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the-halo-of-my-memory · 3 years

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Nitpicking & Picnicking (DA Gift Exchange 2020)

Paring: OC Female Inquisitor (Marzeyna Lavellan) x Cullen Rutherford

Word Count: 4,9k

Summary: The Inquisition overhear that Cullen and Marzeyna are courting but have yet to spend some time together outside of Inquisition hours. They decide to help them out with a picnic, much to the chagrin of Cullen.

Warning(s): language, second hand embarrassment, Cullen nearly having a stroke, the usual Inquisition shenanigans, and fluff.

A/N: This is a note to my future self. Future Jess, never sign up for another Secret Santa thing here again. You got so distracted by bullshit this year, you nearly forgot and then panicked for the last 48 hours of this. Nice job!

Anyways, @crqstalite this is my gift for you for the @dagiftexchange! I figured a sorta crack fic with fluff would be perfect for your Marzeyna and Cullen. And naturally, the rest of the Inquisition came with lol. I seriously hope you like it.

I also wanna thank @dorathedestroyer64 and @callthedarknessdown for helping me a million by beta reading this and just being all around sweet friends (ily you guys <3)

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When she wakes the sunlight is in her eyes, and in the not so far distance, the noise of the men and women of the inquisition sparring rings. Swords striking, armor crashing, and the voices of many speaking, yelling, and giving orders.

Nuzzling the corner of her pillow, Marzenya recognizes one voice among the others.

It’s Commander Cullen Rutherford.

Her Commander Cullen Rutherford.

The kiss on the battlements. . . it still leaves her breathless a week later.

It was everything she wanted and so much more.

Yes, she had been kissed before. It was some years ago, back when she was with the clan. It was with a fellow elf and it was just a kiss for the sake of kissing. There were a few others as well.

But with Cullen, she understood why people did it. To have him near her, hands on her cheeks, and his warm lips upon her own...it stopped her embarrassment right in its place after being caught by that scout. Jim was his name.

Nevermind him. The kiss! The kiss was what she wanted to think about at this moment.

When they connected, she forgot to breathe. That kiss robbed her of breath and the burning in her lungs was worth it.

It was becoming a part of her schedule. She would always come up to see him before breakfast, before going off on her duties. To see him not yet the commander and her, not yet the inquisitor. But simply as Marzeyna and Cullen. To say his name without speaking of war tactics or about Inquisition affairs is almost like singing a melody. She can and will say his name whenever she likes when she’s at his office.

And when he says her name, it’s like the winds have said it, biting at her skin, and giving her chills up and down her spine. It makes the blood in her heart run warm and gives her butterflies in her stomach. She’d be lying if she denied that one of the main reasons why she runs to see him was just to hear him say her name.

Marzeyna. . .

And so here she was, in his office. His face lights up at the sight of her, like the sun rising.

“Good morning, Cullen.”

“Good morning, Marzeyna,” he smiles back at her. Oh, the butterflies are back.

“Are you busy at the moment?” she asks.

“Not quite yet,” he says. “But I can spare some time if you’d like.”

“I would, thank you.”

And so they carve out that little space and time talking to one another. Nothing about the Inquisition. That could wait for the time being. Cullen would sit at his desk and she would sit atop it, next to his paperwork.

The moment was only that: a moment. And it had to end eventually.

Usually Marzeyna would usually slip off the desk and give Cullen a kiss on the cheek before leaving, but this time they were interrupted.

“Commander Cullen, we need to make preparations for today’s—”

It was Cassandra. She entered the room with a board in hand with papers clipped on it. Her eyes, glued to the ink, failed to notice the two at first. When she did, she trailed off.

An uncomfortable silence settled in the air. It was awkward, no doubt.

Although caught in only a chaste moment of closeness, it felt scandalizing all the same. This time they spent together was for them alone, and to be interrupted turned the pure intimacy of conversation into an act far more compromising and less innocent than the simple poetry of their enlaced fingers.

There were already rumors circulating around the barracks and the rest of Skyhold as it is. They just had to kiss outside for some to see, didn’t they?

And now Cassandra knows. Great.

Well, she already had her suspicions. Cassandra always kept an eye on Marzeyna (which she was always grateful for) and no doubt she caught the dopey smiles and doe-eyes she subconsciously made when she looked at Cullen during war table meetings.

Yeah, Leliana and Josephine probably know too.

“I beg your pardon,” Cassandra says, “am I interrupting something?”

“Oh! No, seeker,” Marzeyna can feel the heat coloring her cheeks. “I was just heading out,” She slips off the desk and gives a nod to Cullen, who nods back with that crooked smile she adored on his face. Too bad she couldn’t kiss him with Cassandra here. She bids them both a good morning before leaving.

*********

The moment had to end. And so be it.

If only it was a moment longer, Cullen sighs. He didn’t get the kiss he found himself looking forward to every morning, but it was obvious why she didn’t give him one.

Back to business.

The seeker steps forward and lays her board of papers on his desk.

“I know it is none of my concern,” she says, carefully picking her words, “but I must ask. Are you courting the inquisitor?”

“Uh-”

It was a simple yes or no question and yet he did not know how to answer it.

Courting. It was such a strange word. It felt too proper for him, the son of Fereldan farmers. A word meant for royals and nobles. He was neither of them.

But technically speaking. . .

“Er uh . . . yes, I am courting the Inquisitor.”

Cassandra raises a brow, a smirk pulling aside her lips.

"But I assure you, seeker! We are keeping our personal affairs away from our duties with the Inquisition. We will not shirk our duties and—"

"Cullen, that's enough."

She hides her smile with a fist and she's laughing? At him?

"I know you two will not neglect your duties and will remain professional when necessary."

Oh.

"Oh."

"Another question, if I may?"

"Go ahead."

"Have you spent some time with her?"

Cullen’s brows draw together. "Some—some time with her?"

"Yes. You are courting here." She reminds him, amused to have to elaborate further.

"Y-Yes, I am."

Cassandra’s head tilts to the side. "Have you not spent some time with her after hours? Perhaps have taken her outside of Skyhold?"

If there were words in Cullen's head, they seem to have leaked out of his ears.

"I uh. . . haven't had the chance." He realizes.

“A chance?"

"You do remember that we have an Inquisition to run?”

"Of course I do," Casandra scowls and crosses her arms. "But you must make time for Marzeyna if you expect this courtship to be successful."

"Excuse me?”

"Do not worry. Myself and the others shall help." And with that she picks up her board of papers and heads for the door.

Cullen was struck by a bolt of confusion.

"What in the blazes....”

****

Early evening arrived, the sun soon setting in an hour, and candles would need to be lit.

With a familiar ache in his neck and shoulders, Cullen sits hunched over his desk with stacks of paperwork that needed his attention.

Scout reports, operations that require his permission, requisitions, letters, etc.

He could feel a headache coming on. The dull, slow creeping from the back of his skull. Having had so many since withdrawing from lyrium, he knows too well that it will soon spread and pulse along to the beat of his heart and grow sharp, clawing at his mind from the back of his eyes.

A sigh escapes his lips.

Maybe he needs to eat something. It was time for dinner. Perhaps he could find Marzeyna and have a meal with her in his office. Or maybe the garden, have a little picnic there. Watch the sunset together.

Yes . . . that would be nice . . .

Just as he’s about to get up from his seat, the door opposite his desk opens.

“Commander Cullen, may I have a moment of your time?”

It was that Tevinter mage, Dorian Pavus.

This cannot be good.

“Uh, you may.”

“Wonderful!” The mage walks over and puts his hands on his desk. “A little birdie told me that our dear commander is courting our sweet little inquisitor.”

“Was the little birdie perhaps Cassandra?” Cullen makes a face.

“Perhaps,” Dorian says with a knowing look. “Though if I must be frank, we all had our suspicions before the little birdie came flying.”

“We?”

“Don’t be foolish, Cullen. We’ve seen the way you two look at each other. It’s so sweet and innocent, it makes me ill.” Dorian gives a sort of dreamy sigh. “Reminds of my youth.”

Meanwhile the commander had grown two shades pinker. He doesn’t need a mirror to know that.

“It-It was that obvious?”

“I’m afraid so. But nevermind that. The same little birdie also told you that you have yet to spend some time with her outside of Inquisition affairs. Is that true?”

It occurs to Cullen that he wanted nothing more in this moment than to bury his face in his gloved hands and scream.

“Yes, that’s true. Look, Dorian. I don’t know if you noticed, but we are part of the Inquisition. We are in the middle of attempting to close the breach in the sky and defeat Corypheus, all while in the middle of mage/templar war.”

A moment passes for his words to settle in.

“Alright, I see your point.” Tucking a fist under his chin, Dorian appears to be deep in thought. “Have you thought about it nonetheless?”

“Of course I have, it’s just—” Cullen sighs.

“Just what?” Dorian prompts.

“It’s just. . . we have business to conduct. We can barely see each other outside of meetings.”

“Have you thought about making time?”

Wait a minute. . .

“Making time?”

“Yes, making time. Cullen, I know you and Marzenya are busy people. I know we are in the middle of something awful and the two of you and the rest of us are trying to fix everything. The issue here is that you need to spend some time together or your work will consume your relationship. At the end of the day, you’ll want you to remember the memories you made with her, not with all this shit paperwork.”

For a second, Cullen doesn’t know what to say.

“Dorian, that was . . . incredibly touching of you to say.”

“I know it was. People think I like to talk just to hear the sound of my voice, which is true. I have a lovely voice. Now come on!”

By now, Dorian had walked over to the other side of the desk and was pulling the commander up and out of his seat by the arm.

“Where are we going?” Cullen asks.

“To make memories.”

“I can’t I have reports to-”

“What did I say about making memories?”

****

The magister ended up taking the commander to Skyhold’s own pub, the Herald's Rest. Inside, the pub was packed with familiar faces, all engaged in banter and drinks sloshing in their hands. The music was lively and there was not a sad soul in sight.

At least the morale was looking high, Cullen thought.

Dorian takes him near the back end of the pub where the Iron Bull and his Chargers sat and made their new home.

“Dorian! Commander! It’s nice to see you here! Come, take a seat!” Bull did look happy to see them. As Cullen takes a seat with the group, one of them, Krem, hands him a drink—though drinking is the last thing he wants to do while this headache continues to grow.

“So what brings you here?” Bull asks after taking a swig of his drink.

“I did,” says Dorian, “and you can thank me for that. And also, it turns out Cassandra was right. Our dear commander is courting our little inquisitor.”

The incredulous look on Bull’s face says it all.

“Shit, really?! Hey Cullen, congrats, man! Didn’t know you had it in you.” The “pat” on the shoulder he gave him nearly knocks him off balance in his chair.

“Er uh, thank you.”

As Bull is about to say something else, something across the room catches his attention.

“Varric! Blackwall! Get over here! We gotta talk.”

Oh, Maker take him.

The warden and the crossbow dwarf take with them, and Blackwall obliges to take a drink while Varric denies.

“Curly, it’s certainly a surprise to see you here.”

“I could say the same, commander. What brings you here?”

“Nevermind that,” interrupts an impatient Dorian. “What matters is this: the seeker was right. Cullen is courting Marzenya.”

The two men’s eyes go wide and turn to Cullen.

“I knew it!” Varric had a large smile on his face. “Who made the first move?”

The commander’s face felt as hot as a kiln.

“I-I guess it was technically I did-”

“Ha! You owe a sovereign, Tiny.”

Bull groans as he digs in his pockets. “Dammit. I was hoping Zey would be the one to grow balls.”

“I was thinking the same,” Dorian hands a sovereign of his own to Blackwall.

“Excuse me, have you all been making bets on my personal life?” Oh, that headache is coming along quite nicely.

“Relax, Cullen,” says Blackwall, putting a hand on his shoulder. “We mean no harm. It was just you two were quite the spectacle, even back in Haven.”

“He’s right,” Varric nods. “I know a romance in the making when I see it.”

“Alright now, this is the important thing. Cullen has yet to properly spend time with Marzeyna .”

“Oh yeah?”” Bull raises a brow.

Cullen sighs as he feels a blood vessel near his temple about to burst.

“There is a giant hole in the sky we need to worry about first.” He points out.

“That can wait.”

Now that blood vessel is really going to burst. The commander stands abruptly from his chair, nearly knocking it over. His mouth is open, ready to debate, when a hand lands on his shoulder and pulls him back down.

“Dorian’s right,” it was Blackwall. “This is more important.”

“How?!”

“This is a chance of love. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and you can’t neglect that opportunity.”

“I don’t-”

Dorian interrupts him. “We need to come up with some ideas for him to spend some time with Zey, any suggestions?”

“Have you thought about having drinks with her here?” Varric asks.

“This isn’t the most romantic or intimate place for us,” Cullen rubs the back of his neck.

“Have thought about having dinner with her in her quarters?” gestures Blackwall.

The room is suddenly warming up.

“That’s far too intimate for the time being.”

“Mm!” Bull wipes his mouth after taking another swig of his drink with the back of his hand. “Have you thought about having sex with her?”

The room is now on fire.

“I-! We’ve barely started!” Cullen says through his teeth.

“No no, that’s a brilliant idea,” oh Blackwall, please no. “Sleeping with her will give you a good outlook on how your relationship is and will be.”

“Hell yeah!” Spilling his beer, Bull is adding fuel to the metaphorical fire. “Take those damn gloves off for once and show her a good time!”

Cullen knows his face is as red as apples and he blames the blood vessel that has surely now burst and his hemorrhaging underneath the surface of his skin.

“Knock it off, the both of you,” hisses Dorian. “You know damn well the two of them are not like that. They can barely kiss as it is. We need to keep coming up with ideas. Cullen, have you thought of any yourself?”

Rubbing his chin, the commander gives himself a moment to think.

“I was thinking about having a picnic with her in the gardens.” He divulges.

“Hey,” Varric crosses his arms, “that’s not a bad idea. A little fruit, cheese, and some wine and there you have it.”

“Now that,” Dorian puts a hand on Cullen’s shoulder, “we can do.”

“We?” That doesn’t sound good.

“Yes, we shall aid you in your romantic endeavors.”

“I don’t think-” Bull shuts him up with a wave of his hand.

“Please, it’s just a picnic. How hard can it be to set up?”

Dorian leans over in his chair toward the commander.

“Just ask her to have a picnic with you tomorrow morning and we’ll have everything set up by evening.”

It was honestly difficult to trust these men with personal affairs. Considering his schedule, to have everything set up tomorrow was a gift.

So he sighs and agrees.

****

It was barely mid-morning when Marzeyna’s heart burst out of her chest.

Alright, not literally, but still!

When she went to see Cullen, he had just asked her to have a picnic with him in Skyhold’s garden this evening.

Yes, they’ve shared a fair share of kisses and warm embraces. . . but everything was still so new and so precious, like a newborn babe. So full of love.

She is still in the state that she was in when they first talked at Haven, long before the kiss. Now, her affection is acknowledged by the weight of his own affection.

Marzeyna said yes to the picnic, of course.

Much still needs to be done today and the picnic lingers in her mind in the meantime.

She needs to seek some consultation. And she knows the perfect person.

****

“Oh Vivienne, I’m so glad you have the time to help me.”

“For you, my dear inquisitor, I’ll always clear my schedule.”

They were in Vivienne's room above the court near the library. Evening was in a few hours and Marzeyna wasn’t exactly calm about this.

It was just a picnic with Cullen. No big deal. Noooope.

Oh, there goes her imagination.

“I’ve never properly courted before. I’ve shared a few kisses back when I was with the clan, but nothing as serious as this. I’m afraid I’ll say or do something and he won’t be interested in me anymore.”

Vivienne chuckles as they take a seat on the settee together.

“Oh my dear, you’ve only just started. Do not worry about making mistakes. In fact, this is the perfect time to make mistakes. It shall aid you on how to improve both yourself and the relationship.”

“Really”

“Of course, really. Besides, I doubt a few ‘mistakes’ would deter the commander away.”

As the inquisitor spoke about her conversation with Cullen from earlier, their heads swiveled towards the sound of the door opening.

“Did you two really think you could make plans without us?”

It was Leliana, and behind her were Josephine and Cassandra. They walk over to them and take seats on Vivienne’s bed and a stool.

“What are you three doing here?” Marzeyna asks.

“We thought we’d come and help you with the picnic with the commander,” Josephine said with a smile.

“Help me? How do you all know?”

Cassandra clears her throat.

“We overheard Dorian speaking with Varric about the picnic and gathering things for Cullen. We three thought we would do the same for you.”

Marzeyna swears that though her heart has yet to burst from her chest and out her ribcage, it certainly swells right then and there.

“Oh, you lot are going to make me cry.”

The five of them start to converse and throw ideas of what to do.

“For starters,” Leliana speaks, “We need to figure out what you will wear.”

“Wear?” Marzeyna shakes her head. “This is just a picnic, not a ball. Isn’t what I’m wearing right now just fine?”

“Sure,” said Josephine, “but it doesn’t hurt to dress up for a small occasion like this. It will show the commander that you care and that you want to look good for him.”

“I guess. . .” Humans are a weird race sometimes but that line of reasoning doesn’t sound absurd.

Josephine continues.

“I think I might have some simple skirts in quarters you could try on if you like.”

“I believe I may have some blouses you borrow as well,” Cassandra smiles at her.

“I also have some jewelry if you’re interested,” Leliana said. “Something light like small earrings and a simple necklace. Maybe even a bracelet.”

“And I shall aid you with a little hair and makeup,” Vivienne already had compacts of face paint ready for her.

Okay, now she really is going to cry.

****

Cullen made his way to Skyhold’s garden as the sun was about to set. Soon the sky would turn to different shades of colors and the stars would make their way in the dark.

And to have Marzeyna with him when that happens would simply be a gift for him.

When he arrives, the gardens are eerily empty. Nobody is there except for Varric, who holds a small basket in his arms.

“Curly! I was wondering when you were going to show up. Got everything set up for you.”

Walking over to him, Cullen spots the display before the both of them.

On the grass lays a plain worn blanket, threading at one side. There’s a plate in the middle that holds fruits, cheeses, and sweets. Varric sets the basket down and reaches in and pulls out a bottle of wine and two glasses.

“There’s also candles and matches in here in case you want to stick around past sundown.”

For a moment, the commander loses his words.

“You alright there, Curly? We didn’t forget anything, did we?”

Cullen snaps back to reality.

“N-No. No, this is . . . perfect.”

“Good ‘cause it’s not gonna get any more perfect then this.”

As Cullen takes a closer look at the display, he expects Varric to walk away, giving him the much needed space and quiet he’d like to share with the inquisitor. Instead, the dwarf walks over to the ledge a couple feet away.

Just as Cullen is about to call out to him, he hears the sound of one of the doors opening.

“Dorian, what are you-”

“Oh, I’m just here to take in some fresh air,” the mage brushes off. “I’m also meeting Cassandra here for a game of chess. Don’t mind me.” He walks past him to the chess board where he once shared a game with the commander not far too long ago.

Again, why is he here? Cullen goes to open his mouth to say something when the door opens again.

“Good evening, Commander.”

“Er uh . . . good evening, Cassandra.”

The seeker walks past him to join Dorian at the chessboard. They speak in hushed tones that he cannot decipher.

And then the doors open again.

It’s Leliana and Josephine who also say “good evening” before rushing towards one of the garden benches and sitting themselves down.

And then Blackwall walks in and utters his good evening and joins Varric by the ledge.

And then another door opens, but it’s not from either entrance to the gardens. Instead, it’s from the upper level where the bedrooms are. There stood the tall forms of the Iron Bull and Vivienne in her headdress, arm and arm taking what appears to be...a stroll?

The blood vessel from last night suddenly wants revenge.

“What in the Maker’s name-!” he starts but then the door opens again.

Oh . . .

It’s her . . .

“Good evening, Cullen,” Marzeyna says, “I got your note.”

Oh, that's right. He left a note for her in his office that told her to come meet with him in the garden at her earliest convenience.

“Good evening, Marzeyna. . .” he breathes out. “You look beautiful tonight.”

It’s true. He rarely saw her outside of her armor and indoor inquisition clothes that she wore to look the part. But tonight, she wore something else. Her hair is done up with strands of wavy hair outlining her face, showing off the earrings with red gems adorning her ears. Her face itself is painted, her eyelids swept with a glittery yellow, almost gold dust, and her mouth painted a brilliant shade of red that complimented her vallaslin. Her blouse hugged her exposed shoulders and from her neck hangs a simple gold necklace. The sleeves are long and rolled up below the elbow. Below that is a long skirt that exposes her ankles, revealing bare feet half wrapped in cloth.

It wasn’t much, and yet it still steals his breath away.

“Thank you,” she says and walks closer to him.

Their hands meet and he leans over to her to give her a kiss.

Until that is when someone coughs and reminds him they aren’t alone.

Without speaking, Cullen gently pulls her over to their little picnic and sits themselves down on the blanket.

“I am sorry,” he says while pouring her a glass of wine. “But apparently the Inquisition wants to witness our little picnic.”

“Inquisition?” Marzeyna looks around, her eyes widening at every angle. “Oh hell, almost everyone is here. Why?”

“I don’t know,” Cullen rubs the back of neck. He’s seriously going to rub it raw one day. “I was about to tell everyone off when you arrived.”

“Oh shit,” she murmurs into her wine. “They expect some kind of show from this, like a play. Maybe if we just sit here and whisper they’ll eventually get bored and leave.”

“Let’s hope for it.”

Conversations were attempted, but just as they really get into the meat of it, someone whispers, someone coughs, someone giggles. A near dozen pair of eyes were on them and Cullen could feel them burning into him in all directions.

“They really are a persistent lot,” he mutters mostly to himself.

“I’m afraid so,” Marzeyna replies as she takes a bite from a sweet tart from the plate.

Time passes. It feels like an hour, but it’s really closer to twenty minutes.

“Any minute now,” she says, her smile waning away, “they will all pick up and leave and it’ll be just the two of us.”

They both sigh.

Another moment passes. Nothing happens. Cullen’s pretty sure now that Dorian and Cassandra have yet to even make the second move in their game. Varric and Blackwall pretend to be interested in both the sky and ground. Leliana and Josephine appear to lean against one another, ready to fall asleep. The Iron Bull and Vivienne have long since gave up pretending to walk up and down the balcony and now lean against it.

Cullen and Marzeyna no longer stare at each other as they space off into the distance, near tipsy on wine and full of fruit and sweets.

“Alright, I give up.” Marzeyna takes in the rest of her wine and stands up. Cullen joins her as well. “Have you lot gotten bored yet? Nothing’s gonna happen. I don’t even know what you all expected.”

“Honestly, neither did I,” says Dorian getting up from his seat to stretch his legs. “I’ll be off now.”

“Dammit Cullen, take the gloves off already!” Bull yells from the balcony while making obscene hand gestures that Vivienne does not approve of.

“I am not taking my gloves off!” Cullen yells back, his face quick to turn red.

“Prude!”

With that, everyone got up and made their way out, some laughing along the way.

When silence finally fell and the two of them were the only ones there, they sat back down with a sigh of relief.

The silence is broken when Marzeyna starts to laugh.

It starts off as a small giggle and then it builds up to a good chuckle and soon enough, she’s cackling like a child does at inappropriate jokes.

And he laughs with her. They laugh hard and loud until Cullen can feel another headache off in the distance. One he won’t complain about too terribly much.

“I have to say, Cullen,” she speaks as she winds down, “this was the worst picnic I’ve ever had.”

“My apologies,” he replies, clearing his dried throat. “I had a much better idea in my head. It was much more romantic and intimate and not full of witnesses.” She scoots herself closer to him and puts a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s alright, it’s the thought that counts.”

The commander puts his hand over the Inquisitor’s and holds it closer to him so he can kiss the knuckles of her hand.

“I appreciate that very much.”

Marzeyna leans towards him and he wraps an arm around her shoulders and holds her other hand in his.

“Let me make it up to you,” she says. “Let’s have breakfast in my quarters tomorrow morning. Just me and you. How does that sound?”

Just me and her . . .

“Dearest, that sounds lovely. . .”

“Good, I prefer the sun rises than sunsets, to be honest.”

“And why is that?”

