#Chapter8

[charatale-au]

Charatale Page 299

Comic Overview

[If you like my comics, then consider supporting me on Patreon]

[yudacquel1961blog]

[wordpress-blaze-243800539]

A Deep Dive into Some Deep Thoughts

A Deep Dive into Some Deep Thoughts

In preparation for sharing this post with you, I read an abundance of powerful quotes, interpreted, researched, and included ways to implement their value into your life, or at least that was my intent. It is my hope that you are able to draw your own interpretations and meaning, and most importantly, apply what serves you to improve your mindset, your circumstances, and the quality of your life.

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas A. Edison

Interpretation: It is quite easy to quit once resistance or obstacles present themselves, and move on to another endeavor, to most assuredly repeat the same process. Think about how different your life would be if you gave up when things got hard. If you are blessed with the ability to walk, I can assure you that you did not accomplish that on your first try. You are reading or listening to this post right now, which means you endured the undoubtedly challenging process of learning a language. Sure, you might take for granted talking and walking, but what if you applied the same tenacity to learning and mastering anything you choose to spend your time doing?

Implementation: Go into any experience, with the mindset that you are ready to learn, ready to fail, and most importantly, ready to move forwards and keep trying no matter what you face. Anything less than your best effort, is a squandering of your time, and time is your most valuable resource in life. If you are going to do something, do it well and with a sense of pride, no matter how small or big the task is.

Deeper Dive: Check out the article below to see how individuals like Thomas Edison embodied the power of second chances, and an unquenchable desire to succeed. How different our world would be if Thomas Edison gave up on his ambitions and ideas?

12 Successful People Who Faced Extreme Hardship But Never Gave Up

_‌________________________________________________________________

"It is far better to be alone than in bad company." George Washington

Interpretation: The people you choose to surround yourself with, greatly determine the quality and direction of your life. Choose wisely, and learn when it is best to disengage, and walk your own path. There is a powerful sense of peace that comes with enjoying your own company. Once you are able to do so, you will not seek validation or approval from others, and will appreciate your time with those who actually deserve it.

Implementation: Think about the relationships in your life, especially the ones you have chosen to invest your time and heart into. Do they reciprocate your efforts within the relationship? Do they inspire you to grow? Do they bring peace and comfort into your life? Does the relationship consistently provide a meaningful and mutually positive experience for both sides? Take the time to ask yourself these questions and evaluate who you spend your time with accordingly.

Deeper Dive: Check out the article below for some great insight on navigating friendships and making good, informed choices in your life.

https://brainwavetrail.com/importance-of-choosing-good-friends

_________________________________________________________________

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change: the realist adjusts the sails." William Arthur Ward

Interpretation: Think about the last time you complained about something. While spending your time and energy on complaining, did a solution emerge? It is far more likely that clarity came when you decided to stop complaining and began thinking about a solution or reframed your perspective on the situation. The pessimist has a negative, fixed mindset regarding the wind which serves little purpose. The optimist's perspective, although positive, lacks action which will often not get them to where they aspire to be. The realist evaluates the situation, identifies what they can control, and adjusts their actions accordingly.

Implementation: Next time you are faced with a challenge, or uncomfortable situation, remember that wasting your time and thoughts on playing victim, or complaining about the circumstances, will not get you very far. Instead, believe there is a solution that you simply have not found yet, and focus on your energy on determining a first, logical, step you can take to improve your situation.

Deeper Dive: Check out the article below for interesting insight on pessimism, optimism, realism, and the importance of a balanced mindset in life.

https://www.happiesthealth.com/articles/mental-health/difference-between-optimism-pessimism-and-realism

_________________________________________________________________

‌"Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people get is to take a bite out of you." Zig Zagler

Interpretation: Do not let other people's opinions of you determine your sense of personal value or impede your path to success. As part of my journey to becoming a life coach, I have posted my work on social media, knowing that I am opening myself up to potential criticism. Unsurprisingly, I have received some negative comments that provide no value or constructive feedback, and were written to just take away from what I am trying to accomplish. I paid them little thought and kept moving forwards. To clarify, you should be open to feedback as that will help you to make progress and refine your product, but you should evaluate the source and intent behind such input. The moment you stop trying to impress others and act out of a need of validation and approval; is the moment you learn that true strength and growth comes from within.

Implementation: Surround yourself with people you trust, you respect, and who will help you to learn and grow. Disregard intentionally harmful criticism and a need for validation, do your best to be your best, and be open minded to who and what you can learn from to assist with this process. Do not let negative people, or circumstances, keep you from getting to where you want to be.

Deeper Dive: You cannot avoid criticism, but you can learn to handle it in a positive and productive way. Check out the article below to do just that.

https://thearisesociety.com/how-to-handle-criticism/

_________________________________________________________________

‌"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." J.K. Rowling

Interpretation: Life is full of so many different things that are out of our control, however, it is what we choose to do with what we do have control over, that ultimately determines our quality of life. When you choose to continuously seek knowledge and ability, through education, practice, and experience, you are making an investment in yourself that can only help your cause. It is the hard working and resilient individuals that often find success over the naturally gifted. You are not determined by your current abilities and circumstances; you are determined by the decisions you make to change them. Remember that.

Implementation: Your thoughts determine your emotions, and consequently, the actions you ultimately choose to take. The key to changing your life, is changing your thoughts. Learn to think rationally and make sound decisions and choices that are most likely to result in positive change in your life.

Deeper Dive: Check out the article below to see how even the smallest, seemingly insignificant choices, and have a profound effect on your life.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meditation-for-modern-life/202410/the-butterfly-effect-of-choices?msockid=1a66d616c43c66c825eec3d5c594672b

I hope you enjoyed the post. I truly value your feedback and would love to hear in the comments below if you enjoyed the content, and if you have any suggestions for improvement or additional content in the future. Most importantly, take care, God bless, and be well.

