#and then my instructor tells me i did fine and that she not worried

[eternallys]

.

#at the end of every driving lesson i always breathe a sigh of relief #bc like i always make lots of little mistakes and they add up and i usually end up like #oh dear how will i ever pass my test like this #and then my instructor tells me i did fine and that she not worried #and im just like worried 😟😟😟😟. at least someone isnt!!! #i believe her like… she knows better than me 😔🤚🏻 and if she was that worried then i’d get told to move the test back #but still!!! i’m so 😡😡 i wish i could see that im improving!! #tbh as long as i dont crash the car its a win for me 😩 #this makes no sense. #but yeah. my next lesson is in the new year which will mean ! only 2 months til my test!! #thats scary to me !!! #i remember when i first booked it everyone was like wow thats so away and now its like… almost here 😭 #*so far away #personal

[hopplessilse]

The nanny ll. Your House, Your Rules

Joel x Nanny! reader 18+ explicit

The Nanny l

Summary: Pool day, you in your bathing suit as you watch Sarah take her swimming lessons, and Joel next to you, impatient to feel you again.

Warnings: age gab (in her early 20's, he's middle 40's), public fingering, infidelity, pet names, squirting, indecisive, regret (for a moment). tell me if something is missing

A/N: Here is the second part of The Nanny, I wrote it in 1 night, I don't know where all the inspiration came from but I hope you love it, kisses. Thank you for your support, it means a lot to me.

.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.

After that day, the day your relationship with Joel change, the day you took a step that's hard to get out of, every time you felt the tension, every time he looked at you, every time you heard his voice speak to you in front of his wife, every time you were alone for a while, you thought you were going to die.

Had there been other opportunities? Of course. But did you want it to happen again? You were aware that if he offered it to you. You would. Every day it was agony to think about it, to be sitting in that armchair, to see him, to see him sitting next to his wife and daughter, it was very twisted to think if he would have done it in that armchair with his wife too.

It was very twisted to think of him that way. It helped you that he went on a trip, you didn't see him for 2 weeks straight, at first you felt the absence, you came to miss him, maybe you missed the looks he gave you, you missed the sound of your name against his lips.

But… As the days went by you forgot how it felt to have his attention, you really focused on thinking about taking care of Sarah, now you were happy and excited to take care of her and not to see her dad. You've always been happy to take care of her, only things changed after that day, you were out of yourself, your head was wandering, you only thought about him while you were with Sarah, now you only thought about going out with her to the park and eating her favorite ice cream.

Just before Joel arrived from his trip, Mrs. Miller had gotten a few days off, which she would use to take Sarah to her family, so they wouldn't need your services for a few days. There would be more days when you wouldn't see Joel Miller. Which you could take a breath and think clearly what the hell you did in the comfort of your own home instead of theirs.

After 1 week you got a call, right on the screen it said 'Mrs. Miller'.

"Hello"

"Hello" said your name "Sorry for bothering you at this hour"

"oh don't worry"

"I wanted to know if you would be free tomorrow"

"Amm…yeah"

"That's great, tomorrow I have an important meeting and Sarah's swimming instructor is coming to give her lessons, and I wanted to know if you could keep an eye on what I'm not on"

"Of course, it's my job"

"Okay, tomorrow at 11 o'clock would be fine"

"i´ll be there"

And here you were, in the sun chair under an umbrella that covered you from the sun, in your bathing suit, as you watched Sarah swim along with her instructor. When you arrived there was no sign of Joel anywhere, Mrs. Miller told you that he would be in his office until late, that calmed you down a bit… But since luck is never on your side, well sometimes it is (if you know what I mean).

You saw him arrive in his jeans and a black short-sleeved shirt, just above his elbows, revealing those muscular tanned arms. It seemed like he was in slow motion as he walked out the backyard door, everything you had thought about, so much time spent resolving those thoughts, denying wanting to be with him again, disappeared when you saw him approach you while smiling, it's a crime that he's so attractive, and it's wrong that he has you at his mercy.

When he stood next to you, you could smell his cologne, that smell you would identify anywhere, it was his mark, and your curse.

You don't know why or how, but was it possible that you found it more attractive? These 3 weeks without seeing him were your salvation for your thoughts, but right now… You realized how much you missed seeing it, it had a huge effect on you.

"You're doing great sweetheart" Joel yelled at Sarah animatedly

"Thank you, Daddy" an excited Sarah said as she kicked along with her floats.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Miller" The coach greeted him from afar

"Good afternoon."

After that exchange of greetings, you felt his gaze fall on you. You were wearing dark sunglasses, that would help him not look straight into your eyes.

Without looking at him and keeping your gaze on your book, you felt his figure fall sitting on the chair next to you.

"Good afternoon to you too" You heard his voice this time in a low tone, with that hoarse, manly voice, as you felt his eyes on you, on your legs that glistened from the sunscreen.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Miller," you said a little seriously, still looking at the page of your book, glancing over the same paragraph over and over again.

He leaned back on the back of his chair as a small choked laugh echoed in his chest as he crossed his arm and legs. His presence was so heavy that you couldn't help but glance at him sideways as he continued to watch you.

"Why the formality?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Why do you call me by my last name?"

"Because it's your last name" sounded obvious, but it was the dumbest and most absurd answer you could think of.

"I'm not Joel to you anymore?"

You inhaled letting the air out in an exaggerated way while adjusting your glasses on the bridge of your nose

"it's not right to call you that"

"if I allow it it is"

"not as long as I work for you" This time you turned to look at him, and you could see his serious face, his eyebrows together, his eyes were different.

His lips were straight, the wrinkles on his forehead were more prominent, his jaw was stiff, his neck tense as some veins were present. He just nodded and looked away from you to focus on his daughter.

You were damn sure that he could also feel the tension that had formed around you. You were behaving like a bitch, but it was what you had to do to forget the desire you had for him. You didn't want to feel used, but he wasn't going to take you seriously the way you wanted him to if he was married with a daughter. You could send his wife to hell like that time, but it didn't feel good to look her in the face after that.

It didn't feel good to see her afterwards, knowing that her husband could do anything he wanted to you in his house, without her being suspicious. But it felt good to feel that he would do anything with you, that he would give you whatever you wanted, that he would have you on his mind every time you went, every time you couldn't be with him, every time he fucked his wife wishing was you, or at least the target of his desires.

You need to see a psychologist or therapist because your emotions and thoughts change drastically from one moment to the next. You wanted to play with him, to know who has control over whom.

So you made your move. While sitting, you leaned forward lying on the chair with your stomach in the chair, leaving your butt exposed… at his mercy . You placed your arms in front of you, crossing them, and rested your chin on one while you read with your glasses on.

You could feel his gaze on you, on your body, you couldn't see what he was doing, his face, or if he was about to make a move. When suddenly you felt his fingers brush against your calf, caressing it as his fingers slowly moved up your inner thighs. A wave of shivers ran through you as he caressed that part of your thigh from top to bottom, carefully with the gems on his fingers.

You couldn't see him, but he had a smile on his face, as he watched that you weren't seen. You were smiling anyway, his caresses felt good, it was inevitable to respond to his touch. Around the perimeter of your eye you saw how he sat in the chair so that he could be closer to you, and you felt how his hand deviated to your buttocks, giving each one a squeeze. He caress them for a few more seconds and deflect their fingers to your crotch, caressing over the fabric.

You let go of a sigh with a small moan, turned your head to him, leaned it into your arms as you bit your lips and looked at him. His gaze was on you, with his dark eyes, you could see how much he wanted you, he could see how much you wanted him. He ran his fingers again and he can feel how wet you were, he raised his eyebrows and with his eyes asked permission to have access, and you just nodded as you bit your lips.

He pushed aside your bikini bottoms and you spread your legs a little so he could see you. You saw how his lips parted and his eyes sparkled, he turned to look at the pool and then at you, saw how two fingers went to your lips, you knew what he wanted, so you opened your lips giving access to his big fingers inside your mouth, you licked them slowly and he pulled them out with a pop.

He looked at you for another second and brought his hands to your face.

"I want to see those cute eyes, honey," he said as I take off your glasses and set them aside from him in the chair.

You let out a sigh as you felt the touch of his fingers on you, your saliva mixing with the moisture that stuck to your lips. That touch that you longed to feel after that day, those big fingers that you wanted so much inside you 1 more time. His fingers traveled from your entrance bringing your moisture to the center of your clit, slowly massaging it as tiny moans came out of your lips against your arm.

You were so sensitive, so needy that you couldn't help but move your hips against his fingers to get more friction. He stopped you with his other hand on your back.

"Shh calm down honey, they don't have to notice"

the desire clouded your vision that you had forgotten Sarah and her instructor, you turned to look at them and saw that they were submerging, you turned to look at him and with your eyes you begged him to touch you

"please Joel, I need you" you let out a groan

"That's right pretty girl, say my name" His fingers entered you carefully as he told you that. You closed your eyes and bit your arm to silence your moan.

His fingers moved in and out of you like a master key, he was so careful but at the same time he was increasing the speed of his wrist, you could feel all that tingling inside you increasing more and more.

"Shit," you said over your palm "Joel, I can't" you complained quietly, preventing your moans from coming out in prayer.

"Yes you can doll, just a little more" You could hear his breathing a little heavily, you knew it hurt him not to be able to do more at that moment

you let out a moan in response as you looked at the pool being alert.

Your breathing increased as moans were silenced by your arm covering it with saliva, you began to sweat from your breasts, your body began to heat up, you felt your heart go out of your throat. All the sound that was in the background became blurry, the sound of your liquid was more noticeable to your ears, his breathing, his grunts as he listened to you, the speed and intensity of his fingers ramming you, opening your skin as tickles ran through you.

Just as you saw Sarah and her instructor dive swimming in the water, joel put pressure on your lower back as he pulled out and in his fingers quickly, you couldn't contain yourself and some moans escaped your lips as you felt your limit close, you were about to burst out, when you felt joel's fingers hit that spot, You burst with pleasure letting go of all of yourself in his fingers, and you felt a liquid jump on your legs.

"Shit," Joel said, agitated and grunting

Joel agitated continued to touch your as you continued to come, you writhing in pleasure in the chair lifting your hips in the air and over his hand.

When you finished, you lay on your stomach, exhausted and with your legs shaking, while Joel caressed your thighs.

"Did I pee or...?" you mentioned with your head in your arms

"No honey, you definitely didn't pee yourself."

"did I just.?? did I just have a SQUIRT?" you said sounding surprised

"fuck, of course yes doll" you felt him get close to your ear and whisper "and it was too exciting to have seen it"

You turned to look at him with a shy and weak smile as you tried to get up to sit in the chair, just when you felt that it was wet from the liquid.

"Let me get something to clean you" Joel said as he stood up and you could see that the liquid had reached his pants, leaving a few drops splashed on the pants.

"You might as well clean yourself" you pointed to his pants. where a coming lump was present

"Don't worry darlin, it will dry itself" he winked at

you.

Everything around you returned to normal and for the first time after your climax, you heard Sarah's laugh and splashes in the water, no one had noticed, but you knew it was dangerous to do so around his house.

They couldn't expose themselves like that in front of anyone, especially while they were alone with Sarah. But you wanted to have him again, and have more time with him, you would have to think better next time, because of course you wanted to be with him again, with Mr. Miller... with Joel.

#joel miller #joel miller fic #joel miller smut #joel miller x reader #pedro pascal characters #joel miller fanfiction #smut #joel tlou #x reader #joel x reader #joel x you #joel x f!reader #joel x female reader

[bloatedandalone04]

Wrapped Around Your Finger - Part 0.5

Series Masterlist | Original Fic

➪in which you are days away from starting your program and anakin gets used to tour life without you by befriending the sometimes overly-flirty photographer.

PSA: strongly suggested to read the warnings before proceeding.

WC; 3.6k | Do not repost this anywhere, reblogs are fine ♡ | THANK YOU FOR 4K FOLLOWERS MWAH

You throw your bag onto your twin sized bed with a huff. 

After sitting through a two and a half hour seminar about your program, you left that building knowing nothing more about it than you did a week ago. You didn’t even get to meet your instructor, despite being informed that he would try and make it to the orientation day. 

Alas, he was a no show, and you really hope he is more professional than this first impression of him. 

You sit next to your bag and play with the zipper for a bit as you glance around the room. It was nice, sure, but you quickly discovered that nothing compared to the room you shared with Anakin back in your apartment. Having just your things on one side of the room looked wrong. Your books on the shelf looked wrong without having his sheet music next to them. Your cardigan that was hung up in the wardrobe looked wrong without one of Anakin’s leather jackets next to it. Even your bed looked wrong since it wasn’t big enough to hold more than one person comfortably. 

Sure, Anakin’s bunk on the bus was a lot smaller, but it still felt more right than sleeping by yourself does. 

You bite down on your lip as you pull out your phone and check the time.

Since it had been a few days since you last saw him, the time zone difference between you and Anakin was going to be a bit difficult to figure out. He was in Norway now, so thankfully there was only an hour difference, and you were able to figure out what he could possibly be doing right now. 

It was nearing six PM now, and he and the guys would be set to be on stage within another hour or so, and you really wanted to talk to him. 

Your fingers play with the thread on your blanket as your free hand types out a quick message. 

Ani, I miss you. Are you able to talk for a second? 

And you were barely able to swipe out of the text app before he was calling you. Bringing your phone up to your ear, you greet him with a dumb smile painted on your lips, “Hi, Ani,”

You hear him sigh quietly as you pull at the thread some more. “Hi, baby,” he says back and your smile only grows. “I miss you, too. So fucking much, I’m going insane.”

You laugh and move to sit further back on your bed, bringing your knees up to your chest with a shake of your head. “No, you’re out touring the world. You’ll forget all about me soon enough,”

Anakin laughed and the sound had your body tingling. “Yeah, and I’ll also become the next president. Add that to the list of things that will never happen,” he says and you blush a bit as you lean back against your pillow. “How was that orientation thing? Is your instructor nice?”

You chew on your chapped lip as you debate on whether or not you should tell him that you had a pretty bad day now or after he was done with the show. You didn’t want him worrying about you before he was supposed to go on stage, and you also didn’t want to come off as some sad girl who had a shitty day just because she wasn’t able to spend it with her boyfriend. 

“It was fine,” you answer and pull the blanket up from its spot at the end of the bed. You loosely throw it over your legs and resume pulling at the threads. “A bit boring, but that was to be expected, I guess. I met this guy who is in the same program as me and we made plans to get coffee at some point. His name is Evan. And my instructor was a no show, so I didn’t get to meet him.”

You hear muffled sounds coming from his end before he was mumbling an, “Oh, that’s….professional,” 

You laugh quietly, looking over at the curtain covered window with a soft sigh. “I really do miss you, Ani,” 

He had only been gone a few days, but you couldn’t remember a time you felt this fucking lonely. You felt a bit pathetic, but could you really be blamed?

“I miss you, too, princess,” he said just as quietly, and it felt like the two of you fell into your own little world. “It’s weird not having my cheerleader waiting backstage for me.” 

You groan and lean back  against the headboard. “Don’t remind me,” you mumble. “I can only imagine all the girls who would swap places with me right now to be your cheerleader, and how many think I’m fucking stupid for being here and not with you.”

“Hey,” he scolded. “You are not stupid. I’ve said it so many times now, but I’ll gladly say it again; I’m fucking proud of you. You deserve to be there rather than stuck backstage while I’m off living my life. Think of all that will come from this, all the opportunities that will be thrown at you. You should be excited, ‘cause I know I am.”

“I’m excited,” you promised, bringing your hand up to chew on your fingernail. “I’m just lonely and missing you. I’ll be fine.”

“You just need to find something to do,” he suggested. “Your classes start in a few days, right? Go sightseeing or meet up with your classmates. Oh, I know, go see that big fucking clock.”

You laugh loudly, and you knew he was probably smiling right now at his successful attempt to cheer you up. “The Big Ben?”

“Whatever its name is,” 

You laugh again and drop your hand. “Ani, that’s like a two and a half hour drive from me,”

“Take one of those fancy trains,” 

“You’re too much,”

“You love me,” 

“I do,” you agree. “I love you a lot.”

