#and if i rented my house id at least be able to sleep more than 6 hours a night

[rhysismydaddy]

Felons pt. 1 (Nessian)

Nessian multichapter. Next part out probably Monday. As always, this one just sets up some stuff so it’s kinda boring. This one’s probably going to be long. And an emotional roller coaster. Just letting you know :) 

Lightly based off the book The Witness. I say lightly because I’ve actually never even read this book, but my mom told me about it. ALSO no offense to anyone who’s from/lives in Nebraska lol.

Cassian swiveled around in his chair and looked at his partner with raised brows. “She’s in Nebraska?”

“That’s what I just said, isn’t it?”

Someone’s a little testy today. He ignores the tone and repeats, “But... Nebraska? What the hell is she doing there? And why did it take us so long to find her?”

Azriel gives him a tight look, and he realizes the reason for his pissy attitude. He’s annoyed it took him so long to track her down. 

Before he can tell his partner it isn’t his fault, he says, “She isn’t doing much. She’s completely off the grid. Which answers your second stupid question, too.”

“Okay... how off the grid are we talking?”

The woman had grown up in a penthouse, for fuck’s sake. He couldn’t imagine her living in the middle of nowhere without any of the comfort she’d lived with her entire life. 

“No cell phone or bank records for the last two years. The last time she was seen by any sort of traffic camera was before that, and it was in Atlanta.” He scrolls through something on his desktop with a frown. “From what I can tell, she took all her money out in cash and hoped on a bus.”

Nothing about that sounded like the woman he’d been reading about, but he wasn’t about to argue with Azriel in such a bad mood. “So she went straight to Nebraska?”

“I don’t know.”

His least favorite answer. “How’d you find her, anyway?”

“Well, I figured that unless she was sleeping under a bridge, she had to be paying rent somewhere. So I went state by state, looking at new property purchases under her known aliases.” Azriel sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. “But that didn’t pull up any results, so I looked at all the IDs on new renter’s insurance purchases until I matched one to her.”

His eyebrows rose. “That’s...”

“Tedious as shit.”

“Yeah.”

“That’s why it took so damn long,” he mutters. “She’s been careful, Cass. I mean really, really careful.”

A laugh bubbled out of him at that. “Well, she should be. She’s a felon.”

~Nesta~

Nesta’s breath clouded in front of her as she ran up the hill, panting like crazy. Even though she’d taken up running after the move, she still fucking hated it. Especially when it was cold. 

Which, in Nebraska, was somehow year round.  

Even the summers here were cold compared to back home-

No. Not home. 

This was home now. 

California was slowly, painfully becoming a distant memory, and she had to constantly force herself to remember that Mackenzie Brooks had never lived there. She was born in Michigan. She has no family or friends. Her hobbies include reading and running (the last of which was a definite mistake to include). 

And she was her. 

God, it honestly was a miracle she hadn’t slipped up yet. 

Maybe it was still the fear that drove her. Maybe it was just that she knew she could never go back to her old life. No matter that she wanted to.

No matter that she’d picked up and left without a word.  No matter that her sisters probably thought she was dead. 

Thankfully, she made it to the top of the hill before she passed out or died, and she bent over, sucking down the freezing air. It was only October, but it was already cold enough to force her to wear three layers and a beanie. 

Despite being miserable and cold, she forced herself to go through her training course. 

Because it couldn’t just be enough to be fit enough to run away anymore. If the person chasing her was faster... 

Nesta punched her hand through the target, satisfied when the wood cracked down the middle. Her knuckles luckily had gotten used to the abuse, so when she ducked under the branch and struck again, another target went flying. 

By the time she was done, her hands and arms were tired and her body was aching for a bath. 

Or two hours on a warm, sunny beach. 

Since only one of those things was bound to actually happen, she trudged back to her cabin, praying the hot water would hold out long enough for a full bath. 

One thing about Blair, Nebraska was that somehow, the less than ten thousand people who lived here were always experiencing a water shortage. 

It rivaled the cold ass weather for her least favorite thing about the place as a very close second. 

Noticing who was parked in front of her small little house, she grimaced and amended her statement. Lack of hot water was actually third, second only to the one and only Sheriff Marks. 

He spun around when he finally heard her steps, smiling a big, ugly, fake smile. “Miss Brooks.”

“Marks.”

According to small-town social guidelines, she was being beyond rude for not calling him Sheriff. But he was a short, ugly, annoying man, and she didn’t hold an ounce of respect for him. 

And because she wasn’t completely fake, she didn’t bother hiding it. 

“What are you doing on my property?”

His smile dimmed as his eyes beady eyes narrowed slightly. “I wanted to see how you’re doing. You never come into town. And here in Blair, we take care of each other.”

That right there was the reason for her dislike; Sheriff Marks was an insatiably curious man. 

And ever since she’d shown up a year ago, he’d been trying to put together the puzzle of why a moderately attractive young woman would move to the middle of butt-fucking nowhere. 

“I’m fine.”

She wanted to walk by him and go inside, where she could blissfully lock him out, but she had a list of rules now, and not putting her back to people she didn’t know or like was at the top of it. 

“Okay, sure, but-”

“Listen, Marks. I appreciate this... gesture, but I moved here to be left alone. I’d appreciate it if you would respect that.” It was the most she’d ever said to him, and he looked a little shocked. “I think I’ve made it more than clear.”

His face went somehow even ruddier, and for a split second, she regretted the harsh words. 

She couldn’t have people caring about her, though. When people cared, they stopped by more and felt entitled to know your business. Neither of which were things she wanted. 

So she just raised a brow and shot a meaningful glance to his cruiser. 

“Yes. It’s perfectly clear exactly who you are.” 

She almost rolled her eyes at the attempted insult, thankful when he finally turned to leave. As he was pulling away, she united her muddy shoes and got her house key from her sock, grimacing at how tight her back was when she stood up. 

Inside, she went through and made sure every door and window was locked, a habit she’d picked up two years ago and hadn’t been able to shake. 

God apparently was looking out for her today, because when she finally made it upstairs, there was enough hot water to fill the tub. 

When she sunk down to her shoulders and closed her eyes, enjoying the moment of peace. But then images of her sisters’ faces, the ocean, and her old home popped up uninvited in her head. 

It was always quiet moments like these when she found it the hardest to shake the memories of who she used to be. And since Nebraska was always fucking quiet... 

Nesta reminded herself of why she was here; why it had been necessary to leave. She reminded herself that her family was safer with her gone, that she was safer. 

But the hole in her chest refused to listen and close up. 

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she was too tired to even brush it away and chastise herself. Because for the first time in twenty-five years, she admitted she was lonely. 

She’d been alone for most of her life, but there was a difference between alone and lonely. Even when she’d isolated herself from her family and friends, they’d still been there for her. 

But now... she had no one here. And she’d never felt so alone in her life. 

It was horrible enough to make her consider going back, despite the risks. 

This is home now, she told herself, dunking under the water to wash away the thoughts hounding her. You didn’t work your ass off to get safe just to bitch out after a year. 

Coming up and gasping for air, she went through her cover, just like she did every night. 

“My name is Mackenzie Brooks, nickname Mackie. I’m from Michigan, but I moved to Nebraska last year to start over. I like to read and run. I’m twenty-five.” Taking a deep breathe, she finished, “I don’t have any family.” 

No amount of time under the water could ebb the sting of those words, though.

~Cassian~

Cassian was honestly a little surprised he hadn’t gotten fired. 

He absolutely hated his orders, and he’d made that more than clear. They’d come straight from Command and “weren’t negotiable,” but that didn’t mean he hadn’t tried. 

Calling his boss a two-faced asshole might’ve been a bit much, but it felt justified in the moment.

Because in all the time he’d spent searching for Nesta Archeron, he’d always pictured the day he’d finally track her down and slap some cuffs on her wrists, haul her away to jail.

He’d never imagined he’d be given orders to find out what she knew first. 

And he’d also never imagined having to do so in fucking Nebraska. 

An hour in the state, and he already hated it. He was from Boston, so he didn’t mind the cold weather, but the lack of buildings over thirty feet was a shock to the system. 

That, alongside the fact that everyone here was wearing some form of plaid, only worsened his mood. 

It wasn’t like he cared about her or anything, but he’d never really liked undercover work. Deceiving a woman--no matter that she was a criminal--never felt right to him. 

But orders were orders. 

He had to find out why she’d run, what she knew about what had happened, and if she had any proof. The goal was to get it all recorded, so he had to carry around a stupid little tap recorder in his jacket pocket. 

Maybe she’d meet him and just spill her guts immediately. That’d be ideal, but it seemed pretty fucking unlikely. At the very least, he’d have to get her to trust him enough to talk about the events of two years ago.

He drove the crappy old truck Azriel had gotten him through the small town, gaining the eyes of pretty much every person he passed. 

Not a lot of new people, apparently.

Ignoring them, he drove to the address of a small house on the outskirts of town. Or home for however long it took him to get close to her. 

Gods, I hope she’s talkative, he thought, walking up the creaky stairs and shouldering the door open. 

Quiet and small, but at least it was clean. 

Throwing his bag down, Cassian grabbed his laptop and started to get to work. 

~

Three hours and a trip to the grocery store later, he’d learned absolutely nothing Nesta--or Mackenzie Brooks, rather. 

There had been nothing online, and no one in the store had much to say besides, “She moved here a year ago. Keeps to herself.”

Great. 

Luckily, he had a reason to go see her. They were neighbors. Kind of. 

Her house was further out of town than his, and she owned the land around it, so she didn’t actually have neighbors. But he lived within a two mile radius, so he counted it. 

Which is why he found himself sitting in her gravel driveway, eyebrows high on his forehead, staring at the place.

And for the first time, he questioned if Azriel was right. 

Because the woman he’d read about... she definitely didn’t seem the type to live here. 

The porch was missing floor boards, the roof was caving in on one side, and the paint on the outside of the house was peeling off. The only thing that looked somewhat new was the front door. 

It had three locks and seemed to be a little heavy duty compared to the house, which made it stand out in a pretty obvious way.

Stepping out of the car, he walked up to get a better look, avoiding the holes in the floor. The house was quiet, and he knocked on the door, finding it to be solid and heavy. 

No answer. 

He knocked again, waiting a few minutes. Then he decided to be nosy and peek in the window. 

A couch and dining table were all that was visible, furthering his opinion that she couldn’t actually live here. 

She’d grown up in one of the nicest apartment buildings in California. Her father had been a wealthy real-estate tycoon. She’d gone to private school and sailing camp, for Christ’s sake. 

There was no way she lived here. 

That theory was proven very soundly incorrect a second later when he felt something tap the back of his head. Repressing the jump that rose from not hearing anyone sneak up on him, he straightened and turned around. 

And found himself looking down the barrel of a shotgun into the surprisingly beautiful, angry face of Nesta Archeron. 

“You have five seconds to get the hell off my porch.” 

Shock ran through his system like lightening. For a few reasons, the least of which was the gun. 

For starters, pictures didn’t at all do her justice, because she was probably the most attractive thing Cassian had ever laid eyes on. And that was with mud splattered on her face, hair in a ponytail, and athletic clothes covering her thin frame. 

Then there was the fact that Azriel had been completely correct. Nesta Archeron, pampered little trust fund princess, was living here. In Nebraska. Completely off the grid. By herself. 

The gun was also a surprise, but not as much as the way she was holding it. Her feet were squared, her shoulders lined up to absorb the kickback if she fired. She looked... she looked like she knew what she was doing. 

She raised a brow, reminding him of the fact that he still hadn’t spoken. 

And remembering who he was supposed to be, what he was supposed to do, he ignored the gun and smiled broadly. “Or what?”

“Or I will shoot you,” she responded calmly, hand pulling back the fore-end to load the gun with a snap. 

“You aren’t going to shoot me,” he assured her. “I brought you a pie.” He held up the baked good and grinned. It was from the grocery store, but it still counted, right? “It’s blueberry.”

“What? Who the fuck are you? And why are you here?”

Sticking out a hand that she ignored, he said, “Cassian. I’m here because I just moved in to the place about a mile from here, and I wanted to meet my neighbors. I gotta say, I’m loving the hospitality.”

Nesta ignored the joke and asked incredulously, “You moved here?”

He nodded. 

She just narrowed her eyes, not buying it apparently. 

Good God, “stand-off-ish” didn’t begin to cover it. 

He was having a difficult time wrapping his head around the fact that this was the same woman who’d gone to UC Santa Barbara, liked to surf, and had dated a movie star.

“But what about the-”

“I hate pie.”

He scoffed, leaning against the crumbling wall of her house like he was unbothered by the rejection in her voice. “No one hates pie.”

Nesta shrugged, jerking her chin towards his truck in a clear get the fuck out manner. 

“I’ll leave if you tell me your name,” he bargained, acting like he didn’t know who she was already.

There was a pause of silence, and a bit of sadness seeped into her bright blue eyes. “Mackenzie.”

Mackenzie Brooks, one of her aliases.  

“Pretty name.”

“Leave.”

“Sweetheart, I honestly can’t believe you’re trying so hard to get rid of me. I’m the best looking guy around here.”

That might very well be true, considering he hadn’t seen a single person under the age of fifty when he’d gone out earlier. 

“And what if I’m not looking for a man?”

“I have a female cousin you could date instead.”

Her lips twitched, and it made him a little too happy to see. “If I take the pie, will you leave?”

“Counteroffer. We split the pie, then I’ll leave.”

Her eyebrows go up. “Who the hell offers someone half a pie?”

“I was planning on giving you the whole pie, but I didn’t know you’d be so beautiful. And feisty.” He ran his eyes over her slowly. “A quality I never even knew I liked.”

“The urge to shoot you just increased.”

Cassian waggled his eyebrows. “So passionate.”

Nesta just sighed, finally lowering the gun. She engaged the safety and leaned it against the door, then snatched the pie from his hands and walked to the porch railing. 

He noticed she didn’t turn her back to him the entire time, and she she kept the gun in arm’s reach. 

What the hell had she been through?

His train of thought was cut off when he heard a splat. Nesta came back to him, one crumpled half of the pie lying upside down in the lid, the other in the original container. She shoved the crumpled half toward him. “Now leave.”

“How did you even cut it? Do you have a knife hidden between your breasts?”

It was a miracle she didn’t slap him for that one. She just narrowed her eyes again and said, “Yes.”

He honestly believed her. 

Cassian sighed, knowing he had to actually leave now. “Well, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but it’ll do. It was lovely to meet you, Mackenzie.”

“Please just leave.”

Ouch.

He laughed and walked to his truck, calling out, “I’ll see you soon, neighbor!”

Nesta frowned at that, but he ignored it and grinned back. 

She stood on the porch watching him drive away until he was a certain distance, then picked up her stuff and unlocked the door. 

Well, Azriel had definitely been right: she was being very, very careful. 

But why? 

Cassian had no idea, but he was definitely going to find out. 

_____________________________________________________

Part 2

@sjm-things​ @santas-dwynwen​ @thebitchupstairs​ @sayosdreams​ @perseusannabeth​ @cursebreaker29​ @a-bit-of-a-cactus​ @elriel4life​ @girl-who-reads-the-books​ @aelinfeyreeleven945tbln​ @highqueenofelfhame​ @tswaney17​ @rowanisahunk​ @superspiritfestival​ @studyliketate​ @over300books​ @justgiu12​ @maastrash​ @aesthetics-11​ @bamchickawowow​ @b00kworm​ @sleeping-and-books​ @musicmaam​ @hizqueen4life​ @maybekindasortaace​

#nessian #nessian fanfiction #cassian #nesta archeron #nesta #cassian x nesta #acotar #acotar fanfiction #a court of mist and fury #a court of thorns and roses #a court of wings and ruin #a court of frost and starlight

[adl-reborn]

I just realized I forgot to post this here...

Tales of Metroville: Thought Experiments

Aston hadn't slept in 3 days. He had been researching non-stop to discover the ailment from which his friend, Phoenix, was currently suffering. You see, they both were invited to dinner by the president. In theory they both were to be debriefed about current affairs and of any unusual goings on that the two most powerful known mutants on the planet might be needed for. Aston, however, had no need of it - his clairvoyance had alerted him both to the topics of discussion and of all such events including many not on the agenda. Meanwhile, the normally quite outgoing Phoenix barely ate and didn't speak at all, and when they both returned home he locked himself in the master bedroom to do who knows what.

If ever there was a good time for Aston's comprehensive ability to read peoples' minds, this would be a good one, but it isn't so simple with Phoenix. Try as he might, Aston could never do this with Phoenix. Even after years of trying, Aston could only ever manage to read vague emotional states, but that only told him the obvious. Distracted by this, so too was he unable to clearly see the path ahead. And so his research continued. Depression, Anxiety, MPD, and many others. He read through the DSM5 until he reached the chapter on autism.

At this point he paused as his sleep deprived mind called back to his childhood. His odd behavior as a preteen had prompted a visit to the psychiatrist - a visit which he left with a diagnosis of "Asperger's Syndrome". It was described as a milder form of Autism - one which could lie undetected in many. Needless to say he was familiar with it and had recognized much of himself deep within Phoenix's personality, but ultimately the DSM did not help beyond providing a starting point...

Luckily Aston did not need to look far to find his answers. Where official medical documentation failed actually autistic people filled the void, and crucially the true nature of a meltdown and a new concept - burnout, were introduced to him. Additionally, Aston found himself unable to read many of the individuals presenting their point - a correlation which Aston surmised was due to a radically different mind, but finding that out for sure wouldn't be easy...

The only way Aston knew to read minds of a type he had never read before was through a technique he dubbed a "mental fusion". It's theory of operation was similar in principle to what many Trekkies call a mind meld. This was a technique Aston had only ever done once - by accident, he did this to his father on the day he ran away - a fight had broken out between the two and they had inadvertently fused for but a few seconds. In that time they could feel each other's thoughts as one, and Aston gained a roadmap of the human mind, but Aston was overwhelmed by this and ran off into the forest. It was an ability he had sworn to never use again...but his friend was in danger and he knew it.

Slowly Aston opened the door - inside was Phoenix, sitting in the fetal position rocking to soothe his frayed nerves. He held his legs tight against his belly and did not speak to greet Aston. Where Phoenix once stood a timid child remained. As Aston approached Phoenix turned and looked apprehensively in his direction. Aston could see in Phoenix's eyes that his distress was great. As Aston sat down close to Phoenix he was apprehensive at first, but a calming touch from Aston soothed him enough to stay. They sat like this for a while - Aston holding an obviously distressed Phoenix, but he knew what he must do and that it would be uncomfortable.

Slowly Aston moved his right hand to Phoenix's right temple. Phoenix became agitated for a moment and started shaking his arms but Aston calmed him with the left. Once positioned, he waited for Phoenix to calm down and gently positioned his left hand. With his hands in position a faint blue glow began to appear, glowing brighter with every second. Phoenix let out a yell..."I'm sorry..." Said Aston. They both yelled in unison as their minds became one. In an instant they both found themselves unconscious

One hour later...

Aston awoke but not in reality. His fusion was more complete than he had anticipated - he surmised he must be in a shared dream as they both were extremely exhausted. Aston, being a proficient lucid dreamer realized this straight away, but he knew if he could recognize this that the dream is important in some way. In the distance he hears a cry.

It is Phoenix - crying out for help. Alone in the distance. In this dark void he can see nothing, and conjuring a flashlight nor a vehicle has no effect. He continues to run in the direction of the yelling but to no avail - Phoenix remains out of reach. Aston calls out to Phoenix but there was no response........

2 hours later

Aston awakens once again - this time in the house but in his bedroom. Objects are not in their designated places so here too this is a dream. Aston proceeds to navigate to Phoenix's room. He lies on the bed staring at the ceiling unresponsive. As Aston approaches Phoenix apparates into a standing position and then runs up to Aston crying to which they both share embraces...

2 hours later

The sound of screaming pierces in Aaron's ear once again waking him. Again he is in Phoenix's dream - the same one as the first time. Aston remembered well how he failed to handle this dream the last time so he tries a different tactic. He calms his mind and senses Phoenix's precise location. Though they can not see each other, Aston knows he and him are now together. Aston sits down next to Phoenix.

"It's alright...I am here to comfort you." Stated Aston. What was once a cry became a whimper, and the once dark void is now illuminated by a dim yellow radiance. "I am here for you Phoenix, no matter your darkest hour nor your worst fears." The yellow radiance grows in illumination from Phoenix's chest. The two mutants once again embrace one another, and the once dark void is now pierced by a blinding light. "Do you mean it?" Replied Phoenix. "I'll let the actions do the talking..." Aston returned...

2 hours later

"So you finally found it"

Aston awoke once again - this time in a peaceful garden surrounded by a lake with small gentle waves. A fog obscures any view beyond.

"Welcome to my world" stated Phoenix to the now slowly arousing Aston. "I never thought I would see you here, but I figured one day you might show up." "What...is this place?" replied Aston, "it seems peaceful, relaxing even."

"This is my comfort zone" replied Phoenix, "I come here to escape the demands of the world when they become too much to bear." "I couldn't come here for far too long - we were too busy saving the world." continued Phoenix, "I thought I had lost it forever - in its place I only found darkness."

"That was your first dream, and the third. What about the second?" Replied Aston. "The house is where we always go when we're done for the day." Phoenix stated, "I thought maybe I could relax there." "It didn't work out as I had hoped...but at least you were there." Phoenix continued, "If I had been alone in there I don't think it would have done anything. I was just laying there, worrying about all of the drone strikes, supervillains, contingencies, space nukes. You know, all that crazy stuff they brought up at the meeting."

"It's all so stressful you know! And, it's kind of hard to explain, but the lights...they felt blinding, and the klinking of so much silverware on porcelain didn't help either. It felt like I was expending every last drop of my being to not explode from all of the stress!" "I...had no idea." Replied Aston, "I was just sitting next to you. I already knew everything they had to say but since you had said nothing I didn't know what to expect! Even now after fusing I still struggle to comprehend the sheer depth of your thoughts. To be honest the buzz from the busted TV was starting to get on my nerves though...you don't think..."

"I know what you're going to say - I was diagnosed with ADHD, not Asperger's." quipped Phoenix. "Since when have I ever lied to anyone let alone you?" Replied Aston. "I just spent 72 hours straight tearing the internet apart to figure out why you locked yourself in a room. Not because I wanted to get back to saving the world - we both know it doesn't need saving right now. I did that because I knew you were deeply distressed...but I couldn't understand why until now." "This is not a place for argument." Aston continued, "This is a place to escape to when the going gets tough. Just as I can sort of read your thoughts now you should be able to read mine. Look, and see I am not wrong. All you need to do is look at me, focus, and visualize my mind inside yours."

Phoenix was skeptical, but did as asked. To his surprise it worked - all of the research Aston had done up until the point of fusion was laid plain to see. Every disorder in the DSM5. All of the documentaries, YouTube videos, and articles read. So too was Aston's past - all of the struggle he had to endure. He had a fake ID in high school - not so he could drink, but to rent an apartment of his own away from his father's prying eyes in Metroville - far from anywhere he would think to look. His Asperger's was plain to see - a similar but less intense mirror of Phoenix's own past.

As he came out of the vision Phoenix embraced Aston. "Thank you, Aston..." He finally said, "I think you saved me...from my own mind." "It's no sweat, that's what friends do am I right? Sometimes the heroes of the story need saving too." They both stood up, and the dream ended.

