#you should definitely ask the count about the locals' superstitions

[the-semicolonoscopy]

Dracula Daily, May 5:

What's amusing about the first 2 1/2 days of Jonathan's trip is that, while we know he's in a horror novel, he (of course) has no idea:

But to his credit, by the second half of Day 3, he picks up on the possibility that this is not a normal business trip:

Good luck, buddy.

[myhockeyworld87]

Not So Dangerous Liaison - Sidney Crosby - Part 9

Word Count: 4,080

POV: Sidney’s

Warnings: Maybe Language

Notes: This is like totally soft, and I love this chapter. Hopefully you guys do as well! Happy Reading!

Not So Dangerous Liaison Masterlist

Naively after two trips to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2008 and 2009, you'd expected getting back there would be easy. Now here you were seven long years later finally going back. As soon as the buzzer sounded you looked around for (Y/N). She was jumping up and down cheering with the guys that were on the injury list. They were all hugging and smiling and as much as you loved cheering with your teammates; you wouldn't have minded being congratulated by (Y/N) right now.

 As you celebrated with the team, you called Geno and Kuny over to talk about the Prince of Wales trophy. Something felt different this time, or maybe it was that you were different, at any rate, you looked at your alternate captains and said, "let's pick it up?" They knew what you meant. It had become a league superstition that the only trophy to hoist was the Stanley Cup itself, but you were done thinking that way. Well, not one hundred percent, but at least with this. You'd spent too much time this year on nonsensical things and it cost you being with (Y/N) all this time. This time you wanted to do things differently.

 "You're kidding right?" Kuny said.

 "Like I don't know Sid," Geno added, while both of them gave you an incredulous look.

 "I think we should do it. We create our own destiny this time."

 "Alright, but you sure you didn't get hit in the head with the puck or something?" Chris told you while shaking his head the entire time. More of the team gathered around, now sporting hats proclaiming you the Eastern Conference Champs. It seems (Y/N) was shoving them at anyone she could find. The three of you told your plan to everyone and they all agreed, it had been an incredible journey this year, and as a team, you'd come so far. This one little superstition wouldn't stop you.

 Normally, just you as the captain would go out and receive the trophy, and eventually someone would bring it back. This time though, you called Geno and Kuny out with you and together the three of you lifted the trophy as a team. The crowd erupted and instead of setting it back down, you skated off with it. As you headed down the ramp, you saw (Y/N), her eyes as big as saucers when she saw you holding the award. The smile you gave her was a bright and brilliant one. "What can I say?" You said with a shrug. "Sometimes you gotta throw caution to the wind."

 She just chuckled as you continued on to the locker room. "Aren't you coming?" You called after her. There were photos to be taken and you wouldn't stand for her not being in them. She blinked a few times and then followed you inside. You could still hear the cheers of the crowd as everyone filed it. Coach gave everyone a few minutes to celebrate before sobering the room. He gave a brief pep talk and told everyone that you had the night to celebrate but by tomorrow afternoon it would be back to business as normal, for you still had this final series before you could really party. After a few team photos, which everyone made sure (Y/N) got in, everyone headed out to celebrate for the evening.

 The team stayed away from all the partying in the South Side and headed for a quiet little place where it was mainly just them and their families. Drinks flowed freely all night, and you knew it would be a hefty bill at the end but didn't care as you gave the owner your credit card and had all drink put on it. (Y/N) was at the bar when you handed it over. "That's awfully nice of you, but not necessary either."

 You shrugged it off. "I know, but just look at everyone." You both turned around and surveyed the room. Everyone was laughing and smiling, this was one of the biggest moments of everyone's life, and win or lose no one would forget this, for some reason you knew you didn't have to explain that to (Y/N). You could tell by the look on her face that she just knew.

 The bartender came over with drinks for both of you then, ruining the moment or so you though. (Y/N) looked over at you, a sly smile playing across her face before saying, "You're a really good guy Sid." Before you could say anything, she kissed your cheek and walked away, moving on to the dance floor with Vero and Catherine.

 "Anything you want to tell me about?" Flower asked as you tried to wipe the shocked look off your face. While the kiss was obviously brief, and would probably be best described as a peck; you could still feel her warm lips against your skin. The only thing you wanted to do now was revel in it and imagine what it would be like to truly kiss her. Yet here you were having to answer one of your best friends.

 "Nothing to tell. She just said I was a nice guy."

 Marc-Andre raised his eyebrows at you. "And what prompted that?"

 "I'm picking up tonight's tab."

 Flower slapped you on the back, then kissed your cheek as well. "She's right! You are a good guy." Now instead of feeling (Y/N)'s lips there, all you felt was Flowers sloppy wet lips. There was nothing to do but just shake your head at him. "Come on, let's go join them."

 "Ooooh no, I can't go there."

 "Why not?"

 Cocking you head to the side; you looked at him before answering. "Really? Look at her." You didn't have to point at (Y/N) for Flower to know who you meant. "She moves like a damn goddess….and well, I can skate circles around the best of them, but I've got two left feet when it comes to dancing."

 "You have a point."

 "Thanks, for agreeing to my flaws." You told him, letting the sarcasm drip from your tongue.

 "You're not that bad."

 "Who are you kidding? Even Maatta is better than I am." You looked over to where Olli and Beau were dancing with a group of locals. The Finnish player had some moves on him.

 Flower hooked his arms around your shoulders pulling you away from your spot at the bar, that you were currently claiming as your safe haven. "Come on, the nights all most over." When you hesitated, he added. "Vero and I got your back."

 You sighed and let your best friend lead you forward. You took a swig of your beer and shifted your feet back in forth, hoping to resemble some type of move to the beat that was playing. Marc-Andre and Vero were dancing together but you could see him whispering into her ear. Vero walked away saying she'd be back in a second while the rest of the group continued to get down with the music, well everyone but you really. It wasn't more than a minute later that Vero returned and the music changed; a slow ballad playing now. Everyone seemed to couple up and you realized what your best friend had just done for you.

 As you stood there, you looked over at (Y/N), and there wasn't anything more that you wanted to do, but to take her in your arms. Trying to make it seem casual, you asked. "Do you want to…?" You trailed off implying that you wanted to dance with her.

 She gave you the cutest shy smile. "Yeah, I'd like that." Grabbing her drink, you set it off to the side on one of the tables with your beer, then put your hands on her hips. Her hands slid up and wrapped around your neck. It took all the willpower you had to not draw her closer in and bring her lips to yours. The two of you swayed back and forth to the music; this was definitely more your style of dance. As you looked over (Y/N)'s shoulder, you saw Marc-Andre and Vero both smiling and winking at you. It was hard to keep the smile off your face. "Alright, what's with the grin?"

 "Nothing really. Just realizing that I have everything that I want right at this moment."

 She looked at you a little questioningly. "Well almost. You've still got one more series to get through."

 She had no idea that you meant her, and it was almost adorable, almost being the operative word. Did she not see how perfectly you fit together? Not just in this dance, but in every way. A small voice in your head told you that she already had eight months ago, only you were too stupid to see it then. "We'll get there I'm sure of it." You weren't sure if you were speaking of the Stanley Cup when you told her that or of the two of you, for somehow you knew that this was the woman you were meant to be with.

 "You know what," she said smiling brightly up at you. "I think you're right." You returned her smile instantly, knowing she meant the Cup but also having a feeling she just might be willing to give you a shot as well. Your hands pulled her a tad closer to you then, as your fingers skated just a little further down the curve of her ass. Her hands wander up and down the nape of your neck, sending shivers down your spine. You could feel her giving herself over to you when the music died down and the DJ took over the mic; ruining the moment you and (Y/N) were having.

 She pulled away then as if realizing you were in a public place surrounded by your teammates and friends and crossed over to where you had left your drinks. You gave her a second before following her over to the table. "Hey, can we…" anything else you would say was drowned out, as Beau came over, slapping you on the back.

 "So who's sharing an Uber with me?" The boy was flat out drunk and you hoped he would make it to afternoon practice on time, but it did look like someone needed to help make sure he got home. You just didn't want (Y/N) being that person.

 "Come on. Let's go." You told him, before asking (Y/N) if she had a way home.

 "I'll just call for a car it's fine."

 "No, you're not going home alone. Let me settle up at the bar before we all head out together." You pulled out your phone and ordered a car for all three of you. About ten minutes later, the three of you were in a black SUV, driving the streets of Pittsburgh. Beau lived in an apartment downtown so it wasn't a far trip to take him to his place, however, the idiot had left his keys in his locker. The only solution was to take him home with you, which wasn't how you saw this night ending. You didn't like the idea of giving some stranger (Y/N)'s address, so you gave him yours instead. She looked at you, questions in her eyes but stayed silent until you pulled into the drive and were at your place.

 Beau passed out on the couch, within minutes of getting him there. You led (Y/N) into the kitchen and grabbed waters for both of you. You knew she was going to ask why she was here, so you preempted the question before she could ask it. "Look I don't like just giving your address out to some stranger, that will know it's two o'clock in the morning and your all alone. So I thought it would be best if I just brought you here." You see her weighing this out in her mind. "Why don't we just drink this, and watch something on TV, and then I can take you home or we can go get your car, whatever you want."

 "Thank you." Wow, was she literally ok with you making a decision like that? There was no backlash for not asking her first, just literally her thanking you. You were kind of taken back and didn't quite know what to say. Thankfully, (Y/N) kept the conversation going. "So, what did you want to watch, NHL network?"

 "Nah, I pretty much know how tonight goes." You told her with a little wink. "How about we see what's on the history channel instead?"

 "Sounds good."

 "I'm gonna go get out of this suit real quick." You dashed up the stairs to your bedroom, throwing the suit in the corner chair in the closet and just throwing on a pair of lounge pants and a t-shirt. On a whim, you grabbed another t-shirt and pants in case (Y/N) wanted to change as well and headed back downstairs. "I brought these down in case you want to get out of your dress. They probably won't fit, but at least you'll be comfortable. Feel free to use any of the bedrooms upstairs."

 "Thanks, I'll be back in a second." She headed off, and part of you wondered if she was in your master suite. What you wouldn't give to have her stay in there, with you of course. It wasn't more than a few minutes and she was coming back downstairs. She looked so damn cute, you wanted to just scoop her up and kiss her for hours. "They're a little big." You could tell she had them folded up around her waist but they were still big in the thighs and calves. It made you chuckle.

 "Thank goodness we're not going to a fashion show." She giggled at the comment and the two of you headed into the theater room since Beau already occupied the couch in the family room. There were several oversized recliners on different levels in the room, and a large sectional in the middle just made for a couple to cuddle up on; which is why you headed in its direction. (Y/N) crawled up on the couch beside you, as you turned the screen on and found something historical for the two of you to watch. "This good?" You asked her, after finding an episode of The Universe: Ancient Mysteries Solved was on.

 "Perfect," she answered, taking a sip of her water than handing it over to you to put on the table beside you. You put your arm against the back of the couch behind her and settled in. (Y/N) had her legs curled under her and was leaning back against the cushions. Your fingers were only inches away from her and they itched to touched her; though you resisted the urge. About ten minutes into the show, you glanced over and saw (Y/N)'s eyelids getting heavy. It wasn't long before her head started to bob, and you released a little chuckle when she bounced her head back up as if she hadn't just been caught sleeping. When it started drooping again, you pressed her against your side. Her head now resting comfortably in the crook of your arm. It wasn't long before her whole body relaxed into you and her breathing started to even out.

 You could feel yourself being lulled into to sleep with her, so you repositioned the two of you so that you were more comfortable. Your head now laying on one of the pillows, as (Y/N) was now curled up against your body. You carefully grabbed the blanket that was on the back of the sofa and spread it out over the two of you. Within minutes you were sound asleep.

 Dreams evaded you as you slept, but then what could be better than holding the woman you wanted to be with, in your arms. It was hours before you finally stirred, feeling as if you'd gotten the best night of sleep in your life, instead of sleeping on some sofa. Though you could contribute all that to the woman who still lay asleep on your chest. You glanced at your phone quickly wondering what time it was. It was only ten in the morning, and since practice wasn't until later in the afternoon you took a moment to just watch (Y/N) sleep.

 Her head and one hand laid on your chest and you cursed the piece of clothing you were wearing as you wished that you could feel her against your bare skin. A lock of hair fell across her cheek and you brushed it back to reveal her beautiful face. Her long eyelashes rested on her cheeks, and you longed to kiss them when they would finally flutter open. There was a small upturn of her lips, which gave her this peaceful glow. Hopefully, that smile meant, she was dreaming of you and what your life would be like together. You couldn't stop your hand from its slow caress of her back and arm, for you wanted to treasure this moment and her forever.

 You weren't sure how long you just laid there staring at her and memorizing her features before she started to stir in your arms. You closed your lids feigning sleep, in hopes that she wouldn't find you gazing at her. Through hooded lashes you watched, her eyes blinking rapidly as she came awake. Slowly, you moved as though you were just coming to life yourself. You smiled down at her as the realization of her surrounding sunk in. "Morning," you whispered sleepily to her.

 She smiled back a cute little blush staining her cheeks. "Morning. What time is it?" You glanced at the phone and told her it was half-past ten. She went to move out of your embrace then, but you stopped her. "I should…umm…I mean…"

 "We have time. Just lay here for a few minutes longer. I'm not ready to get up yet."

