#you know just in case politics isn't on the table anymore

[cakebatteronabrickwall]

Connor could do ghost hunting content, he's got the right energy

[hotchner-edu]

Hi! I saw you take requests and I love the way you write Aaron— the runner's stamina drabble was just *chef's kiss*. I was wondering if you could write a fluffy one shot where reader falls asleep on Hotch's shoulder while on the jet ride home from a case, and he secretly kinda thinks it's adorable even though the rest of the team teases him about it? :')

Sleepy Days (Drabble) | Aaron Hotchner

A small frown tugs at your lips as you rest your eyes for a second, feeling the alluring arms of sleep wrapping themselves around you. All the noise in the jet seems to drift further and further away as you are enveloped in darkness, nestled in the comfort that slumber was tempting you with.

You've been nodding off for well over ten minutes now, head tipping forward toward the table like an unrestrained bowling ball, catching the keen attention of your unit chief.

Aaron was sitting in the chair beside yours, having noticed your fatigue since the jet took off. He made a note to slide away the open book in front of you to mark the page, knowing you'd be annoyed with yourself if you lost your spot while falling asleep.

You were on the brink of completely slipping off the edge of consciousness now, and you could only curse your own inattentiveness for your predicament. The team's latest case had them flying out to Las Vegas, but instead of ending on a high note with popping bottles and slot machines, you ended up catching a small cold while surrounded by plumes of cigarette smoke.

It was to your luck that JJ always carried around medicine and first-aid supplies in her go-bag. Unluckily, you had grabbed a deceivingly orange bottle of cough syrup from her bag thinking it was DayQuil, not realizing it was honey-flavored NyQuil until it was already too late.

As you succumb to your sleepiness, the last thing trailing across your mind is the absolute pain you're going to have in your neck when you wake up.

Aaron can tell that you're no longer awake anymore from the way your shoulders completely sag down, and how your face melts into a relaxed expression— one that he can't help but steal another glance at. He leans over to insert your bookmark into your book, eyebrows jumping up in surprise when he feels your head tilting and falling onto his shoulder.

A hint of a smile crawls onto his face at the feeling of you leaning against him, and he has to ignore the heat creeping up his neck as he subtly scoots closer to you to let you rest easier on him.

The words on the file in front of him start to meld together as he isn't able to draw his focus away from the feeling of your warm body beside his.

"Hotch." Derek's voice grabs his attention, the other man's sharp whisper tinged with a bit of amusement. "You're a softy at heart, huh? C'mon, admit it."

Aaron raises an eyebrow and frowns at him, shaking his head. "You'd do the same."

Derek shrugs at that, still smiling as he puts his headphones back on. To Aaron's misfortune, the small exchange caught the attention of the rest of the team, and while Spencer is polite enough to just smile softly and continue playing chess with himself, the others are immediately smirking at him.

"Want me to take a picture?" Dave teases him quietly, barely suppressing a chuckle as he looks at you both fondly. "Who knows when it'll happen again."

"Yeah, I'll bet the mortification will be too much." Emily jokes softly, glancing at your slumped figure with a grin. Aaron knew she was right about that, he knew you'd be a bit embarrassed about falling asleep on your boss, and would probably be conscious about distance going forward.

JJ shakes her head and stirs her tea, chiming in with a lingering smile. "Let's not say anything about this. I already feel guilty about the whole NyQuil thing."

"Yeah, JJ, why honey?" Emily mumbles with a small snort, directing her attention to her blonde friend as they begin to engage in hushed conversation.

Dave snaps a photo of you and Aaron with a proud smile, probably already thinking of sticking it in his secret scrapbook.

"Dave." Aaron warns the older man with no actual heat. He puts his hands up and backs off with a smile, looking down to his phone again and typing on it.

Aaron has to suppress the small smile threatening to appear on his face, grateful for his team's high spirits despite their teasing. He looks back down to your peaceful face, unable to stop his eyes from tracing around your delicate features.

He's only drawn away from his gazing when his phone buzzes in his pocket. Drawing the device out from his suit pocket, he looks down at the notifications with an unimpressed frown.

Dave: *sent 1 photo*

Dave: stop drawing it out and just go get dinner together.

[hyperactively-me]

What about her being jealous? There's a new servant who clearly has a crush on the king, and he's flattered that she’s jealous. He doesn't even hide his smirk and teases her

king!ghost x princess!reader au

hell yea bestie

Oh. my. God. That grating, high-pitched voice. You couldn’t take it anymore.

Any time you had been seen with Simon, the new servant in the castle would always approach you two and very clearly flirt with Simon. It was becoming extremely irritating, having them constantly peering over your shoulder. At first, you had thought they were like any other new servant: in awe of the castle, excited, and just all-around curious. Now, a week and a half has passed, and around that time is when servants usually grow accustomed to their life in the castle. Although, this was not the case for this one particular servant. 

The next few days felt like an unrelenting stream of irritation. The persistent servant seemed to have mastered the art of impeccable timing. Every encounter with Simon was marred by their unwelcome presence, and their high-pitched voice became a constant reminder of your growing frustration.

One afternoon, as you and Simon pored over documents, the servant appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Their overly enthusiastic greeting grated on your nerves like nails on a chalkboard. 

You try your best to not cringe at the voice, shaking your head slightly to focus on your papers. 

“One could get lost in all these papers, your majesty!” they exclaimed, their eyes fixed on Simon as they clasped their hands in front of them. 

They turn to you. “Isn't it fortunate to have such a handsome king to make sense of it all?”

That comment makes you snap up from your papers. 

You clenched your jaw, struggling to maintain your composure. Simon, seemingly engrossed in the documents, responded with a curt nod. “Indeed. We are quite busy at the moment. Is there anything the matter?” he questions, patience already wearing thin. 

They ignore the hint and take a step closer to Simon, their voice dripping with faux innocence. “Oh, but your majesty, I was thinking perhaps I could assist in any way. Maybe a…fresh perspective would help to clear your head?” 

The nerve of this person to insinuate such things right in front of you. Your patience wore thin, and you interjected, “There is no need for your help. We are perfectly capable of managing our affairs,” you say, your tone polite but laced with a subtle warning. You shoot a pointed look at the intruding servant, hoping they would catch on. 

Undeterred, they flash a flirtatious smile at Simon. “Of course, your majesty. But you know, two heads are better than one. And with such a charming head, who could resist?” They winked, a gesture that nearly makes you roll your eyes.

Before Simon can say anything, you stand up abruptly, knocking your pen off the table.

“I command you to leave us,” you say as calmly as you can, your voice dangerously low. 

The servant's smile falters for a moment, but they quickly recover. “Of course, your majesty. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to call for me,” they say with a lingering gaze at Simon before finally leaving the room.

The door closes, and you let out a frustrated sigh, shooting an exasperated look at Simon.

“You’re jealous.” 

“Huh?”

“You’re jealous,” Simon states plainly. 

Your eyes widen at Simon's assertion, a mixture of surprise and irritation flashing across your face. “I am not jealous,” you retort, crossing your arms defensively.

Simon grins, finding amusement in the situation. “Oh, come on now, darlin’. It's rather cute.”

You scowl at him, the frustration of the situation now directed at your husband. "This is not a laughing matter, Simon."

Simon leans back in his chair, still wearing that teasing grin of his. “Well, maybe it's not funny to you, but I can't help but find it a bit... endearing," Simon says, his eyes sparkling with mischief. 

“And y’know, you’re rather attractive when you’re jealous,” he lowers his voice, smirking at you. He clasps his hands behind his head to stare at you unabashedly. 

Your mouth flounders for a moment, caught off guard by Simon's unexpected compliment. Despite your annoyance, a faint warmth creeps onto your cheeks. 

“Okay, fine, maybe I’m a tiny bit jealous,” you reply, trying to maintain a stern expression.

Simon chuckles, seemingly enjoying the effect his words had on you. “Alright, alright, no more teasing. I'll have someone talk to them and make sure this gets sorted out.”

You nod, appreciating his assurance. “Thank you, Si.” 

As you both resume your work, a comfortable silence settles between you. He hooks his foot under your chair and pulls you closer next to him, eliciting a small squeak from you as you’re dragged across the floor. 

You press your shoulder against his arm, humming at the proximity.

Simon, still grinning, steals glances at you from behind his papers.

- - - - -

(masterlist)

[utilitycaster]

Unpopular opinion: parts of the cr fandom are really dismissive/ reductive of Travis’s characters. It feels like it’s due to Travis being seen as THE cis het man of the group, and by extension his characters must be heteronormative and bad, despite the fact that you could have queer interpretations of his characters. At the very least, Travis’s characters explore masculinity and the different ways it might look. It’s like the people who are all “ew men are gross and shitty” and act like that’s an absolutely normal reaction to a man just existing.

So this is another one in that I agree with the initial statement, but I'm actually not sure re: the reasoning why. I think it's possible but I could not tell you for sure.

I used to, again, think this was people carrying through Campaign 1 elements well beyond the point where C1 had ended, and so Grog having an intelligence of 6 was being applied to Travis; and this definitely does come through to an extent when people treat Fjord (objectively as smart as Beau without her circlet) as stupid or act shocked that Chetney is the brains of Bells Hells or that he can play a Cerrit, Fjord, or Nathaniel. However, again, I think this is one of those opinions that pops up among people who weren't around for Campaign 1 (or early enough in C2 to be exposed to it regularly) so I don't know if that's the case anymore. It could still be - it could be that Approved Fandom Opinions get passed down even when the logic behind them has long since been lost; that's a really common thing in institutional memory. But I can't say for sure.

I also have in the past credited it to, as you said, people assuming his characters are the cishet guys and then writing them off. That's still possible - I've seen both Fjord and Chetney called "token straight" despite considerable evidence of bisexuality, and they also paradoxically are both commonly headcanoned as trans while still getting called "token straight," which sort of ties into a post I would need to find from someone else from quite some time ago about which cast members are granted agency by the fandom in their choices vs. which are assumed to be the victims of circumstance. And I do think that there are people in fandom who have decided men are icky or whatever, and I used to think this came from a place of bigotry and a slide towards t*rf ideology but I now do genuinely think it's just idiots who don't grant interiority to characters outside their own limited understanding.

But I think it's also useful to consider a few things, most of which I've brought up before:

Travis is extremely offline. He is not here to entertain your headcanons; he has been politely but openly dismissive of some (imo, really fucking dumb) fanon/fan theories. I think the cast frequently talks about how it's their table, and I think that's valid and correct, but Travis is one of the players who lives it the most. He is playing this game with his friends, and he'd like it to be a good story, but if you don't like it, he is not here to make you like it. I think that really fucks with the parasocial connections some people desire with the cast.

Travis's characters tend to examine masculinity as a performance but also the general performance of the self, and the fact that you cannot in the end control how you are perceived entirely, and I think that really unsettles people who have equated presentation with reality and are again, looking for external validation of the self.

Travis can play it big but he's often extremely subtle, especially with his more serious characters, and he's not as easily quotable out of context as some others at the table. I think because he is a lot more naturalistic than dramatic at times (Chetney notwithstanding) and isn't as pithy and quotable in his characters as many of Taliesin's PCs are, and a lot of the strength is in the delivery, he gets overlooked despite being very good with words on the fly.

And finally: this would be a whole post on its own but people are still very foolishly wed to this idea that pressing the big red button in D&D is Wild and Chaotic and haha Big ADHD Man when it's actually how you play D&D if you're not a coward; the button is where the story is stored, and a lot of Travis's strength is that he is extremely good at understanding what the GM wants and supporting it with sufficient grace that it's only visible if you know what you're fucking doing.

[suspiciouslackofclowns]

Billy tries to be as quiet and inconspicuous as possible when he enters the living room, easing down into a seat on the sofa with a plate packed full of finger food in his hands.

He's been steadily picking at the spread in the kitchen all afternoon — he isn't even really hungry anymore, but it's at least something to keep him occupied. He tries not to think about how he's eating out of boredom as he pops a mini quiche in his mouth.

As if having a sixth sense, Eddie turns around in his seat on the floor. Spreads a smile and crawls toward the sofa, leaning his elbows in Billy’s lap as he gazes up at him like he’s some ethereal being.

“Hey, blondie,” he lilts. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

Billy snorts.

“Aren’t you supposed to be playing your game?”

“We’re having an intermission,” Eddie huffs. Leans further into Billy’s lap and wraps his arms around his waist. “Besides, I miss you.”

“Miss me? Munson, we sleep in the same bed every night.”

“And?”

“And you’re a fuckin’ dork,” Billy chuckles.

Eddie pouts. Hides his face in the front of Billy’s hoodie, and the blond has to fight every urge he has to suck his stomach in, lest Eddie pout even harder.

It’s taken some getting used to, the changes in his body. Especially after he quit smoking.

Had he known he would develop a permanent case of the munchies, he might’ve just stayed his course. Maybe he’d still have abs.

Maybe he’d still feel sexy.

Regardless, here Eddie is, smushing his face into his stomach like he’s a pillow. Billy takes a bite out of a chocolate-covered strawberry and sets his plate on the brunet’s back. Eddie doesn’t seem to notice.

“Yeah, well, you’re gorgeous,” Eddie says like it’s an insult. “And smart, and sweet, and funny, and—“

“Jesus, I get it, you like me. You can stop now.”

Eddie shakes his head. Presses a kiss to Billy’s stomach, which has the blond’s face blossoming red, and rubs up and down at his sides.

“I adore you. Wanna snuggle with you all day everyday and never do anything else.”

“Not even play D&D?”

“Nope.”

From behind him, Grant and Jeff both scoff, and Billy spreads a smile. Cards his hand through Eddie’s hair.

