#the craziest thing it’s that there were other options. they didn’t have to choose her for this

[whitmore]

here’s how starshiv can still win

[igotanidea]

(3) Cheater : dick grayson!version

Long awaited part 3 - as promised.

@fullbelieverheart - I really hope I'll live up to your expectations of me and this story :D

part 1

part 2

***

9 months ago

“No.”

“This was not a question, Dick.”

“Still the answer is no.”

When Bruce called Dick to the batcave and explained to him his role in the plan The Batman masterminded, Dick felt like laughing. 

At first.

Until he realised that Bruce was being absolutely serious with wanting his oldest son to get into a fake relationship with a girl named Sienna. Apparently, she was loosely connected with one of the Gotham’s crime lord and this was a way to get to her relative. It was crazy and to say the least, Dick felt offended at the mere thought of going through with this horrendous idea.

“I’m not a piece of meat, Bruce! And we can’t use an innocent girl for your scheming!”

“but we will.”

“Come on!” Dick threw his hands in the air in pure frustration

“Is this about this little journalist you met?” Bruce grunted at his son “What was her name again? Y/N?”

Dick sighed. He could keep on denying, pretending that he had no idea what Bruce was talking about but there was no point. And maybe, maybe, admitting that he felt something for Y/N would made his adoptive father soften?

“Yes…..” he admits

“Forget about her.”

“What?!”

“You heard me Dick.”

“But…..”

“You have duties to this city.”

“But….!”

“Enough Dick.  There are lives at stake. You have to think like Nightwing, not like Dick Grayson, now. Do you want people to die?”

“Please….. Bruce…. Ask someone else for this…. Please….” He tried to bargain, but he knew well enough it was a lost cause. Who else could possibly do the job? Jason?

“End of discussion. “

***

Dick was torn. On one hand he wanted to protect people and get whatever criminal was on the loose down. On the other he also wanted Y/N. It didn’t matter he barely met her. The feelings she gave him were incomparable with anything else. He wanted her with intensity he never thought possible. He knew he couldn’t just go and forget about her. Not with her pretty smile and pretty eyes and her messy hair and her positive energy.

So-

The only option was to play on both fields.

***

“Oh, God! I am so sorry! I swear I can be so clumsy sometimes……”

He choose the most cliché way to become acquainted with Sienna. He simply went to the same coffee shop she did every day and accidentally  bumped into her, spilling coffee all over. Of course, it was iced coffee, he wouldn’t risk anyone getting burned.

“Oh, please, it was me! I really should have been watching where I was going!” she retorted

“How about I offer you coffee as a form of compensation?” he grinned

“You just gave me one!” Sienna laughed and Dick couldn’t help but be positively surprised by her sense of humour. “I wouldn’t mind a little snack, thought….. Had a hell of a day and forget to have lunch….”

“Well I can’t really let a pretty girl like you starve.” Dick ginned.

“Oh, so now I am pretty girl?” she raised an eyebrow “you sure you bumped into me because you’re clumsy?”

“Who said clumsy and lucky cannot go in pair?”

Maybe this mission would be nicer than he thought……

***

6 months ago

He found Sienna amusing and charming. But it was still just for vigilante purposes and his eyes were on Y/N. They were. Truly. And to prove it to himself, one day out of the blue he decided to show up at her work, unannounced with the biggest flower bouquet ever. Causing a little bit of commotion and making a show amongst Y/N’s co-workers.

“Hey Y/N….” he smiled, his silhouette barely visible from the grand bunch of forget-me-nots. 

“Dick?” her eyes grew wide at the sight in front of him. “It’s not my birthday…..”

“Can’t I just give a little gift to my favourite girl? For no reason? ”

“You’re just unbelievable” she chuckled shaking her head. “and I bet the blue flowers were chosen for no reason…..”

“Sh! You’re gonna blew my cover Y/N!”

“Mhm. Because of the colour of the plants….. As if that were the craziest thing that may uncover your secret identity.”

“And who’s unbelievable now?’ she narrowed his eyes, leaning forward and trying to kiss her.

“Nah uh….” She chuckles pulling back. “not at work….”

“Y/N!” he whined

“not at work.” She insisted

“Come over tonight then….” Dick begged. “Please… I need you

 “Tonight you say?”

“please, baby……”

“Wayne gala.” She simply said

“I’m sorry, what?” those two words threw him back into reality “what are you talking about?”

“You little pea brain…..” she cooed, brushing hair out of his forehead and ruffling his mop. “It’s the night of Annual Wayne Gala. Don’t tell me you forgot?” his silence was enough of an answer. “I was seconded for the press coverage. Work night for me.”

“Doesn’t mean we cannot have some fun together later on…..” Dick grabbed her hand, intertwined their fingers and caressing her skin. The gesture was innocent but his eyes were shining with a predatory gaze leaving no room for doubts of what he really meant.

“Are you absolutely sure we can hide from Bruce’s watchful gaze?”

“It’s a big Manor….” Dick smiled suggestively, leaning closer to her “come on, baby. You keep me waiting for so long now…..”

“The famous Dick Grayson, the heartbreaker and forever the bachelor is begging for a girl?”

“Not just any girl…” he smirked “you.” Without any warning he closed the gap between them, kissing her softly with all the feelings he had for her. He loved her. Her loved her…. He loved her, right? “Y/N…” he tangled hand in her hair and brought her closer, not caring who might see them at her work. And apparently, at this point, neither did she. “Come on….” He brushed his lips over her cheek and jaw, eyes closed, breathing her in “Please…..”

“I….” she gasped, overwhelmed by everything he was doing at the moment “I guess I can try to implement some work-life balance…”

“Good girl…..” he whispered, kissing her lips again and she shivered at those words. He was right. She was keeping him waiting for long.

“I’ll see you tonight then, Grayson.” Gathering what was left of her self-control she pushed him away from her, standing up abruptly and fixing her hair “I gotta get back to work now.”

“I’ll see you tonight then.” He grinned, grabbing her tightly by the waist, pulling her close and kissing once more with untamed passion, before moving away, grinning like a school boy and exiting the office, leaving the poor girl flustered and distracted.

***

“Dick!”

Dick was all ready for the Wayne Gala and for the little after party with Y/N, creating some wild scenarios in his head. But once he entered the main room, already filled with the big fish, his eyes searching for his girl in the sea of heads Sienna came right through to him.

“Sienna?” He smiled, but it felt ground  slip beneath his feet “what are you doing here?”

“Bruce invited me.” She handed him a glass of champagne and he tossed it off in a second. “Cause apparently the scatterbrain of my boyfriend forgot about the event of the year…..”

“Hm?” Dick muttered, his mind elsewhere “What? I mean, yes, of course, you know me..” he chuckled nervously “I never were a fan of this whole gala thing. Haha. None of my brothers ever were….”

“And yet, here we both are….I only wish the press weren’t so insistent.” Sienna took a sip of her own drink. “There’s this one reporter, Y/N. She tried to talk to me and get my opinion on some social case……”

“You… you talked to Y/N?!” Dick almost choked at the mini sandwich he grabbed from the tray.

“Yes! She’s a girl boss. You should meet her, Dick. Bet she would take you down with her no man’s bullshit attitude.” Sienna laughed “God, we could make such a good friends…. Oh, look! She’s right there! Talking to your brother.”

“Which brother?!” Dick’s started sweating. Please don’t let it be….

“Jason, I suppose. Seems like they are having fun together.”

“Oh, shit!” Dick hissed. Jason knew everything about this whole mission thing. And he had a really loose tongue.

“Dick? Are you all right, love?” now, Sienna seemed truly concerned, trying to meet Dick’s gaze.

“I’m perfect, dear. Would you like to dance with me?”

“I thought you hated this gala thing? And everything that came with it?”

“Well, I got a pretty girl by my side and …..” only now he get the chance to eye Sienna from head to toe. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. So glad you noticed.” She snickered

“So, will you do me the honour?” Dick reached his hand and once Sienna took it, lead her to the dancefloor, joining some other couples.

While he might have had Sienna in his arms, the only person on his mind was definitely Y/N. His gaze never left her figure during the dance and the only thing that saved him from any possible questions was that it was a slow dance and Sienna clung to him tightly, her head resting on his shoulder, eyes closed, enjoying them moving together.

But –

This was also the source of the trouble in the form of Y/N noticing another girl being so close to Dick. Too close. And once Dick spotted her shocked gaze, her hurt face expression, the disbelief radiating from her whole body he knew he was doomed. And Jason, who was standing next to Y/N, barely holding a laugh was not helpful at all, making Dick count the seconds till the end of the song, and desperately and silently call his younger brother for help.

Obviously, Jason was not without heart and he would have to be completely blind to not notice the suffering of Dick’s and him making a fool out of himself. So after a while of not-so-discreet laughing his ass off he actually decided to give Dick a hand. He knew that anyone connected to Batman and actually listening to him would be suffering. No matter how strained the relationship between Dick and Jason was, the latter liked Y/N. And to tell the truth, Jason wanted to save her heartbreak. If that meant letting Dick talk to his girl and keeping Sienna occupied for a while, he could deal with it. For Y/N;s sake, obviously.

“Excuse-me dance?” Jason teased approaching Dick and Sienna.

“Hey…. Honey… would you mind Jace keeping you entertained for a moment, while I go talk to that journalist you mentioned? Oldest son, gotta keep the appearances that I actually know what I’m doing here…..” Dick stuttered

“Which he obviously doesn’t” Jason hissed

Sienna looked between two brothers, a bit confused of what was happening, but finally nodding her head.

“Sure, love. You go talk to the press. Hopefully your younger brother won’t trample me….” She chuckled and kissed Dick on the lips lightly before letting go of his hand and allowing him to run of the dancefloor.

Shit….

“Y/N!” he hissed. Apparently, before talking to the press, he will have to chase it first. “Y/N, wait!” he grabbed her wrist, before she could leave the Manor, spinning her around so that she was forced to face him.

“What the hell, Dick?! Let go off me!” she struggled against his grip

“Please, let’s just talk about it….” He begged “I can explain.”

“Explain why you had another girl holding you and kissing you?! What are you playing!?”

“Come on, let’s not make a scene, Y/N!”

“No. Let’s!” she had every right to be angry but Dick could not let her unleash her inner destroyer in front of all the guest. So before she could do or say anything else, he grabbed her waist and pushed her into the first empty room, pressing her into the wall inside and capturing her lips in his.

“Y/N….” he whined, feeling her kiss him back, turning all hot, his hands roaming her entire body in the frantic need of her. Right there, right now. He wanted her. And he was going to have her. After all that was the plan all along and if it were to happen a little faster than expected.. so be it. “Y/N….” his moan died halfway when his hand slide down her leg, sneaking under the hem of her dress and moving up again, lifting the material, trying to touch her where he knew she needed. “I love you…..”

Those three little words seemed to bring her back to reality.

“You love me, huh?” she wriggled out of his grip making him groan at the loss. “How dare you say that?!”

“Ok, fine… I owe you some explanation….”

“You owe me so much more than just some explanation.” She crossed arms over her chest ”are you with her? Is she your girlfriend?”

“NO!”

“Then what is this about?!”

“Batman.” He muttered

“I’m sorry, what?” she raised an eyebrow at him

“It’s Batman and Nightwing thing. Bruce is… after a criminal apparently and sienna… she’s the way to get to him….”

“So you’re just using her!? That’s even worse!”

“I’m not using her! I never promised her anything!”

“You let her kiss you!”

“It doesn’t mean a thing!”

“Do you even know women, Grayson!?”

“I want to be with you…! Please, you have to believe me, Y/N, I swear!” he grabbed both her hands. “Look at me.” She averted her gaze “Please, look at me….” She was still disobeying so in desperation he grabbed her chin and forced her eyes on him “I know you hate me now and you have every right to do so. I should have told you about this and I’m sorry.”

“Are you now?”

“Yes. Please. I only want you. You hear me?” he leaned forward slightly, their foreheads touching “You, baby. I wish it wasn’t so hard, but sometimes… sometimes I have to act like Nightwing and not like Dick Grayson. But it doesn’t mean I love you any less.” She sighs deeply at the confession processing everything he just dropped on her. “Please baby, say something, anything.”

“She’s actually a very nice and smart girl, you know?”

“But I want you….”

“Shut up, Grayson. You say it’s hard for you, but do you have any idea how hard it is for me to go against another girl’s back?”

“I’m sorry….” He squeaked, holding her hand tighter.

“I’m not gonna leave….” Y/N starts.

“You won’t?!” his eyes lighten up a bit at the words.

“No. However…. If we are to pursue our relationship further… do… all those things you want to do…..” at this point Dick felt himself getting hard at the mere thought of having Y/N. “if you want me, you’ll have to finish that stupid mission  first. I won’t sleep with you while you still with her.”

“But it’s all fake!”

“Even if it’s fake.” Y/N emphasised.

“But….!”

“No buts. I’m here, but like I said, no betraying another girl like that. Not while she might be in love with you, you hear me? I can wait, can you?”

“Yes….” He hung his head low. “Yes, I can wait for you, but you’re making it really hard for me Y/N.”

Now

“ What the fuck is going on here?!” Sienna’s voice echoed through the apartment.

Shit… Shit… shit….

They were in so much of a deep shit…..

edit: part 4

[collecting-stories]

Fourth of July - JJ Maybank

Request: Hi! I was wondering if I could get a jj maybank x reader? Where it’s the Fourth of July and the Pogues are celebrating at the chateau. Reader comes in late and sees that jj isn’t hanging out with the others and tries to cheer him up? and they both like each other and you can end it however you want it to? Thank you! And I love your writing!💜

Outer Banks Masterlist

A rushed “sorry I’m late” fell from your lips as you pushed open the door of the chateau and stepped inside, handing off a bottle of vodka that you’d nabbed from your mom’s stash under the TV stand and kicked off your shoes. Kiara, who took the vodka and placed it on the coffee table along with the other alcohol the six of you had accumulated, wished you a “happy fourth”.  

It was then that you realized one of the six of you wasn’t there, “where’s JJ?” You asked, glancing around the room. Despite the holiday, all of you had collectively decided to skip any weekend parties in favor of just hanging out at the chateau together and getting drunk. No chance to get in trouble if you didn’t mingle with tourons and kooks, according to Kiara.  

John B shrugged, “think he went down to the jetty.”

“Him and John B got in an argument,” Kiara supplied, shifting in her seat as you moved passed her to get into the cooler sitting beside the couch.  

You pulled two beers out and popped the lids off, stepping back around the couch to the door, “I’ll go get him then...I guess?” You asked, lingering in the doorway for a moment. When no one said anything, you headed outside. It was warm even though the sun had already set, the air a little muggy as you walked down to the jetty.  

JJ was sitting at the edge, legs hanging over the side as he leaned against the railing, staring out across the marsh. You could see sparklers a couple of yards away, lighting up the dark just barely. The boards of the jetty creaked beneath your flip-flops but JJ didn’t turn to look, keeping his gaze trained away from you.  

“Hey,” you sat down next to him, offering the beer you’d grabbed for him. “Well at least I know you aren’t sick,” you teased when he took the bottle, kicking back a large gulp.

“What?” He asked, looking over at you.

“Kie said you were out here instead of partying...thought maybe you were sick or something,” you said. “Is everything okay?”

“Was that a beer test?” He joked, ignoring your question. JJ wasn’t one to ever admit when he was upset though so you weren’t surprised that he skirted the actual topic.

“Yes,” you nodded, “and you passed with flying colors.”

He hummed, taking another sip and then resting his chin on the railing. You weren’t sure if he expected you to sit there and not say anything to him or just go back to the small party inside like everything was fine but you lingered, looking back down the bank to the sparklers at the other house.  

If anyone ever asked you, JJ was your best friend. The pogues all had an inseparable bond but you would choose JJ over any of them, no matter what. You’d known him almost as long as John B had. Your home life was a little more stable than JJ’s but just as chaotic. Kiara and Sarah, even Pope, didn’t really understand what it was like to be so deep in the Southside life but you and JJ did.  

“My mom said thanks for mowing the lawn, she’s been asking my brother to do it but with his rot-zee training and stuff, he’s been pretty singularly minded.” You mentioned. Joining ROTC had become the most important thing in your brother’s life recently. But still, with twelve people living in a house, it should’ve been easier to get a lawn mowed but your mom had been asking for weeks when JJ finally came over and did it.  

“No problem.” He shrugged.

“JJ-”  

He sat up a little straighter, looking over at you, “John B’s talking about calling off the gold search.”

“I mean, it was a long shot anyway.” You confessed, knowing that finding gold on the island or even off the coast, was a one in four hundred million chance.

“I don’t care if it was a long shot or if it’s the craziest thing anyone’s ever heard of...a hundred mil, think of what we could do with a hundred mil.” JJ said.  

You had offered your help in finding the gold but had told John B that you didn’t want a cut, they could all keep it. Money like that did things to people and it would never really be yours anyway. You could imagine the family that would crawl out of the woodwork for a piece of that. But JJ had sworn that the two of you would split a cut. “We’ll go 50/50, literally.” He had promised.  

“JJ-” You tried again.  

“We don’t deserve this shit.” JJ said, turning to face you, “you don’t deserve this shit. Come on, you know it. How doesn’t it piss you off to see people like Kie and Sarah get whatever the fuck they want whenever they want it? That should be you.”

“Maybe...but it’s not.” You shrugged, “I mean, those guys that came after us are dangerous JJ, I don’t think calling it off is such a crazy option.”

“Who gives a shit about them.”

“I do! I would rather have you here, safe, than be dead because we were trying to find some buried treasure that no one else was ever able to find.” You replied, shifting closer to him, “you’re my best friend and the thought of something happening to you...literally kills me.”  

“Nothing’s gonna happen.” JJ replied. “We find the gold, we take our cut and get the hell out of the obx.” He reasoned. “Come on...you can’t leave me hanging here.”

You sighed, taking a sip of your beer and trying not to think that JJ was technically right. The two of you had nothing to lose by going after the gold, if you could convince John B to get back in the game, and JJ sincerely believed that if anyone could convince him it was you, then there was a very real possibility that you would be set for life. JJ joked about going full kook if he got the money but, if nothing else, having money meant having power. Power over people who had treated him like shit in the past and the power to take care of you.  