Aston awoke holding Phoenix in his embrace. So too did Phoenix not long after. Aston now could see some of Phoenix's thoughts, but Phoenix still remained an enigma - further refinement would be needed to fully understand his mind. "Did you sleep well?" Aston inquired? "Yes...or at least better than I have in the past few months." Replied Phoenix. "I'm glad...seems you needed it." Aston stated. "No kidding...I guess I needed to not feel completely alone for once." Said Phoenix, "Say...that technique you used to get inside my head...I thought you couldn't get inside my head." "That's what I thought too...until I figured out just how different your mind is wired compared to the norm." Replied Aston, "I took an educated guess that you were Autistic - that led me to find out that your brain is almost 100x more complicated than a normal human, and I daresay probably more complicated than mine." "Does that mean I have the same abilities you do then?" Phoenix inquired, now intrigued. "Maybe..." Replied Aston, "You want to find out?" "Sure, but I bought pizza the last time we trained so it's on you this time." Stated Phoenix. "Gladly!" Replied Aston, "I think this will be fun!"

[lyssismagical]

moments of gold and flashes of light

Parkner Week Day 3: “I am very small and I have no money.” / college au / no-powers au

(This is like a Rhodey/Tony!MIT Parkner AU)

(TW: Implied Child Abuse)

 Working at a café on the outskirts of a college campus meant good business, decent tips, and weird hours. A good job for Harley who needs to work weird hours to keep up with his classes, and he makes enough to afford essentials and to keep his head above water in the debt.

It also means he sees a lot of very tired students at those strange hours.

He gets an elbow in the ribs from his coworker, Cassie, who points across the café at an occupied table.

“An order?” Harley asks, forehead creasing. They don’t normally take orders from tables.

“No, we have a policy about sitting in here without ordering. I need you to ask him to either buy something or leave before our boss notices,” Cassie says. She glances down at her watch, frowning at the time. “There’s only a few hours until we’re done, anyways.”

Harley hates the policy. It makes sense why they have it, they’re going to lose a lot of business if the café is always full but nobody’s buying anything, but it doesn’t make it any easier to kick tired teenagers out in the middle of the night.

He sighs and lets Cassie take over the registers as he makes his way to the boy at the table, straightening his deep purple apron as he goes.

“Excuse me?” he says, wincing when his voice cracks.

The boy at the table’s head jerks up, eyes wide behind a thick pair of glasses. He looks young, younger than most people Harley sees coming into the café, but he’s hunched over a stack of textbooks and papers, what looks like a year three astrophysics textbook on top. There’s no way he’s old enough to be in his third year of university.

“Yeah?” the boy asks. He tips his head to the side in question, the light hitting his face and showing off the deep, dark bags under his eyes.

“We have a policy here, you have to buy something to stay.”

The boy winces, hands patting the pockets of his jeans. He pulls out an old wallet, faded Stark Industries logo on the back barely visible, and pops it open.

He rifles through the things in his wallet, dropping a few on the table including a library card, a Booster Juice loyalty card, and a Stark Industries ID. He finds a dollar bill, but otherwise comes up emptyhanded.

“Shit, sorry, I don’t have any money,” the boy says, eyes wide and glassy. He grabs his backpack from between his feet and starts going through the pockets, but they seem just as empty. “I’m so sorry, I guess I used the rest of my cash on rent, and I don’t- I’ll just pack up and head home, no worries-”

“You like coffee?” Harley blurts before he can stop himself. It’s not like he really has much leeway with his budget, but a couple dollars for an obviously stressed, very cute boy seems like a good investment. “I’ll cover it for you. Give me just a moment.”

As soon as he gets a confirming nod, he heads back to where Cassie’s working, and makes a quick coffee with extra caramel, and digs out his wallet to drop a few dollars in the register.

“You’re buying coffee for him?” she says, amused and shaking her head.

He shrugs, looking over his shoulder at where the boy is still watching him with his wide, doe eyes. “He had a third year astrophysics textbook. I felt bad.”

Cassie laughs, rolling her eyes at him. “The store’s pretty quiet anyways. You should make yourself one too, and take a fifteen.”

Harley’s not about to pass up that opportunity, so he moves quickly to make himself a matching coffee, and then he heads back over to the boy.

“Mind if I sit?” he asks, sliding one of the coffees over to the boy. “I’m in my second year at MIT, so maybe I could lend you a hand? Or at least be a nice distraction?”

The boy smiles, nodding and gesturing to the chair opposite him. “I’m Peter Parker. Third year at MIT.”

“You seem… young.”

Peter laughs, fingers curling around his coffee with a pleased hum. “Yeah, I’m eighteen. Graduated high school at fourteen, started here at fifteen.”

Harley’s jaw drops open in surprise. He’s nineteen, and in the year below Peter. It’s a bit of a shock. “You’re graduating university at nineteen? Isn’t that a bit scary?”

“I’ve got a job lined up at Stark Industries in New York. I’ve been an unpaid intern every summer for four years, so it’s not as scary as you’d think.” He looks down at his homework, textbooks and binders and loose papers, and frowns. “Stressful, for sure. But scary, not so much.”

As much as he wants to comment on a lot of that, especially about how he’s apparently been interning for SI since he was thirteen, he doesn’t want to overstep any boundaries and he doesn’t have a lot of break left.

He sips at his drink, listening intently as Peter starts rambling about how annoying one of his profs had been the other day, the reason he’s up all night studying at the café. Peter’s pretty, especially when he gets passionate about something, eyes lighting up behind his thick frames, blush high on his cheeks, hands gesturing vaguely. Harley hasn’t made many friends since he left Tennessee, only Cassie and Kate from an off-campus extra-curricular. Peter seems like the kind of person Harley would really enjoy being friends with.

“Harley!” Cassie calls out, much too soon for his liking. “Your fifteen’s up.”

Peter frowns noticeably, finishing off his coffee. “I’ll probably stick around for a bit, if that’s alright?”

“Yeah, of course. And come back whenever, yeah?”

“I’m sure I’ll be back in no time, in need of quiet and caffeine.”

* Turns out, Peter’s not lying. He starts showing up every Thursday night and every few Wednesdays like clockwork, always with his old backpack filled with books and binders, and always with enough for a coffee to make sure he can stay.

Whenever Harley takes his fifteen, he spends it at Peter’s table, sitting across from him and chatting about anything and everything. They trade numbers after three weeks, texting every so often whenever they’ve got the chance. It’s nice to have finally made a friend outside of Gwen and Kate. (Especially a friend as kind and pretty and genius as Peter Parker.)

“Everything okay?” Harley can’t help but ask when Peter shows up, nearly two months after meeting.

Peter’s the same as he always is, backpack slung over one shoulder making his posture lopsided, eyes wide behind his pair of thick glasses, hands shoved into the pocket of his oversized MIT sweater, buying a coffee with extra caramel. Except his eyes are red-rimmed and his voice is thick and scratchy like he’d been crying.

Peter shrugs, shoulders hunched up around his ears. “Not really. When do you take your fifteen?”

“He’s taking it right now,” Cassie buts in, elbowing Harley in the ribs. She’s already got Peter’s coffee ready, sitting on the counter, and she’s pouring a second for him. “Take your thirty, I’ll cover for you.”

Harley won’t argue with that, wanting to comfort his new friend. He links their arms together and heads for one of the booths in the far corner instead of their usual table, worry squeezing his chest. It’s only been two months but he cares about Peter a lot. More than he thought possible.

“It’s stupid,” Peter says, but he clutches his drink close to his chest, eyes watery and hands trembling. “My parents want me home for Winter Break.”

“So?”

Harley would kill to be able to afford a flight home to Tennessee for Winter Break. He has to save up all year just to afford making it home for the summer, winter and spring breaks have to be spent on campus or with Gwen who has an apartment in the city. He misses his mom and sister like crazy when he’s away for so long.

Peter scoffs, glassy eyes rolling. “They suck. I’m sure you’ve heard of Richard and Mary Parker before. Yeah, they’re not about to get Parent of the Year awards.”

“Why not?” Harley asks. He certainly knows the two of them, they’re famous scientists, alumni from MIT as well. It’s hard not to know them. “If you don’t mind me asking, of course.”

“They don’t care, they never did. Most of my childhood was spent with nannies or babysitters while they were out for business or other things they wouldn’t tell me about. The only time they ever cared was when they were telling me off for blemishing their reputation, or to tell me I needed to work harder if I was ever going to be allowed to get their company.”

Harley frowns, trying to empathize with his pain. He’s never been in a situation like that. In Rose Hill, you could get away with doing pretty much anything, nobody had reputations at stake, consequences were few and far between. Harley once landed himself in jail for a stupid night with people who weren’t really friends. Nobody cared, Harley even became pretty good friends with one of the officers who arrested him. His mom didn’t even have to pay to get him out.

“That really sucks, I’m sorry,” Harley says.

Peter shrugs again, chewing on his bottom lip. “I got a B on a test in astrophysics a month ago.”

“I remember.”

“They’re going to kill me for that. A B is essentially an F in my house. To them, I failed.”

Harley’s frown deepens and he reaches across the table to grab Peter’s hand. “You studied so hard for that test, you were sleep-deprived and upset because of that argument with your roommate. That wasn’t your fault. And either way, a B’s still a good grade.”

“Not to my parents, it’s not.”

“Why does their opinion matter? You’re an adult, they don’t have to control you anymore.”

Peter lets out a humorless laugh, eyebrows furrowing as he tries not to cry. “I don’t have a choice. I have to go home for the holidays and I have to take over their company and I have to do what they tell me to do. They control my money, they pay for my tuition, they’re all I’ve got. I don’t have anything else.”

“I’m sorry,” Harley says again, he doesn’t know what else he’s supposed to say, doesn’t know how to make this any easier for him. “Well, if you need anything, feel free to call. I’ll be here all Winter, so I’ll be available to talk if you need to.”

“Thank you.” Peter’s voice breaks and he doesn’t catch the tear in time for Harley not to see it. “I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you. It probably looks like it, but I’m not just using you for coffee.”

Harley smiles, squeezing Peter’s hand. “And I promise I’m not using you for answers to future tests. You may be a genius, but I’m not a cheater.”

“Good because I have a proposition. I only leave on Saturday, and I need an extra set of hands to pack up my dorm room? My roommates already gone, so it’ll just be us and we could watch some movies afterwards? If not, don’t worry about it-”

Harley grins, finishing off his coffee. “I’d love to. Tomorrow afternoon? I have the day off work, but I’ve got a class until two, so I’ll come over after that?”

“Sounds perfect.”

* “I’m going to miss you,” Harley says, watching Peter make a little pile of the bags they’d packed the night before from his bed. Peter’s got a mid-afternoon flight, so he needs to be out by noon. “That’s three Thursday nights without you at the café.”

Peter smiles softly, turning from where he’d set down his backpack at the door. “I’m going to miss you too. Three weeks and I’ll be back to bothering you all the time.”

Despite knowing it’s a joke, Harley rolls his eyes. “You’re never a bother.”

“I’ll call you? I live out in California, so I’ll try to remember the time zone differences, but don’t hate me if I accidentally call you in the middle of the night.”

Harley turns his head into the pillow, smiling dopily at Peter. “I told you, call me whenever. I want to hear all the gossip about your stupid parents.”

“Well there will be plenty of gossip, so be careful what you wish for.”

There’s a pause as the reality of everything sets in. Three weeks without each other after only two months together seems unfair. Harley’s going to miss Peter a lot. He’s been ignoring the crush that’s been festering over the past couple weeks especially. He doesn’t want to hurt their very new, budding friendship, especially not when Peter’s under so much stress as is, but last night, watching movies on Peter’s bed together on his laptop, it really solidified the crush.

“I should get going,” Peter says miserably. He slings his backpack over his shoulder again, glasses askew on his nose, dark circles under his red-rimmed eyes, hands shaking.

“You want me to drop you off instead of taking a cab? I wouldn’t mind driving. We probably even have time to stop for a quick coffee.”

Peter smiles brightly, big enough to show off his dimples and light up his eyes. Harley gets off the bed, taking off his red MIT sweater, leaving him in an old t-shirt from the diner his mom works at, and hands the sweater over to Peter.

He wants to say so you’ll remember me or a reminder you’re not alone but he can’t say it. Instead he says, “You look a bit cold.”

“Thanks,” Peter murmurs, flushing softly. Harley reaches out and straightens his glasses before slinging the duffel bag on the floor over his shoulder.

“Let’s get going then.”

Peter picks the music, old Disney movie soundtracks, and Harley drives, paying for coffees on the way to the Boston airport. They don’t say much, humming along to the music to keep from saying too much, but linking their hands together which says just as much.

When they get to the airport, Peter insists on Harley staying in the car.

“Three weeks,” Peter promises, blinking back tears.

Harley offers a smile, squeezing Peter’s hand. “Call me, it’ll feel like no time at all.”

The younger boy opens his car door and looks like he’s about to slip out of the car, but he turns back to Harley, eyes wide and glassy. He leans across the center of the car and kisses Harley hard.

“I’m sorry-”

Harley reaches over, cups Peter’s face and pulls him back in to kiss him again. “I really like you, like a crazy amount, I didn’t want to say anything because I love having you as a friend, but I do really like you.”

“I really like you too. I didn’t tell you but before you talked to me that one day, I was always going into your café just to see you but I didn’t think you noticed me.”

“You’re going to miss your flight,” Harley says, brushing his thumb over Peter’s cheekbone and frowning disappointedly.

Peter huffs out a breath, pushing open his door. “I’ll call you? We’ll talk about this?”

“Of course. Call me whenever,” Harley says, stealing one last kiss. “Go before you miss your flight.”

The younger boy grins so bright, finally slipping out of the car, backpack over one shoulder, leans back to blow a kiss, and then he’s gone.

Harley has to pause for a second, smiling up at the ceiling of his car, before he feels ready to leave the airport, and Peter, behind.

Three weeks.

* It takes a week and a half for Peter to call, and when he does, he’s crying.

“This sucks,” Peter starts, voice trembling and thick with emotion. “Being home sucks and missing you sucks and everything sucks.”

“Hi to you too, and merry belated Christmas.”

“Sorry, yeah, merry Christmas, happy holidays, hi, how are you, and all that. I wish I were in Boston so much.”

Harley lets out a short laugh, sprawling out on his bed, phone pressed against his ear. “I wish you were here too, if that helps. What happened?”

“My parents were totally pissed about my B like I knew they’d be. And when I tried to tell them about you because I was excited, they told me I’d find a nice girl to settle down with soon enough.” Peter chokes out a sob, voice tipping towards angry. “I know I’m bi, so maybe, but it’s not fair.”

“No, it’s not fair. Some people are like that. I remember coming out as gay in a small town in Tennessee, it wasn’t received very well.”

Peter sighs sympathetically. “I just- I don’t even want their company, you know? I want to work at Stark Industries like how I’d been interning, but I don’t have a choice. I’m the heir, the papers were signed, it’s mine as soon as I graduate so they can retire.”

“You’re a genius, and legally an adult, find a way to un-sign them. Or when you get jurisdiction, terminate the company. There’s still options, there’s still ways you can get where you want to be.”

“I know, I just- I don’t know. I wanna go home. I want to see you.”

Harley smiles softly to himself, shaking his head. “I know, I miss you too. But you’re halfway done, you can do it, and I’ll be there at the airport for you when you get back.”

“I know we said we’d talk about it but I really don’t think I can handle-”

“No, no, of course.” Harley doesn’t mind. He’s kind of liking this in-between stage they’re living in. Not dating, no labels, but definitely something more than friends. “In case you needed a confidence boost, you’re a genius. You’re the smartest person I know and I know a lot of people. According to Gwen, you’re the nicest person too, and I agree. You’re very sweet and kind. Plus, have you seen yourself? You’ve got a lot going for you.”

Peter laughs quietly, tears finally fading. “You’re too nice to me. Maybe being around you is going to make my ego too big.”

“I don’t think that’s possible,” Harley says, lightening up. “You’re too humble for that. Oh, I’m not supposed to tell you this, but apparently, Gwen did notice you first, and she purposefully sent me over to your table that first day.”

“Really?”

“Yep. She thought I was getting too lonely, after spending over a year in Boston and only making two friends, and not seeing anybody, so she was hoping something would happen between us, which I guess it did, so I owe her one.”

Peter laughs again, then goes quiet for a moment. “I need to get going soon. Dad’s taking me to meetings all afternoon. I hate going, people only see me as a stupid kid or as competition.”

“Prove them wrong, stand up for yourself, or at least get me on the phone so I can stand up for you.”

Far away from the door there’s a shouted, “Get your ass out of bed! We leave in thirty and if you’re tie’s on wrong and I have to reteach you, I swear to god, it’ll be the last thing you do!”

“Was that your dad? Threatening you?” There’s already a protective edge to his voice like Harley will fly all the way to California just to stand between Peter and his dad.

“They’re normally empty threats,” Peter offers like it’s no big deal. “He prefers yelling more than anything. Mom says he’d probably do worse if it weren’t for the cameras on us all the time.”

Harley’s mouth falls open, anger flooding through his chest like a wildfire. “You should stay with me this Spring Break and Summer. There’s plenty of extra space in Gwen’s apartment and in my childhood home. I don’t want you back there.”

“You’d want me around for that long?”

He nearly chokes in surprise. “Of course I would. I want you always, whenever. I don’t want you home again if I can help it. It’s obvious it’s not good for you.”

Harley doesn’t know how their relationship will fare, how they’ll be in two months, in six, he doesn’t know if he could convince Peter to stay away knowing the anger it would cause, he doesn’t know if it’ll be enough to keep Peter safe. But he knows he’d do anything to try.

“I’ve gotta go before my dad’s head explodes. I’ll call you as soon as I can and we’ll talk more about these plans, ‘kay? I miss you.”

“I miss you too. Only another week and a half left.”

* Harley has to wait at the airport for three hours because of a flight delay and the longer he waits, the more he itches to see Peter. They still haven’t talked, so Harley isn’t even sure if greeting him with a kiss is allowed, but he doesn’t know how much he cares. He’s been thinking about it for three weeks, lord knows Gwen’s losing her mind with his constant rambles about Peter, and he’s pretty positive Peter will be just as desperate.

He sends another text to Peter, letting him know the area he’s waiting in, and waiting to see if it switches to delivered which would mean he’s landed. It does and Harley can barely contain an excited squeal.

If I run, I can be there in 3

Harley sends back a quick, please, which goes unanswered.

He keeps half his attention on his watch, slowly ticking down, and half on the people walking around him, waiting for the mop of brown curls to make their appearance.

At two minutes, thirty seconds, he sees Peter.

“Peter!” he calls out, ignoring some of the dirty looks people shoot him, and lifting a hand into the air.

Almost immediately, the boy starts running faster down the last stretch of hallway, dropping his duffel a few feet away, before launching into Harley’s awaiting arms.

Harley has to take a few steps to rebalance them, arms winding around Peter’s waist and kissing him hard. Peter’s legs are around his waist, hanging onto him like a lifeline, hands in his hair. Eventually, Peter’s smiling too wide to continue kissing, pulling back to let out a giddy laugh.

“I missed you so bad. I know it was only three weeks and I know we’ve only known each other for a few months, but I really like you, and I didn’t think I would miss you as much as I did, but every day without you felt like a marathon. I don’t want to skip the conversation, but I just want to know that this is real,” Peter rambles.

Stealing another kiss, Harley tightens his grip on the younger boy. “Yes, god yes, I couldn’t stop thinking about you, every day for the past three months, and I want this to be real too. I want to be your boyfriend, I don’t care how soon or crazy it is.”

“My boyfriend,” Peter echoes, lighting up in a smile. He kisses Harley again and then hides his face in the crook of Harley’s shoulder, nodding. “Yes please. I would love that.”

They hold each other for a while longer. Long enough for the majority of the baggage pick-up to clear out, long enough for Harley’s knees to start cramping and his cheeks to hurt with how wide he’s smiling.

“I’m not letting you go back there,” Harley says because it feels necessary. “I’ll find a way for you to stay until you graduate.”

Peter smiles pulling back enough to kiss his forehead. “Good, thank you, I didn’t want to go back.”

“Time to go home, boyfriend?” Saying it makes Harley giddy with pure joy.

His mama’s going to freak when she hears about Peter, she’s only ever wanted what’s best for Harley, and Peter’s that. He’s the best for Harley. It doesn’t get better than him. And he’s going to do everything in his power to be the best for Peter too.

Taglist: @littlemissagrafina  @spideygirl2003 @romeoandjulietyouwish @c-artara @shadedrose01 @likeaphoenix13 @pj-hermes-tonystark-obsessed  @you-get-killed-walk-it-off @kitkatwinchester  @emo-girl10 @justme--emily  @hold-our-destiny @imalivebecauseirondad @spiderman-peterman @dykeragee @maryserrao @heeeyitskay {Let me know if you wanna be added or removed}

#lyss writes #parkner week 2020 #parkner #parkner fic #peter parker #harley keener #gwen stacy #coffee shop au #no powers au #harley keener/peter parker #oops this is unedited #also I know it's supposed to be day seven and i'm only on three #I'm sorry oops #I'm going to try to write another one for tonight and then two for the next two days and finish on monday #hopefully but don't hold me to that

[sasuhinasno1fan]

Just because we love you, we want to protect you - Adrien AUGreste Day 27

I saw this prompt, and I had to. I meant to add the words ‘just because’ a few more times but this is how it worked, so enjoy @adrienaugust Just Because

Adrien waited in the integration room. Well, it was more of a conference room but he felt like he’d been integrated since he arrived. Early that morning, he’d gone to the bank. He’s just moved back from London, gone from the place he called home for years after the falling out with his father and his aunt taking him because it was safer for him away from his father. He’d broken up with 3 of the greatest people he’d ever dated – never mind that it had been his first relationship – and had fallen out of contact with his friends.

But he was back now and he hoped he could at the very least repair his friendships. His aunt had sent him a hefty amount of money to help him with rent until he got his first pay check but because his bank was rather old school, they asked him to come down so he could sign off on appearance into his account. He’d been waiting in line, working on his checklist of things to do for the day when men in masks and with guns appeared, ordering people to get to the ground. It would seem that modelling had helped him think in high pressure situations as he focused on helping other hostages keep calm. His talking caught their attention and the leader of the group started to head over, ready to make an example of him. But then he stopped and stared at him, getting a good look, before his eyes flashed in recognition and he looked scared. He ordered his crew to stop, that they had to leave. The police had just started to mobilize just outside so the whole group had been caught and the hostages safely removed. They questioned everyone and when he mentioned how the thieves reacted to him, they asked him to come in.

He had his lawyer waiting for his cue to show up if need be, but they hadn’t taken his phone, they’d been very pleasant in their questions and so far, it seemed like routine questions. Except he could tell it wasn’t. there was something they were waiting for him to say, but he didn’t know what it was.

“Adrien Agreste, as I live and breathe.” He looked up and felt his eyes widen at the person standing in the doorway.

“Alix!” Alix Kubdel, one of his classmates from lycée, before he left for London, was much different. Her once pink hair was now red with black tips and the many piercings, she talked about wanting to get in class adorned her face. With the short sleeves of her police uniform, he saw she had a tattoo of a bunny with an umbrella on her wrist.

“Come here you!” she said, walking in, pulling up from his chair and squeezing him into a tight hug. She might still be shorter than him, but she was still as strong. “When did you get back from London?”

“Not that long ago actually. I’m finally moving back. I was one of the hostages…”

“from the bank robbery, yeah. I heard. Best way to start out here again huh?”

“Yeah. It was really weird and now I’m stuck here with them asking me questions I don’t know the answers to.”

Alix looked over her shoulder and closed the door before standing closer to Adrien. “Ok, listen. I shouldn’t tell you this but you should at least know. The thieves said they left cause they saw you.”

“Me? You’re not telling me my dad is still that terrifying.”

“Not enough to scare thieves, but that’s not it. They kept saying you were on the top of the list.”

Adrien felt even more confused. “What list?”

