#yes James is the town's teacher

[bimoonphases]

@wolfstarmicrofic July 1 - prompt 1: Western [word count 798]

“It’s the second time this month! The whole chest of gold from the mines!”

Sirius raised his eyes from his whittling to cast a bored look at the man frantically pacing in his office. As sheriff of Godric Springs, he should have been on his feet, nodding at the distress of one of his fellow citizens, but looking at Lucius Malfoy hysterically flipping his hair from one side of his neck to another because he had been robbed once again was too damn funny.

“Hire more guards,” he said slowly.

Malfoy stared at him, outraged.

“You’re the sheriff! It’s your job to capture these outlaws and hang them!”

Sirius snorted and took his feet away from his desk, looking at Malfoy as he would do a child.

“Lucius,” he said slowly. “The Silver Bullet and the Ruby Gun have been plaguing this region for years evading capture every single time. There’s nothing more I can do, even as sheriff.”

“You should hunt them down! Cable Washington, have them send your brother over with the army!”

“Oh, I’m sure General Black has no more pressing matters at hands other than two petty thieves,” Sirius rolled his eyes. “Have you considered changing your methods instead, Lucius?”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, you know,” Sirius smiled innocently. “The Ruby Gun and the Silver Bullet targeted the Lestrange mines before yours. Once your dear sister-in-law convinced her husband to pay the right wages to the miners they never stole from them again.”

Malfoy’s eyes narrowed and he flipped his hair one last time before storming out of the sheriff’s office.

“Do you think he’ll get it?” Peter asked from his desk.

“Doubt it,” Sirius shook his head. “But he’ll have no other choice, it’s either become a decent person or lose all his gold and we know Malfoy loves his gold.”

“How many landowners like that are left?” Peter looked up at the wall, where the map of the region was pinned.

“A lot,” Sirius sighed. “Our favourite outlaws have work to do.”

“Not what you expected when you became sheriff?”

“Definitely not,” Sirius smiled.

A bell rang somewhere in the distance, followed by happy shouts. Some minutes later, the door of the office opened and James walked him, his teacher’s briefcase under one arm.

“Hiya boys,” he smiled. “School’s out and I thought I would deliver Rose here right to her daddy.”

A little girl with blonde pigtails ran in after him and jumped in Peter’s arms, almost making him fall off his chair. Both James and Sirius laughed and Sirius got up.

“We’re closing early today,” he said. “Go home with your daughter, vice-sheriff.”

After locking up the office and waving goodbye to Peter and Rose, Sirius walked with James to where his horse was waiting.

“Any news?” James asked.

“Another chest of Malfoy gold stolen right as it was being transported from his mines into town. Malfoy ended up even requesting the whole army to fight two outlaws, it was really funny,” Sirius said.

“So they made it out without getting caught again?”

“They did,” Sirius smiled and patted James’s shoulder. “Go home to your wife, Prongs. I’m sure she’s already waiting for you.”

James nodded and hurried away while Sirius mounted Adhara and trotted to the little ranch he owned half an hour from town. Once there he took the time to tend to the mare and give her plenty of water before walking in the house.

“Honey, I’m home,” he called out, throwing his hat and landing it perfectly on the back of a chair.

“In here,” Remus’s voice called back.

Sirius walked in their bedroom where Remus was kneeling at the foot of their bed, carefully putting sacks of gold labeled with the Malfoy seal in the cache under the floorboards. He looked up and smiled at him.

“Busy day, sheriff?”

“You could say that,” Sirius smiled. “A distinguished citizen has been robbed for the second time this month, it was really hard not to laugh in his face.”

“Lily left a perfectly clear threat in the carriage that we will continue robbing them until those poor miners have decent wages and working conditions.”

“Still, the Silver Bullet is making my life complicated at work.”

Remus replaced the floorboards and got up, crossing his arms.

“And what are you going to do, sheriff?” he cocked an eyebrow. “Arrest me?”

“I could,” Sirius smirked, walking closer to him and pushing him back with one hand.

Remus took a couple steps back until his legs hit the side of the bed and he ended up falling on it. Sirius was quick to climb into his lap.

“For now I think I’ll just handcuff you to the bed, shall I?” he whispered, before pulling Remus in a searing kiss.

[hugshughes]

betty C. Bedard

Connor Bedard x fem!reader

synopsis - senior year starts, and Connor tries to fix everything after you were left torn to shreds after rumors all summer spread through your small town that Connor had a fling with someone all summer. a fling that supposedly began not long after the messy and unclear "end" of your relationship with him.

wc - 5k

contains - based off of Betty so... <\3. but not that bad because it's less James (Connor) being a douche and more teenagers love to spread rumors and misinformation!!!! crying, sadness, anger, shouting :( but also!!!! touching, hugging, kissing, making out a little bit. reader is 17, and her birthday isn't exactly clear but it's in september. Connor is a jealous teenage boy, and reader is a jealous teenage girl <\3. OH also my high school was 4 periods with over 2000 students and home room was just first period??? i know others are obvi different but that's just what im going off of!

an - hai!!! me when i cut lyrics like this when they don't exactly match how im writing the fic >_< i missed u people. i'm very genuinely sorry i've been gone but i genuinely have had one of the best summers of my life. IM SORRY A CHORUS GOT CUT IT WAS GONNA MAKE THIS HAVE TOO MUCH FILLER OKAY I DID THIS FOR US.

-

betty, i won't make assumptions, about why you switched your homeroom. but, i think it's 'cause of me.

Second day of senior year, you prayed it would be better than the first.

Yesterday, August 27th, you'd walked into homeroom, and your heart had dropped. Connor sat at a table in the back, laughing at something with his friends. Your Connor. You couldn't even call him that anymore. He wasn't yours. Apparently, he was another girl's, now. A girl from your town's rival school, Augustine, or something.

You sat through first period financial literacy with a weight in your chest. You sat at the very front table with a few friends, trying to smile and converse with them. They could tell something was wrong, and when your teacher said Connor's name during attendance they'd realized what.

You went to second period, feeling a bit better. Then, during lunch, you sped to the guidance office, begging your counselor to change your schedule. She was skeptical, having a feeling it had to do with something social, which she didn't believe called for a change. But when she noticed the tears that welled up in your eyes, she just smiled and clicked her mouse a few times, handing you a brand new paper for the classes you'd start the next morning.

To say Connor Bedard noticed you when you came into homeroom yesterday was the understatement of the year. The boy's smile dropped, his eyes locked on your figure as you shrugged your backpack off, smiling at your friend you sat next to. Yes, this class would be his chance to reconnect with you, fix and explain everything.

He walked into day 2 with a plan, a plan to somehow talk to you in first. He sat in the same seat he had yesterday, talking with his friends while his eyes never left your chair. He waited, and waited, and waited for you to walk in. You never did, you were in another classroom, first period AP Spanish, laughing with your best friend as you did icebreakers.

When the bell rang, he stopped the girl you sat next to the day before, awkwardly calling her name. He asked her where you were, and your friend faked confusion while she fought off laughter.

"Oh, she had her schedule switched, she has like Spanish now I think."

He nodded, mumbling a thank you as he swiftly exited the classroom, his friends shouting at him from the doorway.

As the school day went on, your day got significantly better while Connor's did the opposite. He got in his car after the final bell had rung, sitting in silence for just a minute before his friends piled in. Of course they'd all lived in your neighborhood, it being the most common one for your high school.

betty, one time, i was ridin' on my skateboard. when i passed your house, it's like i couldn't breathe.

He dropped them off at their respective homes, turning down your street to exit the neighborhood. He slowed down as he passed your house, your car was already in the driveway, you must've just got home. Last year Connor drove you to and from school almost every day, he missed that.

You two had broken up, if you could even call it that, in late May. The two of you were arguing about something both of you would now call dumb and you'd stupidly blocked his number after an angry phone call. Connor took that as you ending it, you took it as you were sick of arguing and couldn't speak to him in the moment. You were an emotional wreck when Connor had started ignoring you, still believing it was just all stupid misplaced emotions that needed to be talked through. You let him give you the silent treatment, knowing you were both still very upset.

About two weeks later, still nothing was resolved. School had been over for about a week, but you were miserable. Everything went to shit when you were tapping through Snapchat stories one night. One of your mutuals from school had posted a photo of her and her boyfriend, Connor, and another girl sitting next to each other on a bed in the background. They weren't cuddling, but their thighs were touching while they both looked at something on Connor's phone so basically your life was ruined.

You had over a dozen girls send you the story, asking what the fuck had happened. You had to tell them and yourself that you were broken up.

you heard the rumors from inez, you can't believe a word she says most times. but this time it was true.

It was extremely embarrassing for you once people that you barely even knew were telling others your business.

Connor knew he was royally fucked whenever a random girl he knew you were friends with had come up to him at a party during the summer and asked him about Augustine.

"Is she your new girlfriend?"

"What? No. I don't have a girlfriend."

"That's not what she thinks."

He almost asked who, but he knew who she was talking about. You. Everything was you. He couldn't get you out of his mind no matter how hard he had tried.

the worst thing that i ever did, was what i did to you.

Augustine didn't mean anything to him. His friend had tried to set him up with her because of how sad he'd been. But, he didn't have eyes for anyone but you, so she was just a friend of his.

All summer, he'd tried to find ways that put you two in the same place at the same time. Your town's annual Fourth of July fireworks? You were at the beach with family. Your mutual friend's huge 17th birthday bash? You were at young life camp with friends. The one time it could've worked was when you hosted a party, it was an open invite, but of course, it was the weekend Connor had his biggest hockey camp of the summer. It's like the universe wanted him miserable.

but if i just showed up at your party, would you have me?

You tried to erase Connor from your mind, but it was too hard. Living in a town where everything reminded you of the blonde boy sucked. And even if you were gone, you couldn't get away from him online, either. He was the guy to be watching for next year's NHL Draft. He was amazing, but he was also a very young and socially dumb boy.

You and Connor had gotten together towards the end of freshman year. It'd been about a month since your two year anniversary when the whole miscommunication and breakup took place. He was your first boyfriend, and you were his first girlfriend. Everyone at school knew about you two, even the people who didn't know you at all. It wasn't because you two were grossly comfortable with PDA at 8 am on a Wednesday.

You two weren't at all comfortable with your relationship being too on display to anyone, but the small and subtle things that made people silently root for the two. People saw just how you looked at each other, and how your moods changed with and without each other. They watched you two together at every event. Saw you as the loudest girl in the student section at hockey games. It was just sweet.

would you want me?

Connor was fucked. Although he couldn't confirm it, he was convinced your disappearance from first period was due to his presence. You changed your schedule to get away from him, that's how much he'd hurt you.

would you tell me to go fuck myself?

He wondered what you'd do if he just showed up at your house, or came up and asked to talk to you at school. Would you tell him to fuck off? Would you agree to talk, and listen to his apologies?

or lead me to the garden? in the garden, would you trust me, if i told you it was just a summer fling?

Connor had to speak with you, he couldn't contain himself any longer. When the final bell rang he sat in his car and waited for his friends, driving them home, through your neighborhood once again. He passed your house, only your car was in the driveway. He parked on the street, closing his car door gently behind him as he trekked up your driveway and to the front door.

He knocked softly, stepping back a few feet to wait. After thirty seconds the door opened a third of the way, your body coming into view. You were already in comfy clothes, you hated when your outside clothes touched your bed, Connor remembered. Your eyes widened, your brain sending panic signals through your body, your limbs freezing up.

"Oh my God. Uh, hi?"

You had no clue why Connor would be standing awkwardly on your front porch at 2:38 pm on a Tuesday.

"Hey. You can tell me to fuck right off and I will but, can we like, talk?"

i'm only seventeen, i don't know anythin'. but, i know i miss you.

You blinked a few times, the words taking a moment to register. Connor wanted to talk to you? About what? Did he need real closure after all the dumb shit that happened between you?

"Oh, yeah, sure. Come in."

You led him to your room, you weren't sure why you didn't just go to the living room, silently cursing yourself halfway up the stairs. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Was it clean? Were there clothes on the floor? You were now mortified by the idea of Connor seeing a bra on your bedroom floor, something that wouldn't have crossed your mind five months ago.

Your room was fine, only some socks and a sweatshirt on the ground. You sat in the cushy chair in your corner, pulling your knees to your chest. Connor sat cautiously on the end of your bed, he was always the one person you'd let wear outside clothes on your bed because you didn't care as long as he was laying with you.

It was eerily silent for a few moments before Connor spoke up, your head snapping to him.

"Um, I've been wanting to talk for a really long time, seriously."

You nodded, your eyes leaving his, the air too tense.

"Me too."

Connor's eyes widened at that, seriously? You wanted to talk to him? That was what he'd been hoping for months.

"I can't really think of a better way to say this but, uh. I miss you, a fuckin' lot. And I know I royally fucked up but I really just want you in my life. I hate the tension and the fuckin' like, uncertainty between us."

What? You were so confused. He missed you? But you had people all damn summer nothing but happy to fill you in on all of the Connor and Augustine news. Connor took your silence as you expecting more from him, so he filled it.

"And I know that everything that happened was because I was being a jealous asshole. I'm really sorry and I will show you that."

betty, i know where it all went wrong. your favorite song was playing from, the far side of the gym.

Ah, yes, the fight that ruined it all. See, in May, Connor and the Regina Pats were fighting through the playoffs, and he had one of the biggest games of the season on the night of prom. It was your first prom, and you'd been so excited to go with your boyfriend, so you can imagine the disappointment when he told you he wasn't going to be able to make it. You were crushed, to say the least, and sulked the entire time.

i was nowhere to be found, i hate the crowds, you know that.

The only few minutes you had fun the whole night was when a group of your friends had gotten you to dance after hours of begging, and a photo was taken of you with an arm innocently and extremely appropriately around a guy friend of yours' shoulders. It was platonic, even another girl friend of yours was on the other side of him and had her arm over yours.

It was really not a big deal, but Connor had seen it and was extremely jealous, and felt guilty. He was envious but also beating himself up over not being there.

plus, i saw you dance with him.

"Connor, that wasn't all your fault. I was a crazy bitch and blocked you, even if it was for like forty minutes. I shouldn't have done that, it was stupid. All of it."

He nodded, both of you unsure of what to say next.

you heard the rumors from inez. you can't believe a word she says, most times. but this time, it was true.

"And, I don't know if you care or not. But, I know all sorts of people have been saying stuff about me and Augustine. I promise you that I hung out with her that one time with Adam and hated it. I told her that and we were just kind of friends I guess. I only saw her one other time all summer. I wasn't already moving on from you, 'm still not."

He'd be the death of you, you were sure of it. Did he know how badly you needed to hear that? Even if you were skeptical if it was true when it first came from his mouth, the moment of silent eye contact between you two spoke volumes. He wouldn't lie to you, he was the most honest person you ever knew.

"I think it's stupid for us not to be friends, Connor. We were best friends before and while we dated. I miss that with you."

the worst thing that i ever did, was what i did to you.