“I don’t think the guys like that idea.”

“Tough shit. How am I expected to function when you come in here looking all pretty ‘n stuff?”

Billy chuckles. Eddie grins at the sound.

“I’m wearing pajamas,” Billy points out. “And my hair’s not even done.”

“I know,” Eddie sighs dreamily.

“Mm, well, if you’re cuddling me all the time, when does my other boyfriend get a chance? Doesn’t sound very fair to me.”

“I don’t see this other boyfriend that you speak of. Plus, I’m calling dibs for the rest of time, so he’s outta luck.”

“You’re telling me you’re never gonna cuddle with Stevie again? Just me, forever?”

Eddie ponders the question for a long moment, and Billy chuckles again.

“Damn,” he muses. “You really do like me that much, huh?”

“I do,” Eddie admits. “I would miss being Stevie’s little spoon, though.”

Gareth snorts, clapping his hand on the coffee table.

“Wait, you’re the little spoon? Big bad Munson is Steve Harrington’s little spoon,” he cackles. “That’s the best fucking thing I’ve ever heard.”

Billy grabs his plate again just in time for Eddie to sit up and swivel around enough to cast a glare at his friend. It makes Gareth laugh even harder.

“Dude, you’ve literally heard me call him my princess and shit before, but you’re choosing to make fun of me over this?”

“I always thought that was you poking fun at his masculinity or something.”

Eddie shakes his head and clicks his tongue.

“Stevie is my pretty princess,” he lilts. Glances up at Billy and chews his lip. “And Billy bear is my little babycakes. He’s the baby, actually.”

Billy’s face flushes red all the way down his neck.

“I am not,” he huffs.

“Yes huh, you’re baby girl, baby doll— you love that shit. We wouldn’t say any of it if you didn’t.”

There’s a polite chuckle from around the room and Billy scoffs.

Eddie notably softens. He rubs at Billy’s thighs, leaning forward to press another kiss to his stomach and humming pleasantly when his lips make contact.

“The nicknames just mean that we love you,” he coos.

“Guess I just think you both have weird taste,” Billy murmurs, then huffs a laugh to himself. “If I nicknamed myself, it’d probably be something like lardass.”

Eddie makes a shocked noise of offense and furrows his brows.

“Hey, no one talks about my boyfriend like that.”

“No? What’re you gonna do about it?”

“I’m gonna tell on you.” Billy’s smirk falters and Eddie hums triumphantly. “I’m gonna tell Steve. He’ll baby you about it and pull out some old family recipe he’s got locked away just to make you eat your words.”

Billy presses his lips together. Thinks about the last time he made a self-deprecating comment in front of Steve. Thinks about how it was definitely a handful of pounds ago.

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

He pushes his fingers into Eddie’s hair. The brunet leans into his touch, but spreads this sickening little grin. All teeth and no remorse.

“Then I guess you better take it back,” he lilts. Billy locks his jaw shut. Eddie clicks his tongue and pokes teasingly at his side. “There’s no downside for me, I like a little extra fluff. Nobody likes thin pancakes.”

“Pancakes?”

“Mhmm,” Eddie hums. “You’re like a stack of ‘em.”

Billy quirks a brow.

“How so?”

“I fuckin’ love pancakes.” Eddie flattens his palm against Billy’s side and rubs gently back and forth. “Plus, y’know, they’re soft and warm. Pillow-like.”

A little smile quirks at the corners of Billy’s mouth. Some part of him wants to take offense, but he can’t. Not when big brown eyes are gazing up at him so fondly. He scratches softly at Eddie’s scalp and has him all but purring, eyes slipping shut as he melts under the touch.

“You’ve never had crêpes?” Billy asks.

Eddie’s eyes crack open.

“What?”

“Crêpes,” Billy repeats. Chuckles when Eddie looks at him like he’s growing a second head. “Thin pancakes? They’re Stevie’s favorite, I’m surprised you didn’t notice. He always orders them when we go to the diner downtown.”

Eddie sits up straighter. Thinks hard for a moment, like his whole world is crashing down.

“Is that what those things are?”

“What did you think they were?”

“I dunno— not pancakes.” Eddie pouts when he’s laughed at, but still fixes Billy with a serious look. “Brushing past the fact that you just ruined my whole analogy, I maintain that you’re perfect just the way you are.” That little grin comes back full-fledged in a matter of seconds. “Besides, crêpes always have filling, don’t they?”

It’s Billy’s turn to pout while Eddie snickers at him.

“Whatever. Just don’t tell Steve.”

“Why, you scared he’s gonna put pounds on you?” Eddie pinches his side and earns a huff. “You still haven’t taken back what you said.”

“‘Cause I don’t want to. Don’t see why you’re so hung up on it.”

This time, Eddie looks… disappointed. It hurts Billy deep in his chest, like he swallowed a shard of tortilla chip that refuses to go down smoothly.

“If someone was talking shit about Steve right in front of you, what would you do?” Eddie asks.

“I’d rock their shit.”

“Why?”

Billy shrugs.

“I dunno, it’d piss me off.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because it’s Steve,” Billy huffs. “I don’t— I don’t like the idea of anyone talking shit about him. That’s my boyfriend.”

Eddie nods. Tilts his head to the side and slowly begins to rub up and down at Billy’s waist, similar to how he had been earlier.

“Then why is this any different? I still get to be upset when I hear someone talking shit about you, even if it’s you who’s doing the shit-talking.”

Billy’s mouth opens, but then promptly closes again. Is this the same guy who was comparing him to pancakes a minute ago?

A moment passes. Then another. Eddie just stares up at him expectantly, and Billy says nothing. It’s a stand-off. A battle of will. Billy’s fixing to cave when the front door opens and the tension is suddenly broken, yet somehow doubles at the same time.

“Intermission?” Steve asks.

He hangs his keys up and shrugs out of his coat once the door is shut behind him, already wearing an easy smile.

“Unofficially,” Gareth grumbles.

Eddie shoots him a glare, but is quick to soften when Steve leans over the back of the sofa and drapes his arms around Billy’s shoulders.

“Hey, baby,” Steve greets. Ignores the knowing giggle from around the room in favor of pressing a kiss into Billy’s curls. “Thought you’d still be asleep when I got back.”

More kisses land in his hair as Billy purses his lips.

“It’s almost six.”

“Mhmm,” Steve hums.

In an instant, Eddie gets this look on his face, and Billy’s stomach drops. He opens his mouth, but Steve is too quick.

“Have you just been eating junk?” He asks, gesturing to Billy’s plate.

The blond glances at his little collection of nibbled-at finger food. Tries not to think about how many plates of it he’s had already.

“Yeah, just… snacking,” he says timidly.

Steve tsks. Billy almost flinches at the sound.

“Well, that won’t do.” Steve nabs the plate from Billy’s hand and pops a cube of cheddar in his mouth. “Tell me what you want, bubs, and I’ll make it.”

Billy feels like he’s on fire.

“Lasagna?”

A sheepish smile finds its way onto his face when his chin is tilted up, and Steve plants a kiss directly on his lips.

“Coming right up.”

Then the brunet vanishes from behind the couch, padding into the kitchen to root around for a casserole dish before he’s even taken his shoes off.

On the floor, Eddie bites back on a giggle.

“I didn’t even have to tell him,” he whispers amusedly. Leans completely into Billy’s lap and hugs his torso again, half smothering himself in Billy’s stomach. “Hope you’re hungry, Bill, ‘cause it’s pancake time.”

For emphasis, he gives Billy’s side a squeeze, which has him huffing irritatedly.

“No, we’re having lasagna,” Steve calls. There’s a clatter as he moves about the kitchen. “We can have pancakes tomorrow night.”

Eddie gives in to the giggles, shoulders shaking as he hides his face in the front of Billy’s hoodie.

Finally accepting defeat, Billy sighs. Cards his fingers through Eddie’s hair while he laughs, trying to find it in himself to be upset about what’s to come.

But his mouth is already watering before the oven is even done preheating.

[givemea-dam-break]

heyy could you do anthony lockwood x reader, where they used to be best friends but something bad happens to the reader and they stop talking and after years the reunite because of a case. maybe angst and fluff

a/n: absolutely!!! i had an idea for something like this, so i hope you enjoy! there isn't too much fluff, just as a warning, but there's lots of angst lol :)

warnings: mentions of death, language gn reader

part 2

You shouldn't have come back to London.

After years of being away, it all feels so unfamiliar, so busy and suffocating. There's so much going on, so much noise, that it's overwhelming and you can barely breathe. Once, London was home. Once, London held everything you called dear. Not anymore. Now, it is a strange land of bright lights and rapier-bearing children. But nothing has changed about it. Only you.

The taxi you occupy turns onto a quieter street, free of traffic and pedestrians, yet somehow it feels worse being here. The houses tower above you like looming monsters, waiting to swallow you whole.

Stepping out of the taxi is the second hardest part of this whole ordeal. The hardest? Ringing the doorbell.

An iron line is inlaid in the ground at your feet, dampened by dust and muck and faint imprints of muddy shoes. The flowerboxes beneath the ground floor windows are slightly overgrown but bursting with colour. Even outside, there's a faint smell of tea and toast.

When the front door opens, your heart lurches in your chest with nerves. A girl, likely the same age as you, stands there, her hair bobbed and her eyes bright, offering you a smile that hides a little confusion.

"Hello," she says, her accent distinctly northern. "Can I help you?"

"Yes," you say, trying to push down your unease. "I was hoping to get an appointment? I know I've not booked ahead, and understand if you're busy, but I have a problem with a few ghosts."

She hesitates before saying, "Of course. Come in. I'll get my colleagues. Do you want any tea, a coffee, maybe? Some water?"

"No, thank you," you murmur, stepping into the house. You're worried if you drink anything that you'll throw it all up.

The house is cluttered, to put it simply. Masks from dozens of different countries hang on the walls. Rapiers are set in an umbrella stand next to a shoe rack. The rug running down the hallway is old-fashioned and tattered. A crystal skull provides light from a sideboard.

Nothing has changed.

The girl, who introduces herself as Lucy, gestures you into the living room and you sit on the aged sofa, picking at the skin around your nails as she hurries off to the kitchen to get the other two members of the agency. When she returns, she's carrying a tray of biscuits.

A boy with dark hair walks in first, pushing a pair of glasses up his nose as he studies you. He sits on the sofa across from you, close to the door, his interest shifting from you to the tray of goodies on the coffee table. His name is George, you are told, and he gives a distracted wave, pulling a notebook out of a side-table drawer and opening it up to a tattered page.

It's when the second boy steps through the door that you want to up and run. Dressed in a shirt and tie, he looks the most professional out of the lot, carrying the company's 'prestigious' title on his shoulders. His hair, neatly brushed, falls across his brow above a pair of dark, shining eyes, and he's grinning in such a charming and polite manner that it makes you feel a little more at ease.

It melts when he realises who you are.

"(name)?" he says incredulously. "(name) (last name)?"

Lucy sits on the same sofa as George, frowning. "You two know each other?"

Anthony Lockwood has not moved from the doorway. He looks at you, wide-eyed with lips parted in shock, and your hands shake so you stuff them in the pockets of your jacket.

"We did once," he says after a moment. "What can I do for you?"

As he moves to the armchair closest to your sofa, his movements are stiff and tense. You try to keep your gaze away from him, worried you'll implode if you look at him for too long. You really shouldn't have come here, but you don't trust anyone else to help you. Not Fittes, not Rotwell, not Tendy's, not any of the big agencies.

"I've got an issue with two ghosts," you say.

George snorts, and Lucy elbows him. "Don't we all?"

Lockwood ignores him. "How so?"

Swallowing your anxiousness, you say, "My mum and aunt... Well, to make a long story short, they got in an accident about a month ago and didn't survive. Since then, at night, it's been freezing in the house, and my dad - he's not doing well. It's a given, because of what's happened, but this is much worse. Like the life is being drained out of him. And then I started seeing their ghosts. They creep down the hallway at night, talking to each other and crying, and my dad isn't getting better. I need you guys to get rid of them."

The words are hard to say, and you have to ignore the expressions on the agents' faces lest you break apart into a million pieces and start crying.

Lockwood is the first to speak. "(name), I'm so sorry -"

"I don't want condolences," you cut in sharply. "I want them gone."

George pauses writing in his notebook. "You're our age, right? Can't you get rid of them yourself?"

"George!" Lucy scolds. "This is their family, it's not that easy."

"I'm not an agent," you say. "I was never trained to be one. I've always had plans for higher education, so my parents kept me out of that field. Believe me, if I could do it myself, I would. This is a last resort for me. London is the last place I want to be, right now."

You don't add that this house is specifically where you hate being. You definitely don't add that the boy sitting mere feet away from you probably wishes you were on the other side of the country, and that you feel a similar way. It's hard even sitting in his house after everything that's happened.

"Look, I just need to help my dad," you continue. "Every day, their spirits seem to be draining him and I don't know why. We're just a half an hour out of London in this little town. It's not far, I swear."

"Why not get Fittes?" Lockwood asks, and his voice shocks you. The tenderness in it. The care. "They operate nationwide. We're London-based."

"I don't - I don't trust anyone else to do this." Anxiously, you pick a biscuit from the tray, and George seems to heave a sigh of relief, plucking one for himself. "If it were some ghost we didn't know, then, yeah, whatever. But this is my family. I don't want strangers dealing with them."

"That's exactly what we are," George reminds you around his biscuit.

"Not me," Lockwood says. "(name), we'd be more than happy to help you. And I'm sorry to hear about their deaths. It can't be easy."

Shrugging, you say, "I'm coming to terms with it. How soon can you come?"

