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inbarfink · 7 months

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I'm pretty sure my very first post about 'Fionna and Cake' was about pointing out this line in "Fionna Campbell"

Is a reference to "I Remember You", where Marceline said that very same line to Ice King

At the time I just took it as another little bit of Foreshadowing for the connection between Fionnaworld and Simon.

But now that we've established a bit more about Cake's plights, and I started thinking more about this... I wonder if this line is meant to highlight the ways in which Simon's struggles under the Curse of the Magic Crown and Cake's struggles after having her Magic taken away from her kinda mirror each other.

You know, turning into Ice King took away Simon's mind and ability to reason (by pumping his brain full of Madness and Sadness) and his ability to communicate (by tanking his already-kinda-awkward communication skills) and even kinda took away his body.

And becoming an ordinary cat did all of these things for Cake as well - took away her mind and ability to reason (by giving her an intelligence closer to a regular housecat) and her ability to communicate (by making her unable to speak or even comprehend human speech)

And taking away her voice and the Stretchy body that is clearly the one she feels most comfortable with.

And ... so what happened in that scene back in IRY is Ice King, in the middle of writing a love song about Princess Bubblegum, suddenly has a moment of Clarity about how lonely and miserable he is. Enough Clarity to know that he's unfathomably sad and that there's something Wrong with him that's sabotaging all of his relationship - but not enough clarity to know what it is. So he just... has a total breakdown

Lashing out and throwing ice magic anywhere. Then Marceline, uncomfortable and worried about Ice King's behavior, tackles him and says the Line.

Meanwhile, in the first episode of 'Fionna and Cake'...

Both Fionna and Cake feel like there's something off about their lives, But Fionna can at least articulate it better as like, general ennui or a quarter-life crisis, rather than Cake's little housecat mind not really comprehending or capable of fully expressing what she's feeling at all.

Leading to concerning behavior such as her apparently not eating for the last three days.

And suddenly, she has her moment of Clarity. She sees these Portal Sparkles and she seems to know on some level that they'll do something good for her. Especially as she tries to shove her head in the ice

And later is shown obsessed with ice in general - even without the sparkles directly being around.

On some level, Cake understands the mechanics of the Portal Sparkles better than Fionna does - but on all other levels she's still a housecat and probably has no idea what is going on with her own mind as well.

And from Fionna's perspective she's just acting weird and spreading ice all over the house and lashing out at her in her confusion over her own feelings.

I think, perhaps whatever part of Simon's subconscious has subtle control over Fionnaworld noticed the similarities between Cake's situation and his own memories of being the Ice King - and thus, Marceline's old words coming out of Fionna's mouth.

The similarities don't end there, either. Cake and Simon both have to go through a lot grief with people still treating them as their old selves. General folks in Ooo treating Simon like Ice King

And Fionna's tendency to be overprotective of Cake even though Cake is now an incredibly OP shapeshifter and Fionna's still just an athletic human

And to speak for her even though she can speak for herself now

And sometimes kinda condescending to her about her own judgement

All make Cake feel, and not unjustifiably so, that Fionna still sees her as her old self, as a Housecat. She literally says so in the same episode where Fionna and Cake's friendship is tested the most.

And Cake's anxious desire to bring Magic into her world even after it was confirmed that she can at least stay as herself in Fionnaworld, I think that's also a mirror of Simon's anxieties. Simon felt like he, an ordinary non-magical man, could never truly fit in within the wacky and magical world of Ooo

And Cake might've been afraid of the same being true in reverse about being a Magical Cat in the least Magical world in the whole multiverse. At the very least she must've been worried about being forced to pretend to be a non-magical cat again like Simon tried to make her do back in Farmworld.

(Remember how her failure to pull this off almost got her eaten?)

And in the end, the resolution to both of these mirror dilemma was... kind of the same? Well, sort of. Fionnaworld now has a bit more of the Magic and Weirdness in it but it's not like Simon made Mainworld Ooo less wacky. But even with that extra bit of Multiverse Wackiness going on in Fionnaworld now... if the Normal Guy can get along among the strange and magical creatures

The Magical Cat can get along with all the normal and mundane people.

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am-i-the-asshole-official · 8 months

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I'm in a long distance relationship with my boyfriend slash childhood best friend. My parents moved while we started dating when we were 17, now we're 22. We live pretty far away and we met once every year until the pandemic hit. Then we kept contact via chats and phone calls, sometimes videocalls but his network isn't very good where he lives so we mainly chat.

These days, like for the last year, I've been feeling nervous and anxious over phonecalls and face to face chats. We text each other all the time and we're really close but he wants to see or hear me and I don't want that. Like I have a phobia of letting him perceive me. I feel insecure about everything even tho he's not causing it, I just feel like I'll do or say something stupid and he'll laugh at me, like he'll be disappointed to see my face or hear me. So I avoid his requests to meet or call. This isn't just for him but it's the strongest with him.

Last week my friends from uni decided to have a big outing, almost the whole day out eating and watching a movie. It was planned since June so I was pretty excited. On that day while I was getting ready they kept calling to make sure I was coming. We were supposed to meet at a restaurant and go from there.

Then one friend who had just reached the restaurant called me, giggling and out of breath, to ask if I was taking so long because I wanted to "impress him into proposing". Then I heard my other friends tell her to shut up and not ruin it. I immediately understood what was going on but I called one of the other girls (my closest friend along with my bf) to gently ask for an explanation. I wasn't accusing her of anything yet but she kept implying that she knew I figured it out. I then said I might not go because I had a headache. She dismissed me and firmly told me to come, like in a friendly threatening manner, don't make excuses, go there or she won't talk to me again.

I hung up and called the first girl who was giggling, she said to just go it'll be fun or they'll be sad. I called my bf to ask where he was and he said my city but miles away from that restaurant, then asked why. I told him I knew what they were planning, and they could have fun without me and I didn't trust them anymore, then hung up.

As you have guessed they planned a surprise meetup between me and my bf. Surprise for just me, he was in on the plan and told me he'd be in my city that week for his uni related reasons.

I haven't spoken to any of them since then. I have to see the girls all the time at uni so that's hard but bf is getting full silent treatment and he's begging and apologizing. He said he'll never ask again and he sent a voice note where he spunded like he was crying. The girl who giggled said sorry and she was just tagging along to the other two girls' plan.

I feel bad for blowing up on them but I feel betrayed, I really can't get over how they thought it'd be funny and cute. The close girl friend hasn't apologized, she and the third girl doesn't see any problem with what they did and think that I'm overreacting like a diva. They think I ruined their plan instead.

Aita for not wanting to be friends with any of the girls anymore? I know some of you will say get better friends but these are the better friends, they're my only friends. I don't think I'm up for friendship anymore. I've forgiven my bf but I'm not sure if I want to keep the relationship, for this drama and my clear lack of interest in seeing him for a whole year. I may be overreacting, I'm being cruel to all of them for a phobia. That's why I'm asking.

What are these acronyms?

#aita #am i the asshole

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gabessquishytum · 3 months

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Hob is the wedding singer hired to perform at Dream's wedding reception(s) (.........each time he's left at the altar.). A 5+1 romcom.

Hob was hired as a joke by Dream's friends for his wedding reception -- Dream's super intense about his romances and all in for getting married (and his parents/family are soooo buttoned up) that a wedding singer like Hob should (hopefully) losen things up.

1. Dream's wedding is called off a week or two before; Hob charges his 75% cancelation fee;

2. Dream is left at the altar this time; Hob sees him in passing. He charges his full rate since he was ready to go and all set up;

3. A pregnant Calliope calls off the wedding the day of, and since the reception venue is attached to where she and Dream were going to be married, she talks Dream into eating cake and dancing with her -- they'll co-parent, but one of them had to be honest about how ill-suited they were for each other. Hob tries to make sure everyone has fun --- and sees Dream for the first time and is smitten by the sad sack pretty man dancing oh so poorly with the hugely pregnant lady;

4. Left at the alter again (and knowing Hob was at the reception venue), Dream's friends (Matthew, Jessamy, Lucienne, Joanna, Cori) drag him to drink and dance to Hob's singing. Hob finally gets to talk to his favorite broken hearted cutey;

5. At this point, Hob and Dream are friends (it took a while for Dream to get with the program) and while Hob really really likes Dream (he loves him so much), Hob could only watch the train wreck of Dream asking another person who doesn't really understand (or love him like Hob) to marry him.

Hob was not hoping for a repeat of the runaway bride/groom (above all he wants Dream to be happy) .....but on the off chance Hob was bad luck for Dream's weddings,,,,,,Hob agreed to sing at the reception; and

+1. Hob refused to sing for his own wedding!! He needs all the good luck he can muster to secure Dream as his husband.

I live for the idea of Hob being like "Hmm. I like this weird little man. Let me study him like a bug. And also marry him."

And listen, Hob prides himself on the fact that all the couples he's sung for have been very successful! Not a single divorce among them! Dream is managing to spoil that record all by himself, and Hob is determined to see this poor wet cat happily settled down.

He pulls out ALL the stops with romantic playlists and backdrops, sexy lighting, the whole shebang. He's never tried so hard to make his set a success, but he's determined to make the ambience perfect for Dream.

And it still doesn't work. Calliope seems like a lovely lady, though. She even thanks Hob for putting in so much effort. And says she hopes to see him at Dream’s next wedding. Oof.

Admittedly at weddings number 4 and 5, Hob is less determined to make the whole thing a success. He's not actively sabotaging them (Dream definitely doesn't need his help in failing to get married)... but he's not exactly sad when he gets to put his arm around the poor abandoned groom and comfort him in his hour of need. At number 5 Dream falls asleep with his head in Hob’s lap while he sings a soft lullaby, and Hob decides right then and there that there will be no more failed weddings. HE is marrying Dream, and he's not going to let anything stop him.

And so he doesn't perform at their wedding (because he's secretly afraid that it might bring bad luck). And they do make it to the altar, and through the vows, and to the reception - without a single hitch. Dream doesn't seem to stop smiling all day, and it's like he can hardly believe it when they cut the cake and have the first dance. Hob catches him pinching himself several times, which is just adorable.

