#electrical socket box

[interiorergonomics]

Why Buying Office Furniture online is Better?

As businesses and individuals increasingly prefer online-shopping, purchasing office furniture in Dubai is also on the web. Modern and enhanced online office furniture sites have upgraded with exact crystal clear product photos, descriptions together with the most secure payment and check out systems. With attention to details, anyone can either customize or compare modern furniture products sizes, competitive prices, material and finishing. Just from where you’re, shopping online increases accessibility to a wider range of office furniture options. This makes it more prevalent than ever before. Consequently, online shopping has become a crucial avenue for meeting the evolving demands of modern workspaces in places like Dubai.

[seoasraful]

Flemoon Large Outdoor Electrical Box (12.5 x 8.5 x 5 inch).mp4

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[yueyimold]

double flush mounted box mold

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[jerryliao221]

[gyuzgrl]

spoilt for choice //seokgyu// pt1.

Finding love is hard. Ironically so. In the movies things look so easy- he sees her, she sees him, and at once they fall head over heels, madly in love.

They love fiercely, they love passionately, they love so... effortlessly. It's as though they have no option but to.

Alas, what you see is merely fiction. Finding love is like reaching the end of a rainbow these days- hell, it's probably easier to do the latter.

At least that's what you- our protagonist- feel like. For someone so chronically single, you sure do have yourself surrounded by love and relationships. Your best friend? Engaged. Your landlord? Married with two kids. Your friends? Dating each other.

God it's like the universe wants to show you how goddamn alone you are.

Like now, for instance. All you want, is to buy some goddamn bread, head home for the night, and crawl straight into bed, but the will the universe let you?

Of course not.

Of course your store is all out of focaccia. Of course you have to change your dinner plans and settle for mac n cheese again. Of course you bump straight into a display in front of the most beautiful man you've ever seen and drop every single box on the shelf.

"oh shi-" a voice sounds from beside you mere moments before disaster.

As you look up, your eyes widen. In horror? In awe? You're not entirely sure. All you know, is that in approximately 0.07 milliseconds you'd have crashed into a pile of ready to eat mac n cheese boxes, all while a handsome young man attempts to save you, although in vain.

The world seems to move in slow motion as your shoulder makes contact with the shelf. You hear the chain reaction being set off, each carton falling onto the next. You feel the dull sting of metal digging into your shoulder. You see the cascade of orange and blue boxes falling off the racks in numbers you could barely comprehend.

This does not look good for you.

Scanning over the pile of boxes, you gasp, reality catching up quickly. People nearby whisper and point, shooting you disapproving looks and shaking their heads.

From the crowd, a soft voice draws your attention- "are you hurt?"

You turn to the side, and your eyes widen further. Damn he looks even better when you aren't falling into display cases.

"here, let me help," he offers with a gentle smile, "we'll save time this way"

Oh crap he has a lisp- that's adorable.

"thanks," you mutter, crouching down beside him as you work together to clean up the absolute mess you've made. "you really don't have to..."

He turns to you, brows pinched so tight he almost looks offended- "it's the gentlemanly thing to do!"

When you don't respond, probably because you're afraid you've insulted him, he speaks up once again.

"plus, I'd be stupid to leave a pretty girl in distress"

Your eyes nearly pop out of their sockets at his comment and he huffs out a laugh.

"I'm Mingyu, by the way," he throws some rope your way to get you talking, and you do. Gratefully.

"Y/n." you mutter, "thanks for your help Mingyu"

He grins, placing a couple of boxes back in place, and offers you his hand. You take it graciously.

As your palm slips into his grasp, you feel a jolt light up your body, like lightning. Something sharp, something metallic, something electric.

Like an old light bulb, crackling back to life, something carnal stirred deep inside you. It was brief, but you were certain that Mingyu had awoken the succubus that slept within.

Being single does things to a girl.

At the start it's fun with friends and wine nights and basking in the joys of being single. Then your friends start to get busy with partners of their own, plans fall through, and before you know it, you're sitting alone in bed trying to get yourself off, but all you can do is wonder whether you're destined to die alone.

It's tough, it really is.

It's been a while since you're desire for- well- anything died down. A few months at least. Not a wayward thought here, nor a wandering hand there.

You just didn't feel like it. Even if you tried.

But now?

Oh, this is interesting.

Your eyes fix in on his, as you rise to your feet. His grasp is gentle yet strong, and you can see his arm flexing deliciously with the pure muscle that lay beneath his plain white tee.

Wowza.

"can I ask why a beautiful woman such as yourself is eating-" he pauses, skimming over the boxes around, "kids meal box mac n cheese?"

A mix of bashful pride and embarrassment paint your face pink. He thinks you're beautiful. And he knows you're eating kids mac n cheese.

"I was gonna- uh, I wanted to pick up bread, but my usual place doesn't have what I want, so mac n cheese it is..."

There's a pause. Mingyu's eyes seem hesitant. He opens his mouth as if to say something, but decides against it.

Moments pass with your hand in his, and you don't realise just how odd this all must look until a voice snaps you out of your bliss.

"ma'am?"

Your hand flies back down to your side before the worker can say another word, and Mingyu takes a step back.

"y-yes?"

There's a long silence that follows as the shop worker shifts his glance from you to Mingyu and then back to you, as if to try and understand your situation.

"is this man- is this man bothering you?" his voice is weak and wobbly, a result of the sheer size of Mingyu's body and the frailness of his own .

You wave frantically, shaking your head as you clear Mingyu's name.

"not at all! he helped me- I dropped a bunch of-" you start, rambling on to persuade him, and before you can stop yourself, your arms loop around Mingyu's very large arm as you squeak "see? not bothered at all! not at a-"

Oh god. Are you really clutching onto his bicep right now. This is insane. He's so much bigger than you thought. Oh good lord.

Mingyu grins, taking note of the panic in your eyes, slowly realising what you're doing.

"yeah, we're all good here buddy," he smiles, "thanks for looking out though!"

The guys leaves, and you peel yourself off of Mingyu, albeit unwillingly.

"I'm so sorry-" you start, but he's quick to cut in.

"for holding my arm? if anything I owe you one"

You giggle, tossing him a shy smile, and his face heats up ever so slightly.

"s-so you needed bread, huh?"

You nod.

"I actually bake, if you'd be interested in taking some bread off my hands, I'd be more than happy to provide"

"that's so cool," you gasp. "I would love to try some!"

Relief washes over his features, and he pulls his phone out, pushing it your way.

"could I get your number? we can figure out a proper time for me to drop some off with you... or if you'd like to come pick up a loaf or two later in the week"

Stranger danger be damned. This man bakes bread.

It's been a day since, and you can't stop thinking about him. His kind, gentle eyes, his strong arms, his plump lips- god it's driving you insane.

Neither of you have made the first move- not a call or text in sight. You don't think you can hold on much longer.

"does he want me to start?" you muse, staring hard at your phone.

"he asked for my number... he should call"

Your screen flickers off as you groan loudly. You really are cursed. The one time someone's taken an interest in you, you manage to fuck that up as well.

Maybe this is how it's meant to be in the end. You're just destined to be alone.

Just as you're about to descend into a pit of despair, there's a knock at your door.

"coming!"

You open the door and before you have a moment to comprehend what's happening, there's a loud squeal echoing through your house.

Sana.

"Y/n my babyyyyyy, I have news for youu" she sings, excited as always.

"I've missed youuu," you sulk, "it's like you've forgotten about me"

She grins sheepishly.

"new relationship things, you know how it is... but I'm sorryyy and I have just the thing to make it up to you"

Leading you to the couch, Sana pushes you down to sit as she takes a seat beside you.

"there's someone I think you should meet." she says. "he's momo's friend, and he's really sweet-"

"you mean like a blind date?" you interject.

"y-yeah a blind date... that's one way to put it"

You squint, narrowing your eyes at her. Poor thing. She's never been too good at lying.

"San..." you warn, "what did you do?"

This is how you've ended up here, sitting across from a greek hero come to life.

He smiles gently, flashing his perfect teeth as his eyes crinkle in the most beautiful way you've ever seen. Oh my god.

It's like the lord himself snuck into your head and brought your filthiest wet dream to life.

Arms practically bulging through his dress shirt, hair neatly styled to reveal his forehead just a touch, oh you're in for a treat.

But you're definitely no less.

In a pearly pink dress stopping just along your thighs, with the most dreamy, satin straps you've ever seen, you look divine.

Well, Dokyeom certainly thinks so.

When you walked into the restaurant, hair flowing with the gentle breeze, he felt his heart drop.

You're beautiful. Devastatingly so.

He pulls out your chair, leaning in slightly to whisper- "wow you're beautiful,"- and you feel your face heat up.

"th-anks" you stumble, swallowing as you watch him take him seat.

"I'm Dokyeom, Momo's friend- you probably know that already-"

"yeah, Sana and her... set this up,"

"actually- I asked," he grins, "Momo posted something recently, and you were in it"

Your eyes widen.

"I'm sorry!" his brows scrunch a little, smile still lifting his features, "you just- you looked so pretty, I needed to ask if you were single"

"well I am," you smiled, cheeks pink.

"I'm glad."

Conversation flows easily with him. There's something so reassuring about that smile of his and the gentle tone of his voice.

However, something else seems to be flowing simultaneously.

You aren't sure whether it's the perfectly sculpted face or his thick, beefy arms, but you find yourself forcing your thighs shut to calm the raging heat deep inside.

"I don't like rushing into things, but I'd like to do this again sometime" he pulls you from your thoughts, "if that's okay-"

"hm?"

"maybe a coffee, or ice cream-"

Your eyes widen. What is he talking about?

Sweat settles on your skin as the room begins to feel a bit too hot for your liking, and you swallow at the thick lump settling at the back of your throat.

"I-" you start, feeling your throat close in, "s-sorry what did you say?"

Good going, girl. Super subtle.

Dokyeom seems to have picked up on your shitty eyes and glittering skin, and his eyes fix in on you.

"you doing okay there?" he muses, folding his arms on the table.

Your eyes follow his movements, betraying your dignity, and he takes note.

Oh.

Dirty girl, staring so blatantly at his body. God only knows what filthy, filthy thoughts you have going on in that head of yours.

His eyes darken for a moment, but it's gone before you notice.

"Y/n?"

"y-yeah- just, uh... what did you say earlier?"

Dokyeom plasters on a rushed smile and his eyes meet yours.

"I said- I'd like to do this again sometime. do you wanna maybe get coffee or icecream later this week?"

You nod, eagerly.