 "I'm probably killing you." She returned, wiggling so that she lay more on the couch than on you. It took everything not to just grab her and move her entire body back on top of you.

 "Nah, this was the best I've slept in a long time. In fact, maybe we should go back to sleep." Her head was still resting on your chest and she giggled as she shook her head lightly at you.

 She closed her eyes then, not to go back to sleep as you suggested but you could see her weighing out her next words. It took her a moment, but when she opened back up, she stared directly into your eyes as she asked. "What are we doing Sid?"

 You knew what she meant, the dance last night, then falling asleep together like this. Hell, even the night weeks ago in her hotel room. She wanted to know what it was all leading too. "I know what I want (Y/N) and I really want to see where this goes."

 A half-smile played across your lips and you couldn't tell if she wanted the same thing or not. "We can't right now." You went to ask why the hell not, but she continued. "I'm not saying that I don't want to try." You exhaled at that statement. "It's just…well there's so much at stake right now and you should be concentrating on the team." She was right, but you'd finally realized that you could have both. "Let's just get through these next couple weeks and then…" She shrugged the shoulder that you were still lazily caressing up and down.

 It wasn't a no, so you took that as a good sign and smiled back at her. "Alright, hockey first." You told her then dropped a kiss to her forehead. "But then, I'm redirecting my attention and you know I can be pretty focused."

 "I can't wait." She replied raising up on her elbows. She was only inches from your face; her lips just hovering above yours. If you were a betting man, you'd swear she was going to kiss you. Only instead she gave a quick peck to your nose, before rolling off onto the ottoman. "But until then, it's business as normal." You groaned in frustration and she merely giggled. "Come on, get up, and let's go make breakfast before you take me home."

 Your eyes widen in surprise at her suggestion. "I won't say no to that, especially if it means more time with you." She stood up off the couch and your pants she was wearing started to slide down her legs. For a split second, she stood there clad in only your t-shirt and your mouth went dry. You swallowed hard trying to get your body under control, as she adjusted the pants, laughing the whole time. "Maybe I should get you a belt."

 "Ya, think?" She chirped back, yet was still laughing.

 "Think you can keep your pants on while we make breakfast?" You teased back but really wanted to just strip them off her.

 "Ha, ha. Look who's Mr. Smartass in the morning. It looks like you're cooking the bacon; if you have it."

 "I do." You said following her down the stairs and into the kitchen, where you thought you'd pass a sleeping Beau but he was nowhere to be found. There was a note lying on the kitchen counter. Thanks for letting me crash here. "Looks like Beau already headed home, so it's just you and I for breakfast." You couldn't say that you were disappointed about that.

 "Well, that's his misfortune, because I make the best homemade pancakes in Pittsburgh."

 "Oh, you do, eh?"

 "I guess if you have the ingredients, you'll find out." You pointed her in the direction of the pantry, while you got out the turkey bacon to start. She came out, arms loaded with everything she needed. You loved the way how she just made herself at home, and couldn't wait till she was a more permanent fixture in it. "Oh, you have strawberries! Can I…"

 "My kitchen is yours."

 She mixed up her pancake batter first, then started slicing the strawberries. She threw them in a pot with some other stuff and cooked the mixture into a compote for when the pancakes were ready. It was amazing how easily the two of you worked together. The conversation was nonstop as you cooked and then ate the breakfast, you'd both prepared. As you put the last plate in the dishwasher, you dreaded the thought of taking her home. Your only salvation was that you'd get to see her in a few short hours.

 "I should probably change before you take me back." She told you.

 "Why, so that you can just go home and change again?"

 "Point taken. I'll get these back to you though." It was then that you realized you shot yourself in the foot, for you wouldn't get to smell her scent on your clothes.

 "It's no big deal…I mean don't hurry."

 "Well let me just grab my things and we can head out, or I can just call for an Uber."

 "Absolutely not!" Well, that came out a little harsher than you meant. "I just mean, my point from last night is still valid. Plus, I don't have anything else to do until practice."

 "Well, if you insist. I'll be right back." She disappeared upstairs but was back before you knew it. "All ready to go." The problem was you weren't ready for her to leave, yet you still found yourself heading out to the garage and getting in the car to drive over to her place. It seemed like no time before you were there. "Thanks again for everything."

 "Thank you for the best pancakes in Pittsburgh." She went to get out of the car then. "Hey (Y/N)," she turned back to you then. "What are you doing on June 16th?"

 A look of confusion crossed her face. "I'm not sure, why?"

 "Because I plan on taking you out to dinner then, if not sooner." It dawned on her that playoffs would be over then and a huge grin spread across her face; it mirrored yours.

 "It's a date." She said before jumping out of the car and grabbing a hold of your pants that seemed to be falling down again. You watched her disappear through the door before heading back home. Now you had even more motivation to win the Stanley Cup, and hopefully, you'd do it before the 16th.

[purplesurveys]

1059

surveys by lets-make-surveys

1 - When you wake up, do you get up straight away or do you lie around in bed for a while? Lie in bed, even on work days. I work from home, so there’s nothing to prepare or look nice for, anyway. I can stay in bed and just roll out of it and head to my desk at 9 AM to start the day.

2 - Who was the last person you video-called with? Have you done this more often since COVID hit? Video calls make me anxious, so I’ve always turned them down even when it was someone I’m close with who was trying to call, like Angela. The only person I’ve felt comfortable having video calls with was Gab but that obviously hasn’t happened in a while. I think the last people I saw on video was my dad’s family, though I was still shy and asked my mom not to put me in the shot for too long.

3 - How many times a week do you go out for food or drink? Back then I’d do it 2-3 times a week. Then Covid happened and I had to stop; but now that I’m starting to try to put in more effort to take care of myself, I try to bring myself to a coffee shop for me time at least once during weekends.

4 - Do you prefer getting takeaway or actually sitting in a restaurant and eating your meal there? Dine-in. For me ambience is a big part of eating food, and even if I had the once-in-a-lifetime chance of getting to eat the absolute best meal in the whole world, if I’m eating it alone at home I would still feel like shit.

5 - Where’s your favourite place to get takeaway coffee (or whatever your drink of choice is)? Starbucks. We have five joints in the highway I live on alone, so it’s both a personal preference and a I-don’t-really-have-a-choice type of situation haha.

6 - Do you tend to keep your phone on silent, vibrate or loud? It’s on vibrate during work days; then I’ve formed a habit of putting it on Do Not Disturb during weekends or holidays.

7 - If you have pets, when was the last time one of them annoyed you? What happened? Cooper thought my hand was a toy earlier so he was biting on it, and not in a very playful way.

8 - When was the last time you went into a bookshop? Around a week ago when I was buying presents; I needed to get my cousin the mechanical pencils and eraser she wanted for Christmas. I also came across the bookshop that Gab and I would make a habit to visit, but I didn’t go inside as I didn’t know if I was prepared for the memories that would inevitably flood back. I looked through the stuff they had on their windows, though.

9 - What was the last thing you ordered off Amazon? I don’t know if Amazon operates here. But the last thing I got from a local e-commerce app - don’t judge me HAHA - is a phone socket featuring the face of my newest K-drama crush. I placed my order literally 10 minutes ago.

10 - When was the last time you took a dog out for a walk? Is this your own dog or did you borrow someone else’s? Yesterday. Both were my family’s dogs.

11 - What jewellery do you have on at the moment? Not wearing any, haven’t worn any in a while.

12 - Do you have any products in your hair right now? What are they? Just shampoo and conditioner. I never put anything else on it; I don’t really deem hair products other than those two a necessity.

13 - Have you ever used a VPN to access foreign content online? Hahaha no. I’ve wanted to try it out, but I’ve always been paranoid that the NBI would come knocking at my door the moment I install one of those.

14 - Who was the last artist you listened to? Is this someone you’re a fan of? She’s a Korean singer named Cheeze, though she’s honestly unfamiliar to me. The song she contributed for the OST of Start-Up is my absolute favorite in the entire tracklist, and that’s how I knew of her.

15 - What was the last thing you had to drink? I’m at a cafe joint right now and they didn’t have my usual order of caramel macchiato, so I opted for a Spanish latté because it sounded new to me.

16 - When was the last time you cooked something for the first time? Did it work out the way it was supposed to? I made a Monte Cristo sandwich, if that counts as ~cooking; this was about a little more than a monthh ago. It worked out significantly better than I was expecting, given how rubbish I am in the kitchen. I lacked a couple of ingredients, like mustard for the sauce and the right kind of cheese, but I still ended up liking it.

17 - Black cats are considered to be bad luck - is this a superstition that you’ve ever believed in? Not me personally, but I know this is still widely believed in my country. It’s sad, so I approach black cats whenever I can and play with them for a bit.

18 - Would you ever eat blue cheese or do you find the idea of eating mould to be pretty repulsive? It is definitely not my favorite; I’d say 5 times out of 10 I would consume it, and the other 5 I would set it aside. I enjoy it the most in pizzas and as a sauce for chicken wings.

19 - Do you visit the dentist every six months like you should? Is that the standard schedule? Lmao. I only go when I have to.

20 - How old were you when you first used the internet? Was it dial-up or did you have access to proper broadband? I was first exposed to the internet at around the ages of 3 and 4, when my mom would use the dial-up internet to email my dad (he had just started to work abroad). For many years I thought Yahoo Mail was the only website that existed, since that’s all I saw my mom use. Eventually my dad got broadband for the family by the time I was 10, and the first website I ever looked up was YouTube.

21 - Are you old enough to remember using floppy discs? I remember those; I just never had to use them myself.

22 - When was the last time you purchased an actual DVD or CD? Andi gave me a Petals For Armor CD for Christmas, if it counts. Because they’re the most awesome fucking friend. The last DVD I bought myself was probably a Beyoncé's Life Is But A Dream, which was...holy crap, 7 whole years ago.

23 - Do you shave? Which body parts and how often? I do. I shave my underarms every few days, and my legs monthly.

24 - What’s your favourite season, and what are some of your favourite things about that season? We don’t have the usual four seasons we hear about in other countries; we only have wet and dry. Between those two, I definitely like wet more because I love the rain, and I like how cold it can get.

25 - When was the last time you burned yourself? I took a big bite of a lumpiang togue yesterday when it was still piping hot, so it felt like I almost burned my tongue and the roof of my mouth. But since I was a guest at my dad’s family’s house, I couldn’t spit it out.

26 - Have you ever been the victim of a theft or robbery? What was stolen? Did the police ever catch the person who did it? Someone stole my wallet in high school, and I never got it back. It was a small petty thing that the police didn’t need to be involved in, lol. I know my mom’s family got robbed when she was a teenager, though; the worst thing that got stolen was their grand piano :(

27 - What was the last TV show you discovered that you really liked? What was it that got you to watch it in the first place? START UP. I first heard of it from my co-workers who would mention the show here and there; and because I was new to the team and wanted to have something in common with them so that I can break the ice, I figured I should start on the show myself. Ended up getting obsessed with the show and gaining a new Korean crush altogether.

28 - Have you seen any of the live-action Disney remakes? Which one is your favourite? What about your least favourite? No, those have never looked even remotely appealing to me. I never saw the point of recycling movies that already exist and already feel magical by themselves.

29 - Do you have any exciting plans for tomorrow? If not, how are you planning to spend your day? It doesn’t sound exciting on its own, but I’m very much looking forward to be a homebody tomorrow haha. We’ve been with extended family for five days straight and I’m at a café right now for some me time, so tomorrow I can’t wait to just be at home and lounge around.

30 - Would you ever keep a working dog as a pet? Do you think it’s fair to keep dogs like huskies in flats when it’s so different to their natural environments? If the dog is already trained or certified to be a certain kind of working dog, I don’t see the point in keeping them for myself when they could be beneficial for other purposes. The only time I see myself adopting a working dog is if they’re already at the point of retirement and would need a loving home to live out their remaining years.

--

1 - Are you a fan of garlic bread? Do you eat it on its own or as part of a bigger meal? Love garlic bread; I regularly have it with my pasta and occasionally, pizza.

2 - When was the last time your area was under some kind of weather warning? Did it end up being as bad as predicted? Last month, during Typhoon Rolly. Other cities had worse experiences, but it also wasn’t sunshine and rainbows on our end. We had a blackout for around two days and I had to file for an emergency leave four days into my new job, which was super embarrassing. It didn’t flood in our street but the water was high in other areas in our village, so we couldn’t go out for a while.

3 - Do you ever buy things from charity/thrift shops? What was the last thing you bought from there? I don’t recall ever buying anything from either.

4 - The last time you got fast food, did you eat in, takeaway or go through the drive-thru? My last fast food wasssssss Jollibee, and my parents got it for takeout so that we could eat as a family at home.

5 - If you have multiple pets, do they get along with each other? Hahaha no they don’t. It’s been six months since we got Cooper but the two still don’t get along, unless it’s Kimi trying to hump him. It’s understandable; Cooper is a vibrant pup that’s super excited and play bites all the time, and on the other side is a nearly 13 year old, nearly blind, can’t-smell-as-well-as-he-used-to senior dog; and I get that Kimi’s more sensitive to sudden movements now.

6 - Do you ever buy things off eBay? If you do, do you participate in auctions or do you just use the “buy it now” option? I never go on eBay. And since I’ve never checked it out, I never understood the gimmick of the website.

