#then the only ones she hasn't covered are all-in and sweet dream

[dreadark]

I just realized Mizi's sang every song in ALNST (as in, the competition) except for Blink Gone

My Clematis and Ruler of My Heart she was in to begin with, and then there's covers of Unknown, Black Sorrow, and CURE...

[ghouldtime]

Neighbor! König Part 3

Part One Part Two

It's only after THREE MONTHS in that you find out his name isn't Kevin

Why? You overheard a phone call. A phone call with his mom

Because, to put it in small terms: König is a mama's boy

Not in the gross way that boy moms do (everyone say EWWWW) or the manchildren who think their mom can do no wrong and will always side with her over on everything. We know those guys. He's not that. Not even close

No, in the 'he genuinely loves and cares about his mother because this is the person who raised him so his respect for her and love is absolutely profound'

That's the woman who raised him, that's the person who read him bedtime stories at night when he couldn't sleep, that's the lovely lady who would let him hide behind her skirts when she'd take him into the village and people would try to say hi, she's the one and only who taught him all about the many wonders of the world and how beautiful nature is

Yeah, he's going to respect her. He loves his mom and for good reason

He calls her every day if possible because she still lives quite far away in Austria :( and things haven't been the same since his dad passed away

He doesn't live near or with her, as much as it pains him, because quite frankly: he can't risk it. He still visits as much as he can, but living with her makes her a target because he's a man with blood covering his hands and there's people who will do anything to get to him

He can't risk her like that, wouldn't ever dream of it

She understands. He doesn't tell her the extent because he can't break her heart and he's afraid she might see him different, but he does tell her HOW dangerous it could be

He will always tell her about the good things he does, though! Like saving hostages! That's always great. She's so proud of him

He might be a grown ass man at 6'7" and weighing over 250 lbs that absolutely towers over her but he will always be her sweet baby boy before anything else

He is always writing her letters and sending her packages and pictures! Letters just are more heartfelt usually and she's old fashioned, she likes having something physical to hang onto especially now that her eyesight is fading

She is always sending them in return too. His favorite coffee mugs are all shaped like little forest animals and she made them! They're precious and he's so happy holding his little hedgehog mug (even if it is a bit spiky)

ANYWAYS how you found out his name wasn't Kevin was because you heard her use his name

His real name

That wasn't Kevin or even close.

And afterwards you had to go "... uh... Kevin? Who is she talking about?"

König has never been close to this flustered before, even when you fell asleep with your head on his broad shoulders when you were watching a movie together

Time to fess up.

He at first tries to go into denial, then dismissal, but it doesn't work at all

He admits defeat. You caught him, he ISN'T Kevin. Well, he's still the same person! That's just not his name

He was too embarrassed to correct you or himself so he went with it and it kept building and building

He wanted to tell you, but it's a hard topic :( he knows he would have stumbled and stuttered over his words until he fell flat on his face

You'd find it out eventually! It's not like he put 'Kevin' on his mail or anything like that

Now, most people would rightfully feel mad and lied to

But he's turning red enough to match the roses he grows and can't seem to meet your eyes. He's sweating bullets, he's genuinely embarrassed here and feels awful about it

Maybe it's against better judgement to accept such a thing so easily but he hasn't been anything but nice to you ever since you broke down his icy walls.

(Aka he's so painfully socially awkward and flustered you feel bad for him and take pity)

And just maybe you heard the "Ich bin in dich verliebt" slip out as you took his hands in yours and assured that you liked him as him, whether he's named Kevin or not, and nothing would change that

[n-i-m-u-e]

Lucemond bodyswap!AU

This plot was quite popular when I was a teenager (before the dinosaurs), but I've hardly ever seen it in this fandom. And a few days ago I literally had this dream (yes, I resumed taking antidepressants this month and usually when you start taking them, you have very vivid, detailed and interesting dreams at first) I couldn't let go of the idea.

Let's imagine that Rhaenyra and her family stay in KL until Viserys' death to prevent the usurper from taking her throne, and then just stay there because she's now queen. And so, with the help of some bizarre Valyrian magic really don't care the causes, only the effects, Luke and Aemond swap bodies and, according to the classic of the genre, cannot tell anyone about it (although Helaena knows anyway). And of coooourse, they have to work together to get everything back to the way it was.

-----------------------∞----------------------

for me, this is such an inexhaustible endless source of dramedy:

Aemond’s first thought when he looks in the mirror and sees his nephew's reflection is 'What can I do with this horribly messy hair?'

Luke wakes up in Aemond’s chambers and struggles with his new size, bumping into and tripping over everything until he finally reaches the room he’d fallen asleep in the night before, already covered in bruises. There, he sees himself—or is it his body?—turning the room upside down, searching for something. Luke timidly asks what Aemond is looking for, and with a look of wild madness in his eye, Aemond barks: “A comb!”

Luke, on the other hand, doesn't care about Aemond’s hair at all. It annoyed him how long it is, although he's mesmerized by its softness and color. Especially the color, since he’s imagined countless times what it would be like if he’d been born with Targaryen hair. But he can’t deal with the long strands and just ties them into a messy… something. Aemond nearly has a stroke when he sees this vandalism for the first time.

They agree to call a truce until they find out how it happened, but they constantly fight for various reasons. Mostly because Aemond is the one who panics dramatising overreacts about the situation. Luke, as an empathetic child without emotional constipation, even tries to calm him down. But, as expected, only encounters rudeness in return. The uncle says that he has never felt so defective before, even after he had lost an eye. He also says that he is very worried that Luke-in-his-body will now disgrace Aemond with ‘such idiotic expressions’ after Luke-in-his-body cannot hide the obvious resentment on his face.

Their attempts to behave like the other are rather clumsy. Mainly because Lucerys has never really hidden his emotions, while Aemond has never really shown his.

Aemond is shocked to find that in his sister’s family, displays of physical affection without any serious reason are perfectly normal. On the first dinner of being Luke, Aemond reflexively twists Jace’s arm when he tries to ruffle his hair unexpectedly. Later, when Rhaenyra, noticing something is off with "her sweet boy", pulls him close in a gentle hug to figure out what’s wrong, Aemond is beyond errored. And let’s not even talk about how the poor guy feels when Daemon slaps him on the back and asks for his opinion on something. Yes, used to being fairly distant from his own family, Aemond is really stunned by the intensity of the interconnectedness in his older sister's household.

After all this, he goes to complain to Luke, who is also in shock and distressed about 'Aemond's day', but it's more of a ‘Damn Bitch, You Live Like This?’. He hasn't seen any of his uncle's family all day and no one has even looked for him, except for Sir Christon (and it's a pretty enough nightmare). He tells Aemond that maybe understands why he's such a prick - because he hasn't ever been hugged enough.

Aemond, who can't come up with a plausible reason for not training with Jace, decides that he will quickly defeat his older nephew. But he is annoyed to realise that Luke's body is not as strong and trained as he is used to, and he cannot hold a sword of the weight that Aemond is used to. The fact that Jace is only gently encouraging his “brother” irritates him even more.

In the early morning, Aemond forces his nephew to train with him to learn how to use his new body—instead, Aemond cringes as watches Luke struggle to cope with his own. But after a little while, using each other's advice, they have a good sparring. Aemond is very excited about the possibility that having both eyes and the agility of a small body opens up—is triumphant at his victory. Luke look like he doesn't cares (he really doesn't, because he'd rather be in bed at this hour).

But the real hit for Aemond comes when Damon meets him later that morning and tells him that he saw the fight between him and Luke and is really proud of him because he has ‘unexpectedly good technique’. Aemond's fangirl-daddy-issues-emotions run high, and even the warning that ‘needs to be careful with this one-eyed Hightower cunt, because his extreme niceness is too alarming’ doesn't diminish them. By the end of the day, Aemond is mentally running around with the fact that ‘the Rogue Prince praised my fighting skills.’

Luke laughs for a very long time when hears about this conversation. Because ‘Daemon saw me beat you, and according to him, I fight only slightly better than Joff. Joff is six, uncle. Daemon thought "you" went easy on "me".’

They try to find some information on how to get back into their own bodies in Valyrian manuscripts, but Luke discovers just how terrible his uncle’s pronunciation is when he tries reading something aloud. The search is soon forgotten, as their impromptu speaking lesson stretches late into the evening.

The amount of time they’ve been spending together lately doesn’t go unnoticed and starts raising questions. So, the boys decide to split up for a while and conduct their searches separately.

Luke, who is unbearably bored being Aemond and lacking his discipline, decides to find some entertainment. He’d normally call Jace to fly or invite Rhaena for a walk, but obviously, that’s not an option now. So, he heads to see Helaena, who is delighted to have him visit. Luke confirms that his "quirky aunt" is really sweet, but freezes when she declares she’s 'so glad Aemond can see the underside’.

Later, Luke encounters Aegon too, who makes a comment about Aemond-Luke’s hairstyle. And boy, out of habit, reacts in much the same way as he would if something similar happened between him and Jace—he responds with some kind of small joke. Aegon stares at him as if he’s grown a second head—or at least regrown his second eye. Slowly, Lucerys realizes that his stoic, cold uncle is really just wearing a mask. After all, truly coldblooded people don’t flare up at every little remark.

Aemond, who’s genuinely trying to solve the problem, finds a reference to a book that might be in Dragonstone’s library. Without thinking twice, he decides to fly there. Based on who he looks like now, he thinks no one will find it odd if Lucerys Velaryon spends a few hours in the library at his own home. He heads to the dragonpit to ride Lucerys Velaryon dragon.

But dragons are not humans. Arrax is not at all pleased when some suspicious guy—no matter how much he looks like his rider (this no less suspicious point also needs to be clarified)—tries to approach him and decides to take a few bites out of the pretender. Aemond is rescued by Luke, who is on his way to visit his dragon. Unlike his uncle, he did not assume that Arrax could be fooled by appearances.

Luke angrily tells his uncle that he 'tried to steal someone else's dragon again and almost got hurt.' For the first time since they switched bodies, they get into a real fight, almost ending in blows. But when Aemond sweeps Luke off his feet with a well-placed strike from his “blind side” and and falls on top of him, they have some feelings that are… let's say not typical of a fight, which makes Aemond embarrassed and run away. What can you do—they still teenagers����‍♀️

And speaking of teenagers. If you wake up with morning wood while in someone else’s body, is jerking off in such a situation still considered masturbation or already sex? Just asking.

Aemond, isolated from his usual routine and still holding a grudge against Luke, decides to “gather some information on the enemy camp,” as he calls it. In reality, he's simply finding out how Luke is treated by his family. And this simultaneously makes him envious and angry on behalf of his nephew. Because he doesn't like the condescending attitude that thrives on Luke. Now it becomes clearer to him why he once thought the boy was weak and foolish, though in recent days, he’s realised that’s not the case at all. But this condescension causes Lucerys’ impostor syndrome to progress. It doesn't allow him to become stronger.

Also, unexpectedly for himself, Aemond finds that he actually likes his cousins, and even little Joffrey is “a decent kid.” Jacerys stops provoking a dull irritation as long as he’s either silent or far enough away that his words can’t be heard.

For a few days, Aemond and Luke avoid each other. But eventually, Luke comes to make peace and finally apologizes to his uncle, not just for the recent incident, but for everything.

They decide to fly to Dragonstone together because Luke knows how to sneak into the castle. After all, he has slipped out countless times with Jace, Rhaena, and on his own.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[acewritesfics]

Never Stopped Loving You | Tommy Shelby

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Reader

Request: From anon

Warnings: Swearing. Mentions of war, heartbreak, jealousy (?), a tiny little bit of Grace bashing but just so you know this is based between season 1 & 2 (more towards season 2) so readers dislike towards Grace is after her betrayal not her death

Word Count: 2,276

Tommy Shelby Masterlist | Main Masterlist

Y/N watches from the other side of the Garrison as Tommy sits across from a woman, a pretty brunette she hasn't bothered learning the name of. She didn't hate the woman; she didn't even know her but she did pity her. In fact, she pitied any woman that came across Thomas Shelby. All but one. Grace didn't deserve her pity.   

It's a business meeting, she knows that. Polly informed her yesterday during her visit to her home. She doesn’t know why Polly told her or why she cared to remember it. After the day she had going over last minute details for her sister's wedding, she wanted a drink before she went dancing with some friends and she'd been hoping to catch up with John to see if him and Esme needed any thing as they await the arrival of their new baby.  

After ordering another drink, she looks back to her former lover and his new potential business partner and takes the woman in. There's no denying she's pretty but she can also see the way she's looking at him. It was the same way they all eventually look at him. Yes, she pities all but one woman that comes across him.  

Thomas Shelby always had a certain charm about him. It wasn't just those stunningly beautiful blue eyes, high cheek bones, the scatter of freckles that covers his face, how impeccable he dresses, or the smooth tone of his voice that has the ladies enraptured by him. Even before the war, he knew how to get what he wanted, his main weapon being that silver tongue of his.   

"Does he know that you're here?" She hears Polly say from beside her as she joins her at the bar. Polly orders herself a drink before she turns to face her, leaning against the bar.  

"Would it matter if he did?" she answers with her own rhetorical question.�� 

"You know nothing gets past him," Polly reminds her, picking up her drink off the bar and takes a drink.  

"I did," she also reminds Polly.  

Y/N had been one of those pitiful women who found herself under Tommy's spell. But back then they were just kids. Two fools who thought that not even a war could separate them. How foolish they were.   

Before the war, it was good. Tommy smiled and laughed more, he was more loving and kinder to himself and those around him. He didn't have blood on his hands or a distant look in his eyes. His eyes sparkled with the good kind of mischief, a love for life and hopes and dreams that didn't include violence and him becoming a man to be feared of. He was a sweet man with a beautiful soul and so much like his mother. She'd fallen completely in love with him and when he proposed a month before war was declared, she didn't hesitate to say yes.   

During the war, when he would come home for breaks, she could see and feel him putting up walls and becoming distant with her. The light in his eyes was slowly fading. He was less kind, less loving and less like the Tommy she'd fallen in love with. But she still loved him so much that she would stay beside him and be there for when he needed her.  

But by the time the war was over, Tommy was but of a shell of his former self. Eventually the couple parted ways with Tommy acting as though their break up had no affect on him while her heart completely shattered into a million pieces.  

Y/N couldn't stay in Small Heath after that. She moved to London for a year before coming back when she got a job offer from the Small Heath school only to witness Tommy fall in love and open up to another woman who would only end up betraying him. It was six months ago, she moved to Bristol to help her brother take care of his sick wife and three children. But now she's back again, not able to stay away from her home town. This time it isn't permanent. Her younger sister is getting married tomorrow, and she couldn't miss it, no matter how much it hurts to be back in the city that brought her so much joy and heartache.   

"He's a fool for ever letting that happen," Polly says, letting her bitterness over their break up be known even though it's been a few years.  

