#the projection stone is like a contact on your phone

[delphi-shield]

BEST IN THE BIZ — !!

— Lycaon x Reader x Rina

— ~3.6k

— mating press (briefly), overstimulation, dacryphilia, edging, dollification (if you squint), knotting, creampie, stone top Rina, service top Lycaon, fem!reader, reader is called 'mistress', pwp

ardently avoids eye contact. i was possessed idk. this started out as just porn and then i wrote plot but it got out of hand so i snipped most of the plot and this is what's left. i hope it's coherent idk. manifesting a lycaon pull by posting this tbh. dividers from @/adornedwithlight.

You knew you were fucked the moment you caught yourself typing ‘thiren dildo knot’ into your phone at four in the morning.

Your crime illuminates the dark of your room, search results reflected in your glassy eyes. The depravity is lost on you. You're so horny you can't sleep, much less feel guilty about drilling your (regular, average, lacking in girth and curve and length, not dripping for you the way he would) dildo into yourself, staring at sex toys and imagining him instead.

It only hits you after you cum. Right next to the usual disdain, the nagging realization that you have to clean yourself up, guilt nestles in. It does two neat little circles and sinks like a stone in your stomach. You find yourself with your phone in your hand, sketchy website leering at you. A countdown scrolling across the top advises you that your cart will be held for another four minutes and 12 seconds. Buy now, or your custom order (wolf thiren mold, large, medium firmness, cumtube included, custom colors) will be released for another horny idiot to pick up.

You delete the dildo from the cart, wonder briefly if you should ditch the email attached to the account, and pay for the eight pack of lube you'd added. Guilty, but not that guilty.

It's not supposed to be like this. You're not supposed to want his knot this badly. Lycaon had said so himself the first time you'd asked for it. It isn't a small thing – wipe that smirk off your face. It isn't something to be taken lightly, that's all he meant.

The entire situation had gotten out of hand; you'd hired Victoria Housekeeping a handful of times to assist with the clean up of your recently acquired property. It was a small place, and you had been in no rush to get the job done. They had divided the project over the span of a few weeks, assigning only Lycaon and Rina for the task.

Each visit had grown less and less professional. By the end of the project, you were scrambling to find something else for them to do, unwilling to let them walk out of your life just because the contract demanded so.

All three of you knew it wasn't professional to keep taking your calls. In fact, their conduct in your home violated several clauses within their contract – but by the time you had messaged Lycaon to ask if he could help you tote a new bed frame up the stairs, he had already stopped insisting on a contract. A friendship had grown, an ease that started between you and Rina and gradually thawed Lycaon's affections.

It wasn't uncommon to arrive at your home and find Rina already waiting. He'd been suspicious, had seen the starry look in your eyes, your swollen lips and the boneless, fumbling way you moved. He couldn't pinpoint when you and Rina had started becoming physical, but he could smell the stench of sex in the air the moment the door opened. He knew what he'd find if he let himself sink to his knees before you, sniffing and licking at your cunt like he wanted.

For months, though, he refused to act. He suppressed his baser urges, whittling them into compliments instead.

Your hair looks beautiful. Rina did it? Why isn't he surprised. And that dress? Yes, also Rina's choice. Of course.

It's not jealousy. It's something else that shares the same form, feels the same way. Lycaon agonizes over how to fit himself into your life, how to be needed, oblivious to the fact that you wanted him as things were.

Rina had been forced to meddle, casually stringing the both of you along until the conversation had occurred ‘naturally’. Even with your shared feelings out in the open, Lycaon remained restrained. His touches were subdued, moments together stolen and short.

The first time he’d fucked you had been a ‘matter of impropriety, ill-befitting an attendant’, as Lycaon had so stuffily put it.

In short, he’d gotten cold feet after he'd made you cum on his fingers, after Rina had gently nudged him aside to lap up the mess left on your thighs.

“We aren't here on business,” Rina reminded him, challenge in her tone all but calling him a pussy.

She twisted you up in her arms quickly, her hands pressed to the backs of your knees to spread you wide. You leaned back against her, almost entirely unaware of the moral crisis Lycaon put himself through. You're barely there after you cum, take time to get back into your own head - but the way you move so eagerly for Rina makes his cock jerk in his pants.

Rina’s hand had slid down the back of your thigh, her nipples hard for the way you tried to keep your leg where she had held you. Her fingers teased your dripping slit. She dragged them through your folds, prodding at your hole, showing Lycaon how eagerly you sucked them in. She made a show of spreading them, showing off the way you clung to her fingers, the way you dripped for them.

His resolve was iron-clad, but you'd melted through with your little whimpers, desperate voice whining "please, Lycaon.”

He was still a man, at the end of the day. You were bound up for him, snared like prey. He had wanted to treat you gently, to be slow and reverent - but he had pounded into your cunt instead, deep and slow. Any faster and he knows he would have popped his knot into you, had you locked together with your legs thrown over his shoulders, body bent nearly in half.

He'd pulled out, breathlessly asking where you wanted him to cum, stroking himself hard and fast, a hand wrapped tight around his knot. Rina had shuffled you up quickly, stretching your arms above your head, wrists gathered by one of her hands. She beckoned to your tits, the same wave he had seen her use countless times to invite clients to their tea.

Lycaon found the time to treat you gently later. He took his time, gentle and reverent as he wanted - still no knot.

You'd taken the rejection to heart, decided that if he said no once, then that was all there was to it. It was his dick and he could do what he wanted with it. You were too afraid of being pushy, or objectifying – or any number of things that might make him uncomfortable. Fantasies were fine.

Fantasies, and maybe a custom dildo. You were still thinking about it, the page still bookmarked on your phone. Next paycheck, you would tell yourself.

It came out the way all of your fantasies do – by Rina pulling it from you. Three fingers deep, pumping into you steadily, so torturously consistent, so committed to the slow build of your pleasure until the truth came gushing out.

She had this game she loved to play – making you narrate your fantasies. No detail spared or she'll stop stroking your needy little clit – and you would hate that, wouldn't you?

This time it had all come to light – how badly you wanted Lycaon's knot, how you were saving up just for a taste of a fake one.

Rina giggles in the aftermath. She dresses you quickly in your sleepwear, gesturing for you to raise your arms so she can roll your shirt down.

"Of course, you know that can be arranged,” Rina says, as casually as if you'd asked her for a cup of tea.

You feel like you've been shocked. Your arms are still sticking straight up in the air when you protest.

“No– it's just a stupid fantasy.”

Rina guides your arms back down, lets you rest and pose yourself without her guidance. She slips her hand into yours.

“I don't think it's stupid at all, Mistress.”

“Don't call me that,” you whine, swatting the air where she had been a moment ago. “It makes me feel gross.”

“Sir Lycaon likes it,” Rina teases.

Your face warms. You mumble a retort, lame and forgotten.

“I'll speak with him,” she assures you.

“No, don't. Don't tell him.”

“Leave everything to me.”

The subject of your objectification knocks on your door at 10 AM the next week. A standing appointment for coffee, Lycaon would call it – otherwise known as your weekly coffee date. Rina wiggles her fingers in greeting, drifting inside casually, the scent of vanilla trailing after her.

For a moment, you wonder if she had mentioned anything at all to Lycaon. He appears overwhelmingly normal about all of this. Clarity strikes you, lightning to your nerves when Rina doubles back to press her hand to the small of your back.

“You aren't just going to stand there, are you?” She asks.

Both of you jolt. You shuffle to the side, nearly tripping over your own feet to get out of the way. Lycaon shuts the door behind him. You speak over each other, both stammering apologies and excuses.

“Rina mentioned –”

“Was the trip here –”

You stall out, trying to give room for the other to speak.

“Sorry, I–”

“My apologies, I didn't mean to –”

Rina finally has mercy on the two of you, taking hold of the conversation before you can fizzle out a third time. She makes things clear upfront: your desire has been communicated to Lycaon. He has agreed. Don't look so serious, you two – this is a good thing.

The rest falls into place naturally. Or, as naturally as it can with Rina pulling the strings.

“We have the entire afternoon,” she informs you, turning to head to your bedroom. You're expected to follow, and you do - of course you do. Lycaon trails behind you, fingers ghosting against your wrist.

“You make it sound so formal,” you drone, plopping unceremoniously onto the edge of your bed.

“Oh, it's not formal,” Rina tuts. She drifts behind you, hands working at the tension in your shoulder. She leans forward, breasts pressing against your back, her cheek against yours, eyes locked on Lycaon. “It's just us.”

Time quickly became a suggestion. Minutes bled together, strung loosely between each touch, held secret in the clutch of Lycaon's pocket watch - the same watch that lays discarded in a heap with the rest of his clothes.

Your chest is pressed to the mattress, head cradled in Rina’s lap. Her hands rove across your hair, fixing it again and again as Lycaon drives into you. His arm is wrapped tightly around your waist, keeping your hips up and pinned flush wish his. His breath is hot at the back of your neck, teeth aching to nip at your nape, to mark your delicate skin. He drags his broad tongue across the places he wants to bite.

You've lost count of the ways they've bent you, the positions Rina had asked of you.

First, it was missionary, your own choice - but the angle had been all wrong, too difficult to squeeze his knot in that way. Rina had taken over from there, posing you as she thought best. By the time she had stopped mid-mating press, you realized this wasn't about trying to find the best position to take Lycaon’s knot. Rina had been playing her own game.

Rina's hand lights on Lycaon's shoulder, a barely-there brush of her fingers. He growls as if she's stuck her hand in his dinner bowl, the noise rumbling from his chest and through your back. He buries his cock in deeper, resisting the idea of stopping *again*, and his tapered tip wedges against a spot so deep inside you that you spasm in his arms. You cum so hard you swear you blackout for a few moments, your body a throb of pleasure, hips squirming, pussy trying to suck him in all the way.

You feel it - the first slip of his knot, the first stretch. The burn sears into pleasure. Your breath catches in your throat, a strangled moan escaping, pressed into Rina’s thigh.

“Please, please, please,” you sob.

Rina pushes harder against Lycaon’s shoulder. His lip curls, but he pulls back. His cock drags all the way out of you, leaves you empty, clenching around nothing. Your hands fist the fabric of Rina's skirt.

She doesn’t give you more than a moment to recover. Your pussy is still clenching when Rina's hands ghost across your ribcage. Sparks shower across your skin, nipples peaking painfully. She urges you with insistent, well-placed touches, tutting softly at the way you whimper. Her hands smooth sweat-slick hair from your face, fixing the strands reverently. She tucks two fingers under your chin and you raise your sight to her. It takes a moment for your hazy eyes to focus.

A touch on the side of your leg. You swing obediently into her lap. Rina's cold fingers pressing gently against the side of your neck, coaxing you against her chest. Your cheek cushions on her breast

Her fingers smooth sweat slick hair from your face, touch chilled and just on the side of clammy.

“Another, Mistress?” Rina asks sweetly, petting your hair. She pointedly ignores Lycaon's huff.

You peer up at her, tears brimming your eyes, catching the light and sparkling so prettily. You don't have the words. Could you even cum again? You want to plead, to whine – it had been right there. You had been so close to what you'd wanted.

“Oh, you poor thing,” she coos. The backs of her fingers press to your heated cheeks. “Cry if you must. It's all right.”

Rina's smile grows as your tears spill. She makes no move to wipe them from your cheeks. This is how she likes you, how she finds you most beautiful - worn down, fucked out, a mess in her arms for her to clean up and toy with.

Lycaon can't stand to see you cry, though. The bed creaks as he sits up, fishing a handkerchief from his discarded waistcoat. He dabs at your cheeks, tucking a knuckle under your chin to hold you in place.

"I'm sorry," he murmurs against your hair. "It was too much. I should never -”

"No." Your voice wobbles. "No, I just– I want your knot so bad.”

His cock jerks. Pre-cum dribbles from his tip, pools in his fur. Lycaon bites the rumble in his chest into a whine, locked tight behind sharp teeth.

“All right,” he breathes, heart hammering in his chest. “All right. Yes, of course. You'll have it. No more tears, please.”

Rina urges you from her chest. She knows where she's needed, knows not to linger. She presses her hand to Lycaon's shoulder, directing him to lay back against the bed. He's not quite as pliable as you are, never has been - especially not when he's wiping tears from your cheeks, kissing your forehead. His touch lingers when he follows her directive, hand stroking down the back of your arm, across your elbow, along your forearm.

She lets you toddle over to Lycaon on your knees, lets his be the hands that steady you when you swing your leg over him. You're still crying, sweet thing, tears wetting the fur of his stomach.

You wiggle into place awkwardly. His drippy tip glides through you pussy, nudging at your puffy, sensitive clit. You suck a breath through your teeth, lifting off him. The sensation is sharp, teetering on the edge of pain. Your knees pinch in and nudge Lycaon's sides, thighs jiggling. His eye tracks the movement immediately, hand stroking from your ass to your thigh, back and forth.

Rina slots in behind you. She keeps her touch on your hips light, urging you back down. Lycaon’s chest stills, his breath caught as she works you into a simple, back and forth path, dragging his cock along your slit. Once you settle into her rhythm, she reaches below you, gripping the base of Lycaon's cock, holding him steady.

He slides home easily, your pussy still molded to the shape of him. You keen, still sensitive. This new angle has him pressing against spots that dot your vision with stars. You sink deep, trembling and relieved all at once.

You get a few breaths together. Lycaon's head rests atop yours. He swallows audibly. His warm hands flex at your hips, restraint evident, strength held at bay by resolve alone. He's strong, so much stronger than you – he could press you down onto his cock easily, force you to take him to the hilt. The thought makes you clench around him, pussy fluttering.

Lycaon's teeth click next to your ear. His claws prick your skin for the fraction of a second, and then he's keeping his fingers off you, holding you by the palms. His cock throbs, twitches, aching to plug you with his knot.

Before you can grow too comfortable sitting on his cock, milking him dry with the squeeze of your pussy in response to every shallow thrust, every aching press of his knot to your hole, Rina begins her adjustments. At your hips first, the little suggestion of movement in her fingertips. You don't respond immediately, pussy so full you can't think straight. She pinches the fat of your hips, spurring your obedience.

She gets your hips rocking first, guiding you until you settle into the movement on your own. It's gentler than before, but each press of your hips sucks him deeper. This is the one - it has to be.

Rina doesn't let you stay hunched over. Her hands touch to your back, adjusting your posturing until your sitting so pretty on his cock. She adjusts your arms, lets you wind them around Lycaon’s neck instead of curling up behind him to claw at him shoulders.

You're almost there, can feel him slipping in, the stretch making your eyes roll back. Rina makes one final adjustment to your posture. She pries your face from the safety of Lycaon’s shoulders. All your pretty little sounds, your focused expressions, are clear for both of them to see.

“I'm– I'm close–” Lycaon huffs, keeping his face pressed to your shoulder. His body is coiled tight, nearly shaking with the restraint it takes not to thrust into you, to lock your bodies together and flood your pussy with his cum.

You whine, a hand fisting in his fur. Your stomach burns with the idea that after all of this, after being the perfect little toy, you might not get your prize – that he might slip out of you, cum spilling on your stomachs instead of where it belongs.

Lycaon thrusts into you hard just as your hips cycle down. His knot locks in. You gasp, the sensation foreign. You don't have time to savor it. He pounds into you, locked in place by his knot, your walls squeezing him as you cum again.

“Like you're made for me,” he babbles. Lycaon stops himself just before he bites onto your shoulder, his maw held open, sharp teeth threatening to puncture your skin. His moans are loud, pitching into a whine. His cock kicks inside of you, cum flooding your pussy, trapped in place by his knot.

You slump against him, the last few ropes of his cum spurting, his hips still shifting to drive it deeper. Your body is heavy, weighed down with the flood of pleasure still tinging your blood. Gradually, Lycaon's grip on you softens. His jaw closes, tongue flicking out to lap at your shoulder - short, slow strokes, almost apologetic.

Rina sits back and smooths the wrinkles from her dress. She admires the scene before her with a gentle smile, tilting her head to capture it from every angle. You're fully seated on his cock no matter which way she looks at it, escaped cum dribbling to the sheets in rivulets.

“Is it everything you dreamed?” Hands clasped, head tipped to the side - she looks at the pair of you adoringly, as if the sight of you breathless and locked together is the cutest thing she's ever seen.

“Rina,” Lycaon says, muzzle pressed into the crook of your neck. “Some water for our mistress, please.”

There's something hidden in his tone. You're too tired to piece it together, but Rina hones it on it immediately. She strokes along your spine as she stands, bending at the waist to kiss the crown of your head. She drifts out of the room without argument.

The door latches shut. You sag against Lycaon, his arms tightening around your middle. His tongue laps at your shoulder, collecting the salt taste of your sweat. He edges closer to your neck, lapping at it in broad strokes.

"Are you comfortable?" He murmurs against your skin.

"Mmhm," you hum, eyes shut, trusting your weight to his hold. “Feels good.”

