#this is also leaving out the fact it would be pretty cheap to bring her back near the end

[mo-mode]

Back on my Screenwriter soap box while watching PJO: They should have bought a bunch of oil diffusers.

(Edit: This post was made before someone pointed out to me that I missed a key line of dialogue, but my points and theories still stand for the same reasons backing up my original post so I’m not changing anything. The dialogue I missed lets us know that Hermes told Percy the lotus was being pumped into the air off-screen. It’s also implies (? I’m still on the fence about this one?) that Hermes told him what day it is, but I missed these during my first three watches because of how quick and vague it was. Which actually kind of supports my point on why visual indicators are so important. Without these, it’s easy to miss key information. And remember, it’s a kid’s show. ANYWAY my conclusions haven’t changed, and I still believe these edits would work better than the quick line of dialogue so just keep this in mind. Thanks.)

(I’m not being nit-picky. I swear. Just hear me out.) So the weirdest thing to me in episode six was how Percy just…learned everything so quickly without any visual indicators? Like they know time passed because it’s dark outside, but how did he know it was Thursday? They know they were affected by the lotus flowers, but how does he know it was pumped into the air? This irked me because even if he’s smart enough to figure some of this out himself (which he is) we as the audience should still be able to follow his thought process instead of learning after the fact.

What if there were oil diffusers?

So imagine the trio walks into the Lotus, figures out this is like the Odyssey, and decides not to eat anything. They waltz in super confident that they cracked the code, but they were wrong. How do we know? Because the moment they enter the crowd, we get an establishing shot of a lotus-branded oil diffuser letting out steam.

Immediately, we as the audience realize their mistake, making it just that more tantalizing to watch. As the episode continues, we realize they’re everywhere. There’s a diffuser in the plants, on the counter, between the game tables, always right out of the corner of our eyes. They just keep churning out lotus-scented oil into the air, which we can infer because we’re smart. (Remember that.)

Now when Percy realizes what’s going on, we know HOW they’re doing it and HOW Percy knows without being told!! Because they were there the whole time.

Onto Thursday.

Consider: A watch.

What if Hermes has the only watch in the casino until the trio walks in with their own?

Let’s give Annabeth one of those cheap, funky watches that gives the time, day, month, year, etc. Something you get from a kids toy catalogue. It’s waterproof, glows in the dark, has an alarm or whatever. I feel like Annabeth would have one of those. (And honestly, she might already. I forgot.) The most important feature for us, though, is the day. It clearly tells us the day of the week.

It’s pretty easy to establish that Annabeth has the watch. Just do it the same way they establish the date: Percabeth arguing over it in the truck. Annabeth shows him the watch. Establishing shot of the watch’s face. That’s it. No bells or whistles necessary. Then when they get to the casino, Annabeth checks it one more time (without an establishing shot, she just does it casually) and they walk in.

(It’s so easy. I promise.)

While Grover is walking around alone, he tries to check the time and realizes there’s no clocks. (Which ngl is super common in casinos already, but it’s creepy nonetheless.) Yada yada, he gets sucked in by Augustus and that’s how he gets got.

Meanwhile, Percy and Annabeth keep meaning to check the time, but every time they do, someone tries to hand them an appetizer or a drink, which makes them forget OR Annabeth’s hubris keeps her from checking. (Percy: Time check? Annabeth: Its only been five minutes. We’re fine. We need to focus.)

And that brings us to Hermes. After their chat, yada yada, Annabeth “leaves” and Hermes gets all cryptic, then he makes a BIG show of checking his watch, and THAT’S when Percy realizes something’s wrong because oh no they haven’t checked the time. So he finds Annabeth, they see it’s dark outside, they check her watch, and it’s Thursday.

“But we didn’t eat anything!” Annabeth says. Percy looks at the diffusers by the entrance. It dawns on him. “They’re pumping it into the air.”

That’s how you VISUALLY SHOW US THINGS instead of Percy just figuring everything out off-camera and telling us!!!!

Now, you may be thinking “Oh but do they have the budget for that??” Do you know how cheap these props are? Just bulk buy like six oil diffusers, slap a homemade sticker of a lotus flower on them, and keep moving them into every shot. And they’re quiet!! They wouldn’t interfere with the sound, the steam is visible enough to be caught on camera without messing with the lighting, they actually look really cool in some lighting, and they fit the atmosphere of a hotel/casino!! Then the watch is like $15, fits with Annabeth’s character, and totally matches her outfit.

It’s CHEAP! It’s EASY! It DOESN’T CUT INTO THE RUN TIME! It’s AESTHETICALLY PLEASING! ANNABETH GETS A SICK WATCH!! NO DOWNSIDES!!!!

The biggest problem with this show isn’t how accurate it is to the book or how much money they have or that they’re “Disney-fying” it. The problem is they are TELLING US things instead of SHOWING us. And not to beat a dead horse because everyone’s heard of “Show Don’t Tell” but like??? This is exactly why everyone is taught this over and over again in school?? Because people still do it anyway all the time???

There’s also something else I learned (or really just picked up) when I got my B.A. in Creative Writing: Good shows are predictable.

Whether it’s a case of the audience learning what’s going to happen before it happens or them watching the show again and realizing how obvious the answer was the whole time, audiences always want to feel smart. They want to interact with the material. If you don’t give them the opportunity to pick apart the mystery themselves by setting down clues, they’ll give up on interacting with the show and lose interest. That’s why you SHOW them things. There are several moments where this show is completely unpredictable, not because it’s complex but because it doesn’t let you predict it. That doesn’t make it bad—the comedy and character development is doing a great job of carrying the show’s weight so far. But it definitely doesn’t make the show good.

It’s like Rube Goldberg machines. Or dominoes! We don’t watch those crazy 1000+ domino videos so we can watch the last one fall. We watch it to see HOW they fall. Take one domino out, and it’s unsatisfactory. It doesn’t work anymore.

But some oil diffusers and a watch??? Little clues that make the realization that more visually appealing??? THAT’S SATISFYING

Anyway, these are just two things that could have been done, but weren’t. Most of the show is stellar. I think it just needs a little bit of editing here and there. I studied this for like years, and I needed to get this off my chest. That’s it.

Rick Riordan, if you ever see this, I am available for hire :) I would love to be a script doctor please please please please

[sanguineterrain]

Sanne on the topic of femjay... do u think she'd like giving gifts? I feel like she's the type to shower u in gifts and act like it's nbd she didn't even think about it when she got it for u (she is lying)

ok anon I'm pretty sure this isn't what you meant buuut it's kinda related? anyway i was inspired so please enjoy awkward arkham knight femjay who doesn't know how to interact with her old best friend/girlfriend when she returns from the dead so she starts leaving gifts instead. i ❤️ my weirdo wife

ak!female!jason todd x fem!reader.

****

Someone has been leaving you presents.

Normally, you'd be freaked out. Probably, you should be freaked out anyway. How someone knows your exact dress size and what chocolate you like and your favorite flowers and your birthstone... well, it would scare anyone.

But. But the thing is. Every gift and every placement of the gift feels very familiar. It feels like the habit of an old love. Because she used to do the same. Pretty rocks or flowers found on patrol. A t-shirt for the band you liked. A kiss.

It feels like training, like muscle memory: here is how to break in without breaking anything. Here is how to leave a scene undisturbed. Lessons that a friend shared with you.

A friend you loved. A friend you mourned.

The dresses are beautiful and certainly not cheap. But they have a familiarity to their design. They're extravagant, fairytale dresses that you dreamt of wearing when you were young. Dresses you have no reason to wear now.

They aren't revealing or risqué either, and that comforts you too, even though it probably shouldn't. Bruce would be upset at your lack of self-preservation.

This is you living in the past. This is hoping for the impossible.

The jewelry is also beautiful and nothing you could wear to work or to a grocery trip. It's all necklaces and bracelets heavy with diamonds or emeralds or sapphires. But there's a single ruby ring you've received, and it's plainer than everything else. You wear that regularly, even though that definitely encourages your admiring stalker.

The gift-giving is random but they never go more than two weeks without a visit. And there's no note, no demand, nothing. It's like you have an invisible pet raven who likes bringing you trinkets that cost more than your rent.

After the seventh gift, you plan a trap. You want to face this admirer, show that you're not afraid. Well, you're a little afraid. Mostly, it's fear at the fact that you haven't called the police or Batman, even though you and Batman haven't been simpatico for a long time.

No, something stops you. The hand that leaves your gifts is a hand you know. You're certain of it.

You set up a camera behind your shuttered closet, then leave for the day.

You return to the camera gone and a beautiful gold carved statue of a dove. And a note.

Not yet.

Well, fine. You can wait. You're mad because that camera wasn't cheap, but you can wait.

Weeks pass. Gifts arrive. You make a batch of cookies as a thank you on one occasion. Three cookies are missing when you come home. You smile.

Then the night comes.

You don't know how you know it's the night you'll meet them. You just have a feeling. You've written them notes, certain they've been received. No notes have arrived for you besides the one from all those weeks ago.

You put on one of the dresses, a delicate, frilly blue creation that shows your shoulders and neck. You finish it with the sapphire necklace, one of the first gifts you received.

She slips in through your window and freezes when she sees you, even though you know she timed it so you'd be home when she came.

"Hi," you say.

She doesn't speak. She approaches you slowly, carefully. She's very tall, very muscular. Her face is covered with an intricate helmet and she wears similar armor on her body. A new hero in Gotham? Or a villain?

"Do I know you?" you ask.

She shakes her head. You study her for a moment. Glowing eyes stare back. You can't tell if she's lying. It seems like she means it: you don't know her.

"But you know me?"

Your admirer hesitates. Then she nods.

You close the distance until you're a foot apart. Her breathing remains steady but her fingers are restless.

"I like the gifts," you say. "Though I'm confused why you're giving them to me."

Her fingers still. She says nothing.

"A friend used to give me gifts too," you say quietly.

You're both startled. Why did you say that? You don't know.

"You don't want to hurt me," you say.

She shakes her head fiercely.

Suddenly, you want her to touch you. You lift your head and expose your neck. You can tell she's tracking the movement. It sends a thrill down your spine. Maybe something's wrong with both of you.

"Do you like your necklace on me?" you ask.

Touch it. Touch me. Prove you aren't a ghost.

You hear her swallow and inhale shakily. She reaches for you and lightly touches the gold chain around your neck with one gloved finger. You close your eyes. A name falls from your lips. God, you miss her.

The window creaks. You open your eyes. She is gone.

[writingwithfolklore]

Surviving Death

                I am a sucker for revival after character death—as long as it’s done well. Maybe in the future we’ll do a separate post on killing characters, but what I’ll say about it now is that revival can be a fantastic plot twist or narrative turn as long as both it and the death has proper meaning.

                While you may want to revive a character for a happy ending--they wake up and not only is the world saved but everyone made it out alive! This can also sometimes feel a bit cheap. What was the point of suffering the death if they were just to get to come back easy-peasy? Consider, would End Game have been as revered if Tony got to survive his sacrifice?

                So here’s some ways to bring a character back to life without losing the meaning of their death:

They are forever changed from the experience

A classic “came back wrong”, one of my favourite things in fiction. You get to choose to the extent they are wrong. Maybe the ‘wrong’ isn’t some supernatural influence, but rather just a result of the experience of dying.

                They saw something about the afterlife, they’ve lost memories, they’ve gained new memories about a past or a future or alternate timeline, they realize how much they mean to certain people, they discover just how little they meant to others, etc. etc.

                Their death (and subsequent revival) should quite literally change the course of their life. That’s not something one could go through lightly. Whether it gives them trauma, new perspectives, or a complete shift in personality/morals, they definitely didn’t come back how they left.

2. Sacrifice for a Sacrifice

Also a pretty common trope—you don’t get to gain something unless you lose something. To bring them back, someone else has to take their place, or something important is lost. Maybe to trade for their companion back, the main character loses the greatest asset to their quest. Maybe they have to choose between two people, and the two who live have to live with that fact.

                I read a book once where the main character had to choose between his love interest and his brother in a Saw-like trap. He chooses his brother, and the villain kills him anyway. Now he must continue his quest with his love interest, who knows he didn’t choose her. It was tragic, and completely changed their dynamic.

