#but in our old house we had a tornado pass through we had this huge freakin hailstorm

[mizuno-marmalade]

yes i am 15. yes i am scared of thunderstorms. we exist

#LISTEN MAN IT'S MAKIN THE WALLS RATTLE >:( IT"S SCARY #listen man. i would have so much trouble falling asleep as a kid because the only think i could think abt was that we could die at any time #and i (being nine at the time) was not and i'm still not ready to die #but in our old house we had a tornado pass through we had this huge freakin hailstorm #and like. i'm in freakin. pennsylvania. #middle of buttfuckin nowhere pennsylvania. which is most of the state tbh #it's just. #CORN. CORN. HORSES. CORN. DEER. city city city city CORN. HORSES #and just that throughout the whole place. #anyway yeahhh #crawling thru the vents #tornado mention #tw tornado #death mention #existential terror

[itsnotwierditsart13]

Holy Shit (ronance fanfic)

A small little fic about Robin and Nancy getting together:)

It was a thankfully slow day at Family Video as Robin and Steve worked their shift together. Robin was building a new cardboard display case for a shipment that was supposed to have arrived hours ago. Everything was always moving in slow motion at this job, though, and Robin enjoyed it thoroughly. Meanwhile, Steve couldn’t even bother to look busy as he slumped in the one old raggedy chair that Keith allowed them to have. It was pouring rain outside, the windows rattling from thunder every so often. There were probably going to be at least 2 more customers coming in before they closed in four hours. Mostly just older ladies who shouldn’t be driving a car, let alone in the poor weather conditions. Ms. Matheson, a store regular, never rewound her tapes fully, always halfway. It drove Steve crazy, even though he expected it.

“We should have Nancy come by, since it’s so dead,” Steve stated casually as if he didn’t have ulterior motives. He was slumped in his chair, eyeballing Robin for any type of reaction. It was clear that she had feelings for Nancy. After everything that had happened at Starcourt the four of them had formed a bond. Hanging out together most days, sometimes including the kids.

“Don’t start,” Robin replied while flinging a piece of cardboard at him. It narrowly missed his head and landed on the dirty carpet behind him. “She’s my friend and straight, if you’ve forgotten. I’m not gonna indulge in whatever you’ve cooked up in that head of yours.” There was another boom of thunder, drowning out Steve’s exasperated sigh. It was the same conversation they’ve had about twenty times since Steve had picked up on Robin’s feelings. 

“It’s just...sometimes when she’s looking at you. She’s looking at you. Ya know?” Steve explained. He was entirely convinced that Nancy felt at least something more than friendly for Robin. The two acted differently around each other. “And she knows you’re a lady lover. Maybe you’re like her gay awakening or something,” he finished, causing Robin to raise an eyebrow at him from across the counter. 

“Whatever you say, Dingus.” It was clear that Robin didn’t believe a word he said. “Now, can you make yourself useful and hand me the duct tape,” she gestured to the roll that was out of her reach. He rolled his eyes as he passed it over to her.

He didn’t have the heart to mention that she was building it upside down.

_______________________________________________________________

Robin was beginning to lose her mind at a rapid rate. It was clear Steve was going to be no help in the situation as he sat on the far end of the couch, minding his business. 

The three of them, minus Johnathan, had decided to have a casual Friday night movie marathon. That was nothing out of the ordinary, except the minute Steve flicked the lights off and started ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Robin’s brain almost short circuited. Nancy, who was previously sitting a good distance away, curled into Robin’s side like it was the most casual thing in the world. She wiggled around enough that Robin had no choice but to wrap an arm around her small shoulders. They were now fifteen minutes into the film and Robin couldn’t process anything that was happening. She knew that her body was rigid and stiff, almost like a statue, but it was impossible to relax. What was Nancy doing? Sure, they had hugged before and the occasional times they’ve had to sit closely. Nothing like this had ever occurred, though.

Nancy seemed relaxed and engrossed in the movie. Robin had been side-eyeing her. Meanwhile, Steve continued to act like nothing strange was happening. Although Robin knew that he was fully aware of the situation at hand. The asshole was probably feeling pretty smug currently. Robin would’ve thrown popcorn at his stupid hair if her arm wasn’t already occupied. Despite the growing anxiety, it felt good to have Nancy against her. The girl was warm and small enough that she fit perfectly under her arm. Nancy’s arm that wasn’t wedged between them was laying gently across Robin’s stomach. It was all so...intimate. Robin had no idea what to think of it. This was the closest she had ever been to another girl before. On top of the fact that she had feelings for said girl. 

That thought alone filled her with guilt almost immediately. Nancy was probably used to cuddling up to her girl friends like this, why should Robin be any different. The fact that Robin was a lesbian probably wasn’t even a thought in Nancy’s mind. The girl had taken the news in stride when Robin had slipped up and came out accidentally a month ago. Here Robin was, though, catching feelings for an innocent straight girl. A straight girl who was currently happily tucked into her side. Shit.

Robin stood up abruptly, dislodging Nancy and causing Steve to startle slightly. “Um, I have to pee,” she mumbled out unconvincingly before taking off down the short hallway. When she was finally locked in Steve’s small bathroom she let out a sigh of frustration. It was times like these that she wished she could just be normal. It took another few minutes to calm herself down enough but she knew she had to return to the couch eventually. It would look suspicious if she hid in the bathroom all night. 

When she walked back out into the darkened room, Nancy glanced over at her with an unreadable expression. She quietly sat back down and did her best to avoid the two pairs of eyes that she could feel on her every so often.

Nancy kept her distance for the rest of the night.

________________________________________________________________

A week had passed since the ‘Movie Night incident’, as Steve had dubbed it, and things had only gotten stranger. To Robin’s horror, Nancy had been touchy feely with her every chance she got. Such as, entwining their hands while walking or resting her legs over Robin’s in the car. It was causing Robin to be in constant gay panic mode, which was exhausting to say the least. The more it occurred, the more Steve found it entirely amusing, though. Also, Nancy was always hanging around with them at the Video store. She’d stop in and bring them lunch, even if it was just for a few minutes. It was as if Nancy was doing everything in her power to give Robin a heart attack. 

Despite everything, Robin could only feel herself falling harder for the other girl. It pissed her off. She could barely focus when the other girl was around. Currently, she was trying not to stare as Nancy walked into the store with all the kids trailing behind her. Dustin immediately made a beeline for Steve, who was stocking shelves. The others all screamed over each other about which movie to rent. Will, with his sweetheart face, gave a small wave to Robin as he passed. He would always be her favorite of the bunch. 

“Hey Robin,” Nancy greeted casually, a small smirk on her face. She wore that expression a lot now and Robin couldn’t decipher it to save her life. “Sorry for the midday child tornado. I’m dropping them off at the Byers house but they wanted to stop for movies,” she joked. Robin had to swallow around the lump that had formed in her throat and waved her arm dismissively. 

“Please, it’s been bleak around here anyway. The only person I’ve had to talk to was Dingus,” Robin responded, gesturing over to Steve, who was now surrounded by all the kids. He was probably getting ready to hand them over a movie that they shouldn't be watching at their age. Nancy let out a laugh and stepped forward until she was standing directly in front of Robin.

“Yeah, I know the feeling. Especially when I’m stuck watching Mike while our parents are out,” she spoke and then paused, leaning in a bit more. “Although, I am pretty jealous that he gets to hangout with you all day. Even if you have to deal with customer service.” Robin held her breath as Nancy just kind of stared at her with that same unreadable smirk. Before anything else could transpire between them, Max sprinted through them towards the register. The others followed behind soon after, all yelling about her movie choice. Nancy just rolled her eyes while Robin finally let air into her lungs again. The spell was broken after that as they both made their way over to the, still arguing, group.

Robin didn’t miss Steve making kissy faces at her from behind Nancy’s back. He’d seen the whole exchange.

________________________________________________________________

Another week passed by in much the same fashion. It all came crashing to a sudden halt when Nancy had stopped by the store on a Sunday afternoon. Steve wasn’t scheduled and it was just Robin watching the counter by herself. Nancy had only been there an hour before flustering Robin to her breaking point. 

“Okay!” Robin shouted, causing Nancy to startle and take a step back. They had just finished their coffees that Nancy had gotten them while talking easily. When there was a moment of silence Nancy got that smirk on her face again. The one she’d been sporting constantly the last two weeks. Out of the blue, as if it wasn’t a huge deal, Nancy leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You can’t do that! You’re gonna kill me!” Robin continued to rant. She could feel the heat rushing to her face as Nancy just stared at her with wide eyes.

“Do you…um? Do you not have feelings for me?” Nancy asked hesitantly with confusion in her voice.

Robin sucked in a breath of air so forcefully that it made her cough a little. “What!” she wheezed out, grabbing ahold of the counter. Nancy had the decency to look sheepish as she shrugged her shoulders gently.

“I sort of overheard you and Steve talking about me. More specifically that you...liked me. But now I’m realizing I’m an idiot and probably misinterpreted the conversation,” she finished, taking another hesitant step back from Robin. “Oh god, you probably think I’m a freak now.” Robin just continued to stare at the other girl in shock. “You were just trying to be my friend and I was touching you constantly. I am so sorry,” Nancy ranted while waving her hands around anxiously. It was clear she was working herself up into an all out panic attack.

“Wait,” Robin startled, holding her hand up suddenly. “You were flirting with me?” The statement caused Nancy to stop her pacing and look at Robin.

“Well...yeah. Obviously,” she gritted out aggressively and crossed her arms over herself.

“Do you have feelings for me?” Robin yelped back. Nancy just scoffed and let out a bitter laugh.

“Jesus Christ, Robin, you’re really gonna make me say it? Yes...I like you, a lot. You’re funny and caring and I just feel comfortable around you,” Nancy’s words were mumbled out but Robin caught the whole thing.

“Holy shit, Nance,” Robin breathed out in disbelief. The other girl just looked up and glared back at her. With that look, Robin realized what a dumbass she’d been and smiled widely. Before Nancy could comment on it, Robin gathered all her courage and leaned forward to connect their lips. It took a few seconds for Nancy, who was probably confused, to kiss back. They stood there kissing gently while everything else around them faded away. Robin wrapped her arms around the smaller girl, pulling them as close as possible. She could feel Nancy smiling into the kiss. 

It wasn’t until a few minutes later the sound of the door chiming broke them apart. Luckily, they were behind a shelf so the visitor couldn’t have seen what they were doing. Robin just rolled her eyes as Steve came strolling around the corner, though. Of course he’d make an appearance even on his day off. When he spotted the two of them he stopped dead in his tracks. It only took a moment for him to take note of Nancy’s blush before he smiled widely. 

“You two look like you’re having fun,” he stated. In the next second he had to dodge Nancy’s swatting hands. Robin couldn’t keep the smile off her face even if she tried.

#ronance #ronance fanfic #robin/nancy #robin buckley #nancy wheeler #stranger things

[platypanthewriter]

Breeze

Harringrove April Prompt 20: Breeze Billy doesn't know what's the most nightmarish about Hawkins--the stuff he can see, or the stuff he can't.

Billy’d been just gonna drop Max off at the Sinclair place, but then the sky turned green with the sounds of screaming, and somebody—who turned out to be Lucas—ran towards them from the house, and banged on the window.  “Tornado!  Get in the storm cellar!” he yelled, through the noise and the dust, and waved them to park in the barn.  

Billy didn’t wanna admit he was spooked, but he definitely walked a little faster than a saunter to that door in the ground.  It was pitch black inside, and he kept bumping into Max, who swore at him.  “I can’t see where I’m going!” she hissed, and Billy growled, “I can’t stand up,” from where he was still wedged against the door.  

“Come down heeeeeere,” came the voice of one of Max’s little shithead friends, the curly one.  “We have a ouija board.”

“Oh, fuck you,” Max said, and Billy heartily agreed, biting his lips together.  

“It’s traditional!” said Curly, lighting a candle, and Max groaned.  He lit five candles in a circle, which looked creepy as shit, because they were all blowing in the same direction—into the darkest part of the cellar, not even something logical, towards or away from the door.  Billy tried not to wonder what was in the darkest corner, sucking up the light.  

Nobody wanted to sit there, he noticed, all the kids gathering around the other side, so Billy had to man up and sit with his back facing the sucking darkness, a soft breeze bringing up goose pimples all along his shirtless spine.  “Where the hell are your parents,” he growled, half wondering, half wishing there was an actual adult around so he could ask how likely he was to find a cow halfway through his Camaro after the tornado went through.

“They got sucked up in the last tornado,” said Lucas’ little sister, and Billy stared at her for a long second, until Max and Curly started snickering. 

“Ask for Great-grandma,” Little Shithead Sinclair said, elbowing her brother.  “She died in the kitchen,” she told Billy, who glared back at her.  

“Fuck off,” he said.

“No, that’s actually true,” Curly said, grinning over.  “It might have been murder.”

Billy hated them all.

“Our old dog used to stare at her, wandering around the spot where she died,” Lucas said, his mouth twitching.

“Where she was murdered,” his sister whispered, like a ghoul.

“It gets really cold in their kitchen,” Max reported, and Billy glared at her, wondering why the fuck everyone in Hawkins was weird as shit, and why he was in their creepy fucking house, when suddenly the whole cellar lit up, and filled with the sound of screaming wind like a passing freight train.  

“Hey!  Everybody’s down here, huh?” came Steve Harrington’s voice, and Billy wished he was dead.  Harrington yanked the cellar door shut again, humming like a lunatic as he walked from death into the basement of a haunted house.  

Lucas shifted closer to Tiny Evil Sinclair to make room, Max, the traitor, shifted close to Lucas, and all the space was left around Billy.  

Harrington stopped when he saw him.  “Oh,” he said, then, “—uh.”  He grimaced, and then sat down between Billy and Curls, and Billy just set his jaw, keeping his eye on the ouija board.

“Oh!” Harrington said again, like a genius.  “Ghosts, huh?”

“Just my great-grandma,” said Lucas, and Max nodded, like oh, yeah, the Sinclair fuckin’ murdered grandma ghost, of course.

“Can she check for…” and here Harrington honest-to-god side-eyed Billy, like he wasn’t supposed to know about their freaky Hawkins bullshit.  “You know,” Harrington whispered.  “Other things?”

“Ohhhh,” said Lucas, like that made sense, and Billy wanted to shake both of them and yell “What fucking other things, Harrington?!” but he just glared at Max, biting his lips.  

The little coward avoided his gaze.

“How far can she look?” Harrington asked, like they were doing got-damn military reconnaissance, and Billy leaned over and punched Max’s leg, so she’d look up.  She didn’t.

Steve reached out and put his hands on the ouija board thing, with Max and Curly and Smallest Sinclair, and it sped over to ‘no’.  The house rattled around them.

“Wait,” Lucas said.  “Does that mean they’re not out there, or she can’t?” and Billy was left to hope they were all united in fucking with him, because he did not want to know what was creepy enough to send a ghost to surveil.  

They got super into it, even drawing a map of Hawkins in the dirt on the floor, while Billy noticed the shelves and shelves of lumpy reddish substances in jars, and peered closer, wondering whether he was about to become an organ donor.  The wind was so strong the weighted door was slamming in a regular rhythm, like a heartbeat.  

“It’s jam,” Max hissed, and he nodded, like he hadn’t jumped at her voice.

“Out by the Steelworks,” Steve said.  “Better all stay away from there.  Hopper and his deputies can check it out, okay.”  He glared around, and Curly and Lucas rolled their eyes and nodded, Max glowered back, crossing her arms, and Tiny Ghoul Sinclair snorted a laugh.  “I mean it,” Steve said, glaring even at Billy, who raised his eyebrows.  “We might not get so lucky next time.”

Billy just raised his eyebrows back, thinking he was damned if he was going anywhere these freaks thought was creepy.  “What,” he said.

“Don’t go out there,” Harrington repeated.

“Gee, I really wanted to,” Billy sneered.  “Steelworks.  Sounds rad.”

“No, don’t,” Max said, sounding shaken.  “Billy.”

“What the fuck is out there,” Billy blurted, and they all kinda...glanced at each other.  

“Guys,” Harrington hissed.

“....ummmmm,” said Tiny Sinclair, kinda sing-songing it, and Billy ignored her to glare at Max.  

“Uh,” she said, wincing.

“Clayface?” Curly said, and Lucas screwed his face up in thought, slowly nodding.

“What?” Steve asked, frowning at them.

“I don’t read comics,” Billy said, which was a dumb thing to say, because they both stared at him.

“How’d you know he was from a comic, then?” Curly asked, raising his eyebrows, and Billy groaned.  “It looks like somebody you know, right, but it’s not,” Curls told Max, who groaned.

“Bullshit,” Billy growled, but looked over to see Harrington biting his lips together, his eyebrows raised.  

“Nobody can hear us in this,” Max said, suddenly.  “Nobody.  Nobody is listening.  We can just—tell him.”

“Who the fuck would be listening to you,” Billy bit out, but everyone scooted closer to the candles.  

“You know Will Byers,” Max said, glancing over her shoulder.  “He disappeared last year.”

If they hadn’t all looked so shaken, and if Harrington hadn’t gone along, his knuckles whitening as he flexed his fists, Billy wouldn’t even have listened—but he had nowhere to be, and even if Max was insane, her version of the last few months in Hawkins answered some questions.  

When they got to the day Billy’d chased Max all over hell and gone when she knew he’d get in trouble, he gritted his teeth, but kept listening.  

“You know this sounds crazy, right,” he said, and Max sighed.  

“I’ve got a picture of one in my wallet,” Curls said, whipping it out, and handing over a bent photo of something huge and slippery-looking wedged in a fridge.  

“...what the fuck is that,” Billy breathed, and they all leaned in around the candles, pointing out stuff in the photo, and talking about Steve Harrington like he was a superhero.  

“So you can’t go out to the Steelworks,” Max said, glaring over, and Billy held back a laugh.

“I didn’t want to!” he told her.  “I’m not going near anything you all think is creepy,” he snorted, gesturing at the whole world around them, and Steve cocked his head, then nodded, like Billy had a point.

The wind outside sounded even louder—they were all shouting to be heard—and the breeze towards the darkest corner hadn’t stopped.  The breeze licked up Billy’s neck, and he full-body shuddered.  It was really cold, back there, and Billy scooted back over next to Harrington, who gave him kind of a weird look, but then went back to their creepy map with big X’s on it.  They kept saying things like “How many,” and “—that’s not good, that could be infecting…”

“Stop fucking with me,” Billy muttered.  “You’re just moving that thing yourself.”

“What?!” Max said, and Lucas opened his mouth, and then closed it, setting his jaw.  

“Let him do it,” said Curly, and Tiny Shitstirrer Sinclair grinned evilly.  

“Why the fuck would I want to,” Billy asked, but Max grabbed his hand and smacked it down.  

“Close your eyes,” she said.  

It did feel like it was tugging, and he did hold it in fucking place, because all he had left was denial.  “See?” he said.  “It didn’t move.”

The candles blew out at the same time, into the direction of the fucking haunted breeze from behind Billy, and everyone yelled, Billy the loudest, half falling into Harrington.  

Harrington started laughing, silently, Billy could tell, but it was pitch black and the wind was still screaming outside, and as Lucas lit the candles again, the plastic pointer thing in Billy’s hand moved to I—A-M—H-E-R-E.  He yanked his hand back, wanting to punch Harrington, just as the cellar door blew open, rain blew in, pelting around them, and the candles blew out again.  Billy grabbed for the nearest anything, and found Harrington’s arm.

“It’s okay, Hargrove, I’ll protect you,” Harrington said, laughing, and Billy was ready to shove him away and stumble off into the freezing cold basement, when Curly’s voice laughed shakily.  

“Yeah, you better.”

“S’what I’m here for, right?  You okay, Erica?  Max?  Lucas?” Harrington asked, and they said they were, but they sounded rattled.  Billy didn’t lean into Harrington, but he didn’t move away, either, and then he thought of the candles, patting towards them as Harrington stood up.  The door clattered shut again, and it didn’t bang.

“I put the board across this time,” Harrington said, as Billy lit a candle.  

There was movement behind the Shittiest Sinclair.  Billy squinted, as his stomach dropped.  “Everybody behind me,” he said hoarsely, trying to make something different out of what his eyes were telling him about the dark shape on the floor in the flickering candlelight.  

“What?!” she asked, glaring at him, and he said it louder, trying to keep his voice even.  

“Everybody get behind me right now.”  

Harrington glanced at his face and then grabbed Curly and tiny Sinclair, shoving them at Billy, and Billy took a shaky breath of relief, pulling them closer as the coiled snake in the corner raised its head.  Steve swore and grabbed Lucas, as Max yelped, seeing it finally, and scrambled towards Billy.

“Cottonmouth,” said Curly.  “Water moccasin.  Should leave us alone, over here.”

“Shit,” Harrington breathed, stepping close to Billy, so the raised hairs on the back of their arms brushed.  

“Are they poisonous,” Max hissed at Lucas, who was pushing her behind Billy, while glaring at his little sister.  The snake eased back down, shutting its mouth instead of the eerie white gape.  In the light of only two candles, it was nearly invisible again.

“They’re in the viper family,” Curly breathed, staring.  “So it will just rot your flesh.”

“What,” Steve said, which was what Billy was thinking.  

“It’s called necrosis, it’s like gangrene,” Curly said cheerfully, and Billy kinda wanted to feed him to the snake.  “It’s way better than anything that causes nervous system damage!”

“Probably down here to get away from the tornado,” Lucas sighed, and they stayed there, because every time one of them ventured forward, the snake raised its head.  Smallest Sinclair kept trying to wedge her way out, and Billy shoved her back.  