"We were both fools for thinking we'd make it through anything," she finishes her drink and places the empty glass on the bar top as she stands up from the stool she's sitting on.   

"You know he's still got it," Polly says stopping her in her tracks as she begins to walk away from the woman who is like an aunt to her. "I watched him take it to the cut. He contemplated throwing it away but he couldn't bring himself to do it."  

"Maybe he wants to use it for the next woman who falls under his spell," she says keeping her back to the older woman and leaves the Garrison.  

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Miss!” an elderly gentleman exclaims, handing Y/N a beautiful rose as she walks down the street to the store the next day. She’d forgotten about the silly day in the midst of rushing around to get things sorted for her sister’s big day, which just so happened to be today of all things.  

Looking at the man and seeing his large smile, she couldn’t bring herself to disappoint the man. She takes the rose and smells it. “Thank you, sir. You’ve just made my day so much better.”   

“Do you not have a valentine?” he asks her. “A pretty lady like yourself should have all the men falling to her feet.”  

“Well, to be honest, even if there were I would still choose none of them,” she admits.   

“Whoever broke your heart, he’s a right fool,” the man says.   

“Oh, you have no idea,” she chuckles.   

“If I wasn’t married to me Mrs., I would be your valentine.”  

“Your wife is a lucky woman,” Y/N smiles.  

“I’m the lucky the one,” he admits. “I’ll let you get on your way. You looked to be in a rush.”  

“Thank you for the rose,” she thanks him and says goodbye as she carries on her way.  

Entering the store, she grabs what she needs to, pays and heads back to her sister’s home, smiling the whole way.   

“Where have you been?!” her sister shouts as she walks through the door. “I have to be ready and at the church in an hour. Where did you get that?”   

Y/N’s eyes follow her sister’s gaze to the rose in her hand. “A lovely old man gave it to me.”  

“Are you into older men now?” her sister teases. “I guess all the men your age are married now. What’s better than a rich widowed old man?”  

“I’ll have you know, he was being nice,” Y/N frowns at her sister. In her time away from Birmingham, she’d forgotten her younger sister could be mean. “Clearly something you know nothing about.”  

“I can be nice. So nice in fact, I've invited the only man you’ll ever love to the wedding.”   

Y/N wants nothing more than to smack the smug smirk of her sister’s face but decides to play ignorant instead. “And who would that be?”  

“Don’t play daft, dear sister,” she laughs shaking her head as she gets into her wedding dress with the seamstresses help. “Tommy, of course.”  

“Well, don’t be too disappointed if he doesn’t show up," she says causing her sister to roll her eyes. 

Tommy surprised Y/N. He'd come to the wedding. She could feel his eyes boring into her through out the ceremony. Keeping her eyes on the bride and groom, she tried to ignore it. Even now as she dances with her new brother-in-law, she can feel her former lovers eyes on her and as he stands behind her, his cologne invades her senses. It's the same cologne that she'd bought him for his last birthday they spent together. 

"Mind if I cut in, mate?" His smooth voice reaches her ears as he asks Paul. Her body stiffens, her heart dropping into her stomach as her plans to ignore him and his overwhelming presence is dashed. 

"Of course, Mr. Shelby," he smiles and steps away from her. She goes to stop him, only for Tommy to take his place.  

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice that you are back?" he asks, his arm moving around her waist as she takes one of her hands into his.  

She hesitantly places her hand on his shoulders as they start to dance, "I was hoping you would be too busy to notice. You seemed rather busy last night." 

He had seen her in the garrison the night before. If he hadn't been in the middle of a business meeting he would have gone after her when she left. Instead he decided last minute to accept the invitation to her sister's wedding, hoping he to get a moment with her. 

"I saw you," he admits. "I was hoping you would stay long enough so I could speak to you." 

"Is that why you're here?" she asks him, still knowing him better than anyone else. 

"I had to see you some way," he tells her. 

"There's nothing that needs to be said between us, Thomas," she removes his hands from her and steps back from him. Tommy was her first love. He was her only love and as much as she tried to move on from him, she couldn't. She leaves the dance floor and grabs her purse before leaving the venue without saying goodbye to anyone.  

Instead of walking back to her mother's house, where she's been staying for the past week, she finds herself down at the Cut, under the bridge her and Tommy would sneak under when they first started their relationship.  

As many of the happier memories with Tommy flood, her eyes begin to sting from the tears forming in them. The young couple had many happy memories with each other and they far outweighed the bad. Closing her eyes she remembers the way his lips felt against hers, the way his fingers would lightly trace circles on her skin when his hands slipped under her shirt and how tightly he would hold her against him as if he were afraid she would leave him.  

Her eyes shoot open as she hears footsteps coming towards her, quickly wiping away her tears she tries to make her exit when the person comes into view. It's Tommy.  

She finds her feet no longer want to work as she freezes on the spot. He looks just as surprised to see her. After a moment of just staring at each other, YN decides to speak.  

"You were right about us needing to talk," she begins. "I've been wanting to say this for a while and you are going to listen and not say anything until I am done." 

Tommy goes to interrupt her, opening his mouth to say something when she holds up her hand, stopping him.  

"I love you, Tom, more than I've loved anyone," she tells him. "When we ended our relationship you we're supposed to fight for it. But you just stood there, a blank look on your face, saying nothing at all while my heart broke into a million pieces. You were supposed to fight for me, fight for us. Instead you fell in love with another woman who broke your heart and-" 

"I love you too," Tommy says cutting her off as he steps closer to her. "You're the only woman I've ever loved. Grace didn't break my heart because it was already broken from the war and letting you go. She was only a distraction to stop myself from going after you. You deserved better than me and who I became. I wanted to give you the world, promise you things would get better, be the man who deserved you. I didn’t want to pull you into the mess I created. I loved you to much for that. You’re so innocent and good and I’m nothing but a bad man who does bad things." 

“Not all of us are angels, Tom,” she says.  

“But you are,” he tells her.  

“Well then, I’m an angel who’s fallen in love with the devil.” 

“And the devil just so happens to love her back,” he adds, his arms moving around her waist to pull her closer. 

This time she lets him, no longer wanting to get as far away from his as possible. “We still have a lot to work through.” 

“We’ll work through it all because I’m not going to let you go again,” he tells her. “I made that mistake once. I don’t plan on making it again. I’m going to make it up to you.” 

“And you can start by kissing me like you use to under this bridge,” a small hint of a smile appears on her lips. “And then we can go from there.” 

Tommy smiles, cupping her face and plants his lips on hers, kissing her softly as though he’s resting the waters. When she doesn’t reconsider, he kisses her harder and holds her tighter like he’s afraid she’ll leave him again. He ends the kiss leaving his lips only an inch from hers as he tells her, “I never stopped loving you.” 

“I never stopped stopped loving you too,” she replies, pressing her lips back to his. 

[gabessquishytum]

Dream is bored and he'll be the first to admit that his boredom tends to make him an easy mark for his siblings shenanigans. Case in point, his sister Tel has convinced him - cajoled, dared, whatever, to give a few classes at her always in need of funds community center.

Dream is a world renowned international (dance, ballet, artist, designer) star and he has never been know to hang around normal people, but his inspiration is in a ditch, hole, dark empty place,,,,so he decides how bad can it be.......

Well it's certainly not good, there are no supplies for the classes he wants to teach, and the kids have no idea who he is....just that he seems stuck up. After his first disastrous first day [if it's art classes not dance, Dream leaves the center with paint in and covering places he hasn't since he was teaching Del to paint,,,,, when she was 5], he is taken under the wing of (after his sister leaves him to a hoard of children on his own) the cheerful "Mr. G".

Hob "Mr. G" Gadling has been working at the community center forever, and the kids love him. If asked, Dream would say that he is only flustered around Mr. G because he's still finding his way around the community center, not because on top of being nice Mr. G is gorgeous.

This is so sweet - gotta love Dream doing his best to function around normal people!!!

The kids really aren't so bad. They are, for the most part, simply bored. The community centre is a wonderful place but it lacks funding for really exciting projects, and the kids are kind of tired of making macaroni art, ya know? "Mr. G" kindly explains all of this to Dream as they sit in the car park (and Dream vainly attempts to scrape some of the paint off himself so he can avoid dirtying the interior of his fancy car). And Dream realises that he had been kind of an ass to the kids, and patronised them a whole not... maybe he needs to figure out a new approach.

So he recruits Hob’s assistance and together they head for the nearest art supply superstore. Dream buys several carts full of stuff with his own money and Hob maybe tears up a little bit because Dream is so determined and kind and pretty. Hob definitely has a weakness for beautiful men with big hearts.

Art classes at the community centre take a turn for the better as Dream asks the kids what THEY would like to do. It's settled that they'll make a big mural for the reception area, and everyone gets involved doing stuff that they enjoy. Dream and Tel's brother Ollie is persuaded to come in and help out with some woodworking so the kids can even help make new furniture! Hob offers his own assistance wherever he's required, whether that means opening paint tins or comforting frustrated artists. He's much more gorgeous covered in paint than Dream was.

And at the grand opening of the new reception area, complete with mural and custom artworks, Dream has hardly ever been so proud. Mostly because he's found his inspiration: his sketchbooks are full of sketches of Mr. G... and yes, some of them are nude, but Dream just blushes when asked how he knows about the tattoo on Hob’s left buttock!

(He knows about it because Hob showed him, in great detail. But Dream isn't one to kiss and tell about his boyfriend's intimate parts!)

[generalhumancloudalmond]

Wonderful child

Platonic!Yandere!Muzan x Child!Fem! Reader

You were a wonderful child not only in the opinion of your own mother, but also in the opinion of your new father, whom you and your sister unconditionally accepted. But to tell the truth, first time your new father bothered you. He may not have done anything wrong, but you were a child with an incredibly developed sense of empathy and you felt every change in his mood better than your mother and sister.

That's probably why Muzan thought you were a wonderful child. You never bothered him and when it was necessary, you left and even more, you took your younger sister away when he was not in the best mood, which made it easier him to stay here.

That night, you saw how annoyed he was after meeting with a strange boy, so when you and your mom and sister said goodbye to him, he was leaving for some business meeting. You, unlike your sister and mom, didn't hug or kiss him, just wished him to come back soon and waved.

"Y/n, I don't think you get along very well with Muzan."

You looked surprised at your mom, who was talking to you.

"You hardly talk to him, I understand that you miss your real father, but..."

"No, I get along well with Muzan. He doesn't even mind anymore if I'm in the same room with him when he's busy."

"Was he against being in the same room with you? I mean, you're a calm girl and don't bother..."

"He didn't kick me out, it's just that my presence, at first, often annoyed him, and now he doesn't mind."

You smiled at your mom, calming her nerves, and your little sister repeated after you, your mom giggled. You really were a wonderful child.

However, a good streak cannot last forever and one day it really ended. Now you were lying in bed in terrible suffering. Muzan still hasn't returned, but his money was enough to delay the progress of your illness. The problem was that neither you not your mom had the strength. You couldn't fight with illness anymore, and your mom couldn't watching you cry and moan in pain, couldn't watching your medical analysis get worse and worse every day. Your mother couldn't contact her husband, and therefore she had to make this important decision on her own.

Muzan came back at night and he was furious when he heard that he had an hour to say goodbye to you when your heart stopped completely. Not caring about the force, he pushed your mother away.

Why can't this useless woman even take care of her own child?!

When he entered your room, he discovered your unconscious figure. You were lying on the bed and looked very much like a dead, but the demon still heard your weak heart. With his claw, he sharply scratched your cheek, giving a small amount of his blood.

At that moment, your sweet dream ended, you thought that the disease was terribly painful, but it was worse, much worse. Your whole body was bending in the opposite direction, you even heard the crunch of your own bones, but all this faded against the background of your cheek, it burned with hellish pain, and the skin near the wound seemed to melt.

Your little sister ran into your room after hearing the screams. And froze in horror. Muzan sat on your bed and held you in his arms while you squirmed and screamed. The father was calm, while you beat him with your head in agony, while he held your legs and arms. The girl immediately covered her eyes with her hands and wanted to run away, but the demon stopped her.

"Come here. Don't you want to help your sister?"

She wanted to help you, she has to help you, so she listens him and approaches you. You began to shake less, but blood poured out of your mouth.

"Dad, what can I..."

Abruptly Muzan grabs her by the head and begins to squeeze.

"Y/n will be very hungry when she becomes a demon and you will help her with that."

[isa-loves-you]

Telling People, You're a couple. | The Group Chat Head canons | Pt.2

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Soft willy- you and nick have been dating for almost 2 months now. It's still crazy to you that you have this man, I mean come one look at him he is the definition of what everyone wants to be or be with. respectful, good height, nice built, the funniest person you have ever met, sweet and caring nick was all these things; which is why you were kinda scared of telling people you were a couple.

It's not like you were the most horrible person to look at but you in your mind you just thought you were okay nothing special just your average joe, but to nick you were the most beautiful person he'd ever met so of course he wanted to show everyone how special he is to have you in his life. Ever since you guys started dating he's been trying to get your approval to tell his fans but you still felt a little anxious on the idea so nicked eventually stopped asking to respect your decision. 

One day you and nick were at a burger place eating lunch talking about his new album. “I don't know what I really want for the cover but I was kinda thinking if you would be able to pose for it?” Nick said looking hopeful at you “Nick I don't know, what if people connect the dots? I'm already on most of the tracks. It would be weird if I am also on the cover.”. He had to admit it would be kinda obvious but that was the whole point, he was happy that you were there to help accomplish the album and it would just be even more awesome if he got to see your face on the front of it all

“Here your refill sir” the waitress interrupted yours and nick conversation with a smile “oh thanks” “if you need anything, and i mean anything else just let me know” the waitress was basically eye fucking nick while saying her little beg of attention from nick. This mad you fucking livid like who  does she think she is talking to a random man like this and in front of his girlfriend out of all people.

“Thanks but i'm good” Nick let out an uncomfortable laugh while trying not to look at her anymore. You had to admit this girl was pretty but you were definitely better looking than her and that's all you needed in the moment to make a decision that went against your words. “You know what?I will pose for the cover "what do i have to hide” for the rest of the day. Nick couldn't stop thanking you and asking if you were sure about this but you already agreed and can't go back on it now.

Two weeks later you and Nick were drinking and  trying to think of all the different types of ways to take pictures. Since the songs on the album were based off of video games more specifically the games you could only play on the Nintendo DS you came up with  the idea of taking them on a DS. After three hours  later you and Nick finally captured the right picture to put on the album.

A couple of days passed, and Nick had posted the cover as a promotion which was the picture of you on a DS with a bold light blue font that read “Digital Dreams”. 

(This is sorta what I was going for. obvious if you don't like it you can totally imagine something else. Also credit to whoever these beautiful people are , I am jealous.)

