#this is just in case anyone suspicious followed me before i do my weeding and whatnot

[cow-fights-gender]

just like to start off this re-entering with

fuck off t🤨rfs, transm🤓ds, whatever tf

ur gender is ur own do Not come here w "u cant/have to do this otherwise ur not really trans" bs

your mom and whatnot

that being said if ur like a normal human being who stays in their own lane, slay ✨️

[maifrenthebesto]

Thinking about the imes I've been shamed by others for doing what I wanted to do at the time.

This one is a vent rather than an introspective monolog.

One time I wanted to do a silly little dance to make the new classmates laugh, since they seemed to be doing the same. They saw me do it and the defacto leader asked me to never do that again. I didn't, but not because he asked, but rather because there was no point in following up the act with the given audience.

There was another time where someone with an unusual amount of information on me tried to gesture at some notions that they deemed as moral failures that I would engage on in private with frequency in the hopes that I would conform to the standard they hoped of me to achieve. That may work for me, but given the information being hinted at, there was a level of intrusion that I was not comfortable with rather than a shared understanding of the concept masquerading as discussion. I stopped for a bit because it made me uncomfortable that they were that intrusive, then I got over it and realized that the path they took to be this holier than thou personality with nothing else on their hands than to cyberstalk me in order to justify their actions was an unstable foundation for any argument. You wouldn't want to do anything in private that you wouldn't do in public, or, "...if you need to do it in hiding you shouldn't do it at all." Ended up bein the most hypocritical statement amongst a sea of hypocrisy emanating from the mind of a man with an inferiority complex twice his stature.

Another time, a relative of mine was entrusted with an ounce of power after diligently working towards that end, as soon as they got it, they proceeded to shame me into not smoking (weed in particular) in front of the whole restaurant, which was conveniently populated at the time with people who could gain from having the ability to hold that over my head at a later time. I made a case for myself then but really I had to be okay with being seen as the black sheep from that point moving forward, because in a small town, anyone's business is a better topic of conversation other than your own.

In case you're wondering, I smoke still, not a lot, but it was never a lot. It just so happens that any amount was unacceptable in the eyes of some people. Whether they have good or bad intentions, the position comes from a place of a moral grandstanding, and while I encourage folk to do edibles over smoking any day, we shouldn't hate our neighbors just because their prerogative differs from our own, and that's not something you can force, let alone shame others into doing.

That one is a deeper wound because I know for a fact it's been talked behind my back by people outside of the table, but at the very least it shows me who is my friend because of me, and not because of what they could get out of me. So thank you! c:

One more to close out the series.

Once upon another life, there was an elaborate test put together by someone who needed to know how to feel about what they had done to me behind closed doors, so through unknown machinations, their first-removed cousin came with the intention of being a honey pot trap. They were overly nice to me, inviting me to be closer to their inner circle, and I felt as though a ray of sunshine hit me in an otherwise deolate moment of my life. The reality turned out to be much grimmer, as they only wanted me close to be able to mock me for failing the secret test they constructed, they set the parameters and conditions, and played against my over easy disposition towards kindness. It definitely was suspicious, and they always thought they were the "best" at what they did. It is a sad end to that tale, as I tried to forgive them over and over, but it was their cynicism that really glared through it all. I was disposable from the beginning, like the one before me, there's always a reason to seek an out, and the out can be easily created to save face. I think that if you want an out you should come out and say it, but I think theatrics are just easier for emotionally immature folk who need to have a jester to mock from afar to feel better about their situation in life.

Well, it's okay, I want to be okay with all of these things, and at the end of the day I am, it would just be better if these things weren't so, but if they weren't, I'd be writing about another set of items in this vent, wouldn't I?

Try to be kinder to those around you, because not everyone wears their heart on their sleeve, but we all bleed the same. So if I cut you, I apologize.

Can you apologize to those you've cut with your sharpness? A misguided blade, however sharp it may be, does not compare to a blunted edge with purpose.

[truckreincarnation]

No More Drama || Theophania || Trial 2.2 || Re: Esmee, Frank || Attn: Nao

This fighting was getting out of control. Everyone playing the blame game and focusing on their anger towards one another rather than the actual case at hand.

“Enough. This blame game isn’t going to get us any closer to solving Perry’s murder. Exchange insults all you want after this trial is over, but for now, just try to keep your vitriol to yourselves.” She sent a pointed look to both Esmee and Frank. She’d kept her mouth shut when Esmee blamed Bian, but they couldn’t keep going on like this.

“In any case, I do agree that the motive likely had something to do with this, but it’s too early to say if someone was doing it to save themselves, or out of some misguided attempt to protect someone else. What I can say is that, having listened to your testimonies, the following people still do not have solid alibis for that timeframe of Perry’s death: Manami, Nao, Vee, Frank, and Shinjuku. And before you say anything, yes, I know that some of these are very unlikely, but it would be disingenuous to leave them out based on my personal opinion.”

She turned her gaze to Frank. “I don’t think passing by a shed and smelling weed is an alibi, Frank. We could all smell it during investigation when we went in there. Unless Germain or Luz can vouch for seeing you in the Orchard at the murder timeframe, that doesn’t work as a viable alibi.”

It wasn’t meant in an accusatory way, merely just stating the facts of the case.

“There are a few others that technically could have done it, but the timeframe is so slim, I don’t think it’s worth considering them unless all other avenues are exhausted.”

The possibility of someone committing the murder that quickly, without alerting anyone or being spotted, was just too ludicrous to consider. There really was no telling when exactly the crystal was shattered, but it couldn’t have taken Perry very long to bleed out. Not with so many small wounds.

“But moving on from people’s whereabouts, there is something that bothers me a bit. Primarily…how did no one hear this crystal exploding? I’d imagine it wouldn’t be quiet with that level of force. Explosions, even magical ones from crystals, are by design not quiet. Some of you would’ve been close enough to hear something of that magnitude, right? Unless there was a way to silence it…”

Theophania crossed her arms and looked at Nao.

“Darling, please don’t take this as a direct accusation, but I’ve noticed that you still haven’t stated your whereabouts tonight. Not just at the time of the attack, but in general. Could you please explain where you were and what you were doing? That is the fastest way to eliminate you as a suspect.”

Her words really were just a way to soften the blow. It wasn��t a direct accusation, sure, but Theophania was definitely still suspicious. If Nao could prove their innocence here, then great! But if not, then…well, it certainly was suspect nobody heard a thing, wasn’t it?

[storiesforallfandoms]

you’re my best friend ~ pete davidson

word count: 2002

request?: yes!

“pete friends to lovers”

description: in which two best friends get super sappy while drunk

pairing: pete davidson x female!reader

warnings: swearing, alcohol and weed usage

masterlist (one, two)

You were already two glasses of wine deep when Pete showed up, two cases of beer in his hands. He had a look of excitement on his face, which slowly fell when he realized there was no one else in your apartment.

“Everyone else cancelled,” you answered his unasked question.

“Everyone?” Pete asked.

You nodded. “Prior commitments or just not wanting to come or some shit.”

Pete came over and plopped himself down on the couch next to you. The case of beer was at his feet and he popped it open, taking out a bottle and immediately chugging it. You looked at him in amusement as he did so. Once he was finished, you asked, “Aren’t they warm?”

“Room temperature,” he corrected.

“Isn’t that gross?”

“A little, but obviously I have to catch up with you so we can be on even playing fields all night.”

You smiled and poured yourself another glass of wine as Pete opened another beer and started to drink again.

Between the heavy amounts of alcohol and the joint that Pete had brought, the two of you had gotten fucked up in no time. At some point you couldn’t even get up off the couch for more drinks, or for water that you both knew you should be drinking. The hangover you were going to have the next day was going to be killer, but in the moment neither one of you really cared.

You were both laid back on the couch, legs intertwined as you laughed at something Pete had said. It probably wasn’t even that funny, but in your inebriated state, everything was hilarious.

“You’re, like, my bestest friend, Pete,” you slurred. “No one else even bothered the show up, but you did!”

“I’m sure everyone else had like...stuff happening,” Pete said. “Adult things like...I don’t know...kids and taxes.”

You retched at the thought. “Yeah, no, I’m good with not having those adult things to do. Having kids, while extremely cute, is also extremely exhausting. But I don’t think anyone would’ve shown. No one else really...hangs out with me anymore.”

You laid your head back so you were looking at the ceiling. You could feel a lump growing in your throat and didn’t want Pete to see if you started crying. You knew this sudden emotion was most likely caused by the alcohol and the weed, but you also knew it was something genuine, a concern you had deep down that you had never voiced to anyone before.

You could hear Pete move to sit up and immediately turned your head away so he couldn’t see your face, even though you knew that looked more suspicious than anything.

“Everyone is busy, (Y/N),” he said, his voice soft. “I’m sure they’ll be able to hang out soon enough.”

“They’re not too busy to miss out on work get togethers, or going out with one another.” You sighed. “I know people grow apart and that’s just what happens when you grow up, I just didn’t think it was going to be all of my friends growing up and drifting apart all at the one time.”

“What am I, chopped liver?”

You giggled and sat up. The room spun around you as you did so and it felt like your stomach lurched. You had to take a moment to steady yourself before focusing your attention on Pete.

“I told you, you’re my bestest friend,” you said.

Pete’s smile slowly faded as he looked at you. “(Y/N), don’t cry please.”

You had forgotten about your emotional moment entirely. You wiped your cheek to find a wet streak running from your eye to your chin. You looked away from Pete again, suddenly feeling ashamed by your needless emotions. You were glad that the two of you were so drunk in that moment and would likely forget all of this the next day.

Pete’s hand lightly touched your chin, lifting it so that you were looking at him again. You looked into his eyes as he used his thumb to wipe the tears from your other cheek. Your breath caught in your throat as you realized how closely the two of you were sat together.

“I’ll always be here,” he assured you. “No matter how much we grow up or grow apart, I’ll always be one phone call away.”

You nodded, unable to get the words to unstick from your throat. You believed him, you knew he’d always be here.

The smell of beer and weed was strong as Pete leaned forward more, and normally you’d hate the smell combination. But you were too distracted by Pete’s eyes to notice, and a moment later you were too distracted by his lips on yours.

You had never viewed Pete as anything more than a friend before. You had grown up together. You were partners in crime since the first day you met in middle school. Your friends, and even your family, often made jokes that the two of you would end up together, but you both laughed it off. You were best friends, two peas in a pod, nothing more.

But now, with his lips moving against yours and his arms pulling you as close to him as you could get, you weren’t so sure. It could’ve been the drunken state the two of you were in, mixed with the emotions you were feeling just moments before. When the two of you sobered up the next day you may have not even remembered what happened, but in the moment you wanted all of him. You wanted his lips, his hands, his body, his heart, and you wanted to give him all of you in return.

His tongue brushed against your lips and you gladly let it in. It was wet and tasted like beer, so not the most romantic thing in the world, but it felt good in the moment. You felt like nothing could ruin what was happening, until your stomach lurched again.

You quickly pulled away from Pete and rushed to the bathroom. You didn’t even have time to kick the door closed behind you before you collapsed next to the toilet and threw up everything you had eaten and drank the past few hours. Pete followed closely behind you, pulling your hair back and gently rubbing your back. When you stopped throwing up for long enough, he got up to get you some water and made you drink it all before he did anything else.

“I didn’t think I was that bad of a kisser,” he joked. You glared at him over your shoulder before throwing up again.

Once you felt steady enough, Pete helped you to your feet. You brushed your teeth and took a mouthful of mouthwash in order to get rid of the taste of vomit. Pete helped you to your bedroom, where he had another glass of water and an Aspirin waiting for you.

“You’ll need that in the morning,” he said. “I’ll let you get changed.”

“You’ll stay with me though, right?” you asked. Suddenly you hated the thought of Pete having to leave.

He smiled. “Of course I will. I just want to give you some privacy while you change. You’re not supposed to see a girl naked till, like, the third date.”

You smiled back at him, a fuzzy feeling building inside of you at the thought of actually going on a date with Pete.

You changed into a pair of comfy pajamas and downed the glass of water Pete had left for you. You ventured out of your room to the kitchen to pour up another glass. You found Pete putting the bottles of beer in the recycling container and putting your glass in the sink.

“Why aren’t you as fucked up as I am right now?” you questioned.

“I could always handle my booze better than you,” he teased. You scowled and stuck your tongue out at him. He chuckled and put an arm around your shoulders. “Come on, let’s go to bed.”

After some convincing, Pete agreed to join you in bed. At first he laid a respectable distance away from you, but you moved close to him and placed your head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around you, running his hands through your hair as your eyes became too heavy to stay open.

“You’ll regret this in the morning,” he murmured. “Or forget it completely.”