Written By: Man with a plan aka Jeffrey Kalinoski

Citations:

Emma. (2018, October 8). 12 Successful People Who Faced Extreme Hardship But Never Gave Up. Fearless Motivation - Motivational Videos & Music. https://www.fearlessmotivation.com/2018/10/08/successful-people-who-faced-extreme-hardships/

Evans, P. (2023, September 15). Choosing the Right Friends: A Key to Good Well-being. BrainWaveTrail.com. https://brainwavetrail.com/importance-of-choosing-good-friends/

Half full, half empty or…? Understanding optimism, pessimism and realism. (2023, August 26). Happiest Health. https://www.happiesthealth.com/articles/mental-health/difference-between-optimism-pessimism-and-realism

Heath, V. (2021, February 10). How to Handle Criticism in a Healthy Way. The Arise Society. https://thearisesociety.com/how-to-handle-criticism/

The Butterfly Effect of Choices. (2024). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meditation-for-modern-life/202410/the-butterfly-effect-of-choices?msockid=1a66d616c43c66c825eec3d5c594672b

Source: A Deep Dive into Some Deep Thoughts

[nimrodbydawn]

Chapter 8 is now up for reading~

(I may rewrite the first 7 chapters, since they are really old compared to what comes next...)

[midnightwriteson]

Chapter 8 of Bad Habits is Live! Check it Out

[ladymatt]

Chapters: 8/9 Fandom: Shadowhunters (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood Characters: Magnus Bane, Alec Lightwood Additional Tags: Stuff Summary:

“Darling,” Magnus began, wincing painfully, “I don’t think anything is supposed to be that shade of green.” He rubbed Alec’s tense shoulders as he heard a defeated sigh. “How did green end up on the ceiling, my lovely?” he asked, squinting up at the bright green splatter.

“Some bad things may have happened,” Alec allowed, sounding precipitously close to peevish. 

[surrealistictechtales17blog]

[wordpress-blaze-243800539]

A Deep Dive into Some Deep Thoughts

A Deep Dive into Some Deep Thoughts

In preparation for sharing this post with you, I read an abundance of powerful quotes, interpreted, researched, and included ways to implement their value into your life, or at least that was my intent. It is my hope that you are able to draw your own interpretations and meaning, and most importantly, apply what serves you to improve your mindset, your circumstances, and the quality of your life.

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas A. Edison

Interpretation: It is quite easy to quit once resistance or obstacles present themselves, and move on to another endeavor, to most assuredly repeat the same process. Think about how different your life would be if you gave up when things got hard. If you are blessed with the ability to walk, I can assure you that you did not accomplish that on your first try. You are reading or listening to this post right now, which means you endured the undoubtedly challenging process of learning a language. Sure, you might take for granted talking and walking, but what if you applied the same tenacity to learning and mastering anything you choose to spend your time doing?

Implementation: Go into any experience, with the mindset that you are ready to learn, ready to fail, and most importantly, ready to move forwards and keep trying no matter what you face. Anything less than your best effort, is a squandering of your time, and time is your most valuable resource in life. If you are going to do something, do it well and with a sense of pride, no matter how small or big the task is.

Deeper Dive: Check out the article below to see how individuals like Thomas Edison embodied the power of second chances, and an unquenchable desire to succeed. How different our world would be if Thomas Edison gave up on his ambitions and ideas?

12 Successful People Who Faced Extreme Hardship But Never Gave Up

_‌________________________________________________________________

"It is far better to be alone than in bad company." George Washington

Interpretation: The people you choose to surround yourself with, greatly determine the quality and direction of your life. Choose wisely, and learn when it is best to disengage, and walk your own path. There is a powerful sense of peace that comes with enjoying your own company. Once you are able to do so, you will not seek validation or approval from others, and will appreciate your time with those who actually deserve it.

Implementation: Think about the relationships in your life, especially the ones you have chosen to invest your time and heart into. Do they reciprocate your efforts within the relationship? Do they inspire you to grow? Do they bring peace and comfort into your life? Does the relationship consistently provide a meaningful and mutually positive experience for both sides? Take the time to ask yourself these questions and evaluate who you spend your time with accordingly.

Deeper Dive: Check out the article below for some great insight on navigating friendships and making good, informed choices in your life.

https://brainwavetrail.com/importance-of-choosing-good-friends

_________________________________________________________________

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change: the realist adjusts the sails." William Arthur Ward

Interpretation: Think about the last time you complained about something. While spending your time and energy on complaining, did a solution emerge? It is far more likely that clarity came when you decided to stop complaining and began thinking about a solution or reframed your perspective on the situation. The pessimist has a negative, fixed mindset regarding the wind which serves little purpose. The optimist's perspective, although positive, lacks action which will often not get them to where they aspire to be. The realist evaluates the situation, identifies what they can control, and adjusts their actions accordingly.

Implementation: Next time you are faced with a challenge, or uncomfortable situation, remember that wasting your time and thoughts on playing victim, or complaining about the circumstances, will not get you very far. Instead, believe there is a solution that you simply have not found yet, and focus on your energy on determining a first, logical, step you can take to improve your situation.

Deeper Dive: Check out the article below for interesting insight on pessimism, optimism, realism, and the importance of a balanced mindset in life.

https://www.happiesthealth.com/articles/mental-health/difference-between-optimism-pessimism-and-realism

_________________________________________________________________

‌"Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people get is to take a bite out of you." Zig Zagler

Interpretation: Do not let other people's opinions of you determine your sense of personal value or impede your path to success. As part of my journey to becoming a life coach, I have posted my work on social media, knowing that I am opening myself up to potential criticism. Unsurprisingly, I have received some negative comments that provide no value or constructive feedback, and were written to just take away from what I am trying to accomplish. I paid them little thought and kept moving forwards. To clarify, you should be open to feedback as that will help you to make progress and refine your product, but you should evaluate the source and intent behind such input. The moment you stop trying to impress others and act out of a need of validation and approval; is the moment you learn that true strength and growth comes from within.

Implementation: Surround yourself with people you trust, you respect, and who will help you to learn and grow. Disregard intentionally harmful criticism and a need for validation, do your best to be your best, and be open minded to who and what you can learn from to assist with this process. Do not let negative people, or circumstances, keep you from getting to where you want to be.

