#those two songs don´t mix well but I think it help the mood of this drabble

[kurtty-drabbles]

Evil Belasco NSFW(sort of)

N/A: this could go well with hellfire from Frollo(Disney) or unforgivable from Natalie Cole, I know odd choices but when this scene came to me I was listening to those songs.

@djinmer4

https://youtu.be/Ih4qSCrtj14

https://youtu.be/vDN5rG3wLa4

His chambers are one of the numerous chambers in his mansion that can be craft in where his desire wants, currently, the lord of Limbo is laid down on his bed, the room resembles a penthouse, one of those where only celebrities can live.

So far, the luxurious room did little to make Belasco sleep, even though sleep is something not really need just like food, sometimes, even him likes to dream every once in awhile.

Contrary to popular belief, Belasco can sleep without wearing his unfamous red chiton, he does have more clothes option, but Belasco often chooses blood red.

The ruler is on his bed and tries as might sleep does not grace him tonight(time is misleading here) and all the relentless is attributed to one person, Kitty Pryde, who is in her own chambers sleeping soundly(Belasco thinks so)

Belasco is a patient man, extremely so, but is never wise to test him(Mephisto can testify this), however, Belasco can´t wait for the woman to finally fall from grace, to finally accept Limbo as her only home and...finally accept her place next to him.

"Oh, such cruel thing to do" there´s a smirk as Belasco forget the sleep, it is not needed after all " making me waiting for you, torturing me so" the smile never leaves his face, it increases his longing for the young woman.

He could go visit her and take her again, again and again, as much his heart desire, an attractive idea for the ruler of Limbo, sadly their first time was yesterday and Belasco didn´t hold back meaning that Kitty needs to rest, but the idea of Kitty coming to him is more appealing.

The sheets that are covering his naked body give the illusion that is her skin, the silk sheet on his body are causing an immediate response, how ironic, he is the powerful ruler of Limbo and can control almost everything in this realm but his arousal is not one of them.

The seductiveness words: Don´t , stop.

Don´t stop, please.

Is a symphony that Belasco holds dear to his heart.

His hands stroke his hard member remembering their first and what they will do in the future, how delightful it will be when the corruption is finally complete. This makes his climax build upon the sheets and Belasco would find amusing that he is still such sexual creature.

He pictures her brown eyes half lidden, her legs intertwined around his member, her moans, her futile resistance and how she gives up to their pleasure encounter. She was moaning his name so sinfully and Belasco couldn´t have been more proud(fucking proud) it doesn´t matter if it was his old and forsaken name, she is his and his alone.

The waiting game is not for everyone. And Belasco is good at games, especially if the reward is that good.

"I can feel the corruption on you, once you fall, there´s no turning back" with that sentence being said and a flick of his hand the sheets are cleaned and Belasco still isn´t graced by sleep or dreams. Just the waiting hours until Kitty finally is defeated and is choose him.

[arthurflecksgirl]

Hello ♡♡♡ Could you write a request where the female reader wants to visit a circus in town with Arthur? Arthur will agree, but he wants to go as Joker to the circus and he is very sweet and romantic to you. And at the circus it will end in chaos, because a bunch of idiots insult Joker. The female reader trys to calm Joker down, but something will happen. That would be so beautiful if you could write that.

Hey my dear friend :) Here it is and I really really really hope you enjoy it :) Love you, sweety.

The smell of coffee in the morning mixed with Arthurs voice humming a Sinatra song was the best way to start in the day. There was always a song hanging on his lips. Oh those lips, you couldnt wait to kiss them in about a minute, when he`ll get back in bed with you, sharing his Murray Franklin show cup. There was no need for two different cups. You both loved to share everything with each other. Even the little things like a hot cup of coffee to get the sleepiness out of your bones.

"Good morning, my love" he said when he came back from the kitchen, placing a sloppy kiss on your mouth, the sweetest  smile on his face. His bed hair was one of those things you couldnt ever get enough of. It made you feel so at home seeing him like that. It made him look even more vulnerable.

You took a sip and put the newspaper away. Arthur grabbed it and started reading the news. "Seems like Gotham is in trouble again. What else is new?" he said. His puppy eyes staring at the pages.

You felt the warm coffee down your throath, it tasted even better knowing that Arthur made it for you. " So sad....but you know what?" you handed him the cup "I just read something else on page three. There will be a circus on Amusement mile today. And I was wondering if you want to go there with me? Just the both of us. Maybe there will be clowns. Nicer ones than your work mates."

Arthur lit himself a cig and leaned back "You think so? I know most clowns here in Gotham. Most of them are hired ones. HaHas`s used to work for Amusement mile,too." he closed his eyes "...but....sure...if you wanna go and have a look. I`m always up for a surprise. I mean, you never know, right? Maybe we`ll meet some nice people around here  for a change. Tourists or something" he joked.  

He was right. The only nice people you met in Gotham was tourists. The citizens of this city seemed cold hearted and rude. Growing up in this block must have been hell for a sweet soul like Arthur.

"So you wanna go?"

