#they'd fall apart as easily as they were built

[echthr0s]

19, 99

Azha Sendu (with Verys Arendur, his companion) was part of this overarching The Redguard Trickster & The Mad Dunmer mythology that I was establishing in my Elder Scrolls timeline. these two were to kick the whole thing off in the Second Era by gaining access to the Clockwork City and then Verys would evolve to be like. outside of time but able to influence Nirn. and he would make it so that there would always be a fatebound duo, a Redguard and a Dunmer, that would Do Big-Heap Protagonist Shit in every era. and they'd all be descended from him and Azha. it was a whole deal but I forget the finer points*

I don't have a lot of notes on Azha specifically, though.

Aoi Inirenael Undain (jfc) was a Seelie Court queen I created for... some VF RP group or another. oh, probably one of mine, actually. lookin at these notes I definitely based her off some Laurell K Hamilton shit (sex magic as a domain? yeah. glaring sign lmao) but also World of Darkness. 90% of my fae concepts came from Changeling: The Dreaming

*no one can @ me at how weird and convoluted this sounds bc compared to actual canon Elder Scrolls lore it's literally Fisher-Price shit

[weirdly-specific-but-ok]

i have officially reached the stage of brainrot when I hear songs and think ‘oh wow this would be so Crowley-coded’

My friends have tried to get me to listen to queen but I trust absolutely NOTHING by them in connection to this godforsaken show

I AM DOOMED. I HAVE A FOLDER IN MY PHONE OF SCREENSHOTS OF LYRICS. IT IS 154 PHOTOS LARGE.

If my friends end up reading this— they know what they did…

tremble maggot of mine tremble.

it's a very very very steep slope downward from here. the angle of the slope with the horizontal that we shall call normal people (who've never laid eyes on good omens) is a fucking right angle.

you are doomed. yes.

i can only offer condolences and also remind you that it's every song. taylor swift's fucking out of the woods reminds me of them.

1941, anyone? A polaroid, by chance? A discussion about how they weren't black and white, unlike heaven and hell?

We were built to fall apart and fall back together. All the break ups and divorces and they always, always find their way back to each other.

Oh yeah. The ball. The fucking Jane Austen ball, Aziraphale moving furniture aside so they could dance. Paper airplanes, that so easily catch on fire. Wings on fire, instead, as an angel flies and then Falls.

Were they in the clear finally, after Armageddon? Not really. That peaceful fragile existence was as fragile as they'd feared. But one day, it wouldn't be.

Also, hit the brakes too soon, Crowley to Aziraphale. It's the exact reverse of Aziraphale's you go too fast for me, Crowley.

THE BRAINROT IS FUCKING REAL GIVE ME ANY SONG AND IT WILL BE ABOUT THEM. FIGHT ME.

[aroaceconfessions]

I've always really struggled making and maintaining strong connections with people. Growing up, all throughout elementary and middle school, I would find someone who I could very easily call my very best friend (often of the opposite sex), where we would very quickly become inseparable in and outside of school. Then we would drift apart, usually fairly abruptly, and I would be incredibly confused. It wasn't until I was much older that I was told that this was because Xyz was getting tired of waiting for me to reciprocate their crush, or that they started to crush on someone else, or whatever.

If this happened once or twice I could understand it, but this sort of "I'll be your very best friend with the expectation you'll fall in love with me and then immediately drop you otherwise" sort of scenario must have happened at least five times, which was heartbreaking for me personally, who had zero interest in romance and never experienced crushes growing up.

During high school, I met someone who i instantly clicked with in a way that no one else ever had. Once again, we were instantly a duo who did everything together. This friendship lasted through all four years of high school, and all four years of undergrad.

That was until they confessed they'd been in love with me for years. This person knew more about me than anyone in the world, and knew my fears that I had with people falling in love with me, and I was so scared of losing this person too that I told them that I would try for a romantic relationship with them. We dated for two years, and I very, very slowly came around to the idea of romance, if only just with this person.

This all came to a head when they dumped me in perhaps the worst way they possibly could. They told me that they fell out of love with me, and that was that. They broke off all contact with me, and I was alone again.

Honestly, since that happened, I've had even more trouble with letting people in close out of fear that it's just going to happen again and again and again. I never really considered my lack of attraction as the stereotypical "something's broken with me" but losing this person in this way just felt like the final straw, that everyone only decided to be my friend or tolerate me because they built up this image of me being a cute romantic partner in their heads, and once they realized that's not me, they can't even bear to be around me. I really don't know what I've done to keep running into these people. I just want to have friends, but now I don't even know how to interact with people anymore in fear I'm just leading them on somehow. I don't think I could take another heart break.

Submitted June 14, 2023

[acourtofthought]

just realizing again how little az seems to actually care to get to know elain or be around her at all lmao. and also how little elain seems to want to get to know or be around him either. you mean they've had like, a year and a half or whatever to become friends (which no one would have objected to at all and would have been the perfect opportunity to "start something") but only share few words and a hand brush here and there?? weak lol. "four books of build up" my ass.

 

If people looked back over the book and I mean really looked back over the book, they'd see that E/riel interactions fall flat every time. I think their lengthiest conversation occurred back in ACOMAF and that was when Az was explaining how Illyrians felt about flying even though Feyre acknowledges Az probably doesn't feel half those things because he doesn't like to consider himself Illyrian.

They sit silently in the garden together.

She says nothing to him after the rescue from Hybern's camp. Kisses his cheek then walks away while he's about to fall over.

She tells him she doesn't know how to use TT and he doesn't offer to show her. Instead he says nothing and Feyre responds.

He says "Hello" at Solstice, Elain responds that she'd never been to one and Az fails to continue the conversation. Instead Amren does.

And for anyone claiming, "it's not his fault since Amren jumped in", I think it's important to remember that the author chose to write it so Az and Elain never share more than a comment or two. There is no back and forth banter, there's no pushing for a deeper connection. Their interactions are surface level and minimal.

When Elain says "hello" at the dinner in the novella, Az "says nothing" and instead walks over to take the dish out of her hand then orders her to sit.

In SF, Az smiles at Elain and Elain looks away from him.

She "shyly" nods to Az. (really, they're just painful to watch together. It's like watching your kid have their first crush where they have no clue how to interact or carry on a conversation).

When they are finally alone, after knowing one another for over a year, there's a lot of "Az left the rest unsaid" and Elain being nervous around him. Their entire relationship is built on a few glances with barely a total of 14 sentences exchanged over the entirety of the series.

Over the course of the series, they've talked about Illyrians flying. Headache powder. Seeds. Earplugs, Nesta and Cassian and her pretty necklace.

They have NEVER talked about Graysen, the fights she and Nesta had in SF, the loss of her father, her mating bond, his past with Mor, her powers, etc. Nothing of real substance.

In SF, SJM could have EASILY written the scene where Rhys, Cassian and AZ were in the room with Elain after her visit to the HOW and had Az ask what happened with Nesta. SJM could have easily written it so Az defended Elain during the fight with Nesta. Where she could have later had Az stand up for Elain rather than having Amren being the one to tell everyone not to underestimate her. We have never witnessed Az trying to know Elain better or be the one standing up for her when others doubted her.

Cassian knew Nesta for a few weeks in his ACOMAF bonus chapter yet he already found out about Tomas and what he tried to do to her (though not his actual name). He asked her what she deserved. He tried to pull her out of her cold shell by calling her out for certain behaviors.

In ACOWAR, we see that he's constantly trying to get her to train, to face her powers.

In ACOFAS, he calls her out for her behavior to Feyre.

Nessian has always been a bit volatile towards one another but they don't pull punches and tiptoe around and that's even with Nesta refusing to open up to him.

We saw that a bit with Elucien in ACOWAR when he broke the rules and stuck around to talk to her in the library but most of their time in ACOWAR was spent being forced apart by the sisters. Then, in the novella he respected Elain's desire to not interact with him.

In comparison, Elain is actually willing to talk to Az but Az chooses to avoid her and neither Elain or Az makes any attempt to have a real conversation with one another. Because it's not brought up, I think E/riels like to live in a bubble where they think Elain and Az have no real problems aside from their desire to be together but the facts are that they individually have a whole list of personal issues and that they have never bothered trying to get the other to face them is telling.

Cassian ignored Nesta's wishes to be left alone and pushed her to talk anyway.

Lucien respects Elain's wishes to be left alone and has not pushed her. But he has a direct link to her mind through their bond and that means he knows more about her than anyone. Just like Rhys says "he knows Feyre, more than she realizes". Just like Cassian always saw Nesta for who she was beneath the front she put up. It doesn't matter how much the female is willing to share, a mate has a front row seat anyways.

Elain is willing to interact with Az, she's never pushed him away, yet Az and Elain are still completely clueless as to who the other person really is.

[animehouse-moe]

Heavenly Delusion Episode 8: Each Choice

Were you expecting to cry your eyes out? To be dragged deep under the surface by the weight of the sorrow and regret? I was prepared myself, since I'd read the manga, but I still wasn't ready for how much heart they'd put into this episode. How much pain they would wrench from the smallest and most awkward pieces, how much guilt they would wring from the hands of all those involved.

Really, this episode leaves me stumped as to where I want to go and what I want to say. It's almost like an information overload in how they approach it. The use of shadows and light, of space, how they frame and use hands through the episode. It's tailor made to dig as deep as possible into your chest before ripping itself out slowly.

So maybe I'll start with hands. It's been a key piece of this story and world since the teaser trailer for the series dropped. A form of connection, a way to interact with the world and people around you. Something to reflect upon. To prove that things exist and that there are people and things you can reach out for.

And that sentiment starts early and strong in this episode with the doctor's hand. He talks about cutting apart the bandaged up woman so that the disease doesn't spread. However, his hand begins to fall limply to his side as he explains that even through all that terrible work to prolong a life, the disease is an inevitable fact of their existence.

It's an act that betrays the emotions lurking beneath his stone cold exterior. The disgust he feels in what he's done to the person he loves, that his hands will remain dirty, and in the end they remain so nearly all for naught.

Similarly, it's followed up by the Doctor placing an incalculable weight on Maru. The responsibility of killing the woman so that she can die a human. Using only powers that he has to end a human life, resting within the palm of the his own hand.

Scrubbing back through the episode, pieces like this end up hitting really hard. It's a simple scene, a very literal and incredibly plain moment of moving equipment. But the act of that movement feels so much more powerful than it is. The doctor is placing the life of that woman in the hands of Kiruko, and Kiruko is reaching out to accept that. And I think this really becomes something of value when placed in contrast with a scene towards the end of the episode.

Namely, this one. It's the same angle, it's the same act of connection that brings these two characters together. That form an emotional bond through the sharing of their experiences like this, that by Kiruko (and Maru) helping the doctor, they're able to give him something as beautiful as this in return. It's just so wonderful, it's such an outstanding piece that's built on a such a simple concept that you could easily miss the incredible emotion and significance placed in it. It's just so beautiful.

And this scene, god was this ever painful. Such a small and meek core that rests within the woman. Shriveled and dry compared to the others that we've seen, as it's held gently in the hands of Maru.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg, the real pain is this following sequence. Maru engulfs the core in an embrace with both his hands before destroying it, causing red liquid to run down his arms and form droplets. He killed this woman. With his own hands, his caused the death of this person that held onto life for so long. That is blood that stains his body, that runs down from the hands that ended a human life, hands that may only destroy.

