#and getting in the xmas spirit at the school party

[thepavementsings]

.

#honestly #im supposed to be spending the weekend helping the guy im dating bake cookies for his friend's baking competition holiday party #and getting in the xmas spirit at the school party #and get do dress up and dance and have a bit of fun before finals eats us all alive #but instead ive come home to get poked with needles and prodded with various devices #because le hashtag chronic illness is rearing its ugly little head #giving me the friendly reminder :) that I dont get to be a 'regular' 23 year old #im trying so hard to just be a grad student. and let it be the incredible time in my life that it has been #and it's SO hard to be back home and feel like i did when i was 19 and sick and helpless and hopeless and sad #and everyone is SO supportive and kind and im trying to let them do that. and not be miserable on my own #and it is very very hard :) #so if anyone has any little holiday fics they love #or even like any holiday hc or ficlets or ideas that make them smile #please send them my way :)

[artificial-sleep]

🎄🎅🎁 Xmas HCs ⛄🌡❄

Merry Christmas/happy holidays! Hope you're enjoying a restful day 😊💕

Here's a lil thread of some xmas-spirit fandom thoughts to read while drinking some coco 😌☕

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

EraserMic ❤️💚❤️

EraserMic where Hizashi is getting ready for xmas eve dinner, listening to "Merry Christmas Baby" as he styles his hair.

CW// xmas fluff, a couple smooches 💋 

He serenades the toothbrushes on the countertop, proudly belting out the lyrics "Gave me a diamond ring for Christmas, now I'm living in paradise!" even though they've been married for years.

Shouta watches fondly from the doorway, propped up with a small smile on his face as the whir of the blow dryer competes w the volume of the music.

Shouta decides to walk in and hook an arm around Hizashi to pull him in. 

Hizashi yelps in surprise, the noise dissolving into chuckles as he looks at Shouta sweetly and caresses his cheek. "Was just saying how bad I wanted to 'hug and kiss you, baby,'" Hizashi says teasingly, pecking Shouta on the lips.

"Still thankful for that ring, huh?" 

"Everyday," Hizashi replies sweetly, kissing him again.

---

"Merry Christmas Baby" (the `Sheryl Crow version reigns supreme in my book... it's my favorite Christmas song!!)

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

Dadzawa ft. Eri 💚❤️💚

I think that when Aizawa taught Eri about the holidays, he maybe left out a few key details about Santa. Because when he finds the letter she left for him, he can't help but chuckle.

CW// xmas fluff, Aizawa as Eri's caretaker 

She's left it laid out for Santa on the coffee table in the living room and has since gone to bed for the night. Aizawa skims it again and again, reading to himself:

Dere santa,

Hi my naym is eri. I lik yer bag red is pretey. Du u lik crismus or halowin mor? Thenk u for tawking to me. I no ther ar a lot of kids.

eri

She drew little hearts and what looked like both candy canes and pumpkins around the margins, and Aizawa laughs that not even once did she mention a gift she would like. 

Mirio spends the next day explaining to her in grandeur terms that Santa will give her anything and that's he magic and all she has to do is ask him for it, and she stares in awe and then considers it deeply before responding, "I like candy apples!"

Aizawa is sure she'll like the gift he got her just fine: a new hero costume, something small she can wear around school when he's in his.

He also got her some plushies. She tends to enjoy cuddling up when she goes to sleep, and he often finds her holding a pillow when he has to wake her. 

Aizawa doesn't mind not explaining to Eri that Santa already knows her name because it saves him trouble in the future. Plus, the kid is too inquisitive and bright for her own good. He'll stick with Santa being her pinpal who leaves her a surprise gift or two every year.

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

KamiJirou ❤️💚❤️

I just think that the one year Kyouka leaves wrapping presents to Denki that he loses his whole entire mind.

CW// xmas hc, KamiJirou w kiddos, frustrated packaging, quirk use... 

Kyouka gets called in on xmas eve and Denki is like yeah yeah yeah I got everything. Don't worry babe. See you on xmas morning.

And he does have everything: the baking cookies for Santa, impromptu xmas music dance party while they're in the oven, watching a xmas movie, bedtime stories, and super fun red and green striped pajamas.

All is going great with the kids in bed by 9 until... packaging.

He's tearing the paper with his hands, misplacing the tape every 5 seconds, biting ribbon off the spool, and tearing his hair out to get it done. 

He feels like he's been doing this all night, staring at the clock to see an hour has gone by, but there's still a massive stack to wrap. He's already wrapped... 4... 4! 4?? He huffs in frustration, throwing a remote control car aside as he grabs the next gift. 

The doll is probably the worst one. It takes him 3 times as long to figure out the packaging than it does the other gifts, and when he sets it with the other stack of finished gifts, he's relieved. Until he finds later that the paper has torn???

He suppresses the urge to scream as he picks up the doll, electricity buzzing across his fingertips. He grabs more gift wrap, huffing exasperatedly, trying to patch it, but the doll's arm just pierces it again, and soon, before he can think about what he's doing, the paper crumples into ash as he zaps the toy with an electric current. The doll is fried, face a bit burnt and hair sticking straight up, and he grits his teeth in embarrassment, deciding maybe it's time to take a break.

He goes to "make sure" Santa has eaten his cookies with a glass of milk and then goes back to his room to reevaluate.

Just as soon as he's finished transferring wrapped gifts to underneath the tree, he hears a familiar voice behind him ask, "How's it going?"

He turns to see his wife smiling back at him, still wearing her hero gear and clearly just having walked in. 

Kyouka laughs when she sees the doll.

"I kind of figured honestly," she teases, and Denki feigns outrage.

"I can't believe you think so little of me," he pouts, and she chuckles as she pulls out another doll from the top of their closet.

"I just had a feeling..." she says, taking the wrapping paper and packaging it in a quick two minutes.

"You're magic," Denki says in awe, and she laughs.

"Whatever... You're the one that pulled off Christmas Eve all by yourself. I think you're magic."

"I love you," Denki mutters against her lips, and she gives him a peck.

"Love you." 

A/N: So basically "Toy Packaging" by Sara Groves

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

KamiSero 💚❤️💚

SeroKami but ice skating!! ⛸

CW// fluffy xmas morning thoughts, basically a 🏳️‍🌈 Hallmark movie 🎄

I think that Kaminari goes skating every year, and now that he and Sero are dating, he invites him to come with.

Sero agrees without a second thought but acts bashful when the night comes.

They get some hot cocoa when they arrive, and Kaminari notices that Sero seems to look nervous, holding onto the cup tightly and darting his eyes to the ground nervously.

"Hey, you okay?" Kami asks him, and he chuckles a little.

"Y-yeah. For sure. Uh-" 

He scratches the back of his neck, his face flushed, perhaps from the cold or otherwise, as he admits, "I just, uh- well, I don't actually know how to skate..." Kaminari smiles big at him, and Sero returns it as they both start to laugh.

"Oh! That's fine, babe. I mean, we definitely don't have to, but... I can teach you." Sero smiles big and nods at him, taking his hand as they go to rent skates.

He's unsteady when he steps on the ice, and the look of panic in his eyes when he steps onto the rink sends Kaminari into a giggling fit. 

He holds him tight, but his wobbling just encourages Kaminari's chuckles until Sero's feet are sliding up from under him and sending him and Kaminari into a heap on the ice.

Kaminari is inconsolable, and Sero can't help but smile, even with the ache from hitting the ice so hard.

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

Serroki ❤️💚❤️

Serroki where Hanta goes to The Todorokis' Christmas dinner

CW// Shouto getting overstimulated, cute boyfriends fluff

They haven't been dating for long, and this is their first Christmas being together, but Shouto asks him to come because Christmas dinner always proves to be difficult in his family, and he'd feel better having Hanta there with him.

Hanta knows how short Shouto's social battery is, particularly around his family, so he's prepared when midway through their meal, Natsuo starts to argue with their father and Shouto stands up abruptly and shuffles out of the room without a word.

He had been attuned to the way Shouto had been fidgeting with his fingers, drumming them against the top of his thigh before his eyes went vacant altogether for awhile, tuning it all out.

Then he was gone, and Hanta excused himself politely soon after to find him.

It didn't take long. Just down the hall was a coat closet beneath the stairs where he found Shouto nuzzled beside some boxes and totes, cradling his knees.

Hanta just smiled and sat down beside him, leaving a few inches of space between them as he pulled out his phone.

He sent him a request to play an iMessage game, and Shouto accepted it without looking up, playing a round of Connect 4 as Hanta listened for Shouto's breathing to level.

After a couple more games, Shouto had leaned into Hanta, allowing him to cradle him closely, placing kisses on his cheek.

They passed a chunk of the evening there in careful silence, and the family hardly noticed they had gone when they finally slipped back to the living room after Shouto had calmed down.

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

That's it! Hope you liked it!!

#erasermic #kamijirou #kamisero #seroroki #dadzawa #my hero academia christmas #christmas headcannons #merry christmas #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #bnha #mha #fluff

[atinylittlepain]

i remember in the first one shot steve showing up to Andy's house in that bikini kill shirt and obviously he had no idea who they were (or kinda did but barely) and okay first of I loved how she was kinda sad that he didnt show up in one of his cutesy little polos, but also! later on they go to record stores together and Steve just asks her to list the essentials so he can get them and actually listen because she loves them and so he has to at least give them a shot (yes robin made fun of him) 🍊

I love this :')

so,

Andy is what I would call an omnivorous listener. She's in the indie scene, the riot grrl scene, but she also has a soft spot for the likes of Springsteen, Lou Reed, Lucinda Williams. She has a beautiful, shiny, brand new cassette deck in her apartment (xmas gift from the parents yeehaw) and she checks out five cassettes from the library every week, something a little different every time. That cassette deck is playing all the time, while she's getting ready in the morning, making dinner, sitting on the couch and bitching with Steve about everything and nothing (they love to bitch, truly, kindred spirits). And he'll ask her what it is, what song, what artist, making mental notes for himself.

Now Steve on the other hand. He had never been particularly into or against music. He liked fast and loud stuff in high school before games and parties (and shhh, don't tell anyone, but he had a particular love for Wham!), Springsteen too, mostly because he had an uncle that would take him camping in the summers and refused to play anything other than Greetings From Ashbury Park on the long drives out of and back to Hawkins.

But now, he's a little more invested. He likes Pavement and Yo La Tengo, that one song by The La's that just makes him think of Andy, because, c'mon, right? Sometimes he likes the Cocteau Twins... sometimes. Try as he might, Bikini Kill just isn't for him, sorry, Robin. What he does notice, however, is that Andy keeps ending up with late fees from the library, tapes returned a few days late because she wanted to listen just one more time. And because Steve has been paying attention, what albums stayed checked out the longest, and what songs from what albums seemed to be her favorite, he comes up with a plan. And he gets Eddie's help with it.

Eddie, darling Eddie, and his near obnoxious and interminable music knowledge, is more than happy to show Steve how to use his also brand new, but more state of the art cassette deck to record mixtapes, with only one snarky look at you, man, all in the name of love, huh?

And so, every now and again, Steve will go to the library and check out a few of her recent favorites, and somehow sneak an unassuming mixtape into her apartment. Like Santa, but simpy :')

Andy keeps every single one, and much later down the line, when their oldest is starting to get into music in earnest, she'll take her down into the basement and pull out a cardboard box that has stacks upon stacks of mixtapes in them. Gets her a walkman (even though ugh, mom, everyone else has ipods) and their oldest, and then their middle, and then their youngest, will get an absolute aces education in nineties indie and alternative… and Bruce Springsteen because, duh.

#girl boy #🍊 #steve harrington #steve harrington fluff #happyyyyy sunday

[class1akids]

Weekly Reading List - Christmas Special

I have a confession to make. I’m usually not a big fan of Christmas fics, because more often than not, they are Americanized, ignoring the way Japanese celebrate this holiday, and well, it’s often self-indulgent fluff, occasionally with slightly OOC characters. 

But after the absolute hell of a year 2020 has been, both in the manga, but also in the real scary big world, with many of us spending the holidays far away from our loved ones, we all deserve the self-indulgence of pure tooth-rotting fluff, and immerse ourselves into the warmth of love, friends and family feels. So this list was made in the spirit of curling up under a warm blanket with some hot chocolate or rum-spiked eggnog, and indulge yourself in that fuzzy feeling, knowing even if it seems far away right now, we’ll get there again. And if being happy right now feels like something that happens to other people, remember that letting yourself immerse into the joys of an imaginary world and live vicariously through your emotional comfort characters is self-care you deserve.

And if I missed some of your favorites, don’t hesitate to add your recommendations or make your own list to help spread the Christmas cheer.

Happy Holidays (wherever you are and whatever you may celebrate) to you all! Stay safe!

Candy Canes And Christmas Crackers by bigdorkenergy (PandaTanks)  (TDBK, Fake Dating Holiday Rom Com, Multichap) Todoroki being adored by the Bakugou Clan!

Making Love at Midnight by degradedpsychotic  (TDBK, Multichap) Bakugou being adored by the Todoroki clan! - this fic is E-rated, but the Christmas Chapters (2-3) are fairly smut-free, and can be read as a stand-alone, I think.

of gingerbread men and (maybe, just possibly) love by wonhaebunny (Gen, Oneshot, Baku-squad) - Bakusquad Xmas fluff

Of Concussions & Engagements by lalazee  (BKDK, Oneshot) - BKDK sucks at skating fluff

Furries Navidad by kriidsedovah  (EraserMic, Oneshot) - another skating fic. I adore them. 