Arthur blew out the smoke "Yeah...why now? But maybe I should put on a costume or something. I`m sure Randall and his friends will go there too and I dont want them to ruin our day. " There was a subtile sadness in his voice while he said so. You didnt knew that Randall was still picking on him. But appearently he did. "Oh I havent thought of that, Artie. Look, if you dont wanna go its okay. We can just stay home. It will be just as nice."

He took a deep drag of his cigarette "Oh. No it`s fine. I wanna go there with you,too. It will be great to go to the city. We`ll walk down the streets and I`ll be holding your hand, showing everyone around that you are my girl." he grinned. "I just dont my work mates to come up to us. I know them well enough to be sure that they will talk some shit."

You lay your head upon his chest and pulled him closer "So what are you thinking of. They will also recognize you in your Carnival costume".

"Yeah, I know" he mumbled while he put the cig in the ashtray. "I have to think of something different" he ran his fingers through his hair. You couldnt help but placing kisses along his collarbone. He looked so delicious.

"Mhhh....I love it when you do that Y/N"

"I know" you moved to reach his right collarbone and did the same. Arthur stroke your hair  "I was thinking about wearing the red suit maybe. And the Joker make up."

His words surprised you. "Really? You haven`t put your Joker outfit on for like...a year or two?" He nodded "Or even longer. But I dont know...Today I feel like it. I mean...if thats okay with you. I understand if you dont feel comfortable with me wearing the...."

Your kiss interuppted his words "Of course thats totally fine with me. However you feel, sweetheart."

He took you deeper in his arms "There is no particular reason behind it. I just need a costume in which they won`t recognize me from a distance. And I feel like wearing red today. So....dont worry about anything, okay? "

"Okay" you kissed him again. The taste of coffee and cigs still lingering on the corner of his lips.

"When is it starting?" he asked.

"I guess it already has been started half an hour ago."

"Oh. Wanna get ready?" he jumped out of bed with excitement as you agreed, disappearing in the bathroom. You could hear his steps. He was dancing around to the music in his head. Brushing his bed hair. "Hey baby, wanna help me dying my hair?"

You didnt hesitate to enter the bathroom and get the bottle with the green hair dye. Arrthur sat down, humming a song you didnt recognized. "What song is it?" you asked while you started to put the color in his hair. "It just came to me a minute ago" he said in his dreamy voice "Maybe I should play it on my ukulele. It`ll be perfect for it". Your fingers seperated his curls from one another, making sure to get every strain colored in.  "Oh, I would definitely love to hear it. Maybe you could even sing". Arthur shrugged "I`m not a great singer". "Yes you are!" you now put your fingers into his curls. So soft to the touch. Arthur always claimed to not be a good singer, but you have heard him so many times, you knew he had a wonderful singing voice. Maybe he was just fishing for compliments, which was just as cute. "C`mon, Artie. You could sing it to me wehile I`m helping you with your Joker make up. How does that sound?" he chuckled "Okay, okay. You won!"

You put the hair dye beside "Done. Now lets get the watercolor make up. Where did yo put it?"

"By the big mirror" he said.

"Oh, of course, gimme a sec" you headed for the make up and a weird feeling overcame you as you touched it.  You couldnt tell what it was about but it was there.

Back to the bathroom Arthur held his ukulele. The surprised look on your face amused him "Where does that came from? I was just out of the room for like....a minute".

"It`s magic" he blinked at you, starting to pull the strings.

"I really wanna hear it. But I cant put your make up on while you`re playing an instrument, sweety".

"Try it"

"I will, but don`t complain if it looks all messy afterwards"

"I wouldnt mind" he smirked. "It will look messy later today anyway. After I kissed you so hard the make up wouldnt stand a chance."

You put as much make up on as possible while his face was moving. Hearing his beautiful voice made it so hard to concentrate.

"Thats a beautiful song, Arthur. I really, really love it" he put the ukulele away. "That was all i needed to hear to feel better, now I will make it easier for you." He leaned back and closed his eyes while you did his lips. The crisp edges on the corner of the fake smile,the shapes around his eyes.  You already felt the urge to kiss those red lips and ruin your work. What a marvel he was. A true piece of art.

After you were done he rinsed out his hair and looked into the mirror. You catched him looking at himself. There was still so much sadness inside of him. Hidden behind all of this. But you also saw the difference since you started dating. He wasnt as sad as he used to be anymore. It was a different kind of sadness. A transformed one. One that was much easier to carry on his fragile shoulders.

His reflection stared back at him, unsure of who he actually is.

"Can you get me the suit? Its on the left side in my wardrobe"

"Oh, of course" you headed to the bedroom and caught him still staring at himself as you got back. "Here it is" you handed him the Joker outfit, like he used to call it.

"Thanks Y/N." he changed his clothes without saying a word. He also did it very slowly, like he put much thought into this kinda transformation. He needed to feel it. To get into the mood.

After he put on the last sock he turned to you "How do I look?"

"Stunning" your hand touched his "Breathtaking".

He smirked before he checked the mirror again "I dont know....something doesnt feel quite right....whatever. Never mind. Lets just go. C´mon. Get your clothes. We`re gonna have a good day anyway."

He took you under his arm and kissed you on the forehead. His kiss felt almost light hearted, which surprised you after the way he looked at his own reflection.