And Maru's aware of that, he's unable to ignore what he just did. His hand shakes so bad that he has to reach out with his other to steady it.

He's so painfully aware of what his ability does that he can't forgive himself. That he buries himself beneath the guilt and self-hatred that it has brought upon him.

It's just... so incredible. Such a strong story is told through hands and their interaction with the world. Kiruko's are only ever used to help the Doctor and the woman, to provide care and reassurance, and words that might not have been spoken otherwise. While Maru is the harbinger of death, whose sole purpose was to end the life of another person. It's an incredible dichotomy that only serves to deepen the crimson that coats Maru's hands.

However, we also get moments like this that are equally as emotional. Kiruko's hands, the hands of Haruki's sister, reach out to embrace Maru. To say that what he's doing is good, that he's saving people, that he's preventing tragedies similar to what Kiruko's experienced. It's just so painful and beautiful.

And truthfully, there's a world more of content and symbolism and emotion that envelopes this episode, but it's almost too much to really discuss in one go. There's the lighting and shadows that the doctor exists in and transitions between, how the woman looks up to the doctor and how they see one another. There's the whole piece about hijacking an innocent albeit misguided movement for selfish gains and forcing a helpless population out (I loved that there were no children seen with Liviuman, but there was with the Immortal Order).

And then there's this piece, that I could speak about for ages.

This sequence of Mimihime lost in darkness, all alone and isolated, before she sees Shiro. It's such an impactful piece that confirms for viewers that the doctor and the woman were Mimihime and Shiro, and that this is them meeting in the afterlife together. Just so incredibly beautiful to see this sequence, and to see the innocence and peace on Mimihime's face in having experienced death and the afterlife with the one that she loves. Heavenly Delusion continues to remain undefeated on effectively every front out there this season, and puts up a performance for the ages.

[munsontm]

❛ don’t run away from this. ❜ — steeeeeve

@harringtontm / @musecraft

It wasn't exactly true that he was running away because he always returned after a few days; he couldn't stay away from Steve for too long. If he did, the dark thoughts would creep in and whisper to him cruelly that Steve was dead, he died looking for your fucked up ass, and it's all your fault. But the pack and rifle on his back spoke of a man about to disappear into the night. How could Steve guarantee that Eddie came back to him after every solo venture? Simple, he couldn't. They had to trust one another always to find a way back. Except promises made weren't necessarily promises kept in this new world of death, so trust led to a dicey game.

"I'm not running away," he mumbled, turning back to face his beloved. It continued to shock him how much Steve had changed physically. In the previous times, Steve would've easily been mistaken for a softly pampered rich boy, which wasn't all that far off when he thought about it. But the Steve before him had packed some muscle and scars on. His eyes were hardened yet softened when they landed on Eddie, and their power made him confess with ease. "I just need some thinking space, that's all." He'd never been a good liar and hoped Steve saw the truth in his words.

"I spent a lot of time alone, learning where was and wasn't safe. And your settlement here..." Eddie shifted awkwardly, hands falling to his hips as he briefly looked away from Steve. He loathed to criticise what Steve had built here, but it came from a place of love. "You're pretty exposed. Not just to goons, but like, other groups of people...less nicer ones. I've seen gangs that could tear a place like this apart with little effort." A small shrug followed as if he wasn't making a knowledgeable assessment of the current situation. "You ever considered moving to somewhere with mountains? Rockies? The Appalachians? The more remote territory means fewer goons and fewer other people. Just a thought...that I often have." A way I can keep you safer. Moving would be tough and dangerous. They'd lose some lives, undoubtedly. But in the long term, it just made sense to Eddie.

Crossing the small distance from their porch to the front door, Eddie gently kissed the corner of Steve's lips. "I know all this community stuff is a big deal to you. That's why I want to help look after it for you. So think about it, okay?" Nervously, he glanced at Steve one final time before dashing away, partly embarrassed by his bold admittance. Of course, Eddie wanted him to know he was loved. But after going so long without saying it, anxiety snuck up on him easier than ever. Deep down, he knew the loving sentiment would be received as such, giving him a slither of hope for the future.

[saltynsassy31]

Bot boy ramblings part 3: Pizzaplex is not well built

An idea that I don't see brought up at all, is the idea that the pizzaplex is not constructed well.

Remember in fnaf 6 when the tutorial unit said this?

"There may be times when you purchase something of questionable quality and we don't blame you. Cutting corners is just good business."

Keep this statement in mind whilst I bring up my next point

As someone who's taken an engineering class,, when you are constructing a building, there are a VERY large number of codes (rules) that you need to follow for every conceivable part of it.

Fazbear Entertainment would probably find it a lot cheaper just to pay off the people inspecting the plex, then actually put money into making sure everything is up to code.

They would also try to construct the building as cheaply as possible, trying to "cut corners" wherever they can. They use substandard materials, contractors that don't double check their work. They build the mall itself over the subterranean remains of their old restaurant, despite this making the ground very unstable.

This all works in my mind because Fazbear Entertainment has been proven to follow the "be as cheap as possible" approach many times in the past.

Heck in the game, one of the emergency exits requires a VIP pass in order to be used!

It's why in my mind, I don't have Gregory live at the pizzaplex after the 3 star ending. Freddy would calculate that it is statistically safer for Gregory to live in his box than at the plex. He instead lives with Vanessa.

Oh yeah

Gosh you really be getting the points I like as well XD there's a reason in my au they were able to so easily destroy the place haha

There is no way they'd let the boy live there with how broken it is, he needs a proper home! That place is falling apart!!!

[rockwithu]

ㅤ       ◟      ï๑      ♡      it   was   difficult   to   mask   the   pain   he   felt.   tj   wasn’t   just   beau’s   first   love—he   was   his   first   friend,   the   first   person   to   make   him   laugh   until   his   stomach   hurt,   his   first   crush,   his   first   heartbreak.   tj   was   the   one   beau   had   trusted   with   his   biggest   dreams,   with   his   deepest   fears   and   all   the   messy   parts   of   himself   that   he   kept   from   everyone   else.   the   one   beau   could   count   on   in   every   sense   of   the   word.   and   yet,   here   he   was.   standing   in   front   of   him   with   a   broken   heart,   unmendable,   shattered   by   the   one   person   he   thought   would   never   hurt   him.   it   was   hard   to   stomach   that   this   foundation   they'd   built,   rooted   in   years   of   friendship,   could   collapse   so   easily.   was   it   really   so   brittle   that   one   moment   of   uncertainty,   one   lapse   in   judgment,   had   destroyed   everything   they’d   meant   to   each   other?

the   tears   practically   came   in   ruthless   waves,   and   beau   couldn't   hold   them   back.   he   was   sobbing,   clinging   to   what   remained   of   the   boy   who   had   once   been   his   whole   world.   beau’s   entire   mind   and   body   ached;   letting   go   of   tj   felt   like   letting   go   of   a   part   of   himself.   “you   never   wanted   to   hurt   me?   minahal   mo   ako?”   how   could   he   even   be   mad   at   tj?   no   matter   how   much   it   hurt,   no   matter   how   much   his   life   felt   like   it   was   falling   apart,   his   heart   refused   to   turn   against   him.   it   was   terrifying—the   way   he   still   loved   him,   still   held   on   despite   everything.   his   mind   spun,   making   excuses   for   tj   as   if   somehow   this   would   soften   the   blow.   but   it   didn’t.   every   word   that   left   tj’s   lips   felt   like   salt   rubbing   into   a   wound.   it   was   hard   to   believe   his   reassurances   that   beau   wasn’t   the   problem,   that   he’d   been   enough.   if   he   had   been   enough,   if   he’d   really   been   everything   tj   claimed,   then   how   had   they   ended   up   here?   if   tj’s   love   had   been   genuine,   if   the   whispered   promises   and   sweet   words   they’d   shared   in   the   past   were   true,   then   how   could   tj   question   his   feelings   now?

"bullshit.   that's   bullshit.   why—bakit?   bakit   ako   pa?   b-bakit   ako   pa   ginawa   mong   rebound,   tj?   tangina,   sa   lahat   ng   tao,   ako   pa   talaga.   you   could've   t-told   me   you   needed   time.   i-i   could've   waited   for   you.   i   would've   done   anything   for   you,   tj.   i   could've   helped   you   heal...   a-akala   ko   nga,   nagawa   ko   na.   a-akala   ko   okay   na.   h-hindi   pala."

then   tj   kissed   him,   soft...   yet   agonising.   it   was   bittersweet   and   ironic.   beau’s   body   responded   instinctively,   betraying   him   as   he   melted   into   tj’s   arms,   even   though   his   heart   was   breaking   and   his   mind   was   screaming   to   push   tj   away.   a   quiet,   desperate   whimper   slipped   past   his   lips   as   he   kissed   him   back,   hating   himself   for   how   he   clung   to   him.   he   gripped   tj’s   arms,   his   fingers   digging   into   the   fabric   as   if   he   could   somehow   anchor   himself.   the   future   felt   cold   and   uncertain   now,   a   complete   180   to   the   plans   he’d   once   made   with   tj   at   the   center   of   them   all.   what   was   he   supposed   to   do   now,   in   a   world   without   tj   beside   him?

“go   home.”   he   whispered,   though   he   forced   it   to   sound   steady,   frigid.   he   couldn’t   look   at   him,   couldn’t   face   the   man   who   had   once   been   his   everything   without   that   sharp   pain   reminding   him   that   he’d   lost   him.   nothing   would   ever   be   the   same.   “i   can’t   do   this…   wag   ka   munang   magpakita   sakin,   tj.   please.”   his   words   weren’t   filled   with   anger;   there   was   no   room   left   for   that.   beau   didn’t   even   know   how   long   it   would   take   for   him   to   find   some   semblance   of   peace—or   if   he’d   ever   be   able   to   put   the   pieces   of   his   heart   back   together.   all   he   knew   was   that   he   couldn’t   bear   to   see   him,   not   like   this,   not   until   the   ache   inside   him   went   away.   maybe,   in   time,   he   would   find   a   way   to   live   with   the   emptiness,   maybe   he   would   finally   be   able   to   move   on.   but   tonight,   he   had   no   other   choice   but   to   let   go   of   him.

