#which is horrible emotional control. i thing even waiting to run to the mats was good practice for Ace and Luffy

[buff-muffin]

I remember seeing this guy talk about raising his sons and it kind of made me think of a modern AU Dadan and how I think she would also use one of the methods this guy mentioned. I don't remember the guy who posted or how long ago it was before it resurfaced in my brain, but essentially. he knew his boys needed to rough house, get out the energy of being well behaved all day so he bough a few gym mats and punching dummy's and threw these kids (lightly) around. Which, in of its self, is an amazing thing to give a small boy? a place to be rough and tumble and loud, an outlet for the exhaustion of the day and a place where they could actually practice their strength.

Now the ASL brothers are by no means as gentle and really they're fighting with teeth and claws regardless. but I love the mental image of like. After hours of these boys fighting every second of the day. who gets the first bath, who gets the bigger sandwich, who has to sit middle in the car, who gets the good snack or the last serving or the shower or the top bunk. or whatever other reason they decide to have a BRAWL IN THE FUCKING LIVING ROOM. Dadan finally gave in. going round back of an gymnasium she manages to score some old worn out tumble mats. drags them out to the shed and says "this is where you fight. not in the bedroom. not in my kitchen. not at school. here. and the only rule is you cant cause enough physical injury to have CPS called in my ass again."

now when an adult gives you a round about way to let you beat your siblings ass? you're gonna take it. and the collection grew, second hand boxing gloves, pool noodles cardboard shields and the dangerous stay piece of bamboo. they had their battle arena and would run home to settle a fight from hours before. And also gave Dadan a reason to kick them out of the actual fucking house when they got too rowdy over mario kart.

Of course they still got hurt. punches too hard, slamming into the concrete, a lost tooth a broken limb. But I truly think those memories of running to the shed to fight over who got the last slice of dessert at 9pm must be some of those boys favourites. Dadan considered it a slightly duller head ache

[cheeseburgersstuff]

Hi can u pls write steve rogers x barnes!reader like(enemies to lovers trope) modern au plsss

Hey, nonnie!! Thank you for requesting this! 💕✨ I hope you like it :')

LOVEABLE

Steve Rogers x Barnes Reader

Warnings: language, asshole reader, mistakes, shitty writing:') 

Master-list

You rolled your eyes for the 10th time. Nat, your best friend and not to forget the girlfriend of your brother gave you an annoyed look.

"C'mon why do you hate him so much? He is such a sweetheart." She said, taking a sip of beer.

You looked at her incredulously, "sweetheart? He is a fucking asshole! He always talks shit…" you were about to express your feelings about him when Nat cut you off.

"And what about you? You gave him respect?" You frowned at her words, why was she defending him.

You opened your mouth to reply to her but she didn't let you speak.

"I think you should date him, it's shocking you are not together knowing each other from your childhood." You kept looking at her with an open mouth.

She looked at the corner and got up from her seat.

"Consider what I have said," she said and walked off, probably to your brother, bucky.

You scoffed, shaking your head. You can't stand that blondie, from the start. The moment that guy became friends with your brother, you started to dislike him. 

Bucky stopped spending time with you, it was always about Steve from then. 

He is coming for dinner. Sorry tiger, Steve and I are going to the movies.

Your plans with bucky were ruined because he had to take care of that cute little shit who got beaten by some bullies.

You didn't know why he looked cute to you even with his small fragile frame, he was just so perfect for everyone. So polite, so respectful.

But you knew the truth, he was a shithole, who always found it amusing to annoy you, he knew your dislike for him so rather than doing something to make himself a bit lovable for you, he started to irritate you.

Those annoying mimicries turned into snarky comments and remarks throughout the years.

And that cute little shit was now a big hot asshole you have ever met.

You still couldn't stand him. If it wasn't your big brother's birthday party, you wouldn't tolerate standing beneath the same roof as him. This was how much you hated him.

You sighed again, checking the time waiting for your boyfriend, John.

You looked around to see if he came but there was no sign of him.

Suddenly your gaze fell on a blond girl, throwing herself on Steve, who was quite enjoying her company.

It looked like he felt your gaze and looked towards you. He smirked at your eye contact. You rolled your eyes and turned your back towards them.

You were getting bored when he came beside you.

"Hey, sweetness." Again that teasing tone.

You ignored him thinking he would leave but of course, it was steve grant rogers, he never took a hint.

"Why so lonely huh? Your idiotic boyfriend is not here." 

That made your blood boil. You turned and pointed a finger towards him.

"Shut the fuck up. Do not talk to me and don't even dare to call him an idiot." You hissed at him.

Steve only chuckled and grabbed your finger gently pulling you towards him. You looked at him with wide eyes and tried to pull your finger outta his grip.

"You gotta keep your eyes open girl or else you will keep waiting for him in every party and he will be enjoying with some—"

"Shut up rogers" she yelled and pushed him away. A few people stared at both of you but you didn't care.

"Just because you were fooled by your  fiance doesn't mean everyone is out there cheating on their partners. Not everyone is like Peggy carter" you whispered those words pure-hearted but as soon as those left your mouth, you regret them. 

Your breath was heavy with all that emotions. You looked up at Steve and felt more guilty.

His jaw was clenched. You expected to see hate and anger in his eyes but you saw the worst, sadness. 

He didn't say anything just looked at you for a few seconds and walked away. 

You ran your hand from your hair in frustration. You crossed the limit you knew, you just wanted to make him angry.

Your eyes fell on bucky and nat, they gave you a disappointed look before running outside towards Steve.

~

It had been a week since that disaster and your guilt was doubled in those days.

You just couldn't forget the emotions you saw in those beautiful baby blue eyes.

You were thinking to apologize to him, it was difficult, very difficult but necessary.

But you didn't see Steve after that night. Mat and buck weren't talking to you, just a few words here and there. 

You felt like a criminal. You remember the day when Peggy broke the engagement, three years ago. He was so sad that day, you even heard him cry in bucky's room.

You remember how happy he was on his engagement day. The way he looked at her, the love in his eyes, you felt so weird that day. 

You didn't even want to attend his engagement party but of course bucky forced you. That little shit trapped you to come along with him, saying you were just jealous. 

You would have broken his head hearing if Nat didn't come between you two siblings.

Anyway, you still were thinking about his red puffy eyes from all the crying session when suddenly you buzzed bringing you out of your thoughts.

You looked at your phone. It was a text from an unknown number, with an address and time, along with a picture of your lovely boyfriend with some girl. You couldn't see her face clearly.

You frowned seeing that message. Now you wanted to know whether steve was true or not. 

A part of you believed him, yes you disliked him but still, you knew him from. your childhood.

He would never try to create misunderstandings between you and your boyfriend just to annoy you. 

"Still you talked shit about his love life huh" your inner self made you feel more horrible.

You groaned and fell on the bed with a thud. 

You decide to go to that address and then you would apologize to Steve as well.

~

It was a small cafe, you arrived a bit earlier than the time mentioned.

You didn't know who texted you and who's gonna bless you with their presence there. 

You kept waiting outside the cafe. Some time passed and no one appeared and you started to think it was some silly prank on you. But suddenly you saw John coming out of his car with some bimbo.

She was clinging to him. They didn't notice you and were walking inside the cafe when you marched in front of them.

The expressions on John's face, you would have laughed in any other situation with that moment you were furious.

He called your name with shock, of course not accepting you there. 

That girl just looked at you with confused, annoyed expressions.

You kept looking at him with anger, not knowing what to say.

That is what happens with you, always saying wrong things at the wrong time and when you have to say nasty stuff, nothing comes out of your mouth.

This was your anger.

"Who is she Johnny" that girl with her annoyingly high-pitched voice.

You cringed at her, "his girlfriend" you glared at her.

She got shocked at the revelation, "which I assumed you didn't even know about" you added.

And then it was two of them, she started to fight him ignoring you and the other people around you.

And strangling you were enjoying it. And suddenly she slapped his face. You covered your mouth with shock and to control your laughter too.