The portal to the nether realms or whatever the fuck was still behind them—probably the Upside-Down, Billy thought, shivering from actual cold the way he never thought he would in the summer in Hawkins Indiana.  Harrington kept shooting him glances, like there was something weird about standing as far as possible from a huge poisonous snake when you couldn’t leave a basement the size of a bathroom.  They finally slid back down to sit against the ground and the wall, pressed up against each other in the darkness.

“...there’s some kind of...wind back here,” Max muttered, used to such things, probably, in Hawkins Indiana.  Billy’s little fucking sister would probably be one of those old ladies in zombie movies that ran into a zombie and hit it with her purse, he thought, biting back a grin.  He kept his mouth shut, for once, because he’d been sweating in his car on the drive over, and now the fucking graveyard breeze had him shuddering with cold.  

When the tornado outside finally slowed, Harrington tapped Lucas’ shoulder.  “Go unbar the door,” he said, watching the snake.  Lucas slid out and did so, and then Small Evil Sinclair, and Billy realized he was going to be alone in the basement with Harrington, and Harrington’s grudge.

Curls and Max went last, and then it was just Billy and Harrington—and Billy couldn’t stop shivering, in no shirt, with the soft, freezing cold breeze wafting against his arms, back, and neck.  Everybody would believe Harrington, Billy realized, if he said Billy’d tried to fight a snake, and Billy grimaced, not liking what that said about his image.

“Close your eyes,” Harrington said, and Billy jerked his head up to squint at him through the darkness.  He could just make out a concerned frown, in the light from the open cellar door

“What?!” he hissed back.

“It’s fine, I’ll get you out of here,” Harrington told him, putting both hands on Billy’s biceps, like that made sense.  His hands felt like heaters in the haunted breeze, and Billy set his jaw and didn’t lean in.

“The hell are you t-talking about,” Billy tried to growl back, but he full-body shivered in the middle of his sentence, and Harrington gripped him tighter.  

“Shut your eyes, I’ll get you past the snake,” Harrington said against his ear, and Billy realized between his shuddering, and his reaction earlier...Harrington thought he was terrified of snakes.  “Come on,” Harrington said, “—I won’t tell anybody, just don’t look at it.  I’ll get you out.”

Billy stared back at him.  “...what,” he said, blankly.

“You can’t stay in this corner forever,” Harrington told him, frowning at the snake.  “They’re pretty chill, but I’m not just—leaving you down here.”  Billy shivered again, and Harrington’s frown deepened.  “Trust me.”

It was not how Billy’d thought the day would go—the fucking tornado, or the snake, but certainly not Steve Harrington trying to help him save face.  He nodded, finally, and Harrington insisted he close his eyes, and walked him over to the stairs, telling him every bump in the floor, and when to lift his feet for the stairs.  “You’re okay, it can’t reach you, it’d hit me first, even,” he kept saying, and stuff like it.  

“That was cool of you, putting yourself between it and Erica,” he said, off-handedly, and Billy wondered what the hell kind of person Harrington thought he was, that he’d hide behind a little girl, and then shivered again at Harrington’s breath on his neck and shoulder.  “Shit, if you hadn’t been down there, somebody coulda died,” he said, laughing shakily.  “I’ll get you away from snakes anytime, man.”

At the top of the stairs, he let go, and Billy stopped automatically, so Harrington walked into him.  “You can open your eyes now,” he laughed.  “...you okay?  You need anything?  Want something to drink?” Harrington asked, drawing him away from the storm cellar by the wrist, like Billy was having some kinda breakdown, just because he was a shivering mess.  He kinda wanted to keep playing it up, keep Harrington watching Billy like he needed protecting.  Billy rubbed his arms, but he didn’t pull his wrist out of Harrington’s grasp.

The yard was a mess of blown branches and trash, and Billy wondered, sinkingly, about his Camaro.  “...I owe you one,” he told Harrington, sighing.  “Two, I guess.  Hit me up.”

Harrington was silent for a long second, and then he nodded.  “...yeah,” he said, trailing off awkwardly, before changing the subject.  “Jesus, it was freezing down there next to that storm window,” he said, and Billy said, “...what?”

Steve pointed to a cracked chunk of plywood screwed just above the ground, and Billy realized it was right over his haunted devil’s corner.  “Didn’t you notice?” Harrington said, shivering.  “Kept letting in a breeze.”

"God fucking damn it," Billy breathed, his face heating as he started to laugh.

The other Harringrove April prompts I’ve done! 

#Harringrove #Harringrove April #Ghosts #Creepy basements #tornadoes #Billy has a really stupid day

[qwsadhfkcgfufd]

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[valeriethepussycats]

I’m Only Human

Chapter 1

Pairing- Loki x Mutant Reader, Thor x Mutant Reader(Best friends) 

Warning- cursing

H/c- hair color

Puente Antiguo,New Mexico

The Suv sits parked in the desert. Suddenly, the roof panel of the Suv FoldOpen. The underside of the panels house a variety of hand-built Astronomical Devices, which now point at the sky. Jane Foster pops her head through the roof. She positions a Magnetometer, so its monitor calibrates with the constellations above. It appears to be cobbled together from spare parts of other devices.  “Hurry!” Jane Insisted. Hearing a loud Bang followed by muffled cursing from below. Jane offers a hand down to Erik Selvig who emerges as well, rubbing his head.”Oh-- watch your head.”

“Thanks. So what's this "anomaly" of yours supposed to look like?” Erik wondered.

“Hopefully you only get a headache from how hard you hit your head” Y/n Munroe giggled as she opens the back door of the suv and jump out.

“ Explain to me why you’re here again” Erik murmured.

“ If I remember correctly you found me and asked if I could be your assistant.” Y/n proclaimed flipping her white and h/c out her face.

“It’s a little different each time. Once it looked like, I don't know,melted stars, pooling in a corner of the sky. But last week it was a rolling rainbow ribbon--"Racing "˜round Orion?" I've always said you should have been a poet.” Erik joked.

Jane reigns in her excitement. She tries for dignity. “Hey, Darcy. Pass up the bubbly and my gloves, will you?.” Jane asked. The Intern Darcy Lewis hands Jane a bottle of Champagne and a pair of gloves through the window. Jane passes it to Selvig to hold while she pulls on the old gloves -- too large and masculine for her small hands. He starts to unwrap the foil, and she stops his hand with an excited grin.”Not until you see it!”

“I recognize those. Think how proud he'd be to see you now.”Erik shared.

Jane's grin fades to a sad smile.”Thank you.”

“For what?”

“The benefit of the doubt.”The three stare out at the sky expectantly. A long beat while they scan the skies. Nothing. Jane's worried. “It's never taken this long before.”

Darcy calls up from the front seat. “Can I turn on the radio?”

“Sure, if you like rocking out to KFRM,All agriculture, all the time. Worried, Jane heads back down into the vehicle.

Y/n walks up to Suv window “Don’t worry everything will work out”Y/n told Jane with a small smile.

The SUV is bathed in the glow of high-tech monitorin equipment and laptops, some looking like they're held together with duct tape. Jane opens a well-worn notebook of handwritten notes and calculations. Selvig watches the frustrated Jane with sympathy.

“The anomalies are always precipitated by geomagnetic storms.”Jane began. She shows Erik and Y/n a complicated chart she's drawn in the book, tracking occurrences and patterns.”The last seventeen occurrences have been predictable to the minute... I just don't understand.”she pondered.

Something catches Darcy's eye out the driver's side mirror. She adjusts it. In the distance, Odd Glowing cloud form in the skies over the Northeastern end of the desert. “Jane?” Darcy calls small panicky voiceJane shushes her, leafs through her notes. The bottle of champagne begins to vibrate.

“There's got to be some new variable... Or an equipment malfunction.” Jane wonders.The lights and equipment in the Suv begin to Flickr around them. The computer monitors squelch with static.

“I don't think there's anything wrong with your equipment...” Darcy stated.

The champagne bottle starts to Rattles noisily now as it shakes more violently. Jane,Y/n and Selvig notice.They watch it curiously, pressure building up inside it, when the cork explodes out of it. Champagne goes spewing everywhere -- over equipment, over Jane. “Jane?”

“What?!”Jane snapped.

“I think you want to see this.”Darcy points out the window. Jane,Y/n and Selvig look out. Over the desert Massive rainbow cloud Churn in the sky. The three stare, dumbfounded.

“Holy Shit” Y/n  swore.

“Holy. Shatner.” Jane blurted.

“That's your "subtle" aurora?!” Erik teased.

“No-- yes! Let's go!” Jane noted.

“See patience is a virtue” Y/n called out as she is standing in the middle of it all.

The roof panels still open, the Suv races towards the strange event, Jane, amazed by the sight, stands with half her body out the roof, taking video of the light storm before them.

The SUV hits a bump. Jane nearly flies out but Selvig grabs her, yanks her back in.

“Y/n gets to be out there and I can’t” Jane grins, thrilled, pumped with adrenaline

“ Well Y/n is not like us” Erik replied.

.”Isn’t this great?!”Jane started with excitement in her voice. A thought strikes her.”You’re seeing it too, right? I'm not crazy?

“That's debateable. Put your seat belt on!” Erik encouraged Jane. Winds howls around the SUV now. Up ahead, spiraling down from out of the clouds comes -- an Enormous tornadoSuffuse with the strange rainbow light, roaring like a thousand freight trains as it touches down.

“Are you doing this!” Erik yelled at Y/n .

“Erik I can change the weather not make a Rainbow tornados.” Y/n yells at  in a dry tone.

Selvig looks up through the still-open sunroof at the enormous glowing funnel cloud with wonder. Jane clambers into the front seat, beside Darcy. She leans way out the window, Taping the storm.

“You've gotta get us closer so I can take a magnetic reading.” Jane Announced.

Darcy laughs.”Yeah, right! Good one.”Pauses.“Oh God, you're serious...”

“You want those college credits or not?” Jena noted.

Erik yells out to Y/n” we’re going to get closer!”

” OK I’ll catch up!” Y/n yells back at Erik as she stands in the middle of the desert watching this mystical tornado.

The SUV tears across a field towards the tornado, Jane leaning out the window, taping the event. The Suv disturbs two ravens perched on a cactus as they race past. The birds take flight, when -- KRAKABOOM! A huge  bolt of lightningstrikes down through the center of the funnel cloud before them with a terrifying intensity. The Suv rocks from the blast. Darcy's had enough. She turns the wheel, starts to head away”Keep the credits. I'll intern at Burger King.”Darcy voiced.

“What are you doing?!” Jane yelped.

“Saving our lives!”

Jane grabs the wheel, jerks it hard the other way. They struggle for control, when the headlights fall on a man.Directly in their path, stumbling through the winds. Darcy slams on the brakes, Jane turns the wheel hard to avoid him.The SUV swerves but too late. The side of the SUV slams into the man with a Thud, sending him flying. The car skids to a stop.

Y/n flies over to see what all the commotion is about. “What’s going on” Y/n wondered but  sees a man unconscious on the groundA paralyzed moment, then they all leap out of the car. Jane, Darcy, and Selvig trade shocked looks, breathing hard.They peer through the dust clouds, unable to see through The four of them  race from the SUV with flashlights. Jane spots the man lying on the ground. He's dressed in tattered clothing,charred and blackened.

“I think that was legally your fault.”Darcy claimed to Y/n in a very convincing voice.

“Get the first aid kit.” Jane urged anyone who was listening.

Darcy heads back inside the SUV as Jane, concerned, kneels next to the man. Selvig and Y/n hovers, protectively. She gently turns his head to the light, and we see him clearly for the first time. He is magnificently handsome,long blonde hair flowing around his classically sculpted Features. She cups her hands around his face, as if willing the life back into him.

“Come on, big guy. Do me a favor and don't be dead, okay? Open your eyes and look at me.”Jane wheedled.

Suddenly, he groans, and she's startled, then relieved, as his eyes flutter open. She looks deep into his confused, azure eyes, which at last focus on her own. Locking onto them.For a moment, they each forget to breathe. The connection is broken as Darcy returns with the kit. She freezes when she sees how gorgeous the man is.

“Wow. Does he need CPR? Because I know CPR.” Darcy Chimed in.

A flustered Jane smooths her hair and sits back on her heels. She looks up at Selvig. Back to being a scientist.

“His eyes-“Jane started.

 “Are beautiful-.” Darcy in a voice soft with affection.

“ -Are dilating. That's a good praised sign. Jane said with a note of relief.

“We still have to get him to a hospital.”  Erik disclosed.

“After we get a reading on the storm?”Jane answered.

“Immediately Jane” Erik insisted.

“Guys this is my forte I’ll stop the storm then we can take this guy hospital” Y/n put forth as she  holds out her hands eyes turning white. Jane,Darcy and Erik watching the storm evaporate above their heads.

“Where did he come from? “They exchange puzzled looks, as we move up through the last glowing remnants of the storm. Earth spins slowly before us as we hear a voice, deep and resonant -- the voice of Heimdall Gatekeeper of Asgard. “Questions, they've always asked questions -- this race called man, on this planet they call earth.Passionately longing to know how they are connected to the heavens. We pull away from the planet, widening, past other worlds, cosmic debris -- leaving first our solar system, then out . In ages past, they looked to us as gods, for indeed so many times we saved them from calamity. We tried to show them how their world was but one of the Nine realms  and in the Nine realms is a planet called a Asgard.” Beautiful beyond imagination. We fly over the magnificent

landscape of the Realm, through the gleaming capital city, modern yet timeless. The palace rises countless stories tall, gleaming with an other-worldly majesty, towering high above the Realm sprawled out before it. We move towards a large window of the palace, where a Figure stands. Odin Stares out at his kingdom. The ravens fly up to the balcony,land at his side.

Odin turns away from the window. His wife Frigga sits at a vanity and tries different earrings before the mirror.

“Do you think he's ready?” Odin wonder.

“He thinks he is. He has his father's confidence.”Frigga replies.

“He'll need his father's wisdom.” Odin told Frigga.”And his humility?” She remarked

 Odin makes a face at this wife. “Thor won't be alone. Loki will be at his side to give him counsel.Have faith in your sons.” Frigga pointed out.

“Yes, but Thor's still a boy. He could be a great King...” Odin stops, notices his hand shaking. It seems to be out of synch temporally with the rest of the world, leaving a trail as it moves. He stares at it determinedly, concentrating,trying to stop the strange event through the force of his sheer will.Finally, the occurrence subsides, his hand normal once more. A worried Frigga covers his hand with her own.

“...if we only had more time.” He whispered.

“ For once, our son needs something we cannot provide.”She voiced.              

“I can fight it a little longer...” he murmured

“No. You've put it off too long! I worry for you.” She said with a fond look.

Odin touches her cheek.”I've destroyed demons and monsters,devastated whole worlds, laid waste to mighty kingdoms, and still you worry for me?”Odin said in a voice soft with affection.

“Always.”

“Not today. Now come kiss your king... while I'm still king.” He pulls her close, and they kiss.

Directly under the throne room, a gloomily lit hall. Banners hang on either side to form a corridor down the middle of the fire lit room. Giant doors open at one end. A huge figure silhouetted against the bright light beyond walks forward. In slo-mo, we recognize the unmistakable shape of the God of Thunder. Hammer in hand, he reaches the end of a raised platform. An  attendant hands the figure a goblet of wine. He downs it quickly, hurls it towards the fire directly below.

“Another!” The cup smashes, the alcohol causes the fire to glow intensely -- and, for a moment, brightly lit, and seen full length, like a King to be, is The mighty Thor. He proceeds down stops, past camera, and down the center of the Hall.

We follow from behind and see at the other end, massively shadowed on one of the great banners, the shape of two great horns. As Thor approaches, the horn shapes move, and then, from the shadows at the side, emerges Loki, wearing his horned headpiece. Like Thor, he is dressed for a great ceremony. They stand by a brazier at the foot of steps that lead up to the crowded throne room.

“Nervous, brother?” Loki asked Thor.

“Have you ever known me to be nervous?” Thor grinned.

“There was the time in Nornheim...”Loki Trailed off.

“That wasn't nerves, brother. I was the rage of battle. How else could I have fought my way through a hundred warriors and pulled us out alive?” Thor replied  to Loki as The Attendant approaches with another goblet of wine for Thor.

“As I recall, I was the one who veiled us in smoke to ease our escape.”Loki put forth.

“Some do battle, others just do tricks.

The Attendant stifles a laugh. Loki notices, doesn't like it. He gestures towards the goblet in the Attendant's hand. Eeels pour over the sides of the goblet, slithering out and across the terrified Attendant's hand. He scream, hurls the goblet to the ground. Loki chuckles.

“Loki...” Thor warned Loki. Loki gestures to the writhing eels on the ground. They turn back to spilled wine, the illusion shattered. “Now that was just a waste of good wine.”

“Just a bit of fun.” Loki said to the Attendant.” Right, my friend?”The Attendant isn't so sure. Thor dons his Eagle winged helmet.

“Nice feathers.” Loki told  Thor about his helmet.

“You don't really want to start this again, do you, Cow?” Thor teased Loki.

“I was being sincere!” Loki Announced.

“You're incapable of sincerity.” Thor proclaimed to Loki.

“Am I?” Loki replied. He looks his brother in the eye, all pretense lost.”I've looked forward to this day as long as you have. You're my brother and my friend. Sometimes I'm envious, but never doubt that I love you.”

Thor searches his brother's face, sees no trace of irony. He's either speaking from his heart or he's a very, very good liar. Maybe both. Thor puts an appreciative hand on his brother's shoulder.

“Thank you.” The two brothers take in the moment a beat, then.

“Give us a kiss.” Loki teased Thor.

“Stop.” Thor makes the final adjustments to his ceremonial wear. “How do I look?” Thor questioned Loki.

“Like a king.” Loki shared as They hear the blast of a ceremonial Horn.”It's time.”

“You go ahead.” Loki casts him a wary look.”I'll be along. Go on.” Thor disclosed in a casual tone. Loki heads inside the palace without his brother.

Volstagg combs his great beard in preparation for the big event. As he does, he's surprised to find a stray grape stuck in the beard. He pulls it out, looks around, then eagerly pops it into his mouth and gobbles it down. Fandral checks his reflection in a mirror, smooths out his moustache, gives himself a dashing smile. A Pretty Maiden holds the mirror before him, as other Maidens  look on dreamily.

“Thank you, love.” Fandral said in a flirtatious way the Maidens. ”Now who'd like to polish my sword for me?” Fandral Announced and the giddy Maidens eagerly raise their hands.

Hogun stands staring ahead grimly, his hands folded in front of him, amidst the hustle and bustle of the attendants and the ceremony preparations going on around him. A Helpful attendants approaches him and starts to polish his armor. Hogun turns his head, gives him a look. Intimidated, the Attendant quickly backs away. From behind, we see a Woman In ceremonial Armor take off her Sword and set it on a table, then her Shield, then several Hidden Daggers  and small, yet intimidating Weapons . We reveal that it's Sif, looking radiant. She eyes the weapons on the table.

“I'll miss you.” Sif whimpered to her weapons.

Colorful ceremonial Banners of the Nine Realms adorn the room, crowded with Aesir and representatives from across Yggdrasil, all Buzzing with excitement. Thor's  Comrades enter and stride to their place of honor at the front of the hall. They are... The Warriors Three.

Volstagg has the girth and strength of a Sumo wrestler, with oversized passions to match. Fandral, the consummate swashbuckler, is agile, charismatic, and nattily dressed. Hogun-- dark, sullen, brooding -- a large mace slung at his side. With them walks the warrior maiden Sif. She's clad in armor,a shield and sword at her side -- a beauty not to be trifled with.

“I hope this goes quickly. I'm famished.” Volstagg grinned.

“Noooo!” Fandral squeaked.

Are you attached to that pretty face of yours? Because one more word, and you won't be. Volstagg commented.

“My, we are hungry, aren't we?” everyone laughs except Hogun. 

Fandral turns to him.”Go on, Hogun. Smile. You can do it. Even you, Hogun the Grim. Just one smile.” Fandral urged Hogun who just stares at him grimly. “All right, half a smile. Look,forget the smile, just show some teeth.” Fandral made public.

“Fandral, is it true the famous Warriors Three are ready to meet any challenge?” Sif asked.

“Name it, Lady Sif.”Fandral insisted.

“Keep your mouth shut.” Sif teased.

Imposing Einherjar Guards clad in armor, swords at the ready,stand watch inside the massive underground structure beneath the palace. A cold Breeze blows past them. Thor stands, his fingers nervously drumming the handle of his hammer. Frigga approaches behind him, sees his anxiety.

“It's all right to be nervous.” Frigga chimed in.

Why does everyone keep saying that? I'm not nervous!” Thor proclaimed in a Casual tone.

“You may be able to fool the rest of Asgard-

“...But never you. I know.”

“Thor, just remember that you have something even the great Allfather never had.”

“And what is that?”

“Me for a mother.” She smiles.”Now don't keep your father waiting.” Frigga  told Thor then leaves.

Sif and the Warriors Three still wait before the crowd. Loki and Frigga enter.

“ There’s something I have to tell you after the ceremony it is very important” Frigga shared with Loki.

“I will mother” Loki agreed as he takes his place at the front of the Phall alongside the others. With another blast of the horn,the crowd goes silent as the Einherjar honor Guards moves into formation. They part to reveal Odin sitting atop his throne, clad in full ceremonial armor. He holds his spear Gungnir before him. Any trace of weakness in him is gone now. He exudes all the power and majesty of a Ruler of Asgard. Frigga joins him at his side. He looks around the hall, casts a glance over to the Warriors. Thor is nowhere to be seen. Odin looks to Loki. Loki shrugs. Odin isn't pleased.A murmur spreads through the crowd.

“Where is he?.” Volstagg asked Loki.

“He said he'd be along.” Loki replied. Sif realizes the truth, shakes her head in disapproval.

“What?” Volstagg questioned Sif.

“He wants to make an entrance.” Sif told Volstagg. 