Lycaon's tail dusts against the sheets. He presses his nose to the joint of your shoulder and neck, breathing your scent deep. For a moment, he thinks you might fall asleep, your cheek pressed against the soft fur of his chest.

“Let's order takeout,” you mumble.

Lycaon huffs. The closest thing he can muster to a laugh in his exhaustion. His arm tightens around your waist. He shifts you carefully so that you're both lying down, trying his best to ignore the way you squeeze around him, the way his cock gives a tired, painful jerk. He drags a blanket over your bodies.

“Worked up an appetite, did you?”

You nuzzle closer to his chest, letting out a satisfied sigh. “I just don't want Rina to cook for us.”

Ah. There was that, too.

[101maverick]

hey i saw your requests are open and i was wondering if maybe you could write smth hurt/comfort with jason please? like they had a big fight and then they make up after something happens🙌🏻

A/n: okok srry if it took me a few days but school and other projects are kicking my butt, hope you enjoy!! I decided to use your request to study Jason from a more ak! Point of view if that makes sense? I haven’t consumed the media but i’ve read some really beautiful works with him and hope it makes him justice :)

Word count: 1206 words

Execution At Sundown

Jason was at your place, sitting on the side of the couch with your tv remote by his side, cup of soda in his hand.

He still hadn’t shown you his face even after months of dating, and even though it stung you understood that it was a huge show of trust on his part, so if he was content sipping his soda from a straw that went under his mask you wouldn’t say anything about it and keep your feelings to yourself.

Everything had been going fine, you had just been hanging out while watching a movie.

It all hit the fan when you decided to go get another soda, rising up from the couch and padding down the hallway to the kitchen to fetch the drink.

After retrieving your drink you made your way back, and as the couch came into view you saw that Jason was now engrossed with something on his phone.

You didn’t think too much about it, just eyed the now empty soda resting in his left hand. On a whim, you walked up to his side of the couch and leaned over, going to grab his empty cup to replenish it.

Before you could do much more than make contact with the clothed skin of Jason’s shoulder though you found yourself being slammed back, loosing your balance and falling on your behind.

——————————

Jason reacted out of instinct.

One second he was relatively relaxed on his girlfriend’s couch, looking at a map of his territory for anything suspicious that might be going on, and the next there was a pressure on his shoulder, somebody leaning in and- “Why don’t you scream a bit for me, Todd?” and then there was pain-

He grabbed the body pressing in on him and pushed, slamming his attacker back and watching, half-standing and with his torso turned in a way that pulled at the knotted skin marring every inch of him, and even if the assailant was on the ground they still hurt him, that damned clown still dug his claws in and he always screamed but nobody heard him and-

Oh. It’s you.

It’s you, who had wormed his way into his heart in a matter of months.

It’s you, who had caressed the mangled skin of his hands and said “That’s okay” in response to the proof of him having been broken and put together crooked and wrong. As if it really was.

It’s you, legs sprawled on the floor with a bewildered expression on your face, wide eyes staring up at him in shock.

Jason stares back at you, his own features turned to stone under the mask as he feels his throat close up.

He had hurt you. He had thrown you to the ground. Guess the apple never falls far from the tree then, uh? Guess he was just like Willis after all, smacking around anyone without the ability to control his feelings. A rabid animal.

An animal. A pet. That’s what the Joker used to call him. What the Joker still calls him every day, in his wretched mind. A mindless thing, twisted and contorted to be ready to bend at his master’s will, and the fact he didn’t have one here anymore didn’t mean he was suddenly upgraded to ‘human’, did it? He was still incapable of controlling himself, succumbing to the rage just like Willis had to the bottle. Not even capable of recognising his girlfriend the only person who had accepted his crooked form and chipped edges, throwing her around simply because even gentle and casual touches were ruined for him by that forsaken clown-

“Jace?”

The world comes back into focus, his eyes zero in on the spot of the wall he had been staring at in his haze and then shift down to you, now seated more comfortably on the ground. You haven’t moved, you haven’t come closer to him.

You’re scared of him.

Jason feels his throat constrict, and he punches the words out around the lump forming in his throat. “I- I didn’t- you were- sorry- I-”

Gosh he’s such a mess, can’t even explain to you how pathetic he is, how he still lets a fucking clown torture him with his mere shadow, and now you will realise the honeyed touches are not made for him, not anymore, maybe they never were, or else someone would’ve come-

Now you will realise that all those jagged edges are places you could cut yourself on. Now you will realise a rabid dog like him just needs to be put down for good.

He stutters out a last sentence for you, spits it out on your clean parquet, and even that feels too much like dirtying your sanctuary for his liking. “I- sorry, I’ll- I’ll go-” and he’s not even finishing his sentence before he’s stalking towards your apartment’s door, steps as sure as he can make them as he walks away from the only hands who had held him oh so gently, only like Catherine ever had, his mom, and he wills his legs to keep moving or else he won’t make it out of here for good-

“Don’t leave, please.”

Your voice is quiet, quiet as it breaks his heart and his resolve.

Because Jason has never been strong, and the little crack he can hear coming from his heart hurts but so does the knowledge he’s too weak to keep going the last few steps to your door, the few steps that’ll lead him back to how it was before and you back to a life of safety, free of the burden that is Jason Todd.

He turns around. You’re leaning in the doorway to the living room, staring at him on the other side of the hallway.

Your stance is relaxed. You aren’t holding yourself like you’re hurt. Your eyes are wide, and sad, but they’re not wary.

With his attention on you, you speak again. Your voice is soft, and now also kinda trembly. “I know I don’t know even the start of the story, but I know you have one and it’s the reason things like this sometimes happen.” Your eyes stare into the white lenses of the mask, desperately searching for his gaze under it. “I’m not gonna say it’s okay, because it isn’t.”

There it is. The proof he fucked it up, like is his design.

“It’s not okay,” you continue, startling him. He was getting lost again. He waits for the axe. “because something or someone hurt you, and you still suffer from it.”

He looks at you. Jason looks in your eyes, and gets the feeling you know he’s returning your gaze.

“I want to help you, Jace. Any way I can. Any way you let me. Because I know that when things aren’t okay, sometimes all you need is someone there with you to help you make it so.”

Your voice was sure through it all, but now it falters a bit. “So, so if you want, I could be by your side. If that’s how you’ll let me help. So, so don’t leave.”

His eyes don’t wander away from you.

And as he gazes into your eyes, glinting with the light from the tv bathing your side in neons, he knows that he never could.

The axe doesn’t fall.

[sturnswrites]

guarded hearts - pt.1

fratboy!chris x fem!reader

⤳ you meet chris while working on a class project, your personalities are very different but chris is determined to get you out of your shell.

⤳ fluff

----------------------------------------------------------------

The buzz of chatter filled the lecture hall as students filed into their seats, shuffling bags and flipping through half-read textbooks. You sat towards the back, clutching your coffee like a lifeline, scanning your phone to avoid any interaction. You weren’t one for small talk, especially not in a room full of strangers. College, to you, was a means to an end—a stepping stone to the life you wanted, not a place for distractions.

But distractions had a way of finding you.

Chris Sturniolo walked in late, his signature swagger impossible to miss. He was wearing a backward baseball cap, his fraternity letters printed boldly across his hoodie. He looked like the kind of guy who lived for attention, flashing easy smiles at anyone who made eye contact. You barely spare him a glance, determined not to give him the satisfaction.

“Alright, class,” the professor calls out, silencing the room. “As you know, today we’re pairing up for the semester project. I’ve already assigned partners, so check the list on the screen and find your match.”

The air was filled with groans and whispers as names began appearing on the projector. You squinted at the list until your stomach drops.

Chris Sturniolo.

You blink, hoping you’ve read it wrong. But no, there it was, clear as day: your name beside his.

Chris, who’s been lounging near the front, turned around and scanned the room. His eyes land on yours, and he grins like he’s just won the lottery.

“Hey, partner,” he calls out, making his way up the steps towards you.

You fight the urge to roll your eyes. “Lucky me,” you mutter under your breath.

Chris drops into the seat next to yours, slinging his bag onto the floor. “Y/N, right?”

You nod, keeping your tone clipped. “Looks like it.”

“Don’t sound too excited,” he teases, leaning back like he owned the place. “We’re gonna crush this project.”

You stare at him, unimpressed. “You don’t even know what the project is yet.”

Chris laughed, unfazed. “Details. We’ve got this. Trust me, I’m great at group work.”

“Somehow, I doubt that.”

He smirks, clearly enjoying your sarcasm. “What’s your deal, huh? You don’t like frat guys or something?”

“I don’t like distractions,” you shoot back.

Chris raises his eyebrows, his grin widening. “Who said I’m a distraction?”

You open your notebook, effectively ending the conversation. “Let’s just focus on the project.”

-

Class let out earlier than expected one afternoon, and as you packed up your things, Chris fell into step beside you.

“Heading out?” he asks, casually slinging his bag over one shoulder.

“Clearly.” You didn’t bother looking at him.

“I’ll walk with you,” he offers.

You pause, glancing at him with suspicion. “Why?”

He shrugs. “We live in the same apartment building, right? Might as well.”

You consider protesting, but the thought of him lingering awkwardly behind you on the walk home seemed worse. “Fine,” you say, begrudgingly.

The two of you walk in silence for a few minutes, the sound of traffic and your footsteps filling the void. Chris, apparently unable to handle the quiet, broke it first.

“So, what do you do for fun?”

“Fun?” you repeat dryly. “I don’t think I have much time for that.”

“Come on, everyone has something. Movies? Books? Secretly a gamer?”

You smirk despite yourself. “I like reading. And no, not a gamer.”

“Ah, I can see it,” he says, nodding like he’d just cracked some great mystery. “The mysterious girl in the back of the room, nose buried in a book. Very on-brand.”

“What about you?” you counter. “Besides being late to class and living in your frat house?”

“Harsh,” he says, feigning hurt. “I’m more than a stereotype, you know.”

“Are you, though?”

Chris laughs, his grin infectious. “Okay, fair. But I’m not just a frat guy. I like music, sports, and...uh...working on group projects.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the small smile creeping onto your lips.

-

It became a routine: you and Chris walking home together after class. He was persistent, chatting about everything and nothing, gradually wearing down your guarded demeanor. One day, as you two approached your apartment building, he turned to you with a casual grin.

“So, my roommates and I are having a pregame tomorrow night,” he says. “You should come.”

You stop in your tracks, arching an eyebrow. “Why would I want to do that?”

“Because it’ll be fun,” he says, as if it were obvious. “Plus, your roommates are invited too. Think of it as...networking.”

“Networking,” you repeat skeptically.

“Yeah, like making friends and stuff. You’re allowed to do that, you know.”

You sigh. “I don’t really do...parties.”

“Then don’t think of it as a party,” Chris says. “Think of it as...a social experiment.”

You gave him a flat look. “Do you always oversell things this much?”

“Only when it works.”

You shake your head but don't outright say no. Chris grins, sensing victory.

“I’ll text you the details,” he says, holding the door for you as you enter the building. “And hey, if you hate it, I’ll owe you one.”

-

By the time you and your roommates arrive at Chris’s apartment the next night, the party was already in full swing. Music pulsed through the walls, and the living room was packed with people holding red Solo cups.

Chris spots you almost immediately, weaving through the crowd to greet you. “You made it!”

“Against my better judgment,” you say, glancing around.

He laughs. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to some people.”

To your surprise, Chris was a thoughtful host, making sure you feel included without overwhelming you. He introduces you to his friends, keeps the conversation light, and even manages to coax a few laughs out of you.

“You’re not so bad at this,” you admit at one point, holding your drink.

“At what?”

“Not being a complete idiot.”

Chris feigns offense, clutching his chest. “Wow. High praise coming from you.”

By the end of the night, you found yourself enjoying the chaos more than you expected. It was loud and messy, but Chris made it easier—his effortless charm and constant jokes putting you at ease.

“See?” he says as they stand by the kitchen counter, the party winding down. “Told you it’d be fun.”

You shake your head, a reluctant smile tugs at your lips. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, here you are,” he teases.

You rolled your eyes but didn’t argue. For the first time in a long while, you felt...comfortable. And Chris, against all odds, was starting to feel less like a distraction and more like something you might not mind keeping around.

----------------------------------------------------------------

This series got more votes so here is the first part! For right now most of my writing is going to have angst in some way or form because that's what I like to write so I hope you all enjoy :) 

⭒ margot

----------------------------------------------------------------

@mattsdillon @hesvoid3434 @admeliora94 

[rallentando1011]

Somnambulant Soulmates (rise Donnie x gn reader)

Prologue, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

Word Count: 3676

(alright, we’re getting into some good stuff now ;) hope you enjoy!)

Three weeks.

Three weeks had passed since you first encountered that purple clad turtle, give or take.

And they were a blur of fighting and parties and studies and a library and coffee and him.

Donnie, the centrifuge that had been the catalyst of the whirlwind that had become your life. Well, technically his brothers, April, and the rest of the gang were also at fault, but he was the main culprit. The superfluous amount of meetings you’d had with him in your short time knowing him, his intriguing disposition, the whole situation had made it quite easy for him to work his way up to being one of your favorite people.

It had been a few days since you’d seen him. It had also been a few days since you’d left the fortress of your home. Following the hectic event and subsequently less wild ones of last week, you deserved a few days’ break.

But it was time to get back into the fray.

You forced yourself up from where you had been lounging on your bed, prying your eyes away from the ceaseless social media scrolling you had subjected yourself to.

Blinking your sleepiness away, you thought about what you had to do: eat something, first of all, get some water and whatever prescriptions you needed, then message that confounded turtle about his progress on that invention.

Call yourself curious, but you just had to see it in its completion. Also, you were desperately bored. Why not get your social interaction and entertainment in one stop, kill two birds with one stone?

You pulled up the chat you currently had with him but paused before you typed a word.

Sure, texting got the point across, but you were looking for a quick answer, not a typical, joining-the-conversation-hours-later Donnie answer.

Would a call work better in this scenario?

Of course, calls kind of sucked to do, solely because of the whole talking aspect, but it could be quicker. And if he didn’t respond, then you could just send a text.

You clicked his contact and the button to call him, holding your breath momentarily afterward. Hopefully it wasn’t too weird. You meant, you’d never called him before, so maybe you would look like an absolute maniac for calling him now over something so trivial. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea-

“Hello?”

You startled at the sound of a voice over the phone. He’d already answered. No going back now.

“Hey, how’s it going?” you responded as smoothly as possible.

“... Fine? You called?”

“Yeah.”

The conversation fell silent until he spoke up.

“May I know what for?”

“Right! Yeah, sorry, I was just curious about that whole mystic gem-finding situation. Did you find one yet?”

“I have yet to locate and secure any that aren’t currently in use. The project’s also been on the backburner with lair repairs; segue, do you know how many microwaves Leo can break in a week?”

You snickered, though you quickly worked back out of that tangent. “Dude, isn’t your dad- er, wait, your father some kind of alchemist? He probably has something you could use.”

“He likely does.  However, we have what one might call a strained relationship.”

“Oh, you don’t have to tell me about that if you don’t want to-’

“Me and my brothers destroyed his lab and he threw Leo off of a roof.”

“Oh.”

You two went quiet once more. He also broke the silence once more.

“Never mind that, let’s focus on the task at hand: how to obtain a sought-after gem.”

“By destroyed, do you mean made a mess of or..?”

“Absolutely decimated it.”

“Right,” you nodded slowly. “So is it abandoned, and, follow up, would it still have any resources left?”

“Not likely. Scavengers, and Draxum himself, probably made certain that anything valuable was taken care of. But, we could potentially check it out.”

“Hmm, ‘we’?” you asked innocently enough, save for a teasing inflection in your hum.

“Yeah, ‘we’. Unless you’re not interested, which is totally within bounds-”

“I’m free Thursday and Friday, either before noon or at, like, ten,” you cut him off. His surprise was discernible by how quiet he went for a solid ten seconds.

“Right, yeah, Friday works,” he finally conceded. “Would Friday at 23:00 work for you?”

Seriously? Military time? What a punk. “Translate into normal time talk and then you’ll get an answer,” you quipped.

“No need to be rude. Does eleven sound better to your inconsiderate self?”

“Much. And eleven works. Where’re we meeting?”

“Fret not. I’ll send the location.”

Come Friday, following the address brought you to the shadiest place you’d been since April took you into the sewers last week.

Man, your friend group was a whole situation.

The area itself was fine. Domestic, contemporary homes and apartments in a congested neighborhood, standard New York living arrangement. Your dubiousness, however, stemmed from the particular location: a horribly lit, uninhabited, possibly abandoned construction site.

Actually, it would probably be weirder for him to ask to meet you in a normal location with street lights.

You sent a quick text to Donnie, informing him that you were there and possibly telling him to hurry his shell up before stepping into the.dirt-coated lot. As you moved deeper into the area, you noticed a silhouette propped against the side of a big metal container. You squinted at the turned away figure, trying to make out any features.

Typing vigorously, wearing an oversized purple hoodie, hunched over their phone- okay, yeah, that was Donnie.