He laughed and the sweet sound had you smiling. “I love you a lot more,”

-

Another location officially crossed off the list. 

Anakin was a sweaty mess as he handed his guitar off to one of the stage guys before making his way to the exit. Before he could make it very far he felt a hand wrap around his forearm and pull him off to the side to where the speakers were. “Hey!” Liz beamed, grinning up at him and holding her camera close to her chest. “You were amazing!” 

This was the second night in a row that she had stopped him from leaving to congratulate him, and the second time he was instantly reminded of you. 

Liz’s skin was slightly sweaty but it was nothing compared to his own, and Anakin smiled at her as he put a few feet of distance between them. “Thanks,” he said. “You got some nice shots?”

“Of course I did,” she rolled her eyes playfully. “All my shots of you are nice.”

Anakin’s smile faded a bit as he took a hand towel from one of the stage guys and wiped away the sweat from the back of his neck. There was that weird feeling again. Was she being flirty or just trying to hype up someone she considered a client? “Is that right?” He asked, watching as she nodded and bit down on her lip. His eyes instinctively flickered to her mouth and he straightened up once he caught himself. “Well, I can’t wait to see them.” 

When he turned to leave again, her hand reached out and grasped his bicep, her palm fully covering your initial as she moved to stand in front of him again. “I can show you some now, if you want?” She offered, making him hold back a cringe as he tried to think of a way to nicely reject her. 

He feels his phone buzz in his pocket and his face relaxes slightly when he reads your text.

Princess: I miss you already. Can we facetime after your show?

His heart skipped a beat at the fact that, despite you not even being here, you were able to save him from this interaction. “I can’t,” he said and looked up at her. “I’m gonna call Y/n as soon as I get back to the bus.”

Her face fell a bit as she backed away. “Oh, right,” she mumbled. “You and your girlfriend are so cute. How long have you two been together?”

“Five years in a few weeks,” he answered, fighting off a dumb grin as he thought about his milestone with you. 

“Wow,” she lifted both brows as she gave him a forced grin. “You were just kids when you met then.”

Anakin furrowed his brows as he pocketed his phone again. “I guess,” 

He hadn’t really given it much thought. Yeah, you two met when you were super young, and you still are young now and have lasted longer than most couples in their thirties, so he wasn’t really seeing the point she was trying to get at. 

“Anyway, I don’t want to keep her waiting,” he trailed off, watching as she nodded. 

“Oh, sure,”’ she shrugged. “Have a good night, Anakin.”

“You too,” he replied, already walking away and towards the parking lot door. 

He was barely inside the bus before he was calling you, his tired eyes staring back at him as he waited for you to pick up. “Ani,” you nearly gasped when you did answer, your big smile making his own form.

“Baby,” he murmured, walking past the couch and heading straight towards his bunk. “You look so pretty.”

You look down at yourself and laugh before shaking your head. “I’m wearing pajamas, Anakin,”

“You’re wearing my shirt,” he pointed out. “You look so fucking hot.”

You blush a bit and he wants nothing more than to be with you right now. He wants to see that pretty blush of yours in person. “Don’t say that to me,” you begged, scrunching your brow cutely. “I refuse to be turned on when you’re not here.”

Anakin smirks as he passes his bunk and enters the bathroom. “Have you had to touch yourself yet?” He shamelessly asked as he locked the door and leaned against the sink. 

“Anakin,” you blush even more as you sit up against your headboard. “I have a roommate.”

“Is she there with you right now?” 

“No,”

“Then what’s the problem?” He asked as he used one hand to strip himself of his shirt. “Come on, princess, imagine how good I’d be making you feel if I was there right now.”

He watches as you bite down harshly on your bottom lip. “Ani,”

“Imagine how good my fingers make you feel,” he continued, watching the way your eyes filled with lust. 

“Anakin,” you warned. “I swear.”

He smirked a bit, dropping his shirt to the floor. “I miss you, baby,” he murmured, his eyes following the curve of your jaw as you turned to hide your face in your pillow. “It’s not the same without you here.”

You whined a bit as you lifted your head. “London is fucking boring without you. Imagine all the fun we’d be having right now,”

“I’m sure we’d be having a lot of fun,” came his dirty remark and you quickly broke eye contact again. “Quit looking away, baby, I wanna see your pretty face.”

“I can’t look at you when you say those things to me,” you confessed, turning back to face him with a blush covering your cheeks. 

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop. Tell me about your day,” he says as he unzips his jeans with his free hand. 

You light up at that. “I ended up texting that guy I told you about, Evan? We did the campus tour together and got drinks from this really cute coffee shop that’s right next to my dorm. You’d love it, Ani, they had so many flavors,” 

Anakin smiled at that, happy you had already made a friend and found a place to go to in between classes. “That’s awesome,” he said. “I wish I was there with you. Maybe we’ll go to London together one day and you can show me the shop.”

“Yes,” came your immediate response. “Absolutely, let’s do that.” 

He shook his head as he rids himself of his jeans. You’re cute,”

“I know,” you beam. “How was the show? I’m so sad I missed it.”

Anakin kicked his clothing into a pile in the corner of the small room. “It was good. Liz said she got some good shots of us that she’ll send later. You wanna see them too?”

“Always,” you scoff then smile. “How is everyone? How’s Theo?”

“Everyone’s doing well,” he answered. “Theo is…honestly doing a really bad job at hiding how nervous he is about his mom. Vin and I told him that we’re here if he needs anything, but he always just brushes us off. He’s distant whenever we’re not on stage together.” 

Your brows furrow a bit as you slouch back against your headboard. “His mom is sick, Ani…and he’s not with her. Yeah, his sister is, but he’s the oldest and has been with her the longest. I can’t imagine what he’s going through,” 

“Yeah, but I just wish he would talk to me, you know? I’ve known him since I was sixteen. It feels like he’s slipping away from us,” he vented as he propped his phone up on the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. 

“Maybe being on stage is his escape,” you offer. “He’s going through a lot right now, Ani. Give him time, he’ll come around.” 

Anakin tore his eyes away from the mirror and looked back at you. You were always so kind and rational and always thought about everyone else’s feelings before you spoke. You really are too sweet for your own good. “What would I do without you?” He honestly asked and you smiled at him.

“You’d probably be as miserable as I would be without you,” 

And he knew you were right.

-

“Hey, Anakin!” Liz greeted and pulled him into a hug, surprising him with the sudden display of affection. He stumbled back a bit, nearly bumping into one of the stage crew members as he did so.

“Hey,” he said back, returning the hug briefly before placing his hands on her hips and gently pushing her away from him. 

She kept her hands on his shoulders as she asked, “Did you get the photos from last night? I didn’t even need to edit these ones, they came out perfect,”

They really did look great. And you made sure to let him know just how good he looked in your message back to him when he forwarded the email to you before he went to bed last night. 

“Yeah, they look awesome,” he said as he stepped away from her. “Though I’m sure that has more to do with the camera and the person behind it.”

Liz rolled her eyes as she pulled out her phone. “When will you learn how to take a compliment?” Then she lifted her phone and pointed it right at him, and he had no time at all to realize what she was doing before he heard the sound of a picture being taken. She clicked on the image and showed it to him, “See? You can’t take a bad photo, even when you don’t realize one is being taken.”

Anakin laughed and shook his head a bit. “Okay, point taken, you can delete that now,”

But she just turned off her phone and pocketed it without deleting the photo. “We should do something together soon,” she suggested and he was about to gently turn her down when she added, “You, me, Vinny and Theo. I want to get to know my clients. Maybe we’ll work together more in the future, you know, after the tour.”

That wouldn’t be a bad idea, right? It might be nice to have a friendship with someone who knows how to work a camera, and Liz really did. Her work was amazing and she never failed to make Anakin feel as desired as he supposedly was by millions of people. 

“Yeah, for sure,” he agreed, then thought about another way she could take photos for him. “Maybe Y/n and I will hire you for our wedding.” It was a joke, the photographer part, definitely not the wedding part. He knew he will be marrying you someday, and he honestly couldn’t fucking for the day you become his wife, but there is also lots of time for that later, when you are both ready. 

The joke definitely went over her head. “Oh, you two are engaged?” 

He fucking wished. 

“No, we’re not,” he said, somewhat disappointedly. Just because you were waiting to get married doesn’t mean you were waiting to be engaged. Anakin also knew that he wouldn’t be able to hold off on asking you that question for much longer. “Not yet, anyway.”

She gave him a smile that looked a little forced. “You two are serious then, huh?”

He furrowed his brows as he leaned against the speaker backstage. This was always your spot, and he was missing you a little extra right now. God, he had no idea how he was supposed to make it another two weeks without you, then two months without you after that. 

“Yeah,” he trailed off. He thought she would’ve known by now how serious you and he are. Sure, you were basically kids when you met, but he knew from that first day that you were the only girl for him, and that fact was still true to this day. “Four years in, you get to be pretty serious.”

She nodded and moved closer to him, her natural flirty personality coming out in full swing as she smirked up at him. “That’s too bad,” she hummed, running a red painted nail up his sleeve of tattoos. “I’d say I’m happy for you, but then I’d be lying. You seem like a great guy, Anakin. It’s too bad you were taken off the market when you were so young.” 

He had no idea how to respond to that. She was definitely flirting with him, but he didn’t see the harm in it as long as he didn’t flirt back, and he had no intention in doing that anyway. Physically he was here, but his heart and mind were back in London with you. 

You were probably pacing around your dorm room right, nervous and scared about starting the program tomorrow. He hadn’t spoken to you since last night, where he ranted about how much he missed you, then listened to the way you talked dirty to him until he had no choice but to get himself off while he was still on FaceTime with you.

You told him that you would’ve helped him clean up the mess he made if you were there with him, and he had to wrap the call up pretty quickly after that as he could feel himself getting hard again and didn’t want the guys to get annoyed with him for being in the bathroom for too long. 

While his hand didn’t feel even close to how you did, he’d definitely be calling you again after tonight’s show. 

“Thanks, Liz, but I was a massive band geek back then and Y/n was this perfect, straight A student who I had no business asking out, let alone talking to,” he reminisced back to his high school days with you. 

“But you did,” she sounded almost bored, but he wasn’t really paying much attention to her tone at this point. He never focused on much else when the topic of the conversation was you. 

“Yeah, I did,” he confirmed, looking down at her with a dumb, love-struck grin. “Best decision of my life.”

She rolled her eyes and stepped away from him. “See, that’s what I’m talking about. I was convinced there were no more good guys left in the world, and now here you are, so in love with your high school sweetheart it’s almost disgusting,” 

He laughed and crossed his arms. “You’re not the first person to call me and my relationship that,” 

Liz sighed as she gazed up at him. “I can only hope that I find a guy as nice as you soon,” she mumbled. “I mean, I’m twenty seven, I should be married by now. I’m so far behind.”

Anakin felt bad for her, and he supposed that was what she was trying to do after bringing up the topic of relationships. “You’ll find someone,” he assured her. “And you’re not behind. You’re a successful photographer, you’re nice, you’re pretty…anyone would be lucky to have you.”

She looked up at him with slightly darker eyes and he stood up a bit straighter, afraid he went too far with that one. “You think I’m pretty?”

He definitely went too far with that one, but he also didn’t want to ruin her newfound confidence. “Yeah,” he answered with a nod, wanting to either escape this conversation or change the subject entirely. “I’m sure I’m not the first person to tell you that.”

Liz shook her head and bit down on her lip. “No, but you’re the first person I believe,” 

She reached out to him and only got to trace the newer ink on his wrist before he was pulling away. “Really?” He laughed and backed away. “I’m sorry to hear that. Anyway, I should help set up for tonight. Apparently all the tickets were sold for this venue, so it’ll be packed. You think you can keep up with everyone?”

Liz smirked as she nodded, “I think I can manage,”

#hayden christensen edit #hayden christensen #hayden christensen imagine #hayden christensen gif #anakin skywalker #sw anakin #tcw anakin #anakin fanfiction #anakin star wars #star wars anakin #hayden christensen icons #rocker anakin skywalker #rocker anakin #wrapped around your finger au #wrapped around your finger #screaming whispers au #anakin skywalker headcanons #anakin skywalker x reader #anakin skywalker imagines #anakin x reader #anakin smut #anakin skywalker smut #anakin skywalker imagine

[elisysd]

Out of the Woods

Cruel Summer Masterlist

Charles teaches Lyanna how to drive

Remember when you hit the brakes too soon?

“I’m really not sure about this Charles. Like, not at all.”

“Hey you passed the theory easily, love. First try may I add, and we worked together on the sim for so many hours, you’ll be fine. I promise. And you have me as your teacher, nothing can go wrong.” Charles tried to reassure her.

“So many things can go wrong. I can crash us both and then Julia will be an orphan. And Pierre will be in charge of taking care of her. Pierre, Charles! Pierre! What went wrong in our heads to decide that he would be a great godfather?”

“He is a great godfather! He is spoiling her. But really, breathe, love. It will be fine, you got this.”

“I’m scared, Charles.”

“I’m right here Lya and if something goes wrong, I’ll take the wheel. But I trust you.”

“Why didn’t we try an empty parking lot for my first time? Why did it have to be the track of the Monaco GP?”

“Because if you can manage it, love, you’ll manage anything.”

“Easy for you to say.”

When Lyanna told Charles a few months ago that she wanted to get her driver’s licence so it would be easier to drive Julia to school as they were living on the side of Monaco, Charles had not given her any other choice but to be her instructor. Whenever he got a little time between two races he had taken his role very seriously making Lyanna train on his simulator for two hours per day until he deemed her ready to hit the road. And the day had finally come.

Charles tried his best to reassure her, telling her that they would go easy for the first time. But to Lyanna, easy definitely didn’t mean the track of the Monaco GP. She knew it pretty well because of Charles and the amount of time they had spent driving along, both together and then with Julia. She didn’t know it by heart, of course, but she roughly knows the turns and where they were.

“How can you trust me with your Pista?” she asked with a shaky voice.

“I trust you with my life, love.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t.”

“Come on drama queen, start the engine and let’s go.”

And she did as told. And off they were. the first few kilometers went well, at least, in her opinion. They managed to get inside the Monegasque traffic without too much inconveniences and there were no crashes in sight. Little by little, Lyanna was starting to relax. Charles, to her surprise, was not saying much, just giving her a few instruction here and there.

“Lya?” he ended up saying as they were near Sainte-Devote.

“Yes?”

“You know you drive at 30 kmph? You can go up to 50.”

“Isn’t it a bit too fast though?”

“it’s really not, love.”

She sighed and sped up as Charles told her. Two hours later and after multiple laps around Monaco, they came back home. Lyanna could already see the improvements and she was actually proud of herself for overcoming her fears. And Charles was not that bad. As they both were getting out of the car and Lyanna gave back his car’s key to her husband, a mini brunette tornado came crashing in her dad’s arms full force.

“Daddy! Mommy! You went vroom vroom without me!”

“Daddy is teaching mommy how to be an as good driver as him.” explained Lyanna as Pascale was coming through the door to greet them.

“Does it mean that you are going to leave me to go with daddy?”

“No my princess, mommy is learning how to drive so she can take you out for ice cream when daddy is away.”

“So cool!”

“What were you doing? And how was school?” asked Charles.

“She was watching Pierre’s win in Monza.” told Pascale making the little girl blush.

“Why are you watching uncle Pierre and not daddy?” Charles was faking to be offended.

“She loves the broadcast. It’s making her laugh. And she needed that after her school day.”

“What do you mean? What happened?” Worried Lyanna as she was bending down to look at her daughter, afraid she had been hurt.

“I wanted to play tag with other girls. And they told me no.”

“Why?” asked Charles.

“They said I’m weird because I don’t play with dolls with them. And I prefer cars. But then boys don’t want to play with me because I’m a girl.”

Lyanna could see Charles’ jaw harden, after hearing that. But it didn’t seem to bother Julia that much. As she was explaining further how she was cast aside by her classmates, she simply shrugged and said that it didn’t matter, she knew how to have fun by herself. Still, Charles and Lyanna’s hearts broke a little.