7 - When you go out, do you worry that you’ve forgotten to lock the door or turn something off? Yeah, this is especially the case with locking the front door.

8 - What fruits and vegetables have you eaten so far today? Do you tend to get your “five a day”? I didn’t know five a day is a thing of some sort; but it’s only 8:47 AM and I haven’t eaten anything at all yet today.

9 - When was the last time you were in pain? What caused it and did you manage to get it sorted in the end? Last night when my back was giving me hell. As for the cause...idk, years of bad posture maybe? I was able to deal with it for a bit with the new massage pillow that my dad got for Christmas.

10 - Do you live in an area that gets lots of snow? Do you like it? If not, would you like to live somewhere that gets that cold? I would love to move somewhere that’s generally more cold. Humidity gets exhausting to deal with.

11 - What was the reason for your last doctor/hospital visit? My fever had already been lasting for a week and wasn’t showing signs of going away. No Covid symptoms, just pure hellish fever.

12 - If someone had told you that 2020 would see a global pandemic, countries going into lockdown, compulsory face masks and millions of deaths, would you have ever believed that you’d live through something like that? My personal biggest surprise for 2020 wasn’t even the pandemic. I would have had a more violent reaction if I was told I would no longer be in a relationship and be barely talking to my then-girlfriend of six years by the end of 2020.

13 - Do you prefer having the blinds/curtains open or closed when you’re at home? Does it depend on the weather or the time of day? Always closed. I don’t ever voluntarily open the curtains or windows to let the sunshine in.

14 - Do you use an ad-blocker on your computer or phone? Why/why not? I use one on my laptop because the ones on YouTube can be extremely annoying. I didn’t know it was possible to put on ad blockers on phones (is it?).

15 - Do you still use a paper diary/planner to organise your appointments and schedules? No, but I’m thinking of getting a planner again for 2021. I used to get a Starbucks planner every year just because I wanted to get into their Christmas promo hype, but I never completed any of them. Now that I’m working and am busier all around, I see the bigger need for a planner. These days, I use a Google extension called Momentum to list down my to-do tasks. My parents also got me a corkboard for Christmas on which I stick notepads with things I have to do for the day.

16 - When was the last time you charged one of your electronic items? Do you have to charge that specific item often? I’m charging my laptop now. At this point it’s always plugged in because I want to keep the cycle count low, though I’m not sure if it’s the healthiest thing to do.

17 - Have you ever thrown or broken something in a temper? Yes, definitely. I’m not normally aggressive when angry, but sometimes it happens.

18 - What does your outfit look like today? Did you pick it out for a special reason? I have on a black sundress that I didn’t change out of. I wore it yesterday when I went to a coffee shop to spend some time on my own.

19 - Do you follow any vlogs or podcasts? What is it about them that interests you? I do follow certain channels who do vlogs, but I never tune into them since most of them have gotten a little uninteresting. I’m also subscribed to several podcasts like Andi’s and Renee Young’s, but I’m not always in a podcast mood; I subscribe because I want to support them.

20 - Aside from Tumblr, what websites do you spend the most time on? Do you go through phases of visiting certain websites? I visit Twitter and YouTube the most often. I will binge Reddit every now and then, and I will get into a Wikipedia black hole at least once a week.

21 - Do you have a good relationship with your siblings? If you don’t have siblings, what about your cousins or extended family? I do not maintain a relationship with my brother after he physically assaulted me last year. My sister and I are on good terms, but we’re not close in that I can cry to her or that we know each other’s secrets. We have a very good casual relationship, and we never argue.

22 - When was the last time you were up early enough to see the sunrise? I hate the sun so I don’t really do that lol.

23 - What movie series did you last watch from start to finish? Was it one you’d seen before? I only ever do this with Twilight. I have my annual Twilight Saga marathon where I watch all five films in one afternoon hahaha.

24 - Do you still enjoy watching children’s TV programmes? What was the last one you watched? Yeah, but only the ones I watched as a kid. My cousins and I watched the Wet Painters episode of Spongebob last Christmas Eve right after we finished Midsommar.

25 - Who was the last person to tag you in something on social media? How do you know that person? I have no idea. I’ve been going in and out of deactivation, so at this point I’m sure people no longer have any clue if I’m on a certain social media website or not.

26 - What was the last thing you took a photograph of? It was a screenshot of something I wanted to show Angela.

27 - Are you a fan of giving animals human names? Sure. I certainly find it funny when pets are given incredibly ordinary human names, like Bob or Mark.

28 - When was the last time you weighed yourself? Were you happy with what the scale said? Christmas Eve eve, when I saw a weighing scale in my cousin’s room. I mean it’s what I’ve weighed for the last 5 years or so, so I have no complaints.

29 - How often do you buy yourself new clothes? What was the last clothing item you bought for yourself? Used to be a few times every month, but I have not bought anything new since before the pandemic. The last items I got were still the tops with puffed sleeves that I bought in March.

30 - What is the reason behind your mood today? Is this something you could have done something about? I’m mostly at ease; a little anxious because work continues for a certain headache of a client even though we told them our office would be on shutdown; and a little melancholic for no reason. I’m trying to combat the latter by doing my embroidery and it’s kind of helping, but the sads are still lingering.

[bibliocratic]

future jonmartin (cw for hospitals; no warnings for character death) The rocking against his shoulder knocks him shuddering from his worrying. It is like being unmoored, cast back into the tumult and it takes a while for Martin to blink, to align the vision of who is rousing him with who they are.

 It's both a relief and a disappointment that it's not the doctor with news.

“Anything?” Lewis asks. A brisk voice, demanding, but it's unsteady and catches in his throat and little things like that have always given him away. “Have they... is there any news?”

Martin is standing up, gathering him up in a tight hug. He's tall, but not in the way Martin is – he's bony and meatless and  his posture is terrible no matter how often he's been lectured on it, and it's such a relief that he's here, that Lewis is gripping just as hard and just as scared.

“Nothing yet,” Martin says, and he's attempting to sound optimistic, the sounds made wrong in his mouth, and it's too much like lying to comfort either of them. He doesn't want to deliver meaningless platitudes, repeat like rote statistics of recovery, of chances, but he doesn't want to worry him, and it's in that sort of double-think he lingers, the sort of equivocation that comes with parenthood.

Lewis must have come straight from uni, he thinks. He's washed out from the travel, wired and jittery from tasteless on-board coffee-grit. There was delays at every leg of the journey down from Liverpool, and when Lewis slumps himself down like a dropped bag, he's still not worn down those frantic mechanisms in him, the clock-watching, the checking for news, for updates.

“Have you eaten?” Martin asks, an old fall-back, casting an eye over him. He might have some change in his pocket, he thinks, for the vending machine back along the corridor. It's been a busy term, and video calls don't quite do things justice, because he worries that maybe Lewis has lost weight, maybe he's not eating properly, or it might simply be the unkind lighting of the waiting room.

“I'm not hungry,” Lewis says, providing a round-about answer to the question. He's a sharp young man, made of edges and this burning thirst to prove himself that Martin knows doesn't come from him, and to anyone else the way he sometimes talks can come across as dismissive, a hand-wave of a tone designed to disregard the topic. But Martin knows him. Knows his son. Knows it's not meant like that.

Watches him fiddle his bottom lip with his teeth, jitter his leg up and down, and wishes this was something he could kiss better like the old days.

“What about...” he fumbles for the strings of some other conversation. “Were your tutors ok? With you … just leaving like that?”

“They'll understand it was an emergency.”

“You had a... you have your final essay due on Monday, what will...?”

“They'll give me an extension, it's fine.”

Martin nods and goes back to twisting the ring on his left hand, round and round and round. Surely he should have heard something by now, it’s been hours of waiting, what if something's gone wrong, what if he wasn't fast enough...

“Dad?”

“Yeah?” Martin looks at Lewis, his glasses all smudged and mucky because he forgets to clean them.

Lewis puts a hand on his arm.

“Are you... are you ok?” he asks, uncharacteristically tentative, and looks right at Martin. A rare gesture of eye contact, held for more than a flicker of time.

“I'm... I'll be fine,” Martin says – Martin lies – because that's the best he can muster right now. What he thinks, but will never say out loud is – I'm not ready for this. I don't know how I ever could be. I can't imagine doing any of this on my own.

He hasn't moved from this chair. He's convinced himself that if he stays here, then everything will turn out ok, and it's stupid, yeah he knows it, but that this point he'll take any backwards ridiculous quirk of brain chemistry that counts as superstition.

His sleeves are damp and his eyes must be a mess and his fingers are bitten to nothing, and he's still got a coat thrown over his pyjamas for god's sake, and still he hasn't heard anything.

Lewis doesn't believe him, but he keeps his hand where he placed it on his arm. And Martin supposes that's fair.  He'd called Lewis after a few minutes of building his composure, swallowing down shuddering breaths and pushing out air too hard, telling himself that he needed to calm down, that he couldn't go to pieces, not now, not yet – Lew? Lew, it's – it's your... I'm sorry to be calling so early but I think you should.... You need to come home. As soon as you... It's – it's your father. He's had... he's at the hospital.

(And he was proud of himself then, because stammering as it was, incapable of communicating the enormity of a moment he couldn't comprehend fully, his voice did not betray the terror it had. Not when he had heard the sound of the fire alarm sniping, assuming the toaster settings had been left on too high or something, walking into the kitchen to see the toast popped up, burning and ignored, Jon, frowning, confused, breathing funny with his palm over his chest, sucking in air in straggling little hitching gasps; Jon meeting his eyes, tears already sprung into the corners – Martin, something's wrong. Not when Martin had juggled calling 999 and holding Jon's weight bodily up, swaying and light-headed and his breathing seeming a whetstone to the pain, clutching him too hard and none of Martin's words being enough. Not when he was sat in the back of the ambulance, Jon barely holding his hand, wondering if this, this was the great joke of the bloody universe, the Archivist surviving everything but his heart in the end.)

There is a patting sound, sensible shoes slapping squeaky tile, moving towards them. Martin's world loses colour when he sees the doctor.

Lewis is standing immediately, tumbling through a number of quick-fire questions, and the doctor does a good job of not looking rattled.

“Are you a family member?” he replies, and he's not obviously looking between Martin and Lewis, failing to find much resemblance, but he is definitely looking. It's perhaps more delicate than others have been in the past, inquiring about their relationship to each other. Martin is well aware that Lewis looks nothing like either of his parents. He likes to think, in his more fanciful paternal moments, that he has Jon's prominent jawline, his propensity for scruffy stubble, sees something of his husband in the brown of his eyes.

“My son,” he gestures with a weak wave and the doctor nods, before he slides into explanations. Lewis is keeping up, asking questions about the procedure, the complications, recovery and where they go from there, and the doctor is trying to be sensitive  but his son is bullish, wanting every detail and he's so much like his father like this, headstrong and unwilling to yield an inch.

It's good news. Better than hoped. Martin is too exhausted to smile. The rush of relief that should un-tense his muscles, pull the curtain down on the performance his anxieties have been playing out behind his eyes, instead it has left him hollow and dizzy.

“Lew,” Martin says, and Lewis turns, and must see something he can't because he quietens, his expression shifting softer, moves over to grab Martin's walking stick from where it's lent against the seat, pressing it into his palm. He puts a hand on Martin's shoulder.

“Let's go see him,” he says, and Martin takes the arm offered to help him to his feet.

They follow the doctor. Martin's not been fast on his feet, not since the Watcher's Crown, but he can't lay all the blame at the foot of that particular clusterfuck; age hasn't been on his side either in this regard, and his progress isn't as fast as he wants it to be. Lewis and the doctor are talking about Jon, something about local anaesthetic, sedation, how Mr Blackwood-Simms has an unusually high tolerance to anything they give him – and some part of Martin's brain thinks this is probably Jon's weird former Archivist powers, the rippling after-effects of which have never quite left him. Martin is not really listening to either of them. He puts one foot in front of another, and tries to feel relieved, and he should, he should, it's good news, this is what he wanted.

Jon nearly died today, his brain keeps reminding him. You nearly lost him, you nearly weren't fast enough.

And Martin is not strong enough to disagree.

Jon is awake when they go onto the shared ward. Propped up to sitting, already looking slightly bored at the lack of anything to do. There's an IV taped up and held in place on his scarred hand, and he looks like a wind-knocked scarecrow what with all the wires and tubes he's hooked up to, his hair unbrushed and tussled all over the place. He is not as pale as he was, more exasperated than frightened, and Martin tries to forget the last expression he saw on his husband’s face. He feels a hitch in his throat but swallows it down.

“Lewis?” Jon says, sounding surprised. “I thought you had an essay due Monday?”

“Before someone got themselves admitted to hospital,” Lewis replies easily, but he's striding forward, giving his father a hug that betrays his worries, holding on a bit too long, leaning over the bar around the bed with discomfort.

“Really,” Jon grumbles, but he seems pleased at the unexpected attention and hugs back with the hand not tangled up in wires. “All this fuss over nothing, you didn't need to come all this way.”

“I hear you got the ambulance service out. Doesn't seem like nothing,” Lewis responds and Jon waves a hand as though the comment is not worth his time.

“Are you eating?” he says instead, looking over their son critically. “You don't want your dad worrying. I won't hear the end of it.”

