#the mayor in the shower after a workout | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

highonchocolate · 4 years ago

Text

Take Two: The Guardian in Gotham Chapter 4

First Previous Next Ao3

Note: When italics are in quotations (“”) then Marinette is speaking French. If the italics don't have quotations, that’s people’s thoughts.

---

After patrol, Dick made his way to bed, mulling over the announcement Bruce had made at dinner. When he had seen that picture, he had wanted to join Jason on his Paris killing spree. That girl-Marinette, was it?- seemed to be in need of a better place to stay, and he was happy they could provide it to her. At the same time, he had no idea how to treat a young teenage girl! What does she like? Sports? Dresses? Both? None? He had no idea! As he lay there having a breakdown in a slight panic, he couldn’t force the image of her broken, bloody body out of his head. He wondered what kind of person that sort of assault would turn her into. He had seen greater people snap after such emotional and physical wounds.

Meanwhile, Jason, Tim and Damian were facing similar dilemmas over the girl in question.

Jason had no idea how to handle teenagers, especially ones that had been assaulted. Suffering through fucked-up shit like that would definitely leave you with some trauma. He thought to himself. Maybe we should ask her about her boundaries. His coping method involved wearing a red helmet and gallivanting around the rooftops of Gotham, looking for excuses to shoot people. He didn’t exactly think that was the best way to help her out. Sure, he grumbled, I’ll just walk over to her, hand her some Kevlar and a grapple before pushing her off the top of fucking Wayne Enterprises in hopes that she’ll get it right. ‘Cause that’s totally fucking healthy!

Tim on the other hand, was completely and utterly paranoid. Sure, he was definitely worried about that girl, considering that it looked like she had lost a lot of blood; but at the same time, he was worried about exposing their identities to her. Just one slip up, and she would know exactly what the Wayne family did at night. Not to mention that if they ended up getting injured, they’d have to figure out how to hide it from her. As he hacked into her school records, he noticed that she had filed several bullying complaints that had never been acknowledged, as well as a request to transfer classrooms that had been dismissed. Just how corrupt is this school?! He thought to himself as he saw how the principal-Monsieur Damocles- had bent to one girl’s every whim, just because her father was the Mayor! Abuse of power, and ignoring bullying reports? He thought to himself. This is not going to end well for them. With that, he completely launched himself into digging up every bit of dirt he could find on that school and it’s staff; completely forgetting about his original panic over being discovered.

And as for Damian, he was completely furious that there would be another person living in the Manor with them! Not to mention she had to go to Gotham Academy as well! He hadn’t even met this Marinette, and she was already proving to be a pain.

---

As the day of their Marinette’s arrival dawned bright and clear, four members of the family waited for the arrival of their last member and guest. Bruce was slightly nervous. He had never had a girl so young stay in the Manor before, and he didn’t know how to greet her. Did he shake her hand? Smile and wave? Shake her hand then smile? Wave then shake?

Dick, however, was full of excitement that their new guest was arriving in a couple of hours. He wondered if she knew any gymnastics, and if she would be willing to do some flexibility-related stretches and workouts with him.

All his other children were scattered throughout the city, doing various different things. Jason was up in the Manor library, reading his latest novel. Tim was in his office at WE, finishing up some paperwork he had wanted to fill out before Marinette arrived. Damian, thankfully, was at school, and wouldn’t be returning until later in the evening.

His thoughts were cut short by Tim’s arrival. As he walked into the kitchen and came back with a large mug of coffee, Jason trudged downstairs, and they all sat around in the living room continuing to work and read as they waited for Marinette and Alfred.

Half an hour later, Bruce was alerted to the gates in front of the Manor opening. They all lined up outside the house and watched as the sleek, black limo pulled up in front of the house.

They waited patiently as Alfred got out of the car and headed to the trunk before opening it and taking out a suitcase, and what looked like a foldable wheelchair. The four of them were confused. Why would she need a wheelchair? Surely her classmates hadn’t injured her that badly? Their thoughts were cut off by Alfred opening the back door on the opposite side of the car. He bent down and proceeded to open the wheelchair, before wheeling it around to face the family. When they caught their first glimpse of their guest, they were absolutely floored.

They had all seen many worse injuries during their nightly patrols, and several injured children years younger than her, but when they saw Marinette, they were shocked into silence at her battered appearance.

She was a decent height at around 5’ 4”, but compared to Bruce and Jason she was absolutely tiny. She had several dark purple-blue bruises that contrasted sharply with her pale skin as well as an angry gash covered in stitches on her forehead. She also sported a clunky cast and a thick brace on her leg and wrist. With her dark hair pulled into space buns, and blue eyes, as well as how small and bruised she looked, they all felt a rush of protectiveness flood through them when they saw her.

Their silent shock was interrupted by Jason leaning over to Bruce and whispering angrily “You said her classmates did this to her?!” At his exclamation, the other three tensed in anger at the reminder that her old friends had been the ones to injure her so severely. They were snapped out of their thoughts by Marinette speaking.

“Bonjour, Monsieur Wayne! Thank you for letting me stay in your house with you! I promise I’ll do my best to not be a bother to you and your family.” Her voice was slightly rough from when she had been crying, but she spoke sweetly, and politely. At her statement, Jason jumped in “No problem Pixie Stick! The only nuisance here is the Demon Spawn, and he’s not home yet.” She blinked up at him, before her mouth twitched up into a half-smile. “Thank you, Monsieur. I’m sorry but I didn’t get your name…” she trailed off.

“Sorry about that Sunshine, he’s Jason, I’m Dick, and the sleep deprived one is Tim.” Dick interjected. “And you don’t have to call us Monsieur, either. Just our names are fine.”

“Oh okay. Thank you Mister Bruce, and thank you Dick! I’m Marinette, but I’m sure you knew that already. You can call me Mari if you’d like. I’m not very picky about nicknames!” She laughed.

“Now if the young Masters are done with their introductions, I will gladly show Miss Marinette to her room.” Alfred cut in. “Thank you Monsieur Alfred, that would be wonderful.” The girl in question smiled up at him from her seat in the wheelchair before he wheeled her inside.

---

Marinette thanked Alfred as he wheeled her into her room. He mentioned that someone named “Damian” was at school, and that she would be attending school after she gets adjusted to the time difference. After he left, she opened her bag to let the Kwami out, and waited for their excited chattering to calm down. Once they had quieted, she spoke. “Hey Tikki? Do you think it was wrong to tell Alfred about the Miraculi being active in Paris?” she questioned as she fiddled with the straps on her bag. ”I was just so excited to meet another wielder that everything slipped out!”

The Kwami was quick to reassure her. “Oh no Marinette, it's okay. SInce you are the Guardian now, you need all the help you can get. And besides, you already recognized each other’s auras, so there was no point in trying to hide it!” She flew up to her face and patted her unbruised cheek gently.

“Oh no! I completely forgot to tell Alfred that I’m the Guardian!” She shrieked. “What if he gets mad at me for being too inexperienced?! He’ll kick me out and I’ll have to live on the streets! Then I’ll end up becoming part of the Crime Alley hierarchy, living alone in an abandoned building with a stray cat named Tommy! Tikki this is a disaster! A disaster!!” She would have continued to ramble in french, if it wasn't for the fact that Wayzz had flown up to her and reminded her that she needed to shower because she had been on an airplane and in the airport.

Several curses, near falls, and plastic cast coverings later, Marinette limped out of the shower, exhausted but clean. She quickly tied her hair onto a messy bun before changing into warm leggings (although she couldn’t fully pull one side down due to her cast) and a sweater. Gotham was cold! She let the Kwami roam around her giant room as she put her clothes into her closet.

After settling in, she plugged in her phone and texted her friends.

FashionableBug: Just got everything organized and took a shower. Turns out M. Wayne has four kids! I met Dick, Jason and Tim, and apparently Damian is at school.

QueenofMean: Maribug! How dare u not text us as soon as you arrived! Ur plane landed over three hours ago!

Snakey Boi: Chlo’s right, Mari. We were all worried bout u.

FahsionableBug: Sorry u guys. Everything was going so fast I completely 4got!

FashionableBug: Also I met a Peacock wielder!!!!!!!

You’reUnderAgreste: Really?! Buginette thats amazingggg

DragonGurl: Wonderful news indeed, Mari. They must have lots of advice for you.

QueenofMean: !!!!!!

QueenofMean: Nettie thats awesome!!!!!!

SnakeyBoi: Thats totally great!

SnakeyBoi: Also who is it???

FashionableBug: lol Luka its Alfred their butler. Tho hes more like a grandfather

FashionableBug: Anyways, I’m going to go find the kitchen. I wanna make the Kwami some macarons!

FashionableBug: Bye!!!

DragonGurl: Bye Marinette.

You’reUnderAgreste: Bye Bugaboo!

QueenofMean: Bye Bug!

SnakeyBoi: Bye Mari!

Marinette smiled as she put her phone down. Glancing over at the Kwami flying around the room, she stretched before calling out “I’m going to see if I can bake in the kitchen. Do any of you want to join me?” Before she had even finished her sentence Tikki and Kaalki were flying over to her and nestling in her bun. Laughing at their antics, she maneuvered herself into the chair before wheeling herself down the hall. She hadn’t gone very far when she bumped into Alfred walking out of another door. "Salut, Monsieur Alfred! Would you mind showing me where the kitchen is? I was thinking of making some sweet treats for my...friends.” At her statement, Tikki and Kaalki poked their heads out of her bun to wave, before hiding again. Smiling, Alfred turned to her and spoke. “Of course Guardian. Right this way.” Her eyes darted to meet his hesitantly. “You aren’t mad that I’m the Guardian?” Alfred paused and looked her directly in the eyes. “Miss Marinette, I am in no way questioning your capabilities as a Guardian. You are very powerful, and I have no doubt you will do an amazing job. I am simply upset over how you seem to have no Mentor or any form of Guidance to help you.” Sighing in relief, she smiled. “Well, my old Master lost his memories because he had to give up his memories after being compromised. I do have the Grimoire though, and I was also hoping you would help me as well?” She questioned, looking up at him hesitantly. As they walked into the kitchen, he bowed to her and stated “It would be my greatest honor to assist you, Great Guardian.” She laughed and thanked him before beginning to bake.

She hummed a simple melody designed to bring about calm and peace, and soon she was happily working in her own tranquil little bubble.

An hour later, as she was frosting the little pastries, Jason walked in, drawn by the smell of sugar and freshly baked goods. “Hey Alfred! What cooki-” he cut himself off. “Sorry Pixie Stick, I thought you were Alfred. Only he can make something worth eating in this house!”

“Oh it’s no problem Jason, I was just making macarons. My parents own a bakery, so I’m kinda used to just baking whenever.” She laughed softly

“Damn Pixie, macarons?! You haven’t been here a day, and you’re already much nicer than all my asshole brothers!”

“Yeah, well these are for after dinner, so no touching ‘till then!” She warned.

He sat at the counter and scrolled through his phone as she decorated the pastries. Soon enough, she had them all completed and proceeded to carefully take the tray and wheel over to the fridge. Before she could move an inch, Jason had leapt up and placed the tray in its designated spot. “Sorry Pix, but I’ll get that for ya. We don’t need you accidentally crashing or dropping these heavenly treats!” He laughed.

She crossed her arms and pouted up at him, before her mouth stretched into a wide grin. As she wheeled herself into the dining room, she swiftly turned her head and stuck her tongue out before disappearing through the door into the room beyond.

---

Dinner with the Wayne family was a rambunctious affair. Dick and Jason bantered good-naturedly over their meals as Bruce sighed tiredly in the background. Tim moved lethargically, downing giant gulps of coffee as he ate his meal. Damian apparently was studying with his friend Jon, and therefore wouldn't be eating with them. They all smiled and laughed as they talked through dinner. Marinette told them about her friends, before adding that they’d probably video call her tomorrow so they could meet the family. Bruce assured her that it was not a problem and added that he would be glad to speak with her parents. After eating, she headed up to her room to work on the outfit she had been sketching on the plane.

She immersed herself in designing, and ended up finally going to sleep shortly after midnight. The Kwami flew over to their little nest of pillows and blankets, and she turned off the lights before drifting off to sleep. Her dreams were plagued by nightmares of looming shadows and ethereal dark butterflies destroying the world in fire. She watched in helpless terror, stuck in her Ladybug persona, unable help as the world burned. The horrific dreamscape was shattered by the sound of her phone blaring out an Akuma alarm.

She leaped out of bed and shut off the shrill noise as she called for Tikki and Kaalki before leaping through the portal and into Paris.

She ended up in a ravaged, unrecognizable landscape covered in flames. Looks like her dream had been semi-accurate after all. The Eiffel Tower was partially melted, and fires were cropping up all over the city. The four simultaneous thuds behind her signified the arrival of her team. As one they looked upon their ravaged city and charged the Akuma.

#maribat #marinette dupain cheng #damian wayne #adrien agreste #chloe bourgeois #luka couffaine #kagami tsurugi #alfred pennyworth #bruce wayne #tim drake #jason todd #dick grayson #lila rossi #alya cesaire #lila salt #class salt

178 notes · View notes

the-wiresmarvelau · 4 years ago

Text

T.H.E. W.I.R.E.S.

Peter and his Friends are allowed to design the compound and couldn’t help but riddle it with secret tunels and hallways. While Peter installs said hallways he makes some new acquaintences who he has to help and gets help from.

Chapter 1, Chapter 2 - chapter 4

Chapter 3: secrets

The rest of the night was spent pacing about the compound.

Peter couldn’t stand even the thought of standing still but he knew that he was too wound up to be much good on patrol.

Instead, he took to walking up and down the corridors; until it literally drew him up the wall, how unproductive he.

Then he began distributing all the small things like pillows and decorations to all the Rooms he had roughly finished by then. Up to this point he didn’t have the nerve to do so much walking but right now it was exactly what he needed.

When he was done with the normal rooms, he did the same for the small spaces in THE WIRES he had built in for hiding or just chilling out.

The AI they wanted to install in there was almost finished and the young genius was eager to have him here.

They had decided on a male AI to even it out. His Name would be Manuel; since he was a manual for THE WIRES.

Ned loved this pun and they both were proud of their creation.

Peter tried to go through everything they had yet to code in his head in a desperate attempt to not think about Loki.

Yes, he wanted to save him and yes it had to be as fast as possible but the god had also said that it would take at least a day or two until he could contact his mother and right this moment the hero’s thoughts were too scattered to think of a solution.

As he went to bed, he was still more than a little distraught and didn’t think he would be able to so much as close an eye.

To his surprise, he drifted off fairly soon.

But it really couldn’t be called sleep as he was half conscious for most of the time and every time, he fell asleep properly, mere minutes passed until he was shaken awake again by sharp pains littering his back or threading through his mouth and lips.

Or he saw the god cowering in a cell, or being dragged out of it by his hair to be executed or to be whipped and beaten, again and again.

After a few hours spent half awake half dreaming up nightmares, he decided to get up.

It was of no use to torture himself also. There was enough pain already in this world.

Numb and slightly drowsy from tiredness he dragged himself to his bathroom.

While he showered, he tried to go through his options.

SHIELD was in ruins, therefore in no condition to house the god. Plus, they had been the ones banning him from ever coming back to earth in the first place.

They were out.

The government was similarly unprepared for this. They had neither the knowledge nor the resources to build a suitable housing and they would probably have to inform the public of what was going on, practically hanging a neon sign over the trickster’s head for Odin to find.

Mr. Stark was a whole other deal. He could build a safe facility and he wouldn’t even think about telling the media or government.

But as Loki had already mentioned. The billionaire wouldn’t hear him out in the first place.

He would berate the boy for talking to the Asgardian and threaten the god to leave them alone and to not play any tricks.

He wouldn’t see that just because someone was good at lying, didn’t mean they couldn’t also tell the truth.