The next day, the parents dropped her at school, not without crossing paths with Max who was dropping Ethan. The Dutchman shot a death glare to Charles on the way that Charles reciprocated. Both of them didn’t forget the biting incident that happened a few months ago. It was well known in the paddock, ever since, that putting them both in the same room was only resulting in petty comments towards one another. Thankfully, they didn’t try to kill each other on track. At least, not yet.

When they finally left Julia at school, Lyanna took her place behind the steering wheel and drove off to an empty parking lot.

“I’m going to teach you how to park today.” said Charles very seriously.

“You what?”

“Teach you how to park?”

“Sorry I thought you were serious being for a moment.” she laughed as he gave her a puzzled look. “You can’t park to save your life Charles.”

“Hey! I got better with time!” he defended himself.

They spent an hour trying to park the car in different conditions and positions and to Charles surprise, she was good. Really good. Better than him that’s for sure. Not that it was hard.

Days passed and training sessions with Charles resumed. When Lyanna finally felt ready she passed her test and got her result a few weeks later. Charles was not there but she decided to sent him as screenshot telling him that she finally had her driver’s license. Charles was so proud of his wife that he didn’t hesitate much before adding her as a driver on his car assurance contract.

If at first Lyanna was scared to use the Pista, even more with Julia, she quickly got back her confidence. Driving around Monaco was not the hardest thing to do when you knew when the traffic was hectic and when you were used to the city. And Lyanna never really needed to use the car that much, only to bring Julia to school and to pick her up. As for the groceries, she avoided going and would rather use the delivery option. It was easier and it prevented people from stopping her in the alleys to ask for a picture. But today, she had promised to Julia they would bake a cake together and she needed ingredients.

The supermarket parking lot was more crowded than usual and Lyanna had to spent at least 15 minutes turning and turning in the hopes of finding space. She finally found one away from the entry of the shop and tried to park the Pista. It was not easy, the space was not very big and the car next to her was not very well parked. But after a small amount of tries, which she was very proud of, she finally managed to park the car.

She tried to be quick, not wanting to spend more time than necessary in the supermarket. She bought what she needed and even added to her cart sweets for Julia and make her way to pay. Once done, she got back to the car and almost had heart attack when she saw a scratch on the driver side door. Panic started to take over her body when she will have to explain to Charles how she managed to scratch his beloved car. But she knew the sooner she let the cat out the bag, the better she would feel.She checked her phone and texted him to know if she could call him before putting down her phone on the passenger seat and making her way back home.

When she pulled up in the driveway, she saw a notification from her husband popping up. She sighed, get out of the car, took out the groceries from the trunk and went back home. After putting everything in the cupboards and cleaning the kitchen area, she sat on the couch and called Charles.

“Hey, love. Everything’s alright?”

“Hey… no, not really. I have something to tell you.”

“Lya, you are scaring me. Are you okay? Is Julia okay? Did something happened?”

“Yeah, yeah we are okay. Don’t worry. I can’t say the same about your Pista though.”

The was a long silence at the other end of the line and Lyanna was bracing herself for the scolding.

“What happened?” he slowly said.

“I went grocery shopping. I parked the Pista, everything went well but when I came back there was a scratch. I’m sorry, I should have been more careful, the two cars were not parked well and I should have known that it could happen and…”

“Lyanna! For fuck’s sake!” he cut her.

“I’m sorry!” she was on the verge of crying.

“I thought it was worse than that! Don’t scare me like that. I thought something happened to you for a minute.”

“So you’re not angry?”

“If you’d know how many times something like that happened to me, love… Don’t worry about the Pista okay. How is Julia by the way, where is she? I want to see my princess.”

“Julia?” repeated Lyanna.

She suddenly looked up at the hour and gasped.

“Oh fuck! With everything that happened, I forgot her at school!”

“Lyanna!”

================

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@zendayabelova @purplephantomwolf @ru-kru @dakotali @blueflorals @aundercover @ruleroftheuniverse @fangirlika @writerscurse @elijahmikaelsonbitch @leclerc13 @karmabyfernando @stargaryenx @pitlanebabe @boiohboii @reengard @shikshinkwon@smoooothoperator

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[tashatrace]

little help from my friends

pairing: phoenix x fem!reader. 

plot: you work at your aunt Penny’s bar, and at Coyote’s birthday celebration, she tells you she knows you have a crush on one of the costumers.

word count: 1.493

a/n: so, this is the first fic I write in a while, and the first I let someone other than a few friends read. Been an avid fic reader for a long time and decided to give this a try. It’s just a little fluffy something I had in my head, feel free to send me some nice words, your thoughts, etc.I did not proofread this. I’m planning on writing more, details on my pinned post!!

★

You’d been working at the hard deck for a couple of weeks now, and everything seemed to be going well. You got the hang of things pretty quick, and your aunt Penny made it all the better: explaining how things worked around the bar, and making sure you knew how to deal with all the pilots who would constantly swarm the place, and were bound to throw a line or two at you. You managed to handle it pretty well, and even found it fun to flirt a bit with some of the customers now and then. Penny made sure you understood everything that came with dating or even just sleeping with a pilot, and even though a few caught your eye here and there, it never went past friendly flirtation.

It was supposed to be just another friday night at the bar, with the pilots welcoming another weekend, drinking, singing, dancing, playing. Your aunt’s boyfriend Pete showed up a bit earlier with a cake, explaining it was one of the newer instructors birthday, and he wanted to do a little something for him. You got along well with them and got pretty excited actually. That was until he and his friends got there. 

You had a crush the moment you first saw Lieutenant Trace. How could you not? She was one of the most beautiful women you had ever seen, and that confidence and “no bullshit” attitude she carried were enough to make your heart flutter. Her friends would often flirt with you, and although you did think they were all good-looking, you could never pay attention to them for long while she was near. You tried to shelve all those thoughts you had about her and settle on being friendly with her everytime she started a conversation with you which, thankfully, was every time she was there. Seeing her out of her uniform did something to you, though. She was just wearing jeans and a simple black t-shirt, with her hair down, and yet you couldn’t take your eyes of her as if she had suddenly showed up in a suit and a diamond crown.

“You ok there?” Penny nudged you with her shoulder while taking the glass you were supposed to be wiping from your hand.

“Yeah? Of course.” you tried to smile. “Is everything okay?” it was always hard to lie to her, but you didn’t feel it was the time to confess you had a crush on Phoenix to her. To anyone really. Ever.

“Listen…” she sighed and came a bit closer to you so no one else would listen. “I’ve seen the way you look at her. And you might have managed to fool everyone else, but you’ve been staring at her for about 2 minutes now.”

You knew it was pointless to try to lie to her, so you just took a deep breath and tried to sound like it wasn’t a big deal.

“Ok, can you blame me? But it’s fine, don’t worry. I remember very well what you said to me, I’m not gonna go out with a pilot, don’t worry.”

 You tried to get past her and go back to work since it wasn’t fair to leave your co-worker, June, to deal with everyone by herself. But your aunt just moved with you to keep standing in your way.

“It wouldn’t be fair if I made you stay away from pilots when I’m sleeping with one, would it?” she raised an eyebrow and gave you a small smile. “I trust you to deal with anyone who tries to give you shit, and I trust Phoenix, so…”

You were suddenly getting real tired of this conversation. You spent a big amount of time trying to convince yourself it was a stupid pointless crush, and hoping it would go away. Penny wasn’t helping.

“I don’t even know if she’s into girls. I barely have the courage to approach people when I know I have a chance, this is definitely too much.”

“She is.” Penny just kept looking at you, but you were too nervous to say anything.

She is???? Of course you had hoped for that, and even daydreamed about it once or twice, but this was getting too real too fast and you were not prepared.

“Honey, I work here, I own this place, I know things.” she winked at you. “Look, all I’m saying is that I know, for a fact Lieutenant Trace is into women. What you choose to do with that information is up to you. You have my full support.”

And just like that she walked away and you were brought back to reality. The woman you had feelings for was there, in civilian clothes, and however small they might be, you had a chance with her. Coyote approached the bar for the free refill Penny was kind enough to give him, and you walked up to him right away. You gave him your well wishes and you talked a bit about his day until a slightly intoxicated Fanboy appeared asking you to supply shots to everyone, on him. Everyone cheered and came closer to wait, and when you were almost done, the bar owner herself filled another glass to your delighted surprise, until she extended it to you.

“C’mon now, I asked Kate to come help and she’ll be here in a few. We can handle the bar, go have fun.”

You wanted to fight her and curse at her but you knew it was just nerves. You turned around to drink the shot with everyone and went to follow them to the pool table, being joined by no other than her at your side.

“So Penny let you off early today, huh?” she smiled and sipped her beer. Oh, fuck. You were in trouble.

“Yeah! I guess she wanted me to have some fun with you guys tonight. I haven’t really made friends since moving here, and you’re always nice to me so…”

She just smiled at you, and seemed to scan your face for something you didn’t quite know what. You were about to say something, when Hangman tossed a crumpled napkin at Phoenix and made a sign for her to hurry. It was only then you realized the game was going really slow and everyone was suspiciously avoiding looking at you. Except for Rooster, who was propped on his cue and staring.

“Ok then…” she took a deep breath, set her beer on the nearby table and put her hands on her hips. “My buddy Coyote had a stupid request for me today.” She said it a little louder so he could hear. “And because it’s his birthday, I couldn’t say no. Now, I don’t know what you’ll think of it, and you can just say no and we’ll put this all behind us and pretend it never happened, okay?” she gave you a smile and all you could do was nod. “I’ve wanted to ask you out ever since I saw you here, and these assholes won’t stop bothering me because of it, so… Would you go out with me? We can go to a restaurant, maybe walk on the beach, whatever you’re up to.”

You tried to decide if it was all a joke, or a dream, or if this was actually happening.

“You wanna go out with me?” you sounded like someone had just asked you to wear a watermelon on your head.

Phoenix laughed a bit and nodded. “Yeah. If that’s something you’d like.” she seemed to get nervous at your lack of reaction and continued “Everytime we come here I think about asking you out, but I never had the courage to do so. I think you’re really hot and really cool, so yeah.”

“She had a dream that you kissed her. “ Bob blurted out, and Phoenix turned to him instantly, with an expression you couldn’t see from your place, but that made him apologize and lower his head, and everyone held back a laugh.

That got you out of your thrance and you just full on laughed at the situation, having to stop yourself to breath and calm down. When you managed to do that and ran your hand through your face to get your hair out of the way, you just smiled at her and gave your answer.

“It would be my pleasure, Lieutenant.” Everyone cheered and Coyote called for another beer.

Natasha picked up her beer and got closer to you, until your arms were touching. “I’m really glad you accepted. I’m gonna need your number so we can discuss our date.” you chuckled and fished your phone out of your pocket.

“Well, I’m glad you asked, because I’ve had my eyes on you for a while, but no guts to do something.”

She put her arm around your back so she could put your phone in your pocket and rest her hand on your waist. “Thank Coyote.”

#top gun x reader #top gun phoenix x reader #phoenix x reader #natasha trace x reader #top gun fics #phoenix top gun #natasha trace #natasha phoenix trace #top gun #top gun: maverick #top gun maverick

[awkwardlesbianwriter]

Chapter 2

Robin is having a fever due to the rain yesterday but she don't have a choice they are having a test that's 25% of her grade. Robin grab a medicine and put in on her bag before going in school.

You didn't ask me why, I never would have known. Oblivion is falling down.

Robin opening her locker when Nancy walking towards her “Hey, you didn't call me yesterday I'm worried, are you alright?” Nancy's holding her books, she's staring at Robin's locker door, where there's a poster of actresses in movies. She's trying to ignore it but she's curious about something more on Robin's converse red shoes, there's a drawing of a sensitive part of woman on it and there's word 'tiddies'. Robin seems didn't notice, Nancy is looking on her locker.

“Nothing to worry about. I'm alright, sorry, I just slept all night. I forgot to call you, we can talk later.” Robin close her locker. Her hands tremble because of her cold, also she doesn't have any energy to talk. When she walk away, Nancy's eyes darting on her, Nancy also swift her eyes to Robin's locker before going in her class.

The two or them are seatmates, during their test Robin looks dizzy she's frowning, and touching her forehead, Nancy notice it, she tap Robin shoulder gently. “Are you alright? Please tell me the truth because you seem not fine at all” She touched Robin's forehead, and her eyes widen because felt burning in her skin. Robin's fever got worse. Nancy raised her hand, she talk to the instructor to excuse Robin. Nancy help Robin to walk slower guiding, Robin sloppy due to her trembling knees.

The two go in infirmary room but there's no any nurse inside. When Robin lay on the bed, Nancy didn't wait for nurse, she grab a white towel nearby and soak it, after that she damp it gently on brunette's cheek, also all over Robin's neck, then on it's burning forehead. “Did you take medicine before going school?” Robin nodded on Nancy's question. She felt grateful how her best friend taking care of her, just like the old times. She can't help but smile. “Why are you smiling?” Nancy raised her eyebrows while resting her hand on Robin's forehead.

“I felt deja vu. You know, back when we're in middle school you are doing the same thing taking care of me, I'm just thankful to have a best friend like you. Although, sometimes we never really agreed on things” Robin rambles with a shy tone. Nancy grinning, her eyes become calmer sympathetically.

After that there's a tension between their awkward stare in a minutes.

Nancy broke before Robin could said something, she look at her wristwatch. “Is that so? Just stay here uhmm wait for the nurse ok...It's already past 3pm I have to go in journalism club today...” Nancy trying to escape this situation. She have a feeling that her best friend might like her. Nancy can't be blunt and suspect things easily, the false suspicion might tarnished their friendship. Robin is such a secretive person sometimes she don't tell what she felt. Also Nancy can't just let things happen when she knows she's in a relationship with someone else.

Robin held her hands tightly begging her to stay.

“Such a baby, alright just for a minute. I'll go, if the nurse is already here” Nancy just sigh and let herself to stay with her. Robin can't help but to chuckle lightly.

The nurse entering the room, she check on Robin and tell her to rest more until her fever gone. “Do you feel dizzy?” The nurse asked while holding a thermometer it shows 96° on it “A little much” Robin close her eyes while talking, her tone is barely audible. She let Nancy's hand to let go of hers. Nancy tapped her shoulder. “Get well, Robin” she said before disappeard in the room.

Whenever I close my eyes I can see your lovely smile, and I open it again, and then I see the midnight sky.

#nancy wheeler #robin buckley #stranger things #wlw #lesbian #Ao3 #ao3 writer #ao3 fanfic #Ronance #ronance fic #robin x nancy #80s #Story #fiction #fanfic #Writers on tumblr

[cainluvr69]

Literally Just The Cain Parts Of Arc 2 Chapter 19 (half of 19-7, all of 19-8)

Cain: (I hope the Sage is okay… I know they went to Cortes in Western Country along with that person who got turned into a bird, but…)

Western Lady: Fufu… And here I thought Central was just full of the serious and completely boring types… But listening to you talk is so lovely and stimulating, Lord Cain…

Cain: Haha, thanks.

Western Lady: Would you like me to pour you another glass?

Cain: Please.

There are many forms justice can take. For instance, I'd decided that protecting my country and my master is what justice is to me. And so because of that, I think that acting as though I'm going to sell my country out so that I can protect it also qualifies as justice. My mother's justice that she believed in as she raised me, was that she was willing to turn a blind eye to me telling lies.

✦✧☾✧✦

I remember this time when I was a kid, when I latched onto my mom, crying my eyes out. I was one of those way-too-active kids, but it wasn't like anyone had scolded me too hard that night, and it wasn't like anyone was hurt. But still, there were tears rolling down my cheeks, and my mom was gently rubbing my back. Hey! Stop that! See you later! Take care! Oh my! That's amazing! Tonight, my mom's normally bright voice was small and quiet and trembling.

Cain's mom: It's all right… You've been good…

Little Cain: …I'm not good. I told a lie to my friends.

Cain's mom: You didn't tell them a lie, dear. When they asked you if you'd ever met a wizard, you just stayed silent.

Little Cain: That's the same as lying. Everyone said that…they wanted to see a wizard.

Cain's mom: And what did you say?

Little Cain: …"Me too"… …Even though I'm a wizard… Hey, I lied to them. Telling lies is bad, isn't it? That's what dad said.

Cain's mom: That's right.