“Well, if he doesn't show up soon,he shouldn't bother. Odin looks like he's ready to feed him to his ravens.” Fandral commented.

“I wouldn't worry. Father will forgive him. He always does.” Loki replied.

Just then, at the back of the hall, up the steps from the lower level Mjolnir Roars up into the hall, Thor strides cockily into the hall behind it, catching it behind his back. The Crowd erupts in Cheers. Thor spins his hammer with a flourish, holds it up before the crowd, basking in the moment, relishing the adoration, whipping his audience up into a frenzy.

“Oh, please.” Sif murmured.

Odin watches from the front, not liking this showy display. As the sound of the cheers echo from above, the odd, cold breeze picks up in the Vault. The Guards rub their limbs to warm themselves. They grow increasingly uneasy, sensing something's not right. They exchange a look, then walk the length of the Vault's hallway to its end, where a Casket sits undisturbed upon a pedestal. Large shadows suddenly loom over them. They look up and Shout in terror as they raise their weapons.Thor finishes stirring up the crowd, then reaches the front of the room, kneels on one knee before his mother and father. Frigga casts him an admonishing glance. Thor winks up at her. She can't help but smile. Odin strikes Gungnir upon the ground with a deafening Boom.

The crowd falls silent. Odin speaks with quiet, effortless authority. He raises Gungnir before him.

“Gungnir. Its aim is true, its power strong. With it I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocent across the Nine Realms since the time of the Great Beginning. And though the day has come for a new King to wield his own weapon - that duty remains the same. Thor Odinson, my heir, my first-born.”Pauses.” So long entrusted with this mighty hammer, Mjolnir. Forged in the heart of a dying star, from the sacred metal of Uru. Only one may lift it. Only one is worthy. Who wields this hammer commands the lightning and the storm. Its power has no equal -- as a weapon, to destroy, or as a tool, to build. It is a fit companion for a King.” Odin proclaimed.

The bodies of the Guards are flung to the Vault's floor, now strewn with ice. We don't see their attackers clearly, just catch glimpses of them in the shadows -- but they are large and blue-skinned. One of the creatures lifts the Casket off its stand and turns to go. But, as they do, the intricate latticework behind the Casket starts to separate and retract, revealing something standing in the shadows behind it. As the creatures walk away, a fiery glow rises behind them. They turn back around. Now it's their turn to Scream.

The Ceremony continues.

“Today I entrust you with thegreatest honor in all the Nine Realms. The sacred throne of Asgard. I have sacrificed much to achieve peace. So, too, must a new generation sacrifice to maintain that peace. Responsibility, duty, honor. These are not merely virtues to which we must aspire. They are essential to every soldier and to every King.” Odin declared.

The Crowd and the Warriors Three start to shiver and rub their limbs for warmth in the increasingly cold air of the hall. Thor turns back to face his father. Odin looks upon his son with pride.

“Thor Odinson, do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?”Odin questioned Thor

“I swear.” Thor replied.

“Do you swear to preserve the peace?”

“I swear.”

“Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and pledge yourself only to the good of all the Realms?”

“I swear!” Thor yells in excitement.

“Then on this day, I, Odin Allfather, proclaim you--“Odin hesitates, noticing a strange sight before him. Ice creeps across the surface of the large banners around the hall, making an eerie CRACKING sound. Thor, his comrades, and the crowd see it too.

“Frost giants...” Odin commented.

Part 2

A/n- Reader was born 1986 of your birth day and month.

I don’t own nothing all rights go to Marvel for this story.

#thor x reader #loki x reader #marvel x reader #loki x black!reader

[piratewithvigor]

Love Break My Heart: Chapter 1

Summary: A half-life relationship is disintegrating at the seams. Neither of them is good for the other, but after 14 years together, they don’t know how to be with each other anymore.

Word Count: 2109

A/N: This is a prize story written for @slashscowboyboots​ and I expect it to be about 4 chapters or so with maybe more if the chapters turn out to be much longer than this one.

I don’t know how long I’ve been standing in front of the mirror. My eyes have gone foggy from the bright lights bouncing off of every shiny surface in the bathroom and from trying to see a coherent reflection in the shattered glass. I keep meaning to go out and replace it, but every time it leaves my line of sight, I forget about it and the rage Axl was in when he punched it. All the pieces are there; just broken. It serves its purpose, just not well. It’s doing well enough that I’m able to spot the gray hairs. 

In the time I’ve stood there (God knows how long it was), I found twelve. Plucked them each out and dropped them into the sink. I’m not even thirty yet… Nowhere near old enough to be going gray from age. 

I turn the faucet just enough that a dribble of cool water begins to flow. The stream washes away the hairs and somewhere deep in my soul, I feel like I’m telling a lie. I know exactly why I’m going gray and it wouldn’t be all that much of a guess for anyone close to me either. Not a single one of us would say it out loud. I can almost taste bile at the thought of it. The wave of nausea urges me to cup my hands under the stream of water and toss it into my face. For a moment, I feel some brief sense of relief, but the moment is fleeting. 

I dab away the water with a nearby towel and the broken mirror confronts me with proof I can’t just wash away: what used to only be crinkles are now lines of age etched deep in my face.

I must have gasped when I saw them; something caused Axl to turn over in bed. He’d always been a light sleeper, for as long as I’d known him. Likely a survival instinct his mind had created for him. If he was already tossing and turning, getting back into bed would almost definitely wake him up. The last thing I wanted on a day I’d already slept as poorly as I did would be a crabby Axl. Or a bitchy one. Or an angry one. He could be moments away from waking up naturally, but if someone woke him up before he was good and ready, said poor fucker would need eyes on the back of their head for the rest of the day if they wanted to make it through alive. 

I shut off the light in the bathroom and paused in the doorway for a moment to consider my options. On the one hand, I could try to get another hour or two of sleep before I’d have to get ready to head out to the studio with Axl and risk waking him up as I got back into bed, or I could just stay up and try to get any kind of work done. Judging by Axl’s second groan and turn in the sheets, it’d be more prudent to take the second option. He may or may not be pissed at me already.

I don’t remember much about what triggered the fight between us last night. My brain had been foggy during most of it and I was riding a mild hangover when I woke up. It’s possible that might have been the beginning of the argument. Axl was no saint when it came to booze either, but he was the best about it and took it upon himself to chastise the rest of the band about their habits. 

My suspicions seem to be correct, judging by the apparent tornado that had swept through the living room at the bottom of the stairs. On second thought, ‘tornado’ didn’t do the wreck justice; it was carnage. Almost as bad as the shithole the whole band was sharing when we were first starting out. The only difference was that I know the room had been clean and proper the morning before. A real ‘Better Homes And Gardens’ situation. It looks more like a crime scene as I walk through it for damage assessment. 

Nothing seems to be damaged beyond repair at first glance, just moved or thrown. The only furniture still where I remember it was the couch, which had purposely been the heaviest one available for exactly fights like the one we must have had. Can’t throw something if you can’t lift it.

Bits and pieces of the fight started coming back to me as I step over the strewn chairs, magazines and various other shit that populated the room. I remember the remote for the TV being whipped at the back of my head and a side table being poised for an equal action, but I’d be damned if I could remember why. The only thing that makes me stop is the shattered bottle of Jack by the front door. Bottles had been thrown at each other before. Back in the day, they’d been thrown at almost anything. Perfect for subduing destructive tendencies. The difference between the wrecks I recognized and the one at the door was the lack of any splatter. There’d always be a splatter from the bit of liquid left in the bottle, but there was no sign on the door. Just a little mark in the white paint where the black ink of the label had hit. No splatter meant that Axl hadn’t taken it from me to throw. That impact was my doing. 

The pang of regret hits harder than I expect it to. I don’t remember feeling angry at Axl. Or the reason why I would want to hurt him. Axl’s rage burns fast and hot, but once he’s calm, it all goes away. I’m used to the tantrums. I’m not used to coming out of a blur and finding that I wanted to hit him with a heavy bottle that could have either knocked him out or given him need of stitches. And at the front door? He wouldn’t be there unless he was planning to leave. Make-up sex isn’t going to garner me the forgiveness I need for whatever transpired the night before. 

I start by cleaning up the glass and fixing up the room as quietly as possible. Unfortunately, it means leaving all the furniture I can’t pick up to move. How Axl can in his rages, I have no idea. Instead of looking like a crack den, I leave the room looking more like the middle of a redecoration project. The second step on my quest of forgiveness is breakfast. Neither of us are too big on it, or really food in general, but coffee and toast are still a staple of the day. 

Luckily, the kitchen seems to have been completely disconnected from the chaos. A little messy from a slipshod dinner cleanup, but nothing more heinous than any nuclear family would be facing after meatloaf night. The early morning hour keeps me from wanting to scrub and dry dishes, but I can at least leave them to soak while I prep the coffee. 

The old machine looks like it’s on its last legs, but I doubt we’d get rid of it even when it finally decides to stop. It was the one luxury we all chipped in on when we started renting the band house. We mostly stole anything more expensive than a Big Mac but security at the appliance store were on us like hawks if we dared to step into the store. We could have probably survived without food and most of our vices, but taking coffee away from a house full of drunks was just asking for murder. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was still kicking after the horrendous overuse we put it through. A memory of when the five of us weren’t too fucked up to work together.

I exhale softly when the thought passes through. Stevie may have been a pain in our collective asses, but he was our pain in the ass. Part of the guys. And he threw it all away over a vice. If one of the five of us could leave, then who was next? 

The little light on the coffee maker begins to blink. There used to be a shrill beep that went with it, but the speaker was promptly removed when five angry drunks with five angry hangovers unanimously decided that there was no place in the house for that kind of bullshit. 

I’m pouring the first cup when quiet shuffling from behind me results in two arms around my waist.

“I didn’t wake you, did I?” I murmur, setting the pot back down. I can feel Axl shake his head between my shoulderblades. 

“I was up anyway. Thanks for making the coffee and cleaning up.” His voice is still thick with sleep, making it deep enough that I can hardly hear him. 

“Want something to eat? I was feeling toast.” He considers for a few moments and I’m almost worried he fell asleep against me. He eventually nods, still holding onto me gently.

“Butter, unless you wanna open that jam from your mom.” I turn around in his grasp and place a kiss to the top of his head. He’s feeling the same way I am- remorseful for an event neither of us remember clearly, but knowing that reparations must be made. It’s why he’s being so physically affectionate. 

“Anything for you, Fireball.” He takes my cue to sit down at our little table in the middle of the kitchen. It’s big enough for the two of us and maybe one more if we squished elbows, not really more than a card table, but perfect for two introverts who like proximity.

When he sits down, I take my opportunity for looking him over for damages. His hair is mussed, but likely from post-sex instead of a bottle hitting it, so I’m not too worried. His collarbone is spotted with little bruises, but the placement and shape lead me to believe they’re nothing more than love bites. No scrapes or cuts along his arms. He doesn’t look like he’s facing anything worse than insomnia. I can’t blame him; the new album is set to be released within the next couple of months, and his vision for it is huge. Two full albums, released on the same day, and we’ve only got one album’s worth of songs written for them. It’s brilliant, but I’m as worried as he is about completion. 

The toast pops up and is smeared with my mom’s spiced peach jam. She sends us a few jars each summer as a care package that I used to protest about, but learned to accept. Childhood comfort foods are something that only last for so long. 

I set Axl’s plate in front of him with his coffee. We both like it strong, but he somehow takes it black without anything added. As far as he knows, mine is the same. He’s still looking a little tired and distracted, but not unhappy. 

“Penny for your thoughts?” I ask, nibbling on a corner of toast.

“Just the albums. It’s the third album curse,” he explains, only now noticing his breakfast.

“Explain?”

“Any band’s third album is always the worst. They use up all the songs they’ve written on the first two and by the third, they have nothing to say. Zeppelin 3? Dressed To Kill? We’re having the same problem, but we’re doing two at once.” 

I can feel the floor shaking between us. He’s bouncing his knee like he always does when he has nervous energy. I lean across the table and take his free hand in mine. It’s softer; no calluses common to a guitarist. 

“You’re forgetting Toys In The Attic, London Calling, Electric Ladyland… The last two also being double albums. Dunno about you, but those guys turned out okay.” Axl manages a small smile. It’s hard to believe that the same face that can look so sweet and charming is the same one who tried to throw a table at me less than ten hours ago. “Ours are gonna kick so much ass.” As fast as the smile came, it descended into a scowl. 

“It would if I wasn’t the only one pulling his fucking weight.” I sighed quietly, only letting the air escape through my nose. An out-loud sigh would only bring on another fight. This wasn’t Axl’s fault, or even my fault. He simply stressed out about details more than the rest of us and was definitely more vocal about it. It wasn’t anyone’s fault...

#Writing #Love Break My Heart #GNR #Classic Rock #Axl Rose #Izzy Stradlin #mentions of the rest of the band but they aren't going to be major characters #unless I veer off my plot completely #Izal #Fanfiction #also I adore Kiss and Zeppelin so don't @ me for roasting them a little

[pandawansblog]

Chapter One

Dark Forest midday spring time rolling in.

I always hated this time of year. Nothing good ever happens around this time.

“Shair, what are you doing? Come on and hurry up, you know Madam hates when we are late.” Goery hates getting yelled at, even if Madam never blames her.

“ Come on you love the Dark Forest, also she sent us here and if we forget the mushrooms she will be very upset”

Goery smiled and gave me a look, we had a conversation within our eyes. All I heard was run, NOW!

“ Race you to the river!”

Before she was done speaking she ran passed me, her long red hair hitting me. I started after her, purposely staying behind. I know I ran faster, but I wanted to see her. The trees making the place dark and the light non-existent. It is mid-day yet dark like nights with no sky light.

My eyes scan the trees, although dark there is still a blue tint to the leaves. Those alone grow bigger then my hands, but the tree fairly short. I feel the breeze and the sweet smell of the river comes near and I catch her looking back.

Her smile.

I melt for her smile ever time. Her body moves through the woods with ease. Her long thin legs, to her hips for days. Her hair falls passed her round firm butt and it hypnotizes me. She could take out any man with one hand. Her strength is not seen on the outside, her muscles are hidden. I was always curious how she does that I don’t know. She always says it’s the fairy woman body, they all look the same but can be very different.

An elf could never understand.

She’s looking at me. Oh no the river!

I fall in with a splash, cold water rushes over me, the river is not deep, but is very dirty right now. I swim up. Then swim to the shore, where Goery is laughing. I crawl out and shake off a little.

“ It’s not nice to laugh at people” I say with a smug tone.

“ Well Shair it’s not nice to stare either is it” she winks with a cheese grin.

She has that sense of when being stared at. I through my hand up in the air and smile. She tries to hide, but it was to late. I flick my wrist and a breeze starts and then a tornado comes. Not a big one, but a mini one for me.

“All dry”

“ Could have warned a girl”

I start laughing as a very mad fairy flies in front of me. Her red hair is a hair hairball and make-up smeared.

She is a small woman even for a fairy, she stands no taller then my armpit.

I flick my wrist again, this time for her hair. Her hair is put into a small windy tunnel. Her hair falls to a long braid down her back.

“ Why didn’t you tell me about the river before I ran right into it. I hope you like your hair”

“ I did you were day dreaming again, I yelled like four times and I guess this will do.”

She pulls her bangs out and they fall short of her chin. I lift her pouty face to look at me and smile.

“I love you, you know it’s hard for me to force around you”

“ Haha are you blaming my butt again.”

My face turns bright red and I shack my head no. She then looks at me as if she knows it’s a lie. I have loved this woman for my whole life and she the same. It wasn’t till I last summer I told her. Our love isn’t aloud here. In other lands it is said to be fine, but here it is forbidden. We are to young to travel and are parents have gone to war so we stay with all the other children at Madam’s. I don’t see the big deal it’s not like our love is any different than others.

I feel warmth on my chest and look down. Goery is there hugging me so tightly. Jokingly I say, “ I can’t breathe” pretending to try and catch my breath. She squeezes harder, oh goodness I think she broke me.

“ oh I’m sorry I think I actually hurt you” her smug look tells me she is everything but sorry. I smile at her.

“ So about those mushrooms? I mean we can just make out here if you want to. I’m good either way”

She flies to eye level a kisses my nose “mushrooms first Hun, also I love you too”

My heart melts for her, but if we don’t get mushrooms we will get yelled at and not make out, that’s not cool. I start looking around my feet and the ground is very wet. Like more then normal river water and not from me cause it is everywhere. Was there a lot of rain, enough for the river to over flow. That doesn’t make sense we are in a drought right now. I point to the North, telling Goery to search up there. I will go South, the river tells the most down there.

I am a Earth Elf I do what the planet does. My parents were Fire and Dark Elf’s. I am a rare Elf, so I pretend I am a Water Elf. Only Goery knows the true me.

I will be able to read the river when I get to my area. We used to play out here all the time. She says she new all along I loved her that’s why we would play out here. That makes me so happy, we could really be us out here. She even learned some Elf stuff and learned to speech Orc, which is really sexy.

Well here we are. Looks up river, looks down river. Nothing weird here either something feels off. Well mushrooms won’t pick themselves. I kneel down and start picking and digging up mushrooms. These yellow one will be so good, can’t forget the purple, ooo or the blue. They’re all good to be real though.

A new smell flows passed me?

Not new and not good. I throw the mushrooms in my pouch and start running North without thought. She is in trouble and she has no idea yet. I hope she’s flying and safe.

Goery

I always have to go North, South seems better I am sure Shair is just trying to keep me safe. Always looking out for me and everyone else. Wow! That mushroom is huge, Shair will be so proud and I will only have to pick this one. Dig around the dirt and pull at the base. Shair thought me this we are the same age and we grew up in love not knowing. Shair thought me everything, my parents didn’t really care for me. Got it, now time to fly on to my love. Ooh no this is way heavy. I will have to walk I guess. I love the Dark Forest, I feels like home and like we belong somewhere. Shair creates light sometimes and we have fires.

Noises from behind make Goery jump to look and she sees the ugly beast of the East. With it’s dark wears and it’s huge body it is very scary. Long fingers and arms, with short legs bent to the point they are almost sitting. With no nose, long black hair and this one had one eye. The eye was blue and not a grey weird blue like Madam’s eyes, like a pretty sky opening blue. The skin looked soft and smooth, as a dress draped over its whole body to the knees.

“Sorry, are these your mushrooms” shaking as I hold the mushroom straight up. I heard some of them are nice. They aren’t all beasts.

“ No, it is not what I am here for.” The beast said in a scratchy voice. With a couple coughs to clear there throat.

“ I am Shre, I will not hurt you young one. Have you see a human around?”

I have frozen a human those don’t exist anymore. “No I have never met one either. I didn’t think there was any alive. I am Goery by the way and I am 20 thank you very much. That is not that young for most” For a fairy it is but still rude.

“ I’m in my hundreds Hun, I want you to stay with me till I find the human.”

“oka…..”

As I start to speak I hear Shair thumping up behind me. I turn around and see a worried look go to happy.

“You’re safe, who is your friend”

“This is Shre she is looking for a human” Shair looked worried again.

“So it was a human I smelt ” looking at Shre straight on. Shair didn’t show any fear to Shre, it is almost like Shair wasn’t scared of anything. My hero, here to save me once again. Shair showed everyone respect even if they are called a beast.

“Goery are you day dreaming now” I look up to see Shair and Shre were both staring at me. Damn I did day dream again there worried look on there faces says something is wrong.

“ Goery, your in danger and we need to leave. Come on, Shre meet us just East of here in two sky light raises”

Shair grabbed me and carries me. I never seemn this look in those normally playful eyes. It looks like fear and anger. Almost like war time eyes. Shair jumps a little and I feel the ground shimmy. Shair is using land magic to surf across the ground. This must be bad Shair never uses that magic so close to town.

“Shair, I am sorry I wasn’t listening but why are you using magic so close to town. What if your seen.”

Shair stops and sets me down.

“Humans, hate Elf’s and use Fairies in sex houses. We are the only fairy town here and we are not safe”

“ Humans aren’t around no more though. You said so.”

“We were young and I wanted you to feel safe. Are parents have been gone at war fighting them. The war has ended years passed. They have died. I am sorry you are hearing this now, but the paper said they were seen close by.”

Shaking scared, I never thought my parents were coming back and knew the war was done, but never thought they were dead.

“What about Madam? And the others?”

“ They will leave too. We are old enough to get by, we are just still young in the eyes of everyone else.”

Shair grabs my arm and tells me to fly.

“ No matter what you must always be flying now, humans have a weakness to that and fire. Now let’s move.”

We start running and for a moment I think no way all of this is real. Shair is playing a joke on me and we will get home and Madam will set us straight.

What is Shair is telling the truth and we do need to run. Where would we go, how would we pay. Shair is trusting and creature called a beast and we just met her. I smell fire, our home no way it can’t be our home.

Racing forward tears forming and smoke thickening. Shair grabs me and nods over to the corner. I see Shade what is he out here for? Wait Shade does illusion magic so the fire isn’t real?

“Shade!” I cry out he looks and spirits over with joy in his eyes and arms ready to hug me.

Shair steps in between us, although Shade stands taller Shair wasn’t having him touch me. He stops before hitting us and shakes Shair's hand.

“Madam said you were out and shortly after sending you we got word there are humans heading this way. She told me to put up a force field. To push them away, we are fine to walk through now. Madam is talking with Nzia about what to do. Come one the field is up for a short time.”

Shair and I walk throw the fire. On the other side fairies flying everywhere. Elf wizard Obi was waving Shair over probably to help get the books in order. Shair tapped my back and ran. I walked towards the hall where I saw Madam and Nzia talking. I flutter off my feet and fly to them.

“Hello Madam, sorry we ran late we….” Before finishing she hugs me in the warmth of her is so nice right now. I have always seem Madam as a second mom, well my only mom now.