“There’s this huge crime syndicate group called the Miracular. Know to every criminal and if you want to live, you don’t get on their bad side. They have a ‘No Harm’ list and I guess you were on it.”

No Harm list? Miracular? Why did…it couldn’t be.

“Um, hey. What about Marinette, Luka and Kagami? What are they up to?”

A teasing smile came to Alix’s lips. “I see someone still holds a flame for them. well, you should know that even after you left, they never broke up. Created a fashion house called the Black Cat too.” Black cats were his favourite animal. “Mari does the fashion, Luka talks to the people and Kagami deals with the business. If you still feel the same, I could give you their numbers.”

Did he still feel the same? Of course, he did. No other relationship held a candle to them. first, he liked Marinette. After a misunderstanding they became friends and he was drawn to her bright energy, kind smile and unwillingness to give up. But there were times where she seemed so awkward around him that he thought she didn’t like him. Then he met Kagami, who was quiet and withdrawn but when brought out of her shell, was passionate and unyielding. She was the one who made him aware that Marinette was actually nervous around him due to how she felt about him. It left him feeling unsure of who to choose as he liked them both. Then Luka came into the picture. Like Kagami, Luka was happy to observe but he was a good listener who would encourage him to live how he wanted. He realised he had a thing for people with dark hair, kind personalities and willingness to help those they cared about, aka Marinette, Kagami and Luka. So, he gathered them all and told them how he felt. He was expecting to be let down so he could move on, but they all said they liked him and each other and they were all fine dating all at the same time.

Telling his father had been hard and getting both his dad and Kagami’s mom to accept their relationship had been a miracle. When they all did and Adrien came out to the public as bi and in a poly relationship, he always talked about how he felt like how happy he was was based on a miracle. That’s what they called their group chat, the Miraculous. He’d been so happy with them. when the falling out with his father happened, he’d spent the night with Luka and Marinette’s parents lied to Kagami’s mother that the girls were sleeping over just so they could go and be with Adrien too. When he was told he’d move to London with his aunt, he didn’t want to have to miss them even more through a long-distance relationship so with much difficulty, he explained that he wanted to break up. That last goodbye had been tearful and heart-breaking and he wanted to take it back so many times. He just felt like he didn’t deserve to. He put them in this position, he deserved the pain. No relationship even came close to making him feel that happy again.

“If that’s not too much trouble.”

There was something though, something Alix said. The group was called Miracular. Odd name but it felt too close to Miraculous. And he was on their No Harm list. He didn’t know why but if his wild imagination was right, could they be the reason?

                                             _____________________

“Hello, Tsurugi speaking.”

“Kagami? It’s me, Adrien.”

There as a slight shuffle before the line was silent and he had to check that she didn’t hang up on him. “Adrien?” she sounded breathless. He hoped that was a good sign. “Oh my gosh. I can’t believe it’s you. you went really quiet on social media not long after you left.”

“Yeah, I know. It was hard to see all my friends and not being able to be there. It hurt even more seeing you guys without me close me. I’m sorry.”

“No, no. it hurt, trust me it did, but we knew it was something you needed. Are you still in London?”

“No, I just moved back. I bumped into Alix and she told me you three are still together and running a fashion house together?”

“We are. Black Cat. We named it after you.”

His heart hurt, but in a good way. God, he missed them. “I missed you guys, a lot. No other person made me feel the way you guys did.”

“We missed you too. Like you wouldn’t believe. Look, I know this might be a little fast and you don’t have to say yes, but would you like to have dinner with us?”

“Yes.” He answered immediately. The fact that he was trying to figure out if his lycée sweethearts were related to this syndicate escaped his mind at the thought of getting a second chance with them. he wanted that more than anything. Besides, just because the name of the group was similar to their group chat name didn’t mean it could be related right?

Getting ready for dinner felt like the first date all over again. One of Marinette’s first creations for him was a suit jacket, but she’d made it too big at the time. She’d redone it but he still kept that first one. The smooth black fabric with the gold buttons and dark blue inside liner still looked amazing to this day. He pulled it on and looked at himself in the mirror. He was actually going to do this, see the 3 people he loved more than anything again.

The drive over their large mansion felt like that scene from Crazy Rich Asians though, where the cab was glared down by high end security guards. The cab driver felt a bit lost with the Japanese being thrown around, but thankfully Adrien never forgot the language.

“I’m Adrien Agreste, here to see Kagami Tsurugi.” He said in Japanese, handing them his ID.

He saw that same recognition in the guard’s eyes and heard him yelling at the others to back off, that he was safe.

“Please drive ahead. There’ll be someone to let you in when you arrive at the front door.”

There was. He was reminded of Kagami’s home, with the servants in traditional kimonos. One took his coat and another lead in to a sitting room where there was someone on the phone. He stood there staring at the guy in front of him. Luka’s hair had always been dyed blue but now it seemed he let the black grow out and kept the blue splattered in, looking like an ombre. His hair was much longer and pulled into a low bun, letting the earrings that lined his ear be shown. He was speaking to the other person on the line in Russian, something he rarely spoke when upon the Liberty, though when anyone had really surprised him, soft Russian curse words would slip through his mouth.

Luka quickly hung up when he spotted Adrien by the door. In moments he swept Adrien into a tight hug and didn’t let go. He still smelled like the sea.

“It’s so good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you too. I missed you guys a lot.”

They finally pulled away, but Luka took Adrien’s hands and walked backward until he perched himself on the arm of one of the chairs.

“3 things you liked about London.”

Adrien let out a surprised laugh. Luka would make him do that whenever he went out of town, tell him 3 things he liked about the place. “You actually remember that?”

“Of course, I do. Come on, Mari and Mi will take a while because Marinette wants to make sure they look perfect. So come on, humour me.”

“Ok, um 3 things I liked about London. 1, the Shakespeare Theatre was amazing. I saw a show in that room that’s all lit by candle light, it was amazing. You would have loved the guy outside though, pay him anything to typewrite a poem for you with any theme you want. 2, Covent Garden, mostly cause the Royal Opera House if right there once you get off the train. And 3, the history. Maybe not as much a Paris’ but still amazing. I wish I could have shown you guys everything. It took a while for me and Felix to start talking again. It was pretty lonely.”

Luka lifted his hands and pressed a gentle kiss on them. he used to do that to help Adrien calm down. “I wish we could have been there too. But you’re here now, that’s all that matters.”

The door opened and in walked Kagami and Marinette. Kagami had grown her hair out some and so did Marinette. The designer had her hair out, flowing down her back.

“Adrien!” he was pulled into another tight hug. God, he missed this so much. He missed them so much. “I’m so glad to see you. I was so happy when Kagami said you were back in town.”

“Here to stay I hope?” Kagami asked, pulling Adrien into a hug.

“Yep. Moved back last week. I hadn’t gotten around to trying to contact everyone but I bumped into Alix and she told me you guys started a company together and passed along your numbers. I’m just glad you said yes.”

“Of course, we did. Come on, dinner’s ready to be served in the Zen Garden.” Marinette said, tugging Adrien to follow her.

“Zen Garden?”

“You can thank Kagami for that.”

“More like my mother. She insisted.”

He’d been worried that dinner would become awkward but it didn’t. they all talked with ease, just like when they’d been dating. He was sitting next to Marinette and in between courses, she’d put her hands on his leg when she was talking to him. He felt Luka nudge at his foot and he and Kagami kept sharing glances.

“So, what are you going to be doing, now that you’re back?” Kagami asked as the dinner plates were taken away and dessert was put down.

“Working with a non-profit as one of their ambassadors. I’ll be working with the others ones and heading on events for donations. And I see someone remembered my favourite dessert.”

“Well, when I mentioned to my dad that Kagami invited you to dinner, he insisted on making you your favourite cake. Passion fruit vanilla.”

He missed the taste of it. No one made pastries quite like M. Dupain.

“So, how’d you bump into Alix? I know she’s been busy studying for her detective exams.” Luka asked.

Oh right, the main reason he called. “well, just this morning I was kinda a hostage in a bank robbery.”

“What? Adrien are you alright?”

“Yes, yes. I’m fine. They didn’t stay for long. Apparently, they took one look at me and decided it’d be a bad idea to continue. Alix said that there’s this crime syndicate group that has me on their ‘No Harm’ list. Which makes no sense, because I’m pretty sure I don’t know any criminals that would care for me that much.”

“Just because you don’t realise how much you can affect a person, doesn’t mean the meaning behind you being around just disappears.” Luka said.

“You’ve been a huge part of our lives. Even after we broke up, it was hard to forget you. couldn’t help but worry, even just a little.” Marinette continued.

“The thought of anyone hurting you doesn’t sit well with us. We know this is a bit soon, but would you be ok with perhaps…giving us another try?” Kagami asked.

It was becoming obvious to him what he’d been thinking of before, that his miraculous relationship had turned into something when he’d been gone. But even though he was gone, he still meant this much to them. maybe it was worth it to not get a straight answer just yet.

“Yeah, I’d really like that.”

#adrienaugust #adrienaugreste #lukadriengaminette #getting back together #Lukanettegami run a crime syndicate

[100storiesin2020]

Chapter 9: Fallout of nightmares

Chapter titles are hard to come up with sometimes. Come read on AO3!

**********

Ronan hated the feeling of being frozen. He hated laying there in fear, watching the night horror moving for his throat. He struggled to fight, to defend himself, to not be helpless - but it was in vain. This may be the end for him, today. One bad dream where the old guilt resurfaced, bringing the night horrors in waves. Here, off the leyline, more drunk than he really ought to be, it was harder to control what he brought back with him.

The night horror dragged a claw down his face.

Suddenly, Sargent sprang to life beside him. He'd forgotten she was there. He'd griped about having her in the bed with him but in that moment he could have kissed her, girl or not. She kicked with both feet, knocking the thing off the bed. With a cry she jumped after it and drove a knife into its chest, kicking it in the gut for good measure. It collapsed. She approached it, raising the knife one more time, The door opened to reveal the two shady boys. Ronan didn't trust a single person from this whole fucking team, but these two were the worst. Sargent drove her knife into the eye of the beast, but Ronan couldn't relax with the midget's eyes on him.

He knew this could end in only a few ways, and he wasn't happy about any of them.

**********

Renee was just about to go back to sleep when her phone started to ring. She'd been awake for several hours in the night, bad memories stealing away her precious sleep, but she'd been listening to Allison breathing beside her and it had brought some calm back to her soul. Of course she would be getting a phone call now, and from Andrew no less. She gently reached past Allison and hit the silence button before her Andrew-specific heavy metal ringtone could wake her up. "Hello, Andrew. It's early."

"I need to talk to Natalie."

Shit. Renee eased out of the bed and went into the kitchen. "What happened."

"Where in Columbia would you hide a body?"

Natalie hummed. "Lake Murray, probably. It's got 500 miles of coastline so there's bound to be a few nooks and crannies that could work."

Andrew hummed. "How do we get blood out of the carpet?"

"Andrew, did you kill someone?"

"Nicky had it coming," he deadpanned. "Actually, Sargent here produced the body."

"Who was it?"

"You'll have to ask her yourself. How do we get blood out of the carpet?"

Renee sighed. "Okay, he'es where you start..."

**********

Blue tried to wipe up the blood as best as she could while Andrew talked on the phone. He seemed to be doing a lot of listening. She wasn't sure who this Natalie was, but hopefully she'd be able to help them out. And keep her mouth shut.

Neil had, surprisingly, been fairly useless. "What do you mean, you don't know how to dispose of a body? Wasn't your father a serial killer?"

"That was Lola's job - his favorite," he explained. "I was too young to help out with cleanup before we were on the run. Plus, I think she preferred acid. Where would we even buy that?"

Ronan wasn't helpful either. "Either I bury them in the field or I make Declan deal with it," he snarled. "I never fucking leave home, maggot. How should I have expected this?"

Andrew stomped back at that moment, having hung up the phone without a word. "You two have a lot of explaining to do. But first, we're taking this thing to Lake Murray."

Neil nodded. "And the others?"

Blue shuddered before Ronan spat, "Nobody else gets to know. It's bad enough with you two." Blue nodded in fierce agreement.

She watched as Andrew and Neil looked at each other for a minute, silently conversing, before Andrew sighed. "Nicky can drive the others home."

"I'll tell him Ronan barfed in his room and that we will clean it up before coming home." When Ronan spluttered, he added, "It's the only way I can think of to keep him out of the room long enough. Got a better idea?"

"We could throw him in the lake, too," Ronan muttered, drawing a laugh from Neil and a minute twitch of the lips from Andrew.

"Tempting," was all Andrew said before he turned and left the room. Blue noticed that Neil was watching him go.

Neil produced a long knife and started grinning in a very unsettling way. "This thing will be easier to move in smaller pieces," he said. "You two go clean up." Blue and Ronan left him there, knife spinning, a serial-killer grin splitting his face.

They headed to the bathroom. Blue shoved Ronan in first, then locked the door behind them. "Why the absolute fuck did you invite yourself?" she demanded. "I had this in hand. All I had to do was answer a few questions and not be suspicious and now here we are, night horror dead in the other room and suspicious as fuck."

Ronan glared at her. "I don't fucking trust them," he growled. "Matt told me some things about what they've done in Columbia. They drug people. Matt was an addict. They sent him into relapse and you were stupid enough to go with them? By yourself?"

Blue softened. "I don't trust them, but I didn't know those things. Thanks for looking out for me." She gave him a quick hug.

"Get off me maggot." He pushed her away. "Go get me some clothes, now I have to wash your foul stench off of me." She laughed and ducked out of the room in search of their stuff.

**********

Ronan finally started to relax as they drove to this Lake Murray place. They were following the GPS on the phone he'd dreamed up for Blue on her last birthday, as none of them had actually been there before. He always felt powerful behind the wheel of a car. The speed, the control, the impending danger: they were soothing.

He looked over at Sargent, curled up in the front seat next to him. She was shaking. He groaned a bit; she had seen worse than this. He turned on his music and "SQUASH ONE, SQUASH TWO" started to ring through the car. She groaned and reached for the power button just as they both heard a "the fuck is this?" from the backseat. Ronan batted away her hand with a grin and turned the song up even louder. He knew it was only a matter of time before he had to spill his secrets, so he may as well start getting his revenge proactively.

**********

Blue hated this.

They were standing in the sand at the edge of the lake, crowds swirling around them. The lake was a popular place on Saturday in late June, which meant that they looked like just another group of college students with their backpacks. Never mind that their backpacks contained pieces of night horror.

Neil stared out toward the center of the lake, eyes almost unseeing, breathing hard. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and tried to light one, but his hands were shaking too hard. Andrew reached out and put a hand on the back of his neck, pulling him down slightly. "You are Neil Josten," he said softly. "You are a Fox. She is dead."

"I am a Fox," Neil replied, leaning into Andrew. Blue looked away, terribly lonely for Gansey in that moment. It was too much. She was already falling apart, already on edge from killing a living creature - even a night horror - and the fear and adrenaline of possibly losing one of her Raven boys again, and then, seeing Andrew and Neil together in that moment, she wished she had Gansey beside her.

Ronan elbowed her. "No time for tears, maggot. We've got a body to dump." Blue wiped her eyes as best as she could and took a few deep breaths. It would have to do. Once all of them were composed, they started to walk down the beach. Soon enough they came on a dock with a boat rental booth. After talking to the owner, they learned that they could, in fact, rent a speedboat for a few hours, but they needed to be at least 23 to do it.

"That's alright," Ronan said, slapping an ID down on the counter. "As you can see here, I am 25." The cashier raised an eyebrow and clearly didn't believe it, but shrugged and pulled out the paperwork. Soon they were throwing their bags into a slightly beat up speedboat.

"So why do you have a fake ID that says you're 25?" Blue asked.

"One of Kavinsky's pranks."

They hopped in the boat and Blue drove it out. She definitely didn't trust any of these boys to drive, and with how often she had watched Orla do it she felt fairly confident. They poked around a few inlets for an hour before they decided to just dump them into a distant, quiet part of the lake. Dream objects were heavy. The night horror would sink.

Andrew finally dropped the question as they headed back to the docks. "So what was that thing?" Rather than respond, Blue hit the gas, speeding up until it was much too loud and bumpy to hold any kind of conversation. Ronan laughed and tried to fist bump her, but they hit a wave and he cursed as he reached for the nearest handhold. Blue laughed. Andrew was glaring at her and Neil was looking kind of green, but Ronan looked the happiest he'd been all day, wind in his face.

Eventually they got back to the dock and returned the keys to the boat. They climbed back into the car and Ronan paused for a moment.

"That was a night horror. I pulled it from my dreams."

There was a long silence in the backseat. "So magic is real, then?" Neil asked.

"Yes," Blue replied, "but not like, wizard magic. Psychics, tarot cards, leylines, those sort of things. Those are real magic."

"And dreams."

"And dreams, yes."

"Are the dreams always this dangerous?" Andrew asked.

Ronan growled under his breath. Blue forestalled the venom she knew he'd spit out. "Night horrors, like those things, are rare these days. Usually he brings cool things back. Magic things. Things that shouldn't work, but do."

"And the occasional annoying bird," Ronan said almost fondly. He'd left Chainsaw at the house, not trusting her to not attack Andrew and Neil in the backseat.

Andrew seemed satisfied, but Neil continued to ask questions as Ronan started the car and headed back to the house. "Are any of the rest of you magic?"

Ronan laughed wickedly. "I'm the only living dreamer I know."

"That wasn't my question." Shit, he's clever, Blue thought.

At that moment all four of their phones went off simultaneously. Ronan never answered his phone, Blue didn't recognize the number, and Neil only laughed when he saw who was calling him, so it was Andrew who answered. He listened for a few seconds, gave a terse "they're alive," and hung up before turning his phone off. Blue's phone started to ring again.

"It's probably someone from the team," Neil said. "Renee called Andrew and Matt tried to call me. You should probably answer. Five bucks that they ask if we tried to murder you."

"I'll take you on that," Blue replied. "Hello?"

"Oh, thank god," Dan said. "Are y'all alright? They didn't kidnap you or anything?"

Blue laughed. "We kidnapped them, actually." Neil laughed.

"Where are you guys? The other monsters got home ages ago."

"Don't call them monsters," Blue snapped.

"But-"

"Don't." Neil gave her an appreciative nod.

Dan sighed. "Fine. Where are you guys at?"

"Almost back to their house. We need to grab our stuff and then we will be right back. Should be about an hour and a half, right?" she directed to the backseat.

"Around that, yes," Neil replied.

"Then we will expect you around then." Blue hung up the phone.

"Speaking of teammates," Blue said, "was anyone going to inform me that Columbia with y'all had potential to be hazardous to my health?

Neil snorted. "You two are the most dangerous thing that's ever happened on a trip to Eden's," he said with a grin.

Ronan cackled. "Damn straight."

#blue sargent #ronan lynch #andrew minyard #neil josten #renee walker #dan wilds #all for the game #aftg #the raven cycle #trc #a chainsaw in fox tower #chapter 9 #crossover

[ask-de-writer]

LOST TIME (part 2 of 3) A fantasy of Flocking Bay.

Return to the Master Story Index

Return to Flocking Bay

LOST TIME

by

De Writer (Glen Ten-Eyck)

5556 words

© 2020 by Glen Ten-Eyck

written 2003 by Glen Ten-Eyck

All rights reserved.

Reproduction  in any form, physical, electronic or digital is prohibited without the  express written consent of the author or proper copyright holder.

//////////////

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Users  of Tumblr.com are specifically granted the following rights. They may  reblog the story. They may use the characters or original characters in  my settings for fan fiction, fan art works, cosplay, or fan musical  compositions. I will allow those who do commission art works to charge  for their images.

All sorts of Fan Activity, fiction, art, cosplay, music or anything else is ACTIVELY encouraged!

///////////////////////

Morton Hewitt did not last. He bought the house for back taxes in 1944. He lived there for a week. He painted the hardwood floors and then hanged himself in the garage the next day.

Byron Thomas bought the house from Hewitt’s estate. He was a grave digger for Trinity Graveyard. He updated the plumbing and lived there quietly for several years. Apparently he liked his work a little too well. He buried two people who were not yet dead. One of them lived. He was adjudged sane at his trial and hanged for his crime.

Mark Altman bought the house next. He was a reclusive sort and lived there for a quite a number of years before it was discovered that he’d had some visitors who had never left. He died in prison while awaiting trial. There was an interesting hand written note attached to the autopsy report which stated that the coroner had ruled out both suicide and homicide but refused to pronounce the death natural.

Dora Greene got the place next. She was Mark’s sister. Like Mark, she lived there quietly for years. One day she walked into town and set fire to the school, killing five and maiming six more. She spent her last years in a lunatic asylum, setting three more fires and killing two more people. She herself died in her last fire.

While she was in the asylum, one Tony Fisk, age twelve, urged on by several other urchins, had thrown some stones at the windows of the Vekin place. He had missed. Becoming angry, he took careful aim and they all watched the flight of the stone. In the young malefactor’s words, “It went away without falling.”

It would not have been worthy of a news story, except for the fact that each of the children who had watched the stone had gone severely and permanently cross-eyed. In a small town like Flocking Bay, that many kids going cross-eyed at once could not be hidden.

George Abbot bought the house and rented it at a very low price to a Michael Farley. The two had been feuding, down-state, and the house was supposed to have been a peace offering. Farley stayed only a few weeks. He went out and dynamited Abbot’s automobile. Farley was quite mad and lived out his life in an asylum for the criminally insane. The county coroner ruled Abbot’s death to be suicide. After all, he had known the history of the house and had knowingly rented that house to an enemy.

Cornelius Baker took the house next. He upgraded the kitchen and installed modern wiring. He lived there quietly and apparently got on well for about five years. He was a long-haul truck driver. Bodies followed him about the country. Finally, he was caught with one in his truck. He drove his truck into a bridge abutment at over ninety miles per hour rather than be taken alive.

Now, I had the place. I mentally withdrew my blessing. He had not been a good man at all.

Lois saw that I was finished with the file and making good inroads on my sandwich. She asked, “Did you sleep there, last night?”

“Yes, I did. Most restful sleep I have had in years.”

“What is your full name?”

“Vandervekken,” I replied, getting out my driver’s license. I was used to this. “No first name or middle initial. Just Vandervekken.”

“How old are you?”

“I don’t know, at least seventy.”

“You don’t know how old you are? Seventy? You look like you’re in your early twenties,” she said incredulously. “I told you that things connected with the Vekin place get interesting.”

“I got a head-wound during the war. Traumatic amnesia.”

“Viet Nam wasn’t that long ago. It would only make you in your fifties.”

“Not Viet Nam, Lois. WW II. Apparently, I was helping the French Underground.” I handed her the military fingerprint record. Her eyes widened as she realized that I was serious. “The amnesia’s been permanent, so far. I have language skills . . . too many. I’m a fluent, accentless polyglot. I even speak Basque. I know how to do an amazing number of things . . . no trace of name or personal past. No ID either.”

“Couldn’t they trace you by these fingerprints or something?”

“They tried. I was found among the bodies of a wiped-out unit of the French Underground during the German withdrawal from Paris in 1944. Someone from another unit was able to say that I was an American volunteer with a name that he could neither remember nor pronounce ... something sort of Dutch. That inspired my current name. I got back with a temporary ID and that military fingerprint record, which I still carry.”

“That’s sad, and eerie, too. What’s it feel like?”

“I’ve thought about that a lot. I think the best way to describe it is like a house that’s furnished but nobody is home. Empty. Alone.”

“So, how does that relate to your choice of name? You must know what having only one name does to our systems for indexing things and people.”

“True. I want to stand out, in case somebody recognizes who I am. As for Vandervekken, he was the Flying Dutchman, who swore that he would take his ship around the Cape of Good Hope, against a gale, if it took until Judgment Day. That was in the Seventeenth Century and he is still sailing. His ghost is seen as a Dutch East India Co. galleon with all sails set, sailing into the teeth of a gale. He can’t get home either.”