“I’ll talk to John B.” You promised. “But tonight, lets just...have a good party?”

“Yeah, alright.” He nodded. “I don’t wanna go in yet.”  

“Do you wanna be alone?” You asked, hopefully that he didn’t.

“Maybe we could just stay out here together for a while?” He suggested.  

“Anything you want.”

-

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[amlao]

Day 97 of Being Alone for the First Time in My Adult Life

Last week, I texted both Brad and Matt.

Which was probably a bad idea.

Neither of them texted me back.

With Matt, it was his birthday. He’s historically always had bad birthdays where he’s felt overlooked or ignored. I wanted him to know that I remembered and still wanted him to have a good birthday, even though I know it’s probably too soon for us to reconnect or hang out. He read it almost immediately, but didn’t ever reply.

With Brad, I keep seeing his Bitmoji back in KC on Snapchat. At this point, it’s been almost three years since he ghosted me on my birthday after making plans with me and never speaking to me again. Since then, I’ve regularly heard about him through Matt, and knew he was working in Baltimore. I also knew that he considered apologizing to me at one point so we could be cool again.

I don’t know why, given the shitty things that Brad has done to me (telling everyone I cheated on him when I didn’t, ghosting me on my birthday, misconstruing our friendship into something potentially romantic when I was really clear about boundaries after our breakup), I still want to have him in my life. I have such a weird relationship with him, where there’s no one I want to date less, yet I’ll always love him platonically and care about his well-being. He’s easy and fun to be around. We always get into the craziest misadventures with each other. And I really do regret being excessively judgmental about his life choices and not expressing more how much I’m rooting for him…because I actually do want him to have success and be happy…I just didn’t think anyone else in his life would take the liberty of critiquing his drug use and irresponsibility. And I still don’t know if he ultimately cut me out because of his unresolved feelings or because of my excessive criticism. I’m not even sure which would be worse for me.

With Matt, I really hope we can have a friendship again eventually. Now that I’ve taken the Summer to step away, I feel somewhat nostalgic for the time period of dating him. Not the relationship part, but painting minis in his kitchen around Halloween, driving around playing Pokémon Go for hours, watching My Hero Academia for the first time and being so enthralled that we kept watching one more episode after one more episode until 3am.

Knowing that all of those moments together were also riddled with uncertainty and grief for Logan, I’m not sure Matt and I ever needed to date to do all of those things together. I really wish that we could have just stayed friends.

Yesterday, my therapist and I worked on identifying my values and attaching them to goals. Which was fine, but I don’t know why I didn’t tell her any of this. She definitely asked if anything had been going on in my life the past week.

I see her next week, the day Veronica and I get back from New Orleans, and I think I will tell her then.

It’s weird, because I’ve already done a lot of the work that you’re presumably supposed to do in therapy myself. I think I would have benefitted from this much more when I was still in my early 20’s at KU and really struggling and had no structure or coping mechanisms.

But I also think it was important for me to choose and pay for my own therapist and make this my own thing, which wouldn’t have been an option back then.

Nonetheless, it’s still early in the process and it’s nice to be validated.

During our first meeting, when I explained what happened with Logan, she asked what I did to cope with my feelings for him and suddenness of the relationship ending. I told her that I had to block him on everything when I knew I was really done, because he wouldn’t stop emailing me and messaging me. She said, ‘It sounds like you really had to enforce some strong boundaries for yourself, because he wasn’t respecting boundaries,’ Which…I realize is just Reflective Listening 101 and there was no part of that that I didn’t already know, but it actually made me feel really good to have that affirmed by a professional.

Veronica’s great aunt is dying, and her grandmother has been through a lot with dealing with it, so I sent her an arrangement of her favorite flowers. I thought about the fact that, while that kind of gesture just seems like the right thing to do to me, I never do those kinds of gestures with my own extended family. Out of sight, out of mind I suppose, since they live halfway across the country and I rarely see them or talk to them.

Getting closer to my extended family—I also told my therapist that was something I wanted to work on.

[san-station]

A Quiet Place AU / ATEEZ (Post-apocalyptic)

Chapter 1

↝Word count: 1772

Description: In a world full of silence and dangerous creatures seeking for blood, a group of friends have to survive for their own good and find the safe place they’ve heard about months ago.

Pairing: OC x San.

Note: This story is entirely fictional. The written universe is an adaptation of John Krasinski’s movie A Quiet Place, some terms or actions may or may not be included in the film.

WARNING: The followed story contains descriptions of violence, explicit wounds, mention of blood, death, depression. If you are easily disturbed, please, stop reading for you own good. 

A/N: Hiiii, this is my first serie ever. I hope you like the beginning~! Sorry if there are some typos. Don't be shy, comment what you think about it ;3.

・・・・・・・・

Watch Your Steps

We had to rush, except none of us moved, our feet glued to the cement as if it was still fresh. We knew we had to run but again, none of us could assimilate it. The sound that lasted a millisecond wasn’t even the loudest, however they could hear the smallest chirp of a cricket in the deepest forest, the purring of a cat under a lot of sheets or the yawn of a baby before going to bed as silent as the wind blowing slowly… No matter if we were on the top of the skyscraper, they always heard. 

It hit my shocked face when the growls started. I was tired, thirsty, my legs hurt and I hadn’t eaten a proper food in forever; who would’ve thought that a fucking pile of beer bottles hidden behind the door of a small bird house located on one of the rooftop’s corners could ruined three months of surviving the craziest era humanity ever lived. Once the bottles stopped rolling through the wooden floor, my lungs felt fire due to the air I retained, my hands started to shake inside my coat... and it hit me again. We need to fucking run, was the only thing on my mind, but I was not being the reasonable person I was, the common sense was off the place and so were my hopes.

    Since I was a child, I thought heights were the scariest thing in the world. The moment I stepped into the rooftop I was already hyperventilating, but it couldn’t compare to the feeling of being chased by those bloodthirsty creatures, and I knew I wasn’t the only one thinking about that, of course. The two people with me had the same expression on their faces. Seonghwa, the guy on my right, tall, blue eyes, body shaped, black hair and paternal instinct, looked at me with wide eyes; he quickly put a hand over my mouth and shook his head violently, words couldn’t be exchanged at that moment, not when we were that close to be slaughter, but his eyes could tell everything. Don’t scream. 

In front of us was Misuk, a small and chubby girl with a fearsome attitude who happened to be the other only girl that was stuck with us. She had short blonde hair and the most amusing personality ever (at least for me). She was the one that opened the door nonchalant trying to find bird seed... Oh, I can tell she was really mad at herself; Misuk was the one telling us to be more careful every step we made (even though we knew), and she always put sand or wet dirt on the places where there was none to prevent any of us from stepping on false. Oh, Misuk…  

My body began to feel numb and the cold wind wasn’t helping either. Seonghwa’s black hair danced with the breeze along with his clothes, he was wearing a long beige sheep coat that Yunho had made two months ago, skinny black jeans with ripped knees, sneakers too dirty to remember their original color because of the lack of water and a sharp knife on his leather black belt. The handle of it had his initials, “P.S”, engraved in silver with a lovely handwriting. Misuk had her natural outfit when we had to go scavenging for supplies, a pair of worn blue jeans, old black Converses, a brown t-shirt with the logo of NASA and a big black jean jacket with some alien patches. Funny, she loved those things before they arrived, after realizing that she actually liked the little friendly green buddies like E.T instead of the monsters that came to Earth. Well, after a while she found another affinity: collecting some alien fragments from their dead bodies for her own pleasure. 

Misuk was a weird kid, but everyone liked her in their own way. I, for example, used to have some discussions about provisions or night shifts with her ‘cause of her lack of leadership and consciousness; I always preferred order, and everything had to be calculated, at least in this madness. But she was a free spirit, she never listened when Seonghwa or Hongjoong made a statement about her, she never cleaned when it was her turn, she sometimes laughed way too loud on our soundproof room and got all of us shhhing her,… but you gotta stick together in this if you want to survive.

Thirty minutes ago we were on the crusade to find more supplies for the rest of the group, it was the calm day #438 after the attack, creatures with hypersensitive hearing showed up on Earth after a meteor shower impacted in December of 2020. We head through the city once the sunrise illuminated the area. Seonghwa, Misuk and I were the assigned crew for the task of recollecting provisions for, at least, two long months. Well, we assigned ourselves because we’d been in those walls for like forever. San was pissed about it, but we didn’t care… now I think it was not a good idea after all. 

“Jiyeong,” Misuk called me with sign language when she stopped walking in the middle of the deserted road that connected our place with the city ruins we were heading to. Misuk’s hands followed a sequence while moving her lips simultaneously, “we should split to find more rations by ourselves, right?”, she shifted her bag from one shoulder to another and gave me a bright smile.

I hesitated. The last time we splitted up, we never found Jin, he was Misuk's brother and a friend to all of us. Hongjoong still blamed himself for allowing that option for starters. 

“I think it’s better for the three of us to stay together…”, Seonghwa signed with his hands covered by brown leather gloves thanks to the cold air that surrounded most of the city in late February. We both nodded in agreement, not before Misuk rolled her eyes at him and kept walking over the scattered sand that created a path of silence down our bared feet.

The city was an hour left on foot, people obviously forgot about the cars after the sound of the engine roaring was too loud and mortal for all of us. Step by step we got closer and the city buildings risen before us; sometimes (more than we needed) we found other individuals on the streets doing the same we’d been doing for months: surviving. On good days, we found families or old friends walking silently and moving on from their houses to others. On bad days -not my favorite ones to be honest- there were suicidal types of people that transformed the atmosphere completely just to put everyone around in danger. It wasn’t funny running or hiding for your life when you did nothing for them to come for you… I disgusted those kinds of people that believed they could choose who lives and who dies. Moreover, there were days when nothing happened, like almost these three months that we stayed underground with enough supplies in our soundproof room that allowed us to speak when we needed the most, we just went outside to find more provisions or walk and watch the sunset; but nothing last forever, supplies were almost running out and we had to finally get more.

The rooftop we ended up praying for our lives was our last searching point, Misuk wanted the bird seeds so much that she insisted on going all by herself after two long hours, she said we were slowing her down, however you couldn’t be alone out there. Not when they could hear you anytime.

I could listen my thumping heart on my ears; the growling became louder, closer, and the unpleasant feeling in my stomach gave me nauseous. Seonghwa stared now at Misuk; she had a deadpan face and decided to close the bird house slowly with her right hand while her left hand rested on her mouth for preventing her of letting out a gasp. I shook my head. Just leave it like that!, I wanted to scream at her. But when the beer bottles rolled again and collided with a seed bag inside the little house, it felt dry on the floor with the most horrendous echoing sound. I swallow hard, my head hurt and the shrill shout that came from the rooftop door activated all my senses. My brain proceeded to watch everything in front of me as if it was on slow-motion.

One creature broke the door with a clean slam, a second one followed its entrance. Their knife-hands cut the metal with a perfect precision and distant howls filled the place when one of them jumped higher that a human being could ever do. My shaky breath was held by Seonghwa’s hands when I stepped back, my fingers reached his owns and I squeezed them as tight as I could against my mouth. Misuk turned around as fast as she could when the hand of one creature slammed into her stomach in within seconds, the deafening sound of her ribs breaking made the tears instantly fall down from my cheeks to Seonghwa’s gloves, she gasped. The sore flesh was vividly cut and her eyes, wide and green, looked to the sky while her body jerked on the floor with a thump. The enormous hollow in the center of her belly straight away scattered overflowing blood all over the floor, and the rest of her body rested on the cement, still she found a way to turn her head into our direction and gave us a sad smile. Red drops were now on our clothes and faces, some of her large intestine and lungs were being eaten by both creatures making grumbling noises. It looked like they were having a Thanksgiving meal and we were probably the desert.

Then, a creatures pulled up its head and the sides of it was wide open as we saw the sound sensors vibrating, trying to reach for more victims nearby. Seonghwa and I could only watch the scene petrified. A tiny groan left Misuk’s throat with her last breath and I gasped in silence while my soaked eyes blurred part of the view, the ripping sounds of bones and flesh continued and I felt Seonghwa’s chest shake a little on my back, but he kept his head high aware of the beasts in front of us. I don’t know if he closed his eyes, I just know we stood there still watching our friend die and hoping we wouldn’t be next.

 (…)

Masterlist

[bee-kathony]

The Oath | Ch. 22 “Up on the Hill” 

a/n: thank you so much for reading! with happy results from the last chapter and a mysterious letter showing up, there’s still a lot to figure out! I hope you enjoy reading and thank you as always to my wonderful beta @lcbeauchampoftarth <3

Arc I | Ch. 16 | Ch. 17 | Ch. 18 | Ch. 19 | Ch. 20 | Ch. 21

December 14th, 2019

Yesterday, after Jamie and Claire met with Ned to review their options, they left with Madeline to spend the weekend at Lallybroch. He confirmed that they had a strong case, especially with the results of the new paternity test stating that Jamie was Madeline’s father. The mysterious letter could also be considered important evidence, suggesting that Frank had tampered with the results — or, at least, had asked someone else to do it.

“Ye say this letter was dropped off at yer house?” Ned asked again for clarification, going over the letter in his office.

“Yes, no return address and our address isn’t even on it.”

Ned pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and handed the letter back to Claire. “Then someone kens yer address. If I had to guess, then tis someone from the lab that has access to that kind of information.”

“Someone that maybe wants to come clean?” Jamie said.

“Perhaps that is the case,” Ned nodded. “I’ll file a lawsuit and serve a copy of the summons and complaint on Mr. Randall. The next step will be his part, if he wants to hire an attorney and respond to the allegations in our complaint”

“Thank you, Mr. Gowan,” Claire said, feeling so relieved she could have hugged him.

“Call me Ned, lassie.” He smiled and reached for her hand over his desk, squeezing it as if they were old friends.

“Thank you… Ned,” Claire smiled back. “I don’t know what we would have done without your help.”

“Like I said.” He looked between them both. “I’d do anythin’ for yer family. Anything to see that ye get the peace and happiness ye deserve.”

The only thing they had left to do now was wait.

++++++

Claire was sitting near the fire in a rocking chair that had once belonged to Jamie’s mother, Ellen, but was now Jenny’s. Madeline was staring up at her, her little hands reaching for a stray curl. “No, no darling,” Claire laughed. “Don’t tug on mum’s hair.”

Her mind was finally beginning to calm from the raging storm that had occupied her thoughts during the last week. Sleepless nights of worry and doubt had left her exhausted, so spending a few days at Lallybroch was just what she needed.

There was no doubt that Frank would hire an attorney and try and fight the lawsuit. He thought he was right, and if he had been the one to bribe the lab, then he thought he was safe as well. But one thing Claire knew was that karma always came back around, and Frank Randall had a lot of answering to do for the things he’d done.

As Claire sat there rocking, she thought of the first time she had come to Lallybroch. Not even in her wildest, craziest dreams would she have thought she would be back here eleven months later with a baby in her arms. Jamie Fraser’s baby, to be exact.

The fact that they now knew for certain that Madeline was his… well, it was everything. It was assurance that eased her, and it brought tears to her eyes to know that Madeline had come into the world to bring her and Jamie together. Without her, who knows if they would have worked out…

Of course, Claire thought about what would have happened had she not gotten pregnant. She might have bumped into Jamie sooner, or perhaps even later. But she imagined that they would talk more often and spend time together, much as they had those many months ago.

Maybe Jamie would have asked her out on a proper date to dinner or the movies. No, not the movies, you can’t really talk at the movies. Mini golf? Either way, at the end of the date, Claire imagined that Jamie would have tried to kiss her, and she would have let him.

Months later, after their 37th date, Jamie would have asked her to permanently move in with him; after all… most of her stuff was already at his place. She would say yes and bring her feminine touch to his house. Then one night, while they were eating take-out, Jamie might propose, hiding the ring in a fortune cookie. Or maybe he’d do it while taking a walk with her in their favorite park.

And she would say yes. Then, years down the road, they’d get pregnant and have a baby… and another, and another.

Things hadn’t worked out quite like that — a bit backwards, perhaps — but she wouldn’t change it for the world. It was like that old song kids used to sing on the playground: “Jamie and Claire sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage.”

They had their baby in the baby carriage first, then love, then marriage in just a few months.

But love wasn’t a formula, nor was it perfect. There was no right way to do anything in life. Whether you fall in love in a day or over the course of several years. Love is not a science that can be measured or calculated. It’s a feeling, and it’s also a choice.

And Claire would choose this life over and over again, for as long as she lived.

She was so deep in her reflections on all of her past choices with Jamie, staring into the warm glow of the fire, that she didn’t hear Jamie come in. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her forehead, making her jump.

“Och, sorry, Sassenach,” he chuckled. “Didna mean to scare ye.”

“I just didn’t hear you come in,” Claire smiled warmly at him and reached her hand up to cup his cheek. Kneeling down beside the rocking chair, he kissed Madeline’s head too.

“You always do that,” Claire observed. “Kiss both of our foreheads.”

Jamie shrugged, wiping his thumb over the wet spot on Mads’ head. “I just like doin’ it.”

“Well, I’m not complaining,” Claire said. “It’s rather sweet.”

“Then I won’t stop,” Jamie responded and then kissed Claire on the lips. “Jenny said that dinner will be ready soon, I came to tell ye.”

“What’d she make this time? Not haggis.” Claire made a face.

“Nah, not today,” Jamie chuckled. “She just made spaghetti, said tis easy to make for a lot of people.”

“Mmm, I love spaghetti,” Claire grinned, already thinking about dinner, and her stomach grumbled.

“I ken ye do, and ye also like to get it all over your face.” He leaned in and started peppering her cheeks with kisses and Claire tried to push him away, laughing.

“I do not! It’s a messy food!”

“Even Madeline isna that messy,” Jamie smirked, sliding his finger into Mads’ small hand to grasp.

Claire sighed then, the glow of the fire making her sleepy.

“What’s on yer mind then?”

“What?” Claire looked at him. “Oh, nothing.”

“I can read yer face, Sassenach…” Jamie stroked her cheek with his other hand. “Ye’ve something on yer mind.”

“Just thinking about the lawsuit,” she admitted. “And everything that Ned told us.”

“Well, Ned said the lawsuit would be filed yesterday and that Frank would be served as well. I don’t expect him to do anything til Monday. That’s partly the reason I wanted to come here this weekend. So we wouldna be worrying about what was goin’ to happen.”