Deeper Dive: You cannot avoid criticism, but you can learn to handle it in a positive and productive way. Check out the article below to do just that.

https://thearisesociety.com/how-to-handle-criticism/

_________________________________________________________________

‌"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." J.K. Rowling

Interpretation: Life is full of so many different things that are out of our control, however, it is what we choose to do with what we do have control over, that ultimately determines our quality of life. When you choose to continuously seek knowledge and ability, through education, practice, and experience, you are making an investment in yourself that can only help your cause. It is the hard working and resilient individuals that often find success over the naturally gifted. You are not determined by your current abilities and circumstances; you are determined by the decisions you make to change them. Remember that.

Implementation: Your thoughts determine your emotions, and consequently, the actions you ultimately choose to take. The key to changing your life, is changing your thoughts. Learn to think rationally and make sound decisions and choices that are most likely to result in positive change in your life.

Deeper Dive: Check out the article below to see how even the smallest, seemingly insignificant choices, and have a profound effect on your life.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meditation-for-modern-life/202410/the-butterfly-effect-of-choices?msockid=1a66d616c43c66c825eec3d5c594672b

I hope you enjoyed the post. I truly value your feedback and would love to hear in the comments below if you enjoyed the content, and if you have any suggestions for improvement or additional content in the future. Most importantly, take care, God bless, and be well.

Written By: Man with a plan aka Jeffrey Kalinoski

Citations:

Emma. (2018, October 8). 12 Successful People Who Faced Extreme Hardship But Never Gave Up. Fearless Motivation - Motivational Videos & Music. https://www.fearlessmotivation.com/2018/10/08/successful-people-who-faced-extreme-hardships/

Evans, P. (2023, September 15). Choosing the Right Friends: A Key to Good Well-being. BrainWaveTrail.com. https://brainwavetrail.com/importance-of-choosing-good-friends/

Half full, half empty or…? Understanding optimism, pessimism and realism. (2023, August 26). Happiest Health. https://www.happiesthealth.com/articles/mental-health/difference-between-optimism-pessimism-and-realism

Heath, V. (2021, February 10). How to Handle Criticism in a Healthy Way. The Arise Society. https://thearisesociety.com/how-to-handle-criticism/

The Butterfly Effect of Choices. (2024). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meditation-for-modern-life/202410/the-butterfly-effect-of-choices?msockid=1a66d616c43c66c825eec3d5c594672b

Source: A Deep Dive into Some Deep Thoughts

[roboartrevolution86blog]

[theformulaforsuccess]

Join Douglas Vandergraph as he dives deep into the transformative lessons from Chapter 8 of Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Learn how to harness the power of persistence to turn your dreams into reality. Douglas explains why persistence is the key to overcoming obstacles, maintaining focus, and ultimately achieving success. Discover actionable insights to apply in your own life and get inspired to never give up, no matter the challenges you face. Don't miss this enlightening discussion that could change the course of your journey toward success!

#ThinkAndGrowRich #Persistence #NapoleonHill #SuccessMindset #PersonalDevelopment #Motivation #OvercomingFailure #GoalSetting #GrowthMindset #AchieveSuccess

[charatale-au]

Charatale Page 297

Comic Overview

[If you like my comics, then consider supporting me on Patreon]

[sa-characters]

King Mijararos (Amphytrionas) - Deceased

GENDER - Male

AGE - Young Adult

King of Manthos

ASPIRATION - Rambunctious Scamp, Super Parent, Leader of the Pack

TRAITS:   Angelic, Vegetarian, Insider, Self-Assured 

SIGN: Libra

PARENTS - King Ifiklis, Queen Memilia

PARTNER - Queen Euthalia

CHILDREN - Radhamanthos

Download: Not available

Story: Once Upon A Time - The first ones

Family tree: The first ones

YOUNG ADULT: The problems with the neighbors was large test for Mijararos. It aged him, but it also gave him experience. Now, in the best years of his life, he feels he can handle most problems that should come his way. He is still uncompromising about certain things, but he is also more pragmatic and relaxed as to what he can achieve. He has a good relationship with his wife, which he respects and admire. It might not be a passionate marriage, but that's fine.

Unfortunately he died young, it was a great loss to his family and the whole country. It is said that he died of burns after trying to save the unfortunate chef who was in flames when a pot of olive oil caught fire.

TEEN: If you knew his father Ifiklis you can't help but notice how incredibly similar Mijararos is to his father on the outside, and yet how completely different he is on the inside. He is strong and decisive, but find it vulgar to use violence when it's not strictly necessary.

CHILD: He lacks the usual bloodlust of his male relatives, and typical for royalties at this era. He is teased for it, but he stands his ground. He does not want to hurt neither man nor animal, and his parents wonder (and worry) if he will fulfill his military education. Is he fit to be the next king?

TODDLER: Like his father he is very handsome, almost too pretty for a boy. But very unlike his father he seems to have a good compassionate heart. A little angle in human form, isn't he?

INFANT: He was kept well hidden from the public eye the first year of his life, so we really don't know much about his development.

[lupamoe]

THIS. THIS IS SO GOOD???

Oh my god I didn't know people would draw fanart of my fic. This is truly amazing!!! AND YOUR ARTSYLE IS SO CUTE URGHHH I LOVE THE IDOL PERSONA DRAWING AHHHH

Let me tell you it feels unreal receiving 2 fanarts ngl 😭🙏🙏🙏 SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN!!!! I'm always waiting forward to your lovely responses.

*eats art like its fine buffet*

Mwah!