You quickly made your way over to him, leaning next to him on the container with a loud, metallic thud.

“Hey there, pal,” you grinned, a visible puff of air exiting your lips. Boy, was it cold.

He lackadaisically lifted an eyebrow at you as he finished typing something up on his phone. “Salutations. And refrain from calling me pal; we’re not pals.”

Donnie placed his phone and hands into his hoodie pocket and started making his way further into the shadows underneath the structure of steel beams and bars. You followed suit.

“What are we then?” you prompted playfully.

“Acquaintances.”

“Really? I don’t think people who are just acquaintances travel to literal mystic cities or even the sewers with each other.”

“Well, if you are so well versed on the classifications of relationship statuses, what do you consider us to be?”

“Friends, probably,” you shrugged.

“Probably?” he asked as he started to use a pin from his pocket to draw an unfamiliar insignia on an oddly placed brick wall.

You rested your hands on your hips. “I mean, thinking statistically about it, we’re probably friends.”

“In what universe does statistics have anything to do with this situation?”

“Ion’ know. You’re supposed to know about the science-and-math-y stuff. I’m just moral support.”

“No, you’re just throwing mathematical terms around haphazardly!” he exclaimed, gesticulating with his free hand.

“I probably am.”

His eye twitched. Before he could iterate his disdain for your insolence, the design he traced on the wall began to emit an electric blue shade. A static buzz entered the air, creating a warm, fuzzy feeling around you. Not comforting, though. It was reminiscent of the portals you’d encountered just last week.

Abruptly, a swirling amalgamation of light and energy came forth before you, small bursts of lightning zapping periodically.

Huh. You were right. Portals.

“Does this lead to that lab?” you asked, peering at it curiously.

“What do you say we find out?” Donnie gave a lazy grin before coolly stepping backwards into the portal.

You gawked. The audacity of this man to invite you adventuring and then leave you high and dry was astronomical.

That left you with two options: get out of there and have a cozy night in or follow him into a suspicious portal. Which, come on, you already knew what you were going to do: tail that turtle and make him rue leaving you behind like that.

With a roll of your eyes, you stepped, or fell, more so, into the portal, and that’s when things went loopy.

Your surroundings melted into a zero gravity tunnel of blue, insides churning in a manner akin to the swarm of colors around you. Everything looked distorted, warped into only sensations, and after moments of free fall and whiplash and weightlessness you plopped rather unceremoniously onto a brick path. 

Somehow, the area you ended up in was even loopier than that.

For starters, the sky was a washy mix of apricot and slate and a golden color. Next up, and quite likely most pressingly, was the gigantic structure sitting before you. A short, rocky path trailed up to a floating cylindrical building, the size of which rivaled every building you’d ever seen in New York. The building was bathed in green light, had a balcony- and did you mention FLOATING?

“Holy-” You couldn’t help but go slack-jawed, earning a smug expression from the turtle.

“Mmhm.”

“Where are we?” You looked at the vast area behind you, the fiery orange sky littered with floating edifices and vessels and creatures of all varieties.

“Welcome to the Hidden City, my associate-”

You interjected, “-friend-”

“-entourage,” he corrected with the raise of an eyebrow.

You let it slide, not looking to lower your status any more. “Touché. Continue.”

“The Hidden City, a subterranean city-state far beneath New York City and home to the laboratory of former warrior-alchemist Barron Draxum,” Donnie introduced with a flourish of his hands.

You released an amused puff of air. “You feel good about letting out your inner theater kid?”

“I feel great, actually. But there’s no time to dwell on that. Onward, to exploration!”

He was really in full theatrics tonight, but you didn’t mind indulging. Lightly shaking your head at him, you joined him in moving up the path to the towering golden archway at the front of the building.

The door opened creakily, unsturdy on its hinges, shedding light on a decrepit, dust-ridden foyer. Large tapestries and artworks strewn about the halls were coated so thickly in dirt they almost couldn’t be made out. You shot him an uncertain look.

“Like I said, don’t keep your hopes up,” was all Donnie said in response before continuing down the dim corridor. You stalled, still weary about the condition of the building, before swiftly catching back up with him.

As you worked your way into the dark, desolate lab, Donnie lectured you on safety precautions. “Don’t touch anything unless it seems nonlethal and productive. Actually, just don’t touch anything.”

“So, I can’t open any drawers or anything?” you sassed.

He deadpanned. “You know what I mean.”

“Semantics matter, D.”

“Not really- fine, whatever. Let’s get to exploring,” Donnie conceded, excitedly flicking his goggles down with a smirk.

It was an instinct, really, that you clasped a hand over your mouth and terribly concealed a laugh upon seeing his goggle-covered eyes.

He stared at you blankly. “What?”

You waved your hand in front of you to dismiss yourself. “I’m sorry- I’ve just never seen you in the goggles.”

“I’ve worn them during every interaction of ours.”

“No, I mean like on your eyes. It makes them look all beady.”

“Wow. I appreciate that.”

You quickly defended yourself. “In a good way! It’s not bad, just different.”

“Ah yes, ‘beady in a good way’. I’ll log that one in the books.”

“Seriously, I thought they looked cute.”

He looked taken aback, lips pursed and face warm at that assertion.

“Not like that. Like an objective kind of cute.” You shook your head in disbelief at the words you were spewing. “Actually, nevermind. Forget I said any of that.”

“Agreed.” He rolled his eyes and set to work scanning shelves and drawers for any traces of the mysticism you were pursuing. For his sake, you didn’t mention how the pink tint on his face didn’t disappear until minutes into your guys’ search.

The search ended up unsuccessful. Sure, while scouring shelves and cabinets and odd cages around the spacious laboratory you found a whole lot more than you would expect in an abandoned building - elements in sealed jars, flasks of what seemed to be potions or ingredients - but nothing close to a crystal or gem.

After working your way around the room, you looked up at Donnie.

He shook his head and walked over to you. “It appears the lab’s a bust for any type of crystal. Not a total loss, though.” He held up a container labeled ‘emp.’ before one of the mechanical hands from his battle shell stored it for him. Another of the hands gave your shoulder a reassuring pat.

You shook your head. “No, we’re getting you a crystal, man.” You paused, thought of an alternative. “Are there any stores or markets nearby that might have them?”

“Ohmigosh, you are just full of great ideas.” You and Donnie began moving back toward the front.

He sounded like he might have meant that, but his voice was still startlingly monotonous. You narrowed your eyes, put your head askew. “For real?”

“Yes, this time,” the turtle nodded before excitedly gliding back down the entrance’s stairs.

You laughed, following along. “This time?”

“Surprisingly enough, yes.”

You caught up to him and landed a firm, still playful jab to his side.

“Just stop yapping and take us there.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After what felt like eons of continuous motion, you two made it onto the streets of the Hidden City.

Brightly colored banners, advertisements, decorations, adorned lampposts all up and down the streets, though you avoided certain battle-themed ones. Multitudes of languages and dialects could be heard all around. The smells of delectable foods wafted through the air, sweet, savory, spicy, but you couldn’t pay them any mind. You were on a gem-hunting mission. Even if it wasn’t going very well currently.

The merchant running a crystal stand was slumped over on their counter, boredly staring at the customers that had been occupying their business for minutes on end without making a choice i.e. you and Donnie.

You raised an index finger at a particular pretty purple gem sitting in a pile of other ones on the counter of the stand.

Donnie flicked on his goggles and shook his head. “Uh, no. Not remotely. We’re looking to avoid overcurrent; that thing has enough mystic mojo to wipe out half the city.”

You slowly placed it down. “Oookay then. Glad to be of service,” you muttered.

He pursed his lips at your interesting body language. Slumped shoulders, hints of dejection in your voice - you weren’t having fun. Maybe it was because he immediately turned down the last five of your suggestions, but who could definitively say why?

“The issue is that you keep grabbing crystals that emit cool colors, which, as you know from the electromagnetic spectrum, correlate to a higher frequency. We don’t want that. So, as much as I would enjoy a violet crystal to match my ambience, something with a less vibrant, warmer hue works best.”

You slowly digested what he just said. Cautiously, your hand crept back to the merchant’s display and selected an auburn gem. 

“That one’s frequency is too low-”

“Of course it is.”

“-but you’re on the right track! Try a little further down the electromagnetic spectrum-”

“What, something like this?” You gestured toward an amber gem that was near the bottom of the pile, exasperated.

Donnie hummed. “Actually, yeah. That’s just fine.”

“Really?”

“Shhh,” Donnie waved a hand telling you to calm down before pulling you aside. “There’s no fixed price on the signs here. If we seem too excited or gullible-”

“We get duped?” you guessed.

“We get duped. So stay cool, and let me handle this.”

Donnie cracked his knuckles and turned back to the stand, professionally ready to bargain and deal with the price.

He still ended up paying a ridiculous price for the small gem’s size, but you didn’t know if you’d ever seen him grin so proudly, so you didn’t say a word about it.

The first time you spoke up after the deal was made was after passing by a food cart and hearing your stomach rumble.

Donnie almost kept walking without you before you loosely clasped onto his wrist.

Puzzled, he turned back to you.

“Would you want to get something to eat? Like, while we’re down here,” you asked.

He pursed his lips. Just as he opened his mouth to retort or deny the requests, you were both hit with a wave of the most scrumptious food you’d smelled probably in your entire life.

“Okay, you have to admit that smell is heavenly,” you looked at him knowingly.

“I don’t have to do anything, but those do look fire.”

You gave him the best pleading look you had, and you could pinpoint the exact moment he caved in.

“Alright, we can take a quick detour from the exit.”

“Heck yeah! You rock, no correlation to geology,” you winked, adjusting your grip from his wrist to his hand so that you two wouldn’t get separated from you charging through the crowd.

And charge through that crowd you did.

Donnie in tow behind you, you bounded through the crowd excitedly, scarcely avoiding collisions all over.

However, the complaining Donatello in hand and sweating were inconsequential compared to being in line for a brand new type of culinary experience.

You were practically buzzing with joy, so excited that you momentarily forgot to relinquish Donnie’s hand. You still did though, just a moment shy of awkwardness.

You had made a good deal, had good company, and were about to have good food. What more could you want?

Still beaming, you felt your phone buzzing in your pocket and pulled it out.

The smile on your face quickly receded as you checked who was calling.

“Just a moment, I need to take this,” you muttered before slipping out of line and off through the crowd.

Donnie froze. He didn’t like the fact that whoever called seemed to ruin your mood, nor the idea of you being alone in an entirely unfamiliar city.

Reluctantly, he relinquished his spot in line - which was painfully close to the front, might he add - to find you.

It took a moment of weaving left and right, dodging up and down through a flurry of wings and tails for him to find the space between two buildings that you had moved yourself into.

Not wanting to intrude, he stood right outside the small alley, listening in by a complete coincidence. Certainly not out of nosiness in the slightest. Nope.

Anyway, he only got close enough to hear you mid-sentence.

“-you serious? Now, I don’t know if your section of New York is in a different time zone, but for me right now it is way too dark and way too late to be calling for conferences.”

A pause. Scraggly sounds faintly sounded from the other side of the call, not that he could make out an inkling of it. You, on the other hand, understood it all too well.

“Obligatory? Yes, I know what obligatory means, I just find the notion of a required meeting kinda dumb- Sorry, I mean extremely dumb.”

Another pause of you presumably getting chewed out passed before you, begrudgingly, grumbled, “Ugh, if you insist. Be there later.”

The phone call ended after that, and Donnie had no clue what to do.

Walking in normally could make it seem like he was eavesdropping, which he was but he didn’t want you to know that, but he couldn’t just stand still either.

After some careful contemplation, Donnie looked around and stumbled (definitely not purposefully) into the alley you were in. He seemed somewhat concerned; he hadn’t seen you that perturbed before.“Is everything alright?” he muttered vaguely, not wanting to overstep.

“Just yelling at my… mother’s urn- Anyway, once again, I have really got to go, this has been really fun, we should do this again sometime, am I missing anything else?” you joked lightheartedly. Thankfully the mood, along with Donnie, followed your attitude shift.

“I feel like a ‘thanks, you’re the best’ may be due,” your companion urged jokingly.

“Thanks Donnie, you’re the best.”

He huffed. “Kidding. I was kidding.”

“I wasn’t.”

For a probably too long moment, he made eye contact with you and your startlingly genuine eyes. Eventually, he tore his gaze away and cleared his throat. “... Let’s get you back to the surface.”

The trip back to the site of the portal was mostly silent, just the two of you trekking shoulder to shoulder through crowds of characters, before you entered the vertigo-inducing light once again.

The wind bit harshly at you as soon as you landed back on New Yorkian ground, an unkind reminder of the end of your adventure.

You blew a puff of warm air onto your hands and almost started walking on instinct before Donnie spoke, reminding you of his presence.

“Are you alright going back on your own?” he questioned quietly, almost coyly.

“I mean, I made it here on my own. I think I’ve got it covered.”

“Oh. Okay,” he concurred with a nod before giving you a pair of thumbs up. “In that case, make it home safely. Text you later?”

“Later,” you agreed emphatically. With one more nudge of his arm and a pivot in the other direction, you were off, out of the construction zone, on the sidewalk, down the street.

As you moved toward your destination, the skyscrapers and towering structures lining your path grew taller, more opulent, more lavish. Insignificant residentials morphed into substantial, old money commercials. Your heart rate climbed.

You paused in front of the grand doors of your location and took a deep, steadying breath. It was just some quick business you had to take care of. Brief. Inconsequential. Everything would be fine.

With some renewed confidence, or at least some semblance of it, you pulled on the handle and swiftly entered the hotel’s lobby.

The door closed thickly behind you with a thud.

Resonate. Absolute. Irrevocable.

(Artwork for part 5)

Taglist ~

@rottmntsimp

@envyjmoney

[unreliablesnake]

Help (Miguel O'Hara x reader)

Summary: After his sabotaged attempt to fix things, Miguel is on the run. He goes to you for a night, just until he makes a plan to make things right.

Note: Just a short something I wanted to write. This is an “x reader” story despite both of them being idiots in love who just won't be honest with each other.

Your phone began to ring and vibrate on your desk, and when you looked at the screen, you saw it was your neighbor, a middle-aged man who loved to complain about everything. When you turned off the music you'd been listening to, your ears picked up another sound, a loud banging that came from your front door. Was he already there? This man was a nightmare.

“Hello, James,” you said into the phone in the sweetest tone you could manage. “Was the music too loud?”

“No, not this time. But I guess you couldn't hear that loud noise coming from the hallway. There's this creepy guy who's been trying to get you to open your door for the past five minutes. Be careful, he looks like some drug addict,” he added, sounding genuinely worried about your safety.

Who the hell could that be? “Thanks for the warning. I'll peek out to see who it could be. Thanks for the warning. Have a good evening.”

With a sigh, you picked up a pair of scissors and made your way to the door with your phone in your other hand in case you had to call the police. You cautiously looked out the peephole and the man you saw standing there made you gasp.

“Jesus, Miguel,” you said once you opened the door and faced your colleague with a worried look on your face. He looked disheveled, distressed, and generally in a bad shape. You grabbed his arm and pulled him inside, putting the items in your hands on the small table beside the door before turning back to him. “What the hell happened to you?”

Instead of answering, he went to the wall in the living room to push a few buttons and roll down the blind of the window. You didn't understand why he did that, but once they were down, he took off his sunglasses and revealed a pair of red eyes. You wondered if he had suddenly decided to wear colored contacts, but then he opened his mouth a little as if he was about to say something, and you noticed he had fangs.

“My eyes have been really sensitive to light,” he explained in the end as he sat down on the couch. “I know I've changed a lot, but it's… I don't… You're the only one I can trust right now.”

Nodding, you sat on the edge of the coffee table in front of him and took his hands in yours. “Why don't you go back to the beginning and tell me what the hell is going on with you?”

“I wanted to resign from the project I've been working on, but Stone didn't let me, instead he tricked me into taking Rapture,” he explained hurriedly.

“You're joking, right? That thing is highly–”

“Trust me, I know,” Miguel cut in as he buried his face in his hands. “I tried to fix things, but they didn't let me. Delgado found out and sabotaged the process. My DNA changed, and now here I am with fangs, talons, and light-sensitive red eyes, and other abilities I don't even fully understand yet. I think they're looking for me, I hoped you could let me hide here for a day or two.”

You sat on the couch next to him and put a hand on his back supportively. “You can stay here as long as you want,” you assured him.

“I need to do something, I can't just sit back and hope it will go away. It won't, I know that.”

He sounded sad and confused, and it broke your heart. The two of you had been close at Alchemax, with you bringing him late lunch when you heard he hadn't eaten anything all day, or with him keeping you company when you were among the last people in the building late at night.

But you barely met outside of work, you didn't even know he knew where you lived. And now here he was, asking for your help. Who were you to make him leave? He had been nothing but kind to you in the past, pushing him away now would have been the cruelest thing to do.