“Maybe,” you said, “but let’s wait for the morning to decide that.”

~~~~~~

When you woke up the next morning you groaned in pain. Your head felt heavy and like it had been stabbed by multiple little needles. You opened your eyes but had to shut them again immediately, hissing at the pain that small action caused.

Why the fuck did I drink so much last night? you questioned as you braced yourself and opened your eyes again.

You found yourself alone in bed, which didn’t seem too unusual until you remembered that you hadn’t been alone when you fell asleep. Pete had been there, more specifically he had been cuddling you.

You’ll regret this in the morning, you recalled him saying before you drifted off to sleep. You wondered if he had left before you had the chance to decide how you felt about the events of the night before.

You popped two Aspirin pills into your mouth and swallows them with a mouthful of water. You pulled yourself out of bed and slowly walked out of your room, the only speed you could manage in this state. You were halfway to your kitchen when you realized you were smelling something; bacon. You wondered where the smell was coming from, and didn’t have to look far to get the answer.

Pete was stood by your stove, two plates full of eggs and toast already sat next to him. When he heard you enter, he turned and greeted you with a smile.

“Good morning sleeping beauty!” he said. His loud voice pierced your ears and you quickly covered them and groaned. He chuckled. “You poor thing, you’re gonna hate today.”

“I already do,” you said. “Is that for me?”

He looked down at the plate of breakfast. “One of them is, yeah. Do you think you can keep it down?”

“I can try.”

The two of you sat at your dining room table and began to eat. Although your stomach still didn’t feel right, the food was definitely soaking up whatever alcohol was left in your system and thus was making the splitting headache you had subside just a little bit.

There was an awkward silence looming over the two of you. Despite what you thought the night before, you could still remember every detail; the emotional conversation, the kiss, the cuddling, how you felt when the latter two things were happening. You knew Pete remembered because he certainly wasn’t as fucked up as you were.

“Do you regret it?” you found yourself suddenly asking.

Pete looked up from his breakfast, fake confusion on his face. “What do you mean?”

You gave him a look. “Pete, I remember last night. I remember what we did, and what you said before I fell asleep.”

He sighed, turning his attention back to his food. “I don’t know...do you regret it?”

“I don’t,” you admitted. “If anything, I...I feel whatever the opposite of regret is. The only thing I regret is getting so drunk I threw up after we kissed.”

He smiled. “Yeah, that’s not exactly great timing.”

You looked at him, still waiting for his answer. Finally, he looked up at you again and said, “I don’t regret it either.”

“So what do we do now?” you asked.

Pete thought for a moment before saying, “I take you out on a date, one where we’re both completely sober, and we decide if we really want to do this. How does that sound?”

You smiled brightly at him. “I think that sounds like a great plan.”

[charliedawn]

How would they react to the new arrival ?

" Hi everybody. My name is Y/N and I am the head nurse around here. If you have any questions, you can ask them to me. I see here that two of you are transfers from St John's, so you'll be assigned to miss Harrison's department..However, I see here that mister Wendell Crumb has just been released from prison ? Who is mister Wendell Crumb ?"

A close cut man raises his hand with a slight smile.

" That would be me."

You smile back before checking something on your file.

" Fine. You'll be transferred to my department. However, I see here that you've got many names..May I ask who I am talking to ?"

Wendell Crumb suddely straightens up and stares right at you with a very unsettling smile.

" I'm Barry. Nice to meet you.."

You raise an eyebrow suspiciously before looking down at his file. Creepy smile. Judgy stare. Feminine stand..Yeah, definitely not Barry..

" I'm sorry, but in order for us to get along, honesty is the key..Now, could you please tell me who you really are ?"

The man's smile only widens as he congratulates you.

" Clever girl. I'm Patricia. Nice to meet you."

He then claps with both hands and you narrow your eyes, trying to figure the new patient out. He seems harmless enough, even though his file seems to suggest the contrary. A great pretender. After all the effort you had put in getting the patients to trust you, this one would surely bring chaos. You could already tell by just looking at him in the eyes: he wasn't here to get better.

You sigh before closing the file and signaling to the patient to follow you as Harrison enters. Wendell Crumb is almost too eager to follow you. You can feel his stare on you, as if he was sizing you up and down.

" The patients are eating, I suppose it is a good time to get acquainted with them and make some new friends. What do you think ?"

You smile and try to be nice to him, but he doesn't answer. He only huffs before looking away. You open the door to the cafeteria and feel the stare of all the slashers on you and the new arrival. Patricia seems to be doing a quick assessment of each slasher before finally landing on you.

" By what I heard, I thought I would be meeting fearless and bloodthirsty demons..But all I can see is a bunch of old-timers."

Your eyes widen in shock at his words and you can see some of the slashers tense. However, far from being intimidated, Kevin widely grins and seems to slouch slightly, taking another personality you guess.

" Hi guys ! I'm Hedwig ! I'm soooo excited to meet all of you ! Patricia said you were like us ! That's like, totally cool !"

To that, Freddy is the first to answer with a mocking smirk.

" Great. Another kid..Me who thought we would finally be enough to play poker. What a disappointment..Can he at least change his own grown-up diapers ?"

Suddenly, Hedwig's joyful expression shifts to a much serious one that glares daggers at Freddy.

" What did you say, steak face ?"

Oh oh. Freddy's expression darkens and he stands up to face Kevin that only arks an eyebrow at him, a silent challenge. One that Freddy is eager to respond to.

" What did you call me, baldie ?"

But, far from feeling intimidated, Kevin only stares down at him with a little smirk.

" You heard me, midget.."

You can feel the tension rising and put yourself between the two of them promptly.

" Hey ! That's enough ! Be nice ! And you.."

You turn towards Freddy with furrowed eyebrows, clearly displeased.

"..I told you to hold your tongue with them."

Freddy only humphs unhappily before getting out of your grip and glaring at Kevin that only grins defiantly at him.

" What ? That's it ? This is the infamous Freddy Krueger ? The bringer of nightmares and slayer of children ? I must admit that I am deeply disappointed.."

Patricia, she wants to rile him up. You quickly get another nurse to get Freddy to sit back down before he gives in to his violent impulses. You then glare at Kevin before taking him by the arm for him to follow you outside of the room.

" What are you trying to do exactly ?! Get killed ?!"

But, far from feeling guilty, Kevin's grin only widens as he stares directly back at you for several seconds, as if looking deep inside your soul..At the end, he pretends to be apologetic by raising his hands in surrender and finally giving some kind of explanation for his behavior.

" I'm sorry. I'm just feeling overwhelmed, garden variety issue..You understand. We mustn't let the bad seeds take roots, or we may end up with bad weed issues.."

At this, Pennywise that had followed you discreetly gets out of his hiding spot to growl menacingly at Kevin.

" Bad weed ?! Who are you calling bad weed, pal ?! I'll show you bad weed."

But one stern look from you, and Pennywise reconsiders. But, he is still glaring daggers at Kevin that only giggles maniacally while you get him back inside. However, he doesn't miss the way you instinctively hold on to the pendent hanging around your neck..What a strange necklace..? He turns his head towards the slashers that all seem on edge now, like a pack of wolves ready to attack. However, it's even worse when he suddenly takes you by the shoulders to smell you behind your ear, his gaze still fixed on the gang that seems ready to jump into action at any moment..Even Pennywise doesn't notice that he is munching on his spoon instead 9f his actual food. You try to get out of his grip, but he only tightens his grip on you as a response.

" What ? Are you all her lapdogs now ? I see the appeal..But still, to think she managed to have you all around her little finger..The strongest men on Earth, all submitting to that small bite."

As if to prove his point, he starts nibbling on the top of your ear, waiting for a reaction. However, before anyone could do anything, Kevin feels something piercing his skin and turns around to see a smirking Five with a needle in his hand.

" Nighty night."

Kevin collapses and you quickly kneel by his side to take his pulse. Thankfully, he's alive and you ask some nurses to bring him back to his room. You had agreed with the hospital not to use the collars unless it was a case of extreme emergency, looks like this could be one..

" Thank you, Five. But, dont use medical supplies without my permission again, okay ?"

He doesn't lose his smile before replying casually, hands in his pockets.

" Can't promise anything.."

The slashers are still staring at Kevin that is dragged out of the room. It takes you a while to reassure them that you're fine, even longer to convince yourself. However, Five seems even more suspicious than usual, he seems to be eager to return to his bedroom, and he was late for lunch..But, you don't have the time to worry about him. You finally manage to get them all to return to their bedrooms and walk inside your own. There, you let the mask fall and collapse on your bed, burying your face in a nearby pillow in order to muffle your tears and screams. Each time, you try to contain your own fear for the safety of the patients and yourself, but just with one touch, this new individual had made all of your walls crumble. However, you have to get it together, you couldn't let the other patients see you like this..You get up and cough a bit before cleaning yourself up. You then open the door, not expecting all the patients tumbling inside as they were listening in..You sigh and pinch the bridge of your nose.

" What did I say about listening on doors ?"

They all stand up and look at everything but your face or simply try to justify themselves.

" Look, hon..We were only worried..Kinda ?"

Freddy tries to explain, but you take a big inspiration before stepping out. This is just what you needed: serial killers worrying about you.

" It's the hour of your medication. How about Michael and Five come to help me in the kitchen while you wait in the your rooms ?"

You finally decide to ignore Freddy and are surprised when Arthur takes you gently by the arm so you can look up at them.

"Hey, don't shut us down. Freddy is right, we were only worried."

You eyes soften at their genuine concern, but you quickly shake the feeling away. You had faced far worse, but this patient scared you the most..because he had attacked you as if he already knew, as if he knew who you were before you even introduced yourself. You will have to keep a close eye on that one, that's for sure. Fortunately, the patients hadn't reacted too extremely, or it would have turned bad, very very bad..You don't know why the hospital had suddenly decided to add another patient, but one thing is for sure, this new patient wasn't transferred here, he was sent here with a purpose. Now, your goal is to discover whatever purpose that is. You are on your way to his room when you realize something..You hadn't seen Jason all morning. He wasn't there for lunch either. You feel cold sweat running down your back when you suddenly hear some fighting noises. You run in the direction of the sounds and are shocked to see Jason, Five and, surprisingly, Klaus in Kevin's room. You don't have the time to ask what the last one is here that Jason takes Kevin by his shirt and throws him through the window.

You look at Five for an explanation, but he doesn't look at you and looks at the broken window instead.

" Did he just..?"

" Yup. He just did.."

Klaus confirms before turning towards you with a small awkward smile.

" Can someone please explain to me why a civilian is here and why Jason just threw Kevin out of the damn window ?!"

You exclaim and for once, Five is speechless and it's his brother that decides to step up to explain the situation to you.

" Hi. I'm Klaus, Five's older brother and I was about to help him escape until we heard noises of a fight outside. We got out and saw a bold man talking and fighting our dear sweet Jason that threw said man flying through the window. Literally."

Your eyes widen at the news of his planned escape and then look at Five with a confused frown. The idea of escaping wasn't what surprised you the most, but why would he want to leave now ? However, before you could ask, Jason, who is clearly upset, pushes right past you with angry groans and an uneven breathing. You give a stern look at Five, clearly signifying that this discussion isn't over before running after Jason before he could murder Kevin. When you get out, you see that all of the slashers had encircled Kevin that seems angrier than ever.

" I'll kill you all !"

He shouts, but Freddy only cackles while leaning against the wall, with the sunglasses you had given him sitting on his nose, and Pennywise that has a bowl of popcorn in his hands.

" Come on, Jason ! We'll enjoy the massacre..There are no witnesses. Just show that clown who's the boss ! No offense.."

He quickly adds at the end to Pennywise that only smirks before fist-bumping him.

" None taken."

You run to stand between the two huge men that don't seem to even notice you. You look at Michael for help, but he only crosses his arms, clearly implying that he wouldn't interfere. Great..You think before turning towards the devil you know, your hands outstretched towards him.

" Stop, Jason. Please. This is not you. Whatever he told you, it is not worth this. You will be punished, severely. They will maybe not kill you, but they will lock you away, somewhere nobody will ever find you again.."

Jason seems to finally snap out of it and you smile when he takes your hand and yanks you forward with his supernatural strength. You chuckle, relieved while he hugs you. But then, you hear a loud sound behind you and turn around swiftly to see..Brahms ?! Brahms just took Kevin by the throat to crash the back of his head against the concrete and his hands are now around his throat, squeezing painfully tight. You run towards them and try to get Brahms to let go, but he only tightens his grip on him as you yell.

" Let go, Brahms ! What are you doing ?! I said let go !"

But he doesn't listen to you, even worse, he gives you a hard blow to the stomach with his elbow that knocks all air out of your lungs. However, you still find the strength to get up and this is when Brahms finally shouts furiously.

" He took my doll !"

You are surprised how he managed to form a whole sentence without stammering and also horrified by the news. Brahms' doll is Brahms' most precious possession, no wonder he wants to kill Kevin. But then, Kevin laughs and spits blood on Brahms' mask.

" Idiot. You kill me, you won't get the doll and they'll throw you in the darkest deepest hole they can find.."

You know that he is telling the truth and look at Brahms that doesn't seem to be willing to stop. You take a big breath before finally taking out the pendent they had offered you. You hold it tightly in your hand before ordering Brahms to stop.

" Stop, Brahms ! Let him go ! Now !"

Suddenly, as if under some kind of transe, Brahms straightens up and finally releases Kevin. Brahms then slowly turns towards you and walks to you until he is barely a few inches away from you and leans in so close you can hear his hectic breathing. You almost fear for your life and hold on to the pendent even tighter.

However, he only humphs and walks away. You look up and, for once, see the disappointment in the different slashers' eyes. They all saw what happened, what you used to control Brahms.

" I..I didn't want to.."

But it's too late, the damage is done. The Joker, that had stayed silent so far, suddenly bursts our laughing, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes as he tells you bitterly.

" You know why Jason attacked Kevin ? Because he said that you were using us..Looks like he wasn't so wrong after all.."

He walks past you, not even giving you a second glance. You turn towards the rest of the slashers that seem either angry or even fearful of you.

" P..Penny..?"

You try to extend your hand towards Penny that is eyeing you warily and who growls warningly at you when your hand is too close. Suddenly, a hand snatches yours to yank you backwards.

" Back off, lady !"

Pennywise cautions you, his eyes glowing yellow in the dark. However, suddenly, some armed forces enter the yard and get out tazers to restrain the patients. You see one of the guards tackle Pennywise to the ground. To your horror, Penny bites the guard's shoulder that screams loudly in pain. Before you could say anything, another guard shoots some tranquilizers at the Penny that collapses.

" No..No !"

You run towards Penny and cradle his face with tears in your eyes. It wasn't supposed to go this way. What had gone wrong ? You look up at Pennywise that is now restrained and muzzled. He tries to break free to reach Penny, but the guards won't let him.

" Pennywise..I'm..I'm so s.."

But he glares at you and cuts you off harshly.

" Nah. Save your breath, princess.."

Pennywise says while eyeing you up and down with new-found disdain, even Freddy is not smiling anymore. The slashers are brought back inside with shackles and you feel your lower lip quivering. You didn't want to use the pendent, but he was going to kill Kevin and..You look back to see that Kevin is smiling. He even dares giggles when some guards come to take him away.

" Rejoice ! You are of the worthy ! You are broken !"

You don't understand and frown in confusion, but he doesn't add anything. You sigh deeply before getting back inside as well, you had to make it up to them..somehow.

" You really think it's a good idea ? We aren't even sure that Kevin will be able to accomplish his mission."

But the woman, far from being worried, only puffs out a cloud of smoke and replies with a confident smile.

" Believe me, John. It will work..Soon, we'll have the slashers at our mercy. They'll be our little tin soldiers. And nothing will be able to stop us, brother.."

[minart-was-taken]

Sort of continuation of this, but it also does stand on it’s own!

Title: A small problem Characters: Ravio, Wind, Minish and Legend Includes threats of violence “Tags:” First meetings - No-one is sure what they’re doing but that’s ok - Zelda shows up!

Enjoy!

Ravio was speechless, a little scared, but most powerfully: mesmerized. Two kids, clearly younger than him and both with bright blond locks that rivaled the sun, were engaged in combat.

Although fists were flying, neither had landed a single hit. When the older one, who he had dubbed Mr. Sailor, threw a hit, the younger one, Mr. Small, would live up to his nickname and shrink to a very small size.

He’d then unshrink, throw a hit himself, and miss as the other pulled quite the leap to get away.

Ravio was simply waiting for one of them to land a hit, and for the situation to escalate badly, as he was too afraid to intervene.

Another crack followed then, they were starting to give Ravio a headache.

From it appeared a pink haired boy, tallest of the people present. He blinked in surprise, glancing around.

His appearance seemed to distract the coat wearing boy, who ended up getting decked in the face and fell over shouting “SHIT!” very loudly.

“Oh my.” Signed the newest arrival, looking at the situation before him with wide eyes. “Am I interrupting something?”

“I’m glad you are.” Ravio responded, walking over to the seemingly sane one, although staying from stabbing range just in case. “I’ve been trying to get these two to stop fighting for ages!”

“No you haven’t!” Grumbled the kid slowly getting himself back from the ground, while the smaller one stood smugly nearby.

“Do I look like someone who could stop a fist fight with force?” Ravio pointed out. “Neither of you listened to reason, so I simply was waiting for an opening.”

“An opening for what?”

He hadn’t had a proper plan. “Why would I tell that? You might fight again and I don’t want you to know what to expect.” However they did not have to know about that.

“Why were they fighting?” the pink one asked.

“He started it.” Coat boy complained.

“Ah. Uhm.” Ravio scratched the back of his head: “From what I could tell, I was simply talking to Mr. Sailor here, then the small one appeared from the bushes and kicked him in the back of the knee.”

“But why?”

“I’m not quite sure.” Ravio confessed.

The stranger tilted his head, confused, before turning to look at the small smug one. “Could you tell us now?”

The very small one scoffed, but signaled for them to follow.

They were in the yard of a small house, and near the window was a little patch of what looked more like weeds than anything else. The kid pointed at one of the weeds that had been very slightly stood upon.

The pink haired one understood, his fist meeting his palm in understanding. “It’s not nice to trample on other people’s plants, Mr. Sailor.”

Coat boy crossed his arms. “I didn’t do it on purpose. I just appeared right there! I would’ve moved if I knew I was standing on a plant.”

“It’s just a big misunderstanding then.” The pink one nodded, kneeling down to be the smallest one’s height. “Next time try to tell him to move before kicking him, okay?”

Mr. Small looked unimpressed, but nodded.

Ravio was just confused as to why anyone would care about such an useless patch of plants. The only valuable thing lost here was a possible alliance between the two small ones.

Kids, oh so dumb. Ravio smiled to himself.

“When you said you appeared-” the Pink one spoke again, standing up and turning to the sailor. “Was it like how I did?”

Mr. Sailor nodded. “Yeah. One moment I was just hammering some nails and suddenly I’m here. Being kicked in the back of my knee. By the smallest bokoblin I’ve ever seen.”

The small one raised a fist, but the pink one grabbed it mid air, and held it still. The small one seemed shocked that someone could- Or more likely- Would try and stop him.

“Oh sorry, I meant rat.” Said the sailor, sticking his tongue out.

“Please stop antagonizing the small child with a sword.” Ravio said in a hushed voice.

The small one was too entranced by having been stopped to care, simply staring at the pink one with wide eyes.

“Huh. What a strange situation.” The pink one continued, ignoring the general chaos. “Well, I suppose if we’re all in it, we should get to know one another. My name is Link. Spelt L-I-N-K”

The smallest one pointed at himself, all the while Mr. Sailor gasped: “Wait- That’s my name too.”

Ravio felt himself tense up a bit, what he had been suspecting was indeed going on, wasn’t it?

The house that looked eerily like the one Link lived in, then there was the clear fact he was in Hyrule, and that there were people who looked eerily like Link but weren’t him…

Oh great goddess of lorule, take him back home please. This is not ideal.

“Hm…” The pink one pondered. “This seems like it’d mean something significant.”

You think? Ravio raised a brow, before shaking off the questioning look to smile politely like a good salesman. “Link isn’t the most common name, so I have to agree.”

He walked closer to the pink one, mostly certain he wouldn’t stab him. With a hand on his back, he continued. “The only Link I know of is the legendary hero of hyrule! It’d be ridiculous for him to be here, though, wouldn’t it?”

“I am he.” Mr. Sailor said.

The tall one blinked at that. “But.. So am I?”

The smallest one dug through his pockets, and pulled out a small note, handing it to Ravio.

Ravio read it out loud to everyone: “Link is the hero of Hyrule, and is allowed to do what he sees fit in order to keep the country safe. Signed, Princess Zelda.”

“...We can’t all be heroes of Hyrule.” Mr. Sailor complained. “And I know for one that I’m not lying, so.”

“There isn’t just one, though.” Ravio spoke up. “Legends speak of a hero in green who appeared centuries ago, perhaps he too had someone before him, and there was someone after.”

“Centuries, though.” Mr. Sailor pointed out, “Do I look a hundred years old to you?”

The smallest one nodded, but Ravio shook his head.

“I’ve heard of stranger things than time travel, in these lands.” Ravio stated.

“I suppose it is a plausible theory.” The pink one pondered, hand on chin. “I know I’m not lying either.”

“And the small one has a letter from the princess.”

“It could be forged.” The sailor pointed out.

Ravio wanted to point out he could tell a forgery from the real thing pretty easily, and had seen enough of Hilda’s writing to know how the royal family conducts it’s deeds. However, that’d make him seem kind of suspicious. “We could go and find out?” Ravio decided to ask instead.

“How?”