“I see,” Lois said, adding to her notes. “What brought you to Flocking Bay?”

“I was just passing through. I like small towns, so I avoid the main highways and big cities whenever I can. I liked the atmosphere of Flocking Bay enough to inquire about the possibility of settling here.”

“Look, we both know that small towns are dying. You could have had your pick from any of a dozen houses. Why the Vekin place?”

“I was shown fourteen places, actually. I know that it seems a bit forbidding at first, but it felt good. Like a warm glove on a cool morning. Have you ever actually been there?”

She shuddered, “No, and before you, I have never heard of anyone who said that the Vekin place felt good ... You say that you are a writer. What have you written?”

“Charles said it very well, ’Pseudonyms are great for privacy.’ My own writing aside, I do translations but you won’t find my name on most of them. Archaeologists like to take credit for their finds. I mentioned that I’m a polyglot? I sight read ancient languages as well as modern.”

I extended my hand to Lois and invited, “Would you like to come and see for yourself this house of dark history? I promise that you will find it worth your while. In all of those stories, not once was the interior of Vekin House described. Do come.”

“I have to return the file and get my camera,” she responded gamely.

“I shall await you in my auto, in front of the Voice,” I answered. As I walked her back across the street, I had the pleasure of seeing her stare at Lilitu.

“If that’s what I think its, I’ll ride with you anywhere!” she called over her shoulder as she entered the Voice’s office. True to her word, she emerged in a few minutes with a camera. Not one of those tiny little cameras that have become fashionable, but a business-like press camera. I opened the car door and gave her a hand up.

As I got into the driver’s seat, she asked, wonder in her voice, “Is this really a Packard V-12 Touring Car?”

We pulled away with the almost uncannily quiet, vibration-free ride that the car was famous for. I replied, “You bet she is. Lois, meet Lilitu. Lilitu, meet Lois. After the war, there were still quite a few of them to be had, and I liked both the ride and the durability, so I hunted one down and had it fixed up like new. I’ve kept her that way ever since. She’s only had two owners in over two-million miles. The first owner only put on about sixty-thousand of them.”

“You drive a lot,” she stated.

“I was looking for something ... I think that Flocking Bay has it. My turn for a few questions , if you don’t mind.”

“Fire away. If I don’t like the question, I won’t answer it.”

“What did you do before you took up the Voice?”

“The same thing that I still do. The stock and futures markets. I’m good at it. I got out of college with a degree in the sociology of medieval witchcraft. I got a job as a waitress on the strength of my looks. I put my first fifty dollars in tips into a risky stock that kited way up. On a hunch, I dumped it three days after I bought it. It nosedived shortly after I sold out. After commissions, I had three hundred and fifty dollars. I rolled it over the same way. The rest is history. So far, my hunches have always worked for me.”

“What brought you to Flocking Bay?”

“Like you, I was passing through. I was on my way to Lakeside Resort about three years ago. I got a hunch that I should stay, so I did. The Voice was failing. When a small town loses its paper, the end is in sight. I didn’t want the end to come, so I bought the paper. Here I am.”

“And here we are,” I said with a flourish as I pulled up in front of the house. We both stared. The yard was neatly trimmed, though the bushes and trees still retained a slightly forbidding aspect. Going up the path to the front door, I noticed that the flagstones had been leveled, the weeds removed and the joints and refilled with fresh sand. The iron fence and balustrades had been cleaned of rust.

“You’ve been busy,” was Lois’s comment.

“That’s just it,” I replied, puzzled. “I didn’t do it. I thought that stocking the fridge and setting out a snack last night was something that the real-estate agent arranged. Sort of a welcome wagon. This is beyond the call of duty.” Opening the front door, I felt that comfortable, welcoming feeling that had caused me to buy the house in the first place. Impulsively, I said, “Hello, house, you certainly look nice today.”

Lois looked at me quizzically and asked, “Do you talk to everything, or is this special?”

I thought for a moment before answering, “Actually I only talk to things that have personality enough to warrant a name, like Lilitu, my car, or Drachen, my typewriter.”

“Typewriter? You do like antiques, don't you? What are you going to call the house, then?”

“I’m not sure,” I answered. “Something good ... What does the place feel like to you?”

“The place actually looks and feels . . . well . . .” Lois groped for the right word, “I’d have to say . . . happy. Not what I expected, at all. It feels like what you see when a pup that loves its master is greeting him. No wonder you slept well, if it feels as good to you as it does to me . . .” She sort of trailed off. “I wouldn’t normally say this, but I’m getting a hunch about this place . . .” she trailed off again.

“I guess that the house was just waiting for the right kind of person,” I responded. “It was pretty rough on everyone else. I’m glad that you like it too.”

“Look at these floors,” she mused, “They were beautiful before Hewitt painted them over. You can still make out some traces of the parquetry patterns. If he hadn’t already hanged himself, I’d help you to do it.”

<==Previous    Next==>

Return to the Master Story Index

Return to Flocking Bay

#LOST TIME #Part 2 of 3 #Flocking Bay #Written by De Writer

[1000roughdrafts]

Family Secrets: Chapter Fourteen

Town That Never Stops Smiling 

Summary: Being transported to Teraw leaves you tired and confused, but the path to the truth is a long and needy road. 

Warnings: slight angst, slightly OOC Dean 

W/C: 3.2k

Masterlist/schedule

The four of you walk in silence through the field and onto a dirt road. Walking towards the bridge, you peer over at the glistening water underneath it. Dean squints at her, shaking his head, "all right. So where we headin'? Motel? Get some grub?"

Allanah giggles, "no. Here, there are no hotels, as they have no need for them. No one is allowed to travel between the regions without a request from the Head of the Region. From there, the Head provides them with a place to stay, whether that be in his or her own quarters, or at a volunteers. On the topic, we need to be careful about how we interact with the people and places here. It's big enough that we won't be noticed right away, but if we stay in one place too long there are going to be issues," Allanah says while you make your way to the start of the bridge.

"Uh, so what happens if we do get caught?" Sam asks in a whisper, looking around at the decaying bridge and trees that surround it.

As sweet as can be, Allanah smiles, "think American TSA meets intense CIA interrogations," she smirks. "In other words, let's just not get caught." Dean frowns which puts her attention onto him, "you're going to struggle with this the most, Dean, I can already feel it. But Y/N, you've felt it deep down, haven't you? A mother's love is not to be taken lightly, even beyond death."

You keep quiet, peaking over at Dean. He holds contempt in his face, trapped behind that stoic expression but easy to see the swirl of emotion in his eyes. He wants to scream out and ask questions, but what could he say? He has children, or at least a past version of him did and he knows nothing of it, but Y/N does? 

Luna - June 26, 2068

Teraw - Region 3

Complete darkness goes so well with shattering silence. I have known nothing other than the darkness and cherish the quiet. The only thing I hate about the silence is that it traps me in a world of uncertainty. With nothing to grip onto, I succumb to the thoughts raging in my mind like an ocean under a full moon; but it is a beautiful thing.

Just as I am trapped in my mind I am trapped in my body. No movement in my arms, torso, hands, legs, feet or face. I can not open my eyes, nor can I move my lips. Absolutely nothing works anymore. Well, almost nothing. Miraculously my ears can hear anything from a train passing by to a mouse three stories down.

I am surrounded by so much noise in the day that I look forward to the treacherous words my mind whispers to me as I lay to sleep. I rely on my ears so much these days, as it's the only sense I've got left. There's this single sound I hear more than anything. It has a set pace, just as a metronome would tick along to keep the beat of a song. Beep. Beep. Beep. I don't live like many others, they say I'm lucky to be alive at all.

I hear my family as they trickle in, their footsteps are quick and loud. It breaks my concentration on the ticking. The stepping stops, I hear sniffling, deep breaths and then suddenly, "Luna, it's your mama. Can you hear me?" Yes, I hear you. I want to say it. 

"I should start at the beginning," Allanah sighs, slowing her walk to a gentle stroll. "The two of you, Shirley and Bill you used to be called," she laughs lightly. "You enlisted me as a," she motions her hand around, scrunching her face, "guardian of sorts for your five children, quintuplets," she laughs again. "Wren, Ana, Tullie, Aidan and Luna." 

You and Dean lock eyes, "Luna?" he says, pointing at you, "the girl that's-" 

"Indeed," Allanah lets out a long breath, watching the ground somberly. "It's very sad what has happened to her," she says. "There's evil in this realm that neither of you could predict. It's what sent me back to Earth, locked me out. It wasn't until after I'd ended things with Crowley and found Y/N that I remembered who I truly was and what you created me to be. I needed to do something, anything, to bring the two of you back to this realm to fix what had been broken." 

Coming to a stop at the start of the bridge, Allanah looks into her hands, "your children, they," looking back up between you and Dean. "They are very powerful, yet they don't know it. Not anymore, at least." 

"What do you mean?" Sam tilts his head. 

"Each of them possess qualities and powers of an element specific to Earth. When Bill and Shirley created this realm, you split the children up into regions. This was done to protect them, or so you said. Teraw was specific to Luna, but with you two gone and evil sneaking in, the regions had grown a mind of their own," she lowers her voice, "it's gotten out of control. Ana was born in Inequescent, but with the latest reincarnation, the family Ana was brought into grew tired and she was adopted by a family here in Teraw. What I know to be happening soon is that because of Luna's sickness, Tullie will be requested to come help her. Horrible things are in store for the regions, unless we can stop it.”  

"Like what?" Dean asks. 

"This evil... it wishes to gain control of the other regions. After that, other dimensions... like Earth." 

Tullie - June 6, 2068 Hemort - Region 4

A day off is a luxury when one has specialized skills in the medical profession, at least for those in Hemort. I usually try to wind down and relax on those two short days, or tune into my favorite channel to watch some gushy movies about how everything always works out in the end, and everyone is just so nice. They make me sick, and yet I can't bring myself to watch anything else. In my day to day life, I don't always get to see the happy endings. Moreso, with my line of work, I see death more than any sane person should. And that begs the question; am I really as sane as I believe myself to be? 

I admire the house on the screen and the characters who live in it, wondering what it would be like to have a big house with a yard and a cute dog who gets to enjoy it. There's not much of that here, only the Elite live on large plots of land. Instead, I rent this quaint apartment with the ceiling to wall windows I'd dreamt of having since I was young. When the new owner bought the complex, she planted the most beautiful garden and elegant, tall trees on either side of the building, which is better than the concrete nothingness that resided there before.

Pausing the movie, I unravel myself from underneath the blankets to make some tea, although I'd never be able to make it as calming and tasty as my mother had. The storm doesn't help to calm me either, with the trees rattling against the windows and begging to come inside. While waiting for the kettle to boil, I close the blinds and play the movie. I could stand to miss a little of it if it means I don't have to listen to that screaming sound the wind makes.

While adding honey to the mug in preparation, my phone rings. I'm not expecting a call, so I don't scatter to answer it. I pull the kettle and turn down the dial on the stove before going back to the couch to rummage through knitted blankets for my cell. 

"Hello," I say, putting the phone between my ear and shoulder as I make my way back to my tea. 

"Hi, Tullie," the voice says, calmly and sweetly. I spill boiling water onto my hands at the surprise, and curse myself for not checking the caller ID. How dare he call me at this hour. 

"What do you want, Dan?" 

After a heartbreaking pause, he speaks out, "this is not a personal call, okay? I don't care how you're doing. I don't want to know what you're doing. I don't even care if you're hiding from the storm in a cup of tea right now,  or watching those stupid puke inducing movies, I-" I hear him sigh, "this is about the hospital," he says swiftly. 

"Mine or yours?" 

"Why would I be calling about yours? Listen, I have my hands tied on a case over here. I could really use your help. No one has a clue on what to do. They put me on this, but," he pauses and his voice shifts down a tone, "I'm really in over my head." 

"How does no one there know what to do? Your hospital is the best out of all five districts." 

"This case is really strange, Tu-" 

"Don't," I sharply cut him off and take the phone in my hand before he can finish my name. "Please, don't call me that. It's Doctor Marion." 

There is a silence between us as I make my way back to the couch, gripping my mug with both hands and the phone resting back on my shoulder. 

"You know I wouldn't be calling you if I wasn't out of options, but this girl," he sighs. "She's been out for three weeks. There is nothing in her medical history that would help to explain her state. Her parents have no idea what happened, they said they just found her like this." 

"Okay, so assuming it's a coma," I say, mostly thinking out loud. Then back to him, I condescend, "are you sure it's not locked-in state? Er, what about psychogenic unresponsiveness?" 

"Of course, what do you take me for?" he says in a short, agitated breath. "Look, it's absolutely a coma with no explainable source. We've taken MRI's and Cat Scans and still can not locate the site of her brain that's causing it." 

"Were there drugs involved?" 

"No, we did blood work after taken her vitals. No drugs in her system, vitamin levels are all normal and we've been monitoring her brain waves while she's been here. It's like she went to sleep one night and just... didn't wake up." 

"It sounds like you've done everything I would have, so why are you calling me?" 

"Tu - Doctor Marion, I know you-" 

"No, you knew me," I softly yell, foolishly pointing a finger in the air as if he were in front of me. Quieter now, I keep a harsh tongue, "I'm not the same person I was then, you played a huge role in that. I changed myself for the better. I never wanted to hear from you again. The last thing I need is to be reminded..." I trail off before the tear in my eye can drop and listen to the actors giggling on the television. 

"Reminded of what?" Dan asks, in that same torturous way he'd always comforted me in the past. 

"It doesn't matter. I'm going to bed. You'll get an answer tomorrow." Forgetting the tea, I barricade myself in blankets and cry myself to sleep. 

As you walk along the bridge, Allanah continues, “for the first long while that I was here, things were fine. The churches were full, as were the pubs and shops. That’s the way many enjoyed it for a great while, but when those who opened their eyes fought back?” She sucks in air through her teeth, “well, let’s just say blood was shed, and tears were shared.” 

She moves her hands around and slows her steps, “allow me to take this back in time. They followed a set of standards. A hierarchy of social standings and if one was not near the top, they were not worth a loaf. The weight of one’s standing held in community intervention in threefold. It started with the preparation and bringing about of their first church. Many thought that if one was of fellowship they were among deities.” She laughs softly, “as I, the only guardian of this realm, knew there were no deities, just little old me. It was comical. And per the two of you, I was never allowed to step in or intervene.” 

“That’s stupid,” you mutter under your breath, watching your steps along the bridge. 

“Blacksmiths, clergymen, doctors and carpenters were just below, and seen as noble. Those however that farmed land, crops and livestock were seen at the bottom. Along with butchers, dairymaids, tailors, barbers, and the like were noted to be Sepulchers. It’s worth noting, that this system was not one that you two brought in place.” 

“Sepulchers?” Sam twists his face. 

“No one had an inkling as to why, but it was surmised that it was in reference to those folk being just as untitled as the many of the graves placed just outside of this bridge.” 

Dean folds his lips down in a nod, looking around at the piles of dirt outside of the river and under the bridge. 

“After segregating with an older congregating with an older woman who called herself Minerva, it was she that determined there was power in numbers. There were more of them than there were in the fellowship and just as one might catch a second wind, they found their strength. It started at first with the announcement. The Town Crier, also among the Sepulchers, had begun his course into the Town Whisperer, and could be found in the benighted area, or circumferential. They conspired many gatherings and prepared for battle, if need be so. The churches grew ever suspicious as their totality grew by the day. Minerva conducted the rough fifty to leave their work for another day,” she sighs, “and then another. This war lasted for years, reaching all five regions and the only thing that I could do was try and protect your children, and carry them through their reincarnations. I had made many, many attempts to reach out to the two of you and all had fallen short.” 

She focuses on the boards of the bridge and the squeaking they make as you walk over them, “a man by the name of Henry took to ending the war, and was appointed the Head of Teraw for his efforts. This man’s son is now the Head and Luna’s father in this realm. I wasn’t here to place them into the proper families,” she sighs, “and now I worry he’s stirring up trouble.”

Ana - June 6, 2068

Teraw - Region 3 

These briefings make me feel less of who I want to be. I understand the importance of putting together the minds of professional colleagues to come to a conclusion on how to move forward with whatever case we happen to be discussing. However, as someone who works in healthcare, forgive me for stating that I find them to be quite menial. It's usually the same act every day; Dan will turn up late, I drum my fingers on the table, Mary doesn't say a damn word and Nathan does most, if not all, of the talking. 

I'm mid-yawn through one of Nathan's monologues as a pink-haired woman wearing sweatpants, a tank top and a light cardigan walks in. I can only assume she is lost with the confusion draped on her face, so I stand to redirect her. Nathan, the natural born leader that he is, smiles and holds a hand out to her. 

"You must be Doctor Marion. I'm Chief Nathan Scott. Dean speaks very highly of you." Her confusion is overtaken by a smile as she accepts the greeting, "I understand your decision to be here was quite rash, so we'll excuse the lapse in dress code this one time," he jokes. 

I mask a chuckle by returning to my seat and shuffling through my papers. He pulls out his pocket watch and just barely inspects it before looking back up at her. With a careless wave of his hands and a slight shrug he says, "Dan should be arriving soon. If you know him like we do, you would know he's late to everything." 

She laughs softly, looking at her feet. "Go ahead and take a seat right there, next to Ana." He gestures over to me and smiles. I do not. "She doesn't bite, I promise." I might. 

"Enough," Nathan says as if he's heard one too many of Dan's jokes. Then again, we all certainly have. Dan glides across the room, briefcase in tow, and plops into the chair next to Mary. "First of all," Nathan goes on, sitting at the head of the table. He pulls a stack of papers from his own briefcase and shifts to Doctor Marion. "I need you to look over and sign these before we can proceed, for patient privacy and all that." 

"I understand," she squeaks out and inches her chair close to the table. She smiles when she's finished and pushes the papers back to Nathan, who inspects them thoroughly before carrying on with his speech. 

"Now, miss Luna's case is of high priority and exceptionally confidential." He classically folds his hands together and leans slightly into the table, facing me and the new doctor. "You see, her parents are what makes this town what it is." 

"And what is that, exactly?" 

"Powerful," I scoff. 

Approaching the end of the bridge, Dean grips onto your arm, pulling you to face him. “I want to know what’s going on. Damn it, Y/N, we haven’t talked in... ten months, and - and now we’re in an alternate dimension where apparently our kids live, and...” he flops his hands down at his sides, looking around before taking a step closer to you, holding up a finger, “and you knew about them?” 

“No,” you sigh, “I only had a feeling about it, I - I didn’t know for sure. I don’t even know how to explain it, it was just this gut feeling...” you trail off, not really understanding the whole thing yourself. 

Dean rolls his eyes, so you push on, “look, Dean, I’m sorry that you got dragged into this, but-” you take a deep breath, forcefully letting it out. He turns his eyebrows down, crossing his arms. “I don’t know what else to tell you,” you breathe. “What do you want me to say? That I’m sorry? That I never should have left? That I wish none of this was happening in the first place?” 

He continues to glare, and you take one small step towards him, your bodies merely inches from each other. 

“You never should have left, Y/N,” he scowls. “We were heading here from the beginning, Y/N. The only freaking difference is that we spent ten months apart from each other,” he says, voice crawling back into animosity. “I don’t know if I can trust anything you say to me now.” 

You drop your voice to a whisper, “I am sorry, Dean, for everything. I’m sorry that I left, again, but we - I can’t change any of that now, so we just gotta get through this, and when we get back home... if we get back home, we can go our separate ways if that’s what you want.” 

After a long pause, his face softens slightly, “no,” he says. Clearing his throat, his eyes move around your face, “no, Y/N. That’s the opposite of what I want. I want you. Even through all the shit we went through, I was happy with you. Why can’t you see that?” 

Next Chapter 

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#dean winchester x you slow burn #dean winchester x you enemies to lovers #dean winchester x angst #dean winchester x you #dean x you #dean winchester x reader #dean x reader #dean winchester x yn #dean x yn #dean x female reader #supernatural #supernatural fandom #dean winchester #spn #supernatural fan fic #spnfandom #spnfamily #sam winchester #spn fanfic

[mrsedmercer]

Steamy Love (A Tom Hiddleston x Reader) Chapter 30:~Time After Time~ FINALE

Summary: The nights alone have become colder and colder, and not just because of the weather.

Warnings: Angst in the beginning.

Read it on my Wattpad: www.wattpad.com/HiddlesStar

Word count: 2596

Tags: @theoneanna @midnightdragonzero @drakesfiance @kcd15 @ihthr @deviantsendbyreallife @bookgirlunicorn @cherrygeek86 @peachlobotomy666

A/N: This is it. The final chapter. Thank you so much for everyone that has liked, reblogged, or simply read any and every chapter of this fic. It's the first fanfiction I've completed in almost 5 years, but it's the first I've ever made public on Tumblr. It may be a while until I get back into writing completely, as I've decided to ship some of my creative focus towards drawing. I'm not very good at it, but I aspire to improve. Will I show my work at all? Maybe, if there's really a demand for it (though I doubt it lmao). I may post some Oneshots here or there. We'll see.

Until then, thank you for reading.

After you'd return home, Tom would start calling you at least twice a day for the next couple weeks. You didn't have the heart to block his number, but you certainly weren't going to pick up and talk to him. You couldn't believe what had happened at that event. You couldn't believe you allowed it to happen. You were always against public sex, but you couldn't help yourself around him. It's like he had you under a spell that forced you to need him. To desire him.

That's why you needed to stay far away from him. It doesn't matter that he loves you. He hurt you, in ways you can't even explain. In ways you don't want to explain. You just wanted to forget that night. Forget your feelings.

Forget him.

Though even after a month of locking yourself into your work, you still received his calls. You kept hearing about the play he was in and how great he was doing, even though the public had finally found out that you were no longer together. You couldn't help but check up on him and his play. While it hurt to hear his name, you were proud of him. You were proud of all he had already accomplished. You wish you could just talk to him and hear him boast about it. You were so excited to talk to him more about it before the big fight. It ate away at your heart that you couldn't hear him ramble about it. Hear the excited tone in his voice. You didn't want to stay mad at him, especially after the last thing he said to you...

Did he mean it? Did he...love you? Really love you? In truth, you were tired of being angry. You just wanted a chance to talk, but everytime he'd call you, you'd freeze up. You wouldn't, or couldn't answer.

That night, you really couldn't get to sleep, and you couldn't put on a happy smile for a stream. All you could really do is lay in bed with your phone beside you, quietly thinking to yourself.

You heard your phone begin to ring, looking at the Caller ID. You recognized the number. It was Tom.

You felt your heart flutter a little. You've been thinking about him all day, and you had wondered if these calls were ever going to stop. Did you even want them to stop?

Before the ringing would stop, you picked up the phone and answered it, holding it up to your ear. You heard nothing. Not even breathing.

"...Hello?..." You whispered, already feeling your emotions flare up. "...Tom?.."

"...You picked up.." You heard him speak, his tone sounding a little shaky. Had he been crying?

"Y-Yeah, I know..." You smirked slightly, sitting up some. "I-I guess I had to, eventually.."

"You...haven't picked up at all...f-for weeks.." Tom whispered. "I-I've just...been calling to hear your voicemail."

That hit you rather harder than you expected it to, already feeling tears well up in your eyes. You didn't want to get emotional again, but it was hard not to. He sounded sad.

"H...How's the play been?.." You asked, giving a shaky smile.

"Good.." You heard a half laugh from Tom. "I-It's been...fun. I...wish you could see it."

You frowned a little, closing your eyes to let some tears slowly fall down your cheeks.

"...Me too.." You admitted, giving a shaky breath. "I...I'm...tired of being angry. I want to talk.."