And Peter knew that the New York incident offered enough opportunity for mayor grudges on his mentor’s side.

As Tony and him had grown closer both of them had opened up to each other.

The Inventor had told him about his childhood in Captain Americas shadow and the light of press cameras.

He had opened up about his time in Afghanistan, about Obadiah and Ultron and about what happened on the helicarrier and during the Chitauri invasion. Much of it during long nights, riddled with nightmares and panic attacks.

In return, the teenager had told him about uncle Ben, his guilt in his death and his sensory issues that came with his powers.

He told him about how the Vulture had found out his identity and how terrified he was when he almost drowned because of that guy.

They of course didn’t tell each other everything.

Everything Peter knew about his mentor’s childhood was pieced together from what he was told of the man’s nightmares and contextless rants.

Peter still didn’t know how Rhodes had become Tony’s friend and if Peter hadn’t seen the demolished suit, he wouldn’t even know half the extent of what went down in Siberia.

He still had no idea what exactly happened.

But that was okay. Tony was allowed to have secrets; besides, he was not the only one keeping them.

The teen had many himself.

He had never told Mr. Stark about Flash and Skip*. Or about the building, dropped on him.

Or that it was him, who he saved at the Stark Expo.

Or the meeting with DareDevil.

It was hard for him to talk after a nightmare. And other times he didn’t know how to bring stuff like this up with his father figure - because that’s what Tony had become for him at this point - even though he wanted the other to know.

Maybe that’s why he had made it a habit to look through old security footage now and again.

He wanted someone else to find what he couldn’t talk about, so he searched for hints of similar wishes and events in others.

During one of those searches he had come across the security footage of the day of the alien invasion as well as Loki’s arrival on Midgard (he didn’t want to know how and why Tony had gotten these from SHIELD) and with that, of Loki.

On that footage, something had been weird about his appearance, but back then he hadn’t really been able to name what it was, so he had let it slide pretty quickly.

After all, he was an alien.

But now, that he had seen how the god had presented himself, while he altered his looks to, what Peter assumed, was himself in a healthy condition; He was pretty sure he hadn’t been well back then either.

His pale skin had clung to his skull, the eyes sunken in and rimmed with red all around.

Keeping that in the back of his mind he decided that it would be best to keep the god somewhere close, so he could be protected.

And what was closer and safer than the very compound he currently resided in?

It was literally made to keep a hoard of super powered people safe.

There still was the part about Tony not hearing Loki out of course. But he was sure that helping the god was the right thing to do, he had to at least try and convince Tony to let Loki move in.

Unless.. he just wouldn’t know he was there.

Unsure about how good of an idea it actually was, he stepped out of the shower, went over to his closet and started to get dressed.

He needed to talk to Ned.

It was out of the question that his best friend would tell on Loki or him. He was the only person who knew everything about the superhero. And he trusted him with his life.

Together they would figure it out, though they had to find a way to get rid of KAREN.

Her Protocols would probably force her to relay all information about Peter and Loki to Mr Stark and that simply wouldn’t do.

Only problem: KAREN was still installed on his StarkWatch, hearing everything around him and simply taking it off would be a sure way to arouse suspicion, as he never took it off, save for when he showered.

Looking down to his wrist he cursed himself for how responsible he was. He had already put on his watch, first thing the moment he had towelled himself down.

He sat down for a moment to think about what he could do now.

The only reason to take another shower would be an extensive workout, after that he could pretend to have forgotten to put his watch back on again.

Peter really wasn’t in the mood for training but he needed to talk to his friend without the AI.

“KAREN, could you invite Ned over please? I wanna work on Manuel today” he asked while getting out some sports clothes and changed into them, a little annoyed with himself that he hadn’t thought about what to do before pulling on his normal wear.

‘I will text him at eight thirty, unless it is important enough to wake him up now?’ It was reassuring to hear her usual sass.

“Yeah, sure.” He answered, “it’s not urgent or anything. Please also ask Happy to pick him up and make a workout plan for the meantime. I’ve slumped on training a bit lately.”

‘If you say so’

It felt like it took an unreasonably long time for his friend to arrive.

When he finally got the text from Ned, telling him he was only five minutes away, Peter sent a text back that they would meet up in the lab and went to his room to take a shower.

He deliberately didn’t take any clothes into the bathroom and took extra-long, by the time he had to get out, he acted like he was in a great hurry, leaving KAREN behind in his bathroom.

No AI had been installed in the compound itself yet. The update for FRIDAY hadn’t been Mr. Stark’s highest priority, since the accords were much more time sensitive.

Grinning, the teenager made his way over to his personal lab. The only reason KAREN wasn’t installed there was that he had set his mind on having Manuel in there as ‘Peter Parker’s’ AI while KAREN remained with Spiderman.

Ned was already at the entrance to his lab, vibrating with anticipation.

That came to no one’s surprise, the boy was even more excitable than Peter and that was no small feat.

Additionally: this compound was massive, and he had helped design it and the fricking Avengers would live here. That was worth getting excited for.

“Ouuuuuh! This looks already soo cool. Here and there is a bare wall butit’sallcommingtogether. I can’t believe I’m actually here” The almost forgot to breathe with all the eagerness to share his mood with his best friend.

It had been some time since they last met in person. Both of them had been fairly busy and the compound wasn’t exactly close by.

But even trough is excitement did the boy pick up on the worry in his host’s eyes. The faint bags under them didn’t make it better and now that he paid attention to it, he also saw the nervous twitch in his hands and the lack of pep in his friend’s strides.

Something wasn’t quite right; and he was gonna find out what it was.

“Good to see you too Ned.” Came his greeting when Peter had come close enough to be heard while speaking at a normal volume.

Ever since the two had become accustomed to his super hearing, Ned started talking the moment he could see the other, knowing he would have no trouble understanding him.

The image of an energetic puppy was nearly impossible to shake.

A faint smile stole its way onto his lips at that thought.

The first since he had noticed the illusion in the roof last night.

Just like that the smile was wiped off his face.

“Oh no.” the shorter of the two exclaimed. “I know that look. That look means bad news and nothing good ever follows bad news”

This statement was met with a dry chuckle. “Isn’t that kind of the point of bad news?”

“Maybe;” He replied. “Still doesn’t make it any better. But you tell me, you’re the one bringing the news after all.”

“Don’t shot the messenger though. That would help none of us.”

While they bantered, they had entered the lab and spread out a bit. Ned sitting down on an almost empty table; Peter walking around, pulling up holograms manually and occasionally putting away some scrap parts or tools.

“You know I couldn’t shoot you even if I wanted to. You psychic!” his best friend taunted

His answer was a theatrical gasp paired with the super teen laying a hand over his chest in the way his mentor always did. Bringing a grin to the other boy’s face.

“Enough joking around.” He announced, getting back to serious. “Whatever it is, Stark junior. I can take it.”

Clearly, he tried to keep the mood as light-hearted as he could, which didn’t go unappreciated.

Still. Peter couldn’t help his tone becoming a little sombre.

“I met someone yesterday.” He said “On patrol.”

He had settled down a little bit; leaning back onto a table, which automatically changed its hight to fit his needs. His Hands fidgeted with the hem of his science pun t-shirt.

Patiently; his friend waited.

“It was.. It wasn’t DareDevil. Instead... I met Loki.”

Only now did he take his eyes from the floor to look at his friend.

Quite clearly, he was in shock. Staring at the other, trying to figure out what to think about this revelation.

“Before you freak out: It was only an illusion, he is still in the dungeons of Asgard.” The super-teen tried to calm his friend down. Cringing at the thought of Loki’s location.

“oh. Yeah… That’s good right? He won’t come back?”

His concern was understandable for Peter. But he was also convinced, that the god meant no harm and was truly in need of help.

In that regard, was the sentiment of his friend not the most promising. Though he knew him well and was convinced that Ned would be on his side once he knew what they did to the god.

“That’s the thing.. It isn’t.”

A quizzical look from Ned.

“He sent his projection here to ask for help, which in itself speaks volume considering ho prideful he seemed to be; but that’s not the point. In Asgard, they treat him bad! Like I whip your back bloody and sew your mouth shut bad.”

He gave his friend a few seconds to process the new information; all the while staring him in the eyes to make sure he knew that this wasn’t a crude prank or something.

“We need to help him..”

“Wait what now!?” Ned squeaked. “They did WHAT!??!”

“Exactly.” The hero answered. “He needs our help, Ned. We can so it’s our responsibility. The plan so far is that he contacts his mother and she brings him here to earth; Our only job is to find a place where he can stay…

That’s why I needed to talk to you because this has to be thought out and I need your second opinion.”

Peter waited for his friend’s response.

After a few seconds of silence his friend looked up.

“Okay… what’s your idea?”

It took a great load off his mind to know he wasn’t alone with his opinion. If Ned was agreeing this easily it meant that he at least wasn’t completely delusional in his opinion on helping the trickster out.

“You remember that storage room slash hideout thingy at the exit to the lake? If I were to hide the entrance to the bunker behind a closet, nobody would find it; Even if we show them the entrance or have to get something from there.”

Originally, they had planned to build in there a kind of vacation home. Until they realised that the compound itself was more than enough novelty, a vacation spot was not needed.

Instead, they had made it into a small bunker in case the compound was taken over and they needed a spot to regroup while waiting on evacuation.

“Wait. Just so we’re on the same page. You really try to keep this a secret from Stark?” the shorter tried to clarify.

“He would never believe Loki. We can’t tell anyone before he hasn’t completely healed. Then we will decide how to break it to the others” The brunette got a nod in response.

“The only problem is to figure out where I will get some additional furniture from.” He added.

“And how to get his food to him.” Ned commented.

They spend some time trying to figure everything out, until they settled on ordering everything they already had and could use for Loki’s room to be brought to the compound a second time

To the millionaire, they send a message, explaining that they had managed to break one of the desks while messing around and used the occasion to reorder some stuff which had either the wrong measurements or they had forgotten to order them in the first place.

Tony replied within a few minutes saying it was no problem.

That problem out of the way, Peter began to bring the selected stuff to the hidden room, while his friend began to build a small service robot, capable of navigating THE WIRES and transporting things.

Not even two hours later, the room was done and they both turned to developing some protocols for Manuel, making sure he would be able to keep the secret.

Unfortunately, Ned had to go before they were able to finish the AI.

His mother needed him to babysit his sister but they would meet again the next day and probably be ready to install Manuel at the end of the day.

*A character from the comics. If you don’t know him, you’ll see. Don’t want to spoil a potential surprise for you.

Chapter 1, Chapter 2 - chapter 4

#peter parker #fanfic #ned leeds #chapters #chapter 3

3 notes · View notes

jakerandall · 4 months ago

Text

"Is it really punishment if people are devouring them and I'm a bestseller?" With playful pride showing on his face as the mayor approached, Jake could never help fire back with some sarcasm. It was his nature and not meant to be taken negatively, although some weren't so good with it. "Alcohol after workout? Damn, you really a are glutton for punishment..." But, he was grateful that the other hadn't invited him out for some disgusting green drink. A towel was smoothed over his sweaty face then rubbed across the back of his neck. The workout had been extra intense today. "Plying you with alcohol so I can extract some intel sounds good to me, though. Let me shower up real quick."

closed starter @jakerandall

location: the boxing room

The Boxing Room had kicked his ass, but damn if he didn't love every second of it. His muscles ached in that satisfying way that told him he'd pushed himself to the limit. Spotting a familiar face, a smile spread across his face. "Well, look what the cat dragged in," Irza called out, snagging his towel and water bottle. "Still torturing people with your stories?" He walked over, feeling pretty damn good about himself. "If you’re done, what do you say we head on to Tric. I could use a drink after today.” And to relax his aching muscles.

#threads — jacob randall.#02 — irza özer.#thank you for the starter ❤️

4 notes · View notes

canid-slashclaw · 4 years ago

Text

The Outliers - A Guild Wars Love Story

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapters 10 and 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16 , Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19, Chapter 20, Chapter 21, Chapter 22, Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Six months passed since Kaleb and Amalthia had first moved in together. Since that time, she transferred some of her most important possessions from her father's place - including the ubiquitous workbench and welding components, which she set up in Ulfgar's back storage room. Kaleb, on the other hand, could not quite bring himself to return to his old homestead, especially considering the circumstances of his departure.

His tour of duty with the Seraph was over, so now he had far more free time available to establish his career options. During this time, both he and Amalthia began searching for hotspots throughout Tyria, hoping to cash in on their respective combat skills. Helping to clean towns of troublesome undead became a particular specialty of theirs.

***

Kaleb clamored up a small hill while waving a brightly colored banner that was attached at the end of a long pole. As he held the colorful object aloft, the mournful groans of the undead became ever louder.

"Hey! Over here you maggot shitters!" In spite of their various states of decomposition, they moved with surprising bursts of speed. So much so that one of them nearly snagged Kaleb by the ankle just as he was trying to sprint away. When he reached the top of the precipice, he found that his only avenue of escape had been blocked. The undulating mass of festering corpses began surging directly towards him as he threw down the banner then pulled out his revolvers. His weapons blazed as scores of the rotten creatures began to fall in droves. Seconds later, he saw a row of their heads explode followed by a thunderous crack.

"Keep up the good work, love. You're doing great," came Amalthia's voice from another precipice three hundred yards away. She waved to him while lying in the prone position with her high-powered long rifle tucked firmly against her shoulder. Several shots from her longarm destroyed half a dozen of the putrid creatures as they tried converging on Kaleb's position.

"A little more off the side, if you don't mind Miss Steelblade," Kaleb shouted as he felled several more of the creatures with his revolvers.

"Be more specific, Mr. Grimwald. Left or right?"

Twelve more zombies surged upon Kaleb's position. He quickly turned, reloaded then emptied all but two rounds in each gun as the corpses fell all around him.

"Whichever side is closest to killing me first would be great. Please and thank you."

Amalthia reloaded as well then lined up more heads for a multi-shot takedown. As the high-velocity rounds ripped through the row of skulls, showers of rotten brain matter splattered across Kaleb's face and clothing.

"Ugh! Well, that's one jerkin that's going to become a work shirt," he quipped as he tried his best to prevent the rest of his designer outfit from getting soiled from the remnants of the undead.

"Serves you right for wearing your church clothes to a risen slaughter," Amalthia shouted with laughter.

Kaleb chuckled at the comment and responded in kind. "Well, then I am appropriately dressed, cause this sort of thing is my kind of preying!"

"Pray or prey? Homophones are a bitch, aren't they?"

"Oh. Now you're just being factious. Clear my back."

Amalthia unleashed two more rounds, as one of the risen's body started to convulse after it had been relieved of its head. Reloading, six more to your left."

"Got 'em!"

He fired the remaining four rounds then as he reached down to reload, he found that his ammo reserved had been completely exhausted.

"I'm out. Hit me up for some reloads," Kaleb shouted as he locked his eyes upon hers.

She grabbed four bundles of replacement speedload rounds then, then using an atl ltl-type throwing device, hurled them in Kaleb's direction. With reflexes rivaling that of a cat he caught the reloads then promptly attempted to chamber a full load of them into each revolver. However, the undead were almost upon him by the time he was trying to reload.

"Looks like Bob is gonna get a workout today." Kaleb drew his longsword and began hacking away at the risen masses.

"Did you hear that? Something's coming, love - something big!" Amalthia's lower ears began to twitch from picking up the low frequency sound.

"My hearing isn't a sensitive as yours. You have any clues as to what it might be?" Kaleb asked as he finally had a chance to reload his guns.

Amalthia replied. "Nada. Surely even you can hear it now, because it's really, really close."

Kaleb readied for the next onslaught when, suddenly, a cluster of trees in front of him began to part. Rising up from the parted treetops, stood a massive humanoid figure that looked to be at least thirty feet tall.