Amusement mile was as crowded as expected. Serveral street artist such as painters, dancers ,musicians, athletes and small animals filled the place. And clowns. A lot of them. Most of them in bright colored costumes.

"Oh, these are a lot of clowns" Arthur said, sqeezing your hand. "But only one of your kind". He smiled and leaned in to kiss you. Compliments still made him happy as a lttle boy on christmas eve. "Are you feeling good, Artie?"

"I am. Yeah. I actually am. "

"So good to hear. Should I....call you Joker now?"

The sweetest smile lingered on his lips "Nahhh. No need to. To you am am still Arthur. But....you can call me Joker later tonight...if you know what I am talking about...." the smirk grew.

"I would like that. I cant wait to ruin your make up".

Arthur stopped and took your face in his hands "Admit it. Thats whay you put it on by yourself in the first place. Because it will be so much fun to ruin it." His stare weakened your knees within seconds.

"Maybe..."

Arthur put his lips on yours, moving his mouth gently from side to side before he parted your lips with his tongue, allowing you to taste him.

You walked down the street with him, your head still spinning from his kiss. Arthur stopped by te piano man and carefully listened. You could feel his body moving, even though it was barely visible. You felt him vibing next to you. The music finding its way in and out of him. "C`mon abby, dance with me" he raised your hands and started to spin you around in circles, pulling you close to his chest "Youre my one and only. You know that right?" "Dito!" you replied, stroking his green hair. He was so incredibly beautiful it hurt.

"Wanna check out the clowns?"

You nodded "Yeah, we just have to cross the street, they`re right over there" you pointed at the graffity wall before you both headed over.

Arthur watched a clown doing a magic trick with a little girl. She took a card from him and giggled. You could tell that Arthurs heart filled with love immediately. He loved kids. And he loved to make them laugh. "See how her eyes shine? Thats the best part of my job" he said in his soft tone.

"I wish I could show her a trick,too. But I`ve got nothing with me. I`m not Carnival today, right?"

"Right. But I guess you can still mae her laugh. I mean, you know some great jokes."

He lit himself a cigartette "You think so?"

"I do"

"I know some jokes for kids....maybe you`re right. I should ask her if she wants to hear some" he inhaled the smoke, looking like a painting thats hanging in a museum. Sometimes it was hard to belive that he was actually real.

Arthur waited on the sidewalk until the magic trick has been done, snipped his cig away and walked up to the little girl. You followed him and couldnt await to hear the joke he would  tell her.

Suddenly the lttle girl started to run. Arthur really wanted to tell her a joke, so he ran after her.

"Hey, you" he yelled. The girl stopped, looking at him with big eyes. "I was wondering if.....you would like to hear a joke." Now you catched up too. Standing right beside him and her.

The kid pointed at him "You`re a fast runner".

Arthur smiled "Thank you. You are pretty fast,too. I almost didnt catch you" he blinked.

"I would like to hear a joke Mr. Clow.n." she giggled.

"You can call me Joker" he replied making a majestic gesture.

"Joker! Thats such a funny name"

"Yeah?"

"Mmmhh hmm"

Arthur kneed down to her "Okay here`s one...Whats colorful and stuck between an elephants feet?"

"I have no idea Joker" she shook her head and waited for the punchline.

"A slow clown" Arthur tried not to laugh at his own joke, which was always hard for him.

The little girl chuckled "Thats a funny one."

"See?" he said "Thats why it`s so important to be fast".

She started laughing even more "I like your make up, Joker".

"Thank you, sweety. Whats your name?"

"I`m  Aly"

"Hello Aly. So...where are your parents?"

She turned around "Somewhere over there. Í`m not sure. I stopped to see the magician and when I turned around they were gone."

Arthur looked at me "Oh no! We should try to find them. I guess they are already looking for you." You nodded and so did the little girl.

He took her by the hand and you headed into the direction she said her family went. The streets were so crowded it was hard to find someone. "How do your parants look like?" you asked and she gave a discription "Alright, we`re gonna find them, I promise" Arthur said.The little girl smiled "I know, Joker. I`m not scared or something. I know they aren`t far. They never go far. But....will you stay with me until we found them?"

"Sure, sweetheart. You are very brave." he replied in his sweetest voice.

Your heart melted seeing him with the kid. he was the kindest soul. Always thinking about others, while his whole life no one ever thought about protecting him.

All of the sudden the angry voice of a man appeared close behind us.

"Stop!" he yelled "Stop him!"

You and Arthur turned around immediately. All went so fast.

The stranger threw himself against Arthur. He fell to the ground and so did Aly.She started to cry from hurting her knee. The stranger slapped Arthur in the face "How dare you!" he yelled.

"Let go of him? What are you doing? Let him go!" you screamed as he punched Arthur one more time.

Arthur tried to cover his head with his hands "Stop it, please." he begged.

The man let go of him and stood up, while Arthur was still lying on the ground. You kneed down to him, stroking his hurting cheek "Oh my god, darling, are you okay?" he nodded "Yeah".

Aly was crying hard watching this. The man standing tall in front of us "You fucking circus freak. I saw what you just did. You tried to kidnap the little girl".