Hello @lupamoe i want to give you a fanart of Aqua with him suffering from having to use an "idol" Persona. I want to thank you for the always amazing chapter of your fanfic, I'm looking forward to your next update💕

[midnightwriteson]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61994635/chapters/167962306

Chapter 8 is up for You're Trying To Save Me! Enjoy

[demonbloodenthusiast]

91w deancas is so delusional cause they been making heart eyes at each other since day fucking one, calling the other sweatheart, thinking of kissing the other innocently just for the sake of the other being kissed, because they deserve that softness in the midst of all the chaos around them and the minute they actually get to it (motherfucking 200 pages in mind you) they try so hard to revert it back into something purely phisical with no emotions involved AND THEY KNOW THAT IT'S MORE BUT IF THEY BOTTLE IT UP AND IGNORE IT THEN ALL THE REVERENCE OF MOST OF THEIR LOOKS AND TOUCHES WILL JUST DISAPPEAR which is the epitome of the dilusional repressed gay way of doing anything

[chleem]

Flashing Lights #7

Series; actor Drew x actress reader

Summary: Drew gets involved in the worst scandal of his career. One way to solve it? Proving to the whole world that he’s the sweetest lover to exist. Who better to help than the one person he can’t stand? You, an A-class actress with an alcohol addiction. So, will Drew clear up his reputation, or leave with a bigger mess to clean up?

Genre: fake dating, enemies to lovers, slow burn, angst, smut, fluff

Warnings: mentions of alcohol, swearing, mentions of k!lling oneself, mentions of rape & sa, mentions of drug usage, smoking & vaping, (read at own caution

⋆.˚ please dont copy/translate my work,

⋆.˚ this is entirely fictional, if uncomfortable then don't read

♡⸝⸝ chapter6 | index | chapter8

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Mid-June 2024

“I don’t want to say goodbye.”

“This isn’t goodbye.”

“This is!” You yell, forcing your tears into your eyes as you stare at Hugh. “The world is ending tomorrow. I… I’m gonna be with my brother soon. I’m happy, but I want to live…for you.”

Hugh shakes his head, tears forming in his eyes as well. “No, I’m not saying goodbye to you. We’re going to go on, live our lives-“

“Stop pushing the problem away, Jack-“

“I want to! Because I can’t say goodbye to you, I love you,” Hugh confesses, and you suck in a breath, the tears flowing down. “I love you, Sam. And…it hurts that I can’t grow old with you…”

You cry even more, before dropping to the ground, your sobs filling the silence of the set. You don’t look at Hugh, knowing he’s a great actor and will respond to your improv in exactly the right way; he always does.

You feel his presence before he reaches you—gently wrapping his arms around you.

You let your face fall into his chest, as his hand gently rubs your hair, soothing you.

“Cut!”

Hugh pulls away from you, getting up. He helps you up, and you thank him while rubbing your tears away. 

“That was great,” he compliments you, a smile on his lips. 

“Yeah,” you murmur, as the staff comes and fixes your makeup. 

Director Ravens yells through his megaphone, “Great scene, take five!”

The staff follows you as you walk to your seat, and freeze.

Drew, already sitting in it. You didn't expect him to be at your set, since he was probably on his own schedule. But he’s here, and he seems to be in a good mood. 

You watch as he pulls a random chair over, tapping it. “Hey.”

You glance at the makeup staff, and she goes away. You sit down besides Drew, staring ahead. “You sat here all morning?”

“Just a while. The view’s great,” he says, and you feel his eyes on the side of your face. 

You lean back into your chair, staring at the Greece ocean view. It was beautiful, but you didn’t want to agree with him. Not after what he did this morning. “It’s fucking boring.”

“I don’t know…Hugh Jackman’s a pretty good view.”

You snort at his lame comment, turning and meeting his eyes. Wow. You don’t think you could ever get used to how annoyingly blue his eyes are. “Why are you here?”

“Goldfish memory?” He teases, a corner of his lips curling up.

“I don’t remember unimportant things,” you talk back, an annoyed frown on your face. “And can’t you see I’m busy?”

“Until today. You wrap up today.”

“Who told you?”

“Stop asking the obvious, y/n,” Drew answers, but no hint of annoyance in is voice. “And y’know why I’m here. We got a date, remember?”

Right. Your afternoon was reserved for Drew, which the company told you was going to be a date around the Greece streets. It’s your little ‘getaway’ as a couple, enjoying time away from the press. But, the company planted the information to some fan-cites/media, to make sure the world knew you were on a vacation with Drew, indicating things were serious. It sounds stupid, but that’s the main goal of a PR stunt, to gain more publicity. 

Gosh. Drew’s face pisses you off. Even more, now that you’re fully sober. 

You finished the bottles of wine in the hotel room last night, and for some reason, the hotel refuses to send more into your room. Plus, cigarettes that you left on the table are gone. 

You fully suspect that Drew took your cigarettes. As for the wine? What kind of hotel refuses to send wine upstairs to VIP guests? 

You were on edge this whole morning, even considering to cancel this shoot. But Laura persuaded you to do it, and that she was on her way to buy a pack for you. But after two hours, she’s still not here and instead, Drew’s here.

Drew’s warm hand places itself on your knee, and only then have you noticed that you’ve been bouncing your legs due to anxiousness. “You okay?”

“You took away my shit,” you confront him. It was like a switch was turned on inside of you, and the semi-sweet y/n was gone. Now, it was short-tempered y/n. All because his face now reminded you of how sober you are right now. 

“No idea what you’re saying,” he denies, the corner of his lips still up. You furrow your eyebrows, and he wipes the smirk off with another hand. “I don’t have your shit.”

You sit up, startling him to remove his hand away from you. “You do! Give it to me, I need it.”

“You don’t need it, y/n,” Drew glances around to make sure no one’s listening. “You’re doing perfectly fine right now-“

“I’m not. I’m freaking out here,” you confess, which was weird, because you don’t say that to Drew. But now, you were focused on getting even just one smoke; you wanted, no, needed your cigarettes back. “I’m much better with it, just give me-“

“No, y/n,” Drew says, his tone more serious now. “You survived a morning without a smoke, or a drop of alcohol. You’re fine.”

You stare into his blue eyes for a hint of lie, for his statement to be wrong. Because he is wrong, you weren't fine. You were a hundred times more anxious in front of a camera, and although Director Ravens had no comment towards your acting, you felt the worst. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want my stuff back.”

