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arvensimp · 2 years ago

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your father should know, pt 2.5

Arven leaves you with something more than either of you bargained for when he goes off to Kalos for an internship, and through a series of miscommunications and heartbreak, he returns a few years later to learn that he actually has a child.

arven x reader, nsfw content, pregnancy, angst, and stupid miscommunications

[part 1] [part 2]

thanks for your patience waiting for this part!! also thank you to my beautiful betas for helping me <3

SO. This is basically just an alternative ending to the fic that I thought of and couldn't get out of my brain. i hope y'all like it. again. this is just an alt. ending, branching off of part 2. there will still be a part 3 to the main fic wherein arven has been gone for a year+ and comes back having had no idea about anything. i just wanted to feed everyone while also feeding my own fantasies lololol

Rika lost count of how many hours had passed since she rushed you into L&D. Adrenaline kicked in, and beyond timing contractions, she hadn't thought to check the actual time on her phone or watch or anything.

She knows Nemona arrived not long after, bringing your go-bag and your cute labor dress, so you could change out of that horrible, assless hospital gown, but...again... No clue about the time.

All Rika knows is you've been crying and yelling for so, so long. Yeah, labor isn't like a walk through the Artazon gardens or something, but... You're so miserable, your hair tamped down to your forehead with sweat as you groan through every contraction.

The nurses say you shouldn't push yet, you're not far enough along or something? But with contractions like that? Fuck, they're the medical professionals, and if you're not feeling the urge to push, either? Who's Rika to say you should push?

But you keep crying... Hiccuping sobs that are only interrupted when you're forced to groan through a contraction that seizes your body.

Rika has no problem holding your hand, wiping the sweat and tears from your face, pulling back your hair, any of that. But... Even then. She can tell she isn't the best person for this situation.

You don't want her here. Well. You do, but you don't want her here as much as you'd want someone else.

The attending nurse has left the two of you alone for a bit after checking yours and the baby's vitals. She says everything's fine. You're just progressing really slowly. It's apparently normal for a mother's first time.

Rika takes your hand again, using the one you've been squeezing just a bit less. She's been trying to swap them out a bit just for stamina sake.

"Hey, Mama..."

"Hey..."

"What can I do here?"

Your lip wobbles, and you shrug.

"No, none of that. I mean, yes, you keep crying." She squeezes your hand gently. "You cry as much and as loud as you need. But what can I do to help?"

"...More ice chips?"

Rika gives you a half smile and with her other hand produces the already filled cup. "You know I got you."

You take them and munch for a bit until another contraction starts up, and you pass it back, your eyes closing in concentration.

Rika almost reminds you of your breathing from class, but she knows better. Even if it doesn't get her a swift smack up the head, it'd kind of be an asshole move.

You groan lowly through it, breathing technique either lost or forgotten, and when the feeling passes, your voice breaks into another sob.

"Hey now... You got it. That's another one down..." Rika pets your head softly and watches as another nurse walks in to check on you.

She roots around for a bit under the modesty sheet or whatever, and you wince but otherwise make no comment, only sitting up and looking hopefully at her when she stands. The nurse smiles at you. "The baby is still doing fine! Just taking their sweet time is all."

As soon as she leaves the room, your face drops along with your upper half as you fall against the raised bed back with another frustrated cry that devolves into more sobs. You hide your face in your hands.

"Hey..." Rika's heart breaks. She follows your movement, taking one of your hands in both of hers. "I don't wanna make you mad here. Just a suggestion... Do you wanna talk to that Arven guy? I'll call him myself. Give him hell if you need to."

You freeze, your breath hitching and then hiccuping. "H-...He doesn't wanna talk to me..."

"I didn't ask that. Do you wanna talk to him? Do you think it'll help you get through this?"

Your hand that isn't in Rika's goes to the top of your tummy, rubbing little circles into the soft fabric of your dress. "...Yeah..." It comes out soft and wet as you sniffle.

"On it. Be right back. You just call if you need anything, okay?" Rika gets up, grabs your phone, and leaves the room.

It takes her no time to find Arven's contact and to copy the number to her own phone. She dials, and the call goes to voicemail.

"Motherfucker…" Under normal circumstances, she might understand, but...eh, now's not the time. So she calls again.

It rings once...twice...

"Hello?" A masculine voice answers.

"Hey, is this Arven?"

"Uh, may I ask who's calling?"

"This is Rika of the Paldean Pokemon League." She says, putting on her most official-sounding voice. The kind she does for interviewees at the League that piss her off during their first impressions. "Is this Arven Sada-Turo?"

"...Yes..?" Good. He at least sounds a little nervous. "Can I…help you?"

"Yeah, I have a champion here who wants to talk to you."

Arven guesses your name, sounding half incredulous, and Rika wonders if he's maybe an idiot. Who else would call him nine months after telling him she's pregnant?

"Ding ding ding. She's here in the delivery room, and for some godforsaken reason, she said she wanted to talk to you. Be nice, okay? I'll know if you say something rude, and if you make her cry again, I'm swearing to Arceus right now that I'll fuck you up."

"What?!"

"What?!" Rika mocks back at him, maybe a little meanly, but he obviously deserves it. "Just be nice. She's in a lot of pain and has been for hours now." She walks back into your room, changing her tone entirely. "Hey, Mama. Guess who I got on the phone here..." She says sweetly as she passes it to you.

"Arven...?" You ask.

Your voice is ragged, and you sound near the edge of tears, if you aren't already crying.

"Yeah, Buddy?" Arven asks. "I'm here." He's holding the phone to his ear in both hands, cradling it like a...

Oh God, he's gonna throw up. No. No.

He swallows back nervous bile. The delivery room? What the fuck? Since when were you pregnant? Around the time you told him to fuck off? How long ago was that again? Fuck. He can't think. He wants to be mad, but...

"Arven." You say again, unsure, like you think it's not him, maybe? He hears your voice, and his heart melts.

"Yeah, Bud. It's me. It's been a while... Are you okay?" Stupid question.

"N-not really..." Oh no, you really are crying. "I-I'm having a b-baby..."

"Hey. Hey, don't cry." Fuck, what should he say? "What can I do?"

"I miss you..." You sound miserable.

"I... I miss you, too, Bud..." This is crazy. This is crazy. What is happening? Arven's vision is going in and out of focus, but he can't seem to actually see anything. All that's buzzing around his head is that fact that you're having a baby?! "Sh...should I... Do you want me there?"

On the other end, you cry out loudly, the phone shuffling out of your hands. He hears another voice, softer, but he can't make out what it's saying. Arven yells your name into the receiver, but there's no response. All he can hear is you moaning in agony for what feels like an eternity.

Then there's more shuffling. "A-Arven?" It's your voice again, panting.

His keys are in his hands, and he's already out of his apartment, standing in the streets of Lumiose City.

"I'm on my way right now. Which hospital are you in?"

"Wh-wh...?"

"Do you... Do you want me to come? I'll be there as soon as I can. Just tell me where to find you." He's already sprinting to the closest train station.

Unfortunately, he can't understand your blubbering as you're overtaken by more sobs.

"Buddy? Bud. Bud, listen to me, okay? Can you hand the phone back to Rika? Just for a minute."

There's a quick rustling sound then the sound of Rika's contralto voice. "Listen buster, I can't tell if you're on thin ice or not, but she's still upset."

"Rika, I don't understand what's happening, but I'm trying to get to you, if she wants me there. Can you tell me where you are?" He's breathless from sprinting and adrenaline.

He hears Rika speak softly to you on the other line. "Ya want the sperm donor hanging around?"

Sperm donor? What the fuck? Who's the sperm donor? Arven doesn't have time for this. He's already looking at the time tables for the different trains headed into Paldea. Which city should he be looking for though? Would a flying taxi be faster? He'll ask at the desk.

"Levincia Memorial. I'll be sure they let you in."

Levincia. At least that's close to the Kalosian border.

Arven nods before realizing Rika can't hear. "Thanks. Uh... Sh-should I stay on the line?" He pulls the phone away for just a moment to speak to the representative, but he keeps his ear focused for the sound of your voice.

"...He's gonna come, kay?"

"O-Okay..." And then suddenly it sounds like you're groaning or crying again? He can't make out much by way of words from you, but you sound so broken... Fuck, what happened while he was gone? Had some loser really knocked you up?

"Hi, yeah, I need to get to Levincia City as quickly as possible. When does the next train arrive? Or do you know if there's a flying taxi service that works between Kalos and Paldea?" Is he talking too fast with his Paldean accent? His Kalosian isn't phenomenal, but it's passable, especially after being here for the past…however long. A year? Is hasn't been a year yet, surely. It should be fine.

The guy behind the glass narrows his eyes and starts typing into his computer. "Uh…yeah… We got trains into Levincia. Next one leaves in…40 minutes. Taxis though… they'll cost ya."

Arven can hear you yelling on the other end of the phone.

"Doesn't matter. How fast can I get there?"

"We can call you a cab to be here in a few minutes, get you there, as the Talonflame flies… Maybe an hour or two?"

"Done. Thank you, sir." He slams (maybe a little too forcefully) one of his cards down on the counter, then goes back to his phone where he speaks your name softly into the receiver. "You there?"

You pant heavily from the other end. "I'm in hell… This is hell…"

"Well, call me Orpheus because I'm on my way to hell to come be with you, okay?"

"...Really?"

"Really, Bud." Arven takes his card back from the clerk and nods his thanks. "I just bought my taxi ticket. I'm gonna be there as soon as I can."

"A-Arven…" You sound all choked up again.

"Hey. Don't cry okay. Or. Wait. Maybe do cry? Is crying good? Are you supposed to cry?"

You sound like you might have laughed at that. "I dunno…but I'm still scared…" You tell him.

"Th-that's okay, Bud." He breathes. "You can be scared. It sounds scary. I'm scared for you." He hears you sob miserably on the other end. Fuck, that was probably a bad thing to say? "But! Listen to me! But… I mean, I'm sure you know this…" Arven's eyes go back to the clerk who is directing him toward a platform to wait for his taxi. "You gotta keep being strong, okay?" He nods in thanks to the other man and goes to wait. "You've got…a…a-a baby…" Holy shit, a baby. "To be strong for. They need you. So…uh… I guess? Um… Just push?"

"I-I can't…"

"What do you mean you can't? You're like the strongest person in Paldea. Of course you can."

"No I mean…" You take a breath. Good. That's good. Breathing is good. You being calm is good. "It's not time yet. I'm not ready. Or…like, the baby isn't ready."

"What, like it's too soon?" Like a premature baby or something? He wants to add, but that would probably freak you out again. Best not to do that.

"Yeah… just gotta keep…" You groan into the earpiece, and Arven hears more shuffling. It stays like that for a long while, with you groaning or breathing heavily, until his taxi arrives, and he steps in. You seem to come back as he closes the door.

"Just gotta keep breathing. And waiting." You finish.

Arven nods, not entirely sure what to say, then adds. "Can they give you meds or something?" He asks.

"Believe it or not, they already have," You reply about as dryly as one can when they've been sobbing off and on for the past however long.

"Holy shit. Well, let me reiterate what I said about you being strong then."

That seems to get an honest little chuckle out of you, and Arven feels a genuine weight lift from his shoulders. He wants to make you laugh again. It's been so long, and he misses the sound of it, even this tinny version of it, distorted through bad cell service."I-I, uh… I'm in the taxi now. I'll be there as soon as I can be, okay?"

"...Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

"No really. Thank you. I know you probably didn't want to spend your day doing this."

Arven shrugs. "Eh… I don't know if it's what I was expecting, but I promise not to hold it against you." His tone is light and teasing as he hopes to get another laugh, but it doesn't come.

"You really don't need to bother," You tell him softly after a moment. "If that's how you feel about the whole situation."

"What? No! It's just a joke, Bud!" But it seems you'd already hung up on him or something because the line cuts out.

He spends the next several minutes fretting over whether or not he should call back. Maybe something happened in the room at that exact time? And him calling would make it worse? Hell, Rika's phone might've died.

However, by the time he's worked up the courage to call the number again, it seems as though he's too high up, and the cell service is shot, so he's stuck stewing in the stratosphere, marinating in a miasma of apprehension. He shoots off a text to the number.

>Hey, I think the line went dead, but I'm still on my way! I hope everything is okay! Please stay strong! You're really amazing, alright? You've got this!!!

The little dot in the corner stays unfilled, showing the message as unsent but trying.

Arven sighs and sits back, his leg bouncing nervously.

What the fuck happened while he was gone? When did you get knocked up anyway? And how long had he been gone? The two of you had done it, after all… so if he left back in…

But no, you said that the baby was early or something, right? You did, right? So it couldn't be his. He's definitely been away 10 months, and that would be too long. Pregnancies don't last 40 weeks. They last 9 months, so that would be 36 weeks. Not 40. And your baby is early anyway. Apparently?

Arven sighs.

What the fuck happened while he was gone?

Maybe whatever asshole you were with was also the one who blocked his number on your phone, so he couldn't text you anymore.

Or… he guesses you weren't or aren't with them anymore? Because otherwise they'd be with you, right? And you wouldn't need to come crying to him. Not that he minds, of course! As utterly bizarre and anxiety inducing as this whole thing is, he's still glad to hear from you again. But really, what kinda jerk wouldn't be with you if they knocked you up? Especially someone as great as you?

Arven fumes at the thought of you having spent the last 9 months alone without anyone at your side. Why didn't you call him if you needed help? Hell, he may not be this kid's biological dad, but… Fuck, he knows how much it sucks not to have parents around. Maybe he could've… if you wanted him to… if he stayed?

Then again if he'd stayed, maybe you wouldn't be in this mess. The two of you would just be together.

Or. Well, he hopes you would be? That's what it sorta seemed like when you'd dropped him off at the airport all those months ago.

Ugh, he can't think about that now. How stupid! You're about to be a mother! You've got a whole human to worry about (and potentially push out of your body–oh God he can't think too hard about that one he might get sick). You've got bigger frillish to fry than some shoulda-coulda-woulda romance with him!

So Arven spends the rest of the ride restlessly bouncing his knees until the cabbie stomps on the roof, yelling at him to stop with the twitching because it fucks up the birds' control of the basket. After that he can only nervously bite at his thumbnail until he's eventually dropped in front of the hospital.

