#tori: (chokes and DIES)

[mixelation]

Does Kushina Jr. know Spanish? If so, did Tori teach her kid or did Kushina Jr. learn it through other means?

I..............

..............what other places would they learn spanish?!

[b3ach-bunn7]

27 DRESSES (2/6)

You try not to lose your mind while planning your sisters wedding to the man you're in love with. All the while, a certain blonde haired reporter can’t seem to leave you alone

You’ve been in a lot of horrible situations in your life.

That one wedding where the groom ran off at the last minute. Firing someone when Togata was too scared to do it. But this, being an awkward third wheel at your sister and bosses date, is definitely top three. 

The sun bears down hot and heavy on your head, the cap you’re wearing poorly shielding the rays from your eyes. Your skin smells like sun cream and it’s a beautiful day, no clouds and the soft feeling of summer all around you. You’re at Togata’s little brothers baseball game. It’s not actually his little brother, but a kid from the Boy Scouts program. You love Midoriya. He’s cute and all freckled from the sun, smile shining from all the way into the field.

It’s hard to be annoyed when the atmosphere is so lovely, but you’re sure you can manage. Tess is very touchy, you find out while waiting in the queue for food, unable to keep her hands off Togata for a single second. You push forward as soon as it’s your turn and start fishing out your wallet.

You lean forward on the edge of the stall. “Alright, I’ll have three diet cokes, three fries, and-“

You turn to Tess, who’s hand is now around Togata’s arm, “You want a chilli dog, right?”

Tess laughs and shoves your shoulder a little harder than you think is necessary. “Well, unless it’s a Tofu dog, then no, silly.”

You pause where you’d been digging out cash. “Sorry, what?”

“I’m vegetarian.”

It takes a lot of self control not to laugh in her face. Your eyes dart to Togata’s and the dots start to connect.

“Ah, I see. Funny thing, did you know Togata is a vegetarian, too?” You muse.

“Oh, you.” Tess grits out, her elbow knocking into your side. “Of course I know. He used to be a vegan.”

You roll your eyes. The chili dog is warm in your hand and you take an angry bite. Tess and Togata grab their own food and you all stalk your way back to your seats.

Tess sighs wistfully. “It’s hard, you know? I feel like the world isn’t made for us sometimes. I mean, I even have to make my own tofurky jerky whenever I go hiking.”

And that little line causes you to choke a little on your food. Tess? Tess who doesn’t even own any form of sports wear is now a hiker? Togata seems to share your disbelief, because he looks at her a little weirdly.

“You hike?”

Tess’s voice is all high-pitched and fake. “Yeah, duh! Like, you know, trails and everything.” Her face falls and she places a hand on her heart.

“Well. I haven't been much since our dog died. Right, Y/N?” She turns to you.

Your brows furrow in confusion. You swipe at the crumbs around your mouth. “What?”

“You remember Tory, right? God, we used to-  to hike. Together. I’ll miss him forever.” She squeezes Togata’s arm, who’s looking emotional besides her. 

You just can’t believe he’s actually falling for this shit. She’s a good liar, you’ll give her that. The dog in question was Tess’ worst nightmare. All she did was complain about the fur, and the smell, and the noise of barking. You’d like to add it was always you who took him on walks.

“How come you never mentioned Tory?” Togata asks you and you snort.

“Hm, maybe I just suppressed the memory of Toby. Wasn’t that his name, Tess?” You wonder.

Tess' face heats in a way that shines some joy on an awful day. “Right! I had that lisp, though.”

“A lisp that turns B’s to R’s?”

Togata nods. “You know, I had a stutter growing up. Maybe we’re more alike than I’d thought.”

You can’t win.

You and Tess sit down while Togata goes to pitch baseballs with Midoriya. The second he’s out of earshot, you turn to face Tess. You smack her shoulder and her face drops in shock.

“Hey!”

“Hiking? Tofurky? What the hell are you doing?” You snap.

Tess rubs at her arm. Her exposed arms, because she’s come to a baseball game in a little black dress. “I- What? I can change.”

You scoff. “Oh come on! You hate the outdoors-”

“I like beaches. And flowers.”

“How is that even slightly the same thing?” She huffs at your words, popping a fry in her mouth. 

“And Tory? You hated Toby. You wouldn’t ever go near him!” You remind her.

Tess sighs. “Does it matter?”

You watch as Midoriya hits a homerun. “You’re only doing this because Togata is attractive. Some people think.” You add quickly.

Tess licks the salt off her fingers. She turns to face you and turns your shoulder so you’re facing her.

“I could like tofurky. And dogs. So long as they don’t slobber on me, or anything. Don’t be such a buzzkill, big sister.” 

She speaks with the condescension that only spoiled little sisters can muster, and you bite your chilli dog so that you don’t bite her head off. Your little argument is cut short when Togata effortlessly scales the two benches in front of you to offer his hand to Tess. You think you’re looking too longingly so you dart your eyes away.

“You wanna go shag flies with me, Tess?”

“I- Sure! Yeah.”

You hope she trips in her strappy little sandals. 

Your sorry session is interrupted by your phone buzzing in your pocket. You pull it out, pressing it to your ear and take a sip of your coke. ���Hello?”

“I was waiting for a call, you know. Left my number pretty big in your planner.” Keigo’s voice is smooth and cheery and you curse under your breath.

“I didn’t call you because you ripped a page out of my planner.”

He had, and it had really messed up your week. You’re busy enough that even one second of your life not being written down is enough to mess up everything. He’d replaced the week in question with a paper with his phone number on it that you’d quickly thrown away. He also penciled in his name on every single saturday night for the next three months.

“Just a little experiment. See how you do without every second of your life planned out.”

You just scoff, and fish out the last few fries in the bag. 

“What do you do, anyway? Besides going to everyone's weddings and work?” Keigo asks.

“I really don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

He hums. “How do you even afford it? The dresses, the gift cards from those awful wine of the month clubs-”

You stop him with an indignant sound. “Hey, they are very good gifts. I’m a member, you know, and sometimes they throw in free bottle openers.” You argue, and he sighs.

“That’s sad. Really.”

“You sure know how to speak to a lady.”

Tess looks effortlessly perfect swinging that bat. Despite being really shit at it.

“Lemme make it up to you. How about a new datebook? Or just a date?”

You nod slowly. “Right. I can pencil you in. But hey, you already did for the next three months!”

He sounds awfully proud of himself on the other line. It’s annoying, but. It’s also a little cute. You hate to admit it.

“Can’t you just find someone else to be a creep with?”

“Fine, just- Anytime you wanna hang with someone who isn’t asking you to pick out a bouquet or call their mother-in-law, you give me a ring.”

“Yeah. Sure.”

You won’t be calling him. Ever.

-

The next two months go by painstakingly slow. Tess is in your office and Togata is in your apartment and you severely regret letting her stay and your place while she’s here. Especially since she decided to extend her stay because of how incredible of a time she’s having with him. You seem them lounging on your couch, having dinner at your table. It’s weird. Seeing your sister experience the relationship you’ve wanted your whole career. You just try to keep your head down, and keep working. You know Tess. She’s not the type to hold down a man, because after a week she gets bored and throws him out for someone new. It’ll happen eventually, and you can go back to ogling Togata without feeling that immeasurable guilt.

And then, he proposes to her.

After two months. It’s soon. So very soon but you obviously don’t say that to him, not when he asks you for help to see it all up.

You walk into her favourite restaurant on the day, and you find that there are balloons and roses and a violin player. And a banner that says ‘Will you marry me?’ strung across the far wall. Small candles light the room and you wonder how long it took for them to all be lit.

Your heart drops. For one fleeting moment, when Togata turns around with that lovestruck look in his eyes, you feel like it’s for you. And then his face drops, and he waves off the violin player who’s started playing some symphony. 

“Wrong girl, everyone.” Togata waves them off.

Right. That doesn’t sting at all. 

You plaster on a smile, and clap your hands together. “Oh! Is this- Wow! It all looks great.”

Togata grins so big you think his face might split in half. “Well, yeah. It’s- It’s sudden, I know, but it feels right. You think she’ll like all this?” He gestures around him.

You nod and your hair flies around your face. “Oh, yeah. Of course, she’ll- The wine! That’s her favourite.” You laugh.

“Great, because- Oh! Tess!”

You turn, and she’s there. It’s shock and then happiness that melts her features and despite the part of you that hates this, it’s Tess. Your baby sister. You can't help but feel just as excited for her.

Togata steps forward, the bouquet of flowers in his hand big and pink.