"I would love to,"

The night comes to a close, with Dokyeom gushing over you, sticky sweet praise falling abundantly from his pretty lips. From the delicate curl of your hair, to the tasteful matching of your shoes and jewellery, nothing goes unnoticed by him.

It's almost a touch too much, but you're loving this. The attention, the validation, the pure vanity of it all- oh it feels good to have a man like him call you beautiful.

"you're really sweet, you know that Dokyeom?" you giggle, shooting him a bashful smile.

He blushes, momentarily losing his composure. The way his name rolls off your tongue is nothing short of perfection.

You're nothing short of perfection.

"I've always hated my name, you know?"

You tip your head to the side.

"but I like the way you say it," he whispers, "makes it sound so pretty"

You're stunned into silence. There's that familiar heat once again, burning deep inside you.

"may I drop you back home?"

Agreeing, you make your way to his car, and let him drive you home.

A comfortable, slow conversation follows- he asks about your family, what plans you have tomorrow, and you feel so completely at ease.

Before you know it, you're here.

"I'd drop you to your doorstep, but you live in an apartment and I uh, don't wanna look like a creep" he sighs.

You laugh. Properly this time, with your head tipped back, lips parted wide. Dokyeom only stares in awe.

Your hands move to the latch of your seatbelt.

Wordlessly, he reaches over, placing his hand over yours, and undoing it for you. Your breath hitches.

Oh.

Oh my.

He raises your hand gently to his lips, placing a soft, slow kiss to the back, keeping his eyes on you.

You gasp this time.

A faint smile cracks his lips as he lets you go, and you feel your lungs compress.

"goodnight, Y/n," he mumbles, voice thick with something you can't really place just yet.

Back at home, you find yourself grinning like an idiot. Tonight was perfect. Dokyeom took you out to dinner, chatted with you for hours, drove you home, kissed you (RESPECTFULLY!).

My, oh my.

As you lie in bed, letting your thoughts free, a familiar puppy-like face comes to mind. Your eyes widen.

Mingyu.

Has he texted?

Leaning over, you check your phone, and see that he has.

You can't help the pang of excitement you feel inside when you see his text. It's weird. You somehow still feel intrigued by your saviour, despite just having gone out on the best date of your life.

Dokyeom seems to have this effect on you too.

Your mind fuzzes over with thoughts of him and Mingyu, over and over, replaying the things they said, things they did.

How is this possible?

How could you be thinking of two men at the same time?

[aliceinoakdale]

✧♡✧ Jae Bedroom ✧♡✧

Wallpaper - Charlypancake Floor - Syboulette Switch & Sockets - Pierisim Posters - Around the sims 4, Simbin, Make sims, Jools, Keloshe, Atomiclight : x, x, x, x, x, x, x Lights - House of Harlix Lamps - Arnie Rugs - Bknysimz, Atomiclight, Madlen : x, x, x Shelf - Tuds Books - Felixandre, Gua, Charly Pancakes : x, x, x Alarm Clock - SoftDefault S-pod - Pierisim Bed, Chair, Trash can - Cowbuild Desk, Chair - Simmila Laptop - Cowbuild Controllers stand - Ddaengsims Tissue box - Peacemaker No Face - Bknysimz Tripod - Ddaengsims Switch - Dsco Soda - Ddaengsims Mini fridge, Computer - Ddaengsims Slipper - Taurus Design Cork Board - Joyce is Fox Envelop - Around The Sims Postcards, Post-it, Pictures - Around The Sims Library - Awingedllama Desk - Pierisim Ampli - Around the sims 4 Tissue box - The Clutter Cat Pringles - Around the sims 4 Desk Organizer, Date stamp - Around the sims 4 Calculator - Sixam Kimbap - Ddaengsims Mirror - Syboulette Wardrobe - Pierisim Bag - Simcredible TV - Arnie TV Stand - Sixam Lucky Cat - Felixandre Console - Luumia Vhs, Remote - Cowbuild Dvd Stack - Hydra Wallet - Around the sims 4 Car key - Dadengsims Apple watch - Ddaengsims Airpods - Ddaengsims Controllers, Electric guitar, Bakckpack, Videogames - Syboulette Basketball - Sixam Armchair - Felixandre

CC Creators :

@charlypancakes / @syboubou / @pierisim / @aroundthesims / @simbin / @makesims / @jools-simming / @keloshe-sims / @atomiclight / @Arnie / @bknysimz / @madlensims / @tudtuds / @felixandresims / @gua-cc / @softdefault / @Cow.build / @simmila / @Ddaeng.sims / @peacemaker-ic / @dscombobulate / @taurusdesign / @joyceisfox / @thecluttercat / @imfromsixam / @luumia /

[encasedinobsidian]

Life According to Joel

Happy birthday @netherfeildren !! This is my gift to you <333 Thanks for being my friend, for being kind and understanding and funny and cool, for entertaining me and letting me freeload. If it weren't for you and your unfathomable talent, I'm sure I'd be illiterate, and Din Djarin would be nothing but a tuna can. I think of you every time I see a mini truck, a rat tail, or Matthew McCououghougohgouneyay. You are my personal Rust Cohle, and I hope my Marty-ness enriches your life like your odd shit enriches mine. YEEHAW AND ILY !!

Summary: Joel having the worst day ever Word count: 2.5k Rating: A for effort

Monday. Joel is startled awake by the blaring scream of a car alarm and a leaf blower outside his bedroom window, at six AM. And to his misfortune, the day doesn’t get much better after that. 

He reasons that he’s been through worse, and that he could’ve woken up to the fire alarm signaling that his own house is in flames, so with some reluctance, he gets up and drags his feet to the bathroom. His electric toothbrush is no longer standing up against the mirror next to the sink where it has been every morning for the last fifteen years. 

Something soft brushes against his bare leg, and he looks down to see Fluffles’s tail curling around his calf, which brings his attention to the litter box. His toothbrush is lying inside of the sand, and the top of the box is sitting beside it, forgotten. 

Just an inconvenience, he thinks, grabbing a temporary toothbrush from the Dollar General that he fishes out of the cabinet below the sink. However, his confidence wanes somewhat when he returns to the bedroom after a shower — a shower with significantly reduced water pressure, that is — and grabs his phone, seeing that the charger is halfway out of the wall socket and that his battery is at twenty percent. There’s a message on his screen regarding his advertisement on Facebook Marketplace for a TV he’s been trying to sell for the reasonable price of three hundred dollars. The message was sent five minutes ago. 

$80? I can pick it up asap

A shitty offer, but an offer nonetheless. He responds back. 

Sure. Can you pick it up in thirty minutes?

Yes, the person says.

He sends his address and leaves the bedroom, goes downstairs and hears the doorbell ring. Two young boys stand on the doorstep, both in ties and name tags, asking if he has a minute to speak about religion. Not wanting to shake their confidence, he lets them stumble through their prepared monologue for a minute, but Joel begins to tense up when he sees a FedEx truck approaching his property, likely carrying a package that was held up for two weeks and is finally due to arrive. The boys’ voices blend in with each other, and Joel watches the delivery driver cast one look at his house, just as the truck slows, before looking ahead and driving off instead. 

Kindly, but a little bit affectless, Joel bids the missionaries goodbye and closes the door behind him while he shakes his head. Two pieces of bread are lowered into the toaster as he looks at the time and notices that Sarah’s alarm has yet to go off, reminding him that she has the day off from school for ‘independent study’. He grabs a large post-it note from a drawer as well as a thick marker, and begins to write. 

PLEASE KNOCK

FOR DELIVERY

I AM HOME 

Joel has never been a superstitious man, and multiple inconveniences can happen at once, so no, he does not consider himself shaken. 

The toaster pops and it smells burnt — Tommy was over on the weekend and never adjusted the thing back to its previous setting, and now Joel’s pieces of bread are one shade away from completely black. He moves on, shakes it off, grabs a knife and scrapes the burnt layer into the sink. The radio is playing on low but the same ad keeps running on loop, likely something glitching on the station’s end. 

When he cracks five eggs into a bowl, the last one shatters and a piece of eggshell, just big enough to be noticeable when he squints, disappears into the bottom of the bowl. He takes a deep breath, blaming himself for poor egg-cracking technique, and grabs one of the shells, dipping it in to chase that tiny piece around. Slowly, he moves it, trying not to create any waves that would wash the piece away, but just as he’s about to catch it, Sarah appears in the doorway and startles him, losing the eggshell to the abyss of egg once again. 

The wrong burner is on for about a minute before he realizes. He notices too late that the grounds in the coffee machine are from yesterday. 

While waiting for the TV-pickup, he checks his email and sees that some test results from the doctor are available in his health portal. The results, however, seem somewhat jumbled and unfinished.

UNSTABLE LIKELY PROSTATE CANCER

The inevitable anxiety gets him for a moment before he can practice any sort of logic, his stomach sinking at the words on the screen. There must be some explanation for this, he reasons, as he grabs his phone and calls the office. 

“Hello?” answers the girl on the other end, “Dr. Ramirez’s office. How can I help you?”

Joel rubs the tips of his fingers across his forehead while he looks at the screen, explaining his shock at the test results that were only supposed to show his blood pressure and cholesterol. 

“Oh, shit,” she says, “Uh—”

Not a reassuring answer. He glances at the time and sees that his buyer is supposed to be here any minute. 

“That is a HIPAA violation, isn’t it?” she asks. He doesn’t answer, doesn’t admit that his heart is racing, but instead clears his throat. 

“It looks like you got someone else’s results,” says the secretary. “I’m so sorry, it also looks like we lost your blood test and results and everything somehow. I’m gonna send you another requisition to print out and bring to the lab, okay?” 

They exchange a few pleasantries, he looks over to the printer to make sure it’s on, and in the paper tray is a document entirely covered in black ink, with a one-inch margin around the dark square. When he presses the power button, it informs him that it is out of ink. 

Fifteen minutes past when the buyer is supposed to arrive, he messages them, and receives no reply. 

His phone rings. It’s the shop where his truck is supposed to be ready today after a week of repairs and Joel having to carpool with Tommy to work. 

“Hey Joel,” is followed by a nervous laugh. “So, this isn’t gonna cost you anything, don’t worry—”

Joel groans. 

“But the repairs will take a little longer. Our apprentice kind of… Well, he fucked up, and now we have to fix it.” 

“You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

“I assure you I’m not, but your truck will be ready in two days, alright? We got a rental for you, just come get it whenever.” 