The three agents share a look and Lockwood says, "Within the next few days. We just need to do some research and get some equipment. Is that all right?"

You nod, taking a bite of the biscuit and cringing at the taste. This isn't the flavour you like - you meant to pick up the biscuit next to it.

"Lucy, George, can you guys head to the Archives soon and get some research done? I'm going to speak to (name) for a little longer."

Both nod, casting glances between you and Lockwood, before disappearing into the hallway and gently closing the door behind them. Your heart lurches with anxiety, and you want to curl up in a ball and hide from Lockwood's gaze.

"You look different," he says after a moment of silence. "You got your hair cut."

"You sound different," you retort. "I suppose puberty finally caught up to you."

He breathes a laugh, but it's slightly strained. It's not easy being here with him, but you've got to get through it or things won't get better at home. You can't just sit and watch the only family you have waste away.

So, here you stay, trying not to look at Lockwood for too long. A heavy, tense silence hangs over you both, interrupted only by Lucy's and George's voices and the front door slamming shut as they leave.

"They both seem nice," you murmur, placing your biscuit down on the tray. "How'd you guys meet?"

Lockwood looks like he's been shaken from a daze. "I met George after he'd been fired from Fittes and we became friends, set up the company. Lucy came a little while after looking for a job. It's just been us for the last year."

"I've heard about all the work you guys have done," you say. "Exciting stuff, huh? I saw your face in a newspaper at the train station earlier."

He grins proudly, and you see his mother in his smile. It takes you by shock, thinking of his mum after so long, and grief clutches at your heart. Here you both sit after years of being apart, both motherless, both fatherless in your own different ways. So long ago, your differences were what tore you apart. Now, they've brought you together again. You're not sure how to feel about it.

"So..." The smile fades a little, and he sits back. Everything in his posture screams comfort and ease, but you can see the twitch in his fingers and apprehension in his eyes. "How have you been? It's been, what, three years since you left?"

I didn't have a choice, you want to say. Family issues were what caused you to move away from London, but Lockwood had never been able to see it that way. After the deaths of his parents and sister, he only ever saw it as you leaving him. His shouts from the day you told him seem to echo in the silence of the room now.

"Three and a bit," you say. "I've stuck in school, applied for universities. It's just a waiting game now, seeing who accepts and who doesn't. What about you?"

He shrugs. "Same old. Getting rid of ghosts. Throwing darts at a picture of you on my wall."

You know it's a joke to try and lighten the mood, but something in your chest hurts when he says that.

"Are you still mad about me going?" you ask. "Lockwood, you know I didn't have a say in that."

"Doesn't matter now. It was years ago."

A frown slips onto your lips, and you shift on the sofa uncomfortably. Anger is rising in your chest, threatening to break free, but you can't let it. You need him to get rid of your ghosts, and he likely won't do that if you're shouting at him.

"Look, I get it, you felt like I left you, but I didn't. I sure as hell didn't want to. I mean, I begged my parents to let me just stay here with you, but I didn't have a choice. If you want to be mad at anyone, be mad at them."

"I was fourteen -"

"So was I!" The words escape your mouth before you can stop them. "What did you want me to do? And, no, I don't want a bullshit, Stay. I wanted you to fight. Because that's what I did. But I was fourteen, Lockwood, and I didn't have a choice."

A muscle twitches in his cheek and his jaw sets as he looks away from you. "Like I said, doesn't matter now."

"It does matter," you insist. "The only person I have left in my life is my dad who's slowly dying. I've made no friends back home. I've got nobody. I was hoping... God, I don't know what I was hoping by coming back here. That maybe you would've gotten over this stupid grudge?"

He hesitates as if about to say something, but he stops himself short, opting to stare out of the window behind you.

"You're the only friend I've ever had, that's why I trust you to help me out. And I thank you for agreeing to it, but do we have to carry on like this? With you mad at me for something that wasn't my fault?"

"You did write me a letter in which you called me a 'selfish prick' and a 'conceited asshole' among a few other things," he comments.

Screw not getting angry.

"Because you didn't even see me off the day I left!" You stand from the sofa, hands closed in fists by your sides. Your nails are cutting into the skin of your palms. "We even came here so I could say goodbye, but you refused to open the door."

"Did you think I could face seeing you leave?" he demands. He looks at you now, his gaze edging on a harsh glare. "The only person I had left leaving me behind. I was hurt, (name). I would've only prolonged it by seeing you."

You grit your teeth. "You are unbelievable."

"You're no better."

Reaching into your pocket, you pull out a few ten-pound notes and a slip of paper, and slap them on the coffee table. "A deposit for the job and our address. My dad and I won't be in, so you won't need to worry about us being in the way. Give that number a call, and we'll head back to pay the rest of the fee."

Lockwood stares down at the money for a moment before looking back at you. "You don't have to pay us for this. We're friends."

"Oh, so now we're friends?"

It's hard to keep the scowl off your face. Slowly, Lockwood stands, as if trying not to startle you with quick movements. There's a look in his eyes, similar to one he'd get when you were mad when you were kids and wanted to try and calm you down.

"I'm going to pay you for this," you say, "because, otherwise, you might bail on us, and I am not risking my dad's health for your fucked-up need to keep grudges on the wrong people. So take the money, and call the number when you're done. After that, you won't need to see me again, all right? I'll be out of your life for good, leaving you to your new friends and flourishing business while I fuck off somewhere else in the country for the rest of my life."

Once more, he hesitates. "What will you do at uni?"

The attempt to ease the conversation back to awkward politeness enrages you, but you suck in a deep breath to calm yourself and say, "History. I'm going to explore the world and hear about the cultures and practices surrounding ghosts. Someone I was once close to inspired that."

Lockwood may well believe that you're talking about his parents, who famously travelled to many countries in search of information, but they are not the reason. He is.

Despite it all, despite the things he's said to you in the past and the pain you've felt from dozens of letters pleading for a response only to be left unanswered, he's the reason for many things you do. Why you make your bed the way you do; why you put honey in your tea and sugar in your coffee; why you still wear a single ring on your right hand, matched only by one other. One that he still wears.

"I'll see you in a few days," you say tightly. "After that, you'll have no need to see me again."

Softly, softer than you thought possible, he says, "And what if I want to see you again?"

"Well, you have my face on your wall to throw darts at, remember?"

"I'm being serious, (name). Look, I'm sorry for... everything. We can work it out over coffee someday, or something, maybe?"

You hesitate, thinking about his offer. Your heart longs to, to be sitting with your childhood best friend once more and working through your issues. Maybe you'll be able to be friends again, maybe to be something more like you had so wished years ago - well, if you could ever feel that way about him again. But the bitterness of betrayal still clings to your heart.

"Get rid of the ghosts," you say, hand now resting on the handle of the living room's door, "and we'll see."

A little smile tugs on his lips, relieved that you haven't flat-out refused him.

"Just know that I'm only here for a few more months. Then I'm moving to university. If you're not too worried about me 'leaving' you, I'll consider the coffee. But only then. I'm not going to put myself through a pointless conversation if we're just going to have a repeat of last time."

"We won't," he says.

And despite the pain of the memories, you believe him. Because you always have. Maybe that will be your downfall.

[socialjust-ish]

One thing I think is often overlooked when discussing the excellent message of the Good Place is that redemption is possible for everyone, not just the humans.

Michael is a demon, and he starts off as a cunning, manipulative, and sadistic villain (though we only realize that in the finale). But by the end of Season 2 he is a through-and-through good guy. It took hundreds of iterations of the good place to get him there, but her got there.

But for most of the rest of the show, he is largely seen as the exception. The rest of the demons and devils seem innately bad. Michael's fascination with humanity allowed him to learn empathy, and that was the tipping point. But the other demons don't have that curiosity - they don't see people as people, just torture subjects. And it seems like that mindset is just... innate.

But in the finale, we see that's not the case. Yes, the demons still like torturing people and coming up with personal situations that cause harm or stress, but it is ultimately for the people's growth now. But I think the most important change is the round table meeting.

The round tables were held because Shawn disliked the plan, and was so convinced it would be bad for the demons, and less enjoyable, that he wanted to be able to sabotage it. But by the end, the most conservative (in the literal sense that he wanted the status quo of the good place/bad place to never change, not that he was politically conservative), unmoving, uncaring person realizes this system is better for everyone. Is his happiness with the new system born out of self interest? Probably. But when the system changes to allow "bad" people to do good work, they're just as content and satisfied as the "good" or "normal" people.

It's not just systemic change for the benefit of humans, it's systemic change for the benefit of all.

And maybe I just don't read about it in the right places, but I think this little detail is often overlooked. People gush about how the new system lets the people improve, but often miss that it also lets the demons improve.

If you fix the systemic issues, then the bad actors exploiting the old system not only can't do that anymore, they have no need or want to do it.

It's why, I think, Eleanor's line to Michael as he's about to become human that Shawn might try and start a coup isn't ominous: they both know that's a theoretical possibility, but there's no real fear of it happening.

[prosperdemeter2]

Sunday Tease - watermark

It's a snow day, so the most I've accomplished today is playing a video game, reading a book and shoveling. Happy Sunday, loves. 😊 hopefully this will tide you all over until Friday

*-*-*-*-*

“Mom, dad,” she called their attention. “This is Eddie, he’s Bu-Evan’s partner.” 

She felt like she was sitting between two prey animals, offering up another in hopes that it would quell their aggression. Her parents had always been about keeping up appearances, they wouldn’t do anything too crazy with Chimney, Albert and Eddie there. It wasn’t like they had just her and Buck locked in a room. It wasn’t like she was facing them alone, head on, with her chin in the air. Take that attitude down a peg, Maddie, her mother would say, it’s not like we’ve ever hurt you. Not physically at least. Never intentionally. “Eddie.” Philip hummed and held out his hand for Eddie to shake with his own. “Is that short for something?” 

Maddie had a moment to think that Eddie wasn’t going to shake it at all. He merely stared at it, stared at her father, and then slowly reached up to grasp it with his own with an awfully polite and short, “I don’t see why that’s important.” 

Margaret’s eyes widened in what was either insult or delight. Maddie wanted to smack herself in the face. She should have told Eddie what to do and what not to do with them, the right things to say, the right ways to go about things. They were like sharks and Eddie had just bled in their water. “Well, a name’s a gift.” Margaret responded brightly, her arm reaching out to link with Buck’s and pull it tightly into her chest. He winced and rubbed at his birthmark (Maddie hadn’t seen that particular display of nerves since she had been in LA), sharing a look with her through his lashes. “Your parents gave it to you for a reason, you might as well use it.” 

“With all due respect, ma’am, I wouldn’t presume to know why my parents did anything.” It was funny, when Eddie had been angry with Maddie, he had been coldly blunt. He had still sounded like the Eddie Diaz she had first met in Buck’s old apartment, flirting with her brother with Christopher at the kitchen table. She forgot, sometimes, that he was from Texas at all - his accent wasn’t thick, and Eddie had manners but they weren’t the stereotypical Southern Charm manners her parents had taught her to expect. But, apparently, his accent came out when he was tense because it was more drawl than she had ever heard from him, particularly on the ma’am. 

“It’s, uhm,” Buck stammered. “He just goes by Eddie.” He finished lamely. 

Margaret let him go with a huff. “I just think it’s a little silly,” she laughed. “Imagine being so pressed about a name.” 

“Imagine.” The meaning wasn’t lost on Maddie, she was pretty sure it wasn’t lost on anyone and she didn’t know if Eddie was being intentionally confrontational or if he was doing it just because he would have responded the same in any manner to anyone trying to pry information out of him. She had never considered him a particularly forthcoming man, but he apparently had never bothered to keep her out to the degree he was holding her parents away from him. 

Eddie was playing a game he wasn't going to win and Maddie didn't have the breath in her lungs anymore to warn him. Their father smiled like a shark, all teeth. “I see your son isn't with you. How did the custody case rule?” 

Eddie froze, his smile a crack against his face. Maddie could hear ringing loud in her ears. Buck breathed in a deliberately slow breath and Chimney blinked, shocked, at the implication in Philip’s tone. “Chris is at a friend's house tonight.” Buck supplied seamlessly when it became obvious that Eddie couldn't answer. Wouldn't answer. Maddie wasn't sure. “We made plans for him before we knew you were coming.” He rubbed at the back of his neck. “Sorry.” He tacked on unhelpfully to the end in a mumble. 

[alli-a-baba]

Happiness Is A Butterfly - Zack Addy x Reader

They/Them pronouns. 2,400 words. Pt.1.

Being a part of the rotating interns was difficult. Trying to keep up with Dr. Hodgins comments only his friends understood was difficult. Dr. Brennan's impossibly high standards for the professional environment were petrifying, and confusing from her friendly relationship with Agent Booth. Angela was emotionally intelligent but touchy on certain subjects. And Camille was the boss.

The way they flowed together was unmatchable, it was good for Y/N.

When the team was boiled down to their main characteristics; Hodgins was sarcastic and wanted someone who had thick skin to appreciate his pointed remarks, but smart enough to understand them.

Dr. Brennan just wanted you to do your job, and be understanding of how much time you have to allocate to keep the position. Agent Booth wants someone to understand his un-scientific humor.

Angela likes to talk about things you see outside of the lab, but also wants the discourse and drama of the people inside. Camille wants you to be able to testify and not annoy her with anything other than basic polite company and case related topics.

Y/N is a chronic people pleaser.

Then their is Dr. Addy. Dr. Zachary Uriah Addy, to be precise.

Dr. Addy was Brennan's previous grad student, her set grad student. Until he made pals with a serial killer and ate somebody. Their was little media coverage on who was caught for the crimes the serial killer committed, but it happening at the Jeffersonian?