It's a teasing pattern of back-and-forth, familiar and shot through with affection, but Martin can't be part of it. His hands don't know what to do with themselves. He doesn't have any words that can make any of this palatable, none of this, because they're in a hospital, again, after surviving everything else, and he thought he was done being frightened of this.

He sees Lewis nudge his father.

“Go gentle, yeah?” he hears him murmur admonishingly. “You really scared him.”

Jon looks right at Martin then. There's sorrow cutting into the lines of wrinkles there, some acknowledgement of what just happened finally gracing his face. Martin is shuffling forwards to the side of the bed, and Jon is reaching up, cupping Martin's cheek.

“You saved me again,  I see,” he says, teasing if it wasn't so soft, so quiet, so clearly for only the two of them. There's a weight of histories there, the many times they've both been here before, but Jon is looking at him so sadly, rubbing a thumb over the tear-stains on Martin's cheek. There's such blinding trust in his eyes. Martin doesn't know, because Jon doesn't know how to put it into words, but even as the pain spiked hard in his chest and he struggled to breath, Martin had been there and so some part of him knew it would have been ok. Martin would have made it so. “I knew you would.”

Martin is wrapping his arms around him then – oh god, Jon, don't you ever do that to me again – and Jon is solid under him, gripping tight, and it's like being able to breath again.

[szopenhauer]

Using the first letter of their name, use a word to describe your partner. meow Where’s the closest church to you?  like 10 minutes of walking 

Last thing you did that made you feel like an adult? look for a job? What’s your favorite picture of your mom? Dad? maybe What’s something exciting that’s happened to one of your friends recently? ask them Do you have any board games? If so, where do you keep them? yep, here and there What were the last things you glued together? two pages of a notebook If you have a collection of anything - where did you get most of that collection? thrift store/second hand

What was the last thing you purchased? food and t-shirt 

What are you wearing right now? pajama all day long sleeves and leggings What did you last order from a restaurant? smth disgusting that I don’t recommend And what restaurant was that from? local

Have you ever seen 50 First Dates? nope

Have you ever read any of John Green’s books? from what I remember If so, which one is your favorite? I don’t like him Are you a protective person? oh well... Does your license plate number contain the number 8? I don’t have a car Were you ever a ghost on Halloween? never Are you a fan of penguins? they’re ok Are you a good painter? meh Before buying a car, do you usually test drive it? dunno if I would  Have you ever met your favorite author? noooo Have you and your best friend ever liked the same person? sorta When was the last time someone called you babe or baby? recently  Do you have an older brother? he’s dead Do you watch Teen Wolf on MTV? I should lmfao

Do you have a movie that you have to watch during the summer every year? wtf Do you know anyone who has a flower tattoo? I believe Marta does Do you like the name Carter? not really Have you ever had a secret admirer? believe it or not but I had at least one How many different languages can you say goodbye in? 3 or more

Do you adore plaid pajama pants? why not

Can you see another person from where you are? my parents are asleep already

Can you curse in a foreign language? I can 

What was the last thing you tripped over? not sure what was last

Do you have anything to say about eels? remind me of Ariel (Ursula)

If you could have a giant swimming pool, what would you fill it with? it’s a secret ;)

When was the last time you ate cardboard? that didn’t happen, ever, in my whole life

What song is stuck in your head? Tame Impala - Borderline

What color is the carpet below your feet? there’s no carpet

Is it raining? no

What was the last thing you laughed at? smth with M.

Have you ever petted a chicken? yasss <3

What about a llama? I wish

Or a cow? petted a bit

Can you play pool? I tried ^^” 

Ever won a game of chess? I don’t recall

Approximately how long did this take? *shrug*

Where you a 90’s kid? I was born in 1992

What color(s) are the clothes you’re wearing? blue and grey

Where were you the last time you kissed someone? sigh...

Are you a godparent? no way

How much water do you drink in a day? 5 mugs?

Do you sleep too much or not enough? depends 

Have you ever gone a full day without interacting with another person? not possible Where were you going the last time you were on a train? Ełk or Warsaw

When you shop at IKEA, do you always stop to eat a snack/meal in the cafeteria? I did  Are there any ways in which you greatly differ from everyone else in your family? for example - I’m gay Do you have any gay relatives? speaking of the devil... Have you ever had to have a pet put down? I’m against that in most cases  Have you unfollowed, deleted, or blocked anyone on social media recently? not last days? If so, what was the reason? I block porn blogs that follow me constantly  Do you know what your vocal range is? no idea, that’s interesting When was the last time you spoke to your parents? this evening What’s the biggest financial mistake you’ve ever made? don’t wanna talk about those mistakes Do you like metal music? not a fan Have you ever turned down someone who didn’t handle the rejection well? could be worse When was the last time you went for a walk? yesterday What’s the longest you’ve ever stayed as a guest at someone’s house? counting my grandma and aunt? if not then one night  Are there any colleges or universities in the town you live in? there aren’t How bad was your acne when you were a teenager? bad Would you rather exercise on an elliptical or a stationary bike? eliptical

Do you know anyone that’s painfully, socially awkward?: ... me? How do you usually pose in your pictures?: make stupid faces to cover my ugliness XD Do you know anyone that absolutely freaks out if you try to take a picture of them?: me again Do you pick on them for it and attempt to take loads of pictures anyway?: stop! If you ever had to take care of a fake baby in family ed - were you a good mother/father?: not applicable Do any of your friends put ‘lol’ in almost every single text they send you?: I do that too so...

Do you like movies more if they’re based on actual events?: prefer fiction What would you do if your gf was hitting on someone else right in front of you?: I would be sad Can you recall the first person you ever drank/got drunk/high with?: John and arab ^ are you still friends?: I still chat on fb with J. but only rarely What did you last stretch the truth about?: hmm... Have you ever had withdrawals from something?: omg  Someone?: that as well How many nicknames can you think of for marijuana?: weed, marycha, Mary, trawka What about the police?: better keep quiet lol Do you know how to use roman numerals properly?: yep Most people who’ve slept over at your house all at once?: 5 Have you ever stapled yourself?: I’m not that clumsy Who would you like to spend the night with?: you know who... Is flirting really cheating?: it is What’s something you own that’s /only/ of sentimental value?: shitload of stuff What song would you use to torture someone?: smth that they hate  Has anyone licked you today?: lmfao  Three things you want to live without?: my problems A random stranger walks up to you and says 'you’re hot’. You say: ...

Do you wear the same shirt multiple times before washing? I might Would you rather be surrounded by maple trees, fir trees, or palm trees? definitely not palms What does your favorite bikini look like? I only own one bathsuit Do you have a balcony? we do have a balcony 

Is Friday 13th REALLY that unlucky? Do you believe in any superstitions? normal day for me (I started to worry when I typed that down - kuszenie losu)

Does your country celebrate Halloween differently than in other places? Poland doesn’t really celebrate Halloween tbh

Do you see many bats in your area? sadly not, that’d be nice

How many board games do you own? mine or family’s?

Newest musical discovery? bunch of Tame Impala songs Last thing you cleaned? washed a wooden knife What exactly do you carry around all your stuff in? I own plenty of bags/backpacks/totes etc. What is your Mercury sign?  still Aquarius Last thing you disposed of? food package and paper kitchen towel Are you good at recovering from injuries? been told How many different public restrooms have you used this week? less than 5? Do you have more piercings or tattoos? equally none What was the last picture someone sent you? selfie I asked for to make a morph out of our faces Did you hear a siren today? I did not What do you typically drink? water

[totallyrhettro]

Another Me, Chapter 1

Word Count: 2225 Rating: PG-13 Warnings: None Summary: This time, Rhett was really going to do it. He had tried maybe a thousand times over the past thirty-odd years to tell Link how he really felt, but this time he was finally going to actually succeed. At least, that was the plan, but when another version of the six-foot seven bearded internetainer appears out of nowhere during their weekend getaway, Rhett's carefully laid plans are quickly pushed aside. Notes: AU, Present day, Rhett and Link aren't married

Also available on ao3!

“Stonehenge!” Rhett’s voice rang out through their shared office and Link jumped in his seat. He was used to his best friend and co-host’s propensity to become over excited but the shouting was usually not expected.

“What?” he asked, not sure what conversation Rhett had obviously been having with himself that led to such a random conclusion. Rhett crossed the room with a few long strides, grabbed his own chair by the back and swung it around to sit on it next to his lifelong friend.

“That’s where we should film Buddy System season three!” he enthused. “It’s perfect!”

“We haven’t written Buddy System season three,” Link reminded him, giving him an incredulous look. “We haven’t even started writing a Buddy System season three.” Rhett wasn’t deterred in the slightest, patting his friend on the back in his exuberance.

“But we will!” he insisted. “And when we do we should definitely include scenes from Stonehenge. We could even film the entire season in England! I’m sure our European viewers will love that.”

“That’ll be expensive,” Link mulled, trying not to sound like he was into the whole idea. “We’d probably have to get permits just to film there, not to mention flying us and our crew and equipment over there-”

“I thought about that,” Rhett interrupted. “I figured we could save loads if we just go by ourselves. Think of it!” he continued, getting more excited again. “You me, a few cameras- it’ll be just like the old days. The team can do the editing when we get back, or we can email them the footage but think of it!” Link was thinking of it and Rhett’s suggestions weren’t making him more interesting in any of it. There was a reason they didn’t film like they did ‘in the old days’, why they paid so many people to help them out. Their videos were better when they had professionals filming and directing. Much better.

“What about a cast?” he wondered. “A director, a script? We can’t just go off half-cocked with handheld cameras and start filming without anyone to help us.” Sympathetic to Rhett’s urge to create and dive head-first into action, Link tilted his head. “What if you and I go to Stonehenge-” Rhett’s eyes lit up anew- “And just do some scouting, scope the place out, maybe check out other possible locations in England. We can get a feel for the place and maybe get some inspiration for a script.” Rhett considered this for a moment.

“Can we bring a camera or two? A good one?” At the very least he could get some stock footage while they were there.

“Sure. It’ll be like a vacation.” After the end of season thirteen they could really use one. It had been a long half-year. Besides he was certain Rhett’s obsession with filming season three in England would fade after a week or so. Many of his obsessions usually did.

“I can’t remember the last time we had a vacation together,” Rhett noted, thinking back. “With just the two of us.” There was a glint in his eye that both frightened and thrilled him. These times used to be quite rare but it seemed that in the past few years they were becoming more frequent. Times when Rhett’s gaze left Link with a strange feeling in his chest and stomach, one he didn’t quite understand but feared nonetheless.

Rhett, meanwhile, was having very different thoughts. In another universe his suggesting a vacation for the two of them might have been sweet, even romantic, but not in this version of reality. Here they were just friends, had always been and always would be, much to his disappointment. Still he clung to hope, it was all that kept him going some days. Time and time again he would set things up for the two of them, giving Link every opportunity to take the first step. He was too afraid to say anything, lest he lose Link as a friend entirely. He didn’t want to make things awkward between them. It would break his heart if the life they had spent decades making together was jeopardized.

The last few years Rhett had been unable to find any time to be alone with Link, not anywhere romantic and isolated. They had almost gone to Mexico for Thanksgiving vacation but hotels were switched at the last minute. Rhett did have a lovely time in Hawaii by himself but it wasn’t the same. Maybe this vacation would be different. He could only hope.

“Just for a few days,” Link was saying. “Alright? I want to spend some of our break back home.” Home being North Carolina. The two of them grew up together there, though they had moved cross country almost ten years ago. It was nice to get back, once in a while, but there were times when Rhett hated it. Home often reminded him of all the mistakes he had made there, all the mistakes with Link.

“Sure, yeah, of course,” he assured Link, even though he would have loved to spend month overseas. “Cheer up!” he added, seeing Link’s look of trepidation. “It’ll be fun!”

~ ~ ~

Over the last thirty plus years of their friendship, Rhett had tried to figure out exactly where he had gone wrong with Link but he could never pin it down to just one moment. Whether he was trying to protect his own reputation or was just too scared to come out to his best friend, Rhett had never been able to tell him how he felt. As time passed and they grew older it became even harder to reveal the truth about his deep affection for the Link, thinking it would just ruin what they already had, scare Link off, or worse: make the man that he deeply loved hate him for what he felt. It was too much to hope that his feelings were shared.

So he trudged on, trying to be happy with the life they had built together, the company they had created that thrived and grew. For the most part he was happy, happy that they got to make great content, their content, and actually get paid for it. Rhett had a great life in Los Angeles, a dream location with a dream job, but there were times when life slowed down long enough for him to remember what he didn’t have, the one thing he didn’t have. True he had tried to fill the void in his heart with other people, other friends, even other relationships, but nothing worked. No one could replace Link, no one came close. Rhett loved Link more than anything and anyone in the world but he seemed to be the only person that he couldn’t have, not like that.

Every day he told himself he’d get over Link, that he’d move on, and everyday he loved that man more. Everyday it got worse.

“Did we get two rooms this time?” Link wondered as they strode out of the airport onto the streets of Southampton, England. They were about half an hour’s drive to Stonehenge and only a few minutes away from the hotel. The city wasn’t exactly the English countryside but Tripadvisor and Yelp both told Rhett that there would be plenty of that on this trip.

