#the feet look like they'd be good for walking on sand too if only because they look a tiny bit similar to camel hooves

[theminecraftbee]

hermit horror week day 5: season 1 or 2 or echoes

It's a nice gesture.

Joe finishes the monument, steps back, and looks at it. He removes one of the pieces required to finish it. He steps back. He looks at it.

It's a nice gesture. There's, like, blood on his hands, and every one of his scars aches, but it's a nice gesture, you know?

"It's not his fault it's havin' the opposite effect," Joe mutters to himself. He removes a piece of the monument. He puts it back. He remains standing in front of the thing GenerikB built for him, and he remains on Hermitcraft, and no new knowledge of how to leave again has come to his mind.

It's a nice gesture, it really, really is. Joe's, uh, not used to parts like this anymore. He doesn't get much a chance to show his hospitality. Talking to people, it's--new! It's new. It's fun, too, to do things like prank folks, and meet new folks, and build things for the sake of building them, and everything else. He's not mad he escaped to this Hermitcraft place, really, he's not. It's a nice place to be.

Joe walks in a circle around the monument.

It's a really nice gesture. The man who owns this place, he knows where Joe's from. Knows the sorts of things Joe is used to doing. Went about building a monument, so Joe would have something to do. In return, Joe's thinking he's going to break into the man's impenetrable base, just to show him that it's not so impenetrable when you're used to dying, and dying, and dying, and dying, and dying, and...

So the thing is, two weeks after arriving, now, he doesn't want to admit it. Everyone's hospitality, it had been grand. Far better than he'd gotten before. There hadn't even been any arenas he was expected to kill people in for their amusement! If he ever got the chance, he'd rate them five stars. Not a death trap, no vindictive gods, no way out.

No.

Okay.

He pulls a block off the monument and puts it back. He waits for the capricious god of this world to show him the exit.

So the thing is, two weeks after arriving, he got a bit of cold feet. Not anyone's fault, really. He's just, like. Okay, he does talk to people. Cleo, Cleo he keeps in contact. Good friend of his, Cleo. Doesn't have any hard feelings about the murder. Makes sense, given that she's neck-deep in everything too. Used to the kinds of people they are. Is he making sense? They're--used to it. It's easy with her. She knows not to question how a man who likes building houses out of sand and gravel to show off how precarious they are ended up with scars. She was there. Not, like, with him, but--

Anyway. The problem is that the people here are... nice. Nicer than he knows how to deal with.

The problem is that he can't leave.

He's tried to figure it out. He thinks, like, the server's a Chinese finger trap, maybe? The more you try to get out, the more stuck you get. That doesn't make sense, because he can see the writing on the wall, and he's not the only one who wants to try to leave. He thinks the one who made this place is leaving here soon, too.

That's why he's back here, because--like, at the time, it had probably been good he didn't leave. If he'd left, he'd never have jumped on that box, or made the friends he's made, or built a piston door, or even gotten anywhere close to reaching Hypno's house with his railway. (One of these days, he'll make it.) He wouldn't have proven to himself, hey, he can build, too, and make jokes, and be the odd one out. He's good with those things. So he'd thought that someone was looking out for him, not letting him leave, and hey, nothing had ever managed to trap Joe forever.

He's way too good at dying for anything to trap him forever. He's, like, got a song about it and everything? Man, and they'd laughed when he'd sung it to them, too, but then again, that's just that he's bad at singing, and GenerikB is leaving.

He removes a piece from the monument. He puts it back. He circles the structure.

It's a nice gesture. It was a nice gesture when he joined, and it's a nice gesture now. Little taste of the constant death labyrinth he hailed from, you know? Little taste of--here, here's that goal you're used to. It's cute. It's cute.

So, like, he's completed the monument, though. He's done it.

And he's still--here. He can't leave.

And he's, uh. Not really certain what happens to a world, when its god abandons it, but by god, or maybe Vechs, or certainly GenerikB, that god is leaving it.

And Joe--

The thing is, this time when he gets cold feet, it's not just going to be him trapped.

And he'll find his way out. He always does.

It's just--

Two weeks after joining, he'd gotten cold feet. Cleo, she understands. She's used to what happens when people are cruel. People who are used to that--she'd probably laugh if he told her he'd gone and gotten trapped because he got attached to things, like any stray creeper couldn't take them.

But here he is. And here they are.

The monument doesn't let him out, and its god is abandoning them all.

He doesn't know how to get anyone out but himself.

He pulls a block. He replaces it.

He doesn't know where to start looking, except that it will be very painful, because it always is, and he will not stop until it's done, because he never does.

He pulls a block. He replaces it.

The shrine stays dead.

#hermithorrorweek2023 #a bee fic #hermitcraft #joe hills #do you ever think about how genericb built joe a CTM just so he'd feel like he fit in #and how that interfaces with. you know. a lot of headcanoned How Superhostile Worked headcanons #because I SURE DO. #i ALSO think about how hermitcraft is named for a man who abandoned it. #like. woof. consider that. #this one's probably the least horror of the week so far but i figured people could use a breather after the last two

[maochira]

Hii I hope you're doing well🫶🏽

Can I request raichi, shindo , kaiser, Ness and gagemaru with a younger gn!sibling when they're like at a hotel and they're doing like at hotel stuff

like running up and down the hall together, waking up to get breakfast, going to the pool

You can also add the dad coaches too

Have a good one!!

I'm only doing the big bros for this request because I have many other requests for the dad coaches!!

Tags: gn!younger sibling!reader, the sillies

Raichi

-the type of big brother who snores and will barely let you fall asleep but the moment you make a noise he scolds you as if you were a little child

-he refuses to go anywhere without you. He always drags you along because he thinks it's boring to do something on his own when on vacation

-every evening you two get a lot of snacks and funky drinks from a nearby store and watch a movie together (after arguing about which one for almost an hour)

-as much as you love each other, you tend to get into fights more often than at home because you're constantly around each other and getting on each other's nerves

-also, sometimes you provocate each other intentionally but that never ends up in an argument

Shidou

-he eats all the snacks you brought if you only look away for a second

-when you're upset he pretends to not have eaten them and tries to gaslight you into thinking you ate everything

-that obviously doesn't work. So to apologize he buys new snacks (and ends up eating half of them)

-you spend most of your time at the pool and come up with silly games to play together!!

-Shidou likes to pick you up and throw you into the water without warning. Sometimes he picks you up and jumps into the water with you in his arms

-he also constantly wants to do swimming races with you because he can't go a single day without getting competitive over something with you

Kaiser

-he only wants to relax and not do anything, but constantly gets dragged into the pool by you

-he doesn't want to admit how much fun it is and pretends to be annoyed

-every evening, he takes you to a nice restaurant and always pays for everything because your brother just loves to spoil you

-no matter how much you beg, nothing will ever be enough to get Kaiser to come along to the beach with you. He hates the feeling of sand on his feet and he knows you'd put sand into his hair as soon as you get the chance

Ness

-he always wakes up earlier than you, so he uses that time to order breakfast so you can eat together when you wake up

-he's open to doing whatever you want. All he cares about is his beloved little sibling having fun

-you and Ness always try your best to avoid being around your parents and older siblings. You just know they'd ruin your fun because they think you're childish

-most of your day isn't spent at the hotel because of that, but rather at the beach or in the city. You only have to be with the rest of your family at dinner because your parents insist on eating together every evening

Gagamaru

-he always sleeps in and only wakes up early noon. But you do the same. Because both of you spent way too much time talking about the manga you're currently reading until 4 am

-both you and Gagamaru can eat A LOT so you're the worst enemies of the all-you-can-eat buffets in the area

-your brother always wants to explore the nature around the hotel. He doesn't like swimming in pools and prefers the beach or a lake

-one time he was like "I heard there's a nice area nearby" then spent three hours dragging you through the city until you arrived at a forest. At the end of the day you were too tired to walk back and wanted to call a taxi but your brother just ended up carrying you back to the hotel

#blue lock #bllk #blue lock x reader #bllk x reader #blue lock headcanons #bllk headcanons #jingo raichi x reader #raichi x reader #ryusei shidou x reader #shidou x reader #michael kaiser x reader #alexis ness x reader #gin gagamaru x reader #gagamaru x reader

[asterrrific]

The moon is beautiful, isn't it?

-Woozi x Y/N

-fluff, angst if you look for it

-i think i made this one long, but I loved the thinking process I put into this.

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

It was an hour before midnight when y/n decides to go to the lagoon. It was very out of the blue, especially for someone like y/n who believes in the power and magic of having planner journals and an organized life in general.

But things had been pilling heavily on her shoulders lately. Academics, org work, her assistantship to their department, and other personal matters that's been bothering her for ages. So maybe, her conscience had enough and forced her to break habit and get a breather...

...by the sea. Before midnight.

The sky was clear, and a few stars are sprinkled on it. The beach, clean from light pollution since there are no cottages or businesses there, is illuminated by the light of the full moon.

"Peace... I hope." Y/n mutters, as she gets out of her car, hugging her cardigan to herself as the evening breeze greeted her. The crisp, October scent of the sea hugging her.

She believes she's alone in the area tonight, except for maybe a few university kids not too close but not too far from where she's walking towards, are having a bonfire. There are tents surrounding the DIY pit, and the music reached from there to where she stood.

By the light of the moon, she sets up her inflatable pool on the sand. She then throws in her favorite knitted blanket, some throw pillows, her small speaker, and her snacks.

Stepping away to admire her handiwork, y/n smiles to herself as she snaps a photo that will probably never make it to her private instagram dump that only a few close friends are aware of. Maybe because she's feeling extra emotional tonight, and she didn't really feel like sharing that info to her small followers.

But y/n doesn't go inside her little fort. She stands there, staring at it, then kicks her sandals aside, only to head towards to where the waters softly lapped at the tiny rocks on the lagoon.

Shivering slightly, she lets her feet meet with the cold water, and she lets out an exhale.

Slowly, she looks up at the sky, towards the moon, and the longer she stood there in awe, the more her tears threatened to spill.

"How could you be so beautiful, even in your different phases?" she whispers to the moon, wishing it could hear her and reply.

"How come you're always admired, doesn't matter if you're full or not?"

She blinks, and she feels a stray tear trickle down her cheek, and that alone was enough to make her look away.

As she brings her head back down, her tears spilled too. And she furiously wiped at her face with the sleeves of her cardigan.

"I wish people would look at me the way they look at you too." she whisper shouts to herself and the moon.

"They'd even go as far as too wait until the clouds part, just to get a glimpse of you." she furiously adds.

She walks away from the waters, and flops on the sand. She takes one quick look back at her fort, then lies back down, tears still streaming down her face, and hiccups building from her throat.

She sobs in silence, the gentle waves drowning any of her noise, as she continues to jealously look at the moon.

Until she suddenly feels angry.

"You know what. I actally hate you. Little miss have-it-all." she picks a fight with the moon. Childish and silly, she's aware. But she does ít nonetheless.

"Who do we hate tonight?" a voice suddenly comes to being, making y/n sit bolt upright.

"Who- Woozi?" y/n asks, in what she hopes is a defense position incase the familiar voice did not belong to the Woozi she knows.

"Calm down, yes, it's me." Woozi confirms as he comes closer, plopping on the sand beside y/n.

As Woozi lies on the sand, y/n lets out a frustrated breath as she glares at the man beside her, looking back at her with a stupid grin on his face.

"Did I scare you?" he asks, trying not to laugh.

"Yeah, and apart from that, you ruined my good cry." she replies sulkily as she lies down on the sand too.

There was a few beats of silence before Woozi asks again.

"I thought you wouldn't make it to the bonfire. But why are you so far from the rest of us?"

"Okay, first off, what do you mean bonfire? I wasn't informed." y/n replies, finally realizing that the guys at the bonfire are actually her classmates. Screw her episode tonight for making her mute her phone notifications that she missed on a class gathering.

"Well, now you now." Woozi shrugs, earning himself another side eye from y/n.

"I don't feel like socializing anyway. So it doesn't really matter." Y/n sighs, drawing Woozi's attention.

This time, Woozi turns to his side, anchoring himself as he leans on his elbow in the sand.

"Why ARE you here crying by the way?" He finally asks. Y/n saw it coming, but she wished he would never ask.

Screw the moon.

Suddenly, she's mad again. Like a child, she blames the moon in her head. "Did you tell Woozi about my rants? How dare you!"

"I... I'm just overwhelmed." she says quietly. Her whispers swallowed by the sea.

"Happens to all of us, love." Woozi says, emotionless as he often sounds like, though y/n knows he's sincerely trying his best to come up with something to comfort her.

See the thing is, Woozi and Y/N have been best friends since the dawn of time.. well, at least for both of them. That's why they're that comfortable with each other, going as far as calling themselves names whenever needed or when they feel like it.

Their parents were best friends in high school, which was how they knew each other, and they lived in the same subdivision until they moved out for college. Even then, they moved together in the same apartment complex and enrolled in the same university, 4 hours away from home. The only difference is that though they're in the same department, they took different programs.

Despite y/n's belief, Woozi DOES know her like the back of his hand. He knows when her anxiety kicks in. He knows when she needs ice cream and when she needs coffee. He knows when she needs to hear him say "it's okay," and knows when she needs a hug instead.

Y/n on the other hand, is the same for Woozi. She knows when he wants company and when he wants to be alone. She knows when he needs beer and deep talks and when he needs chips and a movie. She knows when to keep her distance, and when he wants to have hugs.

What she doesn't know, is that because she knows Woozi so well, the guy actually fell for her, his best friend.

That's why when Woozi saw the familiar black Chevy roll into the beach parking, he knew y/n needed someone to talk to... only it's one of those times she feels like she's a burden, so she doesn't really hit Woozi or any of their friends up for a talk. And so despite the bonfire swinging in full, Woozi exits as quietly as he can, and walks towards y/n and her small fort.

"How come you're always so calm and collected, Uji?" Y/n asks after a few beats, stretching like a cat on her back then rolling to her side to face Woozi.

"I'm not. You know well enough there are times when I want to let go and let loose, right?"

Y/N nods.

“There. That's my secret." he deadpans.

Y/n rolls her eyes at him as she gets up and dusts herself off as she makes her way to her fort. Woozi following close by.

"It is!" he laughs, catching up to her.

"Shut up." she says, trying not to laugh.

Y/n and Woozi take one last dust-off then settle into the fort, snuggling together like they would usually do as kids and even till now that they're grown, especially during movie nights with emotional films.

"What I meant, y/n, is that... I think, in order to be whole, you have to lose some parts of yourself too. Do you get what I mean?" he asks, as he grabs her hand, letting his thumb draw lazy circles at the the back of it.

"Uh-huh. Kinda." y/n whispers back, wanting to bask in Woozi's warmth that's never failed in making her calm down.

Woozi let's out a sigh, to which y/n looks up at him.

"Okay. How about this. Think of a tree. A tree has to let go of some leaves in order for it to grow new ones so it could still be a tree." Woozi explains, as his eyes train on y/n's.

Y/n blinks twice, letting the example sink in, and she finally understands.

"OH!" she exclaims, unconsciously squeezing Woozi's hand in the process. "I get it now. Okay."

Woozi laughs softly as he brings y/n's head close to his chest. Y/n follows and she snuggles further into Woozi's warmth.

"You know... same goes for the moon. It has to look incomplete to us at some point, then go back to its full form, for it to be considered OUR moon. Because if it stayed full forever, then our world might have a major problem." Woozi teases, but y/n still sees the sense in it.