"What?" you helped Artie to get up. His Joker make up was smeared.

"God no. She lost her parents in the crowd and I wanted to help her find them...." he tried to explain.

"Its true" you threw in  "How dare YOU to punsh my boyfriend in the face without even knowing the whole story?"

The man looked at both of you with disgust in his face "I know freaks like the two of you. You go to these events to harass people."

"Dont call him a freak" you felt the anger rising inside of you and took a step closer to the man.

He ignored you and got up to Arthur to spit him in the face.

Arthur looked shocked. He wiped the spit away and tried to get a look at Aly. She was gone.

"Look what you did!" he yelled to the rude man`s face "She`s gone now. If she doesnt find her parents now it`s your fault, you fucker!"

"What did you just called me?"

Arthur took a step closer to him. They faced each other now. The tension between them was terrible. You just felt that something bad would happen.

You turned around to get a glimpse of Aly, but there was no chance to make her out in the crowd.

"I said you are a fucker!" Arthur yelled to his face "This little girl needed help. And I was there. I just wanted to tell her a joke in the first place"

"Artie?" you tried to sound calm, hoping he would calm down too. "Maybe its better to ignore him. We should go now" you touched his arm.

"No, its okay Y/N. I got this."

The man laughed at his face "A joke huh? I will tell you a joke right now". His fist hit Arthur right in the stomach, so hard he once again fell to the ground. That stranger was much taller and bigger than him. It looked like Artie couldnt stand a chance against him. A kick. And another.

You watched out for the police. Nothing. All the people just passed by without even looking at him.

"You still want to tell jokes now?" the man asked, while Arthur stood up again.

"Arthur are you okay? Please darling, lets just go home, okay?"

He kissed you on the forehead "I`m fine. Don`t worry about me, okay? Its just....a scratch. I will take care of him".

He turned back to the man and reached down his pocket "I think I`ve got a special joke for you".

The man laughed. It sounded kinda evil. "I`m sure you do. Because you are the joke after all. Right? I mean look at you. You are not even a real clown. What is this outfit and make up?  I`m sure under all this face paint hides a scared little boy who is crying for his mommy to take care of him."

You could tell from Arturs eyes that this one hit him right in the feels. He swallowed hard. He tried not to let it show but you knew him so well.

"Whats the similarity between a bag of chips and a gun?" his crisp smirk looked so intense.

The man rolled his eyes.

"When you pull one out, everybody wants to be your friend" Arthur pulled out the gun.

You didnt even knew he got it with him.

For a second there you held your breath.

The man started to shake "Dude, listen...."

"I know" Arthur chuckled "I`m a funny guy."

"Arthur. Please. Lets just go home" you begged. You couldnt stand the thought of this situation to escalate. What if Arthur got hurt?

He looked at you in the softest way possible while the gun was still pointed at the man. He held it ow enough for no one to notice. People used to be so ignorant around here. ""We`ll be home early today, honey. You know I can`t miss my fave comedy shows".

The man held his hands above his head "Lets just forget about this okay. Don`t shoot. "

Arthur pointed the gun at him "I will put my gun away now, if you will let us go find the little girl. I need to know if she found her family. Do you understand what I am telling you?"

The man nodded.

"Alright."  Arthur put the gun back into his pockets, grabbed your hand and walked down the street. So many people passing by without even looking. No one noticed. No one ever did.

"Lets find Aly" he said to you. You felt reliefed taht you finalyl got out of this situation. But then.....there was a noice. A scream. Hands grabbing you from behind. The man was still after you and he didnt hesitate to attack you this time. He jumped on your back, dragging you to the ground, hurting you  while he tried to keep you down. You screamed for help right before you heard the gunshot.

Arthur fired the gun,

He did it.

To protect you.

Your heart was racing so fast it felt like you coudlnt breathe anymore.

The man screamed from the top of his lungs.

He was still alive.

"Arthur!" you yelled "What did you do?"

He picked you off the ground " Dont worry. I only pointed at his leg. He`ll be fine. But I couldnt allow him to hurt my baby. C`mon." He lifted you up and  carried you all the way through the crowd. Leaving the man sobbing  and cursing on the pavement.

"Artie. I wanna go home"

"I know, baby, I know. We will. Are you hurt?"

"He hurt my back when he attacked me But I guess I will be fine".

"Okay. Soon we`ll be home."

He carried you all the way to the subway station and you couldnt belive your eyes as you saw Aly sitting there wth her parants.

"Joker!" she yelled with the happies voice "Thats him" she said to her dad "Thats the friendly clown who wanted to help me find you. But then this man came up and..."

You both sat down beside them.

"I`m sorry " her mum said "Aly has a strong imagination".

Arthur smiled "No. Its all true. I talked to her earlier. I´m glad she is with you again".

"Really?" her mum looked surprised.

"See?" the little girl stick out her tongue "I wasnt lying at all."

"Sorry Aly"

"His name is Joker and he knows some really really good jokes. "

Arthur stroke the little girls hair "I`m so happy you think I`m funny"

"The funniest clown there eeeeeeever was" she giggled.

