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honeylikewords · 5 years ago

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That was perfect!! I love Vampire Eddie. How about Santi or Poe moves into a haunted house and they can see ghosts?

I am so glad you enjoy Vampire Eddie! He’s a real sweetheart! For this prompt, I decided to go with Santi being able to see ghosts, and this one took FOREVER to write, for some reason, and I’m still not perfectly content with it. It is kinda hard to write a ghost-human romance, after all, but I hope this is a good opener; I feel like it’ll be a fun AU to explore once I have more of the groundwork in place!

So, without further ado, please enjoy!

Something most people don’t know about Santi is that he is, in fact, very into architecture. He always has been. In fact, before signing up for the military, he’d considered becoming an architect himself, when he was young and in love with reading books about great works of architecture. But no one who had served with him would know this about him; after all, most of Santi’s military friends didn’t especially care about things like architecture, so he never brought it up.

He let his friends dominate the conversation with blabber about which celebrity they’d rather take to bed or about what guns they liked most or about what beer was best, and was fine to just nod along, keeping his interests to himself. He knew there was a time and a place to talk about his hobbies, and that his friends, while close to him, wouldn’t really care that much, so he didn’t feel like wasting his breath.

Still, after all he’d gone through in the service and after, he was tired of living an incomplete life. Once he got back to the States, he wanted to be more himself, so he did what he’d always dreamed of doing: he bought a beautiful old Victorian mansion, one he’d seen online as being for sale out in Connecticut. He loved the architecture of these older homes, and had always dreamed of living in one for himself; master of a home with swooping, graceful staircases, high, vaulted ceilings, and wide, lovely windows. He’d researched the house online and fallen in love with its gingerbread beauty: the laced windows, the cupolas and spanning porches, the skillful carving of the lattice. It was a dream of intricate little details that made architecture such a fascination of his, and it was elegant and beautiful, a home steeped in history.

After placing a few calls to local realtors about the place, he set aside a portion of his money from the work he’d done and bought the house, packed up all his things, and moved to a quiet, sleepy little town in Connecticut.

The day he arrived, moving trucks parked all around the massive driveway, he stood in the foyer of his new home, hands on his hips, grinning into the massive space before him. Sure, it was a touch dusty-- he’d been told no one had lived personally in the home for many years, but that it was well-maintained and fully up to code-- but he was nothing if not a hard worker, and he’d have the place ship-shape in no time.

As he stood in the foyer, surveying his estate, he could swear that he thought he heard... humming. A woman’s voice, humming a tune he didn’t know but felt he’d heard somewhere before. Santi looked around; there were no female movers on the team. He tried to hear the voice again, but when he listened closer, he heard nothing but the clatter and grunt of the movers.

Shrugging the anomaly off as outside noise, possibly from a passerby on the street, Santi went out to help the movers unload the trucks and bring the goods into his home, and spend the rest of the day bringing in boxes. His help meant the work was over faster, and, soon enough, after the final boxes had been set inside and all the tips had been dispersed to the workers, Santi was alone and free to look around the house.

The home had come fully furnished, still stocked with original furniture from its heyday in the Victorian era. Gramophones, high-backed chairs, tortoiseshell lamps, shelves of books, butterflies pinned under glass; a beautiful museum of treasures, all for him to explore. He wondered to himself about who the owners had been to leave this all behind, but he found himself more intrigued by just the exploration itself than by getting bogged down in too many details.

Santi moved from room to room, running his hands over the dark, wooden paneling, his eyes traveling from object to object. On the wall hung little samplers and embroidery hoops with delicate designs sewn in, alongside oil paintings; landscapes, portraits of firm-looking men adorned in military regalia and of stern-seeming women in tight-laced dresses, all pallid and austere. There were tables crowded with books and glass-domed clocks, cloche-covered specimens of taxidermy. There were rooms with doors that stuck in their frames, pushing open with a pop, a creak, and a flume of dust, revealing to him beds and chairs draped in white cloth. He marveled at the oddness of it all, and wondered where he would fit into it, now that it was his to have.

As Santi was about to try and pry open the door to the kitchen, he heard something. A familiar, faint sound, wafting to him from a different room. It was the humming from before, but it sounded nearer, clearer. It was unmuffled by the chaos of the movers, and Santi furrowed his brow, listening to it.

He was certain it was a woman’s voice, and felt a chill run through him at the thought that there was someone in his home without his knowledge or permission. He tried to brush off the thought; perhaps there was another one of those gramophones elsewhere in the house, and it had been bumped by a mover, and was now playing a recording of a woman’s hums. Santi attempted to comfort himself with the thought as he began to walk towards the place he heard the song issuing from, but the nearer he drew, the more certain he was that the voice was not recorded, but live, present, and close to him.

He came up to the door he heard the song coming from and pressed his ear to it, holding in his breath. Indeed, he could hear the music, the humming, coming from directly behind it. Swallowing, Santi gathered his courage, and pushed the door open.

Stepping into a room he quickly concluded was the house’s attached solarium Santi found something he was entirely unprepared for. It was no stuffed fox, no dour portrait, no dusty old grand piano. No, it was something Santi would never have imagined he’d discover waiting for him in these walls.

It was a woman.

She was sitting on a chaise lounge, on the far side of the solarium, near the window, sewing an embroidery hoop. The woman, who seemed to be somewhere around his own age, was wearing a very odd, full-length, heavy-looking dress, her hair pushed up into a bun. When the door closed behind him, she looked up from her hoop, humming stopped, startling him.

Santi felt the instincts of a soldier pass over him, tension rising inside him, threat assessment thoughts running through his head, but he tried to calm down; she seemed harmless, right? She was just sewing, which was not all that threatening, despite the oddness of her being a stranger who was sitting in his supposedly vacant house.

The two stared at each other for a few seconds. Santi broke the silence first.

“Can I... help you?,” he offered modestly.

She squinted at him, then set her hoop aside, looking left and right. Seeing no one else in the room, she pointed at herself, silently asking him if he was talking to her. Santi nodded and pointed at her, too.

“Yes, you, miss,” Santi clarified. “I believe you’re in my house.”

“You can see me?”

At this, Santi was puzzled. Of course he could see her; it wasn’t like she was invisible, or at all attempting to hide. She was being quite obvious, between the relaxed posture, the sewing, and the large, atypical dress, and, of course, the humming. He wondered if she was ill in some way or if he’d need to call someone; perhaps a local theatre troupe had lost a member.

In this moment of musing, she stood up from the lounge, setting aside the hoop, and wandered over to him, circling him and eyeing him curiously. He followed her gaze, turning in time with her, as if locked in a dance. As she studied him, he studied her; she was beautiful, he found. Her skin seemed to glow, trapping light in it, and her features were lovely, complemented by the color of dress she wore. As she moved, she seemed to float, and Santi found himself entranced. He was taken aback by the unexpected beauty of this unexpected intruder. When she stopped circling him, the woman met his eye firmly and frowned, breaking his reverie.

“You don’t look like a spiritualist,” she spoke.

“I... excuse me?”

“Nor do you look especially psychic,” she added, stepping further towards him, almost within the circle of what Santi considered his personal space. Naturally, he stepped backward, and she frowned further.

He attempted to make an offer to her.

“I don’t know who you are, but if you need me to call someone for you--”

“And you’re certainly not a shade yourself,” the woman interrupted, reaching out a hand to touch him. Santi tried to recoil, but her hand brushed his shoulder--

And passed right through.

Chilled to the bone, Santi was frozen in place.

His blood froze in place. His eyes stared at her, pointed and yet blank, his mind spinning around violently to try and reconcile what he’d seen and felt with what he had known all his life to be true.

People don’t just faze through people. This he knew to be true.

He didn’t understand.

“Hm. No, you’re all in one piece,” concluded the woman, retracting her hand and crossing her arms. “And you can see me? Odd.”

“You--”

Santi stammered, blinking rapidly. Words failed to bridge the gap between his brain and his mouth, and he merely dumbly gaped, face clenching as it tried to find the right expression. Anger? Confusion? Pain? He had no idea.

“Mm. Oh, yes.” She seemed to realize he was in shock and gave him a gentle smile, eyes sympathetic. “I see. You didn’t realize the house is haunted.”

“...Ghosts aren’t real,” he blurted out heavily.

“Afraid we are.”

Part of Santi desperately wanted to faint. He thought it’d be only appropriate-- isn’t that what people did when confronted with ghosts?-- but, sadly, he had too strong a constitution. Instead, he swallowed thickly, then wandered over the chaise lounge he’d seen her on, collapsing onto the seat and tiredly resting his face in his hands. It was the closest he could come to fainting.

He groaned miserably.