Little Cain: My swordsmanship instructor said the same thing. That friends shouldn't tell lies to each other. …But I still…

Cain's mom: I know you're upset, but you kept up what I asked you to, didn't you? About never telling anyone about being a wizard.

Little Cain: …Yeah…

Cain's mom: Thank you, Cain. Thank you for making sure I don't worry about you.

My mother sadly stroked my hair. Normally, being thanked was something that made me feel good, but for some reason, today it just made me feel even worse. I didn't want to make my mother sad. But at the same time, I didn't want to make my friends hate me, either. But more than anything else, I was terrified that I'd become a creature that couldn't live with itself. Something that couldn't accept what it had done. I think…that night was the first time I lost sight of what righteousness is. When I was a kid, there was only one kind of justice, and I truly believed that as long as I held to it, I would make it out alright. I wouldn't do anything bad. I wouldn't lose to my own desires. I wouldn't hurt anyone. I would chase my dreams with all my heart without abandoning them. I would be thankful to my parents for raising me. I would treasure the friends that I met along the way. I thought it was as simple as just not giving in to darker temptations. God, I really had no idea. Sometimes, chasing your dreams and honoring your parents and cherishing your friends can come into conflict with one another. And it'll all feel like each has the same sense of righteousness to it.

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain's mom: Please, Cain. Don't go to the capital. Being a knight here in the Town of Glory is more than enough. Everyone here loves you, and our local lord favors you too.

Cain: But that's exactly why I want to go. It's thanks to everyone that I was able to get this chance in the first place. I want to do as much as I can. I've been dreaming of this day for ages! I'll be fine! I'm your pride and joy and all that, right?

Cain's mom: There's still so much you don't know about society… You're far too young to be doing this.

Cain: You don't need to worry so much.

Cain's mom: The knights in the capital surely can't be as good as they say. The people in this town still…

Cain: Why are you saying things like that?! Haven't you always been rooting for me to follow my dreams, ever since I was little? I'd rather you be smiling as you see me off like usual. It's going to be fine. Don't worry.

Cain's mom: …

Cain: Being able to go to the capital is amazing… Err, I don't really know how to put it, but it's like I got given a luxury gift! I'm really excited about it!

Cain's mom: …Do what you like.

Cain: … Well then, I'm off, mom!

Sometimes we misunderstood each other, and then we'd argue. There's all sorts of things we can't see eye to eye on. Just like how not everyone was always going to agree with me, there were times I couldn't agree with them either. Sometimes I'd make a joke, and someone'd get angry at me for it. Sometimes someone would make a joke, and I'd find I couldn't laugh along. But I could still feel how loved and protected I was despite all of that. I wouldn't say it was perfect, and it certainly wasn't classy, but my world was still one that loved me. The city I was born in had watched over me.

Cain's friend: Hey, good luck, Cain! Go get as famous as you can out there!

Cain's friend: You've always been the best of all of us! So go 'n get 'em, Cain!

Cain's friend: Once I convince my parents to let me, I'm gonna go to the capital too! So go and wait there for me!

Town of Glory citizen: Take care! Keep yourself safe and rack up those medals in the military!

Town of Glory citizen: Those city folk can be touchy, so don't let it bother you no matter what they say! And if you really can't stand it, you can come back here!

Town of Glory citizen: Cain, take care. I hope that no matter how many wonderful people you meet, you won't forget about us…

Cain: I won't forget! Well then, I'm off! Thank you, all of you!

✦✧☾✧✦

I'd thought that there was only one form of justice. If everyone followed the same rules, then no one would ever be hurt. That had been a childish fantasy. There's so many different kinds of justice in the world. And just as there's many different kinds, each person has a different kind of justice they'll prioritize. And as the differences in people change day by day, or even mood by mood, the things that they prioritize in their justice change as well. Like about individual freedom. Or how to assist those more vulnerable. Or how to honor tradition. Or how to have an impartial heart. Or about laws. About liberty. About rights. And how they want to uphold their justice is all different as well. To be peaceful, to be judgmental, to be tolerant, to be an example. But still, I tried to be as good a human as I could possibly be. I wanted to be kind to them, and I wanted to help them. I wanted to understand them, and I wanted to be friends with them. I didn't need anything in return. No one was forcing me to do these things. I just wanted to love and protect people the way that my family and friends had loved and protected me.

Owen: Don't be ridiculous. You're just trying to make yourself look better, my hypocritical Sir Knight.

I bet if I told that to Owen, that's how he'd ridicule me for it. But I'm not lying, I'm not trying to put on an act. The world I've seen really is that beautiful. Wasn't there anything beautiful… …in the world that he saw?

Chapter 8 -- What It Means To Believe

Owen: We're almost there.

Arthur: It sure looks that way. Even from far away, the City of Wealth is still bright with light. Truly, this is a city without night.

Owen: Why did you change your outfit?

Arthur: I figure it's better if no one can recognize my status where we're going.

Owen: Even though you're a prince? I thought that among humans, being a prince was one of the better things to be.

Arthur: What do you mean by "better"?

Owen: Like how strength speaks for itself in the North, doesn't social status speak for itself in Central? The nobles are above the commoners, and royalty is above the nobles. And the king is about as intimidating as Oz or Mithra. So why are you hiding your status?

Arthur: He's not that intimidating. And I don't particularly think Lord Oz or Mithra are intimidating either, are they?

Owen: They are.

Arthur: Are you intimidating too, Owen?

Owen: Of course I am.

Arthur: Like when?

Owen: Hah? Always. Like right now?

Arthur: I see!

Owen: Yeah.

Arthur: Owen. Regarding what we were talking about earlier…

Owen: Keep the conversation moving naturally! Are you going to let me intimidate you? Even though you're a prince.

Arthur: I didn't realize I was being intimidated, so it's fine. I think we're both appropriately intimidating for who we are, don't you think?

Owen: Something about that is pissing me off…

Arthur: Owen. Regarding what we were talking about earlier, could you tell me a bit more about what's going on? Why is Cain throwing away his honor?

Owen: So that the Western army will trust him.

Arthur: Trust him…? Wouldn't upholding his honor be a better way to get them to trust him?

Owen: Hmph… Cain said the same thing. You're just as foolish as he is. That's why I told him. A man like Cain isn't trustworthy at all. The kind of person they can trust is someone filthy with mud. Someone more shameful than they've ever seen. Someone with no heart who'll betray people at a moment's notice. Someone who'll do anything to protect themself and their own interests. That's the kind of person who's really trustworthy.

Arthur: Why?

Owen: That should be obvious. Because everyone knows the rules that way. I said rules, but it's different from laws. It's not anything that ever got written down. It's understood without using words. It's a person's true nature.

Arthur: A person's true nature…

Owen: Yep. When you encounter someone more fortunate than you, you get jealous and envious and want them to fall hard. There are desires you can't admit in front of people, but can indulge in when no one's around. That's a human's true nature. And everyone wants to hide that ugly part of themself. That's why if you can see how ugly someone's nature is, you don't have to worry and can be friends with them. That's trust.

Arthur: …

Owen: …But no one knows what Sir Knight's rules are. So he can't be trusted. He doesn't show his heart to anyone. Haha… How stupid.

Arthur: …And that's why Cain is choosing to throw his honor away? Because he took what you said seriously?

Owen: Yep. Are you disappointed?

Arthur: No… I'm worried. That's not like him. I wonder if something else happened.

Owen: …What do you mean?

Arthur: Ordinarily, Cain wouldn't take what you tell him so seriously.

Owen: Hah? What's that supposed to mean?

Arthur: It means that I believe in Cain. This is what I think trust is, Owen. Cain's concept of faith in others isn't wrong.

Owen: …

Arthur: And don't you believe in him too?

Owen: In who? In Sir Knight? As if. Arthur. The one who tempted him into going down this path was me. And it's something I've been waiting so long for. Ever since the day I stole his eye, I've been waiting for him to show his true colors. He's weak, foolish, cowardly…

Arthur: But you don't seem happy about it at all.

Owen: Hah?

Arthur: Even though Cain is about to fall to depravity, you're not happy about that.

Owen: I am happy about it. That's why I'm bringing you. So I can make the situation he's ended up in even worse. You're the last person Sir Knight wants to see as he sinks into gambling and lust.

Arthur: …

Owen: I just know it'll break him apart. I'm looking forward to it already.

Arthur: …You're very contrary, aren't you.

Owen: A drop from this height will kill you, Sir Prince.

Arthur: Let's say I take you seriously for a moment. As a wizard that loves to be unkind to others, you're looking forward to Cain's corruption… So I thought that if Cain were do to anything even slightly unbefitting a knight, you'd point and laugh at him. That's why you're always following him around.

Owen: Haha… Exactly. I want to see everyone's beloved paragon of virtue Sir Knight drown in his desires once he sees who he really is in the mirror. And I'm going to sit and laugh when he does. …Hmph. There really is no such thing as an ideal knight, is there. Everything in this world makes me sick. There's nothing but my beloved vile and disgusting malice and lies. Serves him right. But he can't fool me.

Arthur: …But in truth… Didn't you believe in him?

Owen: …

Arthur: Which is why you came to me…

Owen: Haha… Don't be stupid.

Arthur: Owen.

Owen: Shut up. I'll rip your tongue out.

Arthur: I feel the same way. I'm thinking the same things you are. I want to believe in him…

Owen: …What?

Arthur: … Owen. You're a Northern wizard who's lived for a very long time.

Owen: That's right.

Arthur: …Do you know… Do you know why Lord Oz is called the Demon King? Is it just because of his strength? Or is it… …Exactly as the stories say? That he once made to conquer this world? If you've seen him that way, then…

Owen: … What did Figaro and the twins say about it?

Arthur: …They avoid the subject. But I get so angry when I hear people dragging Lord Oz's name through the mud… They just comforted me by agreeing with me. And I just took it as them denying those stories without actually asking them. Lord Oz also says nothing of it.

Owen: Fufu… Is that right.

Arthur: But you know, don't you, Owen? Won't you tell me?

Owen: Nope, I don't know. Maybe I'll remember something later, but right now I don't know anything about it.

Arthur: Why… Please just tell me without putting on an act about it.

Owen: I told you, I don't know.

Arthur: Owen. Please.

Owen: Oz was once a terrible Demon King. He was more brutal than the <Great Calamity> itself and crushed the world beneath his heel.

Arthur: …

Owen: Do you believe me?

Arthur: …Are you lying to me?

Owen: Which would you rather? You can pick whichever you like, Sir Prince. Picking what you like means living in a world that you like. You can cover up the pieces so you don't have to look at them.

Arthur: … I wish I could. Serves you right. But you can't fool me. I'm glad I believed in Lord Oz. …Is what I wish I could say.

Owen: Hmph. We're going down. Don't make a fuss since we need to be quiet about it. I'll take you to Cain.

Arthur: We're going to see him quietly? I thought you wanted to get in the way?

Owen: I am. I want to make you feel terrible, too.

✦✧☾✧✦

Western officer: Ahaha! You're an interesting man, Cain. If the general were here, I'd introduce you to him. Too bad.

Cain: General Barnett, right? I hear he's running the Magical Technology Division all on his own. He worked with Nicholas too, didn't he?

Western officer: Yeah. To be honest, he was supposed to be back by tonight, but it looks like that's not happening… Huh? He is back…? Sounds like he's back in the City of Wealth.

Cain: That's good to hear. How soon can I meet with him?

Western officer: He is his Excellency the general. He's not that easy to get a meeting with. But… Since you've been such a good 'n sociable guest, if he drops by this club tonight I'll be sure to introduce you.

Cain: Really?

Western officer: Sure. But y'know, it's already pretty late.

Cain: It's on the days you work the longest that you want to drink the most. Is there anything the general likes in particular? Is he one for dancing? I'm pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Western officer: Ahaha, sure, you can dance. If I'm remembering right, there's this popular novel series he really likes.

Cain: Oh, what a coincidence. I'm probably a fan of it too.

Western officer: Really?

Cain: Sure. Put it in front of me and I'll read it out loud as loud as I can, too.

Western officer: Haha, I'd wanna hear that, too. There's so many risque lines in that thing.

Cain: That's perfectly fine. I wonder if the general heard, he'd be interested?

Western officer: Well, if he's not too tired… But it's definitely something he'd be into. The protagonist is this young maid girl, and…

Cain: Yeah, just lend me one of the volumes. How about I just start reading it here and now?

Western officer: Yeah! Now that's what we wanna hear!

Western lady: Lord Cain is so darling.

Cain: Alright, here we go. That would be the first night of many nights of hands-on experience, my ample breasts bouncing with every motion…

Arthur: Excuse me.

Cain: …?! (Lord Arthur…! Why is he here?!)

Officer's club staff: Hey, you can't be here. This isn't a place for kids.

Owen: It should be fine if there's an adult with him.

Cain: (Owen…! So you were the one that brought him here!) (For Lord Arthur, this is as good as walking onto a battlefield.) (No matter how much you want to needle me, there's still a limit on what's acceptable!) (I'm never going to forgive him for this one.)

Owen: …

#.mhyktl #.main story tl #cain knightley #tumblr is doing something terrible to the formatting of this post i've edited it so many times and i'm going crazy #if the italicization cuts off weird: not my fault i've tried to fix it so many times :(

[soap-lady]

Tooth Decay Warning

Thanks for waiting, @angelqueen13art @tenebrare @idreamtofmanderleyagain

Does anyone remember when schools had Parents Nights or Open Houses? Just me? Okay. Let's see how former Cenobites and traumatized young women deal with meeting their "little sister's" teachers.

Parents’ Night

Tiffany had been attending her school for a month now. She was enjoying her classes and making friends. All very good things. Now came an event that could potentially ruin everything; not just legal difficulties but the possible destruction of life as they knew it.

Parents Night.

It might sound silly to an outside observer that such a normal if boring event could cause terror in a former Cenobite and the woman who’d defeated Hell. Twice. Yet when Tiffany had come home with a flier, looking worried and hopeful, her parental figures had been inwardly quailing.

Elliot had no idea what to expect. It was a fairly modern experience and he couldn’t imagine Father or Mother attending some school event when they had soirees to attend or country estates to tour. Then there was hunting season…

Tiffany interrupted his thoughts. “C’mon! It’s not completely mandatory but it’ll look weird if you don’t go.” Her blue eyes pleaded with him. “It’ll be good for you to get out of the house and socialize and meet other parents, not just my teachers. Maybe you can get tips on being a good dad. Guardian, whatever,” she shrugged.

Kirsty emerged from the dining room where she was learning how to refinish the floors. “So, what are we talking about?”

Tiffany left Elliot’s side to shove the flier in Kirsty’s face. “Parents’ Night!”

Kirsty took the flier, a smile spreading across her lips. “Wow, I didn’t know schools still did this. Especially not physical fliers. I guess they would have sent out a mass email but we don’t have a computer yet.” She looked at Elliot. “Considering you’re legally Tiff’s guardian, you have to go, El.” She grinned at him. “It’s what a good cousin would do.”

“You don’t wanna go?” asked Tiffany.

Kirsty looked apologetic but still shook her head. “Not really. No offense, but people around here knew not just my grandmother but my dad and…Frank.” Her smile was awkward. “I really don’t want to deal with a bunch of personal questions by strangers, you know?”

Oh, no. That little minx wasn’t making him endure a night of strangers alone. “Kirsty my dear, you don’t possibly think I could do this all on my own, do you?” He gave her a look Tiffany had told him was called “Puppy Eyes”. “Here I am, a stranger in the modern world, and you’re going to make me fend for myself in a room full of parents and instructors? I thought we were friends.”

Kirsty looked betrayed and he could tell she was weakening. “Family, even. You said so yourself.” He began to walk towards her. “Family aren’t necessarily those we are related to but the family we choose for ourselves. People who understand us and support us as much as we support them. Surely a little discomfort is worth showing our Tiffany how much we care about her?”

Now Tiffany was standing beside him in front of Kirsty and both of them were giving Kirsty puppy eyes. Unable to stand up to their joint assault she gave in.

“Fine,” she glared at both of them and sighed. “What should I wear?”