"I may not have heard it, but I sure as hell see it. Giant... RUUNN!"

With a measure of speed even he had not dreamed was possible, Kaleb darted towards a mass of undead all the while firing wildly, hoping to avoid the giant that was rapidly coming his way. The creature's enormous stride quickly closed the gap as he tried desperately to avoid its grasp. It was too late.

The hideous decomposing monstrosity grasped hold of the young man, lifting him up towards its massive head. He fired several rounds into its skull but with no effect. As the creature's lipless jaws yawned opened to devour its prey, drawing Kaleb ever closer towards its foul-smelling mouth, the abomination's entire body began to convulse. Suddenly, the creature began to buckle to the ground. Kaleb looked up at its face and saw standing atop its head; the backlit form of a slender horned feline. When the monstrosity finally crumpled to the ground, Amalthia was standing over the creature with her longsword planted deeply into the base of its skull.

"Base of the neck. It's the only way to kill those things, silly!" Amalthia said as she loped off the vanquished foe on all fours. She then ran over to Kaleb and gave him a brief but passionate kiss.

"Well, I knew that. I was just firing for effect."

"Yeah, right. Sure you were. You panicked. Admit it!" She playfully chided him.

"Did not!" He stuck his tongue out.

"Bullshit. Did too! Be a man and fess up!"

"Okay, okay. I'll admit, I was a little freaked when a thirty foot monster was going to turn me into two-hundred and ten pounds of poop," Kaleb retorted.

"Um. The undead don't poop."

"They do too. Or else how else would they be able to keep eating so much."

"Well, I've never seen one poop," Amalthia shook her head while grinning in amusement over the nature of the conversation.

Upon gaining his composure, Kaleb pointed to the fallen giant. "Poop or no poop, that's quite a haul, there. Whaddya think? A hundred gold just for the big guy?"

Amalthia shook her head. "Nah. Fifty tops. You know how cheap town mayors are in these places."

"Y'know. If neither of us had a conscience, we could have let them snack on a few of the townsfolk first. I'm sure the mayor would have paid us double for each head we turned in," Kaleb stated as he began the grim work collecting the heads (or at least what he could salvage) from the fallen undead.

"Blah! It's going to take me over a week to get this stench out of my fur. Well, it looks like I trashed yet another set of flashy clothes as well," Amalthia grumbled as she began hacking off the heads from the fallen corpses.

Kaleb gathered up a sack full of heads as well then hurled them into the back of the dolyak cart. Any skulls that were fragmented or too badly shattered to be reconstructed were placed in a separate wooden box.

"I hope they don't chince us on our kill count. I know I must have blown up at least thirty heads."

Amalthia began her own meticulous count. "Perhaps you should use Bob a bit more, then. He does give a much cleaner cut, after all."

"That's all fine and dandy from your point of view. You're not the one standing just inches away from hordes of gouls wanting to have you for their next meal." Kaleb sounded miffed.

Her ears drooped. "I didn't mean it that way, Kal. I was just trying to be funny, that's all."

Kaleb came up to give her a reassuring hug. "I'm sorry, honey. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."

She looked into his eyes then gently licked him on the face. "It's alright, sweetie. I think the both of us are just tired, stressed and exhausted. Tell you what - once we show the town mayor our bounty and collect our pay, we can go to Lion's Arch and shop for some totally new wardrobes."

"Um. Did you just lick me after cleaning the undead gunk off your fur?"

Amalthia planted her muzzle on his lips then ran her tongue down his mouth for a moment before pulling away. "Would you expect anything else?"

She smiled and laughed. Kaleb, on the other hand, hunkered over and spat on the ground several times.

"I think I'm gonna be sick..."

***

The couple headed on over to Lion's Arch the following day. Flocks of seagulls soared low over the fishing docks as Amalthia and Kaleb enjoyed the seaside atmosphere. They were strolling along the boardwalk, hoping to find some unusual decor for their new place.

Kaleb held up a giant bronze starfish sculpture. "Like it?"

Amalthia placed her clawed finger to her lips then shook her head. "Nah. The nautical theme is just not our style."

"Bummer. It would have looked great hanging over our bed."

"Um. That's asking for a death wish, you know. One good bump and that thing will go falling off and wind up gouging through someone's eye socket. I'll pass, thank you very much," Amalthia said as she turned away giving a dismissive wave.

"Do your people perceive everything as being deadly? I thought they loved sharp, pointy objects." Kaleb quipped.

"Weapons, yes. Poorly made, tacky sculptures? No so much."

The artist merchant gave her an angry glare. Kaleb carefully placed the tacky object back on the display wall.

"Hey. Didn't we come here to buy new outfits?" He said.

"By Buntfur's tail... you're right love! Let's head on over to Ariyana's place."

Kaleb and Amalthia headed towards the main shopping district. Each wanting to hold the others' hand, but knowing that open displays of romantic affection between their races would only invite unwanted trouble.

They finally arrived at the boutique named Roses and Thorns Apparel. The menagerie of custom-made outfits overwhelmed Kaleb - everything from norn wedding gowns to sylvari casual wear was on display. He especially liked the charr-themed human-sized apparel.

The owner happened to see them walking in. "Darlings! Why come on in!"

"Hi Ari. I'm back, as promised," Amalthia said as she waved to the chicly dressed sylvari woman.

Ariyana immediately recognized her client and strode over with a grace befitting a feline. Her large green eyes looked Kaleb over carefully as the patterns in her barklike skin glowed a shimmering pale blue.

"Oh my. Who is this specimen of a man?"

"Kaleb's the name." He reached out to shake her hand. With the regalness of a courtier, she clasped his hand with both of her delicate fingers as she greeted him with a wide smile.

"Kaleb. Your name is no stranger to my ears. Amalthia, darling - tis good to see you!" She reached out to give the charr a hug.

Amalthia returned the favor. "Good to see you again as well, Ari. How are things going here? Is Jestin around?"

"Fine, fine. My dear. As a matter of fact, things are going quite splendidly. One of the noble families from Divinity's Reach commissioned us to design their wedding apparel. They wanted a norn theme with a bit of sylvari flare thrown in. Oh. I almost forgot... my fiancé is downstairs putting the finishing touches on a business suit for a client."

"I'm glad that things are working out so well for your business. So you and Jestin getting... what's the word, love?" Amalthia struggled with the word as she looked in Kaleb's direction.

"Married?" Kaleb helped her out.

"Yes. Married."

Ariyana's face lit up when she heard Amalthia call Kaleb 'love'. "Goodness me. So are you and this lovely lad together as well?"

Kaleb held Amalthia's pawed hand. "Yes we are. We've been through a lot together and I'm very happy to call her my significant other."

"Just a moment, dearie." Ariyana ran towards the basement stairway and shouted. "Jestin my dear. You must come up now. You'll want to see this."

"Be there in a minute, dear."

Unable to contain her jubilation, Ariyana gave both Kaleb and Amalthia a big hug. Her fiancé came up the stairs a short time later. He was a slender human of long blond hair and soft porcelain skin complexion. He appeared to be somewhat shy and introverted, but when he joined his mate his demeanor changed dramatically.

"Jestin. You remember Amalthia, don't you?"

"Yes I do. Nice to meet you Amalthia." He shook her hand and only gave Kaleb a friendly stare.

"He doesn't bite darling. This is Kaleb, Amalthia's mate."

"Mate? Oh wow! Nice to meet you Kaleb!" Jestin eagerly grabbed him by the hand and shook it vigorously.

Kaleb clapped him on the shoulder and smiled as he returned the handshake. "Nice to meet you too, Jestin. Even nicer to see that there are more couples like us around."

"So true, indeed," Ariyana said as she remembered something else. "Oh how rude of me. Would you two like to go out somewhere to dine or have you already eaten?"

"His stomach is a bottomless pit and so is mine. We are game," Amalthia replied as she gave Kaleb a quick kiss on the cheek.

The two couples headed out of the shop then down along the main thoroughfare as they perused the various eating establishments. Ariyana noticed that her friends were not holding hands in public and decided to provide some encouragement.

"It's okay, darlings. People here don't think twice about cross-racial couples displaying affection with each other."

Kaleb seemed skeptical. "But a human and a charr? I have yet to see a couple like Amalthia and I."

"Well, someone has to start somewhere. Might as well be now, right?" Ariyana said as she clasped hold of each of their hands and joined them together.

"Thanks, Ari. I just don't want our open display of affection to be a source of trouble for you and Jestin," Amalthia said as she held Kaleb's hand tightly.

As the quartet rounded the corner to the next alleyway that led to another row of shops, Kaleb noticed a group of around twelve scruffy men approaching their direction. When they got closer, he could see that they had a number of weapons sticking out from under their jackets.

"Well take a look at this sight, boys. Two humans holding hands with a fleabag and a walking cabbage," said a large bearded man with a scarred face and rotten teeth.

A smaller man with a patch over his left eye reached into his overcoat for something sinister. "We don't like their kind. Disgusting!"

"Disgusting is right. Get 'em, boys!" The twelve men rushed the quartet only to be stopped in their tracks when Kaleb drew his revolvers.

"I've got enough here for each of you. Now let's just call this a cultural misunderstanding and we'll all be on our merry way."

The big man laughed. "Oh. I'm scared of your big, bad guns. Go ahead, boy, and shoot. If you do, it'll bring the full force of the Brotherhood and the Lion Guard on top of yas."

"He's right, Kaleb. Let's do this up close and personal. Ready Bob?" Amalthia said as she reached to draw her longsword.

Ariyana stopped her before she could unsheathe her weapon. "It's okay, darling. No need to draw that long, nasty object."

"Ariyana, please... don't!" Jestin shouted as he tried to stop her.

Ariyana calmly moved towards the men as she began to monologue.

"I have invited my friends to brunch. And those who know me also know that I hate breaking promises. Now you all be good lads and run along," she smiled with a strangely wicked gleam in her eye.

"Well. If they are going to lunch then they'll need to have some appetizers first, starting with a salad," the big man said as he drew out his shortsword and lunged towards the sylvari.

When his blade swung down, all it met was air. But before he had time to react, a slender feminine form emerged from behind followed by unimaginable searing pain. Ariyana's dagger thrust deeply into the man's side, causing his eyes to roll back just seconds before he fell on the ground dead.

The remaining eleven men had no time to react before the sylvari's fleeting shadowy form began slashing away at their vital areas. One of the last things the skinny man saw as a dagger going into his eye socket. When it was all over, twelve bigots lay on the ground either dead or dying.

Amalthia looked at Kaleb and confessed. "You now, if I were into doing women, I would ask her to be my mate right now."

Kaleb laughed in agreement. "I would too."

"Aren't I enough for you, Kaleb?" Amalthia teased.

"Well, you made the statement. So I just had to respond in kind." He laughed.

Jestin just sat on the ground quivering in shock. "I... I had hoped she wouldn't slip back into her old ways. Damn those narrow-minded bigots for doing that to her!"

Ariyana wiped off her twin daggers using the cloth from one of the fallen goons then deftly slid them away under her pantaloons. "Aww. I'm so sorry, dear. I had a momentary relapse. People like them cause me to do that sometimes. Please forgive me."

"I do," Jestin said as he stood up and held his mate close.

"Glad to know he forgives you. But I can't say much for the Lion Guard. Lookout!" Kaleb said as he pointed towards some approaching soldiers. "If you will, dearie. Be so kind," Ariyana said to her mate who pulled out a small staff.

Within seconds, an invisibility bubble formed around them. Jestin then beckoned for everyone to head towards the alleyway at the far end of the street.

"Hurry! It will only hold for another ten seconds," he said while trying to maintain the illusion.

Mesmers. Gotta love 'em, Kaleb mused to himself as they successfully evaded capture.

The illusion fell away once they were safely on the other end of the row. Amalthia looked at her sylvari friend and said. "That was some mighty fine dagger play. Where'd you learn to do that anyway?"

Ariyana casually smiled acting as if nothing unusual had transpired. "Well. I wasn't always a fashion designer, you know. Before my beloved found me and saved me from those dreadful Nightmare Courtiers, I used to be one of their best assassins, although I am ashamed to admit it now."

"You were part of the Nightmare Court?" Kaleb queried.

The sylvari bowed and shook her head in shame. "It was a dreadful time for me. To even think I was part of that vile entity. Anyway, my beloved saved me from myself."

"How'd he do that?" Amalthia asked.

Jestin held his mate close. "I will explain the rest. She still gets very upset whenever this subject comes up."

The young man began to tell his tale of how he and some elementalists from the Pact forces came across a Nightmare Court patrol in the Brisbane Wilds. During the engagement, Ariyana managed to kill nearly every Pact member except for him.

"There I was scared out of my wits. She held those daggers just below each ear threatening to thrust them into the base of my skull. My death was only moments away when reinforcements arrived. While she was distracted, I managed to conjure an illusion to slip away. By the time she realized what happened, she was already surrounded."

He continued his tale.

"The Pact commander wanted to execute her on the spot. I, however, wanted to see her live to see her answer for her crimes. It was during our trek through the wilderness that she began to break down and confess that she really didn't want to be a part of the Court. She was chosen because of her natural ability with the blade. So by the time we reached base camp, my perception of her began to change. I no longer thought that she was an inherently evil person, err sylvari I mean. Anyway, she was just caught up in a situation where she had to adapt in order to survive."

Ariyana interjected. "Out of all my captors, he was the one who took the time to understand me for who I was. I suppose it was then that I began to fall in love with that human."

"So what about you? Did you fall in love with her?" Amalthia asked.

"It certainly wasn't love at first sight. But after talking to her awhile, my feelings for her began to grow. It was then that I decided to vouch for her character. Several weeks later, she was put on trial for her alleged crimes. Through a miracle of good fortune, I managed to convince the judiciary that she was a victim of circumstance. In the end, the court ruled in her favor. We've been together ever since," Jestin said with a smile as he held Ariyana's hand.

The sylvari smiled and asked. "Fair is fair. Please, tell us your story."

"Oh my. Where to begin," Amalthia said as she and Kaleb took turns discussing the origin of their love affair. After exchanging stories, the two couples headed on over to one of the local eateries. They arrived at a local seafood cafe and each ordered their own local dishes.

"I wonder if they will launch an investigation into that incident back there," Kaleb wondered as he dove into his plate of shrimp pasta.

"Murders happen here all the time. If I confessed, they might actually award me a medal for cleaning up the city of its filth. Sorry if the comment may come across as cruel and insensitive," Ariyana said with a sheepish look on her face. She and Jestin shared a crab legs delight with several sides of cornbread.

Amalthia laughed as she poured her mead over a fourteen-ounce bloody rare dolyak steak. "It's okay. I understand. The old ways never truly die out. Learn to embrace them, my sire always says, because you never know when they might come in handy."

Kaleb raised his glass to offer a toast. "No truer words spoken, m'dear! To the old ways... and new."

"Here, here," came the chorus.

Once they were finished with their meals, the four of them headed back to Ariyana's place of business. Kaleb looked at his outfit then at Amalthia's and realized they had lost track of their main reason for going to Lion's Arch in the first place.

"Ari. Can you possibly hit us up for some new outfits? We need ones that are durable and can survive the rigors of our profession," Kaleb commented as Amalthia nodded with a big smile in agreement.

"Why of course, darling. Once we are in the shop, I'll break out the sketchpad and we'll work out a design that is suited to you both! Oh. I have a wonderful vision in mind already."

Amalthia's ears fluttered. "Ohh. I can't wait to see your idea! Bite-resistant body armor is a must, though."

"But of course! You will never know it was even there," the sylvari said with a smile.

Kaleb interjected another idea. "Oh yeah. Our outfits must be matching, if possible. It would be nice for people to see that she and I work as a team."

"Consider it done, dearie."