And in all honesty, you didn't want to hurt him. You liked him, maybe a little too much, but you weren’t about to take advantage of the situation. The best you could do now was being a supportive friend. “Just make sure you have a plan, okay?” you asked him. When he looked at you, you pulled your lower lip between your teeth. Damn, those red eyes saw right through you. “Don’t do anything in a rush. Like I said, you can stay as long as you want. Tell me how I can help and I will.”

Miguel was watching you with wide eyes, and you didn’t really understand it at first. But then he pulled you into a hug and placed a soft kiss on the crown of your head. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” he said quietly. “But I don’t want you to be involved in this, I’ll be gone in the morning.”

“I’ll get the spare room ready for you. But first, we order food because I’m starving,” you said with a smile as you began to stand up.

“Thank you,” Miguel said when he caught your hand and kept you back. “I don’t know how I’ll repay it. I show up out of nowhere and you help me without asking questions.”

You nodded with a warm smile. “That’s what friends are for, right?”

He gulped as he thought about your words. “Right. Friends,” he said, and you couldn’t really understand why he said it like that.

But you didn’t waste your time trying to figure it out, instead you ordered some food and went to the spare room to make his bed. Miguel seemed to be lost in his thoughts so you didn’t want to bother him, and he also seemed like he could use some sleep. The two of you quickly ate the dinner when it arrived, then you said goodnight and went to your bedroom to sleep.

By the time you woke up the next morning, Miguel was already gone. The only trace of him ever being there was a message he left for you, in which he thanked you for your help and promised to stay away until he fixed things. You knew it would be hard to be in the dark about him, but if he thought it would be for the best, you had no choice but to respect his decision.

[otherone12]

Comics And "Something"

Gerard Way x Brazilian!Reader 

-> Masterlist

A/N: Hey!! Well... days ago my intrusive thoughts just won and i wrote a Gerard Way imagine (because why not)... and then I received this request... I've been bored, so maybe i'll post some emo imagines (mcr, p!atd, fob, paramore...) frequently?? Idk. If have requests, I will certainly make them... and i will post a part2 of the “I Can Help You With That” :)

~ "Could you do another imagine with Gerard and a Brazilian reader? (Perhaps the reader is Gabriel Bá's sister) ...I don't know if it's an interesting request :("

Summary - Your brother worked with Gerard for a while, but you've never really met him until now 'cause you live in another country (Brazil). Fortunately, Gerard is gonna stay at your brother's home for a week, to work on a new project. You both don't know what happens when you've seen each other, but it was CLEARLY something.

- Word Count: 1.570

- Warnings: Age gap? (not smut!)

- Ps1: I'll not use y/n…

- Ps2: I'm brazilian, so english is not my first language ... sorry if i wrote something wrong.

Damn... sorry for the superlong intro *-*

___________________________________________

Reader's 1st Person POV

I woke up 3 am and looked at my phone just to see three missed calls and an absurd amount of texts from my brother. I can't believe that this man is like forty-something years old and can't even wait till the morning to tell me whatever he wanted to tell me.

Even though I'm tired, I read every single one of the messages. None of them has a real meaning, was like "are you awake?", "i need to talk to you", "it's important!"

Why the fuck he did'nt just tell me what is going on insted of doing this?? 

I called him back and he dropped the news: Gerard Way will spend a whole week in my brother's house!

- Realy?! - I shout at phone

- Yep... he's gonna stay here for a while... don't act like a stoned, please. - i heard a bit of a desperate tone in his voice, like he wasn't kidding.

- What do you mean? - I said, trying not sound offended, even if i was.

- I know you for 25 years, dear... you can't keep MCR lyrics references out of your mouth for too long. - He chuckles.

He's right... i can't, the same way i can't swim, can't dance and i don't know karate.

- I don't know why you think I'm gonna be weird or something... it's not like I'm a fangirl. Not anymore. - I argued.

- Sure... - his sarcasm always makes me mad - By the way, we'll be busy working, so i will need your help here... can you stay with us in my place?

- Yeah, but why do you need me? Don't you think I'm gonna "act like a stoned"?

- Honestly? I KNOW you're gonna be creepy, but I can't cook, and i refuse to buy shitty North American food for Gerard when he's here. 

- OH, FINE! - I couldn't help but take it as a challenge, I'm gonna be there and act normal, because that's what i am, right? A normal person - I get it. So no cheeseburgers and stuff? 

- NO! You can cook something nice, right?

- I can try... 

- Awesome! See ya tomorrow at 8pm in the airport to pick Gerard up. Good night. 

-  Bye! 

Yeah, sure, how the hell does he expect me to sleep? I mean, when I was a teenager, Gerard was my hero. I'm not that kind of fan anymore, but still, I like him so much. 

Gabriel never introduced us appropriately, probably 'cause I was ‘that’ creepy fan, or the long distance between the countries made it impossible for me to travel. Anyways… just didn't happen yet.

*** time skip ***

I don't know why, but I just imagined the scene of Gerard going out of the airplane and thousands of paparazzis just screaming and taking pictures of him… I was surprised that didn't happen, I know the people here and we can be really crazy sometimes. By the way, Gabriel and I was waiting for him.

Soon, along with several other passengers, We could see him, who was looking for the familiar face of my brother in the crowd. The smile emerged on his face in the moment they made eye contact. 

Damn this man is so good looking… Suddenly I remembered why I had that crush on him.

-Hey, How long, man?! - Gabriel said with a smile as he opened his arms to hug Gerard.

- Hell yeah! How have you been? - That pretty smile still in his face.

- Great! Better now that i know we'll gonna work together again!

I just couldn't stop looking at him… I think he noticed, ‘cause he looked back at me.

-Lemme guess… Your sister, right? - The lovely look on his eyes as he extended his hand to greet me made my face burn. - He talks alot about you, I was excited to finally meet you!

- So as I! - I shaked his hand and smile back at him, trying not to overdo it.

- She's A huge fan! 

The death look I gave Gabriel made Gerard laugh a bit, but not enough to make me feel more embarrassed than I already was.  

-Well, that's true, but why don't we go home? - i said - You need help with that? 

I pointed to the two suitcases he was carrying.

-That's fine. I can handle two of them. Thanks! - i swear, his eyes was glowing… im not that crazy! 

We put Gerard's things in the trunk of my brother's car and we went back home. 

During the way, all I could think about were those hazel eyes and how I felt a connection... it was inexplicable, maybe it's just nonsense in my head. But there's always a ‘maybe not’, right?

Gerard's 1st person POV

I don't know what that was. But THAT was fucking something! The way she look? Maybe, but not just that. don't know! 

I haven't even talked with her, but I hope we have time to get to know each other well. Because that was something.

At home, Gabriel showed me the office and the room i'll stay in.

He has such a pretty house, and all the pencils, markers, and art stuff get me even more excited to start work. But his sister is still in my mind... The best I can do now is go to sleep, cause all the way in the airplane just stressed me out.

Reader's 1st person POV

First things first, i woke up early to do exactly the thing my brother wants me to do: cook. 

I was distracted preparing coffee, and heard a familiar voice from the back of the kitchen.

-Morning… - Even though his voice was dragging because he had just woken up, he still sounded so good. 

Gerard sat at the table while I finished preparing breakfast.

- Morning! How was your night? Did you sleep well? - I asked, trying to start a conversation.

- Yeah, really well, and the feeling of waking up with this smell is just amazing! - He smiled, rubbing his eyes.

- I'm glad you like it. - the feeling of relief and joy took over me, I think being normal will be easier than I imagined…

*** time skip ***

The next two days was normal, just small talks, because the purpose of him coming was not to talk to me, but to work, right? Still, it would be nice to take an hour or two just to talk.

Or not, i keep thinking about the feeling in the airport, i want to feel that again. 

Gabriel left early this morning to look for who knows what, which ended up making room for a break from work. 

I was sitting on the couch, watching a rerun of my favorite movie when Gee appeared in the living room and sat next to me.

-Finally a break, hun? - he said, with his usual smile, which by the way I always thought was beautiful - Don't get me wrong, I love to do that, but sometimes Gabe just goes too deep.

- Yeah, I know… he is intense. Family thing, I guess… - I chuckled and turn the TV off, so we could talk. - Same eyes and same craziness.

We laughed for a moment, but he seemed to concentrate on confirming the similarity between my eyes and my brother's eyes. A shiver went down my spine when the look stopped being critical and became appreciative. It's incredible how artists can vary between technique and feeling.

The situation made me want to kiss him, but I think this is out of the limits, considering his relationship with my brother. I respect that and never gonna do something that could ruin it. 

-  Transcendently impressive… - The way he spoke made it seem like he was in some kind of trance. - Your eyes. 

I gasped in shock. I didn’t know what to say. I just stood still, while my breath was panting.

-Thanks! - I pulled from somewhere within me the confidence to thank and return the compliment. - I can say the same about yours, maybe even more.

- I think you're exaggerating, but thank you - I thought the situation would be awkward, but Gee seemed increasingly comfortable with my company. - May I ask you something?

- Sure! - My curiosity barely let him finish the sentence. - Anything.

- Did you feel that at the airport? - He sighed as if taking a huge weight off his chest. - Because i did. Sorry if it sounds weird or...

- Thank God! I thought i was freak out. So there WAS something. - I quickly got up from the couch and practically jumped for joy. - The last days i couldn't barely sleep thinking of you! Well, not YOU but the whole situation and-

It happened so quickly that I couldn't register in my mind when he stood up, even less could I believe that he cut me off with a kiss. 

-I thought about you too, sugar… 

Before I could do anything, he kissed me again, that feeling it was becoming clearer and clearer, with every second my lips remained close to his.

The next few days were a bit different… not like we just makeout a lot of times, but some quick looks, kisses and conversations. We discovered that we have more in common than we imagined…

Now, taking advantage of Gerard's last moments here, I decided that I would help him pack his bags, so that we could make, whatever our relationship is, last longer. While we were talking, I couldn't help but notice the t-shirt he was putting on his suitcase. 

-Oh my god, i didn't notice… you brought THE shirt! 

- What do you mean? - He was confused, but then he looked at the shirt and noticed why.

- “Pool Boy At The Vampire Mansion” shirt… it's like THE shirt!  

- Ya know? Keep it.

- WHAT? I don't think-

- You heard me. - He smiled, in the cutest way a human being can smile.- I want you to keep it. I don't know when we're gonna seen each other again, so… 

Gerard dropped the shirt in the bed and got closer to me, placing his hands on my waist and, getting even closer, he pressed his lips to mine gently. The kiss became deep as we let ourselves be carried away by the heat of the moment. 

-This week was perfect. - He said, placing his hand on my cheek and looking into my eyes. - I wish it didn't end now. You know, sugar, I think we could work out… be something. 

- I'm sure that we can make it happend- I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into a kiss even more intense than the last. The feeling of hope made it seem like time would stop at that moment. 

~ That's it. Hope u enjoyed :)

[the-soulofdevil]

Pairing: Frank Castle x reader. Tony Stark x Steve Rogers.

Theme: Dark

Genre: Marvel Horror Au

Warnings: Manipulation, gore, death mention, spooky, horror themes, mention of smut. 18+

Prompt: The Mysterious Neighbor Your neighbor's house always seemed normal until Halloween night. You notice something strange and decide to investigate.

Note: It's been a while since I participated in a challenge. Hope i could do justice to the challenge. It was an honor to participate in the lovely challenge you hosted @jtargaryen18

🎃

AO3

🎃

Anthony Howard Stark was not only your roommate but also a childhood friend. You were practically siblings at this point as both his parents were too busy for him and he spend nearly all day with you. In college you sure lost contact but after you reconciled, there was no drifting away again. You lived on your own until your landlord kicked you out. Tony insisted you live with him and his boyfriend Steve Rogers. Living with them was interesting, Steve was quite the opposite of Tony. You shared similarities with Steve more than you did with Tony. Their anniversary was coming up and hence you and Steve decided to throw a big surprise party.  Nothing better than to align the party with that of Halloween. The plan was simple, Steve will take Tony out for a long extravagant vacation while you would stay back to decorate and plan for the Halloween anniversary. It was a perfect idea. Costumes, sweets, drinks and celebration of love.

As planned three weeks prior the Halloween Steve took Tony to Paris. Tony being Tony he wanted you to join and was quite adamant until you played I feel so single with you card. You began by simple decorations. You some flowers to begin with. While you coming home your attention was captured by the neighboring villa.

You hadn’t seen anyone but the house seemed clean. You had always tried asking about the owner but Tony brushed you off. Today for some reason you felt drawn to the house. You placed a flower by the main door and left whistling away a tune you had caught not paying attention to the shadow that moved.

You began working on the flowers and other simple DIY projects. The movement outside the kitchen window though caught your attention. A guy was working in his backyard. It was strange considering you never saw anyone. Curiously you went out and called out for the person.

“Hi! Um... I never saw anyone work here.”

The guy stopped for a brief moment and turned towards you.

He smiled. “I am Frank. Frank Castle. I own this place. My timings of work are different and maybe that’s why we never ran into one another. I like working outdoors, so on my day offs I work here.” He offered another smile.

You smiled back. He looked handsome. Sweat covering his body and yet he looked mesmerizing. He had tattoos. By his built he looked like he was in army or in similar line of work.

“Do come over if you feel like. You do look like you could use a lemonade.”

Frank chuckled. “Surely. Wouldn’t decline such a sweet offer by a beautiful lady.”

Your face heater up. You offered a smile and quickly went in preparing the drink. Frank knocked at the back door soon after. He took in the interior and overall kitchen décor.

“You have an elegant taste.” He complimented.

“Oh all this is Tony. He is very good in making any place look royal and luxurious.” You said admiring your friend’s work.

“Lucky husband Mr. Tony.” Frank said with a stone cold face.

“Oh no, we’re not married. He is with Steve. They’re the couple I’m just an awkward third wheel who they adopted.” You said jokingly. You surely missed them being around.

And just like that, the smile and spark returned Frank’s eyes. He mirrored your smile. “Still lucky to have you.”

For a brief moment you looked in one another’s eyes. A shy smile hugging both your faces. It was near close to a beautiful moment when your phone rang.

“Oh this must be Steve!” you exclaimed.

You began talking to Steve missing the look on Frank’s face.

Frank was immediately enchanted by you. You were the fresh breath of air he desperately needed. A ray of sunshine he lost years ago. He wanted to have you. He wanted to have you with all the passion, desire, lust and love he had inside of him. And he was going to get you.

“You guys should enjoy and not worry about me. Our lovely neighbor is here for a drink. He’s very sweet and I’m sure you guys will like him. Now I gotta go. It’ll be rude to keep him waiting.” You hung up leaving Steve in pit full of questions as to how did the poor old bedridden Fury managed to come in for a drink.

“They worry about me. Steve and Tony. It’s after a long time I’m going to be living alone without them for 3 weeks. They’ll be back on Halloween.” You rambled.

“Oh good. We have plenty time to get to know each other.” Frank smiled.

🎃

The following days were spent decorating and talking to various bakers and restaurants who would be available for catering. You insisted Frank to join you in the taste tour but he declined every time. He was reserved and denied meeting anyone other than you, you figured. If you were not decorating you were spending time with him at either your place or his. Eventually you began spending nights in each other’s arms.

Frank whispered sweet nothings in your ears as he made love to you. At a point you thought it was too early to be doing this, but then, Steve had always said love hugs us out of nowhere and it the most comforting thing. So may be this was it.

🎃

Maria hill was a nurse appointed for Mr. Fury. She would at times come at your place for a quick chit chat and even had an extra key of your place. And like every time, Maria used her key, except this time she wasn’t greeted by your bubbly self. She called out your name.

You were upstairs kissing Frank when you heard Maria. As usual Frank quieted down.  You grabbed his shirt and went down to greet her.

As soon as you arrived Maria’s smile faded. She gave you a weird look and was about to ask you something but your usual self, distracted her.

“You are invited to Halloween Anniversary party!” by now you knew Frank got uncomfortable when you told about him to people. It seemed little unfair but you knew what he might feel. You yourself were shy person until you met Tony. Because of him you opened up a little and eventually you were more open to meeting new people. You hoped you could be same for Frank.

Maria had never seen you this happy before. Sure you were happy, but this time you were content. She ignored everything and you both engaged in conversation as usual. She left leaving you alone with Frank.

“When should we tell them?” you asked pulling him close.

“Anniversary night? Sounds good?” He smiled, kissing you.

You smiled back.

🎃

Halloween day

Tony and Steve were to arrive in the evening you were busy with last minute preparations. At this moment you were not thinking about Frank. You were excited to meet and celebrate with Tony and Steve. You had called everyone around 6 PM so you still had half an hour before the guests arrived. And Tony and Steve’s flight was late so they were to arrive by 6:30 PM. For the last time you were checking if everything was in the place and your eye caught Frank’s house. All the lights were out. You remembered him telling he didn’t like decorating his house for Halloween but just because you had carved a pumpkin he decided to keep it on his window. That pumpkin was missing too.

You tried calling him but the no response. In fact the lady said the number you’re calling is switched off. You were worried and hence you decided to go look for him.