She walked off still cursing towards him. John glared at you. His eyes were filled with eyes. And that moment you thought why were you with that asshole.

Suddenly he grabbed your arm and forcefully dragged you towards the corner.

You freed your arm from his grip. You opened your mouth to talk but he cut you off.

"She slapped me in front of everyone because of you. How did you even get here huh" you were beyond shocked at his words.

And this is the guy for whom you talked shit to Rogers. She groaned internally.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now? You are the fucker who is cheating on me and still have the audacity to blame me! Like wow," you yelled at him.

He grabbed you again, this time with much more force, "do not talk with me like that" he murmured.

"Let me go, you idiot. Steve was so right about you, I was so stupid to defend you!" You hissed still fighting to pull him off.

"Oh, so suddenly Steve is all good and I am bad huh? Maybe you are the one cheating on me. Are you fucking that— 

Suddenly he got pulled off of you and was on the floor with a bloody nose.

You looked up and saw an angry Steve glaring at your now ex-boyfriend.

For the first time in your life, you were so happy to see that hit asshole.

John got up for the floor and tried to hit Steve but blocked him by grabbing his fist.

"Don't even try with me, Walker." He freed his hand with a force.

John glared at him and then you, "you will regret this, bitch" he hissed and then walked off.

You sighed in relief and looked towards Steve.

Suddenly you remembered your words and felt awkward. 

"You here?" You asked timidly. Steve was amused by your tone but didn't say anything.

"Umm..yeah. Buck called here" he said.

"And here I am" suddenly bucky came out of nowhere.

"I just wanted to show her how wrong she was to defend that guy," Bucky said looking at you still with disappointment.

"And things she said— he was saying but Steve interrupted.

" seriously buck. I told you to leave that matter." He sounded annoyed and you wanted the ground to swallow you.

Steve sighed and started to walk away. You could feel tears forming in your eyes. Bucky cleared his throat causing you to lookup.

He was giving you, go after him idiot, look. Steve lived near that area, so you ran towards the way his house was. 

Bucky smirked and pulled out his phone. 

"All done" he texted Nat. Finally, their plan to set these idiots up was about to fulfill.

Soon you found him walking on the side road with his hands in his pockets.

"S...steve" you called hesitantly. He turned around to look at you with a bit of a shocked face.

You walked closer to him. "I—" you looked around there were only a few people but still you didn't feel comfortable.

So you grabbed his hand and pulled in the corner, a small alley. 

 He raised his eyebrows at you, making you feel weird in the stomach.

"Steve about that night" 

"It's o—" he was about to say.

"Please let me speak," you said pleading yet a bit annoying tone.

"What I said was horrible, I should not have, no matter whatever the reasons were. Steve, I am so sorry about that. I didn't even mean those words, I don't know why I said those things" you were rambling when you felt his thumbs cleaning the tears from your face.

You didn't know when you started crying. 

"It's okay sweetheart" his voice was soft, just like his eyes. A worried frown was on his face, you wanted to smooth out with your fingers but controlled yourself.

"I surely was sad but I wasn't mad at you. So stop crying now" you nodded but still feeling bad.

Suddenly out of nowhere, something came into your mind which you blurted without thinking.

"Maybe you should come for coffee tomorrow at my house. It will make me feel better and—" he raised his eyebrows encouraging you to speak.

"Maybe we could take a long overdue but necessary fresh start?" You pulled out your hand for him.

"Truce?" She smiled. 

Steve chuckled and shook your hand.

"So it's not a date?" You knew he was annoying you. You rolled your eyes but then bit your lip.

"Umm. Well if you want…" you said looking up at him.

Suddenly his gaze fell onto your lips and then to your eyes. Your heart was beating violently.

He grabbed your face with both of his hands and started to lower his face.

His lips felt so soft against your, so perfect. They molded perfectly as if meant to be together. 

He kissed you softly and slowly, savoring that moment. Loving the feeling of them against his. 

His kiss literally took your breath away and you inhaled deeply after being apart.

"That was long overdue too" he whispered, resting his forehead against yours. You chuckled kissing the tip of his nose.

You couldn't believe you just kissed him. That hot asshole you claimed to hate suddenly seemed all loveable to you...

[maybe-i-dreamt-u]

Soft sighs and simple smiles

  “I’m sorry. I really am.” She said.

Zuko couldn’t really believe what just happened. Had Mai actually fucking broken up with him? He vision was suddenly very cloudy and he didn’t know if it was because of his headache or the tears pooling in his eyes. He needed to get out of there. Quickly.

He had said something before he left the room. Something along the lines of “sorry I wasn’t enough.” Or “best of luck”, but he wasn’t really sure what. He’s sure he didn’t just storm off without a word, but right now he really couldn’t remember what it is that he said. It’s not like it mattered, anyway.

The next few hours were a bit of a blur. Zuko was feeling too sick and there were too many tears streaming down his face to properly pay attention to what he was doing. Running away, apparently. At around 3 in the morning the realisation kind of hit him. Fire Lord Zuko, yes, the one who had just had a wonderful meeting with his council not even 12 hours ago, was currently sitting in a train going to Ba Sing Sai, with a big black hood on so people wouldn’t recognize him (and also so they wouldn’t see his red face and puffy eyes). That Fire Lord Zuko had just been dumped and was now heading to his uncle in hope for some comfort and good tea. Though if he thought about it, good tea was comfort.

Zuko felt more dead than alive when he entered the Jasmine Dragon, and he wanted to sleep more than anything else in the world, but he knew he had to at least say hello to the person who had supported and loved him more than anyone else. So he quickly stopped by the kitchen to hug Uncle and thank him for allowing his nephew to come on such short notice, before heading upstairs to his room. As soon as the door was closed behind him, the salty tears returned and Zuko threw himself face down on the bed, wishing he could get a fucking break from life.

 -

 As soon as Iroh had called them, Sokka knew he had to get to Ba Sing Sai as soon as possible. He knew what getting broken up with felt like (thanks, Suki) and he also knew that what his best friend (who he was coincidentally very much in love with, you know, to make tings difficult) needed, was a distraction. Or, in other words, Zuko needed his friends to come over. So Katara and Aang took Appa and collected Sokka and Toph on their way to the Earth Kingdom. They made it to the city in no less than 5 hours.

Sokka hadn’t exactly expected Zuko to be ball of sunshine, but that didn’t prepare him for the sight inside the tea shop. In the far left corner, where light barely made it though the windows, Zuko was sitting alone, drinking a small cup of tea and writing something in a leather journal. He looked like he hadn’t slept since the breakup. His matted hair was slightly covering his face, which was lacking its usual angry expression. Zuko just looked empty. Sokka’s heart broke a little. He hadn’t seen Zuko like this since Azula was put in a mental hospital.

The others didn’t seem to take the sight much better either. Katara looked like she wanted to cry too and Aang had a horrible, pitiful look on his face. And Toph, well… Toph couldn’t see so she was safe for now.

The group approached Zuko slowly and quietly, trying not to startle him, as if he was some wild animal that would run off at the slightest sign of danger. Knowing Zuko and his relationship with emotions, he probably would run off.

As they got closer to his table, Zuko lifted his eyes. He looked more annoyed, than surprised to see them.

“I fucking knew he would tell you” he said in lieu of hello and dropped his gaze back to what he was writing.

“Well hello to you too, Sparky!” Toph punched Zuko’s arm and took a seat next to him. Katara, Aang and Sokka sat down on the other side.

“Hey there, Zuko! How are you?” said Aang cheerly and Zuko answered flatly with

“Fucking great, and you?” Apart from his right hand, he wasn’t moving, but Sokka could see how tense he was.

“Oh, you know, just… Visiting a beautiful city” Everyone fell silent after that. None of them really knew what to say to Zuko when he was like this. Sokka wished he could crack a joke for his best friend, but he suddenly felt at a loss for words. Seeing Zuko so incredibly sad made his heart hurt. He just wanted to hold him tight and never let anything bad happen to him ever again. But that was against the rules, and this wasn’t even about him in the first place, so Sokka shoved that thought away for the time being.

