#listen i know its almost been a month but this game is HUGE

[the-hawkseye]

Me Feb 28th: I should avoid social media until i finished Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in order to protect myself from any Aerith spoilers.

Me, a week later goes to social media anyway and sees pictures that INDICATE something i'm scared off: fUck

#listen i know its almost been a month but this game is HUGE #Im at chapter 11 with almost 80 hrs ib #I have a life #don't spoiler THAT thing internet #i dont wanna see it #I'm scared #i dont wanna lose her again D: #aerith #final fantasy vii rebirth

[srjlvr]

,, stages of confession ‘‘

PAIRING . . . highschool-student!Jay X highschool-student!femReader !

GENRE . . . brother’s bsf trope! , fluff , angst(?) , maybe even crack but maybe just a tiny bit.

WC . . . 2.2k+ !!

SYNOPSIS . . . there are many stages of confession, especially when your crush is your brother’s best friend.

WARNINGS . . . not really a warning but heeseung as your older sibling , one year age gap(idk if its really a warning) , insecurities !

STAGE ONE — denial.

“i’m not having a crush okay, he’s heeseung’s best friend, there’s no way!” — if there’s one thing you learnt about yourself in the last few years, is that you’re a good liar, but it really depends on who you’re asking.

“you keep repeating the same sentence each time i ask you about it, i know you good enough to know that you’re always doing it when you’re lying” your best friend riki, would say otherwise.

“okay so maybe a tiny crush, it’s nothing big, he’s my brother’s best friend, let’s not forget that” you rolled your eyes, “so? it’s the perfect plot! brother’s best friend has always been my fav”

“my life’s not a movie you know” “oh it is, ever since jay entered your life, the camera started rolling”

you rolled your eyes again and playfully punched the guy.

you’ve known jay ever since you were little, he’s older than you by one year, and younger than your brother by one year as well.

jay met your brother in the neighborhood, and ever since then they became literally inseparable.

“jay, this is my sibling, y/n” a month after jay and heeseung —the long lost twins— met, heeseung finally introduced you to jay.

jay was focused on you, you were so pretty in his eyes, you totally made him fighting the urge to learn more about you.

“it’s nice to meet you” he smiled warmly at you, “its nice to meet you too” you replied happily.

those were the first and almost last words you two exchanged. there’s only “hey”s and “bye”s whenever jay’s coming around but nothing more and nothing less.

as you grew old, you started seeing each other more at school, you’d just return smiles and stares but again, nothing more and nothing less.

whenever jay would come over, you’d spend your time staring at him from the kitchen, while he was in the living room, playing some video games with heeseung.

“listen, heeseung is finishing school this year, which means you and jay finally get to talk without it being so awkward!” riki smirked at you.

“i can barely even say hey to him anymore” you sniffed, “oh come on i see the way you two are looking at each other whenever you meet in the hallway, it’s obvious that he’s crushing on you as well”

STAGE TWO — accepting.

the other day, you were walking to riki’s locker, crossing your hands and looking at him seriously.

“okay fine maybe i do have a huge crush on him” you sighed while looking at cheerful riki, “tell me something i don’t know”

“but i’ve also accepted the fact that it can never happen between us” you added, “exact—wait what no!” riki sighed, “of course it can”

“heeseung would never let us date” you sighed, “let’s not forget about the fact that he’s not interested in me, i mean look at his classmates, everyone’s so pretty and around his age”

riki rolled his eyes and smacked you, “you HAVE to see the way he looks at you whenever you’re not watching him, it’s like he has heart eyes or something like that”

“i think you’re a bit exaggerating” “i’ll hide a camera in my sweater and prove to you who’s the one exaggerating”

“what do you think i should do?” jay asked sunghoon, one of his friends and classmates. “i mean, heeseung never said anything about his sibling being off limits, but i dont think he’d like the idea of you two dating”

“i think it’s worth a shot” he shrugged, “heeseung is leaving school this year and will probably go to college, this is my chance”

jay has already accepted his huge crush on you, from time to time he would steal glances of you, so intrigued by your beauty.

whenever jay’s coming over to your house, he’d spend every second in trying to get closer to you, including going to the kitchen to fill up more than ten cups just because you were spending your time in the kitchen and he thought it’d be a great opportunity to talk with you.

it didn’t work out though, just as you said before, things are just awkward between you two.

jay can’t stop thinking about how pretty you are, and your bubbly personality is what makes him more curious about you. he watches you from afar, playfully punching your friend, riki and then laughing your ass off with him, it’s something that made him envy riki, he wanted to be the one to make you laugh like that.

STAGE THREE — trying.

another year passed and heeseung is finally out of the picture, so what’s stopping you from talking to him now?

it was fear, the fear of not being enough for him, the fear of being different and weirder than the others, the fear that he’ll laugh at you the second he hears you talking and so on.

“you should at least try,” riki said, at the verge of begging, “it won’t hurt”

“what am i supposed to say? ‘oh hey! now that heeseung’s outta the picture we can kiss!’?” riki giggled, “no, i think you’ll know what to say when you’ll see him”

“i’m going to try,” jay said to sunghoon, “it won’t hurt”

sunghoon nodded and pat jay’s shoulder, “i wish you well dude, try not to die in the hands of heeseung okay”

STAGE FOUR — meeting up as if its the first time.

you were taking some books out from your locker when jay suddenly showed up.

“hey!” he said kindly, “oh, hey jay!” you replied with a smile.

“heeseung is not here now” he added, “right”

“so i’ve been meaning to ask if you’d like to get to know each other better, it’d be less awkward between us each time i come over to your house” he chuckled.

“oh gosh yes finally,” you sighed in relief, “i thought i was the only one who felt awkward”

jay shook his hand, “no no, its totally mutual”

“so i was thinking about going to the park after school, just to talk about whatever” “i would love that” you smiled warmly at him.

“great! can i get your phone number?” he suddenly asked, “so i could contact you when i finish school”

“oh yeah right” you held him out your phone and he put his number in it, “done! i’ll see you later” he smiled and walked away.

“dude!” a second after jay walked away a figure jumped on you causing you to fall. “you got jay’s phone number AND you’re going to the park with him later? i’m so proud of you”

you glared at the figure, “oh im gonna beat you up you better start praying nishimura riki!”

“wait wait wait,” he froze before you could hit him, “can you at least tell me what happened?”

you did end up telling him what was the conversation about, and he obviously couldn’t stop teasing you about it.

“i told you and i said what i said” he stick out his tongue, “remember me when you get together”

“i’m fighting the urge to beat you up on daily basis i need therapy” you sighed.

school ended and you texted jay that he should wait by the lockers and then you both could go out together, he texted you right away with an okay.

as you walked out of the classroom, you could already see him leaning on the locker next to yours, patiently waiting for you.

you smiled and walked up to him, “hey again” he said, “hey, i kept you waiting too long?”

“no not at all! i’ve just finished some things i had to do” you nodded and put your books in your locker, “let’s go now shall we?”

“i think heeseung would kill me if he saw us together” jay chuckled as you two kept walking around the park, “i can talk some sense in him” you rolled your eyes.

“your brother loves you a lot, he wouldn’t stop talking about you” he smiled, “i could say the same about you, it’s always ‘jay jay and jay’ whenever we gossip” you rolled your eyes.

“but that’s what made me curious about you” you added and he nodded, “i’m glad to know my feelings are mutual”

you two spent the rest of the afternoon together, even going to a local cafe just to get comfy and eat some snacks together.

“thanks for today, i really hope we can do this more” he smiled, “i really hope so too, i had fun today”

he nodded and watched you walking up to your door, “i’ll text you later!”

STAGE FIVE — confronting.

“hey!” heeseung popped out of the living room and hugged you tightly.

your relationship with your brother couldn’t be better than what it is, you’re each other’s best friend and know every little secret about each other.

“hey” you replied, “you’re back late” he pointed out.

“yeah” you replied and hesitated, “i was actually with jay”

“really?” he said excitedly and hugged you.

“are you okay?” you asked him, now you’re the concerned one.

“yn please, it was obvious that the moment i leave school, you two would open up and talk” he said, “i had to watch you two stealing glances every now and then”

“i don’t understand” you said.

“you’ve never asked or talked about wether it’s okay if you and jay would hang out or not, i’m obviously a fan of you two” he chuckled.

“god you acted like you’re mad all the time!” you complained, heeseung laughed and pat your head, “it’s your mind that makes you think like that, i was actually the happiest when i first noticed your tiny crush on him”

“you didn’t even have to tell me you’re crushing” he shrugged and you rolled your eyes, “how do you even know im- you know what? im just gonna go shower” you said and ran to your room.

heeseung sent u off and then smirked, he took out his phone to call his friend, “jay you were right, she just told me you went to hang out together” he giggled.

“really? what did she say…?” jay asked curiously, “you’d have to find out”

a few days ago, jay went up to heeseung and confessed to him about his crush on you. “heeseung, i need to tell you something”

“i know and im already excited” heeseung smiled warmly. jay looked at him confused, “how do you-“ “you were about to tell me that you’re crushing over my sibling right? it was pretty obvious”

“i waited patiently for the day to come” he chuckled, “how did you even find o-“ jay’s eyes widened a bit, “i’m not blind, i noticed your stares and awkward tension, come on it was so obvious”

jay just grinned and went up to hug the older one, “since when did you become so-“ “thank you heeseung, it means a lot”

“i’ll be waiting for your confession, better do it soon or i’ll be the one to reveal it”

“please don’t” jay smiled.

STAGE SIX — waiting for the right time.

“well? it’s been a month and i havent heard anything from y/n except your hang outs” heeseung rolled his eyes.

“im waiting for the perfect time, i don’t want to rush it” jay shrugged.

“this is the perfect time! you’ve spent together a lot more than you think” heeseung pointed out.

“you’re right but-“ “i’m not going to force you, but you should do something before it’ll be too late”

“too late for what?” you came behind jay and smiled, “we were just talking about the fact that finals are soon and i didn’t even start studying” jay rolled his eyes.

“oh, same here” you said disappointed. “hey y/n, let’s go watch a movie!” he suggested.

“sure, let me go and get ready” you smiled and went up to your room.

“i’m gonna do it now” he grinned and heeseung crossed his fingers as a good luck.

STAGE SEVEN — confessing.

as you and jay sat on your seats, you noticed him taking a few deep breaths.

“are you oka-“ “y/n, i actually have to tell you something”

you nodded and waited for him to continue.

“i like you, a lot actually” he smiled, “ever since i first saw you, you caught my eye and i couldn’t stop falling for you, you never fail to keep me intrigued about anything the involves you and-“

“i would really like to take you out, on a date, and officially call you mine” as soon as he finished, the movie started rolling. “you don’t have to answer right away, take your time if it feels too rushed for you”

he then turned his head to the screen as you kept staring at him.

soon, the movie ended and you don’t remember even watching it, you were so deep in thoughts and excitement.

the jay park, likes me? you thought and your cheeks started to automatically blush.

as jay was about to get up from his seat, you grabbed his wrist to stop him.

“i would love to go out with you on a date, and i would love to be called yours” you let your mouth speak without even thinking.

jay smiled immediately and dragged you into a hug.

“oh god im so glad-“ “FINALLY!!”

you heard claps and shouts from behind you. you took a glance and saw riki and heeseung standing right behind you with small tears in their eyes.

“i never thought i’d be able to watch you two get together before my college starts” heeseung wiped his happy tears.

“i told you!” riki smirked and shrank as you glared at him as if you’re going to kill him.

jay then got closer to you and whispered in your ear, “me and you tomorrow, at 8pm, i’ll come to pick you up”

© — 2023, srjlvr. pls don’t copy/translate any of my works without permission ! | reblogs and comments are very appreciated !

#enhypen imagines #enhypen drabbles #enhypen #enhypen scenarios #enhypen fluff #enhypen headcanons #enhypen x you #enhypen jay #jay x reader #park jay x reader #jay fluff #jay imagines #jay drabbles #jay scenarios #jay headcanons #jay x you

[scarthefangirl]

Giving to the poor

Hobie brown x G/N!reader

Request: hobie with a ballerina reader who is also a HUGE bookworm-dont ask me where the idea came from because idk either lol- I kinda just wanted to see how that would maybe look?

Warnings: none? Mentions of theft

Story type: Headcannons

A/N: Not my best but please read my other fics!!

Masterlist | REQUESTS OPEN

You and Hobie don't have a ton in common

You are graceful, very sweet, and a little more awkward

Hobie is a little more- bold and rough

But you two couldn't be a better pair

He loves your smooth and sophisticated fighting style, thanks to your ballet

He thinks its hot how you almost make fighting into a dance, and can whoop anyone in heartbeat

You encourage him constantly to take up ballet, insisting that it'll do him good

"Football players do it! It helps balance and control, and you'd look fine in a leotard." You always plead

"I don't need help, I'm doin' just fine love. But I certainly would look good," He always says

In secret he'd probably watch ballet tutorials to see if its for him, to make you happy

He is FLOORED when he finds out how often you have to replace ballet slippers

"Every 6 months? That has to be so expensive!"

Just wait till he hears that you also have pointe shoes that get replaced every few months...

He will start to time out when you buy shoes and buy them for you

He listens to you rant about your terrible dance teacher and fellow ballerinas for as long as you want, nodding in agreement about how horrible they are

He'll do yoga with you (although he's not very bendy) to keep you flexible and let you laugh at how bad he is

As for your reading addiction, Hobie finds it adorable

The way you gasp and yell at your books as you read, your facial expressions that convey the emotion of the chapters, your particularity for how books should be handled, everything

He isn't the biggest reader but if you hype up a book he'll definitely check it out

You guys bond over ones you both like

"I like hunger games. We need more katniss's in the world to stick it to the man!" He says after finishing the series

Dystopian books make him mad and go on lectures about how the real government is just as bad and deteriorating and loves the wah you'll go off with him and agree and listen

Sometimes he loses you around headquarters and looks EVERYWHERE for you

Loses trust in everyone

"Have you seen them? Come on, think would ya? Yes you have, I know you have!"

Only to find you in an empty room either reading or practicing your ballet

Either way, he leans on the door frame and admire you until you notice him

"If you're gonna sneak away darlin' you could at least tell me, I worry." He scolds but smiles and sits next to you.

Hobie LOVES making people uncomfortable

He'll admire you fighting and just yell out how hot you are or how turned on he is, not caring who hears

He'll make out with you in front of anyone, anytime.

On a different note, when you obsessively buy books he wants to stop you but he can't because you look so cute with the way your face lights up at each cover

"I've been wanting this one!" Or, "I have this one but this is a different cover!"

He isn't all for traditional gender roles but he will pay for your stuff, just because he loves you. He lets you pay for him sometimes if you offer

He sometimes sneaks a book out, stealing it just because he hates the way you insist on following rules

"Here, I took this one for ya," he says

"Hobart Brown!" You scold but can't help being happy for the book

"What? I'm stealing from the rich," he gestures to the book store. "And giving to the poor," he ends, gesturing at you.

