:COTL. can you tell that i've been losing my mind over them??

Shameless plug in to my amazing friend @sketchyspook who has their very own Sky Linksona that y'all should check out!!

God I haven't played Sky in so long PIUFGP

Now back to the ask

I LOVE THIS IDEA SO MUCH IT'S SO CUTE- Player adopts a little child is one of my favourite genres honestly. LET THEM BE A PARENT!!! Running around and trying to take care of their kids they're gonna be in aches and pains at the end of it all PIUGFPI

ALSO THE SKY CHILD BITING LEGEND I'M LAUGHING- REFUSING TO LET GO AND BEING SWUNG ABOUT AS PLAYER WATCHES WITH A SMIRK

Very happy after it all, sitting on Player's lap while Legend glares across the camp and they honk happily

[helioleti]

I've been rewatching ATLA several times lately and this time I especially ended up wondering a lot about Iroh and Ozai's past and characters in general. I just can't help but think it weird that Ozai is the ultimate trashbag of a humanbeing while Iroh ended up preaching harmony and peace. It just doesn't make any sense. These guys are brothers. They were brought up by the same parents, in the same fascist imperialistic nation, they were taught the same values growing up. You're trying to tell me the difference is that Iroh was destined to be the person he eventually came to be, but Ozai was just born evil? No, I don't think so.

I have two hot takes that I'm gonna elaborate:

1. Iroh had a guidance Ozai lacked

2. Ozai was the less favored son

(Disclaimer: I haven't read the comics yet so I don't know how deep they've already gone into this subject at some point. I'm trying to interpret and analyze the stuff that I got from the animated series only. If anything I say contradicts what has already been confirmed in the comics, feel free to correct me.)

Hear me out. Iroh wasn't born a saint. Everyone is aware of this, especially Iroh himself. He laid siege to Ba Sing Se for 2 years, costing the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom thousands of lives. Everyone knew that if the Fire Nation took over the capital, it meant almost ultimate victory for the Fire Nation. He even went as far as making a offhand sadistic jokes about burning the city to the ground in that letter to Zuko and Azula.

Iroh acknowledges it himself; He was a different man.

So what changed?

Yes, his son died. It broke and shattered him from the inside, making him drop all efforts to continue fighting in the war. To continue what had been his lifelong ambition, what he believed to be his destiny. He had a literal vision about taking over Ba Sing Se when he was a child, and that had been what he'd been pursuing ever since. But the death of his son managed to crumble all of that into nothingness. How is that possible?

Don't get me wrong. I think it's completely valid. I just don't understand how Lu Ten and Iroh could've had such a loving and caring relationship in the first place, when that's clearly something unusual among the royal family. Ozai burned and banished Zuko without a second thought, not to mention all the other shit he did to him growing up. Ozai didn't give two shits about Azula either, he only ever intended to use her as his weapon. Doesn't seem too surprising, if you ask me. Azulon didn't hesitate to demand that Ozai kill his own son if he wanted the throne. That's the man that raised Ozai, so it's just logical that Ozai learned that behavior and those values from his own father.

Even 9 year old Azula thinks it laughable that Iroh would fall apart at the death of his son. She is a child and this is how she thinks. The reason Zuko doesn't think like this is because he's had the guidance of his mother, unlike Azula. This is the kind of mentality these kids grow up with. They grew up with war and so did Iroh and Ozai.

So why was Iroh's relationship with Lu Ten so different? Where did Iroh experience the kind of compassion and love he passed on to his own son, that Ozai definitely didn't? People act on how they've come to learn, so where did Iroh learn to care about his son to a point that it made him give up on his lifelong ambition?

Let's review a very crucial information we have on Iroh and Ozai as siblings: They have a huge age gap.

Frankly, I'm guessing about 10-20 years. Looks more like 20 to me, but that could also be Iroh's greater amount of endured pain and war making him look older than he actually is. But no one can deny that an age gap is definitely there. Which can also indicate they had different upbringings, despite having grown up in the same family as brothers.

What does this mean? Well, that's just me theorizing now, but I can definitely imagine that Iroh had someone, a family member maybe, there for him who wasn't around or didn't care to be when Ozai grew up. There must've been someone there who gave Iroh emotional security and guidance throughout his upbringing. Who? That's up to imagination. A friend of the family? A friendly uncle? His own mother ((or father))? (The last two things worked out for Zuko in the end, didn't they?) Otherwise I can't really explain myself why Iroh had enough values to love the way he loved Lu Ten, while Ozai clearly didn't give two fucks about his children at any point in his life.

Iroh was the firstborn son, the one who had a vision very early in his life that his destiny was to take over Ba Sing Se. Probably the one who got to have a family member care about him enough to show him how to love.

(I like to point this out a lot because I find it very interesting, and very significant. Please A:TLA give us more info on Iroh's past!!)

Which brings me to my second take: Ozai was the less favored son.

Iroh was clearly a son to be proud of. He was a master firebender, the "Dragon of the West", if you will. He apparently had a vision as a boy that he'd conquer the most "impenetrable city" in the world. He probably lived up to his parent's expectations for his whole life, especially having no sibling to be compared to for a significant part of his life. He broke through the outter wall of Ba Sing Se during his siege. Yada yada yada, you get my point. He's the best son they could've wished for.

And Ozai? As far as I know, he barely even has any military achievements. Taking over Ba Sing Se was Azula's doing. While Iroh laid siege to the capital, he was at home chilling in the palace. He's the younger brother to an established hero and was never meant to be firelord. Now, I haven't read the comics for more info on Ozai's biography, but this man barely had a chance to live up to his parent's standards with Iroh as an older brother. If my theory is correct, Ozai also didn't have any person to provide him emotional guidance throughout his life. (*cough* like Azula)

The logical outcome is: infinite jealousy.

And when Ozai suggests to Azulon that he revoke Iroh's birthright to become firelord, this is Azulon's answer:

Azulon doesn't even hesitate to call Ozai out on his bullshit. He doesn't hesitate to take offense at the suggestion of betraying Iroh, and he even seems to care about Iroh's suffering. Not to mention that Azulon is overall annoyed with Ozai's request for an audience and sends the rest of Ozai's family away as soon as he can, to get whatever it is Ozai wants over with.

I could also mention the fact that Ozai tried to impress Azulon with his daughter's skills (Azula, even named after him) and the overall strained relationship these two seem to exhibit. It's obviously very different from Azulon's relationship with Iroh, if the way he talks about said man is anything to show for.

What if Azulon treated Ozai the same way Ozai treated Zuko? (Probably without the physical abuse, but you get my point.) What if this is where Ozai learned to treat a "useless" kid like shit, maybe also in a way to cope with how he was treated himself?

Getting deeper into the fact that Ozai is rather a loser compared to Iroh, without any big military achievements and without value for anything beyond that, this also explains a lot about Ozai's constant need to establish his dominance.

First; Becoming Firelord through radical manners (you know, killing his own son or killing his own father)

Second; Publicly burning and banishing his own son whom he considers a weakling, who dared to speak up in his war room. Doing this to have everyone know that he doesn't associate himself with weakness and that he will not ever tolerate any form of disrespect.

Third; The whole Phoenix King act. No one can tell me this isn't a madman's doing. This is literally to show off that he is the most powerful person in the world.

Ozai is so obsessed with proving himself and his superiority to everyone, including himself and probably Iroh too. This makes most sense if we consider that he probably lived in his brother's shadow for his whole life, ignored by probably every guiding figure he's ever had in his life, maybe even considered a laughingstock by his own father.

Perhaps this is also the reason Ozai didn't have any problem with Iroh accompanying Zuko in banishment. His brother, the hero in whose shadow he grew up, and his son, the failure he'd wanted out of the way for a long time already. It would erase Iroh's image that made him superior to him, once and for all. For himself and the world. I believe that branding him a traitor was the biggest satisfaction Ozai had ever experienced in his life.

I absolutely despise Ozai with every fibre of my heart, but it amazes me how ATLA continues to leave so much room for interpretation and explanation for a character as despicable as him. Writing this, even had me feel sympathy for him at some point. Feel free to disagree with me or add anything, I'm eager to hear everyone's thoughts about Ozai and Iroh's backstories because I'm geniuinely very curious.

[straykidsworldwild]

Duskwood

Phil Hawkins x MC

Part 2 (2/2) : MC and Phil have lunch but it doesn't turn out as planned.

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Heyy guys!! Here's (2/2) of part2! 😁

(I just made the collage. Credits go to the creators of Duskwood and owners of the pics)

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- Why didn't he want you to have a break? He asks me gently, sounding confused.

- Because I arrived late by one minute this morning, I respond to his question. I look up at Phil as I hear him chuckling. He doesn't believe me...

- Right… he says before looking down at me. I give him a look, showing him that I am being serious. That's enough reason for my boss... Oh, you're being serious? He asks me with surprise. I nod positively as I notice the exasperation growing over his face. What are you waiting for to change your job? He then asks me as we are walking through a small path. Green grass is surrounding it accompanied by flowers. There are two benches every 50 meters. It's one of the most peaceful areas in Duskwood. That's where I usually go by when I need to clear my head. It’s just sad, in a way, that it is next to might work… Oh well...

- Trust me. I looked everywhere. But have you seen a lot of job offers around Duskwood lately? I haven't, I answer to the man as we approach a wooden bench. We take a seat on it while he puts down his bag.

- You could work with me at the Aurora, he proposes to me, using a suggestive tone mixed with a hopeful one.

- Mmmh... I'm not sure it'll be a good idea, I reply and smile playfully to his comment.

- Why not? He asks me, looking a little disappointed. He's actually being serious...

- Well, one, because the others would start to wonder why I am working at your bar, I say as I pull one finger out. Two, will you still manage to work? Won't I be distracting you? I question him playfully, pulling a second finger out while smirking. I know he takes it seriously and I do too, but it makes the atmosphere lighter this way. There's no need to fall on an argument because of that… and Phil is the last person I want to argue with.

- Well, I admit having the beautiful sight you'll be giving me constantly will clearly take my mind off work but, I'm sure I'll manage, he responds with his charming smile, which is contagious, as he enters my game. It's impossible to not smile when he does. I smile as I feel my cheeks lightly burning. It's awful how easy he makes me blush... Phil begins to open it before I hear him rummaging in a plastic bag. Oh… I didn't take anything to eat… I look away, getting nervous. I don't get why he makes me so nervous. It's… a weird feeling. It's a crazy feeling. Here, for you, I turn my head and look at what he is holding to me. Oh…! Cobb salad with a fork, something to drink, he pulls out a bottle of water and gives it to me. I take it. And I heard someone liked dark chocolate so I got some, he tells me, pulling a tablet of chocolate out of his bag. It's terrible… I can't control myself. I can't stop smiling, appreciating his attention.

- My favorite! How did you know? I ask him happily as stars must be filling my eyes. I mean, chocolate is just everything! Phil laughs amused and winks at me. You asked Jessy? I demand him with surprise, yet, kind of… scared of his answer. I don't know why I'm scared about Jessy finding out I accepted to have lunch with her brother. Is this a date in the end?

- No, why would I ask my sister? He asks me back, frowning confused.