“This is clearly the small one’s home, if these are his plants. So this is his Hyrule.” Ravio explained. “Let’s go to the castle, and if the kid is allowed in, it means it’s not forged.”

“I suppose that’s a fair plan.” The pink replied. “And since neither of us are apparently lying, if the letter is real, then- Er, what’s your name?”

“I’m Ravio.” He responded, “The greatest merchant around.”

“Okay- It’s nice to meet you.” The pink one smiled. “Then if all of us are Link like we claim, Ravio’s theory was right.”

“Or some form of it.” Ravio specified.

The pink one nodded. “Very well, little one, could you take us to the castle?”

The smallest one pouted, but began leading the way.

“Holy fuck!” The sailor gasped, looking at the castle once it appeared in the horizon, standing tall yet- A little smaller than Ravio had expected.

The smallest one grinned smugly, walking at a pace more akin to jogging to stay in front of the taller people.

“It’s quite small.” The pink one commented.

“I do agree.” Ravio nodded. “The one I’ve seen is certainly larger.”

“It looks funny.” The pink one smiled, maybe even a little smug.

Ravio took note of it, but did not comment on it.

“So.” The pink one continued. “Your name is Ravio?”

“Like I said, yes.” He nodded. “Are you interested in my wares? I don’t have much on me due to the sudden departure but-”

“Not Link.” He stopped Ravio. “Yet you look a tad like us.”

Ravio blinked, breathing hitched. He missed his hood, but he had been in lorule- He doesn’t need that in Lorule! In Lorule he’s one of a kind!

“I suppose destiny can have a bit of a slip up here and there?” Ravio suggested. Sorry Link, he’d have to steal your identity for a bit here. “I assure you, however, just because I cannot wield a blade does not make me completely useless.”

The pink one simply kept smiling. “Very well, then.”

He hadn’t bought it, had he? Ravio yelled internally, but tried to keep the relaxed facade up.

The castle town was very cute, the sailor looking around with wide eyes, looking like he was taking many internal notes.

What caught Ravio’s eye however, happened a bit later. The smallest showed the letter to a guard by the castle gates, the guard simply sighed, said: “Follow me,” and started walking further into the castle grounds.

“That’s a lot to process.” The pink one spoke again. Ravio had to agree.

They were led to a room to wait- A waiting room, you could say- For the princess to get ready for guests. It matched all the Hyrule castles Ravio had seen, that being one. Stone brick all about, a polished but a little cold interior, with the triforce ever present in all decor.

There were paintings present as well. They seemed to capture the curiosity of all visitors, much to the delight of the smallest one’s ego.

Ravio focused at first on one depicting the princess, she looked similar to the Zelda of the Hyrule he knew, but clearly another person entirely.

He then chose to take a look at the others in their impromptu party, and found the pink one standing under a portrait of  what was likely another hero of courage, this one standing tall with a flowing white cape, and a small red bird on his shoulder.

The sight awakened a memory in Ravio, and he found himself suddenly plunged into a mystery.

There was a mural in his Link’s hyrule castle, one depicting the hero prior to him. Zelda had joked to him and Hilda about how she had read the hero actually had pink hair, but the artists took creative liberties and made it dark blond instead.

This couldn’t be the man who sealed Ganon away, was it? Certainly there had been more than one pink haired Link.

Then again, they seemed to be in a situation which included traveling through space and time. Guess that might as well be a detail.

A guard soon showed up, expressing that the princess was ready.

They headed to the throne room. It was bold, large and voices echoed within it. The large windows made it feel slightly less like a scary space, but it did still make him grow a bit uneasy.

In Front of the aforementioned throne, stood the princess, with a bright but curious smile.

“Link, I didn’t know you had made friends!”

The small one tried to hide in his cape, but was unsuccessful.

“It’s very nice to meet you all.” Zelda smiled brightly, as the boys bowed. Ravio hadn’t been sure if that was to be expected, but the smallest one did have a blade and seemed to be satisfied with them bowing, so perhaps it was a good choice.

The pink one took charge soon after, explaining the predicament they found themselves in. Or at least, theorized they did.

“Oh my.” Zelda gasped. “The hero’s spirit will reincarnate this much?! That’s quite saddening.”

“Has the legend of the hero not existed for long here?” The pink one asked.

“We only know of one before Link here.” Zelda explained. “The hero who arrived from the skies to seal away the great evil, so that humanity could return to the lands below.” She said, clearly quoting something.

“...I guess the seal didn’t last.” Zelda added sadly.

The small one rushed over to her, and offered his hand to her. She took hold of it, and smiled with thankfulness in her eyes at the kid.

“Well, if any of you are like Link here, Hyrule is in good hands.” She smiled again. “I wish I could help more though. I’m not sure at all what could be going on, or what to do about it.”

“Do you have time travel items, or something? Getting home would be nice.” The sailor asked.

“I can ask for research on the topic to be conducted.” Zelda nodded. “Until then, you may stay at the castle, if you’d like.”

“Thank you very much, your highness.” The pink- Okay, he needed a nickname, Ravio decided. Whether he was the legendary hero or not, calling him Mr. Legend should help butter the guy up for possible sales, anyway.

With that, they were led to a guest room. Ravio was both deeply glad they hadn’t been paired up, as every pairing seemed like a bad idea, but was also absolutely terrified of sharing a room with three swordsmen he barely knew. They were also given instructions on how to get to both the castle library and the town’s library. Information which Ravio decided to make use of the next day.

It was fine really, and the beds were very comfortable! It seemed the spirit of the hero made them all sleepy as hell, as well. So getting stabbed seemed unlikely. However one thing still kept Ravio up that night.

“Bunnies, dark hair…” Mr. Legend had signed to him, when it was just the two of them, the sun having started to settle for the night “It reminds me of a place.”

“Oh, heh. A place, huh?” Ravio chuckled nervously. He didn’t like being put on the spot without a plan.

“It was a dreadful place.” Mr. Legend stated. “I hope you’re not related to it in some way.”

“I sure hope so too?” Ravio stumbled to find the words:“It sounds much worse than Hyrule. Love this place, the grass is very green. Smells great.”

“I hope so too.” Mr. Legend smiled, a strange dead look in his eyes. “I don’t want to take another life.”

Then he just started talking about how he liked apples.

So, it would’ve been stranger if Ravio wasn’t having trouble sleeping!

Oh, goddesses above, help him.

[everybodyscupoftea]

the plug

college au jj x reader

word count: 3025

warnings: drinking, cursing, mentions of jj’s dad, four year age gap (20yo jj and 24yo reader)

synopsis: you’re the pogues’ alcohol plug and jj’s favorite person

a/n: this was an anonymous request, age gaps are kinda sensitive, nothing here happens until jj is almost 21 but please be careful out there folks; also i got kinda carried away 

You grew up in the Outer Banks, spent most of your time surfing or playing soccer for the local school’s team. Your house was near the Heyward’s shop, and you picked up odd jobs working Kook events all throughout your high school years. When college rolled around, you started working at the Wreck with Kie.

The Pogue and Kook rivalry never particularly interested you, it seemed frivolous, and after a brief stint on the mainland, you realized the world was so much bigger out of the scope of the Outer Banks. Your refusal to participate was what originally drew Kie to you. The two of you hung out after work on Friday nights, you had access to good weed and were willing to share. Eventually she invited you to a party her friends were throwing.

Honestly, you weren’t exactly over the moon at the idea of partying with a bunch of 17-year olds, but the idea of free beer and a night on the beach seemed promising. You figured you could say hey to Kie’s friends and slip away to walk by the ocean.

Until the afternoon of the party rolled around, and you found out that they had no alcohol. Kie scrambled to explain that the guy who normally sold them beer underage had moved and someone stricter had taken his place and refused their fakes. You sighed and stood, “How much do you need me to get?”

“Wait, what?” Kie asked, taken aback.

“Beer. You want packs or a keg?”

She blinked a few times, “We normally get a keg or two.”

“Let’s go.”

You led Kie to your car and cranked it up, immediately turning up the AC as high as it could go. She plugged her phone in to play some music as you drove to the nearest liquor store to the Boneyard.

“Stay here, I’ll be back,” you told her, and she nodded, promising to sit still. The guy inside was in fact different from the guy who used to sell to you and your friends underage, so you fished out your ID. You knew you looked pretty young for your age and had to resist rolling your eyes when he stared at it intensely for a few seconds before charging you for the keg.

When it was filled, he helped you carry it to your car and the two of you set it in the back. Kie stayed still and quiet in case he tried to card her for some reason too, but you weren’t too worried. Soon enough the two of you were back on the road, heading toward your house for a quick change of clothes.

“Can I borrow something?” Kie asked, looking a little nervous.

“For sure, Kie, take what you want.”

You were only there for about 30 minutes before leaving to get the keg to the Boneyard before party time. Kie was really excited to introduce you to her friends, they’d been hearing all about the cool college girl she’d been hanging out with in her spare time, and they were really interested to see who had her so enthralled.

Pope was the first to greet you, recognizing you from when you worked with him and his dad. He nodded at you with a small smile, and you returned it. John B shook your hand with a huge grin, babbling on about how awesome it was to have someone willing to buy them alcohol again. The last of the group, JJ, was the quiet one.

You weren’t sure what he thought of you at first, it was easy to see he was hesitant to just accept anyone, but you did buy him alcohol. He offered you a fist bump and a small smile before telling you, “Really appreciate the plug.”

“No prob, new guy was pretty suspicious, sorry for your loss.”

JJ let out a loud laugh and warmed up to you instantly. From then on, he followed you around. Whether it was hanging around the Wreck while you were working and he was free, or asking to smoke with you some weekends. Kie thought your new shadow was hilarious and she would send you videos of JJ talking about how funny you were or how pretty you were. It was…endearing.

And then you graduated college and got into grad. You wanted to finally move off the island, and with the money you’d saved up from the Wreck, you finally had enough money to rent an apartment just off Chapel Hill’s campus. The Pogues came with you to help you move all your stuff, which you were grateful for.

You let them handle pizza and went to go pick up alcohol for the group as one last hurrah before they left. John B picked through the bag you brought back with a watery smile, “Gonna suck throwing parties without our favorite plug.”

“Aren’t you dating Sarah Cameron now? Get Rafe to buy your alcohol.”

“He hates us,” JJ whined, “not everyone is cool like you.”

You pointed the bottle in your hand at him, “That’s right, don’t you ever forget.”

And then that was it. You were onto the next, without the Pogues. Or, so you thought.

You’d gotten a job at a coffeehouse just off campus while working through your grad degree. It was easy and brought in a surprising amount of tips, and the atmosphere was really chill, so you loved it. Mostly you dealt with regulars, until one morning. You had your back to the door when it opened, making another coffee, and you called over your shoulder, “Be with you in a sec.”

A familiar, slightly deeper voice, answered back, “All good.”

Whirling around, you grinned widely at the boy, “JJ! Long time no see, bud.”

His eyes widened and he laughed, “Holy shit, dude, you work here?”

“Have for the last few years. What can I get you?”

JJ smiled widely, “Actually, just got hired, I’m here for training.”

You passed the customer their coffee and wished them a good day before turning back to JJ, “Okay, go wash your hands and I’ll grab your hat.”

The rest of your shift was spent goofing off with JJ, every so often interrupted by a customer, and you showed him the ropes. He picked up on it pretty quickly, only stumbling through using the register a few times.

“What brings you here?” you finally asked.

JJ took his hat off and ran a hand through his hair a few times, “Family shit. My dad was an asshole and I wanted to get out. I started picking up extra hours at the hotel, but my dad knew where I was, so I decided to just move to the mainland and start over.”

“Fuck,” you muttered, “sorry to hear that. Everything okay now?”

He nodded, “Yeah, um, started taking a few classes at Chapel Hill, and Pope’s family is helping me keep rent until I get my feet under me.”

“That’s nice of them.”

“Yeah, I just, I needed to start over. And I saw the hiring sign on the door, so I stopped in a few days ago to apply.”

You nudged his shoulder gently, “If you need anything, gimme a call, yeah?”

JJ blushed and nudged yours back, “Yeah.”

Because of the small number of customers, most shifts at the coffeehouse were solo shifts except for opening and closing. You and JJ both had mostly afternoon classes which meant that the two of you were scheduled several times a week together opening and closing.

One night you had soft music playing while he was doing dishes and you were sweeping and mopping the dining area. JJ watched you dance around with the broom, small smile on his lips, and when you caught his eye, he looked away with a blush.

“J,” you called out, trying to catch his eye again.

He looked back, blush still present on his cheeks, “What?”

“You hungry?”

“Oh, um, yeah, I could eat.”

You motioned out the window, “That place has fire po-boys for cheap if you want to get one with me after.”

JJ stared at the lit-up restaurant across the street before shrugging, “Sounds good.”

Thursday closing shift dinner became a thing after that. One of you would call in your food and pick it up before going back to one of your apartments to eat and do homework. JJ had a quiet focus to him that you liked, it helped keep you calm while scrolling through mounds of research you needed for your final paper.

He had one afternoon shift a week, unbeknownst to you, and walked in for it one week to see you laying face down on one of the tables near the counter. JJ paused, glancing over at the guy he was replacing in confusion. Your coworker shrugged and clocked out without saying anything else.

You felt someone crouch down next to your table a few minutes later and he softly called your name. Opening your eyes felt like a chore since you’d had them squeezed closed for so long to block out the anxiety over your paper that for some reason wasn’t writing itself.

“Want some coffee?” he asked, as soon as he finally saw your eyes.

The thought of caffeine made you want to throw up, and you made a face before finally responding, “How about some tea.”

“What kind?”

“Surprise me,” you told him tiredly.

JJ squeezed your shoulder once and walked back around the counter to start making you a drink. You woke your laptop back up to see the word count of 406 staring you straight in the face, and just as you went to put your head back down, a steaming mug of tea was placed in front of you.

“That should help,” JJ told you, smiling softly.

And shockingly, it did. It was warm, and with JJ’s steady presence, you were able to knock out over 1000 words before you had to leave for your afternoon class. He called your name just as you went to push the door open and you turned around, “What?”

“Text me if you need anything else, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Unintentionally, you let JJ worm his way back into your life. One of the classes he struggled with you’d already taken so you fished out your old notes and tutored him for the rest of the semester through it. Sometimes he’d show up at your closing shifts he wasn’t scheduled on and sit at the bar doing schoolwork and distracting you. He did at least always help close which was a huge improvement from when you worked at the Wreck and he showed up to cause problems.

One night was interrupted when the door swung open five minutes from closing. You sighed, not wanting to dirty anything you’d just cleaned, and forced a customer service smile on your face. To your surprise, Kie walked through the door, beaming widely at you.

“Long time, no see!” she called out, opening her arms for a hug.

You beamed and set the rag down on the counter, wrapping her up tightly. She squeezed around your middle hard and you sighed, “Missed you, Carrera.”

“Missed you too.”

She sat next to JJ and the three of you caught up while you and your coworker finished the closing duties. You nodded at her to leave when she held up the garbage bag to let you know she was heading out after a trip to the dumpster.

Kie stood, “Okay, we have to meet up with everyone else, none of us have seen JJ’s apartment yet.”

“Hope you cleaned, JJ,” you told him, bumping your elbow into his side with a laugh before continuing, “last time I was there it was questionable.”

“It’s clean,” JJ defended himself, “you caught me on a bad day.”

“Bad month, more like,” you retorted, laughing when he flipped you off in response.

Kie watched the two of you, amused, “Wow JJ, you’ve come a long way.”

John B and Pope stepped out of the restaurant next door, hands full of food bags, before you or JJ could respond and greeted you just as eagerly as Kie had.

“Getting the gang back together,” John B cheered, lifting two of the bags in the air.

You originally had plans to drink wine and watch the new season of Stranger Things, but the prospect of seeing some of your old friends was too enticing. JJ’s eyed you as you shifted on your feet, “You sure you guys want me butting in.”

Kie rolled her eyes, “We thought you knew we were coming in. JJ said he’d tell you.”

“Hey, don’t pin this on me, I wanted it to be a surprise!” he defended.

Pope spoke in what you think was meant to be a mockery of JJ’s voice, “Don’t bother bro, I’ll just text her and let her know.”

With a laugh, John B added, “It was just like old times whenever we needed alcohol and you’d be all ‘I’m going to visit her at work today, we’ll just swing by and get some after, I’ve got this’. The nostalgia was overwhelming, J.”

JJ scowled at his friends as the teasing continued. You’d known about his crush on you back then, tried not to encourage it because you knew you were leaving and because of the underage situation, but it was funny to hear about it from the other side.

“Okay, so we headed to JJ’s place?” you finally interrupted, saving him from the merciless teasing.

“My place,” JJ confirmed and you broke apart into two separate groups, one in JJ’s car and one in yours.

Kie rode with you and took control of the music, like always. You smiled, “Really is just like old times, huh?”

A few weeks later, one of the Thursday night shifts, JJ seemed less enthused than normal. You didn’t want to pry but you were worried about him. After a few more half answers from him, you finally stopped drying the dishes, “Maybank, what’s going on?”

“My fucking-“ he trailed off for a few seconds before shaking his head and continuing, “my dad called asking for money. Apparently, he’s broke and he owes his dealer. I just can’t, god I can’t fucking escape him.”

He wasn’t crying, but you’d never seen JJ’s jaw so tense before and your heart ached for him. You dried your hands off and pulled him into a tight hug, “Your dad is a piece of shit and you deserve better.”

“Do I?” he asked, almost hysterically, while he tried to pull away.

You didn’t let him go far, “Yes, you do. You’re a good guy who deserves to be happy and successful and far away from his dad’s reach.”

“I wish I could see it like that,” he murmured, voice breaking halfway through. JJ’s whole body shuddered a few times as he fought tears harder than he ever had before. He didn’t want to break down in front of you and look like a child.

“How about you go get dinner, I’ll go buy some alcohol, and we meet at my apartment and watch movies tonight.”

JJ’s lips quirked up into the briefest smile you’d ever seen, “Stepping back into that plug role, huh?”

“Turn 21 then,” you told him, shoving him away gently.

“Two months, and then I’ll finally be able to start repaying my alcohol debts.”

“You’re going to be buying me drinks for years, J.”

He held his pinky out, looking significantly more cheered up, “I promise.”

You linked pinkies with him before pulling him into one more hug with one last thought, “You’re going to have to stick around for a while to keep that promise.”

He cleared his throat, almost nervously, and you pulled away, confused. JJ wouldn’t look you in the eye when he spoke, “Surely you knew.”

“What?” you weren’t really prepared to have the conversation that seemed to be happening.

“That I liked you, idolized you practically. You were so cool and older and you dealt with all my shit.”

“J,” you warned, not sure if you liked where it was going.

He let out a sad laugh, “Please just be honest with me, you knew right?”

With a sigh, you pulled your hat off and clutched it in your hands, “I knew.”

“Fuck,” he mumbled, hands shoved deep in his pockets. JJ looked up at the ceiling with a sharp inhale before continuing, “Fuck, I’m so sorry if I made you uncomfortable. And then I came here and started doing it again.”

And you had to stop that train of thought right there, “Woah, wait, it doesn’t bother me, JJ, you know that right? Like I do enjoy having you around.”

Eyebrows raised, JJ finally made eye contact with you, “What?”

“Well I mean,” you shifted your weight from one foot to the other, suddenly unsure how to continue, “I guess it was a little weird when you were in high school, but it’s not so bad now.”

“What?” he repeated, faintly this time.

You rolled your eyes, “Fucking hell, JJ, really?”

He held his hands up in defense, “Hey, I was walking into this conversation ready to get rejected, let me be surprised.”

“I cannot deal with you, go buy the food, oh my god.”

JJ grinned at you cheekily, “Is this a date?”

You hated him. So much.

He grabbed your hand and squeezed, “Are you asking me out right now?”

“I’m about to rescind the offer if you don’t quit.”

“I can’t believe the day has finally come. Kie is going to flip her shit,” JJ told you, leading you out of the empty shop.

“God, what have I gotten myself into,” you muttered.

JJ stopped walking and looked at you with a soft smile, all traces of teasing gone, “Hey,” he got your attention, “thanks for everything, now and then.” Before you could answer, he continued, “Best plug I ever had.”

“God dammit, JJ!” you exclaimed and his laughter echoed down the empty street as the two of you walked to the po-boy place, hands swinging between you.

[dr-divinae]

Spirit Guide Session

Welcome to your Shamanic Healing Journey experience where you'll be introduced to your Spirit Guides for the second time tonight!! Yeah, I used GoogleNotes for your Spirit Guide Sessions and lost all of my work but I'm not terribly off track I had wrote some of le. Details down via Grimoire for ShamanicChanneling

@cosmic-badlarry

Thank you so much 💖 for joining me this evening 💞 or should I correct myself and say late evening 🌃 night!!

I'm noticing the moon right now 😹

First Quarter Moon 🌜 in ♉⚡💜 When the moon is in Taurus we are motivated by a place of serenity, security, peace, and comfort.🌺⚡Tonight, this evening my dear Gemini child you are going to meet your most active🍂 Spirit Guides...I just pulled some Oracle Cards from multiple decks and based on their Chakra balancing and literal meaning you've got a lot of 🌸Spirit Guides in the 💙fifth Chakra💙 or the 💎Vishudha❄️, and right away we know that that's the 🗣️throat Chakra🗣️💫

And the throat Chakra represents: All sound, Vibration , Communication, Self-expression, Listening, Speaking, Writing

This to me tells me that there could be something related to yourself in the mentioned areas of voice , or vibration?

Or perhaps it's a hint of who your Spiritual Guardians are and what your Spirit Guides gifts are as far as communication goes because that's another vibe I strongly get as a result of this card pulling set.

On my Oracle Card I can tell it's Gabriel's horn... So dear Gemini 💞💖 your first Spirit Guide that's showing up today is Archangel Gabriel as he is also associated with the fifth Chakra as well. Due to his communication link in literally each and every story we ever heard of him .. and he's even known to wear this blue which actually relates to the Chakra I am speaking on so much now ,