“I realize this must be stressful,” started the woman, who knelt in front of him and looked up with concern. “But there’s really nothing to be afraid of.”

After a few seconds of processing, Santi’s mind latched on to a memory, to a thread of logic, of something, anything, and forced out a response: Goddamnit, his mind hissed. Of all the houses in all the world...

“I’m not afraid,” Santi mumbled. “I’m annoyed.”

“...Pardon?”

“I am annoyed,” he repeated.

“...Why?”

“Because when I was fifteen I told my abuela that ghosts aren’t real, and it made her cry, and now I’m the jackass that made my abuela cry and I wasn’t even right about what I said!”

There was a pause.

He didn’t know why his mind had gone there. But it had. And this was all his brain had been able to remember on the topic of ghosts, so that was where he was at, emotionally.

“I’m...sorry?”

The woman’s voice came out tinny, as if she wasn’t sure if she should be sympathetic, confused, or amused.

Santi just continued to hold his head in his hands.

This silent, oxymoronic moment stretched for a good few more seconds before Santi drew in a deep breath and sat up slightly, meeting the woman’s gaze with steely, exhausted eyes.

“Are you some sort of...” Santi trailed off, circling the air with his finger loosely to convey something he’d lost the words for. “Hallucination? Maybe a mover dropped a box on my head and I’m in a coma, dreaming this.”

“Well... that’d be hard to verify, wouldn’t it?” The woman said, standing up before sitting by his side on the chaise lounge.

At his side, she looked down at her hands and fidgeted with her fingers, seemingly deep in thought. When she looked back over at Santi, she shrugged.

“What would help you prove I’m real?”

Santi thought for a moment, shifting in his seat to sit up straighter. He cast a glance at the almost-not-quite-semi-transparent-if-he-squinted woman at his side, then raised his hand, pushing it, palm outward, towards her.

She understood what he wanted without him saying it, and extended her own hand. Their digits hovered near one another for a moment, and then each of them, of their own accord, moved forward the final inch, their palms meeting.

The palms did not rest on top of one another, but hers rather passed through his, fusing into one mass. Her fingers passed through his wrist, and the sight of it sent him shivering, anticipating pain, but receiving only a brush of chill. Santi stared at the unity of their hands, feeling the strange, unearthly sensation of touching her.

His hand felt frigid, like it was submerged in ice water, yet like it was being kissed by a gentle spring breeze, both warm and cool, damp with the promise of rain, dry with the assurance of sun. Somehow, deep in the cold, he also felt a warmth; fleeting, but still there. She was not at all solid, but passing through her was like passing through a deep fog or fine mist, gaseous and permeable. Santi had never felt anything like it.

After a few heartbeats, the woman removed her hand from his, and though the cold had felt sharp, he hadn’t felt any physical pain, and he found that the loss of contact felt, somehow, painfully lonely.

Once they parted, the two sat looking at each other for a long span of seconds, each seeming to silently measure the other, to interpret what had just passed between them. He noticed that she had lovely eyes, unclouded and clear. He didn’t know how to feel about that, nor about how to feel that he definitely thought she was very, very beautiful.

Part of his mind wondered what it would be like to kiss a ghost.

Suddenly embarrassed and uncomfortable, Santi stood up, breaking their eye contact, which made the woman at his side jump a little. As he began to walk away, she called after him.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to make a phone call.”

Stopping in the doorway, he turned back to look at her, a distant, tentative smile hovering on his lips.

“I’m going to apologize to my abuela. Even if this is all a dream, I think it’d be nice to talk to her.”

As he entered the foyer and pulled out his phone, sitting on the steps, he saw the spectral woman walk into the hallway and stand a respectful distance from him. She gave him a kind smile, one that reached all the way into her eyes, and it strangely comforted him as he listened to the dial tone, waiting for his grandmother to pick up.

Santi watched the woman, a mire of emotions swirling around his tired head. She watched him back. Somehow, he did not feel particularly afraid, which surprised Santi; he always believed that meeting a ghost would be terrifying. Yet, here one was, and instead, he found her rather... sweet-seeming.

When Santi’s grandmother picked up, excitedly greeting him in rapid Spanish, the woman took her cue and left the room, giving Santi a last wave as she faded into a darkened parlor. He watched her go, curious and confused, and then turned his attention to speaking to his grandmother, smiling to himself at the sound of her warm, familiar voice.

“Tuve el sueño más extraño, abuela,” Santi murmured, smiling distantly.

Santi could not predict the future. He had no idea what would happen next. But, somehow, sitting on those stairs, listening to his grandmother’s happy voice asking him about his dream, he felt like he’d be alright. He’d learn to live with this ghost, or this dream, and he’d be alright.

Maybe he’d even learn to like it.

Or love it.

Who knew?

He’d just have to wait and see.

Besides, he thought to himself, even if the box had dropped on him and he was in a coma, Santi suspected there were worse places to be than in a beautiful house with a very beautiful ghostly roommate.

#some notes: 1. this is terrible #2. i agonized over it for too long #3. it's just too long and tells nothing of anything #4. i saw someone else write a poe/ghost person fic and was like 'oh shit theyre gonna think im copying'#even though i only saw that post TODAY and ive been attempting to write this since this anon arrived #which was daaaays ago #also this just SUCKS and im annoyed by how poorly it came out #long post #gif warning #santiago garcia #Do Not Read This If You Know What's Good For You #messages

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badlucksav · 3 years ago

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Hello lovely! Hope you're having a stellar week (it's hump daaaay!).

For the newest Asks:

24, 55, 160, 195, 199, 207

Hello, my darling! My week is going pretty good so far. Hope yours is going well too!

On a side note, I went to tag you in a thing a few days ago (just a silly tag game) and I hadn’t realized you’d changed your name, and I was very sad when I couldn’t find you. I searched for you after and found you again so, 😮‍💨. Anyway!

24. Cats or Dogs? Both! I used to favor dogs when I was younger, but I love them both about equally now. I have 2 cats and 2 dogs, so I suppose it really depends on which species ticked me off more that day 😂

55. Play any sports? Sadly, not really. I played volleyball in school, and I also like basketball, swimming, and badminton.

160. What color mostly dominates my wardrobe? Ahahaha black. I apparently have not outgrown my middle school emo phase 😂 Outside of black, it’s probably burgundy/maroon.

195. Would I ever want to encounter aliens? Probably not. Cool in theory, but slightly terrifying in reality. I grew up on Aliens and Independence Day though, so that might be why.

199. Live in the city or the suburbs? Neither. Give me a house in the middle of the woods somewhere with no neighbors, please.

207. Worst job I’ve had? Well, that depends. In terms of the job itself, definitely my call center job. Worst in terms of how miserable I was, it was working for dog breeders because my boss was a jerk.

Ask me stuff!

#ask game #ask me stuff #I’m a small town person #savage answers

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levyfiles · 5 years ago

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Since it seems to be circulating again I’d loooove to know your thoughts on Steve getting Ryan shirtless and wet and calling him the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen and Shane’s reaction to it that I wish we had

Oh my god, are we doing Stryan feels tonight? I think we are, nonnybaby; I think we are

(yes I know you sent this last week but I’m catching up and you just happen to be in queue with a bunch of Stryan feels asks in my inbox so let’s do this!!)

First let me begin by saying that nothing gives me greater satisfaction and vicarious excitement than watching our fandom discover the very joys that is Steven and his rivalry/affection for Ryan because these two go WAAAAAAY back.

At the moment I’m frustrated though because I know I saved that whole video somewhere but it’s been 3 and a half years since I saved it so I probably have to check my old jdknskjf PC if I can’t find it in my huge disorganized MEGA folder (if I find it later tonight, I will post it idec) I have some screenshots though!

That cursed/blessed video (this is just a clip) from FOUR years ago, has Steven in the position of great power. You see, Ryan lost a bet with him and the winner of said bet gets to direct an Instagram shoot for the other of their choosing. There is an element of humiliation and strangely flattering excitement to Steven’s idea for how to punish Ryan and I WILL NEVER FORGET IT.

So not only does Steven drag Ryan onto his live stream for facebook without telling him it’s a live stream, but he rented out Buzzfeed’s biggest most expensive photography set and when Ryan enters the studio--Ok, I’m sure I’m remembering this right because I yelled about it for daaaays-- Steven says, “Here comes Ryan “S” Bergara and your “S” stands for Steven because now I am your father.” And he just stands right over Ryan while Ryan looks embarrassed and tries to move on jkdnfjsdkf I’m not even kidding like. Steven was posing Ryan and going “Mmm, mm, so gorgeous!” LIKE?? I’m finna start sobbing again.