You also missed kissing him, and cuddling, and whispering sweet nothings, and holding hands under the table at dinner.

You might as well have dangled Connor's heart on a string in front of him then decided to stomp on it. Friends. That would have to be how it was, he knew he couldn't have none of you, and some of you would always be better than none of you.

"That'd be really good."

You both smiled, although in your minds you both wanted more, you were too scared to say it. You stood up, Connor right after. You just looked at him close up for the first time in a while and sighed happily. You hugged him without caution, arms around his waist and face in his chest. His came around your shoulders, squeezing tightly if only for a few seconds before you let go of what had to be a friendly hug.

You both walked downstairs, Connor opening the front door and stepping onto your porch.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Connie."

"Yeah, okay."

You shut the door with a smile, immediately freaking out as Connor did the same on the other side. You had no desire to be only friends with Connor, but it was the safest route to having him in your life without getting hurt.

i was walkin' home on broken cobblestones.

Connor sat in his car, staring through the windshield. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind. He finally had his favorite girl back in his life, but not the way he wanted. That would have to be enough though, some of you would always be better than none of you.

He snapped back into it when he realized he'd been parked outside your house for multiple minutes and drove off. He went home and then later to hockey practice, and you never left his mind.

just thinkin' of you when she pulled up, like a figment of my worst intentions.

The next day at school you smiled at Connor in the hallway. He was teased for the rest of the day by his friends at the blush he possessed after it happened.

For the next month or so, you two danced around each other. You talked often and hung out together in group settings. At school, you'd talk and laugh, all of your friends demanding they could tell you were still in love. The both of you would insist that you were now just friends and happy about it, even though both of you were yearning to be so much more than that.

she said, "james get in, let's drive." those days turned into nights. slept next to her,

Your birthday was approaching, your 18th. You insisted you wanted something small, a dinner party with your favorite people. You'd invited over a dozen of your friends, receiving RSVPs of yes from all of them. There was still one more blonde boy you wanted to ask, though.

When the final bell rang, you ran out of school like every other teen with a car. Instead of going to yours, you found yourself walking up to Connor's black jeep, one you were oh so familiar with. He was on his phone but noticed you immediately as you were walking up.

He rolled his window down, a grin gracing his face.

"Hey, what's up?"

You lent your elbow against the window sill, resting your cheek against your hand.

"So, my birthday's on Saturday, and I'd really like if you came. It's just a small dinner party at my house, nothing crazy. You might be the only guy attending but I'd love if you could make it. I totally get if you can't though, it's a bit short notice."

Connor's eyebrows raised in shock. You wanted him at your birthday? This felt more intimate between the two of you than any other moment in the past couple weeks. Connor wasn't gonna let you down like he had at prom.

"I'll be there. Can't wait."

Connor wished he didn't love how your eyes instantly brightened, the corners crinkling to match the grin on your face.

"Great, awesome. I'll see you there Connie."

You brushed your hand over his shoulder as you said bye and turned to trek to your parking spot.

"Yeah, bye. I lo-"

I love you. Connor cut himself off before he could say he loved you. Holy shit, why did he almost say he loved you? He prayed you couldn't hear it, the way you kept walking didn't make it look like you did, but he couldn't see your face.

Your jaw dropped, hearing the first two syllables out of his mouth before he caught himself. Oh my God, Connor almost just told you he loved you. You kept on to your car, waiting until you were alone to freak out. Of course, you'd said it all the time while dating, but he hadn't told you that in months, you assumed he didn't feel that way about you anymore.

Connor had told you he couldn't wait for your party, and it was the truth. He had never been a patient boy, and waiting to see you all day on Saturday had him fidgety. He was wearing jeans and a navy Ralph Lauren quarter-zip, a white t-shirt peeking out from the unzipped section. He was wearing his cleanest sneakers and held a small gift bag in one hand, flowers in the other.

betty, i'm here on your doorstep. and, I planned it out for weeks.

He knocked on your door at 7:02, having been sitting in his car outside your house since 6:57, telling himself he could do this. You opened the door quickly, a gorgeous smile on your face. Your eyes widened when you saw what was in Connor's hands, wrapping your arms around his neck in what was too close to be a friendly hug. He wrapped his arms around you, careful to not dishevel the flowers.

"Hey, Connor. Thanks for coming."

"Wouldn't miss it. Happy birthday."

You pulled away after what felt like not long enough, leading Connor inside. He handed you the flowers, a moment of tension between you. Your mother greeted him, hugging him and taking the flowers from you to put in a vase.

Connor was first to arrive, followed shortly by your best friend, who silently made fun of you for how flustered you were. Everyone was in your house by 7:18, and you talked and mingled until around 8 when you decided it was time to eat. You sat next to Connor at your big dining table, earning a few teasing looks from your girl friends.

Dinner lasted a while, everyone talking and laughing. A little over an hour passed by before your mom came through the entrance of the room, holding a stand with a cake, 18 golden candles stuck in the pink and white frosting. Everyone sang as you awkwardly laughed. You closed your eyes and wished for Connor, he was all you could think of. You blew your candles out and everyone cheered, clapping and laughing.

You hung out for a while with everyone, another hour and a half passing before people's curfews started falling. Of course, Connor was the last person there, he'd always been the last one there when everyone else had gone.

but, it's finally sinkin' in.

You two sat on the couch, still awfully close even though everyone else was gone.

"You gonna open your gifts?"

You turned and looked at the small pile of boxes and bags, shrugging.

"My mom always said it was rude to open gifts in front of my guests."

"Am I just a guest to you?"

You laughed, shaking your head. You stood and grabbed all the gifts, laying them on your coffee table before you began opening things. Every gift was thoughtful and sweet, you left things in specific piles so you knew what to thank people for later. Connor's gift was last, and his stomach twisted when you grabbed the bag.

betty, right now is the last time, i can dream about what happens when, you see my face again.

Shit, this was when he was gonna tell you everything. You pulled at the neatly placed tissue paper, you could tell Mrs. Bedard had helped Connor out. The first piece came out and you saw the envelope sitting on the side of the bag. You grabbed it and Connor gently grabbed your wrist.

the only thing i wanna do,

"Can you read it after? I wanna see your reaction before."

"Okay."

Your eyebrows scrunched, but you didn't think too much of it. You pulled out the next piece of tissue paper and your jaw dropped. A small teal box sat wrapped in a bow. The color was unmistakable, the bow too. You looked up at Connor with wide eyes, already feeling tears prick your waterline.

"Connor you didn't."

is make it up to you.

"You don't even know what I did. Look at it."

You grabbed the box, pulling it out and gently untying the bow. You slip the lid off the box, your assumption proved correct, a beautiful white gold necklace lying pretty and perfect in the box. Two heart-shaped white gold pendants hung down, shiny and polished to perfection. Your eyes watered, no one had ever done something so kind for you.

"Connor, I can't even accept this. 'S too much."

"Well I'm not gonna wear it, and I'm not returning it either."

You lightly examined the necklace, light reflecting on the second heart causing something to catch your eye. You held the box closer to your face, squinting for just a second before your eyes widened. There was a small 98 engraved in the heart, your jaw dropping slightly.

so i showed up at your party. yeah, i showed up at your party.

"I've had it since June. I'd tried to order it for our two years but it took forever to ship."

You couldn't help but set the small box down and throw your arms around Connor, a huff of surprise leaving him at the impact. His arms wrapped around you, squeezing tightly.

"I love it, I love you."

You took a leap of faith as you pulled back just slightly and kissed your ex-boyfriend. His arms around you tightened, kissing back immediately. Your hands held his face as you kissed fervently. You were practically pulled into Connor's lap by the time you pulled away to catch your breath, chest heaving as you stared at each other. Connor grinned, extremely happy his girl was back in his arms.

yeah, i showed up at your party.

"I love you."

You giggled and leaned your forehead against his shoulder, still taking in what had just happened.

"Missed you so much."

You turned your head and left a kiss on his neck in response, your boy was back in your arms.

"Missed you more. You don't even know."

"I do know, all summer fuckin' sucked."

"Yeah! And your ass had dating rumors two weeks after we 'broke up'!"

"The key word there is rumors."

You both laughed, Connor kissing you again. You both smiled and giggled into the kiss, tingles running through your bodies.

"Hey, sweetheart! Did everyone leave?"

Your mom had gone upstairs to bed after cake, you thought she'd be asleep by now. You shushed Connor's giggling, pushing yourself off his lap and pulling him up with you.

will you have me?

"Almost mom! Connor's still here, he's leaving soon!"

"Alright, well goodnight you two!"

You both called goodnight to her, turning and smiling at each other.

"I guess that was you demanding I leave."

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him down and pecking him a few times.

"Shut up! If I had only said that you were still here she'd probably be down here in her pajamas making sure we aren't getting at it on my couch."

Connor just laughed, kissing you again. You two sat back down and just sat together for a while. You both had missed just existing together so much. It was nearing midnight when Connor told you he had to go.

"I have practice at like 6 tomorrow."

"Connor! You're only gonna get like five hours of sleep. Go home."

He stood up, pulling you with him. You walked him out, very quietly opening the front door. Connor's arms wrapped around you again as you stood on the front porch of your home. You laid your head in the curve of his neck with your arms wrapped around his shoulders. You stood in silence for a few moments, before you interrupted the quiet.

"You know what I wished for?"

"No. What'd you wish for?"

"You."

will you kiss me on the porch, in front of all your stupid friends?

He grinned, kissing you sweetly. He held your face as your hands gripped at his quarter-zip. After a few moments, you pulled away, giggly and drunk in love. You didn't know but your Ring Doorbell was catching the whole thing on camera.

You two stood on your porch talking until ten after midnight when you cursed at yourself and insisted Connor needed to go get some rest.

"Walk me to my car?"

"Fine, princess."

if you kiss me, will it be just like i dreamed it?

He failed to fight his laughter as he told you to shut up. You held hands as you walked down your driveway, Connor's jeep parked on the side of the road.

Connor leaned you back against the driver's door and kissed you real good. You almost forgot it was nearing 12:20 am and you were in the middle of your street making out with your technically still ex-boyfriend.

will it patch your broken wings? i'm only seventeen, i don't know anything. but i know i miss you.

You snapped back to reality and pulled away from Connor.

"You need to stop kissing me while I'm trying to get you to go home."

He climbed into his jeep, rolling down the window and leaning his arms against the window frame. As much as you wanted him to go home and get some sleep, you also loved and missed him too much to give up this moment.

"You love it, though."

standin' in your cardigan.

You rolled your eyes and sighed playfully, tilting your head and giving him a smile.

"Might be a crazy question but are we together now?"

"We were never broken up in my mind."

"Cut the poetic shit Bedard. Am I your girlfriend or not?"

He laughed, that was his girl.

"You wanna be?"

You gave him a legitimate eye roll that time, he just laughed again.

"Yes, you're my girlfriend and I'm your boyfriend."

"Perfect, awesome. Have an amazing night. I will text you tomorrow morning whenever I wake up. Which is not gonna be around 5:30 like you."

He groaned thinking of morning practice but was back to smiling at you in less than a moment. You leaned forward, kissing him one more time.

kissin' in my car again. stopped at a streetlight.

You pulled back with a sleepy smile, your whole heart content.

"I love you, Connor."

"I love you."

“Drive safe.”

Connor watched you all the way up the driveway and into your house, waiting a few extra seconds for you to lock the door before he sped home.

Once you closed and locked the door, you were smiling and giggling to yourself. You put on your new necklace and cleaned up from your party.

The two of you slept soundly, you knowing you finally had your person back, and wouldn't lose him again anytime soon. Connor would've been okay with 20 minutes of sleep if that's how long you kept him. His girl was finally his again, and he wasn't going to lose her again.

[thetourturedwritersclub]

I've seen ppl do the marauders being teachers and the subjects they would teach. And hers are my 2 cents.

James he would teach PE. Argue with the wall. Also he'd be that one teacher everyone loves bc he cares for the students. All the students who have PE with him would be fit bc James cares so much abt the students health. He would organise basketball, football /soccer and volleyball games between the other classes.

Sirius On the popular belief of Sirius teaching French, I actually think he would teach art. That doesn't mean that I think that he isn't intelligent, I think he's creative and he would rather teaching a subject which requires u to be creative. He would take the kids to art galleries.

Remus to no one's surprise, I think he would teach English /Literature. And he would make it INTERESTING. They'd be studying Romeo and Juliet , the kids would feel like they are in Verona, Italy watching it happen. Also smth that's so precious for me is Remus having movie hrs, watching films that we are adapted into movie form and they would analyse the differences between the two.

Peter I think Peter would teach home Economics. Also he would be that teacher that u either love and appreciate or hate with a burning passion. He would be a shy introverted nature but also funny and tolerant.

Lily she would teach citizenship. Yes she would be that teacher that would make sure u were mindful, empathetic and grateful. She would make sure kids understood everything u need to know abt being a good citizen. She would also organise field trips which would be in parks, town halls etc etc.

Marlene Listen, I think she would be a history teacher. Her compassion loving nature and ability to tell a story give rlly much history teacher vibez. The kids would be hypnotised listening to every word Marlene was speaking abt a revolution or a glorious monarchy.

Mary Now Mary would teach theatre. Say what u want but I'm a Theatre teacher Mary believer. She would take it super seriously and she would teach all of the kids how to act. Also she would analyse the kids chemistry (basically how much chemistry they have with each other) and she would play match maker with that information. She'd be hitting the bullseye everytime.

Dorcas She would be teaching mathematics. Again argue with the wall. She would be that strict teacher with a heart of gold. Also she would check in with every kid to see if they need help and would be that teacher who wouldn't make u feel bad for not understanding something.

Pandora She would teach Chemistry. Why? Idk she just gives off chemist vibez. And she would always take her class to the lab. And instead of assigning projects, she and her class would conduct research on certain topics and try out formulas.

Barty :Barty would teach physics. He is super smart and in my eyes physics is smth that he would find interesting. He would be teaching the kids with practical examples, like dropping stuff when they have to learn abt gravity and ect.

Evan He would teach biology. Argue with the wall. He would love dissecting bodies and the students in his class would be horrified at his excitement. Also he would be such an inspirational and dedicated teacher. He wouldn't be that strict of a teacher but he would keep his class focused.

Regulus He would teach a foreign language like French. He would be so strict and his class would low-key fear him. He wouldn't have that high of expectations and his test wouldn't be that hard. Also he would explain the kids important facts abt French and he would be an incredible teacher. When he would assign classwork he'd go around the class asking if they needed help. Also he'd be that teacher who wouldn't mind answering questions after class.

So yeah that was soo fun! Lmk if u like it or want me to do stuff like this more often! Would you attend this school if you could?

[thequeenofthedisneyverse]

Technology from 1870-1899 (For Encanto fic writers)

So, A mutual of mine @miracles-and-butterfliess pointed out that everyone (including me) tends to forget that Encanto was literally made when the triplets were born. Which is literally 1900 or 1901. Regardless, it was the very beginning of the 19th century so let me tell you about the technology/things they would/wouldn’t have. (And please keep in mind that most of these may or may not have been imported into Colombia yet.) 