He gives to 'the poor' a lot

If you ever talk about a book to him that you want, it randomly appears on you bookshelf

~

Sorry for the abrupt ending lmao

Tags: // @liliummz // @themarvelprince // @misselsbells06 // @american-sataness // @cr0ssoverf4n4tic // @depressednoob // @cerene-ciderr // @leighanne03 // @inluvwithfictionalwomen // @singhfae // @mythixmagic // @itsyourboymicheal // @Ravensinthedaylight // @dai-tsukki-desu // @url0calw3irdo // @daisydark //

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[lizzieislife94x]

Caught (w.m)

Requested <3

Wanda x Fem Reader

 GirlxGirl

 Y/ns POV:

I grab my phone to text my girlfriend we've only been together for almost 3 months she's amazing and everytime I'm with her I have these butterfly's that I can't control we've had sex a few times but she doesn't know about a few of my kinks and I don't want to tell her incase she leaves me because this girl has my heart, I'm happy enough to keep them in my mind and read all about them on this awesome app I discovered called wattpad there's so many stories on there and there's plenty of stories to fit my kink, I shake my head snapping put of my thoughts 

 Me: Hey wands I'm ready when you are I have my weekend bag ready to go see you soon honey 😍 

I put my air force on as I get a text notification from wanda 

Wanda❤️: Hey baby I just pulled up see you in a minute 

I quickly run outside to greet wanda as she walks towards me "ughh I missed you" I sigh hugging her tight as she wraps her arms around me tight "I missed you too beautiful" I smile and peck her lips as we both get into the car "hey so I'm gonna make us both dinner tonight so you'll have an hour or 2 to relax while I do that" she smiles over at me as we drive to her new apartment "sounds good to me baby ill play games on my phone and relax on the couch I had a terrible sleep so a few hours relaxing sounds amazing " she rests her hand on my thigh and gives me a sad smile"how come you couldn't sleep babe" I shrug and place my hand on hers "I just can't seem to sleep in my bed it's to big and empty I think my body misses being tangled with your body" I giggle making her laugh too "well you'll get a great sleep this weekend " she smiles bright as we listen to music to pass the time the smile never leaving my face, after 10 minutes we arrive, i climb out and grab my weekend bag and phone as we head inside I go up to wandas room and place my bag down and head back downstairs "ohhhhh are you starting dinner just now" I say excitedly as I wrap my arms around her pressing a kiss to her cheek as she giggles "yess so move go and relax if I need help ill ask" I smirk and obey her heading to the living room to lay on the couch letting out a content sigh I grab my phone and go to wattpad and continue to read random girl on girl one shots I bite my lip as the reader rides the other girls thigh and begs her to cum I feel my cheeks blush as I read the more I read the more I have to control myself as the reader calls the other mommy fuck I close my eyes for a second and picture me and wanda in bed as I ride her thigh fuck I need to cool down, I place my phone on the couch not thinking as I rush to the bathroom

Wandas POV:

I wonder what that was why was she in such a hurry I shrug it off and set the oven timer as I head to the couch fuck it feels good to sit, I notice y/ns phone on and it looks like she's reading something I should respect her privacy but my curiosity gets the better of me I grab her phone and let my eyes scan over what she's reading as my eyes go wide "y/n you kinky little fucker" I whisper to myself with a smirk oh just wait till after dinner i wonder why she didn't feel comfortable enough to tell me about this there's nothing wrong with a mommy kink or thigh riding kink I think its a turn on, shit she's coming I quickly place the phone down and head back to the kitchen.

Y/ns POV:

"Baby how long till dinner I'm starving " I moan like a child making wanda giggle "here you go baby come sit at the table" I jump up and run to the dinning table and sit with a huge grin "god I'm so hungry" she places my food infront of me it looks so good "I hope you enjoy it honey "I take a bite and let out a moan "mhhh wanda as always its amazing" shes miles and blushes at the compliment we continue to eat in a comfortable silence till both plates are empty "fuck that was so good wanda" she gets up to take the plates but I stop her and do it "you cooked I clean its only fair " she gets up and laughs "well y/n when your done come up to the bedroom" I nod in acknowledgement as I wash our dishes after 5 minutes I head upstairs to see wanda in her long tee "finally come cuddle" I smile and jump onto the bed and cuddle up with her. 

We've been cuddling for over an hour when she decided to kiss me it was a passionate kiss I know these kisses they lead to us both panting messes but I follow her lead and deepen the kiss as she pulls me ontop of her but she places me on her thigh not her waist this is new maybe she didn't mean it "start riding y/n" she whispers breathless against my lips as an unexpected moan leaves mu lips "I uh I.. I.. wanda what do you mean" I stutter looking at her "that's not my name its mommy to you" I feel my hips start to move on her thigh as a loud moan leaves my lips and I look at her shocked "words baby what's my name' I continue to grind trying to get the right amount of friction "mommy...your name is mommy" I moan as she starts to take my top and bra off I feel my nipples get instantly hard as the cold air hits them "get up and take your pants and panties off" she instructed me and I do as she says as she pulls her tee over her head revealing her naked body once were both naked she positions herself and them pats her thigh "be a good girl and come make a mess on mommy's thigh"

she smirks as I gulp and nod climbing onto her thigh as she grips my waist and moves me after a minute we both find a rhythm me grinding her helping me I moan into her neck as she whispers praises into my ear "fuck y/n such a good girl making a mess all over mommy's thigh you want to cum baby huh" I moan loud and nod earning a slap to the ass "words" she says sternly "mmh want to cum for you mommy please let me cum I'm a good girl I'm your good girl mommy" I hear her let out a moan I've never heard as my thrusts become sloppy "please mommy..please can I cum" I whimper as the pleasure builds "fuck cum for me babygirl make a mess all over mommy's thigh" as the words leave her mouth I feel my sweet release as I cum all over her thigh screaming as the pleasure takes over I slow my thrusts as wanda holds me closer to her "there you go baby sucha good girl you done so Well" she rubs my back as I melt into her trying to steady my breathing as wanda lays back pulling me with her to cuddle "That was so hot" she whispers playing with my hair as I blush hiding my face "but I have to admit I read a little of the story you where reading, why didn't you tell me about the things that turn you on in the bedroom " I instantly freeze and look down "I uh I um I didn't want you to leave me I didn't want you to run thinking I was weird some people run when they find out kinks" I say sadly as wanda rubs my arm "I would never I'm very open to trying new things baby and that was hot so I guess that means I have a mommy kink because hearing you call me mommy made me cum" she giggles as I look up at her "wait really" she smiles and nods as she leans down to kiss me, we ended up spending the night talking and falling asleep in eachothers arms. 

AN: not sure how this turned out I hope you enjoy it requests are open😀 all feedback welcome good or bad, stay hydrated and hope you all have a great day/night my messages are always open, word count for this chapter is 1.5k

#elizabeth olsen #lizzie olsen #fanfic #marvel mcu #mcu #mcu fanfiction #oneshot #wattpad #smut #lizzieislife94x #wanda maximoff #wanda marvel #wanda mcu #wandavision #mommy wanda #wanda x reader #wanda x you #wanda maximoff imagine #wanda maximommy #wanda smut

[jebewonmorelike]

Caught With Your Hand In The Wookie Jar

wc: 850 warnings: gunwook being big, big baby??? but like, if that's a crime, please arrest me??? fluffiest fluff pronouns: n/a; none used summary: gunwook wants a cookie :) ~masterlist~ ♡ ~kofi (no pressure at all)~ ARE YOU REALLY GONNA LET THE BABY STARVE!? HE'S HUNGRY GDMMIT!!

"Baby, baby, baby Wookie," you sing, absentmindedly playing with the chubbiest cheeks of the boy whose head is currently in your lap.

Your boyfriend is playing a game on his fancy new phone while you catch up on the last few episodes of The Heavenly Idol. It's almost dinner time and as you both lie on the couch together in domestic bliss, you wait for the chicken to finish air-frying so you can eat.

Gunwook had been dropping hints the past couple of days that he was really craving something sweet, which was a pretty regular occurrence in your household. But while he was filming Boys Planet, he had been warned even more harshly about maintaining a healthy diet. He'd broken it several times in the last couple months and every time he'd complained about how guilty he felt.

You didn't care much for your boyfriend's oppressive diet, but you also hated watching him beat himself up for any reason. Still, he had been working so hard and he deserved a nice treat (and you'd honestly give him one every day if you could). So while he was out running errands earlier today, you whipped up a batch of your super special secret-recipe chocolate chip cookies that he almost always devours in one sitting.

Tonight, he'd only be allowed one though. Two at the most. And three if he asked especially nicely.

Honestly, you didn't know how you were going to say no to him. But it was for his own good! There would be no Gunwook-bashing in this household.

Just then, a ding-ding-ding sounds from the kitchen indicating the chicken is done. Gunwook sits up lazily from his place in your lap and slides his slippers on.

"I've got it," he says, whipping his hair from his eyes and making his way to the kitchen. Your attention returns to your drama as you wait for your boyfriend to plate the chicken and tell you its time to eat.

But a few minutes go by and there's not a peep from Gunwook. You think that maybe he's also very kindly preparing the table for you, so you give him another couple minutes.

As your concern grows, you turn off the TV and listen more carefully, soon realizing you can't hear any sound coming from the kitchen at all. Slightly panicked, you hop up and quickly rush to check on Gunwook, planning how you might disarm and take down a possible stealthy intruder.

But when you reach the kitchen, you're met with the scene of a far-more serious (and adorable) crime.

Standing at the counter, huge hand inside of the cat-shaped cookie jar is a completely dissociated Gunwook. You could stand there for hours watching the giant baby that inhabited your house part-time struggle over whether or not to commit such an act of thievery, but ultimately... he had to be stopped.

"Wookieeeee!" You whine, watching as his hand flies out of the jar, knocking it on its side.

His eyes are wide as he stares back at you like a deer in headlights, his lips formed in the cutest little pout. Your boyfriend might only have an appetite for sweets, but in this moment you swear you could just eat him right up.

"I-... I was... Just checking them," he stutters and then winces when he realizes how silly it sounds.

"Oh yeah? Checking them how?" You ask, amusement now seeping onto your face.

"To-... to see if they were... Um... There?"

"It's a clear jar, Wook," you point out, walking over to where he stands at the counter and setting the cookie jar back upright.

"Mm," he agrees with an embarrassed nod.

"Wookie..." Your voice now drips with faux shock as you pretend to scold him. "Were you going to eat a cookie!?"

His head shakes back and forth rapidly, eyes doe-like and perfect.

Your eyes narrow, as you stare back at him suspiciously. "So if I asked you right now if you want a cookie?"

"Please, please, please, please, please!" He exclaims so fast that it sounds like nonsense.

You can't help but laugh now as Gunwook bounces up and down in front of you excitedly.

"Not yet, Wookie. You need to eat a healthy, filling dinner before you eat dessert," you say, patting his stomach lightly. "You need all of the proper nutrients so you can grow!"

"I'm six-foot."

"And who says you can't reach seven? I'd hate to let you sabotage your potential."

Gunwook sighs. "You're trying to save me from being mad at myself, aren't you?" Fondness radiates from his eyes as he wraps his big arms around you and pulls you in close.

You nod against his chest. "Love you."

"Love you," he returns, pulling back slightly from the hug so he can see your face.

Puppy dog eyes smiling back at you, Gunwook asks especially nicely, "But can I please have a delicious cookie that my perfect angel that I appreciate and love so much made for me after dinner?"

You nod. "Of course you can, my love."

You can have three. :)

#boys planet #boys planet imagines #boys planet drabbles #bp #bp999 #bp999 drabbles #bp999 imagines #park gunwook #gunwook #park gun wook #park gunwook imagines #park gunwook drabbles #gunwook imagines #gunwook drabbles #pgw #kpop #kpop imagines #kpop drabbles

[freezerbrldes]

A Long, Unfortunate while

PAIRING. Lucy Gray Baird x Coriolanus Snow

WARNINGS. Mentions of abuse and SA (not too in-depth but its still there)

AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is my first time writing and using Tumblr so please bear with me lol. This series is based on the album Preacher's Daughter by Ethel Cain. If you're unfamiliar with that album I highly recommend listening to it because it is honestly one of the greatest albums in the last decade. I changed some of the story up so it's not so predictable for people who know the lore behind the album. Also, I made Lucy Gray 18 years old and Coryo 20 years old for the sake of this story because it gets pretty dark towards the end (iykyk).

credit to @cafekitsune for dividers

now on ao3

Chapter One: American Teenager

I stand before the mirror, amazed at how the rainbow dress paired with the cream-colored corset and subtle makeup transformed my features. I’m not one to dress up, but since I’m attending the homecoming dance with Billy Taupe, I need to wear something other than my usual oversized t-shirts and baggy jeans. 

Never in a million years did I think he’d ever ask me out, let alone as his homecoming date. Billy and I grew up together in Shady Grove, a very small town in rural Alabama. We’ve never been close friends in school, but I always had a huge crush on him. He is the star player on the football team and is by far the most sought-after guy in school. 

Billy had been dating Arachne Crane, the captain of the cheer squad and the local bitch of Shady Grove High. He caught her making out with Fetus Creed under the bleachers after a game a few months ago, he broke up with her right on the spot. Since then he has talked to me more than he ever has. I didn’t think much of it until one day after chemistry class he stopped me in the hallway and asked me to homecoming. I was shocked but accepted anyway, hoping it would eventually lead us into a relationship.

I walked down the steps where my mother was ready with her Polaroid camera. 

“Oh my” she exclaimed, “You look beautiful.” She began snapping picture after picture, my eyes closed in almost every single one from how blinding the flash was. She grabbed my arms and tried to position me into a pose, taking even more pictures. After about 10 more photos, I had enough.

“Okay Mama, you got more than enough pictures, I need to go,” I say as I hear Billy pull into the driveway, honking the horn to let me know he’s here. 

“Let me go outside and say hi to the boy, I haven’t seen him in so long,” She says as she tries to open the door and walk outside. I immediately shut the door and blocked it with my body. 

“Please no, mama, he’s in a hurry and we gotta leave right now.” I began cracking open the door and inching my way through before my mother could get outside., not wanting her to embarrass men in front of Billy. 

Billy hops out of the truck and opens the passenger side door for me. 

“Wow, Lucy Gray, you look... stunning,” He says with a laugh as he looks me up and down. I blush at his words, not used to receiving compliments. 

“Thank you, Billy, you look great too” I replied. 

“Oh, Thanks,” Billy said. “It's the same suit I wore to your dad’s funeral.”

My heart sinks at his response.

My father passed away four years ago. He was the preacher at Shady Grove Baptist church for over 25 years. He was well respected around town. Everyone loved him and the services he led every Sunday. If only they knew what a monster that man was when he was not leading the congregation.