To your surprise the front door was locked and so was his back door. Million thoughts ran in your head. But you remembered him showing you the secret passage to his house that opened in the backyard. You went in through the passage. It was dusty and filled with cobweb. As Frank had told you the passage opened in his basement. Although scared you found a way upstairs. You didn’t expect what you saw.

The inside looked like no one lived there for over a decade. No cute sofa covers, no decorative no nothing you witnessed with Frank. The walls had mold, furniture was broken and there was a peculiar sting. Nothing you remembered was there. It was like you hallucinated the three weeks. You were shivering and sweating at the same time. Your eyes watered and lips quivered. Suddenly the basement door behind you closed making you jump in fear.

A part of you wanted to run. A part of you wanted to find answers. You choose the latter. You roamed around the house looking for some sense of familiarity. Looking for answers. The sting grew stronger now. You opened the door only to be greeted by horror.

On the bed lay Frank. Half decomposed wearing the shirt he often wore claiming to be his favorite one.

Your screamed was silenced by the sight before you.

Your feet somehow dragged you back but you tripped and fell down the stairs losing your conscious. You woke up to greeted by the darkness. Your first instinct was to grab the phone and call for help. Your blurred vision was strong enough to let you know your phone had died. With a thumping headache you tried to get up on your wobbly legs. When the memory came back to you, you made a run for the door. You ran out from the main door towards the gate only to re-enter from the backyard. Your head was still woozy you thought. So you ran in the house, again to the main door from there to the gate. Once more you ended up coming to the backdoor.

You began crying. But you decided not to give up. You went up to the backyard wall you shared with your house and tried climbing up the wall. Jumping on your side of the yard you still ended up being in Frank’s yard. You did it again and again and again until you gave up and cried in frustration.

You were trapped.

“I know the feeling.” Came Frank’s voice.

You looked up at him. He was standing before you in flesh and bones. Although his face was mutilated. Like his head was shot with a gun.

He came close to you, giving you a hand to get up. You flinched moving away from him.

“Please just let me go. I won’t tell anyone. I promise.” you begged.

He only chuckled.

“Can’t do anything munchkin.” He called you by your pet name. “This...” he gestured around. “Is not me.”

Frank began walking back into the house. “You can stay there all night running in the circles or you can see your friends for the last time.” He said as he walked off.

You were confused now more than ever. You followed Frank. “What do you mean?” you asked angrily. “Answer me!” you demanded when he didn’t give an answer. “What did you…” your eyes fell where Frank was standing.

Your body was been taken away by paramedics. While Steve and Tony hugged each other and cried. You looked outside there was ambulance, police and all your friends who were supposed to attend the party. Tears filled your eyes. You tried hugging both your friends for one last time but all they could do was shiver. Steve held Tony in his arms and walked away. You walked with them till the gate. Where you heard the cops tell them the death was due to falling down the stairs and impact on your head. You cried harder knowing no one will hear you. You tried following Steve and Tony but they moved ahead leaving you entering the backyard again.

Your legs gave up. You hugged yourself and cried, Frank being the only one to hear you and comfort you. As much as it broke him to see you like this, he was happy he wasn’t going to be alone. He had you. And eventually you would accept your fate just like he did.

[cosmic-starfall]

"Harmony Rings True"

MDZS Orchestra AU

I started writing this au last year, but never got very far with it due to having zero musical experience. Here's the segment I wrote, along with my notes, for anyone who might like the idea of this au.

Notes: 

Orchestra:

Wei Wuxian = conductor

Lan Wangji = vocalist, guqin 

Nie Huaisang = bass cellist

Wen Qing = violinist

Wen Ning = pianist

Lan Xichen = composer, vocalist, pianist

Lan Qiren = orchestra director

Non-orchestra:

Jiang Cheng = music critic

Nie Mingjue = retired cellist, injury related

Xue Yang = music critic, disgraced vocalist

Xiao Xingchen, Song Lan = retired musicians, xiao and vocalist. Retired, due to the actions of Xue Yang. (A scathing review ruined their careers.) 

Fic:

There is no earthly reason that Wei Wuxian would be here: The Cloud Recesses Concert Hall. But they let him in the door without calling the police, so maybe miracles really do happen. He was hired as a last minute conductor when the last one was fired unceremoniously right before a big concert. 

That doesn’t make it any less surreal to walk through those grand doors and stand in the lavish lobby like he belongs there. Every bit of decor is light and airy, and it makes his simple black outfit stand out like an ink stain. 

But no one stops him. No one is there to scold him for believing he belonged there. The people passing by largely ignore him as they bustle silently in and out of nearby corridors, or work behind the front counter. 

Self consciously, he fumbles for his phone to check the instructions he was given one more time. There’s a detailed note with directions to the orchestra director’s office, and he quickly scans it once again. 

Then with one last awed glance around the vast atrium, he finds the correct corridor and walks as confidently as he can manage down it. The hall is dimmer than the lobby, with less windows and more softly lit lamps as it continues. Wei Wuxian takes the instructed turns down each one, feeling like he’s walking deeper and deeper down a branching cave system. 

The director’s office door is identical to the two bordering it, and he almost walks past. But the plaque next to it says “Director: Lan Quiren”, so he steels himself with one last deep breath and knocks. 

“Enter.” 

Wei Wuxian opens the door and hardly makes eye contact before he’s bowing much deeper than needed in greeting. “Director, sir. I’m here for my interview.” 

His satchel nearly slips from his shoulder and he readjusts it. Lan Qiren is perfectly dressed to blend into the overall aesthetic of the concert hall, with a neatly groomed mustache and goatee to top off his look. He is stone-faced as he says, “Sit down.” 

So he sits across from his desk and sets his bag on the floor. Wei Wuxian resists the urge to wipe the nervous sweat he can feel appearing on his face. 

The director shifts papers around on his desk, not looking up as he speaks. “The position is last-minute, I apologize.”

“No need to. I can easily pick up the program in a few weeks.” He smiles. 

Lan Qiren frowns in response. “You will only have a week.” 

Oh. “That’s fine!” 

“Your resume states that you have over a decade of experience in conducting. Care to elaborate?” 

“I was the conductor for my high school orchestra. And I studied music for four years in college, while conducting for their orchestra as well.” Wei Wuxian leaned back in his seat, his smile only growing. 

The director was unmoved. “That is what it says on your resume. I want to know if you can truly put in the work it takes to memorize an entire concert program. You were the only conductor available, and in fact your resume indicates a gap in employment for one year. How do I know you will be qualified?” 

Wei Wuxian sat up straight, projecting a mask of absolute professionalism. “I unfortunately was dealing with a family emergency during that gap in employment. My…grandmother was bed-bound and I was the only one able to take the time off to take care of her.” 

Lan Qiren raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Well I don’t see any other issues with your resume. The lead vocalist will help you memorize the program, he has been assisting with the production while we are missing a conductor.” 

“Thank you, sir.” He suppressed a victorious grin down into something polite. 

Lan Qiren pressed the intercom button on his desk. “Lan Wangji, to my office immediately.” 

Wei Wuxian blinked, hiding his shock– surely he didn’t mean the famous Lan vocalist, the one who had just accepted several awards for his performances? But of course, this was the Cloud Recesses Concert Hall, his home venue. Why wouldn’t he be here? 

The office door swung open behind him, and Wei Wuxian twisted to face it. The man who entered was undoubtedly the famous Lan Wangji. Though he was not as dressed up as he had been on the TV award shows, he was still excessively prim and proper. He wore a high collared white shirt, free from even the tiniest wrinkle. His pants were a pale blue, also pressed and creased to perfection. 

Wei Wuxian had to crane back a bit to see his face, and was unsurprised to find it as blindingly pale as the rest of his appearance. The only respite from his colorless complexion was the slight blush of pink at his lips. 

He realized he was staring at them when Lan Wangji subtly cleared his throat. His eyes snapped up to meet him, and he nearly shriveled at the disapproving laser-focused gaze. 

Wei Wuxian forced his face into a presentable expression. “Hello!” 

“The practice room is this way.” Then he left back down the hall, not giving Wei Wuxian a chance to even get up in time. 

With a rushed goodbye to Lan Qiren, he scrambled to catch up. 

If he thought the route to the director’s office was confusing, getting to the practice room was even worse. This time, there were stairs involved. Lan Wangji kept up a brisk pace that never wavered, even when climbing up flights of stairs. 

By the time they reached the floor with the practice rooms, he was struggling not to pant. The nervous sweat had turned into an actual sweat. He silently cursed at the fact that Lan Wangji was entirely unaffected. 

The soundproof practice rooms surrounded a central open space for musicians to practice together and discuss the programming. Several were already lounging there, stands with sheet music and open instrument cases scattered about. 

Wei Wuxian waved. “Hello everyone! I’m Wei Wuxian, I’ll be your new conductor.” He hoped desperately that the sweat wasn’t visible. 

He received a few polite greetings in return, but one musician seemed to recoil at his presence. “Oh no, not the new conductor! I thought we still had time to learn our parts! I’ve been practicing and I still sound awful, I’m so sorry you’re going to be so disappointed.” 

“Whoa, slow down.” Wei Wuxian came over to him, looking at the sheet music over his shoulder. “What was your name? And what part are you having trouble with?” 

“I’m Nie Huaisang, I play the bass cello. And it’s just–here let me show you.” He stood, retrieving his instrument. The bass cello was almost too tall for him, but he balanced it neatly against his shoulder and consulted the sheet music before laying his bow to the strings and beginning to play. 

Every conversation in the room fell silent, the haunting melody taking over. The pitch was deep enough to vibrate in your lungs at close range, and it was clearly the foundation that other instruments in the orchestra would build upon. It was also exactly the same as the bit of sheet music Wei Wuxian had read over. 

“That was perfect! Are you just struggling with memorization?” He asked, once more stepping to Nie Huaisang’s side to read the music. 

“No, I swear it just doesn’t sound right!” He protested, letting his bow drop from the strings with a final somber note. 

“Of course it doesn’t! You need the rest of the orchestra to complete it. The bass instruments are the valuable support that the rest of the music rests on.” He was gesturing emphatically as he spoke, half-slipping into actual conducting motions. 

Nie Huaisang looked doubtful. “That is true. But I don’t think I’m doing my part as well anyway.” 

Wei Wuxian clapped him on the shoulder. “Then keep practicing! What I heard was wonderful, you just need to add some confidence.”

“Ahem.” Lan Wangji had not moved an inch, and his blank expression had gained an annoyed wrinkle between his eyebrows. 

“Shall we?” Wei Wuxian said, no longer feeling intimidated by the job he was taking on. 

Lan Wangji answered with an affirmative hum, and led the way into an empty practice room. Well, not entirely empty. There were two chairs facing each other and a stack of sheet music on a stand, an empty one beside it. 

The soundproofing instantly descended upon his ears, and he resisted the urge to click his tongue to hear the lack of an echo. With how quiet this famous vocalist was, he had no doubt the room would remain unbearably noiseless. 

Lan Wangji took a seat, picking up the sheet music. Wei Wuxian took the other, shifting to find a comfortable way to lounge on its unyielding surface. 

There was one long moment where the only sound was the shuffling of sheet music. Lan Wangji’s carefully tied back hair slipped over his shoulders and he leaned over the papers, finally breaking his perfectly styled appearance. Wei Wuxian smiled at the crack in his professional mask.

“So, what’s the theme of the program? Is it just a medley of classics or is there a specific tone?” 

“It’s a collection of compositions written in memory of the souls lost in the Sunshot Campaign.” Lan Wangji looked up, plucking a few sheets from the stack and laying them on the stand. “The style is classical but the compositions are modern.” 

Wei Wuxian looked it over. The sheet music was for the choir, which made sense since Lan Wangji was the lead vocalist. Wei Wuxian hummed the melody under his breath. “I see, so it’s a bit like a memorial concert. Very somber, like a funeral.” He gave Lan Wangji a knowing grin. “Which means you’re already on theme.” 

He was returned a stony expression, completely void of humor. Tough crowd. 

“Do you think you could demonstrate what you’ve practiced so far? I’ll know how to adjust the other’s parts if I have a place to start from.” 

“No.” 

“No?” 

“I do not practice in front of others. My technique cannot afford distractions.” 

That was odd. But he didn’t want to be rude. “Right. We should call in another musician then to demonstrate–” 

“No. The director has assigned me to the task. It would be unproductive to take practice time away from a musician.” 

“Then how do you expect me to get a feel for the programming?” Wei Wuxian couldn’t believe the inflexibility of this man. 

“Read it. Then the orchestra will practice together this afternoon.” He moved to stand and leave the practice room. 

“Wait! Don’t go, I won’t be able to get these compositions down without someone to bounce ideas off of. I’ll lose my mind trying to figure it all out on my own.” 

Lan Wangji slowly sat back down. “Very well.” 

Wei Wuxian stood up instead, tracing the lines of music on the stand with one finger as he nodded along to a beat inside his head. He really should ask for a metronome next time. 

With his other hand he started to feel out the music. Every conductor has a unique style, and his involved wide sweeping motions with subtle flicks of his wrist. 

He stopped and started several times, muttering “That’s not it.” and “Almost, but not quite.” 

Once he had run through the first composition once this way, it had completely solidified in his memory. So with the image of the music firmly in his mind, he stepped away from the stand. He closed his eyes and let the room fall away, imagining the sound of a full orchestra. Both of his hands danced through the air, one foot tapping the beat. 

A hum rose in his throat, a little off-key, but it was serviceable. The composition wasn’t exactly rousing, but it was meant to invoke a feeling of national pride, so it was more uplifting than an actual funeral march. 

The final hummed note hung in the air and he opened his eyes once more. He found that Lan Wangji was staring at his right hand, which was curled around an imaginary baton. He smiled, “I forgot! I have it in my bag.” 

Wei Wuxian crouched to sort through his satchel, producing his thin black conductor’s baton. A shiny red ribbon was tied to the base, and it fluttered as he gestured with it. 

“Frivolous.” Lan Wangji commented. 

He shrugged. “No one in any orchestra I’ve worked for has had an issue with it.” 

Lan Wangji simply cast him another disapproving look. So he spun the baton between his fingers, the ribbon trailing jauntily after it. 

“We don’t have practice with everyone else until later, right? It’s about lunchtime, why don’t we get a bite to eat?” 

The vocalist stood. “There is a teahouse nearby where I usually take my lunch.” 

“Perfect! It’s a date!” Wei Wuxian said with a wink. 

Lan Wangji did not honor that with a response, sweeping from the room without a word. 

[jmagnabo92]

9-1-1 8x4 Live Reaction

Under the cut.

I've heard good things so... Let's do this!

LOL not Buck and Gerard out golfing.

"Baby's belly" - soft.

LOL - he doesn't want to be beloved - FEARED THAN LOVED. OMG.

OMG he wants BUCK to help him make the 118 tough?? OH SHIT OH SHIT. FIRING!!!

12% is better for firing???

"That's what you get for saving the boss' life - instead of being on the list, you get to make it" - SHIT.

I don't care about Bathena house-shopping.

Shit, Ortiz is running for mayor. OMG she's bringing it up with Hen and what happened with her son. FUCK - EYES AND EARS???

She wants to hold Hen responsible.

LMAO Chim correcting Gerard. What is this scene? Body cams???

OMG.

OH Shit! This poor cheerleader.

"The cheerleader is ass-backwards." - the 9-1-1 explanations are hilarious.

It's nice to see the other three rocking it since they were sidelined last episode.

Aww this kid assuming his dad wouldn't come.

Eddie's like "you know, let's just do this here - in a moving vehicle."

Loving Hen and Eddie working together and it works!!! Naturally.

ooooh he called him dad. Poor Eddie.

Wait, photos of the child with them??? OH this things with M/C backfired like I suspected. Of course Ortiz would be able to catch that & point out that it's (or would be) a problem to stay in contact with a child that was taken from you.

OOOH, is this going to work? I doubt it. But Hen's got a good speech.

Now they can't even see her!!! Awwwww :(

At least she's not being taken from Maddie and Chim and to a group home. Wouldn't be surprised if M/C got THEIR license revoked.

LOL the META on TV shows.

Aww "I don't want another house, I want my house."

LOL considering stealing another truck.

Oh no, they're going to rebuild - and Micheal sent over the old plans.

OOOOH, Bobby's not happy because he went into her house and was hoping for a shot to build something together rather than go back to HER place. More stones in their marriage?

Oh, Hen. Why would you do this? Ortiz doesn't care.

"We're all she has" - "yeah, well, my son was all I had. So she can go on too."

WHAT SHE DESERVES???

OF COURSE THEY"RE FRIENDS!!!

"Lack of leadership???"

LOL - "hey,... is my phone off?" "No, I didn't call." IDK why I find it so funny.

Oh, Hen, it's not on you. WHY DOES ORTIZ HAVE THIS AUTHORITY???

Ohhhh Buck. He went to Bobby!!