In the caption of the post Nick had credited all the people who worked on the album including you but did it a completely different way. “I also want to thank my amazing partner for helping me throughout the process and even being on the album front and in the song @ ur username  i love you.”

You were surprised at the amount of people who were so supportive of you guys, of course there were some people who weren't, but you couldn't care. You were just happy that Nick was happy.

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Larry-  you were getting some food for you and Larry because he said he hasn't eaten all day. You and Larry have been dating for almost a month and it was the best thing that has happened to you in a while. Everyday with him was so much fun and the group was accepting of you for dating their friend.

You had gotten him and you something small because Nick and Tanner wanted you and Larry to go with them to dinner later but since Larry didn't eat you just grabbed something while you were out so he wouldn't be so hungry later. You had stepped into the house looking for Larry but he was in his room doing the podcast with the others.

You knocked on his door which he called out for you to open “dude you didn't have to do that thank you so much” “no problem it wasn't a bother to me”. You walked up to his desk to set the food down “hi everyone” you waved to all of the boys in the call which they waved back. 

You stood there for a couple more minutes talking to them before you left to go be on your phone and leave them back with their work. Almost 45 minutes later Nick, Larry, and Tanner came out so you guys could go to dinner and have a fun night out. 

You woke up the next morning in Larry's bed since you didn't want to drive home  last night. You see Larry at his desk looking at the podcast comments, you walk up to him and put a hand on his shoulder “so do they love me” you let out a small laugh. “They love you alright, it seems like they love you more than me” “well in that case switch me jobs, i would love to make dumb jokes all day “. you guys shared a laugh and a few more while looking at the comments. You were glad that the people who loved him were happy that he was with you.

[laughhardrunfastbekindsblog]

You know what, I have to get this off my chest so here's my essay on why Anakin and Padme's relationship in Attack of the Clones singlehandedly sinks not only Episode II, but detracts from the entire prequel trilogy.

Here's the thing: the prequels are a tragedy, chronicling Anakin Skywalker's lamentable fall to the Dark Side and becoming Darth Vader. But the movies spend SO. MUCH. TIME. foreshadowing Anakin's fall, we never really get to see him be a hero. (I will always be immensely grateful to The Clone Wars for giving us this desperately needed characterization for Anakin).

The same applies to Anakin/Padme's relationship. Their romance should be a tragedy, and really the only way to make something tragic is to make the audience root for it to succeed in the first place.

But their relationship as depicted in the movies is so toxic and covered in red flags I can't root for it to succeed. (And Anakin himself is already apparently one breath away from going full Dark Side so there's no chance to root for him either.)

Side note about "I don't like sand" since the problems with their romance often get chalked up to "Anakin is awkward" : "Awkwardness" could have worked, because awkwardness CAN be sweet and endearing when it's coming from someone who is shown to be kind and compassionate (see: Tech in general, but also with Phee). But Anakin, 10 years after TPM, isn't depicted in AotC as truly kind or compassionate or anything even approximating heroic until maybe the Battle of Geonosis at the very end of the movie. So yeah, Anakin being an idiot young adult when talking to a girl he likes is understandable; it's all his other behavior that is absolutely unacceptable.

Just a few "highlights:"

- Padme covers the cams in her room because she doesn't want Anakin watching her, then directly calls out Anakin for the looks he's giving her and tells him it's making her uncomfortable... And Anakin's response is creepy smile and then later he persists in talking to her about how he dreams about her etc and so forth.

^ Oh, if only the above or similar had been the actual scene...

- Inexplicably (and out of character for the Padme we got to know in TPM), Padme just... rolls with it and lets Anakin continue the creepy behavior she just told him she didn't like? Okay, guess we're reinforcing the idea that when women say "no" they don't ACTUALLY mean "no," persistence always wins, just gotta keep trying no matter what the woman says.

- Anakin strokes Padme's bare skin (she still hasn't said anything to indicate she's okay with this kind of attention), and she kisses him before pulling away and expressing regret over it. Since there's no other explanation given for Padme's sudden attraction to Anakin, we're left to assume that Padme must have been hiding her feelings for him from the get-go and therefore it must have been right for Anakin to keep testing her boundaries (do I really need to spell out how deeply problematic this messaging is??).

- Padme tells Anakin a relationship isn't feasible. (I have frequently come across comments on her "dominatrix dress" in this scene because apparently if a woman is going to turn down a man she has to plan on wearing, what, a burlap sack I guess, so the guy doesn't "get the wrong impression"). Anakin then shuffles full responsibility for his feelings onto her because of "the kiss she shouldn't have given him."

- Anakin commits one mistake and bad decision and egregious crime after another in the movie, as noted above it's not until Geonosis that he makes any decision that could be marginally considered heroic or "good," and... Padme likes this awful behavior, apparently?? Where did Padme liking this come from??? (If you're going to have freakin' rational smart independent kick-butt PADME fall for something like this, at least explain/show WHY.)

- By the time we get to the "We're about to die so yeah I totally love you" cliche, I'm not even cringing anymore because I'm just trying to figure out how we got to this point in the first place.

So... Yeah, we keep being told this is an epic tragic romance, and all I can see is two hours' worth of indicators that if Padme were my real-life friend, I'd be holding an intervention long before Anakin got assigned to her security detail on Naboo. FOR FORCE'S SAKE, PADME, HE'S BEEN THROWING UP NOTHING BUT RED FLAGS! RED MEANS STOP!!!

Again, this isn't just "Anakin doesn't know how to talk to girls because he was raised as a space monk." (Come on, people, Obi Wan was raised the same way and he does NOT act like that... But I digress.) This is Anakin being a creepy stalker who doesn't listen to the woman he supposedly loves and won't take no for an answer, and he ends up rewarded for it, and we're supposed to cheer him and Padme on and want them to be together?

No. Not me, at least.

And with this as the backstory going into Revenge of the Sith, with us never getting the chance (in the movies) to see Anakin at his best even with the woman he supposedly loves, Anakin's fall doesn't really feel tragic - it just feels... inevitable. His fall is plenty tragic and regrettable for the Jedi and clones and the Republic in general, of course; but with respect to how Anakin's demise affects him, it just hits as being a long time coming.

(At the end of the day, the only reason why I tolerate Anakin/Padme in TCW is because I actively ignore everything about their relationship from AotC. TCW also did such a stellar job showing enough of Anakin's good side contrasted with his darker tendencies that Anakin's fall in RotS now finally hits me as tragic for Anakin in particular. And the only reason why I rewatch AotC is for Obi Wan and the Yoda v Dooku fight, I almost always skip over 90% of the "romance" scenes at this point because I don't like gagging while watching a movie.)

[hirschkuh-im-traum]

Sleepyhead, part four

the plot is: you fall ill and alsator takes care of you, you find out your new powers and test them on someone who hasn't slept for several days

part one, part two, part three, part four

warnings: none

*. ⋆ ✧.·:·.* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *.·:·.✧ *. ⋆

“Look there!” Whispered Angel to Husk, waving his hand in the farthest side of the room, in the direction where the Radio Demon sat on the sofa with you lying on his laps. His one hand held a book and the other one found its comfort somewhere in your hair. He scratched your scalp and played with your soft locks, twirling your curls around his digit and then let them go. In your afterlife you had the most enviable curls in all seven rings. They never tangled and were as soft as silk. They actually looked like a cloud, referencing your favourite activity from your life — having your head in the clouds.

Alastor adored playing with your hair.

Husk looked up in your direction, and Angel continued, “Is this fuckin’ normal?!”

“Absolutely not.”

They were talking in an undertone, for Alastor banned everyone from making noise in the room where you were sleeping, so since your arrival to the Hotel, this place became much quieter. Mostly part of the day some rooms of the Hotel were submerged only with sleepy silence and low voices or whispers.

Angel took a sip from his glass, still staring at you both. Alastor didn't take his hand from your hair, as his shadow turned the page. His palm went lower to caress the side of your head with his thumb and then came back to your crown. From their places Angel and Husk couldn't see how sweet you smiled in your dream.

Angel turned to the bartender again. The expression on his face was hardly understandable: he was frowning yet smiling with some shade of mockery.

“I tell ya, there must be somethin’ more than jus' sleepin’ on his lap. There's no way I believe that Smiles lets her do it for free.” His golden fang glittered in the smirk, “And I mean not a hell-overlord way.”

Husk was drying the glasses until they squeaked, but his gaze was still focused at your tiny figure on Alastor's legs. Surely it was incredible, almost unnaturally, that his boss let you not just touch him, but even rest your head on his lap and embrace him. And not only during your sleep Alastor let you invite his personal space. He was a real sucker for your presence and all the physical signs of it, so he allowed you to hold his hand, embrace him from his back, you shared your mugs and…

But before Husk remembered other sights of attention, you and Alastor showed each other, he looked at Angel, “What do you mean?”

“You see, Whiskers,” Angel leaned forward, so the fur on his chest pressed against the bar counter. He lowered his voice, so his secretive whisper was barely heard even by his interlocutor, “I saw her sneakin’ to his room! At night! With a pillow!”

Husk wasn't impressed with this statement, making Angel throw his four hands in the air and exclaim in loud whisper,

“Do ya’ think it's okay?! She sleeps all fuckin’ day long, she can't do the same thing in his bedroom at night!”

“She had a pillow.” Husk answered in deadpan.

“So what, Kitty? There's a lot more to a pillow than just sleeping on it," He said with a suggestive smile.

Suddenly the radio on the counter turned on, filling the space with the loud crackle of interference. The radio dial didn’t point to any particular wave, and an acute sound of an untuned transmission broke out from the speakers. From surprise Angel covered his ears, and Husk twitched when the crackling became louder. It seemed that the sound was creeping into their heads, intending to deafen them from the inside. As harshly as it started the sound lowered, and only the quiet static remained, crackling displeased and irritated. And then they heard a voice,

“Gentelmen, if you value your peaceful sleep at night, I can assure you that another little whisper from your side may put an end to this.”

And then a merry piano melody played from the radio.

Husk frowned at Alastor, who had put aside the book and held his microphone cane near his lips now with a satisfied grin.

Angel raised his head with a low moan and uncovered his ears. He gave Husk even more crooked smirk, as it was saying “See? I tell ya! The man wouldn’t be so obsessed without a good ho-”

But his silent suggestive statement was interrupted when Husk rolled his eyes, as if he said, “I really don't fuckin’ care and, palese, shut up.”

Angel's wide smile spoke, “Trust me, I sense such things a mile away.”

*. ⋆ ✧.·:·.* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *.·:·.✧ *. ⋆

You'd just changed your pyjamas and sat at the edge of Alastor's bed. Your bed. You watched how Alastor prepared himself for the overlord meeting. It was later than usual, and you were upset that this night you would meet alone. Alastor adjusted his suit, tied a bowtie, and with a wave of his hand appeared his cane which he thuted against the floor.

“Will you come back?” You pronounced downcast.

Alastor gave you a bemused look, “Dear, I will definitely come back.” He headed for bed, stopping in front of you.

“When will you come back? At what time? That was what I meant.” You cringed slightly, understanding how desperately and hopelessly sounded your first question.

Alastor smirked kindly, coming closer to you. “You don't have to wait for me, my little star. You can go to bed whenever you want to.” His thumb drew tenderly the circles around the flashing stars on your cheek. You closed your eyes, like every time when Alastor touched your face. The feeling, you dreamt about in your life and never had, had become reality in your afterlife.

“I don't want to sleep without you,” You mumbled and stifled a yawn, “You know, when I was alive I had pleasant dreams, but since I've been here my dreams have changed.” Alastor tilted his head, awaiting till you continue, because at the end of your sentence you couldn't stifle another yawn. “Aaahh. Sorry.” He softly chuckled, sitting down next to you. “So. Since I've been here I dream about reality. I see what is happening around me while I'm asleep. I see everything and feel everything as if I was awake. But it’s also like a movie… I see everything from the outside, in a third person view, you know.” You tried to find more similes to convey your experiences more clearly. You smiled when Alastor nodded his head understandingly and you continued, “So when we sleep I see us. So it's simply not interesting to sleep without you. I mean, what will I see? Myself?”

You scoffed at your last statement, but you didn't overlooked how Alastor's gaze softened at the word ‘us’. He leaned forward then, closer to you, and a wistful smile covered his lips at your last words.

“I understand, dear,” His hand reached to your head and petted you. You knew Alastor loved to own others’ personal space just to piss people off, but it was evident that with you there was something different. He just couldn't keep his hands behind his back, craving to touch you more and more, and every touch was softer and gentler than previous.

“But don't force yourself, dearest.” He placed a sweet kiss on your forehead and held his gaze on your face, admiring all the new bright stars shining after his touch. “I'll be back as soon as possible."

* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *

When the door closed and you heard Alastor's steps echoing in the corridor, a deep sigh escaped your lips. Your heart gripped strong when you heard the last muffed steps, and you fell on your back on bed.

What to do now?

Not many ideas ran through your drowsy mind: read that book, listen to the records, sleep, bayou, movie night with Angel, sleep, go to the bar to Husk, sleep, sleep, sleep…

You harshly sat up, shaking your head and chasing your slumber away. No sleep.

You sat in silence, staring at the bright flame in the fireplace.

What was that thought?

You turned your head to the left and looked at the bayou.

The large tall trees silhouetted in the dark blue shadows of the night. The mist covered the ground in thin feather-like clouds, seeming cold and soft to the touch. Small golden lights swirled above the grass, illuminating the dark landscape, turning the uncanny scenery into something almost fairy-tale. A cool breeze fanned your whole body, bringing the night sounds of the forest to your hearing.

For a long time you wanted to explore that forest, but Alastor didn't recommend you do it. Especially alone. To satisfy your curiosity you had dinner there together and made strolls, but never went too deep into the woods. Alastor said it was dangerous, but when you objected, weren’t you safe next to him, Alastor said, physically it was, but mentally it was unlikely.

In the bayou dwelled the things that were not meant for your eyes. He didn't want you to see the creatures there, to face the powers piercing through the air. And you believed him, especially after the night when you were woken up from a bloodcurdling growl which seemed was coming from the depth of the forest. It took Alastor hundreds of words of reassurance that the noise was just your bad dream, and not a something from the woods, from which even a fence, let alone a wall didn't protect you. Did you believe him then? Hardly. But weighting your thoughts you decided to trust him, that nothing could cross the line of the parquet and hurt you. Moreover Alastor's arms embraced you so tight they felt like aegis.

You stood up, put on your slippers and came to the edge of the quarters you shared with Alastor only at night. The wind blew again, taking you in its cold embrace and making you shiver. You glanced back in search of something warm you could take with you.

* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *

The toes of your slippers sank in the wet grass, but when the wind attacked you again you didn't even frown, just wrapped yourself tighter in Alastor's dressing gown. Raising your hands hidden in long sleeves, you inhaled his scent. Alastor left his dressing gown on the armchair in front of the fireplace, so it took all the warmth and smell it could only take. The smell of burnt woods, fur, and his specific scent. You breathed it all in your lungs, making a step into the bayou.