So he mocks Ryan’s habit of taking off his shirt on camera (which according to Steven, Ryan just loves) all while trying to convince him to take it off. Ryan, trying to embarrass Steven into backing down, accuses Steven of liking it when he takes off his shirt (!!!!)and Steven just says, “Maybe I do” so affably and without an ounce of embarrassment!

Ryan is just smiling the whole time as he takes it off, Steven applauds and yells the whole time, takes Ryan’s shirt Away from him and I remember where I was when I saw this and how my eyebrows flew up into my hair!

We’re talking humiliation kink up the wazoo here because this whole thing played out like a ransom video filmed by the Joker. He proceeds to get Ryan wet

He even calls in a ringer to help so he can stand back and watch. GUYS!!

i MEAAAAAN!!!

i should also point out that at some juncture in the video. I don’t remember when, Steven tells the viewers that Ryan is his boss so I guess that checks out with Shane and Steven mentioning in the first WW that Ryan used to be their “hands-off” manager. Just an interesting tidbit.

Not to detract from the fact that even when they’ve spilled and splattered Ryan with half a glass of water and Ryan looks so defeated, Steven says “There’s just not enough water. I’m sorry, he needs more water on him.”

THE WHOLE DAMN THING IS WEIRD AND I LOVE IT. But yeah, Steven’s conclusion as he looks into the viewfinder is “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.” or something to that effect and I’M MAD!!!!

i’m not even lying when i say that I distinctly remember Steven calling Ryan a baby who needs baby powder because of this screenshot

He just drags the whole thing out to which were Ryan is just standing there, his hands together while Steven zooms in and out saying different variations of “beautiful” or “gorgeous”. Fuck

I ought to say... was Steven even wrong tho?

Jeezus If it hadn’t been for the times they did earlier Buzzfeed videos together and their energy is so pliant and strange in the beginning, THIS VIDEO would have been the moment I started shipping them. Strangely enough, we all forgot about it, it seems which Is a problem because so help me, I am GOING to find this video.

#stryan #Anonybae

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lovecolibri · 5 years ago

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Season 2 Episode 4: Things that did NOT Spark Joy

There was ZERO M*luca this week and man was that a breath of fresh air! I still have issues, but they are less....salty.

-The pacing in the show this season is WILD. They are trying to cram too much story, too many characters, and too many plot lines into too few episodes and it SHOWS. I thought this season would be better than last because they knew early on how many episodes they were getting and didn’t have the pressure of an opening season and all the exposition of learning who the characters are and what their story is. But now they have introduced like, half a dozen new characters in 4 episodes and now we have learn all about them and what they are doing too? It’s too much and it is causing important conversations and character development to happen off screen which undercuts the emotional weight other scenes would have had, or reduces things that could have been good emotional (and angsty) fodder, to throwaway lines.

-For example, glossing over Alex and Maria’s first conversation about her and Michael. This is a moment we have been speculating about and waiting for since the end of last season a YEAR ago, and it happens off screen. I know they are supposed to have a “talk” next episode, but that first conversation HAD to have been a minefield and we didn’t get to see it. And it sounds like it was ALEX who initiated that convo, which means Maria as far as we have been told STILL HADN’T TALK TO ALEX ABOUT TRYING TO DATE MICHAEL and we are a month or two down the line from season 1 at this point.

-Speaking of time jumps, many people were justifying M*luca from Michael’s standpoint by saying he went to her in a haze of grief and was spiraling out which is of course understandable-ish, although I personally never thought that made sense as his spirals from we have been shown are about drinking, sleeping around, and starting fights, not relationships. But as far as reasons for Michael to choose someone over Alex out of grief and the sheer weight of his trauma, it was passable. But we don’t get to see that either! We hear he has been a mess for two weeks and we saw him stumble in “drunk” to Noah’s funeral, (although he seemed pretty with it when talking to Isobel afterwords) and start one fight over a girl but that’s it, and then he’s moving his trailer to the Pony and by the next episode he is settling into “domestic bliss” with Maria and seems to have leveled out. Is he just hiding things really well? Did he go to therapy? Is Isobel helping him through things? Who knows! Not the audience, that’s for sure. And one episode later, him and Alex are talking about all the new horrors they have uncovered and suddenly Michael is calmly assuring Alex that it isn’t his fault? Where did all that growth come from? It was a beautiful moment but there is some serious emotional payoff we COULD have had that we missed out on. We don’t see him go from Alex being tangled up in every bad thing that has happened to him, and needing space, and not wanting to work together, and thinking they aren’t good together, to this Michael who is calling Alex to go on alien investigations with him. We didn’t really see Michael spiral out, and we sure as hell didn’t see him pull himself back together. Don’t get me wrong, I love that Michael is in a better place but Malex fans have been expecting them to be apart this season while Michael “spirals out” and deals with his grief so they could work towards a better, more stable relationship (and there was good angst plotlines for daaaays with these two) but we are 4 episodes in and Malex are already friends and giving each other heart eyes! Which leads me to my next point...

-What even is the point of Love Interest Forrest after this episode? Seriously. Alex and Michael spent the whole episode going on adventures and being friends and Alex turned over the piece of the ship he had been holding on to, so there would be no more secrets. They are in a good place, building a solid foundation for their friendship, Maria isn’t speaking to Michael...what earthly reason does Alex OR Michael have for pursuing a new relationship right now? It makes no sense with the current narrative. Forrest could be an interesting character but I already had zero desire to see him start anything with Alex and after this episode that desire somehow got even smaller. Not gonna lie, I was confused but vaguely understanding of Malex fans who where excited about Forrest just because they wanted Alex to be happy but I am utterly baffled by all the Malex fans who saw that episode, and that stunning Malex chemistry, and are still just DYING for Alex to go hook up with Forrest. Like, WHY? We have soulmates right here, getting along, and having a good time, and learning about each other like they never got the chance to after the shed incident, and people are actively rooting for Alex to go hook up with someone else? After he has been proving each episode that he is not running this time? Sorry, does not compute. Not to mention Forrest is Michael’s acquaintance/friend so him going after Alex means we are probably going to have to see Michael give his blessing knowing Forrest is a decent guy but still being jealous because FUCKING HELL THEY WERE IN A GOOD PLACE FINALLY, and I am TERRIFIED that Forrest getting with Alex will push M*luca back together. Knowing the way that Carina is somehow blind to how narratively awful this love triangle is, and has a fundamental misunderstanding of Alex’s character and the idea of Malex as cosmic soulmates, I also feel like this is going to be played out like, oh look! Alex likes friend of Michael’s “just like” Michael likes Maria, so it’s okay for them to get together now, and I just....I don’t want ANY of that! The Malex content this episode was SO GOOD and I just know the next couple episodes are going to ruin everything with them. We could have gotten good, slowburn Malex with some quality angst (the healed hand, the reenlisting), but the show skipped over all of their development and now has to find a new way to keep them apart. Thanks, I hate it.

-Well. Jesse Manes is still a dick. And he came by it honestly, considering his entire family tree is made of people who are The WorstTM.

-Who Knows What is the burning question of the season. Jenna mentions the prisoners at Caulfield to Jesse, to which he has zero reaction. Did he know, that she knew about that? When did she learn about that? Did I totally miss her learning about that? Is running an alien prison camp something enemies just casually talk about now? I was so confused about Jenna just dropping the knowledge on Jesse that she knows about an alien torture camp and then moving on.

-Steff. Who is she, and why is she allowed to loiter around in the surgical theater? I know she is the daughter of the head of surgery but I genuinely don’t remember if she is also in the medical field. Otherwise, that is a HUGE HIPPA violation to have her watching surgeries and hanging around in clinical areas if she is not on the medical staff and actively working on that case. It weirds me out. And she was all huffy at Kyle when he basically said he was still hung up on his ex? I don’t know how I feel about her still...

-Can Michael Guerin catch a goddamn fucking break? Like, seriously. Everything we learn makes it hurt worse.

-I really hope the show is going to address the fact that Isobel, Liz, and Rosa manipulated Arturo into believing in a miracle and in doing so, they are not just hiding the truth about aliens, but also the truth about the cause of Rosa’s death, and Isobel, Max, and Michael’s hand in it. For this to come on the heels of Maria calling Liz out for lying to her “to protect” her while actually leaving her vulnerable with not a peep from Liz about how they should maybe go about it differently is....not great.

#roswell nm #roswell season 2 spoilers #episode 2x04 #things that did not spark joy #anti forlex #i guess #i just don't want to see them date #let the soulmates be soulmates

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diveronarpg · 5 years ago

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Congratulations, NAY! You’ve been accepted for the role of LAVINIA. Admin Minnie: I’ve always thought Lillian was one of the trickier characters to fully grasp, because it’d be so easy to turn her into an outline of a person and not the whole vivid picture. But you, Nay, have won me over completely. You have such a knack for characterization and nailed Lillian’s voice, that balance she strikes between light and power. The interview portion was my absolute favorite part — I loved the way you brought her to life and the way you showed us the inner workings of her mind, heart and soul. I’m so, so glad to put Lillian into your talented hands! Please read over the checklist and send in your blog within 24 hours.