He hangs up without saying goodbye. His message to the buyer is marked as read, ten minutes ago. When his phone does light up as he’s putting on his boots, about to leave for work, it’s from an unknown number. 

hey randy, pls send the $50 for the tournament. jane’s up my ass abt it 

For five years, he has received messages from various numbers, looking for a man named Randy, and despite how many numbers he blocks, they never seem to stop, and this Randy seems to owe a lot of people various sums of cash. 

Joel responds, This is not Randy’s number, sorry. 

And in return, he gets a somewhat hostile message.

oldest trick in the fucking book 

He orders an Uber to the car mechanic’s shop, and is surcharged thirty percent, but at least there’s no lineup at the front desk when he arrives. Maybe his luck has changed, he thinks, looking at the new trucks in the front of the lot. 

However, when the receptionist leads him to the back and gestures towards his options, he realizes his only choice is a Japanese mini truck. “JDM ninety-five Suzuki,” the lady says, and she really is trying to put a positive spin on it, “Very convenient.” 

“Are you messing with me?” Joel asks, flatly.

She smiles at him, and her voice is very cheery when she says, “It has five speeds.” 

“Fantastic.” He rolls his eyes and grabs the keys she hands him. There’s a lizard on the windshield he only spots when he opens the door and crams inside, adjusting the seat what little it allows, and his arms are stuffed in-between his knees when he pushes the keys into the ignition. The seat belt is a lost cause. 

His brother calls him and he picks up reluctantly, though he doesn’t get the chance to say anything before Tommy asks him, “Could you drop by Home Depot and get a few things?” 

“No.”

“Come on, man. Do me a solid.”

“Can’t. Truck won’t be done ‘till tomorrow. I got a rental.”

“And?”

“I’m ass to ankles here, Tommy,” he says, “I’m in the smallest truck I’ve ever seen.”

Then he hangs up. 

At least he doesn’t have prostate cancer, he thinks, as he pulls out of the parking lot and gets onto the road, where he’s stuck in traffic surrounded by box trucks in stop-and-go traffic. Another lizard lands on the windshield with a smack, thrown off the side of the U-Haul in front of him. 

Upon arrival at the worksite, his coworker informs him that their order of concrete has been delayed, and asks if Joel can text their supervisor. He tries to keep it concise. 

Hey. Concrete is delayed so we’re completely halted. Could you call the supplier? Thanks. - Joel

In return, after waiting for twenty minutes, he receives a photo from his supervisor of a clear, blue ocean and golden sand.

Jet ski, it says below the photo. 

Great. 

He makes himself busy until lunch time, when he pulls a plastic container out of his backpack and realizes that the empty container of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! that contained a sandwich was somehow shuffled around in the fridge, getting mistaken for the one actually containing margarine. And so Joel finds himself lunch-less, exhausted, baking in the sunshine of mid-day, wondering what he has done to deserve this. 

He leaves work a few hours early. There’s no way his supervisor would find out, and if he does, he’ll be too drunk by eight PM to remember. Somehow, over the last few hours, Joel forgot about the tiny truck waiting for him a block away from the worksite, but is reminded when he spots it as he turns the corner. 

It’s hot as hell inside of it now, after parking in the sun without thinking, and there’s barely any air circulation when just his body takes up seventy percent of the cabin. 

He drives it to Costco anyway. All of the grilled chickens are snatched from the shelf in front of his eyes, nobody can steer their shopping carts in the right direction, they’re out of everything bagels, and he stands in a lineup for ten minutes only to realize it’s not a lineup for anything at all but merely people standing around. Out he goes, after thinking he lost his credit card only to find it in the wrong slot of his wallet, to the tiny truck now parked between two Range Rovers, with a case of Diet Coke and a sixty-pack of eggs. They fit in the front seat next to him, barely. 

At his house, FedEx has left a package slip on top of the note he left for the delivery driver. Sarah is still home. When she looks up at him from the dining table and her homework, he greets her with a grunt, carrying in the groceries. A can of Coke falls to the floor as he stacks them in the fridge, and it bursts open, spraying soda in multiple directions, soaking his socks and the floor around him. Sarah folds over in laughter, but Joel watches in silence as the can empties, and his arms are full of the remaining ones. 

Finally, while on his knees next to Sarah, mopping up the soda while she tries to stifle her laugh, he comes to terms with the reality that this Monday is simply not his day. He therefore does not take the chance on cooking, and decides to pick up dinner on the way home after putting on a load of laundry and running more errands.

With the package slip in his hand, he steps back into the godforsaken mini truck and starts it. He does not wave when he sees his neighbor passing on the street. At the FedEx store, the door is locked when he tries to open it. There’s a sign on the door asking him to scan a QR code to see the store hours. 

At the barbeque spot down the road, Joel stands in line with the package notice in his back pocket and his arms folded, for twenty minutes. In front of him is a woman speaking on video call to her mother, trying to solve a computer problem. He manages to filter out the repeated words and sentences, enjoying the seemingly only reprieve from his day from hell, wondering if his luck has turned. Again, he remembers that it could be worse. He could have had prostate cancer. 

Inside the restaurant, he’s up next, but the girl ahead of him is asking about every item on the other side of the glass, looking up at the man working behind the counter while he explains. She takes a moment to think, and he asks her, “Are those color contacts?”

“No,” she says, smiling, holding up the line, and Joel rolls his eyes. 

The man piles extra ribs onto her plate when she moves to the cash register, then reaches under the bench and pulls out a sign that he tapes to the glass in a swift motion.

OUT OF BEEF RIBS

“What can I get ya?” he asks Joel. 

On the way out, with takeout containers in hand, Joel absentmindedly throws his coins into the trash, and the wrapper of his straw stays in his hand. The same straw disintegrates immediately when he takes a second sip of the sweet tea inside. 

After dinner, with a piece of brisket stuck between his teeth, he takes out the laundry from the washer. The pile is soaking wet, dripping onto his fresh pair of socks, and as he turns the corner to wring out the clothes over the sink in the bathroom, the edge of a dresser scratches his side. Somehow, it had been pulled out a few inches from the wall. 

In the kitchen, he opens the freezer to see that Sarah’s forgotten can of soda has exploded and covered the entire drawer. His attempt at salvaging the evening is met with a hollow, overpriced soft serve ice cream, and a chipped beer bottle. An email informs him that he has won a raffle and, well, Joel finds himself thinking that perhaps it’s best to grasp his only good fortune of the day, so he jumps through the hoops, verifies, waits for one-time codes and accepts terms & conditions, only find out he has won a grand total of five dollars. 

He gets a message from the Facebook marketplace lowballer. 

i dropped by at noon but u werent home

Joel rolls his eyes and he puts his phone down while he shuts off his computer, looking at the sprinklers in the yard that have apparently stopped working. His phone lights up again, this time with a text message from an unknown number. 

hey randy. guess u were too busy to visit grandma before it was too late. get fucked

this is dave btw i got a new phone 

It could always be worse.

[swaps55]

hi swaps! I absolutely LOVE your biotic headcanons, especially the stuff about the L2 implant. One thing I wish ME3 expanded on more was Kaidan's implant being "rattled." What do you think "rattling" an implant would do to a person's biotics---would it make them stronger? more unpredictable? and of course, L2s are known for their side effects. What kind of side effects (ie migraines) do you think would occur from implant damage?

Oooh, excellent question!

Disclaimer: I haven't done much research on neuroscience and unlike some of my really cool friends I have no knowledge of that field, so there is a LOT of fiction in this science.

So, my take on what the implant is this: it more or less acts as a junction box. Humans create mass effect fields by sending electrical currents through the eezo nodes in their nervous system. But on their own, these currents are too weak to generate fields viable for any practical use - they need to be amplified. But an amp can't just be stuck into the brain; it has to have a plug. The implant serves as the plug. It's a communication hub between the amp and the human body, able to conduct electricity safely through the body, activate all eezo nodes at once, and regulates power so the brain doesn't overload and cook itself.

So if an implant gets "rattled," you now have a potentially faulty plug. This faulty plug is interacting with your brain tissue. I imagine a head injury that involves brain swelling, bruising, etc. could create all kinds of problems with the implant. It's now trying to communicate with a damaged brain, and if the implant itself suffers any damage, brain surgery would be needed to repair it.

I headcanon that replacing an implant is extremely difficult and dangerous, which is why Kaidan never got refitted, and why Sam only gets refitted because he's basically a brain dead corpse when they do it - there's no risk to a living person. Bruising/swelling would make repair/refitting even riskier, to the point no one who knows what they're doing would try.

My assumption, therefore, when Kaidan's implant gets "rattled," is that biotics would be off the table until the brain injury has healed, and then you could assess damage to the implant and what/if anything needs to be repaired. Otherwise, since biotics are basically channeling electricity and you're working with a faulty socket, you risk catastrophic injury or death.

Symptoms could easily be even worse migraines, as well as a lot of the side effects of concussion: blurred vision, nausea, memory issues, etc. Symptoms specific to implant damage might manifest as a nervous system disorder, since that is what the implant communicates with. Double vision, coordination issues, seizures, loss of feeling in certain parts of the body. Super fun! No wonder he's hospitalized for so long!

[blackwall-my-tiny-husband]

Word with friends 5-26

Wonderful word game started by @hedwigoprah and hosted this week by @seaglassmelody

Rules: Use the challenge word to write a sentence or scene and then tag a few friends. Happy writing!

This week's word is: Sanguine

definition (Adjective) - optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.

Definition (noun) - a blood-red color

Here’s a little modern au in the mirrors edge style world because I also can’t get this idea out of my head (he really should have called your Room @kabsey )

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

His pulse thundered in his ears as Zalan yanked the flash drive out of the socket and violently stomped on the electronic device as the sound of thundering footsteps coming up the metal steps to the roof. Cursing he ran towards the edge of the roof, shoving off the ledge and leaping across to the next rooftop as the police burst onto the roof where he’d just been standing.

“I told you that they were on their way up. Why do you always wait so long.” Harding’s voice crackled through his earpiece as he rounded a corner of a big ac box, the gravel sliding under his feet. He pushed toward, running low and hopping down onto the lower level roof of the building.

“Now’s not the time Harding.” He hissed, running to the next ledge and jumping up to a ladder connected to the side of an adjacent building. “Please tell me your brilliant brilliant mind has a route for me.” There was a loud ‘ha’ that came through the earbud before the sounds of a keyboard clicking replaced the silence.