Marzeyna shrugs. “It's something I've always enjoyed since the clan. I like watching the world wake up with me. It’s a beautiful sight that reminds me I am alive and have a day ahead of me to live. And it reminds me of you, when I see you in the morning before breakfast. You are the first thing I think of when I wake up with the sun in my eyes.”

She’s robbing him of words and breath again. He can’t help himself.

Taking a hand to cup the side of her face, he leans in, closing his eyes, and catches her lips with his.

With her, everything is perfect. With her, everything he’s been through is almost worth it.

They part and she starts to laugh again.

“What is it?” He can’t wipe the dumb smile he knows he has on his face.

“Nothing,” she shakes her head. “It’s just that my lip paint is now all over your lips.”

“Is it now?”

“Yeah. Here, let me help you make it worse.”

And she kisses him again.

#this fic destroyed my back #was it worth it?#i hope so #seriously i hope you like it friend #marzeyna is a big cutie #i adore her #my writing #female inquisitor x cullen rutherford #marzeyna x cullen #marzeyna lavellen #cullen rutherford #dragon age #dragon age inquisition #da #dai

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jinmukangwrites · 4 years

Text

Whumptober Day 28

Mugged

Ao3

Summary: It's a simple get together, and for once everything was fine.

Warnings: GRAPHIC MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH AND GRAPHIC INJURY. DO NOT READ IF THIS KIND OF VIOLENCE BOTHERS YOU, WHETHER ITS DIRECTED TO A CHILD OR AN ADULT. SPOILERS FOR DEATH IS IN TAGS.

-o-o-o-o-

"You have something on your face," Dick teases, smiling and leaning his elbows forward onto the 24 hour diner table. In the booth across from him, Damian scowls and wipes a smidge of strawberry ice cream from his cheek then elbows to his side to hit the laughing Tim straight into his gut.

Jason snorts and takes a spoonful of his own ice cream, which is raspberry flavored with little chocolate chips.

The time outside is very late. So late that when the four of them walked inside the diner after a long, team up for patrol, one of the workers actually glared at them. Which is valid. If Jason worked at one of these places when it was reaching the buttcrack of dawn, then watched as four annoyingly loud and too awake people barged in, he'd probably glare too.

Maybe they should have came inside in their costumes instead of getting dressed first into their normal clothes. One of the waitresses literally has a Nightwing pin on her vest. They could have probably gotten the ice cream and fries for free.

Oh well. The ice cream here is worth a little glaring and a few bucks.

"So I was thinking-" Dick says through a mouthful of ice cream. He's already dipping another fry into his chocolate mint shake, so Jason gets the feeling that whatever Dick says for the next twenty minutes will be through food- "that after this, we can go to a Redbox and pick up a movie."

"What movie?" Tim asks.

Dick hums. "One that Cass hasn't seen yet."

Jason scoffs. "She hasn't seen a lot of movies. You're going to have to be more specific."

"Then what about a movie Duke hasn't seen," Tim asks, scraping the bottom of his shake with his spoon. "That way we can kill two birds with one stone."

"I hate that metaphor," Jason stands up from the booth with his empty shake cup and equally empty bag of fries.

Dick glares at him with a face that says yes Jason, we all know you died.

Jason smirks and throws his trash away.

As they all walk out of the diner, Jason hears one of the workers mumble finally, and he's not even that mad about it. He hopes their shifts end soon and they can go home and watch anime or something. Working night shifts like that in Gotham isn't something to scoff at.

Dick pulls out his phone while Tim runs ahead to take the lead. Jason walks behind the group as Damian falls into step besides Dick and looks over at his phone screen to see what he's typing. "Where's the closest Redbox?" Dick mumbles to himself and Jason rolls his eyes.

He's serious about the Redbox thing? "You do know we can just buy whatever movie we want with B's card. We don't need a Redbox."

"It's for the experience, Jay," Dick argues back, scrolling on his phone through Google. "Everyone goes to Redbox to get random movies they don't actually want to own."

"Alright, alright," Jason huffs, smirking a little.

And okay, he'll admit it. Tonight has actually been… a little fun. Even if Dick had to threaten to go skiing without him next winter if he didn't join them for patrol. And while yes, Jason could just go skiing alone or force Roy to come along… and while yes, Dick would have gone skiing with him regardless of the threat and if Jason went through with it… he still found it enjoyable to just pretend to be a family with these idiots for the night. He almost wishes the others could have joined, but with Duke and Cass being busy on their own sibling bonding mission for the night where no one else were allowed they were forced to be just the four of them tonight.

Dick will have to work with Cass to better schedule sibling get togethers'. Just imagining the shenanigans and trash taking about Bruce they could be doing if it were all six of them has him staunching down a grin.

Even better if Steph joined as well.

Jason follows along as Dick picks up speed to pass Tim—whos balancing on the curb of the street like an actual five year old—and lead them towards the nearest Redbox.

"We should get Princess Bride," Tim suggests as they walk past an alleyway. "I don't think Duke's seen that."

"He has no excuse to have not seen Princess Bride," Damian huffs. "It was one of the first movies Richard showed me."

"And one of the first I showed Cass, too," Dick adds, turning to flash a lopsided grin. "So we need to think of another one."

"What about that new movie?" Tim suggests.

Jason lifts an eyebrow. "What new movie?"

"You know," Tim replies, "the- the new movie. With that guy from Voltron. Where they go on the bridges and fight the monkeys?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"It's-" Tim growls, sounding frustrated with himself. Jason finds him amusing. "You know. That one movie."

"Timothy has no idea what he's talking about."

"I'm sorry I don't spend all day watching movies all the time. Oh! Dwayne the Rock Johnson was there!"

"… Are you talking about Jumanji 2?" Dick asks and Tim snaps his fingers.

"Jumanji 2!"

They turn a corner, then immediately all stop when they spot the entire road blocked off by orange coned and giant signs telling you to detour. In the middle of the blocked off road is a giant, dangerous looking hole in the ground leading towards the sewers.

Huh. Jason's almost forgotten one of Two-Face's thugs had thrown a very powerful grenade of some sort last night.

"Damn. Google hasn't updated this?" Dick sighs and begins tapping on his phone.

"Crap like this happens all the time in Gotham," Tim sighs while stuffing his hands in his pockets, "you really think they're gonna catch everything?"

Dick's mouth turns into a frown, then he looks up at the building rooftops around them as if wondering how difficult it would be to climb up and parkour towards the nearest Redbox in civilian attire. He sighs, probably settling on it not being difficult, but potentially compromising of their identities ifanyone saw.

He looks back at the phone. Then turns towards the alleyway they have just passed.

"… We can cut through the alley," he suggests.

Jason immediately scoffs while Tim walks towards them, shaking his head.

"Um no? We shouldn't? Have you forgot what city we're in?"

Dick gives an unimpressed look at Tim before sighing. "We'll have to go all the way around the block to get to the Redbox. That's like, another twenty minutes. Besides, we just finished patrol. Gotham's at its safest around now."

"We're going to get in there and then get shanked by some rando," Tim argues.

Damian watches the two of them argue with narrowed eyes. When Damian opens his mouth, Jason decides it's his turn to step in. He grabs Dick by the back of his jacket and then behind to walk towards the mouth of the alleyway. He has his guns on him still, concealed under the belt of his jeans. If anyone is stupid enough to try and try to assult them in the alleyway, all Jason needs to do is pull out his guns and they'll go running for the hills.

Gotham isn't filled with fighters. Gotham is filled with rats that only prey on those with smaller claws than them.

"I'm not spendin' another hour out here to get a monkey bridge movie," Jason huffs, stopping in front of the mouth of the alleyway. "Now let's go."

"Fine," Tim mumbles, following behind as Dick takes the lead inside the alley. "But if we all get killed don't blame me."

"Dying isn't that bad, actually," Jason says, and Dick turns around and shoots that glare again.

Damian huffs and trails behind Dick, but he watches the shadows like how a kid shouldn't. Thirteen years old and he's already seen the worst the world has to offer. Jason, once again, takes the back, fully aware of the weight hanging off his hip. The alleyway is long, and dark, and definitely not as surveillanced as it should be, but they continue anyways. So far, all there is to see is closed doors here and there that would lead into various shops and such if they weren't boarded up. Trash cans, litter, bags, and boxes of various contents dot the entirety of the alleyway.

Otherwise, it looks pretty empty.

Jason sighs. It should be fine. Gotham is always quiet around these early morning hours after Batman and his army of sidekicks have just combed through its streets. Criminals are back in there nests, shivering and praying they're not found tonight. Hours like these are usually the safest to go out for a after midnight stroll, or a very early morning jog. It's like a limbo. Where Gotham can actually feel like a normal city for once.

Of course, it's right when Jason let's his guard down that something goes wrong.

Because something always goes wrong.

Because some criminals are rats. But there's others who are like moths, too dumb to go back inside and persistent enough to jump at anything shiny enough to catch their attention.

A man, practically rags, skin, and bones jumps our from behind a dumpster, his hands already lifted in front of him with a gun in his grasp. Immediately, everyone pauses in their tracks. Jason goes to grab his own gun like he planned, but the man points his weapon at Jason with shaking, obviously trigger happy hands.

"No one move!" The man shouts, trembling like a nervous mut. Jason holds off grabbing his guns for the moment, knowing that if he makes any sudden or threatening moves the man will fire.

Dick, like the idiot he is, immediately steps in front of Damian. Damian growls, but doesn't make a move to fight that show of protection yet. Dick slowly raises his hands in surrender. "Take whatever you want," he says slowly. Evenly.

Tim shifts behind Dick and glances at Jason, questioning in his eyes.

"Give me your money- all of it," the man demands, and Jason can practically hear the body of his weapon tremble in his shaking hands. "No one will get hurt if ya give me all your money."

"Okay, okay," Dick says gently. Like he's soothing the mugger. Dick carefully lowers his arms to his pockets and uses smooth motions to bring out his wallet, which is probably only filled a debit card he can easily cancel, his driver's license which is definitely expired, and not even four dollars of cash. Jason only knows what's in Dick's wallet because Dick's his main victim for him to practice pickpocketing on. He holds out his Superman patterned wallet but the man keep his gun up and trained.

"All of you," he wheezes. "All of you, give me your fuckin' money."

Tim snaps into movement with shaking hands, pulling out his wallet while Damian makes to do the same. Why the kid has a wallet with actual cash, Jason will never know. Something about Bruce wanting Damian to feel independent… like how he bought a lock for Jason's bedroom door that only Jason had the key for, just to make him feel like he had control while small and scared and barely eleven years old.

The gun moves back to Jason, and Jason realizes he's been focusing too much on the wrong things. He lifts his hands and clears his throat.

"I don't have anything," he says, because it's true. He doesn't carry his wallet while on patrol, nor does he stash personal belongings with his changes of clothes after patrol. Then, there's also the added fact that this guy is definitely one more nerve shot from firing his weapon. Him seeing a glock on Jason's belt might be the thing that pushes him over the edge.

"I don't believe you," the man growls, taking a step forward and aiming directly at Jason now.

And of course this is happening. Of course Jason's being mugged when he doesn't have any change on him.

"Jason…" Tim hissed and Jason throws him a sideways glare.

"I'm telling you, man, I don't have anything."

"Show me," the man snarls, jerking his pistol dangerously. "Show me your pockets."

And shit. This is what Jason was worried about.

"Okay," he says, softening his voice, "alright. Just... I'm carrying okay? But I'm not gonna-"

"YOU HAVE A GUN?!" The man screeches, and Jason winces. Great. He was trying to warn the guy. There's no way Jason can show all of his pockets and his gun go unnoticed. It's grip is hanging out of his jeans waistband, black as night and clear as day.

Jason lifts his hands immediately in surrender, watching the man wearily as his already panicked breaths become more labored. The tendons in his paper thin wrists are twitching.

Jason's record for drawing and shooting a gun with accuracy is a little less than two seconds. Even with his hands up like this.

But this man already has the gun aimed and finger on the trigger.

"Let's calm down," Dick tries, "we have money, just take it and we can all-"

"You have a gun-" the man practically froths.

And that is when Jason knew the sound of gunfire will be heard in this alleyway tonight. Jason can see the resolution in the man's eyes to shoot a moment before it happens. Jason doesn't have time to dodge or pull his own weapons. He will try to anyway.

He goes to dodge, drops his hands to his waistline, and the enemies gun explodes.

There's normally a moment of nothing between the time you've been shot and the time you realize you've been shot. But it doesn't happen this time.

What happens is that Jason suddenly blinks on the grimy floor, his gun having skid across the cement from the force of his fall.

He… he was pushed.

"RICHARD!"

Jason looks up just in time to watch Damian run for the collapsing Dick Grayson… just to be violently knocked to the side by the sound of another bullet launching from the chamber.

Jason doesn't watch or look anymore. He just scrambles to his gun, turns, aims, and fires.

The man chokes on blood as the bullet rips through his chest.

And Jason thinks that this should be the end of it. This should be when he can get to his feet and look his brother's all in the eye one at a time. And- and he doesn't know. Go home? Call Gordon? Plead self defense?

However, when he stands up, he finds only Tim standing, his hands leaving his face from protecting himself moments before.

Dick's on the ground writhing from pooling red in the center of his gut.

Damian… Damian…

Jason thinks he's going to get sick.

The damage a 9mil can do to a head at this close of range…

He doesn't look. He can't look. Not yet. He rushes towards Dick and ignored Damian's b- he-

He ignores Damian. He ignores Damian and slams his hands down onto Dick's stomach.

Guilt twists in his gut like something he's never felt before. Rage. Helplessness. Disbelief. It's all he can do to force his limbs to press down as Dick jolts from agony beneath him. "Stay- stay still-" Jason snarls. His chest hurts so badly. His ears are ringing.

His fault his fault his fault his fault-

"D-" Dick babbles, blood coating his teeth and dripping from the corners of his mouth. "No- n-"

Dick's not paying attention to anything. It's then, Jason realizes he's not struggling because of his own pain.

He's struggling because his kid is laying across from him in a puddle of blood, a hole in his skull.

"No-" Dick twitches. Practically sobs. "M'suh- sorry- D'mi…"

"It's okay, just-" it's not okay, but Jason continues- "just focus on me, kay? Just- Tim, hospital?"

"Working on it."

Jason presses harder onto Dick's stomach. Dick sobs and his eyelashes flutter.

He almost wants to tell Tim to stop.

The ambulance isn't going to make it in time.

He knows this because he can hear Dick's protests begin to die down. He knows because he can see Dick's hand twitching towards Damian's limp one. He knows because he can feel the final shudder through his frame before his normally clear blue eyes cloud over.

Jason… doesn't know what to do now. It's like his entire world just… stops.

And he wants to scream. He wants to throw something. He wants to go back in time and shake Dick by the shoulders until he fixes this.

He can't... he can't go back to a world where Dick and Damian aren't apart of it.

Especially not if it's all. His. Fucking. Fault.

"-we need help- my brother's been shot-"

And Jason clutches his fists in Dick's sopping wet, blood-soaked shirt and turns to find Tim kneeling against Damian, blood painting his fingertips.

He wants to scream that there's no use of an ambulance. There's no point.

But then Tim meets his eyes, tears trailing down in tracks, then looks down at Damian.

It takes a second for Jason to see it. But Damian's chest moves.

Damian's still alive.

He's still alive.

Jason forces himself to leave Dick so he can scramble over to Damian and get a closer, desperate look. Tim rattles off the details of their location the the details of the mugging while Jason just... Hovers. Holding his red stained hands above his- his baby brother.

He doesn't want to touch Damian. He doesn't want to break him more.

So he sits there and counts every breath the kid stubbornly makes even with a bullet in his skull.

He sits there until Tim hangs up the call and sits besides him. He sits there until a loud ambulance accompanied by at least three cop cars pull up and then a shock blanket is wrapped around his shoulders. He stays there until Damian is loaded into a gurney. Until he's left there, kneeling, not even realizing he's holding Tim's hand, until a female cop with sad brown eyes kneels down in front of him and tells him Bruce is on his way with Cass and Duke.

He nods, and stands up, keeping Tim besides him even though he's caused this.

He looks to his side to see Dick already covered by by a tarp. He can see red bleeding out from under it.

Slender arms wrap around his waste, and it takes him a moment to realize Tim is clutching to him.

Jason's... The big brother again. The big brother.

He- he should…

He wraps his arms around Tim and let's his own tears finally fall.

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popculturebuffet · 3 years

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Loud House Season 5 Catchup (Blinded by Science, Band Together, Season’s Cheatings, A Flipmas Carol) or Of Mutants, Medicority, Merryment and Money

Merry Christmas everybody! And it’s Christmas Week so expect christmas out the jingle jangle for the next few days. And starting us off is something long overdue as coverage of the Loud House FINALLY resumes just in time for christmas. Yes it’s been over a month since the last episode and while i’ve covered two holiday episodes since then, I haven’t gotten back to season 4 despite, like Ducktales and Amphibia, it being on my roster. The answer why: I had a ton of comissions coming in, and other projects going on including ducktales coverage, so I kept putting off banned together/blinded by science for weeks.. until they coldied right into Season’s Cheatings and a flipmas carol. So yeah this one’s way too late and I will TRY not to have this happen again. I can’t promise they’ll be same day of or right on time as unlike Disney and Cartoon Network who are really good about putting their stuff on the app same day or that morning or streaming services which I own so.. yeah, Nick likes to take their sweet time sometimes and isn’t as steady with their release schedule. It’s why I ended up deciding not to do regular coverage of the casagrandes, though don’t be suprise if it shows up here on occasion as I sitll like it quite a bit. Nick is just a pain in the ass to deal with. Point is it’s here now and in time for the holiday season so i’ve delayed this long enough. Let’s get back to Season 5 after the cut

Blinded by Science:

So yeah... i’m just going to say it.. this season.. has been fucking weird.

I mean sure there’s been plenty of normal episodes: The Boss Maybe, Strife of the Party, Kernel of Truth, Banned Together, Season’s Cheatings. There are more normal standard Loud House episodes than the weird ones... but that just makes out how looney some episodes have gotten stick out MORE. I mean among episodes tackling Leni struggling to step into Lori’s true, an obnoxious party despute, a news antics episode, Luna dealing with her career, and a holiday shenanigans episodes.. we’ve also had Lincoln get shipped off to Canada for an episode, Lincoln thwart a supervillian plot, Lori learning her school has a friendly ghost caddy that everyone who goes there knows and just accepts like that’s a normal thing, and with two of today’s episodes, Flip being some kind of monsterious miracle of science or possibly having an x gene we don’t know and then being visted by the ghosts of christmas past, present and future, who for no explained reason look and act like Lisa, Lincoln, Clyde and Lucy.

I mean I can stretch disbelief for a lot of cartoons and i’m fine with it. Lisa does it pretty much on concept. But stretching things a bit for a joke is fine.. but it’s gotten to the point where the plots have gone from grounded slice of life stuff to really weird high concept stuff and it’s really hard to tell if this is going to work or not as Schooled and Family Bonding were not great, especially the latter, Ghosted was pretty good, Flipmas Carol was okay and this one... is decent. So it’s two good, two bad and one neutral. It’l take smore more episodes to see if this is a good thing or not.. I was leaning toward not before this block, but it’s very clear by the fact multiple writers have done this and the one whose done this the most wrote normal episodes last season, that this is an overall creative decision and thus something ‘im just going to have to live with. And hey, it gives me more material to work with so there you go. So yeah let’s actually talk about this episode: Lisa is scrambling because she has a presentation at a big science convention, but doesn’t have any new discoveries to report. She does have snakebird though, which is exactly what it sounds like and exactly as delightful. Everyone should have one of those I don’t know how this isn’t worth presenting. Just put snakebird in hat. Lincoln comes to help because Rita heard snakebird and wanted to make sure lily was okay, and all he’s doing is taking her for a ride so it’s fine. Snakebird should be a part of my a different world style spinoff I’m just saying. Or with Stella.. I have a lot of spinoff ideas and only one of them has gotten a cease and desist from viacom so that’s progress!

Point is Lincoln ends up being a very good big brother and takes her to flips for a flippee as that usually helps him think. He also crouchs down adorably to reach her height at one point.

Like it’s jsut really precious to see that. It also does something the show does at it’s best: Weave the other siblings into each others plots organically. Lately they haven’t been as good at that with some exceptions and while it’s fine to have a few episodes where the rest of the family isn’t involved it is weird to just sorta.. cordon off 11 of our leads instead of giving them their own unique dynamics with each other. And while I do think Lincoln gets way to much of the spotlight at times, and his episodes have not been the best this season, I do think he works perfectly here: He’s the one with the most history with flips, so his role he ends up taking in the plot make sense, and him taking a big brother role and taking her down there is really adorable. It’s honestly easy to forget sometimes since half his sisters outage and outrank him by a lot that LIncoln has some authority and brotherly duty himself but when it crops up it’s really nice to see.

But yeah while Lincoln’s gesture was nice it does nothing to help. But what does is Flip himself. Honestly before these episodes i’d barely seen Flip and he’s alright. He’s not bad it’s just with this having happened just a few years ago

So i’ts really hard for him to stand out in comparison when he’s kind of generic. He’s still pretty damn loveable though. And this episode has as he drops a drum of cheese on his foot, it does nothing, eats cheese right out of the barrel which..

I mean at least have some sanitary standards man. Get a bowl or put it in a bathtub or something. Figure it out. But yeah it turns out his heart is also in his arm, literally on his sleeve.. something they don’t point out so it’s a subtle and well done joke.

Anyways yeah... so this is where the weird stuff comes in. Flip is some sort of miracle of science despite in all other episodes clearly being a normal human, And I like it.. while some bits of it are gross, i’m not a gross out guy so if you like that it’ll be up your ally and I respect that. But for the most part it’s just weird, bizzare stuff I can’t help but chuckle at like Flip having gills on his leg or being able to surivive freezing tempratures while not moving at all. See this works better than the spy episode in terms of what the fuck or to a lesser extent schooled because while it is fucking bizzare.. it works and it’s just swining so hard for the fences, it hits the moon. With the other two one didn’t bring it up till the end and the other just.. suddenly annoucned Royal Woods is next to canada and that lincoln taking a boat there was feasable. This just works for me. So Lisa takes him to the conference, with Lincoln and Clyde joining in to serve snacks and promote the food and fuel which works, I also like the gag about them being late because they argued about what Science Casual meant. Lisa shows off this monstrosity and gets praise.. and a shady scientist asking if she can use flip for her experiments which lisa talks him into and Flip agrees to because, like his agreeing to lisa’s experiments he likes money and tasks the boys with running things. Naturally handing a miracle of science over to a shady science lady you know nothing about backfires and lisa trying to search incognito labs just blows up the computer.. somehow. Don’t think too hard about it. But LIsa finds lily petting a rat and soon finds the rat comes from flip begging for help. And upon spying on the lab, Lisa finds that flip is basically being tourtured and feels she did no better which.. no. While she did use him as a test subject, she also did so with his full consent, and for free publicity. She didn’t harm flip as while she subjected him to a lot of crap NONE of it harmed him like Ingognito’s experiments are. This attempt at a moral dosen’t work when Lisa , while still seeing only flip for his achivments, did nothing unethical. Flip willingly signed on for this and was never once in danger. And look medical trials can be unethical epsecially when people are deseperate. I get that. But here Lisa did nothing wrong and given her usual tendency to ignore scientetific ethics, that’s a lot. Lisa goes to the boys for help and together they all sneak in and free flip in a decent sequence using various stuff from flips. The doctor for her part, as she was planning to shoot flip up into space without a suit to see if he could surivive because evil, gets blasted up. So yeah.. this episode ended with a 4 year old, an old man whose apparently a mutant of some kind x-men or otherwise and two 12 year olds having killed a woman.

And then they all just.. have flippees for aj ob well done. I mean yes the lady deserved it but still.. you all just killed someone! YOU SHOULDN’T BE ACCEPTING THIS. WHAT JUST HAPPENED. AND WHY DOSEN’T SNAKEBIRD HAVE HIS OWN MOVIE. EPISODE OVER.

Final Thoughts on Blinded By Science: This one was okay. Insane, VERY insane, but okay. I’ve seen way worse, from this very season but man is it weird and man is that ending just...