“Look Zuko, we’re just trying to help you.” Katara tried again. Zuko just huffed in response.

“I know you and Mai were very close,” Zuko physically flinched at the mention of his ex-girlfriend, “and I know that you feel rea-“ she continued, but Zuko interrupted with a quiet

“You don’t know shit, ok? Stop acting like you know what’s going on. I appreciate the sentiment, but you really. Really. Don’t have any expertise in this particular domain.” Zuko sounded like he was staring to tear up again. Katara looked hurt, but she thankfully held her mouth. Toph however didn’t.

“I get that you’re hurt n’ all, but you really don’t have to be a bitch. We’re here for you, Sparky, not because we missed Ba Sing Sai so much, so maybe try acting like you appreciate it, and loosen up a bit.” Zuko opened his mouth to say something but Toph was quicker. “And don’t even try to tell me “Oh but I didn’t ask you to come!!” because we both know that you needed us to come and take your mind off things. I mean which one of us looks like they haven’t slept for 48 hours? Exactly. You. Now shut up and get me a cup of jasmine tea, please” She ended with an innocent smile and, for some reason, Zuko actually got up and headed towards the kitchen. Or at least that’s what Sokka thought. In the last moment, instead of going straight ahead, Zuko turned left and vanished in the back room.

“What the fuck, Toph?” Sokka stood up before he could think twice and headed in the same direction. He was going to go upstairs towards Zuko’s room but then he noticed the Fire Lord sitting expressionless in the corner of an empty staff room, knees to his chest, looking out the window. He looked like a little child that had been separated from his mother. Sokka’s heart broke a little more.

“Hey” he announced himself, in case Zuko hadn’t spotted him. His friend didn’t move, but he didn’t tell Sokka to stay away either, so Sokka slowly approached him. He sat down next to him and waited in silence. Neither of them spoke for a few minutes. Sokka was looking for the right way to tell him that he’s not alone, he’s got his friends and his uncle and yeah, it sucks now, but it’ll get better, you just have to give it some time, and, the Universe knows what to do, and frankly, they didn’t even look that cute together, and it would all be ok. Instead he just said

“You look like you could use a hug.” After a few moments of silence Zuko turned to look at him and asked

“What?” in flattest tone possible, with an impossibly tired look on his face. Sokka just shrugged and went

“I don’t know, you just give me the vibes of a person in need of a hug” he said with a tiny, knowing smile.

Zuko hummed in approval and turned to face him fully. Sokka opened his arms and Zuko slowly leaned into them, carefully placing his forehead on his friend’s chest. Sokka hoped Zuko couldn’t feel his heart beating at 1000mph and concentrated on embracing him in the fiercest hug he could muster. Slowly but surely he felt Zuko relax against his strong body. After a couple of minutes he let out a soft, little, ragged sigh and Sokka thought he might die on the spot.

Though unfortunately after a while Sokka could barely feel his legs anymore and as much as he hated ruining the moment, he said in the softest voice possible

“Bro I’m sorry to interrupt but my legs are absolutely dead, so if we’re gonna keep cuddling you have to let me move a bit”.

“First of all we’re not cuddling, I’m just receiving a comforting hug from my best friend because I feel like I’m going to die alone, and second of all, no.” Sokka felt a smile forming on his face and tried his best not to let it show.

“Ok, well if you want to keep receiving a comforting hug from your best friend, you’re gonna have to move because my legs also feel like they’re going to die alone.” Zuko only huffed at that and then he lifted his head. They changed into a more comfortable position, Sokka leaning his back on the wall, and Zuko’s head under Sokka’s chin, Sokka���s arms around Zuko’s fragile looking body. After he was sure that Zuko had closed his eyes, he texted Aang “we won’t be back for a while, don’t come looking, I’ve got it under control”. He wasn’t sure he actually had it under control, but he couldn’t tell Aang that, could he now?

The two just sat there without speaking. The silence was only occasionally broken by Zuko sighing or sniffing quietly, but nothing more. After about half an hour, just as Sokka was about to fall asleep and have the greatest nap of his existence, Zuko said faintly

“It was so sudden. I never even saw it coming” He said it so quietly that Sokka almost missed it. He starting asking himself if he had only imagined it when Zuko continued. “I know her. I’ve known her for years. And she didn’t act any differently.” That was followed by a sniffle and then, “She just- Fell out of love? I guess? That’s what she said but I don’t even know if I should believe it because she looked so sad, like I was the one breaking up with her. What the fuck is up with that?” He was now fully crying again. Sokka didn’t know what to say. He had never been great at words. So he just squeezed Zuko a little harder. That seemed to work, because Zuko went on, “I know this is gonna sound really dramatic, but I honest to Agni felt like I was dying a slow painful death as she was speaking to me. That feeling died down a bit since then though” Sokka could hear a smile in his voice. Oh the world really isn’t fair, is it?

After that he fell silent again. So they spent the better part of an hour on the floor, Zuko mostly crying, Sokka’s heart breaking, but it seemed to work. A good quarter of an hour after Zuko’s last sigh, Sokka finally spoke again.

“I know that you’re hurting immensely, and that you’d rather just brood in your room right now, but I think maybe it’s time that we go back to the others. I’m sure Katara and Toph have learned their lessons and maybe Aang will even manage to cheer you up. Also, I came here to have tea, and it’s kind of hard to drink any in this position.” Zuko didn’t even seem to hear him, so Sokka nudged his head gently. All he got in response was a simple “not yet”, so he tried again.

“Dude, it’s been like 2 hours…” to which Zuko only mumbled something inaudible. Sokka decided to let it go, but then the Fire Lord stood up, dragging the former with him.

He didn’t look Sokka in the eye as he said “Thanks. I mean it.” And then left the room. Sokka followed shortly after and counted it all as a victory.

[toartemis]

Come on Love, Draw Your Swords - Part 7 (End)

I’m the worst and forgot to post here. Anyway, here’s the end, thank you so much for reading! <3 Read on Ao3. Here’s the complete Moon’s Serenade series.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & 4, Part 5, Part 6. 

Summary: 

Sing to me, Moonlight For you, dear, are honey-tongued I dream just for you.

Or: The one where Jude finds out she's pregnant and Cardan begins collecting a thousand plants.

Warnings: Under the cut

Word Count: 3123

Preview: 

And Jude can’t think under his stare, beneath his words. His tongue is honey, words sweet and smooth. He is the moon incarnate, and he sings just for her, serenades of sugar and spice and magic. 

Warnings: I do give a description of labor pains and being in later stages of labor in this (I felt it was necessary considering it's basically the climax before Jude has to face what she's been so anxious about since the beginning) so if you'd like to skip to the end, just stop reading at, "She forces herself not to freak out..." and begin again at, "And all at once, it’s over." 

------

When it happens, all Jude feels at first is relief. She’s never felt pain like this, no, but her thoughts aren’t of how much it hurts, they’re of just how eager she is to not be pregnant anymore, and to finally meet her baby.

It starts when she’s reading a book in their library, feet tucked up underneath her. The plush chair feels comfortable and soft until it suddenly doesn’t. There’s a slow ache in her lower back, and Jude loses her place on the page for a long moment before the pain ebbs. She makes it through a few more chapters when it comes back, harsher, scorching around to her abdomen. It rises and falls like waves, pushing and pulling, and Jude sits through it, trying her damn hardest to breathe.

She feels like the biggest fool when she realizes that it’s not just normal, everyday pain that she’s experiencing. The book clatters to the floor. Jude stands, but can’t quite straighten all the way as another contraction peaks. Panic rises in her briefly. How long has it been since they began? How far apart have they been?

Then she flips a switch and thinks through what she needs to do.

Get Cardan. Get the midwives.

Or is it the other way around?

Whichever, she doesn’t care. Jude hobbles forward and bites back a groan, waiting for the pain to leave. When it does, she stands fully, walking as calmly into the main rooms as she can manage.