“Take a left at the top of that building, there should be a skywalk that connects it to the Daathrata building. You can get away from where it looks like most of the police traffic is if you slide down the west side of the building. If head towards me you should be able to get onto the Faustus corp high-rise.” Her instructions were sharp, that meant she had maps up, her binocular headset on, and was pinging movement from the police radios. Which meant they were in more trouble than he’d realized.

“Sounding a little tense there Harding.” He teased, pushing himself faster as the crow vaulted over the ledge and landing in a roll on top of the bridge between buildings. Popping up he sprinted the distance, a shout behind him meant they were still after him. “Should really get you some vacation time, you work too hard.”

Jumping and gripping the ledges of the large artistically corporate building Zalan scaled the wall, jumping and climbing from ledge to ledge. He could hear an angry huff through the line but she stayed quiet as he raced to the far side of the building, dodging around pipes and electrical boxes.

Ducking under a pipe and rounding a doorway that exited onto the roof an arm shot out and Zalan bit back a curse as he was closelined, his body snapping and back hitting the ground. The woman in the city’s protection force uniform must have been working security for the building. Zalan gritted his teeth and kicked out, knocking her legs out from under her as he scrambled to his feet, kicked the gun from her hand and rushed to the building’s edge.

This side of the building was sloped and he didn’t hesitate, jumping down and sliding along the steel at almost too fast a speed.

“I’d be less tense if you remembered to call for backup. Where’s Ilene? You know she’ll drive for you if you need her.” Harding’s voice came through disjointed, she must be on the move finding a better vantage point. He cringed at her suggestion. The other crow was a fantastic getaway driver but he wasn’t the biggest fan of motorcycles and she’d been pissed the last time he’d called in her help. But it hadn’t been his fault a squad of agents had come after them, he was just bad at planning ahead enough to get to her with more time to get away. Maybe it was his fault, just a little, but he’d promised no more high speed chases so he hadn’t called her in.

“She’s… probably still mad at me from the last time,” he laughed, landing and rolling to his feet before running down along the zigzagging pattern of stairs and railways leading to the shorter buildings of the city. “Besides a little jog over the rooftops is good for the soul.” He added before a few bullets ricocheted against the metal of the building. Harding was cursing through the headset and then there was return fire from his lookout. She wasn’t big on killing if she could help it so he knew she’d be shooting near them as a distraction or to make them take cover.

Hopping a little fence and turning to bolt up a service ladder back up to the roof on the next building he thanked Harding, her fire was drawing them off and he was getting farther away.

“There’s a unit to the south closing in Zalan. I have to move positions again but you might need to ditch the gear and go stealth mode. Building up ahead should have a roof access hatch. I’ll meet you down below, good luck.” And with that she cut out and Zalan was alone as he rushed the next jump, nearly stumbling as he skidded to a halt to yank open the door to the interior of the building.

He climbed down and as soon as his shoes hit the swanky business carpeting he yanked off his hat and mask, stuffing them into his backpack and power walked to the closest elevator, clicking on a camera scrambler in his pocket. The doors pinged open and in he went, shedding clothes as the doors slid shut.

//

Harding was leaning against a pillar just inside the expensive office building she’d directed Zalan to. She had a compact open, ostensibly for the lipstick she was applying, but really to watch the elevators. She tugged on a sleeve, she disliked the slacks and button up but it was the best thing to blend in with. And she hoped the crow would be down soon, they needed to book it.

A squad of police waltzed into the building and the elevators opened for Zalan to walk out, dark suit fitted to his frame, expensive watch and rings catching rays of sun as he walked slowly over to her as though they were just meeting up after work, no problems here officers. His backpack was slung over one shoulder and he leaned down to give her cheek a peck, watching over her shoulder as half the officers went up into the elevator and half up the stairs. Looping his arm through hers he led them both outside and Harding thought maybe her heart could slow down now finally.

Zalan tugged on the sleeve of the oversized mustard cardigan she’d also worn because she liked color and couldn’t stand just the black and white of business attire.

“Sweater is a nice touch. It looks good on you.” He mused, a smile cracking his serious face. She rolled her eyes at him trying to will her heart to calm down as they got farther and farther from the scene.

“You seem pretty sanguine about the whole debacle.” She chided, glaring up at him, knowing he still wasn’t sweating it despite almost getting cornered and potentially caught.

“Eh, it really could have gone way worse, at least I got the data.” He said it with a shrug and a cheeky smirk which made her elbow him in the ribs, resisting the urge to do it again when it only elicited a chuckle.

“Either Viago or Ilene’s going to smack you when we get back once I tell them what happened.” She threatened, her scowl softening as no sounds of pursuit echoed through the city and no flashing lights lit up the mirrored buildings, meaning once again, somehow, they were getting out scott free.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

This is almost but not quite late! I was super busy this week but this au and these scenes were circling my brain the whole time demanding to be written

Gently tagging (because it’s so late already) @kabsey @pixiedurango @a-mumbling-nerd @bubblecat-co @therivercrow @alystrin03 (tagging a few extra crow rook owners cause seriously modern crow urban assassin mirrors edge type au is living rent free in my brain and I want to share it)

[hamsterbellbelle]

Additional CC list #1 for Shabby Shared Apartments🎦:

CC list #2 HERE

Ad flyers || Air-con || Animated garland [Day 16] || Backpack/CD pile/Uno cards/Wall organizer || Bandage roll || Bathroom clutter/contact lenses/razor || Beaded curtain || Blanket || Books || Bottles (simlish) || Broom || Bucket/dipper/water faucet ||

Cabinet shelf || Calendar || Canned food/cup noodle || Cardboard boxes/box || Box || Cardboard posters || Certificate/notice board || Chair with bag || Clock (wall) || Clothes pile || Coat rack || Coat rack ||

Coat rail || Conduit || Cookware || Crate chair || Decor money || Dirty dishes || Dish soap || Drink crate || Drying rack/towels || Duffle bag/cosmetic bag/sandals || Electric meter || Family photo/pills ||

Fan (desk) || Floor clothes/socks/shoe || Floor/ceiling - A - B - C [Day 12] - D [FloorCollection#4] || Folded chair || Folded clothes || Fridge (mini) || Fridge/kitchen clutter/hood || Fridge || Fuse box ||

Graffiti || Hamper bag/floor towel/brushes || Handbag || Hanging clothes || Hanging coat || Hanging wire || Kitchen rack || Leather bag/floor towel/rug || Light (bathroom) || Light (stringed bulbs) ||

Magazine || Magazine || Mailbox || Mirror || Mirror || Newspaper stack || Panel with sparkle || Paper bag || Phone with charger || Pipes || Plastic bag with food || Plastic dresser || Plastic stool/dining table/clothes pile/plastic bag ||

Plates || Posters || Posters || Power socket || Radio || Rug (cardboard) || Scattered papers || Shoe rack/keys tray || Shower || Side table || Signs || Slippers || Stew pot/plastic box/plastic basket with plates/stack of pans || Stove/mattress/cereal box/breadbox ||

Tapestry || Tissue box || Toilet paper (floor) || Toilet plunger/toilet paper/wall tv || Trash bin (toilet) || TV || Used tissue (18+ post) || Vent || Video console/power strip || Wall hanger with bag || Wall panel || Wall photo/make up || Wall shelf with hair dryer ||

[icycoldninja]

Maintenence day (Raiden x Reader angst)

"Can you hold still?!" You grumbled, squinting into the dark metallic cavity before you, trying to find that wire you'd just lost thanks to Raiden's sudden jump.

"I would, if you didn't keep messing with the wrong circuits." Raiden replied, sullenly. You sighed, reaching into the maze of wires with a pair of thin tweezers.

"How am I supposed to know which ones deal with your motor functions and which ones don't?" Raiden scoffed in response, casting a sour look at you over his shoulder, but otherwise said nothing. You frowned, finally finding the wire you were looking for and connecting it to what you supposed was the right socket.

It was not.

A horribly loud buzzing sound resounded from Raiden's back before an electric jolt wracked his body, causing him to practically leap off the operating table with a loud yelp.

"Shit!" You quickly reached in with with your pliers and yanked the wire out before it could cause any more damage. The crisis averted, Raiden sighed and sank down on the table, head in his hands. "Sorry, Rai," You apologized, pulling out Doktor's handwritten guidebook and flipping through the pages. "Aw, damn," You groaned, realizing your mistake. "Red wires were for the electricity supply..." Raiden sighed, shaking his head.

"You should have let Doktor do this." You shook your head, reading through the guidebook with a tight, thoughtful frown.

Today was Raiden's weekly tune up, a time when Doktor usually performed maintenance on Raiden's cybernetic body. However, recently, Doktor had been very busy with other projects and didn't have time for the maintenance operation--which was where you came in. You decided that since Raiden was your boyfriend, it was nessescary to learn how his parts worked, so you could not only help out the hardworking doctor, but have a chance to spend more time with your favorite ninja. Of course, since you had little to no experience with this type of technology, Doktor compiled a short handbook describing everything that needed to be done, which things did what, and so on.

You stared at the aforementioned book in silence before picking up your tweezers and reaching into the jungle of wires once again, this time pulling out a thick red wire. After consulting the guidebook once again, you plugged it into another socket; thankfully, nothing happened. You continued carefully rearranging Raiden's circuitry with very few mishaps hindering your progress. At the very most, Raiden's body would suddenly twitch because you pinched a nerve wire by mistake, which was something he really didn't like.

"Seriously, you're terrible at this."

"Shh, Rai, I'm almost done." You replied, plugging in the last wire before closing up his back. "Now, we move on to the arms and legs." Raiden let out a low grumble while watching you pick up a screwdriver. He sat there sullenly and watched as you unscrewed the panels on his legs, popped them off, giving them a quick wipedown with some anti-tarnish polish, then slipping them back on. You did the same for his arms, and when you were done, you headed for his face, which prompted an unusual response.

The mere sight of your fingers nearing his face made Raiden shiver. He stared up at you with his one working eye, unusually pale and deathly silent. Fearfully, he watched as you crossed over to the shelf across the room to retrieve some tools, and by the time you returned, he was actually shaking, his wide, shocked eye lingering on the screwdriver and box of screws in your hands. As you neared him, Raiden shrunk away from you, eyeing you with a cold glare. He didn't like anyone touching his face--there were too many awful memories associated with it. The two of you stared at each other in silence for a while, before you finally spoke up.

"I'm not gonna hurt you, Raiden," You said, setting the tools down. "I promise." Raiden sighed, lowering his gaze to the floor.

"Just get it over with," He mumbled, crossing his arms defensively. "And...try not to be too rough."