Yeah that takes it down a bit but overall really enjoyed this one, Moving on. Real behind and got four to go so

Band Together: I think I have one of my many reaction images that says it best here:

Given i’ve seen pretty much every Luna episode, she’s my faviorite and i’ve been blatant about that, and all of them are pretty good, I had high hopes for this one. And it STARTS promisingly enough: Luna is rocking out with her band which finally has a name! The Moon Goats. Which I like a lot: Besides reminding me of the objectively awesome Mountain Goats, it fits thehir personality and also reminds me of fellow teenage garage band goat cheese pizza from Zits... I miss when that strip was about teenagers and not two old men yelling about teenagers. Metaphorically. Point is I like this and my recent scott pilgrim kick means this is even better. We also find out Scoots is a huge fan of the band. Which is fantastic. Why an old lady with questionable morals is their biggest fan I do not know. We also get a band prank and fully names for the other two: Sully, the guy and Mazy the girl. I mean their not given MUCH character, Sully likes to bash his head on the keyboard and Mazy is uh there. And that is one of the episodes downsides: Despite being the first episode with Luna’s band to NOT focus on just Sam... the rest of them, and Sam really get to do nothing. The fact Sam and Luna are together dosen’t even factor into the plot. I honestly think it’s what removes the episodes punch, that we don’t KNOW these characters and thus LUna posisbly leaving them behind has no weight. In contrast the series actually did something similar with little build up but made it work with the episode where Leni’s friends are trying to make her choose between them: Her mall coworker friends or her school friends. While we didn’t KNOW her school friends like the mall ones, the episode took time buliding them up so we got why Leni loved both and why this was so unfair to make her choose between them. Here it’s just two well designed carboards and a sam. And without the stakes of it possibly impacting Luna’s relationship, which I don’t want obviously but at least we have a stake in at this point, there’s just.. not a lot. Plus the solutions kind of obvious. But what’s the problem? The band performs for a big manager who only needs Luna to fill in for a professional band. The IDEA as i’ve said is good: LUna being forced to pick between her friends and her career, and both sides not being happy about it. But it’s just.. wasted. Besides clearly being bigger than 30 minutes, apparently we needed the half hour slot for a caddy ghost, this story just feels slight. Luna ends up with the other band and the manager gets on her for acting like she does with her friends.. but she’s a 16 year old who dosen’t know any better. What’d you possibly expect? none of it just really works. She goes back, no one is suprised, and the only part that really works at all.. is the ending. After welcoming luna back , as their roadie at first and clearly it’s more of a joke, Chunk plays with the band and gets Luna’s spot. THAT is not a bad ending and while I”ll miss the big lug, it’s really nice to see the guy get a big break and Chunk is low key one of my faviorite parts of the show. But otherwise yeah, this was almost nothing and given how usually FANTASTIC the Luna episodes are, this one was a really huge disapointment. No need for final thoughts moving on.

Seasons Cheatings: This is a quick one but only because there’s no real character stuff or bad parts, i’ts just a decent if contrived holiday episodes. It’s the annual family gift swap, and Lincoln wants a backpack for (insert thing he likes #37). That being said I DO like that Lincoln isn’t just into one thing obession wise as even with my tendency to hyperfocus due to my autisim, I have TONS of things I love and glom onto. YOu can tell just by my massive assortment of reaction images and quotes. So it’s nice for a show to for once NOT have a nerdy kid just have one hero they focus on. So it’s rip hardcore this time, with a fancy backpack. Why Lincoln didn’t just ask for it for christmas is beyond me and is the only thing that bothers me about the episode. Ohterwise i’ts pretty decent; LIncoln’s trying to cheat his way to victory by getting the right sister for the swap. Which really ends up boiling down to first LIly, since the parents will choose, but since LIly did her own gift this year, he then tries one of the older sisters since obviously, they actually take this seriously and have the money to get something nice with various shenanigans including lincoln dressing up like his own mother. Neat. It’s nothing amazing but it is neat.

Naturally he forgets his own, and has to trade his gift to Chandler to get Lola a nice gift in time. Also Chandler is apparently Lincoln’s black market hookup ala hustler kid. I genuinely love everything about this from the fact it fits his character, to the fact him being rich means there’s a genuine way he can get the resources, to the fact that despite being rich and probably not needing to do this it still fits he’d do it anyway because he’s kind of a scamp. If they use Chandler more like this, as Lincoln’s sorta shady frienemy who Lincoln and Co and possibly the sisters go to for shady schemes and crookery, i’ll be fully on board with it. Plus it might finally squeeze liam out of the group and give us someone willing to hit rusty. So all good things.

But we do get a REALLY sweet ending as Lily, having seen her big brudder sad, paints him a picture. We also get the sweet image up top of LIsa and Lucy having given each other the same gift. Overall not a bad episode. Not nearly as good chirstmas story wise as 11 louds a leapin, but with a shorter runtime and a tight premise it still works and is still very sweet.

A Flipmas Carol: Another very simple but alirght one.. and ANOTHER flip episode. And another one I can speed through a bit more. Basically it’s the night before christmas and Flip is taking advantage of the neighborhoods desperation with shoddy merchandise.. and forcing Lynn to work off the debt for some accidnetal damage on christmas eve and day. I mean she is legally of working age so this is legal but it’s still sketchy. Which is Flip’s wheelhouse. Naturally this leads to a christmas Carol Parody and the weird part as the ghosts resemble and act like the loud kids> This is never explained, it’s really weird especially since Clyde ghost refrences his therapist.. but given the louds were in there and are in there enough for Flip to know them well, same with the mcbrydes, it easily could be a guilt induced hallucination or simply the ghosts taking a familiar form so i’m not going to dicker over it. It’s weird but you know not sudden super spies, golf ghosts or childrne comitting murders weird and as I mentioned up top, holiday episodes get a little more leway with me in terms of weird shit. not by a lot but by just enough.

So they take him through what you’d expect: The Past gives Flip a sympethatic and well done origin story: Flip had a date with the girl of his dreams, but lost out due to a comination of Scoots selling him bad goods and bad tickets in middle school and vowed never to be hurt again barney stinson styles. The present shows him the consequenceds of his actions on other people’s christmas including whatever he gave the louds to make christmas dinner having turned into some form of abomination, causing him to actually feel guilt. The final one shows him having died, buired alone with no one to care in a ditch with a pizza box and having lost everything due to his practices. It ends how you’d expect, he goes to eveyrones houses and fixes things before giving the loud kids present and clearing lynn’s deabt before that happens. Not much to really dig into here, just a pretty good specail. Both of the christmas episodes are good, and while again not as good as the first one aren’t bad themselve.s

So yeah overall this crop was okay. No real standouts, but outside of Band Together nothing bad and even that had extra scoots, luna’s band getting a name and that cheeks suish. All in all not a bad batch feels good to be caught up. Until next time courage.

#the loud house #christmas #lisa loud #lincoln loud #clyde mcbride #luna loud #sam sharp #saluna #chester monk #scoots #flip #rattus #lily loud #lola loud #lucy loud

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fullstop-official · 5 years

Text

A Scheduled Four Hours of My Local Drugstore Hell

AKA: Chapter Two

Once upon a time, two high school sweethearts were married. They’d already fallen head-over-heels in love, so they tied the knot, bought a house, built successful careers, and even started a family together.

Then, they got divorced when their son was in seventh grade.

Since the divorce, I’ve lived with my mom in the Valley. Not too long after their marriage dissolved, my dad got a job offer to teach English at Purdue, and he couldn’t possibly pass up such a sweet deal, so he moved to Indiana. I only get to see him in person a few times a year, less and less since he started teaching spring and summer courses. At first, it was pretty tough and kind of hit me hard, but it probably could have been worse. It was a fairly clean break – there wasn’t really a lot of fighting. Instead, they just both sort of realized they’d married the wrong person. They’re still friends, which is better than what Bryson had to deal with when his parents split up, so I figure I’m one of the lucky ones.

***

After band practice, I’m back in the Gator’s passenger seat with an altered mood and the dread caused by the clause of a hastily written contract looming over me. At the very least, Travis is always musically prepared, so I don’t have to sit through the overplayed crap on the radio. Not all of his stuff is particularly to my taste, but it’s absolutely nothing like Selena’s so I can deal with having to hear a Nickelback song every once and a while.

I don’t have a car of my own, so this is all commonplace. Travis is basically my ride everywhere. We usually aren’t too far apart anyway. Both of us live in Woodland Hills in the third quadrant (as bisected by the highways and major streets) where the roads start to mercilessly curve in order to work with the mountains. The bends, levels and hills made it an equally exciting and terrifying experience learning how to drive, so more often than not, I graciously decide to leave that part up to Travis.

I live in one of the two-story homes, which is pretty rare because Woodland Hills is basically made up of single-story ranches that were definitely built during that bold period between the fifties and the eighties – low, gradual rooflines, giant stone on the same building as ugly siding, the whole nine yards. I wouldn’t be too surprised if half of them still have shag carpets, faux wood panels, and flower power wallpaper from the seventies.

Travis pulls into my driveway behind my mom’s car, and we both climb out of the Gator. We head inside through the front door. The smell of spices and grease hits me the instant we step from the LA summer heat into air conditioning. The scents waft from the kitchen in through the living room.

“We’re home!” I call out as Travis and I kick off our shoes. We follow the aroma, and the crackles and pops that start to become clearer, into the kitchen.

My mom’s still in scrubs which means when she got home the hunger and thought of dinner overruled everything else, including changing clothes. She’s standing before the stove with stir fry sizzling on the element.

“Doctor Scott!” Travis uses his standard greeting – a high, breathy, surprised gasp in his best impression of Janet from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It does not suit his voice at all, but it’s been his go-to hello for my mom since we first saw the movie back in middle school. I’m sure that must be why it’s one of his favourite scenes because, honestly, it’s thirty straight seconds of people yelling names. And it repeats.

“Travis is here,” she states, half sarcastic and wearing a grin. “Big surprise.”

“Yeah, I just can’t seem to get rid of him,” I joke.”

Travis scoffs back teasingly as he drops into one of the chairs at our kitchen table. “Em fo dir teg ot gniog reven er’uoy, Nagrom,” he says in reverse.

“Taht tuoba ees ll’ew, Sivart.”

“Stop speaking in tongues or I’m hiring an exorcist,” my mom chimes in. She turns a bit to look over her shoulder while I open the fridge. She asks, already knowing the answer, “Are you staying for dinner, Travis?”

“If you insist.” I don’t have to see his face while I’m digging around to know that he’s smirking as he says it.

“Intercepting my leftovers before they even had a chance,” she sighs playfully.

“Is it vegetarian stir fry again?” I ask, only because I notice from the corner of my eye that her pan seems to lack protein. I kick the fridge door shut, hands occupied by two sodas. I toss the Cherry Coke to Travis and he, thankfully, catches it. There have been a few tragic instances where one of us has missed, and the can exploded as a casualty, and it really isn’t fun cleaning liquid sugar off of every surface in a seven-foot radius.

In response to my question, my mom lets out a little disapproving hum. “It wouldn’t be if you’d ever listen to me and take the chicken out of the freezer when I ask you to.”

Travis laughs as he cracks open his can.

“At least I know it means you’re eating your vegetables.”

“I mean, I don’t really have many other options. Between driving to somewhere for a burger or staying and eating your rabbit food, this one’s the simplest.”

“Kind of an Occam’s Razor for food choices,” Travis interjects.

“Precisely.”

“You two are weird.” She looks up from stirring the pan and focuses on me. “Work tonight?”

I nod. “At six. Short shift. But I wouldn’t be stuck in CVS purgatory if I already had a car and didn’t have to save for one.”

“I gave you a choice. Car now or tuition later.” She points the spatula at me. “And you, my friend, picked the smart option. Even if it means Travis gets to steal my food and camp out in my home. Will I be seeing him later, too?”

“Likely,” Travis answers. “I am his ride everywhere, after all.” It’s his small attempt at helping my cause and rescuing me from part-time retail, but it ultimately doesn’t end with my mom seeing the light and offering to buy me an alternative mode of transportation.

Travis changes the subject after taking another sip of his drink.

“Coming to the gig Friday night, Doctor Scott?”

My mom has told him many times that he can call her by her first name, or even just call her mom at this point. Travis refuses. She’s stopped trying to fight it.

“Nope. Date night.”

My mom has seen a few other guys since the divorce, but she’s been with her current boyfriend, Derek, for about six-or-seven months now, I believe. Ironically, he was my dad’s best friend all through high school. They were even in a band together back then, too.

“Besides, Ray’s Underground is kind of sketchy. Don’t they pay you in beer?” She gives me a “mom look,” one brow raised.

“They pay us. We get about four-fifty a show. Bryson funnels it back into the band.”

“The free beer is just a perk, not currency,” Travis adds with a grin.

“Why can’t you be like normal teenagers and just lie to me about your illegal shenanigans?” She shakes her head. Her hair is still pulled back, so the low ponytail flops between her shoulder blades. “I’ve heard you guys a hundred times anyway. You’re good. I don’t have to go watch every show.”

“Too bad. You’ll miss Morgan’s lead-singing debut.”

I feel the physical part of me freeze up, and others inside die instantly with that kill shot that came out of nowhere. My mom’s head whips up from the stove and her light, wide eyes spend a second bouncing between me and my best friend. He’s still wearing a smug face. I’m just trapped in that “stay perfectly still and nothing bad will happen” mindset like some stunned piece of prey. Eventually, after what feels like an eternity, her gaze settles on Travis in disbelief.

“Morgan?” she asks. “Morgan Scott? Morgan Jamie Scott the Second?”

My parents are both uncreative, naming-impaired, cruel narcissists. I have my dad’s first name and the middle is my mom’s, so I guess it’s a good thing they were both stuck with unisex names. I’ve been told it would have been reversed if I’d been a girl: Jamie Morgan.

“My son?” The spatula tip is pointed my way again. The tenseness has begun to fade away and now I just want to roll my eyes at her theatrics. “Him?”

“Even signed a contract,” Travis confirms. “He’s going to sing our encore, front-and-center.”

“Wow,” she remarks. “I’m almost sad I’m going to miss that.” Her curious stare briefly finds its way back to me before her focus moves back to her cooking again. “What are you singing?”

Travis jumps in and answers before I can. “Blank Space.”

I notice a second too late that he refused to elaborate on which version we’re doing.

I feel that sinking pressure of remorse mixed with something that’s bordering on annoyance because my mom bursts out laughing after putting the title to a song, and the song to the original singer’s face, and then probably that face on my face. She’s obviously thinking about the overplayed pop version she’s heard a billion times.

“Thanks, Trav.” Monotone. Sarcasm. In response, he just raises his can of Cherry Coke to me like a small, mischievous salute. He’s grinning and practically glowing with schadenfreude.

When she stops mocking me, my mom turns. She shoves her spatula into my hand. “Watch the food, Taylor Swift; I’m going to go get changed.” As she steps around me to leave, she reaches up the height I’ve got on her and messes my hair, only adding to the humiliating taunting. “God, you need a haircut.” She says this about once a month to me, and every few days to Travis – not that it accomplishes anything.

I sigh silently as I take her place before the frying vegetables, and she disappears from the kitchen. I hear her laughter start up again – she isn’t finished basking in the sheer hilarity everybody except me seems to find in the deal I was bribed into making.

“She’ll be calling me Taylor Swift for the rest of my life.”

“No doubt.”

“I hate you,” I say.

“I know,” Travis replies, definitely still smirking.

***

When I get off of work at ten after a scheduled four hours of my local drugstore hell, Travis is waiting for me in the Gator, parked in a space by the door and blaring Sum 41 so loud all of Winnetka is liable to complain. He turns the volume down when I climb into the passenger seat to something more suitable for conversation.

“Fun night?” he asks to tease me.

“I think a piece of my soul died.”

Travis chuckles in response – he’s heard enough of my CVS horror stories to know I’m not exaggerating. He encounters some idiots at his job, sure, but there’s a special brand of general-public stupidity that I’m exposed to every single time I walk into CVS wearing a nametag and a polo.

“What did you do while I was being tortured?”

He’s wearing another conceited look as he backs out of the space in the vacant lot. “I met up with Sweet Caroline Wu for a little while.”

Sweet Caroline Wu goes to our school and had a major Neil Diamond obsession back in the tenth grade, hence the nickname. (She’s hot too, which is also pretty sweet, in my opinion.) Travis and Sweet Caroline have been hanging out as a pair for a couple weeks now, usually whenever I’m working. They both say they’re not dating or fooling around, but they absolutely are. Travis talks about her a lot in that dopey, smitten way. I end up hearing a lot about how her lips taste like strawberries, and how her hair smells like coconut, and how her breasts feel (perfect, according to him).

So, yeah, they’re totally dating.

“Is she coming on Friday?” I ask. I know Sweet Caroline doesn’t really like the kind of music we play, but she likes Travis enough that she’ll sit through an entire band practice just to fawn over him.

“Of course. I promised her a backstage tour after the set. And she can be another witness when you dump your girlfriend.”

Those words sound like a choir of angels to me. I almost expect the night-darkened heavens to part, and a beam of light to shine down on the promise of mine and Selena’s contractually-destroyed fake relationship as it’s so close to coming to an end. It’s the clause of my agreement with Bryson, however, that stops this from happening. It weighs heavily on me like a cloud of smog blocking the Godly illumination’s full radiance.

By the time we’re back in Woodland Hills and pulling into my driveway, the music has shifted to blessthefall. Travis shuts the Gator off in the middle of Hollow Bodies. He hauls a familiar overnight duffel bag over his shoulder as we walk to the door, which means that, at some point between making out with Sweet Caroline Wu and coming to pick me up from work, he went home, at least for a few minutes.

“How is it over there?” I ask him.

“Not safe. Have to wait it out another month.”

Travis’ older brother, Tyler, is home for the summer. He’s majoring in structural engineering at UCB, which means that Travis’ parents are asking him about his courses, and also asking Travis what his plans are after he graduates high school. They don’t like the answer that he gives.

Both Longfield brothers got in part-time at this garage during the summers, and, while Tyler sees it as a source of a few extra bucks, it’s what Travis wants to do – I mean, not the cleaning and administration stuff he’s stuck doing, but the fixing part. His parents think he can do better than “just a lowly auto mechanic,” even though he’d definitely have an apprenticeship lined up after vocational school, and a guaranteed full-time job after that. When his brother is home, that all goes out the window, and he has to spend most days and nights over at my place. He’d end up in a straightjacket otherwise.

My mom is still awake in the living room when we enter. She’s sitting in front of the TV, watching one of her recordings of some drama on NBC that makes her cry. I always tease her and tell her she should stop watching if she can’t handle the tragedy they’ve scripted, but she holds true to her claim that it’s all just too beautiful, and intricate, and deserves to be viewed. She keeps watching and crying over fictional characters.

“How was work?” She’s already dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

“Hell.”

“That’s nice.”

She’s not really listening.

Travis and I go upstairs and leave her be.

I think my bedroom is relatively normal for a teenager – posters, books, clothes, a mother who’s constantly trying to make me clean it all up to no avail. The only uncommon thing is Travis’ bed. It’s a futon, but it’s never put back into couch mode, nor do the extra pillows and blankets ever leave it. Travis sets his bag down at the foot of it.

“What magnificent wonders of the past are you forcing me to watch tonight?” I pull off my polo – my glorified prison uniform – and toss it aside. I’d burn it if I didn’t need the money in my car fund.

Travis already has three DVDs in hand. He’s sort of a movie buff, which means I’ve seen just about every piece of cinema produced between 1927 and the present, regardless of whether or not it’s actually good.

“Psycho, The Searchers, or Casablanca?”

“Psycho.”

“Shower scene. Implied nudity,” he remarks. He’s smirking, mostly because he’s an ass, and also because he isn’t wrong.

“Beats cowboy racism and a movie I’ve watched a hundred times.”

“Casablanca is a classic,” Travis defends, already putting in the disc for Psycho. “Three Academy Awards.”

“I know,” I say, teasingly, “Because I’ve seen it a hundred times.”

He flips me off playfully, and we fall into something familiar and comfortable, despite the creepy motel vibe and plenty of chocolate syrup blood.

Chapter: 1

#writing #creative writing #chapter two #interlude #wip: interlude #book: interlude #original fiction #ya fiction #//swearing #ocs #oc #wip #morgan scott #travis longfield #writeblr

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chrysaliseuro2019 · 5 years

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An Unexpected Bonus

We wanted to look around Benevento a bit more before we left. Despite almost stumbling on it it had character in terms of some majestic buildings and a laid back ambience and we wanted to make sure that we soaked a bit more up before leaving. After breakfast at the hotel we set off for a look around. It was Sunday morning so unfortunately a couple of very good clothes shops for both men and women were closed though that probably saved the budget. It was pretty hot and we stuck to the shade as best we could while taking in some grand buildings. We had not done too much research into Benevento (it doesn't make the guide books) though Liz thought it had possibilities and hence plucked it out as a destination. We also had read via crits of the hotel that it was a handy pitstop for travellers to/from Rome. Glancing down one of the laneways we saw a Roman arch which merited some investigation. We had stumbled upon a treasure. The arch of Trajan built between 114 and 117 AD essentially to honour the Roman emperor Trajan was imposing and well preserved, albeit with an element of restoration over the years. The original buildings around it had been demolished due to earthquakes over the years so the arch stood stolid, defiant and magnificent as a reminder of the past and arguably the best preserved example that I have seen of this type of structure. The arch has various sculptures and friezes depicting Emperor Trajan in processions or meeting dignitaries amongst other scenes. We probably spent 30-45 mins just walking around it to look at it from various angles. It was both one of those uncanny and moving connections with life 2000 years ago and a glorious piece of ancient architecture. With some reluctance we dragged ourselves away with a few glances over the shoulder to get a final glimpse. Again one of those monuments that you feel that you should visit every year or two and just reflect on and enjoy though that is going to be unlikely in this case. We headed back to the car thinking Liz had done it again and found a small gem in the city of Benevento when we weren't expecting much more than a feed and a bed. Next we had decided for our last day in Italy prior to heading for Latvia that we should soak up some rays and basically just relax by the beach. Also we wanted to keep heading towards Rome so that the final day's journey in the car would be reduced. The hotel Miramare near Latina was our choice. A couple of hundred kilometres away from Benevento. We arrived around 4.00pm, checked in and immediately headed for the beach. It was hot and pretty chokkers with people though through the hotel we had a reserved area to sit on and free beach beds and umbrellas. Settled ourselves down in the front row and went quickly for a swim to cool off. Very pleasant and sandy beach. I headed off for ice creams and on return found a disgruntled Liz was in the process of moving to beds nearby - "the blue beds". We had inadvertently parked ourselves on "the white beds" which though labelłed as Hotel Miramare had to be paid for and were often reserved for a week by the same people. Though empty at the time and it now being 4.30 pm the attendant advised that people may return despite Liz's protestations. She was not happy. Anyway all good and in fact the blue beds offered more shade beside a small building as the sun was getting lower and the umbrellas were of less use. It was a lovely way to end the Italy venture. Our room was very pleasant with a good sized balcony looking out to sea and despite the fact that it was a commercial sort of environment, given the setting, facilities and ease of access to the beach, another day there would not have gone amiss. Early evening post a freshen up we went to the small hotel next door which had an informal open air bar which looked out to sea for a drink. A very pleasant 45 mins or so spent there. Time for dinner. Not too many choices close to the hotel that we were keen on. Either too formal and pricey looking or menu boring but there were only a few options. We decided to walk along the beach road towards Latina which was a couple of kilometres away. Every few hundred metres there would be a restaurant or bar even a couple of campsites. We saw a couple of places that we liked the look of. At the first one we tried, which was really full, they said we were too late as the kitchen was closing (it was around 9.30) which seemed a bit weak. We reckon the owner had made too much, it had been a big night and he'd had enough. Second one was fine and though it also busy, with the staff under a bit of pressure, we enjoyed it. Nice seat in a sort of garden setting. Liz's risotto with seafood was unfortunately a bit more like basmati with seafood but my clam pasta very good. Friendly service too. We retraced our steps to the hotel and it was a very tidy walk but no hardship on a pleasant night. Next morning we set off around 10.30 for the 90 minute trip to Rome airport. A little task first. Our foam beach mats from Greece needed to be ditched. We thought the campsite would be a good place to gift them so drove down and Liz gave them to a mum with young son as they headed for the beach. Not needed on this sandy beach but might be handy in the future. After initial surprise at what the deal was, mum was very grateful. They had come in very handy for us those mats and not sure how you could enjoy Greek beaches without them, together with the protective foot coverings for when you traverse the pebbles into the water. Off we set for the airport and the car not due to be returned till about 1.20 pm. We could take it easy and not rush. Usual shenanigans at the end finding a garage to refuel. We found one after driving around a little, just a couple of kms from the airport though not on the main road in. The navigator was showing signs of concern especially as I had ignored a petrol station with about 17/18 kms still to go to the airport. Relief all round. Also finding our way to the car hire return necessitated negotiating a cryptic maze of signs. The trusty Narelle, the voice of google maps, proved not so trusty on this occasion and lead us up the garden path. She got us to the airport but then took us to the departure area even though signs were pointing to car rental in a different direction. In the end we closed her down and followed the signs which weren't exactly easy but we got there with around 45 mins to spare. Flight not parting for 4 hours so we settled down to wile away the time. It went. Flight took off pretty much on time around 6.00pm and was uneventful. Air Baltic which we booked through Alitalia. One bonus of booking thru Alitalia was that we got a baggage allowance of 23kgs as opposed to the air Baltic standard of 20 kgs. We were both just over the 20 kgs mark so handy. Plane was pretty new and seats much more user friendly than the Aussie squeezy ones with minimal leg room that we all now have to put up with. The flight landed at 9.45pm - on schedule. What I hadn't appreciated was that the Baltics are 1 hour ahead of Italy so the flight was only 2 hours 45 mins not the 3hours 45 that I expected. Usual bus to the terminal job which seemed to take a while by the time it was loaded up and also leaving the plane was a bit slow. However that all paled as from then on things went like a rocket. Appeared to be no customs to clear. We didn't show passports though the check in process had scrutinised them perhaps they rely on Air Baltic's processes. As we walked into the baggage area out came the bags. We were sitting in a taxi around 10.10 with a 15 minute drive to the centre of Riga. We were meeting good friends Sue and Peter Box in Riga so having spoken to and texted Peter from Rome saying we would see them in the morning given our late arrival, I now called him to say if they were still up we would have a jar in the bar. They were and we did. It was a nice way to end a pretty hassle free journey. Perhaps the only discordant note was a regular(ish) one. The taxi driver into Riga was an absolute grump. In fact downright rude. The hotel advised that we could get a slightly discounted taxi journey using red taxis who would be given a voucher when they delivered us to the hotel which the driver could then reclaim. This guy seemed ropable about it. Perhaps he wanted the cash but in truth the meter seemed to be less than the value of the voucher. We were staying at a Radisson and there are 4 Radisson hotels in town. He yelled at Liz " there are 4 madam which one is yours" and so on. Not a good intro. Never spoke the whole way there. No "where are you from", no discussion about Riga. He did lift our bags out but quickly disappeared. Another bloke in the wrong job or perhaps he'd had a bad day. Anyway, Latvia! After much planning we were here. A buzz. Also to be sharing it with Peter and Sue.