“Tess. My parents, they met when they were five playing hopscotch, and they’ve been married for forty two years. And I’ve been waiting my whole life to find that kind of love.” 

He steps closer and Tess follows. She’s wearing a pretty red dress and the violin player crescendos.

“And when I saw you, I thought that I could have that. So, Tess. Will you marry me?”

She squeals, rushing forward and tackling him in a hug. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”

You decide to celebrate the news by drinking in a bar.

Your apartment is busy, anyway. They’re probably consummating their proposal all over your guest bedroom. 

It’s loud tonight. Busy for a Wednesday night. You wonder how many people get proposed to on a Wednesday night. Not you, apparently.

Your drink is bitter and strong, and it burns a line down your throat with every sip you take. But it’s nice. Takes the edge off. Which you’ll need because you’d called Keigo ten minutes ago, and now he’s nursing his own drink right next to you.

His fingers tap awkwardly against his glass. “I’m a little confused.”

“Why’s that?”

Keigo shrugs. “Well, you finally asked me out, and you-”

“My sister’s getting married. Little sister.” You blurt out.

He nods knowingly. “Ah. Before you?”

You shake your head quickly. “No, no, I’m not- I’m not jealous. I’m not upset about that.”

“Then what?”

You breathe out quickly. You run a hand through your hair. “I- You don’t know Tess. She’s going to want me to be her maid of honour and she’s going to want me to do everything for her.” 

Keigo tilts his head, confused. “Well. Can’t you just say no?”

He sees the look on your face and he laughs. “You ever said that word before? ‘No’?” 

You scoff, but it’s half-hearted. “Yes. I have.” You pause. “Just never to a bride before.”

You take a sip of your drink. The music is loud so you inch a little closer to hear him better. He smells good, you note.

“Do you want to say no?” He asks.

You think for a moment. “Even if I wanted to, she’s my sister.”

“You can say no to your sister.”

You huff a laugh. “Right. So you’re an only child, then?”

Keigo nudges your arm, pushing you to face him. “Look. Let’s practise.” 

He looks you dead in the eyes. Keigo is pretty, you think. Boy pretty. Like someone out of a YA novel.

“You’re gonna say no to me. No matter what I say.” 

You nod.

“Y/N, give me fifty bucks.”

“No.” You say, a little unsure.

“Come on, it’s just fifty bucks.”

“No.” You say it a bit more determinedly this time.

“Y/N, I need you,” And he leans in then, and he pauses for an unnecessary amount of time, “to give me fifty bucks.”

You swallow. “No?”

He’s moving back just as quickly as he came close, nodding appreciatively. “Not bad.”

You shrug, a little flattered at the attention. 

He points to the table. “Hey, can I have you drink?”

“Sure.” 

You gasp. “Wait!”

“So close.” He laughs, downing it in one go.

—

Despite the impromptu lesson, when Tess inevitably asks you to be her bridesmaid, your immediate answer is yes. The prep is just as tiresome as it usually is, but a little worse considering the fact it’s Tess you’re preparing for.

The flowers are the wrong shade of pink, and the favours weren’t done right the first time. Togata takes a backseat throughout the whole thing, letting Tess take control, so you don’t even get to talk to him throughout this mind numbing process.

Today, the two of you are walking through the gardens where your parents got married. Tess licks at an ice cream cone and you adjust your purse onto your shoulder.

“So did you order the favours again?” She asks.

“Yes.”

“And did you finish the invitation mockups? So I can send them to that company.”

So you can send them to the company. You doubt Tess will lift a finger to help with that.

“Yes, Tess.”

She jumps a little in excitement. “Perfect! Oh, and I asked Kayama to be a bridesmaid.”

Kayama was a distant cousin that you guys barely saw. You think she models now, but you don’t keep in much contact. You nod, gesturing for Tess to give you her ice cream.

“What about Takeyama?” A cousin from your others side.

Tess frowns. “Oh, no. She’s really pregnant, you didn’t know? I can’t have her messing up my bridesmaid lineup.”

You huff a laugh. “That’s nice to say, Tess.”

She waves you off. “Oh, and I want you to ask your rude friend Rumi.”

You can’t help the laugh that escapes you. “My Rumi?”

Your Rumi who isn’t exactly the biggest fan of Tess. Or weddings, unless the groom’s friends are more atttactive than the average man.

Tess nods, taking back the ice cream. “Yeah, she’s really pretty, you know? She can pull off the strapless we had in mind.” 

You sigh, agreeing. “Alright, I’ll ask.”

“Perfect! I don’t really have that many girl friends of my own, you know?”

That’s a real shocker. You don’t say that out loud, though, just nod and smile. 

The day is nice. The weather has been nice recently, all sun and wind that melts away the heat. Tess rambles on besides you about the slideshow she wants you to make for the day. Pictures of her and Togata from their lives, all dolled up with a nice song playing in the back. You mentally add it to your never-ending to do list.

“Oh, and hey, guess what? You know that writer you love? Hawks? He said he wants to do a column on us. Can you believe it?”

Oh, how you can’t wait to cut and clip that article into your collection. “At this point, yeah. I can.”

You shouldn’t be miserable. This is exciting! You love weddings. Maybe you’ll even get a feature in the article.

“And I was thinking, you know about where the wedding should be.”

Tess looks slightly nervous, now. You know because she bites her bottom lip between her words, her most obvious tell. That, and it’s older sister duty to sense these things.

She also had already decided where the wedding was going to be. A pretty venue you’d been to a bunch of times. You’re sure you’d already called and booked. You tell her as much and she laughs a little nervously.

“Yes, but I was thinking that I might have it at the boathouse. You know, like mum and dad did. Especially because…”

You look at her expectantly. “Come on, Tess, spit it out.”

She passes you the ice cream. You think it’s a peace offering for whatever she’s about to spill.

“Well. Because dad gave me mum’s wedding dress to wear.”

Your heart jumps a little at her words. You both stop on the pathway, and the ice cream drips onto your fingers. Mum’s wedding dress that you’d been eyeing since you were old enough to realise what weddings really were. She always told you she’d pass it onto you two, showing pictures of her and your father on her special day. That dress was going to Tess.

Tess sees the stricken look on your face. “You can so totally use it after me! I-“

She looks anxious, and you feel bad. It’s not her fault you still didn’t have a husband. Or even a boyfriend. Maybe if you did the dress would be yours. And it was her mother, too.

You hold up your hands. “It’s okay, Tess. Don’t worry. I’m sure it’s what mum would’ve wanted.” You smile.

She looks relieved and you feel bad that she’d been that scared to tell you. You link your arm with hers, and carry on walking. 

“I’ll see what I can do about the boathouse.” You say but she only grins.

“No need! I called them. Like, nine times. And there was a cancellation! So, I will be Mrs Togata in three weeks.”

Your mouth drops open. “Three weeks?”

“I know, I know it’s so soon, but if anyone can pull it off it’s you!”

-

“That selfish whore!”

You splutter a laugh, almost stumbling in the position you were trying to hold. Yoga wasn’t your favourite form of exercise, but Miruko loved it. She said it was for the quiet, peacefulness, but you think she likes showing off the fact she’s more flexible than you.

“Rumi-“ 

“I mean, I can’t believe it. I just can’t.” 

The yoga instructor in the front of the room sends Rumi a stern glance. She smiles at her apologetically.

You shrug. “It’s Tess. There is no man in this world that won’t fall for her.” You mumble. “They get hypnotized by her voodoo and lose their minds.”

Rumi snorts. The instructor bends into a tree pose and you stabilise yourself on Rumi’s shoulder.

“You can't plan your sister's wedding to the man you love,” She exclaims. “It’s sick!”

“To be fair, she didn’t know how I felt about him-“

“Feel.”

“And I shouldn’t, anyway. He’s my boss.” You remind her. 

Your foot slips off the soft material of your leggings and you sigh. This sport is really not for you. You glance at Rumi who’s been standing perfectly straight the whole time.

“I’m just going to have to get over it. I don’t have much of a choice.”

You suddenly remember something. “Oh, you don’t either. Guess who’s going to be a bridesmaid?” You sing.

“You’re shitting me.”

You snicker, taking a long sip of your water. Rumi crosses her arms, yoga pose forgotten. 

“No. I won’t do it. For you. This- it’s a no on principle.”

You shake your head almost immediately, latching onto her arm. “No, no, please don’t leave me alone on this.”

Rumi looks decidedly out of the window and away from your pleading face. 

“Please, my best friend please.”

Rumi rolls her eyes. “Fine. Fine, just because it’s you.”

