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#please please please supernatural gods let time repeat itself
always-andromeda · 6 months
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The SAG-AFTRA strike is over and already there are rumors of Supernatural returning in some capacity and I can’t deal with it. 😭
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Tell me about your dynamic with Elias! I’d love to hear about it
Ah, that's kinda like... Half the problem, I suppose.
There isn't a whole ton to hear about?
I've seen a lot of other self shippers, and I haven't heard anyone openly talk about this? So I'm assuming out of one of my many disorders, I am having a Prime Time Symptom. Either way: I have a really hard time just writing a ship.
This is normally fine? I just end up getting really into conceptualizing the lead-up to the ship, and that's fun itself! The other component to this is that I have a really hard time changing what's already been written, unless I honest to god hate it. I think Scenecore Mad Max's Adventures only transitioned so well into something else, because there was genuine lore development in F94G's (note for the unaware: my main madcom s/i) lore that needed addressing. The core dynamic did shift some, but it was to account for that.
That's really been the only time I've been able to do all that, and then go back and change it. (I promise that this is going somewhere.) S/I is made, backstory is established, things are written/drawn, ect. Oroboros eating its... Ship? It's the repeat of how my ships develop.
This is context for the fact that Elias and Sanya don't really have... A dynamic. Exactly.
What ships get based off of is kinda random. Sometimes its a projection ship from the same fandom, a trope I saw in passing that my brain hooked onto, y'know. Something outside of myself. I'm not super good at conceptualizing ship dynamics otherwise.
Sanya and Elias were originally based off JonElias (note: I tried to cram them into being JonElias for ease of access.) Needless to say, it didn't stick. My projection character of choice (Michael Distortion) doesn't really interact with Elias... Ever? Nor is he shipped with him, not even as a crack ship. Those like 2 or 3 fics of it on a03 are all by me. (Unless?? I started something??)
But even beyond that it has taken me about a year or two to even have a stable s/i. I have ran through so many for TMA in general, let alone the ship canon where Sanya is specifically with Elias. I went through concepts related to myself in-system (I'm a Bakeneko mythic,) concepts related to things in the show I latched onto (a Leitner was a recurring feature for a long time,) to sometimes just throwing darts at random concepts and praying my brain stuck with it (usually "what if Sanya was avatar of [x], with [x] changing every now and again.)
Needless to say, that process might not actually be over, because I don't know how much I like the current concept either. TMA has been particularly challenging to self-insert into. I compare it to carving a place out with a small shovel, to plant myself among the other characters. TMA feels like all its roots are too close together, and its hard to find a pleasing place to even poke my spade at.
(The current concept is someone touched by each entity, but instead of ascending to a terrible-no-good-godhood like Jon later does... Fae is just in an avatar limbo, unaware fae is even supernatural (despite being like... around Jonah's age.) It's a meta commentary on how much development hell Sanya has gone through in TMA, and I thought that was funny.)
All of this in mind: Elias (or really any other TMA f/o) has been... Difficult. Oddly enough, though, Elias has been the most difficult. Between all the people screaming from the heavens that he's unrepentant garbage and "why do people like him," and all the people who begrudgingly include him in their content JUST to make fun of him... Somewhere in all the discourse, it was even harder to stab a shovel into anywhere to clear room for myself.
I think it's kinda warped my perception of what the ship could even be, because the closest I can come to conceptualizing a dynamic between Sanya and Elias is one pursuing the other, but the other being lividly, meanly not into the other. It's genuinely like distressing as fuck.
Hence the seeking of reader content I can enjoy, I kinda hoped that I could try to use that to correct my perception of a Sanya/Elias dynamic. I only read smutt though, and basically all of it is afab in some fashion. So I can't read it.
So anyway sorry for dumping pandora's box on your lap, but you've caught me at a stressful time and inadvertently asked about a stressful ship.
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bi-bard · 2 years
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look at this idiotic fool that you made me - Sam Winchester Imagine (Supernatural)
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Title: look at this idiotic fool that you made me
Pairing: Sam Winchester X Reader
Song Drawn: illicit affairs
Word Count: 787 words
Warning(s): mentions of sex
Summary: (Y/n) finally puts their foot down with Sam. Sam trips over it.
Author's Note: That's the best summary I could think of.
Hey! I did a rewrite of the ending of Supernatural. It took a really long time to complete, so it would mean a lot to me if you check it out. Here’s a link! (it’s on my personal account)
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I was tired.
I was tired of waking up alone.
I was tired of sneaking around.
I was tired of feeling like a hidden plaything.
As I sat alone in my bed, I felt tears falling down my face. My whole body started shaking and I curled up so I could hide my face.
Sam and I have been together for months at this point. Granted, he would never say anything. Instead of just laying with me at night, he would wake up at two in the morning just to go to his room, so no one knew he had been with me.
I couldn't do it anymore.
"(Y/n)," I looked up as the door opened. Sam. "Hey, what's going on?"
"Figure it out," I snapped. Sam's furrowed eyebrows pissed me off more. "You left. Again."
Sam sighed, "(Y/n)-"
"Are you embarrassed of me," I asked.
"What, no," he promised. "Why would you think that?"
"We've been together for months and you haven't even mentioned it to your brother," I explained. "Every morning, I wake up alone because you don't want to risk anyone seeing us. We've never been on a real date. I just... I can't help but think that you're embarrassed of me."
Sam sat in front of me and moved so his hand rested across my waist.
"I am not even close to embarrassed by you," he promised. "I care about you, (Y/n)."
"You say that all the time, but nothing changes, Sam," I muttered.
It was true. He would say that he cared so much about me. He would kiss me, promise to stop hiding so much, and then he would plan our next day together. The day was always interrupted by a hunt, and he would still avoid me throughout the day. It was a pattern that I had gotten used to, but it still would cut me to my core every time it repeated itself.
I let out a sigh, "I can't keep doing this."
"I'm sorry," he said before leaning forward to kiss my forehead.
"Then do something about it," I replied.
"I will," he nodded.
"Now," I asked.
He hesitated.
"Then I will," I pushed his arm off of me and got up.
"(Y/n), wait, please."
"If you aren't embarrassed of me, you shouldn't have a problem with this-"
"Just. Wait."
Sam slammed my door and turned me around, so my back hit the wood.
"Why don't you want to tell anyone," I asked.
"I-I..."
"Do you not want to be with me?"
"(Y/n)-"
"It's a yes or no question, Sam."
I was determined to not let him talk his way out of this problem. Not again. I couldn't go through all of it again.
I crossed my arms and watched the bravest man I knew stumble over almost every word in the English language. He seemed to resign to just looking at me with a sad look.
"You don't," I realized. "You don't want me. Not really. You want sex with me. The idea of me. But you don't actually want to love me."
He opened his mouth but didn't deny it.
"Oh my god," I let out a bitter chuckle as tears fell from my eyes. "You were just using me. I feel like such an idiot."
"(Y/n)-"
"Leave," I shook my head.
"Let's talk about this."
"There's nothing to talk about, Sam," I snapped. My voice kept getting louder. "You laid in that bed with me. You lied to me and used me and made me feel like an idiot for questioning your intentions! So now, I want you to leave! And then, the next time you want your dick wet, find someone else to deal with it because I am not getting involved with you ever again!"
I moved away from the door so he could leave the room.
"And Sam," I called down the hall. He turned around with a hopeful look in his eyes. "If that idea makes you uncomfortable, then have the balls to tell me to my face and I'll leave as soon as I can find a place."
"I'm sorry-"
"I know," I held a hand up. "But I truly don't care."
Closing my door felt oddly powerful. Like I was finally taking control of what had happened. It wasn't just me following Sam like I was a sad puppy. It was two people facing consequences.
That one moment of power made me feel just a little bit better. I let out a small smile.
I was not a form of stress relief. I was a person. And now I was free to do anything I wanted to, no more fear. I never thought about how amazing that could be.
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hypnomicimagines · 3 years
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Alone Time [Werewolf!Yamada Ichiro]
(You guys can also have this as a treat... a nice 2am treat. afab reader but no pronouns used)
Ichiro’s tail swished nervously behind him as he fumbled around with the dishes, his mind on anything but doing the rest of his household chores. Part of it was caused by both Jiro and Saburo being away, he had made Saburo promise to call him once his class reached their destination, but the other part of it was because he had been bold enough to ask you to stay over. He had even made it known his brothers wouldn’t be present which you had giggled about but said nothing more on the topic, agreeing that it would be nice to have a night in together.
“Hi!” You’re happy to be greeted by the excited werewolf who quickly lifted you up into his arms, squeezing tightly as it had been quite some time since you’d seen each other. His hand lingered on your lower back for longer than normal, as though he didn’t want to pull away at all if he could help it, but the sensible side of him won out as he pointed to the kitchen.
“I’m cooking but you can relax if you want.” You noted that the living room was cleaner than it normally was, no soccer balls around though there was a vacuum positioned in the corner filled to the brim with wolf fur. Did their tails shed that much? Poor Ichiro, it must be an endless cycle having three wolves living under one roof.
“I’ll sit with you in the kitchen if you don’t mind. I like watching you be all domestic, it’s cute. Should we get a hairnet for your tail?”
“I’ve never had any issues with-” Ichiro noted the way you were smiling at him, “Oh, you’re just messing with me, huh? I’ll remember that.”
Dinner was served shortly after and you weren’t lying about liking domestic Ichiro, thinking it was quite sweet to see him making you a plate and putting it down in front of you before sitting across the table. He even took the dishes to clean them before you could offer to help, saying he had invited you over to take a break and that he didn’t expect you to lift a finger. Your insistence was a little stronger than his stubborn need to do it all so you ended up drying and putting the dishes away as he scrubbed, pleased when everything was said and done so you could both relax together.  
You managed to make it through exactly one movie before you began to feel sleepy.
You stretched, yawned, and his response came quickly.
“Should we go lie down?” You knew his request didn’t have ulterior motives, at least not in the moment, because as soon as he realized what he said his mouth hung open like he didn’t believe he’d just said that. You gave him a knowing smirk but didn’t tease him out loud, knowing he was probably beating himself up over it now.
“Sure. Lead the way, casanova.”
Ichiro hopped up off the couch and nearly forgot his manners with how quickly he was trying to leave the situation, turning before you get up to offer his hand. You thank him and take his hand, noting it’s a little sweatier than it was when you were holding it before. His anxiety is palpable and your own nerves are starting to build, knowing there’s nothing technically stopping you from having your way with each other. You had thought about it, God knows you had thought about it, and though you can’t speak on Ichiro’s own naughty daydreams you were sure there was something running through his mind with how stiff he had been acting tonight.
“Let me borrow one of your shirts, won’t you?” His eyes widened at that and you heard a shocked noise that you weren’t quite sure came from Ichiro. He stared at you a moment longer with his flustered expression before he fully processed your request, heading over to the dresser and fumbling through until he found a long, comfortable shirt suitable for bedtime. You made sure to brush your hand over his as you took it from him, shooting him a coy smile and thanking him. You admit that you’re starting to feel eager yourself as you remove your clothing, slipping into the t-shirt—And only the t-shirt.
Ichiro’s distracted as you walk out of the bathroom, mid-changing as he hadn’t expected you to be so quick. You’re disappointed that he’s wearing pants but you’d never seen him shirtless before, eyes scanning his back and soaking in all the scars that were left there. There were big and small, healed to the best of their ability; werewolves had a supernatural healing element to them so the wounds that caused scars to grow were ones either gained in adolescence, when the healing factor was much slower, or the wounds were near fatal in nature thus taking longer to heal. Your footsteps are quiet but Ichiro’s ears twitch in your direction, whipping around to face you. His eyes are on your face for only a moment before dropping to your bare legs, noting that his shirt was a little long on you but still left plenty for him to admire.
“I didn’t mean to leave you shirtless! How will you keep warm now?” You grabbed the shirt out of his hand, tossing it in the direction of the dresser as he certainly wouldn’t need it tonight.
“But wolves don’t get cold- Oh…” Ichiro was so intelligent normally but it seemed his mind was elsewhere, all your come-ons causing him confusion until you gave him a look that said ‘think about that a bit more’. He leaned in to kiss your cheek, slowly leaving a trail of kisses anywhere he could reach, helped by you tilting your head to the side to give him more access to you.
You tried to muffle your groan as Ichiro’s sharp teeth grazed against your neck, him purposely repeating the action to see if it was just a fluke. When you give him the same type of response you feel him press closer to you, his tail beginning to sway again to show how he happy he was (though it was obvious he was trying to control it as well). You gently touched his chest after you pulled away from him, fingers grazing the scarred Chuuoku brand on his skin, something that made him look away. You’re worried that you’ve agitated him at first but he grabbed your wrist as you went to pull away, pressing your hand to his chest and looking into your eyes.
He was giving you permission.
Your finger traced over the brand on his chest again, feeling guilty that you were looking at it when there was the rest of his beautiful body to admire. It was hard not to think about the burning pain that had been inflicted on him, that each and every scar must hold a sad story behind how he’d received them. You knew he had been a bit of a punk when he was younger but that seemed to be the type of lives werewolves lived, especially the ones with no parents to guide or protect them. He hadn’t talked about his father much but there was a bitterness there, a betrayal that had wedged itself deeply into Ichiro’s heart and had been the reason behind him breaking up their pack to begin with.
It wasn’t time to worry about that now.
If anything, you wanted Ichiro to forget his worries, at least for now.
You crawled into the bed first, flashing him the fact that you weren’t wearing underwear as though he needed another reason to snuggle in beside you as soon as possible. You teasingly turn to face the wall but are pleased when Ichiro pulled you flush against him, his dick hot and hard on your ass. He’s trying not to rut his hips but it’s hard, just like him, and he’s restraining himself in fear of his strength accidentally hurting you. The plan had been to allow you to set the pace, to take control so that it’d be less likely an accident like that would happen, but it seemed useless now.
His attraction, his burning desire, it was too much for him to handle.
“I guess being tempting is just in your nature,” He whispered against your neck, hands running up your leg until they caught the end of his shirt; he lifted it up, slowly, slowly, until it was at your waist, leaving it there and going down to squeeze your hip. He’s started to move his hips in a steady rhythm that was turning him on more, thinking about how soft you felt against him. “You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“Oh, is that right? You’ve met a fairy, right?”
“They have nothing on you.”
“Ooh, I’d be careful with that.” You turned your head to look at him, eyes taking a second to make out his face in the darkened room. “The fae don’t take kindly to being outdone. You might have put us both in danger.”
“I’d do anything to keep you safe.” Not normal bedroom talk but you’d be lying if that didn’t make your chest tingle, or perhaps that was just because his hands were now sliding up your stomach, cupping your chest but making no other moves just yet.
“Oh, my hero…!” Your teasing gets you everywhere, his hand rearranging itself so his fingers could gently pinch your nipple. You moaned quietly to show him that you appreciated what he was doing, arching back against him to temporarily stop his hips from moving. He’s breathing a little heavier now, which is why his next request isn’t a surprise.
“Turn around.”
His lips crashed against yours the second you did so, his hand on the back of your head as his tongue forced its way past your lips. He’s still a little clumsy when it comes to navigating such a passionate kiss but you can tell he’s putting his all into it, allowing you to explore his mouth as well; you couldn’t stop yourself from running your tongue over his canines, squeaking as it feels like you sliced your tongue though there’s no coppery taste to accompany the slight pain. He pulled away quick, a panicked look on his face as he opened his mouth to apologize.
“Shh…” You pressed a finger to his lips, “You don’t have to say sorry, baby. There’s something I want to do…but be careful of those fangs, alright?”
The only sound in the room is the shuffling of blankets as you pushed him onto his back, moving the blankets out of your way and stripping yourself of his shirt. He gets only a glance of your chest but you can tell he’s licking his lips at the thought of sucking on them, thinking he could have his way with them later when you were done with your request. You carefully positioned yourself over his, lowering cautiously as you didn’t want to totally smother him (at least not yet). Ichiro’s impatience is finally shining through and he throws caution out, strong arms wrapping around your thighs and pulling you down on his face.
Werewolves had been stereotyped as being voracious eaters and Ichiro wasn’t proving them wrong, the way his tongue was working you over being more than enough proof that he was one. You’re trying to keep yourself quiet despite knowing you don’t have to but that’s not good enough for Ichiro, no, he has to hear your voice full volume or he doesn’t believe he’s doing a good enough job. He teased your clit with his tongue, sucking, licking, going back and forth between the two as you grinded down on his face. He felt a certain thrill at how rough you were being now that you were close to the edge, being far less careful than you had before as you rode his face, desperate to come yet not really wanting the moment to end.
He would be sure to request this later, seeing how irresistible you acted when he ate you out.
You nearly pulled away from him before you came but he felt the muscles in your legs beginning to move, holding you down before you could take this delicacy away from him. You cried out his name as you came on his face, whimpering at the delicate licks he continued to give your clit as you came down from your orgasm. He could probably spend the entire night down there if you allowed him but there was another part of him you were hungry for, something that couldn’t be put off any longer.
You spend a second teasing his cock, licking up and down the vein on the underside of it as it seemed to drive him craziest. There was another stereotype about werewolves that was proven correct but you couldn’t think about it for too long, straddling his waist this time and sitting down on his length (but not allowing it to enter you). You’re slick as you moved back and forth, the head of his dick hitting your clit every time you moved forward, and you took pleasure in seeing the internal debate on Ichiro’s face. What would he do? Would he sit there and take it like a good boy, or would he let out that inner carnivore and show you who’s boss?
You’re pleased it’s the latter, legs spreading as the positions are reversed and you’re now underneath him. He lets out a growl that makes you bite your lip, his eyes on your chest once more before drifting up to your face. He leaned down to kiss you as he lined himself up with your entrance, pressing himself inside of you and waiting an extra second before going deeper. He’s thick and burning hot but it feels too damn good for you to complain about it, your body growing used to the feeling of his thick cock inside you. You’re distracted by his mouth on your chest again, tongue expertly playing with your nipple; his one hand cupped the breast he was playing with while the other held onto your hip, helping him bring your hips to meet his as he thrusted.
The pace he set was rougher than you thought he was capable of yet it still felt good, you could feel his desperation for your touch leaking through. Your hand ran through his hair, tugging as you ordered him to slow it down as you would come to quick if he kept the pace up; he didn’t listen at first which meant finding another weak spot, your hand reaching down in the dark to squeeze his ass, rising up to touch the base of his tail. He let out a whimper at this but finally obeyed, showing he still had a little good boy left in him. You wanted to memorize the way it felt to have him inside you, to have him planting kisses all over your neck and chest, to hear his begging as he didn’t know how much longer he’d last going at this pace.
“Try not to break me in half,” You grinned at him but he didn’t process it, knowing he was given permission to pick the pace up once again.
You’re pressed into the bed as Ichiro fucked you hard and fast, desperate to snap that thread, to finally come after all the hard work he had done to make this a nice night. He deserved this, you think, he deserved to feel good and you were happy that you were the one to do it. If it wasn’t you he wouldn’t be satisfied, Ichiro knew that without the love he felt for you this would just be empty pleasure but his heart felt so full as his lips pressed against yours and he came with one last thrust.
“I love you…” He gasped out, face buried in your neck as he dropped some of his weight on top of you, just enough to create a pleasantly snug sensation. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have-”
“I love you too, Ichi, don’t get so worked up.” You ran your fingers through his hair, scratching his ears in appreciation and trying not to laugh at the feeling of his tail wagging. “I love you so much it’s unbearable.”
“You think you have it bad, I’ve been thinking about sending my brothers out on a fake job just so we could be alone…” Ichiro sighed as he rolled off of you, knowing that the clean-up would be next but not quite finding the energy to move yet. “That would be bad, right?”
“…I mean, if they’re gonna follow in your footsteps you could at least call it training. Then it won’t feel like you’re lying.”
“…You’re right, that’s a way better idea.”
“That’s what I’m here for!”
“…Thank you for coming over tonight,” Ichiro’s voice is back to being a whisper, “We should get cleaned up.”
“Carry me to the bathroom, won’t you? I can’t guarantee my legs work right now.”
Ichiro laughed.
“Anything for you.”
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apocalypseornaw · 3 years
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Keep Me From You
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For the square "Temporary amnesia" on @girl-next-door-writes make me feel bingo
Warnings: mention of injury,cursing
Word Count: 10,201
Smidge of angst but lots of fluff
“Dean I’m fine. A few scratches but I’ll be home soon and you’re more than welcome to play nurse” You’d left a few days before to help Claire out on a hunt and had called him to say you were only about an hour out from Lebanon. “So you want me to wear the uniform and all?” he teased and heard you laugh. That was a sound that he’d always loved. “Of course I want the uniform, why would you even ask?” A smile slipped onto his face as hearing just how truly happy you sounded to be coming home to him. He’d never imagined getting this. Someone who really did love him and not only understood the life but lived it as well. “I’ll see you soon sweetheart” “Better be waiting for me at the door….” Your sentence was cut short by the sound of tires squealing then a hard hit. 
Dean knew a wreck when he heard one and his heart fell to his feet “Y/N!” when you didn’t reply he screamed your name again which brought Sam running into the room. “What’s wrong?” Dean was already on his feet grabbing the keys to the impala “Y/N’s been in a wreck. We gotta get to her”
By the time Dean and Sam rolled on scene a passerby had called 911. Multiple cop cars, a couple ambulances and even a fire truck had the night lit brightly. Dean barely stopped the car from rolling before he was jumping out. Your car was on it’s side, the driver door crumpled in. “Y/N!” before he could get close Sam grabbed him along with three of the firemen on scene “Sir! We already got her out! She’s in the ambulance!”
Dean looked to see the ambulance in question pulling away “Is she alive?” The firemen nodded solemnly “She’s in critical condition but she’s alive”  Sam pulled him back towards the impala “C’mon we’ll beat them to the hospital. We know her Dean she’s strong” Sam nodded to the firemen that he had Dean so they headed to finish cleaning up the scene. Dean looked at your car once more before following Sam “If the other driver isn’t in bad shape..I’ll kill em”
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Sam took the lead to speak with the doctors because by the time they got to the hospital he didn’t really trust Dean to not throw a punch. “Mr Evanson..your sister in law is in critical condition as you were told at the scene. She was hit by a drunk driver that ran a red light. She’s got multiple contusions, a fractured skull and a dislocated shoulder” the fake names had you as Dean’s wife should something like this happen and Eileen as Sam’s. Helped to have insurance and provided a cover story so all of you could get updates on each other should injuries ever occur severe enough to warrant a hospital trip.
Before Sam could open his mouth to ask any questions further about your condition Dean spoke up “Let me guess the bastard that hit her is just fine right?” Sam couldn’t really blame Dean. You were one of his best friends and knowing you made it out of a hunt just fine to turn around and get hurt this severely by an idiot who drank too much and chose to get behind the wheel was more than upsetting. “Mr Evanson I know you’re upset but I assure you we’re doing everything for your wife we can” Sam could tell Dean was doing what he did best which was to lean into anger more than any other emotion so before he could fire off threats to a doctor or worse Sam grabbed his arm then looked back at the doctor “When can we see her?” “As soon as she’s settled into the room I’ll send a nurse out to get both of you”
The moment the doctor stepped away Dean spun around and hit the wall hard enough his fist left a hole in the plaster. “She was talking to me Sam. What if I distracted her? What if she would’ve seen him sooner if she hadn’t been on the phone?” “Dean, don't do that to yourself. This isn’t your fault” It shocked Sam more than anything to see Dean wasn’t trying to hide the tears in his eyes when he faced him “I can’t lose her Sammy” “You won’t. I’m gonna call Eileen and Jody to let them know. She’ll be ok. Let the doctors do what they can then if need be we’ll find other means to help her. She’s strong, she’s a fighter and honestly I think it would take a lot more than a wreck to keep her from your side” “Let’s hope you’re right”
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A little over an hour passed with Sam and Dean pacing across the waiting room. The other inhabitants of it and staff alike were giving both men a wide berth, Dean even moreso. The air around him was thick with the mixture of anger at you being in this shape and fear at the possibility of losing you.
When a nurse finally walked in and asked “Mr Evanson and brother?” Dean snatched his head up “Over here” she smiled warmly at him “Your wife is out of surgery and stable. Would you and your brother like to see her?” “Please” Dean managed trying to remember it wasn’t this woman’s fault you were hurt.
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The walk to your room felt longer than anything Dean had even endured. When he walked in to see your still form he could feel his hands ball into fists. You were the single most important person on the face of the earth to him besides Sam. Your head was bandaged, your left shoulder was in a sling and both arms had gauze nearly covering every surface. “When’s she gonna wake up?” Sam asked knowing Dean needed an answer but also knowing his brother wouldn’t be very good at communicating at the moment. 
“That’s a tricky question. It’s really up to her. She’s in stable condition, there’s no bleeding on her brain. Now it’s just up to her body” “Thank you. Can we stay with her a while?” “You both can stay an hour but only one can stay overnight” “Thank you” the nurse walked away and Sam turned back to see Dean was motionless at the foot of your bed.
“Dean?” Sam called jarring him out of his thoughts. “She’s a hunter. I’ve seen her hurt and I’ve known that there was always a possibility of something happening to one of us but she was fine, she was headed home and laughing” Dean had walked up next to your bed and left his fingers barely brush against the leather bracelet tied around your wrist. It was a gris-gris gifted to you by a witch in New Orleans three years before, just a couple months before you and Dean had gotten together actually. 