WELCOME TO THE MOB.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Alias | nay

Age | twenty-two

Preferred Pronouns | she / her

Activity Level | i find it cruelly ironic that i asked for time away from the roleplay community to try to make sense of my chaotic life, and a couple of weeks later, the world imploded and now we’re all quarantined. somehow, i’ve got my shit together-ish. and i really sorely need the light that is the DV fam in these trying times, however, so. 8/10, i’d say?

Timezone | gmt+5

How did you find the rp? | i sold my soul to it some time ago~

Current/Past RP Accounts | never RP’ed a day in my life, what’re you talking about?

IN CHARACTER

Character | LAVINIA / lillian wen

What drew you to this character? | titus adronicus isn’t exactly the darkest of shakespeare’s works, but the storyline of lavinia in particular happens to be one that has always been brutally impactful to me. there is this absolutely fascinating dichotomy lavinia depicts through her journey in the play, one between honor & freedom, that keeps me up at night sometimes. and when it comes to lillian, that struggle feels embedded in her story just the same. regardless, i don’t know that it’s possible to not be drawn to lillian wen.

there’s a multitude of aspects that keeps me inescapably besotted with her — the foundation upon which she blossomed from child, to girl, to the woman she is; an aura of a true, chatoyant aesthete; a plot arc of sexual assault survival, used as a steppingstone towards advocacy… but most of all, i think what won out was the soul she’s got, and all the light it bleeds. there is a line in her biography that reads: “belief was a powerful thing in the wen household.” i’ve thought about that line for daaaays, honestly. it was that line that really got me with her, because i could already see it in my head: she was raised by two women—artistic, emotional, intellectual, opinionated women—and they taught her belief as a religion. she was raised to know it was the most useful weapon she could ever have in an admittedly dastardly world; faith, in herself & in the power of light, and hope, and living in one’s truth. to be raised that way, and make what she has of herself, to wind up in a loveless, strategic marriage and part of a mob? she is such an intriguing character, with such insurmountable potential for growth.

there is something about lillian’s devout optimism, which doesn’t deserve to be mistaken for naiveté, & a faith in humanity that bolsters me, reminding me a fair amount of the sweetness i’ve always adored in juliana, and how there is more than one way to be a fighter, which is exactly what lillian is. but i also think that aspect in a discordant war-time setting would be so god damn cool to play with, because it prompts questions: how far does being good get you? is anything really in black & white? what does a limit feel like? what could you break open to let the light in? i’d love a chance to find answers through an unravelling of her story.

What is a future plot idea you have in mind for the character? |

NOTE: here’s the ever-present disclaimer that these are all merely ideas, subject to discussion & changes, able to be altered in collaboration with other characters.

{ 1 } GILDED CAGE — a corrupt, mob-allegiant District Attorney for a fiancé; there is no question that it is to a man of power her mothers have intertwined her future, seeing protection for the daughter who is their whole world in the bloodbath tainting the city that is their home. to cassian bhatt, lillian is a nothing more than an accessory. of course, she had never been raised to be a girl who emptily dreamt of an ideal love, not when there was the whole universe to fall in love with, and no end to the every day magic the people it brimmed with had to offer. but a loveless marriage? lillian has never been one to tell lies, only ever to hone an innate ability to make the truth as palatable as possible, and her prospective bond feels like one. would she still go through with it? would she ever be able to say no to two women who never let her want for anything a day in her life?

⋯ cassian is the most obvious plot for her story, so i wanted to tackle him, first & foremost. i’m almost sure that lillian won’t seal the deal; she’s come too far in life to only come so far, and wind up with a man she feels nothing at all for. however, i was reading through cassian’s biography, too, and i would be lying if i said i couldn’t see potential for lillian to both either love, or something to cause friction in their dynamic, even if it isn’t a necessarily pleasant sort. currently, i know that lillian refuses to do more than hollowly tolerate him, purely because he has been forced upon her, and her general distrust of men in the wake of her assault makes her anything but open to him. can we really deny that he’s a smart, capable, clever man, though? there could be spark. it could turn to a catalyst for growth in multiple ways, positive & negative, and i am dying to explore the many different ways their story could unfold.

{ 2 } WHAT IS LOVE? — what if she does marry cassian bhatt? it is a possibility, after all. with the capulets, she has found a voice. she has a platform, she has causes she believes in & actively fights for, and a marriage wouldn’t bar lillian from any of that, nor would it keep her from being the precocious, curious creature that she is. and what if, after that’s done, she falls in love with someone? with her mothers never having been married, lillian never considered romantic love & legally-binding commitment to go hand-in-hand, but that does not mean it couldn’t. it doesn’t mean she couldn’t fall in love with a person she might, one day, want to be with. would she cross that line, if it came down to it? would cassian let her? would the capulets object to it, considering it is her relationship with him that has drug lillian into their fold?

⋯ this is more a subplot to the last than it is a standalone arc, but roll with it. lillian is, in a way that is one of my absolute favourite things about her, a delicious enigma of a woman. i don’t believe there is anything she couldn’t turn and look at from another side. and at the same time? i feel that she is a person who takes notions of integrity, and promises, very seriously. she is a woman of her word, at the end of the day. what would it take to blur her lines? you don’t choose who you fall in love with. you don’t choose when it happens, or how it happens. what you control is your actions, and lillian has both always believed that, and demonstrated it. so, what would she choose, in such a circumstance?

{ 3 } BEST LAID PLANS — she met cosimo capulet whilst on cassian’s arm, and it was over a glass of rosé, the man talked to her about her charity-work. he told her of the origins of the capulets’ particular brand of business: the robin hood reminiscent legacy initiated by one lucius capulet, of the revolution they had begun with, giving back to the impoverished lillian fought for as well. her mothers never would have understood how the good girl they had raised could level with a mob-boss, but lillian has, and it is how she has ended up a consultant to the capulets. but how far is she willing to integrate herself with their cause? how much of the necessary violence of a war can she truly stomach?

⋯ i told you: a dichotomy between honor & freedom. it feels like the crux of lillian’s story to me. i’ve got very strong headcanons in mind for the relationship she’s got with the capulets, purely because i would like for her relationship with them to stand on its own, as opposed to being more so reliant on the relationship her fiancé has with them. the fact that the capulets have given her a voice means a great deal to lillian, definitely more than she ever could have expected it to, and i would like to see that graciousness she’s developed drive her to make choices she might question under the lens of her own honor-code afterwards. you know me, i’m a sucker for internal conflict to drive character development, and i need it with lillian, for sure.

Are you comfortable with killing off your character? | honestly? i don’t think i could stomach lillian dying.

IN-DEPTH

♦ IN-CHARACTER INTERVIEW:

NOTE: out of caution, i’d like to precede this portion with trigger warnings for sexual assault mention and ptsd

“benvenuti!”

she is already greeting you before she’s quite done opening the door. welcome, is what must remind you that you are, in fact, a stranger in her house. the warmth the curve of her mouth radiates is one that seeps in through your pores; it is not easy to remember that this is the first time you’ve met signora lillian wen. you’ve heard it before: like the sun, she is hard to look at, yet her warmth is undeniable.

“come in,” she invites, and the silken slip-dress she’s donned seems to ripple like peach-hued water when she sweeps her arm, waiting for you to step over the threshold and stand beside her, so she might match you, footstep-for-footstep.

— What is your favorite place in Verona?

“that’s such a deliciously difficult question,” lillian enthuses, beaming, despite her brows that furrow in thought over it. favourite, after all, is no small word; she must ponder it, then, for she does so like to mean the things she says. “ – you know, i don’t know that i’ve only the one,” is what she settles on, pouring out the lemonde she’s fixed up a pitcher of herself just now. the smell of the mint leaves she’s peppered it with infuses itself in the house, and she can’t help but breathe it in, deeply, satisfied.

“so much of this city is so very dear to me. i cannot give you a favourite between them all, not when they’ve their own charms, and my own memories attached to them,” she slides over a glass to you, ice cubes merrily tinkling within, “but i will tell you that the oldest shall always be the home i grew up in. it was more snug than this, perhaps, yes, but my mothers made sure it brimmed with all that feeds the human soul. there isn’t a memory under that roof that does not make my heart ache with nostalgia, which, really, is the heart’s way of telling you it was worth it. don’t you agree?”

lillian clicks her tongue against the roof of her mouth, a sound of regret that does not match the soft radiance of her mouth.

“humble beginnings, hmm?”