3. They’re only half back

They come back, but only some of the way. Maybe they are cursed to die again in a year. They’re tied to one place and will disappear if they leave it. They’re a ghost, or otherwise not fully present. They exist only in relation to certain objects or people. Their communication is lost, or certain other abilities they used to have.

                They came back, but only some of them—the rest is lost to the beyond.

Most importantly to reviving characters is the permanent consequences. Death is no easy thing to overcome, and whatever the circumstances are--it should remain with them forever.

                What are some other ways to revive characters?

[loves0phelia]

Can you do a Matt Murdock metting reader and they hit it off instantly.

( Btw this is my first requesting something )

Promise

Summery: the request

Words: 1.6k

Warnings: alcohol, grammar mistakes (always)

A/N: thank you for requesting I love matt so much and writing for him makes me so happy, also this is far from perfect so i hope you will like it anyway xxx

After a long day at work all you wanted to do was crash, and curl in bed with cheap ramen from a cup, while watching one of your recent favorite shows. Unfortunately, that idea was forgotten when your best friend Celia invited you to a local bar called Josies claiming to need a girls night out.

At first you almost faked being sick or having a late night appointment but you realized it wouldn't be possible to deny your friend.

She knew you were not a going out kind of person, so any excuses would not convince her.

“Come on Y/n, just one drink and I swear if you don't like it we're leaving” she tried reassuring you, and you made a face of disagreement but still followed her in anyways after the breeze made a shiver travel your entire body. That made you realize you should've brought a jacket.

When you entered you immediately noticed the strong smell of beer and whiskey. It was almost overwhelming but the scent kinda matched the looks of the bar which made it feel homey.

“What are you two girls taking?” A lady behind the bar, who was previously wiping a dirty glass asked us.

“I think we'll both take a beer” Celia turned to confirm with you and you nodded.

“Good cause beer and whiskey’s all we got” she grumbled and picked up two bottled beers from underneath the counter where you assumed a fridge was.

Soft jazz music was playing in the background and you could hear the people chit chatting and clinking their bottles. Celia took a sip of her drink and after analyzing around the place she gasped loudly.

“Oh my God y/n It's Matt and Foggy!” she clapped her hands happily.

“Who?” you asked and looked behind you trying to map where her friends were.

“You know,  the guys from the law firm! I worked with them on a case with Marci” Realization became clear on your face after she reminded you.

A couple months ago her colleague Marci had needed help finding information about Wilson Fisk to help her boyfriend’s firm, Nelson and Murdock, and Celia had volunteered. Obviously she had told you all about the sexy blind lawyer who would be “perfect” for you.

”Come on! i'll present them to you” she jumped down her stool and began dragging you to them.

“Celia please no, they are probably trying to enjoy a night together let's not bother them” you tried tugging yourself back but she wouldn't allow it.

“You're too nice, you know that?” Celia replied and before you could beg again one of the two guys, who you assumed was foggy, raised from his chair by the pool table and screamed her name, inviting you over.

“Foggy, Matt, heyy” she said happily, hugging them while you stood awkwardly behind her.

You were always the more introverted one in the duo, but she always tried to bring you out of your comfort zone.

“This is y/n, you know my best friend I told you about” you lifted your hand giving them a small wave and immediately regretted it when you remembered one of them could not see it.

”Hi” your voice was barely above a whisper but you were ignorant to the fact that Matt could hear you loud and clear.

“You guys want a round of shots? Matt and I were just about to get some” the long haired friend suggested and Celia immediately agreed. The two of them left to go back by the bar leaving you and the handsome lawyer alone.

“Y/n right?” his voice surprised you. It was deep but angelic.

“Y-yes” your words caught in your throat now feeling more shy than ever.

“It’s a beautiful name, im Matt but i'm pretty sure you already knew that” he laughed and it was like you had never heard a prettier sound. You nodded your head, unable to utter any words.

“You just nodded didn't you?” your cheeks flushed instantly embarrassed, your eyes grow triple their size.

“I did, I am so sorry, I dont know whats wrong with me” you shake your head and slapped your forehead with your palm the sound echoing loudly in your ears.

“It's okay, it happens all the time” his smile never left his lips.

“That doesn't help” your face was red like a tomato.

“Dont worry about it” his hand laid itself on top of your naked thigh only the tip of his fingers came in contact with your silk dress, his soft touch warmed your skin.

“Silk?” he asked curiously, still running his digits over the fabric.

“Yea when Celia said we were going to the bar i didn't really know what to wear” you snorted now realizing silk was definitely too formal for a bar.

“It's very soft, i like it” once again a charming smile came onto his lips.

“thank you” you smiled back unaware he could feel the heat coming off your body at this very moment.

“We're back! sorry it took so long josie wouldn't let us have our best customer discount again” Foggy pout but put the tray of 6 shots down on the sticky table.

“Drink up guys!” Celia clinked her glass with Foggy’s and then yours and then Matt’s (which cause a small splash of the whiskey to escape down to the floor)

the second the strong liquid came in contact with your tongue, your eyes clenched in pain because of the burn. 

“How can people drink that? it's disgusting” you said and everyone at the table laughed at your sudden outburst.

“It takes a lot of getting used to and a best friend who forces you to drink it” Matt’s hand squeezed your knee while the other two were already getting ready for the second one.

“I guess…” you hesitantly picked up your last shot and on the count of three you repeated the suffering progress.

After hours of chatting and laughing it was already 3 am which meant the bar was closing.

“I'm going to take a cab home, anyone wants to share one?” Celia said while gathering her belongings.

“I think I'm going to walk, my apartment is not too far,” you replied forgetting about the freezing wind outside.

“Are you sure? you know it's supposed to rain also there are some weird people in the street at this hour” she said almost in a motherly way.

“Yes I'm sure, anyway daredevil might save me if I get attacked” you joked and hugged her tightly while she rolled her eyes at you.

“I wouldn't mind taking a cab actually, I need to go back to Marci’s” a drunk Foggy wiggled his eyebrows.

“What about you Matt? need a ride?” he added to his previous statement.

“No, I think I'll walk y/n home. if that's alright?” he gently grabbed your elbow as he unfolded his white cane.

“Of course,” you smiled.

The two drunks said their goodbyes and walked out the door to the yellow cab waiting for them outside as you and Matt started walking back to your house in a comfortable silence.

A shiver traveled your body for the second time during the night and Matt felt your goosebumps raise on your arm as he held it.

He stopped abruptly making you look at him confused as he started removing his suit jacket.

“Here put this on” he draped it over your shoulder and you accepted it wordlessly admiring his beauty and generosity.

He grabbed your elbow again and you both continued the path to your apartment.

After about 10 minutes you spoke up, now seeing your apartment building

“This is me”

“Am i the only one who's disappointed the walk was so short?” he asked while rubbing his thumb on your arm.

You giggled before replying that you were also sad it was cut so shortly.

“You could come upstairs if you want?” Hopefully, you wished he accepted the offer.

“I think it's better if i don't” he sighed and your heart dropped slightly.

“I want to, but tomorrow I have this case I need to work on, and I think that if I came upstairs I wouldn't be able to leave in the morning” his hands were now holding your waist as if he was having his own inner battle whether he should come up or not.

“It's okay I understand” you whispered and he leaned his forehead against yours as if he was wishing you would have asked him to come up anyway.

thunder roared above you.

“You should go before it starts raining” you said and he shaked his head in disagreement.

“Can I kiss you before I go?” His tone was so low.

“please” you pleaded before his plumped lips connected with yours.

His head tilted to the side to deepen the kiss and his hand went up to the back of your head.

Your lips parted allowing his tongue to make its way inside your mouth. Your hands traveled to his hair as well, earning a small growl from him, while you started to feel the cold rain drip down your back and hair.

you broke apart and smiled seeing his red tinted glasses crooked. Slowly you lifted them off his face to see his beautiful amber eyes that had a twinkle in them.

“I should probably give you this, back” you started removing the now drenched jacket but he stopped you.

“Keep it, I'll come get it tomorrow” he smiled and eagerly pressed another kiss to your lips.

“That's a promise?” you whispered against his mouth.

“It's a promise”

[tangledbea]

What do you think a day with everyone going apple picking together would be like? Or maybe going pumpkin picking?

Eugene spends the morning affectionately watching Rapunzel flit around in excitement. This was her idea, after all, and as usual, everyone else agreed to come along, whether they really wanted to do it or not. Him, though? He loves apples. They were a staple when he was younger -- cheap enough that it was pretty easy for the orphanage to get fresh ones, available on the road once he was old enough to be on his own and was less-than-wealthy, and small enough to be stolen when it was his only option. Even in the palace, they've remained one of his favorite convenient snacks. So despite the fact that he's not raring to go, he knows he's going to enjoy it. An afternoon with an excited Rapunzel is always a good time.

Rapunzel's never done this before! She has so much appreciation for food cultivation, and she loves how taste and smell. So many good foods and drinks use apples, and the peels have a distinctive fresh scent that you lose with the juice. She's looking forward to eating an apple picked fresh off the tree, and seeing all the colors they come in. She's bringing her journal, so she can capture exactly what ripe, growing apples look like. She's also looking forward to the crisp air and the sounds of leaves crunching underfoot!

Lance gets the girls up a little early, but not too early, because he doesn't like getting up early, either. He fills them up with a hearty breakfast (with no apples, since they're going to be bringing home a ton) before they head up to the palace to meet Rapunzel and Eugene. The girls are wondering how working for the afternoon can be considered a fun activity, but Lance assures them that Rapunzel can make anything fun, and they agree.

The group heads out to Old Corona and Varian's farm. This is just another Tuesday for him. Well... not really, but it is harvesting season, so he spends more time on the farm in this season than most of the rest of the year. He gets the baskets and carts ready to head out to the orchard while he waits for everyone else to arrive.

Cassandra gets there first, enjoying the quiet before the whole group gets there. She doesn't plan to keep most of what she picks -- there's hungrier people out there than her, and she doesn't bake if she can help it. This is to do an activity with friends.

Once everyone arrives and they head out, Rapunzel starts suggesting specific activities. Maybe a contest to see who can pick the most apples through the course of the day? Bobbing for apples after? She has a brand new recipe she wants to try out on everyone, and Lance says only if he gets to help her with it. The day is spent in fun and laughter. At one point, Kiera starts chucking apples at people, and there's a brief period of war before Cassandra inevitably comes out on top, to the awe of the girls.

When the baskets are full, they head back into town, and everyone gets to take home a bag of apples. The rest are sorted through and either set aside to sell or donate. Varian makes cider from an earlier pressing, and Rapunzel and Lance try out her new recipe for apple caramel tartlets.

Thanks for the ask!

[mushies-stories]

The bounty

part 1 (part 2)

KakuzuXReaderXHidan

Summer: The Akatsuki were a bounty hunter's organization instead of yaknow, all dat end the world shit, and you have run away from home, so you don't have to marry an asshat. but with a bounty on your head for a safe return home you are easily caught by the best-known bounty hunter there is, and his side kick Hidan, but they can't bring you in just yet.

Warning: suggestive but smut to come. she/her, pet names, slight degrading, swearing.

(Edited for a better story line because i had more ideas)

word count: 3927

smut below

You were on the run from a marriage arranged by your parents who had arranged a marriage for you. One with a strong family bloodline and a man to take over once your father was to step down as the head of the village. The second son to a fiercely strong leader from a small worrier village. Your family wasn't really looking for smarts or money, just level headed enough to keep the peace and  who are strong. So a village of fighters was what he landed on.

You had met the man once before, your father spoke to him about marriage and baby nonsense and by the end of the day he left, picturing you caring for four imaginary children of his. Your father had convinced him he wanted you as his perfect little wife and child bearer. 

That didn’t sit well with you, not one bit. 

Deciding that you’d rather be a wanderer and find a new village and live alone forever than to be married to such a man, you snuck out one night with a backpack full of supplies and money you stole and ran as far and long as your legs could handle. You stumble on shaky legs into a small village, stayed for a night in a run down Inn then left right after breakfast. In the month since that first night you had made it a considerable distance considering you didn’t get out much.   

It wasn't long however before your parents put a bounty on you, using any resource they could to get you home. You hadn't even thought about bounty hunters being a possibility, you figured you could be far enough away from home that it would be impossible for anyone to recognize you.  