Cardan should be meeting with… A general of some sort, she can’t be bothered with it at the moment. The point is, she needs him here right now or she’s really going to lose it.

Jude takes a deep breath before she wrenches the chamber doors open, startling the guards stationed outside. From the way they stare at her, she must look as horrible as she feels, because they’re momentarily stunned silent.

“Get the High King,” she says through her teeth, sweat dripping down her temple from nerves. Two guards tear off down the hallway, uncharacteristically frantic for their status. The remaining one is Mivian, to which Jude is immensely grateful. She doesn’t even have to give the order.

“I’ll sound the bell, the midwives will be on there way immediately.” Her deep voice soothes  Jude and she nods in response. She refuses to be frightened yet.

Treat it like a task, like you’re doing your part of a job.

The problem, now, though, Jude thinks when Mivian runs down the opposite end of the hall, is that she’s alone. They’ve had less and less coming to and from their chambers these last months, and really, only Jude’s personal attendants are in this specific area of the palace daily. But now the guards are gone, and the attendants are off somewhere because It’s not yet time for Jude’s first appearance of the night, the sun having just set a few hours ago.

Jude has been in the beginning stages of labor for quite a long time, and now she's without help or much of a clue of what to do.

She forces herself not to freak out and waddles back into the room.

Pain begins flaring again at some point, starting at her lower back and reaching around, pressure stealing the breath from her lungs. One hand shoots out to grip the desk next to her. It doesn’t provide much stability when she bends over it from the cramps.

Her inner thighs have begun to ache by the time she makes it into their bed in the other room. Her pelvis is heavy, as if thick stones have been placed there, weighing her down, so she sits down in a chair near the fireplace. Time passes, she doesn't know how long, but eventually she hears boots crashing against the stone floors.

Jude makes a mental note that this is one of the first times she can hear her husband approach her this clearly. He’s usually silent as a shadow.

As soon as she catches sight of him standing in the doorway, eyes wide, clothes ruffled from running, she stands abruptly.

And her water breaks. It’s not like any of the movies she’s seen when in the mortal world, with fluid splattering onto the floor. It’s more subtle, like a steady stream of water when she shifts. It’s absolutely ridiculous timing, and she will surely laugh about it later, but right now Cardan is suddenly in front of her gripping at her elbows, and the amount of discomfort she feels surely has to be written on her face.

“How are you? What can I do?”

“Fine,” she says. It’s really not that bad, yet. “Nothing, I’m fine.”

He doesn’t look convinced. In fact, he looks more out of it than she is.

The midwives arrive then, three women, two of them human, one a fey with glittering wings. They shoo Cardan out of the way, which Jude finds hilarious, because she’s the only one who gets to do that to him, usually.

It’s a waiting game after that. The labor is not as long as they told her it might be as her first time. At some point they make her get up from whatever position she is on the bed and have her walk. She really, really does not want to walk, and she tells them so.

The cluck at her, and drag a pacing Cardan to her side. He definitely winces at the grip she has on his arm, slowly leading her around their bedroom and main chambers. He tries speaking to her, but her hot anger has taken control of her at that point, and she just wants to sit down.

After, it goes quickly. She does what the midwives tell her to, and they prod and press and pull her hair out of her face. They send Cardan out of the bedroom a few times, completely uncaring in the moment about ordering the High King around. Jude adds this to the list of things she’ll find amusing later.

Dawn has come and gone by the time they prepare for her to push. And there is a quick pang of fear, one that she stamps down hard as soon as Cardan’s face is before her, taking her hand in his as they told him to.

It’s simultaneously as bad and not as bad as she thought it would be. She feels like her body is trying to rip out of its skin. Time loses meaning in those hours. Some parts are the worst thing she’s ever been through, while others she got through no problem. Jude will refuse to be held accountable for the names she called her husband during that time, and yes, she does blame him with colorful language once or twice for her current predicament. He takes it all in stride.

And all at once, it’s over.

In the middle of Spring, as the sun passes high in the clouds, Jude gives birth to her son.

He is a tiny thing with a shock of midnight black hair and what will be pale, golden skin. Jude can’t describe what she feels when they put him into her arms. She bursts into tears. She can’t help it. When she looks at him, drinking in the sight of his little, scrunched face, she feels the world click into place. It’s like she’s been living her entire life without seeing color, and suddenly a rainbow is before her. Each breath she takes feels new, as if her ribs have shifted to make room for the way her heart is singing.

His small cries fill the air, but Jude can’t even hear them. She never imagined what harboring instant, endless love would be like. She knows without a doubt that she will give everything she has in a heartbeat just to keep him safe and happy.

She struggles to tear her eyes from him, but when she does, she sees Cardan hovering near her, his gaze locked on them, and there are glittering tears on his skin. He is awestruck, barely breathing.

The midwives carefully lift her son out of her arms to clean him off, and when they bring him back, they give him to Cardan. Jude watches his hands cradle their baby like he’s afraid he’ll break. Cardan pulls him to his chest, and Jude feels another round of tears coming at the sight.

Mine. His. Ours, our baby—

The emotions flickering across his face has Jude unable to look anywhere else. The swirling ink of his eyes as he looks at their son has a star taking root in Jude’s chest, searing into her bones and marking her forever.

She feels like flying.

------

Jude sleeps until well after sunset after time spent eating and staring at her child. Really, she could stare at him forever. Just hours ago, he was in her belly, and now he’s here with her and breathing and wiggling around and Jude can’t quite wrap her head around it.

When she wakes, her hands go to her abdomen, where it’s soft and still round, just… empty. She turns her head to find Cardan there, sitting beside the bed. He wears no shirt and holds their son protectively in his arms. He’s doing nothing but staring at him, absolutely entranced.

“How will we ever decide on a name,” he whispers to Jude without looking up.

That’s right. A name. They’ve never really discussed it, always claiming they’ll know when they see the baby.

“I have no idea,” she says back, voice hoarse, limbs aching as she wipes matted hair from her face.

It takes them two days. Jude likes to think of it as the most calm argument they've ever had.

“Elios,” she suggests during her first bath after becoming a mother. Cardan pauses, their baby tucked against his shoulder.

“No, that’s not right.”

She nods in agreement.

Later, over a meal that Jude devours without manners, Cardan says, “Aarus?”

She looks up to find him staring quizzically at the tiny boy swaddled in the crib they had made for him. “Doesn’t fit,” she responds.

Before bed, he says, “I feel I’ve fully considered every possibility and none sound good enough.”

Jude smiles. “We could always name him something shockingly mortal, like Scott.”

Cardan scowls at her. Her grin widens.

“Rhyde,” she says when night falls and they wake. Both are cooing over the baby sleeping soundly beneath moonbeams.

“I detest that one,” he says, but his voice is light and singsongy. She agrees with him.

“Aegar,” he says at midnight, fingers caressing their child’s soft tan skin, poking at his adorable toes.

“That’s the ninth name with an A you’ve suggested, we’re not doing a name with an A.”

“Why, Jude?” he whines.

“Because this is my son and I said so.”

“Our son,” he murmurs, eyes on him. Butterflies erupt in her stomach.

In the end, it’s her picks. The sun has just risen, pastels mixing in the sky. The air outside is sweet and warm, and suddenly, it’s dancing on Jude’s tongue like it’s been waiting for ages.

“Faron,” she tests, staring out of the nursery window. It falls from her lips like honey.

“Faron,” Cardan repeats. She didn’t know he was listening, thinking him as lost in his thoughts as she is while he rocks the sleeping boy. “I do like that.”

She turns to him, back leaning against the wall. “Really?”

He looks to her, eyes shining. “Yes.”

------

The first weeks pass quickly, sliding through Jude’s grasp like water. She’s been too busy to really think, just basking in the knowledge that she and Cardan have a baby and they’re a family and Jude has never been so happy in her life.