“I am just happy you two are okay. Where is Shair by the way”

I point and say “Obe’s” she nods

“Nzia, how may I help”

Nzia is a strong male fairy. Standing very tall he towers most in the town. If the elders didn’t have back bend then maybe they would. He is very handsome. His eyes were almost midnight black and hair was always short, but looks soft to the touch.

“We need the child put in those carts, help Madam please. Fairies need to relocate and the Elf men will stay.”

“Madam how about you pack there things and I will help them to the carts.”

Madam nods and turns to the master bows and walks away. She is so traditional that way. She doesn’t look a day older then me but in turn is three times my age. Nzia doesn’t like being bowed at but Madam is a favorite of his. Her hair long and black , falls over her round face. She is no means thin, but no means heavy. Today she is wearing another Dobite, which is a long dress for women of power. Most of them shine bright with no light, also very soft. I have a feeling Nzia gave it to her. The whole town knows they are together, but she wants to help the children more then marriage.

“Haze help get the Orc babies into cart one”

Nzia had walked away before I could joke with him. It was my job as his sister after all. I wish he took me in some days, but he had a lot to do. I understand now that leadership was the path they gave him after our parents died. Now don’t get me wrong I spent a lot of time with him and that is how he met Madam even, but the town needed him with no distractions.

“Children come on no pushing and Ciaz stop running.” Hmm 15, 16, 17…. A explosions at the worship town, but how Shades force field. I rushed the last of the kids on the carts and waved them off. All my friends and people I seem as family riding away.

Tears started to far even though I held them back, I was not strong enough.

“Goery, fly away!” I turn to see no force field anymore. They broke it? How could they have? I scam and see Fairy, Elf and Orc men in full war gear. Who cried out to me who said that. I scam around and see Shade being put in a cage. Next to the cage was a tall man with long hair and white skin, almost pearl colored. There was another with darker skin and shorter hair. They had long arms and thin bodies they couldn’t be the power humans.

Then a bang! half the men fell with one hit. What was that one man was holding something long and heavy looking. Another man pointed at me and started walking towards me.

“Goery!” Shair yelled throwing up a fire wall in between us. Then running up to me, wrapping my arms around I hear Shair’s voice say.

“Run East love, I will kind you no matter what. Just go East.”

I took to the air and looked back for a second. Shair had joined the fighting. I flew high up and East like Shair said to.

Madam, I look back and see Nzia and Obi protecting Madam. I fly over as face as I can.

“Org hiz ah oge!” I shout and then Obi and Madam were gone. Nzia stood with the war dressed men to fight and waved me away.

I told Obi to go to the river and head East. I am glad I speak Orc, humans can’t understand what I am saying. I race for the tree line. They can’t see me if I fly above it. My pour wings never worked so hard in my life.

#writers #writing #writblr #written #fairy tales #fan fiction #noedit #first draft

[cavitymagazine]

𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔧𝔞 𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤

There’s a painting of it that you’ve probably seen somewhere. Pointillist. A dirt road and a cornfield. A parked green tractor. And, the imagery discordant, a dejected ninja slouching beside the tractor, staring down at his limply held blade as though it’s the ultimate substantiation of meaninglessness. This painting’s been reproduced, parodied, enshrined, and displayed all over the globe. It’s at the Detroit Institute of Art, presently, in fact.

Equation from a crypto-meteorological textbook:

91-101 kph [wind speed] + oblique, angular shadow systems [precise configuration/density: UNKNOWN] + misty [optional?] rain/overcast sky + uprooted bamboo trees and/or bamboo chips/strips/material [exact amount UNKNOWN] = ninjitstorm [perhaps]

Crypto-Beaufort Scale entry for ninjitstorm:

Beaufort Number: 10

Name: Chimerical Gale or Conjuror Storm

Wind Speed: 58-62 mph [91-101 kph]

Description: Considerable structural damage occurs; ninja assassins manifest

The homely Nebraska town of Sumner has a general store called General Store – it’s that kind of agrestic. People and corn. And more corn. Grain sacks. A poky video store. Grousing tractors.

Of course this uneventfulness is a late and lamented portraiture of Sumner: it is the way it was before the squall of gleaming katana.

One advanced afternoon in the mid 1990s it rains ninja on Sumner. Like homicidal hailstones, they somersault and roll and flying-kick out of tornadic funnels. Like armed sleet.

It marks the first and only occurrence of this phenomenon in the U.S. It’s a huge moment in Weather History.

Day 1: Chaos and horror. Eleven townsfolk are struck down; some livestock are poisoned by blow darts tipped with something more lethal than cyanide, others are gorily ornamented with shuriken. Green tractor paint obscured by arterial spray. Sumner’s roads go redly moist.

Law enforcement refuses to step in. Here’s an excerpt from the press release the Batch County Sheriff’s Department issued the day of the killer atmospheric conditions:

“While this department mourns the lives lost in Sumner this afternoon, the deaths, according to FEMA meteorologists, are no more ‘criminal’ than, for example, hurricane or mudslide casualties. We don’t arrest natural disasters; we don’t prosecute tsunamis. Sorry.

FEMA experts advise residents to stay indoors until a solution is reached. Crisis managers are in talks with Tokyo climatologists…”

Day 2: Terrorized townies hole up inside their houses and barns. Doors are needlessly barricaded and boarded over. (The aerial ninja confine their sneaky, homicidal industry to the outside world, in compliance with some meteorological principle only the atmosphere kens.) Sumner fathers cradle shotguns, uselessly. (Bullets have no effect on thunderstorms, squalls, or pneumatic assassins.) The town on Day 2 is ghostly and coiled, tense. Black-masked ninja zip in and across Sumner’s roads like darts: horizontal black blurs… a deadly twinkle of metal… then: gone. Hidden again.

Ain’t seen one all afternoon.

That don’t mean they ain’t out there.

My nephew googled it.

What’d it say?

Not much. Lingo for ‘em’s some Japanese word. In America they call ‘em Dudikoffs. Sounds Russian.

That don’t help, Carl.

Carl’s dumber ‘an shit on a post.

Eat me, Baker.

Ain’t never happened here in the U.S. Not ever. Last one happened in the Ukraine in ’94. Bunch in Japan in the ‘80s.

On Day 2 the only deaths are an ambling wiener dog cleanly sectioned by a sword and a few chickens, their clucking heads crunched via nunchaku, the weapon’s rawhide link sticky with fowl blood.

Day 3-5: A predawn charge overtures a full day of mass assassination almost as frenetic and ravaging as the first. This spasm of killing, however, slows over days 4 and five. The manifestation still beheads anyone or anything not under a roof, human or stock, but a certain berserk spirit seems to dissipate noticeably. The slaying isn’t as enthusiastic.

Theories abound, most of them infused with a hope contoured by acute desperation; they’re near-mythic, these theories.

Research into feline predatory patterns/Marquette University/1996:

“Our team stuck cats – housecats and ferals, both – into cages: one cat per cage. Then we simply dumped mice into these cages with the cats. Dozens of mice. The mice, of course, had nowhere to hide.

“The pattern was conspicuous right away: the cat frenzies, eyes big as dinner plates, followed by a maelstrom of claw action.

“Every cat, though, without variance, did this:

“They massacred the mice frantically, as though the mice could escape or we might take them away any second.

“Then, somewhere around Mouse Victim #14 (it’s a 12-14 range, this phenomenon, though we’ve seen it go as high as 16; never lower than 12), the cat just mellows, stops killing. Every time.

“Does the cat get bored around kill #14? Is its bloodlust sated at or around that magic number? Or does it merely realize the mice are trapped and it need not rush its rampage?

“Or… or, more interestingly, does kitty experience some kind of lynxian existential crisis? Does Garfield gaze dejectedly at his bloody, dripping claws as though they’re the substantiation of meaninglessness and say to itself, figuratively, ‘What’s the use?’

“Does Toonces pause and ask itself, ‘What the fuck is the point of me, anyway?’ Unless someone speaks cat, we’ll probably never know.”

Day 6-21: Days 6-21 play out as a more salient, more fizzly copy of days 4 and five.

The murders diminish in both number and frequency.

The mute ninjaforms meet an apparent corrosion of their eager bloodthirstiness. Their hearts are no longer in it, it seems.

The ninja seem bored. Or disillusioned. Sometimes a ripe townie will stroll right past a ninja, practically daring it to cut him down, practically volunteering, and the airborne assassin will merely look down at the dirt road, as though ashamed.

Some pundits attribute the change to Sumner’s population’s obstinacy, its grim insistence on resuming business-as-usual on Day Five. On 5, farmers rouse their slumbering tractors, church service is held, and a semi-normalcy pre-ninjastorm is willed into being. Granted, ninja bashed and hacked a not-insignificant number of townies during this time of unsheltering, sure, but the folks of Sumner were through hiding, come hell or ninja.

Day 22: A milestone in the Sumner ninjitstorm: 22 marks the day of the final killing of a town resident by a manifestation. It’s an awkward kill, like the last twitch of some fading convulsion: a meaningless reflex. Miss Maple, 83 years old. She was exiting the post office. Three ninjaforms were milling around out front, by the office’s decorative trough and hitching posts. None of the ninja had attacked in days. As Miss Maple passes the trio, nodding a “How do you do?”, one ninja flinches, and the flinch clumsily morphs into an instinctive strike. A jerky nunchaku stick cracks Miss Maple’s brittle skull. Red spurts out through gray scalp. Blood spatters her lavender shawl. She dies in the dirt road, her seizurely throes the only movement. It’s pathetic, that last killing. Dishonorable. Ninja wear masks, but still it’s as though the humiliation can be read on the assassin’s face: a child caught in the act of doing something stupidly cruel for no good reason.

Day 23-Day 60:

Crazy to say it.

Well, shit. You want it to go back to the way it was last month?

‘Course not. Hell.

I know what Carl’s gettin’ at though. Yessir. It’s glum. They’re like reminders of somethin’ sad.

Somethin’ bygone.

Yeah, “gone” is right. Gone are a bunch of decent folk gettin’ stabbed and decapitated for no goddamn reason. Are y’all forgettin’ that?

They are weather, Dan. We gonna hate somethin’ natural forever? It’s like stayin’ mad at the tornado that took your pickup.

Like stayin’ sore at the scorpion for stingin’.

That weather took my wife’s eye out with a dag-gum throwin’ star, Baker.

Settle down y’all.

How much’s a bag of them Corn Nuts?

The picante ones? Them’re good.

Well, listen. Them ninja, they’re here. And, ill or good, they’re ours. That’s how this town is. They’re part of us now.

Harmless, the ninja of Sumner slouch, their all-black suits vivid in the dayglare. They mill a lot, doing nothing – mopey shadows.

A gradual homogeny blooms: the town, its placidness, its standardized, cyclic normalcy, first tames and then assimilates the disorder of ninja, like a gobbling Norman Rockwell that quickly swallows up and absorbs any rogue or transgressive brushstrokes.

No one likes a sad ninja. Sad ninja are worse than your ordinary sad person. They’re oppressive.

The ninjaforms go from skulking assassins to lethargic killers; then to dejected, bland objects of pity – voiceless panhandlers, like stray cats or confused urchins.

Lost in despair, pouting between the town’s squat buildings or brooding in silent circles behind the video store, the ninja, finally, become the sullen pillars of the Sumner community.

Day 61-Present:

The ninja are as much a part of Sumner now as the cattle. As fixed and integral as the cornstalks. More so, maybe.

Sumner’s a tourist destination now; a very disappointing one. Morose ninja contemplating the dirt get boring fast. Tourists snap a few photos of the incongruous weather-forms, grab a slab of Marge’s Diner’s “famous” banana cream pie, and drive back to Florida or California or wherever tourists come from.

There is talk of penning up the ninja and making them a petting zoo. They’re docile as sleepy goats now, after all. Sometimes tourists’ kids will run over and pet one of them or tug at one’s pant leg. It gave people ideas.

Sometimes sympathetic Sumner grandmothers, overcome by pity, will do something like pet one of the glum ninja, stroking its hooded, hung head, extending a solace that isn’t receivable.

Story and artwork by Will Bernardara Jr.

[Author Bio]

Will Bernardara Jr. is the author of the novella America from voidfront. 

#altlit #freewriting #americanliterature #writerscorner #ninja #readit #submit #read #alternativelit #shortstory #newshortstory

[transboygenius]

SE4SON: Chapter 8

[*The next day*]

Jimmy and Nick traveled down the path, dragging a heavy wheelbarrow behind them. Diana just led the way on her horse, telling stories the boys had no interest in listening to. They chose to ignore her as they talked among themselves. Ever since last night, the two have been getting along quite good. They shared their own stories, gave out their personal interests, and even exchanged embarrassing secrets. Nick told his first, just to make Jimmy feel less uneasy. To the boy genius's knowledge, they had a lot in common. He doesn't remember the last time he's had a fun chat with anyone. Usually, when he opens his mouth, out only came scientific factoids. However, what really puzzled Jimmy is that Nick never gave him word about his father. Nick just about told as much as he could tell, without going deeper. Him being gay, him having a crush on the boy genius, and the horrible trauma his father put him through.

"So... What was your dad like, Nick?" "As I told everyone, I don't even know the old man. I was very, very young when he was with us, so my memory isn't exactly stable." "Well, do you ever wonder what he's like?" "(Wonder? I know for a fact that he's a black hearted tyrant that deserves to choke and die) I know where my good looks came from, that's for sure. But, this is just a guess, he was probably a little bit hardheaded. Don't know any more about him, or heck, his full name as well." "Have you ever asked your mom? She likely holds more trivia on him. I mean, she was the one who married him." "Tried. She just doesn't like to talk about it. Don't know why. Look, Jimmy, do you mind if we change the subject? I feel like we're not getting anywhere in this conversation, about a person I never knew in my life. I just don't know him, that's all, end of story."

Nick didn't want Jimmy to know about his relationship with his father. If he told him, Jimmy might think he made up this sob story just for attention, or to gain his pity. Jimmy can be a very dubious boy. Plus, Nick's too embarrassed to express his life further on. He rather not have Jimmy involved into any of his family business. Nick lied that he didn't know his father's name, because the boy genius is sure to track down that man, and try to help Nick by reuniting him with his long, lost dad. Daniel has already made Nick's early childhood very unbearable for him, so the last thing he'd ask for is seeing his old man's mug re-enter his life. Nick's answer colored Jimmy curious. He said he was too young to remember anything about his dad. The boy genius presumed he was probably an infant by then. Why doesn't Nick know his own biological father's name? Why does his mom take it so personal? As much as Jimmy probes for a good explanation, he should know better not to meddle into someone else's family business. Mrs. Dean probably has a reason for withdrawing information from Nick.

Before long, the four of them (counting the horse) reached a huge wall, where the king's border shielded. The only way to get in is through the main gates, supervised by the royal guards. Since Diana left the border illegally, or doesn't carry any documents issued by the king himself, there's no way for them to pass. However, Diana made her own solution. Getting off of her horse, and dragging them alongside, she led the handcuffed boys to some piled up shrubs. Behind the shrubs hid an underground passageway dug under the border's wall. Diana placed the three sacks of loot onto the horse's back, while Jimmy and Nick had to pull an empty wheelbarrow, which is now refreshingly light. The inside was very dark, so Diana lit a lantern on the way. While the gang walked forward, Jimmy was a little anxious of what or who he might meet next, while Nick was looking forward to a much long break.

When they made it to the other side of the wall, they met with some dirt steps, and a trapdoor which brings about to who knows where. Diana gave it three knocks, and a high-pitched, nasally voice answered.

"Password!" "We don't even have a password." "Correct; You may enter!"

As the door opened, Diana and her horse walked up in, now in the kitchen of their homely hut.

"Diana! Butterscotch! You're back!"

Diana wasn't alone. Besides her horse, she was in the company of three people. Jimmy and Nick didn't expect it when they entered the room.

"And you smuggled some immigrants! Yay!"

Speaking of three people; One was a scrawny, short (but still taller than Nick), fifteen year-old girl with a visible overbite. Her hair was styled in pigtail buns, which resembled rat ears. Just looking at her, she kinda does look like a human rat. The voice, that answered to Diana earlier, belonged to her, and she seems to be very energetic.

"Oh my! Nice to meet you! Ya know, if I knew we'd be having guests, I would've had baked a pie!"

The other one appeared to be a slim man in his 30s, with a goatee beard. He was wearing a frilly apron, with a feather duster in his hand. Not much could be said about him, except he may be the only male in this house.

"What an unexpected visit! Did Diana happen to invite you young boys?"

The last one was a fat lady, who looked nice, but didn't seem to be too happy over Jimmy and Nick's arrival.

"...or did you just followed her here?"

The boys just got here, and already they made a bad impression to one of their new roommates. The human rat scurried over to them and sniffed at them.

"Thee two are very odd looking gents. Me like them already! They just like us!"

The human rat seems to take a liking to them. The boys decided to play it polite by introducing themselves.

"Salutations! I'm Jimmy!" "And I'm Nick!" "Oh! So we're introducing ourselves now? Okay! Sounds good to me! *Ahem* It's a pleasure to meet you, Jimmy and Nick! Me Oona! But to be honest, me hate that name! Me'd be much more happier if you called me Rodent Girl, thank you! By full name, that is." Greeted the human rat. "I am sir Benson! I'm in charge of all the manly work around here! Such as the cooking, the cleaning, and planting these pretty little pink posies in the garden!" Greeted the man. "And I'm Mitzi." Greeted the fat lady, in a stoic manner.

Mitzi caught her eyes on the chain between Jimmy and Nick.

"Pardon me, but may I draw the question as to wherefore thee boys are chained together? Did Diana happened to find you in some sort of a cellar or asylum?" "No, she rescued us from being burned at the stake." Nick replied, but that didn't make Mitzi look at them any differently.

"Mitzi, be not malapert to our new guests!" Said Diana. "These young gentlemen, thou are not gonna believe this, came from the future; the twenty first century! Isn't yond most wondrous? Oh, and as for the bilboes, this was just a did fail charm dissemble performance by some naive friend back home!"

All of them were amazed, but minus Mitzi.

"Is it true in the future they build carriages that no longer need to be run by horse power?" Asked Rodent Girl. "Yeah. They're called cars." Jimmy responded. "Cleaning machines that help pick up all the dirt and dust so sweeping isn't a hassle?" Asked Benson. "I believe you're referring to vacuums." "Metal people built by man that conflict havoc on humanity?" Asked Mitzi. "I think Jimmy invented that once." Nick joked, which earned himself a smack on the arm by the boy genius himself.

The boys then remembered the handcuffs.

"By the way, do you have anything we could use to unlink this chain?" Asked Jimmy. "Why don't you just ask Diana? Breaking that will be just cake for her!" Rodent Girl suggested. "We did. But then she told us the short story about some guy's arm she accidentally popped off."

Benson and Diana shared a small convo within themselves.

"Did you tell the lads that the man's arm was merely just a wooden prosthetic?" "No. I felt that would make me sound less hardcore."

Diana suddenly had an idea.

"I'll tell you what. My associate, Mitzi here, has studied and practiced the art of locksmithing! She could perhaps make a duplicate key to undo those shackles!" "Do I have to?" "Yes you will! These are our guests here!"

Having no choice but to approve of Diana's request, or demand, she told the two young boys to follow her. Luckily, Diana stayed behind them. They were too scared to be alone with that woman. She seems to look at them as if they were criminals. She wouldn't be, by any chance, working with the green hoods of Derryberry Everlanes? Maybe she'll have a change of heart once she gets to know them. That way, they wouldn't have to worry about her poisoning their milk.

............................

[*40 hours earlier, in another time*]

Sheen should've had warned Judy about Jimmy's new security system. However, she easily creamed it by reflecting the lasers into the cannons by using the mirror from her facial cream concealer, then she took on the guard bots in a little taekwondo, thanks to the lessons she took to not only protect herself but her family as well. After cleaning the security system's clock, she investigated the lab from top to bottom. And if she can't find him, she might as well pick up some clues that will maybe spell out her son's disappearance. She covered every area in the lab, knocked over some heavy machinery, and she even hollered for Jimmy's name at the top of her lungs. Despite making no progress, she continued searching. She hasn't seen her son in two days and she wasn't gonna stop until she finds him.

Poor Judy has lost her mind. She hasn't ate or slept. All she had on her mind was Jimmy getting hurt. This boy was her only child, and she won't rest on her little baby. So far, she's only covered the lab. Sheen did say this was the last place he remembered Jimmy went to. Since then, that was the only place she's checked, and right now, the lab looks like a tornado just hit it. Her husband tried to talk her out of it, but she's so Jimmy-crazed, she refuses to listen to anyone.

..........................

[*Five hours later*]

Carl Wheezer was putting on another magic show on his front lawn. Sheen, his assistant, was wearing a ridiculous feminine looking outfit Carl made for him. He has more audiences than he had last time, probably because he's starting to improve. ...or because they had nothing better to do, and the show was free, after all. There was only one adult in the audience. The only one who appeared to be enjoying the show was Bolbi. He's the one to clap when nobody else will. (And for some reason, one of the spectators was a measly Twonkie.) Today's performance, he borrowed a five dollar bill from a volunteer, cut it into tiny pieces using his scissors, then blanketed a cloth over it. After chanting his own original magic words, he pulled the dollar bill out, which was back in one piece again.

"THIS IS NOT MY DOLLAR, WHEEZER! THIS IS A COUPON FOR A FREE WHOLE FISHCAKE AT THE RAMEN BOWL!" "What?! A-heh, I'm sorry, Benny! I am TRULY sorry! I may be having some technical difficulties occurring at this moment! If you excuse me, I'd like to have a private heart to heart with my assistant here!"

Carl then grabbed Sheen by his bowtie.