“Since you were so worried about me spending money I booked us one room.” Link made a face. “We have our own beds,” Rhett added. “Don’t worry.” He would have dearly loved to share a bed with his friend again but he didn’t want to push things. Not this time. He’d done that before in the past and it usually didn’t end well. “Besides I plan on spending most of my vacation outside of the hotel. Not just at Stonehenge but other places as well. I have a whole itinerary.” At that Link had to smile approvingly; he did enjoy an organized vacation. Shifting his backpack on his shoulder he followed behind his friend towards the parking lot where their rental car waited for them. He had a few reservations about this trip but he was looking forward to seeing the sights.

Their hotel was a Holiday Inn, nothing too fancy or expensive, and their third floor room had a lovely view of the River Test. Rhett had thought that a strange name for a river until he looked up what it meant on Google. Turns out it was believed to be celtic in origin, possibly from the word that meant tumult or uproar. He wondered if staying in a room by such a named river was going to be prophetic in anyway but dismissed the thought as silly superstition. Link didn’t really give it any mind, he just liked the view.

“This is great, Rhett!” he remarked, looking out the window. “I can’t believe you booked such a great room.”

“Oh, thanks,” Rhett replied sarcastically. His fake annoyance faded almost instantly into a smile as Link smiled back.

“You know what I mean. I’m amazed that this room was available.”

“You should come on vacations with me more often, Link.” Rhett twisted his eyebrows and puffed out his chest. “I am the master of vacation planning.” Link threw a pillow at him.

“Okay, master vacationer. What’s first on our agenda?” Rhett chucked the pillow back at him.

“Why, food of course!”

~ ~ ~

Dinner was at Nicole’s Restaurant, a small local place with a buffett and huge booths for seating. It was a nice place, dressed up a bit fancier than its size would imply but the food wasn’t bad. They were practically the only ones in there, too. It was a bit late for supper but Rhett and Link were still adjusting to the five hour time difference. Besides, they were both very hungry after that plane ride.

The two of them had snagged the corner booth and Rhett felt the all too familiar twinge of anticipation. He squeezed into the seat next to his friend, as he always did, sitting just a tad closer than he needed to. Link didn’t say a word, he never did. They had always sat too close, always on the same side of tables, mere inches away. He didn’t mind, he found Rhett’s presence comforting. It was a strange, warm, feeling that he never thought too hard about. He always assumed this was how all friends were. At least, best friends.

“I think we should scout Stonehenge first thing tomorrow,” he suggested, pushing his empty plate away. Rhett had finished ages ago and was already checking out the desert menu. “It’s supposed to rain one of these days and I don’t want to get caught in a big open field when that happens.”

“Sounds good to me,” Rhett agreed. He really was anxious to see the famous Stonehenge, this vacation wasn’t just a ploy to get Link alone. If they could get some scenes filmed for their next Buddy System season in England it would be fantastic for the series. “Maybe after we can go see Salisbury Cathedral.”

“I feel like we should be eating more salisbury steak,” Link joked. “In honor of the Salisbury plains.”

“I’m all for that, but I’m pretty sure they pronounce it ‘saws-bree’ here.”

“Good ol’ sawsbree,” Link riffed. “Sounds more like a cheese.” Rhett nodded in agreement, his eyes hardly straying from his friend’s face. The hour was late enough and the town so middle-of-nowhere, he couldn’t help but feel much more free to be himself, to stare and not have people wonder. Here, in the darkened corner of this little restaurant, he could pretend that this was more than just a friendly dinner, he could pretend for his heart’s sake. Under the dim lights Link’s eyes twinkled beautifully, enticing Rhett to get forever lost in gentle blue. Then Link met his gaze and he had to turn away.

Don’t let him know, don’t let him suspect, not yet. Too soon.

Shifting in his seat Rhett bumped his leg against Link’s, casual and seemingly accidental. It was his old standby and, in his mind, it got him a number of girlfriends when he was much younger. Meanwhile he waved for the waiter so he could order the tasty dessert he had been eyeing earlier. Link was left to wonder about the sudden heat in his cheeks, the tingle in his stomach. It wasn’t the first time the two of them bumped legs. They’d touched each other in all sorts of awkward ways over the years for their internet show. Of course they weren’t filming their show right now, there was no need to hide the effect Rhett had on him, one he didn’t want to admit he didn’t all together dislike.

Coughing, he shifted slightly away, choosing to ignore, always ignore. He didn’t want this lovely night to be ruined by his stupid thoughts. He was just tired and jet-lagged, that had to be it. Another reason, another excuse, one more to add to his pile. Orderly and organized were his excuses, filed away in the back of his mind where he could shut them away for good. No way was he going to explore what his feelings meant. It was too dangerous, too risky. Best to just play it off, as he always did. Silly things, silly Link.

Silly, silly heart.

Next Chapter

More Fics

[queen-of-deans-booty]

Bloody Mary- Part 4

Pairing: Eventual Dean x Reader

Word Count: 2,684 (8,630 words in total)

Warnings: Typical Supernatural violence, angst, language, minor character death, blood, you know the usual

Author’s Note: I do not own anything from Supernatural. All credit goes to their respective owners. Please, if you want to be tagged for this series, let me know and I’ll add you! If you want to be tagged for my other fics, I’ll add you! I want to hear what you guys think about this.

Feedback is always appreciated

Tags at the bottom

Part One, Part Two, Part Three

Your name: submit What is this?

“Yeah, I was on the job for 35 years. Now, every case has its problems and not every case you’ll solve. But Mary Worthington, man, this case kicked my ass. It still gets me.” The detective said when you asked about her murder.

“What exactly happened?” Dean wondered.

“You folks said you were reporters?” The detective wondered.

“We know Mary was 19 who lived by herself. We know she won a few local beauty contests, dreamt of getting out of Indiana, and becoming an actress. We also know the night of March 29th, someone broke into her apartment and murdered her, cutting out her eyes with a knife.” You said without answering his question.

“That’s right.” The detective nodded.

“See sir, when we asked you what happened, we wanted to know what you think happened.” You bit your lip. The detective walked over to the filing cabinet and pulled out some files.

“Now, technically I'm not supposed to have a copy of this. Now see that there? T-R-E?” You looked at the photo that Dean found on the computer back in Ohio.

“Yeah.” Dean nodded.

“I think Mary was trying to spell out the name of her killer.” The detective looked at you and you chewed on your lip.

“Do you know who it was?”

“Not for sure. But there was a local man, a surgeon, Trevor Sampson, and I think her cut her up good.” He declared.

“Now why would he do something like that?’ You wondered.

“Her diary mentioned a man that she was seeing. She called him by his initial, "T". Well, her last entry, she was going to tell "T"'s wife about their affair.”

“How do you know it was Sampson who killed her?” You asked, looking at him. He looked at you and he seemed to really take a good look at you because he smiled and stared at you for a few minutes before speaking.

“It’s hard to say but the way her eyes were cut out, it had to have been professional.”

“Is he still alive?” You wondered.

“Nope.” He sighed.

“Where is she buried?” Dean asked. You looked over at him to see him looking through the file and Sam looking around the office.

“She was cremated.” You sighed.

“What about that mirror she used? Is it in lock up somewhere?” Sam asked.

“No, that mirror was returned to her family a long time ago.” The detective said. You wished he would give you something to work with.

“You have the names of her family?” Sam asked.

“I do.” The detective went on his computer to bring up her file and once he had the names and numbers, he wrote them down and handed them to you.

“Good luck.” He smiled kindly at you.

“Thank you, Detective. You really helped a lot.” He nodded happily and you left with the Winchesters.

“Why were you flirting with him? He gave us the information we needed.” Dean asked as you walked to the Impala.

“Dean, there is nothing wrong with flirting with people you think are cute and he was cute.” The detective was young and had dark black hair and green eyes but none of that compared to the beauties on Dean’s face.

“Right.” He scoffed and got in the car.

“Who are we calling first?” Sam asked, getting inside the car with you.

“You should be the one to call them.” You handed the piece of paper with the names and numbers.

“We should head back, see if anything new happened with Charlie and Donna.” Sam said, grabbing the numbers. With that, Dean pulled away and headed back to Ohio. Sam immediately began calling the numbers, talking to the family members and asking if they knew where the mirror went.

“So?” Dean asked his brother when he got off the phone. You were almost in Toledo.

“So, I just talked with Mary's brother. The mirror was in the family for years, until he sold it one week ago to a store called Estate Antiques. A store in Toledo.”

“That’s why she’s been terrorizing people in Toledo.” You fit the puzzle together.

“Her spirit's definitely tied up with it somehow.” Sam sighed.

“Isn't there an old superstition that says mirrors can capture spirits?” Dean wondered. You thought you read something about that somewhere in the books you were using.

“Yeah there is. When someone would die in a house people would cover up the mirrors so the ghost wouldn't get trapped.” You said as you looked at Dean.

“If the mirror is the source, I say we find it and smash it.” Dean declared. Great, being around Bloody Mary and around all those mirrors. It was like your childhood all over again and those fears resurfacing.

“Maybe.” You shrugged but frowned when your phone rang. You answered it to Charlie crying hysterically.

“Charlie, whoa, calm down. Tell me what happened.” You tried to soothe her.

“I saw her.” She sobbed. You clenched your jaw and sighed, nodding to no one.

“Okay, Sam, Dean and I are on your way to you. Okay, don’t look into anything reflective until we get there.” You hung up and looked at Dean.

“That was Charlie. She saw Bloody Mary.” Driving faster is what Dean did.

You made it to Charlie’s house and she left the door open for you to walk in. You assumed she didn’t want to see her reflection. It seemed as if she was the only one home. You rushed upstairs to her bedroom to see her on the bed with her head on her knees. Sam went to go shut the curtains so she couldn’t see Mary in the window and Dean covered up the mirrors while you sat next to Charlie.

“Hey, it’s okay, you can open your eyes up. Charlie, it’s okay.” You looked at her, putting a hand on her back comforting.

“Now listen. You're going to stay right here on this bed, and you're not going to look at glass, or anything else that has a reflection, okay? As long as you do that, she can’t get you.” Sam said once he was done.

“But I can’t keep that up forever. I’m going to die, aren’t I?” She said, scared.

“No, you won’t. Not with us around.” You said.

“We are going to need to know what happened.” Dean asked, sitting next to her.

“We were in the bathroom and Donna said it.” Charlie said softly. That isn’t what Dean was talking about.

“That's not what we're talking about. Something happened, didn't it? In your life... a secret... where someone got hurt. Can you tell us about it?” You asked softly.

“I had this boyfriend. I loved him. But he kind of scared me too, you know? And one night, at his house, we got in this fight. I broke up with him, and he got upset, and he said he needed me and he loved me, and he said "Charlie, if you walk out that door right now, I'm going to kill myself." And you know what I said? I said "Go ahead." And I left. How could I say that? How could I leave him like that? I just... I didn't believe him, you know? I should have.” Charlie started to cry again.

“Charlie, don’t look into anything with a reflection. Boys, we have work to do.” You got up and left her house, getting into the Impala.

“We need to go to that antique store and I know where it is. We passed by it on the way here.” Dean said, getting in the car.

“You know, I've been thinking. It might not be enough to just smash that mirror.” Sam said suddenly.

“What do you mean?” You asked him.

“Well, Mary's hard to pin down, right? I mean she moves around from mirror to mirror so who's to say that she's not just going to keep hiding in them forever? So maybe we should try to pin her down, you know, summon her to her mirror and then smash it.”

“Okay, who’s going to summon her?” Dean asked. Please don’t let it be you, please don’t let it be you. Your mother’s death was the thing you carried on you all the time but would that be good enough for Mary?

“I will, she’ll come after me.” Sam said.

“You know what? That’s it,” Dean growled as he pulled the car over. “This is about Jessica, isn't it? You think that's your dirty little secret that you killed her somehow? Sam, this has got to stop, man. I mean, the nightmares and calling her name out in the middle of the night… It's going to kill you. Now listen to me: it wasn't your fault. If you wanna blame something, then blame the thing that killed her. Or hell, why don't you take a swing at me? I mean I'm the one that dragged you away from her in the first place.” You looked between the boys but you didn’t know what you should say.

“I don’t blame you.” Sam said.

“Well you shouldn't blame yourself, because there's nothing you could've done. We’ve already went over this.” Dean sighed.

“I could have warned her.”

“About what? You didn't know what was going to happen! And besides, all of this isn't a secret, I mean I know all about it. It's not going to work with Mary anyway.”

“No you don’t know what it’s all about. I haven’t told you guys everything.” He looked at you then at his brother.

“What are you talking about?”

“Well it wouldn't really be a secret if I told you, would it?” Sam counterargued.

“No. I don't like it. It's not going to happen, forget it.” Dean scoffed, turning to the road.

“Dean, that girl back there is going to die unless we do something about it. And you know what? Who knows how many more people are going to die after that? Now we're doing this. You've got to let me do this.” Sam sighed.

“I’ll do it instead.” You spoke up.

“What? No, I won’t allow it.” Dean looked at you.

“Dean, I killed my mother whether I knew it or not and Mary will see it like I did.”

“You were 8!” Dean yelled.

“Let’s go, we’re wasting time.” You sighed, putting the conversation on termination. Dean grumbled but got to the store anyways. Sam was the one who unlocked the door and you three walked inside. You groaned when you saw mirrors upon mirrors.