“You’re probably right,” Claire said, noticing the slight smirk on Jamie’s face that appeared whenever she said that. “I had really hoped all of this would be done before Christmas, but that’s not looking likely.”

“No,” Jamie sighed. He’d wanted them to have a peaceful first Christmas together, free from the mess and drama. But it might take up to six weeks to get a court date set, if that’s the route they went.

“But,” Jamie said, swiping his thumb across Claire’s cheek. “We know for certain we willna have to deal wi’ this on Christmas Day. Everythin’s closed!”

“True,” Claire laughed. “I just wanted it to be perfect.”

“It will be, a nighean,” Jamie assured her. “I’ll see that it is.”

“Oh you will?” Claire quirked her brow. “Well, if you’re all about making Christmas wishes come true, then you can take your stinky baby and change her nappy!”

“Oooo.” Jamie then grabbed Madeline, holding her out in front of him, and took a whiff. “Yeesh! Christ, what have we been feedin’ her…”

“Just the old boob,” Claire smirked, patting her chest. “And make sure you wash your hands before dinner.”

“You can count on that, Sassenach,” Jamie said with a twisted face as he tried to hold his breath, taking Madeline into their room to change her.

++++++

The next day, Claire woke up to find Jamie watching her.

“Good morning, my own.” He kissed her, pushing her frizzy hair back from her face. “I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”

“Well…” she yawned, rolling to face him. “I’m up now.”

“Tis a beautiful day. The sun is shining and ye ken what that means?”

“No,” she smiled. “But I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

“It means,” Jamie moved over her, both arms on either side of her body, “that I’m going to take ye ridin’, Sassenach.”

“Oooo, are you?” Claire hooked her hands behind his neck, pulling him down to her for a kiss. “Isn’t it my job to do that with you?”

A deep groan rumbled in his chest and she thought she felt his cock twitch between the layers of clothes and blankets. “A different…” he coughed, “kind of riding.”

“Get dressed, a nighean. Jenny said she’ll watch Madeline while we’re gone.” He kissed her then rolled away, already sliding his boots on.

Half an hour later, Claire was dressed and her stomach was full of a bowl of porridge — a Fraser family staple. When she walked outside, she was actually surprised to find that it was a lovely day.

“You know I’ve never ridden a horse before,” Claire said to Jamie as he led them to the stables.

“I remember, aye.”

“Do you expect me to ride one on my own then?” She had hoped not, and was relieved when he shook his head.

“Nah, Sassenach. We’ll both ride together,” he smiled. “But one of these days, when tis a bit warmer, I’ll teach ye how to ride properly.”

Claire watched as Jamie brought out his horse, Donas, and prepared to saddle him. He was certainly in his comfort zone, and Claire couldn’t help but blush when she remembered they had shared their first kiss in this very stable. Apparently, Jamie remembered it as well and came over to kiss her, his arm secure around her back.

“Took us nearly a year, but I’ve always wanted to kiss ye again here.” His hand pushed back a stray curl and he brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. “There’s something about ye, Claire. I feel as if I’ve always known ye, even back then… I knew we were meant to be.”

Claire smiled and, as cheesy as it sounded, she had felt like she’d always known him as well. “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

“Brontë,” he grinned. “How apt.”

They could have stayed like that for hours, wrapped up in each other’s arms, but Donas made a sort of snorting noise behind them — as if he was done watching the love fest. “We’d best get going, then.”

Jamie led Claire over to Donas and helped to hoist her up before climbing on behind her. “Just hold onto the horn there, I’ll get the reigns.” He situated himself behind her and there was no possible room left for imagination.

Claire couldn’t help herself, so she wiggled her bottom against him, blushing as she did. Jamie slid one hand around her stomach, his fingers splayed across. “Two can play at that game, Sassenach. Don’t start somethin’ ye canna finish,” he said softly into her ear.

“You better be taking me to a secluded wood.” She bit her lip as she looked back at him.

“Oh, I’m takin’ ye somewhere secluded.” He clicked his tongue as he pressed both legs against Donas’s belly, and they set off. “You can count on that.”

The wind whipped in their faces and the scenery before them took Claire’s breath away. The Highlands had a magical quality about them, transporting you to a time long ago — where fairies and witches lived amongst the land. The sun was high in the sky, lighting up their path as Donas carried them across the rolling hills.

There was something restorative as well in the air, something fresh that filled her lungs and reminded her to breathe. Jamie’s hand was tight around her waist and the other gripping on the reigns. Claire knew she should be focused on the stunning sight before her, but she couldn’t ignore the obvious bulge pressing against her lower back. She was never more thankful for the limited space on top of a horse.

They must have ridden for another fifteen minutes before Jamie pulled on the reigns and slowed to a steady walk. Donas huffed and shook his head as they slowed down, and Claire gave his neck a soft little pat. Jamie had told her he was a bit of a wild horse, but she liked him.

“Do ye like riding so far?” he asked her, switching his hand on the reigns.

She nodded, and craned her neck to look back at him. “It’s wonderful, Jamie. Thank you for showing me.”

“My pleasure.” He kissed her temple.

“Where did you bring me?” She looked around at the grassy scene before her, but couldn’t see anything in particular that might spark her familiarity.

“It’s a place called Craig Na Dun,” he said, pressing his thighs together to prompt Donas into trotting along a well worn path. “Tis just up that wee hill over there.”

Claire spotted it then, a large hill with something sticking just above the top of it. Jamie led them to the base and soon was helping her down. Her legs felt a bit like jelly, sore from her first ride.

Jamie saw it on her face as she took her first steps. “Dinna fash, Sassenach. Yer legs will get used to it,” he laughed and tied up Donas’s reigns to a nearby tree, handing him an apple from his pocket.

“Well, I still haven’t gotten used to being sore after riding something else,” she winked, taking his hand.

They walked hand-in-hand up the hill, and with every step, Claire could see large stones rising above them.

“What is this place?” she asked, her eyes widening as she took in the view before her. Tall stones covered the top of the hill, and she wondered where they’d come from.

“Tis a sort of fairy hill,” Jamie explained. “Scottish stories tell of a woman who came up to these stones, and when she placed her hand on the largest one in the middle… she disappeared.”

“Where did she go?”

“Through space and time,” Jamie said, his voice soft as if speaking in respect for the area. “Many think that it’s still possible.” Now he was leading them to the largest stone in the middle, and Claire’s stomach did a little flip when he placed his hand on the stone.

“Would you want to travel in time?” she asked, placing her hand next to his on the stone. Nothing happened, much to her surprise.

“Only if ye’d come wi’ me.” Jamie grabbed her hand and pulled them down to sit, their backs pressed against the stone. “I think it’d be so interesting to go back to the 18th century and see what it was really like, ye ken? To see the clans in their prime.”

“I think I could go for seeing you in a kilt,” she snickered. “Which I still have yet to see.”

“I told ye, a nighean.” He slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “Christmas Day.”

“It can’t come soon enough.” She smiled and rested her head against him.

They sat there, listening to the wind blow through the stones. It created a sort of buzzing sound, as if bees were traveling around the hill. Claire wondered what it would be like to travel back in time, to see the things she had only read about in history books.

“Would you be a true Scotsman?” she asked a few minutes later.

“Hmm?”

“If we went back to the 18th century and you wore a kilt…” she blushed.

“Oh.” His cheeks turned pink, as well as his ears. “Well, if ye must know, I dinna wear anythin’ under the kilt now. So aye… I would be a true Scotsman.”

“Jesus H. Christ,” Claire sighed. “Now I really can’t wait for Christmas.”

Jamie laughed, turning his body slightly towards her. “Well if all ye want to see is that, ye don’t have to wait until Christmas.”

He pressed his lips against hers, all while pushing her to lie back down on the ground. Both his hands were on either side of her head and he leaned back to look at her. “Yer so beautiful, Claire… so beautiful, it nearly breaks my heart wi’ how much I love you.”

“I love you, Jamie.” Claire placed both hands on his face, amazed at his own beauty. “So much, it hurts sometimes.”

“I’ll make the hurt go away,” he said softly and leaned down once again, capturing her lips. Settling himself in between her legs, he fit perfectly. It was still rather cold, with a crisp chill on top of the hill, so they only pushed their pants down to give them access to what they both craved.

Jamie took hold of himself and guided his cock into her, watching as her mouth parted and a moan left her lips. When he was fully inside, he started to rock gently, savoring the warmth of her.

“My God, Sassenach… I never want to leave ye when I’m inside of ye.” He pressed his lips to her neck.

“I don’t want you to,” she panted, her hands clinging onto his back, bunching up the material of his jacket. His hips were slow but steady as he rolled them once, twice, and three times.

They made love on top of that hill. Their breaths mingled and their sighs dying in each other’s mouths. The wind blew across them, making them both shiver and laugh. Jamie looked down at her, wiping a wind-blown tear from her eye, and then kissed her as he thrust into her one last time.

Chapter 23: Red Red Rose

[razorblade180]

Lasting Embers part27: Winding down

The fifth day of final family bonding is in full effect. Midday sun shines down on Tenzen’s back yard where him and both his parents currently are. Friday’s were usually days when they decided to use the grill so why change up the tradition now? Might as well go a bit grander than usual, which is exactly what they did.

Mercury:*flipping burgers* Thanks for the invitation you two. It’s nice to have a moment of peace.

Emerald:Not to mention good food. Constantly going around the world is fun and all but you do not always end up near good restaurants.

Nora:*wearing an apron* No problem you two. The food would be better if Ren was helping but as you can see.....

Tenzen:*fully powered and standing still*

Ren:*watching him*

Nora:He’s busy at the moment.

Emerald:I don’t mind the light show. It’s actually kinda pretty.

Orange and pink aura flow upward into the air as usual when his semblance is in use. The added effect of lightning of the same color crackles calmly around his body thanks to his close and once again his usual appearance has had a color swap. Nora honestly thinks the pink hair with an orange strip looks better on him. Not to mention his orange eyes.

Mercury:You know it might be a good idea to change your semblance name before you go to beacon and everyone sees it.

Tenzen:What’s wrong with Overflow? It’s literally what my aura is doing.

Mercury:Yeah but is it cool? There’s other things you could call it to make it slightly cooler. Like Over Soul....

Nora:Limit Break!

Emerald:Soul Surge.....

Ren:Oooo that’s a good one.

Tenzen:Hey! I thought you were gonna be on my side?

Ren:It was just a thought. You ready to attempt your new move?

Tenzen:*shakes out his arms and legs* All right, let’s see if I’ve improved.

He takes a deep breath and puts his hands together. Slowly his aura stops flowing up and starts concentrating itself behind him. Everybody watches intently as it starts to take the shape of a silhouetted version of himself. It increases in a size a bit bigger than him and starts moving independently before fading away. Sweat drips down the poor boys face.

Ren:You got it to move and last longer this time.

Tenzen:*huff* Yeah but it isn’t near perfect yet. Man....*huff* I usually don’t have too much trouble with aura manipulation.

Ren:Nobody has ever done anything like you are right now. I’m learning new things just by watching you.

Mercury:Uhh what did I just see? It was almost like seeing monkey boy’s semblance but more intense.

Nora:Tenzen as exceptional aura control and can use it ways most people can’t thanks to his semblance. He’s moved it around freely in small ways like wrapping it around people for protection or to grab them. Now he’s actually trying to mold it into things.

Mercury:So you choose yourself?

Tenzen:It’s both the easiest and most complex thing I can think of right now. After that maybe I could get crazy with it.

Mercury:.....

Mercury:You gave yourself a Stand.....

Tenzen:Why would you say something like that..?

Emerald:As far as semblances go I think Tenzen might have the weirdest I’ve ever seen. I mean your aura seems boundless yet you still run out like everyone else.

Tenzen:I like to think of it sort of like a stamina bar. Let’s say my regular bar reaches up to 100% and my aura ranges in between that number and zero. My semblance breaks that cap and makes my aura amount 500%. Yeah it gives me way more to work with but instead of my semblance just eating away at my aura, it eats away at the bar itself. So when it’s all said and done, I can end up with a bar that can only hold 25%

Emerald:Sounds tricky; you’ll end up only being able to take minimum damage if that happens. Is that what happened in the woods?

Tenzen:Basically, I’m surprised what aura I had held up against me falling from the cliff. What makes things scarier is I knew even with Jaune around to use his semblance it wouldn’t help much. We’ve tested it before and it would restore the aura but not the bar; that only comes back with time.

Mercury:Yet despite all of that you rushed in to save everyone. Risky move but respectable.

Nora:Please don’t make that habit.....

Tenzen:Mmmm no promises. *smiles*

Nora:*grumbles* Why are you like me?

Ren:Alright, you seem like you still have more than enough power to attempt your other move.

Tenzen:*Grinning* Oh we’re way pass me “attempting” it. I was actually going to try it in training but then all the cult shenanigans happened.

Emerald:(Shenanigans, he makes it sound like it’s not the craziest thing in the world. Well....it kinda isn’t but still)

Once a again he takes a calming breath before bending his right arm and stares at his hand. Aura and lightning dust travel down to his palm until his hand is engulfed in it.

Tenzen:Done.....

Ren:How!? When did you- *smiles* it took me forever how to influence my aura with dust. You really are a genius at this stuff.

Tenzen:Well it helps I have the best teacher ever. *powers down*

Nora:Wow, I see how it is. Not like we spent countless nights together sparring and perfecting that together.

Tenzen:That’s because you’re the best mom ever. *hugs her* I love you!!!!!

Nora:I love you too my little ninja.

“You still go by little ninja?”

Everyone turns to see Yujin walking into the backyard. She has a white sack over her shoulder.

Yujin:Sup sherbet head.

Tenzen:First of all, that nickname can die. Second, why are you here?

Yujin:Want me to leave?

Tenzen:I didn’t say that at all. Just surprised is all.

Yujin:Home is a little.....lonely. I tell dad to spend time with Yang and sitting on my porch gets old. So I thought “why not go see Tenzen?”

Tenzen:*smirks* So you’re here for me?

Yujin:*red* Don’t make this weird.

Ren:Well obviously you are welcomed here anytime.

Mercury:Too bad you didn’t bring any food to this little cookout.

Yujin:*pulls chips out the bag* I know how Friday’s work around here.

Mercury:New favorite person right here. Besides Emerald of course.

Emerald:Nice save dork.

Yujin:I hate to ask but is there any chance I can inspect all of your weapons?

Tenzen:*squints* I know your game.....

Yujin:*nervous* Pfft what game?

Tenzen:Did you come here to socialize or get weapon ideas?

Yujin:.......Can’t it be both?

Tenzen:Will it?

Yujin:*grabs his arms* Let me tinker around with my weapon please? If I have one more emotional conversation I might fall apart. Do you want me to fall apart in your backyard? I’ve learned to cry really easily the pass five days. I’m holding back tears right now man!

Tenzen:......

Yujin:*tearing up*....

Tenzen:Oh you weren’t joking! Uhh fine, just-

Yujin:Thanks!

Just like that she emptied what was left in the bag to reveal a sketch pad and some intricate tools for salvaging whatever she can from her sword. By the time he looked back up at her she had her hair in a ponytail and glasses on.

Yujin:I already know where you guys keep all your weapons so....*darts off*

Emerald:How does she know that?

Tenzen:Don’t ask me. Maybe her real semblance is sniffing out weapons. At least she’s happy.

Nora:How has she been about all this? Her face looks kinda paler than usual. Also a bit thinner?

Tenzen:She actually looked worse a few days ago.Looks like things are getting a bit better but I’m worried it might not stick. After all, leaving day is soon. That’s gonna hard on her.

Nora:Don’t forget yourself....

Brief silence comes after that statement. All adults looking at him sadly as he just looks at the ground for a moment. The mood changes though when he raises his head with a smile.

Tenzen:I’ll be just fine! Sure I’ll miss all you guys but honestly school might keep me busy and you all will be back before I know it. I am looking at some of the most capable fighters in Remnant after all.

Mercury:*wraps arm around him and Emerald* Thanks kid, the cult won’t know what hit em!

Emerald:Hell yeah! *all three laughing*

Nora:*frowning at Ren*.....

Ren:I know. He’s not gonna talk about it though. I’ve tried everything.

Nora......!!! We’re not completely out of options yet. I gonna go check on Yujin.

Ren:Please don’t be pushy.

Nora:Mmmmm no promises. *smiles*

Inside Yujin was having a field day. Her house was nothing quite like there’s seeing how the entire building actually uses to house other people like an apartment studio. Now different floors have different functions. Their living room and kitchen were connected on the first floor since it was more than big enough. The spiral staircase upstairs led upstairs to a hallway with rooms for four people which she always found weird. Two of course were their rooms and at best a third round would occupy Merc and Em. Maybe the fourth room was for her or Jaune if they visited? She could not imagine sleeping under the same roof as Tenzen; especially with what happened recently. There was a final door upstairs that obviously was the restroom.

Nora:Hey Yujin can we have a minute to chat!?

Yujin:I’m on the dance floor!

Nora:*going upstairs* You know we do more than dance up here right?

Yujin:I know, but anytime Tenzen sends a video of him doing a routine it’s in here.

She was setting on the floor with her sketch pad. Different designs of everyone’s weapons over the years were set in front of her.

Nora:Woah, you found all of them.

Yujin:From Beacon days, the fall, Salem quest modifications, post Salem, etc. they are all so similar but different. I’m hoping one of these will spark an idea. Transforming weapons was never my finest skill set. Made too many moving parts or not enough to help. *Sketching*

Nora:Turning a sword into gauntlets sounds rough. Why not just make gauntlets with hidden blades.

Yujin:My sword skills depend on me being to do things like twirl it and hold it backhanded sometimes. Merging the two limits that. I need to find away to fluidly transition in between them. The way Ren’s blade retract in is giving me a few ideas but not much.

Nora:(I don’t think I’ve seen so many sketches for one weapon since Jaune tried to change his.)

Yujin:Maybe I should forget the gauntlets all together? Sigh, not like they’ve been useful.... *slumps shoulders*

Nora:....Are you-

Yujin:It’ll pass, don’t worry about me. *keeps sketching*

Nora:Yujin I have a favor to ask you.

Yujin:Sure thing Mrs.Valkyrie.