With slow steps you moved forward, embracing yourself by your shoulders and stroking the maroon velvet of the dressing gown. You were not afraid or scared, but you were a tad confused with a strange feeling that led you ahead. You looked up and saw the night sky, the real night sky of dark blue colour. The little stars were barely seen through the long branches of conifers, although you still didn't came to the trees.

Time after time you glanced back to be sure you hadn't lost sight of the room. Your dwelling quaintly stood out against the dark landscape, illuminating the nearest area with soft orange light of candles and the fireplace. It looked cozy, welcoming, benign. The empty bed held your gaze, but you turned away and headed for the cypresses again, stepping out of the light of the room.

A long yawn. The coolness of the night made you more sleepy.

Now you reached the first trees, and the room seemed smaller now, but still visible and bright. You could go further.

Carefully watching under your feet to avoid puddles and roots, you edged your way somewhere when you suddenly froze.

You went deep enough into the woods to be embraced by the blue shadows of the night. The yellow shape of the bedroom shining behind your back turned up very small, but it didn't bother you. Now only you and the night existed. You stood in the glade, with your feet sunk in the moist grass and your head thrown back. You admired the sky. The dark blue vault of heaven seemed like a velvet studded with diamonds which were the stars.

You threw your head back to see more of the sky and suddenly felt like something pushed you back. You took a step behind and looked back, but there was nobody. Maybe you threw your head back too much and lost the balance. You looked in the sky again.

The stars slightly quivered but were bright and big, and you could see how the new stars lit up just before your eyes. So it wasn't a mirage? Not just a trick of Alastor's magic? This sky was real. It was like something that could exist in the real world, something from the living world. As if Alastor put out his memories like a filmstrip and put them into a projector to reminisce about his past life, back to the time when he enjoyed life and the night sky of Louisiana.

He still enjoyed it, for this sky, the roof of his home, was still here.

Suddenly something touched your shoulders. Somebody's cold light arms fell on your shoulders and slipped down, squeezing your palms. They isappeared.

Then somebody quickly embraced you from the left, but it disappeared as fast as it came.

And then you saw a shadow in front of you. The black blot stood out against the befogged blue background ten feet from you. It began to come closer, but you didn't move, feeling yourself hypnotized. When the shadow swam up closer, you saw that it had a trembling white outline around itself, and you finally recognized the figure.

Charlie?

As soon as you discerned the shadow it moved faster to you and hung heavily on your neck, making you sit at the stones near you. You felt tiredness. Another pair of hands touched you, this time from your back. You felt they caressing your back, and then saw another black and white silhouette beside you. Its four arms squeezed you tight.

New shadows with familiar shapes appeared around you and every one of them folded its arms around you, making your eyelids heavier and clearing your mind from thoughts.

Your body was getting heavier, you wanted to lie down, surrender to these shadows and the night, fall asleep forever in this coolness and in these arms.

A new silhouette glimpsed before your eyes and its touch to your cheek felt the warmest.

The world sunk into the darkness…

*. ⋆ ✧.·:·.* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *.·:·.✧ *. ⋆

During the meeting Alastor had a feeling that something had happened in the bayou. A cold vibrant wave ran through his body that told him that something affected his magic. Something interacted with him. Something from the woods. Had something happened to you? What if you revealed your powers and couldn't manage with them? For Alastor knew you had them. Otherwise how could he explain that intoxicating slumber, that even he couldn't overcome, that occupied the Hotel since your coming?

The fleetingness of the premonition, the way it faded as quickly as it arose, calmed him down a little. But he was still worried. So the moment when the last concluding remarks slipped from Carmila's tongue, Alastor quickly said goodbye to Rosie and vanished in the shadows.

When Alastor appeared through the shadows in the bedroom it was empty. No sight of you in the bed or in the armchair. He checked the bathroom, but it was empty too. He glanced at the bayou.

“What a naughty girl.” He pronounced with a thin sharp-toothed smile, approaching the forest. He still couldn't see even a silhouette of you, but the feeling of someone's presence was strong, and he moved forward, “Didn't I tell her not to go deep?”

When Alastor came up to the glade, the farthest safe area, from which it was barely possible to distinguish the light pouring from the bedroom through the dark tree trunks, he thought out all the possible punishments for a self-willed girl like you. Perhaps, he had to acquaint you with the beast from the swamp, from a distance of course. Or to lead you into that cave with a bloodthirsty creature and let you listen to its gloomy song. Maybe then you would learn to listen to him?

Alastor leaned over your lying figure on the stones. You lay on your belly, arms outstretched forward, as if you tried to embrace the hard surface. Moss served you as your pillow, and several green pieces stuck in your hair. Your slippers almost slid down, and your bare feet buried in the wet grass.

“Oh, darling,” Alastor frowned, understanding in what state you'd find yourself the next day after sleeping on those stones on a chilly night. He had no doubt you could catch a cold, so without hesitation he wrapped you better in his robe and hoisted you.

His eyes didn't leave your face when he was making his way through the forest back to the bedroom. You were in a very deep sleep, your head lay limp on your chest, and uncharacteristically for you your hands didn't even try to embrace Alastor. You didn't murmur anything, didn't press yourself closer to him, didn't smile. You seemed dead, and only the way your chest fell and rose heavily gave away your breath and life. Alastor pressed you closer to him, so your nose bumped against his cheek, and he hoped that the heat of his body could warm you.

Alastor put you in bed on the side that was further from the bayou. He took off the dressing gown, which was damp because of the mist (how long had you been there?), and took off your slippers. Your feet were terribly cold, and Alastor hesitated to find warm socks for you. Then he removed the stuck moss from your hair, wrapped you in a blanket and lay nearby, covering both of you with another blanket.

You lay like in a cocoon, and Alastor held you close to him. In the morning he would ask you what had happened in the bayou, why you had gone so deep in the woods, why you had chosen stones as your bed, and what you had dreamt about. He pushed the hair out of your face, and remained his palm on your crown. The stars on your face were not as bright as usual.

Tomorrow. Everything would become clear tomorrow.

*. ⋆ ✧.·:·.* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *.·:·.✧ *. ⋆

Your head was heavy, as if your skull was filled with stones, your limbs ached, and you felt heat and cold at the same time. You tried to swallow and twitched, as if you tried to swallow glass.

You fell ill.

You slowly raised your heavy eyelids and blinked several times to see something through the blurred vision. The familiar outline of a man with red hair and big fluffy ears leaned over you, and you felt your cheek was caressed.

“Morning, dear. How do you feel?” You heard the crackling of a static superimposed on a low voice. Finally your vision went back to normal, and you saw a pair of crimson worried eyes peering at you. “Darling?”

“I'm hot… ” You mumbled in a weak voice and wanted to tell about your headache, but the ached in your throat was merciless.

“Well, I’ll remove this duvet, but the blanket must remain,” Answered Alastor, pushing away the soft comforter on the other side of the bed. Then he looked at you, “Perhaps, we should settle you more comfy? Let me, dear.” He adjusted your pillow, so you could sit, leaning against the headboard. “Is it better now?”

You nodded. His eyes scanned your tired face.

“Ohh, such a poor thing,” He said in feignes pitiful tone, “And she’s paying double for not obeying me.”

Suffering expression appeared on your face. You were absolutely not ready to listen to his reproof, when all you wanted was death sleep. But you didn't have time to reply him as he continued,

“But we shall discuss it when you recover, my dear. For now you need rest.”

The words didn't sound scoffing and he looked at you with softness, with sympathy.

Your whole body felt broken, breathing became a burden with a stuffy nose, every swallow seemed a torture, and even your eyes, too watery, we're aching.

“What is my temperature?”

Alastor leaned forward, pressing to your cheek and gently cupping your face. Your cheeks touched and for the first time his skin felt colder than yours. His breath tickled the skin near your ear when he whispered,

“It's pretty high, dear, but nothing serious.” He said, leaning back, “I believe with proper care you'll be great just in a few days! Of course if you follow my recommendations and comply with bed rest.” He said with a playful smile and you couldn't hold your smile back.

“Guess it won't be a problem for me.”

“Splendid!” Alastor threw up his hands causing a chuckle from you. “Well, darling, how about breakfast?”

You winced at the thought of putting something in your mouth, chewing it and swallowing, letting it be inside of your exhausted body.

“Now now my dear, don't grimace at me like that, I won't feed you forcedly.” He chuckled and took a mug from the bedside table. “Drink it for a start. Darling, don't frown at me,” He almost sang these words, “ This will make you feel better, I promise.”

Alastor brought the mug to your lips and you took the first sip. The warm and tasty broth somehow made you feel a little bit better. Alastor let you drink it slowly and just as much as you could take. You thanked him when you drank a half of the mug. Alastor rewarded you with a soft smile and a satisfied “Mmm, it's a pleasure to me to feed you, dearest."

Alastor tucked the blanket around you and stilled, leaning over you. His eyes glowed with the soft red light on you, and you wondered again how rude and how wrong were other residents calling him a monster, when this man showed you his solicitude so many times and in so many ways.

“Now, my little star, close your eyes and sleep. It is the best medicine for you now.” Your eyelids drooped, and you felt a tender touch to your cheek. His thumb made circles around your temple, causing a pleasant trembling through all your body. “Sleep well.”

*. ⋆ ✧.·:·.* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *.·:·.✧ *. ⋆

During your sickness you slept more than usual, if that was even possible. Your ‘dreaming’ vision came back to you, and you saw all the care and all the attention given to you. Alastor didn't trust anyone to take care of you, so he was the only one who cooked for you, wiped off your sweat with a cold towel, brought you medicines. Alastor preferred the old way of treating and wanted to cure you just how his dear mother cured him, but you and Charlie insisted that pills wouldn't make you feel worse, but speed up the healing process, so he had to give in.

Every time you opened your eyes, you saw Alastor sitting on the chair near your bed. He fed you porridge with forest berries in the morning, broth for lunch and in the evening you drank your favourite bilberry tea whilst Alastor drank his coffee, telling you about his earth life and his mother, for he knew how much you enjoyed his voice and how much you liked these stories. The tea warmed your body and soothed your aching throat . Thanks to the medicine that Charlie gave you you were able to breathe again, so you slowly breathed into your lungs the sweet scent of bilberry that always made you feel a tad more sleepy. And when your eyelids drooped and you fell asleep, listening to the dear crackling of statics, you still saw Alastor watching you. He never left you when you were awake, caring to fulfill your every desire, measuring your temperature with the touch of his palm or lips against your forehead, heartening you and himself that with everyday you looked stronger and healthier.

* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *

“I think I’m healthy.” You said on the sixth day of bed rest.

“Is it so, darling?” Alastor put the book he read on his lap and touched your cheek with the back of his palm, then it slowly followed to your forehead. His palm stayed on your head for several seconds, and then he cupped your face again, pressing his lips to your forehead. With a soft smile he said, “It's almost fine. I believe tomorrow you will be tiptop.”

You were still for a while. Alastor returned to the book. Finally you said, “I want to tell you something.” His eyes fixed on your face again. “It's about the bayou.”

“Ahh, dear, I would be happy to listen to you, although I have some thoughts on this matter.”

“Really? Um, okay. Honestly, I don't know why I went there, I felt like something was beckoning me. Maybe it was the night, I don't know.” You looked at Alastor, remembering how real the sky was,” This forest is from the living world, right?”

Alastor nodded his head, “Yes, my dear, it is. The landscape, the firmament, even the weather, all of these are straight from where I grew up.”

“Louisiana.” You said with a smile, and Alastor nodded in response, answering you with a melancholic smile,

“Indeed, darling. Louisiana.”

You couldn’t help but be surprised and envy how devoted he was to his home — a feeling completely unfamiliar to you. But his stories about that place, several local tales and legends he told you while you were sick, made you feel like it was your home too. Alastor could tell you about the things dear to him with such love, that you began to feel the same even though you never had them. You loved his hometown, loved his mother, loved his radio broadcast. He gave you a home that you never had when you were alive.

“Well. When I looked at the sky, the very beautiful sky, I felt like I was embraced. I looked around but nobody was near, and then I felt it again. I saw shadows, they circled around me, appearing and disappearing again and again. But I know whose shadows these were.” You drew a circle in the air with your forefinger,” All the people from the hotel. And then those shadows just fell on me, still holding me in their arms. And it seemed that they did they same that all of you do when I sleep. Like caressing me, embracing, playing with my hair,” You glanced at Alastor with a sly smile, “But that feeling was so… I don't even know. The feeling was so strong, I passed out. Oh, and during that sleep I didn't see anything, didn't even feel. For the first time my eyes were closed, and all I saw was darkness.”

Alastor tapped his chin with his forefinger, considering your words. You sat in silence, waiting for his response.

“As I presumed, my dear, your powers have awakened. It always seemed to me that you are able to do more than just seeing what is happening around you during sleep and making others drowsy. Perhaps you can even deliberately make others sleepy and control the depth of their sleep, hmm? We should look into this.”

“As for the bayou, I believe my vigour and yours collided there, causing a small but powerful interaction between our magical powers. I can control shadows, in fact I have hundreds of them under my command, and you, apparently, can not only put yourself and others to sleep, but you also can endow your memories with your powers by embodying them, in a literal sense.”

“So, you summoned the phantom of our princess from your memories, and a shadow from my control immediately appeared, which took on its shape and became tangible. Then you transferred your vigour of putting to sleep to this phantom, and it repeated the same actions that were kept in your memory.”

“It wasn't just the collision and the subsequent unification of our powers that caused your faint. This was your first experience of using such powerful sorcery and of course you got tired, moreover you used your own soporific spells on yourself. That's why you fell into such a deep sleep right where you were, on the stones.”

You blinked. And blinked again, digesting his words. After two minutes of silence, during which Alastor stared at you, you said, “Okaaay. Guess, it's the right diagnosis.”

“Darling,” Alastor said with a reproachfully look, “I’ve been studying magic since I was alive, so I'm quite an expert at this-”

“I have no doubt!” You interrupted him, understanding that your words sounded not like you wanted to, “I believe you, Alastor, I didn't want my words to sound sarcastic. I trust you. It's just so strange to… have powers. And such strange powers.”

“As strange as it is, it's also potent.” He said with a tilt of his head and a mischievous toothy smile. You thought that he could be actually interested in your new found powers. “But don't worry about it now, darling!”

He stood up and turned off the lamp on your bedside table, so the fireplace was the only source of light, excluding his gleaming eyes. “It's time to sleep, my dear.”

“Wait, where are you going?” You exclaimed when Alastor turned back to you and headed for the door. He turned his head to you. “During my sickness I didn't see you sleeping. Never. “

“My darling, I can decide by myself how much sleep I need. For the moment I don't feel any need, but I do have some business that must be done. Don't worry, my little star.” He bent down and left a kiss on your forehead. “Goodnight.” And then you were left alone.