Tender Traditions by SaysiWrites (BKDK, Oneshot) - Class 2-A Xmas fluff, with BKDK traditions

Hot Cocoa and Christmas Chaos by EllaBesmirched (El_Bell)  (TDBK, OneShot) - Another Todoroki meets the utter chaos of the Bakugou clan, this time they are real boyfriends

come what sleigh by dinosuns (TDBK, one-shot) - This is PEAK dumbass TDBK, with “surprise” Todoroki sucking at skating. I adore this fic so much.

christmas sweater get-together by todorokitops (BKDK, 2-chapters) - Christmas sweater is another sub-set of Xmas cute and BKDK need to learn to get along

For Warmth by castiiron (TDBK, 1-shot) - Another Xmas sweater fic, that’s too adorable for its own good.

Unread Emails by dimig0d (BKDK, oneshot) - BKDK are organizing a Xmas party which is an excuse for Bakugou to pour all his unresolved feelings into emails sent to Deku’s mailbox. They won’t ever get read, right?

winter's cold (warm me up) by ethydium  (TDBK, one-shot) - kotatsus are an amazing winter tradition, built for cuddly boyfriends.

Wrapped In Love by sincerelyjaime (KRBK - 2/2) - Bakugou is on a mission to find the perfect Christmas present for Kirishima.

Of Secret Santas and Secret Crushes by Daraya (TDBK, one-shot) - Todobaku Secret Santa with lots of pining.

A Little Christmas Cheer by CrzA (TDDK, one-shot) - Xmas fluff, in high-school setting

dear santa i was so naughty this year by Ejrin  (TDDK, KRBK) - social media fic, of Xmas chaos from pro-hero years

snow day by cassiopeia721 (Gen, Deku-squad) - the Deku-squad gets stuck at UA dorms 

Todoroki's First Christmas by Living_In_a_Fantasy  (TDDK, oneshot) - Class1a making up for Shouto’s lost childhood is a trope I can never get enough of. Here is a Christmas-y take.

a way around it by orphan_account (TDBK, oneshot) - third-years Christmas shopping together.

Technically a Christmas Movie by kowaidesuka  (KamiShin, oneshot) - this one made the list because I totally watch Die Hard every single Xmas too. 

Exploding Christmas by Avialle (TDBK, one-shot) - Shouto meets Bakugou’s parents.

I also recommend reading the Xmas Chapter of  playing with fire by ninanna for a really authentic feel of the Japanese way of celebrating Xmas. Also, it’s an amazing fic.

#class1a weekly reading list #todobaku #tododeku #bakudeku #kiribaku #gen fic #bnha fic recs #it's all Christmas themed!!! #the monster christmas list

[rottenprincessshura100]

Fic part#3 Shura's speed dating event

So, I kept spinning my wheels trying to figure out what Mephisto could say to Shura to change her mind. She wants to find a life partner and possibly leave the order. But Mephisto needs her close to him and take over once he's shot. Plus he needs her to have that drunken conversation about Yuri to Rin and Yukio after the Christmas party. So, I tried to make sense of it and made a fic about it.

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

TWO HOURS BEFORE SHIEMI'S XMAS PARTY

"Yer down to eight minutes." Shura crossed her arms. "I'd get talkin' if I were you."

"Only eight minutes? Not for me, I can make a workaround."

Mephisto snapped his fingers.

"I've frozen time for 20 minutes." He took a seat in the wooden chair across from her.

"This was supposed to be a speed dating event, not an interrogation."

"Well, I'm here to stop you from making a huge mistake." He stated matter-of-factly. "We need a long honest conversation and clear the air between us."

Shura sighed with growing exasperation. "As if you could ever be honest."

"Perhaps if you took a moment to listen," Mephisto grumbled. "Instead of trying to maim me, you'd be privy to my plans. But as of now, I can't quite trust you."

"You think I'm the untrustworthy one?" Shura countered with an incredulous laugh. "The order thinks you're a traitor."

"Yes, that's well established." Mephisto mused. "But they also said Fujimoto was a traitor. Do you still believe that?"

"Look, I know that Rin and Yukio were like sons to him."

"They were sons to him." Mephisto corrected.

"--And Shiro was trying to prepare them to survive an attack from Satan. But you wanted them to be weapons."

"We're all weapons, Shura." Mephisto rested his chin thoughtfully on his hand. "There are many ways in which a person can weaponize themselves. It is not always about physically hurting things. You know that."

"Are you trying to school me on "feelings" again, Mephisto? As if you'd ever understand--"

"Demon do experience emotions, despite what the academy textbooks say," Mephisto replied. "The range is nowhere near that of humans, but we do have the ability to feel. I have chosen not to."

"Convenient, for all the times you do evil shit."

"If one wishes to destroy the world, all they need is a jealous demon and explosive power. I tramp down my emotions with every ounce of my being. And yes, I've done some decidedly evil things to save Assiah. But we all must make sacrifices to survive." Mephisto explained. "To protect his children, Shiro sacrificed his body, and Yuri sacrificed her heart to stop Satan."

Shura winced at the mention of Yuri Egin.

"I can't believe she got into bed with a demon." Shura's voice was laden with disgust. "I couldn't fucking imagine."

The usually calm facade briefly slid from Mephisto's face, replaced with a look of dismay.

"Yuri gave Satan her love and was almost victorious in taming him. The woman was an unsung hero. I'm hoping her boys attempt the same method. Shiro's mission was to teach Rin and Yukio empathy and to understand demons on a deeper level."

"He must have seen three spirits because I never got an ounce of empathy from him."

"Shiro changed after she died," Mephisto answered. "He finally understood that Yuri had been right, and fighting wasn't the answer. Once Shiro held her children in his arms, he knew the truth."

"He got soft and weak." Shura resisted.

"No, you only think that way because you've sealed your emotions." Mephisto's voice had a sudden sympathetic edge. "Demons have hurt you terribly. But not all of us are like that."

"Okay, fine," Shura growled. "You're a fucking saint in a demon skin suit. Why the hell are you here."

"I'm here to honour the last dying wish of Shiro Fujimoto." Mephisto gestured grandly.

"What!?" Shura leaned back in her chair, face riddled with confusion.

"Shiro wanted me to protect you." Mephisto smiled. "He felt terrible about abandoning you as a child. I made a solemn promise that you would live a long and good life."

"You broke the curse with Hachiro..." She whispered. "For Shiro?"

"No, I did it for you." Mephisto winked. "Now, on to my second gift! Those other pathetic suitors have nothing but cheap flowers. I'd never dream of bringing a knife to a sword fight."

The demon snapped his fingers, producing a large package wrapped in pink silk. With a flourish, he swooshed the fabric away, revealing Fang in all of its glory. The sword, highly polished, rested within a finely carved sheath made from a lightweight quartz-like material. The artistry of the scabbard was beyond compare, with an intricately carved scene of a hydra in a mystic garden, its long sinuous body entwined around an apple tree. The many eyes of the sword shone through matching eyelets, winking with untold secrets. Shura tentatively picked up the weapon studying it with awe.

"I made it from the horn of the water demon Khnum." Mephisto grinned with delight at her reaction. "He was significantly upper level. I worked with precision; Fang is hardly a run-of-the-mill Katana and certainly not a standard size." His chest swelled with pride. "It will offer you protection in battle, creating a barrier to Lucifer's power. The Seraphim will never harm you again."

"You made this?" Shura couldn't believe it.

"I am a master bladesmith, but I only cater to gifted warriors. The weapons I've made can either cause irreparable harm or good to Assiah and are only given to those I trust. The swords wielded by the greatest paladins were all my creations, as is the Koma sword."

"You made the Koma sword!?" Shura practically shouted.

"I did, and it saved Rin's human heart." Mephisto's eyes twinkled. "Now ask yourself, Shura, why would a heartless demon care about such things?"

Shura furrowed her brows deep in thought.

"As gorgeous as this is," Shura countered, running her fingers over the meticulous carvings. "My sword is empty. I don't deserve to be an exorcist anymore. I can't accept such a gift."

"To have a demon possess that sword is simple, plus Rin and Yukio still need your guidance. Shiro asked you to protect the twins and asked me to protect you."

"But Shiro also told me to have a family and grow old."

"So, you want a normal life?" Mephisto shook his head with amusement. "If you left the Order, you can't return. You signed a contract of Mornath. It would be quite a waste, hiding your bravery, skills and knowledge. Why would you choose to limit yourself?"

"But what if I'm happy?"

"I assure you, it's a lonely and empty dream. You have never had a life without supernatural abilities, so much so, that you are practically a demon yourself. You have no equal partner in that "muggle" world."

"I can pretend," Shura remarked stubbornly. "I want to fall in love and not put my future children in danger..."

"You assume that your offspring will be powerless?" Mephisto was genuinely amused. "I'm positive they'd take after their mother and be the baba yaga."

"Listen! The Order is fucked up!" Shura snarled. "I don't want my family working for them!"

"Fine." Mephisto narrowed his eyes with a challenge. "Come work for me instead. I can have the paperwork drawn up. You will no longer be a trained assassin for the Order, answering only to me. I'll pay you handsomely and I promise to protect your future family from harm."

"What!? Work for you!?" Shura was shocked.

"It would be a perfect fit. After all, be both despise the Order, and I need a personal bodyguard." The demon rolled up his sleeve showing Shura a long mottled bruise creeping along his wrist. "I'm sure you know what this means...."

"Jesus, fuck." Shura gasped. "That's impossible!"

"Unfortunately not," Mephisto shrugged wistfully. "It's the truth, and I need your help. I can't hang onto the Gehenna gate and protect my well-being at the same time. It's possible that I will fail."

"But you can't die!" Shura hissed. "We can't defend ourselves against Satan!"

"We all need to make sacrifices, Shura, and soon I may join Yuri and Shiro. If you help me, this can be averted."

Mephisto stood, preparing to leave--"What happens to Rin, Yukio and me. That's entirely up to you. But I wouldn't dilly-dally. Time is running out."

He pushed aside the beaded curtain, walking out the door.

"Mephisto! Wait!" Shura growled. "I'll do it."

The demon stopped and smiled knowingly. Snapping his fingers a flash of white light lit up the scabbard, activating it.

"What happens now?" Shura sighed in defeat.

"You will pack your things and move out of the dorm. Belial has set up an apartment for you in my palace. You will be given a uniform and will shadow me on my daily activities."

Shura nodded solemnly.

"Don't look so forlorn, rotten princess. We're partners now! It's time to celebrate! The children are having a Christmas party, let's go crash it."

#blue exorcist #blue exorcist fic #possible crack theories mixed in #mephisto pheles #shura kirigakure

[tomyo]

A Vague Soul Eater Timeline Estimate:

TyI feel confused a lot when I see the characters listed as being 13 since a lot of elements don’t line up. Things like Soul riding a Harley (which are notoriously large and likely hard for a boy at the start of puberty to ride), Tsumugi (canonically 14) calling Maka senpai, and of course, the likelihood that the soul eater characters aren’t the same age. I saw a half finished draft pointing out some of these things but it began to become just a lengthy timeline. So as someone who’s obsessively documented this series for over 10 years, I thought I’d just explain the general time frames in Soul Eater. 

Warning: Long and full of spoilers.

First off, I always pictured the characters to start the series around 15 for various reasons I’ll get into later but in doing some extra fact checking, the wiki even cited Ohkubo saying Soul is 13-15. My viewing of their age is proto Maka and Soul in the pilot chapter look significantly younger than their standard design. While I doubt years passed between the Blair incident and Meeting Tsumugi on the stairs, I view their proto designs as 13 and their standard look as them at 15. Although admittedly there is a lot of information that can be contradictory as we will see.

Black Star is often headcanoned as the youngest but he is actually roughly a year older than Maka. He was brought to DWMA on the day she was born. The wiki says he was one year old but seeing as he was still unable to walk or talk, I’d guess it was closer between 6-10 months. 

Liz supposedly said in chapter 74 that she is two or three years older than BS making her around 17-19 at the beginning. I’m going to estimate low and put her at 17 for reasons. At some point I hope to find the original japanese text to see for myself just to verify if that’s what she said or if it was an embellished translation. Since Tsubaki has a similar figure to her, I would put her at the same age.

Patty is a little confusing. She’s called a Twin gun along with her sister and Japan still uses Onee/imouto even for twins based on who was born first, however Twin seems to more mean matching that literal twins in this use. Patty is probably anywhere between 14-16 but I’m going to stick with 16 because her doppleganger from B.ichi, Mana is 16 (Patty is also a bit taller than Maka which could suggest she is older.)

Death the Kidd has also been confirmed by Ohkubo to be 13-15 (which again I’m gonna place as 15).

So final thoughts before timeline listing, Soul Eater not is one of the most reliable pieces of info on the early Soul Eater timeline. Death City is in a monoseasonal climate which made it hard to identify how much time was passing but Tsumugi’s arrival fills in a LOT of details. She is 14 (a japanese middle schooler), arrives in Spring (Most likely April), Soul is still wearing a Gakuran(Boy’s middle school uniform) ONLY in the first episode (suggesting he was at the end of being middle school aged), Sid is still alive and Medusa is still around at the start but Stein shows up midway through the series, and her series ends on Halloween. I will push back the main kids’ ages back slightly for SEN. To also note, DWMA seems to most commonly take in students middle school aged an above unless there is a unique circumstance in cases like Black Star, PoT, PoF, and Angela. And finally, becoming a Death Weapon is rare and the info of Soul and Maka’s second time collecting 100 souls will suggest the minimum time progression from their first meeting to the Blair incident. 

So without further ado:

At 12/13 years old, Maka and Soul meet and pair up as a Meister Weapon pair. Both regularly wore a gakuran and the same sailor suit as tsumugi. Maka introduces Soul to Black Star who is a childhood friend and both meet his new partner Tsubaki.

Roughly one year before Tsumugi arrives, Spirit and Maka’s Mother (Who we will call Kami; her fan name from a misinterpretation) decide to get divorced. US divorces take about a year to go through and theirs finalized at the start of the first SE arc.

It was likely at this point Maka moved into an apartment with Soul since her mum left and the two seemed to have lived together for a while by SE not.