He and Mama did a good job of acting like they were happy together whenever they were at church or neighborhood cookouts, but no one could see the bruises that he would leave on my and Mama's bodies sometimes.

I shake myself out of my memories as Billy helps me into his truck and heads towards the school. The drive was mostly quiet. Every now and then he'll ask me about church or tell me about his recent football games, which I pretend to care about.

He parks the truck in the parking lot as I watch all the girls dressed in lavish ball gowns enter the school, they all make mine look insignificant in comparison. Billy helps me out of the truck and into the gymnasium. 

The room was filled to the brim with people, the DJ playing terrible remixes of various pop songs as people danced. I’m not a party girl, never even been to one other than birthday parties as a kid. The thought of the loud music mixed with sweaty bodies grinding against each other was enough to steer me far away from that lifestyle.

“I’m going to get us some punch, I’ll be right back,” Billy says as he maneuvers through the sea of people. 

I find an empty table in the corner away from all the commotion and make my way over to it. I take a seat and watch the crowd as everyone dances along to the music. Billy emerges from the crowd holding two glasses of red punch. 

“Thanks,” I say as I take the drink from him and have a sip. We sit in silence as the opening notes of Time After Time play. Billy looks over at me and places a hand over mine.

“Would you like to dance?” I look down at our hands and then look back at him. 

“Uh, sure, but I’ve never danced before,” I reply, my eyes avoiding his in embarrassment as I finish the last of my punch.

“That’s fine, I’ll teach ya” Billy stands from the table, his hand now holding mine, as he leads us to an empty spot on the dance floor. He places my hands on his shoulders before placing his on my hips. 

Billy began to sway us back and forth with the music and for a moment it felt like we were the only two people in the room. My confidence began to grow as I rested my head on his chest, listening to the beat of his heart instead of the music.

His grip on my waist got tighter as he pulled me closer to his body., my chest now flush against his. He begins kissing up the side of my neck as his hands move further down my waist and he grips my ass. I feel him snake a hand up my thigh and under my dress.

“Billy, what are you doing?” I muttered, trying to push his hands off of me, but his grip was too strong. At the same time, I began to feel a little dizzy, Did he put something in my punch?

"Just relax, baby," He whispers into my ear. He then grinds his crotch into my thigh as his hands search for the waistband of my panties.

"Billy, stop, let me go," I beg quietly, but he ignores my pleas.

Before he could get any further, a shrill voice spoke, causing Billy and I to both jump.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Lucy Gray Baird, what a surprise! I wasn’t expecting Billy to bring you to homecoming. I see he’s almost won the bet.” Arachne laughed, and her cheerleader friends giggled along with her. “Arachne, leave her alone,” Billy muttered, getting in between her and me. 

“Bet? What bet?” I questioned. “Billy, what is she talking about?” 

“I-It’s nothing Lucy Gray really-” 

“Billy made a bet with Festus that he could get laid by the preacher’s daughter,” Arachne interrupted, grinning widely. 

My face heated up as I felt tears well up in my eyes. This was all part of a bet? I thought to myself. I glared at Billy as he desperately tried to talk his way out of this.

“I-I wasn’t being serious, We were just joking around, I would never try to pressure you into anything I swear.” He stutters, his hand scratching the back of his neck.

“Did you really think Billy would ever go for you willingly?” Arachne snickered, “You look like a circus clown in that dress, and besides, the only reason he came here tonight with you is to get a quick 50 bucks”

“That’s not true, I came here with you because I-” Billy is cut off by Arachne’s giggling once again.

“Oh my god Billy, you like her?”

“N-no, I didn’t say that-” Billy adds, before he finished his sentence I turned away and headed towards the door. Before I could get to the door, Arachne cut me off and threw her punch all over my dress, staining it a dark scarlet red. I felt all eyes on me as she began to laugh. Soon it sounded like everyone in the room was laughing at me.

I pushed my way through the crowd and ran out the door and through the parking lot, walking down the empty, dark road. The sound of cicadas chirping in the trees surrounded me as I made my way down the street.

I had no clue if it was whatever Billy slipped into my punch, but all I wanted to do was run into the forest and let the wildlife consume me alive. Anything at this point would be better than facing everyone in class on Monday, especially Billy and Acrachne, but the thought of leaving Mama all alone, not knowing what happened to me quickly sucked me right out of that thought.

About 30 minutes into my walk, Headlights illuminate the road as they head towards me. An old beat-up pickup truck pulls over on the side of the road a few feet in front of me. As I walk past the window is rolled down to reveal a young man with long blond hair behind the wheel.

“You know, it's not safe to walk on the side of the road when it's this dark,” he says with a friendly smile,  “Do you need a ride?” 

I took a moment to think. I hear a lot of horror stories about women getting kidnapped from hitchhiking like this, but this guy looks very nice and he seems to be worried about my safety. There’s no a way crazed serial killer would ever be in a town this small anyway. 

“Yeah, I’d love that,” I answered as I approached the truck, getting into the passenger seat. I got in and gave him directions to my house, which was about 25 minutes away from the school. 

“My name’s Coriolanus, what’s yours?” He asks, I notice his accent is a lot different from anyone around here, he must be from out of town. 

“Lucy Gray,” I replied as he began to drive.

“Lucy Gray.. That’s a pretty name,” He smiles at me. 

“You don’t sound like you’re from here, where are you from?” I asked, looking over at his large collection of cassette tapes on the dashboard. From the looks of it, he must really like Metallica.

“I’m from Florida, I’m just passing through here on my way to California.” He answers as he lights a cigarette. 

“You’re driving from Florida to California? Isn’t that like a 40-hour drive?” I inquired, this man has to be insane or something to wanna do that all by himself.

“Yes, it's a very long drive,” he laughed. “My father was a truck driver and would always come home talking about how therapeutic driving all across America was, I’m hoping I’ll find it just as therapeutic as he did,” Coriolanus mutters, he looked almost sad for a second but quickly snapped out of it. "And there are so many more opportunities for me out there than there are back home."

I could almost sense the sadness in the air as he spoke about his father, he must have lost his father too. Almost like he knew I was going to question him about his father, he spoke again.

“May I ask what you are dressed up for?” He asks, glancing at my dress.

“I was at the homecoming dance tonight at school, my date was a dick so I left,” I said, playing with my hands in my lap as I spoke.

“God, that sucks,” Coriolanus replied, “well, he’s missing out big time, you are a very beautiful girl” he looks over at me and smiles sweetly. “What’s all that red on your dress?”

“My date’s ex-girlfriend decided to throw her drink at me before I left, I guess she was jealous that I went to the dance with him instead of her,” I said as I laughed slightly, feeling comfortable around Coriolanus as I spoke about my humiliating experience.

“Yeah, I imagine,” He says as he looks over my dress once more.

I watched Coriolanus as he continued to drive down the dark highway. He notices and quickly looks over, his eyes meet mine for the first time. I’m taken aback by his blue eyes are, they're almost as blue as a clear sunny sky. He smiles as I blush and look back down at my lap nervously.

“I’ve always dreamed of leaving Shady Grove, starting a new life in a big city somewhere,” I confessed. 

Coriolanus looked at me as I stared out the window.

“I know we don’t know each other at all,” he started, “but if you were up for it, you could join me on my trip.”

I looked over at him again, my eyes lit up. 

“You want me to stay?” I asked, a smile forming on my lips.

“I won’t force you into anything of course, but I could really use the company,” Coriolanus smiled, “I feel like I might go insane driving all by myself,” He laughs as he waits for me to answer.

Living in a small town, you’re not really taught to not talk to strangers. Everyone knows everyone, a little too much sometimes. Coriolanus seems like a genuinely good person, and he’s offering me a chance to escape, one that may never come again. I know my Mama would miss me, but once I get to California I’ll be sure to write her to let her know I’m okay. This is my one shot at leaving the town, and I'm not about to pass it up.

“I’d love to join you, Coriolanus,” I replied, grinning at him once again.

He looks at me, returning a smile.

“Well then, let’s get out of here, Lucy Gray.”

#snowbaird #a ballad of songbirds and snakes #coriolanus snow #lucy gray baird #lucy gray x coriolanus #tbosbas #coriolanus smut #coryo snow #coryo smut #ethel cain #preachers daughter #coriolanus x reader #coriolanus fanfiction #coriolanus x you #coriolanus snow x reader #coriolanus snow smut #young coriolanus snow #coriolanus fluff

[bettsfic]

(Love on Display is the series name for ASE and its sequel)

okay so for this commentary i went through my ASE tag to read the asks i'd gotten about it because i can't really remember the whole process, and found this response i'd written:

you know how like when you read or watch something, you kind of look for the character you relate to most? when i was rereading the hunger games last month i was thinking, i don’t relate to a single one of you bitches. and then annie shows up like “nope nope nope i can handle exactly 0% of this bullshit” and i was just, ah there i am

looking back on my mental health issues, the irony is that i was writing about madness in a time i was actually pretty stable, despite the pandemic being in full swing. i remember writing ASE throughout summer, sitting on my grandma's porch swing and admiring her garden, going inside only when it got dark enough for the fireflies to come out. at the time, i was approaching my third year of rejections on the original fiction front; i'd been querying agents for over a year and submitting short stories, and i felt like i wasn't getting anywhere. i was also about to start a phd program, which i was apprehensive about, to say the least. i wish i'd listened to that "i have a bad feeling about this" instinct.

tbosas had just come out (to almost no attention or acclaim; even now with the film coming out in a couple weeks, the gifsets i've been reblogging don't get a lot of traffic and the tag only has 250 fics in it) and so i read it, loved it, and immediately re-read the hunger games with the new lens of snow's origin story.

the hunger games is one of the few things that i think is completely worth the hype. it's a beautifully written series and i really admire it. tbosas i thought was even better, because it felt like suzanne collins had full creative control. it's not easy writing a villain origin story and i think she really managed to thread the needle with coriolanus as a POV character who is really the antagonist of two protagonists whose POVs we don't have access to.

anyway as soon as i finished re-reading the hunger games, i went back to read the one thg fic i'd written after the film series concluded, the baker's son. it wasn't as bad as i remembered it, because 2015-16 were the years i was really starting to figure out how to write, so everything from that time in my memory is hand-wavy at best. but i remember thinking, this could have been really good if i'd just taken my time with it.

back then, i never took my time with anything. i had so many ideas that i had to churn through them in order to get to the next one. when you're just starting out writing, you haven't followed through on enough ideas to know how to sort through them properly and find the ones that have legs. so i was still learning how to control my attention.

and so ASE marked a huge change in the way i viewed my own work and the reception thereof. i was getting nowhere in publishing, i was no longer in one single fandom and so i didn't really have a community, and i finally realized the only guarantee i would ever have is my own joy. that changed everything.

i know i'll always love the hunger games, because i genuinely believe it's good. it's engaging and entertaining and meaningful. before, i'd written for canons i actually didn't like, because communities had formed around them and i was inspired by what i felt was unmet potential in canon. but i know i'll never rewatch supernatural or the 100. in fact i didn't finish either of them. with big fandoms, sure, i get more traffic and comments. but i'd stopped writing for traffic and comments. i wrote ASE because it was fun, and i knew in 10 years i'd read the hunger games again, and i would want my perfect fixit fic. and i would want it to be long, and well thought out, and something i could be proud of.

i've kept that "i'm writing for my 40 year old self" mentality for all my writing. at 40, i want to look back at what i wrote at 30 and know it was time well spent because it made me happy during a hard time in human history. it's a lot easier to make creative decisions when you're writing for an audience of your future self.

with tbosas coming out soon, i'm hoping to finish the coriojanus fic i started in 2020 (i think it's 7k?). and looking back through my ASE tag i also saw how many ideas i had for finnick POV and i could see myself fiddling around with a few of those prompts eventually.

#ase #tbosas #bomb time

[imaginesbymonika]

Drivers license | Part 6

Pairing: Harry Styles x reader

Plot: all you wanted was to bring him some soup

Warnings: sad, flashbacks

Masterlist| Previous Chapter

Song to listen to while reading:

Baby, you were the love of my life, woah. Maybe you don’t know what’s lost till you find it.

His voice is soft, so soft that you practically feel it melt in your hands. You swallow thickly, while your hold on the mug tightens. For a moment you worry that the ceramic might break in your hand. The way he sings unlocks something that you prayed would remain where you buried it all those months ago. Your best friend's eyes linger on you and you can sense the anticipation. A part of you wants to brush it off, tell her to turn it off again. You want to scoff and say "Well, that sounds stupid." Maybe Louisa knows it and waits for exactly that kind of reaction. But you don't move a single muscle. Not one.

Take a walk on Sunday through the afternoon, we can always find something for us to do. We don’t really like what’s on the news, but it’s on all the time.

"Isn't it super weird to hear all these different rumors about yourself?", you questioned as you glanced at the television. TMZ reportedly found evidence that confirmed that Harry was dating his stylist, but your best friend just grinned. "Honestly, I don't really care." You were sitting on his hotel bed, eyeing him:" Seriously?" He nodded, before getting up. He walked the two meters and sat down right next to you, his shoulder softly nudged yours:" Well, I mean, I know the truth- you know the truth. To me, that's all that matters."

I take you with me every time I go away, in a hotel, using someone else’s name.

"What's the name you used to book my room?", you asked, holding your phone near your ear. The hotel is huge and even though you are nowhere near the doors you can hear the screaming coming from outside.

You peeked at the woman behind the reception:" Tell me." But you simply heard him giggling, before your phone vibrated. A sigh left your lips and you looked down at your screen. "Izzy Tittynope?!", you angrily whispered back into your phone, but you couldn't suppress the smile that made its way to your lips:" Couldn't you just use a normal name?" 

"Come on, we both know how much you love this little game."

I remember back at Johnny’s place, it’s not the same anymore.

"I think you fell in love with the wrong person."

"Oh my god.", you whispered, and out of the corner of your eye you see how your friend reaches for her phone but you shake your head. Johnny's place, that's where he told you that he didn't love you. Holy shit. This song is indeed about you.

Baby, you were the love of my life, woah. Maybe you don’t know what’s lost till you find it. It’s not what I wanted, to leave you behind. Don’t know where you’ll land when you fly. But baby, you were the love of my life.

Hearing his voice almost makes you throw up. You want to sit down, and just stop breathing. Or maybe simply call him. Do you even still have his current phone number? God, you can't do that after your last interaction. Did he write this song before or after your guys talked at your apartment? Is it already too late? 

It’s unfortunate, ooh. Just coordinates, ooh.

You hold your breath while a million different thoughts run through your head and close your eyes. Maybe the solution to all your problems would magically emerge behind your eyelids. 

I don’t know you half as well as all my friends. I won’t pretend that I’ve been doing everything I can to get to know you’re creases and your ends. Are they all the same?

"Oh my god.", you abruptly say and open up your eyes again. 