Of course Alastor could talk about this nonsense of never-feeling-need-of-sleep, but the shadows under his eyes were darker than usual, and his posture wasn't as straight as always.

He supposed you could advisedly make others sleepy and even control the depth of their sleep. In fact you always did it but never knowingly. Maybe you could try?..

* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *

When Alastor returned it was the dead of night, and the fire in the fireplace had gone out long ago, so only the reddish coals hardly shone. You were awake but kept your eyes closed. You didn't see Alastor and could rely only on the noisy static which followed him whenever he went. The sound crossed the room and stopped at the left side of the bed. You heard a sigh, and the static became louder for a second. Keeping your eyes closed in the darkness without falling asleep was extremely hard for a sleepyhead like you, but keeping your breathe slowly and deep as an asleep person was even harder.

You heard a rustling sound and a quiet ‘click’, after which the darkness behind your eyelids took a dark reddish hue. Alastor probably lit the fireplace. Why did he always sleep with an alight fire?

You heard the blanket lifting and felt the weight on the other side of bed. Some more rustling, as Alastor tried to make himself more comfortable. You whispered something unintelligible, imitating yourself sleeping, and felt the gaze. Alastor was the only one whose eyes on you you could actually feel. Sometimes studying, sometimes intent, sometimes disapproving and sometimes thrilling. Now it was concerning.

You didn't move.

Suddenly you felt his arms embracing you and pressing you closer to him. His chin rested on the crown of your head and you could feel his breath in your hair. Did he finally decide to have a rest?

His arms held yours, fingers intertwined. You could feel with your back how his chest slowly went up and down with every breath. His one leg lay between yours, and with your bare foot you could feel the fur on his shin. Every time Alastor embraced you during the sleep, you couldn't help but think that sometimes he held you like a child holding his plush toy.

Even if he really decided to listen to you, you wanted to be sure that his sleep would be good.

You concentrated on your own breath, on your thoughts to vanish every one of them, and eventually you controlled the somnolence souring in the air.

Alastor's body relaxed and you opened your eyes, understanding that he actually fell asleep. And you did this.

You slightly gasped when his grasp tightened, and Alastor pressed you even closer to his chest, hiding his face in the curve between your shoulder and neck. Yes, just like a plush toy.

*. ⋆ ✧.·:·.* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *.·:·.✧ *. ⋆

When you woke up Alastor still held you close and tight. His one hand was on your hip and the other one, which you used as a pillow, held your palm. A pleasant wave of vibration ran through your body, caused by Alastor's breath with statics. You woke up earlier than him for the first time in your afterlife. You wondered what time was it?

Alastor breathed deep and calm, but you knew it was just because of your spell. You would remove it, but only when he'd get enough sleep and when you would wash yourself up. But when you tried to remove his hands from your hip, his palm slipped higher to your waist and pulled you closer to him. His other hand let go of your wrist, and now two of his hands held you so ever firm by your sides.

Well, maybe a few more minutes of sleep wouldn't hurt?

But when you closed your eyes and stayed in your lying position for a little more, you understood that you didn't feel drowsy. Not at all.

You glanced at the clock, maybe it was the time to wake Alastor and get out of bed? But the clock hands shocked you even more than your lack of drowsiness.

5:05 am.

You had doubts whether you'd even seen such a time on the clocks in your life. Could you had enough sleep during the period of your sickness and now you didn't feel any urge to sleep? Improbably. Then maybe it was a side effect of your spell?

Maybe it was another question you need to discuss with Alastor. For now you wanted to go to the bathroom and not disturb Alastor's sleep. But how to make him let you go without awakening him? He held you so firmly.

Maybe with another spell?

The strong hands loosened their grip and relaxed, when you made Alastor's sleep deeper. You quickly and quietly left bed and disappeared behind the door of the bathroom.

When you returned to the bedroom you were astonished by what you saw. The bright sun from the bayou poured the room with pale yellowish light. Its rays already reached the bed and now illuminated the one who slept there. The sun coloured Alastor's bhair in ruby red, slightly pinkish, and his expression looked uncharacteristically soft with that small lip-closed smile. He lay across the bed, bringing his legs close to his belly. His head lay on the place where you were lying several minutes ago, and his ears twitched from time to time. He outstretched his arms forward, as if he was trying to find something to hold, but all his hands could squeeze was an edge of the blanket.

Your heart melted at this sight. He looked so innocent with that soft sunlight on his face and knees pressing to his stomach. He looked like a young deer lying in the glade and basking in the sun.

You sat on the edge of bed and ran your fingers through his soft hair. You touched the velvet of his antlers and went higher to his ears. You removed your spell and you could actually see how his expression changed into something more familiar. You kept scratching his ears and you needed all your strength to stifle your chuckle, when he smiled wider and turned over on his back, lifting one of his hoofed legs. If he only had a tail, you were sure, it would wag against the sheets right now.

Two hours passed; you had read the book just to where Alastor left off and was looking at him. The sight was too sweet and you wondered if he felt the same, watching you sleep. But it was the time Alastor usually got up (if he went to bed) and maybe even a little later. The spell was long forgotten, and it was his natural sleep, the one he needed so long and refused even longer.

You gently touched his cheek, the gesture which his mother used to wake him up, and you saw his eyelids trembling. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked a couple of times. You didn't take your hand away, waiting until he woke up completely. And only when his gaze traced to your face, you lifted your hand to his antlers to gently tap them.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” You whispered, giving him your softest smile.

Alastor stared at you and slowly half-rose, leaning against the headboard. Your hand fell on his shoulder. Alastor rubbed his eyes and said, turning his head to you, “Sleepyhead?”

You chuckled and answered, “I woke up earlier than you, now it's your name hahaha!”

“Ha ha ha” He mimicked your laughter. The innocence of just waking up fawn vanished, being replaced with the stubbornness of a sarcastic deer, “I don't actually remember if I asked you lulling me to sleep.”

His peering look didn't frightened you even for a moment as you quickly repulsed his attack, “Maybe you didn't asked to, but you needed it, Alastor. And don't argue with me, this morning is just lovely.”

After a few seconds of silence Alastor said, “Well then,” He put his head on your shoulder, admiring the bright stars on your face, “Should I thank you?”

“It would be nice.”

“Thank you.” A kiss on your neck. And then another one under your ear. And one more on your temple. And then he whispered softly in your ear, “But never do this again without my permission, dear.”

He grinned widely at you, and you swallowed, saying, “Okay.”

“Good girl,” He left a peck on your crown, making the already bright stars shone even brighter, “Now, my early-bird,” He exclaimed cheerfully, “Others might have been waiting for us, don't you think?”

“It's still too early,” You yawned widely and loudly.

“My my, is it my lovely sleepyhead returned?”

You wanted to joke that it was all his fault, because before he woke up you were absolutely fine, but another yawn attacked your mouth and you were forced to cover it with your palm, your other hand waved him something with irritation.

Alastor laughed and pulled you to him, so your head bumped into his chest. His palm appeared on the top of your head and he stroked your hair. You felt warmth flowing through all your limbs, and you felt yourself the same star demon, that always eagered to sleep, and that always found her comfort in somebody's arms.

“Did I wish you ‘goodnight’?” Alastor asked with a chuckle as you leaned closer to Alastor, listening to his heartbeat and soft crackle of statics.

“No. But you didn't say ‘good morning’ either.” You mumbled. The sleep was so close to you. Were you really going to go back to sleep two hours after waking up?

“My apologies, darling. Good morning.”

Well, in these arms why not fall asleep?

*. ⋆ ✧.·:·.* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *.·:·.✧ *. ⋆

@dollupofdaisy2019 @girl-nahh-two @christinebloodwrittings @serapinaxx @millierose2010

[miliamin1]

Enid gets woken up more harshly than usual. Brutally snatched out of a sweet dream. Her mumbling protests are ignored as she resists getting pulled from under her colorful covers. Wednesday has her up in some wrestling move so that if she doesn’t attempt to stand, prompted up on the smaller girl  she would end up awkwardly on the floor. And so she barely stands as the world seems to be spinning and her muscles weak.

She puts more effort to open her aching eyes and commandeer her dried out tongue after seeing the hour. "Weeends, stooop, it's early, nothing can be that urgent."

Wednesday instantly throws her back on the bed. Enid almost bounces off of it when landing.

Enid groans from her head spiking in pain. But closing eyes only makes restless anxiety in her muscles more apparent instead of providing any relief. She opens them and squints at her phone.

Not only is it early but classes also got canceled, with pack group chat she lurks in blowing up with relief about that announcement.

Why the heck would Wednesday wake her up then?

"Wends, we got no classes today." 

No answer. 

When she picks her head up the goth seems to be back in bed.

But her heartbeat hasn't slowed to nothing.

Enid groans getting up and makes her unbalanced shuffle to the dark side. "Wends, is something wrong?"

"I'm not answering any questions or touching you until I get my coffee," the pretty corpse says gravelly.

Enid’s eyebrows knit together. The seer has been mighty grumpy from her caffeine withdrawal but only got short with everyone but Enid because of it yesterday. 

This change is upsetting. More than the awful state Enid’s body is in for some reason.

Enid flinches at the ping sound notifying of Yoko's message.

' Yo, do u mayhaps know how to witness protect Kate from all the furs?'

Kate isn't really popular amongst werewolves but why would she need-

Enid blinks rapidly. 

Kate.

Dinner chaos.

Coffee deal. Enid lunges for her shoes and jumps out of the dorm still putting them on. Then bounces herself off from the balustrade to sprint back again for her wallet. 

She desperately needs to buy coffee the fastest she can. 

Coffee for a kiss. Another kiss. Oh Goddess Wednesday kissed her! And will kiss her again if she will get her an iced quad! 

Enid has to thunder back to their room again. She needs a way for the drink to survive a full speed run! Her hand hesitates for a beat over the black thermocup she gifted the goth.

"It's clean," Wednesday says, so Enid grabs it and tries to leave by the door one last time.

Before she realizes that jumping off their balcony will be much faster as she almost breaks their window.

None of the few seconds she spends in the air is spent on premature realization on how much absorbing the force of the landing will affect her headache. 

----

okay so apparently a one shot is now a two shot

[alarmsofmyheart]

Am I the only one who thinks it's Fasai's dad's hired man who shot Great and his mom?

And it was Win? who was following Tyme when he returned to hospital? That man was wearing a mask and tall and lean, Tyme was clearly being followed and he sensed it but Den appeared infront of him.

That lady who after seeing the news, gave a donation and picked up '4' numbered fortune stick and the diviner telling 'it means death or partition from beloved' what was that.. gosh that was nerve wrecking.. is it Nan's mom? Or Mon's mom? I don't think she could hire a person to shoot? But the person who shoots is he an hired man or personal revenge? Great in this timeline hasn't infact killed anyone directly, Mani is also saved ig or indirectly for online gambling coverup? So????Who???

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

Great's mom.. you're pretty pretty but that mentality sucks, justifying/ closing your eyes on murders and gambling is one bad thing, but expecting your only son to accept your ways and do as he is told as if he is a three year old is NOT GREAT?????!!!!!!!

Great having to choose between his mother who had "done it all for him" or running away from that home, Great running away makes sense, even though it was for like four seconds.

Both Korn and Great's Mom tell that 'You don't have to do it I'm doing it instead', 'All of this is for you to live comfortably', 'Ive done it all for you these many years, just apologise and accept' ???????? is a huge guilt to carry on by the innocent bystander family member. Those family dynamics run in all real life families, mafia or not, rich or poor or middle. And people who have no conscience can go ahead do whatever murder torture sex trafficking and live off that, but people with conscience suffer even if they were kept and grown without knowing any of those shit. And more so after knowing it all.

Can a child turn in their parents to the police? My Sweet Mobster kdrama did an amazing work with that exact mafia plot. Link : Eat, Die, Kill kdrama did a similar concept but without the mafia part. But it's not going to be happening in 4 minutes.

Korn is not going to turn anything anybody over to police. He is selling his soul multiple times for that company. Great asked for time from Tyme to take next step and got shot. So Tyme asking Great if can turn in his parents and Great hesitating (even if it was dream fight/unreal timeline) is insignificant now that Nan has revealed it all. Whether Great's Dad cover it all up is for upcoming episodes.

Coming to the guy who shoots. Korn is not going to hurt Great as Great knows. Great is sure to Tyme that nobody will hurt him. Is it blissful ignorance or is it just a simple fact or is it his childlike belief of his subconscious where all these episodes are taking place? Wow. Idfk. Great's father is not going to hurt Great too. Definitely not his mother.

Or Tyme, Tyme didn't hurt him in front of that bar or while standing on that rooftop or any other time. If not out of love, even if and when Tyme was just using him, he might have hurt Great emotionally but not physically to the extent of shooting, definitely not after falling in love! It's out of the question now. In the dreamy fight when Tyme tells he has nothing to loose, he for a split second literally forgot both his grandma and Great. But later in the outside world, it's shown he accepts the money and backs off from Great, trying to protect his grandma and Great. How much of this is reliable.. but atleast he won't be killing Great for whatever reasons.

But anyway, Great is shot. And that brings back to Fasai, the only one to have the motive and lack of emotional connection with Great. I think Fasai or both she & her dad are trying to actually take over the company by marrying Korn, using him as puppet/toy the same thing she refers Tonkla as and simultaneously eliminating Great and Great's mom and leaving Great's Dad with no choice but give up the company?

Fasai. God I hate that kind of manipulative/cornering/coercive/trading relationship when someone is emotionally invested somewhere else. Korn you poor thing. All your choices and life are meaningless and wrong loops.

If Fasai knows about Tonkla, and call him a toy like everyone was telling since ep 1 but I like an idiot telling no Korn loves Tonkla since ep 1 like I'm an absolute pathetic idiot who thinks love will be chosen over money.. I mean if I want that I should just stick to JJ Methas.. anyway.. what was I talking about.. If Fasai knows Korn and Tonkla, she must know about Tonkla and Win, but she didnt reveal to it Korn while telling him to leave Tonkla and marry her.. she might be playing that card later???

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

Korn. I hate you. I love you. Hope you runaway and restart a life. Or surrender or something. Anything other than doing whatever the shit you been doing since ep 1.

[popculturebuffet]

The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck Retrospective Chapter 10: The Invader of Fort Duckburg "It'll Be a Dark Day When I Give in To a Mere Superpower"

And we're back. For those of you newer around here a few years ago in the middle of my ducktales fevor, I started a retrospective of one of my favorite comic books of all time: The 12 part epic the Life and Times of Scrooge Mcduck, covering Scrooge's rise from a shoeshine in glasgow barely scraping by to the Richest Duck in the World and what he gained and lost along the way. I had a ton of fun covering this one but sadly.. I eventually gave up. I felt the years had piled up too much and i'd never get back to finishing it.