"I know, I get it now. Stop rubbing more examples to my face." y/n snaps, rolling her eyes playfully at her best friend to which he just laughs.

Seeing Woozi laugh, or even making him laugh like tonight, was no easy task. Rarely does y/n see and hear Woozi's laugh like that, because the guy always just snickers or in most days, just smiles and keeps the rest of his emotions and expressions to himself.

So y/n laughs along, infected by the energy that Woozi gave.

After a few moments, they stay silent. The comfortable one. And they found themselves looking at the moon together.

"The moon looks beautiful, doesn't it?" Woozi suddenly says, rubbing small circles on y/n's shoulder, where his arm was draped, keeping her close to him.

Now y/n is no stranger to romance. The reason why she took literature as her program was because she loves the hidden meanings in words ever since she started reading at the young age of 9.

She also knew damn well that Woozi, despite being so silent and cold looking to the rest of the world most of the time, is a hopeless romantic who also knew about the language of literature... and that what he just said, actually means "I love you.".

But y/n, clueless y/n, just took the words literally. She let her emotions show it at least. Because deep inside, she wished it did mean what she hoped it would.

The words "I love you."

She liked Woozi. She loved him dearly. But she's so scared. She didn't want to risk their long term friendship incase something goes wrong if they ever attempt to dip their feet into romantic relationships together.

Plus, incase the sentence did mean what she hoped it would, then damn, that's sudden.

"Y/n, are you listening?" Woozi suddenly pulls her out from her thoughts. His voice a whisper that only the both of them could hear.

"Hmm? You said the-"

"The moon looks beautiful, y/n." He repeats.

And y/n sees it. The glimmer in his eyes. Something is there, and she is filled both with a sudden surge of hope, longing... and fear.

Y/n plays it dumb as she looks swims back up from the addictive abyss of Woozi's eyes and turns her gaze to the moon.

"Yeah. Yeah it does." she replies, hoping she could just say "I love you too" instead, if ever Woozi meant his earlier statement that way.

But then the unexpected happens for y/n, the second Woozi opens his mouth to say another sentiment.

"The moon looked very beautiful to me every night, in any phase, ever since we moved into the same complex." He started. And y/n knew where it was headed.

Her heart hammered on her chest, and it took all of her braincells to make her heart calm the fuck down.

"And when clouds are blocking it, or when it doesn't appear at all... well, at least there's you." He adds rather softly, like it's a secret he only wants to share with her and not to passerbys who could hear.

Y/n's breath hitched, and Woozi's eyes widened at the realization of why Y/n reacted that way.

"I... Woozi, I-"

"You don't have to say anything, you know. I know the risks. But I'll dive in head first and take it anyway." he chuckles, looking away.

Y/n stares at her best friend for a full minute, and when she found her voice, she says:

"I like you too, you know."

Woozi's head whips back to look at y/n, his hair tickling her cheeks in the process. She smiles as she looks at his bewildered expression, as if he didn't see this one coming.

Y/n was rather calm as she faced the confession, knowing that she herself was scared shitless at first, and even back then when she first realized that she had feelings for her best friend. All these was very unexpected after all.

"Are you for real right now?" Woozi asks, suddenly out of character, shocking even himself.

Y/n just smiles as she brushes off the hair that covered his eyes. "Yes," she then whispers.

Woozi wanted to shout, to scream, to jump around like a kid that got a bag full of candy in halloween, but instead, he tears up.

"Oh no, why are you crying?" Y/n asks, in between suppressed laughter as she gently wiped at Woozi's tears.

"I just... I thought..." he rambles, trying to collect himself.

"Hey, breathe, it's just me here. Go on," y/n encourages, though she herself is as nervous as he is right now.

"I just thought maybe I'll never get the chance to be with you as more than just friends who knew each other since birth. I thought I was a loser for life as long as I had these feelings for you because I thought you'd never like me the same way I like you." He suddenly gushes, no longer able to control himself.

Y/n smiles with adoration as she continued to caress Woozi's cheeks, catching the falling tears from his eyes with the pad of her thumb.

All of her earlier worries are gone now. Probably thrown to the depths of the sea in front of them.

"Dummy. I was scared of the same thing. I thought you would be so distant from me... nothing more, just friends. I know the risks too, and I'm scared of crossing the line. But Woozi, here we are. YOU crossed that line." she slowly says, still careful of her words.

Woozi looks at her, his eyes prodding her for more, until she says,

"I'm meeting you halfway, Uji. Don't you worry." and she gives him a smile that sets fireworks in his chest and he swore he could see stars falling even if there weren't much of them in the sky tonight because of the bright full moon.

Woozi was dumbstruck and lovestruck at the same time, that he couldn't stop himself from swooping in to kiss y/n swiftly on the nose.

She gasps, and covers her face as soon as Woozi pulls away, and the other finds it so endearing that he bursts in a fit of giggles as he gently pried her hands off her face, which was, blushing rather aggressively.

"Please don't do that again," she whispers in tiny, still blushing, but her lips tugging upwards in the corner says otherwise.

Woozi didn't listen, because he swooped in again to kiss her on the forehead this time.

And y/n gasps and squeals and jolts, but she immediately calms down and melts and sighs right after.

And it was perfect.

Woozi's eyes were closed as he pulled away, and y/n looks at him, smiling.

Minutes ago, she was expecting this night to be filled with rants and drama and getting things off her chest and her best friend comforting her and probably dragging her to the bonfire.

But this one works even better.

"I take it back. Keep doing it." Y/n says, unable to stop herself. The other just grins and sighs as he pulls her closer to him again.

"Alright, whatever you want." He says, this time, dropping another kiss to her head.

She smiles.

There was silence once more, but this time, it was heavy with anticipation of what's going to come next for the both of them.

They both did not see this coming, because they were blinded by their fears and what-ifs. But now that everything's out there, with the waves and the moon as their witnesses, then they could feel themselves let loose again.

"Y/n, you have absolutely NO idea how much I wanted to kiss you like that in so long." Woozi breaks the silence first. Y/n giggles.

"I swear." He furthers presses, laughing at himself for suddenly being so talkative and defensive. But he didn't care.

"It's okay, Uji. You can do it as much as you want now, I guess." y/n consoles him.

"But are you truly in this? Do you really want this as much as I do? I gotta know... I don't wanna overstep.."

Y/n gathers all her courage and prays to every existing higher being out there as she looked up at Woozi.

She presses a small kiss on his cheeks to answer him "Yes."

"I will wait for you, y/n. Take your time, yeah? I'll be here like I've always been." Woozi smiles as she pulls away.

"Don't wait for too long though. You know I'm in this too like you are." she grins, and it melts Woozi to his core so he pulls her even closer if that's even possible and he nuzzles his face on to her hair.

They bask in the moment and even exhale in unison, which makes them laugh again.

Woozi forgets about the bonfire, and y/n already forgot about her earlier reasons on why she came to the beach in the first place.

And they both just drift into comfortable silence in the company of each other's heart under the light of the full moon above.

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

Hi hello~ I'm back💃🏻

This took me three days to write because I wanted it to be perfect the way I envisioned it. It started when we went to the beach last week and we watched the full moon rise as the sun had set.

I've put a lot of emotions and attention to details here, and I loved every step of the process I took to finish this. So I hope you love it as much as I did and as much as the other fics y'all have loved as well.

As always, please like and reblog if you love it so other people could find my works as well🥹🙏🏻 hehe

Thanks loads, love y'all loads🫂🤍

#svt imagines #svt scenarios #seventeen #svt au #svt x reader #svt fanfic #svt fluff #svt oneshot #svt woozi #woozi x reader #woozi fluff #woozi imagines #woozi scenarios #woozi x you #woozi angst #woozi

[sweeethinny]

Seasons Of Love - Summer

for Seasons Of Love 'Couple Vacation' prompt because i love the beach and i wish i was on one.

@hinnyfest

''It's so weird to be without them,'' Ginny said as soon as they reached their beach house. ''Not having anyone screaming and running, calling us to break up fights...''

''Yes, but… it's so good,'' Harry blew out a breath as if he'd been tense until now, waiting for something to go wrong and they'd have to come back. They'd have four amazing days of their own, it wasn't much, but it was already way more than the total zero days they had child-free, so he wasn't complaining.

''Let's pack up and head to the beach, it's all I've been dreaming of since we decided to do this,'' It was Harry's dream too, if he could say so, and for many, many reasons: To see Ginny in that white bikini , swimming, enjoying the peace of the beach, drinking coconut water and eating a corn cake that a lady sold in a tent there on the beach, resting…

After packing up all their things, checking if the house was like last time and getting ready, the two of them went to the beach that wasn't far from there, and just feeling the warm ground under his feet made Harry smile and be in a good mood.

Their house was on an island that almost no one knew, Harry himself was only able to buy the house there because a friend of a friend from his work knew someone that was selling. It was difficult to get in because of the many rocks along the way and the lack of roads, but luckily, being wizards and being able to simply get a portkey, it was much easier.

Ginny and he had renovated the house as soon as they bought it; they painted inside and out, changed the furniture and decor, built more rooms, put a whirlpool in their bathroom (they deserved it), tidied up the garden and left everything as they wanted. It took a good few years, but the house was perfect, and he was proud that all that work had been worth it, because now they had somewhere to stay without having to worry about hotel, lodging, false names…

''You look so pretty,'' Harry kissed her shoulder as they sat on the sand, a towel under them and the parasol over Ginny so she wouldn't suffer from heat stroke. He was only in his swimming trunks, sunglasses, and his chest was still a little white from the sunscreen.

''It's the peace of knowing that we won't have to wake up early tomorrow,'' Ginny said, smiling and adjusting the hat she wore. They had already learned that she needed to take very good care of herself if she didn't want to go to the hospital. ''Go swimming, I know this is what you've been dreaming about,''

''I'm going to surf,'' Harry pointed to the board beside him. Obviously he didn't know how to surf, but it shouldn't be hard right? He read some books and saw some movies where people surfed. He was prepared. ''That's right, now your husband surfs.. My next step is to grow my hair out and walk around all tanned and tattooed.''

Ginny laughed. ''Like that guy in the movie?''

''Yes,'' Harry smiled proudly, kissing her then. ''Get ready to be even more in love,'' He stood up, straightening his shorts and taking off his sunglasses. ''Hold your panties.''

"I'll try." Ginny smiled, putting on his glasses and lying face down on top of the towel, resting her head on her folded arms, while Harry grabbed the board and headed for the water, ready to show her his surfing skills.

#hinny #harry x ginny #hinnyfest #my fic

[xcziel]

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Lewis Carroll

"The sun was shining on the sea,

Shining with all his might:

He did his very best to make

The billows smooth and bright —

And this was odd, because it was

The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,

Because she thought the sun

Had got no business to be there

After the day was done —

"It's very rude of him," she said,

"To come and spoil the fun."

The sea was wet as wet could be,

The sands were dry as dry.

You could not see a cloud, because

No cloud was in the sky:

No birds were flying overhead —

There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Were walking close at hand;

They wept like anything to see

Such quantities of sand:

If this were only cleared away,'

They said, it would be grand!'

If seven maids with seven mops

Swept it for half a year,

Do you suppose,' the Walrus said,

That they could get it clear?'

I doubt it,' said the Carpenter,

And shed a bitter tear.

O Oysters, come and walk with us!'

The Walrus did beseech.

A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,

Along the briny beach:

We cannot do with more than four,

To give a hand to each.'

The eldest Oyster looked at him,

But never a word he said:

The eldest Oyster winked his eye,

And shook his heavy head —

Meaning to say he did not choose

To leave the oyster-bed.

But four young Oysters hurried up,

All eager for the treat:

Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,

Their shoes were clean and neat —

And this was odd, because, you know,

They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them,

And yet another four;

And thick and fast they came at last,

And more, and more, and more —

All hopping through the frothy waves,

And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Walked on a mile or so,

And then they rested on a rock

Conveniently low:

And all the little Oysters stood

And waited in a row.

The time has come,' the Walrus said,

To talk of many things:

Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —

Of cabbages — and kings —

And why the sea is boiling hot —

And whether pigs have wings.'

But wait a bit,' the Oysters cried,

Before we have our chat;

For some of us are out of breath,

And all of us are fat!'

No hurry!' said the Carpenter.

They thanked him much for that.

A loaf of bread,' the Walrus said,

Is what we chiefly need:

Pepper and vinegar besides

Are very good indeed —

Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,

We can begin to feed.'

But not on us!' the Oysters cried,

Turning a little blue.

After such kindness, that would be

A dismal thing to do!'

The night is fine,' the Walrus said.

Do you admire the view?

It was so kind of you to come!

And you are very nice!'

The Carpenter said nothing but

Cut us another slice:

I wish you were not quite so deaf —

I've had to ask you twice!'

It seems a shame,' the Walrus said,

To play them such a trick,

After we've brought them out so far,

And made them trot so quick!'

The Carpenter said nothing but

The butter's spread too thick!'

I weep for you,' the Walrus said:

I deeply sympathize.'

With sobs and tears he sorted out

Those of the largest size,

Holding his pocket-handkerchief

Before his streaming eyes.

O Oysters,' said the Carpenter,

You've had a pleasant run!

Shall we be trotting home again?'

But answer came there none —

And this was scarcely odd, because

They'd eaten every one."

#walrus posting

[taruchinator]

🏖 General Audiences

🏖 2.3k Words

🏖 For the @extraordinaryzine!

“Check it out, Dawn! I can see the lighthouse from here!”

Piplup could hear the cheeriness in Ash's voice as he ran ahead of his trainer, leaving a concerned Dawn behind who simply shouted at him to be aware of his surroundings. The Water-Type Pokémon could only feel his own excitement settle as he also caught sight of their destination.

Sunyshore City.

Greetings and salutations, dear readers! ^^

I'm incredibly happy to finally be able to share my written piece for the Extra Ordinary Pokémon Zine! This is actually my first Pokémon related fic, considering I've only delved into the fandom quite recently thanks to Scarlet/Violet~

Please check out the zine for free here!

“Check it out, Dawn! I can see the lighthouse from here!”

Piplup could hear the cheeriness in Ash's voice as he ran ahead of his trainer, leaving a concerned Dawn behind who simply shouted at him to be aware of his surroundings. The Water-Type Pokémon could only feel his own excitement settle in as he also caught sight of their destination.

Sunyshore City.

The trio had been here a few times in the past, both to visit friends and participate in contests—yet it never stopped being as magical as the first time the little penguin had seen it. Dirt-covered paths shifted into sand under his feet, and he merely started running around and kicking in delight at the foreign sensation.

“Not you too, Piplup! We shouldn't forget why we came here!” Dawn's voice called out to the Pokémon trying to convey authority, but he could still hear a hint of amusement from her lips, which brought a smile to his own beak.

“Relax, Dawn! We're here way earlier than Volkner asked us to, so there's no need to rush over to the gym anyway.” Ash returned from his short exploration of the entrance while sporting a grin, hands behind his head in a casual manner.

“Oh! Almost forgot…” Piplup internalized as he stopped hopping around.

The reason they'd come here in the first place was because one of the Gym Leaders from the town—an old friend of Ash's, apparently—invited him over for some training now that he'd acquired some new Pokémon. After hearing this, Dawn invited herself to join him, claiming that she'd love the opportunity to sharpen her skills. So after getting confirmation from his friend, the trio made their way to the port city.

Apparently they'd arrived earlier than intended.