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nightblogofficialbook · 5 years

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Chapter Three

Also available on the Tapas.io Website, search for Night in the Novels tab!

I don’t know when it was I fell asleep but I must have slept for an entire day because it was already morning again. I turned over, my body feeling heavy but not terrible and my mouth dry and sticky. When I opened my eyes, for a moment I didn’t know where I was. This wasn’t my room. This was too big to be my room. None of my things are here either, and mom would have definitely woken me up before this point.

And then my memory returned, much to my severe disappointment.

I sat up, my hair feeling like a nest on my head, and stretched. That strange tugging sensation made itself known and then grew idle. I sat on the bed for a long while, trying to muster the energy to get up. It was then I noticed a piece of paper sitting in front of my door, having been slid under while I slept probably.

The curiosity worked and I got up to get it, remembering that Rose and Co. still wanted to show me around. I unfolded it.

‘Hey Helen! It’s Rose. I figured you were probably still asleep so we didn’t want to bother you. But I wanted to explain to you briefly how this place works on a day-to-day basis, in case we’re not on break when you wake up. During the weekdays we have a course schedule, and yes, just like school :P Since you’ve never experienced any of this before they want us to have you kinda shadow us for all the classes so you can get some experience, and then when it’s all said and done you’ll be able to pick your own schedule. On the other side of this fold will be all of our schedule and times, and a map if you feel like trying to find us. If not, break periods for us are listed too, so you can just wait in the commons until one of us comes to check on you.’

I blinked. ...Class? Like, school classes? I turned the page over like the note said. A chart was drawn really neatly and concise of each girl’s name and their classes, in order by time. I glanced over at the digital clock on the bedside table. Looks like no one will be back until fifteen minutes from now.

Still feeling...off guard, I got up and went to the bathroom to address the state of my hair. I’ve always been kind of a sleep tosser but I guess last night I really thrashed about. Using the tools already in my bathroom I carefully combed the tangles out of my hair and flattened the morning frizz with a straight iron. The kitty cat pajama tank had my shoulder on full display in the mirror, and for the first time in...I guess only a day, it felt like ages, I was able to see to what extend the damage was.

The bite on my neck was all but gone, only a lingering redness now remained from where that guy, Zain, had bit me. I was amazed at how quickly it was healed, especially for how much I bled.

Ugh, blood.

The brief nausea passed, and I examined the next mark: a now-silver welted crescent scar that sat right between my collarbone and shoulder. I traced it for a moment in shock and a little bit of morbid fascination. It still throbbed a bit, but significantly less. This...was the bite that started this. The one that changed my life. I wonder why it was a crescent and not fang marks, like the other had been? It looked more like someone with human teeth had bit me. I looked closer at it, the shape showing irregularities to it. About where the canines would be on a human bite mark, defined a little more than the rest of the shape, were almost definitely two fang-mark scars set within the rest of the scar.

I shuddered. To bite down with a force that strong...I’m really glad I passed out for that. Maybe that was why I passed out.

After changing into some relaxed day clothes that were available to me I went downstairs to the commons, feeling like I’m on some sort of rich-kid summer camp trip. It was quiet but brightly lit from the sunlight pouring through narrow windows down the rounded walls, the outside just starting to reach the afternoon. Feeling awkward I made my way to the kitchenette area and perused through the cabinets and fridge, looking for something to eat. I opted for snacking on some cheese and saltine crackers, since the rest looked like they belonged to someone or required cooking of some kind, and I didn’t feel comfortable doing that just yet.

The door clicked and in walked Claire, who gave a start of pleasant surprise when she spotted me. “Helen! You’re awake!” She closed the door behind her, smiling. “Good morning! You were out a while, you sleep okay?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “I actually felt pretty rested when I woke up, thanks for letting me sleep.”

“Yeah, cool.” She set her bag down and grabbed the box of goldfish cheese crackers I had passed over from the cabinet. “You get Rose’s letter by chance?”

I nodded. “If I understand right, I’ll be attending classes with you guys?”

“Yeah, it’ll just be for a couple of weeks to help you get used to being in the castle, then you’ll be able to decide what you want to do on your own. Cool thing is, nothing is mandatory.” She grinned, sitting down with the box. “You could just decide you don’t want to go to any of them in the end and chill all day.”

“Wha-really? Then why even bother?”

“Well, a lot of it is still really useful to learn, but mostly because of the perk points.”

“Perk points?”

She nodded, taking a handful of crackers and munching them. “Yeah, you get points based on attendance for class and bonus points for how well you do in them. Vampires get them too. They have a catalog for stuff you get in exchange for them, like new clothes or toys or games or extra snacks.” She shook the box of goldfish. “I like to spend mine on these, though I’m saving up the bulk of them for the excursion trip next spring. We’ll take you to go get your card set up and stuff and you’ll be able to look at the point system, but essentially the more valuable or the less ‘healthy,’” she used air quotes with an eye roll, “an item is, the more points it will cost. And vice versa, the more challenging a class is for you, the more points you get for it.”

“That actually sounds really cool,” I said, amazed.

“I know right? From what I hear about how schools are still done on the outside it’s WAY more awesome.” She glanced at her watch. “Alright, we should probably go head out to my next class, after that all of us have the same dancing class so we’ll trade you off after THAT class, and you’ll have just one more for the day with us.”

My head spun a little, not quite following what she said but I got the jist of it. She grabbed her bag and I followed her through the door into the open hallway of the castle. A fresh breeze drifted from the direction Claire was leading me, and almost as suddenly as we had left the dorm we were outside in open air.

The weather felt wonderful, the deep blue sky spotted with slowly drifting, fluffy clouds, blinking the sunlight in and out every now and then. The temperature was warm and comfortable, not at all like the summer heat it had been for the last month. And there were people. Everywhere. Mostly teens my age, but also adults. Children. I think I even saw a few babies. I was amazed, I never realized how big this place might be. It was like a whole village.

I watched the people pass me by as I followed Claire across the giant square courtyard I had observed just yesterday. Some were having a picnic complete with tablecloth, food, and family. Some were, like us, walking towards a destination in mind, and some were just playing games. It was how I always imagined a college campus would look like, all it was missing was the drunk frat boys and dumb shenanigans.

A wonder crossed my mind after we crossed the courtyard and into a different section of the castle. “Where are the vampires?” I asked.

“They’re asleep, they usually keep to a night habit like the myths used to say. But not all of them,” she added as a young guy with red eyes waved as he passed us, flashing a friendly-fanged smile. Claire waved back with a “hey Greg.”

“But for the most part they do vampire classes at night anyway,” she continued as we stepped into a classroom. “And usually in the other half of the castle. It helps keep traffic in the halls down so things don’t ever get overcrowded and stressful, and to keep some from getting too stressed out by the abundance of human smells.”

We sat down at desks and I was surprised about how...normal it was. It was just a math class, same as the one I failed a few days ago, only this teacher seemed pretty enthused. She talked over the coursework with passion, answering any questions that were asked and even re-explained some things in an easier to digest manner. I found I was able to follow along really well despite having to jump in the middle of a learning section.

Claire, on the other hand, looked like she was struggling to keep up, and hard. She was bent over her practice worksheet, looking relaxed but frustrated. I thought about asking her why she was taking the class if it was that hard on her, but then remembered how she explained the points, and her goal. I silently nodded to myself at the ingenious system they have here. It was a good way to motivate everyone to have a goal, and work towards it, but without forcing anyone to overstress about it.

And hour and a half had come and gone since we sat down, and class was dismissed. Claire stretched and groaned as we walked out.

“Man, I am so not good at math,” she said.

“Me neither, but that teacher was really good.”

“I know right? They don’t let anyone teach if they’re not up for the task. Anyway, I forgot about lunch between now and the next class, and…” she suddenly looked as if she was having an epiphany. “Oh yeah lunch! Dude!” She grabbed my shoulders excitedly. “You gotta see the food court they have here!”

My eyes widened and her excitement rubbed off. “They have a food court?”

…

They have a food court.

And it was incredible.

IMMEDIATELY, once I walked to the vicinity of its existence, I was hit by a myriad of delicious freshly cooked food smells. I’m talking bakeries, skillet cooks, sandwich bars, BBQ, breakfast food, lunch, italian, asian, and everything in between. I could hardly believe my eyes. I could hardly believe my nose. It was like there was a food festival going on.

Claire grinned at my expression. “Pretty cool, huh?” she nudged me.

“Claire…” I said, flabbergasted still. “Oh my god. I want to cry.” She laughed and took my hand, taking me to all of the booths and mini restaurant bars. Each one seemed to know her on a personal level, and, as she explained that I was new, free sample after free sample began to fill my tray.

“This is so much food,” I said in amazement.

“Yeah, I’ll be honest, I’m kinda pimping you out,” she admitted sheepishly as we headed for a table. “Normally you’re only allowed up to 2 free servings per mealtime, and any more is a point exchange.”

“Well, it worked,” I said, still incredulous. “Glad to be of help.”

“Helen! Claire! Over here!”

Rose was flagging us down; the twins and Wendy were already seated with her, in addition to a few people I haven’t met yet. We joined them at the table.

“Helen, this is Mike and this is Jason, they’re childhood friends of ours. Guys, this is Helen.”

Mike, who had short black hair and a shallow jawline and fair skin, gave a polite wave. Jason, who was far less reserved with bronzy-blonde hair, brown eyes, and a fairly strong jaw and nose, gave me a friendly lopsided smile and a look of interest.

“Um, hi,” I said nervously, sitting down next to Claire with my huge tray of food.

“Introductions later, it’s food time,” Claire said, excitedly picking out a sample from our haul.

I tasted as much as the food as I could, and shared the rest. Everyone chatted about their day so far and classes they were in and I politely listened, feeling a little happy. No, that’s not right. I was feeling a lot of happy. Everything was bright, and light, and friendly. Everyone was open and relaxed and feeling good. The tension I had been holding in my shoulders released.

And then suddenly something hot and soupy was dumped over the top of my head and into my lap. Claire leapt out of the way to avoid the splash, everyone else jumped in shock. I sat still, trying to process why there was suddenly chicken broth all over me.

“Oops,” spoke girl’s bored voice. Everyone’s eyes widened when they saw who stood behind me. I turned around.

She stood to be roughly my height with dark blonde hair pulled back in a bun, her blue eyes piercing cold and her expression haughty. She very clearly was holding an empty bowl, still over my head. I blinked.

“Sorry,” she said in the most uncaring manner possible. “Sometimes I don’t quite pay attention to where I’m going and things just…” Her eyes grew cold and vicious, reminding very much of Zain’s, and with a jolt I recognized her. “...happen, you see. But, I’m sure YOU, of all people, would understand, wouldn’t you Helen?”

“Hey, look, I-”

“Well,” she interrupted, ignoring me and addressing the entourage of people who were snickering behind her. “I supposed I should try to get more soup. I do hope they understand the little accident.”

“Oh, of course, Lady Victoria!”

“It was an accident after all.”

“I’m sure they’ll understand.”

“You can have mine, M’lady, if they can’t make an exception!”

“Thanks, guys,” she cooed to her little group as they left. “You’re the best.”

I sat there, dumbfounded, as they walked away, and turned back forward.

“...what just happened to me?”

“You got souped apparently,” Claire chimed, to which Rose reprimanded her.

“Don’t worry, we’ll help you get cleaned up, we can skip the next class if we need to,” Rose offered. I shook my head.

“It’s okay, I’ll just go get cleaned up and meet you guys there,” I said, my voice surprisingly normal considering I was drenched.

Claire looked at me in surprise. “You sure?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I have a map, and I’m surprisingly good with directions.” Except apparently when I’m in a hurry, I thought blandly to myself.

“If you’re certain…” Rose said, uncertain. “The next class is on the same floor, in the east ward across from this one. There’s four doors to enter from so it shouldn’t be hard to find as long as you make it to the right section.”

I thanked her and stood up, saying bye to Mark and Jason. They offered words of encouragement and good luck with cleaning up. Pulling out the map(which miraculously avoided getting souped as well) and going by what I remembered seeing on the way here I traced my way back to the dorms. Everyone I passed stared and muttered to themselves, some with pity, some with wonder. I couldn’t blame them for it, since I’d probably end up doing the same thing, and did my best to ignore it.

After a successful shower and change of clothes, it was now four o’clock, about fifteen minutes past when that class was supposed to start. I made my way across the courtyard to the ward across from the lunch area, now wishing I had eaten maybe just a little bit more and debating on whether I should even show up. The sun was in the second half of the sky, and by now majority of everyone out and about had gone back to wherever their own dorms were. It was crazy how many people actually live here.

I found the four doors Rose was talking about and heard music inside. Confused, I looked at the written schedule she had given. “No…” I opened the door, suddenly remembering with dread a small detail Claire had mentioned before.

Inside was a very large convention-style room, chairs stacked high against the wall. A large amount of people were scattered out in pairs, observing the teacher as he demonstrated what almost looked like a waltz with no partner.

Dancing. Great, just great...my stomach dropped, and as it did the subtle pulling sensation heightened.

The door slammed shut behind me before I could catch it and suddenly all eyes were on me. I flinched, feeling extremely embarrassed. “Sorry…”

“Not at all!” the teacher enthused. “Come in, come in! You must be Miss Morris.”

I sheepishly made my way to the edge of the wall out of the way but still in view, suddenly very aware of the fact that about 50% of the pairs of eyes still on me were red. I swallowed nervously.

“Alright, now I want everyone to try, on my count. Remember, you’re not looking for speed, you’re looking for precision. Make every move count until it becomes second nature. Now, one-two-three, one-two-three…” he flicked a finger in the air and suddenly music was playing.

I watched everyone try the steps, spotting the girls pretty quickly as they were having the most fun. Rose was paired up with Jason from before, Suzanne and Alice had decided to dance with each other -which made their synchronization so perfect it was almost creepy- and Claire was dancing with Wendy. Feet were stepped on, laughter was heard, partners were bumped into, it was an amusing scene. I smiled a little to myself, wishing I could join them.

I let my gaze wander around as the teacher also wandered amongst the dancers, giving form advice and praise as he passed them. I was amazed at how many vampires were here, considering it wasn’t really after dark just yet. Most were paired up with their own kind, but some had paired up with humans, a little to my surprise. And it looked like everyone was having fun.

“Hello Helen,” the teacher’s voice drew my attention to him; he had made his way over to where I stood, quietly addressing me. “May I call you that?” he asked sincerely.

“Sure?” I replied. He was pretty young looking for someone in charge of teaching a class, I would guess maybe super early twenties. His eyes were a deep hazel that seemed to change colors under different light angles, from blue to green to brown, and somehow all of the colors. His skin was fair and soft, his hair a short sandy brown that reminded me of some popular british actor I remember people fawning over. He was pretty attractive for sure, but something was strangely familiar about him.

“Excellent.” He looked relieved. “Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Dmitri. Some of my students call me ‘D’ but whether that be your preference to refer to me is entirely up to you.”

“Thanks, it’s nice to meet you.”

“And likewise you. Now, I understand that you are quite new to the castle, and that today is your first day during your adjustment period, so by all means don’t feel obligated to join right away if you don’t feel comfortable. We have a bit of an odd number currently so there would be no problems if you wish to sit out for now. But, if you do wish to join in, I would have no problems getting you up to speed.”

“U-um, thanks,” I replied, grateful for the extended invitation and surprised at how quickly he seemed to understand. “I think I’ll pass this time around...since there’s an odd number and all.”

He chuckled a little. “Not too fond of dancing?”

I grimaced. “How did you know?”

“I have been teaching dance for quite a while now, I can tell. I imagine you feel your skills are quite inadequate to even attempt the practice.”

“That’s an understatement,” I joked, feeling strangely relaxed around him. “My mom tried to get me into dancing for a while. I accidently broke the instructors foot once.” He laughed softly and I smiled a little. “She politely requested that I try out other hobbies after that.”

He looked outward, observing the dancing pairs in front of us. “Well, I won’t force you if you truly don’t want to dance, but if you ever feel interested, I would gladly be up for the challenge.”

He went back out to address a couple that had fallen over, helping them to their feet and explaining to them what had gone wrong. I smiled a little, feeling a little fuzzy inside, like I just gained a big brother. Dmitri seemed really sweet. The pessimism in my brain made me really hope he didn’t turn out to just have been flirting with an underage girl though. It didn’t seem that way, but...I’ve been wrong about people before.

Suddenly there was a strangely violent tug in the pit of my gut towards a single direction in the room. I looked up in surprise, holding my sides despite the fact that there really wasn’t an obvious origin to this sensation, and stiffened. One couple was dancing through the sea of everyone like wind through trees, effortlessly making every single person in this room look like stumbling baby deer. Their legs moved with practiced elegance, as easy as if it were breathing, their eyes almost bored and in another world. Zain and Victoria.

My stomach clenched with guilt and a twinge of jealousy. They looked good together. Perfect for eachother, I thought bitterly, remembering Zain’s childish aggression and Victoria’s stunt from today. Their skills looked matched, and though they seemed bored in this classroom environment, they looked relaxed. Comfortable.

Zain’s eyes darted my way and I looked down instinctively, my heart pounding for a moment, and then felt bitterness replace my emotions. It should have been her. I shouldn’t have ever been involved. Why did I end up at that clearing? Why did he have to bite me?

I heard a quiet tch! and looked up with just my eyes. The two had slowed to a stop, Zain’s face furrowed in frustration.

“What is it?” I heard Victoria ask, worried.

“It’s nothing,” he responded in a low voice.

Her eyes darted to me and I pretended to be watching the other people.

“Is it her?”

He gave her a small smile and stroked her cheek; a sharp pang hit my chest for a moment. “Don’t worry about it, okay?”

She still looked worried. “Okay.” Her eyes narrowed furiously towards me soon as he looked elsewhere. I pretended not to have noticed but I could feel the daggers emanating from her.

“Alright, I think that’ll wrap things up today!” Dmitri called out, clapping his hands. The music fades out and everyone gathered up any bags and things they had brought. He waved his hands and suddenly all of the chairs stacked against the walls unstacked and arranged themselves in the space everyone was just occupying. “Next class we’ll do a few more practice motions, and then try out partner changes. I look forward to seeing you all again.”

“Helen!”

The girls and Jason came over to me excitedly. The fact that I just saw legit magic fell to the back of my mind as I smiled a little at them.

“You made it!” Rose exclaimed. “We saw you talking to Dmitri, what did you think?”

“Dancing...really isn’t my thing,” I admitted carefully. “I’ve never been very good with the whole foot-body coordination thing.”

“She actually meant about D,” Claire snickered.

“I was talking about the class too,” Rose blushed slightly.

I thought for a moment. “He seems...pretty nice I guess. I mean, I just met him, at least I’ve gotten to know you guys for a bit.”

“Yeah, D is pretty chill,” Jason commented as we walked out of the room. I felt that elastic cord-feeling tug at me again and glanced back a moment, distracted by seeing Zain and Dmitri talking. Victoria wasn’t anywhere, I guess she had already left. The sight of the two felt vaguely familiar again, though.

“And take it from me,” Claire continue to speak, and I realized I had missed part of the conversation. “Dmitri is a SUPER good guy. He’s actually the one I told you about that saved me from my stupid aunt and uncle.”

“Wait what?” I asked, confused. “I thought you said that it was a vampire who took you.”

“Yeah, that was Dmitri,” she said. “It was his first time travelling with the embassy he said, I think.”

I looked back, but we had already gone out of sight, and then tried to collect my thoughts. “But...he...his eyes were…?”

“Ohhhhh right right right, I forgot about that,” Claire clapped in realization. “Yeah, vampires don’t ACTUALLY have red eyes, they just turn that color when they’re stressed out. Something something biology makes them turn red but they actually have fairly normal eye colors, for the most part.”

“It has to do with the way cortisol affects their system,” Alice spoke up. “They’re pretty human-based to begin with, so there's a lot of similarities, but there’s a chemical in their irises that causes it to glow red with the presence of stress hormones.”

“It used to be because they were always stressed when hungry,” Claire added. “That’s why it’s a pretty common addition to the myth. Also pretty scary.”

“But now it’s just because they have anxiety like the rest of us,” Suzanne finished.

“But...everyone’s eyes are red?”

“Well yeah, duh,” Claire smirked amusedly. “The heir and leader of their home was supposed to be bonded with a chosen Bride to solidify their strengths and safety, but something happened and word has spread that some rando is now the Bride.”

“They feel their future is uncertain,” Rose explained gently. “Humans, too. No one knows anything about you or what benefit or detriment you might bring.”

Jason stopped. “Hold on, wait…” He stared at me, his expression stiff. “You’re the…?”

“Oh shoot,” Rose swore. “I didn’t want to say anything yet, I’m sorry Jason.”

“It’s okay, I just…” he shook his head. “Damn…”

“U-um,” I started awkwardly. “Is that bad?”

“No, I just didn’t want it to be spread around just yet,” Rose admitted sheepishly. “I wanted to make sure you were comfortable first. I figured it would be awkward for you if everyone suddenly tried to avoid you and address you as ‘Lady’ and ‘ma’am’ and so on.”

“Do you...want to be addressed that way?” Jason asked nervously.

“Oh, god no,” I assured him quickly, and remembered Dmitri asking if my name was okay. “Please, Helen is just fine.”