And much, much later, when they finally tumble into bed to enjoy a sleepy, cozy wedding night... Hob sings Dream to sleep with "I do" by ABBA, and they start the rest of their lives together. Hob is determined to regain his record of 100% successful marriages, and he's not letting Dream go!!

#the sandman #dreamling

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carylerxsecretsanta · 4 months

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50 Days

Written For:@peletiersdixon

Title: 50 days Author: @lola-andheruniverse Rating: T/ Teen and Up Audiences Summary: “With shivering fingers, she grabs the framed picture from her bookcase and looks at it. Looks at him. Really looks at him. There it is. The same look she sees everyday when they walk with Dog. The same look he had when he said he loved her, fifty days ago. A look he’s being giving her for years now. Maybe since the beginning of them.

You do love me...don’t you?” A/N: This is the first time I’ve written a fanfic in over 15 years, and the first time ever writing for caryl. I hope I made them justice. English is not my first language. I struggle with commas and I like my ‘and’s. There’s no beta work here besides my grammar check app so I apologize for any mistakes/typos. Kudos to anyone who can find my little references to Doctor Who.

Dear Liddy, I used your favorite scene as base for this story + a little speculation on my part for TWD:DD and The Book of Carol. Fingers crossed that you enjoy it. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a 2024 full of beauty, light and fun.

____________________________

“I love you.”

He says it like it is the most profound thing to say. Like it’s an old secret or a promise long kept. He says while looking at her like she’s someone endearing to look at. And she doesn’t understand why. Of course he loves her. She knows he does. She’s his best friend! Silly man.

Why are you saying this to me now?

She giggles just a little. Shrugs and fights the need not to nod condescendingly because this is clearly important to him. And she knows better than anyone that he doesn't say anything he doesn't fully intend to say.

“I love you too.”

She says it back because apparently he needs to hear it. Because it's the umpteenth time they'll be apart and it's good to say goodbye without leaving anything unsaid for once. Because it’s true.

Don’t you know it already?

He smiles that little smile that she secretly adores. Caresses her face with his hand and hugs her. Cradles her head and she breathes that unique combination that’s him – pine, grease, leather, sweat, tobacco, petrichor – and everything should be perfect for one small moment, but it isn’t. Because she can feel through her shoulder that he’s chewing on his lower lip and through her chest that his breathing is heavy. Sometimes a hug is just a way to hide your face.

What? What is it? What is wrong?

But there’s no time for her to understand because their hug is over too soon and he’s smiling again but it doesn’t reach his eyes. She sighs and looks at the vast blue sky to not see him getting on the bike. It really is a beautiful day to hit the road. He watches her intently for a beat.

What, Daryl?

She keeps smiling because she doesn’t know what else to do. What else to say. She needs him to go because all of this fucking hurts and she doesn’t deal well with hurt. She’s keeping together because he deserves to leave while she has a smile on her face. He deserves to see that she’s fine. Just a little sad, as she told him. He probably needs to see that she’s fine. Or else he won’t go.

I don’t want you to go.

He said it’s not like they’re not going to see each other again. So she focuses on that and keeps smiling. This is not the time or place to think about what she wants. He can go. He’ll be back someday and she’ll be here. That’s fine. She’s fine. He can go.

And so he does.

She watches him grow smaller and smaller on the horizon, feeling like a kid that got a puzzle for Christmas with a missing piece.

____________________________

She doesn’t deal well with hurt, but she’s damn good at compartmentalizing, so that’s what she does. She keeps going, trying her best not to count the days since he left.

03 days.

It’s not like things are completely different from when he was there. Her daily routine is basically the same. She wakes up at 5am and takes Dog for a walk. When he’s home they do it together, enjoying the sunrise and the last hour of quietness before the town wakes up. It’s the only time they have to be alone and talk. Sometimes they reminisce about previous homes and lost family members, or about what the future holds for the kids and for Lydia. Sometimes they just coordinate what their day will be like because Judith needs a new pair of shoes and they’re out of butter. She realizes, with a bit of surprise, that they've probably talked to each other more this past year than in all the years they've known each other. Most of it they just watch Dog running around enjoying each other’s company. There’s a distinct void by her side where he should be, but she does her best and ignores it. He’ll come back eventually. She’s fine.

05 days.

She cooks breakfast for the kids and makes sure RJ has everything he’ll need for school. The boy has a special talent for putting his things away and instantly forgetting about them. She thinks he got it from Rick. God bless him.

09 days.

The CW and all of its sister communities are home to a few thousand people and the paperwork to keep track of everyone and everything that happens everywhere is endless. Hornsby had many flaws, but sloppy wasn’t one of them. The man registered every single thing he knew and even a year later she’s still working her way through his notes and digging out shady information. It suits her fine. She’s very good at her job. Before, she could finish things up by 7pm and be home for dinner time. Now she needs to leave at four, so she can pick the kids up from school and take care of them. That’s not a problem. No better hour than 3am in the morning to read a 65-page report on poppy harvesting.

14 days.

She dreams that night that he’s hugging her and it’s so vivid she can feel him around her hours later. It makes it especially hard to focus on her meeting with Mercer and Ezekiel that afternoon. The CW Autumn Festival is a week away and Mercer is trying to convince the eternally enthusiastic Ezekiel that there's no need to add more activities than what's already planned. It’s a lot easier to work with him now that he’s an elected representative of the people, but sometimes the King in him tries to get out. When the meeting is finally over, he tells her every festival reminds him of Henry. There's nostalgic joy in his voice and an easy smile on his face. He’s done grieving. She excuses herself and goes to the roof. She lights up a cigarette but resists the urge to inhale. She just needs to smell the tobacco in the air for a few minutes. Her heart aches with longing and she pretends it’s only for Henry. She’s fine.

21 fucking days.

On the day of the festival, they have a great parade to celebrate all the special residents of the CW. Jude walks in front of the swordsman section with her katana with so much grace that Michonne would swell with pride. Lori would too. That’s why she’s there. That’s why she stayed. To take care of little ass kicker for them. For him too.

22 days.

It’s almost midnight and she’s sitting on the porch, stargazing, a cup of lukewarm coffee in her right hand. Today was a good day. Lydia came home for the festival and is staying a whole week this time. The girl does a wonderful job as a mail woman for the communities. It’s rare to have her stay for more than a couple of days. Her room is always clean and ready for her. She makes sure of this because if anyone deserves a welcoming home, it's Lydia.

“Hey.” She hears her before she sees her because all the lights are off. She revels in the fact that even when the girl speaks softly, there's a distinct lightness to her voice that her teenage self didn't have.

“Hey you. Shouldn’t you be asleep?” On the other hand, her voice sounds motherly, no matter how much she wishes it didn’t. She just can’t help it.

“Oh, I’m on my way. I just wanted to give you this.” She hopes Lydia doesn’t notice how her breath catches for a second or that her hand shakes slightly as she takes the letter from her. The paper is folded twice and one end is stained with water. She can’t read it in the dark, but she can smell it. It smells like him. “I picked it up on the last dropping site up North ten days ago, but he probably left it earlier than that. I'm sorry I didn't give it to you sooner. You were just so busy with the festival.”

“Oh, that’s okay. Thank you for delivering it to me now. But it’s late and you need to rest. You work too much. Do you want to eat anything else before going to bed?” There’s just too much affection in her heart, motherly voice be damned.

“No, no, I’m fine. Good night, Carol...I miss him too.”

She takes her time, pretending her heart isn’t beating anxiously. Drinks the rest of her now cold coffee. Gets inside and leaves the mug on the kitchen sink to wash in the morning. Checks on RJ and Judith to make sure they are sleeping. Instead of going to her own bedroom, she opts to enter his room. Like Lydia’s room, she makes sure to clean it regularly. Dog sleeps in his bed every night and when she sits down next to him, she is greeted with a wagging tail and a sloppy lick on the cheek.

“Hello, hello, you. Calm down. I’m not here to sleep over. Calm down.”

She turns on his lampshade and finally, finally, opens his letter. His voice fills every space in her mind.

Carol,

I’m on the road for 11 days now. On the third day the damn bike broke down and I had to scavenge some parts to fix it. It’s working fine now. No other problems so far – good weather, few walkers, no people. I’m catching small game near the road and I still got most of my rations.

I wonder how many days it will be before you receive this letter. Probably a lot because I’m using the last dropping site on the North border. Sorry to leave you without news for so long. I’ve been thinking about you though. I bet you’re working your ass off even worse now that I’m not there to stop you. Don’t you go and exhaust yourself, okay? Try to sleep more than four fucking hours a night and eat your food, your paperwork ain’t going nowhere.

How are the kids? The parade thing already happened? Tell Jude I'm wishing her luck, but I’m sure she is going to kick ass. What about RJ? He promised me a drawing for every day I'm away so put him to work. The kid is a fucking artist, I swear. Shit, now I’m homesick. Give them a hug from me, please? Lydia too, I suppose she’s home since you got my letter. Tell her I miss her. We don’t see her enough. She works too much just like you.

I’m going to cross the border tomorrow. It may take some time, but I’m going to find some way to communicate with you. I promise. So don’t you worry too much. I’ll be back before you know it. You won't even have time to miss me. I miss you though. Every day I watch the sunrise and think about you (and Dog).

I love you. See you soon.

Daryl

She breathes in. Traces his words with her finger. Breathes out. He wrote that he loved her. They exchanged letters when she was on the boat. He's never done this before. She’s intrigued, to say the least. What led him to say these words?

Why, Daryl? Why?

____________________________

25 days.

She keeps the letter under her pillow and every night, before she goes to sleep, she rereads it, trying to decipher his intentions. She recalls him saying it just before he left, and she knows there’s something she’s missing but she has no idea what it is.

29 days. Why did you say you love me? Why did you write it down?

Jude gets her period for the first time and, while preparing a hot water bottle for the girl, she has to hold back tears and stop thinking about how she never got the chance to do it for Sophia. Hilltop is struggling to harvest enough food to contribute to all sister communities because its soil is still recovering from the fire caused in the war against the Whisperers, and it causes a small political crisis.