It was Hidan and Kakuzu who managed to catch you in a small village not far from where the hidden mist was. The job was to take you in alive and you had to be unharmed or a portion of the money would be taken from the bounty and you had a high one that Kakuzu didn't want to lose. So high in fact he almost questioned why one girl was worth so much but quickly disregarded the thought because he figured it would be a pretty easy job and you were worth an almost disgusting amount.

That same reason was also why you were staying in a rundown bathhouse with the pair of bounty hunters. Hidan, while attempting to stop your squirming, had punched you hard enough in the nose to leave a pretty nasty bruise. While it was effective in knocking you out it also meant Kakuzu was going to have to wait to bring you in, so a cheap bathhouse for a few nights was the best option till your face was healed enough to at least look presentable. 

When you woke the first thing you saw was the one with the mask. A stack of money sat next to him on the floor and his eyes were focused on a notebook that was practically tiny in his massive hand. 

You risked sitting up slowly, an act to fake some kind of pain, a headache maybe? You didn't really feel pain. An experiment with a forbidden Jutsu that fused a demon's blood with a human that had been lost for generations, it was supposed to rescue almost all sense of pain and extend your lifespan by 100 years at least.. Your father used you as his guinea pig and at first he was proud that it worked but he soon decided you were not truly worthy, not strong enough to handle being a worrier with the ability to only feel a fraction of pain dealt to you.

The mountain of a man either didn’t notice you or simply didn’t care that you had woken. You sat crossed legged facing the man and watched him. He was huge, and the only thing you could see were his red and green eyes and his hands. Hands that looked like they could snap you in two with no effort at all.

You suddenly remembered that that asshole with the scythe punched you in the face! You reached up and touched your nose, bringing your hand to your face and you felt dried blood. That irritated you, not because it hurt because it didn't but because he actually punched you, what kind of sadist asshole punches a clearly defenseless girl?!

Your attention turned back to the masked man and in a moment all hesitation left you. “Where am i?” You ask the man. 

“A shitty bathhouse in the middle of some even shittier mountains.” He said without looking away from his clearly important work.

Even shittier of an answer. “Who are you then, can you at least tell me that much?” You asked at least wanting to know who is bringing you to the fate of a bogus marriage. 

He took a moment to answer and acknowledge you even spoke, scribbling a few more things down before setting the book aside and folded the money before putting it in his pocket, His green eyes now fixed on you. “Bounty hunters, nothing else you need to know.” He stated. 

Well that wasn't an answer either. “I’d like to know the name’s i'm cursing for condemning me to a horrible fate.” You said crossing your arms over your chest, an attempt to look serious but with the fact that you knew this man towers over you, it really just made you look bratty. “Plus you must know my name, so it's only fair.”

Kakuzu’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at you in silence. You weren't sure what face he was really making, since you couldn't see anything else, his body was even covered by a thick cloak. “You're a little stupid aren't you?” He asked plainly, like it wasn’t offensive at all.

You couldn’t help the offended sound that left your mouth. “I am not! I just grew up with manners and respect, unlike you apparently.” you spat.

Kakuzu cocked a brow at your outburst. “I’d watch what you say Y/N.” He warned. When he took the job, he knew you were clearly from some kind of wealth, basically a princess in your village with how high the bounty was for you. He wasn't expecting to be handling a brat like you on the job however, normally women were scared of him instantly and here you were arguing with him. 

You stood up and crossed the room for the door. “You can't keep me here, I've already gotten hurt once and I don't want you to mess up my face anymore than you already have.” Just as you made it to the door you were yanked by the ankle and sent to the floor. You caught yourself and landed on your hands and knees. “Ow! Why did you do that!?” you shout, looking over to the man who was just now getting up from the floor. How did he do that?

Standing even a few feet away he was huge, looming and paralyzing you in place. A couple long strides and he was standing above you. He crouched down to be closer to your level, even though it just made you feel even more boxed in. Grabbing your chin firm between his fingers he forced your head up to look at him. “Fair? I'm a bounty hunter and you're lucky you're a live case. As for manners, I've been around a long time and I've dealt with enough little brats like you princess.” He says. “And since they want you unharmed, I can't exactly teach you the lesson you clearly need.” He growled. 

“Lesson?” you asked, confused. “There isn’t one thing you could teach me.” You chuckled and his hold on your face got tighter. Your hands came up to his forearm to try and get him to ease up but to no avail. “Oww, see you're a brute, hurting me this much.” You whined.

Rolling his eyes he loosened his grip. “I suppose maybe you're this stupid because you're a pure, sheltered, little girl.” 

You couldn't see his face but you didn't need to to know he was mocking you. “Don't make assumptions about who I am, you don't know anything about my life.” You shouted in his face. Maybe not the smartest choice. Kakuzu jerked you towards him with the firm grip on your chin, causing you to let out a yelp. No one has ever handled you like this before. Even your father avoided even being near you once he gave up on you.

“The virgin princesses kept hidden from boys tell it’s her time to marry. Most stay in the marriage and bear their husbands children but some, like you, run away but they tend to end up back home and married too.” He says like it was all facts. “Your kind has been around for a long time, princess.”

Your cheeks heat up at his accuracy nonetheless, that was the exact predicament you were in. “But I don't want to go back, he's stupid and he acts like a child!” you whined. “And I'm not a virgin!” you added. You don't know why you felt the need to defend that part of yourself, yeah you weren't a virgin but you might as hell have been. It was once when you were seventeen with a fisherman's son. It sucked and he came in two minutes. 

“That so? A brat like you who acts like a child got someone to sleep with her?” He shot the insult at you with a chuckle. 

Now fully offended by the man you struggle even harder to get out of his hold. Yanking on his arm and attempting to hit his chest with your fists but none of it worked. All it did was cause a deep rumbling laugh coming from the masked man as he watched you struggle. “Listen here princess.” His gravely stern voice froze your movements. His hold on you stayed firm and his eyes narrowed in on you. “If i knew i was going to be handling a brat i would have brought some rope to keep you tied up and quiet, but if you don't shut up now then your ass is going to be in a lot of pain later.” He threatened with a growl. “Understood?” You gulped and shook your head in understanding. His voice is enough to send shivers up your spine. “Good girl.” he said and released his hold on your face before standing up, walking back over to taking up his spot in the corner of the room. “And you don’t act like a child?” He asked, clearly taunting her. He almost couldn't help it, things got boring and a little brat taming was always interesting. He just had to keep himself in check. 

You sat back down and crossed your arms. “Do you really have to take me back? Are you really that heartless?” you asked, pouting and sticking out your bottom lip. 

You amused the grumpy old man. A woman who was determined to not follow such a blind path in life was admirable. The money on your head was too good to pass up however. “Save it princess, for your price I'm not backing out now. You‘ll look fine in a few days, Hidan’s out getting ointment right now to heal you up faster.” He informed you. 

“So you can say the other guy's name but not your own!” You stood up and marched over to where the man sat with an elbow resting on one knee. You didn't get him, why did it even matter? He looked up at you, turning his head just a little with curiosity. What did you think you were going to do? “I bet you aren't even that tough, just big and scary and lucky you were in the same run down village as me, I mean you did have to knock me out.” You mocked him. 

Kakuzu almost couldn't even be mad at your bratty rant because he couldn't believe just how dumb that logic was and how you couldn't see that. His cloak alone told everyone who he was, a bounty hunter from the akatsuki organization. The largest team of organized bounty hunters that's been established. He almost stayed perfectly calm, almost. Arm flashed before your eyes and before you could register anything that was happening his massive hand was wrapped around your neck and yanking you down to your knees between his own. Your hands came up to his arm like before in an attempt to make him release you and just like last time it didn't work. His grip around your neck was tight and quickly restricting any air flow. 

Leaning in so his face was level with yours he spoke in a low intimidating tone. “Listen here little girl, keep acting like a brat or you might not be making it home so safely.” He tightened his grip enough for you to suck in air and keep your focus as he continued. “This place is cheap and in the middle of mountains most people don't want to venture up. Besides with rich people the longer you're missing, more money tends to be poured into the pot.”

For a moment you glared up at him but almost instantly you put two and two together, yeah he gets more money later but you stay away from home longer and can maybe find a way to get free again. Almost instantly your bratty instinct kicked into overdrive. You let out a snort. “Like an old man like you would be able to keep up with handling me.” You retorted. 

Kakuzu was just about to make you regret those words, his tendrils were about to creep out from under his long sleeve to wrap around your neck so his hands could make good on that promise from earlier but before he could the door slid open and Hidan came barging in. 

His scythe almost hit the door frame on the way in, he set it down in the corner by the door. “got that cream shit you told me to get, had a few other stops along the way.” He tossed a small bottle in your general direction before he even noticed the position you two were in but when he did a comical grin spread across his face. “What's up old man? Taking the princesses for a ride?” He jokes, howling a laugh. 

Your face instantly darkened into a deep blush when you realized just how close you were and how this looked from the outside. You looked to Kakuzu to let you go. He rolled his eyes and dropped his hand from your throat, threads retreating. You stood and shook your head dramatically. “No, that's not at all what is going on! He was being mean and hurting me!” you defended yourself.

Hidan looked you two over as he made his way into the room and circled you once before taking the place right behind you. He leaned down to speak low and soft in your ear. “Well if he isn't then why don't you come back to my room? I’ll fuck you just right baby, oh yeah I’d have you screaming for me.”

His hand came up to grip your hip, causing you to jerk around and face the filthy mouthed man. “Why would I ever do that? You'd probably kill me!” You accused the white haired man. 

Hidan fakes offense and gasps but his devilish grin couldnt leave his face long enough for him to be taken seriously. He took a step closer and reached a hand behind your head, cradding it softly but keeping you in place as he leaned back down to your ear. “C’mon, I could make a virgin like you cum on my cock in a minute.” He whispered and gave your ear lobe a soft nip. 

Your face was burning now and you were starting to feel really hot. “You both keep calling me a virgin but im not! I've been with a man.” you defend yourself against another assumption. You push his hands away from you and go to take a few steps back but your foot hits something and you're suddenly tumbling backwards. You land hard on your ass with an ‘ooofe’  while your back hits something solid, it couldn't be the wall. You turn around and have to look up to see Kakuzu's masked face staring down at you, eyes holding a bored expression. Your face felt like it was on fire, this whole situation turned horrible in an instant. 

Kakuzu’s thick arm wrapped around your middle before you could even think about getting up yourself. You were being lifted and held at the giant man's side like a rag doll as he stood. “Hidan, stop messing around, you won't touch her because you would bruise her.” He said allowing you to stand on your own, you took a step back from both men. “I'm going to run an errand, see if the price for Y/N’s head has gotten any higher and you, Hidan.” Kakuzu paused to look Hidan directly in his partners eyes. “Are going to take her to the bathroom and clean up her face, then go back to your room and watch her and don't forget the ointment.” He instructed. 

Waving his hand dismissively Hidan yawned. “Yeah yeah got it old man. I can handle a little girl.” He said. 

Kakuzu gave a grunt as a response before turning to you. You could hardly maintain eye contact, something about his gaze was starting to affect you in some way. Was it the green and red giving him a more menacing look or was it all just his presents in the room. Just like how it was affecting you, you also couldn't tell what the reason was.

Your thoughts were interrupted by the grumpy man's gravely voice speaking to you. “And you will do as you're told and not attempt to run off, I don't need to come back to your ass beaten up by Hidan.” He warned. 

“I promise I’ll only beat her ass if she asks me too.” Hidan laughed at his own joke.

You sent Kakuzu a worried look, he sent you a short shrug before opening and leaving the sliding door open for you two to go to the washroom. 

“Well let's go princess.” Hidan called for you as he too walked out the door but turned the opposite direction as his partner. “Let's get you cleaned up.”

You hesitated a moment before reluctantly following after the man. Down the hall and around the corner you stood before the doors contemplating just running and seeing how that ended up. “We?l get going, I don't feel like waiting all evening.” He urged you. 

You walked into the bathroom and noticed Hidan followed you in behind you. You turned and put your arms out in front of you, stopping him from walking any farther. “What are you doing here? Can’t I even use the bathroom by myself?!” You shouted. 

Hidden let out a low laugh. “Hey, babe I'm just here to make sure you don't run away.” He shrugged his shoulders. 