“I don’t have it,” he firmly says again. 

“You’re the only one that would do such a thing.”

“Well, I didn’t, okay?” He replies immediately, his eyes pleading for you to believe him. 

“Fuck,” you curse, looking away from him and towards the ocean.

Your leg must’ve been bouncing again, because Drew puts his hand on your leg again. You stop, looking down at his hand; you hate how it's so warm and somehow comforting.  

He’s looking down on the ground, as if thinking about something. Then, he turns to you, starting to rub circles on your knee . “Let me show you.”

You speak up after a short pause, “Show me what?”

“How much better being sober is. How much better you are without the chemicals.”

"Y/n, why are you treating yourself this way?"

You stare into his eyes, hoping to catch bullshit in them. 

But no. His eyes just show truth, determination, and comfort. 

Wow. You’ve never seen someone stare at you like that. 

Mostly empathy, jealous, hateful stares. But Drew…

Fuck. You almost forgot that he was a fucking actor. 

You want to confront him, but Director Ravens interrupts through his megaphone, informing you to go back to shooting. 

The staff comes, continuing to fix your makeup, and you get up, walking to the film set. You turn back and glance at Drew, who’s still staring at you. 

His stare causes your stomach to warm up, even if you were highly suspicious of him. 

——

True to his word, Drew shows you how much better it is when you experience the day sober. 

He takes you through town, and of course, you complained at first, claiming that old buildings were a bore. Okay. You didn’t just complain. You fought, like you always did. 

Drew had to pull you aside, out of public eye and fight back with you. Multiple times have you tried slipping off to get a smoke or a drink. But Drew was like a hawk, stopping you just in time. 

In the late afternoon, Drew took you to the local markets, and okay, maybe you had fun there. A lot of fun. 

Locals didn’t recognize the two of you, so you looked around freely. It was nice, to be in a place where not a lot of people knew who you were. You tasted the samples, buying small souvenirs, and even getting a funny art sketched of you and Drew. 

“You speak Greek?” You mumble, while your mouth was stuffed with Lokma, which you learned was a kind of Greece donut. It was so delicious, you bought a pack that was straight out of the oven, eating while walking down the sidewalk. 

The corner of his lips curl up, his eyes glancing down at you. “I can’t hear you,” he teases. 

You eventually swallow the one in your mouth, and you ask him yet again. 

“Basic words,” Drew shrugs, as you continue eating. “Is it that good?”

“Yes,” you murmur, stuffing another one into your mouth. His hand attempts to get the last one from the bag, but you slap it away. “This one’s mine.”

“You ate five already.”

“And?”

He shakes his head while smiling, before stopping at the crosswalk. It was late afternoon already, and you spent almost three hours at the local market alone. Drew didn’t complain; he even offered to hold the souvenirs you decided to buy. It was weird; one, you weren’t the type to buy souvenirs, and two, he offered to hold your stuff. 

Then again, you’re fully sober and awake due to the amount of things you’ve seen today, and Drew seemed to be in a good mood.

Now, you were going to see another market, but it was mostly selling stuff such as flowers, souvenirs, or jewelry. 

Without looking, you wanted to cross the road, but Drew quickly holds you back, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. You look up at him with stuffed cheeks, and he just looks ahead. “Did you eat your eyes as well?”

You roll your eyes, reaching for the last Lokma to eat. Just as you’re about to pop it into your mouth, Drew beats you to it, snatching it away with a grin. This bitch- that was the last one! “Hey! Give it back!”

He laughs, chewing it quickly, “you’re right. This is good.”

“That was the last one!” you whine, frowning as you stare at him in disbelief.

“I thought that was for me,” he says, swallowing the last bite and looking down at you with a teasing smile. “It wasn’t?”

The audacity-

But the lights must’ve turned green, because Drew leads you to cross the road, his arm still around your shoulders. “You owe me,” you say, pushing the empty bag into his chest. 

He laughs yet again, his hand going to cover yours. You quickly pull away from his touch, and he just takes the bag and throws it into the trash can once you reach the other side. 

He keeps his arm around your shoulders the whole time you’re walking around the market. The vibrant view of the local market distracts you - locals offering different samples for you to try.

The only time Drew leaves your side is when you’re distracted by a street singer, and you sit down on the benches, being his only listener. He’s singing Kiss me by Sixpence None The Richer, the lyrics seems to pull you into the moment. You let the music wash over you, a soft smile on your lips as you listen.

Drew walks back and sits next to you a few minutes later, and you frown at him, for leaving your side. “Where were you?”

“A fan recognized me,” he says, placing the bags next to him. Oh. It sounded like something Drew would do. Heck, you’ve seen him doing fan services, and he was very kind to fans (unlike you).

You turn to back to the singer, listening. 

You and Drew sit together on the bench, listening to the man sing for a couple of more minutes. But it was so good, that you didn’t want to leave. So, you and Drew sat there for another hour, until he was finally done singing.

You clap when he’s done, and he bows to you. Drew claps as well, and you turn to him. “He’s great,” you compliment, truly impressed by his voice.

“I know. The best concert,” he gives you a soft smile. “You hungry?”

“Not really,” you say, feeling full from the snacks you had earlier. You look over your shoulder, at the setting sun. This was the first time you’ve found yourself finding sunsets beautiful. Then, you spot the beach, with a few people walking on it. “Hey, there’s a beach there.”

“You wanna go?”

You look at Drew, “yeah, that sounds great.”

——

The two of you walk side by side on the beach, you carrying your heels and Drew carrying his, along with other small bags of stuff. You don’t talk; simply enjoying the smell of the beach, the sound of the ocean, and the calm feeling. 

It was dinner time, so the crowd that was here had left, leaving the beach to just you and Drew. 

Drew doesn’t talk either; walking in silence with you. 

You haven’t been to an actual beach in so long. The last time you put your feet in the sand was since… you can’t even remember.