“Well that’s just great.”

“We should start looking.” Dean said, going off in one direction and Sam in another. You went on your own and you gulped, not liking this at all. You looked all around the store and you didn’t see a mirror that looked like the one in the picture.

You were about to give up when Sam called you and Dean over. You walked to him to see the mirror that was causing everyone trouble. You looked at Sam and Dean to see them arguing over the mirror and who was going to say it when you decided for them.

“Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary.” You said quickly, picking up the crowbar you brought inside.

“Y/N! No!” Dean looked at you and Sam sighed to himself.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Sam scolded you.

“Guys, we don’t have time to argue right now.” You looked around to see it still quiet. You saw a light shine into the store and you heard Dean sigh.

“You stay here and smash everything that moves.” Dean grabbed his brother and walked to the front of the store to see what that light was.

You gulped, watching them leave and you looked around you to see it still quiet. Maybe she wasn’t going to show. You heard groaning of some kind and looked to your right to see Mary in one of the mirrors but it wasn’t hers. You rammed your crowbar into it, smashing it to pieces. She growled and hopped to another mirror.

You saw her in a mirror to your left and you smashed that one as well. You gasped and looked at her mirror but she still wasn’t in it.

“Come on, Mary, get into this one.” You stared at your reflection and watched as it took on a life of its own. You tilted your head but you gasped when you felt a pain shoot to your eyes and you knew blood was trickling down it. You dropped your crowbar as you struggled to get a breath out. You stared at your reflection as it began to talk.

“It’s your fault. You killed her. You killed Katherine.” Katherine was your mom. You gasped for breath as you stared at yourself. It still continued to talk.

“You watched as the demon took her life when it really wanted you! Katherine was calling out to you but you didn’t care. All you did was watch and didn’t do a thing. You knew this was going to happen! There were signs all over the place but you never told anyone! Now you want revenge? Pathetic! It’s your fault she died!!” All of that was true. You were to blame. You fell to the ground; sure, you were going to die but you heard Dean’s voice calling you.

“Y/N!!!” When he saw you on the ground and your reflection standing, he knew it was Mary. He yelled as he smashed the mirror. You gasped for air when it was smashed and you started coughing from the lack of oxygen.

“Are you okay?” You nodded and with the help of Dean, you got up.

“Yeah, fine.” Dean let you use him for most of his weight, either Winchester on either side of you. You groaned and walked with them slowly. You stopped when you heard growling and you turned around slowly to see Mary crawl out of the frame. Your eyes widened as more blood came out.

“No.” You said scared. This was one of your worst nightmares coming alive. You looked at Sam and Dean who had blood coming out of their eyes as well. You three dropped to the ground as you struggled to breathe again. You watched as she came closer, fear spiking everything throughout your body.

Looking behind you, you saw Dean reach for another mirror and put it towards Mary herself. Now that she was in human form, she had a reflection. You watched as she stared at herself, sadness washing over her features.

“You killed them! All those people! You killed them!” Her reflection yelled at her. You watched as Mary melted into a pool of her own blood and vanished, dead forever. Dean threw the mirror down, shattering it.

“Guys?’ Dean said once he could catch a break. You laid on the floor, trying not to cry yourself.

“Yeah?” Sam answered for the both of you.

“This has got to be like, what, 600 years of bad luck?” Dean chuckled. You wanted to laugh but you couldn’t. You really needed a bath.

In the end, everything was alright and you were pulling up at Charlies’ house, watching her come out, not looking at anything.

“So it this really over?” She asked, looking at you.

“Yeah, it’s over.” Dean nodded.

“Thank you.” She smiled and she seemed relieved. She turned away to walk back to her house but Sam stopped her.

“Charlie? Your boyfriend's death... you really should try to forgive yourself. No matter what you did, you probably couldn't have stopped it. Sometimes bad things just happen.” Charlie smiled and nodded, going back to her house.

“That’s good advice,” Dean said to Sam. “I want you to tell me what that secret was.” Dean looked at you from the mirror.

“Dean, I love you, and Sam, but there are things that need to be kept buried no matter who asks.” You bit your lip and you stared out the window. You were still traumatized for this but you would get over it. You hoped you would.

Masterlist // Series Rewrite Masterlist // Buy me a Coffee?

Series Rewrite tags:

@helllonearth @amyisabellal @deanwnchstr@caseykitten6 @roxalya19 @quixoticcat

Forever tags:

@love-like-lies @maddieburcham1 @ginamsmith @mogaruke@jarpadandjensenaremyheroes

Dean tags:

@akshi8278 @mega-mrs-dean-winchester​ @winchesterandpie​

Other tags:

@jensen-jarpad @notnaturalanahi @deathtonormalcy56 @27bmm

[vladamsandler]

Too Good To Be True

Prompt by oresamawesome: “Robbie makes a truth ray and tries to use it on Sportacus but it ends up backfiring and either affecting Robbie or both of them and they end up accidentally confessing feelings.”

Word count: 3274

Hat… ground… ears… pointy…

Robbie’s nervous glances flick up and down between the blue hat lying on the ground and Sportacus himself. His ears to be precise.

“Elf,” Robbie blurts out. Not quite a question, not quite a statement, but some sort of accusation therein between. Sportacus is an elf?

The hero and villian of LazyTown were standing frozen in front of each other after Sportacus’ latest acrobatic feat somehow jostled his hat and goggles clean off his head, landing at Robbie’s feet, who had been spying on the blue kangaroo from behind a tree. Whether or not Sportacus happened to have decided to show off his new trick-flip in the general direction of the poorly concealed villian was neither here-nor-there now that his deepest secret had been suddenly revealed.

“Um. Gotta go!” Sportacus quickly snatches up the offending accessory and sprints away in a blur of white, blue, and flushed red.

Robbie feels a surge of some nameless emotion. Anger? Annoyance? Wonderment? He glances around the park, still unmoving. No one seems to be around to have seen what he’d just seen. Good. Good? Why does it matter that Robbie is probably the only person in town now that knows this incredible fact about the local hero?

Robbie scowls and storms off in the direction of his lair. It’s definitely annoyance. Robbie needs to think over this new information. Perhaps there’s some way he could use it against the overactive elf, maybe even drive him out of town once and for all!

After Robbie reaches one of the entrances to his underground home in the outskirts of town, he hops down the steep metal chute and is clumsily deposited on the orange armchair in the center of his lair. Swinging his legs around to right himself from his awkward landing, Robbie finally gets comfortable and taps his fingers together under his chin.

So the great Sportaflop isn’t the honest “slightly-above-average hero” he’s lead the citizens of LazyTown to believe! Robbie KNEW Sportacus’ athletic abilities were too good to be true. It all made sense now, the hyperbolic hyperactivity, the ridiculous robo-blimp, the “sugar meltdowns” (really, who faints at one bite of a candy apple?). Robbie could feel the beginnings of an evil plan stir in the back of his mind. This was very sensitive information that he now held over the hero. What would the children think to hear what Sportacus had been hiding from them all these years? Their local inspiration was never even human, the stunts he paraded could never be replicated by anyone here, regardless of Sportacus’ assurances that all it took was dedicated practice and hard work.

Robbie’s new scheme begins to unfold itself in his mind as he realizes what it must have been like for the elf to integrate himself so carefully among the humans living here. The normal people in LazyTown must seem like they’re moving in slow motion for Sportacus. He probably thinks them all below his idea of physical prowess - and reasonable level of intelligence for that matter, never catching on to the blatant ruse that Sportacus only ever needed that dumb hat to hide!

Robbie hops out of his chair in glee, clapping twice to call down a chalkboard. Explaining as he draws, the villian delightedly illustrates his new infallible plan.

“First! I’ll build a truth ray to use on Sportacus in order to ruin his reputation in LazyTown! He’ll confess his inhumanity to his beloved friends, revealing that he’s been lying straight through his teeth to all of them for years!” Robbie grins wickedly and waves the chalk around as he presents his crudely drawn figures to the empty room.

“Then I’ll seal his fate by prompting him to confess his true feelings about those pathetic brats he’s always hanging around. He’ll tell them they’ll never be as strong and as fast as he is, no matter how much they train and practice!” Robbie clenches his fists in triumph. “Lastly, the townspeople will finally turn against Sporta-goody-two-shoes and drive him out of LazyTown - FOREVER!” Robbie stands with his arms raised over his head and a maniacal grin on his face for a moment or two before clapping again to dismiss the chalkboard.

“Time to build a truth ray!”

Sportacus paces the floor of his airship, anxiously trying to come up with a plan of action, hat and goggles safely returned to the top of his head.

He knows. Robbie KNOWS.

He drops to the floor to burn off his nervous energy with clapping pushups.

“Okay Sportacus,” clap, “just calm down,” clap, “this isn’t the end of the world,” clap, “sure elves are traditionally supposed to hide their identity among humans,” clap, “but that was just because of some old superstitions,” clap, “besides, I can trust Robbie can’t I?” Sportacus stops doing pushups and stares at the floor for a second with a pained expression. He jumps up and begins squatting furiously.

“Okay so who knows about Robbie Rotten. But at least he’s my friend. All I have to do is go talk to him right? Explain the situation, convince him to keep this to himself.” Sportacus pants with nervous exertion. “Robbie will understand.”

Sportacus stops squatting and barks, “WATER.” A water bottle quickly flies into his open hand and after a few swigs, Sportacus resolves to go down to pay Robbie a visit.

“Robbie’s my friend,” he quietly assures himself as he descends the rope ladder under the airship, “he���ll understand.”

Robbie holds his newest masterpiece aloft in the light. The contraption was a small purple gun with a square handle and a sleek rounded barrel that tapered to a point in the front with three small green rings at the tip.

“I’m a genius,” Robbie whispers, misty eyed.

He awkwardly pins the gun under is arm as he ascends the ladder to the surface. He probably should have designed a holster before he left but he was simply too eager to finally put his plan in motion and rid the town of that bouncing blue menace once and for all!

Pausing underneath the main entrance hatch to his lair, Robbie considers the implications of what he’s about to do. This secret is something only he and Sportacus knows. Why would he want to share it with anyone? No one else in this retched town deserves to know what Robbie was smart enough to discover on his own! He feels privileged to be privy to such personal information about the hero.

Robbie shakes his head and growls. What is he thinking? This is his CHANCE. He can finally get rid of Sportacus like he’s always wanted!

He opens the hatch and crawls out, ignoring the uneasy feeling that last thought gives him. He shoves it down with the rest of the feelings that he prefers not to examine on a regular basis. He’s still caught up in his own thoughts as he carries the raygun towards the door in the billboard that conceals the main entrance to his lair. However just as he’s in range to reach for it, it swings open with surprising force, knocking Robbie backwards and sending the raygun up in the air.

Sportacus peers around the doorway to see Robbie on the ground leaning against the hatch to his lair, looking dazed. Before he can move forward to help him something crashes on the ground between them and they’re blinded by a flash of bright green light.

Robbie lowers his arms after the light disappears and forlornly gazes at the smashed raygun on the ground.

“Look at what you did you stupid elf! You broke it!”

Sportacus winces at the words Robbie hurls at him and crouches in front of broken machine. “What is it?”

“It’s a raygun I built to trick you into confessing your true identity to all the citizens of LazyTown so they’ll turn against you and force you to leave town forever!” Robbie pops his mouth closed and stares wide-eyed at the elf. Oh no.

Sportacus raises his eyebrow, confused at the sudden burst of information, but unsurprised to hear about another one of the villain’s schemes to get rid of him. “Robbie, are you okay?”

“Yes I’m fine… What’s it to you?”

“Well you looked like you fell pretty hard… Besides, I’m always worried about you, Robbie.” Sportacus stands up straight, eyes wide. Did he just say that??

Robbie looks up at Sportacus, cheeks red. The truth ray! It must’ve released a burst of energy when it broke, capturing both he and Sportacus in its effects! He moves to stand, slapping away Sportacus’ hands when he reaches forward to assist.

“Robbie, what’s going on?” Sportacus asks slowly, giving Robbie a hard stare to conceal his nervousness at what he suspects is the situation.

Robbie crosses his arms and looks away. “Obviously when the gun hit the ground, the truth ray that was meant to be concentrated out of the front of the barrel was released in one big burst. We must’ve been both hit by the effects…” Robbie trails off, embarrassed and worried.

“Well… Do you think you can fix it?” Sportacus asks carefully. He’s a little disappointed that Robbie’s first reaction to learning his secret was to try to use it against him to get him to leave town. “I’m a little disappointed that you’re trying to use my secret against me to make me leave town again, Robbie.” He stops talking and looks up at Robbie with a look of surprise. “I didn’t mean to say that! I was just thinking it!”

Robbie ignores the twinge of guilt at hearing that Sportacus was disappointed in him. “The ray will probably make us say whatever we’re thinking so you’d be best to try to keep your mouth shut while I try to fix this.” He gathers his broken machine off the ground and turns to retreat into his lair. As he opens the hatch and begins to climb back down with a look of consternation, Sportacus steps forward.

“Wait Robbie, we still need to talk about… what you know now,” he looks down at the descending figure in the hatch, “Can I come in and speak with you down there?”

“You’re always welcome in my home Sportacus,” Robbie blurts without thinking. He stops climbing and scowls up at Sportacus’ face leaning over the entrance. “Uh - I mean - NO - go away!”