Your subway was about to arrive so you said your goodbyes. "It was a pleasure to meet you, sweet girl" Aly smiled at him and whispered to him "Hey, can I tell my mum that joke you told me? The one with the elephant?"

"Sure you can!"

"Thank you, Joker."

You both waved at her while you stepped into the subway and  from the distance you could hear Aly telling his joke to her parants. "Whats colorful and stuck between an elephants feet?"

When you got home, you both fell into bed. Arthur didnt even wiped his make up off. He carelessly threw his clothes on the floor and put the gun away.

"I`m sorry" he sighed "This wasnt going quite as we planned it."

You wiped a strain of hair  out of his face  "It wasnt your fault, Artie. People are so ignorant and rude around here."

He kissed the tip of your nose "I´m so glad he didnt hurt you ".

"I`m glad you`re fine, Artie. "

He lifted up the blanket for you to crawl under it "Lets just  enjoy each other. The world outside these windows  means nothing compared to your touch".

You crawled into his protective arms and closed your eyes.

"That girl" he whispered "She thought I was funny".

"You are funny, Arthur!"

"Thank you for saying this" he kissed into your hair.

"Well..." he smirked...."Now that we got home earlier....we have a lot of time in our hands...." he started to stroke your thigh, whispering in your ear "You can call me Joker now".

"Kiss me, Joker! Kiss me all night long" you whispered back, as your lips found his, tasting the red lipstick and a little bit of blood from being punched in the face.

Arthur smiled between the kisses, knowing that this was all he ever needed.

The certainty of being loved.

[searching-for-mercury]

This Christmas Needs More Minty Hot Cocoa -- Klance

As part of the Klance Secret Santa Event (@klance2017secretsanta) for Sam (@koganelovesmcclain)! I hope you like it!!

Summary: Keith and Lance have been both so busy with work and school, they've hardly had any time to really enjoy the holidays. A single free day lines up for both of them, so what do they do? Put up the tree, of course!

(ao3)

 ---

After weeks of scrutinizing each other's school and work schedules, the day both Keith and Lance had free finally arrived. December was a busy month anyways, with all the school papers being due, the final projects that were worth more than most of the semester, and the rush of customers searching out last minute gifts. But they'd finally found a day that worked for them both and it had arrived with cold winds and no snow.

              "I was really hoping it'd snow," Lance said, peering through the curtains. He worked retail and not only had he gotten them out of the clearance bin, but he got his 20% discount slapped on top of it. Sure, they were a bit shimmery and a dull sort of gold, but they made the apartment look a little more put together.

              That was sort of what that day was about. Their first Christmas together in their first apartment. They'd been dating for nearly their entire college career, but it was the first time it felt really real. They were adults -- they'd gotten goddamn curtains together. Well, sort of. Lance had called Keith to ask and Keith had been a little too fussy about the details until Lance reassured him they could work with the color. But still.

              "Why would you want it to snow?" Keith asked. Lance didn't have to look at him to know he was making a face.

              "To set the mood!" Lance said, turning back to his boyfriend. He didn't really need the snow, though. He'd been excited since he went to bed the night before.

              Keith only made some sort of 'hmph' noise that got partly swallowed by his mug of tea. Normally he slept in a t-shirt and pajama bottoms, but the living room was "too damn cold" so he'd donned a large sweater. Lance suspected it was his, but he didn't want Keith pulling it off while rolling his eyes. He didn't mind the clothes trading -- they both wore the exact same size.

              "You know," Lance started singing. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

              Keith groaned. "Don't make me regret this," he said.

              "Everywhere you go," Lance continued, getting steadily closer and a grin growing wider.

              "I will divorce you."

              "We aren't even married!"

              "I mean this for later," Keith replied, very matter-of-fact like. "We will get married and several years later I will demand a divorce. You will ask me why. And I'll tell you, you know why."

              Lance narrowed his eyes. Did he keep singing or take his boyfriend, with his black hair still mussed up from sleep, seriously? But Keith's lips wobbled a little, like he was trying to keep a straight face and failing, so Lance decided to aim for those instead.

              "Gross," Keith said.

              "You're gross," Lance shot back before settling on the couch beside him and kissed him again.

              "You fight like a kid."

              "You fight like a baby."

              "Like a second-grade kid," Keith insisted.

              "I would be the champion amongst second-graders," Lance replied.

              "You'd be the kid who runs away when things actually get serious," Keith said, as if to say, "Let's be real here, now."

              Lance was most definitely the kind of person to talk big and get in serious trouble fast without realizing it, but would he run away? Maybe. He liked to think it wouldn't be his first reaction, though. Maybe as a second-grader he'd run, but as an adult, he would at least survive a bit by dodging. And throwing. His aim was fairly good.

              "Are we going to do this?" Keith asked. "Or are we going to end up discussing the fighting capabilities of our second-grade selves? Because I'm down for either."

              "No!" Lance shouted while springing to his feet. "We are going to do this! There's no way we lugged that thing up here last night for nothing."