People talked, and you listened.

It was fascinating to be in the place where it all happened, but you couldn't ask any of your coworkers about him. Anytime his name was said it was followed by a quick glance and a reminder that "Dr. Addy no longer works here."

Camille never referred to him by name. Everyone else did. The case you were working on now Hodgins had him at the forefront of his mind, "Zack would know more about this.", "Zack would've said that-"

You can't be Zack, but the fascination pressed on.

"Ask him then." Y/N said bluntly. The skull had damage all over and they were examining it, subtly watching Hodgins mannerisms.

"It's not that simple and you know that" His face was a little red and he had a soft line in between his bushy eyebrows. He was annoyed.

"Would you hurry up with the head Brennan will be here any second and I have to get the particulates."

You raised your eyebrows and the sudden outburst. "Its 'The Cranium' actually." He gave a dejected snort and a small smile at your attempt to lighten the mood while handing over the skull.

"Why isn't it that simple?" He stopped, "What do you mean."

"Asking Zack?" He took a deep breath and kept walking back to his station. Inclined for an answer you followed.

"Right, I forget you don't know him."

"Dr. Addy did some bad things and isn't working here anymore that's all nothing more nothing less." Camille snapped a fresh pair of gloves on her hands.

"You said their was some flesh flakes for me Y/N?" You laughed a little, "Yes Dr. Saroyan theirs some skin left behind in between the metatarsal bones and phalanges on the feet, what do you make of the scraping? it's all over the remains." Camille's eyes slightly opened in recognition. She pressed her lips into a thin line, moving to the table the bones rested on, "I'm not sure that's more a... Dr. Brennan question."

"Okay sounds good I'll just wait I suppose." Camille gave you a tight lipped smile as she walked away to examine the skin.

"Put the markers on this and give it to Angela, I have to go talk to Brennan." Hodgins shoved the skull into your hands, the marks were rough to the touch. He shuffled down the stairs towards Dr. Brennan using the pole for support. Probably contaminating it with the gloves he carelessly forgot to remove.

While placing the identifying markers and cleaning the pole with a chlorine based disinfectant spray, Y/N listened in on their hushed conversation. Only hearing bits and pieces. Talk of Zack and the scraping looking familiar but deeper and more rigid. When they walked up to give Angela the skull, the conversation died out and Booth cleared his throat.

"I've placed the markers," Handing the skull to Angela, "-and the remains are ready for you Dr. Brennan."

"Yes lets do that now."

They suspect cannibalism, and you knew they were relating it to Zack.

-

Dr. sweets was your friend in all of this. Feeling left out of their flow you talked about them together. Growing up in a household with angry spontaneous parents, you read people. You knew what they were feeling and knew what to say to keep peace. Growing up in the foster system Lance did the same. You two had that in common.

"So the remains are covered in teeth marks, were suspecting cannibalism." Sweets choked on his Miami vice cocktail. He drinks them because he likes Miami vice as a show, but mostly he cant take the flavor of more 'manly' drinks.

"Sorry, here." you hand him a napkin.

"Their all relating it to Zack?" He said gingerly dabbing his mouth.

"Yeah, how'd you know?" He tilts his head to the side scanning the left side of his brain, recalling events.

"I was there when it happened. Even though I barely knew him, It's still the first thing in my mind."

You look down absent mindedly running the rim of your finger around the mouth of your drink resting your cheek on a loose fist. "What's on your mind Y/N?"

"Don't treat me like a patient Dr. Sweets," He gives a lopsided smile and ducks is head down to your slumped eye level. "They asked me to come back tomorrow since I've 'seen so much of the case already."

"Odd?"

"Yes!"

"And you're not happy?"

You sighed while sitting up to see him clearer,

"I'm happy, just tired." Sweets takes a sip of his drink to wet his throat,

"I'll see you tomorrow then-"

"Why"?

"Look whos asking questions now." He raises his eyebrows and gives you childish grin,

"They want me to ask Zack about some things, something sodium or the other. Which is salt so that is odd. I think everyone knows that's salt. Right? Anyone I was thinking someone should come with me but their all so hesitant to face him-"

"Sodium Bicarbonate, baking soda. We found traces if it on the remains- is that in invitation?" You both knew it was, but with sweets you don't need to read in between the lines when you can ask.

"Ill need to talk to Brennan and Booth but yeah, I need a mediator for the science talk."

"I think you could hold your own," You say, finishing off your drink, "but if I have to we should celebrate." they get up to order more drinks.

"Don't pretend like your not excited Y/N"

-

Case file in hand, you had everything laid out. You had your assumptions and everyone's findings written down systematically. Like how deep the teeth marks on the bones were, and the sodium bicarbonate particulates. As well as the traces of hydrofluoric acid in the left over skin on the toes. Having no clue on who he was besides talk, it was hard to think about how to act appropriately. So Y/N went with the basics. They dressed in blues since the color has calming properties, and parted their hair to the left, which conveys intelligence.

"Don't you look professional. Sweets said opening the door for them.

"I'm going for the nice kindergarten teacher look." Y/N said.

"More like the science teacher in middle school that plays movies every Friday after a shitty test." Perfect.

"Even better." He moves his arm behind their headrest to reverse,

"You nervous?" Completely and utterly, but saying that out loud made it true. Y/N was scared to meet him like one was scared to meet their favorite band. That they won't live up to unrealistic expectations.

"A little, but I'm mostly excited." He glances at you, he knows that's not the whole truth but it goes unspoken. The two of you are left with silence. But not a comfortable silence like usual.

"Don't get too excited he's not that cool." and then it melts away,

"Is someone jealous?"

"Get off your high horse, were here."

"Oh-" he softly grabs your hand and you flinch, "Y/N."

He takes the folder and sets it on the dash taking your other hand,

"are you okay?" He says quietly. You squeeze his hands and nod,

"You tore the folder a little with your nails, I know you're scared but he's harmless." Your eyes meet and he gives you a reassuring nod.

"He killed someone Lance, that's terrifying." He sighs and looks down before cupping his hand and whispering in your ear, "Between you and me, no, no he didn't"

"What-"

"Please state your name and why you're here?" The guard says though the speaker.

"Here to see inmate Zachary Addy, I have an appointment for 12:30?"

Sweets looked at you over his shoulder at you, apologetically.

"You can go through." The gate buzzes and slowly opens.

-

"We didn't have an appointment until Monday Dr. Sweets-" A voice says lowly through the door. As they walk through, he stops himself and stares at Y/N.

"who's that?" Zack asks tentatively, not bothering to ask you directly. His face was smooth having small patches of hair across his chin an jawline. It was light enough to be unnoticeable. It contrasted with his dark, disheveled hair.

"Their just here to explain the case better than I can Zack."

Zack thought for a moment, fiddling with the thick black gloves that encapsulated his hands.

"That was unnecessary, the file could've been handed over without explanation ." Zack holds his hand out for the folder, still staring at Lance. His eyes were dull and half lidded, emotionless to the situation. Sweets pulled out your chair for you and sat in his own, parallel to Zack. His hands were in cuffs with a chain linked to the table. It didn't calm Y/N's anxiety, he was a genius. Cuffs couldn't hold him if he truly wanted to get out.

The Dr. furrowed his brows in confusion, making connections in his mind. The cuffs, the way Dr. Sweets seemed to be so friendly with you, "You're my replacement."

He finally looked at you, his dull brown eyes swirled with something. Jealousy? Concern?

Y/N met his eye contact willingly, forcing the nervous cringe of their face back. You never show a predator weakness.

"Me an about a dozen other people." They flip open the folder and graze through the papers breaking the heavy eye contact, landing on the sheet that listed main points about the case. Picking out high resolution photos of the bones as well. They wanted to ask all about why Zack was in here. Why he was, how he could do that, what convinced him it was a good idea to cause such grief. Most of all if he really didn't kill that man.

He studied them, like a case of his own. Carefully looking them over, limb by limb, over the buttons on your shirt and the steady rise and fall of your chest. His eyes burnt into them, it was hard to focus.

"Their an intern Zack, we just have some questions and I'll be back tomorrow morning to pick up the file." Sweets was uncomfortable, Y/N handed him the sheets of paper so he could have a little control in the quickly unfolding scene. Lance gave you a small smile in return.

As he laid out each paper, you explained the case like you were on stand at trial. Dr. Addy never looked at the papers being placed on the table, opting to openly stare at Y/N. Wanting to keep their ground, they met his stare only glancing down every few moments to see which paper was next. It was a one sided conversation, and when you were finished he finally looked down at the images systematically placed in front of him.

"Can you work with that, Dr. Addy?" Y/N said, Zack's eyes widened at the professional connotation.

"Yes." Sweets stood up, "Great! Then were done here, Y/N?"

"I guess so." They stood up and ran their hands across the fabric of their top, smoothing out the imposed wrinkles from sitting down. Taking notice of Dr. Addy's brown eyes that followed the movement of their hands.

Zack stood up as well, stretching the chain on his cuffs to its full extent. He was tall. Taller than they thought, probably around 5'11 or 12. Y/N's eyes followed him up to the looming position he had over them. "I'll be seeing you both tomorrow then." His eyes met theirs, the smile paired with his relaxed eyes was unsettling. Involuntarily, Y/N shivered looking away at Lance. Breaking their stance in the unwavering staring contest he just wouldn't let go. Zack turned to Sweets, but never looked at him.

"No, just me Zack." He grabbed the folder that held the remainder of the case from your limp grasp, and tossed it on the table. The force made methodically laid out papers clash together. It startled Zack, his chains clamored together cutting through the silence. Lance grabbed your shoulder and pushed you to the door, swiping his card.

"Tomorrow then." Zack said.

Peeking out from behind Sweets, Y/N looked at Zack. The sides of his lips were turned, like he knew something they didn't. It was unsettling and you wanted to delve into his psyche and swim in his thoughts.

"Why won't this damn card work?"

[thehighpriestess1]

The Gojo fic mentioned here that I wrote the first chapter for but never finished 🥲🥲

I don't know what triggers warnings to add so proceed with caution regardless.

Gojo rubbed his forehead as his blind date complained about the food for the fourth time. He regretted agreeing to get into this and was mentally killing his best friend for the 10th time since the date started. He looked up and saw her giving him the doe eyes. The ones that say Why did you bring me to this crappy diner when we could have gone to a Michelin star hotel. Gojo chuckled lightly.

This was his trick to get out of bad dates. He would pick up the girl from her door and based on what he thinks of her in the first five minutes of the car ride he would either take her to his favorite restaurant or the first off beat diner he saw. Rose, his date started talking about how excited she was to dine with him and how all her friends were going to oh so jealous of her. Gojo looked at her poke her food with the fork and almost felt bad for her....almost.

"Excuse me". He raised his hand to call for the waitress who served them. The girl came and stood next to their table with a sigh. He noticed her sprained left hand and made a mental note to tip her well for putting up with this in that condition.

"Is there a problem?".

"This food is disgusting!". Rose spat sliding her fork on the plate.

"You ordered it". Her deadbeat attitude intrigued Gojo. He noticed that she was pretty and tough looking. Loose strands of her bun fell on her face and her eyes..her eyes were filled with sadness. "I'm sorry but can we get it replaced ?". Gojo said politely snapping out of his inspection.

"Sure but you'll have to pay for this one and the next one might taste the same".

"just do as you're told! Do you not know how to treat customer? And why should we pay when the food is shit!". Rose quipped crossing her hand over her chest.

"because you ordered it and it seems like you ate some of it". Rose scoffed and bit the inside of her cheeks. "I'd like to speak to your manager! Once he knows who we are he will teach you some manners". Before Gojo could step in to diffuse the situation the waitress smiled and rested her right palm flat on the table as she bent towards Rose who was now leaning away from the girl. "I am the manager. We are short staffed. Now..is.there.anything.else.i.can.get.you?".

Rose gulped and looked at Gojo who was amused by this situation looked up at her and smirked at her gloating face. "We'll get the check". He said smiling at the waitress.

"Check it is then".

-X-

You walked back to the desk huffing at this couple. "What happened?". Your friend Jaz was in-charge of billing today. "Just some rich bitch got mad at me and said she wanted to speak to the manager". You said sliding their bill to her.

"Shit. What did you say?". You gave her a toothy smile. "I told her I am the manager".

"Y/n! I told you to stop doing that! You can get fired!". You sighed as you leaned against nthe counter.

"Big fucking deal. This isn't the only place in town looking for cheap labour".

"She's got nice tits though". Jaz said looking at the annoyed Rose.You followed her gaze to Rose and smirked. "Yeah. You think they're real?".

"Seems so. What about the guy? He hot?". You looked at the back of the white haired man. "He rich". You said as your grabbed the bill and placed it between the torn leather folder.

-X-

"Here you go. I hope you had a pleasant time. Please leave a review for the restaurant as it would help us grow". You chanted the rehearsed greeting and bowed. Gojo chuckled as he placed some cash in the folder and slid it towards you. "What's your name?". He asked, pulling back the case just as you were about to reach for it. "I hope you had a pleasant time". You said again. You were used to random men asking for name and number and were in no mood to interact with the couple anymore than you already had.

"That's a weird name".

"Thank you for choosing to dine with us". You said taking back the bill and cash as the couple began to leave. "Excuse me, here's your change". You couldn't believe that someone would leave 500$ for a 80$ bill. "That's your tip".

"That's a lot of tip". You quipped still holding the spare in your hand. "I liked your service". He said winking at you. Rose huffed and walked out stomping her YSL heels. Gojo smiled and swung his jacked over his shoulder as he left you standing.