Arven nearly jumps from the stupid cab in an attempt to get out faster but thinks better of it. He's no good to you with a broken ankle.

Once he's properly out of the cab though, he at least (but barely) has the graces about him to yell out a thanks to the driver as he makes a mad dash toward the entrance.

From there, it's like a blur as he's guided to your room by hospital staff. He hears you first, from down the hall, that same, low groaning he'd heard over the phone. It reverberates down the hall, and he starts running to it, calling your name loudly as he opens the door.

"Sir, you can't just–" Someone from the nurses' station yells to him, but he doesn't pay them any mind.

The sight of you there burns in his mind like a brand. You're in a bed with the back propped up halfway, and your legs are hitched into stirrups.

You.

It's been nearly a year, and you.

You…you look wrecked. Your hair is a mess of knots, and sweat has dampened it down, making it stick to your neck and forehead where it hasn't been swept away into a nest that he can't tell is either a ponytail or a bun or something.

You've been crying, your cheeks and eyes red, and he can see even at a glance where the tear tracks have dried across your cheekbones.

You're still so beautiful to him, even like this.

"Looks like Dad finally made it." One of the doctors between your legs says, and Arven is about to correct her when he's interrupted. "Go ahead and get on her other side."

It's then that Arven sees someone else holding one of your hands. A person with long bluish-green hair.

Part of him almost wonders if this is the sperm donor Rika was talking about, but then he remembers that these doctors think he's the father. There's no dad here.

"Arven…" Your voice breaks him from his thoughts, you're reaching a hand for his from across the room. "You really came."

He's at your side in an instant, clasping your single hand in both of his. "A-absolutely! I told you I'd be here fast as I could."

You nod, seemingly tearing up again, and the person on your other side snaps their fingers in your face.

"Hey! Hey hey," They tell you. "No more tears right now, 'kay? We gotta keep you breathing properly, so you can push. You ready, Mama?"

Mama? Oof what a weird thing to call you… But the person has a point, you probably can't be getting all weepy if you're about to–

"Holy fuck!" Arven cries out loud as you squeeze his hands in time with your groan. (A stupider man might compare the sound to a miltank lowing, but no one has to know that Arven maybe had that thought...)

"That was great." The doctors address you, completing ignoring Arven's distress and potentially broken metacarpals.

The person at your side looks to him with a wicked grin.

"Got here just in time for the fun, Dad."

"Don't tease him like that, Rika," You say between pants, your eyes closed in concentration. So that's Rika…

You gently tap a finger against one of Arven's hands without letting go or looking at him quite yet. "Sorry…"

"S'fine." Arven lies, ignoring the pain in his hand as he taps his thumb against yours. "Just…let me know what else I can do to help." He wiggles his less-squeezed hand free and uses it to push a stray bit of your hair back behind your ear with a soft smile.

"Just don't go, okay?" You say, small and tired.

Arven tilts his head to the side and quirks an eyebrow, still keeping that same soft grin on you. "I wouldn't dream of it."

He doesn't mind if a few of his fingers are broken along the way. He has you back. …Kinda? Not that you're his, obviously, but you're near him, and he's near you, and he can help you, and isn't that something?

And isn't it something else entirely when your screaming just a few minutes later is joined by another voice, smaller, raspier, and entirely brand new?

The baby boy (a boy!) is brought to your breast, still wet and red and screeching at the novelty and cold and change of his entire existence so far. Arven doesn't know anything about babies. Not really, but he doesn't look too small at all. Not like he's premature at least.

Really, he looks perfect. Is it weird that he thinks that?

He watches as the doctors take the baby from you, though he's still attached by the umbilical cord, and then someone is handing Arven clamps or scissors or something.

"Does Dad want to do the honors?" One of the nurses asks him.

"Wh-wha…?" Arven hesitates and looks to you nervously. "I-Is that okay? I don't know if I'm qualified."

But the nurse is already placing the cord between the clamps and telling him to just snip.

So he does?

It all happens so fast, and then he looks down at you, and you're smiling up at him, looking so, so tired. Which, yeah, that makes sense.

"Hey!" Rika pseudo-shouts from your other side, having been distracted by something else. "I wanted to be the one to do that."

"Oh, uh. My bad?" Arven says, and he dumbly almost goes to hand her the clamps before a nurse takes them.

"Yeah, whatever. Can I take this loser out back and teach him a lesson, Mama? I'll do it." She asks you, grinning all the while.

"Loser?! C'mon that's a little harsh." Arven says, incredulous, but you place a sleepy hand on each of their forearms.

"I'm not gonna have any fighting right now. Please? There's a whole new person that just got here. I kinda wanna focus on that before we get to the fighting or whatever?"

Rika calms down with an exaggerated, "Yeah yeah yeah, whatever you say." It's also at that time that her phone buzzes. "Son of a…again?" She takes the device from the bedside table, looks at it, and groans. "I really hate to do this, but now that you've expelled your darling potato, do you mind if I take this real fast?" Rika asks you, pointing to the door. "I'll just be out there for a moment."

You nod, and before Rika goes, she takes a moment to look Arven up and down, giving him the stink eye with one of those 'I'm watching you' type gestures where she points two fingers to her eyes then to him threateningly.

Only once she's gone does he finally breathe a sigh of relief and collapse into the chair next to you, scooting it closer, so he can sit by your head.

It's around that time that the nurse also brings your baby back, now tightly swaddled up in a blanket and wearing a little orange cap.

"Congratulations again," She says, handing him off to you. "We'll continue monitoring you from here, and you've still got the placenta to deliver, but you're through the worst of it."

You thank the nurse and hold the little boy tightly to you, adjusting his blanket just a bit to better see his smooshed little face.

"What's his name?" Arven asks. He can't stop staring at this tiny little thing. He looks so much like you. Because, duh. That's how babies work. But…wow. He loves you, obviously. He never stopped loving you, even when he was mad at you all those months ago, so in a sense he gets that he would love your kid, too, even if he only just met him… but holy shit the sheer amount of love he feels for this itty bitty little buddy you're holding is kinda scaring him.

"Basil." You say softly, as if you just decided.

"...I like it. Good choice." Arven tells you. He gingerly reaches out a hand toward the baby, delicately stroking his cheek.

"Hi Basil. Nice to meetcha, Bud. I'm Arven."

He notices that you tense at his side as he speaks. Must be some kinda protective mother instinct thing, maybe? So Arven withdraws his hand.

"He's beautiful."

"Isn't he though?" You agree dreamily, moving similarly to stroke Basil's cheek with your index finger. "Hello, my sweet boy…"

Basil seems to recognize the sound of your voice because he opens his eyes, blinking wide and owlishly, looking all over for the source of the sound as you coo softly at him. Eventually his gaze settles in on you, and you pull him in closer for kisses all over his tiny face. His cap gets jostled askew in the process.

Beside you, Arven's heart drops into the pit of his stomach.

Not only does Basil have teal eyes to match his own; his hair is two-toned, an achingly familiar blond and mousy brown.

That sick feeling Arven had felt in the cab comes roaring back to him with a vengeance.

"E-Excuse me." He says suddenly, standing. He thinks he hears you say something sharp, punctuated with a pang of panic or worry, but the sound of blood pulsing in his ears drowns it out.

There's a bathroom in your hospital suite, but even at that short distance he barely makes it in time before he's emptied the contents of his stomach.

What the fuck.

This kid has to be his. Right?

Why didn't you tell him?

He stays there, clinging to the cold tile of the hospital floor for what feels like a very long, long time, as he thinks he hears shuffling outside the door. He's not entirely sure since the rushing sound in his ears won't go away.

Eventually what pulls him back is the sound of Basil crying, small and scared and so, so new.

Basil.

That…that could be his boy. Has to be his boy, right? His boy.

If you wanted him to be? Or…well, even if you didn't want him to be? Did Arven have rights here? If you wanted him around though, couldn't Basil be his boy? Wouldn't he want that? To be a…a dad to a little baby boy who looks just like him? To give him the dad that he never got to have?

Fuck, could he even be a dad?

Arven suddenly feels sick all over again.

No.

No, breathe. Breathe.

Okay…

Maybe…maybe you don't want him to be a dad? That could make sense, right? How could some guy whose own dad didn't want him ever be a good father?

No. That's not like you. You don't think like that. Right?

Fuck. He can't have all these thoughts in a hospital bathroom.

He needs to get off the tile. He needs to stand. He needs to…to…

He needs to talk to you.

Basil isn't crying anymore.

Arven stands on shaking legs. He splashes his face with icy water. He rinses his mouth. Splashes his face again.

When he opens the door back out to your suite, Basil is tucked snuggly against your breast nursing, so he tries to politely look away.

The doctors or nurses or whoever are also all talking to you, so Arven just kinda stands at the door while you listen to them.

From the bits he picks up, Basil sounds healthy? Good test scores and whatnot for whatever baby tests they made him take, he imagines.

Arven really doesn't want to stare, but he can't help that his eye keeps going back to the baby. To…

"--And you and the father will need to go ahead and complete the birth certificate." One of the nurses says, making Arven's ears perk up.

"O-Oh. Uh, yeah." You say, taking the slip of paper from her with your free hand. "Thanks."

They seem to disperse soon after, leaving you alone with Basil while Arven continues to stand awkwardly at the door to the bathroom, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

Your attention is still on the baby, the paper face down on the bedside table.

Arven clears his throat, and you startle, which makes Basil unlatch and fuss. You shoot Arven a glare, and he quickly apologizes.

"I was just getting the hang of it. I think." You say tersely.

He politely looks away while you try to reposition the baby and calm him again.

He only shuffles over to sit by you once he hears Basil suckling. "Is this okay?" He asks vaguely, not really looking at you or the baby, even though he really wants to.

"Uh…sure…" You say. The hesitancy makes you sound nervous, but Arven can't totally tell without looking at your face.

…

"How are you feeling?" You both ask each other at the same time, then back off with an uneasy chuckle.

"Me?" Arven eventually asks with a snort. "I just got a little sick. I'm more worried about you." It's genuine. Even with his whole panic episode and the fact that he's probably on the brink of another twelve or so…at least he didn't have to shove a person out of his loins.

You hum, and Arven hears fabric shift. "Fine, I guess. The doctors are monitoring me for now, but other than…ya know," He doesn't know, but sure? "I'm still here."

You both stay silent after that for a long moment, the only sound filling the space being Basil's tiny eating noises. Arven's heart squeezes tight.

Why didn't you tell me? Is he mine? He has to be mine. He's mine, right? Why didn't you tell me? How could you keep this from me? Why would you hurt me like this? Don't you know how much I love you? Don't you know how much I would have loved you? Don't you know how much I love him already? Isn't he mine? Can I hold him? Can I hold him?

Can I hold him?

"Where's Rika?" Arven asks.

"Geeta called. Something at the League. Couldn't wait, I guess? Plus now that the littlest one is here, and I'm not in critical or something, I told her it was fine." You say, and Arven can see you shrug from his peripheral. "She, uh. She works for the League, too. She helped take care of me. Ya know…during."

"I know." Arven says. "I-I mean. About the League thing. She told me over the phone… Are you two, uh, y'know…?" He doesn't know how to finish the question. Maybe you didn't want Basil to have a dad at all. A family doesn't have to have a dad anyway… You don't need him.

"What? Oh, no!" You laugh the tiniest bit, just an airy, tired thing. "Rika's just a good friend. A wonderful advocate…" You sigh. "It was her idea to call you, y'know."

Arven hears and sees you shifting. It also sounds like Basil isn't eating anymore, so he hazards a look over. True enough, the baby is sound asleep.

"Sorry again about that." You say.

"Hm?" Arven asks, lost in the sight of bundle in your arms. Can I hold him?

"Sorry she, uh… She called you. I know you've got your whole life ahead of you in Kalos right now… I know this isn't what you wanted. I told myself I wouldn't make this your problem."

"Not my… Buddy, what are you talking about?" Arven feels like he's been punched in the gut, and he doesn't want to get mad about it, but it's hard to keep the frustration from seeping into his tone. You kept this from him because you thought it wasn't his problem?

"Well, yeah. I didn't want to get in the way of your dreams, you know? I just… I felt so bad."

"You felt bad, so you sent me all those horrible messages and told me to stop talking to you?" Arven interrupts, doing his damnedest to keep his voice soft. "You… You can't just block me only to call me back at the drop of the hat. Except it's not really the drop of a hat, is it? It's the drop of my fucking baby, right? Right? He's mine, isn't he? H-he has to be, right? You haven't said it out loud, b-but… God, I can see it in him. How…how could you do this to me? How could you possibly? In what world?" Arven doesn't realize he's crying until breathing becomes harder and harder. His voice is still hushed though. He won't risk Basil waking up. "In what world could it possibly be okay for you to push me away like this? Me! I-I know I'm not the nicest guy… I-I know I didn't have the best examples of parents, but…but shouldn't that tell you that I would want to know all the more? I don't care about Kalos! I don't care about any of it! I-I cared about us! About you! I care about him! I care about being a present parent to my child more than any kind of career I could ever build. E-even if his mother doesn't think I deserved to know he even existed! H-how could you do this to me…?" His head falls into his hands.

Your fingers are on him. Gently laying on his head, feather light.

"Arven."

He tenses beneath you, hiccuping back a silent sob.

"Arven. Look at me."

He lifts his head, his teary eyes finding yours to be just as red as his own, your brows knit together in confusion and hurt. "I don't… I don't understand." The hand on his head goes to cup his cheek, one of your thumbs wiping away a tear, or more accurately, pressing it into his skin. "Of course Basil is yours. I told you… Whose else could he possibly be?" You laugh wetly and without humor. "You're the one… You're the one who never responded to me. I just didn't push you on it because I thought you had better things on your plate. I told you about all this months ago, and you blocked me. Do you not remember this?"

Arven sits up, pushing your hand away.

"Better things on my plate? Are you kidding me? It's a job. And I never blocked you? You were the one to block me!"

You sigh and take your phone from the bedside table where it sits next to the overturned and unfilled birth certificate. You open it up and hand it over to him.

It's the text conversation between yours and his number. The most recent message on his end is an error, but on your end…

>Hey! I know this isn't ideal, and I really would have rather said it in person or over a face call or even just a regular call, but I think you need to know, and I'm having a really hard time verbalizing it to you. I'm sorry to do it this way, but it's better to say it now than not at all, right?

