#welp time to fly on a plane tomorrow

[birdsandbeetlesandmoths]

So. Sonic 3. That was. certainly. hoo boy *collapses to the sound of a metal pipe falling*

Spoilers and thoughts under cut (LONG POST)

Well, my pre-movie post was SO WRONG. I think most stobotnik fans were, thinking that Stone would be the one dying. I- truly wasn’t expecting it.

I’ll get back to that in a second, let me get all of my silly things out of the way/the things i was hype about/had to crush my partner and friend’s hands about while witnessing.

The antics between Gerald and Ivo were expected but oh my GOD JIM CARREY. you are a national treasure, have fun in retirement. we will miss you greatly, but this being your final movie (probably) is a great thing to culminate your absolutely stunning career.

Anyway, their dance sequence was fucking insane, and as much as I was cringing, I was grinning through it too. The fight on the Eclipse cannon was also questionable BUT HOLY FUCK NOW I GET THE PRAYING MANTIS/FLY REFERENCE. (Thank god it wasn’t directly about stone and robotnik but i’m already cooking how i can connect them). Spanking? Also in my Sonic movie. But yeah.

Gerald and Ivo could never be more alike in intellect, but different in morals. Evident through Gerald’s fixation on avenging his daughter with no remorse or thought for whoever will get in the way, throwing away Ivo and the whole of the world as a result). He’s willing to kill himself, but as Shadow says and believes, that isn’t what Maria would have wanted.

I used to not like the Wachowskis. I was already a little unsettled when the first movie released by the fact that characters unrelated to previous Sonic media were being utilized as major plot elements, but during the second and third movies, I began to absolutely love them.

This third movie cemented that love. The father-son relationship between Tom and Sonic specifically. My heart was aching in the first scene at their little campsite, Happy BEarthday, and their heart-to-heart in Sonic’s old cave, talking about Choice (an analysis incoming) and that you always have a choice, and that your lungs (heart) will help you find the right one.

I think this movie might’ve done. One of the best jobs of displaying found family. The sibling relationship between Tails, Knuckles, and Sonic was the most heartrendingly beautiful and achingly real thing I’ve seen in a while. And it really hits you, the fact that they’re kids.

And the amount of silly little jokes, Tails having his gadgetry and Knuckles with his blunt personality, Sonic tying them all together with his wit and charm, it all became slightly surreal to see. To see something so happy, so delicately real.

Oh my god, on the trio, Knuckles saving both Sonic and Tails from falling to Earth. I was gasping that whole time, truly being sent into the moment. Movies and media rarely do that to me in the emotional sense.

AND AS FOR SHADOW AND MARIA

Holy fuck at least I was right about that part in my pre-movie wishes. I thought it was interesting how they adapted it, and it definitely made for it to be slightly more believable and less complicated.

But oh my gosh them. Skating around the lab, messing around together, introducing Shadow to that great 70s music and dancing, watching movies together and just being kids!! And don’t even get me started on the rooftop scene. Shadow was so vulnerable and self-conscious, and Maria comforted him in a way that touched me. Understands him in a way that no one else ever has, as everyone else only saw him as the experiment and the subject, while she saw him as his own person, with thoughts and emotions and curiosities.

It paralleled Sonic and Tom in the cinematography too, and the sentiment was all the same. That Shadow can choose who he wants to be. (I Am All I Am and Choice. Trust, it’s coming soon)

Maria and Shadow made me unbearably happy. It was all I could’ve ever asked for and more.

Shadow and Sonic were an absolutely crazy duo this show. Dude, in their fight versus each other? Both going Super and absolutely going at it, and Shadow having the absolute gall to accuse Sonic of not caring about his friends, that he was clearly here alone because he abandoned them, and mention Tom, which caused Sonic to go completely over the edge, and actually punch him straight into space and lose his Super.

Sonic and Shadow reconciling over their shared feeling of grief, Sonic sharing his pain, emphasizing the love that will be able to help them heal, Shadow reciprocating, and then Shadow remembering Maria after looking up at the stars, realizing, from Sonic’s words, that this truly wasn’t what Maria wanted, just that whole moon scene between them is living in my head rent free and I need to see it over and over again.

HOLYYY SHIT THEY PLAYED LIVE AND LEARN WHEN SUPER SONIC AND SUPER SHADOW TEAMED UP AND BEAT THE EVER LIVING FUCK OUT OF THOSE ROBOTS. Me and my friends were going so fucking insane in that theater.

Shadow remembering Maria (possibly for the last time) as he sacrifices himself to push the Eclipse cannon away from the place that Maria loved. Remembering all of the good moments, the love between them, that is all he wanted if he was going to leave the world for good. (Well, I mean, he’s still alive, but the amnesia route is still optional)

Sonic actually going slightly insane this movie was also very interesting to watch. His absolute- like, his vision went RED when Shadow mentioned Tom. That was what set him OFFFF. His abuse of the Master Emerald and even threatening his own best friends/siblings over this— god the emphasis of choice in this film I want to sob.

Also, yall already KNOW I WAS BALLING ABOUT THE AKIRA SLIDE, SNAPCUBE REFERENCES, AND EVERY TIME SHADOW BREATHED OR MOVED. Literally could not contain myself from absolutely sob-cry-screaming at Shadow and (Keanu did a great job btw) his entire story, his joy with Maria and his pain all after. (His Super form looked fuck beautiful, a new colorful hue every time I saw it)

All in all, Robotniks were hilarious, Maria and Shadow were beautifully tragic and just generally so so SO adorable and loving. I’m so glad that Tails and Knuckles got more serious appreciation and screen time this movie as well, because as much as Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles were sidelined in this movie (to put forth Robotniks and Shadow, understandably so), it still felt more fulfilling and real than in the second movie. Super forms continue to be beautiful onscreen, I would like to collapse and die from hearing ONE OK ROCK and Live and Learn.

AHEM. Now, clearly, I will be making a separate post solely about Stobotnik. Along with the multiple Stone-centric fics burning a hole in my brain and the choice and grief analyses awaiting my attention. Bear with me as I have SO MANY THOUGHTS.

We won. . . but at what cost.

My friends, my partner, you already know. We died and were promptly revived together in that theater.

[mossywriting]

When road tripping last week I arrived way too late at a little seaside town and EVERYTHING was closed. Except this burger stand. The man working there was so friendly, and welp, it inspired this Kalluzeb drabble that I might just turn into a fic someday

It was late. Far too late to be trying to find dinner in a town you have never set foot in before. Kallus’ stomach was rather upset with him at this fact, and had for the last ten minutes been letting out a string of noises Kallus hadn’t even known it was capable of. 

The small seaside town was quiet, with the gentle brushing of waves the only sound filling the air. Kallus had thought he would find it eerie, being used to the bustle of the big city, but instead, he had found it surprisingly calming. At least it meant no one was around to hear the telltale signs of his day gone awry.

The plan had been simple: Take a flight to the small airport in The Middle of Nowhere, take a taxi to the even smaller town in The Middle of Nowhere, meet up with his boss and colleagues for dinner, and from there on spend the evening preparing for their presentation tomorrow. 

Simple enough, right? 

At least, it would have been if he hadn’t been the only one who had made it. Sure, his flight had been delayed, and the taxi had broken down on its way - but he had undoubtedly made it. Four hours later than anticipated, yes, but here he was. His boss and colleagues had been flying in from another town, and their plane had been canceled not two, but three times, so they weren’t anywhere close to joining him.

Why his boss had decided to have their conference in this little… quaint town of all places, Kallus couldn’t fathom. But never the less. Here he was. 

All alone. And starving. 

After having done two sweeps of the town center, Kallus had come to the conclusion that all restaurants had closed down for the night, and he believed it was time to give up. He would simply have to accept that his dinner would be nothing more than the two small sweets lying on his pillow in the Bed and Breakfast he was staying at. 

Why his boss had decided to stay in a Bed and Breakfast was beyond Kallus, as well, but he had yet to find anything to complain about so he supposed he would just have to enjoy the respite from the usually anonymous marble floors and walls of the suites normally reserved for them on trips like these. 

With a defeated sigh, Kallus turned around and began to head back. 

As he crossed a street an energetic breeze ruffled through his air, and the telltale scent of the ocean washed past him. Well. If he was going to starve, he might as well do it while taking the scenic route, and he steered his steps out from the small, yet crowded buildings. 

The ocean, darker than even the night sky, gently lapped against the shoreline, its waves illuminated by a soft, yellow glow coming from the streetlights lining the walkway. It was undoubtedly beautiful, and Kallus filled his lungs with fresh air.

…and grilled meat? 

Kallus blinked. Surely he wasn’t so hungry he would begin to hallucinate? 

But undeniably, there it was, another whiff of meat drifting through the air, causing Kallus’ mouth to water. And then, there was the sound of music playing. 

Kallus turned around, and had he been a religious man the low-lit burger stand on the other side of the street would have been nothing short of a miracle. It stood on a spot of land between two official-looking buildings, a string of neon lights lighting up a menu offering several kinds of burgers, all to the soundtrack of 80’s rock playing from a speaker standing somewhere hidden from view.

Most importantly, someone was still there, clearly moving around inside. 

Kallus’ stomach began to sing. 

He hurriedly made his way across the street, glancing at the menu as he did. Honestly, anything would do, but his eyes almost immediately zeroed in on a ridiculously large-looking burger on the menu, Zeb’s Best Friend, and he knew without a doubt that it would satiate his hunger. 

The man inside the stand didn’t seem to notice Kallus’approach as he had his back turned to him, busy wiping off a shelf. He was humming along to whatever song was on at the moment, and Kallus absently took note of the tattoos covering his arms as he moved his hands in rhythm to the music to get to the last bits of dirt. 

Kallus cleared his throat. 

The man didn’t show any signs of having heard him. Now his hips began swaying along to the music as well.

“Excuse me,” Kallus tried. 

Again, no response. 

His stomach growled. 

Kallus walked up to the counter and knocked hard on the wood two times. “Excuse me!” 

That caught the man’s attention. He glanced over his shoulder before taking a few quick steps to the right where a small, but obviously powerful, speaker was standing. A second later, heavenly silence filled the air. “Sorry, worry,” he said, turning around while wiping his hands on a towel. “Didn’t hear ya.”

Obviously, Kallus thought sourly, but he managed to swallow his attitude. It wouldn’t help him to chew out his one chance at dinner. He take a few steps back so that he was once again able to take a quick look at the menu. “I’ll have the… Zeb’s Best Friend.”

“Sorry, mate,” the man answered, an apologetic tone in his voice. “I’m closed. The grill’s cold.”

Kallus’ eyes darted over to a sign next to the stand. He groaned inwardly. The stand had closed 20 minutes ago - right when he had been searching for food on the other side of town. Just his luck. 

Kallus sighed. “Right. Do you-” he faltered, realizing he had already walked past two grocery stores on his way through town. Both had been quite closed.  “Nevermind.“ He dejectedly turned around, accepting his fate of having a pathetically small, sugary meal.

“Looking for dinner?” Came the man’s voice drifting through the air, but before Kallus had time to formulate a response, he continued. “You came here, so, uh, of course you did, I just thought I was gonna save you the trouble of trying to find anything else. Everything closed down an hour ago. I’m the last line of dinner defense.” He sent Kallus a grin, that, hadn’t Kallus been so weary, he might have found charming.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” Kallus muttered, but tried to keep his frustration out of his voice. “I got here later than anticipated, and, well… I guess I should have done my homework before leaving the airport.”

The man shrugged. “Most city folks are taken by surprise out here.” He dipped below the counter and came back with a spray bottle with which he began to spray down the countertop. “Perhaps you can get something from your hotel?”

Kallus shook his head. “I’m staying at the Bed and Breakfast, my host has already gone to bed.”

Curious eyes turned to him. “Staying at Draven’s? Nice. I’ve heard he makes a killer toast.”

A surprised chuckle escaped Kallus at that. This really was a small town. “Well, at least I have breakfast to look forward to, then.” He grimaced at the thought of having to wait that long for proper food but still managed to offer up a polite smile. The man was… far friendlier than any burger stand personnel usually were at this time of night. 

“Yeah, sorry about your dinner, though, guess you- “ The man came to a stop, as if he suddenly had come to a realization. “Actually… Hang on!” He ducked down, away from view.  

Kallus took a curious step closer to the stand.

A few seconds later, the man popped back up, a triumphant grin on his face. He placed a large box of fries on the counter. “Someone forgot these about an hour ago. I can’t offer you a three-course meal, but hey, here’s some cold fries if you’d like?”

Immediately, Kallus’ mouth began to water. Who needed a three-course meal when there were fries right in front of him? It sounded absolutely perfect. 

“Please,” he said, stepping up the rest of the way up to the counter and into the burger stand’s light. He nodded gratefully to his personal savior. “How much do I owe you?” He began to pull out his wallet, eying the fries with far more bliss than he usually would.