Vivi and Aleena come with Oak to visit a week after Faron is born. Aleena falls in love at first sight. Vivi looks ecstatic the entire time and spends the day teasing Cardan on how much his son resembles him. Cardan is nothing but proud. Oak doesn’t care much for the fussy child, but he's pleasant company. He brightens visibly when they all talk about school and life in the mortal world.

Oriana stops by with Taryn. Cardan can’t get out of certain duties when they arrive, so it’s just Jude who greets them in one of the public gardens, reveling in the way they bow before her and her son. Oriana fawns over Faron they way she used to with Oak, and that settles something within Jude.

Taryn doesn’t say much except for complimenting Jude on the health and beauty of Faron.

Cardan strides into the clearing not long before they leave, all lithe figure and pitch black hair curling around his neck. His boots clack on the smooth stone path. He wears a billowy, dark green shirt embroidered with gold along the sleeves and chest. It complements the Blood Crown sitting haughtily on his brow. He doesn’t look at the guests.

She takes his ringed hand when he approaches, and he kisses her cheek, smiling softly. The look is gone when he turns to the others. They bow to him and exchange pleasantries.  

Cardan then takes a sleeping Faron out of Jude’s arms and walks him over to a pond home to a family of tiny singing frogs. Jude bids them all goodbye soon after, taking Taryn’s hands withing hers briefly and squeezing them. The look her sister gives her says a thousand words. Oriana gives Jude an approving nod, and it seems almost like a compliment.

She joins Cardan at the water. They stay there for some time.

------

Days later, Jude puts Faron down to sleep when it hits her.

Terror, like she hasn't felt it in weeks.

It spreads like a forest set ablaze. She doesn’t understand why it’s come on so suddenly, she’s been doing fine, Cardan has been wonderful, they’ve both spent so much time with Faron, already Jude recognizes his father in him. Things have been perfect, and her anxiety has to go and ruin it.

She steps back from the crib, arms folding across her chest. Familiar thoughts run through her mind, the biggest one standing out as if its caught fire.

You’re going to fail.

She’s there until Cardan comes back from his greenhouse, smelling of sweet candy and earth. He notices her distress right away. The coat he’s wearing drops to the floor on his way over to her. He presses against her back, arms folding around her waist, chin resting on her shoulder. Jude’s eyes stay on Faron, swaddled among many small blankets. His face is peaceful, his hair so much like what’s brushing against her neck at the moment.

There is a second where Jude feels completely at ease, her husband surrounding her, both their eyes on the baby they made. Something spreads in her chest, buttery soft and aching. She wants to keep it there forever.

“What’s the matter?” Cardan speaks against her cheek, quiet. Jude takes a moment, wrestling with herself.

“The same,” she relents. Cardan hums.

“You think of yourself as lacking, when your entire life you have only proved that you’re able to do anything. It’s perplexing to witness.” He presses a kiss to her jaw.

“I don’t even know how I got here. I don’t know how I’ve accomplished what I have.”

“I suppose ambition can be blinding,” he says, tone nonchalant.

Jude smiles. “You know what I mean.”

“Yes. You don’t recognize that when you are determined, you will not stop until you’ve reached your goal, no matter what it is. You’ve never let yourself fail before, so why do you think you will now?”

She mulls it over, then whispers, “I don’t know.”

Cardan uncurls himself from her, stepping around to face her directly. Faron still sleeps soundly. For a moment, her husband simply looks at her, eye flicking across her skin. His brow furrows, a small frown on his mouth.

“Jude,” he says, her name on his lips sounds like a promise. “You have no idea of the power you hold.”

It washes over her like a caress.

“It is all around you, in the air when you enter a room. No one can mistake it. It is everything you are: Your ferocity, the way you accomplish things purely out of spite, the sheer will you have that could end all other wills. I admire you more than I can hope to describe.”

Her heartbeat flutters. Jude doesn’t know what to say, so she keeps quiet, her gaze held within his.

“It is what captivated me, back then. You were like a force, and I ran from you as I did everything else. I used to tell myself I was weak while I was under your command because I couldn’t help myself. Each time I took one step closer to you, I would stumble farther than I intended. So long I spent dancing within your shadow, fearing that you would notice. And then fear became longing.” His fingers graze over her cheek, his eyes deep and far away.

“I committed everything to memory, frightened I would lose you. The way you move, the way you breathe.”  His thumb sweeps over her bottom lip. ”The look in your eyes the first time we were together.” He looks caught in a dream. Jude shudders, tingles running down her spine.

“I was tired of playing our games long before I realized. I wanted you so badly, for everything you were. Everything you are now.”

Jude swallows thickly. Cardan smiles to himself, eyes closing. When he opens them, Jude’s breath hitches.

“Sometimes, you look at me and I feel raw, like I’m missing my skin.” He drops his hand to his side. “Like my ribs have cracked open, and I hold my heart in my hands, baring every cruel and horrible thought I’ve ever had for your gaze.”

And Jude can’t think under his stare, beneath his words. His tongue is honey, words sweet and smooth. He is the moon incarnate, and he sings just for her, serenades of sugar and spice and magic.

Jude has nothing to say to him that could compare, but she knows that he won’t mind. He isn’t looking for that. So she reaches for him, hands brushing against his jaw, thumbs stroking against marble skin. And she tries, she tries so hard to pour everything she feels out through her eyes, and she says, “You are everything.”

She kisses him softly on the mouth, feels the thrum of life and power that radiates from his skin.

“I dream just for you.”

And it’s enough. It’s more than enough, because he understands, and he always will.

[thestudyfeels]

In our last interview, my friend and I talked about what success really means, the three things that you need to get rid of to achieve success, and what you should keep in mind when you’re on the road to success. That's all well and good, but we’re humans and quite a few times we fall short of the fuel needed to do the grind. Sometimes, I would much rather put on my reindeer socks (Christmas is around the corner!) and doze off on the sofa than touch my huge pile of work. And don't get me wrong guys, I love hustling. It's basically what I preach all the time. But just like your car needs petrol to run, you need fuel to work too.That fuel is motivation.

T: It's good to have you back on here, homie. You're quite a sensation on my blog, you know that?

P: Oh, am I now? *sarcastically laughs* I tend to have that effect on people.

T: True, and gotta love your modesty as well. *laughs* Coming back to our topic, motivation. Do you ever feel unmotivated?

P: Oh boy, countless times. I would be lying if I said I don’t. But motivation isn’t just an emotion or a feeling. It’s not a mood, it’s an attitude. It’s not the adrenaline that you feel after listening to an upbeat song or the inspiration that you feel flowing through you after watching a documentary about a successful person. It’s not about eagerness or hype at all.  Even an old man can feel that if you play “Timber” for a few minutes. *laughs*

Motivation is being persistent and conquering your hardest times. It’s about being at the lowest low of your life and even then having the positive outlook that no matter where you are right now, you’re not only gonna get through it, but you’re gonna conquer it. The confidence that no force can stop you, not the slightest doubts, not the haters, nothing. Motivation is about being a winner, not a survivor. It’s like water. It can take the form of whatever situation you’re in. Whether you’re a broke person trying to give a better life to your children, whether you’re an athlete trying to win that race of your life, whether you’re just a student trying to slay that test. Also, it doesn’t matter what unmotivates you, what matters is what motivates you, and most importantly, WHY it does.

T: Hmm… why it keeps you going. Can you elaborate on that?

P: Allow me to quote my friend Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.” Motivation isn’t simply getting someone on their feet. It’s when you already are but feel like you’ve had enough and want to stop. That’s when it tells you to STAY on your feet. It’s what pushes you beyond what you think you go. The only reason motivation works is because you already want it. You just need a power, a support, to keep you on that track. It’s not the motivation that forces you to go on, it’s your DESIRE to go on that does. All the motivation did was remind you of that desire when you wanted to forget it.

T:  You totally changed my perspective, wow. Also, I have a wedgie. Just putting it out there.

P: *Clears throat* Ahem.

T: Um, yeah, next question. So what destroys motivation?