“Well, you know what they say! The early bird gets the worm! The sooner we get started, the sooner we can test our abilities against stronger Pokémon!” The girl chimed with conviction as she extended her fist forward. “And the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can all go to the beach!”

Upon hearing those words, Piplup instantly started waving his flippers around enthusiastically. All their previous trips to Sunyshore ended with a visit to a vast mass of water surrounded by sand that other humans and Pokémon played around in. He'd later learn this was called a ‘beach’, and he really enjoyed it. So if all they had to do to get there was some training, the penguin was more than happy to oblige.

“Your friend has the right spirit, Ash! Maybe it'd do you some good to learn a thing or two from her.” A third voice quickly grabbed everyone's attention, and as they turned, they could see a young man with spiky blonde hair approaching.

The raven head was quick to run over and greet the other with a handshake. “Hey, Volkner! Thanks for inviting us!”

Volkner smiled as he returned the gesture, acknowledging Dawn with a nod as well. “Always happy to have you around! So, wanna get started while the sun's still out?”

After exchanging a look, the two young trainers gave affirmative responses, making their way straight to the gym.

Piplup puffed out his chest as they walked. He might be excited for their beach escapade later, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to give it everything he had!

“Finally!”

After what felt like hours of endless fighting, the human trainers eventually called it a day and bid each other farewell with promises of meeting again soon, making their way over to the local beach. Despite feeling exhausted from all the Electric-Type attacks he had to withstand earlier, the prospect of playing around in the cold water was much too enticing for Piplup to pass up.

Ash had also released Corphish, who'd helped the little penguin in his battle from before, doing everything from blocking attacks to just giving overall moral support. It was nice to have one of his friends experience the joy of playing on a beach for the first time!

Corphish was relatively more cautious than Piplup was when he'd first discovered the giant mass of water, despite the latter doing his best to show that there was no danger here and thus nothing to fear—everything from kicking sand to diving headfirst into the ocean, much to the crab's dismay.

Since it was the afternoon, it wasn't a surprise to see other visitors as well. Humans with Pokémon of all shapes and sizes were scattered around, each enjoying the outdoor experience in their own way. Snorlax sleeping under umbrellas, Magikarp swimming with people on their backs, and even Cyndaquil roasting marshmallows over bonfires.

“Hey, guys! I have an idea!” Dawn's voice called out to them with a smile, revealing a tiny bucket and shovel she'd been hiding behind her back. A set Piplup remembered her buying a few days before their trip. “How about we give sandcastles a try?”

“That sounds great!” Ash immediately stood from where he was crouched in the salty water to give a grin of his own. “We could make it a contest—Trainers versus Pokémon!”

Dawn could only sigh in response. “Not everything has to be a competition, Ash…” But otherwise didn't seem to protest his suggestion.

They'd agreed to start with a practice round, mostly to help their Pokémon understand the concept behind the new activity they were going to indulge in. Dawn knelt down and started scooping handfuls of sand and dumping them into the plastic bucket, with a few particles making their way into Piplup's nose causing him to sneeze, which coaxed a giggle out of her. He was happy that she was enjoying herself, but what was the point of putting all that sand in there, anyway? Were they planning on dumping it on each other?

Corphish was equally confused once Ash picked up the bucket and held it firmly between his fingers as he stared into the ocean. He seemed to be waiting for the waves to get closer, although not too close. After a moment, he bolted straight towards the water and scooped some into that very same bucket, quickly making his way back before he could sink.

The duo mixed the concoction in their container. Dawn then proceeded to quickly flip it over so that the top could be on the bottom, resting on the sand. But to the Pokémon's surprise, once she lifted it up, a semi-solid substance that used to be sand and water appeared, taking the shape of the bucket with strange indents on top which gave form to a castle tower.

Piplup and Corphish gasped in understanding—It seemed like such a fun idea! After giving the greenlight to their trainers, the competition officially began!

Corphish took the task of filling the bucket with sand, since he was the one who had a better grip out of the two. Something told the penguin that his flippers wouldn't be of much use while holding a shovel, anyway. Once the bucket was halfway full, Piplup held onto it with his beak as he waddled his way over to the incoming waves.

There was a group of people blocking his path, but he figured he could use them to his advantage once the water came closer and he was in need of a shield to not end up lost at sea. Almost dropping the container onto the floor, he struggled with the new weight the water provided, but still found the strength he needed to tumble his way back. Corphish went to help his friend carry it, and between the two, they miraculously found a way to flip it with minimal spillage. At least until they decided to lift.

Liquid came crashing down on them, leaving behind nothing but more sand that would undoubtedly get stuck on their bodies for the next few days.

“Too much!” Corphish went to nag at his partner while waving the shovel in the air in annoyance.

As such, they decided to switch places. Piplup struggled with the sand pouring, but it wasn't something he couldn't handle with a little beak coordination. After that, the crab clamped his claws around the handle and swiftly headed for the water. He effortlessly dipped the bucket and made his way back in less than a minute, much to the penguin's surprise. But then it happened again.

After lifting the bucket, a semi-solid consistency appeared, but was very brittle and quick to crumble under their touch. Nothing like the one their trainers did.

“That's too little!” Piplup ruffled his feathers as he voiced his own complaints. They would never get anything done at this rate!

Corphish however, was a stubborn little crab. He started pouring sand into the bucket again and making trips to get more water, while all Piplup could do was help him carry the heavy container on the way back with cheers of encouragement.

One. Fail

Two. Fail

Three. Fa-

The clumps of sand were sticking to one another perfectly, almost as if they belonged together from the start, and each small dent that formed the shape of a castle tower was properly in place. Best of all, nothing was crumbling. They'd done it!

Corphish twirled around with the bucket still grasped between one claw. Pride swirled from within him as he continued to sing his victories, quickly dashing back into the ocean to meld the next tower for their castle, ignoring Piplup entirely in the heat of the moment.

As for the Water-Type penguin, he couldn't help but turn around and seek his trainer's attention to show off what he'd done. It was something he was sure she'd be pleased to see. But after turning towards Ash and Dawn's sandcastle, the sight that greeted him was one he wasn't expecting.

First of all, it was already finished—composed of four towers, standing tall with what appeared to be a seaweed flag and a few seashells to act as its door and windows—and secondly, their trainers weren't there. Thankfully it didn't take long for Piplup to find them, since the duo rested not so far under a stray umbrella.

Something didn't seem right with Dawn, though. She almost looked… sad?

“You really think I can do it?” Piplup could hear the girl ask softly as he made his way closer, trying to remain unseen by approaching from behind.

“Of course you can! You wiped the floor with Volkner's Luxray today. He totally didn't see that move coming. Honestly, neither did!” Ash replied with the cheeriness he was always known for. He let a little sad smile decorate his features while continuing. “You're just really hard on yourself…”

The young girl let out a chuckle while holding her knees close to her chest. “I guess I am. I just don't wanna disappoint any of my Pokémon by not giving it my best, you know?”

Piplup almost let out a whine at the display before him. Dawn was indeed rather hard on herself when it came to training—often forgetting to take care of herself in place of bettering their gear, searching for strong opponents, or simply looking after him and his friends to make sure they were happy and in top condition.

Today, she'd definitely given it her all. The little penguin was certain of it. Because of this, she deserved to feel proud, and most importantly of all, to have fun!

With a new objective in mind, Piplup quickly made his way back into the mass of salty water where Corphish continued to build their sandcastle without anyone distracting him. Digging his flippers into the water, he began his search.

It thankfully didn't take long to find what he was looking for—a small, yet shiny pink seashell that seemed to gleam under the afternoon sunlight. He remembered how his trainer liked to collect these strange items, and would always bring her joy whenever they came to a beach escapade. Piplup hadn't seen this one in her collection yet, so hopefully it would serve its purpose in cheering her up.

After washing off as much sand as he could, he was ready to deliver his gift.

Tiny feet moved as fast as lightning as he made his way forward. He could feel the grindy texture of sand stuck in his fur, but he simply didn't care. He needed to show Dawn just how happy she made him. Extending the offering in both flippers, he grinned. “Piplup!”

Silence erupted between the trainers as they noticed the penguin's presence. A few seconds of staring passed by and all seemed right in the world.

That was until a screech caught everyone's attention.

Corphish kneeling on the floor, sand coursing through his claws, and a tumbled sandcastle left in the wake of Piplup's excitement in getting to his human friend. His glare was almost as sharp as his talons. “Almost. Finished!”

A yelp erupted from the bird's beak as he immediately went to hide behind Dawn's back. “S-Sorry!”

At that moment, the humans couldn't help but join in with laughter bubbling between them due to the very sudden interruption. Ash turned to face the girl with a grin on his face. “Guess Piplup wants you to stop worrying about things for a change.”

Dawn giggled. “I guess so!” As she picked him up from the ground, a smile graced her lips while looking at him. “Thank you, Piplup. This will make a beautiful door for the sandcastle!”

“Pi-Piplup!” The penguin cheered in response while waving his flippers once more.

“Don't sweat it, Corphish! We'll make a better one—all four of us this time!” Ash then consoled his Pokémon with a pat on the head as he took hold of his bucket. “Let's get to it!”

“We can't let you guys have all the fun! Come on, Piplup!” Dawn lowered her friend and began running towards the others, who were already halfway deep into the sea and collecting an abundance of water.

With a smile on his beak, he carried on with not a care in the world.

After all, days on the beach could only truly be enjoyed when you had friends by your side.

✦ 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬! ✦

#my stories #zine entry #pokémon #pokémon fanfic

[beardedmrbean]

The time has come and so have I

The sun was shining on the sea,    Shining with all his might: He did his very best to make    The billows smooth and bright— And this was odd, because it was    The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,    Because she thought the sun Had got no business to be there    After the day was done— "It's very rude of him," she said,    "To come and spoil the fun!"

The sea was wet as wet could be,    The sands were dry as dry. You could not see a cloud because    No cloud was in the sky: No birds were flying overhead—    There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the Carpenter    Were walking close at hand: They wept like anything to see    Such quantities of sand: "If this were only cleared away,"    They said, "it would be grand!"

"If seven maids with seven mops    Swept it for half a year, Do you suppose," the Walrus said,    "That they could get it clear?" "I doubt it," said the Carpenter,    And shed a bitter tear.

"0 Oysters, come and walk with us!"    The Walrus did beseech. "A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,    Along the briny beach: We cannot do with more than four,    To give a hand to each."

The eldest Oyster looked at him,    But never a word he said; The eldest Oyster winked his eye,    And shook his heavy head— Meaning to say he did not choose    To leave the oyster-bed.

But four young Oysters hurried up,    All eager for the treat: Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,    Their shoes were clean and neat— And this was odd, because, you know,    They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them,    And yet another four; And thick and fast they came at last,    And more and more and more— All hopping through the frothy waves,    And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the Carpenter    Walked on a mile or so, And then they rested on a rock    Conveniently low: And all the little Oysters stood    And waited in a row.

"The time has come," the Walrus said,    "To talk of many things: Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax—    Of cabbages—and kings— And why the sea is boiling hot—    And whether pigs have wings."

"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,    "Before we have our chat; For some of us are out of breath,    And all of us are fat!" "No hurry!" said the Carpenter.    They thanked him much for that.

"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said,    "Is what we chiefly need: Pepper and vinegar besides    Are very good indeed— Now, if you're ready, Oysters dear,    We can begin to feed."

"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,    Turning a little blue. "After such kindness, that would be    A dismal thing to do!" "The night is fine," the Walrus said,    "Do you admire the view?

"It was so kind of you to come!    And you are very nice!" The Carpenter said nothing but    "Cut us another slice. I wish you were not quite so deaf—    I've had to ask you twice!"

"It seems a shame," the Walrus said,    "To play them such a trick. After we've brought them out so far,    And made them trot so quick!" The Carpenter said nothing but    "The butter's spread too thick!"

"I weep for you," the Walrus said:    "I deeply sympathize." With sobs and tears he sorted out    Those of the largest size, Holding his pocket-handkerchief    Before his streaming eyes.

"0 Oysters," said the Carpenter,    "You've had a pleasant run! Shall we be trotting home again?"    But answer came there none— And this was scarcely odd, because    They'd eaten every one.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Dear Prudence Won't you come out to play? Dear Prudence Greet the brand new day The sun is up, the sky is blue It's beautiful, and so are you Dear Prudence Won't you come out to play?

Dear Prudence Open up your eyes Dear Prudence See the sunny skies The wind is low, the birds will sing That you are part of everything Dear Prudence Won't you open up your eyes?

Look around, around (round, round, round) (Round, round, round, round, round) Look around, around, around (round, round) (Round, round, round, round, round) Look around

Dear Prudence Let me see you smile Dear Prudence Like a little child The clouds will be a daisy chain So let me see you smile again Dear Prudence Won't you let me see you smile?

Dear Prudence Won't you come out to play? Dear Prudence Greet the brand new day The sun is up, the sky is blue It's beautiful, and so are you Dear Prudence Won't you come out to play?

.

.

.

.

..

.

.

#anonymous #both of those other two popped into my head #reading the bit you put #so this is how I got the ear worm gone

[shadeofjayde]

The sun was shining on the sea,

   Shining with all his might:

He did his very best to make

   The billows smooth and bright—

And this was odd, because it was

   The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,

   Because she thought the sun

Had got no business to be there

   After the day was done—

"It's very rude of him," she said,

   "To come and spoil the fun!"

The sea was wet as wet could be,

   The sands were dry as dry.

You could not see a cloud because

   No cloud was in the sky:

No birds were flying overhead—

   There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

   Were walking close at hand:

They wept like anything to see

   Such quantities of sand:

"If this were only cleared away,"

   They said, "it would be grand!"

"If seven maids with seven mops

   Swept it for half a year,

Do you suppose," the Walrus said,

   "That they could get it clear?"

"I doubt it," said the Carpenter,

   And shed a bitter tear.

"0 Oysters, come and walk with us!"

   The Walrus did beseech.

"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,

   Along the briny beach:

We cannot do with more than four,

   To give a hand to each."

The eldest Oyster looked at him,

   But never a word he said;

The eldest Oyster winked his eye,

   And shook his heavy head—

Meaning to say he did not choose

   To leave the oyster-bed.

But four young Oysters hurried up,

   All eager for the treat:

Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,

   Their shoes were clean and neat—

And this was odd, because, you know,

   They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them,

   And yet another four;

And thick and fast they came at last,

   And more and more and more—

All hopping through the frothy waves,

   And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

   Walked on a mile or so,

And then they rested on a rock

   Conveniently low:

And all the little Oysters stood

   And waited in a row.

"The time has come," the Walrus said,

   "To talk of many things:

Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax—

   Of cabbages—and kings—

And why the sea is boiling hot—

   And whether pigs have wings."

"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,

   "Before we have our chat;

For some of us are out of breath,

   And all of us are fat!"

"No hurry!" said the Carpenter.

   They thanked him much for that.

"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said,

   "Is what we chiefly need:

Pepper and vinegar besides

   Are very good indeed—

Now, if you're ready, Oysters dear,

   We can begin to feed."

"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,

   Turning a little blue.

"After such kindness, that would be

   A dismal thing to do!"

"The night is fine," the Walrus said,

   "Do you admire the view?

"It was so kind of you to come!

   And you are very nice!"

The Carpenter said nothing but

   "Cut us another slice.

I wish you were not quite so deaf—

   I've had to ask you twice!"

"It seems a shame," the Walrus said,

   "To play them such a trick.

After we've brought them out so far,

   And made them trot so quick!"

The Carpenter said nothing but

   "The butter's spread too thick!"