When he received no answer, Kallus looked up at the man, his unanswered question still lingering in the air.

The man stood unmoving, looking down at Kallus as if he was seeing him properly for the first time. Kallus assumed that could very well be true, seeing as it was fairly dark around the stand and he hadn’t been standing all that close.

“How much do I owe you?” Kallus tried again. 

“Oh, uh,” the man said, seeming to break out of his stupor. “Nothing. We’re good. Just happy to know you won’t be starving” He nodded and after another second, his grin slid back in place.  

Kallus gave him a curious look. He wasn’t really used to this kind of… chivalry. And he definitely wasn’t used to accepting handouts. “No, seriously, let me repay you somehow.”

An intrigued look enter the man’s eyes, and he leaned on the countertop, looking down at Kallus. “How about a name?”

Kallus blinked. “What?”

“The name’s Zeb. What’s yours?” 

Kallus could tell how he, despite the slightly chilly breeze coming in from the ocean, grew just a little bit hotter under the gaze of the man apparently named Zeb. “Kallus,” he answered, just the fraction of a second too late to be considered casual. 

Zeb’s grin widened. “Well, Kallus, be sure to stop by some other time. I’ll make sure to get you a proper meal then.”

“I will,” Kallus found himself saying, and more surprisingly, meaning it. He believed that perhaps he wasn’t quite so resistant to Zeb’s grin after all. Kallus picked up the fries from the counter and took a step back. It was probably in his best interest to leave. 

At least, for now. 

“Thanks for these.” Kallus held up the fries and began to back away from the bright beacon of light that was Zeb’s burger stand. 

“Anytime, Kallus.” Zeb sent him another, far more casual grin before going back to wiping down the countertop, whistling a cheerful tune. 

Back in his room, Kallus realized he had forgotten to ask for any sauce to go with his fries. But as began to dig in, he realized he didn’t care. They were the best fries he had ever had. 

[d-nessi]

A/N: OOOf that Chapter gave me a hard time cause I'm so inexperienced in writing really cute fluff (even after 10 years of marriage😅🫣 well never wrote it down lol) BUT I think this is a good start for now.

minimum of swearing, also lots of fluff, loveydovey aaaand yes kissing.🥰

word count: 2,3k (welp these chapters getting bigger)

Proofread? : I tried but as always I'm german so...you know ;)

use of HE/SHE

Again the Name of this Chapter is from the song covered by the daugther of craig mazin, jessica mazin! Absolutely beautiful🥰😇

(This is not my YT Video)

Chapter 3

♡NEVER LET ME DOWN AGAIN♡

sweet...not too sweet...I slowly take a deep breath and open my eyes dreamily. Totally blurred with fatigue I feel only her soft hair and I immediately realize what is happening here.

I look down directly into the face of Bella, arms wrapped around her and our bodies so close that not even a needle could fit between us.

Silently I just enjoy every second, not that it's over too quickly.

What are we actually? Friends? Lovers?

Bella moves a bit, hums a little and just continues to cuddle with me, unaware that I am not her pillow. I smile while my heart probably wants to kill me from stumbling and I gently caress her cheek.

She is so sweet....simply everything about her is so sweet. Her fawn eyes, her smile and when she laughs it's so incredibly infectious.

Lost in thought, I look at her and I am miserably aware that I am in love with her. I never want to leave her side. I am aware of that but her?

Too big is the fear that something comes in between or she does not share all these feelings with me.

Stillness?

Is useless because even without words it is obvious what's happening here.

Impossible to get out of there today without an ultimatum. Either my heart will be broken or I will have achieved impossible.

We were just 2 girls in a bar and now I'm lying here with her...she absolutely clueless...yet.... Bella's hand moves to my upper arm gently grips and slowly opens her eyes.

Here we go....

"HUGH!?!"

Other than expected to startle, fall down or hit me in the face was her first impulse to hide her face in my chest which doesn't make the whole situation much better. The heat rose in her face and her breath became faster.

"Bella?" I mutter while trying to get away from her rather unwillingly.

"Bella!?! hey..h..hey breathe!"

Her breath is like that of a marathon runner as she continues to cling. "ssshhhh....oi hey it's ok it's just me. You had a nightmare and I thought I'd keep you company."

Her breathing slowly calms down a bit and she sits up without looking at me. I regret it, after all I didn't want to scare her.

"I didn't mean to catch you off guard I'm sorry" I say sincerely.

"It's ok, I...better make breakfast now. I have an appointment with my manager later to prepare everything for tomorrow. I'll book us a single suite, they are always free" She stands up and smiles at me.

"Thank you for taking care of me" She blushes "I liked that...." and she goes into the bathroom to freshen up and make breakfast.

"She liked it...."

My cheeks burning, while my heart beats again in the wrong rhythm and as if that is not enough there is the tingling again.

Sitting at the table I look at my breakfast. "Aren't these suits expensive?" I asked curiously.

"Please don't worry, my manager will take care of it. I invited you so it's fine." We finished our breakfast and did the rest of the things that were important.

*NEXT DAY AT THE AIRPORT*

Rain pours down on us as we arrive at the airport. We finally find our plane which will fly us to New York.

From there we change planes and will get to Calgary. It is getting colder and colder and in Calgary there is probably already snow.

Bella sneezes.

I can clearly see the bags under her eyes. She must have hardly slept the last night. "Make yourself comfortable we have an 11 hour flight ahead of us." She says and yawns.

"Are you tired? You're welcome to sleep. It's still the middle of the night anyway," I look at her, scrutinizing.

He lies down while I order a drink. 11 hours caught, miles above together with the love of my life who still not broke my heart.

She seems to have fallen asleep quickly so I sit down next to her and watch her shallow breathing.

That's a good girl.

Another panic attack wouldn't be so good up here. She sleeps so peacefully so quietly that I hardly notice that I am also drifting off to sleep.

While I slip down more and more without noticing it, Bella snuggles up to me again. I freak out for a second and just let it happen.

Cuddle my head on hers, grab her hand and stroke my thumb gently over the back of her hand.

Her lips draw a small smile on her face.

Fuck........

how much I want to kiss these. Our bodies are so close together that I can literally feel his heartbeat.

For a second I don't think and get so close to her with my face that our noses touch very gently. She sleeps so deep she doesn't even notice.

My whole body feels almost numb It makes me mad to be so close and yet so far away from her. I didn't realize how much my frustration had built up and tears were coming to my eyes.

I don't wanna hurt her...not again.

Bella opens her eyes but this time she just looks at me, feeling her breath makes me super excited.

My body is so fuck'n ready to kiss her releasing all the tingling. As if she internalizes me she blinks a few times trying to close the gap, but turbulence makes our lives hell when we both hit our heads.

I swear I must have a pact with the devil himself. I am sure that our lips have just touched, even if only delicately.

"fuck this stupid weather almost scares me!" I groan and sit up while rubbing my forehead.

"everything okay with your forehead?" she looks at me and also holds her forehead.

"yeah it's fine" I smile briefly and just throw myself backwards on my back.

He looks at me, hesitates, but I feel his body against me again very carefully and with deliberation. Bella plays with the thread of my hoodie and then looks up at me.

"have you ever been to New York?"

"no, only England was my only destination" I say and gently stroke her back. Oh man my heart-doctor is going nuts if my heart doesn't calm down soon. But I love it, the tingling, the goosebumps and Bella....

Actually now would be a good time to say what I feel but I don't want to ruin this one moment.

After all, we still have a few hours left and damn it, I just want to spend them with her! I cheekily tickle her back and promptly get the answer.

"HEY!" she giggles so sweetly and suddently gently bites my arm.

Gaaawd I love her big smile especially when she gets excited. No matter which interview she held together with Pedro I always had to grin wide when she laughed.

"bella..."

"mmh..."she murmurs and snuggles closer to me while tenderly stroking my arm up and down.

"what the hell are we doing here....? What does that mean?"I close my eyes.

"That we're friends and killing time...?" she says playfully with an almost ironic smile.

"Liar...." I say barely audibly and hug her tightly. Everything feels so perfect right now and I can feel exactly that her heart also needs a doctor for God's sake.

Please...never let me down again.....

The rest of the flight we spend with cuddling and just enjoying each others presence without talking much.

It felt so magical and I know that won't be all. Anyway, I will make it clear to her what I feel. I already know when...

***NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT***

Huge crowds, tall buildings and an incredible amount of lights even in broad daylight.

I feel like I'm in heaven. "I've never been to New York. "I can't get out of my amazement and look around as if I had landed on a foreign planet.

Bella smiles and stands right in front of me. "So we have exactly 12 hours to get on the other plane. You want to have a look around the city?"

"yeah absolutely of course!" I'm getting way too excited while looking arround.

There are advertisings from the current shows THE LAST OF US also other super popular series like House of the dragons.

"you once said in an interview that you watched House of the dragons".

"yes i did, it was great" she smiles

"but no Game of Thrones"

"yeah I just can't see Pedro's eyes being squeezed out" she looks at me mischievously.

"I already know where we are going to look first so come on" she moves on with a confident smile.

I giggle "As you command, your Queen and Highness of Westeros," I say as I bow and stifle a laugh.

"If you don't want to be beheaded right away, follow me immediately, you despicable yeoman!"

I didn't expect that, so I look at her in surprise as I stand up straight again. "Dude I thought you were going to hit me, instead you turn me on".

This time it was Bella who was not prepared for my words and now stands there completely perplexed.

"Bella? Bella Ramsey!?" ... "it's the Ellie from the new show! wow!" People are coming closer and closer to us with their mobiles in their hands.

"BELLAAA!!!" people start to freak out sure we are in New York and there is a higher volume of people.

At first Bella smiles but as fast as the people approach us the more nervous she gets.

"come babe" I grab her hand, pull the hood of my hoodie over my head and just run.

Not just anywhere no...to one of the first places we were going to. after a short sprint and completely out of breath I ask the cab driver if he can give us a lift.

Luckily he can give us a ride and before we know it we are there. When I wanted to take my hand to me, Bella just grabbed it again and lightly pressed it shut. I first look at my hand and then into her eyes. She is obviously smiling happily.

I quickly gave the driver his money and we got out. There it is...The figure standing on a massive pedestal made of a copper shell that stretches on a steel framework in the right hand a gold-plated torch. The Statue of Liberty.

"wow even from here it is really huge" even Bella marveled.

"crazy..." here I am standing on American soil, the Statue of Liberty in front of me, and that together with Bella. That it has come so far I would never have thought but fate means it exceptionally times well with me.

Bella is still looking at the statue without knowing that she is the main attraction here.

Hardly people around us I just grab her hand, pull her to me and without wasting time our lips meet. Everything around us becomes surreal almost empty and at the same time it is as if a bomb has exploded right next to us. Her lips are so soft and tender without resistance.

I more or less detach myself from her lips and look at her silently without even the slightest hint of an expression.

"Friends huh..." I whisper. She didn't resist the kiss. Question answered I thought but hell was I wrong.

The complete answer still comes as she takes my face in her hands, still hesitates a little but finally fills the space between us. This time our two lips are completely in harmony, clearly more demanding and greedy. God how I hope that is not just a dream.

My heart prepares to stop while Bella's breathing gets out of control. We involuntarily and breathlessly break away as we look into each other's eyes. Face to face pretty close I can feel her fast breaths on my lips and the heat.

I bite my lower lip before I lose control not to kiss her once again. "I'm leaving the friend zone," I whisper, barely audible. "fuck" I can't and just steal another kiss from her, she totally melting into it.

Finally, Bella made a sound, but not the one I expected. A soft sigh. She seems to enjoy it. We disengage again, and as we do, I look at her seriously. "You have no idea how big my crush is on you" I take a deep breath and gently grab one of her hands.

"Y/N...." She looks at me lovingly with her red cheeks. "you were just a girl in the bar. I knew WHO you were and I was a fan of yours before...I admit that, but I never thought this would happen. for real!"

She looks at my hand and thinks what to say. "Normally I avoid all the fans, you haven't given the impression that you want to jump on me" There it is again, the sweet smile of hers.

"I wanna be your Lover for the rest of my life!" I speak softly. "I want to be the one who protects you, accompanies you to all possible interviews to stand by you. want to hold you tight whenever you have another nightmare. wake up next to you every day and punch everyone in the face who gets too close to you.

Maaan Bella looks so happy. She hugs me and burries her face in my neck. "you are the cutest I swear!" She mumbles in my shoulder, realizing how people starts looking again.

"we should go" She says shortly and grabs my hand. "I don't care what people saying" We ignore all the people and walking to the different places like coffeeshops and a few other sights until the time comes to go to our next plane.

A/N: Things getting interesting. So If I am done with the whole plot I will be open for requests of yours.

Also smut will comming in the next 1-2 chapters. I will clearly mark that part in chap if some of you don't want to read that and just want to skip.