You hug her quickly, well aware of the glares coming at your from every direction. Never come between women and their yoga, you guess. Rumi just stares back, mumbling some choice words under her breathe. You nudge her shoulder to shush her.

“We are talking pretty loudly.” You whisper.

“There’s no sign that says no talking!” 

-

Tess’s insistence at your ability to complete this wedding in three weeks is why you find yourself begging at Alejandro’s counter for a three tiered cake. He’s the best baker in New York, no competition, and Tess had asked for him personally. This was one task you didn’t mind as much, considering the fact that you’d be the one eating cake at the wedding. So if anything, this favour was for you.

You clasp your hands together and shake them in front of Alejandro’s face.

“Please. It’s three weeks!”

“Three weeks is never enough time for one of my creations!” 

His accent is thick and heavy and coats all his words, and you have no clue where he’s from. Somewhere Eastern European, you think.

You stand up straight, hands slamming on the counter. “Look- Remember last year? I got you that couple that commissioned that six-tier red velvet with all the fancy decorations. Then the edible gifts for the Schumann wedding?” 

His face twitches slightly, and you know you’re close. 

“You can do it. You can do anything, we both know it.” You say with finality. “And you’re going to get me a cake in three weeks.”

He sighs heavily, shaking his head. He points a shaking finger at you. “Only because it’s you, Y/N.”

“Love you, Alejandro.” You grin, flashing him two thumbs up.

You turn around to where Tess and Togata are looking at different cake designs on display. They do look kinda cute together, if you’re being honest.

“Okay we have a cake!” You say, and your reply comes from the last person you’d expect it too.

Keigo.  

“Good job.” He grins, and you narrow your eyes at him.

“What, you followed me here, too?”

He rolls his eyes playfully. He holds up a notepad and pen, and turns to your sister.

“Hi. Nice to meet you, I’m Hawks.” He holds out a hand to shake Tess’s and your jaw drops a little. “Congratulations to you both.”

“You’re- You’re not Hawks, you're Keigo.” You splutter.

“Thank you.” Togata smiles. His phone rings from his pocket and he pulls it out, cursing at the caller id.

“I gotta take this, babe. I’ll be outside, just give me five.” 

He kisses her on the cheek and you turn to Keigo. Who’s already looking at you. He turns back to Togata and Tess, something clicking in his head.

“Interesting.” He hums.

Tess steps forward as Togata walks out the shop, pointing at you.

“This is Y/N.” Tess smiles. “She is like, so obsessed with your articles. She keeps them all in a drawer at home, it’s so cute.”

Your face burns and Keigo grins. “Really?”

Tess nods. “Not in like a creepy way, or anything, though.”

“Of course not.” Keigo looks far too pleased with himself.

You rub at your eyes. “Wait, you told me your name was Keigo.” You say.

He nods. “It is. Hawks is a pen name, so I don’t get stalked by crazies. Like you, apparently.” He teases and you shoot him a look. 

Tess glances between the two of you, slightly confused.

“So, how did you meet Toagta?”

You cut him off quickly. “You’re an asshole.” You snap and Tess gasps.

“Y/N!”

You turn to her, indignant. “What? I’m sorry, he just- he told me his name was Keigo!”

Tess sighs. “Wait so- so do you guys know each other?” 

Keigo nods. “Yeah, we both work the wedding circuit.”

He speaks so casually that it sends a tinge of anger through you. 

“Please excuse us, Tess.”

You grab his wrist, dragging him to a quieter, more private corner of the bakery. He’s warm; the flowy, 

bright blue button up he has on doesn’t seem to cool him down very much. He looks giddy when you turn to face him, hand still closed around his wrist.

“So forward of you, Y/N. I’m blushing.” He drawls.

You drop his hand quickly. “Cut the crap. You lied to me.”

“No I didn’t. I told you I was a writer, and I am.”

You frown, crossing your arms. “But how can you write such lovely things?”

Keigo shrugs. “Beats writing the sports section.”

It sucks, a little. That your favourite section in the whole newspaper is written by such a cynic. You find it difficult to believe the near prose you’d read was written by the man standing in front of you.Keigo is looking at you very closely as you process all this information. His eyes catch on the sun glimmering on the long windows of the bakery, and they look a little golden. 

“Do you actually believe in all the beautiful things you write, or is it just- are you just a cynic who knows how to spin it for hopeless girls like me?”

You speak in one big breath, anger pushing your words out before you can even think about what you’re saying. He hums, leaning against the wall next to him.

“That was a lot. But the second one, I think. The spinning stuff one.” He nods.

You groan, burying your face in your hands. “God. I feel like my favourite love song was written about a sandwich.” You mumble.

He grins. You think he’s about to start speaking, but Tess walks over. She looks between the two of you, the smile on her face straining.

“Sorry. Can I steal you away to tell you about Togata and me?” She’s asking but the way she sounds means she’s telling.

You look at Keigo. You think you see disappointment flit across his face for just one second, but he’s waving goodbye before you can linger on that thought.

“See you around, Y/N.”

“Yeah, whatever Hawks.”

exams r finally over!!!!!! EVERYONE CLAP SND CHEER! I finalllly got around to writing more for this fic.. and I really love it this is genuinely one of my favourite rom coms. So underrated..

Hawks will be coming up much more now that most of the world building is done, so look forward to that!

Hope u all enjoyed! To those interested this also gets posted on my ao3 if you’d like reading it there!

[ettraxx]

Broken Mirror

Tori’s breathing came in short shallow gasps. She was exhausted but she still needed to stay hidden. The masked slasher was still stalking the blood splattered house.  

She never in a million years saw this happening, her friends and classmates being hunted down by a psychotic killer, and she couldn’t stop thinking about Jade. 

Miss too cool for all of it, decided to throw a party. A party full of teenagers while a slasher was praying on them all. Tori initially refused to come. But as soon as she heard that Robbie and Cat were on their way to the hospital in critical condition, she had to make sure that Jade was safe. 

Being a cops daughter finally seemed to be paying off. She had access to her dad’s back up gun, and she knew the police frequencies so she at least got a request for help out. They still weren’t here, because she was not that lucky. She had pushed inside the front door as soon as she saw the bloody handprint. 

The power had been cut so it was dark, but she could already see the damage and the blood. The living room was torn up, but empty, and a long hallway lead her to the kitchen. The blood inside the kitchen was enough to choke Tori up. But she still didn’t see Jade. 

She followed a bloody trail out the back door and towards the pool house. Inside she found the bodies of Burf and Sinjin. Burf had done his best to drag Sinjin to safety but it was too late for the bespectacled blonde. Burf himself bled out cradling his best friend. 

Returning to the kitchen she spotted the missing butchers knife from the block. She listened carefully, but couldn’t hear anything. She decided to take the back stairs and crept up as quietly as she could manage. Once upstairs she had to hold back tears and vomit. 

Three bodies were scattered down the hallway. She couldn’t even recognize two of them they were so badly sliced up. One was trying the reach the very stairs she had just climbed when they died. One was just exiting a room and was sliced up. 

The third, who she recognized as Ryder, stared up at the ceiling with an expression of terror. His throat was split open and his chest and stomach were covered in stab wounds. Tori carefully stepped around the bodies and down the hall. She saw no signs of life, and no sign of Jade. 

Reaching the master bedroom she pushed the door open with her left hand. Her right gripping her father’s revolver so hard her knuckles were white. She could see signs of a struggle and flashed up bedding. The window was ajar, and the door to the bathroom was splintered. 

Making her way to the bathroom, she spotted movement from under the bed in the reflection of the shattered mirror. She froze mid stride, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked at the bed but couldn’t see what caused the blur of motion. Drawing a deep breath she jumped away from the bed and dropped to her knee. 

With the gun trained on the hiding place she spotted the pale face of the girl she came for. Her eyes were filled with terror, and tears streaked her cheeks. Tori sighs and gasped in relief upon seeing Jade blink at her. She scrambled over to her and reached for Jade with her free hand. 

Jade was clutching a corkscrew in one hand and holding her thigh with her left. Once Tori pulled her out from beneath the bed she hugged her once rival. Jade even hugged her back with no prompting. Tori couldn’t forget about the existence of a crazed killer loose around them.

She broke the hug and used a piece of torn sheet as a makeshift tourniquet. She pulled it as tightly as she could on Jade’s upper thigh to cut off and bleeding. The dark haired and black clad girl almost slapped Tori in response. Instead she pulled Tori into a very quick kiss. 