Sportacus smiles at him and chuckles, “You can’t lie to me any more Robbie! If I was always welcome, why haven’t you ever invited me over?” He begins to climb down after Robbie. “You know, I think this is actually the perfect time for a conversation.”

Robbie mutters to himself about imposing sports elves as he reaches the floor and moves to set the ruined raygun on his workbench.

After Sportacus steps down, he turns to move toward the villain. “Robbie… I’m going to need you to keep this to yourself. The people of LazyTown can’t know I’m… not human.”

Robbie crosses his arms again. “I don’t understand why it’s some big secret, you look much better without the hat on anyway.” Robbie slaps a hand over his mouth and blushes. He must’ve been thinking of Sportacus’ shock of blond curls again. They were quite a sight to behold for the first time.

Sportacus smiles, his face warming a bit, but slowly becomes more serious as he explains, “If word got back to my commune that I revealed myself to the humans here, the elves would force me to return and erase all memory of my existence in LazyTown. I wouldn’t be able to protect the children anymore.” Sportacus face falls as he confesses the depressing truth. “The elders of my commune forbade us to reveal ourselves to any humans we encounter in our travels, in case it ever were to put our society in danger of war or capture.”

Robbie taps his chin, considering everything Sportacus tells him. “Force you to return and erase any memory of your existence in LazyTown? What makes you think that wouldn’t be exactly what I want?” Robbie looks at Sportacus with a challenge in his eyes, retreating to the comfort of his vindictive role in such uncomfortable circumstances.

Sportacus shoulders slump, losing hope. “Please… Robbie.” He gazes into the other man’s eyes and speaks softly, “I don’t want to leave this place. LazyTown is my home.”

Robbie breaks, seeing Sportacus’ bright blue eyes dulled by his pleading expression. He drops his arms. “Oh alright, I’ll keep it to myself. Just get that mopey look off your face, I don’t actually want you leave town either.” He slaps his hand over his mouth again.

Sportacus immediately perks up and grins at his companion, moving across the small space between them to swiftly crush the lanky man in a hug. “Ah-ha, so the truth comes out! Why are you always trying to get me to leave town, Robbie, if you don’t actually want me to go?” He leans back and smiles up at Robbie, still clasping his arms.

Robbie remains stock still through the embrace and wriggles his arms out of Sportacus’ grasp at his questioning look. The wealth of conflicting feelings he has for the handsome hero begin to bubble up his throat, the effects of the ray no doubt. Robbie’s eyes bulge and he holds his breath hoping to avoid any catastrophic confessions. The two men stare at each other for a moment, Robbie’s eyes wide, Sportacus’ eyes narrowing at his suspicious silence.

“Robbie, you know my deepest secret. Whatever you tell me now will be in total confidence.”

Robbie’s lungs burn and he can feel tears pricking the corners of his eyes. Finally he bursts out, “I'VEHADFEELINGSABOUTYOUEVERSINCEYOUARRIVEDINLAZYTOWNANDIDIDN'TKNOWWHATTODOABOUTTHEMORHOWTOADDRESSTHEMSOIJUSTTRIEDTOAVOIDITALTOGETHERANDGETTINGRIDOFYOUSEEMEDLIKETHEBESTWAYTODOTHAT!” - all in one breath.

Sportacus takes a step back at Robbie’s exclamations. “Wait what? Slow down! You… have feelings for me? Robbie??” Both men’s faces are red now. Robbie’s hands fly up, clasping over his mouth to physically stop another flood of words from escaping again.

“Robbie… I have feelings for you too?” Sportacus squeaks out the confession, voice picking up at the end like a question. Where did that come from?? Wait, hadn’t he always known this? Sportacus takes another step backward and stares at the ground in disbelief. He hadn’t mean’t to blurt out that response, but now that he’s said it, it felt like a weight had lifted off his shoulders. It seemed so right and natural to say aloud. He has feelings for Robbie! His friend - his best friend!

Robbie drops his hands, no longer needed as he’s now completely speechless. Sportaflop… likes him back? His eyes flick over to the broken raygun on the table. He tries to recap everything that has happened between the two that could’ve lead to this moment. He thinks of the first day he saw Sportacus, that twisting feeling in his stomach when he saw his smile for the first time. He supposes he knew all along what he was feeling, but squashed it down again and again, hoping it would just go away as soon as Sportacus left town. He could never get him to leave though.

Robbie thinks of all the knowing smiles on Sportacus’ face when the children discovered Robbie under his disguises. The strong grip of his arms whenever Sportacus saved him from falling, never releasing him until Robbie asked him to. Had Sportacus really felt the same way about him this whole time? He looks up to see Sportacus looking back at him with wide eyes, a grin slowly spreading on the elf’s face.

“Robbie… Have I ever told you how handsome you look when you’re embarrassed?” Sportacus is full-on grinning now, allowing the effects of the truth ray to run through him unhindered.

“Nope. We’re not doing this now.” Robbie turns away and crosses the large room to his toolboxes in the corner. If he repaired the raygun and managed to reverse the effects before either of them say anything more, perhaps they can just forget any of this ever happened. Things would go back to normal and Robbie wouldn’t have to think about the elf’s suggestive eyes and cute, pointy mustache. He loudly digs through his collection of wrenches and screwdrivers to drown out his betraying thoughts. It was just the affects of the truth ray! That’s all it was, he wasn’t thinking these things of his own accord. Of course not, Sportacus is his nemesis! As soon as he fixes the stupid gun he can go back to figuring out how to get rid of him again and forget all about this.

“Robbie,” Sportacus drawls from the other end of the lair, “I hate to see you go… but I love to watch you leave!” He manages to finish the sentence without outright giggling, but it was close. He’d always wanted to say that to Robbie. The villian had such a nice figure, especially in that skin-tight suit of his. He was having so much fun with this, giddy with the knowledge that Robbie liked him too!

Robbie bangs the back of his head on an upper shelf of his tool closet and whips around. His face flushes even redder than it already was when he sees Sportacus has taken off his hat and goggles, pointed ears revealed for anyone to see.

“What do you think Robbie? Maybe I’ll leave my hat off when I’m around you from now on.” Sportacus smiles mischeviously and leans against one of Robbie’s workbenches with his arms crossed.

Robbie glares and stomps over to stand in front of the other man. “You think you’re cute don’t you? Well you are but -” Robbie clamps his mouth shut in embarrassment. He can’t get one sentence out without saying exactly what comes to mind when he looks at Sportacus. “What - what are you doing.”

Sportacus gently touches Robbie’s gelled coif and speaks softly, “I wonder what your hair would look like without all this product in it. I bet it would feel soft, I would like to run my fingers through it.” He can feel his thoughts tumble straight out of his mouth but he just smiles lovingly up at the tall man. It feels so freeing to be completely open with someone like this for the first time. He no longer feels the need to hide anything from the other man anymore.

Robbie’s face heats up at Sportacus’ words and his eyebrows furrow in annoyance, “Two can play at this game, elf.” Robbie sticks both of his hands in the shorter man’s hair and is suddenly lost in the feeling. He hadn’t expected Sportacus’ hair to be as soft as it was. It smells like apples. “Apples…” Robbie mumbles, distracted as he run his hands through to the shorter, darker curls on the back of Sportacus’ head. “Are… you purring?”

Sportacus’ eyes had slipped closed when he felt those long fingers on his scalp. He brings his hands up to Robbie’s waist and just savors the moment.

Robbie sighs, “We’re really going to do this aren’t we. You… actually want this.”

Sportacus slowly opens his eyes to see the nervousness in the other man’s face. “Robbie,” he says with a serene smile, “I honestly think I’ve always wanted this.” His eyes slip closed again as he leans forward, tipping his head slightly.

Robbie watches Sportacus close the gap between them and concedes to the feeling of lips on his own. They kiss slowly, delicately. A new first impression. Robbie moves closer to Sportacus, wrapping his arms around his shoulders. Perhaps this is how the two would always have ended up, truth ray or not. He liked to think so. Everything had felt so right since Sportacus first placed his hands on his body.

They continue to hold each other as they break apart and look into each other’s eyes.

“I suppose… It wouldn’t be so bad if you… stuck around.” Robbie relents with a coy smile. The sound of Sportacus’ laughter was like music to his ears.

[jobsearchtips02]

Ought to I Flip Off My A/C To Save Extra Cash?

The nice and cozy climate is on the way in which and we’re beginning to activate our air con techniques to maintain us cool. However how can we get monetary savings with our A/C? Do you have to flip it off to economize if you end up away? Listed below are some suggestions to economize in your cooling payments.

It’s beginning to get heat on the market once more, which suggests one factor…

Time to tune up and activate these air conditioners whereas making an attempt to economize in your cooling payments. Powerful job!

Should you’re something like me, then you understand how uncomfortable it may be whenever you’re scorching in your individual house. I hate being scorching, so I really like air con. I contemplate it one of many best innovations round, simply because of how a lot I hate being scorching. Dwelling within the south doesn’t assist me a lot both. It’s scorching for a number of months out of the 12 months. I simply love Spring and Fall probably the most.

As somebody who can also be comparatively frugal, I’m all the time torn between blasting the AC on excessive and having fun with these frosty temperatures or saving cash. Sometimes, I push towards saving cash. The nice factor is it can save you cash and use your AC if you happen to simply plan slightly and use some expertise. Now a days, you may simply use expertise that will help you.

Try the newest programmable thermostats to maintain you cool and prevent cash! There are some superior new ones out that may be programmed utilizing your telephone.

The vast majority of owners seemingly ponder whether it’s higher to show off the AC whereas away or conserving it on all day. We definitely need to stretch each greenback, and we would like probably the most environment friendly approach of working issues. However you additionally most likely don’t need to die in the course of the blistering warmth of summer season − which begs the query if turning the system off is well worth the agony. However some folks imagine that leaving an air conditioner always − even whereas away − is the higher path in the direction of smaller vitality payments. So…

Ought to I Flip Off My A/C to Save Cash on My Cooling Invoice?

I used to be fortunate sufficient to have a HVAC technician assist reply this query for me. Jason is a long-time HVAC tech who understands how air conditioners work and is aware of the reply to this fixed query.

Jason goes to take it from right here!

Being an HVAC technician for about 23 years, I’ve realized a great deal of how air conditioners work and tips on how to maximize your indoor local weather management effectivity. So, what concerning the perception that you simply shouldn’t flip off your air conditioner whereas away?

The parable: Leaving your air conditioner on all day will assist get monetary savings in the long term by not having to kick begin it each time you flip it again on.

The reality: Completely false.

How Air Conditioners Actually Work

By conserving your air conditioner on always in the course of the day, you’re not utilizing an air conditioner effectively, as a result of leaving the air on all day (even whenever you’re not house) leads to the next use of vitality. It might appear to be widespread sense that one thing that works more durable is spending extra vitality, however this assumption is just not an correct reflection of how air conditioners work.  Fluctuating to accommodate for a continuing temperature is much extra taxing on an air conditioner than when it’s working at full capability. Air conditioners work greatest when they’re working in full gear.

Leaving the air conditioner on all through the day can also be extra damaging to your system. You’ll see a number of years added to the lifetime of your system if you happen to use it solely when essential as a substitute of counting on the superstition that continuously working a system is in some way helpful. Minimize this behavior now, and also you’ll additionally discover a distinction in your utility payments very quickly. Most individuals don’t notice that by altering the temperature on the thermostat by one diploma, your air conditioner is working at a distinction of 5% — leading to you saving or losing your cash in the long term. Choose the temperature that’s best for you and your loved ones.

One of the simplest ways to maximise your financial savings and your consolation stage is to buy a programmable thermostat. It’s one of many first issues I buy once I purchase a house (if there isn’t one already current). They pay for themselves shortly and you may get pleasure from a snug home, a well-functioning air conditioner, and a cheerful household. There are some nice ones on the market to buy, however listed below are a couple of of the preferred.

That being stated, it’s additionally not sensible to go away your system working onerous continuously. Whereas working full blast is environment friendly on start-up, inching the thermostat to go away it continuously on full blast will go away your own home freezing chilly in July and might improve your vitality invoice.

Associated Learn: 43 Methods to Save Extra Cash In the present day

The price of working an air conditioner can go effectively over two dollars per hour. By switching off your air conditioner whereas away, you’ll instantly see the change in your future payments. Figuring out that you simply’re saving cash whereas utilizing your air conditioner in an environment friendly method will preserve you and your loved ones happier in the long term.

So, the reply to the query is: Don’t go away your A/C working whenever you’re gone!

The most suitable choice for you and most of the people is to create a schedule along with your programmable thermostat to extend the temperature if you end up not round. This may permit the system to be off extra typically. Please be aware, in case you have pets, please know what you might want to do for them to make them comfy in the course of the day. Don’t flip your temperature as much as 90 to economize. That might hurt your animals.

Associated Tricks to Cut back Your Cooling Payments

We gained’t go away you hanging with simply answering this query. You need to know a couple of extra methods to economize along with your air conditioner.

Initially, be sure you get it serviced repeatedly. Most specialists recommend twice a 12 months (as soon as within the Spring and as soon as within the Fall). That is particularly essential when you’ve one system that does each heating and cooling. At all times ask round for offers to see which firm can present you the service for the most effective worth. You may’t get a reduction until you ask!