"What?", Louise asks and watches how you frantically stand up and hurry to your bedroom. Harry's voice becomes smaller while you run up the stairs. "I need to see Anne.", you just yell back:" I need to fly to England!"

Baby, you were the love of my life, woah. Maybe you don’t know what’s lost till you find it. It’s not what I wanted, to leave you behind. Don’t know where you’ll land when you fly. But baby, you were the love of my life.

#angst #x reader #imagine #harry styles x reader #Harry styles #Harry styles imagine #Harry styles angst #harry styles x reader fluff #one direction angst #one direction x reader #one direction #harry #harry styles fanfiction #Spotify

[spoopers-bloopers]

Hi! if you don't mind me asking, what exactly is the Bucket Au?

Hi yeah thank you for asking!!! It's a big thing do I hope you don't mind it'll be a bit of a long answer so I’m just stuffing the ramble under a cut!!

tl;dr I wanted more about it posted but I’m currently at the end of a burn-out so I needed a break, but I had the AU on my mind almost the entire time. Small summary on some context for stuff so far, why it’s called Bucket AU, and some plans and also a mention of some other project.

---

Originally I was going to draw/write more and just let it be found out for itself, but art's been rough lately and Splatoon's an easy distraction. (and a lot less emotionally taxing... listen I love Omori for it but it's a really heavy game to constantly have on mind!) Also, I've been trying to take care of myself more so that means going outside now, haha;; I went on a vacation, even, wow...

So I guess I'll just say the meat of it, Bucket AU is a post good end au where Omori appears and lives with Sunny in the real world. It's actually meant to be a more serious AU that's sometimes funny, sometimes cheesy, sometimes morbid.

The main part of it centers around Sunny visiting Faraway a few months after moving to an apartment. Everyone is back to greet Sunny and meet Omori, and Stuff happens to make this possible. I think I got a good plotline going, it sure will be a useful tool for later.

As for the reason it's named Bucket AU, well, it's full name is "Emotional Support Bucket Omori" because one of my friends likened him to the Bucket from Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe. If you know you know.

Its back-end is all memes and funnies simply because it's more fun for me (and my friends), I'm not really a serious person so effectively a bunch of it's just going to be light-hearted shenanigans with a character that Isn't Quite Human and kinda lacks a moral compass. I will not hold back when stuff does gets serious, however.

In other words, most of its content is exploring Omori and what he would be if taken out of Sunny's head, with a few twists. Omori just wants to help :)

Everything about it so far is under the "Bucket AU" tag on this blog, and everything story is planned to be accessed through the AO3 fic, even comics. (but they have to take place in the story, so side comics are probably just staying on here.)

So when's more content? Whenever I can finish what I have, honestly it's a huge project that I've already made a bunch of stuff for, but finishing it is incredibly hard with me being... still pretty new to full-on writing. Drafts, drafts, upon drafts just for a few thousand words. Maybe I'll even reach the ten-thousands...

So if any part does finish it will be bigger that what I already have out, longer chapters, more comics, y'know. It’s a skill I’m trying to get better at, it's still something I'm doing in my free time between other projects. In fact I still have a Celeste blog to finish a story for. (and for those of you here from that, I've already written it, I just need to draw it! Asks will be toned down for more "intermission" posts.)

Aaaand I think that's a decent place to leave this ask so feel free to send more if you have more questions, and as a bonus, the more I think about the AU, the more motivated I am, so chat with me about anything on it! I certainly need the reminder... whistle whistle-

#bucket au #omori au #omori #dectech #ask-maddy-and-co #(mentioned) #asks #I am slow. sleepy. and hold a bit of a high standard #so it takes awhile #I want this project to be something I look back on and say 'that wasnt bad' #I think it's understandable that I want my art to be good #even if I probably need to let go of it at some point #i can always edit it later too i just dont want to end up retconning stuff

[ofbrokendreams]

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Part Three

Part three of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.

Part One

Part Two

Hit up AO3 for the full fic.

TW: cursing, discussions of sex, discussions of abuse, discussions of mental health, discussions of drug use, discussion of suicide, depiction panic attack, pregnancy (let me know if I missed anything)

TEDDY BEARS AND MATRIMONY

Syd’s looking for a new place the next day. Bigger, nicer, two bedrooms, better neighborhood maybe. Close to The Bear but a train ride into work isn’t a problem. 

Carmy let’s her do her thing. Just along for the ride at this point. Watching Syd handle this like she does their kitchen is incredible. 

She handles this new change in their life and he handles their restaurant. He feels more focused than he ever has. He thought he’d been at the top of his game in New York, with a psychopath (sociopath?) in his ear, but he was wrong. Standing in his own place, plating his own food and Syd’s, working with people who want to be here, who want to create and serve, its different. It’s better and it pushes Carmy to be better. To live up to the way people gravitate to him, listen to him, follow his lead.

They move into their new place (two bedroom, five minute walk from her dad’s) on a Monday. With a bunch of staff helping pack and move and follow the U-Haul. And he’d feel bad about it but they’re a family, and he has some qualms about “we’re a family” workplaces. But as Tina directs the chefs on where stuff goes “Follow Sydney’s labels, puta. It’s so easy.”, Carmy thinks it might be okay. They might just be a family. 

And nine months is such a long time.

But it goes by in the blink of an eye. 

And he’s never been a huge picture guy but he can’t help it now. Taking pictures of Sydney almost every day. Some of them together. Some of himself, which is…which kills him..but-

He tries not to think about it, not to freak out, not to lose it. But his father fucked off. Her mother is dead. She never got to know her and Sydney’s got pictures and some videos and stories and that’s all. And it’s not enough but it’s all he can do. 

So he takes pictures of Syd and himself and of himself usually at The Bear and videos of her too. And sometimes he just talks to his phone, voice memos in his notes app about all the shit in his head that he thinks might be important. That he’d like to know about his dad but doesn’t. Stupid shit like his favorite movie and why and if he has a favorite color and how he met his mom from his perspective. 

And he takes pictures of Nat and Richie. Of Uncle Marcus and Aunt Tina and when Sydney’s friends visit he takes pictures of them too. Of the small dinner parties they host sometimes on Monday nights. Of the walk from home to grandpa’s place. Of their family and their life. 

He wants to make sure if anything…if anything…their little Teddy Bear has something. Knows their mom and their dad.

It’s such a stupid nickname. Syd says it once, “They’re gonna be just a little teddy bear, Bear, just like you. Fucking softy,” she giggles and Carmy rolls his eyes almost out of his head but it sticks. It fucking sticks. 

They decide not to find out the gender and everyone wants something to call the kid and it’s Teddy, sometimes Teddy Bear. And Marcus asks over and over if they’re going to name them Teddy…really? 

Its cold, snowing when Syd rolls over one morning, belly getting bigger, Carmy does quick math in his head, badly, and it should be week nineteen he thinks. “We should get married.” Carmy says the second their eyes lock.

Sydney scoffs and rolls back over. 

They close four weeks out on a Saturday. 

Update their Instagram and put up a sign on the door. ‘Chefs are getting married, reopen tomorrow.’

They don’t mean for it to become a thing, but it does. They’re going to the courthouse then back to The Bear for a party with everyone. And it’s…it’s just family but then it’s Chef Terry and Luca’s coming in from Copenhagen cause he’s…important to Carmen and he’s…a friend (“Oh my god, yes, he’s your friend you are such a loser” Syd laughs at him when he asks if it’d be weird to invite him) and Sydney’s got friends, like real friends quite a few actually, and family, real family. And their building is to small for this but its okay because its still not to much.

He fights with Nat about Donna. He’s in a better place, he’s doing well, he can handle it, he wants her at the party. And Nat, of all people, is against her coming. She’s admit that Donna doesn’t come, and its Sugar and she gives Donna all the grace in the world but she won’t…she’s unwilling to let Donna ruin this day for Carmen and Sydney. So Carmy takes his big sister’s advice and doesn’t tell Donna until after they’re married on a brief and difficult phone call.

Bear: 9:38 am; you were right

Sugar: 9:40 am; I’m sorry Bear

Sugar: 9:41 am; I love you Bear

Bear: 9:42 am; I love you Sugar

Nat and Sydney spend a couple Mondays scouring thrift shops for wedding dresses before finding it. Its not a wedding dress, strictly speaking, but its white and it fits and its a little weird and lacy and pretty and when Sugar asks if Sydney feels like a princess, like a queen she nods and Sugar grins.

“The fuck is that?” Carmy asks one night when Sydney’s embroidering an SB into the corner of a new red scarf. The white thread stark against the silk wine color. Syd’s nose scrunches. “It’s my fucking initials, the fuck?” “That’s S-A, Syd.” She looks at him like he’s really stupid. And Carmy swallows. “Oh. Oh okay.”

More importantly, he didn’t think she’d want to like…Syd’s a modern woman and-and he’d assumed, like an ass. 

He’d never thought she’d want his fucking cursed name. To be a Berzatto…like him. To share that with him. It’s so shocking that he’s still thinking about it hours later. 

And that night when he wraps his arms around her waist, hand spread over her round belly he smiles into the skin of her neck. “Thank you Syd.” “Partners yeah?” “Yeah partners.” “Besides its a good name. I like it. And Sydney Berzatto sounds right. Sounds good.” “It’s-it sounds perfect.”

It’s just Sugar and Mr. Adamu at the courthouse. Sitting in the gallery. Sugar’s trying not to cry and Mr. Adamu’s not hiding his tears. 

The Judge is nice and the whole thing is quick. They vow to each other: Carmen Anthony Berzatto taking Sydney Aisha Adamu as husband and wife. 

Carmy’s never smiled this hard in his life. And Syd will make more fun of him for that then if he was a crying mess. And they kiss and they’re married. 

In front of God and country and family they’re tied, for forever, for as long as she’ll have him.

She keeps her ring on its chain around her neck, at her heart, it’s easier for work. Carmy does the same with the golden band she gives him. (And a few months after she gives birth they’ll be side by side at that stupid tattoo parlor getting the date etched into the skin around their ring fingers.)

Carmen waits for the anxiety to kick in. But when it starts he tamps it down quickly. Terri’s voice in his ear, “You deserve happiness Carmen. So does Sydney and if you make her happy then why deny that for yourself?”

The party starts in the afternoon when they arrive back from the courthouse. There’s cheering and hugs and pats on the back. Cicero- Uncle Jimmy claps him so hard on the back that Carmy almost doubles over.

It’s all hugs from Marcus and Tina and Ebraheim and Sweeps and Angel and Manny. And the freshman and they probably shouldn’t call them that but they sometimes rotate out and there’s always someone new so- 

Cousin’s got Eva, even though its Tiff’s day cause she somehow still likes Carmy, and she’s coloring with Mikey at a table and Carmy sits with them for a little while letting people come to him so he doesn’t get overwhelmed. 

They eat the excellent food their staff prepared for them. And Syd calls Richie a fucking idiot when he says he forgot to get Syd a bottle of sparkling grape juice. So she toasts with seltzer and shoots Richie a stink eye. 

Syd’s friends and family throw her a baby shower a few weeks before her due date. And it’s maybe the first time they’ve both been away from the restaurant on a Saturday. Even if it’s just for a few hours in the middle of the afternoon.

It’s teddy bear themed because of course it is. 

Tina threatens to turn off her phone if he doesn’t stop texting her to ask how everything is going. 

And then their home is filled with furniture boxes and baby clothes so small he can’t believe it, even though he’s held Mikey and changed his clothes before. And toys and books. And they spend a Monday painting the room butter yellow and it’s so happy and cheerful he wants to throw up. One wall is covered in photographs on the walls hanging from the ceiling on down to the floor, all the evidence of their life he’s taken waiting for his kid. And Sydney cries when he shows her the mural he’s been working on on the opposite wall of all the fruit he can think of. She curses him out for fucking with her hormones and they make love until the sun comes up.

#the bear #the bear fanfiction #the bear fanfic #the bear fic #carmy x sydney #syd x carmy #sydcarmy #carmen berzatto #sydney adamu

[pyrrhiccomedy]

would you by any chance have more tidbits to share about great Yliaster and its history, or the Pansekretis? every so often (when the twenty prokofiev tracks on my phone show up) I think about how I would listen to that particular CD until it (or I) snapped. regardless, thank you for sharing all these wonderful secrets from your games! I reread your tag every so often and it's as heady as reading the ten volume series they'd be.

ah jeez. So this is from the huge Call of Cthulhu game I never got to run because Covid started. this shit keeps me up at night. I went through my notes for this campaign recently, like, kind of curious if it was as good as I remembered it being, and you know what? it was. it was so good.

So Yliaster and the Pansekretis were linked, but in a way that the players probably wouldn't have figured out until about a year of play. (This was designed to be a ~3 year long game.) What the players knew at the outset of the game was that:

Yliaster was a theorized pre-Mongol steppe civilization that had left behind almost no archaelogical evidence...until Yarina's grandfather (Yarina was Emily's player character) made his career by discovering Yliaster's ancient capitol city, high in the Sayan Mountains. The city's discovery proved that not only did Great Yliaster exist: it had been an empire, a mountain civilization that stretched from the Pacific Ocean nearly all the way to Persia. And as Yarina's grandfather's excavation of the city continues, more and more evidence of Yliastrian civilization emerges: revealing that pockets of Great Yliaster had persisted for far longer than anyone had previously suspected.

The biggest giveaway that any particular artefact or archaeological site is Yliastrian is the presence of the distinctive, highly intricate system of writing that the Yliastrian priest-scribes used for everything from recording their history, to performing their spell-work. This will be important later.

Yarina's grandfather was in particular reconstructing a great wall at the center of the Yliastrian capitol city that recorded all of Yliastrian history, which had been smashed to pieces during the invasion that finally brought Yliaster down. This will also be important later.

Apparently unrelatedly, the Pansekretis was a ballet put on in Moscow 6 months ago (that is to say, in 1936) that was cancelled after a single performance under the cloak of some kind of scandal. One of the first NPCs the party meets (on their bus to the gulag in session 1) is Sasha Beloglazov: the star ballet dancer of the Bolshoi, who played the male lead in the Pansekretis. He tells the party that the dancers went mad on stage and started attacking each other: the audience rioted, and joined in the violence. This was all very much set up to remind my genre-savvy players of The King in Yellow. Obviously the Pansekretis is some kind of cursed ballet: but how, and what agent is responsible for creating it?

So over the course of their investigations, the players would have slowly pieced together that Yliastrian script had the power to reshape reality, and that by reconstructing that wall, Yarina's grandfather was actually bringing Yliaster into existence. Whatever force had destroyed Yliaster (a totally different plotline running through the game would have been figuring out who they were) had taken pains to destroy or hide every skerrick of Yliastrian writing, because reading Yliastrian writing causes Yliaster to exist. The more of it is uncovered, the more there is to find. And if Yarina's grandfather finishes his work of reconstructing that wall, Yliaster will have never been destroyed at all. This is bad, because Great Yliaster was a terrible civilization of slaving, mutilating priest-scribes who bent reality to their will in order to dominate their subjects completely.