During the winter, Death offers Liz and Patty to become his weapons. Liz accepts wanting to provide Patty a better life.

Soul and Maka begin to to transition out of their middle school style uniforms as by a japanese standard, they would be considered high school aged now.

Soul Eater Not Starts

Age Estimates(Young-Oldest): SEN trio 14, Maka: 14 3/4, Soul 15, Dtk 15, BS 15.5, Patty 15.5, Liz 17, Tsubaki 17

Tsumugi discovers she is a weapon and moves to Death City in April. She meets her senpai Maka who is in the advanced class and who later gives a demonstration with Soul who is still wearing a Gakuran. Neither seem upset as they would have if they had recently encountered Blair. 

Between April and May, they loose the 100 souls they collected and Blair moves into their apartment. (SEN 4 references SE 4) A few days later, Black Star fights Mifune for the first time (Based on the Anime’s Prologues which better connect the stories).

Late April: Kim and Jackie become a Meister Weapon pair after Jackie learns Kim is a witch; they are possibly younger than the other main cast as they still wear sailor suits in the main series.

Mid-May: Eternal Feather is possessed by Shaula and is nearly killed but Stein stiches her back up. The main SE cast are likely not aware of Stein as Sid is still alive.

October: Shaula kills Sid.

October 31: Shaula attack Death City but SEN Trio kills her. 

Timeline Inconsistency: There is a timeskip at the end of SEN showing DtK, Liz and Patty becoming partners in Spring however they should already be a working team before the other’s remedial lesson. Specifically in the 2008 anime, Black Star and Soul notice someone (DTK) took a high level mission and ask a still alive Sid for information.

Kim and Jackie are moved up to EAT class.

Soul Eater Starts (Post prologues)

Age changes: Maka: 15; BS, Patty: 16. 6 months have elapsed since SEN.

November: Stein reanimates Stein. Soul, Maka, BS, and Tsubaki meet Stein during their remedial test who thereafter becomes their class teacher. BS and Soul attempt to fight DTK who is starting classes at DWMA. 

Maka and Soul fight Crona. Soul gets badly wounded and infected with Black Blood. Medusa who is unknowingly the witch creating black blood watches his progress in secret. While Soul is recovering Dtk and BS find Excalibur.

Winter: Tsubaki defeats her brother giving her a new power that BS needs to train to use leading to Maka wanting to also become stronger for Soul. Medusa briefly battles Eruka who becomes her unwilling servant. She sends Eruka to Free....Free. Maka, Soul, BS, and Tsubaki battle Free and defeat him after Maka and Soul overcome their issues and slightly awaken the black blood. Maka now is also infected with BB.

March: Year end exams more or less. Given the importance of the exam, it matches up with Japan’s placement exams.

Kid fights Crona while suspicion grows on Medusa.

March 31st: Shibusen founders party. Medusa ambushes them with only our 4 meister weapon pairs escaping. Crona is willingly captured after Maka befriends them and Medusa is ‘killed’, but the Kishin is ultimately revived and Stein is infected with Medusa??. Due to some confusing wording, a lot of people including myself mistake Shibusen’s foundation being around xmas. Realizing the actual date is the end of March, the timeline since Nov is a became a little more vague.

Age Changes: Soul, Dtk: 16; Liz Tsubaki; 18; 12mo since SEN; 6mo since SE

April: The death weapons convene in Death City. Crona starts school at DWMA.

Crona joins Maka and Soul on a mission to the Czech Republic where Arachne is reformed after 800 years. Giriko is also there and apparently just kept body stealing his kids for all that time.

Maka comes back temporarily paralyzed and BS fights Mifune a second time while seeking revenge. (We will diverge from the Anime now)

Joe comes to Death City for internal investigation.

A girl is possessed by Medusa. Crona becomes used to DWMA and Dtk puts on a part for them. Midway through the party, they are called on a mission. Kid is conflicted at finding Death’s name alongside the wizard Brew’s and Crona gets a visit from Medusa after leaving the party. Medusa tells Crona to spy and further worsen Stein’s condition. The Wiki points out that it’s May 21st based on a comment by Azusa. 

May 22nd: DtK fails to find the Book of Eibon.

May 23rd: Crona poisins Marie.

June: The 3 meister renaissance is formed.

The battle for Brew Occurs.

Maka finds out Crona is working with Medusa but doesn’t know what to do, Black Star fights Kid, and Justin Law, the shibusen traitor, kills Joe.

Stein and Marie leave to track Joe’s Killer, BS and Tsubaki take a break from shibusen to go to Tsubaki’s home, and Crona leave Death City for good.

Maka, Soul, DtK, Liz, Patty, and Blair fight some of the Kishin’s clown agents in Russia.

Medusa returns and bargains with Shibusen with her child host as hostage and giving the names of witches in Death City, including Kim who runs away to join Arachnaphobia. Arachnaphobia uses a brew tool to manipulate them.

An alliance between Medusa and Shibusen is formed to fight Arachnaphobia.

I want to make the guess that summer has passed and it is August/September by the Baba Yaga fight. 1. Because it seems like enough events have happened that 3months would have passed and 2. this would make the time skip start in spring which fits thematically (new arc, new team, etc).

The battle against Arachne occurs. Kim and Jackie are saved. BS kills Mifune in their final battle. Arachne is killed by Soul and Maka becoming their witch soul to make Soul a death scythe. Medusa transfers herself to her sister’s corpse and flees leaving behind a free Rachel. Death is captured by Noah.

Angela is taken in by Shibusen who plan to try and guide her away from the sway of destruction natural in witches.

 6 month timeskip, the main cast heals, Spartoi is formed, Justin is formally know as the traitor acquitting Stein of the murder, and Soul and Maka recollect 100 kishin souls thus officially turning Soul into a death scythe. 

Spartoi Arc Starts

Time Passed since SEN: 2 years; Since SE: 1year 5 months

Ages: Maka 16 3/4, Soul/DtK 17, BS/Patty 17 1/2, Liz/Tsubaki:19

Maka and Soul train with Kim and Jackie to utilize Maka’s grigori soul properties for flying. At the same time, Gopher, Noah’s devot peon, attacks intending to assassinate Maka. Maka ofc wins. 

Killik is sent to do reconnaissance on Medusa with Liz and Patty in addition to his Shamanic weapons. There he faces off against Medusa’s madness experimentations.

At the same time, BS and Tsubaki’s recon leads them to a memory erased Crona who they battle with. Eruka and Mizune come to retrieve Crona but Eruka is caught by BS in the end.

Also at the same time, Medusa who was overseeing both events through a crystal ball ends up in a three way battle with Justin and Tezca, the South American death scythe.

Maka and Soul who are still at school discuss how Soul has been getting even more partner requests lately. Only Maka seems aware that an underclassmen has been following them as well.

Soul and Maka witness Blair and the Chupa witches make their way to meet with Shinigami-sama about rescuing Kid followed by BS breaking in behind them to show off the captured Eruka.

Spartoi and Blair enter the book intending to save Kid. While I won’t go over it in its entirety, it’s worthwhile to point out that Giriko describes Maka as looking 15 or so (Something the fandom used often as Maka’s age). However, when he also believed she was new henchman, he said she was 7/10 years too young to be working there suggesting he perceives her as younger than she is. 

DtK gets consumed by madness and has a duel with BS. 

Crona starts spreading madness zones in Russia. Maka and Soul journey with Stein, Kim and Jackie but Soul is briefly taken over by madness.

Kid starts pursuing for answers on Eibon.

Crona kills Medusa.

Spartoi is given the order to kill Crona if found. Maka does a soul perception search but instead comes across the kishin on the moon.

Shibusen prepares for the battle on the moon while Maka and Soul continue to look for Crona. Very little time passes during the kid salvage arc and it seems to be summer when preparations are finished. I would presume since an airship was needed to be built, the final battle takes place around August. 

As Kid and the Death Scythes begin the battle on the moon, Spartoi joins Maka in finding Crona in Italy. Maka fails to talk Crona down who then heads to the moon with the intent to consume the Kishin.

Having no interest in killing Crona, the kids somewhat defect from Spartoi and head to the moon to aid in the fight. However, some of the fighters from the moon, including kid, return after struggling in their mission. Kid decides to gather allies with the witches in order to defeat Asura. 

Crona consumes the kishin and battles Maka while stripping her friends and partner. Maka uses Spirit instead and Crona becomes frustrated at being unable to disharmonize the two. Spirit explains their parent/child connection is too strong to be unsynced causes them to freak out and be overtaken by the kishin.

The meister weapon pair trio battles Asura, Kid reaches godhood, Maka and Soul go inside the Kishin to find Crona, work with them, and kill the Kishin as they rip through him. The witches protect the humans from the flood of madness that spills out and a new era of Shibusen/Witch alliance forms.

Chrona deadass infects the world with boob madness.

A funeral for Shinigami-sama is held the following week.

Kid’s coronation occurs where he announces the end to the war between Shibusen and Witches. We know enough time has passed that people became used to the black moon and BS has decently healed despite literally breaking every bone in his body but Marie hasn’t gotten her baby bump yet which comes in during the third month of pregnancy meaning probably only 2 months at most have passed. October makes sense for where the story ends.

Final main 7 ages (vague ideas): 

Maka: 17

Soul: 17.5

Black Star: 18

Tsubaki: 19-20

Death the Kid: 17.5

Liz:19-20

Patty:18

Total time since SEN started: 2.5 years

Total time since post prologue SE: ~2 years

Final thoughts:

Well, that took two long nights to write down. I tried not to give a tedious play by play and only put down the most essential of story details to help give an idea on time passage. It got progressively harder to detail time as sources started to dwindle from the manga timeline. I love the Spartoi arc so at some point I might go through that part again to reexamine some details. Japanese high school is only three years long so the idea of their story starting at Japan’s freshman age and ending around HS graduation seems fitting. One of the things that also occurred to me with the timeline write up was that Justin in concretely 17 when Crona briefly joins Shibusen, giving us someone to contrast against our cast. In this lovely breakdown we can see the growth spurt the main 3 guys go through but if you also look at their artwork in the later chapters, they also share similar slimmed features to Justin’s design. I will say, early on I was surprised how many time frame details I was able to pull out from the material. Soul Eater was always vague with the fine details but clearly some of us managed to pull out a lot from it. 

In terms of the soul collection, the second 100 souls required 2 years to get(1 soul/mission a week). Soul collection would theoretically get easier over time and experience but its hard to figure out with all the variables we saw like a major injury, an attack on the city, and the kishin revival. Then there’s also questioning how long it took Maka and Soul to sync up. While Tsumugi’s case is unusual, it took her 6 months to even partner up (though then they also flawlessly killed a witch sooo). Going by the middle + high school model for Shibusen, Maka’s efficiency and a less big world issues could possibly validate the idea they could get that far in 3 years. Applying that much time for the idea Maka/Soul are 13 would mean they started their partnership at around 9-10 years old which seems unlikely to me. Then again, Justin became a death scythe AT 13 so who knows. 

My last little thought is completely inconsequential but I see Maka as having an end of August birthday. The 23rd game to mind but I didn’t realize that was the switchover date from Leo to Virgo. Based on what google searches say about those signs, it feels fitting imo.

Well, congrats for making it all the way and thanks for hearing out my ramblings!

#soul eater #soul eater theorizing #soul eater ages

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Sunday 18 December 1836

8 35

12 ¼

No kiss very rainy night and morning F48° now at 9 35 at which hour breakfast - A- did her French - came upstairs about 10 ¼ - stood till 11 5 looking out of the blue room window considering where to put from out of the garden the great variegated holly (the gold variegated) planted by my great uncle Samuel on the old terrace - Mrs. Parkinson (late Cordingley) called yesterday afternoon to see us - told A- who gave no encouragement to pursuing the subject  that Miss Abbott was buried yesterday   died last Sunday Mrs. Parkinson told A- that my father and Marian gave at the door    above £50 besides meat and clothing the 1st year after they came here - at my desk at 11 20 - wrote copy of letter to Lady Stuart till A- came to me before 12 - then sat with her till Mr. Jubb called about 12 ½,or before, just as Robert brought up luncheon for A- Mr. J- staid till 1 10 - towns’ news - property getting up in value in the town - Northgate to be widened - the ground taken to be £3 per yard - ground lately sold at Bradford at £5 per yard - mentioned the moving the cattle market into my top field at Northgate - J- thought the town (the interested parties) would not allow it - he and others had held a towns’ meeting some years ago and taken a field of Mr. Hull of Leeds for 21 years for the purpose - but a counter meeting upset the plan and the town now pays for the field  and makes what they can of it - the publicans would be ½ ruined by moving the market - and would be very strong against it - said I was quite indifferent about it - but if the town wanted my field and applied for it, I would take it into consideration - doubts now about the railroad coming out at West house - difficulties at Sowerby bridge - keep this in mind - and to be informed on the subject when away - the railroad may yet come out in my land -