- Because she knows me well. And I thought you would have told your sister about this lunch, I simply replied to Phil, telling him my thoughts on how he might have done things before coming here.

- Well, I didn't, he answers calmly, shaking lightly his head left to right. I nod understandingly, keeping a small smile. Did you? He then asks me. I look up at him and start shaking my head negatively. Though, before I could say a word, I was being interrupted.

- MC? Phil? I widen my eyes in surprise to Phil before I turn my head to look at the person. She approaches us, smiling and looking confused at the same time. How…? What are you two doing here? Asks us, Jessy, coming to stand before the both of us. She looks at me with her usual smile, waiting for an answer. Oh God… What am I supposed to tell her? Will she take the truth well? What will she think? I hold onto my fork nervously as I give her a shy smile.

- I saw MC having lunch here by herself while I was walking around so I stopped by to talk a bit, responds, Phil, getting me out of this awkward and nerve wracking situation.

- Mmmh... Shouldn't you be at the bar? She asks him back, looking suspicious. It's hard to hide things from Jessy. Especially since she knows us well… Too well...

- It's pretty empty at this time, Jessy. It's noon. Why do you think I'm eating too? He says and asks her back, sounding calm but also a little annoyed that she stays here and asks all of those questions. I mean… I love Jessy but I'm going to die of nervousness here. I hate keeping secrets from her… Especially when it involves her brother.

- Right, she tells him, not so satisfied by the answer. When does your break end, MC? She then asks me.

- I have to get back in, in like... 15 min or so, I respond to her, looking up at my best friend after checking the time on my phone.

- Let me guess, your boss is being the same dick as ever? She tells me, looking sorry for me. Jessy knows absolutely everything about what my boss said or did to me or my colleagues.

- Bull eyes, I reply, nodding positively. I see Jessy weakly shaking her head left to right, upset with my boss. Oh! Oh, Jessy, before I forgot, could you stop by my mother's for me, please? She wasn't well because of… You know, the loss of my uncle, and I think she needs to take her mind off a little bit, I demand her gently as I know mom considers Jessy like her second child. I'm sure she would be happy to see her. Though, it was hard for me to mention Uncle Alex. Harder than I thought.

- Oh right, I wanted to send you a message. I am so sorry about your uncle, MC. Alex was amazing, she apologizes sincerely to me, her eyes showing sadness. Jessy knees Uncle Alex as well. Duskwood is a small town and, well, Jessy was often at home so she knew him too.

- Thanks… I thank her with a small smile as I frown sadly. I tried...

- Well, I have to get back to work before Richy thinks I quit, she tells us playfully. I smile at her comment. It's true, I think Richy would be lost without her at work. Don't be a dick to her, Phil. I'll know each of your moves, anyway, she warns her brother as she begins to walk away.

- Right… he simply says, sounding annoyed. It was almost as if he didn't mumble to himself. I hear Jessy softly laughing before she finally leaves. I follow her with my eyes before meeting Phil's ones. So gorgeous... So I'm guessing you didn't tell her either, he says with a smirk.

- We all have our secrets, don't we? I reply to the boy before winking back.

- We do, he agrees. The two of us continue eating our lunch as time is passing by. I don't have much time and I won't be able to eat anything before tonight. It's going to be long until then… I look up as I hear a car honking. A little breeze hit my face and pushed back some of my hair. A lock came over my cheek so I gently pushed it away. The sun is so bright in the sky today. You look tired, MC, he suddenly tells me. I do…? I'm not surprised...

- I didn't sleep well. I didn't sleep much. I couldn't with... You know, I answer to Phil as my lock of hair comes over my face again. Though, I couldn't mention my uncle a second time. I couldn't bring myself to do it.

With his hand, he reaches the lock of hair and pushes it gently back behind my ear. Oh… Once again, our eyes meet. As always, there is this connection. They're so deep and… Gorgeous. I mean… How can you not get lost in them? For a moment, we stare at each other as if nothing was surrounding us anymore. I want to get closer to him. I want to know him a little more than I already do. You can't imagine how strong the feeling is… But all of this is so scary. I notice Phil's eyes falling on my lips a few times, desire seen behind them. He is as eager as last night. Without controlling it, I smile at the boy before breaking our look. And back to reality… How can a simple look be so intense? Biting lightly on my lower lip, I feel some heat on my face.

- You're so cute, MC, he tells me with a smile, his voice sounding so… Deep and lovely. I feel myself blushing a little more to the sound of his words.

- And you're a little Devil because you do see that you're making me nervous, I tell him with a chuckle as I push him playfully. Phil laughs along with me before he grabs my hand in his. Oh… My body tenses up due to the surprise and the nervousness he is giving me. But it soon relaxes under his comforting hold. I look down at our hands loving the feeling of being held. Not alone. His hand is so soft and warm. I slowly move my hand and intertwin my fingers with his. Phil lets me do and actually holds it back with a firm, but gentle tight. It's so comforting. I look back up at him and see that the man has been staring at me for a moment actually.

- I do. But blush looks good on you, he suddenly tells me, commenting my previous sentence. Oh come on… How did my heart not give up yet? The two of us smile at each other, sparks certainly illuminating my eyes. I don’t need to see my reflection to know it… This feeling of happiness is enough to say how I feel about him. It’s actually betraying me...

- Hey, Phil, I suddenly hear an unfamiliar voice which gets me out of my thoughts. What…? I retrieve my hand from Phil’s and look at where the voice came from. A blonde is approaching us. Oh… I’ve seen her at the Aurora before. She was “close” with Phil usually. Didn't expect to see you out of your bar, she tells him with a flirtatious look. Right...

- Hey, Lola, I have a life too outside the bar, he responds to the girl, sounding just as annoyed as when Jessy was here. Actually, he sounded more than annoyed. But I can’t describe this feeling...

- Yeah, apparently, she tells him as she looks at him up and down with hungry eyes. Oh please… I look away, staying quiet. What are you doing here anyway? She asks him, putting her hands in her back jean pockets, winding-up. Like it’s not already obvious what you’re trying to do...

- I'm with a good friend, answers, Phil, not revealing anything about this lunch. Right… It’s better this way. Reluctantly, I look up at the girl and give her a small smile. The girl looks at me up and down, clearly judging or being bothered by my presence.

- Right... She says before looking back at Phil and smiles at him. Maybe I should go… I feel like I'm being too much here right now. Can I see you, tonight? I need a little distraction and I'm sure you do too, she asks and tells him with that same flirtatious tone.

- No. I'd rather not, responds, Phil, not even taking time to think of the answer.

- Oh come on, tell me you don't need to relax a little bit. I'm sure the last few days must have been stressful. I could help you with that, she replies with the same annoying flirtatious tone while biting her lower lip and twerking some of her hair with her finger. And Phil liked that…?

- No, it was pretty calm, he tells her, shaking his head lightly. My absolutely not confident self kicks in again… Is he telling her "no" because he knows I want to hear this? Is he doing it because he really doesn't want anything with her? Or will he contact her right after I go back to work? Is it just a play from him? I look away upset and thoughtful. It was going so well...

- Fine, as you want. You know my number if you change your mind, she tells him, sounding disappointed at first but quickly uses that annoying voice and tone again. Even better… Of course he has her number… Well, he can do whatever he wants. We're nothing technically. Just friends. And I'm not jealous of this girl. I just don't like it… The girl leaves us, swaying her hips. Oh God… seriously? Watch where you're going instead...

- I'm sorry… apologizes to me, Phil. I look up at him, disappointed and… I guess, hurt. I'm not disappointed by him. I guess I just don't understand why I didn't see it coming...

- No, it's fine, I say standing up from the bench. I mean, you're mister popular-with-women and it's obvious we couldn't avoid this… I say with a serious tone, a point of jealousy in my voice. I think it's the first time I ever hear this emotion in my own voice. I mean… I'm not jealous… am I? Well… I guess I am...

- No, MC, I'm serious. I don't… He quickly tells me, interrupting me while standing up from the bench as well.

- MC! I suddenly hear someone calling my name. Really? We can't be alone for 30 seconds? I turn around and see Angie approaching rapidly. Oh… I know we're next to the restaurant but why is she here? She should be working... Sorry to interrupt but I just wanted to tell you that you have 2 minutes left before the boss comes to look for you. I'm kind of keeping him in my sight so he doesn't come yelling unnecessary at you again, she tells me seriously, having my back. Thank God for having her as my colleague! She actually saved me from two situations… My boss and Phil's...

- Thanks, Angie, I thank my friend. The girl nods before turning around and starting to run toward the restaurant. I face Phil again, watching the boy looking at me with a small frown. He looks… A little nervous? Disappointed? I have to go, Phil. Sorry, I tell him while shaking my head lightly. Thanks for lunch, I give him a quick and very small smile. I turn around, not waiting for his answer and start to walk toward my work place.

- Will you call me? He asks me, coming after me. I stop and turn around again. Once you're out of work, will you call me? I think we need to discuss what happened, he tells me with a surprisingly pleading tone. Hum… Please, MC, he pleads me all of a sudden. I stare at him a little moment, actually surprised by his tone… Of his emotions. I'm lost… I'm not sure what to believe anymore. Maybe the lunch wasn't right after all? Or was it? So much happened in half an hour...

- Maybe... See you, Phil, I reply with a small nod. Phil lightly nods back to me all while he looks down. He’s... Hurt? It’s actually weird to see this expression on his face...

Without another word, I turn around and walk back to the restaurant before my boss comes looking for me. I already don't know what's going to happen since Phil "argued" with him…

My afternoon passes slowly… Slower than this morning. And just like my boss said, I couldn’t leave work before 6pm… Anyway, I’ve done my day, that’s the most important thing. I mean… One of the most. I wanted to go to my mother’s to bring her the little surprise and to spend some time with her. I wanted to see her. It’s been hard lately for the both of us. I need my mom just as much as she probably needs me. When I reached her front door, I knocked on it, but nobody answered. I knocked again, but still, nobody answered. I took my phone out and only noticed then that my mother had contacted me. Why didn't I look at my phone first…?

- “Hey, baby. I’m going to go see Sarah around 5:30pm so I don’t think I’ll be home when you’ll come see me. I’m sorry, MC.” I read her first message. Oh, she’s not home... “Jessica came to see me this afternoon. You told her to come, didn’t you? Well, I’m glad you did, baby. It felt really nice to see a familiar face and to talk about everything and anything other than the situation we are living currently. Thanks, baby.” I read her second message which brought a soft smile on my face. She’s still sad, I can tell, but she seems to have also realized that life isn’t done for her. My uncle is gone, but not us. We still have to live. That’s what Uncle Alex would want us to do anyway… I know it. I crack a small smile again despite the sad frown. Tomorrow is going to be another long and emotional day… I let my little surprise for mom in front of her front door and walk back home. We live ten minutes from each other’s house. I don’t need my car…

Three hours have passed and I am sitting on the floor of my living-room. A piece of paper is set before me, I am holding a pencil and the TV is on. However, I am not watching it. I only have it on to have some noise in the background. The night has fallen and a small warm light is illuminating the living-room. I am preparing my speech for tomorrow. I’ve been trying to write it for… For a good hour and half now. I have so much to say… And yet, I can’t find a way to say them. It’s hard to find the right words. I try. I wrote a dozen drafts already but all of them sucked. It’s so hard to say how I feel. I don’t open up like this easily. And it’s hard to recount a memory when I know that… It just won’t ever happen again. Not with Uncle Alex at least… I had so many good family moments with him and mom. Vacances… Festivals… When I graduated… My birthdays and Christmases… So many good and memorable moments. I think what blocks me is that, no matter how I try to put it in words, there's just not this magic or this thing that made this moment amazing for me. I just want it to be perfect…

Suddenly, I hear my cell phone buzzing. I gasp as I get out of my thoughts. I wasn’t ready to hear it buzzing… I look at the I.D. caller before answering the call.