— What does your typical day look like?

the living-room is far from lacking pieces of furniture, all of them as comfortable to sit in as they are to look at. you know this, because she has suggested you try each out to settle on a preference, and you’ve done it. it is only once your stomach hurts from laughter incited from such childish wonderfulness that you realise: she has broken the ice.

lillian herself sprawls out on a chaise lounge by the window, tipped on her side with her legs curled underneath herself. she looks like a mermaid. her words sound lyrical when her laughter laces them: “ah, always the same, and also never as well.”

the sip of lemonade is delicate, brief, though she tips the glass for a second, fuller mouthful when you’re sure she can’t possibly have swallowed the first that quickly. never mind –

“i like to start my day rising with the sun,” she tells you. “my absolute favourite thing about living by myself is the luxury of not having to speak at all until i wish to do so – which, of course, doesn’t take too long at all, for i might be my own fondest companion. i like to prepare my own breakfast, after; eat outside, if i want, though i rather rebelliously might crawl back into bed with a tray when i feel particularly blue. i never stay under the covers for too long, however. i simply can’t. there’s too much to do. so, i dress myself up in whatever ensemble feels the most myself that day, and set off to find another way to save the world.”

her nose crinkles when she grins. you cannot help grinning back, can you?

— What has been your biggest mistake thus far?

unbidden, lillian’s mind whirls so quickly, her thoughts slip from her fingers like water. and she is back there, in that room, with that man. that man who smiled when she walked into the room. who smiled when he motioned her to costumery that felt divine to touch, silken & decadent. who smiled when he called her a vision. who smiled when he held her down, while she begged, when he left her on the ground.

believing that smile, she thinks.

“ ––– signora?” you ask, tone tender, for she looks so fragile when she is still.

as if a button has been pushed, lillian seems to snap out of it – appears to back to life. there is an apology in her smile, and it feels like a shadow. the shadow darkens her words: “to call one the biggest seems like tempting fate, doesn’t it?” she wonders aloud. “such as when one says things can’t possibly get any worse, and right then, the universe shows you how wrong you were about that?”

— What has been the most difficult task asked of you?

cassian bhatt. the syllables of his name sit at the tip of her tongue, burning, and lillian cannot say them. she cannot betray her mothers so. she knows, already, the looks on their faces would ache more—inevitably, unbearably more—than that of letting her jaw clench, and teeth grind, to keep that truth inside, until she swallows it down.

there can be more than one truth, lillian knows. she reminds herself: once, twice, three times. and then, over the rim of her glass, she smiles a smile she can mean. “that isn’t a mindset i agree with,” she states, “if you believe it is the most difficult, it might feel near impossible, might it not? that just won’t do. forget most difficult–” she sweeps it away with a wave of her hand, like a makeshift broom-limb, “–let’s only say we’ve all got our challenges, and we aren’t the most enthusiastic to rise to all of them.”

she breathes a laugh, then. “my maman likes to remind me; mind over matter, petit fleur. i can hear it in my head already!”

— What are your thoughts on the war between the Capulets and the Montagues?

lillian’s brows crawl up her forehead. she looks so perplexed, you can’t help but wonder if you accidentally said a word wrong. her home is easy to relax inside, involuntarily, and the possibility would not be unfounded. she explains it herself, all the same, when she asks: “is it a war?”

it is difficult to discern whether the question is rhetorical or not. her head cants, and she answers it herself, “h.g. wells once wrote: if we don’t end war, war will end us.” her sip is pensive, now. “i believe that, truly. there are no winners; only those who are left in the wake of one. and so, i can only hope that is not what this is.”

her eyes are kind. “don’t you?”

♦ EXTRAS:

✴ pinterest → here;

✴ tag → here.

#accepted #accepted: lavinia

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samirant · 5 years ago

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Shipping Post Game

Got tagged by @pretty--thief daaaays ago (sorry, got distracted!) and @beesreadbooks!

Top Three Ships

1. Jaime/Brienne, ASOIAF, Game of Thrones

This one’s a gimme, but I went without writing fanfic for years, hadn’t read the books, and didn’t even start watching the show regularly until the seventh season. But these two caught my attention through YouTube clips and then that incredibly stupid ending happened, so I went in search of fic for comfort and ta-da! Here I am.

There’s a lot of feelings between these two, a lot of things left unsaid and in a vacuum like that, I’m willing to fill in A Lot. The fact that he’s beautiful, tragically flawed and just wants to be loved, that she’s unconventional but earnest and caring - man, these two. They should have gotten a much happier ending, and I’m starry-eyed over them enough to try and give it to them.

2. Derek/Stiles, Teen Wolf

Terrible show, GREAT fic. Kouriarashi on ao3 is a favorite of mine, but so are relenafanel, idyll, and zosofi, among many, many others. Hide of a Life of War by Etharei has over 20,000 kudos and with damn good reason.

Derek is surly, lonely and has lived a fucking tragic life. Stiles is brilliant, awkward, spastic and doesn’t know when the hell to shut up. Awesome pairing.

3. Eleanor Shellstrop/Chidi Anagonye, The Good Place

This has more to do with the characters than the fic, which I actually haven’t read much of. These two wildly different people met and met and met again, each time forming a bond, be it platonic or romantic. Michael said that he didn’t believe soulmates existed, but rather were made and these two chose each other over and over, to the point of letting each other go because they loved each other that damn much. Of the three on this list, they are the only ones to get a canonical happy ending, even if it’s not what the audience would have envisioned. I love this ship, how it began and how it ended. It was perfect.

Last Song You Listened To

Fear of the Water by SYML. Been listening to the Spotify list for Honor Compels Me by @angel-deux-writes and have discovered a whole host of artists I’d never heard of and I’m enjoying all of it.

Last Movie You Watched

Birds of Prey! Violent and delightful, I highly recommend it.

Reading

Picked up Good Omens, but keep putting it back down to write and read more Braime fic. Please forgive me, Neil & Terry.

Last Thing You Ate

Pancakes and sausage for breakfast. Delicioso.

Tagging: (please forgive repeats and ignore if necessary) @slipsthrufingers @nire-the-mithridatist @luthienebonyx @twelvemonkeyswere @forbiddenfantasies1 @ajoblotofjunk @knifeears @bethanyactually @firesign23 @kiraziwrites

#ask me anything

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mickeyrainn · 5 years ago

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Rant cause my life has just been wild.

In little paragraphs, I'm gonna tell you how these past couple of months in college have been treating me.

It's harder than I thought, the exams every second Friday are atrocious. Let me tell ya, I'm not doing very well atm so my stress/depression level is all over the place.

I've had bronchitis and a lung infection TWICE. Which have made me bed ridden and puke my bloody guts out for daaaays, which results in me missing school days.

A few weeks ago, I tripped and fell on the ground and my fake nail bent back, including my real nail and tore both nails off completely. It hurt and now I have a ugly finger, which I keep bandaged up in public cause, ew.

Since having bronchitis and a lung infection in the past, I still have a terrible cough and I can't seem to get rid of it? WELL, I've been coughing so hard, I bloody fractured a rib. Woo!

So in overall words, I'm done with school lmao. I'll still keep going and make sure I bring my grades up, but daaaamn. Shits hard, making me stressed to the point where I somehow get violently ill??? I just needed to rant and get it off my chest. I'll be fine. 😂🙄👍🏻

#rant #rant over #dude college sucks #ive made some bomb ass buds #but still #stressed #help #sos #i might die #lmao #ill be fine #lets get dem stupid grades up #its just life

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krreader · 6 years ago

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BTS reacting to their pregnant wife doing something dangerous.

pairing: bts x reader fandom: bts warnings: language genre: crack ; fluff ; hints of angst

a/n: did you know that taking a bath is dangerous for pregnant women? I didn’t include that but I thought it was super interesting lol (#fact of the daaaay). enjoy this babes

ask box | masterlist | masterlist for original stories | fandoms | faq

kim seokjin

You and Jin were walking through the city when someone from his company called.

He was so focused on the call, that he didn't notice your hand slipping from his. It was only when a car honked, that he dropped his phone, took three large steps towards you and pulled you back just in time, before it could have hit you.

“(Y/N), what the hell? Oh my god, what the hell, it almost hit you!” he instantly checked whether or not you were hurt, even though he knew he had pulled you back before anything could have happened.

“I.. I didn't see it,” you mumbled, staring after the car and pointing towards the baby shop on the other side of the street, “They sell Disney jumpers there.”

Jin let out a sigh and pulled you towards him, gently running his hand up and down your back, “You need to be more careful, Jagi.. please..-” “I'm sorry,” you whispered against his neck, “I will be, I promise.”

min yoongi

You wanted to support your husband for his concert, but then you had forgotten your VIP pass at home and the security at the door wouldn't let you in because they were new and didn't know you yet. So the only person you did know was at the regular front door, who let you in right away.. with a shit ton of other fans, who were all pushing to get the best spots in the arena.