"Sheen. You were suppose to put a five dollar bill under there." "I know. But when I looked into my wallet, all I had was three dollars, 76 cents, and that coupon, which to me, is worth as much as five dollars." "Why?" "You kidding me? You get to portion your own fish cake slices."

Benny was glaring at them, while angrily tapping his foot on the pavement. Carl and Sheen combined their money together, and paid him back the amount his original bill cost. Then he left.

"Sure wish Jimmy was here, Sheen. It's not the same not seeing your best friend watch you from the audience, especially under all this pressure. I was hoping he'd get a chance to witness my new tricks. Where is he, anyhow? He and Nick have been gone for three days." "Well, I don't know about Nick, but he might still be with Jimmy." "Possibly. I mean, we haven't seen him around anywhere. But I have met a few skateboard kids who keep breaking their legs frequently." "What is it, a trend now?" "I don't know. None of them even knew Nick, apparently. Hey, remember yesterday when you presumed that Jimmy may be in his lab, and said it'd be a good idea if one of us checked? Well, when I decided to check there after school ended, it was already occupied by Mrs. Neutron. She said she had everything under control, so I trusted her on that. Say, I wonder if she found Jimmy yet, cuz she's been down there for quite so long." "About how long?"

Suddenly, Judy Neutron came upon them, looking like she's gone through hell.

"Hi, Mrs. Neutron! You're looking extra beautiful today with the bright sun rays shining off of your lovely complexion." Said Carl, in his lovestruck mood from the sight of her. "Carl, I have been searching in my son's lab all day and through the night! My hair is out of shape, I'm covered in transmission fluids, I still haven't found my son, so don't try to suck up to me!" "No really! No amount of filth could ever mask your stunning beauty! Heck, you'd still look good even in that embarrassing t-shirt with a picture of your favorite 70s' sitcom character on it." "Carl Wheezer, PLEASE! I'm in no mood for th- How did you know I owned a 'Welcome Back Kopper' t-shirt?" "Um, ItsJustACoincidence! Sheen, she's all yours! And I don't mean that literally, by the way."

Carl pushed Sheen in Judy's direction.

"Hi Mrs. Neutron! Nice filth!"

Judy grabbed Sheen by the ear, as if he were her own son.

"Don't you 'Hi Mrs. Neutron' me! Now tell me what gives! You said that you remembered that Jimmy said he'd be in his lab! Well, I checked the lab, and guess what, he wasn't there!" "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Maybe he already left the lab. Ooohhh! Maybe Nick's mom has a clue!" "Nick's mom?" "Well, Nick happened to be with Jimmy, or rather, stuck to him, when they headed to the lab. They probably undid the handcuffs right now, so that's why they were in the lab." "Hmmmmmmmmm."

Judy took Sheen by the arm, taking him with her somewhere.

"Where we going?! Are we going out for ice cream?" "Nope! Since you know more than you think you do, you're gonna help me find my son!" "But, Mrs. Neutron! Carl needs me! And there's a rerun episode of Ultralord coming up in just an hour!"

Carl, feeling absolutely helpless right now, just waved goodbye to Sheen. And since his back was turned away, all of his audience got off from their seats, and walked away. Except Bolbi, of course.

.............

[*Meanwhile, back to the middle ages*]

The boys sat on the floor, since none of them could share a stool together, as they watched Mitzi smelt a new key before their eyes in just 5 minutes, thanks to the new supplies Diana stole. When done, she grabbed a hold of Jimmy's wrists and inserted the key into the hole. By just one turn, the cuffs fell off like it were the end of slavery. Jimmy and Nick rubbed their aching bare wrists in relief. It felt like months since they could move both of their arms. No more painful dragging, and they can finally give each other some space for once. They don't have to sit, or lie down, in uncomfortable positions anymore. As much as Nick loves Jimmy, even he can get tired over a little too much bonding.

"Thank you, Mitz! You're a real lifesaver!" Nick was grateful enough to thank. "I never planned to save your lives. And don't call me Mitz." But Mitzi seemed bitter about it.

Mitzi, feeling like she helped enough, exited the room just to be away from them.

"What's her beef?" Asked Nick. "Well, it could be the fact that both of you are men, or she just isn't use to having strangers around here, unlike us, where we are open to warm welcomes." Replied Diana. "Hope you're right about the second part, otherwise she's never gonna learn to like us." "Good luck on that; She can be a tough nut to crack. By the way, how long do you gents plan to stay with us again?" "Until we build something that could take us back home. I was hoping I could borrow some vital replenishments that are pertinent enough to engineer a fully operative time machine, and I would also need some hypothetical earthbound to constitute power into it, such as raw minerals or a strike of lightning. Maybe both." Jimmy exclaimed. "What he say? Is this some kind of future language?" "Nope. Cuz otherwise, I'd understand him." Said Nick. "I mean, the right tools and supplies I need for a brand new time traveling device." Jimmy clarified. "Ohhhhhhh, why didn't you just say so? You boys are welcomed to use anything in the hut's shed, just as long as you don't break them." "Yes ma'am." "And would it be okay if me and the gang visited the future with you fellows? From all those facts I've heard from you, it sounds exciting." "I don't think so. It could possibly affect the timeline. But if you like, we'd be happy to visit you occasionally." "Oh, stop it, you! I'm already getting attached!"

Diana has been very good to them, so it's the least Jimmy could do. The boy genius planned on inventing that new time machine right now, but finally being released from those prison cuffs, it's best to start tomorrow and just relax today. Jimmy is usually in a rush, but sometimes you just need to catch your breath. He can't just keep pushing himself to get work done. Jimmy has had this new perspective ever since that little heart to heart with Nick by the campfire last night. Speaking of Nick, what does he have in mind now that he was free?

.............................

Jimmy and Nick were both chilling outside of the hut, sharing more conversations together.

"So you were jealous of me back then?” Asked Nick. "It was just a phase. I mean, you had everything I wanted. You were good looking, and tall, and strong, and pretty much loved by almost everyone in school. As I grew older, I came to realize that I love myself just the way I am. All that popularity really isn't worth it." Replied Jimmy. "Glad you've come to your senses. There's really no reason to be jealous, because living the popular life just sucks. There's nothing really to do but to shut up and look pretty. You're lucky to have real friends. My friends, if I can even call them that, just like me for my qualities. When we play games, it's only for sport, not fun. As for all those girls, don't get me started with them. No matter where I go, they're always there. I don't even like girls." "Don't tell me you still believe in cooties."

Nick doesn't know how to answer to that. By giving the wrong response, Jimmy is sure to come on to him, about his secret. Thankfully, he was saved when Jimmy asked something else.

"Call me nosy, but why did you and Betty even dated? Not that I still care about her or anything. I swear I moved on." "We never really dated. The whole relationship was merely a sham. We only hooked up because that's what the school wanted, since she is the second most popular kid in school. The fact that we're both pretty, they thought we'd be perfect for each other. She didn't have a thing for me, and I didn't have a thing for her. We set that public breakup for our own sakes, and not to mention freedom." "Did she mention anything about me?" "Moved on, huh?" "Sorry." "Mind if I asked the questions now?" "Shoot." "Hope this isn't too personal, but what did you ever see in Cindy that made you realize you were in love? Wasn't she always mean to you?" "Gosh, I don't think science has an answer to that. Heh heh. Well... it could be from the aftermath of the love potion. Or maybe because we're both smart and we carry the same strategies. Plus, we make a pretty good team. ...when we're not arguing." "That's it?" "Mhmm. That's it." "Well, pardon me for being critical, but in my opinion, real romantic relationships are made out of healthy chemistry. It should be based on trust, understanding each other. Working things out. Not having more heated arguments than a middle aged couple. Also, physical and emotional harm will get you nowhere. It takes more to soulmates than having a lot in common." "I know. And that's the reason why I decided it was now over between us. We weren't necessarily all those things you just said. We were just unhealthy for each other. When it comes to science, it triggers us into warfare. I thought it would be best for us that way, even after all those heartwarming moments we've cherished, the times we stood by each other's side, and when we were trapped on an island together... Nick, do you think I've made a mistake? Maybe Cindy was right. I probably was just thinking of myself." "ABSOLUTELY NOT! If you feel in your gut that it was right, then it's right! Having a fair share of sweet moments won't erase bad history! Look at you two; You fight like dogs over a bone with meat still on it! Your relationship with her is much too dysfunctional, which could possibly lead to abuse in the future! Can't you see she's giving you stress! That could be why you're always pushing yourself to do better! And when you're pushing yourself to do better, you neglect your friends! Don't you remember? You'll find the right someone eventually, but Cindy just isn't the one!" "I see you make a good point, but..." "But?" "...why are you making a big deal out of this?" "I'm your friend, Jimmy. Am I not allowed to be concern for you?"

Now Jimmy knew right there that Nick was much more different than his friends back home. Nick actually cares enough to show him which path is best for him, without being controlling. He acted as the voice of reason. Sheen never lectured him like this, and neither did Carl. Cindy did a lot of yelling and harsh scolding. If Nick haven't said something, Jimmy would've gotten pulled into the Stockholm syndrome.

"And besides, I know what it's like to be stuck in a relationship where you're hurt all the time!"

Nick had broken his rule of going overboard with his information, and he regretted saying it right away, but he had to let Jimmy know he wasn't alone. Now, he may die of embarrassment. Jimmy wondered, who was Nick ever in a relationship with that hurt him so badly? Their privacy was soon invaded when they spotted Benson poking his head out the window.

"Were you eavesdropping on us?" "Heavens, no! I was just gonna call you two for supper when I accidentally overheard your entire conversation!"

Jimmy and Nick got up and decided to head inside for grub.

"Look, Jimmy, I'm sorry for flipping out like that. I don't know what came over me. Should've just kept my whore mouth shut."

Jimmy only responded by wrapping his arms around Nick's stomach area, and embracing into a warm hug, with his face buried in his chest. Nick's cheeks were beginning to glow red again. He just received his very own hug from the boy he loved. Wait. He thought Jimmy was disgusted by the concept of men hugging each other.

"If you feel in your gut that it was right, then it's right."

Jimmy hugged Nick out of sympathy, since he showed him his. The sweet, caring guy before him was the person Nick hid from him for two years. He was the friend Jimmy should've had a long time ago. The boy genius eventually released from his hug, and headed inside for supper. Nick was completely frozen from that hug, yet his face feels so hot. He stood like that for three minutes, before shaking it off and stepping back inside the hut. Although he may not be ready to face Jimmy again after that one hug.

"(It was just a hug!)"

#Jimmy Neutron #Boy Genius #Nick Dean #Cindy Vortex #Libby Folfax #Carl Wheezer #Sheen Estevez #Season 4 #fanfic #romance #adventure #TVverse #TVEE

[ctfmeister]

The Power of Unicorns

Unicorns… Amazing mythical creatures that radiate with purity of nature, living free in the wild completely uncorrupted by human malevolence. Animals that hold so much power they are said to be able to control the world around them with magic, to bend the forces of life itself to their whims. These incredible beasts are so spectacular that they could only exist in the world of dreams.

Vera absolutely loved them. Ever since she was a child, the young woman had always been fascinated with these creatures. Back then, her grandma used to tell her story after story about them. How their majestic beauty and splendor left all who saw them speechless. How they lived happily and freely in a land of magic and wonder. And most importantly, how they used their powers to protect those who were in need.

All these stories left a huge impact on Vera. And it showed, as over the years her room had become littered with accessory after accessory of unicorn-related paraphernalia. She loved everything unicorn related she could find. Movies, games, comics... But her favorite were books. Oh, how she loved to stick her nose in a fantasy book, relaxing as she let her mind be transported to a magical land of unicorns…

Yes, Vera was all about these creatures. Which is why it was very unfortunate for her that they didn’t exist in real life. If they did, Vera would have no problem spending her days caring and watching over them, but as it stood, she had to settle for the next best thing: horses.

Vera’s family owned a relatively successful horse ranch here in Nature Gorge. They bred and sold horses to places all around the country, and, while it wasn’t the most lucrative business, it was more than enough to let them live peacefully. It was a quiet and mundane lifestyle, but Vera wouldn’t have it any other way. Her love for nature fueled a desire to continue the family business, and though horses weren’t as amazing and magical as unicorns, they still held a large place in her heart.

Right now, on this lazy Thursday afternoon, Vera relaxed on the old living room couch. With the TV on as background noise, she held a fantasy book in her hands, daydreaming about… What else, but unicorns. Her long smooth black hair cascaded onto her shoulders, complementing her pale light skin tone. Her shiny green eyes swirled about from word to word, each one of them inspiring a billion thoughts in her head. Yes, this truly was the perfect afternoon for a quiet girl such as her. That was until…

‘BREAKING NEWS!’ A man called out from the TV. ‘Dear viewers from Nature Gorge and the surrounding area: A large tornado has been spotted and is predicted to pass through the town.’

The book in Vera’s hand slowly fell onto her lap, as the anchor’s words began sinking into Vera’s mind. She looked intently at the television, fear and anxiety creeping into her mind.

‘Local authorities are asking all of the town’s citizens to evacuate immediately, even if you are not in the tornado’s direct path. Tornadoes are dangerous phenomena and we ask our viewers to remain safe.’

Vera stared at the screen in awe. The tornado’s path… It went directly through her home! Her house… The stables… Would they all be destroyed? The horses, would they be killed? Vera stood in the middle of the room completely frozen in shock, her mind barely able to comprehend the situation before her. What was she going to do? Was her quiet simple life really going to end this way?

‘RRRIIINGGGG!! RRRIIIIIINGG!!’ Suddenly, the house’s phone began ringing, snapping Vera out of her trance. She quickly stepped towards it and picked it up.

“Hello?” She answered the phone with uncertainty.

“Oh thank god you picked up…” The voice breathed out in relief.

“Mom?” Vera asked.

“Vera, sweetheart… I need you to listen and listen carefully, ok?” Vera’s mother spoke calmly. “Go to your room and get your backpack. Grab everything that’s important and leave the ranch. Go south ok? Do not go north of the ranch.”

“Mom, I saw it in the news.” Vera said. “There’s a tornado. It’s… It’s coming towards the farm!”

“Yes sweetie.” Her mother replied softly. “That’s why I need you to pack your stuff and leave, do you understand? They won’t let me go back up to the ranch to come get you, so I need you to start going south and don’t stop, alright?”

“B-b-but mother!” Vera yelled out. “What about the farm? What about the horses? Are we just gonna leave them here?”

“I’m sorry sweetie…” Her mom answered in a somber tone. “There’s nothing we can do about them now. I know how much you loved the ranch, but right now your life is more important.”

Vera felt a lump in her throat, cutting her breathing. Was this the end of her life at the ranch? Was her dream of a peaceful life really going to be destroyed? Her heart beat faster, sweat pouring down her skin. “Vera, sweetheart. Just gather up your most valuable things and leave.”

“Y-yes mother…” Vera replied dutifully.

The call ended, sound ceasing to come from the phone. Vera stood in the living room, still in shock. She stared out into nothingness, not quite sure what to do with herself. Her head shook violently. This wasn’t the time to space out, she still had to do what her mother had told her.

Without a second thought, she dashed upstairs as fast as she could, Vera entered her room in a frenzy. She quickly picked up her backpack from a corner, scanning the room for what to pack… …

What the hell was she going to pack? Her laptop was probably a given, but what after that? Should she take some of her books? She had dozens of them, so to pick a select few would be a hard choice. What about her unicorn figurines? The wouldn’t all fit in her backpack, and the had the sharp horns that they had would make storing a pain. What about her unicorn plushies? Would they be too big and bulky? And what about clothes? She didn’t have a lot of unicorn themed clothes, but she still had a ton of cute pieces she wanted to keep.

A wave of dizziness came over Vera, unable to decide what items were the most valuable. The fact was that most of these objects were valuable, Vera didn’t want to have to decide to pick one over another. Each one held an important place in her heart, to think that she’d had to abandon some of them…

No! Vera shook her head again. This wasn’t the time for this, she had to get out now! That’s what her mother had told her. Tears began forming in her eyes. With a sudden burst of fury, Vera began to slip whatever items she could into her backpack, not caring much on what item she grabbed and instead focusing on trying to get as much as possible into her pack.

During this outburst, she accidentally managed to push her dresser, making it wobble slightly. Then, all of a sudden, a small metal lunchbox slammed down from the top of the dresser and onto the floor, causing a large bang as it hit. Vera jumped in surprise as she heard this. She lowly turned around to see the box lying on the floor. She didn’t remember putting such a thing there. Filled with curiosity, she quickly stepped towards it to inspect it.

This was… This was the lunchbox grandma gave her before she passed away! Vera remembered it vividly. Her grandma had told her only to open it at her most dire moment. The young woman sighed. Her grandma had always been so cryptic and odd… But… Vera had to admit, things were pretty dire right now. Maybe this was the time to its insides?

Slowly opening the metal box, Vera coughed as dust flew from the dusty case. Inside, were a small note, and an old leathery book. Vera picked up the note first and began reading it.

‘Dear Vera,

If you are reading this note, then it means that you have finally encountered an unsurmountable* obstacle. You are a brave, strong, caring young lady, but sometimes the challenges that appear before you will require more than that. For that reason, it is time I finally tell you the truth. Do you remember all the fantastical stories of magic and unicorns I always told about when you were just a child?

Well, those weren’t just your grandma’s old fairy tales. The fact is, Vera, you are a witch. And so was I, and so is your mother. You come from a very long family of witches that specialize in animal magic. Your mother always wanted to keep you away from this, but I always knew a time would come when you would need to know.

Right next to this note is a spellbook with everything you’ll need. The later spells might be a bit out of your reach right now, but you should be able to complete the first few. I recommend your start with the unicorn one. This will make you able to control magic and the elements with much more ease than with your current body. I’m sorry I hid this from you for so long, but I know that with this new knowledge, you’ll be able to overcome any problem that gets in your way. I love you, and I’m very proud of you.

With love, Grandma.’

Vera stared at the note wide-eyed. Witches? Magic? Unicorns? Was this some sort of prank? Vera’s grandma had always been a bit mysterious, but was it really because of she was some sort of mage? Magic wasn’t even real, right?

Her curiosity piqued, Vera turned her attention towards the so-described ‘spellbook’ that sat inside the metal box. She picked it up, finding it to be much lighter than she thought it would be. In fact, this book didn’t really feel like one of the old arcane spellbooks that usually appeared in fantasy novels. It had a rough brown leather cover and was about the same size as any regular notebook, with around the same thickness too.

However, despite its very typical appearance, what differentiated this book from others was its content. Vera opened the book and began flipping through the pages, quickly skimming over the words on each page. And as she turned page after page, her mouth opened wide out in surprise. This book… It really was a spellbook!

In every page of the book were written, detailed instructions on how to perform various spells. From shooting out thunders, to levitation and telekinesis, to even transformation… And out of all those spells, there was one specifically that really caught her attention.

Quickly flipping the pages back, Vera returned to the beginning of the book to find that spell that had seriously caught her interest. Just like her grandma had said, it was one of the first ones in the book… The Unicorn transformation spell.

According to the book, it allows whoever casts it to transform into a Unicorn. The books explained that Unicorns have a much easier time than humans accessing magic, so it’s a good spell for beginning magicians. But more than just that, Vera now had the chance to become a real-life Unicorn. While Vera would have preferred to see live Unicorns rather than become one, she had to admit the prospect was still quite appealing. These magical creatures that she thought would never be attainable were now on the palm of her hands…

She focused once more on the spell, reading off all the ingredients needed to complete it. A little bit of horse mane… Some chalk… Some candles… … Yup, she had everything she needed to complete this. Vera looked up thoughtfully, trying to really think this through.

Would she really turn herself into a Unicorn? This was her first time playing with magic, so Vera didn’t really know what bad side effects she might encounter. Would she even be able to do it in the first place? And what about changing back? Even if she did transform into a unicorn, would she really be able to stop the tornado?

These questions filled Vera’s mind, filling* her with doubt. However, each time she really thought it through, her conclusion was always the same. If this was what it took to save her life and her family’s ranch, then she would have to do it. With a determined expression, Vera bolted upwards. She ran out of the room with the book in hand, ready to gather all the materials for the ritual.

 Vera was knelt down on the front porch of her house, looking intently at the spellbook in her hand. Below her, was an ornate circle drawn in red chalk, with the required items for the spell orderly placed inside. The sky was clouded and dark, with gust of winds crashing against each other to make it a very chilling sight.

This was it. This was the point of no return. While the prospect of transforming into a unicorn was exciting to Vera, it was also scary. Being a witch? Controlling magic? Having an animal’s body? These things were all foreign to her. And yet, if she wanted to save her house, her horse friends, and her lifestyle, then this is what she had to do.

She gave one last sigh. Vera was ready to do this. She read the spell over one last time. The items were gathered, and the circle was drawn. All that remained was for her to read some Latin incantation. It looked simple enough, even if she really didn’t know how to read Latin in the first place.

Closing her eyes, Vera began reciting aloud the Latin spell, burned into her mind after fervent memorization. She worded out each phrase clumsily and with uncertainty, probably butchering up the pronunciations as well. But as she finished chanting the words, she could feel a whisk of arcane energy begin to fill her. Yes! It had been a success, she was going to start changing soon!

With her tightly eyes shut close, Vera waited excitedly for her changes to manifest… A wide smile appeared on her face, they would begin any second now… … However, as the wind kept blowing, and time kept passing, Vera’s excitement began to fade. Nothing… Nothing was happening... Why wasn’t anything happening!