Enter Kev, who out of nowhere asked if he could comission the final three chapters. I happily agreed as not only can I finally finish one of the biggest works of my reviewing career, but it opens me up to do all the suplimental chapters at some point, paticuarlly "dream of a lifetime".

For now though, we're celebrating President's Day with chapter 10, my faviorite of the series and Don Rosa's too. It's largely for the same reasons: the story is tightly paced, covering only two days compared to most chapters pile of years, funny, furious, and for me at least has more of hortense, who I love dearly and who finds the love she deserves this chapter.. via a lot of shouting of course as is the McDuck/Duck Family way. Unless your these two.

Chapter 10 is the rare chapter that picks up almost exactly where we left off, with a much shorter time skip of a few weeks, skipping our heroes travels from Scotland to the US and focusing on Scrooge and his sisters as they set up his empire , here in Duckburg. What follows is a farce, a romantic comedy, an action set piece, and one of the most badass panels ever put to ink, which for this series is saying a lot.

If you'd like to catch up on the previous 9 chapters, I just complied all of them into one handy dandy post.

So go check that out if you fancy then come back here as we get scrooge vs the United States of America itself.

We open the issue with a quick recap before we pan to our heroes, puttering along their Duckburg. Part of what makes this chapter neat is seeing the town before Scrooge made it into a thriving city: here it's just a few buildings and a small farm.

As scrooge puts it "a town as big as it is wide". Our heroes are riding what could charitably be considered a car, which Scrooge got cheap and didn't read was a piece of scrap as his eyes are entirley shot at this point after the Yukon. I do like that while his eyesight fading is partially herditary, Rosa provides an explination for why it went down hill so fast: 6 years in the yukon with all that snow was hell on them. He leads his sisters up his new property with the help of a local farmer.... then back down his newly aquiried Killmule Hill

I love this gag and I applaud Don Rosa's art here. He makes a mean impact siloutte. I also didn't notice till writing this review but you also see Matilda and Scrooge's hats over the corn. Hortense would join in the gag but she hasn't got a hat bope a dope a dope dope.

The Farmer renames the hill "Killmotor Hill", for the auto age... I love that detail too. Of course it wouldn't of always been killmotor hill. Though whoever was running mules so hard up that hill they were killing them needs a swift kick.

The lady of the farm offers to rent Scrooge a shed, seeing as she owns most of the land around here and reveals herself as Elvira Duck,knee coot, sister of Casey, the man who sold Scrooge the hill in the first place and she soon introduces her family.

Yup this is Donald's family including Grandma McDuck, the character I most regret not making it into ducktales in time. Grandma McDuck is donald's sweet country grandma who reminds me of my own sweet country grandma, who spends her days working hard and yelling at donald's cousin gus to actually do some work for a change. He never does.

Humperdink is Donald's grandpa, passed int he preset, while Daphne and Eider are his aunt and uncle, all grabbed from various barks ephimera or the offical family tree he made. Daphne has golden hair, supernatural luck and the misfortune of having birthed Gladstone, while Eider is naturally Fethry's dad, who Rosa reluctnatly included in some versions of the tree as Fethry wasn't a barks creation. Me.. I don't see any harm in Fethry being included. Barks isn't the be all end all of the universe... he is damn awesome though and I respect that. case in point the names were curbed from various non barks grandma duck stories.

You might notice though I didn't mention Donald's dad. Well he was just running behind and has the calm, measured response to the accident you'd expect from Donald's father.

Yup: this folks.. is how Donald's parents met. And it's one of the best scene's in the series, especially what happens right after.

It's comedy gold, fits him perfectly , and once again seems to be the mcduck way... unless your these two

I mean does it count if it only started with ONE of them shouting? Riddle for the ages.

As for why the Woodchucks are involved they've taken old fort duckburg atop the hill as their headquarters. He shouts get off my land and they do.. but naturally an old man shouting at them isn't enough to convince these children of land ownership so worried he might be a crook, they call for help in the only way the nation knew how at the time

Yes folks there's a reason this was a president's day specail as the phone tag gets so bad THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF gets informed a "scottish billionare has taken over a military installation on the coast", a great gag. Incensed Teddy reactivates the rough riders and prepares to deal with this personally fist to face. h back when presidents could legally punch corrupt billionaires in the face. If only Biden would pass that legislation. or any legislation.

It takes a week for him to get moblized as our heroes have spent it taking the barrels up river, as Scrooge begins his lousy streak of taking advantage of his family. This will only get worse from here and is never as funny as Don Rosa thinks.

Anywho, Scrooge knocks on a homesteader's door but they refuse to answer or be helpful. Turns out it's the beagle boys, lead by the future grandpa beagle. Rosa admits making him the same character makes him 165 by the time of "A Little Something Special" but honestly this universe is JUST weird enough for that to be plausible. Not 2017 DuckTales levels of madness

But still pretty nutty. So as scrooge takes a money bath to Hortense's exasperation some guests arrive at the fort. Who is it?

Yeah the Beagles quickly kidnap hortense, having gone after Scrooge for revenge for putting them in stir back in chapter 2. THey also lock scrooge in one of his own barrels. Beofre he can break it through sheer force of pissed off, a shell breaks it... and the beagles and scrooge both have bigger problems

Scrooge's response is naturally "Get off my lawn you damn united state's navy!" which gets him blasted at. The Beagles are thankfully too busy begging scrooge to give up so they can live, leaving Scrooge to do what he does best: be badass in the most insane way possible

By godfrey I love this stupid gag.

Teddy, being the only entiity nearly as badass as scrooge , responds in kind leading to a clash for the ages

I love every part of this scene from the sheer badassery of scroog'es one liner to that final charge. And of course best of all hortense taking on an ENTIRE CALVARY and WINNING before some traditional duck flirting as is the way.. except maybe also for these two

At any rate the conflict is over: Teddy takes out the trash and one of Scrooge's greatest headaches begins in earnest

WE cut to 6 months later. So I guess it's three days but semantics. Scrooge has built his money bin and plans to fill it and while Matilda is doubtful scrooge is joyful, even giving the Woodchucks a doorknob as their calling in Teddy stopped the beagle boys. As we end the chapter we get the full sight of the greatest structure in all of duckburg and one of the most iconic locations in all of disney.

And thus we end this chapter.. and it's a laugh riot with tons of gorgeously drawn action, well done punchlines and bunches of lore stuffed in. IT's everything great about this series compacted into a tight smaller scale story... granted it's a smaller scale story that involved the entire navy and marines, but for Scrooge that's small.

Character wise since this is only maybe a week after the previous one Scrooge hasn't changed much.. but like last time you can see the cracks in his personality here and there, the darker parts that are about to consume him: He uses his sisters as free labor, yells at just about everyone and his response to every conflict is to shout at it. Granted it usually worked, but i'ts clear the more vicious sides of scrooge that never completely go away are creeping more and more into him and overshadowing the noble man he once was. they haven't completely consumed him yet.. but well that's for next time, sometime this spring or early summer.

Rather than leave on that ominous note i'd like to talk Hortense and Quackmore some more. I love them and while their chemistry's simple, they yell until they bang hard, simple, they are genuinely adorable and it's easy to see where a lot of donald comes from just watching the two: Hortense's obession with dating "a real cowboy" before meeting quackmore and sorta zoning out mid rage both have traces of Donald's own hyperfixations and tendency to leap without thinking. It's nice to sneak those subtle bits in and I applaud rosa for it.

One last thing related to the two: turns out this causeda BIG stir in italy and some other parts of europe. Rosa was suprised as , due to the family tree I mentioned, the names of donald's parents weren't a bit secret. He also took another shot at the duck comics not being big in the us, the usual Don Rosa Yells at Cloud Stuff. Point is he was shocked by it.. but me .. I get it. It's the same thing that happened when Della showed up in Ducktales. Yes a comic had given an explination and her name had been seen, and we'll see her breifly in chapter 11 of this very comic.. but we didn't really KNOW her and most things she's in are either obscure , said comic wasn't reprinted here far as I can tell, or simply a mentoin. We knew OF her bu tdidn't know her as a person.

That was the same with Hortense and Quackmore before this story: We knew of them and despite Rosa keeping it vauge for readers less familliar with the family tree, it's pretty obvious from the moment we see her grown up that Hortense is Donald's mom. Here we get to see her as a young person herself, her eccentrcities, her rage, and who she really is. We also get to see Quackmore who.. okay he's just perpetually pissed off but it's still something. There's a diffrence between a name on some suplimentary material and a character and Don Rosa created a fantastic one in hortense, to the point i'm still disapointed we never met her in the series.

Next Time: The darkest day of Scrooge's life, some attempts to recocnile na old racist story, and the hardest chapter of this comic to read. Thanks for reading.. and welcome back.

[b000mbayah]

loved your alphabet love with yeji, could i request one with karina from aespa? 🫣

Of course, thank you for reading my posts 🧡

•──────────⋅*⁰*♡*⁰*⋅──────────•

Attention

Karina loves your attention. She loves to come home after a long day of work to your love and kisses- it's like her safe haven and she's not scared to admit it either.

Beauty

The beauty of your relationship is two juxtaposing ideas. It's both fragile and powerful. It's fragile in the sense that all things fragile simply look stunning and powerful in the sense that you're both a power couple- you could easily stand out in a room if you wanted to.

Comfort

Karina would loosely wrap you in her arms, whispering sweet nothings into your ear in hopes of lifting your dampened spirits. She'd happily give you a small performance, dancing and singing and all just to see you crack a smile. Just please don't ask for aegyo, that may just kill her.

Dreams

Karina oftenly dreams of you and your future together. She'll especially dream of you if she's on tour and hasn't seen you in a while.

Equally

Karina likes to hold a higher status- only in a caring sort of way though. She'd love to have more control over making you happy as that's all she truly values- your happiness and safety.

First encounter

You had first met at her work surprisingly enough. Your cousin had eagerly dragged you to one of her fan signs. Karina will forever explain it was a "love at first sight" kind of situation.

Gratitude

Karina couldn't be more thankful if she tried. All those late night rehearsals and early disappearances has her constantly feeling like a bad girlfriend for leaving you. But with your persistent reassurance, she could never truly express how grateful she is to have such an understanding partner.

Hugs

Back hugs all the way. She'd wrap you in one of her blankets from behind just because she simply felt like it. Would nuzzle her head into the side of your neck, smiling silently to herself as she thinks of how lucky she is to have someone as amazing as you.

Interests

You have some common interests, but you also have some different interests. Not everyone is the same, and you both get that. She'd be more than open to giving your interests and hobbies a try though!

Jealousy

Karina wouldn't be jealous on the outside per say, but more so on the inside. Karina knows how to handle situations somewhat well, but if the person gets too pushy, she'll step in with a polite smile and a hand snaked around your waist as she pecks your cheek.

Knowledge

Karina has some knowledge, but it's decently old. Having been in the music industry since 2016 has had a strain on her dating experience and knowledge and if she has dated someone within that period and you- it was heavily restricted.

Love confession

Karina had shyly shown up at your apartment, your favourite flowers and snacks like some love drunk teenager. Her face was red the entire time as she tried to hide behind her hair. Even charismatic people have their shyest moments.

Memories

Karina takes pictures oftenly. She stores them like they're the gold to her dragon's den. She wants nothing more than to look back on them one day with you, remembering the days when you were young now that you've grown old together. But she'll always truly treasure the first picture she took, she'd have several printouts of that one.

Naps

Would have you in her arms on either the bed or the couch with multiple blankets covering your intertwined bodies as you sleep blissfully in each other's presence.

Opportunities

Karina feels bad if she ever misses something big due to work so she'd make it up to you one way or another. You know she'd never purposely miss any open opportunities for your relationship to grow.

PDA

Would happily hold your hand in public. She'd lock arms with you, kiss you on your cheek, forehead or knuckles whenever. Sometimes she just does it out of randomness and laughs about your processing face.

Quality

If you were to interrogate your dearest girlfriend, she'd happily and definitely freely admit that this is the best relationship anyone could ask for. Having the cutest, kindest and most interesting partner in the world is her blessing.

Romance

Karina can't help the sudden surges of love she gets for you, often leading to random date nights when she gets home. She'd ring up your favourite restaurant or place of entertainment to purchase a seat/ticket for that evening just to arrive home and surprise you.

Support

Karina would support you till the extinction of all things known and unknown. She'd support you through the toughest times and the most simplest of times. She's always here for you, just remember that, okay?

Thrill

There's always a thrill with karina. It may not be constant since she is reasonably sensible when required, but as sensible as she can be, she can be equally as goofy and thrilling if you'd like.

Understand

Karina is very understanding. Need to sit down and talk about something? You got it. Need to explain your point in an argument? She'll definitely try her best for you. Karina wants things to work out like a match with a never ending flame. She'll do whatever she can within reason. Just don't go around killing people please.

Vows

Karina vows to stay by your side through all obstacles in life no matter the cost. She knows what she wants, and that's nothing more or less than to be yours and for you to be hers. One day she'll marry you, and it'll be the happiest day of her life.

Work

She loves bringing you to work. The energy you bring with you helps her get through her day, you're like her support station, just more lovable and beautiful. She loves coming to your work too, exploring other occupations outside of her one will never fail to cut ends to her curiosity.

XOXO

These four letters represent more than anyone could ever think. They represent the never ending circle of her love for you and she'd happily remind you of that everyday.

Youth

Your relationship is relatively young in comparison to most others, but that's nothing to be ashamed of, it just proves how much you can grow together.

Zany

Karina is down to be strange with you, freaking out the neighbours? She'll be there gladly.

[jillsandwhichs]

Heart on my sleeve

A Valenfield Story , Chap 2 , Talkative

Masterlist

Pairing: Jill Valentine & Chris Redfield

Summary: It's Jill's second day at the RPD and whilst having lunch, her and Chris talk and she gets to know him a little bit better

WC: 4.2k

Type: SFW

A/n: Hi! Hope you all enjoy. Please check out my masterlist, there's a lot of stuff there. You can get to know me, you can see the rules of my blog and then you can see all of my fanfictions. You'll be able to find the previous chapters to this fic and upcoming ones. You'll also be able to find my Wattpad & AO3. Comments, reblogs & likes are appreciated. Thank you

Slamming her car door shut, Jill let out a large sigh. She scanned the massive 'R.P.D' logo rested on top of the establishment.

This is her life now.

The fact she is now working for an elite police force is like a dream come true. She went through hell like training to get her. She never once stopped having her own personal ambitions and goals, and now look at her! While she didn't personally apply, rather she was seeker out by Captain Wesker, it still feels all the same. Actually, it makes her feel even better - Knowing she was recruited for her skill set.