P: Notice how I said “that desire which you wanted to forget”? There’s your answer. We never forget what we want or what the finish line is, we simply lose sight of it. That is what destroys motivation. You WISH to forget that aim, because you’re tired of aiming at it and missing every time. When you give up, when you THINK about giving up, that thought is what destroys your motivation.

Motivation is also just a choice and a chance. You either take it, or you miss it. You let it in, or don’t. Kinda like other people’s opinions. If your favorite song is playing, don’t be afraid to jam out to it, even if you’re in public and you dance like a potato. It doesn’t matter that people are staring. If you let their sneers into your mind, you’ll get embarrassed. But if you let the music fill you and groove to it, you’re gonna have the time of your life while the others are just gonna waste their time judging you.

T: That's a really cool way to put it! Shoutout to all my fellow potatoes out there. We should make our own potato dance. It can be like the harlem shake of 2018.

P: *cough*

T: Oh yeah, motivation. So what do you suppose affects someone’s motivation? Is it your environment or the people surrounding you?

P: Neither. Those are simply excuses that we make up. You can grow up in the worst home possible, but that doesn’t have anything to do with your motivation. There are many successful people in the world to prove that. Sure, what’s going around you does take a toll on you, but that’s a SITUATION.. Situations can’t always be controlled, but how you react to them, can. I live in a very dysfunctional family and my parents have arguments every other day. At first, I let it fill me with negativity. But soon I realized, that was just something that I was letting affect me, because I needed something or someone to put the blame on for me giving up. But the truth is, you can be at the center of the crowd, get lost in it, or get trampled under it. Ouch, I’m horrible at giving examples. It’s not just the situation around you that gets out of control, it’s when you allow yourself to be swept away by it. And that’s exactly the challenge that motivation offers you. “Fight? Or perish.” YOU have control over what stops you and what doesn’t. If you want that goal badly enough, you’ll force your way through that crowd. And the crowd will HAVE to part way.   

T: Ok, story time! Tell us about an incident when you lost your motivation. What helped you regain it?

P: Just last night. I was working out and I had five more exercises left. My legs felt like jelly and I collapsed onto the yoga mat. All these thoughts starting coming into my mind. “Skipping abs won’t do any harm, I mean, it’s not like I’m gonna have a six pack in one day.” “I do have so many chores left to do, and it’s late.” I got up, dragged myself to the bathroom, and stared at myself in the mirror. “Look. That’s your competition. It’s not the exercise that you have to win over. It’s yourself.” I went back and finished that workout and truthfully, I’ve never felt more satisfied. Listen, failure isn’t falling down. It’s refusing to get up. Motivation isn’t getting up. It’s refusing to give up. It’s all a battle with yourself. So what helped me win mine? I reminded myself of MY DESIRE to win it. I reminded myself of how much I want that body, how much I want to feel confident and beautiful in my own right.

There are three types of people in this world. Those who suffer with their imperfections, those who embrace their imperfections, and those who make it a life goal to turn their weaknesses into their strengths, their flaws into their pride, their imperfections into their excellence. The third one is the path I’ve chosen. That goal is my only motivation. Prove your mind wrong. Prove your heart right.

T: *feeling super proud of her homie* Impressive. So what advice do you have for people who want to regain their motivation?

P: You can ask me this question time and again, but the answer will always be the same. And most of you won’t like it because it hits hard. But who said it’s easy? It’s not. Is it worth it? 100 damn percent. So you want motivation? You gotta want it. There are billions of people in this world, and millions of them work to make their dreams come true every day, yet it doesn’t happen. So what makes you so special? Why should YOU have it? Whatever goal you’re working for, do you want it as badly as you want to breathe? Are you ready to have sleepless nights for it? Will you sacrifice anything for it? Don’t stop asking yourself that question until you reach the point where it’s not just about wanting it to happen. It’s about NEEDING for it to happen. THAT is when your motivation will turn into determination. The fire inside you has to burn brighter than the fire around you. *drops mic*

T: Uh, not sure where that came from, but *sniffing* BEAUTIFUL, HOMIE.

P: K, now gimme ma moni. (author’s note: me and my friend, we from da hood. don’t mind us)

T: Huh?

P: *Laughs* Joking, but I could talk about life all day long. Can’t wait for our next interview already! I’m out though, peace conquerors! <3

and that’s a warp for this interview! i hope you are getting something out of these, bc remember you have one life and once chance to become better. and it’s totally up to you. after reading this, you can change for the better or you can wash away these words outta your mind and remain the person you were. it’s your choice.

to the end card it is! if you have any questions/suggestions regarding anything I said up there (or maybe you just wanna talk about food), feel free to send in a message! my other masterposts are here and to request a masterpost, leave your question in my ask box!

I hope you all are well, stay safe and conquer life, you amaze conqueror :“)

[coffeecupandteatime]

Obscure Review #5

It’s time to spork fics and ruin lives.

I’m Coffee and we’re still putting up with this trainwreck for some reason. Don’t ask me why. Ask Tea.

All the jokes can be made that and this fic is an abomination to the wonderful world that is Percy Jackson and the Olympians/ Heroes of Olympus. I’ve got a bone to pick with this fic. I’m Tea and I approve this message.

I want my refund. ʕಥᴥಥʔ

That wasn’t in the contract, Jager. You must waste your precious time sporking awful fics.

Then give me a bottle of Jack.

Done.

As usual, we will be offensive. Don’t take this personally.

Chapter 3

Awe no awful title to poke fun at ;╭╮;

The fact there are three chapters of this is the joke.

Get rekt son.

So Emily was sleeping over tonight. We did a bunch of things girls do when they sleep over, like paint our nails and talk about boys. Just kidding.

Oh Katherine. You still haven’t grown a sense of humor, I see.

Who needs humor? She assumes everyone likes her jokes.

We didn't talk about boys because then Emily would talk for a whole hour about Angel and I would die of boredom.

Me too, but I’ll still have to suffer through this tedious crap.

ʕ◕ᴥ◕ʔ All shall be fine soon Coffee.

I can imagine my gravestone. 'Katherine Adams You will be missed

You’re missing a “not” in there.

Cause of Death: Emily Evans' Yeah

…I love how you try to make yourself seem like you’re not a snob but you fail miserably.

‘Katherine Adams. Cause of death: Over Inflated ego.”

If it makes you feel any better, I’ve started digging your grave.

So me and Emily were watching Remember Me with Robert Pattison until my mom came. She looked worried. "Get changed girls, we're leaving."

You have quite the balls to start a sentence with “So” like that...

Not even going to attempt to set the scene? Just gonna jump right on in?

Emily and I, dumbass. ʕಠ益ಠʔ

We looked at her strangely and were about to ask her questions when she held up her hand and said, "I'll explain later."

Your attempts at making this urgent and not boring to read are failing.

I’m so enthralled by this plot. I feel as if these chapters get lazier and lazier each time. How many chapters are there?

You know, this wouldn’t be as bad if the writing didn’t suck horribly. You’d be surprised how things like thoughts and showing feelings greatly improve a story.

With that she left us to change. We did as she told us. I put on some jeans and a purple shirt with sequins and purple uggs. Emily wore a white tank top with white jeans and white flats.

We don’t care what they are wearing. We care about the plot, so get on with the plot (or lack thereof).

Tea, I doubt we’ll get any real plot that ISN’T some boring filler.

What do you mean? Of course listing off what these little shits clothed themselves with is crucial to the plot and to the sense of urgency the author is trying to convey!

What is it with her and white? But of course I shouldn't be talking since I'm obsessed with purple.

“Never mind the fact my mother is worried sick about something! I must take the time to question and internally berate my friend’s style choices!”

This is slow and boring to read. Why the hell should we care that the Sue is obsessed with purple? We’re not seeing the obsession, we are sitting here listening to her tell us that she is. It’s boring and lazy writing.

Why should we care about the Sue? She has no lovable qualities.

After we were dressed we went out of my room to see my mom and Angel waiting for us. "We need to leave. Now."

For being in a hurry you sure are slow.