I'm pregnant, and it's yours.

I'm so, so, SO sorry! I promise I didn't mean for it to happen like this, and I'm not trying to like…baby trap you or something. I swear! You're my best friend in the whole world, and I'm so happy that you can go and live your dream in Kalos right now. But I just feel like you should know? Like you should have a say in what happens here? I'd love to talk to you. Do...do you want to do this? Because....well if you're willing I'd want to try this. With you. But I also know that you're living your dream right now, and I don't want to get in the way of that! I want you to be able to really embrace this new journey you're taking and learn and grow and do wonderful things! But I just wanted you to know, you know? Please don't hate me. Just give me a call when you have a minute, and we can figure this out. Okay?

Arven's hand shakes as he reads. His eyes scan the screen. No. No? When was this sent? It has to be fake. The number has to be wrong. No… It…It's all there, plain as day.

"But…" He opens his own phone. "I never got this from you. We… We had a whole different conversation."

He hands the device to you, and you shift the baby in your arms a bit before you take it. Arven's text opens the most recent conversation.

>Hey! Sorry we keep missing each other lately! I hope things are okay? Are you staying warm? It's getting kinda cold here.

>can we not do this?

>Not do what?

>"This" i'm getting real fuckin tired of you bailing on me all the time now that your some hot shot kalosian celebrity guy

>Whoa. Where is this even coming from??

>you kno exactly where its coming from, arven. Youve been super shitty to me since you left paldea and it really hurts my feelings.

>I'm sorry? I've been busy here. It's been a lot getting used to a whole new place and a whole new language. I thought you understood that. I really am sorry though.

>y'know what? I dont really care at this point. Ive had enough waiting around for you to call me or text me back. there are guys here who can do better by me

>[One Missed Call]

>Are you being serious right now? You can't be. This is a joke?

>[One Missed Call]

>[The number you are trying to reach has been disconnected and is no longer in service.]

Arven watches as your face scrunches in confusion as you read through it, your thumb moving bit by bit across the screen.

You hum softly, confused, and tilt your head to the side. "...Arven? This…this isn't me…"

"What?" He looks at the phone over your shoulder.

You point at your contact name on the top of the screen and click it open.

"That's my name, but that's…that's definitely not my number."

"What?"

He snatches the device back out of your hand.

Sure enough…the number associated with your name there…is Kalosian.

"My number…" You say, starting to type it into the dial pad. "Is this…" and lo and behold, there's no associated contact. In fact, the number pops up in red once it's fully typed out, indicating that it had been blocked.

"Wh… I… I didn't. I would never." Arven starts, going to defend himself. "You know, I wouldn't!"

"Not even after getting scared at the prospect of suddenly becoming a father?" You ask, maybe a little meanly. "Listen. I… I don't get what's going on here? I'm sorry. I don't… I don't want to get upset. I'm tired. It's been a long day." You gently bounce Basil in your arm. "I… I've prepared myself mentally to do all of this without you. I'm…" You close your eyes and swallow. "I'm sorry I called you here today. It was a moment of weakness, and if you want to go now, I won't blame you, okay? You don't… You don't need to stick around out of…I dunno, pity or some sense of obligation if it's just going to make you upset in the long run, okay? It really does seem like you had no idea until now that I'd been pregnant. So. I can't just ask you to leave your position all of the sudden. You probably have duties and responsibilities you're missing out on right now. Not to mention the fact that you haven't had a chance to mentally process any of this yet. I'm really sorry for whatever happened on your end. Whatever it was…" You sigh. "I'll be fine with Basil on my own. Like I said, that's been the plan on my end from basically the start when y–…or whoever it was, blocked my number. You can go back to Kalos and keep doing whatever cooking show and podcast and content creation whatever… it's okay. Okay?"

"No!" Arven replies, more loudly than he intended. "No… How? How could you expect me to go back to Kalos after this? No. I… I can't. I'll figure something out. Figure out what happened with everything, but…" Arven leans in and takes one of your hands. "I need you to understand. This is the absolute most important thing. You. Basil. Both of you. Even…even if you won't have me," He swallows solemnly. "I want to do everything in my power to be here and present for my son. If…if you'll let me call him that?"

Arven searches your eyes as they fill afresh with tears. You wordlessly nod, and he drops his head at your side, his own shoulders shaking a bit.

"Thank you… I'm sorry I missed so much already."

"Well, you got here in time to cut the cord, so…I think that counts for something?"

Arven sniffles through a small laugh, and you stifle back a yawn. It's then that he notices your eyes drooping.

"Oh! That's right." He tells you, sitting back up a bit. "You said you were tired. I mean, obviously. That makes sense. Do you want to take a nap? I can… I can look after Basil for you. Well, not for you like I'm babysitting or something. Like." Can I hold him? "I mean obviously," Can I hold him? "I don't wanna just be a babysitter or something." Can I hold him? "I can keep him safe though." Keep him safe?!

"It's fine…" You say, yawning again and pulling the clear, rolling bassinet on your other side closer for you to set the baby down. "I'll take a nap, and he can sleep here by me. You don't need to do anything. If you like, you might be able to get some food down in the cafeteria if you're hungry?" You wince, hissing just slightly as you adjust your body to lay down more fully.

"That's okay! I'm not hungry." Arven insists. "I'd really rather stay close by. O-or I can get you some food? If you're hungry?"

You shake your head, your eyes already closed as if half asleep. "Nah…later. Tired now."

"Okay… You go to sleep. If Basil wakes up, can I…?"

Arven doesn't finish his sentence because you're already snoring softly.

He sits quietly watching you and the baby. Your baby…his baby. It makes his chest squeeze in a hideously wonderful way.

He should be terrified. On some level, he is. This is a lot, and he's definitely going to need more than a half hour throwing up in a hospital bathroom to get used to the fact that his life has been irreversibly changed. The two of you have a whole lot to talk about, and he'll have a hell of a lot to discuss with the folks at the company he's partnering with right now to figure out how he can move back to Paldea effective immediately, not to mention what happened with his phone. He doesn't understand what could have gone on there, but no one touches his phone but him and the folks at the company who make posts on his behalf from time to time.

But…for now he just wants to watch over you and Basil. An anxious part of his brain keeps an eye on both of your chests, making sure they're rising and falling with each breath.

At some point a nurse comes in to check on everyone's vitals, and he dutifully stays out of the way as best he can.

You don't stir in the slightest through the poking and prodding or whatever the nurse does, but Basil comes back to wakefulness and starts fussing, not really crying yet but making unhappy little noises in that register that only brand new babies make.

The nurse coos him some, and Arven doesn't even realize that he stood, hovering right beside her the moment his son started fretting, until she turns and smiles at him.

"He's okay, don't worry." She reassures Arven with a softly whispered chuckle. "Just isn't too happy about being moved. I'm all done now though and'll get out of your hair."

She gently hands Basil over, putting him in Arven's arms with a kind reminder to support his head, and she's gone.

Arven doesn't even have the wherewithal in him to comment or ask if this is okay or if it's alright with you or if he's allowed to do this or–or–or…

He slowly goes to sit back down in the cushy armchair at your bedside.

Basil has mostly quieted down now, having been spoken to in soft, sweet tones and bounced gently. He's still a little sleepy and blinks blearily up at Arven.

He stares down at those eyes that match his own, and the rest of the world seems to fade away.

"Can… Can I try again? I think I messed up a little bit ago." He asks Basil under his breath, leaning in to kiss his pudgy cheek. "Hi Basil… Nice to meetcha, Bud. I'm… I'm your Dad."

#arven fanfic #arven x female reader #arven x reader #arven x pregnant!reader #pregnancy fic #pregnancy//#i think those were all the tags people wanted me to put this under so it could be black listed. please let me know if anyone needs others!#arvensimp kidfic

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for-a-longlongtime · 1 year ago

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Wow. Y'all. I truly never expected so many awesome responses on the post I wrote last night about Dieter, Goya and Pedro on Talk Art. It is the first 'fun' thing I've written in so many years - after having felt blocked/paralyzed re: creative pursuits since 2020 (shit happened) -, without stressing about how I wrote it, and it means the world to me that so many people liked it and shared it.

I don't want to clutter up all the feeds by individually sharing and responding to the reblogs etc, so I'm throwing it together in one post here - because I want y'all to know I appreciate it so much. And it honestly made me even more excited that some of my favorite PP fic authors did so, because I've been enjoying YOUR work so much!

@chaoticgeminate Sending those hugs right back, and your fic was absolutely not a silly little piece! I truly love(d) it, and I'm glad it sent me down this little rabbithole. And yes, while writing that piece I also became more convinced that Pedro himself was a really big part in shaping Dieter and his background story. It's so damn intelligent and very much his style.

One thing I didn't mention yesterday (and I'm sure this is something a lot of people already spotted since the first day that the movie was online) is that I also came to realize how much Pedro has based Dieter's outfits and some mannerisms on Jeff Bridges' character The Dude from 'The Big Lebowski'. Never really saw that movie but I put it on today for a bit, and it was striking -- I'd even dare to say that the "'Bola, hold my hair!" moment on the toilet is a nod to how The Dude (who has longer hair) gets his face shoved into a toilet. Also, at one point when Bridges' character is addressed with "Mr Lebowski", he dismisses that and tells the guy to call him Dude, or even 'Duder' which, yeah, that's just a small step from 'Dieter Bravo'.

amycben on Reddit said the same thing about Bridges, and shared these Dieter pics, which definitely made it clear how our Feral Raccoon Boy's style is inspired by 'The Dude' <3 I don't care much for the Lebowski movie, but I love a good reference, especially since it's a Coen brothers movie - and we all know that Pedro now has a small role in Ethan Coen's upcoming movie 'Driveaway Dolls'. Anyway, I honestly hope that at some point Pedro will be asked about the work he did in shaping Dieter, because I'd love to hear more about this. There's no chance in hell that'll happen, because which journalist would ask him this? But I'm cool though if the universe wants to manifest one of us getting to interview him some time in the future, haha.

Anyway, again @chaoticgeminate - thank YOU really. I needed that deep dive more than I knew thanks to your writing!

@nicolethered thank you too for being responsible for my deep dive, haha, it were your screenshots that made me recognize the other Goya paintings! <3 (and I love your gifs btw!

@mysterious-moonstruck-musings well hearing from you that you loved MY writing is just such a super awesome thing after how much I've been enjoying your Dieter story! <3 <3

@julesonrecord I'M TOTALLY IN hahaha, I saw your comment right before I went to bed last night and it made me smile so much!

@imaswellkid I'm def not an Apatow person either, and I'll be honest - the first time I watched the Bubble I couldn't get past the first half, haha. But I later began to realize that you should indeed watch it through a critical lens and as a reflection about the craziness that was going on, rather than 'oh this is a movie about the pandemic'. The Mando bud is great btw! But even better is the Baby Yoda bud - I have no clue how growers/dispenseries (I'm in the midwest) get away with naming their product after Disney stuff, but I'm sure glad it got me to try that hahaha.

@lunapascal IKR artist Dieter is so damn underrated, and I'm so glad that at least a whole lot of fic authors are giving him more of what he deserves! OK and I totally want to write some too now, hahaha. Especially because there's a lack of Dieter x OMC/m!reader fics, which tbh needs to be fixed.

@survivingandenduring @sp00kymulderr @thesimulationswarm @pedrit0-pascalit0 @gemmahale @sin-djarin @perotovar @ladamedusoif @gracie7209 thank you so much for your kind words, they honestly mean so much to me! @angelofsmalldeathandthecodeine WOW, that Dali piece is fuckin incredible! And @basicoccult woahhh maybe y'all did!? See now I feel like I need to inquire about whether y'all take new initiates! <3

@chronically-ghosted God don't get me started, it's so tempting - next thing you know I'll have suckered myself into writing Dieter fic (while I'm only just getting started now on two other WIPs), haha. But yes I'm so curious about what the unspoken canon is there -- and most probably Pedro is the one with answers to that since it seems so much like he created Dee. I ended up googling some Apatow interviews this morning and saw that he set out to make the Bubble as a sort of Christopher Guest movie (the mockumentary style), and other articles said that there was a lot of improv involved - so obviously Pedro must've contributed a lot. Particularly because I've read at least interviews with four directors (Zeke who did Prospect, Craig Mazin from TLOU, I wanna say Patty Jenkins, and I'm currently blanking on the other name) who spoke about how involved Pedro was, down to specific dialogue and character's motivations etc in shaping the movie (I think Zeke said that Pedro worked with them to tone down Ezra's Shakespearian manner of speech a little, which I can totally see happening since Pedro has done/read so much Shakespeare and it's easy to picture that he wants to fine tune it so it's accessible enough for audiences). Ugh, it's probably gonna take a long while until there'll be any long form interviews with him again, and sadly interviewers are probably not gonna ask about any of this.

Re: painting or acting, yesterday I read @blueeyesatnight 's That's Not Your Name-Dieter fic (LOVED it, can def recommend it!) and one of the coolest things about Dee's character development there is that it indeed delves into 'okay how did he pick acting versus art' and more background story, plus how in the current day events of the story he is even making his own oil paint. That has become my headcanon now <3

@tessa-quayle I'm so glad you liked my post!! I really really wish that Russell and Robert would do another episode with Pedro. I love Russell in particular (sorta followed his work since Being Human was released, which holy crap was already 15 yrs ago?), but the way they attempted to interview Pedro back then was kind of a hot mess - and I say that lovingly hahaha. They were so enthusiastic that they talked over him so/too many times, so I'd love a tad calmer conversation where P has the opportunity to go more indepth.

@tvversionperson IKR there is SO much plot and character development to be explored with Dieter in that movie, which of course it doesn't have room to delve into but shit I wish they would/could. Or at least to just hear Pedro talk about what his thoughts are on it, because you know he most definitely had Dee's entire back story fleshed out in his head when he shot this movie.

Super long post, but again, I just wanted to thank y'all for the love. This is the first time I've done anything writing wise re: the PP cinematic universe, and all your responses have been so heartwarming and really encouraged me to do more stuff in one way or another with the Pedro boys, be it rabbit hole analysis or fic.