So far, working for the S.T.A.R.S unit has been pleasant. Whereas it has only been a day, it's been a handful but in a good way. Not only has the work been flowing nicely, her co workers are also kind. Despite the fact she's only interacted with three of them, they seem cool enough. Especially Chris. She really knows nothing about him besides his music taste and a drabble of his family life but other than that, he seems like a great guy and considering he's her desk partner, she'd love to know more about him.

The other person she spoke with - Other than Chris and Captain Wesker, was Barry. He's the oldest one on the team and he is just so sweet! He told Jill all about his wife and two little girls, they seem like absolutely cutie patoties and Jill already adores them. She can tell that Barry is sort of the mentor of the squad, everybody goes to him for advice. Jill also heard from him that Chris isn't necessarily liked on the squad and to just be careful, his fuse is short. But Jill doesn't see what he's talking about, but maybe he just hasn't had enough time with her to show his true colors yet.

Outside, the day was becoming abloom. It was frosty out, then again, it was six in the morning, of course it is cold. The snowfall was light but evident, some cars in which must have been parked for awhile already have snowflakes covering them. Jill isn't used to this complete cold weather and icy snowfall all day long, she's from Georgia. Of course it snows there, but no where compared to how much snow R.C endures year round. It's a significant change but not one she can entirely complain about.

The only downside to the winter here is how the roads get, she was warned ahead of time that work may be cancelled sometimes due to harsh weather. Not only that, apparently blizzards are horrible, they can cover up someone's entire door step. That's freaky.

In hand, Jill had some files she was given yesterday, ones that she'll have to turn in to Captain Wesker. She spent a decent chunk of her evening working on them, hopefully they're to his liking. It's also unknown when she'll get her uniform, for now Wesker just told her to dress casually. So today, she is wearing a navy blue sweater with jeans, in case of an emergency, it is indeed an outfit she can do hard labor in. Although, the coldness emitting from outside would add to the struggle of it.

She entered the building for only the second time ever, taking the view in. The Police Department was genuinely beautiful. One thing that specifically caught her eye - And many others, is the statue rested in the back. It's referred to as 'The Goddess Statue'. It is a fitting name, it's a gorgeous piece of artwork. Jill is aware of the R.P.D and it's magnificent history. This historic building was once an art museum rather than a Police Department. They even kept one of the art rooms for old times sake.

If Jill had to complain about one thing son far, it would most definitely have to be the walk from the entrance, all the way to the office. It's a hassle, but her legs do get a workout. Not that she needs it or anything, but she doesn't mind gaining more and more strength through everyday activites.

Eventually, she entered the dimmed hallway that leads up to her assigned office. Whenever she walks in it, she gets chills. It's just so weary, the atmosphere drops and it gets silent - Up until you get to the S.T.A.R.S office door, then you either hear Barry's loud laughter or Wesker scolding someone yet again.

Jill ambled into the office, being greeted by Barry and Brad, whom she hasn't really gotten to speak with yet.

"Jill! Glad you could make it another day." "Me too, Barry." Jill chuckled, holding the papers closer to her now. "Hey Jill, welcome to the team, I'm Brad." "Hello Brad, pleasure to meet you." She shook his hand back. When needed, she could definitely remain professional and modest. "I hear you were one of very few women to complete the Delta Force training. Man, I gotta say, that's impressive. Nice work." Brad praised her. "Well, thank you, it was tough but I like a challenge." Jill smiled. She appreciated the appraisal.

Jill took a brief scan of the office, her gentle eyes landing upon her desk, noticing Chris wasn't even there. Does he have a different schedule? Did he skip work? Is he sick?

"Oh, where's that Chris guy at?" Jill asked the two men whom are standing before her. "Uhh." Brad began, glancing back at the shared wooden desk. "No clue, Chris is the rebellious type though, who knows what the kid got himself into this time." Barry scoffed, his burly arms crossed over his fibrow chest. "You know, you told me Chris can be a bit of an ass and I still have yet to see it." "Oh sweetheart, you've been here a day. I hope you don't see it but there's a likely chance." Barry bellowed, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Jill just quietly chuckled alongside with him.

"I'm guessing he won't show up today." Brad shrugged, his eyes shooting from the front wooden door and make to Chris's lengthy desk. "Enjoy the free desk space." Brad added on with a snicker, treading off to his desk in the corner of said office. Jill's face contorted into one of concern. Was it common for Chris to stray away from work? Just yesterday he seemed to have healthy work ethic. She always assumes the best of people.

"Does Chris usually opt out of work?" "It really depends, I don't know why he would today, then again, he hasn't said much to me recently." Barry hushly spoke. She nodded slowly in reply. It wasn't a big deal or anything. She just thought it'd be nice to get to know him somewhat better, besides, they'll be desk buddies for who knows how long. This isn't like Middle School where a seating chart is needed in order to be changed monthly.

"Well, thanks, I'm gonna go talk to Captain, he needs these." Jill said, showing her personal papers off. "Up and at em, sunshine." Barry laughed himself up again, finally making his way back over to Brad.

Wesker's personal office, which is a smaller sized one inside of the main office is directly by the front door. Jill gave the door a couple knocks before she then heard the man welcome her right on in. She opened up the door, his office smelt so good compared to the main one. She spotted a candle lit behind him, resting on his brown file cabinet.

She took in the sight of his office. It was packed full of trophies and awards, he must be a very skilled man. It also seemed oddly cleansed, as if it's dusted everyday and vacuumed consistently. She could tell Wesker was the nit picky type, but definitely not to this extreme.

Clearing her throat, Jill began to speak up. "Hey, just wanted to give you these." She chuckled, setting her work in front of him. Wesker's fierce eyes trailed from her beautiful face, to the led covered papers; She put an intense amount of work into them. Like she thought of earlier, she's aware of his perfectionism, she wanted to appeal to that standard of his.

He took ahold of the papers, articulating the words in his head as he read them off of the page. Jill stood there, sort of awkwardly, not knowing if she should stay or leave, he hasn't said a word yet.

After a minute or two, Wesker took all of the papers, spinning around in his black mesh chair and slipping them into one of the filing cabinets. A wave of happiness clashed over Jill - She won't have to rewrite them! "So?" "So? What?" Wesker responded, his tone plain. "Oh, sorry, I thought you'd say something about them." "What is there to say? You did as I asked of you, thank you." Wesker replied, he seemed very nonchalant. At least he wasn't a difficult boss. "Well then, cool." Jill gave him a quick smile and nod before exiting his space.

Mission accomplished!

Everyone but Chris was in the office. Jill's just assuming he decided to skip work, according to the others, that isn't surprising.

Heading over to her desk, Jill sat down, letting out an expire as she powered up the computer. Today, she just has to watch out for emails. She was told numerous times that it's not rare if they go out on missions, but it isn't common. She'd love too soon.

Once the PC turned on all the way, she logged in using her provided username and password, allowing everything to load in before she did anything. These old finicky computers can go out on you with one wrong move; These ones are from just a couple years ago though, even so, it still applies. Jill took a glance at Chris's desk. He had a lot on it. There were CDs, notebooks, notepads, glasses, tacks and some other knickknacks.

Not only that, above his desk he has a big brown leather jacket hanging. The insignia on it appears to be an angel of some sort holding a weapon. The words above it read 'Made in Heaven'. Jill isn't stupid, she knows the pop culture reference. He did mention having a matching jacket with his younger sister. Jill finds it to be cute. It's definitely his style. To her, he seems to still dress like he's in highschool. Baggy jeans, long sleeves, letterman jackets. It's stylish though.

Jill would say her style is much more casual. Sweaters, skinny jeans, leggings, long sleeves and rarely anything else. She only owns a few outfits of formal wear and that's only because she assumes there'll be events she must attend where the formality is to dress accordingly. She can't even remember the last time she wore a full face of makeup with an elegant outfit. Maybe when she was ten and playing dress up.

The computer booted all the way up, allowing Jill to get to work, at last!

-

About twenty minutes later, the office door swung open. The room went silent and all eyes went to said door. The sound of squishy watery shoes was heard, and a rubbery leather sound. It was Chris and Jill didn't look all too surprised. Only a little. She suspected he'd be home all day and not even make it into work but here we are. He isn't completely drenched but his clothes appear to be soaked in some spots. She has no clue what could've happened to him; It isn't even raining.

Once Wesker spotted him, Jill knew it was over for Chris. He seems so intimidating, like he'd just give you a look and you'd know he's enraged with you. Luckily, Jill hasn't seen that look and hopefully she never will. He closed his office door, set his hands on his hips and looked the muscular man up and down. It seemed straight up out of Fight Club or something. "Chris, why are you once again late?" "I had to do something, then my car broke down and I fell into a puddle." He grunted out, running his fingers through his hair.

"Oh yeah? And what was more important than work?" "My younger sister." "What did Claire need?" Wesker knew Chris's sister by name. Interesting. "Family business. Listen, can I just get to work? I'll write an extra whatever and do what you want to make up for it." Captain Wesker contemplated what Chris said. His face had it written all over that he was upset, but not angry, which was odd. You'd think if you've done this numerous times, your boss would end up becoming furious. But Wesker just seems irritated by it, no more.

"Very well then." Wesker hummed out. "Get to work, you'll have another report to do." The man chuckled, turning around and going back into his office. Chris yielded his head back, letting out a groan has both of his hands rubbed his damp face. He dreaded his walk over to Jill, not even because of her, but because it was such a walk of shame.

As he sat down, Jill looked at him, giving him a slight smile. She wasn't affected by his entrance at all, she just found it rather silly is all. Chris gave her a nod back before whispering, "Sorry." Jill was utterly confused. Why was he apologizing to her? He didn't do anything, or did he? "Uhm, why?" "I dunno, just saying sorry if I distracted you at all or anything, damn." Chris scoffed and switched on his PC. Okay, is this what they meant by he's an ass at times?

"Sorry..." Jill whispered, turning back to the PC, the light on it reflecting onto her face. She'll just work until it's lunch break. She can't wait to get some food in her system.

-

Many hours later, it is now noon and finally, she's able to eat. She brought her lunch in today, it's just resting on the corner of her desk. She already plans to eat now near the east gate. Ever since she got a tour of the RPD, she can tell that'll be one spot she visits a lot. There's nothing necessarily special to it but she likes how quiet it is and now you get a nice view of the city if you're high enough on the steps.

She brought in leftovers from her dinner last night - Chinese food. She doesn't have many groceries considering it's only been a few days since she moved here but gosh, the Chinese was delicious and she most definitely will be ordering it again. She also plans to order from somewhere called 'Jims Crab' tonight, it's just a block or two from her place and she's heard great things about it through the web.

Once Jill saw Brad walk out of the office, she knew she was going to be able to as well. She grabbed her pal and made her way outside.

From the S.T.A.R.S office, the east gate wasn't too far but it wasn't very close either. It was either the east gate or she eats in her car, she'd rather sit outside and eat. It isn't hot nor too cold, as of right now at least. It was freezing this morning. Hell, Jill's fingers were so cold, they felt numb to the touch. Felt like they'd break if she bent them a particular way. But the sun is out now, gleaming upon the Police Station and she is guessing it's heated up the outside world somewhat.

Walking through the waiting room and past the artroom, she opened the door that leads to the east gate. She wasn't wrong either, it felt just right outside. It wasn't snowing either, but snowfall is expected to begin later in the day.

The sound of the stairs clickety clacking beneath her was noisy, they were steel and had little to no snow covering them. Jill already decided she'd sit on the last few steps, that way she wouldn't be in anyone's way if they had to come through. The step wasn't wet from the snow either, which was a plus for her. She dreaded having a wet bottom for the rest of the day. With the open space beside her, she set her pal there, that way she'd be able to just keep her food in her lap.

For yesterday's dinner, she ordered quite a bit. She had purchased Orange Chicken, Lo Mein, Beef on a stick and Coconut Chicken. To be fair, she plans to save it for the next few days, but it was a lot. For work though, she just brought in some Orange Chicken and Lo Mein - Her personal favorites. She also made sure to not forget chopsticks, she doesn't wanna eat with her fingers, it's so unprofessional and gross to do in a work space. She remembers one time at her old job, one of her coworkers saw her eating dumplings with just her hands and he never stopped teasing her about it. Now she's always sure not to.

She unclicked the tabs attached to the container, shoving it into her pouch. She began to dig in literally immediately; It was safe to say she needed to fuel her body with tasty food. On top of her orange chicken, onion chives were set on top of the array of it. With the Lo Mein, broccoli surrounded it. She did have some of it last night but the taste is too good to pass up again.

Taking her chopsticks, reusable ones, she began to pick up a piece of chicken, taking a bite out of it. It was so good. Jill's eyes practically rolled behind her head. She knew the Lo Mein will be so delicious too.

Continuing to eat, she hadn't even noticed the door above her open up. But once she did, she glanced upwards, seeing Chris standing there with his own personal pouch. He must like to eat out here as well. The way he was looking down at Jill - It made her feel speechless. His eyes were so pretty and entrancing. The sunshine mixed with the bright snow caused a ray on his eyes, making them glow gorgeously.

"Hey, do you need me to move?" Jill asked if Chris, getting ready to step up and leave. "Nah, that's fine, I can go somewhere else." Chris stated, beginning to turn around but Jill couldn't stop herself, she wanted him to stay. This was a perfect opportunity. "No, that's okay, just eat here." Jill replied softly, scooching over to make room for Chris. Chris obviously hesitated. It appears he doesn't feel too comfortable with her yet. Jill doesn't blame him for that, they only met just yesterday.

Chris obliged, tightening the strap of his pouch on his shoulder. He popped a squat beside Jill and zipped open his bag. In it, he had a sandwich and chips - Classic.

Jill couldn't help but smile to herself, he smelt good. He smelt very manly and musk. She's just a fool sometimes.

"How are you today?" She broke the silence, taking a sip of her iced tea. Chris took a double take at her; He most likely didn't expect her to start up a conversation. "I'm alright, you?" "I'm okay as well." Jill responded, continuing to eat. Chris gave her a nod, taking a large bite out of his sandwich, he was probably starving. After the morning he has seemed to have, she wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't ate yet.

She decided to break the ice. Break the awkwardness. Just make conversation overall.

"How long have you worked here?" "Almost a year now." Chris chomped down some chips. Jill scanned his face. He was attractive. Though, she'll never admit such. "I see. You like it here?" "I do, for the most part." Chris added on. "Other than that, it's a pain in the ass." Chris snorted. Jill let out a giggle, slurping up some noodles. "Oh yeah?" Jill bit down on some chicken. "Yeah, this job has its ups and downs, it's pros and cons... Eventually you just get over it and learn to manage and handle it." "I see, well, I think I enjoy it so far besides the amount of paperwork." Jill snickered, licking her fork.

"Thought you weren't going to show up to work today." "Oh?" "I just heard you miss work here and there." "Let me guess, Barry?" "Yep." Jill said, sipping her beverage. Chris scoffed, tossing his sandwich back into it's ziplock baggy. "I wish Barry would just keep to himself sometimes." "It's not that big of a deal though." "To you, sure, but he has not right to butt in on my life." "I get how you feel but I did ask him, I was curious." Jill hummed to Chris, her food was already almost gone. "I guess that's different." Chris sighed deeply, his eyes going from her to his food every so often.