About as slow as the Author is mentally.

“I’m going to stand here telling you we need to leave immediately, but first who’s up for watching this paint dry!”

After my mom says that we hear a screech. All the color drained from her face.

Chooooooooooppy. Seriously, a second grader can make more complex sentences.

Don’t insult the Second graders, Tea, least they work hard.

I, on the other hand, am totally down for whatever was coming to eat them. It just needs to HURRY THE HELL UP.

"Impossible. They couldn't have gotten it that quick." She looks scared. My mom's the bravest person I know and she doesn't get scared easily. Whatever is scaring her must be creepy.

...IT’S A FUCKING MONSTER! It should be terrifying not “creepy”. Especially if you heard it screech. Be realistic.

Bill Cosby’s a human and he’s more creepy ʕಠᴥಠʔ

Guys, you are overestimating Katherine’s ability to emote. She’s too dumb to live.

" , what's going on and what was that?" Emily looks freaked out. I am too.

Coming from the twat who described a screech that shook up your mother creepy.

I'm pretty sure Angel is too, but he's doing a good job at hiding it. My mom ignored the question.

Who the hell starts a sentence that way?

She does. She also likes repeating parts of her sentences.

Holy shit, you thought about Angel? Is that emotion I sense? ʕ◕0◕ʔ

No, you’re just imagining things.

"We have to get out before they find us. Hurry up and follow me."

My mom led us to the closet in her room and she opened it. Inside it was empty. She traced her fingers along the wall and took off a piece. The piece covered a screen. My mom pressed her thumb to the screen and I heard a click.

Is this Percy Jackson or 007? I forgot.

It was a thumb scan.

I still don’t see how THIS is being in any kind of hurry. The monster could have killed you about ten times by now. Now that would be interesting.

I agree. But, I find it funny how she reacts to the thumb scan. “It was a thumb scan” No shit!  ʕ◕ᴥ◕ʔ

Thanks Captain Obvious!

My mom got out of the closet and headed to her bed. She stopped before she could reach it and lifted the mat in front of the bed. It covered a trapdoor. My mom opened them and it revealed stairs.

The secret escape is opened from the closet but is by the bed? That sounds like a B-horror movie nightmare.

There is such a thing as adding too many step-by-step sequences ya know.

This is the most boring way to describe secret doors. Ever.

"Come on, we don't have much time before they start searching this floor."

So you keep saying, but have made little effort to exit in an expeditious manner.

Yet you took all that time to open a trapdoor? If you were in a hurry you wouldn’t be moving at the pace of a burdened snail in August.

Nah, the snails would still be moving faster.

We quickly ran down the stairs until we came to a door.

Oh, so now you’re gonna hurry.

Because now we have plot… Right?

Hurry, my ass.

My mom opened it cautiously and we found ourselves in the library. Behind a bookshelf. I would recognize the cherry colored wood anywhere.

I like how she takes the time to mention the wood, but literally nothing else. No thoughts or feelings. Just “Oh, yeah. ‘Wood’ you look at that!”

We don’t care what the bookshelf looks like. Describe it earlier if you really feel like we ABSOLUTELY need to know.

All Knowing Sue, how I hate you so.

My mom pushed it and it moved forward.

Noooooo. It’s gonna swing backward.

And crush them all between the shelf and wall. THE END.

Yay mom for pushing things!

We all scampered out of the cramped space we were in and my mom didn't even let us take a break from all the running.

Good job team! Nice job doing nothing as usual!

You were standing around for like five minutes while she opened the door, you’re not that winded.

They were standing? I thought they were floating heads.

She ran out of the library and we followed her since she was the only one who knew what was going on.

“Hold on, dawgs. Gotta go to the kitchen to grab some snacks.”

We made it to the front door and she rushed out. She pulled out the garage controller from the pocket of her coat and pressed the button.

I thought the point was to not be detected? The garage door makes a lot of noise. Talk about inconsistency.

Can’t garages be accessed from in the house though? And even if the garage wasn’t attached, there still should have been a door, right?

-Loud, obnoxious, opening sounds- NOTICE US MONSTER-SENPAI!

WHAT WAS THAT? COULD YOU BE A LITTLE LOUDER?

The garage door lifted and my mom ran to the closest car in the garage, which happened to be her black hybrid.

Just say “which happened to be her car.”, We don’t need a vague description of what she drives.

Black hybrid could mean a number of cars…. Or maybe it’s some mythical creature cos its a Percy Jackson story.

Shouldn’t you be more worried about the monster?

"Shotgun." Angel yelled and opened the door.

Angel clearly has his priorities straightened out.

My mom glared at him and held a finger to her mouth.

There’s no point in being quiet now, you’ve already given yourselves away by opening the garage.

You’re expecting the ‘Satan Spawn’ to be quiet?

The monster comes barreling in and rips them apart. It tosses their entrails like confetti.

Have fun dying! Oh who am I kidding? We aren’t gonna get that lucky.

I’ve told Coffee this, we will never be saved.

I REFUSE TO GIVE UP.

Wow, my mom never glares at people.

Well, she has now.

So you’re mom has NEVER glared at you or Angel for doing something bad? Like using knives on your brother or fighting kids at school?

Turns out looks really do kill and Angel’s body is dumped on the side of the road. No one cares.

We all got in the car and my mom drove.

No shit, she’s the only one with a license.

Unless All Knowing Sue somehow knows how to drive too.

Guys, guys, guys. It was either her or Poseidomort.

She kept on driving until she was running out of gas-

This car must get some shit gas mileage.

They went a total of ONE mile.

No one ever heard from them again.

so she stopped at a gasoline station.

Nooooooo.

Not the Gas station!

Anything but the gas station... *strikes match*

When she got out of the car to fill the tank I noticed my mom pull out her phone and call someone. They talked for like a minute before she hung up.

Hot damn! Sue didn’t know who mother called, that’s a first.

Could it be that she’s no longer all knowing? 0-0

ʕ◕ᴥ◕ʔ That’ll be the day I quit drinking, Tea.

Ever considered AA meetings Jager?

Yes I have actually.

When my mom finished and got behind the wheel again and started driving, Emily broke the silence we maintained for at least 50 minutes.

Dammit, just had that replaced. You’re cleaning that up, Emily.

ʕ-ᴥ-ʔ We don’t care how long they were silent.

"Who were you talking to ?"

“I was calling Bullshit.”

"Your father, Emily.

Would you look at that...

I told him that we were attacked and I had to get you all to safety."

Attacked? When? Bring on the monster already!

Having this in script format is lazy writing.

At least add spacing like-

 -this, dammit all.

"Mom, what exactly was that screech?"

Me screaming at this story.

Horrid screams of agony.

"It was a," my mom lowered her voice as she kept driving, "a fury."

"What's a fury?" Angel asked, speaking for the first time.

"Don't repeat that name. Names shouldn't be said carelessly. They have power."

“Well you just said it and we’re not dead.”

It was said twice in five seconds. That fury’s gonna be furious.

Badum tss!

"You didn't answer my question."

She doesn’t have to. You’re probably not gonna like the answer anyway.

She should. Maybe that would speed the plot up.

"They are also known as kindly ones. And it was a monster from the underworld."

Where most monsters come from.

" , I know this is an inappropriate question but, are you high?" Angel snickered.

Why are you snickering, you ungrateful brat? Would you like your sorry ass left behind? I’d gladly oblige!

"Sadly, no."

I feel you, mom. I wish I was high to so I didn’t have to read this.

"Mom, you know there is no such thing as monsters. It's only exists in stories." I state firmly.

State firmly? I sincerely hope you said this with as much deadpan as the writing.

I like how the Sue is trying to be the reasonable one here, yet she sounds completely detached from reality and all emotion.

“I should know, because I’M the main character!”

My mom sighs tiredly.

Much like I’m going to curbstomp you enthusiastically.

"You'll believe me when you get there."

She’s probably tired of your constant questioning.

Mom is really sighing because she regrets having you.

 I regret ever reading this.