Nora:You know you can just call me Nora?

Yujin:I know, but I like saying your last name since it’s cool.

Nora:*smiles* I would say call me Auntie but that might be weird since you’re crushing on my son.

The pencil breaks as she accidentally put too much pressure on it. Why is she always getting caught off guard like this? It’s like the entire world is trying to make her deal with at least one emotional problem a day. Blood rushes to her face and her ears turn red as memories from two days ago surface.

Yujin:I....*mumbles* Tenzen is just a friend....

Nora:I wonder how many times I said that about Ren? Admitting it helps a lot you know? *smirking* I’m not saying go confront him about it; I realize how much of a flirt my wild child is. Personally I blame all his fans.

Yujin:I cannot tell you how many people I see wearing a shirt with his mask on it. “Nobody dances like TZ!” It’s like everyone goes a bit crazy for him and they don’t even know him.

Nora:His personality and energy are very infectious. A people pleaser like him knows how to keep spirits up. That’s actually why I wanted to talk to you.

Yujin:???

Nora:It might not be noticeable but Tenzen also has his hangs up like you.

Yujin:Really? He seems fine and calm about most things that happen. It honestly makes me a bit jealous seeing him handle stress so well.

Nora:He gets that from his father. Still he has them for sure. My son is just the type to put his problems on the back burner and prioritize everyone else. Problem is he never takes a moment to himself and faces them until it’s a bit late.

Yujin:Huh, I had no idea. Actually, the other day I did mention how much I admired how strong he was compared to me in situations and he was about to say something until he got cut off. Can’t say if it was about his problems but he did seem....sad.

Nora:Listen, I doubt he’ll tell anyone how he feels about everything going right now but I do know they’ll come out eventually when it’s too late. Can you just make sure to check in on him sometimes when we leave? I want him to have a person to talk to when he needs it.

Yujin:Oh of course! Can’t say I can really picture him needing my help much but I’ll be there.

Nora:*smiles* That’s a relief. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if he suffered in silence after we left. My heart wouldn’t take it.

Yujin:......Nora, you’re a good mom.

Nora:Yang is better, or at least in my opinion.

Yujin:Agree to disagree.

Nora:Not even going to entertain this conversation huh?

Yujin:Not in the slightest.

..........

Nora:.........It’s not really my place to pry but I hope you know she loves you and right now the things you’re doing are really hurting her-

Yujin:She’s hurt me my whole life!

The entire room echoes with that yell. Nora just stares calmly as the girls anger quickly vanishes as it came.

Yujin:Sorry I.....I didn’t mean to yell at you. That was wrong.

Nora:It happens. *grabs her hand*

Yujin:Why does it feel like people are taking sides? *trembling* The way everyone keeps praising her and just wants me forgive makes it feel like I’m wrong for acting this way. Everyone seems to be on her side while I’m just alone.

Nora:Trust me when I say nobody thinks you’re wrong for being upset. It’s just we know Yang and that she is doing everything she can and more for you. We want you to see that. Leaving you a second time is killing her but sometimes hard choices have to be made. Even if that choice feels wrong. You know about Pyrrha right?

Yujin:Of course, without her I might not even be here.

Nora: For a long time her sacrifice didn’t feel like the right call. Going off to a fight she couldn’t win felt like nothing but a waste; especially to Jaune. Looking back on it though we couldn’t have been more wrong. Pyrrha gave people precious time to keep evacuating and Ruby might not have found out about her powers without her help. That dragon certainly would’ve done more harm.

Yujin:.....

Nora:I’m not saying you have to forgive your mother right now. But I do hope that one day you can look back at all this and take some sort of pride from the fact that she’s doing it to protect everyone; including you most of all. By the way *smiles* I think the gauntlet part of your weapon is one of the coolest parts.

Yujin:Nora, can I ask you for something? It’s...*red* a bit strange. You’re not my mom but.....I mean I would like it if you-

Nora calmly pulls her into a hug. Allowing the girl to just rest into her embrace. Her heart rate starts to speed up and her breath a little heavy. She’s crying into Nora’s shirt heavily with no signs of stopping.

Yujin:How’d you know?

Nora:It’s all I ever wanted as a kid too.

Yujin:The worst part about this feeling is it won’t last. You’re leaving too.

Nora:*tightens hug*(You poor child. )

[Tai’s house]

Ruby:Downloading and uploading countless videos across different scrolls and onto a computer is one thing. Putting those files in chronological order, making sure they aren’t corrupted and then onto a scroll with enough space is an entirely different ball game. People who use computers for a living have my respect.

Jaune:You can take a break if you want. We still have two days left.

Ruby:*holds up scroll* I’m done. Do we have coffee?

Jaune:What!?

Ruby:Coffee, I’ve been up for a full day doing this. I would like-

Jaune:You finished with two days to spare? Ruby that’s-

Ruby:I know, “Ruby you’re so amazing!” I appreciate praise but right now I feel like I’m dreaming.

Jaune:Cream and five sugars?

Ruby:Black......

Jaune:*eyes widened*..........who are you?

Ruby:I need a drink that’s gonna slap me in the face. Plus I’m a grown woman.

Jaune:*hands her a mug* So all that’s left is the journal then.

Ruby:Don’t forget to wrap it all up. *sips*....... hey can you put-

Jaune:*hands her another mug* Cream and sugars in it?

Ruby:*red* You suck....

Jaune:You swallow.....

Ruby:But you still kiss me afterwards.*finger gun* damn where’s Yang when I need her? That was a good comeback.

Jaune:*points to the couch*

Yang:*passed out*Zzzzzzz

Ruby:Guess she needed a break too. I hope she can stay awake on look out when we leave. This stress might get to her.

Jaune:Both of you don’t talk much about what happened over the decade. Almost like you’re avoiding it.

Ruby:Not really, wasn’t much to say. Travel, hide, spy, kill, hunt, research.... It felt like a giant manhunt honestly. They were constantly looking for us while we looked for them. Only difference is they also had to spend time progressing their plans. We had some cool fights and close calls. More than I would like.

Jaune:You ready to go back?

Ruby:Ready as I’ll ever be. It’s wrong to say but I think of piece of me was relieved to learn the mission wasn’t over yet. Starting to move forward made me a bit anxious. Am I wrong for that?

Jaune:*shrugs* Consider this a chance to do the mission the right way. You’re the one who said that this time around it’s not about vengeance.

Ruby:That’s right; protecting others are serving justice. Just like it should be.

Yang:*waking up* I’ll drink to that. Someone poor me some cof-*handed a mug*

Jaune:It’s black coffee.

Yang:Is there any other way to drink it? *downs it admittedly*

Ruby:*shudders* That will always freak me out. Good news, the scroll is done. How’s the journal coming along.

Yang:Honestly I do not know anymore. I write but I keep wondering if any of it is actually any good. I’m worried she won’t even read it.

Jaune:She’ll read it. Maybe not in the beginning but she’ll definitely read it eventually.

Yang:I hope so. The other problem is how can anyone express everything they want to say to their kid with just one journal? There’s no time to make another one and everything I write in this one keeps reminding of more things I want to tell her. Before I know it I’m at end of a page and I still haven’t told her everything I think she should hear. *looks at it* Pouring out your emotions onto paper has been more frustrating than fighting Salem.

Jaune:Sigh, what’s with the women in this family struggling with emotions but excelling in combat. All three of you have that same exact problem which is surprising. Tai seems to be fine at sharing feelings and he’s the only DNA link you all share.

Yang:*grumbles*........

Ruby:I think you’ve been thinking of this journal wrong. It’s not meant to replace you or even say farewell. Think of it more as “see you later.” Because you will see her later Yang Xiao Long. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. So stop treating it like it’s the last thing you’ll ever do for her.

Jaune:She’s right. It’s not like you to prepare for the worst. You always plan for the best!

Yang:......

Jaune and Ruby: *smiling*........

Yang:Sigh, who am I to resist a double leader pep talk? *grabs it* better get back to work then.

[Menagerie,Oasis]

Adam:*packing* Jacquelyn can you hand me my flashlight?

Jacquelyn:Here you go. Finally packing for the trip?

Adam:Don’t wanna forget anything last minute. It counts as work but it has to be done.

Jacquelyn:Fair enough. I mean Jael has been packing for beacon for awhile too.

Adam:I’ve noticed, she’s packing like her spot is already guaranteed there.

Jacquelyn:You don’t think she is gonna pass the exam?

Adam:I do, I’m just glad she does too. I’d be concerned if she packed light.

Jacquelyn:It’s weird to think everyone is leaving so soon. Sienna’s missions for the shadows, your mission, Jael’s entrance and initiation exam. Things are going to get lonely around here.....

Adam:I’ve actually been thinking about that. *stands up* what do you say about going on another venture across the world when Jael gets in? You haven’t done that in years.

Jacquelyn:That’s an option. It wouldn’t feel right though. I’ve gotten used to having someone to talk to on those trips. *holds his hand* he was never much for conversation but he kept me company.

Adam:He also tried attacking you a few times.

Jacquelyn:Yeah but I could beat him with one hand tied behind my back; still can. *smirks*

Adam:Oh so you’re that confident.

Jacquelyn:You’re strong my love but face it, I’ve always been too much for you to handle. *rubs his face*

Adam:Sounds like a challenge I just might except. *grabs her waste*

Jacquelyn:Careful, I don’t accept challenges with rewards. I just might have you try to put another baby in me if you lose.

Adam:I’d do that win or lose regardless.

Jacquelyn:Who are you and what have you done with Adam?

Adam:I’m Jacquelyn Frost’s husband *leans closer* so in other words I’m the luckiest man alive.

Both of them start kissing and getting a bit handsy when-

Jael:*red* Ahem!!

Adam:......

Jacquelyn:*grinning* Hi sweetie!!!!

Jael:......Dinner is ready. *slowly walks away*

Sienna:*walks by with her ears covered* You two are gross.

Adam:*face palms* We forgot about the door and their hearing.

Sienna:Speak for yourself. They’re old enough to know to leave the house when this happens. *happily hugging him* I at least wanted to have one fun day out of the week. Don’t tell me I’m the only one who’s thought about it?

Adam:........

Adam:*red* Tomorrow.....

Jacquelyn:You here that you little wild flowers!?

Sienna and Jael:Unfortunately!!!!!

Adam:Let’s go eat dinner.

Jacquelyn:Kay!

[survivor-mesopotamia]

Ep. #4 - “I’m extending a bridge to you” (Zach)

There is zero upside to being captain. If captains are swapped, then I'm basically screwed, and if they pick, then I have to reveal my allegiances to people still in the game. I absolutely do not want to be captain. I'm not crazy about Zach being it either, I'd prefer it to be someone like Kyle or Grace, but if Zach is going to push for it we will see what happens

https://youtu.be/9jTSUqwcuPU Confessional 7 (Round 3 #2)

Voting out Chrissa was probably one of the hardest votes I've ever had to encountered, and it honestly really hurts. For me, voting her out was the best strategically because we talked the least. And by the time tribal started, I ended up in alliances of 3 with Will & Megan and JJ & Julian respectively. Given the ranking system, we are all expecting some sort of tribe swap, which might be best for my game so long as I have someone else on my tribe with me. However, JJ recently got into a lot of trouble. Stuff about sending nudes because he "perceived there to be consent". Yikes. Apparently other people know about it too, which makes sense because this call happened in tengaged about it. We are thinking he might be removed, but we don't know what's to happen yet. I think most of us are running under the assumption that he'd be voted out next tribal should he not be removed. It's pretty gross what he did, and I definitely won't be aligned with him any longer. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTzwD-rR8Ws&feature=youtu.be

I am happy JJ is out of the game, both because he deserves it based on his behavior and because one less number. The tribe challenge has me worried. I hope it is a challenge with Zach representing us, because he is good and it also keeps him a bigger target than me. If it's a swap, I'm very nervous and will probably have to paint myself as being on the outs if I end up in a minority, which would almost certainly happen relative to the other two tribes. No matter what, the backstabbing is probably going to start very soon, so buckle your seatbelts everyone.

Confessional 9: https://youtu.be/WhBt-uWOdEA Confessional 10: https://youtu.be/1ZbVWE-2AqM

volunteering for the summit bc im bored and wanna just be a bit risky. i feel like if a twist gets leashed upon me, it'll be surface level. Praying for the best!

Tribe Summit - https://youtu.be/46NdXf1N37U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeX4PKTjQlw&feature=youtu.be

https://youtu.be/96RCT99DDWI Confessional #8 (Round 4 Confessional #1) Contents: JJ's removal, the summit, Kyle's removal, new tribe.

Holy shit so we've had a tribe swap and two removals. Both kinda shocking and completely out of the blue what had happened. Oddly still not the craziest thing I've seen done on either end of org playing but still. So far with the new tribe I feel I got the good end of the stick with zach and Collin and myself staying together for the most part kinda wish we had all stayed together because of you know being out numbered by returning players there's the enitial Holy shit fuck I'm screwed feeling but so far the tribe seems pretty cool. Which is odd and weird from what I've heard for Tumblr games from my understanding they're the more cutthroat game but so far everything has kinda been predictable in placements just as an outsider looking in but ya know. So far I'm really enjoying Abby she seems pretty cool and like I could work with her for a while but yeah that's all for now

post swap BIG boy confessional https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyooK5AHp1Y&feature=youtu.be

https://youtu.be/6IrXzJm6qNk

---

https://youtu.be/MoJSBeUUdWQ

https://youtu.be/CSKB4qzvWU0 Group Confessional #1 Catching up on Each other's games and preparing for what the swap has in store for us

Uhm hi so a lot has happened and I'm sorry I didn't do confessionals before describing it all but yah -Not sure if I did a conf for the last round but basically the challenge was more flash games (yay fml) and my tribe flopped yet again (yay) -We decided to vote out chrissa unan but chrissa apparently voted for me so that was cute, already breaking my goal of not getting votes so early THANKS CHRISSA -Then JJ got removed from the game for sexually harassing ppl which is NOT COOl but then my tribe was down to four members and thats just sad luv -Then there was a random ass ranking for this summit thing and i was like wtf i dont know but I kinda figured id be getting voted as the team captain for my tribe which like eeeek could potentially put a target on my back but also i like these people and i think they like me so i'll just accept it -turns out the other tribe captains voted in were Johnny and Zach and I was like well thats cute tbh i think i like both of them (i have been on zoom calls in friend groups with zachary lately and although he is pretty quiet he seems like a nice person) (and i think i know johnny from a sequester mini before and hes a brother of aepi which is basically the partner fraternity to the sorority i was in called aephi and so were basically connected by greek life blood because hes a pi and im a phi and yas Jews -Okay anyway i volunteer to not be a tribe captain because 1. i didnt want the blood on my hands for picking a tribe (memories of svalbard ahhhh) and 2. i wanted to be on johnny's tribe hehehehe. so i did that and then i let johnny pick first and guess what!! he picked me first on his tribe!! even before anyone from his og tribe!! i thought that was weird but really cool -the new tribe seemed pretty cool and chill and i thought i was digging everyone BUT THEN kyle makes fucking COMMENTS ABOUT JEW STEREOTYPES and i was like SIR and i kinda missed everything in the heat of the moment but basically kyle got removed and im not surprised he did because to my knowledge, i already know of three fkn jews on our tribe (benji me and johnny) and we have a jew host so like why kyle would make comments like that is beyond me but WHY DO I KEEP GETTING PUT ON TRIBES WITH CRAZY PPL -anyway right now i adore johnny and i want to work with him i feel like he and i vibe so well together and we are already planning on making a stoner alliance with abi and jay from his OG tribe lmfaooo -i also like grace and julian on my tribe and benji so far is really cool and isabelle is a sweetheart so i really just hope we dont lose the next challenge and have to vote someone out because i like these people so far and i wanna get to know them more -this has been a really mentally difficult week both in game and in real life and im sorry i havent been doing more confessionals but ive really just needed a huge break due to everything thats been going on 

I've locked in a five person alliance with original An (Johnny Isabelle and Benji), plus Adam. Johnny I'm connected to with Trace, Isabelle and I somehow both go to Georgetown, and I like speaking with Benji. I don't know how this alliance interacts with original alliance, that's future me's problem, but I really like this group

---

If Megan “may have accidentally” found out information from the other tribe, then I “may have accidentally” decided to shift the target onto her. Somebody not purely abiding by the rules of the game is somebody I won’t completely trust

So JJ and Kyle both got removed. OOP!!! Now to figure out how messy this game is gonna be. Will Will and I be able to play middle for our first tribal and get to choose between returnees and newbies? hopefully. More on that scoop later! 

https://youtu.be/vGd9Ik49CmU Confessional #10 (Round 4 Confessional #3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stpzz7-cKUg

Confessional 11: https://youtu.be/ad2R99H1g1k

https://youtu.be/PjodrB6CgLo

---

https://youtu.be/y0n7YKB0EF0

NOOOOOOO HOW COULD WE OF LOST we had everything planned i do feel kinda safe I've talked to abby mostly and i think i have a girls alliance in the works with her but for now being the only two female identifying people on the tribe. We have to pull in some boys but we've got our old tribe mates which lucky for me is my main alliance from that tribe not having Michael is a big yay because love him but pretty sure he was planning on flipping on us to work with some people from the an tribe but ya know it is what it is and hopefully this is the only trival Council we have to go to and hopefully from the sounds of it it's Eric going home so hopefully that's the case and i don't end up voinv home because FYCUCJUCK THAT SHIT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9YueU_paNg&feature=youtu.be

---

Of the players left on my tribe, I think Megan is the biggest threat to my game, with many cross-tribe ties. Last night, I began laying the groundwork with Johnny of eventually making her the target, without expressly stating my desire to vote her out. We'll see how this plays out, but I want Megan out first

---

From the other tribe, I badly want an original An to go. It takes away an option from the Ans on my swap tribe and locks them in more with me, while preserving my options. On the flip side, a Triforce member going is the worst case scenario for the exact same reason as above, this time benefiting original An. Original Enlil going is fairly neutral

https://youtu.be/7IpJ1SC2ah8

So we lost :( It really sucks bc i put more effort into my lip sync than I think I ever have before. And of course with losing comes tribal, the first tribal for some people on my new tribe. I don't think I've done a confessional since we swapped so I'll just run down how I feel about everyone. Monty/Abby - Just gonna bunch these two together since they were on my original tribe. While they weren't in my alliance, I bonded with them like I bonded with everyone on An. We made an alliance immediately at Ea and I feel real good about facing this swap with them. Part of me does worry they knew about that original alliance and they'll throw me under the bus though. Will - Okay so I was completely blindsided by the fact that I already knew Will before the game! We played at least 1 ORG together and I remember him a little bit from just being in the community. I feel like I've really hit it off with him again and working with him feels natural. He was the first one who threw Cameron out as a vote to me last night and a lot of people really latched onto that plan. So he's definitely charismatic and influential. Eric - I've known Eric for quite some time actually. He's someone who's very easy for me to trust. Like I really hope I'm not getting the wrong read on him but he just feels honest in our conversations. He did kinda suck in the music video challenge tho LOL so I feel like he could be in danger if we go to tribal again. Cameron - They're who I'm voting out tonight. I've had no contact with them outside of the tribe chat at all. And our interactions in the tribe chat I just feel...idk like every time I talk they give me some snide remark. Zach even told me that Cameron barely spoke to him and Collin on their original tribe. So it just feels easy, if a bit TOO easy, like I'm scared it's secretly me somehow. So I guess the upside to anxiety is you never get blindsided cuz you always think it's you. Zach - I've been talking to him more often these last few days and he is wayyy smarter than most 15 year olds I've interacted with. He knew it was Cameron immediately when I started talking to him about the vote (Though I suspect it's because Will told him). He's told me more info about his original tribe than I really thought I'd get out of him. He's basically telling me that it was Zach/Collin/Kyle vs. Cameron/The rest of the newbies. So like it makes sense that he's willing to just let Cameron go. However this situation is worrying because Zach's position is almost EXACTLY my position in a game I played very recently (703 San Andres). I've seen firsthand how a competent duo in the minority can upset the majority if just one person in that majority makes a mistake. So I'm not gonna promise Zach anything just yet, I don't want him to sell me out. But I would like to see him stick around even if we lose another time. Collin - Okay I REALLY like Collin. He's super nice, he basically compliments me every time I talk to him. Which is nice, but I know he's playing that social game. And he's playing it WELL. I think if all goes well at tribal, then I'm gonna talk to Collin about really working together going forward. Basically my overarching plan on this tribe has been to make sure that if my name comes up, there will always be someone to shut it down. And I really feel like Collin, Monty, and Eric would especially keep me safe. 

