#those who have seen my bookshelves or helped me move recently will question my use of the term 'rare'

[official-linguistics-post]

I just found your blog and you are already one of my favorite blogs on this site! I wanted to know if you've read RF Kuang's Babbel? If so, I would like to know your thoughts!

BABEL CHANGED ME. i got it from the library last year (use your public libraries, folks!!), devoured it in 24 hours, and was asked multiple times by my spouse if i was okay while sobbing on the couch. it's one of those rare books that i actually bought a physical copy of for rereading availability.

now, disclaimer: i'm already a lover of fantasy, and if you're not into those premises you probably won't be a huge fan of babel. but it was an exceptionally intriguing linguistic twist on magic, and it immediately and fundamentally shifted my approach to writing (as the best books do). i recommend babel to literally everyone who listens to my recs.

[spiteweaver]

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(Note: this story takes place in April of 2020!)

--

Late morning sunlight filtered through slatted blinds, pooling in rich amber splotches on the floor of Isaiah’s office. Beyond its cramped confines, he could make out the clamor of the hospital’s daily routine, but it came to him through a thick fog of grogginess. He cracked an eye open, only to be greeted by a messy whirl of blurred shapes and colors; his glasses had slipped from his nose sometime during the night. Reluctantly, he began to search for them on his desk, one hand sweeping across unsigned papers and discarded pens, the other tucked comfortably under his cheek.

As his fingers brushed against cool glass and metal, the lock on his door gave a hearty click and swung inward. Wolf stepped into his office, closing the door politely behind him, and waited while Isaiah struggled to collect himself.

“Thought I locked that,” Isaiah grumbled.

“You did,” Wolf said. “It isn’t a skill a holy man should possess, but—” He held a makeshift lock pick aloft to catch the light, both his smile and posture sheepish— “old habits die hard.”

“So do old boyfriends apparently.”

Wolf took a seat across from him. “He dropped by then?”

“Yes.”

“How did it…?”

It was a stupid question. For Isaiah to have locked himself in his office was one thing; the clan had yet to settle since waking, and he didn’t have the time to spare for every minor worry. (“That’s why we have interns,” he always said.) For him to refuse to see anyone, even those closest to him, was another matter entirely. If what Wolf had been told was correct, he had even sent Xerxes away when the lad had come calling. After that, everyone had decided it might be best to leave him well enough alone.

Everyone, except for Wolf.

Isaiah slid his glasses back onto his scowling face. “Terrible,” he replied, “it was an absolute disaster. He’s as much an idiot now as he was then, and I’m busy enough without him trying to bumble his way back into my bedroom.”

“I don’t think that’s what he came for, Isaiah,” Wolf said.

“No?” Isaiah looked up sharply, but swiftly dropped his gaze to the papers scattered helter-skelter across his desk. With a muttered curse, he began to organize them. “He told me he still loved me,” he confessed after a pregnant pause. “I kicked him out on his ass.”

“Well—” Wolf shrugged— “he never was any good at reading the room, was he?”

“No,” Isaiah agreed. Pursing his lips, he turned his attention from neatening his desk back to his guest. “That’s why I fell for him; he’s honest to a fault. Look, I know you’re gonna tell me to make amends, but I can’t. After what he did—y’know, trying to murder me and all—I don’t think there’s any reconciliation to be had.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“How would you know? We haven’t exactly been friendly these past seven cycles.”

At this, Wolf’s smile faltered and then gave way to a thoughtful frown. He stared hard at his hands, clasped neatly in his lap, and saw, for the briefest instant, the mark where his father’s ring had once sat proudly upon his finger. It had long since faded, but he remembered how looking at it after leaving Goldsparc had made him feel—homesick, uncertain, alone. He wanted to say that those had been better days, back when they’d all been together. Maybe they had been. He wasn’t sure anymore.

“We were both trying to escape our pasts,” Wolf tried to explain, but Isaiah cut him off.

“I know,” he said, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. You thought I needed space, I thought you needed space, we made new lives for ourselves, and then they just never intersected again, not in any meaningful way.”

“They can, you know?” Wolf shifted forward in his seat, the subtle movement catching and holding Isaiah’s attention as easily as it had seven cycles prior. “No matter who I am now, my love for you will never change. We were brothers then, and we always will be. I know that Absolom feels the same.”

“I know,” Isaiah said again, “I know, I just—” He took a second to chew on his next words, the taste of them nearly making him gag— “I’m not ready.”

“You’re still in love with him, you mean.”

“No, I—”

There was no point in lying to Wolf, so Isaiah decided to save himself the trouble. The pair fell into a lengthy silence, during which Isaiah pretended to busy himself with his desk again and Wolf pretended to watch him do so. All the while, they waited for the other to speak, the only sound the clock on Isaiah’s wall, ticking ever onward. The space between them felt sickly and warm.

“Of course I am,” Isaiah mumbled. “I’ve tried not to be. I’m a doctor; I’m supposed to be able to think logically.” Then, groaning, he dropped his head into his hands to hide the red rising in his cheeks. “We were practically engaged,” he went on. “I was just waiting for him to pop the question—and if he didn’t have the balls to do it, I was more than willing to do it for him. I’ve told myself for seven cycles that there are plenty of fish in the sea, but there aren’t. Not for me.”

“You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself,” Wolf said. “The two of you were smitten from the moment you met. You spent your entire lives courting one another. That’s a difficult relationship to simply toss aside.”

Isaiah peered at Wolf through a crack in his fingers. “What are you, my therapist?”

“No,” Wolf replied, “I’m your friend.”

“All right, friend, what do you think I should do?”

The question seemed to catch Wolf off guard, and Isaiah couldn’t help the slightest smirk as he watched his old partner in crime flounder for a response. Wolf swirled his reply around in his mouth for several moments, like a fine wine, before finally heaving a weary sigh.

“I think you should do what is best for you,” he said, “and in my opinion, what is best for you is to confront your past, just as I now must. However, my opinion is not the one that matters.”

Isaiah wanted to say, “You’re damn right!” but wisely held his tongue. After all, he’d asked for Wolf’s input—but, gods, it was just like Wolf to give him the right answer and yet no answer at all. Of course confronting his past was the right thing to do; running from it had only made him miserable. It wasn’t what he wanted to do, though. What he wanted to do was lock himself away until his chest stopped aching and his head stopped spinning, until Absolom was long gone, until he didn’t have to confront anyone or anything anymore.

Where was he even supposed to begin?

Before he could ask Wolf that very question, the door to his office flew open, slamming noisily into the wall and causing several books to jar loose from their shelves. In the doorway stood Xerxes. He was gulping down lungfuls of air, and trembling so violently that Isaiah immediately leapt to his feet. Fortunately, Crucis was there in a flash of fuchsia and white, all but forcing Xerxes back into his wheelchair.

“I tried to stop him,” he insisted in his usual monotone, “but the boy’s as stubborn as ever.”

“Xerxes—” Isaiah began.

“Don’t ‘Xerxes’ me!” Xerxes interrupted, rising from his chair again, only to be held down by Crucis. “No one’s seen you since yesterday! Did you sleep here? Do you know how worried we all were? You’ve never refused to see me! Never! I thought—I thought someone must have died for you to be so upset!”

“No one’s died,” Isaiah assured.

“Then what happened?” Xerxes asked.

“Xerxes? Is something wrong?”

A familiar face appeared around the door frame, though Isaiah had not expected to see it again so soon. He opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a high-pitched wheeze of, “Lamium?” The young Imperial blinked groggily, stifling a yawn and shuffling into full view. He looked healthy—or, well, as healthy as someone like him could look. Were it not for the sleepy way he moved and spoke, Isaiah would never have guessed he’d been caught in a time loop.

“Oh,” said Wolf, “I forgot to tell you. Those we managed to pull from Aphaster’s loop have started to wake.”

“That’s why I came to see you last night!” Xerxes cried. For a moment, it looked like he may overpower Crucis—then Lamium placed his hands on his shoulders, and Xerxes settled deeper into his wheelchair, every painfully tensed muscle in his body relaxing all at once. “You told us to tell you if any of them woke up. Well, Lamium did, so I came straight here.”

“I—” Isaiah looked away, examining his once flawless bookshelves— “I’m sorry, Xerxes, Lamium. I, ah, had a few personal things to see to.”

“Are you all right?” Lamium inquired.

“I should be asking you that,” Isaiah replied. Finally, he found the courage to meet Xerxes’ tearful glare. “I’m fine, Xerxes. Wolf and I talked it over, and I’m going to, er, ‘take care’ of what’s been bothering me.”

“Just…”

Xerxes slumped somehow further into his wheelchair, and for the first time, Isaiah noted how exhausted his ward was. There were dark circles hanging beneath his eyes, which seemed to have lost their luster in recent weeks, and it was clear by the looseness of his clothes that he’d lost weight. Isaiah’s chest tightened at the sight, a lump swelling in his throat.

“I’m so sorry,” he rasped. “I’ve been tied up here at the hospital, and—Xerxes, I’m so sorry.”

“Just don’t scare me like that again,” Xerxes demanded, but was quick to add a quiet, “please.”

Without another word, he fell abruptly into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Isaiah watched as Lamium leaned down to brush a strand of hair out of Xerxes’ face. He had known the two had grown close before their clans had been caught in the loop, but to look at them now, he would have thought they were lovers. Yes, that must have been it; that must have been how Xerxes had been able to pull Lamium from the Aphaster loop.

How had he missed so much?

“I suppose he’s right,” Isaiah said as he shrugged on his coat. “I need a break, before the rest of your clanmates start to come ‘round, Lamium. Come on; let’s get Xerxes home and into bed.”

--

@nostlenne :3c

[mommymooze]

Death By Association

Hubert approaches the woman who is bent down at the table, silently pouring through various tomes and books in the library. He coughs into his fist. “You have requested my presence?”

You look up suddenly and stand erect, making a respectful bow. “General Von Vestra, thank you so much for gracing me with a few moments of your valuable time.”

“Yes, my time is quite valuable. Proceed.” Hubert eyes the woman cautiously. He has seen her around for several months but does not recall working with her directly.

“I am a cleric, in General Von Hevring’s battalion. I also work in the medical tents treating the wounded. Sometimes Linhardt will discuss his research with me. This particular subject is one that he has lost interest in, however I believe this is something I must share with you.”

You advise that you have been studying plagues following wars throughout history. Making notes of transmission methods, symptoms, etcetera. You have been studying this subject for several years.  Thus far there have been no unknown illnesses or diseases that have affected the masses, however there is something unique you must discuss with him.

You look about the library seeing no others.

“I have seen six victims.” You begin, “the first a few years ago. The other five within the last year. It was quite gruesome. I have recorded the symptoms that I have been able to identify. Most concerning is as the illness comes to its end, the subjects begin to bleed profusely, their blood is hot, appearing to be boiling out of them. It is so hot that their clothing catches fire. Anything that was used to clean their blood begins smoke and catch fire as well. Needless to say it is a horrible death.”

“What interest would I have in this?” Hubert stares intently.

“The two most recent deaths were from your own battalion. The dark magic corps, correct?”

“Yes.” He mutters, still eyeing you suspiciously.

“The last battle at Gronder was horrific.” Your voice trembles, “Only those two were affected. Bleeding from their eyes and hands. Bloody noses that would not stop. We quarantined them. Their symptoms worsened quickly until their blood boiled out and they died. We pursued multiple ways to fight this affliction. Healing merely slows the process. We placed one subject in a deep bath filled with ice water. His temperature continued rising higher and higher. He burst into flames while submerged in the water.” You shudder, crying as you recall the gruesome deaths.

“Could it be…” Hubert abruptly stops.

Within the hour you are in a meeting room with Emperor Edelgard, Hubert, and Linhardt. Hubert provides a succinct summary of your findings.

Linhardt speaks. “It is obvious that it has something to do with the Agarthans.”

“There are quite a few in Hubert’s battalion.” You comment.

“How do you know about them.” Hubert stands, leaning over toward you and glaring.

“I am one of their failed experiments, courtesy of our beloved friend, Cornelia.” You subconsciously hug yourself, looking away.  

“How do you recognize them?” Hubert’s eyes still piercing you.

“I can smell them.” You snarl.

 The Emperor excuses herself after placing a high priority on obtaining a solution. The remaining three brainstorm on what is known, what is suspected, and what can be done. Tomes and books are brought in from Claude and Lin’s room as well as Abyss. Hubert assigns several of his spies to multiple battalions, other Generals battalions to monitor what occurs in his own unit.

Reviewing the data gathered thus far, it is obvious advanced magic is needed. The green haired cleric suggests Rhea and Seteth’s rooms. You split up, he takes Rheas quarters, while you take the other, agreeing to bring any items of interest back here.

You scour the books on the shelves of his office. There are a few tomes but none contain the desired spells. You search Seteth’s bedroom, moving every object you can.  You check the two bookshelves. One is easily pushed to the side, the other will not budge. You resort to removing all books from the shelves until you find a lever behind a book. Once pulled, the bookshelf swings into the room. On the back of the shelf is a recessed area shelving several unique and very old tomes. Snatching them up, you return to the meeting room.

Two books are historical, probably interesting to Hubert. One is written in a language that you cannot understand.  Two are filled with clerical procedures and spells. Some you’ve seen in practice as part of church services, some you have never heard referenced before.

Lin returns several hours later. Not that he had found anything particularly interesting, but he did take a nap in Rhea’s bed.

The green haired healer peers at the spell book you wave in front of his face. His eyes widen as he reads through the runes and incantations that are recorded. The spell you have the greatest interest in is “Purifying Light.” The two of you begin to make notes, dissecting the spell into its component parts.

Early the next morning Hubert enters the room bringing coffee, which you graciously accept. You have been so absorbed in the research you had not noticed the sun is just starting to rise over the horizon. You and Linhardt have nearly completed the mapping and logic stream of the spell. Hubert, having very little experience with this type of magic, does not completely follow your cryptic writings, that does not stop him from asking many questions about the effects, the intent.

You explanation the dissection of the spell. “Its purpose is to banish the darkness from a person. A spiritual exorcism. If they are too far gone, it may simply end them, in a peaceful manner hopefully. The texts do not discuss unexpected effects or results. Primarily the intended target is a victim of a high level dark magic spell. If you are banishing the darkness, what will happen to those that have cast nothing but dark magic all of their lives? We still have much more to investigate. The Agarthans live in near total darkness. Surely a spell creating a pure light would have a pronounced effect on them as well as those that they have contaminated.”

The sun traverses the sky and begins to descend in the west when you finally decide your productivity level is too low and you need sleep. Heading to your room you think of Hubert. He has been helpful throughout the research, frequently checking on you, bringing food and coffee and insisting you take breaks, walking with you around the monastery getting exercise.

Several weeks pass, you are prepared to test the spell. Hubert is away on a mission, his battalion with him. You and Lin agree the timing is perfect, keeping the Agarthans unaware of this spell. The pair move to the magical training area, specifically the fireproof area. You cast the spell, the sigils glowing before you as you concentrate on the proper movement and sequence while reciting the verbal components of the spell, at the final words a bright radiance fills a glass sphere that is floating in a basin of holy water, the two physical spell components. The orb rises into the air and glows with a bright whiteness, the intensity of the light increases to the point of needing to shade your eyes. Suddenly the room is in complete darkness as the spell concludes.  

Blinking your eyes to readjust to the normal light in the room, both of you inspect the walls and floors of the stone structure to see if anything has changed. Besides feeling physically warm there is no affect to your person. The room smells…clean. You cannot see any traces of mold or mildew on the walls.

The components are reset. Linhardt casts the spell, it does not seem to be as bright as yours, his movements are not as crisp, nor did he care to be as precise as you. Still, you both feel warm. The room is unchanged. You casually wonder if it can remove that permanent funky smell in the laundry room.

Two nights later, Hubert warps into the monastery. He is accompanied by one of his spies hiding within his battalion.

“This man was standing next to an Agarthan when they were killed. As we have seen in the past, many of those that slither crumble to dust when killed, especially in the daylight. We had to wait until my man was separated from the rest of the battalion. I believe he is showing signs of the illness.”

The spy, now patient, is holding a cloth to his nose. Blood runs down his face and hand, pooling under his fingernails. The clerics don thick aprons and gloves, a table is moved to the spellcasting training area. The fireproof area is chosen again. Losing the infirmary to an explosion or fire would be devastating.

The patient is calmed and lying prone on the table. You remove the patient’s shirt, exposing more of his skin to the light that will be created by the spell. Fresh holy water is poured into the basin next to the patient, the glass orb is now floating.

Reviewing the spell a final time, you raise your hands to cast, warning everyone to shade their eyes.The patient uses one hand to hold the cloth under his bleeding nose, the other covering his eyes.

Casting the Purifying Light spell, you manipulate the sigils, then recite the verbal incantation, your voice more powerful than the last time as you have gained confidence having cast the spell before. The orb floats high into the air, the water pulled up into it to fuel the light, then a bright flash occurs, the spell ending with a distinct ‘pop’ and the room goes dark.

Uncovering your eyes, you run over to the patient, fingers to his throat. He still has a pulse! He removes his hand from his eyes, suddenly turning away from you, coughing and hacking viciously, then vomits. Linhardt takes a cloth to wipe the disgusting mess from the table.

Studying the expelled liquid on the cloth, Linhardt comments. “This is very black and fine. Much finer than blood in his system. It resembles a powder.” The green haired scholar surmises. “Like dead Agarthan dust.”

Linhardt checks the patient further. “He is breathing well, no longer bleeding. His fingers now look clear, no blood pooling.“ He asks the man on the table, “How are you feeling?”

“I feel warm. There are other things, but mostly warm.” He says with a smile, happy that he can breathe again.

You  turn to Hubert, bolting to where he was standing. He is now lying on the ground. You realize nobody had warned him it would be in his best interest not to remain within the room during the spell casting as you had no idea how it would affect him. You hastily sit him up, sitting on the floor next to him, anxiously checking him out. His pulse is fine. You put your ear on his chest to listen and see if anything is wrong.

“Mmmmm.” Hubert hums. “It is incredibly warm.”

“I’m so sorry, Hubert. Did you hit your head? Are you hurt?” Your hands brushing any dirt from his clothes. He looks to be a bit dazed. You pull his eyelids open checking his pupils, grasping his face to turn his head this way and that.

“No, I recall a bright light and then found myself on the floor. I am not experiencing pain.” Hubert says slowly, as if he has to think twice before speaking any word.

“When you are ready, I will help you to stand. We should take you to your room, as well as inform the Emperor of the current events.”

Hubert takes a moment to situate himself then takes your hand, with your assistance is able to stand.

Hubert looks down at your hand in his. “Your hand is incredibly warm. Not hot, not burning. Just…warm.” He at you. “You also appear to be glowing.” His brows furrow.

Linhardt interrupts without looking up from the patient, “Yes, she was last time she cast this spell too.”

You look at Hubert unsure if he is well. “Let’s get you to your quarters, General.” You turn him around to make certain any dirt from his fall is brushed away.

As you lead him to the door he takes your hand in his again. “Still warm.” He smiles walking toward his quarters holding your hand,

He arrives, opens his door, then waves causing several candles flicker to life. He ushers you inside and closes the door behind you.

“How are you feeling now? Any dizziness?” You cautiously ask, heaven forbid if you did anything to one of Adrestia’s greatest generals. You lead him to sit on the chair next to his desk.

Hubert thinks for a moment, rubbing his hands up and down his thighs. “I do not recall striking my head or falling. I recall the spell, the bright light and the popping noise. Then you were assisting me to stand. My hands feel oddly sensitive.”

You frown, quite concerned. “Hubert, please remove your gloves?”

“This has nothing to do with me or my hands.” Hubert responds curtly.

Well, that sounds more like him. “Humor me. I’ve seen them before.” Your voice stern, sounding more like the cleric you are.

The dark mage reluctantly pulls his gloves off his hands, you grasp his fingers in yours and pull them closer to the light. You notice the fingers are not as dark black as they had been, the purple streaks only going into his palms, no longer covering his wrist. You take your fingernail and scrape it under his pinky finger.

“Why did you do that?” he snaps at you hastily pulling his hand from your grasp.

“Because I could. Look.” You take his hand, showing him his palm.

Hubert stares, first at one hand, then the other. Touching his fingertips together. There is a look upon his face that you have never seen before, a look of awe.

“How…?” The man is mystified, staring as he clenches his fingers into a fist, then uncurls them.

“My apologies, Hubert. Linhardt and I had discussed that prior to performing the spell that we should ask you to remove yourself from range. We were not certain how the spell would affect you. Our error is serendipitous for you. It appears to have reversed some of the scarring.”

Hubert shakes his head. “I have not had this much sensation of feeling in my fingers for years.” His voice softens as he stares at his fingers again.

“We must report to Her Majesty.” You remind him. Definitely distracted.

“Absolutely.” Hubert stands, brushing himself off and then taking your hand in his as quickly guides you to the Emperor’s room and knocks. “Apologies, my Emperor, there is a matter we must discuss.”

He pulls you by the hand into her room, keeping it clasped in his. He explains his rushed return, the performing of the spell and that everything thus far is considered a complete success.

Emperor Edelgard peers at the two of you slightly squinting, spying that he is holding your hand tightly. “Thank you, Hubert. Anything else?”

“No, my lady, you will have your report in the morning.” The general bows and so do you. He shows you to the door, returning to his room’s interior, refusing to release your hand.  

He proceeds to sit on the edge of his bed, you stand next to him.

“Hubert, you should rest.” You whisper softly placing the back of your free hand to his forehead to see if he is warm. He’s not.

“I will take your recommendation under consideration.” He says, less curtly than usual.

“I have had a busy day as well.” You say softly, looking down. “If you do not mind…” you look to your hand in his.

“What if I do mind?” Hubert says, looking into your eyes. “I find your presence comfortable.”

You think to yourself, others have said many times of how Hubert’s presence is so frightening, how he gives off a scary aura, however you have never seen him to be that way, never felt cold chills at his approach or terrified should he look at you.

“As I do yours.” You sit on the bed, a bit of space between you.

“I wish to thank you for restoring some sensation to my hands. We have tried many different spells and cures. How can I thank you?” Hubert looks a little overwhelmed.

“I charge you one hug.” You shyly slide your hands between his arms and body, pulling him into a hug, putting your nose into his neck so he cannot see the bright red flush of your cheeks.

Hubert, not the most practiced at hugs, wraps his long arms around you one hand above the other at the center of your back resting his cheek on top of your head.

You hear the most beautiful sigh as you give him a little squeeze.

[connorandersons-blog]

To the Library

Rating: Explicit Word count: 1,806 Warnings: none Ship: Markus/Connor AU: Human Chapter 1/5

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

He honestly had just gone to the local library for a book that Carl wanted. He didn't even really know about this library or the fact that he had a membership. Well, Carl gave him a membership, but still.

He thought he'd just go in, check out the book, and be done. But nope, of course, the world had to throw him a curveball. Said curved ball was a curly-haired man smiling at him with the softest brown eyes he had ever seen.

It was hard to believe this man was real with how adorable and hot he looked at the same time. And, he was smiling at him.

"Welcome, is there anything I can help you find?" The man said, tilting his head. Oh fuck. This was unfair. This was completely unfair. He was dying in a library. Yep, this is how it ended.

Oh fuck, now the guy was blinking at him. Right, he had to say something. Literally anything. "Uh, sure." Literally anything but that.