33 days. Why, Daryl? It’s not like you meant it that way, so why did you do it?

She talks with Gabriel over the radio. There's some stomach bug going around Alexandria; he's worried they won't be able to control it with the resources they have. She personally arranges for everything they need to be delivered, sends an extra doctor to help, and dreams about killing Karen and David for the rest of the week.

45 days. You can’t mean it. It’s me. I don’t deserve it.

It is time for the bimonthly meeting between the sister communities and Aaron shows up accompanied by none other than Dwight. He comes to present his intent of rebuilding the Sanctuary as a community and to ask for the CW’s help. He talks for hours. All other agendas are postponed as this ghost of their past comes back and tells them stories about cowboys and radioactive walkers, Morgan and Sherry, becoming a father and burying his son. His voice is decided and steady, but his eyes have this subtle glint of someone who’s thinking how the hell they got where they are and when they can leave. She can relate. The day ends, and they need more hours to come to any decision, so everyone agrees to resume their meeting the next day. Her family always stay the night at their house when they’re in town so she asks them to go ahead while she finishes up the meeting’s minutes. She just needs a moment to sort out her own feelings.

She’s back at her office, staring blindly at a sheet of paper and there’s a knock on her slightly open door. Dwight’s there, hands in his pocket, a question in his face.

“May I come in?”

So formal. “Yes, of course. Can I help you with something? Did anyone tell you where you can stay the night? Usually it’s Mercer who…”

“Yes, yes, he’s waiting outside. I just need to ask you something.”

“Okay. Sure.”

“You’re Daryl’s, aren’t you?”

She blinks one. Twice. “I’m sorry. Come again?”

“When I went to Alexandria a few days ago, I asked for Daryl. You see, he’s the one who released me. He didn’t forgive me for what I’d done, but he somehow understood my reasons. He told me to go find my wife and never come back. I did what he told me. I found Sherry. I had a son. I fought other wars. I lost my son. I came back.”

“He gave you a second chance.” Of course he did, that was who he was. He was good.

“He did. He really did. And I’ll never be able to repay him for it. You know, for a long time, I didn’t get why he let me go. He should have killed me, I wanted him to. Sherry got it before I did. Right from the start, probably. He told me once, but I wasn’t paying attention. He told me he understood why I joined the Saviors because I did it thinking about someone else. And that’s why he couldn’t do it. That he wouldn’t break for the same reason I did.”

Yes, she knows what Dwight’s talking about. At least, she knows enough. Over the years, he's provided her with enough information to know what they put him through while he was Negan's hostage. She never asked him directly. He told her what he wanted, when he wanted, as he healed. It’s in the past now. He grew up from it. He never broke because he was a man of honor. He loved his family, he would not betray any of them.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m following. And I need to get back to my family. What is it that you’re trying to say?”

Dwight looks at her like he’s confused by her confusion.

“Back at Alexandria, Aaron told me that Daryl didn't live there anymore. That he had moved to another community with ‘Carol and the kids’. It made me happy. When my son was born...When Finch was born, I told Sherry that I had Daryl Dixon to thank for it. Regardless of all the things that happened...I’m sorry for all I put him through. For killing Denise. I’ll never be not sorry. Daryl’s a good man. A better man than I’ll ever be. I’m just really happy that he got a second chance in his life too.”

Oh. Oh. She feels her eyes enlarging while he keeps talking, misunderstanding everything.

“Aaron told me that he left some weeks ago but nothing more. I would like to talk to him. I need to thank him. So that’s what I wanted to ask you. When does he come back?”

“I’m not Daryl’s.”

“Beg your pardon?”

“You got it wrong. I’m not Daryl’s. We are friends. We take care of Rick’s kids together. That’s it.” Her voice sounds angry and loud even to her own ears and she cringes internally.

Dwight creases his brow and looks directly in the direction where she knows there’s a framed picture of them with all the kids from the last summer festival. It’s a completely chaotic portrait of them. RJ is crying because he spilled juice all over his shirt two seconds before the photograph was taken. She’s trying to soak part of it with a few napkins, full mommy mode on. Jude’s mouth is open, caught in the middle of a phrase, trying to console him. Lydia’s the only one looking at the camera, smiling shyly, with a sorry look on her face. And he? He was looking directly at her, that adorable smile adorning his lips, handing her more napkins. The background is blown out and the image is grainy. It’s perfect.

“We are not together the way you think we are.” She says quietly, but firmly. “I don’t know when he’s coming back. But when he does, I’ll tell him about you and that you want to talk to him. I’ll tell him to go to the Sanctuary. I can’t promise you that he’ll go, but I can promise that I’ll pass the message.” This man needs to leave. Please, just leave.

He’s still looking at the picture. Slowly, he directs his attention back to her.

“Why not?”

“Why not what?”

“Why are you not together?”

She’s stunned. What the hell is happening? She had never talked to the man before and here he is asking her something that he hadno business knowing. Why are they not together? Let’s see. They’re not together because he doesn’t love her like that. Because he’s too good of a man for her. Because she’s lucky enough to have him in her life as it is. Because if he loved her he would have said something.

But you did, didn’t you? You said it and you wrote it down. And I don’t know why, but I know you. And you wouldn’t play with my heart like that. So...Does that mean…?

No, it doesn’t. She’s being ridiculous. She can’t allow herself to think about the possibility. Because she wouldn’t survive if she got her hopes up and he rejected her. Because if anything was going to happen, it would have happened this past year. And, again, because he doesn’t love her like that.

“He doesn’t love me like that”. She only registers that she’s said it aloud after it’s out.

Dwight glances at the picture again. Sighs. “Well, I don’t know why he left and if it has anything to do with you two. But maybe...Look, Daryl told me to go and find Sherry. That’s what he wanted for me. That’s what I want for him too. You should go and find him too.” He nods to her once and leaves, closing the door behind him and leaving her completely thunderstruck.

____________________________

47 days.

Dwight, Aaron and everyone else are finally gone. The Sanctuary is officially part of the CW’s network. In two weeks she’ll travel there with Mercer to assess what they need and what they can do to contribute. How wonderful! She never looked forward to anything so eagerly. She’s fine.

48 days.

The kids are sleeping over with Eugene and Maxxine because they need help with their science fair projects. She misses him like crazy. She cries herself to sleep while hugging his letter.

49 days.

She’s dreading the fifty-day mark so much that she tells Ezekiel she needs a break and spends the entire day hiking in the woods beyond the walls. She stops by a creek around midday and lights a cigarette and it’s like he’s there and she laughs and she cries and she feels like her mind is shattering because she’s thinking absurd thoughts and her heart is beating completely out of rhythm and reaching out to him wherever he is and she can’t pretend anymore that she doesn’t love him with all she has and she has loved him for a long time now.

I love you. I do. I do. I love you.

She thinks about him. How he looks at her when the first rays of light touch her hair during their morning walks with Dog. Them becoming a unit at the prison. And then becoming strangers in Alexandria. Him saying he would never hate her, even when she thought she had ruined his chances of happiness. (How many times he said to her it wasn’t like that with Connie and she refused to listen? God.) The Cherokee Rose and the beer bottle. Hunting together while she was a pretend queen and he was king of the woods. Locking eyes with him across rooms and instantly knowing how he felt about something. Getting her heart wrecked when they fought in the cabin. Kissing his forehead, mindful of his stitches. Being held by him when she lost both her children. Riding the bike to escape death but, mostly, to experience life. Following his light.

And I think...I think you might love me too.

50 days.

She doesn’t understand how she stepped out for one single day and there are six new reports on her desk to read and sign. It’s ridiculous, to say the least. She’ll have to skip dinner to get it done or stay up to 3am again. At least there are leftovers in the fridge.

“Excuse me, miss deputy secretary?” Lucy, Communications intern, is at her office’s doorstep. “You’ve got a call over the radio. The connection is terrible, but apparently it’s mister Dixon.”

Her heart drops all the way through her stomach and she nearly knocks the girl over in her rush to run out of the room toward the communications office, which is two flights of stairs up. She doesn’t even register who’s operating the radio before picking it up.

“Hello! Are you there?”

A beat.

“Hello! Hey! It’s me.”

Oh my god.

Relief rushes through her veins so fast she feels dizzy. “Daryl!” She reminds herself to breath. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I have a radio here. I thought, what the hell? How you doin’?”

I love you.

“Where’s there?”

“I’m in Maine, by the coast. Everything good there?”

No. I realized I love you and I’m completely losing my mind.

“Yeah, you know, pretty quiet here.”

Liar.

“Quiet’s good. You okay?”

He deserves the truth. At least a little bit of it. “Yeah. Just takes some getting used to, that’s all.”

I miss you. Daryl. I miss you.

Another beat. Dammit. She shouldn’t have said anything.

“You sure you’re okay?”

I‘m not. I’m daring to wish for things that I shouldn’t.

She thinks for a second. She doesn’t want him to worry. Worry gets you distracted. Distracted gets you killed. And she needs him to come back.

Come back to me.

“You never have to worry about me, Daryl. How is it out there?”

“I’ll tell you all about it when I see you. I’m just gathering up some fuel. I’ll be there in about a week. I promise.” Shit. He’s worried. Shit! But she can’t find in herself to care too much about it right now because he’s coming back.

You’re coming back?

“Copy that. Hey, Daryl?”

You’re coming back.

“Yeah?”

I love you.

“Dwight came back.” That was not something he needed to know while on the road. She’s overwhelmed and not thinking throughout.

“Who came back? Carol? W…”

The interference sound gets too loud and she can’t hear him anymore. Maybe she got cut on his side too because he didn’t get what she said last. But he heard enough.

“Daryl? Can you hear me? Daryl? Dwight. Dwight came back. Daryl?”

“We lost the signal, miss.” Says the radio operator, shutting it down, before she’s ready to accept that their conversation his over.