              They didn't have a very large living room -- there was enough space for a couch, coffee table, and a sort of dresser they'd found on the side of the road one day for the TV to stand on. They'd painted it over with a simple dark brown color, like coffee with only a drop of milk mixed in. Some of the drawers didn't like sliding out quite as smoothly as they wanted, but it hadn't collapsed yet. Lance had been in charge of hanging up picture frames, full of their friends and animals, of family members. Them too, of course. Keith didn't like getting his picture taken if it wasn't for something with purpose, like his driver's license, but Lance could be sneaky.

              Late last night, Keith called him after coming back from work. He was downstairs, he'd said. Lance ought to come down. When he did, Keith was standing there, with a hat pulled down over his ears and a scarf covering most of his face, beside his tiny red car. Their very first Christmas tree was strapped to the roof, bundled up tight in netting.

              It now stood as proudly as it could, being only an inch or two taller than them, right next to the TV. Some of the branches were up against and on the coffee table, but Lance didn't want to cut them; it would look too weird. Mutilation, he'd said, but he'd never admit to being so dramatic.

              After they both took showers and Keith made the bed while Lance did the dishes, the boxes of ornaments were taken out of the closet they'd been in since Thanksgiving. Most of them were new, but a couple boxes had been given to them by Keith's parents. Lance's grandparents lived too far away -- any bulbs sent their way would probably arrive in pieces.              

              "First go on the lights," Keith said and handed the box over for Lance to open.

              "You think one box is going to be enough?" Lance asked, picking at the tape.

              Keith waved another box at him. "Just in case," he said.

              "We should have gotten the one that played music," Lance said as he pulled out the bundle of tiny lights. According to the package, the ones they bought could only do two things: blink or not blink.

              "No." Keith said it with such conviction, Lance could imagine himself waking up one day to find the plastic pieces of the switch controlling the music scattered on the floor. Maybe there'd even be the hammer used to smash it with.

              The lights were strung up with only one major incident: getting stuck behind the tree.

              "Don't push on it," Keith said. Lance wasn't sure what he was doing, because he had a bunch of pine needles trying to poke into his eyeballs, but it didn't seem like he was helping. "You'll ruin it!"

              "Well I don't see any other way!"

              "Cut it out! I'm thinking!"

              "Think faster!"

              Then the tree moved, just not in the direction Lance wanted it to.

              "Pine trees don't taste good, you know."

              "I'll keep that in mind," Keith grunted, his voice coming from somewhere below, "the next time I consider eating a pine tree."

              Suddenly the tree was gone and Lance could breathe. He darted out from the corner, as if staying would mean making it his permanent new home. Pine needles were everywhere and Keith was already eyeing them the same way he eyed his sweaters full of cat hair.

              "Okay," Lance said, straightening his shirt. "Lights are on and plugged in."

              "I pulled it out a little, so we'll just push it back when we're done decorating," Keith said. He reached up to brush some pine needles out of Lance's hair.

              "After you, sir," Lance said with a sweeping gesture towards the boxes of ornaments.

              It was a simple task, decorating the tree. It would have been done in silence had Lance not turned on the radio. Hanging shiny red bulbs onto branches to the various melodies of classic rock didn't exactly feel like Christmas, but Keith threatened him in a very serious "til death do us part" sort of way if Lance put on anything relating to the holidays; he'd gotten out his pocket knife and everything.

              "I hear enough of that at work," Keith had said.

              It was true -- stores were putting on Christmas music earlier with each year. Lance was lucky: the clothing department he worked at had ten different songs with each song having two or three different renditions throughout the whole track. Keith's just had five.

              Lance could've gone on about the evils of corporations sucking the fun out of literally everything, but that would mean letting them win. Pidge and her brother, Matt, had explained it to him before, when he'd voiced his complaints.

              When it was finally done, they stood back and watched as the lights twinkled off the shiny glass ornaments. It was a masterpiece. Lance went and grabbed his phone, taking pictures from every angle (except from the corner, he was not going back), and Keith watched as he started preparing hot chocolate from the kitchen.

              "Send those to me when you're done," he said.

              "As always," Lance said. He swiped around on his phone until he'd sent them not only to Keith, but to his own extended family as well. A couple he fiddled with on Instagram until he decided on a filter. He was always taking pictures, though, and Keith was always asking for them. Keith blamed it on his phone ("It's old. Yours takes better pictures."), but Lance knew he just didn't want to bother.

              Netflix was pulled up and a couple DVDs were pulled out of their collection. Keith ended up deciding for them both, though, when he said no to all of them except one.  It wasn't an exact yes, though -- he made a kind of shrug and an "eh" to Nightmare Before Christmas.

              "Did you get candy canes?" Lance asked as Keith handed him his mug.

              "Oh right."

              Lance popped in the DVD and waited for the chance to skip to the main menu. A pack of the leftover candy canes they'd used to hang on the tree was dropped down next to the tin of cookies Keith had also brought over. They'd both baked them, at some point or another. Only one set was done together, due to their conflicting schedules. Another was given to them by Keith's dad.

              All the lights were turned off except the tree. Lance swirled a candy cane in his hot chocolate, watching it melt as the movie started. Keith had burrowed himself under a blanket, so Lance stole a piece of it so he could be at least a little burrowed under as well. The tree really did look good. It didn't look like the super fake magazine pictures of trees or the ones in model houses or in store windows. It had personality -- their personalities, scrambled up into one. And it would look just as good on actual Christmas morning, with presents tucked underneath it.