* ㅤ ₊   ౨ৎ   ˚          tj   expects   beau’s   reaction   to   be   reserved,   maybe   even   guarded,   but   he’s   unprepared   for   the   raw,   exposed   hurt   in   beau’s   eyes   as   he   crumbles   before   him.   every   tear   beau   sheds,   cuts   through   tj   like   a   knife,   deeper   than   any   other   pain   he’s   ever   felt.   this   is   beau—   his   best   friend,   his   constant,   the   one   person   who   has   only   ever   loved   him,   who   would   never   hurt   him.   and   yet   tj   has   managed   to   do   the   one   thing   he   swore   he   never   would:   break   beau’s   heart,   the   same   heart   that   beau   had   once   mended   so   carefully.

tj’s   mind   races   with   regret,   with   questions   he   has   no   answers   to.   how   could   he   give   in   to   the   pull   of   uncertainty   and   shatter   the   best   thing   he   ever   had?   how   could   he   look   at   beau   and   think   he   deserves   more   when   every   bit   of   tj’s   heart   is   still   here,   bound   to   beau?   but   he's   selfish.   too   selfish   to   ask   beau   to   stay   while   he   navigates   through   his   doubts,   too   afraid   to   admit   that   the   one   person   he’s   always   wanted   is   standing   right   here,   slipping   further   away   with   each   painful   breath.

all   because   of   nico?

the   memories   flood   back,   each   one   a   bittersweet   reminder   of   what   he's   letting   go.   the   quiet   mornings   in   beau’s   arms,   when   he’d   wake   to   beau’s   soft   smile;   the   gentle   kisses,   the   way   beau   would   quietly   watch   the   sun   rise   with   him.   no   one—   not   even   nico—   has   loved   tj   like   that.   every   kind   gesture,   every   unspoken   promise   that   beau   made   to   keep   him   safe,   is   now   a   weight   in   tj’s   chest,   and   he   wishes   with   everything   he   has   that   he’d   held   on   tighter.   he   wishes   he’d   known   that   the   life   he   wanted   was   already   here,   in   beau’s   arms.   he   feels   an   overwhelming   urge   to   close   the   distance,   to   pull   beau   back   into   his   arms,   to   somehow   take   back   every   hurtful   word   and   undo   every   step   they’ve   taken   toward   this   ending.   he   wishes   he   could   tell   beau   that   he   doesn’t   need   to   leave,   that   he’s   willing   to   fight   for   them,   that   he   sees   their   life   together   clearer   than   ever.   but   he’s   already   caused   beau   so   much   pain;   holding   him   back   now   would   only   be   cruel.

as   beau   takes   a   step   back,   tj   feels   something   inside   him   crack.   each   step   beau   takes   feels   like   another   wound,   and   yet   it   pushes   tj   forward.   he   reaches   out,   his   hand   trembling   as   it   cups   beau’s   tear-streaked   face,   his   thumb   brushing   away   the   tears.   his   own   tears   slip   down,   and   his   voice   breaks   as   he   whispers,   “   i   was   so   sure   of   you,   beau.   minahal   kita   ng   totoo.   mahal   na   mahal   kita.   but   you   deserve   a   love   that’s   whole,   a   love   that   doesn’t   come   with   broken   pieces.   ”   beau’s   eyes   glisten,   and   tj’s   heart   aches   at   the   pain   there,   the   silent   devastation   he’s   caused.   “   please,   wag   mong   isipin   na   hindi   kita   minahal,   ”   he   breathes,   his   voice   choked.   his   hand   reaches   out   to   pull   beau   close,   his   arms   encircling   him   tightly,   as   if   he   could   somehow   hold   them   both   together   in   this   embrace.   “   hindi,   beau.   hindi   ganon,   ”   he   murmurs   into   his   shoulder,   voice   raw   with   regret.   “   it   was   you.   you’re   right—   i   should   have   waited,   let   time   heal   me,   let   myself   be   ready.   then   maybe   i   wouldn’t   have   hurt   you   like   this.   but,   beau,   mahal   na   mahal   kita.   this   isn’t   easy   for   me   either.   mahal   kita,   ng   higit   pa   sa   kaibigan,   ”   he   says,   barely   able   to   get   the   words   out   as   his   throat   closes   up.   “   beau,   i’m   so   sorry.   i   never   wanted   this.   i   never   wanted   to   hurt   you.   ”

their   foreheads   press   together,   tj’s   breath   mingling   with   beau’s   as   he   whispers,   “   if   you   need   to   hate   me,   hate   me.   sampalin   mo   ako.   murahin   mo   ako.   do   whatever   you   need.   ”   his   voice   breaks,   his   heart   begging   for   beau   to   release   some   of   the   pain   tj   has   caused.

finally,   with   a   trembling   hand,   he   lifts   beau’s   chin   and   leans   in,   pressing   his   lips   to   beau’s   in   a   gentle,   lingering   goodbye   kiss.   it’s   a   kiss   that   carries   everything   he   wishes   he   could   say,   every   promise   he   wishes   he   could   make,   and   every   ounce   of   love   he   knows   he   doesn’t   deserve   to   ask   for.   pulling   away   feels   like   tearing   a   piece   of   his   soul   apart,   but   he   lets   go,   his   heart   shattered,   knowing   it’s   the   only   way   to   set   beau   free.   maybe,   life   and   love   would   be   less   cruel   to   them   someday.

[waitingforwinterwinds]

Game of Thrones - 06 CATELYN II (pages 55-63)

In the first of our return POV character chapters, Catelyn receives a coded message from her sister warning that the death of the previous Hand of the King was actually murder. In response, Catelyn and Ned do their best to prepare for the danger to come.

-

The castle was built over natural hot springs, and the scalding waters rushed through its walls and chambers like blood through a man's body, driving the chill from the stone halls, filling the glass gardens with a moist warmth, keeping the earth from freezing. Open pools smoked day and night in a dozen small courtyards. That was a little thing in summer; in winter, it was the difference between life and death.

Ahhh, there it is, the one thing I think Shadiversity missed from his Winterfell build. He spoke about mass firewood stores, which: yes they'd still need, but at no point did he mention the hot springs and natural heating except for the springs inside the godswood behind the... guesthouse? (His version (22:23ish) is still way superior to the show's.)

Actually, during the attacks on Winterfell, wouldn't it have been hella unfortunate if the pipes had cracked and the walls started leaking.

"- If you refuse to serve him, he will wonder why, and sooner or later he will begin to suspect that you oppose him. -" ... "You knew the man," she said. "The king is a stranger to you."

Cat's proving herself to be far more politically intuitive and aware than Ned.

Her eyes moved over the words. At first they made no sense to her. Then she remembered. "Lysa took no chances. When we were girls together, we had a private language, she and I." "Can you read it?" "Yes," Catelyn admitted.

would have been awkward if she couldn't... wonder how much would have changed. Quite a bit I imagine, if Ned had no reason to go looking into Jon Arryn's death.

"Maester Luwin has delivered all of my children," Catelyn said. This is no time for false modesty."

It's easier to forget, watching the show, easier to see in the books even just so far, Catelyn has a strong blend of "woman's duty," political awareness but also a very headstrong, pragmatic streak. Reading it you get more the sense of fear and understanding of the power imbalance and danger that Catelyn has, whereas in the show it's easy to fall into a "she's overreacting to misinformation" stance, which the fans do like to hoist onto female characters, even when they are clearly acting with the best information they have.

His words were an icy draft through her heart. "No," she said, suddenly afraid. Was this to be her punishment? To never see his face again, nor feel his arms around her?

You will, once more in the south before the end. I do want to note Catelyn has some good intuition. She understands the powers that are forcing them into the corner, she can feel the grief in the message (false though part of it is), and she knows that to go south will separate them for the final time. Like I get that it's an ongoing thing, with this series, an underlying current of prophecy, but it's really sad how often these fears are easily brushed off as normal anxiety. How there's duty that means they can't say "stuff it" and stay in Winterfell as a family.

- they had spent that year apart, Ned off at war in the south while she remained safe in her father's castle at Riverrun. Her thoughts were more of Robb, the infant at her breast, than of the husband she scarcely knew.

Huh. So, of the 6 Stark siblings, Sansa would have been the first to be born at Winterfell? Interesting. (Well, "siblings" we all know what I mean.)

[mystery-salad]

🌩️ ❇️ 🪤 for Lance, Joel and Vuisce!

Oooh, two 'humans' and an 'asura' coming right up!

🌩️ LIGHTNING - are they scared of lightning?

Lance isn't scared of lightning, she's seen much scarier booms in her lifetime having served Dwayna since the heyday of Orr! She's seen temples topple, the sky turn on a whim. A little lightning, some indirect force of nature? Well it's not aimed at her or friends, it doesn't carry malice just indifference. That's fine in her books.

Joel used to not care at all, but with the obtaining of an animal form as its primary body, storms feel different now. Makes its fur stand on end, it can feel the electricity charging the air. Lightning is unpleasant, it makes itself scarce if possible or spends the full time in its human body to dull the feel in at least some way.

Vuisce loves lightning! They're a bit sensitive to the tune after, but will gladly go sit on a roof with headphones on to watch a lightning storm! Also conveniently keeps them from having to deal with anyone shouting to get off the roof during a storm lmao

❇️ SPARKLE - what is their most prized possession? what do they value?

Lance still has a family heirloom from her younger years. From her family back in Orr all that time ago. She feels very lucky it was still around to reclaim when she was brought back to life, a simple ceremonial dagger she keeps on her person now. She values that legacy represented in the item, coming from a long line of priests. Even if they didn't ask serve Dwayna, they were all loyal to their chosen gods showing a strong conviction and resolve.

Joel doesn't keep any real keepsakes! Not really in its habits to do so. That being said, it does collect tiny trinkets it loves. They're inconsequential in that it wouldn't feel particularly upset if it loses any, but it like having little things that are easily transportable. Often times they eventually make their way into the hands of friends as little gifts.

Vuisce values their journals. They've held onto each one from the start of this all, from their time in the pact still just hypothesizing what the dragons encapsulated. It shows how far their research has come, the discoveries made, how in the dark Tyria once was about the dragons. Fascinating history and growth in those!

🪤 MOUSE TRAP - what will always lure them into certain danger? a loved one in danger? a promise of something they are always searching for?

Lance would run into danger in an instant if her girlfriend Fade ( @ascalonianpicnic ) was hurt. The two of them were apart for lifetimes once Lance had died. Fade spent so long alone looking for her...she will not leave him alone ever again.

Joel would be easy to trap, all you need is to lure them in with a friend. It values the community it's built over anything else, this is the first and only stable life it has found and it can not lose the family that keeps this all feeling like home.

Vuisce would fall for the promise of knowledge so fast, they'd be such an easy target! Knowledge is everything, it is power and safety and the means of change.

[insertmesoftly]

Equius x Same Blood Troll Oc

An Equius simp, Ysalia Noctil's of the same blood as him but with the sign of a Sagio. She holds pedigree and the caste system in high regards and is always looking for an excuse to either lord her status and power over the 'lesser beings' or to suck up and mingle with 'exceptional blood'. She lives alone in a huge ass hive in a snowy mountaintop, isolated. For all her showmanship and big talk, her power is very little, and her place is constantly falling apart and/or getting outages. Her lusus, a big and floating Jellyfish, is usually her light source.

She got lost in her hive a lot in her childhood but now she knows the layout by heart. She read every 'respectable' romance imaginable, and when she came across Equius in the chat rooms, decided that him being so close to her in color was D E S T I N Y. She's never seen the man but his eloquence and respect for the caste along with his sharp mind and love of the high-ranked bowmen make him perfect in her mind. She will begin to obsess and modify herself to fit him.

The Sagi trait of having many interests they're passionate about stuck to me when I read it and so now I'm attaching to her multiple interests and goals like an obsession with 'the perfect tea combination', making 'the coziest blanket', and plays embarrassing to look at, but soothing to listen to instruments. She plays a version of the theremin that’s a fleshy bug creature and the sounds are its screams as her hands get closer to touching it. She also has a giant handmade armonica she built with Equius’s guidance. She’s very proud of it. Most if not all of these started out of some want to help Equius when they'd finally meet and live together.