You’d helped her out and it was supposed to protect you from evil. You hadn’t taken it off since citing that it was a lucky charm too considering you hadn’t gotten seriously injured on a hunt in quite a while. Turned out it only worked on supernatural beings not human actions.  “She’s gonna be ok Dean” Sam repeated as Dean gently took your hand in both of his and sat down in the chair next to the bed before looking up at his little brother “How can you be so sure?” “I’ve seen her fight and I’ve seen how much she loves you. She’s not leaving us like this”
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The two of them stayed like that for the next hour barely talking, simply watching you breathe. When the hour passed Sam headed back to the bunker while Dean stayed rooted in the chair holding your hand. “Remember when we first met? God I thought you hated me because of my dad..he had a habit of turning people into enemies. I’ve never seen Bobby laugh as hard as talking about the time you backed dad down on a hunt by calling him a washed out jarhead that didn’t know a vampire from a rugaru. Baby you’ve survived so much..you’re stronger than anyone I know” he didn’t even realize he was crying before the droplet hit your hand.
“Please come back to me. I don’t want to do this without you. I love you” he nearly whispered the last part willing you to hear him and open your eyes. 
------
For three days Dean sat at your side. Sam would bring food and clothes. Eileen had of course headed back to Lebanon when she heard what happened and Jody along with all the girls had been in near constant contact. You had so many people behind you but the horrifying reality was it didn’t matter how much backup you had this time. This fight was a solo one.
The nurses and doctors assured him that you were healing. Your body was simply mending itself and keeping you asleep to save energy to do so. He didn’t care about anything they said he needed you awake to see for himself that you were ok.
It was during visitor hours so Eileen was sitting across the room flipping through a magazine while Sam had gone after coffee. The hardest thing for any of them was simply being forced to sit around and wait to see if you’d wake up on your own. Of course Rowena was digging around to see about some spells to help speed up healing but those were a bit fragile and out of her usual wheelhouse which was to cause damage to someone instead of healing them.
“Dean they were out of sugar so I had to put artificial sweetener in yours” Sam spoke from the doorway as he walked into the room. Dean shrugged “I don’t care” Sam shared a look with Eileen when he handed her coffee over. She signed “I’m worried about him” so Sam nodded and mouthed “Me too” before walking over to hold Dean’s coffee out to him. 
Dean took it then looked back at the bed “Why isn’t she awake yet Sammy?” “Head injuries take a little more to heal Dean” Sam offered but knew it was of little solace. All of them wanted nothing more than for you to wake up. Sam walked back over to stand next to Eileen but a movement of your hand had all of them on their feet and next to the bed “Y/N?” Dean spoke first and when you opened your eyes they all shared a sigh of relief “Thank god baby” Dean breathed moving to press a kiss to your lips but you snatched your head away “Dean, what the hell?” 
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Your head felt like it’d been run over by a truck. You felt like you were drunk and there wasn’t a body part that didn’t hurt.  When you finally forced your eyes open you realized you were in a hospital room. Sam, Dean and Eileen was next to your bed meaning you must have gotten hurt on a hunt but you couldn’t remember how.
“Thank god baby” baby? Did Dean just call you baby? Before you could ask he leaned forward as if to kiss you so you snatched your head away not missing the look on his face as you said “Dean, what the hell?” 
“Y/N? What's the last thing you remember?” Eileen asked stepping closer to the bed while Dean backed away obviously hurt but you weren’t sure why he’d called you baby or tried to kiss you. You were friends yeah but he’d never acted like he had those feelings for you. You realized your head hurt even worse when you tried to think of why he would be hurt but a memory finally came to you of you and Eileen working a shifter case in Austin. “The shifter?” you asked hesitantly and saw her eyes widened.
“Eileen? What’s wrong?” you asked grimacing when you tried to sit up further only to realize your left arm was in a sling. Sam moved to help you and you noticed Dean looking rather lost standing off to the side of the room. She looked over at him sympathetically before finally saying “Y/N that case was over three years ago”
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 Three years? You’d lost three years worth of memories. Dean had slipped out the room after alerting the Doctor Rhodes you were awake and once Eileen assured Sam she’d stay at your side he went after his brother. You were only half listening to the doctors as they gave a run down of the wreck you’d been in and the injuries you’d received. “Well if you’re saying my brain is fine why the hell do I have a three year gap in my memory?” you knew you were being a bit blunt but given the circumstances you felt it was warranted.
“Mrs Evanson this is common in an injury like yours” the nurse nearest you spoke so you cut your eyes at Eileen silently questioning the name they’d called you. She smiled and touched Doctor Rhodes on the shoulder. When he turned to look at her she motioned to you “Can I have a few moments alone with her before you take her for tests?” he looked back at you then nodded. After he and the nurses finally exited your room giving a warning that transport would be there in twenty to take you down for a cat scan Eileen came over and sat gently on the side of your bed facing you “Ask” You looked around the room eyes settling on Dean’s jacket that he’d left draped over the back of one of the chairs “What have I missed?” she followed your line of sight over her shoulder then smiled sadly before looking back at you “The shifter case was only a month before you and Dean got together” “We’ve been together three years?” you asked making sure you were facing her fully as you spoke. “Yeah. For the insurance he’s listed as your husband and Sam’s listed as mine since me and him have been together two and a half years” 
You felt tears sting your eyes as the realization of why Dean had looked so hurt when you pulled away from him hit you at once “Why don’t I remember? God he must hate me” She covered your right hand with hers lacing your fingers together and the familiarity of that small action bought a smile to your face as she leaned down to look you in the eye before saying “Believe me when I say there is nothing on earth you could do to make that man hate you sweetie. Now I’ll be here when they get you back from the tests but I’m gonna go find him and Sam in the meantime ok?” you nodded not trusting your voice at the moment so she kissed your forehead then nodded to the nurse that had just just stepped into the door before walking out.
------
Eileen found Sam and Dean outside in the parking lot. They were leaned against the side of the impala staring at the entrance of the hospital. When they saw her they both pushed off the car Sam getting to her side first while Dean was a little slower to approach “How is she?” Sam asked and Eileen shrugged “She found out she’s missing three years. How would you be?” Then her eyes drifted over to Dean “She’s afraid you’re gonna hate her because she doesn’t remember being with you” “I could never hate her especially for something that’s not her fault” he quickly replied and she nodded “That’s what I told her but I think you need to be in the room too when she gets back from having her scans done” 
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You were in short terrified. The scans showed that your skull was healing quite well actually and as far as structural wise your brain was in good shape and according to Doctor Rhodes your memory loss was more than likely temporary. The bad news? In cases like yours those memories could return in a matter of weeks or a matter of years. There was no way to estimate the amount of time it would take from one person to the next.
“When can I go home?” you asked adding in your head the fact that you weren’t exactly sure where home was these days. “In a couple days at this rate and I’d say within two to four weeks you can return to normal life” There was a knock on the door and one of the nurses peeked her head in “Her husband, brother in law and sister in law want to come in” Doctor Rhodes looked back at you so you nodded with a small smile “Do you remind going back over what you’ve told me?”
“Of course” he nodded to the nurse so she stepped back out and a moment later Eileen walked in trailed by Sam then finally Dean “Mr Evanson your wife asked me to go over the findings from her test with the three of you” you barely met Dean’s eyes while he listened to Doctor Rhodes despite the fact that his gaze never left your face. When the doctor mentioned you’d be going home in a couple days if you stayed healing at this rate Dean shared a look with Eileen that you didn’t miss before the three of them thanked the doctor then he excused himself.
“So turns out I was right Dean, you do have the harder head” you tried to tease but heard your voice fall flat at the end. You wanted nothing more to remember the last three years of your life. The three people standing in front of you meant the most to you yet you could only remember so much and apparently now shared your life with one of them but couldn’t so much as remember ever sharing a kiss with him. 
“Y/N..Eileen told me what you said” Dean spoke, stepping closer to the bed. He tapped the bed close to your leg but didn’t touch you “Sweetheart there’s nothing that could make me hate you. I was on the phone with you when the wreck happened. I’ve never been more afraid in my life and just seeing you awake? That’s a win for me” “I want to remember if that helps any Dean.I wish I did because it seems we’re happy” “I’d like to think we are” he replied with a small smile. You moved your leg closer to his hand so he took the hint to gently touch you near your ankle.
“While we’re all here talking..can someone tell me where is home for me?” you asked embarrassed over not being able to remember such a small detail “Um you live at the bunker” Sam answered cutting his eyes at Dean who nodded “You’ve been living there for about two years full time” “Oh then I guess we’re really serious then huh?” your voice was low enough you weren’t exactly sure Dean had heard you until he said “Yeah” meeting your eyes for a second before clearing his throat “Um visitation is over in an hour. I was gonna stay but if that’s weird for you I’m sure Eileen or Sam would” 
“Of course” they both spoke over each other then shared a small smile. Your heart ached seeing the look on Dean’s face at the two of them so in sync while you didn’t remember him. “Maybe Eileen could stay? She can help fill in some blanks since I remember hunting with her last?” you offered and Dean nodded “Of course sweet..Y/N” you noticed how he stopped himself from calling you sweetheart. Christ you’d been friends with Dean for so long. He was the best man you’d ever known but you also knew he had the self worth of a grape and you could only imagine what this was doing to him. “Thank you Dean” you whispered and he smiled slightly “Of course”
------
Dean didn’t really talk much before him and Sam left for the night but he did ask if you wanted him to bring you a change of clothes since the nurse said you could shower with assistance the next morning. “Please” you told him and with a sharp nod he was out of the room. Sam left a quick kiss on Eileen’s lips then one on your forehead before quickly following after him.
You watched the door where they’d disappeared for several seconds before Eileen touched your arm gently and you jumped which pulled a small smile to her face “Are you ok?” she asked so you nodded then turned your head to look at her fully “I was in love with him wasn’t I?” she slowly nodded. You let out a breath then leaned your head back against the pillows before asking “How did that shifter case turn out anyways?” she laughed then went into the story talking and signing what had happened trying to catch you up to speed without overwhelming you.
------
Sam found Dean sitting in the library at one of the long tables around three in the morning. There was a bottle of bourbon in front of him and a glass with a piece of ice watering down what of the brown liquid was in it. “Couldn’t sleep?” he asked, pulling the chair out across from Dean after grabbing himself a glass. Dean cut his eyes up at him “Would you be able to if it was Eileen?” “No” Sam wasn’t even going to attempt to lie, Dean knew him too well. “I don’t want to put any stress on her because she doesn’t remember” 
“You’re not. She knows now that you’re not mad that she doesn’t remember. Give Eileen a little time to ease her into the last few years besides Doctor Rhodes said her memory could be fully back within a couple weeks” “Or a couple years” Dean interrupted which earned him a glare from Sam “If you’ve ever had faith in anything..have faith in Y/N” “What if this is nature’s way of a course correction? She deserves better than me and maybe this is the universe trying to say that” 
Sam reached over and pulled the glass out of Dean’s grip then moved the bottle for good measure before saying “The only thing this says is that assholes shouldn’t drink and drive. She’s coming home in a couple days Dean and the familiar setting may help her memory..Rowena is getting there with the spells especially now that she knows to tweak it to memory wise. We’re gonna get her memory back Dean..we will”  “I hope you’re right Sam, I really do”
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Today was a big step in the right direction. You were finally checking out the hospital to head home. Eileen had mentioned Cas would be at the bunker when you got there so that meant at least for your physical wounds you could get healed, who knows maybe angel mojo would effect your memory as well? Not likely but it didn’t hurt to hope did it?
When the nurse knocked on the door she smiled to see you were tying your sneakers onto your feet. Eileen had stayed in the room with you while Dean went to pull the impala around to the exit you’d be coming out of. “Must I ride in the wheelchair? I mean I think I’m capable of walking” you asked and she grimaced “Sorry Mrs Evanson it’s hospital policy” Eileen winked at you then teased “Besides you get to ride in style out” riding in style was the collection of get well soon items that had found their way to your room from your friends. The one you liked the best was the little stuffed wolves that Garth and Bess had sent by Donna. The nurses didn’t quite understand the significance of them but you’d seen even a small smile work it’s way onto Dean’s face. Over the next few days though it was only supposed to be the four of you at the bunker well plus Cas. You weren’t being anti-social but you could also only bare so much guilt at a time from not remembering certain things.
Eileen bumped your arm and when you glanced her way she signed “Stop it” “You don’t read minds” you replied and she winked “No but you I can read” you sighed and climbed into the wheelchair while Eileen grabbed the bag carrying your presents. Sam was back at the bunker apparently switching your belongings to a different room. Eileen had let it slip that he offered to do it so Dean wouldn’t have to.
“Take me away” you told the nurse who smiled “I can say you have remained in good spirits the entire time you’ve been here and that bodes quite well for your recovery” you shrugged your good shoulder as she pushed you out the door “I can wallow or deal. I always work better by gritting my teeth and doing what I gotta do regardless”
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The sun was bright in the sky when you finally were wheeled out of the exit. When Dean saw the three of you he quickly came around to open the passenger door and moved to help you but stopped just sigh of touching you then looked at your face for the ok. When you reached for his hand his whole body seemed to relax slightly “Mrs Evanson you have a follow up for a scan in three weeks but if any new symptoms occur such as headaches, blurry vision, dizziness feel free to come in before and if any pain outside the expected occurs feel free to come back in” 
“She will” Dean and Eileen answered in unison so you shot the nurse a smile “I have a lot of people looking after me. I’ll be fine”
After you were in the passenger seat the nurse waved then headed back inside. Eileen climbed in the backseat behind you and reached up to pat your shoulder reassuringly while Dean walked around to climb in the driver’s seat. “Ready to go?” he asked and you nodded “Let’s get home”
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You vaguely remembered the internal set up of the bunker. You’d been there a time or two and even stayed the night once but as far as knowing it as well as you should considering how long you’d apparently been calling the bat cave home? You were far from it.
Eileen headed down the stairs first followed by Dean then you walking slowly down. Everything in the map room was pretty much how you remembered it including the angel sitting at the table talking to Sam who smiled when he saw the three of you “Y/N” you pulled him into a hug as best as you could “You’re a sight for sore eyes there Cas” he ducked his head and started to explain “I couldn’t exactly come to the hospital to heal you” “I understand Cas. Just saying it’s good to see you” he nodded then looked to your left arm “Can I?” “Please” you replied with an excited smile.
Cas had healed you before but it was always a bit surreal. He laid his hand palm down on your forehead and you felt the warmth spread throughout your body. You closed your eyes and felt your shoulder stitch itself back and the tender spot in your head from the fractured skull fade to a dull ache then disappeared all together.
When you opened your eyes everyone in the room was staring at you expectantly. You tried to force memories of being with Dean into your mind but they refused to come. You shook your head sadly “Healed me physically” “I’m sorry Y/N. Memory is something different than physical injuries” Cas apologized but you shook your head “No Cas. Thank you. Since the physical part is no longer an issue I can start trying to concentrate on my memory”
You didn’t miss the disappointed look in Dean’s eyes and apparently neither did Eileen because she touched your arm “Y/N why don’t I show you your room?” you smiled appreciatively at her “Sounds good. Cas are you staying?” he shook his head “No I’ve got to get back” you hugged him again “In that case be careful out there and thank you again” 
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You heard the three guys talking while you let Eileen direct you down the hall and tried to block it out. One worry at a time. She pointed to one door “That’s mine and Sam’s room” then pointed to the next door “This one is empty” the door a little further down the hall she pointed to “Um this is Dean’s room” you swallowed hard at the unadded words which were “Until a few days ago this was your room as well” and followed her down to the room right to Dean’s “This one is yours”
You walked in behind her and looked around the room. You recognized the weapons laid about as your own. That was definitely your jacket tossed across the chair in the corner. A black blanket with red swirls was folded on the foot of the bed. When you touched it she smiled “That’s your blanket you usually want. Dean’s been using it but he got me to wash it and fold it for you” you nodded feeling very much overwhelmed “Um Eileen is it ok if I say I want to be alone?” she nodded “Of course. I’ll be in the library with the boys, your phone is on the charger so if you need me cause you know hollering for me won’t work” you managed a small laugh at that and signed “Thank you” since you know had use of both hands again.
She walked out and shut the door gently behind her. You sat on the edge of the bed and looked around the room. There was a since of familiarity tugging at you being in the bunker but you weren’t sure if it was true or just the fact of your own desire to remember. After a while you started feeling tired so you laid down across the bed pulling your blanket over you. A small nap wouldn’t hurt then maybe you could wander around a bit after everyone else went to bed.
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You weren’t sure how long you’d been asleep when you heard a small knock at your door. You sat up smoothing a hand over your head “Yeah?” then kicked yourself when you realized it could be Eileen but the door opened before you could cross over to it and it was Sam standing in your doorway instead “Dean and Eileen ran into town to grab some food and a few other things we needed. I had to convince them both I would check on you” you smiled at that then stepped back so he could come into the room.
He sat down on the chair that your jacket was draped across so you sat down on the foot of the bed right across from him “How is he?” you asked and Sam raised an eyebrow “How are you?”
You sighed “Apparently I am in a stable relationship and can’t remember past being friends. At least Cas could get the wounds on the outside healed?” he nodded then glanced around before rubbing at the back of his neck “He’s ok” “Sam” you warned so he half smiled “He’s blaming himself of course. You were on the phone with him when the wreck happened” “Christ could it get any worse?” you groaned and Sam leaned up to gently touch your leg “Yeah. You could’ve died. We can deal with this. I know we can” you nodded and laid your hand on top of his “Thanks Sam” he smiled “So do you want to check out the rest of the bunker while it’s just the two of us or go back to sleep?”
“Can I sneek a peek in Dean’s room?” he shrugged “Hell why not?” You followed him out into the hall and stopped him right as he put his hand on the door leading into Dean’s room “Are you sure I should?” He nodded “Yeah. It may help” you took a breath and followed him in. The room didn’t look that much different then the one they had moved your things into at first then on second glance the differences popped out to you.
There was your shotgun on the wall underneath Dean’s. A photo of you, him, Eileen and Sam was on the nightstand. A few albums that were clearly your taste in music was next to his radio and there were two sets of headphones instead of one. You walked over slowly and picked up the photo. The boys were sitting on Jody’s couch and from the looks of it had pulled you and Eileen down into their lap probably seconds before the photo was snapped considering you and her were both laughing. “It was the day Alex got into nursing school” Sam explained coming to stand next to you looking over your shoulder at the photo. 
“We all look so happy” you whispered running your fingertips across Dean’s face. “You’ll get your memory back just give it time” he replied and you sighed then sat the photo down “I know. Let’s check out the rest of the bunker so maybe I can have my nerve enough to face Dean by the time they get back”
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You had made your way into the library by the time Dean and Eileen came back from town. The few times you could remember coming here you’d been impressed by the extensive collection of lore this place held. You trailed your fingers along the spines of the books reading different titles. “I think you’ve read most of the books in here at least once” you heard from behind you and turned to see Dean leaned against the doorway watching you with a small smile on his face.
You sighed and said “Hopefully I’ll actually remember reading them sooner rather than later...well and other things too” the last part you added in a whisper but you saw the way his expression changed “Y/N I don’t care how long it takes I’m not going anywhere. You may not remember the last few years right now but I do, I know this is worth fighting for” “So you don’t blame yourself then?” you asked crossing your arms over your chest and saw the barest hint of a grin pulling at his lips again “Ok that look is too familiar and I’m guessing by you asking me that you’ve talked to Sam while we were gone?”
You nodded “Dean they said a drunk driver hit me. It wasn’t your fault hell if I hadn’t been on the phone with you it could've been a lot before all of you knew what had happened to me.” He nodded slowly “Not like you have always had a habit of kicking my ass if I’m too hard on myself” that made you laugh lightly “Ok that I do remember and yes someone needs to!” 
He nodded back towards the kitchen “We got some food. Eileen tried to remember what your favorite was but couldn’t quite remember so we got a few different things” You smiled “I’m sure I’ll like whatever I’ve never really been picky” the two of you stood there after that staring at each other for a few heartbeats before you heard Sam call yours and Dean’s names “Guessing that’s our cue to come eat?” “Guessing so” 
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You sat next to Eileen at the table turned halfway towards her so if you said anything she wouldn’t have to turn to read your lips. Sam was sitting across from her and Dean was across from you. You always loved california rolls but now you were simply pushing them around in the little tray. “Not hungry?” Sam asked motioning to your plate. You shrugged “Guess not. Want them?” Eileen reached over before Sam could move “I’ll take them” you laughed at the look on Sam’s face “Snooze ya lose Winchester”
You glanced over at Dean’s plate to see the burger in front of him was barely touched as well “Dean you’re not gonna eat?” he shrugged “Not that hungry” you sighed and drank the last little bit of your lemonade then stood up “I think I’m gonna grab a shower and call it an early night” “If you need anything” Eileen started and you nodded then signed “I know”  Dean glanced up so you smiled “Night Dean” “Night Y/N” “Night Sam” you called over your shoulder before you walked out the kitchen and heard him say “Night” as you stepped into the hall.
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Everything felt wrong. The bed felt wrong, your clothes felt wrong. There was a gaping hole craving the memories of the last three years and there was nothing you could do. You tossed and turned most of the night until finally calling it.
You dug around and found a thicker pair of socks so you pulled them onto your feet then grabbed the black and red blanket to wrap around your shoulders before stepping out into the hallway. You weren’t sure what part of the bunker you were headed to but you hoped maybe to clear the confusion in your head. The library called to you so you let your feet carry you in that direction.
You walked aimlessly around the rows of books letting your fingers graze some of them. God there was everything from classic literature that book collectors around the world would sell their souls for all the way to books describing just how bad of an idea that would be and why. You ended up not picking a book and instead just pulled out one of the chairs at the table and sat down.
You smiled when you saw Sam and Dean’s initials carved into the tabletop. It matched where they’d carved their names in the impala back when they were kids. You traced Dean’s initials and seriously considered waking him up to talk but decided against it. Just like you needed time to adjust you were quite certain he needed some time too. One moment he’d been with a woman for three years the next that woman didn’t even have a memory of a shared kiss.
You sighed and pushed away from the table. You had seen a laptop in your room hopefully it wasn’t password protected,maybe you could watch a movie or something.
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Within a week and a half of being released from the hospital you were going absolutely stir crazy and what was even worse you knew everyone was sitting out of cases to be there with you.
You walked out of your room after grabbing a shower and headed towards the kitchen. Sam and Eileen were normally up before Dean you’d learned so you were hoping it was just the two of them again. When you walked around the corner you nearly froze in your tracks to see Dean pouring a cup of coffee. He cut his eyes up and almost smiled when he saw you then motioned with the coffee in his hand “Want a cup?” You mentally kicked yourself as a reminder to speak and forced a small smile onto your face “Please” 
He nodded and turned to grab another cup. You stood there not missing the looks Sam and Eileen were sharing while Dean poured the coffee and held the cup out to you. You took it from him letting your fingers barely touch his hand “Thanks Dean” “Sugar’s on the counter and creamer’s in the fridge” he replied with a tight smile then walked over to sit next to Sam.
You couldn’t help but over the conversation between the three of them which consisted of the fact that Donna apparently needed help and that Garth had asked Sam if him and Dean could check in on some strange occurrences. “Why don’t you all go?” you asked turning to face the three of them and repeating yourself in asl for Eileen. “We don’t want to leave you alone” you nodded slowly then said “I have a cell phone. Sam just gave me a new one all set up yesterday. Not to mention I’m in literally one of the safest places on earth. I think I can manage for a day or two. Seriously I feel horrible that I’m keeping all three of you cooped up, go I’ll be fine”
The three of them knew you well enough to know that if you had your mind set on something you were far too stubborn to let it go that easily. Sam and Eileen shared a few hushed words followed by Sam and Dean having a whispering match before Dean finally sighed loudly “Fine! I’ll meet you outside in twenty”
You watched him walk out then glanced at Sam questioningly “What was that about?” “He still doesn’t feel comfortable leaving you but he agreed to go check out Garth’s lead” Eileen looked up from her phone with a grin “I texted Donna that I’ll come help her and she said to tell you and I quote can’t wait till Y/N is back in action. I miss her face” you laughed lightly and said “Well be careful and tell Donna I miss her face too”
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Sam and Eileen left to go grab what they needed so you wandered back towards your room but stopped when you saw Dean’s bedroom door was open. You knocked lightly on it and half a second later he stepped around it and stopped in his tracks when he realized it was in fact you and not Sam or Eileen. “Y/N..something wrong?” you shook your head “No I was just wondering if maybe I could talk to you just for a second?” 
He stepped to the side and waved a hand into the room “Of course” you walked in and sat in one of the chairs at the small table in his room so he sat across from you. You took a deep breath before saying “Dean..if my memory doesn’t come back” “It will” he cut you off and you couldn’t help but smile at just how certain he sounded “Please let me talk” “Sorry go ahead”
You reached across the table and grabbed his hand. He stared down at your intertwined fingers as you started to speak again “If my memory doesn’t come back and you want to move on there’s no hard feelings” his eyes flew up to yours “Sweetheart I knew you’d hit your head hard but damn I didn’t realize it’d done you that bad” “What?” you asked with a shocked laugh. 