SH:7/ML/E/19/0166

had just finished the last p. at 1 35 - ¼ hour with A- at the girls’ school - service began when we got to church - Mr. Wilkinson did all the duty - could hardly see - hardly read any part of the service right - more mistakes than ever - quite unfit to get into the reading desk - preached ¼ hour from 2 Timothy i.12 I, in pain at his mistakes, had composed myself to sleep at each sitting down as well as I could, and heard little of the sermon but the text - ¼ hour at the boys’ school on leaving church - they said their psalms as well as the girls said theirs ill, so A- very properly gave all the 3 Wharton bibles to the boys and one testament to a 4th boy too old (aetatis 14) to come under Lord W-‘s bequest - left A- at the girls’ school, and made my call at Cliff Hill and sat 1/2 hour - Mrs. AW- in very good humour and spirits apparently much amused and glad to see me tête-à-tête took up A- home at 5 ½ - wrote 3 pp. and sent my letter tonight to ‘the honourable Lady Stuart Richmond Park Surrey’ - thanks for her kind letter received on Wednesday - she would of course conclude from my not writing that the day of my leaving here was still unfixed - ‘I am weary of delays, and now look forward to getting off with a degree of impatience that makes me feverish’ - have put off writing to everybody ....... Lady S- the only one who knows anything about me - thought to have spent Xmas day in London - ‘an unexpected hindrance.... absolutely obliges me to remain here till after the 10th of next month’ - but count upon seeing Lady S- whether at the Lodge or Whitehall - must travel as quick as I can - taking V- en passant will make me 4 days on the round from here to London ....... ‘I would balloon all the rest of the way from here to Paris, in seventeen hours, if I could - and I would take you with me if I could, and indeed indeed, dearest Lady Stuart, I would do anything in the world to prove, past all possibility of doubt, that I am not so unreasonable as to fancy that, either about your house or anything else, you have ever shewn towards me any feeling but of far greater kindness than I deserve - your advice upon many subjects has done me more good than I can every repay - but I shall think of you always with affectionate gratitude, and affectionate regard - I have still far too much business upon my hands - and ‘the course of’ business ‘never did run smooth - In the present state of the operative classes, it is impossible to calculate with any certainty upon time or expense - it is estimated that the work to be done next year requires 3 times more hands than there are in the country to do it’ -..... mention the Herald announcing the S- de R-s to have arrived at Nantes in France - ...... ‘I hope to leave here on the 12th of next month, and I hope to see you on the 16th and to see as much of you as if I slept under your hospitable roof - all I wish for is the real pleasure of a little quiet, comfortable chitchat - I could not, would not, on any account pother all your household with the bustle of taking in a strange maid (I have got rid of Eugénie) and my infinity of bag and baggage for one night or two, when I can see you quite as well without giving all this trouble - but I am very much obliged to you, dearest Lady Stuart, for your so king offer, and always very truly and very affectionately yours A. Lister’ - dinner at 6 ½ - coffee upstairs - A- did her French - I read tonights’ paper till 10 and then in ½ hour wrote all the last p. and so far of this of today - Damp rainy day - almost fair towards evening - at least Cookson and the kitchen maid did not wait to return with us in and behind the carriage but walked home from church - fair, but damp, and muggy and F48° now at 10 ½ pm - till 11 ¼ making some little extract from tonight’s Herald and copying out J. and R. Manns’ valuation of my coal (low bed) supposing to sell at 8d. per load (given to me Saturday 15 October last) getting 3d. banking, pulling, straight work, tools, taxes, and everything 2d = expense 5d. leaves 3d. clear profit per load - say 4 loads per square yard = 1/. per square yard = £240 per acre -

Low bed at the extent of my boundary above Walker pit = 15in. thick

Holt told me, 8 June last, 9 corves or loads = 21 or 22cvt.   delivered in H-x at 10d. a load

Messrs. Rawson and Stocks    8 ½ or 8 ¾ loads = 1 tore

supply the gas works this year at 8/. per ton  Mr. R- did it last year at 6/. per ton, and it did not leave much profit.

[ursine-sister]

Hi! your santa :) How are you? I hope you feel well! I hope that Fender and Spirit will get along, they are just wonderful. Wow! Art school is so cool! And what do you like to draw the most? By the way, what is your favorite holiday/time of the year? Do you feel a festive mood?

srs ❄️

Pray for my sons lol they good boys just get rowdy.

I got a BFA in graphic design. I knew I was going to hang myself if I created billboards my whole life so I didn’t pursue it. Art is still important to me. People are my favorite thing to draw.

Here’s a drawing I made. It sums up the kind of stuff I make (and it’s currently the closest piece I have to me atm, hanging in my living room).

Favorite holiday is Halloween.

I’m totally in a festive mood. I love the build up before any holiday. I love decorating, baking, and partying for Christmas the most. I dislike shopping tho. But tree is up and I’m baking cookies tonight so I’m in that Xmas mood.

#srs #your so good #me

[allie1804-fan]

Kerense Part 2

This is a continuation of Kerensa - read Part 1 here

Kerensa (Part 1)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5 , Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13

Chapter 1, Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Warnings : Just like Keanu in these fics, I don't actually know any of the other real people portrayed here so my versions of them are all supposition!

LA Home?

After a couple of weeks, they moved on to LA. Kerry was Flabbergasted by the size and style of his home. It had a cool feel due to the size of the rooms and the large pieces of art in the main living area which had vast bi-fold doors leading out to the patio and pool. He was most excited to show her his pond with Koi Carp and the breathtaking view.

His office and bedroom were warmer in style, more in keeping with the man and she was thrilled with the kitchen which his sister had designed with herself in mind for when she visited and wanted to cook or for Keanu when he had a caterer come in.

On their first night, they ordered take out and ate outside by the pool. They were both tired from travelling but he promised to take her out to some favourite haunts soon. His bigger priority was making her and Scout feel at home and welcome.

That started with meeting his mum. Having heard a lot about her before he left, his mother, in particular, was very keen to make her acquaintance. She invited them over and had a meal catered.

She was welcoming but there was an edge of scrutiny in her gaze and her questions.

In the car on the way home, Kerry pointed it out.

It’s just like Jason Robards says in Parenthood. “It never ends”

“What?”

“Well, your mum was clearly concerned I might be some kind of leach!”

“Kerry, she thinks that about everyone I meet, but especially women. But she liked you, I could tell. And you bonded over all your English connections right?”

“I guess!”

Next up was Karina who had them over for Thanksgiving. She was more easygoing than her mother and they had a very relaxed day with Keanu and his brother-in-law bonding over the football and Kerry and Karina enjoying working together in the kitchen.

In the weeks running up to Christmas, their projects were on hiatus and they focussed on getting Kerry acclimatised to LA. Keanu bought her a car (she was not up for driving his Porsche) and they went on bike rides up PCH, took Scout on hikes in local parks and continued her introductions to his friends.

Key amongst them was Alex Winter and his family. They spent a great day on the beach at Malibu with him, his wife and their 2 youngest sons. Alex took a cute pic of Kerry and Keanu there - She had straggly wet hair from messing around in the sea and was wearing a loose shirt over her swimming costume. Her arms were draped around Keanu’s neck and they were both grinning broadly. She liked it so much, she had it printed and framed and placed it on their dressing table. It was one way she could try to settle in.

She certainly felt safe and welcome in his home, but, truth be told, not really at home

Some of that was connected to Scout. There was an inner courtyard where Scout could chill in a shady spot and you could walk him along the road nearby but only in the evening when the surface would be cool enough. To walk the dog, you really needed to go to a park, beach or further out into hills. It wasn’t just a stone’s throw away like at Sennen.

Also, in one sense, the house felt huge but at the same time, claustrophobic. It was curious that she could feel hemmed in despite the space and open view at the back - it was like you couldn’t touch the nature that was so near at hand and when she felt like that, the waves of nostalgia for Sennen were powerful.

Another challenge she faced and hadn’t really expected had been the number of female friends Keanu had who, it was clear, were past sexual partners. It wasn’t that anyone said anything to her, least of all him for whom it was all just water under the bridge, but some of them had an unmistakable body language towards him, while others displayed a certain possessiveness that she found, if not threatening then at least challenging.

She knew he’d had a different life from her, longer in single mode, less settled in one place and with a lot of opportunity to be promiscuous, so she knew she had to accept it, but she also struggled to imagine still hanging out with people you’d been so intimate with in the past as it had been a very rare experience for her.

Fortunately, Karina was a bit of an ally in at least filling in the gaps as to who was or wasn’t an ex. Kerry didn’t want to come off as jealous or obsessive, so asking Keanu was a no-no, at least at first. One day, Karina had come over to talk Christmas food and caught Kerry staring off into the distance.

“Hey, where have you gone?” Karina asked her.

Wha …? oh sorry, nowhere, I’m right here”

“ oh no, not falling for THAT. What did he do?”

“Keanu? Nothing. Honest.”

“Kerry?”

“Honest he didn’t. It’s just, errm Autumn came over last night”

“Ughhh”

“What?”

“Nothing, she’s just not my favourite of his exes that still hangs around him”

“Oh so she IS an ex, I wasn’t sure and he didn’t say so”

“He wouldn’t, to him it’s ancient history - and it is. They properly dated in the 90s and then I’m pretty sure she was, you know…. A friend …..”

“With benefits?”

“Yeah, sometime in the 2000s but not in the past few years. Was she civil to you?”

“Yeah yeah, she was just quite, erm touchy with him and sort of “

“Possessive?”

“Not exactly, but she made sure to mention things from way back several times as if to remind me and him that I’m the new kid. I mean maybe I was being over-sensitive, it was weird”

“Naah, that’s her thing. She didn’t manage to clinch him and that still riles her so she hangs in there with the “trusty oldest friend” card.

“Yeah but she’s not his oldest friend right? Brenda is from school and that lovely lady Clare is from before her time right?”

“Right, I mean Autumn is from way back but she’s not the unique one she likes to think.”

Mostly, the exes were subtle in their comments or behaviour but China Chow came close to making Kerry spit her drink out at a Christmas party when she was a bit drunk. She was saying how happy she was to see Keanu happy.

“And you my friend are a lucky girl, he’s good between the sheets too huh?, hic!”

The following morning Keanu and Kerry were lying in bed with a coffee, nursing hangovers and doing a party post-mortem.

“Oh my God, China was drunk wasn’t she?!” Keanu snorted.

“I’ll say!” She replied rolling her eyes

“What?”

“Have you had sex with all of your female friends?!” She asked pointedly.

“Oh my god, what did she say?”

“Oh, how happy she is for you …..”

“Mmmmm, so?”

“And how lucky I am….and how good you are between the sheets”

It was Keanu’s turn to almost spit out his coffee.

“That must have been awkward.!”

“Well would have been worse if we weren’t both at least a little drunk”

“Do you mind?” “That I have a past?” he clarified when she looked questioningly at him.

“No, I just, I never had an ex who I still hung out with after we split so it’s a little weird for me. And they’re all so, you know, LA glamorous.”

“Come ‘ere.” He said pulling her close after seeing the uncertainty in her eyes.

“It’s you I love, you I want to wake up with every morning and hold in my arms each night. And they're so called glamour is no match for your beauty. And, it’s like, over 10 years ago that I was with any of the friends I still see, sexually. Kerry, I promise. Are we ok?”

“yeah, we’re good” she reassured.

And they were. Christmas was around the corner and Kerry enjoyed shopping for gifts, getting a tree and decorating the house. They placed the bird decoration for Ava on the tree and he gave her two angels to hang for her babies and a Celtic fertility symbol in hope of a future as parents. They spent Xmas Day with his mother and Karina and Keanu went on his usual Boxing Day bike ride with old friends while Kerry went to the cinema with Karina.

On 29th they headed back to the UK, where they spent New year with her sister and family and 10 days having catch-ups with friends in London and Cornwall.

By mid-January, they were back in LA and finally, it felt like there would be a period of being more settled. They socialised but there were no more big introductions to make and Kerry planned to crack on with her novel.

@fortheloveoffanfic @kindainlovewithkeanu @omg-imagine @keanureevesisbae @penwieldingdreamer @paperplanesandwallflowers @witty-wallflower @karlee1225 @bitchyslut99 @toomanystoriessolittletime @ladyreapermc @kissmyromanticquote @tacticalchics @utterlynuts @kylosbitch @thebigbubowski @thelightnessofthebeing @gatsbynouvel @keanuficfiles @fanficsrusz @jardaniswife @cheezbort @mazzylana97 @maggiemoo1892 @girlfriday007 @siriussnape07 @yomnaislame @soarocks @fadingkideclipseempath @franny-banks-world @keanulowe @babylovejongin @lucky134ever @jasmindaughteroftheworld @tomorrowsanotherday @fokinqueen @littlefreya @leftyreea @wheretheriversrunintothesea @iworshipkeanureeves @fics-not-tragedies @ficsnroses @fickenstein @popacherryvisitalibrary @aah8903 @thethirstyarchive @cynic-spirit @australianpsychos @meetmeinthematinee

#keanu fanfic #keanu reeves fan fiction #keanu fan fiction #keanu reeves fan fic #keanu #keanu reeves #keanu ofc fiction #keanu reeves imagine

[bananaofswifts]

Your guide to the singer-songwriter’s surprise follow-up to Folklore.

By

CARL WILSON

When everything’s clicking for Taylor Swift, the risk is that she’s going to push it too far and overtax the public appetite. On “Mirrorball” from Folklore, she sings, with admirable self-knowledge, “I’ve never been a natural/ All I do is try, try, try.” So when I woke up yesterday to the news that at midnight she was going to repeat the trick she pulled off with Folklore in July—surprise-releasing an album of moody pop-folk songs remote-recorded in quarantine with Aaron Dessner of the National as well as her longtime producer Jack Antonoff—I was apprehensive. Would she trip back into the pattern of overexposure and backlash that happened between 1989 and Reputation?

Listening to the new Evermore, though, that doesn’t feel like such a threat. A better parallel might be to the “Side B” albums that Carly Rae Jepsen put out after both Emotion and Dedicated, springing simply out of the artist’s and her fans’ mutual enthusiasm. Or, closer to Swift’s own impulses here, publishing an author’s book of short stories soon after a successful novel. Lockdown has been a huge challenge for musicians in general, but it liberated Swift from the near-perpetual touring and publicity grind she’s been on since she was a teen, and from her sense of obligation to turn out music that revs up stadium crowds and radio programmers. Swift has always seemed most herself as the precociously talented songwriter; the pop-star side is where her try-hard, A-student awkwardness surfaces most. Quarantine came as a stretch of time to focus mainly on her maturing craft (she turns 31 on Sunday), to workshop and to woodshed. When Evermore was announced, she said that she and her collaborators—clearly mostly Dessner, who co-writes and/or co-produces all but one of these 15 songs—simply didn’t want to stop writing after Folklore.