now now I'm going to get comfortably numb 😂😂😅 no drugs needed just my regular medical medication 😭dont tell them your dr is now! It's just that I'm ready to do the most in depth part of this Shamanic Session which you've paid for ... I just need to relax , I'm listening 🎧 to a specific type of binaural beats music 🎶 that allow me to channel your most Active 🍂 Spiritual Guardians hopefully I'll really connect with your Spirit Guide ☺️ here we go it's 12: 36 now wow long process🍂💫🌜 but worth it no?

When i begin typing again it will all be channeled information all from your Special shamanic experience with your Spirit Guide.. see you there in the channel 😎...

Hello 👋 Gemini 😁 I'm glad that you have made this choice to finally meet the voice behind all of the synchronicity 🏵️ in your life🍂🍁 to meet the real reason we have met this evening and I'm glad and honored to introduce you to your Spirit Guide🏵️🌸💐

Your most active and current Spirit Guide is a Greek Goddess from this tale I'm about to share and although she's been cursed by Juno and lost her voice somewhat; She is able to repeat sentences, fragments and makes a whole lot of sense when I have her communicate with your higher self 😅 because when I first found out through this Shanic experience that your Spirit Guide is sort of speechless I was lol pretty depressed. About the direction of this Shamanic Healing Journeys for you but going forward I did find the magical method to communicate with the ever forever silenced echos of your Greek. Spirit Guide.

And it's 1:17AM EST Did you guess your Spirit Guide 🏵️ yet? No...

Name: Echo

Origin: Latin

Meaning:reflected sound

Echo as a girl's name is of Latin and Greek origin meaning "reflected sound". In mythology, Echo was a nymph who loved Narcissus and faded away until only her voice was left behind.

In Greek mythology, Echo (/ˈɛkoʊ/; Greek: Ἠχώ, Ēkhō, "echo",[3] from ἦχος (ēchos), "sound"[4]) was an Oread who resided on Mount Cithaeron.[5] Zeus loved consorting with beautiful nymphs and often visited them on Earth. Eventually, Zeus's wife, Hera, became suspicious, and came from Mount Olympus in an attempt to catch Zeus with the nymphs. Echo, by trying to protect Zeus (as he had ordered her to do), endured Hera's wrath, and Hera made her only able to speak the last words spoken to her. So when Echo met Narcissus and fell in love with him, she was unable to tell him how she felt and was forced to watch him as he fell in love with himself.

In Metamorphoses (8 AD), the poet Ovid tells of Juno (Hera in Greek mythology) and the jealousy she felt over her husband Jupiter's (Zeus in Greek mythology) many affairs. Though vigilant, whenever she was about to catch him, Echo distracted her with lengthy conversations. When at last Juno realized the truth, she cursed Echo. From that moment on, the once loquacious nymph could only repeat the most recently spoken words of another person.

Abode/Residential: Mount Cathaeron

Parents: Ouranos

Siblings: Nymphs

Children: Lynx and Lambe

Consort: Pan and Narcissus

Symbol: Crabgrass, Hemlock , the Skunk

Colors: Black, White, Blue, and Purple

The myth of the goddess is told in Book III of the Metamorphoses, and tells the story of a "talkative nymph" whom the goddess Venus admires for her magnificent voice and song. When she tricks Juno into believing that her husband, Jupiter, was in the city, Juno curses Echo by making her able to only finish a sentence not started, and unable to say anything on her own. "Yet a chatterbox, had no other use of speech than she has now, that she could repeat only the last words out of many." This is the explanation of the aural effect which was named after her.[1]

Sometime after being cursed, Echo spied a young man, Narcissus, while he was out hunting deer with his companions. She immediately fell in love with him and, infatuated, followed quietly. The more she looked at the young man, the more she longed for him. Though she wished with all her heart to call out to Narcissus, Juno's curse prevented her.[2]

During the hunt, Narcissus became separated from his companions and called out, ‘is anyone there,’ and heard the nymph repeat his words. Startled, Narcissus answered the voice, ‘come here,’ only to be told the same. When Narcissus saw that nobody had emerged from the glade, he concluded that the owner of the voice must be running away from him and called out again. Finally, he shouted, "This way, we must come together." Taking this to be a reciprocation of her love, Echo concurred ecstatically, "We must come together!"[3]

In her delight, Echo rushed to Narcissus ready to throw her arms around her beloved. Narcissus, however, was appalled and, spurning her, exclaimed, ‘Hands off! May I die before you enjoy my body.’ All Echo could whisper in reply was, ‘enjoy my body’ and having done so she fled, scorned, humiliated, and shamed.[4]

Despite the harshness of his rejection, Echo's love for Narcissus only grew.[5] When Narcissus died, wasting away before his own reflection, consumed by a love that could not be, Echo mourned over his body. When Narcissus, looking one last time into the pool uttered, "Oh marvellous boy, I loved you in vain, farewell", Echo too chorused, "Farewell."[6]

What's Hemlock?

Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a poisonous invasive weed that has caused many accidental deaths because of its resemblance to carrots, including the wild carrot (Queen Anne’s lace). The poisonous agents in the plant are volatile alkaloids, and they are found in every part of the plant. In addition to causing death when ingested, the plant also causes a miserable dermatitis in sensitive people upon contact with skin. Socrates drank the juice of this notorious plant to commit suicide, and ancient Greeks used it to poison their enemies and political prisoners. North American Natives dipped their arrowheads in hemlock to make sure every hit was fatal.

.........TO MOST DEFINITELY BE CONTINUED

Having technical difficulties as far as uploading and sharing this channeled session of Shamanic Healing so @cosmic-badlarry just pleeease hold on

Anybody who's interested inbox me

I can tell you who your Spirit Guide is not a problem just need to get a small fee 😊 and speak to you for a quick second of does not take long at all that part . . But my part of doing channeling does take it m afraid hours. This case I'm doing now omg I've been working since 11:33PM EST NOW ITS 5:44 EST

[obxhoe]

Anon request//JJ x reader

I accidentally deleted the anon request but it was about Rafe and reader being in an unhealthy relationship and JJ helps/saves her. 

a/n: i tried my best with this and i hope this is okay!!! thank you for requesting! Sorry this is so late and that i have been lacking with content, work has been insane and i’m slowly getting back on track. I have a few things in progress. I tried to make this story as positive as it could be, having been in an abusive relationship myself and I didn’t wanna trigger anyone or anything. Soooo yeah enjoy!

word count: around 2,400

Warnings: drugs, abusive/unhealthy relationship (i tried to leave out graphic content, just a lot of yelling), swearing

He was high. Again. This had become the new normal, Rafe getting high out of his fucking mind almost every night. And it was usually the only time he was somewhat nice to you. It started out when he went from smoking with you or his friends to him smoking alone, multiple times, every day. Then came cocaine. One night at a party you two decided to try it. The rush was too much for you, a whiplash of sensations hitting you all at once and you decided to stick to weed from that moment on. Rafe on the other hand fell in love with it and well, shit hit the fan. Fast. It was exhausting having to deal with his constant mood swings. 

Last night was bad. He says he would never physically hurt you, but he’s gotten close to it before and it terrifies you. He grabbed your arm last night when you were trying to leave and this morning the bruise was already apparent. It was right above your wrist so it was going to be hard to hide, the humidity was insane and long sleeves did not seem like the move. But, you put on a long sleeve shirt anyway in an effort to hide it from your friends.

You arrive at the chateau, lugging your surfboard up the steps and letting out a huff. Beads of sweat were already forming at your hairline. You drop the surfboard on the floor of the porch and head inside. The rest of the pogues were in the back, Kie reading, and the guys playing soccer.

“Why does it always feel like we live in the actual jungle. The humidity is so disgusting my clothes are literally sticking to my skin.” You complain as you plop down into a plastic lawn chair. Your friends turn and smile at you, happy you finally arrived. John B and JJ run over and tackle you to the ground while Pope stands there laughing so hard that there are tears forming in the corners of his eyes. This is where you are the happiest, not with Rafe. It’s a red flag, one of the many you have chosen to ignore.

“Okay okay hello to you too, now get off!” You squeal. They climb off of you and sit in a circle.

“We haven't seen you in like, what? A week? Where have you been?” Kie asks. Your stomach starts to churn, Rafe doesn’t like it when you hang out with the pogues. The past week you’ve been with him or working.

“I was working, a lot, all the time.” You hope they believe your excuse. The boys seemed to believe it but Kie wasn’t having it as she raised an eyebrow and you gave her a look as to say ‘not now, please’. She nods, but you know that the next time you two are alone, she’s going to confront you.

“Okay well I need water or something because I am dying” Kie gets up and you can tell she wants you to follow.

“I’ll come with you, do you guys want anything?” You ask the guys, trying to seem less suspicious. A chorus of ‘beers’ rang out and you nodded, following Kie inside.

“So spill. I know you haven’t been working all the time because I called your mom and she told me you’ve been spending all of your time with Rafe recently. Yes, we hate him but you don’t have to hide that from us.” You can see worry in her eyes. Subconsciously you roll up your long sleeves, obviously overheating and needing some relief.

“Look, I don’t know why I don’t tell you when I see him. I honestly don’t” That was a lie. “He’s just frustrating sometimes and I don’t want to bring anyone into the relationship drama” You reach for the fridge and Kie kicks the door shut and grabs your hand lightly. 

“What’s this?” She asks in regards to the bruise Rafe left last night. Your stomach drops, your mouth goes dry and you don’t know what to say. 

“I was walking Ace and he just pulled a little too tight when another dog walked by that’s all, no big deal” You try to laugh.

“Y/n,” Kie shakes her head, nervousness filling your stomach. “This is not from a dog leash. You and I both know that. This literally looks like a handprint, like someone grabbed you way too hard. And it looks fresh as if it happened within the last day.” She says, releasing your arm and you bring your hands to your head, grabbing at your hair. ‘Don’t cry, don’t cry’ you repeat to yourself silently. But it doesn’t work. You choke out a sob.

“He doesn’t mean it. I know he doesn’t. He just gets really angry sometimes. It was my fault for trying to leave so early” Tears now falling and your breath starting to get falter.

“What is going on? Did I just hear what I thought I heard?” JJ slips in from the hallway, eyes almost all black, fits clenched and face bright red. This was the last thing you needed right now.

“JJ-” you try to calm him down but he just cuts you off.

“No. Do not ‘JJ’ me. Let me see your arm” You shake your head. “Y/n, I said let me see your arm!” He’s shouting now, causing you to cry harder, your body shaking. You stick out your arm and he spins and slams his hand through the wall.

“JJ!” Kie screams. 

“What the fuck” Pope yells as he and John B rush in, obviously hearing the screaming and slamming going on.

“I’m going to kill Rafe. I’m going to fucking kill him” JJ says in the darkest voice you’ve ever heard him use.

“JJ please. She’s been through enough for fucks sake. Look at her” Kie yells pointing in your direction. You’re now crumbled on the kitchen floor. He realizes what he’s done and rushes over and sits down next to you, immediately pulling you into his arms. He rubs your back and apologizes quietly for yelling, you know he just wants to protect you.

“Can someone please explain what is going on” John B runs his hand through his hair, flustered and confused.

Kie shakes her head no but JJ cuts in.

“Y/n has a bruise on her arm and she tried to play it off as if it was some accident her dog caused. It’s literally a handprint. Rafe fucking grabbed her, hard. He’s dead, I swear.” JJ keeps his tone surprisingly calm, remembering he scared you earlier.

“Ok well as much as I would love to kill Rafe,” Pope starts, “We would probably just be putting y/n in more danger.”

“Well we can’t sit and do nothing” JJ says.

“For once I agree with JJ” Kie states, “Not the killing part, obviously. But we can’t just do nothing. She’s obviously unsafe with him.”

“Well what do we do then?” John B asks, walking over as sliding down to sit on the other side of you. 

“I have to talk to him” You state, and everyone starts to tell you how that’s a bad idea and it’s risky etc. etc. “Let me continue. Jesus people, I’m not that dumb. As I was saying. I have to talk to him, but not alone. JJ” you turn and look at the boy “You’re coming with me.”

The group shouts, protesting against your wishes.

“Are you crazy, he’s going to either kill Rafe or get himself killed!” Kie yells.

“I thought you were the other smart one, what kinda plan is this y/n?'' Pope says, shaking his head.

“JJ can’t control his temper when it comes to you, this is not a safe plan” John B says looking over to you.

“Oh since when did you become the expert on safe plans JB? I know this sounds dumb. But Rafe gets scared of JJ when he’s alone, no Topper, no Kelce. I’m going to see him when he’s alone and JJ will be outside waiting in the car. I’ll be on speaker phone the entire time and if shit starts to hit the fan, and I expect it to, JJ will come in and help me.” You say, everyone falling silent. 

“Well” Kie starts, “That’s actually kinda genius. But can the three of us at least sit in my car down the road?”

“Yeah that’s probably best” You state as you stand up and look at your phone going to the “find my friends” app. “Well he’s home now, we should probably get going in case he leaves. I know for a fact he’s alone because Topper and Kelce are off golfing” You show them your phone with the boys’ various locations. 

“I guess having an overprotective, psycho boyfriend has given us an advantage today” Pope mumbles, referencing the fact that Rafe and all of his friends have your location at all times. You nod, the nausea starting to build in your stomach as you get more and more anxious.

You and JJ hop into the van and Kie, Pope and John B get into her car. The plan was to have Kie follow you but pull off the road before the Cameron’s giant driveway. You text Rafe that you’re coming over and get the thumbs up emoji in return causing an eye roll. If you needed any validation that this was the right decision, that was it right there. No enthusiasm or anything. You pull into the driveway and have JJ sit in back so no one sees. It wasn’t weird arriving in John B’s van, you often borrowed it at times because you liked it more than your own car, who wouldn’t? 

“I’ll run in there in a heartbeat if things start getting the tiniest bit heated” JJ says, taking your hand into his and squeezing. You nod at him, forming words right now is too difficult and you don’t want to risk crying beforehand. You rehearse the script you’ve been playing over and over in your head for the last hour. 

You get out of the car and drag your feet to the front door, opening it up and walking in. You spot Wheezie walking down the stairs, running to give you a hug. Rose pops her head out of the kitchen to yell a quick ‘Hi!” and goes back to cooking dinner. Thanking the universe that you were not alone in this house with just Rafe, you head upstairs. You call JJ and put the phone back into your back pocket so he can hear everything. Knocking softly on the door, you hold your breath as he swings the door open.

“Hi” he mutters, going back to the video game he was playing. Your jaw drops. His room is a mess, his eyes glossed over and rose tinted, the smell of weed emanating off of every object scattered across the room. 

“Uh hi.” You mumble back, staying close to the doorway so that this encounter would not happen behind closed doors. “Can we talk please?” your voice cracks, great start. He looks up at you confused but then starts to realize what's going on.

“You’re leaving me aren’t you?” He throws the controller onto the floor and stands up, making his way to you. You tense up.

“Rafe, I-” He cuts you off, face inches away from yours and fist colliding with the wall.

 “You can’t leave me, Y/n. You can’t.” You see sadness more than anger in his eyes and tears start to fall from your own. 

“I have to” you whisper.

“I’m sorry baby. I’m sorry for everything. I’ll do better I promise.” He starts to cry. This is usually when you give into him, but not today.

“I can’t do this anymore, Rafe. I’m exhausted.” You run your hand through your hair and he spots the bruise on your arm. He freezes in place, hand coming up to his mouth.

“Did I, did I do that?” He says reaching for your arm, but you tense and pull away. “Fuck!” He screams. “I don’t remember that. I swear. I never meant to do anything to hurt you.” You hear footsteps coming. You turn. Wheezie. Your heart drops, she just heard everything. She looks hurt and mad and storms over to Rafe.

“You let her leave this house now!” She screams, tears threatening to fall. More footsteps. Rose and JJ. Dear God, this is the last thing you need. You look over to JJ and shake your head and the two of them stop before they make themselves noticeable. 

“Wheezie stay out of this please” He says harshly.

“Rafe,” You break your silence. “I need to go. And I need you to let me go.” You say backing up. Thanking the universe that JJ was right there ready to run with you back to the car. Rafe tries to follow but Wheezie steps in between.

“Y/n please” He whispers and you just shake your head.

“Goodbye Rafe” You turn and walk towards JJ, grabbing his hand and running down the stairs. You want to wait to thank Rose and Wheezie, but you can’t risk staying in the house a minute longer so you remind yourself to text them after.

You get to the car and slide in the passenger seat as JJ hops in on the other side. All of a sudden a sob racks your body. You’re free. You’re finally fucking free. He just stares at you for a second before pulling out of the driveway and stopping next to Kie’s car. He gets out and opens the passenger door, climbing into the seat with you, pulling you on top of him. He holds you while you sob.

“You did it” He whispers into your hair, “I’m so proud of you”. He repeats his words over and over again and the three others step out of the car. He looks up and nods at them, confirming that everything was okay and you were finally free. Kie and Pope go back into her car as John B climbs into his and drives the three of you back to the chateau. 

Once you arrive, you climb out of the car and strip down to your underwear and walk to the water. You submerge yourself for as long as you can and rise to the surface, taking the deepest breath you’ve been able to take in a long time. You can finally breathe, you’re free. The rest of the pogues join you in the water and you go to hug JJ. You hold each other for what feels like two minutes.

“Thank you JJ” You say against his shoulder. 

“Anything for you, y/n” He squeezes you tighter. “Anything.”

[neerasrealm]

Self care is visiting your own grave

my inability to write actual titles continues short drabble about Ben and Jeff bonding and talking about life, or in Ben’s case, afterlife. Very light jeffben themes but for the most part it’s just guys being dudes.

Word Count: 1504

‘’Where are you taking me?’’ Jeff asked as he followed after Ben. The shorter blonde boy glanced over his shoulder at him, his blue eyes shining brightly despite the shadow his hood cast over his face. 

‘’Somewhere really special.’’ he said. ‘’I can trust you with it, right?’’

Jeff shrugged. ‘’I mean- I think you can,’’ he tilted his head. ‘’Maybe if you told me where we were going I’d-’’ he stopped, backing up to avoid walking into Ben who had abruptly stopped walking. He turned his head to look at the building next to them. Confused, Jeff turned his head and stared in surprise. It was...a flower shop. He frowned.

‘’Wait here.’’ Ben said softly before walking into the store. Jeff squinted as the blonde disappeared inside, then walked over to the shop’s window. He glared in through the glass and watched Ben ever so gently pick up a small bundle of flowers. Ben paid for the flowers, then stepped out. Without a word he began walking down the street again. Jeff followed him. He frowned.

‘’Are you taking me to see some chick?’’ he asked. Ben’s head snapped to look at him.

‘’Ew! No!’’ he looked disgusted. ‘’No, it’s not some girl.’’ he let out a frustrated huff and glared at Jeff.

‘’Geez, no need to be so defensive.’’ Jeff murmured, holding up his hands defensively. ‘’So who’re the flowers for, Romeo?’’

‘’They’re not for anyone.’’ Ben replied. ‘’Just- wait til we get there. It’s easier to explain when you see it.’’

Jeff nodded slowly and went quiet, just walking alongside Ben instead. They eventually reached their apparent destination. A...graveyard. Ben didn’t say a word, just walked in through the iron gates and began walking between the graves. Jeff looked around suspiciously. He looked at Ben.

‘’...did you kill someone?’’

‘’Dude-’’ Ben shot him a look. ‘’Why would I kill somebody?’’ 

‘’I dunno. You felt like it?’’

Ben rolled his eyes. Jeff put his hands in his pockets. Eventually they reached a small, secluded grave near the back of the cemetery. Ben knelt down in front of it and pulled aside a few weeds that had started to spring up from the ground. A small, blue china vase sat in front of the gravestone. A few wilted flowers sat in it. Ben pulled out the wilted flowers and gently placed in his new ones. He sat back on his knees, pulled off his hood and closed his eyes. Jeff hesitated, then knelt down beside him. He looked from Ben to the grave, then back at Ben.

‘’Are uh…’’ he gulped. ‘’Are you like- praying-?’’

‘’Yes.’’ Ben’s eyes didn’t open. ‘’You don’t have to do it. Just gimme a minute, okay?’’

Jeff nodded and looked back at the grave. It looked oddly well cared for. Absently, he wondered if Ben was the one that looked after it, or if it was someone else’s work. He looked at the gravestone, reading the name on it.

‘Benjamin Lawman. Beloved grandson. 2003 - 2015.’

Benjamin...a twelve year old boy. Jeff glanced at Ben. Benjamin- Ben...Ben was fourteen. And this kid had died two years ago, so-

‘’Is this...your grave?’’ Jeff asked, a tone of disbelief in his voice. Ben nodded and finally opened his eyes, looking over at Jeff. ‘’What- what the fuck?’’ he breathed. ‘’Why did you take me to see your own grave?’’

‘’This is where I come to collect my thoughts.’’ He replied, a hint of sadness in his voice. He looked down. ‘’I wanted to show you it because- well, I dunno…’’ his pointed ears drooped slightly as he spoke. ‘’I trust you.’’

Jeff faltered. He frowned. ‘’Oh.’’ he murmured. They were quiet for a few moments, with guilt settling in Jeff’s stomach. He didn’t like guilt. It was an emotion he tried not to feel. ‘’...sorry I freaked out.’’ he finally mumbled. ‘’Just...isn’t it-’’ he squinted. ‘’Freaky?’’

‘’Freaky?’’

‘’Y’know like-’’ Jeff glanced from the gravestone to Ben. ‘’Seeing your own grave, that you died? Doesn’t that just- make you freak out a bit?’’

Ben smirked a bit in amusement. ‘’Nothin’ like a reminder of your own mortality to wake you up in the morning, am I right?’’

‘’PFFFT-’’ Jeff wheezed, laughing loudly in amusement. ‘’Oh fuck that’s- that’s terrible.’’

‘’Not as terrible as being dead!’’ Ben replied, doing jazz hands and grinning. Jeff snickered. Ben’s smile dropped slightly and he glanced back at the gravestone. ‘’I know it’s- weird, and really morbid, but it’s...calming. Like a reminder that I’m- I’m still me. I existed and I’m still Benjamin, just a little different.’’ he spoke softly, his eyes resting on the stone. Jeff’s smile dropped to a more serious expression. Ben looked at him. ‘’You won’t tell Slender about this, right?’’

‘’Slender?’’ Jeff frowned. ‘’Why not?’’

‘’He...wouldn’t really approve of me coming here.’’ Ben pursed his lips. ‘’He wouldn’t forbid me or anything but like- he’d keep a closer eye on me when leaving the house and I just don’t want the hassle, y’know?’’

Jeff nodded. ‘’Yeah, I get that. Strict parents suck.’’ he said. ‘’I’m glad Slender isn’t- too much like that.’’

‘’Yeah.’’ Ben smiled. ‘’He’s great. I just think he’s a bit too overprotective at times, y’know? Tries to keep me away from anything that’d remind me that I’m dead. I get why but...it’s something that I need to accept and come to terms with.’’

Jeff nodded again. ‘’I won’t tell him.’’ he murmured. ‘’Promise.’’

‘’Thanks dude.’’ Ben looked at him and smiled a bit. ‘’I knew I could trust you.’’

Jeff smiled wide. He quickly glanced aside to the gravestone again. ‘’So like-’’ he hesitated. ‘’Can I...ask you about it?’’ 

‘’How I died?’’

‘’I mean- that too but like...just...you. Why it happened and what life was like for you,’’ he looked at Ben. ‘’I wanna know.’’

‘’Go ahead.’’ Ben shrugged passively. ‘’I don’t really talk about it much so- sure. Why not?’’