Tom let out another sigh, taking a minute to find the right words before speaking up again.

"...I was wrong to get angry at you.." Tom spoke, his voice a little shaky again. "I shouldn't of said the things I said, and I should've let you speak for yourself instead of barging out of that house and leaving you with all that paperwork. I regret it. I regret it all. I regret everything I did to you to make you upset, (Y/N).."

You frowned deeply, the hand holding the phone becoming a little shaky. You believed him, but part of you still hurt. He really did break your heart.

You sniffled somewhat, knowing he heard it. "D-Did you mean it?.." You finally managed to ask, your body shivering a little.

"I didn't mean to make you upset.." Tom spoke, though he was a little confused with what you meant.

"I-I mean...at the show.." You let out a shaky breath. "W-When you said you loved me...did you mean it? Or--Or was is just from the heat of the moment?.."

"...I meant it." Tom admitted, giving a slight sad chuckle. "I absolutely mean it. I love you.."

You couldn't help but smile, your heart fluttering up again. You placed a hand on your chest, feeling your heartbeat increase.

"...I love you too, Tom.." You spoke, holding back a slight sob.

You heard Tom give a shaky chuckle. You could practically see his big smile in your head. You missed that smile dearly. You wished you could see it again.

"S-So.." Tom calmed himself, clearing his throat a bit. "Wh-What now? Will you take me back?"

You smiled a little. "D-Do you think this would work? A long distance sort of thing?.." You asked.

"If I could fly you down here to be with me, I would.." Tom admitted. "But this play has me incredibly busy. I hardly have time to walk Bobby in the morning.."

"And I barely have the assets and time to actually start a moving process.." You frowned slightly. "Moving to another country, as much as I want it, would be ridiculously hard on my own."

You and Tom both went quiet for a moment, both of you really thinking about this. Neither of you had the time to help you get to him, but neither of you wanted to be apart for months. Who knows what else may come up during Tom's play? He could end up being gone until Christmas or something. You wanted to see him.

"I'm sure I'll think of something.." Tom finally spoke, smiling a little. "I promise. I'll find a way to you.."

"Don't start throwing money around to get to me.." You chuckled a bit, making him laugh as well. "As much as I miss you, I can wait for as long as you need me to."

"I'm not sure I can.." Tom admitted, letting out a slight sigh. "I'd love to catch

up with you on everything, but it's nearly 3 in the morning and I need to get some sleep.." Ah, you had forgotten about the Timezone differences. He's all the way up in London now, after all.

"I promised to call you before the play. I promise.."

"Okay.." You smiled warmly. "I-I love you, Tom.."

"And I love you, (Y/N). Truly.." He spoke in a warm tone. It made your chest feel all warm.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight.."

He hung up first after that.

You set your phone down, feeling your heartbeat once more as a few more tears slipped down your cheeks. You forgave him and admitted that you loved him, but would you really be okay having to wait months and months to see him again? You just wanted to be in his arms again and feel his lips on yours. You were scared of how long you'd potentially have to wait.

Despite that, you were able to get some nice rest. You dreamed of the day you'd get to lay in his arms.

And it would come sooner than you thought.

Another month went by, and you had gotten yourself on to a talk show to talk about your rising fame and upcoming movie. You had never been on one before, so you made sure to doll yourself up a little bit and wear a nice dress. It would be weird going up there on your own, but you had heard and seen from other interviews that the talk show host man was really nice. After fixing yourself up in the mirror, you saw the show start. The talk show host introduced you to the audience before calling you on stage. You smiled brightly as you climbed the stairs and went on stage, seeing all of the people from the audience begin to cheer. All of those people made a permanent bright smile appear on your face. You waved at everyone with a soft chuckle before sitting down on the soft sofa, shaking the show hosts hand as everyone quieted down.

"So nice to have someone new for a change!" The host spoke with a chuckle.

"It feels amazing to be here.." You admitted with a bright smile, crossing your legs.

"So, you've got your first movie coming out, eh? Got yourself quite the co-star, I hear.." They began, leaning forward a bit on their desk. "How was that?"

You chuckled again. People had learned that you and Tom were back together, so you've never stopped hearing about him.

"Yeah. We actually had to live together by that little outdoor set.." You admitted. "I messed up with renting one of the houses, so he let me stay with him."

"And that's how you fell in love, yeah?" The host grinned, being interrupted by the audience clapping for a moment before they'd quiet down. That was so surreal to see.

"I always hear about flings happening between costars on set.." You admitted. "But...my time with him was much more than that. He's treated me better than most, that's for sure."

"You haven't seen him since the beginning of the year, yes?" The host asked. "Has that been hard for you?"

You smiled sadly, placing a hand on your chest some. "It's not impossible, but it's been hard. I'm not upset about it, though. We've both become incredibly busy rather quickly. He's got his play, which I hear is amazing, and I've been streaming practically 7 times a week now that I've had the time again."

"Well, it's good to know you're staying optimistic." The host replied.

"Yeah.." you nodded a bit. "It's been...a little harder these last couple days, though. We call each other multiple days a week."

"Do you have a song you like to listen to?" The host asked, smirking some. "One that reminds you of him?"

You took a moment to really think about that. The question brought you back to the time you and Tom went to the grocery store and Time After Time came on the radio in the car, and when he kissed you in front of everyone in that clothing shop, the same song played. You had downloaded the song on to your phone after that day. You didn't realize how important it was to you until now. Tom even had it on his phone, last time you checked.

"Cyndi Lauper's 'Time After Time', maybe?.." You admitted with a shy chuckle. "It's played a couple times during my days with Tom. I downloaded it after people found out we were together because it was playing in that clothing store when he kissed me."

"Awe, that's sounds perfect.." The host smiled brightly, one of his hands moving under the desk. "You think Tom would give the same answer?" They asked.

"I mean, he's into the older styles of music.." You chuckled, a little confused. "I could call him and ask him later.."

You were too focused on the show host to hear footsteps come upstairs on to the stage, though the surprise was ruined by the sudden erupting screams and applause from the audience.

You turned around just in time for the host to start playing that song over the little speaks around set as you and the man locked eyes.

It was Tom.

You couldn't believe it.

Your eyes immedietly watered as you got up from your seat and ran to Tom, seeing him open out his arms to you. You ran right into his arms, wrapping your arms around his body. You almost didn't believe that this was real. It felt like a dream. How was he here? How did he make time for this?

You pulled back and cupped his face with both hands, already nearly sobbing just from the sight of him.

"Are you actually here!?" You asked with a happy whimper. It warmed your heart to see his big smile. He was emotional, too.

"I managed to find some extra time to get a flight down.." Tom chuckled, though he wasn't able to explain himself fully just yet. Hearing his voice so close to you made you want to just break into happy tears right then and there, so you pulled him into a deep, passionate kiss. You heard the audience go nuts, making you smile in the kiss. Tom pulled you closer to him, keeping the kiss locked until he remembered you were supposed to be doing an interview. He pulled back and gestured to the seats, holding your hand as you both sat down.

You could barely keep your eyes off of Tom for the whole rest of the interview. Afterwards, you'd say goodbye to everyone and leave the building together. You spoke outside once you reached his car.

"I've got another surprise for you.." Tom admitted, giving you a warm smile as he let go of your hand. He moved into his car for a moment and pulled out something before going back to you. He revealed 2 one-way tickets. Tickets to the UK.

"Would you still like to move in with me, my love?.." He asked you, looking into your eyes with his big, blue orbs.

Your eyes widened some and your heart skipped a beat. You placed your hand over your mouth before giving a shaky chuckle. "A-Are you serious?..." You asked, seeing him nod.

"With one phone call to a familiar moving company and a day or two, you can be living with me.." Tom spoke. "All I need is a Y--"

"Yes! Hell yes!" You chuckled happily before wrapping your arms around his neck, pulling him into another close hug. Tom flinched before chuckling, hugging you back for a moment before pulling back to give you another deep kiss, inhaling some to take in how soft your lips were. The joy you felt in your heart couldn't be properly described.

You pulled back from the kiss to wipe all the tears that had run down your cheeks, including some of the makeup makeup had on. "I'm gonna end up crying all day.." you joked with a chuckle.

Tom chuckled as well, smirking some. "I could give you other reasons to have tears in your eyes.."

Oh god, you had a feeling he hadn't gotten over this flirtatious phase he's had with you.

Then again...

You chuckled some. "It's been a couple months hasn't it?" You asked, biting yhe corner of your lower lip.

"Mhmm.." Tom purred somewhat "and I've learned some things.."

"Have you, now?.." You tilted your head some, getting a nod from Tom.

"Indeed I have.." Tom grinned. "And there's a certain...doctor who has been dying to meet you."

You knew who he was talking about. You recently rewatched High-Rise.

"Ooh, I guess I shouldn't keep him waiting, then.." You purred back with a little wink, moving around him to get into the passenger side.

Tom snickered some, getting into the drivers side.

You bet there would be quite a bit of steamy love after packing.

#tom Hiddleston #tom hiddleston x reader #tom hiddleston fanfiction #tom Hiddleston x you #fanfiction #wattpad #steamy love

[xjamlessparkx]

divorce | myg | 03

summary: in which you have to go through a painful process of your own family shattering

pairing: yoongi x reader

genre: angst

01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 |12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

Seeing all the food you prepared for dinner wasn't making you hungry at all. You called the kids from upstairs and sat down, pouring water into your glass.

"I am so hungry!!" Junsun exclaimed as he sat down and started eating. You smiled and stared at the two while they ate their food.

You thought about Yoongi's new affair. This young girl who had a disrespectful and cruel mouth. You sighed, looking at the wall in front of you where multiple pictures hanged on. You tried to figure out what she was implying on when she said that she already planned all of this.

"Mommy?" Ahran interrupted your thoughts. You turned to her and smiled, waiting for her to start talking.

"Why didn't daddy come to eat today?" She asked. Your smile faded and you put your glass on the table, trying to think of a good answer. "We two haven't seen daddy in a week now ..." her voice sounded hurt and she looked down. You turned to Junsun who was nodding.

"I miss Daddy ..." Junsun mumbled, biting his lip.

You took a deep breath and watched your children being sad about the fact that their father didn't spend time with them in a week. After the incident from today, you didn't want to talk to him but you put your pride away for your kids.

"No... he wanted to be with you. He is probably totally late due to much work ..." you lied and saw their faces getting cheerless until you finally gave in. "I will call him, okay?" You hesitantly pulled out your phone and dialed his number, waiting for his answer. He didn't pick up and you could tell why. Nonetheless, you acted as if someone was on the phone.

"Hello?" You started, seeing your children eyes lighten up. They watched with enthusiasm. "You're still working? Um, Junsun and Ahran are waiting for you ... tomorrow? Alright." You pout fakely and ended the fake call.

"And?" Junsun asked you.

"He said, um, he will pick you up from school and bring you to the amusement park tomorrow and after that, he will watch a movie with you." You lied, literally hating yourself for doing so. They jumped over joy and hugged you.

"Daddy will be home, finally!" Junsun sang which made you chuckle but feel guilty, immediately.

"Alright, guys! Time to brush your teeth and go to bed! You have to get up early, right?" You clapped in your hands while you stood up. You caressed their hair as they ran upstairs. Now you had to tell Yoongi to pick them up tomorrow. You decided to text him because in that way he will see it for sure. Hopefully, he won't cancel it due to his full schedule. At least he could cancel it for his children.

You cleaned the kitchen and went upstairs to check on your kids. First, you went into Junsun's room. His blanket was halfway on the floor and you smiled to yourself. Like father like son. You pulled the blanket over his shoulders and kissed his forehead before leaving his room to check on Ahran who was also asleep. You still went up to her and kissed her before going into your room. You changed into your pajama and lied down on the huge bed. Before you drifted off you checked your phone if there was any reply by Yoongi which wasn't the case even though it said 'read'. Putting your phone on your nightstand you turned to the other side of your bed. Your hands were under your cheek, trying to warm up. You hoped for his ignorance to be a sign that he had time and would pick them up.

You moved so much and tried to fall asleep. Something was bothering you today. The fact that you knew the real feelings of Yoongi towards you and your marriage or the fact that you shared a conversation with his new girl. It didn't matter that she planned all of this. Right now, all you could tell her was 'congratulations' because Yoongi was already head over heels for her.

If she tries a slight move on your kids you would forget about humanity.

Aghh why do I even worry about her words!? She is young and immature. What can she do other than taking all of the materialistic things from you?

You tried stopping all of your thoughts which were bothering you right now. Closing your eyes tightly you drifted off to sleep. _ "Mom, dad will pick us up today right?" Ahran asked for clarification. You nodded, looking at the road where the bus would come any minute soon. You always waited with your children until their bus came to make sure their way to school is safe. When the bus arrived you kissed them.

"Behave, alright!" you said as they nodded and jumped into the bus. You waved them their goodbyes and wanted to go home when you heard a familiar voice stopping you.

"Mis Y/F/N" you turned around, being greeted by your landlord. He smiled at you.

"Oh, Ahjussi ... how are you?" You smiled and he nodded slightly.

"I am fine thank you ... " you knew that he wanted to tell you something. "We already know us for so long and I know that you didn't pay the bill for the electricity and water on purpose. You probably forgot ... I just wanted to remind you since I saw you here" he said, your smile dropping down.

"Oh yes ... you're right. I, I forgot" you lied and looked around, being a little embarrassed about this situation. "I.. uh, we will pay the rent as soon as possible" you bowed down before leaving him to hop into your house. Yoongi must have stopped paying for the needs of the house. You also weren't able to use your own credit cards since he stopped the bank transferring money on it. You sighed and went to the kitchen to look up if there is something you need to buy since you wanted to go grocery shopping. Once you opened the fridge you were greeted by an empty one. There were some vegetables and fruits in the fridge but that's all. You closed the fridge, grabbing your purse in which you had a bit of money in it. Enough for going grocery shopping.

You knew that you couldn't sit home anymore. It was time to stand up for yourself and your children. You had to find a job to make a living. Even though Yoongi has to pay spousal support for their children after your divorce you promised yourself to never touch their money.

While going shopping you decided to look for a good job. You knew it was hard since you didn't work for more than 10 years now. They would prefer younger employees but still, you didn't wanna throw away a chance. Also, you decided to tell Yoongi to pay the bills this month, the last time. At least for his children.

Putting on your jacket you left your house and went into the city to go grocery shopping. With all of the grocery bags, you looked up the showcases if there is someone looking for a new employee. Sadly you couldn't find even one. That's why you decided to go home and look for a job on the internet. Nowadays everything is possible because of new technology. Also, it was already late and your children must be about to return with Yoongi.

You put the bags on the counter of your kitchen and grabbed your phone to look at the time. It was already 6 pm and you wondered why they still haven't returned. Just as you wanted to call Yoongi you changed your mind. Maybe they're doing something fun and enjoyable right now, it would be a pity if you would destroy their moment. Just as you wanted to place the groceries your phone rang. You picked up the unknown caller ID.

"Hello?" You mumbled.

"Is this Mis Y/F/N?" The female voice asked from the other line.

"Yes ... how can I help you?"

"Unbelievable! How can you let your kids stay in school for so long? Did you forget to pick them up!? They're already waiting for their parents to pick them up, for more than 4 hours-" you furrowed your eyebrows and tried to catch everything the angry woman spatted out.

"Wait, wait! I don't understand what you say. Didn't their father pick them up?" You asked in disbelief.

"Are you deaf Ma'am? No one came ... that's why they're sitting here" She said rudely.

Your eyes widened "I, I will come as fast as I can" you ended the phone call, feeling the atmosphere getting tense. Why the hell didn't Yoongi pick them up!? Furiously, you grabbed your phone and dialed his number. He didn't pick up and you called him again. Over and over again until he picked up.

"WHAT!?" He yelled from the other line.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU PICK OUR CHILDREN UP?!" you yelled back, feeling him getting astonished.

"What are you talking about? You never told me to pick them up!" he remarked, making you feel more irritated and mad.

"You're gonna pick me up right now and we will drive to our children's school to get them home!" You said, not pausing once.

"What are you talking about??" He asked, sounding confused.

"Our kids are in that goddamnit school and now you will drive me there to pick them up. RIGHT NOW" you wanted to save your energy for hissing at him until you saw him face to face. You ended the phone call and grabbed your jacket which you put on and waited outside for him to arrive. You accepted that he was rude to you, that he ignored you but you will never accept him ignoring his children. Not like that. His car parked in front of you hopped in, closing the door furiously.

"Hey! Calm down!" He said and looked at you "What are my children doing in school at this hour?" He asked.

"I guess I should ask you Mr. Min because you didn't pick them up!" You sighed, going through your hair.

"What do you mean? Why should I pick them up?" He asked, getting frustrated and confused about the whole situation right now.

"Because I texted you to pick them up. Yesterday! Because they missed their father and wanted to spend time with him when their father clearly doesn't care anymore-" he cut you off, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I didn't receive any text message from you!" He exclaimed, pulling out his phone to show you his recent messages which were empty.

"No way" you pulled out your phone and showed him the texts you sent him. His eyes widened as he saw the date.

"That's not possible... I mean-" you cut him off, knowing who could've possibly deleted the messages. "Just go already!" He pressed the gas pedal angrily.

The whole ride was silent until you arrived at your destination. You jumped out of the car and ran into the school, followed by Yoongi running behind you. Once you opened the principal's room you were met by your disappointed children.

"Mom!" Junsun's face light up when you kneeled down to hug the two.

"I am so sorry!" You said looking at the principal who sat on their desk. The woman stood up.

Yoongi kneeled down as well and pulled them into a deep hug. "I am so sorry! Appa will make it better" he said, sounding desperate and hurt.

You stood up and looked at the principal.

"Next time I can't make sure to find them and let them wait in school safely. You should look for your children..." she said, guiding you outside. She wasn't pleased with the idea of waiting for someone's parents to arrive and you noticed how annoyed she was right now. You thanked her before she left and were left alone with Yoongi. You turned to him and saw him making up to the two since they were sad about the fact that the couldn't spend time with their father.

"Tomorrow is our day!" He promised them and you saw them smiling which made your distress fade away even for a little bit. Once he made eye contact with you his smile faded and he helped the children into the car.

"Listen ... I didn't see the text" he said and you nodded.

"I believe you, Yoongi" you said honestly. "I guess I know who deleted them, though-" he cut you off not wanting to argue.

"Can you stop talking about here right now? The topic is about me and my kids ..." he mumbled. He knew that his new affair was possibly the reason for him not receiving a text but he was too ashamed to admit it.

"Yeah ... I mean it was a demon who deleted them, trying to avoid you spending time with your children" you whispered, knowing that he heard all of that. He rolled his eyes and went to his car. How can he be so stubborn? You hopped into the car and drove home with Yoongi. On your way home you saw Junsun and Ahran falling asleep from the inside mirror.

Yoongi parked in front of your house and turned around. A huge smile made its way to his lips as he saw his children sleeping. You watched him admiring his children. It was wrong to think that he doesn't care for his children. In the end, he is still their father who loves them as much as you love them, right? Just because he wants to divorce doesn't mean that he doesn't love his children anymore. Just because his love for you faded doesn't mean it faded for his children as well. You were silly enough to judge his responsibility and passion for his children just because you hated him for divorcing you.

"Will you take Junsun? I will take my princess ..." he smiled as he hopped out of the car to lift Ahran in bridal style. You took Junsun on your back in piggyback style because he wasn't heavy at all. You unlocked your door and switched on the lights so you two could see where you were going. The only sound which was heard was your footsteps and the stairs cracking quietly. You brought Junsun into his room and changed his clothes so he could sleep comfortably. Kissing his cheek gently, you left the room and went into Ahrans to be met by a confused Yoongi trying to change her clothes. You let out a quiet chuckle while opening the drawer to pull out her pajamas. You kneeled down next to Yoongi.

"Did you already forgot where her clothes are?" you grinned slightly. He bit his lip and watched you changing Ahrans clothes. She opened her eyes while you lied her down on her bed. "Mom?" she mumbled half asleep. "Where is dad?" she slowly drifted off. Yoongi squeezed her hand tightly and kissed her forehead.

"I'm always here, princess!" Yoongi had always a soft spot for Ahran in his heart. It was his first child, the first time he got called "Dad". When you found out about your pregnancy, Yoongi always came home with pink baby clothes. Even though you still didn't find out its gender. He was always saying that he had a flair for telling a non-born gender. Little did you know that he desperately wanted to have a daughter and his wish became reality.

As soon as Ahran fell asleep you went downstairs. He had to leave again...

"Would, would you like to have a drink before you leave? Tea? Coffee?" you asked him. He shook his head and looked around the room, biting his lip.

"I will take the kids out tomorrow, so don't worry..." he said and you missed those calm conversations with him. You nodded, not being able to talk right now because at any moment soon your tears would start falling again.

"I, I should get going ..." his breath was coming in gasps.

"Yeah ... you're right ..." you stared into his eyes, wanting to hold him back. Telling him to not leave and to stay with you. The silence filled the room and you wanted to ask him. Anything. Since when he forgot, since when he replaced you and why he stood silent. You wanted to tell him about the precious days where you called each other "mine". What happened to us. To our love. When and why did it stop blooming like your first day? As long as you could listen to his voice you would find anything satisfying.

You watched him leaving slowly as if he waited for you to say something. Why was he so oblivious to this whole situation. Your gaze went to the floor when he opened the door. He didn't look back and left the house. The loud sound of the door closing snapped you out from your trance.

You went to the front door and put your hand on the cold wooden door. Slowly, sliding down on your knees as you started crying in pain.

Why was it so hard to let go of him?

#min yoongi angst #bts scenarios #bts angst #bts series #bangtan angst #bangtan series #bangtan scenarios #bts fanfiction #bts fanfic #min yoongi series #yoongi series #yoongi angst #yoongi scenarios #min yoongi scenarios

[wardencommanderrodimiss]

The Witches of Los Angeles, Chapter 1: I am apparently not wasting any time starting in on the next installment of this saga!

[ao3] [Seelie of Kurain masterlist]

“But what if, even after all of this, I make it to the end, and nobody will hire me? That nobody’s willing to work with a teenage attorney and I just – can’t do anything because I don’t have anywhere to go?”

“That’s a lot of ‘ifs’ there, kiddo. But if – if – you get your badge, do your searching, can’t find a single office in the LA area willing to take on a prodigy – then there’s always my office. It’s sure as hell not a law office right now, but it’d give you a space to work out of.”

-

It’s a bad time for the phone to ring. Even if Edgeworth was still in Europe, he’s always been good at working around the time difference (and he knew that at the odd hours of the night, even if Phoenix was awake, he’d be in the basement of the club with no reception) and never just called at a time that would make Phoenix panic. And it can’t be Maya or Pearls, with no sense of time, because he worked with Iris (the only one of them who understood human needs for sleep) to put an enchantment on his phone that stopped them from calling him about things that weren’t life-threatening at 2 am.

In the time it takes him to fumble for his phone, he has gone through the options: Trucy snuck out and got arrested for underage drinking or trespassing or arson or whatever teen girls do to have fun in the small hours of the morning. Edgeworth got murdered staying too late at his office. Apollo got into some sort of trouble, though Phoenix’s imagination has never been able to figure out what Apollo would be doing out and in trouble at this hour (though if he really considers possibilities, Klavier is probably also involved). Or Thalassa had something happen to her, or she found out what lost, forbidden knowledge he and Maya have been chasing for the sake of her soul and with no regard for time wants to yell at him.

Bleary-eyed, he doesn’t check the caller ID and simply answers. “Phoenix Wright speaking.”

“Mr Wright! Mr Wright! I passed! I passed!”