*****

The event started at six o’clock so of course the Cotton-Spencers were there at promptly five forty-five. Kirsty wore a tan sweater with linen capris and ballet flats. Elliot wore a long-sleeved khaki polo with navy trousers and tan loafers. Tiffany of course wore her school uniform. They looked put-together but still approachable. With a nervous glance at each other and a deep breath, they entered the school together.

They were met by an attractive young man in black trousers, a gray button-down, and a patterned sweater vest. He introduced himself as Mr. McCormic, the 2-D art teacher. He gave them both a smile but his eyes lingered on Kirsty.

“Welcome to Parents’ Night! You must be the parents or guardians of Tiffany here.” He grinned at her and the girl gave him a nervous smile.

Elliot stepped slightly in front of Kirsty and offered the other man his hand. “Elliot Spencer, Tiffany’s cousin.” The younger man was handsome and clearly interested in his friend but really he was supposed to be a teacher and a professional.

The man took it and smiled. “Henry McCormic.” He shook his hand and stepped back. “Tiffany’s cousin from England. Tiffany’s mentioned you.” The man snuck another peek at Kirsty. “How do you like America so far?”

“A bit of culture shock,” Elliot answered honestly. “Fortunately I have my cousin and my friend to help me adjust.”

“Friend?” echoed the art teacher as he looked at Kirsty. He looked a little hopeful.

Kirsty smiled and also extended her hand. “Kirsty Cotton, nice to meet you.”

His eyes widened when he heard her last name. “Cotton. Didn’t you-” he cut himself off and smiled again. He pointed to a poster display stand. “Our schedule can be downloaded with this QR Code. All you have to do is scan it with your phone’s camera and it’ll tell you which classrooms to go to so you can meet all of Tiffany’s teachers. Afterwards we’ll have a reception in the cafeteria and a short speech by Principal Chalmers about what you can expect during the school year for your child. I mean cousin,” he corrected himself.

Elliot took pity on the man now that he knew the young man had no chance after almost bringing up family history. “Quite all right. Ours is an usual family. It’s as if I have two younger sisters instead of a cousin and a friend. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Uh, yeah. Same.” Kirsty smiled and waved to be polite. She scanned the QR Code and stepped away.

Tiffany gave the man a wave. “See you in class, Mr. McCormic!”

As they walked away Kirsty muttered to Elliot. “Yet another reason I didn’t want to come.”

*****

The next hour was a blur as they spent ten minutes meeting various teachers, asking questions and receiving praise for Tiffany’s surprising maturity and good grades.

Finally they met Mr. Harris who recognized Elliot or seemed to. “You must be Mr. Spencer!” He took Elliot’s hand and shook it before it was offered. “Shawn Harris, Tiffany’s history teacher. The report she wrote for her World War One or Great War paper was accurate and incredibly vivid.” He sniffed a bit. “I felt like I was there in the trenches. So real.” He sighed and looked at Elliot, all but ignoring Tiffany and Kirsty. “It’s a shame the state requires me to teach so many facts and dates. Students are just taught to pass a test and not the human toll of war; deaths, separation of families and the lack of care afterwards.” He smiled at Elliot. “You must have had family members who fought in the war.”

“I come from a long tradition of military service,” Elliot kept to their agreed cover story and was as truthful as he could be. “My grandfather told me stories and some of the family kept journals.”

Mr. Harris sighed in longing. “Primary sources! You’re very lucky,” he told Elliot, who wanted to disagree. The teacher’s face was hopeful. “I don’t suppose I could borrow them?”

“Sadly, no.” Elliot would not have given anything to this man if he’d had it. He hoped none of his journals had survived and the man was being rude. “Family archivist has them and they’re rather delicate.”

The man looked disappointed and changed the subject. He offered his hand to Kirsty. “You look very familiar, have we met?”

Kirsty shook his hand. “We might have, as kids if you grew up in the area. My grandmother had a house here. We’re living in it while we sort things out.”

Mr. Harris nodded. “Mrs. Cotton. Very sweet. She played bridge with my grandmother.” He pointed at her face. “You have her eyes.”

She let out an awkward laugh. “So everyone tells me.”

The chime on the PA system saved them from further awkwardness. “Ladies, Gentlemen, and Nonbinary friends, this is Ellen Chalmers.” The voice was calm and professional. “Principal of Gillingham Academy. At this time I would like for you to proceed to the cafeteria for hors d'oeuvres, followed by a short little welcome speech. Please follow the orange arrows on the wall if you are new to our school or ask a teacher to guide you if you get lost. Thank you and I hope to see you all soon.”

Elliot offered both of his companions an arm and gallantly escorted them to the cafeteria. They giggled and thanked him.

“I’ll have to thank your principal later.” Kirsty beamed at Tiffany. “We were quite literally saved by the bell.”

*****

The principal waited until everyone was done with the hors d’oeuvres, crudites, and tiny pastries to walk onstage and stand at the podium. Her image was projected on the screen behind her so people sitting in the back could see her.

Ellen Chalmers was an attractive woman in a sage green pantsuit that complimented her gray hair. She smiled at the assembled parents with real professional warmth. “I can’t begin to tell you all how privileged all of us at Gillingham Academy feel to be trusted with the education of your children. Believe it or not, I went to this school as a child and back then if you’d told me I’d come back as a Math teacher, and then principal, I would have laughed in your face!”

The audience chuckled politely as she spoke of the school’s record of academic excellence, the record number of students accepted to Ivy League colleges and its world class STEM, music, and ballet programs.

Tiffany sat in the middle of Elliot and Kirsty, trying to look interested but still sneaking a few texts to Callie and Antonio. Kirsty checked to see if she had any new emails from her financial advisor.

This was all new to Elliot, having been a student at a prestigious private school but never the guardian. It was a strange perspective to be a parent of sorts, to know that the future of a young person was in your hands. Unlike his parents he couldn’t pass on his responsibility to a servant or a boarding school and he was strangely glad. He wanted to be there for Tiffany and learn about her life, even if he had little to no idea what he was doing and what he could do to help. He glanced over at Kirsty. Did she feel the same way? She had been through so much at Frank and Julia’s hands…and his own. It would have been so easy for her to withdraw from the world and nurse her own pain and grief. She didn’t have to save him or Tiffany, much less take them in and treat them like family.

And yet she had. His once dead heart flooded with warmth as he thought of her generosity and the little family they’d made for themselves.

He felt Tiffany’s warm hand curl around his and glanced over to see she was holding Kirsty’s hand as well. The two of them looked at each other over Tiffany’s head and smiled, communicating with just their eyes.

Elliot had been a broken man when he’d begun exploring forbidden pleasures. The girls had been broken too, or at the very least damaged. Now they were healing and they had each other.

“And with your support, we’ll continue to make Gillingham Academy the best school of its kind!” The principal was saying and the audience clapped. The small family joined in the applause and stood, waiting for the room to clear out a bit before standing and making their way to Kirsty’s car.

“Tiffany!”

“Hey, Tiffany!”

Callie and Antonio caught up with them on the way out. She looked from her friends to her family and asked. “Is it okay if I talk to them before we leave? Just ten minutes,” she thought about it. “Maybe fifteen.”

Elliot nodded then looked at Kirsty to see if she agreed. The brunette nodded.

“Fifteen minutes,” he confirmed. He gave the girl a smirk. “And if you’re not out front in fifteen minutes-”

“Or you don’t answer our texts,” Kirsty added.

“Yes, or answer our texts, you’ll be walking home,” Elliot threatened and Kirsty snickered.

“No I won’t. I’ll get a ride with Callie’s or Tonio’s parents. Or I can call an Uber.” Tiffany stuck her tongue out at Elliot. “You’re not the boss.”

“I am. At least until you’re eighteen,” he clapped back. “Don’t be impertinent.”

Tiffany opened her mouth to get in the last word when Kirsty spoke up. “Don’t talk that way to your father, young lady.”

Elliot and Tiffany gaped at her while she laughed at them. Callie and Antonio tittered at their weird family dynamic but did it quietly.

The blonde pushed her friends away from Kirsty and Elliot, rolling her eyes. “Come on. Grownups are so weird.”

#kirsty cotton #domestic fluff #hellraiser #captain elliot spencer is human catnip #pinsty #felix graham de vanily

[burnwater13]

Grogu thought his dad was just being dramatic. After all, he could have said Ahsoka Tano’s name much earlier in the fight. He could have called out something, when they heard the slight hum of her lightsaber’s igniting. Like, ‘Hey! Ahsoka Tano! Is that you? Bo-Katan Kryze sent me! My name is Din Djarin!” Nope. That’s not how the Mandalorian did things. Grogu supposed he should be grateful. Imagine the embarrassment if that hum had been a tattletale bird and not a the Jedi!

In case you’ve never heard of the tattletale bird, it’s a small critter and it zips around repeating the last thing it heard some person say. You usually found them in most urban centers but it had been Grogu’s personal experience that you could find a tattletale almost any where. The funniest part of the tattletale bird was that it didn’t just say the same thing the last person said to it, it also said it in the same voice. 

If you were careful in how you collected and managed your tattletale birds you could have a lot of fun and create a fair amount of trouble. Grogu was all about the fun aspect, but as you might have guessed, his best friend Ian, was much more of the get into trouble kind. He always had the best of intentions, but some how they never worked out quite right. 

When they were taking lessons on evolution and the process by which certain critters had become closer companions to people than other critters, for example, Loth cats were everywhere, Loth-wolves less so. Their instructor had a whole dictionary worth of tattletale birds. That’s what a group of tattletales were called, a dictionary. Grogu found it funny, but he hadn’t found a word they could repeat. It was fascinating. 

And that was exactly what Ian was trying to test when they went to the gardens to test how well the tattletales repeated things. It was supposed to be a simple exercise. You would tell your tattletale your name and then release them. The next person who they went to would write down the name they were told. Easy peasy. 

Grogu, of course, did not like speaking Gal Basic, even for the purpose of a lesson, but their instructor said that was okay and he could communicate as was his custom. Whoever got his tattletale would just do the best they could. Grogu was happy about that. 

Ian on the other hand was determined to tell his tattletale a name so long the little creature couldn’t possibly get it right. Grogu thought it was an interesting experiment, but he wasn’t sure that it was very useful. 

“Don’t you worry kid. I got a good feelin’ about this.” 

Ian always called Grogu kid. Grogu didn’t mind. It was just Ian’s way.

The first few rounds of Tattletales went fine. The first name Grogu got was Tibbets. He liked Tibbets, who was a Iktotchi boy who was very serious. Kind of the opposite of Ian. Sors had gotten Grogu’s telltale and despite what the tattletale told the blond haired human boy, Sors wrote down Grogu, because he knew ‘Coo, chirp, yip’ meant Grogu.

But then Ian put his experiment in motion and Grogu could heard his friend muttering a very long, complicated name. It was something like: drof nossirrah olosnah senoj anadni aflaf koob elbmik… Grogu was sure it was longer but he was too busy getting another tattletale on its way and then writing down Master Kelleran Beq. He hadn’t noticed that Master Kelleran was in the gardens with them. 

A moment later Eirrac called out that it was no fair! She couldn’t write fast enough to get the whole name down and who the heck was Drof anyway. It had been Grogu’s experience that when Eirrac was annoyed she let you know right away and you didn’t want her to be annoyed at you. 

Master Beq walked right over to her and took the tattletale from her and asked the little bird to repeat itself. It began with the long drof nosirrah blah blah blah name. Master Beq called Ian over immediately. Uh oh.

“Youngling Ian, those are not your names.” Master Beq stated quite clearly.

“They could be. Some day.” Ian protested weakly. 

“Then they should have included nerf herder!” Eirrac commented acidly. 

Master Beq just shook his head. 

“This is not how future Jedi behave, both of you.”

“I know” they replied at the same time and then stuck their tongues out at each other. 

Grogu began to laugh. At least Din Djarin and Ahsoka Tano hadn’t done anything like that. But he was still certain that it would have been less dramatic if they had just introduced themselves properly. Like a Jedi behaves.

#calendar prompt a day #the mandalorian #grogu #din djarin #Tattletale

[draculasfavoritewife]

Sleepless

Summary: Even the most intimate couples had to have a first late-night conversation.

Pairing: Emma Frost x Scott Summers

Warnings: Scott Summers is synonymous with angst. Innuendos and suggestive humor. Strained relationships, a bit of the absolute fluffiness that is two sad people commiserating.

Here it is, the last of my Emma/Scott fics (for now) that has been languishing in my drafts! There are few things I love writing more than first meetings and impressions, and Scott's PoV, as I've mentioned before, is personally delicious. Plus, as an insomniac myself, insomnia-coded characters always hold a special little spot in my heart 🖤

“Scott. A word?” 

Scott Summers sighs as the Professor beckons him into his office. “Of course. Do you need something from me?” 

The older man studies him from behind tented fingers, expression unreadable as always. “I merely wanted to remind you that Ms. Frost will be arriving soon.” 

“I hadn’t forgotten.” New faculty didn’t come to the Xavier Institute often, did the Professor really think such a detail had slipped his mind? 

“My choice to hire her may be…controversial. And the others, they look to you as an example. I hope you will keep an open mind and welcome her with open arms, so that the transition goes a little smoother.” 

Scott nods briskly. He’s nothing if not professional. “Anything else?” 

“That is all. Thank you, Scott. I always rest easier, knowing I have you to depend upon.” 

He leaves the Professor, only to find Jean waiting for him barely outside the door. “Hey,” she greets him softly. “What did the Professor want?” 

“Nothing. We were just talking about Ms. Frost’s arrival this afternoon.” Scott lengthens his stride, his mind already working through his meticulously arranged schedule for the rest of the day. 

She’s not convinced. “You know you can talk to me if something’s bothering you.” 

“I do know. Everything’s fine, Jean. I just have a busy day ahead of me.” 

Her eyes narrow. “I’m worried about you! You don’t have to be so brusque.” 

And you don’t have to mother me all the time! I'm more than capable of taking care of myself. He tries to stuff down the ungrateful thought as soon as it takes shape, but it’s too late.

Her scowl tells him better than words that she heard it, loud and clear. 

“Jean, wait!” he calls after her retreating back, but she’s vanished into a nearby doorway already. He knows from many past experiences that it’s better if he lets her cool off for now. Talking to her and trying to iron things out right away will do more harm than good. 

Cursing under his breath — too softly for any passers-by to pick up — he continues on his way. 

The day is off to a great start already. 

He knows Ms. Frost has arrived when he sees the crowd of students and fellow instructors gathered around the front windows. And he understands why they’re all staring when he sees her car parked in the driveway, long and sleek and pale and probably some European brand half of them have never heard of. 

And then Ms. Frost herself steps out of the car and struts up the front steps to ring the bell, and the excited whispers immediately die off. She looks like she stepped off the cover of a magazine, and one that is likely “not suited for younger readers”. 

He seems to be the only one with ears all of a sudden, and takes it upon himself to answer the door. That’s when he at last sees her face, and for a moment, even stoic Scott Summers is off his game. Slyly tilted eyebrows, heavily lashed eyes that couldn’t possibly be any color but a frosty blue — he can tell even through his tinted glasses — and that smile, that lioness smile rimmed with curvy silver-painted lips. 

Scott knows this woman. Not in the awkward I-was-drunk-we-hooked-up-once kind of way, that’s never been his style.

No, they’ve crossed metaphorical swords on the battlefield many times before. 

The last time he saw that smile, she was trying to turn his mind into so much scrambled egg. 

Really, Professor? You hired the White Queen and didn’t think I needed ANY warning? 

She, for her part, is utterly cool and collected, and he gets the feeling she saw him through the window long before he saw her. Momentary lapse of focus gone, he sizes her up like the threat he knows she is.

By personal experience, he knows that underestimating Emma Frost is a deadly gamble. 

Her hair -- long, straight, and so blond it hovers near white -- runs down her back, disappearing into the fluff of her extravagant white fur coat. Aside from the coat, she leaves nothing to the imagination. Snug white pants are tucked into over-the-knee boots with five- or six-inch stiletto heels. He’s not sure how she didn’t die on the brief walk to the door. 

And she’s wearing a top that can barely even be classified as such. 

How do her clothes even stay on? 

Double-sided tape is a woman’s best friend, Darling. But they don’t have to stay on…. 