You nodded, gently taking his jaw in your hand and loosening the bolts that held it in place. It popped off with a loud clank, and you set it down on the table next to you. Acdording to the handbook, you were supposed to polish, then reattach it with new screws. You quickly and carefully cleaned the fake jaw, then lined it back up with the sockets and slid the new screws in. You soon became so absorbed in your work, you didn't realize the tears that were welling up in Raiden's eye.

"Oh shit, baby, did I do something wrong?" You hastily released your hold on him, backing away nervously. Raiden shook his head, a pained expression plastered on his face.

"No, you're fine....just...this stuff...brings back memories." You nodded, wishing there was a way to soothe his pain. "Finish the job," He mumbled, sounding like a dying soldier more than anything else. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

This was, of course, a lie, and both of you knew it. But it was his will, and Raiden's will must be done. Sighing, you took his metal hand in yours and brought it up to your collar bone, allowing him to feel the faint beating of your heartbeat.

"You're gonna be ok, Rai, it'll all be fine. I won't hurt you, I promise." Raiden blinked furiously, trying to force his tears back, but they just spilled out anyway.

He sat there on the operating table, crying silently as you worked on replacing his jaw. Once you were done with your work, you kissed his cheek, wrapping your arms around his torso, eager to comfort him after enduring what must have dredged up memories of a traumatizing experience.

"All done, Rai, all done. You did great, baby. I love you so much. I'm so proud of you." Raiden nodded, curling his metal arms around your waist, small sobs, along with many tears, spilling out of him. You held him tightly, kissing him, comforting him; giving him the affection he needed; the affection he deserved.

[kekaki-cupcakes]

Hey !

Hope ure doing good

I like AU and I wondered if u could please do a leo valdez x reader fic

Like...They live in the same apartment at the same floor and they see each other frequently in the corridors, and with the time they create an affinity

I have emerged from my cave. hello world. <3.

Leo Valdez x Reader--- Mortal/Apartment AU

»»————-　★　————-««

“...Hi?” You said, hitching your tote bag, the Kiki’s delivery service-patterned one, back onto your shoulder. It always fell down when you were walking down the front steps, past the skinny stray cat who slept underneath the mailboxes. Everyone in the building had named her Stick Insect. 

It was in a loving way. You hoped. 

Leo made an odd wheezing sound that sounded a lot like a beached whale taking its last breath as he dragged one of those old-fashioned red waggons behind him. He wiped his hands on his green army jacket, the one with all the jangly badges you could hear coming from a mile off. 

Your favourite was the Minecraft TNT one, underneath the trans flag pin, and one that just simply said ‘BBS’. You didn’t quite know what that meant. 

He grinned at you brightly, despite his shaky arms, and lugged the wagon of cardboard boxes and what seemed to be an entire chunk of golden sheet metal along the pavement.

»»————-　★　————-««

“Hi,” you said, holding the door open a second longer than necessary so that Leo could lug his giant cardboard box through. You still hadn’t figured out what he kept in all those boxes and bags.

“Hey!” he said, and bumped straight into a doorway with a red face. Then he scurried up the stairs and left you in the liminal space that was the empty apartment complex hallway after ten p.m. 

You stood there for a moment, and then realised you were still smiling.

»»————-　★　————-««

Shit. Shit. 

You were running so late. I mean, technically, it wasn’t your fault you were going to miss the start of your favourite classes ever. Your alarm clock, one of those old-fashioned red ones [it was also missing one of the bubble things on top and only rang on one side until it vibrated itself off your bedside table], hadn’t gone off in time this morning and began ringing loudly at nine thirty instead of seven thirty. 

You tossed your apple core into the little waste paper basket by the big hallway windows, and searched your pockets for your keys. Shit. 

“Hey,” Leo said, from where he was unlocking his door. He was room 7. He also had massive bags under his eyes, you noticed. You also noticed that his eyes were the prettiest glowing brown when the morning sun shone through the windows.

You blinked, forgetting why your hands were in your pockets. You probably looked like an idiot. “Uh, hi.”

He looked away, scratching the back of his neck. “Sorry… if your power went out at some point last night…? That might’ve been me.”

“Can you, like, control electricity or something?” You asked with a laugh. 

This was the first time you’d exchanged more than a few words since you’d asked for his name when you watched a very loud girl dressed solely in Olivia Rodrigo merch yell at a confused white guy to ‘pivot’, as he carried a complicated looking egg chair up the stairs. 

Leo shook his head. “Nah, I wish. ‘Was just... working on a project... And I may have blown up my power sockets. And the street lamp.”

“What are you building in there?” You asked, “A moving castle?”

»»————-　★　————-««

Your friend burped in your ear—in quite a disgusting way, may you add—and stumbled forward, arm slung over your shoulders. You roll your eyes at their inability to walk like a normal person after only three shots and pull your phone out of your pocket. After a few tries at putting your password in, 1989, you manage to unlock it. You’ve got charms hanging off the clear case—little soot sprites that swirl in your vision as you blink forcefully. 

The Uber’s on the street now, so you heaved your door shut behind you, room 4, and began to trudge down the staircase. There’s a new scorch mark on the third from the bottom step, and you picture a dragon stomping up after his 9-5. 

You tried to hold in a laugh, only to fail. Your friend giggled loudly, the laughter contagious, and faceplanted. 

“Fuck, dude,” you heard, and then turned to see Leo standing by his door, three raspberry slushies in his arms. It was the first time he hadn’t been lugging canvas bags or wooden crates in a while. 

He nodded. “Metal.” 

“Shut up!” you chuckle, wiping your brow. You reach down and pick up your friends floppy arms as they begin to snooze diagonally. The taste of vodka and pineapples rose in your throat. “Come on, get up!”

Leo peeked over the stair bannister. 

Nosy little bugger. Cute, nosy little bugger, you corrected yourself. Then you frowned, watching him blink owlishly and blush from the roots. You didn’t say that out loud, right?

“Uh, yes,” Leo squeaked, “you did.” 

»»————-　★　————-««

You carried the coffee cups as you walked up the stairs, eyes on your phone while you texted your friend to stop watching reruns of Brooklyn Nine Nine and get onto the word doc. 

The group project was due tonight, and the lazy bugger was stress-obsessing over Gina Lenetti, the human form of the one hundred emoji.

You slid your phone into the back pocket of your jeans, soot sprites catching on the denim, and fished out your keys once you reached your door. Another one banged shut further down the hall. You stuck your keys into the lock. “Hi.”

“Hey!” Leo panted, still in his pyjamas, and raced out of the building.

You rolled your eyes and grinned.

»»————-　★　————-««

“You’re gonna have to tell me what you’re doing with all of this junk,” you said cheerfully, moving your eyes in sync with the black and white cat clock hanging on the wall. 

You turned away when you got dizzy, taking in the piles of things balanced precariously around you like a steampunk library. Vintage machines like typewriters, telephones with the spinning number circles, and record players—the ones that have that big tuba shape sticking out the top—.

Drills and hammers were scattered on the layers of cute little rugs, posters from animes you hadn’t seen yet stuck to the walls, and a lot of Polaroid pictures. You picked one up. 

The two people you’d seen helping Leo move in a few months ago were grinning at the camera with Mickey Mouse hats on. 

“It’s not junk!” Leo looked up from the pile of jackets—black and white chequered ones, a giant purple hoodie, and one with flames up the sleeves—that he was hastily shoving off a mustard-coloured armchair. 

“Sorry,” you apologised with a laugh. “You’ll have to tell me what you’re doing with all those bits and bobs.”

He ran a hand through his dark, curly hair. “Okay, okay, but you can’t dob me into the landlord.”

“I would never,” you said, completely serious. Leo stared at you for a moment, his eyes all weird-looking. They made your chest feel like Ponyo, floating around and grinning. 

Then he looked away nervously. You smile and look away too. Leo’s kitchen, in the same spot as yours, with the same apartment layout, could not look any more different from yours. 

There were coloured magnets moved into swear words on the fridge and golden, oily instant coffee machines in parts on the bench. 

Your kitchen had jam jars of little flowers and chocolate-covered almonds scattered around the collection of salt and pepper shakers you’d inherited from some badass old aunt. You had matching sets of penguins, mushrooms, and creepy baby dolls, all filled with salt and pepper. 

“Sure…” Leo shoved some empty take-out boxes into his bin.

He looked at you with a wide smirk. He led you through to what you’d made into a spare room for your friends, and opened the door triumphantly. “Come on through... to Leo Land!”

You stepped around the door, even though you could’ve looked through the wide hole in it if you really wanted to. A hulking metal form was hanging from a wooden stand in the centre of the room, with wires and coils hanging out of it. 

More collections of scrap metal folded up into shapes that could be claws or grabber machines, maybe, were sitting on benches between spray cans of gold paint. 

Welding material, or at least that’s what they looked like, took up a corner, sparks flying. 

You narrowed your eyes at Leo, finally realising why he had so many tears in his cargo pants and paper clips in his jacket sleeves. “Leo…”

“Yah?”

“Are you perhaps building a bomb?”

“No!” Leo scoffed, literally hugging a giant metal boot to his chest like it was his baby. Except the boot had green eyes. “This is Festus!”

“A foetus?” you asked, wondering how deranged this pretty boy was, despite his cool old-fashioned toys, big jackets, and need for multiple slushies at a time. “Are you feeling okay?”

Leo rolled his brown eyes at you. “Festus is a dragon! Well, he's not a dragon yet; he’s just a torso, a half-done head, and a bunch of feet. He’s got nine feet right now, cause I haven’t been able to replicate a working one more than once.”

“You’re building a giant metal dragon in your spare room?”

“Well, it sounds stupid when you say it like that.”

“You’re so cool.”

»»————-　★　————-««

“Hey querida,” Leo said, kissing you on the cheek before you grabbed your mail from the boxes outside the building, waved to Stick Insect the skinny cat, and ran to your car. 

Stupid broken alarm clock.

“...Heyyy.” 

»»————-　★　————-««

“Mi amor!”

You turned around on the couch, putting down your takeout box of noodles [from the good place near the park where the old dude who plays chess against anyone who walks past lives]. “Yah?”

Leo came trudging into the lounge, slash kitchen, with your bright red alarm clock in his arms, all parts attached. “Fixed!”

He plopped down on the couch next to you, squashing the lion squishmellow that had been ripped open in the back, and showed you the now shiny metal and matching bits on the top, with that stupid little grin of his. 

You kissed the top of his nose and took the clock from his greasy, scarred [incredibly nice-looking] hands. “Thank you.”