- Hey… I say to my best friend. I sounded tireder than I thought… What time is it anyway?

- What did you do or say to my brother? She asks me with a confused tone, actually interrupting me. Huh? What is she talking about?

- Wh... I... I'm sorry, I don't follow, I respond to Jessy with a confused tone. I put the pencil down and lean back to lay against the sofa. I look up at the ceiling, frowning confused. Why is she asking me what I’ve done to Phil? What does she mean by that?

- Phil. Did you say or do something to him? She asks me again, reformulating her question. She sounded just as confused as before. And not upset.

- Why would I have done something to Phil? I ask her back, not answering her question. I mean… Phil is certainly the last person I would hurt… I know I left him kind of on a disappointed note, but… I had to go back to work anyway.

- MC, he told me, she says with a slightly annoyed tone. Though, it wasn’t an annoyed tone to tell me I am bothering her, it was more in a way saying “I know, just spill it out”. He did…? What?

- About the lunch? I ask with an unsure tone. Yet, a point of sorry is heard in my voice as I know that I’ve hidden this from her. And I hate it to have hidden something like this from my best friend… We usually say everything to each other.

- About everything, she responds. Oh… Well, there’s no need for an explanation then… I guess... I've never seen Phil like this for a girl before. I almost didn’t believe him when he told me, she tells me, still sounding like she doesn’t believe what he… Did or said to her. He's really trying, you know? She suddenly tells me. Oh… Trying? I mean, it's true that he did put in some effort for lunch earlier today and he did reject the girl… Lola...

- I'm supposed to call him, I just… I admit to my best friend before pausing. I didn't forget to call Phil. I’m going to call him. I don't hold grudges and I don't dwell on a situation that didn't turn out the way I would have liked. I’m not like that. I just wanted to do the speech first... I am writing what I want to say to my uncle for his funeral tomorrow morning, I admit to Jessy as I stare blankly at the white paper in front of me.

- Oh, MC, I'm so sorry. I thought... You didn't reject Phil? She apologizes to me before a brief pause takes place. Then, she asks me a question, sounding confused. Reject? Now I am the one being confused.

- Reject? How can I reject your brother? He never asked anything, I ask her before stating a fact. I mean, shouldn't I be the one who thought I would get rejected?

- That idiot, I hear her mumbling with a disbelieving tone before sighing.

- I will call him. I just need to finish this first, I tell her my plan sincerely and seriously.

- He told me about Lola, too, she tells me. Oh God… Please, don't mention her. He told me what she said and the way she looked at you. He didn't like it. He hated that she looked at you as if you were a cockroach ready to be smashed and how she talked to him before you. He doesn't want you to think what's not true, she explains to me seriously. She's having her brother's back… It’s not surprising. That’s actually good that she’s having his back. But... How much did he tell her?

- And what's not true? I ask her. He's a womanizer. He's good looking. He owns a bar. He likes girls. That's his nature to run after them, I reply to Jessy, feeling so unsure about myself. Wait… Did I really just tell her that her brother is good looking…?

- MC... She calls me gently as I hear lightly sighing. He rejected her for you. He even deleted her number from his phone. Don't you see what this means? She admits and asks me. I look down with a light frown. He did this? I think it's the first time he actually comes to see me at work because he needs to talk, she says with seriousness, a point of disbelief heard in her voice. Work? Wasn't she with mom? She must have gone back to work after...

- “Comes”? As calling? I question her, unsure.

- “Comes” as walking inside Richy's garage, she corrects me. Oh… It's true that I've never seen Phil going to Richy's garage except for his car, maybe? I'm not even sure about that...

- Phil likes me like... A potential boyfriend would like his potential girlfriend? I mean... Not like he likes Lola? I demand her with a slight shy and confused tone. Yet, some hope in my voice. I hear Jessy softly giggling.

- Phil is Phil. He has his way to do things, which aren’t always the best, and his past. But I can tell you he isn't playing with you. I'd be the first one to yell at him for hurting you, she tells me seriously. She's the best! Wait… But I would never let her choose between Phil and I if things go wrong. I would rather want her to side with her brother than with me. Their siblings bond is much more important. Even though she means everything to me as my best friend. Anyway, there's still something off...

- Wait... You're not mad? I demand her with surprise. I mean, I was expecting her to kind of yell at me for not telling her the whole thing with Phil. Or to just yell at me for having lunch with her brother and maybe more… If it ever happens...

- Why would I be? She asks me back, confused and surprised by my question.

- You're my best friend and he's your brother. Isn't it weird to you? I remind her and ask her with a confused tone. I'm just really surprised...

- Well, I’m definitely caught between two stools but, if you two like each other I can't stop that, she replies sincerely which makes me smile. Why can't I control myself?! I keep smiling crazily when something involves Phil and I. I must be so obvious how I feel for him... I feel my cheeks slightly burning again. It's awful how I can blush so easily with that guy... He was right, it's cute how you blush when someone mentions you both, I hear Jessy saying with a playful tone. What…?

- How do you know I'm blushing? I ask her with a surprised tone as I widen my eyes.

- I didn't but now I do, she says as I hear her laughing. She tricked me… I laugh along with her, amused by how much she knows me. She doesn’t even need to see me anymore to know my facial expression. Anyway, I'm not going to get anything done right now… Maybe I should call Phil first and then get to my speech.

- Thanks, Jessy. I think I'm going to call Phil now, I tell her gently as I keep a small smile on my face.

- Okay. I'll go then. But don't tell him I called to tell you all of this, okay? She asks me with a giggle. Oh, she wasn’t supposed to tell me? The little Devil… I chuckle at her comment.

- Of course, I agree with her. Oh wait! I suddenly stopped her before she could hang up. Thanks again. For my mother this time. She told me that she was going to see her best friend. I'm sure your talk must have helped her realize that things are still going on and that it is just a hard moment to pass, I thank and say with sincerity to my best friend, holding the phone before my mouth as I put her on speaker.

- No problem, she replies with her usual cheerful tone. Oh, before I forget, I'll need your help tomorrow night, she tells me rapidly, sounding excited this time. Just in time… I was about to hang up… Let me guess...

- For your dress as the birthday girl? I demand her even though I already know the answer. I smirk.

- Exactly! She exclaims while giggling.

- Of course. Can you come to my place though? Tomorrow is another long day for me and… I ask with an unsure tone before trying to give her an explanation.

- No need to explain. I'll be here at 7:30p.m., is that alright for you? She responds and asks me.

- Perfect! Thanks Jessy. For everything, I thank my best friend truthfully. I hear her giggling cheerfully as usual before we say our goodbye and hang up.

My head is just so full of thoughts right now… With being concerned for my mother even though she is dealing with the loss of her brother at her pace, dealing with the loss of my uncle at my own pace as well, thinking about Phil, thinking about my stressful job, or more about how much money my boss owes me for cutting my pay so many times, thinking about all the work I have to get done for college… There’s just so much at once. I feel like I haven’t been resting for weeks… Why is it so complicated? Everything seems simple when I’m with Phil though… His calm behavior is just so relaxing and just his presence in general makes you feel comfortable and safe and… Good. Jessy is right, I should call him. What else do I have to do anyway? And let’s not lie to myself, I’m dying to call him to hear the sound of his voice...

[the-avengers-ate-my-tongue]

The Storm

Summary: You work with Jack Crawford and Alana is your cousin, both of you live together for a long time. She gets caught up with a flat tire far away and asks you to let Will in, for he's expecting her. A storm is coming, and she keeps taking longer and longer to show up. Will the universe conspire in your favor?

Pairing: Will Graham x reader

Warnings: swearing, insinuation of smut, fluff.

Word count: 4.328

A/n: I'm starting to consider changing this tumblr for a Hannibal one, mostly Will Graham, so some requests from other fandoms would be nice haha hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing ♥️

*not my gif

There wasn't a thing such as a boring day at the BAU. 

At least not when you're part of Jack Crawford's crew. There was always an interesting case to focus on, a disfigured body to study the reason of death, it was always a thrilling hunt for evidence. The best experience I've ever had so far in my career, and I could only thank my cousin Alana for putting me on the Guru's radar. I was a great crime scene investigator, albeit a little younger than people gave me credit for. I taught people not to underestimate me over the years, though. I got here by my own effort, being a tenacious, hard-working woman who wouldn't get a no for an answer. 

I got along well with my crewmates, Beverly Katz, Brian Zeller and Jimmy Price, though our relationship hardly extended for life outside work. Except for Beverly, we went out for a couple of beers sometimes, she was fun, witty and I really liked our conversations. Jack was the big boss, and that was it. I had a lot of respect for him, and I knew he didn't regret bringing me to his team, I could see it in his eyes in the first case I've got. I was very cunning when I shared my insights about the cases, sometimes I saw things no one else could, no one but…

Of course, I was far, far away from being a Will Graham. But ever since I was younger, I've had this sort of intuition that helped me to solve problems, I would solve riddles easily and when people asked me how I got to the answer, I wouldn't know the steps, I just knew deep in my bones I was right. That happened a lot when I was growing up and was even stronger now that I knew how to use it. It was some artifice of my inconscient, something I could always count on. It included everything in my life, math, logical thinking, riddles. My brain picked things I couldn't perceive clearly, bringing them to the clear waters of my conscience. 

Will Graham was a curious man. He intrigued me from the very first moment I saw him at the house of one of the last victims of The Minnesota Shrike, Garret Jacob Hobbs, now dead. He was practically hiding in a corner, his eyes closed behind the lens of his glasses, dark wavy hair, jawline for days. He seemed highly focused until Beverly started to talk to him, pulling him out of his daze. He could barely look at her, or at me, and although he looked socially awkward and troubled, he still managed to look like a daydream. I studied every inch of his face, lowering my gaze when he seemed to get uncomfortable, after smiling lightly. I was a bit shy myself. I lived with Alana and, when I got home that night, I absentmindedly asked her about that curious handsome man who seemed to be out of place, yet so connected to that scene. She started to talk about him, but stopped once she noticed my interest. Then, she told me he was a very unstable person, that she wouldn't even be alone in the room with him because of her professional curiosity. As time passed and he solved more and more cases, I could see how people looked at him like an attraction of the zoo. However, not me, and later, not Beverly. Brian didn't seem to like him very much, I could see. Envy, perhaps? Nevertheless, the more I saw Will, the more intrigued I got. He avoided eye contact like the plague, but as I was always friendly and tried my best to treat him like a normal person, not focusing only on work, dead bodies and serial killers, I saw more of those beautiful blue eyes. He knew I was Alana's cousin, and I sooner realized he had a fling for her. 