But that’s the thing; you can’t remember. You can’t remember anything from your childhood, except for the torturing moments spent in rehab centers, the suffocating presence of the press, and the over-enthusiastic fans. The worst moments of your life, the ones that left the deepest marks, you recall with shocking clarity. Yet the good ones? Do they even exist?

Your gaze shifts to Drew, who’s walking beside you. He’s quiet, content with the walk, his eyes focused ahead, but there’s something about the way he’s there that makes your heart tighten. You think back to the first time you met him, and a pang of confusion hits you.

How did he even get into your trailer? How did the two of you even start talking? Was it the shoot that brought you together, or something else?

The MV. You remember flashes—distant moments where you two were thrown together, the cameras capturing your every move. But the interaction itself... it's all blurry. It’s like a haze, one that’s too fogged up to see clearly.

What even happened?

That realization hits you; like a stab to your chest.

You stop walking, and you feel tears slowly forming in your eyes. 

At the same time, rain starts falling. 

And a few seconds later, it’s pouring rain. But you don’t care. You’re too into this moment; the realization that you’ve been awake for so long. 

Drew stops after a few steps, and he turns around to face you. When his eyes meet yours, the same sincerity you saw this morning, you couldn’t hold it in. The tears slowly fall, one by one.

“It’s raining-“ 

“I…I haven’t been sober for this long,” you start, your voice shaky as you say those words. You smile at Drew; the tears being covered by the pouring rain. “And…and I want to remember this moment.”

Drew walks over to you, and he drops his stuff on the sand. He stops in front of you, cupping your face as he tries to wipe the tears off your face with his thumb.

He smiles at you too; and for the first time, you don’t find his smile annoying. Instead, warmth erupts inside of you. You cry even harder. “Told you it felt nice, right?”

You chuckle, “But I’m serious. This…I went a whole day without drinking or smoking.”

He doesn’t say anything; continuing to wipe your tears away and looking deeply into your eyes. The rain gets in them; but he doesn’t care. 

“And, and I want to remember this moment. This moment that I spent with you.”

Drew stays quiet for a few seconds, before saying, “Even if you forget; I’ll remember it for you.”

Then he adds, “I’ll be reminding you, over and over, over and over again."

You laugh at his response, finding it funny, and…sweet. Which is crazy, considering it’s Drew that’s saying it. “You’re annoying,” you lie, trying to push him away.

He chuckles too, his hand still cupping your face. “But it’s true. And I’m proud of you. You did it.”

“I did do it,” you murmur, looking at his blue eyes. “Thank you,” you add. You meant it. You meant every word you said earlier. You hope he knows it too. 

And because this moment felt right, you hug him. You didn’t care how gross it felt to be hugging when your clothes are soaked. You just wrap your arms around his neck, hugging him tight. 

He returns the hug after a reluctant pause, his arms wrapping tightly around you.

You bury yourself into him, breathing into his scent, and feeling the rain soaking into the both of you. 

You also want to remember the feeling of hugging Drew. Not just in this moment, under the pouring rain, on the warm beach, and under the sunset. No, you just want to remember Drew. Drew, and how it feels to be hugging him. 

Yeah, Drew’s warm hugs. That’s what you want to remember the most. That’s what you want to carry with you, like a secret tattoo burned deep into your memory, one that nothing can erase or alter, no matter how many times you forget everything else.

Because, in this moment, Drew’s hug is everything. And maybe that’s enough.

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

word count: 2.8k

ִ ࣪𖤐 a/n: GUYS i got emotional writing this shit...goddamn it. hope you enjoyed this chapter, and ignore any mistakes i made (eng isn't my first language, probs should've mentioned it before). so...seems like theyre starting to like each other???

elevator | other | index | ch6 | ch8

[jeremiahhawkinsfanfics]

JAYCE WORKS AT THE FORGE & REMEMBERS THE DAY HIS FATHER DIED 🔨🔥🙏

Troubled by his newfound feelings for Viktor, Jayce seek reassurance and comfort at his family’s forge, seeking the ghost of his father’s lingering presence.

Extract from Loving is Caring - Chapter8

Read the whole fic on AO3

When he reached the gates of Talis Forge, the clock tower was chiming half past four, splitting the stillness of the night. The heavy wooden door creaked as he pushed it open, the carved hammer of House Talis catching the moonlight.

The scent hit him immediately - cold ashes, scorched iron, acrid steam stained with sweat hanging in the air. He inhaled deeply. It was heavy and sharp in the throat, nearly suffocating for anyone unused to it.

But to Jayce, it smelled like work waiting to be done.

His footsteps echoed off brick walls stained with soot. No one else would be here for hours. Perfect.

He flicked on the lights, flooding the forge with a dim flickering glow. Rows of workstations stretched before him - the complete production line for the collapsible pocket wrench his father had invented, the very design that made the Talis name famous.

At the end of the line stood one station, untouched. Waiting for him.

His father’s.

With a tremble in his heart, Jayce stepped closer. No one had taken it over after the accident – no one apart from himself.

He took off his shirt and folded it neatly. He couldn’t bring himself to be messy here, not under his father’s lingering presence. The cold bit at his skin, but he knew it wouldn’t last long enough to bother him - cold didn’t stand a chance in Talis forge.

He opened his notebook to the page marked with sketches and notes for the new dome and reinforcements. If nothing else, tonight’s insomnia could at least be productive.

Jayce moved to the furnace, filled it with coal, and lit the fire. His hand closed around the wooden handle of the bellows. His muscles strengthened as they remembered the pressure.

This was the first task his father taught him at the forge. Jayce was just a small child when he would let him stand on a stool, little hands wrapped around the handle, his father’s larger, calloused, protective ones covering them.

One push. Two. Three.

The flames flared red and hot, chasing the cold away. The coals glowed with each pump. The heat rolled out in heavy, choking waves out of the furnace's open throat – like life breathing back into the forge.

There it was again... That scent. That powerful blend of burning coal, hot metal and acrid steam. Sweat and smoke and memory. It filled the space. It filled him.