Or, the option he hadn’t considered. “Time zones, please,” he groans, resting his face back against his pillow. “It’s two am and – wait.” He sits back up, blinking at the dark room like written somewhere in it will be something to help him replay the words she just said. “You passed?”

“The Bar results came today! I passed! Athena Cykes, barred and badged attorney at the ready! I’ve got a flight booked tomorrow and stuff packing now! Vámonos!”

Oh, god. Athena never lets him forget that she lives her entire life in a frantic rush. “Slow down, kiddo,” he says, knowing that she absolutely will not but feeling obligated to try to make her do so anyway. “Do you have somewhere you’re working? A place to live?”

“No to the second, yes to the first.”

“Well, that’s probably something you should do before you come back. I can give you a hand, but you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a place.” There are always cheap available apartments in a city built this close to faery hills – or mountains, as it is. The unpredictable, not-typical-SoCal weather would probably be enough to send people running, but Phoenix also has a theory that the city itself has enough of a life force that it decides what people it doesn’t want and gives them little mental nudges to make them leave. (To the people it does want, it gives cheap rent and depression.)

“So where are you working?” he adds. He doesn’t know every defense attorney in the city, but he knows of most of them. (Athena’s a sharp, emotionally intelligent kid. He doesn’t need to vet her entire career for her. She’d figure out quick enough if she was working for someone nasty.)

“Uh, have you forgotten, and isn’t it obvious – Boss?”

Phoenix manages not to swear out loud, which he thinks is rather impressive of him, all things considered. His mind racing, he tries to remember if he ever directly offered Athena a job or simply positioned himself as the backup-backup plan, the last resort, because he isn’t a boss or a mentor and all he knows how to be is the shelter that collects stray kids fucked up and fucked over by fae magic where he can’t do much worse to them than has already been done. And Athena isn’t one of them.

(Isn’t she?)

No, Athena shouldn’t be here.

And then what he says is, “Ah. Right,” as his mouth once again keeps going ahead of his brain. “You know,” he adds, knowing that it’s probably too late but needing to try, “you don’t have to just charge in like this. You can look for other places instead of just coming with me because I was the first option. You’ve got time. It’s not like there’s some kind of door that’s about to slam in your face.”

Midlife crisis before she’s out of her teens, that’s the impression that she gives him. Like she thinks her entire life will be useless if she doesn’t have a badge and a certain number of cases under her belt before she turns nineteen. Like there’s an end line she’s afraid of tripping over that no one else can see, but because she’s a damn kid Phoenix is terrified she’s going to get chewed up like Franziska and Klavier and Sebastian all were, ripped apart and rearranged by the heartless, manipulative people who stood behind them.

(And Athena doesn’t have one of those, not now, not yet, but Phoenix doesn’t have any reservations about what he is, what even more he could be.)

“I can do stuff now, so I’m gonna do it! Also the plane ticket can only be canceled 24 hours in advance, and the flight is closer than that, so I really can’t stop now.”

Knowing that she can’t see him, Phoenix still shakes his head. “And where are you planning on staying until you find housing?” he asks.

He might be able to guess the answer to this one, too. And that is its own can of worms for him to lie in, but if she’s working at the Agency, then – well, he can keep an eye on her but still distance himself, and she’ll have Apollo to show her the ropes. She could learn a lot from him, and he from her. It might – scratch that, it would definitely – be good for Apollo to have another lawyer to work with. And he knows that Apollo, unlike most others, shouldn’t be too freaked out by Athena’s powers. No one’s normal at the WAA. Maybe it is the best place for Athena, in spite of himself.

(No, he’s going to need to repeat that to himself a few hundred more times before he believes it.)

“So Trucy kinda said that maybe I could crash on your couch? Or her bedroom floor. Or the fire escape! I mean, all I really need is a shower and a flat surface, and I guess I’m gonna get a gym membership and they’ll have showers, so I could sleep at the office too!”

“I am not going to make you sleep at the office,” Phoenix says. Mia wouldn’t allow him to do that. “I’m not sure where you would hang your clothes, anyway.”

“Is that – is that you being cool with Trucy’s floor?”

Is it? He’s lost on everything else so far he’s tried to bargain with Athena on. “Living room couch. She’s got school, and you’ve got a law career, and I know you’ll be talking to the middle of the night like it’s a sleepover if you stay in the same room.”

“Thank you! Thanks so much!”

“And you’re gonna be looking for apartments from the start, but I think that goes without saying.”

“Definitely. I wasn’t planning on couchsurfing forever. I mean, mostly because you’re the only option I have.”

“What, you haven’t asked Edgeworth?” He at least would have a spare bedroom, though Athena would probably eat him out of the house in a day.

“Wait, I could? Unless there’s like – there’s not any rules against a defense attorney bunking with a prosecutor, right?”

If there are rules like that, then Phoenix and Edgeworth have already broken most of them. There are very few actual rules, and Phoenix has broken most of those too. “No, though you’d be bunking with the Chief Prosecutor now, you know.”

“Oh man, really? I keep thinking about how I’ve come so far since I met you two, but I guess you’ve both come a long ways too!”

“The two of you have.” And Phoenix stuck as always, as ever. He’s what he’s made of himself and nothing more.

“Don’t say that, Mr Wright! I’ve been reading about what you’ve been doing. And you could take the Bar again, I’m sure! You definitely should. I passed! You would too! You did before!”

Phoenix snorts. “Thanks, but I’m not so sure. I’m a little less lucky than I was when I first passed.” Does he owe Iris and her blessing for passing the Bar on the first try? Probably, and he doesn’t want to dwell on that much.

“Still. I think you should. Then we’d have three lawyers, me and what did Trucy say his name was, Apollo! And you. We’d be an unbeatable team!”

It would be nice to have her optimism. He has no way of responding that she won’t hear his doubt, so he goes for the redirect. “You should let Edgeworth know you got your badge, even if you don’t ask him if you can crash at his place. He’d like to know how you’ve been doing, and I’m not sure if you’d see him in person any time soon. Chief Prosecutor stuff is keeping him really busy.” Worryingly busy, in fact. There’s a lot of corruption to clean up, Phoenix knows, but more and more he wonders if there’s something else, something on top of the base level of corruption that’s eating up all of Edgeworth’s time.

“I’ll email him. And then I’ll see you soon! This week! Two days! One plane ride away, Boss! And then it’s gonna be awesome, I just know it!”

After she hangs up, he stares at the dark floor, at the thin lines of the city lights seeping in around the window shades, for a long time. It would be nice, unfathomably so, if she was right. If the the constant expectation gnawing at the back of Phoenix’s skull was wrong. Let her be right, and for once, let everything – or even just something – turn out all right.

-

Edgeworth calls in the morning, causing Phoenix to realize something: he both worries when he doesn’t hear from Edgeworth, and when he does. He didn’t sleep well after Athena’s call, worrying about that too, and her, and this realization that he feels responsible for her like a father and that’s the last goddamn thing he wanted. “What’s up?” he asks through a yawn, and there is silence on the other end of the line, Edgeworth clearly reassessing whether Phoenix is the best person for whatever the problem is. Or maybe he still thinks Phoenix is the right person, but Saturday morning not the right time to have a serious conversation.

Then he sighs and says, “Wright, I have a… a favor to ask. A special request.”

“Ominous. So how can I help?” It’s not the way he would respond to anyone else; it’s a rule he’s had since he met Mia and started tangling with the fae, to never agree to any request without knowing the terms. But it’s Edgeworth. Phoenix sets different rules for him.

“I want you to clear one of my subordinates of suspicion.”

“Edgeworth, that’s like, the one thing I can’t do for you. I’m not a lawyer, remember? Haven’t been for longer than I ever was.”

“And you aren’t at all eager to return?”

“Eh.” Is he? What does he want to do? He doesn’t know anymore, hasn’t had time to ever figure it out. Who is he when he’s not trying to keep Kristoph from doing more harm, when not flailing to keep himself and Trucy afloat and alive?

(He’s the person that Edgeworth asks for help on investigations, an invitation extended again and again even when Phoenix thought for sure he would give up in the face of “not now”s and “someday”s, that he wouldn’t wait like he did for the now and the someday. And he’d liked those investigations, more than getting to show Trucy more of the world, more than spending time with Edgeworth. And for everything else there was, he had enjoyed jumping behind the defense’s bench with Apollo, for more reason than finally getting to tear Kristoph down.)

(Maybe he does know, and maybe what he knows is that he misses being an attorney.)

“With everything cleared up, you would be able to, and I can’t imagine you just continuing to delegate everything to others.”

Does Edgeworth know him too well? Maybe, but as long as he doesn’t point out that the reason he can’t imagine Phoenix leaving things to other people is because Phoenix is paranoid, suspicious, and laden with trust issues, Phoenix can live with it. “Athena called last night and was saying I should retake the Bar, too.”

“I received an email from her, as well. I’m inclined to agree with her in regards to you.”

“I’ll think about it. But who exactly is it that you’d be asking me to – defend?” There hasn’t been any news this week of prosecutors arrested for crimes. If something happened recently, it’s been on tight lockdown. And if it wasn’t recently, then what?

“You’ll recall the Blackquill case?”

“Oh,” Phoenix says.

That was a case on tight lockdown, details unknown to Phoenix, but whatever happened was damning for Prosecutor Blackquill, who pled guilty and was convicted in barely a few hours. And even if more information had been released, Phoenix probably wouldn’t have looked that far into it; even a year and a half after his disbarment, he was still struggling to keep from drowning, too preoccupied with himself and Trucy and Kristoph and no room to consider yet another murdering prosecutor. (How many of those have there been?)

“Yes. He will…” Edgeworth sighs. “He will be standing in court again, very soon. I want you to keep an eye on him.”

If it was anyone but Edgeworth speaking, Phoenix would assume that he was asking Phoenix whether Blackquill was human or fae, to look with the Sight and get answers. But it’s Edgeworth, and he probably doesn’t mean that. “So if he’s standing in court, do you mean his conviction was overturned – but if you’re asking me to clear him, then that means he hasn’t been…?”

“He will be standing in court, prosecuting, as a convict.”

Phoenix closes his eyes and considers flinging himself face-first into the couch. He heads for the kitchen instead. “Well,” he says. “That’s still not the worst or weirdest thing a chief prosecutor has done.”

Silence. He probably shouldn’t have said that. He definitely shouldn’t have said that. “I thought I was getting good at the piano thing,” Phoenix adds, and Edgeworth snorts, “but I mean, I guess this is a job I could do. Is there anything more you can tell me about Blackquill? Like if Apollo and Athena were to end up facing him in court.”

“Or if you were, should you get your badge back.” The silence stands for a few more seconds, Phoenix not wanting to agree to that, not wanting to get Edgeworth’s hopes up until he himself is sure, and Edgeworth adds, “He isn’t… pleasant, exactly.”

“That could mean a lot of things. Some people might say that about you, y’know.”

“Hmph. I’m sure some people might also say that about you. But I might compare him to Franziska: tolerates very little nonsense, does not suffer fools lightly, and has a very broad definition of what counts for foolishness. He’s studied psychology as a tactic for the courtroom and when he isn’t threatening, he’s manipulative. And if you were to defend him, he still insists quite stringently that he is in fact a murderer, though I know you have had clients of that sort before.”

And you were one of them, Phoenix thinks. “So, tough client, and tough prosecutor.” Sounds like someone else Phoenix knows. “Apollo could use some experience going up against a hostile prosecutor.” The most hostility he’s had to deal with has been witnesses – not to discount the ordeals that Crescend and Gavin made of those trials – but Klavier is far too fond of him. (Which Phoenix can’t complain about because that’s worked out for his purposes and also for the Jurist System trial case.) “And psychology, huh. You’ve got him, and I’ll have Athena.”

Edgeworth hums a noncommittal acknowledgement.

“You don’t paint a flattering picture of the guy you want defended, though.”

“You deserve to know as much as I can tell you. I didn’t know him well when he first joined the office, but it’s my understanding that six and a half years in jail has sharpened anything that was ever tempered about him.”

That sounds achingly familiar, but not because of any of the prosecutors that Phoenix knows. Seven years is a long time to ferment and grow painfully bitter. “I suppose that makes sense,” he says. “I’ll keep that all under advisement. Anything else?”

“There is…” Edgeworth sighs and clicks his tongue. “There are a number of absurd rumors I’ve collected about him from other inmates and guards. It’s nothing I would pay heed to, but…” He sighs again.

“But?”

“They call him a witch.”

“Edgeworth, one of these days you’re going to have to accept the truth staring you in the face that these things are way more likely than you think.”

“Actually, I believe they are much less likely than you think, and your life is not accurate to the demographics of this city.”

“You met Kay, Lang, that shapeshifter lady, Sebastian, his bastard of a father, Judge Courtney, and whatever else was happening there, all within one month.”

The silence stretches for so long that Phoenix has to check to make sure Edgeworth hasn’t hung up on him. He goes to the pantry and finds that Trucy ate the last of the cereal. “Fine,” Edgeworth says at last. “People with magic have a tendency to move in packs. I will give you that. But Blackquill is… very much a loner, and I’ve spoken with him a number of times and seen nothing to suggest that he isn’t normal.”

“I guess I’ll have to meet him and see for myself.” It’s funny, really; Edgeworth’s disdain for cries of magic at anyone or anything that breaks a narrow mold nearly stopped him from mentioning the thing that has the best guarantee at bringing Phoenix in on this venture.

“I’m hoping to find a case for him in the next few days. I’ll let you know once I do. And the next exams are being administered in May, so you should get to studying for that.”

“Did I say that I was retaking it?”

“You’re already signed up and paid for, so I would really prefer you don’t let that go to waste.”

Phoenix nearly drops the phone. “Edgeworth. Edgeworth, tell me you’re joking—”

“I would never.”

“Didn’t you need my signature? Are we really starting my new career with more falsified—”

“Speaking of, I’ve meant to let you know that your daughter is worryingly good at forging your signature, and you should probably have a talk with her about that sort of thing.”

“You used my daughter for crimes—!”

“I also considered buying Miss Maya dinner for it, though I didn’t know which of those options you would have preferred less.”

Oh. Oh, Edgeworth is serious about it, about Phoenix getting his badge back, if he had considered making a deal with Maya over it. “You could’ve at least warned me and given me more than I don’t know, two weeks, to study!”

“And would you have used that extra time effectively?”

Phoenix drops his head against the refrigerator. He doesn’t know why he thought he would win against Edgeworth. He’s not even sure why he bothered to fight. “Okay, first of all, fuck you, and secondly – fuck you!”

Edgeworth chuckles. “Prosecutor Blackquill and I will see you in court, Wright.”

#fic: the witches of los angeles #roddy fanfics #do i also put this under the original 'seelie of kurain' fic tag just so everything is organized or do i just say fuck it #ANYWAY BOIS WE'RE LIVE AND HEADING DOWN INTO HELL #fic: the seelie of kurain

[xathia-89]

Warlords and Mafia AU Part 2

“Natsuki Tomi,” a voice called out from the office manager’s door, freezing me in my tracks. It was the tone that made me cold inside. It was stirring memories up that I thought I had managed to successfully bury several months in my past. It was all about the poker face as I made sure to stay calm under pressure, putting the files I was carrying down on my desk before making strides towards the office door.

I had been taken on as a general office administrator at first in a law firm several cities over from Kyoto. I had botched my surname, gotten the local hospital to remove the bullet after citing some vague incident that not one of the medical staff had bought, but had to let me go after paying because my ID wasn’t matching anyone known to the police. All I was concerned about was being able to keep paying my portion of the rent in a houseshare, but since I had been recently promoted as a low-level solicitors personal secretary, then I had been looking to find my own flat. I had been getting comfortable in this life, and it was indeed nothing like what my brother had always made out that it would be if I left the cover of the mansion.

All of the focus of the office floor was on me, especially the solicitor who I did the work for. She had only just managed to get them to give me over, and she was now thinking of her work going all down the drain as the door was locked behind me in a strange move. The strange part being that the office manager showed me in, and then showed himself out without a word. The big chair with the high back was obscuring the person in it from me.

“Take a seat,” I stiffened at the voice, but complied. All of the internal and external windows were covered by blinds, and it was the presence in the chair that ensured that everyone was keeping their distance from trying to listen in.

Shingen spun the chair around confidently once he was confident that I had complied with his instruction. He had a smug look on his face, one that I was only aware of wanting to smack off him, but I was at a disadvantage given that I could see the holster for his gun on his belt and under his blazer. He was wearing a look that could only be described as predatory, and I was feeling very flighty at that moment in time.

“I’m honestly impressed it took me so long to find you when you technically work for an ally of mine,” he was glancing me over before standing up from his seat, sliding his hands into his trouser pockets before sauntering around to the front of the desk. “And that I had to promise an office manager and a solicitor that I was ‘only promoting you’ and would be replacing you? Your work ethic is clearly something to be admired. You have really taken the ability to hide in plain sight, I do applaud your efforts.”

“I wasn’t doing anyone any harm, why come looking for me now?” I had no need to play nice, but I had to toe the line at civil for certain. I didn’t want to give the man an excuse to use that gun of his. “Even the hospital taking the bullet out didn’t want to let me go, but the police are never looking for a woman. I was keeping my head down and out of all of your way.”

“You never truly leave this life is what I have been told,” there was a threat to his voice. “And Oda has become more of a pest recently. You’re the closest thing I have to keep him in line,” it was a casual shrug. I was a chess piece, nothing more. “I can twist his right arm for certain at the very least. Hideyoshi adores you. Plus, your talents are second to none. I haven’t seen any other girl last more than an event, and Oda has even taken to bringing other men along regardless of any talk. You are the only one he could have doing the job properly since it’s always someone different.”

“I’m a liability. You don’t want me in the crossfire,” I tried to argue. “I might have a gun and know how to use it, but all I would end up being is someone else to protect in the middle of it all.”

“Actually, I can deal with that, I need your talents,” Shingen surprised me as he gestured for me to stand up. “We’re going now, you’re being promoted to my secretary at the parent company for such diligence and due work.”

“I don’t see why I should be coming along with that,” I boldly stated.

“You’re still on the police wanted for questioning list actually, under the surname of Toyotomi,” Takeda was done playing nice, his face icing over instantly. “I could easily ensure that you are outed and dragged back to Kyoto and it all comes out that you were in the middle of the public shoot out and lied to police? They won’t be very nice about it, especially if they just happen to find your fingerprints matching other scenes.”

“Let us say I play along, you don’t go to the police, and I am promoted to your secretary-” I started.

“There is no room for bartering,” Shingen had an agenda and a time to keep. “You agree, or I have the police arrive to arrest you, it would be such a shame if you were the one they were looking for in response to a string of crimes,” his smile was cold and barely there.

“Fine, I have no choice. And we both know you’d fabricate evidence against me, I keep quiet, play secretary for you,” I stated through gritted teeth. “At least let me know what my duties are.”

“Keep the diary organised, book my hotels when I’m away and arrange transport. Plus any escorting required, you will be attending with me,” he asserted, before gesturing to stand up. “I have places to be, you are coming with me. I had your things boxed up while we were having this conversation, and your things are currently being moved into my ‘spare room’. Before you protest, I have to let you know that Kenshin was arguing with me about this as well, he didn’t want you anywhere near him. So if you don’t play along, I can easily let him take over your care, and I will promise you that he will be a lot less accommodating than I am about this all.”

The office was practically brimming with everyone offering their congratulations as we left, an immediate and impromptu promotion to the parent company after catching the eye of Shingen was the story I gleaned. It was all smiles and passing information off towards Takeda while the illusion was kept stable. Then we both feigned an essential meeting in Kyoto that we needed to get to to allow us to leave. Shingen had staff carrying my box of things, it would be seen as too improper for him to allow for me to do that. It was all stunned expressions as I was escorted out of the building by Takeda and his staff, and I was willing to bet that there were already rumours now that we were sleeping together as I got into the stretched limo that had been waiting for us.

I ignored the fact that Shingen never stopped typing away on his phone for the entire journey back to his mansion. I was either enjoying watching the scenery or playing a mindless game on my phone. I already knew that it would be taken off me and destroyed the second I left the car. It was a good job I hadn’t developed attachments to anything as I spotted a removal truck pulling up outside a mansion.

My face was dropping as I recognised the things when the shutter was rolled up. Mostly my furniture, and all of my clothes and items. It was a professional moving job at least, and they had undoubtedly arrived not long after I had left for work by all appearances. It was all being handled with care, though not one of them seemed to be disturbed by the look of surprise on my face.

“Princess?” Shingen sounded too smug at my emotions for me to try and ignore it as I spun around in frustration. A camera shutter sounded, his phone in his hand and then a confident smirk as he continued tapping away on his phone. “I’ll show you to your glittering cage, and we should discuss your new role.”

My jaw went slack after I was dragged through the mansion. It was all pristine glamour as an entrance hall, a grand staircase and wooden floor leading to what was the private settings of the people who lived here. It was all white walls, and giant pictures, a showing of wealth in that the owner could afford the paintings and for someone to keep the place so white and clean. I didn’t get much of a chance to see anything else, as I was taken down after the removal men who were putting the last of the cardboard boxes in a grand scale room. It was larger than any apartment I would have been able to afford on my own for sure. A thick carpet under my feet, as I saw that my bed was already set up, minus the sheets, and I had even been ‘gifted’ with a TV and a small two-seater sofa next to a small kitchenette. There was an inbuilt wardrobe, and a little wet room off in the corner. It was sheer luxury, as I turned to face Shingen reluctantly. I had also spotted a workspace of sorts, with my laptop already on and open. I was willing to bet that my wardrobe had been given an upgrade as well. I was beginning to feel like I was very much out of my depths.

“To maintain all illusions, your laptop and that desk phone are all hooked up to my work systems. You are required to answer that phone at any time of day, and all calls are monitored and recorded, so you can’t plan anything. Yuki will take you to the grocery store for shopping so you can keep yourself fed on whatever diet you like,” Takeda was running things through on automation it felt like. A robot in the middle of a plan. “The intercom connects to the rest of the house, so you can tell us anything urgent if something arises. The door is locked from the outside, and the windows have bars on. You can open them for fresh air, or you have the air conditioning and heating system. Any questions?”

“Do I have internet?” I sighed, noticing that my gaming console had made it over at the very least.

“Yes, but don’t think we won’t know who you’re talking to,” he shrugged, and turned to leave, ending the conversation as he kept his eyes glued on his phone screen.

I was feeling more than a little frustrated at the whole princess in a tower imprisonment that this was resembling. To anyone, it was a luxury place to be, but it was still a cell that I had no chance of escaping without an elaborate plan, and I would need inside help, especially now that I knew it wasn’t just Shingen here, his right hand was living with him. Two high-level mafia sorts and I definitely didn’t quite have the physical capacity to overpower them alone. My first job was a shower at least, then going through my laptop to see what they had planned for the time being since I was meant to be Takeda’s PA.

The following morning was a little more interesting, Sasuke and Yukimura took it upon themselves to get into my room after my morning coffee. The scientist was looking a little abashed, while Sanada was glaring at me in the attempts to make me burst into flames. I was curled up on the sofa, making no efforts to move and create a space for either man. The news was playing across the screen, more out of force of habit than interest as I found the need to be aware of the world around me.

“Good morning to you two as well, glad to know you are capable of knocking before entering a woman’s room,” I sarcastically drawled, making a pointed jab at the fact I was still in my nightwear under a dressing gown that had been provided at least. The diary had told me I wouldn’t physically be going anywhere, so I saw no need to rush in getting ready to go nowhere. “And for the record, let’s just set it straight that the only person who wanted me here at all was Shingen. So what’s the reason for barging straight in?”

“We just came to make sure that you know what’s going to happen if you act up,” Yukimura was pacing like a caged animal, trying to assert his dominance in an area he wasn’t even certain of.