This record further emphasizes her leap away from autobiography into songs that are either pure fictions or else lyrically symbolic in ways that don’t act as romans à clef. On Folklore, that came with the thrill of a breakthrough. Here, she fine-tunes the approach, with the result that Evermore feels like an anthology, with less of an integrated emotional throughline. But that it doesn’t feel as significant as Folklore is also its virtue. Lowered stakes offer permission to play around, to joke, to give fewer fucks—and this album definitely has the best swearing in Swift’s entire oeuvre.

Because it’s nearly all Dessner overseeing production and arrangements, there isn’t the stylistic variety that Antonoff’s greater presence brought to Folklore. However, Swift and Dessner seem to have realized that the maximalist-minimalism that dominated Folklore, with layers upon layers of restrained instrumental lines for the sake of atmosphere, was too much of a good thing. There are more breaks in the ambience on Evermore, the way there was with Folklore’s “Betty,” the countryish song that was among many listener’s favorites. But there are still moments that hazard misty lugubriousness, and perhaps with reduced reward.

Overall, people who loved Folklore will at least like Evermore too, and the minority of Swift appreciators who disapproved may even warm up to more of the sounds here. I considered doing a track-by-track comparison between the two albums, but that seemed a smidgen pathological. Instead, here is a blatantly premature Day 1 rundown of the new songs as I hear them.

A pleasant yet forgettable starting place, “Willow” has mild “tropical house” accents that recall Ed Sheeran songs of yesteryear, as well as the prolix mixed metaphors Swift can be prone to when she’s not telling a linear story. But not too severely. I like the invitation to a prospective lover to “wreck my plans.” I’m less sure why “I come back stronger than a ’90s trend” belongs in this particular song, though it’s witty. “Willow” is more fun as a video (a direct sequel to Folklore’s “Cardigan” video) than as a lead track, but I’m not mad at it here either.

Written with “William Bowery”—the pseudonym of Swift’s boyfriend Joe Alwyn, as she’s recently confirmed—this is the first of the full story songs on Evermore, in this case a woman describing having walked away from her partner on the night he planned to propose. The music is a little floaty and non-propulsive, but the tale is well painted, with Swift’s protagonist willingly taking the blame for her beau’s heartbreak and shrugging off the fury of his family and friends—“she would have made such a lovely bride/ too bad she’s fucked in the head.” Swift sticks to her most habitual vocal cadences, but not much here goes to waste. Except, that is, for the title phrase, which doesn’t feel like it adds anything substantial. (Unless the protagonist was drunk?) I do love the little throwaway piano filigree Dessner plays as a tag on the end.

This is the sole track Antonoff co-wrote and produced, and it’s where a subdued take on the spirit of 1989-style pop resurges with necessary energy. Swift is singing about having a crush on someone who’s too attractive, too in-demand, and relishing the fantasy but also enjoying passing it up. It includes some prime Swiftian details, like, “With my Eagles t-shirt hanging from your door,” or, “At dinner parties I call you out on your contrarian shit.” The line about this thirst trap’s “hair falling into place like dominos” I find much harder to picture.

This is where I really snapped to attention. After a few earlier attempts, Swift has finally written her great Christmas song, one to stand alongside “New Year’s Day” in her holiday canon. And it’s especially a great one for 2020, full of things none of us ought to do this year—go home to visit our parents, hook up with an ex, spend the weekend in their bedroom and their truck, then break their hearts again when we leave. But it’s done with sincere yuletide affection to “the only soul who can tell which smiles I’m faking,” and “the warmest bed I’ve ever known.” All the better, we get to revisit these characters later on the album.

On first listen, I found this one of the draggiest Dressner compositions on the record. Swift locates a specific emotional state recognizably and poignantly in this song about a woman trapped (or, she wonders, maybe not trapped?) in a relationship with an emotionally withholding, unappreciative man. But the static keyboard chord patterns and the wandering melody that might be meant to evoke a sense of disappointment and numbness risk yielding numbing and disappointing music. Still, it’s growing on me.

Featuring two members of Haim—and featuring a character named after one of them, Este—“No Body, No Crime” is a straight-up contemporary country song, specifically a twist on and tribute to the wronged-woman vengeance songs that were so popular more than a decade ago, and even more specifically “Before He Cheats,” the 2006 smash by Carrie Underwood, of which it’s a near musical clone, just downshifted a few gears. Swift’s intricate variation on the model is that the singer of the song isn’t wreaking revenge on her own husband, but on her best friend’s husband, and framing the husband’s mistress for the murder. It’s delicious, except that Swift commits the capital offence of underusing the Haim sisters purely as background singers, aside from one spoken interjection from Danielle.

This one has some of the same issues as “Tolerate It,” in that it lags too much for too long, but I did find more to focus on musically here. Lyrically and vocally, it gets the mixed emotions of a relatively amicable divorce awfully damned right, if I may speak from painfully direct experience.

This is the song sung from the POV of the small-town lover that the ambitious L.A. actress from “Tis the Damn Season”—Dorothea, it turns out—has left behind in, it turns out, Tupelo. Probably some years past that Xmas tryst, when the old flame finally has made it. “A tiny screen’s the only place I see you now,” he sings, but adds that she’s welcome back anytime: “If you’re ever tired of being known/ For who you know/ You know that you’ll always know me.” It’s produced and arranged with a welcome lack of fuss. Swift hauls out her old high-school-romance-songs vocal tone to reminisce about “skipping the prom/ just to piss off your mom,” very much in the vein of Folklore’s teen-love-triangle trilogy.

A duet with Dessner’s baritone-voiced bandmate in the National, Matt Berninger, “Coney Island” suffers from the most convoluted lyrics on Evermore (which, I wonder unkindly, might be what brought Berninger to mind?). The refrain “I’m on a beach on Coney Island, wondering where did my baby go” is a terrific tribute to classic pop, but then Swift rhymes it with “the bright lights, the merry go,” as if that’s a serviceable shorthand for merry-go-round, and says “sorry for not making you my centerfold,” as if that’s somehow a desirable relationship outcome. The comparison of the bygone affair to “the mall before the internet/ It was the one place to be” is clever but not exactly moving, and Berninger’s lines are worse. Dessner’s droning arrangement does not come to the rescue.

This song is also overrun with metaphors but mostly in an enticing, thematically fitting way, full of good Swiftian dark-fairytale grist. It’s fun to puzzle out gradually the secret that all the images are concealing—an engaged woman being drawn into a clandestine affair. And there are several very good “goddamns.”

The lyrical conceit here is great, about two gold-digging con artists whose lives of scamming are undone by their falling in love. It reminded me of the 1931 pre-Code rom-com Blonde Crazy, in which James Cagney and Joan Blondell act out a very similar storyline. And I mostly like the song, but I can’t help thinking it would come alive more if the music sounded anything like what these self-declared “cowboys” and “villains” might sing. It’s massively melancholy for the story, and Swift needs a far more winningly roguish duet partner than the snoozy Marcus Mumford. It does draw a charge from a couple of fine guitar solos, which I think are played by Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver, who will return shortly).

The drum machine comes as a refreshing novelty at this point. And while this song is mostly standard Taylor Swift torrents of romantic-conflict wordplay (full of golden gates and pedestals and dropping her swords and breaking her high heel, etc.), the pleasure comes in hearing her look back at all that and shrugging, “Long story short, it was a bad ti-i-ime,” “long story short, it was the wrong guy-uy-uy,” and finally, “long story short, I survived.” She passes along some counsel I’m sure she wishes she’d had back in the days of Reputation: “I wanna tell you not to get lost in these petty things/ Your nemeses will defeat themselves.” It’s a fairly slight song but an earned valedictory address.

Swift fan lore has it that she always sequences the real emotional bombshell as Track 5, but here it is at 13, her lucky number. It’s sung to her grandmother, Marjorie Finlay, who died when Swift was in her early teens, and it manages to be utterly personal—down to the sample of Marjorie singing opera on the outro—and simultaneously utterly evocative to anyone who’s been through such grief. The bridge, full of vivid memories and fierce regrets, is the clincher.

This electroacoustic kiss-off song, loaded up with at least a fistful of gecs if not a full 100 by Dessner and co-producers BJ Burton and James McAlister, seems to be, lyrically, one of Swift’s somewhat tedious public airings of some music-industry grudge (on which, in case you don’t get it, she does not want “closure”), but, sonically, it’s a real ear-cleaner at this point on Evermore. Why she seems to shift into a quasi-British accent for fragments of it is anyone’s guess. But I’m tickled by the line, “I’m fine with my spite and my tears and my beers and my candles.”

I’m torn about the vague imagery and vague music of the first few verses of the album’s final, title track. But when Vernon, in full multitracked upper-register Bon Iver mode, kicks in for the duet in the middle, there’s a jolt of urgency that lands the redemptive ending—whether it’s about a crisis in love or the collective crisis of the pandemic or perhaps a bit of both—and satisfyingly rounds off the album.

#taylor-swift #pop #rock #country-music

[dilfbatman]

Percy being love child to Patrochilles anon here. Thank YOU for making me realise this and THANK YOU for the amazing headcanons, I LOVE them! They made me tear up. I'd definitely would read some more of them if you have the time, energy and inspiration to write them. If not, no pressure. Love your page and I love YOU! Hope you are safe and well.

you’re literally SO unbelievably kind and i love you so much THANK YOU :’) and i will absolutely be writing more! i have a few more ideas :’) and you’re so sweet, i hope you’re also safe & well and much love to you! <3 i’ll do some fun & cutesy hc’s bc this ask made me super happy :’)

—

- patrochilles & perseus will often times go out and do fun stuff together - they all want to do adorable familial things so pat & achilles will take perseus’ to their favorite diner, “the acropolis”, and eat their hearts out (pat has to wipe both of their mouths bc his boys are voracious eaters) and percy turns their drink’s blue (he found out he could do this at chb and he will never stop)

- they like to go to amusement parks/fairs/carnivals and achilles will always win at every single game so his hands are full of stuffed animals and little prizes to give pat & perseus, percy is an ace at water games and for some reason never loses ;) and pat will chastise him while smiling, and pat is always whisking his boys away to the adorable pet farm in which they get to hold bunnies, pet little lambs, and see cool animals! pat makes achilles take so many pictures and it’s just too adorable

- something hilarious that keeps happening to the boys is that they all get asked out nearly every 20 min by some brave yet intimidated soul and achilles has to hold pat and say “sorry i’m taken” and perseus just doesn’t wanna date some random stranger so he just says sorry but that he appreciates their guts of asking him out!

- another fun thing is that they just love celebrating the seasons!

- during the summer they’ll go to the roller rink, to their favorite ice cream stand, pizza parlor, to the park and have a lovely summer’s picnic, they like going to ofc fairs/carnivals/amusement parks, and they love going to the beach and the ocean - perseus feels at home there and patrochilles have always loved the ocean

- during the spring, they’ll go to adorable local festivals and music festivals, pat will dress everyone up and do their makeup/nails and make sure everyone looks popping (which they always do) and they just have so much fun dancing the night away! something else that they do is do little easter egg hunts (you’re never too old to eat all the candy) and pat will hide them so achilles & perseus have to find them (you don’t wanna see those two in competition or compete against them... they’re unforgiving) BUT it’s super fun and they just have a really fun day!

- during the fall patrochilles take perseus to the pumpkin patch and they enjoy going to all the delicious food stalls, going to the corn maze, haunted hayride & haunted houses - this is one of their fav things to do since it’s so fun and perseus at this point in time is like 18 and he just has so much fun seeing his dads take him to their favorite spots growing up! also during halloween instead of trick or treating, they just like to dress up and have a party w all of percy’s friends over and they give out candy to little kids! the kids love them and always make sure to go to uncle pat, lily, & cici’s place! (that’s what the lil kids call em :’)

- and during winter, while it may be cold their spirits and hearts are so warm! they love going to christmas markets and shopping for presents, they watch xmas movies and make all the sweet treats! percy is old enough to get stuff for his dads so he makes achilles a spear that he fashioned at camp & he gives patroclus a journal that he’s been keeping and both pat & achilles are so thankful and happy and they just love their baby boy :’) they give him a record player & demigod-safe cameras/polaroids with film and an album of pictures they’ve accumulated of perseus throughout the year! it’s very sweet <3

- during the year they always have family movie nights every sunday in which they all wear face masks, do a self care routine, watch a new movie they haven’t seen while eating some delicious food and this is a day of relaxation and everyone is just so zen & lil puppy chiron is there just licking everyone and stealing achilles’ pizza everytime he tries to grab a piece

- sometimes when perseus gets really stressed bc of school/demigod stuff, achilles & patroclus will take him in their car and just drive around near the sea with the windows down, so the breeze and ocean air can calm perseus. they’ll stop at a rest area overlooking the ocean and just have conversations and long talks until 2 am about everything & anything - those times are usually filled with laughter, tears, blunt & honest advice, and tons of wisdom & perseus is so grateful bc his parents have gone through what he’s been through! achilles knows what it’s like to shoulder a prophecy & how hard it is to be a demigod & the confusion/anger/sadness that comes with it, and patroclus knows the stresses of not only that, but of mundane normal life too! and they remind percy that everything he feels is valid, and they are ALWAYS here for him, no matter what

- those days are often filled with percy just being held by patrochilles

- also one day while patrochilles is out, percy goes to their room while he’s bored and looks around and finds a bunch of journals/poems/albums/trinkets/knickknacks of when patrochilles were his age! achilles still looks just as beautiful and wild & pat looks just as warm & soft, they look so in love & percy reads all of pat’s journals about achilles and he finds trinkets that achilles has bought pat, and something he finds as well is a journal simply called “Perseus.” and he doesn’t open it but he knows what it must entail and his heart is so full of love bc they just adore him w all their hearts and he feels the same about them

- when they come home w arms full of groceries and put them on the counter, percy just goes up to the both of them and silently hugs them trying to convey his love & adoration. patrochilles are slightly shocked bc they don’t know why he all of a sudden just went to do this but they are so grateful nonetheless, and they hug him back and give him the biggest kisses and tell him how much they love him. percy says that he loves them too and that they’re the best dads in the world :’) achilles eyes are misty and pat has the most widest smile and they just !!!!! EVERYONE’S heart is filled w sunshine & love

- more than anything they are all just so happy that they are a happy family; and they’re all cognizant of the fact that they’re lucky enough to be safe & healthy bc the life of a demigod is tough! but it’s a bit easier with wonderful friends, family, and a great support system <3

they love each other so much and I LOVE THEM & YOU!