"Buck, you can't quit because your captain likes you." <3

if he did, then he'd not have stayed with the 118 so long. LOL

Bobby's back to being the 'unofficial captain', I love it. It reminds me of 'Chim's brief stint as captian'.

LOVE IT.

Bobby doesn't like the STACHE!!

Chim's like "The 118 needs you".

OOOOH Gerard doesn't wanna be there? OH RUDE CHIM.

This guy looks really hurt!! No way this was a dog.

OH SHIT. This woman is about to get hurt.

RUN LADY RUN.

IT"S A TIGER!!!!!

Awww this woman. I feel bad.

I really like these 'try and help themselves' scenes with Maddie.

AW CGI BABY TIGER.

LOL Chim with the gun - "where'd you learn to do that?" - "I have layers."

Tiger jumping up at him!!

She opened the door! OH NO!

Oh good. Down kitty!

This lady - no pets!

Oh Bobby at Hotshots. He called Gerard down there.

LOL they made the brit joke again.

The voice of god around here? LOL.

He thinks Bobby is living the dream.

Bobby telling him to quit himself. "She's been using you Vincent and laughing at you."

Oh Eddie what the fuck are you doing? It's not your business to get involved.

You're not a therapist. You don't know what their relationship is. Don't project your shit onto other people.

He showed him the body cam footage???

Gerard & Ortiz. "You're going about this all wrong."

She's a sick SOB. A JUDGE IN HER POCKET. No wonder the judge looked sad at Hen's speech.

WHY GERARD??? SHUT THE 118 DOWN???

New Fire Chief??? NO!

Wait a second - he was wearing his uniform with the body cam - was he RECORDING HER????

OMG, she's really doing this??? FUCK.

OH SHIT HE WAS!!

GERARD SAVES THE DAY. DIDN'T EXPECT IT!

LOVE BOBBY doing this and getting Gerard on their side!!

I LOVE IT!

Glad to see the kids doing much better!!

Oh shit, the dad showed up!

A family reunited!!

Love it!!

Aww, Bobby admitting it was never his house and them deciding to create their own :)

Bobby's BACK!! YAY!!

AND GERARD IS AT HOTSHOTS!! LOVE IT!!

This was great!!! :)

[sleekervae]

Past Lives [0.1]

Masterlist

A/N: Hi, and happy Sunday! I've been wanting to expand my writer-verse for a while, and I've found it's tough depending on the person I'm writing about. However, I thought this was a cute idea and Austin fit it perfectly. Just bear with me :)

Summary: As the filming for Elvis wrapped, Austin found himself flush in an identity crisis. His body ached, his head hurt, it was tough for him to get excited about anything. However, his interest was peaked when he found he was in the same city as Jade Theodore, a once good friend whom he'd been separated from thanks to time and circumstances...

Warnings: some mentions of InFiDeLiTy

Two years is a long time in hindsight. Add on sleepless nights, countless injuries, little to no contact with your loved ones, and a pandemic? It was any wonder Austin hadn't checked himself into a psyche ward when filming had wrapped. That last day, when the cameras were finally shut down and all the make up came off, he locked himself in his bedroom. He was positive he'd slept for almost three days, but it still didn't feel like enough.

By the end of that last week, Austin stared at himself in the mirror, poking and pulling with unfamiliar curiosity at his own face. His stubble was beginning to grow back, a mismatch to the black dye that would need time to fade from his usually burnt blonde hair. His eyes were opaque and his skin felt raw and plasticky, almost like a doll. He couldn't explain it then, but never had he felt so unnerved to stare into the mirror, and for once in his life, not recognize the person who was staring back at him.

This was the shell of Elvis Presley. Where did Austin go?

It was a week before Austin had gathered enough of his faculties to get his shit together and pack up. And before his eyes, he had traded the long, hot and humid country landscape of Australia for the rain-filtered stone neighbourhoods of London. His manager had afforded him a break before he would be whisked off to shoot his next project. It was a small break; three weeks to recover from two years. It seemed like a joke to most, but a break was a break. Any time he could take for himself was greatly welcome.

Austin's eyes cracked open, for once not at the behest of a blaring alarm. His brain was still wired to expect sun and native birds chirping away, though instead he woke up to rain pattering against the windows and traffic echoing from below his apartment.

He had taken to walking up and down the neighbourhood, exploring the hidden shops in small streets and wandering Trafalgar Square. Nobody paid him any mind, masked up and avoiding touching him and each other. He had to wonder, if this movie was as big as Baz had promised, how would this all change for him? Walking down the street would become a luxury he could no longer afford without becoming mobbed, if not by fans than by paps. And they would all watch this movie, all of them with the highest of high expectations...

On a bleary Wednesday morning, Austin sat by the window in an obscure little cafe. His coffee was becoming lukewarm and his breakfast sandwich only partially devoured as he scrolled through his phone. His mind was empty, colors and eye-catching headlines only holding his focus for mere moments before he'd move on to the next. However, he stopped suddenly at a particular paparazzi post of a singer.

Jade Theodore Sports Pleather Jacket with Sandals in London

He couldn't give a damn about whatever fashion fad the news outlet was focusing on, Austin stared intensely at the blurry photo. Slender, small, her usually long chestnut hair was cut short and a mask hid half of her face. But Austin was struck by an odd twang of nostalgia. He hadn't seen Jade in years, it felt like a whole other life since he had.

Jade Theodore had been conquering Billboard hits since 2014, exploding onto the alternative pop scene after ditching a go-no-where career at Disney. She was a force of musical talent to be reckoned with, speaking the most beautiful truths in her music that could vary from tasteful and classic to raw and raucous. Austin had seen her perform a couple times and he had a few of her songs on his phone. But he hadn't spoken to her in years.

And she was here in London, too...

Austin had spent the last two years in near full isolation from his friends and family. He felt like a stranger in his own skin, unaware of himself and trying to root himself back to who he was and why he did what he did. So it was a familiar comfort to him as he looked her up on instagram. Her page was full of gorgeous selfies and shots of the food she made. He remembered how much she liked to cook and she was good at it, even at a young age. And of course, she had pictures of her dog; a golden mini doodle that she took everywhere with her.

Jade's most recent photo was a window selfie with downtown London in the background. Her large green eyes twinkled in the reflection of the light, some makeup stained just beneath her lashes and pushed the grunge aesthetic she toted. She was younger than him by a couple years, she had to be twenty-six or twenty-seven by now, and yet she still held that teenage mischief in her stare.

His fingers moved before he could realize just what the hell he was doing, and he stared at the message he had ready to send in her DM.

Hey Jade, saw you're in London. How are you?

Austin stared at the message long and hard, his mind spinning with the fret of whether or not he should send it. And furthermore, would Jade bother to read or respond to it? Nevertheless, his thumb twitched once, twice, and then he pressed send.

Not two seconds later, he slammed his phone down on the table screen down. His rationality told him not to worry; she'd see he wasn't just a random user awaiting a response. Maybe she'd be happy to catch up with him? The irrational part however of his brain was screaming at him, wondering why he would message someone who was a point blank stranger to him. And he was to her, too. They hadn't spoken in nearly a decade, there was a slim to fair chance that Jade wouldn't give Austin the time of day. After all, she was probably really busy with her music and --

His phone buzzed, and Austin would admit he was a little too quick to turn the screen over and check. His heart dropped when he saw it was just a message from his agent checking in on him. He set the phone down again and his gaze shifted out the window again. He was being utterly ridiculous, but the constant thumping of his knee would easily give away his flicker of anxiety. He should just delete the message, she probably wouldn't see it anyway --

The phone buzzed again. Austin huffed, figuring for good reason it was just his agent again. However, his eyes blinked swiftly, and he stared in almost disbelief as he read Jade's response.

Hi Austin! Wow, it's been a while! I can't really complain, how are you?

He could still hear her voice in his head as he read the message over again, her honeyed Canadian accent penetrating his ears. His lips began to curl up in a small smile and he began to type back.

I know, it's been too long. Guess I can't really complain, either.

Austin considered himself an introvert, he had never been the type to throw himself at people or at social gatherings. However, he seemingly jumped at the chance when Jade offered to get a coffee together the next day. She had some off time and wanted to catch up a bit.

That Thursday afternoon Austin found himself sitting on a bench, overlooking the lush rolling hills of serene Regent's Park. Jade had texted him that morning telling him where to meet, and Austin kept looking to the same dented lamppost just to be sure he was in the right spot.

His knee continued bouncing, his long fingers tapping incessantly against the cold wooden bench planks. He didn't pay any mind to the footsteps crunching on the gravel trail before him, keeping his eyes glued just to his phone before the familiar honey voice took his attention.

"Austin?" his head snapped up, and his bright blue eyes met Jade's lush green ones. She smiled politely, one ankle locked behind the other as she stood there, and suddenly a rush of old memories flooded through him.

He stood up slowly, wiping his clammy hands on his jeans quickly as he approached her. Her eyes immediately went to his hair, needless to say she hadn't expected him to dawn a drastically different color to the burnt blonde she had come to know earlier.

"Jade, hi," he rasped out. Jade noted how his voice had changed, too; husky and thick. If smooth bourbon had a voice, Austin's voice would be it.

"Hi," she continued to smile, her cheeks tinting red despite the cool breeze whipping through the park.

Austin looked her up and down, he could see the small curls of her tattoos peeking out just below the cuff of her sweater. His smile suddenly curved into a playful smirk.

"Were you always this short?" he raised his hand to her height; the top of her head would just barely graze his chin, "Or was it my imagination?"

Jade scowled, her scorned grin still plastered to her lips as she rolled her eyes, "You know, I was gonna' hug you, but I could punch you instead if you want," she offered.

He began to laugh, taking a stride forward and pulling her in for a hug. She smelled of flowers and citrus, a reminiscing scent of seasonal turnings with the promise of spring break and refreshing decadence.

There was a quaint coffee stand at the end of a trail they stopped at, and Austin surprised himself with the fact that he could still remember Jade's typical order: black with two sugars. They took a seat on a bench shortly after. The sun was shining down so that was an added bonus, and they watched with little interest as other people lay out over their picnic blankets and played rounds of soccer football in the fields.

"So, how long have you been in London for?" he asked.

"Well over a year, now," she replied, "I had an opportunity to take up a residency for some work, and I had a friend who lives here so I've been rooming with her. Figured with all the bullshit going on back in the states, could England really be worse?"

"Wow," he simpered, "How long are you here for?"

"Two more weeks. My agent gave me the word, label wants me back in the pacific time zone," she said, "It's nice here, but it's not Australia,"

Austin smiled, "Yeah, it's absolutely beautiful over there,"

"Did you meet any koalas?" she asked with some giddy.

"Truth be told, I didn't have a chance," he replied, "Everything was shut down for about six months, so I mostly spent my days on the beach during that time. And when filming opened up again, I didn't really have much time for tourism,"

"Really?"

"Yeah,"

"Damn," Jade shook her head, "How hard did they work you over there?"

"Oh, we had eighteen hour days. And I maybe got three or four hours of sleep a night. I can't complain, though," he admitted, "Everyone on set was great, and the experience was just once in a lifetime, you know?"

"I suppose," she shrugged, "Not just anyone could pull off the King of Graceland,"

He huffed, "Yeah. It was a lot. I feel like I've been cramming for an exam the past two years and my body is finally coming out of it,"

"I'm glad you said so, because I didn't want to sound heartless," she said.

"Why would you sound heartless?" he popped a brow.

Jade smiled sheepishly, "Because -- you look like shit,"

"Oh, thank you. I looked in the mirror this morning," he smirked back.

Jade began to laugh, "I'm sorry. Okay -- but aside from physically, are you okay? I heard how intense these biopics can get. I mean, at least with Rocketman, Elton could give his notes if needed,"

He understood where she was coming from, "I got advice from the right people when I needed it. I'm just starting to come out of the fog, though. I need to either put my focus on something else or just not think about Elvis for a little while. At least until the press tours start,"

"I get it," she nodded, her lips pursing, "Is that why you messaged me out of the blue?"

He simpered shyly, "Well, no, I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I just heard you were in town and thought it might be nice to catch up,"

"Well, of course! It's only been... what? Nine years we last spoke?" she suggested, watching him carefully.

"Five," he noted, "I watched you perform at Coachella in 2017,"

Jade popped an eyebrow, "Oh? Why didn't you come say hi?"

That one, Austin didn't have a good answer for. His circumstances at the time were different, he was distracted to put it lightly. His social circle looked much different and his priorities were aligned elsewhere. It wasn't a very valid excuse, though.

"I don't know," he replied truthfully, "That's a shitty excuse, but the truth is I don't know why I didn't. I should've. I don't even know why I messaged you in the first place,"

Jade cocked her head, her gaze averting to the fields. The echoes of football games and chatting passerbys intermingled with the distant drawls of traffic in downtown. Regent's Park however was quieter. Jade turned to Austin again.

"I think I do," she suggested, "And correct me if I'm wrong: but from everything you've told me, coupled with some... unsavoury things that've come out in the past year, I think you're lost. Not just with yourself but in your reality as a whole. You've spent over two years pretending to be somebody else, and it's not exactly a children's game of dress up and make believe. So, when you saw that this familiar stranger," she stopped and pointed to herself, "you haven't spoken to in a while is suddenly within arms reach of you, you jumped for it like a seal doing circus tricks. You have to rebuild yourself, and how fortuitous you happened to stumble upon me,"

Austin sighed, nodding slowly as her words sunk in, "Does that make me a selfish prick?" he asked.

"Not at all," she shook her head, "It does make you a little whiny, I'm not gonna lie," that got a chuckle out of him, "I'm not exactly innocent, either. But still, I'm honoured you picked me,"

"I'm honoured that you even came out to meet me in the first place," he grinned, "Does it make me whiny to admit that it's really good to see you again?"

"Then we're both pretty whiny," she bumped his arm, "It's good to see you again, too,"

Time wasn't a thing as Austin and Jade continued to talk. It was as though years hadn't passed and it felt just like it used to when they were sit on set together. He told her about some of the upcoming projects he had in the works, including a possible call-back for the sequel for Dune. Jade had been a fan of the books as well as the newest movie, and regardless to say she was excited to hear about that prospective venture.

Jade meanwhile had a show coming up, her first in nearly two years at the Brixton Academy. After so much time lallygagging around she admitted she was a little flustered putting a set list and rehearsals together. Though the tickets were close to being sold out, Jade's nerves had a way of getting the better of her as the show loomed closer and closer.

The early morning soon turned into late afternoon and then the evening. Jade was surprised when she checked her watch and saw the time was bordering on five o'clock. Austin noted the time too, and he looked both ways up and down the park as he realized the crowd had thinned down considerably.

"It's getting dark," he said.

"Time always flies, I guess," she replied.

"Yeah," he collected the discarded cups, his mouth moving before his brain could register, "You wanna' get something to eat?" he suddenly asked.

Jade shrugged, "I mean -- if you have no where to be..."

"I have no where to be for another week and half," he told her.

"Alright," she stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder, fluffing up her hair, "There's a little pub down the road that make the best truffle fries. And I'm not even exaggerating," she chuckled, "They're deadly,"

Austin laughed as well, "Can't say no truffle fries now, can I?"

They ventured out of the park together, jacket sleeves occasionally brushing up together and the conversation kept flowing between them. He regaled her with a story from filming, some on-set shenanigans between him and his cast mates that helped lift the pressure. Jade watched him curiously, picking out the mischievous glint in his eye, the way his fingers fiddled with his coat pocket, how his smile was still the same as when he was seventeen. It felt so strange, content that she knew him and he seemed just the same, and yet he looked and was so different.

The gastropub was relatively empty at the time, a dark interiored venue that smelled of hops and fresh leather. Austin and Jade were given a booth in the back, a single candle accompanying the low dimmed sconces across the walls. Two pints of beer sat on the table, in between them a plate of steaming truffle fries.

"So... would you chew me out if I asked?" she asked meekly.

Austin had an unsettling feeling in his gut, but he nodded nonetheless, "Ask me what?" he asked.

Jade huffed, giggling nervously to herself, "About you... and a very long term relationship that didn't go the distance?" she was trying not to squirm in her seat.

Austin tried to put on a smile, but his fingers tapped slowly against the hardwood table, his eyes averting just the same. The side of his face was lit eerily by the candle, he was hauntingly mesmerizing.

"You know what? Forget it," she said quickly, "I shouldn't of -- I mean it's none of the my business --"

"No, it's okay," Austin assured, though his fingers continued to tap on the table, "Truth be told, I fell out of love," he scoffed, "Not as Lifetime as it sounds, I guess,"

Jade wasn't sure what she was expecting when he answered; probably something scandalous like one of them cheated, or there was a major fight. But what wasn't heard very often was the very thing he described, and seemed to still feel guilty over.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I get it, though,"

"You're one of very few people," he admitted, "Even my dad thought I was crazy when I told how I felt,"

Jade picked at another fry, "Ten years with somebody is a long time, Austin. But it's not a lifetime, either. And at the end of the day, you have to make a choice for yourself," she said, "Do you regret it?"