And boy, did that break my silly little heart. I wasn't surprised, though. Who could blame him? Alana was amazing. I never felt resentful for that, but as time passed, I started to detach from the idea of Will being somewhat more than a simple acquaintance. That afternoon, I was going home from work when I got a call from Alana.

"Speak fast, I'm driving." I said, keeping one hand on the wheel and the other holding my phone.

"You're going home? Great. I invited Will so we could talk about a profile I'm building, but I got caught up here. I already spoke to him, he's almost there, can you let him in? He said he'll wait, and I'll be home in about fifty minutes, no more than that, hopefully." She said in a hurry, and I felt my cheeks burn a little. Will and me? Home alone? 

"I…" I hesitated, chewing my bottom lip nervously. "You won't be long, right? Heard on the radio there’s a storm for later."

"I won't, promise. Just let him in, he's already aware I'll take a little longer to be there. See you soon. Thanks, Y/n!" She hung up, not leaving me any time to answer. I put the phone down, still chewing on my bottom lip. I could feel excitement rising on my stomach, making me feel slightly nauseated, and noticed my hands starting to sweat.

Please. That was ridiculous. What was I, a teenager? I was a grown-up, well-succeeded woman, for God's sake. I rubbed my hands on my jeans, driving a little faster than I usually did almost unconsciously. I got home after twenty minutes, parking outside the pretty house. Will was already there, leaning against his car, so lost in his thoughts he barely noticed I'd arrived. I looked at my reflection at the mirror hurriedly, fixing my hair, pinching my cheeks to look less pale, brushing my eyebrows with my fingers to make them look neat. I wasn't even wearing any lipstick today. It had been a long day at work. 

I opened the car door, exiting the vehicle, the noise from shutting the door finally bringing him out of his daze, and he finally seemed to notice me. He smiled lightly, lowering his eyes. He had his glasses on, but as soon as he saw me, he took them off, hanging them on his shirt.

"Hey, Will. I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long. There was a little bit of traffic." I justified, walking to the porch and waiting for him to follow me. 

"Y/n. Not at all, I just got here. Alana explained what happened, thanks for coming to let me in. Hope I didn't ruin any appointment you may have had." He waited until I unlocked the door, and we finally were engulfed with the warm air of the heater.

"Nope, I was coming home, no appointments lost. Please, come in. I'm not sure you've ever been here before, but make yourself home." I hung my trench coat, sighing with the pleasure of being home. I loved the atmosphere of that place. "Can I get you anything? Water, soda, beer…"

"Thank you. I'm fine. And no, I haven't been here before." I held back the temptation of saying "good", biting my bottom lip as I watched him sit on the couch. I just stood there for a while, not sure of what to do next. 

He frowned a little, probably thinking why I was acting so weird, and that made me nervous, because it was just an easy step to realize my silly crush on him. Did he know? What if Alana said something? Said something? For fuck's sake, he was Will Graham, he could probably see that written across my stupid face! Shit, he knows. I'm making a fool of myself. Why do I even…

"Is everything okay?" His voice startled me a little, pulling me out of my neurotic breakdown, and I wondered how my facial expressions looked. Was I blinking only one eye like the stereotyped madness of cartoons? I certainly didn't look normal. I cleared my throat, laughing lightly.

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess I'm not really used to having people over anymore. I've been working a lot lately. People are dying like flies." I sat on the armchair in front of him, sighing. 

"What we do can be overwhelming sometimes. What we see every day. It just… stains you." He said, with a dark look on his serious eyes. 

I nodded. I felt that way sometimes, but I was used to it. I stopped feeling that sense of inadequacy on my chest years ago. 

"I guess you just begin to cope with it, though. Our brain adapts to that harsh reality. But it's always nice to vent somehow. What do you do in your free time?" I asked, wondering if I was getting too personal. Did I sound like I was probing to ask him out?  I felt my face getting warm. Damn it.

Either he didn't realize, or he was just too chivalrous to point, but he didn't mention anything.

"I fish." He said, simply. I nodded with a light smile.

"And you play with your doggies." I pointed, smiling wider. I loved dogs. He'd mentioned them before, so I just brought the subject up, trying to shift the attention from me to them. Will smiled back, his eyes with a subtle glow. He really loved them, and that was so sweet. "Fishing sounds nice. Unfortunately, I could never. I'm too restless. I'd probably startle all the fish and wouldn't catch anything."

He laughed, and that was the first time I ever heard that sound coming out of him. I felt like I was someone deaf that was able to hear the sound of Mozart's symphonies for the first time, and I just knew. There was never detachment from the idea of Will being more than an acquaintance. It was tackled down inside my brain somewhere, for the brain tends to adapt to harsh realities, but it was still there, just waiting for some incentive. 

"It's just a matter of training, getting used to it. I could teach you someday… if you want." He blinked a few times, as if he was surprised with his own boldness, smiling lightly. "And you? What do you do to vent?" He asked, seeming genuinely interested.

"Well, I read a lot. Maybe I could read by the riverside while I watch you fish." I said, shrugging with a subtle smile.

"It's a date, then?" Will inquired, making me mortified. Caught me by total surprise, and when I was about to say something, my phone rang.

"Excuse me." I answered the phone. It was Alana. "Hey. We're already here waiting for you."

Not that I wanted her to arrive any time sooner, but she didn't have to know that.

"You won't believe me; I've got a flat tire. There's a guy helping me out, I was lucky, I'm in the middle of nowhere. But I'll get there in about fifty more minutes, more or less. Can you put Will on the phone? I'll explain everything to him."

"Do you need one of us to pick you up? I'm sure he wouldn't mind, I wouldn't…"

"No, he's almost done. Thank you. Let me talk to Will, I'll be there soon. The storm is about to catch me, I wanna hurry."

I sighed, grimacing at him. 

"She wants to talk to you." I passed him the phone, studying his expressions while he talked to her. As I looked at the window, I could see the dark clouds gathering up, making the end of the afternoon murky. The storm was about to hit hard. I could see a few thin drops of rain starting to wet the glass.

"I can stay a little longer, no problem. I'm being well attended." He traded looks with me, biting his lip slightly. "Okay. I'll see you soon, Alana."

He gave me the phone, but Alana was already gone. I put it on the coffee table, getting up.

"I think I'll pour myself some wine. Do you want some?" I asked politely. "It's one of the fanciest ones; Hannibal gave us a bottle when we dined at his house a few days ago."

"Yes. Thank you." He waited for me to come back with the beverages, and I did my best not to spill anything, sitting on the couch beside him while I gave him the glass. "So you're acquainted with Dr. Lecter?"

"Oh yeah, he's an old friend of Alana's, sometimes he invites us to dinner. He cooks the best meals I've ever had in my entire life, so I don't exactly decline the invitations. And he's one of the most brilliant people I've ever met, so it's always interesting." I took a sip of the crimson liquid, moaning low in pleasure. Good wine. I preferred a good cup of hot oolong, but it was impossible not to appreciate the quality of that drink. 

A few glasses after and a lot of talks about dogs, fishing and other hobbies, he finally felt safe to bring back the topic. The rain had started really pouring, the now thicker drops hitting the windows loudly. Alana hadn't called again. It was nighttime now, the sky seeming to be darker than usual. I was low-key worried about her, but the conversation was too great to interrupt. She was a good driver. She would be just fine. 

"I've been seeing Hannibal Lecter in his office. Not exactly his patient, though. A courtesy of Jack Crawford to keep an eye on the coping of my brain functions." He sounded a bit bitter, drinking a few sips of his wine.

I could see he didn't like therapy. Must be hard with someone with a mind like his.

"You know, sometimes, Alana psychoanalyses me. Like, she doesn't even notice. It's cute, but sometimes it creeps me out." 

"She has a professional curiosity about me, but she's too polite and considerate to let it slip out. We've never even been alone in the same room together."

I held back a bitter comment, not wanting to talk shit about my cousin, but he saw it right through me. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to put you in a complicated position."

"I know. You're sweet." The word slipped through my tongue before I could contain it. Will blinked a few times, seeming surprised, and I felt my cheeks burn, starting to stutter. "I meant… I'm sorry, did I make you uncomfortable?"

"No, no. It's just… no one's ever called me that before." It was my time to get surprised. He didn't seem to be complimented much, and that just made me flabbergasted. I couldn't be the only one who saw how fantastic Will was.

"... Ah. Well, some people are just shy. I'm shy as hell, don't even know how I had the nerve to say that, it's probably the wine starting to kick in. Hope I really didn't make you uncomfortable, though. Don't need to be polite, it's okay to tell me."

"Actually, I'm curious to know what else you think of me. I sense it's not the only word you have to define me." He sounded bolder, and his eyes were on mine, giving me shivers down my spine. 

"Well… I think you're too exceptional to be defined with a few words. You're… Kind, brilliant… I see how seeing what you see, doing what you do, how it wrecks you sometimes, and you just keep doing it because you're saving lives. That's so selfless, Will. That's…" I was going to say more, but at that very moment, a loud thunder just made the house practically tremble, and I let out a real inelegant weep, coming closer to Will and holding his arm firmly, my fingers grabbing on the fabric of his shirt. He could've thought it was an artifice to get closer to him, but he could see how frightened I was, trembling like a cornered wild little beast. I hated thunders, fireworks, anything loud. Feeling ridiculous, I released his shirt, apologizing with embarrassment.

"It's okay. It's just noise. I'm here." He put some of my hair that had fallen to my face behind my ear with such a tenderness that I felt my stomach twitch, realizing suddenly how close we were. He was looking at me as if it was the first time he was actually seeing me. 

The phone rang again. Alana! I grabbed it from the coffee table, turning to face Will. He wasn't avoiding eye contact anymore, his pupils were dilated. My breathing was accelerated, and I knew it had little to do with the thunder.

"Lana, is everything okay?" I asked with genuine concern. "Are you close?"

"Ah, Y/n. I'm so sorry. I don't think I'll make it in time, I'm driving slow, the roads are slippery because of the storm and it's pretty foggy. I'll stop at a motel and spend the night, or at least wait for the storm to pass. I'm so furious with myself!"

"It's okay cuz, do what's safer for you. I'm sure Will will understand. I'll pass him the phone." I gave him the phone and he talked to Alana for a few minutes, but I wasn't listening. She'd ruined the moment unintentionally, and now he was probably going home. When would I have an opportunity like that again? 

"Okay. Don't worry. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Alana. Take care." He gave me the phone and I put it on the coffee table again. Before any of us could say anything, another thunder cracked the sky, and this time, Will held me so I wouldn't be afraid. The lights went out, and he held me against his chest protectively, making me smell his aftershave and some perfume. He smelled so good. For a moment, I just stood there in his arms, feeling his warmth, his breath, the steady beats of his heart. 