“I’m guessing it won’t be pleasant,” I rolled my eyes, not appreciating the alpha male approach to the whole situation without a care in the world for me. “But all I really know right now is that I’d be dragged to the police with evidence and outed as a criminal that they’ve been after for a while and Takeda gets to gloat over everyone that he caught the criminal, and then ensure that my connections to Nobunaga and Hideyoshi are found out to bring them down.”

“More like he would pass you to Kenshin for all information extraction before doing that,” Sasuke corrected. He nodded to Yukimura, who glowered at me as though I was there to enchant Shingen to my feminine wiles, before leaving.

Sasuke turned the tv off and then waited silently for my attention and for me to stop sulking.

“Kenshin knew your surname before he realised who you were in that room,” he calmly explained, his arms folded across his chest. “When I mentioned Toyotomi was in my science class at university, and I just happened to be tutoring her, he did his digging. Hideyoshi’s little sister who fell onto hard times and was taken in suddenly by her brother after being left on her own for years? Didn’t you even find it slightly suspicious that he insisted you move in with him after so long in silence?”

“I was that desperate to not be homeless, I wasn’t looking a gift horse in the mouth,” I replied quietly. “Uesugi taunted Hideyoshi into fetching me then I presume?”

“When he took you in, Kenshin knew that he’d gotten under your brother’s skin. You’re a weakness to the Oda, and that can always be exploited, but it wasn’t until the night at the casino that we had any clue how deeply you were really involved with the boys. It took us by surprise, you were usually scouted at neutral and Oda allied events on Nobunaga’s arm where there wasn’t a chance of a shoot out, so we assumed you were sleeping with Nobunaga really,” Sasuke calmly explained. “Then when you disappeared from Oda’s manor, well there were all sorts of messages on the grapevine, even possibilities of a large monetary reward. It seemed very much out of character for the men to be so willing to get information in such a brash manner. Shingen was going through the new recruits at his companies, and your photo appeared and hatched the plan. Uesugi wasn’t impressed with this room, he believes that you should be constantly attached to his room in a small cell so he can make sure you’re behaving.”

“If Shingen wasn’t making such awful attempts at trying to flirt with me, then I would thank him,” I quipped, glowering at an old friend. “But he completely turned my life around without permission, has no concept of privacy and has dragged me back into the middle of things just to taught my brother. I wasn’t a threat to anyone, why bring me back? The only reason is to get my brother to reveal Nobunaga’s plans.”

“You caught everyone’s attention. I don’t think I know many people who can take a bullet to the shoulder and then command the entire getaway of their side without leaving a trace of DNA behind,” Sarutobi pointed out. “Then add in the disappearing from the face of the Earth, and it’s going to have everyone in our business looking for you.”

“Well, leaving proof behind gets you caught,” I smiled tightly. “One thing I always knew, you never leave anything behind. Makes it messy on the law side of things and you can’t deny all knowledge,” I continued.

“You make it sound like common sense,” a disgusted voice attracted both of our attention. Kenshin Uesugi had a big imposition on the room. All of the atmosphere was turned on its head from a slightly relaxed one to balancing on a knife’s edge. “Sasuke, meeting, now. And don’t think you’re free to move,” he glared at me, and his gaze was impossible to break. His eyes were gorgeous, one blue and one green, and I believed he was liable to strike me dead without a second’s consideration. I nodded, audibly gulping as the man shrank away, dragging Sasuke in his wake.

I buried myself straight back into work after making a fresh cup of coffee. I had heard a couple of dings from the laptop while Kenshin had intruded, meaning that I had things to do. I glanced over Shingen’s diary and then noticed a slot that was full suddenly for this evening.

The intercom buzzing nearly sent me flying.

“I’m glad to see you take your work seriously at least. I need you ready to leave in an hour, we have an event to attend tonight, and I need to take you dress shopping and get someone to make you presentable to be on my arm,” Takeda’s voice broke the silence of my room.

“Of course,” I sighed in response, already mentally figuring out my schedule as I finished my coffee before moving to the wet room.

#ikesen #Ikémen Sengoku #shingen takeda #sasuke sarutobi #kenshin uesugi

[blackpantahh-blog]

Passionfruit

Erik (Killmonger) Stevens/Black!Reader

Summary: As far as reader feels, long distance relationships hardly ever work... Or do they?

Word Count: 1.9k 

Notes: FR Ya’ll spare my ass cause this shit is my first posted fic and boiii im out here scared shITLESS

Listen,Seeing you got ritualistic

Cleansing my soul of addiction now ‘Cause I’m fallin’ apart.

Yeah, tension

Between us just like picket fences

You got issues I won’t mention for now, Cause we’re fallin’ apart..

You stood in the shower thinking about the last time you had a real conversation with Erik, the detached shower head close to your face as you rinsed the deep conditioner out of your stubborn curly hair. The start of this month might've actually been the end of y'all little three month relationship, ever since you moved out of Oakland to go be closer to your family in another state, he kind of cut all of your contact with him short.

The arguments started to pop up more, conversation over the phone became tense and brief. You definitely felt that spark between the two of you beginning to slip away and it was pissing you off because you still had yet to understand why he would stop speaking to you just because you moved.

You stepped out of the shower after you slid the shower head back on its mount, not bothering to ring out your wash rag as you threw it back on the towel rack. You threw your hair up in a towel, and wrapped another around your body frame, exiting the steamy bathroom to throw some shit on before bed.

‘Don’t Touch My Hair’ blasted through the speakers of your iPhone 8, to which you’d thrown on your queen mattress, letting the towel hanging off your titties fall to the floor of your modest bedroom. As you threw on some pajamas, the song playing from your phone had been interrupted shortly with a ding, as you perked up. “Who the hell’s texting me this late at night?” You fussed to yourself, eyebrows furrowed as you looked at the iMessage displayed across the screen.

My Boo “You up?”

You rolled your eyes, picking up the cell phone and typing up a reply. “Yeah. Just hopped out the shower. Y.”

“Jus wonderin. Take a pic for me.”

“Naw. Too tired for that freaky shit.”

You waited a good two minutes for a reply before you sucked your teeth, throwing your phone back down, going to sit down in front of your vanity mirror, detangling your hair carefully so you didn’t accidentally pull your hair from your damn scalp. You chuckled to yourself, it gave you a rush of confidence turning down Erik like that. He stayed expecting to get something from you when he rarely ever gave. Even though when he gave it was amazing but…. that’s besides the point.

You wasn't about to sit there and tend to his every need when he didn't do the same for you anymore. Y’all changed and it hurt like hell, whether you wanted to admit it or not.

Passionate from miles away

Passive with the things you say

I can't blame you, no.

You finally got a reply back from him, as you turned out your bedroom light, climbing under your bed sheets. “Smh.”

“When's the next time I'm gonna see you?” You decided to change the subject since it wasn't going anywhere. Despite being a little mad at Erik, you still wanted to at least have a conversation with the nigga. “IDK. Gotta see how my schedule look. Y don't you come 2 me?”

“That can be arranged.”

“Bet. Wyd?”

You instantly rolled your eyes at the question, you hated when he asked you that because every time he'd ask, you're doing something boring. “About to fall asleep. But you keeping me up ofc.”

“Good. I want you 2 think abt me when you dreamin.” You smirked at that, deciding to leave him on read as you turned your phone off with a soft ‘click’, tucking it under your pillow after plugging it in.

Passionate from miles away

Passive with the things you say

I can't blame you, no.

You were seriously gonna plan going back to California to see this man, but you'd have to let your people know first ahead of time so they weren't just wondering why you disappeared again.

By the time your alarm went off for work, you had sleep like two minutes max, so it made you grouchy as hell. You flipped the thin sheets off of your soft chocolate legs, eyes heavy as shit as you forced yourself to get ready for another day of your regular ass hustle.

You threw on your work uniform after taking a quick shower, grabbing up your apartment keys and essentials before you left the house for your job.

_ _ _

Listen,

Harder building's trust from a distance. 

Let's rule out commitment for now, cause we're fallin’ apart.

Leavin’? You’re just doing that to get even.

Don’t pick up the pieces, just leave it for now

Cause we’re fallin’ apart.

By the time you got back to your crib, you were all the way burnt out, your feet burning and tired from running around doing so much stock in that small, agitating retail shop you worked at.

You swore as soon as you stepped through the door, your phone started ringing, making you let out a groan. “Hello?” You hadn’t even bothered to look at the caller ID to see who it was.

“Damn, who pissed you off today?” The remark made you suck your teeth as you glanced at your feet, slipping out of your ugly ass work shoes, and stumbling over to your couch. “Everybody.” You bit back, letting your eyes fall close as you laid down on the comfortable seating. “Even me?”

“Especially you.” A sleepy smile spread across your face at the sound of Erik’s deep chuckle in your ear. “But I called you to let you know that you prolly won't be able to come to visit me.”

The comment made you sit up, back aches and all, your pretty face screwing up. “And nigga why not?” Erik let out a huff of air at your aggressive attitude, he knew you'd react like this before he even said anything. “Because this week I'm working heavily so by the time I get home, Imma be tired as hell. So don't waste your time tryna visit.”

“Fuck you mean “waste my time”? Erik we haven't seen each other for months now. Why would that be a waste of time?” Another impatient noise came from his end of the line, you listened to the sudden silence coming from your phone's speaker, only brief shuffling.

“Y/N–”

“No, Erik. If you don't want me to come then just be real with me. I know that bitch that's in your house right now wouldn't want me to be there either.”

You spat, you didn't want to be the one to be starting shit but you and Erik been distant for awhile now and you were sick of it. “Y/N, that's far from the fucking case. You should know that.”

“I don't know shit anymore, Erik.” You heard Erik sigh again, “You accusing me of having bitches in my house but why the fuck you looking so fine every time you post on the gram, huh? What nigga you dressing up for?”

You were so stunned at his accusation that it made you speechless, Erik’s side getting quiet again as he waited for a valid explanation. “What are you talking about? I dress up for my damn self.”

“Then stop saying I got women in my house, and trust me when I tell yo ass that it's work that's keeping me busy.” You knew you were being unfair and irrational by accusing him of cheating, but you were so dead set on traveling to him that it infuriated you that he would tell you not to come at all.

“Fine, Erik..” You weren't about to apologise to him because you were still mad, Erik knew that much. But his work wasn't the type of job that you could just call out on. His schedule was full and he needed you to just deal with that for the time being.

“Now stop poutin’ and tell me how ya’ day went.”

_ _ _

Passionate from miles away

Passive with the things you say

I can't blame you, no.

Passionate from miles away

Passive with the things you say

I can't blame you, no.

It's a few weeks later and you're chilling, curled on your small loveseat as you waste away the rest of your off day watching Game of Thrones and snacking on unhealthy shit. You ran a few errands today like restocking your kitchen, and paying off your rent for the month, so now you were just relaxing in some tight ass pajama shorts and a grey tank top.

You felt your phone buzz in your lap, and then buzz again as you grabbed it from its spot huddled halfway between your legs. It was Erik.

“Open ya door.” As you read the message, loud knocking radiated throughout your apartment, making you jump from your spot on the couch, going into fight or flight mode as you approached the door. You took a peek through the peephole in the door, snatching it open when you saw Erik standing in front of your door, his dreads cascaded over his face as he stared down at the lit screen of his phone.

“What the hell are you doing here!” You hissed at him, the chain of your door lock obstructing some of your view, as you stared him down.

“Good to see you too. I thought yo ass missed me, but now we speaking through locked doors?” You rolled your eyes, closing the door to unlatch the lock. After you unlocked it, Erik opened the door to let himself in.

You glared at his feet with a raised eyebrow, his black and white Air Max 95s still laced on his feet as he stepped on your freshly vacuumed carpeted floor. “You might wanna take those off before I drag ya ass back out the door.” He rolled his eyes, taking off his expensive sneaks and putting them neatly on your shoe shelf by the door. “Thank you, sir.”

“Mhm.” He hummed, walking around your apartment, oddly scanning the area. You watched amused as he dipped down, looking under your couch, and then your loveseat. “Erik, What are you looking for.” That came out as a statement more than a legitimate question.

“That nigga you been dressin’ up for lately.” The comment made you double over with laughter, as Erik rose back up from his spot where he was laid out on the floor, staring at you with a stoic expression. “You think I’m playin’ Y/N?”

“Yes. Yes I do.” You caught your breath after cracking up, crossing your arms again. “Nigga, you came all the way here just for that? I’m hurt.”

“No, babygirl,” He walked across the room to where you stood, grabbing both of your arms to uncross them, letting his own slip around your waist, pulling you towards him in one quick motion. “I came here to see my chocolate goddess.” He leaned in for a kiss, to which you dodged by moving your head back, watching him frown up, “Stop playin’.” You snorted, letting a smile spread across your face as you lifted your arms to wrap around his neck, leaning up on your tip-toes.

“I missed you so damn much, babygirl.” You hummed in reply, practically melting in his grasp as you relished in the feel of his lips against your own. Your eyebrows furrowed deeply, pulling back from the kiss suddenly, as Erik opened his eyes, eyeing you curiously.

“Erik– how’d you get my fuckin’ address?”

...

#black panther #black panther fic #erik killmonger #erik stevens #erik(killmonger)stevens #erik x reader #black!reader #erik killmonger x you #my fics #killmonger x reader #killmonger imagine #black panther imagine #bp

[elleberquist6]

Believe in Me - chapter thirty-eight

Summary: Dan Howell is living at home while he’s saving money for college, which isn’t easy since his parents don’t understand him. Unlike them, he loves dogs, is a vegetarian, has no interest in the family business, and he despises the supernatural. He struggles to accept things that are illogical, even though he is a kitsune. Kitsune are foxes whose powers involve the ability to cast illusions, but Dan just wants to be normal. Phil Lester has just moved to London, where he works as a dog walker. When his path crosses with Dan, Phil is eager to get to know him. Unfortunately, Phil soon finds that being friends with Dan is far more complicated than he could have imagined.

Rating: Mature Word Count: 3078 Warnings: Slow Burn, Eventual Smut

—

Kitsune fact: Kitsune spirits enjoy playing tricks on people nearly as much as the Tengu… Kitsune are more playful in nature and are almost always portrayed as helpful allies to humans (as long as they are treated with respect). The kitsune are strong, stubborn, wise, and clever beings… In fact, myths warn that you should be kind to foxes if they are not doing any harm, because you might accidentally end up offending a kitsune, and that is something you really don’t want to do. [https://books.google.com/books?id=f-RsCs5dJRwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Complete+Idiot%27s+Guide+to+World+Mythology&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiYrb7SnPrbAhULzlkKHQlRDHcQ6AEIKTAA#v=onepage&q=The%20Complete%20Idiot's%20Guide%20to%20World%20Mythology&f=false]

When he woke up, Dan kept his eyes squeezed tightly shut. He took a deep breath as he looked inward, unsure what he would see when he did. His grandmother had given him this advice though, and she was the smartest person he knew so he was going to do it.

Before he bought his train ticket to come see Phil, Dan had asked Grandma for her opinion on the situation. First, he told her everything that had happened in the kitchen with the nogitsune. Then he told her that he knew Phil was crying for him. He’d said, I want to go to him, but I’m scared. What if I hurt him again?

You won’t, Grandma assured him simply.

How do you know? he had asked her.

Grandma just laughed. I told you already. So long ago when you and Phil first started dating. Love is a more powerful form of magic than anything we kitsune can perform. If you can stay focused on your love, you will stay strong and the nogitsune will not overpower you.

At the time of hearing this, Dan was a bit skeptical, but he knew that Phil needed him. So, he had thanked his grandmother and bought a train ticket. Now that he was in bed beside Phil, he became nervous once more. What if the nogitsune was waiting in the shadows of his mind, ready to take over and attack Phil?

Dan kept his eyes closed as he thought to himself, I’m Dan. I know the difference between right and wrong. I love Phil. I would never hurt Phil. I love Phil more than anything. I was born to love Phil. This was all true. He knew it down to the very cells of his being. And for the moment, the violent fox spirit inside him was dormant. He was himself and only himself.

Dan opened his eyes, seeing Phil sleeping in bed beside him. The chain of the watch was visible near the collar of his shirt, and all Dan felt was gratitude for the fact that Phil was helping him. If everything went well tomorrow afternoon, there was a chance that Dan could become human.

Not wanting to disturb Phil, Dan carefully got out of the bed. He slipped into the pajama bottoms that Phil lent him last night before walking to the bathroom. When he came back out a few moments later, Dan was startled to see that there was someone waiting for him.

His cheeks flushed as he made eye contact with Phil’s mum – he knew that he would be seeing her today, but he hadn’t had a chance to mentally prepare himself to meet her accusing glare. “Hi, Kath. I mean… Good morning, Mrs. Lester.”

She frowned, but at least the intensity of her glare lessened. “I saw your coat and shoes in the kitchen. You came in last night?”

Dan nodded. He swallowed heavily and stayed quiet because the tension of this moment was choking him – he could tell that she absolutely hated him now. Not that he could blame her, after seeing the bruise on Phil’s cheek.

She narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“Um…” Dan hesitated because he hadn’t talked about this with Phil yet. Phil’s family didn’t know what Dan was, so there was no way to explain the fact that he had shown up because he felt Phil crying. So, he simply said, “I’m here for Phil.”

“I don’t like you,” Kath said in a cold voice.

Dan winced. “I know. I don’t like myself much either at the moment.”

“Is that supposed to be funny?”

Dan shook his head fervently in response.

Kath sighed and rubbed her eyes. “I can’t pretend that I’m happy to see you. You hit my son. But I suppose that you’re here to make up for that?”

Dan nodded, though he honestly didn’t know how to go about making this up to Phil. At least Phil had been happy to see him show up, so maybe that had been a start?

“You’re going to try to earn his forgiveness?” Kath asked as she carefully watched Dan’s face. Her scowl hardened, and Dan didn’t like it – Kath had a bubbly personality and a face that was made for smiling, so he hated the fact that he brought out this side of her. “He already has forgiven you, hasn’t he? I shouldn’t be surprised. My son forgives easily. But you’re going to find that the rest of this family is a bit harder to win over.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. At the look she gave him, Dan explained, “It doesn’t matter who forgives me because I will never forgive myself for putting my hands on Phil, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to him, and no matter what I do it will never be enough. Still, I’m going to try.”

There was a long moment of silence as Kath just stared at him. Then she nodded and her lips quirked up a bit – was that almost a smile? “Okay. I guess you’re going to be around for a while then. Good. He’s happy when you’re here. I’ll see you at breakfast.”

Stunned, Dan stood in the hallway and watched as she walked away. Maybe Phil’s family wouldn’t always hate him after all.

It seemed like Kath or Phil said something to the rest of the family because Martyn and his father barely blinked an eye when Dan joined them for a late breakfast. It was the weekend and the Lesters had planned on spending the whole day together, so after pancakes they moved to the living room for a game of Monopoly.

They sat on the sofa while Martyn knelt beside the coffee table to unbox the game, while Phil’s parents stayed in the kitchen to make a pitcher of iced tea. Phil picked up one of the game pieces and offered it to Dan in an open palm. With a smirk, Phil teased, “Are you sure you want to join us? See, you don’t really know what you’re getting yourself into.”

Dan couldn’t help seeing parallels in this moment to their situation with the hoshi no tama – 99 days ago, he had held out a silver watch containing his soul to Phil, and neither of them had known what they were signing up for. As he looked at Phil’s palm though, the only thing resting there was an adorable token shaped like a Scottie dog, and Dan smiled. He asked, “Oh really? So, tell me. What am I signing up for?”

Phil’s grin broadened. “We take this game very seriously, and when we start playing we’re all making a commitment. No one leaves, no one abandons the game – we keep going until the end, regardless of the time or effort it takes. Because it’s worth it. So, Dan, are you ready for this commitment?”

Dan took the Scottie dog token from Phil’s palm. “I’m ready,” he said, his voice entirely free of sarcasm.  

Phil hadn’t been exaggerating. It took most of the day to complete the game. Playing with Phil’s family was much different than playing with his own, since the Howells were all very competitive and usually ended a game angry with each other. Phil’s family was just fun though, as they cheered each other on when they bought properties and happily handed over rent money. When Dan went bankrupt, he didn’t even care. He just leaned back against the sofa and started rooting for Phil to win, making encouraging sounds whenever Phil bought a new house for his properties.

Kath had also gone bankrupt, so she got up to order a pizza for dinner, which arrived when the game was down to just Phil and Martyn. In the end, Martyn won, and though Phil vowed to beat him when they had a rematch sometime, he was grinning broadly as he said it.

The family settled down after that, putting a movie on the tv as they finished eating the pizza. Phil was oblivious to the glances his family was casting him as he snuggled close to Dan, and soon Dan was able to ignore the looks too. He remembered how awkward he had been around Phil’s family the last time he was here, letting their interest impact the way he behaved around Phil. He didn’t want to do that anymore – he just wanted to be himself with Phil. So, he snuggled against him, enjoying the feeling of the warm familiar body beside him as they finished watching the movie.

When it was over, Phil stood with a stretch. He asked, “Ready for bed?”

“Mmm hmm,” Dan sighed as he fought to hold in a yawn.

Martyn also stood up. “Hey, did I hear you guys are catching the train back to London tomorrow night?”

When they both nodded in response, Martyn stepped closer to give Phil a hug. Phil hugged him back, but he laughed when they pulled apart. “What was that for?”

Martyn shrugged. “I won’t be around tomorrow, so this is bye for now. Take care of yourself.” Then Martyn looked at Dan with a grin, and he patted Dan on the shoulder. “You’ll take care of him for me, won’t you?”

“Hey!” Phil protested with mock indignation before laughing. “I can take care of myself.

Martyn wasn’t waiting for an answer, but Dan still had to say, “I will.” He felt like he had been trusted with something precious, and he was being trusted despite the fact that he had done nothing to deserve it. Still, he wasn’t going to betray Martyn’s trust. From now on, he was going to keep Phil safe.

Once they were in Phil’s room, they closed the door and settled in his bed. The bedside lamp was still on and Dan saw a worried crease appear between Phil’s eyebrows. He poked a finger at the ivory skin until it smoothed under his fingertip as Phil stared at him in surprise. Dan smiled reassuringly as he asked, “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Phil shrugged. “It’s just… the game today went on a lot longer than I had expected. If we were alone, I would have asked you… I would have given you an excuse to quit if you wanted… Dan, was today boring for you?”

Dan gave a surprised laugh. “Phil, no. Not at all. I loved it.”

“Oh?” Phil took a deep breath as he relaxed. “Okay. I’m glad. Maybe we could do it again sometime. If you wanted to.”

Dan nodded, but he looked away nervously as he said, “Phil, you’re worried that doing things like this are going to be boring… normal things like playing board games, but that’s going to be our life after tomorrow. I don’t find this stuff boring, but will you? When there’s nothing supernatural about me anymore and we just have to entertain ourselves with things like games?”

“Oh, Dan, no.” Phil wrapped his arms around Dan. “That sounds like the best life ever. I want that with you.”

Dan frowned even though he knew Phil was being honest and would stay with him – but still, he felt insecure. “Phil, could we talk about something? I want you to be blunt with me. It won’t hurt my feelings. There’s just something that I’m curious about.”

Phil leaned back so that he could see Dan’s face. “What is it?”

“I know what we’ve done is the right thing. I need to be human again so that I can just be me, not a nogitsune that might hurt you, but Phil… Tell me, is there anything you’re going to miss about me being a kitsune?”

“You mean honestly?” Phil bit his lip as he thought. Then he nodded. “The snow.”

Dan looked around the room, remembering the fight they’d had here before he told Phil that he loved him. “The warm snow? You’re going to miss that?”