1870 - 1879

1872—A.M. Ward creates the first mail-order catalog. NO

1873—Joseph Glidden invented barbed wire. NO

1876—Alexander Graham Bell patents the telephone. NO

1876—Nicolaus August Otto invents the first practical four-stroke internal combustion engine. NO

1876—Melville Bissell patents the carpet sweeper. NO?

1878—Thomas Edison invents the cylinder phonograph (known then as the tin foil phonograph). MAYBE

1878—Eadweard Muybridge invents moving pictures. NO?

1878—Sir Joseph Wilson Swan invents the prototype for a practical electric lightbulb. YES? 

1879—Thomas Edison invented the first commercially viable incandescent electric light bulb. NO?

1880 - 1889

1880—The British Perforated Paper Company debuts toilet paper. YES

1880—English inventor John Milne creates the modern seismograph. NO

1881—David Houston patents camera film in roll format. NO?

1884—Lewis Edson Waterman invents the first practical fountain pen. YES

1884—L. A. Thompson built and opened the first roller coaster in the United States at a site on Coney Island, New York. NO

1884—James Ritty invents a functional mechanical cash register. YES?

1884—Charles Parson patents the steam turbine. NO

1885—Karl Benz invented the first practical automobile powered by an internal-combustion engine. NO (even before Encanto, Alma’s town looked rural so I doubt the automobile reached them yet.)

1885—Gottlieb Daimler invented the first gas-engine motorcycle. NO

1886—John Pemberton introduces Coca-Cola. NO

1886—Gottlieb Daimler designs and builds the world's first four-wheeled automobile. NO

1887—Heinrich Hertz invents radar. NO

1887—Emile Berliner invented the gramophone. YES

1887—F.E. Muller and Adolph Fick invented the first wearable contact lenses. NO

1888—Nikola Tesla invents the alternating current motor and transformer. NO

1890 - 1899

1891—Jesse W. Reno invents the escalator. NO

1892—Rudolf Diesel invents the diesel-fueled internal combustion engine, which he patents six years later. NO

1892—Sir James Dewar invents the Dewar vacuum flask. NO

1893—W.L. Judson invents the zipper. NO (zippers didn’t become popular globally until a little bit later; buttons, ribbons/laces and whatever else were still the norm/in fashion for fastening and tying (which is still the case in some places today)

1895—Brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière invent a portable motion-picture camera that doubles as a film-processing unit and projector. The invention is called the Cinematographe and using it, the Lumières project the motion picture for an audience. NO?

1899—J.S. Thurman patents the motor-driven vacuum cleaner. NO (if you're running from being killed, the last thing you're going to bring is a vacuum cleaner) 

I remember a post listing the sort of jobs there would be in Encanto but I forgot so I’ll just list the ones I know (let me know if I need to add anything.): 

Seamstress/tailor

Embellisher

Field worker 

Teacher (of any kind; music, dance, art, etc)

Woodworker - wood carver

Toy maker

Construction worker

Joining a Local band/ Orchestra - being apart of a choir 

Carpenter 

Metal worker 

Jeweler (though I’m not sure if Jewelery of the diamond/gem kind is common in Encanto)

bladesmith/ knifemaker 

Inventor? (Inventors should exist in Encanto by now…just one other genius besides Mirabel?)

I know some of these are very obvious but I’m just giving people options okay? 

@miracles-and-butterflies you seem to know a lot more about this kind of stuff so if you have anything to add/take away or me to fix please let me know. I tried to search up “When was X invention imported into Colombia” and literally nothing of use comes up. 

[samynnad102687]

Sneaking Out

@struttingstag April 9th Prompt: Sneaking out | 1552 words | Jegulus, Rosekiller CW: Recreational Drug Use

"And where do you think you are going?" Effie asked sternly with her arms crossed over her chest.

James thought he was being quiet but clearly, he wasn't quiet enough. James was supposed to meet up with Regulus in twenty minutes like he did every day after school. Usually, they would meet at the park and just hang out there but today he was meeting him at his house since his parents were out of town for the week.

"To see Reggie," James replied innocently like he didn't know why his mother was stopping him.

He knew. Of course, he knew and it was all Barty's fault. He was the one who gave James the joint. James just forgot that he had it on him when he walked into the house and his mum stopped him.

"I don't think so. You are grounded. If you really wanted to see Regulus, then you should have listened. Now get back to your room until I call you down for dinner."

"But mum? That's not fair. I always see him after school." James put on his best pouting face.

"Too bad. You know the rules, James. These are your consequences. If you're going to smoke, I better not find out about it. Now get to your room." Effie pointed to the stairs leading up to the second floor with a look on her face that said if he kept it up, he would be grounded longer.

He knew he wasn't going to win that argument even if he tried. James sighed before he dramatically threw his hands up in the air and hung his jacket back up on the hook.

"Fine," James said, aggravated before he stomped up the stairs.

He knew he was acting like a child but he didn't care. He wanted to go and see Regulus and he couldn't even call him to tell him that he couldn't come because his mum took his phone away.

James slammed the door to his room and plopped down on his bed dramatically, making a whole show of it even though nobody was watching. He had to find a way to sneak out and yes, he did realise that trying to leave through the front door was not the smartest idea. James was looking at the tree outside his bedroom window when he saw something fly up and back down. He thought nothing of it until it happened again. James walked over to the window and saw Barty underneath it, trying to throw a rock up to hit the window.

"What are you doing here?" James whisper-shouted after he opened the window.

"I'm guessing since you weren't answering your phone that you got it taken away again."

"No shit, Sherlock." James scoffed as he leaned on the windowsill. "That still doesn't explain why you're here."

"I'm here to break you out, obviously." Barty shrugged with a devilish grin.

"I already tried sneaking out. Mum caught me."

"Well, I just saw her leave with your father, so I'm guessing you have at least an hour before they are back. So, come on. We got our boys to go and meet. They're at the park already."

"I thought we were meeting at Reg's house."

"Change of plans." Barty shrugged with a smug look on his face. "Sirius has Remus over and Reggie said he didn't want to deal with them."

"Oh."

James looked between Barty and his bedroom door a few times before he grabbed his extra trainers and jacket and climbed out of the window. His door was locked so if his mum came to check on him later he could just pretend that he was still mad at her for grounding him.

James grabbed onto the tree and climbed down easily. Barty was laughing quietly and James wanted to smack him. They peeked around the corner of the house and sure enough, the car wasn't in the drive. James and Barty bolted across the garden before they made it three streets over to the park.

Regulus and Evan were already there waiting for them and James couldn't help the smile that spread across his face when he saw Regulus. It didn't matter that they just saw each other a couple of hours ago at lunch. Unfortunately, James had also gotten detention for pulling a prank on their maths teacher so he couldn't see Regulus at the end of the school day.

"Hey baby," James said easily when he pulled Regulus into a tight hug and kissed the top of his curls.

"You had to sneak out again, didn't you?" Regulus asked with a knowing smirk and James glared at Barty. Fucking traitor.

"No," James denied immediately.

"James."

"Fine, yeah I did but it's worth it. Mum isn't even home right now so as long as I'm back before she gets home, I should be fine," James admitted with a shrug.

Regulus shook his head but didn't say anything. It's not like he hadn't had to sneak out to meet up with James before. They walked over to the swings and talked for a few minutes before Barty and Evan joined them.

"So, how long are you grounded for, James?" Evan asked as he lit up the joint that he put between his lips.

"A week. It's Barty's fault though," James said before he stuck his tongue out at Barty who gasped and put his hand over his heart as if the accusation hurt him.

"How the fuck is it my fault? You're the dumbass that got caught."

"Yeah, because you put the damn joint in my pocket when the bobbies showed up. I forgot it was there and she could smell it. So, yes, it's your fault."

"Whatever, I broke you out too so I don't know why you're complaining." Barty shrugged before he took the joint from Evan and took a long drag on it, letting the smoke fill his lungs before he tried to blow smoke rings with it.

"I thought I told you to always check your pockets before you went home," Regulus scolded him lightly. It wasn't the first time it happened and probably wouldn't be the last either.

"Yeah, I know. I was thinking, love."

They hung out at the park for a while, passing the joint back and forth until they all felt good. James felt like he was floating and he could have sworn that he saw his parents' car drive by but he wasn't thinking clearly and didn't realise that that was a very bad thing. At least, not until Barty started smacking him in the chest.

"James! You gotta go. I'm pretty sure that was your mum and it looks like she's turning around."

"Fuck!" James exclaimed before he practically fell off of the swing in his hurry to hide.

James managed to hide behind a tree before the car slowed down near the entrance to the park. The other three were still on the swings, smoking and acting like nothing was wrong. As soon as the car pulled away, James looked around to make sure the coast was clear. Did they realise that he wasn't in his room? Or did they assume that he would try to sneak out again? James walked back over to Regulus and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. He didn't want to go.

"James! Fucking go! I think they're turning around again," Barty screamed as he yanked on James' arm.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fucking shit. Fuck! I love you. I'll see you later.... maybe if they don't kill me for sneaking out again."

"Just go! Fuck!" Regulus shouted as he pointed in the direction of James' house.

"Fuck! Okay, bye. Love you."

James took off running before the car could turn the corner again. He was cutting across people's gardens to try and make it. When he made it back to his house, the car was still gone and he booked it around the back of the house to his bedroom window. He climbed the tree and fell through the window with a thud. His chest was heaving as he tried to catch his breath. James threw his trainers and jacket back into the closet before he grabbed his headphones, connected them to his stereo and lay on his bed. He also tried to get the smell of weed off his clothes. That would be a dead giveaway if his mum came to his room.

By the time James' breathing was back to normal from the adrenaline of running and panicking, there was a knock at his bedroom door that he ignored. He was pretending to be mad at his mum.

"James, dinner is ready," Effie called through the door.

"I'm not hungry," James called back, putting as much annoyance in his voice as he could.

Suddenly the door opened and James had to stop his jaw from dropping. His mother stood there with her arms crossed over her chest again and he knew he was fucked.

"I wasn't asking and the next time you decide to sneak out, you should probably make sure that the door is actually locked."

"Fuck," James said under his breath before he slowly got off his bed, taking his headphones off and following his mother down to the dining room for dinner. 

Also posted on Ao3: Don't Get Caught

[wellhalesbells]

Okay, so, new shows I've picked this fall are English Teacher (which entirely has to do with it being a Brian Jordan Alvarez joint and The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo remains one of the best things ever. I love it so far and Markie steals every scene he's in) and High Potential (which I am literally only watching for Kaitlin Olson, though Judy Reyes was a lovely surprise! It's a not-so-great premise and it is another cop show [blech] but Kaitlin Olson is freaking wonderful in it and it is a popcorn show so..... either it'll really click and it'll be on forever or it won't and it'll die in its first season. We shall see. Every time I try to make a prediction on which procedural show will last, I am always wrong lol).

Other ones I'm planning to check out are How to Die Alone (I have never seen Natasha Rothwell in something - Insecure or Love, Simon - and not thought: more, MORE so I really need to get to this one. Especially since she's not just the star but also the creator), Murder in a Small Town (I completely get why true crime podcasts/shows would be so bingeable but I also can't help but feel gross indulging in them so fictional ones should be perfect for me. Like, I really like books that have true crime podcasts in them so this show will hopefully scratch that itch, right? Not to say that this has a true crime podcast in it but that should be the vibe, yeah? And I'm willing to get further away from it because Bodkin was honestly such a disappointment for me), Penelope (Mark Duplass is pretty much the whole draw here, I like the stuff he does but the description is so bleh so I keep forgetting about it) and Grotesquerie (honestly this is because I always try to get in on a Ryan Murphy show on the ground floor because almost every time I find them, there are 80,000 episodes and everyone is telling you it's shit anyway, lol. I also have no problem dropping his shows if they're terrible - I don't even think I made it out of the first season of Glee and I know I only got as far as I did because of Jane Lynch. Plus, Niecey Nash! I follow my Reno 911! people around, I can't help myself). I am completely on the fence about A Very Royal Scandal (as mentioned, I don't like rooting around through real people's trauma and the only draw to this is Michael Sheen). Oh and maybe Twilight of the Gods (I want someone else to watch this and tell me if it's at all worthwhile or if it's too bro-y for words because sometimes.... *coughs*).

Ones that aren't out yet but that I'm definitely gonna poke at: Teacup (a James Wan horror show? Yes, please!), Disclaimer (this sounds bonkers and Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline? Okay fine, I'm in.), St. Denis Medical (some of my favorite comic actors and I like Abbott Elementary, okay, so if people keep wanting to apply that formula elsewhere? I'm for it!), Interior Chinatown (sounds like it could be cool as hell), The Franchise (if we have to keep doing superheores, at least we're switching up the premise for them), Sweetpea (there's just nothing about this that doesn't appeal to me, lol), maybe The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh (I liked Fresh Off the Boat a lot, the problem is all the descriptions make it sound like it's just that show but with an Indian family now and I don't know if I liked it enough to watch it again, y'know?), A Man on the Inside (Mike Schur, Ted Danson, Stephanie Beatriz? You couldn't keep me away from this if you tried), and The Madness (it's all for Colman Domingo, act surprised). Maybe Poppa's House (I love Damon Wayans, Jr., but I have a massive hate hard-on for CBS shows, they feel so soulless to me and everything contributes to that. The laugh tracks, the lighting, the acting, etc.).

So this is partly for me to keep track of shows that I want to watch/aren't out yet and partly because I have an ad blocker, I don't watch anything that can give me commercials, and this is the only social media I'm on so if you've heard of something that sounds cool (or you've checked out one of the ones on my list and are like: well you could watch that or just stab a pencil in your eye instead...) let me know!

[enbysiriusblack]

sirius black hcs:

the motorbike enthusiast ever. his hands are never not covered in motor grease. will see someone with a motorbike and act like those dog owners coming across other dog owners

asexual & gay

loves dismantling things and then putting it back together. will do it continuously

fav subject; ancient runes, muggle studies, and transfiguration (just because mcgonagall is the teacher)

practically lives in camden town (would go there when he snuck out)

extremely smart. doesn't study at all and still gets top marks

punk!!! he's part of the punk culture!!

uses a lot of scouse slang and says some words with a bit of a scouse accent because of james rubbing off on him. it's like a strange mix of upper rp & scouse

before 1981, peter's #1 defender and also makes fun of him the most. it's a nice little balance.

black coffee drinker (yes, he would make a pun of that)

the most loyal person ever

will wear feminine clothes sometimes because he can and he looks hot in it (queen taught him well), but most common outfit is a leather jacket, black boots with yellow & purple laces, band vest, and jeans with a bunch of chains and safety pins and rips

[ask-missparker]

Familiar additions / AU series

Pairing: Charming!Nikolai x Snow!Amelia, Liane x Ethan, Cole x Jeremy

Characters mentioned/shown: Joshua Nolan, Belladonna St. James, The Twins, Cinderella!Rochelle, Mal!Liane, Rumple!Cole and etc

Summary: What happens if a glimpse of hope starts to become truly foreign to the touch? In other world, the pages aren’t as they seem to be.