 The man smiled and stood up from his chair, walking around the counter. Markus sighs happily when he sees a nametag. Connor. Huh, it actually fits him really well.

"What can I help you find?" Connor asked, clasping his hands together in front of him. Uh, he hadn't really noticed with him sitting behind the desk, but this man was muscled. Not in the huge, bulky way, but in the slim and agile way.

He looked so soft and comfortable in his dark blue sweater vest, white button-up shirt, and tie. He looked so casual, yet so put together. He just wanted to reach over and run his hands through his hair.

Right, he was supposed to answer his question, not daydream. "I'm looking for a book, it's called The Republic by Plato."

Connor nods and hums before his eyes light up. He didn't even check a computer to know where it was, which was impressive. "Follow me."

He walks confidently over to a section of books. He slides his hand against the books as he walks past until he gets to the section he's looking for. Then, of fuck, he sticks his tongue out and quickly scans over the books.

He finds the book way too fast for Markus's liking, but he does have to bend over slightly to get it. And, damn. If this man is single he has no idea why. Sadly, he stands back up and holds out the book to Markus.

"There you go. Anything else?" His voice is so fucking cute too. Why does life hate him? He honestly wants to know.

Markus really wished he had another book to get, but he can't think of one. It wasn't that he didn't like to read, but he never could find a book to really get into. "That's it, thank you."

Connor smiles and for a second Markus is sure his heart stops. He was definitely finding some reason to come back here again. He'd read every single book this library had if it meant Connor would smile at him.

"Alright, do you want me to check you out?" Markus is so tempted to make a comment but holds back. The last thing he wanted to do was scare him off when he had only just met him.

So, instead, he nods, trying his best to not smile like an idiot. "I'd love that, thank you." Connor nods and leads him back to the counter.

Markus fumbles with his wallet for a second, face turning hot as he slides the library card out. He hands it over to Connor, their hands just briefly touching.

Connor doesn't waste any time scanning the book then his card. He slides both of them back with a small receipt. "It's due in three weeks."

Markus nods and takes the card, putting it back in his wallet, then taking the book. He would definitely find a reason to come back before those three weeks were up.

"Have a nice day!" Connor says, smiling once again. It was like looking at the sun, he couldn't do it too long or he'd be blinded by its radiance.

"Thank you, you too." With that, he left the building and headed back to Carl's.

He finds a reason to come back the next week. He makes sure to come in at the same time just in case that's the only time Connor worked.

He walks in and once again Connor is sitting behind the counter. He glances up and grins widely when he sees Markus.

"Welcome back! Are you looking for anything specific?" He asks, ready to stand again.

Markus nods and Connor stands, coming over. "The Books that Shaped Art History."

Connor thinks and nods his head. "Good choice, are you studying art?" Connor asks, leading him once again.

"Not exactly, I take care of a man, Carl Manfred, and he's a painter. I wanted to learn more about it for him. Though, I do have a question for you." He says, keeping face with Connor.

Connor paused only for a second before nodding. He seemed generally excited to be able to answer anything Markus wanted to know. "Oh?"

"How can you remember where all the books are without using the computer?" The library was pretty huge, and two stories high.

Connor chuckles and Markus really wanted to hear him full-on laugh. "I have an eidetic memory. I originally worked as a detective and used it for that. Then, well… now I use it for this." Connor gestures around.

That somehow made him all the hotter. Honestly, could he get any better? "Well, thank you for your work, both here and with the police."

Connor ducked his head, trying to hide a forming blush. Part of him wanted to wrap Connor in blankets and never let him go. The other part… well, those thoughts definitely weren't appropriate for a library.

"Oh, I never got your name last time," Connor says, changing the subject.

Markus smiles as Connor runs his hands over the books. If he didn't know better he'd think this was his first and only passion. "Markus Bennett."

Connor smiles and holds out his hand for him to shake. "Connor Stern." Markus takes his hand. It's incredibly warm, but not that soft. He really didn't mind. He could feel calluses which he assumed were from his work as a detective.

He doesn't want to let go, but he does and Connor tucks his hands into his pockets. Connor leads them down a row of bookshelves and stops in front of a section. He has to stand on his toes to grab the book.

He hands the book to Markus. "Anything else?" He had so many things he could say. Would it be too forward to give him his number? Probably.

"No, this is it." Connor nods and starts leading him back to the desk. "Not to pry, but you said you take care of Carl Manfred?"

Markus kept nodded, "I did. Are you a fan?" It wouldn't be too surprising. If he was, then he had a reason to invite him over.

"Not exactly, not to say I don't enjoy his paintings. I just know a man who knows him. My mother taught Elijah Kamski." No fucking way. Oh, he was so having a conversation with Carl when he got home.

"Your mother is Amanda Stern?" He asked, slowing to a stop.

"Well, adopted mother. She adopted me and my twin Caelum when we were young." He knew she had two adopted children, but he didn't expect it to be Connor. He never got to meet them before. Small world. Now he really had to talk to Carl.

"Wow, it's really a pleasure to meet you. I'm honestly surprised we haven't met before." Connor nodded and started walking again.

"Likewise. Tell Carl I said hello. I doubt he remembers me or Caelum." Oh, he definitely remembered. Connor went behind the desk and scanned the book.

"I'll let him know. How is Elijah doing?" He hadn't heard from the man in a while. After the man invented self-driving cars he practically vanished. He only knew him because he was friends with Carl.

Connor shrugged, "I haven't gotten to visit him recently. I know that he's now engaged to Chloe." He only got to meet Chloe once. She was an incredibly nice girl, though he had a feeling she could break him in two if she wanted.

"That's good. She always seemed perfect for him." Not to mention she could keep him in check. She seemed like the type that could handle his eccentricities or put him in his place if it got too much.

Connor printed off the receipt and hesitated before handing it over. He looked around and grabbed a pen, scribbling something on it before handing it over. "It's due in three weeks. I… I hope I hear from you before then."

Markus smiles and looks down at the receipt, and his grin widened when he sees what he assumes is Connor's number.

He nods to Connor and makes his way out, taking the bus back to Carl's. He stands in the back, not bothering to sit for the short ride.

He walks into the large house, smiling at the parakeets in their cage. He walks into the living room and smiles when he sees Carl already sitting at the chessboard.

He sets his book down, putting the receipt between the pages. "Ah, Markus. How was your visit to the library?" Markus smiles and walks over, sitting down opposite to Carl and looking over the board.

"It was good. I had an incredibly fascinating conversation with a man that works there." He says, moving a piece on the board.

Carl nods and gives a hum. He hesitates before moving one of his, taking one of Markus's.

"I talked to Connor. Connor Stern. He says hello, by the way." He looks up to see Carl smiling peacefully. Oh, he so knew and sent him to the library on purpose.

"Hm, I remember meeting him when he was young. Smart boy, his brother was too. He was planning on going into the police force." Carl hums when Markus moves a piece.

"He's definitely grown up." He mumbles. Carl chuckles and gives him the look.

"You should invite him over. I'd like to see how he is doing." He seemed to be doing incredibly well from what Markus could tell. If he knew anything about Amanda Stern was that she'd make sure her boys were doing well.

"Maybe I will, at some point. I barely know him." He said, moving another piece.

Carl gave a hum, moving a piece, a small smile curled into Markus's lips. "I guess you'll just have to go to the library, more."

"I guess I do. Checkmate."

[ep-the-penguin]

Not So Bad After All

[A John Wick AU/Hogwarts Crossover]

[Published: Fri, Dec 26th, 2020]

Pairings: John Wick x Santino D'Antonio (platonic, duh)

Word Count: 6,700...

Warnings: A few moments of cursing.

~~~~~~

Summary: John Wick, a fifth-year Ravenclaw student is attending Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Nothing too fantastic about it in his point of view.

One day while having a study session in the library with his two best friends, Santino D'Antonio, a fellow fifth-year Slytherin sets off a stink pellet that accidentally hits the three teenagers, along with a few other students in the area.

Pissed off by this, John starts a fight with the Italian, resulting in them both having a month of detention together.

What can possibly go wrong with that?

~~~~~~

Notes: Okay, so this is my first ever written request or whatever it's considered to be from @overheardatthecontinental John Wick Gift Exchange. When I had first initially gotten the challenge, I honestly was having so much trouble trying to come up with a scenario with these two characters.

But while I was talking with my friend about it for literally three days straight, the first idea that popped up in my head was to write an AU story, especially since I thought it would be fun to write to most of the characters as teenagers (and makes it easier for me because teenagers as natural dumbasses by fault so-). But since this blog is only going to be based on platonic relationships (also because that's the only type of relationship I can write sadly and I feel more comfortable writing them), I hope this is good enough for you, @itsanidiom . Also, sorry if you don't like Harry Potter... But I just couldn't resist writing them as young wizards, you know?

Furthermore, I used a bit of @overheardatthecontinental incorrect quotes for this one-shot so... Credit goes to them for those few tiny moments of dialog.

But last note, I'm so sorry if I posted this very late... Editing this one-shot was a bit of a pain in my ass. Especially since I had to use my dad’s computer to finish editing it. But I'm honestly quite proud of how it came out in the end.

~~~~~~

John Wick lets out a deep and tired sigh, walking along the large crowded corridor with a few books in his arms as he makes his way to his next class of the day.

On his school robe that slightly flows with each confident step he takes, the embroidered Ravenclaw house symbol is displayed proudly underneath the blue-colored collar hood.

"-John! John! Hey, slow down man!"

The fifth-year student pauses, slowly turning his head around only to recognize the fellow fifth-year Ravenclaw rushing towards him with a few books in his arms as well.

As he stops right in front of John, he bends over slightly panting, resting a hand of his on his knee as he tries to catch his breath from chasing after him.

John watches, raising a brow but chooses to keep all of his questions to himself and instead greets his friend (and fellow dorm-mate) with a teasing undertone in his voice.

"Hey, Aurelio. Have you recently been running a marathon?"

Aurelio glares up at him, rolling his eyes a little irritated as he huffs. "Haha, very fun John. What the hell man? I've been shouting your name the whole way down here. You know that Quidditch practice has been rough on us lately."

"Uh, yeah, sorry." John sheepishly grins, rubbing the back of his neck. "Have you seen Marcus by any chance?"

"Right here, Wick." The Ravenclaws turn their heads around, watching their friend approaching them with a small smile. "So, are you two ready for Transfiguration?"

"Ready as I'll ever be for that class," Aurelio grumbles, adjusting his books as the three boys make their way to the classroom.

"It's not that difficult, Aurelio."

"Yeah, sure it isn't, mister prefect," Aurelio says, lazily flicking the boy's perfectly polished yellow 'P' badge that hangs above the collar of his Hufflepuff robe.

"Aren't you Ravenclaws supposed to be smart or something?" Marcus asks, staring at him with a disapproving gaze as he raises his brows.

"Ha, using a very old stereotype I see. Very unlike you, Hufflepuff."

"I agree with Marcus here, Aurelio. Transfiguration isn't so hard once you get the basics." John calmly informs, causing the boy to stare at John with wide eyes.

"Tch, trader..." Aurelio grumbles underneath his breath, giving both males a narrowed glare, which causes them to crack amused smiles at the sight of their friend as the three continue towards the east lower level of the enormous castle they call home.

~~~~~~

"Hey, John?"

"Hmmm?"

"You know, there was this alien that started talking to me the other night, saying that he wanted my chocolate frogs. Can you believe that John? Like, get your own damn chocolate frogs, dude."

Marcus halts his hand movements, slowly gazing up at Aurelio with his brows frowning together. He shakes his head, asking through his mere stare what the hell the Ravenclaw his going on about.

Aurelio notices his bewildered expression but cheekily dismisses it, glancing at John who now blinks back to reality.

"Wait... What?"

"You were staring at Helen again?" Aurelio deadpans.

"...oh."

"Instead of being a weirdo and stalking the poor girl all the time, why don't you just, I don't know, ask her out already?" Aurelio suggests, swinging his arm over John's shoulder as he gestures towards the brunette haired girl glancing through the large bookshelves from across the school's library.

John follows his gaze before he instantly deadpans. "No."

"Why? Oh, are you a chicken?"

"No."

"Are you sure about that?"

"I'm pretty sure, Aurelio." John sighs, shifting his gaze from the girl and to his textbook as he rests his chin on the palm of his hand.

"You don't have to be afraid, man. I can see the way she looks at you, and I know she's into you." Aurelio said, lightly patting John's shoulder in reassurance. "Besides, I don't think she'll appreciate it if you keep continuing to stalk her."

"I'm not stalking her." John quickly resorts, scrunching his nose as he draws his brows in confusion.

"Hmmm, yeah. Sure you aren't." Aurelio says with a shit-eating grin, slightly lifting his hand in mock surrender.

"But I'm not stalking her..." John mutters, staring at his textbook with squinted eyes.

Marcus sighs, shaking his head at their conversation as he quickly scans through his notes from class. "So, what-"

"LOOK OUT!"

Someone in the library shouts from across the area in urgency, but whoever warns them is too late as two stink pellets land on the table where John, Marcus, Aurelio, and a few other students are seated at.

The pellet bursts before anyone could react, letting out a horrible smelling green smoke. The three friends and other students quickly jump to their feet and instantly moves away from the table.

A few students cover their noses, some fanning the smell from their faces, and the rest of them question each other, wondering who in hell has the nerve to send off a stink pellet, let alone in the library of all places.

"What the hell?" Aurelio blurts out, scrunching his face in disgust at the overwhelming smell.

"Good question indeed." Marcus nods in agreement, adjusting his tie as his eyes dart around the room, trying to find and place punishment on the culprit.

"Who do you think sent the pellet off?"

"I don't know, but keep an eye out for anyone suspicious."

"Got it." Aurelio quickly nods, scanning the area and placing his hands on his hips.

"Shit."

Oh, you have got to be kidding me... John quietly groans, shutting his eyes for a moment before his gaze quickly searches to find the owner of the voice that he doesn't hate but doesn't exactly like either.

Landing his gaze on the said person is none other than Santino D'Antonio, a Pureblood Slytherin in the same year as him who's currently standing a few feet away from the scene.

Santino freezes, staring at the scene with wide eyes and raised brows as his face slightly grows pale.

John narrows his eyes at the Italian, tightening his fist when he and Santino lock eyes with each other. John watches the Slytherin gulp while he tugs on his shirt's collar.

Marcus briefly glances at his friend, wondering why he's looking like he's going to kill someone. But as soon as he follows his gaze, his eyes widen as he silently curses to himself.

"John... I would remind you to not do anything rash now." Marcus warns, carefully placing a hand on his shoulder.

John ignores his warning, choosing to continue staring down at Santino with such a menacing glare.

"Aww, shit man. D'Antonio is so screwed!" Aurelio blurts out, eyes widening in anticipation and excitement.

"Aurelio! You're not helping here!" Marcus hisses at the Ravenclaw boy, carefully watching the scene play out.

Students start to whisper to each other, saying things like 'Oh god, that's John Wick he just hit' and 'D'Antonio is so going to get screwed up by Wick' but neither John nor Santino paid any attention as they continue to have a staredown with each other.

Santino is the first one to break the staring contest as he sighs, combing a hand through his curly locks while he silently curses in his native language before approaching John with his hands slightly lifted.

"Wick, I know what this looks like, but the pellets weren't-"

John ignores Santino's explanation as he secretly pulls out his wand, not caring about the damn consequences that are going to be placed on him when he decides to attack the Italian, especially someone who's from an extremely wealthy and powerful wizard family.

John simply didn't care.

Marcus glances at John, eyes widening as he watches the Ravenclaw point his wand at D'Antonio.

"John, no-!" He reaches his hand out, but it's too late.

"Bombarda!"

"Protego!" Santino manages to quickly react with a defensive spell before giving John a cocky and challenging glare while he arrogantly smirks.

"Come on now, Wick. Is that the best you got?"

"Believe me, I can do worse-Confringo!"

"Johnathan!" Marcus yells but ends up (not so surprisingly) getting ignored by him as he and the Slytherin fight one another, successfully beginning chaos in the school's library.

Students ranging from different houses and years loudly cheer in excitement, watching the long-awaited duel happen between the two best wizards in all of Hogwarts since Harry Potter had attended school years ago.

"Don't worry, Marcus! I'm going to inform a professor!" Helen, a fellow fifth-year Hufflepuff prefect quickly announces as she dashes out of the library.

"What an absolute fucking idiot..." Marcus lets out, his jaw slowly dripping as he watches in little amazement at both Wick's and D'Antonio's impressive dueling skills.

"You can say that again." Aurelio agrees, nodding his head.

"I can't believe that we'll die for him..." The Hufflepuff continues to gawk in disbelief while pressing his lips together in a tight line.

"...you can say that again."

~~~~~~

Sitting on one of the beds in the infirmary, John rests his chin on his hand as he blankly stares off at nothing in particular, letting his mind wander back to the events that had happened inside of the library.

He frowns, not remembering the moment when many of the school's professors came storming into the room, all carrying shock within their wide eyes.

John recollects all the muffle shouting of students and professors alike, but he never once broke his focus off of Santino as he was way too concentrated on observing the Italian and how he had fought. Not that he'll ever admit it, but John remembers being slightly amazed by the Slytherin's combat skills, him managing to deflect his attacks while releasing a few of his own with such skill and ease.

It's true about what they say that he and the Italian are deemed to be the best in their respective year by many students and professors, but John never once bothered with rivaling to be the best, especially against Santino because he simply did not give a damn about it.

But most importantly, he can't remember who was the professor who eventually broke off their fight and immediately escorting them to the infirmary, where John and Santino current sit in somewhat of a comfortable silence.

Santino breathes out a long sigh, breaking that said silence. John snaps back into reality, briefly glancing at the Italian who has his arms resting on the back of his head as boredly stares up at the ceiling, laying comfortably on the mattress with a thoughtful expression on his features.

John quietly huffs, narrowing his eyes for a moment before turning his gaze away from him.

Santino briefly glances at John, studying him with a raised brow. He shifts his gaze to the clock within the room, noticing that it's been nearly fifteen minutes since no one has come in to check on them.

"Wick, about earlier-"

"Shut up."

"John, look, I'm trying-"

"I don't care."

"Are you always this rude?" Santino asks with almost disbelief in his tone, lifting himself from his previous position as he narrows his green-colored eyes in question.

"Are you always this annoying?" John jabs, irritation clouding his facial features as he glares at him.

Santino folds his arms over his chest as he rolls his eyes with as much irritation that John is feeling at that moment. "Look Wick, I'm-"

The door to the infirmary opens wide, successfully interrupting the boys launching argument for now as both teenagers glance at the entrance.

Standing just a tiny bit menacingly underneath the doorway is their Charms Professor, dressed in a dark charcoal grey vest, trousers, and matching robe that barely touches the ground.

The older male crosses his arms, glaring daggers into John's soul which makes the teenage boy slouches his shoulders in disbelief.

Why? Why does it have to be him out of all the people in this damn castle... John heavily frowns, propping his chin on his palm as he blankly watches the older wizard stride towards them.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Jonathan?!"

Play it cool, John.

"Wow, you're not even going to start with a 'good afternoon?'" John dryly notes, taking in the sight of the professor who seems to be down with his bullshit.

Even if he's just only getting started.

"Johnathan... Don't you dare start."

"Fine, I'll go first then. Good afternoon, Professor Winston." John casually greets the older male with a small hand wave, causing not only Santino in the background to facepalm but the professor as well.

Winston shakes his head in disbelief, pinching the bridge of his nose tiredly. "Goddammit, Johnathan. What on earth caused you to attack Mr. D'Antonio here?"

"Tch, ask him yourself," John grumbles, lazily pointing his thumb over from his shoulder towards Santino.

"It was an accident, damn it!"

"Hmm, yeah. Sure it was-"

"Enough, both of you!" Winston shouts, instantly shutting them up as he tiredly rubs his eyes. "First, it was sneaking into The Forbidden Forest after curfew hours, then it was performing magic outside of school grounds, especially in from of muggles-"

"Okay, that wasn't really my fault-"

"And now this? John, you're lucky that the Headmaster is generous enough to let this go, somehow-"

"Wait, really? That's great. Don't mind me then." John said, surprised to hear that the Headmaster isn't expelling him from school. Buts he's nonetheless thankful about it as he rises to his feet, ready to leave the infirmary and head back to his dorm room where he could finish his bookbinding-

"No, no, no, you misunderstood me, Johnathan." Winston begins, grabbing the boy's collar. "He's letting you continue to stay but there's no getting out of your punishment. Now then, as discussed by the Headmaster and a few other professors, both of your punishments are-"

"I chose to ignore the punishment." John interrupts him for the third time now, blankly eyeing the older man as he watches Winston rub his forehead.

"What did I just say, Johnathan. You can not ignore your punishment!"

"What punishment?"

"Oh god..." Santino mutters, shaking his head, currently just as frustrated as the professor is.

"Shut it, D'Antonio." John hisses.

"No, you shut it." Santino hisses back, pointing an accusing finger at him before adjusting his shirt's collar. "Fun fact John, you can't lose an argument when you end it with, 'shut up nerd.'" He said with a smug smirk forming on his features.

John pauses, blinking his eyes in confusion. "What do you mean? Yes, you can-"

"Shut up, nerd."

"Santino-"

"Enough!" Winston exclaims, before continuing. "A months of detention for the both of you starting tomorrow after free period in the Charms classroom."

"Hold on, you're going to be monitoring us in detention?" John questions, slowly blinking his eyes with the utmost confusion roaming within his gaze as he stares at Winston.

The older male tiredly breaths out a sigh while clasping his hands behind his back. "Sadly, I have no other choice but to."

"Is that why you're here?"

Winston raises a brow. "What other reason did you think, Johnathan?"

"I assumed that you just wanted to see me." John admits with a short shrug.

Santino scrunches up his face, studying the Ravenclaw for a moment before rolling his eyes and deadpanning.

Winston somehow manages to fight the strong urge to roll his eyes as he replies. "Don't flatter yourself, boy. Tomorrow, I want you two to be there exactly on time, and not a minute later."

"Yes, Professor." They reluctantly sigh in unison.

~~~~~~

"Why is he doing that?"

Winston pauses his movements, lifting his gaze from his book and to John who's glaring at Santino from across the classroom.

"...doing what, Johnathan?"

"Just look at Santino over there, breathing and shit." John carefully says, frowning as his eyes bore onto the Italian who's simply ignoring the his burning gaze.

Winston sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Are you always a dumbass?"

"No," John answers, glancing at him with a thoughtful expression. "Sometimes I'm a smartass."

"Hmmm... Clearly." The professor deadpans.

It's only been a week since John and Santino being forced into detention with Winston. But the older wizard is already feeling like it's been more than just a month of detention.

On the first day, John and Santino wouldn't stop bickering with each other until just recently, Winston had placed John right beside him, causing the teenagers thankfully quiet down their consent arguing. But that didn't mean they wouldn't glare at one another whenever they get the chance to, causing the older male to be completely done with them.

The classroom door opens, causing the three males to curiously glance in the direction. Just underneath the doorway, there stands the Hufflepuff prefect Helen with her yellow 'P' badge pinned proudly underneath the collar of her robe. She briefly glances at John and Santino while making her away towards the professor before securing her gaze onto Winston who now has his full attention on her.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Miss Moynahan?"

"Professor, you're needed in the Headmaster's office."

Winston raises a brow in question but simply nods in response. He removes his reading glasses, placing them on his desk as he rises from his seat.