It was a question he had been asked often, and every time that relationship flashed through his head like a movie reel. He reminisced the good, the bad, and all the beautiful moments in between. However, his answer was always the same.

"No," he shook his head.

Jade shrugged, "Then, you can lift that burden off your shoulders," she said, "You know what's best for you, public opinion be damned,"

"I never thought of it that way before," he said, "As a burden, I mean,"

"I've found responsibility and naivety can be confused in situation-ships; whether that's for us or our significant others depends," she explained.

Austin sipped from his beer, "You sound like you've had some experience," he spoke before drinking.

Jade simpered, somewhat bitterly, "Suppose this the part where we discuss my failed relationships?" she asked.

"You asked me first," he smirked.

"Fair," she sighed, sitting back in the booth seat, "My partner and I are currently on a 'break'," she made air quotes with her fingers. Austin simpered with intrigue.

"Okay, Rachel. What happened?" he asked.

Jade shook her head, "Well, the shorter version is he caught covid really badly. So badly to the point where he had to be ventilated. His mother is a super sweet lady, but she's also super religious. She was concerned about his sins or whatever, so she told me -- while he was under ventilation -- that he had cheated on me,"

Austin popped an eyebrow, "Fuck..."

"Yep,"

"Hold on, lemme' get this straight," he said up, "He cheated on you, didn't tell you, told his mom, and now that he's in a coma his mom told you?"

"Oh, he's out of the coma now. He's fine," she replied.

"Holy --" Austin was at a loss for what to say. Not even the most twisted Hallmark movies could come up with such drama, "I can't imagine -- Jade, I can't even imagine what that must've been like,"

"So, you are blessed," she grinned.

"I assume though, that you did tell him?" he asked, "That you knew?"

"When he was well enough, I confronted him. And then he gave me the classic excuse 'she meant nothing!' and all that. Nothing concrete enough to forfeit him another chance, anyway. And don't even get me started on his mom," she squirmed in her seat.

Needless to say, she couldn't have dreamed up a more stressful situation. Jade had been so torn up, so angry with her boyfriend, and then guilty for being angry because he was so sick. But she also wanted him to pull through, partly because she needed the opportunity to confront him. And when she had, it still wasn't enough to satisfy her. Never before had she felt so violated, not just by her boyfriend but also by his family.

Though, she wondered in the back of her mind if she perhaps deserved it?

Austin was baffled, nonetheless, "When did all this happen?" he asked.

Jade's smile was bitter, regretful even, "About a year ago," she replied sadly.

He nodded, "So, when you had the opportunity to move to London amid a mass pandemic..."

"Like a seal in a circus," she admitted, "I'm nervous to go back because he's going to be waiting for me and promising over and over that he's changed and realized he can't live without me and all that bullshit,"

"So, break up with him!" he said.

"I have. Twice. He won't accept it," she stared off into space, teeth chewing thoughtfully on her bottom lip, "He's telling all our friends and family that we're just on a break..."

Her hand rested over the table, her index finger tapping impatiently. Austin couldn't help himself, he slid his own hand across the table and folded it over hers. Jade met his eyes again.

"I'm really sorry, Jade," he said, "If there's anything I can do..."

"Don't worry. I'll have him off my back soon enough," she shrugged, then her lips upturned into a gleeful smirk, "And hey, I'm a B-list celebrity! I could have a restraining order on him with a snap of my fingers if need be!"

He began to laugh, "Fame and its perks knows no bounds,"

The night dwelled on, the conversation moving on to more pleasant things. However, neither were privy to the fact that one hand always seemed to be in close contact with the other for the rest of their meal.

The restaurant filled up with people, endured its dinner rush, and then settled down again for closing. Austin and Jade were still in their booth, lost in their own bubble. That bubbles was popped however as a server came by and dropped off their bill. Austin felt a little guilty as he looked around, realizing they were the only table left in the place.

"Guess we became those people," he joked as he pulled out his wallet.

"Means we had the best time," she popped a brow, "What're you doing?"

"I'm paying the bill," he answered simply.

"Not by yourself," she countered, "At least let me get half!"

"Nope," he couldn't help the smug leer on his face as he pulled out some pound notes, "I invited you out, it's only fair,"

Jade opened her mouth to argue, but he had already closed the money into the booklet and gave it to the server. She relented nevertheless, following as he slid out of the booth and they made their exit.

The evening was chilly, but the sky remained clear, its pale visage looming down over central London. The streets were clear for the most part, though a good amount of cars were still driving up and down the roads. Austin and Jade walked side by side in the general vicinity of his apartment.

"This has been really nice. I almost hate to leave," she told him, chuckling bashfully, "But Cam is gonna bop me in the head if I'm late to another soundcheck,"

Austin simpered, "I understand. How long does your soundcheck run?"

"About two hours," she smiled politely, they both stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, "What are you doing next Wednesday?" she asked.

He shrugged, "Nothing, I guess," he replied.

"Why don't you come to the show? I can get you a ticket," she offered.

"Are you sure?" he asked, "I mean, I'm good for the ticket,"

"And you just bought me dinner, so you'll take it. I mean, the vibe's not exactly Mean Woman Blue, but..."

"Jade, I would love to come," he nodded.

She started rocking back and forth on her heels, "Cool, I'll send you the information," and she put her arms out for a hug. Austin obliged her happily. Her head fit snugly under his chin and his sharp cologne tickled pleasantly at her nose, "Thanks again -- for reaching out,"

"Hey, thank you for coming," he grinned, "And I'm sorry it took me ten years,"

Jade shrugged nonchalantly, "Hey, until the next ten years," she started walking backwards, "Bye Austin,"

A renewed excitement flooded over Austin, a shy smile on his lips as he began to turn, "Bye, Jade,"

[booksrbetterthanpeople]

Can you please do mha stuff

Class 1-A

Marinette: The Seamstress Hero, Cross Stitch -Able to control any sort of thread on any article of clothing, she's someone you'll want on your team -She can make an opponent trip, suspend them in mid-air, or even go so far as to choke them -Quirk is best suited for Defense

Adrien: The Distraction Hero, Spotlight -Adrien is able to produce an aura that makes it hard for people to look away from him, so he can lead opponents outside and away from big crowds -But, this only affects who he wants to look at him -Overtime, he's learned that he can make himself and any opponents invisible to others -Quirk is best suited for Social Heroism

Alya: The Know-it-All Hero, Miss Gossip -Alya can tell you everything there is to know about a person simply by making eye contact for five seconds, and the info appears in her head, or it can be projected for others to see when she wears a purple visor that's part of her support gear -She keeps all sorts of data in the phone with unlimited-date in her support belt because after five minutes, the hologram disappears -Her only drawback is dry-eye -Quirk is best suited for any Off-Field position

Nino: The DJ Hero, Remix -Nino has speakers embedded into his hands, allowing him to send out powerful sound waves that can break through stone when he's thinking of or listening to a song -His support gear includes a pair of wireless headphones with an SD card of his favorite songs saved on it for him to use at any time -This quirk requires good aim so he doesn't accidentally hit a civilian -Quirk is best suited for Offense

Nathaniel: The Artistic Hero, Illustrator -Nathaniel has the ability to draw whatever he can think of to life -All he needs is any sort of drawing material, but his support gear includes a drawing tablet and pen where he can save his past drawings and use them again later -The more detail he puts into a drawing, the more powerful it is and the less likely it is to break easily -His quirk has no effect when he's drawing for fun because he needs to tap into it in order for it to be activated -His only limit is his imagination -His quirk is Generalist

Alix: The Quick Hero, Jackrabbit -Alix is one of the fastest runners alive -By absorbing energy from those around her, she can build up more speed and run far distances without breaking a sweat -Her quirk is best suited for Defense

Kim: The Underwater Hero, Triton -Kim has the ability to breath underwater and communicate with fish -Whenever he's in a body of water, he grows a set of gills and his hands and feet become webbed -The only drawback is that he lost is appetite for seafood -Quirk is best suited for Recon and/or Support

Max: The Tech Hero, Ro-Boss -Max's quirk allows him to control any electrical appliance and turn it into a unique-looking robot who obeys his orders -If he focuses hard enough, he can create a mech-suit -The only drawback is headaches and he can't get wet while creating robots -Quirk is best-suited for Defense and/or Support

Ivan: The Unbreakable Hero, Mineral -His quirk allows him to turn his entire body into any stone of his choosing, from gravel to obsidian -It depends on the amount of energy he has, so there are energy bars in his support belt -His stone body acts as armor, so his real body won't sustain any damage -Ivan's quirk is best suited for Defense

Myléne: The Fear Hero, Horrifica -Myléne's quirk can turn her into a person's worst fear. And she knows what that person's fear is by making eye contact for three minutes -Once she knows your fear, she can turn into it again in the future -This quirk is best suited for Social and/or Offense

Juleka: The Redundant Hero, Replica -Juleka can create multiple copies of herself who all follow her directions -However, they only last about ten minutes and disappear soon after in a puff of pink smoke -Her only drawback is exhaustion from creating so many doubles of herself -Her quirk is best suited for Rescue

Rose: The Hypnosis Hero: Allure -Rose can emit a cloud of perfume that, when inhaled, can put a person under her control and make them say or do anything she wants them to -However, they need to be able to do whatever she wants them to do -So, if Rose were to have them do a backflip, they need to know how to do a backflip, otherwise they'll just keep flopping on the floor until they get it right or the perfume wears off -Her only drawback is that the perfume gives her skin a green tint -Rose's quirk is best suited for Social heroism

Sabrina: The Deep Dive Hero, Empath -Sabrina's quirk allows her to do a deep-dive into someone's subconscious and learn everything there is to know about that person so she can use the information later by looking through and experiencing their memories -She can also feel exactly what that person was feeling depending on the memory she's experiencing, so it takes a toll on her mental health from time to time -Her quirk is best suited for any Off Field position

Chloé: The Bossy Hero, Generalette -Her commanding voice allows her to put people around her under control and have them fight for her -Her quirk is call and response, so as long as someone responds to her, she can make them do whatever she wants them to -The only drawback is loss of her voice after too much usage -Quirk is best suited for Defense

Class 1-B

Aurore: The Weather Hero, Forecast -Her Quirk is tied to her emotions, but over time, she's learned to have better control -Able to control the weather at will, Aurore is a force to be reckoned with -Her quirk was discovered at the age of four when she dropped her ice cream and almost caused a flood -The only drawback is catching a cold when she causes it to rain -Quirk is best-suited for Rescue

Mireille: The Invisible Hero, Prism -Mireille is able to bend light around herself at will and become invisible -She can do this with organic and inorganic objects as well -Quirk was discovered at age 5 when her mom lost her in the mall. Turns out, she was walking next to her the whole time -No drawbacks have been discovered yet -Quirk is best-suited for Recon

Marc: The Scribe Hero, Rewrite -Marc can alter reality simply by writing what he would like to happen -This doesn't affect his writing for stories or school work, he just needs to tap into his Quirk when he actually wants to use it -His only limit is his imagination and if he has a paper and pen on him. Also, if he wants a person to do something, he needs to know their full name -Quirk is best-suited for Support or Social Heroism

Denise: The Strong Hero, Surface Breaker -Born with incredible strength to rival even All Might's -They can life over five hundred tons without breaking a sweat -Their skin is also incredible durable that not even a cannonball will leave a mark on them. It'll break the second it touches the surface of their skin -The only drawback is muscle cramps, so they need to drink a lot of water -Quirk was discovered at age 3 when a villain tried to kidnap Denise and ended up being embedded in the road -Quirk is best suited for Defense and/or Rescue Heroism

Simon: The Electric Hero, Techno Lord -Simon has elektrokinesis and the power of seven Tokyos combined from absorbing the energy from phones and computers -While this quirk is powerful, the only drawback is that he needs to release that energy so he doesn't suffer from a burnout -You'll know they're absorbing energy when lights begin to flicker on and off -A human taser, able to send waves of electricity to stun an opponent for a period of time based on how much electricity they send out -Quirk is best suited for Defense Heroism

Jean: The Broadway Hero, Drama Queen -This guy is a walking stage, able to pull people around him into a show-stopping musical number complete with music, costumes, and choreography that he has planned out all in his head from watching musical bootlegs -All of this is done by him singing a Broadway song that would be best suited for the battle, and it has this almost hypnotic effect -This allows him to apprehend his opponent without fighting (Unless there's a fight scene in the song) or causing any sort of damage -Once the song ends, everything goes back to normal, and Jean has apprehended his opponent -Their quirk is a little too Generalist to be labeled as On or Off field, but they are close to Defense

Reshma: The Diamond Hero, Gem Knight -Reshma is able to turn her arms into swords made out of diamonds -The diamonds are nearly-unbreakable, only able to be broken by Reshma or Denise -Reshma has been experimenting with different swords to turn her arms into, and even discovered that she could create a shield from her forearm, and produce diamond armor -Quirk is best suited for Defense

Ismael: The Teleporting Hero, Over There -Ismael can teleport to any part of the world as long as he knows what the particular area he's trying to teleport to looks like -This requires a good memory, but he can also use photos in case he hasn't been to certain places -Quirk is best suited for Recon and/or Rescue

Cosette: The Shapeshifting Hero, Unique -Cosette can shapeshift their entire or parts of their body, making them look like a completely different person or even an inorganic object -The only drawback is that full-on shapeshifting leaves them exhausted, so they require a lot of rest after taking on a number of forms -If she is only shifting parts of her body, then a ten minute rest is only needed -Quirk is best suited for Recon

Lacey: The Climbing Hero, Mountaineer -Lacey can climb or walk on any surface no matter how wet, slippery, or sticky thanks to a mutation in her hands and feet that allows her to adapt to any surface she climbs on -Wearing gloves or shoes hinders quirk usage, so gloves and shoes made from the skin cells on her hands and feet will allow her to be able to climb surfaces without the worry of stepping on a nail or pricking her finger -She isn't weighed down by anything she's carrying until she's back on the ground -Quirk is best suited for Rescue

Zoé: The Borrowing Hero, Quirk Master -Zoé's Quirk allows her to steal borrow quirks from people and then hand them back after she's done with them -She needs five-finger contact with the person whose quirk she's borrowing, and an understanding of how the quirk works -Her support gear includes a small tablet which allows her to scan a person and figure out their quirk so she can use it properly -Drawbacks are the same as the person whose quirk she's using -Quirk is Generalist

[renee-writer]

Loved Her First Chapter 109

A/N @omgbarbiegurl and I apologize for the tardy update.😁❤️💓

AO3

Ian paces back and forth. “This Adam character must have someone he trusts he would have told where he took her.”

 

David watches nervously. No, the man isn’t mad at him, has in fact, thanked him for all he has done to protect his daughter, still… Faith tried to give him a reassuring smile.

 

“Yeah, err yes, there might be someone.” He looks through his phone contacts, “Jason, Adam is fairly close to him.”

 

“Can you get this Jason here or direct me to where he is?”

 

Again David swallows but nods. A few texts later and Jason is on the way.

 

“I understand your frustration. Mercy is quite dear to me too. Just don’t harm the boy, to much. He isn’t  Adam.” Joe says. Ian nods.

 

“Aye, I shall not. As long as he is honest with me.”

 

“Jason, this is Ian and Faith Murray, Mercy’s  parents.” David introduces them.

 

He turns immediately pale and they know. Ian stalks over to him. “Where has he taken my daughter?”

 

“I didn’t think he would go through with it. Thought he was just…”

 

The man’s hands grip the front of his shirt. “Where?”

“There is a cabin his folks own. It is…”

 

Address in hand, they head off, David driving. Joe can’t even reassure the shaken man that his friend won’t be harmed.

 

Mercy holds the shard from the broken plate in her hand, ready for the first opportunity. She has no hesitation about using it to harm him if it can help her get away.

 

He returns, face red with rage. “Listen, you are going to…” Close enough. With a quick thrust, she stabs him in the chest. There is no waiting around to see the state she has left him in. She is up and running towards freedom.

 

David pulls up and Ian jumps out of the strange horseless carriage. His wife and David aren’t fair behind.

 

The door opens before he can open it. His daughter runs into his arms.

 

“Mercy!” She looks up and into her daddy’s eyes.

 

“Daddy!” she bursts into tears.  He holds her close. Faith wraps her arms around them both. David, weak kneed at seeing her alive and whole, looks for Adam.

 

He stumbles out bleeding. Both man sense him at the same time. Ian leaves Mercy with Faith and turns towards him. At a nod from David, “That’s him,” he punched him in the face. He drops like a stone.

 

“He had been following me. No amount of rejection deterred him.” Mercy is saying. She holds tight to her mama’s hand. The police officer takes notes. Two others are interviewing David and Ian. Adam was loaded into an ambulance for the trip to the hospital. He is cuffed to the stretcher and has his own police escort.

 

It is easy enough to tell her stabbing of him was in self defense. The police interview was for the official record.

 

When they are finished with them and Mercy is cleared by the paramedics, the group heads back to Joe’s. Now Mercy can find out how her parents ended up here.