See, she would patiently listen to all he'd say when he'd infodump, and even try getting into robots and archery a bit to be able to talk about things, he'd somewhat try to do the same but it never really clicked with him what her intent in all these things were. And it's dumb because she'd literally be like 'What's your favorite tea? What are other flavors you enjoy? How do you take it? What textures give you the best feeling? What smells are the nicest?' And he'd just be annoyed at all the questions, always her having questions, thinking she was using him as an experiment for her interests, not considering that they were born out of wanting to help him. Before taking up these extra hobbies, her main interests were the romance novels she'd read, learning new etiquette and perfecting it, polishing her lovely little hidden daggers, learning new tricks with her whip (it has jellyfish poison in it and barbed wire), and decorating/fixing her hive after these sessions (lol). Once she gets really into Equius I think she stops fixing it because she thinks she'll just move in with him. She made it pretty too, all things considered. She made the hive so big and elaborate because she was too excited when she was younger, but nowadays, she only frequents the same few halls. These are very lived in with glow in the dark stick-on trinkets used like lamps, vases filled with (paper) flowers, and ornate furniture she steals relocates from trolls that have died.

So, she keeps clinging to him with very clear intent, and it gets to a point where she confesses in a VERY roundabout way like,

'Aven't vve so gveat togethev? As the only tvvo that veally undevstand ouv positions! Couldn't vve... oh so easily slip into a... possible matespvitship? VVouldn't that be something?'

And Equius, confused and sweating just goes 'Oh... yes I suppose that could be a thing that could happen...' And that solidified it (wrongly) to her.

The whole idea she was born from came from the realization that Equius's tag for self shipping things contain mostly the more interesting combinations of lower/higher blood, and humans. Because those dynamics are what's interesting with him. And I thought, if he met someone actually on his level it would BORE him. He’d always be like 'This is fine. This SHOULD be fine. We are compatible in every way. Why ISN’T this fine??'

I got really into the dramatic thoughts of, despite them not OFFICIALLY CONSENTUALLY being together, him never telling her off from the idea and letting her believe they are (partly because he's trying to convince himself to like her, also because he's come to like her as a friend and does NOT want to hurt her feelings), his interest slipping noticeably into other people and especially his rambles about his dumb kinky thoughts eventually leads to her assuming, and I am PUTTING THIS IN QUOTATION MARKS, "he’s cheating on her" and she goes BALLISTIC. Needless to say, he breaks it to her as she explodes that… he never said yes to their relationship. It’s always been a sham. This. Will break her. She knew of his peculiarities but she was so sure he’d logically pick her, the best option there was! And yet… His heart clenches as she cries in front of him for the first time.

‘I hate you. I hate you for making me wish I had lower blood.'

Once the 'break up' occurs, she wears a black dress and veil for a good chunk of time because, in her words, "Vou don't like my outfit? I just decided it would be apvopviate fov the occasion. Vou see, I'M GVIEVING." *pathetic loud sobbing into a handkerchief*

Making her a Sagio means her focus is on the heart, ergo, on herself and her identity. So something that made her mad about learning the truth of his feelings was, she was so sure about the idea she built up over who she was... and his rejection shattered it to a million pieces. She started realizing more and more she’s not the troll she thought she was. She's not irresistibly beautiful, he left her. She's not collected and smart, she flies into fits of rage that leave her looking dumb. She doesn't have a certainly bright future, it's. In. Shambles. And more than any of her concerns for status-

She hadn't realized how much she actually liked him/depended on his love until he left. Neither of them did. Part of Equius not really taking her love seriously and seeing her as just a friend was how she talked about him to his face and how she would only bring up the 'pros to their relationship' so logically like social status and how they could support one another. Nothing much on the way of emotions, just made it sound like a business proposal if anything, albeit friendly. Nepeta, knew better. As his moiral, she got to talk to Ysalia a lot and the way she could endlessly praise him, see the good in everything he did even when it was stupid, wave off his 'quirks' as making him special, and idk, always bringing him up like a proud wife showing off her prized husband, it was annoying to the other trolls. Nepeta shipped it but stayed quiet and hoped for the best...

There’s a moment I think where Equius has his moment of realization that 'Oh. Maybe she DID really like me?' when Ysalia had 'given up', started her grieving and just moping, and had to work with a person of interest of his (I hesitate putting Aradia in this position, I’m so sorry Aradia hrrrg but you’re my best bet). Aradia says something, assuming about Equius, like how maybe he'd like them bringing back something that smells nice that could help him with a headache, but it’s the wrong thing and Ysalia stops. Ysalia had assumed this person had 'beat' her, because of her smarts. But she knows nothing about him. 'Lavender.' She chokes out. 'Lavender is his favorite scent. It the best for soothing him.' She gets very defensive suddenly, standing up from where she slumped. 'He likes to crush metal in his fist when he feels anxious, he prefers his milk cold but warm in the night after a nightmare, he doesn't feel like he deserves to touch soft things but he adores them.' She glares at Aradia. 'And he has a thing for forbidden romances. Things that can make him feel ashamed. But it's ok.' She walks away from her. 'This fad of his. I'll make sure it passes.' And all this was in some sort of comms he had installed on Aradia that he used to spy on her.

I have no ideas for what happens in the future, just her getting more and more out of control in her 'attempts to win him back.' I don't know what exactly they'd be but consider her as violent and getting more and more hilariously and pitiably delirious.

I cannot state this enough how adorably sad I’m picturing their scuffles. Equius genuinely likes her as a friend, holds her so close, almost like Nepeta. She never shunned him once, always listened to his infodumps, even actually retained the information he’d share, and was so encouraging to him whenever he’d falter. She was his biggest supporter in making his dreams come true too as an archer. So, it hurts seeing her cry. And it hurts seeing her sanity dissolve. He tries so hard to control his strength to just stopping her when she starts punching or kicking at someone, tries so hard to avoid hurting her even as others demand him to make her stop.

He started with his pity for her, trying to ignore her. Over time, without signs of her stopping, he begins getting annoyed. Then she catches him at the WORST TIME, and he gets ANGRY. He becomes careless with his actions, almost hurting her badly but she gets away with bruises. The look on her face as he almost crushed her has him feeling like shit for a while. When he's calmed down and is back to feeling pity, she surprises him in a moment of being so mad and deranged, she manages to get the better of him in a physical sense, actually finding a way to leave him powerless. Bound in the ground and unable to move. He's on the ground, wide eyes as she holds her heel to his chest, insulting him and going on about how he wasn't worth his blood. Needless to say, this was the first time he felt a lil something for her and it scares the fuck out of him. She's stopped by the others before she can kill him ‘to be rid of him once and for all’ but she promises she will. She hates him… This… is interesting to him.

Equius always saw her as his equal, and yeah it’s what bored him, but when she starts going full-on venomous, seething hatred on him.... he’s ashamed with how much he's sweating. This isn’t the friend he knew. he shouldn’t be enjoying this. Fuck. He should be trying to reconcile things. He should be telling her sorry again. No, he's not thinking about the way she dug her heel into him. Or the threat she whispered into his ear. And he definitely didn’t daydream about how she knows him so well she’d probably know how best to monopolize and bully him too if he was stuck in a hive with her as her husba- fuck shit what happened, he needs to stop he's pathetic.

Stuff happens, yada yada, it's a constant push and pull with some moments in between of them reminiscing their lost friendship, and idk how but I fabricated this scene where it all ends with her almost killing someone innocent. And after so much of his being careful around her, making excuses as to why the ones that hate her couldn’t get rid of her, and his fighting off ever having to actually fight back. He does.

He kills her. And her last words to him were accompanied by a laugh and a sputter. No accent. Just heartbreak. "You did it... haha….” She choked on her blood, some went past her lips. Still, she smiled.

"You broke my body and heart."

Oh, to give this boy more pain. Only once she’s gone does he accept that they could have been matesprites.

Some miscellaneous stuff:

- Ysalia putting out an entire table full of wine glasses out of nowhere in the middle of a battle to make fucking battle music because she refuses to fight out of spite so she'll just 'set the mood.'

- Eridan hates Ysalia. He saw her for what she was, a kiss-ass to higher blood, and he has no problem talking shit about her to her face. Even through being insulted, Ysalia would just smile and accept his harsh words like the dumbass sucker she is like o/vv/o 'Theyre talking about me hehe. I can’t believe I’m going to be friends with a sea-dweller!' His distinct hatred for her is hilarious to be because they’re in the same fucking boat. They’re idiots that were broken up with and their love interests got into trolls of lesser blood. It was such an insulting and humiliating experience for both of them. Even with his disdain, imagine moments where he drops his guard to shit talk about the others with her. He’d never admit it, but their catty talks and her sudden clinging to him once they’re both ‘outcasted’ by the others (and because there’s no one else worthy to talk to surely), they are friends.

- In a future where they reconcile and do live together, Equius is her bitch and loving every second of the 'married' life. Goes to work and his coworkers who don’t know him too well keep seeing the bruises on him and ask how he lets his matesprite of all trolls treat him like that and he just has the biggest dopiest face and replies 'They were my kismesis too'and that just explains it. This dude got together with his black romance. He’s clearly a freak. He's always glad to come home and see what new things Ysalia has to complain about, to see how many ways she can build him up with genuine affection only to tear him down and use him for the night.

[creatureshrieks]

" I don't know. I didn't build them, dickhead, " Just because he thought they looked terrible didn't mean anyone else could just insult them. Defensive as he was, Frank wouldn't lie. They were incredibly terrible. They looked as if they'd somehow begun to melt despite the oppressive chill in the air. Their eyes were little more than scooped out sockets, their smiles lopsided and uneven, some even beginning to frown. They looked just as exhausted of the world they were built in as the Survivors. They weren't even rounded in shape, oblong and uneven sections of snow that Frank often wondered how it was they were still standing. Not as if he helped in that regard as whenever the whim struck him he'd knock the mangled piles of snow over and one of his fellow Legion members would inevitably get the urge to rebuild them. A vicious cycle of unending snow violence. What cruelty, murdering innocent snow-people when juvenile boredom struck them all.

" Who made the rules on snowmen? Who said they have to look happy? " He further argued, marching his way over towards the small grouping of depressed snowmen. In the distance, a scream echos through the air. Frank doesn't appear to care. He approaches one of the snowmen and considers it, his masked visage tilting and turning as if the mound of snow before him was a work of art needing careful observation. He ruins that by suddenly shoving it over, the snowman easily falling apart and its depressed face breaking as soon as it collided with the ground.

" Have at it. "

mapplethorpe can't help but give the other an annoyed roll of his eyes whenever he mentions his bandages getting wet. he had a point, which is why he didn't have a rebuttal for frank. the other reason being that he had bandaged him up himself. he wasn't going to forget that---....and frank probably wouldn't either. i let you live and i bandaged your sorry ass up. yeah, he could basically hear it in his head right now. that the was last thing he wanted to happen. he hated the fact that frank had leverage over him. it was settling in that he was playing him like some kind of puppet. he was just a play thing.

a play thing that got treated better than the other survivors. a play thing that got to play in the snow instead of being slain. mapplethorpe can't help but feel special. that's a dangerous thing.

blue eyes follow the direction he was pointing, anxiety immediately rising in his chest at the sight of the figures running. another survivor running for their life as one of frank's friends chased after them. they went out of view and he remained tense, still hugging the first aid kit to his chest tightly, as if he was scared frank might try to take it away from him. hey, you can't really blame him, can you? though, he sees the snowmen, eyebrows furrowing together. they looked miserable. he always imagined them to look a bit more like, you know---....frosty the snowman?