"You two better behave while I'm gone." He said, giving both boys a sharp look from over his shoulders he walks towards the exist.

"Of course, professor." Santino curtly nods as he returns his gaze to his papers.

"Johnathan..."

John rolls his eyes but still manages to nod his head and respond. "Yes, professor."

Winston studies them for a moment, reluctant to leave the classroom but does so anyway.

Helen glances at John, lightly waving at him with a smile displayed on her soft features.

John softly blushes, waving back at her with a small yet shy smile, causing the girl to beam up at him before rushing right out of the room.

Unknown to them, Santino carefully observed their interaction, taking note of how John's entire personality shifts from a quiet and quite intimidating one to an awkward and shy one.

He curiously raises a brow, a bit fascinated by this information as he watches John's flushed face slowly form back to his usual passive facial expression.

"So," Santino begins, "You and Helen, hm?"

"Shut up."

"It's really none of my business but you should just ask her out-"

"You know, I have to agree." John interrupts, nodding his head which causes Santino to stare at him in bewilderment.

"What? Really?"

"Yeah, my relationship with Helen is really none of your business." John angrily points out as he narrows his eyes.

Santino breathes out a deep sigh, tiredly rubbing his forehead. "John, I know we aren't exactly friends-"

"Friends?" He scoffs mockingly, not believing what he's hearing. "We're hardly even acquaintances. And you set off that damn stink pellet on me and my friends so no, we aren't friends."

"John, just let me explain-"

"No, because I know you're known to use and manipulate anyone for your selfish desires. Everyone in your entire family are all the same, just a bunch of proud and arrogant Pureblood wizards who will do anything to get what they want, even if it means destroying everyone who crosses their path."

Santino freezes, staring at John with wide eyes as his jaw slowly drops from the shock he's in. A tense and uncomfortable silence falls upon them, making John slowly start to regret his words.

But as he opens his mouth to apologize for his unnecessary outburst, Santino aggressively slams his hands flat against the wooden desk, causing John to blink in surprise as he watches the Italian take in a long breath while he stares straight into John's eyes with the utmost detest the Ravenclaw has ever seen on him.

"You know nothing about me, Johnathan Wick. Nothing." Santino darkly hisses in Italian, lips drawing into a snarl before he rises from his and storms right out of the classroom.

He accidentally bumps into Winston right outside the door, surprising the older man. A second-year Slytherin named Iosef Tarasov bumps into Winston's back, causing the Russian boy to glance up at him in annoyance before noticing Santino there.

Iosef raises a brow in confusion, staring at Santino in question. Santino glares at him, throwing him a quick dirty look as he purposely thrusts his shoulder onto him before continuing down the hallway.

"Mr. D'Antonio!" Winston calls out but the Italian simply ignores him.

Winston snaps his attention towards John which causes the teenager to straighten himself up just a tiny bit as he avoids making eye contact with the professor.

"Johnathan, what did you do this time?"

"Why do you assume that it was me?"

"It's always you." He blankly tells him, letting out a sigh in the process. "Why can't you two just work out your differences already?"

"Are you asking me to be nice to him?" John asks in disbelief, raising both of his brows in shock at the man's outlandish suggestion.

"Ummm, what's Santino's problem?" Iosef interrupts, pointing a thumb over his shoulder in the direction where the Italian had just stormed off to.

"It's none of your concern, Mr. Tarasov."

~~~~~~

John gently places his feathered quill back in its tiny stand that rests on the wooden desk. He rubs his temples in frustration, hoping to get rid of the massive headache he has.

"My head hurt..." He mumbles, causing Winston to briefly study at him for a few seconds before shifting his gaze back to his hard cover novel.

"That's your brain trying to comprehend its own stupidity." He causally states, turning a page.

"Thanks for your words of wisdom, Professor."

"Anytime Johnathan, anytime."

John quietly sighs, boredly glancing at the clock before groaning in disappointment that it's not even dinner yet.

A week has passed since his outburst on Santino and John observed how the Slytherin hasn't tried to start any type of conversation that wasn't some petty argument (but let's face it, John also provokes those arguments so there that-). But then again, Santino is fully aware of his actions and slightly embraces being such an asshole towards John for the last week. He's one petty bitch and he's cool with it-

"Stop tapping your finger, Wick."

John blinks, snapping out of his thoughts as he notices Santino studying him with narrowed eyes.

John briefly glances down at his fingers, wondering when he had started tapping the desk.

"Does it bother you?" He boredly asks, glancing at Santino while lazily raising an eyebrow.

"Hmmm, I don't know. What do you think, Wick?" Santino sarcastically says, challenging glaring at the Ravenclaw.

John slowly blinks, blankly staring at him before turning his head. He rests his chin on his palm, resuming his tapping and pretending the Slytherin didn't exist.

"I swear to god John if you don't stop I'll-"

"Uh-huh, keep telling yourself that."

"You didn't even let me finish!"

"I'm sorry? Were you saying something?"

Winston sighs, rubbing his forehead as he painfully has to watch the two teenagers start another petty argument.

The classroom door opens, causing John and Santino to pause their argument and glance at Iosef who proudly enters the room with his chin held up high.

"Aw, Mr. Tarasov. What a pleasant surprise. You are only-" Winston glances at his silver pocket watch. "-a half an hour late. Care to explain why?" He asks, putting away his watch before placing both of his hands underneath his chin.

"No, sir," Iosef replies, shrugging his shoulders as he takes a seat away from anyone. Especially far away from John.

Santino eyes flicker with an unexpected resentment towards the Russian wizard, tightly clenching his jaw and fist which makes John slowly shift his gaze from Iosef to him while lifting his brows in the process.

Santino ignores John's questioning gaze as he gives John a dirty look. John instantly deadpans as he blankly watches Santino suddenly raise his hand.

"Professor, can I use the restroom?" The Italian asks.

"Go ahead, Mr. D'Antonio," Winston said, signaling towards the door with a wave of his hand as he returns his gaze to his book once again.

Santino stands, uttering a quick and quiet 'thanks' before exiting the classroom.

"I'm not asking you to be friends with him, Johnathan?" The professor quietly points out, not bothering to shift his gaze away from his novel.

"Then what exactly are you asking me to do?" John asks, glancing at him while raising his brows in confusion.

"I don't know but a word of advice, you should start using that brain of yours a bit more." He suggests, briefly glancing at him with amusement roaming in his pale blue colored eyes.

John quietly scoffs in response, folding his arms together as he secretly thinks about the older man's statement.

~~~~~~

Later in the day, John, along with every student in the castle are currently having dinner in The Great Hall.

John watches Santino from the Ravenclaw table, carefully studying him chatting with a few Slytherin students. He let out a long and tired sigh, deciding to listen to Winston for once as he rises from his seat.

Santino's gaze shifts from his fellow dorm mate and to John's approaching figure as he lifts his brows in curiosity.

As John stops a few steps away from Santino, a Slytherin girl that's seated beside the Italian quickly rises and stands protectively in front of him. Santino slowly leans back against the wooden table, watching in amusement as the girl cautiously signs. 'What do you want, Wick?'

"Ares, relax. Everything is fine." Santino says, lazily waving his hand as his calculating gaze never once leaves John's form.

Ares glances at Santino out of the corner of her eyes, rasing a brow of her in question but obeys nonetheless as she slowly sits back down while watching with a wary gaze.

"Santino." John curtly greets with a small head nod.

"John." He mimics his actions with the same amount of respect. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I want to speak with you."

"Okay." Santino pauses. "Anything else?"

"I want to speak to you." John begins, glancing at Ares with a hard glare. "Alone."

Ares immediately shakes her head, ready to tell John to piss off but Santino lifts his hand, halting her movements. His gaze shifts from one of calculation to curiosity and amusement as a smirk forms across his features.

"Alright." The Slytherin nods, rising from his seat as he mockingly gestures towards the massive doors. "Lead the way, Wick."

John somehow resists the great urge to roll his eyes and opts for staring at him blankly as they walk out of The Great Hall.

"So, what do you want Wick?" Santino asks once they're in the empty hallway, crossing his arms as he maintains a collective expression.

"I want to apologize."

Santino blinks, staring at him like he grew two heads or something. "...what?

"I apologize for attacking you in the library two weeks ago and for my behavior towards you afterward, mostly because of my outburst the other day."

The Italian pauses, opening his mouth to speak but nothing comes out. He struggles to find the right words, studying John with such a baffling gaze as the Ravenclaw boy sheepishly rubs the back of his neck.

"I appreciate your apology, John." Santino slowly says after a moment of silence, adjusting his green and silver strip tie in the process. "But I must confess that the pellets weren't meant to hit you or your friends. That was entirely an accident and I sincerely apologize for it."

Now it's John's turn to stare at Santino in bafflement. "What?"

"The stink pellets? They weren't meant for you."

"Then who were they for?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"I wouldn't be asking if I didn't." John points out, placing his hands on his hips.

Santino purses his lips in thought for a second before slowly nodding his head. "Right then... Follow me."

As they enter back inside The Great Hall once more, they stand beside the entrance. Santino leans his back against the wall, folding his arms as he gestures towards the Slytherin table with his head.

John quickly studies the Slytherin students before landing his gaze on none other than Iosef Tarasov chatting with two of his friends that are in the same house as the Russian boy.

“Let me guess, it’s Iosef Tarasov, isn’t it?” John guesses, glancing at Santino who verifies his suspicion with a simple head nod, confusing John even more.

“Why him? Yeah, I get he’s a major pain in the ass but I know you don’t go around, wasting your time messing with people, especially with someone as petty as him. I mean, your petty but not that petty.”

Santino ignores his last comment, solely keeping his gaze at the second-year Slytherin. “Seems like you know him.”

“Tch, please. That is an understatement.” John rolls his eyes, leaning against the wall as he continues to observe the Russian boy.

“Well, as you know, Iosef and his little group are known to cause a lot of trouble, particualry among us Slytherin’s in our dorms.” He pause, glancing at John with raised brows. “And I'm guessing its the same with all of you as well.”

John doesn't answer him which allows Santino to continue. “Lets just say, I had enough of his bullshit when he one day decided to go into my dorm room and mess with my belongings. So I ended up deciding to mess with him for a bit afterwards.”

“You provoke the Tarasov kid?” John asks, lifting his brows in the process.

“I wouldn't call it provoking but I must admit, it was fun while it lasted. Until recently, I had found out from my fellow dorm mates about what he had done.” Santino tells him, clenching his jaw and fist tightly.

“What did Iosef do?”

“One night, he and his friends had snuck into the girl’s dorms and had the nerve to stalk my sister’s necklace. But that is special to her, mainly because it was a gift from my mother before she...”

Santino trails off, not having to further explain himself towards John because mostly everyone in the wizarding world knowns what unfortunately happened to Mrs. D’Antonio.

“Why don't you just, I don't know, inform a professor or something?” John suggests, gesturing with his hand towards the table where many of the schools professors are seated and enjoying there dinner.

Santino scoffs, rolling his green colored eyes in irration as he blankly stares at John. “John, I’m assuming that you know all about Tarasov, so you know telling a professor isn't going to do shit.” 

“Okay... but that’s not all, is it?”

“I want to make him understand, to make everyone understand that a D’Antonio isn't a force to be reckoned with.” 

John accidentally let out a loud snort, causing the Italian give him sideways glare. John raises both of his hands in surrender, explaining himself. “Sorry, but you do know who we’re talking about here, right? He could care less about your family name and status.”

“That’s why I’m trying to prove to him and most importantly everyone here that the D’Antonio name should be feared and respected above all else.” Santino proudly declares, lifting his chin high as his eyes burns with such a strong sense of ambition within them.

A moment of comfortable silence fall upon the two teenagers as John studies the second-year Slytherin with an unreadable expression.

“Does Tarasov still have it?”

John’s sudden question causes Santino snap out of his thoughts, blinking. “What?”

“Does Iosef still have it? The necklace.” John elaborates, briefly glancing at the very confused Italian.

“He does?”

“Do you know his school schedule?”

Santino carefully studies him, his mouth slowly curving upwards into a cocky smirk as he decides to go along with anything John is already planning because as stated earlier, he's one petty son of a bitch and he's proud of it.

“Whats your plan, Wick?”

~~~~~~ 

Its been two weeks since John and Santino had finally put their differences aside and apologize to each other. Winston on that every night had witnessed them leaving The Great Hall together then coming back in as they continued to speak with one another.

After that night, the Charms Professor took notice that the two stubborn as hell boys had suddenly stopped their useless bickering and begin to quietly ignore each other, much to the older wizards surprise and relief. But what shocks the professor even more so is that right after free period is over (meaning that detention is over for the day), they would meet up with John’s friends, Marcus and Aurelio and Santino’s (only real) friend, Ares.

Winston raises a brow in suspicion of what they are planning but never once bother to comment on it as he instead opt to watch the five teenagers from afar... Just in case they end up doing something completely stupid once again.

On John’s and Santino’s last day of detention, both boys arrive a few minutes early with their books in hand. They quietly take their seats, still remaining to stay far away as possible from each other during detention.

Winston reads his book, finding the peaceful silence quite refreshing, especially since they have been at each others throats for the first two weeks of detention together. But it makes Winston wonder what John had said to the Italian that night.

Breaking the professor’s thought process, Iosef quickly enters the classroom as he takes his seat, avoiding any type of eye contact with either John or Santino.

“Ah, Mr. Tarasov, what a pleasant surprise to see you here just on time... finally.” Winston said, whispering the last part to himself as he glances back to his book.

Iosef nods, nervously glancing at Santino. The Italian briefly lifts his gaze from his paper as he stares at the Russian boy with a mischievous glint in his green eyes. Santino raises a brow almost cockily as he rests his hands underneath his chin, sending him a challenging glare which causes the boy to gulp and immediately turn his head away from his stare.

Meanwhile, John lifts his gaze from his school work at to the two Slytherins, tasing a brow in question at Santino who responds with a lazily shrug and a smirk. John instantly deadpans, really fighting the strong urge to roll his eyes as he instead turns his attention back to his work.

Once detention is finally over, Iosef quickly grabs all of his belongings and bolts right out of the room, causing Winston to raise a brow as he adresses the two teenagers who are still in the room ready to be dismissed for the day.

“I hope you two learned your lesson after a month of being here. But I better not catch you two fighting again.” Winston firmly says, adjusting the collar of his dark colored robe before sending John a hard warning glare. “Especially you, Johnathon.”

“You got it Professor.” John blankly responds, causing Santino to quietly mumble something in Italian and Winston to tiredly sigh and shake his head before gesturing them out of his classroom with a simple wave of his hand.

“Maybe... you aren't as bad as I had first thought.” John genuinely acknowledges when they're just about far away from the Charms classroom while he stuffs his hands inside of his dark trousers.

“Hmmm, at this rate, we should start making a best friend handshake.” Santino sarcastically states as he rubs his chin, which causes John to instantly scrunch up his nose at the thought.

“No, no, don't say that. People might think that we’re actually friends.”

“Is that so bad?”

“I’d rather not deal with a smug professor right now... or ever.” John blankly admits, slouching his shoulders in the process as he stares back in the direction where they had just came from.

“Right.” Santino accidentally slips out an amused smile before he quickly realizes his mistake and tries covering it up with a awkward cough. He reaches a hand of his as a form a truce... for now though...

“John.”

“Santino.” John grips his hand in a firm handshake, nodding his head in respect before turning away as walks.

John stuffs his hands back inside hid trousers once more as he quietly heads to the Ravenclaw dorm so he can hopefully finish binding the cover of a book before dinner begins.

Once John disappears from the Italians view, Santino slowly reaches his hand inside of his trousers. He carefully pulls out a silver chain, softly admiring it for a few minutes before gently placing it back into his pocket as he leaves the empty hallway.

~~~~~~ 

Blankly staring ahead, John quickly makes his way to the Great Hall with a few books in his arms for a study session with Marcus and Aurelio.

As John arrives inside of the massive sitting area, he breathes out a small sigh as he spots Aurelio trying to cast from what he assumes is a simple transfiguration spell on his toad.

The Ravenclaw groans, rubbing his face in frustration before noticing John’s figure approaching him with a small smile, causing him to return it with a grin.

“Hey, Aurelio.” John greets with a nod before pointing at the toad that’s comfortably resting on a few stacked books. “Need any help?”

“Na man, I’m all good here. See?” He dismisses his offer with his hand as he rolls up his robes sleeves, flicking his wand while muttering the spell.

Not so surprisingly the spell backfires on him as he and John stare at the now disfigured toad, one with raised brows and the other with a blank expression. Aurelio slams him forehead against the table, quietly throwing curses to himself as John silently watches him amusement while he takes a seat beside him.

“Are you so sure about that?”

“Shut it, Wick.”

“Are you still having trouble with that spell, Aurelio?” Marcus asks, raising his brows in disbelief as he takes his seat from across the both of them.

“Well, its not my fault it doesn't exactly make scene.” Aurelio grumbles, briefly lifting his head to glance at his friend.

John and Marcus glance at each other, both with raised eyebrows as they open their mouths to speak but Aurelio quickly shuts them up as he lifts his hands in surrender.

“Okay, it may make sense to you two but not me. So, I suggest you shut your mouths before I make you.” Aurelio warns, pointing an accusing finger towards them both.

“Whatever you say, Aurelio.” Marcus shrugs, causing the Ravenclaw to childishly stick his tongue at him while folding his arms together.

John stares at is friends with a smile before his attention shifts upwards to a beautiful creamed-colored barn owl as it flies over him and the other students sitting at the table.

 He watches ass the owl drops a small dark green box in front of a brunette girl who's sitting at the Slytherin table. Squinting his brown eyes, he notices that the girl is none other than Gianna D’Antonio herself, the older sister of Santino who's a seventh year in the same house as her younger brother.

At first, Gianna seems to be quite confused about the sudden appearance of the tiny box. But as she slowly opens it, John watches her gasp, covering her mouth with a hand from what he guesses is from shock. She carefully pulls out a silver necklace, admiring it with such softness within her blue colored eyes before she gently cradles it to her chest.

John shifts his gaze away from her and stops Santino staring at his sister with a soft and genuine smile gracing on his lips. The Italian glances at John, giving him a nod as a quiet ‘thank you’ before turning his attention back to his textbook.

John returns the small gesture, a ghost of a smile appearing on his features before he shifts his gaze back to his two friends who are currently reviewing their notes from an earlier class.

“For what class are we going through again?”

[jacklyn-flynn]

AO3 link

Morgan was rather impressed with the Herald. The outside wasn’t much to look at. Scorch marks and long scars marred the once beautiful hull. It all seemed cosmetic though. The sleek body was outlined by the bright white glow of the engines and Maker, she was a sight. He’d seen a fair amount of vessels in his time and she was one of the best. 

The hangar and the ships it housed were well maintained. He was excited to see the rest of the vessel. The Herald was magnificent but none of it would be worth the pain that Jules had been through.

He was the last to disembark the shuttle after Jules and was startled by a cat that seemed to come out of nowhere and weave between his feet. “Who’s this trying to kill me?” He asked, stopping so that he didn’t step on the feline. 

Jules turned and smiled softly, a barely perceptible lift of the corner of her lips. Her eyes however brightened considerably at the sight of the cat. “That’s Jasoom. He usually doesn’t show himself to people right away, if he does at all.” 

Jasoom raised his front paws and rested them above Morgan’s knee. His claws started to kneed as he curved his back in a long stretch. Morgan winced but didn’t move. Jasoom then sat down and batted at his ankle gently with his paw. 

“What’s this? What’s going on now?” He asked, looking up at Jules. Her look was one of disbelief. 

“Um...he-uh-he wants you to kneel down so that he can get on your shoulders.” She told him. She had been amazed when he’d shown himself to Cullen and Cassandra in the Control room. He’d never been on anyone’s shoulders but hers. He’d never even allowed anyone other than Jules to pet him. 

Morgan raised his brows curiously and knelt down. Jasoom jumped up, tail flicking as he balanced himself on Morgan’s broad shoulder. He stood slowly so as not to dislodge or unbalance the feline. “This is a good thing, right?” 

Jules smiled, perhaps her first real smile in years. She’d already found herself liking Morgan, even feeling a bond between them. Jasoom’s reaction only strengthened that. “I guess he has a thing for Trevelyans.” She joked. 

“Let me take you to your quarters. The First Commander’s are empty so you can stay there.” She told him. He walked quite gracefully for his size and stature so Jasoom had no problems staying upright in his regal pose. 

“Doesn’t First Commander Rutherford stay there?” Morgan asked curiously. 

“No, apparently he thought they were too large. He took the smaller quarters that used to belong to the Knight-Commander.” She explained. 

“Well, I’ve been in some shit holes, so I’m happy to take the nicest room in the joint.” He said with a chuckle. “What about you? How close are our quarters?”

“I’m on the other side of the ship. I sleep in engine compartment four.” She told him. 

He touched her arm gently, making her stop and turn to face him. “You have a room in the engine compartment?” He asked, slightly incredulous. She wasn’t sure why he sounded upset by that. 

“Not a room, just a little corner. It’s all I need.” Jules explained. 

“The hell it is.” Morgan replied, perturbed. “First of all, we’re heading to the bow and the engines are as far astern as you can get. You really don’t have your own room? I mean, I understand the assholes before, but Josephine, Cassandra, and Cullen haven’t offered you your own room? On your ship?”

She started slightly when he said “your ship.” She was still struggling with the level of independence she’d recently gained. “I don’t think they know. They put me up in the First Commander’s quarters after I was hurt, but I think it was because they didn’t know where I slept.” 

“They should have asked,” Morgan growled. “You’re moving.” He decided. “Right now, let’s get your stuff.” She opened her mouth, but he smiled and shook his head. “No argument. What other rooms are available, close to mine?”

She changed direction and started leading him through the hallways to her space. “The Chantry liaison’s room is right next to yours, so is the chief medical officer’s.”

“Which one is nicer?” He asked, reaching up to scratch under Jasoom’s chin. 

“The liaison’s, but the medical officer’s has a window. I’ve always wanted a window.” She admitted, a little shyly. 

“Well, it isn’t the medical officer’s quarters anymore. It’s yours.” He said, smiling down at her as they walked. 

She had to avert her gaze and felt her cheeks flush. She was getting her own room? Of course she was. She had a choice. She was allowed to do that now. When she led him to the back of the compartment, Jasoom jumped down to the cot and then to the floor, disappearing behind one of the turbines. 

Morgan helped her gather her things, of which there were few. “Are jumpsuits the only thing you have to wear? You need more clothes.” He commented. “Josephine seems like she can make that happen.” 

Jules tried to hide her embarrassment. She knew that he didn’t mean for it to embarrass her. She had no reason to be. Things were different now, she just had to catch up. She had completely forgotten about her one treasure, hiding beneath her cot. 

“Is this a violin case?” Morgan asked, setting the black case on the cot. 

“I didn’t steal it!” She said quickly. 

Morgan looked up at her from his kneeling position. “I know you didn’t. Do you play it?” 

Jules nodded sheepishly. “Not very well. The violin isn’t in very good shape. Someone was going to throw it away but let me keep it.” Someone reluctantly letting her keep their trash was probably the nicest thing to happen to her in her memory. 

“We should play together some time. Though, finding a piano might be difficult.” He mused, the last more to himself. 

“There’s a piano in the Officer’s Club.” She said absently, wanting to get out that information before she slaked her curiosity. “You play the piano?”