———

It’s been a short while since the young brunette moved into the cozy loft of the man who offered him a place to live. Not just that, due to him being rather young he was forced to stay out of trouble and go to the school in Fighter-Town. It wasn’t so bad because his newfound friends were there and he was able to go to Riley’s grandfather’s diner afterwards.

School day wasn’t so bad. Belladonna and him got to be in the same English class with Professor Charles Xavier teaching them about William Shakespeare’s books, it was rather nice. Professor Xavier was pretty noble and gentle with his students young and old, speaking every single of them with such a nice voice. Lunch was okay being able to hang out with everyone, usually he was the loner kid in the hallways at school or in the library eating his meal, never really got a chance to socialize properly. The twins, Georgia and George, were silly enough to talk about bicker on and on about a which superhero was better, Riley shared her chips with Belladonna and he brought everyone extra water bottles.

He didn’t know why he felt so comfortable within this little Scooby-Doo gang but he just did.

Once all the class would ended, he would sit outside of the steps with Belladonna watching the teachers and students leave. Rick would come over with Riley to speak with Belladonna about going straight home if possible after school as she would nod, Riley would giggle knowing the young latina wanted to roll her eyes at her father but didn’t. Rick would suspiciously eye Joshua giving him a once over and a hint of snarl at the boy’s demeanor but something about him felt calming, he couldn’t place his finger on it.

Rick would go over to Rochelle, his co-teacher, for a quick talk as their children chatted. Rochelle would listen to Rick’s theories and thoughts every now and then on things that came to mind. With Rick being always more intense about things, he tends to be suspicious about any harm that might come to their children, such as thinking Joshua was a pot-head or something, in which Rochelle would shake her head and chuckle at his ideas.

Yes, the boy seemed nice by all accounts but his gut feeling says that there is something fishy about this new teen boy hanging out with the other kids. But he guessed since Riley seemed to like him, maybe wasn’t so bad per say.

Rochelle has heard about the boy from her twins and even come across him at the park once in a while, to find him harmless in her eyes. But a part of her felt familiar wave of fairness and nice dose of spunk when she came across Joshua, a go with the flow attitude that sometimes reminded her of Nikolai. She assumed it was because they were living together their personalities clashed.

Rochelle would pick her kids up from the park, along with Riley, where she would find the young brunette reading a notes in a book and scrolling on his phone. She smile and lean over the bench, “Hi.”

“Hey.” He replied with a soft smile, putting his book down getting a sense of sweetness from the redhead.

“I couldn’t help but notice your now living with Nikolai. How’s that working out for you?”

“H-how did you..”

“He’s does my ear piercings and we tend to chat a lot. It’s surprising how he let you stay with him, he’s not one to have too much company.”

“Yeah, he offered to help me out and after his little rescue a while back, he seemed in need of some company..it just feels right, you know? I’ve never had someone do that for me…”

“Why’d you say that? You seem like a nice kid, at least where I’m staying.”

“I’ve been alone for a few years now, no one to ever give me a chance..and my parents, I never found them..”

“Maybe you might find them one day.”

Joshua glanced at his notebook with ripped pages inside muttering, “Maybe closer than I think..”

Rochelle placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled, “Keep hoping, kiddo.”

——

———

Ethan clearing his head after a hangover when suddenly there was a knock on his door, as in walked his daughter who exclaimed in a killer tone of attack how this is a minor bug in her plan.

“Uh what?” He asked.

She groaned, “I got you here. Brought Nolan here to see his parents and you met mom, the sheriff kinda doesn’t like you very much…yet something is missing.”

“You’re talking about your book again?”

“What else would I be talking me?”

“I don’t know? Your a teen girl, shouldn’t you be focused on parties, texting your friends and boys?”

She made a face in disgust at his comment, “No. I’m not my mother, focusing on my social life and work. I got bigger things on my plate.”

He deadpanned and sighed, “Right. Because that would be ridiculous, I’ll play your little game, since I don’t want trouble with your mother.”

“It’s not a little game. Theses tales are real, just not as realistic as you may think. Why do you think you’ve felt like a idiotic loner for so long? You keep drinking and drowning yourself in the question of where your family is all this time? A part of you knows something is wrong here. You were suspicious of the Mayor like I am, he is up to no good.”

“Bella, honey, the mayor is playing his own business here. Yes it was suspicious he and your mother were Ms. Spencer’s emergency contact, but there has to be a good reason for that.”

“A very good reason. I asked mom if she had any actual paperwork on her years prior and she said no. That it was sorta odd for her. Ethan, I’m not one to believe in many things but in this, I am. I’m just asking for a bit of knowledge on your part, even if you don’t remember anything yourself.”

The man sighed, taking in her information and repeatedly telling himself that his daughter might be onto something here despite his own thoughts. She was right about him being a huge drink and a slight lowlife. He wasn’t quite convinced of the whole truth about this town or the tales she is tell, her face meant that she was serious.

He bite his inner cheek and groaned, “Fine. What is it that you meant me to do?”

“Get a job. Make yourself known around here and possibly go out on a date with my mother, if you can get your head out of your ass.” She said with blueness in her tone, but a hint of a smirk on her face.

With that, the girl left. Went out of his small room at the diner, Ethan asked around for paperwork knowing the Mayor might have his head for hearing that fact about him somewhat jobless. He was recommended to ask certain accents shop, so he stepped into a vintage looking store only to be met with a brunette behind the counter.

The brunette, Cole, was sipping on a glass putting away to meet his eyes. He half smiled, leaning against the counter to find his brother entering his store. Both men have crossed paths before briefly on the street but he has never been in here til now, which meant something happened. Like always his idiot older brother needed something from him and he sighed knowing he was relentlessly provide it.

Ethan looked at Cole, asking what can be done get a job around here that won’t draw much attention and give me some kind of respect. Cole smirked telling him to be one of the sheriffs around town, but he would have to prove to Erik he is worth the time and enough, that not just a save for a missing persons case would help his act. Ethan took a few seconds to take in what he meant and left the store, not without a slight glare at the Mayor who entered the moment he left to the station.

Alexander walked inside the store, glancing over at Cole with a glare, “I need you to do something for me.”

“And why would I do that? I’m a busy man, I got a date within a hour at the library. But what would you know your lonely and single?” Cole replied sipping his drink with glee.

“Zip it! I have two new town members here and one of them is Belladonna’s father. And my sources tell me that he is a alcoholic who has been in jail more than once. I don’t need a day drinker here.”

“I’m the town’s day drinker, mister mayor. So your out of luck, Ethan is just some normal guy who is here to be with his child.”

“He solved a case with my brother some time ago and dragged everyone down with him. I want him gone, or at least something worse.”

“Like what? Jail? Alexander, please, your working yourself up over nothing. Your just bitter your brother is having a decent day and Ethan is being liked around the townsfolk.”

“What do you know?”

“Nothing of the sort, just that he is not leaving anytime soon.”

Alexander turned around to leave but stopped short when Cole said, “And he will be getting a job as sheriff here very soon.” That seemed to turn the mayor’s attention bright red as he stormed out calling Liane to file down and order whatever paperwork to be printed by noon on Ethan. Liane with a deep breath did as told going to have the mall sent out about the handsome brunette despite her best wishes, a little saddened by the information as well.

Cole snickered to himself loving the idea of Alexander fuming over things not being in his control, he went to prepare for his date with Jeremy. A part of him wished he could tell his man the truth and hoped to figure out a way soon to tell him, for now it was sorta nice having a chiller version of his husband. Once he returned to the front desk, leaving his shop and closed the door he noticed his old friend walking past him with a small smile wearing a jacket.

Amelia looked calm yet nervous, fluttering her hands a bit as she nodded at him. She may not remember him since she just got out of a coma with foggy memories, it was pretty nice to see her out of a hospital bed. From his sources, he heard she has been wondering around town trying to get back to the swing of things and even met some familiar faces at the diner. Sadly due to the false memories everyone had, it was like they forgot Amelia existed and never went looking for her, to even claim her as their own at the hospital. But the moment she woke up from the coma, some of the townsfolk were reminded of her existence again.

It was odd.

He noticed she walked into the tattoo parlor that was nearby his store, as a small grin appeared on Cole’s lips. He knew why. Knowing that information, he stumbling in the library to find Jeremy waiting for him holding two bottles of champagne and take out from the diner, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Cole rolled his eyes and winked, sighing softly at the sight loving the thought of his husband out of all black leather and in lighter colored outfits, wearing a prosthetic hand that suit his well. Even though he liked the hook more.

——————-

Amelia walked into the tattoo parlor, in awe of the placement inside. The prints of different types of designs on the wall, the display cases of earrings, the big comfy chairs, the accented details and even the lighting was cool toned. The rooms seemed to be occupied by clients, so she awkwardly waited sitting in one of the chairs. She saw men and women walk in and out of the rooms, chatter could be heard and sounds of tools ringing her ears. She winced hearing a small scream that seemed that a women that calmed down shortly afterwards, then said women walked out thanking the person in the room.

The said women, who she recognized as pink haired lady from the record store, being Luna, paid at the front desk, giving Amelia a small smile then walked out. Then in came from behind one of the double doors was the man was waiting to see, dressed in a gray hoodie, boots, a couple of tattoos himself and a baseball cap that suited him very well.

His eyes seemed to stutter for a moment the second he noticed she was there and held back a little cocky grin. But his grin couldn’t help but shine across his entire face. He remembers that night he saved her and not having the full blown courage to see her again properly despite crossing with each other at the diner more than once. He didn’t know why he never came up with a good reason to talk with her but here she was.

“Hey.” He said, walking up to her having the grin laced softly across his face.

She returned the soft grin, “Hey. I um..”

“It’s okay, take your time. Are you here for a tattoo or piercing?”

“I don’t think I’m brave enough for one, yet. I actually came in here to thank you for the save earlier. You found me.”

He nods taking a soft bow, “I guess it’s all in a days work, m’lady. Anyone would’ve done the same, I’m just glad it was me who uh, did it.”

“You were brave enough to be the one to break me back. I don’t know how to repay you. And honestly I wish I could tell you more about myself but my mind is still fuzzy from being asleep..sorry.” She replies with a soft smile.

“How about a date?”

“A date?”

“If you’ll have me, I can take you on a little tour and have dinner later.”

“I’ll like that.”

He wanted to see if she was playing with him but the innocent look on her face said otherwise. He smiled telling her that he will pick her up near the flower shop a few stores down from his shop. She smiled at that, waving at him as she walked out just as another customer walked in. Nikolai waited for her to walked out to fist pump himself for scoring a date that fact, he wasn’t expecting it but he did it!

——//—-

Meanwhile, the word spread about Ethan being a slight alcoholic and someone who has been in trail more than once for past mistakes, resulting in a few surprises being his daughter. Belladonna sound out as the newspaper dropped on her lap that afternoon when she was at the diner, shown to her by George who sighed stealing two fries from her plate.

She groaned about to say something when Ethan slip into the booth and quietly exclaimed, “You weren’t supposed to know half of it.”

“I bet. It must’ve been my mother, he made her to do.” Belladonna added with a sigh, “What are you gonna do about it?”

“I need to get the town to see me not as a asshat..but first I thought of evening the playing field.”

“Like how?” Said a voice, that belonged to Riley who was standing in front of them with a curious tone.

Ethan raised an eyebrow, “How long were you standing there?”

“Long enough. I’m silent like a wolf.”

“Okay? I was thinking of cutting down the man’s bushes.”

“Yes!”

“No!” Belladonna yelled over them, knowing Riley can be a little insane and will definitely go for an idea like that, “As much as I would like to do that myself, or better burn his house down, it’s too early for that.”

“That’s plan B then! I wanna cut down a tree.” Riley said with a smirk nodding.

“Yeah but..we gotta think smart here. Ethan has to prove himself a hero.”

“But how?”

“I’m working on it..”

But it seemed like a certain shop owner had an similar idea to the long haired Latina…

At Town Hall, Rick and Liane were discussing with Alexander on the topic of the school tax rates along with activities that could be done for students. Rick was on about more field trips and after school activities he would like to be such as expanding on the greenery of the area. Liane was surprised by his suggestions, wondering on how they can bunk that up with any legal issues, possibly even adding a larger playground at the school.

Alexander was half listening, taking down notes and reading over the files on how all of this can contribute to the overall development budget of the town. There were bustling across the building but few people here today.

Ethan was in the building himself waiting to speak with whoever could be help him with the current situation surrounding him. He was in the hallways of the second floor getting impressively impatient about to walk into the room when he smelled it, slight noise of smoke.

He ran down the hallway trying to slam open the door until it swung open as he yelled, “Sorry to intercept but there is more pressing matters.”

Liane scoffed, “Uh excuse you, Ethan, but we are in a meeting!”

“She’s right. I’ll have to ask you to leave now or I’ll get have get someone to escort you out.” Alexander spat standing up from the desk.

Ethan glared, “Escort me out, go ahead and do it some other time, mister mayor. But we have to go now.”

Rick was deeply confused barking a few things to Ethan until the smell reached his nose and entered his lungs. Fire. He gasped, “No he’s right! We gotta leave now, like right now. Come on Liane.”

Liane was suddenly pushed out of the door by Rick as Ethan ushered Alexander who elbowed him past the double doors, leading everyone down the stairs carefully. Ethan and Rick escorted all four of them down the stairs as the fire on the first floor grew. Liane screamed loudly grabbing Ethan’s hand quickly as Rick tried to search for an way out meanwhile Alexander shouted over them, climbing down the stairs first opening the door.

Rick yelled, “Wait!”

The moment the door open, the fire behind them caused an exploding blast that pushed all of them back. Rick mustered all the strength he had standing up, sharing a glance with Ethan as they both helped the others up. Alexander hit his shoulder from the blast laying in the staircase as Liane landed nearby a gray wall. Rick helped the blonde up from the ground, who yelled how didn’t she expect this to happen today as Ethan held out his hand for Alexander to take.

“Dude come on!” He yelled.

Alexander scoffed not saying a word taking his hand and groaned in annoyance, asking, “What’s your genius plan now?”

Once he was pulled up the ground, Ethan and Rick jumped in front of them, coughing and shouting as they did. Rick noticed a fire extinguisher and an axe lifting the red objects from the wall and tossing one to Ethan. Both men smirked nodding to one another. Ethan used the fire extinguisher as white foamy smoke filled the air, dying down the fire as much as possible but still grew and Rick grinned swinging the axe with all his might breaking down the doors as they all walked across from the entrance.