He slowly raised your joined hands up to his mouth before just barely letting his lips brush across your knuckles “Y/N listen to me good here darling....I love you more than I ever dreamt possible. A future for me? Naw I never really thought about it before you but since the moment you first told me you love me I feel like maybe one day I can actually be the man worthy of you. I’m never walking away from you. If it takes two months or twenty years, I’ll still be right here” you had tears in your eyes by the time he’d finished talking “Christ no wonder I’m in love with you. Who would’ve thought Dean Winchester is a romantic at heart” he chuckled before saying “Only for you sweetheart..only for you” 
You pulled your hand from his and saw his face fall slightly before you said “Come home in one piece?” “Nothing could keep me from you” he replied and you had a sense of almost dejavu as if that was something that was said a lot between the two of you but you didn’t want to ask and get his hopes up just for dejavu. 
“Dean..you ready to go?” Sam called from the hall but stopped when he saw the two of you sitting across from each other “Or we can wait. A few minutes wont hurt” you held Dean’s eyes as you said “No Sam, you two need to get going. I’m gonna go see Eileen off” you stood to walk out but stopped to pat Sam’s shoulder “I expect you both back here just the way you’re leaving”
“Bye Dean” “Bye Y/N” you smiled at Sam then headed to tell Eileen your usual parting and wish her a safe hunt.
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Everyone was due back to the bunker within a few hours so you were currently folding laundry in your room. Things were starting to hold a sense of familiarity to them but you weren’t certain if it was true or if you were simply wanting to remember so badly you were tricking your own brain into saying it remembered when it truly didn’t.
You’d started texting with Jody, Alex and Claire. You felt horrible that you didn’t remember Claire’s girlfriend Kaia or the newest addition to the wayward daughters as you called them Patience but the girls were more than understanding and were wading in little by little to catch you up on any and all memories involving them. 
Your phone chimed from where it sat next to the bed so you walked over to pick it up and saw a text from Sam which read “We’re two hours away and Eileen is an hour out” you smiled knowing everyone was safe and texted back “Make it back in one piece and then I’ll be happy” then sat the phone down and returned to putting your laundry away.
You pulled out one drawer and stopped. Your socks and undergarments were in it but you had a flash of t-shirts being in the top drawer. Must have simply been mistaken. You finished up then headed into the library where you’d been scrolling through news websites to catch up.
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You must have been invested in the article you were currently reading because when Eileen tapped on your shoulder you jumped. When you looked up she said “You’re a hunter and I scared you!” “You didn’t make any noise! Besides my guard is down in here” she shook her head but laughed “Nice to see you in a good mood” you motioned around “It’s starting to feel like a sense of being at home here” you knew you could confide in her without it reaching Dean and possibly getting his hopes up for nothing.
Her smile grew as she pulled out the chair next to you and sat down “That’s really good news” you and her sat there talking for the next while and were still talking when you heard the bunker door open so you signed “Our boys are home” she smiled and glanced over her shoulder about the time Sam and Dean walked down the stairs but both of your faces fell when you saw the cuts and scratches littering both of their faces.
She was on her feet to Sam’s side and without hesitation you were at Dean’s side before you could even think about it. “What the hell happened?” you asked gently touching the deepest cut that ran right across Dean’s left cheek “Couple witches hexed a couple vamps. Made them a little harder to kill. No big deal sweetheart” he replied flinching slightly as you turned his head to look at the different cuts and you shook your head then glanced at Eileen “You got your idiot cause I’m gonna go patch this one up and call Cas to see when he came come through the heal them” she nodded so you grabbed Dean’s hand and pulled him behind you out of the library and down the hall to his bedroom.
------
Dean sat on the side of his bed while you fussed over the cuts on his face and neck. “Did you kill the witches? Because if not I’m gonna find them and shove their damn broomsticks up their asses” you finished cleaning the cuts and stopped when you realized he was staring at you
“What?” he shook his head letting just the barest hint of a smile play on his lips “I love when you’re all fiery” when you dipped your head just enough that hair fell in front of your face he knew that was one of your tells that you’d gotten embarrassed so he reached up to push the hair back gently and felt his heart flip when you actually leaned into his touch “I love everything about you Y/N. I don’t mean to embarrass you or make you feel weird about it since you can’t remember but you patching me up and fussing about me being hurt? It feels normal or normal for us anyways” you covered his hand with your own and smiled “I want us back Dean”
“We’ll get there sweetheart. Rowena said a few more days and a few more continents she should have her hands on everything she needs” you nodded then pulled away from him slowly “I need to put this first aid kit up” he watched you move around and wanted to say something that would make you feel better but really didn’t have an idea as to what to say.
You stopped at the doorway and glanced back at him “Is it weird if I ask you to take me for a ride in the impala?” he shook his head “Not at all. When do you want to go?” your smile pulled one to his own face “Let me grab my jacket” you glanced at his dresser for a second then added “Are your t-shirts in the top drawer?” he looked between you and the dresser then nodded slowly “Yeah..why?” “No reason” you replied then went in search of your jacket and to return the first aid kit to the kitchen.
------
You weren’t sure where Dean was headed but sitting next to him watching him drive felt so natural. You’d known him for years but it was like your heart was remembering even when your brain was refusing to. “Want to pull over or just keep driving? It’s a quarter moon but it’s pretty bright out if you want to park and talk?” he suggested and you nodded “Please”
You watched as he found a pull off and drove back to an open field. When he killed the engine he cut his eyes at you “You coming?” you smiled and climbed out behind him. He walked to the front of the car then sat on the hood leaned back against the windshield so you sat next to him making sure your boots were hanging off the side to not scratch the paint. Thousands of stars were dotted across the sky and although the moon was only a quarter it was bright. You could hear a few crickets far off and a slight breeze was in the air not enough to make it cold but enough to make your jacket comfortable.
You cut your eyes at him twice before he said “You can lean your head over on me Y/N. I won’t bite” “What if I asked you to?” you joked but had another sense of dejavu hit you. He pulled you over onto his chest leaning further back while you got comfortable “You know you said that to me the first night we slept together” he spoke after a moment.
It was the first time he’d actually talked about your relationship. You knew it was because he didn’t want to push your memory. You had your head laying against his chest and could hear his heart beating steadily under you. “Who kissed who first?” you asked and his answering laugh vibrated through your entire body “Believe it or not you kissed me first” you turned to look at him and he shrugged so you asked “Tell me?” 
He nodded and leaned his head back to stare at the night sky “We were fresh off a possession case. Me and Sam had been working it and you rolled through nearby. Eileen was with the twins working a case so you offered to help us. After it was all said and done Sam headed back to the hotel but me and you decided to grab a beer” you hadn’t realized just how much you were hanging onto his every word until he grinned “You’re staring there Y/N” “Oh hush. You’re telling me about our first kiss I get to stare” 
“Fair enough” he replied with a nod then continued “Anyways. We got to the bar, grabbed our drinks and then headed to a corner table. We were talking about the job, the life we live. You were the most beautiful woman in the place and you were sitting there in jeans and one of my flannels since your shirt had gotten torn during the fight and you had a scratch right across the top of your collarbone that flashed when you moved just the right way. I’d been trying to figure out a way to ask you if you’d ever consider being with another hunter for weeks by that point. You got up to grab us another round and I admit I watched your ass while you walked to the bar but you hadn’t even gotten the beer yet when some drunk asshole decided to grab your ass”
“How did that go over?” you asked pretty much already knowing the answer. Dean tilted his head with a hint of a smirk “I may have broken his jaw in a few different places. Luckily the bartender saw everything so she snuck us over the bar and out the back about the time the police were coming in the front. We hightailed it out of there and headed back to the hotel. I walked you to your door even though you were right next to us. You told me you could’ve handled it and at first I thought you were pissed at me for stepping in but then you added that you thought it was the sexiest thing you’d ever seen. You kissed me then asked if I wanted to grab coffee the next morning before we all headed our different directions”
The happiness in Dean’s eyes as he spoke about the two of you made your heart ache. You loved him, that much you were sure of even if you couldn’t remember the details as to why. “Was it just me for you from there on?” you asked and when he looked at you god your heart skipped more than a few beats at the emotion those green eyes held “No one else would’ve stood a chance” you leaned closer to him and just barely let your lips brush against his in a tentative kiss. When he didn’t push you away you deepened it moving closer to him. He groaned into the kiss when your hands slid across his chest coming up to play with the hair at the nape of his neck.
One of his hands came to grip your thigh closest to him and he gave it a tug pulling you on top of him never breaking the kiss. You straddled his waist breaking from his lips to kiss down his neck. The grip on your hips tightened when you kissed on top of his pulse point “Y/N...sweetheart..baby stop” you froze the moment he said stop and looked at him in confusion “What’s wrong?” he swallowed hard before saying “Don’t get me wrong because fuck I’ve missed kissing you but we can’t do this. Not until you get more of your memory back. The moment you do I promise to keep you in bed for days but for now we can’t”
You nodded and left another quick kiss on his lips before sliding off of him and the hood of the car. He stood up after you and wrapped both arms around you “I love you Y/N” you nodded leaning back against him “I know Dean” the two of you stood there in silence for the longest just enjoying being close to each other until you shivered. “Let’s get back” he said so you nodded with a sigh “Will you watch a movie or something with me when we get back?” he nodded and kissed your cheek “Of course”
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You paced across the floor glancing towards the table in the center of the room every now and then. The redhead working over the large silver bowl stopped in the middle of a movement “Y/N..dear I have grown quite fond of you actually but if you don’t stop that incessant pacing I will lock you out until I need you” 
You held your hands up defensively “Sorry Rowena. I guess I’m just nervous” “Understandably but just take a breath” you nodded and sat down at the table across the room. She smiled then went back to her work. You looked up when the door opened and gave a small smile to Eileen “The boys are on their way back” “It’ll be done before they get here” Rowena said not looking up so you repeated it to Eileen who questioned why your eyes got wider.
Eileen sat down next to you and drew you into a conversation about a few hunt years back and that managed to keep your attention until Rowena cleared her throat. The both of you looked up so she waved you over “It’s time” Eileen walked next to you so you gave her hand a small squeeze before stepping over to the table “Give me your hand” Rowena spoke so you held your hand out palm up. She picked up a silver dagger and slid it across your skin. You watched as your blood dripped onto the mixture in the bowl and it glowed a deep silver.
Rowena spoke the incantation of which you only caught half the words because while some was latin the rest was a language you didn’t recognize. After a moment the silver turned to a shimmering black. Rowena dipped a red wine glass into the bowl and held it out “Drink it all” you looked at the liquid and swallowed hard. You’d drank worse before. You looked at Eileen who nodded so you toasted her and Rowena “Here’s to our health ladies” then tipped the entire glass back in one go. “How do you feel?” Eileen asked and you started to say you felt fine then the world took on a fuzzy haze and you felt yourself falling right before your vision went black.
------
“Y/N..wake up..sweetheart” you could hear Dean’s voice and forced your eyes open. “She’s awake” he breathed in relief. You were laying on a makeshift pallet in the armory. “Told you I know what I’m doing” Rowena chastised then crouched down into your view. “Y/N..how do you feel dear?” you looked at Dean before answering Rowena “I feel amazing. I remember everything” you could hear Eileen and Sam both thanking Rowena but your eyes were glued to Dean who whispered “I love you Y/N” you pulled him down into a kiss before whispering “I love you too Dean. Nothing could keep me from you either”
Tagging @girl-next-door-writes for the bingo challenge and @akshi8278 cause it's Dean
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make-me-imagine · 3 years
Text
Red Roses: “I Love You” - Natasha Romanoff Ending
Valentines Special: Day Nine
Day One: Morning Glories  //  Day Two: Blue Salvias Day Three: Sunflowers  //  Day Four: Pink Camellias  Day Five: Yellow Tulips   // Day Six: Violets Day Seven: Lisianthus  //  Day Eight: Daffodils (Post with rest of the character endings)
Plot: It’s finally Valentines Day, the day the reader will finally learn who it is that had been leaving them flowers and notes expressing their secret feelings.
Notes: Thank you again @trashywritestrash​​ for helping me hash out this ending!! ❤️ And thank you to the anon who gave me the funny idea of the roof-clinging flower delivery. <3
 Pairing: Gen!Neutral Reader x Natasha Romanoff
Triggers: Brief mention of alcohol/drinking; but I wrote it so the readers “favorite drink” could be anything.        
Words: 1,396
Requested Taglist: @aquariuslavenderhoney​​, @thebookbakery​​, @fablesrose​​, @kitkatd7​​, @thefallenbibliophilequote​​, @beksib​​, @destynelseclipsa​​, @criminaly-supernatural​​, @tammythompson-singslikea-muppet, @belloangelus​​, @snarky--starky​​, @saintbootlegloras​​, @wecallhimbrowneyess​​, @empath-bunny​​, @okkulta​​, @katinthemoon,  @ravennight41​​, @youcancallme-rae , @radhumandragonclam, @unfortunateidiotinadilemma, @past3l-w1ngs​​ ,  @goinggoinggonzo​​, @mxxnmocha​​, @username23345​​, @theofficialzivadavid​​, @justejuste727​​, @normanijauregui​​, @euphouriaszn2​​, @the-most-unicorn-of-them-all (still couldn’t tag, sorry), @messhup​
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February 14th
You continued to breath out steadily as you tried to keep your pace, Steve and Bucky half way around to meeting you already, and Sam in pace next to you as you ran around the large monument again. “Damn super-soldier bullshit” Sam muttered breathlessly as you laughed at his joke, trying not to lose step. 
Listening carefully and peaking behind you, you smiled “You’re right, it is bullshit. Maybe we should stop.” you said with an air of amusement as you glanced at Sam. 
Who smiled “You know what, you’re right. Let’s stop.” 
As both of you stopped quickly in place, you turned to face behind you, just in time to see Steve and Bucky’s eyes widen as they stumbled to a stop before slamming into the two of you, which they managed to do, barely. 
“Yeah, that’s right. That’s what you get for trying to humiliate us again.” Sam said with a laugh. Steve and Bucky sharing a look of mixed disdain and amusement as you chuckled. 
“I think we were done anyway” Steve said as he turned to walk towards where you set your water bottles. 
As you all sat underneath a large tree you checked your watch, the morning had been going by so slow. You wanted the evening to come quickly, but just as much, you wish it wouldn’t come at all. 
“You alright?” 
You looked up to see the three staring at you, you must have zoned out “Yeah, I’m fine.” you smiled at them, trying to play it off. When you turned to grab a granola bar out of your bag the three of them shared a mutual look of understanding. 
You were definitely not fine. The anxiety and curiosity that had built up over the last week was killing you. You were glad it was almost over, yet terrified at what that would bring in itself. The more you thought about each of the other’s and the possibility that it might be them who has been leaving you the flowers and notes, the more you didn’t want it to be any of them. Well, that was a lie. There was only one, you really wanted it to be. And unfortunately, they seemed to be the least likely. 
- - - 
Your thoughts proceeded to run wild as you continued on throughout your day, only occasionally being able to distract yourself with work. And the anxiety had built up once again as you got dressed about an hour before the party. You paced restlessly around your room as you fiddled with your hands. 
Finally growing tired of circling around the room, you decided to leave, maybe you would head down a bit early, distract yourself with some of the others who would probably already be down there anyway. 
This was proven incorrect, as you entered into the bar area, seeing only Natasha behind the bar as she made herself a drink. You hesitated as you looked around, was there really no on else down here yet?
“Hey” Natasha greeted, earning your attention again as your heart pounded in your chest.
“Hey” you replied walking into the room “I thought the others would be down here already.” you commented as you sat on a bar-stool. 
“Me too actually, but, at least I’m not alone now” she said while smiling at you “Drink?”
"Sure.” you said as she immediately started getting you your favorite drink. 
“You alright? You’ve seen a bit off all day.” she commented as she slid you your drink and leaned on the counter watching you. 
Taking a sip you eyed her, wondering how much you should tell her. You had already figured it wasn’t her. Even though she was the one you wanted it to be. So, you figured it wouldn’t hurt anymore than it already does if you told her. 
“I...I’m, supposed to find out who’s been leaving the notes and flowers today. Which I’m sure you already figured by now.” She gestured her head as you continued “But I...I’m just not sure, what to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“The notes, and everything they’re so....genuine and beautiful, and I just don’t know if I deserve someone like that. I mean, what if I can’t see myself loving them? What if I don’t deserve that kind of devotion?”
Natasha looked down at her hands before taking a breath “You do deserve it Y/n.”
You let out an amused scoff “You’re just saying that because your my friend” you said with a bit of doubt and disappointment in your voice.
“No, that’s not why I’m saying it.”
“Then why?” 
“Because...” she reached out and placed her hand on top of yours “Because of  your grace, and elegance, your compassion, kindness and bravery. There is no way they could not absolutely adore every fiber of your being.”
You stared at her as you recognized the words, the words that had been typed out on third note that you had received. Words that you repeated to no one. Your heart began beating rapidly again as you remained speechless as a small smile formed on her face. “How- I never read you any of the notes.”
“No, you didn’t.” she straightened up before reaching for something underneath the counter “The whole, notes and flowers thing were a bit cheesy, especially for me, but...” she pulled out red rose from below the counter “I couldn’t help myself. I’ve always wanted to try some big grand gesture of admission.”
Staring at the rose as she leaned back on the counter taking your hand in hers as she placed the rose between your fingers and looked back at you “All these years being as close as we are...I guess it was inevitable.”
Finally getting a hold of yourself again you cracked a smile “Yeah, it really was wasn’t it. And...you knew didn’t you? That I felt the same?”
She gestured her head and smiled “At first I thought I was just imagining it, but...Clint knocked some sense into me and made me realize that I wasn’t, and that you did, actually feel the same way.”
You closed your hand around hers, as you continued to smile at her “It was pretty damn bold of you to deliver those flowers to me in the gym yourself.”
“Yeah, well. I wanted to see your reaction myself.” 
“Who else knew? I mean besides Clint?” 
“No one else.” 
“Then...who delivered the camellias?”
She laughed “Well, I did.” you gave her a look of confusion as she continued “I thought I was being quiet enough, but I should have known better, so when I heard you coming to the door I put my assassin skills to the test.” she said with a sense of amusement.
“But...I looked everywhere?” she shook her head and you thought to yourself for a moment “I looked everywhere...except up. Please tell me you were not clinging to the roof above me?”
“Luckily the halls aren’t too wide.”
“Wh- Nat, oh my God” you started giggling at the thought as you facepalmed “I can’t believe you actually did that.”
She laughed as well “The things we do for love.”
You stared at her, still smiling in amusement “You were wrong Nat, I don’t deserve you.”
She leaned further over the bar as she stared into your eyes “After everything I’ve done, trying to make things right with SHIELD and the Avengers. You have been the only constant happiness in my life. I think I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you. ”
“Agree to disagree” you countered as you grinned at each other, as both of your eyes began flicking to the others lips before you both leaned forward meeting in a kiss you had both been dreaming of.
As you pulled away, you heard voices approaching from the hall, recognizing it as the others. She glanced to the door and then back at you as you asked “Do you think they’d be surprised?” 
“Probably not. But who cares either way.” she smiled, making you grin.
The others were in fact surprised, but happily so. Especially Clint, who, for the rest of the night, told the others about how painstakingly he had been trying to get you two to confess your feelings for one another for years now. While Tony insisted that he had known the whole time and had been debating setting you two up secretly. 
xx xx xx xx xx
I struggled with how to end this, as I did with the others too, but this one especially. 
Anyways, if you liked this, please consider reblogging it and checking out the other endings :)
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thatharringrovehoe · 3 years
Text
So I've been playing Dishonored which is my favorite game and this popped into my head so now you all have to suffer with me. (ノ◕ヮ◕)ノ*.✧
He's so fucking cold. Like he’s been plunged into a lake mid winter and can’t find his way to the surface. Hands shaking, Billy sifts clumsily through the box of his mother’s things he keeps hidden in the back of his closet. He's found that if he thinks about the good times, picnics at the beach under the California sun, the thing oozing it's way though his brain losses just a bit of it's grip. Leaves Billy with enough motor function to stumble around his bedroom, trying to find the right pieces. And fucking hell it’s been so long since he's done this. He can remember helping his Ma when he was little, chubby fingers clenched tight in her cotton sundress as she arranged the items on the table just right. Pricked her finger to draw sigils in a language long forgotten, her voice a soft cadence through the bedroom as she hummed Billy’s favorite lullaby. No words, just a beautiful mournful thing. Humming a song of grieving loss. Billy doesn't know why he likes it so much.
“Remember baby. When you offer your gifts they have to be special. Well loved. Something that brings you joy every time you use it.”
His mother kept a pair of earrings on the cloth covered table. She never wore them when his father was home. Took them out and put them back on the little rickety stand in the back of her closet every day before he came back from work. Dangling silver daggers with the onyx beads. Billy shoved one straight through his left earlobe when he turned fifteen and has barely taken it out since.
His Ma told him that everything he built his shrine with had to mean something. Had to be something he treasured. From the fabric to the stand itself. So Billy tried his best. Draped his best leather jacket over the milk crate that held all of his favorite hair products. Placed his Ma's Fleetwood Mac album next to one of his mother's silver earrings (the one he always wears), arranged as neatly as he can manage. He’d had to prick his thumb seven times because to his dawning horror it kept healing over. Just another tally mark towards something being really fucking wrong. And he remembers the warehouse. Can still feel the slimy caustic sludge being pumped down his throat by a fucking tentacle. But he’d hoped it had been a dream, a nightmare from reading to many Lovecraft novels. Billy curses as he slices open his thumb for what feels like the millionth time.
Apparently not.
He's drawn the characters just how he remembers. His mother had made him practice every day, showing him each and every shape and line, drawn in colorful crayon. She gave him a cookie every time he got them right. Never hung them up on the fridge though. Didn't want his father to see.
He can feel the shadow creeping through his blood, dragging it’s claws against his veins. It might not know exactly what he’s doing yet, but it must be able to feel the intention. Billy thinks of ocean waves and a soft hand running through his curls. Fights the pull at the back of his mind to just give in. To sleep. His hands shake harder.
Fuck, where is it?! Billy combs through records and trinkets, a bottle of her perfume. He’s desperately hoping it didn't get lost in the move because his mother never taught him how to make one. Hell, he's pretty certain that he wouldn't be able to find the pieces he needs in Hawkins anyway. Not like Melvalds has a supernatural voodoo isle.
Then finally, finally he finds it. Lifting up his mother’s satin scarf it comes tumbling out to land on the floor with a clatter. Bleached white and beaten smooth by the waves, it's about the size of a sand dollar. Billy picks it up, places it in the palm of his hand. He still remembers the day he found it out on the shore. Washed up between some sea glass, the leather bindings still somehow soft even soaked with salt water. Etched with symbols and shapes Billy will never understand. When Billy showed it to his mother an unreadable expression crossed her face. It was that evening she showed him her shrine.
The rune seems to hum against his skin, an otherworldly song from far away ghosting past his ears. The thing that’s trying to Shanghai Billy’s brain writhes. It's angry, but more than that it’s fucking terrified and Billy has never been more sure of anything in his life. This was a good idea. But his limbs are getting colder, heavier. Whatever this evil piece of shit is it doesn’t like what Billy’s doing. He has to fight against the deadening of his limbs, crawling towards his shitty attempt at a shrine from his place on the floor. His vision is starting to grow dark when he finally clutches on to the milk crate, placing the rune between the earring and his cassette tape. And he knows that there's no guarantee. That whatever his Ma prayed to every night never shielded her from Neil’s fists, didn’t do a damn thing as the cancer slowly drained her down to nothing. That sometimes (most times) when someone would call out to the void the only thing they heard in return was their own disappointment. But he's got no other options. This is his trump card. His last resort. If this hocus pocus bullshit doesn’t work then Billy is up shit creek without a paddle. With a frustrated shout against the nightmare pulling him in, Billy begs.
“Please! Fuck, help me! I'll do anything, c’mon just- please!”
The air in Billy’s bedroom all of a sudden seems to shudder. The shadows flicker and meld together, reaching outwards. The sound of dry fall leaves blowing in the wind, a wail of a thousand dying worlds ricochets off the walls. Then nothing. Billy scrunches his eyes shut against the sting of tears. Fuck, of course it didn’t work. Story of his life. He called for help and just like always it doesn't mean shit. No one is coming to save him.
“Well well well. Certainly been a long time since someone summoned me like that. Very old school.”
Billy’s eyes snap open, the surprise and adrenaline enough to fight the heaving weight of his limbs to raise his head. And there, perched on his shitty milk crate shrine, sits the most beautiful boy he's ever seen. He's got hair the color of soil after it rains. High cheekbones and full lips, milky white skin dotted with a constellation of beauty marks. Billy didn't know what he expected but it certainly wasn't this. The boy god is dressed in a swanky leather coat the color of charcoal with pants to match. Eyes like an oil spill, inky black and endless. With a good look at Billy, they narrow dangerously.
“I thought I fucking told you not to touch this world. You want a repeat of last time?”
Whatever deity he summoned looks pissed as hell. Did he not do it right? Maybe the items weren’t good enough. That would be just his luck. He's so confused he almost doesn’t notice it right away. The shadow slowly working it’s way through his body has stopped, retreated a little even.
“I-... I don't know what you’re talking about. Please, there's something wrong with me. Something got put inside of me and I need it out. Please, help me.”
Billy hasn’t begged since his Ma was takin her last breath in that damn hospice bed. Didn't see the point when it always got you nowhere. But now he can't make himself stop. Cuz he's never been this scared before. The things this monster inside him wants him to do. It's so strong, like he’s fighting a steam roller. He's got no hope on his own.