To Jayce, that was the scent of his father.

When he came back from work, it was clinging to his clothes, his hair, his skin… It was still so vivid in Jayce’s mind that each time he returned to the forge, he could swear his father was still there - bent over his workstation, working on some brilliant new invention to uphold the Talis legacy. Closing his eyes, his brain tricked him in believing he could hear his laugh ringing out anytime.

When Jayce was a child, his father would walk him through the forge, showing him all the tools, introducing him to the artisans, asking them to explain their work to his curious son.

“See, Jayce? This is how we make a Talis pocket wrench. Every worker in Piltover has one nowadays! See how it make work easier for them!"

Jayce could picture his younger self, perched on a stool with feet dangling in the air, hanging onto every word, dreaming of the day he’d invent something just as groundbreaking. Everything had seemed so simple then.

With his eyes shut, the memories felt close enough to touch - the pride in his chest like warm sunlight as he rushed in after school with a perfect grade, his father’s laugh echoing through the forge, the feel of that calloused hand ruffling his hair, then resting firmly on his shoulder.

"How about you go home and ask Mama to make your favorite meal for dinner? Dad’s got a little more work to do, but I’ll be home very soon,” He used to say, his smile shining like the sun itself. “I am proud of you, son.”

I’m proud of you, son.

Jayce’s heart twisted sharply. His throat tightened. Oh, how those words used to mean everything to him. That hand on his shoulder used to be his whole world.

Until the day it vanished.

The day his father said “I’ll be home very soon”, and “soon” never happened.

The blow of the explosion was branded with hot iron into Jayce’s memory. The blast was so powerful if rocked their home - even cracked a window. At first, Jayce couldn’t see anything from his little bedroom, but the smell… Oh the smell…

It wasn’t normal forge smell. Even as a child, Jayce could tell.

It spread faster than the smoke, thick and suffocating — scorched metal, burnt wood, chemical fire... something unnatural. It coated his tongue, stung his throat, lingering in the lungs like dirty oil, and wrapped itself around his childhood like a choking hand.

He heard his mother’s footsteps thundering upstairs, her eyes wide with a fear he had ever seen before, and the he could never unsee in his entire life.

“Thank the gods, Mijo - you’re here. Stay in your room, Jayce. I’ll be right back. Don’t move, promise me?”

Her voice trembled with something deep and terrifying. Jayce already understood something awful had happened. But seeing his mother's frightened eyes made it real.

“Mama… What’s going on?” Jayce asked, his little child core fluttering like a leaf in a storm.

“Nothing, Mijo, it’s alright.” She tried to reassure him, though her eyes were betraying her. “Stay in your room.”

“Mama… I’m scared.” He whispered, tears welling up his big brown eyes.

“Just promise you won’t move” Ximena insisted, putting her hands on his shoulders like she did when she was saying something really important. “Stay here until I come back. I won’t be long.”

Jayce promised. And he knew promises mattered.

But he broke it.

The moment he leaned at the window and saw the black smoke climbing into the sky, starting at his family’s forge, the world suddenly stropped. Every thought paused.

Everything was blank in his mind, even emotions.

There was nothing but fear and instinct – the deep, primal urgeto find refuge in his parent’s warm and comforting arms. He flied down the stairs and raced through the streets.

The crowd was thick, and getting thicker as he got closer to the forge. And that atrocious smell was clinging to his lungs, sharp and oily and wrong, threatening to choke him.

Everything around him was chaos. He could catch words like “forge” and “accident” here and there, but they didn’t even register in his little brain. He searched desperately for his parents, his eyes bolting from a face to another... But there was nothing here but strangers, workers, uniforms, forge employees, or firemen. Firemen yelling.

“There’s still some men inside!”

All the rest was blurry, lost in the turmoil and chaos, coming back only into flashes. Somone recognized him... a neighbor, a friend of his parents, a forge employee? Jayce couldn’t remember, he just knew he was brought back to his mother. She was helplessly bolting from person to person, begging for answers, her face pale and terrified.

Jayce couldn’t even remember if he had been scolded for breaking his promise – maybe he was, maybe not. One of his mother’s friends – the wife of the forge foreman – took Ximena’s arm and brought them back to Talis House. A very kind woman – her husband also died in the accident.

They stayed in the living room, clutching to a cup of tea like a lifeline, expecting news like the executioner’s axe.

That night, after the flames were put out, the firemen came to Talis House.

“We’re sorry, Madam Talis…”

They said his father had been outside the forge, dealing with a supplier, when the explosion happened.

And instead of waiting outside, he sent three of his employees to get some help, and he ran into the fire to get his men out of here.

He came back with four, and went back in the burning forge.

He came back with two, and went back in again.

This time, he never made his way out.

Three men died that day — his father, and two men he couldn’t save.

Ximena’s muffled whimpers were piercing through the unbearable silence – an impossible sound that suddenly made everything all too real.

“Your father was a hero,” the fireman said to Jayce.

Was.

He meant to comfort the boy. But no words would ever hurt Jayce more in his entire life. Not even his mother claiming he was not in his right mind at the trial. Not even his banishment from the Academy.

It was at this exact moment that Jayce truly understood his father would never make it back home.

That “soon” had become “never”.

Death is very foreign concept for such a young child. But absence isn’t.

It felt like something inside him cracked – like that window shattered by the explosion blow. Like oxygen had been ripped out of his lungs, and he was left on his knees, helplessly trying to breathe. The silence was suddenly suffocating – a crushing weight collapsing on itself.

No amount of tears could ever wash away that pain in Jayce’s heart.

When the dark anniversary of that day came back, he couldn’t help but glance at the window of his childhood bedroom. The black cloud had disappeared long ago, but could swear he still smelled that awful acrid smoke.

It had taken for Jayce years to return to the forge.

Even now, with each step he took in the old brick building, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was walking over the very spot where his father had died.

Every time he came home with a good grade, every time he passed an exam, even when he was accepted into the Academy - and especially on the day he cracked Hextech with Viktor - he came here, seeking the words his father could no longer say.