‘’So…’’ Jeff tilted his head. ‘’You were...twelve.’’

‘’Yep.’’

‘’...jeez…’’

Ben nodded. ‘’Yeah.’’ he murmured. ‘’Pretty fucked, huh?’’

‘’Yeah…’’ Jeff paused. ‘’How’d it happen?’’

Ben sighed. ‘’...my mom pushed me into a lake,’’ he raised his hand and pointed to the grave. ‘’It was in November, see? So it was really cold and- I couldn’t swim so…’’

"Your mom?"

Ben nodded. "Yep," he sighed. "She...never really liked me."

"That's fucked." Jeff breathed, staring at the gravestone again. "My parents tried to kill me too." He mumbled, mostly because he didn't know what else to say. 

"A gun, right?" Ben looked at him. Jeff nodded.  "...think I'd prefer that to drowning." He said with a soft laugh. Jeff chuckled gently, smiling sadly. 

"HAH...it hurts to laugh..."

Ben snickered. "Yeah, yeah it does…" he smiled gently. "But hey- at least we feel good enough to talk about it right?" 

"Yeah." Jeff murmured. It went quiet for a little while. Jeff glanced up, realising the sun was starting to fade. He looked back at the gravestone. "Hey- you died like- two months after I did-" he paused. "I mean- after I...killed my parents." 

"Huh." Ben looked at Jeff, tilting his head. "Does it feel like you died? When you did that…?"

Jeff was quiet for a second. He nodded slightly. "Yeah." He murmured. "It does. Like I'm- not the same person," he looked up at the sky. "I'm not Jeffery Woods I'm...Jeff. The killer.’’

Ben nodded. ‘’I feel that..’’ he moved closer to Jeff. ‘’When I first...woke up, I guess, I didn’t feel like myself. I don’t even look like myself now. Though- I guess neither of us do- but like- I’m a ghost. I don’t experience things the same way a human does…’’ his hand rested on top of Jeff’s. Ben’s skin felt cold to the touch. ‘’It’s always cold...and my hair is always damp,’’ he chuckled gently. ‘’Food tastes a little weird. Like the flavor is muted- or like- a fake version of how it should taste. And whenever I’m around tech? I swear I can hear stuff coming from it. Usually static.’’ he paused, looking over his gravestone. Jeff stayed silent. ‘’When I first woke up like this I was freaked out. I had to adjust, and learn to accept that I wasn’t human anymore. That’s why I like coming here. It reminds me that I’m different but still me.’’

‘’...fuck, dude.’’ Jeff choked out. Ben looked at him and-

‘’Oh shit, are you crying?’’

‘’N-no! I don’t cry!’’ Jeff wiped at his eyes. ‘’It’s your fucking- ghost magic dude.’’ he muttered. Ben laughed gently and squeezed his hand.

‘’Right. Sorry.’’ he said with another soft laugh. He waited patiently until Jeff’s hand relaxed under his. Ben tilted his head at his friend. ‘’It’s getting dark, y’know,’’ he murmured. ‘’I know a good taco van near here. You wanna stop there on the way home?’’

Jeff looked up at him. ‘’Tacos?’’ he asked. Ben nodded. Jeff smiled. ‘’Sounds good, dude.’’

[pogueshomecoming]

secret girlfriend - kiara carrera

requested? yes:  noticed you didn’t have anything for kie and the idea just popped into my head but maybe like she meets a girl (another kook? Idk) and starts hanging out with the boys less and they get suspicious so they follow her and see her with the other girl but kie never told them she’s queer so they’re surprised but are obviously super supportive and don’t care. this is my first time ever requesting so not sure if I’m doing this right but do whatever you’d like with it :) (you did great! haha no right or wrong way to request. thank you for sending it in💕) 

fill out this survey to join my taglist, here’s my masterlist, and requests are open.

warnings: I’ve never written for a girl before nor have I been with a girl but... we’ll see how this goes. i decided to make this more from the pogues pov until the end it kind of switches cause i suck lol. FLUFF AT THE END. it’s cute in my opinion. 

word count: 2.1k

++

“John B, can you drop me off first this time? I’m going to be late for my shift at the wreck.” Kiara checks her phone, pretending to look at the time.

“But we pass Pope’s place first... Why would we turn around and go back?” JJ scrunches his face in confusion, and Kie rolls her eyes, stomping her feet a little bit to get her point across. 

“Fuck off, JJ, I didn’t ask you. JB? Come on, I can’t be late again.” Kiara whines. 

“Sure, we could even come with you. Hang around out back so you can sneak us some food?” 

Panic rises in Kie as she quickly shakes her head. “My dad will be there all shift, so that won’t happen. You guys can’t hang around like that when he’s there.” 

She’s quick to defend, but none of them seem to notice. “Okay fine, but tell Mr. C that we said hi, maybe eventually he’ll like us if you keep doing that,” JJ interjects again, and Kie chuckles. 

“Yeah, maybe.” 

It’s only a few moments later that John B is pulling up to a dock. Kie jumps when she’s close enough. “Thanks. Love you guys! See ya.”

A chorus of, “Love you too” s ring out behind her as she runs away. 

“Was that weird to anyone else?” Pope asks as they pull away, turning back towards Heywards. 

“Nah. I think she mentioned the other day about someone quitting, so she’s covering shifts until they find someone else.” John B speaks without taking his eyes off of the water in front of him.

“Sweet, I’m going to apply,” JJ smirks, and Pope can’t help but shake his head. 

“You do that.” 

+

“Kie just texted that she’s not coming.” John B says as he exits the chateau. The four of them were supposed to go drive around the island, get up to some real Pogue mischief. 

“What? Did she say why?” JJ sits up in the hammock, causing it to wobble, and Pope almost falls out of the other side. 

“They’re painting the new wreck sign or something like that. Guess they haven’t hired anyone yet.” JB shrugs and shoves his phone into his back pocket. 

“Well, driving around doing nothing doesn’t sound like fun when there’s no anyone there to stop us from doing dumb shit.” JJ sighs.

“Hey, I’m pretty good at that.” Pope is offended but laughs it off. 

“We could go fishing? Kie hates fishing.” John B looks at the two of them, waiting for confirmation. 

“Alright, fine. Let’s go fishing.” 

-

“So you’re telling me that there’s a whole part of the island with teenagers looking for a job, and Mr. C hasn’t hired anyone in two weeks?” Pope thinks out loud. JJ and John B are pulling a net in, but Pope is lying on his back at the from of the boat. 

“What are you talking about? And why?” JJ groans, giving one final pull to get the fish on to the deck. 

“Kie keeps telling us she’s filling in momentarily. Do you guys really think it’d be that hard to find someone to work? Mr. C could replace anyone at any time.” Pope sits up to find John B and JJ both looking at him. 

“So, what are you getting at? That Kie is lying to us?” John B asks, his head tilting to the side ever so slightly. 

“Obviously, I don’t know for sure, but it seems like it.” 

It’s silent for a few moments.

“Wait, Pope is right. She’s been dipping out early or not showing up at all, and her excuse is always the wreck. Why don’t we go see if she’s there now?” 

“Good idea.” JB drops the net in his hand and resumes his spot behind the wheel. 

-

JJ and Pope are holding on to dock posts, waiting as John B goes inside to find Kie. He’s not gone for very long before they see him jogging back to the boat. 

“She’s not there. Mr. C was, though. Said he thought she was with us. I covered for her, but now we know.” John B shrugs as he steps onto the boat, pushing off with one leg. 

“Kie never lies to us. She’s gotta be macking someone she doesn’t want us to know about. Right? Any other ideas?” JJ looks to Pope and JB individually, but they both shake their heads.

“Ugh, what if it’s a kook. Surely she wouldn’t date Topper, right? Or Rafe? I guess Kelce is a possibility. In that case, she can keep sneaking around.” Pope groans and makes a gagging motion with his finger. 

“Oh my god, wait. That’s perfect, Pope. We’ve got to catch her in the act. The pogues haven’t had a Sunset Saturday to Sunday Sunrise hang out in a while. Let’s have one, invite her, and when she makes an excuse or straight up leaves, we’ll follow.” John B smiles proudly, and surprisingly, Pope and JJ praise him for his idea. 

“And if she doesn’t leave?” Pope asks. 

“We’ll do it again next weekend.” 

+

Sunset Saturday to Sunday Sunrise used to be a Pogue tradition. They usually happened during the school year. It gave them all time to hang out and be with each other after long weeks of learning. As summer started creeping up, they got less and less because their time spent together got higher and higher. 

When Kiara agreed and told them she’d be there, they all got even more excited to bring the tradition back. 

The four brought out every blanket and pillow in John B’s house to make their beds on the grass outside. Pope and JJ always combined and shared. It gave them more blankets, therefore, more comfort. They were always very proud of their result. 

As the sun went down, everyone shared a high and low from the week. JJ’s was something stupid like the actual high he got from a new strain of weed he tried. John B talked about waves he’d surfed at the beginning of the week. Pope said he liked sharing a makeshift bed with JJ, and everyone laughed. Kie said her high was finally finding time to hang out with her boys. They all side-eyed each other behind her back.

Their plan was to fall asleep, which isn’t supposed to happen on a night like this. The point is to stay up and watch the sunrise, but only a few hours in, each boy was performing their best fake snore. Kiara groaned, “Seriously? Have you guys gotten so old that you can’t even stay awake all night?”

Instead of getting up like they expected her to, Kie laid down. She snuggled into her blankets and followed them in falling asleep. 

-

Sunday Sunrise came soon enough, waking them all up with blinding golden light casting over the water. Each one moaned and groaned, sitting up to stretch out their backs and legs after sleeping on the ground. 

“Guess traditions change after a while.” John B laughs, and so do the others. 

“It was still fun.” Kie smiles back at him, and he nods. 

Then the four of them set up Kie’s phone on a timer and pose multiple times with the vibrant colored sky in the background. Most of them are too dark to see their faces as a result of the backlight, but no one complained. Laughter was shared, and that was all they needed. 

Until Kie picked up her phone, read a text message, and made an excuse to leave. Pope, John B, and JJ all exchanged looks as they hopped into the van to follow. 

The van is pretty easy to spot, so they had to be cautious of the distance they left between each other. Kie led them back to Figure 8, and when she passed her house, all three got more nervous. They parked the van at the edge of the neighborhood and began walking. It was 7am, no one would be awake this early on a Sunday. 

“Wait, guys, there’s her car.” Pope sticks his head out around a corner and then brings it back. 

John B leans so he can see around, JJ over him, and Pope over him. They watch as Kie gets out of her car. 

“That house was for sale a few weeks ago, do you think her parents bought it? Or some family members?” JJ contemplates.

“How do you know it was for sale?” John B asks, keeping his eyes on Kiara. She’s fixing her clothes, smoothing them out, straightening her shirt, and making small adjustments. 

“I look at listings sometimes when I’m at the hotel. Why not?” 

The front door to the house opens, revealing you. “Wait guys, shut up.”

All three of them focus on you as you smile big and welcome Kiara into your arms. 

“Bro does Kie have a sister or cousin we don’t know about? Damn.” JJ marvels at you.

Then, as you start to pull away from the hug, Kie presses her lips to yours. The boys can hear your collective giggles from here.

“Not her sister or cousin, JJ.” Pope clicks his tongue and stands up straight. 

“Damn it, I’m starting to think my type is girls who like girls.” JJ groans and also stands up straight. He’s not wrong. Recently, he’s been rejected by three girls because they weren’t straight. 

John B is still watching the two of you. Mostly because it’s cute, and JB likes seeing Kie happy. 

While John B is preoccupied, JJ and Pope had started messing around. Pushing and shoving each other playfully, whispering insults at each other as jokes. JB doesn’t know how it started, but he does know it ended with them knocking over a line of trashcans. John B straightens immediately, and the three boys freeze. 

“Are you fucking kidding me?” John B pinches the bridge of his nose while he whisper yells at them. 

“What the hell was that?” They hear your voice instead of Kiara’s because Kie saw John B’s head snap out of view at the last second. 

“Let’s go see.” Kie pulls you towards the corner of the house, already pissed off at the boys. The three of them nearly jump out of their skin when she rounds the corner, pulling you by your hand. 

“It’s just my dumbass friends. What the fuck, boys?” 

“JJ is the one that pushed me into the trash can.” Pope blabs. 

“Hey! You pushed me first, I wa-”

“Dude, it doesn’t matter, you gave away our cover.” 

The three of them start bickering, and Kie looks at you with an eye roll. 

“Excuse me? Remember me? Can you tell me what you’re doing here?” Kiara waves her hand, and you can’t help but laugh behind her. 

Pope and JJ immediately look at John B, since this was his plan, after all. JB doesn’t catch on until way after he’s supposed to. “Fine, I guess I’ll tell her.”

“Basically, Pope said you’d been acting weird, and there was no way that your dad hadn’t hired someone at the wreck, which meant you were lying about where you were going. And-”

“Wow, thank you for putting the blame on me.” Pope flashes a frown. 

John B ignores him. “And we missed you. You know? You were cutting out on our plans early or not showing up, and it wasn’t as fun with you not around. So we thought you were dating one of the Kooks we hate... and that led to us following you over here.”

“And did you find what you’re looking for?” She crosses her arms over her chest. 

“Why didn’t you tell us, Kie?” John B looks up at her, a serious expression on his face. John B had always confided in Kie when he thought it was something JJ or Pope wouldn’t care about. 

“I don’t know, I didn’t know what you’d say if you knew I liked girls. Like I know you guys are always there for me bu-”

“No, not that part. Why didn’t you tell us that you found someone and you’re happy? That’s all we want for you, Kie.” John B stands up, and the other two follow him. Your heart is about to melt from the sweetness of their friendship. 

“He’s right.” Pope nods. Kiara looks at JJ last.

“Yeah, he’s right. I mean, I’ve had a crush on you since I met you, but I’m not hurt or anything.” JJ teases, shrugging his shoulders with a pouty face. “I’m kidding Kie, we’ll support you in anything you do.”

Kiara has tears in her eyes as she reaches forward to pull them into a group hug. “I love you guys.” 

She pushes them off of her gently and turns halfway, so she’s kind of facing you at the same time as them. The smile on her face is one of the biggest you’ve ever seen as she tugs on your arm to step closer.

“Oh, and this is Y/N, my secret but not so secret anymore, girlfriend.”

++

thank you for reading! please leave feedback and reblog if you liked it. 

kiara carrera taglist: @jjfuckr​

[sneyrwrites]

|6| Ace| Levi Ackerman x Reader

✘ Ace: Separation ✘

|Wordcount: 5897 | |Ch.1: ✘ | |Previous: ✘  

Almost six months had passed since Maria fell. We left 845 behind, and 846 begun.

The government had transferred most of the refugees into farms to harvest resources, and luckily for me I had to move to the same place than the kids and Armin’s grandfather.

Mikasa, Eren and Armin got really close to me, and the same happened to me. I had no doubt in my heart that I would give y life to ensure they were safe. Which was kinda hard given the fact that they still wanted to enlist, Eren was almost counting the days, Mikasa and Armin ready to follow his lead. In my eyes they were still babies, on the verge of turning  11 years old. So, How could they possibly understand the dangers they were going to face head on?

Hoping they changed their mind was as dumb as it was selfish. They were certain about their decisions, and even though I could sleep reassured, knowing they were alive behind those wall, trying to force them into not going to the surveys and stay inside the concrete cell was too cruel.

The days were relatively peaceful. I woke up early, before sunrise, and prepared breakfast for the five of us. After that the kids cleaned while we, the grown-ups , went to work on the fields for a few hours. Later in the evenings when they replaced me I could go ahead behind the barn where we store the wheat and use the rest of the dim daylight to train.

I never thought I would miss the suffocating scorching air of the basement, but as I delivered blows into the tree’s hard barks I couldn’t stop myself from longing for simpler times. 

Eren and Mikasa quickly took an interest in my hobbies and kept me company, sitting in a pile of old crates just watching me practice drills and keeping my stamina up, their legs swinging back and forth, but barely, they would grow tall in no time, taller than me for sure, and maybe even taller than Ivo.

“Can you teach me?” Mikasa inquired one late night as I was trying to remember Annton’s favorite punches combination. She took me by surprise. 

“Me too!” Eren jumped down from his usual sitting spot and ran to me, the excitement in his body was almost palpable. 

“Maybe tomorrow, it’s getting late already”  I objected, sweat and the icy breeze of night wasn’t a good combination for someone’s health.

That ‘maybe tomorrow’ turned in a week because they tasked me with one of the most tedious and arduous thing I had to do in my life, weeding the crops. Armin’s grandpa skipped it because he had back pain, and since the only one strong enough to do the job efficiently was me, I had to spend six days hunched over digging my nails in the dirt. By the time I could finish for the day, my wrists ached from the constant pulling and the only thing I wanted to do was passing out in the closest thing i could find, chair, table, couch, bed. Anything worked for my tired body.

One would’ve thought the kids would understand, but of course they didn’t. Eren whined like a baby, begging me to get up, and I just laughed at him. He was crazy if he tough my legs could work normally after seven hours of cramps and aches.

“Please (Y/N)! We might need to know he basics for when we enlist!”  Eren whined.

He had a point there, but that didn’t magically cured my sore muscles.

“When I finish the weeding, I’ll take my day off and properly teach you.” He pouted at my response, but there wasn’t really much we could do about the workload the military police demanded from us.

I woke up the next day to find the crops free from the annoying green sprouts. And to an almost passed out Eren on the kitchen. With one look at the cuts in his fingers, I knew the culprit. Did he spend all night in the corps? With the freezing air? I would give him a lecture after my heart finished turning into goo from how adorable he was. Sighing, I picked him up and carried him to his bed. His cuts were clean, and I remembered his dad was a doctor. Probably watching after injuries was something he took from his progenitor.

Eren slept for the rest of the day. So I postponed the training another day.

When the sun peaked through the walls, I woke the three sleeping children and dragged them outside where I had prepared a few sacks filled with the weeds we recollected as punching bags.

Their droopy eyes filled with excitement the moment they understood what we were doing. 

Mikasa and Eren where on board, Armin was a little less convinced, but he agreed anyway.

“Okay Rascals, let’s see what you got.” I said.

And they surprised me. 

Mikasa handled my ass in no time. Her reflexes and strength weren’t normal in a kid, when she trained for real the little girl would be lethal. After two failed tries she managed to throw me over her shoulder with a decent amount of force, the impact of my shoulder against the grass making me wince. 

Eren on the other hand trained with passion, but thing were a little more complicated for him. His movements were rushed and unprecised. He reminded of me when dad tried to teach me for the first time. It also didn’t help that he got frustrated when Mikasa got the hang of it faster than him.

“I don’t like this anymore” He said, not even getting up after I made him lose his balance. Frustrated tears misted over his eyes. 

Mikasa just sat next to Armin, who was watching us intently, but without involving in the exercises

“Hey, it’s okay if you don’t get this on the first try, it takes practice Eren.” I laid down on him, watching the clouds above us.

“But Mikasa...” He objected, but I shut him up before he could even finish the idea. Those negative thought would take him nowhere. It wasn’t healthy for anyone to compare their skill level with someone else, specially when they were just starting 

“Mikasa is another case... We’re focusing on you now, and what she can and cannot do has nothing to do with you, Okay? So don’t go there.” I turned to him and flicked his forehead to get my point across. “I didn’t master this with only  training for a day Eren, It’s up to you if you want to put the effort or not.” 

His gaze drifted to the sky, and he stayed silent for a while. 

“Okay, let’s go” Getting  up he dusted off the dirt on his pants and got on position again.

“That’s the spirit Kiddo.”

By the time the sun set he could almost throw me, and during the next week he mastered the technic, and it never failed to amuse me when he and Mikasa practiced behind the barn where I could see Eren’s attempt at throwing her off balance.

Those times where I could just be with them and see their growth were cherished. Hale and Ivo visiting as much as they could without being suspicious, to keep me updated with Lord’s Reiss movements, who apparently knew how to hold a grudge, keeping an exorbitant price for delivering me alive to him. 

“Ivo!” Eren’s cheerful voice filled the air every time he saw the cart in the road that lead to the house.  

“What’s up, brat? Missed me?” Ivo’s relationship with the kids had developed into a friendship, with the constant hours they had to spend together because of me. “Where are the other two runt? I brought Armin a new book, I’m sure he finished the last one already” 

He was good with kids, and he had a soft spot for the trio.

With the three kids distracted with the new literary piece in their possession on top of the kitchen table, Ivo approached me as I was trying to cook dinner. 

“Hey, I got news about the recruitment” A small apologetic smile in his face told me he knew how I felt.

Part of me wished I could just stay there in the farm with the kids and Armin’s grand father forever, but it was impossible with the constant flow of guards and military policemen coming and going around collecting the harvest. I couldn’t live forever covered by a cape.

“What about it?” I asked, not really because I wanted to know but because I had to. 

“So, they start in a month. You should start getting ready...” My heart crushed, I was not ready, and a month wasn’t enough. Ivo noticed my distressed and clasped my shoulders as I was cutting some onions. I attributed the sting in my eyes to them and not the idea of leaving the kids behind. “You don’t have to worry, I’ll keep an eye on them.” If he hoped he could make me feel better, he was wrong. His heart was in a good place, but I was convinced only me and Armin’s grandfather could take good care of them. 

“You don’t have to worry about us (Y/n)” Mikasa’s voice broke my little pity party. “It’s only going to be a year, we already decided to enlist when we turn 12.” That didn’t help either. I barely knew how to tie my shoes at twelve years old. 

“Yeah! Just wait for us in the Survey corps! We’ll kill all the titans and then see the ocean together, remember?” Eren reminded me of the promise we had. 

“Maybe I Can wait another year and then join with them... I can hide like I’ve been doing until now.” I tried to convince Ivo, but he just deadpanned at me.

“I think you’ve been lucky until now, but the chances of you keeping the cover for another year is really dim. It’s better if you enlist now.” Armin reasoned, but it still didn’t sit well in my stomach. 

“Yeah listen to the kids, who apparently have more common sense than you do.” I threw a piece of potato to his head and hit his eye. “Auch! Goddamit, that hurts (Y/n)!” The kids giggled and the tension in the room dissipated a little, but it still remained thick in my body. “It’s better to stick to the plan (Y/n), and you know it. They’ll be fine.” I turned to the kids, and they nodded in agreement. I sighed, giving up on my excuses and accepted the finality of the situation. Everything would be fine after all, right?

Wrong. 

Tragedy struck once again the day after Ivo left. A letter reached us and it tore Armin’s grandfather from us. They selected him for the suicide mission to reconquer Maria. I plead him not to go, stating that it was a crazy plan, but he refused to listen to my pathetic sobs. 

“If I don’t go, they might rataliete against the kids, besides you’re just assuming we’re going to die,” He smiled sadly at me “It might surprise you, but these old bones can still fight!” I saw the doubt in his eyes and I knew he was sacrificing himself for us to have a better chance at surviving.