The boy sitting on his best leather jacket stills. Cocks his head to the side slightly, considering. Then those pretty pink lips are spreading out into a gleeful smirk. Slides off the shrine to settle on his knees in front of Billy. Reaches out his hand to cup Billy’s jaw gentle enough it makes him want to cry.
“You can't get a good enough hold of this one can you? Interesting. Tell me trouble maker, what's your name?”
That voice, deep and ethereal, seems to echo from all around him. He can feel it vibrate in his bones. He wants, no, needs to answer.
“Billy. Billy Hargrove.”
The boy smiles now, all gleaming pearly whites. If Billy looks long enough reality starts to flicker. And for just a second all he can see is teeth sharp like knives in a Cheshire grin. There for a moment and gone in a flash. The hand on his jaw tightens just the slightest fraction.
“Well Billy Hargrove. You seem to find yourself in quite the predicament. That parasite sucking on your soul is an old acquaintance of mine. He's one nasty little shit.”
If a brain washing shadow monster could feel indignant he’s pretty sure that’s what's happening now. Whatever was hijacking Billy's mind has curled up somewhere tight, sunk it’s teeth in deep. Cornered like a threatened animal.
“Please, I’ll do anything you want. I can’t… I can’t fight it. It's too much.”
There’s enough tears leakin down his face that it's soaking the front of his shirt. The boy is giving him this look, almost amused. The longer he holds Billy’s jaw the more the monster losses his grip, and Billy is ready to do anything at this point. Because that thing stuck to his brain wants him to find people. Feed it people. Wants Billy to drink all the chemicals in the supply shed at the pool. Told Billy that if he tried to fight it would take Max first and he can't let that happen.
The boy seems to come to a decision, grabs Billy’s hands to help him shakily to this feet. He doesn’t let go even when they’re both standing.
“You know there’s not many who can fight his hold for this long. I'm impressed.”
He steps forward until his chest is practically pressed up against Billy's. He smells like ozone and smoke, bottomless black eyes trained on stormy blue. Reaches up to tangle his fingers into Billy’s curls, sending tingles across his scalp. Smiles wider at the small noise that escapes Billy's throat.
“I'll help you Billy Hargrove. But in return, you have to do something for me.”
Billy's nodding before he can even really register what’s being said. Anything. He'd do whatever this pretty boy asked as long as he keeps touching Billy like this. Gentle, with a reverence no one has ever bothered to show.
“I need you to kick this little shit back into the hole he crawled out of. Can you do that for me Billy? I wanna see how your story pans out trouble maker. Wanna see what you do when someone gives you a chance.”
Billy nods again, breathless. The boy chuckles, the sound saccharine. Like warm honey dripping down his spine.
“Gunna have to use your words baby.”
Billy swallows, the click of his dry throat loud in the warm personal bubble they’ve created.
“Yes. Yeah. I’ll do it. Whatever you want pretty boy, please.”
It comes out a whisper but the boy hears it all the same. The boy smiles bright, pulls Billy forward. Soft warm lips press against his own and Billy is floating. He's never been kissed like this before. Slow and deep, the boy's tongue pressing in to curl and slide. Stuff him full. Billy's shaking for a whole other reason now. Reaches out to grip the boy's coat, cool to the touch where Billy is burning. Fire rushing through his veins, and he's already so close just from this. Whimpers brokenly into the kiss.
The boy pulls him in impossibly closer, slots his thigh between Billy’s legs, pushes up up up. And Billy is right fucking there, grinds down as he swaps spit with an old god in his shitty bedroom with the peeling yellow paint and the door that locks from the outside. Can feel the tell tale tingle spreading behind his navel.
“ ‘m gunna cum! Fuck, more please!” Billy mumbles curses into the kiss, breath hitching as his balls draw tight. The boy smiles against his mouth, yanks his curls back to bite into the meat of his neck and Billy’s gone, pulsing rope after rope of cum into his underwear.
“Oh my- .. Fuuuuuck. Yes! Uhhhnn!” He's panting like a dog as he slumps forward into the boys shoulder. Gentle fingers card through his hair as aftershocks zap up and down his body. A kiss is pressed behind his ear, a soft warmth flooding his core. He can't feel the shadow anywhere.
“So good for me sweet thing. Makes me want to keep you.”
It's said so quiet, like the boy doesn’t intend for it to be heard. Billy presses his face into his neck. There's no heartbeat under the boy's skin.
“You could. I want you to.” Whoever this is, whatever he is, he came for Billy. Answered his literal cry for help when no one else did. He doesn't know what he has to offer but he wants to give this impossible boy everything.
The boy in question hums. Brings Billy's left hand up to kiss the back of it. His skin feels hot under his lips, bordering on uncomfortable. Like stepping on sun scorched pavement. When the boy pulls back there’s a tattoo on his hand. A strange design that looks vaguely like a compass. It's the same mark as the one on the middle of the rune sitting behind them.
“I haven't given my mark to someone quite so special in a while. Try not to disappoint me Billy Hargrove.”
The boy goes to pull away but Billy still has his hand clenched tight on his coat. Panic wells up in his chest. Doesn't want to end whatever this is quite yet.
“Wait! What’s-…what's your name?” Which is a valid question he thinks. And probably one he should have asked at some point before he started grinding his dick on the guys leg. Oh well.
“I've had many names, none if which would hold any significance for you. Call me what you want trouble maker. I'll be there when you need me.”
Billy believes him. Then between one blink and the next the boy is gone, tendrils of dissipating smoke the only evidence he was ever there. A deep voice whispers from nowhere and everywhere.
“Ask your sister about the monsters in the woods.”
On the shrine the only thing that remains is the rune, both his gifts having apparently been accepted. Billy gives a hysterical bark of laughter at the thought of some higher being listening to Fleetwood Mac somewhere out in the void. It gives him an idea. He drags his lips across the fresh mark on his hand, mumbles into his skin.
“Thanks Stevie.”
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Practice Makes Perfect
Summary: With quarantine in full swing, Jensen's wife takes full advantage of her husband's new look. 
Pairing: Jensen Ackles x Reader
Word Count: 1.7K+
Warnings: Language, unprotected sex (be better than this), oral sex (female receiving) 
Author’s Note: Ever since that interview with that New Zealand journalist, I could not get this look out of my head. I don't even care if it's an unpopular opinion, I already miss that hair and beard. Please let me know what you guys think, I live for your reviews xoxo Alex
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It had been a long day of chores. Y/n had spent her morning deep cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms, all while catching up on laundry. It was like any other Sunday in her home, well, except for the interview her husband was currently attending to on Zoom. 
For the past hour, she had been listening in on the conversation. Jensen had run away to their study, but he had left the door open behind him. With a basket of folded clothes on her hip, she stopped in the doorway to admire the view. 
Ever since the country had gone into lockdown, the couple had refused to leave the house. Even their groceries were being delivered by a service. The furthest they had ventured was when they had taken evening strolls around the neighborhood for some fresh air. 
Even still, quarantine had been kind to her husband. His beard was out in full effect, just the way she liked it, even the small tufts of gray on either side of his chin was doing it for her. Just thinking about the delicious scratch it leaves against her skin had her shivering. Then there was the hair. This was the longest he had gone since the beginning of Supernatural without being Dean Winchester and he was using it to his advantage. Y/n had offered to trim his hair for him, but he insisted it was fine. Now, staring at him laughing at the camera, she couldn’t say she disagreed. Don’t get it confused, she loved her well-groomed man, all dolled up in suits or tuxes, but something about the dirty hippie look he was sporting had her body aching for him. It was all in that peek of his chest in the rare v-neck henley he was wearing and the way the long locks on the top of his head curled perfectly against his forehead as if they had always been there. 
Jensen’s eyes flickered to her for a millisecond before returning to his conversation. Y/n took the opportunity to set down the basket and saunter over to just behind the camera, a coy smile on her lips. She watched him wave goodbye to Jared and the interviewer, not even waiting for him to disconnect before she shut the laptop closed. 
“Hey,” He smiled up at her as she moved to straddle his lap. Jensen’s hands immediately went to her hips. “What’s up?” 
“This whole fucking look is what’s up.” She purred. “I didn’t even realize until just now how much I like it.” Y/n ran her hands through the long locks on top of his head, tugging slightly at the ends to turn his face up to hers. Jensen let out a low groan as she leaned into him, nuzzling her nose against his ear. 
“Oh yeah?” He urged her to continue, his voice strained as she nibbled on his ear lobe. 
“Mhm. You know what this damn beard does to me. And now you have this hair that’s so… tuggable.” She emphasized her words by pulling on his hair again. 
“God,” His word was a breath on his lips as she claimed them with her own. Y/n adjusted herself in his lap, trying to gain more leverage on him only to feel his growing excitement below her. “Fuck, baby. What are you trying to do to me?” 
“I thought it was obvious,” She wiggled her hips again and Jensen clenched his fingers deeper into the flesh of her hips. “I’m trying to fuck you.” 
Y/n felt the vibration of his growl rumble through his chest. Her words pushing him into action. Jensen clawed at her top, forcing her arms up so he could pull it over her head. Y/n repeated his action with his henley, latching her lips to the pulse in his throat when he was freed of the fabric. Her hips continued their ministrations, the denim of his jeans burning just right through her thin athletic shorts. She was all need for him at this moment, her panties already dripping. 
Jensen latched an arm around her back and stood with her, clearing his items off his desk before laying her naked back against the cool wood. A shiver ran through her body at the temperature difference, her nipples budding in the air-conditioned room. 
“So,” Jensen growled as he hooked his fingers into her shorts and panties, peeling them down her legs in one quick motion. “It’s the hair that doing it for you then?” 
“Fuck, yes.” She keened as he knelt, his hands gripping her thighs and lifting them over his shoulders. Jensen placed a kiss to the inside of her right thigh before rubbing his beard across the sensitive skin. 
“Look at this pretty pussy of yours, you’re dripping just thinking about it.” His breath was hot against her aching core as he moved closer, careful to avoid touching her where she truly wanted him. 
“Jay, please,” she begged, all inclination towards shame completely lost on her. Y/n only had one thought in her arousal soaked brain, and that was his lips latched around her clit. 
“What do you want, baby?” He nuzzled his nose against her sex, that action so light she barely registered it.
“I need you, your fucking mouth and your cock. I need it all.” Y/n let out a huff of air, aggravated with his teasing, only to suck it right back in, her upper body leaving the desk as Jensen latched his lips around her clit and sucked. She fell back against the wood a cry escaping her throat as Jensen went full force, shoving his whole face between her thighs. His tongue was working overtime, switching from long and quick licks to latching back onto her bundle of nerves. 
“Oh, god!” One of her hands snaked down to his head, pushing back his hair to see his dark green eyes smirking at her from his spot in her pussy. Y/n locked her fingers in his hair and tugged, causing Jensen to growl against her and sending every shockwave in her body centering on the knot deep in her stomach. So desperately close to her end, she repeated the action, her husband shaking his head against her and sending her careening over the edge. Her knees buckled up and in, securing his face in her oversensitive pussy, causing the aftershocks of her orgasm to spark across her skin. 
With a chuckle, Jensen pulled her shaking legs away from his head, using her thigh to wipe her juices from his beard. The tingle had her convulsing in the afterglow as she lay panting on the desk. 
“Was that what my wife needed?” Jensen stood and leaned over her, one hand on either side of her head. 
“I need you to fuck me, Jay,” she reached up and pulled his lips down to hers, licking the taste of herself off his tongue. 
“Yes ma’am,” he drawled, his Texan accent making itself known underneath his words. Y/n watched as he moved back to undo his belt and jeans, her fingers slipping down between her folds to quelch the new ache in her cunt while she watched her husband undress. Every freckle on his toned body caught in the light coming in through the window behind him, accentuating the movement of his muscular body. 
“Ah,” Jensen playfully slapped her hand away when he began to stroke his leaking cock. Y/n bit her lip as his fingers rolled over the reddened tip, spreading pre-cum across his shaft. “This is mine, only I get to touch it. Got it?”
“Yes,” Her response was automatic, not even needing to think to respond to him. Which was good considering he pushed himself into her entrance without warning, stealing the air from her lungs for a moment.
“So fucking tight,” he lowered his head to her chest as he regained composure and let her adjust to the intrusion. “Jesus, Y/n/n.” 
“Please stop talking and fucking move.” Jensen had to chuckle at that before kissing the valley between her breasts before standing back up for better leverage. Placing his hands around her hips, he pulled her closer to the edge, setting up a rhythm with his own. Y/n looked for purchase on the desk as her body began to move but there was nothing for her to grab on to. Instead, her hands found their way to her chest, kneading her breasts and tweaking her nipples as Jensen drove into her again and again. 
“God, you look so fucking good, taking my cock,” Jensen licked his lips, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth as he continued to fuck her. Heavy breaths and the soft creak of the desk under her weight filled the silence that the roo once held, the air settling heavily over both of them.
With each push and pull of him inside her, Y/n could feel herself careening towards her climax. Every muscle in her body was tightening, her body so close, yet so far. “Jensen, fu-”
“I know baby, I’ve got you. Come for me, come on my cock.” He moved his left thumb down, spiraling tight circles into her clit, the action mixed with the husk in his words igniting every nerve ending in her body. She came with a cry of his name on her lips, her whole body shaking as her pussy clenched around him. Jensen fell onto his elbows, unable to continue to move as he came with her, his seed coating her insides. 
“Shit,” he cursed, laying a sweaty cheek against her sternum. The position was anything but comfortable, but he was afraid if he moved too quickly his legs would give underneath him. Y/n huffed out a laugh, her chest still rising and falling rapidly as she ran her fingers through his now sweaty hair. 
“I’m gonna need you to keep this hair forever,” she murmured into the room after a moment, her fingers still lazily massaging through his scalp. 
“If only,” he agreed, knowing full well that he was going back to work in a few week’s time, which meant saying goodbye to the hair and the beard, both of them now apparently his wife’s favorite thing. 
“So, do you think we did it this time?” She asked, her heart fluttering again in her chest, anticipation and worry flooding her system. 
Jensen lifted his head and moved so he could nuzzle his nose against her cheek. “If not, that only means more practice.” 
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Forevers: @polina-93​​ @22sarah08​​ @callmekda​​ @hobby27​​ @tranquility-or-chaos​ @dawnie1988​​ @awesome-badass-cafeteria-sauce​​ @sleepylunarwolf​ @stiles-stilinski-24-dylan​  @akshi8278​ @superfanficnatural​ @malfoysqueen14​ @deanwanddamons​ @waywardbeanie​ @emoryhemsworth​ @talesmaniac89​ @winchest09​ @katehuntington​ @flamencodiva​ @janicho88​ @anathewierdo​ @ellewritesfix05​ @mrsjenniferwinchester​ @jensengirl83​ @lyarr24​ @smol-and-grumpy​
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ginkgomoon · 3 years
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Victor’s Mercury Retrograde Call- Analysis
Saw this particular call and was inspired to do an analysis into what Mercury retrograde is and especially on what Victor’s views on these types of concepts are. Mercury retrograde happens tomorrow on the 29th to June 22rd. So I’d thought it would be fitting to post this beforehand. (And maybe foreshadow upcoming content....) Please enjoy! ❤️
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Mercury
Mercury is the communication planet. It also talks about short distance travelling, governing your thirst for knowledge, your wit, negotiating skills, logic and rationality. In the Solar System, it’s the smallest planet (rip Pluto, you're still a planet to me) as well as one of the hottest. The name came from the Roman god Mercurius- the god of commerce, mediator for mortals and messenger of the gods. 
Retrograde (Rx) 
By definition, “retrograde” means that a planet is moving backwards in the sky. Really, it’s just an optical illusion. It comes from the Latin word “retogradus” meaning “backward step”. As planets orbit the Sun faster than Earth, they sometimes overtake our planet. This is what causes the retrograde motion to occur, making it looks like the planet is moving backwards from our view on Earth. 
When planets are in retrograde in astrology, this means that we are stalling in the proceedings of the planet and the energies turn into itself, feeling the effects of one another deeply and more intensely. It can be shy, awkward, but can also progress great depth depending where the placement of it is in your chart. 
What is Mercury Retrograde?
Mercury is the most well-known planet that goes into retrograde, normally occurring three to four times a year. Since Mercury rules communication, technology and rationality, people are often fearful when it is in retrograde as it’s known (and blamed) for various disruptions and misunderstandings to occur. But it’s so much more than just that. 
When Mercury in retrograde occurs- just like the start of tomorrow, Mercury stops moving backwards on it’s cosmic path reminding us to do the same. This all relates back to the rule of as above, so below. This means whatever happens within our solar system will ultimately affect us here on Earth. (For example, the moon governs our emotions, and since our body is approximately 70% water, why wouldn’t the moon affect us too? But it’s not just us, it’s the moon’s gravitational pull on the oceans, in the same sense, it’s also the moodiness you may feel during full moons!)
Mercury in retrograde gets us to pause our own endeavours in its jurisdiction and review, reassess and clean up what no longer serves us. People from the past may show up, situations can repeat itself and things that have been lost may turn up again. Repressed issues, emotions or situations will come back and we’re forced to deal with them no matter what, requiring us to come up with new resolutions to old problems. 
Victor’s Call
Victor: What was that message you just cancelled? MC: Oh sorry about that, I just sent it to the wrong person. Victor: I saw my name. It was about me, wasn’t it? MC: What? No, you must be seeing things! Victor: Really? Was I seeing things too when I saw all the incorrect data and typos in your report? MC: Sorry, I’ll revise that and I’ll have it to you first thing in the morning. Victor: As inept as you are, you never made such basic mistakes such as sending the wrong email or messing up data. What’s wrong with you lately? MC: I don’t know... just have been feeling really off, like I can’t do anything right. Victor: What was that? MC: Oh sorry, I shouldn’t be saying this to you. Victor: Didn’t you complain before about me not being a good listener? I’m listening now. MC: That’s okay save you listening for someone else. Victor: You might as well see you to my face if it’s me you’re going to complain about. MC: No, not complaints, more like constructive criticism you don’t mind, do you? Victor: If I minded, you wouldn’t have this chance. MC: Well, I’ve been in a terrible mood lately and with all this pressure from you... Victor: Terrible mood? Why? MC: Probably because Mercury is in retrograde. Victor: Mercury in retrograde? What the heck is that. MC: That’s when the planet Mercury... never mind, you won’t understand anyway. Victor: Don’t try to cover up for your inability to explain things. MC: Simply put that things happen with Mercury is in retrograde, all right? Victor: So you’re saying... Cosmic events have thrown your mood and work quality out of whack? MC: It may sound unbelievable but it’s true. It affects many people. Recently, my bracelet came somehow undone, I dropped my phone in the sink and just now I was tripped. Let’s not mention work. I don’t even know how I made the errors you pointed out. Victor: Are you sure it’s not because... MC: No, not because I was stupid but because... how do I put it... supernatural forces. It’s like an unseen hand leading you down the road of calamity. Victor: That retrograde stuff it’s all in your head. If you’re feeling unlucky that’s exactly what happens. Just like if you don’t think you can do the job. Don’t be late around by negative thoughts. If you’re truly struggling, take some time off if you feel overwhelmed, cut back on your workload. Oh and please feel free to call me to offer criticisms during Mercury’s retrograde.
Analysis
I did birth chart readings for Kiro and Gavin previously so before anything, I did a little check in on Victor’s birth chart and… wow. I was expecting to see some strong Earth/Capricorn placements, but I didn’t expect to see so many. This man has 5 planets in Capricorn! This means the Victor is dominantly Capricorn ruled- in most of his inner (main) planets as well. 
This is relevant because this may influence how he views the concepts of astrology, which enforces the reasons why he doesn’t believe in it and relies on physical/ logic-based evidence, instead. This is compared to Gavin for example, who doesn’t have so many Earth dominant placements and he is all in about astrology and astronomy. But of course, this shouldn’t apply to everyone as other surrounding planets, placements and variables play a huge part in contributing to form their own opinions about these topics. 
However, with Victor's dominant Capricorn placements, this manifests his disinterest and dishonesty for Mercury retrograde (and these types of concepts in general), refusing to believe in an idea or thing existing where there’s no physical evidence supporting it. Because to Earth placements, it’s more so the hard work, dedication and effort you put into something that creates the end result, more over a something that you can’t see. 
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In the call, MC is clearly not in the right mood to argue with Victor and knows that he wouldn’t believe her anyway.
Victor: Mercury in retrograde? What the heck is that. MC: That’s when the planet Mercury... never mind, you won’t understand anyway. Victor: Don’t try to cover up for your inability to explain things. MC: It may sound unbelievable but it’s true. It affects many people. Recently, my bracelet came somehow undone, I dropped my phone in the sink and just now I was tripped. Let’s not mention work. I don’t even know how I made the errors you pointed out. Victor: Are you sure it’s not because... MC: No, not because I was stupid but because... how do I put it... supernatural forces. It’s like an unseen hand leading you down the road of calamity. Victor: That retrograde stuff it’s all in your head.
Victor, MC is just understating the effects of Mercury retrograde. In fact, what MC experienced is probably one of the most mundane things that someone could think of when writing about what happens during retrograde- due to of its true complexity, it's rather hard to write about, perhaps. Though, I’m still incredibly appreciative that they included it in the game. Even more than once!
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During Mercury retrograde, some good ideas are to double check your emails before sending them, to wait a bit more rather than sign a major contract, and have backups of whatever you need. (I’m literally backing up my drafts as we speak.) Don’t be afraid of Mercury retrograde because it’s here to help our growth, not to delay it. Ironic, but true!
This year, I was contemplating whether I would starting on posting Tumblr and finally started the day the first Mercury retrograde ended. So, always not a bad thing from the results of retrograde!
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write-orflight · 4 years
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Trouble: Chapter 2
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*Gif not mine*
Pairings: HotchxReader
Prologue  Chapter 1
Rating: M
Words: 3K
Warnings: Basic witch stuff, angst, mentions of child birth, mentions of near death
Request: OPEN/CLOSED
Summary: After Haley’s passing, Aaron Hotchner has lost the light in his eyes. He seems to find it it the most unlikely of places, an occult themed coffee shop ran by a witch.
A.N: Tarot, wicca, and crystal information is very secondhand if you see any inaccuracies, no you don’t. If you are a witch tho and want to help and be nice to me enter my ask box please, I’m annoying my friend too much.
Chapter 2: God, don't let me lose my mind
The deeper into autumn you got the more busy the shop was. 
Halloween was a big money grabber for your shop. People loved to come to the shop around that time because your shop offered such ‘spooky’ feel, as the hipster who came in that morning would say. You hated that. Halloween was one of your favorite holidays simply because the veil between the natural and supernatural was so thin it was the best time for spells and charms but what you didn’t like was people and baby witches asking you about certain spells or how to commune with spirits just so they can do something “extra spooky” for whatever parties they were having for the season. Consultations were such easy money though so you’d never turn them away but your answer was always the same, that Spirits are not toys and that if they are going to invite them it better be serious and for the right intentions otherwise they might not leave. 
Despite it being your favorite season, It didn’t make you less annoyed. 
“If I have to make another Pumpkin flavored whatever and tell a sorority girl not to invoke a demon in her house, I’m going to scream.” Silena says to you as you enter the shop, Artemis in tow. Your sitter had to take an exam so you had to watch her for the first 2 hours of your shift. Artie, knowing the drill by now, tries to crawl up to the bar stool. You watch her for a second, smiling her little legs before taking pity on her and hoisting her up. She immediately pulls a coloring book and crayons out her bag, before working diligently in silence. You kiss her temple before walking behind the counter, tying your apron on. 
“You had another consultation today?” You asked.  
“Pfft, it wasn’t even that. She asked me while ordering her coffee, though I should’ve charged her for that dumbass question.” You look at her pointed, nodding your head towards your child who repeats everything. Silly winces “Sorry, but still. If this is how halloween is going to be, you’re probably going to have to do some balancing spells.” 
You rolled your eyes. “Exactly what I need, more work.” 
“What’s a dumbass?” Artie pipes up from her perch on the stool. 
“Something you are not and shouldn’t repeat unless you want your mom mad at me.” Silly says, reaching across the counter to ruffle her hair. 
The doorbell of the shop rings and the very man who’s occupied your mind these past couple of months steps in. Aaron Hotchner was one of your favorite customers despite not talking very much, he’d make small talk while you made his order which you found yourself doing slower than it would normally take you, just to get a little bit more of his time, he’d leave a tip in the jar and be on his way always leaving you with a small smile that you always immediately returned with a wide one. You tried to stop yourself from getting attached but here you were, an adult woman who had a crush on a customer who probably didn’t think about you when he left the shop. 
You’d never seen him on a weekend though and frankly you didn’t know if you could handle seeing him like this again, he wore dark blue jeans, a black belt and a black t-shirt that fit a little too well over his broad chest you couldn’t help but staring at his arms that you’d never seen on display like this. You knew for a fact(well you hoped at least) he’d have no issue picking you up or pinning you down. 
Now’s not the time, y/n… you think. 
“Hey, you.” You greet, flirtatiously. You’ve been trying not to flirt with him, you really were but sometimes you couldn’t help it. It was your personality. “Didn’t think I’d see you in here. On a weekend, no less.” 
“Yea, decided to stop for coffee before heading to my sister in law’s. Can I have my usual and an Americano for her?” He asks 
“You got it.” You wink before starting to work. Silly gives you a knowing look which you brush off. Hotch takes a seat at the bar a few seats away from your daughter who looks up at him. 
“Hi!” She says excitedly. “I’m Artie.” 