He relaxed, relieved. “Lady Victoria all but demands everyone refer to her as Lady Victoria.”

“I’m definitely not doing that,” I grumbled. “Not after what she did today. I mean, I understand where’s she coming from but…”

They glanced at each other with worry, and I could tell they had something to say but didn’t want to say it.

I sighed. “Anyway, about Dmitri and the vampire eye thing.”

“Right,” Claire shuffled. “Um, that was probably it, honestly. Vampire’s look like people except when they’re stressed.”

“And they’re all scared of me,” I joked a little. They laughed a bit.

“Give it a few weeks,” Rose assured. “Everyone will have calmed down again. Your arrival shouldn’t effect Lord Zain’s ability to run the castle.”

“That reminds me,” I said, “how does age work for vampires? He looks like he’s our age. And Dmitri looked pretty young, too.”

“They’re about how they appear to be,” Rose explained. “Lord Zain is seventeen I think, Dmitri is...twenty-five?” My eyebrows lifted. “The ones who are born will age the same way humans do, just a little bit slower.”

“They stop aging when they reach about Dmitri’s age,” Alice chimed “At that point the body just doesn’t need to grow anymore.”

“And then they live foreeeeeever,” Claire added dramatically.

“Except the ones who are made,” Suzanne said sadly. “They’re stuck at whatever age they turned. Their bodies freeze in time, but their mind will continue to deteriorate.”

I swallowed. “So then...are most vampires born?”

“Mostly. Accidents can...happen though,” Rose admitted.

“That’s why they don’t let vampires do any biting,” Claire said. “The ones that turn usually have this weird desire to create more vampires, which would be a problem, and you have to basically drink vampire blood and die in order to turn, so keeping them away during feeding times prevents that.”

“Will...will I ever be turned?”

“Bride are a little different,” Rose responded this time. “You’d have to want to turn in order for it to work, because of the mutual agreement the bond creates between human and vampire, otherwise you’d probably just...die. And you’d be different than a turned vampire, because your partner would still be able to feed from you.”

“It’s not really a necessary procedure,” Alice added, “so I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that.”

My head spun. This was a lot of information to process. “Wait, one more question, if vampires live forever, what about the human Brides?”

“You’ll live forever too,” Alice answered simply. “It would be bad if their only food source died of old age. It’s part of the changes that now allow you to choose to become a vampire if you wanted it.”

“Yeah, it’s kinda like you’re half vampire!” Claire joked, and my chest tightened. Half vampire...I put my hand on my shoulder again where the bite mark still twinged every now and then.

Everyone split up at the edge of the center courtyard, Claire and twins heading back to the dorm, Jason heading back to his, and Rose going to her class. I was scheduled to follow Wendy next.

“This way,” she spoke, her voice soft and quiet like a whisper.

I followed, feeling awkward as I realized that this was probably the first time I’ve heard her speak. She was extremely reserved and somewhat nervous, every so often fidgeting with her fingers and not looking up anywhere. I wasn’t sure if it was because of me or if she was just...like that. I sympathized though. Up till now it was easy to borrow off of everyone’s energies to relax and adjust. The presence of her anxiety, though, kind of kept mine at bay.

“So, we’re going to...whoa, Horse Care and Management, whaaat?” I tried to give a friendly smile. “There are horses here??”

She nodded. “Yeah. They’re very gentle creatures, and understanding. I like them.”

I stared off in the distance with a small grin as we walked down an open stone hallway and away from the castle, feeling just a little excited now all on my own. I had never been on a horse, or near one for that matter. Wendy’s cheeks swelled as she smiled, and it seemed like she relaxed a little more. The stables came into view as we rounded the corner and the stone floors turned into a dirt path. The smell of fresh barnhouse and hay wafted through the air, growing bolder as we got closer.

Not many people showed up for this class, it seemed. In fact, as far as I could tell at least, it was mostly vampires here. A girl no older than us was currently setting out harnesses and saddles, wearing heavy duty working gloves and clothing, with a red bandana around her neck and a wide straw sun hat. She greeted us when we approached, then beamed at Wendy.

“Hey! Good afternoon, glad ya guys can make it!” She gave a wide grin. “Looks like some newcomers today, Welcome! I’m Amber, I’m kinda second-in-command runnin’ the stables here with my ma and her sisters, I’ll be teaching ya guys all about horses!”

“Last week I got most of ya introduced to the residents here, so today we’re gonna learn the proper ways to clean the equipment. It’s easy enough, but ya gotta do it right or the leather will get too hard, or just not clean at all. And if you don’t clean it well, ‘specially the reins and the bit, you can get the horses sick and we don’ want that.” She went through the proper techniques for getting started and had everyone start a piece of equipment. “Newbies follow me for a sec,” she called out, and to my surprise I wasn’t the only new person.

“Hey,” a young vampire guy, eyes still red, greeted me shyly after we followed Amber and then were told to wait. “You new to this class too?”

“Uh, yeah,” I responded, feeling just a tad awkward.

He smiled forward nervously as we waited for Amber to come back, running a hand across the back of his neck. He looked a bit older than me, his skin dark and his body pretty lanky and tall. Like, a whole-head-taller-than-me tall.

“I’ve never even been around one of these things before,” he admitted after a few seconds of silence.

“Me neither,” I said, deciding to try and make small talk at least. “I’ve always wanted to though, they looked pretty cool.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, and then stuck his hand out. “I’m Adrian, by the way.”

“Helen,” I replied automatically, shaking his hand.

“Helen huh,” he laughed nervously. “That funny, I think that’s the same name as that girl from outside the castle.

“Yeah,” I responded nervously, unsure whether to say anything about that. “Pretty...pretty interesting.”

Luckily Amber had already come back, leading a tall chestnut color horse. It had a white kite shape mark that spanned from it’s forehead down to its nose.

“This is Bitey,” Rose said, and Adrian stiffened next to me. “Don’t let the name fool ya, he used to be chomper when he was little but he’s quite behaved now. C’mon over and say hello!”

We both hesitated for just a moment, and then I stepped forward, feeling a little excited. The horse’s ears swiveled my way as I came up to it from the side, and he turned his head towards me.

“Hold yer hand out, fingers down,” Rose instructed gently. Behind me Adrian watched carefully as I did as told. The horse balked back a little, and then stretched out to sniff my hand. After a few seconds I reached forward to pet its muzzle. Adrian let out a breath of relief behind me.

“Now, horses are very sensitive animals, they can pick up on yer feelings pretty quick,” she said as Adrian worked up enough courage to come up beside me to also pet the horse. “They can be pretty skittish themselves, so it’s very important that ya introduce yourself properly.”

She had us step away after a moment of petting to demonstrate. “Ya always want to try and approach from a diagonal and make sure they can see ya. Cuz if ya watch him,” she stood at a severe angle from the back, “see his ears? They’re swiveled back cuz he knows I’m back here but he can’t see me. And if walk closer now,” she did, and he stepped away from her. “he’ll back up. It’s pretty nerve-wracking to have someone come up from where you don’t see em. That’s why it’s also a good idea to make sure you talk to em too. That way they can hear you and you don’t sneak up on em. NEVER sneak up on a horse unless you wanna get kicked in the teeth.”

Amber continued to explain how to approach and be around horses, how to present yourself, what to do if a horse charges at you, and had us practice approaching conduct correctly with Bitey. The whole time Adrian was very nervous, which I found just a little funny, all things considered; he could probably and easily take this animal down. It was a little alarming even. But then again...I hadn’t actually seen any proof that vampires have super strength or anything, I’ve just sort of assumed. A small spark of guilt set in my chest as I realized that...they really might be just like humans. Just people with different survival needs.

After a bit more practice she then had us rejoin the rest of the class to learn how to clean the tack, giving us the bit and saddle that Bitey had on. I went back to Wendy, who smiled at me and looked very relaxed and content. She was already drying off her piece of tack and had a couple bottles of some sort of leather oil.

The last half of the class was spent learning how to properly dry and oil the leather to help preserve its reliability, and just as the sun began to set everything was wrapped up and put away. I walked back with Wendy feeling strangely accomplished.

“That was...really cool!” I exclaimed with elation. Wendy nodded, smiling happily and quietly. “Like, never did I ever even think I would get to do something like that, not without paying a LOT of money.”

“It’s my favorite class,” she smiled quietly. “The horses really understand.”

I nodded, and remembered the vampire I had pet Bitey with, Adrian, and remembered how nervous he seemed but also how friendly. The horse wasn’t afraid of him, and prey animals are usually good at sensing predators. I thought about Dmitri, who I had no idea was a vampire, who wanted to make sure I felt comfortable with where I was. I thought about everyone I had met today, unable to help but compare it to how my life was before and how the people I had to deal with before. Against my inner denial about this whole situation, this...didn’t seem so bad so far. This actually felt...better.

We made it back to the dorms uninterrupted and I told everyone I was going to go ahead and turn in for the night, feeling exhausted. The gibbous moon had risen high enough already to cast some light in my darkened room, but I turned on a lamp anyway. The ambient lighting combined felt cozy and warm, but my room still felt too big, too open. Absentmindedly I walked to the window and opened it, then realized it had a balcony and climbed out onto it.

The night was pleasantly crisp for summertime. The sky was clear and bright as the moon’s light was cast down upon the world. Out ahead of me lay a sea of trees, and just beyond that were islands of houses. Neighborhoods. If I stared hard enough, I could almost spot the neighborhood I live in. Lived in. I breathed in and let out a sigh as I leaned against the railing, my mind debating with itself.

I shouldn’t be here. I should be at home. I should be helping mom get dinner ready, calling Emily to help her with homework. Sleeping in our run-down cozy house. Dealing with the same idiots entering the same society as me. I’m already starting to forget I’ve been kidnapped; this sense of open freedom is wrong, it’s a lie.

I looked down. It was only two, maybe three stories between here and the ground, and maybe only fifty meters between the castle and the surrounding wall. I could sneak away. I could do the bedsheet thing, anchor to the railing and then try to latch it to the decorations that topped the wall. I could go home, and try to ignore everything, pretend it was all just a bad dream.

Something lurched in my center, violently yanking at some core within me in an up-and-backwards direction. It was almost painful except for the fact that it didn’t feel real, didn’t feel tangible. I grabbed the railing to brace and support myself, my lips pressed tight in bitterness. That sensation continued to pull at me, almost like it was begging me to follow it. To follow it back to the one who bit me.

There would be no escaping that. There’s no undoing it, it would always be there. Following me, everywhere I go, no matter how far I would go. And he could probably follow it back to me. They’d find me, maybe even hurt my mom, maybe even go after Emily, and they would bring me back.

I sunk to my knees on the balcony, leaning my forehead against the railing as tears slowly filled my eyes and rolled down my cheeks. I had fun today. Today hadn’t been bad at all. Sure, I got soup dumped on me, but that was just one incident. Everyone was nice. I wasn’t caged, I wasn’t supervised. I was even allowed to make my way back to the dorms, all on my own. It was only the second day since I arrived. I could have gone somewhere else entirely. But I didn’t. Because being here today has been better than any other day in my entire life. I didn’t want to be here. But I wanted to be here.

“What’s wrong with me…?” I whispered out loud.

I don’t remember ever going back inside, but when I woke up I was in my bed. It was still dark out, the clock read just past 1 a.m. I sat up, still in the clothes I had changed into. I tucked my knees to my chest and sat there for a moment. My cheeks were sticky where my tears had dried.

The strange tugging sensation gave a nudge, not as violently as earlier, but subtly. As if giving me a suggestion. Without really thinking about it, I got up and went downstairs into the commons area, letting the tug pull me forward.

It was quiet in the room; plug-in lights with motion sensors lit up as I got closer to them, making the room have a strange dream-like glow. The girls were all still upstairs, sound asleep. The fridge in the kitchenette area kicked on with a hum for a few seconds before quieting down again. I paused like this for a little while, absorbing the atmosphere. Observing it. And then let my body be pulled forward again and out the door.

The halls were dim and quiet too. The carpet was soft but firm underneath my feet, muffling the noises of the world. I continued forward, my mind still in an almost fugue-like state. I didn’t care where I was going. I didn’t care where this pulling sensation would take me. None of it mattered anyway. Nothing I did would matter.

I came to the courtyard hub area that we crossed to get to the different areas of the human quarters, the Day wing, where classes usually occur. No one was here, but yet I could feel them here. The presence of people, the sounds echoed like the ghosts of a past memory occurring presently. I looked around and could almost see them. There wasn’t anyone here.

I felt a presence, a real presence, land behind me, and the direction of the tugging shifted and changed. I didn’t turn around or react, already knowing who and what it was but feeling nothing.

“Why are you here?” I heard his voice speak. It was soft, curious, and sad. A wave of somber confusion washed across me, but not my own. I turned around.

Zain stood right where he had landed, facing me. His eyes were firm but gentle, his expression matched the feelings in his voice. His hair shimmered in the moonlight, his red eyes glowing softly. He wasn’t angry, he wasn’t frustrated or resentful. Just...lost. Sad and lost, and looking for answers.

“I followed my heart,” I replied.

He looked on in confusion, observing me, his eyes searching. His heart searching. It felt like I could see it, his heart, reflected in his eyes.

“Why are you here?” he asked again after a moment, differently.

Tears welled up in my eyes. “I don’t know,” I answered softly. “I don’t know…”

His expression changed into a look of helpless anguish. “Why are we here?” he asked again.

And then my eyes opened.

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#Chapter Three #book #original story #vampires #slowburn #romance #it's complicated #fantasy #depression #kidnapping #school life #nightblogofficialbook

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otakufander · 6 years

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Camping au #2, New Faces and Friends

Warnings: some swearing but nothing to bad, anxiety mentioned, some flirting, tell me if I missed anything. Word count: 1700ish

Chapter two of my first fic. I hope I did good. I'm just doing this for fun anyway. 😊

“Hey there neighbors!” Patton said loudly.

His outburst alerted Roman and Thomas to the arrival of their neighbors. Roman had just finished pumping up the last air mattress and Thomas was getting the luggage out of the car. They followed Patton over to the group.

Patton first noticed the driver, he was moderate height and well built, he appreciated the rainbow T-shirt he just thought the sunglasses were a bit extra especially since it was getting dark. He then noticed the small young man dressed in an oversized patchwork jacket, eyeshadow, dark brown with purple tipped hair, and ripped black skinny jeans. He thought the look was good just not for the summer heat, good thing its cooler at this time of day, he was a bit shorter than the others and was underbuilt, although the jacket hid it well. He finally noticed the the last person coming around the front of the car. He was taller than the other two only by a bit, skinny with a slight build and had very similar glasses to him. He appreciated the simplicity of his outfit compared to the other two. If he had to say it, he looked kinda cute.

“Hey what's up.” Remy said walking over to say hi. Logan followed suit with Virgil trailing behind, his anxiety spiking at the thought of talking to people so soon.

Patton and Remy walked over to each other and shook hands introducing themselves.

“Hi I'm Patton Valentine nice to meet you.” Patton squealed happily.

“Nice to meet you too, I'm Remy Johnson.” Remy said. And soon they were all shaking hands and exchanging names.

“Salutations neighbors my name is Roman Prince.” Roman happily annoyed shaking Logan’s hand.

“Happy to make your acquaintances, I am Logan Johnson.” Logan stated with a polite smile.

“Nice to meet all of you I'm Thomas Sanders.” Thomas said reaching his hand out for Virgil to take. Virgil’s eyes widened when Thomas said his name, he thought he looked familiar.

“Wait thee Thomas Sanders!?” Virgil said surprised.

Thomas chuckled. “Yes I should have guessed I would be recognized at some point. Anyway what's your name?” Thomas said with his hand still out for Virgil to take.

“Um.. I'm Virgil Johnson.” Virgil said taking his hand and then shrinking back into his jacket. Thomas and Roman thought something sounded familiar about Virgil’s voice but they decided not to jump to conclusions because they've been wrong before.

“So your all related?” Patton asked interested.

“Yes we are in fact siblings.” Logan confirmed.

“Aww it's sweet that your all close enough to go camping together.” Patton said cheerily with a sweet grin on his face.

“Well Remy here offered to take us on a vacation and with our schedules and the fact that they perfectly lined up with the planned week we would have been foolish to reject his offer.” Logan said in a flat tone.

“Well it's still sweet.” Patton said with a small smile.

“Well the sun is starting to go down so we better get set up.” Remy interjected.

“Yes it would be most ideal to be finished before nightfall.” Logan said.

“It was splendid to meet you all, would you all care to join us by the fire tonight, we'll be cooking marshmallows.” Roman offered in a boisterous voice.

“Sure, what do you two say?” Asked Remy.

“I have no objection, Virge?” Logan agreed looking at Virgil.

“Umm……….ok.” Virgil said shyly.

“Great, see you there, if you all need anything don't hesitate to ask.” Said Patton.

“Thanks, anyway let's go get set up guys.” Remy said walking back to the car.

“We will converse again soon.” Logan said.

“See ya later.” Said Virgil as they parted ways.

They weren't apart very long, because even though Remy had been up the year before it had been with experienced friends and Logan and Virgil had never been camping before.

In other words they had no idea how to pitch their new three person tent. This leading to them asking the others for help.

Roman had been a boyscout for a few years and told them how to properly pitch their tent rather quickly. Virgil was amazed at how quickly Roman looked at the directions and figured out what went where.

Once everyone was set up they gathered around the fire just to chat.

When Thomas said that they all had been coming over ten years each the brothers were shocked.

“How long have you each been coming?” Virgil asked his mouth agape.

“Well I've been coming for 15 years, Roman for 12 years, and Patton for 10 years.”Thomas said.

“Wow this is only my second year and this is their first but it might as well be my first, I just drank the whole time last time.” Said Remy with an astonished look on his face.

“This is only your first year!?” Roman exclaimed.

“Yes we had never heard of this place until Remy brought it up.” Logan said.

“Hey I have a great idea, what if we show you guys around since this is your first time!?” Patton said giddily with a huge smile on his face.

“Yes that sounds like a splendid idea padre.” Roman agreed happily.

“Oh no we couldn't ask you to do that.” Logan protested he didn't want to be a bother, and Virgil agreed.

“It really wouldn't be a problem guys we love helping out first timers.” Thomas said.

“Come on little bros, you know it's rude to refuse an offer.” Remy said with a smirk.

“Well if we aren't a bother I guess it would be ok.” Logan said with a sigh.

“Yea I guess it's ok, it'll be good to have experienced people to show us around.” Virgil agreed.

Remy then said. “Welp I'm gonna break out the liquor. Anyone want any? You are all old enough right?”

“Yea we are but it's a no sorry, we don't want to be hungover our first night, we usually save that for the third night at least.” Said Patton.

“Yea Remy, Lo and I are out to.” Said Virgil and Logan agreed.

“Alright suit yourselves. How old is everyone by the way?” Remy asked.

“I'm 29.” Said Thomas. “I'm 27.” Said Roman. “I'm 26.” Said Patton.

“So all legal that's good to know.” Remy jokingly flirted with a smirk.

Roman and Thomas laughed while Patton's face went pink. Virgil and Logan both face palmed.

“Well how old are you all then?” Roman asked.

“I'm 28” Said Remy. “27” Said Virgil. “I am 26” Said Logan.

“Wait your the youngest?” Patton said to Logan. “Regrettably yes and they will never allow me to forget it.” Logan said with a hint of annoyance.

“Aww come on little bro you know you love us.” Said Remy playfully.

“I think I am going to retire for tonight.” Logan said annoyed.

“Aww I wish we could talk a bit more.” Patton said with a pout making him look a bit childlike and Logan found it very endearing.

“I apologize Patton but for the big day tomorrow I must get optimal sleep. I do wish to speak more and if we had gotten here earlier we could do as we wish.” Logan said with an accusing look at Virgil.

“Look I'm sorry again but I had to get it finished.” Virgil said defensively.

“Well little bro maybe if you would stop procrastinating with the research for the videos you would get them done on time.” Remy let slip in his alcohol induced haze. Virgil was shocked that he let it slip to strangers.

“Wait a minute I knew you sounded familiar.” Thomas said with realization clear on his and Roman’s faces. “Are you Anxiety from “Anx's Conspiracies and Cryptids”?! Roman basically shouted.

“Shut up, yell it to the whole camp why don't cha!” Virgil looked angry about panicked.

“Its ok Hot Topic we love your videos. And I promise we won't tell anyone who you are.” Roman said quickly. “But will say with your voice I expected you to be older and not quite as handsome.” Roman added a bit jokingly with a smirk and wink. Virgil went bright red and hid in his jacket.

Logan than quickly interjected. “I think it would be a great idea for all of us to retire before Remy can spill anything else.”

“Yea come on Rem let's get to bed.” Said Virgil pulling Remy drunk off his ass to his feet. “OK Virge, the cat sitting next to me won't stop telling me to stop anyway. (He gestured to Patton in his cat hoodie)”

Everyone then laughed their asses off before heading to bed.

~ Later in the tents

(With Thomas already asleep next to them)

“Hey Roman can I ask you something?” Patton said on the air mattress next to Roman.

“Yea padre what's on your mind?”

“Well, is it just me or is Logan kind of cute?” Patton asked his face flushing bright red.

“Oooo does someone have a crush?” Roman ever the romantic asked immediately interested.

“Maybe” Patton said face going even more red.

“Well padre maybe when we show them around tomorrow you could take Logan to see the history of the park museum, didn't he say that's what he wanted to see the most?” Roman suggested.

“Yea, thanks Roman you always know what's best.” Patton said.

“No problem, goodnight padre.” Roman said.

“Night Roman.” Patton said sleepily.

(Remy clocked out as soon as he fell into bed)

“Virgil are you awake?” asked Logan.

“Yes why?” Virgil said very tiredly.

“I have a question about emotions. As you know I'm not very good with emotions.” Logan stated.

“Ok well what's the question?” Virgil asked.

“I found the shenanigans of Patton tonight quite endearing.” Logan said.

“In what way?” Virgil asked interested.

“You know that sensation of metaphorical butterflies in your stomach, and your face becoming flushed? What does it mean?” Logan asked with a straight face.

*muffled laughter* “Dude it's either your sick or you have a crush on Patton.” Virgil choked out after his laughing fit.

“What are the chances that I'm sick?” Logan asked hopefully.

*even more muffled laughter* “Goodnight bro.” Virgil said with a smirk.

“Fine I'll figure it out tomorrow, goodnight Virgil.” Logan said defeated.

They fell into peaceful slumber to the crackling of the dying campfire outside, and the crickets chirping the night away.

Tag list: @im-so-infinitesimal

#thomas sanders #sander sides #sander sides fic #remy sanders #roman sanders #logan sanders #patton sanders #virgil sanders #amusmentpark camping au #camping au #human au #otakufanderfics

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exotahu · 6 years

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It’s here, the giant Bronycon post!

As per usual I don’t usually make this many words ever so shit might be wonky. and also it was written over the course of a few days so things might not line up in the right order. Also, fair warning I get kinda weird and sentimental at the end there. Also I have no idea if tumblr will break the formatting real bad so heres hoping it doesn’t

Thursday We left early without much incident. Only a group of 4 this time. Me, Andy, his brother Justin, and Andy's girlfriend Sam who was coming in via plane.