The silence between them would last for a minute before they'd speak again. Oddly enough, Jill didn't mind the quietness. It felt rather serene. When other people are silent around her, it feels weird. The atmosphere feels icky. But with Chris, she just feels safe. It feels peaceful.

"Is your lunch good?" Jill questioned him, glancing down at his food. "Average, yours?" "Great. The Chinese food is good." "Oh yeah it is, sometimes I get it for lunch." "What do you usually order?" "God, it depends. Sometimes Mongolian Beef with Sesame Chicken and other days I'll get Noodles with Egg Rolls." "All of that sounds sooo good." Jill drew her words out, her mouth watering up again as she thought of all of the other foods he listed off.

"I plan to go to 'Jim's Crab' tonight, do you know if it's any good?" "Been there a couple times. Not the worst, not the best. I think it's just worse for me because seafood always makes me feel a bit sick." "Understandable." She responded, giving him a nod, her face having a smirk on it. "But hey, give it a shot Jill, maybe you'll like it." He gave her a quick smile. She had yet to see it. Barry said he rarely smiles. Did he lie?

Chris seems like an alright guy. Jill is still confused by what Barry and Brad meant. Maybe she still has yet to see it, she has only been here a day but the two of them made it seem like he was borderline verbally abusive. Does Chris just not like Brad or Barry? Or just Brad? Because from what she's learnt, Barry is a sort of father figure to Chris, there's no way he has any sort of resentment towards the man.

"Is the 'Moon's Donut's' spot any good?" "Fuck yes." Chris chuckled out, swallowing the last bit of his sandwich. "Jill, the food from there is heavenly, you should most definitely get some on your way to work tomorrow." Chris expressed, clear passion for the place. Jill couldn't help but snicker at his words. He seemed so jolly. "Maybe in my run this weekend I'll stop by and give it a go." "You go on runs too? No one else around here does." "Of course I do, I did back at my old place as well." Jill replied to Chris's surprised and surprising words.

She couldn't wait for her run. She'll toss in some earbuds, connect it to a cassette and begin her run. It's always so calming. It's sort of a way to relax the mind. All of her problems seem to dissipate when she's on the go. Her cardio gets pumpin hella quick. It's even better when it's cold out, she swears more and the second she gets home, she takes a nice hot shower. The contrast from the previous cold air makes it all the more better.

"I have a question, Jill." "Shoot it." Jill then shot him a look. "Wanna run together? I mean, this weekend, when you do? It's just nice to not always have to go alone. From time to time, me and Brad will but he's sometimes a buzz kill." Chris chuckled out to her. "Aw, well sure, I'd like that. I got to ask, how is he a buzz kill?" "Geez, he'll complain. Oh it's too hot, too cold, his feet hurt, body is sore... Just very annoying at times." "Yeah, sounds like it." Jill replied with a snort, beginning to put her food away. She didn't finish it all the way but their break is hitting the brink of being complete. Chris has already done the same.

"You're done?" "Yeah, it's almost 12:15 so I just wanna get back to the office, don't wanna be late my second day here." It was a good way of thinking, Chris thinks so. "Guess you're right." Chris also stood up, placing the strap onto his shoulder once again. "Walk together?" Jill said with a kind voice. Chris didn't say anything at first. Starstruck was what he was feeling. No one tends to even want to walk with him and now, someone is asking him? And it's Jill? Paint Chris surprised. "Sure." Chris nodded slowly, "Ladies first?" He stepped to the side, giving her room.

Jill giggled, stepping in front of him.

The two of them had a lovely talk on the way to their office.

[chronicangel]

Needs

Link to this fic on AO3. Words: 2041 Date posted: May 7, 2019

Summary: "I didn't," he responds honestly, because Sai deserves to know. He does not deserve to be married to a secret and Ino can be mad at him if she wants but indignantly, Shikamaru can only think, You should have told him.

Shikamaru doesn't particularly like hanging out with Sai. It's not that Sai isn't a perfectly fine guy, he is, it's more that the guy has no sense of boundaries and no ability to read a room, and that Ino seems to expect Shikamaru to teach him these things. (He thinks that Chōji would be a much better candidate if she's that determined not to do it herself. Hell, even Naruto is better with people than Shikamaru is and that guy is a total idiot.) Plus, there's also the awkward fact that...

"You used to sleep with my wife," Sai says casually, as though commenting on the weather.

"Yeah," he responds, forcing his voice to be just as casual.

He and Ino haven't been a thing since they were 18, and they're both married now (him, newly, to Temari, and her to the man he's currently sitting at Ichiraku with after Ino made plans with him a month ago and then suddenly "came down with something," which at the very least Sai had confirmed to be true, she was vomiting all morning, but he suspects she was planning to cancel either way), and yet it is this thing that will probably haunt them both until they die. (He wonders if it can be a haunting if it is sweet. If it can count as a ghost if its sorrowful song is still tempting. There are times where he looks at his wife and he wonders what it would be like if she was somebody else, but he's never upset with how his life has come out because he does love Temari, he really does.) "She told you about that?"

"We make it our business not to keep secrets from each other," he says pointedly, taking a sip of his water. Shikamaru doubts this. Of all of Ino's virtuous qualities, she is not honest. She is not open. She is a book in an ancient, forgotten language with pages stuck together and a latch on the cover that requires a key that was lost a long time ago. Shikamaru thinks he might still be the only one who understands her language, but he doesn't have the key anymore. He can only look at her face and spout passages from memory and wonder if they still apply. Shikamaru has been thrust out into the same category as the rest of the world and it shouldn't sting as much as it does.

He cannot say this, though. He cannot pull at loose threads in someone else's marriage until it comes unraveled just because he still feels a sort of bitterness that it is not him. Not when his life is just as easy to pick at and his dreams are just as wont to come apart if they are too closely examined. "I guess I just didn't think it was that important to her," he lies, and it feels weird in his mouth. In contrast to Ino, Shikamaru makes it a point to be honest. He does not like fabrications.

Sai is quiet for a long time, continuing to simply sip his ice water while Shikamaru slurps up the last of his bowl of ramen. Finally, he says, back to a casual tone like he's just spotted a cloud in a neat shape that he wants Shikamaru to look at, "I occasionally suspect she might still be in love with you." Shikamaru chokes. He coughs for a minute and wipes at the broth on his chin and then stares at Sai with wide eyes.

"She doesn't make it obvious. She certainly hasn't said as much. I suppose she thinks the truth would hurt me," he elaborates, and he shoots Shikamaru a kind smile that doesn't really fit the conversation, but Shikamaru knows that he is trying his best. "So I suppose we do keep some secrets."

"Is it really a secret if you can read it so easily?" Shikamaru asks, because he doesn't know how else to respond. After all, Ino has never been able to keep a secret from him. He reads her too well, always has. Though she may not say what she is feeling, may even hide the text particularly well, he can see the way the lettering flickers through her blue eyes. He can read the words aloud to her in another tongue and she will crumble.

Sai shrugs his shoulders and places the money for his food on the counter, then takes another sip of his water which Shikamaru swears should be almost empty by now. Shikamaru lifts the bowl to his mouth to drink the broth from it and then pays his half, and the two of them get up to leave at the same time without verbally communicating it. He supposes payment should be enough of a cue. They walk in the same direction, which isn't actually toward either of their homes, so Shikamaru can't be sure where they're going. He thinks that they are going to have a long conversation, though. "If it isn't too invasive," Sai starts, and Shikamaru is sure it will be. "Could you tell me what it was like?"

He stops breathing for a second.

What it was like, he thinks, and he knows that Sai means his relationship with Ino but he wants to pretend that he is oblivious. He wants to pretend that he doesn't know what the other man is talking about just so he can push his answer off. Because he doesn't want to tell her husband that they were some of the best years of his life. He doesn't want to tell her husband that he really was in love with Ino and on a level he's still in love with her, too. He doesn't want to tell her husband that if he'd been able to choose when he was eighteen-- even when he was nineteen, twenty, for years-- his choice would have been Ino. He doesn't want to tell her husband that if she asked him to abandon his life and run away with her, he'd drop everything in a heartbeat. He doesn't want to tell her husband that Ino will always be a part of him.

"Well, I'm sure if anyone could get it, you would," he starts, because that, at least, is true. It is an easy truth to grant. "Being with Ino is like... I guess it's a lot like smoking a cigarette. It's a rush. It's a chemical soup. It leaves its permanent imprints on your brain and your body and the way that you think. It's not like they become your whole life, but they become a part of your life. An important part, a part you might change everything for if you had to. Even after you quit, a part of your life is always dedicated to getting another one. To taking another breath. To catching the secondhand."

"And is that what this is? Spending time with me? Is it catching the secondhand?" He asks, apparently in the spirit of genuine inquiry. Shikamaru does not think that Sai is a particularly jealous man. He could tell him right now that he was in love with Ino and that he'd leave his wife tomorrow to be with her (which at this point he does not think is true-- his life with Temari has become the default; the normal; the way that things are, even if they aren't really the way that things have to be anymore) and Sai would probably just nod along and accept it because he is a selfless man, a good husband, and if Ino would accept that life then Sai would too because all he wants is her happiness.

Shikamaru shakes his head and laughs a little bit to clear the air. "No, I don't think so." He doesn't need to bear witness to the life Ino has built without him. "You're a good man, Sai. She deserves a good man."

This seems to pique Sai's interest again. "Are you not a good man?" He asks, and Shikamaru isn't sure how to answer that question. He isn't sure how to explain that on a fundamental level, he doesn't really think so. He doesn't think he can be. He can't explain what allows Sai and Naruto and Chōji and countless others all to be good men when they have had the same life experiences as Shikamaru, would likely make the same choices without questioning themselves as they are trained to do as shinobi. He only knows that they are all inherently good and something within him is tainted in a way he cannot fix or even properly see.

He knows this is not the answer that Sai wants, and yet he does not like lying, so he chooses to gift Sai with a form of release instead. "You seem pretty determined to give your wife away," he jokes, although he doesn't think this phrasing is quite right. You don't give Ino away. Like waves lapping at the shore, she comes and goes as she pleases until one day she dries up and leaves you dehydrated.

"I suppose I'm more interested in why you did," he shoots back, and Shikamaru feels his heart stutter. So she didn't tell him everything. She told him that we loved each other, that we were together, but she didn't tell him how we came apart. She didn't tell him about our tragic ending which paved the way for his happy ending. For her happy ending. For everyone's happy ending, I suppose.

"I didn't," he responds honestly, because Sai deserves to know. He does not deserve to be married to a secret and Ino can be mad at him if she wants but indignantly, Shikamaru can only think, You should have told him. "I don't think I ever would have been capable of giving Ino up. I don't know how anyone could be," he says. He thinks it's the most honest he's been all evening. "We started dating when we were fifteen. We didn't tell anyone about it because it was forbidden. Children of the Yamanaka clan cannot be with children of the Nara clan, and neither of us could have been with a member of the Akimichi clan, either. It jeopardizes the InoShikaChō trio that our families have perpetuated for hundreds of years. And there's so little our families cared about more than tradition. When we told them, we didn't really have a choice. So, no, I didn't give her away."

He knows that he shouldn't be bitter. Things are better this way. He has a pregnant wife waiting for him at home and she has a husband who would die for her.

But he can't help it, damn it. He can't help it because he would have happily been the husband who would die for her, and she could have been his pregnant wife, and if they'd never told anyone-- if they'd just eloped one day and announced it to their families then when there was nothing they could do about it-- everything would be fine. Maybe not better, but it'd be different and it'd be okay. He misses her so much sometimes it aches and even as he loves his wife, is in love with his wife, he knows that a part of him will always belong to Ino and that's not only unfair to both of them, but it's unfair to the wife he loves.

Sai lets them stay in quiet for a long time, and really, he is the one in total control of this conversation. Shikamaru has never felt so much like he was at another person's mercy before, but he knows now that he is a mouse stuck in a trap and begging for death.

"I'm glad, you know," he says eventually, and Shikamaru nearly jumps though it is not that sudden. "I suppose I should be jealous, but it makes me happy that there is someone else who loves my wife as much as I do. She needs more people who care so deeply for her in her life. I think that she often feels tragically unloved and alone, even when I am in the room with her. So I suppose, on a level, she needs you."

[wonderlandleighleigh]

Prompt: Midge waking Lenny up from a nap for him to open the covers and welcome her in.

She hasn't slept in two days, between TV appearances and gigs and long flights, and she's exhausted.

By the time she gets back to their apartment, she is wrecked. Lenny was touring this week, too. Gigs in Chicago, and thankfully no arrests this time, but she knows he's tired, too. He made it home earlier in the night. She can tell from the tan trench coat hanging in the open closet. She runs a hand over the sleeve, contemplating a replacement for it. It's seen better days, and Midge worries that it doesn't keep him as warm as it once did.

A thought for the daylight.

it's four in the morning, the kids are with her parents, and it's still dark out.

Midge slips her heels and coat off, hanging up the latter and pads down the hall, her feet chilled on the wooden floor. The temperatures have been below freezing lately, and she's shocked with how much she's been pushing herself that she hasn't caught a cold or something worse.

But she feels good, all things considered. Tired. Chilly. But good.

She stops at the bathroom first, slipping in and closing the door before clicking on the light. Not only are all of her face washes and creams set out neatly, but one of Lenny's button-downs and a dressing gown is hanging on the back of the door.

"Fuck that's thoughtful," she mutters to herself as she removes her makeup, washes her face and applies her face cream.

She slips out of her outfit and into the shirt before wrapping up her hair, skipping the curlers tonight, choosing comfort over perfect hair. She has tomorrow off, after all.

Once she's finished, she tugs the dressing gown around herself, tying it loosely before wandering back to the bedroom.

When she opens the door, she finds a lamp still on, and Lenny is curled up under the covers with a book hanging from an outstretched hand. it's clear that he'd tried to wait up for her.

Midge smiles and steps over, taking the book and marking his page before settling it on the bedside table. She reaches over and strokes his hair tenderly, watching his eyes start to open.

He grins at her sleepily and pulls the sheets back, beckoning her to join him wordlessly.

She slips off her dressing gown, settling it on the back of a nearby chair before sliding into the bed, letting Lenny envelope her in the covers as well as his arms. She cuddles in close, burying her face in against his neck.

"Hello," he chuckles, his voice still thick with sleep.

"Mmm..." Midge responds.

"Flight home was okay?" Lenny asks.

"Mmhmm..."

His lips press a kiss to her temple. "Sweet dreams, Midge."

"Love you," she mutters as her eyes slip shut.

The last thing she hears before falling asleep is Lenny saying it in return.