“Hi Artie, I’m Aaron.” He looks around. “Are your parents around?” You look up. You’d forgotten to mention you had a kid to Hotch, which would probably explain his confusion of a random child sitting alone. 
“My mama’s right there, silly.” She laughs. “Mama?” She says you look up automatically from the milk you’re frothing. 
“Yes, bean?” You say. 
“Can I have a brownie?”  
“Well, I don’t know. Did you finish the addition tables I asked you to do?” She shakes her head at you. “Well, how about you do that then we’ll see if it’s brownie time, deal?” She nods, fast while pulling her math homework out of her bag. Hotch watches the interaction confused but with a slight smile. 
“I didn’t know you had a kid.” He says 
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Gus.” You say, calling him by the nickname you affectionately gave him your first meeting. “But yes I do, that’s Artemis.” 
He nods, knowingly. “How old?” 
“Well, I don’t know. How old are you, bean?” You say. 
“I’m six!” She says, holding up 5 fingers, you grab her other hand to extend her other index finger too so the number was actually 6. 
“Really? You’re not 16 yet?” Silly asks, ruffling her hair. “I thought you were driving us home tonight?” 
Artie shakes her head. “Mama says I can’t drive yet.” 
“Between you and me kid, your mama shouldn’t be on the road either.” You swat at her. 
Aaron gives a small chuckle at the display in front of him. But he has to ask the burning question in his head. “Her dad—“ 
“Not in the picture.” You cut off. “Like not even in the same gallery.” 
Hotch nods understandably as you put his drinks in the carrier for him. He looks at you confused when you add a 3rd cup. 
“Hot chocolate.” You say. “For your son. I imagine that’s where you’re going. To pick him up from your sister?”  
“How did you know I had a son?” He asks. 
“Oh, I just used one of my witchy spells to find out information on you.” You say jokingly, but he looks at you with mild horror. “I’m kidding, Spencer told me.” 
He nods. “Thank you, y/n.” 
“No problem, come back to see me?” 
“Always.” He says, offering you a small secret smile before leaving. You can’t help the dreamy look you give his retreating back. 
“Are you coming back to earth anytime soon?” Sil says, shaking her head. “You got it bad, kid.” 
“Pfft, no I don’t.” You say turning to clean up the mess you just made. 
“I don’t understand why you just won’t ask him out.” 
“He’s healing, Sil.” You say, shrugging. “And I don’t want to push him into something he’s obviously not ready for.” 
Not to mention you also didn’t think you were ready for it. 
———————————————
On Halloween day, you get a visit from one of your favorite customers 
“Pennywise!” You say to chipper blonde women who strolled in she was wearing a orange and black dress with little jack-O-lantern earrings that you had gotten her the beginning of month. You move your hair back to show her the Ouija board pointer earrings she had gotten you in return. Penelope Garcia couldn’t just accept a gift without giving one in return. 
“Hey Y/N, how are you this ole hallow’s eve?”
“It’s Halloween and a full moon tonight.” You say excitedly. “It’s like witch Christmas.” 
“I don’t know about that but I am happy for you. Can I have a pumpkin spice latte and since I’m such a good friend an Americano with extra sugar for the good doctor?” She asks. 
“You got it, Pen.” You say before starting her order. “Heading into work now?” 
“Sure am! Hopefully there’s not a gruesome murder so I’ll be able to spend my Halloween having fun.” Penelope says. “You got any plans?” 
“Other than taking Artie Trick or Treating and charging some crystals in the full moon, no.” 
“Come on, no wild parties? no hexing beautiful men into falling in love with you?” Penny asks. You laugh loudly, shaking your head. “Man, maybe the life of a witch was more exciting in my head.” 
“Yea, you did.” You laugh. “I’m basically just a cool rock collector plus love spells, so not my thing.” 
“So there’s such a thing?” 
“Yea there’s love spells. I don’t believe in using them. I think love itself is it’s own powerful being. It shouldn’t be manipulated with, if someone was meant to love me they would.” 
“Speaking of love and love spells…” Silena pipes up from the display case she was loading pastries she just made into. “Penelope, how’s your boss?” You glare over at her. 
“Hotch?” Penny asks looking between the two of you before smirking at you. “Why do you want to know?” 
“I don’t.” You say at the same time as Silena says. “She has a Texas sized crush on him.” 
Garcia practically squeals at that. “Let me set you up please.” 
“No, Penny.” You say, immediately 
“Why not?” Her and Silly say at the same time. 
“Because… I don’t know didn’t his wife just die months ago, it’s hardly appropriate for me to try swoop in.” 
“Ex-wife. They were already long divorced before she died.” Penelope adds 
“Still! It’s not appropriate.” You say. 
“So what? You’re just going to keep making him free coffee until he realizes you're into him?” 
“Yup” you say adding the 3rd cup to Garcia’s carrier. “Give that to Grumpy for me please.” Garcia opens her mouth to say something but you just hold up your hand cutting her off 
“Fine.” She says, grabbing the carrier. “Only because I have to go to work though, this conversation isn’t over.”  
“Yes it is.” You call after her. 
——————————————
You were back in the shop. Artie was tuckered out after a long night of trick or treating and crashing from her sugar high so you decided to charge some of your crystals and do some balancing spells, knowing for a fact a lot of teenagers did stupid shit to upset the balance. 
As you were lighting the candles and incense, you heard a knock at the door. You were long closed so who could possibly need something right now? You look out the window and Aaron is standing there. You’re confused but you let him in anyway. 
“Hey Grumpy, what’re you doing here?” 
“I’m sorry I didn’t know you were closed, I guess I’ve never been here at night. I’ll go. I'm sorry for bothering you.” He says turns to go but you grab his arm to stop him. 
“Gus… it’s almost midnight, no business is open. You’re here because there’s obviously something upsetting you so I’m not just going to let you leave.” You all but push him into barstool. “Now like I said it’s almost midnight so there is something important I need to do so if you’ll sit tight for like 2 minutes, I’ll make us coffee.” 
Hotch obliges, sitting silently watching you as you lit some candles on the altar you kept in the shop. You placed the honey cake you had made earlier in the day on the altar before whispering. 
“Thank you to the patron, Artemis, Great goddess of Moon and Magic. Mistress of deer and owl. Be thou my guide and Inspiration. Teach me Thy mysteries and lead me in thy ways.” You stand and turn back to Hotch who is watching you intensely. “Sorry about that, midnight is her favorite time. Coffee?” You ask, He nods as you move behind the counter. 
“Can I ask what it is you just did?” Hotch ask. 
“That?” He nods. “It’s a full moon so since Artemis is my patron goddess, it’s best to leave a sacrifice to stay in her favor.” You shrug. He looks at you like you're crazy but you're used to that look. “Don’t look at me like that, it’s no different then some catholic practices. In fact, Christians often stole from pagan practices, and only one is just considered ‘taboo’ now.” 
“Is that why you named your child Artemis, because she’s your Patron?” He asks. 
“Actually, Artemis is my Patron because of Artie.” You say, he looks at you as if asking you to continue. “I wasn’t always like this.” You say gesturing to yourself and the shop. “My parents are pastors and for a long time I was this faith devout christian girl. But I got pregnant out of wedlock, my parents disowned me and I was looking for something to turn to. I met Silena and she introduced me to Wicca, and said whoever my Patron was through meditation and study, They’ll reveal themselves to me. So I went months, meditating daily, and still nothing was working. Then I went into labor, and everything was going wrong. I thought, this was my punishment from god for not only getting pregnant without marriage but turning to witchcraft. I had to have an emergency C-section. And when I was on the operating table, I almost died, Artie almost died. I started to see these images of deer and boar running through the forest. And finally when I came back to, and I could hear my baby crying, the first thing I saw when my eyes opened was the full moon out the window.” You sigh, sliding a cup to Hotch before moving from behind the counter to take a seat next to him. “That’s when I realized the goddess had saved me and my child. And while Artemis prefers virgin patronage, and that ship had long sailed past back then. I figured naming my child after her was the next best thing.”  
“That’s a beautiful story, Y/N.” He says, looking at you sincerely.   
“Thank you, and since you’re not running for the hills, why don’t you tell me why you really knocked at my door at midnight.” 
“It’s just…” He starts, clearing his throat. “Tonight was the first ‘major’ holiday without Haley. And I tried to take Jack’s mind off it, make it fun but it was like this looming weight above us. That it wasn’t the same without her and that it never would be. And I was upset and just wanted to take a walk but I guess my feet carried me here.” He shrugged. 
“Well I’m glad you’re here grumpy. And you’re healing you need to give yourself time--” 
“I don’t have time!” He snaps. You flinch back a bit, having never heard his raised voice. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell. It’s just-I don’t have time to heal. I have to be there for Jack.”
“Who’s there for you, Aaron?” You ask. He looks at you confused. You hardly ever call him by his name. It's either grumpy or gus or a combination of the two. Never by his actual name, he hated how much he liked how it sounded coming from your lips. “Do you know what a rock tumbler is?” you ask, he shakes his head confused where you’re going with this. You run behind the counter to retrieve the box you had dug through the very first night you met.
“Well a rock tumbler is a device you put rocks into. Rocks that have eroded, rocks that have trekked the earth, rocks that have been to hell and back. And what you do is you put them in this device with a little bit of water and you wait. Days, weeks, months all the while this device is just spinning, you don’t see what’s happening on the inside but after a while, when the time is right, you get these beautiful lustrous stones.” You say, showing him the box. “Healing is the same way, others don’t see you working. But in the end, they’ll see the result. And you’ll feel the result too. But if you don’t take that step you don’t end up with gems like these. You just end up with an eroded dingy rock.” You look up at Hotch and he’s tearing up slightly. Your heart melts. “Do you want a hug?” you say. 
“You don’t have to--” 
You cut him off. “No one on earth gives hugs because they have to. I want to give you a hug if you want one. So do you want a hug?” 
He nods, fastly. So you stand, he follows suit and allows you to pull him down into a full embrace. Your arms around his neck and shoulders, he envelopes you fully into his torso, arms tight around your waist. You sigh, content. Before shaking yourself out of it. This wasn’t about you. No matter how right it felt. 
After a minute or so you break apart. You look him in the eyes and he’s staring back at you in what feels like admiration. You clear your throat. “Can I give you something?” you ask.
“Is it another crystal?” He asked back. 
“Yes, it is.” You rummage through the box before pulling out the one you needed. “This is Aragonite, it’s good for healing old wounds and building emotional strength. Now I can gift you this but you have to activate it yourself. Even if you don’t believe it, I feel like it’s good words to hear yourself say anyway.” You grab his left hand, sliding the crystal into it. He looks into your eyes. “Now say, I release past wounds and embrace resilience.” 
Hotch sighs. “I release past wounds and embrace resilience.” He then slides the stone in his pocket. Before grabbing your hand again. “Thank you, Y/N” 
“Anytime, Grumpy.” You say.  
Taglist: @megatrexus @roses-and-grasses​ @tittymuncher69​ @liaabsurd​ @ladyravenclaw​ @genevievedarcygrangerreading​ @softbibxtch​ @xxdisappearwithoutatracexx​
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dearjamesxo · 3 years
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[drabble under cut]
They’re on their way to wish Bea luck when it happens.
Billy, Spike and Jessie trudge against the midafternoon crowd, Spike boasting a story from his childhood – no doubt exaggerated to the moon to impress Jessie. Billy listens with half an ear, hands stuffed in his pockets and eyes on the ground. He doesn’t react when someone bumps into him.
“He’s in a mood,” Jessie teases to Spike when Spike tries, for the fourth time, to include Billy in the conversation.
Spike snorts, “I can see that. Which is why I’m trying to cheer ‘im up.” He sidles into Billy’s space, claps a friendly hand on Billy’s shoulder and asks, “Come on, mate, who shoved that monumental stick up your arse?”
Billy’s jaw twitches. He tucks his chin into his chest and hunches further into himself, hoping to relay how much he doesn’t want to talk about it.
“Is it the whole we’re not good enough tripe?” Spike questions, rolling a hand in the air to encompass the tripe he’s referring to. “Because the way I look at it, we got lucky. Who wants to go to a stuffy old ball anyway?” Spike’s tone suggests he does, but Billy refrains from pointing it out, “Let Bea and the good doctor go and deal with all that crap, while we—” He leans back and grins across the breadth of Billy’s shoulders, winks at Jessie, “—get to enjoy ourselves!”
Billy doesn’t respond, simply shrugs and keeps his pace, his shoulder colliding with another man’s. Again, Billy doesn’t even seem to register that the man told him to, watch where yer goin’!
Yes, Billy’s in a mood, definitely, but it doesn’t have anything to do with Bea or Watson or the ball Spike mentioned. In fact, it was Billy’s idea to go find Bea before Watson collects her at Mrs. Smith’s shoppe.
As usual, Watson’s swanning Bea off to perform for another investigation, some undercover business that apparently, “Only Beatrice has the maturity and patience to pull off,” thanks for the confidence, “the rest of you will merely serve to attract unwanted attention.” As if Bea done up like a gateau de savoie won't attract attention. Although Bea has learned to carry herself less woodenly than she did, she isn't exactly graceful when laced into a gown. Jessie's the better candidate, equipped with supernatural powers to boot, but Watson's mind was made up. Besides, Billy's noticed that he and Bea have some sort of connection; they seem to get each other in a way that leaves everyone else behind.
Howbeit, Watson’s condescending remark isn’t what gets Billy’s dander up either. That honor goes to His Royal Highness, Prince I-Have-To-Escort-Helena. Not that Billy wants to go through the trouble of pampering and primping for a ball he’s sure he’ll hate every minute of. But Leo could’ve at least had the courtesy to pretend he was regretful, since he already has so much experience pretending to be something he isn’t.
Billy scowls at his shoes, kicks a pebble harder than he means to. He ducks his head and picks up his pace when he hears a strangled yelp and sees, from the corner of his eye, a man clasp his ankle and hop on one foot.
Oops.
It’s then that the short hairs at the back of his neck rise, his scalp tingles, the sensation of being watched shivering up Billy's spine. He lifts his chin and, immediately, his gaze is drawn to the end of the street.
“Isn’t that—?” Jessie starts, tugging Billy’s wrist to get his attention. Then, much quieter, under her breath, “Oh,” as if she's figured something out.
Billy yanks his wrist out of her light grasp and squares his shoulders, ignorant of the utterly baffled Spike sends Jessie behind his back. “Wait here,” he gruffs and stalks toward the end of the street. Or more precisely, toward who lingers there.
“We’ll meet you!” Spike calls after him and wraps an arm around Jessie. She tries to resist, head craning, but Spike guides her down the cross street in the direction of Mrs. Smith’s shoppe.
Like a wolf preparing to lunge, Billy stalks toward Leo, expression hard and fists clenched. Leo returns the sentiment with a rigid, neutral set to his features, stare unwavering. Billy inwardly chastises himself for the heat of desire that rushes through him upon seeing Leo. No matter how pissed he is with the prince, Billy can never deny how attractive Leo is like this, all lofty courage and attitude, golden against the smutty backdrop of the Marylebone rookery. God, Billy wants to strip Leo of his finery, fuck him until he remembers who he really belongs to. And it isn't, Billy thinks in a possessive growl, Helena.
Theirs will never be a public romance, a reality Billy understood from the start, only it didn't feel so impossibly cruel until the moment Leo casually mentioned he would be attending the very ball Bea and Watson would with Helena on his arm. As if he wasn't lounging between Billy's legs, his back to Billy's chest, his fingers laced with Billy's. It never ceases to amaze Billy how terrible Leo is at reading a room because Jessie's discomfited expression alone should've been a clue that something wasn't right. Even so, Billy kept his mouth shut because he's supposed to be fine with it, isn't he?
Easier said than done, Billy knows now.
As much as they - Billy and Leo and Leo and Helena - have an agreement, it still cuts deep when Billy has to step aside so Leo can appease his mother by flaunting the person society deems Leo's best match.
“What’re you doing here?” Billy demands to know the instant he’s within earshot.
Leo flinches slightly, then musters the confidence to say, “I’d like to have a word.”
“With your side piece?” Billy mocks disbelief, “I’ll bet.”
“Billy, please, if you would just listen—”
Billy’s in front of Leo now, standing at the closeness he’s grown accustomed to since he and Leo became he and Leo. He didn’t mean to narrow the distance so quickly, wants to hold on to the anger because it’s easier, except that to put himself anywhere else in Leo’s orbit feels intrinsically wrong.
“Better make it quick, your highness,” Billy sneers, “I’m sure your lady doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“For goodness’ sake,” Leo erupts through gritted teeth, though his tone maintains a respectable volume as propriety demands, “I’m not going.”
This stops Billy's mounting rage in its tracks, all at once replaced with a confusion that shows itself on Billy's face. A simple “What?” tumbles out of his mouth as he frowns at Leo as if Leo told him the sky is actually green.
“I’m not going.” Leo repeats.
Billy grabs Leo by the upper arm and drags him out of the middle of the crowded street, into a narrow lane that separates the butcher’s and an Indian-owned tearoom. Leo doesn’t resist, allows Billy to manhandle him, and stops moving altogether when Billy pushes him against the brick wall just inside the lane. Suddenly, Billy’s flooded with concern.
“What happened?” Because it has to be something awful if Leo can shirk his responsibility for the evening. “Is Helena alright?”
Leo’s brows furrow, eyes flickering between Billy’s, down to hover on Billy’s mouth before they slip to the ground where they remain. He huffs a humorless laugh, “Helena’s fine, you massive boor.” and slumps against the wall Billy has him pinned to by the shoulders, defeat obvious in his posture.
“Then what—?”
“It’s you!”
Well, that can't be right. Leo's never missed an engagement his mother's insisted upon for Billy in the weeks they've been, well, them. Billy has to make sure, “Me?”
Gesturing helplessly with one hand, Leo explains, “How can I go and act as though I care about anything my mother’s contemporaries have to say when all I can think about is you, here, upset with me?” A tiny smile curls Billy’s mouth, “I love you, you idiot.” Leo says as though he's said it a thousand times - he hasn't, this is the first and Leo doesn't appear to notice he's shared such an important declaration in the middle of a rant. Billy wants to say it back all the more for it. “Helena made a fuss when I told her, practically pushed me out the window so I would come find you.”
Floating on a wave of giddiness, assuaged by Leo's words, Billy remembers how much he likes Helena. Helena who has her Henrik in Münster and swore not to intrude on Leo's relationship with Billy as long as Leo issues her the same respect.
Billy leans in and places his forehead against Leo’s, hands sliding from Leo’s shoulders to cradle Leo’s jaw, resting the pads of his thumbs gently at the corners of Leo’s mouth. A small chuckle escapes him, unable to contain it, and Billy shuffles forward to press their bodies flush from waist to hips to knees, fondly brushes the tips of their noses, then tilts his head and captures Leo’s lips in a sweet yet hot-hungry kiss.
When he pulls back, he wonders, “Or maybe it’s Helena I should be thanking?” He hooks a thumb over his shoulder, smiling playfully, “Should I be kissing her instead?”
Eyes in grumpy, feline slits, Leo protests, “Don’t you dare.”
“Mm, you’re right, she’s really not my type.”
Abruptly, Billy untangles himself from Leo, bends enough to grab Leo by the back of the thighs and lifts. Leo cries out shrilly, startled, the action forcing his legs to wrap around Billy’s waist and his arms to lock around Billy’s neck. Cackling, Billy pins Leo with his body, his fingers kneading the sensitive flesh just below Leo’s arse, eliciting a moan that he swallows greedily.
“Is this really the appropriate time?” Leo pants, throwing his head back when Billy grinds their hips together, making them both groan.
“Not even a little bit.”
As Billy leans in for another kiss, Leo interrupts by putting two fingers to Billy's lips. “Perhaps,” He says, voice pitched suggestively, “We should take this elsewhere,” Here, Leo kitten licks Billy’s parted lips, darts his tongue into Billy's mouth quickly, moves on to dot Billy’s jaw with a trail of dry kisses. He reaches Billy's ear and continues in a whisper, “Somewhere you can spread me open,” A nip to Billy’s earlobe, “And show me what happens when I upset you?”
Billy's cock twitches in interest. He takes in Leo’s pink cheeks and glassy, blown eyes, decides, “Sounds like a marvelous idea.”
In a swift sequence of motions, Billy drops Leo to his feet, carefully repositions him, crouches, and then hoists Leo over his shoulder. Spike was right, Billy grins, patting the swell of one of Leo's arse cheeks in victory, who wants to go to a stuffy old ball, anyway?
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daretosnoop · 3 years
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Chapter 6: Partners
Chapter 5
Henry had struggled to work for the rest of the evening. Nancy’s words got stuck into his head. He always knew what he had with Summer was, well, it wasn’t right—but every relationship had its own sense of balance. Maybe, this was just his and Summer’s? But, he had been quick to isolate Summer as someone he was close to. Why? He was always desperate to please Summer and found happiness whenever it would work. Summer’s smiles and laughs were rare, but they were worth it. But was she his friend? What even is a friend when you’re an adult?
Nancy seemed to sense his displeasure with their conversation. She’d tried to bring him into her investigation, but Henry declined. She then tried to suggest playing a game, but Henry declined that too. So she left him alone, and now Henry could hear her laughing with Renee as they ate dinner. One half of him wanted to join in on their conversation. What could be so funny that Renee was laughing? Henry never saw her so much as smile when it was just the two of them. Later, Nancy came in to inform him of the dinner plate they left aside for him. She tried again to engage Henry in some activity, but gave up when she saw Henry’s face. Her badgering, it reminded him of Ned. He’d also chased after Henry, insisting that Henry joined him for lunch or for a study session. Ned was the only classmate that was close in age to Henry. His friendliness and age gave Henry no excuse to avoid spending time with him, but he did—because Summer told him to. And now he was denying Nancy’s friendship, but Summer wasn’t here.
After Henry spoke to Summer, she’d gone quiet. Not a text or phone call. He’d text her how was her day, what she was up to, but Summer either didn’t respond or just sent some emoji. Henry tried to call her once, but she didn’t pick up. So he left her alone. Now, sitting on his bed, he scrolled through past messages, wondering if he said something to hurt her, or if she didn’t like him anymore and refused to talk to him. God, please don’t let come to that. Nancy’s words filtered in again, One of you will tire of the other and end the relationship. Henry moved a hand through his hair and tossed his phone to the side. He was just tired.
There was a rustling in the wall and as Henry looked up, he saw the wall move! The Whispers rushed in and filled his mind with indecipherable words. The wall swung open like a door and out stepped Nancy, looking surprised. Before he could speak, before he could even think of speaking, Nancy’s face turned into a smile.
“Henry!” she said, excitement bursting from her voice. “You won’t believe what I’ve found out”.
“The door to Narnia it seems,” was all Henry managed to utter out. Immediately he chastised himself for being too harsh, but Nancy just laughed.
“Looks like it, right? No, I found your uncle’s study. His secret study”.
What?
Nancy read his expression. “Ya, I know,” she said and dragged him out of the bed and into the study. “This is just something you gotta see for yourself. Prepare yourself, I got more discoveries coming”.
Stumbling after Nancy, Henry’s jaw dropped as he took in the scene before him. There was dust and dirt everywhere. The room looked like shambles, a storage room. Nancy burst forth into an explanation of what she found out about his uncle and Dr. Buford. They were in some krewe called the Jolly Rogers. She told him that she learned that Bruno had acquired a skull.
“He believes it’s the true genuine Whisperer skull,” she said with animated eyes and her hands waved about as she described the case the skull was in. “We found it at Zeke’s, but Henry that’s not all, look at this photograph,” she passed him a photo of what looked like a younger Bruno Bolet and skeleton people?
“See,” she said pointing to the skull people. “That’s the same skull man I saw when I entered the house. I’m sure your uncle used to be one of them. Renee mentioned that she saw them too, but I guess she didn’t know your uncle was in a krewe. And look,” she passed him a calendar book. “There’s a date set for 4 days from now. Your uncle was planning to go to some place exactly near where Bess and I are staying. Do you know what this all means, Henry?” She looked at him eagerly.
It was too much, way too much to handle, and he honestly did not know what it all meant.
“You were right?” he guessed in a weak voice. “My uncle was in a cult”.
“Well, kind of, I guess,” Nancy said, then she shook her head and pulled out her phone. She showed him the photos of the note from the person Bruno purchased the skull and the case the skull was stored in.
“It means that Bruno was hiding the skull!”
“But, why?”
With Henry’s question, Nancy immediately sobered and stood a bit away from Henry. She looked at him hesitantly.
“Henry, do you hear voices sometimes?”
Henry stiffened at her question, an act Nancy noticed.
“You do,” she said softly. “So, it’s true. My god, it’s true”.
“What’s true?” Henry cried out, frustrated with being kept in the dark.
Nancy didn’t say anything. She just handed him a book and told him to read it. She then moved away towards the skee ball machine and tinkered with it. Realizing that she was not going to explain herself, Henry opened the book and read his uncle’s letter. When he finished, he shut the book and tossed it on the table. He then leaned over his legs and laced his hand behind his neck. I’m not losing it. I’m not losing it. I’m not losing it. He was losing it. It was too much. His uncle was asking for too much, and Henry didn’t even like him. Why should he do anything his uncle wanted? Just finish the damn accounts and go! Summer’s right, don’t waste time on a person who gave you nothing and just—he stopped his thought and a smile forced itself out. His life was a riot.