As they got outside, coughing and sneezing stumbling out the way, Erik and others came in to finish the job. The fire department and ambulance arrived behind him just as quickly. Liane coughed and squeezed her eyes shut hearing a voice that belonged to her daughter along with a couple of kids.

Ethan was holding Liane when Belladonna came rushing asking if they were okay, sharing looks with one another.

“What happened?” She asked her parents with concern in her eyes, a true moment of event feeling.

“There was a fire, someone must’ve forgot to turn something off or something.” Liane said, trying to figure out what happened, “B-but we’re alright..yeah.”

“That was oddly dramatic. Glad you’re both doing well. Uh, I guess you got a savior, mom.”

Liane glanced up at Ethan who tiredly smiled as she muttered, “Yeah..yeah i guess so.”

Erik rushed over to make sure they were doing alright, bringing over two nurse practitioner with him.

Rick was laying Alexander down gently as he heard his own daughter’s voice followed by a couple of adults. It seemed like Belladonna and Joshua were hanging out with the youngest member of their crew, when they saw the fire department and ambulance coming across Town Hall.

Joshua was holding Riley’s hand leading her carefully to her father, as Rick picked up his daughter mumbling in her ear, “Shh, shh I’m here. It’s okay.”

Riley lay her head on his shoulder, “You were brave out there..”

“Yeah. Yeah, you can say that was. I sensed the fire as soon as it hit my nose.”

“Of course you did!”

Riley gasped seeing the axe next to her dad and grinned, “Cool!”

Rick chuckled softly then looked down at Joshua who stood there awkwardly and sighed, “T-thank you for watching over her, i guess..”

The young brunette shrugged with a half smile, “It was nothing, we were all worried about what happened..”

When Rochelle arrived with Cassie, she gasped wanting to go see if her friends were alright, apparently Nikolai and Amelia weren’t far behind since all four of them saw the fire department and ambulance from the flower shop.

Nikolai rushed over to his brother who was sitting on a chair with a nurse who was checking his shoulder for any hard damage, Alexander brushed his brother off saying he was fine. Nikolai was trying to be nice and see if he needed any help but his big brother wasn’t having it, scoffed saying he just needed to ice his shoulder tonight. He’ll be fine in the morning, if he wanted to help he would’ve been there in the beginning.

Nikolai rolled his eyes at his brother’s soft outburst and walked away from him going to check on the others. He found Amelia with the Rochelle’s twins talking to the others about the accident.

No one was badly injured or anything, just needed to ice themselves, rest and most importantly get cleaned up, which wasn’t half bad. As well as file any paperwork if needed.

—//—

The next day couple of days were busy with soft noise. Some newspapers about Ethan’s time in jail were forgotten as he was seen in a better light. The students in class had something new to talk about, which resulted in poor Professor Xavier along with Rochelle to quiet down the children and return back to their textbooks instead.

Rick and Liane went to have their meeting at her house instead, without Alexander around, due to the man wanting to deal with fixing the Town Hall building instead. Especially since Rick busted down a couple of doors with a freaking axe, which Riley was bragging about later on, finding it very cool.

Ethan was seen as a good man after that, Erik even though about it and offered him a job as co-sheriff after seeing his bravery. He took the offer but couldn’t help but stay curious as to how the fire starters in the first place. He has been racking his brain about it for a long period of time until it hit him.

He left his desk at the station and rolled up to the shop, opening the door with a small lined smile. The small bell rang alerting his attention.

The man in question had his back turn and sighs, “I guess when i brought that ‘We’re closed’ sign, i was just wasting my money.”

“I guess so.” Replied the older man with his arms crossed watching the younger one turn around, “I know what you did.”

Cole leaned against the counter and shook his head. The stance in front of him reminded him of his younger days in wonderland where him and his sister got into some chaotic fun, then his older brother would show up with some questions.

He decided to play coy and said, “Did what? Oh! You mean the fact that i used the roof of the library to watch the stars last night? Yeah i did.”

His brother rolled his eyes sighing, “No. You set up the fire.”

“I did that? Ah can’t remember.”

“You did it to make me look in front of everyone.”

“Someone had to do it. What were you gonna do? Fight fire with fire this early in the game?”

“Hmmm. I could have handled it myself! I could have you arrested for that.”

Cole hummed and smirked, “But you won’t do that, would you? I did you favor, you don’t look bad in front of the townsfolk and now you get to play hero. Isn’t that what everyone want?”

Ethan looked down for a moment and bit the inside of his cheek, “Okay, I’ll let it slide, for now! Don’t try to pull that shit again, I’m letting you off with a warning.”

“Feels good, doesn’t it? Don’t lie. Your kid seems to have a smile on her face, her mother possibly likes you, Mr. Banner and his friends were saved. Oh and my favorite, the blast gave the mayor a little boo boo! All is right in the world.”

“And what’s in it for you?”

“Let’s just say I like to see the heroes come out on top. And, now that I made you look good, when the time comes that I ever need a small favor from you, I’m betting you will help me with that.”

“Sure. Whatever. As for you using the roof for stargazing, I know about that too. Why am I so important to you?”

The young brother just shrugged, “Because you just are, sadly, you are. Now go off, enjoy your day! I heard the diner is having a special on half priced pancakes this morning, and I know how much you love to eat.”

Ethan didn’t say a word and just rolled his eyes walking out, realizing that he needed to get himself a better apartment soon but first, he wanted some breakfast. Well, a second helping of breakfast.

~~~~~~~~~~~

On the other side of town, after visiting his brother because the man wanted to talk with him about the tax rate of his tattoo parlor, in which he remarked how his business was doing fine and how his clients seemed fine with his prices. The tattooed brunette found himself stumbling at the park side, to find a certain young brunette wearing a uniform and jacket that he recognized all too well.

He stifled back a laugh shaking his head and slide onto the park bench beside her saying, “Hi.”

The girl looked up from her fingernail to face him with a nod, “Hey.”

“You got a job I see?”

“Oh yeah, the town’s redhead..Rochelle? She recommend me to work at the coffee place for a while.”

“Funny. I used to work there myself, it’s not a bad place and it’s right next to my shop. You’ll love the cafe, I promise.”

“Loving it already.”

The two chuckled, as cheesy their dialogue seemed, it sounded pretty nice. The brunette winced as he remembered the last couple of day and said, “I’m sorry by the way..”

“About what?” She asked, title her head a bit rubbing her eyes.

“Our date was cut off by the fire attack at Town Hall. We barely got a chance to grab a coffee or dinner..”

“Oh no it’s fine! I get it, I would’ve done the same.”

He thought for a moment and hummed, “How about I make it up to you? Right now. You and me, head back to my place, I’ll make up a early lunch, or we can get food from the diner, whichever you prefer.”

She chuckled at his forwardness, “Already inviting a girl over? I haven’t been asked out yet.”

“Well I move kinda fast, it’s my whole thing. And technically, I already did ask you out I just didn’t precede with my intentions! So what do you say?”

“I say, you got yourself a deal.”

He stood up as he held out his hand for her to take, as she took it with a light grip following him to the apartment. The two chatted and chuckled, as the man gave her a small tour of the town while leading her home. He honestly didn’t know what came over him to be so forward with his decision but he liked it, a lot. They ordered a small lunch from Bruce’s diner as they did so, her giggles were promptly stated the whole way home.

~~~~~~

Joshua was at home, reading some ripped pages from the text book given to him by Belladonna earlier during class that day. A small part of him choose to possibly believe in the idea of her parents being Snow White & Prince Charming, from the moment they saved one another in the tale to the very night they met in the woods of Fighter Town.

Not just that, Belladonna pointed out how him and Nik loved the smell of dark rich coffee in the late afternoon, along with a nice slice Italian beard. Yes, it was a simple sense of a meal but comforting. Just like George pointed how his mother was Cinderella based on the fact that both tales connect to the sliver lining almost glass like jewelry she wears. Riley, being always the optimistic young blonde, loved to state the obvious to her father’s traits and who her mother seems to be.

To be honest, every single one of the stories seemed to be interesting with the finest details to the larger interconnect ways they lend to the other. His favorite had to Rumple’s way to making a dramatically sparking appearance in every tale, it made him laugh.

Okay? Was he getting invested? Can you blame him? He loves to read and watch movies like any other person on the face of the planet.

He looked up when he heard the front door open and he saw Nik walk in with a guest. He didn’t think he’ll be home yet with a lady friend, he had to bite back a small grin due to it. Nik hoped he didn’t mind if he invited the girl over, in which the young brunette shook his head.

“Nope. Not at all.” He smiling warmly at the young women, “I don’t think we formally met. I’m Joshua Nolan, his roommate.”

She smiled shaking his hand politely, “Amelia.”

Nik smiled unboxing the bag of burgers and fries from the diner, watching the two interact. He didn’t expect them to be rather polite to one another, especially after the fact that he accidentally brought a pretty stranger into his home unannounced.

He noticed their similar eye color being a blue-green but didn’t a word, until Amelia pointed out, “You two got similar, almost identical cheeks and hair, but more rounder? Weird.”

The two guys muttered a soft, “Weird.” Nik just shrugged with a light smile putting the burgers on the plates, asking the young brunette if he wanted to join them but he denied his offer saying he had some homework to get started on. He nodded watching the boy leave.

“What was that about?’ Amelia said with a chuckle.

Nik sighed and smiled, “Honestly? No idea. The kids in this town are plain weird.”

“I like weird, added a sense of..unique factor.”

“Maybe. I can see where your coming from. But normalcy and commonality is sometimes more my style.”

“Says the guy who invited me into his home for dinner?”

“Hey! I never said I was completely normal.”

“Yeah okay, sure, Romeo. Let’s go with that.”

——

Joshua showed up at the St. Jame household that night knocking on the front door, in which Ms. St. James opened the door. The two of them haven’t properly met before so it seemed a little awkward but she looked kinda dressed up. As if she getting ready to go out somewhere.

“Um hi..Ms. St.James. I’m Joshua, a friend of your daughters..” He said with a half smile looking up at the blonde women.

Ms. St.James, Liane, got a sense of urgency but calmness from the boy’s face as if she had seen it before. She shook her head and smiled, “Ah yes, your the kid who Bella said was her Pen Pal, right?”

“You can say that. Yeah. Is she come? I wanted to see her about our English homework.”

“Yeah, she’s upstairs. Glad to see my daughter making some friends her age.”

The blonde let him inside and pointed up the stairs, as the boy nodded thanking her. Once the young teen entered the room, he saw Bella lock eyes with him raising eyebrow wondering what exactly he was doing here. She was sitting on top of her bed about to insult him, but stopped noticing the look on his face.

“Uh, we need to talk..” Is all he muttered.

She closed her computer and hummed, “Go on.”

—-

———-

Welcome back to the town! I hope you liked it, let me know what you think

Tags: @missstrawbs2001 @purpleprincessonfyre @meiramel @gcthvile @rickb-chaos @gaminggirlsstuff @wizzzardofoz @thechoooooosenone @sherloquestea @luna-d-marsh @rooster-84 @thecavalrywife @cherrysft and etc

[corn-fanfiction]

quam amiterre ludum (losing the game) James Moriarty x OC

Chapter Four: inventum

Chapter Three

Description: Anora is given five days. Anora was recruited.

They decide fairly quickly that it would be best to not allow Anora into the interrogation. For one, it seems that her mere presence infuriates Moran. Second, that fury would surely lead to cutting Anora to the quick. No, it will be Holmes and Lestrade in the room with Watson listening in. Anora is given the day.

She returns to her flat, smaller than the last one and that one smaller than the one before. She sorts through yesterday's post and her hand freezes on an envelope clearly signed by her landlord. She doesn't need to open it to know what it says but she does anyway. 

Failure to deliver agreed upon fees and additional fines. Lease terminated and eviction expected within a week of post.

She checks the envelope, which is in fact posted from two days ago, limiting her time to five days until she has to find somewhere new to live. Anora considers visiting the bank to consider her full options but decides against it for now. She needs to study for her classes. That's the wisest way to spend her time.

Anora decides to sit in the library, because there she doesn't have to think about losing another home, or Sebastian Moran across town, likely not giving up a word of information. Her finger glides across the page under the words. She's been working to improve her words per minute. Her free hand fiddles with her locket which hangs between her neck and the table. But then…then she stops. 

It isn't fair. It isn't fair how she can't seem to extract him even though he's gone. Not dead, apparently, but gone from her life.

Until they find him, that is.

Anora unclasps the chain and lays the locket in her palm. It's big, a cameo of a tree against gold. It's the most expensive thing she owns. Really, the only expensive thing. Not that it matters much. She pries the locket open with her thumbnail. Inside are the last photos of Joseph and her parents. The one of her parents was taken well before the shipwreck but Joseph's is only a few days before his death, and she can tell now that she knows what to look for. He's thinner than ever and showing physical signs of fatigue. But he's smiling. 

It isn't fair that this is all she has left. This, and her mind, her memories. And she can't treasure the locket the way she used to. Not without thinking of him.

She makes a decision. She closes the locket and tucks it in the pocket of her trousers. Without it, her hands are free and fidgety, but she can finally focus.

-

They were coming upon their first term paper and Anora was a nervous wreck. She'd taken Professor Moriarty's words to heart and occasionally chose questions during lecture she knew her peers would easily be able to answer. Then, to compensate her own pride, she'd ask something only someone like Lucius or Adam, who sat down the aisle, could answer.

Sometimes, she managed questions only Moriarty could answer. Those were her favorite moments, even more than when she answered his own queries successfully. She didn't have the words to explain it at the time, but she liked the way it made her feel. 

After class, the day before the end of term, Lucius caught her in the hallway. 

“Leeds! How familiar are you with the end of term prank?”

Anora adjusted her bag over her shoulder.

“Not at all, though the name gives it away. What are you up to?”

“Well, Adam, Whitson and I have plotted something for Professor Moriarty. Harmless, don't worry. We're going to rig some ink to explode on him in the teachers lounge but…we could use your help. You're a bit thinner than us and to hang the balloon we need to get into the crawl space. I don't know if you'll fit, but you've got a better chance than us.”

“Oh, I'm not sure…”

“Don't worry! It's tradition. They'll practically be waiting for it.”

As she tossed it back and forth in her head, Adam and Whitson caught up to them.

“Did he say yes?”

“Will he do it?”

“I don't know. Will you, Leeds?”

Anora looked between the three young men. She wanted to say no, to go study and mind her business, but more than that she wanted to secure her place among the ranks. Doing this would lose her some social capital with Moriarty but surely further douse any potential suspicions of her fraud. Social capital she could recover. Being scrutinized would be much more difficult.

“Fine. Yes, that sounds fine. I like being a part of things.”

She tried not to sound so mechanical about it but she doubted they cared much. They walked to the lounge, the room at the end of the mathematics wing, at the end of a hallway, right before the walkway. Adam produced a key, no doubt he'd swiped it from an absent minded professor or aide, and unlocked the door. 

Except, when the door opened and Anora stepped inside, someone shoved her, yanked her bag from her shoulder, and shut the door.