It was a really easy journey. Even stopped at the one Speedway with the good hotdogs. I decided to tie a ribbon in my hair too, I always say I should do something more with it than just tie it back. So I figured I'd try it. We got to Baltimore in what felt like no time at all. We checked in and went to our rooms and waited for Sam. I fiddled with my little electric name badge thingy I bought last year. Got it to say my name and Bronycon 2018 with some hearts and sparkles. Once Sam got settled in, we all met back up to go to pre-reg. She and I were afraid we'd weird each other out but we ended up getting along great. We all went to pre-reg and picked up our badges. Then, after dropping our stuff off at the hotel we ventured back out into the inner harbor for food and hanging out. We opted not to go to Dick's this time, opting instead to go to Tir na Nog. Got my usual pub food. The Vodka cranberry (yes even though I planned on drinking later) and the plain cheese burger. I like to eat the same thing at all the places, because I think it's neat to see the same food through the different lenses of different restaurants. Tir na Nog in Baltimore is different than O'Toole's in Albany is different from Jack Astor's in Toronto. After that we went to the big Barnes and Noble and looked at books and stuff. Then we all went to that ice cream shop thats right next door. They sell tea apparently so I got a small one. Missed the regular size straws so I had a huge straw (Like a goddamn footlong) in a tiny cup (like 3 inches). We went to the bars in Fells point after that. We only got slightly lost, but we found it. We didn't register for the actual bar trot, cause you don't really have to to enjoy drinks. We went to the Dog's Watch Tavern first cause they usually have a good shot, which in this instance was a Pinkie Pie shot. Don't know what was in it but I had several. We went to the Admiral after that. It was the best as it usually is. I think I drank like, 4 of the Trixie, there was a Sunset Shimmer drink (But it was secretly the Applejack. I liked it anyway). And I had most of a Rainbow Dash drink. I must say, I absolutely adore the atmosphere at this bar. The bartender is great and clearly loves what he does. A couple people recognized me cause I sit in the same spot more or less every time, and the goggles that I wear. That was pretty neat. Got pretty drunk, decided to go back after that to prep for the next day. We got a little bit lost on the way back too, but it brought us by the CVS so I bought a couple boxes of PopTarts. We got back to the hotel and went to bed.

Friday

Tried to get up for opening but missed most of it. Caught the tail end of it though. Sleep deprivation got me, plus the buttload of alcohol didn't really help. Hung out in the harmony plaza til the apple family panel. There was a photoshoot that happened but there wasn't a ton of people there. Saw apple family VA panel. It was pretty funny. Went to the vendor hall and walked it to get the layout, I didn't want to just chaotically walk around and not know where anything was so I strictly just walked each isle in a pattern. Actually helped me remember where booths were. I spoke to an artist about getting a comission for a friend who couldn't make it. His slots were full for the day so I figured I'd come back Saturday. I bought an original piece from him, which was actually pretty cool. I then went to the comic booth. I am trying to get at very least the A and B covers for every comic, Plus I wanted first prints of the first issue mane 6 covers. I got the first prints of the two #1 issues I needed. Then I got invited to Jonny Rockets, and due to needing to finish something in the vendor hall it took me a little bit. My friends are cool and waited for me even though I went on one hell of a journey to get there. So I got out of the vendor hall which exited by the Hilton sky bridge. Figure, shit I'll just take the sky bridge on the opposite side so I go for it. Get out there, pass the other hotel (hyatt?) and what used to be a wide open plaza. (Now it's a parking lot). Realize the goddamn thing ends there and there is no way down (unless I went back through the convention center and all the way back around), and more of the bridge is missing. Figure I don't want to walk all the way back so I go through the hotel. No idea if I was supposed to go through that door cause it looks like there were unused decorations everywhere. Nobody stopped me so I made it out to the street. Realize I still have to walk to the corner to cross, but say fuck it and randomly cross in the middle to the street island thing. Then I almost died to a puddle walking on the sidewalk behind some food trucks. Caught myself though. Finally I get there and we hang out and get a burger. On our way back I managed to drop a Pokemon on the Bronycon gym. We went back to the vendor hall. Hung out and looked at stuff. Me an Sam went shopping for pillows. We each bought one, only the case though. Had no space to store the full whole thing. We went to the whoves line pannel after that. It was really funny, especially the bit where they acted like the friendship map was a computer that got a ton of viruses and went to a "bad dragon" website. I am surprised I've never gone to it before. We went to Jimmy Johns for dinner and then dropped our stuff off at the hotel and headed to the palooza. The performances were great, although they somehow got super off schedule. I bought a Shake-Ups CD. I stayed until the end. I enjoy the palooza immensely, but those 2AM nights are rough. My legs end up being noodles and its a guarantee I won't get to bed until atleast 330. Which is about when I went to bed.

Saturday

Had a bit of a slow start but I wanted to speak to the artist about that comission for my friend who couldn't make it. Even though I was slow, I still got there early enough. The thing he wanted would have been too complex, so I came up with something I think he'll like. Then I went to the comic booth and figured out what I needed to complete the A and B covers for the main comic series. It was cool cause they just let me into the booth to look. I believe I've done it, I just have to add everything to my app to make sure. I ran out of space in my comic storage, so I only did the main series. Next year I will buy for the side series. (There is a lot less). As of typing this out, I found the shop's location. Only a 3 hour drive. Might make a trip of it so I don't have to worry about it at next year's con. Dunno. Met back up with Andy and Sam in vendor hall. We looked around before leaving to get food and make a hotel drop. We got lunch at the JJ before heading to the script reading panel with Tabitha. Usually they're pretty strict about recording at these. Usually one of the staff says something about my camera, but nobody said anything. Or mentioned not recording it at all. I wonder if anyone uploaded it. It was about the mane 6 and a convention called "boomycon" which was about an alt. universe Derpy as a comic character who rides a meteor or something. The comic characters crossed over into the regular universe and shenanigans ensued. It was pretty funny. After that we went back to vendor hall to check on something, and I bought another of those dang pillows, and these weird flow rings, plus some other small stuff, including some super fucking adorable chibi-ball plushie things of Fluttershy and Tempest (Pretty sure I posted pictures). We made a hotel drop and got food. We tried to get into the DIY pony plush making but ultimately the wait list was too long. At this point we went to the sky terrace thing. Apparently there was a wedding, which is really fucking cool! Then we just found some chairs to just kind of chill in. Justin had a mini-pizza that came in a mini-pizza box. We're just sitting there talking and some guy came up and leaned over. We all thougt maybe he had left something. Then we notice he's signing the empty pizza box? He then just says you're welcome and leaves. It took a second then we realized... It was MA Larson. Fucking hillarious. I went back to the hotel again, meeting up with a friend on the way back. Met back up with everyone else at the palooza after that. Brought the rings I bought and was playing with them, while doing my awkward-ass flail dancing. A couple people thought they were cool which was neat. I really enjoyed all the performances. A cover of 500 miles happened, Eurobeat was fantastic. Great show. I caught a T-Shirt that was thrown. (Which never happens ever and even though it's a small size it still fits.) Again I stayed until 2 AM, got to bed about 330.

Sunday Sundays are usually always the chill day where not much happens. Woke up around the usual time and headed over to the vendor hall. I wandered and bought some last minute things (Pillow #3...). I met back with everyone else around noon. We spent most of day in vendor hall just hanging out. One thing I did, was get a comission of my pony OC. I've been wanting to for years, just to say I had so I finally did it. I'm looking forward to it. Also saw a little digital badges that you could store pictures in. After that we went to the fountains to hang out before lining up for closing ceremonies. They opened with a nifty performance by Step2Harmony. Some of the guests said their farewells before the con chairs started talking about the numbers, a little more than 5000 people. (I don't remmeber the exact number, might have been closer to 5600?). After that was a skit involving the mascots. Blank Canvas got accepted into an art school and Hoof Beatz was going on tour, and the date they were leaving was the end of August next year. They run off stage and Mane Event just stood there like "What about us... : (" Scene end. Sure enough, the con chairs came back out and annouced that next year is going to be a 4 day event instead of a 3 day event. They also anounced that next year is going to be the last Bronycon and that they are ending the event in 2019. You could feel the moment where everybody's hearts broke. There were a lot of people crying. I was pretty choked up too, and I'm honestly not sure how I kept myself together. We walked back to the hotel. While we were waiting for the elevators, you could tell the mood was pretty sombre. Dropped off my bag and went back down to the lobby to wait for Andy and Sam. We all headed down to the inner harbor to go to Bubba Gumps. We had a hour and a half wait, that we spent hanging out in the harbor and the pavillion. One of them seemed to be closed this year. They seem to get smaller and smaller each year. Bubba Gumps as always was fantastic. I got the usual Shrimper's Heaven. Even got to eat the shrimp that Sam didn't eat. Bonus shrimp! Spent 60$ on my check and regret nothing. We went back to the hotel with the intent of playing some Shipfic in the one banquet room the hotel usually has open, which we did! Another group played the pony movie which was neat. We also saw an Insomnia Cookies down in Fells Point so we decided to order some. It took a little more than an hour. But I got the call and they showed up to the hotel and handed me a very warm box. The cookies were fantastic. Every bit worth the wait. I think I have one somewhere relatively close to my home but I'm nowhere near the delivery radius. Probably a good thing because I would go broke buying cookies. They're pretty awesome. Some guy had also had a baby skunk! No idea how he pulled that off or how the hotel was cool with it but it was really cute. Once the movie ended most of the people left. After that we went back to our rooms. Me and Sam got a group picture of all the pillows we bought. I packed most of my stuff after that and went to bed.

Monday.

Woke up, got the car all packed and cleared the rooms pretty quick. We had thought to do some other stuff, but we really didn't have time. Instead we went to Tir na nog and just hung out until we had to leave. Any day you can be mildly drunk before noon and have it not be a problem is a good day. We dropped Sam off at the airport after saying our goodbyes. We hit the road after that and started our journey home. Which was honestly fairly uneventful. No one's windsheild broke. No one's catalytic converter got stolen. We made a couple of stops but nothing really interesting. Got home way earlier than I'm used to. Like 5:30-6PM. And then I realized, Bed, Bath and Beyond was still open. So I drove out there to get the actual pillows for the pillow cases. Found the exact ones the guy at the booth I bought them from. They were on sale, so they were only 20$. Then I had the fun time of fitting 3 hugeass pillows in my really tiny car. Got back home and finished unpacking.

Conclude:

I had a really good time this year. It was very a relaxing trip and I enjoyed spending time with everybody. It never quite feels long enough. I didn't make any real attempt at cosplaying this year. Just didn't really feel into it. I did wear my Sylveon ears that were given to me by a friend though. And I had my goggles, which are just kind of a thing now I guess. I tied a blue ribbon in my hair too. I never do anything with it and I guess I decided now was the time. I think I'm going to do that more often from now on. Next, I am beyond incredibly sad that next year is the last one. Bronycon has been one of the big things I look forward to doing each year. It's easily been one of the best cons I've ever been to. The atmosphere was great, the staff was great. The con ending will also mark the end of a 12 year tradition for me of going down to Baltimore for a con. The only year I wasn't able to go to was 2010 because there was just no way I was going to be able to swing it. Aside from that, I went to Otakon from 2006 until 2012. I had honestly kinda burned out on that though and wasn't sure if I was gonna go back, but it would be shortly after returning from the 2012 Otakon, Bronycon announced that they were gonna move to the Baltimore Convention Center in 2013. Some other friends were interested in going, and since I knew the area so well, we decided to go for it. I went every year after that. Hell, it's how I ended up meeting Andy (which is a pretty funny story all on it's own), it's also how I ended up recconecting with another friend of mine from way back in the day as well as others. There were good times and adventures to be had outside the Con as well. Bubba Gumps, the bar trot in Fells Point(that goddamn Trixie drink, looked like something I'd never have been able to drink, but it is easily my favorite alcoholic drink that has ever existed. I really hope I can get the recipe next year), the bigass barnes and noble, the aquarium, the pavillion. It seems like every year it gets better and I've never felt bored of it or burned out. I am going to miss this immensely, I suppose I'll have to find another con to go to, or atleast other adventures to have but one thing is for sure, I'm never going to forget any of this. All the good times that we've had, or this big thing I've been a part of or this place that has brought me so much joy over the years.

(Once next year ends and I walk out of that convention center for the last time, I am going to be a complete goddamn mess. It's going to be a terrible day for rain...)

Also, though I don't know if you'll ever read it, as I don't think we've spoken in several years now, to the person who convinced me to go to that first Otakon back in '06, Thank you. For introducing me to this place, and setting off a real wacky series of adventures. I don't know if any of this would have happened if you hadn't convinced me to come down here all those years ago. Once again, thank you, and I hope you're doing well.

tl;dr Good fuckin' con, but Pete fuckin' sad.

#bronycon #bronycon2018 #bronypalooza #i accidentally tagged half of my instragram stuff as bronycon2108 #bronycon2108 #my little pony #mlpfim #convention #the title is totally not a reference to a buddyfight card #baltimore #baltimore convention center #baltimore inner harbor

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not-close-to-straight · 6 years

Text

Coming Home (Chap. Twelve)

MASTERLIST HERE

Enjoy :)

********************

It was all over the news the following Friday morning.

Something about a man who had crashed down somewhere in Afghanistan and obliterated an entire village. Another station said it wasn't a man, but a robot. A third had spoken with survivors, who insisted the robot had ushered the civilians to safety, and then proceeded to completely destroy everything in the village.

The mountains around the village were literally falling, rockets blasted into caves and then the rubble broken down even further. Weapon caches that no one knew existed were destroyed, and the UN was scrambling to both figure out who or what the fuck was responsible, and to explain how these weapons had been stockpiled without their knowledge.

Pepper was in press conferences all morning, because leaked video footage showed that the weapons being destroyed were Stark weapons, and Pepper could only assure the reporters that no, she didn't think it was a vendetta against Stark Industries, and no, of course she hadn't known that Stark tech was ending up in the hands of terrorists, and god, no the robot was not some sort of vigilante hired by Stark Industries as a retaliation for their CEO being held captive for so many months.

The family all watched the news with growing unease, Steve especially, because he didn't want to believe that the suit on the television was the same suit Tony had been messing with last night but---

--Well, if he had any doubts, they were put to rest when a very pissed off Alpha James Rhodes slammed the door open and shouted, “WHERE THE HELL IS TONY?”

“Lab.” Natasha said without looking away from the television. “Or at least that's what we think. We haven't seen him in almost a week.”

“Wait, are you serious?” The Colonel stopped dead in his tracks. “What about-- Banner, why aren't you down there with him?”

“He kicked me out.” Bruce said with a frustrated groan. “Said this way I have plausible deniability.”

“Damn it.” Rhodey closed his eyes for a minute. “And you guys haven't seen him in a week?”

“Not since--” Sam cleared his throat, his eyes flicking towards Steve. “Not since everything happened.”

“Right.” Rhodes looked pained. “Alright. I'm going to go talk to him. You guys hang tight and I'll-- wait. Where is Sergeant Barnes? How is he doing with all this?”

“Sergeant Barnes--” Pepper interrupted, sounding completely peeved. “Is on a mission for SHIELD. Apparently Fury thought it was appropriate to send him out into the field and without Tony around to say no, Bucky just went. Just packed a bag and walked out the front door.”

“Bucky is in the field?” The Alpha barely suppressed a growl. Fury knew better than to even contact the team members without Tony's permission, but to pull someone like Bucky who had already been damaged physically and was going through emotional trauma--- Rhodes was going to hold that mouthy Beta down beat some sense into him.

“Bucky said he needed distracting.” Steve sounded exhausted, looked like he hadn't slept in days. “Said that he couldn't just sit here and wait for Tony to decide to-- wait for Tony to decide something. And I can't blame him. Things are really… things are really shitty right now.”

“Tony hasn't talked to you.” Rhodes frowned. “I am truly sorry about that, Captain.”

“It's not your fault.” Steve muttered and looked away. “We can't expect Tony to just jump back into life with us, right? Not after what happened. I understand if he doesn't want to be--” he cleared his throat. “To be around us.”

Pepper reached over to hold Steve’s hand. “Tony said he would try, but that was a week ago and none of us have seen him at all. None of us really know what is going on but I think it's safe to say--” she glanced at Sam for confirmation. “We are all worried.”

“Damn it.” Rhodes said again. He was uncomfortable in the room, wings fluttering anxiously from all the overwhelming lonely,uneasy,desperate the family was projecting.

“It's Tony isn't it?” Steve asked, motioning towards the television. “The suit?”

Rhodes didn't answer, and Steve nodded jerkily in understanding before leaning back against Pepper and letting her pale pink wings surround him.

He watched the family for a few more minutes, watched them huddle close together for comfort, and walked with heavy steps down toward the lab.

Tony was so caught up in whatever the hell this madness was, that he had no idea his family was splintering apart.

***********************

“What the hell are you thinking?” Rhodes had had a speech prepared for when he saw Tony, something about patience, and coping and all that, but when he saw Tony sitting in his lab looking innocent as hell, every thought about patience went right out the window.

“Tony!” Rhodes smacked his hand on the desk. “What the hell are you thinking, doing this kind of shit.”

Tony swiveled around in his chair calmly, a benign smile on his face. “Honeybear, I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“Tell me exactly why then, a robot in your favorite fucking shade of red just so happened to blow up everything within a ten mile radius of where we found you?” Rhodes was so angry he was nearly vibrating, his wings up and flared, eyes tinting red.

“Honestly, no idea. Why are you even here?” Tony sent him a bemused look. “Don't you have better things to do then bug me?”

“Tony. I swear if I find out it's you--”

“But you won't, will you?” Tony interrupted. “Plausible deniability. You’ll have your suspicions, but acting on them will mean you’ll have to acknowledge what's going on and you don't want to do that. It's like MIT all over again, when you knew damn well that I was hacking the teachers database and fucking with their schedules but you refused to even mention it because you didn't want to have to lie if you were asked about it. This is literally the same situation.”

“Tony. This is literally nothing like MIT. That was harmless shenanigans. This is not shenanigans. What you are doing is--”

“Stop insinuating it's me, Rhodes. I am absolutely not a superhero.”

“I never said you were.” Rhodes seethed. “Never once did I use the word superhero. Tony I am two seconds from--”

“No? Not superhero? I could have sworn you--well then, this is awkward isn't it?” Tony grinned and went right back to working as if Rhodes wasn't there.

“Why are you bruised up, then?” the Colonel demanded. “Why do you look like you’ve been in a fight?”

“Jogging in the canyon. Driving with the windows down. Um, rough sex?”

“... Tony.” Rhodes sat down in a chair. “Tony. I don't want to have to bury you. I can't do that. I don't know what you are doing exactly, and I can't say I don't understand why you are doing it. Just don't-- don't make me bury you. I can't, Tony. Can't put my best friend in the ground because he wanted revenge.”

“It's under control Rhodey.”

“Yeah, but are you under control? Damn it, you are like two steps away from a supervillain at this point. You have all this money, and a team of scarily dangerous people who call you Alpha all holed up in this fortress and now this? If you bought a creepy cat, we’d have to call you Dr Evil!

“...Doom would be better.”

“Tony!”

“Rhodes!” Tony pushed away from his desk, angry now. “I was perfectly helpless for three months alright? I couldn't do a damn thing to help myself or anyone else. How can I call myself Alpha of this family when I'm not even strong enough to take care of myself? But this--” he jabbed a finger at the screen. “Like this? I'm strong enough for anything, alright? Why don't you understand that?”

“I do understand it, Tony, but you don't have to be strong by yourself.” The Colonel opened his blue wings in a welcoming gesture, held his hand out for Tony to take. “That's the whole point of family. You don't have to be strong by yourself.”

Tony folded his arms, stubbornly refusing to take Rhodes hand. “You said it yourself, Rhodey. The most dangerous people in the world call me Alpha. Say all you want about the family being strong together, but the fact is, any one of them could have made it out of that cave by themselves. I couldn’t. I would have died if you and Bucky hadn't found me.”

“You’re doing this for the wrong reasons, Tony.”

“Yeah, well regardless of my reasons, I'm never going to be that helpless again, Rhodey. Either support me with this or get the fuck out.”

“Tony--”

“GET OUT!”

“I'm not leaving you.” Rhodes shook his head. “When have I ever left you? I'm not letting you self destruct by yourself. And if you won't reach out to your family, at least reach out to me. Needing someone to help you isn't weak.”

“It sure seems like it.” Tony muttered. “I'll call you later, alright? After I've calmed down? I don't want to talk about this anymore.”

“You will absolutely call me.” Rhodes said firmly. “Pretty sure you owe me a drink after the heart attack I had this morning anyway. How am I supposed to explain the fighter jets we sent out after that robot you had ‘nothing to do with’? One of our pilots had to eject from his plane.”

“Call it a training exercise.” Tony finally smiled. “Isn't that the bullshit you usually play it off as?”

“I'm not calling this a training exercise.” Rhodey threatened as he bent and hugged Tony. “And for the love of God, will you please spend some time with your Omegas? I won't argue with you about whatever it is you're doing here, but I will kick your ass if you keep neglecting your family do you hear me?”

“I hear you.” Tony looked down at his feet. “I just don't know how to-- I mean, where do I start? What do I say that covers… everything?”

“You mean about Bucky and your parents.” This time Rhodeys wings circled around Tony's shoulders, covering the multicolored feathers in a blanket of blue. “You haven't said anything about that, how are you--”

“I'm fine.” Tony assured him, then winced. “I mean, I'm not fine. But I made my peace about my parents death years ago, and even when I had to sit there and watch that fucking video, I just-- I just hurt for Bucky. I just hurt for him.”

“Do you realize he is gone on a SHIELD mission for Fury?”

“What?!” Tony's wings opened in anger. “How could the family let him--”

“Because you weren't there to say no.” Rhodes raised his eyebrows. “You aren't there, so what would stop him from leaving? You said you were going to try with them and then you lock yourself away down here?”

“I don't know what to say to him!” Tony blurted. “I don't know! How do I start that conversation? Hey, Bucky, you killed my parents and essentially ruined my life, but it's fine because I know it wasn't you? Hey Bucky, I know I made you tell me the details of my parents death and then I made you watch the video, but I had to be sure you are telling me the truth?”

“Oh, Tony--”

“No, tell me. How do I phrase that? How do I tell Bucky that all I want to do is hold him again and cry about it together? How do I tell Steve that I can't sleep without him in my arms? And Clint? Clint lost Phil and I'm sure he thinks he’s lost me too. How do I apologize for that? Rhodey, how do I change the fact that I all but abandoned him? You know, Natasha and Pepper, they don't need me as much. Sam doesn't actually need me at all, I don't have to be an Alpha when I'm with him. But my Omegas--”

Tony’s next breath was shaky. “I can barely get myself through a day, how am I supposed to get them through a day as well? I don't even know how to begin to fix our relationships. I don't know what to do, I don't know what to say. I just don't know.”

“Maybe you don't need to say anything at all.” Rhodes said slowly. “You’re their Alpha. If you want to hold them, just do it. Just hold them. Sometimes that's all it takes.”

“You think?”

Rhodes hugged his friend again, trying to project only calm,support,love to the other Alpha. “Stop shutting yourself off from your family, Tony. They need you, and you need them, and if I can be honest, it's about time someone else dealt with your superhero shenanigans.”

“Superhero shenanigans, huh?” Tony tried to smile. “In the robot you know nothing about?”

“I know nothing about a robot, or a suit, or anything else that remotely resembles anything that might sound like you flying or soaring or gliding or being in the Middle East because I know for a fact that you have been snugged up with your Omegas for weeks now. Probably haven't even left your bedroom. Am I right?”

“Love you Honeybear.” Tony flicked his wings up to touch Rhodes. “And thank you.”

“I love you too, Tones.”

“So you gonna call that a routine training exercise?” Tony called as Rhodes headed up the stairs.

“No, Tony. We don't actually use that as a valid excuse!” Rhodey yelled back down.

******************

“There was an unfortunate event during a routine training exercise, but the pilot was safely ejected and made it back to--”

Tony laughed out loud and switched the TV off, pulling his phone out to text something obnoxious to Rhodey about training exercises and lying to the press and plausible deniability, but before he could hit send, his phone chimed with an incoming text.

From Nat-- Alpha, need you. My room.

Hold them. Rhodes had said. Sometimes that's all it takes.

Tony hesitated over the screen for a long time before texting back:

To Nat-- I'm on my way.

*******************************

#ncts fics #coming home fic #alpha tony stark #alpha james rhodes #omega!steve

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thedollgame · 4 years

Text

And now, our long awaited...chapter one of this ominous story.

Chapter 1

Happiness and Dolls

Intelligence. Something mankind has grasped at for years... yet cannot fully understand. There's a certain school on an artificial island. It's called Tanoshi Academy for The Academically Powerful. This is a boarding school that was made by a group japanese college professors, teaching in the education field of study. This was a program for young intelligent people alike to go to a school together, and live in a similar environment, with coffee shops. No one was allowed to visit the island, or leave without permission. It was just the students, the graduates of past years, and their children as long as they were smart. If they weren't? They'd be shipped to a random orphanage in one of the partner countries. The partner countries were America, South Korea, Canada, England, and, of course, Japan. English was spoken mainly on the island, yet a japanese school system was used thanks to the creators of the island being japanese.