Well Tori knew that Jade wasn’t mad anymore. At least not with her, so a small victory. The pair left the master bedroom hand in hand, Tori taking the lead with her revolver, and Jade refusing to let go of her own weapon. They made it halfway to the front steps when Tori stopped abruptly. 

Standing on the landing halfway up the stairs was a lone figure. Clad all in black, they held the bloody butchers knife. It didn’t take much to realize that they were looking away from the pair. Jade’s body shook involuntarily with recognition and fear. 

Tori had mere seconds to make a decision. She did not hesitate, raising the glistening silver revolver and taking aim at the killer. With a soft squeeze of the trigger a single shot screams out. Before the killer could acknowledge the shot, they were struck by a burning hot bullet. 

They dropped not only their knife but to their own knees. Tori did not hesitate to fire a second shot. This one struck as the man in the chest dropping him to the floor. Only then did the impossible register. The killer was none other than her friend and Jade’s on again off again boyfriend Beck Oliver.

The look of pure shock on his face as he registered the searing pain of the bullets and began to bleed on the hardwood floor. She could see his lips moving as he tried to speak as one of his lungs filled with crimson. What surprised Tori next was the warm sensation of Jade wrapping her arms around Tori and holding on to her for all she was worth. Tori instinctively wrapped her own arms around Jade who cried as she held her. 

All the while a Tori stared at Beck as the life drained from his face. As his final breath gasped out of his lips, she saw the red and blue light flashing through the windows. Jade refused to let go of Tori as the police entered and took in the grisly scene. Even after the paramedics arrived Jade wouldn’t let her go. 

Jade finally relented as she was having her leg examined. She obviously needed to go to the hospital. The words of the paramedic stuck in Tori’s ears. “You’re lucky, a quarter an inch to the left and he would have hit an artery.” 

Was she lucky, or was it intentional? Did Beck actually want to kill her or was it some kind of plan on his part? She rode with Jade in the ambulance, their hands locked together as the paramedic in the back monitored her. Her father’s cruiser was right behind them. 

Jade didn’t end up at the same Hospital as Cat and Robbie, they were attacked outside of school, and Jade’s dad lived in a wealthier neighborhood. She did finally hear that Cat was out of surgery, but Robbie was still under the knife. Jade called Tori her hero, as she lay in her hospital bed. She had a few dozen other minor cuts and some bruises all over. But for the most part she still looked like Jade. 

Tori studied Jade’s face as she gazed up at her. And she realized two things. Jade was so damn pretty that it twisted her up inside. And that her story sounded like a perfectly crafted horror movie. 

Jade had seemed genuinely upset when Tori refused to come to the party. But now she had to ask herself, was it because she just wanted to have fun with Tori, or was it because it ruined her carefully crafted narrative? The thought that Jade was the mastermind of the bloodbath that was the last few days, threatened to tip her heart in half. Could she really be in love with the woman who started all of this off by orchestrating her sister’s death?

No, of course not. She loved Jade because despite her dark interests, Jade was a good person deep down. And Jade loved her back, she had told her as much after Trina’s body was found. She was the one person who kept her from falling apart. And now Tori was going to help Jade keep it together.

*****

My attempt at a short horror story for spooky season. I found one of a million October prompt lists and this is what came out. I've never really written horror before maybe ill make this a full fic one day.

[tinycoded360]

Lilliput Adventures: Last Chapter

@gt-daboss @voraciousvore

The first sensation Tori registered was sand—gritty and damp against her cheek, tongue, and nostrils.

The second was a bizarre tickling across her wrists and ankles, like ants marching on her skin. When she forced her salt-crusted eyelids open, she quickly shut them. The bright sun bore down on her.

"Uncle Jim?" Her voice emerged as a croak, throat raw from saltwater. She tried to move but found herself pinned—not by weight, but by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of threads that crisscrossed her body.

A few feet away, her uncle lay in a similar state. His face contorted as consciousness returned to him in painful increments.

"What in the—" he started, then stopped abruptly as his eyes focused on something near his hand.

Tori followed his gaze. Standing there was a person—a miniature person in an elaborate uniform of green and yellow. And he wasn't alone. The beach around them swarmed with tiny figures.

"Telwin?" The word scraped past Tori's parched lips. "Captain Mavri? Fildor?" Tori called, trying to glance at any of the Lilliputians that she knew. Any from Captain Mavri's crew. She tried to search for Linric and Silvo as well. She felt dread. What if they didn't make it?

Tori closed her eyes. She remembered now......there was another storm. It was violent, and it overturned them into the sea. Her tiny friends might not have made it to shore. 

Tori's chest tightened with the familiar vice grip of anxiety. Her breathing quickened, shallow and ineffective. 

Tori spoke up, her voice quivering. "We just got caught in that storm. The boat capsized, and—"

"I don't think they'll listen, kiddo," Uncle Jim said, grimacing as a squad of tiny soldiers secured another rope across his chest. "They're treating us like we're invaders."

A particularly bold Lilliputian climbed up onto Tori's shoulder, using the fabric of her t-shirt as a handhold and foothold. The tiny figure—a woman with a severe expression and a helmet adorned—stood with hands on hips, surveying Tori's face.

Tori squirmed under the tiny woman's gaze. "Hello," Tori whispered, trying to keep her voice gentle. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, can you let us go now?"

Always apologizing. She couldn't help it. 

The tiny woman made a hand signal to her companions, gesturing emphatically toward Tori's face. More ropes appeared, and now they were working on securing her head, threading lines across her forehead and chin.

Panic bubbled up in her throat, threatening to spill over into a scream. The weight of the ropes was negligible, but the feeling of being trapped......was crushing.

"Easy, Tori. Deep breaths. They're just scared of us. We're giants to them, remember? We'd do the same if something fifty times our size washed up on our beach." Uncle Jim said.

His words made sense, but logic was a poor antidote to the anxiety constricting her chest.

"The one on your right shoulder is giving me the stink eye," Uncle Jim continued, his voice deliberately casual. "Pretty impressive death glare from someone smaller than my car keys."

Despite everything, a laugh escaped Tori.

The sand near Tori's ear shifted, and she felt the featherlight weight of another climber. This one moved with more urgency. He appeared in her field of vision—a young man with tousled blonde hair, his face flushed with exertion.

"Tori!" Telwin Exclaimed. "Everything's going to be alright, it's just all a misunderstanding......Captain Mavri is going to fix this all up! Promise!" 

"Telwin!" Tori choked back a sob. She'd thought he had died. "You're alive!!"

The young man's face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Of course! That wasn't my first storm.....be calm Tori, we'll get you out of this. Just stay calm."

"Ok, ok," Tori took two deep breaths, holding them in and then slowly breathing out. "I trust you."

Telwin nodded. "Good, good. And don't you worry, Captain Mavri is speaking to the Queen on your behalf."

"The Queen?" Tori repeated.

"Yes, Her Majesty Queen Lillian, ruler of all Lilliput and the surrounding isles," Telwin explained. "She's on her way to inspect the giants—that's you—and decide your fate, but don't you worry, Captain Mavri will explain everything to her."

Tori's stomach dropped. "Our fate?"

Telwin waved her off. "Like I said, don't worry about that."

******

Queen Lillian regarded the giants with the clinical interest of a collector examining unusual specimens.

"So," the Queen's voice was surprisingly resonant for her size, carrying clearly to Tori's ears. "These are the giants that washed upon our shores. Like the Great Gulliver of legend."

Tori tried to swallow, but her mouth had gone desert-dry.  She'd never been comfortable as the center of attention. 

She couldn't see her uncle, couldn't even see the tiny Queen from her position. She was tied down. Even her hair was tied to pegs, which were drilled into the ground. The only direction she could look was up. Her Uncle was in a similar position.

"Your Majesty," Uncle Jim called out, keeping his voice gentle. "We apologize for our unexpected arrival. We were caught in the storm and—"

"Silence, giant," the Queen cut him off with an imperious wave. "You will speak when permitted, not before."

Uncle Jim pressed his lips together, a muscle in his jaw twitching—a sure sign he was irritated but holding his tongue.

The Queen paced, her elaborate gown trailing in the sand. "Providence has delivered these creatures to our shores, and we shall make use of them. The Council and I have discussed the matter at length, and we have determined that these giants shall be put to work for the glory of Lilliput."

Murmurs rippled through the assembled Lilliputians. Telwin's expression fell upon hearing this.

"They shall build for us," the Queen continued, warming to her subject. "Structures no Lilliputian could erect in a lifetime. They shall tend our fields, completing in days what takes our farmers months. They shall mine the mineral-rich northern cliffs, extracting resources from depths we cannot reach."