The TV crackled in front of you both, balancing on the stack of old record players Leo was repairing for the second-hand store full of goths and old ladies down the street. You put the little alarm clock down near your feet and pulled out the strawberry-patterned blanket Piper’s girlfriend crocheted you both for Christmas. 

Leo leant over and curled his arm around your waist, laying half across you like a cat in the sun. You sat up a little, as he fiddled with the remote he’d added far too many buttons to for no reason at all. "Here, stick insect, kitty! Stick insect, here, kitty!”

Little padding sounds came from the hallway, and then the chubby, spotted cat launched herself over the back of the couch and onto Leo’s shoulder. 

He shreiked and headbutted you as Stick Insect hopped over and sat between you both, plopped down in loaf position, fluffy feet hidden. Leo sniffed haughtily and sank into the hug you gave him. Stick Insect began chewing on the necklace around your neck, the blue teardrop one Leo had made you a while ago. You kissed his forehead, stroking the cat's soft forehead gently.

He turned the TV on, looking up at you with sparkling eyes. “Howl, or Kiki?”

»»————-　★　————-««

I HAVE A PJO EVENT GOING ON RIGHT PLEASE GO INTERACT YOU CAN REQUEST ANYTHING JUST CHECK THE POST <3 <3

[sonniemon]

syudou feat.Hatsune Miku - Amazing Happy Halloween Night (English Translation + MV Analysis)

アメイジングハッピーハロウィンナイト/syudou

SONG LINK: https://youtu.be/CeqLqlr5ba4?si=9Yafq_kn4HAkn4LZ

Obsessed with the visuals and storytelling of this song, yasutatsu really outdid themselves and I love the character designs (not to mention the major amazing digital circus vibes hahah)

Anyways, I tried my hand at translating the song, I’ve also included the character profiles and my other rambling thoughts below

-

Song Translation

Before I knew it, I was standing in a world I didn’t recognise 

Without even knowing my location, day after, day after day after day I cried

There’s no time to lose

Happy Time! Funny faces are pulled

Happy Time! And jokes are made

Happy Time! Stuck in this absurdity 

Both hope and fear melt away

If I remember correctly 

There’s a job that I’m supposed to do

A loving home…

Pump…kin head….gear [1]

But for some reason I can’t find a reason to care

Come now, the night of dreams has begun

The cheerful music reverberates and doesn’t cease

Shout it with me now, today is—

An amazing happy halloween night!

Jack-o’-lanterns, pranks, anything goes, it's an all out party!

Even if you live earnestly it won’t amount to anything

Here anything is possible, why you ask?

Because today is an amazing happy halloween night!

It’s long gone! It’s long gone!

I already told you there’s no exit, and there won’t ever be one

It’s long gone! It’s long gone!

Ideologies, rules and morals have no bearing here

In this amazing happy halloween night!

“I am not a robot”

Is the box you click without a second thought, however…

Is that really the truth?

Happy Life! Oh well, just listen to the music

Happy Life! And dance in an erratic way

Happy Life! Trapped in these repeated movements

I lose my ability to even doubt it anymore 

Without a will of my own

I’m nothing more than a lobotomised electric sheep 

A nightmare NPC

But for some reason, like this, I feel at ease

(What the f%#k!?)

Oops, appears your voice has become distorted 

Worry not, everyone

I’ll sew their mouth right back up

Amazing happy halloween night!

Good children’s mouths are full of chocolate and candy

If you don’t speak your mind clearly then we won’t understand [2]

Now pull yourselves together everyone, and sing—

Amazing happy halloween night!

I found out! I found out!

I found out! I found out!

I found out! I found out!

I came to understand the truth to it all

And that’s exactly why I don’t wanna acknowledge any of it

Come now, the night of dreams has begun

The cheerful music reverberates and doesn’t cease

Shout it with me now, today is—

An amazing happy halloween night!

Jack-o’-lanterns, pranks, anything goes, it’s an all out party!

Even if you live earnestly it won’t amount to anything

Here anything is possible, why you ask?

Because today is an amazing happy halloween night!

I cried and cried! I cried and cried!

I must’ve tried real hard to kid myself huh?

I cried and cried! I cried and cried!

There will be no end to this party

Amazing happy halloween night!

[1] - Pumpkin in katakana starts with パン ‘Pan’ this is the protags name so this could be how they got it

[2] - 歯に衣着せぬ means to be outspoken however syudou has changed one of the kanji to ‘silk’ 歯に絹着せて so I think he’s going for some kind of pun about their teeth being made of silk? I’m not really sure

-

Character Profiles

Yasutatsu posted the character profiles on their twitter (link to post) so I’ll go over them here

A: Pan - Negative. Wants to go home asap.

B: Up - Found Pan when they were lost and helped guide them back. Mood maker.

C: Socket - Looks cute but they have a wicked tongue. They wear the food scrap on their head as a form of fashion

D: Iris - Can see the unseen. Has sharp ears.

E: Quiver - Will help you out if you’re in trouble. Dislikes being touched.

F: Easter - A highly cautious rabbit. Folds clothes beautifully.

G: Taurus - Strong on the outside but sensitive on the inside. Is often bothered by Socket’s abusive words.

H: Jolly - Elusive and always smiling. Loves jokes.

-

MV Analysis

The mv is packed with cool details so I’m just going to ramble about the whole thing here.

My interpretation of the song is that Pan was brought to the amazing happy halloween night world after putting on a VR headset. This is supported by the black bars on the top and bottom being slightly curved, resembling what it looks like when you’re playing a VR game. Also the lyric ‘pumpkin headgear’.

At the very start of the mv, you can see this text which kind of looks like a program boot screen.

What’s even more interesting about this background though is that it is the exact same rooms as seen in Bitter Choco Decoration. Why? I have no idea hahah.

Also!! A commenter pointed out that this exact background is seen in In the Back Room too, but with different coloured lights. In the backrooms mv this view is shown to be from a surveillance camera, so now I’m thinking that these rooms could each be for different experiments? And the protags from these three songs are in different ones.

After completing the captcha’s for syudou, Yasutatsu and Miku, Pan is brought into the world. And from the very start something is already amiss as the side of the screen is distorted and a little virus guy can be seen in the window. He can be spotted throughout the whole mv but is most prominent at the end.

Pan sits at a table and its set the same way as bitter choco, yes I know this is a common way to set a fancy table but after the previous bitter choco reference I think this one is also intentional hdhsj

Eyes can be seen in the sky. These are the same eyes on the jacket for the song itself and they very much resemble Jolly’s eyes, implying that he is watching over everything. At this point in the video he also appears explicitly to distract Pan from thinking too hard about who they really are. Hi dee ho!

The chorus hits and from what I understand NPC streams are definitely being referenced here lmao. The characters move in repetitive movements and the lyrics pop up as messages along the side, imitating the commands the viewers are giving. The falling gingerbread men and candy also resembles a donation system (like the one on twitcast for example)

Jolly and Pan are the only ones that don’t participate in the dance, and at this point it’s pretty easy to gather that Jolly is the one leading the show and isn’t like the rest of the characters.

Oh, that’s where Pan went. They were off trying to find an exit. But obviously there isn’t one.

Jolly makes Pan answer an “Are you a robot” captcha, oh sorry, I mean CABOCHA. Translator’s note: kabocha means pumpkin.

And this is where the real ‘plot’ of this world kicks in. It seems like they’re forced to complete captcha’s all day and Pan is desperately trying to prove that they’re human. Desperately trying to stay human. And well, by the end we see how that worked out.

Then we get this really cool sequence of Jolly trying to coax Pan into becoming an NPC. And I’m about 86% sure the line ‘I’m nothing more than a lobotomised electric sheep’ is a ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ reference but I haven’t actually read the book so can’t really say.

Pan doesn’t give in to the brainwashing just yet though and rips the pumpkin TV off their head, yelling “What the f#%k!?” A very digital circus moment.

Jolly breaks the fourth wall and acknowledges the swearing. Saying he’ll sew Pan’s mouth up. When this happens the captcha changes to “Select the images you wish to edit” and Jolly picks all the tiles with Pan’s mouth. Stitches appear over their mouth, completing the pumpkin look. These stitches stay throughout the next sequence too. It’s the details like this that make me love this MV so much.

Pan is back to completing captcha’s but they are noticeably struggling and taking longer to answer them. Until they ultimately start making mistakes on the last two.

“Select all images with elephants”

Pan is prompted to retry the captchas and tattered pieces of the other characters who we haven’t seen for a suspicious while start falling down the screen. “Shicchatta!” (I found out!) is repeated six times and this is entirely my own speculation here with no real basis, but shicchatta is very close to sounding like shinjatta (they died). Repeated six times for the six other characters who have mysteriously disappeared.

Pan learns the truth behind everything and falls to the ground, not wanting to accept it. They’re glitchy which I think implies they’ve transitioned into being more of a robot than human. Or that they’ve been infected by the virus. This same glitchy effect can be seen on Jolly though, who we already know isn’t human.

As the only one left, Pan is forced to start NPC streaming. The virus we saw creeping around earlier has fully deteriorated the world and can be seen floating around in the background. Tears in their eyes, Pan desperately goes through the motions as if begging the viewer for help. The other characters are seen briefly but they’re crumpled and taped back together, obviously not real.

Pan eventually breaks and reaches forward, literally slamming their fists on the screen but Jolly nonchalantly pulls the curtain down, hiding them from view.

Now another wacky detail here, is that around halfway through the mv. Jolly actually escaped the confines of the headset. Look at him again here during the first chorus, he’s behind the black bar at the bottom of the screen just like everyone else.

But then, the next time we see him and all the scenes after, he is clearly outside of the black bars. Essentially meaning he escaped the program. Fun!

Pan is seen crying to themselves and the lyrics confirm that this party will never end. Jolly forces Pan to face the camera and they give us a deranged smile, having well and truly lost it by now. The screen glitches and shows their NPC pumpkin form. Their decent into longer being a human is complete.

The song ends with a verification failed screen but a split second before this, a blacked out version is shown and this one says ‘verification complete’. Spooky!

(edit: some extra lore, it was pointed out to me that in the niconico upload, the verification doesn’t fail!)

-

And that’s it! If anyone actually read this far thank you hbdjsj

Apart from the very obvious Amazing Digital Circus references, I also see hints of FNAF and Poppy Playtime in here. The environments and atmosphere are all very mascot horror. But! The song still stands on its own. The captcha element is a cool spin on things and Yasutatsu’s chara designs are really fun and expressive. The song itself is also great but that’s to be expected from syudou.