#patrochilles!lovechild anon #patrochilles!lovechild #percy jackson #percy jackson headcanons #asks #the song of achilles #patrochilles #i love them and thank you for your kindness! #omg me thinking about how badass they all are as well as being literally the softest people ever #thank you again my friend! :’) #the song of achilles headcanons #modern!patrochilles

[paulieshore]

Mystic Mess. Xmas

Warnings: Minor fluff, *Story may trigger readers past traumas: please be advised. *

Word Count: 2764

Back ground on (this) Mc:

1.       Mc is foreign nationality, but was born in South Korea. She was given up for adoption at birth really, reason: being a girl. Mc’s biological mother and father were visiting South Korea from Canada on business when her mother went into labour 3 weeks early than expected. Neither of her parents knew of her gender seeing as they were confident, they were only having boys (already had 4). They gave her up because they only wanted boys.

2.       Mc is kept in ICU until she was healthy enough to go into a home, which she is later adopted (age 9months) by a compatible and lovable Korean couple. Mc grows up knowing she is different from the other kids, and obviously aware her parents are not her ‘real’ parents. When Mc is 5 years old, she bluntly asks her parents at dinner one night if she’s adopted. Her parents are taken back by the fact she’s asking at such a young age but none the less tell her the truth.

3.       Mc parents did a lot of things for her, they knew Mc’s nationality of descent and during holidays would celebrate things like they would there (educating her). Allowing MC to learn a little of her biological culture. This made so much sense to Mc as she knew her family always celebrated holidays differently than others.

4.       Though it didn’t stop some insecurities to fester in Mc, questions start forming in the depth of her mind (she never spoke them out to anyone). Inevitably causing Mc to start pulling away from other kids in school, afraid that whatever reason her blood parents didn’t want her, maybe others wouldn’t either.

5.       Mc becomes close with a young boy named Chan-Woo (1 year older than her), who too was adopted (Mc: 6 & Chan: 7). He quickly becomes her closest if not only friend for many years.

6.       At age 10 Mc and Chan start ‘seeing’ each-other (Puppy love more than anything.) As kids grow and learn some kids are eager to ‘go to the next level’ and some are not.

7.       Chan-Woo ends things with her because of this, he wanted more from her physically (she was only 12).  Mc was raised to love/respect her body so rejecting Chan had nothing to do with her insecurities. However, when Mc’s boyfriend breaks up with her for ‘not being enough for him’ this causes Mc to mentally spiral.

8.       Mc becomes a bit emotionally unstable at home, sometimes even losing her cool with her parents. One night after a heated argument with her parents her mom faints for no reason at all.  That night the family of three await in the hospital room for test results from the doctor, only to find out her mother has stage 4 cancer.

9.       After losing her mother, her father decides to embark on a journey to reach out to Mc blood parents. Hoping to find closure for his daughter who is mentally unstable, blaming herself for her mother’s sudden death.

10.   When Mc would ask her father about his search, he seems to change the subject quite often, its later found out her blood parents want nothing to do with MC. Mc finds out she has a total of 7 brothers who have no idea of her existence. Mc’s blood father gives Mc’s father some information on the family to help with whatever it was they were searching for (feeling guilty maybe??).  

11.   A couple of Mc’s brothers were well in their 20s now and Mc’s father tried to contact them, after a while Mc began to feel suspicious for her father’s actions. Why was he so needy in finding her family when they obviously didn’t care about her? Was he too looking for a way to get rid of her?

12.   (Age 15) it was a raining afternoon Mc and her father were fighting in the car, he wanted Mc to get treatment. She did not want treatment, MCs father lost traction on the road and skid off a bridge.

13.   When MC woke up, she was told her father did not survive the crash.

Mc spent the next 3 years getting help. Mc blamed herself for all the misfortune and tragedies in her life. Slowly but surely MC became Mc again, still buried deep within her guilt for her parents, she was kind to all those she met. Afraid that her last moments with them or last words said to them would be ones she would regret. Like those moments with her family. Her only family. or so she thought…..

Mystic Mess. Xmas

Everyone arrived to Seven’s as agreed.

The house was decorated inside and out, his explanation to you was “I want the space station to feel the holiday spirit!” It definitely put you into the holiday spirit, like a Christmas wonderland. Something you hadn’t experienced in such a long time.

.

.

The ride over was tense though, Jumin and Zen bickering back and forth. Poor Yoosung was seated in the cross hairs of the two, Zen blaming Jumin for incidents last year, Jumin calling Zen an animal hater. By the time we arrived everyone raced to get out, as Jumin and Zen continued bickering inside the car.

.

Couple days earlier:

Saeran had convinced Jumin at the office, to leave Elizabeth The Third at home this year. Unfortunate as it was, Saeran was looking out for both Zen and Elizabeth’s well-being (from crazy cat lover brother: Saeyoung). Jumin reluctantly agreed protecting Elizabeth from Saeyoung was crucial.

.

Back to the Party:

Upon walking through the door, the shenanigans begun. We were playing all sorts of games, and decorating ornaments to add to Sevens Christmas tree for misfits. Jumin and Zen arguing with Seven about being a misfit, and then arguing with each other for agreeing with each other like cat and dog.

It didn’t damper the mood though, Jaehee and you teamed up in many games. You were helping Jihyun and Jumin when it came time to making ugly Christmas sweaters. Both men obviously didn’t understand the idea of ‘ugly’, as their sweaters were quite sophisticated if not totally fashionable.

Last year was no different except you and Saeran were not apart of the RFA then, Zen was an allergy mess due to Elizabeth, Jumin and Jihyun were drunker than skunks by dinner. Jaehee pointing out that last year seemed less happy then this year, possibly because of the loss of Rika. (Also, Zen was astatic that the damn fur ball wasn’t coming this time.)

Though everyone was in good spirits, you found yourself reminiscing of Christmas when you were younger. Just when you thought you felt yourself going into a mental slump, Seven pulled out another party trick and got you back to high spirits. You were standing under the door way talking to Yoosung, laughing at Zen and Jaehee trying to explain ‘commoner’ things to Jumin, when Seven started chanting.

“KISS, KISS, KISS, KISS!”

Everyone stopped to look to see what Seven was going on about, low and behold; you and Yoosung were standing underneath the mistletoe! Both of you went beat red in the face, Zen quickly scooping in, “She is a young lady, Seven you dirty dog!” Zen ran between the two of you and openly kissed Yoosung in your place.

You, Saeran, Seven, Jihyun were all in stitches (fyi: means laughing). Zen was the least impressed, Yoosung looked as though he was going to die. Jumin and Jaehee flabbergasted at what just happened. After all the games were done, Saeran served dinner. Impressed was the least, boy could that guy cook.

Stuffed turkey, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies of all sorts, flooding of gravy… It wasn’t a traditional Korean Christmas but reminded you of the dinners your parents had cooked for you when you were younger. It was nice that Seven and Saeran planned something today for everyone.

After dinner came secret Santa; everyone was told prior to coming, to buy something ‘no more and no less’ then the amount set for Christmas. They were specifically told that they had to wrap said gifts in a shoe box and then red wrapping paper. Jumin - being Jumin, asked what shade of red, in which Seven told them via chat room; ‘Maroon red’. THEN!!!! They had to print from a computer ‘said name of person’ and stick to the bottom of it. But wait there’s more; the printing had to be in ‘Calibri (body) -font and the font size ‘12’ in black and black only. Not quite understanding at first why you all had to fuss about the details, but then it became crystal clear, it allowed the mystery of secret Santa. (during the handing out bit anyways)

Jaehee had got Yoosung

Yoosung had got Saeran

Saeran got Zen

Zen had Jumin

Jumin had Seven

Seven had Jihyun

Jihyun had You

And you had got Jaehee, it was quite fun. Plus, it was quite easy to figure out who had who from your totally different tastes and spunks in gifts.

Once secret Santa finished, they all relaxed with drinks in hand around the table for a game of Mahjong. Mc never knew how to play but with Jumin, Jihyun and Sevens teaching, after a few rounds she was off and away playing. The twist in game was whoever won the hand had to ask ‘truth or dare’ to the loser of the round. Player could forfeit answering truth or dare question and/or scenario by drinking from their cup. The game was going for quite some time, learning that Jaehee dislikes cotton candy, Seven is willing to do anything you dare him too. Finally, the round goes around again…

Mc had lost the round of Mahjong, and Jihyun won.

“So, truth or dare?” He looked at you with kind eyes. Everyone at the table patiently waited for your response. If you choose dare; you knew that Seven would try to influence his choice, or you could just drink. Feeling though you had come to your peak, if you drank anymore chances were, you’d become a babbling idiot. So…

“Truth”

Jihyun tapped his chin as he looked to Jumin, “What was your childhood like, give us all an insight on who you are and why you are the kindest; sweetest, person in the RFA.”

This question embarrassed you a bit…

You knew any time they’d ask in the chat rooms about your past you were vague. They all seemed to have gone through turmoil of some sorts and intrusted you with their stories… You felt guilty you never really told them yours.

“Well, its kind of sad if I’m supposed to be honest…” Fiddling with the tiles in your hand. Afraid to look up at all the people staring intently at you. “I don’t want to ruin this evening of fun with things that have long since passed. Besides, its kind of a long story…”

“Then let’s pause our game and Mc can jump into story time!” Yoosung cheerfully chimes in. His cheeks were a soft shade of pink, it was clear that Yoosung was tipsy.

“Agreed!” Everyone was quick to answer Yoosung, leaving you feeling flustered even more.

“Uh I would rather drin- ..” reaching for you glass of wine. Saeran was quick to snatch it away, baffled was the least. Why did they care so much? You weren’t anything special, just some girl; some ordinary girl.

You looked to Seven, him and Saeran seemed the quietest. Being hackers, you knew they; kind of had an idea of your past. They both looked into it when you first came to RFA nearly a year ago, come the new year. What a mess they were both in then… and here today sitting side by side during the holiday season. That thought had you smiling, they’ve come such a long way.

“Alright if you want to know so bad… Just promise me one thing? You guys wont look at me any different, don’t pity me, don’t cry for me, and certainly don’t compare me.” You looked to Yoosung as the last of your words came out.

They all sort of gave each other a look before silently nodding their heads in agreement.

“Well… When I was born, I was given up for adoption not even being a week old. I was later adopted by a family here, and here I was raised. My adopted parents died when I was a teenager. My mother when I was 13 and then my father when I was 15. They had no other family and my biological family didn’t….”

 You trailed off slightly, quickly regaining your composure. 

 “I didn’t want to go back to a home so I sort of just lived alone, did schooling and worked nights to pay for a place once the money left to me ran out. It was rough but I got by and now here I am.” You huffed for air after that quick summary.

“I see” Jumin was the first to speak, swirling the glass of red wine in hand. “There’s lot’s you’re not explaining though…are you per say, holding back?” Looking to you.

It was like his grey eyes were piercing through and seeing something you thought you hid well from the world. You glanced down and nodded your head, it was Jaehee next who reached out to you, placing a hand on your hand. “It’s alright, were all here for you. Just as you’ve been there for us, Mc”

It been so long since you truly felt people’s words were more then just words. You were slightly choked by emotions, Zen then, “Jaehee is right, we’ve your back. We might not be the most functional of families but we got you, just as you have helped all of us.” Leaning in to show you an awkward smile.

“You might not be functional Zen, but I am, born perfect in every way.” Jumin quickly adds before sipping his wine.

“You jerk! Why do I even bother with-“

You burst into laughter; true they may be dysfunctional but they were your family now. Maybe it was time you let them into your story… as they let you into theirs.

“Right I guess ill start from the beginning…”

…

…

…

“And then, I met you guys.” Finally looking up from your knees, only to see every single person sat around the table either crying or on the verge of. Even Jumin had a look on his face of utter heart break.

Next thing you knew you were being squished in a hugging mess, that being: Seven, Saeran, Yoosung, Zen, Jihyun and even Jaehee.

“So much for not crying for me guys” Trying to squirm your way out, but to no prevail.

“Everyone has a past Mc, one must grow through what they go through.” Jumin closed his eyes as he spoke to you.

After everyone gave you some love, you were finally able to answer back, “I was also taught growing up, we should practice what we preach, no?”

Jumin’s eyes open wide for a moment, before his mouth curved into a small smile, “Right you are.” Raising his wine glass towards you.

“That’s right Mc, you tell him!” Jihyun offers you his hand in air, high fiving.

The night ended off well, Saeran and Seven drinking a bit too much and crying about they’re childhood and love for ice cream. Yoosung disappeared at some point, and then was found passed out in Sevens bath tub. Zen and Jaehee left before the alcohol really took affect on them. Jumin offered to take you home as he was taking Jihyun. Jihyun who was so incredibly intoxicated; he was practically linked to Jumin’s arm and calling him ‘best buddy’ all the way home.

 Just as you pulled up to your apartment, Jumin got out to lend you his hand, after you said your goodbyes; turning to leave.

“In some Christmas movies, does the gentleman, not get a goodnight kiss?”