As large sigh left her mouth, Vera opened her eyes, finally coming to terms with the fact that nothing was happening. This didn’t make any sense! She’d felt that little warmth inside her, surely that meant it worked, right? Did she do something wrong? Vera reread the spell once more, trying to see where she might’ve messed up. Maybe the circle wasn’t round enough, or maybe she missed one of the items, maybe her pronunciation was very bad, or maybe…

Maybe magic wasn’t real. Maybe her grandma was just playing tricks on her from beyond the grave, and Vera had fallen for it hook, line and sinker. Vera kicked herself mentally. God, she was so stupid. She’d wasted so much time preparing this fake spell, and now the tornado was at her doorsteps. Would she even be able to escape it at this point? No, this was most likely a fatal mistake. Vera began to tear up. Maybe it was better this way, now she wouldn’t have to live without her ranch and her horses…

Then, out of nowhere, a sharp sudden pain attacked Vera’s midsection. She yelped out loudly, dropping the book in her hand to the ground as she clutched her stomach tightly. Her whole body… It felt odd, sort of tingly. A strange aura of warmth enveloped her. Something… Something was happening!

Her entire body began to shift, bones crackling loudly. Her hands were first to morph, nails growing larger and thicker, turning from a soft pale pink into a dark greyish tone. Her hands flattened out, fingers slowly merging until nothing was left but a single long, rounded, hard nail to cover it. Vera looked at her hands in amazement. They’d turned into full horse hooves!

Soon Vera could feel the same changes start to appear in her feet. Their nails grew out, fingers merging into a single digit, as they swelled so large and bulky they burst out from her shoes, rupturing her socks. Vera stood up to try and get a good look at her changing body. Her arms and legs were bulking up, her muscles growing larger and stronger. Before long, Vera’s arms and legs were replaced by powerful equine legs.

Next her hips started to crack out loud, as her entire midsection fattened up with more mass and flesh. This new weight pushed down on Vera just enough so that she couldn’t stay standing upright anymore, and she softly fell on her four limbs. Her body bulked up into a large rounded cylinder, her breasts slowly receding to nothingness with entire midsection became uniform. This new body was thick, strong and big. It was so large in fact, it caused the rest of her clothes to snap into pieces and fall gently onto the ground, leaving Vera completely naked.

A strange tingling then manifested around her private area. Her vagina pulsated madly, as if it was trying to expulse something from deep inside. And her little clitoris throbbed too, glowing to a bright blood red as it began to lengthen farther and farther apart from her body. This member grew longer and thicker, losing its rounded appearance for a more cylindrical one. It only stopped growing until it reached a massive 30 inches long, upon which the tip began to flatten considerably, forming into a round disc.

Finally, her vagina gave in, the skin around it beginning to merge slowly until it was sealed off entirely. But that wasn’t it for that area, for a small sack-like protrusion began to inflate around where her vagina had been, slowly growing in mass as it began to down down closer to her enlarged clit. Then the last remaining parts of her uterus were expulsed into this sack, nestling at the bottom of it snuggly as her new balls.

Skin began to grow around the base of Vera’s new clit, forming a small pouch-like addition to her body. Then a vertical slit formed around the tip of her engorged clit, finalizing its transformation into a large hefty horse cock, hanging proudly and erect from the bottom of her body.

At this point, Vera couldn’t help but notice a strange flush come upon her body. While the transformation had been painful at first, now instead of pain, she felt an odd warmth she’d never experienced before. An unknown need… The best way she could describe it was… Arousal. Vera could tell something was different, besides the bestial morphing of her body. She craned her neck down as far as she could, trying to spot where this new heat was coming from when…

She saw it. Hanging down from her new horse body. There was this… This gross… This horse cock! Vera wasn’t just turning into a unicorn, she was turning into a male unicorn. She began to pace back and forth with her horse legs, feeling panic fill her mind. This wasn’t part of the deal! Nowhere did the spell say she would become male. She didn’t want to be a male unicorn, she liked being a girl!

Vera looked down at the dropped book to see if she could find a solution. Unfortunately, it had fallen with the pages face down, so Vera couldn’t read anything. A strange desire, a foreign lust filled her body. And Vera didn’t like it one bit. It was too strange for her, she had to figure out some way to flip the book, a hard task given her new lack of opposable thumbs. Maybe if she kicked it lightly…

However, her transformation wasn’t about to let her figure out some way to fix this problem, as it continued spreading through her body. Her neck began thickening up and extending from her body, losing its conical shape in favor of a flatter one. It grew out away from her body until it was about the length of a human arm.

Then followed her ears. They stretched out and away from her body, their tips becoming pointed as the ear hole grew deeper. Before long, her ears were standing tall, completely independent from her head. Her face was not spared either, for her mouth and nose stretched forward. They converged together to form a long equine muzzle, as her face was truly transmogrified into that of a horse’s. By now, all of Vera’s previous human traits were gone, her body was that of an adult male horse.

But that wasn’t it for Vera. She paced back and forth with anxiety, feeling her new penis throb harder. Throughout her body, her skin started to feel all tingly and warm. From deep inside her pores, small white hairs started to sprout. They quickly spread throughout her body, covering every last inch of her being until her skin was wrapped up in pristine white coat.

It was quite strange, how pleasant the feeling of growing a magical looking coat of hair was. Vera couldn’t help but whine in joy as it happened, her penis bobbing up and down with pleasure. Soon after, the long flowing black locks on her head started to spread down along the backside of her neck, forming a beautiful black mane. Down in around her butt, her spine began extending, causing more of her lustrous black hair to prop out in the form of a tail.

And then she could finally feel it. The last piece of the puzzle, the thing separating her and regular horses was finally sprouting from her forehead. Her whole body buzzed in bliss as it slowly made its way out of her skull. The white horn spiraled upwards, growing into a majestic 7-inch cone, with small creases that coiled to its base. It glowed brightly, all of the magical power focusing within her.

She could feel it~ All the magic that concentrated in her horn. She felt the power of nature at her hands, or now hooves. It was exhilarating, how she could control the wind, direct lighting, command fire… She was one with the elements! She was one with nature. All this power… This strong connection… This feeling of unity… It felt so good~ Vera couldn’t handle it.

And neither could her penis. The pleasure that had accumulated throughout her body reached its peak, and her cock, unable to take any more, began blasting shot after shot of hot horse spunk onto the wooded floor, flooding the circle in its entirety. Her balls churned, penis throbbing madly as Vera happily climaxed onto her porch.

As the pleasure began to die down, and Vera let out a sigh of relief. This new body… He’d been so afraid of it before, but now he couldn’t love it any more. It was everything he could have dreamed of… Having such a close connection to magic and nature felt truly amazing. His new gender didn’t really matter. In fact, he embraced it, the power and confidence of being a hung stallion.

But this was no time to stay and admire his new form, he had a job to accomplish. Without any delay, Vera began to gallop over the hill towards the speeding tornado, ready to face it head on. He ran with confidence and speed, moving with such sureness that one would think this was the body he’d had his entire life.

After some agile trotting, Vera could finally see the twister, spinning madly as it devoured the landscape below. With a valiant smirk, he pointed his horn towards it, gathering up his magical energy until… BOOM! A large bolt of lightning shot out of his horn, speeding towards the twirling devil.

The lightning pierced right through the center of the tornado, like a sword stabbing right through its enemy. And just like planned, the twisting winds began to slow down, clouds slowly dissipating from the air. Soon, all that remained of the tornado were some greyish looking clouds, for the beast had been dismantled with a single blow.

Vera hopped around happily, excited to have been actually able save his farm. However, as the dust settled, and his mission ended, a sudden realization came to the new unicorn. What was he to do now? His task was completed, but he did not know how to turn back into his previous human form. He didn’t even know if it was possible to turn back into his human form.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like his new form, but Vera had to admit he quite enjoyed his human life. That was why he’d risked so much to save it. Was there some sort of process to turn back into a human, or was he doomed to remain a unicorn for the rest of his days?

He began to ponder these questions over, when he was suddenly distracted by nearby noises. He looked over to where they were coming from… It was the horses in their pen. They were all running about, happy that their demise had been prevented. Vera smiled as he watched them. So joyful… So free… Their happy trotting made him want to run along with them. Yes, Vera could ponder over these questions later. Right now, he wanted to enjoy his new form with his equine brethren. Without second though, he quickly jumped over the fence and joined the celebrating horses.

 “Vera!”

Vera comfortably laid down on her comfortable bed. Sleeping felt so nice, and her bed was so cozy. Although it also felt a bit grainy, almost as if it was made with hundreds of little rope strings. And it was kinda chilly in the room too.

“Vera, wake up!”

Vera’s head shook wildly. What time was it even? Too early, that’s the answer. Vera was sleeping so soundly right now, she wanted to stay asleep.

“Vera please! Wake up!”

God, who the heck was calling her? And why was she being asked to wake up. Vera squirmed angrily. With all this yelling no one could stay asleep. Vera slowly lifted her eyelids open, revealing the whole room to her.

Right above her, stood Vera’s mom, looking down on her daughter with a worried expression. She lowered herself down, extending a hand towards Vera. Vera blinked, looking around the room. She wasn’t… She wasn’t in her room! Instead, she found herself in the horse pens, laying softly on a stack hay instead of her bed.

Grabbing onto her mother’s arm, Vera pulled herself off the floor. She looked around in confusion, wondering why she’d been sleeping in the barn, until she noticed that her body was distinctly lacking any clothes. With an embarrassed blush, Vera tried her best to cover her naughty bits.

“Oh Vera, I’m so glad you’re ok.” Her mom breathed out in relief. “I just wish you hadn’t done that…”

“Done what… ?” Vera asked, still waking up from her sleep. “Oh! You mean the unicorn thing?”

Vera’s mother nodded softly. “Not just the unicorn thing, but just about magic as a whole. I didn’t want you to get involved in this world, so I tried to hide it from you. I guess it backfired in the end…”

Vera’s mom looked out through the barn doors pensively. Vera fretted at her mother’s worry. “B-B-But it’s fine, right? I saved the farm, and now I’m back to being a human again! No harm, no foul.”

But the comment was met with a head shake from Vera’s mother. “It’s not that simple dear. You see, once you transform into a unicorn, you’ll keep transforming back into a unicorn again and again. It’s a state that will never leave you until the rest of your life.”

“Oh…” Vera looked at the ground downcast. “Can I… Do something about that?”

“You can learn to control it somewhat.” Her mother commented. “At first, it’ll just happen when you’re feeling strong emotions. Anger, bliss, jealousy, lust… But if you practice it enough, you can sort of stop it or induce it at certain times. It’s hard to master, even your grandma had difficulties with it. But now that you have this, you’ll have to learn how to do it.”

A large sigh left Vera’s mother’s mouth. “I’m sorry honey, this is all my fault. I shouldn’t have kept you away from this. Magic… It’s in your blood. I knew that eventually you’d try to come to it. I didn’t want it to happen, but honestly, if that’s what you want to do, I guess there’s nothing for me to do but support you.”

Vera’s eyes lit up brightly. “Really?!”

“Yes, really.” Her mother responded with a smile. “As long as you’re responsible with it.”

With that, Vera’s mother began to walk out of the stable. “I’ll let you go get some clothes. Come by when dinner is ready.” She said, walking through the stable doors. “And come clean the mess you left on the porch!”

A bright blush came upon Vera’s face. She had made a mess, hadn’t she? But more importantly, she’d just gotten permission to use magic. Vera was so excited, she jumped up in the air. This was gonna be so awesome! She could turn into a majestic unicorn, but what other cool spells awaited her in that book? It seems her quiet life had gotten a little bit more interesting.

She began to walk out of the stable, when suddenly a strange scent hit her nostrils. She sniffed it deeply. It was… The scent of mares… In heat. They began howling loudly, in deep need for a suitable mate. Vera’s clit began to tingle. A sly smile crept up on her face. Yup, her quiet life had definitely gotten more interesting~

Here’s a short little thing I wrote as a prize for UnicornLady for the FtM Discord caption contest. I’m not too big of a fan of feral stuff, but I can definitely see the appeal. I also don’t usually work with original characters, so I hope I did fine with this one. Anyways, hope you like this one! And keep an eye out for my next post for an important announcement ~

#female to male #ftm #tf #transformation #feral #unicorn #horse

[imaginationlane]

The Assistant [Part 5 of ? // Bill Skarsgard x Reader Imagine]

Warnings: Adult Language / Themes 

Author’s Notes: Alright guys, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty now. The heat is getting cranked up and we’re gonna dive deeper into this thing. Major things are getting started, and you’re really not going to want to miss this chapter. I’ll admit this chapter is pretty long, but also very necessary. Also the second half of this chapter, we switch over to Sweden where Billie-boy has landed and guess who’s waiting to pick him up... *Sips tea*

P.S. You’ll need to go translate a few Swedish phrases for this chapter, so just go translate it through Google Translator - after all that’s what I used to even put them into this story tbh.

Need to catch up on previous chapters? Click here.

If you have a Wattpad account, please be sure to go give it a vote or a comment on this chapter as I need to build up the story up over there too – in order for it to catch some exposure. Thanks! <3 

[As always, please ignore any typos, errors and so forth as I generally catch any that I miss – after publication. Therefore I’ll fix them as time progresses.]

Musical Inspiration: Tell Me You Love Me by: Demi Lovato 

Summary:

A night out on the town for a few drinks, was all I had signed up for. But in reality… I got way more than I had ever bargained for when my boss and close personal friend, Bill Skarsgard, asked me to join him during a wrap party that the crew was hosting that night. In hindsight, I should have seen this coming. After all, we were both having issues in our own respective relationships and for some reason, we had found it easier to just confide in each other – rather than in our own significant others. Yet in the end, do the reasons ever truly matter when you begin an affair with your friend who also happens to be your boss? I often ask myself just how selfish could we be; he and I? The answer is: we’re completely selfish and neither of us really cares if this secret burns us alive – because it’s within each other, that we have finally found the things we had been looking for the whole time…

New York City, New York --

Breathless and tired from dragging three huge pieces of luggage behind me, I had finally made it to the front door of my condo. I figured that Bill was probably boarding his flight to Sweden at the moment, and a muffled dinging noise erupting from my purse had let me know that I had received a new text message. 

Despite having to resist the urge to grab my cell phone out of my bag first, I snatched up my keys and unlocked my door in order to get my bags inside and settle down on my couch. I was completely worn out from the activities of the last few days, and from all the traveling I had done today. Unfortunately for me, I had almost forgotten about how fickle this old lock on my door could be. It liked to stick, particularly in the rising heat of summer and the dead cold of winter. I groaned as I searched my brain to remember the trick to unlocking this stubborn old door. The past three months, I was fortunate enough to not have to fiddle with it -- now I was back home again and of course, this lock on my door was trying to welcome me back home in its own way. 

Finally, the lock slid into place and I was allowed entry. 

“Home at last,” I mumbled to no one in particular.

At first glance, I almost didn’t recognize my own home. There were objects strewn about the room; almost as if a tornado had torn through the place. 

“What the fu--” the whisper soon died upon my lips while the puzzle pieces of what happened, started to click into place. 

That son of a bitch!

My entire condo was trashed; and not just trashed -- no, it was demolished. 

It figures that John would be this foolish; this petty... This childish. And it was exactly the reason I felt justified in breaking up with him. Any of my previously lingering feelings of guilt for sleeping with Bill prior to our breakup, began to evaporate with each passing second that I surveyed my living room. Of course he went off and did this; I shouldn’t be surprised really. I denied him what he wanted, and in return he decided to leave me this one last parting shot. I couldn’t help but to shake my head at such utter nonsense, while I pulled my bags inside and gingerly closed my front door behind me. A moment later, my phone started to going off once again -- reminding me that I had ignored a text message. 

“Shit!” I quietly cursed myself for my forgetfulness, as I began to rummage through my purse once again. Once I finally clasped it within my grip, I pulled it out only to realize the text message was from Bill. 

Two more weeks, beautiful. Fuck I miss you. I’ll text/call when I can.

I couldn’t help the smile that inched its way across my face, nor did I even care to stop it. In that moment I realized just how much more I was growing to care for this man. Even while I stood here in my wrecked condominium, that my ex messed up on his way out of my life -- I still managed to smile and find solace, simply because of him. When it boiled down to it, John had stopped making me this happy a long time ago; in fact by the end of our relationship -- I found myself feeling over stressed, exhausted and overwhelmed. With Bill though, it was different; I began to feel free, exhilarated and more importantly -- appreciated. 

I miss you too, handsome. Enjoy your time with your family and friends, and in two weeks, I’m all yours again. ;) Have a safe flight.

I pressed send before I could talk myself out of it. The only thing I could do was just hope that he received it prior to the plane departing. Releasing a sigh I hadn’t realized I had been holding in, I shut my phone off and took one last look around my living room. 

“Time to clean up this mess,” I groaned, annoyed at the fact that once again I was stuck cleaning up one last mess from John; and with that -- I made my way towards the kitchen and retrieved a couple of trash bags from underneath the sink.

A few hours later, I finally had my house back into decent shape and I grabbed a bottle of wine along with my favorite wine glass -- relaxing into my couch in order to catch my breath. In all honesty, I was worn out and tired; if I could just finish this glass of wine and fall asleep for the next ten thousand years, I probably wouldn’t complain. My favorite music was playing softly throughout the living room, thanks to wonderful surround system that my mother had gifted me for my birthday last year; and I felt myself sinking further into the cushions as I allowed myself a moment to relax.

But of course, my phone clearly didn’t get the memo because it started ringing -- causing me to let out a pathetic whine while I set down my wine glass, and made my way over towards my kitchen counter. A small peak at the caller ID caused me to frown for a second before answering it...

“Hey dad, what’s up?” 

“Ahh you’re back home, great! Listen sweetie, I know you have the next couple of weeks off but I’ll need you to come in and see me later this afternoon. I need a rundown on how Toronto went and I wanted to bring up something I need your feedback on.” 

My father was as professional as ever, and therefore it was almost a requirement in our family that everyone adapt the same mentality. People who hit the snooze button, didn’t often find the success that they were looking for -- according to him at least; so of course trying to re-schedule would be out of the question. 

“Of course daddy. I’ll be there within the hour,” I sighed into my phone, getting ready to gather up my handbag and head out the door.

“Thank you Y/N. I hate calling you in before you’ve had a chance to relax, but it can’t wait.”

“It’s no problem, it’ll be good to see you again. Tell momma I’ll be over tomorrow night for dinner -- okay?” 

“Sure thing. See you soon.” 

As soon as I hit the “end call” button on my phone, I had already grabbed my keys and started to make my way out the door. Whatever it was my father needed, it must have been urgent. 

It didn’t take me long to arrive to The Frankford Talent Institute, after hailing down a nearby cab. Upon walking through the double glass doors of the lavishly tall skyscraper, Stacy the main receptionist gave me a toothy grin as she greeted me. 

“Hey Y/N, glad to see you’re back from Toronto! How was it?” Her bubbly personality was infectious, and even though I was tired -- I still put on a smile for her.

“It was awesome, I can’t wait to do it again in 2018. I’ll show you some photos when I come back to the office next week.” 

“Looking forward to it! Your dad is waiting in his office upstairs, so I’ll buzz his secretary and let her know you’re here.” 

At that, I simply nodded my head and moved in the direction towards the elevators. Our office was enormous; and my parents were proud to have finally landed this building back in the early 2000′s. While we spent a majority of our time managing our talent, we also hosted training classes for people who were looking to break into the entertainment business. The general public were welcome to pay a modest fee and sit in on any number of training classes; whether that was for acting, modeling and even singing. From there, our highly trained specialty coaches would spot potentially talented people from each Introduction Class, and make them an offer to do more experienced and personalized training at a later date. For those who made it through our training programs, and passed an audition with our talent acquisition team, we happily offered to sign them to our agency -- and to start helping them find work in order to get their name out there. 

Through it all, my family managed to find and sign some of the biggest names in entertainment. Bill, luckily for me, was about to become the next big star on our talent list -- thanks to this new role in the IT franchise. Turns out, the night we had met and I managed to introduce him to my father, they hit it off quite well. It was the first time, in a long time, that I had seen my father so thoroughly impressed by someone. From there, Bill ended up making the switch to our agency less than a month later and the rest was history. My father switched me out from assisting Olivia, and made me transition over to handling all of Bill’s affairs within the agency and personally. Luckily for me, even though Bill was my boss -- he treated me as if I were a friend, and rarely acted as a boss normally would. In the end, I found myself in a place where I grew to love my work. Together, we were a winning combination on the professional aspect of things and in that sense, I enjoyed how much of a team we had grown into. 

Once I had arrived to the 75th floor of the building, I started to make my way over towards my father’s office. His personal secretary, Tiffany, was waiting to greet me with a warm smile on her face and a bottle of water in her hands. Tiffany Smith was a plain but ambitious woman; and rumor had it that my mother personally hired her in order to discourage more attractive women from working so closely to my father. The rumor had always made me laugh when I was younger, but after the last few days I spent with Bill -- I was suddenly reminded of it once more.

“It’s good to see you Y/N. Follow me please,” she said while she lead me toward his office at the end of the hall. 

After she knocked lightly to alert him to our presence, she opened his door and stepped aside in order to let me through. 

“Sir, your daughter Y/N is here to see you.” 

“Thanks Tiffany, go ahead and take your break. We’ll probably be in here discussing some business for a little bit.” 

Tiffany gently nodded her head, as she closed the door behind me and my father walked over to lock me within his comforting embrace. 

“Hey sweetie, thank you for coming on such short notice. I imagine that you’re quite tired so I’ll try not to take up too much of your time.” He chuckled, as I hugged him back.

“Thanks dad. So what is it that’s so important? I figured I wouldn’t be required to come in to make my report until next week,” I responded back, while I made my way over towards the chair in front of his immaculate mahogany desk.

That desk is still as imposing and intimidating as I remember...

“Well, I’ll still need your report next week -- but I wanted the preliminary, off the record report from you directly. So how did our boy do in Toronto?”

I took a deep breath as I tried to collect my thoughts. I couldn’t help the flashes of memories that sped past me at the speed of light, of the last few nights he and I had spent together. 