For more Chapters, stories and more just look at my Masterlist ♡

[keelywolfe]

FIC: Playing Games (baon)

Summary: In the aftermath of Internal Disputes, Sans wasn't alone, not when his own thoughts could be haunting him.This wasn't how things were supposed to work, none of it, and there was nothing he would do but wait.

Tags:  Kustard, Spicyhoney, Established Relationships, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Implied/Referenced Terrorism, Major Character Injury, Hospitals, References to Collaring

Notes:  Now, I want you to know that I say this with the greatest sincerity possible, but all you people that got me shipping kustard? I hate you all.

Part of the ‘by any other name’ series.

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Read it on AO3

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Read it here!

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The hospital chairs weren’t bad when it came to comfort, especially if you ran a little shorter in the pants than average. Not that it would’ve mattered much if they weren’t, Sans was well-trained in how to get to sleep in any and all places, knew exactly how to curl up in a folding chair for maximum comfort, no matter how hot or cold the climate got around him.

Tonight, he was only too tired to sleep. That didn’t matter either, he’d been worse off plenty of times before. Only thing that mattered was that Paps was the one sleeping, and that was enough of a topsy-turvy to make Sans want to check they hadn’t missed an exit and were still in the right universe.

Probably were; from what Stretch said, when you first took a sideways step into another world, you could feel the wrongness of it in your bones. His bones felt shaky and sore, a fine litter of bruises all along his side where he’d hit the asphalt, but none of them were sending out Morse code squawking that the sky was falling, so they were all right there. Chicken Little would have to wait for another day, though maybe he’d check in with Stretch’s little flock, see how their bones were feeling--

Sans ran a weary hand down his face, smelling the lingering smoky char. Fuck, he was tired.

In the hospital bed surrounded by machines and IV’s, Papyrus was lying perfectly still, and it was so fucking wrong to see. Even when he was sleeping Paps usually twisted and turned like he was training for the next Olympics. That little quirk cost Sans plenty of his own sleep when they were kids, nights huddled together for warmth beneath a threadbare blanket and all the while his baby bones bro tried to sleepwalk a watusi up his spine.

Sometimes Sans missed that little kid.

The fancy suit Papyrus always wore when he was playing ambassador was gone, replaced by a hospital issue gown that would give a peepshow of his pelvis when he stood. His old clothes were past the dry cleaning stage, scorched all the way up his spine and yeah, that sight was gonna haunt Sans’s dreams a coupla times in the near future, as was the bitter taste of his own soul in his throat when he crawled over to him, all the dazed moans and screams around them as he clung to his brother, frantically checking him over.

Yeah, let’s close that scene and set the memory box aside for those upcoming dreams to rifle through. No need to re-live the nightmare during the daytime, too.

Sans shifted in the chair, pulling his bare, bony feet up onto the cushion. He hadn’t changed his own clothes yet; about all he’d managed was kicking off his shoes, his filthy socks draped over them like the peels of the world’s most disgusting fruit. His travel outfit was a lil’ different than his bros, a hoodie and shorts were about as fancy as he cared to get, maybe a pair of sunglasses if he was feeling particularly feisty about it.

That getup was fine for someone on security team, something Papyrus very much was not, and Sans was planning to have a nice, long chat about that with him whenever his brother finally woke up.

He was gonna wake up and Sans was gonna be here waiting when he did, thanks.

As if magnetically drawn, a compass endlessly searching for north, Sans’s eye lights slid back to the bed towards his sleeping brother. His skull was still abnormally pale against the pillowcase, a revealing sign of magic drain despite the IV steadily dripping at his bedside. So very pale, except for the fine line of a fresh crack running down the side of his skull. Barely visible, really, someone who didn’t know any better might mistake it for a cranial suture.

Sans knew better.

It’d been a lot worse before Tori started in on it, crawling over to them through the rubble on the tarmac, ignoring shouts to stay down and her normally pristine white fur had been filthy, hands already caked with crimson marrow even as she reached out to Papyrus. The ugly wound Sans could barely stand to look at vanished beneath a thick green glow and that little crack was all that was left, a souvenir of Papyrus’s first trip to California. His brother had slumped to the ground after, those thready, pained moans fading. He’d been unconscious ever since.

He was gonna be fine; both Tori and Blue told Sans’s that over and over on the plane ride home, gonna be just fine. He was out cold was all, used up his magic down to the last dregs generating enough of a shield to cover himself and two other people besides. Right now it was nothing but a waiting game, Sans moving his pawn across the board until he landed on the ‘good morning, sunshine’ spot.

Just fine, sure, and Sans believed them. But he really wished he could roll doubles right now and speed up the process.

Most of his thoughts were either being firmly suppressed or focused the still figure laying on the bed, but Sans did manage to spare one or two leftover balls from the ones he was mentally juggling to wondered tiredly how Stretch was holding up. He’d been eating shit sandwiches himself this weekend, and now honey boy was topping it off with big ol’ slice of disaster pie. At least Sans had the luxury of being with his bro from the get-go. Trying to picture how he’d feel knowing only the bare details of what’d happened sent a cold frisson through his soul. That was enough for him to offer sending Edge out in the first ambulance; at least he was with his brother, Edge and Blue were both stuck in limbo all the way home.

Besides, he’d gotten to see plenty of the show on the flight home in the moments when Edge wavered into brief wakefulness. No wonder he never wanted to smoke weed or even drink much. They’d doped him to the gills without mercy, and now Sans was gonna have to live with an eternity of regret that the loss of his phone meant he didn’t get a chance to record Edge massacring a heartfeltly sung rendition of ‘I Want It That Way’.

Since Tori and Blue were no fun at all and refused to do it either, seemed the best option was to send Edge out and hope Stretch got a front row seat to the second act.

That show had been a helluva lot better than the inflight movie Edge’d given them on the way out. Stoic and distant since the second he’d gotten on the plane, a fuckton more so than usual. Wasn’t until Blue snuck in a whisper to Sans what was up that he got it. Anniversary tomorrow, yeah, husband back home while he got stuck playing lead babysitter with Sans as backup ‘cause Red was off saving the world or catching an early bird sale, some bullshit, anyway.

(not thinking about red, better not to, better to not)

Stretch probably pitched a bitchfit about Edge tagging along without him and Sans hadn’t registered to vote in this election, but he was gonna go with Stretch as his candidate. There was no good reason he could think of to make Stretch stay home past paperwork and pissiness, and the fact that Blue thought his Papy staying home was the better choice told him all he needed to about that.

They’d been Aboveground for a few years now and Stretch was nowhere near as bad off as he’d been back when they’d first shown up on the doorstep back in Snowdin. He’d gone the good boy route, got himself a therapist and everything. He was happy, anyone could see that, and HP issues aside, it was ‘bout time to cut the apron strings let Stretch mess up his own cooking.

Edge was better about it than Blue, but looked like he was still trying to play sous chef ‘cause Stretch wasn’t on the plane. Their fearless leader had put up a good front, but any moron could see he was upset, and Sans wasn’t just any idiot on the street. Whatever his reasoning, Edge obviously wasn’t happy about leaving his honey behind.

Welp, Sans had a feeling Edge wasn’t super eager to add Stretch to the roster now. Not after spending some quality time laying on the crumbled tarmac waiting for a stretcher, banged up and bandaged the best they could manage on the fly while the Human side of the contingency ran around squawking out orders, getting everything on lockdown. Trying to keep everything on the down-low until they could get a proper press release in order, yeah, that was the right procedure.

Sans still didn’t have a single qualm about slipping Edge that phone so he could let Stretch know he was okay. ‘Course he’d probably scared him shitless the way he started rambling on like it was his deathbed confession hour instead of just saying ‘alive and kicking’, oops, but eh, couldn’t win ‘em all.

Sans wasn’t winning a lot of ‘em lately.

The stack of blankets were tucked around Papyrus with generous care, but Sans got up and went over to him, anyway, smoothing the imaginary wrinkles in covers. His hands were beneath the blanket, the better to keep them toasty warm. Probably for the best, it was bad enough having to look at his skull, that single ragged crack. If he had to keep looking at his bro’s bruised, battered knuckles, Sans might go nuts.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. It was his duty to play big bro, his, he’d taken that on years ago while he was still in his own striped shirt, his very first job. He was the one in Security, he was the one who was supposed to fucking protect, and even if Sans thought maybe he’d fucked that up a time or two before, suspected that there was a memory he didn’t possess, a

(reset)

past that wasn’t theirs. But he’d been keeping up their end of the bargain since his bro decided to be an Ambassador and Paps wasn’t supposed to break it, he fucking wasn’t—

The door creaking made Sans jerk, heat rushing to his fingertips in a heady blurt of magic for an attack that stopped forming the moment he saw who it was. He took a long, slow breath, shaking away his exhausted agitation the best he could, cause he was going to need every wit that hadn’t been blown away in the explosion to deal with this.

Red was standing in the doorway, his hands in his pockets. The light pouring in behind him cast him in shadow except for the smoldering glow of his eye lights burning out from his sockets.

Sans only ignored his awful horror movie impression and wandered back to his chair, crawling up to settle on the cushion with a weary sigh.

"you done with skulking around trying not to talk to me?" Sans asked. He didn't mean to sound as pissy as he did, but did Red really think he wouldn't notice? On the plane, outside the ambulance, even here, Red'd been all over, watching but not getting close.

No answer came, no sardonic comeback, no angry snarl. Red stepped into the room and closed the door behind him with disturbing care. Probably only playing at kindness for Papyrus’s sake, but something about his expression was unnerving, the lines of his face laid out in a way that Sans didn’t know.

He came close to the chair without reaching, only stood there, hands visibly fisted in his pockets. Crimson eye lights resting on Sans, but more like Red was looking through, like Sans wasn’t even there and Red’s gaze was laser-focused on the wall behind him.

“came to tell you i’m taking off for a while,” Red said, every word filled with deliberate indifference, “dunno how long.”

Sans only nodded. “yeah. thought you might.”

“wanted to see if you’d keep an eye on that fucking cat of mine.” Again, nothing but cool detachment, Red speaking to the wall and expecting answers.

He made no mention of asking Edge and Sans didn’t either. “sure, why not, i could use a few more scrapes for my collection. maybe i can trip over him on the stairs, add a few broken bones to the tab.”

There, a veritable hit; Red winced visibly, the distance in his gaze wavering. It was almost fascinating, really, watching with his own detached interest as Red tried to force it back. Must be a sign of his own shaken control, all of it unraveling, snapping into its proper place as he actually looked at Sans.

Sans had a pretty good idea what Red was seeing. The force of the explosion had thrown them all to the ground in spite of any shields, leaving behind a nice collection of mottled bruises and bloody scrapes to share around. His own pain had been secondary, unnoticed until they’d been shoved back on the plane for a ride straight back home. He’d been sitting next to Paps when Tori came over, watching the metronome precision of the rise and fall of his rib cage like only the force of his will was keeping his brother breathing.

The cold wetness against his skull had stung and it was only then that he noticed his own hurts. He’d sat there and concentrated on keeping Papyrus breathing, let Tori gently clean him up the best that she could.

So he didn’t have any illusions about what kind of eye candy he was right now. Another note of interest that Red didn’t seem to be able to look away, the minute flicker of his eye lights moving as they traced over those bruises and scrapes.

“i need to go,” Red repeated, but that indifference was wavering, seeping away, leaving behind something that was almost pleading. Huh. How about that. “i gotta. this is my fault. i’ve gotta—"

“listen to the ego on you,” Sans snorted. “even you can't know everything.”

“no, you don't fucking get it.” Shattered desperation, like nothing Red ever showed. Seemed like those walls Red kept up weren’t quite as impervious as Sans always thought; words were spilling out of him, vomited out in pained rush. “i didn't have shit going on here. i didn't come along on this trip because i knew you'd go without me and i…i wanted you away. for a couple days. wanted some time to get my head on straight and i didn’t give a shit who i pissed off to get it, i—"

Yeah, Sans could believe that. Fucked over his own brother and Stretch, and why not? It was only to get out of a Security detail that would’ve left him sharing a hotel room with Sans, left them out in the open in front of everyone. Made them obvious in a way that somehow Red didn’t think they’d been before, fooling no one but himself, but it was a lie Red somehow needed.

Knowing that was a different sort of bruise, on his soul instead of his bones, and every word out of Red was giving it a rough press. It was satisfying in a strange way, to know Red was panicking over him, made him want to feel it again.

"all right,” Sans said calmly.

"no, it ain't all right!" Red snarled, his voice cracking, breaking, breathing too heavily. "if I hadn't've fucked off--"

"then you would've been there instead of edge and it would all have happened the same way." He felt oddly serene, floating in his own peculiar calm. "you're one person. even you can't be everywhere and know everything. ‘sides, if that’s your fault, this is mine.” He flung his hand out like an attack at the hospital room, towards his brother lying unconscious in front of him. “’m getting sloppy, should’ve reacted faster.”