You lowered your arms to your sides and frowned up at him. “Get out.” you said simply. 

He cocked a brow at you. “What was that little meat? Couldn't hear you from down there.” He teased, bending down just a bit and turning his head to the side to hear you better. 

That's when you had an idea, if he hurt you and left a mark then you'd have more time to figure out how to get away from the two brutes. You sucked in a quick breath, balled your hand into a fist and swung at Hidan face as hard as you could. You regretted that decision as soon as the throbbing in your hand started, it felt like you had broken your entire hand on his face.You held your aching hand in the other and glanced at the white haired devil to see if you managed to achieve your goal in pissing him off. He was holding his face and staring blankly at the wall beside him. He slowly dropped his hand and turned his haad back to face you. Blood was running from his nose and down his chin and his signature grin was spreading across his face.

You looked at him with wide eyes, he liked it… He enjoyed you hitting him.

“That almost hurt, little girl.” Hidan growled and wiped the blood on the back of his hand then took a step towards you, you backed up a step and his grin grew wider. In a moment he was standing in front of you and pushing your back into the sink. His right hand came up to snake his lanky fingers around your neck just enough so you could still breath while his other hand held your hip in place. “Are you trying to get hurt, Or are you trying to turn me on?” He said, voice husky.

You couldn't think of words, mind frazzled by the man. You blinked blankley up at him trying to think of how to tell him off. He chuckled and slid a knee between your legs, pressing it into your core. The action caused a breathy gasp to leave your lips and Hiden to chuckle. The hand around your throat moves to cradle the back of your head so Hidan has room to push his face into your neck and inhale your scent deeply. 

You shivered at the sensation, you wanted to push him away but your body was frozen in place. You yelped when he nipped your neck softly before gently kissing the same spot. “Hidan, what are you doing?” you asked breathlessly.

He looked up from the crook of your neck with dark eyes. “I'm being gentle with you, treating you like the sweet princess you are.” He kisses your jaw near your chin before sticking his tongue out and licking along your curves to the spot below your ear, he sucking the soft skin between his lips.

Your hands came up to hold onto his cloak to keep steady. You grit your teeth in an attempt to keep quiet but it didn’t stop the moan that escaped you when he repeated the action with more aggression and teeth. You struggled against him but with his thigh between your legs and rubbing against your now tingling pussy your brain was starting to get foggy fast.

“Hidan~” you whine, pushing against him. “Stop Hidan, I want to clean my face, get out.” you said, bringing him back to the task at hand.

He pulled his head from your sensitive skin and looked down at you. ”We need to get you new clothes.” He remarked out of nowhere. 

You looked down at yourself. Your shirt and pants were dirty and there were small tares and holes everywhere from trying to run away from the bounty hunter pair. “Then get me clothes but right now get out! You can watch me from outside.” You demanded, giving him another shove. 

“Yeah yeah fine whatever.” He said dramatically pulling away from you and walking to the door. He turned back around before exiting. “Be a good girl and make it quick.” He said cheerfully before disappearing into the hallway. You bet with his perverted ear to the door too.

Too be continued~

[mariaofdoranelle]

Look at Us Now — Ch. 5

Fic Masterlist

Hi! *hides away*

Jokes. This chapter and the next are what made me start writing LAUN, so yes I’m pretty nervous to post 😅

Also thank you @renxzs for coming up with the name Doranelle White Hawks after I spent a whole day thinking of soccer team names HAHAH <33

Warnings: language, incarceration, mentions of drinking, mentions of injuries, Fenrys locked in a bathroom

Words: 5,2k (I’m coming to terms with my big chapters now)

Fenrys had been cackling for the last five minutes. Rowan was just staring at his friend with crossed arms, unamused.

“Dude. "His friend paused to catch his breath, wheezing. “You’re literally in horny jail."

Rowan flexed his jaw. Yeah, he supposed he were.

The worst part was, Rowan saw it coming. The entire time he hooked up with Aelin at his office, he knew it'd end with something like this.

It could've been worse, though. when Colonel Darrow told him, in a carefully controlled tone, that he knew everything and it'd be easier if Rowan assumed what he’d done, he knew he was fucked.

Rowan had to look into the eyes of the man who guided him through his first steps in the Air Force and tell him, in a more polished way, that he’s fucked his niece in every position imaginable the entire time she was his student. Inside base.

He had never felt more raw, unbridled shame.

He could still go to work, even though Rowan couldn’t, under any circumstance, leave his military base. Also, he wasn’t shackled, and he was in the guardhouse that looked like a cheap hotel, not the one that looked like jail. Any form of guardhouse was a huge punishment, but it had different degrees. In some twisted way, Darrow had been generous.

Because, for the first time in his life, Rowan Whitethorn had committed a military crime, and he was currently being locked up for it. Ten days. One for each week he committed improper sexual conduct.

"Dude, did you hit on Lorcan or something? He’d totally lock you up for that kind of shit.”

Fen’s breathing was more steady now. Good for him. Rowan couldn’t have picked a worse person to bring the essentials so he could survive this hell.

“Yes, Fenrys. I was hitting on Lorcan. I don’t know what’s more enticing to me, his wife or the fact that he has a newborn kid.”

“But you did hit on someone.” Fenrys had crossed arms and narrowed eyes.

“Nope.”

He didn’t. He had a very lawful one-night stand with Aelin, then she threw herself at him and he fell for it hook, line and sinker, because that woman is a fucking Venus flytrap.

"You hit on Darrow?"

"I would not, under any circumstance, hit on Colonel Darrow."

Fen snorted. "His niece?”

Rowan flexed his jaw.

Fenrys' eyes widened.

"You totally hit on his niece." His mouth opened to speak, but he didn’t because his jaw completely fell. "No, you fucked his niece. She’s the reason you've been getting home late, isn’t she?"

Rowan’s hands were balled into fists. Thinking about everything he did because of that girl made his limbs twitch.

“Holy Mala.” It took a few seconds for Fenrys to have a proper reaction. “Man, that girl is related to two people. A colonel and the Brigadier. She's the forbidden fruits' forbidden fruit. Not even I am that dumb, and you know I love forbidden fruit."

"I knew it then.” He gestured around his cell. "And I clearly know it now.”

"I can't believe I was the proper instructor this entire time.”

Rowan closed his eyes for a second, taking a deep breath as he tried to not snap at his friend.

"You weren’t, under any circumstance—“

“I totally was. I can even go by Lieutenant Goody Two-Shoes.”

“Fenrys, I know you let the newbies play with the guns while quoting James Bond—”

“You’re just pissed I out-goody-two-shooed you.” Fenrys crossed his arms, but held a glazed look on his face. “God, I didn’t even hit on Galathynius’ boyfriend, trying not to fuck up.”

Rowan glared. “Can we please not talk about her boyfri—“

“Shit, man. Sorry. I didn’t know you liked her.”

“I don’t,” he hissed.

“You sure? I can totally steal her man if it’ll make you feel better.”

Rowan checked the bag Fenrys brought him. Everything he needed was there.

“Thank you, Fenrys,” he hinted while looking him in the eye. A clear dismissal.

It wasn’t his friend’s fault, though. Maybe Rowan would laugh about this with him someday, but not today.

Today, his thoughts were on the fact that Aelin Galathynius was the worst mistake of his fucking life. And wanting to never see her again was definitely the reason she came through the same door Fenrys left seconds before, guided by a sergeant.

He held a finger up before she could seat.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

Aelin flinched, but sat anyway. “I need to talk to you.”

“Didn’t you talk enough with your uncles already?”

“About that…” Aelin scratched the back of her neck, cheeks flushing. “I did tell them we had a fling, why would you tell them the details?”

Rowan saw red. She knew damn well the reason that got him such bad punishment was the place it all happened, and there was no way she’d get to pretend she didn’t snitch him.

“Why would I lie to Darrow when he made it clear he knew everything? He’d just double my days here until I confessed.”

She slowly nodded, running both hands through her hair. “He told you he knew everything without telling you what everything means, showed you absolutely no proof of it, then you just confessed without questioning?”

“Yes.” He said through gritted teeth.

“Gods, Rowan, how can you be so stupid? You fell right into Darrow’s trap!”

“I thought you’d told him!”

“I didn’t tell him shit!”

Rowan rubbed his face and took a deep breath. “So how does he know?”

“About that.” Aelin’s face flushed, and she fidgeted with her fingers for a moment before continuing, “I didn’t get to do my exam last Friday, did you hear about that?”

Rowan nodded. “News ran fast. I thought you knew better than to be on drugs and in the military at the same time.”

It was easy to assume, since the tox screen is the main reason newbies don’t pass that stage. It was hard to believe Aelin would be so dumb, but he didn’t know her. After what happened today, Rowan came to the conclusion he didn’t know her at all.

“I don’t do drugs, I-“ she took a deep breath, and her vulnerable blue eyes worked like daggers pointed at him. “They didn’t let me do the physical exam because I’m pregnant.”

Objectively, this was a better reason than drugs. It didn’t feel like it, though.

She got rid of Rowan, got her dream job, and is starting a family while he got his career stained forever by this.

“Congratulations. Your boyfriend must be thrilled.”

Aelin flinched as if he’d slapped her, and that expression alone told him she didn’t know he knows she'd been dating someone while seeing him.

“Actually…” she swallowed. “Dorian has a vasectomy, and he wasn’t in town during the… possible conception days.” She cringed. “Biologically, you’re the father.”

Rowan’s eyes bulged, then his body froze completely.

Father.

He was going to be a father.

Time slowed down, and he couldn’t seem to believe his ears.

It was unexpected, of course, especially because of Aelin’s situation—

Wait a second.

“Did loverboy not want the baby? Is that why you’re here?”

Silence stretched for too long, and Rowan saw her surprised face morph into something else he hadn’t seen before on her.

“You know what, Rowan?” Aelin shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t need you for shit. I have my family’s support. I have money to raise a fuckton of children. If you’re waiting for me to crawl and beg you to do your fucking job, that’s not gonna happen.” She adjusted her purse around her shoulders and got up. “I’m having a baby. It has your genes. You can be as much of a dad you want, or not at all.”

Her words sent a new wave of heat through his body, making him stand as well to stop her.

Rowan would be a father to this kid, she would be sure of that. Even if he lived in an alternative universe where he didn’t want it, he would father the shit out of this kid just to piss Aelin off.

“Seriously? Do I look like some deadbeat dad to you?”

“I. Don’t. Know!” Aelin screamed. “I just got knocked up by a stranger!”

Rowan froze, letting that word sink in and start a riot inside his body.

Stranger? Stranger?

After seeking him out every goddamned evening for more than two months, she has the nerve to call him a stranger?

“What the fuck was this?” Rowan shouted. “Just a courtesy nod? Did you even expect anything from me before you came here?”

She didn’t answer.

Nowadays, it seemed like anything Aelin did made him ache. She had a point, though. They didn’t know each other very well. He still couldn’t believe she thought he’d abandon her in a situation like this.

“I don’t know!” Aelin groaned, pacing around the room and running both hands through her head. “I didn’t get much time to think. I thought maybe you’d want to see the kid every other weekend or—“

“Every other weekend?” He sneered. “Do I look like the every other weekend type to you?”

“Rowan, listen—“

“No, you listen. Don’t you come here telling me I’m becoming a father just to offer me every other weekend!” He crossed his arms, face flat. “I want to see your exams, all of them. I will be to every doctor appointment, I’ll make meal plans because I remember you telling me you survive on chocolate cake—“

“You don’t get to say a word about my chocolate cake!” She screamed, interrupting him. “Neither do you get to talk down to me! You don’t get to order me around, because I’m not a fucking surrogate mother you hired to bear your child!” Aelin paused, catching her breath while she leaned closer to him. “And whatever you decide, you’ll be lucky if I even tell you when the baby is due if you don’t treat me, the mother of your child, with respect. Do you hear me, Lieutenant?”

He did, but didn’t get to tell her so.

Aelin turned around and banged the door closed, leaving him alone to think about whatever the hell had just happened.

˜˜

“SAVE YOURSELF!” Maisie warned her best friend from the top of the playground tower as they played… something.