Kaleb and Amalthia spent the next few hours getting their measurements taken by Ariyana and Jestin. Once the measurements were finished, Amalthia began perusing the rest of her friend's shop hoping to find some additional inspiration. She looked at a long, white dress that appeared to be made for a petite human.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Kaleb said as he wrapped his arms around Amalthia holding her close.

Even though she was a head and a half taller at full standing height than Kaleb, she lowered her heels enough so his head could comfortably rest on her shoulder. He stroked her mane and kissed the side of her neck as she purred in satisfaction.

"Um. I suppose so. What exactly is it?"

Stunned, Kaleb gave her a brief explanation of human marriage rituals and mentioned some of the traditions and customs that went along with them. Upon hearing the information, Amalthia began to smile and gave her mate an affectionate lick on the face.

"So I guess that's what I'll expect if you have to kiss me," Kaleb said with a laugh.

Ariayana overheard the conversation and chimed in. "Ohhh. Wouldn't that be special? To have the two of you join under the banner of such a sacred tradition? You keep giving me ideas, my furry horned friend."

Amalthia turned to the sylvari. "It was actually Kaleb's idea to see me in one of those."

"My dear. You would look splendid!"

"I agree with Ari. That would look really good on you, with a few alterations of course," Kaleb said as he held Amalthia's pawed hands.

In the background, Jestin looked at his new friends and smiled as he walked over and stood next to his mate.

"It is truly the dawn of a new era in Tyria when a human and a charr consider getting married to each other."

Kaleb thought to himself as he held Amalthia close, indeed it is my friend, indeed it is. (All chapters have been posted to AO3. Chapter 24 is posted here.)

#gw2 fanfic #tyrias-library #the outliers #kaleb and amalthia #human and charr #guildwars fanfiction

3 notes · View notes

fallenangelsjenniferanddani · 5 years ago

Text

~~Fallen Angels~~ Chapter 3- Crash Course in Undercover

MC: Ellie Wheeler Language, adult, I don’t own their characters. Just borrowing them for our story.

Hi! Welcome! New to our page and want the inside scoop from the authors? Click here.

Find Chapter One here- “When the FBI Comes Knocking.”

Find Chapter Two here- “Partners.”

💕 Want to follow our page so you don’t miss any new updates? Click here.

Hope you enjoy-Jenn and Dani <3 (( @jlpplays1 + @justdani14 )) :*

~~~

Bright and early the next day, I get woken up by a pounding on the door.

I sit bolt up, shocked. Fumbling for my phone I see that it’s 4:30!!! Who in the hell is knocking on my door at this time of night?!

I scramble out of bed to answer it, ready to give whoever it is a piece of my mind. Only to see that it’s Rebecca. “Oh my God! Have you lost your mind? What are you doing here so early?!” I say exasperated, trying not to yell. Let’s face it Rebecca could kick my ass. “It’s time to start training.” She says smirking. “Is it too late to change my mind about this?” I mutter mutinously. Chucking she shakes her ponytailed head before saying, “Yes.” That’s when I notice her outfit. She’s wearing running shoes, spandex leggings and a crop top. Oh no this isn’t going to be good for me is it? I gulp, great just great.

“Let me guess you want me to go running with you.” I say sighing feeling defeated.

“Yes now hurry up and get dressed. I’ll wait out here for you.” She says smiling again. What kind of a freak is this cheerful so early in the morning? What did I get myself into? I get dressed fast, muttering to myself throughout. When I’m done I meet Rebecca outside my dorm. We head out for a quiet run around campus. I’m not completely out of breath so I know my workout sessions have been paying off. I’m not one to run and chat though, so I don’t make conversation. Rebecca doesn’t seem inclined to either, so we finish our run without more then a few words.

Once finished we go back to my dorm and collect the few belongings still there. A carry on for my trip to LA and a rolling suitcase with as much clothes as I could pack. A couple boxes and my laptop are coming with me too. A lot of my belongings were mailed to my dad’s a few days ago. Only leaving the essential for wherever Rebecca and Evan are taking me.

After packing up Rebecca’s car, we head back to the apartment. The one they first took me to a couple days ago. After showering, getting ready, a quick breakfast consisting of a yogurt parfait and bagel. We make our way to the living room and wait for Evan and Logan to come back from their workout. “So what made you join the FBI.” I ask after a few minutes of silence. “I paid my dues as a rookie in LA. When the FBI came looking to recruit me, I signed up immediately. The rest is history.” She says shrugging nonchalantly. I can see that there’s more to the story but I don’t pry. If she wanted me to know, she would have told me more.

Rebecca is a bit of a mystery. Evan too but there’s something about her. She obviously confident and mindful. There’s definitely more to her though.

We’re both saved from further awkward conversation by the arrival of the guys. They’re chucking and punching each other on the arm. They greet us and grab their breakfast meeting us in the living room. They obviously showered wherever they were. Or didn’t have to go for a run at 4:30 am. “Who knows,” I think grumpily. “Alright let’s get started. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover and not a lot of time. First things first though, you need to sign your deal.” Rebecca says handing me some papers.

“Do I need a lawyer for this?” I ask looking over the paper work curiously.

“Hey! That’s what Logan said!” Evan says laughing loudly, while Rebecca laughs lightly too, before rolling her eyes.

I look up at them both before looking over at Logan. We share a brief moment, smiling at each other before I look back through the deal. It looks pretty standard. I get my demands met with the condition the case gets closed. That involves getting close to a new crew while being undercover. We need to learn more about their families, as they seem to be doing illegal trades and their businesses are shady. We need to do this by any means necessary even if that means being a part of sideshows, racing or stealing.. whatever it takes. I guess the FBI wants them bad enough to give us the okay to be able to do all of these things from right under their noses. We get a little more slack since we are getting them the information that they need to close this ongoing case against the crew and their parents. We have to make it look legit but within reason. If we gain their trust, it’s with the purpose of getting as much evidence as we can to convict them. It can't look like they are involved, for our safety and the case’s sake. So they'll offer as much help as they can without compromising our cover.

After a few minutes I take a deep breath and I sign. The feeling of walking off a cliff washes over me, there’s no turning back now.

“All right now to the next order of business, your first briefing.” Rebecca says walking towards a white board.

The same board I saw two days ago, with The Mercy Park Crew’s pictures and information. I glance to Logan, who doesn’t meet my eyes. I sigh facing Rebecca again, and watch her flip over the white board to the back. On it are pictures of three older people on it.

Police Commissioner Marcus Preston

He has salt and pepper brown hair. It also has his police record and major cases he closed or didn’t. Along with his unproven crimes due to recanting or disappearance. He hasn't gotten this far by being sloppy or stupid. There isn't enough evidence plus the police literally in his pocket, he's untouchable. I suppress a shudder thinking of my dad. Much like my father, he has someone he'd do anything to protect. His niece Chloe. Our first target.

Mayor Evelyn Harper

Who looks more like a beauty queen then a mayor. There are her unproven crimes as well. Along with the few court cases that haven’t been sealed against her. Most of them are though, and the ones that aren’t, are not much to go on. She's careful and has calculation but she has a weakness- her rebellious daughter Mason.

Business Tycoon Harrison Chip Sterling

I read the name and I freeze in my tracks. Rebecca and the others don’t notice that I tense up. They continue to explain the case to me but all I can hear is buzzing in my ears. It can’t be, it can’t. No please no. I skim over the board. There are four other pictures besides the first three. Then see him. It’s Blake. Blake’s picture is on the board. I abruptly stand and everyone turns to look at me. I feel like I’m going to pass out, I can’t breathe. I need to get out of here. I look at Logan terrified. “Ellie what is it? Are you hurt?” Evan says reaching for me. He continues to murmur softly to me but I can’t hear it. I’m still looking at Logan. Who’s watching me carefully. On instinct I run to the bathroom, and promptly vomit my breakfast. Once done, I spend some time laying on the bathroom floor trying to calm myself. Evan comes in after a few knocks. He looks at me gently. Putting a hand on my forehead, checking my temperature before saying, “I told Bec to take it easy on you. She takes training too seriously, ask Logan.” He says laughing. “It wasn’t that.” I crock out my throat feeling like sandpaper. “Then what? The flu maybe?” He says curiously, tapping his finger on his chin. “No it’s Blake Sterling, I dated him a few months back. November till February to be exact.” I whisper. “Oh..oh Ellie, I’m so sorry.” He says opening his arms to hug me. It makes me start to cry. How can this man I just meet a couple days ago feel so completely like family? I throw myself into his arms sobbing on his chest. He holds me tight murmur comforting words to me. We stay like this until I’m done crying. I start to feel embarrassed for my outburst. “I’m sorry. I’ve ruined your shirt.” I say looking down, away from him. “Hey now, there are other shirts. It’s not like it was my favorite or anything.” He says chucking lightly. “It was you favorite, wasn’t it?” I ask him. “If I say no will you believe me?” He asks. “Not anymore, no.” I murmur gauging his reaction. He busts out laughing, he has such a nice laugh. I start to laugh too and soon we’re laying on the bathroom floor consumed in laughter. Finally we hear a knock on the door and Rebecca pokes her head in. Looking at us curiously before saying, “Everything okay in here?” “We’re fine...I’m..uh, I’m ready.” I say looking at both of them, trying to find the resolve. Evan pats my shoulder and Rebecca gives me a kind smile. I get up slowly and we all walk to the living room. I gesture toward the couch before saying, “Can you please all sit down? I have something to tell you.” They obliged, with Rebecca and Logan looking at me curiously. Evan smiles at me encouragingly and I take a few deep breaths. “I know Blake Sterling already, because we dated for a few months. November of last year through February of this year. Right before I went back to racing.” I say my voice small. Rebecca looks at me surprised before she crosses the room and wraps me in a hug. Over her shoulder I search Logan’s face for anger or sadness but his expression is blank. A part of me wants to tell him I’m sorry. The words die on my lips though. I remember the pain of losing him, the struggle to move on, and my time with Blake.

The rest of the evening goes quickly and quietly. I spend most of it in a daze as Rebecca, Evan and Logan move around me. I’m only half listening to the rest of the case details or the rest of the information. Evan and Rebecca ask me multiple times how I’m feeling, if I need a break. I try to reassure them, but when dinnertime comes around I ask to be excused. I tell everyone I want to get some sleep before the flight, even though I know they won’t believe me. I try not to dwell on what Logan is thinking right now. I can’t fit anyone else’s feelings in me right now.

I lay in Rebecca’s bed for a long time. Thoughts going though my mind slowly until I fall into a fitful sleep. After what feels like minutes, Rebecca gently wakes me so we can leave for the airport. When I get up Logan is no where to be found. Curiously I feel both a sense of relief and sadness at it. As we’re loading the car, on impulse I pull Rebecca into a hug. After the initial shock, she hugs me back fiercely. We bid each other good bye and make our way to the airport.

~~~

@fallenangelsjenniferanddani

Want to meet the characters? New and old? Meet Evan Shipley ; Meet Rebecca McKenzie Keep your eyes peeled for more of Rebecca and Evan!

Click here to find a note from the authors!!

Tag List: (If you have a 💕 by your name, You’ve shown interest in being on the tag list, Thank you so much! And let us know if you want a 💕!!) x ..or if I added you by accident and this really isn’t your thing-

F @sunflowergirl05 💕

@lady-kato 💕

F @strangelycami 💕

@drakesensworld 💕

@duchess-ash-flame 💕

@romanticatheart-posts 💕

@ethan-jonah-ramsey 💕

@adrianadmirer 💕

@marshmallow-ortega 💕

F @isabella-choices 💕

F @griselda1121 💕

F @princess-of-crepes 💕

@kinda-iconic

@hyped-fangirl 💕

@galaxy-of-rosess

F @samara-rani 💕

@ruiruicchi

@flyawayboo 💕

F @andreeavelcu 💕

@lady-dianelewis 💕

@ladykateofhousebeaumont 💕

@lovemychoices 💕

F @choicesfannatalie

@avanthikachoices 💕

@choicesallaround

@client-327 💕

F @wonderwithrobin 💕

@krishu213 💕

@dr-brianna-casey-valentine

@waytooattuned 💕

@nobounderiesplease

@hopelessromantic1352

@drakewalkerfantasy

@walkerismychoice

@fluffy-marshmallow-heart 💕

@itsbrindleybinch

@darley1101 💕

F @mariaoz 💕

F @furiouscloddonutpeanut 💕

@donutsgirl36 💕

F @cora-nova 💕

@hellomynameisdevi 💕

@ccolz88-blog 💕

@choices-de 💕

F @drethanramsey 💕

@brightpinkpeppercorn 💕

F @thequeenofcronuts 💕

F @lilyofchoices 💕

@zigortega4life 💕

F @srta-give-me-my-jax-rl 💕

@eadanga 💕

@queenkaneko - RodAw

@coltsforeverdriver 💕

@cgd03 💕

@emceesynonymroll 💕

F @desiree-0816 💕

@essenceofz

@alj4890 💕

@takingcourage

#choices #choices ride or die #choices rod #choices stories you play #fallenangelsjenniferanddani #jennanddanicreate #jlpplays1 #justdani14 #playchoices #rod logan #fallen angels jlpplays1 #fallen angels justdani14 #fallen angels original story #ride or die twist of fate #fallen angels chapter 3 #crash course in undercover #crash course in undercover fallen angels chapter 3

53 notes · View notes

bryonysimcox · 5 years ago

Text

Life on the Road: Week 1, France

A week ago we had just reached French shores and stayed the night near the Belgium border. Now, over a thousand kilometres later, I look back at life on the road in Suzi the HiAce.

The days before we left England, I was filled with nerves. A weird sort of apprehension-excitement-fear combo descended on me, especially as George left me alone for a day whilst he headed up to Manchester to do a last-minute video shoot. Then, Monday morning finally came and I was so glad we were ready to leave, given that my mind had been running in circles in the days prior.

Even if we had forgotten things, not planned for certain eventualities, I was ready to go and to start our long-awaited trip.

The drive to Dover was somewhat uneventful, punctuated by a welcome visit at my Aunt’s house in Ashford, and a lovely meal, sharing stories of places travelled and frantically jotting notes down from my knowledgeable relatives about the best routes to take (and tolls to avoid!) in France. We arrived at the ferry terminal with ages to spare, an unusual departure from George and my usual tendency to leave everything to the last minute. Once on French soil, we really enjoyed taking in the surroundings of the north coast. Although an altogether flat and industrial area, Dunkirk and the neighbouring villages were peppered with characterful qualities: the ‘Gilets Jaunes’ hosting small road-side bonfires, faded signage painted on brick facades, and unusual Flemish-style housing with tiled roofs and shuttered windows. We started to search online for the history of places we saw and towns we passed through, often discovering impressive stories from both the world wars of soldiers’ resistance and the resilience of ordinary local folk. This activity of reading a place’s Wikipedia page as evening entertainment has become a bit of a habit!

(images, left to right) Exploring the streets of Dunkirk, a much-needed celebratory champagne/beer on the ferry from Dover, and me outside Suzi on our drive to Paris.

En route to Paris, we risked the tolls and experienced the aggression of French drivers when they get stuck behind a 25-year old fully-laden campervan. Tolls are something we’re generally going to avoid; whilst they save you time, we’d rather save the money and enjoy the more scenic routes. But in this instance, we got to France’s capital nice and quickly, and found free showers at the roadside services as a bonus.

The two and a half days we spent in Paris were just perfect: we kept things slow and cheap rather than trying to see and do everything.

Based on advice from other vanlifers, we opted to park up in a suburb on the outskirts of the city and catch the train each day. Despite protests from railway workers and closed train lines making headline news whilst we were there, the line we took seemed unaffected and it worked out brilliantly - we would pop up at the station outside Notre Dame, and each day take in the sights of the city by foot. Road closures left streets feeling calm and quiet, combined with the fact that the freezing cold temperatures were keeping the crowds away!