#pedro pascal characters #dieter bravo #dieter bravo x f!reader #goya #francisco goya #black paintings #saturn devouring his son #witches sabbath #two old men eating soup #he-goat men #pedro pascal character fanfiction #pedro pascal #dieter bravo fanfiction #the bubble #art #talk art #painting #oil painting #mural

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snowberrydream · 2 years ago

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Käärijä @ Puoli seitsemän - talk show 26.4.2023

Here is an english translation/transcript of Käärijä’s appearance on Finnish talk show Puoli seitsemän for the enjoyment of all the non-finnish Käärijä & Eurovision fans. I have no clue how to screenrecord videos or put subtitles on them, but I can offer you a written translation :D (if someone has access to the video and can do that, feel free to use the translation if you want to, just tag me if you do, please). If there’s anything confusing or weird, comment or message me and I’ll try to clarify it

So here it goes, enjoy!

Käärijä @ Puoli seitsemän - talk show 26.4.2023

(hosts talking about generic beginning-of-the-show-stuff, introducing Käärijä)

host1: Today we are having a party, holding onto pina coladas with both hands (handing out drinks). These are non-alcoholic, I assume it’s fine by you?

Käärijä: Absolutely. It’s probably for the better. This time.

host2: And it’s tasty! You can try both of them.

K: Is this green one also a pina colada? (tastes)

hosts: Ummmm (unsure noises) we are also curious to know (laugh) But hey, glad you could come amidst all the hustle! You’ve been all over like a … a pina colada.

K: (sipping his drinks) (chuckles at the metaphor). Exactly. Happy to be here, thank you for inviting me. And amazing that we have these [pina coladas] here. I actually haven’t really drunk these that much, so thank you for this!

H1: They’ve gotten a lot more popular lately, the sales have gotten up. Have you heard about that?

K: Well yeah, yeah I’ve been told that there has been some empty shelves.

H1: Green yarns sold-out, green fabrics sold-out, (H2: green nailpolish too), pina coladas…

K: It’s indeed quite a circus that I’ve managed to create, but well, (shrugs) why not.

H2: And this is only the beginning, isn’t it?

K: That’s what I’m a bit scared of, really (laughs). That what else will people come up with?

H2: Right now you surely don’t have time for days-off, but when you do get to relax a bit, what do you like to do?

K: I think I’ll just snuggle underneath my Formula1 -sheets, take a little nap and think about absolutely nothing, if one is really able to do that. Or watch some series or listen to some relaxing music. But probably just be in silence.

H1: Yeah, there was a couple moments before the broadcast started, like a half a minute of quiet in the studio. You had like this serene smile on your face.

K: Yeah, I was enjoying that (laughs). I mean I of course like talking with you, too. But, when you are constantly surrounded by thousands of people, at some point it just starts to feel like you need a bit of your own space. As much as we humans are pack animals [=like and need others], too much is too much.

H2: (agreeing hums) Do you know how to take that own space when you need it?

K: Not always. Though I’ve been trying to learn to say no to things. I used to be really bad at doing that, worrying that what if I’ll upset someone etc. But now I’ve been learning, also because of this [Eurovision] that sometimes it’s just …Too bad, I just can’t do that now. That I just need to take that space (moment of realization) …And yet I still don’t have it (laughs). But, on the other hand, some things you just have to get done, and then you’ll take care of those. So… Let’s just hope that everything will go smoothly.

H1: The contest itself is about two and a half weeks away, but there has already been pre-parties all over Europe, getting people into the Eurovision spirit.

H2: Yes, let’s see how it was in London about a week ago. (cue a clip of Käärijä’s performance & fan interactions from London, Cha Cha Cha playing in the background)

(back to studio, hosts and Käärijä jumping and dancing before sitting down again)

hosts: You just can’t stay still while listening to that.

K: Even I joined in too.

H2: So much for resting.

K: Yeah, there it goes again (laughs). When I could’ve just been like (slouches on the sofa) for once.

H1: It happens to everyone! It just pulls you in, it’s such a banger.

K: Yeah, it’s quite enegetic. Though I’ve also tried to not listen to it a little bit, so that it doesn’t become completely (gun to the head -gestures). But I hear it all the time anyway. Everywhere (flailing hands).

H2: So, pre-parties all over Europe. How did you feel about those?

K: Damn good, foremost. It was so amazing to see people singing along to a finnish song. Hadn’t really even imagined that something like that could happen. Met wonderful people there, such amazing personalities, and the mood was great. It really felt like a family, everyone cheering for each other and no like, any disturbances, like what could sometimes happen in an ordinary gig, you know. Really great. I’m glad I went. At first I thought that I wouldn’t go at all (H2: to Eurovision, or…?) – No, no! I meant the pre-parties (H2: Ah, yes) so that I could rest, because they can be quite …demanding. Lots of interviews, travelling, waiting around and so on… And then during Madrid trip I also got sunburnt …roasted my skin a little (laughs) Oh well, I’ll have a bit of a tan now, no burns any longer. But overall it was really good, though also tough.

H1: So you keep a professional attitude about it all? Like, ’this is work, not partying, focus on the job’?

K: Keep focus on the job, yeah. You always aim for a win. Of course you must also remember to enjoy the experience, but the attitude is still like ”See you at the Market Square [= for victory celebrations], all of Finland”. I’d feel so quilty if I’d be just drinking and partying around amid all this, I might never forgive myself.

H2: People have been fitting the victor’s mantle on you [=predicting him to win] already. And on Sweden’s Loreen, whom we saw briefly in the video clip. How do you feel about the pressure of being a fan favorite?

K: I don’t really take pressure about it. In a way. I mean of course I feel like …I have that pressure, but, I haven’t really understood it, It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, because I’m just running from one place to another all the time. I haven’t had time to be stressed about the H-hour, because there is still so much happening before that. I don’t think that quite a panic alarm moment (slamming gesture) will happen before the contest, but some level of nervousness will probably still hit me, as it did in the UMK. But the moment you get on the stage, it’s quite an easy case from there on, in the end.

H1: Right. But hey, here we are, holding on to our drinks with both hands, but you’d actually need a third one, as you have also a cup of tea there in front of you.

K: Yes, and also a cup of water on top of that.

H1: For some voice maintenance, right?

K: Yes, as you can probably hear, my voice has taken some damage [he is sounding a little hoarse occasionally] but let’s hope it’ll get better before the contest. You wouldn’t want to attend with a voice like this.

H1: Yeah, but let’s not be too worried for now, as there is still time left.

K: Luckily there is. And we’ll make some more if we have to.

H2: Right. So, you’ll leave on Sunday?

K: On Sunday, yes. You all will be here celebrating May Day, while I’ll be packing my funnel cakes and mead with me and taking off to Liverpool.

H1: The fan phenomenon has caught everyone by surprise. It’s… I assume it has surprised you, surely it has surprised all of Finland, maybe Europe too. I mean, it’s massive!

K: Right. It’s awesome. It’s kinda funny, all the things this has lead into and like, the kind of people that have sent me messages. Like, world-class artists even from abroad and so on. It’s strange how at some point nothing feels like anything anymore. I mean, when you don’t have time to enjoy it, like getting good news about one thing, because another thing is already happening right after. And then comes another thing, and another and another and another. Because every day there is something new, cool and fun happening to me at the moment. I haven’t had time… - I’ve really had no time to properly process any of what I’ve been given. I’ve just, gone somewhere to do stuff and then been off to the next place already and been like ’ok you do that I do this’ (delegating gestures) and so on. I hope that at some point I’ll get some time to think about all that has happened. Of course I’ve enjoyed this, but…maybe not in a way that people might assume? It hasn’t been just living on cloud nine all the time, for real. Even though this is what I’ve wanted, and wanted to get my music out there here in Finland, and, now it seems to be happening in Europe and elsewhere too, so yeah…

H2: Fans have been running after you and so on… Apparently there has been some extreme reactions even? Someone had…?

K: Yeah, one person fainted.

H1: Where did this happen?

K: In Madrid (H2: so they saw you?). Yes. And… They all behaved really well, like, in Finland people just take pics and whisper to each other, but there – they’ll run after you. It’s really a shocking feeling when you step out the door and everyone starts screaming and (running gesture) they are running and then we are running (laughs). But, it’s not like …If you said no to something that they asked for, they were really respectful and nice about it [despite the enthusiasm].

H2: So, someone just saw you and just, simply couldn’t handle the shock?

K: Yeeahh. Though, sometimes I can barely handle it either, when I see myself in the mirror (laughs) (hosts laughing).

H1: The Käärijä hype is intensifying indeed. But, let’s add to that a bit more with the following clip.

(Videoclip about a family of real Käärijä superfans, where the mom had made Käärijä’s Cha Cha Cha costumes for her three sons and even the family dogs. the boys are dancing and talking about how much they like Käärijä)

H1: They are really rooting for you.

H2: Aww, such sweet boys.

K: So cool.

H2: They really got it down, dance moves and all.

K: Yeah, I’m speechless, honestly. Like, amidst all this there’s little time to pay attention to what is happening around you in the world. And then there’s kids like that… It’s truly amazing thing, thank you to them, really. All the best to them. And the parents too, truly tipping my hat to them for like, for doing all that for the kids. I remember back when I played ice hockey, it was my parents made it happen for me too, taking care of things so that I got to play. And now those boys want to be Käärijäs. Just, lots of love to the whole family. [He seemed to be quite touched about this clip. Either that or he just happens to struggle with his voice a bit right then, sounding a little quivering for a sec]

H1: Exactly. So. Käärijä is Jere and Jere is Käärijä, is that the way it goes? Are you still just Jere for those closest to you, or is everyone calling you Käärijä by now?

K: Ahhh, well, mom is calling me Käärijä now (H2: okay). I’ve had to sometimes tell her to stop it already, or that else I’ll adopt myself into a new family to have someone who calls me Jere (laughs). Just kidding, really, she’s just proud and excited about all this. But I hear it a lot, this Käärijä stuff. It can get a little dull, because sometimes you’d just like to forget this work stuff, when you are at home etc. and talk about other things than Käärijä and Cha Cha Cha and music. Sometimes it makes me wonder like, …what have I gotten myself into?

H2: A phenomenon has been born, indeed. Well, we asked for you to bring some pics from your home album, and you brought these two (pics of him as a kid behind a drum kit and him in his late teens wearing hospital pj’s appear on the screen). There they are… You could tell us a little about them yourself. (H1: a little drummer boy). A little rookie instrumentalist there. A little drummer boy, yes.

K: (looking at the pic) Yeah, I’ve enjoyed banging drums since I was little. My brother played guitar and we watched some Fröbelin Palikat [a finnish kid’s music band], used kettles as drums and and, brother had this weird thingy as a guitar. Then at some point I got my own drums, started drum lessons and eventually even taught my classmates at school how to play. My teacher assigned that task for me. But that career didn’t last, in the end. Wasn’t quite that interested in drums after all, I guess. But that’s where my sense of rhythm and all comes, surely. And anyway, where would you put those things in a small flat? Banging them in some apartment building, you’ll get evicted in a second. But, drums are still close to my heart and whenever I get the chance I do grab the sticks and see if I’m still any good at playing them.

H1: And then, how about the second pic (of him in a hospital cafeteria or some common area, sitting by a table filling lottery coupons)

K: Right, that’s an interesting one. I got sick with Colitis ulcerosa, I think that was the latin name for it. And well, I think that was taken around the time it was at it’s worst.

H2: So it’s a bowel disease?

K: Yes, my entire colon got inflamed eventually and I ended up needing an emergency operation to remove it quickly, to prevent the inflammation from spreading to other parts of the body. I was hanging by a thread, honestly. I wasn’t even going to go [to the hospital] at first, but dad forced me and dragged me in there. Packed up some The Simpsons movies and my pillow and was like ’we are going now, son’ and… yeah. Honestly the shittiest time of my life, not wishing that for anyone. But it did also make me grow a lot as a person, and I wouldn’t change anything for myself, I’m totally okay with this. I’m alive, in the situation that I’m in now, and it changed who I am. Of course I have things where to improve even now, but it took me forward at the time, regarding my values and such, I think I’m in quite a good place now. (back to describing the pic) I went to place some bets [the lottery coupons] to pass time, there wasn’t anything else to do. Friends or my brother sometimes came to watch ice hockey from TV with me while I was laying in the hospital.

H2: You are wearing hospital clothes in the pic. Did you spend long periods of time in there?

K: I was there for like two weeks at a time. Went there every now and then, had an IV drip and laid there, had some medication and such. But in the end the treatments didn’t work and had to have the surgery, remove the colon completely. So, yeah. But, it’s a thing that happened to me and one just has to learn – and I have learned – to live with it. It won’t destroy your world if a thing like that does happen, on the contrary, it can open some new doors, that’s how I try to view it. But again, wouldn’t wish that for anyone, or anything like it. Yeah. That was a tough time. Made a young guy think about stuff, how others are out there partying, going to festivals and all that, and I didn’t get to have that. It went on for about a year, and towards the end I just laid in bed. I couldn’t go anywhere because I’d be just shitting blood in my pants right away etc. I was just, bumping into doors, barely able to stay on my feet, so…

H2: And a year is a long time in a young person’s life.

K: It was, yes. I had to drop everything. All the sports I did back then. I was really into going to the gym at the time, had certain goals I wanted to achieve and was working towards them. They aren’t important any longer, guess they weren’t even back then, really, but it did hit me hard at the time, when I lost 10 kg, from that kind of body (H2: woah). I weighed 49 kg at the worst point, hemoglobin about 54, or 56.

H2: Rough numbers, truly.

K: Yeah, it wasn’t healthy at all, I was pale as a sheet. In that pic I’m actually still looking surprisingly fresh. Yeah, I was just skin and bones.

H1: And does the disease still affect your life today?

K: Well, of course in the way that I have to go to the bathroom more often, 7 or 8 times a day on average. But I’m used to it, it’s not an issue for me. I can hold it in – so, rest easy there on the other side of the camera, no need to worry that something might happen mid-performance …Well let’s knock on wood just in case – But otherwise, not really… well, I can’t eat spicy food anymore. That will surely destroy my mood and the pipes, so to speak. So there are some things, but I’ve lived with this for so long already that it’s just normal for me.

H2: Surely. Bit of a balancing act.