He looked up and noticed that Nancy had her back to him, still giving him privacy. She had her trench coat on again. What’s she planning now? A feeling came over Henry. He didn’t know why, didn’t even want to know why. All he knew in that moment was that he wanted to join her on the investigation. He hated his uncle, was angry with him. But he could not shout at the dead—though they made their voices plenty heard. Speaking of which, it seemed that the entire Bolet family was one certificate of prestige away from being locked up in an asylum. It didn’t surprise Henry to learn about being able to hear ghosts. No point in being scared in the everyday occurrence. The Whispers, now ghosts, fell into a quiet murmur when Henry read the journal, as if they were anxious to how he would react. Alright, I’m here, he thought. What do you guys need? It seemed to work because they hummed about in his mind. Henry laughed to himself. Here he was, consoling the dead.
Henry got up, stuffed his hands into his dress pant and shuffled over to Nancy.
“So now what?” He asked when she didn’t start talking.
“Well,” she started slowly. “It depends on what you want. This case is not really mine anymore”.
Henry stared hard at Nancy. She returned his gaze.
“So I’m guessing you know what I did”.
“I’m guessing you needed the money for Summer?”
“Any questions?”
“Not really, you’re in the clear now that I know you can’t be the skeleton man”.
“You suspected me?” Henry asked and raised his eyebrows.
“Of course,” Nancy said smugly. She picked up a ball and rolled it across the skee ball runway.
“So my family are ghost whisperers. There’s an actual skull whisperer, and my uncle wants me to have it because it will give me some knowledge?”
Nancy rolled another two balls before she answered.
“No Henry,” her voice was deep and reflected her somber face. “There’s more”.
“There’s something more important than the supernatural existing?”
His question broke a smile across Nancy’s face and she exhaled a laugh through her nose. She threw another two balls and then turned to look at Henry.
“Your uncle was probably murdered”.
“Excuse me?”
Nancy tossed a ball up into the air and caught it. She repeated the action as she spoke.
“I looked into the skull. It’s reputed to give people immortality, and it had a history of all its owners being murdered. I asked a reliable source about the skull. Turns out she had previously spoken to your uncle, and she believes that your uncle’s death might have been planned”.
“My uncle died of a heart attack”.
“Yes, but there were two people nearby when it happened. Renee and Gilbert”.
“Are you saying that they killed my uncle?”
Nancy shrugged and rolled the ball she played catch with down the ramp.
“Who knows Henry”.
“So there’s a chance he might not have been murdered?”
Nancy made a face at that and Henry realized she was dead serious. Now he understood why she placed the choice in his hands. An investigation into murder, without any police help— it was all based on a hunch, her hunch. They could also end up dead. He realized she was asking him whether he even wanted to investigate into his uncle’s death. He smiled softly and crossed his arms.
“So? What’s our next move?” he asked again. This time he wore a fond, if exasperated, expression on his face.
Nancy gave him a sly grin and rolled the last skee ball she had. “Now, we look for the skull”.
She brought Henry over to the cupboard that stood against the wall and explained that Bruno had hid twenty-five eyes around. Apparently they led to the skull. She even showed him the clues he gave for some of the eyes. As she explained, Henry couldn’t help scoffing at the ridiculousness of it all. There were ghosts. He heard them. He was not insane. His uncle might have been murdered. They were looking for a skull. He was a thief, and Nancy was a bad girlfriend. What on earth was about to get unburied? He didn’t know, and for once, he wanted to find out.
 “Don’t you think it’s a bit cuckoo to assume that we’re supposed to be looking for eyes?” Henry asked as they stood in front of a grandfather clock. “I mean, what if eyes were some kind of key or clue to a key?”
Nancy moved her head from side-to-side, indicating that she thought the same.
“Did your uncle have an obsession with eyes?”
“No. He was a dentist”.
“Right. He chose the wrong occupation”.
“He did have a glass eye though,” Henry added, remembering the first time he saw his uncle’s glass eye. It was the first thing he noticed about his uncle when he came to pick Henry up from foster care. After his parents died, there was a short gap between the funeral and coming to the manor during which Henry stayed in foster care. When his uncle came for him, all Henry noticed was that one eye did not follow him. He always regretted the face he must have shown to his uncle. It was a bad first impression, not to mention the insensitivity, and even though uncle Bruno gave no indication that Henry’s reaction bothered him, Henry always wondered whether his reaction impacted their relationship.
“Of course he had a glass eye,” Nancy said and they shared and amused look.
“So,” Henry said, gazing back at the clock with hands on his hips. “What do we do here?”
“Well,” Nancy began as she shuffled through the journal. There were three entries for the first puzzle. Each contained a short story and nothing more.
“I’m guessing the stories tell us something on what we should do with the clock”.
Nancy read the first story aloud.
At exactly midday the teacher said to his class, “what time will it be when three hours have passed”. Let’s pretend it’s that time and move ahead two hours more. And from there let’s say that it’s nine hours before. If, six hours before then we’d made note of the time, what time would it be if we’d moved ahead nine? His students wrote down 6 numbers in all. Then went back to their daydreams of things big and small.
“Makes no sense,” Henry remarked.
“Hold on, hold on,” Nancy reread the story and traced certain words. “Do you see here,” she said pointing to numeric words. “The story is weird, but it has words that indicate numbers. See here, midday becomes twelve. Three hours pass, so from 12 we move three hours. Then we move ahead another two hours”.
“And so we should get 12—3—5—8—2—11,” Henry finished and started to move the hour hand in that order. The gears of the clock whirred to life and from the cuckoo bird door emerged a glass eye. Tentatively, Henry reached for it. It was cool to the touch. He turned towards Nancy and saw that she had opened her bag for him. He placed the eye in and they looked at the next story.
“I’m guessing we just repeat what we did before,” Nancy said before launching into the second story. They pulled out two more sets of numbers and two more eyes.
“Three out of twenty-five so far”.
“No,” Henry said. “Four out of twenty-five”.
Nancy looked perplexed and then it hit her. “The eye in the desk drawer!”
Now it was Henry’s turn to look at her perplexed. “How do you know about that one?”
“Well, I snooped around your desk—“
“You snooped around uncle Bruno’s desk?” Henry exclaimed.
Nancy shrugged and Henry gave way to a burst of chuckles.
“You really are the real deal Nancy”.
“What can I say, nothing gets in between me and a mystery”.
 They shuffled over to the desk and Henry opened the drawer and detached the glass eye from its keychain. Nancy flipped through the journal and looked around the room.
“There’re a few eyeballs here,” she said and moved towards the bookcase with tooth stands. Henry followed after her and peered into the book she held up.
“Your uncle logged some of the work he did. I’m guessing it somehow relates to this bookcase”.
“This seems like a violation of patient confidentiality,” Henry remarked and Nancy grinned.
“Probably”.  
Nancy looked at Henry.
“Your ghosts say anything?”
Henry raised an eyebrow, “Don’t think I can just call them to me and ask questions. I’m not a necromancer”.
“Have you tried?”
“Not really,” Henry looked uncomfortable.
“Hey, if you’re unsure or haven’t gotten used to there being ghosts, then don’t force yourself”. Saying so, Nancy linked her arm around Henry’s and dragged him towards the living room.
“I wanted to know your opinion on something”. She opened the door to the secret passage and brought Henry towards the lens.
“There’s a lens here that zooms in on a book. Know anything about it?”
Henry peered through the lens and saw the book Nancy was talking about. Nothing came to mind and he shook his head. He then realized something.
“Is this were you overhead my conversation with Summer?”
Nancy nodded and Henry gave a deep sigh and moved out towards the living room. He saw the Bolet family portraits and moved towards them. He recognized his parents, but it saddened him when he realized that this portrait and his last memory of them barely differed. He didn’t see his uncle, or at least, he didn’t recognize him. Then again, aside from his parents, Henry could not name any of the family members on the wall. He looked at his father. So you had the same ability I do. What would you have taught me?
Henry closed his eyes and tried to get a feel to see if there were any ghosts about. All he felt was the emptiness surrounding him. Embarrassment flooded in and he opened his eyes, turned around and saw he was all alone.
 Nancy knew it was best to leave Henry alone while he stared at his family portraits. Old families tended to have walls filled with portraits. She remembered when she went to Blackmoor manor in England and met a young girl who felt alone in a manor filled with unfamiliar and intangible faces.
When she turned around to give Henry privacy, she caught Renee slipping up the stairs. Curious, she slowly followed Renee up to her room. Renee had left her room door open just a crack. Nancy slipped to the floor and peered through the cracks. Renee was sitting on her bed with a book and had an assortment of bottles and other knickknacks all around her. She lifted different potions up to her nose and took in a deep breath. She then opened her pouch necklace and put in pinches of stuff into the pouch. Then, she packed everything up and went to bed. Nancy started to back away when, out of the corner of her eye, she swore she saw the rocking chair move and the doll turn towards her. Nancy felt chills run down her neck and she backed away, rushed down the stairs and crashed into Henry.
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himikiyo · 3 years
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in saecula saeculorum // himikiyo week day 3
Himikiyo Week Day 3: Vice + Virtue
"If you’re so against the idea of people getting hurt, you should have thought twice before summoning a demon."
Read on AO3, DRA, or under the cut.
Demons did not exist in the modern world. That was common sense, accepted by nearly everyone save fringe conspiracy theorists and fanatics of all types. Those who would believe in something so patently unscientific, so laughable, would be deemed worthy of ridicule themselves. There was no use for the supernatural when humans had triumphed over the natural world itself.
That was the party line, anyway. It was taught to children in schools, passed on in social interactions and media. Even those curious enough to seek out old tomes and uncover the stories within were motivated to dismiss them as legends. Stories of such things were fascinating, but they were from a less educated time. When people didn’t understand the world around them, they were motivated to devise stories of evil beings to explain their misfortunes.
None of it was real. Humanity’s biggest danger was itself.
Locked in a dusty church basement, one girl felt differently.
“Angie hopes you find the answers you seek, Himiko-chan! Remember though, Kami-sama might just smite you down if you aren’t careful! Even as powerful as he is, he doesn’t take threats lightly.” Setting down a small stack of books and clapping her hands together to brush off the dust, Angie took a step back towards the door. “Oh, and lock up when you’re done, okay? Technically Angie isn’t supposed to leave anyone alone here.”
“Yeah, got it. I’ll be sure to take care of everything.”
“In that case, good night!”
Just like that, she was gone. Himiko stayed where she was and waited until the patter of Angie’s footsteps faded out entirely, leaving only silence behind. It was a little creepy alone in a church at night, she had to admit. Best friend or not, Angie’s religious devotion was unnerving even in the daylight. Himiko was more interested in other aspects of the arcane. Things that wouldn’t be taken so lightly if discovered. For the experiments she wanted to perform, the church basement was safer than her apartment in more ways than one.
Summoning a demon was risky at best.
She already had the proper page marked. The candles were lit. The offerings were nearly ready. The demon — whose name in the book was an illegible scrawl, written in a language Himiko had never seen before — would appear or they wouldn’t. Her years of study had convinced her that these creatures were out there, lurking beyond the boundaries of normal human perception, but if she was wrong, this would be the time for that to be proven too.
Her hand trembled as she flicked the light switch off, plunging the room into dim candlelight.
The shakiness made it more difficult to draw blood, scarlet droplets scattering onto the page she was reading from as much as into the bowl they were meant for.
This was an academic experiment, yes, but it was a deeper part of her that would be devastated if it failed. A part of her that thought someone non-human might provide the kind of companionship and understanding she’d always lacked. Angie was sweet, but she couldn’t honestly say they saw eye to eye.
She carried on with the ritual, occasionally glancing around the darkened room to look for any changes. Nothing.
“Maybe...this isn’t going to work,” Himiko said softly to herself, gaze dropping to her own bloodied arm. “Maybe everyone’s right. If demons exist, we don’t really know how to summon them. Not anymore. They aren’t coming.”
Visually, not a single thing changed after she said that. She was alone. From the emptiness, though, an unknown voice made itself heard.
“Not coming? But I am already here. You humans really are blind.” A whispery chuckle followed those words, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
“What? Who said that?” She turned, fumbling for the lights.
“Yumeno Himiko, I have answered your call. It’s been many years since a mortal last pulled me from the depths, but I am, as always, delighted to serve.” Though the voice was disembodied, not providing any visual clues to help her, she could clearly imagine an evil, toothy grin, like a monster waiting for its prey.
Ignoring the stinging pain still shooting up her arm from the ceremonial cut, she finally slammed her hand against the light switch, bathing the room in brightness. The sudden change made her eyes water, but even before she adjusted, she could tell it did nothing to illuminate her new companion’s location.
“Further introductions are in order, aren’t they?” the voice continued. “Demons’ true names tend to be a struggle for such limited creatures to pronounce, so I took the liberty of selecting a human name for myself a few centuries ago. I am Shinguuji Korekiyo.”
Taking a few steps over to the counter, Himiko grabbed the bandage she’d prepared and pressed it to her arm.
“Um, that’s nice, but...would you mind being...visible, Shinguuji-sama?” she asked meekly, being as polite and deferental as she possibly could. It was beginning to occur to her that she might be in over her head.
“Ah. Yes.” Just like that, she was suddenly aware of a presence behind her. Before she could turn to look, she could feel something brushing against the back of her neck. Someone’s nails? They felt sharper than that though, more like claws. A shiver running down her spine, Himiko tensed, feeling unnaturally warm fingertips graze along her pulse point. The heat wasn’t only coming from their hand though. It seemed to radiate from their entire body, like she was standing in front of a fire. Like if she leaned just a little closer, it might devour her.
After a moment, the hand retreated. She turned, and in the half second it took, they were no longer right behind her. Instead, she saw a figure leaning almost lazily against the opposite wall. For the most part, they appeared human. Lanky and incredibly tall, the way they held themself betrayed strength far beyond what their build might suggest. The mask covering most of their face made it impossible to know whether the smile she imagined was truly present, but the sparkle in their eyes suggested it might well be.
“Thank...you...” she croaked, not wanting to say anything that might make this demon — because yes, it was abundantly clear they were one, appearances aside — upset with her.
“Humans can be broken so easily,” Shinguuji mused. “Both physically and mentally. I’d almost forgotten how entertaining it is. Now, tell me, what is it you summoned me for?”
“To prove I could, I guess. That was part of it, anyway. And to learn from you. Studying magic on my own isn’t the same as having a master. And the third reason, I guess, is just...companionship.” Arm nicely wrapped now, she had no excuse to look anywhere but at them, though her face was burning with embarrassment.
“Study? Well, perhaps you’re smarter than you seem choosing me then. I’m partial to research myself. I do hope we can have some fun outside the classroom too, however.” Himiko knew without a doubt then, mask or not. They were definitely grinning, almost leering.
“What kind of fun do you mean?”
Moving closer again, they replied, “Shall we kill together? There must be people you want gone, yes? I can make quick work of them.”
That sent a chill down her spine, canceling out the pleasant remnants of warmth almost immediately. She was no idiot, of course. She understood that demons were violent by nature. But she didn’t call them for anything like that. They...couldn’t insist that she help them get that kind of ‘fun,’ could they?
“What? No. I don’t want to hurt anyone,” she said, pretending she couldn’t hear her own voice shaking. “Sure, there’s people I don’t get along with, but killing? And...besides, should you really be saying things like that in a church?” Himiko didn’t believe, especially not in Angie’s god, but it seemed as good an excuse as any.
“I don’t fear gods,” Shinguuji said dismissively. “They have no power over me. If you’re so against the idea of people getting hurt, you should have thought twice before summoning a demon. My kind isn’t meant to linger in the mortal world for long without reason, and it’s been so many years since I was last given a chance to...sate my appetite.”
“No, we can’t,” she repeated. She could hear the glee in their voice, like they were enjoying not only the prospect of murder, but the experience of winding her up over it. She was probably giving them exactly what they wanted, but she couldn’t help it.
“Well, if you’re so steadfast in your beliefs...I could always kill you instead, yes? We signed no formal contract. I’m under no obligation to keep you safe.”
In that moment, she was acutely aware of everything around her. The occasional flicker and buzz of the fluorescent lights, the musty basement smell of the air, and more than anything, the imposing presence across from her. If they really wanted to kill her, there would be nothing stopping them. But they were just watching her — beautiful, dangerous, and all too satisfied with themself.
Shinguuji laughed, closing the remaining distance between them. A hand cupped her chin, gently guiding her to meet their eyes. They were a brighter, more intense amber than she’d ever seen in a human being.
“Flattering me to keep yourself alive? Well well, that’s one way to go about it. I’m pleased to hear that you find me so beautiful.”
“I didn’t say that!” Their grip, if it could even be called that, was exceedingly light. It wouldn’t be remotely difficult to pull away and avert her eyes, but she didn’t. She was captivated.
“You didn’t need to. You thought about it. So then, what will it be? I have no real need to kill you, not when I can gain energy from you in other ways. And you’re so entertaining besides. If you’d simply allow me to possess you, you would have access to power beyond your wildest dreams.”
“And what’s the catch? There’s no way something that lets you...feed on my energy doesn’t have any negatives.” She chose not to comment on just how close they were now. The warmth of a lithe, not quite human body pressed against her own was oddly comforting.
“There is no catch. However, if it would make you feel better, I’d be willing to write up a formal contract.”
“I’ll look at it then,” she said grudgingly, one of her own arms starting to slip around them in return. “But before that, no weird possession or mind control or anything. And no murder.”
“Mm, I’ll make you fall in love with it yet. Perhaps when we seal our contract with a kiss?”
“We don’t need to do that.”
Shinguuji laughed, once again backing off from the overly intimate invasion of her personal space. “Indeed we don’t. But don’t let it be said that I didn’t offer.”
“Let’s just go home for now. People won’t notice that you’re not human, will they?” Maybe, just maybe, she’d end up taking them up on it.
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drumboydowoon · 4 years
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Woof Woof | Stray Kids Au
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Chapter Four / Too Many Convenient and Awkward Run Ins
Werewolf!Chan au
Warning / language
Words / 5.3K+
Masterlist
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What did you get yourself into this time…?
The question repeats itself over and over again. There’s no point in trying to make sense of it. Maybe if you give yourself some time, the pieces will magically fall into place and everything will become clear somehow. All you want to do right now is wash the dirt and crunched up leaves out of your hair. 
Unfortunately, this isn’t where you normally live, so you have none of your own products to use. Now you get to use the men’s shampoo and body wash, which is even more unfortunate. You can only hope the musky smell isn’t overpowering for people to notice. 
Lost in your own world while washing out the soap, you don’t register the first knock on the door. It’s not until the second louder knock, that you jump and your foot slips on the wet tile. A yelp escapes you as you lose balance. Thankfully, you’re smart enough to grab onto the rail attached to the wall, or you might have had a painful accident. By the time you steady yourself, your heart is racing in your chest.
“Are you okay??” Chan’s unwelcomingly familiar voice calls from the other side of the bathroom door, which you instantly recognize as his. What’s worse than having a heart attack because someone caught you off guard while you’re just trying to get clean? Having Chan being the someone catching you off guard. 
Shakily, you pull back the shower curtain so he can hear you from outside the streaming water, “Yes?” you answer, thinking you’re probably okay, but the hesitance in your tone tells you otherwise. This already feels like it’s going to be weird. 
“You kinda left in a hurry, so I uhm… figured you might need a towel and some new clothes,” he guesses, not exactly knowing what to say. Not only is talking to someone through a door awkward enough, but it’s extremely awkward talking to the person, who just found out you’re a supernatural being.
Ever since he woke up, his mind has been foggy with flashes of hazy memories resurfacing slowly, but surely. Not everything is entirely clear, but he can piece how things may have gone down last night. The worst image he can remember is you in the middle of the woods, desperately scampering away from him. For some awful reason, he remembers seeing the fear on your face. 
He’s felt guilty ever since he started to recall some of the previous night’s events, and now he has no clue how to act. Well, he’s never known how to act around you in the first place since you’ve never been close with each other. All hopes of getting to know each other though, are probably thrown out the window now that you might end up hating them all. 
You furrow your brow. Honestly, you hadn’t even thought about asking for any of those things. That was the last thing on your mind at the time. An odd pause later, you finally respond to him, “A-alright, just leave them outside the door please....” There’s no way in hell that you’re going to open the door for him. 
There’s some shuffling around on his end, then a second later he calls out to you again, “Okay!” You figure that he must have set the clothes down onto the ground by now. He’s still standing outside, mustering up the courage to keep talking, “Do you need anything else?” he asks, wondering if he’s forgetting anything, even though you never asked him to bring anything to you in the first place. 
You shake your head before you realize that he can’t see you and that he actually needs to hear you. “Nope! All good,” you rush out a little too quickly and you cringe at it. Can you be anymore obvious?
“Alright, I’m just gonna go then...” he mumbles, but it’s loud enough that you can still hear it through the door that separates you. He stays in place for a second longer, waiting for he doesn’t even know what until he shakes it off and heads off. As he leaves, he murmurs curses to himself and repeats all the embarrassing things he said. 
Mentally, you sigh in relief when you hear his footsteps fading down the hall. To be honest, you’re not sure how much longer you can keep calm (even though earlier interactions proved you weren’t calm at all). But you’ve managed to not make a run for it so far. It’s surprising, really. You know that the newfound discoveries are something to frighten, but there’s so much going on, you can’t feel scared at all. The fight or flight response has disappeared and you wish it would return from holiday. Because then at least you wouldn’t feel the searing hot fumes going through your mind. 
The boys have been acting completely different from last night and are actually being quite normal. It’s good to see, but you still can’t shake off the fact that they still hurt and, most importantly, lied to you. Yes, you’re still worried, but that does not overweigh the feeling of betrayal and many other words to describe how utterly infuriated and upset you are. 
Finally turning off the shower, you ring the water out of your hair and step out. Hastily, you walk over to the door while the cool air breezes against your body, making you shiver with each step. When you open the bathroom door, you glance down both ends of the hall to make sure no one’s in sight. When the coast is clear, you slip the clothes and fluffy towel inside the bathroom. 
It doesn’t take very long to dry off and get dressed. The clothes feel baggy and much bigger than your normal clothes. The orange-red flannel stops midway down your thighs while the sleeves conceal any evidence of you having hands. And the sweats you’re wearing are barely being held up by the pull string you’ve had to really tighten around your waist.
Whoever’s clothes these may be, should really get some clothes that actually fit them. You know for a fact that none of these boys are wearing clothes this big. They’re all tiny. The only exception would be Hyunjin, but you know damn well that he doesn’t live here, so he’s out of the picture. 
Once you finish getting dressed, you cautiously step out of the bathroom and check to see if anyone is around. Once you see that you are clear from any surprises, you make your way down the hallway. Just as you’re about to turn a corner that would lead you to the stairs, someone else rounds the corner as well, scaring you perfectly half to death. A yelp escapes you for probably the hundredth time this morning, but you quickly shut yourself up by covering your mouth. 
The two of you don’t collide into each other, thankfully. He manages to hit the brakes before he could send one of you, or both of you, crashing down. You look up, and your eyes widened. Chan stands in front of you with a grimace as he stammers for an apology for multiple evident reasons. Both of you are standing in such close proximity that at some point, he accidentally swipes up his hand to push back his hair because that’s what boys do when they’re nervous wrecks, which ends up brushing against your stomach and over the scars hiding underneath the clothing. 
The sudden touch makes you wince a gasp because of the stinging sensation that follows afterwards. Chan’s not even sure what he did, but he’s profusely letting another round of apologies fall from his mouth. Then it occurs to him that he might’ve touched some kind of injury or something sensitive, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to. I-I” it takes a moment and a deep breath to calm himself down. All while you’re just standing there, awkwardly avoiding eye contact with him. 
He sighs to himself, “God, I’m probably scaring you right now… Good job…” he mumbles mostly to himself while rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
That wasn’t entirely true. In fact, it was more funny than anything seeing him get so flustered. Yet you still can’t shake off that certain feeling and you can’t drop your guard quite yet. So instead of laughing like you would’ve had if this was a normal circumstance (which it is not) your gaze drops to the floor and your mouth keeps itself in a thin line. 
Chan mutters a few more things to himself that are undecipherable before finally settling down. “Are you okay?” he calmly asks with a soft voice, much different than the one he used when asking if you were dead when he scared the shit out of you earlier. You only nod in response, watching your shoes kick at the air. His tone is sympathetic, “I saw the scratches earlier... Here, let me help you clean them. You don’t wanna get them infected,” he says, ready to grab your arm and drag you away. 
Your mind immediately goes into overdrive and forces panic down your throat. Before he could pull you away, you take a step back and give him a deadly, shaking look. For a moment, the briefest expression of hurt crosses his face, but he brushes it off just as fast. “At least get Minho or Ji to clean them out…” he says, somewhat disappointed, “I mean it when I say that they’ll get infected,” he states. He stands there a second longer than he should’ve, but he needs to make sure you know that he’s serious. Then moments later, he walks past you, seemingly eager to get out of that weird situation. 
You huff as soon as he leaves. A heavy weight lounges around your chest, feeling guilty that you brushed him off like that. Then again, this is the same guy who pinned you to a tree and was almost about to make you into a chew toy. You had every right to be wary of him touching you. 
So with that in mind, you march downstairs and make your way to the kitchen, where two of your non-wolf friends would hopefully be. You decide that it’s best to take Chan’s advice and get one of the boys to help you disinfect your wounds, or who knows what will happen. Besides, it’s not like you can do it when you get back to campus, or you are sure your roommate will have a bucket load of questions to shoot at you. 