Generally, we mooched around the Quartier Latin and the student areas, centred on the Pantheon and Rue Mouffetard, the city’s oldest street. I was impressed to see sustainable, human-centred initiatives across the city, no-doubt linked to the forward-thinking stance of Paris’ mayor, Anne Hidalgo (a renowned figure in urban design circles). There were lots of bicycles, generous pedestrian spaces, electric car charging stations and even billboards announcing the city’s ‘participatory budgeting’ scheme, although the lack of green spaces and trees was apparent too.

(images, left to right) Filming in Le Jardin du Luxembourg, wandering along the Seine, and escaping from the cold in a super-cool Parisien cafe.

We were lucky enough to catch up with friends and family in Paris, which made the big city feel warm and welcoming.

On the first night, a girl who I had met back in Sydney when we both volunteered at a not-for-profit restaurant met up with us and showed us the local’s perspective into the best inner-city spots for wandering and socialising. On Thursday, what began as George randomly spotting that an old bandmate of his was also in Paris, resulted in a couple of beers that evening with him and his girlfriend. And the next day, we were able to see one of my cousins, along with his wife and newborn baby, in their apartment in the 11th arrondissement. These encounters were so enjoyable, and were a powerful reminder that it will be the people we see and spend time with along this trip that define it.

Sad to leave but ready for the next step, we left Paris in the knowledge that life admin was on the cards. We wanted to get a gas refill for our spare gas bottle so that when we run out on our first tank in some middle-of-nowhere location, we don’t have to eat cold spaghetti! After a few delightful days of being tourists in Paris, including filming our first episode of ‘Place Portraits’ about film photography through our documentary channel Broaden, spending a tireless day looking for the right gas refill felt like a fall from grace.

We quickly learned that all the little things like gas, electricity and water can take up a lot of time when you’re living in a van and you’re in a foreign country.

Eventually laden with a new (albeit pricey) bottle of gas, we headed out towards the countryside to find somewhere to stay for the night. We didn’t get that far, and stopped in the town of Fontainbleu - renowned for its historic connections to French royalty (also worth checking out the Wikipedia page). We found our parking spot through the fantastic app ‘Park4Night’, and this location reaffirmed just how awesome the app can be, as it led us to a space literally outside the gates to Fontainbleu Castle!

(images, left to right) A morning run around Fontainbleu Castle, a very excitable me after said run, and our epic camping spot outside the castle gates.

One of mine and George’s priorities has been to squeeze in exercise along the journey. Staying active is not only important to the two of us, but essential when you’re often sitting still in a van for long distances. The only thing getting in the way of doing lots of exercise is the fact that we don’t have a shower (though we’re looking into a small one with submersible pump and would love recommendations from folks who have used them before). Nonetheless, we did a 5K run around the eery castle grounds at Fontainbleu, and I’ve tailored a workout with the NikeTraining app that I can just about do lying in the van. As for the washing situation, well it’s either boiling a kettle and doing a face-cloth shower, or heading to public swimming pools (as we did in Lyon) and making use of the facilities whilst squeezing a swim in as well.

With dreams of snow, we spent two days headed south-east, through Lyon, towards the Alps. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a bit of a half-baked plan and we eventually decided to give up on the idea.

We had gotten quite close to the Alps before we decided it wasn’t worth it. We’d been tracking slower than expected, and had generally realised that Suzi can’t just whizz up hilly roads as we’d like. Given that we also had no plans to ski (and were just headed there for the views and hikes), it felt like a huge commitment for not all that much reward. It was a frustrating decision, but a good first experience in the reality of trip-planning and timing.

Almost a week in, and it felt like we’d hit our first slump: giving up on the Alps and generally being aware that Suzi is an old van with a somewhat unreliable engine. Although we’ve had no issues with her so far, other than underwhelming fuel efficiency, George is conscious that we may have worn piston rings. The piston rings are something that could cause us issues in the future, so we’re closely monitoring them for now and on the look-out for a reliable garage in South France/Spain that may be able to have a look at them and give us an idea of what repairs may cost.

(images, left to right) Emptying the wastewater tank and filling up on fresh water at an ‘Aire du Camping-Car’, stocking up on much-needed bread and cheese, and editing footage inside the van in true hot-desking style!

Changing the plan and re-diverting west turned out to be a real positive. We ventured along some alpine roads through the stunning scenery of the Parc Natural Regional Livradois-Forez and ended the first week on a high - parked up in the middle of nowhere safe and sound in the van.

That evening, we ate fresh baguette with local cheese and snuggled under our blanket watching a BBC crime drama. With no other sign of life in sight, we finally felt free - next to a stream in a misty forest, accompanied by the soundtrack of light rain. It wasn’t the most stunning place, the most famous or the most extreme, but it was just right.

#traveldiaries #SuzitheVan #ToyotaHiace #OverlandAdventures #DigitalNomads #BryonyandGeorge #vanlife #hiacevan #lifethroughalens #vanliving #consciouscommunity

1 note · View note

julietookoff · 5 years ago

Text

Las Vegas, New Mexico

After we left Arlington, we stayed in Amarillo a few days to eat at the Big Texan. They were very busy on Friday and Sunday - we were seated upstairs both days. Saturday I went on a quick county run and added 8 counties to my Texas map! I visited a lot of cemeteries - in one I found a meth addict's drug bag!

We got the RV to the KOA in Las Vegas NM then all went back to Arlington to retrieve the van. Corny got us a dog-friendly hotel for two nights. Piggie gave us a scare. She was fine during the Jeep ride, but when we got to the hotel she seemed to freeze. I found out it was Tonic Immobility (TI) - "an innate fear response characterized by a temporary state of profound and reversible motor inhibition." I brought her over to the bed in the morning and set her down next to me. She came around and started exploring. Whew.

I stayed to get some Virtuals, a ladder cache and lunch at Six Flags. Corny and the fur babies got the van and went back to Las Vegas. On my way back with the Jeep, I geocached in Denton, got a bunch of Virtuals, a WebCam, and the State Star in Oklahoma, adding a whopping 24 counties to my map. I made a beeline home when I found out Poco was howling like a coyote for me!

OK State Capitol

OKC Bombing Memorial>

Yes, there are two Las Vegases. This little one is much more boring than the real one, but much cooler in the summer at around 6500 feet elevation. Downtown are over 900 buildings on the Historical Registry. We met the mayor our first day in town; she was babysitting the Visitor Center. Lots of movies and TV shows are filmed here - the most famous being Easy Rider and Red Dawn. Here's a good website: http://lasvegasnm.org/filmed_in_las_vegas_new_mexico/

One day we went downtown and I found a geocache at the Plaza Hotel. We checked out the gift shop and continued exploring up and down the street and the park for about another 30-45 minutes. I got in the Jeep and said "Where's my purse???" I had left it on the sofa in the hotel lobby! Luckily an honest person found it!!! It has been decades since I've ever forgotten my purse somewhere.

There are only a dozen or so geocaches nearby. There is a little Wal-Mart - we went to Santa Fe (50-60 miles west) for Panda, Five Guys and Sam's Club. Las Vegas has just the basic fast food chains. There are a few other local restaurants. We tried The Skillet, Blake's Lotaburger and Charlie's. Charlie's has ginormous cream puffs, donuts, key lime pie and all sorts of yummy homemade-tasting things. When we ate at The Skillet, I commented how good the tortillas were. As we were leaving, an employee came in carrying a big bag of tortillas from Charlie's!

We had a pretty view of the mountains and a Quanset hut at the KOA. We had low water pressure but the wi-fi was excellent. Corny had to replace the 8-year old shower faucet. I couldn't get Dr. Phil so I rarely watched tv. Survivor started two weeks before we moved to the real Las Vegas, so I had to wait and binge-watch three episodes in one day. We took short walks with the dogs because somebody always seemed to get a sandspur stuck in their paw. Ruffles' hairy paws are like Velcro. They call them grass spurs here! We had some growing right under our RV. The staff here is super friendly and one spent 8 hours plucking sandspurs from the big front lawn.

As planned, Corny took a van trip through the real Las Vegas and Salt Lake City up to a campground in Vancouver, enjoying buffets and DDDs along the way. He went on a Boeing tour in Seattle. He went to a "Legends of Tomorrow" filming location and met several of the actors. He also entertained himself by visiting The Chinese Garden, Stave Falls hydroelectric power plant, Lynn Canyon Park, the Police Museum, Brandywine Falls, Shannon Falls, and Porteau Cove. He got a call from his Florida doctor while he was away, so he had a short visit, a short stay at home, then headed to Florida in the van again for more tests.

^Shannon Falls

Before Corny left for Florida, I was able to make a county run around central NM and a bit of TX. I stayed in Roswell two nights and Albuquerque two nights. Here's what I wrote to Shorty about my favorite part, at the Alien Head geo-art on BLM land about 10 miles NE of Roswell: I stomped around in the desert in my snake boots and didn't see any snakes! I was on a fun bouncy Jeep trail (the kind you've got to unstrap the seatbelt to avoid injury) and stopped to look at the view of the valley - awesome! While I was stopped a big low-flying eagle went by. Then a little coyote ran across the trail about 200 feet ahead of me. Then about 20 pronghorns followed him! I was overjoyed! I also saw lots of curious cows with calves.

Billy the Kid’s tombstone is locked up.

Panda Express in Santa Fe was a big deal. In Albuquerque, I found a Del Taco!!! I hadn't had it in years, and being so deprived in the little town, it was heavenly. I wanted more the next day, but was on my way home. Corny was already packed and left the night I came home. He didn't want to go to Florida. He had his tests and didn't leave the van for three long days because he had a catheter.

The dogs and I made a county run to northern NM. When Corny got back, I made a southern NM run. The Jeep got a workout going up, down, and around the mountains of Gila National Forest. I got home around midnight.

The next day we gladly packed up the Anchor and drove six hours toward the REAL Las Vegas. We overnighted at a casino parking lot. We got "home" Sunday and ate at an In & Out. Corny left Monday around midnight to retrieve the van. When he got back, the first thing we did was hit the Sam's Town Casino buffet. The second thing we did was sign up for Cox Internet ($52/month). We plan to be here about six months, Lord Willing and weather permitting.

Life is Godd! We fit out.

0 notes

fallen029 · 7 years ago

Text

Accidents and Incidents.4: Company

Previous Chapter

Over the next two days, Laxus spent most of his time working on learning to get accustomed to his new life. He worked on learning how to get into his chair by himself (it wasn't going great), putting all his clothes on alone (pants were tricky), and getting along with Mirajane (the worst of them all).

If he was going to be completely honest, things weren't terrible. They just weren't…right. Or normal. Or something that he wanted to do. They could go for hours with her hanging around the apartment, picking up or cooking for him, as he put together jigsaws and watched movies, neither ever having a problem. Then something small, like having to ask for her help in the bathroom or just a passing thought about what transpired to get him in his current predicament, and Laxus would be lost for hours.

Things just weren't fair. That was his main complaint. They weren't fair at all. How was it that he, the strongest mage to ever live (his words) was now wheelchair bound and stuck with ditzy Mirajane as his only friend?

"Awe, Laxus," Mirajane squealed the first time he growled that aloud. "You think of us as friends?"

"I think you're missing the point."

When didn't she?

All in all though, things were going alright. Mirajane made him some great meals, he would admit. Not to mention, she did give him some form of entertainment. The woman was so dense that even the least complex things stumped her.

"I just don't get why the water hasn't started boiling yet, dragon."

"Did you check to see if you turned on the burner?"

"Of course I did, Laxus. I mean- Oh. Good thinking."

She killed him. Seriously, she did. Even when he was ranting and raving about how unjust the whole thing was and about how he was a savior. A freaking savoir. To everyone. But now he was stuck in a chair for the rest of forever?

Mirajane would only giggle though and tell him, "You're a savior, Laxus?"

"Shut up, Mira."

"Laxus the savior."

"I said to shut up."

"A man of the people."

"You're about to get it."

"How are you not a mayor of somewhere yet? I mean honestly?"

"I hate you."

But he didn't. And he couldn't. He tried. Really, he did. She was so annoying. From the way that she hummed to her positive attitude to even the fact that she insisted on transforming into other guild members at times, to keep him company (she was kooky), Mirajane Strauss was just purely obnoxious. No two ways about it.

Still, it was just impossible for Laxus to not, at the very least, enjoy having her around. She was so bubbly. Which, true, was bad quality at times, but it did keep him upbeat. He had a feeling that if he was with any other guild member that he might have just slipped down into a depression or something.

That alone was a lot to be thankful for. Mirajane kept him busy. Constantly. There wasn't a dull moment. She always had something to say or something to do. And, even though he could tell that jigsaws weren't her thing, she did suffer through working on one with him for awhile. She wasn't much help, but she didn't screw anything up at least.

Honestly, there wasn't much else he could ask of her.

Well, exact maybe to be some nurse that was willing to get him sponge baths and sleep with him whenever he wanted.

Next to that though, the demon was near perfect.

Err, not exactly. What? No. Not perfect. She was just messing with his mind.

Was this Stockholm syndrome?

Ugh.

"You know, Lax," she said on the morning of the fourth day as she made his bed as he sat in his wheelchair, overseeing. "You've hardly left the apartment since we got here."

He hadn't left, really, except once when he wheeled out there with Mirajane to take the trash out to the dumpster. It had been horrible and he swore that there were people gawking at him (though Mirajane didn't see anyone around to begin with) and he vowed to never do it again.

"What's out there for me?" he grumbled. "Huh?"

"Well, I don't know. I just don't want you to get pale, really."

Pale?

"Or pasty. I get pasty if I don't get enough sun."

Pasty?

"And there's nutrients, isn't there, that you get from sunshine?"

Nutrients?

"Where exactly do we need to go, huh?" He was wheeling over to her then, a frown etched on his face. "For me to not get pasty or pale or lack nutrients?"

"Just out," she told him with slight shrug. "You wanna go for a walk around the block? Or ooh, instead of making you breakfast, we can go out to-"

"No. I told you. I can't eat out. Someone might see me and-"

"Oh, Laxus, honestly," she huffed. "You're going to have to get over this, you know. No one's going to look at you differently. What? Do you look at people in wheelchairs differently?"

"Of course not," he growled. "I'm not some sort of insensitive, ignorant-"

"Then why would you think that others are-"

"Because other people are ignorant!"

Rolling her eyes as she finished with the bed, Mirajane looked back at him. "Is it that you're afraid of what other people with think of you, Laxus? Or is that you're afraid that they might think the same things that you do about yourself?"

That got her a glare. "I'll have you know that I am just as awesome as I've ever been."

"Okay, well, if you're so awesome, then why do you care if others might think that you're not, huh?"

"I don't."

"Oh, whatever." Exasperated then, Mirajane turned to full face him. "You know as well as I do that you can't stay cooped up in here forever."

"Oh, trust me, demon, I can."

"Laxus-"

"I don't want to go out to eat. Alright? Got it?"

Mira only stared at him for a moment before, slowly, nodding. "Alright. Fine. We won't."

'Thank you."

"Then what do you want to do, Laxus?"

Wheeling out of the room then, he said, "A walk around the block would be fine. It's what? Early enough that there's probably no one around? Good. Let's go. Chop, chop, Mirajane."

Ugh. Mirajane might be near perfection as a caretaker, but Laxus was lacking in a numerous ways as a patient.

"Let me get my shoes, Laxus."

"Well, hurry it up!"

"I need to put yours on too, silly."

"Then hurry twice as much!"

"You're really cute, you know that?"

"Shuddup. And hurry up!"

Yeah, he was definitely lacking and flawed, but at least he made things fun.

On their walk, Laxus refused to let Mirajane push his wheelchair for him.

"It makes me look weak," he grumbled. "I am not weak."