Immediately, Anora spun around and banged on the door with her fists. At first she thought it had to have been a mistake, but the smell of ammonia and the stuffiness of the room told her all the needed to know. She was in a supply cupboard. If there was a practical joke being planned, this was it.

“What's going on? Lucius? Adam! Open the door!”

“We thought maybe you could use some cooling off since you've been on such a hot winning streak. Take time to relax, huff some chemicals, and the custodial staff will let you out around five in the morning!”

She panicked further once their laughter began to die with distance. She beat and beat and beat against the door to no avail. She was trapped with no light, no books, and no way to write a term paper.

Anora decided it was her own fault for not starting the paper sooner as if that made the situation any better. She felt around the small closet, trying desperately to find anything that could help her escape. Brooms, mops, turpentine and paint cans. 

First, she tried to strip the wire from anything she could, likely ruining a lot in the process. It wasn't a workman's closet so there were no hammer or wrenches. She tried the doorknob but it locked from the outside, likely because the room wasn't built for trapped students to escape.

She tried to wire to slip through the crack of the door, maybe to unlock it from the outside but it didn't fit. She tried yelling for help, but she slowly began to realize that the amonia smelled off, that the brooms and mops were covered in dust, and that the doorknob practically screeched with each turn. They hadn't only locked her in a closer, but they'd locked her in an abandoned one. 

Anora wracked her memory for any that she saw maintenance down this way before. Even if this closet was out of use, there had to have been more in the hall. They boys mentioned custodial staff, which meant that someone would have to hear her eventually. But not until the morning.

She couldn't get out, and panicking more would do her no good. So, Anora sat with her back to the door, closed her eyes, and wrote a paper in her head.

She was awake all night on the off chance someone passed the door but to no avail. It wasn't until early morning that she heard the jingling of keys outside and she cried out in a hoarse voice. Some rattling later and the door opened and she fell out into the hall. The custodian tried to help her up, to question her but she scrambled herself to her feet and bolted down the hall to the lecture hall. Outside the door lay her bookbag.

Anora had no time to be furious. She snatched up her bag and ran to the library, slid into a chair, opened her notebook, and began to write.

She skipped her science class. She had to have reread her paper twenty times, marking it, then rewriting it. After the second rewrite, it became second nature. 

The campus clocktower began to chime noon so Anora gathered her books and slipped her final paper into her folio. She trudged into Moriarty's lecture hall, handed the aide her paper, and took a seat towards the back. She knew she'd fall asleep, so she didn't want to be obvious when she did it.

Lucius and Adam gave her smug looks and condescending waves as they sat down. She didn't have the energy to glare at them and express the rage she felt.��

Moriarty greeted the class, made a comment about the papers, then began. Anora did everything she could to keep her head up but it was a ninety minute class and she probably fell asleep fifteen minutes in. She didn't wake up until the lecture hall door opened and students began to file out. 

“How was your night?” Lucius asked from down the steps. Anora fought a yawn and stood. 

“Sleepless, and yet I'm sure I submitted a better paper than you two put together.”

Lucius and Adam laughed. “Only time will tell, Leeds. Maybe a nap would do you some good!”

The boys took to the lecture hall floor and complemented Moriarty on his lecture, likely to make Anora feel even worse. She was the last in the room, which was unintentional, especially since she did not want to be confronted by her professor.

“Mister Leeds, a moment.”

Anora halted by the door and turned, her palms sweating. She realized at that moment that she left her bag in the library and her school books weighed down her arms. Yet, she pulled them close to her chest and turned to address Professor Moriarty.

“Yes, professor?”

He clasped his hands behind his back and strode casually to the chalkboard.

“You fell asleep during my lecture. There really was no place to sit where I wouldn't notice. Especially after we had such an insightful conversation about being in the middle.”

A prick of sweat gathered and dripped down Anora’s back. She cleared her throat.

“I nodded off. I apologize, it won't happen again.”

He gave her a look of blank consideration. He sounded much different than he had before. He was becoming an impossible man to read and that bothered Anora.

“You didn't sleep last night. Why?”

She was taken aback by the forwardness of the question and its demanding nature and tried not to show it, but the blinking that accompanied her processing of that question likely gave her away.

“I was finishing my paper, sir.”

“Was it worth it?”

Anora chuckled to alleviate the anxiety growing within her gut.

“I hope so.”

Professor Moriarty began to erase the board.

“How old are you, Mr. Leeds?”

Anora bit her tongue to hold the honest answer. “Thirty, sir.”

“You've got over ten years on most of your peers.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why did you enter the program so late?”

That was when the truth- or half a truth, began to take an honest form.

“I had to take care of my family.”

“Family?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And did you?”

She hesitated.

“Did I what?”

“Take care of them.”

“They're dead sir. But I took care of them to the end.”

The professor took care to finish with the board before turning back to Anora, whose arms were growing tired. She adjusted her grasp and this caught his eye.

“Set those down for a moment.”

She did, and wiped her sweaty palms on her trousers. Moriarty began to pace the room again.

“It's unusual when a man of thirty stays up all night past the point of sleeping and attends a lecture at noon without so much as a hint of a shadow on his face.”

Anora tried not to recoil at his astute observation but it couldn't be helped. Surely he didn't know. She stuttered out an answer.

“I made time to shave.”

He grew closer.

“You don't use aftershave? Cologne?”

“Sir, is there a particular reason you're interrogating me on my hygiene?”

He smirked. It was quickly becoming a signature, where he showed a few of his teeth. Anora was beginning to wonder if that was supposed to serve as an intimidation tactic. If so, it was effective.

“I'm impressed you've gotten along this far.”

She swallowed thickly.

“In your class?”

She knew he didn't mean the class. He began to roam around the room.

“In this school. Clearly you knew you'd have a better chance by lying. Who was Joseph?”

Her heart plummeted. So, this was it. She had known it was a possibility to be discovered but she didn't think it would happen this soon.

She considered his question once her mind cleared the fog it brought along with it. There was no use pretending now.

“My brother, sir.”

“And what you said about your family…?”

“True. All dead.”

He hummed. “My condolences.”

Anora squeezed her eyes shut as the conversation and lack of sleep made her dizzy. “What gave me away?”

The professor turned back to her and sighed, raising his eyebrows as if he didn't know where to begin.

“A number of things which on their own are innocuous but together can spell danger for someone trying to camouflage themselves. Are you wearing a necklace?”

Anora looked down to make sure it was tucked away properly. He approached her again.

“No, it's not showing. When you answer a question during class you go to fidget with it, but I expect it's too feminine so you divert your attention elsewhere: your nails. Which brings me to my second observation.” Suddenly and with deft movement, he took her hands in his, considering them. The action made her freeze. “Your nails are too short. You cut them as far as you can yet most young men don't pay that much attention so you still see slivers of white on theirs.” Anora pulled her hands away, moving more subtly than the yank she fought the urge to use. The professor cleared his throat and took a moment, as if he recognized his own strange behavior. “Your chest bindings are too tight. I often see you stalling in the staircase to catch your breath, usually around the third landing. The putty that you use on your earlobes to conceal where you've had piercings tends to peel in warmer weather. These are things likely no one notices when they're not looking.”

Anora searched his eyes. “But you are.”

“Yes.”

“Why? I'm one in hundreds. Why bother looking so closely?”

He drew away yet again and moved to the window.

“You'd be wise to pay closer attention to your details, Mr. Leeds. You're good, but if I've noticed then it's only a matter of time before someone else does.”

“Are you going to report me?”

He took too long to respond for Anora's liking but she could tell he was thinking. His fingers flicked against each other where he held his hands behind his back.

“That depends.”

“On?”

“You're here on a scholarship, correct?”

Her responses were beginning to grow more hesitant with each question he asked. “Yes.”

“A scholarship, no family…where does your money come from?”

The audacity of the question stunned Anora. “I- it's not something that I-”

“I apologize for being so blunt but I have another class in ten minutes so I don't want to waste time. I've recently had the position of an assistant vacated. I thought I could do without it but it's rather…delicate work. It takes a certain sort of person.”

Her breath began to grow shallow, her voice quieter. Like she was afraid of the sound. “What sort of person?”

“Someone quick, quiet. Discreet. And a friendly face doesn't hurt.”

His eyes scanned her features quickly but she still noticed. His description of the job began to take hold on her and she realized why he was being so coy.

“Illegal?”

He sat at his desk and steepled his fingers together. 

“Highly, on occasion. In return, I shall do everything in my power to ensure you graduate the program. I will assuage any concerns should they arise and personally see to it that you have a job by the time you leave this school.”

Anora moved for her necklace, then remembered herself, so she went to pick at her nails, then stopped herself again. She dropped her hands at her sides and steeled herself against the knowledge that he had watched the whole ordeal.

“What if I say no?”

He didn't move, but something in his face changed, if only in minute detail. A twitch, or maybe it was his eyes. Whatever the tell, the purpose was clear to Anora. He hadn't expected her to ask.

“We can help each other,” he replied. The response was measured and steady and careful in such a way that he didn't need to really answer her question.

“But if I were to say no…?”

His silence spoke volumes. She cleared her throat. She thought of the help he was offering, and the threats hidden within his words. She weighed the risks. Anora knew that there really was no choice.

“When would I start?”

“When I need you to. Which will likely be soon. I'll let you know.”

Anora stood stock still, waiting for him to say more. He was flipping through a book, then looked at her again.

“You may go.”

“Oh. Alright.”

Anora gathered her books despite the fact that the weight made her feel as though her arms would be pulled from their sockets.

“One moment, I forgot to ask. Your name.”

“Anora, sir.”

“Anora. Carry on.”

Anora made for the door, but paused, and turned back. Perhaps it was the fatigue, but she was feeling emboldened.

“Two things. One, I don't wear bindings. I'm asthmatic. That's why I have to pause on the steps. Secondly, you didn't forget to ask my name, you waited to see if I would give it of my own volition and I didn't. I wouldn't have.”

Moriarty watched her, raised a brow but without moving his mouth. A smile could have meant amusement or condescension but now she had neither. Once she realized he was finished with the conversation, Anora finally left the room. She retrieved her bag and made for home, content to fully forget the conversation for now, or what her new job may entail, and opted for a full day of sleep instead.

[quillkiller]

would you spare some regulily Jennifer’s body au of your own? :)

im guessing you mean some thoughts i have about the regulily/jennifers body au !!

so obviously it’s based on the film!! this all started with when i got an anon about cheerleader reg and marching band lily !! and since then it has spiraled <3 it’s lesbian regulily (<- my personal go-to) and im thinking reg and lily are already close friends like needy and jennifer !!

i see them going to see a band just like in the film. its lilys favorite band and reg takes her and decides then and there that she’ll sleep with the lead singer only to ruin the band for lily forever ..

reg gets turned into a monster girl in the same way basically as in the film !!

lilys boyfriend is james.. they’re a good stable and boring couple. everything is always as it should be between them. good girl lily evans and her stable boyfriend james. high school sweethearts and all that

i don’t think lily would be the unpopular girl in this au like needy is in the film !! she’s not necessarily the popular girl either but she’s simply the girl next door. everyone likes her, boys are drawn to her, teachers favorite, the very object of regs desires even before he become a man-eating monster

and same with reg!! he wouldn’t really be the popular girl like jennifer is !! he’s sort of popular because hes a cheerleader and he has an in with the popular girls. but he’s a loner at heart and he’s mostly faking it with his cheerleader pals. also he/him nonbinary lesbian regulus as per usual. he wears the ’male’ cheerleader costume but he’s also so very pretty. everyone wants him but no one knows him

so in this au i would spin it so that the boys he kills are the ones pining after lily…. and james is the last one to go <3

i would also spin it so that lily isn’t scared of reg like needy is of jennifer in the film. i think lily would TRY to be scared of reg. she should be HORRIFIED. but she just… isn’t.. it satisifes something dark and buried inside her. it even makes her desperately jealous that reg is ’seducing’ all these boys before she knows what’s really going on. and honestly, even then she’s still jealous

lily tries to tell herself she has to do the right thing just like needy. tries to tell herself she needs to stop him. and then i see this sort of breaking point where lily just.. realises she doesn’t care. thinks it’s insaney hot even. feels very special that reg would kill for her. feels at home in the morally corrupt instead of the heavy guilt and exhaustion of being on a pedestal. she’s been faking her whole life up to the point where she didn’t even realise she had been faking… it’s sort of like she Wakes Up

then there’s the make out scene…. which we’ve discussed… which i see going literally exactly like in the film….. yummers

so instead of reg killing james, like jennifer killing whatever his name is, i see maybe reg and lily killing him together <3

OR i see this as the very moment where everything clicks for lily but reg has already gotten away…… and what if there was a cat-and-mouse sequel au…. where lily is either locked up like needy, or has to go on a mission to find regulus again……

LIKE. I USED TO BE NORMAL. THE IMPLICATIONS. THE PARALLELLS. THE ONLY THING LILY EVER TRIED TO BE AND THEN HER ENTIRE CONCEPT OF HER OWN REALITY IS JUST SHREDDED …. could be so very interesting……

also bonus:

regulus. youngest sibling. the youngest sibling is always left hungry and wanting and now he’s cursed to literally always be hungry and wanting. the fall from grace….. his desire becoming SO literal….

the monster girl trope being a metaphor for girlhood and comp het and puberty (<— and yes i do obviously include trans women in that)…. becoming something so ugly and repulsive to other people and there’s nothing to DO about it. all you can do is go through it against your will.. desiring your girl best friend, in a small secluded town, and feeling monstrous and alone and guilty.. your body is changing and you cant keep up…. RRRRAAAAA the inherent female experience of feeling disgusting for having a body

…. i think about them a lot

[fancyfeathers]

The Games We Play of Dust and Ash (Yandere Moriarty the Patriot Masterlist)

James Bonde meets his darling on a mission to a high end party. He is about to excuse himself out of a conversation but as he turns to walk away his shoulder rams into a young lady. He makes sure he is alright and sits her down on the couch if she is in pain. As James is talking to her, William spots him talking to this young lady and goes to check up on things with his own darling on his arm.

“Is everything alright here?”

“Yes, I just ran into this young lady here and-“

“It’s you.”

The young lady is staring right at William’s darling with wide eyes as if she had just seen a ghost and a smile quickly comes across the face of William’s darling as she looks at the other woman. Without a word the other woman stands up and embraces her which only draws confused looks from William and James.

“You know my wife?”

“Yes! We both worked at the opera house together. Honestly after the fire when no one could find here we thought she was dead- oh my goodness everyone thought you were dead!”

William explains that her friend was a singer at the opera and while they were never very close she was very friendly to her. Apparently many of the old performers of the opera were being housed by one of their old sponsors, the person throwing the party they were in attendance at.

“Actually this is my last party before I move away, I was invited to work at the Paris Opera House… I am moving next week.”