A week later he was off into the horizon, his last words etched in my heart.

“Take care of Armin for me okay?”

Obviously the mission failed in record time.

Armin’s tears couldn’t stop falling for days as he clutched his grandfather’s hat close to his heaving chest. The only thing I could do was hug him at night, trying to soothe the heartache I knew was unbearable.

His hopes were cruelly snatched from him by pigs who were safe in their castles, filling their bellies like there weren’t thousands of starving people pleading for food outside of Sina’s walls. Thinking that sending the poor section of the population to a horrible and certain death was the solution. Armin’s feeling of  safety with his grandfather was gone, lost because of a negligent government.

If I didn’t want to leave them before,  now it was impossible.

I would wait another year, no matter what they said or did. So when Ivo came back at the end of the month with Hale, I delivered the news to them, fully aware they would chew my butt, but I was sure of my decision .

The usual cheerful greeting between the kids and my friends didn’t lift my mood like it always did. When the three of us were inside of the house I finally found my voice.

“I’m staying until next year” I concluded, not caring about the shocked and angry looks I got from them. 

“What do you mean?” Hale said, who recomposed almost immediately to my news. Ivo just stared at us. I could feel Eren’s angry stare in the side of my head, but I ignored it, kknowing full well he would scream at me. 

“I won’t leave them alone Hale.” I explained, and she seemed to understand what I implied. 

“You do realize it’s suicide, right?” Ivo stepped forward, towering above me, looking straight at my eyes. “Are you aware of the risks for you and for them too, I imagine?” His opinion implied behind his words.

I knew they were worried about me and my safety, and it was valid, but my concern for Mikasa Eren and Armin was too. 

“I won’t leave them alone in here.” I repeated, crossing my arms. “I’l be careful, like I’ve been until now.”

“I don’t like it (Y/N)”  Ivo’s hand went to his hair, pulling his fringe a little in frustration. “You’re risking too much...”

“You don’t need to like it. Just accept it.” My decision was final. “I’ll join with them next year, and we’ll see from there. Ivo, I can’t leave them alone, they’re still ki..” something hard collided with my temple and Eren’s shoe fell to my feet. Did he really just threw his shoe at my head? I would’ve laugh if it wasn’t for the current mood in the room.

The three of us turned to the kids, and my cold ran cold. 

Eren’s eyes were ignited with rage, as Mikasa retained him by his shirt, trying to keep him out of our conversation. She was frowning at me tho, not happy about what I was trying to do. 

“Are you serious!?” He said when he noticed my attention on him, the words died in my mouth. “You’re willing to die in vain!?” He shoved Mikasa aside and came barreling to me, his fist colliding with my hips repeatedly. I didn’t expect them to understand, and I knew they were going to be upset, but I wasn’t ready for this intensity.

“Eren!” Mikasa whined and tried to take him away from me. Ivo grabbed him from under the arms and lifted him in the air, holding him in his arms, Mikasa positioned herself next to them showing me who she was siding in the discussion.

“(y/n)... think about it please, we’ll talk in the morning. I’ll postpone the trip to tomorrow’s evening.” 

Ivo Hale and the two kids left the room.

I flopped on the couch, next to Armin, who had been quiet the whole time. We stayed like that for a while, the only sound interrupting the peacefulness was the eventual sniffing from me, as I’d cried.

“You know... They have a point.” He pondered.  “The chances of you remaining unnoticed until we can actually enroll are pretty slim… " His eyes were foucused in the table in front of us. "I heard a few guards already talking about the way you act, they’re curious.” Fuck, Armin’s words weren’t helping. “I know you’re worried about our safety, but you can’t really help us if you’re already dead” Getting up he left the room, leaving me alone to think about my decisions.

Armin was smart, and a little manipulative too. He knew how to strike in the right place to have the reaction he wanted. 

And he succeeded. Armin’s short and consise speech took the blindfold away from my eyes. The rest of the night went by in a few moments, and the sun’s first rays warmed my face through the windows. Knowing it would be the last time for a long time, I got up from the couch and went to prepare breakfast for all of us.

Tears prickled my eyes as I heated some water for a cup of tea, the dark gray clouds in the sky matching my mood, the constant threat of a downpour above our heads. When the first raindrops fell the light footsteps of the kids signaled them entering the room.

Looking over my shoulder, I noticed the three of them sitting at the table, Eren’s and Mikasa’s eyes stuck to the scratched surface while Armin stole glances at me from time to time, trying to determine if I had thought about what he told me.

I smiled at him, as I tried to memorize their features, because the next time I saw them they would be different, considering the fast pace they were growing. Eren was slowly starting to lose the baby fat surrounding his face. By the time they joined he would look like a teen, and I was going to miss the process.

Sighing, I filled my cup with the steaming black liquid, hoping it would help with my distress. I poured three more and left them on the table right in front of them.

Even though it was subtle, Eren flinched at the sound of the porcelain against the table. I could see the tension in his shoulders, but I didn’t know if it was because he was still mad at me for last night’s incident or if he had slept in an awful position.

Mikasa’s eyes found mine for a brief moment when she reached for the cup, but they adverted as a quiet “thank you” slipped past her lips. Armin’s hand reached for his cup and he did a Mikasa.

Eren lifted his head, locking eyes with me, and I froze, a breath stuck in my throat. His green eyes were full of tears, his bottom lip trembling slightly. He bit it, trying to stop the quivers looking to the side. My heart clenched at the sight of the broken boy. Was he so visibly upset because of my attempt to stay? Did I fuck up with suggesting it? His ego was surely bruised because of my doubt over them staying safe for a year alone. Regret and guilt mixed in my gut.

I opened my mouth to speak, but in a heartbeat he was no longer sitting in front of me. Moving fast as thunder he suddenly appeared next to me, circling my with his arms and holding tight, the pressure of his arms around my waist hurting a little, but I didn’t mention it, relieved by his actions.

“I’m sorry” He said,  hiding his face in my shirt. I could feel the tears staining it and the ones I was holding back all morning spilled.

I hugged him back, squeezing even harder, trying to imprint the feeling of his hug in my memory. Another two bodies collided against us, and I knew Mikasa and Armin joined our hug. I circled them too with my arms.

I cleared my throat, catching their attention. Mikasa lifted her face to look at me. Her eyes were dry, but they now held an uncharacteristic sadness in them.

“Okay, listen up you three...” I began, trying to hide the pain I was feeling. “You are the only good thing that came out of a shitty year,” Mikasa’s frown deepened at the curse word, but she said nothing. It wasn’t like me to give speeches, but it was a special occasion.  “And I hope you stay as united as you are forever. I’ll leave today only if you accept that condition, and if you promise to write, because I’ll miss you guys.“ I said. Eren’s arms tightened even more .

“You don’t need to worry, Ivo and Hale will check on us every now and then. We need you to survive.” Armin spoke, Mikasa nodding in agreement. ”And we promise to stick together, but you have to promise you won’t forget us while you’re away.” His insecurity flashed again.

These three little kids have lost so many loved ones and I could see behind his words and actions that they cared about me. Which meant I was doing something right with them if they were concerned about me. I sniffled and laughed brokenly.

“That’s ridiculous. How could I forget about the kid who showed me the wonderful world behind these walls?” Armin smiled at me with eyes glazed over. “Or the girl that can throw someone the double of her age effortlessly... I still got the marks of that time, Mikasa.” She snorted, and I squeezed her a little more. Even tho she kept her emotions under control all the time she was one of the most caring persons i’ve ever met. “And Eren, we’ll go outside together, so keep training until then. I’ll wait for you in the surveys.” Or at least I hoped I could survive until then.

A potential death in the hands of a titan was better than a certain death because of Reiss orders.

The rest of the day is a hazy mess in my memory. Most of it went by packing the few belonging I had. Hale and Ivo announced it was time to go when I finished tying the knot in my bag.

Observing how Ivo carried it into the cart, I could only feel the regret in my decision, just how angry would the kids be if I suddenly locked myself into the room until Ivo and Hale left?

Speaking of the devil, Hale’s hand clasped my shoulder, squeezing reassuringly, almost as if she knew what I was thinking.

“Don’t worry, it will be fine... It’s your best chance Ace.” She said, but I still doubted.

I tried to dissipate my second thoughts. Ivo whistle for us to get into the cart, and Hale said goodbye to the kids, promising to come back as soon as she could. Palming my back, she left me alone with the kids to say goodbye for real.

Sighing I crouched down and hugged them one last time, their fingers clutching the fabric of my hood. I tried not to cry, reminding me that it would only be for a year, we were going to keep in touch with the letters and Hale and Ivo would look after them, but the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to spend time with them was tightening my chest.

“You better write me... I’ll miss you rascals.” I got up, and Mikasa searched for something in her pocket.

She extended a small black rock to me without a word. It was flat and shiny and in one of its faces, it had their names engraved into it.

“We know it’s not much...” Eren begun, Mikasa nodding in agreement.

“But this way you can keep us with you.” Armin finished the sentence.

I looked back at Hale and Ivo in search for something to say, as they were in earshot, but they were not helpful. Ivo was weeping like a baby while Hale was trying to console him, rubbing his back in comforting circles. He was a crybaby sometimes, but it was okay, as I was about to cry too. 

“This is the best thing you three could’ve got me kids.” They were making the whole “not crying anymore” thing difficult-

“(Y/N)... It’s time to go, the cart is fully loaded now.” Hale announced. The heaviness falling into my shoulders at her words.

Suddenly I wanted to beg for more time together, as it wasn’t enough. My time in the tiny house with them wasn’t perfect, but it was the closes thing I could think of, and it was hard to let go and walk away.

I hugged them one last time and I get inside the cart, the hood protecting me from the cold droplets that were falling from the sky.

The cramped space felt cold without the kid’s presence, and as it advanced, I looked back into the house where the three of them were waving me goodbye from the door. Hale Ivo and I imitated them until the small farmhouse was only a dot in the distance.

“Come on (Y/n)... We’ll keep them safe.” Hale’s hand squeezed mine, and I nodded vagely, my focus on everything that could go horribly wrong in the year I would be away.

“You know... They remind me of us in a sense...” Said Ivo, and I could see it too.

“Yeah... Mikasa is as scary as Hale when she gets mad.” I joked, the tears trailing down my cheeks “Last week she could beat me in only a minute dude, she’s talented. And Eren is one of the bravest persons in the world. And god, Armin makes me feel so fucking dumb when he speaks. Can you guys believe he gets bored with the books he reads because he guesses the ends?”

Most of the trip consisted of them listening to my rambling about the brats.

One year. I repeated those two words in my head over and over, needing to believe them for my own sanity.

The trip to the training camp took longer than what i expected, as we had to stop in the city to unload the crates and bags filled with the farm’s harvest. We left Hale behind and Ivo and continued in another cart that was conveniently going to the training corps to restock its inventory to prepare for the newcomers.

I did not understand how the whole inscription paperwork functioned, and Ivo had barely given me the overall description of what could I expect. Not mentioning where it was or what was I supposed to do. The only thing he asked for was my birth certificate, explaining he would take care of the rest, which only incremented my anxiety.

When we got to our destination, the sight made me want to crawl in a hole. The depressing brown hills that surrounded the camp were already making me feel trapped, and I noticed that everything was, indeed, a sad shade of brown, from the soil to the cabins, the only thing that sliced through the muddy scenery was a dash of green from a forest, Where I assumed we would train .

We got down from our transportation and Ivo left me all alone to sign me in into the administrative building. I stood there for a couple of minutes, like an idiot, just waiting and observing my new environment like a fish out of water. A couple of instructors parade in front of me, talking in hushed tones as they looked me up and down. Intimidated by their higher ranks, I focused my attention into my dirty and mud covered boots. My father’s advice still fresh in my memory.

“In the military, respect is above everything else (Y/N). Be humble of your position and you should be fine.” He said the morning I delivered the news to him .

The men and women in charge of our training had earned their positions with hard work and determination through years of their life and I wasn’t about to disrespect their efforts with a bratty attitude... Or at least that’s what my dad told me to do.

Ivo came back after a few more minutes, a bald man by his side.

His wrinkled face seemed like one of someone who had seen horrible things, his skin tanned because of the amount of hours he spent under the scorching sun’s rays. Once they got to Where I was, I straightened my posture, hands behind my back. He stepped in front of me, nodding in acknowledgment, a sour expression on his face.

“Are you (Y/n) Müller?” He asked, his voice harsh and blunt, just like his appearance.

“Yes, sir.” I responded, intimidated by him. I tried to ignore Ivo’s amused smile behind the soldier.

“I’ve met your father... a dedicated and brave man, I expect nothing less from you cadet. It’ll be my pleasure to have you in the recruits unit number one hundred and three.” His welcoming was sincere, as he had no reason or need to greet me personally. It seemed like my father was an appreciated man by some. The thought warmed my heart. “I’m chief instructor Kieth Shadis and I’ll be supervising your training for the three years you’ll be with us. Welcome.” He inclined his head and left me muttering a welcome to his retreating back.

Ivo palmed my arm and I relaxed.

“Welcome to the army Ace.” He said, the smile clear in his voice. “Make us proud.”

I hoped I could do it. Apparently now I had people expecting me to do well in the training, while the only thing I knew how to do was throw some punches and then dodge a few, fighting titans was a whole different thing.

I just hoped not to die during my training.

[poptod]

The Dead Heed No Lies (Ch. 3)

Description: Things get started.

Notes: I forgot to mention this but there are certain things I took the liberty of defining about you, but it shouldn’t disturb your reading. Here they are: you don’t have a gender, you’re Jewish (not really religiously though), and you’re vegetarian.  Word Count: 2.8k

Chapter Three: Anubis’ Crime

On a bright, sunny day like any other in New York, you wandered through the streets. This day was like any other, as you had gotten up near dawn, eaten a healthy vegetarian breakfast, and wandered through the city for a while. You needn’t go to the florist, as you had already gone that week to replace the molted flowers from last week, so you stopped for a drink at a local coffee shop.

The only thing that was any different about this day was a terrible, nagging feeling you had that something awful had, or would, occur. You wondered, in your own negative mindset, if some people had felt this during the morning of 9/11. You hoped this terrible feeling wasn’t an omen of something so cruel.

During midday you took your nap, tossing and turning in bed, embroiled in the conflict of your heavy mind overthinking this Terrible Feeling. Eventually, tightened into a prison of blankets you fell asleep, a few odd nightmares spotting your otherwise eventless dreams.

“I’ll feel better,” you told yourself after waking up with the same terrible feeling as before, “if I sleep some more.”

That you did, taking three melatonin pills before collapsing once more on your bed, an alarm set for your job just in case you didn’t wake up in time. This time, your sleep was deeper, dark and blank, devoid of thought and movement. The only thing you felt was hot - curled in cloth that overheated your system, boiling your skin off and eating away at your bones.

This time, when you awoke, you found you’d left the heater on too high.

Also, you still had the Terrible Feeling.

You groaned to yourself, flopping back onto your pillow when you looked at the time. You’d awoken three minutes before your alarm, something that would usually delight you but instead made you feel as though you hadn’t slept enough.

“My God,” you said aloud to yourself, your voice hoarse. “I wish I was dead.”

Of course, this was a hyperbole. All you wished was that you didn’t have to get up and go sort through more papers. Even though this was probably your last day sorting through papers (you’d reached the letter ‘Y’ yesterday), you felt dread simply at the thought of having to work.

With a heavy grunt you hoisted yourself out of bed, untangling from the mess you’d gotten yourself into. After a quick shower and a small meal you expected the Terrible Feeling in your gut to go away, but it didn’t lingering on even as you reached the steps of the museum. Sighing deeply you went round the back, entering through the smaller, much less grand steps into the basement full of records.

You sat at the end, pulling out the first Y box, going through and making sure they were in order and still relevant, with all the correct information.

A few minutes later, steps, loud and many resounded upstairs, and you knew the tablet had gone to work. In a few minutes the King would be coming downstairs, perhaps along with Tilly, to try and distract you from your work. Most days, you’d laugh to yourself at the thought. Most people ignored you, not bothering to try and be friends with you. It was a nice change.

Today however, following the path of your Terrible Feeling, your stomach stirred in sickness, leaking out in the form of a light sweat that anxiously painted the palms of your hands.

Maybe I’m just sick, you thought to yourself, flexing your fingers against your palm. Maybe I should just go home.

Thirty minutes had passed until you heard the footsteps of someone coming down. You didn’t turn to greet them, keeping focus on your work despite the sick feeling growing into your chest like insidious weeds overtaking fields of flowers.

No cloak dragged on the floor, but there was the clack of heeled boots.

“Hey Tilly,” you said, your voice noticeably weaker than usual.

“Hi… how’re you feeling?” She asked, sounding just as bad as you.

“Not great. Had a weird feeling all day,” you told her, sighing. She stood beside you, leaning against the wall.

“Same here. Hey, have you seen Ahk down here yet?” She asked, crossing her arms and looking at you with a concerned look.

“Uh, no. Hasn’t visited,” you said, looking up at her.

“Hm. I haven’t seen him. Want to come look with me?”

You paused, your eye twitching involuntarily before you stood.

“Alright,” you shrugged, knowing you’d have time. There was only one Z box and it was small.

Following her the two of you walked up into the brightness of the museum lights, blaring the 80’s music that most all exhibits could agree on. Ever the one better with socialization Tilly asked around, while you left to his exhibit. Ahkmenrah had decided to keep his tablet there, mostly for safety reasons, and considering how much he loathed to part with it, it wouldn’t be surprising to find him there.

Up the stairs you walked, leaving behind the calamity and chaos that eons of history brought. From your vantage point upon the balcony you could see at least three people doing something that would most definitely kill them if they were real people.

People have always been stupid, you laughed to yourself, turning back around to find his room.

You continued this line of thought as you wandered the halls, mostly thinking about the age old graffiti. Sometimes, historians would mistake the words for having religious impact, when most times it was something pornographic or stupid. A metaphor for humanity, really.

Upon entering the room the main difference was blazingly obvious - the centerpiece, hanging in its’ eternal, ancient glory, painted gold in intricate patterns of Egyptian hieroglyphs was so glaringly not there.

Confused, you walked closer, eyebrows furrowed as you took slow steps. The guards towering over you in black majesty paid you little mind - Ahkmenrah had explained to them that they shouldn’t hurt anyone. Still, with such careful, near suspicious steps their eyes watched you, careful to jump at any sign of your treason.

Before you could fully circle round the sarcophagus lying as the centerpiece of the room, you saw a hand on the floor, the rest of the body obscured by the coffin. Your eyes widened, breath picking up as your feet skidded, knees falling to the ground as you fell to see who it was.

The golden robes had fallen in waves around his body, almost ornamenting his unconsciousness. His crown that he wore so adamantly, so much so that you hadn’t ever seen it off of him, was now cast aside, lying a few feet away from him.

Hands only shaking a little you attempted to wake him, feeling your legs go numb till his eyes slowly opened.

“Ahkmenrah! What happened?” You asked immediately, helping him to sit up as he knelt on his knees. He groaned, holding his head in his hands as you assisted him.

“I - the tablet, it’s…”

“Gone, I know, did someone take it?” You asked your queries hurriedly, hoping that if you did so you’d be able to call the police sooner. At that moment, it didn’t occur to you that you’d have to wait till morning either way.

“I saw him, I… I did not think he would show his face to mortals,” he mumbled, voice groggy and unclear as his weight fell into you. You supported him, trying to get him to lift his head.

“Who was it? Ahk,” you put your hand on his cheek, making him look up at you.

“Anubis.”

“I - I’m sorry?”

“Big dog head, hot body,” Ahkmenrah groaned, his head falling back onto your shoulder as he grunted in pain.

“Uh, yeah, no, right,” you fumbled, still holding him against you. Your eyes shifted around the room. As though it’d give you answers, like God would send you a sign.

“Gotta… gotta catch him, he’s got my tablet.”

“I know. Let’s go find your parents, maybe they’ll have an inkling as to what the hell is happening?” You suggested, not waiting for his answer before you pulled yourself to your feet, his arm slung around your shoulder as the two of you made your way out of the room and into the hallway.

When you finally found his parents most of the place had realized something was wrong. Apparently, if stories were to be true, the last time Ahkmenrah had been weak was when the tablet was dying.

“Your son says he saw Anubis steal his tablet?” You said immediately, not bothering with the niceties and thinking it wouldn’t bother them either. They glanced at each other, then back at you, their expression unchanging from the shock.

“Yes, I, uh, that makes sense,” his mother stammered, blinking rapidly. Ahkmenrah, no longer leaning against you, quickly added in his own input.

“I need to get it back,” he said, determination written in his tone and face.

“Hold on, you just got a concussion,” you stopped, holding your hands out in front of you.

“(Y/N), I’m dead.”

“That’s half the problem. What are you gonna do if it takes more than a night to find him? It’s almost dawn already! Everyone here is going to fall asleep and never wake up and what are we going to do? Call the police?” You began spiraling, tugging at your hair. “What are they gonna do? Can’t exactly shoot a god, right? Besides, Anubis is practically the Egyptian version of the god of death, you can’t kill death, right?”

“(Y/N)?” His father got your attention, seemingly now more solemn. You looked up, trying to regulate your breathing as you listened. “Shut up,” he said. Frowning, you obeyed.

“My son, you wish to go after it yourself?” Shepseheret asked, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. In an almost meek way he nodded, but his stone cold expression remained.