I moved away just a little to see his face, very close to mine, but it was so dark I could only see shadows. A lightning lit up the room and, just for a little moment, I could see his gorgeous eyes staring at me. After a soft touch of his thumb on my lips, he finally kissed me, so gentle, like I could break as fine china with any rougher move. I touched his neck with both my hands, playing with his hair, feeling how soft they were. He pulled me closer, his hands on my waist, and the kiss started to get deeper, voracious, as if we were hungry for each other. Maybe the wine was helping to raise the lust; all I know is that I've wanted that to happen for a long time. Will's kiss was everything I imagined it would be, but entirely different at the same time. All I could say was that he was great at it. His hands traveled through my body, and I grabbed his hair, pulling it slightly. That made a low growl echo through his chest, and I started to feel my body fervent as a bonfire.

I couldn't say much because I was breathless and I didn't want to stop what we were doing, so a single word left my lips as I kept my forehead on his.

"Stay."

Will bit his lip, kissing me again, and that was all the answer I needed.

xx 

Morning. Thin sunrays illuminated my bedroom floor through the curtains, waking me up. The storm was gone. I haven't had a nice night of sleep like that in ages. I looked at the other side of my bed and there was Will, sleeping heavily. It wasn't a dream, after all. Last night really happened. I smiled, staring at the roof with disbelief in my eyes.

I stared at him for a few seconds, unsure of what to do. Should I just let him sleep? He looked so heavenly, his hair was messy, his breathing steady, he seemed so less troubled than he usually was. I touched his hair lightly, caressing it with tenderness, and he started to move. I could see his neck, and a few hickies we marked on his albescent skin. That made me blush a little bit, and I laughed silently. 

He opened his eyes while I still touched his hair, but I didn't stop, and he didn't seem to want me to. We stared at each other in silence for a few moments, and he smiled, a different smile than the usual ones he gave me.

"Hi." He said, pulling me closer by my waist, stroking the skin under the sheets. I pecked him on the lips, then kissing his forehead, his cheek, his jawline. 

"Hey there. Good morning. I'm starving, are you having breakfast with me?"

"Actually, I gotta go home. Feed the dogs." He said, stroking my nude shoulder with his finger.

"Of course. Your dogs. I won't keep you then, poor babies must be so hungry." I kissed his cheek and was about to get up when he pulled me again, gently kissing my lips. I smiled, probably looking like an idiot. A joyful idiot. "I'll let you get dressed. I'll be in the kitchen."

I dressed up in my long and black robe, smiling at him before I left the room, going to the kitchen, where I started to make some french toasts. After a few minutes, I heard the front door open, and an exhausted Alana came in, her hair frizzy and her coat looking still a bit wet.

"Oh, Lana! Go change, you'll get a cold!" I stopped what I was doing, going to her and helping to take off her coat.

"That storm was a nightmare. I swear I won't ignore the warnings ever again. I'm so sorry, I had no idea it would get this bad, yesterday was one of those days where everything just goes wrong. Hope Will arrived well at home, did he seem disappointed or annoyed before he left? I was so inconvenient…"

I didn't even have time to answer, because Will opened my bedroom door, coming out while buttoning his shirt, suddenly realizing Alana was there.

"Oh." Alana said, looking so flabbergasted I almost laughed at her. Will rose his eyebrows at the sight of her, seeming a bit unsure of what to do or say. I wasn't planning for her to find out like this, it was a bit early, I wasn't expecting her to arrive so soon. "Hi, Will."

"Alana. Hi." He avoided looking at her, staring at me, and his eyes immediately softened. I smiled, he smiled back, and that was it, Alana was forgotten.

"Off you go to feed your children." I joked, biting my bottom lip. "I guess I'll see you later, then."

"Definitely." He simply said, kissing my forehead while caressing my hair, certainly a little embarrassed to kiss me in front of Alana. "See you later, Y/n. Bye, Alana."

"Bye, Will." I waved with a soft smile, and he grabbed his jacket, leaving the house.

My smile grew larger and I left my head fall back, squeaking low in commemoration. What a night! What a morning! I never thought I would thank a storm so much, let alone a bloody thunder.

Before Alana could say anything, I realized Will had left his glasses at the coffee table, and I picked it up in a hurry, bursting through the front door and calling him before he left, waving in front of the car.

"You forgot your glasses!" I said, and he opened the car windows, raising his hand to pick them.

I leaned against the car window, putting the glasses on him, and kissing his lips fiercely. He moaned in surprise, holding my face to deepen the kiss. After a moment, I pulled away, appreciating the view of his lips so reddish. 

"Go back inside, it's cold." He said with a cheeky smile, and before I could say he actually made me hotter, he took off with the car.

I went back inside, where Alana was waiting for me with her arms crossed. 

"What the hell did you do to Will Graham?" She asked, sounding severe, but a smile was trying to escape her lips "I mean, besides trying to suck his soul with your mouth a few moments ago."

"Oh, shut up!" I laughed, blushing violently. "You made that happen, you know? Thank you. Was that a set up or did the universe actually conspire in my favor?"

"I wish I'd planned this. That would mean I would've had a plan b and I wouldn't have stayed at that disgusting mote… Y/n, you're full of hickies, I can't believe you!"

"You're starting to sound like my mom, Lana. I'm gonna wear a turtleneck, don't worry, I don't want Beverly all over me like a bloodhound and Brian and Jimmy's witty comments today. In fact, keep it to yourself, okay? Will's discreet. I won't even tell Beverly, if she finds out, the whole bureau will know, hell, maybe even Freddie Lounds."

"I told you to let it go, Y/n. Will's very unstable right now. I… I only want what's best for you." She said with concern in her bright blue eyes. I sighed, walking to her and kissing her cheek with affection.

"You're a good cousin. But I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself, okay? Unless this isn't only about me, unless it concerns something else." I raised an eyebrow while staring at her, more confident that I've ever been. "Is there something you wanna tell me?"

She hesitated, clenching her jaw, but never spoke. 

I smiled, tapping her cheek very lightly in approval.

"I gotta get ready to work. Wanna grab lunch with me later?" I asked in a casual tone, a cynical smile on my face. She shrugged. "See you later then, cuz."

[luvdsc]

Hey Cat!! I hope you're doing well as always ! 💖 AHHHH huhu I closed the form last Sunday since I've collected enough responses dy! (NOOOOOOOO ToT) I got a total of 221 responses at the end of the week, which is 3x the amount I initially needed! :o I'm beyond grateful and appreciative ToT I've cleaned the data and have proceeded to run some data analysis, but I ran into an issue whereby the scores on the subscales are equal (it has never been reported in past studies! :O) so I'm waiting for my supervisor's feedback on how to proceed. Hopefully it's nothing too serious ToT

Hehe finance is interesting indeed! I just started reading a book on finance for young adults (Rich Dad Poor Dad) and I look forward to learning more from the author's tips! The Coursera introductory course has also made financial terms a lil more familiar, even though it's just the basics and it's really helped w my financial literacy 🥺 I can push myself to study but it's also the numbers and calculations I'm worried of cuz I am rly a nong (idiot) when it comes to numbers * - * it runs in the genes I guess AHAHAHAHA my mom and sister aren't good at numbers either keke

Aww I'm glad yr professor made financial accounting enjoyable and a fruitful experience for you! Some lecturers / professors rly just have that spark in them to inspire ppl and I'm blessed to be surrounded by a bunch of em in the psych department!🥺😭 it truly makes a difference and I'm sure we both are living proofs of that!

After debating for a while, I've decided not to take a minor mainly because I'm so tired HAHAHAHAHAHA and I'll just do my own self-studying and exploration whilst working! Go out and explore the world, live life! Whilst ironically still staying in my room because of the COVID-19 situation in our country (cases are abt 20+k every day :') ) My proposal has been finalized and it's been accepted! It's just that some elements of my proposal is also part of my actual report, so I have some guidance to refer to in terms of structure! :3 and yes don't worry! I got plenty (sometimes a lil too much) rest during the sem break whilst remaining productive! Plus, I got to catch up w some friends and had game nights (maybe too much of game nights hehe) and movie nights w my friends which was truly refreshing! Also cuz I might not see a lot of them again after we graduate so we gotta cherish every moment 🥺😭

I'm a freelance graphic designer for my uni's newsletter! Occasionally, they'd ask us to create both the content and design! I'll place the link to my recent work below if you wanna check it out! UwU I'm trying to incorporate the same practices during sem break in my last sem (current sem) too! cuz yes mental health is so so important and I'm just tired of being academically tired you get me? :(

What makes me most trilled abt learning abt psychology is how to apply it in daily life too! I find it so fascinating and awestruck at how relatable and within reach these things are like wow we can be influenced in such ways?? :o can be both good and bad but imma stick w seeing it as the development and evolution of us humans UwU

Also, the vaccine has fixed my sleep schedule HEHE (another perk of getting vaccination :3) I got some rly good rest and managed to reset my usual sleeping time, thank you science ToT oooo I see I see, we've had cases of nurses injecting empty syringes hence the recording :( but GHIOGHWEOGIOHW I could never do that, I can feel the liquid entering me as it is so that's good enough ToT (* plays Love Talk * I can feel it coming)

OMG YOUR ART PIECES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL, ADORABLE AND ELEGANT! 💖🥺🥰 it must've required a lot of hard-work and effort AHHH thankiew for showing me yr work!! it's truly unique in its own manner despite it's simplicity UwU is there a reason or backstory to yr chosen theme and objects? :3

I just Googled Somi Somi and omg that's such an UwU ice cream AHHHH 💖🥺😭 ice cream is my fav food of all time and it looks like an ice cream haven omg imagine eating it after a loooong hard day's of work ToT and OMG THE SATISFACTION OF EATING THAI MILK TEA ICE CREAM ON A HOT DAY YASSS 😋🤤 hehe if you get the chance to try milk & biscoff, do try it! It's amazing !😍 and ooo i haven't tried alcoholic ice cream before but I will one day!! :3 my alcohol tolerance is rly low though, will I get tipsy over alcoholic ice cream? We shall see UwU (i can only drink half a bottle of apple cider before my face gets red and I start getting a lil tipsy + headache)

and lovie....knowing yr school schedule now...OURS IS DEFINTELY BRUTAL OMG a 3 month long sem break huhu that's only the total amount of sem breaks we get in a year ToT i thought uni was hard but not that hard ToT

Always glad and honored to have you onboard! and AHAHAHAH the contractions about to start soon 👀 I enjoy talking to you huhu you're such a sweet and supportive person 💖🥺🥰😙 huhu for my period cramps, I've been having them since I was 12 ToT my doctor prescribed me some panadols but sometimes I can't even swallow them cuz I'd puke them out ToT I've settled w heatpacks to reduce my reliance on medicine, but I finally got some upgraded and safe to eat medicine from my gynae! She said it's fine to take it every month to keep my womb healthy and apparently my ms. lil uterus is suffering from inflammation, hence the super crazy bedridden cramps :( the upgraded medicine worked for a while, but after time it kinda didn't help either :/ but I realised that exercise rly does wonders to reduce the cramp too (gynae also recommended exercising) so i take walks and do my back stretches more frequently now! my period in the previous months (2 months ago) have been almost painless and bearable, it's so weird not seeing my bedridden ._. when I was in high school, there would always be a day in every month in which I don't attend classes, and that's solely because of my cramps. It just isn't worth suffering in school, plus we don't have a sick room :/ I hope the pain continues to subside! ToT