That's when Yoongi called you.

“Where the hell are you?!”

“Uh.. in the middle of your..- ouch! Fans. I'm trying to push through.”

For a moment he was silent, before whispering, “Are you telling me you went in through the front door, even though you’re eight months pregnant?!”

“Well, they wouldn't let me in through the back entrance, what was I supposed to do?!”

“Fucking hell, (Y/N). Go wait somewhere at the side, I'll come and get you.”

He wouldn't let you go all the way into the arena with his fans. He knew how pushy people could be and he was too scared something might happen to you or the baby.

jung hoseok

Hoseok was super busy these days and because your kid was expected to arrive relatively soon, you had decided to be the man in the house and finish the nursery yourself.

Basically, nothing was set up yet.

Hoseok had told you he'd do it eventually, but then so many things came up and now the boxes were just standing around like they had arrived months ago.

And so when he came home that night and found you furiously hammering on.. something, he immediately grabbed your wrist and stopped you.

“Don't do that!”

“Well, someone has to! You're not here to do it, and I don't want our baby to be born without having a proper room.”

Your husband let out a sigh and crouched down next to you, “I told you.. I'd do it, it's just.. a lot right now.”

“I know. And I don't mind doing this, really.”

“But you shouldn't be doing it. You need to rest, not build a nursery,” he would have to figure out a way to get a few days off, so that you wouldn't build it yourself.

Which you would, he knew that.

kim namjoon

“Namjoooooon,” you whined, “Your child wants cookies.”

“You want cookies,” he said simply, continuing to write in his notebook, “Go get them if you want them, I can't right now.”

“Fine,” you huffed, getting out of bed and waddling into the kitchen.

It was only about three minutes later that Namjoon remembered where he had stored the cookies. And that's when he dashed into the kitchen and found you balancing on a chair, desperately trying to reach the cookies.

“Are you fucking insane?!”

“Well, you didn't want to get them for me!”

“Just..- just get down from there, okay?”

Easier said than done. He realized that too when he spent the next five minutes trying to get you down that chair.

Lesson learned. Whatever his wife wanted, his wife would get. A good life lesson, according to you.

park jimin

Jimin appreciated what you were trying to do here, accompanying him to an important charity event. But see, the first hour or two, everyone was merely standing around and greeting each other or introducing one person to the other.

And with how far along you were, he didn't like it that you were standing this long. Because you refused to go inside and sit somewhere, since you came here to support your husband.

“Please, jagi.. just go inside.”

“No. I'll go when you go.”

“I don't know when I'll go,” he put one hand on your belly, “You need to sit down. I'll try to be inside as quickly as I can, I promise.”

“No.”

Why the hell were you so stubborn?!

“Excuse me?” a guy, maybe around 19, who seemed to be working for the event suddenly stood next to you and your husband with a chair, a small smile on his face, “I was wondering if you might want this?”

“Bless you,” Jimin smiled from ear to ear and took the chair out of his hand, “Here. You can still be with me but you can sit. Is that a deal?”

Fucking finally. Your feet were killing you. Not that you'd ever tell him that.

kim taehyung

“Hey, hey, hey, hold on,” Taehyung got up from the couch and ran in front of you to stop you from walking any further.. in those heels, “Why are you wearing these?!”

“Because we're going to an award show and I don't want to look like a trash bag.”

“(Y/N), you..-” he sighed, rubbing his temples, “Just.. get out of those, please. I don't want you to wear heels when you're this far along. I don't want you to fall or something like that.”

“They're just heels, Taehyung..”

“Just.. please. Please, wear something else. Anything else.”

If he hadn't looked so determined you would have shrugged it off. But honestly, your ankles were already hurting anyways, and some flats sounded good right about now.

“Fine. But if one person says something bad about me, because I'm not wearing heels..-”

“I'll personally kick their asses,” your husband chuckled and helped you take them off a moment later.

jeon jeongguk

Your husband had invited the rest of the boys over for a barbecue, but because the boys were all too busy doing god knows what and your baby wanted to eat, it was time for you to take matters into your own hands and be the chef for today.

And when Jeongguk walked outside with a beer, he fell out of all clouds when he saw you handling a fucking grill, with your huge ass baby bump.

“What are you doing?” he immediately grabbed your shoulders and pulled you back, inspecting you for any wounds.

“Making myself dinner, because you and your friends are too busy drinking,” you shrugged and wanted to return to the task at hand, but Jeongguk gently pushed you back into the house.

“Absolutely not. Go inside, sit down and I'll finish this for you.”

There was no way he'd let you out of his sight again for the duration of this pregnancy, that was for sure.

#bts imagine #bts reactions #bts x reader #bts #bangtan #bangtan reaction #bangtan boys #kpop #kpop imagines #kpop reactions #bangtan sonyeondan #reader #bangtan x reader #bangtan boys x reader #requests

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peachblossomss · 6 years ago

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Hearth- a Naruto Fanfic (CH 2)

Hi, I don’t own Naruto or any of the characters in this story.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13035782/2/Hearth

Two

SASU

“Strip down here.” Sakura ordered. From my place just inside her household door, I could not help but immediately halt. I could feel my jaw drop. Sighing and quickly looking away, she elaborated. “Sasuke. You look like shit. You are a mess. You’re full of mud, stinky, and to top it all off, I just cleaned my house last night. So please. Take off those filthy rags, and I’ll show you to your room.” The tips of her ears were dusted in a light rose, as were her cheeks. Was it because she was upset, or because of the implications that her telling me to strip could provoke, had she not elaborated? “I’m sure all your clothes are dirty, I think I might have something sitting around that’ll fit you…” she trailed off, or I stopped listening. “Hn.” was all I could manage to say. If I opened my mouth further, I could not guarantee that I wouldn't be harsh with her. Who’s clothing would I be wearing what man would she-, no, what man would DARE to stay in her home? Her home is off limits. Sakura is off limits. I would have to have a little chat with whoever decided to stay here. I’ll have to somehow get her to tell me who was here last. Almost as if she was reading my mind, the next words out of her mouth answered my questions.

“...Naruto was here about a week or so ago” she smiled slightly, and my previous rage and determination to beat the man who stayed in her home to a pulp was slightly forgotten. The dobe was in for a beating. Didn’t he have his own place to stay?? More importantly, I was stuck wondering about the fact that her small, wistful smile affected me so much. Gods, what is happening to me? Tuning back in from my inner ramblings, she continued on with her little anecdote. “Hinata had just left for a diplomatic mission to Suna, and he claimed the “house was too empty without her warmth”, and he didn’t want to stay there alone...he was soo mopey. It was kind of cute, actually.” She giggled, and with that, it was back to Serious Sakura. “Leave your pack by the door, I’ll get your laundry started. You know where the bathroom is. There should be towels and washcloths in the cabinet next to the sink. Your room is the first left in the hallway, there’s fresh linens and everything. I’ll leave Naruto’s clothes outside of the door, for when you’re done. After that, we’re having tea. Did you eat already? Well...we don’t have to have tea, I’m sure you’re tired and all, since you’ve been travelling so long…” She trailed off, looking slightly unsure. The entire time she was talking, I was just staring. It was quite amusing, how quick she could go from rambling about Naruto, to bossing me around like a wife would to her husband, to being shy and unsure. I didn’t like that Sakura, the one without confidence. It reminded me of the times in which I had made her think she was anything less than strong and important. I didn’t understand what she could be unsure about, though. Of course I want to spend time with her.

Without a thought, I found myself raising my hand to poke her forehead. “Sakura...thank you”. As I walked away, I wasn’t sure if i could hear a slight gasp, or if it was just my imagination hoping so. On my way down the hall to the bathroom, I stopped in front of the room that was to be mine for the next couple of days/weeks/months. How many men has she helped? Does she boss them around like she did with me? Does she demand that they have tea together, and then become shy after? Does she was their laundry as well? I hoped these small little things were only for me, but I could not be mad at her if they werent. Sakura is a caring and affectionate person by nature, and she would never turn down a comrade in need of help.

SAKU

It was hard to believe that Sasuke was here in the flesh, I mean, he had been gone only for 5-ish months, but he never told me when he would be back, or really if he planned on coming back. It crushed me. When he left, he did say he would take me with him next time he came to the village, however, he was extremely vague on when that would be. Knowing him, it could have been years before he returned. Then again, he proved me wrong by returning here. On top of that he returned to me before seeing anyone else. Why did he come to my house rather than seeing Kakashi sensei? Perhaps he needed healing of some form.