Red twitched, stepping closer, grasping that line of thought with eager gratitude, “reacted to what? how did my brother know? toriel ain’t sure and neither was blue—"

“intent.” Sans shivered, remembering the prickle of it washing over him, virulent hate that came a bare second too late for him to react. The memory of it made him remember something else, a delirious question forgotten in the aftermath, “didn’t think edge could beat me when it came to sensing intent.”

Red waved that off. “he’s been practicing ever since andy got turned into a pincushion outside that chinese place. what else?”

Of course he was, Edge probably spent his lunch hour wandering the streets to see how much hate he could pick up, that was a filling meal. “it was coming from the driver. edge was a lot closer to the car, he must’ve felt it before i did. he yelled for everyone to get down but by then, paps already had me face first on the asphalt.” He shrugged, trying not to think too deeply of the wash of vicious heat, the sound of it, the screams, fuck, all the screams— “after that, it gets a little explody. i can still hear it a little, it’s like listening to a seashell lodged in my head. doc said it might take a day or two for the echo to fade out.”

“that it?” Red’s gaze bore into him.

“that’s all i’ve got,” Sans drawled sourly. He turned in the seat, lounging with deliberate casualness, his legs hanging over the arm. “that’s the shit, the whole shit, and nothing but the shit. so that happened and our bros got hurt, yeah, but they’re gonna be fine. so, now, you wanna take off and go headhunting? you go on ahead. play your little game, start following your clues. just remember after paps wakes up and i can see he’s okay? i’m coming to find you.”

Red had been nodding along and Sans could see the moment realization bled through, the indignant rasp as he snapped out, “the fuck you are!”

“the fuck i’m not,” Sans countered, tauntingly. He ran his tongue over his teeth, tasting his own sweat, the bitterness of smoky residue as he goaded, “how are you gonna stop me? ask edge to chase me down while he plays hop along cassidy on some crutches?” Fury was sparking in Red’s eye lights like a firecracker as Sans went on with fractured glee, “he’ll be a coupla weeks recovering, you know. even you harping on him to get up and play protector ain’t gonna change that. gonna tattle on me to asgore, gonna lock me up? tie me to your bed?” Sans tapped a finger against his cheek bone pensively, a mockery of thinking, “or maybe i won’t go after you at all. maybe i’ll see about playing a little on my own.”

Ah, that, that right there. Sans could feel the impotent fury rolling off of Red, about the only time he couldn’t get it up, hands flexing as if he wished there was something in them and for a distant moment, he thought Red might actually attack him and wouldn’t that make for an interesting problem to explain.

Then it was gone, all that anger and frustration swallowed into nothingness. Interesting how Red managed to break without so much as changing expression. Must be a gift.

“you win,” Red said abruptly.

“we playin’ something?” Sans asked lightly,

“only with our lives. ain’t like anything important.” There was a sharp prick of frustrated anger in that, wasn’t all gone, then, only banked. A point Red proved by stalking forward to take Sans’s chin in two sharp fingers, yanked it up. Crimson eye lights searched Sans’s face and he couldn’t begin to wonder what they hoped to find. “you even know what you’re getting into here?”

“i’ve been fucking you for over a year.”

“i ain’t talking about fucking.” Those searing eye lights pierced deeply into him, crawling over the depths of his soul. “do you know?”

Deliberately, Sans lifted his chin more, exposing the bones of his cervical vertebrae. Red’s gaze dropped, lingered over them with hypnotic weight, and his fingers followed, coiling around Sans’s throat like a metaphor.

“if you like it, then you shoulda put a collar on it,” Sans said, soft and singsong. “i’ve been fucking you for over a year, fucking around three times that, you think i don’t know? collar me, claim me. may as well, i ain’t going anywhere, anyways.”

Red shuddered, lurching forward another step and his fingers tightening convulsively, not quite painlessly. “collar you? like you’d be fucking obedient.”

“from what i saw of you wearing one, i always figured the obedience part was an optional add-on. besides, at least i’m housebroken.”

The thin fingers around his throat tightened again, so very close to choking and Sans only shivered, yearning into that grip even as Red whispered with low, virulent intensity, “should’ve known i couldn’t keep dodging you forever.”

Red leaned in, but not for a kiss. His mouth was suddenly hot on Sans’s collarbone, dragging over I, uncaring of the sweat and filth coating him. Sharp teeth nicked tantalizingly against bone and Sans couldn’t hold back a cry, edged with a near sob because he wasn’t supposed to get this, he wasn’t, wasn’t supposed to have this suddenly thrust into his lap like a gift. His magic gave stirring an unfortunate try, but he was thankfully too tired to demo how much his psyche was absolutely going for the sweet threat in that touch.

"i wanna to keep you," Red muttered, mostly to himself, something like desperation curling around every word. Sans answered anyway, mumbling mindlessly.

"okay. okay, yeah."

"wanna keep anyone else from touching you,” whispered against him, a promise, a threat, Sans didn’t know. Red’s tongue was winding around his clavicles, sharp fingertips tearing Sans’s t-shirt, exposing more. “wanna put my collar you, warn the whole world that you're mine."

"yeah," Sans breathed brokenly. His hands move of their own accord, not bothering to ask for permission as they clutch at Red’s shoulders, blunt fingertips digging into the leather of his coat with creaking force.

"That sounds very romantic and potentially disturbing, but may I ask if you could do that in your bedroom and not here in front of me?"

Sans came pretty fucking close to kicking Red to the floor as he jerked up to see his brother’s sockets open, blinking at them owlishly. It wasn’t even a thought to scramble down and go to him; reaching for Papyrus was as automatic as drawing a breath. His brother reached back and if his hands were shaking a little, if there was something tremulous and almost fragile in that touch, Sans didn’t care.

His brother was awake and reaching for him, pulling him up on the bed and into his arms.

“Hush, there’s no need to cry,” Papyrus scolded gently, but he held on to Sans with enough force to get his bruises singing out an Ava Maria. “I’m perfectly all right and even if I’m not, you are, so that’s fine.”

“that is so not fine, paps, it is completely the opposite of fine,” Sans wiped away embarrassing flood of tears, sniveling humiliatingly into his sleeve even as Papyrus flailed and tried to reach for the box of Kleenex on the bedside table. “me and red are the ones working in the security department, we—”

He turned back to the chair, trailing off when he found it empty.

Well, shit.

“know something, bro?” Sans sighed out, even as he settled into his brother’s arms. “that whole vanishing thing is fucking annoying when i’m not the one doing it.”

Papyrus smoothed a hand down his spine, more gentle than not, and if he had an inkling of what he just interrupted, he was kind enough not to ask. “Never fear, brother, you are always fucking annoying whether you’re trying or not.”

Probably true. Hearing his brother swear was always enough to give his soul a seizure, even if he knew Papyrus only did it to get a rise out of him. He needed to go find one of the docs, let him know Paps was awake and there were probably tests that needed to be run, x-rays maybe, who the fuck knew.

It could wait a minute. Right now, the only place his soul wanted to be was right here.

But later, he thought maybe he had some dice to roll. Some asshole in a stupid hat once said the game was afoot and now that he knew there was a chance?

Sans was playing to win.

-finis-

[bapyess1r]

Sunny Daze

WARNINGS: smuuut, cursing

Pairings: Sam x OC, OC x brief OC

Chapter 9

Sam’s POV

‘I can’t believe this shit…’ I thought. I sat on the bed tearing my hands through my hair. She duped me. She did me dirty. “But how did she know she was…” I tried to work it all out but I was at a loss. This wasn’t how my night was supposed to go… I would’ve turned that girl down if she offered me to come home with her but I didn’t even get that. If anything, I was hoping to spend my night with Sunny. I never said it out loud but I liked her. A lot. More than I meant to. And now she was spending the night with somebody else… The walk back to the hotel felt like a walk of shame as I watched the two women flirt and hold hands ahead of me. I remembered the sour feeling in my chest as I watched Sunny get on with someone else. And when they closed the door and I could no longer see them, I was left with my imagination alone. I fell back on my bed and let my mind wander. ‘What are you guys doin’ in there?’ I thought to myself. ‘Maybe I could…’ “No. Nah that’s stupid…” But was it really beneath me if I just… I mean I used to do it as a kid so why was this any different? “Nope. I’m not gonna. You’re a respectable man…” I told myself. The alcohol suddenly began to drive my desires and I groaned. “Ah, screw it. I have to know.” I stood up abruptly to leave, grabbing my hotel key as I did. I closed the door gently; she was only a door or two down from me. I carefully tiptoed to the door and pressed my ear to it. From the other side, all I could hear were the softest of moans and profanities being sent into the room. My heart skipped before speeding up ten times as fast as normal. I could hear the bed creaking and the sound of heavy breathing overlapping one another. I gulped in absolute need as my brows furrowed. I hated this. I wanted to be there and it wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair that this girl just came in and swept her from under me. Hopefully, it hadn’t been something serious. Hopefully, it was a one night stand. ‘And I hope-’ My thoughts were interrupted by a loud thump and a high pitched moan, gasping for air. Was it Sunny? ‘God, I hope so…’ I thought as I continued to listen to the sexual symphony from the other side. I turned and let my back rest on the door, throwing my head back as I closed my eyes and tried to picture what was going on. I could see Sunny pushing the girls hair behind her ear as she planted kisses all over her face, neck, and chest. I imagined them groping each other, licking every delicious part of each other, their bodies rolling against each other in a beautiful rhythm. That’s when my little friend popped up (well not little- but you get it). I had heard all I needed to hear and I headed back to my room with a bit of pep in my step, unbuckling my jeans as I did. I slammed my door closed and sat at my desk as I pulled out my smartphone, scrolling through the pictures taken from today until I could find one with Sunny in it. There was one I had taken of her before we had gotten into any fights for the day. She stood at this cliff, leaning against a massive rock as she smoked and looking off into the sunrise. The sun had hit her just right and she was posed up, waiting for Nathan to finish scouting ahead. In that moment, I didn’t think anyone could look so beautiful. I took the picture without her knowing, a perfect candid. If she’d seen it she would’ve forced me to delete it if she didn’t like it and I didn’t want that. I wanted to keep it.

I zoomed in on her face, studying her every feature before slipping my pants down my legs. My cock sprang from its confines standing tall and proud. I hissed as the cool air hit my sensitive skin. I shook my head shamefully. “I’m doin this, aren't I?” I grumbled as I smacked it lightly. Then I remembered hearing those moans. I didn’t know who it was but I wanted to believe so badly that it was hers. Holding onto my imaginative visuals, I slouched in the seat to get comfortable. I played those noises out in my head as I began pumping myself, starting from the tip. A slew of curses came out as I looked at her face, the plumpness of her lips, remembering how her hips would swing as she walked, how she would draw out her accent when she talked real slow. If I was that old man at the pub, I would’ve folded instantly. My hips bucked into my fist as my legs started to numb, my breath beginning to heave as I starved for her touch. I imagined her bouncing in my lap, her pleasured moans being voiced in my ears like music. Letting out a groan, I picked up speed. “Fuck…” I gripped myself tightly, gasping in a moment of pleasure with a breathless laugh. I hated that it wasn’t me in there giving her the fuck she deserved. A burn swelled in the pit of my stomach as I became a bit more vocal. I was close. I dropped my phone as I gripped the desk before me, grunting as I came undone. My seed spurting all over the carpeted floor. I moaned as I let myself relax. I felt bad. I definitely couldn’t let her know that this just happened. I chocked it up to a simple “Hail Mary” and began to clean up. It was gonna be a helluva plane ride tomorrow….

Sunny’s POV

I woke up the next morning, wrapped up naked in the bed sheets; my joints aching and my head throbbing. My mouth tasted like isopropyl. I took a deep breath, grabbing my head and let myself stretch out, feeling around the bed but I seemed to be the only one in it. That girl from last night… I think her name was Heather. “Welp… she’s gone now.” I noticed on the nightstand there was a note, a glass of water, and two little blue pills. When I sat up there was a bandage around my arm and a patch on my side. With a grunt I reached for the note and opened it, reading it with a squint.

Thanks for last night. You were so great. I can honestly say I have never met a woman like you. I hope you don’t mind but the nurse in me patched you up after our time together. You’re a lovely lass and I hope you and your team are successful in finding your treasure.

xxx- Heidi

P.S. I left you aspirin for your hangover. Eat something heavy and take it easy today! Look me up next time you’re in Scotland ;)

I smiled in satisfaction. She didn’t have to do any of this for me but she did. ‘And shes a fucking nurse?!’ I thought as I read. I flexed my lip and shrugged. “That’s hot…” I mumbled as I took the two aspirins and gulped down the glass of water.