"Okay," she sighed. "I just don't want you to tire yourself out."

"Weak people tire themselves out. Which I am not."

"Calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down, woman. What do I look like? A woman?"

Mira only sighed, walking slowly along beside him. As they left the apartment building, she was glad to see that there wasn't anyone around in their immediate area. Maybe he could stay out for ten minutes or so, see no one, and be fine for the day.

She sure hoped so.

"You know," she said softly as they went along. "You never have told me how this all happened. About the job or-"

"And you know," he grumbled, "that you start a lot of sentences with you know."

She blinked. "Do I?"

"Yeah, demon. You do."

"Awe. You called me-"

"Stop saying awe to me!"

"We just get along so great. And for you to be so adverse to the idea before-"

"Yes, yes, I get it. You and I get along. Can we stop bringing it up?"

Nope.

"You know what we need, Laxus? To commemorate our friendship?"

"That's a heavy word to call a loose thing."

"A cake!"

Well, maybe they could commemorate something at least. Maybe not friendship, but moving in together (temporarily). Or something. Just something for some cake.

"That sounds alright," Laxus said slowly as they came to the street corner. Man, pushing himself around was actually a damn good workout for his arms. "I like chocolate."

"Do you want me to go out and buy one? Or would you rather I bake one?"

Glancing up at her, he asked, "Would you wanna make me a cake?"

"Mmmhmm. I love baking! Almost as much as cooking."

"Yeah, but you already cook every day for me practically."

"Why, dragon," she teased with a grin as she stopped with him. "Don't tell me you're finally learning empathy?"

Glaring, he took to rolling off again.

Damn woman.

When they got back to the apartment, Mirajane figured that Laxus would want to rest a bit and left him to it, heading out alone to pick up the ingredients for the promised dessert. Upon her return, she found him doing anything but.

"Ooh," she giggled at the sight of him doing a set of reps with his dumbbells. "You look so concentrated."

He did too. His face was all scrunched up and he was sweating, staring straight ahead as he didn't even glance her way. Laxus didn't even speak to her. Just focused on his weightlifting.

"I got all the stuff, Lax." Mirajane didn't need someone to talk back to her to hold a conversation. Not at all. "So I'll start on it now, okay? It's kinda silly, but I almost forgot to buy a cake pan. Wouldn't I have been embarrassed then? Although, I suppose I could have just gone right back out and got one. After all, what else do I have to do all day? Watch you do puzzles and workout? Not that I'm bored or anything, staying here with you. No way. It's just that sometimes I feel underutilized. Not that you're not stimulating! No way! But-"

"Would you," she heard him growl, "shut the hell up?"

"L-Laxus-"

"I am in the middle of somethin', woman. Sheesh. Are you that inept?"

"You don't have to be rude," she huffed.

No. He didn't. But he wanted to be. Nothing else seemed to work well on the woman.

And it did too then. For a good hour or two, Mirajane and Laxus had nothing to do with one another. She was able to bake and eventually frost her cake as he completed an intense workout and a bit of his jigsaw.

"Okay, so are you ready for cake?" Mira finally asked after awhile. Not waiting for an answer, she asked, "Big piece or little-"

"I want a shower." He'd been waiting forever to ask her as he'd refused, inwardly at least, to be the first one to speak to the other. Now that she'd broken the terse silence, well, he could get his shower underway. "Now."

"Oh." Mirajane was in the kitchen doing something and went to wipe her hands first. "Uh, just let me get you a towel and some stuff to change into afterwards, huh? Ooh, that reminds me, I gotta do some laundry later-"

"Can we just do tasks quietly now?" And since he'd been so uncouth before, he added, "Please?"

The shower was still a little tricky. Laxus and Mirajane were both felt rather awkward about it, but what could be done? He still bellyached when she turned into Elfman to lift him though.

It also still made Mirajane giggle.

Hehe.

After his shower, Laxus did eat some of his cake and, through a grumble, he got out to Mirajane, "It's pretty good."

"Oh, I know."

He blinked at that. Then frowned. "Have you not heard of modesty, woman?"

"Says that man that flashed me that first day."

Growling, he said, "I fell trying to go to the bathroom!"

"Yeah, sure."

Ugh.

"You know," he began, in an attempt to regain the upper hand in the conversation. "You could just make us even. Give me a flash."

Mirajane didn't even blink. Just stabbed at her piece of cake before saying, "And do you know that you say you know too much. You know?"

Growling, he said, "If anything, I caught it from you! You're infectious!"

"Well I wish you'd catch something else from me," she mumbled. "Like my winning attitude or charismatic way of raising people's spirits."

"Yeah, I don't know how I ever missed your ego," Laxus remarked. "I mean, I knew it was there when we were kids, but this is unbelievable. What? Do you just hide it under your usual fluff? And now I've spent too much time around you and it's coming out? Is that it?"

Mirajane only giggled. "I don't know what you mean, dragon."

"Yeah, well, I do. You're self-image is insanely wonky."

"Again, coming from a man who frequently has referred to himself as the Thunder God these past few days-"

"I don't usually do that, you know," he complained. "I'm just going through stuff right now."

"Awe. Poor dragon."

"Shut up."

"You're going through stuff."

"I said to shut up."

"You're so deep, Lax."

"I mean it, Mirajane."

"Tell me all your inner feelings."

"Damn it, I-"

"You're just a walking drama-"

"I hate you."

Stupid woman.

Mirajane could tell too that she'd bothered Laxus once more. They were just having an off day, she figured. They couldn't all go without a hitch, after all. It wasn't like they were close friends or anything. As much as she hated it, they were extremely different and, recently, had very little interaction with one another. It only made sense that, after being locked up with one another for a few days, they'd start to break.

Especially considering they weren't so great together to begin with…

Laxus spent the afternoon watching movies on the lacrima in the bedroom while Mirajane practiced her guitar and looked over a few novels she brought with her. Honestly she was starting to get a bit lonely. Though she had Laxus for company, he wasn't the best at the job. He didn't like gossiping, for one, which was just shattering to her. What was she supposed to do if not talk about who she thought should pair with whom? It was one of her favorite subjects!

She tried to talk about it the night before, over dinner with him, thinking that if she made it worth his while he'd be into it.

"You know who I think you would make a great couple with?" she had prodded. He only stared over at her blankly. "Cana!"

That got a few blinks. Then a sigh.

"No, really, Lax. You should look into that."

"What," he grumbled, "would make you think that her and I-"

"You both get along," she said. "She's pretty dang cute-"

"Cute." That was dry. "Cana's cute."

"Well, whatever word you want to use." Mira blushed. "Not cute, no, but…attractive. There. You like that one?"

Grunt.

"And the two of you can share beers and listen to music together and-"

"I assure you, Mirajane, that neither Cana nor I need your help in-"

"Or ooh, Erza."

"Come again?"

"You and Erza. I see it now. You guys could-"

"No."

"But-"

"No."

"Lucy then?" Mira was insistent. "You could have these little golden haired babies that-"

"I," he growled, "ain't tryin' to have no babies. Ever. So you can get the hell over that one."

"I could babysit."

"Mira."

"Or I know!"

"I'm convinced you don't know crap."

"Ever. You and Ever could-"

"I thought that was your brother's hang up? And what about Natsu? And Jellal? And Bacchus? I mean, that's all you've blabbed about this entire week. About how great Natsu is for Lucy or Erza and Jellal belong together and that Cana and Bacchus are the best drinking pals. You forget that?"

"Laxus, you should know now, I can figure out how to put anyone with anyone."

"Yeah," he'd grumbled. "I'm startin' to see that."

"Or I know! You and-"

"Do I have to muzzle you?"

Needless to say, he'd shut down every other attempt she'd had at that conversation.

Which sucked. How great would it be to bring Laxus back to the guild, all in love with one of the women, so that she could say that it was her handy work? Even if it did break up one of her other perfect imagined couples, so be it. Laxus wasn't exactly a catch, but he did have some good qualities. And if she could just mold him for one of the other women (she still hadn't decided on which one), they'd be forever in her debt. Not to mention she'd have immense bragging rights over it.

If he would only cooperate…

After dinner, Laxus announced to her that they'd be watching a movie together.

"What? Laxus, no. You've watched movies all day."

"So?" He pointed at her. "You've ready your stupid books all day."

"Surely you see the difference."

"Surely I do not."

Heh.

So, after some more convincing, Laxus got Mirajane to help him sit on the couch (his chair wasn't nearly as comfortable) and drag his jigsaw table over to in front of it so that they could set the lacrima up on it and settle in for the movie.

"Why do we have to watch one together?" she complained as she settled into the couch as well.

"Shhh."

"Laxus-"

"Look, it's just more fun to watch with someone else."

"Mr. Solitude wants company?"

"Shut up, Mira. Besides, it's one of my favorite movies. Doesn't everyone like showing those to other people?"

Sigh.

Mirajane had neglected to ask him at any point what the movie was about. And, if she had, she'd immediately requested a new one. As if there was one thing that Mirajane didn't do, it was horror movies. It became increasingly more clear though as it went on though that that was exactly what they were watching.

"Laxus," she complained.

"What?"

"I don't want to watch this! I-"

"Mira, shut up. You're the one that brought it."

It must have been Elf's or something because she sure as heck wasn't the one that owned it.

And wasn't it just horrible? Terrifying. Mira wanted someone's arm to bury her face in, but Laxus was out of the question and, well, he was the only one around. It was gory and full of death and then the evil wasn't even vanquished in the end.

Two hours of pure hell.

Then, afterwards, Laxus only yawned before nodding at her.

"Well?"

"W-Well what?" Mirajane was still trying to process what she'd seen.

"Help me into my chair," he grumbled. "I'm ready for bed."

They were getting better about getting him in and out of bed, but that only served as a determent to Mirajane that night. Because after she had him tucked away in his bedroom, well, she was left with the big bad living room all alone.

She tried to read for awhile, leaving the light on, but it didn't help much. All the shadows were playing tricks on her mind. Eventually she set the couch up into the bed before diving into it.

But the darkness was no better. There could be anything lurking in it. And she was all alone in a far off town with a man that, though wicked strong, couldn't even get out of bed without her help. So he couldn't come to her aid if that movie monster came to attack her. It would devour her and then what? Huh? Just pure, immense pain. That's what.

She only braved it out there for another twenty minutes before jumping up from bed and going to Laxus' bedroom door.

"Lax?" she whispered. "Are you awake?"

Nope. Because Laxus was a grown ass man and realized horror movies were just that.

Movies.

Ugh. Mirajane.

"Laxus?" She went to his side. "Hey, Laxus, are you-"

"What?" He bolted up then, in the darkness, startling her. She might have even screamed. "What's going on? What are you-"

"I'm gonna sleep down here, alright?"

"What?" He was rubbing at his eyes and, without thinking, tried to get out of bed.

It was, of course, in vain.

"Mirajane-"

"I just wanted you to know," she said as she laid the pillow she'd brought with her on the ground before moving to lay down on it. "So-"

"Why are you in my room? What's wrong with you?" His mind was catching up then. He wasn't in danger. Mirajane was just being stupid again. "Huh? Are you hurt or-"

"No. I…I'm just sleeping down here."

"What? What's going on? Just tell me-"

"I'm afraid that the monster's going to get me!"

He blinked. Then he frowned. "What?"

"From the movie," she explained with a blush. "I-"

"Mira…"

"Yes?"

"You're a fucking demon, you idiot," he growled. "Why the hell would you be afraid of some damn monster? I mean, even if it was real-"

"I told you I didn't want to watch it."

More growls. Then, laying back down, he said, "Whatever. Just…shut up."

There was a good ten minutes there, with Mirajane down on the floor, where they just laid in silence.

Then, "Lax?"

"Mira, go to sleep."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"��Are you mad at me?"

"What is wrong with you, woman? Huh? You have, literally, the worst personality in the history of the world."

"So you are mad at me."

Huffing loudly, he said, "No, Mira. I'm not. But it's the middle of the night, you're acting stupid, and I'm pretty sure it's just so we can spend more time together-"

"Spend more- You think I'm in here because I want to be around you?"

"Uh, yeah." It made sense to him. "You know as well as I do that you can't go without human contact for more than ten minutes. You're feeling deprived. That's fine. Whatever. Just shut up."

It was tit for tat almost. Blow for blow. Mira would offend or piss him off and then, when they were finally back to normal, he'd get his revenge and do the same to her.

Almost tiring, really.

"If that's how you feel, fine. You big jerk."

"Mira," he groaned as she got up to head out of the room. "Just… You're not a fucking dog."

That got her to stop. "Now I'm lost. What-"

"Sleeping on the floor," he mumbled. "While I'm up here on this bed. It's big enough for the two of us. If you're really…scared, or whatever you are, then come lay up here with me."

"Laxus-"

"Mira, I can't even get the hell out of bed. What? You think I'm gonna ravage you the second you lay down or somethin'?"

"I don't-"

"Whatever. Leave then. Don't expect me to be so kind again."

It took a pause, but slowly, Mirajane came to lay down in bed. Only, it was the opposite way as him.

Laxus only blinked up at the ceiling.

"Are we in grade school?" he asked. "Sleeping head to feet?"

"Oh, shush."

"Well, have fun smelling my feet," he quipped. "Hope the smell drives the monsters away. I mean-"

"What? Do you want me to lay up there with you?"

"It'd be less awkward than this, yeah," he grumbled. "We're both adults. Two adults can share a bed without groping one another. I mean, unless you got something to tell me, Mira-"

"If it's the big of a deal-"

"It's not. I don't care. I just said that you could sleep this way if you-"

"I'll do it."

"You're not doing it as a favor to me! I'm doing one for you by letting you sleep in here."

'You big baby."

"Stop acting like I'm the one that wants to share a bed. You're the one that came in here-"

"To sleep on the floor. You though-"

"Just pick a damn spot and stay in it! Dang. I don't care. I just want to go to sleep! Alright?"

"Sheesh, Lax," she mumbled as she crawled up the bed to lay with her head up there with his. "Aren't you a grouch when you stay up past your bedtime?"

He wanted to smack her. Really, he did. Instead, he only shut his eyes once more.

"Just," he grumbled, "go to sleep."

But that was impossible for both of them by then. They were too worked up. And, when Laxus glanced over at her, he found that Mira was laying on her back, eyes just as open as his.

"Are you really that scared of a stupid movie?"

"I don't know," she sighed softly, not glancing over at him. "Maybe…I did kinda come in here for you too."

"Why, demon. If you wanted to get me in bed-"

"Not like that." She was shifting away from him, even though he'd only been teasing. "I just meant…this is sorta the least amount of time I've ever spent without human contact."

"The hell am I? If I'm not human?"

"You're a god, remember?"

"Shuddup."

"I'm lonely," she admitted. "This has been a stressful past few days."

"For who? You?"

"Well, yeah. I-"

"What about me, woman? Huh? I'm the one that can't walk."

He had a point…

"I know," she said softly. "And that hurts me. A lot."

Snort.

"It does, Laxus. I'm sad for you. I just wish that there was some other outcome-"

"I told you," he grumbled, "that this is all just temporary."

"And I believe you, but-"

"There are no buts."

"But there are," she insisted. "You haven't told me anything about-"

"It's none of your business."

Shaking her head slightly, she said, "I just meant that…I've always seen you as so strong. Even when I was mad at you or you weren't being beneficial to the guild-"

"The woman that's afraid of monsters knows the word beneficial?"

"-I just always saw you as this powerhouse. And you were. You-"

"Are."

"Huh?"

"Are," he grumbled.

"You are what?"

"A powerhouse," he hissed. "Even if I stayed in this chair forever, I still would be. And don't fucking forget it."

That fell between them then as Mirajane shifted on the bed, though it was to give him her back. He thought that it had been the end of the conversation, but just like that, she was speaking again.