It’s just all really cool, have I conveyed that I think its cool yet !!!!

[narrans]

A Small and Tall Collection | Chapter Two | Into the Unknown

Venturing into the walls was often an adventure; at least, when you knew where you were and where you were going. Ashlynn had neither of these benefits as she began cautiously tiptoeing through the walls of this new home she’d managed to find.

After spending a week and a number of days in the frigid cold and bouncing from place to place and not finding a suitable home, her mind was set that she needed to make this place work. It had to. She couldn’t go back out into the cold again. The Borrower woman needed time to rest and recuperate. Even if this place only lasted for a few weeks, it would be enough.

She hoped that wasn’t the case and that this could be her forever home, but that would come from an evaluation later.

In the meantime, Ashlynn knew she needed to get to much higher ground. If she wanted to stay warm and away from the pests down below, climbing to a higher place was nonoptional. Too many times she’d stayed down on the ground level only to be confronted with every mishap imaginable. Flooding. Pests raiding her supplies. Insects seeking her body heat in the middle of the night. Mold infestations from some spill or uncleaned mess the humans left behind. Remodeling that involved nails suddenly jutting through the wall and, no pun intended, nailing her right in the leg.

Sure, ceilings with apartments or floors above were also a potential worry, but humans were far less likely to mess with something on the ceiling than the floor.

So, up was where she decided to go. It took a little bit of time, but she managed to find a decent beam that wasn’t too far above her head and, based on what she saw, guessed there were other easy to reach beams not too far above that.

It’ll have to do. Ashlynn thought as she removed her hook from her hip and stared at the dusty wood above her head. Her inhalation calmed her body. Her eyes held the target in place. One swing. Two. Three. Faster and faster. She went all the way to seven both out of uncertainty and ritual before she let the metal piece fly. Right as she heard the hook make contact, she pulled down with all of her might to secure it in place.

It took some time, but Ashlynn hoisted herself up onto the first beam. Then the next. Then the next. The frost in her limbs made her joints stiff, but she was determined. Too many nights were spent in the cold and one more night would be the end of her.

She knew it.

It wasn’t until she paused to catch her breath as she leaned against what she could only guess was some kind of electric box called a “breaker box” that she noticed a delicious smell coming from the other side of the wall. She hoped she’d be able to tell where it was coming from once she’d made it up to the ceiling.

How far up am I anyway?

It hadn’t occurred to Ashlynn that she’d climbed up so far, but a quick glance over the edge told her a different story. The abyss below and the shadows swallowing the light from her hip lamp told her she must’ve made it to the ceiling.

Good.

It was warm in the ceiling, and it gave her a better vantage point to look at the humans far below. Ashlynn would’ve stayed longer to warm herself, but the smell was too intoxicating. It was sweet, salty, and flavorful. She had to know where it was coming from – and soon. Her insides wouldn’t let her go much longer without beginning to protest loud enough for even a human to hear.

She finally made it to the final ledge, which revealed a long and mostly uninterrupted surface. She figured this had to be the ceiling of the apartment below, and also the source of the delicious scent. Ashlynn followed her nose through the labyrinth of cords and collected dust until she reached a nearby wall joist. As luck would have it, the wall led to a slightly loosened light socket, revealing the ground beneath it.

Ashlynn approached carefully, wary that something loosened could give way, and peered down. Her eyes quickly adapted to the light below as she maneuvered around the opening and peered down through the sliver allowing her to peer into the human world. The sight made her mouth water once she’d managed to get a feel for the entire room.

Below was a freshly backed tray of chocolate chip cookies.

Eyes as big as the cookies themselves, Ashlynn’s insides grumbled with desire. Her food supply was less than ideal, and this was an opportunity she couldn’t afford to miss. The only thing that made her hesitate was the fact that they smelled freshly baked.

It meant humans might be nearby, and that was something that couldn’t be overlooked. If they were nearby, Ashlynn could be seen and, worse, caught. It spelled doom and destruction not only for herself, but for all of Borrower kind.

At the same time, supplies were scarce and nearing empty. The risk was an immense one, but she needed to take it. It was a dire need – cookies or not, she needed food.

Ashlynn shimmied through the ceiling joists and found herself at the far wall where, thankfully, there was a clear path from top to bottom. Securing her one spare line on an exposed nail, she gripped the string tight with her fingerless gloves and began shimmying down the edge of the wall.

In what felt like three or four bounces on the evenly plastered walls, Ashlynn suddenly had to stop herself burning her fingertips in the process, as she met a perfectly placed support joist. Her frustration was almost immediately overridden by her realization of her sheer luck.

The line she placed at the board she was on was exactly beside an electrical cover, and it looked to be right at countertop level. Ashlynn’s eyes gleamed in the quiet darkness as she began carefully fiddling with the screw in the wall. Once. Twice. Her muscles screamed as they seemingly knocked off the chill between each joint. Before twisting a third time, she pressed her ear against the plastic and listened closely Her thundering heartbeat soon quieted and the ambient sounds of the house amplified.

She heard the ice maker click on.

The heater elements clicked as they began forcing warm air through the vents.

Sounds of the house settling and some human on the floor above undoubtedly shuffling or dancing based on the vibrations they were making through the floor.

One thing Ashlynn didn’t hear were the sounds of a human in the apartment she was glancing into, which was all she needed to prompt her to give that final twist and knock that last bolt loose. The sound of the cover’s slight crack as she pushed it off of the wall made every hair stand on end, but now she had full access to the countertop.

She glanced around the outside of the counter before, in an impulsive rush, Ashlynn dared to dart out onto the counter toward the cookies. The plate was immense, easily twice her height from one side to the other, and the span of her arms alone was the same as the steaming baked goods. As she approached, she noticed a few larger crumbs and decided that those would be her prize.

Ashlynn didn’t have time to be too selective. She took only a moment to stop at the edge of the plate, scoop up three larger fragments that filled her arms, and shove them messily into her bag before sprinting back toward the electrical cover – and just in time too.

Her heart was just starting to beat normally as she slipped back into the confines of the walls when she heard an immense grinding sound. The hair on the back of her neck instantly stood on end. There was a tremor to her hand that was too distinct to mistake for anything else.

Humans were coming.

Ashlynn, hands shaking, pulled the electrical cover back on and secured the screw as the sound of the grinding stopped. Seconds later, she heard muffled sounds of talking and the jingle of keys. Every nerve in her body kept her completely motionless as she crouched and continued to listen as hard as she could. Despite her blood roaring in her ears, it didn’t block the sound of the humans’ voices as they entered the kitchen.

“Do you think they’re cool now, Soren?”

Curses…

It’s a kid.

A boy kid.

“I call dibs on the strawberry milk!”

Two of them?! Plus parents?! Four whole humans?

“What? You can’t call the whole thing, Dorian!”

Ashlynn listened as some calmer, deeper voice responded to the two much younger boys. Based on the way their footsteps hit the ground, the youngsters were prancing and bouncing around and creating a ruckus.

“We can all have the strawberry milk – after dinner. No, I don’t think they’re cool yet, but they will probably be the perfect temperature once you two finish helping me load in the groceries and wash your hands. If you get it done in thirty seconds, we can share one cookie before dinner. Ready set go!”

This one must be Soren. Ashlynn thought as she listened to the chorus of voices and how they began scampering about running from the car back to the kitchen. The crinkling sound of bags of chips and dull thunks told Ashlynn these boys were quick when motivated, which wasn’t a good sign for her.

While all of the noise continued, she quietly backed away and climbed her line all the way back up to the ceiling. She had half a mind to leave right then and there. What Borrower would stay put and create a home where there were two little boys living?

Ashlynn’s twisting insides gave the answer – a desperate Borrower.

A desperate Borrower would stay in a place with two young boys and at least one human adult, most likely the dad. They would make a home out of a place like this. They would stay put and gather necessary supplies until they were ready to leave or decided to risk it all on this unknown place.

Ashlynn sadly was in that category and had no other options at the moment.

Supplies were limited and, perhaps, things weren’t as bad as she thought. Observation was necessary, which is what she decided to do as she approached the slightly askew light fixture she’d used to observe the kitchen. While there, she watched one adult human with dark brown hair walking around putting things away while the two young boys with sandy blond, brown hair bounced around like rubber balls.

It was hard to tell specifics about each of the humans’ features, but Ashlynn determined that the two young ones had pale blue eyes and roundish faces and the build of Soren, who she guessed was their dad, had a comparatively lean yet muscular build.

She watched as the humans finished unloading everything and, as promised, shared a single cookie and a “splash” of milk, whatever that measurement meant for a human that was. Ashlynn also decided to eat silently alongside the humans, which was the best thing that had happened all day. The taste was sweet and a touch salty, and every bite felt like it could unlock forgotten memories deep within her mind.

How this human could make something like that, she didn’t know. What she did know was that, for now, she needed to stay put and recuperate. If she needed to leave, then it would come to that. Until then, she needed to gather supplies and remain hidden in the shadows.

Until then, this was her home, and she’d just have to make the most of it. At the very least, she couldn’t leave until she’d “borrowed” some more of those cookies. It was the one good thing she could hang onto.