H1: Hey, you spoke earlier about how people want to talk a lot [about you], and we want to talk and everyone wants to talk about Eurovision, and how it would be great to speak about anything else, even about the weather. But now! Now we’ll talk about it!

H2: Yes, let’s watch the clip first, about a very fundamental question.

(a videoclip of interviewing people abouth whether winters used to be better in your childhood than they are nowadays :D Conclusion: it’s more a matter of childhood nostalgia and personal memories than anything else)

H1: Soo, Jere. Were the winters better back when you were a kid?

K: Well, yeah. Especially now that I’m thinking about all the memories connected to them. I liked snowboarding/downhill skiing [unclear which one he means] a lot back then, and i do feel that there was more snow and it came earlier, but of course my memories might be faulty and in reality we were just skidding on bare ground. But yeah, I have a feeling there used to be more snow and outdoor ice rinks and chances to build snow castles and things like that.

H2: Yeah, you must’ve been familiar with the ice rinks, since you played ice hockey for many years, right?

K: Yes, though with little success. But yeah, I did go swat the puck for a time.

H2: That looks quite proper to me (looking at pics of him in a hockey match).

K: Well, I’ve got the gear on and the puck in my control, so that helps (laughs).

H1: I gathered that you played quite many positions?

K: Yeah, I did go through them all, but none of them was my thing, in the end. But I have very fond memories from my hockey days, too. Though it was also like banging your head to a wall sometimes, too. That either wasn’t just sunshine and rainbows all the time. Very hard training at one point, and from there it swung to the other end when I was mainly just fiddling around. Like, training once a week and then playing a match. But yeah, spent a lot of time at ice halls.

H2. Yes, and speaking of halls. It was on the news today that your iconic green bolero has now been frozen and hoisted up to the ceiling of Helsinki Ice hall rink.

K: Yes, there it hangs now. Up there it went.

H2: An honorary gesture for the shirtless rager. To cheer you on.

K: Yes, my thanks for them all, too. And we’ll have a gig there at the hall in May also, so it was really cool of them to come up with such event. I guess they wanted to wish me luck and bring some joy to the people with a silly happening like that.

H1: And there’s also the positive side to it that it wont get lost from up there (chuckles).

K: Yes, it sure won’t. Unless someone finds a crane or something to get it. So I’m sure it’ll be waiting for me there.

H2: Your live performances are quite demanding physically. Do you think this (points at the hockey pic) laid the groundwork for that?

K: Yes, I’m sure of it. Like, thinking back to the time I was in hospital, I bounced back really fast and got back in good shape even though I was a total wreck after that one year. But when I got back to the gym and jogging trails I started putting weight and muscle back on quite soon. There is some, like, muscle memory to it. I can tell my sports background has it’s effect. That’s why I wish that also the youth of today would all have the chance to have hobbies. It’s not possible for everyone, but I wish it was, because it brings a lot of good, improves your health and brings new friends and so on.

H1: So then, like, most of us have only seen Cha Cha Cha from you at this point, but how are your usual gigs? How long and how physical are they typically?

K: About 45 min to an hour, around 12 or 13 songs a gig. And… yeah, they are quite a mayhem, even more than Cha Cha Cha is, some pretty fast-paced songs in there. You get to shriek and rage and run and hype the audience to your heart’s content.

H2: No wonder that your voice is a bit down, then. You aren’t holding anything back while on stage?

K: No, I think that if somebody has paid, whether it’s 5 euros or 50 euros for the ticket, I’ll give it my all every time. I don’t want the people to feel like I’m slacking off , came there to just collect some easy money, or that I’m not interested in being there. Because it is our shared experience, when the audience is there. I am not alone in there, but together with everyone, and it should be a party for all of us then.

H1: Of course. So, on Sunday you’ll be on the move, but before that a little time to rest, to spare yourself. You won’t be doing any gigs before the ESC anymore, right?

K: I won’t, no.

H1: Great. You’ll get your voice in top condition, yes?

K: Yes.

Hosts: (starting to wrap up the interview] But! BUT! Now, let’s put on some music, shall we? Just a couple little dance moves, pleeease. We can’t end this without a little Cha Cha Cha! So, good luck to you in Liverpool (K: thank you], but now, let’s head onto the dance floor (everyone running away from the sofas). Teach us some moves that everyone should know!

(chaotic Cha Cha Cha-ing ensues, until the hosts form a mini-piggytrain and Käärijä rides away from the camera view. The End.)

#käärijä #eurovision #esc 2023 #translation #puoli7 #euroviisut

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frodo-with-glasses · 2 years ago

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More Reading Thoughts: “Homeward Bound”

The irony of reading this while I’m sitting in the airport waiting to leave on my trip is not lost on me lol

Aww, poor Frodo :-C That’s downright cruel, having to cross the Ford again on the same day he was stabbed in the shoulder.

And he hurries past Weathertop and can’t even look at it! D-: Someone comfort my boy

Ahhh, so this is where the movies got the idea for it to be raining when they arrived in Bree

“Do you think you killed him with that apple, Sam?” “I’m not so hopeful, Mister Pippin.” PFFFT

Butterbur rushing out with a cudgel in his hand because Nob wasn’t specific LOLOL

Butterbur: “Just spare me half an hour to talk.” Narrator: Three hours later…

The hobbits, realizing in retrospect that they’d been wearing armor the whole time and that is Very Strange: “Oops”

Sam: “Oh for Pete’s sake THE KING. IS. STRIDER.” Butterbur: “8-O 8-O 8-O SAYETH WHAAAAT??”

I love Butterbur’s simple perspective on everything. “Well, kings and wars and elves and the lot are none of my concern, I just want to be left alone in peace.”

Butterbur: “Nob! Now what does that remind me of?” Merry: “Not another letter you’ve forgotten, I hope.” HJSKFDKHSJFJ MERRY 🤣🤣🤣

YOU SASSY SON OF A BRANDYBUCK I LOVE YOU

This is why Merry is very quickly becoming my favorite hobbit. Intelligent, sarcastic little turd. He’s the best. :-D

BIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLL 8-D

BILL THE PONY I LOVE YOUUUUU

And now Frodo can say he’s writing a book without lying!!

Someone: “A song!” Everyone else: 😡 Frodo: 😳😬🫣

I’m loving the suspense about what’s happening in the Shire. It all builds slowly, one clue after another, until you really start to get an inkling that something is very wrong.

(And then of course Gandalf goes and spoils the surprise but we’re gonna ignore that)

“You are grown up now. Grown indeed very high…” Yeah especially Merry and Pippin

Gandalf’s metaphor of two old rocks having a chat lol

Frodo: “I wish I could see Bombadil again. I hope he’s okay.” Gandalf: “Trust me, he’s fine. And as usual, he couldn’t give less of a damn.”

Merry: “It seems almost like a dream that has slowly faded.” Frodo: “Not to me. To me it feels more like falling asleep again.”

Mmmmn I’m gonna be chewing on that for a while. That’s so poignant, and says so much about their personalities and how they view their adventure, but I can’t quite put my finger on it yet…

#frodo baggins #samwise gamgee #peregrin took #pippin #meriadoc brandybuck #merry #butterbur #gandalf #bill the pony #tom bombadil #lord of the rings #lotr #my writing #assorted thoughts

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filipinosamflynn · 1 year ago

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Golden Son tier list + review! :D

These books are so fucking good, I want to continue with book 3 already. I have never read books this quickly, but DAMN that was good. You can see my live thoughts while I was reading from the tag "#sam flynn reads red rising", but here are my post reading thoughts below the cut.

Characters: 9/10, everyone served their purpose well and was great except for Antonia, who SOMEHOW still disappointed me.

Plot: 9/10, I have no clue if there was anything for me to complain about.

Personal Enjoyment: 10/10, I was unfortunately spoiled to 2 events within the book before I started reading, but I had so much fun regardless. I wish I had come in 100% blind :(

I have NO CLUE where to start. I guess I'll start with Fitchner. His identity as the founder of Ares was no secret to me when I came into the book, I strayed too far and accidentally got myself spoiled. Despite that, the reveal was still fucking brilliant. I'm surprised by how far he shot up in my tier list, from close to the bottom to being top 5. Wish he didn't die though 😭

Another character that shot pretty dramatically up the tier list was the Jackal. I knew he was gonna betray Darrow from the start based on intuition (thankfully not from spoilers) but DAMN HE DIDNT HAVE TO DO ALL THAT 😭 He's so sociopathic, I love that. I am no longer disappointed by him, and are excited to see what this little fucker has in store next! (Unlike with Antonia. Maybe I hyped myself up too highly for her, I expected her to play a larger role in everything but she feels so much like a pawn, it's embarrassing. She is my unironic least favorite character because of how plain disappointed I am in her, and it's not a fun hatred, it's a "oh she is here again. will she do anythin- nope. okay.")

Roque. Sweet Roque. I thought you were eh in the first book, just a cool voice for darrow to talk to I guess. But after the ending, fuck you 😍 I got spoiled by his betrayal, but honestly I saw his betrayal coming when Darrow kept being unable to reconcile with him. Either that or Roque dies, but uhhhhh I got spoiled anyways so it was going to be the latter. yeah I wish he had died instead of this! 🥰 but honestly and to be fair, yeah Darrow kind of deserved some of it for being such an ass of a friend, but:

Cassius went down the tier list because the gala fight was AMAZING but he doesn't show up after that again until the end, and that made me feel sort of hesitant? BUT HE IS CLEARLY STILL BEING SET UP FOR THE FUTURE SO HE BETTER NOT PULL AN ANTONIA AND DO NOTHING BUT BE A PAWN.

Sevro is half red, cool! I am so glad he's still such a lovable scamp. I got excited every time he showed up, I love him.

Darrow is still an amazing protagonist, and I am so glad we are past his angsty "I miss my wife" phase, but I can guarantee I will see more of it after the ending. At least I will be mentally prepared for the whump this time.

Mustang is at her prime here. The scene with her in Lykos was so... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH i fucking hope she returns for darrow because these two are awesome and they deserve all the happiness.

Oh yeah, the scene where they revisit Lykos? As I said in a previous post, it watered my crops and cleansed my skin. I am so glad we finally got to catch up with Darrow's family. AND HE GOT TO HUG HIS MOM AAAAAAAAAA- I hoped we would see Darrow talk with the rest of his family, but just everything about this was comfort enough. Rest in peace uncle Narol though. 😥 Even if the meeting with darrow and his mom was cut abruptly short by Kieran's kids, but my heart... 🥹

Ragnar spawns in and just gets to business, and I love him. I love stories where people raised for only one thing learn to break free of their mold (that's why i was so interested in this series in the first place). I think it's so iconic that every time he speaks, the text becomes bold, that instantly endeared me to him somehow.

Victra was good, but her insistence on Darrow was weird. Could be because I'm a hard Darrow × Mustang shipper.

That's all the characters I feel like talking about. Onto other things like the plot! The plot was SO much better than the first book. We're finally out of that fuckass academy and doing actual rebelling finally! I don't know what else to say, the twists and the plots were phenomenal. The fight scenes here are even better than the ones in the first book. Overall, y'all weren't kidding when people said book 1 was the weakest of the series because I am flabberghasted by how good this book is.

I don't know what else to say, all of this has just been rambling. Darrow better break those god damn chains at the end of it all.

#sam flynn reads red rising #red rising #golden son #tier list

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trashworldblog · 8 months ago

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Hi!

I hope ur well.

Anyway I wanted to know if u have any accomidations in ur college for your disablitie? It seems you are constantly in pain and could use some extra help? (PLS CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG) I see ur posts about ur disablites and I can't help but feel sympathy, I know some of what your going through (my ass has been on meds as well as being in and out of hospitals my whole life)

I don't know what your collage could offer and such but I hope you at get some extra help bc everyone should have a good college experience and not have to cry in front of professors bc of pain and stress.

I hope you are better in the next few days. And I hope u get some good vitimin D (Illinois is cloudy as shit rn).

hi!! thanks for checking in !! yeah my school provides accommodations. its just hard as fuck to do (paperwork, doctors signatures, etc) and i havent had the time or energy to do it yet. im hoping to get flexible due dates and have flexible attendance? also just a general understanding that if im uncontactable its cus im in bed, in pain, with nausea. (or asleep due to meds). i have 2 game studio classes coming up so i get to break it to them that im chronically ill yayyy

having a disability is fucking hard! and its been hard to figure out how to communicate that to professors and classmates in a ~chill regular people way~ because beep beep im also autistic and have no clue if im over or undersharing. luckily i was able to express it in a semi normal ish way with a 1 on 1 w the prof for the class thats really been rough because of my disability. (the tldr is i worked on a big and cool project w a client, and had to be in contact with my team for updates, and due to my disability i would disappear for half a week cus i was busy passing out in doctors offices and sleeping due to pain meds) but i was always able to do good fucking work! just couldnt message people all the time 💀 the meeting went well, i didnt actually cry cry, my voice got all wobbly and i made that noise you make when youre TRYING not to cry a few times. honestly i was confused as to why i got emotional cus i thought i was over it. clearly not lol. she was very understanding and nice too. she wished i brought it up sooner but tbh this all unfolded during the semester, and i was new(ish) to chronic illness so i didnt know what to do or how to approach that.

overall my college experience has been very good, this is a rough bit of it. and i find it helpful to write about it.

i wouldnt say im constantly in pain, it comes and goes every few days. and even then, everyday theres at least some pressure/pain for a few seconds and on bad days theres times when it goes away for a few minutes every hour. she's very dynamic.

sorry to hear you also get the medical struggles <3 hope you are well and your meds work well for you. and thank you for the well wishes. today was pretty nice! low pain, and it was actually sunny and warm in chicago! i got to escape to the lakefront for a while and listen to the waves break and the birds chirp

#i cant wait for the semester to be over. absolutely praying that this goes away when stress goes away #jupiter posting #thanks for the ask!

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xarrixii · 1 year ago

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Chapter_23 : "Conscious" ━━━━━━━━━━━━━

CW: previous chapter | beginning | masterlist

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“Hey, you.” A familiar voice scratches from somewhere. “R&D sends its thanks. Half the guys in the main data vault have never seen fire controlled so precisely before. Jackstalk fucked you up good, huh?”

Harlow stirred, eyes gently resting on Dawn.