He’ll have to be much more careful.

“Ms. Frost. Welcome to the Xavier Institute. Won’t you come in?” 

The fur coat chooses that particular moment to slip, baring slender shoulders and quite a few inches of what’s between them and the gravity-defying contraption that only just prevents indecent exposure. 

“Why thank you, Mr. Summers. I’m ever so pleased be here. I have a feeling you and I, at least, should get along just fine.” 

She stalks past him, and he watches her go, the crowd of intimidated students and hostile instructors parting like the Red Sea for Moses. 

What has the Professor gotten us into? 

He’s left alone in his room tonight. Jean holds grudges, and he hasn’t seen her again aside from dinner, when neither of them felt like talking to the other. Insomnia is his partner in bed instead — he can honestly say that relationship has been lifelong — so he finally gives up trying at one in the morning and heads down to the Danger Room, in the hopes he can either work himself to exhaustion or at least be productive with his time, instead of letting his anxiety run wild in the dark.

The latter seems far more probable. 

It’s not until he’s done, changed into sweatpants and left the locker room, still drying his hair with a towel, that he realizes he had an audience. 

“Bravo, Mr. Summers, that was quite the show you put on.” The White Queen is leaning against a console in the control booth, a glass of red wine in hand and her goddess figure quite prominent in a lacy white slip. 

He shouldn’t be surprised that even her nightwear is as revealing as possible. 

“Glad you enjoyed it,” he says curtly, pulling a jacket on to cover up his bare torso. Just because she’s so comfortable flaunting everything doesn’t mean he has to join her. 

“You’ve always had a certain…flair…for battle, and I should know.” She smirks and hands him a second wine glass. “Here. When I got up and sensed I wasn’t the only one wandering these halls at this ungodly hour, I brought a spare.” 

Normally, he would wonder what she’s done to it, but this is already a strange situation, so he just takes it from her with a nod of thanks. 

“You know, from that very first time I got inside your head, I pegged you as the insomniac type.” Her eyes flash over the rim of her glass, sharp with satisfaction. “Looks like I haven’t lost my touch when it comes to woman's intuition.” 

He can’t tell if she meant that comment as a double entendre or not. He’s certainly not rising to take the bait if she did. “I have a lot on my mind.” Taking a sip of his drink, he glances back at her. “And you?” 

“Oh this isn’t a usual occurrence for me at all, Scott. Most nights I sleep like the dead and only rise in time for lunch.” She sniffs. “I have a very sensitive constitution. The first night in a new bed? I never sleep.” 

Scott throws her another, this time incredulous, glance. 

“I do have a sensitive constitution! I’m a purebred Boston Terrier Bitch, Darling.” 

He snorts at her choice of words, and it could almost be called a chuckle. 

Frost fake-gasps. “Ladies and Gentlemen, believe it or not, Scott Summers CAN laugh.” She draws closer to him, her face upturned towards his, and he realizes that her lips are a natural color without her lipstick, after all. 

He imagines they must be pale pink. 

“What’s my prize for making you laugh?” she purrs. 

“What would you like?” he asks without thinking, and then mentally kicks himself for it. This is no ordinary woman he’s talking to, after all.

He has a suspicion there’s a reason she dresses like a dominatrix. 

Wicked delight plays across her face. “Oh, there are so many things I would like from you, Scott. But let’s start off with a professional tone, shall we?” Her free hand comes up between them, plays with the zipper pull on his jacket. “So show me around. Where do you go when you DON’T want to focus on everything that’s going wrong in your life?” 

He’s not really sure how to answer that one, but he ends up taking her outside, and somehow they end up standing on a footbridge in the garden, and the night is cool and the moon is beautiful tonight, and he HAS put all his problems out of his mind for the time being. 

“Do you like New York?” he asks her, leaning back against the railing. 

She shrugs. “Well enough. I do miss Boston, though.” 

He didn’t think he’d ever hear such an admission leave her lips. “Why move, then?” 

“Just because you love a place doesn’t mean you should stay.” Emma's face suddenly looks gentler, almost younger. “There’s far too much history knotted up in the places we grew up, I think.” Her star-filled eyes turn to him. “And I think you agree. You hardly ever go back to Alaska, much as you miss the wind and water and cold.” 

She has a point. He can’t quite unravel this sensation rising in his chest. 

“I wasn’t digging around in your head,” she is quick to reassure him. “The sky tonight is making your old longings positively radiate from you, like too much Dior.” 

He sighs. Sometimes he fantasizes about going back, about starting over and running away from his problems with Jean, and everyone’s expectations and standards and pressures. Leave it to the new arrival to be the only one who picks up on his struggles, well as everyone else thinks they know him. 

Sometimes he just feels so damn alone. 

“You know,” she murmurs, swirling the last of her wine around in the glass. “You and I are so alike, Scott. No one else could ever truly appreciate what goes on beneath the surface.” 

He stares at her, disbelieving. We couldn’t be more different if we tried…. 

“We handle it in different ways.” The wind ruffles through her silky hair. “I coped with the expectations, the lack of validation, and the depressing notion that I would never be good enough for anyone by stripping — excuse the wording — myself of everything that wasn’t absolutely necessary. I have no inhibitions, I buck social norms, and I take pleasure in subverting people’s image of me, because I know I can never fulfill their standards.”

She eyes him up and down. “You cope in the opposite way, covering up the goods, physically and emotionally, so you can pretend to be their perfect white knight. But if the cards had folded differently —” she finishes her drink, “— we could be standing here in each other’s shoes, instead.” 

“I never did get the hang of walking in heels,” he deadpans, and this time it’s her turn to laugh. Although he doesn’t say so, she’s right.

And his chest tightens strangely, at the realization that he’s finally met someone that understands what he’s going through. 

It takes his thoughts a bit to return to earth, but when they do, he notices that she’s definitely not dressed to be standing out here. He takes his jacket off and holds it out for her to take, and he’s not completely sure why, but he doesn’t feel quite so exposed without a shirt around her anymore. 

Having someone dissect your soul can do wonders for your self-consciousness. 

She smirks as she takes the offered garment and drapes it around her shoulders. “The cold and I are old friends,” she muses, tone slightly melancholy. “But I’ve always had a soft spot for old-fashioned chivalry.” 

He can feel her eyes roaming over his now bare torso. “And I must say, even that navy spandex didn’t do you justice. You’re a fine-looking man, Scott Summers.” 

What does one say to that? 

He settles on nothing, for the moment. But they stay there on that bridge for a while, mostly enfolded in a silence that is surprisingly comfortable. 

Finally, he nods back towards the mansion. “We should turn in, Ms. Frost.” 

“Emma, Darling. You’ve earned it.”

They fall into step together, and as they are about to enter the quiet household once more, she smiles up at him. “I’ll see you at lunch then, Love.” 

Scott can’t help smiling back. “No, you’ll be seeing me bright and early for breakfast, Emma. Most of us are up by seven around here. Personally, I prefer six.” 

“Ugh. How inhumane.” She tosses her hair and walks away from him, still wearing his jacket. “Chances are I’ll still be dead. Come and drag me out of bed if you must, Darling, but for heaven’s sake do it with your own hands and don’t send that philistine Logan, or I’ll kill you both.” 

He watches her disappear down the shadowed corridor, and for some reason, he doesn’t call after her for the jacket. 

Sleep comes easily for him after that. 

#emma frost #scott summers #emma frost x scott summers #favorite ships #xmen #romance #angst #scemma #my loves #hurt/comfort #nostalgia #jean grey #professor x #late night talking #how it all began #sweet and sexy #cyclops #white queen

[rooster-the-love-of-my-life]

Our Captin.

The next day, Y/N woke up to sound of the base. She got out of bed, got ready for the day. She stopped her bike and went into the cafeteria for breakfast. Walking I'm she saw a few familiar faces and a few new ones. She wasn't really hungry so insted she stated walking over to her friend Phoenix, but before she could she was stopped by the biggest dickhead ever.

"Well, well, if I isn't little birdie Mitchell." Said the annoying voice of the pilot.

"Bagman, how you've been?" She replied purposefully calling him that.

"It's hangman birdie." Said Jake smirking. By now everyone on the table near them was looking. "I thought they were bringing the best of the best, yet you're here."

"You know Seres, you'd look way more prettier with that pretty little mouth closed." A few murmurs came from the table.

"I thought you liked it wide open, Mitchell." Rounds of oos took over the cafeteria.

"You know hang, I've got a gift for you." Y/N said pretending to look around in her pocket. "Here it is." She fake gasped and flipped him the bird.

Now the whoel squad was laughing. This annoyed Jake.

"Haha, real mature." He said before going down to sit with his friends.

Y/N now sat down at the rable and the first person she saw was Natasha. Her and Natasha had a good relationship when they were at top gun before, but they hadn't seen each other for quite some time cause of the job.

"Sup fawks?" Y/N said catching Natasha's attention.

"All good little sparrow." She replied putting her arm around her Y/N's shoulder.

"I hate that nickname." Groaned Y/N falling against the arm.

"Well now that you're back, you're gonna have to deal with it." Natasha said.

"It's good to be back." Y/N said and then was introduced to the other people sitting on the table. All the whole she was feeling eyes of her, she knew they were his.

------------------------------

"So Bob Bob, tell me, how is my dear phoenix treating you?" Y/N was walking to the place they were going to be briefed about what they're actually doing here.

"Um... she's been fine till now." The shy boy stuttered.

"That's because you've never been in the air with her." Y/N said slinging her arm on Phoenix's shoulders. "Once she up there, you should be terrified."

"Don't scare him." Phoenix said then turned towards Bob. "Don't worry, I won't get you killed."

On this comment Bob gulped, now really scared to death. They reached the hanger and started sitting down. Phoenix and Bob sat down on the same chair. Y/N went to sit on the one adjacent to them, but before she could someone else also came for that seat. Looking up she saw it was him, Rooster.

He looked familiar yet different. The mustache was different new, but everything was the same. The same tanned skin, the same aviators and the same angle eyes. Y/N quickly looked away and sat down on the chair in front of Phoenix and Bob. She didn't dare look back, cause if she did, there would be no looking forward anymore.

"Morning. Welcome to you special training detachment. This detachment will be rough. Half of you will be chosen for it. One of you will be named mission leader. And the other half will go back to reserves. Your instructor is one of the finest pilots this program has ever produced. His exploits are legendary. What he has to teach you may very well mean the difference between life and death. Captain Pete Mitchell. Callsign: Maverick." Admiral Bates spoke, before stepping back as we all sat down and looked back to see Pete 'Mavrick' Mitchell walking between the tables and to the podium. 

The only people happy to see him there were his daughter and he himself.

Rooster glanced between Y/N and Mavrick, knowing that this wasn't going to he the easiest mission ever. Hangman flinched as well upon seeing him. By now Mavrick was holding up the F18 manual. "The F18's. I'm sure every one of you knows this book cover to cover." He spoke, looking throughout the crowd of pilots before him.

Variations of 'damn straight' and 'hell yeah' were given from some of the guys. "Yeah, well so does your enemy." Maverick spoke, throwing the manual down and into the trashcan next to his podium. "What your enemy doesn't know is your limits. And I plan to test them, push them, and expand them. Let's get started." He spoke, giving a cocky smile and nodded off to the where the F18's are.

Dogfighting is a skill all pilots must have. It's practically essential. Everyone should have it. And that is what they did today. First Phoenix and Bob went and barely made it out. Then Payback and Fanboy came back destroyed. Pete came back in and selected his next paring.

"Give me sparrow." He said. All eyes were on her now, and her eyes were on her dad's. She knew she was a good flyer, but she knew she would have to get a bloddy good wingman to beat him. Yale got up with her, as her wingman, but was quickly told to sit down by Mavrick.

"Yale, you're Hangman's wingman. Sparrow, you get Rooster." And with that the captin was out. It was as if he'd dropped a bomb. Everyone got quite and very still. Even Hangman was tensed. Showing no emotion Y/N walked to her F-18, followed by Rooster.

"I'll definitely beat you Sparrow." Pete said as the were about to take off.

"Keep dreaming old man." She replied.

Soon they were in the air. No words were spoken for quite some time, till Sparrow asked "Where is he?"

Looking for him. Almost immediately Roosted said "Under you." And put cam the oldest captin of the navy. He got out in front of Sparrow, with her hot on his tail. Mavrick knew she would soon get tone on him, and he couldn't let that happen. They kept going for a few minutes till Mavrick came to a sudden stop, the only way to beat her, making Y/N fly forward, getting tone on her.

"That's a kill." He said as Sparrow cursed under her breath. "Where's you wingman?"

"Right here." Rooster said, flying behind Mavrick not as quickly as he used to.

"You might wanna go a little faster if you don't wanna die." Commented Y/N, to which Rooster said noting. Soon enough, Rooster was dead as well.

"That's a kill as well. You know the whole point of having a wingman is for him to have your back. I expected more. From the both of you." Said Mavrick, when they landed. "Meet Hondo for your pushups."

They both walked over to Hondo, dropped their equipment and started their pushups with Hond counting. They were about halfway through when Hangman, Coyote and Yale walked from in front if them. Yale and Coyote laughed as Hangman wolf whistled "Looking good birdie."

Y/N glared at him and then resumed her pushups. The second they were completed Roost and Sparrow went their sperate ways. After a shower, Y/N walked out of the locker to find her father waiting for her.

"I beat you." He said teasingly.

"Well it not my fault I've got a shitty wingman." She grumbled as Pete hugged her.

"Good to see you kid." He said pulling away.

"Good seeing you too dad."

"Come one let's go have a drink."

"Aye aye captain."

#top gun #bradley bradshaw #miles teller #rooster bradshaw #rooster top gun #tom cruise #jake hangman seresin

[drarrily-we-row-along]

Day 195: Hobbies

"Alright, Mr. Potter," the witch conducting the interview said, "tell us about some of your hobbies. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?"

Harry blinked, leaned back in the chair, and tried to reign in the magic the was crackling in his fingertips. It was bursting at the seams to get out and Harry wasn't sure what to do with it; that's why he was here.

"Well," he started, "I am really busy." The witch hummed sympathetically. "I've got a lot on my plate with work, and functions, and fundraisers. And of course I see my friends and my godson-"

"So, no hobbies then?" she interrupted.

His jaw snapped shut. He's sure he'd always meant to find a hobby, to find something that brought him joy.

"Well," she said softly, watching the magic sparking in Harry's palms, little flickers of light and heat, like a miniature heat lightning storm in his hand. "I'm just an intake nurse, but," Harry looked up from his hands, taking in her face, reading her like he read suspects, "It sounds to me like you hold an awful lot of people and things together."

He shrugged, it's what had always been expected of him.

"My question, is who holds you?"

Harry's eyes prickled with tears and it startled him, the visceral reaction he'd had to her words.

She didn't seem to require a response, she simply gave him a little nod and stepped out of the room, leaving to return the results to the healer that would be seeing Harry next.

(Read more below the cut)

He sighed and looked down at his hand once more, watching the little flashes of light and trying not to think about what she'd just asked him.

------------------------

The healer had told him that he needed to take time off of work. He'd given him centering activities, told him to sleep more, exercise, and find a hobby that he could do with his hands.

At the time it had sounded like the healer was just trying to distract him from whatever weird things were going on with his magic, but the DMLE wanted him to take medical leave until it was sorted anyway, so what choice did he have?

He took a beginner pottery class.

The instructor was ancient; Harry couldn't remember the last person he'd met who was that old. He seemed like he might be a bit senile, seeing as he had no idea who Harry was, which was just fine with Harry. But he was patient and kind, and Harry found that he quite enjoyed the time he spent with him.

He'd been truly awful at first, Harry couldn't even get his lumps of clay to center on the wheel. Then once he'd managed to center it, he'd use too much pressure or lift his hands away too quickly and his piece would go all wobbly or simply collapse.

And it was frustrating. Taking the mass of clay off the wheel so that he could start all over again was not something that he relished and it took him weeks to make anything that looked even remotely passable.

But he enjoyed it.

He liked the feel of the soft, wet clay under his hands. He like the way the wheel spun, the way that even the slightest change in his hands changed the structure in front of him.