He stood, adding the violin to her meager pile of belongings. “Part of the noble lifestyle. I was pretty young when I started lessons. I’d like to think I’m pretty good.” 

“I never would have guessed you played an instrument.” She said bluntly.

“Because I kill things with a battle axe?” He asked with a chuckle. 

“Well...yes.” She answered honestly. 

“I never would have imagined you playing anything either. We’re both full of surprises.” He said, loading up his arms with most of her things. “Alright, you lead the way.” 

They walked silently back to the bow of the ship where the cluster of officer’s quarters were located. The closer they got to that section, the more butterflies collected in her stomach. She couldn’t place why, but she didn’t like the idea of Morgan staying in First Commander Hayden’s quarters. 

She mulled it over while Morgan helped her settle into her new room. All of the quarters had been emptied, so she was able to quickly put away her belongings. 

“We’ll have to get you some stuff. Books, trinkets, whatever you like.” Morgan commented, sitting on the side of her bed, the head of which lay against the window. She already knew that she was going to reverse the bed so that she could look out the window as she fell asleep. 

“I’ll have to figure out what that is.” She said softly. “Books might be nice though.” 

“I brought your chest with me. It’s a collection of some of your things that were left behind and other keepsakes. Letters your brother wrote and those drawings I mentioned. You can start with those.” He offered. “Alright,” He said, standing and rubbing his hands together. “Let’s check out my new place.” 

He headed out the door and turned left, but Jules caught his shoulder. “Wait!” She said quickly, alarmed at the urgency in her own voice. 

He was already frowning when he turned to look at her. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” 

“Yes!” She said quickly, trying to figure out how she could cover for her outburst. “Nothing! It’s just...I-I think you would like this room better. There’s no window, but the layout is more like a personal library. Judging by all of the books in your office, you might be more comfortable there.” 

He didn’t seem to question her reasoning and nodded. “Sounds great, Sometimes staring into the vastness of space can be unsettling for us planet dwellers.” He chuckled. Relief flooded through her. She cast a wary glance at the First Commander’s door before opening Morgan’s for him. 

“After this, we’ll get you into the system so you can move about her freely,” Jules told him, stepping aside once she entered so that he could look around. 

The room was richly furnished compared to all of the others. Rich mahogany bookshelves lined two opposite walls. The headboard of the large bed also had a bookshelf built-in. A desk sat against the same wall as the door, light blonde oak with a matching chair finished with red leather. 

“Yeah, I think I could get used to this,” Morgan said, impressed. “You know, for all the starving people they claim to love, the Chantry higher-ups sure like to live nicely.” Jules couldn’t comment. She knew next to nothing about the Chantry and its teachings. Fleas weren’t worthy of the Maker’s love, she supposed. 

“This was Chancellor Mallum’s room. Any time he wasn’t working, which wasn’t often, he was buried in his books. We would get a huge shipment on almost every planet we visited. I got the idea that his position on the Herald wasn’t his first choice.” She told him.  

“Well, it’s my first choice.” He commented, running a hand along the well used desk. “This will work nicely.” He said finally. “I’ll pick you up for dinner?” He asked with a smile. 

“I’ll pick you up. You can’t go anywhere without me.” She pointed out. 

“I wouldn’t want to.” He chuckled as she walked out.

-----

Jules was heading back to the engine compartments when the bald elf, -what was his name?- stepped in front of her, seemingly out of nowhere. She lowered her gaze and her head, stepping to the side and against the corridor wall to let him pass. “Excuse me.” She said quietly. 

“Actually, Miss Trevelyan, I was hoping to talk to you.” He said, his voice steady and even, almost monotone. 

She’d gone without hearing the name Trevelyan for over a decade, and then all of the sudden it was all anyone called her. A positive change perhaps from Flea, but certainly an adjustment. 

Jules had a hard time meeting this man's gaze specifically. There was something so intense about his eyes that it made her uncomfortable. She tried not to show her unease and looked up at him. 

“How can I help you?” She asked politely. 

“My name is Solas, I don’t think we’ve met formally. I’ve heard that you have a very unique companion.” He started. “I would very much like to meet him.” 

“He’ll show himself if he wants. I can’t make him come.” Jules said, though it was only a partial truth. If she called, he would more than likely come. But she was telling the truth when she said she couldn’t make him. 

Solas took a step toward her, head cocked ever so slightly. “Would he come if you were threatened?” 

Jules took an equal, if not larger, step back. “Are you a threat?” She asked softly. 

He smiled ever so slightly and nodded. “A fair question.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “I suspect, from the limited amount I have heard on your companion, that they may be a spirit.” 

It was clear that he was expecting some sort of reaction out of her. She simply continued to look up at him. “Do you know what spirits are?” He continued when her expression didn’t change. 

Jules’ brows furrowed. “Yes, I know what a spirit is.” She said, a bit sharply. Now this conversation was going back to a place she was familiar with. She wanted to tell him she wasn’t illiterate, just sheltered, but she held her tongue. 

“Would you try calling him?” He requested. Jules wanted nothing more than for this conversation to end. 

“Jasoom?” She called quietly, pulling her eyes away from the elf. As if he had been waiting for her to summon him, he appeared around the corner and trotted over to her. Before Solas could do anything, she knelt down and picked him up. He reached out and Jules cradled the cat closer and turned slightly. 

“Does he not like to be touched?” He asked curiously. 

I don’t want you to touch him. She thought immediately. “He’ll come to you if he wants you to touch him.” She said instead, cautiously. 

“Do you know how old he is? When did he first come to you?” He continued to question, unperturbed by her discomfort. 

“I don’t know. After my first surgery.” She said simply. 

“When you were in pain? Scared?” Solas asked. Jasoom wriggled in her arms so she let him jump down and he immediately disappeared the way he’d come. 

“Yes-I-” She shook her head slightly. “Is there something else I can help you with? I don’t really like to talk about that.” Jules normally wouldn’t assert herself like that, but she desperately wanted out of this conversation. It didn’t matter what Jasoom was, or even how or why he’d come to her. 

“Of course, I apologize for prying. I just have one more question.” He said before falling silent.

After a few awkward moments, Jules prompted: “Yes?” 

“Has he ever been anything other than a common house cat?” His head was cocked to the side again slightly. 

“No.” Jules answered. 

“Interesting. Thank you for your time, Miss Trevelyan.” He nodded politely and simply turned and walked away. Jules watched him, perplexed. For a moment, she couldn’t remember what she’d been going to do when he’d stopped her. She heard a soft pitter patter and looked down the corridor to find Jasoom trotting in her direction again. He stopped and turned, looking back at her with a flick of his tail. 

“Right, storage. Thanks, Jas.” She said with a smile, following the black cat back toward her destination. 

-----

“I don’t much care for this idea.” Cassandra said, crossing her arms over her chest. 

“Do you not trust my judgement?” Leliana asked, one red brow raised. 

“Your judgement, yes. His…” She shook her head. “He is a spy, Leliana.” 

“As am I.” The Orlesian countered. “You only trust me because I am your spy.” 

Cullen chuckled, looking between the two women. Cassandra’s narrowed gaze snapped to him and he shrugged slightly. His body language seemed to ask; Is she wrong?

“He has promised that he will only provide the information he needs to satisfy his superiors and that none of what he relays will put our operations, or people, in danger. He understands the threat of the Breach and on a personal level wishes to assist.” Leliana explained. 

“And what does he provide in exchange?” Cullen asked. 

“He will have access to Ben Hassrath reports from all over the galaxy. Additionally, he and his mercenary group, the Chargers, are well known as exceptional warriors.” Leliana said. “Our army is growing, however the experience of our recruits is almost non-existent. Their knowledge and experience would be invaluable.” 

“I certainly can’t argue with that.” Cullen shrugged, pulling a chair from the long table in the war room and taking a heavy seat. It was quite late and his duties as of late had left him little time to sleep. Some small part of him found that a small blessing. Sleep for him was rarely restful. “I think we should make contact.” He said finally. 

“As do I.” Leliana agreed. They both looked at Cassandra. After a moment she rolled her eyes and let out a disapproving growl. “Fine.” 

“Good.” Cullen said, rubbing his temples. “The Storm Coast is only a short detour from our route back to Haven. Can we retire now?” He asked wearily. 

“We should discuss what is going to happen with Miss Trevelyan.” Leliana said. “Sooner, rather than later.” 

Cullen looked up sharply, frowning. “In what capacity?” 

“She is, frankly, a liability.” The spymaster said bluntly. 

“She is our only chance of resolving this-this-disaster.” He said, unable to hide his annoyance. “If you think she would betray us-”

“You misunderstand. Her loyalty is not in question. Neither is her value.” Leliana cut in. “Her fragility is.”

“I have been thinking on that as well.” Cassandra added. “Her desire to assist and her courage are exceptional. However, she has no skill in a fight. She doesn’t even know how to defend herself.” The Seeker let out a heavy sigh. “The life that she was trained for-built for-” She said somewhat bitterly. “No longer applies. She needs to adapt and I believe that it is our responsibility to help her.” 

Cullen was reluctant to agree. It made his heart heavy to once again consider how much of her life they were going to turn upside down. “You are right.” He agreed finally. “We cannot always protect her. We all know how unpredictable even the smallest and well-planned battle can be.” 

“I believe we know someone who could be of assistance.” Leliana said, sitting across the table from Cullen.

“We?” 

She nodded, smiling slightly. “We both know powerful people from the Blight.” 

His brows furrowed. Did she mean the Hero of Ferelden? The woman had been one of his wards at the Circle on Kinloch Station when he had first become a Templar. “Briall? I don’t see how she could help. Jules isn’t a mage.” 

“Briall is married to the most successful assassin of this age.” Leliana pointed out. 

Cullen frowned. “I was not-” He hesitated. “Of a mind to remember Zevran.” 

“Do you speak of the Antivan Crow? What do they call him-The Black Shadow?” Cassandra asked. “That is indeed a powerful friend.” 

Cullen gave it some thought. “Well, she is very light on her feet. Methodical. Perhaps such training would benefit her. Do you think he would be willing to help?” 

“I have kept in touch with the Warden Commander and we are in luck, of sorts.” Leliana started cryptically. “Unfortunately, she is not able to assist. She must handle another crisis. It seems a Hero’s duty is never done.” 

Leliana had made the comment lightly, however it didn’t make Cullen feel any better about what they were doing to Jules’ future. 

“And the lucky part?” Cassandra prompted. 

“They are passing through Ferelden on their way from Antiva before she departs. They would be willing to meet us in Haven. Zevran has offered to stay for a period of three months to train Jules before he follows Briall.” Leliana told them. 

“I should have known that you’ve already arranged everything.” Cullen said with a sigh. “I don’t know if we should make any decisions. Jules should be a part of this conversation.” 

Leliana started to open her mouth but he held up his hand. “Tomorrow.” He said firmly. “It’s late and the woman just learned that she has a family. Time is of the essence but surely we can allow her to process for the night. Either way, we have to pick up your contact first.” 

She nodded in agreement. “Goodnight then.” 

Cullen rose gratefully and nodded to the two women. “Goodnight.” He liked to think that it was his bed that called to him, but it was something far different. 

-----

Cullen wandered into the Officer’s Club. It was normally empty, but most assuredly so at this time of night. The crew wasn’t yet used to working as a unit, spending time together in the closeness of the Officer’s Club. He hadn’t been one to indulge in drink since his younger years. Some nights though, even knowing it wouldn’t help, he felt desperate enough to try. He really needed a hobby, some sort of distraction for when…

“First Commander.” The voice sounded as startled as he was. He spun and found Jules sitting at the corner table near the door that he’d just walked through. He must be tired if he didn’t notice her.

“Maker’s breath,” He muttered quietly, his heart returning to its normal pace. “Jules, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.” She shrugged dismissively. Oh, right. She was used to that. “Having trouble sleeping?” He asked. 

Block limit ruins the party again.

I hope you liked it enough to finish on AO3!

[thewritewolf]

Rekindle Chapter 28: Secrets

Marinette tries to shake off the lingering visions as the both of them search for the peacock miraculous shard.

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@marichatmay

Enjoy!

Read on Ao3

Marinette wasn’t sure where she was anymore.

Each time she moved her head was another location and different people filling it. Some were familiar - the foggy streets of London over a century ago, Greece in the time of gods and heroes. Others… were less so, but her gut gave her the names her head couldn’t. China. Peru. Egypt. And, of course, France. There was a pattern - someone, usually a woman, in red. And someone, usually a man, in black.

As the visions came and went, blurring together, she reached out for something, anything that could anchor her. She felt strong arms underneath her, hooked below her knees and back. With something she could feel in her heart as real and now she pulled herself out of the swirling maelstrom and back into the present.

The arms belonged to Chat Noir, her Chat Noir. By the way she was being jostled, he was carrying her. The distant sound of clanging metal gave her another reference point. They were being chased, but her Chat Noir is not easily caught and they were escaping. But why were they running away in the first place?

Her eyes flew open as everything came rushing back.

He glanced down at her. “How’re you feeling, Bug? Can you stand?”

“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” she lied. She glanced around her, confirming her fears. The past was still imposed over the present, although it was now only faintly there. It was like a mural that had been poorly painted over another one, and seeing both at the same time was starting to give her a headache. The whispers at the edges of her mind only worsened things. She looked back at Chat Noir, who hadn’t set her down yet. “Okay, no, I’m not fine. But I think I know how to make things better. Can you please put me down?”

His cat ears twitched as he listened for any enemies and gently let her out of his arms once he was satisfied with whatever he heard. “So what’s the plan now?”

In way of reply, she said, “Spots off.”

“What are you doing?!” He whispered angrily. “We are still in a building flooded with bad guys, in case you forgot!”

“Sorry, kitty. I just couldn’t keep going like that. I guess you’ll just have to protect me.” She gave him a wink, but he crossed his arms, pouting at her as his tail flicked back and forth irritatedly. She looked around the side hallway that they were hiding in. Everything was as it should be and the voices were gone.

“That’s much better. Now let’s-” She blinked as she turned around. It was unlike anything she had felt before. Almost like a magnetic force leading her a certain way. “That’s weird…”

A tiny sneeze drew her attention back to Tikki, sniffling and tired looking. It wasn’t the worst condition she’d seen her kwami in, but it was far from the best. Her concern must have shown since she waved a paw at Marinette. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine after some cookies, ready whenever you need to transform. But you feel that, right?”

“That… pull? Yeah, I do.”

“Well I don’t,” Chat grumbled, arms still crossed.

She put her hands on his face and pulled his attention to her. “I know you’re just upset because you’re scared. But I’m completely fine. We’re going to win, just like we always do. Okay?”

It took him a moment, but he nodded and relaxed. “Okay.” He let out a breath. “So. What about a pull? Is this about the peacock miraculous?”

Tikki nodded. “Yes. Since it is broken, it’s energy is flooding out uncontrollably. Since it is charged with negative emotions, it is easier to sense. Between the two, Marinette is feeling herself drawn to a shard that is close by!”

“Why didn’t she feel it before?” Chat glanced between the two of them.

“I think I did, but there was a lot of background noise with those visions to deal with.”

“And when you didn’t have your miraculous active,” Tikki added, “those visions faded. Leaving the pull by itself.”

“So now what? We follow the pull and find the shard?”

“Sounds about right, kitty.”

Chat bowed to her with his usual dramatic flair. “Then lead on, my lady.”

Marinette almost wished she had taken time to change into something more comfortable before heading out as Ladybug. But there was no use whining about it now, she’d just have to deal with being in her ballgown as they made their way through this building. Her fears of having to run in a dress and heels proved to be unfounded when she realized that the knights weren’t coming to this part of the building. Maybe they were solely focused on protecting Andre, even above guarding the source of their existence?

The door to the room where the pull was strongest was locked and remained locked for the remainder of the time it existed. Which was approximately as long as it took Chat to call out ‘cataclysm’. They stepped through the ashes of the door and found themselves in the mayor’s luxurious personal office.

“Any idea where to go from here, bugaboo?”

Marinette focused, but got nothing. “No, the entire area is just too saturated with the energy. We’ll have to look by hand.”

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

Adrien watched Marinette as she scanned the room. He was still worried about these changes that were happening, but she seemed fine now. Even so, he knew her well enough that she would do her best to power through any discomfort she had before asking for help. It was up to him to look out for her and be there even when she didn’t say anything.

Marinette and Tikki walked over to the bookshelf and Adrien nodded to himself. It was probably a good move, very calculated - there were plenty of books, fittingly enough, on the shelf and many other things besides that the shard could be hiding in. If a shard had somehow found its way into the office by accident, then no doubt that would be the most logical place to search.

Something had been bothering Adrien, however - why the mayor’s office? Sure, people came and went there all the time, but it was often well guarded and the people that came here were generally close friends of the mayor. A shard wouldn’t end up here by accident. And Adrien knew Andre - knew him outside the mask, the same mask that puts the mayor on his best behavior. The question he had to ask himself was - if Mayor Andre, friend of Gabriel Agreste and known sleazy politician, were to hear about a magical artifact being broken, would he secretly obtain a part of it for his own vanity?

While Marinette searched the bookshelves, Adrien went straight for the mayor’s desk. Sitting down in the big, comfy armchair, he rattled the drawer. Locked. He applied some superhero strength. Not locked anymore.

The expensive pens, official papers, and a number of random curios didn’t seem to back up his hunch. Just before he stood up, however, he noticed something with his keen vision - a hidden panel. Curious, he deftly felt around with his claws and found the edges. After he pulled it up, he found a beat up leather-bound notebook, stuffed with papers and pictures. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting to find when he opened that notebook, but it stunned him anyway.

Compromising pictures of famous Parisians and more than a few reporters. Notes on the back, usually time, place, names of people involved. Each with a euro amount stamped on the back. There were notes about reporters paid off or blackmailed after getting too close. There were ledgers detailing monthly payments from wealthy benefactors - including, until recently, Adrien’s own father. Each of the entries had a note attached to it - some project the mayor had backed, something said in speeches, tasks to perform. With deepening dread, Adrien followed the lines to Gabriel Agreste’s entry: ‘Wear Agreste brand clothing for all functions. Blacklist upcoming new designers.’

Somehow Adrien wasn’t surprised. His father’s spark, his passion for design, had been guttering out for a while now. Maybe it was a result of running out of time and knowing it. His latest lines didn’t have the same boldness or visionary qualities that had first made his name. Adrien assumed that he just didn’t understand fashion since the business side of things was doing just fine, but this… this made things fall into place. Between Gabriel’s hand in other design houses and his suppression of potential competitors, no wonder-

Adrien’s head snapped towards Marinette as she let out a startled squeak. She’d accidentally dropped one book which had somehow caused a chain reaction that saw an entire shelf dumped onto the floor. As she groaned in irritation, he smiled faintly.

Then horrible dread sunk in and he began furiously searching through the pages. Marinette had often complained about how the internship was the best she managed to get after graduating from university. How they never let her do any actual design work. He remembered the unspoken pain she felt at not being trusted with doing her life’s passion. But how much of that was the studio simply being ignorant of her abilities?

It was clear that Mayor Andre was a meticulous note taker, at least where it came to his money. If that’s true then maybe…

Adrien found it. A list of designers blacklisted. Among them?

Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

[waltzshouldbewriting]

The Klavier (Nacht Story 5)

Sirens blared, jerking Chay out of her daydream.  

It's just a drill, she reminded herself. It had been a week since the last aerial strike, and a ceasefire was being negotiated, but Sakai authorities would still want drills at a regular schedule. Just in case.

Chay sighed, shutting off her vacuum and walking towards the small bomb shelter in the basement of the house. She didn't know how Ms. Zuri kept her shelter, but she hoped it wasn't flooded like many of the public shelters she had been down before. She pushed open the trap door, lowering herself down onto the ladder, and descended down into the dark.

She landed on solid, dry ground, but coughed as dust began to stir. She put her hand against the wall, guiding her, as she searched for a light switch. She eventually found one covered in cobwebs. When she flicked the light switch on, two dim lights flickered on.

The room felt small, but only because the amount of stuff packed in. Three bookshelves and a small table were stacked with books, boxes, and chests, and a stack of paintings leaned against the wall. A lot of people kept valuables in the bomb shelter, but Chay had never seen one so crowded.  She was less surprised at the dust - Ms. Zuri and her children spent almost no time at home. Ms. Zuri's job at the hospital kept her there at night and often through the day, and her children slept over at their aunt's often.

At least it's not flooded, Chay said, dusting off a bench and sitting down. She leaned her head back against the wall, wishing she could do something. She was unused to being alone during drills - alone wasn't even in her family's vocabulary most of the time. Chay glanced around the room, wondering if it would be a breach of privacy to read any of the books. She glanced at a familiar book on the table, remembering reading it as a little girl. It was a well-known book, so it couldn't possibly be wrong to-

Chay frowned, realizing the weird shape of the table. It was taller than it was wide, with only a foot of width and a gentle slope down. It was made of the same wood as the bench, and Chay found herself starting to wonder...

No, she told herself. But she stood up anyways, walking towards the object. She picked up the books, jewelry box, and box of photos off of the top, and dusted it off.  The sloped part was definitely a lid, and she slowly began to lift it up.

"You're kidding," Chay muttered to herself, looking down at klavier keys. They were white on black, not black on white like the klavier Chay grew up with, and the notes were slightly out of tune. But it was a klavier.

Chay dragged the bench over and sat down, playing a quick scale. The keys felt cold to her touch, and the pedals creaked when she tried them out. Still, she hadn't even realized there was a klavier in the city, and even though it had only been a month since she last touched a klavier, it felt like an eternity.

Chay took a deep breath, bringing back memories of her last practices. What had she been learning again? It was a lilting song, kind of like a lullaby. How did it start again?

She gently played the starting chord with her right hand, repeating an arpeggiated pattern, and before she knew it she was pulled into the klavier.

"Dolce!"

Chay startled. She turned to see Ms. Zuri behind her.

"You've been hear for almost an hour," Ms. Zuri said, crossing her arms.

Chay blushed. "Sorry. I got... distracted."

"Your parents are probably worried," Ms. Zuri said. "You should hurry home."

Chay nodded. "You're right. I'll see you around."

"Dolce, your skirt is wrinkled," her mother chided.

Chay sighed, putting down her spoon of oatmeal. "That's what happens when you only have a small space to put clothes."

"You can do better," her mother replied.

"Maybe tomorrow," Chay replied. "I'm going to be late."

"Late for what?" Her mother asked.

"Oh, uhm, I promised Tarō I'd help out with... things before school," Chay lied. She finished the last bite of her oatmeal, grabbed her jacket, and sped out the door.

She jogged down the street, still having a free hour before she was expected at school - if it could be called that. She originally headed for her usual rooftop hideaway, hoping that maybe Matt or Volpe - her only two friends who knew her hideouts - would seek her out before she was stuck all day, but half-way there she decided against it.

I can't just go into her house without permission, Chay told herself, decidedly turning back on her original path.

Still, another voice argued. It's not like you're stealing anything. Chay stopped and turned back to her detour.

It's breaking her trust. I can't do that.

With a sigh, Chay turned back to her earlier path. But she looked back over her shoulder again.

"You know, it's gene-generally n-not a g-good ide-dea to look so co-confused in a city."

Chay sighed, turning to the voice of her friend. "Matt. How long have you been there?"

Matt was leaning against the wall of restaurant, munching on an apple.  He shrugged as an answer to Chay's question.