With each pronouncement, Tori's heart sank further. Slavery. The Queen was describing slavery. Although she didn't know how the Queen would make them do this.

Tori spoke up, trying to reason with the tiny queen. "We—We-we would be happy to help your people, but perhaps as guests rather than as... workers?"

The Queen burst out laughing. "The giant thinks it has a choice in the matter! How quaint."

Heat crawled up Tori's neck, partly from embarrassment, partly from the indignity of being called "it."

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Uncle Jim said, more firmly this time, "my niece and I are not property to be claimed."

"Everything within the borders of Lilliput belongs to Lilliput," the Queen declared. "You are within our borders, ergo, you belong to us. The logic is irrefutable." She placed her tiny hands on her hips. "You won't have a choice in it, beast. My top alchemist has created a special potion that would put your feeble mind under my control."

Tori watched helplessly as the Queen turned to her advisors, already discussing work assignments and construction projects that would utilize their "giant resources." Her breaths came shallow and quick. She wanted to protest, to argue her case, but the words stuck in her throat, trapped by a lifetime of avoiding confrontation.

"Your Majesty."

A new voice entered the conversation. Captain Mavri stepped forward, her stance respectful but unintimidated.

"Captain Mavri," the Queen acknowledged, with noticeably less condescension than she'd shown the giants. "You wish to address the court on this matter?"

"I do, Your Majesty." Mavri executed a bow to be respectful. She knew she could point out how these two giants had helped her crew return home. But she knew her queen would not care, not really. She was looking for a profit. So Mavri planned to try a different approach.

"I believe there are practical considerations regarding the giants that have not been fully examined."

The Queen's eyebrow arched. "Proceed."

"The economic impact of maintaining giants has not been calculated," Mavri said, her voice steady. "Each giant would consume the equivalent of eight hundred Lilliputian rations daily—at minimum. Their water requirements would necessitate a dedicated aqueduct system. Housing structures would require resources equivalent to seventy-five standard dwellings." Mavri listed off. Most of the numbers she picked, she plucked randomly. But the meaning was the same.

"You suggest they would be a burden rather than an asset?" the Queen interrupted, her tone sharpening.

"I suggest, Your Majesty, that their value must be weighed against their cost. The treasury reports from the era of Gulliver indicate that maintaining a single giant nearly bankrupted them."

The Queen turned to a nervous-looking advisor. "Treasurer, is this accurate?"

The treasurer stepped forward, bobbing in a series of anxious bows. "The historical accounts do show significant expenditure, Your Majesty. The Great Gulliver consumed resources at an alarming rate. Two would be double the strain."

"These aren't just big appetites we're talking about," Mavri pressed. "Consider the logistics of waste management alone. The environmental impact on our waterways, our soil—"

"Enough." The Queen raised a hand, her expression clouding. "You make a compelling point, Captain."

"If they cannot serve as laborers without bankrupting the kingdom, then they must be eliminated," the Queen declared. "A swift and merciful execution will ensure they pose no threat to our people or our resources. Then we can harvest resources from the corpses."

 Tori's body went cold, then hot, then cold again. Execution?

"No!" The word burst from her with unexpected force. "Please, Your Majesty, we're not a threat. Just let us leave!" Tori begged.

The Queen seemed unmoved. "The safety of Lilliput is my primary concern. Be at peace, giant. Your corpse will still serve the needs of Lilliput."

"Your Majesty," Mavri interjected again. The captain's gaze flicked briefly to Telwin, who stood stock-still on Tori's chest. He had made himself comfortable atop her bosom. His youthful face had drained of color. "There is a third option to consider."

The Queen's attention returned to Mavri. "Explain."

"A trade agreement." Mavri's words were measured. "The giants perform specific, limited tasks that benefit the kingdom—tasks requiring their unique scale. In exchange, we provide them with the materials needed to construct a seaworthy raft. Once completed, they depart our shores, no longer our burden, and we get to use them for a time."

The Queen's eyes narrowed in calculation. "And how long would this raft-building take?"

"At max a month, Your Majesty, with proper materials and instruction."

"That's a long time feeding giants," the Queen mused. "Treasurer?"

The nervous official consulted his papers. "If we limit their rations to the bare minimum, the expenditure would be within acceptable parameters, Your Majesty."

"Very well," the Queen finally declared. "Captain Mavri's proposal is accepted, with one condition." She turned her gaze directly to Tori and Uncle Jim. "Any deviation from the agreed terms, any threat to my subjects, will result in immediate execution. Is that understood, giants?"

"Perfectly, Your Majesty," Uncle Jim responded promptly.

"Y-yes," Tori managed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Mavri addressed the Queen one more time. "With your permission, I will oversee the giants' work detail and ensure compliance."

"Granted," the Queen said with a dismissive wave. "You're experienced with these oversized creatures, after all."

The Queen turned to her advisor. "Draft up a list of work for the beasts. I want us to be properly compensated. Work them to the bone if you must."

The Queen addressed Captain Mavri next. "Would you like the mind control drug to help keep them in line?"

"I can handle them, my Queen. They'll do as I say."

"I expect you to keep them in line and on schedule for the tasks. If they give you any trouble, they will be drugged." The Queen replied.

As Lilliputian soldiers began the painstaking process of untying the countless knots securing them, Tori found herself looking at Captain Mavri with new appreciation. The woman had effectively saved their lives.

*****

Out in the countryside, away from the main Lilliput civilization, Tori and her Uncle sat in a field near a tiny cottage.

Mavri looked up at the two humans. "The mining site is three kilometers north," she informed them without preamble. "Jim, you'll be working under Mining Master Haddock. My crew will guide you there." She gestured to Silvo, Linric and Telwin.

"Tori," Mavri continued, "you'll come with me and Fildor to the western bay. We'll get started on gathering materials for that raft."

Uncle Jim gave Tori's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "See you later, kiddo. Try not to step on anyone."

His attempt at humor drew a faint smile from Tori, though it did little to calm the anxiety fluttering in her stomach. She watched him pick up his tiny guides and follow their directions. It was comical to watch him pick his way through the Lilliputian-sized landscape.

"Tori, give me your hand," Mavri ordered. "That's right, palm up."

Tori obeyed, offering her hand to the tiny captain and her first mate. She watched as Mavri and Fildor climbed aboard. "Place us on your shoulder, that will make things much easier."

Tori complied.

Mavir and Fildor balanced on her shoulder. And directed her on where to go.

Tori followed Mavri's command.

Tori paused as she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Telwin darted toward her leg. Tori watched as he scrambled up Tori's pant leg with remarkable agility.

"Mind if I hitch a ride?" he called up, not waiting for permission as he scaled her clothing. "My legs may be spry, but they're short, and keeping pace with your stride is like trying to outrun the wind!"

"Telwin," Mavri said sharply, "you were assigned with the others."

He reached Tori's other shoulder and settled there. "Actually, Captain, I'm Tori's cultural liaison, very important work, you see."

Mavri's eyes narrowed, but she didn't challenge his claim. "Right, cultural liaison, that's one word for this." She commented, making a hand gesture to indicate him and Tori.

"I don't know what you speak of," Telwin replied. 

As they continued toward the bay, Telwin proved to be an enthusiastic tour guide, pointing out landmarks and sharing snippets of Lilliputian history. His knowledge, though delivered in a chaotic stream of consciousness, was genuinely fascinating.

They reached the western bay.

The next few hours passed in a blur of activity. 

Fildor and Mavri set Tori to work in gathering materials from the land and making rope from plant material. Tewlin happily tagged along as Tori worked. Keeping her entertained. 

Fildor and Mavri worked on a blueprint. Once the day ended, and Jim returned from the mines, he looked over the blueprint as well. Jim corrected and added to the plans. Making sure there would be enough room for two. Jim also set to work on crafting fishing gear and a net to hunt for food on the journey home. He planned out storage as well. He planned to fish in the open waters and preserve what he caught. 

The most important part was water. Freshwater. Jim made sure to craft buckets to store this vital resource in. 

All in all, this project took more than a month. Much to the annoyance of the Queen. Mavri had to run interference so she would not order the giants to be killed. 

Tori and her Uncle grew thin on the merger ration that the Lilliputs gave them. It would have been a lot worse if her Uncle weren't fishing. Much to his fascination, the fish in the ocean were scaled down as well. He had to catch hundreds of fish to feed himself and Tori. He had to craft a big net, with tiny tiny holes, to keep the fish in. 

Finally, it was time. 

Tori lay under the stars, in an open field behind the tiny cottage. This was the last night here, in this tiny land. She hoped with all her heart that she and her Uncle would make it home. 