When you arrive at the kitchen, Jisung’s the only one there. He sits alone at the table, staring off into space with his pink sleeve covered hand holding his chin. He snaps out of his thoughts when he hears your footsteps coming closer. Perking up, he stands from his chair and almost knocks it backwards. “F-feel better now?” he asks as a conversation starter, ignoring how he almost tipped over the furniture. 
“Somewhat,” you answer half-heartedly. Jisung nods his head in thought, seemingly getting lost in his own world again. Before he dazes off again, you speak up, “You guys wouldn’t happen to have any peroxide or rubbing alcohol, would you?” 
His face scrunches up, “Why do you need that?” 
Rolling your eyes, you lazily lift the baggy shirt you’re wearing to reveal your waist and stomach littered with marks. Jisung’s eyes almost pop out of his head, “Oh my god! That looks fucking gross!” His eyes continue to wander over the terrain of your skin, scanning over the thin, yet long, narly tears in your skin like it's the latest attraction. 
“Not like you look any better, scar face,” you let go of the bundle of cloth and let the shirt drop back down while giving Jisung the finger. Sighing, you run a hand through your wet hair, “I don’t even remember getting these.” A lot happened, so there’s probably a lot of other things that escaped your memory.
Jisung continues to look down at your, now covered torso, in thought, “Hold on, I think I remember where we put the band aids and stuff. One sec,” he mumbles, stalking off towards one of the many cabinets behind the kitchen counter. He digs through them until he finds just what he’s looking for. He bundles up a few items in his arms and carries them back to the table, letting them all fall from his hold at once. 
He holds up a brown bottle of peroxide, shaking it towards you while he raises his other hand with some dressings, “You do me, I do you?” he puffs out his bottom lip, where there’s an obvious crack. For a second you stare, then shrug because there’s no harm in fixing his fucked up face that’s trashed with both gashes and a bit of blooming purple bruising. 
The two of you both move the chairs so you’re facing each other. First you open up the brown bottle and dip in a q-tip that Jisung brought in his little bundle, and dip it in. After you wet it, Jisung follows suit, and wets a cloth instead. He reaches for the edge of your shirt, “Can I?” he asks. You simply nod, then he lifts part of the fabric just enough to reveal your wounds again. 
He’s first to feel the sting of the alcohol against his cheek. Flinching, he pulls back momentarily, but proceeds to do the same to you once he becomes used to the feeling of you touching him. Without fail, both of you grumble curses through the pain. And every few seconds one of you swears at the other for using too much pressure. 
During one particularly painful slap to the arm because Jisung couldn’t stop squirming, Minho steps into the room, watching the both of you with a weird mix of amusement and confusion. He announces his presence by clearing his throat. Eyes snap to him like they’re children who were just caught doing something they shouldn’t be. 
“You’re looking awfully you again, Y/n,” he comments, noticing how you’ve significantly calmed down from your freak out earlier. He’s not sure if he should be thankful or concerned about the sudden shift. You agree with him. It’s strange. Maybe this is what “being in shock” means. 
“What? Rather me scream and cuss at you for leaving me down in the basement with a bunch of werewolves?” the word still feels foreign on your tongue, and it nearly makes you want to laugh just saying it. 
Both Minho and Jisung freeze in place, eyes bulging out of their sockets. You raise a brow at them, impatiently waiting for an explanation. That should’ve been the first thing you asked since crawling out of their basement, but it somehow slipped your mind when you panicked. Now that your mind is a little more aligned, you can properly question everything that has led to this moment, starting with an interrogation on why they thought it was a good idea to trap you with three very dangerous men without any precaution whatsoever. 
While their mouths gaped open, searching for a possible explanation like a bunch of fish out of water, two other bodies come rounding the corner seconds later. 
“You did WHAT?!” Chan’s voice squeaks as Hyunjin follows closely and just in as much shock as the elder. His mouth hangs open, lacking the ability to believe they actually did that. 
Adding more fuel to the already growing fire, Hyunjin points out, “You know… None of us were chained up like we were supposed to be when we woke up.” Crossing his arms across his chest, Hyunjin, along with you and Chan, look towards the two expectantly for a  good explanation. 
The duo in question are stunned in place, one stumbling for an explanation, while the other goes bug-eyed with no clue how to respond. Luckily, the latter’s silence doesn’t sit for long, which is really good for Minho. Jisung knows how to open his big mouth at the wrong times and right times. “Not like we had a choice since you wouldn’t let go of your brand new Y/n sized plushy...” he blurts out, mumbling the last part as he slowly begins to realize what he said. Immediately, Jisung shuts his mouth and finds the corner of the room far more interesting than this conversation. He can already feel the tension in the ever suffocating atmosphere.
Hyunjin bursts into laughter, and in that moment, Chan’s entire face lights up with embarrassment. The only thing he can manage to do is stare in disbelief since all forms of communications seemed to have completely shut down in that big brain of his.
Figuring it would be best if he tries to fix this mess, if only a little bit, Minho speaks up, “It’s not like we just left you down there without any precautions,” he assures you, “We obviously used the Diazepam, so you guys would stay down for the night. We’re not that stupid,” he says, sounding like he’s not entirely stupid. Keyword: sounding. Not too convincing. 
“So you were using drugs!” you exclaim at the fact that they told you many times that drugs weren’t the issue. 
Hyunjin groans, ignoring you all together “No wonder I feel like I have a hangover. How much did you use?”
“How much do you think it takes to knock out a super powered werewolf for the rest of the night?” Minho hints, letting him take a wild guess that they had to use a lot of the calming drug. 
Drugged or not, it doesn’t make it okay that two of your so called “friends” left you alone, in a basement, with werewolves (that you still can’t fully grasp the idea of). Something deep within the back of your mind stirs and it’s only getting hotter by the second. While the group of boys continue their heated debate about how they shouldn’t have let this happen in the first place, Hyunjin can’t help but think. This technically never would have happened if… 
Glancing over to you, Hyunjin calls attention to you and him, “We wouldn’t even be having this conversation right now if a certain someone never came over in the first place,” he notes while having absolutely no idea who you are. The most he remembers being told is that you’re a friend of theirs, but that’s all really. He didn’t care much when you became the topic of conversation since you sounded like such an utterly boring prude.
Suddenly all eyes are once again making their way back to you. You scoff at the accusation. It’s true. Maybe none of the night’s events would have happened if you never showed up, but you know full and well that they can’t entirely place fault on you. “Really? It’s not like I just decided to come over out of the blue! I literally asked Felix if I could come over, so I could give him the notes he missed in class, and he said it was fine!” you argue heatedly, “And like hell I was going to bike all the way out here in the middle of nowhere just to be ignored after I was told I could come over. Do you know how exhausting that is, especially after working for a few hours?!”
By the time you finish your rant, you’re out of breath. But most importantly, you’re pissed off. Looks of surprise run across their faces, which only serves as something to make you even more heated. Did Felix not say anything on purpose? Is that why he’s not in sight whatsoever? He probably didn’t want to face the consequences for being so dumb in the moment. Somewhere deep down though, you wish he was here too. But then again, you most likely would yell at him too.
There’s complete silence and you’re getting tired of the quiet. Giving up, you turn away and walk, beginning to head for the front door again. “I’m leaving,” you declare, each step you take leaves a stomp of many frustrations. 
That deep feeling at the back of your mind is on fire now, readying to explode at any moment. You thought that a shower would calm down your thoughts somewhat, and they did. But rather than being the awkwardly scared person you were before, you’re now seriously furious and lost. 
“Y/n,” Minho tries to call out to you, but you ignore him this time. You couldn’t even be bothered enough to tell them to fuck off. You pick up your bag that was left by the front door, and sling it over our shoulder.
At last, you’re able to open the front door without trouble. The cool breeze hits your face like a refreshing breath of air. Behind you, you can hear a few hushed whispers, but you ignore it. Just as you’re about to take your first step outside, a hand places itself on your shoulder, spinning you around to face Hyunjin’s glowering face, inches away from your own. 
He looks downright menacing with that resting bitch face. “You’re not going to tell anyone about this, are you?” he asks, sounding almost threatening. Something tells you that you better answer correctly, or you can expect not so good things in your near future. 
Taking a step back, you scoff while shoving his hold off of you. “Don’t touch me,” you hiss, giving him the glaring of a lifetime. 
“I don’t really know who you are, but if you’re really their friend, you’ll learn to keep your mouth shut,” he closes the distance between the two of you again. He stares down at you, not appreciating the sass you gave him at all. 
“Hyunjin, that’s enough,” Chan raises his voice from behind him. Arms crossed with authority. 
From Chan’s right, Jisung sees a figure quickly approaching. His mouth drops open, trying to find the words, but Hyunjin’s voice cuts through as he looks down at you like you’re nothing but a stain on his shoe. “You know what happens when you tell friend’s secrets, right? They always-”
Before Hyunjin can even finish, he’s yanked away from you, leaving nothing but a gust of air in his absence. Suddenly, his body is slammed into the wall next to you with none other than Felix pinning him against it with his arm holding down his chest. “Chan said that’s enough,” he warns, his voice deep and vibrating. It’s surprising to see Felix. He’s the last person you expected to come to your rescue. You thought for sure that he would never show his face to you again. 
All Hyunjin does is stare back defiantly, like he’s holding back a storm of anger. After a few seconds of heavy breathing and awkward silence, Hyunjin rolls his eyes, shoving the younger away, “Whatever. I’m getting my shit and going home. If she peeps a word, we’re done for. I hope you all realize that,” he advises, looking between the only other two werewolves in the room. 
Felix takes a step back to allow the other to move past. The only cost for Hyunjin’s safe passage upstairs is the dark looks looming in the eyes of all watching him stomp away.  Felix watches him walk until he’s completely out of sight. When he turns back to the group, he avoids everyone’s stares, opting to look anywhere but you or the others. 
“I think I should get going,” you say, breaking the tension to focus it all back onto you again. You turn to leave again. Just as you take a step outside, Chan calls out to you one last time, “He’s right, you know? Please don’t mention this to anyone.” 
Unlike Hyunjin, Chan’s words don’t feel like a threat, but rather a request. There’s really no need to sound so pleading. To be entirely truthful, you’re still sorting your thoughts. Besides, who would you even tell that would actually believe you? Werewolves? If you even brought it up, you’d for sure be labeled as the town’s crackcase. Even if you did have someone who believed you, what would be the point? Sure you were banged up a bit, but you’re not dead yet. 
“Don’t worry. My mouth is sealed,” you sigh, surprised that any one of them were able to hear it. Felix, who is looking like a kicked puppy, perks up the slightest, yet he still refuses to look into your eyes. Not wanting to talk anymore, you finally take another step forward to begin your long journey back home. 
As you walk toward the front gate, you happen to come across your now totally wrecked bike. The poor thing has dents in it that make it nearly unrideable. But if there’s a will, there’s a way. So with very poor judgement, and after walking it past the iron gate, you hop on the crooked seat and pedal, hoping that the frame doesn’t crush underneath you. It would be very unfortunate if your trusty steed gave up on you now.
It takes some time before you reach sweet civilization again. All werewolf and liar thoughts are far from your mind and where you abandoned them. The only thing on your brain is how you’ve never appreciated the warmth and softness of your shitty mattress until now. You miss it dearly, even if it does give you back problems. 
As your bike wobbles down the road, and you earn a few stares from passerbyers, you pass by your work. Mentally, you thank the almighty force above that you don’t have to work tonight. You’re not sure you could handle the stress of having to deal with the fact that you’re friends with a dog, along with some petty teenagers trying to prove that they’re 21 with those baby faces of theirs. It’s a cute attempt, but it never works. 
By the time you finally make it back to your dorm, your legs are exhausted and you feel like your entire body is weighing you down. Usually you would take the stairs to get to your room, so you can avoid the awkwardness of being in a full elevator with a bunch of girls who are trying to sneak out their boyfriends (very poorly done by the way). 
When you open the door to your shared room, you are almost immediately bombarded with the smell of heavy perfume. It’s not a terrible smell. There’s just too much of it. 
“Jesus, what are you trying to do? Smoke out the whole building?” you ask as you step into the room. You shrug off your bag and toss it onto your bed along with the rest of your body. A heavy sigh leaves you as you rejoice that you’re finally home. 
Your roommate, and somewhat close friend, Yerim, rolls her eyes. She doesn’t even bother to look at you, instead she finishes painting the cherry lipstick on her lips, “Nice to see you’re back,” she comments, “Did you have fun at your boyfriend’s last night?” she asks, putting the cap back onto the tube and placing it down on her desk. 
“First of all, Felix isn’t my boyfriend. That would be like dating my brother, and that’s a disgusting thought. Secondly, how did you know that’s where I was?” 
Yerim snorts, “You somehow knew exactly who I was talking about,” she laughs a little more, “I just figured you would go where you always go. It’s not like you actually do much.” Ah, her deduction skills are on point as always. 
You raise a brow at her through the mirror she’s looking at. Her vanity is covered with different products and a few stray pencils and pens. In front of her sits a laptop, playing some news channel as her white noise. Honestly, Yerim is probably one of the prettiest girls you know. Whether she’s bare faced or covered in makeup, she still manages to turn heads in her direction. Maybe you would envy her if she didn’t have every guy that comes into contact with her, hit on her and try to get a number. Sounds too annoying to deal with. 
“What about the other ones? I’m sure that dude… what’s his name again? Minjun? Mingi??” she tuts out her lip, trying to remember the name, “The one who acts like a cat.”
It’s sad that she can’t remember your friend’s names, but it’s even sadder that you know exactly who she’s referring to. “Minho?” you finally throw her the bone. 
“Yeah him! Anyways, I think he’s into you, isn’t he?” she asks, clearly unaware of your distaste of dating any one of your friends. 
Groaning, “He’s not my boyfriend either, and he’s not into me either.” You’re quick to shut down any of that kind of conversation. Not only is it weird to think about your friends like that, but also because you rather avoid talking about them all together. “Can we talk about something else? Like why are you getting all dressed up all of a sudden?” Changing the subject to make it about her is the only way to escape the awkwardness of boys. 
“Me? Well, would you be surprised if I said I had a date?” 
“Nope. Not at all-”
“We’re now at the scene, where the body was found in Blackbear Park. It was found earlier this morning when a jogger ran past it and saw the mauled body hidden behind a tree. We are unsure of what the cause is, but the police are suspecting an animal wandered from the surrounding forest and attacked the unidentified person late last night,” the reporter’s voice broadcasts throughout the room, being much more than just simple white noise. It cuts through any talk and focuses all attention onto the information being spread.
Yerim finally looks down at her laptop to watch the report. There’s a small frown on her lips, “That sounds awful, dear god. Hey, didn’t you pass that park on your way back?” Looking away from the laptop, she faces you with a questioning gaze. 
That does sound terrible. The thought is too gruesome for your liking. You sit up a little, bending your elbows behind you, “No, I went a different way so I wouldn’t get caught up with all the traffic. I guess it’s a good thing I went that way.” A really good thing. You could only imagine the amount of people and officers surrounding the scene. Being caught up is the last thing you need to top off the day. 
Yerim nods thoughtfully, “That’s good. I’m glad that you got back safe. Who knows what I would do if you were to get eaten by a bear. Who would be my wing woman then?” she sighs, staring at you for a second. She can’t hold her expression of seriousness for long, and she ends up giggling. You take hold of one of the pillows on your bed and throw it in her direction, causing her to raise her arms and protect herself from the attack, “Hey! I don’t think you realize how much time I wasted trying to get these wings to look even!” she shrieks, pointing to her winged eyeliner. 
Chuckling, you roll over to your side to cuddle into your sheets. “Thanks for caring about me so much,” the sarcasm couldn’t be more obvious. It almost feels nice having a normal conversation. Laughing right now is a little strange, but you’re glad Yerim was able to take your mind off all the madness, even if it is for a moment. 
The older girl scoffs, “Just for that, I’m going to ask about the boy clothes you’re wearing. So which guy is it from, hm?” she teasingly hints. 
“Oh my god shut up,” you groan into the mattress.
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verobatto · 4 years
Text
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Or the second chance?
Supernatural meta. Meta spec. TFW meta. 15x15 spoiler.
Hello everyone! I'm gonna try to convey here this episode.
If you want to read the Destiel meta, you can find it here.
Cas and Jack, angels are watching over us
Cas and Jack faced the lowest of humanity in this episode. Castiel repeated one learned lesson from the Winchesters when he recalled that quote "Humans can be the worst monsters".
Gif credit @shirtlesssammy 👇
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But coming around a shelter, in which innocent people just was looking for help and being listened, and also, searching his faith, was the way Davey Perez wanted to show us hope.
Castiel and Jack saved those people's day, and making miracles healing them, and facing their own selves.
The weight of the dialogues were very significative, and we had Jack learning in the process.
The murderer said "Put your faith on God, not in people." Is a voice that talks from the despair and anger.
She was the one making justice with her own hand, but becoming a killer in the process.
Another deep quote was said by the Pastor: A saint is a sinner that keeps trying. That's what we call hope.
At the beginning of the episode, there was a homeless, dirty woman, waiting for her food in the shelter, and the Pastor stopped the first victim from taking her out. He said they have spirit and mercy.
Jack asked the Pastor for an advice, the Nougat boy wanted to know the recipe to reunite so many different people with different thoughts and religion under the same roof. That's God's work, basically, and I think Jack will be the one with that mission.
We had also Castiel's confession, and it was beautiful. He showed us in his speech how much he had changed and how much he had grown up. He recalled his old self, like someone with blind faith, just following orders. He described how he had been lost, without any hopes or propose. Then he mentioned a wonderful person that changed that. (He didn't said Dean, but we all know Dean was the one that cause the angel to take the decision of his life). But he continued, and that person had been the one that brought back his faith (this is Jack), he became a father (thanks to Jack). So he made a journey around his own life, and the persons that changed him. But it caught my attention that when the Pastor discovered he was an angel, Cas said he wasn't a very good one, like, he still feeling bad with himself. And that's not good. We know Cas takes bad decision when he is depressed...
But, at the end of his speech, Castiel indirectly says, his faith is on Jack too, just like Dean and Sam professed in the previous episode.
Jack is the balance, and he doesn't have to fight alone.
Another interesting thing related with previous episode was Cas saying Jack doesn't have to fight alone. And the kid immediately changed his facial expression, because the real plan is he dying and killing Chuck and Amara. The ultimate sacrifice for humanity (Just like Jesus Christ). And if you remember in 15x14, we had the second chance, with Dean pressing the reset button with a hammer, justice. And I said, Jack won't be alone in his fight against Chuck, Dean will help, they will have a second chance. So, is very probable they come out with a second plan, against Death whishes, of course.
When Dean and Sam talk with Amara, the Darkness named the meaning of the balance: they're twins, one is the CREATION and the other is the DESTRUCTION, and if you recall my meta about Hindi God's, Jack is related with Shiva (who had a snake in his neck) and Shiva is the god that destroys the world and rebuilds it, making all things new. So Jack/Shiva is the balance. Because he can do both. He is also the Light (archangel) and the darkness (son of Lucifer). So, who else?
Human Sin, Divine Justice
Dean confessed to Amara he was furious with Chuck and all the cosmic creatures playing their games and playing with their lives, and that's what made Amara to think about helping them.
Also because he said : I WOULD NEVER HURT YOU, which is truth, because he will wait Jack would kill her, but...
This episode talked about ANGER too.
The disturbed girl was willing to kill each member of the church she considered was commiting an unforgivable sin. Taking god's justice in her hands, she meticulously prepared the torture for their victims.
The sins are not the capital sins, but are linked to Chuck and the boys.
LIAR-GREED-LUST-ANGER-LACK OF FAITH
They could be seen as sins against the Saint Spirit, is christianity, but there's a lot of more.
The number 3 was important in this episode too, it represents GOD and perfection, and the search of it, as a propose for those who want to be saints.
The girl said her mother died 3 years ago, and then she gave her victims three hour between finger and finger cut.
She played to be God here, and is a reflection of the cosmic creatures playing with humans, expressed by Dean in his meeting with Amara. The cause of his anger.
It showed the lowest and darkness of humanity, but we also had Castiel and Jack saving them, and Castiel healing them. Like the light that shines in the middle of the dark. There's hopes, my friend.
Note: And what about this Zak demon and the whole new rules in hell? And why he took the killer at the end of the episode? That's the way demons harvest souls now? Everyone needs to go to where they belong??? Mmmmmh. I'm getting crazy ideas here...
But I have to stop.
To Conclude:
This was a deep episode, in which we faced the darkness of humanity, and the Darkness itself hehehe.
There's hints that shows the plan they have is not gonna be the one that succeed.
They will have a second chance in which Dean will be protagonist.
Jack is the balance and could replace not just Chuck but Amara too.
It was very interesting the way Amara and Dean brought back Mary Winchester, she came to make Dean grow up, to mourn about her childhood mother, as I said a lot of times in my metas from season 14. And it was necessary Amara to point this to him, because that wound is still open. So, the acknowledgement of that will mean to Dean to finally face himself, his truth, his fears. He needs to eat his vegetables, as Mrs. Butters said.
Hope you enjoy this mess! See you in the next episode!
@asphodelesauvage @2musiclover2
Tagging @metafest @gneisscastiel @emblue-sparks @magnificent-winged-beast @weird-dorky-little-deana @michyribeiro @whyjm @legendary-destiel @a-bit-of-influence @thatwitchydestielfan @misha-moose-dean-burger-lover @lykanyouko @evvvissticante @savannadarkbaby @dea-stiel @mybonsai1976 @anarchiana @angelwithashotgunandtrenchcoat @trashblackrainbow @destielshipper221b @mishtho @dancingtuesdaymorning @feathered-castiel @bre95611 @zoerayne2426 @justmeand-myinsight @that-one-fandom-chick @proccastinate @studio-hatter @pepevons @poorreputation @mrsaquaman187 @dizzypinwheel @jawnlockwinchester @dwstiel @thislunarkiss @ladygon @shippsblog @la-random-fangirl @lets-try-this-again-please @spnsmile @mychemicalobsession514 @destiel-shipper-11
Buenos Aires, October 16th 2020, 1:33 AM
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itsclydebitches · 3 years
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RWBY Recaps: Volume 8 “Strings”
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Happy Saturday, RWBY friends! I am, quite obviously, going to dive into the recap in just a moment, but first I wanted to take a short detour to discuss the elephant in the tumblr room. Namely, Supernatural.
For those of you out of the loop, the tl;dr is that a fifteen year, beloved show ended with a truly horrendous finale. Specifically, the finale rejected everything that the show had been building towards: the logical conclusion to character arcs, the theme that “family don’t end in blood,” the potential for a queer romantic relationship… I could go on. The point I want to make is that the fandom had every reason to believe we’d be getting these things. This isn’t a case of fans upset that the finale didn’t go the way they wanted as an individual viewer, but rather that the finale didn’t go the way the show clearly and explicitly said it would. It’s not an exaggeration to say that in many respects, viewers were straight up lied to.
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(I recommend reading the reviews.) 
What does this all have to do with RWBY? Well, I can’t help but think that history is repeating itself. Certainly there are some notable similarities between the two series. Both have long, meandering plotlines with no clear end in sight (though I hope RWBY doesn’t reach the 15 Volume mark…). Both began with a small, core cast, but quickly expanded—generating the expectation that these now equally important characters will be given their due. Both have moved from the small conflict of fighting everyday monsters to a god-based mythology. Both have a popular queer relationship dangled in front of the viewers, featuring scenes where they’re “obviously” in love… but will it ever be confirmed? Both have a fanbase that says loudly and confidently that the writers know what they’re doing. Just wait! It’s all been planned! We’ll be rewarded for our patience and soon all the naysayers will be proven wrong.
Thing is, the Supernatural fandom wasn’t rewarded. Right up until a week ago those fans—myself included—had faith that the writers knew what they were doing because they can’t really be that out of touch with their own story...right? It’s not possible. Yet they were, it was, and now that I’ve gotten solid proof of precisely how far a show can go to reject its own logic, themes, and premise, that just makes me more wary of RWBY’s mistakes. Before I had a solid faith that things couldn’t possibly get that bad, that no matter how much RWBY might be messing up in the short term, it will undoubtedly pull it together overall, because what show wouldn’t? Especially a show with such promise and, at times, wonderful storytelling. Well, Supernatural didn’t manage it and frankly I’m not sure what to do with that information.
Seriously. I don’t have any grand conclusion here. It’s not my intention to suggest that anyone should stop watching RWBY, or to claim that it will absolutely fail because Supernatural did. Obviously, we don’t know what will happen until we get to see it in the show. I only want to acknowledge these parallels and the similar journey I see both fanbases on. I can’t help but wonder if, a couple years from now, RWBY fans will be making incredibly optimistic posts about how it’s all coming together, just have some faith, everyone who says that the group won’t get a satisfying ending, or Blake and Yang won’t be confirmed are just mean trolls… only to wake up that Saturday morning and get another metaphorical slap in the face.
It’s something to think about.
But here I’ve spent a page talking about the wrong show. Let’s get into the episode!
We open on a black screen with lots of ambiguous noises. At first I thought this was Oscar struggling in the Hound’s grip or something, but then I remembered that RWBY likes to insert an episode between cliffhangers. I watched Ironwood (presumably) shoot a guy and he only came back this week (though that question still isn’t answered. At this point I kind of wonder if it will be). Oscar was kidnapped last week, which means we won’t get to see him until next week. Or… two weeks from now? RT skips the week of Thanksgiving, don’t they? Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Something horrible happens to Oscar and we need to wait two weeks to find out how it’s resolved. 