-X-

Gojo Satoru was an unforgiving man. His word was the law and no one in the city dared challenge his orders. He was cruel in the cruelest sense and had no regard for feelings But Gojo Satoru couldn't get you out of his head for the entire week and on a Wednesday afternoon he decided he needed to at least get your name.

He walked into the diner and looked around for you but you were nowhere to be seen. "Right! She's the manager!". He went to the counter and saw a man in glasses standing there. "Hi".

"Hello Sir, welcome to goldleaf diner. How may I serve you today".

"I want to speak with the Manager".

"I am the manager. My name is hiroki muka-"

"No. Not you. The other manager".

"I am the only Manager here". Gojo ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath. "The ... The woman. She was the manager a week ago? She had a sprained arm?".

The man raised both his arms in the air and turned halfway around to giggling waitress behind him. "Not again!".

"Excuse me?". Gojo asked tilting his head to the side. "My apology. She is not a Manager. She is a menace. Which is why she was fired three days ago". Gojo let out a groan. "Can I get her name or number?".

"I'm sorry sir I can't do that". Gojo gave him a pressed smile and gently placed a wad of cash on the counter. "Her name".

"Miyoko. But unfortunately I don't have her contact number".The man said slowly sliding the cash in his pocket. Gojo sighed and shook his head. "Is there anyway I can reach her?".

"Girls like her don't stay in one place for long". The man said. Something about his tone made Gojo angry but he calmed himself and returned a pressed smile.

"Miyoko...". He whispered the name as he gave orders to his men to find every girl named miyoko in that area. It was just a name but somehow he felt closer to you. He didn't understand why did he want to know your name. He didn't understand why did he want to find you. He felt like a teenager trying to stalk his crush.

-X-

It took about two days for his men to find out every information about every Miyoko in that area. Gojo sat at the edge of his desk frantically flipping through the pages containing photo and data looking for the familiar face. He tossed the first file on the floor as desperation rose inside him. He tossed the second file to the floor as well as his men gulped at the sudden shift of the atmosphere. He closed the last file and swung it across the room in anger. "She's not here! Are you sure you got each one of them?".

"Yes sir". Gojo groaned in frustration. Geto walked in the room and saw the stiffened men and tossed files. "Didn't find her?". He amused at the the desperate state of his friend.

"Shut up. I don't know what to do!".

"Give up? She's just a waitress you'll find another one". He sat opposite to Gojo and lit his cigarette. "You don't understand. I have to find her". Geto hummed as he let out a puff of smoke. "Did it occur to you that she probably gave a fake name?". Gojo looked up at this smirking friend. "Fuck. I didn't think of that".

Geto laughed as he reached out his hand and ashed the cigarette in the ashtray. "Now to the serious stuff. The deal with Gyizo gang is tonight and you are going instead of me".

"Why do I have to go?".

"Cause you owe me one and I have a date".

-X-

Gojo sat in the backseat as he watched the city lights flicker. He checked his watch 1:00AM. They were well into the heart of the city now after getting the work done. The whole deal had out him in a bad mood. First he couldn't find a fucking girl next his best friend trapped him into attending a shitty deal.He needed a break. "Stop at the convince store". He ordered his driver who obliged.

Gojo walked through the door without looking at the cashier and went to the racks of ramen before finally picking out his favourite one. He walked over to the counter with his eyes fixed on his wallet. "That would be 2.50 would you like a carry bag?". Gojo's hand froze on his wallet. He looked up slowly to see you standing behind the counter. "Hi". He smiled widely like a child who found the last piece of the puzzle.

"Hi. Would you like a carry bag?". He looked at you arm and felt relieved when he saw it was fine now. Next his eyes travelled to your name tag. "So your name is Kiki?". You squinted your eyes at him, "Would you like a carry bag?".

"No. What's your name?".

"That would be 2.50$". Gojo chuckled and looked around. "Look I'm not a weirdo okay? You have no idea how long I have been looking for you". You tool a step away from the counter. Gojo read the fear on your face and raised his hand by his side signalling that he wasn't going to harm you. "You don't remember me? We met at the diner? You had a sprained arm ..?". Then it clicked. He was the guy who gave you the biggest tip of your life. Your shoulders dropped in relief.

"Look man of you're here for your money then I don't have it".

"I don't want my money".

"Then what do you want?".

"I...". Gojo fumbled with his words as his brain tried to think of what did want? "Your name". You looked outside to three Balck range rovers parked in a semi circle. You didn't know what he was upto but you knew you didn't want to be a part of it. "That would be 2.50$".

Gojo sighed and looked at the ramen and cold coffee he picked up. He went back and got another set and placed it on the counter. "That would be 5$". You said scanning the items. Gojo handed you his black card and you inspected it in your hand. "Is this real?". You raised an eyebrow at him. You have had your fair share of people trying to buy with fake or stolen cards, sometimes even with fake money. "I wouldn't use a fake card for 5$ meal". Gojo said chocking his head to a side. "People don't use a black card for a 5$ meal".

Gojo chuckled, "It's the only thing I have on me right now".You shrugged your shoulders and billed him for the items.

"Have dinner with me". Gojo said as you handed him the card.

"I am working". You said trying your best to look busy in the empty store. "There is no other customer and I don't like eating alone". As if in cue his stomach grumbled and heat rose to his cheeks. Your looked at him and let out a giggle. "You seem to be really hungry".

"I am, so please eat with me. I will compensate you for your time". He said holding the items in his hand. You shook your head and smiled. Gojo saw you smiled like that for the first time and his heart skipped a beat. "Alright then but if I get in trouble then it's on you!". Gojo nodded and followed you to the seating area next to a glass wall. Gojo goy the ramen ready as you poured the coffee from the bottle into two glasses with ice.

Gojo rolled the sleeves of his Balck shirt and placed his jacket on the stool next to him. You both sat next to eachother looking at the street outside. "So what's your name?". He asked taking slurping his noodles. "Kiki". You said, avoiding eye contact.

"Is that your real name?".

"For today it is".

"What will it be tomorrow?".

"Beyonce". Gojo choked on his noodles and you smiled amusingly to yourself. "Who are you?". He asked leaning on his one arm and looking at you. You shrugged your shoulders and continued to eat.

"If I come here tomorrow would you still be here?". You stopped your chopsticks mid air."Maybe". Gojo frowned as he straightened up. You shrugged again. He bit the inside of his cheeks as he tried to come with something.

"Why were you looking for me?". It was your turn to ask questions now. Gojo's eyes widened. "I..I wanted to apologise for the way my friend behaved". He looked away cringing at his bleak excuse.

"After a whole week?".

"Yes. I found out that you were not the manager". You let out a chuckle but Gojo saw something that made his stomach churn. He saw a black-blue bruise along your neck which seemed to be spread on your shoulder too. He wanted to ask but he knew you would either won't answer him or give a false story. He saw your arms where your sleeves were rolled up and saw hints of dark red marks.

"You alright?". You were done with your food and Gojo was barely halfway through. "Yeah. Lost my appetite". He said sternly as he picked up both the boxes and went to discard them. You saw his retreating figure and wondered what could have caused the sudden shift. Wiping your mouth and hands you returned behind the counter. Gojo came upto you once again but this time he looked like he knew what he wanted. "When does your shift get over?".

"what do you want from me?". Your asked as you lifted a crate of soda to restock the fridge. Gojo took it from your hand and followed you to the fridge. "I just want to get to know you".

"Why?". You quipped arranging the cans in a line.

"I want to be your friend".

"Why?".

"I think you're... intresting". He said cluelessly. You chuckled and asked. "Who are you?".

"I am Gojo Satoru". You looked up at him and for a second you were lost in his cerulean eyes. You had never seen eyes like these. "You have beautiful eyes Gojo Satoru".

Gojo had been complimented on his eyes since he was a kid then why was he shying away now? Why did it hurt him seeing the pain in your eyes. He had never noticed someone's eyes before but yours, yours took his breath away.

"Hello?". You were snapped out of your daze when you saw your coworker enter. You sighed and took off your vest. "I'm off work now. You can leave". You walked back to the changing broom and removed your blue vest.

You pressed your hand over your chest to calm the insistent beating of your heart. You looked up in the mirror on the locker and chuckled. You looked like shit. Before your could leave your phone buzzed in your pocket.

I'm coming to pick you up. The text had your stomach churning and you understood that it was going to be along night.

Shutting the locker and entering your card in the machine to clock out you walked out the store in your free hoodie with your good pulled up. You thought he had left but you saw him leaning against his car smiling at you. He looked handsome. His tall and broad frame made him looked like a model. The Balck shirt only brought out the white of his hair and his eyes glowed in the florescent light of the store.

"Have a good night". You said hastily and turned away to walk in the other direction but he grabbed your wrist just in time making fall back and collide with his chest. You turned around to look up at him and felt the intensity of his gaze.

"Can I see you again? Tomorrow?".

"I gues I'll be here".

"Promise me you'll be here. Please". Gojo pleaded with his grip on your wrist tightening.

You bit your lip and looked around hoping that no one was watching you but to your dismay you saw your partner standing in an alley way looking at you. "Sure I promise. Tomorrow. I gotta go. Bye". You said and hurriedly walked towards your partner with your head hung low. Gojo watched you leave with a frown. Something seemed off. But he will get to the end of it tomorrow.

Just like he promised Gojo showed up to the same convience store in evening but just like last time you weren't there. He asked the cashier and he told him that you quit your job that morning. Gojo asked for your number but he didn't have it and just like last time you had given a fake name and just like last time Gojo felt hope leave his body. But this time Gojo was adamant on seeing you again.

[inaris-mage-of-storms]

Farmboy AU Part 4. Jimmy gets permission to go to Tumble Town, and Scott makes a promise.

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"Granddad," said Jimmy once everyone had settled at the table for dinner and seemed relaxed, "Scott was thinking about going into town, you know, and seeing what it's like. Since he's an explorer, and all."

Jack's fork froze halfway to his mouth. "And I was thinking," continued Jimmy, poking at the end of his own fork that he hadn't yet picked up, "that maybe I could go with him? I've triple-checked all the fields and everything lately!" He started talking faster. "There aren't any weeds, and I hauled water up from the river, and harvested what was ready and replanted what we still have time for! And I nailed down that loose board in the chicken coop, and tightened the hinges on the front door, and it would just be for a day or maybe two - "

"I don't think," said Jack, cutting him off and setting down his fork, "that it's a very good idea. Tumble Town is...well. There isn't much to see anyway, not anymore. And the road there is dark."

Scott took small bites of his dinner and stayed quiet, not wanting to interrupt. Jimmy was practically vibrating in his seat, eager to plead his case. "Please, Granddad? It isn't really that far away at all, and there isn't a whole lot that needs done for a couple of weeks at least, and Scott's terribly curious about it."

"Scott," said Jack quietly, "is a seasoned traveler and can do as he pleases."

"Exactly!" exclaimed Jimmy. "He's a seasoned traveler! We could look after one another, and, well, I'll have to start going myself someday, right? Isn't it best to go the first time with a friend, rather than alone? Please, oh, please, we'll be careful! I promise!"

Jack rested his forehead on clasped hands, and Jimmy held his breath for so long Scott worried he might pass out. "Okay," the old man said finally, and Jimmy let out a whoop of joy. "Okay. You can go in the morning. Gather the eggs before you leave. If you think you can't make it back to the farm by nightfall, make camp somewhere well-lit and defensible against mobs. Be polite." He fixed Jimmy with a stern look. "I know you have a temper. But if anyone tries to start something, you walk away, do you hear me?"

"Yes sir!" Jimmy jumped up and hugged his grandfather around the neck, getting a smile to cross his tense face. "Thank you so much!"

Jack patted Jimmy's back and took up his fork again as Jimmy sat back down to finally start on his own dinner. Nothing more was said on the subject until Jimmy cleared the table and Scott went to follow him to the sink.

"Scott."

Scott paused and looked at him. "Yes?"

"Tumble Town is a dangerous place," said Jack. "Nothing left there now but thieves and liars, and maybe a few poor folks who are just trying to get by. Now I'm sure you've experienced your share of dangerous places. But Jimmy…" He looked over to where Jimmy was washing the dishes and humming off-key. "He's a good kid," said Jack gruffly. "Look after him."

"I will, sir," said Scott. "I promise we'll stay out of trouble, and I'll get him home safe."

Jack nodded, then fetched his pipe and went to sit on the porch. Scott went and stood by Jimmy, picking up a towel and a plate to dry, and Jimmy beamed at him. "We get to go to Tumble Town!" said Jimmy happily, and Scott couldn't help but smile too. "I mean...I guess you've seen plenty of towns before," Jimmy continued, looking down at the plate he was scrubbing and frowning. "You must think I'm silly for getting so excited over it."

"Not at all," said Scott. "New experiences are meant to be enjoyed. And they're even better when they're shared." Jimmy's face lit up all over again, and Scott continued drying the dishes while Jimmy chattered on about everything he looked forward to about tomorrow.