“Sakura.” a deep voice broke my internal musings, making me drop the mug I was grabbing from the cupboard.

“OH! Sasuke, I didn’t realize you were already out of the shower, what kind of tea would you like? I have camomile with lavender, irish breakfast tea, or jasmine. I can run out and get a different kind if none of these are to your liking…” UGH why does this always happen to me around him? I am always a nervous blubbering fool and it drives me crazy. He must think I’m insane.

“Tch, you’re a kunoichi, you should be more aware of your surroundings, Sakura. Camomile is fine.” Sasuke reprimanded as he walked further into my tiny little alcove of a kitchen.

“Are you sure? I know you like matcha the best. I’m fresh out, actually….” Nervously I began rummaging through my fridge. “As for food, I have some rice, some fruits, and I know for a fact that I have some dried cuttlefish somewhere. Are you hungry, Sasuke-kun? I don’t have much- today is my grocery day.”

“...Sakura, how can such a renowned healer only have leftover rice and dried fish in her house? We’ll go shopping. At the very least, I can cook in return for your letting me stay here.”

I couldn't help but stop dead in my tracks. Not only was he teasingly reprimanding me, but he also was offering to cook for me, too? Run my errands with me? Before I even had time to respond, I felt Sasuke’s presence right behind me. “Annoying girl, do you even eat?” Leaning over my crouched form into my fridge he picked up an old soggy looking stalk of celery and tossed it on the kitchen counter. “Lets go, we’ll go shopping now.”

In a sudden bit of clarity, I could only see two issues with our little outing. “Sasuke-kun, what about letting Kakashi know you’re here? And Naruto? If he finds out from someone that you’re here, he won’t shut up for daaaays. I mean it! When I left for a mission without saying goodbye he cold shouldered me for two weeks after I got back. Of course, he came burling into my house the moment I returned. I suspect he just wanted to know I was okay.” I said with a light giggle. “He then turned up his nose and stormed out of the door he just threw open. Didn’t even say a word!!”

“Hn. The dobe can come to me if he has an issue with my being here. I’m not his boyfriend. I don’t have to come to him right away any time I step foot in this village. As for the old man, I suppose we’ll stop on the way to the market. The guards probably told him I’m back the thirty seconds after I stepped through the gates.”

In the short hour and a half that Sasuke has been back, I’ve noticed a change in him. What happened in those months he was gone? I can almost feel the lighter aura coming from him, when once, in his presence, all I could feel was his self loathing and bitterness towards the world. Maybe he found love on his travels? Oh my god...maybe he has a girlfriend and she’s helping him restore the clan? Or maybe he found out he is terminally ill and decided to live his life to the fullest??? One thing I know for certain, I would not take this new, lighter Sasuke for granted. I mean, for the most part he has always been more open with me, but today, it’s like he has let down all of his walls with me. A slight poke on my arm snapped me out of my ramblings. “Sakura, what’s going on with you today? You’re out of it. You should see Tsunade.”

“I’m fine, Sasuke-kun. I guess I’m still processing the fact that you’re, well, here. I expected you to be away much longer than this...I missed you.” I said, gathering my cardigan, wallet, and my keys. We should get a move on, the market will be getting busier this time of day, and we want the best options. Tally-ho!!” And with that, I grabbed his wrist and dragged him out of my little slice of heaven and into the bright midday sun of a calm Spring day. Instead of taking his hand out of my grasp like I expected him to, he grabbed my own and gave it a light squeeze before dropping it to my side. The blush that adorned my face was out of my control. Why is it that the simplest gestures caused me to spiral into a mess of emotions? We walked lazily to the Hokage tower, soaking in the first real day of sunshine and temperatures above 45° that Konoha has seen in about three months. Sasuke’s shoulder would occasionally brush mine as we avoided the bustling citizens wandering the streets. It might have been because Sasuke was here at my side,walking close enough that our hands were touching, but I felt as though everyone and their mother was out today, and they were all staring at us.

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The trip to see Kakashi-sensei wasn’t as momentous as I had thought it would be. As Sasuke said, Kakashi already knew of his return.

“Ah Sakura! My favorite student! To what do I owe this visit?! And Sasuke too?” His eyes crinkled up above his ever present face mask. “Is there some love advice you two are in need of? I can lend you a copy of my Icha Icha books!”

With a glint in my eye I was about ready to throw one of the many stacks of papers on his desk to the ground. “Actually, Sensei,” I said with a sarcastic sneer, “Sasuke just stopped by to let you know he has returned to the village for the time being.”

“Ah yes, I knew the minute he walked past the gates. As you know, we just got new and improved security systems that can help detect chakra signatures from 5 miles away!! Although I am happy to see you two...I was getting a bit bored with all the paperwork here. Heh. Are you sure you don’t need those books? Could you maybe tell Shizune that you need them anyway? If you don’t I can take them off your hands...please? Sakura, my favorite! I need just a tiny tiny break from all of this dreadful Hokage business, and she’s taken that one escape away from me! She trusts you! She’d tell you where she’s hidden them in a heartbeat!”

“Sasuke,” I whispered, “We need to leave. Now. It’ll only get worse from here…”

“Some Hokage you are, old man. Lets go, Sakura.”

“No! Don’t go! Unless...are you going to get my books?!?!”

As we quickly made our way out of the Hokage Tower I made sure to stop by Shizune’s office.

“He’s getting worse, Shizune. He’s up to his neck in paperwork. Maybe offer Icha Icha Paradise as a reward for getting some of his work done?”

“Sakura! Sasuke-san! Was it that bad? When I left him about twenty minutes ago he was doing alright….” The poor girl...she got stuck with two Hokages who hated paperwork. One who had a drinking problem, and the newest one who had an addiction to his porn books. I could see the wrinkles from stress forming on her forehead. I sure dodged a bullet with that one, as Kakashi asked me to be his assistant when he first got elected into office.

“Yeah, Shizune, it was that bad. Anyway, we’re off. Lots of things to do, places to be, horny Hokages to avoid….you know, the usual!” with that I dragged a stunned Sasuke out of the doors and into the crowded streets. Sasuke stopped in his tracks, and stared at me with wide onyx eyes.

“What the fuck just happened?”

“Honestly Sasuke, I’m not too sure myself. He’s usually not this bad. Shizune always takes his books away for a little bit to try to goad him into working. He sets up elaborate schemes to get them from her. It kinda feels like we stepped into an alternate dimension for a bit, right?” I said, tiredly. “Let’s get to the market. I could really use a quick cup of coffee and maybe a light snack while we shop. And to forget about whatever that was.

SASU

As we walked through the village together, I couldn’t help but glance at the pink haired girl--no, woman, next to me. The years have been kind to her, and although we are still young, we have all been through so much. The young woman next to me is far different from the girl I knew before I left. Once upon a time, she was a tall, gangly little thing with bright green eyes, and a forehead too big for her face. Now, at almost 20, she’s grown into that forehead, her eyes still that bright, spring green despite all that she has seen.

“Sakura, you’re short.” I stated. She used to be taller than me. Now, she only comes up to my neck.

With widened eyes and a flustered expression, Sakura responded a little too quickly to hide her shock at my observation. “Wha?! No I’m not! I’m average height, thank you very much! You-you’re too tall!”

“Hn.” I said, looking away. “It’s cute though..” I muttered into the breeze without a thought. I could feel the tips of my ears burning. Why is it that these thoughts come so easily to my brain? With a sigh, I couldn't help but wish that I was able to suppress them more.

“HUH? What was that Sasuke-kun? Do you care to repeat it? I am not short! Hey! Are you listening to me?”

“Sakura. Shut up.” I said, ruffling her hair, a slight smirk forming at the corners of my mouth. With a pout, she stomped off in the direction of the coffee shop closest to the market. “Annoying” I muttered to myself more than anyone. With a headstart to the little cafe ahead of us, I had to jog a bit to catch up. The place must have been newly built after Pein’s invasion. As the old Konoha had hardly any cafes. The only one being an old teahouse that hardly had any visitors. This place, however, had a new, yet homey feel to it, with large glass windows allowing the bright sun in, little tables inside of a delicate white fence surrounding the small patio, and green plants hanging everywhere. I could see Sakura spending her time here when she wasn’t working at the hospital, training, or reining in Naruto’s crazy antics.

I just got to her in time for us to order our drinks. Sakura ordering a chai tea with extra cinnamon, and a raspberry danish was no surprise to me. The girl had an insatiable sweet tooth, which was one thing that never changed throughout our childhood.

“Sasuke-kun, did you want anything? My treat!” Her previous annoyance with me seemed to be forgotten.

“I’ll take an iced coffee, no sugar, and room for cream. I’ll find us somewhere to sit.”