You turned around quite quickly to see Jumin’s face, his cheeks were slightly pink, either from the cold or the alcohol. You debated for a moment before making you decision. You took a couple steps towards him, stood on your tip toes and lightly kissed Jumin’s cheek. As you were pulling away, Jumin snaked his arm around your waist and brought you to him once more. Latching onto your lips with his own, the other hand firmly on the back of your head.

Pulling away only after you both seemed to need air, “Goodnight and Merry Christmas, Mc”

END

#mystic messenger #rfa #rfa members #jumin han #saeran #seven #chat logs #yoosung #zen #jihyun #v #jaehee #christmas #kisses #mistletoe #alcohol #family

[epicureancaravan]

ushering in 2017

Just as the calendar slips into December and the clocks strikes midnight to usher in the last month of the year, I find myself moving into a joyful and happy zone. The festive spirit filled with cheer has begun to manifest itself all around me: and I have made it my business to usher more friends and family into this mood.

As they say, if you know the power of positive thoughts, you wouldn’t let a single negative thought cross your mind. And likewise, it is like all forces have come together to make it an even more extraordinary month for me and those around. It has been a month of jamming with my closest pals to celebrate life and our knowing each other.

We celebrated Rajesh Bhatia’s birthday over some fine wine and dine with hubby Rahul and my closest pals Radhika, Bala, Anita, Jaya Ashar and my favourite boy Shantanu Ugrankar. My evening with Asha Kulkarni Almeida and Asavari Dubhashi, my two close school buddies  just happened  out of the blue when we connected at 11am and decided to catch up later that evening after work over some retail therapy at the mall followed by gapshap on what we call as ajoba (grandfather) reclining chairs on how our lives were unfolding. Food and I go hand in hand and so we wrapped the evening with some steaming sizzlers and ravioli. . Don’t analyse the combination, but in the right company; all things fall into place.

But not before we planned a date in January to brunch at Olive.  Though each one of us is so different, with one being a research microbiologist and the other an Ayurvedic doctor and me from the corporate domain, our shared bonding over naughtiness and  what we choose to believe as our evolvedness that keeps us together. We have a name for us Trio; but that is for another day.

Can’t let this month pass without mentioning my school bestie Promila Jethwani who is in Dubai, but just a phone call or a chat away for me. I have made this special buddy a December promise to be there for her next birthday so long as it is somewhere in Asia. ‘Prom, I hope you are reading this and not going ahead with Las Vegas; mujhe naukri jo karni hai. Am not going to give up on convincing you that  Koh Samui is so us; all the wine, fish ,sand and sea. Beach party toh banti hai’.

Parsi bhonu(food) is my hot favourite and what more could one ask for when our close pal Jaya  hosted us at her old world charm of a gymkhana PVM at Cooperage on a sunny afternoon over white wine and sas ni macchi, bheja fry, the signature cheese samosas of PVM, Salli boti, prawn cutlets . A parsi meal cannot be complete without having  good old Dukes Raspberry; and that we did have in plenty. They must have run out of bottles that afternoon.

And then my pal Rachana (whom I possibly know for a short while; but we seem connected like from decades from an approach to life perspective; celebrated her 40th birthday along with her hubby Vishal over a rocking evening. Flower themed decoration, khazana wala khana and crooning into what I understand continued to be 'A Party all night'. Meeting with my baby niece Rhea was the highlight of this weekend. She is an epitome of innocence, delight, joy and mastic all bundled into one. Got me to play Hide and seek after decades and insisted she won despite my desperate attempt to find the ultimate hiding space .

 We also celebrated two birthdays in our building Ganpati group at our famous Essbel Khau(Eatables) katta (place of sitting) and homes, It was a Happy Birthday for Rajesh and Avinash and so no dinner at home on those days as ‘Khane walon ko.. Party ka bahana chahiye’.

At work, we hosted some children (girls)from an Orphanage run by nuns and it moved me to see them so happy and carefree as Santa made them merry. May God bless the nuns who love and take care of them like mothers and teachers. This is true selfless service and I do hope all of I for one can make a difference in the lives of those who may not be as privileged.

We are missing our friends Rongsen Anungla(Anu),Gautam  and their sweetie pie daughter Jiah this  month as they are visiting home in Nagaland. Not a year has gone by without one long evening with them during the Xmas week.

So, as December unfolds, I have finally got started with my 2015 resolution to write my blog. My motivator to this blog has been Manisha Talim, Rahuls cousin who has managed to multi task with her profession as a doctor as well as her interests and hobbies.

So much more happening in the last ten days with a Christmas get together with my near and dear gang; followed with some bonding time with them in Mahableshwar. Mahableshwar will not be complete without at least two meals at Dinas where Hormuz has preserved British and continental recipes handed down three generations along with divine Parsi food. Radhika and charted out our day wise plan at 3am last week. That calls for some spirit;, doesn’t it?

This is also my month of heartfelt thanksgiving to God for bringing people in my life who have been with Rahul and me through thick and thin. So Aai(mom), don’t say I missed you on this one.

Adios for now as I sign off with one of my many favourite quotes. ‘Life is short, Buy the Shoes, Drink the Wine, Order the dessert’.

#eatpraylove #yearendvibes #firstblog

[apartyofone]

Athens..... at some point.

Athens Day 2. Or 1. I’m still not sure.

I’m writing this missive out around 5 pm local time on Sunday. I’m rapping this out on my now ancient and yet well traveled iPad keyboard on a balcony that’s overlooking a Greek Temple in the National Gardens. It’s loud - but that’s OK, it’s a city. A little cool - but more than OK since the USA is about to get smacked with another arctic blast. All in all a wonderful international outpost - one that I thought I would actually never see. This wasn’t my idea but I’m happy about it.

We got here about 30 hours ago and despite the crazy time changes we’re all in really good shape. The apartment is very comfortable by AirBnB standards. I’m just thrilled when the pictures actually match the place.

We wandered down near the Acropolis last night for dinner at a traditional Greek restaurant recommended by our hosts. Authentic? Maybe yes, maybe no. But we gave the owner of the place our Airbnb landlords name - his eyes lit up - and our menus were taken away. He said: He would take care of things. Boy did he. We felt well taken care of - including my kids introduction to:

1. Green yogurt with honey

2. Ouzo

We staggered home and tried to stay up to become accomodated to the time zone. It worked for the most part. I went to bed watching the true international BBC news in my bedroom.

I slept like a rock - my kids less so but eh, they’re young. I’m not. And about to get older on this trip. More about that much later.

Today was simply amazing, starting with great food, relics from the dawn of civilization and walking through some back streets of Athens. And I also almost died. More about that later as well.

We’re in an AirBnB apartment selected by my daughter S. This was an Xmas gifts to both my kids. I’m no longer giving “stuff” - I want shared adventures. Pssst. Next year I’m thinking of Norway/Sweden. Glad they don’t read my trashy T blog.

Those chose the locales in advance of my annual Euro book conferences. It took them about an hour to come up with: Greece. Italy. So we’re spending 3 days here in Athens and four more in Rome before we split up. They go home to resume work and school lives. My adventure continues in London and Paris, two well trod locales that are becoming very familiar to me. I have work and personal commitments happening in both of these cities - with a huge surprise to my kids coming later. Again: More about that later.

Today we started off with a stroll down near the Acropolis. This AirBnB could not be located in a better place. It’s in the Plaka district of Athens - the most historic by far. S searched AirBnB 4 months ago to pick this place out and its wonderful. Clean. In a 50 year old building - about average for Greek apartments as I look out on the horizon. The city stretches out for MILES around the harbor - there are very few buildings over 5 stories.

We found a good breakfast place - again I think they cater to the tourists but I can’t get picky - yet. Fortified we headed to the New Acropolis museum that sits at the foot of the mountain that houses the ancient temple. I don’t use the word mountain lightly - I’m an Oregon boy after all - but this peak dominates the region like few I’ve ever seen in an international city. I think the museum was established in time for the semi recent Summer Olympic Games - the spectacle that bankrupted the entire country. As I look at this city for all of 36 hours I realize how unsuitable this place was for a multi-billion party for the pretty people and athletes. I’ll have more thoughts later I’m sure.

We traipsed through the museum - beautiful displays and lengthy, informative information placards about each set of displays. My knowledge of Greek history is almost nil - I avoided this in school. And yet after just 2 hours in that museum I have a much better perspective.

So it was around 11 am when I apparently had a death wish and went with my children to hike up to The Acropolis. Hike is not the right word. Climb. And not just on a path or steps - although there were plenty of both of those. No it was random uncovered marble steps, hard side by side with course gravel or soil. For a long upward trek.

The American Disabilities Act was not in place. Nor were railings. Water fountains. Guides that might tell you about a different and easier route up - there was.

Twenty years ago I would have sprinted it. (Maybe)

10 years ago it would be a fair trek.

Today for a guy with broken bones in feet and the recent knee injury joy, it was a pathway to hell.

The only thing that could make me embark on this trek was.....one of the world’s most amazing sites was on the top of the mountain.

Also did I mention that 8000 other people were coming up the path behind me?

I got separated from my kids - I angrily told them to go ahead. Not angry at them - angry at my loss of youth and mobility. For the first time on my travels I took out this portable, collapsing cane that I had packed. Up to now it was an option, a protection device.

For this trek - well I simply wouldn’t have made it to the top and back down. And I’m grateful for my self realization that I now require such a device. And cursing at the gods - and oh, they were plentiful here apparently - that I now require this kind of crutch.

Had I known the terrain was going to be so treacherous from start to finish - even at the top it’s like slick and uneven marble that can fell even those most able bodied - I wouldn’t have attempted it. Ignorance was bliss in this case. I conquered it - in a minor way - took my pictures. Marveled. Reflected. There were 1000s of people up on this site at the same time - I image the high tourist season is even more crowded. And still the sheer size of the ruins and grounds was awesome. What a tribute to the sheer spirit of man - primitive mankind - to produce this wonderous temple. Truly there is no place on earth like it. I’m so glad I overcame my growing physical obstacles to get to the top. I was the only guy with a cane - no wheelchair access up there.

I finally found my kids down at the bottom of the mountain - I relied heavily on the charity of others to help make sure I didn’t topple badly. I took a couple of falls today - gonna bruise more than just the body with that knowledge.

We reunited and wondered some of the backstreets - I was so happy to find semi-level ground I was pleased to walk some more. Happened upon an obviously very local place in a working class neighborhood right by the Greek Orthodox Church in that district. We beat the crowd, coming in a grabbing a good table to watch the dozens of families that followed up. I’m sure they aren’t used to tourists - they had one person speak to us about the menu and give his recommendations. I think they liked the fact we avoided the obvious tourist joints. It was a too-big lunch - that’s getting to be a habit I’m afraid - and we all had a chance to reflect on how important this kind of travel is for us - go to the locals, not try to bring the comfortable, USA culture with us. I’m thrilled they have both embraced this approach.

We staggered back to our apartment - some literally - and after a bit of rest the young ones went out to the famed Athens Flea Market. The best day to hit this place is on a Sunday - so out they went. And here I am - resting the knees and glad I’m alive after that crazy climb to the Gods and history.

All up to date, Sunday night as of 6 PM

[joaquinwhorres]

Good Deeds (Steve Harrington x Reader)

Summary: After a minor altercation with Billy at a holiday party, you ask Steve to drive you home. 

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Reader

Word Count: 1934

Author’s Note: So, this is Part 1 of a 3 part mini-series I have in my head. Also, I'm thinking about releasing an angsty version of this same fic as a part of a separate mini-series. I know it's cheating, but  I had two different ideas on how each could go, so we'll see what happens. I’m ALSO going to have a tag list, if you’d like to be tagged in this series, the angst series, or any future Steve fics, just let me know.

Warnings: Language. Short incident of sexual harassment at the beginning.

Chris Winters had the winter break party.

Maybe it was in the name. Maybe it was in the fact that his parents were in a bidding war against each other over who got to be the cool parent. Maybe it was simply because he was really the only person to bother to hold a "holiday party." Whatever the case, you knew that if you were at Winters' party then you were officially in.

At the moment, however, all you wanted to do was get out.

Tiffany had ditched you long ago for Jeff which truly was only a matter of time, and Darlene was too busy babysitting a wasted Becky to be a proper party companion. So, while you had arrived with three friends, somehow you managed to find yourself alone, and you were only half way through the night. And while you had enjoyed some spiked hot chocolate and many more cups of "Holiday Cheer" (whatever that red concoction was), even in your lifted spirits, you felt as if it was time to bounce.

"Hey," a low voice came up behind you, and your eyebrows furrowed in confusion as you turned to face whoever it could possibly be.

Billy Hargrove. Great.

It wasn't so much that you were nervous, angry, upset, annoyed, or any other type of emotion that he was there. Billy was a bit of an asshole, sure. And maybe a bit of a play boy, yeah. And he was obviously a reckless driver, but other than that, he was just like any other boy in Hawkins. Except for maybe being  slightly more openly aggressive and attractive than the rest.

Still, despite your four or so cups of Cheer, you weren't in the mood at the moment to make out with Billy.

But he was smiling and licking his lips. "Come here alone?" he raised an eyebrow. Your eyes fell down to his bare chest. His deep red shirt was unbuttoned almost half way. It was December. In Indiana.

You snorted, scoffing. "No."

"Where's your boyfriend then?" he asked, taking a step closer to you. You stopped yourself from rolling your eyes. 

"I’m here with friends," you clarified, looking up at him, unamused. "Have you seen Tiffany?" Billy's eyes glanced over to his left, and you followed his gaze towards the corner of the room. You could make out Tiffany's tight, bright green sweater and a flurry of dark hair which had large hands running through it. Her face was attached to someone else's, and if you kept looking, you were going to throw up.

"Great," you said, flatly.

"Looks like they've found the mistletoe. Maybe we should find our own," Billy suggested, raising an eyebrow with a slight smirk.

"I'm good," you shook your head, turning away and attempting to make your way through the crowd. A pair of hands snaked their way around your waist, pulling you back. Your stomach dropped.