After that party they do not see her for a few more days and she becomes a side thought. Then one day when James is on a walk and he spots her across the street and he would say hello if it was not for a women approaching her, James recognized her as Sherlock’s darling, that reporter who is snooping into the Moriarty family. She talks to the former opera singer and while James cannot make out what they are saying he can make out her expression…

Happy…

Confused…

Shocked…

Horrified…

There is a moment of silence between the two before James’ darling nods to some sort of question before Sherlock’s darling takes out a pen and her notepad before leading her into a nearby bar to talk. Of course James follows in and sits at the bar counter listening in to the woman talking.

“So you knew Mrs. Moriarty from your time at the opera house?”

“Correct, though then she was not married and we were not incredibly close I still knew her well enough where I would call us friends.”

“Do you find anything strange about her now?”

“Yes, she was so jittery last I saw her, like she saw a ghost. Then when we worked at the opera house she certainly did not have any connections to any noble, she lived in a boarding house on the other side of town not exactly you would find a fiancé of an aristocrat.”

“Was she engaged when you knew her at the opera?”

“Oh god no, she never even had it on her mind, then months later after the fire when people were quite literally thinking she had died she shows up married to that professor, that’s strange… do you really think William is… is the one behind the fire at the opera house?”

“I do… I really do.”

“Then let me know if you need a hand, I think I will be staying in London a bit longer if you need my assistance.”

“Thank you, I’ll get you in contact with my friends.”

James watches as the two ladies leave and go their separate ways before her downs the rest of his drink before going to tell William what he heard and now he has the job of keeping tabs on the former opera singer.

Her routine is pretty basic, she worked arms a vocal teacher and music teacher for young ladies and gentlemen, normally of noble blood. Then after her lessons she normally goes to a local tea shop and usually has a cup of tea alone or occasionally with that reporter or with one of her friends who are also being monitored by their organization, usually that doctor who Von Herder talks about just as much as his inventions or that cabaret singer Moran is seeing (before she goes missing as well). Then normally she returns back to the estate she is staying in of the former opera sponsor.

Then one day when she is sitting at the tea house James watches as she looks up from the book she is reading and makes dead eye contact with James and waves him over. He comes and sits down in the booth n the seat across from her.

“You have been stalking me.”

“How did you know-“

“I was an opera singer, I always know when I have an audience and I feel you understand that as well.”

“May I ask what do you mean-“

“Warsaw, two years ago, I remember those eyes and that voice, I watched your performance… so let me guess, William is having you monitor me after my meeting with that reporter?”

“Even if the answer is that true, do you think I would tell you that? Maybe I am just enchanted with you.”

“Hm, then get in line, Mr. Bonde.”

From then on James sees her glance at him every now and then, she knows exactly where he is. Now that she is getting more and more clever it is almost impossible to find any information about what they are doing, it honestly felt like James was the one being watched now, it is almost unsettling.

Then one night when James is on a mission with William, disposing of a young noble man who had been messing with university admissions. It is late at the estate and as they walk through the house they hear the sound of the piano being played from the drawing room. The two look into the room to see the noble man playing the piano, but the thing is it is not him, she was wearing the same suit they saw the man walk into the house in…

“Appearing to be someone else is not hard as long as you have the costume and the skills to act. You had Mr. Bonde so occupied on watching me that you did not even know someone was watching him.”

It’s her…

“The man you came here to kill is not here we warned him about what was going to happen, and now instead you have a witness to your break in and attempted murder, what ever will you do now? You could kill me, but then you have the scandal of a famous opera singer and I honestly doubt that would go unnoticed by Sherlock especially with that reporter tugging on his ear. Letting me go would only give you another loose end and I could tell Scotland Yard or the press about this and the identity of the Lord of Crime and his associates would be unmasked.”

“William-“

“James, you may deal with her as you see fit after all from what I understand you have grown fond of her especially with that look in your eyes.”

With William watching them and his darling staring at him with that smirk on her face. He looks over her closer, her fingers are shaking and her foot is shaking as well, things he used to get with stage fright, she is terrified, she is acting.

James raises his gun and for the briefest moment he sees her tense up and her eyes go wide.

“You are scared, aren’t you? I…I was given a choice when I bit off more than I could chew so I am going to give you a choice as well. You can come with us quietly, or I will fire.”

“I…I…”

It was easier her to speak like that before because it was like reading from a script and leaving the choice to them and hoping they would pick the ladder, but now her fate was being placed in her hands, and that felt terrifying because now she had to pick between life and death.

“I… I hated everything about the Lord of Crime when he was suspected to be the one who destroyed the opera house, and I still do, but I wanted to badly to take revenge for everything you did and thought I would do anything to achieve it… no… no one else knows I came here, we got that nobleman out but no one knew I took his place because I wanted to trying backing you into a corner, I am a fool for that… I won’t be hurt, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then I accept your offer, Mr. Bonde.”

James lowers his gun and extends his hand to to hand to help her stand up from the piano bench…

He may not have fallen for his darling yet but in his care he will find himself growing attached to her…

He falls for the little and small things…

The way she likes laying in bed for awhile in the morning because the sun feels nice…

How she hums when getting dressed…

How she stares off as she thinks with the fondest look in her eyes…

This turns into the way she lets him brush the hair out her face as she reads…

How she rests her head on his shoulder after dinner and she is getting sleepy…

The way she lets him tilt her face to let him kiss her…

The others may not have won their darling’s affection, but with mercy comes trust, and with trust comes friendship, and in friendship comes love.

They may have fallen in love together, but he fell into obsession over the little things.

[ongolecharles]

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS (DSR) 📚 Group, Wed May 22nd, 2024 ... Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Reading 1

_________

Jas 4:13-17

Beloved:

Come now, you who say,

"Today or tomorrow we shall go into such and such a town,

spend a year there doing business, and make a profit"–

you have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow.

You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears.

Instead you should say,

"If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that."

But now you are boasting in your arrogance.

All such boasting is evil.

So for one who knows the right thing to do

and does not do it, it is a sin.

Responsorial Psalm

______________

Ps 49:2-3, 6-7, 8-10, 11

R. (Matthew 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

Hear this, all you peoples;

hearken, all who dwell in the world,

Of lowly birth or high degree,

rich and poor alike.

R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

Why should I fear in evil days

when my wicked ensnarers ring me round?

They trust in their wealth;

the abundance of their riches is their boast.

R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

Yet in no way can a man redeem himself,

or pay his own ransom to God;

Too high is the price to redeem one's life; he would never have enough

to remain alive always and not see destruction.

R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

For he can see that wise men die,

and likewise the senseless and the stupid pass away,

leaving to others their wealth.

R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

Alleluia

_______

Jn 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;

no one comes to the Father except through me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

________

Mk 9:38-40

John said to Jesus,

"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,

and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."

Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.

There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name

who can at the same time speak ill of me.

For whoever is not against us is for us."

***

FOCUS AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

Being a good and devout Christian is tough. There are so many rules and obligations to follow.

The Ten Commandments give us a list of dos and don’ts. When it comes to Mass, the Church reminds us that there are holy days of obligation where our attendance is, well, mandatory. And then there is the dreaded love your neighbor (yes, the one whose dog is constantly barking) as yourself Bible verse. Trying to live up to all these expectations can be taxing, for the last thing we want to do is go and sin no more.

Then to add fuel to the proverbial fire, James reminds us, So, for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin. Alas, another sin to worry about. The dreaded sin of omission, of which we are reminded during the Penitential Act, that I have greatly sinned through my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do.

In a letter to the Portuguese Jesuits dated March 18, 1542, St. Ignatius expressed his thoughts about the worst sin of omission, that of ingratitude:

It seems to me, in light of the divine Goodness, though others may think differently, that ingratitude is one of the things most worthy of detestation before our Creator and Lord, and before all creatures capable of his divine and everlasting glory, out of all the evils and sins which can be imagined. For it is a failure to recognize the good things, the graces, and the gifts received. As such, it is the cause, beginning, and origin of all evils and sins.

On the contrary, recognition and gratitude for the good things and gifts received is greatly loved and esteemed both in heaven and on earth.

So, in keeping with the wisdom shared by Ignatius almost 500 years ago, today, as we do our Examen of Conscience, let us focus not so intently on our sins of commission, but rather on gratitude for all God has done for us. To see God in all things, from the air we breathe to the those we love, God is present in all. And let us see how the Holy Spirit is gently moving us toward all that is right and just.

As Fr. Andy Alexander, SJ, has often said, we live in a messy world, but if we can look past that and instead, with a grateful heart, focus on all the gifts we receive each day from God, we might be able to raise ourselves above the noise and discourse that surrounds us, to live in and enjoy the wonderful world God has created for us. And, maybe, just maybe, by our example, help those around us to also see the joy and beauty of finding God in all things.

***

SAINT OF THE DAY

Saint Rita of Cascia

(1381 – May 22, 1457)

Saint Rita of Cascia’s Story

Like Elizabeth Ann Seton, Rita of Cascia was a wife, mother, widow, and member of a religious community. Her holiness was reflected in each phase of her life.

Born at Roccaporena in central Italy, Rita wanted to become a nun but was pressured at a young age into marrying a harsh and cruel man. During her 18-year marriage, she bore and raised two sons. After her husband was killed in a brawl and her sons had died, Rita tried to join the Augustinian nuns in Cascia. Unsuccessful at first because she was a widow, Rita eventually succeeded.

Over the years, her austerity, prayerfulness, and charity became legendary. When she developed wounds on her forehead, people quickly associated them with the wounds from Christ’s crown of thorns. She meditated frequently on Christ’s passion. Her care for the sick nuns was especially loving. She also counseled lay people who came to her monastery.

Beatified in 1626, Rita was not canonized until 1900. She has acquired the reputation, together with Saint Jude, as a saint of impossible cases. Many people visit her tomb each year.

Reflection

_________

Although we can easily imagine an ideal world in which to live out our baptismal vocation, such a world does not exist. An “If only ….” approach to holiness never quite gets underway, never produces the fruit that God has a right to expect.

Rita became holy because she made choices that reflected her baptism and her growth as a disciple of Jesus. Her overarching, lifelong choice was to cooperate generously with God’s grace, but many small choices were needed to make that happen. Few of those choices were made in ideal circumstances—not even when Rita became an Augustinian nun.

Saint Rita of Cascia is the Patron Saint of:

Difficult Marriages

Impossible Causes

Infertility

Parenthood

***

【Build your Faith in Christ Jesus on #dailyscripturereadingsgroup 📚: +256 751 540 524 .. Whatsapp】

[the-chosen-fanfiction]

John (the Apostle) | No Matter The Cost | Platonic

Dialogue prompt: “I am afraid of losing you.” (Platonic)

Requested: Yes

You overhear a painful message from Jesus to His Apostles.

You peel some dried-up dough from under your fingernail before taking a basket of freshly baked bread from Eden, who gives you a small smile. The scent wafts into your nose and isn’t exactly helping your currently high appetite – you haven’t eaten since yesterday.

Jesus sits at the head of the table whilst his followers sit around Him, eyes focused upon their Rabbi. You carry in the food and place it on the table under a grateful cheering of the men. Andrew rubs his hands together excitedly whilst Big James and John bicker over who gets to take a piece first, Philip giving you a kind smile. 

“There it is, the famous rye loaf of (Y/n)! I’ve been hearing so many good stories from John about that, and I’ve been looking forward to try it out ever since!” 

You flush a little at the compliment and catch John’s eye across the table, who swats his brother’s arm away from the plucked-apart bread on the table before giving you a playful shrug. “What? I’m a fan! Everyone is.”

Curtsying, you step backwards. “Well, I hope you will all enjoy it, then.”

Philip chuckles. “It seems that I’ll have to deal with just crumbs at this point!” 

Big James and John are still fighting over a chunk with a slightly burnt crust – “The best part!”, according to James. You reach forward and pry it from his fingers before he can realise what you’re doing, and you toss it to Philip across the room. He gracefully catches it, the other men howling with laughter at the scene.

“That’s what you get!” Zee cackles, “The early bird catches the worm.”

“Uh, that is not how the saying goes,” Matthew corrects, but is ignored. 

Jesus laughs and gives you a nod. “Thank you for the food, (Y/n).” You give a small bow and head back to the kitchen, where Eden is just done loading a bowl with grapes.

“I heard a lot of commotion about your loaf.” she grins, “It’s popular.”

“I should start a business to support the ministry.”

Eden’s eyes widen as she gives you a surprised look. “Oh, I like that idea!” She goes to bring over the grapes. Jesus’ voice drifts from the room as he opens a conversation about the camp that has been erected on the other side of town, and how the new attention cast upon them by Rome may grow to be a problem.

You carry a few cups inside to catch a few lines of conversation, putting them on the table in front of Jesus, Little James and Thaddeus.

“...Zee informed me just this morning that a few members of his former Order have even journeyed here.” Your heart clenches uncomfortably inside your chest. You’ve heard about the Zealots and know that it means serious business.

Andrew pipes up: “It would appear as if we’re building an army, teacher.” The comment causes panic in your chest - an army? - but Jesus chuckles lightly, calming your nerves.

“Well, that’s one way of looking at it. The other way to look at it is My way.”

Simon coughs and clears his throat. “The correct way, you mean.”

Jesus acknowledges it. You head out of the room to assist Eden further, but it’s difficult to not eavesdrop on the conversation taking place. “Those people are like those in regions all over. They are not an army… Not yet.”

You look at Eden with worry over your features, whispering to her. “Are they building an army? Do they have to fight? But… That is dangerous!” She shrugs and shakes her head, knowing as little as you.

Jesus continues his explanation. “They are in need of rescue, and you are going to help me rescue them.” A brief silence, before he softly adds, “Different kind of rescue, Zee.”

His voice increases in volume so you don’t have to strain so hard to hear, and Eden continues bringing food into the room. “It is not sustainable for me to do all the preaching, all the healing and ministry. I’ve called you to Simon’s home today, and thank you Eden, for hosting, because our ministry would only grow, and we want it to grow, till the end of the age.”

You listen on with bated breath, plucking a loose string on your apron. Eden returns to the kitchen and gives you a concerned look. “Are you alright?”

Nodding, you turn to the counter, but your friend does not appear fully convinced.

“There will be many more followers, and like those not here, all will have roles and responsibilities. Most will be disciples, students.” He pauses. “But I have chosen you twelve as my Apostles.”

Several beats of silence fill the room. You take a sharp breath. It means that everything will become entirely different from this point forward.

“You’re sending us?” Big James asks with slight puzzlement in his voice. You move closer to the room, occupying yourself with cutting up a cucumber. 

“An apostle is the same as a messenger, and—”

“I know what it means, Matthew, that’s why I’m asking.”

A brief pause before Jesus speaks up. “You are my leaders.” He says, “And for this mission I have for you it’s best that you spread out and not be concentrated in one place.”

“I-I don’t understand,” Andrew speaks exactly your thoughts. 

“I’m going home to Nazareth for a time,” Jesus clarifies, “and while I’m there, I’m sending you out in every direction, two by two, specifically to our people only.”