"If that's true-"

"It is."

"-then what are you so afraid of? Huh?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You won't let anyone see you," she whispered. "Not even your own guild mates. What do you think, Laxus? That people are going to look at you and just discredit you? Huh? Because they're not. Not anyone that knows you. It wouldn't matter if you were completely paralyzed. You're still one of the strongest mages around."

"The strongest."

"Oh, Laxus."

"It's true."

Rolling her eyes, she said, "Then why won't you just-"

"I don't know, alright?" And there was a catch in his voice, if only slightly. "I don't. I don't know why I can't go home or tell Gramps or the others. I just…I can't. I can't go back home this way. I won't go back home this way. And if you can't just accept that-"

"Alright."

"Alright?"

Letting out a soft breath, Mirajane told him, "I didn't want anyone to see me either. At first. Back when I lost Lisanna."

"Mira," he sighed, knowing where she was going. "You don't have to-"

"It's okay. I mean, what? I got her back. It doesn't hurt the same way anymore." Giggling slightly, she said, "I used to be so afraid, at first, when I couldn't go into my takeover anymore. When even the thought of it could cause me to tremble. I…I thought I was weak. I was weak."

"No, Mira, you-"

"But I was," she insisted. "I was weak by everyone else's standard, at least. So I found a new strength. I reinvented what I thought strength was. I didn't have to know magic to be strong anymore. I was strong in my guild. In my friends. In my brother.

"And you don't have to be some imposing figure, Laxus. You don't have to strike fear in someone just from them taking in how you stand or your dark gaze. You can be tough from a wheelchair. I mean, I saw you. Remember? Doing all those reps. That workout. That's not something a weak man can do. You're strong. And no one could possibly doubt that. Not even for a moment."

Laxus only laid there, thinking. Then, with a grunt, he said, "Yeah, well, it don't matter anyhow. This is just temporary, remember? I'll get all healed up and go back just the way I was meant to. And not a moment before. You found strength where you needed it. That's fine. But my strength didn't go nowhere. And they'll all see that when I walk back into the guildhall. You just wait."

Mirajane sure hoped so. But every time that word, temporary, came up, it sounded less and less definite.

"Now go to sleep," he grumbled after that. "You got my laundry to do in the morning. Or did you forget?"

No. And she also couldn't forget that she was sharing a bed with Laxus Dreyar. And through her own doing.

Sigh. It would be a long night.

She must have slept for a good three hours there before she woke up again. And, when she did, she found that she'd managed to roll over and face Laxus in her sleep.

He was just laying there, head on it's side, staring back at her.

It was kinda creepy…

Blinking in the dark, she whispered, "Can't sleep?"

"I have to go to the bathroom."

"Oh."

"Uh, Mira?"

"Hmmm?" She'd shut her eyes again.

"You kinda have to help me with that."

Oh. Right.

When that was all said and done, Laxus started back in for his bedroom and, after helping him get in it, Mirajane headed out of the room.

"Where are you going?"

"Huh?" She was half asleep still. "To bed."

"You were sleeping in here. Remember?"

"Mmmm. That was 'fore."

"Before what?"

"I's so sleepy," she giggled. "I can go in there and pass right out now. So-"

"That's fine. I mean…more bed for me, right?"

"Mmmhmm."

"I don't want you in here anyways. So just go. Goodnight. Sorry to bother you. I'll see you in-"

"Lax?"

"What?"

"You're lonely too, aren't you?"

Snort. "No. I-"

"Who do you want me to be?" She came back over to his bed then before falling into it, on the other half. "Freed? Ever? Or Bickslow?"

"What?"

"Tomorrow," she whispered as she snuggled up under the blanket, eyes closing. She felt as if she was dreaming already. "To keep you company?"

He only sighed. "I think you'll be just fine, demon."

"Mmmm." And, because she would never be too asleep for something like it, she said, "Or would you want me to be Cana or Lucy or-"

"Okay, you can go back into the living room now."

"Dragon."

"You annoying woman."

But even he couldn't deny the grin that was spreading his face.

And he wasn't sure if he wanted to.

So we're definitely going to ten now. At least.

Next Chapter

Fanfic

Archive

#Miraxus #Mira #Mirajane #Mira Strauss #Mirajane Strauss #Laxus #Laxus Dreyar #Fairy Tail #Fanfiction #4 of ?

7 notes · View notes

lebilliam · 7 years ago

Text

Hey sirmcartney asked me to do this

I’d rather be doing this over my school ish anyways :’)

Ask me some questions!

3 Fears: Ghosts :((( , fat insects , failing stuff

3 things I love: i fukin love talking to my friends and hanging out , listening to music that i havent heard in forever, and that post workout glow

2 turns on: i can send them memes :) , i can laugh and not give a heck with them

2 turns off: i cant send them memes :( , being mean to me (im sensitive af)

My best friend: zoo wee this is a hard one but id prob say logan or brian or adam or morgan or alex. take ur pick. (morgan and logan tbh)

Sexual orientation: str8

How tall am I: 5′9″ according to my ID

What do I miss right now: intimacy

Favourite color: orange!!!!!

Do I have a crush: ;)

Favourite place: currently ive been digging the imagination room

What am I listening to right now: affection // Cigarettes After Sex

Shoe size: it varies on the brand but normally 9.5 or 10? idk im bad

Eye color: brown

Hair color: black

Meaning behind my URL: its bc i wanted a recognizable alias that i could use across platforms

Favourite song: i always say liztomania by phoenix

Favourite band: Maroon 5 fanboy here but ive been a fan of Cigarettes after Sex for a while now

How I feel right now: STRESSED and ANGERY

Someone I love: myself (kinda)

My current relationship status:

My relationship with my parents: we dont really talk that much but good i think?

Favourite season: oof i like the heat but im gonna say winter bc i get to be emo and i can go walk on fresh snow

Tattoos and piercing i have: none atm

Tattoos and piercing i want: hmmm idk if i want anything big but i always thought the track shoe/wing thing would be nice

The reasons I joined Tumblr: all my friends had it so i thought i would be cool if i made one

Do I ever get “good morning” or “good night ” texts?: i have gotten some before and i appreciate them

Have I ever kissed the last person you texted?: the last person i texted? surprisingly no

How long does it take me to get ready in the morning?: depends if i shower but i can get going in ~4-5 minutes

Have you shaved your legs in the past three days?: nope!

Where am I right now?: imagination room!

Do I like my music loud or at a reasonable level? hell yea who doesnt

Do I live with my Mom and Dad? not atm im chillin #dormlife

Am I excited for anything?: excited for the weekend

Do I have someone of the opposite sex I can tell everything to? hell to the yea of course

How often do I wear a fake smile?: everytime i feel weird around people idk usually i wouldnt say i smile that much unless im gooning

If I could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?: I believe that the world will introduce me to people when i need it (lame answer: idk anyone but maybe like my friends’ friends)

What do I think about most? this week it’s been the french essay i had to write but overall i think about being appreciated

Do I prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it? id be on both sides if i could but if i had to pick one id totally be in front

What was the last lie I told? oh haha i dont know (but i do know)

Do I perfer talking on the phone or video chatting online? PHONE CALLS

Do I believe in ghosts? How about aliens? Hell yea what else am i supposed to be afraid of. aliens are super cool man of course i think theyre real

Do I believe in magic? NOPE! but theres been some crazy magic tricks where i almost believe but then i see the “how it’s done” video for it

Do I believe in luck? hell yea of course! why would it not exist?

What’s the weather like right now? ughgh it’s disappointingly hot

What was the last book I’ve read? Huis Clos by Jean Paul Sartre (i had to read it for class but it really is a great work of art)

Do I have any nicknames? B, Lil B(ones i have heard the most) Billiam, Broletariate Biu (my mom calls me that), (billy bear is an old one and i dont know why they ever used it in the first place), goomph, toad, frog, ugly ass, nerd, dork, dingus

Do I spend money or save it? i spend it haha kms i really need to save more efficiently

Can I touch my nose with a tounge?: nope just tried and looked like a fool

Favourite animal? oof i want to say dogs but thats basic but dogs are so loving like i dont get it how do they do it

What was I doing last night at 12 AM?: i was up and i was emo. jk i was hanging out and watching bad Freshman xxl cyphers

What’s a song that always makes me happy when I hear it? Get Low by lil Jon or Faded (the remix) or change your mind by the killers. im gonna go ahead and say that change your mind gets my shit hyped UP

What is my favorite word? satiation

My top 5 blogs on tumblr: idk if im going to be honest i dont really use tumblr that much for personal blogs but i do love foodporn, til, ruined childhood

If the whole world were listening to me right now, what would I say? love each other.

Do I have any relatives in jail? i dont think so? oh jk theyre not really a relative but they’re a close family friend’s relative

What is my current desktop picture? FUKIN FUNCTIONAL GROUPS THAT I DONT EVER KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD EVEN THOUGH THERES A TEST IN 10.25 HOURS

Had sex? ye

Bought condoms? ye

Gotten pregnant? cant really say that i have :p

Have I ever kissed somebody in the rain? yes

Had job? yep! summer job at the zoo which was cool af

Smoked weed? once or twice

Smoked cigarettes? never.nope.disgusting

Drank alcohol? yes

Am I a vegetarian/vegan? i tried being vegetarian for a bit but then i wasnt eating enough red meat

Been overweight? as a kid i feel like i was overly big but now that i think about it i dont think i was fat

Been underweight? definitely

Gotten my heart broken? homeboy who hasnt?

Been to prom? yeep

Been in airplane? yeep

Learned another language? heck yes! english kek and im in the process of learning french. i tried learning lithuanian after a life changing experience.

Wore make up? surprisingly no

Dyed my hair? nope! i dont want to bleach my hair

Had a surgery? uhhh does laser surgery count? bc ive had 3 so far and i might have more

Met someone famous? every time i walk by a mirror ;) jk i met the senator of WA and the mayor of Tacoma a couple times

Stalked someone on a social network? pfft hell yes

Been fishing? yep! it’s always an experience

Been rejected by a crush? rip me yes

What do I want for birthday? i want to have a nice get together with friends where we do stuff that i dont have to pay for (but i dont think thats how life works anymore)

Do I like my handwriting? I love it in pen and when i hit my ecrivain stride, but otherwise when my hands get sweaty its just a fkin mess

Where do I want to live when older? i’ve always said paris, but zaragoza spain wouldnt be too bad!

Have I ever got caught sneaking out or doing anything bad? yea boi

What I’m really bad at: believing in myself

What my greatest achievments are: i was a smart kid in elementary! i got some awards for getting good grades and i went to a competitive thing for piano once and i placed a couple times in some random races ive run

The meanest thing somebody has ever said to me: oof i dont want to really relive that experience

What I’d do if I won in a lottery: id ask /r/personalfinance

What do I like about myself: id like to think im gaining/losing healthy weight

My closest Tumblr friend: on tumblr?? idk i said i dont really use tumblr for friends but i’d probably say memequeen or sirmccartney

Any question you’d like? when am i going to meet up with my RA? no one knows idk i forgot about our meeting and hes really cool about rescheduling so i might do it this saturday

Are you outgoing or shy? it really depends on how im feeling but id like to think im pretty outgoing!

What kind of people are you attracted to? NICE FRIENDly people who can laugh. laughing is important to me

Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now? personally i think yes

Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? nope!

Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with? @thoseloverseyes most def

What does the most recent text that you sent say? “haha and then what ;)” jk it says” thank”

What are your 5 favorite songs right now? boy oh boy am i not ready for this question. Id think “this love, maroon 5″, humble (its a bop), “the air that i breathe, “open - rhye”, and rollin by calvin harris or this house by japaense breakfast idk the last one always changes

Do you like it when people play with your hair? i had a weird experience once but idk i think im willing to let other people touch my hair? not a fan

Do you think there is life on other planets?of course. this topic is not up for debate. just bc our defition of life has not been found that does not mean that there is not life in other places where we are either 1) not looking or 2) life that we cant recognize due to our weird weird obsession with water like life does not have to use water as a conduit for essential functions

well that was fun and id say it took some time. it def got me feeling better about life. 7.8/10 i would do it again but im sweaty af from this hot ass room

peace!

#personal

1 note · View note

hello-bangtanboys · 8 years ago

Text

(Prologue) Love in Time

Pairing: Yoongi Min x OC

Genre: Angst, Light Smut

A/N : This is my first story in a while, so bare with me. I’m super nervous, by the way.

-Admin Moon

Min Yoongi came from a place where one could spot idols, actors and those who just had beautiful faces walking down the street in South Korea. But in his very own personal opinion, the most beautiful woman in the world was currently standing in the bathroom. When he had woken up that morning, he found her in the bathroom wearing her white swimsuit, standing in front of the window trying to catch relief from the hot day. Feeling sweat run down his face, he ran a hand over it to wipe it away. Not wanting to sit on their makeshift bed anymore, he walked towards the bathroom door frame to lean on it, and let his eyes roam over his girlfriend’s body in quiet appreciation. Her warm golden skin glistened with damp heat, and her hair was thrown into a messy ponytail. It wasn’t a look you’d see on a famous person in public, but he still felt himself go hard, thinking about all the things she deserved to have done to her. They’d been living together for almost 5 months, he still could not believe she belonged to him. That this beautiful woman in front of him had chosen him. Although he had top floor apartment with no air condition and his bank that had less than twenty dollars, she still chose him and made him feel like the luckiest guy ever. As if sensing his gaze on her, she turned around and flashed that gorgeous smile of hers, the one that always made his heart soar to the sky.

“Hey, babe,” she said, her voice as lively as ever despite the exhausting heat wave. “You always move so quietly, it’s like you’re a cat.” He let out a small chuckle, “Change ‘cat’ to ‘panther’ and then I’ll agree.” He wanted to join her in front of the window, but he still had to do his workout and shower after that before he had to start his shift. But, like always she made it hard for him to stay focused on his daily plans, she looked at him with a smug grin, “It’s like you Koreans are assassins are something!”

That made him stop for a moment. Having grown up in the Bangtan crime organization, there were certain talents he had. From handling and selling guns, selling drugs and handling other illegal things such as bribery, one picked up certain skills. Yoongi started accompanying his uncle, Sungmin, one of their organizations enforcer on retaliation killings at the age of thirteen. Since his father was a prominent figure in the organization, he was groomed to take his father’s place one day. Four years later his father had been killed by a spoiled prince from another crime organization, Oh Sehun, whose own deceased father had been considered a friend of the Bangtan organization. Sehun and Yoongi had gone to the same private school like the rest of the Bangtan organization kids did.

But when Sehun shot down Yoongi’s father outside a building where they were going to meet, the Bangtan-C.M.B crime organization alliance came to an end. Sehun had meant this as a way to display power, but that was ultimately his downfall. After burying his father, Yoongi had hunted the new lord at his house on the outside of Seoul. He had been passed out on the couch when he found him, woke him up, slit his throat and watched the life slip from his eyes. In order to avoid a war between the two organizations, his uncle began acting as the interim in his stead until the time came for him to take his father’s place and arranged for Yoongi to go to school in the states. Yoongi had enrolled at the University of Dallas in the business administration program. With his education along with his Bangtan brothers, they vowed to make the crime organization into a legal organization. Jaisa turned everything around in his world, for the better, she had nothing to do with the crime world. He could live a simple life here in Dallas with the woman he loved the most.