She missed home dearly......missed her parents.....missed her friends......and even missed her college classes. 

She had been thinking of taking a break from school, and in a twisted stroke of fate, she got that break. 

Tori glanced down as she felt Telwin climb up her side. 

"Tori.....I have a question." Telwin stated. 

"Sure, what's up?" Tori asked. 

Telwin inhaled sharply. "I want to go with you. When you leave. Can I?"

Tori felt something warm unfurl in her chest.

"What about Captain Mavri?" she asked. "And your life here?"

"They'll understand.....I want to be with you. Even if that means living in a world of giants. I know you can't stay here. So I want to go with you."

Tori extended her hand and gently picked up the tiny man. She sat up and cradled Telwin to her chest. "I'd like it if you came with us," she said softly. 

Telwin beamed up at her. "Besides, you'll need help navigating your way home! I can't let you get lost out there." 

Tori laughed and clutched Telwin close. "You sure?" Tori asked one more time. "I don't think we'll be able to get back here.....and we might not even make it...."

Telwin slapped her thumb. "None of that now, we'll be fine.....and I care a lot about you, Tori. I want to live my life by your side." 

Tori blushed. "I-I-I.....like you too." Tori felt tears threaten to spill. 

"Aw, none of that now!" Telwin said, reaching out and patting her bosom. "Now, how about we get some rest? It's a big day tomorrow."

Tori held Telwin to her chest. She felt warm and happy. A flutter of feelings wiggled in her belly. Yes, she very much did like Telwin. And she looked forward to sharing her life with him. She drifted off to sleep. 

Author Note: This is the end of this segment. Yes, they make it back. (Smoothly, probably not, but I promise they make it back.) I might return and do some one-shots for Telwin and Tori and their life together. But that would be a separate work. This one I'm done with. I hope everyone enjoyed it. 

[terrence-silver]

Recap:

- Johnny and Carmen get married by his pastor friend while she’s in labor (they name the baby Laura after his mom).

- Silver convinces Gunther (?) + the other senseis to put the tournament back on. Johnny realizes Silver’s dying.

- Kim kills her grandpa. Like straight up kills him. He goads her into doing it but yeah.

- She takes over but decides not to send the kids to Cobra Kai. Tory is the only fighter.

- Axel fights Robby and is told to injure his knee, so he does.

- Kreesedemption happens and he and Johnny hug and cry. Kreese lets Miguel fight for Cobra Kai.

- Tory beats Zara after Robby tells her he loves her.

- Silver on his yacht tells Dennis (who is still loyal to him) to threaten Carmen and the Jarmen baby, but before Dennis can do it he gets thrown down the stairs by Kreese and dies.

- Kreese and Silver fight, and while Silver’s choking him Kreese reaches for his cigar and causes the boat to catch on fire and explode.

- Axel is told to play dirty, but he refuses and Miguel wins. He tells off Wolf.

- Because Iron Dragons and Cobra Kai have the same amount of points it’s decided that the Senseis will fight.

- Danny starts hearing Silver and Kreese from kk1 and 3 andhallucinates AI Mr. Miyagi fighting guys in skeleton costumes for some reason. Like it’s not even a dream it’s a straight up hallucination. Perfect opportunity for Snake’s “he’s hallucinatin’” line but they didn’t use it :(((

- Danny and Chozen coach Johnny and everyone shows up in Cobra Kai gis. Johnny is losing until Danny tells him to “stop being a pussy” not joking. He wins by sweeping the leg.

- Johnny now runs Cobra Kai again, except this time it’s totally good apparently even though he keeps the ‘No Mercy’ philosophy and bullies kids in the exact same way he did in Season 1. Stingray is also there being annoying. Danny also keeps being a sensei.

- Sam goes to Okinawa for some program and Miguel goes with her before going to Stanford.

- Chozen gets rejected by Kumiko who says she loves him as a friend. He then shows up in Korea where Kim is teaching her students.

- Robby and Tory become influencers.

That’s it that’s the show. I’m so mad. The writers really said let’s nuke everyone’s characterization because we have a massive hard on for Johnny even though the entire fucking point was that the Cobra Kai philosophy led to generational trauma lmaoooo. Everyone did give their A-game acting-wise + my beef is 10000% with the writers. At least we have your terry content !!! At least someone does his character justice 🫡

You actually took the time to write all of this for me. Thank you most kindly. ❤️

How sweet. 🤗

[deerabigailhobbs]

Youre stuck on a deserted island with your 5 favorite people and your 5 least favorite people. What goes down? Whos dying first? What order are you cannibalizing them in? /hj

Oh boy, what a question to get on a quiet Thursday evening! I think realistically, I'd be the first to go. I'm terrible at survival situations and plus, have an abhorrent resistance to hot weather. Anything above 15°c (59F) and I melt. So yeah, I'll be on the Barbie first.

But let's say that the powers that be grant me extra strength and heat resistance in these trying times...

I'm not sure whether you meant real or fictional people, but let's do a mix of both shall we?

Most favourite:

Abigail Hobbs (for reasons which are obvious)

My best friend (hi I know you're reading this)

Adam Stanheight (I love a man who looks pathetic)

My mum (love my mum <3)

Ashley Graham (the previous fictional woman I was obsessed with)

Least favourite:

Hannibal Lecter (for reasons which are obvious)

Rishi Sunak (fuck the tories)

Young Sheldon (it's a long story)

Next door neighbour (too loud)

The twat that humiliated me during sports day training (he was a twat)

Introductions out of the way, here's how it goes down:

Rishi Sunak dies first due to being unable to fuck over the British people, and therefore having no purpose in life. Also having to mingle with commneners? Yeah no, he exits the situation himself. We don't dare eat him, he may have been infected by absolute wanker-itis, which can be deadly.

This is followed closely by Young Sheldon, who is adamant he can find a way off this island. He creates a small makeshift boat (which is quite impressive) and sails out to sea. Unfortunately, the idiot forgot he doesn't know how to sail, so aimlessly drifts off, s shakey "Bazinga" the last thing to leave his lips.

Next up is Ashley Graham, who without Leon Kennedy to help her, dies from getting her foot stuck in a bear trap. What's a bear trap doing on a deserted island, I hear you ask? My answer; uhhhh, island bears. She is our first meal.

Alas, Abigail dies next because Hannibal just cannot help himself in making sure this poor girl is murdered. This is quickly followed by me killing him painfully and slowly with my two bare hands <3. I eat Abigail, because I won't let her go to waste unlike some people.

Best friend is next up on the chopping block. He realises that he missed the Hades 2 full launch, which causes him to go into a deep depressive state and die from sadness. Rip bestie, I made sure you were cooked with extra seasoning.

The twat that humiliated me dies from mysterious reasons. Wow, who knows what could have caused his death... We eat him and he's delicious.

My neighbour decides they haven't been shouting at the top of their lungs in a while, and does so during the middle of the night when the rest of the us survivors are asleep. Unfortunately the island isn't like back home, and their massive gob catches the sight of a massive eagle, which snatches them up by their shoulders and flies them away into the night sky.

Adam decides to explore the island deeper, and finds a cave which could be a great use of shelter. Unfortunately, he didn't move the massive boulder far enough away from the entrance, and it moves, sealing him away forever. He is left to starve in darkness.

I choke on a peanut.

My mum wins as she deserves to, found and taken away to a huge mansion where she lives the rest of her life in peace <3

[cogitoergofun]

It would appear that anti-abortion conservatives are starting to come around to the realization that when the Supreme Court gutted Roe in its 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Republican Party became the protagonist in the classic tale of “The Dog That Caught the Car.” As The Hill contributor B.J. Rudell put it, the pro-life movement had it pretty good for about 50 years, residing “in a self-made and self-contained cocoon, operating with equal parts political savvy and practical ignorance.” As long as its great dispute was a live issue—a political Schrödinger’s box that would remain a potent electoral motivator so long as it stayed closed—the movement could reap the benefits of its unrealized vision.

But once Samuel Alito and his fellow travelers peeled the box open, the world got a good long stare at the dead cat inside. The post-Dobbs landscape has been a regularly scheduled litany of dystopian one-offs—here’s a woman forced to travel 1,400 miles to deliver a skull-less fetus; there’s a woman who nearly died because she could not obtain a medically necessary abortion—peppering the steady, ambient worsening of the world: the obstetrics positions going unfilled, the measurable rise in health inequity, the “ominous health trends” that rose up, spawned in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to undo the modern world.