"Are you sure?" Billy's voice rumbled from behind you.

"Hands off, Billy," you groaned, attempting to push his hands off  your waist.

"Come on," Billy protested, pulling you into him so your back was flush against his front. He leaned over your shoulder, whispering in your ear, "I can show you a good time."

"Yeah, not interested." This time, you couldn't stop the eye roll. You finally pulled away and started off towards the crowd. Billy's hand wrapped around your forearm as he tugged you back.

"Don't play games," he warned.

You stepped forward, teeth gritted. "Get your hands off of me," you ground out. 

Billy leaned forward, and fearing that his face was too close to get a good punch in, you brought up your knee, connecting it with his groin. He  jerked away, allowing you to rip your arm out of his grip. You took off into the crowd, searching for the front door.

"Hey!" another hand shot out, grabbing your arm, and learning from your mistakes, this time you turned with your fist raised, sinking a good punch into your Steve Harrington's face.

"What the fuck?" Steve swore, clutching his face.

"Oh–fuck–I'm sorry," you sputtered. "I thought you were–" you noticed the crowd parting over his shoulder as Billy Hargrove started coming closer, his eyes on you. "Sorry, Steve, I have to run," you turned again, pushing through the crowd. You couldn't believe you let Tiffany drive you. You had to go.

You reached the front door, deciding to figure out your ride home once you were outside. Maybe somebody would also be going home and could at least give you a ride in the right direction. You burst out the door, surveying the parked cars along the street.

"Fuck!" You could feel your chest growing tight as panic began to set in. No one was there. Your brain worked on overdrive, attempting to figure out what you could possibly do next. You couldn't walk home. Your coat was in Tiffany's car, and it was at least a forty-five minute walk to your house. You'd freeze to death before you even made it halfway to your house. You had to get back into the party. There'd be people there. You could hide in the crowd until you caught up with Darlene.

You turned around and ran straight into someone. Both of you stumbled back a bit, and Steve reached out, steadying you.

"Steve!" you exclaimed, a shot of hope racing through you. "Can you give me a ride home?"

A look of confusion mixed with concern crossed his face. "Why? What's wrong?"

You didn't have time for this.

"Take me home," you repeated yourself. Steve nodded, taking off across the yard to his car. You had almost reached it when you heard his voice.

"HARRINGTON."

"Let's go, please," you frantically hissed, opening up the door and getting into the car. "Ignore him. Let's go."

Steve paused, looking up to the sky with a clenched jaw. He shook his head and started to turn. You lunged out of the car, grabbing him by his arm, your fingernails digging into his skin.

"Come on!" you hissed.  

Steve looked down at your face as you released him, his eyes glancing back to Billy Hargrove who was making his way quickly to you.

"Ok," he nodded, and the two of you climbed into the car.

Neither of you were buckled when Steve whipped out of there. You were thrown against the door, hitting it hard.

"Sorry," Steve quickly apologized, making several turns around the neighborhood as if attempting to lose a tail. You waved him off, reaching up and buckling. It was a few more minutes before Steve's driving slowed and he started towards your house.

"So, uh, you want to talk about it?" Steve asked, finally remembering to turn on his headlights.

"Not really," you slumped against the door, looking out the window. The adrenaline had seemingly drained from you, leaving you exhausted, tired, and just wanting to be home.

"Ok," Steve nodded and looked back at the road. You two listened to the sounds of the wheels against the pavement, winter winds rustling around the car. You shivered slightly, wishing you had your coat.

"Are you sure?" Steve asked, noticing your hands wrapped around yourself and turning on the heat.

You nodded, letting silence once again settle between you and him. You didn't know what you were thinking asking Steve Harrington to drive you home. The two of you were friendly enough, running in similar circles, but you hadn't even really spent any time with him. Except for when he was "seeing" Becky and Amy. But he had dated Nancy Wheeler, and although you weren't friends with her, she was the quintessential nice girl. And if Steve was good enough for her to date for a year, he was safe enough to drive home with.

Steve turned on the radio, Kenny Rogers' "A Christmas to Remember" pouring out through the speakers. You reached the chorus before Steve spoke again.

"Can I know why you punched me?"

You looked over at him and decided that if he was nice enough to drive you home after you decked him, it was only fair that you told him why.

"I thought you were Billy Hargrove," you mumbled.

Steve went quiet. Out of the corner of your eye, you could see he was staring down the road, his hands tightly gripping the steering wheel. "What did he do to you?" Steve asked, tightly. The open animosity between Steve and Billy was well known throughout the school. You had a feeling that if you gave him any excuse to fight Billy, he'd take it.

"Nothing. I left," you slumped back down across the car door.

He didn't respond. Instead, you two sat through "Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Merry Christmas, Darling. It wasn't until "Happy Xmas" that Steve asked another question.

"Are you still on Maple?"

"Yeah," you said, looking over at him. "I'm surprised you remembered."

He shrugged. "I've seen you walk home on my way home from school."

"Oh." You didn't know what else to say, and it seemed like Steve was in the same boat. It was weird. If there was one thing you knew about Steve it was that he always seemed to have something to say. This realization made your stomach turn with discomfort as you sat in the awkwardness. You were thankful that the Christmas carols filled up the air between you so at least there was some noise in the car.

"I'm sorry," the words escaped you before you even thought about what you were saying.

Steve briefly glanced at you in surprise before returning his eyes to the road. "For what?"

"For making you leave the party early. I wasn't really thinking–I just sort of panicked, and you were there," the stuttering explanation fell from your lips as if it were falling down a flight of stairs. This was not making the situation any better.

Steve stopped the car, and you looked out the window, realizing you were at your house. Now Steve was able to fully look at you.

"Don't be sorry," he said, firmly. "I don't really like parties that much anymore, anyway."

Your eyes widened as you remembered Tina’s Halloween party just a couple of months ago. You'd seen Steve slam out of the house and Nancy leave with Jonathan.  

Steve seemed to register your look of recognition and quickly spoke, "Not because of that, it's just–" he ran a hand through his hair. "It's fine. I was happy to help. Do my Christmas good deed."

"I really appreciate it," you remarked.

"And if you," he stopped before restarted. "If Billy gives you anymore trouble, just uh, let me know."

You smiled, gently. "I'm sure I'll be fine."

"Yeah," he nodded. "Probably. You throw a mean punch."

You bit your lip. "I'm really sorry about that."

He shrugged. "I've been hit harder." The boy wasn't lying. It seemed like he had his ass kicked once a year. His face had been an ugly green-ish, yellow-ish brown for a good part of November. You laughed a little at him, nodding your head.

"Well, let me know if I can ever make it up to you. For hitting you and then forcing you to drive me home," you offered.

Steve looked over your shoulder at your house. "Do you have any hot chocolate?"

You looked over your shoulder and then back at him. "Yeah, I do."

Read Part 2 > 

#steve harrington x reader #steve x reader #stranger things imagine #steve harrington imagine #stranger things #steve harrington fic #steve harrington #good deeds fic

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Sunday 4 September 1836

8

11 50

No kiss Damp rainy morning and F50° at 9 ¼ am at which hour breakfast - A- read 4 pp. of French and said her vocabulary - washed my inkstand - cut my nails - George asked me to give him - no! to sell him no! the 3rd black coat he has had since my father’s death on the 3rd of April - I have left him 2 complete suits and an extra pair of black cloth trousers! I told him it was not my intention to sell 2nd hand clothes, and came upstairs - I shall tell him again the sooner he gets off from here the better - he said he had no coat fit to wear - I said ‘then you must get a new one - but that is not my concern’ - his dress coat is very good - some minutes with A- wrote the above of today - heavy rainy now at 11 10 am A- and I read prayers to my aunt (in bed) Oddy Cookson, Rachel and George at 12 20 in about ½ hour or more - before and after from 1 20 wrote to M- 3 pp. and ends small and close - ‘Shibden Hall - Sunday 4 September 1836. I know not, my dearest Mary, whether you are intending to write to me (to answer my last string of questions) or whether you are expecting my writing to you, to thank you for your few voucher-lines of the identity of Rawlinson, received by him so long ago as the 19th ultimo - I would have written to you by him, on his return him, at that time; but, really, tho’ it seems ridiculous to say one has not time to scribble ½ dozen lines, such was the fact, as I strictly enjoined him to tell you - his history, that is, the sequel of your recommendation, you know - he arrived here this day-week, alone instead of coming a week later, and brining his family with him, as I expected, and as would have been more convenient - however, I told the man, he could have no comfort till his wife came; and, if my words are verified, it is his own look-out - He sleeps in the old saddle-room (about to be brew-house); and for the Carman’s wife cooks for him; but I am too much engaged to see, or think of him much, now that I do not immediately want him for jobs coming under my own eye; yet, as far as I can judge, he seems steady, and ordinary, and likely to suit us, on better acquaintance - I cannot fancy he will be without reason to thank you for having got him his place - I have had a correspondence with Mrs. Bull from the very day after writing to you last - she got us a cookhouse-keeper and housemaid, and her letter received on Tuesday last settled the matter about a footman, but informed me, also, of the appallingly sudden death of the housekeeper - I trust, however, that we shall be provided for, by and by - I have asked Mrs. Bull if she can send us ‘a good steady groom to take charge of 3 ponies, and 2 carriages, - who would come for a few months, if our arrangements for travelling on the continent should make it unnecessary to keep him longer’ - Do pray, my dearest Mary,  tell me your custom about liveries - As soon as you letter comes, I will write again to Mrs. Bull, explaining more particularly - at present, the thing stands thus - cookhousekeeper £30 housemaid ten guineas - footman £20, and liveries as customary - washing is, of course, included in the twenty pounds; and tea and sugar must be given or allowed for after the rate of...... (I can turn to your most useful letter on this latter head) - I should suppose the housekeeper will have nous enough to manage nicely, but I would rather that we ourselves 1st leant thro’ you what is proper - whenever I have more leisure I will tell you as much as you like about our going on - For our present équipage, we think of having (according to your recommendation) a cookhousekeeper, kitchen maid, and one housemaid - then shall we, or shall we not, raise the 1st of these a little, and let her sit with our own and my aunt’s maid in the housekeeper’s room, and leave the housemaid and kitchen maid tête-à-tête in the kitchen? the footman,

SH:7/ML/E/19/0102

and groom, and John Booth (whose places are the cowhouse, pigsty, poultry yard, stable if wanted, garden  if wanted to help occasionally) have the servants hall - it is talked of our washing once a fortnight - who is to turn the washing machine, and mangle? we shall have cellaring to allow of brewing only once in 2 months - who should brew? as we have only one man in the house, had John Booth best brew, or, at least, wash barrels and bottles? Matty Pollard and her husband go to the Lodge, which leaves the Conery for the gardener till something better is provided - the Carman will be at Mytholm - we shall have the new servants on the 13th if we can be ready by that time - when, or if ever we shall have new kitchens, je n’en sais trop - but the present offices will be very tolerable - the kitchen-door and court are turned to the east, and are thus easily come at by all kitchen people and concerns - the servants hall (quondam backroom, and full of sticks) opens into the court (by a door opposite the kitchen door turned to the east) and into the house by a passage from the upper kitchen - the housekeepers room (parlour where Watson used to sit) opens into a little bedroom (quondam the coach house) where the housekeeper is to sleep - the maids sleep over the housekeepers’ room - and the green room where Watson used to sleep, and where I hope she will sleep again, is made rather neater, and now occupied by Cookson (she came from Mrs. Worsley of Hovingham and was mentioned by Mr. Parsons junior with whom she learnt hair dressing) - Cookson on any occasion can sleep with the housekeeper, or in a little room elsewhere, or over the kitchen - In short, I think we shall have room enough to make ourselves very fairly comfortable - Do tell me, how do you bake your bread? in a brick oven? I have a great fancy for one if it can be managed safely - I only hope we shall have done with workmen in the house before we leave home - nothing as to travelling plans, is more settled than when I wrote last - my aunt is more poorly again - but not at all alarmingly so - she desires me to give her love - I am really ashamed to ask you so many questions (knowing that you are little less busy than I myself am) but if you can, without great sacrifice of time, give us on account of your school, and clothing club, and Friendly society, you would very much oblige us - have you not a printed form of Friendly society rules? and have you not a printed list of clothing prices? How do you pay your scholars for the work they do? It seems odd to ask you all this, while the person from whom you yourself asked it is still living at Lightcliffe -the truth is, there is no longer any intercourse between the parties, but the story is too long and unimportant to tell, or attempt to tell on paper - Put off, if it seems safe to do your visit to York till near Xmas, and then, if you should pass this way, I trust you will find that there may always be some comfort in seeing an old friend - I hope you have good accounts from the minster court - the thought of your mother brings to mind my aunt - Perhaps this winter may make great changes - write to me soon, and be confident always of the very sincere and affectionate regard of your faithful and especial friend AL’ - we may we not put 2 or 3 menservants beds (2 in a bed) in one room if the space will allow?  is the cookhousekeeper to have kitchen perquisites? Is she to have the key of the store-room? is she or the footman to look to the fastening of the doors at night? may we not put 2 or 3 menservants beds (2 in a bed) into one room if the space will allow? - at church at 3 - took Cookson with us inside and Sarah outside with George in consequence of the rain - Mr. Wilkinson did all the duty - in the middle of the psalm on our going into church - preached 25 minutes from John xvii. 15 - 50 minutes at Cliff Hill Mrs. AW in spirits and humour and glad to see us - a few minutes at the school in returning to leave 2 parcels - home at 5 50 - copied my letter to M- till dinner at 7 10 - coffee upstairs and A- read several pages of French - ¼ hour with my aunt till 10 5 pm Rainy day and heavy rain at 11 10 am and as we returned from the school and at 7 pm F55° now at 10 ¼ pm - sent off tonight my letter to ‘Mrs. Lawton, Lawton Hall, Lawton Cheshire’