"I weep for you," the Walrus said:

   "I deeply sympathize."

With sobs and tears he sorted out

   Those of the largest size,

Holding his pocket-handkerchief

   Before his streaming eyes.

"0 Oysters," said the Carpenter,

   "You've had a pleasant run!

Shall we be trotting home again?"

   But answer came there none—

And this was scarcely odd, because

   They'd eaten every one.

[alliwanttodoiscollectpoetry]

"The sun was shining on the sea,

Shining with all his might:

He did his very best to make

The billows smooth and bright —

And this was odd, because it was

The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,

Because she thought the sun

Had got no business to be there

After the day was done —

"It's very rude of him," she said,

"To come and spoil the fun."

The sea was wet as wet could be,

The sands were dry as dry.

You could not see a cloud, because

No cloud was in the sky:

No birds were flying overhead —

There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Were walking close at hand;

They wept like anything to see

Such quantities of sand:

If this were only cleared away,'

They said, it would be grand!'

If seven maids with seven mops

Swept it for half a year,

Do you suppose,' the Walrus said,

That they could get it clear?'

I doubt it,' said the Carpenter,

And shed a bitter tear.

O Oysters, come and walk with us!'

The Walrus did beseech.

A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,

Along the briny beach:

We cannot do with more than four,

To give a hand to each.'

The eldest Oyster looked at him,

But never a word he said:

The eldest Oyster winked his eye,

And shook his heavy head —

Meaning to say he did not choose

To leave the oyster-bed.

But four young Oysters hurried up,

All eager for the treat:

Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,

Their shoes were clean and neat —

And this was odd, because, you know,

They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them,

And yet another four;

And thick and fast they came at last,

And more, and more, and more —

All hopping through the frothy waves,

And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Walked on a mile or so,

And then they rested on a rock

Conveniently low:

And all the little Oysters stood

And waited in a row.

The time has come,' the Walrus said,

To talk of many things:

Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —

Of cabbages — and kings —

And why the sea is boiling hot —

And whether pigs have wings.'

But wait a bit,' the Oysters cried,

Before we have our chat;

For some of us are out of breath,

And all of us are fat!'

No hurry!' said the Carpenter.

They thanked him much for that.

A loaf of bread,' the Walrus said,

Is what we chiefly need:

Pepper and vinegar besides

Are very good indeed —

Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,

We can begin to feed.'

But not on us!' the Oysters cried,

Turning a little blue.

After such kindness, that would be

A dismal thing to do!'

The night is fine,' the Walrus said.

Do you admire the view?

It was so kind of you to come!

And you are very nice!'

The Carpenter said nothing but

Cut us another slice:

I wish you were not quite so deaf —

I've had to ask you twice!'

It seems a shame,' the Walrus said,

To play them such a trick,

After we've brought them out so far,

And made them trot so quick!'

The Carpenter said nothing but

The butter's spread too thick!'

I weep for you,' the Walrus said:

I deeply sympathize.'

With sobs and tears he sorted out

Those of the largest size,

Holding his pocket-handkerchief

Before his streaming eyes.

O Oysters,' said the Carpenter,

You've had a pleasant run!

Shall we be trotting home again?'

But answer came there none —

And this was scarcely odd, because

They'd eaten every one."

The Walrus and the Carpenter

BY LEWIS CARROLL

#poem #alliwanttodoiscollectpoetry #poet #poems #poets #anthology #tumblr poetry #poem of the day #poetry blog #poetry #lewis carroll #alice in wonderland #The Walrus and the Carpenter #bookworm #poemblr #poetblr #poems and poetry #book worm #literature #walrus #oyester

[casspurrjoybell-29]

Forging Ties - Chapter 22 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

Hamish leant on the railing of the ship and watched as Everett, Sera and the robot worked in perfectly rehearsed harmony to bring the ship into the dock.

They were stopping at a small, seaside town on a sandy beached island to let Perry off and pick up supplies for the more perilous journey ahead.

Duran set a basket with a folded up blanket in it down on the railing.

"I've decided we're going for a morning picnic. Just the two of us."

Hamish quirked an eyebrow.

Not an invitation he'd been expecting but Duran was wearing a sleeveless top and pants that fit him just a little too well, so he could have whatever he wanted.

"Sure."

The strange thing about Duran was that he'd only become more irresistible over time.

The first day they'd met, he'd hardly turned Hamish's head.

Once Hamish had seen more of his true self, Hamish had started to feel his allure but it took truly knowing Duran to really appreciate him.

It was the little things, like the way his expression stayed impassive and unreadable most of the time but then with the slightest quirk of an eyebrow or twitch of a lip, he could show you exactly how he was feeling.

Or how he wanted you to think he was feeling, anyway.

What he communicated was always his choice.

He had also been growing more confident around Hamish, which was hot in itself.

Sometimes he would lift his shirt to mop his brow, which absolutely did not need to be mopped because Companions were very good at regulating their body temperatures and he'd give Hamish a look that went straight to his cock.

Hamish wasn't normally this horny for any one person in particular, especially after he'd already had a taste.

But Duran, well.

Maybe he was a little bit special.

Hamish wanted more of the man that lay beneath the surface charms.

Hamish left the egg in the care of Miriam and they headed out.

"Be back by dark and we'll all have dinner together on the beach," Sera called out as they left the ship.

Hamish gave her a salute to let her know he'd heard her and they continued on their way.

They took their shoes off and walked along the sand, sun warming their skin and the ocean breeze playing with their hair.

When Hamish thought of adventure, he thought of excitement but he had to admit that things like this had their appeal as well.

"Do you think we'll ever do anything like this together again?" Duran asked as he let a wave wash over his feet.

"Not this exactly, of course. Maybe not even travelling. But... something. Anything, really."

Hamish shot him a confused smile.

"I know I'm a slut but I wasn't planning to refuse to talk to you ever again the second we got back."

"I know. I'm not even sure what I'm asking, really."

"I know 'companion' probably isn't a word you're too fond of but companionship can be nice. Building relationships with people, whatever they may be."

"Yes, I suppose that's it. I respect your boundaries but I've enjoyed our time together and I'd like to have more of it if you're willing. That's all."

Hamish took Duran's hand in his.

"I wasn't looking to be rid of you any time soon. I've never seen the point in monogamy but liking someone more than you like other people or at least in a different way... that makes sense to me."

Duran gave Hamish one of his subtle quirks of his eyebrows.

"Is that how you feel about me? Different?"

"Hmm. 'Different' is a good description."

"I can live with 'different.'"

"I'm just not sure if saying things like this is a good idea, even if they're true," Hamish said.

"If you want a real relationship, I'm not the man for it."

"Weren't you just saying something about building relationships, whatever they may be?"

"Well... I guess that word can mean a lot of things."

Duran squeezed Hamish's hand.

"I feel like we're dancing around one another a little here. Like neither one of us wants to say quite what we actually mean."

"I just don't want to hurt anyone. I've been clear on that. I have my way of doing things that I'm not willing to compromise on but I don't want anyone to compromise on their way of doing things either. But sometimes, when feelings start to get involved, people may compromise on their own desires even when they perhaps shouldn't."

"Still making assumptions about what I want, I see. Who do I have to watch fuck you before you get it through your head that I really don't mind?"

"I don't know."

Hamish shot Duran a smile.

"We could keep trying until we find out?"

"Hmm."

Duran returned the smile.

"Really, though. Why are you so convinced that I crave monogamy?"

"Well, most people do," Hamish said.

"And... well, maybe I don't fully understand the situation but isn't that when things really soured between you and your master? When he started involving other people?"

"My objections were mostly around him allowing others to brutalise and rape me. Also, I'm not sure I would have described what I had with the man who owned me as a monogamous relationship."

Hamish cringed.

"Yeah, okay, fuck. Bad choice of words. Bad choice of thoughts. I know it's not the same but I thought... I don't know. I'm a dumbass."

Duran smiled as he shook his head.

"I'm just teasing, Hamish. I can follow the line of thinking you had there but you're wrong. What I need is to feel like I'm in control. Maybe a little control over others from time to time for some fun but mostly myself. My own body."

"That makes sense. That's important."

"Do you understand, then, how I might not want monogamy but I do want to stick with you?" Duran asked.

"I'm no fighter, Hamish. Physically, I'm quite vulnerable to other men. If I'm to have sexual freedom, to have fun and explore, I need some sense of security. A partner, perhaps. Not someone to be monogamous with. Quite the opposite. Someone to be safely non-monogamous with. Does that make sense?"

"Tris and Roope have an open relationship, so it's not a foreign concept to me. Is that what you're proposing? That we stick together after this?"

Duran shrugged.

"It would be convenient for me. No need to decide now, though. Let's find a nice spot and maybe I can show you a bit of what I have to offer."

"I feel like I've already seen a fair bit but I'm intrigued. Lead the way."

[dreamblightillustrations]

--Dragontaur Centipede Creature-- I like giving my creatures more limbs than really necessary sometimes - I'm not sure why, it's just something I love the look of. In this case, though, even I think no dragon-centaur creature needs THAT many legs!

#dreamblight illustrations #sketchbook #doodles #character concepts #creature concepts #dragon #dragon centaur #dragontaur #centipede #dragontaur centipede creature #I imagine this is probably another desert-dwelling creature #if only because it's a giant reptile and thus would probably find it easier to live in a hot place #the feet look like they'd be good for walking on sand too if only because they look a tiny bit similar to camel hooves

[niksfics]

↬ WHAT COULD NEVER BE

↬ PAIRINGS: bokuto x f!reader? (Side) atsumu x f!reader

↬ WARNINGS: nothing really. Just some heart wrenching angst, bokuto is careless with your heart I guess

↬ SUMMARY: you fell in love with your bestfriend but your bestfriend has never felt that way about you.

↬ A/N: I totally did not cry while writing this pft

↬ WC: | 1.7K |

My first year at Fukurodani had been lonely to say the least. I had been new to the area wheras everyone else had gone to middle school together, and I'd been the odd one out. The cliques had already formed leaving me to fend for myself.

My second year though I'd seen a flyer for the boys volleyball team needing a new manager. I signed my name against my better judgement and hoped for the best. When I'd shown up to the first practice game after a talk with the coach, I had realized signing that flyer was the best decision I'd ever made.

Bokuto Kotaro a second year -at the time- like myself was just a ball of energy. He was an honest to god enigma. Being around him was just intoxicating, a rollercoaster you never wanted off of. We got along fairly quickly and him and the rest of the boys had made my second year a little less lonely.

In my third year I was always greeted in the halls, by my fellow classmates who'd known me because of Bo. When he'd learned that I was basically friendless in my second year he'd gone around and introduced me to just about everyone he knew. Eyes shining with love and happiness. That was the third time my heart had skipped a beat because of him.

By the time I realized the butterflies in my stomach increased as the months went by in my eventful second year, the more I realized I was falling in love with my best friend. My heart thumping against my rib cage every time he'd look at me. My skin lighting on fire as his skin brushed against mine. My breath catching in my throat whenever he'd look at me a certain way, or whenever he leaned down to whisper something in my ear. He made me feel breathless and I could never get tired of it.

The day I realized my bestfriend, Bokuto Kotaro, just might not be in love with me as well was the day I'd stayed late after practice to put some of the equipment in the storage closet. I'd been proudly wearing his jacket. It swallowing my body because that's just how big he was. He'd rounded the corner into the closet and smiled at me sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

"Y/n, I was wondering," he'd paused and my heart beat against my chest almost as if it was gonna burst right through my skin. The breathless feeling coming back and I felt myself starting to smile until he'd finished his sentence, "well uhm... I was wondering if I could have my jacket back, Koyuki is cold and I don't want her to freeze," my smile dropped in an instant. The way he'd said her name, it was.. well it was different than whenever he said anybody else's name. "Oh yeah sure Bo, lemme just put this stuff down really fast," I'd turned from him nose stinging from the tears welling up in my eyes, and I swallowed the lump forming in my throat down. Suppressing every single emotion in my body.

I'd handed him his stupid jacket back and slammed the door closed as I watched him drape it over her shoulders and she smiled brightly at him.

I should have known then. Known that he was falling head over heels for akaashi's twin sister, because when bokuto falls in love it's not quiet, its loud and powerful and passionate and it'll swallow you up if you let it.

Koyuki akaashi did just that. Let his love consume her like the raging fire it was. They were a beautiful couple. A match made in heaven.

She was beautiful and confident. His personal little cheerleader. She was undoubtedly the most wanted girl at our school. She was perfect for him. I knew that. I felt it, and I tried my damn hardest to be so happy for him. To love him differently. The way he loved me. Platonically. I watched them fall in love.

Watched him kiss her with a passion I only dreamt of feeling from him. They held looks of love whenever they looked at the other. The hardest part though. The hardest part was she was the kindest, sweetest girl you'd ever meet. A heather. No hidden agenda. Nothing like those girlfriends in the cliche best friends to lovers trope books. She welcomed me as a friend and fully supported me as bokutos bestfriend. She was impossible to hate, and how could I hate her when she was the reason my best friend smiled the way he did. The reason his breath caught in his throat just the way mine did.

When we graduated and I'd become a cheerleader for the MSBY Black Jackals, because I'd promise Bo to not leave his side. Promised I'd followed him to the ends of the earth. We were y/n and bokuto. We came in a pair. It was hard. Hard being around him when he'd talk about Koyuki and how he couldn't wait to feel her again and how it was so hard being away from the person you love more than anything, and then he'd say "you know?" With his puppy eyes, and I'd just shrug and agree.

The way I'd wished and hoped that it wouldn't last. That somewhere in bokutos head he'd realize she wasn't the one. That they'd get in a fight too big to cool down from. The more I'd wished that the more I felt guilty. Why would I wanna ruin my bestfriends happiness? Why would I wish that to go away?

So when shoyo hinata asked me on a date, I'd excitedly agreed. Finally I could, maybe, forget about the big himbo I'd fallen for. No. In fact that made it worse. I found myself comparing hinata to bokuto. The way hinata walked, the way hinata talked, the way Hinata's touch didn't make my skin burn up quite like bokutos did. Me and hinata didn't last. It was a disease, and I was dying. Being eaten from the inside out. My very heart collapsing in on it self, and when he'd proposed to her. God, the way I cried. The way I ached. The way my chest clenched and the tears finally fell.

"Y/n, what's wrong?! What did I do?" He asked desperately grabbing my wrist as I'd gasped and tried to turn.

"Nothing Bo, I'm so happy for you!! These are happy tears Ko!"

He smiled big and bright. Bokuto wasn't dense. He was more aware of anyone's feelings than he was of his own. Either he saw the pain in my eyes that night and ignored it, or he saw it and in fear of our friendship crumbling right in our hands that night swallowed down what he'd wanted to say. It was the latter.

The day of the wedding finally came. Here I stood, next to my favorite boy. Waiting at the end of the aisle for a girl who was not me. My bestfriend, the boy.. no man I'm in love with. Tearing up as is his wife to be walked closer towards him.

Tears gathered in my eyes and I forced a smile as they fell down my face. Atsumu tapped my shoulder. I turned and he'd held open his arms. I'd buried myself in the tight embrace of the setter who knew. Who knew the story. Who'd held me as I cried many times. Times just like this one. He kisses the the top of my head and I turn back around catching the eyes of bokuto.

After the ceremony everyone had gathered at a venue for the reception. I walked away from the laughter. The buzz of the party and the cheers as the groom dipped the bride and kissed her.