She feels her eyes watering and has to rapidly blink to avoid crying. Say thanks to the operator and slowly but surely gets back to her office. Shuts and locks the door for good measure. With shivering fingers, she grabs the framed picture from her bookcase and looks at it. Looks at him. Really looks at him. There it is. The same look she sees every day when they walk with Dog. The same look he had when he said he loved her, fifty days ago. A look he’s been giving her for years now. Maybe since the beginning of them.

You do love me...don’t you?

He’s coming back. In a week, he’ll be back. She has seven days to prepare herself, so when he gets here she can tell him that she loves him too. Without giggling, without shrugging, without doubt. Seven days. She can wait. Seven days are nothing compared to all the days that they’ve already lived and those that will come. Hopefully. She’s fine. She can wait. They had enough bad timing. Time to get back to work. Those reports won't read themselves.

#Caryl #Caryl Secret Santa 2023 #gift 1 of 1 #from lola-andheruniverse #peletiersdixon

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pevensiegiigi · 8 months

Text

What would happen if...?

— Naruto

Imagine being Naruto, a 32-year-old man who has his family, not perfect, but he does and he knows they'll be there every day he gets back from work. One day your adopted son expresses coldly and without a hint of regret that he wants to kill his brother, you get angry because it is your son he is talking about, the child that came from you, the fruit of love between you and your wife . A heated argument with your eldest son and the second he is sending you to you don't know where, you fall into a deep sleep... When you wake up you feel that only seconds have passed for you, you are back at home and next to you is your wife, both disoriented.

They don't see kawaki anywhere, your first thought is to go find your adviser/counselor to warn him about what kawaki wants to do to Boruto. All those thoughts dissipate when you take a look at your home, silent and full of dust as if they had not lived in it for a long time. Your wife has moved away from you who knows where, your hands are shaking with fear, probably because one of those anxiety attacks is coming that you get when you don't know what is happening or how to deal with things.

Hinata comes back to your side to tell you that there seems to be no power in the house, why? Where is kawaki? Where are Boruto and Himawari? What's going on?

She puts her hands on your face to turn it so that you look at her, you follow the rhythm of her breathing to calm yourself down.

Out of nowhere voices that you perfectly recognize speak to you in your mind, it seems that to Hinata too because she is answering for you while you get your bearings. Hinata says that shikamaru and Ino will be here any minute because there are many things they have to tell them...

Your wife takes your hand and pulls you to the sofa, she asks you to lie down and rest your head on her legs, she begins to massage your hair with her hand. It seems that you want to sleep, but your mind does not allow your eyes to close, what happens? You do not know.

The light has returned to your home and minutes later, several people have appeared in the patio of your house, you recognize each one of them, others not so much.

Everything that comes out of the mouth of shikamaru or rather, the current hokage, is suffocating for you. They made you and your wife dead, your son is a renegade for that 'murder'; your adopted son usurped the place of your firstborn. You were 3 years away and you don't care about the village but your children, the family you love fell apart in a second and you almost blame yourself for it. You thought you had slept for seconds, but it was years, years where you lost seeing your children grow up, years where you never saw your friends again who are now 35/36 years old and you are still 32 years old, nothing makes sense to you.

She cries by your side and now you cry with her, you blame and curse yourself, you despair and want to know more. WHERE IS BORUTO, MY SON, MY TRUE SON! You demand, but everyone claims that your son's name is Kawaki.

You can't take it anymore because of so many emotions, anger, anguish and sadness... The last thing you see before collapsing is your wife saying, 'It's not your fault, honey, we're going to fix it'

—Hinata

Now he's lying on a gurney in the hospital, there's no one but the guards at the door and Sakura with you in the room. There is too much security, only two hours have passed since they returned and it has spread like foam that the seventh hokage, Naruto Uzumaki and his wife, Hinata Uzumaki have returned from the dead as if it were a miracle.

Everyone wants to see them and verify that event with their own eyes, but you only care about your family now. Where are your children? Ino said that your little Hima was with your father and sister. She mentioned kawaki as your son, she is out of the village chasing Boruto, the one you know is your real son the one that came from you and Naruto.

Sakura tells you that there are times when she also forgets that Boruto is the true firstborn of the Uzumaki's, but that thanks to Sarada and her trust in Sasuke, she has been able to keep up in these three years trying to remind herself every day that Boruto hasn't. he was the instigator. At least someone else besides you and your husband clearly retains the memory of Boruto, however, your desperate mother's heart wants to run and save Boruto from the hands of that boy to whom you opened not only the doors of your house but from your heart and I pay them with a stab in the back.

You enter a state of shock when a teenager of no less than 13 years old walks through the door and it takes you a long time to recognize her. Long fluffy hair, tile like yours; light blue eyes that remind you of the love of your life. Her eyes are full of tears, between slight moans you hear her murmur, "she was right, Boruto did nothing to them"

Her voice has changed so much. It seems like yesterday when your little Himawari went to buy the cupboard when she was 11 years old, for you it was seconds... Today she is in front of you, bigger and prettier, that precious thing came from you and Naruto?

Without much thought, she throws herself into your arms and cries uncontrollably. If you hadn't known before, you wouldn't have been surprised at her embrace, but now your arms hold hers too tight, you fear losing her as you lost your son momentarily.

Your husband has woken up and shikamaru is coming through the door.

— What is your son's name, Naruto Uzumaki? Seventh current hokage of the village hidden between the leaves.

You see the determination in her eyes, the same one that you fell in love with many years ago —My son's name is Boruto Uzumaki, genin of the village hidden among the leaves. —You don't know how and in his eyes you see that he doesn't either, but they will go back to being the family they were, somewhat broken, but they will return...

#naruto #hinata hyuga #naruto uzumaki #hinata uzumaki #boruto uzumaki #himawari #sakura #issues #boruto naruto next generations #boruto two blue vortex #kawaki #family Uzumaki #kawaki Uzumaki

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shyphonics · 18 days

Text

Salad Days Chapter 4: When Archeologists Dig This Up, They'll Either Laugh or Cry

(babypunk!Rodrick Heffley x reader)

chapter one | chapter two | chapter three

also, please take my favorite live performance of rise above by Black Flag as a companion piece

Hey!

I do not like you college brat

I do not like you and your frat

I do not like you at the shore

I do not like you drunk on coors

I do not like your average life

I hope you do not take a wife

I hope you don’t decide to breed

Cause that’s one thing I do not need

Well, they did it. They’ve got a van full of booze, and a sense of self satisfaction.

It had taken a while to fit everything in, and the guy at the pickup spot hadn’t been very nice, but they did it.

Mike seems more calm when they show up to The Strike, happy to see them, even.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, you giraffe of a man!” He pulls Rodrick into a hug, heartily patting him on the back. Rodrick does kind of feel like a giraffe, Mike only comes up to the middle of his chest.

“Hey, if there’s anything else you need, just let us know!” Rodrick gives him a smile.

He grabs a box of bottles and heads through the back door of the bar. The guys work like ants; grab a case, march to the walk in, march back. They’re done in no time. He wonders if the delivery center is hiring, because that was easy.

Mike shoves a bundle of money into his hands, and gives him another pat on the back.

“She was right about you.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve got the spirit,” he smiles, “like a young Henry Rollins, slingin’ ice cream. See you tomorrow. Show up at 5 PM, load in here. Got it?”

“Got it,” Rodrick nods.

The spirit. He has no idea what that means, but he’s grateful for the sentiment. Especially if you’d said something nice about him… he finally has ammo to tease you back.

Mike disappears into the back of the bar, and the guys regroup to count their unexpected pay.

“Dude, he gave us a hundred dollars!” Chris says, shocked.

They recount again and again, coming to one hundred every time. They can’t believe it, and they speed away from the bar with the radio turned all the way up.

The rest of their day is spent planning. They craft the perfect setlist, they find their tightest jeans, they even find time to learn a surprise cover song. It's one he'd heard on your radio shift, and it's been stuck in his head all day.

Everything has to be perfect.

Rodrick is sure everything is gonna be perfect.

It’s only 5:30 by the time they’re done setting up, and they find themselves just standing in front of the stage, awestruck.

It’s not huge by any means, but it’s high off the ground and covered in lights. There’s a full PA system, and even a pole to hang their homemade bedsheet flag from.

The bar is empty, except for a guy in the sound booth, Jimbo by the door, and two bartenders prepping. Rodrick doesn’t see you, and immediately gets a pang of sadness.

“Hey,” he starts, leaning on the bar.

“We can’t serve yet, sorry.” A girl with tight blonde curls shuts him down.

“Oh, no, I was gonna ask… where’s the other girl that works here?”

She thinks for a moment, then makes a face of realization.

“Oh, she’s not working tonight. She’s headlining.”

Rodrick’s eyes go wide. Headlining? You? His mind is blown.

The bartender goes back to prepping without giving him a second thought. Rodrick walks back to the stage, zombie-like, deep in thought.

Now they really have to be perfect.

A few people have come in through the back, and they’re setting up portable tables along a wall.

“You guys need one?” A girl with tall, spiked hair asks.

They look at each other. Merch. Duh. They're pretty sure they have an unorganized cardboard box of t-shirts and buttons in the van. Ward had spent all his high school graduation cash on some real ones from a print shop.

Ben and Chris wedge the table out from between two vending machines, and Rodrick digs the box out of the van. It’s not a very impressive setup, but they’re pretty happy with themselves.

The doors open at 7, and it doesn’t take long for the place to fill up. Mike comes by and gives each of the guys three little paper tickets, like you’d get at an arcade.

“Beer tickets,” he says, before they can ask, “one of these gets you anything canned or bottled. Be nice to the bartenders, please.”

Ward and Ben high five and head straight to the bar, Chris heads to the bathroom, and Rodrick does a full scan of the area by the stage. Where are you? He needs to make fun of you for being nice to him, dammit.

Ward and Ben get back, looking a little shaken up.

“Rodrick, hey, do you want us to get you a beer?” Ben chuckles nervously.

“Nah, I can get it myself,” Rodrick starts to walk towards the front.

“No, no,” Ward puts a hand on his shoulder.