They also would have pieced together that there are some parties who have become aware of the power of Yliastrian writing, and are seeking to benefit from it. Some of them are mundane: such as Oleg Kuzmich, a calligrapher from Glavlit - the Soviet censorship bureau - who has been learning Yliastrian script from intercepted letters and academic writing. Some of them are arcane: such as the scavenger-cultists of Emesh Redivivus, worshippers of Nyarlathotep. (Some of them are personal: Dunya - another of my player's characters - had a mother who disappeared one day, who was a historiographer who discovered Yliastrian sorcery and accidentally wrote herself out of existence, but is continuing to try to guide her daughter from the literal margins of history.)

All of this would have eventually allowed them to crack the mystery of the Pansekretis: it wasn't the story, or the script, or the music that gave the ballet its terrible power, but the choreography. The dancers were actually being forced to describe Yliastrian sigils on stage with their movements. And the active agent responsible for this was none other than their (at that point) good friend Sasha Beloglazov himself, who is the leader of the Emesh Redivivus cult. He wanted to call an aspect of Nyarlathotep into himself as the central figure of this blasphemous dance: and he succeeded. It would probably be about 1.5 years into the game when the players realized that one of their closest NPC friends had been intermittently being controlled by Nyarlathotep the whole time.

Freeing, or stopping, Sasha Beloglazov, and preventing the return of Great Yliaster, were both going to be back-half-of-the-campaign Serious Problems to Solve.

#dice matters #call of cthulhu

[diaryofabrokegirl]

Dating at 31 in the 21st century. 

Long has past the day I thought I was going to get married. Growing up, I always thought I was going to be married by the latest, 27. That is the age my mom had me, which for whatever reason was the last year my juvenile mind gave me to get married. While I crept up to 26, my life was nowhere near where I thought it would be. I was back living at my dad's house, back in university, casually dating guys I knew I wouldn't be spending forever with. Fast forward to 31, I am no longer living with my dad, I am in a new city ( well not really new, but new in the sense that I haven't lived here in over 6 years). I am running two businesses while completing a master’s degree. 

Dating isn't my top priority, but I also know I am not getting younger and doing things with a significant other at times seems better than doing them alone. I have spent the majority of my first year in this city finding myself (for the 6 millionth time), casually dating (mostly dating app dates), and trying to make enough money to survive ( yay Victoria living). Since I dont have a lot of free time, I have pretty much scratched off the notion of running into the love of my life at a coffee shop. I am also not a huge fan of going to bars, add in the barely having any friends here situation and there really only leaves one place to find people; dating apps. 

I am no stranger to these apps. I use 3 in particular. Each of these has its own reputation, after listening to what other women have said, Tinder is a great app to meet up quickly and get laid. Hinge an app to meet a potential significant other. Bumble is a mix between the two, I am still undecided on if I even like this app. I have met people from all 3 apps and feel like I am almost ready to give up on dating and really settle into my spinster cat lady status. 

Up until the beginning of this month ( the month I turned 31), I was cooling down on dating apps. You might say the nerves of being 31 and alone crept up on me, but I logged on and tried my luck again. I updated my profiles and decided to start the swiping game. I matched quickly with people on each app and decided I would give 4 guys chances. Dwindling down my choices was strategic, I went with two guys that were not my usual type, one that I thought might be out of my league, and one guy that I was definitely my type. I did keep talking to some randoms, just in case. 

Immediately, I found the two guys that were not my type. We matched and they were very active in talking to me. One I met up with and after our dinner, I unmatched and gave him an “I'm sorry, I'm not interested” text. The next guy was actually sweet. We went out a couple of times, but after a few hangouts, he started showing controlling vibes, which I’m not here for so I let him know my thought and have been slowly ceasing communications. I won't lie, because I myself am a bit strange and unusual, I thought maybe I would end up with someone super, not my type and maybe opposite than me. One was from Tinder and the other from Bumble. 

The man that I thought was out of my league, was not, he was just pretty. This guy was actually a jerk. I knew from the moment I sat down for brunch, I was never going to be speaking to him again. This guy knew the right things to say via text, but his IRL personality sucked and he was rude to the waitresses so, hard pass. I met this guy off Hinge. 

This brings us to the last guy, coincidentally the guy I decided to ask out on a last-minute date after I found out some good work news and wanted to go for a beer. This was the only guy I didn't do a hardcore CIA deep-dive into. I decided I would meet him at the brewery down the road, where I personally know a lot of the people who work there. So if anything weird happened I knew I’d be safe. This guy is a charmer. He is not only funny and good-looking but down to earth. Not sure why I didn't start with him- haha. BUT here is where the issues come, dating in the 21st century as someone with anxiety is BRUTAL. We had a great date, it went on past the brewery and into dinner and music bingo. Now two days later, I’m being that weirdo sitting by the phone wondering if our last communication ( this morning) would be our forever last messages. 

Ghosting is single-handedly ( in my eyes) the most terrifying action that has happened in dating. If you’re new to dating right now, here is a quick update: Ghosting, also known as simmering or icing, is a colloquial term which describes the practice of ending all communication and contact with another person without any apparent warning or justification and subsequently ignoring any attempts to reach out or communication made by said person. Or could it be that he is also just casually dating others? Or did it not go as well as I thought… see what I mean, dating sucks. Another part of this that is brutal is that I dont have many girlfriends, so I dont really have many people to talk to about this.

There seems to be a list of no-nos/advice when it comes to dating that I’ve come to learn from girl groups on Facebook. 

If you message first in the morning, let the other person message you first after any type of break in communication. 

Dont message first more than two times in a row. 

Dont message too fast after a long break in communication ( 1+ hours). 

If they respond with a singular emoji, it could be a sign that they aren't into you. 

Going over this list, I am trying to follow it, since it's something I've never followed before. SO far it has me anxious and hoping he messages me back. So anxious, that I decided I’d start blogging again. 

To anyone else sitting in the same boat as me right now, I wish you luck and hope it works out.

#dating #date #tinder #hinge #bumble #anxious #stream of consciousness #old age

[ystk-archive]

We always look forward to your thoughts about each and every Nakata album release, and we know that we've seen the partiality of them about PLASMA (album) here. I guess you may take the floor and share to us your overall or detailed thoughts about the album. Either way is fine. :)

I don't generally enjoy talking about Perfume releases because their audience is touchy (there was some minor attempted drama last month because of my commentary on Spinning World? or something? lmao idek anymore) but since you asked and since I apparently love attention... 🥴

The singles for this era were very heavily J-pop, moreso than they've done in the past, and having not read any press for any of those releases I don't know their explanation for the shift in style (if they provided one). It's a strong appeal towards mainstream tastes; on PLASMA they're safer than they've ever been as a pop group and they were already very safe to begin with. These singles naturally led to a very poppy album with no big dance track moment and also little new content to pick from: most of the Polygon Wave EP being dropped unceremoniously onto this is a bit of a slight. Granted it provides much-needed balance against things like Saisei and Sayonara Plastic World, but that just gives the impression that there could've been a Polygon Wave LP (full-length album) that got cut down into an EP -- they did say in late 2020-ish Nakata made all the songs that eventually were the EP + meager new offerings on PLASMA. I'm splitting hairs about this basically because I would prefer an album made from scratch (this will never happen with them tho) but I also think their fans would rather hear fresher material with an album. And also in this industry you don't, like, release a mini-album and then put those songs on an album later lmao...

Bear in mind I'm not saying they had no J-pop in their sound at all -- the core of this group is a balance between elements that are palatable to a non-electronic-music-listening audience and elements that are not. I just think they've swung harder in one particular direction this time than they have before. Nobody really discussed the fact that Polygon Wave was presented with an entire chunk missing as its de facto, public-facing incarnation; what a huge contrast from Polyrhythm which has an almost completely forgotten "extra short edit" and a fun #inspirational story about how Nakata went to Tokuma HQ and lobbied for them to not excise his CD-skip-esque polyloop bridge… It's just weird for me lol.

But yeah anyway, the track order here is more up-and-down that their usual as a consequence of the contrast. PLASMA (intro) is somber and ~mysterious~ and sets the stage for… Time Warp? Lmao this is why it's not really worth talking about J-pop albums in a serious context, they're just not planned and created as standalone works 90% of the time, they're always functionally singles compilations with bonus material and serve as a basis for a live tour… He knows this and he's talked about it plenty and I think he tried here to tie things together and even it out, but he can't just leave off A-sides like Saisei, Flow, and Time Warp that completely break the mood (and genre). What I'm left asking myself is if this was always such a glaring issue in their albums or if it's more pronounced here because they serve me stock-standard idol-y Saisei and then go back to their normal selves in the following track. Like I love GAME to death but does it hold up as an album? Or was it just the new songs that made it so incredible?

(Someone's going to say "well this just shows they can do a diverse range of styles," like yea I guess, but they did it before in a way that wasn't so…glaring. Like Nakata could've just sold Time Warp, Saisei, and Plastic World to any run-of-the-mill J-pop act. I think the only other song in their discography that's similar is Puppy love, and that was cute and fine as a feel-good album cap, but…)

At this point I probably sound like I hate PLASMA and I don't, it's just not an album to me. It feels as if nothing was released at all: the intro is two minutes of unremarkable ambience, Time Warp has barely audible modifications, Mawaru Kagami appears here in an inferior (though more album-oriented) form. Drive'n The Rain is clearly the only standout album-specific track, but that's…one song. I disqualified Spinning for being pre-release but I could be nice and say it and Drive'n are good. (I don't want to talk about Hatenabito. It isn't worth the words and it shouldn't have been released. Lol.)

However I am entertained by stuff like Spinning World and Drive'n for the self-indulgence of it all production-wise. (I'd praise Saisei for the same but no amount of sleek music producing can counteract the sheer corniness.) They're also different and mature in a way that feels "right" for them. But it'd be nice if they could someday overcome their lifelong intimidation and actually work with Nakata on their music or, better yet, do what should've been done many years ago and threaten their company to allow them to work with other music producers… I don't understand why they're permitted concert-only pieces by other people but can't canonize this music in release format. I actually really enjoyed this performance at their little tech demo showcase with music done by Kurotaki Setsuya. I don't think they're gaining much from having that "exclusively produced by Nakata Yasutaka" aspect in their marketing. And there are only so many things one person can draw with the materials provided, though he's done well with a sort of return to form with Polygon Wave.

But uh, I suppose it's fairly cohesive despite the whiplash track order. Future Pop was pretty cohesive too though, and we all know how their fanbase largely thinks of that album... For people who really get into saccharine J-pop melodies but also enjoy the quirky robo-chic that is (was?) this group's bread & butter this is probably a great album. I don't know! The poll results were pretty funny because the cornball bloc of songs ranked the worst, but I'm also aware that there are about ~5 people who still regularly check this blog and their preferences in his music may align with mine and skew the results. Elsewhere I've seen overall praise for it. I guess I generally agree that it's a step in a better direction for them; I am still left craving dance music and the small challenging components of Perfume that made them so fresh and interesting 10-15 years ago.

#messages #g*ddamnit i wrote 1000 words again

[gogtopia]

Your thoughts on the yt-twitch divide are so fun to read!! I’m currently doin a bit more research into it but YouTube seems to be trying to expand its content bidirectionally which is rlly interesting—there was a conference a month or so ago I went to where Susan Wojcicki and her chief data scientist talked about the algorithm and the ways that they’re currently trying to promote rlly short-form content (like YT shorts), which is why I was so shocked to see that they ended up bringing Sykkuno over, because streamers are the exact opposite of that short-form, tiktok-esque content with hours-long broadcasting. I honestly am just so interested to see where YouTube is going with this shift, bc then they’re playing a long game with every single type of audience, yk? You have the people who are looking for short, quick bursts of stimulation that they’re trying to push in YouTube shorts, the vast range (though on average abt 5-10 minutes long) of the shit they’re known for, and then streamers who are known to put out streams that are supposed to hook people for extended periods of time.

Personally I think that’s their issue, and why it seems so corporate—it literally is! They’re trying to spread themselves sooo thin covering every base of media consumers on the planet while lagging behind in maintaining what they already have. Recently, they announced a feature similar to raids (which I like but have some critiques of) for streamers, so it seems they’re putting in some technical effort to make YT streams a bit more bearable to Twitch viewers. But idk I don’t know how the hell that their model is feasible rn because it seems like a lot of people from a lot of different groups are unsatisfied with YouTube bc they can’t seem to balance their technical capability limits with the business side of things, whereas a platform like twitch or tiktok have one singular audience they need to tailor their platform to. I’d love to hear ur thoughts though they’re very well-written and I feel like PepoG when I read them lmfao

i rmr seeing you post abt going to that conference and i was like omg that’s so cool! i’m definitely not as informed on all this as you since most of what i know is just from streamers and chatting with my friends about it but i do think it’s super interesting. i knew that they were trying to push shorts and to me it kind of makes sense. beyond the fact that most social media apps will try to capitalize on trends for others, youtube is a video content platform. in many ways both shorts and streaming can be considered an extension of that. i do think it’s slightly funny that youtube is pushing shorts so hard and kind of flopping after they for the past several years have been pushing creators to make longer content via monetization and the algorithm so that most videos are at least ten minutes (i remember watching some mike’s mic video/podcast ep where he went into how the algorithm worked a year or so ago but i can’t for the life of me find it rn) even though youtube was in many way founded on shorter videos. so it’s almost like they’re trying to move backwards to capitalize on that short form content after they, to some extent, pushed that content away from their platform.

i definitely think they’re spreading themselves too thin with it. it’s better to do one thing well than everything poorly but i think many companies value profit over user experience and youtube definitely falls into that category. they need separate interfaces for shorts and streaming to be more successful if they want them to be a core part of their site, but obviously that takes time and resources to code/design/etc. i do think they have a shot at becoming a successful livestream platform, especially because twitch isn’t exactly a perfect platform to create for. i mean, ludwig and sykkuno are two creators with huge audiences immersed in that streaming culture. but i think it comes down to them listening to those streamers and their audiences. they need to listen more to their users otherwise these projects are going to fall flat, like i feel like YT shorts has been.

#alyssa i always love reading what you have to say youre so smart #alyssa tag #answered #sandsofdteam #long post

[nathank77]

4/9/24

7:18 p.m

I passed out around maybe 8 a.m potentially earlier. On the half MG without anything else.

I probably woke up about 4-6 times but I kept my eyes closed and I heard weird hallucinations like screaming or laughing-thats how I know I am about to fall back to sleep........ it's all the same volume but I can still make out what I hear. A scream is still the same volume as a whisper.. but yea I kept my eyes closed despite needing to pee cause I knew I was done for bc of those extra hallucinations.... I don't hear those during the day.