Unfortunately for me, he'd soon noticed my absence and come to find me. "Y/n" he whispered hand closing over my elbow, and a warm, salty tear rolled down my cheek and stopped at the corner of my lip.

I turned away from the salty water washing over my feet, and my toes dug in the sand. "Don't touch me" I tried my hardest to sound determined, but my voice cracked.

"What was it? What does she have that I don't Ko?" I asked. Desperate. Reaching for anything. Grasping at straws.

That's when I looked at him, and his eyes said it all. He was never very good at hiding his emotions. His eyes always gave him away, and he'd known. He knew the whole time. I knew that now.

Lovely Bokuto Kotaro had known all along.

He was quiet for a minute. "You have everything that she has and more." He said what he felt and bokuto never lied. He hates lies I knew that.

"Then why not me? I know you knew. You knew the minute we were sitting in that boba shop and you looked at me staring at your hands interlocked. I know you realised. Then and there." I pulled my elbow away from his hand.

"I love you y/n, just not in the way I love koyuki," he says it so casually as if he'd just told me he'd left my purse on the counter. Not tenderly. Not carefully.

My eyes closed collecting myself, "don't you think I know that Bokuto? Don't you think I've cried over that every night for years? I know you do, and God it's so fucking hard to be happy, and bite my tongue. To swallow down the word vomit, because I love you so fucking much, kotaro. I've loved you since the middle of our second year, but now you've gotta let me go. Leave me behind." I turned back facing him again.

"Please don't ask that of me, you know I can't do that. That'll kill me sweets-" I stopped him and turned to glare at him, "you can't fucking call me that anymore. That's a pet name for lovers, not for a man who is married to use on his bestfriend."

You could hear someone walking towards you guys, "y/n?" You knew that voice. "I'm here tsumu," you sighed. Moving around bokuto and walking closer to the setter. "Just... just.. enjoy you're honeymoon Bokuto, and please let me move on and heal. Congratulations on your marriage"

You smiled softly at him kissing bokuto on the cheek as you took the hand of the blonde. Atsumu smiled down at you, heart beating faster just like yours did the day you made eye contact with bokuto for the very first time.

#bokuto #akaashi keiji #sad angst #hq angst #haikyuu angst #bokuto angst #miya atsumu #atsumu #hq atsumu #hq bokuto #haikyuu fanfiction #haikyuu fic #hinata shoyo #shoyo hinata x reader #bokuto kotaro #hq hinata

[ironhoshi]

@ryuucha your beach drawings inspired this ridiculous one-shot au of my already au!!!

Please enjoy this sandcastle I have created because of you. Beach time fun for our feral time traveling children and their found family~!

°●°●°●°

The salty ocean breeze tried valiantly to knock his hat off, but Cal placed a firm hand on top of it to stop the loss. He could already feel his exposed skin growing warm from the sunlight. General Kenobi had slathered an annoying amount of sunblock on him, but it seemed to be failing. Ugh. He was going to turn a livid shade of crimson at this rate. 

"Come on," Boba practically yelled in his ear while running by. Cal's eyes widened as the other twisted just enough to grasp his wrist. That couldn't be good! He stumbled at the sudden pull and then found himself having to run to keep up. The hat blew off his head while BD let out a faint scream at being smacked slightly by the escaping article of clothing. 

"Sorry, buddy!" The sand was hot underneath his bare feet. Warm, he was bordering on hot. Cal's face erupted into a large smile as they raced towards the water. This beat Kamino by star systems! He could almost forget all the time traveling nonsense for a bit.

"Boys," Jango barked out. "Don't try to drown each other."

He glanced over his shoulder, a risky move while running, and was mildly shocked to see General Kenobi actually abusing the Force to set up the umbrellas and blankets on the beach. Anakin seemed to have planted himself, in annoyance, on a chair and refused to move. Dice was screaming while running away from Striker. This almost seemed normal, like they were all one giant family. 

Tomorrow they'd go back to trying to dismantle the growing war. 

There were vod'e still finding their names playing on various parts of the beach, there were ones that weren't willing to share their names yet soaking up the sun, and there were just vod'e having fun. Jango had blanched at the suggestion, but the General had given him a look. Beach trip won, naturally. Jango caved.

Padmé walked over to Jango and Obi-Wan, her arms full of some sort of basket. Her hair was woven into an intricate braid with flowers practically dripping from the strands. Her swin cover was soft colors and flowy, Cal wondered if the material was soft. He could see how many of the vod'e had idolized her as a war saint. It was almost as if she could sense his attention on her because she glanced towards him and smiled. 

Oh, she was pretty. 

"Cal," Boba ordered. "Pay attention!" He turned to look at his partner and then the water was rushing up against their feet. Cold! He bit back a yelp and plastered himself to Boba's side. The retaliation was instant. They erupted into a water fight while BD cheered on both sides. Soon enough other people were joining into the childishness. Laughter mixed with yells over the sound of crashing water. Cal was soaked, most likely burning under the sun, but for the first time in years he didn't feel like he needed to look over his shoulder. 

He yelped when Anakin picked him up. Curses, he had thought he was safe too soon! His legs kicked wildly as the older padawan laughed. Oh, this was war.

"Attack," he yelled. Anakin nearly dropped him as a large deluge of water hit them thanks to various vod'e. 

They only stopped their water war when the General let out an ear splitting whistle. 

"Alright, my young warriors. Time to eat." He hadn't realized he was hungry until the mention of food filled the air. Cal struggled, but found himself securely over Anakin's shoulder. The older boy walked back towards the blankets, muttering about sand as he went. Sand, Cal agreed, did get everywhere. 

They ate sandwiches and fruit, with pudding cups for dessert. The meal was full of people talking loudly, and yet, he found himself leaning against Boba while he started to doze off. He was pleasantly warm and content. The Force was also content.

Today, he decided, was a good day. 

Tomorrow was something they'd deal with when it finally arrived. 

"Cal," Obi-Wan called out. "Come sit with me for a bit."

"Yes, Master," he said through a yawn. Others were already racing off to go play in the water again, but not him. No. Cal sat down next to the General and drifted off while the other began to read. 

"Boba," Padmé called out, "help me with this sandcastle!"

#star wars #obi wan kenobi #jango fett #boba fett #cal kestis #anakin skywalker #padmé amidala #star wars fanfiction #one shot #beach time fun #cal is gonna have such a sunburn #they don't care about us #au of an au

[masterwords]

Like Falling Sand

Chapter Fourteen: Hiding the Tears in My Eyes

Notes: Spencer is a good friend and Hotch & Morgan find themselves drifting apart. Not the most painful chapter I've written but it's not nice. It's a little disjointed, time jumpy, a means to an end - not poetry here, folks. We're winding down now, guys!

Warnings: depression, grief, talk about mental health issues and inpatient stay

Words: 4.8k

Previously On: Chapter List

“Hotch?” Spencer poked his head into the office, pushing the door open just enough to see inside, squint into the low light. Aaron had been back at work for a few weeks now, the dust had settled over the BAU and everyone seemed to have moved past the horrors they'd witnessed. It was hard not to, in their line of work - the horrors never stopped, not even for something as Earth shattering as that day and the fallout had been. Slowly they each regained their footing and it became an afterthought for everyone but Aaron. Haley's absence hung like a thundercloud over his head, waiting patiently to strike. Sometimes it hung quietly there, crackling and warning, sometimes it showered him and he couldn't find shelter fast enough. Derek had given the Unit Chief position back gladly, practically begged him to take it and began referring to the pay raise he'd given up as blood money. He could and would live without it. So Aaron settled back into late nights and weekends, no time alone, thankful that Jessica was able to work from home and be at his beck and call. Not just able, but willing, she'd always been important to him but nothing like now – he wasn't sure he could live without her anymore. She was his home now, and maybe she'd always known that was how it ended, from the moment Haley brought him into her life like a stray puppy nipping at her heels. She'd felt an odd kinship with this broken boy in his baggy sweaters and pants too short for his long legs, two parts to a whole. But the wrong kind of whole, not a love story, the kind where you sew yourselves together to try and weather the storms because it's better when someone is by your side. So she encouraged him to go back to work, partially because he needed it, he needed that job like he needed breath, and partially because she needed to spend time with Jack who looked so like Haley and laughed like her. She needed somewhere to be but couldn't fathom him just...being around all the time. So it worked out, and he went back, jumped into the fire.

That was how it went in the BAU – there was no time to stop and take a breather. It was late, too late for anyone else to be there and Spencer had already gone home and yet come back only a moment after he'd walked into his home. It felt wrong being there, books towering over him all yelling for him to show some courage, to say something for heavens sake so he found his way back to the train and settled beneath the bright fluorescent lights and the odd glares of the conductors who had just seen him going that direction "Forgot something," he'd muttered quietly, eyes trained on his feet. He didn't mind, the train was calming somehow in its chaos.

“Can we talk?”

Instinct told Aaron to say he didn't have time because it was honest, he didn't, he never had time but he'd also never once told a member of his team he didn't have time for them and he wasn't about to start now, self-preservation or no. Spencer slipped into the office, tipping the door closed behind him even though the bullpen was empty, no one was there but the ghosts and the memories. He took a seat on the couch, all long arms and legs pulled in to try and make himself smaller, unimposing, not confrontational. He sat and he waited for Aaron to follow his lead, to sit beside him on the couch because it was easier for both of them to talk without being face to face. Without looking at each other, being held by awkward eye contact.

“I'm sorry, I went home and I just couldn't stop thinking about this so I thought I'd take a chance and come back, see if you were still here...” he started, rambling. He knew he was rambling, he was nervous, he'd never approached Aaron like this before on a man to man level. He knew the fire in his belly wasn't wrong, though, and if he'd learned anything over the last few weeks it was that time was fleeting and nothing was owed to you. If you needed to do something, you just had to do it. This had been eating at him, dancing on the tip of his tongue and waiting for the right moment, the moment when he thought it would be more helpful than hurtful.

“I just wanted to tell you that I respect what you did,” his voice went soft, but not unsure. He didn't waver. Aaron swallowed hard, his throat much too dry and he could feel the pinching around his eyes, the burning in his face. He was going to cry if Spencer continued, not even close to being in control of his faculties yet, everything lingered dangerously close to the surface. “It takes a lot of strength to ask for help, especially that kind of help...and I know a lot of people...they don't understand. I don't expect you to tell me about it, I just...I thought you should know that I think what you did was really brave.”

As if someone like Aaron Hotchner needed affirmations of his bravery from the likes of Spencer Reid, he thought. What nerve he had coming into his boss' office telling him he was brave like a parent to a child, but when he dared let his eyes wander, glance over at Aaron and try to read his expression he saw a tear fall, splash against his pant leg. He hadn't meant to make him cry, worried he'd misinterpreted Aaron's preparedness to be open or honest, wanted to take it back. It was a little unsettling, seeing him cry, knowing he'd done that. He opened his mouth, ready to apologize when he heard a sharp intake of breath from beside him.

“Thank you,” Aaron whispered, closing his eyes, tears catching in his lashes, hanging precariously. No control over them, he left them fall and decided to leave them, not swipe at them or draw attention to them. “I appreciate that.” He would have liked to say more, of all people he knew Spencer would understand, would be an incredible support but there was a line he couldn't cross. Spencer was his subordinate and he was so young, he couldn't burden the other man with his problems any more than he already had. It would be unprofessional at best and predatory at worst if he stopped to consider it too long. Derek was one thing, he'd been side by side with Derek long before he took any real promotions, the line was blurred by years, scuffed by experience, non-existent if he really wanted to dig into it. He exercised so little authority over Derek, and since his time as Unit Chief it was even less. Derek would tell him no without flinching, without considering whether Aaron would retaliate, the idea was laughable at best. But Spencer, that was different. Spencer would never tell him no – should he ask, sit down and dump on Spencer, he would never say that he wasn't comfortable, that he didn't want to listen. He would never feel comfortable saying that and so Aaron would never cross that line.

“If you ever need to talk,” Spencer started, but he stopped himself, knowing it wouldn't happen, not really. Derek had been his partner and equal, had worked as Unit Chief, he couldn't take advantage of Derek, it was simply not in his DNA and so Derek got to listen to Aaron's private struggles, he was in. Dave had once been his superior in title, would always be a senior Agent to him no matter how circumstances changed, and Emily had so much experience out in the world that his security clearance didn't even begin to touch that there wasn't any way he could take advantage of someone like her. He did constantly suspect that she was taking advantage of him but he had long since made peace with that fact, so long as she remained in his corner. But the rest of them, they looked at him like he was infallible, they were under his wing and had never known any different, he couldn't jeopardize that. The last year had done more damage than he could possibly ever come back from but he was going to spend every waking moment trying to regain what he'd lost.

So, even if Spencer was hoping for more, some way to share what they'd both been through, the pain of fighting battles against their own minds, the conversation was over as quickly as it had begun. Aaron still had tears in his eyes but he had no words to share, and Spencer sat quietly beside him, offering support which meant more than any words really could.

In the weeks after, he found himself cornered by each of them in time. Just when he thought he'd been forgotten, one would come to him, offer him the smallest kindness. They'd all suffered tragic losses and each in their own way tried to offer him some kind of support but they were giving him a wide berth knowing that he preferred to suffer in private and that in order to do his job he had to keep things separate. The job was demanding and overwhelming enough, if he let pieces of himself in he'd lose it entirely.

**

“How did you...” Aaron whispered, closing his eyes. He couldn't focus, couldn't make sense of what Spencer was asking, what he was offering. The world was spinning out of control. Beneath him the bed was soft, too soft, it gave as he shifted, burying his face in his hands. Spencer was too close, he could feel the heat radiating from the other man, a furnace in a thin frame. It was strange, Spencer never felt so warm before but maybe it was just that Aaron hadn't felt so cold in so long. A chill deep in his bones, nothing to do with Alaska though that wasn't helping.

“You remember that case in Vegas last year? When I um, lied and said I wanted to stay and visit with my mom? I thought you guys were trying to tell me...it was pretty obvious...what you said, the way he looked at you...I don't know what else that could have been.”

“I guess,” he started, but his voice cracked, muffled speaking through his fingers. Speaking was almost too hard, he was just trying to breathe and not fall apart in front of his colleague. Crossing lines he couldn't cross, the ramifications making the feeling in his chest that much worse, more intense. “I don't remember. I'm sorry.” Spencer put his hand on Aaron's back, rubbed softly between his shoulder blades. He was not usually one to provide comfort to Aaron, not one to just reach out and touch someone and he was out of his depth here but he was managing. He'd asked for this when he asked to share a room, he'd wanted in, to prove that he could be a confidant and a friend, that he wasn't the child everyone thought of him as. He was a grown man with real experience and knowledge and he wanted so badly to help. Hadn't really anticipated being let in, not even a little, but it felt kind of good. After years of Aaron comforting him it was good to be able to return the favor. They'd talked some about Aaron's time in the hospital, small details they could both laugh over like the sound of the grippy socks on the linoleum floors, the strange little things the nursing staff did to try and maintain some sort of control, the lunch tray trades. Their talks had been short, quiet, Spencer doing more talking than Aaron, but in the end he felt good about what they'd shared, found some common ground in a sea of uncertainty.

“It's okay, it doesn't really matter anyway. The point is just...do you want me to um...to call him? He's really good at helping. Knowing the right thing to say. And I know he's been with you through a lot of this...”

“I...” he started, but he paused, breath hitching in his chest. Fog thick like pea soup in his head, sloshing around, no words, no wants. “No. I just need to lie down. Thank you for coming to check on me Reid, I'm okay.”