"D-don't have a b-better place t-to be," he replied. "You seem to have t-to many."

Chay sighed. "I just - I kinda want to - you know, it's complicated."

"I have t-time," Matt said.

"You know Ms. Zuri?" Chay asked. Matt nodded. "I was at her house yesterday, during the drill, and her shelter... well it has a klavier."

"A what?" Matt asked.

"It's an instrument," Chay replied. "More Erebuian than anything you've probably heard. But I grew up with it, and I... I miss it."

"So why c-can't you j-just ask M-Miss Zuri if you c-can pl-play it?" Matt asked.

"I-" Chay started. "I, actually, hadn't thought about that. She's usually on break about now, I think..."

"Th-then ask."

Chay nodded. "Right. That would be the logical thing to do." She gave Matt a smile. "See you tonight?"

Matt nodded. "See you."

"You stood me up!" Volpe complained, coming down the ladder.

Chay flinched, once again interrupted mid-song. "Is it that late already?"

Volpe sighed. "You know, you never practiced this much back when you lived with a klavier."

"I guess I took it for advantage," Chay said.

"I feel a little taken advantaged of," Volpe complained.

"It's not like it was a date," Chay argued. She immediately flushed at the thought, and quickly covered up the remark. "There's five of us."

"Yes, but I prefer hanging out when you're there," Volpe said. He also seemed a little flushed. "I mean, well,  Tarō is too competitive for me to handle without you there."

"It won't happen again," Chay said. "It's just... nice to have a way to escape. Really escape."

Volpe smiled. "It must be. You should be heading back. You're family will get nervous."

Chay sighed. "You think they'd realize I can handle myself by now."

"Where have you been going recently?" Gio demanded, blocking her way to her room.

"Why do you care?" Chay asked, crossing her arms.

"You seem... happier," Gio said.

"I'm always happy," Chay said.

"Not like this," Gio replied. "You're like, energetic happy."

"Must be all of those fruits I've been eating," Chay replied. "Now, move."  

"You see, that's not happy," Gio said.

"I'll make you unhappy," Chay replied. "If you don't move."

"I just want to know how you're doing it," Gio argued. "We're all suffering here. If you know some way to help that, tell us. Or just me."

"And have you impede on my only sense of peace?" Chay asked.

"I wouldn't do that," Gio promised. "I'm here all the time, Chay, looking after Zandro and Vic. I need an escape."

"Fine," Chay relented. "Just try not to ruin mine."

"This is someone's house," Gio noted.

"I have permission," Chay replied.

"Sure," Gio said, but he didn't argue as Chay unlocked the house with the key she had been entrusted. She led Gio down the stairs to the trapdoor, and opened a trapdoor.

"That's a bomb shelter," Gio noted.

"Just full of observations today," Chay replied. "Come on."

The room was still dusty and cluttered, and Gio coughed as he stepped down from the ladder. Chay flicked the switch on and walked over to the klavier, and lifted the lid.

"No way," Gio said, walking up to the klavier. "Does it work?"

Chay nodded. "Remember how to play?"

"A little."

Gio and Chay sat side by side on the bench. Gio played a five-note sequence on the keys. "It's even in tune. Almost."

"Just be careful of the middle D," Chay said. "It keeps sticking. And the C5 and C sharp 5 play at the same time, when you hit the C sharp. It's very annoying."

"Still, I didn't expect to see one of these on this side of the country," Gio commented. "You remember that duet we used to play?"

"Nope," Chay replied. "But I can teach you a more advanced one."

"You weren't that much better than me," Gio answered.

"I was," Chay said.

"Even if you were, you can't say that," Gio continued. "I'm the older sibling. It's just the way things work."

Chay rolled her eyes. "Whatever makes you feel better, Ei."

[the-canary]

book (heart) worm - s.r

Summary: In which Steve realizes something through all the decades of literature he has lost. (Reader/Steve Rogers)

Word Count: 1.5K

Prompt: Admiration

Masterlist

A/N: This is for @redgillan‘s birthday challenge. this changed whole bunch of time when i was drafting it, but i really like the end result. i have an idea for a quick continuation, but idk. 

Please enjoy and feedback is always welcomed.

It’s during those early morning runs when Steve takes a quick notice at something that usually doesn’t catch his attention. It might be the flower bed delicately placed in the front of the larger window or the outdated holiday lights above the door that lightly glow as the early morning sun gives them a faded light. He finds himself stopping for a moment to notice a shadow moving up and about. It takes him a few days to figure out that it’s a young woman moving across the shelves and putting books away, though he can never see her face within the large shadows of the store. He pauses longer and longer, trying to catch a glimpse. Then one day, he sees a small metal bookshelf with a note saying, “take a book, leave a book.” Blue eyes scan the books on display and one catches his attention, it’s familiar and he can remember all too well that Bucky complained about the ending, but they still went to the movie went it came out a year later, though it was a struggle to pay for the movie tickets at the time.

“Grapes of Wrath, huh?” he murmurs quietly to himself, as his steps are a bit more slower than before as he starts reading though unaware of someone watching quietly from inside the bookstore.

Steve Rogers tries his hardest to bring back a book the next week, though Tony doesn’t understand the need to bring back something or the audacity that Steve  has of needing to use a paperback edition when he could use his latest Stark Tech pad. The billionaire lets him take a copy of Ayn Rand’s Altus Shrugged, that used to belong to Howard, which he is more than happy to give away.

It takes him three weeks between missions to get through the Steinbeck book and he can’t help but feel that Bucky was right about the ending all those decades back. He chooses to put the book back when he’s done with it on a chilly Wednesday morning. As he makes his right turn during his morning run the next day, Steve sees a young woman putting some books on the shelf before heading back inside, he stops mid run when a title catches his eye once more. It’s a blue hardcover shining lightly in the sun - A Farewell to Arms.

the old man and the sea - ernest hemingway.

Steve comes back to the bookstore after a mission and rereading through the book twice because he can’t fall asleep, the adrenaline and nightmares (he pictures his mother too much in his dreams that night) are too raw and fresh for him to forget. He knows the young woman is there at odd hours, so when it hits 6 am he is already knocking at the door. Steve sees a shadow jump in the darkness and he hears a light yelp. As she scurries to the glass door, it’s finally then that Steve gets a good look at her - large glasses, large sweater accompanied by a dark blanket on top of it. Her eyes widen for a moment before she opens the door.

“I’m sorry to bother you, ma’am” she keeps the door closed as he starts talking, “...but, I was wondering if you had any more Hemingway books.”

She blinks for a moment trying to process the question and stifling a yawn, “Yeah, just wait a sec.”

She opens the door and Steve steps in, fully taking in the the decor of the little store. Five large shelves full of various books. There are more potted plants near the countertop that stand between a smaller bookshelf and an area that holds a couch, loveseat,  and small table. The sun is barely coming out and filters into the the sitting area. Blue eyes watched her disappear through the bookshelves, as he takes notice of the strong smell of coffee and old pages. Steve scans the whole area twice before taking a seat. She comes back a couple of minutes later with a stack of books and a cup of coffee. Steve quirks an eyebrow at this, as she gives him a small smile.

“Hemingway’s most popular books and a cup of joe,” She exclaims as Steve gets up for a moment and grabs both as she motions to the creamer and sugar on the table in case he wants any.

“Do you have any suggestions?” Steve asks, as he goes through the small stack of books. Some titles familiar to him and others not so much. It seemed that Hemingway had continued to write after Steve had sunk into the ocean.   

“Old Man and the Sea is my personal fav,” she declares and smiles a little wider at her little joke while glancing at Steve, as she takes her place on the loveseat next to him, grabbing a large book from the table.      

“Ya know, you could buy them online too,” she remarks without looking at him, though her remark makes Steve smile a little or maybe it’s because she welcomed him without a question or bothering on who he really was.

“I know,” Steve murmurs lightly, letting the peace of the store settle him in for a couple of hours of reading before it actually opened, “but I’m a bit old fashioned when it comes to a lot of things.”

  the outsiders - s.e hinton

Steve settles himself into a pattern of going to the little bookstore at the begin of one week and sees if he can finish the book within the month, though sometimes he ends up waking up at odd hours and waiting until 6 am when he knows that you are awake to head over with his book for coffee and sometimes breakfast. You never question who he is or what he wants, and he finds a little calm in that, though he often questions why you are up so early and the various other quirks you have that he has seen in the months he has been visiting. Though, it’s after movie night with the rest of the Avengers that you really start opening up.

“I was wondering if ya had The Outsiders,” he questions as the lack of sleep pulls out his Brooklyn accents for a moment, as  he puts his latest book down. You quirk an eyebrow at his choice of book, but the twinkle in your eyes tells him you’re smiling. It was one of the things he caught early on and one that he enjoyed the most.

“Did you watch the movie recently?” you ask, as he nods. You swirl your chair around and take the book from the shelf behind you.

“Yeah, last night actually,” he explains as you hand him the red and beige book. He scans it for a bit, as you take a seat on the opposite side of the couch,”Tony said I had to watch such a classic. Have you seen it?”

“Still cry every time Dally dies,” you remark sadly before turning to him and smiling once more, “ but, I hope you enjoy it.”     

fear and loathing in las vegas - hunter s. thompson

Steve wakes up with a jolt, not not quite sure of where he is but remembering that he was dreaming of Bucky, of the endless cold, of them heading to Las Vegas, of Peggy and a forgotten white fence. He gets up and slowly comes to realize that he had fallen asleep on the couch within the bookstore with a large blanket on top of him. The backdoor bell rings as he gets up in alarm before noticing it's you with two large bags of takeout.

“No more reading before bed for you, Sleeping Beauty,” you remark, as you place the food on top of the table, and while he appreciates the subtle concern in your eye. Steve feels a lot safer when you don’t ask anything, that you let him ease into his own thought process before anything else - he really does appreciate that about you.

“I’m sorry,” he gets up into a sitting position, noticing the closed sign brightly lit as you start taking out the containers, “You probably didn’t open today because of me.”

“Look Steve,” you pause and look straight into his blue ones, “Everyone needs a day off, even Captain America. So we’re gonna eat and read some good books, maybe even watch a movie, if ya liked. What do you say?”

“That would be nice, thank you,” he remarks with a soft smile, as you hand him a paper plate and start showing him what food you had brought for lunch.  

“But seriously, no more Thompson. Promise?”  

“Promise.”    

the alchemist - paulo coelho

Steve starts coming in whenever he can after that, be it morning, afternoon, or evening time and there are rare occasions when he ends falling asleep there as well. It gives him the chance to see completely different sides to you whether you’re sweeping while dancing to a little tune, talking to customers and giving them suggestions, or simply taking in the day while reading through whatever you liked at the time. He found himself enjoying it more than he would like to admit.

“Ok, who is she?” Natasha asks suddenly as Steve looks up from his latest book, “I’ve been trying to set you up with someone for months, and you already found a date on your own? I need to meet this woman.”

Steve shakes his head and denies having met anyone and deep down he begins to question whether he thought of you in that way. Yes, he admire your quite personality that always seem to have a comeback for everything he said, or could tease him in ways he only caught later on. He enjoyed early mornings watching you reread through those Greek tragedies you seemed so fond of, or making him dance when you’re supposed to be tidying up. Blue eyes widen, Natasha smirks at the sudden realization in his face that he quickly masks, but he knows the damage has been done, the Black Widow would be watching him very closely now.

As a result, Steve avoids the bookstore for nearly three weeks, blaming it on missions and being too tired within his own head, not to the potential that he might have fallen in love again. However, when he comes to accept that silently, he marches to the bookstore with everything he has, pausing for a moment to hear your laughter --something he isn’t used to-- as he sees you talking to a certain someone.

“Welcome back, Steve!” you exclaim before turning to Natasha, “You never told me you had such interesting friends. Nat really knows her classics.”

“Nat sure does,” is all he can say, as the redhead gives him a sly smirk before excusing herself out with a rare copy of a Russian title he can’t read. You look at him with bright eyes, clearly not angry or upset he has been gone for so long.

“How have you been? Enjoy the book?” you remark happily and with the smile that blooms on your face, Steve knows that he’s done for.  

And like Santiago before him, Steve didn’t realize that the thing he was looking for was right in front of him all along.

[richincolor]

Today we welcome Tanuja Desai Hidier to the blog to share about her writing and music.

Tell us a bit about your life as a writer. What drew you to writing and what has kept you writing?

Reading! I’ve turned to the pen since as far back as I could hold it, and savor, seep into, fall into, flip a page. I was around five when I wrote my first poems: “The Secret” (spoiler alert: it’s a feather) and “Nelly & Shelly” (the fascination with supertwins commenced early). I wrote mostly poems till my teens; I have boxloads of three-ring binders of them in my childhood home. Some of these poems had melodies too–were first songs, in a sense. As a child I also invented bands and singers: designed their album covers, wrote and recorded songs for them on my tape recorder, and had a whole index card system where I’d draw them on one side, and write their bios on the other.

Funnily, none of my singers were ever women of color (always women, though). In fact, I only realized in my 30s, maybe even 40s, that this was the same of my short story characters (and I was writing those from about six years old onwards too—a long time!).

Most likely because I’d never seen such heroes and heroines on bookshelves, TV screens, magazine pages (and street: my family was the first of our particular ‘brown’ in our town, and the first to immigrate from both sides of the family in the 60s).

Many years later—after eons of procrastination, distraction, and, mainly, self-doubt in terms of not only my ability to write a novel, but whether I even had a story to tell—one of the reasons I wrote Born Confused and protagonist Dimple Lala was to fill this hole on my childhood bookshelf with a South Asian American coming of age story. To create heroes and heroines who more closely resembled those  in my own life. My own home.

Born Confused is considered to be the first South Asian American YA novel, and recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. The sequel,  Bombay Blues, received the 2015 South Asia Book Award. Can you tell us more about them?

All those years ago, when I was writing Born Confused, I didn’t realize so consciously that it was the first South Asian American YA novel. I was just trying to tell my truth. Truths. But funny how when you do that you often stumble across the truths of others.

Born Confused is a book about a teen girl, her heart, her home, her camera, her cultures…and how they all ultimately harmonize when she stops seeing things as black and white, or even shades of grey, but rather as magnificently multidimensioned and (it’s true!)…rich in color.  Set largely in the context of New York City’s bhangra / Asian Underground club scene, the story follows Indian-American heroine Dimple Lala through a summer that turns her world on its head as she tries to bring together her cultures without falling apart in the process. The book takes its title from ABCD, or American Born Confused Desi, a term used to describe these second and third generation South Asians who are supposedly “confused” about where their roots lie—and on one level is a journey towards clarity, turning that C for Confused into a C for Creative…which feels like it better describes the desis in my own life.

Born Confused is my exploration of ‘brown.’ And, many years after that, one of the reasons I wrote Bombay Blues—an exploration of ‘blue’—was to move beyond the skin. Set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s contemporary indie music and arts scene, this crossover/adult novel/sequel sees Dimple journey from New York to Bombay, and adolescence to adulthood, in a now globalized India…where she bumps against and blurs the boundaries between tradition and the modern, East and West, in a whole new way. It’s Dimple’s first experience of being brown among the brown, and her personal and artistic journey leads her to follow blue—the color, the mood, the music, on into the wild blue yonder (that of her heart as well).

In the decade between novels—during which time I also became a mother to two daughters—I explored a few other book ideas. But in the end, I suppose I missed Dimple too much; I was wondering how and where she was, what she was up to… and knew the only answer to that question would be to write it. And Bombay, it became compellingly clear, was where I could find her.

Becoming a parent myself certainly crystallized my desire to learn this part of my own parents’ history better: the city of their courtship, of my mother and brother’s birth—yet a place American-born me barely knew. I longed to write my way towards this metropolis of myth and memory—and, hopefully, into it.

In the 15 years since you wrote Born Confused, have you seen change in the YA community?

Enormous changes! Some pretty wonderful happy beginnings are happening in the world today…which is heartening, given the difficulties of our time. For example, in the world of books…well, Dimple and I didn’t have a lot of on-page company back then. Today, the literary landscape is so different—wonderfully. Far more windows and mirrors (I look at my daughters’ bookshelves and—wow! On the desi front alone: Uma Krishnaswami, Marina Budhos, Mitali Perkins, Vivek Shraya, Padma Venkatraman, Nidhi Chanani. Nisha Sharma, SJ Sindu, Samira Ahmed, Sona Charaipotra, Pooja Makhijani, Sharbari Ahmed. To name a few!)

Back when I wrote Dimple, there was no #WeNeedDiverseBooks. No #OwnVoices. (No Twitter, either.) No community for this kind of amplification and fortification. (Thank gods we have access to it now.)

Until the readers. And then…FROCK! what a blessing. Thank you to the readers, the librarians, the teachers who have nurtured Dimple (and me! and us!) through all these years. For opening your own hearts and giving us a home. For letting us choose—and write— our heroes.

And, what a revelation: WE can be heroes!

And you know, during these fraught times, we also MUST be. Our diverse, universal stories are more important than ever. Stories can be such powerful peacemakers: slipping you into the shoes of another and showing you how to walk.

Empathize.

Imagine.

And: We can write things into being, too. Show the world not only as it is but how it could be. And show yourself how you can be, too.

Are you writing any YA right now or in the near future that you may talk about?

Born Confused is set in NYC and sequel Bombay Blues in Bombay/Mumbai…and I’ve often felt there should be a third part to Dimple Lala’s story: the London book (my base for yeeears, and the beloved city from where where I wrote NYC and Bombay: a Portobello Road flat and Muswell Hill/SoHo cafs respectively). A sister city where every inch every moment you can have a multisensory experience of all the ways race, culture, art, music, diaspora, motherlands intersect. And where Asian culture is such a part of the main and sub cultures.

Funny I’ve never written about a place while in it…so maybe I’ll have to pitch home base elsewhere for that London book (and album!) to emerge…?

How are your books and music connected?

I write songs as well as fiction, and have made albums of original music connected to both my novels (‘booktracks’). When We Were Twins: songs based on Born Confused. And Bombay Spleen—songs connected to Bombay Blues. It was a natural progression for me to explore the stories in music (I was in a playing /gigging London band while writing Born Confused and had just been in one in NYC, too).

Bookwriting, songwriting: They are very much part of the same creative process for me: shining a light on the same story from different angles, and —sometimes more audibly, sometimes more visibly, sometimes in that deep humming writing silence–exploring the same questions.

And finally: What are you doing to celebrate Dimple Lala’s 15th anniversary?

Celebrating The We! Our communities, our storytellers, our culture-makers-and-shapers. With the DEEP BLUE SHE #Mutiny2Unity #MeToo #WeMix music video project—a year in the making (massive shoutout to editor Atom Fellows)—featuring 100+ artist/activists (including authors Marina Budhos; Gemma Weekes; Kat Beyer; Uma Krishnaswami; Elizabeth Acevedo; Cynthia Leitich-Smith; Paula Yoo; Sharbari Ahmed; Mitali Desai; Eliot Schrefer; Mira Kamdar; Nico Medina; Billy Merrell; Bill Konigsberg). In a way, Deep Blue She is my birthday promise to Dimple Lala: To keep celebrating the ‘skins’ we’re in, honoring our collective and individual voices. And it’s a thank you as well, to the communities I’m blessed to know and call home, for their dedication and determination to fight the good fight. To tell our stories. And be heard.

(And hopefully to offer support and concrete help so others can do so: all artist proceeds from sales of the remix at Bandcamp to charity.)

Please watch, share, and join the #MergrrrlMovement!

With thanks and love from me and Dimple.

Tanuja Desai Hidier is an author, singer-songwriter, and innovator of the ‘booktrack’ (albums of original songs to accompany her novels). Her first novel, Born Confused—considered to be the first ever South Asian American YA novel—recently turned 15. Born Confused has been hailed by Rolling Stone Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and Paste Magazine as one of the greatest YA novels of all time (on lists including such classics as To Kill a Mockingbird, The Catcher in the Rye, Huckleberry Finn, and Little Women). Tanuja is the recipient of the 2015 South Asia Book Award (for her second novel, Bombay Blues), the James Jones First Novel Fellowship, and the London Writers/Waterstones Award, and her short stories have been included in numerous anthologies. Her most recent project— the DEEP BLUE SHE #Mutiny2Unity #MeToo #WeMix music video/PSA, based on a track from her second album, and featuring 100+ artist/activists (mostly women of color)—is now live. Outlook India calls it “The We Are The World of our times.” All artist proceeds from sales of the remix to charity. More info at: www.thisistanuja.com/DeepBlueShe

[thedivinefish]

TGIWednesday and releasing themes of loss

TGIWednesday News

What are themes of loss?  They can be hang-ups and pieces of your life that are holding you back from making progress and/or some form of glorious phoenix like splendor. If you’re crying about the past loss of a loved one, a job, finances or even a pet or something else.  This month I planned our monthly Zoom event with this theme because we MUST clear these icky themes and replace them with thankfulness, completed tasks, gains, new and improved exercise routines.  You get the idea.  Whenever a client tells me they’re still hung-up on a lost loved one, a marriage, job or that new car that got stolen, I always clear “themes of loss” . How many can you think of right now?  .....Exactly.  Join us tonight!

LIVE Zoom Event TONIGHT!

MySwitchWorks Live Zoom Event TONIGHT August 26th 7:30-8pm ET 30 minutes live, includes replay Registration is $22 https://calendly.com/jmh-calls/august-switches-event  August: Themes of Loss: Have you recently suffered a loss of work, a loved one or pet in spirit, lost innocence, lost health, lost youth and vitality? Sad about your current situation?  Feeling stuck?  Can’t get ahead?  Stuck in the past? Still sad over lost relationship or lost love?  Would of, should of, could of? Looking back with regrets of moments not seized? Let’s have this one be about what you feel you’ve lost and what you’d like to reclaim!   Could be items about you personally... regaining employment, peace, restored zest for life etc... , or items about friends and family that never get resolved? World stage: themes about Covid-19, politics, the economy, fires, hurricanes, etc You get the idea, let’s clear out all these icky themes of loss. 

*Send in your Top 3 to support@jimmymackhealing.com by 3pm Eastern!

Sign Up Here - $22

TGIWednesday Download

~ THEMES OF LOSS  ~ I believe, think, know and feel that I have experienced enough emotional loss. I am ready, willing and able to release myself from stuck, circular patterns of reoccurring losses. I know, when, where, how and why to move on, release the past, remain steadfast in this moment and lean into a promising future. I am asking in all languages and throughout all time lines and so it is.    

*I've recently experienced the loss of my own black Kitty, it's unknown what happened to him still and as I continue to pray for his return and peace in my heart, I have chosen to move on and heal and can now introduce you to Lily our tiny new, playful, loving, kitten who has already found a place in our hearts (and our bookshelves ;)

LIVE Appearances - Free Healing

Thursday September 10th at 2pm ET/11am PT Straight Talk for the Soul with host Cari Murphy You're invited to Season 16 as we launch into highly progressive, transformational, light-Fueled discussion on her Straight Talk for the Soul Global Masterclass Series!  Register Here to Catch the Full Series  Thursday Sept. 23rd - The Global Gathering

with host Dipal Shah. The Gathering is an online spiritual event in which multiple healers, lightworkers, catalysts and spiritual teachers come together as ONE to support humanity by anchoring love, light, joy, wellness and optimism.    Join Us and Watch Online! 