[echo-loves-flowerboy]

Echo's Extensive List of Greek Mythology Headcanons

Hermes and Iris race for fun in their free time (Hermes beats Iris but only because she lets him keep his magical shoes on)

Ares goes into full on protective older brother mode when someone makes fun of Hephaestos except when it's Aphrodite

Aphrodite and Eros scheme together over who should be the next OTP

Hera is a really sweet stepmom to her godly stepchildren after she gets over her initial grudge (that ones not 100% untrue, she's mostly pretty nice to them after she's gotten through her murdering phase, given the child survives that phase)

Ariadne got the ability to create powerful illusions and confusions in people heads after she married Dionysus (being the wife of the god of madness i think might give you that quirk also it fits the labyrinth)

Nyx scares the underworld out of everyone except her children and Selene who comes over for a drink every now and then (also not entirely unbased at some point she scares zeus away when he's after her kid Hypnos (mother of the year) Selene literally never interacts with her but i can imagine them gossiping like 40 y/o wine mums for some reason)

Thanatos is really touched by the people he has to take to the afterlife, when its a child he carries it in his arms or takes them by the hand the entire way into the underworld

Charon hums while he crosses Styx to cheer up the souls (it comes of as horribly creepy but he's trying his best you guys)

Whenever Persephone is in the underworld the place is full of colourful flowers cuz she thinks asphodels are too bland by themselves

Demeter keeps a collection of all the plants that used to be people until they were cursed/transformed to passive-agressivly assert dominance

Athena takes her owl everywhere she goes, unfortunately it's not very fond of mortals, Odysseus is freaking terrified of that bird

The nine muses have to approve and critique every piece of music Apollo writes, there usually isn't anything to critique but he still really values their opinion

Artemis constantly makes fun of her brother for being love sick but she keeps a box full of sweet dates under her place at the banquet table in case she needs to cheer him up

Artemis takes in girls that are survivors of abuse or assault and helps them get revenge on the pderson that wronged them even if they aren't virgins anymore

Apollo and Artemis constantly annoyed Helios and Selene when they were little like: Uncle Helios can i ride in the chariot with you? Dad said you have to let me come with you! Please, just for a little bit, I'm not gonna set anything on fire again, I promise!

Hestia is extremely gentle and soft spoken yet nobody dares to talk back to her or interrupt her (once again kinda plausible since she's the oldest, also both Apollo and Poseidon proposed marriage to her which she politely declined, there's zero consequences for that which is odd seeing how Apollo and Poseidon usually react to rejection)

Feel free to add your own lol

I know these are mostly completely unbased but I've been reading Greek mythology since I was like 4 and this is just what I imagined these characters would be like

Also! There's some lesser known gods on here so to clear up some confusion

Iris: Goddess of rainbows and messenger of the gods together with Hermes

Eros: God of love, Aphrodite's son

Ariadne: Dionysus' wife, helped Theseus beat the minotaur by helping him out of the labyrinth

Nyx: Goddess of the night

Thanatos: God of death (not the dead, that's Hades), son of Nyx

Charon: The ferryman that carries the dead on his ship over the underworld river styx

Hypnos: God of sleep, son of Nyx

Selene: Goddess of the moon, until later mythology where she was often merged with Artemis

Helios: God of the sun, until later mythology were he was often merged with Apollo

Have a great day💕

[wanderinginksplot]

Riye (A Favor) - Alpha-17/f!Reader fic

Previous | Next | Masterlist

Third installment of my Alpha-17/fem!reader fic!

Word-Count: 3,100

Warnings: aggressive flirtation, Alpha is rude.

---

You carefully straightened the neckline of your shirt, eyes on the refresher mirror. It might be silly, but today marked a full month since you had come to Kamino, and you wanted to look your best.

Your outfit had survived the morning, despite a meeting with several Kaminoans who wanted updates on your progress. You had been able to deliver good news - that you were right on schedule - but a sense of doubt overshadowed any triumph you might have felt. The first deadline had been met, but the next one promised to step up the workload, and you were already feeling overwhelmed at the idea.

Still, you were determined to push the negativity out of your mind. You would figure out a better schedule to complete the work later. Today was a celebration.

The bad thing about taking more care with your appearance was that it attracted more attention than usual from the cadets. You had politely turned away two different groups of young men by the time Alpha was due to arrive in the cafeteria. Another cadet - alone, this time - was doing his best to keep from being dismissed as well.

"Was it raining when you came in, ma’am?" he asked, leaning over you. "I have flight drills after this and it gets even more dangerous in the rain."

You did your best not to smile at the obvious way he was hinting about being a pilot. "You know, I think it was raining the last time I was near a window," you told him, voice grave.

"Then I'm going to need some luck to survive," he said dramatically, flashing you a smile he clearly hoped would be charming. "I've heard a kiss from a beautiful woman is a good start. What do you think? It might help me survive the afternoon."

"I wouldn't count on it," a dark voice warned.

The cadet stood as straight as possible as Alpha approached. The captain brushed your new pilot friend aside with a twist of his armored shoulders and sat down. He proceeded to start eating, ignoring the cadet completely.

Any other cadet would have backed away, thankful that Alpha hadn't decided to throw them directly into the oceans of Kamino, but this one was more determined than most.

He winked at you from behind Alpha's head. "By the way, my name is-"

"She doesn't want to know your name," Alpha told him. "Get out of here before I decide that I want to know it."

"Very flattering, Captain," the cadet said cheekily. "But Jango's face isn't the one I want to wake up to, yeah?"

Alpha swallowed his mouthful of food and deliberately set his fork aside, standing slowly from the table. He drew up to his full height before turning around. He was taller than the cadet, forcing the younger man to look up.

"Now I'm extremely interested," Alpha said slowly, his slow and methodical voice dripping with menace. "What's your designation?"

Behind him, you winced. You hated how glaringly obvious it was that the Kaminoans considered these men products. Also, this cadet might die in front of you and that would almost certainly ruin your ability to eat in the cafeteria anymore.

"CT-7115," the cadet said with a grin.

"Ah, part of Zackra Trem's group." Alpha raised his comlink. "Trem."

"Alpha," a female voice returned immediately.

"I've got one of your pilot cadets here in the cafeteria. 7115."

"Broadside," Trem said, clearly recognizing the number. "He's one of my best, Alpha. Don't break him too badly."

"No promises," Alpha replied, turning slightly back toward Broadside. Since you were seated directly behind Alpha, you couldn't see his expression yourself, but it was enough to make Broadside's grin slip for the first time.

"I'll make you a deal," Trem offered. "I'll give him hell here and then send him back to you tonight. I'm sure he could help you demonstrate something unpleasant to your ARCs."

Alpha considered that for a long moment while Broadside shifted uncomfortably. Eventually, he conceded, "That works."

Trem laughed. "Do I even wanna know what he did to you?"

"Harassed an uninterested female."

The laughter emanating from the comlink's speakers cut off abruptly. "In that case, I think we should coordinate punishments. I'll be in touch, Captain."

The transmission cut off suddenly and Alpha looked at Broadside once more. "You had best get to your training, son."

Broadside, looking suddenly concerned, nodded and hurried away. “What was that?” you asked quietly when Alpha had sat down across from you once more.

“I told his superior officer about his behavior.”

“What more than that?” you pressed.

Alpha grinned suddenly, and it was half a snarl. “It just so happens that his superior officer is Zackra Trem. It’s not my story to tell, but she’s got more reason than most to hate that kind of osik behavior.”

You could very well guess the rest of that story. Your heart twisted for Trem, though you had never met her. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Nice, but she wouldn’t appreciate the sentiment,” Alpha told you, not unkindly. “Feel sorry for your little pilot. She’s a Weequay who ran with Mandalorians for the past few decades. Whatever she makes him do, it won’t be pleasant.”

You chuckled at that, trying not to actually feel sorry for Broadside. In the time you had been hanging around Alpha, most of the cadets had eased up a bit on flirting, but every now and then, someone crossed the line.

Alpha picked his fork up again and shot you an intense look. “Why are you dressed like that?”

Though your immediate instinct was to be embarrassed about being overdressed, even mildly, you rolled your eyes at him. “Anything looks like too much when everyone else wears uniforms all of the time. Remember that day I wore a necklace?”

“Yeah, I remember,” Alpha said, snorting. “A necklace. What are you, a Senator?”

“Your ideas of fancy clothing are extremely skewed, I hope you know that,” you told him, adjusting your collar again.

“Hazards of the job,” Alpha replied with a casual shrug as he returned his focus to his food. “Looks okay, though.”

You paused, staring openly at him. Had Alpha just complimented you? Surely not… The universe wouldn’t survive such unexpected behavior, not without signs that space was collapsing in on itself.

Alpha noticed you watching him and lifted an eyebrow in question while he chewed. You just shook your head and applied yourself to your own lunch, avoiding his curious eyes. Explaining your thought process there would be an intensive effort, especially if your goal was to keep him from being uncomfortable.

Fortunately, avoiding Alpha’s eyes let you notice the approaching cadet sooner than your companion did, and you had time to brace yourself before the young man - even younger than you were used to seeing - opened his mouth.

“Excuse me-”

“Kriff,” Alpha said loudly, dark brows crashing down over his eyes. “Go away, kid. I’ve already ruined one cadet’s day and I have no problem adding to the list. She doesn’t want to talk to you.”

“N-no, sir, of course not,” the cadet told him, nodding respectfully at you as he went on. “I wanted to talk to you. Is it true you served with General Kenobi?”

"What?" Alpha asked, sounding uncertain for the first time since you had met him. You quirked your brows, unsure of whether to be amused or concerned.

"General Kenobi," the cadet repeated. "And General Skywalker, too! I heard you went on a mission with both of them. What was it like?"

"Look, kid, I don't have time to answer all your questions about Jedi-"

"That's fine!" the cadet told him. "I already know everything there is to know about the Jedi. I want to know more about your experience, specifically."

The muscles in Alpha's jaw flexed and you quickly interrupted. "What's your name?"

"Dogma, ma'am," the cadet told you, making an apologetic face. "I know names are against regulations, but my batchers won't stop calling me that. My designation is CT-4287."

“Nice to meet you, Dogma,” you said politely.

Dogma's cheeks darkened and he gave a tight nod. "You too, ma'am."

"Stop flirting with the poor boy," Alpha chided and you gaped at the captain. So much for trying to help him.

"Dogma, I'm sure Captain Alpha would love to answer any question you have," you told the young cadet, grinning triumphantly at Alpha.

"Wait," Alpha ordered, catching at your wrist before you could stand up. His hand was ridiculously huge and you found yourself shackled by his gentle grip. "You haven't finished eating."

You grinned wider at him, slipping your wrist out from between his fingers. "I'll take it with me. Have fun, you two!"

Dogma gave a half-hearted wave while Alpha glared.

---

The rest of the afternoon was spent locked away in your office, working on the second major project you had to complete. Your concerns about the deadline were unfortunately proving correct. The icy grip of stress and fear were squeezing your heart, and you were honestly relieved when someone knocked on the door of your office.

“One moment!” you called to the unseen visitor, but they didn’t seem to hear you. Instead, they continued to pound on the door until you opened it. You were unsurprised to see Alpha on the other side, glowering down at you.

“You’re mean for a nat-born,” he grumbled, brushing you aside as he pushed into the office.

After letting the door slide closed once more, you followed him over to your desk and plopped down in your chair. Rather than sit in one of the chairs opposite you, Alpha leaned his hip against the side of your desk, much closer than you were comfortable with.

In a show of belligerence, you crossed your arms and lifted your chin as you replied, “Serves you right for being rude about my outfit.”

“I didn’t say anything bad about your clothes!” Alpha denied, befuddled.

“Yeah, well, you didn’t say anything nice about them, either,” you argued childishly, conveniently forgetting his half-compliment at lunch.

Alpha frowned. “You want me to… talk about clothing with you?”

Well. Put that way, it did sound a little silly. Of all of the things you were sure Alpha did well, deep discussions about fashion might be beyond him. Honestly, they might be beyond you, too. You sighed. “No, I don’t want you to talk about clothing with me, but I was trying to look nice today. I put a lot of effort into this.”

“I don’t understand why,” Alpha said. “You look… fine… every other day.”

“Fine,” you repeated dryly. “Thanks, I was going for fine.”

“I don’t understand what I did wrong.” You were able to hear the growing frustration in his voice. “What do you want me to do?”

“Maybe don’t act like I’m wearing a ballgown to work if I show up wearing a necklace!”

“What is a ballgown?”

You stared at Alpha, the simple question making your brain screech to a halt. It was like a chasm had opened between you, and it made you reconsider a few things. Since you had arrived on Kamino, you had treated the clone troopers as if they were people you might meet out in the galaxy, but that wasn’t exactly true. You still believed that they were people - of course you did - but you were only just coming to realize how different they were from anyone you had ever met. While the troopers shared their own experiences on Kamino and had been trained to be perfect soldiers by the time they shipped out, they were startlingly young by the standards of the rest of the galaxy.

“You know what? It doesn’t matter.” You fiddled with one of the many datapads littering your desk rather than meet Alpha’s intense gaze. “I am sorry for siccing Dogma on you, though.”

“You should be,” he growled. “He asked ten questions before I could shake him off. Ten!”

“Wow, that’s what? Five days worth of questions?” you teased.

“Five days for you,” Alpha told you seriously. “For anyone else, that’s more than I would ever answer.”

You were unreasonably touched by the reminder that Alpha let you learn things about him that no one else would ever know. Moved by a sudden surge of warmth for the ARC captain, you repeated your prior sentiment, but more fervently. “In that case, I honestly apologize for unleashing Dogma. If there’s anything I can do to make him back off, please let me know.”

Alpha’s stare was level and unwavering. “Yeah?”

“Of course,” you agreed immediately, not understanding what a wildly stupid idea that was. That was fine - you would learn… and it didn’t take long.

That night at dinner, Alpha came in and sat across from you, but instead of starting the meal in silence, he leaned across the table slightly to get your attention. Lowly, he asked, “Are you still willing to help me with Dogma?”

“Yes,” you agreed simply. “Do you have a plan?”

“Yeah. Flirt with me.”

You fought not to react visibly to that. Carefully keeping your face blank and your voice flat, you replied, “What.”

He leaned even closer, eyes lit with excitement. “I’ve been threatening and trying to alienate Dogma all day, but the only time he was uncomfortable was when you flirted with him.”

“I didn’t flirt with him!” you reminded him. “I just said it was nice to meet him.”