This is the story of an oddball, Mirai. Mirai was born in Kyoto, Japan, and was always ahead of her classmates. She was intelligent socially and mentally. This led to her being accepted into Tanoshi when she applied. However, her first year at Tanoshi...a massacre occurred. She watched two students die right in front of her eyes. But, however...when she ran downstairs to inform people of their deaths, she saw the two speaking to their friends in the hall. She was terrified. What the fuck!? They...was she hallucinating? What the fuck!? The next day was Tanoshi's festival, a festival for graduates and students alike to look around the school, along with new students that were coming in the next year. On the roof...no no no...on the roof…the two kids...they...they…

They died.

Flashforward to now and Mirai... Mirai's future seeing abilities have become a huge burden on her. She still attends Tanoshi, thankfully, but hasn't gone up on the roof since. She finds it troubling to go there.

"Alright, class. A few students just moved to 3-D from another class, so welcome them with open arms." The teacher said. There was a long haired, pink haired boy and his sister with very long pink hair and a few blue and purple clips on her hair at the front of the class. The boy spoke up. "I'm Haruki Samara, and this is-" He was cut off. "I can speak for myself!" She said, nudging Haruki on the shoulder. Haruki looked annoyed. "I'm Asami Samara, Haruki's twin sister." Asami said. Haruki looked low-key pissed. Asami smirked. The teacher frowned. "Go sit down, you two." She said. The classes continued as usual. Haruki did seem to be terribly smart, Mirai would give him that. But Asami didn't seem that smart, she was the minimum to get into Tanoshi...but something just didn't feel right about her. She always had a creepy smile on her face, like she was some kind of psycho. Mirai did not like that, clearly. Soon enough, lunch came around.

"He's so nice!" A guy said, talking to his friend. The friend, a girl, spoke up. "He has a heart of gold." The girl said. Mirai could agree, but...there still was something off about him. He was...what's the word again? Suspicious. How could he be normally related to Asami? Something was up...bit Mirai couldn't tell what. Mirai held one of the meals the school was serving, mac n cheese. She had a normal milk carton, like a wimp, with the mascot, the "milk walker" on the back. Mirai didn't necessarily know why Tanoshi did this with the milk cartons, but whatever. She sat down with her friends, Quinn, Kishi, Atsuko, and the two ghosts that haunted Atsuko. Yes, the two ghosts that haunt Atsuko. Ryo and Rui. They had earned them being given to them by their non-existent sleep schedule. They had gained the world record for most amount of time stayed up, all for school, which made many people pity them. However, the ghost Ryo was quite nice. Rui wasn't. Back on topic, all were eating the mac n cheese or hamburger. "So, the new kids. What do you guys think of them~? Haruki seems an easy topic for gossip from the popular girls…" Quinn said. "We don't even have popular girls." Kishi groaned. Quinn frowned. "Well there won't be if you don't believe there's any." Quinn said. Mirai did not know how anyone dealt with Quinn, in the debate team or not, as he was the president of it. "Quinn...stop. He's new-" Ryo got cut off. "The fucker looks like he fucking kissed his fuckin sister!" Rui yelled. Probability of that being a good idea was 0.0%, clearly. But SOMEHOW, in SOMEWAY no one was mad. But Haruki looked off, like he was annoyed by it. People laughed but then went back to their shenanigans. "Tell me why this happened." Ryo said. "I'm just telling the truth." Rui groaned. Other than that, lunch was pretty normal, Rui flinging stuff at people and stuff.

Another normal day at Tanoshi. Mirai being a Tanoshi student wasn't normal. But she felt like it was normal anyways. It was normal for her. She was simply walking home after club activities when she felt a cold hand grab her shoulder. She looked back, and...god, she couldn't remember who she saw. Mirai felt light. She felt dizzy...and...she fell.

Her eyes slowly opened again, as she glanced around. A bright looking school, and a bunch of other kids...her friends…! There was also a boy, and..the idol duo, Street Strawberries! It consisted of Azusa and Ayame. They were a pop duo who knew english pretty well, as to moving to america at a young age. And then there was the boy. He was in an old Japanese school boy uniform with a little scarf and had fluffy hair. He strangely...had the same hair color as the Samara twins? Strange. Mirai had to get something straight. Mirai slowly approached the boy. "Hi, I'm Mirai Neo...and you are?" She said, trying to get her thoughts straight to ask the boy if he was related to her new classmates at all. "Oh! Hi Miss Nio! I'm Kazuto Samara, third child of the Samara family and half brother of the Samara twins!" He said. Was the Samara family such a big thing? "Excuse me, Kazuto, but can you explain to me what the Samara family is?" Mirai asked. "Oh, well the Samara family is a powerful family which is active in politics, activism, and other important stuff in South Korea. I went to a boarding school in England." Kazuto said. He did sound like he was from England. She guessed the rest of the Samara family was Korean. "Cool, Cool." Mirai said. A stench of fear began to fill the air and Mirai couldn't breathe a sigh of relief, even if she wanted to. She decided to go over to the Street Strawberry girls, who seemed to have finished introducing themselves to Quinn. Just as she was going to introduce herself, Kazuto just went up to them to introduce himself. Thanks, Kazuto.

After they finished up, she finally got the chance to talk to them. "Hi! I'm Mirai Neo-" Mirai had attempted to say until a doll dropped on her head. What the? Mirai first looked at the doll. It was identical to her. That’s strange...I guess it was made for her? Mirai next took some time to examine her surroundings to see if anyone else had the same thing happen to them. Ah. The same thing happened to everyone? Mirai looked closer at the room. The tiles seemed a bit loose on the roof, though they were super high so it’d be hard to reach. Of course, there was a speaker in the room, in a wall, but it was still very visible. Mirai stood there, frozen, since the two didn't notice her. She poked the doll and then felt a poke on her. No one was nearby. She pulled the doll's hair. Her hair was pulled too. Again, no one was nearby. This was a Voodoo doll linked to her? Mirai was confused until a sound came from the speakers.

"Be not afraid, everyone! Well, you should. These dolls you have are linked to your very lives, and if no one harms them by Friday, well... you'll just have to wait and see…not that you cannot hurt a doll only a little bit, all wounds will become bigger when engraved on the human. No hurting your own doll. Thank you, and have a nice...whatever. You all shall disperse."

...what?

CHAPTER 1

End

#writing #original story #the doll game #tdg

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jonasmaurer · 4 years

Text

weekend things + Hallowthanksmas party

Hellooooo. How are you? I hope you had a lovely weekend. <3 Ours had some interesting twists and turns, but some beautiful and fun moments mixed in with the upsetting moments.

We started off Friday night feeling pretty excited because Commoner & Co. is open again in Tucson! The Ares Collective team has been making moves all summer into fall, and Kyle’s schedule has been bananas. They moved their central Prep & Pastry to a larger location, opened August Rhodes, opened their Scottsdale Prep & Pastry, and completely renovated Commoner & Co. Commoner is our fave of the restaurants because we love a fancy dinner and a cheese board, so we’ve been waiting impatiently for it to reopen. It’s our go-to date night spot! When we walked through the doors on Friday night, the interior blew me away.

I didn’t want to be a creeper walking around snapping pics of the tables and design, so please check out this Tucson Foodie feature for some great pics!!

We were all very happy to be back.

We started with the bread, cheese, and olives course + the coconut shrimp (<— SO good!). For entrees, we all rolled with our usuals: steak for the Pilot, burgers for the girls, and salmon for me. The salmon dish had a nice fall twist with butternut squash risotto. Dinner was fantastic, and we followed it up with gelato from Blue Ice across the street.

While we were at dinner, P mentioned that her ears were hurting. She rarely tells us that anything is wrong, but on the rare occasion when she says her ears hurt, it’s a guaranteed ear infection. She hadn’t slept well for a couple of nights and it all started to make sense. I Googled for nearby urgent care options so we could get her on antibiotics asap if she did indeed have an ear infection, and while I was checking for options, I got a phone call that my grandfather had a stroke and was in the hospital. The Pilot and I divided and conquered: he took the girls to urgent care to get P’s ears checked (double ear infection, as expected), filled her prescription, and I went straight to the hospital.

I was there with the fam for a few hours and headed home for bed, without any improvements on his status.

Since the Pilot had to work all day Saturday and I had the girls (and didn’t want to take them to the hospital), I decided to make the most of the day and we had pancakes together before heading to the Tucson Petting Zoo to pet all of the animals.

With our fave goats:

the giant rodents that are really like small dogs,

and the pigs.

This guy’s name is Hamlet he loves Liv! He must have recognized her, because she does an animal program at school where they bring in different animals to learn about them, and she fell in love with him about a month ago. She came home and adamantly exclaimed that she’s never eating bacon again because she loves Hamlet too much. Anyway, I think he remembered Liv because each time she’d pet him, he’d snort and grunt so loudly while wagging his tail. He didn’t do this for anyone else; only Liv. It was pretty adorable.

Later that afternoon, when the Pilot was off work, he took over for the girls and I headed back to the hospital for a couple of hours.

Our holiday party was Saturday night and I was 99% sure that I didn’t want to go. I wasn’t feeling holly or jolly, and just wanted to stay at the hospital. My mom finally convinced me to take a couple of hours and go on on a date with my husband, especially since he’s been gone so much. I was having a “fake it til you make it” kinda night, and finally went home to take a quick shower, put some makeup on, and go to the party for a bit.

I was thinking of doing a sleek bun or something fun with my hair, but at that point, I wasn’t feeling it.

(Dress is from Rent the Runway <— my referral link gets you $30 off your first order)

The party ended up being a lot of fun. Since the timing was so bizarre – a holiday party two days after Halloween – the theme was “Nightmare Before Christmas.” You could wear Halloween or holiday attire, so it was a hilarious mix of Halloween costumes (Ace Ventura was my very fave) and holiday garb (like holiday dresses, ugly Christmas sweaters, etc). The decor was Thanksgiving style. The games were hilarious, the food was great, and the cake was insane.

(Another incredible cake from Cakes by Amy! She did P’s gorgeous Frozen cake last weekend, and I know it seems like it can’t be possible, but her creations taste even better than they look.)

We didn’t stay at the party super long, but had a great time seeing our friends, grabbing a drink together, and enjoying the shenanigans.

Sunday morning, the Pilot worked and Liv had a dance workshop, so it was just P and myself most of the day. We went to her swim class, grabbed groceries for the week, and hung out a bit. When the Pilot got home, we all ate dinner together and then I headed back to the hospital.

(Ina’s perfect roast chicken with lemon green beans and roasted sweet potatoes)

My posting schedule may be more erratic than usual this week, but I’ll still be here checking in when I can. I have a one-song workout on the way and some other fun posts planned.

If you’re the praying or good vibe-ing type, if you wouldn’t mind sending some my Tata’s way, I would appreciate it so much. <3

xoxo

Gina

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veronicaosoria · 7 years

Text

aftertaste

Genre: Angst

Pairing: Taehyung/Reader

Summary: What happens when the school’s player ends up taking an interest in you?

Length: 8.7k words

“I don’t know Ji-yeon I don't think I’d make a great partner for that.” I said shutting my locker and throwing my books in my bag. “Can’t you find someone else?”

“Come on Y/N the grand prize is almost $3,000, imagine if we win,” Ji-yeon groaned shaking my arm in frustration. “Please I’ll even pay for your fee to enter.” I rolled my eyes about to give her another no in response until I heard the first period bell ring and I shot her a smirk,

“Got to get to class don’t want to be late!” I teased pushing my way through the hundreds of students filling the halls. I heard her shouting over the crowd and I proudly smiled to myself for getting out of another one of her schemes she wanted me to partake in. Although Ji-yeon was my best friend, she certainly always got both of us into trouble. Back in freshman year she somehow managed to convince me to sneak into a bar with a fake ID she bought off some guy she met outside the mall, needless to say it obviously didn’t work and we were both grounded for the rest of the school year. Ever since then her shenanigans have gotten crazier and this idea just sounded like trouble to me. I made it to the English building and found my classroom, I made a beeline to my desk and got all my materials I needed for the period as the final bell rang signaling the start of class.

“Good morning class please turn to page 147 on your book, you will be working on this worksheet today,” Mrs. Kim announced, “Also I have the flyers for this years Senior Assassin competition, the prize is pretty big this year so take advantage.” My head shot up from my book and I waited patiently for a flyer to get around to my desk.

This is what Ji-yeon was talking about…

Grabbing it I scanned it reading the rules and details.

Senior Assassin Competition

Rules: You and your partner will be assigned two targets and you must eliminate them by shooting them with a nerf gun, you must do this outside of safe zones. Last team standing wins the cash prize.

Safe zones: School property, jobs, homes.

Please turn in the fee to participate by Friday. Targets for each team will be released on Monday. Good luck everyone!

“You gonna do it?” My classmate Yerin spoke up next to me getting my attention. I shrugged my shoulders, “I'm not so sure, Ji-yeon wants me to be her partner but I think I'll pass.”

“You should Y/N, it's senior year.” She said while flipping through her book to get to the correct page, “Everyone's doing it this year and even if you don't win you'll still have the experience.”

“I guess you're right, if anything Ji-yeon will force me into this.” I replied causing both of us to giggle.

We both turned back to our assignment and I put the flyer in my binder mentally reminding myself to let Ji-yeon know I'll do it. I went on about my day getting through the long hours of school and sitting through lessons I knew I was going to study for and completing my work efficiently.

The day quickly came to an end and I practically ran to the bus happy that school was finally done. I found an empty seat near the front of the bus and plugged headphones in as I waited for the students to fill in. Eventually the doors closed and the bus started moving. Halfway through the ride however my music was interrupted by a rather annoying conversation going on behind me.

“How about you come to my house and we can… study.” I heard a deep voice flirtatiously say and even though I wasn't looking at them, I knew this kid had a smirk plastered on his face. A high pitched giggle rang through my ears and I rolled my eyes turning the volume up on my phone. I closed my eyes leaning my head on the window already feeling a headache coming on. All I wanted right now was to get home as soon as I could to raid my refrigerator and take a good two hour nap. The bus came to its first stop and the doors opened as students stood up from their seats to get off. From the corner of my eye I noticed the students behind me get off together and I scoffed at seeing who the guy was.

Kim Taehyung..

I feel like every high school has one of those guys, the kind who always had girls around him, the one your parents warned you to stay away from, the one who fucked everything that walked. Surprisingly though, he was actually really smart. He had an impressive GPA and was on the road to get into a really good university out of the country. To say he was the guy of every girl’s dreams was an understatement, he was known to get bored of a girl after a while and then just stop talking to them. Strangely his best friend Jungkook was the total opposite. Jungkook was really quiet at school and he didn't seem to have many friends other than Taehyung. Apparently they've known each other since they were babies. Their families were close; therefore, making both boys really good friends. From what I can tell Jungkook seemed to be the reason Taehyung stayed on top of his school work. I watched Taehyung and the girl walk off towards his house and I noticed how the girl was smiling from ear to ear.

I hope you know what you're getting yourself into..

It was Sunday night and I was locked away in my room studying for my Chemistry test coming up when my phone buzzed next to me. Unlocking it I saw it was a text from Ji-yeon, telling me she gathered the supplies we needed for the competition. I chuckled to myself texting her back on how she was being ridiculous over this stupid game. Once I told her earlier that week that I’d be her partner she immediately paid our fees to enter and came up with strategy before we were assigned our targets. I mean sure winning would be nice and the money could definitely help with college but seeing how serious everyone was taking it, I knew we didn’t really have a chance to win. That didn’t mean I wasn’t going to try though, whoever our targets were I would do my best to take them out. I tossed my phone on my bed and went back to studying a little more before I decided to call it a night.

I woke up the next morning a little later than usual and annoyingly shoved the covers off my body to get ready for school. Once I looked decent I ran downstairs checking the time and realizing that I only had less than ten minutes to make it to the bus on time. I threw my backpack on ignoring my mom’s requests to eat some breakfast and mumbled something along the lines of being late before shutting the front door and running to the bus stop. I thankfully got there just as the bus was arriving and I slowed down catching my breath waiting as students got on. I found my usual empty seat and sat down shoving my headphones in my ears and turning some music on. The view of the school eventually came into view and we all got off and entered campus. On my way to my locker I heard my name being called and I turned around already knowing it was Ji-yeon. She was running down the hallway shoving people out of the way with a paper in her hand. “We got our targets!” She screamed grabbing me by my shoulders and shaking me back and forth causing my books to fall to the ground.

“It's too early in the morning to be this energetic,” I whined picking my books up, “Why did they give them out so early? They should've at least waited until after school.”

“Well miss grumpy, I'm pretty sure it's because the prize is two times bigger this year.” She said locking arms with mine as we started walking.

“Plus that gives us the whole day to gather information on our targets.”

“Who did we get anyways?” I questioned trying to grab the paper she held tightly on her her hand. She swatted my hands away and I pouted, “Let me see!”

“Oh now you're interested!” She teased raising her hand in the air to prevent me from getting it.

“You're so childish!” I said crossing my arms and giving her stern look.

“Fine here” She said rolling her eyes and handing me the paper. Satisfied I took the paper and unfolded it scanning it until I found two names printed boldly on the bottom.

-Kim Namjoon and Kim Seokjin-

“Jin and Namjoon?” I scratched my head already thinking of what to do. “God Y/N ssssh!! Say it any louder why don't you!” Ji-yeon hissed covering my mouth with her hand making sure no one heard me. Struggling to free myself from her grip I licked her hand only making her yelp in disgust and I shot her a smirk. “You're gross!”

“Anyway, shouldn't this be easy? I do work with Jin at the ice cream shop and I know what his work schedule will be, I can just take him out after he gets off work.”

“You're right, and I have last period with Namjoon I can just follow him home” she casually said. “But..”

I raised my brow at her confused, “but what?”

“But that doesn't mean we'll know who is out to take us out..”

Shoot. I certainly wasn't thinking about that.

“We will just have to be careful then, until the competition is over stay in the safe zones.”

She nodded at me and her eyes lit up, “That reminds me, I have the nerf guns in my locker. Once we take someone out we let the school know right away.”

“Got it. I'll meet up with you during lunch.”

The next few days had the entire senior class on edge. Everyone was paranoid that the person next to them was out for them and although a good amount of teams had already been eliminated, everyone was getting more competitive. The only annoying thing about people who were eliminated was that they would help out their friends who were still in the game. Which was unfair for some but a big advantage for others. Ji-yeon took Namjoon out the day we found out who we got. She did as she said she would.. followed him home. Apart from being really mischievous, she did know how to get stuff done fast. Ever since then she's been pushing me to eliminate Jin as soon as possible and even wanted to camp out at his house, obviously we didn't and I told her to wait until we both worked. It was Thursday morning and I was more than happy since I would be working a night shift with Jin that night and as far as I knew he didn't know I was out to get him. I had the plan perfectly in my head, as soon as work was over I'd ask him for a ride home. Knowing Jin he would agree and as soon as he pulled up in my driveway… BAM I'd pull my nerf gun out and he was out of the game. Cruel I know, but I had to do it. That plan quickly went down the drain when I arrived at work that night only to find that Jin had called in “sick” and couldn't come into work. That's when it clicked that Namjoon must've told him we were their assassins and decided not to risk their team being fully eliminated. Smart.

After hours of cleaning ice cream machines and scooping endless amounts of ice cream, I was finally off for the night. I went to the back to collect my stuff and fished for my phone in my bag to listen to music on the way home. Just as I was about to exit the shop my phone rang startling me. I saw Ji-yeon’s name flash across my screen and I picked it up right away, “He-”

“Y/N!!! Where are you! Stay in the shop!” The tone of her voice made me instantly stop “Why? What's wrong?” I asked putting my bags down at a nearby table. “I'm out! They took me out!” She screamed into the phone. I could hear the sounds of streets and cars on her end of the call and I knew she was driving. “Who was it?”

“Jungkook! That asshole got me when I was at the mall.”

“Didn't we establish on being careful?” I scolded her trying to figure out why she got so careless.

“This is no time for your yelling Y/N! If Jungkook got me that can only me-” My eyes widened once I saw on the other side of the door of the shop was the last person I wanted to see. He was holding up his nerf gun smirking at me, “Shit.. Taehyung is right outside the damn door!”

“Those assholes move fast, are you alone right now? Stay there until I get there.”

I grabbed my bag off the table and jolted to the back debating on taking the back exit and running but decided against it knowing I was much safer waiting for Ji-yeon. I shut off all the lights to make it harder to see inside and kept quiet.

“Jin called in sick so I worked alone tonight. Hurry up Ji-yeon!” I heard car beeps on her end “ And be careful!”

“Okay Y/N listen to me carefully. I'm finally parked next to the garbage dumpsters, I see Taehyung at the front entrance so come out through the back.”

I hung up the phone and stuffed it in my back pocket trying to picture the back parking lot in my head to make it easier. I slowly opened the door looking around before carefully shutting it. The dumpsters were at the other end and I spotted Ji-yeon’s car right away. I had two options in my head.. either run for it or quietly make my way over. I clutched onto my bag tightly knowing that running will make things faster, but unfortunately before I took off I felt a pair of strong hands wrap around my body. The air was taken from my body and I panicked struggling to escape their death grip.

“Tae I've got her hurry up!” My mind clicked and I realized it was Jungkook’s voice. Without thinking I harshly jabbed my elbow into his stomach and his grip loosened allowing me to run. Behind me I heard Jungkook grunt and quicken his pace to catch up with me. To make things ten times worse, I saw Taehyung running towards Ji-yeon’s car looking at me and I cursed at myself turning back towards the front of the building only causing me to crash into Jungkook’s chest.

Well fuck..

At this point I was out of breath coughing hysterically and gave up already defeated. I felt Jungkook’s arms once again wrap around me preventing me from running and I let him drag me towards Taehyung.

“You were a lot harder than Ji-yeon,” he said speaking up “She didn't fight back nearly as hard as you did.”

“Of course she didn't.” I mumbled annoyed. She clearly didn't put up a fight against Jungkook, she could act all she wants but I know how she feels about him. See Ji-yeon was very picky with guys, throughout high school she got asked out a ton by different guys but she always turned them down. I've always wondered why but one day it dawned on me when we were entering the library and I caught her staring at Jungkook while he studied. After that I always encouraged her to talk to him but she was always too scared to do so. That is until junior year came and they were assigned as partners in Biology for a month long project. From what I know, they got closer and became good friends until one day he just started distancing himself from her. Ji-yeon acted like it didn't bother her but I knew deep down inside it did and I knew her feelings for him were still there.

“Can we hurry this up? I would like to get home.” I grumbled rolling my eyes as I saw Ji-yeon finally getting out of the car seeing what was going on. It's about time.

“You don't have to act so cold darling.” Taehyung said grinning at me while raising his gun. “You can look away so it won't hurt.”

I scoffed and impatiently tapped my foot with my arms crossed. I will admit I was acting like a sore loser. But I invested so much more of my energy into this game than I thought I would so I was pretty sour about it. Ji-yeon walked up besides me and I gave her a look letting her know I was annoyed and she shot me a sympathetic smile. I then felt something softly hit my shoulder and fall to the ground, I glanced at it seeing it was the nerf bullet and sighed ignoring them walking to the passenger of the car.

“Wait wait wait Y/N at least keep this.” Taehyung said pulling my arm back and shoving the bullet into my bag.

“This isn't funny Taehyung.”

“I never said it was, now stop being so upset it's only a game.” He replied opening the car door waiting until I got inside before shutting it, “And please call me Tae.”

The competition ended about two weeks later and school was finally back to normal. The only good thing that happened was that Tae and Jungkook ended up coming in second place. As mean as it sounded I was hoping they didn't win only because I was still bitter about what happened, so them being runner ups made me happy. The weird thing was that every day when I opened my locker, there always seemed to be a nerf bullet every time. The first couple times I was weirded out and I even accused Ji-yeon of messing with me but she denied and was just as confused as I was. I figured with the competition it must of been some student trying to get rid of their unused bullets and that was that. But two months passed and it was November and they still kept coming. Of course it had crossed my mind that maybe just maybe it was Taehyung, especially after him shoving the bullet used to get me out of the game in my bag. But that thought quickly went away seeing as he paid absolutely no attention to me at school, and was constantly talking to different girls every week. It became something I grew used to, and as weird as it sounded I was content with it being a mystery.