Cameron left.......it sucks, because it takes away my options, but among the Enki's it is the least bad scenario, since I was closer with Collin and Zach. I don't hold it against them for voting against Cameron, do what you gotta do, but I am nervous for them. I'm not throwing any challenges or anything, but I hope they survive, and I'm less nervous about myself losing than them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kWts3h2n9s

hi hi hi so far so good on the Ea tribe! i dont think anyone know about zach and i so we're remaining in the clear hehe (he has been a little difficult to corral tho) i feel like im making good connections so far so hopefully ill remain utr and if we go back to tribal i wont be a target, and if we dont i hope the other tribe takes out a big target for us

Have I mentioned that I love winning? It's just so great that nobody knows me and Monty are working together and we're subtly pulling the strings - Jay thinks he came up with Cameron's name, great he's the mastermind now and we can target him. Collin and Zach want to form a four with me and Eric - great, that keeps me and Monty apart so nobody will know and we can still vote separately. Eric's an easy target for everyone so we (Monty) just get the other returnees to target him (if we lose again) and then I can use that to flip Eric on Abby or Jay and it's just... so delicious. It's so easy to take everyone out one by one when nobody knows that you have a solid F2 already.

https://youtu.be/CVG2Z_-XjBM from this past round

https://youtu.be/yMGLsGhv6wc Confessional 12

https://youtu.be/ylahV3wyXrs

Cameron voted out 7-1

[melodiouswhite]

Live forever - Ch. 01

(A/N: I’ve been obsessed with the historical Dr. Faust lately, so I decided to indulge the urge to create content - I hope you like it. I’ll write about the other members of the alchemist group later on too. ^^)

Johann Georg Faust had been called a lot of things throughout his life.

Charlatan, sorcerer, madman, heretic, liar, necromancer, criminal, hell child, accomplice of the Devil … he had stopped counting all the insults that had been thrown at his ginger-haired head.

Some of them were true, others weren't.

A charlatan? No.

Sure, he was versed in the art of stage magic (and used it more than often), but his magic powers were genuine. They had been since his birth.

Of course he had no idea where they had come from.

He didn't know why he could read minds, foresee the future and perform other things that other people weren't capable of. But it was so, hence he took it and used his abilities to their full potential. This was nothing to dwell on and overthink anyway.

With mixed feelings he stood in front of the grave.

A name and numbers on a tombstone made of the most expensive stone he had been able to afford.

He owed it to her.

Once he had been both grateful and resentful towards her for the drastic things she had done to make sure that he could go to the best schools around.

He had been resentful, because others had called him a bastard and a demon child, had bullied him for always asking questions, had feared him because of his abilities – and for all of this he had blamed her.

He had been grateful, because she had supported him and believed in him through it all, had called him a miracle and a gifted, blessed child, had told him that he was special and meant it.

It was because of her, that he was what he was.

He was a universal genius, a bachelor, physician, philosopher, teacher, alchemist, astrologer, medium … so many things. Yet, it wasn't enough for him, he wanted to learn so much more, more than a human could possibly learn in a single lifetime.

But it was only because of her, that he could even acquire all the knowledge.

That he could even read and write.

With a bitter smile, he placed the flower bouquet onto the grass.

“Hello, mother. I'm sorry I didn't visit you sooner.”

When he was 32 years old, he stumbled over an old, mysterious book.

Being the incorrigible glutton for knowledge he was, he had acquired it immediately.

The book spoke of hidden and forbidden arts and awoke something in him that he had never known was there.

Another kind of hunger.

Until now he had thought that perhaps he could try to be content with being a respected doctor and master of arts, work at a university and help lots of students become another generation of highly educated, arrogant twits, who flaunted their degrees and doctorates. Perhaps he would have married, even though he had never loved in his whole life.

That was out of question now.

Now he wanted something else.

He wanted to become a sorcerer. And if not that, at least the great alchemist of his time.

Oh to be on the same step of so many other great alchemists, perhaps accomplish even more than they did …

He wanted immortality.

Three years later, he hadn't achieved immortality yet.

Sure, he was famous – his name was known in a surprisingly large part of the Holy Roman Empire and it would be known for a very long time.

But metaphorical immortality wasn't enough!

He wanted the real deal!

He wanted to live forever and be forever young! He wanted to make all of his dreams come true, see the world, learn everything there was to learn, maybe write it down and share it with everyone – so many things!

And he would do anything to be able to.

Giving up was not an option. He wasn't like everyone else. And he wouldn't die at fifty or less, like everyone else.

When he was 37 years old, he looked in the mirror and scowled at his own reflection.

He was beginning to show signs of old age; there were bags under his eyes and soft wrinkles around them. And were those frowning wrinkles on his forehead?

From what he had read in the book, the elixir of immortality would stop the ageing process, but it wouldn't make him younger.

He had to find it quickly, before he started to look like some wizened old hermit!

A few weeks after discovering his first wrinkles, he spotted his first grey hair and spiralled into a mental breakdown.

He put more effort into his alchemy and not just once it ended in small explosions.

On top of that, he had to evade authorities, who accused him of the worst crimes and angry mobs that thought he was a witch or possessed.

No wonder I'm already growing old and grey.

When he was 38 years old, he discovered how to make pure gold.

Now he couldn't be that far away from immortality too.

Besides, he could now grow stinking rich.

Sure, he knew how to present himself and often read horoscopes for rich people – then, he was also a surgeon and miracle healer – one of the best, may he add! No false humility!

But if he suddenly became stupid rich, people would ask questions and assume the craziest stuff – or find out his secret. That would get him into trouble with … basically everyone who desperately needed or wanted gold.

“I need to save the gold-making for times, when I really need it”, he mumbled to himself, “And only enough to live fine.”

He wasn't quite 44 years old, when he achieved his goal by accident.

Once he had made gold, but forgot to empty the containers with the gold-making substances afterwards – it had been late and he had been overtired from lack of sleep.

When he had discovered his mistake the next morning, he opened the vials to clean them of the gooey substances.

But as he scraped the remains off the glass, he found something in one of the vials.

His blue-grey eyes widened.

It was a small, red stone.

At first he thought it was a ruby and considered selling it to the next jeweller.

But as he held it into the light, it began to shine in rainbow colours and the light revealed thin golden veins within the red material.

This was something new!

Deciding that he wanted a better look, he put it in a bowl of water to wash the dirt off.

The water turned purple.

He quickly opened his book about hidden alchemy to make sure that this was what he thought it was.

And sure enough …

“Eureka!”, he whispered.

He had found the Philosophers' Stone!

After drinking the purple water – which had tasted horrible, by the way – he found the next morning, that his wrinkles were gone.

Sure, the bags under his eyes were still there – but he knew that they had little to do with his age anyway.

He had finally achieved his goal.

Overwhelmed with joy, he threw his head back and laughed and cried with sheer happiness.

This is the best day of my life!

When he was 51 years old, he realised that he wouldn't be able to hide his agelessness for much longer.

So far it was still easy to do so, as he wandered from place to place and no one knew how old he really was. Those were strangers, people he'd meet once and then never again.

But he was naturally a flashy and showy person with a remarkable appearance and a lot of people had at least heard of him.

Sooner or later, some elderly person, who had met him or heard of him before, would recognise him and question, why he looked so young after so many years.

I guess I will fake my death as soon as enough people ask me about my age.

He was 70 years old, when he decided that it was time to get lost.

Just a few days before, a little child in a nearby village had asked him to cure her sick grandfather and he had done so. Unfortunately, the old man had remembered meeting him 30 years before and had recognised him immediately. He had tried to convince the old man, that he was the son of the famous Doctor (of himself), but the other hadn't bought it and instead accused him of necromancy and devil worship, or witchcraft, as the inquisition and the common folk called it.

Technically, the old peasant was right. He was, by all standards, a necromancer, just as much as he was an alchemist, astrologer and surgeon.

Still, he couldn't help but take offence. He wasn't a worshipper of Satan!

“How dare you!”, he shouted in outrage, “I cure you for free out of goodness of my heart and this is how you thank me! The audacity! The gall to attack my honour like this! Had I known that I would be insulted like this, I wouldn't even have come here! Accused of witchcraft by a peasant I just cured, Jesus and Maria! Never have I been so mortified in my entire life! Oh, I have half a mind to go to court for this injury, but this isn't even worth it!”

Then he had rushed off, ere he did something he'd regret. The little girl had apologised for her grandfather's behaviour and thanked him for the help, but he had left the village the very same day.

Now he was sitting in a shoddy hotel room and contemplating on how he was to go about it.

He couldn't just vanish into thin air, that would raise suspicion.

“They need to think me dead.”

It was in 1541 – five years later – when he finally had all the things he needed for his plan.

Somehow he had managed to make a dummy that looked like him, without anyone noticing.

He bought a real hair wig, some old clothes and posed with that outfit in front of the mirror in his hotel room in Staufen. Good. He didn't look like himself at all.

Of course he could just have turned into an animal – by now he was capable of that – but the superstitious folks in the area tended to notice the sudden appearance of black animals rather than strangers coming and going.

Now he just had to choose which explosive he wanted to use.

He left a generous tip to the landlord as compensation for the room he was about to destroy.

Then he dressed the dummy in his own clothes, mixed the chemicals together and climbed out of the window over a wall, before they blew up.

The explosion was deafening, he saw debris and parts of his dummy flying over the wall and faintly heard the screams of the people in the hotel.

Just as he was about to bail, he heard someone exclaim: “The Devil himself has finally got him!”

He fumed, but swallowed his irritation. There was no time for losing his temper right now.

No one even took notice of him, as he left the borough, dressed as a poor citizen.

A few years later, he found that he had become something of a folk legend.

That amused him not just a little  - and perhaps it flattered him too. It meant he had left enough of an impression for the people to still talk about him after his “death” - they often forgot about people quickly, once they were gone. But he would be remembered.

They would tell stories about him for a long time.

He was now immortal both literally and metaphorically.

[radbeetle]

OC Interview - Katherine

Tagged by @mojavejourneys and tagging @ariejul​, @justaname02​, and @flannelshirtandjeans

What is your name?

"er, Katherine? Katherine Vance.”

How old are you?

She grimaces. “That’s uh, I mean.” She makes a kind of vague hand gesture. “How do we count this? I guess... twenty-five but there’s, uh, there’s that whole two centuries in the deep freeze. It’s a question that’s more complicated than it should be.”

What do you look like?

Katherine is quiet for a good few moments. "Um… odd question. Tall, I guess. Red hair." She looks off to the side, hesitant to continue. Reluctant. She doesn't say much else.

Where are you from? Where do you live now?

"I grew up a little ways outside Boston… my parents lived here for um, almost thirty years. If you go back a few generations you can track my family history up the coast, uh, through Maine, keeps going north… I've travelled up that way a few times. Two or three times before… well, before the bombs. More recently, too. It’s still nice out there. But it’s different."

What was your childhood like?

"Unremarkable?" She sighs. "I guess that's not much of an answer. Uh, I did okay in school. Academically, at least. Had a handful of friends, eventually. Things were… well , quiet, I guess. I should be glad."

What groups are you friendly with? Are you allied with any factions?

"I've always tried my best to get along with people. Um, that's gotten much more difficult." She looks down at the ground. "I've been - I've been helping out Preston for a while now - the Minutemen are really starting to be a thing again and I think - that's a good thing. And there's the Railroad but I don't think I should say too much there."

Tell me about your best friend.

"Oh don't make me choose. There's, well, I really have more friends now than I ever did. I'm not sure what that says about me." She hesitates, lingering on that thought for a moment. "Well, Preston is - he's great, he was one of the first people I met here, um, that weren't trying to shoot me. I don't really think I have the words to say how good he is." Another pause. "But there's others. There's MacCready, and Deacon, and, um, and Hancock; I think people are always a little surprised to hear we're friends."

Do you have a family? Tell me about them!

Kate's face immediately drops. "Um, not so much. Not… not related by blood, not any more. They're all gone." She shakes her head as if to chase that thought away. "There's… there's still people who are, um - I guess 'found family' is a good term. And there's Codsworth, and I know, really, it was his programming that kept him around for so long, but… I don't know, maybe it's silly, but he means a lot to me."

What about a partner or partners?

She very swiftly turns a shade best described as beet red. Kate trips over her words a few times before regaining her composure, though her face is still pink. She laughs, a little weakly, in an attempt to stay her nerves. "I guess it's, um, not really that much of a secret? Ah, not that it ever needed to be? Or um, was never supposed to be, or…” She kicks her feet. "I'm sorry! This is still um, it's all kind of new to me and I'm not used to it. I guess I haven’t really answered the question!" She chuckles, a very different kind of laugh, one that feels much lighter. “I do have a partner, and that’s Nick. Um, Nick Valentine. The detective, from Diamond City? Ah, but - but not that kind of partner. Or yes, that kind of partner? Um, it’s romantic, I mean. I do love him. A lot.” She wonders, for a moment, if she’s gone ahead and made a fool of herself. Maybe. Too late to worry about it now - not like that will stop her.

Who are your enemies, and why?

"Ah, well, um, this took kind of a drastic turn from the previous question, didn’t it?” She scratches at the back of her neck as she has to think on this. “I mean, really, there’s got to be people out there who don’t like me. Um, raiders, or gangs, or something. I don’t know if I can think of anyone I’d specifically call my enemy, though?”

Have you ever heard of The Brotherhood of Steel? What do you think about them?

”Actually, I take that back. Yeah, I know the Brotherhood, and, uh, I helped them out for a while, but um, things got tense. I don’t… I didn’t really like them, and - that enemies thing? Yeah, um, I think that’s a decent label for Maxson. I don’t want to get into the details - it’s not really my place to talk too much about it, but, um, a lot of stuff went down with a friend of mine, and, uh, I’m not really on good terms with the Brotherhood anymore.” She grimaces.

What about The Enclave?

“Ah, who? I know I’ve heard the name before. Can’t say I’m familiar with them, though? Sorry.”

How do you feel about Super Mutants?

"Well, I only really have a problem when they're shooting at me or whatever, but that's kinda most of the time."

What’s the craziest fight you’ve ever been in?

“I feel like the honest answer here is all of them, really.”

Have you ever fought a Deathclaw?

“Yeah, um, probably more times than is safe. Actually, I think the safe number of deathclaw fights is zero. Those things are scary. I uh, can’t say I recommend taking one on.”

Do you like fighting?

”Not at all. I’m - what’s the phrase? Conflict averse. I’ll tell you though, you know how they say ‘speak softly and carry a big stick?’ That works with a big gun, too.”

What’s your weapon of choice?

”Well, um, just in general I like laser rifles. There’s no recoil, or, I guess it’s negligible. But generally it’s Harbinger. That’s - that’s my gauss rifle. It was a project back…” she trails off and runs her hand over her right arm. Over the burn scars. “Back when I got hurt, um, I had found some pre-war schematics. It was a big undertaking, trying to find equivalents - lots of stuff cobbled together out of scrap, really. Sturges helped with some of the heavier lifting, and like, welding and such. I wasn’t really in the best shape.” She bites her lip. “If I can’t take that out with me I’ve got a little pipe revolver. Chrome plated. Shiny thing, and, aptly named The Second Option.”

How do you survive? Your wits, your charm, your skills, brute force, some combination? (a.k.a. what’s your S.P.E.C.I.A.L?)

”People say I’m smart, but some days I really doubt that. Some days are better than others, though. I guess on occasion I’m a fast thinker.”

Have you ever been in a vault? What do you think about them?

”Yeah. I was stuck in one for two hundred years. Sorry, two hundred and ten.” She groans. “Been through a bunch of them. Um, they’ve all kinda gone to hell, really. I thought 81 was doing fine, and I guess it is compared to the rest, but that still has problems. They do have working showers though. That’s nice.”

How do you beat all the radiation around here? Has it affected you?

”I don’t know if you can beat radiation? Uh, hazmat suits and power armor for the occasions I have to trek into the glowing sea, and I've got a decent stash of RadAway."