I woke up at 4:45 p.m..... my HSV2 inhibitor test and gonorrhea/chlamydia urine test was today at 4:40 p.m..... I ran out the door... drove to Quest, it's close... thankfully I had an extra pair of glasses in my backpack... I didnt have time to grab my glasses out of my case on my desk before I ran to Quest bc I really wanted to get it done. So this is one of those time where the whole having spare pairs of glasses is really helpful.. they saved my ability to be able to see when I was driving.

Luckily Quest did the tests..... I hate circadian rhythm disorder... I didn't want to open my eyes, I usually wake up to my alarm and I didn't this time. Back before I had psychosis I didn't wake up to my alarms but since Xanax I've been waking up to them almost everyday... when I opened my eyes I truly thought it was like 3 p.m... bc my alarm was set to 3:30 p.m.

My hallucination really is, "happy birthday," "I've got a birthday present," "that's the depressing part," and hearing my own thoughts being repeated which is maddening. I'm starting to regret aligning with it bc it makes it hard to say listen to a song/tv while thinking something out like what I got to do to today, etc... even without other types of chatter..

Anyways I await the results. I don't have chlamydia or gonorrhea. I know that hsv2 test was a false positive, yet I'm still worried..

I hit CVS, and then took a shower. I'm home now writing. I have an appt with apple later about my phone number bc it's associated with another account.

I was going to check out some Eyewear places near me but of course with my circadian rhythm disorder, and the time frames its impossible. Maybe I'll start with lens crafters on Saturday and then next week my schedule is less busy and maybe I can make it work.

I'm anxious about oversleeping tomorrow bc of my T-Shot... at 3:45 p.m... I'm so sick of being tied down to this appt every other week. It can't be later than that.... if I could do it myself or have my gf/family/ or anyone reliable do it, I would have significantly less obligations to fulfill every single month. I mean it's a fucking chore. This month alone in total its 3 appts..... it's actually really a huge source of stress. If I could do it myself or have someone else to do it, well I would have had 2 ultrasounds this month, 2 Quest appts, and one dentist appt...

Anyways, maybe I'll game later. Maybe I'll just stare at the TV mindlessly. I got to take a 1MG tonight/tomorrow at like 4:30 a.m so hopefully I can fall asleep earlier and get 7 hours and wake up before 3 p.m.....

I have that stupid dentist appt bc the doctor couldn't see me the day of the cleaning on Friday... I might just cancel and reschedule I need down time. All these optical centers near me close at like fucking 5-6......... it would be cool to be able to swing by a few. They are close together. Maybe I really will reschedule cause like if I go to the dentist, I expect to get my teeth cleaned and see the doctor that same day and only come back if they find a problem...

I still have my ultrasound next Wednesday at 4 p.m on my lower region. I'm worried about that... making the appt. Then them finding something... despite their being no reason for me to think they'll find something.

I just feel like between circadian rhythm disorder, sleep issues, the voice always screaming to get my attention. My constant auditory hallucination forcing me to drown it out and my ocd always being there forcing me to make rules, avoid things, my life is so stressful.

I got my refund back and I can afford glasses. How can I fit going to a few stores locally into my schedule when I'm always going to the doctors and oversleeping...

I have my disability appointment on the 16th at 1:30... idk if I'm just going to reschedule it, maybe I'll take 1 mg and try to make it so the damn thing gets off my fucking to do list and I get my fucking back pay. I'll feel like fucking shit...

Beyond that my arm still hurts from my fall. The x-ray came back clean. I waited until my doctors appt and had her send me in a MRI... it got denied so I sent in the appeal paperwork...

But yea I'm trying hard to stay on the ball, everything is counting against me.

I thought something, what if Elise brings up brendan if I ever run into her. Well if she excessively brings up their plans. I'll assume she's happily married and I will be happy for her but I'll have to cope with that potential of us being together not ever happening.

If she brings up he is with the girls I'll assume nothing. If she says they talked about divorce I'll just listen and say I'm sorry. My jaw might drop a little. That's what I'd do..

Although I don't expect her to show up Saturday. I hope she does.

[rwbyremnants]

This is the epilogue! It's been a long, strange trip, but I finally completed this one! I'm going to get a bit sentimental and long-winded about Rooster Teeth under the cut, but (so you can skip it: just CTRL+F and search for "Chapter 60") up here I'll just say thanks so much for reading. I hope you like these last few surprises!

WARNING: ROOSTER TEETH RAMBLING. You don't have to read this, it's not about Princess And The Dragons! You have been warned.

So as everybody probably knows by now, Rooster Teeth is on death row, and the fate of RWBY is totally up in the air. If you're learning about it this way… I'm very sorry; here's an article with more details. TL:DR, Warner Bros Discovery swallowed their parent company a while back, and that led to some cool collabs like Justice League x RWBY, but…

I'll keep this rant brief. David Zaslav is a callous corporate jerk that hates art, and has no business being in charge of a content creation company when all he cares about is money. His body count is rising (Batgirl, Final Space, Adult Swim Games, etc), and I hope he generates enough hate that he gets fired and never finds work in his field again. That is all.

Anyway, because RT couldn't turn a profit in the 1.5 years since they became part of WBD, they're getting shut down in a couple months, and they're going to try to shop its various properties around to other companies. Crunchyroll is a good candidate for RWBY, since they already aired volume 9, but nothing is certain yet at all. It's entirely possible we will never see a volume 10 - or it might be in some other format, like a comic book. All we can do is wait and see.

I found RWBY through a friend in 2014, which led me to RT as a whole. It's one of several things that changed my life that year - most of them for the better. I spent a lot of time with Achievement Hunter and Rage Quit videos, the RT Podcast and Always Open… went to see Lazer Team (and RWBY volume debuts) in actual theaters. I wish I had been able to make it to RTX, but it was too far away for me to be able to get there. At one point, it was a pretty huge part of my life. Then, like with most things, I sort of gravitated away, though I kept going back for the podcasts, and kept up with RWBY of course.

But I knew RT might not last that much longer when it was announced that Always Open was cancelled for a second time, and that RWBY Volume 10 still wasn't even greenlit. There were too many controversies (we don't have to get into those). Some of the founders were already gone, I hardly ever saw the people I was most fond of onscreen. For the first time in almost a decade, I cancelled my First membership, because it felt like my favorite content wasn't coming to the platform anymore… and I'm broke. I feel a little bad, of course, but I think we all kind of knew that they might not survive the changing landscape of streaming content. The minute they became part of WBD, their lack of profitability spelled the end.

Sorry, I'm all in my feelings about it, and I don't want to make the comments or the end of this fic all about RT, but I felt like I couldn't post a new chapter of a RWBY fic without at least addressing the situation, and giving my own history and perspective on it. This is just the state of the fandom, and I'm really sad and depressed about it, and wishing that something could have been done. But at the end of the day, it's actually pretty amazing that a bunch of drunk guys created a company in their bedroom that lasted 21 years and gave us a hundred shows. Just sucks it had to end because of mergers and nonsense, but I guess nothing lasts forever.

Thanks for listening, if you did; no shade if you didn't. I'm just really going to miss those guys and that content-creation family always being there to provide amusing and comforting content, like friends you could hang out with whenever you wanted. Thanks for all the memories, RT, and for being one of my safe spaces when I needed one.

-NBW

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

=Chapter 60

  Weiss Schnee took a deep breath, eyes closing as she let the aromas of roasting turkey and gravy fill her nostrils. This was always her favourite part about Thanksgiving. Sure, pumpkin pie and potatoes were wonderful dishes, but the centerpiece was the artfully-prepared bird, without a doubt.

Especially with Kali cooking it this year. Their chef had been lost in the family scuffles, and it made no financial sense to hire another when they could all learn to pitch in a little more instead.

Besides, Willow seemed to have turned over a new leaf. Since she had no head for business, she allowed the interim director to stay on and only asked for updates from him once a week – with Kali in attendance, naturally. That was enough to ensure that nothing unscrupulous was going on beneath her nose. Meanwhile, that left Weiss's mother with little else to do besides taking care of house and home… which suited her in a way Weiss never would have expected. Though it had begun as penance for years of absentee parenting, now it was more like a calling. A place she felt she belonged.

“Ready to head down?”

The princess leaned a little more fully against Yang as they lounged in their bed. Their bed… even this many weeks later, it still sounded strange to think of it that way. “Just about ready.”

“Why?” she insisted with a fierce grin, a hand drifting up to turn Weiss’s face up to look at her. “Careful, Schnee, or I’ll think you caught… Xiao Long Madness.”

“Xiao Long Madness?” Her hand pressed into the center of her chest as she heaved a theatrical gasp. “What on earth could that be?”

“Well… it starts out slow.” Two fingers began to tiptoe up along her thigh. “You don’t even know you’ve got it until it’s creeping up on you.” The hand smoothed along her stomach through the soft material of her party dress, and Weiss had to suppress a shiver. “Makes you a little tingly, breathe faster… heart beating louder and louder…”

“Yang, you little…” Pushing her hand away with a giggle once it reached her breast, she admonished her, “We have to get to the table! Without messing up our clothes! Just grab those earth pads so we can join the others.”

Chuckling with her, the Dragon turned and got up from the bed, snatching up two pairs of shoes from the floor. “Alright, alright. Even though both our parents know? What, they’re going to be shocked that we got a little frisky today, too?”

“That isn’t the point! I want to be presentable for our families, and the Belladonnas!” Her brief indignation subsided as Yang started lovingly putting her heels on. “Oh… I know, I’m being silly. But can we please have a lovely, respectable family dinner? Just this once, for the holiday?”

“Of course,” she promised with an earnest tone, smiling up at her before she kissed Weiss’s other foot. “Princess Toes.” Then she slid the other heel on and grabbed for her own – but Weiss snatched them away. “Hey, what gives? I mean, you actually got me into a dress and now you’re trying to keep me from-”

“Shush.” Weiss returned the favour, sliding the very un-Yang-like heels on while Yang’s cheeks went the tiniest bit pink. They always did when she was doted on since it was such an uncommon occurrence for the bruiser; Weiss adored that. And she adored being the only one trusted to be sweet to her in that way.

“Mkay, Weiss. Now I’m all dolled up for you. Like a pig wearing lipstick.”

Sighing, she swatted Yang on the arm. “Don’t be stupid. You are a beautiful woman. Being strong as an ox doesn’t change that.”

“If you see me that way, then that’s all that matters.” They shared a brief kiss, humming against each other’s lips before they broke apart and stood. “Let’s go strap the ol’ feedbag on.”

“How charming,” she deadpanned.

As they walked past Weiss’s dresser, she glanced at the framed photograph on the wall. There they were: the Dragons. Every last living member, with the youngest arranged in the front. Even if it was a little incriminating, she had decided in the end that it was much more important to the little gangster princess to have this memento than it was to “play it safe” - especially now that the only Vale citizen who would have thrown a tantrum about its existence was long dead.

Emerald and Cinder with their arms around each other. Ilia hanging off Blake despite how she was rolling her eyes. A grinning Coco who still had Velvet on her arm instead of lost to another continent – the picture had been taken with her camera, after all, set on a timer. Even Salem was smiling, albeit in an irritated and resigned way. Happiness in a wooden frame.

“You coming?” Yang asked.

“Yeah, yeah,” she sighed as she tripped after her girlfriend into the hall. “Hold your horses.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my snooty girlfriend?”

“HEY!”

Downstairs, Blake, Ilia, and Whitley were all seated in the living room, chatting politely about the weather and other surface topics. Though her brother wasn’t thrilled terribly to know the Dragons, he had seemed to accept it – and to accept them as humans rather than foul beasts that were beneath him.

“Hey, good lookin’,” Blake bade her.

“Good evening.” Weiss actually curtsied, and Ilia giggled. “I'm excited. Is that silly?”

“Maybe a little. But I think we're allowed to be a little silly after the Autumn we've had.”

True enough. Weiss flashed a tight smile before she turned toward the kitchen.

“Watch that gravy!”

Raven's hands quickly moved toward the stove while Kali hastily crimped the edges of her pie. The latter was poised and pristine; the former, a sweating nervous wreck. But she was trying. Most of the dishes were already arranged on the counter, kept warm by potholders and waiting to be served.

“Oh my God,” Yang muttered in Weiss's ear. “Where's Rod Serling? Because I think we just entered The Twilight Zone.”

“The what?”

“Oh, it's a new show. Don't worry about it. Just meant watching Raven really cook is like science fiction.”

Meanwhile, Willow at last noticed they were standing there and waved them over to the dining room. “Hey, girls! Come help me set the table.”

They did as they were told. Mrs. Schnee was humming and cheerful, eyes full of light as she made sure all the silverware was properly placed, each napkin neatly folded.

“You're really excited, aren't you, Mother?”

“Ohhhh yes,” she told her immediately, grinning from ear to ear. “Very! It's our first big dinner with everyone together, isn't it? Our ragtag little family. And it already feels more like…”

When she didn't finish, Yang prompted, “Like?”

“Like a real Thanksgiving. Far more than the past few years.”

“I know what you mean,” Weiss said as she placed the last few forks. “You weren't yourself, and Father was… well.”

But Willow brushed it off with an elegant hand. Still no calluses forming from her sudden uptick of housework, but they would, eventually, if she didn't keep up conditioning them. Pampering herself. Honestly, Weiss had no idea if she would go one way or the other.

“All in the past. We're starting fresh, aren't we, Weiss?”

“We sure are,” she said immediately, beaming back at her mother. Proud of her progress and new outlook on life. “Annnnd… I think the table’s ready. What's next?”

“Not much.” A bell sounded throughout the house, and her eyes lifted. “Oh, could you see who that is? I think I should help Raven and Kali.”

Her daughter obeyed, moving through the living room where Whitley was just standing. She waved him back down and pulled the door wide.

And found herself face to face with such a haggard, unenthused face that she instinctively took a step back. The man's ominous eyes almost looked through her. Her fight or flight instincts were starting to kick in, but she knew she shouldn’t literally attack someone who had done nothing more than come to her front door – not without further provocation.

“U-um…”

“Hey!” From around his back popped Ruby's cheery face, and she added a little wave. “Sorry we're so late; Grumpy Gus didn't wanna get ready.”

“I was ready,” Qrow growled as he pushed past Weiss without a word of greeting. “You didn't like what I was wearing.”

With a dramatic sigh, Ruby followed, stopping to hug Weiss. Penny was close on her heels, freckles seeming to glow with excitement as she hefted a casserole dish. Yang was next in line for hugs while Qrow seemed magnetically drawn to the wetbar in the corner.

“U-um!” came from the door as Weiss tried to close it. Pulling it wide revealed a very flustered neighbour. “Hello again!”

“Pyrrha?! What are you doing here? I thought you would be sitting down with your folks right about now!”

The athlete shrugged, cheeks rosy as she fidgeted in her lovely golden-hued frock. There was clearly an internal struggle playing out behind her bright green eyes, which remained mostly pointed down at her black pumps. “Well… I just wanted to wish you a happy Thanksgiving! Before we all dig in! So… so now I have! And, well, bye!”