"wow. uh, those are---...fucking terrible." he doesn't even sugarcoat it. he doesn't even know if he could do better. he's never made a damn snowman before in his life. "---....aren't snowmen supposed to be, like---...i don't know, jolly?"

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

Love On-Set (Pt. 01 of 10)

Pairing: Dacre Montgomery X Reader

Word count: 3K

Next part (02) ->

Summary: You knew acting on Stranger Things season 3 would be a challenge, and you also knew, from the start, you'd have to work closely with Dacre Montgomery. But is wasn't a big deal for you, since this is your job and you're determined to act professionally. You had it all figured out, or so you thought, until the moment you were out face to face with Dacre. Then, this job became a lot harder than it was supposed to be, since you can't seem to focus whenever you're around Dacre. And you'll have to be around him a lot until the end of production.

{Dacre Montgomery Masterlist}

{Stranger Things Masterlist}

×

First Sight

The minivan stops right before entering the set as the driver speaks with one of the security guards. A huge structure was built around the area, and if it wasn't for the strong lights, you'd be in complete darkness. It's late at night, but yet, there are some journalists and a lot of cameras. They immediately surround the car, trying to see who's inside.

“Vicki, do you think I should go out and talk to them?” You decide to ask her first, because you're not as known as the other actors, and you're not sure if they'd want to talk to you.

“Sure. But don't take long.” She nods, touching the drive's shoulder and telling him to wait.

Taking a deep breath, you push the door open, a smile on your face as the cameras quickly find you. Running a hand through your hair, to make sure it's not messed up, you take in all the microphones and smartphones pointed at your face.

“(Y/N), could you answer some questions?” A short, dark-haired guy asks, a camera flashing.

“It depends on the question, but I'll try my best.” This seems to please them, and you wonder if the others couldn't afford a few minutes.

“Your posted on your Instagram account that you were a Stranger Things fan from season one.” A woman asks. “How was the transition from being a fan to acting on the show?”

“It was fantastic.” The first season of the show was still driving people crazy when you got the call for an audition for the role of Amy Whitehall, for seasons two and three. Vicky, you have no idea how, got in touch with some friends when she heard they were searching of someone with physical traits similar to yours. Thankfully, the audition went well and you got the job. “It's an honor to be part of this masterpiece. The only bad part is that now I have some spoilers.”

“Your character's scene by the end of season two had any interaction with Billy Hargrove, Hawking's bad boy. Does that mean she'll be in any kind of relationship with him?”

For that, you have to think, careful not to say anything that will expose the plot.

People are very interested in Billy, not sure exactly where the character will go from now on, after his introduction on season two. He stole many hearts, for love or hate, dividing opinions. And your character had a short appearance by very end of the last episode, shown in an interaction with him. On her way to the ball, to help Nancy, Billy almost runs her over with his car, after dropping his sister. They had a small dialogue, him asking her to get out of the way and her telling him to look where he was going. Then a pause, a little bit of tension, and that was it.

“I'm not allowed to answer that, but Amy's scene was just an introduction. Her character will be around throughout season three.” Offering another smile, you turn around, giving attention to someone else.

“What will be a new threat? The season finale raised a lot of questions about–”

“Excuse me, excuse me.” Vicky pokes her head out, a hand raised. “I'm sorry, but we have to get going.”

“Aright.” You mumble. “Thank you, guys. Bye.” Politely, you wave at the reporters before going back into the van.

You're soon moving again, leaving the entrance behind and driving in darkness for some minutes before more lights come into your sight until they're all around you. The set was built around a piece of the road, where you already shot earlier this week.

“C'mon, (Y/N). Hair and make-up." Vicky urgers, stepping out of the van with you.

You easily find your way around the set, chatting with people as they do your hair and put the makeup on. There will be a tiny cut above your left eyebrow, and Ron, the guy who always take care of the fake wounds around here, takes only fifteen minutes to get it done. Once you're ready, Vicky guides you to the filming area, and you sit on your chair a few feet away, under one of the many huge tents scattered around the place.

“Hi.” Someone says, and you abruptly look up from your phone, finding your co-star. The only co-star of the day, Dacre. He's already full Billy, with the mullet wig and the leather jacket. “I didn't mean to startle you. Just thought I'd come to say hello before the scene.”

You haven't properly spoken to Dacre. The single scene you made was quick, one of the last, and the set was a mess. So you didn't have the chance to talk, and ever since, you haven't crossed paths with him. But today's scene is all about your characters. Amy's first appearance on season three will have her running from something in the woods, the Mind Flayer, and she crashes her car on Billy's, while he's on the way to meet Mrs. Wheeler. That's it for today, their first meeting.

“Hi.” Smiling back, you shake his hand. “I'm (Y/N).” You decide to remind him.

“I know.” He simply says. “Do you want to go over the lines before the real thing?”

He has such a nice voice, it's impressive. You've watched some of his movies, and he's really good. It's not like you haven't acted before, but nothing so important or famous as Stranger Things. You can't help but be a little nervous. “Sure.” Blocking your phone, you stand up, leaving it on your seat.

“Alright. Let's–”

“(Y/N)! Dacre! It's time, c'mon!” The director calls, cutting you off.

“Guess we'll go straight to the real thing,” Dacre says as you start making your way to where the cars are positioned.

Billy's Camaro and Amy's light green Toyota are placed a few inches apart, the front part already wrecked and a light smoke coming off from under the hood.

“The mechanism will push the cars on each other and the rest you already know.” Your stylist comes to check on you one last time, making sure everything is perfect. When she steps away, you get inside the car.

A few days ago you shot Amy's way over here, driving insanely fast, running from the shadows creeping. Most of the scenes where Amy will be alone were already made since there weren't many. She will be around the others a lot, as the events are unrevealed.

Once you're in the car, you take your time to get into character, ignoring the orders being yelled outside. The lights are turned off, and the road before you is almost completely dark.

“Let's get it started, everyone!” The director shouts. “Action!”

At his command, the car jerks forward.

Letting your head fall on the wheel, you breathe fast, wide eyes acknowledging what just happened, the crash, the smoke, the other car that collided with yours. Looking over your shoulder, you imagine, you picture it coming, moving through the threes, growing closer.

“What the hell!” The voice yells as you try to make your car start again, uselessly. “You could've killed me!”

“Damn it.” Cursing under your breath, overcome by terror, you step out of the car, running around it and into the other one, which is still working, opening the passenger door and rushing inside.

“What do you think you're doing? Get the hell out of my car!” Dacre shouts at your face, in Billy's voice, a little deeper.

“There's something in the woods!” You yell, looking through the rear windshield. “It's coming!”

“Are you crazy or something?! You almost wrecked my car!” As he speaks, you imagine it once again, the tentacles coming from the sky, taking over the road behind you.

Then you grab his arm, squeezing the muscle underneath the jacket. He's in the middle of a sentence when he looks back too, immediately going silent as he's eyes meet the same inexistent thing you're seeing.

“What the–”

“Drive!” You burst out, and the car starts moving.

“Cut!” The director's voice reaches both of you and Dacre hits the brakes.

Relaxing, you let go of his arm.

“That was great, but I want another take. Ryan, turn those lights down.”

The scene is repeated three more times, with different lighting until they finally decide it's perfect. Then the whole set starts moving to the next scene, which is the sequence to what just played out. It'll be shot in a street Northeast from the road, and since it'll play out from the Camaro, you're told to stay in the car as Dacre drives there, following the other cars.

“You did well back there,” Dacre says as you move, taking a different turn from the other cars to reach your mark. The street has a few small houses on one side, which will have their lights on and some people moving inside and on their balconies, and tall threes on the other.

“You too. Hope I didn't hurt your arm, but Amy was terrified.” Shrugging your shoulders, you smile to hear his giggle.

“I noticed.” He says. “But my arm will survive.”

Looking his way, you're able to have a good look at him now. It's a little dark, but you can take in his features. Dacre makes the mullet look good, which is impressive since you absolutely hate the hairstyle. But not on him. Clearing your throat, you look away. “Make sure it will. You'll need it.”

Dacre stops by the mark, everyone apparently already on their positions. “Things are about to get tense for Billy and Amy now.”

“First fight.” You say, taking a look at your outfit to make sure nothing is out of place. “Enemies to lovers is quite a good arch.”

“I like it too.”

“(Y/N). Dacre. Are you ready?” The director asks and both of you give him a thumbs up, hands off the window. The crew with the microphones and cameras are already positioned, ready for the scene. “Alright then. Ready... Action!”

Dacre moves the car forward, just enough to fake it as he hits the breaks. “What was that?” Billy asks, annoyed for some reason Amy wouldn't know.

“I don't know.” With a hand on your hair, shaking a little, you breathe fast, terrified. “Just take me home.”

“Now I gotta drive you home too?”

“Screw you.” The sudden outburst and the disgust in his voice makes you bolt out of the car, keeping in mind not to look at the cameras following you.

“Are you going to walk?” Billy yells, but you don't look back, walking fast, crossing your arms. “Wait.”

“Screw. You.”

“Don't be an idiot.” You roll your eyes when you notice he's coming closer. Dacre grabs your arm, forcing you to turn around. “Are you really going to walk home with that... Thing out there?”

You're confused at his change of moods, pushing your arm away. “Does it look like I have a choice? You just saw that–” You gesture at the threes on the other side of the road. “–and you still couldn't bring yourself to drive a lady home. You're such a gentleman.” Raising your voice, you put the same tone of disgust in your voice that you heard in his. The cameras move a little closer, and you know why. That's when the tension starts, when Amy stands up to Billy. Stepping forward, lifting your head to try and look him in the eye, you put a single finger in his chest. “You're far worse than what people say you are.” You don't get why his eyes make you nervous. Maybe this whole thing is more than you're used to, too big of a production for you after a few years away from the cameras. As much as Dacre's face being so close makes you feel funny, you gotta keep it cool, don't let it show. You're scared, terrified of a monster in the woods.

“Cut the bullshit and let's go.” He takes your arm again, but you refuse to follow him, standing your ground.

“Let go!” You struggle a bit on his grip, noticing how you actually need to act as if it's tighter than it really is. When he turns to face you again, as you struggle, his face comes close again, his eyes filled with Billy's annoyance.

“Get your butt–” Exactly in time, a crack reaches your ears, and both you and Dacre look at the woods with wide eyes, your breaths caught in your throats, unsure of what made that noise, but not excited to find out. “Let's get out of here.”

“Yeah.” You mumble, heading back into the car.

“And cut!” The director yells as soon as you close the door shut. “That was good, but I want another take. I want the same tension you both built on season 2, only now it's stronger, you're face to face. And Dacre, work this out because people need to be convinced Billy likes someone for something else than just fool around.”