What’s your favorite wasteland critter?

"I'm really glad chickens are still around! I feel a bit bad because some of them are kind of naked. I think they need little sweaters."

What’s your least favorite wasteland critter?

"Don't like bloodbugs. Regular mosquitoes are bad enough. I'm not super keen on molerats, either, but at least they've got decent meat on them. Actually, they make for a passable bacon substitute."

How do you feel about robots?

Katherine's face lights up. "Oh! Robots, I love robots. I worked for General Atomics, I was, I was onsite support for their Handys. That's how I got Codsworth, they were having one of those big wheehaw parties for employee morale - I uh, I got him in a raffle. Best thing I've ever won. Um, I still work with them a lot. The eyebots, and there's a construction protectron I keep meaning to stay home, I want to get him up and running again. Oh, and - and there's KLEO in Goodneighbor, and I don't know why she's like that, but, um, I've helped her out a few times, I don't know if she'd call me a friend but it's nice to help with repairs and stuff. Makes me feel useful."

How many caps do you have on you right now?

"On me? Oh, um, maybe a hundred. I don't carry too many at once, mostly I keep them stashed and locked up."

Nuka Cola or Sunset Sarsaparilla?

"Nuka-Cola, I think. They don't really sell Sunset around here, I think? Or, they didn't. Nuka-Cola Wild is pretty good, but I think my favorite is Grape? I like most of the flavors, except Dark, but that's the alcohol."

Do you do chems?

"Not really? I mean, uh, I have Med-X around, it is a painkiller, after all. But nothing recreational." She pauses. "Well, grape mentats if needed, but again, that's not really recreational."

Do you ever think about the Pre-War world?

"Yeah. I… try not to. I don't want to dwell on things that I know will never come back… but there's also people from back then that I don't really want to forget. It's hard. Sometimes I wish I could go back, just for a few days. To - to say goodbye, you know? Things weren't perfect then, uh, pretty far from it actually, but it was my life you know? And it all got taken away." She's quiet for a few moments, thoughts trickling through her head. "Sometimes, too, um, I wish my friends then could meet my friends now, but that's never going to happen. I don’t - I don't know how well they would get along, but I think about that sometimes."

What’s your deepest regret? What would you do differently?

"... I regret a lot of things, honestly, and, well, I try not to think too hard about them - or what I'd change, because, well, I can't, and dwelling on it, just... It's not good for me."

What’s your biggest achievement? Or what do you hope to achieve?

"God, it's kind of corny, really, but I'm… I'm quite proud of myself for just making it this far? The fact that - that I've started to get things figured out, after everything got torn away from me. I've got friends, I've got - I've got love, hell, it feels like I've got purpose, on a good day. And that's nice."

What do you want for the future? For yourself? Your friends? The world?

"That's a good question. I've, um, never really been good at figuring out what I want for myself. No good at planning for the long term. I like the way things are now, for the most part. I feel like I've gotten myself figured out, and mostly I just want things to stay that way."

[jemmafitzsimmons]

For the prompt thing! If you haven't done it already 😊 FitzSimmons + 18 😀

thank you for the prompt! hope you enjoy!

with this ring, may you always know one thing… (~3.5k)

Summary: Post season five. Back on Earth, Fitz employs Deke’s help in conquering his life’s most recent dilemma - picking out a new ring for Jemma.

read below or on AO3!

~

The jewelry shop at the end of the road was completely empty save for the lone shopkeeper behind the back counter, the flashing (and slightly rusting) open sign in the window the only other evidence that the establishment hadn’t been completely abandoned. From their spot outside the catty-cornered convenience store, Fitz hadn’t shifted his attention away from the tiny shop for a while now, which wasn’t helping his poor ice cream as it melted down the cone onto his hand.

“Watch it, you’re making a mess,” Deke warned him, shaking his head in disapproval as he shoved him a napkin. “What a waste.”

Fitz wiped his hand clean before reluctantly taking another taste of his ice cream. “I don’t know if this is a good idea,” he said after, the sweet vanilla flavor doing little to ease the tension inside his stomach.  

“Ice cream is always a good idea.”

“No, I don’t mean this,” Fitz said, gesturing to the soft serve cone in his hand, “I mean…” He nodded his head in the direction of the shop across the street.

“Ah, right. That makes more sense.”

After handing over the rest of his soiled cone to Deke, he sunk down heavily onto a nearby bench, Deke following him soon after.

It wasn’t how he pictured it—picking out something as significant and special as an engagement ring, with his grandson of all people. He thought maybe he’d ask for his mother’s ring, the idea surfacing in his mind mere moments after him and Jemma had officially gotten together back at the Playground. She was the one who didn’t want to waste any more time, after all. But considering that that ring was originally picked out by someone he’d rather erase from his memory, he thought against it. Then he thought maybe he’d ask Coulson to go with him to pick one out, but upon glancing up at the cockpit of the Zephyr after they found him in space and seeing the name engraved in such a fashion, he soon realized that wasn’t an option anymore. And then at one point in time since he’d gotten back, still recuperating after what they all considered the craziest rescue mission in all of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s history, he even considered crafting a ring for her himself. But with her so closely attached to his hip in the lab ever since they’d returned to the Lighthouse, it was nearly impossible for him to hide any of his projects from her.

So, he was left with Deke. Not that that was necessarily a terrible thing—Deke was surprisingly supportive even if they had technically just met a few weeks prior, their friendship still in the early stages as Fitz grew accustomed to a new companion always hovering in the lab.

But beyond the company, there was also the problem that had been nagging at Fitz ever since they’d ventured outside for the day: picking out a ring in the first place.

He heard Deke rustling around in his backpack, eventually handing him a steel vacuum sealed bottle.

“Here, drink this,” he said. “You’ll feel better.”

Fitz gave him a quizzical look. “Is that…? Do you just carry some with you everywhere?”

“Well, you never know when you’ll need a pick-me-up.”

Reluctantly, Fitz took a small swig, grimacing at the taste and reminding himself to later introduce Deke to a stronger variety of alcoholic beverages.

They sat in silence for a bit, and then it wasn’t long before Fitz felt a light bump against his arm from Deke and he knew he couldn’t stay quiet forever. Fitz pressed his lips into a firm line, shaking his head. “She already has a ring,” he explained, handing Deke back the bottle. “One that she wore for an entire year before she found me, one that I… well not me, but… a version of me put on her finger as a promise to be with her forever. And then that me broke that bloody promise, so that ring is all she has left.”

“Hey, that’s not true.” With the ice cream finally finished off, Deke leaned in closer to Fitz, his voice a mix of encouragement and sympathy. “Sure, there was another version of you that lived through that time with her. But it’s not like that was a completely different version of you. You’re still here.” When Fitz didn’t respond, his eyes still staring at his lap, Deke poked him in his arm again. “Come on, you still planned to propose to her once you woke up in the future, right?”

“Yeah, of course,” Fitz said instantly, looking up.  

“See,” Deke emphasized. “You’re still you, still the person she wants to marry. And she doesn’t have to let go of that ring if she doesn’t want to.”

Pulling in his lips, Fitz nodded. He knew Jemma kept their original rings in a box buried in her things. When they got back to the Lighthouse, she used to wear them on a simple chain to keep them close, but after a few days since his return—bittersweet days filled with physical comfort and quiet conversations in their bunk more than anything else—the rings disappeared from around her neck. Not wanting to question her or bring up more painful memories as she finally settled into her feelings of relief from having him home, he found them again one early morning at the bottom of a drawer, choosing never to mention it unless she brought it up herself.

“But you can still give her something that’s from you,” Deke went on. “Something that… that doesn’t have to remind her of what happened.” His expression shifted, his eyes becoming brighter than before. “The you from that timeline didn’t even pick out that ring. I did. It was all last minute, could have been a total disaster, really. And sure, that ring is always gonna be special to her in a way, but this one is gonna be even better because you picked it out.”

Through a sigh, Fitz gave him a single nod. He couldn’t help but agree. At least this time around, he had the luxury of planning it all out himself, wanting to wait for just the right moment to ask her.

“I’m just here for moral support,” Deke added with a shrug, placing his hand on Fitz’s shoulder. “And to make sure you don’t go crazy over budget. Or choose the same one as last time. But I guess that’s impossible because apparently there are like a million to choose from.”

Fitz raised his eyebrows.

“I did a little research,” Deke explained. “Rings are expensive.”

“Yeah,” Fitz replied through a laugh. “Which is why I gotta make sure I pick the right one.”

At this, Deke’s expression grew more serious. “She’s gonna love it no matter what.”

Swallowing hard, Fitz sat in silence as he took in his new friend’s words. Deke may not be right about a lot of things, but there was no denying that he was right on this occasion.

Before Fitz could overthink the entire plan a second longer, Deke slung his backpack over his shoulder and near dragged Fitz across the road to the jewelry shop. The tiny bell that rang as they opened the front door alerted the shopkeeper, who looked up with hopeful eyes and a wide smile.

“How can I help you two gentlemen?” she asked.

“I’m looking to…” The words caught in Fitz’s throat, and as he hesitated for a few seconds, he turned to Deke, who nodded at him encouragingly. Clearing his throat, Fitz looked back to the shopkeeper. “I’m here to purchase a ring. I’m proposing to my girlfriend.”

Her face lit up at his words as she gestured toward the counter on the far wall. “Ah, right this way, then.”

As they approached the glass case, Fitz’s eyes widened, his previous nerves returning to his stomach, but for an entirely different reason. Despite the small size of the shop and the town itself, the jewelry case was chock-full of sparking pieces, each one more intricate and beautiful than the last.

“You were right,” Fitz said, lightly patting Deke’s arm. “There are a million to choose from.”

“Are you looking for one in particular, a certain style perhaps?” the woman asked.

Fitz opened his mouth to answer, but he couldn’t think of a response. This entire time pondering whether he should even pick out a new ring in the first place, he’d never stopped to consider how difficult it would be to actually choose one out of so many.

Deke seemed to notice his dilemma, so he leaned slightly over the counter and whispered, “Could we just browse on our own for a little while?”

The woman gave them a soft smile. “Take your time. I’ll be here if you have any questions.”

“Thank you,” Fitz told her.

Returning his eyes to the case, he spent a solid ten minutes taking in all of the choices of rings. He didn’t realize there could be so many different styles, settings, and colors – no wonder it was difficult for Jemma to make any sort of fashion decision when there were so many options. And this wasn’t going to be a simple piece like a dress she would eventually outwear or a necklace that could easily be replaced. It needed to stand the test of time.

“Well,” Deke said after a while, “what do you think? Anything catch your eye?”

“I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about jewelry.” Through his search, he’d eliminated quite a few choices straightaway before coming across a few rings he thought looked nice, especially one in particular near the back that seemed to somehow sparkle even brighter than the rest. “What about that one?” he asked Deke, pointing towards it.

Deke nodded. “Yeah, I like it a lot. Plus, admit it or not, but you’ve been staring at it this entire time.”

It was one of the simpler rings in the collection, Fitz knowing some of the flashier options wouldn’t be suitable for Jemma’s tastes. The one in question featured a single square cut stone set in a delicate white gold band. Most of the other rings almost felt like a fantasy—meant for couples looking for something extravagant to go along with their equally extravagant weddings. But he knew Jemma didn’t want any of that, and he wanted the ring she wore for the rest of her life to be something that captured what he loved most about her. Of course, he would always see her as the most brilliant and beautiful person in the universe, but she was so much more than that, and when he thought of them as they were together now, it was always about the simple things. The way a single glance from her across the lab caused his heart to seize even after all this time, the way her hand always seemed to seek out his in any moment they were alone, the way she said ‘I love you’ as if it was the first time the words had ever fallen off her tongue. After the whirlwind that was the last five or so years, plus the agonizing year of being apart, simple was a relief. And so a simple ring seemed like the most fitting choice.

The shopkeeper quietly approached the counter to check in, so Fitz pointed towards the ring underneath the glass.

“Can I see that one there?” he asked.

“Of course.” After pulling the tray of rings out of the case and retrieving the one he sought, she held it up for him. The overhead light brought out its shine even more, and as he held it between his fingers, he knew from that moment on that it would forever live on Jemma’s hand. If she said yes, of course.

“That’s a princess cut diamond,” the woman said. “Beautiful choice. Definitely a classic look.”

“That’s good,” Deke replied, turning to Fitz. “Classic is good, right?”

“Yeah,” he said, his voice just above a whisper. “It’s perfect.”

“Is this the one?” the shopkeeper asked.

With a small smile, he looked up and nodded.

“She’s a lucky girl,” she said.

“Nah,” Fitz said more to himself. “I’m the lucky one.”

~

The little ping signaling the completion of the bio-simulation rang on her computer, but Jemma didn’t stir from her desk chair where she lay sound asleep. It was much later than she normally would have stayed up working in the lab, but Fitz knew she was determined by her latest experiments and wasn’t surprised she had worked herself to the point of exhaustion. As he squeezed himself through the door of the lab, opening it just wide enough to slip through as to not disturb her, a faint smile washed over his face at the sight of her curled up underneath a blanket, her hand still inches away from her keyboard as if she had nodded off mid thought.

It was his blanket, technically. After what had been one of the lowest points in his life—on his own in space and forced to work for some unknown alien species, eventually being separated from Enoch, and then having no way of knowing if he’d ever be reunited with his family again—they’d found each other. Their reunion on Enoch’s ship was a mess of tears and clinging desperately to each other, and in that moment, Enoch had draped the blanket over his shoulders, more for comfort than anything else. Even if Fitz wasn’t sure if his Chronicom friend could feel emotions quite as deeply as humans, he liked to think in some way that Enoch understood their feelings of relief. And Jemma, forever grateful for Enoch’s help in bringing Fitz back to her, had grown attached to the simple blanket ever since.

Once Fitz finally reached her side in the lab, he swept a stray hair out of her face, the simple motion bringing her back, her eyes fluttering open.

“Oh, hi,” she said, squinting her eyes as she readjusted to her surroundings.  

“Hey.”

“What time is it?”

He glanced at her monitor. “Almost midnight.”

She groaned, stretching her arms above her head. “Didn’t realize it was so late.” Through a yawn, she reached for his hand, pulling it into her lap. “Did you have a good time with Deke? I know he’s been itching to spend some time with you, and the fresh air must have been great as well.”

He hummed in response, hiding a small smile. “It was a good day. Found some cool shops, it was nice. How was yours?”

“Promising. Still need to work out a few kinks in the simulation, but hopefully after you and I look at it, it should work itself out.”

“Yeah, we can look at it tomorrow. Ready to call it a night?”

“Definitely.” But as she moved to stand, her foot suddenly caught the corner of her blanket, which resulted in her tumbling forward before catching herself on the edge of her workbench but not before a handful of files fell off the surface and scattered across the floor.

“Whoa, easy there,” Fitz said through a chuckle, catching her by the waist.

“Oh, bloody hell,” Jemma grumbled. Through a huff, she bent over to begin cleaning up the mess.  

Fitz kneeled down to help, trying to follow her system as he recognized the color-coded pages. “Someone needs a real bed,” he teased.

“Mmm. Good idea.”

It only took a moment for them to collect the papers and reorganize them to Jemma’s liking. When they were finished, Jemma stood and hugged the blanket to her chest. “Okay, come on,” she urged Fitz with a yawn, holding out her hand to help him off the floor.  

Hesitating, he didn’t take her hand right away and resisted when she tried to pull him up.

“Fitz?”

Looking down at her feet, he let out a slow exhale.

It was a better moment than any other. They were alone, it was quiet. And here he was—already on one knee. With a wave of butterflies swooping through his stomach, he met her eyes.

“What are you doing?” she asked, raising her brow.

Swallowing the lump forming in his throat, he lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “What I should have done a lot sooner.”

The realization of what he was about to do seemed to hit her instantaneously, her bright but tired smile morphing into a look of surprise before transforming into one of complete overwhelming emotion.

“Fitz,” she said, her voice thick.  

“I’ve probably thought about this moment…” He shook his head, glancing off to the side as the look on her face made it difficult to hold himself together. “…a thousand times over by now. And every time, I think of something else I want to say, a different time and place to say it.” With a pause, he pulled on her hand and nodded for her to sit, pulling the rolling chair closer so he could rest their hands on her knees. “Because this is it. I don’t get to do this again. I don’t get another second chance.”

She sucked in a breath, her bottom lip trembling as she tilted her head.

“I don’t want to wait anymore. I’ve known for the longest time that I want to be with you forever, and nothing is ever gonna change that. Not space, not time. Not… not even death.”

Jemma’s tears were flowing freely now, and through a sharp exhale, she gripped his hands more firmly in her lap.

“You deserve the world and so much more,” he told her, “so I hope to give you all of me, even if that doesn’t seem enough.”

“It is enough, and you already do.” She reached for him then, pulling him desperately close until his head was in her lap, her own head resting on top of his.

Reveling in the quiet, he took in the feeling of her breaths against his neck, the soft strokes of her fingers through his hair. His knees were starting to ache, and he could feel her limbs growing heavy through her exhaustion, but he could have stayed with her there hours longer—just the two of them holding each other up for as long as they could.

“I love you so much,” she murmured against his skin some time later.

“I love you, too.”

“And I can’t wait to marry you.”

He thought for a second that he’d misheard her, so he slowly lifted his head from her lap to find her eyes, a laugh almost escaping his lips.

“Jemma, I… I haven’t even asked yet.”

At once, her eyes grew wide in horror. “Oh, no, no, no. I’m so sorry. I just ruined it, didn’t I?”

“No, never,” he assured her, squeezing her knee. “But now that I have your full attention…” Keeping his gaze on her, he reached into his pocket, finding the small velvet box and holding it between their hands.

“Jemma Anne Simmons…” he said, lifting the top to reveal the treasure within, “will you marry me?”

He held his breath, briefly wondering if she was going to make him wait long for her reply, but he didn’t have to think on it for more than a half second because she was already lurching forward and pressing her lips to his.

“Yes,” she said against his lips, “of course, I will.” When they parted, she pressed more kisses to his cheeks and forehead. “When did you…?” she asked when she eventually pulled back. “You weren’t just exploring the town, were you?”

“No, we made a bit of a detour. What do you think?”  