He was just having a bad night. One of those nights where everything reminded him of Haley, smells and sounds, a song that was playing at the diner over dinner had been played at their wedding. There were little things he couldn't even pinpoint, snowballing until he was overwhelmed, on sensory overload and he just wanted to call Jack to hear his voice and feel that connection to his loss, remember what he still had. Jack was already in bed, though, it was far too late to call. He could call Jessica, but it wasn't fair, she was still grieving too and for him to dump on her after everything he'd taken from her...he was still struggling with where they were, how supportive she was being and how he didn't deserve it. In the end, bed was where he needed to be, eyes closed and the world turned off. They were set to fly home in the morning, weather permitting, and he just needed to get there. He wasn't going to make it if he was awake. There were days he could get through and smile and pretend to feel good and other days were torture from the moment he opened his eyes. Just one of those things, and there was no way to predict where the day would go.

He needed Spencer to leave – this shared hotel room stuff really got to him sometimes, especially when he became a burden. He'd paid for rooms out of his own pocket plenty of times just to have his own space to break down – JJ said he never loses it once, and it couldn't have been further from the truth though he played it off like she was right. What he didn't tell her, because it wouldn't have helped, was that he lost it all the time. He just waited until he was behind closed doors. A skill he'd perfected through years of being called weak, sissy, worthless. He learned to take it and hold onto it, wait to release it until he was locked away and alone. He couldn't do his job if he didn't. But it was Alaska and it was a small town and he simply couldn't tell everyone else they might have to double up and not be one to actually do it, that wasn't how a leader worked...if there was a double up mandate, he would volunteer first and usually others would pair up, JJ and Emily almost always jumped at the chance and everyone else was off the hook, but not this time. He offered in his way, more of an awkward plea not to have anyone take him up on it (We have to double up, my room has two beds...) but it went out anyway. Spencer approached quietly and asked if Hotch would share with him, it was awkward and hopeful. He thought it was odd, no one ever asked to share with him. They were a family, but there was still an indelible line drawn between he and the rest of them, part intimidation and part respect, not even Derek asked to share with him and they'd done more intimate things than anyone knew. That first night Spencer simply said he'd missed Aaron, they hadn't seen each other much since their medical leaves and he thought it might be nice for the two of them to reacquaint themselves. Plus, Spencer added, sharing a room with Aaron was peaceful – he was quiet, he kept to himself, didn't make a big mess and even if he stayed up all night working on the case he stayed nearly silent. It was nice as long as you didn't mind the smell of coffee at 2am. You would never even know he was there, he took up so little space, really didn't even spend much time in there. Aaron found the sentiment sweet, if not a little too personal, but he agreed and they'd been having a nice time. Aside from the murders, anyway.

“Are you sure Hotch? I know he'd come. He's great like that.”

“I know he is,” he whispered, raking his hands down his face. “But no. I'm sure,” he said, finally drawing a deep breath and sitting upright. He had to do it, had to look better than he felt, convince Spencer he wasn't going to fall apart the minute the door closed. It didn't take much for him to convince anyone he was fine, he could pull it together on the fly. A magician of the worst kind. “I just need to sleep.” The truth was that he would have loved to have Derek there but Derek had done more than enough, he needed a break. No one should have to shoulder the burden he'd been managing over the last few months.

“Okay. I'll keep quiet when I come back. Goodnight, Hotch.”

The bar was smoky, dimly lit and drowning in dark rotting wood and bright neon signs for every piss beer you could imagine. The vinyl seats on the stools and in the booths were all cracked, spilling an awful yellow foam from inside that had collected beer and dirt from years of mistreatment. It crumbled beneath you, turned to powder that clung to your pants. Not Spencer's ideal surroundings but Derek and Emily seemed to be having a great time playing pool while Dave and JJ and Penelope shared a plate of french fries and a pitcher of beer, watching some kind of sporting event that Spencer didn't even glance up at. Dave and JJ flanked Penelope and were busily (and very drunkenly) explaining to her exactly what was happening in the game and to her credit, Penelope seemed genuinely interested...either that or she was very, very drunk.

“Morgan,” Spencer said, tapping Derek on the shoulder. “Can I talk to you?” Indicating the table and the fact that it was his turn, Derek shook his head. With a huff and a dramatic eye roll, Spencer grabbed the cue, lined up and sank the rest of Derek's shot, winning him the game and pulling him away from the table without another word. Emily grumbled about cheating while she gathered the balls, racking them up and preparing for a rematch. No way Derek would have made that shot, not in a million years and she knew it. Refused to give him that game. In hushed tones Spencer shared his conversation with Aaron, the way he looked, how he behaved. “I'm worried about him and I think he needs help.”

“Then why didn't you stay?” Derek asked, gulping the last of his beer which was ruefully warm. “Em! You lost! Get us another pitcher!”

“Fuck you, cheater. Get it yourself!” She talked a good game, but she was already approaching the bar as she flipped him off and he turned back to Spencer, cocking an eyebrow.

“He said he just wants to sleep...I just...”

“If he said that, it means he wants to be left alone, kid,” Derek replied, sipping his beer. He didn't want to ask why Spencer was coming to him, why he thought Derek should help, just fiddled with the watch on his wrist that cost more than his first three cars and sighed. He knew better, as much as he wanted to just spend an evening having a fun time. He knew better.

“I know. He always says that. But the thing is...I don't think he really wants to be alone, Morgan. I think he's just afraid of being a burden.”

“Listen,” Derek leaned in, more than a little drunk, and smiled. It was soft and genuine, dark eyes twinkling beneath the dim orange lights. Behind them Emily slammed the new pitcher down on the table and hollered for Derek. “You're a smart guy. I think you know if I go up there, you're gonna find me sleeping in your hotel room when you wake up in the morning...you prepared for that?”

“I have thought of nothing else since I decided to tell you, believe me. The idea is unappealing but I still think it's the right thing to do...just...could you keep your clothes on? Please?” Spencer set a room key down, swiped casually from Aaron's suit jacket thrown over the back of a chair, and watched Derek eye it and then his empty beer glass while he tried to make up his mind. He didn't have to go, he had no obligations and they'd been distant since his return to work – it really wasn't expected, and yet he knew...he wanted to. He missed Aaron's warmth against him, the way he could pull him close and they would fit into each other's empty spaces. He'd been on plenty of dates since giving Aaron back his job, gotten back into the swing of dating but there was something missing, something unfulfilling. He refused to consider the problem that posed, the answer being so far out of reach. An oddly deep friendship, playing house, that was one thing but...not realistic, nothing he could pursue. Not in this lifetime.

Still, he palmed the room key and left Emily to square off with Spencer at the pool table. She was about to lose a lot of money.

The room was warm and Aaron's deep breaths told him that he was asleep, very asleep. Maybe drugged, if he was as bad as Spencer had suspected, though he didn't see any sign of a pill bottle. He kicked out of his boots and dropped his clothes near the door, a warning to Spencer that maybe he wouldn't sleep naked but he was gonna be in his skivvies and the kid was gonna have to deal with it. He was the one who asked him to come, after all. He would just have to deal with the consequences of his actions.

It was so easy after that, the way he slid into the bed and wrapped himself around Aaron, pulled the man close to him, pressed his nose behind Aaron's ear and closed his eyes. A low humming sound resonated through Aaron's chest, and he pressed in tight, greedily taking what was offered. Right now, it was good, Aaron's heartbeat felt normal, slow and rhythmic and he was warm – he was okay, sleep was helping. If he woke, he would do so in Derek's arms, it would be enough. Mortifying for a moment, maybe, because he'd be waking up in a tangle of Derek's limbs while Spencer slept in the next bed over but he'd get over it. Probably. As Derek drifted off to sleep in his beer drunk haze he smiled against Aaron's warm skin - sure, maybe he'd have liked playing pool all night with Emily, but this was saving him from a rotten hangover. Nothing worse than being trapped on the jet like that, and the rest of the team were going to be fighting over access to the bathroom if they continued they way the'd been going. He may have been coming to save Aaron, but it might have just saved him too.

**

The way Derek casually threw Foyet's name around in the field was jarring – he didn't flinch but his insides twisted and he felt sick. Just the name. When he thought he was past that, had enough therapy under his belt to at least hear the name, there it was blinding him. Just for a brief second it knocked the wind out of him and he wondered when that would change, when the name would no longer hold that power. Surrounded by flashing lights and a sea of people with guns drawn, ready to storm a house that Derek wanted to walk into alone and he threw Foyet's name out to knock Aaron off of his game. A low blow, but the only way he could see to achieve his goal quickly. It was childish and cruel and effective. No one else heard, and if they did they didn't understand it, just a hostile moment between two men who had shared the world once and were now standing on either side daring the other to try and pass. Billy Flynn was waiting inside and Derek had to get in by any means possible.

Derek didn't mean it the way it sounded but he couldn't apologize, not now, not yet. He still needed to go into that house and he needed to do it alone but not without Aaron's blessing. Not without his support. He would have had it even without the venom soaked words, he would have had it anyway if he'd waited and trusted.

Once joined at the hip, now ships in the night. Aaron sat at the back of the jet where it was quiet, peaceful and dark – he could sit in the shadows and think or work and no one would bother him there. At the other end Derek reclined with his headphones on, lost to the world and his thoughts. Each of them was licking their wounds in their own way, this case had been hard and even though Billy Flynn wouldn't hurt any more people, he'd caused a lifetime of damage for plenty. There was no winning here.

It was Aaron who reached out first, Aaron who approached Derek in spite of the way he bristled. It wasn't the the soft, forgiving smile that Derek had hoped for but the shadow serious form of his boss in all his severity. There was no smile offered and he readied himself for a reprimand.

“You know you can't get too involved with Ellie,” Aaron said, taking a seat beside Derek who simply slipped his headphones down around his neck and nodded. He was in no mood to be chastised, but if Aaron wanted to talk to him, he'd listen. He would always listen.

“I know.”

“No matter what you said back there, you aren't responsible for her. She's going to be okay.”

“Yeah.”

“What's on your mind?”

“I don't know shit about protecting a kid, man, and here I am asking Garcia to find me phone numbers, people I can talk to, like I have any fucking clue what to do. And I know, Hotch, I know she's not my responsibility but she needs help and there is no one else steppin' up to the plate.”

“You protected Jack,” Aaron offered, softening his tone. “You kept him safe when his world fell apart. When I fell apart.”

“That's different...”

“Is it? I fail to see how. Jack is not your child, and yet you have never once hesitated to treat him as if he were.”

It felt like a low blow, unintentional maybe but still painful, and Derek nodded. “Yeah. I guess.” He muttered a thank you under his breath and slipped his headphones back into place, conversation over before they dipped into territory neither of them would like to enter on the jet, especially when tensions were so high. Everyone else was asleep and while he had no intention of sleeping, he didn't want to talk to Aaron either. Not now. There were times he thought of Jack as his own, he'd been with him almost constantly, slept in his bed when he was scared and Aaron was incapable of pulling himself upright to help or care for him. Times he'd taken Jack to his own home just to give Aaron time to himself to grieve, to sit and talk with Jessica, to plan a funeral or pour through Haley's will or box up things from their life together. Jack couldn't go back into that house but it had to be cleared out,. He'd been joined at the hip with Jack, and he knew Aaron didn't mean it to sound cold but the assertion that Jack was not his stung more than he ever imagined it could.

It was true. Jack wasn't his kid. But he wouldn't have minded if he were, and that was the worst part of it all, the reason he had to distance himself now. It was clear, the minute that Aaron came back to work and prioritized that over everything else that they both felt very differently about their arrangement.

He didn't apologize for saying what he did about Foyet, and Aaron didn't bring it up.

Next Chapter ->

#aaron hotchner #derek morgan #spencer reid #mortch #hotchgan #hotch whump #hurt/comfort

[cellard0ors]

Ficlet: Beneath The Blue

Mermay isn't over and people enjoyed Part 1, so here's some more...

Rhett has a bit of a gambling problem.

No, that's not quite right. More like a gaming problem. He likes games. He likes the rush of winning and it's not so much about money as the thrill of nailing a dart on a bullseye or getting a hole in one or - well - being right.

He really loves that one. Trivia, guessing games, riddles - lucking out on the right answer or just knowing it, always makes him feel fantastic. He's had marginal luck in his life. With basketball, with singing, and now - with his new current career - fishing, but games?

Rhett's always mastered those, rarely ever a loser. But the thing is, to do those things, he tends to have to use cash as an entry to play, thus - a sort-of-not-really gambling problem.

And winning in those kind of situations is also a problem, because, after some time - it tends to attract...attention. And usually the bad kind. Recently it was very much the bad kind, because he was at The 101, engaging in his normal play only to be snatched up by some very rough looking characters.

Ones who took him into a backroom and decided to skip right over the 'broken knuckles' threat and jump right into the 'you're going to go sleep with the fishes' threat.

To be fair, they probably went quickly into the decision once he started fighting back. Rhett's not much of a brawler, but he's a big guy and that in and of itself can create...issues. Especially if his temper is up.

Long story short - Rhett's bit of a gambling problem led him to being clonked over the head (more than once, matter of fact) and taken out to sea. His last real memory before hitting the water was that he'd been amazed at the boulder they'd found to attach him to - where had they gotten such a huge rock from? A landfill?

Not that it mattered - rock, rope, and Rhett all went overboard and into the deep. Rhett tried not to hold his breath, to struggle enough just to get loose, but, in the end - he'd been lost.

Except he hadn't been.

He'd awoken to find the setting sun bathing him in golden light and, above him, an angel. Because only an angel could have such eyes. Eyes as blue and deep and mysterious as the sea he was supposed to have died in.

His throat ached from damn near drowning but he'd still managed to ask the angel for his name. And he'd gotten it.

Link.

But then the angel had turned, vanished, and Rhett had seen that - while he was right about his mythical savior - he was not at all right about what kind.

Because Link had a tail.

A fish tail.

One as sparkling blue and captivating as his eyes and he'd disappeared into the surf so fast, Rhett began to question his sanity.

Had he imagined it all? The entire experience had been traumatic as heck - maybe it was just a coping mechanism for his mind? But then, far out, he'd seen a head appear above the waters.

Seen it and a shy wave and he'd waved back, because what else could he do? He wasn't dead and he wasn't crazy. He'd been saved. Saved...by a mermaid (merman?) named Link.

Which leads to now and his camping out full time on this small rocky stretch of lonely beach. Rhett made sure to check in with the local marina, see if it was okay for him to dock his tiny fishing boat, The Bluegrass, nearby. And 'nearby' was about a mile or so away, because this bit of land is pretty unoccupied and small.

...the perfect place for a merman (mermaid?) to drop off someone they saved. And, hopefully, return to? Rhett's not sure - honestly, this whole thing might be a fool's errand, but either way - he has a tent pitched and is waiting.

Waiting to see if Link returns.

Night after night seems like a failure. Still, Rhett doesn't mind. He can be patient. His last haul (fish-wise, not gambling-wise) earned him a considerable amount, so there's no harm in waiting.

Still, as he sits here now, the sky a lovely lilac as the sun dips low beneath the horizon, he can't help but feel like time's running out. Honestly, what did he expect? For Link to return and want to...what? Be best friends?

The person...creature...per-creature? Did what he could and Rhett should just be grateful and move on. But there was something about him...and those eyes...and that voice...