However, as she turned to stride down the steps and away from the house, Weiss jogged after her. “Wait!”

“Yes?” she asked as she turned.

“There's something else, isn't there?” No immediate answer. “Come on. What's a best friend for if she can't help a girl through thick and thin?”

After a brief internal debate, the redhead let out a long sigh. “Jaune is coming to dinner.”

“Really? That's fantastic news!” Again, Pyrrha hesitated, so Weiss asked, “It's… not fantastic news?”

“Well… ordinarily, yes. But Cinder and Emerald are already there.”

“WHAT?!”

“SHHHH!” she hissed at her friend, green eyes wide. “I didn't think I would get as close to him as I have since the dance, and… I had already invited them before he asked me to homecoming! Then I forgot, and they showed up with a whole ham, and it would have been so rude to turn them away…”

Weiss laid a gentle hand on her arm. “Relax, okay? I'm sure everything will be fine.”

“But you know how Cinder is around boys! She hates them! And I know she has good reason, but Jaune is very important to me, and… and I don't want anyone to have an unhappy holiday thanks to me!”

“They won't. I promise. You are the nicest host, and the sweetest friend. And Emerald and Cinder have each other now; they're much less bitter and unhappy.”

“Oh… I know you're right. Thank you. And I shouldn't get flustered every time they try to kiss me anymore, I- I have to get used to that eventually, don't I?”

“Of course!” she chirruped with a patient smile. “Just keep rebuffing those advances; they will get the message.”

At those words, her childhood friend fell silent. Seconds ticked by while she squirmed. Then she whispered, “It may be too late for that plan.”

“What? I mean… what do you mean?”

“Well, if I were to rebuff their advances, I probably shouldn't have let Cinder steal a little kiss at homecoming.” When her fellow paper-shaker only gaped, the red-faced track star’s face grew yet redder. “Or behind the malt shop last weekend. Or just before I walked over here.”

“PYRRHA NIKOS!”

“I'm sorry! I told you, she makes me feel… swept away,” she breathed with a shy smile. “Even though I'm more attracted to Jaune, like him more and get along with him so well, I don't dislike Cinder… and she's strong, and confident, and beautiful…”

A laughing Weiss reassured her, “You don't have to explain anything to me. I have my own similar arrangement with a blonde and a brunette, so why on Earth would I throw stones in my glass house?”

“But what do I do? Poor Jaune has no idea women go around with other women as much as we do – a-and what about Emerald? Ordinarily I would be concerned about her feeling jealous, but she watches Cinder tease me – encourages it! That seems so dirty, and that's without the things they threaten to do to me if I let them!”

“Holy moley,” she breathed. “Pyrrha! You're a Dragon in sheep's clothing!”

That smile was still shy, but also a little excited. “Am not. But the kissing is… women's lips are so soft!”

“Aren't they?” Both girls sighed dreamily, then giggled. “Your secret is safe with me, but I think the sooner you explain all this to Jaune, the less bad it will be in the long run.”

“You… are probably right. But not now. I don't want to ruin the holiday for my parents.”

“Of course. You should probably get back.” As Pyrrha nodded, she tilted her head and asked, “What did you tell them about Cinder and Emerald, anyway?”

“Just that they're new friends of yours, and mine. And that they had no family to dine with. It's true, after all.”

Weiss nodded sagely. “And you wanted them to have a big slice of Pyrrha pie for dessert.”

“Mmhmm! I thought it would be… very- oh, you're so mean to me!”

“Maybe,” she cackled, leaning closer. “Or maybe I'm jealous because I want some for myself.”

And without waiting for a response, Weiss gave her a quick peck on the lips. Just a fun little tease without any deeper meaning behind it. Pyrrha was too startled to respond until Weiss's impish grin began to slip a notch – and then she laughed, loudly and freely.

“Oh Weiss! I think we both have our hands full enough as it is! But… thank you. For more than just now, for so, so much.”

Curtsying playfully, she giggled, “And thank you, madam. It is Thanksgiving, after all; we should be expressing our gratitude.”

“True!” As she skipped away, Pyrrha sang out over her shoulder, “Happy Thanksgiving!”

“You too, best friend!”

When she re-entered the living room, it was to a highly stressful scene. Qrow and Raven were seated one each upon the armchair and the couch, ranged across from each other, and if ever the phrase “glaring daggers” applied, it would be to those two siblings.

“You look good, sis,” he rumbled with a poisonous smirk. “Really got some color in your cheeks for once. What's your secret?”

“Staying away from things that are hazardous to my health. Like you.”

“Wow,” Penny breathed from Ruby's side, as surprised as anyone at how venomous they were toward each other. From her, Weiss glanced around at the various uncomfortable guests and eventually spotted Yang standing in the doorway of the kitchen, indecisive.

“Ooooh, temper temper. Still haven't figured out that's what made Taiyang ditch you, huh?” When Raven started to sit forward as if she would attack, he raised up both hands, palms out. “Easy now. Didn't come here to pick a fight, just came to eat.”

Teeth clenched hard enough to grind corn into meal, she hissed at him, “Funny way of showing it. Then again, you never did know when to quit.”

“Seems to me like I knew exactly when to quit. Before the Dragons turned into the Bulldyk-”

“Who would like a drink?” Weiss called out in a voice far too high to be natural. A few of her peers turned in her direction, but Raven and Qrow didn't budge at all. “Anyone?”

“May I have a lemonade?” Penny said in her usual oblivious-but-pleasant tone.

“Alright, look,” Yang finally sighed as she walked a little deeper into the room. “You guys hate each other; we get it. But it's Thanksgiving, and there are more people here than just you two chowderheads. So can we just… put that on the back burner until tomorrow? Please?”

Silence reigned for a long few seconds. Then Qrow heaved himself to his feet. “Think I'll take you up on that drink, Schnee.” He returned to the wet bar to refill his glass. Luckily, it seemed like the breaking of their staring contest gave Raven the right to let herself relax, and she ran her hand over her hair.

“Are they always like this?” Ilia asked in a soft murmur, mostly to Blake.

“Raven, yes. I have no idea about him, I haven't seen him more than once in my whole life before now.”

Before Ilia could form a response, an “Ahem” came from the doorway leading into the dining room. Kali stood there with a polite smile on her face, hands clasped in front of her stomach; the picture of a polite hostess.

“I believe dinner is served. If you will all come through and seat yourselves, we would love to begin.”

Raven was the first to exit, seemingly to give herself at least a few scant seconds without her brother in the same room. Then her daughter followed soon afterward, and everyone else stood and began to follow the others.

“Wheeee,” Ruby deadpanned as she led Penny inside.

The spread look amazing. Kali had definitely outdone herself, and somehow Willow and Raven had not ruined all her good work with their awkward attempts to help. Turkey, dressing, casserole, fresh hot buns, and gleaming red cranberry sauce were already weighing down the table. Weiss's beaming mother stood behind the chair at the head of the table, waiting for the others to sit before she seated herself.

“Thank you all for coming,” she said in a quiet, nervously excited voice. “I know this will probably be strange, as some of you hardly even know who I am, much less have met me. But I'm happy to meet you all and welcome you to my home.”

“I am happy to be here,” Penny replied brightly as if she were being directly addressed. But Willow only smiled right back at her, and the girl grinned from ear-to-ear.

“Before we dig in, I'd like us all to go around the table and say something we are thankful for from this past year.” One or two groans sounded from the guests, but most of them were polite enough to keep their desire to eat right away to themselves. “Would anyone like to start?”

As she brought in a dish of beans, Kali said, “Go on, Willow dear. Set us an example.”

“Oh, very well.” As Whitley sat at her left, Weiss at her right, she composed herself for a moment. “I’m thankful for my family. My real family – everyone here, even if some of us are just meeting tonight. And that my eyes are open enough for me to appreciate that now.”

After a moment or two of silence, a few people nodding along, she turned to Whitley. Starting, he said, “Ah. Well, I suppose I’m thankful that all the nastiness is behind us. This year has been unpleasant but… well, looking around here, I must admit we’re coming out the other side.”

As Penny clapped for him, and a few others stifled laughter at her clapping, Kali spoke up, “I’m thankful for a certain little princess for bringing us all together. If not for her, this might have been an easier year, but a lot less interesting.” And she raised her water glass to Weiss, who waved her off – despite her cheeks tinting pink.

“Same here,” Blake agreed with a big smile. “She really shook things up in the best of ways. Still a little weird that I get to be friends with her. But thanks, Weiss.”

“And you could probably guess I’m going to say thanks for helping me finally get Blake’s attention,” Ilia sighed resignedly as the others chuckled. Hands were definitely being held under the table, and Weiss had a hard time not squealing with secondhand glee. Then they all turned to look at Qrow.

“Huh? Oh, uh… skip me.”

Ruby nudged him hard. “No skipping!”

“Fine. I’m thankful for this dumb squirt.” He ruffled her hair aggressively, and she laughed – even if she was hastily patting her hair back into place right afterward. “That A-okay, kiddo?”

“Sure.” Then she cleared her throat and said, “I’m grateful for… well, a lotta stuff. But I can’t pick between the two big things: Penny asking me out, and…” Her eyes began to water. “And getting my sister back. They’re b-both pretty outta sight.”

“Nah, you should pick Penny,” Yang said with a wistful smile. “I ain’t that special.”

“Don’t say that! You’re my sister and you’re amazing!”

“Okay, okay,” Raven interrupted them with a sigh. “Break up the happy-fight, girls. Let’s hurry this along so we can all eat. Penny?”

Blinking her huge green eyes, the freckle-faced girl chirruped, “Oh! Well, I am thankful for Ruby, of course. And her family – which seems to be all of you! And for the food we are about to eat. Amen.”

“Amen,” Whitley muttered automatically, even though everyone else was blinking in confusion. Weiss wasn’t sure at which point Penny’s thanks had turned into grace, but it was even stranger to call attention to it. So no one did.

“And I’m thankful for Yang putting up with me,” Raven said simply. “Go on.”

But Yang wasn’t about to let that slip past. “Wait, what do you mean?”

“My attitude. I’ve…” Her sigh was weary, her glare burning a hole into the table. “I’ve been a terrible mother. Nobody has to tell me,” she said over the handful of protests. “Just because I did my best, tried to make my kid tough enough the world wouldn’t eat her alive, doesn’t mean my best was very good. But I think…” Her sharp eyes flicked up to Qrow, waiting for some kind of scathing comment.

“No, no, go on,” he told her smoothly. And though his face might have been slightly smug, he didn’t goad her any more than that.

“I think Willow’s been good for me. I’ve done worse than her and she’s trying so hard to… fix what’s wrong. Have to be a real dope to not try the same thing. Guess that’s what I’m glad for this year.” Then she flung at her brother, “So you can sit on that, Jack.”

“Gladly,” he rumbled, lowering his glass of something strong-smelling and regarding her evenly. “I ain’t no prince, either, Sis. Louse everything up every day. All we can do is our best to make up for it.”

While Raven was busy blinking at the almost-nice sentiment from her estranged sibling, Yang cleared her throat and stood up. That already surprised Weiss before she even started talking – and then she surprised her even more.

“So I’m not that good at speech-making,” she chuckled, scratching the back of her neck. “Or wearing heels. But I’m gonna do both at the same time, I guess.

“Life has been pretty kooky since this princess fell in my lap. Honest, I thought she would snub me and that would be that – or that I could have a little fun before I got the cold shoulder, maybe. But this amazing, beautiful, talented, strong knock-out…” For a moment, Yang just laughed, trying to figure out what else she was saying. “She changed me. Changed my whole life in a good way, and I can’t even imagine what I would do without her now. And I don’t wanna. So yeah. Thanks, Weiss, for taming this Dragon.”

Weiss was just smiling tearily up at her proud, cocky features that were currently gazing right back at her with a megaton force of love, when most of the others began to clap. Starting, she covered her face to hide her blush, but then she felt Yang’s lips gently pushing into the back of her hand.

“I mean it,” she whispered as Weiss cooed. “On the hook for you, Schnee.”

“My sweet angel,” Willow breathed softly, beaming at both of them.

“Oh, stop it, all of you,” Weiss blustered, but the pink-cheeked grin somewhat undercut her words. Then she spoke up a little louder. “As for me… oh, I don’t have anything.”

“You don’t?” Blake asked incredulously, folding her arms over her chest and smirking. “You? Nothing comes to mind for the girl who can normally talk the hind leg off a mule?”

“Everything does. It’s everything. I mean, other than a few unpleasant things I had to witness, but… I wouldn’t trade this year for the world. I have a real family now, and some of them are even my actual blood relatives. So thank you, God, for ALL of this.”

“Amen,” Whitley said again a little more firmly than before, and this time Yang snorted a little.

“Amen!” Willow put in brightly. “And with that, let’s dig in!”

“Thank GOD for THAT!” Ruby burst out, and the others all giggled. For a tiny little slip of a girl, she had a voracious appetite.

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

    Dinner was everything the Schnees had desperately hoped it would be and more. Though Raven avoided speaking to Qrow at all costs, the upside of that was that she actually didn’t resist all of Kali’s attempts at conversation. They would likely never be the best of friends again, but it was a start toward reconciliation that Weiss found extremely heartening.

However, there were a couple of hiccups. Kali and Raven got into a very terse argument about the best path for Yang’s future that didn’t particularly go anywhere. Ilia spilled gravy all over Qrow, earning her a strong glare; Willow hurried him upstairs and gave him some of Jacques’s clothes to change into while they were washing his shirt, which fit at least well enough. Whitley made the mistake of casually mentioning that his sister was a “deviant” in a room full of such deviants, though he hastily apologised and insisted he did not mean any offense when he noticed all the eyes glinting with doom. Still, all in all not a bad evening.

“I couldn’t eat another bite,” Yang burped as she helped them move all the dishes to the sink. “But I want to! It’s all so good, I haven’t even tasted Kali’s food that was this good before! And hers is always the bee’s knees!”

“Flatterer.” Kali herself came in behind her and put the empty casserole dish on the counter, then pulled Yang in for a little cheek-kiss. “But keep it coming; I might save you an extra piece of pie.”

As Yang laughed nervously, her mother strode over and said, “Hey, cut that out. Stop tryin’ to be my kid’s mom. That’s my job.” And then she kissed her on the cheek, as well, leaving a very shocked Yang glancing between them. As if waiting to have to break up a fight should it flare up from nowhere.

But all Kali did was smile and say, “Good.” Then she started scrubbing a pot vigorously, humming a light little tune.

“Um, let us do those,” Yang volunteered. “You cooked, it’s the least we can do.”

“Oh, that’s alright.”

“No it’s not. You do so much, Mrs. B, and everybody takes it for granted. I’m not gonna anymore.”