“It’s perfect.” Her face crumbled again as she took in the ring, sniffing and wiping under her eyes as she watched him remove it carefully from the box. And when he slowly slid it onto her finger and they stared at it together, it was somehow even more exquisite than before. But it wasn’t all that surprising—she always managed to bring light to whatever she touched, and the ring was no exception.

“Alright, Fiancée,” he said, patting her leg before pushing himself up and smiling despite himself as her face lit up upon hearing the word. “Bed. For real this time. Got blanket?”

Through a laugh, she pulled at the cozy throw, previously left forgotten in the back of her chair, and bundled it up in her arms, giving him a firm nod.  “Yes, blanket is secure.”

“Good.” With a slight groan, he hooked his arms under her and then a bit unsteadily lifted her up out of the chair.

“Fitz,” she protested. “I’m tired, but also fully capable of walking. And someone is bound to also be awake at this hour.”

“Come on, it’s a special occasion.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re thinking of the ritual for one’s wedding night.”

“Well, I hardly think we’re traditional.”

After a smile spread across on her face, she thankfully gave in, tucking her head into the crook of his neck as they left the empty lab for the night. Moving slowly down the darkened halls, he thought of how much she’d carried him over the past few weeks, helping him find his way back to her after such a dreadful time apart. Even if he still had a long way to go in lifting her up just as much as she had done since his return, he thought of that moment as a hopeful start.

🍦💍

[soarincynthia]

New McDanno fanfic!

Hey y’all, here’s my new fanfic, I hope you enjoy it!Stay tuned for the sequel chapters!

It was quiet when Steve walked into the 5-0 headquarters, he had spent the morning in court, testifying for their latest case at the new prosecutors request, normally his partner would do this, but he was currently visiting his parents in New Jersey so Steve had to do it, As he quickly looked at his watch, he saw it was past 12pm, which explained the quiet, the rest of his team was certainly on their lunch break, he quickly did the maths in his head to calculate the time in Jersey, maybe he could try and call Danny,he had been gone for almost a week and he really missed his partner "STEVE, STEVEN,Come on buddy!" Danny's voice came from Tani's office at the other end of the headquarters, what was going on?

"Danny?Back already, babe?I thought you were flying back next weekend, what happened?" Steve was at the door in a few strides and quickly entered the room without knocking, scanning the room for his partner His smiling face turned into a frown when he realized the sound came from the screen on the far wall of the office, the rest of his team sitting in front of the tv with big popcorn buckets

"What's going on here, guys? What are you watching?" « Told you guys he would be back soon and he wouldn’t be happy” Lou smiled with an I told you so expression Jr looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, while Jerry looked deeply interested in his popcorn, looking everywhere but at him, only Tani had the balls to smirk, though a blush crept up her cheeks, “Well, see, boss, it all started when Jr here kept going on and on about your heroics in the field and how you were so strong and so amazing blah blah blah, “Oh really, thank you Jr” Steve smirked watching Jr, who blushed crimson instantly, man, he forgot how fun it was to make the new recruits squirm Tani continued: “So naturally I had to shut him up and I told him that while you were a great boss and commander, in many ways, Danny was the better detective and deserved more credit” Lou intervened “And of course this resulted in the kids fighting all week, so I asked Jerry to prepare us a few of your best moments, both of you and Danny, and now we’re rewiewing evidence to determine exactly which daddy is the best and the strongest, Not that I care but I just couldn’t stand listening to the kids bickering anymore” Steve shook his head,his team could be badasses when it came to being under fire and catching the worst criminals in the islands, but they also could act like stupid college students in a frat dorm “Ok, then who’s winning for now?” “We’re on a tie, after Lieutenant Williams flying into Korea to rescue you, and you flying into Colombia to rescue him, so we’re trying to break it now” Jr responded, looking at him before looking at Tani who smiled softly “Ok, then what are we waiting for, hit play and let’s find out who’s the strongest, a navy commander a Jersey cop” Steve said before taking a chair and sitting next to Jr, looking at the TV and stealing a handful of popcorn “Just one minute,boss” Tani said, fiddling with her phone for a few seconds, before putting it down and hitting play on the remote “Ok, here we go” “Steve, you son of a bitch, don’t you die on me now, you hear me?” Danny’s voice resonated in the room, and suddenly Steve found his eyes filling with tears hearing his partner’s desperate tone, Truth to be told, he had never looked into what happened that day, never requested the file or listened to the recordings, what use could it be for him, he’d been there, lost a liver, gained a new liver and nearly died, he didn’t need to know anything else, Oh but how wrong he had been, he clearly had missed out a few important details, like how this had also impacted his partner’s life Yeah, Steve had acted like a selfish prick, as Catherine had called him in one of their phone conversations during his convalescence Steve watched in horror at the screen, it was a news flash info showing the beach being cleared out, the plane coming closer and closer,before crashing on the beach, Danny’s discussion with the control tower resonated in the speakers, the guy asking Danny to land in the water, Danny refusing to do it, choosing to put the plane on the beach, to leave a chance to Steve to survive, at the risk of his own life, then Danny coming out of the plane, yelling at his team to come get Steve, that he was still alive, clutching his own ribs, walking with difficulty, but still yelling and fighting for his partner and best friend Damn, he never realized how brave Danny had been, of course he knew his partner always had his back but he knew that in that plane, while he was unconscious, Danny had been left fighting for both their lives, and yet he never hesitated, he chose the best option for Steve, never even giving a second thought for his own life, for his kids, for his family, he had been ready to put everything at risk for a little chance for Steve to be safe, damn that took some courage, the kind of bravery that even some of the best of the best seals wouldn’t have been capable of; Steve looked at his hands in shame, all the times he had made fun of Danny, ribbing him about his height, his moody grumpy attitude, damn, he’d even went as far as telling him his son would grow up to hate him like he did, just hours after Danny had saved his life twice, by landing the plane on the beach then by giving him a piece of a vital organ, his mom would have slapped him good, if he’d heard him being so ungrateful while growing up. “Here is Lara Hough, reporting live from Honolulu, Hawaii, where a reduced 5-0 team is currently in operation, Earlier in the day, Commander McGarrett, head of the 5-0 special force has been injured while undercover on a mission, which resulted in his team continuing the case without him, his second in command Lieutenant Williams, who earlier in the day landed the plane carrying the injured Commander, acting as head of the force for the rest of the case, even though he appears to be injured himself, if the way he is walking is any indication As you can hear,and see, the firefight seems to have now ended and the team is currently walking out with their prisonners, let’s see if we can talk to Lieutenant Williams or Lieutenant Kelly to get more informations” But before the reporter could even call out to the team, the camera panned to Danny, his face bloody and tired, still clutching at his ribs, talking on the phone, speaking a few words to Kono and Chin, before getting into the camaro and driving off like a racedriver “Well, it looks like the force team has received an important message and must move now, so we will try and catch up with them later, let’s wait for the head of the HPD Duke Lukela, to give us more details on this case” Steve didn’t wait for the end before he took the remote from Tani’s hands, switching off the TV “Ok, I get it, Danny wins this one, guys”Steve said, looking at the young ones, “I agree, sir, that was seriously badass” Jr added, looking like a kid meeting one of his superheros Steve nodded, his mind still couldn’t process how this small haole cop could be so jaw dropping amazing, he knew he’d made a great choice in picking Danny, the man was loyal, protective, sweet, a wonderful father, a great cop, his best friend but man, this was exceeding his craziest expectations, Danno was just awesome, as Charlie would say, and Steve could only nod, the kid was right about that, his partner was just awesome and he wondered how he could have been so lucky to draw his gun on him 9 years ago, yet so blind not to be grateful for his luck Yeah, making Danny his partner was clearly the best decision Steve had ever made, and suddenly he knew what he needed, what he’d needed all along, he had to go see him, he had to talk with Danny, and he couldn’t wait for the weekend, he had to go to him, maybe he could go home early today, pack a few things and call the base to see if he could get a flight on a navy plane, that way he wouldn’t have to wait for the next flight out of the island to the mainland, Maybe he could call the base now, see what he could do to go see Danny as soon as possible, maybe he could even see if the Governor could lend him his private plane, after all the team needed his second in command to work properly, maybe…. “Boss?” Tani’s voice interrupted his thoughts, “Your plane leaves in an hour, I’ve saved you a seat, Lou will drive you to the airport, Jr will take care of Eddie until you both come home, and you already have a bag of clothes in the camaro’s truck, so off you go, go get your boy” Steve just smiled softly at her, standing up, kissing her on the cheek quickly, murmuring his thanks, before fleeing the office with Lou behind him, muttering something about idiots in love making him run, Jerry excused himself, with a boyish grin and an admirative smile directed at Tani Jr just looked at Tani with wide eyes “When did you get him a plane ticket?” “When he came into the room and took a seat to watch with us, remember I was on my phone for a few minutes? I was on the airlines website, booked him a seat then” “How did you know he would want to go to Jersey?” “Boys are so thick, seriously babe, you want to be a cop, you have to learn to observe things more closely, Steve ran in because he heard Danny’s voice, you’ve seen how they both are with each other, how close they are, they both are head over heels over each other but they were too stupid to admit it, so it was up to us to push them in the right direction, mission accomplished, tada!” Jr just shook his head “You are good, remind me never to doubt you again” Tani smiled proudly “And don’t you forget it, now forgive me I have to go call Kono and settle a little bet, oh and would you like to have dinner with me tonight, as a date I mean?” Jr blushed, before nodding his head and smiling at her “Good, then pick me up at 7pm?See ya later,Junior”Tani winked at him before exiting the room, her phone already on her ear “Yo Kono, guess what?You owe me 200$, yup I did it….”

Now alone in the room, Jr took a few minutes to look at the file Jerry had bought in with him, going through it quickly, he had to admit that while Steve McGarrett was clearly a model for Navy seals, if he wanted to make a career into 5-0, it was Danny Williams he should look to emulate, his track record and experience were unbeaten, he now understood why Steve had asked Danny to take Jr on the field, he knew everything about being a Navy Seal, but he had to learn how to be a cop, to be any good at this job. He clearly needed to apologize to Lieutenant Williams for the way he disregarded his career and importance in the team, his place as Second in command in the force was clearly well deserved. Shaking his head in amazement, Jr put the file back in the desk drawer, before making his way out of the HQ, Since there was no pressing case, Jr decided to leave early, he had to go to Steve’s house, pick up Eddie, maybe go for a swim or a run for a while to manage his anxiety, then get ready, he had a date tonight with the perfect lady.

[lovemesomesurveys]

What’s your hair like? A mess. It’s long, wavy, and a mix of my natural dark brown hair and the red that I dye it because it’s been several months since I’ve gotten my hair done and my roots are very overgrown. It also needs a trim. Is there someone you can’t help but stare at? Alexander Skarsgard. How do you feel about teenagers claiming to be in love? It’s hard for me to understand because I can’t imagine feeling that at such a young age and I kind of feel like it’s easy to get caught up in the emotions and lust due to hormones, and I wonder if they know what it really means, but who am I to say what they feel? To them it’s real, they’re the ones feeling it. Plus, I’m almost 30 and I’m not sure I even really know what it means or if I’ve ever actually been in love. I thought so, but I’m not so sure now. Are you dating anyone? If so, for how long? No. Do you believe in long distance relationships? They work for some people. I’ve never had one.

Do you have unlimited texting? Yes, even though I hardly ever text. What’s your favorite button on the keyboard? All the ones I use. Do you like your handwriting? No, it’s awful. Your biggest fear? Losing my loved ones, dying, never amounting to anything or never doing anything with my life, things getting worse or never getting better... What’s on your walls? Some posters/paintings and decals. Do you like perfume? Yeah, some. Are you a guy or a girl? Girl. Do you prefer to have girls as friends or guys? I don’t really have a preference. If we vibe, we vibe.  What’s the top thing you look for in a S.O.? Someone who is patient, understanding, caring, and kind are especially important to me. Last words you heard and from who? My mom saying “goodnight.” Why do people cheat on each other? There’s a variety of reasons.

What’s your favorite brand of pencil? I don’t have one. Do you wake up by an alarm clock? If so, isn’t the BEEEEEP annoying? Yes, but it’s not a “BEEEEEP”, it’s something I chose from the options on my phone. It’s like an instrumental song type one. The last song you listened to? I have Señorita by Shawn Mendes and Camilla Cabello stuck in my head. The person you go to for advice? If anyone, my mom. Are you one of those people who just HAS to vent to somebody in some form? No. I don’t like doing that with people. I hate burdening others with my stuff and unloading on them, so I don’t do it much. I save that mostly for surveys and Twitter. Do you have Myspace, facebook, and myyearbook? I have all 3, but only my Facebook is active. I haven’t used Myspace or myyearbook in like 10 years, myyearbook even longer, but my account still exists out there. I don’t recal using myyearbook much, I think I just signed up to check it out. How do you feel about avril lavigne? I like some of her songs. I haven’t listened to her music in awhile, though. I wonder what happened to her. Don’t you hate it when people don’t say your name right? Nah. Now and then someone will mispronounce my last name, which I don’t understand, but I don’t hate it. It rarely happens.  Have you heard of Paramore? If not, look them up. :) Yes, I’ve known of them for years. I actually saw them in concert once as well. Who’s your favorite sibling? I don’t like choosing favorites when it comes to family members. I’m closer to my younger brother. Favorite Parent? I’m closer to my mom.  What do you want to do for a living? I don’t know. :/

Do you know anyone with down syndrome? No. Does anyone you know have a birthday this week? Mine is tomorrow.  What do you think of the middle name ‘Jane’? I don’t think anything about it. What’s your favorite name in the opposite gender? Alexander. Can you keep eye contact with everyone? I find it awkward to hold it too long at once, like I’ll look away for a bit and then look back and so on. What color are your eyes? Brown. Do you curl or straighten your hair? It’s been like 3 years at least since I last straightened my hair myself. When I get my hair done my hair stylist straightens it, but it’s been almost a year since I got my hair done. :X Pro-life or pro-choice? Why? What shape is your favorite bowl? Bowl shape?  Did you know the Salvation army was a church, too? I think I’ve heard that before. I hate winter. What’s your least favorite season? Ugh, SUMMER.

Do you know the difference between a hoodie and a jacket with a hood? A hoodie is more thin/lightweight.  Do you belive in 'hating’ anyone? I don’t hate anyone. Do you like Twilight? I was really into it when the books were still coming out and then the movies, but I outgrew it. Do you know the difference between loving someone and being in love? Yes. I’m not in love with a family member, but I love them. What animal that is endangered is your favorite? Giraffes. :( How do you believe the Earth and life on it was created? God. What’s your religion? Christianity. How many fingers do you have? * 10 (dont u come @ me w that “”“thumbs”“” bullsh*t either, lmao. They'are ALL fingers) <<<< Hahah. I say the same thing. Don’t get all technical with me! What about toes? 10. Do you like your teeth? No. Do you need glasses or contacts? I wear glasses. Have you considered getting contacts that change your eyecolor? What color? It’s cool, but the idea of putting in contacts freaks me out. I also prefer wearing glasses anyway.  Do you have allergies? Yes. Have you ever made a quiz? Don’t you love it when you’re on a roll? Once, a long time ago. Like pre-Tumblr days. What time zone are you in? Pacific.  Do you wish you lived some where else? Yes. Sometimes don’t you wish you could move away and start over? Yes, but unfortunately my problems would follow me. It would be nice to live somewhere else, though. I hate this city. What’s the craziest color you’ve seen on a house? I’ve seen pink, yellow, purple, and blue houses. Do you like the name Trevor? Eh. How do you pronounce Bzoink? Biz-oink. Is Taylor Swift better than the rest of the teen singers? I’m not a fan of Taylor Swift.  What time will it be in 3 hours and 2 minutes? 7:14AM. What’s your favorite brand of cereal? General Mills, Kellogs, and Post. Do you like to read? Yes. What’s your GPA? I’m doneeee with school. Isn’t annoying when you’re friends are different around different people? Depends on how they’re being different. I did have a friend who was completely different and not in a good way. Do you want a phone with a keyboard? I have a touch screen phone. Do you go to church but you aren’t sure if you believe in God? I don’t go to church right now, but I do believe in God.  What grade are you in? I’m done with school, remember? Are you shorter then most of your friends? Yes, all of them. Do you prefer a S.O. older or younger? By how much? A bit older. Like up to 5 years at most, I’d say. I just feel like the older I get; though, the harder it’ll be to find someone. I’m almost 30, but I feel so...stunted and behind in life. Someone in their mid 30s would likely be in a much different place in life and be further ahead. I don’t know if they’d want to date me with where I am in life. Do you like popcorn? I love movie theater buttered popcorn. I also love this garlic parm seasoning I get put on it at this one theater we go to. SO good. Why does corn get chewed up but come out in the original form? Ew. Are you pessimistic or optimistic? Very pessimistic. What number do you think you’re on? I’m not counting. That was # 76. What’s your bestie’s name? Was it really? Wow. Anyway, her name is Yolanda.  What size shoe do you wear? 6 in women’s.  Do you like lollipops? Nah. Don’t you hate the texture of lotion on your skin? No. Well, unless it’s like greasy. Favorite movie? I have a lot. How many words per minute do you type? I don’t know. Do you think it’s possible to meet your bestie online? I don’t have a bestie online. Do you blog or write in a journal? This is my blog and journal. Isn’t health class annoying? I didn’t find it annoying. Who’s your favorite teacher, if any? What internet browser do you use? Chrome.  Isn’t it weird to like having butterflies? No? The good butterfly feeling is nice, like the kind you get when you’re excited or you like someone.  What’s the longest flower name you can think of? *shrug* What year were you born in? 1989. What time is it, backwards? 91:4. If you had to shorten your name to 4 letters, what would it be? Step. Sam; a femine name or a male name? Whatever. What’s the prettiest cat you have seen?  All the cats I’ve ever seen.

[livehealthynewsusa]

Watch An Exclusive Clip of The New CrossFit Film Out Today

If you’ve watched any of the documentaries about the CrossFit Games events of the past decade, or a handful of videos about the CrossFit Ball on YouTube, chances are you’ve consumed a visual feast from the Marston Sawyer and Heber Cannon.

Collectively known as Buttery Bros., they weathered the storm of CrossFit’s restructuring and firing, witnessed their implosion around Greg Glassman’s racist tweet, and documented their recovery under new CEO Eric Rosa.