“There is a way you could stay alive during the day, but it takes getting used to. It’s,” Merenkahre glanced at his wife, “unpleasant. And you’ll need to take someone alive with you.”

“I’ll go with him,” you volunteered yourself. Sure, a week ago you were freaking out about museum exhibits and ranting about how you weren’t ever supposed to be part of a fantastical story, but here you stayed calm. Besides, you were probably the best fit - you knew a lot about Anubis and you were, as needed, alive.

“I’ll explain the… ritual, to you,” his mother said, taking you both aside as the room began to fill with chatter of the events to come.

All in all, when she finished speaking, you sort of understood. She would use a specific paint to paint a symbol onto his forehead. It’d turn him to moveable stone during the day, and at night, he would become flesh and bone again. However, every night, you would need to make a blood sacrifice to repaint the symbol.

The young King did not seem to like that.

“Couldn’t we use the blood of a different creature?”

“It’s easier to use (Y/N)’s. Otherwise you’d have to be killing animals everywhere and you’d leave a blood trail,” his mother said.

“I’m fine with it. I just won’t cut my palm. Most nerve endings are there,” you agreed, remembering a stupid post online about explorers in movies.

“See? The child is fine with it.”

“Mother.”

“Come, I will get you ready,” she said, ignoring her sons’ berating and taking him to the side. You watched in interest as she pulled a purple bottle out of one of the glass cases. Assuming it was the special paint she’d spoke of, you sat down across, paying close attention as she drew the eye of horus upon his forehead.

“Oh, Eye of Horus. That’ll be easy enough I think,” you said when they’d finished. “Why is Anubis stealing the tablet? And now of all times? It’s pretty late in the game to do so.”

“He’s the oldest god of death. I suppose he doesn’t like my family coming alive every night,” Ahkmenrah sighed, standing up once his mother put the paint back.

“Right, but the role was taken over by Osiris, a long time ago. Isn’t Anubis supposed to be with the scales now? Deciding who’s good and bad?”

“Actually he’s the god of embalming,” his mother clarified.

“Also protector of tombs,” Ahkmenrah added.

“I know the stories.”

Osiris took over as Ruler of the Earth, then was killed by his brother Seth, who murdered him by putting him in a coffin, sealing it, and pushing it into the Nile. Osiris’ wife, and sister (you shivered, never one for incest) retrieved his body, but Seth cut up Osiris and scattered him through Egypt. It was Anubis himself, along with Isis and Nepthys who retrieved all of him back, except his penis, which was apparently very important, but either way Anubis wrapped the body up in the first process of embalming.

“It’s a disgusting story but yes, I know it. He’s a lot of things but it doesn’t answer my question, why is he interested now?”

“Probably some god drama made him king of the underworld again,” Ahk rolled his eyes, earning a chiding elbowing from his mother.

“Don’t disrespect them. Still, we need the tablet back. It was a gift from Khonshu.”

“My father says he insisted we never lose it.”

“Let’s go find it then.”

The three of you left back into the larger room, where the exhibits had grown louder, only calmed as Tilly frantically made her way through the crowd.

“The tablet was stolen?!” She asked, panting.

“Yes, we need to go get it, Ahkmenrah will be safe if he stays with me. Anubis stole it and I think I may have an idea as to where he might be going,” you explained quickly.

“You do?” Ahkmenrah asked, obviously impressed.

“Yep, let’s go.” You tugged his arm, pulling him off to the side to pull up a map on your phone.

“These are ley lines. Ancient magnetic lines that connect spiritual sites. There’s a major one in Canada near us, and the distance between the two worlds, ours and Duat, is smaller there. I think Anubis needs to go there. Thank God he doesn’t have wings, so he’s on foot like us, but we need to get your tablet back before he goes to the underworld. I don’t think we’d survive a journey there.”

“Probably not,” he agreed easily.

“We should head out that way then. Anubis can turn into a dog, right?”

“Jackal.”

“Right. He’ll probably want to cut through the woods so we’ll follow that way. Thank god for snow, so he’ll be leaving tracks,” you said, pocketing your phone and turning to him.

“Do you think we should take Sacagawea along?”

You paused, ready to leave at a moments notice but stopped by his suggestion. It’d be smart, certainly, but that’d also mean more blood from you. Still… she was the best tracker in the whole museum and you had no idea what you were doing.

“Ask. I’ll get some more information from your parents,” you said, and he nodded, the two of you splitting off from your space next to the wall.

Finding his parents, they immediately pulled you aside before you could ask any questions.

“Ahkmenrah will turn to stone whence the day arrives. Immoveable stone,” Merenkahre said to you, his eyes stern.

“Shouldn’t you tell him that?”

“I believe it’s best not to. Remind him that it’s natural and after a few days he should be able to move his full body.”

Slowly, you nodded.

“Okay.”

A few minutes and he found you again, Sacagawea by his side. A few minutes more, she had the symbol upon the back of her hand. In just one more minute, the three of you had bid your good byes, and though Tilly had requested to come with, she rescinded her request when you explained the trek you had to make.

As you left the doors, reality sunk into you - you didn’t exactly have the right supplies for a journey in the middle of winter. You had a jacket, but it wasn’t a winter jacket, and what were you going to eat? Then you patted the cellphone in your pocket, remembering there were charging stations at every Starbucks, and that you had Apple pay. How modernly convenient.

The King had a stern yet worried look on his face as Sacagawea led you, and in a moment of comfort, you held his hand, squeezing once to assure him it’d be alright.

“We’ll get it back,” you told him quietly as she led you down alleyways and backstreets. His eyes glanced to you, burning with determination.

“I know.”

[finntaur]

A Fae’s Wife (GerBela)

Natalya didn't want to marry some random man, so she decided to ask the Fae for some help.

Read it on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26345356

The snow crunched under Natalya’s boots as she made it to the outer wall of her sanctuary. The bottom of her black dress had been covered in snow a while ago, and it chilled her as it brushed against the back of her legs. Her long, platinum blonde hair hung loosely off her shoulders, blowing in the cold wind. She had brought nothing with her but a black silk shawl and her trusty leather-bound grimoire. She fully intended to summon a faerie tonight, mainly to spite her brother and sister. 

As she approached the final wall - a towering piece of ugly-faded-orange cement and concrete - she pulled the book out of her shawl. She remembered the law for summoning something as she rubbed a bit of snow off the cover with her thumb; if she were caught, the penalty would be death - only, if she does it within the walls of the sanctuary. Which is why she lumbered through the snow in the middle of the night just to do this. 

She looked back at the wall for a second, a small puff of air leaving her mouth. She then looked back at the town behind her, feeling a ping of guilt in her chest. After a few moments, she turned back, looking determined and continued past the wall.

Natalya’s family was one of nobility, due to some ancestor saving the town a-hundred-odd years ago. Her sister, the current matriarch, was trying to get Natalya to marry, and Natalya has hated every single suitor that has been presented.

Sir Alfred was loud and obnoxious, Sir Matthew was too quiet and shy, Sir Young Soo was rowdy, and Sir Marco was too flirtatious. None were a fit, and she knew Katyusha was getting antsy. So, Natalya’s solution was to summon a faerie and hope the faerie can somehow convince Katyusha to back off. 

This plan was foolproof, really.

She stopped at the edge of the forest surrounding the sanctuary, pausing to look at it momentarily. She took another breath and pushed on, lifting her arm and pushing away a branch above her head. She was surprised to find no snow on the ground, not thinking the trees were thick enough to keep the snow away. She looked up at the top of the trees and could clearly see the night sky, but shrugged and looked back ahead. She decided to go a bit deeper in, just in case. 

She walked for what felt like a couple hours, and eventually made it to a clearing. A giant wall of rocks lay in front of her, with a steady waterfall leading directly into a pond at the base of the wall. She stepped forward, looking at the waterfall mesmerized. She slowly placed the grimoire on a moss-spotted boulder beside her, looking at the scenery before her. She listened to the sounds of the forest around her, not noticing that she couldn’t hear any animals, only the waterfall. After a few minutes, she seemingly snapped out of it and turned back to her book. She took another look around then stepped back to it, grabbing it and opening it to the middle, where she dog-eared the page on summoning. 

She took a deep breath, gathering the courage to go through with it. She knew the risks, but she’d rather die by a fae’s hands than marry a man she could never get along with. Just before she began to recite the spell, she looked back to the waterfall, feeling pulled by an unknown force. She stepped toward it, coming to sit on a boulder just in front of the edge of the pond. She looked back down at the pages and began to recite the spell. 

“O fae o so great,” As she began to recite the spell, a wind blew through the trees, and a chill ran up her spine. “Tonight I need you,” the wind picked up, blowing the leaves, flowers, and weeds wildly. “I fear my life is gone,” She started to feel a warmth blossoming from her chest, and a golden glow started to appear from the ground. “For my hours have withdrawn,” The wind died down, leaving the golden glow and silence. Natalya couldn’t even hear the waterfall anymore. She closed her eyes, continuing on with the spell, “O fae o so great,” The glow was brighter, almost blinding. Natalya could even see it behind her shut eyes, and the wind was back in full force, loud enough to make Natalya sound muffled. She had to shout in order to hear the last line of the spell, “Greet me where I meet fate!” 

Finally, the wind stopped, the glow dissipated, and all Natalya could hear was the waterfall. She opened her right eye after a moment, looking suspiciously at the pond. She opened the other eye and stood, looking around and seeing nothing but the trees and boulders that she had seen before. She looked disappointed when she turned back to the pond. She sighed and sat back on the boulder, book in her lap, with her elbows on her knees and chin in her hands. “Y’know, you could’ve told me you weren’t going to summon anything.” She said to her book, pulling it out of her lap and holding it out in front of her. After a few seconds, and no response from the book, she sighed and placed it on her right on the boulder. 

She tucked in her knees, laying her arms on top of them as she stared at the water. “I want to touch it.” She announced to no one in particular, kicking off her left boot, she reached over and stuck her big toe into the water. A golden glow streaked across the pond, causing Natalya to pull her foot back. She stared at the center of it, waiting for something else to happen. After a second, it began to bubble, as if there was a geyser in the middle of it. She stayed on the boulder, watching confusedly as the bump in the water grew taller and taller. She noticed something green reaching towards the bump and followed it with her eyes, seeing it lead back to the boulder she was sitting on. She jumped up, pulling the book with her and stared at the boulder. The water kept bubbling, loud, and she felt a growing sense of no longer being alone. 

When the water settled, she looked back to it. There seemed to be nothing new, and she squinted her eyes confusedly. “What the fu-” Suddenly, a man came from where the bubbles were, slowly rising out of the water. The surface of the water went to his hips. He was - muscular, to say the least, with blond hair and striking blue eyes. He looked at Natalya, and she placed her fist on her chest, feeling that same warmth in her chest as she did before. The two stared at each other for a moment before the man spoke, voice deep and smooth and with an accent unlike her own. “I am Ludwig.” She stared wide-eyed for a moment before clearing her throat and speaking. “I’m Natalya.” She lowered her arm and turned fully towards him. His eyes scanned her for a moment, making Natalya want to shrink back and hide. She instead just readjusted her skirt. “Is there a reason you summoned me?” He asked, eyes boring into hers. She cleared her throat again, feeling slightly scrutinized. “I uh… I don’t really know. I just…” Her words were lost to her, and she bowed her head. “Needed someone?” He asked, sounding more casual and polite. She looked back up at him, thinking over his question for a second. “Yeah, just… needed someone.” He nodded towards the boulder. “Sit, tell me what you need, and I shall provide you with what I can. Even if it is just to be an ear.” She looked at the boulder, then back to him. She decided to listen to him, sitting on the boulder with both her boots off, and her feet in the water. 

He came to the edge, his arms folded beside her legs and his head in the middle of them. “Well. My family is nobility.” He nodded at that. “And, my sister married young. My brother also married young. And because I’m now older than they were when they got married, they want me to get married as soon as possible.” Ludwig raised an eyebrow at that. “That hardly seems like any reason you should get married. Did they marry for love?” She nodded. “Okay, and have you fallen in love with anyone?”

“Oh god, no.” He unfolded his arms and held them out in front of them, looking exasperated. “Then you shouldn’t get married!” She pointed at him, “Exactly! And they act like it’s not such a big deal? Like,” And she rambled on about her family while Ludwig listened. She eventually got off the rock and sat at the water’s edge, her legs up to her knees now in the water. 

She was laughing at something he said when he placed a hand on her knee. “So, what do you actually need from me?” Her laughter faded, and she stared at the water. “I… I just want them to get off my back. Let me live my life.” She looked at her knees, folding her hands in her lap. “I know they won’t do that until I’m married.” Ludwig stared at her, a sadness to his eyes. He then looked down at the ground, an idea coming to mind. He looked back at her and placed his hand on hers in her lap. “I’ve got an idea that just might work.” She looked at him, her right eyebrow raised. “What?” He squeezed her hands.

“Marry me.” She widened her eyes, then closed them as she chuckled, shaking her head. “Ah, you’re joking-“

“I’m not.” She opened her eyes and looked at him. He looked serious, like he was trying to protect something. “You said you wanted them to leave you alone, and the only way they’ll do that is if you’re married, or dead.” She furrowed her brows in confusion, “Where do you come in-“

“Because I know your feelings on the matter, and I would never ask anything of you. You summoned me to solve your problem, and I’ve come up with a solution.” Her mouth hung open slightly, nothing but aborted sounds leaving her lips as she was struggling to deal with what he was asking of her. He squeezed her hand again, looking defeated. “Just… think about it. Please.” He leaned back, turning around and walking towards the middle of the pond again. When he reached it, and was about to sink in, she lifted a hand. “Wait!” He stopped, turned halfway towards her. She stood, hands by her sides, with a nervous, yet fierce, look on her face. 

“What… What If I were to say yes? What would you promise me?” He smiled, turning fully towards her. “To never hurt you, to give you whatever you wish, even if it is just my ear, or my time, or my love.” She felt her cheeks heating up, and he chuckled at the expression she was making, which was akin to eating a sour lemon, only she had wide eyes. “Do you want to know what I’d give you?” Her tone came off as nervous, and her hands, now balled into fists, were trembling slightly. He shook his head, “I’d ask for nothing in return.” 

Her shoulders drooped and her body relaxed, the tension leaving her bones as the nervousness and anxiety melted away. She stood tall, faking confidence, and half turned away from him, sticking her left shoulder and chin out to him. She said with a slight nod, “Then. Then I say yes.” He quirked an eyebrow, now becoming playful. “Yes to what?” He asked, teasing her. She became nervous again, starting to tense up again. She sputtered, motioning with her arms to him. “T-to your question!” He furrowed his brows and tilted his head. “What question?” He unfurrowed his brows and chuckled lightly as she sputtered and flailed once more. “Your proposal? You asking me to marry you?” He nodded, faking as if he just got it. “Ahh, I get it now.”

She exhaled, the tension once again leaving her body as she turned to face him. After a moment, she started rubbing her left arm. “So… What do we do?” He looked at her questioningly for a moment before getting it. “Ah, right.” He swam back to the edge. “You need to come into the water.” She looked at him like he just kicked her puppy. “Get in - Get in the water?!” She looked to the pond and then back to him. “The magical people-spouting water? Not to mention, this is an expensive dress, and I’m sure that water would absolutely ruin it, which means I’d have to get naked - “ He stared at her, an eyebrow raised and his arms crossed. 

“The water’s fine, Natalya.” She clenched her jaw, then unclenched it, sighing. “I. Fine, okay. Do I at least get to keep my clothes on?” 

“Yes, of course.” 

“Ok good then -“ She paused, looking back down at him. “Wait. Are. Are you… naked?” She asked, pointing a finger up and down his torso. He nodded his head from side to side, “Ehh, technically yes -“

“It’s not a ‘technically yes’ kind of answer.” She interrupted. He sighed, backing up and reaching his hands out, he started rolling them towards himself, motioning for her to come to him. “Come on, your family might realize you’re gone.” She sat back down on the edge, knees in the water once more.

She pushed off the edge, landing in the pond. She shivered at the cold, but it quickly settled, feeling better. The water went up to her waist, causing her skirt to puff up. She held her arms up, muttering about her stupid skirt. Ludwig chuckled at that, coming closer and grabbing her hands. She looked back into his eyes. The trees around them had hung small lights, illuminating the pond. She stared at him, mesmerized as she had been before. He nodded towards the middle of the pond, coming to stand beside her. He had his left hand on her left hip, and was holding her other hand with his own, moving them to the middle.

Once in the middle, he turned to face her fully, grabbing both her hands and holding them over the water. “Now, memorize what I’m going to say, because you’re going to have to repeat it.” She nodded. He looked into her eyes, looking into them the entire time. 

“You cannot possess me for I belong to myself, 

But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give

You cannot command me, for I am a free person,

But I shall serve you in those ways you require and

The honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.

“I pledge to you that yours will be the name

I cry aloud in the night and the eyes into which I smile in the morning.

I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup

I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care

I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine 

I shall not slander you, nor you me

I shall honor you above all others, and

When we quarrel we shall do so in private and

Tell no strangers our grievances

“This is my wedding vow to you

This is the marriage of equals.”

He finished, looking at her as if she was his one true love. She stared back, stunned momentarily, before remembering and reciting the vows he had done. She stumbled a few times, but got it near perfectly. After she finished, he placed his right hand on her cheek, caressing it with his thumb. He then looked to her lips for a split second, before returning to her eyes. “May I kiss you?” He whispered, the two having moved closer. Their bodies were pressed together now, the water having pushed them. She stared for another second before nodding. 

He leaned in, and the two kissed. She lifted her hands and wrapped them around the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Around them, the lights burst, making small fireworks. Each time the lights exploded, a new one formed and repeated the previous ones actions. This lasted for a few more seconds before the two pulled away, staring into each other’s eyes once more. 

“We should probably get going.” He nodded, “Right.” He then looked down at himself. “Though I do need clothes.” She blushed and pulled away, stepping back and pressing her arms to her sides. “Ihaveaspellforthat.” She blurted out, covering her face with her hands. He chuckled and stepped towards her, leaning in and pulling her hands away. “Natalya? Clothes?” She nodded, turning and walking to the edge. She braced her hands on the edge and pushed off, getting out of the water. Miraculously, her dress seemed dry, as if it hadn’t even been near the water. The only difference was that there was no snow.

She grabbed the book and flipped through the pages, finding the spell for a wardrobe change. She nodded towards him, face still in the book. “You need to come out so the spell can find you.” 

“Got it.” He walked over to the edge and did the same thing she did, coming out of the water and standing right in front of her. Luckily, she didn’t look down, or she would’ve noticed he was, indeed, very naked. 

She waved her hand towards him in a circular motion, mumbling to herself before looking him square in the eyes. “Got it.” She placed the book back down and lifted both her hands, both aimed at him. “Адзенне, з'яўляйся!” A dark, almost black, purple dust began to spin around Ludwig, starting at his feet. In its place, as it began to move up his body were shoes, simple black pants, and a loose brown shirt. As it lifted off his head, his hair was slicked back, making him look more presentable. 

After it left, he pulled his shirt away from him, looking slightly impressed and nodding. “I like it.” She smiled at him. “Are you ready to go?” He nodded, holding his arm out. She chuckled lightly and looped her arm through his, the two walking back through the forest to the next step of their lives.

[unrestedjade]

I’ll be adding this to Cigarettes and Cassette Tapes later, but for now I wanna puke this onto Tumblr before I nitpick to absolute death. @chupacawha this was inspired by something you said when we watched the Genkai Tournament arc but I can’t remember what lol.

The walk back to the train station felt about a hundred times as long as the trip out to the temple. And that wasn't even touching climbing down all eighty million steps leading from the temple grounds just to get back to the damn road in the first place. Botan helped as best she could, but most of Kuwabara's weight was on Yusuke. The taller boy leaned heavily on him as they stumbled along, his arm bearing down on Yusuke’s shoulders. Yusuke’s arm around Kuwabara’s waist trembled with effort, hand fisted in tattered fabric to anchor himself. If either of them stumbled, they were both going down.

Yusuke wanted nothing more than to fall face down in the ditch and stay there. Fuck it, let the weeds reclaim him. There wasn't a square inch of his body that didn't hurt, and he was running on less than fumes. The only thing that kept him putting one foot in front of the other was the fact that Kuwabara was having an even harder time staying upright and was somehow doing it anyway. Stubborn bastard. Stubborn, heavy bastard.

The sky was passing from twilight to true night by the time they reached the station. The girl at the ticket counter shot them a look that was equal parts suspicious and alarmed, which Botan smoothed over with some line about a hiking accident. Blah, blah, worse than it looks, blah, blah, bald-faced lie. None of them were dressed to go hiking, and the state of Yusuke and Kuwabara's clothing ruled out any kind of nature-y mishap short of a bear attack. In any case, they must not have looked sketchy enough to call for security, because soon enough they were joining the evening commuter crowd on the platform.

Not many people headed into the city at this time of night, preferring to live out in the smaller towns and suburbs and commute in for work. Botan helped Yusuke maneuver Kuwabara into a window seat. He was pretty out of it after all that walking, eyes glassy and unfocused. Yusuke didn't feel so hot himself, and dropped into the aisle seat next to him-- too much effort to take even one extra step to sit next to Botan in the seats opposite.