He liked that when something went wrong, when something was destroyed completely, he could just start again. There was no great consequence for getting something wrong and that eased something inside of him.

Harry slowly got better at pottery, and maybe something inside of him was starting to get better too.

-----------------------

After the month that he'd been given as medical leave, Harry didn't really want to go back.

His magic still sparked and flared when he was stressed, when his emotions rose, and nobody at Mungo's seemed close to solving that mystery.

So he did the only think that he could think to do; he submitted his resignation to the DMLE and left. The press was everywhere, constantly hounding him and everyone wanted to understand his decision. But Harry didn't know what to say; he'd done his best to explain his condition but people hadn't understood.

And he hadn't been willing to say that he was exhausted. Tired of constantly worrying about his magic flaring and hurting someone. Tired of always being the savior, never being allowed to make a mistake.

It was by chance (or maybe fate) that he stumbled across a shop that sold Turkish Pottery. He immediately fell in love with the colors and patterns, with how beautiful and bright it was. At his sides, his hands twitched with the desire to create something like that; something that sparked joy merely by looking at it.

Booking a portkey to Turkey had been the easiest thing in the world. Spending the next three years learning the craft, practicing, and apprenticing had been the next easiest thing.

Moving back to England had been harder but Molly hadn't been well and he needed to be closer to her. So he'd gotten a little shop in Muggle London with a spot off in the corner where he installed a traditional kick wheel into the floor so that he could make pottery and maybe sell some of it at the same time.

It was working out alright, if he was honest. Only his friends knew that he'd returned, so he never had to worry about random witches and wizards popping into his shop to get a piece of him. And it was good to be close, good to be able to pop over to Ron and Hermione's for dinner, to have tea with Neville, to join Luna for a lunch date, and play a game of pick up Quidditch at the Burrow.

Seven months after returning, Harry had started to let his guard down. He'd started to believe that maybe this was it, this was his life now. Quiet, simple, happy.

And then the door opened, bell tingling merrily, and Harry looked up and everything fell to pieces.

Both literally and metaphorically because his hands released the vase he'd been casting too quickly and the clay wobbled until it collapsed.

But he hardly even noticed because there in his doorway stood none other than Draco Malfoy.

---------------------

To be continued...

#100 drarry drabbles in 100 days #drarry #harry potter takes up pottery #yes there will be a joke about that in the next chapter #this is only going to be a two part one (she assures herself as much as she assures the lovely readers) #part 1

[crinkled-emotions]

#1 sick prompt for rooster?

I'm thinking this is from the @whumpril prompts and it's not quite April yet, but I won't be doing the challenge so I assume it's fine.

Vibes! Listen, I've sent Rooster to therapy so many times I think it's time for him to just. Not go.

This is a PSA; therapy is super helpful but only if it suits you. Sometimes it doesn't suit and that's okay too!

I've taken some creative liberties here; Phoenix knows how Goose was killed but she doesn't know it was Maverick in the front seat. I did do a little Hangman bashing but I was feeling angsty. I'll hug him some other time.

Prompt 1: Panic Attack

Warnings: panic attack. Discussions of anxiety. Rooster, Phoenix, Hangman and Coyote in the early days. Rooster talks about losing his dad.

(re: whiplash, sometimes I lowkey think this scene was a panic attack but what do I know?)

-

Hangman had been trying to get Phoenix's attention for a solid ten minutes when he finally followed her gaze, tracing over to Boy Toy Bradley (aka Rooster, for the rest of the general population). His lips immediately twitched into a smirk, and he leaned in close to her.

"Don't tell me you're hot for him too-"

"-something's wrong."

Phoenix's dark eyes didn't leave her best friend, sitting toward the front of their Top Gun classroom. Hangman glanced over his shoulder at Coyote, who raised an eyebrow but chose not to interact as he took notes on the lecture in front of them.

With Top Gun came extended training, not just in dogfighting manoeuvres but also weapons tactics and an extended refresher on ejecting safely from a jet. So far the class had only been in the classroom, talking through the best way, but that day in particular they were going to watch an ejection. It was rumoured it was simulated after an ejection back in the 80's which had cost a Naval Aviator his life, so the Navy tried to make their Aviators even more aware now. Jake wasn't particularly bothered, he'd ejected before in a training event and it had left him with a great bruise where the harness had pulled him, but other than that he'd been back in the air within 48 hours. Glancing at Phoenix he could see she was a little uncomfortable, but she seemed to be more worried about Rooster.

The taller man was tapping his foot, eyes darting around the classroom as though he was looking for an escape. Their instructor was still talking, but when Rooster raised his hand and asked to be excused that raised some concerns.

"Bradshaw, if you have an issue with ejecting, do you really think you should be at Top Gun?" He asked firmly. Phoenix and Hangman watched Rooster swallow, and then look to their instructor.

"Did you read my file, sir?"

"Is there something we need to discuss after class?"

"Sir, his father-"

"-this is not the time, Trace," their instructor snapped at Phoenix. She promptly shut her mouth, looking to Hangman with a frown.

"Can't you Hangman now?" She hissed. Jake raised an eyebrow.

"Since when is that an adjective?"

"It's a verb, you moron-"

"-Bradshaw, if you walk out that door, I will write you up for insubordination!"

Their instructor was standing at the front of the podium, arms crossed firmly across his chest as he watched Rooster stride out of the classroom abruptly. Phoenix caught a look at his face and she stood.

"Sir-"

"-you wanna get written up too, Trace? Go for it, I'm in that mood."

As much as she wanted to make sure Rooster was okay, she had her own career to think about. She sat and promptly shut her mouth. The instructor sighed, turning back to the video.

"As I was saying before Bradshaw decided to play dramatics..."

"Looks like I'm not the only one leaving people hanging," Hangman whispered in Phoenix's ear. She clenched her jaw, glancing over her shoulder. To her surprise, Coyote was gone.

-

"Bradshaw?"

Javy rounded the corner into the nearest bathrooms, frowning when he spotted Bradley curled up in the back corner. He'd sweated out his uniform and his hair, usually neat, was all over the place like he'd been tugging on it.

"Oh, fuck, man. What happened? Are you sick?"

Coyote knelt, reaching out for Rooster but he immediately recoiled, pushing himself further against the wall. Coyote backed away, frowning.

"Hey. Hey, Bradley, you're safe, yeah?"

"I can't- I can't fucking breathe, I don't-"

"-I think... I think you're having a panic attack."

"W-what?" Rooster asked hoarsely, eyes finally glancing up to meet Javy's gaze.

"Yeah, my sister has 'em. Fuck, you're shaking. Alright, hold tight, class is nearly over. Phoenix is on her way, yeah?"

"Don't let her in, she can't- I don't want her to- please don't let her see me like this."

"Okay, okay. Look, you're just going to make it worse if you go as you have been. Can I touch your hand?"

Coyote knew he had to be specific. If he touched Rooster's shoulders or his legs, he'd probably go through the roof. He could start with hands. When he hesitantly offered his hand, palm out, Rooster surprised him and instead went straight for a hug. Javy caught him, frowning as he felt tears falling.

"Well, damn," he whispered more to himself than to Rooster.

-

With the lesson over and the knowledge that an ejection had happened like the one that had been simulated on the big screen, Phoenix grabbed her backpack, smacking Hangman in the face with it.

"Don't you ever insinuate I'd leave Rooster behind like you do ever again," she hissed. As she walked out of the classroom, a hand grabbed her arm and tugged. She went to fight it but Coyote put a hand over her mouth, silently asking for her to be quiet for a moment.

"Javy? Where's Rooster?" She whispered, glancing around.

"He's in the bathroom, the panic attack made him sick. He's just taking a moment, it's... not pretty."

"Alright, what can I do?"

"What did they show in the simulation?"

"It was a recreation of an ejection gone wrong in 1986- wait. Wait, oh. Fuck, I think I know why Rooster's so worked up."

She squeezed Javy's shoulder.

"Can you ask him if I can come see him?"

"You got it. He wasn't down for it earlier but I think the puking shocked his senses a little."

Coyote poked his head back into the bathroom while Phoenix kept watch. Hangman walked past and he went to stop but she flicked him off, turning away from him. His mouth pressed into a thin line, sighing as he approached.

"Look, I'm... Rooster means a lot to me too, I-"

"-and yet you rile him up, drag him through the mud, hang him out to dry?"

"Look. I think I know why he walked out of class, okay?"

"Can it, Jake. Go hurt someone else."

Phoenix dismissed him again right as Coyote came back.

"He said it was okay for you to go in. I'll hang out the front, give you two some space."

"Thanks, Javy. You're a good friend."

-

"Hey, B. Can I come in?"

"Guess so."

Rooster wiped his nose, grimacing at the wave of nausea wracking through his body again. He was drained, physically and emotionally, yet when Phoenix poked her head into the stall he kind of wanted to lash out at her.

"If you're gonna laugh, you can leave," he huffed, stifling a low gag. To his surprise, Phoenix knelt and opened her backpack. In seconds she had a packet of wet wipes and a water bottle in front of him.

"C'mon, clean yourself up. There's been a stomach flu goin' around, you should be in bed."

When Rooster went to correct her, she winked.

"Uh. Yeah. Yeah, I heard it wiped out half of the second class."

She smiled. With a couple sips of water in him, Rooster felt a little more clear headed but the exhaustion was tugging at his vision.

"C'mere."

Phoenix stood and pulled Rooster to his feet. He was always surprised when she did shit like that; then again, she was the one who gave Hangman a piggy back from the beach to the Hard Deck once. Good times.

"I just fucked up Top Gun, didn't I?" Rooster asked as they carefully made their way out of the bathroom.

"Top Gun isn't meant to be easy," Phoenix said firmly, hand on his shoulder as they walked back to the barracks.

-

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"What is there to say? I got written up for insubordination, which I deserved because I left the class without permission, and then I puked so hard my throat feels like it's on fire."

Phoenix rolled her eyes, taking a seat on Rooster's desk chair while he searched for a clean shirt. She turned her head while he changed out of respect, then heard him get into bed.

"Look, you don't have to get it all out today, okay? I just- I've never seen you react like that man, and we've known each other a while now."

Her gentle prodding seemed to be enough, and when Phoenix looked at him Rooster shook his head, huffing as he angrily swiped at his eyes.

"I hate that I even think of it and I wanna fuckin' cry, like I'm some little kid all over again," he hissed. Phoenix raised an eyebrow.

"B, I think it's okay to cry over losing your dad. It might have happened a while ago, but it's still something that shaped you into the person you are today."

"The ejection they were simulating- the way they described it, the diagrams- I knew it was my dad's accident. I've read the reports, I know it was faulty mechanics and there's nothing his pilot could've done, but-"

"-but it still makes it real," Phoenix filled in. Rooster nodded.

"Yeah."

They sat in silence for a moment, and then Rooster cleared his throat.

"He died when I was two. Me and mom were here anyway, visiting my dad and M- uh, his pilot. It... god, I still kinda remember it, but I don't remember him. When my mom died, my dad's best friend finally told me some stories of them before I was born. It... my dad was a good guy."

"And he died too soon."

Phoenix sighed, getting up from the desk chair.

"Make sure you call medical, let them know you've been puking. They might want to check you over but the beauty of panic attacks is they can also present like a stomach flu."

"Thanks, Phoenix- wait. How do you know about this?"

She shrugged.

"Maybe I used to have 'em."

-

#Top Gun: Maverick #Top Gun Maverick #TGM #Bradley Rooster Bradshaw #Bradley Bradshaw #Rooster #Callsign: Rooster #Javy Coyote Machado #Javy Machado #Coyote #Callsign: Coyote #Natasha Phoenix Trace #Natasha Trace #Phoenix #Callsign: Phoenix #Jake Hangman Seresin #Jake Seresin #Hangman #Callsign: Hangman #sickfic #panic attack #cw: panic attack #cw: anxiety #cw: parental death

[secretlynestaarcheron]

Prythian University: Pitch it to me ch. 7

Nessian / Gwynriel

Tagged: @wishfulimaginings / @almosttenaciousmoon

Nesta 

“Then he said that he could be the instructor, we just have to- are you even listening to me?” Gwyn asks. Nesta glances at her through the mirror with an apologetic smile before turning towards her. “You look fine, why are you so worried?” 

Nesta glances down at the black dress she was wearing. “Maybe I should wear the red one?” she murmurs, ignoring Gwyn's question. She knew why she was nervous. There were a million things to be nervous about. The fact that she was going to see Tomas again. The fact that she would have to play presentable with her father over dinner. The fact that her father was trying to arrange a marriage for her. But she was most nervous about the fact that she was starting to have very real feelings for her very fake boyfriend.  “Or maybe a dress is too formal? I don’t want him to think I am trying too hard.”

“Who? Your dad?” Gwyn asks, sitting up on the bed and staring at Nesta intently. “Don’t you want him to think you're trying hard for Cassian so he doesn’t continue on with trying to auction you off to the highest bidder?” 

She should have been thinking about her dad, yet her mind was completely focused on Cassian. She hated it. She hated this feeling, she liked being by herself. She has only really been able to rely on herself. “You really like Cassian, huh?” Gwyn says slowly. Her eyes knowing. “I kind of thought you bribed him or something to be your fake boyfriend, but this is real.” 

Nesta pales, she felt queasy. “I don’t think it’ll last,” she replies. She was embarassed to tell her friend that she did bribe him, technically. She also did not want to tell her that she did have real feelings for her fake boyfriend. Her friend would push her to share them with him and she couldn’t, she had to finish her degree and had to get into law school. 

Her phone buzzes and Gwyn glances down at it. “Your prince charming is here,” she replies, sliding off the bed and handing the phone to Nesta. “You look beautiful, Nes. Try to enjoy the boujee dinner your attending.” 

Nesta smiles at her friend. “I’ll try and remember my leftovers,” she murmurs. 

Gwyn laughs, “I like surf and turf and very expensive steak, throw in some dessert and I might even switch your laundry while you're gone,” she replies. Nesta smiles at her friend, squeezing her hand before moving to exit her apartment. If she was able to let Gwyn and Emerie in, why couldn’t she let Cas?

She feels like she is moving slowly as she makes it to the entrance of her apartment. Cassian smiles at her when he sees her through the door and pushes himself off the car. He was wearing a navy suit, she didn’t even know that he owned a suit. Her heart hammered loudly in her chest and she tried to push the feeling away. 

“Hey,” he says, as he opens the passenger side door for her. “You look incredible, Nes.” 

Her stomach does somersaults when he says her name. It was becoming very overwhelming. She should have gone to dinner by herself, maybe she should even let her father set her up. “Nes,” Cassian says, pulling her attention up at him. He looked at her with a quizzical brow raised but there was worry clear in her mind. 

She smiles softly. “Sorry,” she forces out, giving him a soft smile as she sits in the car. He closes the door before moving around the car and hopping in the driver's side. “Did you get the address I sent you?” 

“Yeah,” Cassian replies, “Rhysand kept trying to steal my phone to get it. I think Feyre and him wanted to crash the party.” 

Nesta swallows the lump in her throat. She did not want either of her sisters there and she especially did not want Rhysand there. Her sisters did not know that her father was trying to marry her off and she did not want them to know. It was embarrassing. She didn’t even want Cassian to know. 

She fiddles with her fingers as she stares out the window. Cassian reaches over to turn off the radio and she can feel his eyes on her. He doesn’t say anything until they pull up in front of a very fancy restaurant.  “What’s going on?” he asks. “Are you just nervous about seeing your dad?”

She nods, she knew if she spoke her voice would betray her. He reaches forward and moves her chin lightly so she’s looking at him. He gives her a crooked smile and says, “I am going to be right by your side the whole time. All you gotta do is squeeze my hand and I’ll get us out of there, okay?” 

She nods once and he lets her go, he steps out of the car handing the keys to the valet before opening her door. As they walk in together, she grips his elbow and he follows her gaze to the corner where her father sat with Tomas. “He didn’t know I was bringing you,” Nesta finally says. “I knew he would pull some kind of trick if he knew. I want to apologize in advance for the shit show that is about to occur.” 

He chuckles, and only Cassian could chuckle at a time like this. She hated to admit that it made her feel better. “I am sure I can handle it,” Cassian replies, as he grabs her hand softly and begins to lead her over to the table. “Mr Archeron,” he says, as her father stands. His eyes narrowed at Cassian before moving to Nesta. Cassian lets go of Nesta’s hand to reach forward to her father. 