I got read for the day. Dressed in khaki cargo skinnies and a simple white tank top, paired with a brown leather fanny pack and boots. I put on a floral printed bomber to cover up until we got to Madagascar. It was still cold here. I grabbed up all my materials and packed them carefully, making sure that I had my electronics and such. It was going to be a grueling 11 hours on this plane ride. And that’s without stopping. I hoped maybe Sully would let me fly for a while. Just to give myself something to do. He had taught me how a few jobs back and I soaked up every bit of knowledge he’d ever given me like a sponge. With a sigh I left my room, bags in hand. Just as I did, Sam had come from his little hidey hole. I smirked at the expression on his face when he noticed me. It was as if he were trying not to laugh but he was also still slightly ticked off- all while trying to be immensely cool about it. I strutted towards his direction and joined him as he began to navigate the hallways to the lobby. “Good morning.” He mumbled and I grinned at him.

“Good morning!” I sang teasingly. He snorted.

“Alright, I’ll give it to you- ya got me.” He chuckled deeply. There was something different about him. He didn’t seem as focused as usual. Before I could read anymore from him, he pulled out two cigarettes; one he put behind his ear and the other between his lips. “So I’m going to assume you had a… pleasurable night?” He asked. I sighed. If I was being honest…

“Meh. I mean it was alright. I’ve had better.” I told him. His eyes widened as he cocked a bushy brow.

“She was alright?” He chuckled.

“Yeah. Just alright. Not to say she was shitty or anything but… She was very gentle where I was a little rougher.” I said throwing my bag over my shoulder as we descended a few stairs. I could hear him gulping audibly.

“Did you at least… y’know?” I knew what he was referring to.

“I mean yes but it took her a very long time to get me there. I made her cum in like 2 minutes which is great for my ego n’ all but… not really a lotta fun.” I explained with a grin as his cheeks began to turn red. I wouldn’t tell him he was blushing. It would hurt him more than I already had. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He blew a raspberry and ran his hands through his hair. “We spent the rest of the night just talkin’.... I don’t remember about what though. And apparently she patched me up last night. She’s a nurse.” I sang.

“You banged a nurse?! Well look at you.” He chuckled and we high fived like a couple of frat boys. He held the door open for me at the bottom of the stairs and I passed by him, the scent of cigarettes, cologne, and left over liquor clouding him. I tried not to let it affect me but holy hell did he smell amazing to me. I looked up at him and smiled as I passed and he seemed to puff out his chest more than he normally would. Not that I minded. He had a fantastic chest. When we reached the lobby, I noticed Nathan and Sully at the front desk turning in their keys. We joined them and did the same before calling a cab to take us to the docks where Sully’s plane was parked. I groaned as I looked inside the metal hunk of junk, not really feeling up to sitting in a metal seat for 11 hours. I had ass but not that much. I watched as the men load up the plane and Sam poked his head out of the side door holding up a deck of cards, shaking them suggestively at me. “Whaddya say, sister? You down for a few rounds?” He asked me as I followed Nathan to hop on the plane. I climbed the little step ladder inside, my face dangerously close to his as I snatched the pack from him.

“You’re on pal. I’m low on cigarettes and I’m ready to hustle you for everything you got.” I said.

“That’s gonna be easy. He ain’t got much.” Sully said as he did a once over on his plane. Nathan chuckled and I covered my mouth with my hands.

“Oooo….” I grinned.

“You might wanna get a little ice for that burn.” Nathan snickered. Sam rolled his eyes with a slight smile.

“Yup. Keep pickin’ on me today. Sunny did enough of that last night.” He said sitting down.

“What did she do?” Nathan asked, looking at me. My cheeks turned bright red. I guess it was story time...

[queenofangrymoths]

The Invitation

So for massive homework for my creative writing class, he ordered us to write a 10-12 page short story. I think I might have written maybe 13-14 pages instead but whatever. 

It features Beth and Ash again. I own Ash, @allthenewsiesaregay-bitch owns Beth. Ironically this story was supposed to be pretty short but then it just exploded and welp, here we are! Enjoy!

And remember!!! Reblog > Likes

~

The invitation had been sitting on the kitchen table for about an hour. Ash was staring at it when Beth walked in from a late shift. “Hey - uh, why are you creepily staring at an envelope?”Ash tore her dark eyes away from the envelope and regarded Beth in silence, narrowing her eyes and seemed to be thinking something over. “I didn’t mean now look at me creepily.”

“My sister is getting married.” the sentence just rolled off the tongue. Jessica planned out her wedding a long time ago. It was about time she was able to get married too, seeing how she’d been dating Cindy for what, five years? Six? Time was slowly starting to blur together for Ash and she didn’t like it. 

“That’s nice, so what calls for staring at the envelope?” Beth opened the fridge, grabbed a beer and shut it again. 

Ash was rubbing her face, clearly frustrated. “I told my family I was dating someone, just to get them off my back but she’s sent two tickets.”

“You want me to save you from your own mess.” She cracked open the beer, lifting the bottle to her lips. 

“Mama kept asking when I was going to get married....” Ash pinches the bridge of her nose, breathing in deep. “She means well but I got frustrated so yeah, I made one up, sue me. Are you going to help me or not?” her voice came out more of a growl than normal. It happened when she was frustrated, on edge, worried, that sort of thing. 

“Sure.” Beth took and sip. Ash sighed and leaned back in the chair. “Isn’t your family like super catholic thought? How do you even plan on getting in the church?”

“She’s not getting married in a church.” Ash got a beer and cracked it open. “They won’t let her.” 

“Why?” 

Ash took a long swig before answering. “Cuz they’re lesbians, Harold,” then she took a longer swing. They were the gay kids of the family, her and Jess but Ash came out first - literally by attending the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights and getting caught on camera. Jessica came out in the 2000s but they were the rainbow kids of the family, the ones out of the closet at least. 

“That fucking sucks.” 

Ash shrugged. “We knew it was never in our cards, even when I was alive.” they drank their beers in silence. “Thanks again.”

“Your welcome.” The next week was filled with preparation for their trip, Ash went dress shopping, and she assumed Beth got a suit or something, she didn’t know. “Hey, babe?” 

Ash stopped, she was packing her suitcase when Beth called. She poked her head out into the hallway. “Did you just...call me babe?” she went out to the living room where Beth was filling out some paperwork. Ash was pretty sure it was about making Draco her emotional support snake. 

“Yeah? I figured we should start with the whole pet names so it sounds natural when we meet your family.” Beth scribbled on a memo nearby, grumbling as no ink came out. “Do you got a pen I can borrow?” 

“Give me a sec -” she went into her room, grabbed a pen then came back out and handed it to her. “Here you go - Honey,” a blush creped on the undead’s cheeks. Get it together, idiot! She internally reprimanded herself. 

Beth wrinkled her nose. “Don’t call me that.” 

“Then what do I call you?” 

Holding up three fingers, Beth counted them off. “Stars, lover, and darling.” 

“You got the lover one from Hadestown, didn’t you, lover?” It felt weird on her tongue, calling Beth ‘lover’ but it wasn’t a bad weird. She liked it. 

“Maybe.” Ash laughed and went back to her room. A couple more days of practice and the pet names slide off her tongue, easy. Soon enough the bags were packed and they were ready to leave. 

“Okay, Draco, you’re going to have to be brave for a bit, okay?” Beth stroked his scales as Ash held the box open. “Ash, come give him a boop of good luck.” 

“Lover, just put him in the sack.” Really, if they could keep Draco in the cabin - they would but alas, regulations. So instead, Draco was traveling in a sack bag inside of a box, labeled LIVE ANIMAL - SNAKE. 

“Give him a boop, babe.” 

With a sigh, Ash put the sack down and gently booped the ball python’s snout. Draco flickered his tongue as he continued to do heart eyes at Ash. “Now, lover put him in the sack.” She picked it up again. Beth sighed, muttered some more encouragement to Draco, placed him gently in the sack. Ash put him in the box and sealed it up tightly. “He’s going to be fine,” Ash said as they left the apartment, dragging out their suitcases and locking up the apartment. 

“Yeah. I know.” Beth threw in some spells to make sure her familiar was going to be okay. They went down the stairs and got in Beth’s car, the Broom, and drove to the airport.

Airports. Ash hated airports. Before 9/11, it was so easy but now it was hell. Beth was uncomfortable, she was uncomfortable, and after they were seated on the plane, Ash let out a breath of air she didn’t know she was holding. “Should I ask how the fuck your sister afford first class?” Beth was still in awe. 

“She does the books for some very rich companies. They pay her good, it’s kind of insurance for her not to embezzle.” Ash and Jes were gays who could do math. They were too powerful but luckily only one of them was still alive. 

“Are you sure she doesn’t embezzle?” 

“If she does then good for her.” Ash closed the window and adjusted her hat. Her sister loved her dearly, she got them tickets where they’d fly and land during the night. She even noted how her sister's wedding was taking place after sunset, a kindness that her sister wouldn’t die during the ceremony. 

The flight went smoothly, when they landed, Beth was eager to get her snake back. “Walk - walk! Lover, you’re going to run into someone!” Ash ran after Beth, her fake girlfriend rushing to the baggage pick up to get her snake. Miraculously, she’d didn’t and Ash considered herself lucky because she was dead and was unable of having a heart attack.

“Where is he, where is he?” Beth mumbled as Ash slowed down next to her. When his box slides down the baggage carousel. “There he is!” She rushed forward and picked up the box, Ash, on the other hand, went for their luggage. “Got him!” she grinned. 

“That’s great, lover, lets get out of her.” Ah, airports. Always better to leave than to arrive. Ash whistle down a cab, told the guy to drive to their hotel, and off they went. “This your first time in LA?”

“Yeah.” 

“Do you want to go sightseeing?” Ash wouldn’t mind if she said yes, she knew the city like the back of her hand - spending most of her life in the city.

“Nah.” Ash let loose a breath she didn’t know she was holding. The cab pulled up to the hotel. “Keep the change,” Beth paid then got out, Ash at her heels. “Your sister is rich, isn’t she.” 

“Like I said. Rich companies.” they walked in and Ash beelined to the desk. “I have a reservation for Ashley Carissima Lucy Vecellio and her girlfriend? It was made by Jessica Vedattie Agatha Vecellio?” she put on her best smile, fingers crossed. Don’t be homophobic, don’t be homophobic. 

“Why four names? Who on earth has four fucking names?” Beth muttered Ash ignored her. 

“Can I have some ID?” asked the clerk. Ash whipped out her driver's license - the new one, forget with an appropriate birth year for what she looked like and handed it to the clerk. She checked it over then handed it back

“Everything seems to order, here are your keys. You’re on floor 7, room 721” The woman handed them two thin cards. “Have a nice evening,” 

“Have a nice evening,” Ash headed towards the elevator. 

“Really, why four names?” Beth asked again, this time louder and not grumbling. 

Ash put down her bag and pushed the floor button. 7th floor, not bad. She thought with a sigh. “It’s because we were confirmed and took on the name of a saint. My middle name is Carissima but when I was thirteen, I was confirmed and picked the name of Saint Lucy.”

“What she the saint of?” 

“The blind. Our church had a statue of her, she was this pretty lady holding a dish. In the dish was her eyes. It was pretty rad.” 

“Please never say that ever again.” Ash opened her mouth to say something but then the elevator shuttered stop and opened. She walked out, Beth behind her. “Let’s see...721….” they kept walking looking for their room until at long last they found it. “This is it.” Beth unlocked the door and walked in. It was a nice room, comfortable enough and yet…

“There’s only one bed.”Ash internally screamed. Beth didn’t seem to mind, she was too busy opening up Draco’s box and releasing the snake. 

“How you doing, buddy?” Draco poked out of the sack and flickered his tongue. 

“Beth, there’s only one bed! Do you want me to sleep on the couch-”

“We’re sharing, babe,” 

Ash’s cheeks turned scarlet. “Right, yeah, I forgot.” She distracted herself by starting to unpack. “Alright, love, we’re here for three days. Tomorrow, we meet my family for lunch/dinner, Sunday is the wedding, and then on Monday, we fly back home.”

“Sounds good. Your family knows you’re a vamp, right?” Beth scooped up Draco and put him on her neck before hauling her suitcase up on the bed. She opened it and tossed her grimoire on the bed. No witch left home without hers, Beth was no exception.

“The immediate family does,” Ash rushed to the closet, hanging up her dress and shutting it before Beth could see. “Let’s keep it a secret, what where’s wearing,” They made a deal back in Chicago. Best to keep it a surprise, it made Ash smile. “The rest have been told I developed a skin condition so I can’t be in the sun.”

“Mhm.” They unpacked. Afterward, Ash opened a shampoo and drank straight from it, her teeth stained red. “Blood in a shampoo bottle. Smart.”

“When I moved to Chicago, it was a lot easier. No one questioned why I had so many water bottles.” She wiped her mouth, not getting a drop of blood on her clothes. Her eyes brightened once she drank. “I call left.” She pats the bed, she was sitting on the left side.

“I’ll take right then.” Beth looked at a clock. 10:55 glared back in white block letters. “You going to stay up, babe?” 