Rhett cracks open another can of soda, takes a deep sip when he hears it. The water's waves have become almost a white noise at this point, so consistent, but this...this is different. Just a little splish. Or splash. Or whatever.

And it's close. He puts the can down and quickly surges to his feet, looking out intently over the water and then he sees it. Just the top of someone's head. His head. Dark wet hair and blue eyes behind...are those glasses? And Rhett can't see his nose or anything else, but he can see enough to cry out, "Hey!"

The head rears back, sinks some, and Rhett feels a surge of panic, not wanting to lose this opportunity, "No! Wait, wait! Link! I-!"

The head stops, goes still. Rhett continues on, desperate for this to continue, "Please...don't go."

He doesn't.

Bolstered, Rhett continues, hoping he's heard, understood, "I...I just-? You saved me."

Link simply blinks.

"Thank you."

There's a bobbing in the water around him and Rhett's pretty sure Link nodded. Rhett edges just that little bit closer, "I...I'd hoped you'd come back. Not only so I could thank you, but so...um...maybe-? Maybe we could-? Could talk-?"

Link sinks a little more again, but Rhett can still see his eyes and, as long as he can see those, he feels okay, "I mean...you-you came back. Right? So-so maybe you'd-? You'd like to talk too?"

Link's head disappears.

Rhett feels his heart break. But then he notices that the water is moving. There's a rippling, the kind he sees when fish swim close to the surface. As if to punctuate that thought, the broad tip of a blue tail rises up and out, pushing against the waves.

He's swimming closer!

Rhett resists the urge to hoot in delight, to pumping his arms in victory, as Link pushes forward and, on the next movement of water, he surges upwards - his whole head visible now.

Link's entire face is nice.

A strong jaw, a good nose, a very fine mouth and yeaaaah, Rhett doesn't want Link to swim off, so he's going to do his very best not to focus on that mouth too much as he says, "I'm-I'm Rhett."

Link licks his lips, dips his head shyly, "I'm Link."

"Y-Yeah, you-you said..."

They both just sort of eyeball one another, both clearly unsure of what to make of the other. Of how to proceed. Eventually Rhett does, "So, ah, you're-? You're a mermaid?"

Link's eyebrows rise.

"Merman?"

"Just Mer," Link clarifies, "Our kind doesn't really attach those bits on the end there."

"Really?"

Link nods, "Humans came up with that one."

"Oh? We-we did?"

Another nod, "Back when we first used to come across one another."

"...take it that doesn't really happen now?"

"Not really. No."

Another awkward silence falls. Rhett scratches at one cheek, struggling for something else to say when Link blurts, "You're hairy."

Rhett lowers his hand and - much to his own surprise - he bursts out laughing. Link colors some and he gives a bashful smile and okay, Rhett said he wasn't going to pay too much attention to that mouth, but it's hard when it's so danged cute, "Yeah, yeah I am, brother."

"Bro-ther?" Link repeats and it's clearly a word he's unfamiliar with. Rhett beams, "'Brother'. We use it for family members. Y'know, the boys born from the same Momma and such. Can be a term of endearment too."

"Oh..." Link seems pleased with this and Rhett grins, "You got one?"

Link's eyebrows knit together and Rhett explains, "A brother? Or-or some other family or-?"

"I was spawned from another Mer. She came to shore to give birth to me."

Rhett's eyes grow wide, "You-? You were born on land?"

Link nods, "Most of us are. Mers walk between both worlds more often than not."

Rhett lets that one wash over him even as Link comes closer. Rhett can see his tail better now. It's amazing. Glossy and sparkling blue, the scales tightly knit. Rhett's first reaction is wanting to touch it but he quickly shutters that idea - recognizing it as beyond rude. They've just started talking to one another, for goodness sake!

Still, seeing it rest against the wet sand of the shoreline is tempting and seeing it move, more so. It slides and slithers, but in such an enticing way. Rhett moves a little closer, foam teasing at his toes as Link looks up (and up) at him, "Hard to talk at this level..."

Rhett realizes he probably looks like a giant at Link's angle, the Mer practically lying at his feet, so he lowers himself down until his butt hits the sand, crossing his legs at the ankles, "Better?"

Link nods and Rhett does a bit of a wiggle backward to avoid getting his khaki cargo shorts wet. There's an amused smirk around Link that says he recognizes that action. But of course he does - Mers, apparently, can traverse between land and sea.

So, Link is probably aware of how clothing works. Has he ever worn clothing? Come to the shore? Rhett wants to ask so many questions, but isn't sure what's appropriate and what isn't, but Link beats him to the questioning, "Are you a fisherman?"

Rhett lets out a strained 'Ah-?' as he immediately realizes that the true answer will no doubt insult his new acquaintance, but, again, Link beats him to the punch, "You've got the attire for it. Flannel shirt, baseball cap..."

Rhett frowns, "You think fisherman have a particular attire?"

"To my recollection..." The remark makes Rhett chuckle again, unable to help himself, "'Recollection' - you sound so danged southern. Just like me. I was born and raised in North Carolina."

Link beams, "That's where I was spawned! My sire came from the same location. Not all Mers are from the sea. Some reside in lakes, rivers - any water deep enough to conceal us, but a lot of us return to the ocean, considering its the biggest body of water."

Rhett lets that sink in even as Link again asks, "So, you are a fisherman, right?"

"Um-?"

"It's okay if you are," Link assures him, folding his arms and resting his chin there, "It's not really a proud profession amongst my kind, but it's understandable."

Rhett's lips twitch from side to side, "So I'm not, like, catching up your friends or something?"

Link snorts, "What - you think we talk to them?"

"Heck, man - I don't know how it works," Rhett lets out a peal of nervous giggles, getting the idea that Link is teasing him. Link returns the laugh and Rhett relaxes as a realization settles in.

Whether or not Rhett wants to admit it, he did want Link to return. He wanted him to return and be his friend and it appears that that is indeed what is happening.

It's happening and Rhett couldn't be any happier.

#rhink #mermay #mermaid!au #my writing #randl

[clean-bands-dirty-stories]

The Best Things ~ J.V. (part 12)

A/n: I would like to apologize for not marking warnings on each part like I should have been. I get too excited to post and skip over them on accident. I’ll do my best to add them from here on! Also, I was adding the warnings as I wrote but then they didn’t save so I tried to remember them as best I could. If I forgot anything, I sincerely apologize.

Warnings: Recounting past trauma (physical abuse, homophobia), explicit talk of death, badly handling others’ trauma, light smut (foreplay: slapping, choking, degradation, daddy kink, handcuff restraining, brat/dom dynamic, punishing, teasing, masterbation)

Word Count: 5200+

MASTERLIST

The air was so thick with tension that a knife could have cut through it. No matter how much Harley was fighting his instincts to lounge and be himself - the self Jeremiah was used to, at the very least - he felt like he had to be the self he used to be. The one Bruce was expecting. Jeremiah knew Harley was trying too hard, and Jeremiah was far too easy to read - which meant that Bruce knew too. So Harley sat there trying to behave and Bruce sat there brimming with suspicion and pain and hesitation and Jeremiah sat between the two boys, wishing this had never happened and he could just escape the two brothers who seemed seconds from either running or fighting.

Echo, as if sent from God, walked into the room with a pitcher of water. They were at Jeremiah's instead of Wayne manor as Harley had absolutely no intention of being back there or anywhere near Alfred. The butler was far too good at accepting change, which meant that the man might pick up on the fact that Harley was no longer Y/n and the whole thing would fall apart. Honestly, it seemed like so much work. Harley wasn't sure why this plan was so important but Jerome was feeding off of it so Harley did it anyway because he'd said he would. If this is where Jerome lead, Harley would follow.

"So," Echo cut into the silence as she walked around pouring drinks. "How is everyone this evening?"

Harley smiled at her, amused. She was poorly hiding a sort of awkward expression that was dashed with a little humor. She was mocking them in her head; Harley could almost hear what she was thinking. A bunch of dumb boys sitting around a table unable to swallow their pride. Idiots. "Oh you know," Harley mumbled casually, shrugging. "Indulging." He motioned to his food but his words were obviously directed at the ambiance.

"Having a good time?" Echo asked.

"Not at all," Harley immediately answered with the same casual, chipper tone. Jeremiah choked on his drink as he laughed at the exchange. The humor delivered saltiness in Harley's voice and the passive aggressive mocking in Echo's had always been an exchange that could make Jeremiah chuckle at least a little. Echo and Harley were very good at banter and it lightened the mood significantly every time they went at it. After all, it was just in good fun. Bruce seemed to relax as a smile curled everyone else's lips. "So... Harley." His lips seemed to want to reject the name.

Harley's smile dropped. Hearing Bruce call him that made him uncomfortable. Not just because he was nervous about Bruce not calling him Y/n as he had all up until this point but because he had cut Bruce out of this new life very purposefully and now... he was in it anyway. "Yes?"

Echo sighed and left the room as she sensed Harley jerk back, even with her attempt to loosen everyone up. Jeremiah focused on his food. Bruce looked at Harley but Harley did not look back, instead choosing to stare at the door Echo had gone through. "Why Harley?"

That was an easy question. "When I was in Arkham, a few of the guards used to beat the shit out of me every single day to try and convince me to be straight." Harley looked Bruce in the eye when he said this, completely calm. He had long since gotten over it. "They even put me in isolation to keep me away from people who might protect me or care about me."

"Jerome." Bruce didn't form it like a question.

Harley answered anyway. "Yes. But see this is a smaller world than everyone thought and my therapist, Harleen Quinzel, became my friend instead. She's like me, but for girls." Bruce nodded, accepting that. "They couldn't kill me without having to mark me as a loss. That and they'd have lost their punching bag. To teach me a lesson, they killed her. And then made sure the TV that was never supposed to be on the news would be on the news, on just the channel and at just the time that would allow me to see her bloody, bruised, cold, dead body strewn out for the public to see. And no one gave a single shit because no crimes in Gotham get solved unless someone important is involved. And even then- well, you know first hand."

Bruce's expression grew very dark. "I didn't know."

"Of course you didn't," Harley purred, still eating as if he was talking about the weather.

Jeremiah has stopped eating. "People are really like that?" His voice was small and his eyes moved to Bruce, his hands tightening around his silverware as if picturing Bruce's face cold and dead and staring at him through a TV. Bruce felt his eyes and looked back to Jeremiah, but the red head averted his gaze to Harley instead. "I mean, people really act like that just because of... how someone loves?"

Harley nodded, swallowing the food in his mouth. It tasted like sand but he kept eating it. It made him feel powerful to while the others in the room had forgotten their food altogether. Although... Perhaps he hadn't chewed it as well as he thought because it felt as if it had gotten stuck somewhere along the way. A thick lump had lodged for a second and a sick feeling had settled in the bottom of his stomach. He hadn't thought about that image in so long... the daily bearings and the isolation and the one ray of light he'd gotten being extinguished and displayed because he had dared to be himself and therefore allowed her to do the same. Because they were different than how most people were.

"Do you know who did it?" Bruce asked.

"Yeah." That didn't seem to be the answer Bruce was expecting. "This isn't great table conversation," Harley eased, changing the subject. "But that is why I go by Harley. Do you like it?"

Bruce shrugged. "Do you still go by Wayne?"

Internally, Harley sighed. "Harley Quinn."

At that Bruce nodded. "You're not coming back are you?"

Harley laughed dryly. "You're not very good at casual, light conversation are you Brucey?"

"Don't call me that," Bruce snapped, body going stiff.

Rolling his eyes, Harley sat back in his seat. "Why not?" It came out harsher than Harley had meant it.

Meeting hostility with hostility, Bruce got angry as well. "Because that's what Jerome called me, and after how many times he tried to kill me it's not a name I like."

"Get over it," Harley sneered. "It's just a name and we're in Gotham. Trauma is kind of a part of life here. Adapt or get trampled."

Bruce jerked back. "Get over it? Since when are you...?" He trailed off, as if hesitating, before his face set and he finished his sentence with a much harder tone. "Like Jerome."

Harley felt his knuckles turn white. "Stop saying that like it's a bad thing." "It is!" Bruce hissed.

Harley shot to his feet, dropping his silverware on the table. Jeremiah flinched but Harley didn't notice. Bruce did. "Look, Jerome is fucked up and dark and broken. He doesn't have a grip on reality or know how to human because he wasn't fucking treated like one. He killed people. He was crazy and insane and unhinged and dangerous. Yeah! You know what else he was? He was understanding and accepting. He got why people lived their lives differently than he did and didn't really judge anyone, ever. He thought they were boring and chose to live differently, sure, but he lived to make people laugh and have fun. Maybe his sense of fun was fucked up, but he genuinely just wanted people to laugh along with him for once. He didn't hide who he really was. He wasn't ashamed. He didn't shun me and shove me in a corner and try to change me. He accepted who I was. He CELEBRATED me. I'd rather be with him than at this stupid fucking dinner or anywhere near you because I'm not some poor gay boy who needs saving. I'm strong and I matter and I FINALLY love myself, and you won't ever take that away from me because you see self respect and see Jerome because no one taught you that you are more important than everyone else. I refuse to sit here and let you try and turn me into some pathetic whiny brooding mess who's never happy because my priorities are fucked up. I won't be you. That isn't my goal anymore."

The room was dead quiet. For a long time, no one said anything. The brothers just stared each other down until Bruce shook his head. "Perhaps this was a bad idea."

Jeremiah pinched the bridge of his nose. "You guys are idiots." The other two in the room looked at the red head with shock. "My brother is dead, and honest to god it's a relief that he is. He's out of my life and I'm safe from him. I never had the chance to have a real relationship with him. I used to read the newspaper about your family and think that you guys were some kind of dream. Two brothers that loved each other despite everything and parents that were like... actually good people on any level." He sighed. "Obviously I was wrong. You're too busy trying to make him how he used to be." This he directed at Bruce. "And you're too busy hurting and bottling up your emotions and pushing everyone away to let anyone care about you or see the real you." This was for Harley. Jeremiah didn't stop when both other boys went to speak though. "Just shut up and make this work because you guys are the only true family you each have left. Harley, you grew up and I have to say you wear your changes very well. You're happier and sturdier and if someone isn't happy about that then they're insane. Right, Bruce?"

The Wayne boy hesitated before giving in. "Yeah. I am happy for you. I should have started with that. I just... I'm scared for you."

"Why?" Harley demanded, exasperated.

"Because I don't want you to become Jerome. I don't want you to end up like that. I don't want you to be some criminal, when you used to be the best person I knew. You said your life goal used to be being like me? No. I wanted so much to be like you. You couldn't speak about a huge part of you, but you accepted it with the knowledge no one else ever would. I refused to even look at the fact that I'm attracted to guys until you and Jerome got together and then..." his eyes shot to Jeremiah and then back. "Things happened and- and you were always so bright and happy and free. Like a bird in flight or- something." He shook his head. "You were inspiring, Y/n. Seeing you like this... it looks like you've been broken. And I just want to bring back that light you had before. When you seemed so much happier."

"I'm not broken." Harley looked at the boy who was supposed to be his brother. The boy who used to be his best friend before one lie after another had pulled them further and further apart until they were on completely opposite sides. Secrets had torn their relationship up into so many little bits it could never be repaired. They were just too different now. "I'm not lost or struggling. I'm just not... sitting there and pretending all the bad things aren't happening. The friends I have now actually like and respect me as a person, not just because I'm Y/n Wayne. I'm myself, proudly, and I wear my experiences as a reminder of what I can endure. Things hurt less. What you see isn't some poor boy waiting to be saved. It's darkness. And maybe that scares you, because you're used to hiding your darkness. But darkness, Bruce, isn't a bad thing. Darkness is what makes us who we are. Like everything it can be used as a weapon, but Darkness itself isn't dangerous. What you do with it is."