She retrieved her bag and, for the first time in what felt like forever, hunkered down between a few secure looking wood blocks and drifted into a restful slumber.

~~~~~^*^*^*^*^~~~~~

Continue

Previous

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A Tall and Small Collection | Original Story

[the-selfinsert]

reworking and touching up this monster in my draft. seeing that murder is my ex now, i'm dumping this in someone else's blog instead.

burn. and resign.

(cw for drugs and drug use, nothing actually real-life drugs though)

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

i had a problem. a big one. i was obsessed with murder. and not in a cute “oh, i think he’s cool” way. no, i was obsessed. like, if i was given the chance to sniff his bones, i’d do so in a heartbeat.

today, i was really hoping to try something. see, i had something that had been in my storage for a long time now – something too weird to tell my one and only love about. after a battle where the trio had crashed on my sofa, i had secretly collected the bandages applied to murder and stored his dust in a box, guilty and ashamed. but today, i found the courage to finally come up to him with my request. wasn’t it healthy in a relationship to communicate with your significant other about your problem? and this – this was a problem alright.

i shuffled up to him, heart hammering. murder was lounging in his usual corner, looking like a skeleton that could have lived through several eons of bad decisions. he didn’t look at me at first, but i could feel his eyes on me.

“uhm, muse,” i said, trying to sound casual. “i, uh, got something to ask you.”

he raised an eyebrow, which, to be fair, was impressive considering his lack of actual eyebrows. “what? are you gonna start talking about getting into my pants again?”

i blushed and stammered. “no! no, not that.” i pulled out a small baggie of the bone dust – murder’s dust.

murder didn’t look impressed. “what the hell is that?”

i grinned too wide, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden. “it’s, uh, some of your dust! like, i found it in my bedroom, and i thought, y’know, i should really get a little closer to you. like spiritually. metaphysically. by, uh, snorting your dust.”

his skull twisted in disgust. “you want to snort my dust? that’s gross. a new low for you, for sure.”

i leaned in closer, practically vibrating with need for his approval. “but think about it! it’s your essence, right? your bones, your body. it’s like... it’s like becoming one with you. i just want to feel you, y’know?”

murder stared at me for what felt like an eternity. he was silent. then, in a voice filled with distaste, he said, “you’re insane.”

i was undeterred. “yeah, but you love me for it. you’re into it. right?”

he opened his mouth, clearly about to say something scathing, but then stopped. for a second, i thought he was going to refuse and walk away. but no. instead, he slouched back, shaking his skull in exasperation. “i don’t know what’s wrong with you, but fine. whatever. do your thing.”

i beamed. “thanks, muse! you’re the best!”

i pulled out a dollar bill, rolled it up, and inched it toward the dust, feeling my heartbeat jumping in my throat. i was so close. murder didn’t look away. he didn’t exactly approve, but he wasn’t stopping me either. that was enough for me.

i inhaled a line of the bone dust.

it was weird. it tasted like ancient regret and dust bunnies. icy gin and electric storm. it didn’t even burn the way i thought it would. but it was something. and, honestly, i wasn’t sure if it was the dust or just the desperation in my veins, but i felt a little more... complete.

i exhaled slowly, trying to hold it together, trying to not look like a newbie. “see? this is what i’m talking about, murder. you’re within me now.”

murder sans stared at me, unmoving, his empty sockets flickering with a blend of disgust and what might have been mild amusement. “you’re... really something, aren’t you?”

“i’m your number one fan,” i said, eyes wide with that hopeless love only a freak like me could muster. “i’m your most devoted jester, muse.”

he sighed, rubbing his skull. “yeah, that you are. and that’s the most unhinged part of all this.”

but he didn’t push me away. not exactly. and that? that was all i need.

Huh. Honestly, not as bad as I was expecting.

[sc0tters]

Memories In a Box | Gabe Perreault

summary: four times Gabe realised that he was in love with you and the one time he did something about it.

song: nervous - Shawn Mendes

request: yes/no

warnings: none.

word count: 1.94k

authors note: I’ve never written one of these 4/5 + 1 things before so I figured what better time to try it than with the first drattee that I’ve ever written for! If you want to be apart of or see more of the celly playlist, you can find it here!

Being Wills twin sister was like a double edged sword.

Don’t be wrong, you loved your brother. The two of you had been best friends from the day you came out of the womb you were practically attached by the hip, wearing the same gender neutral clothes for the first year and a half of your life because the laugh you would let out when someone mixed the two of you up was music to your parents ears. You had been by Wills side every step of the way, every goal, every loss, and every injury was just as much of a burden on your shoulders as it was on his. What came with this though was his friends, most of them you thought were incredibly annoying as most boys in their teens were.

1

But Gabe didn’t seem to apply to that rule. You first met him when your parents decided to take Will and his favourite teammates out for pizza.

The younger boy had drawn the short straw of sitting next to the talkative girl with braces and her hair in messy braids as she had been running around, otherwise known as you. It seemed like he couldn’t even get a word in, not that he minded though. It was much more interesting listening to you talk about the assist that he had made “sparky shush,” Will laughed as he ruffled his hand over your head. The older of the Smith twins had gotten that nickname as a child, you seemed to enjoy sticking your fingers into electrical sockets back then.

Your face turned pink as you realised that you had been rambling “I don’t mind,” Gabe shook his head as he threw his arm around you. He had seen how the other boys acted around you and how you acted around them so by you not reacting negatively to the gesture. Gabe didn’t know if he wanted to smirk or if he needed to wipe the sweat from his hands first. That was the moment you knew he was going to be different from Wills other friends.

2

Your families lake house was always the highlight of your summers. It was your very own oasis, the place where peace met happiness. Your list of descriptions went on. It was your heaven on earth. Which was why you were awake early most mornings, usually just staring out at the water “you got room for one more?” Gabe called out as he leaned against the frame of the backdoor.

You spun your head around to see him “I think I can find the space,” you joked as you patted the other side of the bench.

Gabe had slept in a random pair of shorts and he hadn’t bothered to grab a shirt before he strolled down stairs, not that you minded though -him shirtless with his unmade curly hair made you feel like you had won the seventeen year old girl lottery. He joined you on the bench swing with a smile “you always out here?” The boy asked as he furrowed his eyebrows, he knew that you were always awake before everyone else but this was him getting a chance to experience it with you for the first time. Will used to joke about that bench being your our private land before 10:00am because you didn’t allow anyone -well just Will- on it with you.

Your smile was evident as you looked back out at the dock where your parents boat sat “with a view like this it’s hard not to.” What you didn’t notice was that his eyes never left you from the moment he sat down “beautiful isn’t it?” You asked as you locked eyes with him, both of your cheeks warmed at the moment.

All the hockey player could do was nod “yeah it is,” he rubbed the back of his neck as he wasn’t talking about your view then, he was talking about his view.

3

For your birthday your parents always went big for their twins. It was one party but you and Will almost found a way to make compromises that let you each end up happy. For your eighteenth birthday all you wanted was to have your friends over and that’s exactly what you were getting ready for “come in!” You called out as there was a knock at the door. Your curling iron was lowered as you watched the door in the reflection of your mirror.

Gabe almost stopped in his tracks “wow,” he mumbled as his eyes went wide. You had told him that you had bought a new dress for the evening but you never showed it to him, until now “you like it?” You asked as you got up to let him see it in full.

He nodded “I love it,” part of him wanted you to wrap yourself in a blanket so that nobody else could see your beauty in that way that he saw it now “you’re beautiful,” he confessed causing you to place your hand on your chest.

You’d been told plenty of times before that you looked beautiful in a piece of clothing but this was the first time that you had been called outright beautiful “you’re gonna make me ruin my makeup,” you warned as you had to stop yourself from getting emotional.

It caused the boy to laugh “well happy birthday spark,” everyone thought that his nickname for you was simply an adaptation of the one your brother had given you. But it wasn’t, Gabe called you spark because you were the spark in his life that could help him kickstart it whenever he needed it. He was the moth to your flame.

He walked over to you to hand you your present “you didn’t need to give me anything,” you reminded him as you placed what seemed like a jewellery box on your bed before you pulled him into a hug.

Gabe had ignored your request every single year from the year you met him “let me have one day to spoil you in peace.” The seriousness in his tone made you laugh as he placed a kiss to your head.

Will could be heard from outside your room “anyone know where Gabe is?” He asked causing you two to look at each other.

The hockey player brought his finger to your lips “I guess this is my cue,” he joked as he sent you a soft salute before he made his way out of your room without getting caught.

4

Gabe mindlessly walked through the center as he wanted to find a place to gather his thoughts “Gabe!” You cheered as you saw the boy walking in your direction.

You had Wills Sharks cap on your head as your brother had put it there during one of his interviews “hey spark,” Gabe smiled as nearly knocked him off of his feet when you hugged him.

His arms went around your waist like they were meant to be there and this was one of the first times that he truly felt at ease “blue looks good on you,” you commented as you looked at the rangers jersey that he was in.

The boys cheeks went flushed at the compliment “it’s more your colour than mine” He pointed out causing you to giggle.

It was that playful noise as your tongue ran along the inside of your cheek “I’ve always thought that dark blue looked better on me.” You explained as you reached up to take the cap off of his head to replace the one that was on your own head. The sharks cap was going to have to stay in your hand for now “you think?” You added as you ran your fingers through the ends of your hair.

Gabe swore he was going to die in that very moment “you look good in everything,” he confessed letting the compliment roll off of his tongue like it was honey.

Your freshly painted fingernails picked at the pendant of your necklace attracting the boys attention to your chest area. It was the necklace he had gotten you for your birthday “even my sweats and pjs?” The Ranger draftee had been around your family for so many years now that he had seen you multiple times when the boys would all come back to Wills place after early morning practices.

It caused him to nod repeatedly “especially those,” he would never admit it to Will -mainly because he valued the status of his life since Will would kill any body that even looked at you the wrong way- but he was now dangerously close to admitting it all to you.

Something caught your attention as it caused you to take a step back from the taller boy “there you are sparky.” Will had to admit that he was surprised to see the Rangers had that travelled from Gabe’s head to yours.

You sent your brother a smile “just been talking to Gabe about life in New York.” Your lie made sense as you had been accepted into NYU so if Gabe were to sign immediately you two would be seeing a lot more of each other.

Without the watchful eye of your brother “she can be so thoughtful sometimes can’t she?” Will asked as he was totally unaware of what was going on between you and Gabe.

Of course nothing was happening between you two but as the saying goes a picture can speak a thousand words.

+1

Gabe had been in New York for a development camp series and the night before he was meant to head back to Boston he still hadn’t seen you. It wasn’t a lack of effort from either one of you, it was simply that you couldn’t find a time where both of your schedules had the moment available. So like any boy with a crush, he just showed up at your dorm “Gabe?” You asked as your eyes went wide. The person you thought was going to be at your door was your food delivery driver, not your brothers best friend “can I come in?” His voice was soft as his eyes looked tired.

He dropped his bag inside your dorm as he pulled you into a hug. Without seeing you for months he grew to miss your scent, your smile, your laugh, but most of all, you. It was like the second you two got into there his walls came crashing down “what’s going on with you?” You furrowed your eyebrows as you looked up at him.

Something was clearly weighing on him “I want to do something but it might be stupid.” Gabe confessed as his eyes flickered between your face and your lips.

You honestly thought you were dreaming at that point. This was the moment you had spent years waiting for, ever since you saw him in that pizza restaurant where he put his arm around you “quit taking your damn time then.” You murmured finally giving him the green light. Butterflies flew through your body as you watched him lick his lips before he nodded. Given the height difference between you two you were quick to push yourself onto your tippy toes as you kissed him. You had grown impatient and decided that you had enough of waiting for him.

The kiss was delicate, like it was a well baked cake that your mom had spent hours making.

The kiss was perfect,

Everything was perfect.