"Get where?"

“The hell out of my life.”

This is sounding suspiciously like how Percy ended up at the camp.

Well she IS his half-sister.

Still no excuse to use his “how I got here” story.

True, Author is just a lazy fucker. And that’s coming from the bear.

I don’t know what I expected.

"A special camp. For people like you. Don't you ever wonder why you all have ADHD and dyslexia?"

Never mind the fact that we haven’t seen anything that is suppose to imply they have either of these traits.

You’re explaining it like they’re going to a special needs camp and not explaining at all how this is safer or why there’s a monster chasing them. A+ parenting.

“MY MAMA SAYS I’M SPECIAL!”

"You mean a camp for people with ADHD and dyslexia? That's stupid."

Like this story.

Author expects us to know who’s talking just by they words they used.

Yep, we’re supposed to have telepathic powers.

"It's not stupid Angel. It's a place you will be able to call home and no monsters can get in. You will be safe there."

Still not explaining shit here momma.

Because who needs exposition!

Who needs that when we can talk about dumb teenage stuff?

" , stop the car." My mom and brother ignored Emily and kept argueing about this camp.

Well the best friend has been invisible thus far, so why would it change now?

Better give her a reason to still be here. She’s Punching Bag #2 remember?

Emily has been demoted from Punching Bag #2 to Who?

" , stop the car!" Then I realized my mom wasn't watching the road,

What were you so enamored with that you noticed next to nothing until your friend-not-friend pointed it out?

she was looking at Angel and in the middle of the road was what looked to be a very buff man.

Arnold? Is that really you? It IS you!

Terminator?

Yesssh.  ʕ◕0◕ʔ

Holy run on sentence, Batman!

When my mom looked at the road she stopped but she still ran over the guy.

How do you stop, but STILL run over someone? Is it raining that badly that you literally slide despite being stopped? Wait, is it even raining?

Evidently the car was going so fast that they couldn’t stop fast enough.

Yay for reckless driving!

But monster? The one whose chasing you? Y’know what? Never mind. Just forget I said anything.

"Holy shit."

No exclamation mark? No description of his reaction? Any KIND of EMOTION there? No? Okay.

I believe this is supposed to be a really lame attempt at conveying shock.

“Oh no, we hit someone... I’m hungry. Who wants burgers?”

"Angel, language."

This is hardly the time to tell your son to watch his cursing.

I thought we were in a hurry away from the monster. Not sitting here and waiting for it to get up.

They keep lollygagging like they weren’t just trying to outrun a monster.

"Oh my god! We just ran over a person!" Me and Emily were freaking out and Angel looked like he was going to through up.

What is this supposed to be? A delayed reaction?

Throw up. Through is what I’m going to do when I put you through the fucking wall!

I’m going to through up because of this writing…

My mom was the only one not worried.

She backed up and ran it over again. And again. And again.

I mean, technically she was the one that ran over the guy since she's driving. How can she not be freaked out?! He might be dead.

If you listened to the lack of words that came out of her mouth earlier. You’re being chased by a monster.

/╲/\╭  ʕಠᴥಠʔ╮/\╱\  Here’s a monster.

“Monster?! There was a monster?!”

And if he's dead we're all going to jail! Crap. I might go to jail.

Glad to see that you’re still looking after your own hide.

No, you’re too young for jail, dumbass, you’d go to juvie.

Do you really think the author cares for the specifics when it come to stuff like law? 

"I'm going to check to see if he's okay." I was about to open the door when it suddenly locked.

Yes, check to see if the OVERSIZED BUFFCAKE is okay.

They’re  just asking to get smashed into a bloody paste. They’re still sitting on top of the monster if you go by how this is written.

Let her go. It’s better that way. Too dumb to live, remember?

She’ll just come back like the cockroach she is.

"You are not going out there. He is fine.

What are you doing?! Throw it in reverse and run it over again!

And even if he did die, all that would be left is ashes." With that my mom started driving again.

Not ashes. It’s gold dust. Did you read the books or see the movies?

Actually the gold dust is just a movie thing. In the books they dissolved into a yellow sulfur dust.

Either way it’s yellow, not ash.

Just gonna pretend that never happened. Never mind if it get’s back up and chases us down.

Because death is what the mother wants right now.

As me and Emily looked out the back window we saw the man get up and turn to us. And then I realized he wasn't human.

You just now realized this?

Because no human can run after they were ran over by a car. And no human had horns and a furry face.

You have night vision now?

20 bucks says it’s the Minotaur.

My, we just love to state the obvious don’t we Katherine?

We love this totally original scene.

It looked like a monster.

No shit, Sherlock.

Naaah, it’s a giant bipedal buffcake bull. His name is Tom.

He just wanted a hug. :(

He’s big and scary on the outside, but a precious little cinnabun on the inside! (´;︵;`)

He’s real gentle we promise! He looked so cute at prom in his little tux. ʕಥᴥಥʔ So precious.

A monster that was running after us very fast.

Yes, and I hope it kills you.

Yes my pet, kill them.

FEAST MY PRETTY!

OMNOMNOMNOMNOM!

If this guy is a human, he must have been a test subject.

You acknowledged that it wasn’t human three sentences ago, you dumb broad. 

How would you know the kind of testing that could do that?

Someone has been watching way too much sci fi.

I faced forward, suddenly realizing that what my mom said was true. There are things such as monsters.

You should have realized that about five minutes ago with the fury screaming and the big bull man that you just ran over.

So much for being all knowing, am I right guys?

You have consistently proven your lack of intelligence.

"So where is this camp?"

“IN HELL.”

“Up yer bum you smelly child.”

Oh so now you’re choosing to listen to your mom. *slow claps* Way to go main character.

They’re just going to ignore the monster chasing them down, aye? I’m down with that.

As long as it kills them yeah?

Least she didn’t lose her mom… Yet. I can already tell dear mom’s gonna die sometime soon.

I read ahead, and yes this does in fact happen.

FUCK.

So much for originality.

DEATH TO ORIGINALITY. DEATH TO CANON! BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GODS, SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!

I AM FEMALE PERCY JACKSON! MY REAL NAME IS PERCIE!

CONCLUSION

I have some complaints. One: This chapter copied near perfectly the way Percy got to camp, +1 for originality pal. Two: Hitting something as big as a Minotaur would not just stop a car, it would completely total that thing. Have you ever seen a DEER get hit by a car? They do a lot of fucking damage to the car, and a deer is waaaaay smaller than a Minotaur. I’m sorry but that Minotaur would’ve grabbed that car and flung it like a twig. Also, the slow pace of this chapter was, as Tea said before, like a burdened snail. The mother is the only character I can sympathize with currently. I cared less for how Katherine tried to be convince everyone monsters don’t exist, yet she had just heard a FUCKIGN FURY screech earlier, and it took RUNNING OVER A FUCKING MINOTAUR to get it through her thick skull. This ‘OC’ is so deep inside herself that she can’t open her eyes until the truth smacks her in the face. Jagerbomb is not please. ʕಠ╭╮ಠʔ. 1/10.

 The main issue I had with this story is that it was extremely contradictory, had little to no emotion when it came to character interactions and was very uninteresting to read. Although the author tried to make it interesting, it failed miserably. I care less for Emily and her friend (Main OC), I can’t empathize with either one. They both are flat and uninteresting and are unconvincing as people. The only ones I can even remotely empathize with is the mom and the brother, but even then they need some work.  

 As the story progresses, I care less and less about the OC and whatever ripoff adventure they embark on. I’ve never rooted for the death of a single character as much before. You can not convince me that these things are actual people with actual thoughts and feelings. Not with that writing anyhow. All I can see is that the author was making her character out to be all important, the reasonable likable hero. She either looks like an ass or an idiot. No in between, no redemption. It  just keeps getting worse. The author apparently thinks that if the characters take a really long time, it would add tension. It looks dumb, sounds dumb, and is unnecessary. These people should have been dead already instead of wasting my goddamn time. 1/10 At least your writing is consistent.