Yes, a very good tree indeed.

[storyofmytattoo-blog]

HENRY´S LAST WORDS

Psycho, somatic addict, insane. Come play my game. Inhale, inhale, you're the victim. Come play my game. Exhale, exhale, exhale.

Lyrics: Prodigy - Breathe

¨I was eight who could do nothing. Everyday my father and brother fought for a reason that I did not know of. Who was right, I had no idea? It was more like a war between two insecure men trying to prove one´s strength . It was equal...Like two egos battling....Like two bulls going head to head. All I could do was listen with mouth shut. There was no peace in the house. Like the lyrics say, all I could do was inhale and exhale everything with mouth shut. I was the victim of their ego-war. The neighbors all went insane because of the noise in my house. Sometimes, their ego-war went really physical. It was a bloody mess. The whole situation bothered the neighbors who contacted the police. I watched the mixture faces of the neighbors and the police officers who investigated what was going on in the house and so on….¨, shared Louis, youngest of the seven children.

Currently, Louis is the director for a documentary being shot in Nepal. He has worked in the Hollywood for years. He was in the visual effects team of the movie ¨Paul¨. We all know the movie. We have watched, criticized and enjoyed it, have not we?? After Paul he worked in various other projects that hit the Hollywood notches.

His elder brother who started in the film industry as a tea-boy at 15 had introduced Louis into Hollywood. After the company hit big, Louis's brother became the supervisor of the company. This had made easier for Louis to get into Hollywood. Louis worked more than 17 hours a day for free for six months. All he did was ¨YES¨ to everything and got the work done in time.

¨Can you tell me more about your time in Hollywood?¨

¨I admire and respect the industry as well as everyone who invest their valuable time to bring best projects for our entertainment. However, It is crazy in Hollywood on the other side of the curtain. You work day and night to make someone rich and entertain millions. That´s it. The hierarchy is like the Royal family. We have to respect each and every one. We have to know the system, respect it, stick to it, and follow like the dog who follows their master without a question. When you are given a work, you got to say ¨YES¨ and get it done. If you have a problem you have to communicate or you are F*****. You got to like people, get along with them, and be the listener. That´s it.¨

Can I use the colors I choose? Do I have some say what you use? Can I get some greens and some blues?

Lyrics: Gregory Porter - Painted On Canvas

While I listened to him my other half was into the above lyrics. I had questions with no answers. Like I was told, ¨Do what you are told or get out¨ in the school. My school days was like the Hollywood. All I could do was listen and get my assignments done or I am out of the class. Sometime I got thrown out of the class while other time I ended up Murga Punishment (stress punishment practiced in South East Asia). Moreover, sometimes kicked and smacked on my hands and thighs. What could I do; complain to my parents? I could not I was in the boarding school. And trust me, nobody believed me and those who did said it's for my future.

Did you say 'no, this can't happen to me,'

And did you rush to the phone to call

Was there a voice unkind in the back of your mind

Saying maybe you didn't know him at all

You didn't know him at all, oh, you didn't know

Lyrics: Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley

¨Everyone in Hollywood think they know nothing while they are highly intelligent and creative. They get stuck because of the system that one follows without a question. I got huge projects because of my capability, networking and skills in time. I also got the offer to work in Da Vinci because of my past performances but I chose to come to Nepal. You are watched by every single individual every day. You are never alone. You may think you are alone but there is always someone watching you. You make a mistake you are out and you make things happen you get better offers, that´s how it is in Hollywood. And, the promotion system is very slow; slow as the tortoise.¨

¨So have you left Hollywood?¨

¨I have not left Hollywood. I did rather consider it as a break from Hollywood. I have huge respect for Hollywood Industry and every single individuals who are highly talented and who work from fingers to bones to entertain the whole world. Every people I have worked with I had a great time with them. I love them, their work and their support in getting works done in time. I just felt I was bit lost. And I wanted to do something that of my own. This is another reason why I am involved in this documentary physically and emotionally.¨

The visual effects plays a big part in any film. It makes everything look real and glorify the viewers. Even if the film is bad, viewers will love the film if the visual effect is good. Dynamic Louis did not stay long in the Hollywood because of the slow promotion and structure. ¨I was too small in Hollywood. I wanted to do something of my own. Something that may not be as big as the films I worked on but something can bring a change, something that I can be happy when I look back, something that touch an unknown person´s heart who is thousands of miles away from where I am. That is why I have come to Nepal to shoot the documentary with much passion, hope and expectation.¨

It has been a month that he has invested emotionally in the project. First it was only a promotion but now the project has become really big. The projected is related to children. Every day, he is in the hospital to shoot; happy moments, sad moments, tears, someone crying, nurses (Real Angels) running here and there, people screaming, mothers in pain, young mother struggling to give birth, doctors pulling the babies out, husband motivating his wife holding her hand as if everything will be alright, families waiting outside the wart, a young child moved from wart to wart, and so on.