It was Friday night and Ji-yeon and I were laying on my bed stuffing our face with pizza and watching reruns on Netflix. The long dreaded week of midterms had finally ended and we were able to breath and there was nothing more I wanted to do than eat junk food and do anything but touch a book. I muttered a quick ‘be right back’ to Ji-yeon and went to the kitchen grabbing a pint of ice cream and two spoons and walking back to my room. I threw her a spoon and sat down, “Dig in we deserve this.” Her eyes lit up and she shoved a spoonful in her mouth, “Thank you I needed this.” I giggled and went back to scrolling through Netflix to find a good movie to put on. I settled for Mean Girls and took another spoonful of ice cream when I noticed that Ji-yeon was smiling while looking at her phone. I raised my eyebrow and remained staring at her waiting for her to notice me. To my surprise she kept her gaze on her phone leading me to get very curious and without thinking I snatched the phone from her hand trying to see what had her attention. She reacted quicker than I thought and before I knew it she was clawing at me trying to grab my hand and I was shoving her back. “YA! You're going to leave a mark on me, l will give it back once you control yourself!” I huffed. Ji-yeon pouted easing her grip on me and sitting up on my bed, “Why are you so nosy!”

“You weren't even paying attention to the movie! We're supposed to be hanging out not having our phones glued to our faces!” I snapped throwing her phone on her lap. She knew I hated people being on their phones constantly, I mean obviously it's not a bad thing but when we're together having a girls night I definitely hated it. She gave me an apologetic smile, “I'm sorry Y/N I’ll stop.”

“Who are you texting anyways?” I asked relaxing my tone and facing her watching as her face turned red and she started playing with her hair, “uhh Jungkook…”

I widened my eyes and smiled, “Woah really? When did that start up again?”

“He started texting me again a little after the night they took us out, I didn't say anything only because I didn't want to get my hopes up.”

“You still should've told me something.” I mumbled throwing her a nearby pillow and laying back down, “Did he ever tell you why he stopped talking to you?”

“He did-” She said before stopping and turning her attention back on her phone as it lit up, “He said it was because he was scared.. he starting liking me and thought I didn't feel the same.”

“Ahhh.. that makes sense.” I said tapping my finger on my chin, “So I assume you told him you did feel the same?”

This time Ji-yeon didn't answer me and was staring at her phone with a blank face. I continued looking at her until she seemed to have an idea pop in her head and looked up to me with a puppy dog face on. “What?”

“You know you're my best friend right? You know I'll do anything for you.”

“What do you want Ji-yeon..” I hesitantly asked already knowing it wouldn't be good just by the sound of her voice.

“Jungkook just asked me out on a date for tomorrow.. at an amusement park,” she said with a nervous laugh.

“Ji-yeon that's amazing and I know how much you've been wanting this.. but how does this involve me?”

“Well he said to make things less awkward for our first date, to make it a double date.” She replied glancing up at me playing with her hands.

Oh no..

“A-A double date?” I repeated sitting up from the bed already knowing where this conversation was heading, “With?”

“He suggested you obviously.. and Taehyung.”

I snorted practically choking on my own saliva, “No way.”

“Oh come on please Y/N!” She begged grabbing my arm, “I would do it it was the other way around!”

“If it was someone like Taehyung you wouldn't!” I shot back letting out a deep sigh and closing my eyes knowing she wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted.

“Well I already texted back that you agreed so you can't let me down!”

“Ji-yeon!” I said raising my voice and stuffing my face in my pillow screaming hysterically. I couldn't stand the simple thought of Taehyung, and I didn't even dare imagine a date with him. I heard the door of my room creak open and my mom entered the room with a confused look on her face.

“What's all this yelling for?” She asked looking at both Ji-yeon and I, “It's nearly midnight!”

“Mommmm!” I groaned glaring at Ji-yeon, “She’s dragging me on another one of her evil plans!”

“Sweetie don't be ridiculous I'm sure you're overreacting.” My mom said walking over and picking up the pillow I threw on the floor. I rolled at my eyes and frowned, “No I'm not!”

“My evil plan is forcing her to go to the amusement park tomorrow.” Ji-yeon said giggling at my outburst and grabbing the ice cream that was still on my bed and shoving some in her mouth.

“Yeah but she’s dragging me on a double date” I huffed snatching the spoon from her hand and scooping some for myself, “And it’s with someone I don’t exactly picture spending my Saturday with.”

“That sounds like a great idea,” My mom said taking the ice cream pint and spoon from the hands and putting the lid back on, “You’ve been living in your room the past month studying for midterms and now that it’s over, you should go out and have fun.” I looked up at her in disbelief shocked that she was actually encouraging the idea of going and I groaned climbing out of my bed pushing her towards the door.

“You’re no help either mom!” I shouted shutting my bedroom door and looking back at Ji-yeon who was now smirking at me clearly amused that she got what she wanted yet again. I let out a deep breath walking back to my bed and throwing the covers over my body. Tomorrow was going to be a long day..

As much as I was dreading spending my day somewhere I didn’t want to be, I knew doing this would make Ji-yeon happy. She woke me up at 7am complaining on why I didn’t have any cute clothes in my closet and was yelling at me to get in the shower. I came out with a pair of black jeans and hoodie on only having her complain and picking something else for me to wear. After hours of waiting for her to get ready, Jungkook texted her letting her know they were outside. We gave our goodbyes to my mom who in return told us to be safe and we were out the door. As we got closer to the car I noticed Jungkook was in the driver seat and Taehyung was in the back which only meant I would be stuck next to him the whole car ride there. I got inside the back while Ji-yeon made her way to the front and we both put our seat belts on. I mumbled a hello to Jungkook and gave a small wave to Taehyung who smiled back. The ride there was rather relaxing since the windows were down and the weather was nicer than usual. I glanced over at Ji-yeon who was cheerfully talking to Jungkook and I caught Taehyung looking in my direction causing him to quickly turned his body the other away. I thought I saw the color drain from his face but I crossed that thought from my head knowing that wouldn't be possible. Or thinking that wouldn't be possible..

We arrived at the amusement park around thirty minutes later and made our way to purchase tickets to get inside. I awkwardly trailed behind Ji-yeon in line like a lost puppy refusing to look anywhere else but the floor. The line got shorter and shorter and as I was walking up to pay for my ticket I felt Taehyung grab my arm holding up two tickets smiling.

“Oh you didn't have to Taehyung.” I gasped taking my wallet out trying to hand him cash in return. He shook his head pushing my hand back, “Don't worry about it Y/N and I said to call me Tae remember?”

“Right,” I nervously mumbled throwing the bills back in my wallet and shoving it back in my bag, “Thank you Tae.”

“You don't have to thank me, now let's go those lovebirds are probably already inside.”

I nodded following close behind him making sure not to lose him in the crowd. We got to the entrance and once our tickets were scanned we walked along gift shops and food stands with no luck on finding Jungkook and Ji-yeon. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and grabbed it seeing it was a text from Ji-yeon.

Ji-yeon: We are getting on rides right now, we couldn't find you guys so let's meet back at the entrance at 6ish?

I groaned glancing at the time seeing it was only 2:35pm. She was actually leaving me alone with him? What the hell was she thinking! If they were going to end up leaving us alone why did Jungkook even make it a double date in the first place?

Me: I hate you.

“Looks like they want to meet back at the front entrance at 6.” I said harshly putting my phone back in my pocket which only made him raise his brow at me.

“Why do you sound disappointed?” He said with a small frown on his face. “You are going to be spending the day with the hottest guy at school.” He added replacing his frown with a smirk.

This cocky asshole..

“Exactly why I'm disappointed,” I sneered walking off, “I’d rather spend my day anywhere else than with someone like you.”

“Still sassy I see.. is this because of the competition? I told you sweetheart it was just a game-”

“No it's not because of the stupid competition! I just tend to stay away from guys like you,” I snapped turning my back around to face him, “I'm only doing this for Ji-yeon so don't get any ideas.”

“Why are you so quick to judge me? What makes you think I have bad intentions?”

“Oh I don't know maybe because you're not the type of person who would even go on a double date unless-”

“Unless I'm doing it for my best friend.” He said through gritted teeth cutting me off putting his hands in his jacket. I grew silent and felt a thousand emotions running through my body. What the hell was I thinking? He was probably also in the same position I was being forced to come and my attitude was certainly making things worse.

“Now can we at least try and enjoy the day?”

The next couple hours went better than I expected, but I did keep my distance from Taehyung in the beginning. He tried to convince me to get on rides only to have me harshly refuse until I got tired of his begging. I had a fear of roller coasters and just heights in general so when the worker buckled us in I was practically shaking. Taehyung took a notice of this almost immediately apologizing repeatedly and the moment he grabbed onto my hand to calm me down I froze feeling butterflies grow in my stomach. My mind went blank and the fear I had for rollercoasters temporarily went away still feeling Taehyung’s hand burn through mine. After we got off he walked me to a nearby bench telling me he needed to take a bathroom break but ended up coming back two minutes later with two packets of cotton candy making my eyes happily light up. I thanked him as he handed it to me and immediately started stuffing some in my mouth. We spent the rest of the day getting on not so blood chilling rides and spending all our cash on arcade games. Before I knew it my phone was ringing notifying me that I had five missed calls from Ji-yeon. I almost screamed once I saw the sun was starting to set and it was close to 7pm.

“Oh crap I think Ji-yeon and Jungkook are waiting for us at the entrance.” I blurted out grabbing Taehyung’s wrist and running to the front of the park.

“Woah woah slow down there.” He replied laughing at my sudden urge to leave. It's not like I wanted to leave.. I just knew something as little as not answering my phone would only make Ji-yeon wonder where we were and why we weren't there on time. After five minutes of walking across the park we finally saw Ji-yeon and Jungkook and I started slowing down.

“Sorry we're late guys.. we got caught up at the arcade.” I mumbled laughing nervously while Taehyung nodded in agreement. Ji-yeon was eyeing me suspiciously and I smiled back at her.

“It's all good guys, I hope you guys had fun!” Jungkook replied softly smiling me and then turning his gaze to Taehyung who simply had his hands in pockets.

“Let's get you girls home.”

Luckily Jungkook dropped me off first and I shyly waved goodbye thanking Jungkook for the ride and quickly got out of his car. I was taken aback when Taehyung also got out telling Jungkook something I didn't quite catch. He came up next to me avoiding my confused face, “I'm walking you to your door.”

“O-okay.. um by the way thank you for today Tae. And I'm sorry for my little outburst in the beginning, I know you didn't come for me not that you would have any interest in me-”

“I never said I didn't.”

I felt my cheeks get hot and I looked up at him with my mouth slightly opened not knowing what to say. I struggled to make words come out and instead gave him a small smile.

“I truly hope you had a good day today.” He added grabbing my face making me face him.

“I did.” I whispered feeling my heart pounding loud enough for him to hear.

“Good. I'll see you around Y/N.”

I nodded at him not replying and watching as he made his way back to Jungkook’s car. I grabbed my keys from my bag fumbling to find the right one to my house and shakingly opened it getting inside and loudly slamming the door. I ran upstairs to my room throwing my bag on the floor and crashed into my bed screaming.

What the hell just happened?

Monday morning came and I was standing in front of the mirror staring at myself dreading going to class. I woke up earlier than usual giving me more time to get ready for school, and for some reason I was nervous. Nervous for new school work now that midterms were over? No. Nervous because I was worried I bombed midterms? No. Or nervous because you couldn't keep a certain someone named Taehyung off your mind? Yes.

I will admit I did feel something every time he came in my mind and I did enjoy the day with him but I knew I was being ridiculous. The banging on my door snapped me out of my thoughts making me jump, “You're going to be late for school honey!”

I arrived at school on time making my way over to my locker to grab my books for the day, and just as I entered the building I saw Ji-yeon leaning against my locker occupying her attention on her phone. I cleared my throat loud enough for her to hear, “Good morning Ji-yeon,” I hummed softly pushing her out of the way to put in my locker combination, “How did it go with Jungkook after you guys dropped me off?”

“It was everything I've ever dreamed of Y/N.. he's so different. The whole day at the amusement park was amazing and then after we dropped you and Tae off, he took me to a late drive in movie,” She gushed running her hands through her hair, “He uh.. he asked me out.”

“Oh my he did? You said yes right?” I beamed closing my locker turning to face her. It was in that moment when I noticed she was glowing, she looked genuinely happy and that itself made me smile.

“Of course I said yes,” She cheered locking her arm with mine making our way down the hall. “But enough of me Y/N how did it go with Taehyung? You didn't tell me much and as far as I know you were dreading going, but I sense something happened between you two. You came back awfully nervous and-”

“Nothing really happened.. I mean he's not as bad as I thought.”

“Sooo nothing really really happened?”

I shook my head furrowing my brows at her, “Why do you ask?”

“It's not like I had the car window down listening to your conversation with him when he walked you to your door or anything.” She confessed grinning at me while I harshly poked her side for being nosy. “I thought I heard someone might be interested in you.”

Just as I was about to answer, a loud pitched giggle from behind caught both of our attention. I turned around only to be met with the sight of Taehyung and the same girl from the bus, he was leaning over her body whispering who knows what in her ear smirking. My heart dropped feeling my throat close, “Doesn't seem like it.” I mumbled turning my attention back to to Ji-yeon who had a frown on her face visibly upset.

“That's weird..” She began, “I could've sworn Jungkook told me that Taehyung actually begged him to make it a double date.”

When I say that I've never seen Ji-yeon this happy before, I meant it. She had been dating Jungkook for almost a month and although I was really happy for her, it did mean I barely got to see her. She spent most of her free time with him which I completely understood but I did miss her. So instead I spent most of my weekends in my room binge watching dramas when I wasn't studying. School made me more lonely now that Ji-yeon spent her lunches with Jungkook, I shifted from eating at the lunch tables to hiding away in the library every day. It wasn't like she completely forgot about me though, we still were best friends. We were planning on attending the same university and already agreed on sharing dorms. I did have to constantly remind her not to slack off on school work since we were preparing for college entrance exams.

It was another school night and I was at my desk finishing up my homework assignments deciding I deserved staying up an extra hour watching TV. I closed my notebook putting it back in my backpack and I zipped it up resting it back on the floor. I reached my hand out to turn off my desk lamp and a bruise on my arm caught my eye. I traced the bruise with my fingers confused on where I got it from only to quickly remember it happened when Ji-yeon slept over and she got a little too rough on me during a game of Twister. I laughed to myself at the memory wishing we had more of those nights where we would laugh until we couldn't anymore and stuff our faces with junk food. I reminded myself to plan another sleep over since the last time we had one was nearly a month or so ago. I looked back at the bruise this time scanning it realizing it looked new. The deep purple color never faded and instead it appeared fresh, as if I just got it.

Almost as if it never healed…

“Alright guys please make sure to turn in your homework first thing tomorrow!” Mrs. Kim announced over the bell as students packed up their backpacks. I plugged headphones into my ear leaving my classroom and making my way over to the library to spend my lunch studying. Just as I was about to enter I heard my name being called. I stopped walking and turned my head seeing Ji-yeon walking hand in hand with Jungkook both smiling at me.

“Hi guys.” I said waving at them taking notice that Taehyung was walking at the other end of the building talking to some guys.

“Want to come have lunch with us?” Jungkook asked pointing towards the direction of the cafeteria.

“Yeah Y/N please come” Ji-yeon begged grabbing a hold of my arm like a child. Laughing I shook my head, “No thanks guys, I’m going to go study. I’ve been doing this weird thing of actually staying on top of my grades and I would like to keep it that way.”

Ji-yeon gave me a pout not amused with my answer and huffed, “Fine but just for that I’m coming over after school to bother you all night!”

“Can’t wait,” I giggled, “See you guys later!”

They waved goodbye walking away and I entered the library finding my usual table in the corner. There wasn’t many students at the library and the ones who were there were either hiding behind their textbooks scribbling away on paper or reading whatever book interested them. The librarian was busy typing away at her computer and I sat down setting my books down. I pulled out a granola bar from my backpack and started eating while flipping through the pages of my Chemistry book.

“Ya know I am curious on why you spend your lunch everyday in here,” I heard a voice whisper, “There's more to life than just studying 24/7.”

I shot my head up seeing Taehyung slide into the chair next to me closing my book. I pouted trying to get my book back only to have him place the book on his lap.

“I don't spend my lunch here everyday,” I grunted crossing my arms glaring at him, “Why do you care anyways.”

“I see you come in here everyday. Is it because Ji-yeon is too busy with Jungkook now?”

“No,” I denied shrugging my shoulders, “I just like being alone most of the time.”

“I see.” He said raising his eyebrow at me, “I was wondering why you haven't talked to me since we went to the amusement park? I thought you had a good day with me.”

“I did.” I confirmed playing with the wrapper of my granola bar, “I didn’t know I had to talk to you first.”

“It would've been nice.”

“It would've also been nice if you stuck to one girl.” I harshly whispered to myself gasping once I realized I said it loud enough for him to hear, his eyes darkened and I felt his body stiffen.

“I’m sor-.”

“Is that how you really think of me?” He flatly said loudly throwing the book back on the table causing people to look over at the sudden noise. I jumped back startled at his sudden outburst, “That’s not what I meant Tae.”

“Forget it.” He scoffed, “Why would I care about what you think right? You don’t really matter to me.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry for assuming I somehow did matter.” I whispered grabbing my stuff, “I’m really fucking sorry.”

I stormed out of the library ignoring everyone’s stares blinking away the tears that were threatening to fall. From behind me I could hear Taehyung calling my name repeatedly only making my blood boil. I felt my arm being yanked back, “Y/N wait.”

“Don’t.” I snapped shoving him back, “Don’t try to explain anything to someone who doesn’t matter.”

“But that’s the thing..” He mumbled gripping tightly on my wrist, “Somehow you do.”

“You say that to ever-”

“I thought it was me at first, I thought that maybe I would start to feel like this with any girl but..” He stuttered desperately running his hand through his hair, “It’s you.. you’re different. And ever since the competition I just.. I couldn’t get you off my mind. Then the double date came along..” “You said you were doing it for Jungkook.”

“I lied. I-I wasn’t doing it for Jungkook, I wanted to ask you on a date myself but I knew you wouldn’t take me seriously. But even after that I tried to shut my feelings out for you but I just can’t stop thinking about you Y/N.”

I stood there in front of Kim Taehyung speechless..absolutely speechless. It was like time was frozen and the only two people moving were Taehyung and I, I felt like my heart was going to burst from my chest. Kim Taehyung was perfect at just about everything..

Everything except for something called love.

As much as I wanted to reciprocate these feelings, I knew it wasn’t worth it. He was very capable of manipulating every girl he came across so what exactly made me so different? I’ve seen how he was throughout highschool, I knew how he treated girls. Wouldn’t bottling up my newfound feelings for him make sense? I always pitied the girls who would fall head over heels with him, only to have their hearts broken by the very man who was now standing in front of me. “I'm sorry Tae-” I finally managed to say looking up to meet his soft deep brown eyes.

“I don't care how long it takes,” He choked out grabbing both my hands, “I will prove to you that my feelings are real.”

December quickly ended and it was now January, the weather had gotten colder and I was counting down the days until graduation. Winter break was definitely something I needed and I was pretty bummed that it was coming to an end. Not going to lie, I spent most of my vacation locked away in my room either glued to my laptop or sleeping as much as I could. My energy was somehow always drained and I barely went outside except for when I dragged myself out of bed to go to work and all the times Ji-yeon made me get out of bed to have a ‘bestfriend day.’ I was working another night shift counting down the minutes until I was finally off and picturing the comfort of my bed already. Since it was break I took it upon myself to pick up more hours at work for extra cash so I was pretty much living at work. I didn’t mind it though, scooping ice cream and cleaning tables wasn’t bad at all and when I wasn’t tired I really enjoyed being at work. Jin smiled at the last customer of the night handing her some change and her receipt while I grabbed a towel beginning to wipe down tables.

“I am so glad the day is finally over,” Jin groaned walking over to change the sign from ‘open’ to ‘closed’

“Me too.” I said letting out a deep breath, “I can't wait to get home.”

“Well the faster we clean the faster we both get home.” He pointed out preparing to wash the never ending stacks of dirty ice cream scoops piling over the sink. I nodded at him giggling as I finished wiping down my last table and began to put the chairs up, “We have to mop tonight right?”

“Ahh don't worry about it, boss said he can do it in the morning. Come help me with the dishes then we can leave.”

“Got it.” I hummed making my way towards Jin who was scrubbing away. I reached for a rag and began drying the scoops he had already finished and put them back where they went.

“I can't believe break is already over,” He grumbled, “I don't want to go back just to sit through hours of classes.”

“At least we're closer to graduating!” I cheered making my tone sound as happy as possible.

“Oooh you're right, I've never thought about it that way.” He said shutting off the water and grabbing a rag to help me. I chuckled rolling my eyes at him, “You have to look on the bright side of things you know?”

“You're one to talk, don't forget about the fit you threw when Tae eliminated you from the Assassin competition!”

“YA don't talk about that! At least I didn't call in sick hiding away at home unlike someone!” I scoffed hitting him with my rag.

“I'll have you know I was in fact sick that day,” He mumbled rubbing his shoulder, “I had a pimple and I obviously couldn't have people seeing me like that.”

“You're unbelievable.” I cackled putting the last couple scoops away and walking to the back to grab my stuff. “Ready to go?”

“I've been ready,” he said nodding, “Oh by the way Y/N Tae stopped by while you were on your break, he left the usual I left them next to your bag.”

“Oh thanks Jin, I see them.” I answered eyeing the usual bouquet of flowers I've been receiving the past week.

“You know.. you should give him a chance. He isn't usually like this with girls, and lately he hasn't even been looking anywhere else except at you.” I heard Jin say from behind me.

It was true. Ever since his confession he had been acting different and as much I tried not to pay attention, I did notice. He went from being his usual self at school boasting about his nights with girls with his friends to pretending to study in the library tables away from mine. I no longer saw him talking to any of the girls at school and he was always where I was lately. Even Jungkook was surprised at his sudden change in behavior, and he kept assuring me that Taehyung had good intentions no matter how it seemed. To be completely honest, I wanted to accept my feelings for him and let him know I felt but I always had a feeling it would only leave me ridiculed in the end. But the more he did to try and impress me, the more I started falling for him.

“You know he's never given flowers to anyone except for you?”

The only thing worse than coming back to school from a break is coming back to school with more responsibility to take on. With the start of January it only meant seniors were less than six months away from graduating. I was applying for as many scholarships as I could and doing everything to perfect my resume. Although Ji-yeon and I already applied for the university we wanted to attend, we were both coming up with alternatives in case it didn’t work out. One thing I really loved about our friendship and Ji-yeon was that she had no intention of changing her mind about what we’ve both been wanting. The day wasn’t over yet and the amount of homework I had so far was more than I expected. I sighed reminding myself to dedicate the whole lunch hour to finishing half of it so I wouldn’t have to worry about it much later on at home. I slowly walked behind dozens of students walking down the hallway attempting to get to my locker to put my textbooks away. I turned the music on my phone louder blocking out the conversations happening around me as I got to my destination. I quickly unlocked my locker opening it only to be startled by thousands of nerf bullets falling out landing all over my feet.

What the hell?

From the corner of my eye I felt people turning to look at my direction gasping. Flustered I started picking them up shoving them in my backpack and emptying out the ones still left in my locker. I noticed a piece of paper sticking out at the very bottom and I snatched it unfolding it as fast as I could. Written in black bold handwriting was the one sentence that made my body freeze.

“As long as it takes.”

Then that's when everything clicked. The mysterious bullets I've been getting for months, they were from him. They were from Taehyung and maybe, just maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe his feelings for me were in fact real, and maybe the feelings I had for him were in fact worth it.

I looked up almost immediately locking eyes with him as he walked down the hallway towards me.

Maybe Kim Taehyung was worth it..

#bts fanfic #bts scenarios #bts angst #taehyung angst #taehyung fanfic #taehyung scenarios #v angst #v scenarios #v fanfic

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