You both nod, repeating the same thumbs-up gesture. Taking a deep breath you wait for the sign and starts moving, doing pretty much the same until you're both out of the car, but this time, when Dacre pulls your arm, you act as if the pull was stronger then it actually was, letting yourself collide against his chest before stepping away. “Are you really going to walk home with that... Thing out there?”

“Does it look like I have a choice? You just saw that and you still couldn't bring yourself to drive a lady home. You're such a gentleman.” Instead of just putting a finger on his chest, you push him away with both hands, not keeping the normal distance as doing so, and letting your eyes fall on his unbuttoned shirt for a couple of seconds before raising your them again. You feel the heat on your cheeks, and you know you're blushing. Checking him out was not the intention.

Dacre's eyes meet yours, and for a second they soften before the usual annoyance comes back. You wonder if he's trying to say something, give you a hint about something he wants to do, but you have no idea what it might be. “Cut the bullshit and let's go, princess.” The weight on the last word is different, lower, meant as in insult, an irony.

“Let go!” You whisper-yell, trying to pull away, but you stop when Dacre holds the other arm, trying to drag you to the car. His stare is intense, and the cameras move a little, coming closer, and you know they're focusing on your faces. “Let go.” You repeat, much lower this time, trying to put some distance between you and him, since your bodies are way too close already.

“Get your butt–” The crack again, the stare at the woods, and the sudden change of moods. Run now, fight later. “Let's get the hell out of here.”

Nodding in agreement, you give your arms one last push, and Drace's eyes come back to you as if remembering he was still holding you, finally releasing his grip. You both run to the car and the scene is over.

Despite saying it was perfect, the director wanted two more takes. He wants proximity, touching, anger mixed with a sudden, recently discovered passion from an unexpected connection at first sight. You're happy to hear that you did achieve that, not sure if it came from your skills or the funny feeling you had in your stomach through the scene. It's weird to have someone you basically just met so close, only inches away.

When it's all done, you take off the outfit and put your clothes back on after washing the make-up away. Then you wait for Vicky, leaning against the minivan, scrolling through your Instagram feed.

“Hi again.” You see Dacre approaching through the corner of your eyes, raising your head to look at him. “Have you checked in at the hotel yet?”

“Yes, just before coming here.” All the actors are staying at the same hotel, just so it's easier to gather everyone around when needed, and be sure of the time it gets for them to get on set.

“I came in my car. I can give you a ride there if you like.” As he speaks, you see Vicky coming, talking with the director. Which you still don't know the name yet.

“I came with Vicky, my agent.” Gesturing at her, you feel embarrassed to decline, and you hope Vicky will say something to help you out as she usually does. “Right, Vi?”

“Oh, no.” Waving her hand in a fast motion, she puts a lock of her blond hair behind her ear. “Remember what I told you? Make connections, friends. Don't stick with me during the whole production.” She reaches out her hand and Dacre politely shakes it. “I'm Victoria Klein. (Y/N)'s agent and her mother's oldest friend.”

“Dacre Montgomery.” He simply says.

“You may take her to the hotel. I have some things to do and she needs to rest. Long day tomorrow.”

You just watch as Vicky sets you up as if you're not even there to make your own call. But you're too shy to say anything else, to still refuse Dacre's kindness. “Ok then. See you, Vicky.”

“Have a good night.” She says after giving you a quick hug.

Silently, you follow Dacre through the set to the parking lot. His car is among several different trucks, some of them already leaving. “Nice car.” You tell him as you get into the passenger seat.

“It's rented.” Dacre turns the ignition and the car comes to life. “I can't be without a car. What if I need to go somewhere?”

“Fair enough.”

He drives through the huge set and you fall into a comfortable silence, not sure of that to say. It would help if you could see some kind of landscape or anything at all through the window. Then you wouldn't look like an idiot with eyes glued at nothing but darkness.

“Did you stop to speak to the journalists?” Dacre asks when you reach the exit, waving at one of the guards.

“Yes. You?”

“Yeah. What did they ask?”

“Spoilers.” Shrugging your shoulders, you give him a glance, and he does the same. “About Amy's and Billy's relationship. What can be expected after their meeting in the season finale.”

A low giggle escapes his lips. “Wait until they know.”

“But they will have to wait until next year.”

“You did well back there. You actually blushed. How did you do that?” He stops at the red light, and you feel when he looks at you. Running a hand through your hair, you meet his eyes.

You weren't trying to blush. You just did. “I'm a very good actress.” Giving him a sassy smirk, you see when his lips break into a smile. It's different from Billy's smile, he doesn't act like he's trying to hide some unknown meaning behind it.

“You sure are.” The red light turns green and you start moving again. “Uhm... There will be a kissing scene, you know.” Oh. The kissing scene. You read through it, of course, you just didn't give much thought about it. “Have you ever done a kissing scene?”

“No.” The answer is quick, you don't have to think much. “In my long list of three movies, in two of them my character didn't have any romantic interests and in the other one it was platonic.” Dacre had done it, you remember from some movie, not sure which one. Your mother insisted on watching some of his movies, just so you'd ‘get to know your co-star skills’ before actually having to work with him. But it's different. It's completely different watching a character on screen and then meeting the person behind it.

“Oh, ok. I hope I won't make you feel uncomfortable.”

“Don't worry about that.” You're a professional, and that's your job. It's just a kiss anyways, and the scene won't be shot any time soon. You'll have time to get used to the idea.

“I just think that since our characters arch is connected from now on, it would be good to get to know each other. It helps a lot when the co-stars are somehow friends.”

“Of course.” He has way more experience in this than you, so whatever he says, you agree.

When you get to the hotel, Dacre leaves his car on the underground parking lot, and, despite having his room key, he insists on accompanying you to the reception to get your card. Once you're in the elevator, you rest your back against the mirror, watching the numbers as they light up.

“We should exchange numbers,” Dacre says, turning to look at you. “In case some of us need to go through the lines or work on something.” He shrugs his shoulders, the light fabric of his white shirt moving. “It's a thing among us. You'll be invited to a lot of parties like that.”

“Sure.” Taking your phone off your pocket you unlock it and hand it over to him as he does the same. Quickly, you type your number and save if on his contacts list.

“That's my stop.” He says when you reach the 14th floor. “See you tomorrow.”

“Good night.” You mumble, waving at him as the elevator door closes again.

The first thing you do when you get to your room is kick off your shoes, already undressing to hit the shower before throwing yourself on bed. It's very late and you won't have many hours of sleep. You're halfway to the bathroom when you take your phone to put on some music. But you don't recognize the object in your hand. After a moment of confusion, you realize it's Dacre's phone.

“What now?” Stopping on your tracks, you start making the way back and gathering the clothes you left on the floor, putting them on again. Since you don't know the number of his room and knocking from door to door is ridiculous, you decide to call reception and just ask. But on your way to the landline they have near the couch, Dacre's phone starts ringing. You were wondering who would it be when you read your own name on the screen.

“Oh, hi.” You're quick to pick up. “I guess you have my phone.”

“Yeah, I got lucky it didn't lock, or else I'd have to call reception asking for your room.” His voice gets a lot darker through the phone. “Would you tell me which one is it? I'm already heading to your floor.”

“1703.” Already making your way to the door, you hear the soft beep of the elevator's doors opening.

“I'm almost there.” He's still speaking when he turns the corner, getting into your sight. You hang up, a shy smile on your face. “Sorry about that.” He hands you over your phone and you give him back his.

“It's alright. We're both tired.” You expect him to just say good night and leave, but he doesn't, shifting his weight from one leg to another.

“Have you met the others yet? Natalia, Joe, Millie...?”

“No, not yet.” You've heard they are very close, and you're the new girl in set. Saying you're nervous doesn't get anywhere close.

“I'm your only friend so far then.” Dacre states. “I'll break the ice with the others, don't worry.” He smiles again, and now, under the bright lights of the hotel hall, you can see his face perfectly. His blue eyes, a lot kinder then they were earlier today when he was Billy.

“Thanks. Guess I'll see you tomorrow then... Pool scenes.”

“Pool scenes.” He repeats. “I'll leave you to sleep now. Good night, (Y/N). Again.”

“Good night, Dacre.” Standing by the door, you watch as the walks away, towards the elevators.

You're about to head inside when, just before he turns around the corner, Dacre gives you one last look, a smile coming to his lips when his eyes meet yours.

×

@baker151910 @shinydixon @dreamin-of-dacre @hanoi15 @lickmymelanin @skykittysstuff

[jazminebrightxx]

Like magic

°l||l°l||l°l||l°l||l°l||l°l||l°l||l°l||l°l||l°l||l°

SHOW: teen wolf

CHAPTER ONE: “oh how mature”

EPISODE: takes place after 3x01 “tattoo”

KAITLIN JONES always had a soft spot for perfect entrances, she was a swimmer, she dived head first and didn't look back. That was until now... as she stood by her blue Mini Cooper, her heart hammered in her chest. First day back. After four years, she was finally back to the town she'd always call home

Kaitlin was born and raised in beacon hills until she was twelve, and her dad moved her whole family to Boston for work. Things were good at the start, but the tide soon came in and the water crashed against the rocks, knocking down everything in its path, including her family. A lot of things can change in five years...

She sighed, shaking her head slightly as she prepared herself for her new title "new girl" god, she dreaded it but it had to happen, it happened before. everyone's new once in their life. Her hand clasped around the necklace that fell from her neck, giving it a little twirl as the triangle glistened in the sunlight. Okay, no more stalling, Kaitlin. She shut the door of her car, swinging her bag around her shoulder and locking the small vehicle. She stared at the school ahead, pulling her phone out and looking for her locker number, she had it saved in her notes...254.

She didn't hesitate in ploughing forward, her stance and strut confident as her bag swayed with her hips, a few unfamiliar glances made her way, she ignored them. Pushing open the doors, she took in the scenery, students calmly made their way through the halls, conversing and commuting. She kept her pace, her eyes scanning the lockers for her number.

This school was a lot different than the ones in Boston. It was calmer, not to say the halls weren't busy, there was quite a few teens roaming the halls but this school was nothing compared to Fenway. Once she found the locker with her number on it, she unlocked it, pulling a few of her books from her bag out and shoving them neatly in the metal locker.

She pulls out her schedule, using a small packet of Blu-tack and sticking the paper to her locker just Incase, she had a spare on her phone anyway.

The distant sound of heels grabs Kaitlin's attention, she finishes shoving the books in, glancing to her side, knowing who would be standing next to her.

"Kaitlin freaking Jones" the strawberry blonde beams at the small brunette, who smiles widely. Her heart hammering once again

"Lydia freaking Martin" kaitlin repeats Lydia's tone before she's pulled into a bone crushing hug. When the two pull away, Lydia checks Kaitlin over, squeezing her in her arms. "Oh my god, look at you!" Kaitlin giggled, Lydia sounded like a mother "oh shush, it hasn't been that long"

Lydia gave Kaitlin a indescribable look, her brows furrowed together and her lips pursed "Kate, it's been four years"

The brunette laughed "and that's four too many" the pair of friends laugh, Kaitlin noticing the brunette that stood awkwardly beside Lydia. The strawberry blonde jumped, a lightbulb going off

"Oh, Kaitlin, this is Alison Argent, Alison this is my childhood bestie Kaitlin Jones"

"Nice to meet you" Alison greets when taking to Kaitlin who smiles "likewise" Lydia holds onto Alison's arm, returning back to her little conversation and catch up with Kaitlin

"So, since when are you back in town?"