And ayy internship is also working experience, yr advice would be of great help to me regardless! 🥺 oh yes, I always remind myself that interviews are similar to the speaking test I took for my Cambridge English exams! That kinda help calm my nerves down a lil, but w nerves comes bigger smiles, so I guess it takes on a rather practical form of coping mechanism (sublimation) AHAHAHAHA

WAAAA WHAT A QUEEN you got an offer from every interview?? I aspire to be like you! 💖🥺🥰 huhu skill wise I believe I have lots to prepare esp in terms of case studies, and I perform rly poorly on certain assessments (*ehem * esp those concerning numbers) so I took the chance to study a lil during sem break too ToT but noted on that! I will work on that too and try to maintain that me element in interviews and overall just be myself keke

That's all from me for now! Imma wait for my supervisor's feedback and journey on w my last semester. Bon voyage! Link to my recent work: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTBqGzjr6sN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Other works: https://www.instagram.com/p/CPpv-IyM7Gi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CL55EG-MbL2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

hi hello honey bee !!! 💓 omg i'm so sorry for the belated response, i finally got on my laptop 😭 i'm gonna put my response under the cut since it got a little long 🤧

omg 221 responses !!!!! that's so many 🙀 congratulations aaaaa it's amazing that you were able to get 3x the data you needed !!! was it difficult to run data analysis? were you able to solve the issue with the equal scores on the subscales? i hope it didn't create too much additional work for you ):

omg yes finance is really interesting! i enjoyed the classes i took for it :') how is rich dad poor dad? did you learn a lot from it? i know it was a book my prof recommended, but i never got around to reading it 😶 did you learn any helpful tips? and ooo i'll have to look into coursera! yeah, there's quite a lot of terms for finance, and it can be a little intimidating paired with all the math formulas and such, but it's pretty useful imo! how are your financial studies going so far? 💕 omg nong is such a cute word?? i would never think it meant idiot asdkfhlkajsdf omg my whole family is good at numbers and really like math, but i didn't like it 😭 my mom made me study it a lot everyday though rip are the financial calculations getting easier for you as you practice more hopefully?

yessss omg i absolutely agree with this!!!! like you can just feel when a professor loves to teach and is genuinely so excited to talk about their subject, and it just makes the most boring horrible subject into something you learn to enjoy and hate less :') and i'm really happy to hear you have tons of professors like that in the psych department 🥺💗

that's great to hear!!!! 🌷🌷 i'm glad that you're prioritizing yourself and your health, which is so much more important than taking on a minor. what fun subjects have you decided to explore and self study so far? 💞 oh my gosh, the rising cases are so high?? i hope it's gotten better there for you ): are you able to go outside yet?

big congratulations on your proposal being finalized and accepted, lovebug !!!! 🥳🥳 i'm very proud of you and hoping one day i can read your published studies in a scientific journal :') aaaa i'm so glad to hear that you got to rest and enjoy your time with your friends!! i definitely feel that omg i regret all the times i skipped out on movie nights or game nights with my friends because now we're all scattered across the country and the only way we can have them again is over zoom calls 🤧

I SAW YOUR DESIGNS AND THEY'RE GORGEOUS OMG I LOVE THEM SO MUCH !!!! 💖 I'M IN AWE AAAA IF PSYCH DOESN'T WORK OUT, I HOPE YOU BECOME A GRAPHIC DESIGNER 🤩🤩💖 and yes i totally get it ): i really felt the academic burn out when i was in college and it was really difficult at times 🤧 but i hope it's going better for you nowadays, sweetpea 💝💝

omg yeah i absolutely agree !!!! whenever i read about psychology, i keep it in the back of my mind and then when i see something irl that relates to it, i'm like :O amazing. it's so cool to learn about different psych tricks too and see how it works when you test them out yourself and whatnot. and it's really crazy to see how the human brain is so easily influenced at times ??? it truly is an amazing subject !!!

ah what a great side benefit of the vaccine - a better sleep schedule 🤩 i'm happy to hear that your schedule has been fixed 💘 and omg what ??? they're injecting empty syringes wth ????? 😭 that's absolutely horrible, are they getting sued?? lmaooooo that love talk reference askdfhlaksjd

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR KIND COMPLIMENTS 😭😭💗💗 there were many late hours spent in the art studio to finish them, but i'm really happy with the end products :') i thought light bulbs are an interesting subject to do, and my prof said that cutting out circular objects or sculpting them is the most difficult since they're made up curves and not straight lines and i was like ok bet i'm gonna do it aND I'M SO GLAD I DID BECAUSE I REALLY LIKE THEM 🥺 and i love honey bees !!! that's why i decided to paint them and we were supposed to paint them in a combined style of two artists so i tried monet's impressionist style with the short brush strokes and pop art triptych style like marjorie strider 💕

somi somi is sooo good and i just had it again a couple weeks ago :') omg ice cream is your favorite food? :o and YES ice cream is so satisfying after a long day of hard work, like it's such a nice reward to look forward to at the end of day ✨ aaaaa i have to try thai milk tea ice cream one day now !!!!! it sounds amazing 🤩 and YES i must look for places that sell milk & biscoff ice cream !! i have milk ice cream from somi somi, but i need to try to combined flavors 💘 i don't think you'll get tipsy over it !!! it's a really faint taste of alcohol, like i didn't even notice it at first, and i don't think they put very much of it in there! aksljdfhals omg you're a lightweight :o at least that means you save money on alcohol LOL i need like nine shots to get drunk 🤧

your school is too hard 😭 you need more than just 3 months of break !!! 😡 we get a week off for thanksgiving in fall semester and a week off for spring break in spring semester too and then the month long winter break and three month summer break. and we have the one day holidays off too like labor day, memorial day, etc. i can't believe they give you so little time off after working so hard???

asdfhlkajshdlksja loool are the contractions over yet? has it been born? what's the current status, doctor? 👀 i really enjoy talking to you too !!! i'm very sorry for the late responses, work is really taking over all of my time, and i never have enough time to get on my laptop to reply to my asks 😭 and thank you for saying such kind things about me 🥺🥺💝 oh my gosh, i'm so sorry to hear that you have such terrible cramps 😭 i can't even imagine going through that - mine are nowhere near as horrible 😖 do the heatpads help a lot? i'm relieved to hear that you were prescribed better medication though! but yeah, your body does eventually get used to the medication and you have to continue taking stronger meds for it to work, but that's not a very healthy solution /: but i'm really glad to hear that exercise has been helping out a lot!! 💖 hurray for almost painless and bearable periods 🥳 i'm sorry to hear that you had to go through that in high school ): that sounds absolutely horrible 😭 periods are just awful, but it's like i'm grateful that i have my period because that means i'm not pregnant, but also please go away aslkhdfaklsj

omg what was the speaking test for the cambridge english exams like? :o it sounds so formal and a lil intimidating askdjfhalsd do you know of any psych tricks that can possibly help calm your nerves? :')

aaaa yes i did !! i was really surprised that i got an offer from them all because at the time, i was not in the right major and i think i was one of the most underqualified applicants 🤧 one person who interviewed me asked why i withdrew from my engr physics class and i explained it in a kinda funny way but in my head, i was like "oof i'm not gonna get this offer anymore" but then he laughed at my response and told me about how his prof told him he should drop a guitar class he was taking because he was doing very poorly and we bonded over that aklsjdhfkals omg how do interviews for psych jobs go? do you have to discuss a lot of case studies? do they give you a list of possible case studies they'll ask about? :o what sort of assessments do you have to do? good luck on all of your interviews, honey bee 💛 i'm rooting for you, you're gonna do amazing !!!! 💘

omg what did your supervisor say about your case study? and how is your last semester going? are you almost done now? 🌸 (also how have you been? what have you been up to? thank you for taking the time to leave such detailed messages for me, i'm really excited to see all the fun updates in your life, lovebug 🌷🌷)

[tonightinthewasteland]

Journal Entries 2 -Casey Loomis aka Preacher

Journal Entries 1

Dec 17, 2102

I don’t know what got into Nate and myself but for once we didn't have a plan. We dicked around in the woods, then dicked around an abandoned shack that once housed Raiders, I accepted a dare and hurt myself again, then we ran through the woods some more.

Nate decided to skinny dip out-of-the-blue while I stared down an undetonated nuke! Just a nuke...sitting there in the dirt like an egg! Nate...and his naked self...somehow made it so we didn't die right there. 

What was today? Maybe we got too many rads in our system?

Dec 18, 2102

I spent most of the wading through bushes and scraping resin off tree trunks. They never told us about the amazing things we could cook out of the most disagreeable ingredients. Sugar from Snaptails, Syrup from glowing gunk, and those ugly ferns make the best energy boosting tea!  Everything we need sleeps around me in the forest.

Dec 19, 2102

Ten cranberry cobblers, a vat of corn soup, several bottles of Blackberry juice, Fern and Soot flower teas, raw honey, and pumpkin soup! Nate leaves for long stretches of time so he might as well be well-fed. I feel like I could pass out at any minute but my mind hasn't been this clear in a long time.

Dec 22, 2102

Captain Lone Wolf came back quicker this time and now we are attempting to get into a nuke silo. The purpose of this mission is vague, and I know Elder Maxson disapproved of the use of nukes, but I trust Nate. We ran into a road-block called a lack of level clearance and now we are wandering the wilderness like lost hound dogs, again. I don’t mind that much at all. I like walking...seeing things, killing anything that jumps out, making C.A.M.P, talking in the darkness... 

I told him my name.

Dec 23, 2102

Welp, he's gone again. Exploration was a one-man rodeo and I managed to get a nasty burn from a car fire. Three car fires...actually. Okay, okay! A Radroach jumped out and my finger slipped and the shotgun went off and boom! And then BOOM! And then BOOOOM! I'm just glad Nate wasn't around to see it. I would never live down blowing up myself and half the block.

Anyway, I found a dark corner of Charleston I haven't gotten lost in yet and found my way into Hornwright Industries. A letdown, really. I don't really care about old politics. I know I should, but...they’re gone, its over. The world belongs to us now.

Hey, I did find a piece of industrial machinery called motherlode, though. Never thought the voice of a computer would make me feel like...that. I should be taken outside and kicked. Did they mean for it to sound so...I mean....like that? Definitely glad Nate wasn’t there.

Dec 25, 2102

I didn't expect him to come back nor would blame him for wanting solitude.

I remember that Christmas in the vault was never quite the same as my childhood, despite all the mandatory cheer. Every year the baubles and ornaments got a little more scuffed, the fake trees more bare as the plastic pine needles dropped off, and one year when I was 15 the little lights stopped working all together. Haven't had little lights since. I suppose feeling the way I do is to be expected but I don't think it's fair. 

I didn't foresee having Nates company, let alone a gift. He took such care and I couldn't help but touch him.

Dec 27, 2102

I killed a Deathclaw!! Well, I helped, BUT IT'S DEAD!

Nate took me to a giant rock...tree..thing. The climb was amazing, jumping from one ledge to other, but the top got me so dizzy I had to fight the impulse to jump off the side. I think that part scared me the most. That's the wrong time to learn heights kill my rationality. I don’t think I would want to go there again.