Fish Food 

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack AUGUST 26th "Today I will realize how important my nutrition is and how important my words are. I will realize how powerful my words and actions can be. I will experiment with myself by eating different foods and trying out different things. I will explore the unusual and I will improve my life." 

From the Fish Box

"Jimmy, I meant to send this yesterday, I just want to wish you the very happiest birthday and send you my sincerest gratitude. It was last summer when I first heard you on some different telesummits. In September on Darius’ show I first connected with you live for a healing when I crashed on my bike. "I bought that abundance package and had a reading with you and have been hooked ever since. I probably have close to a dozen MP3’s now between the MBW audios and the switches calls. I listen to them all regularly and you know I’m now a regular caller on your healing show.   I’m listening to the GPS morning track now and it’s always lovely to start my day off with you. My deepest gratitude for all the gifts you bring to the world and the generosity with which you do it.  Thank you for being so accessible and generous with your healing. Wanting to let you know you how much I appreciate you and thank you for all the positive blessings you have brought into my life and all the healing you have facilitated. All my best."  - Kim

The Jimmy Mack Healing Show

NEW VIDEO FORMAT! WATCH IT LIVE  TUESDAY'S at 4pm EDT / 1pm PDT Watch and Participate (via Comments) during the Live TV Show streamed on Goldylocks Productions YouTube Channel, Facebook Page and Periscope.   NOTE: You will need to log into your YouTube (Google) or Facebook accounts to comment. If you watch the Live show from any other location other than the 3 listed below, your comments will not be seen by the Show Host or Producer. https://www.facebook.com/GoldylocksProductions https://www.pscp.tv/Goldylocks168/follow Or watch all live and replays in the archives here: https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

Instructions for the VIEWERS: 1.    One reading/message per person. The first question posted will be answered, so please think about your question carefully before posting it.  2.    If you want a longer and more detailed message, please book an appointment with the Show Host.  3.    Spirit does come through and gives messages that can apply to many, not just the person asking the question. 4.    It is not required nor should be expected that every question or comment will be addressed by the Show Host. 5.    If you have any issues with the show host or show format, please contact the Show Producer... not the Show Host. 6.    Contact the Show Producer, Rev. Tiffany White Sage Woman via email: goldylocksproductions@hotmail.com Yesterday's Show - Watch the replay here! Special Guest Rev. Debbie Dienstbier  Our resident trans medium communications with your loved ones in spirit.  Visit her Facebook page UPCOMING GUESTS: September 1st Psychic Joanne Leo | Numerology/astrology/angel cards reading from the heart www.psychicjoanneleo.com   September 8th Jeremy Riden | Cards and intuitive readings https://divinesparkministries.com/about-jeremy-riden   September 15th Gosia Lorenz| Clearing negative entities and intuitive readings www.gosialorenz.com   September 22nd Ayla Murray | Tarot/Angel Cards and intuitive readings https://www.facebook.com/harmonicperspective/   September 29th Rev Debbie | Our resident trans medium communications with your loved ones in spirit. Visit her Facebook page  

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

Nightly prayers include COVID-19. Each night we work on scrambling the frequency for everyone on the prayer list. Your name will be added to a special VIP Prayer list where Jimmy will use his intelligent computer software, src4you which runs 24/7, to delete the negative and increase the strength of the positive creating a higher probability of favorable outcomes for you.  

In addition, throughout the full 30-days, Jimmy will be dialing into your energetic signature each day upon rising and make certain that you are a clear yes, unclear to no and running forward before you start your day. He is doing the heavy lifting for you around 3am NY time while most of you are asleep in order to smooth out your way and increase your most favorable life outcomes.

The 30-day service is now being offered exclusively  and you also have the option of selecting an ongoing subscription ($95/month) which is managed through PayPal only.

Upon written email request, for each new order we offer a one-time email analysis via the intelligent healing software that Jimmy uses on your behalf.  Most clients have had amazing results and outcomes!

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers. *NOTE if the MDP Service was purchased via a special telesummit or radio show offer, prayers will be limited to BUYER ONLY - and will not include family members or pets.

You can run this monthly and stop at any time after the 30 days is up, you will have the opportunity to renew and update your list each month but are under no obligation. I believe you will experience magical transformations and make progress every day! 

Sign Up for 30-Days - $99

 Tampa Office Sessions

FRIDAY KODAWARI YOGA STUDIOS 

Friday sessions are back to being phone-only for folks that I usually see at Kodawari until further notice. You can book time with me in the shop and schedule online.   3965 Henderson Blvd Suite C Tampa ☎️ (813) 999-1874 http://www.kodawariyoga.com/

Go deep sea "fishing" with Jimmy!

Level 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime! Click here to watch the Mastery video playlist

The Certificate of Mastery Program includes 2 best-selling ebooks and 2 clearing audios plus written & video instructions, AND one-on-one time with Jimmy ALL for about the cost of a single 1-hr session! This online course is for anyone who is familiar with OR new to "fishing" and is ready to dive into the deep end & get results that are beyond the ordinary! It includes The Tackle Box & The Dowser's Handbook ebooks PLUS 2 MP3s "Clearing Dark Energies" & "Increasing Your Intuition" to help clear, strengthen and prepare your energy field for optimal “fishing” results. This is a work-at-your-own-pace curriculum that will TEACH & CLEAR you at the same time! In under 2wks you will be finished with the program and ready to fish on your own with greater results! Level II offers Practitioner Certification for those who qualify.

LEARN MORE HERE

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

For those who aren't familiar, here's the list of the MyBeliefWorks™ audio library. 

Find a topic that addresses your issue(s), click on the link to read more. We had a lot of help downloading & channeling these over the years & they keep getting better. Don't forget... you can share these with you immediate friends and family.

Abundance Abuse Addiction Body Scan: Head to Toe COVID-19 Daily GPS Reset Dark Energies/Fears Decision Making Diet & Exercise Education & Learning Family & Relatives The Gold Coin Healing Physical Body Healing Mental Stress Holiday Stress

Increasing Intuition IRS & Tax Time Love & Romance Money Mindset Moving Forward Pain Relief Pet Healing Sales & Success Improving Sex Improving Sleep Traveling w/Ease Work & Career Weight Loss Windfall Youth & Vitality

TGIFunny

Share

Tweet

Forward

Pinterest

Jimmy Mack | Appointments Skype: Jimmy.Mack55 Clearwater Florida USA Book a 15 minute session Book a 30 minute session Book a 60 minute session ​ ​​Transformational Healing of Body, Mind​ & Spirit, People, Places, Pets & Situations!​ ​ Download the My Liquid Fish® Starter Kit (*Updated May 2019) Audio MP3 Downloads​ and books​ to improve your life! Get Certified in ​My Liquid Fish® Change Made Simple® Watch Free Videos on YouTube Weekly Radio Show Archives Shop for ​Supplements ​ http://www.jimmymackhealingshop.com www.jimmymackhealing.com Copyright ©1998-2020 All Rights Reserved  

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.smbeconnected.com  

Stay connected!

  Our mailing address is: Clearwater Florida 33756 USA

[divinefishingtips]

TGIWednesday and releasing themes of loss

TGIWednesday News

What are themes of loss?  They can be hang-ups and pieces of your life that are holding you back from making progress and/or some form of glorious phoenix like splendor. If you’re crying about the past loss of a loved one, a job, finances or even a pet or something else.  This month I planned our monthly Zoom event with this theme because we MUST clear these icky themes and replace them with thankfulness, completed tasks, gains, new and improved exercise routines.  You get the idea.  Whenever a client tells me they’re still hung-up on a lost loved one, a marriage, job or that new car that got stolen, I always clear “themes of loss” . How many can you think of right now?  .....Exactly.  Join us tonight!

LIVE Zoom Event TONIGHT!

MySwitchWorks Live Zoom Event TONIGHT August 26th 7:30-8pm ET 30 minutes live, includes replay Registration is $22 https://calendly.com/jmh-calls/august-switches-event  August: Themes of Loss: Have you recently suffered a loss of work, a loved one or pet in spirit, lost innocence, lost health, lost youth and vitality? Sad about your current situation?  Feeling stuck?  Can’t get ahead?  Stuck in the past? Still sad over lost relationship or lost love?  Would of, should of, could of? Looking back with regrets of moments not seized? Let’s have this one be about what you feel you’ve lost and what you’d like to reclaim!   Could be items about you personally... regaining employment, peace, restored zest for life etc... , or items about friends and family that never get resolved? World stage: themes about Covid-19, politics, the economy, fires, hurricanes, etc You get the idea, let’s clear out all these icky themes of loss. 

*Send in your Top 3 to support@jimmymackhealing.com by 3pm Eastern!

Sign Up Here - $22

TGIWednesday Download

~ THEMES OF LOSS  ~ I believe, think, know and feel that I have experienced enough emotional loss. I am ready, willing and able to release myself from stuck, circular patterns of reoccurring losses. I know, when, where, how and why to move on, release the past, remain steadfast in this moment and lean into a promising future. I am asking in all languages and throughout all time lines and so it is.    

*I've recently experienced the loss of my own black Kitty, it's unknown what happened to him still and as I continue to pray for his return and peace in my heart, I have chosen to move on and heal and can now introduce you to Lily our tiny new, playful, loving, kitten who has already found a place in our hearts (and our bookshelves ;)

LIVE Appearances - Free Healing

Thursday September 10th at 2pm ET/11am PT Straight Talk for the Soul with host Cari Murphy You're invited to Season 16 as we launch into highly progressive, transformational, light-Fueled discussion on her Straight Talk for the Soul Global Masterclass Series!  Register Here to Catch the Full Series  Thursday Sept. 23rd - The Global Gathering

with host Dipal Shah. The Gathering is an online spiritual event in which multiple healers, lightworkers, catalysts and spiritual teachers come together as ONE to support humanity by anchoring love, light, joy, wellness and optimism.    Join Us and Watch Online! 

Fish Food 

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack AUGUST 26th "Today I will realize how important my nutrition is and how important my words are. I will realize how powerful my words and actions can be. I will experiment with myself by eating different foods and trying out different things. I will explore the unusual and I will improve my life." 

From the Fish Box

"Jimmy, I meant to send this yesterday, I just want to wish you the very happiest birthday and send you my sincerest gratitude. It was last summer when I first heard you on some different telesummits. In September on Darius’ show I first connected with you live for a healing when I crashed on my bike. "I bought that abundance package and had a reading with you and have been hooked ever since. I probably have close to a dozen MP3’s now between the MBW audios and the switches calls. I listen to them all regularly and you know I’m now a regular caller on your healing show.   I’m listening to the GPS morning track now and it’s always lovely to start my day off with you. My deepest gratitude for all the gifts you bring to the world and the generosity with which you do it.  Thank you for being so accessible and generous with your healing. Wanting to let you know you how much I appreciate you and thank you for all the positive blessings you have brought into my life and all the healing you have facilitated. All my best."  - Kim

The Jimmy Mack Healing Show

NEW VIDEO FORMAT! WATCH IT LIVE  TUESDAY'S at 4pm EDT / 1pm PDT Watch and Participate (via Comments) during the Live TV Show streamed on Goldylocks Productions YouTube Channel, Facebook Page and Periscope.   NOTE: You will need to log into your YouTube (Google) or Facebook accounts to comment. If you watch the Live show from any other location other than the 3 listed below, your comments will not be seen by the Show Host or Producer. https://www.facebook.com/GoldylocksProductions https://www.pscp.tv/Goldylocks168/follow Or watch all live and replays in the archives here: https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

Instructions for the VIEWERS: 1.    One reading/message per person. The first question posted will be answered, so please think about your question carefully before posting it.  2.    If you want a longer and more detailed message, please book an appointment with the Show Host.  3.    Spirit does come through and gives messages that can apply to many, not just the person asking the question. 4.    It is not required nor should be expected that every question or comment will be addressed by the Show Host. 5.    If you have any issues with the show host or show format, please contact the Show Producer... not the Show Host. 6.    Contact the Show Producer, Rev. Tiffany White Sage Woman via email: goldylocksproductions@hotmail.com Yesterday's Show - Watch the replay here! Special Guest Rev. Debbie Dienstbier  Our resident trans medium communications with your loved ones in spirit.  Visit her Facebook page UPCOMING GUESTS: September 1st Psychic Joanne Leo | Numerology/astrology/angel cards reading from the heart www.psychicjoanneleo.com   September 8th Jeremy Riden | Cards and intuitive readings https://divinesparkministries.com/about-jeremy-riden   September 15th Gosia Lorenz| Clearing negative entities and intuitive readings www.gosialorenz.com   September 22nd Ayla Murray | Tarot/Angel Cards and intuitive readings https://www.facebook.com/harmonicperspective/   September 29th Rev Debbie | Our resident trans medium communications with your loved ones in spirit. Visit her Facebook page  

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

Nightly prayers include COVID-19. Each night we work on scrambling the frequency for everyone on the prayer list. Your name will be added to a special VIP Prayer list where Jimmy will use his intelligent computer software, src4you which runs 24/7, to delete the negative and increase the strength of the positive creating a higher probability of favorable outcomes for you.  

In addition, throughout the full 30-days, Jimmy will be dialing into your energetic signature each day upon rising and make certain that you are a clear yes, unclear to no and running forward before you start your day. He is doing the heavy lifting for you around 3am NY time while most of you are asleep in order to smooth out your way and increase your most favorable life outcomes.

The 30-day service is now being offered exclusively  and you also have the option of selecting an ongoing subscription ($95/month) which is managed through PayPal only.

Upon written email request, for each new order we offer a one-time email analysis via the intelligent healing software that Jimmy uses on your behalf.  Most clients have had amazing results and outcomes!

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers. *NOTE if the MDP Service was purchased via a special telesummit or radio show offer, prayers will be limited to BUYER ONLY - and will not include family members or pets.

You can run this monthly and stop at any time after the 30 days is up, you will have the opportunity to renew and update your list each month but are under no obligation. I believe you will experience magical transformations and make progress every day! 

Sign Up for 30-Days - $99

 Tampa Office Sessions

FRIDAY KODAWARI YOGA STUDIOS 

Friday sessions are back to being phone-only for folks that I usually see at Kodawari until further notice. You can book time with me in the shop and schedule online.   3965 Henderson Blvd Suite C Tampa ☎️ (813) 999-1874 http://www.kodawariyoga.com/

Go deep sea "fishing" with Jimmy!

Level 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime! Click here to watch the Mastery video playlist

The Certificate of Mastery Program includes 2 best-selling ebooks and 2 clearing audios plus written & video instructions, AND one-on-one time with Jimmy ALL for about the cost of a single 1-hr session! This online course is for anyone who is familiar with OR new to "fishing" and is ready to dive into the deep end & get results that are beyond the ordinary! It includes The Tackle Box & The Dowser's Handbook ebooks PLUS 2 MP3s "Clearing Dark Energies" & "Increasing Your Intuition" to help clear, strengthen and prepare your energy field for optimal “fishing” results. This is a work-at-your-own-pace curriculum that will TEACH & CLEAR you at the same time! In under 2wks you will be finished with the program and ready to fish on your own with greater results! Level II offers Practitioner Certification for those who qualify.

LEARN MORE HERE

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

For those who aren't familiar, here's the list of the MyBeliefWorks™ audio library. 

Find a topic that addresses your issue(s), click on the link to read more. We had a lot of help downloading & channeling these over the years & they keep getting better. Don't forget... you can share these with you immediate friends and family.

Abundance Abuse Addiction Body Scan: Head to Toe COVID-19 Daily GPS Reset Dark Energies/Fears Decision Making Diet & Exercise Education & Learning Family & Relatives The Gold Coin Healing Physical Body Healing Mental Stress Holiday Stress

Increasing Intuition IRS & Tax Time Love & Romance Money Mindset Moving Forward Pain Relief Pet Healing Sales & Success Improving Sex Improving Sleep Traveling w/Ease Work & Career Weight Loss Windfall Youth & Vitality

TGIFunny

Share

Tweet

Forward

Pinterest

Jimmy Mack | Appointments Skype: Jimmy.Mack55 Clearwater Florida USA Book a 15 minute session Book a 30 minute session Book a 60 minute session ​ ​​Transformational Healing of Body, Mind​ & Spirit, People, Places, Pets & Situations!​ ​ Download the My Liquid Fish® Starter Kit (*Updated May 2019) Audio MP3 Downloads​ and books​ to improve your life! Get Certified in ​My Liquid Fish® Change Made Simple® Watch Free Videos on YouTube Weekly Radio Show Archives Shop for ​Supplements ​ http://www.jimmymackhealingshop.com www.jimmymackhealing.com Copyright ©1998-2020 All Rights Reserved  

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.smbeconnected.com  

Stay connected!

  Our mailing address is: Clearwater Florida 33756 USA

[365dailyaffirmations]

TGIWednesday and releasing themes of loss

TGIWednesday News

What are themes of loss?  They can be hang-ups and pieces of your life that are holding you back from making progress and/or some form of glorious phoenix like splendor. If you’re crying about the past loss of a loved one, a job, finances or even a pet or something else.  This month I planned our monthly Zoom event with this theme because we MUST clear these icky themes and replace them with thankfulness, completed tasks, gains, new and improved exercise routines.  You get the idea.  Whenever a client tells me they’re still hung-up on a lost loved one, a marriage, job or that new car that got stolen, I always clear “themes of loss” . How many can you think of right now?  .....Exactly.  Join us tonight!

LIVE Zoom Event TONIGHT!

MySwitchWorks Live Zoom Event TONIGHT August 26th 7:30-8pm ET 30 minutes live, includes replay Registration is $22 https://calendly.com/jmh-calls/august-switches-event  August: Themes of Loss: Have you recently suffered a loss of work, a loved one or pet in spirit, lost innocence, lost health, lost youth and vitality? Sad about your current situation?  Feeling stuck?  Can’t get ahead?  Stuck in the past? Still sad over lost relationship or lost love?  Would of, should of, could of? Looking back with regrets of moments not seized? Let’s have this one be about what you feel you’ve lost and what you’d like to reclaim!   Could be items about you personally... regaining employment, peace, restored zest for life etc... , or items about friends and family that never get resolved? World stage: themes about Covid-19, politics, the economy, fires, hurricanes, etc You get the idea, let’s clear out all these icky themes of loss. 

*Send in your Top 3 to support@jimmymackhealing.com by 3pm Eastern!

Sign Up Here - $22

TGIWednesday Download

~ THEMES OF LOSS  ~ I believe, think, know and feel that I have experienced enough emotional loss. I am ready, willing and able to release myself from stuck, circular patterns of reoccurring losses. I know, when, where, how and why to move on, release the past, remain steadfast in this moment and lean into a promising future. I am asking in all languages and throughout all time lines and so it is.    

*I've recently experienced the loss of my own black Kitty, it's unknown what happened to him still and as I continue to pray for his return and peace in my heart, I have chosen to move on and heal and can now introduce you to Lily our tiny new, playful, loving, kitten who has already found a place in our hearts (and our bookshelves ;)

LIVE Appearances - Free Healing

Thursday September 10th at 2pm ET/11am PT Straight Talk for the Soul with host Cari Murphy You're invited to Season 16 as we launch into highly progressive, transformational, light-Fueled discussion on her Straight Talk for the Soul Global Masterclass Series!  Register Here to Catch the Full Series  Thursday Sept. 23rd - The Global Gathering

with host Dipal Shah. The Gathering is an online spiritual event in which multiple healers, lightworkers, catalysts and spiritual teachers come together as ONE to support humanity by anchoring love, light, joy, wellness and optimism.    Join Us and Watch Online! 

Fish Food 

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack AUGUST 26th "Today I will realize how important my nutrition is and how important my words are. I will realize how powerful my words and actions can be. I will experiment with myself by eating different foods and trying out different things. I will explore the unusual and I will improve my life." 

From the Fish Box

"Jimmy, I meant to send this yesterday, I just want to wish you the very happiest birthday and send you my sincerest gratitude. It was last summer when I first heard you on some different telesummits. In September on Darius’ show I first connected with you live for a healing when I crashed on my bike. "I bought that abundance package and had a reading with you and have been hooked ever since. I probably have close to a dozen MP3’s now between the MBW audios and the switches calls. I listen to them all regularly and you know I’m now a regular caller on your healing show.   I’m listening to the GPS morning track now and it’s always lovely to start my day off with you. My deepest gratitude for all the gifts you bring to the world and the generosity with which you do it.  Thank you for being so accessible and generous with your healing. Wanting to let you know you how much I appreciate you and thank you for all the positive blessings you have brought into my life and all the healing you have facilitated. All my best."  - Kim

The Jimmy Mack Healing Show

NEW VIDEO FORMAT! WATCH IT LIVE  TUESDAY'S at 4pm EDT / 1pm PDT Watch and Participate (via Comments) during the Live TV Show streamed on Goldylocks Productions YouTube Channel, Facebook Page and Periscope.   NOTE: You will need to log into your YouTube (Google) or Facebook accounts to comment. If you watch the Live show from any other location other than the 3 listed below, your comments will not be seen by the Show Host or Producer. https://www.facebook.com/GoldylocksProductions https://www.pscp.tv/Goldylocks168/follow Or watch all live and replays in the archives here: https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

Instructions for the VIEWERS: 1.    One reading/message per person. The first question posted will be answered, so please think about your question carefully before posting it.  2.    If you want a longer and more detailed message, please book an appointment with the Show Host.  3.    Spirit does come through and gives messages that can apply to many, not just the person asking the question. 4.    It is not required nor should be expected that every question or comment will be addressed by the Show Host. 5.    If you have any issues with the show host or show format, please contact the Show Producer... not the Show Host. 6.    Contact the Show Producer, Rev. Tiffany White Sage Woman via email: goldylocksproductions@hotmail.com Yesterday's Show - Watch the replay here! Special Guest Rev. Debbie Dienstbier  Our resident trans medium communications with your loved ones in spirit.  Visit her Facebook page UPCOMING GUESTS: September 1st Psychic Joanne Leo | Numerology/astrology/angel cards reading from the heart www.psychicjoanneleo.com   September 8th Jeremy Riden | Cards and intuitive readings https://divinesparkministries.com/about-jeremy-riden   September 15th Gosia Lorenz| Clearing negative entities and intuitive readings www.gosialorenz.com   September 22nd Ayla Murray | Tarot/Angel Cards and intuitive readings https://www.facebook.com/harmonicperspective/   September 29th Rev Debbie | Our resident trans medium communications with your loved ones in spirit. Visit her Facebook page  

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

Nightly prayers include COVID-19. Each night we work on scrambling the frequency for everyone on the prayer list. Your name will be added to a special VIP Prayer list where Jimmy will use his intelligent computer software, src4you which runs 24/7, to delete the negative and increase the strength of the positive creating a higher probability of favorable outcomes for you.  

In addition, throughout the full 30-days, Jimmy will be dialing into your energetic signature each day upon rising and make certain that you are a clear yes, unclear to no and running forward before you start your day. He is doing the heavy lifting for you around 3am NY time while most of you are asleep in order to smooth out your way and increase your most favorable life outcomes.

The 30-day service is now being offered exclusively  and you also have the option of selecting an ongoing subscription ($95/month) which is managed through PayPal only.

Upon written email request, for each new order we offer a one-time email analysis via the intelligent healing software that Jimmy uses on your behalf.  Most clients have had amazing results and outcomes!

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers. *NOTE if the MDP Service was purchased via a special telesummit or radio show offer, prayers will be limited to BUYER ONLY - and will not include family members or pets.