"Well," Botan sighed as the train got underway, "that was certainly an eventful day." Her ponytail, normally high and bushy, was wilting down the back of her neck, strands falling loose into her face. Mud smudged the knees of her jeans. On the seat next to her, her bag bulged with the jar holding the shrunken Randou. Yusuke recalled seeing a logo for some brand of pickles stuck to the glass. He hoped it stunk to high heaven in there. And that Botan had forgotten to punch air holes in the lid.

Yusuke slouched in his seat. "That sucked." The train's climate control chilled the sweat soaking his ruined t-shirt, raising goosebumps on his arms. Not that he'd admit he was cold, but he was kinda envious of Kuwabara's jacket-- what was left of it, anyway. "All that shit, and no Tokyo Dome. Don't know what I fuckin' expected."

"Language," Botan chided, more out of reflex than actual offense. "And if it makes you feel any better, I never had a ticket in the first place. I just didn't know how else to get you out here." She had the gall to smile and shrug.

"Y'know," Yusuke sighed, "you're kind of an asshole sometimes." He didn't know why he was surprised. He was starting to get the feeling that getting his life back just meant he was stuck being the spirit world's bitch for the indefinite future. They could at least throw him a bone now and then.

Botan dropped the ditzy sidekick routine, along with her smile. "Don't forget that this is your job, Yusuke. Koenma was generous enough to-"

"Yeah, yeah, enough. I get it." More lectures. Dead or alive, he could never get away from people who wanted to nag at him. Beside him, Kuwabara snored softly, head resting against the window. It didn't look terribly comfortable, but at this point he probably didn't give a shit.

"You did amazing work today," Botan said, relenting. "Really." She reached out to lay a hand on her bag. “Thanks to you, Randou won’t be able to hurt anyone else.”

Yusuke couldn’t help but glance over at Kuwabara’s right arm, the elbow of which had been bending the wrong direction only a couple hours ago. Botan followed his gaze, a frown creasing her brows. “Don’t be too hard on yourself,” she said, softly. “What happened wasn’t your fault, it was Randou’s. And luckily, Genkai is an incredibly gifted healer.” She smiled. “All’s well that ends well, isn’t that right?”

Just because the bones were mended didn’t mean they hadn’t been broken in the first place. But it hadn’t been Botan’s fault, either, so Yusuke kept his mouth shut.

A rough spot of track made the train car shudder. Kuwabara was dislodged from the windowpane and leaned over in the other direction, head thudding onto Yusuke’s shoulder. Apparently, his skull was thick enough that this didn’t wake him up.

“Super.” Like Yusuke really wanted to prop him up for the entire train ride after propping him up for the entire walk from the temple.

The googly eyes Botan was aiming at him just made things worse. “Oh,” she exclaimed, “isn’t that adorable?”

Yusuke glared. “No,” he sneered. “Are you sick in the head, or something?”

“I think the two of you have gotten a lot closer after the day you shared.” Botan rested her chin on her hands, a syrupy grin plastered on her face. “How heartwarming!”

“Revolting.”

Giving Yusuke a conspiratorial wink, Botan stood, hefting her bag over her shoulder. "I have to use the bathroom!" she announced to the train car at large. "I will probably be a while!"

Nearby passengers looked up from their magazines and conversations at her. Yusuke only raised an eyebrow. "What a lady."

"And you're such a gentleman," Botan shot back as she stepped into the aisle, aiming a pointed smirk at Kuwabara's head on his shoulder. She walked away too fast to see the one-finger salute Yusuke gave her, but she could probably guess, anyway.

For the next few minutes, Yusuke pondered whether Botan actually did have to take a shit or something. He’d seen her eat before, but he had no idea how any of that stuff worked for a spirit, and he wasn’t about to ask. He figured she probably just wanted a place to leave her physical body while she checked in with Koenma. That was probably for the best-- she always forgot to close her eyes first when she left it. Looked creepy as hell. Well, if she was gonna be gone for a while, Yusuke could catch a nap. The combination of the cool air and Kuwabara's warmth against his side had him sleepy.

As exhausted as he was, no matter how much he tried to relax, he just couldn't let himself fall asleep. It didn't help that other passengers kept stealing glances at them. Yusuke caught a salaryman three rows down glaring disapprovingly over the top of his newspaper. "The hell are you looking at?" Yusuke snapped. The salaryman hid behind his paper. Good. Uppity guys in suits were especially annoying.

Kuwabara stirred, a confused croak in the back of his throat.

"You're awake," Yusuke said, voice low so the busybodies sharing the car wouldn't overhear. "Sit up and get off me." He didn't even elbow Kuwabara that hard, but Kuwabara hissed, curling an arm over his side. Fuck, that's right. His ribs had been busted up pretty bad— probably still hurt like a bitch. "Shit, sorry. You okay?"

"You're a dick, Urameshi." Kuwabara's speech was slurred, like he was buzzed. Botan had been babbling something about accelerated healing and reiki donation on the walk to the station that Yusuke hadn't listened to at all. Maybe she'd meant that Kuwabara was gonna be a little fucked up for a while from whatever Genkai had done to fix his injuries.

He was also still resting his stupid heavy head on Yusuke's shoulder.

"Seriously, sit up. Do I look like a pillow?" Yusuke gave him a shove, gentle this time, because there was nowhere on him that hadn't been horribly injured. Kuwabara barely moved, mostly because Yusuke was still too worn out to do much more than lift his own arm, much less push the larger boy away.

"...You smell real bad."

Great. This was exactly how Yusuke wanted to spend the two-hour ride back into town. "Lean against the window, then!" It wasn't his fault he'd taken a dip in a damn swamp today.

Kuwabara shook his head, the frizzy remains of his pomp tickling Yusuke's cheek. "Nuh-uh. Too hard. Makes my head hurt."

"What are you, a little kid? Man up."

Ordinarily, Kuwabara would bristle, say something about being ten times manlier than Yusuke, and sit up straight to prove that he was just fine and in no way had gotten seven kinds of shit kicked out of him. He didn't budge. His skull was really starting to dig into Yusuke's shoulder. Fuck it. Yusuke shifted his weight, leaning into Kuwabara so that they were propping each other up and Kuwabara's head was resting on muscle instead of bone. His forehead against Yusuke's neck was warm, feverish even. He had to feel even shittier than Yusuke did, weird psychic healing bullshit or not.

"For the biggest punk in school, you're pretty clingy," Yusuke joked, because nothing about this wasn't awkward as hell. He was going for a mocking tone, but it didn't quite come across. "Were you worried about me?" It was hard to sneer effectively when you had to whisper to avoid the attention of a dozen strangers who'd turn around to see you totally not cuddling with your big ugly classmate.

"Yeah."

Well, shit. Yusuke didn't know what to say to that. He huffed out a sigh. Winding Kuwabara up was the easiest thing in the world any other time. Just one normal thing tonight, that was all he was asking for…

"Thought you were gonna die again," Kuwabara murmured, because of course he couldn't just shut up.

"Don't be stupid," Yusuke snapped. "You're the one that..." A mouthful of bile stopped him from finishing his thought. He swallowed, throat burning. Just the reminder of what that psycho had done to Kuwabara had his guts churning again, enraged. He hadn't been that angry since the shit that had gone down with Keiko at the warehouse, and it caught him off guard even now. If Randou had been a human and not some stupidly strong demon from Hell, Yusuke would have killed the fucker. But Randou would get his in Spirit World. That would have to be good enough. "How are you feeling?"

Kuwabara squirmed a little, trying to find a position that didn't leave the armrest between them pressing against his abused rib-cage. "Like shit," he said. "You?"

"Like shit," Yusuke repeated back. It was true. He'd never felt so used up. Leaning against Kuwabara was at least a little more comfortable than trying to slouch down against the seat back. If you can’t beat ‘em, or whatever.

"If I ask you something weird, will you laugh?"

That was not a question Yusuke was prepared to hear right now. Then again, sitting in silence while they were both awake would be even more awkward. "Probably. What's up?"

"Was I at the bottom of the swamp with you?" Kuwabara twisted to look up at him. Huh. His eyes were gray. Yusuke had never noticed that, but then he wasn't usually this close to Kuwabara's face when he wasn't busy pulverizing it.

More importantly, he hadn't hallucinated Kuwabara showing up underwater like he’d started to convince himself. "Yeah," he said, glaring down at Kuwabara and trying not to accidentally take a bite of his stupid hair. "Real nice, showing up to shit-talk a dying man one last time. How the hell did you do that, anyway?"

Kuwabara shrugged. "I dunno." He looked forward again, his face turning out of view. The hint of redness across his cheekbones Yusuke caught was probably from the fever he was running. "You were drowning, and I really had to get over there, and I couldn't get my stupid body to move. So I guess I kinda just...left it?" He chuckled once, wincing as his ribs protested. "Felt kinda nice to take a break from just lying there feeling like crap. It was getting pretty hard to breathe."

"You had a collapsed lung." Among many, many other things. Yusuke had the feeling the image of Kuwabara so mangled that his body looked vaguely off and uncanny would be featuring in his nightmares for a while.

"I guess that'd do it," Kuwabara said. He didn't seem too alarmed, which could have been down to him being punch-drunk and tired. "Did you get him?" Botan had talked at length about the justice awaiting Randou during their long walk. Add a concussion to the list of things Kuwabara was healing from. "Yeah."

Kuwabara made a pleased sound. "Good."

"Yeah, fuck that guy," Yusuke said, in the understatement of the century.

Kuwabara was quiet for a couple minutes. Just as Yusuke was wondering if he'd fallen asleep again, he said, "What do you think his deal was? I can't figure it out."

Yusuke shrugged. "From what the old bitch said, he might not have a reason other than fighting and throwing his weight around."

"I don't think that's it," Kuwabara said, his speech getting, if anything, even less distinct. He’d probably doze off for real pretty soon. "You like fighting, but you don't keep beating on people after the fight's over.”

“You’d know better than anyone.”

Kuwabara didn’t rise to the bait, too lost in his own train of thought. “Guys like that, I don't think they care about the fight at all. Just wanna hurt someone."

Yusuke frowned. Kuwabara wasn't wrong. And for whatever reason, he seemed to keep running into the kind of guys who were out to spread hurt around for the sake of it. Kuwabara definitely had a talent for sticking his nose into trouble, like he had today.

Another flash of anger. Yusuke had a feeling it would take a while to really calm down, even if the adrenaline rush of the fight was long over. "I shoulda killed that asshole."

Kuwabara shook his head, jostling Yusuke's jaw. "You're not that kinda guy."

Yusuke wasn't so sure about that, at all. He hadn't spared Randou's life, he just hadn't been strong enough to take him out. He'd have to accept that whatever punishment Koenma came up with for the guy would be enough, but he couldn't shake the feeling that the world would be better off without Randou in it. In the moment, with Randou gloating over all those people he'd killed and Kuwabara lying shattered on the ground, he'd wanted nothing more than to break his own fists turning Ranou's face into an unrecognizable lump of meat until long after the demon stopped moving.

He didn't say any of this out loud. Despite being one of Randou's victims, Kuwabara wouldn't agree with him. His honor code didn’t have a lot of flex in it. Yusuke didn't want to think about Kuwabara being disgusted by him, or scared of him.

Or wrong about him.

"Sorry," Kuwabara said. "I wasn't much help, either. Just got in your way."

Okay, now Yusuke knew for sure that Kuwabara was completely out of it. He never talked down about himself. "No, you didn’t." Shaken from his dark thoughts, Yusuke nudged gently against Kuwabara's side. "You were great," he said, the compliment sticking in his craw out of habit. "I'm glad you were here."

Kuwabara caught himself before he laughed and hurt himself again. "Y’know, not counting the whole...monster serial-killer thing, it was kind of fun."

Parts of the day, Yusuke had to admit, had been fun. The ordeal had been a pain in the ass overall, but in bits and pieces, for a few minutes at a time, Yusuke had forgotten he was working a case. "Well, next time you wanna change of pace I can kick your ass at the arcade instead of in the alley."

"Whatever," Kuwabara said. "Don't forget who schooled you back at the temple."

Yusuke scoffed. "You're psychic, so you had an advantage. With normal machines, I'd murder you."

"We’ll...” Kuwabara was cut off by a yawn. “We’ll see about that.”

Minutes passed, and Kuwabara's breathing gentled as he drifted off. Yusuke looked over the top of his head out the window, watching the nighttime scenery whip by outside, fields and little stands of trees partly obscured by his own reflection staring back at him. It would be at least another hour before they got back into the city, and then they still had to walk all the way to Kuwabara's house. And then Yusuke would have to walk all the way back home. And then he'd have to go all the way back to that stupid fucking temple in the middle of nowhere for six whole months.

Sometimes it felt like staying dead would have been easier.

Warm air gusted across his collarbones as Kuwabara sighed, as if he'd heard Yusuke's thought and was irritated by it.

"Take it easy, big guy," Yusuke murmured. "Not going anywhere." At some point he'd leaned his cheek on top of Kuwabara's head, sweat and grass and pomade mingling in his nose. As much as part of him needed to stay alert, keep watch for threats, be ready to defend himself, he was just too tired. He let himself stay where he was, not thinking of much, listening to Kuwabara breathe and the muffled shift and clatter of the train around them.

Quietly, Botan slipped back into her seat across from Yusuke. When she set down her bag, it was clear that the pickle jar was gone. So, Randou had been delivered to the proper authorities, whoever that was. Botan's eyes were glassy, and she was blinking furiously. She'd forgotten to close her eyes before she left her body again. Heh. It would be sort of cute if it weren’t so damn unsettling. She smiled drowsily at Yusuke, taking in the tableau of him and Kuwabara sitting peacefully together.

“Don’t,” Yusuke said, heading off whatever cutesy crap she was about to say. He was too tired and semi-comfortable to move, but she could shut up about it.

Botan’s eyes twinkled. “I didn’t say anything!”

[coconutshvings]

ATZ Reaction: You live in a bad part of town/neighborhood {Hyung Line}

∵ Group || Ateez

∵ Genre || Highschool AU

∵ Warnings || Mentions of drugs, swearing, some are shorter than others , typos

This story is not to be offensive to anyone, I didn't grow up in the best neighborhood myself while living in Chicago, this is strictly a story to show that a person who truly loves you wouldn't care where you came from even if it wasn't the best enviroment, also, never let the enviroment you grew up in mold you into a person unless that's what you personally want ~ WR:Le ♡

Hongjoong:

The Grey sky out side hid any signs of light in it as rain poured down heavily causing small but loud thuds to hit all over his vehicle, sketchy figures would pass by ever now and again while others stood infront of the decaying apartment buildings that he parked across from.

This area wasn't one he had been in often, at all actually. However, he made this trip to come and see you well- give you your geography study book for you upcoming quiz that you needed to study. All be it he'd see you and maybe make a small conversation because if it wasn't clear since Junior year, he liked you, a lot.

He'd seen your information including your number written on the book and gave you a call to which you told him to just drop off to you at the address he was sitting at now, waiting. The delicate knock on his window caught him and he looked to see you in your rain resistance hoodie squinting in the droplets. He quickly grabbed your book from his passenger seat rolling down the window and handing it to you with a gentle smile that spoke of his adoration for you.

"I was beginning to think you'd written the wrong address down." He lightly joked speaking loudly over the rain making you smile "Why, because this isn't the neighborhood you pictured me living in?" Hongjoong's eyes were screaming and you could sew his panicking figure,

"I was joking! I know you aren't some uppity entitled person." His body visibly "Good because I'd never be that way towards anyone." You nodded understanding not noticing the rain quieted down and so did your voices.

"I'll see you tomorrow in fifth period?" , He smiled at your question "Of course. Let me know if you need a studying partner."

"Will do."

Seonghwa:

Never in a million years did he think you'd be ashamed to be walked somewhere, you enjoyed his company but he'd never asked to walk you home before even though you quickly said no it was easy to change that answer when you seen the hurt and question on his face. So here you were, quietly walking home hand in hand, Seonghwa was walking on sunshine after you'd changed your answer he didn't notice your longing face before you could Cross the street you abruptly halted pulling at his hand causing him to sling backwards,

"This walk is long I don't want you to endure it." You spoke suspiciously but he hadn't caught it "More time with you." He simply replied before attempting to walk again but once again being stopped by you,

"Then you'll have to walk back alone." ,

"I'll call for a ride once I get in front of your house." The pulse in your neck began to jump as he clearly didn't understand why you kept making excuses, you had to flat out tell him now,

"I don't want you to walk me home," you searched his eyes for any sign of anger but they were just boring into your own, "because it's not safe for.. Y'know, you." This made him scoff in a comedic tone,

"You think because you live somewhere that you personally consider to be dangerous that it's personally not safe for me? Y/n I have friends that live in your neighborhood, I have friends everywhere." You were taken aback "You do?"

"You think all my friend live in golden gated communities with foutains in every yard? No. They come from all walk of life, I'm not scared of a neighborhood, I'm scared of you being too ashamed of where you come from to not let me see it because you shouldn't be, ever."

Looking at the sincerity and determination in his eyes with evident sparkles as well you'd lost for sure, "I'm sorry for trying to deny this walk and sort of categorizing you." Seonghwa deeply sighed, "It's alright, you don't ever have to be ashamed of your upbringing, family, anything with me. I like you regardless." That was such a relief to hear.

Yunho:

He simply followed the directions you'd given him to your house, you stayed on the phone with him as he walked just in case he got into any trouble, "I don't need you to babysit me over the phone." He tried to sound convincing, "Yeah you do. I'm not hanging up and you better not either."

You sternly said. Yunho knew all about this sketchy side of town, the high crime rates, drug hideouts or half way houses, police sirens were heard at least 3 times a day but he didn't care he was coming to his love either way no matter the stakes it'd only prove his feelings more with the lengths he was willing to go,

"I can follow directions well." He heard you chuckle "Good now follow my directions and don't hang up this phone." Yunho loved your take charge attitude especially when it was for his good, "You definitely run this relationship, huh?" ,

"Only when you're too tired or unconscious to." He could feel your grinning smile though he couldn't see it , "I promise I'll make it there safely baby I'm almost there, I think," Yunho spoke teasing you knowing you'd start to stress a bit "Yunho do I-" ,

"That was a joke I'm not lost." He could hear you grumble annoyed, "I'm on this street name-" Yunho's sentence was caught off with an oomf you listened closely to hear if he was okay. Yunho stood up dusting himself off after he hit a hard yet soft object, human object.

He was busy searching for his phone to look at the angry trio of men looking his way ready to skin him alive.

"You have no knowledge about watching where the fuck you're going kid or are you just empty headed all together?" A gruff voice spoke startling Yunho, he finally looked up seeing the three males with menace like features, they all looked as if they could break his entire skull with a single punch without much muscle.

"I apologize, really. I'll be out of your way." He tried to smooth over the situation a rough laugh was heard "You'll be out of everyone's way if I get my hands on you." Another man spoke though Yunho's shakey eyes never left the man in front of him he could see the remaining two men swiftly move there hands to their inside jacket pockets, he'd seen movies like this either they'd pull out a deadly weapon or a lollipop.

"Uhm, it'll never happen again sir- sirs." He corrected stumbling over his own words. "If it does nothing will happen to him anyway." An all too familiar voice added, never had Yunho whirled around so quickly "Y/N?!" A Tone of fear, relief, and excitement was heard his his voice,

"You know this clown?" Yunho's eyes were screaming for you both to make a break for it, "Yes Uncle Roy, this is my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?!"

"Uncle?!"

They both chimed in union but you ignored both grabbing Yunho's hand and pulling him away from your uncle and his goons.

"I don't need protecting," You mocked him "You walked past the block you were supposed to turn on Mr. 'I can follow directions well'" you scolded playfully

"My phone." Was all Yunho could say.

Yeosang:

He loved being on this side of town, the graffiti run down buildings, people on every corner looks ranging from lovely people to those parents would warn to stay away from but Yeosang didn't care.

He was a long way from home but that didn't matter, the pot holes that filled the streets in this part of town the corner stores that lit up almost every street was different from the clean cut grass and untarnished pavements that usually surrounded him, it was all so suffocating and too clean cut for him.

He wanted to explore every enviroment and have friends in all it may be a strange task but he wasn't one for the normal anyway, the unknown excited him even if it was dangerous.

He walked the side walk with weeds growing out of some of the cracks happily looking at the busy streets and in the store windows in business or out, cracked or squeaky clean. "Yeosang?" A voice carried through the air, "Yeosang over here!" His eyes scanned and scanned until he saw you attempting to Cross the busy street,

you looked to him like a pretty yet unprotected rare artifact that he wanted to keep for himself, Heaven knew he carried this deep care and emotion for you that most would describe as a crush.

He waited til you safely crossed in front of him to speak "Didn't think I'd see you over this way." , "I live over here you however are a long way away from home aren't you?" Yeosang Shrugged "I like the scenery."

You looked past him then back to him "What scenery? There aren't any museums or statues around , this part of town isn't the best." You admitted,

"Which is what makes it great, it's not some land of perfection where you can't breath longer than 7 seconds," you raised your brow at him asking him to explain further making him sigh,

"Okay I know it sounds ungrateful, I truly blessed to have grew up in the enviroment that I did but it's also blocking me from the rest of the world, leaving me unprepared and curious, I have opportunities in my neighborhood but still so many restrictions."

You hummed "And what opportunities do you think you'll have out here?" He thought for a moment "You guys have the best hip hop dance classes here, they only teach contemporary and well, everything but hip hop based anything or remotely related to the genre where I live."

You laughed at his almost tantrum like attitude, "So you're looking for a place to take dance classes at out here?" You asked with him sending a nod in response. "You could help me look for one if you're not busy?" He questioned "I could . I was only going to buy some junk food but that can wait, I know this town front and back, "

You could see the cheerful hope in his eyes that begged you to help him find a dance studio where he could be free so you couldn't deny his request, well, you didn't want to. "let's go find you a dance stuido." You finished seeing Yeosang cheer silently

"I'll buy you food after?" He offered "You definitely got me now." You grinned linking your arm with his as you both began to walk together to find him a nice spot to showcase his love for hip hop and dance while exploring the city and maybe the depths of your friendship as well.