Ash was already digging out her pajama shirt from her suitcase and pulling off her shirt. She shook her hair and unclasped her bra. If this sounds descriptive this is because Beth couldn’t stop watching. Then she stretched her hands to the sky, her eyes shut. It was as if she was putting on a show. She probably was, seeing how she knew Beth was watching her. “No,” she took her time in putting on the old dress shirt, buttoning it up by the front nice and slowly, leaving the last three buttons open. “Shouldn’t you be setting up Draco’s terrarium, not looking at my tits, Lover?” 

“Fuck you.” She climbed off the bed and constructed it. Ash’s laugh followed her out of the room as she turned off the lights and snuggled under the covers. She was asleep by the time Beth came back, not even moving when she climbed into the bed. Beth would have to put a halt on her revenge until the morning. It wouldn’t be too hard, Ash flushed whenever Beth took off her shirt. She fell asleep plotting her revenge. 

Beth blinked her eyes open to peek Ash changing out of her pjs into a casual outfit, to which she quickly closed her eyes. Nope, nope, don’t be a peeping Tom. “It’s about time you woke up,” Ash clipped her bra in the front then slipped into the bathroom. 

“How did you know I’m awake?” Beth sat up and rubbed her eyes. 

There was movement in the bathroom, Ash replying while brushing her teeth. Her words were bubbled and barely understandable. “Your heartbeat spiked!”

“Oh…” She got out of bed, the narrator is going to skip the morning trifles of getting ready, eating breakfast, Ash driving to her parent's house until ...ah! They’ve arrived. Fantastic, interesting stuff. “So any topics I should stay away from?” Beth asked as they walked up to the two-story house. 

“Let's see...the fact that you’re a witch, you own a snake, and our entire apartment being monsters.” Ash dug out a bottle from her purse, a golden liquid swirling inside, she continued to uncork it and drank it to the last drop. 

“Why are you drinking a potion?” “It’s so I can eat garlic, don’t judge me.” In a household like hers, if she didn’t drink a potion, Ash would be in the emergency room in less than half an hour with her throat closing from eating something with garlic in it. Sure, she was a vampire and yes, it could kill her but damn was garlic delicious. 

Beth raised an eyebrow, she didn’t know potions like that existed. She wondered who Ash paid to make it.“People make potions like that?” “Yes, shut up, lover,” she hissed, shoving the bottle back in her purse before then knocked on the door and waited. One of the cousins opened the door, Ash waved with a tight smile, not showing her fangs. “Hi, Anthony! Can we come in?” 

“Ashley, it’s been a while!” He pulled her in a hug, Ash embracing her cousin. When they pulled away, he regarded Beth. “And who’s this?” “Anthony, this is my girlfriend! Beth!” Ash put an arm around Beth, smiling. It didn’t seem fake. Anthony let them in, it was crowded and the house smelled delicious garlic.

“Your name isn’t a cool pun on your vampirism?????” Beth whispered to her as they slipped into the crowds. 

“Shut the fuck up, Bethany.” She hissed. “Oh thank the fucking gods, breadsticks.” She grabbed two as they passed buy and sank her fangs into one. It tasted delicious, the garlic coating her tongue. 

 No wonder Ash drank that potion. She watched as Ash shoved a breadstick into her mouth. It was good when Ash pushed a breadstick into Beth’s hands. “Eat! Eat, you have to eat, lover!” She insisted. 

“Topolino!!!” an old woman yelled in joy, drawing Ash into a big hug. Ash squealed with delight and hugged her back. “My darling girl, you are too thin! Have you been eating enough?”  If not for the dynamic between the two women, Beth knew this was Ash’s mother by how much they looked alike but her mother was aged, smaller, and round. 

“Mama, you know I have, I just miss your cooking!” The two finally let go of each other and Ash stepped towards Beth, putting an arm around her. “Mama, this is my girlfriend - Beth,” She announced with a smile. 

“Hello, Ma’m,”  

Ash’s mother regarded her with a stern expression. “Do you treat my girl with respect, Beth?” her voice rough, her mouth in a tight frown, it was as if she was worried about something.

Beth nodded. “Of course! How else would I treat her?” 

Immediately, her mother relaxed, a massive worry lifted from her shoulders. “Welcome to the family, Beth, tell me have you eaten?” Beth shook her head. “I’ll find something for you to much on,” she smiled then slipped into the kitchen. 

Ash sighed with relief. “She likes you. Thank the gods. That makes this so much easier.”  She was right in a way, most of Ash’s family liked Beth, the woman of the family kept trying to feed her food while the men were trying to draw her into card games. A good night, Ash got to visit among her family while eating homemade pasta. Yum. To wrap a long story short, they walked back to the hotel with plenty of breadsticks shoved in Ash’s purse. 

“Your family is…”

“Intense? Yeah, I know,” 

“I was going to say nice, babe, but that too,” Ash nudged her in the ribs and she laughed, the evening going on smoothly. The fake couple ended up relaxing to a movie, Draco coiled around Beth’s neck. Then the day of the wedding was upon them. The day was a mess of getting ready, making sure they knew where the garden was, then the waiting game. The wedding wasn’t until

“Hey, are you done yet?” Beth drummed her fingers on her top hat. Getting into a suit was much easier than trying to zip up a dress herself and she’d heard Ash stumble and curse several times since she left to change in the living room. 

“Just- just get in here and help me!” Ash hissed, her fingers trying to claw at her back to attempt to self zipper up the back. Beth set aside her hand and walked in. Ash was wandering around the room, most of her outfit complete with makeup and heels already on, making the height difference between them from 3 to 5. Ash was now standing at a solid 6’. 

“Just hold still.” Ash stopped with a huffed and folded her arms across her chest. Beth stood on her toes as she zipped up the dress. “Why wear heels, you’re already 5’8,” she grumbled. 

“Jealous, lover?” Ash mumbled. 

Beth rolled her eyes then hooked the dress up. “You wish. There, you’re good. You finished?” She checked her watch, they still had an hour to walk to the garden and find good seats. 

“Just about,” Ash walked to the table, picked up one of her perfume bottles then spritzed some of it on her neck, rubbing it in. “C’mere, lover,” she walked over, before Beth could protest - she got hit with a squirt of perfume as well. “There, we match,” Ash smiled, showing her fangs. “You can look now.” 

To put it simply, her dress was gorgeous. Black, of course, sleeveless, and covered in an assortment of flowers giving it shy pops of color. Hands were covered by matching black gloves, used mostly to cover her pentagram scars. Her make up was simple, just blush and dark red lipstick, and dark locks swept over her shoulders. She was gorgeous, Beth considered herself lucky she didn’t blush. “You look great, babe,” 

“Lover, who gave you the right to steal Cara Delevingne’s look?” Ash muttered as she straightened Beth’s tie. Honestly, Beth needed to wear more suits because damn. 

“Who says she didn’t steal it from me?” Ash giggled, letting go of Beth’s silver tie. “We should start walking, “ 

“We should,” Ash took her fake girlfriends arm and hand in hand, they walked out. “You have one of the hotel keys, right?” Beth responded by patting on her breast pocket. “Good,” then they walked hand in hand to the garden, found good seats, and waited. It was a beautiful wedding, really, it was but unlike the one in the P!ATD song, the bride isn’t a whore and it went without Brandon Urie prancing about in a ringleader’s outfit. 

It was at the reception Beth learned how well Ash could hold her liquor. Not at all. Ashley Carissima Lucy Velcellio was a lightweight. “You’re telling me you are sixty-two years old and still a lightweight?” Beth was from the deep south where she had her first beer at thirteen. 

Ash giggled, her cheeks red before she covered them. “Yep!” What a troublemaker a drunken vampire could be and how fun but the most interesting incident went like this, “I’m not scoopable.” she muttered into her glass at one point of the evening. 

“You’re not what?” Beth put down her beer. 

“Scoopable. I seem to have a trend of dating people who are shorter than me but dammit I just want to be held in someone's arms but I’m just not-” she hiccuped, “scoopable.”

“Yes, yes you are,” Beth was already standing as Ash scrunched up her red face in confusion. 

“I’m pretty sure I’m not- oh! Oh!” She damn well squeaked as Beth scooped her up, holding her just fine in her arms. 

“You ARE scoopable!” Beth declared, watching as Ash threw back her head in a full laugh - her fangs on display, shining in the lights. 

“Okay, okay, lover! You’ve proven your point!” Ash giggled. She giggled a lot when she was drunk, Beth noticed it. Her cheeks were red, sometimes she slurred her words, and her face was always dangerously close to Beth’s. 

“Maybe I like keeping you in my arms, we’re finally level.” Ash giggled. “You’re kind of cute from up here,” it was the last thing Beth got out of her mouth before Ash did the unthinkable. She kissed Beth and Beth kissed her back.  

“Gods, I’ve been wanting to do that since….like forever,” Ash giggled, licking her lips. Beth tasted like beer, seeing how she’d been drinking it for most of the evening. 

“You taste like vodka,” was all Beth could say, her brain had short-circuited.

“Well excuse me - you don’t taste much better!” It didn’t stop her from kissing her again and again. “Pinning sucks,” Ash muttered after the third kiss.

“Let’s stop doing it,” Beth muttered back. 

“Deal,” Ash giggled and kissed her again, only to stop when someone screamed the bouquets were going to be thrown. “Oh! Put me down! Put me down, lover girl!” Beth complied and Ash grabbed her hand, dragging her in the directions of the scream. “Come on, one of us gotta catch it, right?” Ash laughed, drunk and high on Beth’s kisses. 

It was a wild night but wild nights should be our luxury. Ash didn’t remember the end of the night when Beth carried her back to the hotel - her sister's bouquet of roses and calla lilies clenched tightly in her hand. She did remember changing out of her dress and Beth herding her into bed before she got pulled into another kiss. 

In the morning, Ash woke up first, her head aching. Gods above, how much did I drink? Ash wondered as she climbed out of the bed and spent five minutes digging through her bag for some Tylenol. After pills were taken and several blood pouches drained, she turned her attention on Beth, still sound asleep. “Wake up, lover,” Ash poked Beth’s cheek. “We need to get ready if we want to make our plane on time,”

Beth opened her dark eyes, blinking them at the vampire hovering over her. “You...you don’t have to call me lover anymore,” She didn’t want Ash to stop but she forced herself to say it. There were heavy doubts Ash remembered most of the last evening seeing how hammered she was.

Ash frowned. “Listen, I’m all for silent pinning and all that shit but I kissed you last night. You kissed me back. I said how I’ve been pinning for a while, you replied in kind. So I just assumed we were dating. Guess I assumed wrong-” she didn’t get to finish. Beth pulled her down into a kiss.

“You still taste like vodka,” said Beth when they finally pulled away. 

“Oh, sue me.” Ash huffed. “Now come on, we’re going to miss our flight if you don’t get your ass out of bed.” She turned and resumed packing. In a couple hours, they were back in Chicago, opening up their apartment while holding each other's hands. 

“Hey, did you see that Ash and Beth are holding hands?” Calla, the local faerie, nudged her girlfriend as they left the building, passing the couple on their way up to their apartment. 

“Don’t remind me,” whined the selkie. 

“You owe me ten bucks.” 

“I know, Calla!”

[thebibliomancer]

50 More Days of Comics! 46/50: The Wedding of Popeye & Olive #1 (1999)

This is weird beyond words.

Popeye has a full head of hair??

What other weird oddities are hiding beneath the poorly understood surface, what Deepest Lore does the sailor man hide, not know to the wider public?

A lot! Popeye lore is a little bonkers!

Lets get into it!

Here’s one. Popeye wasn’t Olive’s first boyfriend. There was a guy called Ham Gravy or Harold Hamgravy who was the main character of the Thimble Theater comic strip (which eventually became Thimble Theater starring Popeye and then just Popeye).

He was Olive’s fiancee but also a slacker who often had eyes for other women if they were rich because he wanted to get rich quick and easy without working for it.

But apparently during his absence from Olive’s life, he has hit it rich and now dresses like a Texan millionaire.

Ham: “Honest, Olive... I never understood what you saw in him... He’s not as good-looking as me, or as rich as me, or as successful as me, or as well-dressed as me-”

Olive, pausing from upending an entire box of chocolates into her mouth: “Wait! -- Back up! Did you say... ‘rich’? You’re... rich?”

Ham: “Oh, yeah! I made huge investments in the stock market!”

Olive, with $ for eyes: “They all paid off?”

Ham: “Well... no... They all crashed! But, my dad got so mad, that when he was yelling at me about ‘em, his brain exploded and I inherited his millions!

“So whattaya say, Olive? Let me do right by you. Marry me! It’s more than that one-eyed sailor ever did for you!”

Olive, still $ for eyes: “Ham, Ham! -- Thi$ i$ $o sudden! What el$e can I $ay but, of cour$e!”

-sees picture of Popeye- “Of... of course... -- NOTTT! I’m... I’m sorry, Ham... I can’t...”