Second, in case you have ceiling followers, use them! They’re an effective way to maintain cooler and to push heat air out of your own home. It additionally will allow you to flow into the chilly air from the A/C round the home. Ceiling followers are glorious distributors of air and an effective way to save lots of extra money in your utility payments.

Third, play along with your thermostat settings to see what consolation stage you may get away with. For each diploma you increase or decrease your thermostat, the extra money or much less cash you save (relying on the season). Keep in mind, for each diploma, your A/C may be 5% kind of environment friendly. These financial savings can add up over time.

What different nice suggestions do it’s important to get monetary savings in your cooling payments?

Creator Bio: Jason Wall is an HVAC technician who writes recommendations on air con and heating for Griffith Power Providers. When he isn’t working or writing, he may be discovered having fun with a very good baseball recreation or spending time together with his household.

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from Job Search Tips https://jobsearchtips.net/ought-to-i-flip-off-my-a-c-to-save-extra-cash/

[missterius]

2018 Writing Wrap-Up

And again we get to the part of the New Year where I post a bunch of stuff about writing that’s more for me than anyone else.

I didn’t get around to sharing anything during 2018, not because I didn’t like anything that I wrote. Mostly because I think I’d want to start a new blog for writing-related things - this blog is enough of a mess already without adding my writing into the mix - and I just didn’t have the motivation to set it up.

With that, let’s get into it!

Total for 2018: 171,410 

Firstly, may I just say that that word count is completely insane. I included a journal that I wrote about my life this year, which I normally don’t do (but this one was written discussing everything going on in my chaotic life looking back on awhile when I didn’t journal, so it��s more narrative than most of my journal writing), which definitely helped boost the number of words. Still, this is over twice what I wrote in 2017! I write more than I think I do, because I’ve been feeling like I haven’t used writing enough as an outlet. I think 2018 has proved that sometimes I don’t realize how much I actually write.

The focus this year remained mostly on short stories. There was a lot of writing based around silly concepts that start out completely ridiculous and then take a dark turn at the end, casting the main character in a different light. I’m trying to be more versatile with my characters, making them more shades of gray than black and white. One other thing I noticed is that I really like writing multiple short stories based around the same characters/world. I love tying things together, or leaving endings open for potential sequels, even in short stories. 

While I really do like a lot of what I wrote during 2018, and it’s hard to pick out highlights without including too much, I did notice looking back that my 1st person POV tends to sort of be cookie cutter. The characters may differ, but they use the same kind of language and thought processes as each other. I’m guessing this is because I don’t write loads in 1st person POV, so that may be a goal for 2019.

The longest thing I wrote this year was a WIP novel, Creature of Scandal, which I wrote during NaNo and hit 50,000 words on.

Okay, with that, I’m going to get into the highlights:

‘He shot me a panicked look, but what could I do? Did he want me to tell a priest that sitting the two of them at the same table was a bad idea because this grown man and his grown ex were acting like middle schoolers dealing with drama for the first time in their lives? I almost wish I had...’ ((Supposedly) Good Catholic Kids)

‘Mass that morning had gone nicely up until communion, when a girl named (Censored) decided to prove that I can’t get a day’s rest, even on the Sabbath.’ ((Supposedly Good Catholic Kids)

‘I’m stuck on a pendulum called Grief Swinging between agony and emptiness. When I feel anything, I feel everything. But otherwise, I feel nothing. Nothing is heavier than I thought it would be.’ (From an untitled poem I wrote after my childhood dog, Cinnamon, was put down)

‘Charlotte Wilson wanted more out of life than to be playing gigs at college bars. Her music deserved to be reaching the ears of the forlorn across the country, not just the drunk students swaying off the beat. As the last chord of her song died out, a cheer rose up from the small crowd. Charlotte didn’t feel much better. These kids looked for any excuse to cheer when they were this plastered.’ (Creature of Scandal)

‘It had been thirteen years since the last time Charlotte had met with her mother. She’d been seventeen, preparing to graduate from high school, when she’d got the summons. Invitations from Marie Green never felt optional.’ (Creature of Scandal)

‘“How do you know I rejected her?” Joon asks defensively. With another laugh, Seok sends Joon a knowing look. “Seriously? You haven’t gone on a single date for as long as I’ve known you. You’ve been working here for how long now? For years? You never make trouble. You’re never late. You’re the least troublesome employee Haneul’s ever had.” Joon narrows his eyes. “You work for Haneul, too.” Seok grins, “And I’m sure the old man regrets it every now and again. But come on, you aren’t exactly a wild guy.”’ (Flowers and Tattoos)

‘Soo Yun is furious. She is furious at the prophecy and at the prophet and at her fellow countrymen. Her family has suffered ridicule at the hands of their neighbors for decades. She has grown up in poverty, begging and stealing to survive under the judging eyes of the townsfolk. And now, the prophet has the audacity to name her the savior of their nation. To rest the burden of ending the reign of the emperor on her shoulders. To force her to serve those who refused even to look her in the eye. Soo Yun is furious, and she will have none of this.’ (Forsaking the Stars)

‘“We could keep him in the store, and he could help guard the door!” Natalie suggested, eyes wide as she beamed at the dragon as though it were a puppy. “Guard us from what?” I demanded. “The only thief I’ve had since I took over this store is him.”  “I’m calling him Midas,” Natalie announced. And I knew it was hopeless.’ (Swindler of Fortune)

‘Ned had never been to this part of the country before, but he’d heard stories of the Bodmin Moor - stories of ghosts and beasts and tales of King Arthur’s rule. He’d always chucked it up to superstition and myths, but staring out at the dreary landscape through the rain-streaked glass, he could almost believe that something supernatural lay out among the granite jutting up from the ground.’ (Untitled short story)

‘“You must be desperate to seek me out,” Aubrey told him. It wasn’t a question, so Ned didn’t give an answer. Aubrey continued. “The people of St. Ives have deemed me to be mad. Tell me, Ned Abbott, do I seem mad to you?” Had anyone asked Ned that question upon first seeing the sailor, he’d have answered, without hesitation, that, yes, the man appeared in all senses to be completely mad. But sitting in front of him, there were several words Ned might use to describe Aubrey Skewes. Intimidating. Intense. Powerful. But mad was not one of them.’ (Untitled short story)

‘The sight was a startling one. A demon in a Best Buy break room? That’s just about the last place a demon should be. I might’ve been paralyzed with fright had I not started to associate that awful screechy sound with the middle-aged woman I’d had to deal with the day before, who was convinced we should replace a laptop a year and a half past its warranty.’ (The Customer from Hell)

‘I was left with a husk of a demon at my feet, and ten minutes still left on my break.’ (The Customer from Hell)

‘Inside, the barracks were a minefield for Cristoval to navigate, each interaction with other officers a potential detonation. There was also a frenzy of activity, the kind of chaos that could only come from men finally released from the strictly controlled environments they worked in for a day that would be fully their own.’ (How Far Can You Carry This?)

‘Enoch slowly begins to fill out the form, making sure to grumble audibly under his breath. Had he realized the afterlife would involve such an incompetent bureaucracy, he’d never have bothered dying in the first place.’ (The First Haunt)

‘The sounds of celebration, the shouts and laughter and music, clashed with the steady pounding of Rin’s heart, her breath that came in gasps, the blood-curdling scream her lungs were begging her to unleash. The smiling faces of strangers seemed to taunt her, their casual enjoyment a slap in the face to Rin’s horror. Her attempts to reach the front of the crowd became an obsession, ducking around people became shoving them aside in her desperation. As she pulled to the front, Rin doubled over the bar separating the masses from the performers.’ (The Sensation of Falling in a Dream)

‘Fear was different now...[It] wasn’t intense. It didn’t paralyze her, or set her mind spinning. It held a silent presence, like an examiner during a test. It manifested in paranoia, in a deeply instilled distrust. It didn’t make her eyes tear up, it made them shift. It didn’t make her run, it made her hand hover near the holster on her thigh as she took careful strides.’ (The Sensation of Falling in a Dream)

‘Clara, who had been trying to take a drink, nearly spat out her coffee. Managing to choke it down, she burst into a laugh. “Let me off easy? I just asked where you got your degree from, you didn’t have to deliberately dress up your henchmen in my least-favorite color! If you don’t have a doctorate, you have no excuse to title yourself Doctor Revenge.”’ (Out to Lunch)

‘“You’re unbelievable,” Clara laughed. “Until next week, then, Mr. Revenge.” “See you next week, you second-rate mastermind.” Clara threw her head back and laughed as she walked away from the café.’ (Out to Lunch)

‘With a tug on the back door, I discovered our mystery house-guest. Ms. Schofield from down the street still had her hand up to continue knocking. When she saw me, she threw open the screen door and moved past me into the house. Most people in my small town are close, but few are close enough to barge into our house without so much as a ‘hello,’ and certainly none of those on the list would be the seventh grade science teacher, Ms. Schofield.’ (The Caffeine Prohibition)

‘“Where’d you look?” my dad yelled from the kitchen over the sounds of something sizzling in the frying pan. “Mostly local corporations,” I responded, closing the lid of my laptop and leaning forward onto the breakfast bar. “But if I don’t get any calls back, I can always update my resume and apply elsewhere.” “Update your resume?” my mother frowned. “You know, I’m sure I’ll get plenty of job experience as a drug dealer,” I joked. My mom rolled her eyes while my dad chuckled from the stove.’ (The Caffeine Prohibition)

‘“It’s my sister!” he shouted, pounding a fist against the arm rest. “She’s never accepting of my career path. Constantly nagging me about when I’m going to settle down. Always trying to set me up with her single friends. I’ve had enough!” With that, the evil Doctor Revenge the public saw as a raging madman – the one responsible for the chaos of the Christmas Tree Lighting Fiasco of 2014 – was reduced to Mr. Henry Weldt, a brother fed up with his sister.’ (The Desk of Dr. Isselhardt)

‘Only then did Mr. Weldt look up and make eye contact with me. He gave me a dark look, the one he’d perfected to terrify people. But he wasn’t in costume now. We were in my office, where the only superhuman was the woman jotting down notes and talking with clients.’ (The Desk of Dr. Isselhardt)

‘A few minutes passed, and a knock sounded on the cockpit door. Deidre removed the strap holding her to her seat, and she crossed the room to open it. Atticus stood on shaky legs. “Excellent work!” he applauded. “I wish I could’ve been of more help, but I know about as much about these flashy ships as I do about the Buvocury System. But I see that the two of you handled it fine.” ---------------- “You can fly this thing?” Deidre shouted over the sound of the gunfire. She adjusted her scope and aimed for the bunker. “I thought you said you knew as much about flying as you did about the Buvocury system!” Amara added from the copilot seat. Atticus nodded. “I do! I spent twenty years in the Buvocury System working on ships like these!” Silence fell over the intercom. When Deidre managed to speak again, she demanded, “Why haven’t you told us this?” Atticus grinned wildly. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know!”’ (Untitled short story)

‘There was a pause, then Marlow forced herself to turn and start up the stairs. Over the railing, she watched as Rin returned to the street, never quite able to fit into the crowds. She smiled ruefully. They were not friends. But she still felt bound to Rin somehow. Allies. Teammates. None of the words felt quite right. Not quite friends, but something different. Trying to find the word, Marlow took her key from her pocket and made her way into her apartment.’ (Christmas in Aubergneux)

|Blood TW| “Have you been using my scissors?” I ask, keeping my gaze away from the blood staining his carpet, his shirt, and his hands. But it’s tough. There’s even a little spatter of it in his hair. Geoff’s face lights up in recognition. “Oh, yeah dude! I was just cutting out paper snowflakes earlier. They’re right over on my desk.” He starts to move back into his room, but I clear my throat. His hands are caked in blood. Geoff only now seems to notice this and nods at me as he wraps a towel around his hand to pick up the scissors. “Thanks for letting me borrow them, man.” “Sure thing, Zodiac,” I say, and Geoff shuts the door to his room again. (My Serial Killer Housemate)

|Death TW| Back at the house, I decide to confront Geoff about it. “So Mr. Cortland has died under mysterious circumstances, apparently.” Geoff doesn’t even look up from the recipe card he’s on. “Wasn’t me.” “You always say that, and I never believe you.” I set the bags of groceries on the counter and begin to put away some of the food in the fridge and freezer. Geoff shuts the box of recipes with a click. “Look, he’s a rich guy who treats him employees horribly. You’ve got to make a lot of enemies in that field.” “I wasn’t aware the toaster oven industry was so cut-throat,” I remark drily, and immediately regret my choice of words. (My Serial Killer Housemate)

A week after the dinner party, I am lounging on my couch, watching Netflix, when I hear the front door open. Being pretty sure that Geoff is in his room, I roll myself off the couch and crouch beside it, glancing around the side to see who it is breaking into my house. Despite Geoff’s best efforts in tracking down the copycat, he’s had little luck so far. Meaning I’m still at risk. As it turns out, Geoff left earlier to pick up some groceries. He spots me on the ground and squints for a minute, trying to piece together what I’m doing. I try to play it off as relaxing on the floor. I don’t want to let him know how much the idea of being the target of a serial killer is getting to me. “Did you get more bread?” I ask casually. “Yeah, they had a deal on split-top wheat,” he answers, still frowning at me. (My Serial Killer Roommate)