“Suga?” He snapped out of his memory. Only his Jaisa would call him by that name, no one else dared. People usually didn’t joke with him, because the look he always had on his face. But for some reason ever since he met Jaisa, she would pick on him and get away with it. “What were you just thinking about?” She asked with a concerned look on her face. He looked around the apartment, “I was thinking about you, and how you deserve better than this apartment.” He said as his eyes then landed on her. “Suga, stop it,” she rolled her eyes, “There are people who would love to have this apartment.” Of course that would be her answer, that’s her answer to everything in our lives. While she was working on her Masters in Communication, she also volunteered at a local food bank, so of course she would see things and talk to other people about their daily lives. But he knew her better. She had grown up as a pampered daughter of the Mayor of Marble Falls, a town known for making steel. Her father had cut her off for dating Yoongi. Before they started dating she lived the life of luxury. But now, she no longer had access to anything, all because she fell in love with him .

“Suga,” she let out a small cute laugh, “I need you to do a small favor for me.” She walked past him, to sit on the edge of the bed, “I don’t have anything to wear, but a miniskirt and tank top. And I don’t know what I’m going to do for underwear.” His dick jumped to the image of her in nothing but a miniskirt. Now it was his turn to roll his eyes, he walked over towards her only to glare down at her. She peered up at him with a smug look on her face, “Having said that, could you be my sweet sugar and do a load of laundry for me?”

Over the last five months, Yoongi had learned how much Jaisa hated doing her laundry, so she always begged him to do it for her. “I don’t think you would want me walking around campus with only a miniskirt on, do you?” she asked, her sweet voice becoming sweeter as she talked. “What if I forgot I didn’t have any underwear on and bent over in front of people?” He shook his head in disbelief, but played along, “If I do decide to do your laundry, what do I get in return?” Holding his gaze, she reached up to the rim of his shorts and boxers, and slowly pulled them down releasing his manhood. “I think you know the answer to that already,” she stuck out her tongue and ran it across the delicate underside of his penis, taking him into her mouth for a few moments before pulling away. He let out a small desperate sigh, “You know back at home, girlfriends do their own laundry and also their boyfriends.” She continued to hold his gaze as she stroked him, “Mmm…hmm, I think I should demonstrate what could happen if I go to class wearing no underwear.” She stepped over towards the open dresser and pulled out a miniskirt.

She turned away from him, and slipped off her white swimsuit and put on the miniskirt. She knocked over the plastic cup of pens sitting on the dresser and gasped, “Oops, I better pick this all up!” She bent over at the waist, giving him a peek of her glistening wet pussy, “I really hope you can’t see anything back there!” Before he could stop himself from being caught in her trap, he was behind her, sinking his dick into her. “I will do your laundry, Jagi, but you have to be in this position when I get home tonight.” She braced herself against the dresser as he pistoned into her over and over again. “Yes, yes, yes! I promise, I’ll do whatever you want me to do. Thank you so much!” she cried out. Yoongi wasn’t sure if was talking about the laundry or the sex they were having, either way he didn’t care. He pulled out of her and fell back onto the bed, taking her with him to the edge of the bed. He positioned himself at her entrance, and slowly pushed inside of her with his hands gripping her hips. Riding her and loving the way her hand fell back onto his shoulders in lustful abandonment, as if his sex was like a body numbing drug. The sounds of slapping bodies filled the apartment, until she came with a loud satisfied cry and he released into her with a long flow of Korean words.

She relaxed against him, moving her hands underneath his, “I don’t know what you said but I wholeheartedly agree.” He gripped her hands, and whispered in her ear, “When I come home tonight I want you screaming my full name, not this silly ‘Suga’ name.” She laughed and moved her hips against his, “If that is the case, I can’t wait until tonight.” He nuzzled his face into the back of her neck, loving the way she felt against him, “I really love you, Jaisa. You do know this, right?” She got up from his lap, so she could sit on his lap facing him, “Of course, and I love you dearly.” He kissed her on the lips, “Good. I will make you prove it later.”

But when Yoongi returned home that night after work, Jaisa was nowhere to be found. In fact, upon returning home he found the apartment dark, which filled him with worry. In fact, she hasn’t even come to visit him at work during his shift. As he walked home from campus, he promised to take Jaisa into town to get her a cell phone the next morning. So when he found their apartment empty, rather than panic and lose control, he chose instead to focus on finding her. As he flipped on the lights, he forced himself to think about the simple gold band. It was the reason why he only had twenty dollars in his account. He wanted to take her to a nice restaurant after he proposed, so he’d had to wait until he got paid again. He imagined her only condition to marrying him might be to do her laundry, a condition he would gladly meet if it meant he could get to spend the rest of his life with her. Standing in their empty apartment, an uneasy feeling came over him, and he realized why when he looked around. Most of her stuff was missing. He eventually found her note, laying on a pillow, after he found out she had cleaned out her belongings.

Yoongi,

I’m sorry my sweet sugar, but I can’t live like this anymore. I really tried, I honestly did. But now I want my old life back. Please take care of yourself, like I know you can. You’re a hard worker, and I know you can make it if you put your mind to it. That’s what I loved about you. Please concentrate on trying to better yourself, and don’t try to find me, because you won’t. I never want to see you again. I’ve made up my mind, and I’m sure this is the best for the both of us.

Jaisa

Six years later, Yoongi had made a name for himself in the business world. The world knew him as a ruthless business man, after he graduated from business school. Most people who knew him thought it was of his personal background. But they were wrong, only he knew the truth. A foolish girl by the name of Jaisa ripped his heart out one night years ago, when he least expected it. And afterwards he thought it would be natural to be heartless from that point on.

(Chapter 1, coming soon…)

#bts angst #yoongi angst #yoongi smut #suga #bts #bts scenarios #bts fanfic #bangtan #kpop #bts au #suga smut #suga angst #kpop fanfiction #kpop scenarios #oh sehun #exo mention #exo

107 notes · View notes

jobsearchtips02 · 5 years ago

Text

What it’s like to shelter in place in San Francisco.

The order directs me and an estimated 6.7 million residents to stay inside, turning our apartments into our homes, offices, gyms, and schools.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

The San Francisco Bay Area’s estimated 6.7 million residents have been ordered to remain at home as much as possible until April 7 to contain the coronavirus disease.

Known as a shelter-in-place order, the directive has shuttered businesses, offices, and has caused the city’s daily rhythm to come to a screeching halt.

I live in San Francisco and have spent four days under the order.

Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

I had a routine prior to March 9.

I woke up at 6 a.m. for a brisk walk to work through the still-sleeping city into the office near the Financial District of San Francisco. I had my route nailed down perfectly, up one street and down another to spot the cats in the bay windows of their owners’ apartments. One had flattened ears, the other would meow at me. I was always glum when I walked by and they weren’t there.

That came to halt, as it needed to, in early March, as the coronavirus disease began to pose a bigger threat to San Francisco. On March 5, the first two confirmed cases were found, with authorities warning that the disease was likely already being transmitted in the city. Now there are 76.

The coronavirus pandemic has perforated the lives of millions, either directly or indirectly, as it has spread across the globe. The number of confirmed cases sits at 240,000. Some know people who have it, or have a friend of a friend who does. Regardless, we all feel the effects of the measures being taken to quell the spread of the virus.

On February 25, Mayor London Breed declared a state of emergency in San Francisco, my home of two years. Since then, offices have steadily shuttered one by one. The big names of the tech city — Twitter, Google, LinkedIn — began implementing work-from-home orders. Employees increasingly began adapting to carving out workspaces in their homes. Then the city took it a step further.

The estimated 6.7 million residents in the San Francisco Bay Area were ordered to shelter in place, or to stay at home, in an effort to create space amongst the region’s occupants and decrease the risk of spreading the virus, which is transmissible by respiratory droplets.

The order lasts until April 7 but could get extended, San Francisco Mayor London Breed told my colleague, Troy Wolverton, on Thursday.

It’s Friday, and we are on Day 4. Here’s what it’s been like.

Tuesday, Day 1: I work East Coast hours since my managers are in New York, so I wake up at 6: 15 am.

My desk.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

I’ve gotten into the habit of lighting a candle when I log on for work. A quick “Morning!” and a wave emoji thrown into Slack, and then the workday begins.

My officemates and I in Business Insider’s West Coast bureau started working from home on March 9. So this is Week 2 for us.

There are many more across the world and in the city that cannot do their jobs from home.

Arizmendi Bakery in San Francisco on March 17 before it closed.

Stephen Lam/Reuters

In the Bay Area, these are people providing essential services and who are exempt from the shelter-in-place order. It’s the restaurant workers who are providing takeout food only since dining in is banned. It’s the owners of hardware stores, the bus operators, the first responders, the postal workers. There are also the most vulnerable residents, the estimated 28,200 living on the streets with nowhere to remain indoors.

Restaurant workers are already being laid off as their employers struggle beneath the crushing lack of business.

I’m an office worker, only sometimes needing to be on the ground to do my job.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

Across the region, from the heart of Silicon Valley to San Francisco to Contra Costa County to the east, many of us are adapting to signing on for work at home. The lines between our professional and home lives are blurred, our desks mere feet from our beds for some. For working parents, the challenge is even greater with school districts having shut down.

There are a few different schools of thought on the ins-and-outs of how to work from home.

Slippers are a must for me.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

Ever since remote work has been more of a focus in light of the virus, reams of advice have cropped up on how to work from home most efficiently. Sweatpants or jeans and a button-down? Shower in the morning or after work? I’ve been oscillating between both.

After a few hours into Day 1, something seems missing from the usual environment on my street. I realize that it’s quiet.

California Street, usually filled with cable cars, is seen empty in San Francisco on March 18.

JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images

A cable car line usually runs down the street from my place, and I’d gotten used to the sound of it trudging by. It had even become soothing. But in an effort to protect the operators from contracting the virus, the city shut the cable cars down for the shelter-in-place order.

The absence of it is deafening. In their place are Muni buses, with “Cable Car” running across the marquees. It feels strange to look out my window as I’m working to see a bus roll by instead of the open-air cable car.

The bus system hadn’t been shut down since a closed cab separates operators from riders. Cable cars didn’t have that.

At 10: 30 a.m., the WiFi stopped working, prompting a nervous meltdown on my end.

My desk setup.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

I have two roommates, and all of us are now on it for nine hours each day. I have an ethernet cord and insist on running it from the router in my roommate’s room, through the hall, and under my door into my room.

Later on, an Amazon package is delivered.

I ordered a yoga mat and a foot rest for my desk.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

I’m lucky enough to live 1.2 miles from my office. I usually walk the 30-minute trip both ways, and I quickly realize the lost hour of round-trip cardio will likely start to take a toll. I ordered a yoga mat a few days prior and a 25-pound kettlebell, in addition to the two 8-pound dumbbells I already owned.

I leave the mat and equipment out so that I’m more inclined to stop and move/stretch/work my body for at least 15 minutes after working my brain all day. I can’t afford a sophisticated workout system like Tonal, a $3,000 at-home strength training machine that you mount to the wall. The San Francisco-based company has seen sales triple just in the past week.

At 3: 45 p.m., I log off to shower and then was in need of a grocery store run.

A Trader Joe’s in San Francisco on March 17.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

At the time, and even now, the mechanics of the shelter-in-place order seemed ambiguous.

The order isn’t a full lockdown, like in Italy — we don’t need government permission to leave our apartments.

We’re allowed to go outside, but should we? What will the grocery store look like, will my fellow shoppers and I have enough space to social distance? If I accidentally walk within six feet of someone on the sidewalk and a police officer sees me do it, do I get fined? The uncertainty of the lengths to which I should go to fulfill my social responsibility is paralyzing.

When I go to Trader Joe’s, most of the shelves are wiped clean. No one was putting six feet between themselves, including me just by default — the aisles are narrow. I got in and out quickly.

Things outside my apartment seemed normal but with an uneasy sense that things were, of course, not.

Wednesday, Day 2: It ironically rained most of the day.

The sun poked through at times, though.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

Dishes also began to pile up seemingly out of nowhere as my desk, in my room, became where I ate my meals — if I remembered to eat anything.

It’s almost 11: 30 a.m. when I glance at the clock.

One of my two windows.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

I notice the light fading from the room and check the clock again to see that it’s dinnertime. One of the many tips included in work-from-home how-to articles is to set an alarm at the end of the workday to remind yourself to log off. I promptly do this.

Another tip to keep your wits about you is to occupy your free time with FaceTime conversations with loved ones.

They’re the highlight of my day.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

Calls made to relatives back home in Texas are starting to take up a hefty amount of my time. I’m painfully aware that they’re all older, part of an age demographic that is more susceptible to contracting the virus and experiencing severe symptoms.

They live in Texas, where the virus and the accompanying panic hadn’t yet spread as badly as elsewhere.

This week, however, also brought stricter measures for Texans as it did for us in California. Gov. Greg Abbott estimated that the number of confirmed cases will be in the tens of thousands in the next two weeks, according to the Texas Tribune. Bars, restaurants, and schools have been closed, and many are working from home if they are lucky enough to do so. Gatherings exceeding 10 people are prohibited.

Shelter-in-place orders are not yet implemented in Texas.

After work, I start a group text chat with my sister, parents, and grandparents with the sole purpose of swapping Netflix recommendations as an incentive for all of us to stay indoors.

“Pandemic” and “Outbreak” are on Netflix.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

I recommend “The Movies That Made Us.” My sister dryly suggests “Outbreak,” “Contagion,” and “Pandemic.”

Thursday, Day 3: It really sinks in that the new normal for at least the next few weeks may be exactly this.

My workout area.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

My room has become my bedroom, gym, and office, and that’s likely to not change anytime soon.

It’s the third Thursday of the month, which means my office usually meets for happy hour drinks.

The days start to blur together.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

The event is still on our calendar, and we had toyed with the idea of doing it virtually. That’s a trend sprouting up in the age of minimal human interaction in light of the infectious virus. The New York Times reported on how we’re taking advantage of video conferencing platform Zoom to do more than just work virtually with colleagues. People are using it for karaoke parties, birthday festivities, and church services. The Information reported on how users are turning to Zoom for virtual dinner parties.

Zoom saw a surge in the stock market in late February as investors bet early on that customers would take to the virtual world since the physical one isn’t safe at the moment.

We decide to push back our virtual happy hour to next week, and I have a beer by myself.

Friday, Day 4: There’s a bit more routine as far as the working-from-home goes.

I have two windows that face a courtyard.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

But I’m hyper-aware of the fact that I haven’t stepped outside in 60 hours. I open both of my windows for some airflow.

The day before, Thursday, also brought more statewide changes as health experts emphasized the urgency to contain the virus across the country if we were going to have a chance to fight it efficiently. There’s a small window for the US to lock down its cities and enforce social distancing to “flatten the curve,” meaning to stunt the spread of the coronavirus so the healthcare system is not overwhelmed.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all residents in the state to remain inside their homes as of Thursday night. He said 56% of people in California could be infected by the virus, though measures like the shelter-in-place order aren’t taken into account in that projection.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday that all nonessential businesses will be ordered to keep workers home starting Sunday evening, excluding pharmacies, grocery stores, and the like. The directive is not a shelter-in-place order but calls for nonessential gatherings of any size for any reason to be canceled or postponed. Several other states are implementing similar restrictions.

Come Friday night, the usual outings won’t be happening, for good reason — the bars in my neighborhood and across the city are closed, and my friends, my fellow residents, and I are advised to stay indoors.

Harrington’s Bar and Grill in San Francisco on March 16.

Katie Canales/Business Insider

The only restaurants that are open are those that can offer orders for pickup or delivery.

We’re required to stay indoors as much as possible, but for local businesses that offer takeout, they’re also hanging on by a thread as business plummets with the shut-down.

I’m uncertain about how much to go out in public, but I’m also compelled to support my go-to spots.

I plan on venturing into the community and ordering takeout for pickup from my favorite neighborhood sushi place and from my favorite local brewery, both of which are like my second homes. It’ll be a little sense of familiarity in a time when it feels like there is none.

Features San Francisco San Francisco Bay Area coronavirus

Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

from Job Search Tips https://jobsearchtips.net/what-its-like-to-shelter-in-place-in-san-francisco/

0 notes