Whatever you do Y/N, play it fucking cool. Avoid any mention of his last days on location...

“He arrived slightly nervous, but ready. He was studious and very professional, however Bill and Andy hit it off magnificently -- like we knew they would since they had met a few times in LA prior to filming. They make a great team together. Barbara, as you know that’s Andy’s sister, was highly impressed by him; as were most of the cast and crew members to be fair. By the end of filming, they had managed to form their own little family of sorts and it was quite sweet actually. Bill on the other hand, is pretty tired from all of the physical attributes of filming so he’s going to be at home in Sweden for the next couple of weeks. After that, we’ll be jetting off to LA for a few weeks so he can begin working with Andy on the voice over work for the film.” I finished explaining, while I opened my bottle water and took a tiny sip. 

“Good it sounds like everything went accordingly; that’s excellent news! He was kept on schedule, correct?” 

I balked at such a question even being thrown my way...

This is me and Bill we’re talking about here, right? Of course he knows we’re sticklers for punctuality. Bill was probably worse about it than I was, to be fair.

“Of course dad. You know how meticulous I am with his scheduling; and Bill felt the same way. Half the time he was trying to rush me out the door, thirty minutes before his driver would even arrive to take him to set. It was quite annoying actually,” I had mumbled that last part, hoping he wouldn’t fully hear it. My father on the other hand, let out a humble laugh as he nodded his head -- approving of my answers.

”Great! I knew it was a good idea to put you two together. I’m very surprised at how well he’s coming along within the industry since we’ve signed him. He was doing decent on his own, but he’s coming along a lot better since we managed to bring him on. Keep him going in the right direction, Y/N. He listens to you and respects your opinions; so watching the two of you working together to raise his profile -- has been quite a sight to see. I imagine that by next year, the two of you are finally going to see how much of that work has paid off -- so just be patient for a little while longer.” 

A slight smirk graced my lips, as I sat there feeling proud to have his approval.

“Thanks dad,” I returned affectionately, while I started to stand up. “Will there be anything else?”

“Actually there is, and I wanted to run this by you before the announcement is made in the next couple of months.”

There was something in his voice that caused me to pause for a moment, and sit back down within my seat. A questionable look passed over my face and I was curious about what he was about to say next.

“Okay, what’s going on?”

My dad took a deep breath, and looked out his office window for a moment. 

“As you know, Mike Morrison is the current Senior Talent Relations Executive, and he’s about to leave the company next year. He wants to spend more time with his family and his father who is dealing with an illness. This means that a new opportunity is about to open up, and whoever lands it -- could fast track their way up within the company. Mike himself, will be hand-picking candidates and you should know Y/N... Your name has come up as a potential candidate.”

Shock must have been clearly written all across my forehead, as I felt my jaw fall open at such a revelation.

“Wait, Mike wants me to apply for his position?”

“Yes, and he’s not the only one. I too, think you would be excellent in that position as do several others; including three board members,” he acknowledged to me privately. 

Yet when it came to what I thought about all of this information, I just sat there feeling immobilized and startled by the news that people were looking towards me as a potential replacement. Mike Morrison was a legend within this company; and no one would be able to come close to his standards -- not even me. He not only kept our talent happy, he also kept the agents and executives happy as well. Plus, he was one of our annual judges for people who auditioned to be signed by our company. His role within our organization was massive, so whoever took over it, would have to be the cream of the crop or Mike wouldn’t dare sign off on it. He would want the person who took over, to make him proud and to keep the company going in a forward pressing direction; and to be honest, I wasn’t too sure I was ready to take on that kind of inescapably big responsibility just yet.

“Wow, um... Thank you for letting me know about this. To be quite honest with you, I’m not too sure that I’m someone that should even be in mind for this role; after all we have a lot of deserving people who have been with the company longer than I have,” I shared genuinely, hoping that my father would understand some of my obvious hesitation about this. 

“Non-sense. One day, I fully expect you will take over for me as the CEO of this company. I know you’ve always wanted to build your own greatness, but I think you can do that from within these walls Y/N. You have the ability to take this company to astronomical heights. You’re already proving that to us within your role as an assistant. You pushed Olivia to the point she signed on as a Victoria’s Secret model, and now you’re doing it again by working with Bill. You’re more important than you realize. It’s okay to own that!” He announced eagerly; conviction laced within his voice as he refocused his attention back onto me.

“To be fair, those two landed their own gigs all on their own talent and merits. I may have been acting in a supporting role, but their achievements are all their own; and what about my work with Bill? Would I have to find a replacement for him? I don’t suspect you’ll have me working with him anymore, if I were to apply and this were to go through.” 

My father, smiled warmly as he shook his head.

“You would no longer be his assistant, besides -- I thought that’s what you wanted? To work your way out of that position! While you wouldn’t be his assistant, you would still work closely with him and his agent to maintain that his needs are being met and to fix any issues that arise for them. It would be like this for all of our talent, actually. Plus you wouldn’t have to travel as often if you didn’t want to; and you would get a major pay raise, 401 K benefits, company stock options along with your own office. Our talent executives would report directly to you, and most importantly of all -- you would help to hand pick the new generation of entertainers from the ones who auditioned or submitted their reels/portfolios to us.” Suddenly, my father paused in the middle of his pitch in order to make his way around his desk, and stand directly in front of me. 

“Sweetie, this role would be to prepare you for the future. While your dear old dad isn’t going to retire tomorrow -- I do want you to take this chance to get prepared. God knows your other siblings aren’t too keen on the idea of heading up this company one day, when it’s time for this old man to retire. But I do not want our family business going outside of our family either. Your grandfather founded this company, and you would be the third generation family member to take it over. Your mother and I grew it into the empire it is today. It’ll be up to you to take it to new heights and expand it from here once I leave.” He explained, as he patted me on the shoulder in a comforting manner, before walking back around towards his chair behind his daunting desk. 

I released a breath I didn’t know I had been holding; if anything -- this little talk had simply confirmed my suspicions: My parents fully expected me to stay, regardless of how I felt about the situation.

There goes the idea of me building my own life... My siblings get that opportunity, but clearly I don’t. 

The thought of it made me slightly resentful, to be honest.

“What about my aspirations? Do you not remember me telling you that I wanted to build my own career, life and success outside of my family’s established name and business?” I questioned hesitantly, as he took his seat.

“This is your life. You were always my pick to continue the legacy Y/N. There is absolutely nothing wrong or shameful about you stepping into the family business. Nothing.” His answer was resolute and unyielding, and I knew what that meant... There would be no arguing about this, the decision was already made on his end. I just need to come to grips with it on mine.

“Daddy you know I’m not ashamed of our business, if anything you know how proud I am of you and momma. However, I’ll think about it. I promise. Just do me a favor and remember that this is my life, and if I want to be happy, I’m allowed to make my own choices.”

Finally, my father relaxed against his chair -- happy with my answer. 

“That’s all I’m asking you to do darling, just give it some thought. Hell, talk it over with John and even Bill -- I know that they mean a great deal to you! Get their feedback on it,” he suggested excitedly.

Oh shit. John didn’t tell him yet. That’s probably a good thing though...

“Yeah dad, about that... John and I broke up a few days ago.” 

He scoffed as he shook his head, and looked me in the eye.

“I’m just now hearing about this? Why?” 

Silently, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. 

“I wasn’t happy with him; to be honest I was quite miserable actually. We fought, over stupid bullshit, all the time. He and I were getting unhealthy towards each other, so I ended it. I’m sorry, I know you liked him but he was making me upset on a daily basis and I refuse to live like that.” 

My father peered into my eyes, as he released a sigh of his own.

“I only liked the fact that he was so driven to succeed; other than that, I thought you could do better baby girl. I’m just happy you’re finally in a place where you can see that now,” he quietly admitted.

I sat there, taken aback by his admission. 

Well I certainly wasn’t expecting that so easily.

John and my father seemed to have gotten along perfectly over the past couple of years; clearly I had been wrong in assuming that my dad liked him. Apparently he just wanted to keep the peace with me, which was a big difference to be honest.

“Why didn’t you tell me that? I thought you adored him! It’s one of the reasons I held onto him for so long -- because I thought I would disappoint you!”

He stood up once again, and came around toward the front of his desk to clasp my hands tightly within his own.

“Y/N, please don’t ever stay with someone -- just to make me or your mother happy. In the end, it’s not us living your life... It’s you. If he doesn’t make you happy, then he doesn’t make you happy.”

I found highly ironic that he could see this when it came to my personal life, yet when it came to my professional life -- of course my dad thought he knew best.

“Thank you for understanding.” 

Gently, he placed a kiss upon my forehead and moved over to allow me to stand up.

“I’m glad that Toronto was a good experience for you. Like I said, talk to Bill about the idea. You may be surprised to see how supportive he may be. Bill cares about you a great deal; and it’s not surprising given just how close you two have become over the past few years. He’s a good friend to you Y/N. While he may be reluctant to let you go, I know he’ll be happy with the idea of you getting a chance to move up as well.”

“Thanks daddy. I’ll see you and momma tomorrow evening.” 

“Ahh yes! Of course. Your mother says she can’t wait to see you and she’s going to make your favorite dish in order to welcome you home,” he laughed, while he enveloped me into a tight hug. 

“Alright, I’ll be over tomorrow then. You’re sending a car or should I catch a cab?”

“I’ll send a car to pick you up by 4:30. Enjoy the rest of your time off and catch up on your sleep -- you look tired as hell.” 

Oh if you only knew...

“Will do. Bye dad.”

And with that, I made my way out of his office and back home. I had a lot to think about over the next few days; but most importantly -- I needed to figure out what my future held and I was suddenly worried about how Bill may take the news of this new opportunity...

Stockholm, Sweden --

A beautiful raven haired, pale skinned petite woman wondered around near the baggage claim; biting her nails and waiting for someone very important to her -- to finally arrive. Natalia Holm was almost certain that she was about to wear a hole through the cheap grey carpet, due to her continuous back and forth pacing, but she couldn’t help herself. She would finally be reunited with Bill, who was due to come strolling through the airport terminal at any moment, and she was nervous about seeing him again for the first time in over three and a half months. Something was off though, and she could feel it deep within the pit of her stomach. Bill hadn’t been acting the same over the past couple of weeks -- and it had only gotten worse over the past few days.

“Natalia snälla sluta,” her mother Monica called out, trying to get her daughter to cease her incessant worrying. 

“ Mamma, lyssna, jag kan inte rå för det.”

At this point, her mother had had enough with Natalia’s constant public displays of anxiety. 

“Han är här snart, vad är du så orolig för? Är allt okej?” Her mother’s questions acted as if a bucket of pure ice water had been splashed over her face; waking her up to fact that she was being outwardly obvious with her concern.

“Sorry mom,” Natalia sighed, as she sat down in one of the hard plastic chairs nearby and continued to wait. People passed by her in a blur; there was non-stop chatter of people happily being reunited with their loved ones, and others just grabbing their luggage off the conveyor belt while going on about their business. Yet for Natalia, it was different. She felt as if she were losing control within the situation she now found herself in, and it wasn’t a welcomed feeling. That’s why she had privately hired someone to look in on a few things for her, hoping that she was just going crazy and that it may put her mind at ease. 

When she thought of Bill, she saw a future with him; one that she would eventually be happy in. Her mother had also warned her that because he was quite the catch, that it was getting towards that time to start locking him down. But lately it felt as if he were pulling away from her, and she wasn’t too sure about why, nor was she even sure that she was too keen to find out. For a while, Natalia had basically dictate the course of their relationship, but before he left for filming -- Bill had become increasingly more hands on and started setting new boundaries. She had a feeling that it may have to do with was lingering feelings he had towards a certain woman, but she couldn’t be completely sure about that either. Either way it went though, she knew one thing: when he told her that he wanted to hold off on the idea of house hunting recently, something had shifted within their relationship; and she had a distinct feeling that it wouldn’t end in her favor unless she came up with a solution -- and fast.

It was low sounding alert noise that erupted from her iPhone that shook her out of her momentary ravine. A text message from a private contact had arrived, and Natalia found herself sitting on the edge of her seat with baited breath. She had been waiting for news for the past week from this person, and she was finally getting something.

Check your email, there’s information you’ll want to see. Call me once you’ve had a chance to review it.

Perplexed, Natalia got ready to pull up her email app before her mother stopped her.

”He’s here,” she hurriedly whispered towards her daughter, as Natalia looked up towards the escalator that was bringing Bill closer towards her. 

With the email forgotten, she shut off her iPhone and stood up beaming her uncontrollable happiness at finally seeing him once again; while making her way over towards him. Even though she could tell that he was tired, he still looked effortlessly amazing and she shifted her way towards the bottom of the movable staircase. Bill however, was distracted by something on his phone. Whatever it was, must have been some type of good news because he had a goofy smile firmly planted upon his face as he typed out a response. 

His smile though, faded the second he looked up from his phone and saw Natalia waiting for him. 

It was a peculiar moment, one that Natalia didn’t miss for a second. Bill had been changing in his reaction towards her lately, and this only confirmed her already out of control anxiety.

As she mentally shook off the feeling, Natalia replaced the smile back onto her face as she took another step near the escalator after he descended. 

“Välkommen hem min kärlek,” she greeted him, holding her arms open for his embrace. 

Bill gave her a small smile as he returned the gesture in kind and returned her hug.

“Hey Natalia,” he greeted her softly, as she held him tightly and smelled the familiar scent of his cologne. Without warning, she stood on her tippy toes, as she placed a chaste kiss upon his cheek. 

“I’ve missed you,” she told him tenderly, hoping that he would appreciate that she was waiting for him.

“I know; but also we need to tal-” However Bill was cut off, by Natalia’s mother making her way towards the couple.

“Bill, min son!”

Ever the astute and pleasant partner, Bill placed a smile on his face as he returned her warm welcome. 

“Monica, jag har saknat dig,” he responded as he hugged Natalia’s mother tightly.

“I’ve missed you too son. Listen, my husband has prepared a dinner back at our house for all of us. So let’s get your bags and get you back to the country house!” 

“That’s perfect; a home cooked meal sounds wonderful right about now. Let me get my bags, and I’ll meet you at the exit?” He suggested lightly, hoping to get a few moments to himself.

“No problem, I’ll be outside waiting in the car. Natalia will show you where I’m parked. It’s so good to have you back home again,” she exclaimed excitedly as she squeezed his arm, and finally left from the airport. 

Bill couldn’t help the pang of guilt that shot straight through his chest at her kind gesture. 

Turning his attention back towards Natalia, he didn’t even have a chance to say anything to her before she pulled him down for a surprising kiss. 

Normally, Bill wasn’t one for public displays of affection -- but his own guilt had started to catch up with him and therefore he found himself giving into her affectionate nature.

”I love whenever you come back home; I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered lightly, while her arms locked around his shoulders. 

Reluctantly, Bill found himself wrapping his arms around her midsection; almost as if he were reminding himself that he still hadn’t talked with her yet. The truth was, he had no clue on how he would even bring the idea of a potential break up with her and he felt the onslaught of guilt beginning to consume him because of it. She had no idea that his feelings had changed yet, or that he wanted someone else because of it. Nor did she know that he had wanted Y/N for a while now... Closing his eyes tightly, he realized he would have to go about this carefully. In the end, someone was going to get hurt -- no matter what happened; this would ultimately come down to him to how he handled things from here on out.

“I’ve missed you too Nat,” he sighed tenderly into her hair, while he surrender himself into her embrace.

A few moments later, they released each other and he stepped to the side of her in order to gather his bags from the conveyor belt. Once they had departed the airport, they walked hand in hand towards her mother’s Volvo. His guilt didn’t subside one bit, as he felt her snuggle into his side in the backseat and fall asleep on his shoulder while they rode peacefully towards her parents home in the country side.

“Home sweet home; thanks for allowing my parents to welcome you home at their house. They were thrilled to see you again baby,” Natalia said lovingly, as she helped Bill get the last of his luggage into her two bedroom apartment.

”It’s fine. I like your parents, they’re good people.” 

He turned his attention towards the hallway and tugged one of his suitcases behind him. While he was settling back in, Natalia observed him from the doorway of their bedroom with a coy look firmly planted upon her face. 

”Don’t worry about putting away the laundry, I’ll take care of it later for you. Right now, I just want to hold you.”

Surprisingly, Bill had let her wrap her arms around his shoulders and pull him down for a breathtaking kiss. Under normal circumstances, this would have been nice -- and he was suddenly reminded of a time where this would have been a welcomed expression of desire from her. Now however, things had changed for him. Even though Natalia had no idea of his shift in feelings, feelings that had already been there for someone else entirely -- he still hadn’t figured out a way to break the news to her just yet. It didn’t help that things were complicated between them at the moment, it wasn’t just their relationship -- but something else was hanging over his head as well.

Carefully, he pried himself out of her embrace, before he found himself looking down into her eyes and putting on his best poker face. 

”Not tonight babe; I’m super tired right now. We’ll spend time together tomorrow, I promise,” he paused before taking a deep breath and shifting his gaze away. “We have a lot to talk about anyway.” 

Natalia on the other hand, felt that shiver of fear settle deep within the pit of her stomach. Something was wrong; and while she knew that -- she ultimately decided to table the idea of confronting him on it at the moment. It hadn’t helped matters that they had been fighting right before he had arrived back home. 

”I understand, I’ll let you get caught up on unpacking then.” 

A moment later, she had turned and left the room -- closing the door behind her and finally leaving him alone with his all consuming thoughts.

An hour later, Bill had emerged from their bedroom to find Natalia playing on her laptop in her living room, with a glass of wine in her hands. 

“Hey Nat, my little brother is coming by to pick me up. He’s refusing to take no for an answer and wants to have a couple of drinks in order to catch up. I’ll be back in a little bit, okay?”

Her expression was unreadable as she nodded her head, and watched him walk out the door without even uttering the words that he loved her or goodbye. Once she returned her attention back towards her laptop, she remembered the text message that she had received at the airport earlier in the evening. As if on queue, that familiarized feeling of worry had started to settle in once again.  

She finally gave up trying to fight off the nagging feeling of uncertainty that was gnawing away at her, and logged into her email account. 

Moments later, she found herself wishing that she could have been better prepared for what she was about to discover; but the truth was -- nothing could have prepared her for what she saw next...

Anger boiled within her blood, as her eyes misted over with unshed tears. 

This explained everything. 

Her best friend had warned her against hiring a private investigator to tail Bill while he was in Toronto. She had warned her that nothing good could come from snooping on her own boyfriend; and that if she was so determined to find something bad -- that she couldn’t complain about when she finally managed to get it. But that knowledge alone, didn’t make the pain any less real; and it certainly didn’t make the cold harsh slap of reality -- sting any less. 

Emotions and thoughts swirled rapidly in her head and heart, because right in front of her, were the images that she couldn’t deny and they were taken earlier today: Bill kissing his assistant, Y/N, while they stood at the front door of the Toronto vacation house. 

Natalia’s hand shot out, in almost lighting speed, and swiped a glass vase full of colorful summertime flowers and a few picture frames off her of desk. Her rage, caused her to give out an anguished cry of pure agony as she slammed the lid of her laptop down, stood up from her desk and paced around her living room. 

“That fucking bitch; I knew she was a liar!” 

Bill had told her she was crazy for saying that she was worried about him spending so much time with Y/N; but now it seemed she was right to feel that way all along. And as for Bill? He was more than just a liar, he was a cheating asshole who had made a complete fool out of her. 

Of course he had been acting distant; it all made sense now. 

Amidst her passionate fury, she snatched her cell phone off of her desk and dialed up that same cell phone number that had texted her earlier in the day.

“Ace, it’s Natalia. I got your email, what can you tell me?” 

Ace released a sigh as he fumbled around for something in the background. 

“Your boyfriend and his assistant, went out to a night club together a few nights ago. Prior to that, they were pretty amiable towards each other. But that night, things seemed different. They left the club a few hours later in a rush, and went back to the vacation house. I tried to get as close as I could, but I couldn’t see inside. However, the noises I heard... Well they explain the pictures I shot earlier this morning, before they left the house for good. I’m sorry Natalia, it seems something has recently happened between them, but I can’t be completely sure of what other than what I captured on film.” 

Tears slipped down Natalia’s cheeks as she absorbed the information like a sponge to water. 

“So this seems to have started a few days ago?”

“Yes ma’am, it does.” 

Her hand tightened into a fist as she stared up at the ceiling of her apartment, trying to reign in her fiery temper.

“Alright, I need something else from you too. Find out who her boyfriend is, and get me his contact information. Her name is Y/F/N Y/L/N. She works for The Frankford Talent Institute in New York. Find him, bring me his information and I’ll double your fee.” 

Ace confirmed her request and then hung up the phone.

As if the weight of the world came crashing down around her, Natalia collapsed on the floor and began to sob uncontrollably. Moments later though, her cries started to die down while she began to collect herself off of the floor. One thing was for certain -- she couldn’t let Bill know that she knew just yet. If anything, it was imperative that she act as normal as possible. 

Neither of their families had any idea yet, that the two of them had been engaged since before Bill left for Toronto -- and she had foolishly kept it quiet at his request.

Now, this was a fight to secure her relationship. She wasn’t about to watch some half wit American bitch, swoop in and take everything she had worked so hard for.

Before it would all be said and done, Y/N and Bill both would rue the day they made a fool out of her. If anything... Natalia was going to ensure it.

I told you guys that shit was going get real lol. 

You may feel sorry for Natalia right now, but I haven’t even begun to get into that relationship -- so be prepared, that’s all I’m going to say. 

As always thank you for reading! 