“Hm, okay! Somewhere by a window, please!”

For some reason, I felt light today. The biggest part due to Sakura’s presence. She made me feel calm, despite all of the worries floating in my head. I knew the moment I decided to come back to the village that I would ask her to leave with me, but I didn’t know how she would answer. Perhaps she has decided that she’s needed in the village, working at the hospital. She mentioned, one brisque fall evening before I left, that she wanted to open up a mental health ward for orphaned children. It was one of those nights where I found myself unable to leave her presence, although I couldn’t place why. Now, after months of being away I could finally realize it. Her presence was something I could no longer be without for more than necessary. Her smile was something I wished to see every day. The way she blushed and looked away smiling when she caught me staring, like just now, was something that comforted me on my travels. Sakura Haruno had loved me for a long time. I came to realize I’ve loved her just as long. The avenger in me shoved those feelings so far into the recesses of my soul for most of my life. The darkness shrouded so much love from my precious people, and I was blinded. Sakura deserves better than me, but I made an unspoken promise to her, and to myself that day five months ago. I promised to be a man worthy of the love she has curated for years. To be worthy of her. However, that didn't stop me from wondering, did she still want to travel with me? Did she still love me the way she did, all those years ago? My mind was heavy with the thoughts that she may not want that, or me, any longer. After all, I have left her behind so many times before.

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“Sasuke-kun!! What should we make for lunch? I was thinking some sukiyaki? Or we could keep it simple and do miso soup and rice?”

“Sukiyaki sounds nice, lets go check Mr. Yuashi’s stand for the vegetables. He always has the best selection.”

“Ah, Sasuke, he’s in the hospital currently...nothing to serious! Just a simple case of pneumonia...but I don’t think his wife was able to run the stand alone. Mrs. Uzuko however, has a nice stand as well. She grows all of her vegetables in a little garden outside of the village! That’s where I usually get your tomatoes from. She actually gave me a small cherry tomato plant since I was constantly buying them.”

“Hn, let’s go there then. It seems as though more is changing in the village since i’ve been gone. What else is new, besides the coffee shop?”

“Well, since the war ended, we were able to hire contractors from other villages to help us get back on our feet after the invasion. Beforehand, we didn’t have the manpower to spare anyone for those projects, and we couldn't ask anyone from other smaller villages for help, since they were all trying to stay safe from Madara and all that was happening. There has been an influx of small shops opening up now since we have more space. It’s been really cool, actually. Civilians from other villages have been moving here to try and expand their businesses, and it’s greatly improved our trade with different nations. Just recently, I found a new plant shop that opened up near the old Uchiha district. His name is Sechi and he’s from Suna. Oh my gods, Sasuke! He has some amazing herbs and plants that can only grow in the hot desert environment! I made a really cool salve that can help with sunstroke. The leafs can also be used to cure vomiting and heartburn. He also-sorry, am I rambling? I’m rambling. Anyway, the village always seems to be growing these days. It makes me happy.”

Sakura could talk for hours, and when that used to annoy me, I now found myself being pulled in by every word she said. I realized I hadn’t said anything since she stopped talking 45 seconds ago. She would probably take that as me not wanting to talk, solidifying her thought that I would presumably be annoyed by her ramblings. “The relationships between Hidden Villages and smaller ones alike seem to be strengthening. Change within the shinobi world is changing. That gives me hope. Thank you, Sakura, for telling me.I would like to see that shop sometime, but for now... Let’s get our ingredients and go home, I’m getting hungry.” With that, I grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the small line in front of the produce stand so we could finally get back to the solace of her small apartment.

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SAKU

Never in my life did I expect Sasuke to be such a proficient chef. The minute we arrived back to my house, he was a tornado of efficiency in the kitchen. Somehow, he managed to find everything he needed without any help.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“No.”

“Not even cutting the vegetables?”

“No, Sakura, just go do whatever. I’ll call you when the food is ready.”

. . .

“Actually, do you have any sake? I didn’t see any in your cabinets. That would go well with this dish.”

“Hah! You’re really asking me, the Fifth Hokage's apprentice, if I have any sake? Of course I do! You don’t train under Tsunade-shishou and not learn to have sake on deck, just in case. That woman would tear my house apart looking for some if Shizune even took it away from her for more than two days.”

“Off you go, then.”

With that, I was dismissed from the kitchen. Sasuke really seemed different, like there was a burden lifted off his chest. My earlier thought of him having a woman outside of the village floated through my mind, but I decided that he wouldn’t have held my hand earlier if he had someone else. I know with my heart that Sasuke is loyal to those he considers his precious people through and through. Although his past actions may contradict that, he isn’t leading a path of redemption for no reason. While Sasuke was busy cooking our lunch, I got to organizing a box of old pictures that my mother had dropped of the day before. As I was shuffling through them, I came across a picture of Team Seven in the Land of Waves. A picture I completely forgot taking. It was our first big mission, and we didn’t even know it at that point. It’s crazy how time has passed, how each of us has persevered against all odds. Although we don’t always get to see each other at the same time, what with Sasuke traveling, Naruto being with Hinata, and Kakashi being the Hokage, that family tie will forever be there. Those are my boys and they always will be. Lost in my reminiscing, I didn't hear Sasuke come up behind me until he was crouched down behind me, looking at the picture in my hand, his breath warm on my ear.

“We were such spring babies then. We had no clue how big of an opponent we would be facing with Zabuza and Haku. We didn’t know of the trails we would all have to face in the coming years.”

Gasping, I dropped the picture. “Geeze, Sasuke-kun, can’t you make some noise when you’re walking around?? But yeah, we had no clue then...I remember you being so unwilling to take that picture. Actually, this is the first time I’ve seen it. After that mission, I didn’t even bring my camera with me anymore. I completely forgot about it. My mom must have developed the pictures for me...I would have liked to have this when you were gone.”

“Why’s that?

“So I could look back on times that were simpler. Times when you were still here. I now understand why you left, however I still don’t think it was the right choice. Part of me is greatful, still. Without your leaving, I think I would have stayed stuck in my old ways. Relying on you and Naruto to protect me…”

“I’m sorry Sakura. You deserved better than that. But I’m glad you’re stronger because of it.The food is ready. Let’s go eat.” he said as he pulled on a lock of my hair. “It’s grown out a bit, I like it at this length. It suits you well.”

With a slight blush, I made to get up, but not before Sasuke held out his sole hand to help me up from my position on the floor.

“Thank you. For being here, and for making lunch. Sasuke...if you don’t mind me asking...how’d you cut the vegetables and tofu with one hand?”

“Simple, I summoned a hand made from my susanoo.”

“Sasuke-kun, you’re ridiculous. I would have helped, you know.”

“Hn. Too bad.” he said with the slight smile he’s only shown in my presence.

The food was better than I expected. Not only was he confident in the battle field, but he was in the kitchen as well. Was this man skilled in every aspect of life? My imagination got the best of me as I imagined coming home from a long day to a shirtless Sasuke, adorned with the lemon printed apron I keep hanging up in the kitchen, inviting me to the bedroom...in this fantasy, he cooked me a lavish breakfast in bed, and he was the dessert. The blush that covered my face was impossible to hide.

“Sakura, is everything alright? You’re flushed.”

“Ha! Haa..yeah, I’m fine! Must be the sake getting to me. Although I know how to handle my alcohol, it doesn’t stop me from getting blushed really easily!!!!!!” I lied through a sip of said sake. “This is amazing, Sasuke. Is there anything you can’t do?” I let my inner thought slip out, despite my wish to keep those thoughts strictly to myself. Perhaps the alcohol was getting to me more than usual.

“Hn, you’ll just have to find out.” Voiced the smirking Uchiha from behind his own cup of sake, the somehow deeper vibrato of his voice cascading across the table. What exactly that meant, I wasn’t sure of, and I couldn’t help the shiver of a n t i c i p a t i o n that went down my spine.

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AUTHORS NOTE:

Helllooo lovely readers! I hope you like the newest installment of Hearth. I’m sorry I’ve been inactive for so long! I am hoping to update more frequently, however I am a super busy person and this is more of a passtime for me. I’m trying to keep this as cannon as possible, so pleeeease let me know if the characters seem too OOC (especially Sasuke). I want to show that through his short time on his travels, he has begun to change. That doesn’t mean his demons are gone and he is no longer the brooding Sasuke we all know. ANYWHO, please review/like etc. Thank you all so much! ***Pls see the authors note on my ff.web page for more in depth info about when this takes place and such.***

#hearth #naruto fanfiction #sasusaku fanfiction #Sasuke Uchiha #Sakura Haruno #post war sasusaku #postwar sasusaku #shinobi #traveling sasusaku #peach writes #peachblossom0225 #in progress

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