“I’m not the greatest bedside care, but Liam’s busy making sure the cops don’t have anything on the situation yet. I’d say other people would stand here, but…” Dawn shrugs, complacent. “Sorry. Touchy. Uh⸺ Permission to help? You’ve been out for a while, and Liam was insisting we don’t touch you besides actively open wounds.”

He gazed down at the red-soaked bandage around one hand, flexing it against the sheets only slightly before it erupted with pain. “Yeah, yeah, go for it.”

“You need meds? I’m sure Doc would happily oblige.”

“I, water, probably.” He barely remembered a thing, just the noise of electricity flying around him. Dawn nods, whisking herself away and returning with tea instead.

“Doc said cold water would fry you again, and I don’t know if you like water warm, so this was the next best thing.”

Harlow lets a laugh escape him. “I’ll trust the guy with the degree.”

Dawn sets the cup on a table, moving to adjust the mattress.

“No, no, I can probably⸺”

He moves to push himself up, shock ringing throughout every last nervous cell he probably had working. It definitely was not his muscles falling asleep. Someone had zapped him half to death.

“That’s why I was doing it. If it helps, Doc snuck pain meds into the tea when he thought I wasn’t looking. How does this thing even work? He said it was simple…”

“Doc’s the guy in the doorway?” Harlow feels as though he’s set himself on fire. Dawn swivels her head.

“Doc! A little help?”

“I’ll take it from here.” He strides into the room, taking Dawn’s place beside the bed and shifting the upper half more vertically. Dawn left, leaving only Doc’s piercing gaze as he went for the sink behind a cupboard door. “Jackstalk sends his condolences. He thought you were a similar threat as Raijin.”

“Clue me in, will you?”

“Raijin’s the guy you mutilated in yesterday morning’s rainshower. I had to set an appointment up for the bastard the moment I saw it.”

“When did I…?” Harlow watches Doc dry his hands, walking back over with a pair of gloves he strings on. The memories come back in a wave. “Raiden. Where’s⸺”

“Gone.” Doc is blunt as he picks up the tea.

“Gone?”

“Amaterasu sent out a search party last night when Liam came to the new tower with you slung over him. If it brings you any solace, her little signal’s making her walk in flats today.”

Harlow’s heart pounded, recalling the reason he’d fought Raijin in the first place. No. No.

“Don’t dwell on it right now. There’s nothing anyone will let you do about it until you’re moving again regardless. Here.” Doc helps Harlow with choking down some of the tea. “Need anything else before that kicks in?”

“Who is… you said their name was Jackstalk?”

“He⸺” Doc’s voice filters out with his thoughts drifting off.

He takes in a sharp breath of air, coughing.

“Kid,” Liam rushes over. A patch covered one side of his jawline. “Doc said the tea probably hit you back under. Didn’t expect the aftermath of Jackstalk to be that detrimental. Kicked you out for an extra two days. What kinds of soup you like?”

“Hold on.” Harlow lifted a strained arm over his chest, taking in a few moments. There was an IP drip and heart monitor now. “What’s all of this for?”

Liam slowly blinked, looking at the monitor before staring back. “You almost died.”

“Wait, wait,” Harlow coughed a few more times, pain racketing out from his chest. “What, what do you mean I almost died? How the hell did, I was fine before I passed out.”

“Amat⸺” Liam paused. “The initial search party came back with nothing.”

Harlow connected the dots from there. He hadn’t expected much himself, only something bordering on hope. Raiden woke up, spotted waving on a rooftop, speeding down a highway, anything. Then he remembered his last conversation with Doc. “Everyone keeps talking about this Jackstalk guy like I’m supposed to know who they’re talking about.”

“I think it’d be better to just meet him. First, soup.”

“Anything is fine. I’m not picky.”

“Right. I’ll come back with soup. And Jackstalk. Especially the soup.”

“Some part of me liked you better when you were being an asshole.”

“There’s a difference between being an ass and being an asshole, and that difference is whatever the difference between me and you is.”

Harlow chuckled as Liam left, drifting out again.

“Mmm,” Harlow was uncomfortably jerked awake, the lonely rumbling of a ceiling fan overhead.

Sunset filtered in through a nearby window, his phone vibrating against the nightstand. This time, there was no one waiting around him. He raked a hand through his hair, shying back at the pain it brought. There was a calendar on the wall he assumed Liam had been marking off. September 20.

With a groan, Harlow sat up and picked up the phone, stifling down just how much everything ached.

“Hello?”

He sank back into the pillows at the voice that responded. “Where are you?”

“Out.” He could almost smell the way his mother was smoking out on the balcony.

“And that is not home, why?”

That was not a question he knew how to answer.

“Harlow,” the name grit through her teeth.

“Mmm?”

She hung up the line with an irritated grumble, allowing Harlow to pull the phone back and look at all of the missed calls. Another coughing fit exploded along his lungs suddenly, phone slipping from his hand and clattering along the floor.

The door creaked open, Liam helping him sit upright again. Liam set the phone back on the nightstand.

“Don’t⸺” He shuddered out. “Don’t. I’m fine.”

“Urban,” Liam said with a tone alike to that of when he’d been begging him to retreat with the rest of Cinder.

“Has anyone found Raiden?”

Liam’s face dropped. It was all the answer he needed. “Will you stay awake long enough for me to make you food?”

“I can try.”

He left the door mostly ajar to a view of the hallway, television left on. The news was apparently still covering the old Cinder building collapsing, despite several days passing. He couldn’t exactly blame them, the police must’ve been losing their minds over it.

Shit. Raiden’s dad.

Harlow reached over for his phone again, biting back the pain as he opened it up and speed-dialed his number. It picked up relatively quickly.

“Urban, Christ. Where have you and that rascal been?”

“It’s… it’s complicated. Um… you can’t tell anyone.”

“We both know⸺ One second, Urban.” Garry Roy shouted back at the rambunctious Ty in the background before returning. “We both know what happened the last time I agreed to that, but what’s up?”

He didn’t realize how difficult this would be until it came to it.

He decided to leave out most of the details.

“Raiden went missing.” Whatever Garry had been doing, he stopped. Strain hacked away at his voice. “And I’m pretty sure it’s my fault.”

“Urban,” Garry’s voice was even, “I can almost certainly assure you that there is no way something like that could be your fault. Unless you yourself threw them into the back of a van and drove it off a cliff, it couldn’t have been you.”

Damn it.

Liam came back in holding a tray, frowning at the phone. “Kid, come on. You can barely move. Focus on yourself first.”

It was very easy to strangle the phone free from his hand, and Liam held it up to his own ear. Liam stayed silent for a few seconds. “Amaterasu’s looking for Raiden. Hold off reports for as long as you can, keep the building incident away from their name. It doesn’t matter how, that’s how you’re going to disconnect the two.”

After a few more seconds, Liam tapped the phone off and gave Harlow a look of pity.

“Look, kid. I don’t care what anyone says, as soon as you get your strength back, if you want to help us look for them, I will let you in a heartbeat. Please eat something.”

Liam left again, keeping the door open only by a crack.

Harlow brought his knees up to his chest and started crying.

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#flash/burn #fiction #original story #original characters #magic #dystopian #fantasy #angst #i am not a medical professional #i do not give out medical advice #but i can say you shouldnt get hit by lightning #would suck

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charincharge · 2 years ago

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AAAA ok so update on meeting that girl for the first time. Pretty sure you’re absolutely right, thanks for the help <3 Going to try to keep this update somewhat in order: When we get to the meeting place, we realize we have no clue what anyone looks like + no one knows real names, so my family goes to sit down. Meanwhile, I see a REALLY PRETTY GIRL (who I highly suspect is LGBTQ also (I’m pan) but didn’t get to confirm) standing off to the side. Anyways, I said something to my parents about if we had a way to contact her or her parents somehow and the girl I had seen just snaps up to look at me and there’s just a silent “YOU” that passed between us because she recognized my voice from when we play games together. Anyways, yeah she’s SUPER PRETTY???? jshdkdja So after talking to confirm via online aliases, we both get VERY nervous and kind of mumble awkwardly to each other in greeting. Everyone else gets along great right away, so that’s good. BUT THEN we go on the tour and I’m kind of mumbling some comments about things we saw and she laughs and !!!!! We start talking and literally will not shut up by the end of the day. Like, we get along so well???? Even as we were walking back to the cars at the end of the day, we were staying together just talking the whole way. + after the tour we went out to lunch / early dinner and got ice cream. AND apparently she just recently found her first shark tooth and is really interested in them. Since I live like.. 30 mins max from the beach (with tons of teeth!!) I decided to invite her to the beach and now we’re planning to meet again sometime to go look for shark teeth together + she doubts that the aquarium is very interesting so I may or may not take her there too afterwards to prove her wrong :D (context: we have one of the largest, most interactive aquariums and, as someone who normally dislikes going literally anywhere, even I find it really fun). Anyways, today was great and she’s amazing and we’re definitely planning on doing more stuff together soon!!! As I’m typing this, I’m actually waiting for her to come online so I can finish teaching her how to play a game I like (we played for like 4 hours and haven’t even made it through the tutorial yet bc we were laughing too much and getting way too distracted just messing around last time) for the next few hours (aka probably until 2:00am or so-)

But yeah, you’re most likely right. Which also kinda scares me bc I’m also demi and I’ve never felt like that before?? So it’s weird just meeting her for the first time and instantly getting along THAT well. Your advice absolutely helped though, so thank you again <3 I probably wouldn’t have recognized what the source of nervousness was otherwise + I was basically mentally repeating “just act natural, just act natural, …” the entire first half.

Other great stuff: she sat next to me on the bus!! we hadn’t really talked aside from the mumbled greetings at that point and she could’ve easily sat with her family, but NO. She chose to sit next to me instead. we’re also just generally interested in a lot of the same stuff (but in a way that weirdly compliments each other?? Like, same general interests but different aspects of them that often are best when working together). Also pretty much the exact same sense of humor (hence us laughing and talking so much after my initial muttered comments about the tour). Overall, just AAAAAA jshsjdja it was so much fun and after the initial awkward mumbly stage we both were just having a ton of fun.

This sounds like it all went SO well!!!! I’m so glad!!!! I hope it continues on, and even if it doesn’t, you should still be so proud of yourself for getting out there 🥰

#heartwarming update #sorry for the late reply #things have been a wee bit cray over here #ask

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zippy-reacts · 2 years ago

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Sonic the Comic Liveblog: Issue 41

An extra-long issue this time! Although, depending on the content, that doesn’t necessarily mean this will end up being a longer liveblog. Guess we’ll have to see!

I like how Amy’s shoe laces are drawn here as ribbons. It’s a cute little detail that I think suits her

Time for the worldbuilding question that plagues many chrildren’s media: why does this non-Earth and/or non-human world celebrate a holiday associated with Christianity? On a related note, this is why I’ve always thought it was clever of MLP:FiM to take human holidays but give them names and backstories unique to the world of Equestria. It sidestepped the above issue while still allowing the show to do holiday episodes.

Yeah Sonic, that’s like walking into your mate’s house and making a comment on the fact they’re sitting in the living room; of course they are!

Returning to Christmas worldbuilding questions: does Knuckles know what Christmas is? It’s been established that StC Knuckles does not know what carnivals are, so chances are he’s a version of Knuckles that doesn’t get off the island much, if ever. Unless StC Knuckles grew up with a parental figure who celebrated Christmas or taught him about it, he might not have a clue what Sonic is trying to joke about here. That concludes today’s session of me overanalysing a one-line joke.

🎶Don’t approve of him but gottttaaaaa truusstt himmmm🎶 (Also, is that bump at the base of Knuckles’ tail in panel four the artist’s interpretation of his zig-zag tail???)

Oh look, a comic with StC’s mascot! I suppose they can afford to do little one-off things like this when they have more pages to work with this issue.

I’d make a joke about showing this panel without context but tbh I don’t think context helps.

Well, back to the Knuckles story in Carnival Night Zone, and look at this for a ghost train! Blackpool Pleasure Beach, eat your heart out.

In Fleetway, even Knuckles is British

Jesus that’s a savage comeback

Jeez, what’s with the colouring on this panel? It’s like they wanted to do a silhouette shot but forgot half way and just did the rest as normal.

Imagine this turns him into an amusement park junkie but every ride he tries after this just disappoints him.

Time for a solo Amy story! :D And she’s got a new outfit!

But Amy, you’re also a hedgehog?????

Sonic says at the start of this comic that going up against badniks is too dangerous for her, yet she has a crossbow with arrows that can pierce metal with ease. I’d say she’s better prepared than any of them.

Yeah girl, kick ass! Impressed she made the bolts herself, wonder how she did that?

Ah. Well, in a story where ammo isn’t treated as magically infinite, I suppose that is a rather big drawback.

It didn’t go on as long as Paul hoped, but it was longer than his mum predicted anyway.

#sonic the comic #stc liveblog

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cryptidsurveys · 3 months ago

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Saturday, October 5th, 2024.

So, how's adulting treating you in the 2020s? Are you smashing those expectations, or do you just wanna Netflix and chill all day? First of all, it was never really Netflix & Chill; for me, it was more like YouTube & Rot. Anyway, I'm certainly not smashing any societal expectations, but I am doing better than what I once believed was possible. It gives me hope that I can continue to make progress.

Remember all the fads and trends from the 2010s? Which one makes you cringe the most when looking back now? Vaguely…? I've never been a particularly trendy person. Most of that stuff just goes over my head. As for things that make me cringe…hmm. Maybe early memes. We've come a long way since the days of Courage Wolf and Socially Awkward Penguin.

In the 2020s, are you living the glamorous life you thought all adults had in the 2010s, or is it more like trying to keep houseplants alive and failing miserably? I never thought every adult had a glamorous life, but I was (and am) guilty of idealizing adulthood, especially when confronted with curated and idyllic social media posts. And heck, not even that - something as basic as a "grocery haul mom vlog" would make me yearn for that middle class suburban dream. ;D The second half is more like my actual experience. I don't have any house plants, but as I ease further into adult responsibilities, it continues to feel like a case of having so much to do and not nearly enough time in which to do it. There's always something I neglect for the sake of something else. It makes leisure activities feel like luxuries I can't afford, but…I mean, look at what I'm doing right now. And look at what I'm NOT doing (aka vacuuming the living room/family room). On one hand, I know I need better time management, but on the other, I can't just go, go, go without feeling like I'm slowly losing my sanity. It's a balance I have yet to strike.