There was never anything waiting for him here but silence - and the same aching question.

“Would you still be proud of me now?”

Over the years, as open wounds turned into scars, the forge began to bring more peace than pain. The silence became something sacred —- heavy, but comforting. And every time he took up the hammer, every time he repeated the gestures his father once taught him, it felt like proof that his father’s legacy hadn’t died with him.

Jayce stopped pumping the bellows.

His hand found the tongs without looking. He knew every tool, every groove in the bench, by heart. He picked up an iron bar and slid it into the heart of the fire. Under his careful eye, the metal shifted — red, bright orange, then finally white.

Familiar work, familiar results. Exactly what he needed. A routine that soothed and grounded him.

The scent of melting iron thickened, harsher now, scraping his throat. The heat grew unbearable, and a sheen of sweat covered his bare skin - but Jayce basked in it. This was what a forge should feel like.

Almost there. Just a little more heat.

Jayce pumped the bellows again. Sparks burst, smoke rolled, the breath of the furnace flared hotter, brighter.

There – the right color on the iron. It was ready.

Jayce put on protective gloves, took the glowing metal with the tongs, and laid it across the anvil.

The hammer was waiting, strong and heavy – like the burden of responsibility. The Talis House symbol was etched on its side. On the handle, two simple letters were sitting - the shortest possible epitaph to his father’s legacy.

J.T.

Jonathan Talis.

Jayce’s fingers brushed over them like a prayer.

No matter how big or strong he became, the hammer always felt too heavy for him. It was a tool meant for a man — strong, assured, with shoulders broad enough to bear the burden of responsibility, and the will for duty and sacrifice. In Jayce’s hand, it made him feel like he was still a child.

He lifted the tool, with the reverence of a priest handling a sacred offering. His muscles braced against the weight. Then, he strengthened his grip on the tongs to keep the heated iron still, and struck.

Cling!

The sound rang sharp and bright - the first strike of the day, the hiss of iron taking shape.

The song of his father’s hammer.

Jayce paused, eyes closed, breathing the scent that used to cling to his father's clothes and skin, feeling the heat of when he was activating the furnace, listening to the echo of his hammer against the soot-stained brick walls.

All these feelings were rooted so deep within him, like it was part of his very flesh and blood… The feeling of his father's presence.

His laughter was gone, but this part of him had never left the forge – and never will. Not as long as a Talis remained to swing the hammer.

Cling!

Jayce’s muscles were falling into the familiar routine of gestures so deeply encrypted in his body that they could just as well be hereditary.

Cling!

If science didn’t forbid him to believe in ghosts, Jayce might’ve believed this hammer could bridge the gap between life and death. He could almost feel that calloused hand on his shoulder again, hear his father’s precious advices as he was working.

Cling!

Gods… what would his father say now? He achieved so much through his life, building everything that made Jayce’s world: his childhood house, the forge that put food in their plate, the reputation that opened the doors of Piltover’s private schools. What would he think of a son losing his mind over… what? Snow and confused feelings?

Cling!

The metal cooled, slipping from white to red. Time to heat it again.

Jayce set it back in the fire and pumped on the bellows. Sweat was rolling slick on his forehead, his torso and his back, drawing long salty streams on his golden skin. But with each strike, each breath, the clutter in his mind was easing, his thoughts melting away with sweat and steam.

This wasn’t just forging. It was honoring a legacy, telling the fire and the silence “He may be gone, but what he stood for isn’t.”

It was a promise he refused to break: that the Talis family would continue to improve the lives of people in Piltover. That one day, when Jayce would meet his father again, he would have earned those words.

I’m proud of you, son.

For now, Jayce felt like only half the man his father was. It was strange to realize he had grown bigger than him - taller, broader. It felt wrong. Like a trick. His father would always be a giant in his mind - the man who knew everything.

Cling!

“I could really use your advice right now,” Jayce whispered, raising the hammer again.

Cling!

“I’m sure you’d know what to do.”

Cling!

“There’s so much I wish I could tell you.”

Cling!

“…sometimes I wish you weren’t a hero”.

That was something Jayce would never dare to say out loud. Not here. Not where his father died to save others. Six men had survived that fire thanks to him, and Jayce was proud of that. But sometimes… sometimes he wished his father hadn’t gone back in the fire that third time. That instead, he’d came back home that night, and lived to see the son he left behind. That, growing up, Jayce still had a father to bring his perfect grades to, to talk about his concerns and worries with, to hold tight in his arms, and to teach him all these things men taught to their sons.

At least Jayce still had the forge, and this ritual of metal, heat and memory - a way to feel close to him again. To think clearly. To move forward.

As the sun slowly crept over the horizon, the darkness behind the forge’s dusty windows was starting to lift. By the end of the blue hour, Jayce was done with modeling the new dome and the reinforcement pieces for the prototype.

Sweat glistened on his skin, soot stained his arms, blisters burned on his hands, but his mind felt clearer. The new pieces shimmered in the furnace’s light, and Jayce couldn’t help but smile.

They were perfect. Maybe one of his best work so far.

The ghost of a warm hand lingered for a moment on his shoulder – or was it just the heat of the furnace behind him?

In his mind, he heard the words again, clear as a bell.

“I’m proud of you son.”

With a lighter heart, Jayce wiped himself down, extinguished the furnace, and returned every tool to its rightful place. Unlike his own lab station, this one was sacred - he would never leave it messy.

He buttoned his shirt and stepped outside just before the first workers arrived. As the door creaked back open, he paused, giving one last look to the dozing forge – still warm, still waiting until the real day began.

“Thank you, Dad” he whispered with a small smile, his breath steaming in the cold winter morning. Then he turned the key in the lock and headed home.

Read more on AO3

Thank you for reading 😊

[bekpengii]

faces r my fav thing ever. thomas my LOVE love love

this is art for my south park fic✌️ would LOVEEE it if u gave it a shot🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶 i was gonna start writing chapter8 but i got so sick + i’m lowk waiting for a sign to begin writing.