Like most weekends, Rowan and Lorcan took the kids to the playground in front of both of their houses, since their streets were perpendicular to one another. As much as he liked to pay attention to his daughter’s shenanigans, Rowan’s head was somewhere else today. The kids looked safe, and Lorcan was there watching them too. It would have to be enough for now.

"Am I supposed to give advice? Or just listen?"

Rowan sighed. He had just told Lorcan how he and Aelin were successfully doing that thing where they traumatized their daughter until she becomes an unruly teenager who drinks alcohol at school and smokes weed with a guitarist that pretends to be a feminist to make Rowan’s worst nightmares come true. No. This is stopping now.

Except that last Friday, when they left Maisie at Orlon’s to talk after that meeting, it was a shit show.

Rowan said it was her fault because she never listens to him. Aelin screamed that he is the one who never listens to her. Rowan replied, in a strident tone, that Maisie would be better off if he were only doing things his way like she claimed.

Things went extremely downhill from there. It was one of their most unproductive exchanges.

He dropped Maisie at Lorcan’s the next day to talk again, but she wasn’t home.

Now it was Sunday, and he could only hope Aelin would show up at the game watch party Aedion talked him into hosting.

"Advice.” Rowan was just that desperate.

Lorcan shrugged. "Ellie thinks family therapy would help. I agree with her."

"You always agree with her."

"She's always right, man."

Rowan sighed. Of course Elide would think that. She's a psychiatrist. These people think anything can be cured with a few hours of counseling.

"I think I'll stick to my initial plan."

"Your brilliant plan of not fighting?" Lorcan raised an eyebrow.

Rowan crossed his arms. "My brilliant plan of not provoking or letting myself be provoked. It's pure self-control.“ He shuffled his feet. ”I can do that."

"Your plan is shit."

"I don't need it to be perfect, I need it to work.”

“Okay.” Lorcan ran a hand through his hair. "But you think you'll manage to never have a fight with Aelin again after five years of unresolved shit?"

"Yes," Rowan said through gritted teeth. God, he was tired of explaining his perfectly laid-out plan.

He wasn’t saying it’d be easy. He knew he wouldn’t. But if refusing to fight didn’t work, Rowan had no idea what the fuck he’d do. Because the only other option would be to continue to hurt his little girl, and just the thought of it made his ribs close so tight it left a deep hollow inside him.

Just like clockwork, Aelin showed up at the playground holding a weird white thing. Maisie found her first, running her mother’s way and hugging her legs with a blissful smile on her face.

Aelin crouched to talk to the kids first, sending the adults a small wave from afar.

“Go.” Lorcan elbowed him. “I’ve got ‘em.”

Rowan nodded, rolled his shoulders and went their way. He couldn’t hear it from where he was initially at, but Maisie was telling her mom something.

“Is that right?” Aelin smiled. “Why do you love trees?”

“‘Cause they become toilet paper!” Her little limbs were excitedly waving in the air. “And if we didn’t have toilet paper, everyone would have dirty bums all the time.”

Rowan cleared his throat, and Maisie took a sharp turn his way.

“Daddy! I was teaching trees to mom.”

He clamped his lips together, since trying to look serious to his daughter was a skill he mastered a long time ago. Of course Maisie would learn something new at school and think she’s the only person in the world who knows that information.

“Yeah?” He swallowed, remembering what he needed to say. “Mais, why don’t you tell that to Uncle Lorcan while your mother and I talk for a second?”

Maisie’s limbs went limp by her side. Her little green eyes cautiously darted between the two of them.

Surprisingly enough, it was Lorcan’s kid who spoke on her behalf.

“I want to keep playing,” Charlie insisted, eyes furrowed.

“Yeah!” Maisie immediately backed him up, mirroring her best friend’s body language.

“Oh, but you will.” Aelin smiled at the kids’ protest. “Lorcan will stay here with you now, then you can play here until it’s time for the game.”

Maisie seemed content enough, but Lorcan’s son frowned. It was no secret that Charlie didn’t share his father’s love for sports.

“Dad and I already watched a game this week.”

“We’re watching another one,” Rowan explained.

Charlie huffed. “Who knows the ways of men?”

Rowan snorted, immediately recognizing the quote from Frozen 2.

The walk to his place was slower than it could’ve been if the reminder of what did and was about to happen wasn’t looming like a dark cloud above them.

“What’s that?” Rowan asked while fishing his keys out of his pocket.

“Oh.” Aelin’s eyebrow raised as if she’d just remembered she was carrying this white fabric all along. When she opened it, holding with both opened arms, it made even less sense.

“A table cloth?”

She grimaced. “I don’t have an actual white flag, and the napkin seemed too small for the occasion.”

Rowan felt a brittle patch of warmth underneath the whole turmoil he was feeling inside. This very literal white flag would probably be the closest thing to an apology he was ever getting, so he’d appreciate it.

After leading her to the kitchen, Rowan frowned at his table, considering his options, but handed her the cloth that was there.

“A light green flag?” Her eyebrows went up.

Rowan sighed. “My white cloths are either ruined or so far from Maisie’s reach I’ll need stairs to get them.”

Aelin snorted, a feeble smile on her face while she fumbled with his cloth, eyeing the juice stain in it from this morning.

“I went to your place yesterday.”

“Dorian and I threw a pity party. I would’ve stayed home if I knew you were coming, though.”

“It’s alright.” He bit the inside of his cheek and thinking of a good approach. “I figured out a plan to fix our… situation.”

“Go on.”

“We have to stop fighting.”

“I know.” Aelin gave him a firm nod “What’s your plan?”

“That’s it. We’ll stop fighting.”

“I—“ Aelin’s mouth closed. And opened. And closed again. “Rowan, you do realize how…” she trailed, carefully placing her words. “Flawed this plan is, right?”

“I think it’ll work.”

“Okay…” she ran a hand through her head, and Rowan worked to keep his breathing steady the long seconds she was just examining the walls and biting her lip. “Considering what you told me last Friday—“

“I said a lot of things I don’t mean last Friday.”

*I doubt that*, Aelin seemed to say with one wounded look she quickly concealed.

“You told me I don’t listen to you. I’ll try to get better at that.”

Rowan nodded, his eyes soft.

“We’ll try your plan, even if I don’t fully agree with it” she continued, “But if it doesn’t work, you’ll have to go along with my plan, okay?”

Aelin didn’t tell him what her plan was, but he agreed because there was no way it wouldn’t work. If neither of them provoked each other, there would be no fight. It was a logical thing, and it had already worked with them in the past.

His plan was foolproof.

“So it’s settled?”

“It’s settled.” Aelin said after a second of hesitancy. “We’ll restrain ourselves so we never have a fight again.”

“For Maisie.” Rowan extended a hand, and she shook it.

“For Maisie.”

They looked each other in the eye, holding each other’s hands for a little too long before she pulled it, reminding him of something.

“There’s this other thing I wanted to ask you.”

“Go on.”

“It’s about the wine thing. I’ve been thinking—”

She held a hand up to stop him. “Look, that meeting made it sound a lot worse than it actually is. It’s not a daily habit or anything. It’s just that…” Aelin pulled a chair and sat holding her head in one hand. She sighed. “Have you ever felt like you keep waiting your whole work day to end so you can be at home, but when you finally get home, you can’t stop thinking about work?”

Rowan frowned. He pulled another chair for himself and turned so he could face Aelin. Well, he used to feel like that. A lifetime ago, when he was working for the Air Force as an engineer. There was a reason he changed jobs, though. This week, the biggest headache he had was Lorcan getting pissed because one of the newbies was seen wearing regular sneakers at base.

“I thought you liked your job.”

“I do. I really do. I studied for almost a decade to be here, but sometimes I get home stressed out.” Aelin crossed her arms, not looking him in the eye. “Sometimes I’m just angry because a nurse did a shit job. Sometimes I have to tell a nineteen-year-old that just enlisted that they lost their leg while working. Sometimes I have to see some officer’s little kid completely fucked up because of some stupid shit and can’t stop thinking that it could’ve been Maisie.” Aelin’s voice broke in the end, so she stopped and looked at the ceiling. Taking deep breaths.

Rowan focused his whole being on every word she said, from the ache he felt to the pulse that seemed to beat on the rhythm of her words. He wanted to grasp every feeling she’d try to hide from him later. He wanted to ask her so many things. If any of this had been recent, why did she never mention any of it to him. He didn’t, though. He knew she wasn’t the type to open up easily, and he was scared to say anything that would shatter this fragile moment they were having.

“It’s never much, though.” Aelin continued, “And I’m never not present for Maisie. She was just extra interested because it’s the one thing in my kitchen she can’t have.”

“I still don’t know how I feel about this.” Rowan sighed. He wanted to at least sound more supportive after she opened up, but this conversation was still about their very little girl.

“That’s understandable.” Aelin slowly nodded, biting her lip and looking at a blank spot on the wall. “I can stop if it’s important to you.”

“Just on the days Maisie is with you,” he conceded. “Elide might have my head if you stop altogether.”

“Well, she already says you ruined her sex life. You can’t ruin Girls’ Night too.”

They let out a bittersweet chuckle, and something on Rowan’s chest eased to see Aelin in a slightly brighter mood. Also, to know they were having an actual conversation instead of screaming nonsense at each other.

“Can I ask you something too?”

“What?” He frowned.

“You asked me to stop drinking around Maisie. Now I want to ask you something too.”

“Oh…” Rowan trailed, scattering his brain for something he might’ve done wrong. “Go on.”

“I want you to take care of yourself,” Aelin’s tone was firm as she adjusted her posture and looked deep into his eyes.

Rowan’s mouth opened and closed before he spoke. “I take care of myself.”

“No, you keep yourself alive and take care of Maisie.” Aelin fidgeted with a beaded bracelet she made with their daughter. “I was hoping we could talk about what happened that other Friday.”

When he went to the hospital. Just mentioning it made his body temperature rise.

“That day was just a false alarm, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bring this up again.”

Aelin looked as if he’d slapped her. Rowan would understand this reaction if he was truly denying something after she opened up to him, but that was not the case.

Honestly? He blamed Cortland for implying that Rowan had anxiety in front of Aelin. The doctor was just bitter after things ended with her, and said that to make him look bad. That was the only explanation.

Rowan doesn’t have a disorder. He’s just a concerned father who had an erratic heartbeat after a stressful moment. It’s merely being human.

“Okay…” Aelin nodded. “It’s not just about that day.” She took a deep breath and fully turned to him. “Remember that day when Maisie got sick and you called me asking how to give her the meds? Because you couldn’t read the leaflet?”

It had been three, maybe four months ago. Rowan crossed his arms. “What about it?”

“Did you go to the eye doctor?”

”I’m fine.” He crossed his arms. “That leaflet’s font was just too small.”

“Unlock your phone.”

“What?”

“Do it.”

He did it, letting her quickly examine his screen before she looked back at him with raised eyebrows.

“What?”

“The size of the text on your phone is so big I could read it from across the street. This is not a screen of someone who has good reading vision.”

Rowan gaped, not knowing what to say and wondering how she came up with this. Fuck, maybe Aelin was why Maisie was a smartie, as she liked to say herself.

His eyes widened with the realization of something.

“Do you think that’s why Maisie’s struggling to read? Because she need an eye doctor?”

Aelin’s jaw went slack. “Can you hear yourself?” Rowan blinked, not understanding, and she rolled her eyes. “You can’t focus on yourself for twenty seconds before making it about Maisie, Rowan. No, that’s not the reason she can’t read. The teacher said she can recognize letters, remember?”

“Yeah, she did.” He sighed, shoulders relaxing. “So it’s settled. You’ll stop drinking when Maisie is at your place. I’ll see the eye doctor.”

”Actually, the eye doctor was just an example.”

“Do you want me to go to the eye doctor or not?”

“It’s not about me wanting something, Rowan, you should…” she took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You know what? Okay. No fights, no wine, you’ll go to the eye doctor.”

“We got this.” They firmly shook each other’s hands again to seal this new phase.

˜˜

The living room had seven adults, and the only way they could keep an eye on the children and watch the game at the same time was by placing the play mat between the couch and the TV.

He complained at first when Aedion invited the whole crew to watch the game at Rowan’s house, but he didn’t mind now. In fact, he even liked it. Not only it was a good distraction from this hellish weekend, but it was also entertaining to see Fenrys getting pissed because he missed a goal when he went to the kitchen.