Tell us about a moment in the 2010s when you thought you were the coolest kid on the block, but looking back, you were just as awkward as the rest of us. You know…I think I'll keep those embarrassing memories to myself.

So, do you adult better with a fancy planner and color-coded schedules, or are you just winging it with Post-it notes and sheer luck? My life is so routine and repetitive that I don't really need a planner/calendar. I also don't have much of an issue remembering important dates, but I will write them down if I feel like there's a chance I might forget them. I guess I'm closer to Post-It notes and sheer luck, but it works because I don't have all that much going on. Just the animal shelter (typically Friday through Tuesday), therapy (every other Wednesday), trips to the Mountain Park (whenever I can fit them in), grocery shopping (usually Wednesday mornings), and outings with my mom (also whenever I can fit them in).

In the 2020s, have you finally mastered the art of adulting, or do you still have an impressive collection of takeout menus and not a clue about cooking? I don't get takeout or go out to eat all that often, but I'm also not much of a cook. Most of my meals involve the microwave in some capacity. I can cook - it's not hard to follow a recipe and wind up with something tasty - but for whatever reason, I just…don't. Part of it is probably eating disorder related, but I don't think that's all of it. I wish I did more cooking - the idea appeals to me, as does the chance to eat even healthier - but instead I just eat the same few meals and snacks over and over again.

Looking back on the 2010s, what was the cringiest song you couldn't stop listening to on your iPod, and did you ever dare to sing it in public? CAUSE EVERY TIME WE TOUCH I GET THIS FEELING AND EVERY TIME WE KISS I SWEAR I COULD FLY CAN'T YOU FEEL MY HEART BEAT FAST I WANT THIS TO LAST NEED YOU BY MY SIDE It was apparently released in 2006, but it didn't cross my radar until the 2010s, so. And yeah, it was playing in Walmart a few months ago, and it was all I could do to contain myself.

Are you living the dream of having a fabulous wardrobe that puts fashion bloggers to shame, or is your closet a chaotic mix of hand-me-downs and sale-rack finds? It's a mix of Walmart, thrift store finds, and animal shelter shirts/sweaters. I'm not putting any fashion bloggers to shame, but you can definitely tell where my priorities lie.

Do you miss the simpler times of the 2010s when social media was all about posting selfies, or are you loving the meme culture that dominates the 2020s? I do miss the social media culture of Tumblr and Instagram especially. It felt so much more personal and tight-knit, a true slice of life, and I formed some great online friendships around that time. These days, everything feels so impersonal. Everyone's an influencer, their lives are a walking advertisement, and none of it feels real. I wouldn't even know where to start finding online friends anymore. Sure, some of the content is interesting/inspiring, but the people behind it feel so distant.

Tell us your most epic "adulting fail" moment that made you wish you could just teleport back to your carefree teenage years. Probably my failed attempt to work at the animal shelter back in 2021. I quickly crashed and burned. It didn't make me wish for my teenage days, but it was extremely disheartening, shame inducing, etc. I've been back volunteering there for about a year and a half now, close to full time since mid-July (I think…? I'll come back and edit this if I can find the exact date), and things are mostly stable aside from a few hiccups, but…I don't know. The failure of 2021 still haunts me. I want the animal shelter to be part of my life forever, but the fear of losing it all over again keeps me from taking that final plunge. Hopefully one day…

How do you balance being a responsible adult in the 2020s and still secretly longing for the reckless fun you had in the 2010s? I wasn't having much reckless fun. It was more like reckless self-destruction (that might have seemed like fun at times but...yeah). I'm also not a completely responsible/independent adult. There is a part of me that longs for more down time, and I have a complicated sense of nostalgia for my bed rotting days, but I know going back to that wouldn't make me happy. I'd be bored and restless and miserable just like I was before.

Confess your most significant guilty pleasure from the 2010s that you can't believe you indulged in. No judgment here! Probably conspiracies and all the rabbit holes that came with them. That obsession persisted into the early 2020s as well. I felt so hopeless in my own life that an apocalypse actually sounded like an appealing alternative.

Do you have a "best worst" purchase from the 2010s that you still can't believe you spent money on? No.

In the 2020s, have you upgraded your hangover-curing skills from greasy fast food to some sophisticated avocado toast? No. I just drastically reduced my alcohol intake. These days, I might drink once or twice a year, if even that, and not nearly as much in quantity.

What's your go-to dance move when you hit the dance floor in the 2020s, and did it come from an embarrassing attempt in the 2010s? I've never gone out dancing.

How do you cope with adulting burnout in the 2020s, and does it involve a secret stash of chocolate or a Netflix binge? Even though the animal shelter is my passion and I can't imagine my life without it, I still need time away to recharge. I try to make the most of my days off and do things that genuinely refill my cup or reset my social meter. Make art, visit the Mountain Park, purposeful bed rotting with some trash YouTube, maybe put off some house cleaning if necessary (or tackle it if it will make me feel better - it just depends), etc. I'm also fortunate enough to be in a place where I can take extra days off if I need them, but I try not to resort to that too often. The whole point is to get as accustomed to the grind as I can.

Share the most hilariously awkward Zoom moment you had during the great pandemic of the 2020s. I've never used Zoom.

Looking back on the 2010s, what was the weirdest internet challenge you participated in, and did you regret it immediately? I don't think I've ever participated in an internet challenge… Except for things like NaNoWriMo and Inktober, but those are…idk…more wholesome? Not stupid?

Have you finally embraced the fact that you're an adult, or do you still find yourself wishing you had Hermione Granger's time-turner to go back to simpler times? I have accepted…or have resigned myself to the fact…that I can't go back. Not if I want the possibility of a good life in the future. It's daunting as all hell - sometimes the responsibility is overwhelming, and there's only more to come - but I have to keep pushing forward.

So, did you ever jump on the "juice cleanse" bandwagon in the 2010s, and did you last more than a day before devouring a pizza? No.

How do you handle those moments in the 2020s when you feel like you're just a kid pretending to be an adult? Like the first time I went grocery shopping by myself? That was surreal. As a teen, I used to go to the mall by myself like it was nothing (well, "by myself" with friends lmao), but for some reason, grocery shopping was a whole different (and even somewhat trippy) experience. Even though I'm getting more comfortable going places on my own (mainly therapy and the animal shelter), I still have a strong sense of imposter syndrome.

In the 2010s, what was your worst fashion faux pas that you wish had never seen the light of day? Hmmm. Let's just say I definitely had some…outfits…

Are you now the queen or king of adulting, doling out life advice like Oprah, or are you still secretly calling your mom for help with laundry? I'm still fumbling around and trying to figure it out, and probably fooling absolutely no one.

Looking ahead to the rest of the 2020s, what are your hopes and dreams for your adulting journey, and how will you embrace the chaos with a sense of humor? There's just so much I want to learn/do - from the big stuff all the way down to the minor details. I think the main thing is that I want to be employed at the animal shelter before the 2020s pass. As for embracing chaos with a sense of humor…well, it often feels like hilarity is one thin line away from hysterics, so…while I'm not terrible at it, I surely could be better.

#survey #surveys #personal survey #survey blog #random survey

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quiet-girl-short-stories · 1 year ago

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Trouble With Dinner

A/n: I'm back~ 🍊 so it's back to my regularly scheduled program. I hope you enjoy reading!

"Cassie?"

Unless she knew them, she wouldn't be getting called unless it was one of the boys she knew. Upon turning around, she saw bubblegum pink hair approaching her. Her face went red and she tried to look anywhere but his face.

"H-hey Brayleigh."

He chuckled once he got in front of her. "Hey... I didn't think you'd be in the mall."

She gave him an awkward smile. Her reason for being here would surely pose a problem if Brayleigh heard, so she kept it to herself.

"Yeah, my mom told me it'd be a good idea to go shopping while things were so cheap."

"Really?" He looked at her bag. "So what'd you buy?"

"Just... something."

He was a little confused at her response. "Can I see it?"

She didn't know what to say, but gave in and held the bag up. He took it and some red fabric. Obviously being clothes, he slightly pulled it out to see it was a red, satin dress. Brayleigh pulled it completely to see it better. The material caused him to stare longer; eventually, she made a noise to get the dress back.

"Uh... I-I don't think it's really my style."

Brayleigh put it back and Cassie could see the redness on his face.

"No... I think it looks fine." He paused. "It'll look really good on you."

She looked to his face. It'll look really good off me too!

"But where are you wearing it too?"

"Huh?"

He smiled. "You must be wearing it somewhere. No one buys a dress this fancy and just throws it in their closet."

You'd be shocked to see my closet then. "Oh, it's a dinner party Mr. Wry invited me to."

Brayleigh made a sour expression. "Really? He invited you?" He wasn't really asking, more like clarifying what she said.

She confirmed her comment. "It's more of a formal meeting than a dinner honestly."

"Between just the two of you?"

"Oh no! He just said he figured it'd be a good chance for me to get familiar with a few names at the company."

Brayleigh stared at her for a while longer, but he then sighed and touched a random strand of hair in front of his face. "Well, if something happens, don't let him drive you home okay?. I'll be up late tonight working on a song--just call or text me, got it?"

Cassie gave him a smile. What do you think I'm going to do with him? "Okay, thanks for worrying about me."

"Of course, but I'll get out of your way now."

"Alright... see you."

He waved back as they both went off in opposite directions. Cassie quickly found a place to hide from him and pressed herself against a wall, taking in deep breaths.

"Damn, he was too cute today! And that hair? Man, what does a girl have to do to get to touch that!" She agonized over her situation, but let out a deep sigh before looking to the dress once more. "Koto did say this looked good... do they all think that?" Her mind went elsewhere and she began to think inappropriate thoughts. "No! This dress would look good off me alone. If I even think about wearing this in front of them while we're together I'll..." She felt the heat rise to her head. "No!" She shook her head and began to speed out of the mall.

...

Cassie returned home spent the next few hours getting herself ready for the dinner party. With no available means of transportation, Jessica was alright with driving her there as she was going near that area anyways for her own night out, but Cassie would have to find a way home as Jessica wouldn't be home until the morning. Cassie was fine with that and when Jessica showed up at her apartment, she was as ready she was going to be.

In the car, Cassie shifted her legs a bit in the dress and groaned as she couldn't get any more comfortable in the seat. When they got to a red light Jessica looked over to her. She couldn't help but laugh at the sight beside her.

"You really don't wear dresses, huh?"

Cassie glared at her. "What was your first clue?" She sighed and pulled on the dress more.

"Well, at least you look good in it. That's half the battle right there."

"I really don't want that."

Jessica snickered. "Ooh right, because Mr. Wry might just rip that right off you." She teased.

"Jess... he's a grown man."

"And you're a grown woman."

"And I don't want stuff like that in the first place!" Cassie escalated.

"If you don't, that's fine, but why pick that dress in the first place then? You could have looked like a nun in order to prevent some people's minds from running wild."

Cassie looked out the window. "I-I didn't... pick this dress out."

"Then who did?" Jessica's brows furrowed.

Cassie began to twiddle her thumbs. "...Koto."

Jessica nearly drove off the road. "A guy picked this out for you?"

"Yeah! I didn't know the first thing about what looked good on me so..."

"Well he sure did good. That thing will get you a man tonight for sure."

Cassie sighed. "As I didn't ask for one?"

"Well, Koto likely wants you in that dress and if he's a guy-"

"Okay! Just pay attention to the road." Cassie snapped.

Jessica laughed. "Oh man, I wish I had your problems."

Eventually, they got to the hotel where the corporate dinner was going to be at. Cassie got out rather slowly, but Jessica rolled down the window and yelled out to Cassie.

"Have fun!"

Cassie glared back and Jessica drove off. Cassie sighed and made her way inside. The woman behind the check-in desk smiled at her as Cassie approached.

"Good evening, how can I help you?"

"Uh, I'm looking for the Wry Corp. dinner party."

The woman smiled and went to a separate pile to her right then gave Cassie a card.

"Can I have your name?"

"Oh, Cassie Ann."

"Welcome Ms. Ann, if you show the man at the door that card, he'll let you right inside. It's just up the stairs and to your right."

Cassie just nodded, taking her card before thanking the woman and turning to go up the stairs.

Fuck heels, how do bitches walk up stairs with heels on?

Cassie struggled for a bit getting up the stairs, but thankfully no one went up or down it so she was free to look as stupid as she wanted.

When she finally reached the top, she saw a man standing in front of a set of closed doors. She went to him and did as the woman said and was let inside.

This is where shit got bad.

The only person she knew here was Ankara; if she didn't find him, she would look crazy just wondering around alone for several hours.

I knew I shouldn't have agreed to this!

Cassie made her way to one area aimlessly and focused her attention on the food. I'm definitely not eating. Some asshole is going to look at me and I don't need that kind of embarrassment!

She just stared at the food wondering why everything looked so good. Cassie pouted a bit and just kept walking around as if she had a purpose.

This went on for a good twenty minutes until finally she spotted Ankara. Standing in a group, he was smiling and politely conversing with everyone around him.

She psyched herself out thinking maybe he was busy or wouldn't want to see her tonight, so she just stood where he could eventually see her and stared holes at some of the posters decorating the walls.

There were a lot of big wigs here so maybe she could get something good out of being appeasing to the eyes. It was only then, did Ankara finally approach her and did so with a smile.

"I'm glad you made it Cassie." I'm not. "You look amazing."

I doubt it, my guy.

"Thank you." I don't know if I should compliment back, but he does look literally the same. He's just always this beautiful. "You do too.... I-I mean, you look nice tonight."

Ankara smiled and began to guide her as he spoke. "Thank you, but you arrived at just the right time. There's someone I want to introduce you to. If this goes well, I think there's you can go so much higher! Possibly even past the company."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to do that. I'm happy here."

"It makes me happy to hear that, but you should always be open to bigger and better things."

Like that di-

Before she could think that, her mind went blank at the sound of someone greeting her and so the night began...

It was now one in the morning and these people still wanted to be up. As for, whatever reason, there was an after party. Cassie didn't want to go. Her feet were been hurting since she put on her heels, all she wanted was to go home and relax.