Nate is an oc belonging to @avaleon

[lucyjadesilverson]

Just Jimin

Note: All characters are speaking Korean but you guys will read it as English.

Jimin's pov.

Today had been such a long day, not necessarily a bad one, just a stress filled one. I'd finished my new sing which I was so excited about. But planning our next tour and practicing was exhausting.

I was finally home and in bed. Yet I couldn't sleep. I closed my eyes but sleep didn't come. I counted sheep but sleep didn't come. I drank warm milk, ice cold water, read, listen to music and still sleep didn't come.

The stress of the day was getting to me, and I needed fresh air. I snuck out of the apartment and made my way to my secret place. My feet stop just before the bridge. I always loved this place at night but was so peaceful compared to the day.

I walked onto the bridge, I didn't find any signs of life except for myself. I continued walking trying to clear my mind when a sigh caught my attention. I turned to see a young woman, she had a sketchpad on her lap and a pencil in her hand. The sketch was of the view of the harbour in front of her.

She was talented. Extremely from what I saw. I took a step closer, she was gorgeous, wow truly beautiful. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her. I saw her notice me from the corner of her eye but she ignore me.

Then she spoke making me jump...

Your pov.

"You know. If you're gunna stare at a girl the least you can do is tell her your name." You said looking up at him.

"You don't—-I mean you.."

"I know who you are." You said with a casual tone. He sat down next to you on the bench.

"Then why—-"

"Why aren't I screaming and asking for an autograph? Because you're a person. A normal person, who seems stressed out and I think you came here to get away just like I did. So, I'll treat you like you're just Jimin" He looked at you shocked.

No one had ever referred to him as a normal person before. And the last time he was around someone new who didn't freak out was a long time ago. This was new to him. For the next hour they sat in comfortable silence. You didn't want to talk and he didn't want to leave. Until—

"I've got to get home." You spoke standing up. He looked towards you with a smile. You felt your knees go weak at the sight.

"I'll see you around 'just Jimin'" you said before walking away. You had got halfway down the bridge before a hand grabbed you wrist, you spun around to see the same dark cap.

"You know my name, it's only fair you tell me yours." He said panting slightly. You paused slightly before answering.

"Y/N"

"Y/N." He repeated trying it out for himself.

"I like it—" he said looking up to find you'd already gone.

"Y/N" he smiled to himself.

Two week time skip brought to you by Namjoon breaking something.

"Yah! Get up!"

Your eyes opened to the sound of your best friend's voice. Taeyeon.

"What?!"

"There are pictures of you and Jimin. BTS's Jimin all over social media!" She practically screamed.

"Stop yelling! I just woke up!" I whined. She groaned loudly pulling the bedsheets off of me.

"Taeyeon!"

"Y/N!" She mimicked me.

"What's the big deal?" I said blankly.

"What's the big deal? Are you kidding me? We're not just talking about any hot guy. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE HOT GUY OF ALL HOT GUYS AND YOU WERE ON A BRIDGE HOLDING HANDS WITH HIM!"

"We weren't holding hands—-wait I thought Taehyung was your bias?" I said raising an eyebrow.

"He is! And we're not talking about me, this is about you. Look at these!" She said excitedly handing me her iPad. On them were pictures of Jimin and I on the bridge. Us talking, to him grabbing my wrist and him asking my name. It was all there from different angles.

I sighed before shrugging. I knew I should of been more surprised, freaked out even, but what did I expect? Jimin was very very popular. And had a whole lot of fans. Good and bad. If I met him, either the whole world would have know about it or no one would have.

It didn't particularly bother me. I read through the comments and their were all really positive.

"She's really pretty"

"I want her waistline"

"They look like a cute couple"

"Jimin deserves to finally have someone"

"Hope he treats her well."

I smiled to myself. Jimin, treating me well? Being with him? Wow, what a thought.

A ringing noise brought me out of my zoned out face. I turned to my phone to see an unknown number calling. I picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Miss Y/N L/N?"

"Yes this is she."

"I'm calling from BigHit Entertainment. We need you to come in and sign some papers if that's okay. It's to do with a confidentiality agreement. That's all I know."

"Of course. I can come in today?"

"Wonderful. I'll notify BTS's manager at once."

"Okay. Thankyou."

"Have a nice day Miss."

I hung up before looking at a confused Taeyeon.

"I need you to drop me off at the BigHit building. Now."

TIME SKIP BY YEONTAN BEING CUTEEEEEE.

"I'm very sorry about this." Their manager said.

"No it's fine honestly. I understand."

"It was nice meeting you Miss. L/N."

"You too sir."

He nodded and bowed before walking away. You sighed deeply.

"Y/N!" You turned to find Jimin looking at me with his crescent moon eyes and a wide smile. You sized him up and definitely liked what you saw. He wore a white shirt tucked into black dress pants and black loafers. It was simple but hot.

"Hey, I thought I might run into you here." You smiled at him. He chuckled.

"Come on, I wanna show you something." He said happily pulling on your hand. You blushed harshly under the gazes of trainees and staff as Jimin gripped your hand tighter. He noticed the redness growing on your cheeks and smirked a little.

We walked down a hallway, there seemed to be music studios all the way down, Jimin spotted someone who he waved at, you looked and saw a glimpse of BTS's Jin before he pulled you to a room, on the door it read "studio 4", he opened the door and pulled you inside.

He gestured to a spinny chair, you sat down while he pressed a few buttons. He made his way into the sound booth. He put on the headphones and stood in front of a microphone.

"Listen." He said into the mic. I nodded and listened as he started singing. His voice was angelic and beautiful, thoughts of him singing you to sleep or while you danced together entered your mind.

"..... cause you're mine, I just wanna blow your mind." He looked deep into my eyes singing this part. You blushed thinking he was saying that to you. A few minutes later the song was over.

"What do you think?" He asked biting his lip nervously.

"It's beautiful. Is it new?" You asked.

"Yeah I wrote it recently, after getting some new....inspiration." He said smiling to himself.

"Well I think it's amazing. Your voice is too." You said making him smile.

"Thankyou. That means a lot." He looked nervous.

"Y/N, I was wondering..." he played with his fingers looking at you. "Would you like to have dinner with me?" He said. You looked surprised. But a smirk made its way onto your face.

"Like a d-date?" You asked making him nod.

"I'd like that." You said making him grin happily.

"Great! Come by my place at 7 tonight. Here's the address." He said writing down the address on a piece of paper and giving it to you.

"Umm...." he looked worried.

"What?" He asked.

"I don't mean to sound like a total girl, but what do I wear?" He giggled looking at you sweetly.

"Just dress in whatever's comfortable." I nodded.

"Okay. See you then." I waved before leaving the studio and bighit.

Time skip brought to you by Taehyung ripping his trousers.

You waited outside the door. Your whole body felt tingly and your stomach had butterflies. A few deep breaths helped you keep your cool. You lifted your hand and pressed the doorbell button.

"Deep breaths." You whispered to yourself.

The door opened to reveal Jimin in dark blue jeans and a plain black tee shirt. He smiled at you.

"Hey come on in." You did as he said. He closed the door behind you and before you went in any further he bent down in front of you. You looked at him confused before looking at the slippers he placed in front of you.

You giggled blushing lightly before slipping off your shoes, Jimin pushed the slippers on your feet. He took your bag and coat gently and placed them on the hook.

"Come." He said softly taking your hand. You arrived at a kitchen with the smell of food coming from it. You peered over the counter to see what was being cooked but Jimin covered your eyes with his hands from behind.

"No peaking. It's a surprise." He whispered in your ear. A shiver ran down your spine feeling his hot breath against your skin. You brought your hands up to his removing them from your eyes but holding on to them.

"Y/N," you turned around at the sound of his voice, "I like you. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since the first time we met. You were——are so different from everyone else." A deep shade of red tinted your cheeks. His eyes sparkled noticing it.

"I like you too. You've been on my mind so much, it's like all I can think about is you." You said looking down shyly.

"Can I, kiss you?" Your breath hitched at his request.

"Yes..."

His hands slipped from yours and came up to your cheeks. He cupped them gently and leaned in. Your eyes fluttered closed when you felt his soft plump lips against yours. You fingers slid through his hair tugging slightly. He nipped at your bottom lip asking for permission and you granted it happily. Your tongues fought for domination over the kiss. You gave in as he pushed you against the wall gently. A moan slipped from you and you felt him smile against your lips.

He pulled back. You were both breathless but smiling. You felt your cheeks burn. He tucked a stray hair behind your ear and kissed your cheek.

"I'm gunna like being 'just Jimin' with you."

[torchscng]

Heavy In Your Arms

Location: 111 Arden, 6C Date: February 14th, 2017 Availability: @posthumanchaos

A transcript that should have been posted ages ago; here, have some Valentine’s fluff love in a bathtub.

Crowley hovered at the door to Magda's, fingers wrapped tightly around a bottle of Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial. Running her tongue over her bottom lip, she inhaled quietly and lifted a hand to knock on her neighbor's door. The text conversation with the woman had left her wanting more but she wasn't quite sure how the evening was going to go. It was an understatement to say that Crowley didn't like to beat around the bush.

Magda had barely slept the night before, given Crowley the space she'd offered, but the running in circles her brain had done wouldn't be turned off, not even when she let loose clouds of smoke that should have gotten her high enough to eat stars. She wouldn't be surprised if Crowley had noticed the smell out the window well into the night, insomniac as she'd been. All that aside, she knew how to primp and preen, so that when Crowley knocked, Magda looked as amazing as if she'd bathed in the blood of virgins, a tentative smile on her face. "Hey," she said softly to allow her in, not sure what else to say just yet, fighting the urge to touch her but also tortured with not knowing if that was indecent.

Crowley was far past wolf whistling every time that she saw Magda - seeing her dance had taken all of that from her. Still, she was beautiful. More breathtaking than the scent of marijuana in the air. Her lips curved into a reproving grin, clicking her tongue in disapproval. "Lighting up without me? Simply rude." In comparison to her, Crowley was sporting the usual ripped jeans and loose white t-shirt. Still, she was oddly not intimidated by Magda's looks in comparison to hers. They were as different as the sun and moon, but perhaps that is what made it so intoxicating for Crowley?

Magda shook her head; "It was from last night," she amended as she ushered Crowley in and closed the door behind her. She didn't want the other girl to think she was high now—this was too—much—to be unclear about. Taking the champagne from Crowley, she hesitantly kissed her on the cheek before leading her to the master bath. To be fair, there was no non-master bath, only the one, what she gave up in kitchen she'd gained in tub space and that was fine by her. Putting the champagne in the sink filled with ice, next to it was a pop-up table with a massage bar and strawberries, a flute glass and a rocks glass, and Jack green label. The bath was run, it smelled of rose oil and had bubbled, and Magda dropped the silk robe she'd been wearing.