You can run this monthly and stop at any time after the 30 days is up, you will have the opportunity to renew and update your list each month but are under no obligation. I believe you will experience magical transformations and make progress every day! 

Sign Up for 30-Days - $99

 Tampa Office Sessions

FRIDAY KODAWARI YOGA STUDIOS 

Friday sessions are back to being phone-only for folks that I usually see at Kodawari until further notice. You can book time with me in the shop and schedule online.   3965 Henderson Blvd Suite C Tampa ☎️ (813) 999-1874 http://www.kodawariyoga.com/

Go deep sea "fishing" with Jimmy!

Level 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime! Click here to watch the Mastery video playlist

The Certificate of Mastery Program includes 2 best-selling ebooks and 2 clearing audios plus written & video instructions, AND one-on-one time with Jimmy ALL for about the cost of a single 1-hr session! This online course is for anyone who is familiar with OR new to "fishing" and is ready to dive into the deep end & get results that are beyond the ordinary! It includes The Tackle Box & The Dowser's Handbook ebooks PLUS 2 MP3s "Clearing Dark Energies" & "Increasing Your Intuition" to help clear, strengthen and prepare your energy field for optimal “fishing” results. This is a work-at-your-own-pace curriculum that will TEACH & CLEAR you at the same time! In under 2wks you will be finished with the program and ready to fish on your own with greater results! Level II offers Practitioner Certification for those who qualify.

LEARN MORE HERE

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

For those who aren't familiar, here's the list of the MyBeliefWorks™ audio library. 

Find a topic that addresses your issue(s), click on the link to read more. We had a lot of help downloading & channeling these over the years & they keep getting better. Don't forget... you can share these with you immediate friends and family.

Abundance Abuse Addiction Body Scan: Head to Toe COVID-19 Daily GPS Reset Dark Energies/Fears Decision Making Diet & Exercise Education & Learning Family & Relatives The Gold Coin Healing Physical Body Healing Mental Stress Holiday Stress

Increasing Intuition IRS & Tax Time Love & Romance Money Mindset Moving Forward Pain Relief Pet Healing Sales & Success Improving Sex Improving Sleep Traveling w/Ease Work & Career Weight Loss Windfall Youth & Vitality

TGIFunny

Share

Tweet

Forward

Pinterest

Jimmy Mack | Appointments Skype: Jimmy.Mack55 Clearwater Florida USA Book a 15 minute session Book a 30 minute session Book a 60 minute session ​ ​​Transformational Healing of Body, Mind​ & Spirit, People, Places, Pets & Situations!​ ​ Download the My Liquid Fish® Starter Kit (*Updated May 2019) Audio MP3 Downloads​ and books​ to improve your life! Get Certified in ​My Liquid Fish® Change Made Simple® Watch Free Videos on YouTube Weekly Radio Show Archives Shop for ​Supplements ​ http://www.jimmymackhealingshop.com www.jimmymackhealing.com Copyright ©1998-2020 All Rights Reserved  

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.smbeconnected.com  

Stay connected!

  Our mailing address is: Clearwater Florida 33756 USA

[advancedthetapractitioner]

TGIWednesday and releasing themes of loss

TGIWednesday News

What are themes of loss?  They can be hang-ups and pieces of your life that are holding you back from making progress and/or some form of glorious phoenix like splendor. If you’re crying about the past loss of a loved one, a job, finances or even a pet or something else.  This month I planned our monthly Zoom event with this theme because we MUST clear these icky themes and replace them with thankfulness, completed tasks, gains, new and improved exercise routines.  You get the idea.  Whenever a client tells me they’re still hung-up on a lost loved one, a marriage, job or that new car that got stolen, I always clear “themes of loss” . How many can you think of right now?  .....Exactly.  Join us tonight!

LIVE Zoom Event TONIGHT!

MySwitchWorks Live Zoom Event TONIGHT August 26th 7:30-8pm ET 30 minutes live, includes replay Registration is $22 https://calendly.com/jmh-calls/august-switches-event  August: Themes of Loss: Have you recently suffered a loss of work, a loved one or pet in spirit, lost innocence, lost health, lost youth and vitality? Sad about your current situation?  Feeling stuck?  Can’t get ahead?  Stuck in the past? Still sad over lost relationship or lost love?  Would of, should of, could of? Looking back with regrets of moments not seized? Let’s have this one be about what you feel you’ve lost and what you’d like to reclaim!   Could be items about you personally... regaining employment, peace, restored zest for life etc... , or items about friends and family that never get resolved? World stage: themes about Covid-19, politics, the economy, fires, hurricanes, etc You get the idea, let’s clear out all these icky themes of loss. 

*Send in your Top 3 to support@jimmymackhealing.com by 3pm Eastern!

Sign Up Here - $22

TGIWednesday Download

~ THEMES OF LOSS  ~ I believe, think, know and feel that I have experienced enough emotional loss. I am ready, willing and able to release myself from stuck, circular patterns of reoccurring losses. I know, when, where, how and why to move on, release the past, remain steadfast in this moment and lean into a promising future. I am asking in all languages and throughout all time lines and so it is.    

*I've recently experienced the loss of my own black Kitty, it's unknown what happened to him still and as I continue to pray for his return and peace in my heart, I have chosen to move on and heal and can now introduce you to Lily our tiny new, playful, loving, kitten who has already found a place in our hearts (and our bookshelves ;)

LIVE Appearances - Free Healing

Thursday September 10th at 2pm ET/11am PT Straight Talk for the Soul with host Cari Murphy You're invited to Season 16 as we launch into highly progressive, transformational, light-Fueled discussion on her Straight Talk for the Soul Global Masterclass Series!  Register Here to Catch the Full Series  Thursday Sept. 23rd - The Global Gathering

with host Dipal Shah. The Gathering is an online spiritual event in which multiple healers, lightworkers, catalysts and spiritual teachers come together as ONE to support humanity by anchoring love, light, joy, wellness and optimism.    Join Us and Watch Online! 

Fish Food 

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack AUGUST 26th "Today I will realize how important my nutrition is and how important my words are. I will realize how powerful my words and actions can be. I will experiment with myself by eating different foods and trying out different things. I will explore the unusual and I will improve my life." 

From the Fish Box

"Jimmy, I meant to send this yesterday, I just want to wish you the very happiest birthday and send you my sincerest gratitude. It was last summer when I first heard you on some different telesummits. In September on Darius’ show I first connected with you live for a healing when I crashed on my bike. "I bought that abundance package and had a reading with you and have been hooked ever since. I probably have close to a dozen MP3’s now between the MBW audios and the switches calls. I listen to them all regularly and you know I’m now a regular caller on your healing show.   I’m listening to the GPS morning track now and it’s always lovely to start my day off with you. My deepest gratitude for all the gifts you bring to the world and the generosity with which you do it.  Thank you for being so accessible and generous with your healing. Wanting to let you know you how much I appreciate you and thank you for all the positive blessings you have brought into my life and all the healing you have facilitated. All my best."  - Kim

The Jimmy Mack Healing Show

NEW VIDEO FORMAT! WATCH IT LIVE  TUESDAY'S at 4pm EDT / 1pm PDT Watch and Participate (via Comments) during the Live TV Show streamed on Goldylocks Productions YouTube Channel, Facebook Page and Periscope.   NOTE: You will need to log into your YouTube (Google) or Facebook accounts to comment. If you watch the Live show from any other location other than the 3 listed below, your comments will not be seen by the Show Host or Producer. https://www.facebook.com/GoldylocksProductions https://www.pscp.tv/Goldylocks168/follow Or watch all live and replays in the archives here: https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

Instructions for the VIEWERS: 1.    One reading/message per person. The first question posted will be answered, so please think about your question carefully before posting it.  2.    If you want a longer and more detailed message, please book an appointment with the Show Host.  3.    Spirit does come through and gives messages that can apply to many, not just the person asking the question. 4.    It is not required nor should be expected that every question or comment will be addressed by the Show Host. 5.    If you have any issues with the show host or show format, please contact the Show Producer... not the Show Host. 6.    Contact the Show Producer, Rev. Tiffany White Sage Woman via email: goldylocksproductions@hotmail.com Yesterday's Show - Watch the replay here! Special Guest Rev. Debbie Dienstbier  Our resident trans medium communications with your loved ones in spirit.  Visit her Facebook page UPCOMING GUESTS: September 1st Psychic Joanne Leo | Numerology/astrology/angel cards reading from the heart www.psychicjoanneleo.com   September 8th Jeremy Riden | Cards and intuitive readings https://divinesparkministries.com/about-jeremy-riden   September 15th Gosia Lorenz| Clearing negative entities and intuitive readings www.gosialorenz.com   September 22nd Ayla Murray | Tarot/Angel Cards and intuitive readings https://www.facebook.com/harmonicperspective/   September 29th Rev Debbie | Our resident trans medium communications with your loved ones in spirit. Visit her Facebook page  

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

Nightly prayers include COVID-19. Each night we work on scrambling the frequency for everyone on the prayer list. Your name will be added to a special VIP Prayer list where Jimmy will use his intelligent computer software, src4you which runs 24/7, to delete the negative and increase the strength of the positive creating a higher probability of favorable outcomes for you.  

In addition, throughout the full 30-days, Jimmy will be dialing into your energetic signature each day upon rising and make certain that you are a clear yes, unclear to no and running forward before you start your day. He is doing the heavy lifting for you around 3am NY time while most of you are asleep in order to smooth out your way and increase your most favorable life outcomes.

The 30-day service is now being offered exclusively  and you also have the option of selecting an ongoing subscription ($95/month) which is managed through PayPal only.

Upon written email request, for each new order we offer a one-time email analysis via the intelligent healing software that Jimmy uses on your behalf.  Most clients have had amazing results and outcomes!

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers. *NOTE if the MDP Service was purchased via a special telesummit or radio show offer, prayers will be limited to BUYER ONLY - and will not include family members or pets.

You can run this monthly and stop at any time after the 30 days is up, you will have the opportunity to renew and update your list each month but are under no obligation. I believe you will experience magical transformations and make progress every day! 

Sign Up for 30-Days - $99

 Tampa Office Sessions

FRIDAY KODAWARI YOGA STUDIOS 

Friday sessions are back to being phone-only for folks that I usually see at Kodawari until further notice. You can book time with me in the shop and schedule online.   3965 Henderson Blvd Suite C Tampa ☎️ (813) 999-1874 http://www.kodawariyoga.com/

Go deep sea "fishing" with Jimmy!

Level 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime! Click here to watch the Mastery video playlist

The Certificate of Mastery Program includes 2 best-selling ebooks and 2 clearing audios plus written & video instructions, AND one-on-one time with Jimmy ALL for about the cost of a single 1-hr session! This online course is for anyone who is familiar with OR new to "fishing" and is ready to dive into the deep end & get results that are beyond the ordinary! It includes The Tackle Box & The Dowser's Handbook ebooks PLUS 2 MP3s "Clearing Dark Energies" & "Increasing Your Intuition" to help clear, strengthen and prepare your energy field for optimal “fishing” results. This is a work-at-your-own-pace curriculum that will TEACH & CLEAR you at the same time! In under 2wks you will be finished with the program and ready to fish on your own with greater results! Level II offers Practitioner Certification for those who qualify.

LEARN MORE HERE

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

For those who aren't familiar, here's the list of the MyBeliefWorks™ audio library. 

Find a topic that addresses your issue(s), click on the link to read more. We had a lot of help downloading & channeling these over the years & they keep getting better. Don't forget... you can share these with you immediate friends and family.

Abundance Abuse Addiction Body Scan: Head to Toe COVID-19 Daily GPS Reset Dark Energies/Fears Decision Making Diet & Exercise Education & Learning Family & Relatives The Gold Coin Healing Physical Body Healing Mental Stress Holiday Stress

Increasing Intuition IRS & Tax Time Love & Romance Money Mindset Moving Forward Pain Relief Pet Healing Sales & Success Improving Sex Improving Sleep Traveling w/Ease Work & Career Weight Loss Windfall Youth & Vitality

TGIFunny

Share

Tweet

Forward

Pinterest

Jimmy Mack | Appointments Skype: Jimmy.Mack55 Clearwater Florida USA Book a 15 minute session Book a 30 minute session Book a 60 minute session ​ ​​Transformational Healing of Body, Mind​ & Spirit, People, Places, Pets & Situations!​ ​ Download the My Liquid Fish® Starter Kit (*Updated May 2019) Audio MP3 Downloads​ and books​ to improve your life! Get Certified in ​My Liquid Fish® Change Made Simple® Watch Free Videos on YouTube Weekly Radio Show Archives Shop for ​Supplements ​ http://www.jimmymackhealingshop.com www.jimmymackhealing.com Copyright ©1998-2020 All Rights Reserved  

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.smbeconnected.com  

Stay connected!

  Our mailing address is: Clearwater Florida 33756 USA

[httpsung]

baby, there’s a shark in the water pt. 3 (final)

pairing: reader x young k x wonpil x sungjin x jina (oc)

genre: angst

word count: 5,431

previous: pt.1 | pt.2

note: i want to thank everyone who has left comments and supported this mini series. this was intially suppose to be a one-shot but you guys kept me motivated and also inspired me to make it longer. sadly this is the finale and I hope you guys will still enjoy this last piece, happy reading!

It was like he vanished into thin air. No one knew where Brian Kang had disappeared to, not even the teachers. There were rumors of him being expelled and harsh words that he might have been locked up. All which made you worry like crazy, it hurt your heart knowing that you were the last person to see him. 

You thought that everything would be okay and considered talking your mom into letting him stay a little longer until he could figure something out, she had never become so fond of one of your friends so quickly, it was like she fell in love when he smiled and soon she would start preaching wedding plans which you’d have to turn down. Your mom was that kind of parent, willing to set you up with any nice young man she liked.

A week had passed, things were alright with Wonpil and the two of you ate lunch on the rooftop again, occasionally joined by Dowoon who didn’t speak much but his presence was nice to have around. You didn’t bother asking about Sungjin especially when Wonpil didn’t bring him up, he seemed to be over the issues with him and maybe that was for the best. It was sad, however, that a long-term friendship had come to this.

“Are you alright Y/n…?” Wonpil nudged you playfully. You caught on to the end of his and Dowoon’s laughter, zoning out on the joke that was made. You were too busy thinking about Brian. “Oh, I’m fine!” You smiled and nudged him back, taking a bite of the meal your mom made you last night.

“Good.” Wonpil smiled and used his chopsticks to snag a bit of your food.

“Kim Wonpil!” You shouted and gave him a frown, causing Dowoon to snort at the situation. Wonpil placed the piece of shrimp in his mouth with an innocent expression you couldn’t stay mad at for long.

“You jerk.” You muttered trying not to smile back. Wonpil draped his arm around your shoulder.

“I’m sorry Y/n, you can have some of mine.” He offered and you graciously accepted taking more from his lunch box than he expected.

“Hey!” He exclaimed and you laughed with a shrug as you ate his food.

When lunch was over you saw a familiar figure who had everyone stopping to stare. “Brian…?” You called out his name and he turned around. You felt relief at seeing him safe but all the worrying you had done rose to the surface. You frowned as you marched up to him to everyone’s surprise. “Where have you been?! Do you know how worried I was?”

You completely ignored the students around you, forgetting that Wonpil and Dowoon were right behind you.

“Calm down… I’m fine Y/n. I moved in with my aunt and I will be staying with her from now on, she lives near here...” He responded hoping that would ease your mind.

“You could have called me!” You bickered, making him raise his brow. “Well, I don’t have your number!” Brian argued back with you, but there was a smile ready to dance across his lips. Your lips formed a pout, a habit when you were slightly upset. You gave Brian a light shove and he placed his hand on top of your head.

“If you’re so concerned about me, I’ll give you my number next time so you can keep tabs. I have to get to class now.” He laughed as he walked away. His comment had your face flushing and you realized that you had put on a scene in front of your whispering peers.

You turned around to your friends, ready to apologize but noticed Wonpil had gone on ahead leaving Dowoon to stare at you with a grin.

“What’s that look for?” You questioned him with a tilt of your head. Dowoon shook his head and walked past you, his silence had you curious as you followed him.

Wonpil:

Everything seemed to be slowly getting back on track after he got over his cold. Wonpil felt great about his return to school though he dreaded the math work he had to catch up on. He was no longer going to let himself worry about Sungjin, a weight lifting off his chest when he stopped all thoughts about the other male. He found himself speaking to Dowoon more often, even though the boy was more of the silent type, occasionally the two would share a few jokes and talk about music. Wonpil felt glad that he was talking with Y/n again, just a little time without her made his heart feel sick. On this day, he enjoyed his time on the rooftop eating lunch with her and Dowoon and afterward the three headed back to class.

Y/n who had been walking slightly ahead of him and Dowoon froze suddenly which made his eyes wander to who she was staring at. It was Brian Kang who had been missing for a week. He heard rumors about the male getting kicked out of school or worse and he didn’t know what to believe. There were students who ogled him as always, but what surprised Wonpil the most was Y/n, and how she approached him so confidently, nagging him as if they had known each other forever.

Wonpil watched the two an odd feeling rising inside him that he didn’t like.

“They’re cute together, hm?” A voice crept up behind him and then he felt an arm drape around his shoulder. Wonpil looked to his left to see Y/n’s friends. Roo and Alice, both with their eyes on her and Brian.

“You’re right Roo, I think they’re adorable.” Alice giggled as she rocked back and forth on her heels. Roo removed her arm from around Wonpil and gave him a pat on the back before she walked away with Alice following. It was like the two were trying to make a point though he wasn’t quite sure what. Wonpil was sure however that he didn’t want to watch Y/n and Brian interact any longer so he went on to class ahead, giving a slight wave good bye to Dowoon.

In class, he rested his head on his desk not noticing if Y/n had entered the room or not. Seconds later he heard his teacher’s voice which made him raise his head, peeking back at his friend who was now in her seat. Wonpil’s eyes lingered on her while she got out her book, those feelings that he called himself switching off before were definitely on again.

Jina:

“I can’t believe her… why is she talking to Brian all of a sudden?!” Her voice became higher pitched when she was angry and she couldn’t control it. She noticed the face of her best friend who tried to conceal his laughter which only added fuel to the fire. Jae had always been there to listen to her when she needed to get things off her chest though sometimes she thought he couldn’t be helpful at all.

Jina knew she should have been in class but right now she wasn’t up to seeing a certain person’s face and that person was Y/n. She never had an issue with her until recently. Not until she realized that the guy she had been in love with for the last year has a thing for her. Brian Kang hardly showed his interest in girls and she was one of those unlucky few no matter how hard she tried but the way he looked at Y/n, the fact that he actually spoke to the girl let her know that he finally found someone to steal his heart.

Brian Kang was that tough guy and the kind of guy she was most attracted to, she couldn’t keep her eyes off him whenever he was near and hoped for the day where his eyes would only look at her. 

“She’s not even cute I don’t get it!” Jina ran her fingers through her hair in frustration as she paced back and forth. Jae constantly glanced from his phone to her as she spoke.

Her heart raced, anger seeping from her mouth and her eyes welled with tears. She tried so hard with Brian only for him to ignore her every time. Jina gripped her head as she thought back to the time where he helped her out one night. Brian got into a fight over her behalf, saving her from a bunch of guys who hung around the park near by, late at night. She was only there to get away for a while when they approached her trying to sway her into leaving with them. Brian was there to tell them to go away and when they didn’t he took the first swing, protecting her, making her fall in love with him right then.

After that night, it was like Brian didn’t know she existed and over time it was slowly killing her.

“Jina…” Jae sighed as he pulled her toward him gently, removing her hands from her head. He knew she would start pulling out her hair next if he didn’t stop her.

“You should probably stop chasing after a guy like him, just focus on Sungjin at least he’s sweet,” Jae advised.

“Sungjin’s weak… I only see him when I’m in need, I don’t want him for anything else.” She said bluntly.

“If you keep chasing after a guy who doesn’t even care about your presence you’ll continue being miserable,” Jae said sternly. This was one of those times where he wasn’t going to be much help.

“Shut up!” She yelled at him and hurried away. Jina pulled out her phone to text Sungjin. She was hurting and needed a quick fix to make her feel better again.

Meet me in the music room now.

Sungjin:

Sungjin stood between bookshelves in the library, flipping through crisp pages of a book he had been interested in checking out for some time now. He knew it would be returned today so he made sure to pick it up before anyone else could snag it and make him wait another week. He felt his pants vibrate signaling that he had received a new text message. His eyes widened slightly at the sender, it was Jina who never asked to meet with him on school grounds, their affairs always began after school was over.

Meet me in the music room now.

Sungjin’s lips curled slightly at the corners, her message came off as a bit demanding but he was happy to comply.

I’m on my way.

“Excuse me…” A light voice tore his gaze away from his phone. It was a girl whom he had seen around before if he wasn’t mistaken she was friends with Y/n and her name started with an A.

“Yes…?” Sungjin answered, locking eyes with her.

“I was wondering if you could help me find this book… it’s called The Rest of Us Just Live Here,” She said. Sungjin glanced from her bright eyes to the book in his hand. “Ah well…” He started to speak, she was asking to find the book he had finally got a hold of.

“Here…” Sungjin handed the book over to her.

“Oh!” She exclaimed taking the book from his hands. “Are you sure? You can keep it since you got to it first, I don’t mind waiting.” She gave him a smile that was so beautiful he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to look away. Sungjin smiled in return and nodded his head.

“I’m sure.” He chuckled. “I’ve been waiting so long to read this I don’t mind waiting a little longer.” He added.

“Thank you, you’re sweet um…?” She stared at him as if she was waiting for a name which he responded immediately.

“Sungjin… I’m Sungjin.” He said.

“Alice… when I’m done Sungjin I’ll hand it over to you personally. And maybe we can talk about it afterward?!” Alice asked excitedly which made him laugh and nod once more. She was cute.

“Sure thing,” Sungjin replied as he turned to walk away with a wave.  Alice gave him a wave before she hurried off to check out the book, his eyes lingering after her a few seconds longer.

Sungjin arrived at the music room which was usually empty for the rest of the day at this time. He opened the door and entered quickly, switching on the light and pulling down the door shade. He thought Jina would have been there before him but while he waited he decided to sit at the piano and play a little.

Sungjin played a song he had been practicing since he was a kid, waiting and stopping when he heard a light tap on the door. It opened and Jina stepped through the threshold, shutting the door quickly and locking it behind her.

“Hey…” Sungjin smiled as he watched her saunter over to him. She bent down to kiss his lips harshly. He kissed her back, eyes catching tear stains on her cheeks making him pull away.

“Have you been crying…? What’s wrong…?” He asked.

Jina sat on top of the piano, pulling Sungjin to stand up in front of her. “Nothing…” She answered and grabbed his collar pulling him into a kiss, drawing him in between her legs.

Sungjin moaned into the kiss while her hands worked at his zipper, but before she could get any further he pulled away again.

“Jina…” He said her name calmly as she caressed his cheek. “Have you been crying over someone else…? Are you in love with someone?” He asked, watching her eyes widen for a second, her head shaking.

“No…” She replied, her lips moving to his neck, fingers unbuckling his belt.

“Okay…” Sungjin gave a faint smile. 

Liar. He knew she was lying, he saw that in her expression and though he thought he could carry on and wait for her to love him Sungjin knew in his heart that he couldn’t do it anymore.

This would be the last time their bodies would ever meet like this. No more touches, no more kisses.