“Fine,” Alpha conceded. “We’ll just have to do better than that if we’re going to convince him to leave me alone.”

Abruptly feeling like this was the worst idea anyone had ever had, you tried to speak in your own defense. “Alpha, I don’t think this is a good idea-”

“You said you would help me,” he reminded firmly. “He’ll be here in a minute. I need your answer.”

Your heart was pounding, one of many warnings that this was a bad idea, but you nodded anyway. Alpha smiled - he actually smiled - and the expression looked menacing on his face. “Good.”

In a moment, he had circled the table to sit beside you, his huge frame making you feel ridiculously tiny in comparison. He wasn't wearing any armor at all now, and you could feel the heat of his skin through what little space there was between you.

You tried not to obviously tense as he spoke next to your ear. "There he is, get ready."

Impossibly, Alpha managed to get closer to you, tugging behind your knee slightly so that you were angled toward him. When he had finished posing you, Alpha’s large hand lifted to cradle your face. His fingers brushed over your cheekbone before trailing down to your jaw.

"My little neverd," he murmured to you, face filled with affection.

You didn't have to feign embarrassment at the warmth in his tone matched with the intense eye contact he was giving you. When you replied, you tried not to sound squeaky but only managed to sound shaky instead. "You know Mando'a is my weakness."

He laughed, a low chuckle that sent delicious chills running over your skin. “Why do you think I use it?”

“Alpha…” you chided, managing to sound mildly flirtatious.

“Come on, little one,” he urged you, voice velvet in a way you hadn’t known it could be. “Let’s go back to your- Ah, one moment, neverd. Dogma, sit down.”

You looked over to see Dogma standing at the other side of the table. You had never even noticed, your entire focus narrowed down to Alpha. Dogma looked as embarrassed as you felt. While you were focused on Dogma, Alpha’s arm snaked around you, pressing against your waist to pull you flush against his side. Your face flamed and Dogma glanced away.

“Sir, I- I’m sorry, I forgot I’m on duty tonight,” Dogma muttered, speaking so quickly it was difficult to understand him.

“Sorry to hear that, cadet,” Alpha replied gravely, flexing his fingers against your side. It made you push a little closer to him in reflex, the tip of your nose brushing the space under his jaw as you tried to look up at him. Alpha shivered, and you weren’t sure how much of the motion was acting. “Maybe later.”

Dogma gave an awkward nod and hurried off.

Alpha started laughing even before he let you go, his muscular chest shaking against your shoulder. After a moment that felt like it had stretched an hour, he pulled his arm back and slid away a bit. You immediately felt the loss of his closeness and suddenly you were horribly uncertain of what expression you were wearing. Just in case it said more than you wanted it to, you looked back at the entrance of the cafeteria.

“I feel bad,” you admitted.

"Don't," Alpha advised, looking toward the door as well. “He’ll be fine. He’s a good soldier, just a little…”

He trailed off, apparently content to let his thought stay incomplete. You glanced over to him with an eyebrow raised, but his eyes were fixed on the door. “You can see every access point in the room from here.”

“That is why I chose this spot,” you agreed.

“Switch with me tomorrow.”

“Not a chance,” you refused. “This is my spot.”

“Then I hope you like sitting next to me,” Alpha told you. Surprised, you laughed up at him and he met your eyes. “You know, I’ve never seen anyone blush on cue.”

“Hidden talent,” you explained vaguely. Alpha didn’t seem convinced, so you changed the subject. “What does neverd mean?”

“Civilian.”

You laughed before you could stop yourself. “Civilian? That’s what you used as a term of endearment?”

Alpha blinked blankly at you. “What’s wrong with it? You are a civilian.”

“Yes, but,” you thought over it for a second, “-it’s not very romantic. Usually, people say things like ‘dear’ or ‘sweetheart’.”

“How should I have known that?” Alpha asked.

It was the ballgown situation all over again, and more than you were willing to tackle that day. “Well, some warning before you want me to go undercover would be helpful.”

Alpha snorted. “How much warning do you need?”

You pretended to consider that for a moment. “Two business days, minimum.”

He frowned fiercely. “If you get two full days of warning, I expect more. I need you to show up in a disguise with three different accents ready.”

“Harsh terms,” you told him with a smile. “With those negotiation skills, you’d make a great senator."

Alpha gave you the darkest scowl you had ever seen him muster. “Watch it, neverd.”

Idly, you wondered if Alpha would protect you from himself, but the amused glimmer in his dark eyes told you it would be unnecessary.

---

A/N - Pretty sure Broadside is wildly OOC, my bad. Also, sorry for the weird image for this chapter. I didn't really want the text bubbles in there, but I needed to keep Alpha's sassy hip lean.

Taglist - @imabeautifulbutterfly @cagrame @mysticalturtleenthusiast @marvel-starwars-nerd @lackofhonor

[kyuala]

cravity as exes

serim

he swears he's not trying to make this harder on you but your family keeps inviting him over for dinner and he just can't say no to them

i feel like serim is gonna have trouble functioning the first few days without you because you were genuinely such a huge part of his life and now that's gone

physically restrains himself from calling you whenever he gets any news - good or bad - bc you were always the first person he'd tell. it's instinct

i feel like with serim the decision to stay friends after the breakup or not could rly make it or break it for y'all. if getting back together isn't on the table he'd rather just be gone from your life completely. if it is tho....

probably the one to suggest getting back together tbh. he'd just rather work through whatever issue it was with you by his side

allen

too nice for his own good but i say this abt allen all the time bc it's true

but like, if things ended in a particularly nasty way (ie you cheating on him), i dont think he would think twice before setting some boundaries (nicely) and putting his own well-being first

still, is nice to you should you run into each other sometime but doesn't really wanna stay friends friends in case it makes it harder for his feelings for you to go away

throws himself into work whenever he finds himself missing you too much or longing for your old relationship. the type to try to work through this stuff on his own

i feel like getting back together could be a 50/50 chance with allen. you're never gonna know until you bring it up but if it does happen i think he'll make sure you both work to change and make it work this time

jungmo

an enigma. he seems hurt but how hurt is he? does he agree with this? does he want to get back together? is he already engaged to someone else? you're never gonna know unless you straight up ask him

if y'all decide to stay friends he is going to be a little awkward but as sweet as ever

when he truly gets over it he might even encourage you to go out there and try it with someone new! jungmo would be a wonderful ex tbh

i feel like he would just deal with this a lot better and in a healthier way than most. yea he gets sad about it but that's part of it for him, you know? he's not gonna dwell on it too much

if the chance to get back together comes up i don't think he would give it a lot of thought tbh lmfao if he misses you he'll wanna do it. if he doesn't he'll politely decline simple as that

woobin

academy award for best actor in the role of "totally okay with it when, really, he's not"

ruby is actually so good at hiding his feelings in this situation it would take a rly good set of eyes from his closest friends to notice he's actually Going Through It™

he would never be anything but nice to you but i feel like he would lowkey ignore you, at least for the first few weeks, 'cause he just doesn't know how to feel and it's a lot for him to process

gets really introspective when he's alone but not in the sense that he thinks a lot about you and the good moments you both shared - more like overanalyzing every little thing to try to figure out where things went wrong

again, doesn't really know how to feel when faced with the prospect of resuming the relationship. even tho he wouldn't rly be able to determine what went wrong, i feel like ruby would probably decide against it bc he strikes me as a "what is done is done" kind of guy

wonjin

goes into shock before getting sad as hell and claiming he's "hit rock bottom" (cue hyeongjun in the background "thats a glass of MILK wonjin")

says he doesn't care anymore and then keeps tabs on you LMFAO

feel like he would have a good ass cry abt your breakup like 3 times a week at least

if u speak to any other guy and he finds out he'll go into cardiac arrest while monologuing abt having been "replaced"

suggest getting back together tho and suddenly he'll start acting brand new like he's gonna have to think about it but if ur like alright nvm he's like NO NO WAIT I'LL DO IT

minhee

the type to keep your photos and videos together in a secret folder on his phone to look at when he's alone and missing you

but like literally deleted your number a couple of days after the breakup specifically so he wouldn't feel tempted to call you

absolutely makes a point of still being polite to you when you run into each other even if it was a nasty breakup

i feel like flashes of your lips and your most intimate moments would plague his mind when he's like trying to work or something lmfao he'd be angry as hell

will NOT even consider getting back together unless he's 100% sure the issues that led to the breakup have been thoroughly resolved

hyeongjun

SO dramatic god he will annoy everyone at the dorm and every single soul who'll listen with how much he talks about you

keeps loudly sighing around the house and slamming doors and minhee has to be like dude they're not even here stop doing that

probably gets emotional a lot and has to hold back his feelings when he's around you, so he gets noticeably quieter and teary-eyed

if u still hang out with the same mutual friends he regularly comes up to you at parties and dreamily sighs about "we did have some good times didn't we" and ur like ????

honestly probably thinks the breakup is bullshit i feel like he'd try to make up and get back together like 3 minutes into it

taeyoung

will give you the option to stay friends even if you hurt him real bad

will keep hanging out with the same friends you have in common and will be upset if you refuse to 'cause he lowkey kinda expects to still see you around

i feel like for taeyoung staying friends is gonna make things a lot easier - still seeing you, still laughing with you, still having you in his life. being cut off from your life entirely and abruptly would make the whole thing harder for him

tries not to get caught up in nostalgia and missing you and honestly actually succeeds

the idea of getting back together is lowkey always in the back of his mind. like the minute you suggest it he says yes, doesn't even have to think about it

seongmin

petty ex 🗣️

but only bc your breakup hit him harder than he'd like to admit, whoever made the decision

type to block u on all socials tbh

doesn't like to talk about it and doesn't want to hear what you've been up to and how you've been, like it will take a whiiiiile for him to open up even to his closest friends

if the idea of getting back together comes up a huge weight is gonna be lifted off his shoulders but i also feel like seongmin would need to take a few days to think about it and be sure. he doesn't want to go through this again :/

main masterlist | cravity masterlist

[kaito-is-baby]

The 6 stages of grief

Levi Ackerman x fem! Reader

Death

I had an idea about Levi facing every stage of grief after losing Isabel and Farlan and he takes it out on the reader, one of the few survey corps soldiers that survives that expedition and Levi blames their death on her. She understands what he is going through and tries to help him get to acceptance. I will split this on 6 parts, one per each stage

Part 2

Btw, I will write each part from a different point of view, this one is the readers one and being honest, there is barely any Levi content here but the second part will be his pov and I promise something better!

Death

Riding your horse towards Wall Rose you went over Erwin's instructions once and again, barely perceiving the path you were riding through

He commanded you to make sure that the incriminating proofs of Nicholas Lovof's dealings with the Lang Company and his plan to redirect the expedition's funds to the Military Police were successfully sent to Premier Dhalis Zachary

You still couldn't understand why. Commander Erwin trusted you, no more than he trusted Hange, but they were much more necessary on the battlefield than you and he couldn't ask them to do this simple mission, you understood that

And after Erwin explained the details about it you also saw that Hange was not discreet enought for this assignment

From what you did catch out of the brief information your commander gave you, you understood this had to be kept between you two

Still without understanding his motives you fulfilled his quest

Premier Zachary had always scared you but still you managed to salute him properly, hand him the documents and leave without being discovered by Lovof. You were quite cautious to not rise any suspicious, claiming you wished to inform him about last week expedition and it's costs as a comand from your comander

Erwin had told you about Lovof plans and the fact that you probably would have to be the one handing them to the premier but you did not expect it to be now. It was too soon

You noticed something odder once you came back to the military base

Once you entered your commander's office you saw it

The very same documents you had just dispatched were resting on Erwin's table

"I successfully accomplished your mission, Commander"

"Great, get some rest, we have to patrol inside the walls tomorrow"

"Inside the walls? Isn't that the Military Police work?"

"It is, but we have some things to work on there"

"Oh" you paused "alright"

Everything was so weird for you right now, those documents weren't meant to be sent now, there was a pile of papers that clearly were imitating those very same documents you had on your hands no more than a couple of hours ago and now patrolling streets? Something was off

"Can I ask you something commander?" Erwin nodded

"Why do you have a copy of those documents?"