“You should really let us get you one!” Ben makes urgent eye contact.

“Why...?” Rodrick is starting to get freaked out.

“‘Cause we’re buddies!” Ward pats him on the shoulder.

Something is definitely up.

Rodrick pushes past Ward, walking through the tall arch that leads to the bar area. It’s absolutely packed. His heart skips a beat when he sees a flash of golden blonde hair.

Oddly familiar golden blonde hair.

The girl turns around.

No. It can’t be. There’s no way in hell that it’s-

“Heather Hills,” Rodrick whispers, grateful for the loud house music.

She’s sitting at the bar with a large group of people. Some douchebag with a double popped collar has his arm around her. They’re all laughing- the kind of laugh you do at someone. Snotty.

Any attraction he’d had to her has been completely gone for years. He feels a mix of hatred and nausea. They’re at the far end of the bar, by the door, so Rodrick blends in at the other end.

Please don’t look at me.

He gets a beer from the bartender from earlier, making sure to tip as your snarky reminder rings in his head. Also making sure to avoid Natty Light. He turns fast to get back to the stage, and right before he’s through the arch-

“Rodrick? Rodrick Heffley?”

He wheels around. She’s right fucking behind him.

“Oh, hey, what was your name again?” He rolls his eyes.

“Real mature, asshole.” She scoffs, “What are you doing here?”

“Playing a show. What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Aww, you don’t wanna play nice with me?” She drags a finger down his chest. It enrages him.

“No. And you know why?” His voice goes low. He leans down so his face is close to hers, and he’s about to let everything out. Her face is smug, and she raises her eyebrows.

Suddenly, there’s a hand on his back.

“Hey, you’re on in ten. Soundcheck time.” You peer around to see Rodrick's face. He looks pissed. You’re not sure what’s going on, but it’s none of your business. You’re just the messenger.

Rodrick’s eyes bug when he sees you, and his face relaxes a little.

“Um, excuse me, we were talking.” The blonde girl sneers at you.

“You can talk later. We gotta get this shit rollin’.” You don’t wait to see her reaction. You just turn around and head back to the stage.

If you’re honest, it's a little disappointing seeing Rodrick with, you assume, his very pretty girlfriend. It makes sense though. He's a nice looking guy. Your official assessment is toxic on-again, off-again high school sweethearts. Oh, well.

Just keep walking. Stay on schedule. Five bands, twenty minute sets, ten minutes for stage change. You repeat it in your head like a mantra.

Heather’s mouth is hanging open. Rodrick winces.

“Gotta go,”

He practically runs to the stage.

They’ve never done a real soundcheck before, and it’s kind of an intimidating process. The sound engineer is very no nonsense. Rodrick checks his drums one by one. Then bass, guitars, mics. Each adjustment is barely noticeable to them, and they end up just giving a thumbs up every time the engineer asks a question. Finally, they run through the whole chorus of a song to hear everything together. By that point, the dance floor is almost entirely full.

Rodrick takes a deep breath, scanning for Heather. He hopes she just left.

They've come a long way since their high school days, no longer unpracticed wannabes. Their sound has become pretty good, if they say so themselves. Tonight's only adjustment is to play faster.

The sound guy points at them, and Ben clears his throat.

“We… are Löded Diper!”

The chatting in the crowd subsides, and falls silent.

Rodrick hears snickering, and a voice saying oh my god, that IS him!

He panics, and right when the tension is almost too much to bear, a loud WOOOOOOOO comes from the very front. He looks and sees you, trying to rile up the crowd. It seems to be working. Other people are giving half-hearted cheers, which is something at least.

“That's more like it!” Ben yells, and they launch into their first song.

They only have a five song set, so everything has to count. Ben’s wails are powerful, he's really embodying a frontman. Chris is whipping his hair around, and Ward is the true picture of a bassist. Strong, still, and holding it all together.

Rodrick is hyper-focused on keeping the rhythm. And maybe showing off, just a little bit. He puts his whole body into hitting the drums, his mouth pulled into a tight “o”.

You have a perfect view from the front row, and what a view it is.

He's killing it. So focused and steady, but it looks like he's having fun. He leans into the mic to sing backup, and you get a flash of his sharp canines. You can see the muscles in his arms clenching, and the front of his hair is wet with sweat.

You feel your face getting hot, and you're reluctant to admit it's not just from the packed room. You’re suddenly faced with the very real possibility that you're very attracted to him.

He gives you a huge grin and a wink between songs, and it's no longer just a possibility. Fuck.

Blasts of air from his bass drum cool your face down, and you stare at him a little closer, analyzing.

You've been infantilising him a little bit, you'll admit it.

Kid. Cute. Baby boy.

Although you’re pretty sure the two of you are the same age, he just comes off like a teenager. You couldn’t help but haze him a little bit, especially after he just wandered into the bar with no plan. He’s really proving himself right now.

The crowd is going crazy. You’re holding yourself up on the edge of the stage, but behind you, a sizable pit has opened up. People are loving them.

“We have one more!” Ben shouts. People are screaming.

“We learned it just for you!” Rodrick yells. There’s something snarky about his tone. You like it.

You recognize the song immediately. Their rendition is just a little clunky, but it works. You can't help but smile, and wonder if Rodrick somehow heard your radio shift last night.

It's such a good choice for a first show. Perfect, really. It's like they're saying, we're here, fuckers.

You let the crowd swallow you up as you sing along.

Society's arms of control

(Rise above, we're gonna rise above!)

They think they're smart, can't think for themselves

(Rise above, we're gonna rise above!)

Laugh at us behind our backs

(Rise above, we're gonna rise above!)

I find satisfaction in what they lack

(Rise above, we're gonna rise above!)

We! Are Tired!

Of your! Abuse!

Try to stop us!

But it’s! No use!

The aftermath of their set is chaos. Good chaos, but chaos. They tear down their gear and load up the van. On their way back in, people are yelling and patting their shoulders as they walk by.

Hell yeah, dude!

Good set, bro!

It feels good.

A small crowd has formed at their merch table. Chris takes on the task of handling the sales, and before they know it, their box is nearly half gone. They hadn't expected that.

Another unexpected side effect of playing a good set: booze.

Once the merch crowd is gone, old rocker types materialize, holding out shot glasses and cans. One guy hands Rodrick a shot of something that burns, and puts a heavy arm around his shoulder. He starts up a conversation about drumming, which is really more like a monologue.

You were great out there, man. Who's your favorite? Like, who's your guy? It's Lars for me, bro, 100%. I saw Metallica in ‘88, bro. Busted a knee in the pit, and now I can’t play a double pedal no more. Where'd you learn to play like that? You could play like Hellhammer with those arms. Fuckin’ rock on, brother. Oh, hey, sorry, I was supposed to give you this lime to help with the tequila...

Rodrick’s head swims as the guy babbles, nodding his head like he's listening.

“Thank you,” he finally sighs out. He’s exhausted from just listening to the guy. He pops the lime in his mouth, and it does help quite a bit.

People just keep coming with shots, and beers, and stories, and the guys end up piss drunk before the second band is done setting up.

Rodrick smiles and looks around. He's having fun. They did what they came to do, and people actually liked it. The rest of the guys are making conversation with the other bands. Heather and whoever else had been laughing at him are nowhere to be seen, and he's happy.

Even happier when you appear in front of the table.

“Heyyy!” He yells, giving you a singular finger gun, his other hand occupied with a beer can.

You take one look at his half lidded eyes and lazy smile, and realize he's wasted.

“Are you drunk?” You cackle, “It's not even 8:30!”

He turns, and spits a sucked-dry lime slice into the trash can next to him.

“Shut up! You're drunk!” Rodrick points at you, smile still wide.

“Oh, man. You're gone. Your girlfriend is gonna be pissed!” You laugh.

The drunk-happy look fades from his face.

“My huh?”

“That girl you were talking to you. Girlfriend, right?”

“No fucking way!” he bursts out laughing, “She’s a rich, stuck-up asshole! She's an evil witch from hell!” He downs the rest of his beer.

“Harsh, but I believe you.”

Well, that settles that.

You wonder if Rodrick has ever been this drunk in his life. He doesn't seem like he knows how to handle it, but he seems to be having a good time, at least.

“Hey. You did really, really good. You killed it. I mean it.” You lean on the merch table and smile up at him.

Rodrick’s eyes are sparkling, and his smile is somehow bigger than before.

“You liked us?”

“I loved you guys. Everyone did. They're totally gonna have you back.”

He looks like he might cry.

"Hey, don't I get a shirt? Wasn't that part of our deal?"

Rodrick thinks hard, finally remembering.

"Oh yeah!" He shouts.

He ducks down under the table and rifles through a big box. You lean over and tell him your size. He looks deeply focused.

He finally resurfaces, and holds up the shirt, triumphantly. You take it and sling it over your arm.

"Thanks," you smile, "I'll wear it all the time."

He beams.

You hold out your hand, and he hesitates for a second before grabbing it.

“You wanna come stand with me? The next band is up.”

Rodrick’s heart soars.

You lead him to the middle of the crowd, where three other people are gathered, talking.

“This is my band: Maureen, Jessica, and Eddie.”

Rodrick is seeing double at this point, but he smiles and waves. He thinks he sees a girl with ridiculously long black hair, a girl with very short green hair, and a guy with little round glasses.

“Good set,” the guy gives him a fist bump.

Before they can talk any more, a microphone squeals. Everyone in the crowd is at attention. Rodrick blinks to try and focus in on the stage; the next band has set up a giant, inflatable palm tree and some yard flamingos. They're all dressed for the pool, it seems like. Big, bright board shorts and floaties. The singer is barefoot, and has a megaphone in hand.

“May I have your attention please, may I have your attention please,” his distorted voice comes through the megaphone, “The president of the United States is an insect! All your lives are a lie!”

The next few minutes are a blur of sound and color. Rodrick can’t process anything that’s happening in front of him. The music is weird, but good. Messy. The words don’t make any sense. His body is starting to sway uncontrollably, and he’s worried he might topple over.