"Only a few days, today's my first day of school"

"You've gotta tell me everything...tell us everything that happened. But now" the bell went, huh, great timing "we've gotta get to class, what do you have now?"

"Uhm" she checked inside the locker "French"

"Ms Morrell?" Kaitlin nodded, the name made her ears perk up. Alison smiling widely "Me too, let us walk you to class" She suggests to the brunette, who shuts her locker

"Lead the way"

***

Kaitlin strolled through the halls of beacon hills high school, a hall pass in her hand as she made her way to the bathroom. Her first class was going better than expected, people here were super nice and welcoming and Alison had helped her around a-lot. Turning a corner, she stops, seeing two tall brunette boys stood at a locker, they huddled together, looking as if they were spilling secrets.

She smirks, knowing exactly who they were, Stiles still wore flannels and moved skittishly while Scott listened as he ranted. The two boys looked tense, it's surprising that Kaitlin couldn't hear every word the two were sharing. She sneaks up behind Stiles, his back to her as she hid from Scott

"I don't know. Maybe I'm being a little over dramatic" Kaitlin sees her opportunity and takes it immediately, coming out from behind the pale boy and resting her elbow on his shoulder "a little? I could see you popping a vein from the bathroom"

Stiles jumps at the sudden voice, letting out a startled Yelp as his eyes go wide, Scott stands shocked, recognizing the girl immediately

"Kaitlin?!" He stares at the brunette, who grins like a fool. Scott lets out a surprised laugh as he pulls the girl into a hug, squeezing tight,

"Hey Scotty" she greets him using the nickname she had given him when they were six. When Scott pulls away, Stiles gets a good look at her face, recognizing her, she still had slightly tanned skin, with freckles dashed around her face, the same little scar the sat on her chin, she'd had it years, the story behind it foggy. He goes red, remembering who she was and how he knew her

"Oh my god, Katie" Kaitlin's heart jumps at the nickname stiles had given her when she was young, it had stuck and was only reserved to people she cared for. Kaitlin stares at Stiles, a huge grin on her face "Stilinski!" She laughs, pulling him into a hug, she lets out a startled laugh when she's pulled off her feet as he lifts her to his height.

The boys were a lot taller now, they'd always had a height difference to Kaitlin but now they towered over her easily, so it wasn't hard for Stiles to lift her. When the two pull apart she stares at the two boys for a second before sighing. Scott and Stiles had been her best friends since she could remember, her mother was friends with Claudia Stilinski and Melissa McCall, so the three were friends from a young age, she hated when she had to leave them, it hurt her and hit her hard. But she never forgot them, four years and they still  held that same spot in her heart, nobody could replace them, she made friends in Boston, but it wasn't the same. "You have no idea how much I've missed you guys" she tells the boys, Scott nods in agreement, the smile not leaving his face.

"Are you back home?" Scott questions her quietly, Kaitlin nods happily "You're stuck with me" she laughs, the two boys joining her

"How's Kodin and Tyler?" Scott questions again, shoving his hands into his pockets, Stiles crossed his arms over his chest, a large smile on his lips. Kaitlin's smile fades slightly at his words, letting out a sigh.

"Uh Kodin's good, he's not coming to school 'till tomorrow, it's his first day as a trainee nurse" Scott's eyebrows raise in surprise, Kaitlin gives him a look "I know"

"And Tyler...well, actually, Tyler passed...two years ago, he had cancer" Scott stops, his smile fading, Stiles hands fall from his chest, Guilt radiated from Scott "Kate, I'm so sorry"

She waves him off "it's ok Scott you couldn't of known" Tyler fought long, and very hard against the cancer, he'd been diagnosed a few months after they left beacon hills, it was in a bad stage and things didn't look good, when he died, a piece of Kaitlin died with him, he was her big brother, the death struck the family hard, but it inevitably brought them closer.

"I'm really sorry katie" Stiles says, reaching a hand to her arm, a solemn expression on his face.

She shakes off the emotion that built "Nows not the time for that, how have you guys been, what's been going on" she changed the subject, even though she'd be likely to know the answer. Her uncle deaton kept her updated on the news in beacon hills, everything including the supernatural, she knew everything, but now wasn't the time to tell them...not yet.

***

Later Kaitlin had arrived back home and was sitting in her kitchen waiting for the food she was making to be done

The sound of the front door opening and closing was heard through the house, Kaitlin turns her attention to Natalie Jones, her mother who drops her jacket onto the coat hanger beside the door

she walks into the kitchen "ohh something smells good"she rubs her hands together, taking a seat at the table

Kaitlin smiles "i made your favorite"

"Carbonara?" The youngest nods and her mothers smile grows wider. things had been hard on the family since Kaitlin's father had left, her mother had been drowning in medical bills from Tyler and had been really stressed. luckily enough she had Kaitlin and Kodin who had been a massive help to her, Kaitlin took up a few shifts at a local diner called Joe's and cooked dinner for her mother and brother, who was a trainee Nurse at the hospital with his mom and helped his mother a lot

“I love you, you know that, right?”

***

a little while later and Kaitlin's sitting at the table with her mother, the two about to dig into their dinners when a loud bang is heard "Kodin's home" Kaitlin whispers. Natalie gives her daughter a look "how do you know"

the front door swings open, the loudness of the bang sounding through the house, a tall brunette walks in, his face was similar to Kaitlin's, freckles dashed his cheeks and his eyes were a similar colour.

"I'M HOME!"

Kaitlin gives her mother a look, Natalie laughing lightly, the twins had a special bond, they annoyed the absolute crap out of each other, but at the end of the day, Kaitlin would die for Kodin and vice versa.

"No one cares"

Kodin comes strolling into the kitchen, not looking at his sister but with a smug smirk playing on his lips. Kaitlin eyes go to his hand

His arm is held in the air beside his head, and he's... flipping her off. Kaitlin rolls her eyes, dropping her spoon "Oh how mature, Kodin "

"Oh stop, you two" Natalie hushes her two children playfully as all three are now smiling

Kodin takes his seat at the table after he grabs his bowl and a spoon and fork "so how was your first day back guys?"

"Well I met up with a few of my old friends and ran into Scott and Stiles today" Kodin states as he digs into his food, he takes a glance at Kaitlin. Kodin was also apart of the Scott, Stiles and Kaitlin group, he also had his own group of friends that he was close with, but the four were inseparable when they were young

"Yeah I saw them two, and Lydia, she introduced me to a new girl she was really nice" Kaitlin cuts in, and Kodin head snaps to her "Lydia as in like Lydia Martin?" Kodin questions a bit to quickly, Kaitlin's now the one with the smug smirk playing on her lips

"Aww Kodin are you blushinggg" She mocks her twin brother who kicks her from under the table , which only makes her burst out laughing, her mother smiling.

"I'm kidding kody calm down" her laughter dies down after a bit and the small family catch up on their day so far. Once there finished their food Kaitlin gets a text from an unknown number, eyeing it curiously she opens the message

Unknown

Hey do you wanna go for coffee?,  joes is still open and their donuts are to die for

Kaitlin's eyes narrowed at the message, confusingly she sends a quick reply back

Kaitlin

Who is this?

Unknown

Oh shoot sorry should have told you who it was, ahah it's Alison.

Kaitlin

How did you get my number?

Alison

Lydia

Kaitlin

Ah I see, uhm sure who's coming?

Alison

Myself, Lydia and our two friends, Scott and Stiles we can introduce you to them

Kaitlin smirks at the message, deciding to have a little fun she texts back

Kaitlin

Sure! It'll be fun meeting new people what time?

Alison

In about an hour? We can pick you up the guys are meeting us there

Kaitlin

Okay cool see you then x

The brunette runs up the stairs and throws on a new pair of light blue denim jeans and a grey hoodie pulling her hair into a messy ponytail and grabbing her phone, she runs down stairs and jumps onto the sofa, turning on the latest episode of greys anatomy. After about half and hour kodin makes his way down the stairs. Loudly as usual

"Do you have to be so damn loud?" She calls to the brunette who ignores her

"I'm going out, you need anything?" He doesn't look at her, looking at the tv.

"Nah I'm going out soon anyway"

"Ok cool see you later" he nods and walks out the door slamming it , Kaitlin rolls her eyes and continues watching the tv until she hears a car horn.

She jumps from the couch looking out and seeing Alison's car outside her house. She turns the tv off and runs into the kitchen

"I'm going out with Lydia" she quickly tells her mom, while grabbing her keys and phone, her mother smiles and nods

"Okay have fun, don't be too late" Kaitlin gives her mom a kiss on her head and walk for the door

"Love you!" She opens the door hearing her mom say the same and walks to the car. She jumps in the back, Lydia occupying the passenger seat and giving her a warm smile

"Hey girls" she warmly greets as the girls greet her back "So how was your first day back?" Lydia questions as they drive to joes.

"Eh it's school, but I got to catch up with some old friends" she smiles at Lydia knowingly and she returns the gesture. After a few minutes they arrive at the nice little corner cafe called joes. Alison finds a parking spot and they jump out of the small car, and into the building.

The trio walk up through the isle of booths, she sees Stiles, Scott and another boy not facing the girls. As they grow closer and closer to the booth Kaitlin starts to recognize the person, oh she definitely recognizes him.

"Kodin?" She questions as the three boys including her brother turn to look at her

"Kaitlin?"

"What the hell are you doing here?" Confusion laces through her voice as Alison looks at the two curiously

"You two know each other?" She questions genuinely confused

"He's my twin brother" Kaitlin explains as she slides into the booth beside Scott and Stiles as Lydia slides in beside Kodin who smiles along with Alison "Oh, well anyway this is Scott and stiles" the brunette continues to introduce the two boys to the girl who smiles. Scott and stiles both have confused expressions on their face but Kaitlin give them a look as if to say "just go with it". The two boys stay quiet and Scott catches on sticking out his hand, trying his best to hide his grin

"Hi Kaitlin, I'm Scott and this is my best friend Stiles" he says, stiles stares between the two oddly along with kodin

"What the hell is going on?" He questions and stiles doesn't take his eyes off the pairs clasped hands oddly "You just took the words out of my mouth" he says, his eyes confused

"Dude you guys know each other, why are you doing that?" Kodin questions and Kaitlin glares at him

"Wait you guys know each other too?" Alison questions, more confused than ever. Kaitlin and Scott laugh, and Stiles... well he's just given up trying to understand his two childhood best friends.