You dare to peek around the corner to see the confused faces of the disciples stare back at Jesus. “Every direction, Rabbi?” Thomas queries.

“Yes, but not to the Gentiles, not yet, that will come in time. But to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, just as Joshua led the twelve Tribes to take the Promised Land. You will proclaim as you go: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’” 

Jesus’ words cause goosebumps to spread over your skin, your breath hitching in your throat. 

“And while you are on this mission, you will heal the sick and the lame by anointing them with oil. You will cast out demons, you will cleanse—” His voice stops and for a few long seconds, He looks at the frightened faces of his followers. “What? Why are you all looking at me like that?”

Matthew lets out a noise. “Uh, could… Could you just repeat that one more time?” Eden brushes past you with her hands full again. 

Jesus softly breathes a laugh. “I’m sending you out, two by two, proclaiming as you go: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’” 

Eden turns to head back to you and there is bewilderment visible in her eyes. She seems to suddenly catch the gravity as well.  

“Heal the sick, cast out demons.”

Simon’s voice is barely a whisper. “How soon are we talking about here?”

“Ah… There is that word again. I’ll get to that, Simon.” 

You toss the final slices of cucumber into the bowl. Your knees feel weak at the dejection coursing through you whilst a lump forms in your throat. Are your closest friends really going to leave you so soon to perform such dangerous acts?

But what if something happens?

You head into the room with the food and put it on the table. 

Philip leans forward. “Hold on… Heal the sick?”

“Cast out… Demons… ” Thad meekly adds.

“While you are on this mission, I grant you this authority. Someday, you will have it all the time.”

“Was there a ceremony I missed?” Nathanael quizzes, munching on a grape. 

“This is it.” Jesus tells him.  

Nathanael shrugs. “I don’t feel any different.”

“I don’t need you to feel anything to do great things.” Jesus reassures him.

John inhales sharply, whilst you collect the empty bowls to refill them. “With all due respect, Rabbi, we’ve only just begun as students, we don’t nearly qualify enough. Why would you need us for this work?”

Before Jesus can respond, Zee does. “He doesn’t need us. He wants us.”

“Thank you, Zee,” Jesus warmly comments. “Very good. John, if I needed religious teachers or qualified students for My ministry, I wouldn’t have chosen…” He gestures towards the room, where soft laughs erupt. You can’t fight your smile either as you disappear back to see where you can assist Eden - she is cleaning out some clay cups.

“Well, you get the point.”

“Can we get back to the part about healing the sick for one second?” Philip queries. 

Jesus doesn’t answer it, instead gives instructions. “You will take nothing with you for the journey except a staff– No bread, no bag, no money. Not even Salome’s food.” You huff a chuckle, for you can vividly imagine John’s disappointed face at the mention that he cannot take one of his mother’s cinnamon rolls with him. 

“Wear sandals and do not bring an extra tunic.”

“We cannot even bring a change of clothes?” Little James asks. 

You’re starting to like this idea less and less. Not only do your friends have to carry out extremely controversial and potentially dangerous tasks, they can also not be outfitted beforehand. 

“Even the wandering cynic philosophers carry an extra tunic,” Matthew mentions.

“Yes, they do, and I’d like to distinguish you from said cynics. They also carry beggar’s bags for people to put gold and silver coins into, and you will not do that. You received without paying, now give without pay. Whatever city or village you enter, find out who is worthy and stay there until you depart. And if anyone should not receive you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet and leave that house or town. Do not waste your time.”

You turn to Eden who looks at you with an equally as worried look on her face. “What does it mean?” you whisper at her, “What will they do when no one wants to feed them? They’ll starve! A-And-And, what if it is cold outside, and they have no place to sleep, then they will freeze to death!”

Eden puts a hand on your shoulder in an attempt to calm your growing nerves, but it barely helps as you rant on, “And how about the Romans? What if they get arrested and tried before we can even realise that they’ve been imprisoned!” The voices behind you are a blur as Jesus continues His instructions, but you can’t pay attention to them anymore, panic swelling in your gut as you ramble on. “What if they don’t return, and then we cannot find them because we don’t know exactly where they are! Or what if they get kidnapped by somebody, or-or-or what if someone gets an infection? They won’t be able to pay for a physician!”

Jesus’ voice suddenly cuts the air, your breath hitching in your throat. Locking eyes with Eden, you can see her pain.

“Listen carefully, all of you. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”

“So… You’re saying we could die .”

The moment the words fall from John’s lips – your best friend John’s lips – a gasp leaves your throat at the realisation. With a hand clasped over your mouth, you run out of the house, Eden reaching out for you whilst calling out your name. 

“(Y/n)!” 

Tears burn behind your eyes and blur your vision. You bump into a few random passersby and mutter half-hearted apologies as a sob gets stuck in your throat. Eventually, you dive into an alleyway and let out a wail, pushing your back against the wall as sorrow overtakes you. Your knees give out as you sink to the ground, burying your face in your hands.

You can’t lose them. You can’t lose your closest friends whom you grew up with.

You can’t lose John , who was always there for you throughout your childhood, when he brought you with him on his fishing trips, where you’d talk for hours gazing at the stars. You can’t lose him, the one who comforted you when your father passed away and who stuck up for you when you got bullied at the town square. There is nothing in you that can stand the thought of—

“(Y/n)?” With stained cheeks, you sniffle and look up at a concerned John, whose form casts a shadow over you as he leans against the wall. “You ran off, are you alright?”

Your bottom lip trembles. “Do I look alright to you?” You don’t mean to snap but all frustration pours out. “How could I ever move on if you or James died out there, John?!” 

“Hey, hush now… It’s alright. Come on.” He holds out his hand and helps you up, wrapping his arms around you as you quietly cry against his chest. John rubs comforting circles over your back whilst your shoulders shake. “It’s alright, let it out. I get it.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust Jesus,” you whimper, “It’s just… I am afraid of losing you. You’re my best friend, John!”

“I know. I know.” he whispers. “I’ll be fine.”

You dig your fingers into his back. “How can you be certain?” you breathe, “Anything can happen! Jesus didn’t deny that you could die!”

“I indeed didn’t say such a thing, but if you could hear Me out, I would really appreciate that.”

Next to you, Jesus appears, a kind, patient smile on his face. You wipe your nose on your sleeve and try to gather yourself.

“I understand that it is difficult for you to hear. Eden is also upset, so you’re not alone in that. Saying goodbye to your friends for an undisclosed amount of time is very challenging.”

John wraps an arm around you and pulls you closer, earning a watery smile from you. Jesus lets out a soft laugh. “You may count yourselves blessed with a friendship like that. A lot of people need someone to build their trust upon. One of the many reasons that I’m sending my Disciples out to tell others about the redemption found in the Kingdom of Heaven. But there are also other important things that people need to hear. Things that may be hard, for people don’t always want to hear the truth.”

“Which is what frightens me.” you admit, “Th-There are evil people out there. And the Romans, they—”

“There are, (Y/n). But they also need to hear the good news. And they will, eventually. I do not expect you to comprehend it, My dear friend. It is a mystery to most. All you need to do is trust in Me. Your heart is all I require.”

Jesus’ eyes are so warm as he explains Himself in such a non-accusatorial way that you nearly tear up again. 

“It is okay to be upset about it. My Father sees your frustration, but He will turn it into joy. He will handle it. This world, this suffering, it is only temporary. What we need to spread is the word about my Father’s eternal Kingdom that will come after this life, after everything has come to pass, that is way more important. I’ll need your friend John, but I also need you .” 

He puts a hand on your arm and gently squeezes. “I see your pain. I feel your pain. But what you will get in return will be worth it, no matter the cost. You may not understand that now, but one day, you will.” 

You look at John, who smiles at you. “Imagine the stories you’ll be able to tell each other, hm? It will bring you two only closer.”

You know that Jesus is right. Of course He is right. You inhale deeply and give a small nod.

“I’m terrified,” you admit, “But I know that Adonai is always with me.”

“In both life and death.” Jesus adds, smiling softly. “Now, John, why don’t you give it to her?”

Your friend blinks in confusion. “What do you mean, Teacher?”

“In your pocket.”

“Oh, yeah! I forgot!”

Jesus chuckles as John reaches into the pocket of his tunic and pulls out a chunk of leftover rye bread. He hands it to you, smiling. “I managed to tuck this away for you. These men can be ruthless when it comes to food.”

You give a roll of your eye but smile gratefully. “Well, I’d count you amongst them, too. You pinched James’ arm to get to the crumbs!”

“Ah, yeah, I should apologise to him for that.”

The three of you laugh as you take a bite, enjoying your first meal of the day whilst slowly retreating to Simon and Eden’s house, unhurried for just a little while longer.

[haveyoureadthistransbook]

A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee

goodreads

Elisheva Cohen has just returned to Brooklyn after almost a decade. The wounds of abandoning the Orthodox community that raised her, then shunned her because of her substance abuse, are still painful. But when she gets an amazing opportunity to study photography with art legend Wyatt Cole, Ely is willing to take the leap. On her first night back in town, Ely goes out to the infamous queer club Revel for a celebratory night of dancing. Ely is swept off her feet and into bed by a gorgeous man who looks like James Dean, but with a thick Carolina accent. The next morning, Ely wakes up alone and rushes off to attend her first photography class, reminiscing on the best one-night stand of her life. She doesn't even know his name. That is, until Wyatt Cole shows up for class--and Ely realizes that the man she just spent an intimate and steamy night with is her teacher. Everyone in the art world is obsessed with Wyatt Cole. He's immensely talented and his notoriously reclusive personal life makes him all the more compelling. But there's a reason why his past is hard for him to publicize. After coming out as transgender, Wyatt was dishonorably discharged from the military and disowned by his family. From then on he committed to sobriety and channeled his pain into his flourishing art career. While Ely and Wyatt's relationship started out on a physical level, their similar struggles spark a much deeper connection. The chemistry is undeniable, but their new relationship as teacher and student means desperately wanting what they can't have.

Mod opinon: I haven't read this book yet and it doesn't sound like my type of story, but if you like romance this might be interesting to you!

[imthefuckingmirrorball]

To the marauders writers on this app, there is just this idea that has been on my brain for so long but i can not write for my dear life so if anyone wants to write this go for it and tell me about it so i can read it, ok so jily dates for a while after school (it doesn't really matter if it's howarts or not, it doesn't affect the idea) they have harry, and like a year ish, maybe a few months after harry is born they split up amicably, a year or pass and they are just healthy coparenting harry while living together just not as a couple, and then like mary (who's been a super supporting friend all this time) kinda confess to lily one night that she likes her, lily is kinda conflicted about it but after some though she decides to go for it, AND THEY ARE PERFECT TOGETHER, they are supper in love, and we can do like a little time skip of a year or so after exploring their relationship while is fresh. regulus come back to town and reconnect with sirius and james (who's now living alone bc marylily got their own flat) (also for this jegulus must have dated in high school, and broke it off for some reason) so jegulus gets back in touch and get back together, and EVERYONE knows about it except sirius (he can find out later) so then marylily and jegulus can co parent harry. Idk this has just been smt that has been on my mind for a while and i think it has the potential to have so many good tropes and fluffy moments, it can also obviously have side wolfstar and dorlene

Also: here are a list of things that i have an idea for but don't know where to put it chronologically and also some extra details.

- they can have a double wedding (kind of a britanna/klaine moment but it was actually planed)

- harry can be the ring bearer, idk i just think it could be so cute

- peter can officiate bc their officiant canceled last minute and he randomly has an officiants linces he got years ago

- dual pov from lily and james

- lily comes to terms with being a lesbian at some point of the story (that's just my personal headcannon for her)

- dorlene can be a fashion designer and dessing marylily's and jegulus' suits and dresses (also lily can pull a Santana and wear a suit bc she would totally rock it)

- wolfstar can be the flower girls (like in those tik tok videos where the brother of the bride trow the flowers)(they can be best mans too)

- KINDERGARTEN TEACHER JAMES POTTER (if it's a modern au)

- reggie can be like a business man or smt and at the end he quits to open a flower shop ( yes i'm being cliche)

- LATINX LILY EVANS AND REMUS LUPIN, I WILL NOT CAVE ON THIS AS A LATINA I NEED A FIC WHERE THEY ARE LATINX. And if anyone who might wanna write this isn't latinx (or chilean bc as one i specifically need remus to be one) i can provide translation with slang ( of my country at least) and can answer any question about being latinx that you may have

- lily is nurse who also paints as a side job/hobby (this can also come to mary posing for her so that lily can paint her and having a cute fluffy moment)

So yeah that's about it, ik i have a mostly solid idea of what the fic might end up as, but as i said i can not write even if my life depended on it, so if anyone has the most minimum interest on the premise i'm begging you to write it

[jvstheworld]

The Buffy Re-watch: S2E19 (part 1)

I Only Have Eyes For You

I have very mixed feelings about this episode, and I struggle to explain why. Is it a good one? Yeah. But it does confuse me, and I can't fully articulate why. I just know that it does.

The episode begins with Cordy and Xander dancing, Willow watching and Buffy is alone.

Buffy is sort of asked out but turns him down because she is not ready to deal with any relationships outside of her friends and family.

Does the Sadie Hawkins dance still happen? This isn't the first time I've heard it referenced, it got a mention in a Star Trek: TNG episode.

Buffy holding off on being impulsive but is not letting herself live either.

Okay, couple of people arguing about love and there is a gun. Oh shit.

An O.J. Simpson reference. Have another 'oh shit.'

A vegan chained to a snack machine? Okay, cool. How did they chain themselves? Asking out of curiosity

Willow has got the teaching thing down. Plus she is developing an interest in magic (we know where that goes). Giving Giles the rose quartz as a gift was a sweet gesture.

Buffy having visions in history class. Even when she is there for them, she kind of isn't.

James and his teacher and their inappropriate relationship.

Locker monsters and ghosties, it's a fun filled supernatural episode.

George the janitor and Ms Frank are now possessed and doing the same scene from earlier, but this time doesn't end too well.

Giles thinks the ghost could be Jenny. Sorry buddy.

Hey, Angelus, Dru and Spike have found their new home, and Angelus continues to be a dick. Not surprising.

Giles is holding on to some very strong and unfounded beliefs that the ghostie is Jenny. The gang manage to find the real ghosties easily enough because of Buffy's visions, James Stanley and Grace Newman.

Buffy is being unusually harsh towards towards James. Yes, he did kill someone, but she is borderline brutal about him.

Spaghetti turning into snakes. Nuh uh, nope. I would be out of there faster than Road Runner. I have a fear of snakes.

Snyder knows about the Hellmouth! I knew it, I just couldn't remember if it was actually said in the show. He is part of a town wide cover up to prevent mass panic, and would also help The Mayor keep his cover leading up to next season.

Nuke the school? No. However, you do get to blow it up with regular explosives next season and with a giant demon snake in it.

Exorcism time, though they are dealing with one seriously pissed off ghostie, who doesn't fuck around when trying to torment people.