Aww. She loves her sailor man.

Ham accepts this gracefully.

Because he preemptively hired a goon to kidnap her, expecting her to say no.

That’s gracefully, right?

Also, I didn’t really have many thoughts about Olive Oyl prior to this. I had this sense that she’s one of the archetypal gets-kidnapped-so-she-can-be-rescued characters. But she is a delight in this scene.

And yes, she does immediately get kidnapped. But she has a lot of character in this conversation.

Elsewhere, Popeye accidentally saves a Just Married couple when the brake in their car fails. Which he does by standing on the dock, not paying attention, because he found a Jeep (a weird magic creature) stopping to smell the dock flowers and was worried it would get into an ‘askidenk’ not paying attention.

Also:

Popeye: “Ya may be a Jeep, but ya ain’t no car!”

Hah.

The married couple thank Popeye for saving them, by standing on the dock not paying attention so that their runaway car crashed into him, which he didn’t notice, sending them flying safely through the air into the ocean. The bride tells him that he’ll make a wonderful husband for some lucky girl someday.

And this puts him in an introspective mood about marriage.

Popeye: “Marich! A man takin’ a wife... T’sa big step Eugene! Marich... Me an’ Olive, we kin be good t’gedder! -- But I dunno... she can be so... so Olive! Sometimes I wonder.. will Olive ‘n me ever gets t’be hitched?”

But he done introspected in the right location if he wanted answers for his rhetorical questions. Because Jeeps can tell the future! Just go with it! And when Popeye asks whether he and Olive will ever get married, Eugene the Jeep bends over and waves his tail three times which means “Signs point to yes.”

Being no dummy, Popeye asks follow up questions and learns that he and Olive are going to get married soon and not next year or next week but TOMORROW, THE JEEP IS NEVER WRONG!

Popeye: “Then I gots’ta propose, ‘cause if we gets married widdout me proposin’, it ain’t gonna be offiskal! I kin not waits t’tell Olive! I kin jusk hear her muksical voice sayin’ --”

Olive, being kidnapped: “NOOOOO!”

Popeye: “I wuz kinda hopin’ for a yes...”

Hah.

Before Popeye can respond to Olive being kidnapped, goon-napped, gravy-napped, Bluto bursts through the dock. Popeye tries to knock him out but even though he punches the guy many times, he can’t wipe the smile off his face.

Winded and having run “outta soks in me sok drawer” which is an amazing turn of phrase relying entirely on comic book sound effects, Popeye wonders whats going on here.

Bluto: “Things’ve changed, Popeye! Y’see... I found the Wiffle Hen.. and rubbed her head!”

Popeye: “No!”

Bluto: “YESSSS!”

Popeye Deepest Lore is so wild.

Anyway, Bluto punches Popeye across town and then swims out to Ham Gravy’s boat. Wherein he promptly takes over Ham Gravy’s evil plan.

Ham wanted to go to his hideaway in Malta but Bluto was only going along with the plan because Ham could get him the boat he needed. And instead they’re going to Spinachania, the Kingdom of King Blozo, where most of the world’s spinach apparently comes from.

Olive: “I thought his country was called Nazilia!”

Bluto: “Nah... they changed it ‘cause Nazis kept showin’ up!”

... Welp.

Anyway, Bluto is going to eat all the spinach he can, steal what he can’t eat, and then burn the kingdom down. And then he’s going to marry Olive.

Ham: “I’m... I’m sorry, Olive... This hasn’t gone at all as I had planned... I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me!”

Olive: -pounds him into the deck like a nail-

Ham: “-- I’ll take that as a maybe...”

Meanwhile, Wimpy tries to get free hamburgers by claiming that it would be a charitable act and thus tax deductible. Old Man Geezil has finally had enough of this nonsense and is about to stab Wimpy when Popeye falls out of the sky on top of him.

Popeye promptly tries to hire a crew to help him save Olive but since he has nineteen cents to his name, everybody turns him down. Everybody but Wimpy.

Wimpy: “In the interest of our long association, I will sail with you today for a hamburger on Tuesday!”

Awww, Wimpy!

So Popeye sends Wimpy to find a ship (who steals Geezil’s, geez no wonder the man hates him) while he rounds up the ‘fambly’ Olive’s brother Castor Oyl, Olive’s parents Nana and Cole Oyl, Popeye’s reprobate dad Poopdeck Pappy, Swee’ Pea, Alice the Goon, and of course Eugene the Jeep.

On the trip, Popeye explains some Deepest Lore to Wimpy and whoever in the audience. Spinach helps Popeye be strong but rubbing the head of the Wiffle Hen years ago is what made it so nothing can hurt him, apparently.

And he deduces that since Bluto is taking pages out of his book, that he’ll be headed to get all the spinach from Spinachania and then there might be no stopping him.

Meanwhile, Spinachania and the king is having an anxiety attack. He just knows something bad is going to happen. AND HE’S RIGHT, THE KINGDOM IS UNDER ATTACK.

King Blozo: “I knew it! How many attackers? A thousand? -- A million??!”

A general: “Two, sire... B-but they’re annihilating our army!! It’s kind of embarrassing, really--”

And Bluto and Ted the Goon are indeed just kind of stomping the entire army.

They arrive at the Royal Spinach Field but when Bluto goes to grab the spinach, it THWIP!s underground. Like in a cartoon when a mole or gopher or something yoinks a vegetable underground.

But its not mole or gopher or something, its Popeye and he’s eaten all the spinach he yoinked so he’s real roided out.

Popeye rips the bag off Bluto’s back, freeing Olive and the Wiffle Hen.

Bluto calls for Ted the Goon to assist him but Ted has gone and fallen in love with Alice the Goon off-panel and now they’re having a picnic.

So Popeye and Bluto punch each other in the same pose for hours. Yes, really.

And Olive has an idea how to break the stalemate.

Bluto, looking tired: “... I don’t get it... I’m bigger’n you! Tougher’n you! I ate the spinach... rubbed the Wiffle Hen’s head -- an’ as long as the magic of the Wiffle Hen exists, I’ll still be able to-”

Cue Wimpy wandering by with a drumstick remarking how delicious rare magical birds are.

And while Bluto is panicking about not being super-invulnerable anymore, Popeye socks him in the gut. And he tries to sock Popeye back but it makes a KLONG! like punching metal and hurts Bluto’s hand.

He panics that Popeye shouldn’t be super-invulnerable anymore either.

Popeye: “I don’t needs t’be!  ‘Cause I yam what I yam an’ thass all that I yam!���

And then he punches Bluto into the sky.

Popeye then finds out that the Wiffle Hen is fine and wonders what happened so that he was able to beat Bluto if they were both super-invulnerable.

Poopdeck Pappy suggests that confidence is the real super power and that Popeye always has confidence in all things.

Popeye: “Not all... not in th’ one t’ing I shudda had all these years! But I’m fixin’ that... right now!”

And then he proposes to Olive (with a cigar band in lieu of a ring) and she immediately accepts.

Awww!

For a comic titled the Wedding of Popeye and Olive, the actual wedding only takes up the last two pages.

King Blozo marries them. There’s a gag where after they kiss, Popeye’s pipe has wound up in Olive’s mouth. And then she throws the bouquet.

And the Sea Hag of all people catches it. And immediately starts chasing Wimpy to marry him.

The Sea Hag: “Wait! I caught the bouquet!”

Wimpy: “And I’m catching the next plane out of town! -- Happy honeymoon, Popeye and Olive! I’ll drop you a line from wherever I’m hiding!!”

So that was the Wedding of Popeye and Olive and it was funny and it was cute and it has given me a new appreciation for the characters.

Thank you, box of mystery. I never would have read this without you.

[mrgrant9559-blog]

Witch Way Is Right? Part 8

AN: Ok, so this basically shows how the team is still a little bit split up after Civil War… Reader thought everything was fine but later finds out the horrible dark truth. I’m gonna change it up a little here. When I use Y/N, I won’t use parenthesis, so be on the lookout for that. Also, btw if you don’t know who Baron Mordo is, he’s this guy from Doctor Strange:

Summary: (Y/N) is a male witch and also comes from a family of witches. When (Y/N) is backed up in a corner by his brother, who chose the dark path, he is forced to choose his own fate, choosing the light path. This causes an Ecliptic War between Light and Dark Witches. During this war, an eclipse (both solar and lunar) is happening, and won’t end until one brother is left standing. With the help of the Avengers and other helpful heroes, will (Y/N) be able to defeat his brother, or will the world be forever secluded in darkness?

Subject: Avengers x Male!Reader/Steve Rogers x Male!Reader

Characters: Y/N, Avengers, Alex (Brother), Doctor Strange, Wong, Mom OC, Dad OC, Baron Mordo

Tags: @uselessace @avengersohyeah @lzzywinchester @thegreatficmaster @writeyouin

Word Count: 1.8k

Masterlist!

______________________________________________________

Later The Night:

Alex’s POV:

“Éna máti gia éna máti!” (An eye for an eye!) I say, as I conjour up a spell to spy on Y/N. Baron taught me this a few months ago and I have to admit this isn’t the first time I’ve used it on him, but it IS the first time I’ve done it against him. Usually, I’d use the spell just to check up on him and my parents. See how they were doing, if they needed any help, or if there was someone messing with Y/N that I had to privately take care of.

Even after I chose the dark path, I still wanted to be apart of the family, but I knew my parents wouldn’t want me to after Dad’s huge fight with Baron. I chose the dark path because Baron told me all the things I’d be able to do with it compared to if I chose the light path like my parents wanted me to. But now that I have, I don’t regret a single thing. Well, maybe a couple things.

“Alex, did you see anything while using that spell I told you about?” Baron asked, walking into our study to check up on me.

“Yeah.” I answered, “I guess Tony Stark is gonna be throwing a party for Y/N somewhere in the UK. I think that gives us the perfect opportunity to try out that true feelings spell, seeing as how Stark and Rogers are still on bad terms. What I just saw through Y/N’s eyes basically confirms it.”

“You’re right. All of them in the same room together. Something is bound to erupt.” Baron says. Although we do have some powerful dark witches on our side for the war, we still want to make sure that Y/N’s side will be easy to dominate. “I want you to cast that spell whenever you think it’s the right time, but make sure its during the party. If we play our cards right, we can cause the team disband again and Y/N won’t have the help he needs to win the war!”

All think planning, and I remember that Stark told Y/N that he was gonna have a mystery teacher to help him with his powers. I walk to the couch and sit down with an exasperated sigh that doesn’t go unnoticed by Baron, who takes a seat next to me. “What is it, my apprentice? Is something troubling you?” he asks.

“It’s just what Stark told my brother the other time I spied on him. He told him something about a mystery sorcerer coming to teach Y/N about his new advanced powers.” Baron nods at me to continue. “You wouldn’t happen to know who this mystery sorcerer is, would you?”

“I have an idea of who it might be. But if it is who I think it is, then we have to be careful about our next move.” He explains as I nod in understanding. “Let’s go. We need to prepare our selves for the spell.”

_________________________

Meanwhile:

Reader’s POV:

I look at the clock and it reads 3:25 p.m. I look in the mirror to check myself out. Never thought I’d be wearing a tux again after Homecoming except for prom. I have to admit though, I look pretty neat. My ‘Welcome to the Team’ party starts at tomorrow at 12 p.m. there (which is 4 a.m. here), so that means we’ll have time to relax and Tony will have time to get everything set up. At least, thats what he told me.

My thoughts were interrupted by the knock on my room door. “Who is it?” I ask, but didn’t hear anything. I go back to grooming myself until I hear another knock on the door. Annoyed, I start walking to the door and ask whl it is again but still no answer. I open the door and see none other than my parents!

“Surprise, kiddo!” My dad says to me and I jolt to them in a bone crushing embrace. I know its only been a day, but with whats been going on, I really needed to see them right now. The sound of my mom sobbing while hugging me is powerful enough to even cause me to shed tears of my own. I really want to tell them the things Alex put me through while I was gone, but I think the last thing they need is to know that. For now I just want to spend time with them as much as I can.

After what felt like half an hour of hugging and crying with my parents, we finally let go and I let them in my room to talk. They catch me up on almost everything, like how everyone back home is doing, and how people are reacting to the solar and lunar eclipses, saying that they’re lucky to experience such an astronomical phenomenon. I thought people would be freaked about the eclipses but according to my parents, everyone is loving it and saying they’re glad they’re alive to see something so beautiful. That makes me feel a little better.

Two hours pass and I finally get a text from Tony telling us to head to the airport to fly to London. We enter the vehicle thats waiting for my parents and I in front of the Avengers HQ building. Tony told me that our driver was happy but when I saw him, he didn’t look all that happy to me. On our way to the airport, I get another text this time from Steve.

________________________________________________________

Steve: Hey Y/N! It’s Steve.