His shoulder bumps yours, and you look up. He doesn’t look so good. You grab his hand again and lead him out of the crowd, all the way to the front patio, stopping to grab a water on the way.

Cool air hits Rodrick’s face, and he feels at ease. You help him into a low metal chair, and he stares up at you, helplessly.

“Are you good?” You push his hair up, away from his forehead, and hand him the cup of water.

“That was a lot,” he breathes, dazed.

“Chug that water, you’ll feel better,” you lean on the railing next to his chair, “and no more booze, big boy.”

“I thought I was baby boy,” Rodrick slurs, smirking.

“I think you’ve transcended that term,” you laugh, “unless you want to be baby boy.”

“What if I do?”

“You’re so weird,” you give his chair a little kick.

He sticks out his arm to catch your leg, and chugs the whole water in one go.

He lifts your leg a little higher, slinging it over his shoulder. You’re speechless. That’s pretty smooth.

"You said something nice about me," he slurs in a sing-song voice, "Mike told me."

"Oh yeah? What did I say?"

Rodrick thinks hard. What was it again?

"Something about... spirits? And ice cream."

"Okay, buddy." You shush him, "Just take some deep breaths."

It’s kinda nice, just sitting with him in silence. The last bit of daylight is leaving, and everything is shrouded in a faint blue.

“I think I like you,” he says quietly, not looking at you.

“I think you’re drunk. Get back to me in an hour.”

“Can I like you in an hour?” He holds your leg a little tighter.

“Go nuts,” you chuckle.

You don’t move your leg, though.

You sit together until the set ends, and people start to file out onto the patio.

“You wanna go back in? Your friends are probably worried.” You bounce your leg a little to get his attention.

“Yeah. I have to pee so bad.”

Another trans-am’s wrapped itself around a telephone pole

“I ain't drunk, officer, I just fell getting out of my car.”

Don't worry about it, son. We were that way when we were young!

You've got all the skills to make a damn good business man!

Rodrick stares at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, breathing deep. He feels a lot better after some fresh air and the longest piss of his life.

A stall door opens, and a familiar face shows up next to his.

“Heffley? Shit, that really is you.”

Bryan Kent is a bonafide asshole with a football scholarship, who'd made Rodrick’s life a living hell back home. He really doesn't feel like reconnecting right now.

“Yep. It's me.”

Rodrick turns to leave, but Bryan blocks the door.

“You're not even gonna say hi, diner dork?”

“Fuck off, Bryan. I'm not in the mood.”

Bryan pushes him, and Rodrick feels all that old rage bubbling up. He's still a little wobbly on his feet.

“Did the cops ever catch you for what you did?” Bryan takes a step towards Rodrick. He feels all the blood leave his face.

“Actually, one of my buddies from back home just passed police academy. You wanna come back to our table and put in a little confession?”

“Fuck off,” he pushes Bryan back hard, sending him right into the door.

You're waiting outside the bathroom, and starting to get just a little worried. One of Rodrick’s bandmates- Ward, you're pretty sure- is still by their merch table.

“Hey,” you smile at him, “Rodrick went into the bathroom kind of a long time ago. He was pretty wrecked, and I'm starting to get worried. Could you…?”

Ward is around the table before you can even finish your sentence.

“Don't worry, I got him.”

As Ward opens the bathroom door, another guy walks out, laughing.

“What the fuck?” Ward yells.

You come up behind him and see Rodrick, lying on the floor, face bloody. Your mouth twists into a sneer. Fucking frat boys.

You march to the front of the bar, and lean in towards Jimbo’s ear.

“Him. Out.” You point at the offender, who's still flexing his busted knuckles like a jackass. Like it's something to show off.

“Had a feeling.” Jimbo sighs, standing up.

Rodrick’s head is pounding.

He opens his eyes to see Ward, looking devastated.

“Dude, what happened? Can you get up?”

“Fucking… Bryan Kent,” he coughs out.

Ward helps him to his feet and hands him a bundle of paper towels. Rodrick dabs at his bloody nose and lip in the mirror.

Of course. Of fucking course one of those assholes would show up tonight, of all nights.

He takes a few moments to just stand there and recover.

“That was fucked up.” Ward breaks the silence.

Rodrick just nods.

They emerge from the bathroom and there's what looks to be a full on brawl at the front of the bar. Rodrick sees you walking quickly towards him, eyes wide.

“Are you okay? Jeez, look at your lip.”

You bring your hand to his face and take a closer look. It doesn't look like he needs stitches or anything, but his bottom lip is swollen, with a dark line in the middle. Blood is quickly drying up in one of his nostrils.

Rodrick jumps a little, and suddenly feels a whole lot better under your gentle touch. He gets lost for a second, just looking down at your worried face.

“I shouldn't have let you in there alone, I'm so sorry.” You murmur.

He smiles, but a yell from up front brings him back to reality.

“It’s cool, I'm fine. What's going on up there?”

“Well, we asked your... acquaintance to leave, and he didn't want to. And he's got friends.”

“Should we go up and help?” Ward clenches his fist, smiling slightly.

Rodrick’s other bandmates have joined the circle.

“I'd stay out of it, they've got it.”

You all observe as Jimbo drags Bryan out the front door by his ear. A second drunken dickhead is yelling I'm a police officer! Get off me! as a second, equally huge guy hauls him off.

Rodrick notices Heather following them out, rolling her eyes.

“Are we all good?” Someone from the stage asks into a microphone.

Oh yeah, there's still a show going on.

You all shrug, and head into the crowd together.

You take Rodrick's hand again, and give it a little squeeze. He turns to look at you, and smiles.

"Are you really okay?" You yell over the music.

"I'm really okay." He squeezes your hand back.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

#sorry if this is too long lmao #im having fun #rodrick heffley #rodrick heffley x reader #rodrick x reader #rodrick heffley fanfic #doawk rodrick #Spotify

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pharawee · 1 year

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I honestly expected the Chains of Heart finale to go the usual route and have Din and Ken reunite at the very end.

Maybe they will. They hinted at it by mentioning the 7th day of the 7th month (so I was kind of right with them meeting one year later on 7th July - it's an open ending but I'll take it).

But maybe this was never what the series was about in the first place.

This is what the CoH ig posted tonight:

"Love and separation are the truth of life. No one will stay together forever. Live happily and love the best before it's too late."

Ouch. 🥲

But yeah, Din and Ken loved each other for seven years, but then Din chose duty over love (a duty that wasn't even his to begin with) and they both paid the price.

And then, when he and Ken miraculously survived, he did it again. And again. And again. Right up until the very end when he shot the man who - did what exactly? Shot him first two years ago? Because the way I see it police had things well under control. They didn't need a rookie forest ranger then and they sure as hell didn't need an unhinged vigilante killing key witnesses left and right now.

Sure, Inspector Don probably appreciated the intel (guess he wasn't that much of a good guy after all - he was just pragmatic) but he could have done without it. I guarantee you that if Din had chosen to walk away on that day two years ago, Chief Ingpha would have been arrested sooner or later (would it have stuck? who knows. but that's beside the point).

And remember this bit?

I always thought Din was just being playful here (with fate immediately accepting the challenge lmao) but now I think part of him was always like this. Part of him always chose to "let go of his loved one's hand."

The tragedy of it all is that none of it was even necessary. That he put his family and Ken in danger. That he caused them grief. That he chose to surround himself with people who enabled him and deliberately excluded everyone else. Injustice didn't make him that way. He made himself that way.

And I wonder if he even realises that he's smiling when he takes his revenge.

And I wonder if he realises that he's risking his sister's life by duelling Ingpha with her right in the middle (when family is the reason for his revenge in the first place). By that point he's so consumed with wanting Ingpha dead that he doesn't even check on her as soon as it's safe to do so.

Not even Ken is able to stop him until it's too late.

And it's the shame of Ken seeing him for who he's become that snaps him out of it. Because by choosing to pursue his revenge he's effectively destroyed himself and any chance of a future together (something that even Ingpha didn't manage to do).

So in the end I wonder if Ken not recognising Din was ever about his appearance at all. Because by that point he'd already turned himself into a human ship of Theseus (only more monstrous - because remember he'd already killed several people in cold blood), ridding himself of everything that made Din... well, Din.

And how do you recognise, how do you love someone who's become a stranger?

That being said, I love this show despite its very messy script and overly confusing scene/character hopping. I appreciate what they were trying to do and how ambitious they were with their action sequences and cinematography. Plus, the costumes and make-up were ON. POINT.

I'm not even a little sad we didn't get a happy ending (although I like to believe they'll meet again on 7th July). The whole "I am the architect of my own destruction" trope is a favourite of mine and Boom's (and Haii's) acting made it work beautifully. My heart is so full for Din and Ken. If only they had access to therapy and grief counselling. 🥲

A few other things:

I wonder if Din's mum really recognised him or if her tears were for a memory. I like how it's kept ambiguous.

Doctor Chayeon having the nerve to look shocked when he's part of the reason why things turned out this way. And all because the real Peter Lue's death would have probably cost him his career. Obviously that's far more important than any kind of ethical dilemma (where's even the dilemma? Maybe just don't 3D-print someone a new face so they can commit crime).

Hin and Phayu might as well not have been in this ep at all. We were robbed. 😭 But I actually like how Ken was barely in this ep either - if only to show how distant he had become from Din.

Not Sai still buying into Din's bullshit even one year later. I know I said that I wanted Ken and Din to meet again but damn.

That scene when Din took off his gloves was seriously such a strong moment for me. Maybe I'm overthinking things but for him to wear gloves throughout (almost) the whole show and then taking them off at precisely this moment? And little his smile? That was so good.

I like to think Chief Ingpha died wondering wtf was even going on.

I also like to think that whatever evidence Din had gathered on that recording device didn't even matter because between the organ harvesting and the illegal logging, what more do you need to arrest him?

And I'm really curious if the novel has the same ending. I doubt it but I'll let you know as soon as I find out.