Bruce considered that for a long time. "That... is a good point."

Jeremiah released a breath. "So... truce?" The boys looked at each other before shrugging. Harley sat back down. Jeremiah seemed pleased. "Okay, now lets talk about something a little more pleasant."

"So you mean literally anything other than what any of us have been up to recently?" Harley sassed. Jeremiah shot him a look. "Okay fine whatever." He searched for some light conversation. "So you guys are like boyfriends now or what?"

That seemed to make Bruce and Jeremiah both blush and the air in the room cleared significantly. Harley pulled off being cheery and invested as he teased and prodded and asked questions and engaged. Things almost seemed like they used to be when Bruce and Y/n would sit with their parents and Bruce mentioned a girl and Y/n would go off about how he was going to be the best man or the world would surely end... but Harley wasn't Y/n and Jeremiah wasn't their parents. This wasn't Wayne Manor and as good of a server as Echo was, she wasn't a butler. She wasn't Alfred.

Under the light tone, Harley formed a plan. A plan he carried out as he and Bruce began to hang out more and more as time passed that night and stretched for a while. Jerome became nocturnal in favor of being awake when Harley finally returned at home. The boys would spend some time together and then sleep and then Harley would wake up and go out and spend time with Bruce and Jeremiah again. Slowly the time with the other boys began to cut into Harley's time with Jerome and both he and Harley were getting restless. They'd begun arguing about it.

"Stay in tonight," Jerome whined.

"Bruce wants me to come back to Wayne manor tonight." Harley sighed, an odd expression on his face. "I've finally earned his trust and am getting along with him - as much as it pains me. I think Jeremiah is talking to him when I'm not around, convincing him to behave and respect my boundaries. He calls me Harley and has stopped expecting me to be the person I used to be. I don't know, I think he'll be enough to convince Alfred though I might have to try a tad harder." He rubbed his forehead. "Soon I'm sure I'll be chummy with them again and that'll definitely lead to interacting with all of Bruce's friends - which will be a whole other adventure of its own."

Jerome huffed. "If you're going back to Wayne manor, won't Bruce want you to move back in?"

The thought had occurred to Harley if he was being honest. Where did he draw the line in being buddy buddy with his brother again? Where did he stop things? How far did Jerome want him to go? "Probably," Harley voiced, shrugging. There was a long pause. Jerome was more guarded than he usually was and it set Harley on edge. When the red head did speak, it was in a dangerously quiet tone. "Would you go?"

"W- would you want me to?" Harley was distracted by the way Jerome's Adam's Apple moved when he swallowed.

Jerome hummed. "So this is still about what I want?"

That made Harley defensive. "You think I'm dealing with my arrogant brother because I want to?" It had a biting edge to it.

"And what about my brother?" Jerome pushed.

Now Harley was confused. "Jerome I did all of this for you. To convince them you were dead so you'd be free to have some free time and then make your grand entrance whenever you wanted to. I did this because you asked me to." Jerome rolled his eyes. "You've been gone a lot. You come home... lighter. You enjoy your time with them."

"I'm sorry, you WANT me to come home miserable?" Harley sneered, his hands coiling into fists.

Jerome's eyes darkened. Harley realized what was happening. Before he could react, Jerome's hand shot out, fingers curling around Harley's throat. Jerome pressed his boyfriend against the closest wall, his face close and words sharp like knives. "You're getting angry again. Talking to me like that, as if I'm one of our dumb brothers or that blonde idiot Jeremiah carries around. You might have been gone for a while now, but SURELY not long enough to have forgotten to respect me."

Harley gasped, eyes fluttering closed. Jerome's grip wasn't dangerous but it could go that way if Harley wasn't careful. Jerome only ever got like this when he was frustrated. Usually when he was bored and wanted to do something other than sit around. To be fair, he was cooped up which was something he HATED to be. He hated feeling trapped. And on top of that Harley had been spending less and less time around the place. It was a miracle the redhead had behaved so long. Harley had spent more nights with Jeremiah, talking to Bruce so late into the night and fake catching up and playing nice that it was just easier for them both stay at Jeremiah's. Alfred had even gotten used to a simple text from Bruce letting the older man know where he was and that he was safe. If Bruce wasn't home by 10pm Alfred had come to expect that he wouldn't be back at all. It had become a sort of habit.

Perhaps Harley had been a tad neglectful.

He sighed, letting his guard down and releasing all the tension he'd gained from being around Bruce. Jerome didn't deserve this. "I'm sorry, you're right." Jerome didn't let up. "Oh so you shoot me puppy dog eyes and say sorry and that's supposed to be it?" Harley could feel his insides warming as Jerome grew closer, the air in the room slowly becoming infected with sexual tension. The sudden mood change was hard for Y/n to switch gears to, even though he was immediately eager. "You've forgotten who you belong to."

"I-"

Jerome's hand tightened on Harley's throat, cutting off any attempt to speak. "What was that?" Harley coughed a little as the initial shock took him off guard. His eyes fluttered but he could still breathe which is what mattered. "Come on, Harley. Come on, Y/n." Harley jerked at the name. "Is that what you want me to call you? Is that who you want to be?"

Harley wasn't dealing with that shit. His body jerked, arms wrapping around Jerome. He pulled hard, twisting to turn Jerome around so he'd have to let Harley go, or risk hurting his arm. As predicted, Jerome let go. Harley twisted their bodies with extreme force, pushing Jerome's face into the wall aggressively. "What the fuck did you call me?" He growled. The words were raw from his throat being a little sore. It made Jerome smile. "Answer me. Now." Harley let his free hand thread into Jerome's hair. He pulled, the red head squirming underneath him as it began to hurt. "I said, now."

"I called you Y/n," Jerome answered softly. His tone was half reluctance and half defiance. He didn't want to answer Harley like he'd been told to, but saying the name again did give him power.

Harley leaned back, pulling Jerome away from the wall just by his hair. He dragged him over to the bed. "Kneel. Now." Jerome was giggling as Y/n hurt him, getting off on the pain. "NOW, Valeska!" Jerome smirked, taking his precious time with following the order. When he was down, Y/n maneuvered his face into the bed. "Stay there. If you move, I will know and you will be punished. I will be back in a moment." He left Jerome there, ducking out of the bedroom to the trunk in the bathroom, shoved in the closet. He opened it, pushing around some things they'd collected in their time together. This was the stuff they used when things got more kinky. Handcuffs Jerome had gotten from cops even before he and Y/n were together. Rope from a construction sight. Some things were specifically from sex stores - stolen of course.

Ignoring most of it, Harley grabbed the handcuffs and went back into the room. He returned to see Jerome had indeed moved. In fact he was sitting on the edge of the bed, leaning back on his hands. He was smirking at Harley, a dare in his eyes. The red head seemed to be expecting Harley to lose his shit, but Harley didn't. Instead, he got very still, thinking. That seemed to actually make Jerome nervous.

Slipping the handcuffs into his back pocket, Harley slowly approached Jerome. His eyes cut into Jerome's soul, his jaw so tightly shut that Jerome shivered. "What, you think you're going to look at me and-?"

Jerome didn't get to finish his sentence. Out of nowhere, unexpectedly, Harley backhanded Jerome, causing the sitting boy's head to snap to the side. The red head was shocked, but found his stomach twisting with the familiar sensation of arousal. This wasn't like when he was a kid. Harley was calm and controlled - even his hit was direct. There was a safety in the way that Harley controlled himself. Jerome didn't fear him. It left room to enjoy what was happening. Harley gripped Jerome's jaw, bringing the red head's brown eyes around to meet his. "What did I say when I left the room, Jerome?" Harley not using a pet name in a sexual situation made Jerome shift nervously. Was Harley actually mad? "You told me not to move."

Harley released a breath, smirking as he got turned on just by getting Jerome to answer his question without being pushed. When Jerome was being bratty, he refused Harley any amount of control. So when he let up even the smallest amount, it never failed to excite Harley. "And what did you do?" Unwilling to let Harley win twice in a row, Jerome shrugged. Harley slapped him again. The red head blinked, breathing sharply outward as he felt the stinging on his face. "I moved."

A hum came from Harley as he stood, crossing his arms. "You know I had to punish you for using the wrong name, but it was going to be pretty light. Now..." Jerome shivered under that look - like Harley was trying to figure just how to kill him. "I'm going to take your clothes off Jerome. If you fight me, you'll get immediate punishment do you understand?" Jerome nodded. Harley rose an eyebrow.

"Yes, Daddy."

That seemed to please Harley. He stopped glaring at least. First Harley removed Jerome's shirt. Then he gently nudged Jerome, and the redhead followed the flow and laid back on the bed. Harley then removed his pants, and his socks one at a time. Slowly. Jerome felt himself get antsy. "Do you want something, baby?" Harley asked evenly.

"I'm fine," Jerome responded.

Unfortunately for him, his erection gave him away. "You don't want me to do... anything?" Harley asked again, pausing to look at Jerome very carefully.

The redhead looked back for a long time, a battle happening between the two men. Jerome lost. "Jesus Christ Harley, touch me."

That got Harley to smile. "Ask nicely J, or I'm going to have to punish you." Jerome went to glare but Harley reached up, threading his fingers through Jerome's hair and pulling roughly. "Listen here bitch, I'm not here to mess around. You're going to listen to me or you're going to regret it, understand?" They had come a long way since having sex in a cell and trying to keep quiet. Back then, Harley had fumbled and blushed a lot and been overwhelmed very easily. Back then, Jerome would stretch out, getting comfortable as he bossed Harley around - a true power bottom. Or, he would top, and then he'd get very soft and quiet and affectionate... Well, compared to how he usually was when he was impossible to please and degrading to an extent that had driven Harley insane.

Now adays, things were different. There was a huge power play between the two men constantly, and endlessly pushing buttons. What would often happen was that Harley would be a bit of a brat but otherwise let Jerome blow off steam, unless it was a day that Jerome desperately wanted Harley to "take hold and ruin" him. A direct quote from the ginger. On those days, Jerome did what he did best: he kept talking. He said all the things he knew would piss off Harley the most, like calling him by his old name. He would make Harley snap and then Harley would retaliate exactly how he wanted.

Not today.

"Fuck, you're such a baby," Jerome grumbled, rolling his eyes. "I'm bored with you playing daddy, I already know all your moves and we both know that you're just going to give me what I want anyways. You're a soft top, Sweetheart." He was smirking, proudly flaunting the power he usually had over Harley.

Today though, Jerome had pushed him too much. After all the shit he'd gone through with Jeremiah and Bruce, hearing Jerome call him Y/n had pushed him in a way that had sent him over the edge. And if he was being honest, he had his own frustrations. He wanted to run free as much as Jerome did and break things and scream as loudly as he wanted and sock his stupid brother in his face any time he dare even mention Jerome's name in Harley's presence. He was tired of behaving. He was tired of feeling like some toy. He was tired of being used. He was really, REALLY fucking tired of being ignored, too.

Harley's smile was dangerous. Jerome looked at him, unsure of what was going through the other boy's head. "You know, you have a little too much attitude for someone who's currently desperate for me to touch him. You want something from me? You need to learn some respect." Harley reached over, grabbing Jerome's wrist and forcing it toward the top of the bed. It happened so fast that only when Harley had used one cuff to get Jerome's right hand, and then had threaded the second cuff through the bars at the head of the bed, did Jerome react.

"HEY!"

At the outburst, Harley didn't hesitate to slap Jerome again. The redhead gasped, body shivering. He would absolutely never admit it, but this kind of aggression had always turned him on, when he was comfortable with the person. He'd wanted someone to be like this with him for ages, but not many people were willing to go far enough to please Jerome Valeska. By the way Harley was looking at him right now, this time might be different.

"I didn't give you permission to speak. Granted, I didn't tell you to shut up either so I'll be forgiving, but if you shout at me one more time you will regret it." He gripped Jerome's other wrist, cuffing that as well. Now Jerome's hands were over his head, trapped by the cuffs and the bar. "If you want to say something, I want you to address me first. I will allow you to continue then. Or I will not." Jerome hesitated, then nodded, intrigued by this side of Harley even he had not the pleasure of exploring before.

What came next surprised Jerome. Harley didn't take him right there, rough and hot. He didn't move slowly around and tease until Jerome wa a desperate mess of begs and whimpers. Harley didn't touch him at all. In fact, he moved off of the bed completely. He left the room even, returning a moment with a chair. Only then did he undo his own clothes, only lowering his pants enough to allow himself access his erection. He didn't even pull his pants off all the way! Jerome felt completely exposed, tied up and naked for viewing pleasure, when Harley was so far away and completely dressed.

To Jerome's intense frustration, Harley sat down on the chair and began stroking himself, eyes on Jerome. Harley's eyes were wide and lust blown, his tongue flicking out every once in a while to wet his lips. After a while, his eyes fluttered shut and his head tilted back just a little as a small moan came from him.

Jerome shifted. He was getting uncomfortable with how long he'd been hard without being touched, and watching Harley be like this was not helping. Jerome really liked to be involved in sexual acts. He had gotten rather pouty anytime Harley was caught masterbating, and there had been an unspoken rule that Harley didn't really restrain Jerome for stuff like this. If Harley wanted to be touched, Jerome would touch him. They both preferred it that way. This was ridiculous, and frankly rude. Jerome wasn't going to give Harley the upper hand. This was a low blow and he wasn't going to let Harley get away with it.

As Harley continued though, getting more into it and completely ignoring Jerome, it was becoming increasingly hard to keep his mouth shut. Trying to play it off like he didn't care as much as he did, Jerome finally spoke up. It had seemed an eternity for him, but it had actually only been a few seconds and Harley had to swallow his smile to not give himself away. "Okay Harley, very funny. Let me touch you. I'm sorry I called you the other name. You know I can do this better than you can. Let me out." When Harley continued to ignore Jerome, the cuffed ginger raised his voice. "LET ME OUT!"

"Why?" Harley growled, eyes finally on Jerome again. "Because you told me to? Because you asked me to?" He stood, pulling his pants up again. "I'm not your little bitch Jerome, you're mine. You want to kill someone? Fine. You want to steal or break something? Fine! But you don't call me by that name. You don't mess with me, because I'm all you got. If you want me to leave, you ask like a big kid."

Jerome's lips twitched, slowly rising into a smile. "Are you actually mad at me?"

Harley grinned. "No, not really." They both cracked up, losing it for a few extended seconds. Then Harley cut off and Jerome faded into quiet, soft chuckles as Harley began to speak. "I respect you, J. My little joker." He moved towards the bed, caressing Jerome's cheek. The ginger leaned into the touch, his eyes closing. He fed off of the contact, as if it was a drug or he was starving and the gesture fed him. Harley smiled softly. "You gotta respect me too. You don't have to piss me off to get me to break you, joker. All you have to do is ask me nicely, like a good boy. Do all the bad things you want. But not to me."

A sigh escaped Jerome, and then he finally gave in. "If I behave will you let me out? I want you to touch me. Please."

That pleased Harley. "That's what I wanted to hear." He leaned back a little, eyes scanning Jerome's exposed body. "I will let you out. And then it's time to play for real." His eyes glinted with a darkness that made Jerome jerk in expectation. Needless to say, Harley didn't disappoint.

-

Story Tags: @wanna-plan-world-domination​

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