"I think I'm going to head off now." Cassie eventually spoke as her and Ankara drifted off from the rest of the party goers.

"I understand, but you did great Cassie."

You can say that all you want, but it won't change my mind.

"Thanks, I was kind of nervous."

"I could barely notice." Ankara was seeing her to the hotel entrance. "Oh, did you come here alone?"

She nodded. "My friend dropped me off so I might just get on the bus near here."

His lips pursed. "You know I can't let you do that."

"But I don't have another way of getting home." And dangerous shit could happen if we're alone.

"I know, I was going to offer you a ride. I have a chauffeur for long business trips. I can call him to pick you up."

"I don't want you to think you have to help me."

"It's nothing. Besides, a beautiful girl shouldn't be left alone." Who's that referring to? "Calem's married so I don't have to worry too much about you."

Cassie gave him a small smile. "Well, I have to thank you then."

Ankara was getting his phone out. "I told you it's no problem," but it is. "and since it'll be awhile until he gets here, I'll wait with you."

Why? "Are you going home soon?"

"Of course not, this after party is important as I do need to be sure all of our current clients are satisfied and happy. Some of them are a bit of a headache, but being here with you is relaxing."

Why does everyone think that? Like seriously, I would ask him but I think that's rude. "I'm glad I can help in some way."

Ankara smiled at her and they talked the entire time they waited...

#writing community #writerblr #creative writing #my writing #short stories #short story #writing side of tumblr #writing #a collection #a collection of short stories: quiet girl #dinner party #dinner #party

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baekhvuns · 2 years ago

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I'm sorry, but Arsenal went from 0:2 to 3:2, first half was embarrassing but then they went desperate mode and they're still first SO I'M GOOD. Vini was clowning that's true, but Gavi??? Crazy guy 🔫 anyways, I'm waiting for CL, idc about this Spanish bullshit 💀 Liverpool said WE'RE REDEEMING OURSELVES FUCK YOU ALL 😭 this is hilarious tbh... sad, but wtf. PSG vs Bayern soon, how we feeling? 💀

I hope not to see anything Gr**nw**d related except him going to jail. I hate how easy some people are to persuade... shit like this is nuanced.

That obsessed weirdo isn't my friend, come oooon, I just met her in a queue then at a birthday cafe and I thought she was alright.

The fact SM doesn't even blur miss Judy's face and she's trying to convince us it's because she's with them?! They even blur staff members, be serious bitch. But why isn't SM doing anything?

I would say kpop is at its peak when it comes to popularity, the only reason some things are going down is the decrease in music quality and the oversaturation, some companies are doing TOO MUCH. Hybe thinks they're the cool new and hip co-worker who got hired and wanna change everything and "help" the old workers even though no one asked? SM has a lot of issues and crimes that they committed, but Hybe IS NOT going to help

Not me getting Britishised 😭 when I went to the UK for the first time when I was around 12 I didn't know English, I could understand it, but speaking was a no no. My friend's cousin from Ireland hang out with us and I was so shocked, I couldn't understand her at all, but my friend - a native English speaker said "tbh I understand every 5 words she says". Now I'm used to the accents, I actually struggle with some American ones. Father Baek ily <3 it's good idc. British cousine is mostly gross and the names of the dishes? I still can't believe spotted dick exists. But some stuff are good, especially the vegan versions

Nope, Cornish people are fun and chill. YOU GUYS? As if people didn't comment on my messy accent in the past 💀 I wanted to sound more British, but guess I was trying too hard and some people were mad I was attempting to sound like someone I wasn't. Fun times </3

Really? No Woo fics? I wonder why, tbh I have no clue, I rarely read fics and when I do it's only Hwa. Hmmm, I don't fond hockey attractive, so I'd go for racer or fencer actually.

At this point Shinestars need to set up our fashion brand and use Hwa as our model and ambassador. Don't have mortgage, because I can't afford a house, heh 🥰 but SK is nice, I went to the trampoline/climbing park Atz filmed episode 7 of Salary Lupin at!

What?! I did not order Seonghwa's winter MD who said I did?!?!? Please no robbery!

The Korean spelling of Xikers is Ssaikeouseu, so in English it should be Saikers....... choices

My friend watched Horimiya thanks to me and she was convinced it was an older show, we definitely need more shoujo anime 🥰 Btw I watched this one show and this guy, he's a commander and professional simp, I love him https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uPwVxfYEwWg (for some reason I can't link anymore, sorry about that :/)

Alchemy of Souls didn't have to go that hard... I bet Hwa is tearing up watching

LA fans don't get as many stuff as Korean fans, but they're definitely extremely privileged. Speaking of, this bitch cannot be serious https://twitter.com/byeonbang_tiny/status/1631655077080629249?t=JjxE_WgNbAqpVrON4RvuLg&s=19 Apparently it's a priv of a problematic fansite ajshaujsjwjsiwjjwjw

Sorry? https://twitter.com/hoonhub/status/1632622782927323137?t=Ku7FG51bRsDVZJic-n_j5Q&s=19 why is this fandom full of unfunny losers. He was just sitting down eating while a friend was taking a photo? This: https://twitter.com/rubiIIage/status/1632723356972621826?t=3pRP_dorCvQDYs0c9b4axQ&s=19

Anyways look how beautiful, this fit aaaaaaaaaa https://twitter.com/pshsource/status/1632806590733598722?t=wOzvOEM6LFwiscXbMVaAwQ&s=19

I went to sleep after 4am thanks to him 🥰 He also trimmed his hair, but.... I'll allow it. He looked like a model, but then proceeded to show off his lightsaber pens 😭🤧😢

🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃 then the way he just appeared in his pjs and laid in bed? https://twitter.com/thinkingabtpsh/status/1632816075858427910?t=XcKNOX6iFjj7mT98_GOeTw&s=19 - DV 💖

hello!!

I'm sorry, but Arsenal went from 0:2 to 3:2, first half was embarrassing but then they went desperate mode and they're still first SO I'M GOOD. Vini was clowning that's true, but Gavi??? Crazy guy 🔫 anyways, I'm waiting for CL, idc about this Spanish bullshit 💀 Liverpool said WE'RE REDEEMING OURSELVES FUCK YOU ALL 😭 this is hilarious tbh… sad, but wtf. PSG vs Bayern soon, how we feeling? 💀

YOU WON BUT FOR WHAT, GOT RM AND MANU CRYING 😭😭😭😭 sEEE NOW, vini does this on a daily but if gavi does it it’s a big tHing 🔫 but u know what i respect, he plays like veratti who’s available for like 10 games a year bc of his red cards jvdkwhckc u can bet gavi won’t do that the next leg bc pedri will calm him down <3 LMFAOOOO SUDDENLY NO INTEREST IN LA LIGA???? 😭😭😭 LIVERPOOL ABSOLUTELY ANNIHILATED MANU IM SO SURPRISED WITH THE EASE THEY DID IT ITS SO FUNNY RBEJFH psg v bayern, u know i have no hope bc 1. neymar’s out for surgery, 2. they still suck at defence 3. somewhat good thing is that messi & mbappe are actually DOING SOMETHING,,, so iM PREDICTING it’s either a 1-0 like last time, a draw or bayern going crazy or just disgrace but tbh it’s psg so can’t expect anything

maybe rm redemption arc in summer? theyre trying to get mbappe now 😬

I hope not to see anything Grnwd related except him going to jail. I hate how easy some people are to persuade… shit like this is nuanced. /// That obsessed weirdo isn't my friend, come oooon, I just met her in a queue then at a birthday cafe and I thought she was alright.

no seriously it’s the way the fans on instagram are still rotting for him bc he’s in his ‘prime’ and will eventually ‘become bigger’ yeah, a bigger idiot,,, he might as well retire or go china,,, LMFAOOO 😭😭😭 she must’ve been really nice for u to not notice her vibes 😭😭

The fact SM doesn't even blur miss Judy's face and she's trying to convince us it's because she's with them?! They even blur staff members, be serious bitch. But why isn't SM doing anything?

NO LITERALLY LIKE WHAT DOES SHE GOT ON THEM BC THEY USUALLY BLUR EVERY ONGOER IN VLOGS,,, ppl are going a little 📈📉 over some theories regarding her,,, nct’s team knows judy! someone reached out to them and apparently they know about her, hopefully the hefty lawsuit comes to her and her friends bc damn

true! but the popularity is like, this one person said thiS perfectly but i can’t find it but it was something along the lines of people assuming kpop is worldwide just because ppl know of them on twt, twt ≠ worldwide fame! DEFINITELY THE MUSIC QUALITY also probably the way they’re marketing idols, there’s like no fun, even at award shows, like not even a smile atp 😭😭 i def think companies caught onto the lore thing and now everyone and their mother has a lore to it, which can make things complicated + the way not many are experimenting with diff genres which sm does! but recently it’s been a 📉📈📉 hybe’s saviour complex is mad,,, the way their stans are like no one wants sm BUT HYBS GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR IT SO WHY DONT THEY LEAVE THEM BE 😭😭😭 why are they funnelling money for SM 😭😭?? atp kakao is good bc at least they’re not trying to put a hand in the management or direction bc hybe def’s getting mhj in it and it’s 🔫🔫

Yeah Europe loves knives 🙃 it's worrying. Paris is bad, Atz needs to get away asap, I can't believe the French menace got 2 stops. Lmao I guess the IG video is right, Berlin is the alt city, so I can definitely see people like that /// Not me getting Britishised 😭 when I went to the UK for the first time when I was around 12 I didn't know English, I could understand it, but speaking was a no no. My friend's cousin from Ireland hang out with us and I was so shocked, I couldn't understand her at all, but my friend - a native English speaker said "tbh I understand every 5 words she says". Now I'm used to the accents, I actually struggle with some American ones. Father Baek ily <3 it's good idc. British cousine is mostly gross and the names of the dishes? I still can't believe spotted dick exists. But some stuff are good, especially the vegan versions

NO LITERALLY WHY DID PARIS GET 2 STOPS 🤨🤨🤨 this makes sense w my new fic where yunho’s a parisian with identity crisis so i guess it’s valid then <3 will report back to u the day i visit berlin 🫡 a whole ppt presentation with black smudged eyeliner,, LMFAOOO FORGET UR BAPTISM UR BRITISHISIZED 😭😭😭 stop bc the ireland english would be a whole new level of english,, father baek has an obsession with it that he tries to shove it down on my throat, will nEVER EAT THAT 🤚🏻 spotted dick is so ???? 😭😭 hilarious pls have u ever ate it?? the hongjoong san video w jolly right after our discussion, HONGJOONGS REACTIONS FBWND

YES YOU GUYS DBWBDJS 😭😭😭 nAURRRR AND U WERE LIKE 12???? JAIL TO ALL OF THEM 🔫🔫🔫 it be ur own people fr,, i rmr when i came here, it wasn't even about my accent, it was bc of where i was from so everything stereotypical was blamed on me <3

Really? No Woo fics? I wonder why, tbh I have no clue, I rarely read fics and when I do it's only Hwa. Hmmm, I don't fond hockey attractive, so I'd go for racer or fencer actually.

no bc same 😭😭 these days i don’t know read fics anymore, me too! usually if miss tenelka writes them 🤲🏻🤲🏻 see the hockey player was a junior x senior one <3 wILL save that for choi san!

NO LITERALLY IT’S A CRIME ATP! waiting for the day it comes true and it seems 1 step closer with balmain x hj, now we need some crazy photoshoot with any brand atp 😭😭 omg the mortgage here with the inflation iS MENTAL!! OOOOOOOO WHERE THEY ALL THREW HANDS AT EACH OTHER??? did u guys try to imitate that bc 🔫 IM REALLY ON MY WAY, SINCE UR IN SK I CAN GO TO UR PLACE EASILY

The Korean spelling of Xikers is Ssaikeouseu, so in English it should be Saikers……. choices //// My friend watched Horimiya thanks to me and she was convinced it was an older show, we definitely need more shoujo anime 🥰 Btw I watched this one show and this guy, he's a commander and professional simp, I love him (for some reason I can't link anymore, sorry about that :/)

saikers….the anime loving ceo is back at it again,,, WE NEED MORE SHOUJO BACK!!! horimiya’s art is so pretty, did ur friend watch maid sana 👁👁 HE’S A COMMANDER???? HELLOOO FBMWDBMWBDWK (no worries! for some reason i can’t answer ur asks on my tumblr phone app and it just doesn’t post so if it’s late it’s bc im trying to copy paste this to my laptop 😭😭)

Alchemy of Souls didn't have to go that hard… I bet Hwa is tearing up watching /// LA fans don't get as many stuff as Korean fans, but they're definitely extremely privileged. Speaking of, this bitch cannot be serious Apparently it's a priv of a problematic fansite ajshaujsjwjsiwjjwjw

alchemy of soul is my simp nation <3 also the glory pt 2 is on the way!!! help that fansite is like exo’s korean fans 😭😭😭😭😭 gatekeeping artists now?? come on u literally LIVE IN THE SAME COUNTRY u guys get free uni concerts all we get is broken flash mobs 😭😭😭

Sorry? why is this fandom full of unfunny losers. He was just sitting down eating while a friend was taking a photo? /// This: https://twitter.com/rubiIIage/status/1632723356972621826?t=3pRP_dorCvQDYs0c9b4axQ&s=19

was not able to access the video but iM gonna agree with u blINDLY BC twt atiny’s are really unfunny,, so ppl are upset bc he was sitting alone and atiny’s joked about it? i mean like isnt that what friends do? like sit alone and the other sees them and takes a photo to idk later send it to them for funsies 😭😭

Anyways look how beautiful, this fit aaaaaaaaaa I went to sleep after 4am thanks to him 🥰 He also trimmed his hair, but…. I'll allow it. He looked like a model, but then proceeded to show off his lightsaber pens 😭🤧😢 ////🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃 then the way he just appeared in his pjs and laid in bed? - DV 💖

YEAH THIS MAN, HE’S GOT TO STOP, HE HAS THE MUSHROOM HAIR AND THE OUTFIT??? SCREAMS YSL IMFHWKFHWK MODEL HWA 🫡🫡 IS ALIVE!

what the hell what the hell pt2

anon,,, 😯

when we had originality

#✉️ : ask #dv 💖 anon

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