#jane watches stuff #don't mind me i'm just trying to put things into words #and failing miserably lmao #chains of heart #chains of heart the series

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mydarlingdearestdead · 1 year

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Starchaser angst

TW: Suicidal idealization/Intention/Thoughts

"You think we could've been something?" Regulus' voice breaks. Despite himself, James is doing his best to ignore the tear tracks glistening on his pale skin.

The distance between them helps, distance Regulus insisted on. The come and go room never seemed so full of sorrow. It's completely empty for one thing, as well as the size of the great hall and freezing cold.

"Ye-" James clears his throat. One sentence. why is it so hard to say?

"yeah. I think we could've been something. Anything."

Regulus nods, and a lump forms in James' throat. He wants to take it back- say that they will be something, that are something. But he can't. They can't. Can they?

The mark on Regulus' arm assures that. Merlin, his last name assures that. Not unless-

"Come with me." James blurts out. Regulus blinks in confusion. More tears fall from his eyes but he hardly seems to notice.

"Home." James says, and he pauses, "Anywhere. Run like Sirius did. With me. Please." Regulus shakes his head quickly- his eyes are filled with emotion- or is it more tears?- and his bottom lip is caught in his teeth, suppressing a sob. The earlier tears hare hanging off his jaw now. Does he even know he's crying?

"The order can remove that." James motions to the left arm of Regulus' robes, talking fast, "My mum was going on about how the removal was a difficult but possible process. Hear that? Possible!" James rambled, counting off points on his fingers and frowning when he had more than ten to make. It's then that he turns to look at Regulus and sees the silent years pouring down his porcelain face.

"Stop that. Stop crying." James says, on instinct, without thought, and he immediately regrets it; for it makes Regulus cry harder. He had to admit though, even crying, the boy makes look elegant and like a practiced skill he'd already perfected at such a young age. Then, a sickening thought entered James' mind:

He probably had to perfect every skill in that house.

Regulus stutters an apology, as James fills with instant regret.

"no- don't- don't do that. apologise, I mean." James groans. He really is just making everything worse. "you have nothing to apologise for. I promise. Just don't cry?"

Regulus doesn't stop crying. James curses under his breath. Of course he has to go and make the love of his life cry on a night like this, when he was really, honestly just trying to help. But James is always trying to help isn't he? He tried to help when pulling Sirius out of that house, but that hurt Regulus. He tried to help when becoming an animagus for Remus, but he hadn't talked to them for weeks. He trys and he trys and it always had a downside, something he'd never thought about in his ever ongoing pursuit of being Prince Charming.

The stories of his childhood were always so simple- there was a knight in shining armour, he would slay the ogre, or dragon, or witch, and save his princess. Or prince, in James' case.

In a brief moment of clarity James had asked Regulus if he was selfish, just days after being forced into each others proximity. Regulus violently told him that anyone who called him selfish must of been suffering a psychotic break. James didn't bring it up again.

"Why?" James asks. Regulus looks up at him, grey eyes swimming. Drowning, really. He looks so helpless. So sad.

Regulus gulps, "When Sirius- when he left they had a spare." He gasps for breath and James wants nothing more than to reach for him. He doesn't. "Now they don't. They'll come for me." Regulus finishes. He looks exhausted, dark purple stains under his eyes and limp curls. Did they starve him over the summer? Or lock him inside like a prisoner?

James swore a long time ago to take every shot he could get at Walburga Black once the time came. Some part of his mind is counting down the moments to whenever that may be.

Part of him wants it to be tomorrow.

"The Order-"

"The Order doesn't care, James. Not about me." His voice breaks again. James wonders if a heart really can physically break under these circumstances. He's confident he just felt proof that it's possible.

His vision is splintering, chest contracting painfully and James, momentarily, almost wishes for death.

How would I go about that?, The voice in his mind sounds odd, tinny in a way it shouldn't.

A knife? Wrists or throat? The astronomy tower doesn't have a barrier. I could jump. That seems a bit dramatic. An overdose perhaps. But even Remus doesn't have enough meds for that. The girls maybe. How long does it even take to bleed out? I suppose it would depend-

"James." Regulus' voice breaks his train of thought evenly, despite the way in which it wobbles and breaks, "What are you saying?"

Oh.

His voice hadn't been inside his head at all.

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dearweirdme · 11 months

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taehyung is using taekook as a cover for taennie, and i'm not trying to say that he's using a gay relationship to hide a straight one, cause that's just stupid.

but let me walk you through this, over years tae's core fanbase has grown to be full of taekookers, and young y/n wannabes who think they have a shot with him one day, and those ones don't think he's gay and dating any member (not even jungkook) but they're comforted by the idea that ppl believe that tae might be dating a bts member because it means he's not dating a woman.

ok, so that's tae's fans. or at least most of them cause there's still normal ones who aren't avid believers that tae is romantically involved with any member, nor are they expecting themselves to date him one day, and are just kinda going with the flow and if he announces a partner one day (man or woman) they'll be happy for him.

tae starts dating jennie, and he's mostly keeping their relationship under wraps, until their photos gets leaked online by a supposed hacker(?) who got into jennie's phone. it blows up all over the internet and tae probably freaks out because his privacy was invaded. but as he watched the reactions and he sees that his fans denied it all and said that those were edits, he realizes that his fans got his back, and no matter what he does, they'll never believe him and jennie are actually dating. he won't lose his fans for dating after all!! cause they don't even believe it!!

taennie keep their relationship under wraps for a few more months but still wear cute couple necklaces that (again) tae's fans debunk as just mere accessories that don't have any deeper meaning. even though both jennie and tae have been wearing those necklaces for weeks, so it obviously means something to both of them individually. and seeing they're already rumored to be dating each other... it's not hard to put 2 + 2 together.

people start catching up on the couple necklaces and tae notices but he knows that if he distracts his fans with something he knows they'd like to hear about (aka jungkook) he has nothing to worry about. he does this for months, knowing very that his and jennie's rs isn't taken seriously because his fans think he's dating jungkook and are doing all the debunking for him.

so what do we have here? a taehyung who knows he can live his life with his gf in peace knowing his fans have his back and will deny anything sus him and jennie ever do, so he gets to have the best of both worlds.

until they get caught in paris, and the reactions are fucking crazy. taehyung's fans are doing absolutely everything in their power to debunk it, from cosplayer to PR narratives they tried it all, and it worked for the most part, in keeping his core fans still skeptical, and those are the ones whose reactions matter to taehyung, cause if those ones are disappointed in him and they leave he loses their support, and he doesn't want that.

so he comes back to korea to reward his fans by giving them another bone that keeps their faith in him going strong and they themselves know that their reward is coming, it's why they don't care about any taennie rumors, because they know taehyung will come to "prove everyone wrong".

taehyung can't be using taennie as a cover for taekook when taekookers were so sure that him and jk made their relationship official on the movie premiere day. he can't be using taennie as a cover while still being loud as hell about jungkook, and it's even more suspicious that jungkook isn't reciprocating the loud gestures. jungkook's latest live is the happiest we've seen him in a while, he can't be that happy while knowing his boyfriend is publicly dating someone else. he looked sad for months when him and tae were still "free" to do whatever they wanted without a third party in the picture, but as soon as he's publicly shoved in the closet again he's... happy?? weird.

i know you might not even reply to this, and if you do you'll most likely still disagree with me cause i know it's not that easy to change a shipper's mind on something they believed in for years. but i still felt like i should at least try to make you see things from a different angle, especially because none of us knows anything for sure and my explanation seems the most plausible, at least to me. taekook don't have to kiss in front of everyone to give tkkrs reasons to ship them, tkkrs already ship them based on things that are very much platonic but are seen from a romantic lens. taehyung knows that just a mere mention of jungkook online is enough to keep his fans happy and loyal to him, he's not queer-baiting, he's giving his fans what they want, and he knows that as long as he does this they'll keep believing he's not really dating jennie and will do all the hiding on his behalf. tae can go skinnydip with jennie right now in jeju island, and his fans will still debunk it because he mentioned jungkook on weverse yesterday, so it's obvious to them where his heart really lies.

Oh anon, your version of Taehyung is so different from my version of Taehyung. My Tae is strong and self assured, while yours is weak and cowering. No wonder we won't agree.

taehyung is using taekook as a cover for taennie, and i'm not trying to say that he's using a gay relationship to hide a straight one, cause that's just stupid.

Oh, I know you don't want to say that, because you do know it's stupid. You are trying very hard to say that Tae is mentioning Jk as much as he does, because he knows Army loves to see members interact, and if you'd just left it at that.. I might've agreed to some point, but you didn't... so let me walk trough your message with you.

This is you specifically pointing out that a huge part (according to you most, but I'm not sure that's correct) of Tae's fandom believes he is with Jk, or wants people to believe he is with Jk. This part believes Tae is queer.

How is 'fans not believing what he does' them having his back? Why would Tae be happy and relieved because of that? Is Tae really that weak in your eyes? Does Tae not call out people if he doesn't like what he sees? And you are actually stating (although not directly) that Tae sees it as a positive that the part of his fandom that believes he is with Jk (who believe he is queer) debunks his relationship with Jennie. Taekook against Taennie. "And no matter what he does, they'll never believe him and Jennie are actually dating" I cannot believe Tae would think that a good thing. Tae is proud, if he is in a relationship... he will be proud and behavior like that would hurt him. What you are still implying, even though you don't want to, is that Tae is relieved that people believe in Taekook and therefore don't believe in Taennie.

Yeah, yeah...

You know what would be a real simple and effective way to shut down those rumors that apparently give them anxiety... stop wearing the jewelry! Way more effective than using a rumored queer in-band relationship. Which again you are pointing out while not wanting to do so: "knowing very that his and jennie's rs isn't taken seriously because his fans think he's dating jungkook and are doing all the debunking for him." I don't know what to tell you anon, you are saying that Tae is knowingly using Taekook (the queer relationship, not the friend kind) to cover up Taennie.

Sigh, I'm quite sure at this point that you are not a Tae fan and you haven't even looked into him much. Something about this makes you feel comforted I'm sure... I can't really pinpoint what it must be, but it is far off from how I see things.