Aedion suggested Fenrys brings bad luck to the game, since the only goal has been while he was away. No one disagreed.

While Charlie was there just to play and because his parents made him, Maisie had her attention divided between her friend and the game. As much attention as a four-year-old could have, actually.

Rowan didn’t know if Maisie actually liked soccer or if she just picked up on her family’s excitement every time an important game is on, but he loved it anyway. Today, he even asked Aelin to come earlier so she could braid Maisie’s hair with ribbons on the team’s color. Rowan sighed. Every time he learned a new hairstyle, his daughter came up with something even more elaborate. It took him almost a month to get the french braid right, but now Maisie wanted it with ribbons.

She looked so damn cute with it, though. He’d probably end up on another Youtube tutorial.

Besides, a smile crosses Rowan’s face every time she wears the Doranelle White Hawks jersey he buys whenever she grows out of one.

”NO!” Maisie screamed, dramatically raising her hands and surprising them all. “Keep your eye on the pie!”

“It’s prize, Munchkin,” Fenrys corrected around a smile, but his eyes were still glued to the TV.

“That’s what I said,” the little girl defended herself, eyes narrowed at her uncle.

Unable to restrain himself and respect his preschooler’s drive for independence, Rowan picked his daughter up and smacked a kiss on her cheek. Luckily, she just giggled and nestled in his lap.

“I’ll be right back,” Fenrys announced and left the room.

The second he closed the bathroom door shut, Athril seized the ball and started to run towards the goal.

“OH MY GOD,” Elide exclaimed, and Lorcan rubbed her upper arm without looking away from the TV.

“WHAT?” Fen screamed from the bathroom.

“DON’T LET HIM OUT!” Aedion roared, pointing a finger in the bathroom’s direction.

Rowan wasn’t one for sports superstition, but he wouldn’t object.

Dorian got up and went the bathroom’s way so fast he stumbled and almost fell, but never gave up. He stood there, holding the handle from one side while Fenrys banged on the door from the other.

“LET ME OUT! I WANT TO SEE THE GAME!” Fen screamed, but one one listened.

It was hard to pay attention on anything else than Athril dribbling each and every one of his opponents, showing off his skills until—

“GOOOOAL,” they screamed in unison, getting up from their seats to cheer.

Fenrys came back running, but instead of complaining, he lit up when he saw the goal’s replay. Picking Dorian up, he cheered alongside everyone else.

Maisie was screaming and twirling on the floor, and even little Charlie looked content. Also, Rowan didn’t miss it the way his daughter tugged on her mother’s leg, whispered something in her ear, and then Aelin left for the kitchen.

“What did Mais want?” He asked after following her.

“Just sandwiches for her and Charlie.”

Rowan nodded, pointed at the bread on his counter and opened the fridge to get the other ingredients.

“Why don’t you throw this away?”

Aelin was frowning at the bread pack. Her hand was going over the first slice of the loaf of bread, picking the other ones the kids would accept.

“What?”

“This crusty slice of bread.”

“Are you bothered by it?”

Sighing, she turned to him. “Actually, yes. It’s like this whole barrier I have to go through before getting to the slice of bread Maisie will eat.”

“Maybe I just don’t throw things away as easily as you.”

“Excuse me?”

“You just told me to throw away not one, but the two ends of the bread just because it looks too crusty to you.“ Rowan shrugged. ”I don’t like throwing food away just because.”

“But you won’t eat it!” Aelin’s tone was gradually rising. “You won’t eat the slice, you’ll just break it in crumbs as you go over it to reach for the other slices, and it’ll end up in the trash anyway!”

“Why do you hate the crusty slice so bad?” His jaw was already set by this point, eyes shooting daggers at her.

“Because I don’t like crusty bread!” Aelin screamed. “I like my bread fluffy and comfortable! Why in hell would I settle for crusty bread?”

Rowan felt his blood ringing in his ears. “Well, maybe I don’t want another slice of bread! Maybe I want my crusty bread because it’s mine! Flawed as it is.”

“You’re not even eating that fucking slice! You’re just stringing it along, inside your little bread pack, until it breaks completely and you inevitably throw it away.” Aelin was gesticulating each time more, coming closer to him as well.

Rowan crossed his arms. “I would never throw my slice of bread away. And if you think—“

“Oh, really? Then what did you do to all the other crusty slices from your other packs?”

“THEY’RE IN HIS MAMA’S ASS,” Elide interrupted, voice louder than any of them as she banged the kitchen’s door closed. “Are you two serious right now?”

Rowan’s frenetic heart seemed to sink into his stomach.

Their agreement to never fight ever again had lasted five hours.

He bowed his head, refusing to meet any of the women in the eye. He bit the inside of his cheek, thinking of something to say, even though he knew he should be apologizing.

“I’ll finish the sandwiches, you can—“

Elide crossed her arms. “No, I am making the sandwiches, because you are so busy screaming at each other you forgot to feed the kids.” She shook her head, cursing under her breath. “Now you two will go sit at opposite ends of the living room because I ain’t going anywhere before the White Hawks win, so you’ll have to behave for once. Understood?”

“Sure,” Aelin mumbled. Rowan still wouldn’t look at her.

He nodded.

After they went to the living room, everything seemed normal. Everyone acted like nothing had happened, but Rowan knew better.

No matter what the subject was, he always felt the same after fighting with Aelin. The heated skin, tense muscles, replaying arguments inside his head.

It felt different this time.

After this fight, he felt nothing but shame.

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[komohine]

(College au)

Today i bring you found siblings Pidge and James. Wont disclose too much (for suspense but also bcs i havent figured everytjinf out yet) but basically Pidge is a 15 year old in an extremely fast paced and competitive college environment (their uni, Burnham, is basically just another ivy league in this universe. And she’s in uni for compsci and coding) balancing her schoolwork with her tireless search for her missing brother and father. That’s not healthy for a 15 year old. On top of that she doesn’t get that big of a monthly stipend because her mother is really struggling to keep everything afloat alone. And even though her mom tells her not to worry of course Pidge fucking worries.

James comes from a similarly fast paced and stressful background. His whole life was pretty much making sure everything he did was beyond perfect for not only the public eye but also so he could maybe get some love from his parents (never happened). He’s balancing a dual major and a minor with the responsibilities of being his parents company’s heir and it absolutely sucks but at least he’s a legal adult.

Pidge does NOT like James at first. Like with James you either really like him or you really, really hate him. Most people like him but the small minority that hate him are passionate about it. She always questioned Keith’s taste and thought James was a no good pretentious asshole that would only hurt Keith and everyone around him.

Until one day, while James is spending some time in the dorm, Pidge offhandedly mentions to Hunk how annoying it was that her favourite chocolate brand doubled in price because of import fees because she could no longer afford buying it. James made zero indication that he care or even that he heard this. But two days go by and the paladin dorm gets a fresh grocery delivery (their struggle with groceries was a recurring theme). Beyond the fact that James went out of his way to buy groceries for them, the groceries weren’t just a random assortment of stuff either. Inside were spices Hunk complained he was missing, a premium protein powder for Lance because Lance finds the cheap ones taste quite bad, chestnuts for Keith, and a megapack of the chocolate Pidge wanted. Down to the specific kind of chocolate from the specific brand.

And Pidge had been so wrapped up in her insane schedule and stresses that she’d forgotten how nice it was for an adult to take care of things for her. Because making the decision to skip out on your favourite treat in favour of actual nourishing food bcs you cant afford both is a heartbreaking decision to make at 15. And Pidge realizes that maybe James isn’t so bad.

And she starts sucking up to him and loudly mentioning her favourite snacks around him because she knows he’ll buy them for her and every grocery delivery she’s proved right when her favourite snacks show up. But one day James just looks at her and goes “you know you can ask me directly, right? I don’t mind” and Pidge crumbles a little and her voice gets stuck in her throat and she can only manage a weak comeback because shes now realizing that James actually does care and that he reminds her a lot of Matt and she misses Matt so much its painful.

One time Keith and James were out but Keith forgot something in his dorm. James is the faster one so he offered to go get it for Keith and ended up accidentally walking in on Pidge having a full on meltdown (Pidge and Keith are roommates). James very quickly walked back out of that room to give her space but he didn’t leave immediately. After he heard her sniffling die down a bit he asked through the door if she wanted to talk about it. Because James came from a big family that was devoid of love. He would do anything to have had one of his older siblings comfort him when he was younger and sad over whatever. The least he can do is try to be what his older brothers were not. Because he sees himself reflected in Pidge in a way. He knows if he was in her position at her age he’d kill for someone older to tell him that all will be well eventually.

And instead of answering Pidge just opens the door and hugs James and James is a little shocked but hugs back nonetheless and sits with her on the dorm floor for a long while (he had to text Keith to go on without him) listening to her ramble about school problems, more personal issues, club penguin drama, and warrior cats lore.

[niuttuc]

Toluz clever conductor

It focuses on discarding my own hand to toluz with effects like skirge familiar and mind over matter to make loops killing and recurring toluz while things like syr konrad and bonemiser are out to just dig and grind everyone out

Mmmmh, then I won't point out a single card, but a category of cards, with a couple particularly interesting examples.

There are cards that can discard themselves for a spell-like effect, either through a Channel ability, a random one off or when they cycle. While it does cost mana, it can be of great effect. Simple cycling effects can draw cards or find the lands you need with the cheap cyclers from Ikoria or cheap land cyclers from LTR, but we can do better.

How about a bad counterspell you can reuse every time you reset Toluz? Or a bad instant speed removal? These two are particularly nasty because once your opponent knows you have them in hand, it'll mess up their plans big time if they want to play around it. Always leave up three extra mana when casting spells? That arranges you. Never get into combat with anything that doesn't have three more toughness than potential blockers? That arranges you. Harvester of Misery isn't even a bad card on the front. It does kill Toluz (oh noes) but it also empties out a board of tokens. Hell, Harvester can even be used as a pseudo-sac outland for Toluz from hand if you have stuff to bring her back lined up, since you can discard it to give her -2/-2, and it'll get exiled by Toluz before the ability resolves, and go right back to hand. With a Bone Miser, you can probably turn that into an infinite loop somehow.

There are also worse versions of those effects from older sets. I don't know if these are worth a slot but it's good to know they exist. The ones with Cycling are pretty weak but at least draw an extra card.

And finally, the funniest card of all, which isn't actually good because you won't need its ability by the time you can actually make use of it for profit, but...

Which you can just discard whenever by itself to do nothing. Unfortunately, I would STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST playing it even if just for the memes, because if you do, Graveyard Order matters in your game, and you do NOT want to have to deal with that, particularly not in a Toluz deck that constantly gets things in and out of there.

Edit: Oh yeah, after the fact I also remembered Spellshapers existed! Most of them are a bit too clunky to use and threatening to opponents, but they're also options. Shoutouts though to Undertaker.

This can get you back a creature that wasn't discarded while adding to the Toluz pile... Or get you back Toluz after you sacced her if you're out of other ways to get her out of the grave, all for a very affordable cost.

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

BUBBLES!!! Hiiii 🥰 how are you doing on this fine Wednesday? I personally should be working and studying and all but I’ve decided to take a moment and write that headcanon I told you about instead because procrastination is my middle name 🤪🤪

It probably won’t be long but i NEED to share so yeah, here you go!! Mr. Joel babygirl Miller and the chain ✨✨

Pre-outbreak!Joel

It’s important to start by saying that Joel is 100% a giver, he doesn’t hesitate buying his daughter/you whatever you need, want, settle your eyes on. He truly lives for the people he loves and he would absolutely stay with nothing if it means having you and Sarah happy and content. That being said, you try to push him, get him to buy that new pair of boots he’s been eyeing for a while, buy some new shirts because yeah the ones he owns are okay but they’re slightly getting washed out. And it’s not because he’s a cheap man, quite the opposite! Sarah wants a new pair of shoes and he doesn’t hesitate buying it even if it’s a little expensive and she tells him it’s not necessary.

I think it comes from him being a single father relying on one income that, granted, is pretty good but he isn’t rolling around in money, you know? So most of his money would go to house related things, Sarah (especially when she was a baby because yeah, babies are expensive), school, sometimes trying to do fun stuff with his daughter like going a few days away on holidays, sending her to summer camp when he has to work, etc…

But now, you have two incomes, sarah isn’t a baby anymore, Joel’s company is going veryyyyy well so it’s not the same anymore.