She hated how she missed his touch. To her surprise, her father accepts the handshake as Cassian introduces himself to both Mr Archeron and Tomas. “I am shocked to see someone with Nesta,” her dad says. “Four years and not one boyfriend.” 

Nesta bit her lip, she had dates but they never lasted. They all wanted her for one thing, sex or her fathers money. Its when she decided that she wasn’t going to let her father pay for her schooling anymore and took up five jobs to do it herself. “You haven’t called, so when was I supposed to tell you?” Nesta replies with ease as they take their seats. 

“We already ordered for you,” her father says, ignoring her quip. “Tomas recommended the cobb salad for you, Nesta. He says it's his mothers favorite. For you Cassian, we didn’t actually expect you to be real. Nesta has quite the imagination. Hopefully, you enjoy sirloin.” 

To his credit, Cassian keeps his cool. “I am very easy to please, a sirloin sounds delicious. I appreciate the thought,” he says, closing the menu he had picked up and sliding it over to the side. The dinner goes by slowly, Cassian making conversation and her father staring daggers at her. She knew that he was embarrassed. Tomas kept up with the conversation, throwing his money and title around as if that would pull her attention away from Cassian. 

Tomas was the first to see that this was going to go nowhere, he excused himself after the meal finished. “I’ll see you at the office, Byron,” Tomas says to her father before turning towards them. “Nesta, always a pleasure,” he smiles and it makes her want to gag. “Cassian.” he states before exiting the restaurant. 

“Well,” Nesta replies in the silence that follows his departure. “We should be leaving soon.”

Cassian squeezes her hand. “Do you want me to go tell the valet to pull up the car?” he says and she nods. He reaches forward to kiss her forehead before striding out of the restaurant. She wondered if he knew what he had done. She looks up to see her father staring at her disapprovingly. 

“You embarrassed me, Nesta,” he states. She frowns, her lips drawn tight as he continues, “I have never been so disappointed in you, I thought you were different than your mother, different than your sisters. I suppose I was wrong.” 

Nesta flinches at the mention of her mother. Her mother was cruel and held Nesta to a high standard, it was a weight off Nesta’s back when she passed but her cruel nature did not stop Nesta from feeling guilty for her relief. “I did some digging on your little boyfriend,” her father continues. “His mother was a druggy, a whore. His father is a deadbeat. Is that what you want, Nesta? A deadbeat husband? He is nowhere near your status.” 

Nesta swallows. She was used to him being cruel to her but to Cassian? Cassian who always had a lighthearted spirit. Cassian who constantly tried to make her smile. Cassian who went out of his way to help others. “He may not be rich. He may not have been handed a million dollar empire to run by his father, but he is above you and Tomas in everything else. He is more of a man than you will ever be.” 

Nesta sat up from the table quickly, grabbing her purse and the box that had a piece of chocolate cake for Gwyn before exiting the restaurant. Cassian’s smile dropped when he saw her expression. Before he could say anything she opened the passenger door. “Please don’t ask,” she murmurs and he gives her a quick nod. 

The drive back to her apartment is quiet, it's not until he turns on her street when he speaks. “Azriel told me about the project he and Gwyn are working on. About doing some self defense classes,” he says, as he pulls in front of her building. There he was giving again. “I’ll see you again, right?”

This afternoon broke her. She was broken and her father was just a reminder of it. Cassian did not deserve someone who was like her, who came from someone like him. She turns towards him. “There’s no reason too,” she murmurs, trying to keep her voice even. “You got your paper and I got my fake boyfriend. My father should stay away for a bit. His ego is bruised.” 

She reaches to open the door but Cassian grabs her elbow to stop her gently tugging her back towards him. “It doesn’t have to be just a deal,” Cassian replies. “I think we both know that this isn’t something we can just bounce back from. Something happened. Something was real.” 

She bites her tongue. His eyes were so hopeful. She gives him a half smile and jokes, “I don’t do dating,” she replies.

“But you don’t have-,” 

“God, Cassian. I don’t want to date you, okay?” she replies, turning away so she didn’t have to see his reaction. “I don’t need a boyfriend and I don’t need any more friends. Thank you for helping me get my dad off my back but that’s all I need.” 

There's a long stretch of silence and Nesta wants to take back everything she said. She wants to tell him that she’s falling for him and she's terrified because the only experience she has had with men has been awful. She wants to fall into his embrace and never let go but all she knows is herself. She turns towards him to tell him but before the words could leave her mouth, he reaches across her and she almost thinks he's read her mind and is going to kiss her but he clicks the door handle and shoves it open. 

“Thanks for looking at my paper,” he says. His voice no longer chirps. His smile no longer reaches his eyes. She steps out of the car before reaching back in to grab her things. He doesn’t look at her again, only drums his fingers on the steering wheel. She doesn’t know what else to say, there wasn’t anything else to say, so she shuts the door and watches him speed off before crumbling to the curb and beginning to sob. 

#acotar #sjmaas #nesta x cassian #feysand #nessian fanfiction #nesta archeron #acotar au #elain archeron #cassian #nessian #acosf #azriel #a court of thorns and roses #sarah j maas

[saitama-division]

ARB Birthday Special 2022: Sayaka Miyuki

~~ September 23rd ~~

“Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.”

Login Lines:

“I see it’s that time of year again haha. Yep, I made sure not to forget this time!”

“Thank you so much for the gift, although you didn’t have to. Still, it really means a lot.”

Voice Lines:

“Oh wow, 31 years old. I’m..not sure how to feel really, don’t get me wrong, I’m so glad and lucky to have made it so far and I hope I can live for another 31 years hopefully.”

“The detective agency threw me another party, I knew I should’ve seen it coming but I’m still surprised, I didn’t know they all hold me in such high regard.”

“To be honest, I don’t really feel that bad. …Hm? Well, Lola has been telling me some things about how peoples start to let themselves go once they hit their 30s, I don’t believe her obviously but she’s very persuasive. We’ve agreed that, however, I take up a more..active hobby. She said she does know a dance instructor…”

“I’m really happy with all the gifts and wishes people have been giving me, it still honestly blows my mind that I know so many interesting and unique people that I’m happy to call my friends.”

“To be perfectly honest? I would prefer to spend the day with Yoshiko and Kureha, I feel like it’s been too long since we all had a mother-daughters day. Plus, there’s somewhere I need to make a visit first…”

“…Hm? Why do you want me to close my eyes, Lola? …Oh, a surprise? You’re not gonna put anal beads in my hand again, are you?…Okay, okay, I trust you….Okay, ready when you are.”

“I…Lola, I’m speechless…how did you…how much did this cost?…Yes, it matters! …Oh, it’s beautiful, I didn’t even know they can make pianos like this! I’m almost afraid to touch it, it’s…been a while since I’ve last played…though I’m not opposed to practice, I wonder if Yoshiko would be interested.”

“Kureha, sweetie! I’m so glad you can make it! How was school? …What? I’m still your mother, I like to know that you’re doing well and are healthy even on my birthday. …That’s good, so what is it that you want to show me?”

“Oh sweetheart, these are beautiful! I can’t believe that you made these yourself!…Oh stop it! You are a very talented woman and I’m so proud of you! Thank you for the gift, lovely.”

“Yoshi, baby! There you are! You sure are a slippery one, I’ve been trying to find you all day! …Hm? What’s behind your back?”

“Honey, did you make this for me? It’s absolutely beautiful, you did such a wonderful job. Those art lessons big sister gives you are paying off real well! Welp, it’s official, I’m never drinking out of another cup again. …Hehe, thank you baby, now go put your shoes on, we’re going to someplace special today.”

Lola Lines:

“Sayaka! My love! My darling! Happy birthday honeybun! Now, your gift is waiting for you just up ahead but…I need you to close your eyes, it’s a surprise after all! …What? No! No! Trust me, I learned my lesson last time, now will you please close those pretty eyes for me? …Thank you, now follow me!”

“Ta-da! I got you a piano! I remember you used to tell stories of how you played piano when you were younger and I figured that maybe you want to brush up on your skills one day, and because I know how much you love butterflies, I got it customized…Ah, don’t worry about the price, it doesn’t matter, nothing is too much when it comes to spoiling my precious girls.”

Kureha Lines:

“Hi mom, happy birthday, sorry I’m late. …Mom, please, it’s your birthday, you can afford to think about yourself…*sigh* Fine, it was okay. I want to show you my gift, can I, please?

“It’s really nothing, all I did was make some butterfly sculptures and I bought the lights from the electronics store…I..*flustered* You really think so?…Thank you.”

Bonus! Yoshiko Lines:

“Ah! Mommy! …I’m sorry, I want to give you this.”

“Mhm! I colored it all by myself! Even big sister liked it! …Ehehe! Happy birthday, Mommy! I love you!”

#hypmic oc #hypnosis mic #hypnosis mic oc #hypmic #hypnosis microphone #sayaka miyuki #lola takahashi #kureha koizumi #yoshiko miyuki #femme fatale #arb birthday special #alternative rap battle #arb #happy birthday sayaka 2022

[nautiscarader]

Wendip Week 2022 #1: on four wheels

(Ao3)

As every year, a small crowd of people gathered near the bus stop at the outskirts of a sleepy town in Oregon. Except, unlike for the past five years, they were not waiting for a bus - mostly because the local company seemed to have abandoned the line a few months ago, and the sign has been half-eaten by some animal.

That might have been the reason behind the company's decision.

Fortunately, lack of buses did not put an end to one tradition that caused the townsfolk to gather in the same place at the start of every Summer.

"Where the heck are they?", Ford asked, peeling his eyes, looking at the empty road, "They should have been here by now."

"Calm down", his brother reassured him, "I wouldn't worry about these two."

"Wait, can you hear that?"

Melody turned her head at the slight noise her ears picked up, and the rest followed her, only to experience sharp pain when a mighty roar of a car engine, combined with screeching tires reached them a second later.

At the very end of the forest road a colourful dot emerged from a cloud of smoke, appearing larger and larger the closer it got, causing the crowd to realise they are standing right in its way.

They jumped to the sides, but the rainbow-coloured Jeep did a sharp ninety-degree spin turning sideways as it came to a screeching halt, exposing the driver behind the wheel with a wild smile on her braces-free face.

"Mabel!", the folks cheered in unison as Mabel Pines jumped out of her car, straight into her great-uncles' arms, then into a much tighter one of her group of friends, and finally into a heated kiss with her blonde girlfriend.

"And, uh, where's the-"

"I'm here, grunkle", a meek voice replied from inside the car, "Though honestly, it feels like I'm in five places at once…"

Dipper Pines carefully stepped out of the car, his face sharing some of the colours of his sister's car, as he waddled towards the group, mostly to reassure him that they were not moving from side to side as the rest of the forest.

"Geez, dude, you doing alright there?", Soos asked his friend, only to get reply from his sister.

"Oh, he's FINE!", Mabel slapped his back, making Dipper's eyes pop up as something simultaneously went back down his throat, "It's not the first time he rides with me!"

"It's the second time…", he corrected her. "I'm still not sure how come you got your license."

"It's all about attitude, bro!", she rolled her eyes, "My instructor was telling me that as I learn to drive, I will find which rules can be bent, and which can be broken…"

"Mabel, I am sure that's not how driving works…"

"Then why didn't you drive?"

A new voice joined the conversation, instantly gaining Dipper's attention, much to Mabel's amusement. Dipper turned his head as Wendy emerged from the crowd, welcoming him with a slightly cocky smile, to which Dipper could only reply with meek stuttering. Despite being seventeen, the sight of his old red-head crush still made him freeze and lose composure, until Mabel's not-so-subtle nudge awoke him from his trance.

"H-Hi, Wendy…"

"That's because he didn't pass.", Mabel explained for him.

"Mabel!"

"Oh come on, dude, tons of people don't pass on the first try", Wendy nudged him from the other side. "Tambs had to try three times, Nate twice, Robbie and Thompson four…"

"And you?", he asked automatically, looking nervously back and forth.

"Uh, I did it it on my first pass, actually.", she chuckled. Wendy had to turn to her other side as Mabel jumped into the air, high-fiving her.

Dipper was about to reply, but left the two to their own and retracted back into the car for the mountain of bags.

==========

"Dude, you cannot stay grumpy the whole Summer", Mabel shouted at her brother, as the twins got back in their attic double room.

"I'm not grumpy, I'm-", Dipper took a moment to think of a plausible answer "I'm just thinking what to check first tomorrow. I mean, Ford has been keeping an eye on all the anomalies, but I want to update my maps…"

"Uh-uh". Mabel replied, rolling her eyes. "Well, have a nice evening moping around, then."

"And where are you going?"

"Ka-ra-okie-dokie!", Mabel sang, dancing in place. "Want to join us?"

"Uh, no, I don't feel like…"

"Well, all the seats in my car were taken anyway."

She blew a raspberry and playfully jumped down the stairs and went outside, where Paz, Grenda and Candy have already been waiting, as Dipper watched them from the window.

"Well, who cares about social interactions?", Dipper muttered to himself, as he opened his laptop. "It's just me and you!"

He spoke to his collectible Duck-Tective Junko-bob figurine he was using as a debugging duck.

"How about we crack down that algorithm we've been working on?"

The duck remained silent.

"Yeah, sure, you are doing all the work…", he grumbled back.

But Dipper didn't have time to even look at a single line of the code when he heard a car horn outside. He walked towards the window, recognising a familiar golf cart, and a familiar person behind its wheel.

"Sup, dude! Don't tell me you thought you would be spending a Friday night alone!", Wendy shouted, honking the horn again.

"Wendy!", Dipper automatically checked if his shirt was buttoned, "What-what are you doing-"

"Get down here, nerd, I'm taking you somewhere fun."

"Oh-oh, right!"

Dipper opened the window and was half-way through climbing out of it when Wendy's concerned voice made him stop.

"Uh, are you grounded? Cos the stairs were working a few minutes ago for Mabel…"

"Oh.", Dipper pondered his action for a while. "Yeah, I just thought-cos in the movies, they, they always sneak out, and-"

Wendy chuckled.

"Come down the stairs, I don't want to have you on my conscience."

A moment later Dipper Pines found himself sitting next to Wendy, who casually dangled the keys, offering to switch.

"Er, maybe I should pass the test first…"

"You weren't so sure back when you were twelve."

"Yeah, but then I had to rescue Mabel. Where are we going?"

"Over the lake", Wendy explained, as she drove, "That's the best place to watch."

The sun settled quickly, and soon only the fireflies illuminated the empty forest road. But by the time it happened, the two arrived at their destination, with Wendy relaxing in her seat, handing Dipper his own can of soda.

"Wendy. what are we waiting f-"

His question was answered at once when the night sky was illuminated with red-and-purple fireworks, reflecting in the water, filling Dipper's entire field of view with magnificent colours.

"Pretty neat, huh?"

"Y-yeah…"

Dipper looked at Wendy's face, basked in the palette of colours, and he found himself loss for words, like so many times when he wanted to talk to her. But this time, he simply sipped his drink and let the show continue.

"I know how you feel, dude.", she suddenly spoke, "About the test."

"But you've said-"

"Yeah, I aced that one…", her face suddenly frowned, "But I flunked my college ones, I have to retake like three of them, or I'm out."

"O-oh.", Dipper swallowed loudly, "Is-is there any way I can help?"

"Know anything about statistics?", she turned her head at once.

"Sure!"

"Well then…", she leaned closer, "You help me with the numbers, I help you with parallel parking."

She smiled, and with another explosion of colours her red hair became a mane of fire with two glowing emeralds in place of her eyes.

"D-deal…", he muttered, regaining composure almost immediately, "Although, actually, I did the parallel thing perfectly, it's the-"

"Dude, not now" , she hushed him, "We'll start tomorrow".

And with that, the two relaxed in their seats and watched the show engulfing above and below them. This Summer might have fewer monsters and adventures, but somehow, Dipper knew he wouldn't complain.

#wendip #nautiscaraderfics #wendy corduroy #dipper pines #gravity falls #wendipweek #wendip week #wendip week 2022