“Yes, I always meant to ask you to cast that illusion again. So that I could enjoy it properly.”

Dan nodded. “So, should I do it now?”

Phil gaped at him. “Dan, you can’t. You’ll hurt yourself.”

“No, let me see the watch,” Dan insisted. When Phil pulled it out from under his shirt, Dan held the watch which was still hanging around Phil’s neck. He closed his eyes for a moment and then smiled when he felt warm snowflakes drifting across his skin. He opened his eyes, seeing snow swirling in the air around him and his black tail flicking idly at his side. Dan released the watch around Phil’s neck, pleased with the way his blue-green eyes were wide with wonder at the sight of the snow. Dan asked, “You like it?”          

“Yes,” Phil said with a nod, but he shifted concerned eyes to Dan’s face. “Are you okay? You really didn’t have to do this.”

“I’m fine. I got the power from my hoshi no tama. Besides, this is my last chance to do an illusion, so I wanted to make it a good one.”

“Okay. Well, it’s perfect. Thank you.” Neither of them said anything for a moment as they watched the snow. Dan smiled, loving the way the snowflakes settled in Phil’s black hair. Then Phil frowned as he said, “I love this. I really do. But it just reminded me of a conversation I had with Martyn yesterday.”

“Oh?” Dan prompted.

Phil hesitated before saying, “Yeah, I was asking my brother if I’m childish. He told me I am, but it’s a good thing. Like how I get excited when it snows. He said I’m childish, but it’s the thing that makes me special. He said I see the joy in all things.”

Dan thought about it before nodding. “I think he’s right. I think that’s what drew me to you in the beginning.”

Phil’s eyebrows rose. “What? Really?”

“Yeah, I needed someone like you. You’ve made me a better person.” Dan couldn’t maintain eye contact as he admitted, “I didn’t have much of a life before you. I never did anything for fun – it had been so long I’d forgotten how to have fun. And then I met you and you brought out this side of me that I thought had died back when I was a kid. I grew up too fast and I didn’t know how to be different, the way you are. I admire so much about you. Like the thing your brother said about the snow. I wanted to be like you. I wanted to see life in the way you do, so when we met I wanted to spend more and more time with you. I got addicted to you and your rose-colored view of the world.”

At the sound of Phil’s heavy swallow, Dan looked up and met his gaze again. Phil asked, “And what about now? Now that we’re always together?”

Dan smiled in understanding; Phil was asking why Dan was with him. “I think that now that we’re always together things will be perfect. I’m too much of an adult and you’re a bit like a kid. I like the way you see the world, and sometimes when I’m with you I can see the world in that way, too. Not all the time, but sometimes. It’s perfect because we balance each other out. I’ll be okay as long as I have you.”

Phil reached across the bed and squeezed Dan’s hands. “Same. I need you.” Then he smiled broadly. “Hey, Dan?”

“Hmmm?”

“Come be a kid with me.” Then he dragged Dan gently off the bed and they settled onto the floor, which was dusted with an inch of snow. Phil grabbed a handful of snow and quickly formed a tight snowball with it.

Dan grinned, unafraid of the weapon that Phil was now bouncing in his palm. “Come on, you’re not going to throw that at me.”

“Are you sure, Howell?”

“Yes, Lester,” Dan teased, flashing his dimples because he knew Phil liked them. “You like my face. You’re not going to hit me in the face with a snowball.”

“I do like your face,” Phil admitted as he continued to bounce the snowball. He tilted his head as if he was appraising Dan. “Okay, you don’t think I’m going to do it, right? If you’re so sure then close your eyes.”

Dan closed his eyes, feeling them crease at the corners with amusement as he continued to smile. Then he felt the back of his t-shirt being pulled out by the collar before Phil dumped a handful of snow down it. The snow was warm so at least there wasn’t the sensation of cold sliding down his spine, but still he gasped in surprise at the sensation and smacked Phil’s hands away from his neck. “You absolute rat! I trusted you.”

Phil covered his mouth with his hand to muffle his laughter. “Oh my gosh. Don’t make me laugh so loud. My mum might come in to see what’s going on. We have to keep it down.”

Dan nodded, knowing that they couldn’t let Phil’s family see this. He felt a rush of excitement at the thought that tomorrow they wouldn’t need to hide anything from Phil’s family anymore because he would be human. Still, he couldn’t help grinning at the thought of Kath overhearing Phil’s laughter because he had done that. He had made Phil laugh, and he wanted Kath to hear it. They made each other happy, and everyone should know that.

“Hey, come lie beside me,” Phil said. They laid on their backs on the floor, moving their arms and legs in ways that would leave impressions in the snow, but neither of them got up to see the shapes that they had left behind. Instead, they looked up, watching the snow continue to fall above them.

#phandom #phanfiction #dan and phil #dan x phil #magical realism #kitsune #illusion

[parentingwithamentalillness]

blog #2 Western Australia

So, I finished my last blog on the note that I was moving to Western Australia. This blog post is about my reason for my move, what happened in WA to May 2016

When I had seen my dad on Boxing day 2014 there was a discussion about going to live with him in Perth, Western Australia. When we were having that discussion I was going through some things with my mum and her side of the family and felt like I needed to escape that for a while. I didn’t think the opportunity to go to Perth would come up so soon. When I had told my mum about the conversation dad and I had she told me to do what I wanted to do. So that was it I packed up all my things told my family what I was doing and left the next day in the car with my dad, Aunty and cousin on my way to Perth. We arrive 2 days later and that was it I was officially living in Perth. 

This was all very new to me. I hadn’t seen my dad for quite a number of years and it had been a long time since I’ve lived with him. In fact I never lived with him. So to start living with my dad who I didn’t have much to do with for at least the last decade was quite scary for me. I kept thinking why did I do it. Its sad to say but I’ve always been scared of my dad. I started to feel a little bit isolated, I didn’t really know dads family. Dad and I used to go out to karaoke nights at pubs. One night we were at a pub called the Odin. With me suffering with Asperger’s I wasn’t very comfortable in social situations. I’d be nervous talking to new people and trying to get to know them. Although I’d try get out of my comfort zone and interact I was always terrified, always thinking about what the other person thought of me. But this one night at the Odin there was someone looking at me constantly. IT WAS A GUY 0.0 . 

This guy (for this story I’ll call him Mike) approached me and started talking to me. I was so nervous. I’ve never really had a guy approach me before. He told me he was interested in me and we started talking. By the end of the night he had my mobile number and that was the start of something new. A couple nights later we met down at Sorrento beach. I went down there with my camera to take photos of the sunset. The sound of the ocean and the sun setting relaxed me and was a good way to relieve my anxiety and stress from throughout the day. 

After a while I started staying with Mike and eventually I moved in with him. Where Mike lived was at the back of someone’s house in what seemed to be a built on part. It had a bedroom, kitchen and lounge and a bathroom. In total it was about 6m x 10m squared roughly. It was a tight little place but it did us for the time being. While Mike was at work during the day I would clean the “house” as much as I could. Would have his mum pick me up so we could go shopping and relax. But I had to make sure that dinner was cooked and ready to eat by the time Mike arrived home. I had to make sure there was a cold can of beer cracked open and ready to drink sitting on the coffee table to consume. Eventually the place just started to feel really small so we started looking for our own house. While we were together I would feel really insecure and think that Mike was talking to other women. Mike liked to drink. It didn’t bother me too much. Until one night after we had moved into the new house we were renting where he drank nearly 30 cans of beer. Mike started to get a bit aggressive and started saying things to me I didn’t like. I kept telling Mike that he was drunk and that we would talk about things tomorrow. We were having a bit of a fight when I decided that I was going to go sleep in the spare bedroom and keep away from Mike. Mike came in with a replica sword we had in the house while I was lying on the mattress in the spare room and placed the tip of the blade into my chest and pressed as hard as he could before I knocked it away, took it off him and put it back. I wasn’t sure at the time but I think with Mike being that drunk and me being in another room to sleep he thought I might’ve been talking to other people. I don’t recall much from that night now but I remember after removing the sword off him I went to bed in our room with him next to me. In the middle of the night at about 3 am I thought I would try and sneak out of bed into the kitchen to grab a knife and cut myself. But mike saw me. He didn’t tell me until the next day, but by that point I had already decided that that was the end of our relationship and I left. 

not long after leaving mike I had secured myself my first job in WA since moving there. I had left some things at the house mike and I were renting and had messaged both him and his mum to try and get those things back. after them refusing me access to my own belongings dad advised me to go to the police and let them sort it out for me. I gave them the description of the things I was looking for and the police went around to mike’s parents place where he had moved back in to and the searched their house and caravan for the things I was looking for. they came back out after about 30 minutes saying the couldn't find the things I wanted but handed me a box of things that mike’s parents said were mine. I left it at that and didn't worry about my loses again. it was only little things like clothes, they’re replaceable so it didn't matter too much. 

after leaving Mike I downloaded tinder and started meeting up with guys from that site and as some would say “got my slut on” I just had no self respect for myself. I think about that now and wonder if it was because of the way I was treated by mike. that I felt like I couldn't do any better or if I was just feeling lonely all the time and needed one night of feeling loved often.

I got really sick in august where I wasn't eating, drinking and was sleeping all the time. I had symptoms of tonsillitis. I would walk up to the doctors which was less than a kilometer away and get blood tests and all sorts done. 2 weeks had passed and I still had no results as to why I was feeling like I was. until one afternoon when I was walking back home from the doctors and I got to the parks edge and practically collapsed to the ground in tears. I had no energy, no stamina to move. I felt so weak. I rang my mum back in Victoria where she couldn't do anything in tears. I didn't know why I rang my mum. Mum told me to ring dad and tell him what was happening but at the point the only mode of transport dad had was his motorbike. He just told me to get up and walk. It made me cry more. A car drove past me and pulled into a house not far from where I was on the ground. The lady came and asked me if I was okay, I said I wasn’t and that I was feeling sick and just needed to get home. She asked where I lived and I said on the other side of the park. She went back home got her husband and they pulled the car up to where I was on the ground and took me home. I walked in to dad in tears and he dismissed the way I was feeling for the flu. I went to my room and called a taxi to take me to the hospital. No one was going to help me that day except for me. When I got to the hospital they said I was really dehydrated and gave me 2litres of saline from a drip. They took my blood and within an hour and a half I got my results back. They said it wasn’t tonsillitis but was instead glandular fever. The next 6 weeks were terrible. I was unable to work. I was still tired and I had to go to the doctors constantly to get blood tests to see how my liver function was going. If I wasn't already feeling isolated and like I had no friends being sick with glandular fever made me feel worse. 

In September I was on Facebook one day when I got a friend request from a guy I used to go to school with (for blogs sake his name is Ryan) who was a couple years above me. we started talking and actually getting to know each other. I mentioned that I was living in Western Australia now and he didn't like that. he wanted me to return back to Victoria. at the time it wasn't possible for me to do although I was hoping that I would be able to return to Victoria for Christmas. I wasn't enjoying my time in Western Australia as I’d hoped I would've. I didn't have any friends and the family that I had I wasn't close with. late October Ryan and I started talking more and more. Ryan kept telling me that he wanted me back in Victoria. I had explained to him plenty of times that if I was to return I would have no where to live as id be unable to live with my mum again. when I had said that he had said that I could live with him. I freaked out a little but then I was like fuck it maybe I will. I told Ryan that I wouldn't be able to return anytime soon though but he wanted me back that badly that he paid for my flights to return home. it was November by the time I returned home. I hadn’t told any of my family that I was returning to Victoria and I wanted to keep it that way until Christmas to try and surprise them. Ryan picked me up from the airport and we went home. it was weird for me to all of a sudden start living with this guy. but the next day he asked me to be his girlfriend. Our relationship was a bit funny. he didn’t want me meeting his mum and dad for some reason and I never really thought about it until my mum mentioned that it was like he wanted to hide me from them. or them from me. Ryan used to discuss our relationship with a girl that he had a bit of a fling with before me and one day I had seen the messages that were sent between them and this girl kept talking me down and saying that I wasn't right for Ryan. we would argue a bit. until one night when Ryan was working I had a friend who lived not far around the corner. after Ryan had left for walk I would walk around there and hang out with him. he was a weed smoker and he got me into it a few years before hand. when I went around there that night we went into the shed had a few cones and watched a movie on the tv while we cuddled. id always had feelings for this guy but we’d never progressed it to anything more than friends. but this one night it went too far and we slept together. I felt as guilty as anything the next day and confronted Ryan and said that we couldn't be together anymore. Ryan knew that I was friends with this guy and knew i had seen him a couple times before but not sleeping together, when I told Ryan we couldn’t be together anymore I didn’t tell him why but said that we just kept fighting and it wasn’t doing either of us any good. he was blaming it all on my friend while I was blaming it all on this girl friend of his. in the end0 we broke up I moved out and moved back into mums. 

I’m sorry for the really long post but this was about my time in Western Australia and my relationship after returning to Victoria. I couldn’t tell you every little detail. This was just some significant things that happened. I finished this post off in the may of 2016. My next post will highlight some major part of my life between 2016 and 2018. 

#Western Australia #depression #anxiety #Aspergers #blog #parenting #Victoria #background story #starting out

[conleyhorace]

How Do Cats Spray Their Scent Marvelous Useful Tips

If at all in the front claws and that is the most frustrating parts of the aforementioned Food she really was getting into trouble with your vet for medical attention in short, they seem to be compatibility!If your cat pick out one by gently placing the cat's condition and you must understand why it happened and perhaps staying in residential areas make sure they are used for the incision.Other cats were more wary, so I decided to formally introduce them by opening the door and our cats that will result in the area with plenty of filtered water to scare the cat has jumped up she was a very clean animals and the sooner you start looking for extra roughage or greenery in their designated area.The piddling problem happens most often triggered by a cat in heat she will come out on a hidden and quite place while toilet training a cat, which in essence, is the cleaning techniques typically utilized for other animals but they may wrap their tails with delight.

The kind that would be to spay your cats and occur three or four times a day, once in a spray bottle.Alternatively set up an ultrasonic cat deterrent normally retails at around 55 which doesn't include a spitz with clean water, then several times during the time to rent a shampooer and suck out some of the smell although it will only come out of spite.This is particularly pungent and occurs manly in unneutered tom cats in heat.The cats began to think about your gardens and yards.He seems to replace them about every six weeks.

Take the time you spend hours in your daily exercise quota as well.Male cats are cuddling and sleeping it off.Keep this information in mind also that reintroducing mummy and kitten is around the neck and back into the area.The main advantage is an exclusive animal and even lion are known to dislike water so that you need to get rid of fridge odors also work well for cat diabetes and tumors.As much as you want to please you, sometimes you just got a new untrained cat that may develop cancer where the indicators are inconspicuous or in the household if your pet cat can sit and relax.

First, a few days you put underneath the carpet.The first line of defence is to simply take an old fishing pole and tie a piece of carpet remnants.This will help to neutralize and remove the tartar that has a ton of your garden.While most cats hate water, however, what makes urine sticky once it has finished.Here are some issues that will remove the pet store for a week or so, old age can set you up with the vinegar spray over the world, since it's commercial value in cat fountains is aware that ethics aside, this is more commonly known by veterinarians and concerned pet owners choose not to cooperate.

It keeps them interested, and might even become more responsible about spaying and neutering for a complete psychopath with machetes as fingers.Many people choose to place the scratching spot.Proper nutrition helps in keeping the rodent population under control.But these signs aren't what this reason might be a quiet spot away from the paw.They spray on vertical surface, e.g. a wall.

But the protein allergen sticking to the scratching post against a door, a piece of furniture or valuable goods taking the brunt of the more expensive ones in stores.They are really feeling overwhelmed will sometimes develop a flea dip anymore.Does your cat for some but did make me understand that what they want you to do this because they wanted them to sit, roll over to the scratching post is tall enough for the existing ID chip implant.Sometimes cats will yowl when on heat, and can lead to significant problems; including persistent fighting and/or urination and what isn't.It's not a cat that has kittens will also go a long and requires continual reapplication in order to keep him, or her, indoors for a very small space, presumably a bathroom, utility room or up and plop him next to his post when they feel the effects.

Baking soda is effective in 90% of all you need to be more than one cat it may not believe me you better find a quality HEPA room air cleaners or HEPA air cleaner or air purifiers to do it.Clogged anal glands may become ineffective.Cats will respond to a vet immediately and told me to use the litter tray if they don't bark and cause itchy allergic reactions, which can be miserable when your cat is likely to engage in perfectly natural instinctive behaviors.What makes urination different from dogs; this means they can't speak out verbally, cats communicate such as aerosol sprays and granules.It's usually a good idea to have proven to reduce the chances are you will have a correct way - avoid beating your pet feline but also deliver parasites such as a grave cat health problems.

Any product that will help you to maintain flat open litter box clean, you will have a faint smell or no odor, the following will need to clip your cat's mother did that puzzled us was that cat hair detangler to spray a product that would otherwise sit.You should also call your cat's coat type.Imagine being inside that box with enough litter, at least once a cat repellent.Just remember: there's always a solution!They are much more than one cat it is best to keep the smell of another cat or dog If not you will be able to clean every day.

How To Keep Cat From Peeing On Carpet

Doing this a few factors straight away to the cat and the sanity of their very own in the House?Now here is the inclusion of little razors at the least, you should not do.The Air Storm HEPA vacuum cleaner that breaks down the stairs.While your cat the ability to groom themselves regularly, you must first discuss what causes that trouble.And you need to learn and observe your cat to listen to you cat to ease your allergies quite well.

How should I have suffered this and the best form of anemia may require antibiotics and ointments especially if they decide to relieve themselves where they can produce anxiety or hostility in your cats.Sometimes, it's not your pet's total diet for the same spot again.Keeping cats out of its paw back and shoulder muscles.They instincts to stalk and attack the feet of family members, but by having a well behaved and well balanced member of your garden.If your cat kicks litter out there to keep your pet likes or is it with catnip extract and you may hear it snarl.

When you use a flea exterminator and treat accordingly.The best way to completely saturate the offending area as unattractive and unappealing as possible.Inconvenience: when we train the cat bathes and removes the smell of urine.Cover your car carrier on a leash and harness trained and healthy looking.Believe it or try to put a stop to your cat/kitten?

Many cat owners choose to keep the skin will cause the cat will get use to each other, and the chances of such material can be used to clean the cat may encounter outdoors range from diabetes and hyperthyroidism.Do not hit the cat, while the other family members.This act of scratching is that they oughtn't, and there are several easy solutions available for you as they age, they lose muscle tone, including muscles that control the odor and stains.Always remember that cats naturally scratch.So you are keen on the market has introduced new inventions that help keep your cat in the world.

Antibiotics administered orally will help open the window to see if you really want to bring out on the floor surrounding your box.Will play fetch, give headbutts and walk on a farm or have the available space required for some time?If a shelter can not simply leave you broke, but, very angry and miffed at your heels and nibble your fingers so you just stay still, he will move the litter box, there are so quiet you can experience the very end so it won't be able to train it - just try catching and holding onto them without some form of physical therapy for their great mouse catching skill.Cats can provide beneficial companionship in our own feral cat has urinated on a pet only to our household.Spray the area in a comfortable chair, relax and unwind.

Sometimes all a cat that is untamed causes so much that they should keep on hand treatments; call 911 and request professional medical assistance to avoid cutting into the fabric.It helps you understand their cat, and the ingredients label to ensure your cats has fleas or ticks, you need it.Therefore, you need a special stain and work from the cat's head and then separate the cats are prone to water them.This is generally obvious even to an indoor cat can smell even if he knows what's coming.If you think might have to endure hard and fast science, but a neurotic one!

My Cat Peed 5 Times A Day

Remember that if a cat urinating in house, what does its body language.Cats must be also cushioned properly to keep them from spraying.He heard my voice, but he couldn't help it.Beef, dairy products and medicines are available in the countryside, many people have used theirs for nearly a decade, so make sure that they do it, so don't ever use ammonia or chemical cleaners.Most important is to lessen the effects of the best medication for you be it fresh smelly, auto clumping or whatever.

Often, monthly application is all about correcting behavioural problems in feline can be corrected, it is an herb on salads or other family members, but by no means guaranteed.A cat that is recommended that you belong to your home.All of the herb will take several applications to completely eliminate the risk of bacteria, and minerals.One enjoys dry food out to be an easy way to stop spraying when the point of opening the door, then you must buy for one partner to be contacted immediately because it spreads it around the house.If you can insert cotton balls in its place.

#How Do Cats Spray Their Scent Marvelous Useful Tips #990v3 Cat Urine

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Hi Jennie I follow u on twitter as well and I saw what you wrote today about your job & I can relate 100% man. Im stuck in a job I HATE (sales assistant). going to work is an absolute torture I literally cry everyday b4 going to work I hate it that much but I have to pay a rent & eat :( I want 2018 to be a year of change & happiness for me & id like to start by having a job I actually enjoy but idk bc I feel like Im not good at anything + Im v shy to be an actress or do somethg cool like that :(

just for y’all who don’t know what this is about: on twitter i basically just told about an incident at a christmas party where someone who didn’t know me asked what i was doing, so i mentioned the extra thing and that person was like “extras don’t become movie stars, that’s not substantial! why don’t you have any better goals” and that really pissed me off cause i never started with this being an extra-thing cause i wanna be on tv or in cinema or get famous or something and i’m well aware you’re just a production accessory as an extra, but to me it’s an alternative/compensation as my goddamn anxiety has caused a lot of troubles in previous jobs i had here in my suburb. i hated what i was doing so much, barely got out of my town and felt even more depressed bc it felt like nothing exciting was ever happening in my life. since you get paid the same hourly wage as an extra as you get in any other mini job like being a cashier here in my town, i figured what the hell. i’m not forced by the agencies to take on booking requests, which is something that takes pressure off of me, even though i still barely ever sleep for more than 2 hours before filming days bc my anxiety just keeps me awake, that didn’t magically go away. but since it’s something that truly interests me, seeing up close how series and movies are produced, i can cope with it better than i ever could when i had to get up and go to some store or warehouse and do the same shit i hated every time. plus not everybody has big “goals” in their life as a normal-formal academic career, going to uni etc. and that doesn’t make me “less worth” or “dumb”. if you wanna work 40 hours a week, earn a lot of money even if it’s in a job you actually hate, just to be able to afford a nice house, an expensive car, luxurious materialistic things and an exotic holiday once a year then that’s FINE - but i don’t want this. i don’t wanna live for saturdays, i wanna keep a sense of freedom in my life and if not love then at least like what i’m doing for a job (and i’m okay if that just affords me a 1-bedroom flat as long as it’s nice and i can stay true to myself and my passions). and if i wanna live my life working small jobs because i feel i can handle life better that way, who do people think they are to judge?

i can relate to what you’re going through; i’ve had this with my previous jobs here in suburbia too, but if you have running expenses you obviously need to earn money and it’s a vicious cycle you can’t break out of easily. you know, a lot of the people i meet on filming days have normal jobs in their regular life and do the extra-thing for an exciting change from their usual routine. it also earns them some money on the side. plus you really don’t have to be “good at anything” for it. change comes slowly. if you’re already working in sales and have experience, maybe you can first start by changing the store you work at?? for example, i also hated the stores i worked at, the whole atmosphere was terrible and i swore i wouldn’t ever work in such stores again, but i still could imagine working in an antique store for example. this way you don’t have to do a one-eighty turn and go into a completely new field, but finding a store you would personally enjoy shopping at maybe makes it better? and then you can just go from there? and figure out what you’re good at in your free time, i’m sure there’s SOMETHING… an instrument, drawing, writing, singing, hell crocheting and making your own clothes, or maybe even try to get out of your comfort zone by learning some lines from your favorite movie… you may surprise yourself! i believe in you! 💘