And did I mention that on top of all of this, the Dobbs decision is implicated in the consistent way that Republicans keep getting rinsed at the polls? It’s no wonder that elite conservatives have recently decided that the real problem here is the need to rebrand the term “pro-life,” not the myriad horrors that have been unleashed since the movement that sallied forth under that banner 50 years ago finally got all the things it wanted.

Right now, this “rebranding” effort is at the stage where various Republicans say staggeringly obvious things with the absolute wonder of a wee child. “What intrigued me the most,” said North Dakota Republican Senator Kevin Cramer, “was that ‘pro-choice’ and ‘pro-life’ means something different now; that people see being ‘pro-life’ as being against all abortions … at all levels.” Wow, no shit—that truly is a remarkable state of affairs! His Senate colleague Josh Hawley choked out some similarly incredulous words in a recent interview: “Most voters think [‘pro-life’] means you’re for no exceptions in favor of abortion ever, ever, and ‘pro-choice’ now can mean any number of things,” he said, adding, “So if you’re going to talk about the issue, you need to be specific.”

But as TNR’s Tori Otten pointed out, we can actually be excruciatingly specific about what Republicans want, and it’s pretty much entirely indistinguishable from “no abortion, ever, ever,” and not so much something that a few hasty marketing summits among GOP bigwigs is going to be able to obscure. “Since Roe was overturned,” Otten reported, “Republicans have banned abortion completely in 14 states. In many other states, Republicans have limited abortion access with cruel laws to the point that the procedure is effectively banned anyway.” The would-be rebranders are lagging badly behind the curve: Across the country it didn’t take long for the right to push hard for draconian bans after Dobbs was handed down. The plain truth is that when the next Republican trifecta hits Washington, many of them will be pushing hard to pass a nationwide abortion ban.

This is the biggest problem that those who are so desperate to “rebrand ‘pro-life’” face right now: This is a movement that’s largely defined by the zealots in its ranks. You’re not going to be able to exert control over a nation of anti-abortion radicals with a Central Committee to Temper Our Excesses and Lessen the Completely Foreseeable Consequences of Our Actions. Wherever those fanatics hold a little bit of untrammeled power, they’re doing headline-grabbing things to get attention and advertise exactly what they want the post-Roe landscape to look like.

[crimsonblackrose]

.

OOoh I like how we're starting this. I wonder if this is the actor they're planning to get for the Miyagi spin off. So here's a thing that confuses me. All the people in the tournament are under 18 right? Like the Sekai Taikai is an under 18 tournament. So how on earth did Mr. Miyagi participate in it after his wife and son died? After the war? Likes yes his age is a bit wonky, but he was well over 18 by the time he was out of the army and back in order to fight in this tournament. This is such an artsy metaphor. Daniel has spent pretty much the entire series of Cobra Kai looking for Mr. Miyagi and being lost because he no longer has him to guide him through life. Like he's been grieving through most of the show and trying to do what he thinks Mr. Miyagi would recommend, or to live a life Mr. Miyagi would approve of but now he's literally fighting Mr. Miyagi whose not this version he recognizes and thus a version that doesn't recognize him. He's literally fighting his internal understanding of who Mr. Miyagi is and was.

And he's holding on so tight to everything he thinks and believes to the point he's choked up when saying:

Oh what is this? Also I feel bad for Daniel because a lot of this is his fear. Learning from Chozen that he wasn't taught all of the Miyagi-do fighting styles. Realizing that there was this entire life Miyagi lived that he doesn't know, including the death of an opponent. It's probably stirring up all the grief 10 fold and making it worse. What a nightmare. Poor Daniel.

Glad that Daniel's double checking for sure to make sure it's real and brought support for this situation. So why are all the kids in the lobby with suitcases? Are they leaving? Looks like Tory is anyway. But aren't there more fights? Miguel just a continuous wtf. Maybe Axel is hoping if he stares enough you'll both adopt him into your relationship???? No clue what's happening there other than brooding stare. Oh Tory. I'm fascinated that they translate some of the Korean, but not all of it. Usually Kwon's curse words/disses they don't translate. Someone give Tory a hug. Robby, tag team it, get Sam in there. Did Robby get his hair cut between the last episode and this one? Where'd his little mini man bun with it's ribbon go? Miguel: It's pretty sweet knowing Cobra Kai's not going to be a threat anymore Pans to gramps sharpening his knife in the dark in his room. Also completely forgetting about Silver. Kreese are you literally going to murder Silver? Come on man. Why? It's your oldest buddy on the planet. Saved by the bell. Also fascinated Kreese was going to go for it even with Sensei Wolf and Dennis there. Well of course Cobra Kai is back in. Cobra Kai never dies. Do you think this hotel hates that they're hosting all these fighting teenagers? Like they just took up the entire lobby for a good 20 mins. I like that to continue to ruin this hotel's ability to flow they've taken up the stairs.

Chozen having to pull things together since Daniel is out of it and Johnny's out for blood. It's good they have him around. Chozen out here lecturing Daniel and Johnny. He's right.

Ayyeeee they've returned to the beach. Not the beach where they first met with a soccer ball, but eh we're close.

I like the job of these two extras, just jog slowly past in the background. Daniel is so lost, help him find his way Johnny.

Miguel: Omg dad's I can't take you anywhere. Also Miguel why aren't you at the gym practicing with Chozen and everyone else? Did someone go: Those two idiot sensei's of ours seem pretty low someone go keep an eye on them before their dumbassery gets them into trouble since the meter seems to be nearing red. And Miguel drew the short straw? (I also like how like nearly empty the beach was until it panned to Miguel and the cafe full of people watching behind him) Kreese this is not war. This is a tournament for teenagers.

I love that Miguel put them both in time out. Omg I love it. This is very Johnny style training. But also just very them. A lot of their training is non-traditional and that's what makes it so good.

Have someone drive you and chase your students through the market as training. Sam you wanted to see Barcelona with Miguel, here's your chance. (I love that Miguel is training with them)

Ah a beautiful homage to the movies. Very Miyagi style

Honestly this is better than studying in a gym. They're actually getting to spend time with their dad's out in Barcelona. So even if they lose this is still amazing.

I love this training montage so much. I also am super curious what everyone else is doing. Using melons as weights, training in old places, using the city as their gym. This is how Johnny has pretty much done it and it also is how Miyagi did it.

Plus like it makes a good tour video of Barcelona. (Something I'm used to happening more frequently in kdramas) Aww their little rocky run and Johnny and Daniel hugging in the background. Honestly this is what these kids wanted. They wanted to see Barcelona, spend time with their dads and kick ass. Pretty sure they've checked them all off.

[thunderclaw100]

Favorite color:Orange

Personalities:Caring,Courteous,Faithful,Honest,Friendly,Perceptive,Self-conscious,Trusting.

Cause of Death:Heart attack over stress.

Torien(Tori for short) is the only one in her sworm that is a heavy set smeet. She would always get the side eye from others, and bully from her siblings. She likes cooking. All she ever do is eat. Especially when it’s wi to her parents, who work as chefs to the Irken military. Torien has been told many times that her weight will make her a liability to her comrades once she’s drafted.

It was half true on that part. She did have some time struggling to keep up with everyone in her group but kept going to show that she was able to carry herself as a warrior. Due to her large size and hefty hands. Her commander placed her on standby and guard duty. Believing that this will scare away rivals form her hive. Torien felt detached from everyone else. Even her closest friends. Torien grew more in size and after her training in the academy was over, she took a job as fry cook.

Working alongside her parents. Making them proud with her progress and fast learning in the kitchen. Torien has supplied her hive with many dishes. Some were inspired from others. Tallest Zork was even impressed. Even more after the drone saved him from a choking hazard during his celebration. She took part in a cooking challenge against other hive’s chef masters and won in the first round. After Zork died and she became tallest, after some long debate over it. Torien let it be known that any big or fat Irken can do the same about of work as a skinny irken if they want to. She read up on past tallest and their achievements.

The one that stands out and has become her favorite is tallest Kaylee. If it weren’t for her first decree. Females of all shapes and sizes would not stand on the same level like their male counterparts. Even allowing one to become a tallest. Torien thank the stars for that and hopes to live up to her predecessor. Years passed and tallest Torien made some new developments during her reign.

The inventions of battle tanks, blaster cannons, land mines, charge beams and vending machines that is laid out across the hive. There was a demand in territory claims and Torien refused to share. Especially from the hive that got her predecessor killed. She obtained some knowledge from her researchers that there are foreign aliens on nearby planets that have resources that the Irken people can take in. The tallest had to think this through. She isn’t too fond of trespassing onto unknown territory.