So, he doesn't actually care about a real connection with Army... he's only needs them to stay? Everything for fame and fortune? Not caring about people connecting Jk to queer rumors as well, not caring about Jimin getting shit, not caring about Jennie getting dragged? Only wanting to feel safe in his straight relationship, while being saved from discovery by fans believing in his queer one?

Again you pointing out Tae feeling safe because fans believe in his queer rumored relationship, Taekook.

taehyung can't be using taennie as a cover for taekook when taekookers were so sure that him and jk made their relationship official on the movie premiere day.

Not me!

he can't be using taennie as a cover while still being loud as hell about jungkook, and it's even more suspicious that jungkook isn't reciprocating the loud gestures.

Also not me!

jungkook's latest live is the happiest we've seen him in a while, he can't be that happy while knowing his boyfriend is publicly dating someone else. he looked sad for months when him and tae were still "free" to do whatever they wanted without a third party in the picture, but as soon as he's publicly shoved in the closet again he's... happy?? weird.

I don't think Jk looked sad for months. Some instances perhaps, but this is a very unsure time for BTS as a whole. They have to say goodbye to each other for a long period of time, going solo is very different from what they are used to... Jk might be worried, but there's plenty of reasons for him to be... it doesn't have to be his relationship with Tae (why am I explaining this... you don't even think it's real... why are you pointing this out? You are connecting Jk being sad to Tae.. that's not me.) Tae was almost on his way back when Jk did his live... seems a great reason for him to be happy to me.

cause i know it's not that easy to change a shipper's mind on something they believed in for years. but i still felt like i should at least try to make you see things from a different angle, especially because none of us knows anything for sure and my explanation seems the most plausible, at least to me.

I don't need a savior anon. If you've followed my blog you would have noticed that I do leave room for discussion and I do change my mind when a solid reason is presented to me. I need sound reasoning though and your reasoning is faulty. It took me no time to shoot holes in it. I'm fine with people disagreeing. I like having conversations with people from all sides of fandom. What I do have trouble with is people blaming Tae and people misconstruing his character when he has fought so hard to get where he is now.

To summarize, You admit that Tae knows a huge part of his fandom blieves in Taekook. You admit that he utilizes that to divert attention from him and Jennie. You admit that it the outcome he wants. "he's giving his fans what they want, and he knows that as long as he does this they'll keep believing he's not really dating jennie and will do all the hiding on his behalf. tae can go skinnydip with jennie right now in jeju island, and his fans will still debunk it because he mentioned jungkook on weverse yesterday, so it's obvious to them where his heart really lies." You might not want to say that he's using a queer ship to cover up a straight one, but you defintely are.

#anon #i fear we won't be friends #i'm harsher than normally #but this bugged me #taekook

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therhythmafterthesummer · 10 months

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Day dreaming about Chris having a nightmare that Pretty Mum left him for some stupid reasons. Like, she started to change herself. Lost weight (gasp), changed her style, just went distant and eventually left him.

He wakes up sobbing like a puppy missing his momma and... Ahh. So much comfort and fluff. Cuddling, kissing, reassuring. Pretty telling Chris how much she adores him and she feels that she would die without him (not taking the imprinting it to account at that time). He was so destroyed and sure he died in his sleep a little.

Then complete love making through their shared tears. Emotional overload. Connection. Assurance.

Also, can I be 🧁 anon if you don't have it? Please and THANKS!

it always makes me sad to think of wereroomies chris having nightmares like these 😭 he'd be SO sad, and i can see him taking a while to calm down.

pretty will just hug him close, cuddle him and play with his hair to remind him that she's there, with him, for him, and that she isn't going anywhere )))):

and also...

i can imagine him falling back asleep in her arms, and then waking up with her still hugging him. that's when they'll start just professing their love to each other, in the very early morning, leading to some soft morning sex full of love and warmth and understanding and and and.....

#also you can be 🧁 anon!#🧁 anon #ask #wereroomies ask #wereroomies headcanons

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meatballerino · 1 year

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ok here's my headcannons for the disco elysium swap!AU post game life that i may or may not be playing out on the sims atm

we all agree that kim is so disillusioned that he quits the RCM in some badass yet dignified way and goes into his full rebellious phase: tats, piercings, sluttier outfits, machoism and vulgarity, also a bit more loudly gay, very "queers bash back" vibes

harry is also disillusioned by everything and quits the RCM to prioritize recovery, and something about this level of commitment shows kim and jean that this is it, this is gonna be the attempt that sticks

jean can now finally build his own legacy with the RCM without being trapped in harry's shadow, and he likes the feeling of empowerment, but he also sees seedier underbellies of corruption within the RCM that even he can't stomach, or maybe he just can't tolerate ugliness like that these days. he thinks about eventually quitting too, maybe in a few years, but they need the money right now because:

Cunoesse Redemption Arc: they're literally driving back after illegally adopting cuno, and the kid gets cold feet about leaving cunoesse behind so he screams until they pull over on the side of the highway. turns out cunoesse is hiding out in a squat, they send cuno in to go talk to her. she actually swallows her pride and accepts her one ticket out of poverty and the guys respect that, so everyone starts off on a blank slate

jean is like, well, let's be realistic, we can all live in my apartment while C + C + harry go through the initial stages of withdrawals and we'll support each other for a tough few weeks. harry and kim will give up their leases and they'll pool their money together and figure out how to buy a crappy little house while the kids catch up on school

no one even has their shoes off yet when punk!kim stops them all and says, look, there's going to be homosexual activity in this house and if the kids even think of making a homophobic joke they'll be kicked to the curb, and everyone just mind their got damn business about it (i.e don't let it leave the house). the kids are lowkey scared of angry kim so they just nod

and thus kim and harry are at liberty to figure out their feelings for each other, and the fusion of their love lowkey saves harry's life and helps him get better

jean has a spare room that's more of a closet, and it just stores some boxes and a sad little weight lifting set that's covered in dust. he sells it for quick cash, then he and kim build a set of bunk beds while harry and the kids are taking turns vomiting their guts out in the bathroom

jean and kim make a surprisingly good team - they find creative solutions to the lack of space. they take turns playing nurse during the cold-turkey-ultra-detox

jean and kim come to a shared, silent, conclusion that, for the first time, they are not Doing All Of This because they need the control or want to retain professionalism, in fact it doesn't feel like labour at all because it's genuinely coming from a place of love

the guys sleep on cots in jean's bedroom until they're like ooohhh noooo what a waste of space why don't we all just share one big bed oohhhhhh

over the next few weeks jean digs through the storage room at the precint and finds a small desk for the kid's room to promote maybe doing their homework for once. he lets them decorate the walls however they want, and everyone agrees that it's a sacred no-adults zone

cuno and cunoesse still have some mysterious beef between them, and in their misery of coming off the drugs, they're constantly fighting with each other (in a cryptic way that still provides 0 context for the adults to eavesdrop on)

harry is quiet lately, contemplative; he has to come to terms with things he's been avoiding his whole life. his body is a fucking wreck, and isn't used to sitting still for so long, and everything catches up with him all at once. he doesn't tell anyone for awhile but his memory is more fucked than he thought, and he finds time slipping away from him. he's sick in bed most of the time so he re-reads all the books he owns, and also randomly takes up knitting so his hands can stay busy and his mind can wander. everyone knows it's been a rough night if harry emerges from the shadows, crusty and stinking, and drops a dozen pairs of knit socks on the table

since kim knows the game from a cop's perspective, he gets his kicks doing stupid petty crimes, and also earns the household some cash on the side to keep them going. it helps him get through the intensity of his life and he lives out all his bad boy fantasies

the kids get better enough that they can go back to school, i imagine they transferred and are appreciating a) getting out of the house b) something to do c) cuno actually likes meeting new people and he's a novelty being the new student. cunoesse has a harder time adjusting and gets crazy jealous

with jean at work and the kids at school during the day, kim and harry FUCK

one day the angst sex is so good that harry stands up after, wipes himself off, and is like "yeah, okay, i'll go to rehab"

okay it's more of a support group personalized therapy package deal thing in the next city over, but harry really benefits from healing around other people who are going through something similar. his progress is immediate, he is a new person overnight. he is going forward, not trying to chase someone he once was. he lets himself slow down a little bit, lets himself be eccentric, lets himself age gracefully.

jean can't avoid telling pryce about the new situation ("you mean to tell me....three adult male colleagues? and two random teenagers they met during an investigation? do you know how bad that looks?" "i know, i know, but it's more of an at-home rehab-orphanage scenario") but pryce is actually strangely very kind about it (yes jean is more self assured now but also he dangles some blame in front of his eyes - pryce pushed harry too far and fucked over not just harry but jean and kim's personal lives).

pryce runs into harry soon after and almost doesn't recognize him. he's so clearly improving that pryce calls jean into his office first thing the next morning. if harry completes the whole rehab program and doesn't drastically relapse, he'll massage the budget so that jean can get a fat bonus, enough to cover the shittiest, cheapest house on the market, a way of saying thank you and i'm sorry to all three of them

cuno is smart, obviously, and snuck the last of his dad's drugs with him before he left. he finds it too difficult to get off speed and secretly indulges when kim leaves in the evening, but at least now cuno can do his homework and shower every night. he also shares with cunoesse and they learn how to trust each other again

kim has to do more parenting than he bargained for until harry gets well enough to take over. he'll be stern when boundaries need to be placed but otherwise he doesn't waste his time nagging or scolding, just the eyebrow is enough. he makes the kids help around the house while also learning how to do the basics: how to cook, how to clean, how to do laundry, how to change a tire, first aid, etc

c + c blossom with a safe home environment and some structure in their lives. at first they'd sleep for thirteen hours at a time, unfamiliar with the feeling of safety and utter relaxation. they shower too often and use up all the hot water, obsessed with this new luxury. they eat like wolves, used to the panic of not knowing where their next meal would come from.

#disco elysium swap au #disco elysium #harry du bois #harrier du bois #kim kitsuragi #swap au #post game #jean vicquemare #cuno de ruyter #cunoesse #meatballerino

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