Anyways!! His birthday is coming up and you decide to completely ignore his “i don’t want anything, i have my girls….and tommy” little speech like usual. But on top of that, you saw a golden chain at the jewelry shop the other day and you think it’d be a nice gift. So you buy the chain and have the pendant engraved with your initials (so J, S and whatever your initial is)

He probably doesn’t know what to say when you give it to him, he isn’t really used to being the one at the end of the “receiving” line and I mean, we all saw how he reacted when Sarah got his watch fixed. It would be quite similar, he’d be too touched and emotional to make a big speech (and Joel isn’t really one for big speeches anyway) but he’d clearly appreciate the gesture. He’d probably just hug you really tight, kiss your forehead and say thank you. His reaction would seem simple and anyone who doesn’t know him might think it’s because he doesn’t like the gift but you know it’s the complete opposite.

Since that day, he wears that chain everywhere. He never takes it off unless he’s showering. He keeps it well hidden under his shirt when he’s working but when he isn’t and the weather is nice enough, he’ll be ndaring enough to put a nice button up shirt and leave it open a little so the chain can be seen by everyone. Because yes, he wears it proudly, he wants to show the whole world that he’s yours as much as he enjoys showing you off. And I feel like it’d become a habit of his to just play with it whenever he starts missing you or when he’s nervous or lost in his thoughts.

Post-outbreak!Joel

Not much changes except the fact that finding a chain would be even more special. You’d find it in an old mall not too far from Jackson and you can’t resist, you bring it back. You go to the person who can engrave (I’m sorry i cannot remember the name lol) the necklace and have not only yours (so you and Joel) initials engraved but you also ask to add a little E and a S. 

I feel like the more your relationship goes with Joel, the more he feels the need to talk about Sarah. I’m not saying he’ll be talking about her all day long but he’s bottled up everything for over 20 years and now he feels safe and happier which makes him more open to sharing. We saw it in that last scene with Ellie when they’re walking, it would be a bit like that as well. Sometimes, something would remind him of Sarah and he’ll tell you about it. Of course, you welcome it, you appreciate hearing about her and learn to love her through the stories he tells you. So yeah, all that to say that Sarah is part of the family even if she’s not physically present anymore so it’s natural for you to add her initial on the necklace next to yours and Ellie.

His reaction is pretty much the same as pre-outbreak!Joel. He’s definitely very emotional, he has no idea what to say because he’s so touched that you love him so much you’d do all that for him. I feel like although he knows you love him (yes, sometimes he doubts himself and his ability to make you happy but never he never doubts you) sometimes, you do or say something that shows just how much you actually care and it hits him “wow, she really loves me” kinda. I don’t know how to explain it but all these gestures make him really emotional and he feels so incredibly lucky to have you he can’t even speak anymore. And also the fact you thought of Sarah as well???? Life made it impossible for the most important girls in his life to all be with him at the same time but this just reminds him that yes, Sarah is gone but she keeps living through all those memories and the love he has for her and now, also the love you have for her in a way. I think it would help him a lot to finally process his grief and heal somehow that you accept that “old Joel” part of him, that life before the outbreak you didn’t know and that isn’t here anymore but still exists through him.

Okay i wrote something about his reaction but it disappeared so I’m writing it again here and sorry if it appears twice. As I said, his reaction would be pretty much the same, he’d be too choked up to speak so he’d bring you close in a hug and thank you. Then he’d be wearing that chain everywhere. Probably not with an open shirt because he’s definitely more self conscious than he used to be before the outbreak but he’d wear it on top of that undershirt thing he wears under his flannel (me making sense?). Again, he’s wearing it proudly and smiles every time he notices the chain in a mirror or someone makes a comment about it

So yeah, to sum up, gift something to Joel and he’ll cherish it forever and ever and also pedrito with an open shirt and a chain almost killed me but other than that I’m doing okay 👍🏼

Okay that’s all for today little bubble, i love you very very much and I’ll talk to you later <3

-🪷

Catch me in my pre-outbreak!Joel's mood today...

You would be planning Joel's birthday without him knowing obviously. It's just you and Sarah, Tommy is there for the logistics of going to buy stuff or hanging stuff up. And since the weather is getting warmer you decide on a family barbecue. No one else is invited just family because Joel Miller doesn't do big gatherings and Lord forbid all the attention being on him.

So it's a happy Friday. Sarah skips school. Joel has no clue about it too. You had made him ask for a shorter shift even if he had fussed about it for over a week. And you're just at it all day. Making little garlands from paper and fairy lights. Hanging them all over the backyard. And you bake a cake as well, Sarah helps to decorate it. Making hearts and flowers from icing. And it's in no way perfect but Joel doesn't need perfect well in his eyes anything that you and Sarah make is perfect. And you wrap up his presents just as you said spoiling him this year. Finally getting him things that he's been eyeing but pushing aside because he prioritizes getting his girls things. Writing little notes on each one. Like for this because your other shirts are 25 shades lighter from washing than they should be and so on.

When Joel finally gets home he's greeted with a silent house. He quickly checks the time - like mmm shouldn't my girls be back by then? So here's calling out for the two of you. You don't answer but he hears the giggles coming from outside. Shaking his head he makes his way to the patio and that's when he notices - all the candles and decorations. Sarah jumps from under the table. Running to hug her dad as she sings happy birthday to him. Joel just stands there embracing her. It almost feels surreal.

"You're looking at it like you hate it...", Sarah murmurs after a while of silence from her dad. But Joel just shook his head. "I knew you were up to something you sneaky bunch", he says and Sarah frowns, "No, you didn't know. Don't lie. Tell him Mom", she crosses her arms over her chest stepping aside as you also walk closer to him. Reaching to cup his cheeks as you lean closer to kiss him, "Happy Birthday, handsome". Joel's arms are lazily holding onto your hips as he smiles at you, "Have I gone to heaven?", you let out a laugh looking at Sarah, "See he thinks he's dead it's that good".

The rest of the evening is just filled with food, laughter, and music. Tommy had taken so many pictures of everyone and you had only returned the favor. Sarah has her hands over Joel's eyes as you and Tommy get the presents set on the table in front of him. "This is unnecessary. You know I need nothing, already have more than enough", he grumbles but Sarah only shushes him telling him to stay quiet or he won't get any cake.

And he would struggle a lot to take in all the things in front of him. He just doesn't know how to receive. He's a giver *cough cough* no but he finds pleasure in spoiling you. As he had said he gets more happiness from watching you enjoy stuff than buying something for himself.

Sarah is the one who hands him the box with the necklace. It was her idea and she was afraid that her dad would hate it. Been going on and on about it almost in every conversation that you had. So you've been reassuring her. Telling her that Joel has been more open with his style. Trying out different shirts and pater mixing and boy was it hard not to drool thinking about your husband with a golden chain around his neck for very different reasons. You haven't even seen him with it but you were already hit and bothered.

Joel is confused as he takes the box. Shaking it a bit. "Promise me this is the last one", he says looking at you both as you nod. To say that he wasn't expecting this was an understatement. He wasn't big on jewelry. Yes, he wore his wedding ring proudly and let you slip some other rings on him from time to time and that was all. His fingers trace the chain. The letter pendants made his heart swell. All the letters if your first names. He shakes his head.

"Told you he was going to hate it", Sarah bite her lip already fighting her tears, needing her dad to love it. Joel is quick to turn to her frowning, "Who said that I hate it baby girl? It's beautiful. I just... don't know what to say". Sarah slips to his side, to hug him once more. You take the chain from him. Going around to clasp it around his neck and shamelessly undoing one more button of his shirt, "Oh, that looks so good", you say more to yourself while biting your lip. Joel catches your gaze, smirking back at ya, before leaning down to press a kiss to Sarah's head.

[rosedeleca]

My beloved bluebell (tied up) and Elation (she doesn't get a more conventional name because I got frustrated trying to find her one)

This is just going to be a lot of me yapping so I'll leave that under the read more

They're not in the alien stage competition because I'm determined not to give myself more shit to do but I couldn't stop myself from making them.

Their personalities are also in flux, I'm forcing myself to have fun with these two so it's going to take a while for me to get their whole back stories sorted out. I'm proud of the art I made so I'm sharing that though.

Elation is a mad scientist type. she cares and loves Bluebell but in the way someone loves their favorite possession, She'd kill for her of course but just because Blue Bell is "hers". Probably got it from Rhocera treating all of her pets like her possessions, like pretty decorations. Because of this she doesn't actually know what love is, the only thing she's ever experienced is something cheap and fake.

Bluebell is based on a character that was a vampire, so I got to figure out how to give her vampire vibes without overdoing it. All I know is that it's probably Elations fault, Elation has fucked up a lot of bluebell's DNA with shit over the years. Bluebell would be more willing to drink and ingest the weird science shit Elation brings her if it was less painful, Bluebell has a low pain tolerance and most of Elations stuff at the very least gives her the largest headache. Bluebell doesn't know what love is either, I haven't made her owner yet so I'm not sure how specifically she's gotten fucked up.

(whoopsies, give them both mommy and daddy issues)

My first sketches of the freaks :)

Doodle page :D

The oc's that they were based on actually, so this ^ is older art. Elation has sideways goat eyes :D.

Fun fact that art of her choking out Blue Bell was made using a reference photo I took of myself choking out a baseball bat that was somewhat neck width :D

[thessalian]

Thess vs the Holiday Festivities

Christmas dinner with the parentals went pretty well this year, all things considered. Bad pain day, unfortunately, but good food, good company, and a new family tradition is born.

That last ... well, see, I figured that it'd be nice for all concerned if I made dessert this year. Saves the parentals having to come up with something I can actually eat, not to mention make it on top of all the other stuff they're cooking. So I asked if I could do that and they said they were very happy for me to do so. I dug out a recipe for gluten-free gingerbread cake, and found a separate recipe for maple cream cheese icing, and decided I'd do that. I decided to bake the actual cake last night just in case something went wrong.

Which I was very glad to have done because the recipe was for 8" square baking tray and mine was only 7", as it turned out. I only figured that out when the first attempt at the cake collapsed in the middle and was half-raw inside. I looked up why a cake would sink in the middle and when I saw "too small a pan" as one of the reasons, I did some measurements, at which point I just went, "Well, fuck". But they were counting on me to bring dessert, which meant I had to improvise. So I made another batch, only used most of the batter, and came out with a very lovely gingerbread cake. The icing was a bit more of a struggle, honestly, mostly because I kind of forgot to sift some of the icing sugar and really struggled to get rid of the lumps, even with my trusty hand mixer. In the end, I added a bit of warm water, which dissolved the lumps, and a bit more sugar (sifted this time) to thicken it out a bit.

It was a success, at least. It can be hard to measure success when people are trying to be polite, but there are cues that go beyond, "This is nice!" Like my mother, for instance - my mother always leaves stuff behind on her plate because bird-like appetite, so I know she really likes something when she cleans the plate entirely. She did it with my meatloaf, and she did it again with this cake, and that was after a goodly amount of turkey thigh and roast potato and carrot and Brussels sprout and roast parsnip. As for my stepfather ... well, when he was finished his first piece, he immediately went for a second piece - larger than the first one, even. And that was after he'd cleared his entire dinner plate. Also he'd been at the icing the moment I brought it into their house. And they kept half of it, for snacks later. I think it was a success.

I'm thinking maybe apple crumble next year. My stepfather really likes apple crumble.

Gifts were an equal success. I wasn't expecting anything this year, because joint Christmas and birthday present was my trip to MCM Comic Con and most of the Critical Role cast autographs, but Mum insisted that I had to have something to unwrap so they got me a thing anyway. So I got one of those big oversized fleece-lined nightshirt-hoodie things - it's so much nicer than the cheap-ass one I bought at Morrisons last year when I didn't have a lot in the way of heating. Also matched up with my birthday gift to Mum - I got her aset of the same fleecy slipper-socks I got at around that same time, and she wore them most of the evening. Her feet thank me, apparently. Also lucked out on her Christmas gift - I got her the first two seasons of PIcard on DVD because I know how much she likes Star Trek and didn't know if she had Prime Video or not. Turns out she does have Prime Video and had in fact seen it, but is more than happy to have them on DVD. Especially when I flagged up that it means she can still have it even when Amazon takes it off their streaming service. As for my stepfather, I got him a multitool, and while it turned out Mum had also got him one, she admitted that hers was "kind of flimsy" compared to mine, which is a big ol' chunk of tools complete with allan key and screwdriver attachments. I mostly got him that because every time he's been here looking into fixing things, he's ended up saying, "I'll have to come back with X tool" and hauling around a giant toolbox, and he has back issues so I wanted him to have something more portable. This one even has a pouch with a clip on it so he can wear it on his belt.