Her new film, Resurgence, today is the story of the CrossFit Games 2020, which, due to the unprecedented restrictions to control the pandemic, saw a greatly reduced field of five men and five women.

Check out this exclusive clip of the film and read our interview with Marston and Heber below.

Men’s health: Give us the condensed version of the Buttery Bros. genesis.

MARSTON SAWYER: In the fall of 2018, we were fired from CrossFit HQ. We left California, moved to Utah and started Buttery Bros. It’s been two years and this is the second documentary we’ve made independently but them [CrossFit] also easily attach to this.

MH: If you could, what would you say to the two guys who are about to be fired from their jobs?

MRS: I would say that you will have a lot more options and that you are about to start something really exciting and fulfilling and fun. So don’t get too preoccupied with what you’ve done in the past and just know that the future is bright for both of you

MH: What was it like to start on your own?

LIFT CANNON: I think the first phase was figuring out that we wanted to stay in the CrossFit space and in the community. When I started CrossFit, I wanted to go to LA and direct movies. But I felt there was so much room to grow with this company in 2008-09. I felt like I was missing out on something if I didn’t jump on it.

Flash forward to 2018 and there’s so much chaos in the CrossFit space, but we have all these friends and connections – it just felt like such an opportunity. I wanted to take the chance and play CrossFit again. But do it yourself and see what we can do with it.

From then on it was about what we produce, how it should look and how we finance it. How would we shape it as a company? When we worked for CrossFit HQ we never had to think about it. So the first six months of Buttery Bros were like law, business school, and fatherhood in one insane package.

MH: Obviously you studied law and economics …

HZ: Yes totally!

MH: How did the chaos surrounding Greg Glassman’s tweet and the subsequent sale of the company affect you?

MRS: When that tweet came out everyone started saying they were boycotting the games and we were right in the middle of it trying to document this. The story tells how the athletes felt, but also the general community and how they felt. We are part of the CrossFit community and felt like we were stabbed in the back. We had helped grow this company from its inception into a truly professional, eye-catching sport that we were proud to make films about.

Then they let us go and took the company in a different direction that didn’t really align with what we created. When that happened, we felt like it was an opportunity to create the content that CrossFit didn’t want. As time went on, the company got more and more negative press and then this tweet, it was like wow – it seemed like this thing was going to collapse.

It was sad. Because we had seen how positively and wonderfully it had affected so many people’s lives, only to put it in such a negative light. It was a full 180. We got upset and just tried to tell people’s stories as best we could.

MH: A big part of your YouTube channel is spending real time with athletes and other members of the CrossFit community. Who is your new favorite person on the scene?

MRS: I would say our favorite newbie is Justin Medeiros. He’s just an aspiring kid who’s just plain positive. We followed him through the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Championship and he has a great support team, his parents and everyone in his corner are great. He has a bright future for CrossFit and everything that moves forward. We just teamed up with him at our new nutritional supplement company Podium. It’s a great new relationship with this kid.

MH: How long have you been working on Podium?

HZ: Various companies had spoken to us for a while, but they wanted us to be one of their ambassadors or they were a brand we didn’t really like. So we were just trying to figure out what we wanted to do. Two of my favorite brands were Cellucor for the product and Ghost Life for the pictures. Well, this guy who had worked for these two companies turned to me and said he wanted to start a new line and company with us and what was I thinking?

I said, ‘Dude! Brilliant!’ And now that I was “in business and law school,” I can do this. In November 2020 we finally met him personally and discussed with him what it would look like and feel like. Our friend, a Mat Fraser, had just become a free agent, so we spoke to Mat and are thrilled to have him on board.

Another no-brainer was Craig Richie who is just a phenomenal YouTuber from the UK and we look forward to getting started. Every week there is something new and cool that happens.

MH: How much of your time do you spend on the business side now?

HZ: For a long time, 50% of our time was occupied by the economy. I remember going to Miami with Mat Fraser for an open workout announcement. We traveled all day and I emailed brands to see if they would sponsor the video, called between flights and layovers, tried to rent a car while talking to another brand but we could Don’t use their product because we didn’t have it with us and so on. Then edit photos that night until 3 a.m. and talk to other brands about the video we’re going to start the next morning.

Then we had to be professional and energetic on both sides of the camera to film all day before staying up all night to edit so we could upload it.

Now we’ve got to the point where we’ve streamlined the business side of things and hired a manager to take care of a lot. So when we have an initial conversation we can hand it over to him and he will do a lot of the grunt work and present us with things to make a decision about.

MH: To be fair, when you look at your early videos compared to now, you look a lot less tired …

MRS: In the beginning we stayed up all hours to do the editing. Partly because everything was time sensitive, but also because we tried to prove the concept to people, sponsors and brands. In the early days we went to an event, shot for three days, got very little sleep, and it was just me and Heber trying to grind and produce to prove ourselves. The event ended and we stayed up until completion and spent 12 hours editing it, so it was ready and fresh when we uploaded it the next day.

Now we’ve got to a point where we’ve brought in other editors so we can send out clips while we’re filming that they’ll insert and organize into a rough story that we can add our finishing touches to.

It means we can juggle things better when we need to. For example, we finished the movie while shooting new Buttery Bros content every week.

With the new film and working with CrossFit again, we were able to choose our dream team of people to work with and we could knock them out of the park. We want to work with new, young people who are really passionate. We have an editor on site and she looks forward to being taught and learning from us.

It’s amazing to go from those early days of the grind to something that is streamlined and that we can nurture.

MH: With the reduced field of 10 athletes in 2020, did you like the extra access and focus you could have on each of them for Resurgence?

HZ: Oh, as opposed to 180 in 2019!

MRS: It was definitely more intimate. In some films in the past, at the end of the weekend you stood on the podium with someone you didn’t see coming and you didn’t shoot with them all week!

HZ: I have never seen that as a disadvantage. You choose your characters and some of them don’t make the party. For me it’s a dramatic story. It should never be the story of the six people on the podium. You know, that’s six out of 80 athletes.

For this year it was great to have that reduced for us. We did this huge road trip and managed to be one on one with eight out of 10 athletes. It shows in the film when you have intimate conversations with most of your competitors.

MRS: Perhaps the craziest part about 2020 is that there were no fans and no music. Right there you could hear the breathing. One of the funniest parts is during the CrossFit Total, you could hear the announcers in the cabin say whether they looked good in the elevator or not. The athletes said, “I’m here! I can hear you guys! “

You could hear every coach yelling at them with tips and they almost tried to out each other from the sidelines. It was pretty fun.

MH: What was the moment of the 2020 Games for you?

MRS: In addition to Mat and Tia, who came across the line holding hands, it was the trail run for me where everyone had to turn around and run all the way back. They had tested it on the demo team the day before, so we got to experience it on a different scale. It was exciting to be part of this reveal and see these guys sell the soul to get done just to turn around.

You could never have done that with a large field and fans. It was a completely unique situation and it was really cool.

MH: Who would you like to see at the CrossFit Games 2021?

MRS: I would love to see Mallory O’Brien do really well as far as women go.

Herzog Loren Photography

HZ: I would like to see Emma Cary be fine. But Tia is always fascinating to look at. We watch a dynasty and the others fight for second place. It’s wide open on the men’s side. Glad to see Justin Medeiros well and I found Jayson Hopper’s performance in the semifinals really impressive. I would love to see Pat Vellner in the field again. He is unbelievable.

And then your boy Noah Ohlsen. He set up a really good training environment in Atlanta, so I’m curious to see if that pays off at the Games.

Resurgence by The Buttery Bros is available now on iTunes / Apple TV worldwide for £ 12.99. Find it here

David Morton David Morton is Associate Editor at Men’s Health, where he wrote, worked, edited and sweated for 12 years.

source https://livehealthynews.com/watch-an-exclusive-clip-of-the-new-crossfit-film-out-today/

[corabeth11]

The Dare

Modern AU. Mostly NaLu with a little bit of Gruvia. Hope y’all enjoy! :)

Also, I don’t own Fairy Tail or its wonderful characters!

"You'd never believe me if I told you that I can eat fire, but it's true, and I can prove it.

There I was browsing my favorite bookstore and minding my own business when I'm interrupted by a pink-haired stranger saying the most bizarre thing. I've never seen this guy in my life. Why is he talking to me?

"Excuse me? Are you talking to me?"

"Yes, weirdo. There's no one else over in this section. Unless you see an evil ghost hellbent on revenge because her favorite characters didn't get together in the end. In that case, we should both get out of here and never return. I don't want to be ghost food, do you?"

"Umm…no? I don't think that would be very pleasant, but I also don't see a ghost. I wouldn't be able to leave right away anyway. I'd need to save my best friends Levy and Juvia first."

"Too late. They''ve already been sucked into the netherworld. Now you have two options before you. You can either follow your friends into the netherworld to "save them" but really end up eaten, or you can run out with me now and get some food because I am starving! The clock is ticking. Better hurry!"

Wow! This guy is something else. I can't help but laugh at his antics. I guess I'll give him a chance, and Mavis knows I've certainly been asked out in worse ways.

"Hmm… I guess when you put it that way, I'd rather eat food than be food. Levy will be saved in about an hour anyway, and I don't see Juvia anymore, so let's go! My name is Lucy by the way."

"Loony? That's a weird name for a girl. But I guess it fits since you're a weirdo. I'm Natsu."

I try to correct him on my name, but he had already grabbed my hand and was rushing me out of the store. I barely had enough time to yell at Levy that I'll be back when she gets off. When we get outside, he lets go of my hand and looks bashful which is really cute.

"Now Loony, where do you eat? Normally I don't win these things, so I didn't think that far ahead."

"First off, it's Lucy, not loony. Secondly, win what? What are you talking about?"

I feel like this guy is talking in circles, and I have no idea what he means.

"Oh! Ice princess dares me all the time to talk to or ask out girls. They never go for me though. Now I can shove it in that loser's face when I see him! I got the prettiest girl in there to go eat with me. Now choose where you want to go already. As I said earlier, I'm starving!"

"Umm... Alright then. Let's go eat at Confetti Café! It has really good crêpes and gelato."

Even though Natsu ate an insane amount of food and was extremely messy, it was surprisingly fun. He is easy to talk to and has the craziest stories about someone named ice princess and metal face. Before I know it, an hour has flown by, and I need to meet up with Levy and find Juvia.

"Natsu, I'm really sorry, but I have to go. Levy should be getting off work, and I need to find Juvia. I had a lot of fun, and I hope we can do this again sometime."

"Yeah. That would be awesome! I'll walk you back to the bookstore. I need to find that ice prick too. He was trying to get a blue-haired girl to go out with him. I hope he didn't because I want to shove my victory in his face!”

This guy is nuts! I wonder if his friend is as crazy. I also have a feeling Juvia will have a story for me when I finally find her. As we’re walking back to the bookstore, I spot Juvia and my suspicions were confirmed, especially because Natsu started screaming at them.

“Oi popsicle breath! I won! I got her to go eat with me, AND she wants to do it again!”

“Finally did something right flame brain! It’s about time. I thought you’d forever be scaring away the girls. After all, who would want to look at your ugly mug.”

“What’d you say ice princess?”

“You heard me tabasco idiot! Or are you too stupid to understand?”

Wow… They are both children. I wonder if they have a book filled with insults for each other or if they make them up as they go along. This is ridiculous.

“Juvia, do you think we should try and break up their fight?”

“Juvia does not care what you do. Just stay away from Juvia’s Gray. Juvia will fight Love Rival for him.”

Great… Juvia has gone crazy too… I need Levy, but I guess the voice of reason will have to be me.

“Boys!! Break it up!! I want no more fighting!!”

“Yes ma’am! We’re not fighting! We’re best friends! See?”

Cause that sure sounded convincing… At least they’re hugging now.

“It was nice meeting you, Natsu and Gray, but Juvia and I have to go. Here’s my number Natsu. We should go out again sometime. I had a lot of fun. Bye!”

I grab Juvia to hurry back to the bookstore. I don’t want Levy waiting long for us. She’s probably worried with us disappearing like we did. As we walk away, I hear them talking about me.

“Whoa! I got her number!”

“Yeah, but she’s as scary as Erza… So, good luck with that.” 

“Oi! Shut up! You’re just jealous ice princess.”

“Am not flame-breath! You wanna fight?”

Wow… Those idiots are at it again! I wonder who Erza is and how I’m as scary as her. Oh well. I’ll think about that later. I have better things to occupy my thoughts, like a really cute boy and the wonderful date we had. I’m so glad he picked me for the dare.

[mrsronan]

The Thief Doesn’t Win

The craziest thing happened as I was preparing to speak at Refuge LA a couple weeks ago. The Monday before I was scheduled to speak, I was going over my outline on my laptop at a cafe near my house. I was sitting in the window of the cafe working on a testimony that I hoped would bring life, joy, hope, and Jesus to a large group of people. And, predictably, just like the devil does when we’re about to do something good for Jesus’ family, he tried to discourage me. 

Some kid ran right past the window where I was sitting, and while I was actively typing, swiped my computer right out from my hands and ran off! I felt violated, but not angry or worried. I called the police and my husband then waited a couple hours for the police to come. While waiting I posted about it on Facebook and asked people to pray for a quick return. 

A mentor of mine responded, “They can steal your computer but they can’t steal your message.” So, the devil did what he does and tried to steal and destroy—tried to discourage. But, God did what He does and restored things!

That night we visited a neighbor in our apartment building who had seen what happened on Facebook. They said, “Chastidy, we have this old computer we don't use anymore and we were waiting for God to show us what to do with it. Would you like it?” It was the very same computer that got stolen from me, only a little newer and better! Additionally, all my work was saved in the cloud, so rather than losing something, I pretty much got an upgrade! (Thanks neighbors and Jesus.)

So— that’s what happens. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus came that we can have abundant life! He shows up in our trials to bring restoration. We just have to wait a bit. Sometimes it’s as quickly as four hours.  Sometimes it’s longer, but we just have to wait patiently for Him. He will bring restoration. Maybe your computer didn't get stolen and replaced within a four hour time frame, but you can probably think of times in your life that just when you were about to do something good, you felt attacked. In this blog, as I’m sharing some of the ways I’ve experienced attacks from the enemy but have seen God make things new and beautiful, I hope you’ll see how our stories overlap. Cancer has been one of the most obvious ways the enemy has come to steal from me. But just like that thief of my computer didn’t ultimately cause me any real loss, I’m believing that I’ll have just as many gains as losses from going through this cancer battle. 

I recently read Option B by Sheryl Sandberg which talks about growing through traumatic experiences. One of my favorite lines in the book talks about the gains and losses of trauma. “As Allen Rucker wrote about his paralysis, 'I won’t make your skin crawl by saying it’s a ‘blessing in disguise.’ It’s not a blessing and there is no disguise. But there are things to be gained and things to be lost, and on certain days, I’m not sure that the gains are not as great as, or even greater than, the inevitable losses.’” I can’t recommend reading Option B strongly enough. I wish it were required reading for adulthood. But, especially if you have been through a trauma or have loved ones going through trauma, please, please read this book. You and your friends will be glad you did.

Health Update:

Last Tuesday I had routine CT scans. The results showed that all of the tumors (except the tumor in my hip bone) have been shrinking since starting the double chemo regimen of Ful-Fox-Iri. I’m so thankful.

Scans show there are currently tumors in my colon (the origin of the cancer), hip bone, liver and lungs. I have been having stronger side effects now that I receive a double chemo infusion every other week. Those include:

The feeling of my hands being stuck with 100 needles when I touch cold things or reach in the refrigerator.

It also feels like there are needles in my throat if I eat or drink cold things. 

My hands and wrists have been locking up when I do small tasks with my hands like put my daughter’s shoes on or write with a pen.

There’s a mild numbness in my feet but I can still easily walk 2 miles to take my daughter to and from the park.

I have mild nausea and fatigue on my infusion days.

After 14 months of chemo, I’ve experienced significant hair loss and am planning to cut my hair soon. This is emotionally the hardest side effect for me to handle. But I’d rather have short hair than cancer, so I’ll press through and smile and try to pretend I like the way I look with short hair. Thankfully, my supportive husband says I’ll look hot even if I shave my head. And, my holistic doctor (who is also my childhood friend) says God gave me a beautiful face and my hair cut can’t detract from that. It’s a needed encouragement for me to hear those words from the people I’m close to.

Yet, most of the time I’m physically strong. If you saw me on the street and didn’t know, you’d have no idea I’ve been diagnosed with stage four incurable cancer. And 95% of the time, my emotions match. A couple weeks ago my oncologist called me a chemo wizard. Last week, she said I’m super-human; and she wondered out-loud if I handle everything so well because of my mindset or my body. I told her it’s a super-natural gift. She asked if I could bottle it and sell it to her other patients.

I have a great doctor, (hopefully, you never need a GI oncologist, but if you do, ask me for a recommendation). Half of our appointment time seems like visiting with a friend. My husband and I got to share really openly with her at my most recent appointment that we’re able to get through this challenge with a peaceful and hopeful mindset because over and over we’ve seen God restore broken aspects of our lives. He has sustained us through many trials in the past and we see no reason He won’t sustain us through this. At the same time, Matthew told her our true home is the eternal one; so no matter what happens, we know that to live is Christ but to die is gain.

We also talked about movie script ideas (I can’t share them here because they are such good ideas I don’t want you to copy them). She doesn’t know who she want’s to play her in my autobiography movie. I’m hoping Reese Witherspoon will play me. I don’t know who should play the computer thief. 

What about you?

How have you been sustained through trials?


Have you seen times that someone tried to steal your joy, hope, peace, or computer but you ultimately had more gains than losses?  

And, if somebody made a movie about you, who would you choose to play you? 

Drop me a line. I really would love to hear what you’ve experienced. I’m sure our experiences overlap.

Songs encouraging me right now:

Still Here by Travis Greene

-- I love this line, “If the devil could kill me he would have done it by now.”

My daughter is allowed very limited screen time. One thing I permit is Psalty the Singing Song Book (which I loved as a child). Recently I was encouraged and brought to thankful tears when watching

this awesome 80’s video/play with her

. If you don’t already know and love Psalty, please don’t watch the whole video; just skip forward to minute 20.58. 

11.06.17