¨What was your relation with Henry like?¨

¨We were like twins; brains connected. We were both raised up by nanny because mom was busy in the acting field. But she left her job right away after I told her about the dream where my like-twin brother had killed himself (I was eight at the time). We could read each other mentally and emotionally. I could say things before he did. However, things turned different when he was diagnosed with bipolar (manic depression, is a mental illness that brings severe high and low moods and changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior). He could not accept he was weak. He consumed about 2 liters of vodka daily. He was into different kinds of medication for 15 years. However, he got sober after the rehab. We were all happy with it and scared at the same time because he turned hyperactive and did things quickly and fast, real fast.¨

Henry was the intelligent and smart one in the family. He got scholarship in the best private school in the city. He wrote awesome songs. But this scared everyone. He had just turned sober. And when one do things quick one go down quick, that's how it is. This is what happened with Henry. The family member had advised him to go slow, but he did not. And soon Henry did not talk to anyone. And in time he got back into medication again. He spent every single day in his room; mostly by himself. And nobody had a clue, not a single person.

¨One morning, dad rang me while I was in my girlfriend's house. He said, ¨Henry has taken his own life.¨ He was in a deep pain. I could hear the crack on his voice and deep feelings in him. He broke down and he was broken. I ran to Henry's apartment. Everyone was there; mom, dad, brothers and his friends. My elder brother was on his knees next to Henry. He was in a rage and pushed away anyone who tried to touch him. Mom asked me if I wanted to see Henry, I could not. I turned into a statue. I just sat there. I could not see the body and look into Henry´s eye. He was the closet and the other half of me….There were needles everywhere. He had researched all the drugs that could kill him for sure. It had taken him quite long to research. He had mixed the most powerful drugs and injected on him. His death was for sure and he knew it.¨

¨Do you think your Dad did his best to help Henry?¨

¨As a child I have no idea why they did could not get along. But one thing I am sure my Dad knew what he was doing. My dad knew what Henry was into and up-to. Every parents always want their children in the best position one can have. Every parents always think the good of their children and the best for them. My dad is the same person. He thinks the best for each one of us. When we make mistake, he tries his best to correct us. Things go off when children fire back to their parents. This is what happen between Daddy and Henry. Dad wanted the best for Henry and he could not understand Dad and they never got along together. Dad tried his full effort to help Henry from the very beginning. He always stood by Henry even at the difficult times. Dad always had high hope on Henry not only because he was the smart and intelligent among us but because he loved him just like he love every one of us. Even when Henry was sick, Dad did not leave him. He always stood by him. Both at good and bad times, Dad was always there for Henry. But Henry would not listen and take a man´s advise. I do not know, why??? Maybe Dad was hard sometime, but that´s what parents are for. They cannot sit calm when their children are out of the track in life. They got to be strong and tough and that´s what Daddy did. My Dad tried his best and did his best to help Henry to make him a better person.¨

¨You have a tattoo, don´t you?¨

¨Yes, I do. It reads ¨HENRY MARSH¨ (He took off his shirt to show it to me). It was the last thing Henry had left behind. It is inked exactly it was written. Every time, I miss Henry I look at the mirror. And, the moment I see his name I feel that Henry is with me everywhere. Having the last words inked on me reminds me of all the best days we had spent together as brother and as best buddies.¨

Soon Louis will get the tattoo that Henry had always wanted. It is Tabasco (chili sauce) bottle with a cross in it. The cross states that Henry will not do the past things he did specifically the medication part. In short it carries the message ¨NOT TO DO IT AGAIN¨. Louis has modified the design. He has added the skull on the design that resemble Henry´s death. And so the chilly plant that defines one's life. It is a surprise that a tiny bottle has huge fires in it, isn´t it???? And Louis plans to dedicate his full sleeve and chest with portraits of all the young people who left this world at a young age. The portrait I mean all those he knew, had seen, played with and grew up with because they all deserved to live.

In the end Louis asked me why I wanted to write his story, have I been in tragedy or know the emotions involved in losing someone?????? I shared the nightmares I had faced when I lost my mom right before my high school final test and months I had struggled to get on my feet after my girlfriend left me with whom I had spent 3 years of my life. When I shared my side of the story he really appreciated and gave me the chance to write the story ¨HENRY´S LAST WORDS¨. I hope that it will touch your heart and feel it. Even if you feel a little, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have been broken, torn apart and I have woken (Tse-ring).

And lastly, he said to me;

It is okay to be different.

You are special and You should know it.

The world is messed up;

You got live to the fullest.

Do not compete with anyone for you do not have to outdo anyone.

And so we laughed about funny jokes and the funny world we are in. The song ¨Breathe by Prodigy¨ and ¨Painted on Canvas by Gregory Porter¨ was sung aloud on the roof of Irish Bar. We sung and sung repeatedly and laughed and laughed in brotherhood.

((Breathe with me!

Breathe the pressure, Come play my game I'll test ya. Psychosomatic addict, insane. Breathe the pressure, Come play my game I'll test ya. Psycho, somatic addict, insane. Come play my game. Inhale, inhale, you're the victim. Come play my game. Exhale, exhale, exhale……………….))

((We are like children Were painted on canvases Picking up shades as we go We start off with gesso brushed on by people we know Watch your technique as you go Step back and admire my view……))