***

You were now chasing 3 kids on those very same streets Erwin told you to patrol

To be honest, none of them were kids, 2 of them actually seemed to be older than you and the girl... she was a child but you had seen kids with more abilities than any adult before she could be one of those

But they were only kids to chase for you, a soldier who usually killed titans

Or so you hoped

They were good

Better than many of your teammates and maybe even better than you

Okay, yes, they were better than you

But as Erwin had predicted they let you caught them

You encountered the girl and fought against her

Maybe you could have won in any circumstances but you were sure she was letting you win right now

Just as Erwin had told you they would do

You brought the girl to were your commander was fighting and so did your teammate with the second one of the thiefs

And the black heared one gave up although he had won against Erwin

Erwin forced them to join the survey cops knowing well their intentions

Both of you did

He had explained to you why he had those false documents and why would you go inside the walls

He knew Lovof was paying those thiefs to kill him and get back his incriminating documents

You told him to just arrest them for their crimes and that way they wouldn't be able to kill him

But as soon as he told you they lived on the underground you were in

You had spend some time down there too and you couldn't blame them for any of their crimes, not even attempting to kill the man you admired the most

Erwin made sure those documents were sent to the premier and he assured you he would not die, he would instead give those kids a way to be alive and out of that place, join the survey corps

You agreed, Erwin was, as always, absolutely right

Or so you hoped

***

Days came by and as much as the three underground strangers hated the survey corps you grew attached to them

Especially Isabel

She had to sleep without, what you had understood, were the most similar thing to a family she had ever had

So you took her with you, sharing a bedroom with two of your usual teammates and the sweet new girl

And even althought she was not willing to make any friends out there she was too outgoing to not get quite attached one to each other

Farlan, the second one who spoke the most was less friendly but at least you always found him funny, to be on a crucial mission they weren't specially good at passing unnoticed

Excepr for the black haired one, he was very good at it

But his difficult temperament and his impressive lack of manners made him stand out sometimes

Not that he wasn't polite, he was quite polite and incredibly clean, you found out about that when your whole bedroom got completely changed because Isabel slept there, and he spoke to her so that bedroom had to be clean

But he wasn't good at respecting others

Erwin being the less respected one, of course, he meant to kill him

And you were the one to supervise them

Yes, you had grown attached to them but the real reason you were always trying to be near them was so that, if Erwin was wrong, you could kill them before they took the commander's life

You really did get attached to Isabel however, she was like a little sister to take care of but you had your own duty as a survey corps soldier

And even more as the only one apart from Erwin to know about this

***

You wished you had been the one to kill them, at least that way you would have made sure none of them had to grief the others. At least, that way, they would have tried to kill Erwin and they would have deserved to die. It would have been their lives against the Survey Corps Commander's one

But that wasn't the case

The very first mission they took was also their last one

Or better said, it was the last one for two of them

When Erwin's team, which you were part of, finally got to help there was no one to help

Only a silhouette between rivers of blood

Sobering over corps

The very first thing you saw clearly were Isabel eyes, looking at all of you, with no body following her neck

You soon understood what had happened

Things were fast, really fast

Before you could think about it you were trying to kill Levi

Erwin stopped you and told Levi about how he had already sent those documents, crashing even more his spirit

Erwin fulfilled the promise he had made to you, and he gave a new life to the only one of the three who survived

"You didn't need to attack him, he wouldn't have killed me, it was better talk to him about it" Erwin told you on the way home

But you hadn't even noticed that Levi was trying to kill Erwin

You were trying to help Levi

You had gone through this more times that you could remember, you had stupidly told to yourself that you would give those three a better life than what they had and after losing two of them the only way you found to give relieve to third one was a quick death

But Erwin stopped you, Levi accepted to join the Survey Corps and you had to figure out how to help him without a blade

You had passed throught the 6 stage of grief too many times at this point, you could not help Isabel or Farlan anymore but you sure could support Levi through it

[magic-to-write]

Chapter 2

Here we are chapter 2 enjoy!

They were tucked away in the back of the shop, Leila, the Misfits and Sandra were all sat at the small folding table, shelves surrounded them and made the outside world feel far away, like the shop went on forever. Leila adored Sandra, as Leila retold the story of what happened with B. B. Bosso, Sandra's eyes never left Leila, asking questions about the story that made it clear Sandra was listening to every word. "...And then," Leila's story was reaching it's climax, she was kneeling on her chair, waving her arms as she spoke. "one of Bosso's goons clobbered my dad over the head! My friends and I knew we had to save him!" Sandra sat criss-cross in her own seat, her eyes wide and mouth slightly agape, Leila could tell how excited Sandra is by how much she is wiggling in her seat. When Leila's story came to it's end, Sandra took a moment to straightened her skirt and fix her bandana. "Bobby was always a little... difficult." Sandra said, a little venom in her voice, "I've meet bulls less stubborn then that man." "Difficult is one way to describe him." Ridley said, rolling her eyes. "Totally bonkers is another way." Carter said, speaking for the first time since sitting down. Theo's face scrunched up like he had stuck his hand in thick algae, "Criminal is the best way." "He was more crooked then crookscrew pasta!" Olly said. "You mean fusilli." Izzy said, correcting Olly jokingly. "Gusundheit!" Said Olly, "Speaking of, how does a diamond thief celebrate fourth of July?" "With sparklers!" Izzy said, giving her stage laugh; it was kinda weird hearing it now that Leila knew Izzy snorted when she laughed. Mr. Vernon descended the stairs, carrying a tray of a pitcher of ice tea and several glasses, along with a plate of short-bread cookies, he disappeared from sight for a few seconds well he weaved through the shelves to get to the table. When he popped back into view he asked, "Gossiping about me again? Sandra isn't telling you about the great duck flood is she?" "The great duck flood?" Ridley said, tilting her head. "NEVER, mix water magic and a petting zoo." Sandra said, giving no further context, "Legend has it if you walk in the fair grounds after dark you can still hear all of the Emerald Ring slashing in the water trying to get a hold of the run away ducks." "We were talking about Bosso." Theo said answering Mr. Vernon's first question. "In that case I better step up my game!" Mr. Vernon set the tray on the table, setting cups infront of everyone. "It's always a trick to be on everyone's tongues. Feel free to serve yourself." Mr. Vernon barely finished speaking before Sandra's hand shot to the plate of cookies grabbing three and popping one into her mouth. "You're as polite as ever." Sandra said, grabbing the pitcher and pouring herself a cup, before passing the pitcher to Theo. "So Sandra." Mr. Vernon said, sitting on the arm of Leila's chair, "Is there any other reason you are suddenly moving back to town? Anything I should know?" "I've been running around the world for some time now, it's time to start a life I can take more pride in." Sandra said, Mr. Vernon seemed to nod in understanding. Saying it like that made Leila feel Sandra meant she had been running away from something and was tired of running. But that's silly... Right? "Why do you travel so much?" Izzy asked, between sips of tea, "Your job I mean, what exactly do you do?" "Aha. Well it just so happens I'm a stage psychic." Sandra said, "or rather; was a stage psychic, I don't think I will be seeing meny stages anymore. I preform infront of huge audiences all around the country." The Misfits went silent, holding their breath, like Sandra told them she was the first woman on the moon, "I go by Madame Esmeralda." "The Madame Esmeralda." Theo said, nearly yelling, before flushing a ruby red, he cleared his throat and avoided eye contact, "I've seen your posters in theaters where my father conducts his symphony." "Why did you stop?" Carter asked, barely heard

even in the shop's silence, "It sounds like a lot of fun." "It was a lot of fun." Sandra said, a sad smile coming onto her face, "But it didn't give me much substance." "Substance?" Olly asked. "Yes, love, family, friendships, I didn't get meny opportunities to have such things, i was very lonely." Sandra explained. "I always thought psychic people where a myth." Ridley said, Leila was scold Ridley for being so tone death, but Sandra let out a few chuckles. "It's something hard to believe if you don't experience it yourself, especially if you believe it's like what the fakes tell you it's like." Sandra said taking a bit of her second cookie. "Then what is it like?" Ridley asked tapping her fingers. "You need to think of it like any talent, something like woodcarving or dance, you need to learn it, not something some people just have. It's a trusting of your own mind, knowing that even if you're not paying complete attention your brain is taking in every little detail." Sandra said, finishing her second cookie before continuing, "Sometimes I just get a feeling of "I need to get out of here" right before something bad happens or "I should do this" even if the activity is out of character for me, that causes something amazing to happen." "But how? How do you know these things?" Ridley asked, to that Sandra could only shrug. "Who knows? It could be some survival instinct, that evolved into what is now, or some random mutation that just stuck, either way it's there and I can use it so." Sandra shrugged again her voice trailed off. Leila softly put a hand on Ridley's forearm, and it seemed to help Ridley recenter, Ridley took a deep breath and tried again to make her point. "When I was researching John Nevil Maskelyne, I spent time looking at some of Mr. Vernon's books about mind-reading here at the shop. I learned about meny different types of psychics, but the truth is most of them were fraudulent." Ridley said, finally getting to the root of her problem. Sandra was silent for a moment, tapping her lips with her knuckle, before her eyebrows shot up in a "Ah ha!" look, she offered her hand to Ridley which after a few hesitant seconds Ridley put her hand on top of Sandra's, Sandra then raised her other hand crossed her pinky and ring finger and put her thumb under her pointer finger, it seemed a little uncomfortable to Leila, but Sandra showed no sign of discomfort. "I whole heartily swear, on the Emerald Ring's good name, that I'm not here to lie, cheat, or swindle the good people of Mineral Wells, or may my crystal balls all crack, and my bandanas tear." Sandra said, causing Mr. Vernon to laugh. "I haven't heard someone make an Emerald Ring promise since we were children." Mr. Vernon said. "Are you really psychic? Like talk to ghosts psychic?" Izzy asked, leaning closer to Sandra along with Olly of course. "The proof is in the pudding." Mr. Vernon said. "Is there-" "No there is not." Mr. Vernon answered Sandra's question before she could finish, Sandra puffed out her cheeks swatting Mr. Vernon playfully. "What does that mean?" Ridley asked. "If.. it.. looks like pudding and taste like pudding it's likely to be pudding?" Mr. Vernon said, his eyebrows furrowed and sounding not quite sure of himself. "That is not what it means." Theo said, "The adage means you have to try out a new thing for yourself to know whether you like it or not." "That’s not how I understood it." Carter said, his eyes were locked on playing with his fingers, "I thought it meant you can only declare something a success after it has been tried out." "I thought it meant 'trust me the pudding is good.'' " Leila said chuckling a little. "Oh, all pudding is good!" Olly said, "Especially chocolate and butterscotch! Yum!" "But only after Mom removes the gross, leathery skin that forms on top," Izzy added, "Or else Olly won't touch it." Olly fake pouted. Mr. Vernon laughed, bringing a smile to the twins' faces. "I guess old sayings are just like magic, it's all

in the interpretation. People take what they want from it. Psychics are like magicians. It often doesn't matter whether or not the magician is pretending. What matters is what the audience believes." "Do you think I'm not actually psychic?" Sandra asked Mr. Vernon, that seemed to catch Mr. Vernon off guard. "Well- i- are you?" Mr. Vernon stumbled over his words. The joyful sound bells filled the air, but Sandra was as still as a statue the littlest she has moved since entering the shop, her eyes were far away, seeing something everyone else can't, it felt like time slowed and it was hard to move, a quick glance around revealed the rest of the Misfits were in the same spell as Leila, Sandra slowly leaned forward, so close Mr. Vernon must feel Sandra's breath ever so slightly, when she spoke in was this all consuming void and cold like space. "I've learned so much in my travels Dante, I can't wait to share it with all of you." For a few seconds no one dared breathe, then... "BOO!" Sandra yelled. Everyone jumped, Leila, Izzy and Olly screamed, Ridley grabbed her chest, Theo fell out of his chair, Carter was gone; straight up disappeared. Mr. Vernon flinched back almost sending the chair and Leila to the ground. Sandra laughed, slowly everyone joined her, Mr. Vernon ran a hand through his hair, quickly fixing it. "Where are you staying well you fix up the house?" Leila asked. Theo was dusting himself off, Ridley placed her forehead on the table. Sandra let in a hiss of air, Mr. Vernon rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You're staying in the house aren't you?" He asked, Sandra scrunched up in a way that reminded Leila of a turtle. "Well, I don't have another option, unless you're offering for me to stay here?" Sandra said her voice becoming squeaky like a mouse at the end. Leila felt a slight tug on her leg, looking down she found were Carter had vanished to. "I wish I could Sandra." Mr. Vernon said. Leila deflated, Sandra had been there for a little over thirty minutes, but it felt wrong to have her leave the magic shop, Leila knew once Sandra left that the shop would go back to being quiet, so quiet that not even the Misfits could fill it, meeting Sandra had just been so... so... Magical. "But we no longer have a guest room." Mr. Vernon said, Sandra seemed to take that as an opportunity to cause some mischief. "I could sleep in your bed." Sandra suggested. "I'm married Sandra." Mr. Vernon said. "Really?" Sandra paused for a second, "Are you married to Kilory?" She asked before taking off into the shelves, Mr. Vernon was right on her heels. Sandra yelled repeatedly "I joke!" Well being chased sometimes Mr. Vernon would get close enough to smack Sandra with a duster he made appear. They ran around the shop until well out of breath. "Tell you what, Sandra... I'll call my partner..." Mr. Vernon said through his panting, "Up at the Grand Oak Resort... and see if he can't arrange... for a most extravagant room... just until you've made your mother's place more... habitable... I didn't know I was this old." Sandra couldn't hide the disappointment in her voice, "I'd be most appreciative." A little less out of breath. "Brilliant!" Mr. Vernon said, standing up straight and making the duster vanish. He walked over to the shop's phone. "We'll set you up at the resort. Then, this evening, you'll come back and have dinner with all of us." "Us too?" Asked Theo, bouncing in his seat a little. "I'm intrigued to hear more about Sandra's skills." Said Ridley tapping away at her armrest. "Alas! I shan't make it." Olly said throwing his head back and pressing the back of his hand to his forehead. "Yeah, we can't stay." Izzy said, unbothered by Olly leaning on her, "It's a Golden family dinner night." Ridley pressed, her eyes flicking over to Sandra for a moment, "But the rest of us-" "Okay, okay." Mr. Vernon interrupted, chuckling. Leila slipped her hand into Ridley's, rubbing her thumb over Ridley's knuckles, hoping to some what comfort the mad scientist.

"Izzy and Olly you'll be sorely missed. But I'll be sure to ask the Other Mr. Vernon to bring home extra food for everyone else. It'll be a welcome-home party for Sandra." "I couldn't ask for anything more." Sandra said, "I've missed you so much, I can't wait to make up for lost time." Looking closely Leila could see in Sandra's eyes this look of determination, like the building blocks of a plan taking form, along with that twinkle of mischief, Leila tried to tell herself that it was nothing, that the plan forming in Sandra's mind was about the house Sandra was fixing up, but as her stomach turned in nervous knots, Leila began to think maybe Ridley was right about being wary of Mineral Wells's newest resident.