Crowley wandered after Magda, eyes dropping down to sway of the woman's hips. Pressing her tongue against the roof of her mouth, she followed her into the bathroom and couldn't help but gaze at the extravagance of her bathroom. Crowley wasn't one for baths, she preferred to stand as the water rained down on the scars and marks of her body. She found that baths couldn't get the knots out of her shoulders as well. Crowley eyed the Jack green label, itching to go to the bottle first but then Magda dropped her robe and Crowley's eyes were drawn to her body again. It wasn't anything she hadn't seen but life and warmth radiated from Magda. She followed suit in pulling off her clothes, dropping her white t-shirt on the ground and her jeans soon followed. Black lace in the form of her bra and under soon topped the pillow before Crowley pulled the hair tie from her hair, dark curls spilling over her shoulders.

Magda's hands instinctively went to Crowley's hips, drinking in the sight of her, the dark curls against the pale skin, a contrast that was almost uncomfortable but wound up beautiful, the kind of divine terror of beauty that things had who had lived. She liked that Crowley lived, was as dedicated to living—even after death—as Magda had been for so long. The sharpness of her torso drew Magda in, so she was kissing the lines of them and then actually had to physically step back. They had too many unanswered questions. Magda gave Crowley a view of her back as she popped the champagne and opened the bottle, pouring a portion for each. She offered Crowley a glass before settling into the porcelain tub, eyes vibrant and humming for last evening's thoughts.

Crowley wasn't ashamed of her body. She was all sharp angles instead of curves, the definition of heroin chic, with scars littered over her body. All proof that she had survived in a world like hers. Crowley didn't shy away from people and she was more comfortable naked than most but she couldn't help but tense when Magda kissed the lines of her torso, perfectly still in response to the redhead's gentle touches. Magda managed to steal the breath of someone already dead. As she drew back, Crowley moved to pick up the flute, the shadows of her winged tattoo almost shifting in the light.  She joined Magda in the tub but settled into the opposite side, green eyes fixed on amber ones.

After a swig of champagne and a shaky breath, she grasped the edge of the porcelain with her free hand to steady her nerves, and broke the silence that their chemistry created. "So... you had the night," she started, her eyes dropping from the intensity of their locked gaze, studying the bubbles instead, the patterns they made, to soothe herself. "What exactly makes you think you would put me in more, and not less, danger?"

Crowley lifted a hand from the water, dragging her finger tips across the surface to create ripples. One simple touch and the entire water was disturbed. She pressed her tongue against one of her canines before speaking. "You're the prophet, Mags. It's its own death sentence. Meanwhile, I run in circles with demons like Belial and Satan and you've been in contact with both. You don't think either will fuck with you more just to fuck with me?" She leaned back. "Yeah, I'm an unranking demon but for how long? It's the rapture, we all have opportunities."

Magda chortled in the bath tub, the sort of laugh that had the champagne bubbles buzzing through her nose. "Fuck with ME to fuck with YOU? Somehow, I think it's more likely the inverse." She moved her eyes to the ceiling, studying the tile, the cracks at the edges, thinking that nothing in this life is easy or perfect—or any other life for that matter. "It is its own death sentence." She continued to avoid Crowley's eyes. "I'm the one who predicted Revelation, so I know." That's something she hadn't told anyone outside the Nephilim. It had been her prophecy, but she'd been a woman—so, it belonged to John instead. "I like the Sinners. I don't mind demons. Belial's never touched me, I have severe issues with the one. And like you said—there are opportunities. If you rose in rank, you'd be equals—less able to be fucked with and..." she paused slowly, "better able to protect me, not worse off."

"How condescending you can be, Magda but you're not wrong. No doubt they'd fuck with me to fuck with you." Crowley commented, lifting the flute to her lips. She sipped the champagne and let Magda speak, waiting patiently for her to continue. In truth, it rankled her how Magda spoke to her at times but Crowley often ignored that feeling. It made sense that she had predicted Revelation and it also made sense how that could have weighed down on Magda. "Us demons are not the protect type that the angels are. Even Raziel and Shibah gotta look out for themselves sometimes. The others don't give a damn about hurting me or treasured ones. You think there's a reason I don't got a cat? God knows Satan would skin it alive." As for Abaddon...well... "The keyword is 'if'. If I rise, hell yeah, we can get a demon prince condo but if I failed, then what? I fail and I get punished. I can deal with physical pain. I can deal with it well." Her mind threatened to travel back but she forced it to the present. "Emotional pain doesn't heal as easily, which I'm sure you know."

Magda's brows furrowed and she frowned, eyes flicking to Crowley's and meeting again for the first time in this part of their conversation. "I don't mean to be condescending, I'm sorry. I'm—still trying to regain my footing. But you make me feel more like my old self than anything does. I don't know what to do with this hole I don't know how to fill. I haven't felt like that since I was a child, and I gave myself that back. I don't know how to give myself this." She waved her hand, dismissive of her vulnerability. "Doesn't matter now." Magda tilted her head, gaze intent. "'You demons'—as if you're all the same, when we both know that's not the case. Like angels, you are what you make yourselves—probably better at it, honestly." A pause. "Babylon has those she protects. I think you have a soft spot for some people, too. I think it could be in you, if you wanted it to be." If there was a reason enough—but was Mags that reason? "But anyway, this isn't about protection. I don't need that from you, I was just saying I don't think —us—puts us in any more danger. If you want an us." Her eyes burned brightly, wanting the short-stop reality Crowley gave, wanting the real feeling of her, not the facade but the unadulterated soul that she was, and she couldn't tear her eyes away. "It doesn't, but if the world is ending, I'd rather end it with you. I haven't—you're—" she looked away, finally, flustered. A poet at a loss for words. "It's worth it to me, if I'm worth it to you. But I can't halfass it. I can't live another part of my life like a shadowy half-life, not fully here, not fully gone. I don't know if—" if she could handle it? if she wanted to handle it? if she wanted anything like that? God, how did they get here, from just asking to spend Valentine's Day night. But Magda would rather know, would rather figure out just how many eggs to put in this basket.

It was Crowley's turn to look away, toward the entrance and away from the tragic figure sitting across from her in the bathtub. Don't count on me to fill that hole, Red. Magda had far too many expectations of Crowley but it didn't spook the demon, it only made her chest ache for when Magda realized how misplaced her faith was. She reached out from the bathtub and set the flute down on the pop-up table, shifting through the water - with great difficulty and no poise - to place both of her pale hands on Magda's cheeks, cupping the soft skin. Seriousness didn't suit Crowley but she wanted to be sure when it came to Magda. "I want you, Red. I'm not a coward and I'm no stranger to pain. Abaddon, Satan, Belial, I can handle them." She'd slit their throats with her grail if need be. If the situation called for it. "I will give you all you ask and all and you desire of me and want the same in turn but can you be with a demon, Magda? I'm not human anymore. I do bad things and continue to do bad things and I will not lie to you about them. I can't lie about who or what I am just like you can't lie about who or what you are. If you're okay with that, then I'm okay with anything else. I can deal with the demons and the angels. Lord knows your pitbull Russian angel won't let anything else happen to you." She paused but kept her gaze on Magda's. "Whatever Lucifer asks of me though, I need to see it through. If he asks anything at all." She doubted he would but she wouldn't let Magda go forward without knowing.

Magda didn't know what to expect, but she didn't expect the tenderness shown her, the crossing of the tub and the hands on her face, softened by the water but still vaguely rough and calloused from guitar and any number of things, the gesture comforting. The touches Magda had received had all been so rough recently—wanted and unwanted both. Tenderness seemed something they reserved for... something deeper, and Magda blinked slowly, letting the droplets of water make rivulets on her face, feeling their softness, and wondered if this was deeper. "I want you too, Crow," Magda said softly. "I don't want a different version of you. If you don't lie to me, don't betray me, and just love me—in time—that's all I can ask." She nodded, understanding—not fully, but enough—about Lucifer. When there was a God, she'd be beholden to him almost the same. At least half of her had free will. "And we'll—we'll just see? Nothing's stone, and stone can shatter. This isn't a back out, or a halfass. This is room to breathe. So I don't—" she bit her lip. "So I don't weigh you down too much. So heavy in your arms," she quoted, only half joking.

"You're light as air, Mags." Crowley murmured back, tone gentle as she leaned froward to place a soft kiss on her forehead. She knew Magda was trying to joke, to lighten the mood but Crowley was dead serious as she spoke. Being with Magda wasn't difficult for it, it didn't weigh her down or make her exstential, it soothed her. It both calmed the hurricane and fed her desire for chaos. "I won't lie or betray you. One thing I'm good at is being honest with who I am." She had never been so sure of herself. Becoming a demon had solidified her identity. "I'm more than okay with you being my girlfriend. Not a back out, or a half's but it's there if that's what you feel like being called. Or you can be called my superb lady friend, whatever you wanna call it." She teased.

Magda's eyes fluttered closed to fully feel the sensation of the kiss on her forehead, the light pressure warm against the cooling water, sending a little shiver down her spine as she smiled. When she opened her eyes again, she reached for Crowley, her hand grazing the side of the demon's face, touching where her cheekbone ran beneath her eye, tracing her jawline with affection and depth of seeing. She appreciated the sentence—the sentiment—but just hoped their hopes would be enough. Magda maintained it was worth trying before dying. She seemed to get on better with most divine than she did humans—what would come, would come. "I love that about you," Magda said, soft as a water ripple. Crowley was upfront, upshot—she loved the reality of her. At the end, Magda laughed: "What if I want to be your girlfriend, but also your superb lady friend?" Magda had remained perfectly still when Crowley had kissed her forehead so the demon returned the favor, staying relaxed and calm as Magda's touch trailed along the side of her face, her skin heating up wherever Magda dragged her fingertip. Still, she couldn't help the grin that split her face as Magda spoke, looking a little sheepish. "Yeah, well, I found out that it was easier to be real when I was human and it only carried over into hell." Of course, it wasn't to say that Crowley didn't keep a few things close to her chest but for the most part, she was what she appeared to be - a fun-loving, violence-seeking demon with a penchant for destruction and chaos. "I mean, they're not mutually exclusive, I'm down for you being both." "Of course," Magda replied with a laugh, thinking of the chain of events. "Naturally you would be chosen, given that outlook," the Prophet teased, in truth, knowing nothing of Lucifer's intentions nor selection process, but if it had been her, of course she would have chosen Crowley—but Magda was biased. It was hard to touch Crowley's face so gently and not touch more. "Both is always better," she said, and then, still lost in the softness and the restraint, quoted Winterson, "'To kiss well one must kiss solely. No groping hands or stammering hearts. The lips and the lips alone are the pleasure. Passion is sweeter split strand by strand.'" Then Magda's hand dropped, almost sheepishly, and she blushed. In truth, Crowley wasn't exatly sure why she was chosen. She'd never asked and he had never really explained. Out of all the people in the world, he had chosen a junkie who had walked into an early grave. She could understand his turning of Babylon. Look what she had become - Mother of Prostitutes and Abombinations. Then again, she had a few years on Crowley but still, she wondered on those rare nights she dared to become introspective. Presently, she peered at Magda, green gaze fixed on that entrancing face as Magda quoted someone that Crowley probably never would have heard of. Crowley caught Magda's dropped hand and gently placed it back on her face, nodding in approval. "If anyone's voice has to bring on the rapture, I'm glad it's yours."