As Yang moved into position in front of the sink, Kali pressed a hand to the center of her chest and fluttered her eyelashes. “My my myyyy, Weiss, you certainly have found yourself a stand-up woman. Good thing for you I’m-”

“Watch how you finish that,” Raven warned. “Talking about my daughter there.”

“That I’m… not twenty years younger,” she finished slyly. “And I will leave it at that, alright?” When Raven nodded curtly, she rolled her eyes and tittered as she moved to stand beside Weiss. “Come with me.”

Confused, she let herself be taken to the dining room again, which was mostly empty. Everyone had moved to the living room by now. “Yes?”

“I thought I should tell you sometime when we had a moment; there’s been too much going on before now.” Glancing around, Kali whispered, “Salem has agreed that we’re rebuilding Shopkeeper’s. The money will come out of a nest egg she had set aside to renovate her own home and to retire on; she won’t be able to do those things now for a while yet, but at least we’ll all have a home again.”

“That’s fantastic news!” When Kali only frowned, she asked, “Or is it? What’s wrong?”

“Well… to be frank, I’m a little disappointed you aren’t looking at my chest.”

“Huh?!”

Smirking, she whispered, “My hands were wet when I held one to my chest a moment ago, so now the top of my dress is all damp. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice! I must be losing my touch.”

Unable to help briefly glancing at the more pronounced outline of Kali’s bosom, she stamped her foot and hissed, “You stop that! I thought there was a real problem!”

“How is this not a ‘real’ problem? My looks are fading!” The back of her hand flew to her forehead as she clutched the neckline of her dress like a silent film starlet. “It won’t be long now, little Weiss; you’ll be seeing me in a casket, old and wrinkled. Past my prime and with no bevy of saucy young things surrounding me, weeping their eyes out at the loss!”

“Oh, enough!” Kali’s laugh made her smile against her will. “Your breasts are as magnetic and splendid as ever, if you must know. Just… have other breasts on my mind. And things besides breasts.”

“Of course. It’s quite alright, really.” Cupping Weiss’s cheek tenderly, stroking with her thumb, she whispered, “I just miss chasing you around my kitchen and being ogled; it was harmless fun.”

“Me, too. We’ll do it again soon, okay?”

Kali’s grin was genuine. “Please. You might be with Yang and my Blake, but that’s a game I’m not willing to give up.”

Still playing this game, were they? Well, Weiss wasn’t going to keep being a helpless target anymore. “That’s good. Neither am I.”

Nothing could have prepared Kali for Weiss reaching back to pinch her on the rear end before she walked past into the kitchen. The squeak of surprise was as flustered as she had ever heard Blake’s mother, even if it was brief and not terribly loud. Weiss had to swallow down her own giggle – and the slight thrill of how nice that pinch had felt, fleeting as it was. When Kali followed her in a few seconds later, she was markedly more composed, but grinning wolfishly and had the faintest of blushes in her cheeks.

And her chest bore the evidence of the pinch, as well. Blake, who had been dropping off the last of the plates, noticed the stiffened peaks within seconds and hurried to finish putting them down before excusing herself. This time, Kali noticed, but only seemed vaguely curious and puzzled rather than scandalised. It seemed her daughter’s secret would remain safe for a little while longer.

Once the dishes were done, Weiss cleared her throat and made an announcement to everyone congregating in the living room. “Attention! If you all would be so kind as to join us in the drawing room, Ilia Amitola and myself will be performing ‘Ave Maria’. Just a little post-dinner entertainment.”

“Ooh!” Ruby gasped, hopping up and down in her seat. “You’re gonna play something?”

“Ilia will play, I will sing.”

“OOH!”

Qrow sighed. “I’m staying down here. Maybe Donna Reed’s on.”

“I’m game,” Raven said with a careless shrug. The others seemed to have similar opinions, and began to make their way upstairs.

On the landing, Weiss’s mother hesitated. She backtracked into the hall to ask her, “What’s wrong?”

“Unpleasant memories of that room.”

“Oh… of course.” A flash of seeing her father struck over the head with a vase filled her vision before she blinked to clear it away. “Tell you what, Mommy. Let’s start making some new memories in there, right now. Can we try that?”

Swallowing hard, her mother’s eyes flicked back and forth a little as she took up Weiss’s hand and gave it a would-be firm pat. “You’re right. I’d love to hear my angel sing again.”

Chest puffing out like a male frigatebird, Weiss turned and strode toward the piano where a clearly-nervous Ilia was playing a few scales very quietly. Blake was leaning against one wall, watching her with a genuine fondness in her amber eyes. That gave Weiss some comfort; it looked like their budding relationship was truly heading in the right direction.

So she played. And Weiss sang. The voices that were muttering seconds before fell silent. Every day of her life, she had let her father’s insistences that she needed to practice more, to make sure her instrument was honed to perfection before she displayed it to others, keep her voice caged and silent. She was through letting her past bar her way to her future.

By the time the final note wavered and faded, several hands were pressed to mouths. Kali had to sit down. Ruby and Penny were huddled close, sniffling. Even Raven’s eyes were slightly damp, though she was trying to appear her usual detached self. Everyone but Yang and her own mother were completely stunned. The issue was, several of the Dragons had heard Ilia play already and knew she had talent, but Weiss’s was brand new to most of them.

So Weiss barely had time to curtsy before they were being swarmed.

“Oh my GOD, Schnee!” Blake was gushing. “How did I not know about this?!”

“That was INCREDIBLE!” Ruby piped up, literally hopping up and down. “I’m flipping, what a gas!”

With a slight chuckle, Raven said, “How are we supposed to understand what these damn curtain climbers are saying these days?” But instead of leaving it at that, she looked Weiss dead in the eyes and added, “Nice pipes. Really.”

“Th-thanks,” she breathed. The grumpy woman only nodded and turned back to Ilia, patting her on the back too hard and making her almost fall over into the piano.

“Maybe you ought to be chasing me,” Kali told her, gripping her hands firmly. “Oh, I’m so proud of you, though. A songbird on top of everything else!”

“S-stop,” she tried again with a huge, bashful grin, but it was useless; Penny and Whitley were clapping again, and Yang was massaging her shoulders, and…

And the room was full of love, and reassurance. Camaraderie and affection. Family.

“Okay, okay!” Ilia finally cackled as Ruby gave her a big showy kiss on the cheek, causing it to change colours. “Who wants to hear something else? I could play ‘Night Train’, but it doesn’t have any words.”

“What about ‘Chances Are’?” Raven suggested with something like a grin. And Weiss had to fight down a laugh; she should have known Johnny Mathis would come up sooner or later. The woman was addicted to the crooner. “O-or ‘Misty’… doesn’t matter. Forget it.”

But Ilia was thoughtful. “I haven’t tried either before, but the piano parts are pretty simple. Weiss? You up to the vocals?” When Weiss nodded, she cracked her knuckles. “I could probably pick it out if you give me a-”

“HEY!” interrupted a gruff voice from downstairs. “Some dame’s tryin’ to break into your house!”

Stunned by that proclamation, Weiss and her mother quickly stole down the stairs to see what Qrow meant. The others were hot on their heels - and they nearly ended up in a heap, since the Schnee women had stopped dead in their tracks at the bottom of the staircase.

“Am I too late for dinner?”

It only took a few seconds of awkward smiles and heavy silence before Weiss burst out “WINTER!” and went flying across the entryway and into her big sister’s arms. Winter Schnee was several inches taller, and her trademark Schnee white-blonde hair was pulled into a taut bun. Her arms dropped the heavy duffel bag just barely inside the front door and instantly clamped around Weiss, expression melting into one of affection.

“Ohhhh, Snowball,” she whispered into her shoulder. “I’m sorry it’s been so long.”

“Winter, I don’t understand!” her mother laughed, dashing after her younger daughter and resting a hand on the elder’s shoulder. Winter looked both delighted and surprised to see her so lucid. “What are you doing here so soon? I thought Christmas…”

“Well, after I got the telegram about Father, how could I stay away?” Her brows were furrowed despite the smiles. “Are you all doing alright? I can’t imagine…”

“Oh, fine, fine,” she dismissed with a wave of her hand. Both Raven and Kali rolled their eyes in the background. “You aren’t AWOL, are you?” Winter shook her head. “Oh good. Then how did you manage to slip away? How will you finish your tour of duty if-”

“I’m not. Mother, I’m staying right here in Vale, and taking over the business.”

Their mother’s expression slackened. “Oh… oh no, dear, you mustn’t do that. You enlisted to serve our country, a-and we can get along just fine while you do. It shouldn’t mean you have to drop everyth-”

“Please,” Winter said a little more firmly, finally releasing Weiss as she straightened into a more military stance. “Let me do this. I… what Father has done…” Her voice cracked slightly, even if it was her only overt display of emotion. “I should have been here to protect you, and Weiss and Whitley. And I wasn’t.”

At the mention of his name, Whitley moved into Weiss’s spot and hugged Winter soundly. Though he let go immediately afterward. “There was nothing you could do, I’m afraid, Sister. Though it still pains me to admit his wrongdoing… our father intended to kill Weiss’s friends. It was the response of a coward, and… and he was a killer, and had to be stopped. By death, I’m not quite as sure, but he deserved some sort of justice.”

“Even more reason for me to be here,” she insisted. “I am trained in combat; I could have put his head through a wall before he so much as laid a hand on any of you.”

“Don’t worry,” Willow tried to reassure her in a gentle tone, petting her daughter’s strong jaw. “We had everything well in hand. Oh, I am so very glad to have you back, though!”

Eyes finally lifting to scan the room properly, Winter smiled very slightly and said, “Yes, I see that you have a very… full house, Mother. Who are all these people? You said ‘friends’ were helping you, but…”

“Where are my manners?” Kali chuckled gently as she strode forward, offering her hand. “Kali Belladonna. I’ve been helping your mother through the legal aspects of the divorce and the will, and trying to help clean up around the house. That’s my daughter, Blake.” On cue, Blake waved. “And… well, I’m sure this must be a surprise, such an odd assortment of-”

“Dragons.” When there were a few gasps of surprise, Winter nodded at the leather jackets hanging from the coat rack, her expression vaguely thoughtful. “I remember them well. Wandered into Shopkeeper’s by mistake when I was in my junior year at Vale High, and… well, that was a rather eye-opening experience.”

“Ohhhhhhhh,” Kali suddenly breathed. “That was you? I remember that curious little lamb now. We don’t get many strays like that.”

“Wait, wait,” Weiss found herself saying, shaking her head out. “You’ve seen the inside of Shopkeeper’s, and never mentioned it? And you’re not freaking out that there are Dragons in our house?”

The corner of her mouth did twitch upward in bemusement. “Well… I have to admit, it’s a little unusual, but if you invited them in, you must think of them as friends.”

“Oh. I guess that makes sense.”

“Are they?” Weiss nodded vaguely, and Winter folded her arms over her chest. “Are any of them more than friends?” When the only response she got was widening eyes and pinkening cheeks, Winter blinked in surprise. Clearly, she had not expected her teasing to turn up anything pertinent. “Oh.”

“I… it’s not… you probably think I’m some sort of deviant.” Whitley cringed at the use of that word, memory of being admonished still fresh. “Sorry, this isn’t how I-”

“No, no, don’t apologise. Let me show you something.”

From within her plain black purse, she withdrew a battered-looking leather wallet. Flipping past a few bills and identification cards, eventually she came up with a small photograph of a petite, dark-skinned girl in a beret. Her eyes looked clear and clever, and her lips as if she were trying to suppress a smirk.

“This… is Ciel. She’s someone very special to me. Or… was.” Her eyes were sad as she added, “Her parents are marrying her off, and she told me that we had our fun, but it was over. And honestly, I believe her; I want to say she’s just scared and I’ll ‘win her back’, but I doubt it. Once Ciel’s mind is made up, it’s set in stone.”

However, Weiss was laughing. Everyone else remained quiet, but a little at a time, Winter’s hands moved to her hips as her little sister doubled over with mirth, nearly staggering over into the umbrella stand.

“And what’s the matter with you now?”

Still giggling, she turned around and beckoned Yang closer. The blonde immediately hopped to, edging past her mother and Penny to stride over to Weiss’s side. Immediately, they locked their hands together, and Yang’s eyes widened just a bit. The elder sibling couldn’t help gasping, though she didn’t look displeased. Not in the slightest.

“Oh, Winter,” she breathed with an excited grin. “I think we have a lot to talk about.”

“Maybe we do, Weiss.” Winter leaned their foreheads together as she added, “And I would love that more than anything in the world right now.”

“Me, too. But first, come see what leftovers we have; you’re probably really hungry.”

“Yes, please!” Willow provided with a huge grin – and the fact that she also wasn’t fazed by Winter’s outing herself seemed to make the older of the sisters completely bewildered. “Come inside, dear – Whitley, can you take her bag upstairs? She must be so tired, and we have so much catching up to do!”

“Can’t one of these brutes do it? You know I have minimal upper body strength.”

“Brutes?!” Raven fired up – but Kali’s hand on her arm helped her reign it in. Through her teeth, she growled, “Sure. Anything for the Schnees.” Then she grabbed the bag with one hand, hefting it as she glared briefly at the boy before carrying it toward the bedrooms.

Meanwhile, Weiss was on cloud nine. Winter was there. Her sister was the only missing piece from her family; now it was complete. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ruby jump up and down a little before she rushed over to her side.

“You’re a little sister, too!”

“Yes,” she chuckled quietly as she watched her mother leading Winter into the kitchen, both of them chatting easily. And Winter looked so happy to see her mother wasn’t a lush anymore; was bright-eyed and invested in the world around her. Just like she herself was happy about it. “So what?”

“So it’s really COOL! Maybe that’s why we’re friends, huh? Like, aside from you dating Yang… I always thought we had more of a bond, a-and that’s what it is! We know what it’s like to be little sisters with big strong sisters, a-and that’s neato, huh? Right?”

To stop her from jumping around, she paused to give Ruby a warm hug. “We’re friends because I like you. That’s all. But… you’re right, it’s pretty neat that we both have strong big sisters.”

After only a brief pause, Ruby squeezed her back and whispered, “Yeah. Little sister club!” Then she pulled back with a huge grin. “Go hang out with Winter. She seems so hip.”

“She is.”

As she stepped across the threshold into the dining room, she heard Yang calling out, "Announcing the arrival of Her Majesty, Princess Schnee!"

“Okay, okay!” she laughed easily, turning toward the kitchen. “You got me.”

“Yeah, I do,” Yang whispered as she pulled her in close for a hug and a kiss, ignoring the coos from the other side of the door. “Got you, Schnee. All mine forever.”

Weiss’s blue eyes sparkled with affectionate glee as she leaned heavily against the Dragon. Having so much to say, but finding in the end that she didn’t need to, anyway. All she had to do was whisper a few choice words against Yang’s smirking lips before they connected yet again.

“Hmph. What a brute.”

  THE END

#princess and the dragons #1950s au #freezerburn fanfic #rwby fanfiction #rwbyremnants #completed fic