Tagging:

@kikilikes, @readsalot73, @diianawonka, @goswedish, @rougxlips @ffixation, @shadowpriestess6, @vladsgirl, @mrsbillskarsgard, @billgardskars, @adoresfandoms, @mightbelindsey, @we-are-like-a-timebomb, @fandomimcurrentlyobsessedabout, @negan5589, @decayingdeathh, @unicorn-glitter-princess, @voidpaintings, @the-fandom-phantom-fanfics, @mishdennise, @stylex, @thatonepuremoment, @voidpaintings, @peardream72, @nyleveeee, @rutuliukasg @mmcd1990 

#bill skarsgard imagine #bill skarsgard #bill skarsgard fan fiction #bill skarsgard x reader #bill skarsgård imagine #the assistant series

[headinthecloudsheartinthestars]

Just why?

A couple of months ago, the sump pump four our rental house shifted and flooded our basement under a couple of inches of water. Any and all dirty laundry or any other textiles on the floor got soaked in muddy water. It was a nightmare to clean up and all of the sopping wet stuff that was salvageable we put in trash bags to await their chance for washing. We have not fully cleaned the chaos from that incident due to mental & physical health restrictions. 

Fast forward 4 to weeks ago. Our simple metal bedframe collapsed after many years of service. The bedframe that I had researched was only for a queen and we currently had a full. There was no way to get any size of frame to replace the broken one asap. I used some old bed risers to prop the bed up while we awaited our replacement. Instead of the slightly cheaper option of getting a full sized frame and we would keep our mattress to save money, we bit the bullet and did the new queen set up we have been wanting for 2 years, but something always came up that took priority. Again, finding a cheaper frame was not happening, and we would only save about 50$ compared to getting the one we eventually wanted. So we bit another bullet to get that frame. The mattress was not available at our local Ikea (I am a hardcore Ikea advocate) so we would have to wait for it to be shipped to us, which was 2 weeks. Then, instead of having the bed frame boxes delivered, which would have taken 4 wks, we rushed over to Ikea to pick up the limited stock bed frame. This entire process they were huge and heavy. We somehow got them into our basement dwelling and propped them up while we waited for the mattress. 

When the new mattress arrived, I immediately opened it up to air it out and to allow it to expand. I thought it was a great idea to try and have it do its thing propped up against the wall and not having it lie flat. I realized my error so then I had to drag a growing mattress through the furniture over to our current bed to lay it on that. Once we had eaten dinner, we started working on the new frame. What I thought would take no more than 4-5 hours, took 9 hours. We went to bed at 6am after showering our hard work off. I was then knocked out for 2 days, only waking up to go to the bathroom, let the dog out, shove food in my face, or to take my daily meds; thank goodness this was over a 3 day weekend.

Well, due to how long it took to finish the build process, and how tired and sore we were, and my semi comatose state, we did not immediately take our old bed stuff to the dump. Instead it was bottle necking our walkways in the basement. The following weekend we had a lot happening, so it got pushed back again. So it was this past weekend that we finally were able to take it to the dump. But of course, like the entire new bed process, it was not easy. We managed to shove the box spring and the mattress in the back of a mid to small sized SUV. We had a stressful but fun time breaking the box spring to make everything fit. Now our basement dwelling looks a little less hopeless so we are able to continue with the process of re-organizing so it doesn’t look like a tornado went through our dwelling when that flood and everything that happened after. I need a break from this bullshit we call life. I was constantly without the mental energy to do much other than go to work and go home. My physical health thankfully was not set back, so I do not need to return to physical therapy for my back and ankle. I feel like Mr. Incredible from the Incredibles, “I just cleaned up this mess, can’t you keep it clean for five minutes?! “Gotta fix the car, now I gotta fix the table(bed) too.” literally my life in a nutshell. Someone send me good luck, positive vibes and hope that the light at the end of the tunnel gets closer every day. I cannot afford a house, renting, or having a child. How long will this take to pass? I want my dreams to be reality, instead of waiting for money to be stable.

#just rambling #mental health #money struggles #it has been a rough 2 years #the fates are cackling and eating popcorn as they watch this chaos unfold #my life in the never ending parade of stupid #physical health #screaming into the void #I need 20k to fix my current shit #and to start the next chapters in my life #does someone want to give me money?

[travelingtheusa]

MISSISSIPPI

31 Mar 2021 (Wed) – Ran some errands today – got groceries and filled the truck in preparation for tomorrow’s trip.

30 Mar 2021 (Tue) – We just hung out at the campground today.

29 Mar 2021 (Mon) – We drove back to Tupelo today to tour the Veterans Museum.  Unfortunately, it was closed for renovation.  There were three workers standing around outside the museum just chatting.  While the building itself was closed, we did get permission to walk around the outside of the property and look at the outdoor displays.  There was an old diner, a cracker house, a one-room school house and a chapel.  An outbuilding held two old fire trucks.  There was a covered pavilion that held several rusting tractors and sugar cane processing equipment.  Everything was old and falling apart.  That is such a shame.  They were given these beautiful historic items to care for and they are abdicating their responsibility by just letting them sit there and deteriorate.  So sad.

28 Mar 2021 (Sun) – A thunderstorm rolled through around 2:30 this morning and raged for about a half hour.  It was ferocious.  The phone kept pinging with tornado warnings.  It was a restless night.

     We drove to Tupelo today.  We drove on the Natchez Trace Parkway, rated as the number one attraction in the area according to Trip Advisor.  It looked a lot like the Southern or Northern State Parkway back home. Guess we are a bit jaded but we were not impressed.  It took a bit of doing, but we finally found the Tupelo National Battlefield.  It was a small patch of grass on the corner of Main and a cross street.  It had two stone monuments dedicated to the union and confederate soldiers who died in a battle on that site in 1864.  There were also two grave markers.  So the question is, is that a national cemetery?  Two canons flanked the monuments.

     After the battlefield, we went into town to look for a place for lunch. The first place we went into had no power.  There was a power outage in the area and they didn’t know when it would come back on. We then drove around trying to find other places and finally wound up pulling into Olive Garden, which had a 35 minute wait.  We then walked next door to Abner’s Chicken.  It was a fast food place.  The meal was almost $30 for a chicken wrap, side salad, and drink.

     We then tried to go to the Tupelo Veteran’s Museum but it was closed. It is included in the Oren Dunn City Museum.  It looks like a fun museum so we vowed to go back tomorrow (they are closed on the weekends).

     On the way back to the campground, we stopped and picked up firewood. The weather was cool but clear today and it was a perfect time to have a campfire.  It was delightful.

 27 Mar 2021 (Sat) – We woke to more predictions of thunderstorms and tornados this afternoon.  We drove to Amory where Paul’s father was born.  It was a pleasant place; pretty spread out.  Most of the homes were nice.  It certainly was not a poor town.  

     When we got back to Fulton, we followed a sign that said “Crestwood Estates: RV & Camper Community.”  It turned out to be an RV type campground on dirt on the side of the road.  In no way could it be considered an “estate.”  Then we passed a sign for the Hillbilly Mall.  It was really weird.  We didn’t get any storms.  Apparently the system passed to the north of us.

 26 Mar 2021 (Fri) – We drove to Booneville and stopped at the city cemetery to visit the graves of Paul’s father and brother – Frank and Sam David.  The cemetery is being maintained in very nice condition.  We left flowers at the gravesites.  Then walked around town for a bit.  We stopped to eat at Muddy’s Diner – barely more than a double wide trailer.

     We went to WalMart and Kroger to pick up some groceries and to PetSmart to get pet food.  We also mailed off packages to the grandchildren for Easter.  We also drove to Tupelo where Paul’s father used to work and live.  It was a poor town.  The stop signs in the town were in the air (why?  I don’t know).  It was an interesting afternoon.

 25 Mar 2021 (Thu) – Well, here we go again!  There were warnings of severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes in the area today.  To be careful, Paul filled the fresh water tank and pulled in the bedroom slide.  We put aside everything in the main living area so we could close the slides quickly, if needed.  Sure enough, a knock on the door at 2:30 told us to get over to the storm shelter (we had driven over earlier today to check out the location and fuel the truck).  So we grabbed the animals and our to go bag and headed over to the Itawamba Community College where they have a designated storm shelter in their band hall.  As we arrived, the sky opened up and it poured. We waited but it didn’t seem to be letting up so we got out and went into the building.  We were wringing wet when we got in.  There were people sitting around the large gymnasium, some with blankets and even a blow-up mattress.  There was a huge screen at the front of the room playing the local weather station. I think they see this a lot.

     At 3:30 p.m., the woman from the campground who warned us to leave, came over and said it was safe until 5:00 p.m.  As we started to leave, we heard sirens blaring.  They weren’t going off when we first arrived.  Unsure of what to do, we sat for a little while but watched as everyone started to leave.  So we left, too, even with the sirens going off.

     When we got back, we changed out of our wet clothes and toweled off the animals.  We fed the dog and cat and changed into dry clothes.  Then I made a quick dinner for us, thinking we would have to go back to the shelter at 5:00 p.m.  We had the weather station on and found that the storm had shifted and it wasn’t as bad as it was.  So we stayed in the campground rather than go to the shelter.

24 Mar 2021 (Wed) – We packed up and left Huntsville, AL at 10:45 a.m.  It was a 2 and a half hour drive to Whitten Park State Park Campground.  When we arrived at 1:15 p.m., the person in our site was still there.  Check-out time is 3 p.m.  So we pulled over to park and wait until they left.  We walked Bonnie along the loop to look at our site.  It did not appear to fit our rig and there were several other sites open.  I went back to office and asked to move to another site.  They looked at their schedule and saw that the campsite I was asking for was open.  They approved the change so we moved into the site.  It is very nice.  Surrounded by trees and looking down to the lake.  We have electric and water hookups.  It’s back on the paper plates in order to avoid filling the tanks.  We cannot get a satellite signal but there is good Over The Air TV.  We get that main public channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, etc.).

[tangent101]

Life is Strange: Aftermath

Here’s the start of a fanfic I’d started several months ago. I have to admit I kind of paused working on it because I ran into a small problem - while Max and Chloe will talk to me, I’ve got no real idea as to Ryan and Vanessa’s character. I’d written a little further in but cut that part out, especially as it’s dawned on me that it’s quite possible the Caulfields live in a condo or an apartment complex, which would alter how the home would go together (and I’ve gone online to see what apartments in Seattle look like - quite cramped in fact! and I rather like the idea so...) anyway, I hope you all enjoy this snippet of story. And feel free to tear this apart, offer suggestions on how you view Ryan and Vanessa, and the like. I know I’d had some... odd twists in mind for the story, though I might hold off on them as I’ve other stories brewing as well. Anyway, enjoy!

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

Aftermath

We'd been driving up for hours.

Well, I say we. But I was the one behind the wheel. Max just... sat there staring out the window as the world passed us by. Just staring since we'd passed through the devastation of Arcadia Bay, until finally she'd drifted off to sleep. I only-- I only stopped once, when we passed a body while driving through town. Someone had draped a blanket over the body. The blanket couldn't have been caused by the storm. It couldn't be. But there was nothing, no one else to be seen.  

It hadn't been even an hour since the storm, that huge tornado, ripped through our hometown. In all the movies, there's a rainbow that appears after the storm passes but I didn't see one. Okay, I didn't exactly look very hard. I have to admit I was scared of what else I might see. More bodies... Mom. Hell, even step-douche. I might detest him but I don't want him dead. Especially not after he saved Max – or, at least he did in another timeline, one where... the road blurred before me and I scrubbed my eyes free of tears.  

For all the devastation, my pickup was somehow untouched. The house... not so much. I didn't dare go in, not even to try and grab clothes or anything. What if using her powers to save me causes another storm? It's time to stop taking stupid risks. Time to grow up.  

Well, okay. I'd also stopped for gas an hour ago as well, though Max never opened her eyes when I asked if she needed a pee break. I felt nervous leaving her alone but I really needed to go. I locked her in, more to keep her safe than anything else. But she hadn't stirred when I came back.  

Was I selfish? Asking Max to go back in time, to let me die? How many people died? Is there anyone left? How can I live with this? How can Max? But... but she's been through hell. She told me I'm all that matters to her, that she wouldn't trade me for the lives of Arcadia Bay. I don't deserve it. I am selfish. I put Max through hell. I put Mom and step—my stepfather through hell. Yet Max chose me.

She loves me. She truly loves me. And me? I don't know. I'm so confused. It's so easy to say I love her. She means everything to me. I thought I loved Ra-- Rachel. This doesn't feel the same. I just know I'll always be with Max. Forever.  

So we're going home. To Seattle. I didn't ask Max. She's just slumped against the corner of the seat, her face turned toward the passenger side window, which barely reflected her face in the darkness. Yeah it would be great to just hare off, go to San Fransisco... or Portland even... but not yet. Our phones are useless lumps right now. I think they got soaked during the storm or something. I know Max's parents have to be freaking out, worried sick for their daughter. Word's got to have gotten out about Arcadia Bay. And Max... after this shit week I think she needs something ordinary.  

I glanced over at Max. Her eyes were still closed, the full moon illuminating her pale face, as did the lights of southbound traffic. It would be so nice to just pull over at a truck stop and curl up with her. Just sleep. But it wouldn't be too much longer. I didn't want to wake her but... I'd memorized the route to her home once, going through Tillamook and then heading north until I picked up Route Five. I wanted to just go on the road, track her down. Ask her why she'd left. And then she came back on her own. She returned to my side. I'd be lost without her.

I reached over to her, taking her hand in mine, and she started, her hand clenching mine hard as she gasped. "Chloe?" Her voice cracked; my heart breaking at the fear and isolation echoing in her voice.

"I'm here, Max. We'll be home in another hour I think. I've never been to Seattle before," I said, keeping my voice steady. She'd been there for me. I had to be there for her now.

"Home? Wha--?" She sounded so sleepy and confused. Aww Max, shit. I had to resist pulling over and kissing that precious face... oh, fuck it. The truck tires vibrated as they hit grooving in the pavement and I came to a stop. She looked confused and then startled as I slid over and pressed my face to hers, smelling my body wash on her. She'd stayed with me after we told... after we'd turned in her art teacher, Mark Jefferson, the bastard responsible for so much shit including the death of Rachel Amber. We hid in my family's house to stay safe. I'd teased her and joked I was going to join her in the shower. And we'd even shared our second kiss while on my bed. That felt like it happened ages ago, not just yesterday.

My face burned as my lips brushed hers and I felt her arm around my neck, pulling me close, her lips pressed against mine, her teeth nipping at my upper lip for a moment before I pulled away, smiling at the light that'd returned to her eyes. We hadn't kissed back at the lighthouse when she'd torn up the photo, eliminating any chance of going back to let me die. It hadn't been the right moment to kiss her. Not after the storm.  

I'd held her close, sheltered her from the storm, watching as it ripped my-- our childhood home apart. I'm just so happy to be with her. When I'm with her my anxieties just... fade. I felt heat radiating from her and a barely-heard "wowser" had my lips quirking into a grin. I barely kept from laughing. Wowser. Oh girl, when I get you into bed I'm going to wowser you alright. No, Chloe. No. Take it slow.

I let out my breath, why had I been holding it? Oh yeah. Kissing. No, not now. "Yeah, home. Unless your phone's working again. Gotta tell the Caulfield Clan I'm making an honest woman outta you. And they're hella worried, I'm sure."

"Chloe!" I could hear the blush in her exclamation. Don't let her dwell on the past. Of course I could start kissing... no, down Chloe. I squeezed her hand and then forced myself back to behind the wheel. I put the pickup back into gear and pulled back onto the highway, glancing over to my partner with a smile.

"I'd always wanted to do this, you know," I said. I looked back at the road, my eyes sadder. Lights from northbound traffic left light sweeping over her face, reminiscent of the lighthouse. "I know I gave you grief over never writing. I could have as well. I just... I didn't know if you still wanted to be friends. So I kinda came up with this plan. Track you down. Confront you in person. Ask-- ask why...."

"Chloe, I'm sorry," my heart clenched in my chest at the pain in her voice and I glared over at Max.

"No. That's in the past. I'm sorry. I coulda written too! Or something. It wasn't fair to blame you. But... I did want to visit so..." I trailed off as I squinted in the distance, a green-and-white sign coming into view along with the red signs warning of road construction. Yeah, right. When is it not road construction season?

"It's two exits," Max said, leaning forward and squinting to look at the upcoming sign.  

"Thanks, partner. I don't know what I'd do without you," I said back, letting my right hand drift from the wheel. After a moment I felt Max take it into her own and I had to remember to breathe again. Why am I so happy all at once? And scared?  

We stayed like that, a quiet word back and forth, holding hands, until finally the exit approached. I gave Max one last squeeze and then reluctantly pulled my hand away, our fingertips lingering for one last moment before I returned my hand to the coldness of the steering wheel. There was still traffic despite the late hour, the moon high in the sky; it had to be approaching midnight.  

Max was leaning forward now, watching the road, and I could sense her growing trepidation as we left the main roads and started to travel through the suburbs. I made sure to travel under the speed limit to give her more time to catch landmarks, no matter that I just wanted to get us there. Finally I took my hand off the wheel again and grabbed her hand as I heard her start to hyperventilate. "It's okay, Max. Are we about there?"

"Yeah. Just... take this right..." I turned right and then following her cues took the next left and then three streets down a final right. I'd never have found it on my own when I was 16. I'd have been circling through Seattle's streets forever. 50 years later, old me would eventually run into old Max and we'd laugh our asses off over my getting hopelessly lost... "...it's just ahead."

#life is strange #fanfiction #fanfic #lis #max caulfield #chloe price #lis: aftermath #my posts #my fiction

[purplesurveys]

253

If someone tells you really juicy gossip right now, would you pass it on? Err depends on the gossip. Admittedly there are things that I can consider telling my close friends, but for most of the gossip I just tell it to Gab, who I know doesn’t care about anyone and will forget about it the next day. What's one song can’t you stop listening to right now? The Cardi B remix of Finesse by Bruno Mars. Do you have index cards in your room right now? I do. I have a bunch. Profs always ask for them at the beginning of the semester so I have a whole stock of them. Do you have an attic? Nope, no need for that as my mom never hoards. What was the last song you sang out loud to? It was by a local band, so no one here would know it anyway.

Have you ever lived in the country before? Nah I’ve always lived in the suburby part of the city.

Do you drink coffee everyday? I rarely drink coffee these days; and it’s only just so that I can hang out at a coffee shop to work, not to stay awake or whatever. Have you ever had mice in your house? Ugh yeah. I’ve gone downstairs at midnight to get water and the rats* start scurrying away and I hate it. Have you ever stayed in a suite? Yes. Do you take good pictures? Not at all. I had to give my DSLR to my sister precisely because of my inability. Do you remember names or faces better? Faces. I’d recognize a face I’ve already seen once before. Do you enjoy working with animals? I really believe I would if given the chance! I wanted to be a vet before so I think that answers this question. Have you ever been in a tornado or hurricane? I’ve never seen a tornado happen, but I’ve been through countless hurricanes. We go through huge ones every year and always make it on the global news. Do you have any bookmarks in your internet browser? If so, how many? I have tons. I’m a link hoarder. Have you ever seen any movie version of Romeo and Juliet? Yep, I’ve seen two I think - the one from the 1960′s and the hip-hop one with Claire Danes, which we both watched in class. In your opinion, which decade has the best hairstyle? I’m a sucker for the pin-up look, so the 50′s. If you're in a competition, are you in it to win it or just for the fun? I’m naturally competitive so everything I do is always to win it haha. Do you have winter, spring, summer, and fall where you live? We only have summer, or dry season. The other half of the year is the wet season or when the hurricanes come pouring in. Is the computer you're using a desktop or laptop? Laptop. I haven’t used a desktop since senior year of high school... Do you know anyone in the military right now? Yeah but it’s a pretty far connection. It’s Angela’s cousin’s dad. What's your favorite show on Comedy Central? We don’t have that channel. How old is the oldest person you know? Right now probably Angela’s grandparents, but I don’t know how old they are. Have you ever had braces? I did, for a year and a half. Is there a TV show right now that you just can't miss an episode of? Just Black Mirror. Which love story would you want your life to turn out like? Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, dude. Do you usually go to sleep before or after the people you're living with? Before because I’ve become a lousy grandma. Are you into ripped jeans? Yeah but I hate jeans, so I still don’t wear them a lot. Do you watch the Discovery Channel? As a kid I used to watch it with my grandpa, who always had the TV either there or on Nat Geo. Have you ever wanted to live in the Playboy mansion? No. Would you ever name your child after someone famous? I’ve always considered naming my kid Audrey, yes. As a second name, at least. Have you ever participated in a car wash for charity? Nope. I didn’t know that was a thing... Which band has the best name, in your opinion? The Clash is pretty iconic. Do kids often knock on your door on Halloween? No, because we’re literally right at the end of our private subdivision and the kids wouldn’t go that far anymore. It’s fine though, at least I don’t have to keep turning them down which I always feel awful about. Which one of your exes do you feel like you have the most chemistry with? I’ve only had one ex and we’ve always had strong chemistry. Do you like where your house is located? I can live with it, but I find it waaaayyyy too isolated. Gab made me want to venture out more and subsequently, made me realize that I ultimately want to end up in the city. What's the best hotel you've been to? Shangri-La Boracay was amaaaaaaaazing. I felt like a first-class customer all throughout. It’s pretty expensive but we were able to score discounts since my mom worked for the company at the time. There was no one at the beach, there were golf carts to bring you places, there was a huge play area for kids and a game room for the bigger people, and the hotel room itself was so nice. Bluewater in Bohol is also my favorite. Everything was SO PRETTY and I also felt like an important person there!!! Are you into designer clothes? Not really. Have you ever watched the show How I Met Your Mother? No thanks. Do you share the same political views as your parents? Nope. How often do you eat chocolate? Every few months, but when we do have it in the fridge I eat them a lot. Have you ever done any internship? I’ve done job shadowing, which sorta counts. I have to do internship in my junior year, though.

#survey #surveys