"Kaitlin, Kodin, Stiles and I grew up together." Scott explains to his ex girlfriend, after his laughter dies down

"Wait why didn't you tell me this?" The huntress questions Kaitlin curiously

"I don't know, wanted to have a mess I suppose" she smiles and Kodin rolls his eyes at his sister before a girl approaches the booth, notepad in hand

"Hi my names jade, what can I get you guys today-" the waitress locks gazes with Kaitlin and smiles "Oh hey Jones, you not working today?" Kaitlin smiles at jade and shakes her head "nah only Thursday to Saturday"

"Oh lucky, anyway what'll it be" the group begin to order their food, Kaitlin only ordering a shake and fries. "

When jade walks away, all eyes turn to Kaitlin and she sighs "I took up a few part time shifts here, to help my mom" She quickly explains, eyeing her brother who's eyes soften

"How come?" Alison pushes, Lydia kicks her heel and Alison gasps, glaring at Lydia "shut up" Kaitlin smiles at the two "No Lydia, it's okay really" she takes a quick glance at her brother who slightly nods to her

"My oldest brother Tyler passed a few years ago, and my moms been up to her eyeballs with bills so myself and Kodin help take care of a few things around the house" she quickly explains, Alison's eyes soften but she remains silent

"Yeah, I'm a trainee nurse at the hospital with my mom" Scott's gaze goes to Kaitlin

"Kate, Kodin told us, my moms his trainer" Kaitlin's brows raise, glancing at her brother "why didn't you tell me?" Kodin shrugs.     

"I forgot" Kaitlin rolls her eyes, lightly kicking him in the shins "ow, jeez I'm sorry" the group around them laugh. A little while later the groups food arrives and they catch up, Alison getting to know more about the Jones twins.

Kaitlin looks around her at the people she surrounded herself with. Alison and Lydia laughing at something Kodin had said. While Stiles, Scott and herself had been reminiscing over they're childhood. For the first time in a while she was calm and happy. Maybe things would be smooth sailing...

Oh how wrong she was.

——~——

JAZMINE SPEAKS

Oh god. This chapter isn’t my favorite but it’s the first of many. Might take me a while to get the rest out because you can’t just copy and paste onto here which is quite annoying😫 anyway. I hope you enjoyed and come back for more!!!

[madiiscn]

Madison wasn't taken aback at his refusal to engage with her sexually. However, it didn't mean she wouldn't have been furious that he'd taken her home, gone to all the effort of showing he'd cared, to not fulfill the requirements of their... friendship, if that's what it could be called. After all, their existence to one another had been purely built on their 'sleepovers'. But the alcohol was still coursing through her system, and it dulled that sense of anger at another potential rejection — much to the point where she responded to halfhearted shrug, instead of some cold remark.

It was the cuddling that had thrown her off, the gentle cupping of her face and the fact that he almost sounded sincere. Had they ever cuddled before? If this had been anyone else, she was certain they'd have left without another word, because what good is she, apart from being a hole to fill. But she was easily swayed, and it was common for her to bow down to a man's wishes — maybe in the hopes that they'd eventually fall in love with her.

Not that she expected Finn Brooks would ever fall for her, if she couldn't even get some divorced senior going through a midlife crisis to commit.

"Okay, Finn..." She smiled, while her eyes locked with his. "We can cuddle." Her tone was soft, but the words came out as almost foreign to her — and that's because they were simply that. She moved her head forward, pressing her lips tenderly against his for a moment, before shyly returning to her position. She wasn't used to affection that didn't include the removal of clothes, hence her visible nervousness now that she was about to be thrown into the world of 'cuddling'.

"Will you —" What did people usually say? "— be my big spoon?"

@finn-brooks

"The overseer of painters, I see." Finn snorts, still taking in every detail of her room. Their worlds are wildly different, but there isn't an ounce of envy in him. He reaches to touch the best posts Madison mentions, his fingertips slide over the carving designs in them.

It takes everything in him to not make another joke about his rags to her riches, but that's alright, because Madison beats him to it. Then she has his shirt in her grip and pulls him close. There's a surprised laugh to escapes him. Finn catches himself, his knees touching the edge of her bed, and his plant into the mattress on other side of her.

"Mads, I—" he shakes his head, then lifts it so his eyes meet her with softened smile. He doesn't even giggle about the way her make-up is smudged on her face.

The compliment hadn't gone unheard. Finn just carefully pushes himself back so that when he pulls his hands from her bed he doesn't teeter forward when he cups her face. "You are, too. But..." he desperately prays to some higher being she doesn't take offense when he finishes what he wants to say. "I think I'm only down to cuddle right now, if that's okay."

He doesn't make a joke about tomorrow, maybe, if she isn't hungover, or point out that right now she's too drunk because even if it's fading off it just doesn't sit right for him to even consider that option. It probably wouldn't after what she'd said in the care.

"I'd really like that."

@madiiscn

[lamentingwclf]

The problem with knowing someone as intimately as they knew each other, is how easily it was to weaponize that knowledge. As he'd pointedly struck in all the ways that would make her self conscious, she also knew exactly where to slip the knife to pierce his heart.

For years, in his darkest moments, he'd shed light on the fear of becoming his father. He'd felt that rage, had struggled with it especially when coupled it was coupled with alcohol. He knew that he was cut from the same cloth, that the apple didn't fall far. But there were those that enjoyed provoking him. He remembered the tips of Cheryl's nails as her teeth grazed his ear. The way she whispered and purred and stoked the fires of his anger.

He remembered it igniting in simpler ways too, when he'd step in to stand up for Steve, or tell someone off for Gwen. But neither of them saw the issue in it then, they'd both hero worshipped him, spurred it on, excused it.

Until now.

And he staggered back from the blow of it as he realized this was not the first time she'd flinched as if he would strike her. As if he could ever. But he can't even bring himself to respond, he won't take back what he's said, and now, the words feel justified. So his response is to back away towards the couch with a humorless laugh, a strangled sort of sound. Gwen does not see that as he does so, every single piece of his soul is breaking apart. When he feels the edge of it against his knees, he sinks heavily, and puts his head in his hands. He's still there when she emerges, when she tells him where she's going, and leaves.

He doesn't stop her. He doesn't follow her. He doesn't have it in him to do anything for a while except still wallow. But he knows she's not meant to be out there alone, knows that if she's caught, it will be more harm than good, so he does the only thing he really can do. He swipes his cheeks as if there were tears that spilled over, but comes away dry. He pulls his phone from his pocket and dial's Sam's number.

"Are you still in the city?" He asks, when the other man answers.

"You still have my car, so..." It lacks the vigor Sam would normally have at Bucky asking such an obvious question, and is instead laced with concern. It's a testament to how precarious the situation really is. "You do still have it, right?"

"Yeah, and it's in one piece," He pauses, not really sure how to continue. It would be easy to say Gwen left, that she walked out, but somehow it doesn't feel enough. Somehow the words are trapped in his throat, unable to escape.

"Just tell me what happened." It's Sam's gentle coaxing that unlocks it, and Bucky surprises them both by telling him everything.

The church is dramatic in a way only old architecture can be - it's lavish and grand, with arches and stained glass windows. It's built upon the backs of catholic guilt and funded by the promise of Heaven - Sam thinks, and realizes it's a bit of a dark thought and dials it back. Church and God, they are things he's struggled with in his own time on this planet, as he watched people suffer and pray. He watched those prayers go unanswered, though he knew Sarah would kick his ass if she knew he harbored any type of doubt.

But despite his own reservations, he knew the power of belief.

His hands are in his pockets as he pushes open the door and is met with a soothing warmth. He'd already checked the grounds and hoped this would be a logical course of action for a girl out of time with no where else to go. He takes in the rich cedar pews, and the deep red cushions for kneeling as he walks towards the front of the room. He sees the back of an old man's head, it turns, meets his gaze. He sees the collar and he sees a flash of reservation in it, but as Sam comes closer, he sees it's out of protection than anything his mind could have inferred.

Beside the priest, on the pew, laying on her side wrapped in a blanket, is Gwen. Sam clutches his chest with the relief of it. "She - " He starts to say, but is waved off.

"I know." Is all the priest says as he gets up, and leaves the space for Sam to occupy.

He shoots Bucky a quick text and resigns himself to wait. He waits until the sun starts to rise, and filter through the glass, changing the hues of the space around them. He waits until she starts to stir, then leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, lacing his fingers together. He waits while he contemplates what's the best thing to say to her. He waits while he feels like he's navigating through a field full of land mines: telling her what she's supposed to do feels wrong, as is raising the topic of Bucky right away. He doesn't know Harry to offer anything but empty condolences. But the bigger fact remains, she does not know Sam Wilson from Adam and his sincerity could be called into question.

"You know," He starts, and he's almost whispering because somehow talking any louder feels wrong. "My mom would roll over in her grave if she knew I was sitting in a Catholic church like this, but she was always a more down to Earth worshipper. She found all of this to be too extravagant... She would smack me around the ears and tell me God would love me if I was kneeling on the ground in a puddle. Then putter around and talk about how unnecessary all this was. But I can kind of see the appeal."

A shrug. The olive branch has been offered.

"You don't have to talk to me, but you need to talk to somebody. At least I know him."

Rage wasn't the reaction she expected.

She knew Bucky could get angry. He'd been angry with her the night before he left for basic and she'd him get angry and use that anger against anyone that threatened her or Steve. But he'd bounce back. He'd perk up and everything would be fine. But this- this pure fury was something she'd never seen gloss over those blue eyes. His fathers, but never his.

But even with the look, even with the way his body shook with rage, she didn't expect the words. And each one was nothing short than a knife to her heart.

She's shocked by it- too shocked. She's in shock about the information she just learned about Harry, about going back to her brothers, about him NOT going with her- and now this. If this was 1943 she would have swung at him for his words. All those years of watching Bucky and Steve throwing the punches, it would have been the time for her to send her first. But this isn't 1943 and there's too much- it's too loud.

As she sits in the car seat, her fingers come to plug her ears, bracing herself against the inside of the car door with the box to her chest- waiting for him to return and waiting for him to strike her. It's how she stays when he comes back, and how she stays for the car ride back to the apartment.

Once inside, her head stays low, and she's just short of bolting past him with her box until he speaks and there's a piece of her father inside of her that stops her and slowly Gwen turns around to face him. There's nothing but misery on her features, eyes red from the silent tears that had poured down sunken in and colorless cheeks- yet somehow her lips pull up in an almost taunting smile for a brief second.

"Wow...what's next? Huh? Are you going to dare me to leave? Tell me I'd having nothing if I did? You have more than enough experience hearing that. I guess you're ready to carry that torch. Are you going to hit me James? Throw me across the room? Tell me how utterly worthless I am? Would that make you feel better?" She takes a moment to collect herself, feeling her thoughts spin into that same despair of hopelessness she'd felt back before she got in the chamber. "You should have just let me believe you were dead. Because you would have never treated me like-" Her words fade and she shakes her head. It didn't matter anymore.

Gwen turns walking into the room she'd been assigned, shutting the door before she throws the box across the floor, sending it's contents scattering across the room- the urge to rip apart and burn every single piece of him as she falls to the bed and screams into the pillow until her voice is raw.

Shakily the brunette gets to her feet, sniffing, and forcefully wiping at her face as she goes to the small bag she had in the closet containing the items she'd worn into the chamber, digging until she found the diamond ring and shakily she puts it on her finger. Her lips press to it as she gives a small sob, desperate for this to just stop. Her hands then fiddle in her drawers where she grabbed at the lone stocking hat Sam had gotten her and places that over her head before standing up and walks out of her room.

Her features are empty, actions robotic, and once again she wonders if any of this truly real. Luckily her jacket and boots are still on from her outing, and while the last attempt to walk the streets of New York went miserably- maybe the night would be quieter as it used to be. "I'm going to go see Harry," Gwen somehow mutters, or at least she thinks she does, as heads to the front door and goes out.