I do put thought into these things. I just want everyone to enjoy their presents, y'know? It's a good day if I can make someone happy. And I definitely did that today. Especially my aunts - I don't speak to them often because they're both not all that great on technology like email or Zoom calls, and long distance calls are expensive, but Mum rang them after dinner and put us on speaker, and I think just me saying hi made their year.

So, bad pain day aside, it's been a pretty good day. And now I have coffee and leftover gingerbread cake and a whole week off. Happy holidays, and I hope your holidays were good. You know, if not perfect, then at least satisfying.

[handonhaven]

Okay so I don’t know it this has been talked about or not. But I hate that they had Hope spread Klaus’s ashes at the school. Especially since she said she wanted to spread them somewhere she can feel him with her. So you expect me to believe that Hope will always want to be/come back to is the place she spent practically all of her time unhappy??????

Also how disrespectful that was to Klaus. He was taken away from his home, his family to be lay to rest in a place he didn’t consider home. In the exact same place that Aurora was buried. The woman who caused his family so much pain. Who killed the woman he loved……… like what type of bs is that

I’m pretty sure I’ve talked about that at some point because I absolutely hated it too, for all the reasons you mentioned. I mean, the whole thing with them bringing Klaus’s ashes into the show was bizarre, especially after his ashes spreading out into New Orleans with Elijah’s was the final shot of TO. But then we’re supposed to believe like 4 years after that, the Mikaelsons somehow retrieved Klaus’s ashes and need to spread them again?? It was so stupid and was as if the legacies writers wanted to take what had already been done on TO and make it their own in the worst way possible. I totally agree with you, like why on earth would Hope spread them at the school as if she’s never gonna leave? She’d been miserable there without Landon, but even if that wasn’t the case, she’s still gotta move on with her life at some point anyway. But the writers didn’t want that, that was basically their way of saying she’s gonna stay trapped at that school forever. So yeah it was an insult to Hope’s character but even more of an insult to Klaus’s character, like you said. His ashes had previously been with his brother’s, in the city where his family and their home was, which was also his favorite place in the world, but they took them and had them transferred to a school that didn’t mean anything to him? Other than it being where his daughter went, where she was treated horribly? And the fact that they had his ashes spread in the same place as Aurora’s makes it even worse. It was so bad, it’s as if no real thought went into that decision, the writers seemed to just wanna make everything about the school. And it was such a cheap way of trying to make it seem like they were doing something meaningful for the finale while not actually doing anything meaningful or true to the characters. If they’d really wanted to do something meaningful for Hope and Klaus’s relationship and with Hope feeling closer to him, they would’ve had her returning to their home in New Orleans, where they’d actually been together. And had her getting to be with their family again and finally getting to be happy (with Landon too), which is also what Klaus had wanted for her. And it would’ve brought things full circle and opened up more of a future for Hope, but nah, everything had to be about the school and nothing else mattered.

[watching-pictures-move]

Put On Your Raincoats | Hostage Girls (Pachard, 1984)

From the premise, about escaped convicts taking a group of female roommates and their boyfriends hostage, you might think this might be a rough and mean affair, like The Story of Prunella. And especially with George Payne in the cast, who has gone psycho mode so memorably in that movie and others, you might think you’re in for a scary time. But when you see the convicts trip multiple times, or pick “Go Fish” as their pastime of choice ("Seven spades in a row, you lucky son of a bitch"), or jokingly introduce themselves as Curly, Larry and Moe, you can probably revise your expectations. And when the girls are already hanging out in their underwear before the convicts show up, and spend the movie eager to get laid and in fact initiate most of the sex, you can safely assume that this won’t be the rough, mean and scary time the material would suggest.

I watched this primarily for Renee Summers, who has the bulk of the spiciest scenes and chirps Brook Fields for her cheapskate boyfriend (Fields defensively responds, "He's not cheap, he's just a victim of inflation"). But she shares MVP duties with Danielle, who leaps on an opportunity to defend one of her roommates ("Leave her alone and do it to me"), and later articulates her preferences with refreshing clarity ("I like my men with class, style, brains...and a big schwatz”). Also, while I normally find leopard prints tacky, I have to admit her leopard print lingerie was really doing it for me. And yes, the two of them get a scene together that’s pretty hot stuff, although it’s undermined by some ill advised cross cutting.

Joey Silvera is the chattiest of the convicts, although Klaus Multia brings some goofy Francois Papillon in Body Girls energy, and George Payne refrains from going psycho mode and instead gets a bizarrely tender scene with Summers. Also of note is Jerry Butler as the bozo boyfriend of Taija Rae, the latter of whom proposes a group scene where six of them manage to fit onto a single bed, although there’s some vertical stacking going on, like they’re pornographic Lego bricks.

Anyway, this is pretty goofy stuff, but the cast is likable, there’s plenty of funny dialogue, and the soundtrack consists of instrumental knockoffs of pop hits (I distinctly heard ���Beat It”). And while there’s implied coercion in a hostage situation, this thankfully avoids any rape scenes and keeps the atmosphere lighthearted. So with tempered expectations, it gets a recommendation.

[the-firebird69]

Her son and daughter are saying to make a kit it looks like this it's the Pontiac fiero GT it's like a super sport everything why would we do that and I noticed something it looks really cool couple things you can change and you really should make the front of the door match the back is the inlet the rear end needs to be fixed as a stupid bumper the front has his air intake system and we should leave it and the chassis has the performance package and you can sort of do it. So he's saying as like a conversion. Now this used to be mid-engine and it was pretty fast but the motor was 130 horsepower top speed was about 250 and people loved it and it disappeared and people can't figure out why and the reason is is it was way too fast and they were getting away with stuff and John remillard is a chicken s*** not only that he's very stupid and he thinks that he has a robot computer and he thinks she runs everything and it's disgusting it is so disgusting I can't stand him living there he's such a f****** moron pig is a mental patient our son is surrounded by mental patients who don't want to do anythingthere's a new nothing to suck at it they went and looked at stuff can't figure it out I think it's a lie don't care and who cares her all running to these cities thinking it's fake and we actually need to take the cities over and they mostly suck they can fix a lot of it but we can fix a lot of it this is an idea this car is a high performance vehicle there's a couple of chassis that would fit on and they're Asian and boy what a surprise that would be was a fiero showing up as like a hypercar and you can't really do it with panels you could but it wouldn't be really worthwhile and we would modify it a little so he's saying how can we do this people aren't going to go oh great a fiero. And we do have chassis and it would bring back the fiero so he's saying we get together because we want to start up Pontiac and the bunker buddies they want us to do it and we know that and we come up with a redesign that is still somewhat realistic and for a kit car at this time it was your mind of doing it at Pontiac and you'd have to move the engine but it's not worth it it really is not it wouldn't get up and go that would but and it's not much room to do it and it was not four wheel independent it had a special transmission so really you can't do too much with it you can do it kit and leave the engine in the front on a subcompact sedan would be for Pontiac fanatics and it would be a test he says and she's taking it too of the code. Pontiac is a symbol for an arrow so that's one thing I also have the G6 that's another car that's pretty nice and he's saying that we probably have these chassis everywhere and yeah they're about 220 horsepower and there's a monstrous pile of them and they're different brands mostly Chevy and Ford and it'll be too nice cars you can make cheap and pump them out with production in mind and both of them Pontiac and we like the idea it's kind of a weird thing that he likes doing strange things like this Pontiac is known as a fast car as a matter of fact the Pontiac is the horse size that white beauty was and yes she's white at the time she can change black and she likes it she's just a horse at the time of the rickshaw which is the VW golf and boy where the hell and people just to do a car was supposed to go through it because they made it to a nightmare for our son and bear with it is such horseshit but that's what they do we're going to go ahead and start this up

Thor Freya

Olympus

I might do some assembly and BJ wants to and what you're saying is the panels for the time being might be fiberglass and it will be faster and you're going to try and show us the frame and it's kind of complicated to move the engine back and it takes money and price so you don't have to go real fast they say the fiero will go about 2:35 and with the engine in the exhaust 255 and the G6 will go about 225 and 2:45 for the engine is exhaust and it's the shape and you can still fit four people in the G6 the other one you'd have storage and it'll be a fake man engine mid engine fake but really if you're transporting pets stuff you can give them fresh air it's kind of stupid but you can cut that out and put a fan and put a no fan it's a screen and a safety screen and really it works nice and they are nice and safe in there

Trump

Olympus

[paganmoonbaby]

Sunday 14th Jan

Yesterday was my Sunday reset and day for releasing and welcoming the new week!

I cleaned a lot in my apartment because it had been stressing me out a lot. I’m not quite done but it’s at least clean now. still a bit cluttered, tomorrow my kind of like support from the state is coming to motivate me to clean so I’m gonna do the declutterring and stuff like that then.

They are so incredible, at first I was so embarrassed for having them. but because of my intense adhd, history with addiction and mental health issues I realized that even if I’m doing okay, I need these people that come, treat me like a person and help me get started. Simply the fact that they are coming makes me motivated to clean because it makes me think like “omg they can’t come here when it’s such a mess”. I’m starting to accept and appreciate the help that I’m given and started to be so amazed and proud to live in a country (I live in Sweden) that actually cares so much and tries their best to make criminals/ addicts like me not to fall back to their habits. Even though Sweden isn’t perfect.

Anyways I did something a little bit different to make my cleaning a little more magical

Herbal floor cleaning

I put ingredients corresponding to my intention and wants in my water that I then used to wipe my surfaces, especially around my front door and everything surrounding it. And then wiped my floor with it for protection and good vibes for the coming week. I think I might keep doing this and maybe make a finished bottle of infused water to use on a regular basis. We’ll see!

• I used my normal big water bucket I use for cleaning, cleansed it with sound and poured in hot water. Adding a bit of my new moon water from this new moon in Capricorn.

Capricorns are driven and what I would say very tough so in my mind the lunar energies when the moon is in Capricorn would be perfect for banishing and protection.

• I added a few drops of lavender essential oil for calmness and peace

• And rosemary essential oil for general protection

• I then added my normal cleaning solution, I did however intentionally used an orange smelling one to in my mind bring some joy because that’s what oranges are associated with.

• I took a reusable tea bag and added dried orange for joy and positivity. Lavender for peace and cedar leaves for purification and protection

____

I cleaned and cleansed my altar and took a moment to out a tea offering on Athena’s altar and speaking a little with her though her pendulum. It’s funny cuz my other pendulums she doesn’t seem to be connecting with. But the one I bought now she is so enthusiastic about using. Is swings clear and stops almost on its own between questions. I asked if she wanted to do a tarot and unlike the last time where I got a no, she did want to.

And it’s so fucking funny and incredible because I asked what I could do to make her happier. And told her to throw out the card. I shuffled like twice and a card flew out like half a meter and Landed on the floor. I looked at it and it was a 7 of pentacles. I look at that card as growing and taking care of your possessions. Because the man is just standing there looking I’m interpreting it as like being thoughtful whether or not to harvest and use the money right?? I’m a novice in tarot so please add if you have any thoughts.

The funny thing about this is that this month I’ve been INCREDIBLY irresponsible with my money and basically blew my whole paycheck in a week. And how freaking fast that card flew and how far, dude she was very sure about what was wrong. So I promised her I’m going to do my best and my goals now is to only order online for not more than 50 dollars a month and to only buy lunch for work once a week and focus on bringing my own food. usually when I buy food it’s pretty cheap but I do it like every day so imma have to cut back on that.

I also asked how she viewed our relationship and instantly the empress flew out and that made me tear up a little/ a lot.

Sorry for so much rant but my I filled up my journal and need to make a new one so everything is just gonna end up here