 

“I knew something was wrong.” Faith says. They sit in Joe’s living room. She sits between her parents with Joe and David on the other side of them.

 

“I didn’t ken if I could travel but, I needed to try. Whatever danger ye were facing, weel I needed to be here.”

 

She rests her head on his shoulder. “I am so glad you are, daddy.”

 

He kisses her head. “Aye, as I am. Though ye has it well in hand.” She grins.

 

“You, granny, and grandsire taught me well.”

 

“Thank God they did. I was frantic with worry. He could have badly harmed you.” David still shakes with adrenaline. He is glad Ian knocked him out, though he would have liked to do it himself.

 

“He could have. I feared being bothered,” at her daddy’s look, she quickly adds, “I wasn’t.”

 

“He was working his courage up to do it. Men, Nae, boys like him are cowards at heart.”

 

“Amen Ian. That they are.” Joe agrees. “Now what? Are you two going to stay?”

 

They share a look. “Nae, us three are going home.”

 

2 Days Later

 

David stepped out to the porch where Mercy was standing.

 

“I don’t want you to go.” He said softly.

 

Mercy smiled at him. “Because you are so happy taking care of me?”

 

David swallowed. “Because I-I hate to see you giving up your education.”

 

She smiled gently and touched his face lightly. “Perhaps I will come back. Perhaps you will be waiting for me.”

 

She is about to say more when the door opened. Her Mama, Daddy and Joe stepped out.

 

Her Mama smiled. “Time to go Mercy.”

 

She smiles, hugs David, and then Joe before walking down the steps.

 

David and Joe watch as the threesome walk out to the road toward to the stones.

 

Joe patted David’s shoulder. “Don’t worry lad, if you love something let it go. If it’s truly yours, it’ll come back to you.”

[shreeramstones]

Creative Marble Applications Beyond Flooring: Walls, Bathroom & More

Marble has long been celebrated as a luxurious flooring material, but its potential extends far beyond the ground beneath your feet. From stunning accent walls to elegant bathroom designs, marble transforms spaces with timeless beauty and unmatched sophistication. At Shree Ram Stones, we offer a premium collection of Italian and imported marble, including Italian Botticino Marble, Italian Grey Marble, Italian Statuario Marble, Volakas Marble, Italian Beige Marble, Travertine Marble, Lasa White Marble, Calacatta White Marble, Calacatta Gold Marble, Carrara White Marble, and Michelangelo Marble. In this guide, our stone experts explore creative ways to incorporate these exquisite marbles beyond flooring.

1. Marble Accent Walls: Elevating Interior Spaces

Marble accent walls serve as a focal point in any room, adding depth and luxury. Whether used in a living room, bedroom, or hallway, the natural veining of marbles like Calacatta White, Volakas, and Italian Grey Marble creates an artistic statement. Backlit onyx-marble panels enhance the aesthetic appeal, offering a contemporary yet timeless charm.

Best Marble Choices for Accent Walls:

Calacatta Gold Marble – Adds a touch of opulence with striking gold veining.

Michelangelo Marble – Features delicate veining, perfect for classic interiors.

Italian Beige Marble – A warm, neutral choice for a cozy ambiance.

2. Luxurious Marble Bathrooms: A Spa-Like Retreat

Marble is the ultimate choice for high-end bathrooms, offering elegance and durability. From vanity tops to shower walls and bathtubs, using premium stones like Carrara White Marble and Italian Statuario Marble creates a serene, spa-like atmosphere.

Marble Bathroom Design Ideas:

Shower Walls & Enclosures – Use Travertine Marble for a rustic, natural look.

Marble Sinks & Vanities – Opt for Lasa White Marble for a crisp, clean aesthetic.

Full Marble Bathtubs – A show-stopping piece in Calacatta White Marble enhances luxury.

3. Statement Marble Fireplaces: Classic & Modern Designs

A marble fireplace transforms any living room into an elegant sanctuary. The natural heat resistance of marble makes it ideal for both traditional and contemporary fireplace surrounds.

Best Marble Options for Fireplaces:

Italian Botticino Marble – Perfect for classic, warm-toned interiors.

Italian Statuario Marble – Striking white marble with bold grey veins for a modern touch.

Volakas Marble – Subtle veining for a sophisticated yet minimalistic style.

4. Stunning Marble Kitchen Applications

The kitchen is another space where marble shines beyond flooring. Whether used for countertops, backsplashes, or waterfall islands, marble elevates kitchen interiors.

Top Marble Choices for Kitchens:

Carrara White Marble – A timeless choice for countertops.

Calacatta Gold Marble – Luxurious veining enhances waterfall islands.

Italian Grey Marble – Adds depth and character to backsplashes.

5. Marble for Outdoor Spaces: Patios & Façades

Marble isn’t just for interiors. It can enhance outdoor spaces, from patios to exterior walls and façades. Weather-resistant options like Travertine and Lasa White Marble offer durability with elegance.

Best Outdoor Marble Applications:

Marble Cladding for Facades – Enhances curb appeal and longevity.

Garden Pathways & Steps – Durable Travertine Marble for a natural aesthetic.

Outdoor Seating Areas – Use Italian Beige Marble for timeless beauty.

Why Choose Shree Ram Stones for Premium Marble?

At Shree Ram Stones, we bring you the finest collection of Italian and imported marble, offering unique textures, colors, and finishes. Our stone experts are ready to guide you in selecting the perfect marble for your project.

Contact Our Stone Experts:

📞 Phone: +91 92521 01111 📩 Email: ceo@shreeramexpo.in 🌍 Visit Us: Shree Ram Stones

Transform your space with premium marble applications beyond flooring. Let elegance, durability, and timeless design define your interiors!

[detroitbrickmason]

How Mason Contractors Can Market Their Services in the Digital Age

The construction industry has seen significant advancements over the past decade, and masonry is no exception. With more homeowners and businesses searching for services online, mason contractors must adopt digital marketing strategies to remain competitive. Traditional word-of-mouth marketing is no longer enough; leveraging digital tools is now essential for growth.

According to a recent survey, 97% of consumers search online for local businesses, and 80% of them decide based on what they find. This means that if a mason contractor isn’t visible online, they are missing out on potential clients. In this article, we will explore the best digital marketing strategies for mason contractors to boost visibility, generate leads, and grow their business.

1. Building a Strong Online Presence

Creating a Professional Website

A well-designed website acts as a digital storefront for mason contractors. It should include:

A clear and concise homepage with a compelling message.

Service pages detailing masonry work such as bricklaying, stonework, and restoration.

A portfolio showcasing previous projects with high-quality images.

Testimonials and reviews from satisfied clients.

A contact form and a phone number for easy communication.

Having a website increases credibility and allows potential clients to find and contact contractors easily.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Mason Contractors

SEO is the key to ranking high on Google search results. Some crucial SEO strategies include:

Using relevant keywords (e.g., "mason contractors near me," "best brick masonry services").

Optimizing website speed and mobile-friendliness to improve user experience.

Creating blog content that answers common masonry-related questions.

Building local citations (Google My Business, Yelp, Houzz) to enhance local SEO visibility.

According to SEO studies, businesses that rank on the first page of Google receive over 90% of clicks, emphasizing the importance of optimizing your website.

2. Leveraging Social Media Marketing

Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms

While social media may not be the first marketing strategy that comes to mind for mason contractors, it is incredibly effective. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn can drive new leads. Here’s how:

Facebook: Create a business page and post project updates, customer reviews, and masonry tips.

Instagram: Share before-and-after photos of projects using hashtags like #MasonryWork #BrickLaying.

LinkedIn: Connect with builders, real estate developers, and construction professionals for networking opportunities.

Using Video Marketing to Showcase Expertise

Live project demonstrations: Showing how masonry projects are completed builds trust.

Client testimonials: Happy clients speaking about their experience can boost credibility.

Time-lapse videos: Showcasing the progress of a project from start to finish is engaging and informative.

A HubSpot report found that video marketing increases customer engagement by 49%, making it a powerful tool for mason contractors.

3. Online Advertising and Lead Generation

Google Ads and Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Campaigns

Running Google Ads ensures that a mason contractor’s website appears at the top of search results when people search for services like “brick masonry repair” or “stone wall installation.”

Key benefits include:

Instant visibility

Ability to target specific locations

High conversion rates (Google Ads yield an 8:1 return on investment on average)

Facebook and Instagram Ads

Social media advertising allows mason contractors to reach a targeted audience. Facebook Ads can be set up to:

Target homeowners or businesses in specific geographic areas.

Showcase portfolio images and videos.

Offer promotions such as “Free Masonry Consultation.”

4. Email Marketing for Customer Retention

Building an Email List

Mason contractors can collect emails from clients through their website or social media pages. Sending monthly newsletters with updates, promotions, and maintenance tips keeps clients engaged.

Follow-Up Campaigns for Past Clients

Past clients can become repeat customers. A follow-up email with a discount for future services can encourage them to book again.

According to marketing reports, email marketing generates $42 for every $1 spent, making it one of the most cost-effective strategies.

5. Managing Online Reviews and Reputation

Encouraging Happy Clients to Leave Reviews

Online reviews impact a mason contractor’s reputation and visibility. Studies show that 88% of customers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

To get more reviews:

Ask satisfied clients to leave feedback on Google and Yelp.

Respond to all reviews (both positive and negative) to show professionalism.

Showcase testimonials on the website and social media.

Handling Negative Reviews Professionally

If a contractor receives a negative review, responding professionally and offering solutions can turn the situation around.

6. Networking and Local Partnerships

Joining Local Business Directories

Registering on Houzz, Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, and Google My Business can increase local leads.

Partnering with Builders and Realtors

Establishing relationships with construction firms, real estate agents, and developers can lead to referrals and long-term projects.

Conclusion

The digital age has transformed how mason contractors market their services. By building a strong online presence, leveraging social media, investing in online advertising, and managing customer relationships, contractors can generate more leads and grow their business.

With over 90% of consumers searching online for services, adapting to digital marketing strategies is no longer optional—it’s essential. Implementing these tactics will help mason contractors stay ahead of the competition and achieve long-term success in the industry.

[precisetile215]

NJ Tile Installation Near Me: Get a Free Quote Today

Thinking about upgrading your home with beautiful new tiles? Whether it’s a kitchen backsplash, bathroom flooring, or outdoor patio, professional tile installation can transform your space. But finding the right tile installer in New Jersey can feel overwhelming. You want someone skilled, reliable, and affordable, right? The good news is that with expert NJ tile installation services, you get top-notch craftsmanship at a price that makes sense. Plus, many companies offer free quotes, so you know what you're getting into before committing. Let's dive into why professional tile installation is the way to go!

Why Choose Professional Tile Installation?

You might be tempted to try a DIY tile installation, but trust us—this is one job best left to the pros. Here’s why:

Quality Workmanship: Experienced tile installers know how to measure, cut, and install tiles perfectly, ensuring a flawless finish.

Durability: Proper installation prevents issues like cracking, shifting, or water damage over time.

Time Efficiency: What might take you weeks to complete, a professional can finish in just a few days.

Cost-Effectiveness: Avoid costly mistakes and wasted materials by hiring a skilled installer from the start.

Types of Tile Installation Services Available in NJ

Tile installation isn’t just about floors. Here are some of the most common services offered by tile professionals in New Jersey:

1. Bathroom Tile Installation

From shower walls to bathroom floors, water-resistant tiles add both beauty and functionality to your space.

2. Kitchen Tile Installation

Backsplashes, countertops, and flooring—tiles can make your kitchen pop while protecting surfaces from spills and stains.

3. Floor Tile Installation

Durable and stylish, tile flooring works great in entryways, living rooms, and even basements.

4. Outdoor Tile Installation

Want a stunning patio or pool area? Outdoor tiles are designed to withstand the elements and elevate your exterior spaces.

How to Choose the Right Tile Installation Company?

Not all tile installers are created equal. Here’s how to find the best NJ tile installation service:

Experience: Look for a company with years of experience in both residential and commercial tile projects.

Customer Reviews: Read testimonials and online reviews to see what past clients say about their work.

Service Variety: A good installer should offer a range of tile materials like ceramic, porcelain, marble, and more.

Pricing Transparency: Ask for upfront pricing and a free quote to avoid hidden fees.

Benefits of Hiring Local NJ Tile Installers

Hiring a local tile installation company comes with major perks:

Faster Service: Local installers can schedule your project sooner and complete it quicker.

Knowledge of Local Trends: They understand what styles and materials work best in NJ homes.

Better Customer Support: A local business values its reputation and prioritizes customer satisfaction.

Cost of Tile Installation in NJ

Tile installation costs vary depending on several factors:

Tile Material: Ceramic is usually cheaper, while natural stone and porcelain are more expensive.

Project Size: Larger areas cost more, but some installers offer discounts for big jobs.

Labor Costs: Rates vary based on experience, location, and complexity of the project.

Estimated Costs

Basic ceramic tile: $5-$10 per square foot

Porcelain tile: $10-$15 per square foot

Marble or natural stone: $15-$30 per square foot

How to Get a Free Quote for Tile Installation?

Most NJ tile installation companies offer free quotes. Here’s how to get one:

Contact the Installer – Reach out via phone or website.

Describe Your Project – Share details about the area, tile type, and budget.

Schedule a Consultation – Some companies offer in-home estimates to provide a more accurate quote.

Compare Prices – Get multiple quotes to find the best deal.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for NJ tile installation near you, now’s the time to get started. Hiring a professional ensures top-quality results, saving you time and hassle. Plus, with free quotes available, you can make an informed decision without breaking the bank. So why wait? Contact a local NJ tile installer today and bring your home improvement vision to life!

Precise Tile & Stone

11 E Main St, Little Falls Township, NJ 07424, United States

+19739852626

Get Direction From Google Map

[chorusfm]

Gates of Light

Recently I was able to connect with Louise Quinn, from Gates Of Light, who has collaborated with producer/musician Finlay MacDonald in Glasgow, London-based producer and DJ Scott Fraser, producer and DJ Kid Loco in Paris, and film and art director Tim Saccenti in New York to create her latest video for “10,000 Years.” Gates Of Light will be releasing their next record, called Gates of Light II, and if you’re enjoying the new single you can check out pre-save options here. Can you tell me more about the process of creating Gates of Light II? How did your personal circumstances influence the creative direction of the new album? When I first started writing Gates Of Light II my marriage of many years had broken down leaving me traumatised and with two young twins to raise on my own; one who is autistic. Kramer had released the first Gates Of Light album on Shimmy-Disc and was a great support and encouraged me to write as a means of therapy. It was a real lifesaver in those initial weeks post-separation whilst I tried to make sense of what had happened and how I was going to cope on my own.  Initially I thought I would have to give up music; I just didn’t have time to do something so indulgent when my responsibilities were so great, but actually I couldn’t stop writing songs; a broken toy would loop around and I would be writing words and singing a melody over it; that song became Better Now and it was like a mantra that was helping put me back together.  Eventually songs were just spilling out of me and I needed to record them. The Glasgow indie scene is very small and I didn’t know where or who to turn to; who I could trust. I met Duglas T Stewart from the BMX Bandits on a train and he suggested I work with Finlay MacDonald; Fin had played with the Bandits, Teenage Fanclub and had his own electronic project Wor_kspace. I contacted Fin and we spoke on the phone; he just listened to me for about an hour and then encouraged me to get the ideas down on my phone.  So I would work at night and record voice notes and send them to Fin. Fin worked up these amazing electronic tracks and got a trusted musician and producer Jim McEwan to come over to my flat and record vocals on an amazing valve mic he had (apparently used by Joni Mitchell and made out of Russian submarines!). We didn’t have a lot of time whilst the kids were at nursery but Jim managed to get some great vocals down and then we uploaded them and shared them to the rest of the collective and then all of these amazing mixes and versions were being created in Glasgow by Fin, London by Scott Fraser and Paris by Kid loco. What was it like working with artists like Kid Loco, Scott Fraser, and Finlay MacDonald? Can you describe the dynamics and chemistry you share in the studio? I didn’t actually meet Fin in person until we played a gig together at St Lukes in Glasgow supporting Hi-fi Sean and David McAlmont last year. We both have family commitments and Fin is also a music teacher so working remotely suited both of us (even though he just lives across the road from me!). Fin is a really lovely person and very nurturing; he gave me the confidence to start writing again and really supported me through a lot of very difficult stuff.  Kid Loco I have known for many years and I have been to Paris many times to sing on his records; I have a lot of fond memories of time spent with Jean-Yves (Kid Loco) and his family. Again we worked remotely on this record but Jean-Yves very kindly offered my family shelter when we almost became homeless last year. We both share a love of sixties music and A Grand Love Story is a stone cold classic album from that trip-hop era. He can’t understand a word I say because of my Scottish accent but we communicate through music. My first collaboration with Scott inspired the whole Gates Of Light Project; we met at The Berkeley Suite in Glasgow many years ago (we both come from East Kilbride – where The Jesus and Marychain also grew up) and ended up collaborating on a… https://chorus.fm/features/interviews/gates-of-light/