Watch him escape the Hound off screen and return to the group with a new outfit 😂
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So it’s not Oscar we hear, but Ruby, the last one coming out of the tube. Weiss is in the process of pulling Nora’s ear for that stunt… with a frankly strange looking hand. What’s up with RWBY animating weird hands lately? I’m pretty sure that’s not how anatomy works.
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Anyway, Nora counters that this was a “Once in a lifetime experience,” but they were all going to go through the tubes regardless. Weiss isn’t pissed that you sent her through, she’s pissed that you did it unexpectedly when she was alone, heading into enemy territory. But of course, there’s no one in the room to hinder them, so the mistake is meaningless.
We’re setting the tone again though. For the first half of this episode everything is sunshine and giddy adventure, which doesn’t fit the situation at all. It also creates emotional whiplash when I’m suddenly supposed to be super worried about things later on. This sort of about-face works once in a blue moon, as an emotional punch, like we see in Mulan: 
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But RWBY does it every other episode, which makes the overall tone of the series confusing instead. Half the time RWBY feels like two different stories—the cartoony tale of girls going on fun adventures, and the traumatic tale of a fantasy war—that have been badly spliced together.
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“Alight, Robo-Girl, which way?” May asks and Penny demonstrates why she’s the best for sneaking into a facility. She’s able to map out the whole place, including seeing where everyone is so they can avoid detection. Kudos to RT for going this route. I was worried that they would have Ruby and the others straight up attacking Atlas grunts, knocking them out/potentially even killing them because who cares, right? They’re the bad guys! So I’m glad they’re working to get in and out undetected. Granted, we see in some places that they’re clearly willing to fight the soldiers if it comes to that—they’re reaching for their weapons when Penny opens the final door, expecting the room to be full of people. They were going to attack—but at least they’re trying to lessen that conflict as much as possible. That’s the sort of choice I expect to see from heroes and I’m glad we got it here. 
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After scouting the area Penny corrects May: “And my name is Penny,” to which Ruby gives a satisfied “Heh.” I’ve got no problem with Penny rejecting nicknames, even potentially well-meaning ones, because she’s always struggled with her status as a real girl and her name is her own. She gets to decide what others call her. I do, however, have a problem with making the presumed trans character the one who is corrected. Granted yes, we haven’t gotten confirmation in the show that May is trans, but RT doesn’t get to cash in on that rep without likewise suffering the consequences for how the character is treated. You’re telling me that a trans woman is going to roll her eyes when someone asks her to use a specific name? Please give May flaws, yes, she’s a person, but out of all the millions of flaws across the human spectrum, this is the one we’re shown? 
Not to mention Ruby’s continued attitude. It’s like, ‘Yeah, May. Stop being a horrible person who draws attention to the fact that Penny is a robot. I never did that.’ Except when Ruby first met her she didn’t know Penny was a robot. Just like she didn’t know Blake was a faunus—something we’re reminded of this episode. We might assume Ruby wouldn’t have ever made any missteps at the beginning of these relationships, but the fact remains that she got to know both girls before their minority status was ever revealed. Ruby loved them before she ever had to grapple with their differences. 
Put in her place, May then demonstrates that she can make lots of people invisible, not just herself. That’s handy. She creates an invisibility bubble that reminds me of Harry’s invisibility cloak. In the sense that others might not be able to see you, but they can still hear and touch you, which makes sneaking around still pretty challenging.
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No sooner have I thought that then two guards get into the elevator with them. The group keeps quiet as the duo discusses how no one can get close to Salem’s storm without “getting shocked right out of the air.” Interesting. And frankly one hell of a roadblock if the Hound escapes into the clouds. Oscar may be gone for a while if he doesn’t escape on his own... The woman also comments about how creepy it is that all the grimm are just hanging out, waiting. It’s “worse than if they’d attacked.”
No it’s not! RT, stop trying to implement the idea that Salem withholding her forces is some epically cool choice. She should have decimated everyone by now and the fact that she hasn’t just shows how transparent the problem is: you’ve created a villain that’s too powerful and now you don’t know what to do with her.
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As the group sneaks out of the elevator Nora grins and presses all the buttons, which is, as expected, a dumb move. They’re supposed to be sneaking into this base. If they’re caught they’re going to be thrown in jail at best, killed at worst, but Nora wants to risk that for a practical joke? Again and again we see this insistence on incorporating comedy where it’s not only unnecessary, but actively interferes with other aspects of the scene.
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Reaching a terminal, Penny inserts her finger and gains access via Pietro’s credentials. She’s really demonstrating this episode why she’s… pretty terrifying? I mean, Penny is an incredibly powerful fighter with a computer’s view of the world, access to everything in the most powerful Kingdom alongside its information, and she now has Maiden powers to boot. Which, I should add, it took her one fight to master (because remember, the heroes are now always as strong as they need to be to win…). Now that Watts is planning to hack her, I expect her to be an incredibly formidable enemy, just given the amount she could potentially do. I think Penny herself is too kind to exploit all that potential and as we’ll see via Pietro briefly taking control, she doesn’t always have the knowledge to use the tools at her disposal. But in the hands of someone like Watts? He’ll turn Penny into the ultimate weapon.
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Access granted, they learn that they have to go “Right through central command!” Of course, Penny makes it sound like a fun game and the spy-movie music/cartoon lecture doesn’t help. Again, tone. It’s adorable! It just doesn’t fit sneaking into a military base with your lives on the line while Salem waits outside. That was a RWBY Chibi moment. 
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Penny explains—twice—that Ruby can use her semblance to fly them all through central command and it’s treated like a revelation. At first, I was pretty confused because Ruby has been dong this for ages? She carried Weiss in “Argus Limited” and Nora during the Geist fight. But upon close inspection, what Penny seems to have “figured out” is that Ruby can carry multiple people at once because the “mass doesn’t matter.” Okay. Not a contradiction then, though I think RT could have made it a little more clear that Ruby was shocked at the idea of carrying multiple people, not carrying someone at all.
What I do take issue with though is Ruby mastering this skill instantaneously. I mean, why is Ruby being forced to try this on the fly (pun not intended)—Penny has known the layout of the building since they made this plan. She knew they had to get past central control and that it would be packed with people. She’s obviously thought about Ruby’s semblance a great deal—and why is she succeeding? Give me a Volume 7 where Ruby actually trains in this technique, set up via Harriet’s comment early on about her semblance, and then she’s victorious here when it finally matters. Or give me Ruby assuming she can pull off this incredibly difficult skill only to fall out of her semblance halfway through, a roomful of Atlas personnel staring at them. Then what? 
Not this.
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This is a character who does everything perfectly on the first try without ever having to fail. Ruby is boring like this.
Crisis averted, we transfer to Ironwood who is… working with Watts.
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What else is there to say? I’ve already laid out all the reasons why this is stupid and makes no sense. Others keep coming onto my posts to explain to me how Ironwood’s awful deeds up until now fully show his decent into villainy, conveniently ignoring the numerous limitations he was under and his choice to do what he thought was best for the world using inaccurate information. Ironwood was always a divisive character and many are happy to ignore the years’ worth of deconstruction done—a man who looks like the Evil Military General but actually isn’t—because they never liked him to begin with. Not liking him is fine, no one has to like any character, but I’m honestly shocked by the number of viewers who refuse to acknowledge how bad the writing is, even if it means defending a character they hate a teensy tiny bit (#SupernaturalVibes). As a friend put it, Ironwood now feels like a caricature of his former self, a Pure Evil Ironwood who appeared out of nowhere and is now here to stay. He shoots kids. He shoots unarmed civilians. He teams up with Salem’s men and tries to hack Penny. These are undeniably horrible acts, they’ve just been given to a character who never would have done them until RT randomly flipped the Evil switch.
The “RWBY” tag, alongside all the fluff moments of this episode, is now filled with posts encouraging Marrow to turn, yelling at the Ace Ops for being “bootlickers,” and capslock screaming at anyone who dared to speak up for Ironwood. It still sucks to have bad writing twisted into an attack on the fans and it’s going to continue to suck until at least the rest of Volume 8. I’d like to again remind everyone that Qrow teamed up with Tyrian a few episodes, yet because he’s again in Ruby’s graces, that was twisted into a ‘not that bad’ situation. The issue isn’t really that Ironwood is teaming up with one of Salem’s subordinates, but that he’s doing it to go against RWBYJNOR… the second a character teams up with Salem to get what Ruby wants (to not have her team in jail) then that’s totally fine… but that’s a wrinkle a lot of people are happy to ignore. 
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So yeah, Ironwood is an idiot now too. Like Qrow also was last Volume. He really thinks Watts isn’t going to betray him somehow? Although, I do wonder if the chance to ruin Pietro’s creation outweighs his loyalty to Salem, but the point is that Ironwood can’t be sure of that either. At least he’s smart enough to keep Watts under continuous guard. He puts his hand on Watts’ shoulders and goes, “I’d hate for us to have to try motivating you. Again.”
So he tortures people too now? Like I said, caricature. This was Ironwood and we were given no clear idea of where he disappeared to.
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RIP a great character.
Watts notices though that Pietro has apparently accessed a secure area and alerts Ironwood to it. I laugh that the information is just ¡EMERGENCY! In large, red letters. Ironwood immediately makes an announcement for everyone to be on guard. It’s a level 3 lockdown — that won’t impede the group leaving via airship! — and they’re to use “lethal force” if necessary. Weiss is disgusted.
As much as I disagree with making Ironwood into a shoot first, ask questions later kind of guy  — he’s definitely wrong to be doing this — I also find myself rolling my eyes at reactions like that. Yes, Weiss. You attacked four operatives until they were knocked unconscious. Prevented an entire city from escaping Salem’s wrath, endangering them all. Now you’re breaking into the most classified room in the Kingdom to steal an equally qualified project and use it for your own means. There’s no reason why Ironwood would level his might against you. Is death still an extreme response? Yes. Should Weiss be acting like Ironwood is crazy for responding to them in an extreme manner? No. Her remark makes it sound like Ironwood is attacking her poor, innocent, defenseless team… not the team that’s been lying to him, betraying him, attacking him, and stealing from him. Not the team carrying deadly weapons into a facility to take what they want at any cost. 
With their presence known, May wants to go grab an airship. That’s the series now.
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Meanwhile, Penny insists that they can still complete their mission and we see Nora come up with some sort of plan. 
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Except, what plan was this?? What did she say to the group? ‘Hey, let’s wait around until some guy conveniently walks by with a full cup of coffee. Then we can trip him and the mug will fly alllll the way across this gap to land on a terminal, startling at least two workers. Except this guy will be hated by the whole room because he’s always messing things up—his coffee mug has been changed from #1 Dad to #1 Dud—so that this little mishap will create a ruckus that gets everyone involved, giving us the opportunity to slip by them all.’
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Seriously, what? This kind of “plan” only works with someone like Clover, where we know he has a good luck semblance and thus all these unlikely pieces fall into place. I could absolutely buy Clover smiling smugly, working under the knowledge that he just has to wait around a few minutes and something will come along that works entirely in his favor. But Nora? How did she know any of this would happen? Obviously she couldn’t have, so what exactly was their intention if this coffee carrying, hated guy didn’t show up? RWBY, your contrived plots are showing.
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I do, however, love the grimm Jaws poster. Jaws is an absolute favorite of mine, so seeing a reference to it in RWBY? A funny one at that? It almost makes up for how bad this episode is lol.
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Because frankly I’m bored. The group sneaks around, criticizes May and Ironwood, briefly confuses me about Ruby’s semblance knowledge, and gets through tons of Atlas personnel in the stupidest way possible. I have to watch this guy running out of the room with coffee on his pants screaming, “WHHHYYY???” and he doesn’t notice the five girls standing right next to him. It’s silly. It’s boring. Luckily for RWBY, things are about to pick up in the second half.
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After Ruby gets them upstairs and the final room is also conveniently devoid of people, Pietro takes control of Penny—including yellow possession eyes like Oscar has with Ozpin—and he...gets Amity started. That’s it. After a whole volume of ‘It’s not finished yet’ and ‘We barely have the resources’ and ‘Robyn stole what we were using to do idek what with’ he presses buttons for a while and they’re in. How good for them!
I do love that Penny calls Pietro “Dad” though. I’m here for the android-father relationship.
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While Pietro works we turn to Blake, Weiss, and Nora. Blake tries to convince the audience that Ruby and Yang had an actual fight with, “I’ve never seen Yang and Ruby fight like this.��� Yeah, because no one in this group has ever said the sliiiiightest thing against Ruby, so you all read the tinniest disagreement as a “fight” to be worried about. I mean, doesn’t RT have friends to draw inspiration from? They’ve never disagreed about Huge and Complex Questions before? Never gotten pissed and then shrugged it off the next time you want to text? RWBY’s idea of a diverse friend group feels like many other writers’ idea of a sibling relationship: anyone with an actual sibling goes, “What is this?” Speaking of, Weiss explains that sisters often have “very different ideas about what’s right” as if, again, people don’t have different ideas? Just in general? Why is this suddenly a sister thing? She’s clearly thinking about Winter, but doesn’t actually bring it up, so all we’re left with is the same situation we had last Volume. Weiss thinks she’s right, Winter is wrong, and they’re just going down their separate roads because there’s definitely no reason to re-examine any choices here. It’s all static. 
Until Winter betrays Ironwood, of course. 
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Nora tries to reassure Blake that the group will be fine (ha) even though they’ve split, the irony being that we, the audience, know they just got wrecked by the Hound. Jaune is a great leader though, Oscar has grown so much, Yang could defend them all in a fight, and Ren… well, she can’t think of anything to say about Ren. I hate the Nora is acting like Ren has drawn away from her for no reason, after she chose to kiss him—without consent—rather than listening to what was bothering him, then proceeded to pretend that this mystery problem never existed. What does she expect? I do, however, like the general acknowledgement that she doesn’t know who she is without Ren. Who is Nora? Someone who is “strong and hit[s] stuff?”
See, this feels like RT writing self-consciously because Nora doesn’t have much of a personality. Oh, on a surface level she’s bursting with it, but past the bubbly exterior? That single layer? We can add maybe one thing to this “Likes Ren, is strong, hits stuff” list: she’s funny. That’s it. Anything else we might add like “she’s loyal” or “she’s kind” is just a generic characteristic of this entire team. They’re all meant to be crazy talented good guys and even the “is strong” aspect is suspect when others frequently pull off attacks as showy as Nora’s hammer hits. So who is she? What are Nora’s dreams? What are her hobbies? Her fears? Her history? We’ve seen a single flashback of her on the streets and one scene back at Beacon where she listens to music and reads a magazine. Seven years worth of material and that’s it. There’s a reason why the go-to, non-combat action for Nora in fics is “makes pancakes.” We know so little about her still. 
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So I was excited for a brief, shining moment. Yes! Explore who Nora is outside of being strong and hitting stuff! … and then her big action this episode is, as she says, being strong and hitting something. Don’t get me wrong, outside of that setup it’s pretty epic. I like Nora going to those lengths to save Penny and I absolutely love the repercussions of the choice: a broken aura, passing out, and badass lightning scars all over her arms and neck (especially when women often aren’t allowed to accumulate scars in visual media). That’s pretty damn awesome. It’s just that it comes on the heels of the story insisting that Nora is more than this, that we’ll learn something new about her… and we haven’t. This is indeed cool, but we already knew that Nora was willing to crazy lengths by hitting things really hard. That’s already her established norm.
At least this moment has some really nice characterization alongside the stupidity. The conversation between Ruby and Penny is just plain stupid. Penny wants to stay to help with the evacuations, but Pietro says she should come with him in Amity. Why? As Ruby says, because then she’ll be up in the sky and Salem won’t be able to access the relic.
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That’s what Ironwood wanted to do! We could have had this conflict episodes ago with you all working with him! I really can’t with this cast. Also, the rest of this is still confusing. I thought pretty much everyone was in the slums by now, so what evacuation are they talking about? Do they plan to evacuate everyone in Mantle out of the kingdom somehow… like Ironwood wanted to do with Atlas? And why are they acting like Amity is evacuating some people too? I thought they were just using it as a communication device? To add insult to injury, Ruby then contradicts herself a minute later when she tells Harriet that Ironwood can’t have the relic because “Salem will find her way to the relic no matter where you go.” Ruby, if Salem can access the relic high in the sky she can also access Penny in the sky. If you believe that literally nowhere is safe then why are you sending Penny away under the claim that she—and via her the Relic—will be safer? If you want Penny in Amity to lessen the chance of Salem getting the Relic, why can’t Penny be in Atlas while simultaneously (hopefully) getting a whole slew of people to safety? 
I’m continually confused by this “plan” of theirs. Their claims just flip-flop according to what (supposedly) contrasts them with Ironwood. Even though that’s not actually the case.
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Penny is me, sad while watching this train wreck of a scene. 
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So yeah, the Ace Ops are here. I’ve wondered since the trailer why Weiss looked smug while everyone else was startled. Turns out it’s because of her line, “So, your first time losing to us wasn’t enough?” I can’t express how much I dislike all the girls’ personalities now. I want to shake some compassion and humility into them. Plus, they never should have won that fight in the first place. Marrow yells, “We were holding back!” but coming from the team’s weakest member it reads as defensive. Like we’re supposed to go, ‘Lol yeah right, Marrow. Just admit you got your ass kicked,’ even tough the Ace Ops should have wiped the floor with them, holding back or not. That’s my biggest takeaway from this fight: it’s the reverse of what we should have gotten. The Ace Ops should have beaten Team RWBY with ease and struggled greatly against an android Maiden, not falling before a bunch of teens and succeeding against Penny if not for Nora’s timely breakthrough. Your half-trained cast of growing heroes should not come across as more powerful than an intelligently designed weapon now wielding magic.  
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Before the fight starts we get a whole lot of lines that are, frankly, frustrating. Vine tells Penny, “I thought you were supposed to protect the people, not hurt them” which is true enough. Penny is taking action that is putting a lot of people in danger, regardless of the fact that Ruby is at the helm. Problem is, the Ace Ops then blame her for Winter’s injuries and “stealing” the power? That’s not the issue here. The issue is Penny’s blind loyalty to Ruby, but by having the Ace Ops back a stance that is clearly inaccurate—Penny didn’t cause Winter’s injuries, Cinder did; Penny didn’t steal the powers, she was encouraged to take them—it makes them come across as Very Evil people who will twist things to make poor Penny look like the villain. Even if this is a case of Ace Ops having bad intel (which seems unlikely. Wouldn’t Winter have told them what happened?) RT has avoided letting the Ace Ops take a justified stance here because that would make them look too sympathetic… even though they do have multiple justified stances to take. Like, ‘Hey, stop keeping half a kingdom here where Salem can easily kill them all’ or, ‘Hey, why did you spend months betraying Ironwood and then turn on us instead of trying to find a compromise?’ Even, ‘Why did your uncle help kill our leader?’ There’s plenty that the Ace Ops should be rightfully pissed about, so choosing Penny and Winter out of everything feels like RT is firmly backing them into Ironwood’s corner: you’re just bad now and bad people blame innocent girls, rather than acknowledging the actual wrongs done against them. 
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So we have Ruby contradicting herself and the Ace Ops backing warped ideas that make them look worse than they actually are. Adding to the stupidity is the fact that Elm mentions that Winter is in “critical condition” and Weiss… doesn’t care. Harriet then tells Ruby that she’s “throwing [her] in jail right next to your uncle, runt” and... Ruby doesn’t care. Qrow is missing and Ruby just found out he’s been captured by Ironwood, yet there’s no reaction whatsoever. This show continues to go hard on the ‘screw adults’ mentality, huh? Ozpin needs to keep quiet and is horrible for coming back. Ironwood is now a cartoon villain. Winter made the wrong choice so no one cares about her anymore, not even her sister. The Ace Ops remain enemies despite trying to talk things out. Qrow? Barely know him. Who’s he? This is a Ruby loves Penny episode. There isn’t enough emotional nuance for her to care about him too.
The sad thing is I adore Nuts&Dolts. In a different context these moments would be a goldmine for me. 
If anything, this episode feels worse than the majority of last week’s because there are good things here that have been thrown into a bad setup. I can’t get excited for the group’s battles when I see who they’re attacking. It’s hard to squee over Ruby hugging Penny when she doesn’t react to Qrow. Watching Nora go all Thor feels like it only has half its potential when it’s coming out of a very messing, ‘I’m more than just being strong and hitting things… which is why I’ll continue being strong and hitting things.’ RWBY has excellent moments set into a terrible story.
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The fight, at least, is exciting. The Ace Ops goad Penny into stepping away so they can trap the rest of Ruby’s team—smart��and she’s forced to hold her own while Weiss tries to break through with her knight, then Nora overloads the system. To be frank, I’m not great at analyzing combat. Not unless I’m looking for something specific like whether a win is justified. I’ve already mentioned above the broad issue of the Ace Ops very nearly beating the most powerful fighter next to Salem herself, yet failing so spectacularly against Team RWBY. Outside of that context though? I really enjoyed this. Lots of tight action, creative attacks, teamwork, some emotional pauses throughout… it feels like a pretty solid battle. Put it on Youtube as a clip, outside of the rest of the story’s messiness, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic watch. 
We can’t stay in the combat forever though. During all this Weiss calls the Ace Ops “cowards” for making it four vs. one. You know, RWBY should really just do away with dialogue and make the show purely action because the cast frequently sounds so stupid when they speak. Like her comment about Ironwood’s lockdown… really Weiss? ‘Yes, we might be wanted criminals who betrayed this group in the worst possible way, but how dare they not do the honorable thing and have three of their teammates sit out while trying to capture us? Even though the girl they’re trying to capture has magic. I mean, the nerve of them!’
Weiss, at this point I’m not sure how to explain to you that the people you’ve made into your enemies do not owe you a fair fight. 
Another detail: we get to see Ruby fall off the edge of the walkway and this time she remembers she can fly! A definite improvement from Volume 6.
Finally: by the time Penny’s eyes go full Maiden in Elm’s grip, I think we’ve seen everything from our trailer. Episode 4 will truly be a mystery.
Ironwood has, of course, been watching the fight this whole time. When it looks like the Ace Ops will lose against the team he means to send in reinforcements, but Watts says he has “a message for your operatives.” Instead of capturing Penny they steal one of her swords instead, ending with a shot on Marrow looking conflicted.
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Because remember, there’s no actual moral grayness in this story. The protagonists are right and everyone else is wrong. It’s (supposedly) black and white. Which means that if the Ace Ops have any hope of surviving this Volume and being seen as anything other than evil bootlickers, they have to join with Ruby. Marrow seems primed to do that.
Am I surprised? No. Disappointed? Always lol.
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May has the airship ready to go and they fly off… despite the shields. And the lockdown. Consistency? Who’s she? Nora is said to be “in bad shape” and after another hug Penny leaves to hide in Amity, even though Ruby thinks that hiding is a useless, cowardly choice. Just not when she and her allies choose to do it.
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We end the episode with Watts receiving Penny’s sword and making the statement, “If you can’t beat them… then make them join you.” I have to say, his cheesy villainy is something I continue to enjoy, even if it’s heavy handed at times. Watts is just fun. I do have to say though: if Penny is hacked, what does that say about her agency? We double-downed on the ‘real girl’ narrative by giving her the Maiden powers, but she’s simultaneously synthetic enough that a single piece of her can remove all autonomy? It once again feels like RT isn’t sure what point they’re trying to make, they’re just chucking a lot of themes at the wall and seeing what sticks. Still, we’ll have to let it all play out before making any judgements.
And that’s it for this week. It seems like this is a slightly shorter recap than normal, though that may be because I struggle with discussing pure action sequences, which made up a decent chunk of this episode. I’ll no doubt return to the Ace Ops vs. Penny fight when I’m not on a self-imposed, one day deadline for posting. The only thing left is to update the Bingo Card, but I don’t think we made any headway this week. So... good job, RWBY? 
I’m still going to hold off on the civilian’s square until Salem’s army actually attacks, as well as the two day timeline square.
No Winter this episode
Watts is teaming up with Ironwood which is… so much worse than him teaming up with Jacques again. Does a square get an X if the canon is even worse than what you assumed it would be??
Maria was mentioned this episode. Jury’s out on whether she’ll actually do anything.
Atlas is still standing, we knew Penny was heading towards a hack so it’s not much of a cliffhanger, no Qrow, no Ozpin, no Neo or Cinder.
It certainly looks like we can check off “The team gets Amity up and running,” but let’s just see if there are any problems next episode. If the problem is only ‘We would have launched it if not for Salem’s attack’ or something, I’m checking it off. The point is it would have worked.
I’m also leaning towards “More obvious Blake/Yang implications without confirming a relationship” given Blake’s heart-to-heart with Nora… but let’s see if the Volume does anything more egregious.
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All in all (and perhaps despite what I’ve written above), I don’t think it’s fair to totally drag this episode. As said, this feels like a strong episode in a bad story, something that I would have LOVED if a) Salem weren’t here and b) the ‘ethical dilemma’ wasn’t boiled down to a ‘Team Ruby is good’ and ‘Ironwood and everyone associated with him is evil’ situation. It’s an episode whose tone and character action belong in a different version of RWBY. If you gave us this fun episode in an earlier Volume against a Pure Evil antagonist? It would have been great. 
Ah well. It is what it is. Expect more emotional whiplash when we come back and everyone learns that Oscar has been kidnapped by Salem’s talking pooch 🙃
See you then! 💜
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