Brian:

Life had been looking up for him, for once he felt good as he walked down the halls of the school. People still stepped to the side of course but not as many as before. He heard whispers that he seemed different that he was not as scary as he used to be. His appearance didn’t change, no, but maybe it was his aura that didn’t seem so dark anymore. How could it remain drab when he had such a beautiful light in his life? That night when he sat on the swing and thought his life couldn’t reach another low after the fight with his dad, she showed up and her help was all he needed.

He felt nervous as he stepped into Y/n’s home, meeting her mother who allowed him a spot on the couch. He watched her with her mom feeling happy instead of envious that she had such a good relationship with her parent. It had him thinking he could have the same support if he just answered one call.

Brian had an aunt not too far away, the next best person besides his mother who moved away a few years back. His aunt was the sister of his criminal father but she was a better person that he would ever be, offering him a place with her many times before which he never accepted. That night as he laid on Y/n’s couch he gave her a call, eyes welling with tears as he finally agreed to move in and accept the love he’s always needed.

None of this would have happened if it weren’t for Y/n. She didn’t know it but she was definitely the one knocking down the negativity he relished in and letting the positivity shine through.

When he saw her after school the day he returned he gave her his kakao id, smiling at her blushing face and lack of words for the moment. It was so she wouldn’t worry about him. He thought kakao might have been a little more comfortable than giving her his phone number. iI she ever got to the point where she wanted to hear his voice or if he wanted to hear his, it also had a call option.

He was surprised when she messaged him that night unable to keep the smile off his face.

Just keeping tabs y’know...

She was witty, using his words against him which made his heart beat for her even more.

“Party?” You repeated with the raise of your eyebrows at the dancing girl in front of you. It was Alice who was pumped about a party a kid named Sammy was having later at night. Alice had interrupted your conversation with Brian in the hallway to invite you along with her and Roo. The last time you went to a party you didn’t enjoy it much and left early, you weren’t sure if you felt up to relive another night like that.

“I don’t know…” You answered, prompting Alice to put on a cute act.

“Pleasee, Y/n? I feel like it’ll be fun.” Alice whined and you sighed.

“I think you should go.” Brian agreed and Alice clung to his arm as she cheered, surprising him. You laughed and sighed again.

“Alright, but you have to go to.” You grinned. You noticed Wonpil and Dowoon out the corner of your eye as they were about to pass by.

“You guys too okay?” You smiled.

“Us too? What do you mean…?” Wonpil asked curiously, his eyes glancing over at Brian. “There’s a party tonight that Sammy Boy is hosting,” Roo answered him.

“I’ll be there.” Brian interrupted. Wonpil tore his gaze from the other male to look at you. “I think I’ll skip out,” He gave you a small smile before walking away.

Your face dropped a little. Wonpil was just like you when it came to parties, he didn’t care much for them, but you were hoping he would go with the thought of dancing with him at some point in the back of your mind.

Night fell and the party arrived quicker than expected, soon you were dressed up deciding to wear a little bit of makeup, standing outside Sammy’s door with your friends at your side. 

The door opened and the music hit you in the face, the loud bass echoing around you as you, Alice and Roo stepped inside. It was crowded and you could barely feel the air conditioning as Alice tugged you further into the crowd, your eyes searching for more familiar faces, surprised to see Sungjin but not surprised to see Jina and Jae.

Your eyes landed on a face you had hoped wouldn’t let you down. Brian was posted on the wall with a red cup in his hand. His eyes met yours and he smiled, waving you over. Alice and Roo parted ways to do their own thing while you navigated your way over to Brian, relieved to be out the center of the crowd.

“Hectic, isn’t it?” He chuckled as he took a sip from his cup. You gave him a nod and stood right beside him. Being next to Brian was the safest place to be and you were glad he came.

“We can spend our time here and watch the craziness if you want?” He grinned and nudged you gently. You smiled back at him, taking his cup out of his hand to take a sip before handing it back.

“I’d love that… but let’s have at least one dance.” You smiled and reached to grab his hand, luring him away from the wall. You weren’t the best dancer but you didn’t mind showing what little moves you had to him. As days passed the two of you had grown closer and soon Brian felt like a friend you never wanted to see disappear from your life, he was genuinely a nice guy no matter if other people couldn’t see that.

You began to dance and Brian danced back. His movements surprised you, Brian was a good dancer and by looking at him you’d never expect  him to be. As his body got closer you felt your face flush, especially when the song switched into something a lot slower.

Your heart jumped as he carefully guided you closer to him, eyes looking to meet his, feeling as though you were losing yourself in his chocolate orbs.  There was a feeling fluttering through your stomach, a similar feeling you had with Wonpil but the odd thing is that it had been there for a while with Brian too.

You noticed him leaning in, your eyes on his lips. You were starting to think you wouldn’t mind if he kissed you but something in the back of your head urged you to look away and then you saw him enter the house. It was Wonpil who looked a little different. While your eyes focused on him you didn’t notice how Brian’s fell in defeat.

Wonpil:

Wonpil stood outside the door of the party for a few minutes, taking a deep breath in and exhaling. Dowoon stood beside him without a word, not pressuring him to enter right away. Wonpil had a lot on his mind and it all involved one person and that person was Y/n.  Lately, she had been on his mind non-stop and though he was around her, eating lunch, laughing, his heart thumped something fierce as if it needed him to get a few words of his chest.

He needed to tell her how he felt, how he always felt even though he didn’t show it. He sat at home after school, thinking about her and about Brian and how he hoped the boy didn’t have her heart just yet. Wonpil called Dowoon up as he got dressed, asking the quiet male to tag along with him to the party, he didn’t want to go in alone and he was happy when Dowoon easily agreed.

He turned to his sister for help with his hair and she styled it nicely, parting his bangs to reveal his forehead, a look she was sure would make the girls go wild but he only wanted one girl to notice him.

Inside the party, his eyes scanned the scene until he found Y/n but she was with Brian. Wonpil fought through the thought of backing down and leaving her to be but when he noticed her staring in his direction it boosted him to make his way across the room with a call of her name.

“Y/n...” He smiled at her then look to Brian. “Do you mind if I cut in?” He asked the male who gave him a nod, backing off with a faint smile to allow Wonpil time with her.

“You look great, I can’t believe this is you…” She smiled, reaching up to lightly brush her hand against his hair.

“Thank you…” Wonpil blushed and started to dance a bit as he tuned into the beat of the song. He kept his eyes on her and she kept his eyes on him, when the music slowed Wonpil courageously wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. He noticed her eyes fell for a few seconds, and he smiled, feeling content that he decided to show up after all. When the song ended he stopped and leaned in to whisper in her ear.

“Want to take a walk?” He asked and she happily agreed. Wonpil took her hand and led her out of the party ignoring the eyes that stared at them. It was nice and cool outside, the temperature better than what it was in doors.

“I’m happy you came.” Y/n smiled at him and he smiled back, his hand still holding hers, he didn’t want to let it go.

“Y/n…” Wonpil stopped walking and turned to her.

“I love you...” He confessed, watching her eyes widen in surprise. 

“Wonpil I…” She said his name with a tone he wasn’t expecting, her voice was sweet as it had always been but lying underneath was heartbreak, he could tell that he was a little too late.

Jina:

She tried to keep herself as calm as possible as she approached him. Jina wasn’t going to let the moment Brian and Y/n had just moments ago stop her this time from getting his attention. She made her way to the wall he leaned on with a cup in her hand, casually taking sips as she worked up the courage to speak. When she finally turned to him his eyes met hers and her face flushed immediately.

“Hi, Brian I…”

“If this is about a dance… I’m sorry but I’m not feeling too well. I’m going to head out.” He cut her off with a small smile, the first time he’s ever curled his lips at her.

Jina stood as she watched the boy she was in love with walk away from her again, all the energy she had to finally speak to him gone. She could feel her eyes burning, threatening tears as she pulled out her cell phone to text Sungjin who stood with a girl across the room.

Meet me upstairs…? I need you…

She met his eyes briefly, noticing him responding to her message. Jina waited for his text, when it arrived and she read it, her tears fell.

I can’t… I’m not doing this anymore Jina.

She didn’t notice Jae watching her as she ran out the door to get some air instead of crying in a place where everyone could see.

“Jina!” Jae called her name but she didn’t look up from the palms of her hands.

“I’m so stupid Jae…” She spoke as she heard his footsteps stop next to her.

“How can I be so crazy in love with a person who doesn’t even know I exist...?” She sobbed.

“Sungjin doesn’t even need me anymore… I know I’m a horrible person for using him but I didn’t expect that to hurt too…”

Jae was silent as he watched his best friend have a breakdown for the last time.

“You are horrible for using Sungjin Jina… you’re a fool for begin in love with Brian.” The fact that Jae agreed with her was the confirmation she needed to help her move on.

“But you’re also a fool Jina… for not noticing that I’m someone who’s loved you all along.” She didn’t raise her head to see the smile on his face but she felt his arms wrap around her and she cried into his chest.

“Jae…” She sniffled as he placed a kiss on the top of her head, these were the arms she belonged in.

Sungjin:

Sungjin watched the girl who had a tight hold on his heart run out the door leaving him relieved. He couldn’t feel sorry for denying the girl who had used him up for days and played games with his vulnerable heart. He spent an entire night thinking and even interrupted his parents who were sleeping to talk about the things that had been bothering him for once. It was a freeing feeling to get all of the pent-up emotions he held in for the last few months off his chest, making him feel light again.

“Are you alright Sungjin?” Alice’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts and he turned to her with a smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He answered and she continued her talk about the book they’ve both read, this was a connection he was looking forward to seeing grow.

His words echoed through your ears, this was the confession you had been waiting for, it was also a confession you’d never thought you’d hear. Kim Wonpil was in love with you. You imagined this moment plenty of times before, imagined your heart swelling and soaring into the clouds, but the moment he walked through the door your heart didn’t skip a beat at the sight of him like it used to. You would always love Wonpil, he was your friend, your best friend for that matter, but you were not in love with him anymore.

“Wonpil I…” You paused trying to find the right words to say.

“It’s fine, I just wanted to get it off my chest….” He gave you that same smile he always did and you smiled back, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.

Wonpil noticed someone and nodded his head in their direction. “It looks like he’s leaving… I think you should go catch him.” He smiled and let your hand go. You turned to notice Brian walking down the street and that’s when you heard the sound of your own heartbeat in your ears.

“Thank you...” You looked at Wonpil one last time before hurrying after Brian.

“Hey, you!” You called out to him, prompting him to turn around. You ran as fast as you could to catch up to Brian who gave you a confused look.

“I thought you left with your friend Wonpil…” Brian said, his eyes looking everywhere else but yours.

“I was with him but I decided to come after you.” You gave him a smile.

“Why? You should be with the person you love...” His eyes finally met yours. You never knew Brian caught on to the way you felt about Wonpil but he needed to know that those feelings faded.

“Well, I think I’m in the right place…” You felt as though you would die right there when you said those words, Brian’s eyes lighting up like you had never seen and for once he had a shy smile on his lips. You reached for his hand and he took yours in his, the two of you enjoying slow steps under the moonlight.

Wonpil:

Wonpil made his way down the hallway with his lunch in his hand, trying not to stare at the lovey-dovey sight that was Park Jaehyung and Jina in the hallway. He should have expected best friends like that to become lovers and though Jina caused some issues with Sungjin before, he was happy she found happiness.

He opened the door that led to the school’s rooftop, shuddering at the cool air that hit his face. The temperature was slowly dropping as the seasons began to change, in a couple more months it would be snowing and he wasn’t sure if he’d be eating on the rooftop then. He sat down on the concrete with his lunch bag between his legs, waiting for everyone else to arrive, he didn’t want to start eating just yet.

The door opened and Alice stepped through first with a wave, Sungjin right behind her. “Hey, hey!” She smiled and Wonpil replied with a wave of his own.

“Hey man…” Sungjin smiled as he sat down next to Wonpil. Things were right again between him and his best friend, Sungjin apologized a million times and finally let him in on the issues that made him go astray. Wonpil forgave him and accepted the new love he found in Alice, supporting the book nerds.

Roo came through the door next, frowning at the couple who left ahead of her again and it wouldn’t be long before she’d playfully accused Sungjin of stealing Alice away from her. Dowoon showed up with a girl he had been spending time with, he didn’t think the quiet guy would open up on that level but he was glad he found someone who could probably get more words out of him than anyone else.

The last two showed up late as usual but when they finally walked through the door Wonpil smiled. Y/n and Brian had been going strong and after getting to know Brian better for himself Wonpil thought he was the best match for his friend.

Everyone sat around chatting and eating making him feel content. He wanted every day to continue on like this where everyone was happy and far from lonely.

“So, are you guys up for going to the amusement park this weekend?” Y/n asked. “I’m down.” Wonpil agreed and so did everyone else.

“Is it okay if I invite Jae and Jina too...? Jae overheard me talking about it and…” She sighed and laughed, prompting Sungjin to laugh too.

“I’m fine with it.” He nodded, wrapping his arm around Alice.

“Me too.” Wonpil agreed.

“I feel bad that Wonpil over here doesn’t have a date though.” Sungjin teased Wonpil as he took a sip from his water bottle.

“He has me,” Roo answered with a grin, making Wonpil choke.

[lifeasitis21]

Ivory Black

Pairing: Pietro x Reader

Summary: The reader meets an unlikely stranger.

A/N: This is my newest fic to date! (May 2017) And I’m so excited for you to read it! Enjoy and as always, feedback is welcome!

“This could be crazy, but...”

   The words ran through your head on repeat. You could still remember the crinkle in his brow and the way his lip pulled slightly. Nothing safe ever in history followed those words but you still took his hand anyway. 

Had it even been 4 hours since you met? Your head spun ever so slightly from the alcohol but it was the perfect buzz. Just enough to give you the courage to leave the bar with him, and god are you glad you did.

You’d been at the bar with a few friends but a few drinks in and two of them were already failing to comfort Paul, who’d had just enough to remember his recent breakup. You tried your hand at helping him move on earlier in the week but now you sat at the bar at a loss. You figured it wouldn’t be long until someone called him a cab, but you didn’t mind drinking alone. 

15 minutes of silent sobbing later and he was on his way out with both friends on his arm.

“See you tomorrow. Call if you need me.” You sent a soft smile his way that he returned to the best of his ability. 

Now that you were alone at the end of the bar with a drink half full you saw two decisions before you. Either order a few more until you have to call a cab for yourself, or wait patiently for the next brave soul to buy them for you.

You sided with the second, accepting that you would regret waking up with a hangover and short of cash.

You surveyed the room waiting for someone to catch your eye when you landed on a man who you noticed walk in around the same time as you did an hour earlier. He sat by himself, eyes cast down at the drink in his hand. He didn’t look  troubled, just content, like you were. You waited to see if he would “accidentally” catch you watching him but he didn’t make it so easy. 

You moved on just as a man approached from behind you. He leaned both arms down on to the bar beside you and ordered himself a drink. Bravely looking over at you he motioned towards your drink. “..and, whatever she’s having.” 

You looked up and began the routine: Smile. Don’t forget the eyes. Convincing laugh. “Oh, thank you! So sweet of you.”

He looked down with his trade marked Gosling-eyes and leaned closer to you. “Anything for you beautiful. I’m Brent.” (maybe. you weren’t paying much attention) “...it’s just, amazing, to meet someone like you.” 

Someone like you...he had never layed eyes on you before tonight, what could ‘someone like you’ possibly mean? 

The conversation you preferred and honestly expected began shortly after his lavish introduction. You know, the one where he does all the talking for the both of you, even while somehow asking you questions he wouldn’t know the answer to.

“...are you from here? You have to be. I mean I’ve been to this bar a few times it’s probably one of my favorites but it’s not like thee bar. You know? Like, I feel like people just visiting would ask Siri like ‘Best bar in New York’ and this wouldn’t be one to come up right away you know? It’s like low key but it’s still totally amazing. Somewhere for true Yorkers right...”

He really liked that word. Your eyes feigned interest as they wandered his face. He was cute, probably, but on this occasion you were truly just in it for the drink.

Knowing he most likely wouldn’t notice, you pulled out your phone and went into the ‘Sound’ section of your settings. The default ringtone rang out just loud enough to pull him from his monologue.

“Oh! I should really take this, it’s work.” (at 11:34 on a Saturday night.) You weren’t worried he would notice, and he didn’t.

“Of course! I’ll be here next Friday again! Lets meet up.”

You tightly smiled and put your phone to your ear as you headed towards the door. 

As soon as you were out you slid your phone into your bag and started towards your apartment. You were a little over half a mile away but you didn’t mind walking. There was a small crowd outside the bar and as you maneuvered through them a hand gently grabbed your forearm. You quickly turned expecting Brad (maybe) but it was far from him. 

“Maybe this is a bad move on my part but I didn’t have very many options left.” He looked down at you with midnight blue eyes, and seemingly waited for you to respond, so you did.

“Okay. Are you talking about something specifically or...”

He laughed shortly and gathered himself. “Yes, and no. As weird as this sounds, I saw you at the bar and meant to approach you but your friend beat me to it.” 

“Oh, you mean Brian.” You smiled and he mirrored you. “Well he wasn’t really a friend, and if you're offering to buy me a drink I have to decline. I’ve hit my limit...”

His smile faltered slightly before you continued. “...but, if you’re offering to walk me home, then the answer is yes. I’m Y/n.”

His eyes seemed to swallow you up, when you realized they were the same eyes that stared down a drink in the corner.

He reached out and took your hand in his.“I’m Pietro. It’s nice to meet you Y/n.” 

You only now noticed his slight accent, but you didn’t recognize it. Not your favorite conversation starter, but you were intrigued. Before you even asked the question he seemed to know what you were going to say. 

“I’m from a place called Sokovia. I’ve been here in the city for a few years now though. I have to assume though, that you are also from here.” 

You looked up in question.

“I mean, I've only ever seen locals in that bar.” He knowingly smiled and you burst in laughter.

“So you heard that?”

“I’m pretty sure the entire bar heard Ben’s life story.” 

You’d been walking for a few blocks and only now noticed he still had your hand. You didn’t pull it away. 

The conversation grew more comfortable with every block. It ranged from jobs, to childhood, to favorite restaurants with ease; like you knew each others answers before they were spoken. 

Every step closer to your apartment felt like one more weight added to your shoulders. The connection felt natural and ending it was the last thing you wanted. 

“How much farther is it?” He asked. His voice told you he was hoping it was miles away and you smiled.

“It’s a block up.”

Without a complaint he continued to walk but you took note when his pace slowed ever so slightly. 

You could see your door now but this was life, and all your life you’d told yourself to just live it, so that’s what you were going to do. 

The two of you walked hand in hand right up to your door, and then you continued to walk. You could feel his eyes on you as you passed the door and you just smiled.

“You know how I told you I work part time at that book store on 5th?”

“I do.” He said, interest in his voice.

“Well I have keys, coffee in the back room, and I also have that book you mentioned wanting to finally read.” 

“Well, to the bookstore then.” He laughed as you excitedly pulled him faster.

The store was a 10 minute walk from your apartment but time flew by as the two of you talked about any and everything.

Even though it was the middle of June, a chill ran down your back as you opened the door to the bookstore.

It was one of those stores with frayed book covers and that slightly old book smell. It made you feel at home when you walked in which is why you jumped at the opportunity to work there for the summer.

“Make yourself comfortable.” You smiled as you made your way to the backroom to start the coffee you’d promised. The steam from the machine filled the room with a beautiful aroma. 

Instantly you were warm again and missing Pietro’s presence. The close proximity of the bookshelves to one another made the store cozy but useful. There was never a time when a customer didn’t find what they were looking for.

You saw Pietro pass by at the end of one of the aisles for just a second before he was gone again.

“You were right Y/n. It’s beautiful.” His voice bounced off the walls, making it seem like he was all around you. 

“I’m glad you like it. ‘A store for all your book-centered needs.’”

He chuckled at that. “That’s good. I like that.” You could hear the smile in his voice.

“His was a great sin...” He began.

You could hear his light steps as he approached you. He came around the corner and rested his shoulder against the nearest shelf. “...’His was a great sin who first invented consciousness. Let us lose it for a few hours.’ Fitzgerald said that.”

You took a few steps towards him and waited for him to explain.

“It sounds so profound. Almost like he’s begging for those around him to forget themselves for awhile; like he’s waiting for that person who will willing lose themselves with him. Forget everything but each other.” His words flowed like velvet. Only now did you notice the way his eyes fluttered from your eyes down to your lips. Not lustfully but almost as if he was watching as an invisible artist sculpted a masterpiece.

“..All of those interpretations are possible, but it’s most likely he was talking about sleep. Which I can still relate to.”

“Insightful.” You said with a smirk.

He took cautioned steps towards you, eyes still fluttering. Just as he reached you his eyes drifted behind you and he took a deep breath. “Is that coffee?”

He looked back at you and without missing a beat you turned and lead him to the office. “Right this way for the best coffee you’ve ever had in your entire life.”

With steaming cups in hand Pietro now lead the way to one of the reading nooks towards the back of the store. this particular one was on the second floor  next to a window.

“Oh this is just, too romantic right? Are we supposed to fall in love in that window seal? I mean come on.”

You burst into laughter and took a seat on the bench. It was big enough to fit the both of you comfortably but he took the chair next to the window and turned it towards you.

“You wouldn’t believe how many couples I find back here just going at it. It gets way intense.”

His eyes went wide. “Wait, really?” 

You kept a straight face for a few beats, “No. it’s a bookstore. Our demographic is single, 20 to 35 year olds and then 60 and above.”

“That sounds perfect though.” Pietro chimed in. “No one comes in to waste your time which must be nice. And it’s guaranteed to always be quiet no matter the time of day, which, how can you turn that down?”

Time drifted on with conversation until your cups were nearly empty. The most recent topic was astrology which had Pietro next to you on the bench while you looked up at the visible stars. He went on about his sign and its correlating constellation and then almost lost his mind when he found out the two of you matched up for ‘deepest connections’ according to a book he’d read once.

A comfortable silence spread between the two of you. You barely noticed when stood up but when you did you stood as well. 

“I guess it’s getting late isn’t it.” 

You thought this was it but he looked down at you with something else in his eyes. 

“Would you like to go somewhere with me?” he asked vaguely.

“Somewhere like where?”

Excitement bubbled up inside you as he placed his hand at your waist gently. 

“This could be crazy. in fact, I know it is, but I’m expected in Florence the day after tomorrow for business--”

“Pietro I--”

“I want you to come with me Y/n.”

You were almost speechless. “Wait, Pietro--I mean--I don’t even know what to say.”

His eyes lit up. “Say you’ll come.”

You could barely comprehend what was happening; it all felt like a dream, but you never woke up.

Hours later you were sat next to him on a jet with the word Stark across the side of it. When you questioned the legality of it all his only response was “He’s a friend. He won't mind.”

You watched the clouds sail by below you as your hand rested comfortably in his. He pulled it up to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on the back. You looked over and watched as his eyes fluttered closed in content.

“This is absolutely crazy.”

He glanced up when you spoke and locked eyes with you. “What are the odds I would meet you today, and that you would say yes to this?”

“It was very unlikely. It almost seems like fate.” You laughed and he ran his thumb over your hand.

“What are the odds of me kissing you right now?”

In this moment you wanted nothing more than to forget everything, and lose yourself with him.

“Now that seems far more likely.”