Y/N: Oh hey Steve. How’d you get my number?? lol

Steve: Friday told me. Anyways, are you guys almost to the airport?

Y/N: Yea actually we should be there in like… 30 mins?

Steve: Awesome! Also, when we’re at the party, can you do me a favor?

Y/N: Uhh sure… What is it tho?

Steve: Don’t drink a DROP of alcohol… I know you’re 18 and you really wanna celebrate, but you can do that without drinking and I really wouldn’t feel comfortable with an 18 year old drinking… Just promise me you won’t 😕

Y/N: Ok. I won’t 😉

Steve: Great! I really appreciate it! See ya soon! 😇

Y/N: Yea see ya! 😈

________________________________________________________

Welp, I’m gonna get fucking hammered at this party. I mean who does Steve think he is trying to tell me what not to do just because he’s not comfortable with it? It’s not like he’s boyfriend or my dad or anything. My parents pick up on my frustration a few minutes after. “Hey, sweetie. Is everything alright?” my mom asks.

I turn to her and give her a half smile as an idea pops in my head. “I just need to know something.” I say as my parents nod for me to continue speaking. “Since I’m at the legal age to drink in the UK, how much am I allowed to drink exactly?”

They both share glances towards each other, a smile writen on their faces before my dad turns back to me. “Your mother and I were talking about this when we heard from Mr. Stark about the party. We think its a great idea that he’s decided to have the party in the UK so you can properly celebrate your recruitment to the Avengers.” He explains.

“And as an Avenger, we expect you to make your own decisions not just for yourself, but for your team as well.” My mom adds. “So, we’re allowing you to drink as much as you want. Just don’t get too drunk.”

My eyes widened as I’m surprised by my parents decision. Not only are they allowing me to drink, but they’re trusting me to be responsible on how much I drink too. I’m so excited now for this party, that I don’t think the smile on my face could get any bigger.

As we finally arrive at the plane, which is called Stark Airlines of course, I see Nat and Clint sitting together, Bucky and Sam sitting together across from them, and Steve sitting alone behind Bucky and Sam. I wonder if he caught on to that d evil emoji I sent him. I try walking past him, but he grabs my wrist gently enough for me to stop and glance at him.

“Hey, when we were texting earlier, I think you sent me the wrong emoji.” He says.

“No, it was the smiling devil emoji, right?” I say and he nods his head. “Yeah, I meant to send that.”

“Ok, but what do you mean by that? I’m a little new to the whole emoji thing, but I know that usually means something else.” He tells me.

A smirk is plastered on my face as I tell him, “Don’t worry about it. Just know that I’m an adult, and I can be responsible for my own actions.” And with that, I walk three seats behind him next to where my parent are sitting. I look towards them and they give me a reassuring smile as I give one back to them. This is gonna be fun! Later on Wanda, Vision, and Scott get on the jet and we’re ready for take-off.

__________________________________

House of M:

Third Person POV:

“Strange! Did you ever figure out whats causing these solar and lunar eclipses?” Wong asks, as he enters the study, finding Doctor Strange with his nose buried in a book like he’s been doing for the past couple of days. Strange knows that these eclipses aren’t “astronomical phenomenons” like the scientists want everyone to believe. He’s too smart to fall for something like that.

“Apparently, some idiot and his little brother started the Ecliptic War. Which explains the eclipses. An Ecliptic War can only be started when two witch born sibling choose two different paths, one light and the other dark.” Strange explains as he closes the book he was just reading and summons his cape to fly to him and wrap around his collar. “According to this book, if they don’t hurry up and have this war, then Earth could be at risk of going into complete darkness. That means no moon, no sun, nothing. Just darkness and chaos.”

Wong has a worried look on his face. He knows that they need to hurry up and do something before things get catastrophic. “How long do they have to start the war?” He asks in completely understanding of how serious this is.

Strange turns towards Wong, whose determined to make sure the Earth is back to normal. “Don’t worry. We have 3 months after the eclipse has started, which means we’re gonna have to start Y/N’s training a lot sooner than we thought. Get everything ready. We’re gonna have to pay Y/N a visit.”

__________________________________

Hey, so not really proud of this chapter that much, Could’ve made it longer but I want to leave the initial party for the next chapter, plus some extra stuff I’m planning. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy and I’ll see you in the next chapter.

[zfiledh]

Return to Rothezar

AO3 | LJ | FF.net

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 |

The Pines family returns to Gravity Falls for the summer of 2013, this time accompanied by Dipper and Mabel's parents. But they're not the only ones coming back...

Author’s Note: This continues directly after the last chapter of Not What It Seems. There was another part to the story of Maegella, and it took me months to set a cohesive plot to the sequel and a couple of weeks to begin writing again.

For @eregyrn-falls who talked me into kickstarting the writing flow. :)

Prologue

June 2013

Fiddleford McGucket looks a lot better these days after becoming insanely rich. Before he left Gravity Falls with his twin, Stanford Pines had teamed up with a reluctant Tate McGucket and managed to convince Fiddleford to wear new clothes and shoes. It ended with a compromise: Fiddleford wore a shirt under his new overalls and he only wears shoes for “special occasions”, like eating out at Greasy’s Diner. However, there was nothing friend nor son could do to convince Fiddleford to let go of the patched and frayed brown hat that he snatched from a scarecrow. The cast on his arm was removed, but was promptly replaced with what looked like a red fiberglass replica of the cast.

When he was asked by Soos about this, Fiddleford replied, “My arm felt naked!” Soos nodded in solemn understanding.

Nowadays, his posture is now much straighter, his (horrible, screeching) voice toned down a bit, and he cleaned up nicely after his “wizard’s beard” was trimmed to half its length. Some of the townsfolk attributes this to a visit from Wendy and Soos around February. The former employees of the Mystery Shack had returned from a quick “visit” with the Pines family in California, and the day after they returned they headed straight for McGucket’s mansion.

Presently, Fiddleford was out at the front of the former Northwest manor. Spry and agile for his age, he hops out from an opening of a huge round metal hull that was propped up with wooden beams on the sides. Next to the fountain and lying on its side was the head and neck of a mythical sea monster. Fiddleford jumped nimbly on the ground and took off his welding helmet.

“Won’t be long now, Gobblewonker,” he said to the head happily, shutting off his welding torch before putting it on a nearby table. “I’ll finish ya before the kids get here next week and we’ll go out on the lake and scare the willies out of ev’rybody!”

He starts whistling a happy tune as he saunters back to the manor. Tonight, he’s hungry for some grub from Greasy’s Diner.

XXX

She crashed on the dusty floor of a dark and forbidding place.

After a moment, Maegella carefully pushed herself up to a sitting position, holding herself steady to let the dizziness pass. She opened her eyes and saw nothing but darkness. She shifted into a kneeling position and held out her left hand, palm-side up.

“Naur,” she whispered, frowning as she concentrated. This was a lot more complicated than wielding a staff, on top of summoning fire.

From the palm of her hand came a burst of blue flame. It illuminated her hand, making the sleeve of her silver robes shimmer in the light. With one hand occupied, she awkwardly pushes herself off the floor. She raises her hand out and turns around, looking at the area she was in. She could make out the rocky formation of the floor, a partition made of metal, and the walls carved from earth. It seemed like she was in a cave of some sort.

It was also familiar to her somehow.

She raised the hand with the flame and looked up. The light wasn’t enough to see the ceiling in this place. But if this was the place she thought it was…

"Koron en' naur!"

A ball of blue flame shot out from her hand. It struck the ceiling and briefly illuminated the earth above. Maegella’s eyes widened when she saw the corner of an opening. She sent out two more fireballs before she found what she was looking for: a large, jagged opening in the rock, but something seems to be covering it.

She took a deep breath and raised both her hands above her head. “Faina templa!” she yelled.

This time, great bolts of blue energy shot out from both palms and hit the ceiling.

BLAM!

After the debris stopped falling, Maegella grinned as she looked up; she could see the night sky from the hole she made. From the folds of her robes, she took out a small silver disc the size of a tiny teacup saucer and dropped it. The disc stopped falling and hovered inches from the ground. She tapped it with her foot and it began to grow in size until it was roughly the size of a manhole cover. She stepped on the Hover Disc and started flying up toward the hole she made in the ceiling.

When she cleared the opening, she breathed in deeply and turned around. Before her was a familiar dwelling with a triangular roof and a square body made of wood. The last time she was here, the house and grounds were covered with snow. Now, it was warm and dry and green all around.

“I have returned,” she whispered, a sense of relief and wonder creeping into her voice. “This is Soos’ home!”

Maegella moved away from the large hole in the ground and floated away to where she knew the entrance was. She felt giddy with excitement; she missed the friends she had made from this plane of existence.

She clasped her hands over her mouth at the thought that she would see him again.

She reached the front door and stepped off her Hover Disc. She tucked a strand of dark red hair behind her ear and gently knocked on the door.

After a few moments, she stepped back, frowning. She walked towards one of the windows next to the door and peered inside.

She remembered Soos saying that the front of this house serves as the “gift shop”, where people buy trinkets (possibly as gifts to others, Maegella thought then). From the light on the porch, she could see inside the gift shop. There was no one inside.

And then she realized that if Soos, Melody and Abuelita were inside, they would have heard her blow up the cover on the fissure.

“Where did they go?” she wondered, stepping back on the Hover Disc. She floated away from the Shack and up over the treetops. “Perhaps they went on holiday…”

XXX

“Goodnight ev’rybody!” Fiddleford called out as he and Tate stepped out of Greasy’s Diner. Strapped to the older man’s chest via baby carrier was a large and very well-fed raccoon. Apparently, the Huggy Wuvvy Tummy Bundle also works for Raccoon Wives.

“Welp, time to git on home!” said Fiddleford, leaning down to kiss her furry head. “I’m so glad we could have this git-together and spend time as a family.”

“Yep,” Tate said in his stoic voice and patted his father’s skinny shoulder. Fiddleford smiled; his son wasn’t much for conversation. In fact, their reconciliation last year was the most they have talked in years.

Father and son hopped into a brown pickup truck and started driving back to the manor. Fiddleford and Raccoon Wife provided the background noise on the drive back home, mostly chattering from the latter and the former’s excitement at receiving visitors at his grand new home in the coming week. They were halfway home when the pickup’s headlights lit on a figure standing by the trees. No, they weren’t standing; they were walking, but not in a straight line.

Something was wrong.

“Hornswaggle m’goat knees, stop the car Tate!” Fiddleford cried out. “We gotta help ‘em!”

Tate immediately parked to the side and before he could turn off the engine, his father had jumped out of the truck and ran towards the woman in silver with Raccoon Wife still strapped to his chest. When he got closer, he slowed down as he heard the stranger speak.

“Stop…please, stop…Mani uma lle merna?” she whimpered.

She wore what looked like a long silver gown, with a rip on the right sleeve and stains on the same side. Her dark red hair was wild and sticking up in places and partially covered in leaves. Fiddleford immediately felt sorry for this woman. He remembered living in the dump when his mind was ruined by the Memory Gun, and the kindness that went his way were few and precious to him.

“Pardon me, miss, but are ya in need of some assistance?” Fiddleford asked softly, but it was enough to startle the woman. She turned swiftly to face him, and Fiddleford mustered a kind smile in an attempt to calm her down, poor thing. Her gray eyes were huge with fright on an oval face and her lower lip was trembling. There was even a smudge of dirt on her straight nose.

The woman looked from his face to a point on his chest. Fiddleford looked down. “Oh, don’t mind ‘er, miss,” he chuckled. “She’s well-fed and content, she won’t harm ya none. She ain’t the jealous type!” When she didn’t respond, he added, “Ya look like yer in need of some assistance. It ain’t safe out here at this time o’ the night.”

She opened and closed her mouth, somewhat at a loss for words, before she managed to say, “I—I am lost. I was l-looking for my friends and I—I fell and got lost.”

She looked up at a point on Fiddleford’s right; Tate had stepped forward, looking between the strangely-dressed woman and his father. The senior McGucket looked at her in concern before stepping forward cautiously.

“Tell ya what? We’re gonna take ya with us and getcha cleaned up. Ya can sleep at our place an’ tomorrow, we’re gonna help ya find these friends o’ yers. Ya can tell us on the way back home,” he offered. “And I ain’t takin’ no fer an answer! As ya can see here, these woods ain’t safe this time o’ the night.”

Behind Fiddleford, Tate nodded in agreement. Though he wasn’t fond of strangers, even he wouldn’t want to leave the woman out here in the middle of the night. The woman blinked.

“You would do that for me?” she asked in surprise. When both men started nodding (including the raccoon), she gave them a small smile. “Thank you,” she whispered.

She accepted Fiddleford’s outstretched hand (which was covered in some strange glove) and limped slowly back to the pickup truck.

“The name’s Fiddleford, by the way,” he said cheerfully. “Fiddleford McGucket! And this here is m’son, Tate!”

She nodded at the two of them and said, “My name is Maegella.”