Let alone a planet they have yet to venture onto. Seeing as there are still problems with the neighbor hive, that is in a desperate state and crossed into her hive’s turf. Torien decided to send out a few exploration teams to scope it out. And with the newly improved spaceships, they’ll have plenty of time to check if there are other planets that need seeing to. A little over a century, Torien’s parents have retired and are living a simple citizen life in the apartment complex. She rarely sees them unless it’s a special event happening.

The tallest lounges around in her chambers and will only leave if there’s something important. She misses being a fry cook and making her own food. Now she has others bathing her with their dishes, while waiting to be praised for their effort. Tallest Torien is a kind but firm Irken leader. She wouldn’t turn away someone that needs her help. Not even an outsider from another hive. There were some doubters about her leadership because Tori is a pacifist. She had never been to war with another hive and would always find an excuse to avoid them. Other leaders would mock her for cowering sea like that and seemed her unworthy of the title, tallest. Torien may have took it to heart and it stressed her out. She hears mutters from her drones and they repeat what was told to her from the other hive. She closed herself in her chambers and stress eat until she dropped.

Though her death happened after having her wardrobe crew present at the time. Her personal medic didn’t revive her because she was far too gone. This leaves a scathing marks on them. How will they tell the public about this? A tallest who died from eating too much food at once ? That will leave humiliation to their hive. So as a show of respect, the wardrobe crew and medic kept this a secret other than telling the council members.

They rewrite this as tallest Torien dying from a lethal accident from food poisoning due to having a sensitive stomach and weak immune system, and wasn’t able to save her in time. People believed it and questioned no further from it. Torien will be remembered only for her achievements in the tech sector as well as her cooking. Some of her famous recipes are still at the top of the menus list and is an addition to the next tallest celebration event.

*EXTRA*

•Torien got her looks from her father.

•Torien has a friendly demeanor at first glance.

•She was one of the hefty weapon welder in her unit while training up her ranks.

•Her fear is losing the respect of her drones.

•She’s the first of many tallest to have mega machines for the military to be built and used.

•Torien best weapon is a large sludge hammer.

•All of her clothes are customized for her size.

•She lost her siblings after becoming the tallest. Her parents are active in the city.

•She had a huge crush on a blacksmith worker.

•Torien has always had a health problem, but her parents kept it hidden because if it were to be known to everyone else. Torien would be treated as an outcast and her chances of finding work will be down.

*DIALOGUE*

“I have decided your punishment. You will be stripped of your rank. You will be exiled from the Irken empire, and if I ever see your face again. I will have you hunted and slaughtered like animal!”

“My size may not be to your liking but I’m proud of it. Did you know that I’ve outgrown all my seniors in under a year? And outmatched those who were more experienced than me?”

“I want a full report in the next two days, soldiers. Let’s see what those other planets have to offer before to make our next move.”

“Those other leaders made a mockery of me at the meeting. Said I’m too soft and too fat to carry on the duties of a tallest. I can’t help the way I am! They won’t take my words for their values, and now my own drones doubt me.”

“I don’t know how my predecessors can wear such squeezy clothes like this. I have to find materials that can stretch out for my size. This ain’t it. Where is wardrobe?!”

“I’m not fat. I’m just big bone. When I get measured as tallest, I’ll make sure no one of my weight will be pushed aside ever again!”

[taughtcruelty]

[ TACKLE ]:    sender physically tackles the receiver during a fight.

THERE’S TOO MANY HUNTERS, TOO MANY CORPSES OF ALLIES & ENEMIES ALIKE strewn across a blood-soaked parking lot. tory can smell blood, gunpowder, death, anger & fear. the sharp acrid tastes of wolfsbane, mountain ash & mistletoe choke her senses, making it hard to focus. the choking smoke from the fire nearby doesn’t help make anything better, either.

at this point, she’s knee-deep in multiple warm corpses of their enemies. no one important from their pack has died, but a handful of wolves from the darst pack (an ally of emile’s) have died, & so have a handful of chris argent & johnny’s hunting friends. there’s blood soaking in her shoes, stained on her ripped, gunpowder-streaked clothes. her claws & fangs are bloodied, aching, but she’s not on the ground in pain. there’s blood caked in the roots of her hair from being kicked in the head earlier in the fight, but nova swooped in to rescue her from that. the teen boy who kicked her is dead on the pavement a few feet away, his jugular ripped out by ciro, his face charred by his hellhound’s fire. tory’s training thanks to emile & her sharp instincts are keeping her alive. her friends & mates are fighting for their lives - & for each other.

despite this, their pack still remain surrounded. allison’s hunters just keep appearing. it’s like they’re fighting a damn hydra - one dies, two more take the dead’s place.

tory’s been doing her best to keep an eye on sam, miguel, nova, scarlett & cosima. nova roars from somewhere off to tory’s right, & miguel bares his fangs as he kicks away a hunter with all of his might, elbowing another one in the face when the hunter tries to grab sam by her shoulders. their pack is hellbent on killing allison, her hunters, & their fucking deranged fur traders. ethan’s somewhere inside of the abandoned-warehouse-turned-slaughterhouse, but the complex was set ablaze under the top brass’s - allison’s - orders. everyone can sense that ethan’s bond with them has been waining. it’s making both tory & miguel incredibly fucking nervous. they don’t know if he’s stuck somewhere, unable to get out. it’s why theo, charlie, emma, icarus & emile’s werewolf pack are closest to the building right now, only about a football field’s length away from the side door because the front door is practically melted, trying to get in to rescue ethan & the handful of other innocent, kidnapped werecreatures. but they’re locked in a bloody battle with allison herself & her family’s hunters right now. tory can’t see tell who is winning that fight & who is losing right now.

the sound of a pistol cocking goes off from tory’s left, & the blonde doesn’t have any time to spin around before she feels someone tackle her, a snarl of anger leaving her lips instinctively. her world briefly careens to the side, & she winds up landing on her back on the pavement, but the gun goes off in that next millisecond, the bullet whistling through the air over their heads. her clawed hands immediately press against a pair of shoulders, ready to throw the assailant off her with all of her strength. she’s working purely on adrenaline & fear. she settles down enough to realize that it’s @taughtpain. her mate’s eyes are wide, & so are her anger filled ones. she instinctively checks him over for any life-threatening injuries, even with all of the chaos erupting around them. ethan wouldn’t be able to calm himself down if any of them got hurt. once he gets out of the complex okay ( & he will, he has to ), & after they’ve fought off allison & her band of hunters, he’ll immediately want to make sure that they’re all okay.

a pathetically soft whimper of pain sounds from where she’d been standing seconds ago. tory looks over. embedded in the forehead of one of allison’s hunters is a wolfsbane-laced bullet. the girl is about her height. tory’s eyes widen slightly. she feels nausea well up inside of her. if robby didn’t tackle her, that dead wolf could have been her. suddenly, nova appears behind the hunter who’d fired off the gun, & she punches her clawed fist clean through the teen’s chest, killing the boy instantly. her sister doesn’t even wait for the body to fully drop before she pulls out the heart, dropping it onto the ground, only adding to the blood staining the pavement. she quickly checks on tory to make sure she’s okay. tory’s eyes are still wide, but she’s unharmed. nova looks relieved, then she spins around, jumping right back into the battle with a newfound sense of rage filling her entire body.

❝ robby, i-i- ❞ tory begins shakily, staring up at one of her mates with wide eyes, but miguel’s growl of alarm cuts her off. miguel is standing back-to-back with sam now, & tory watches as his sharp claws arc down one of the hunters’ shirts with a brutal swipe, kicking the man’s leg out from underneath him. his eyes are glowing yellow, mouth full of fangs.

❛ ethan just told me he’s trapped in one of the back rooms of the complex. the fire is keeping him from escaping, & it’s getting worse. ❜ miguel tells his partners telepathically, barely taking a breath. tory’s eyes widen with pure fear at the news, & she quickly stands up on shaky legs. ethan’s bond wavers badly, & tory feels like throwing up. ❛ fuck. ❜ she curses, then leaps forward to knock a crossbow out of an approaching hunter’s hands. she doesn’t hesitate to punch that same man square in his face with all of her strength. he stumbles back in pain & tory doesn’t hesitate. she rips the man’s throat out with her claws in a messy, brutal display of speed, accuracy & strength. the man dies with a choked gargle, & tory shoves the dead body away from her & robby. the blonde quickly accesses her telepathic bonds with the whole pack.

❛ i’m going in there to get him. ❜ there’s immediate protest from nova, scarlett & cosima, along with scott & derek & a handful of others too, but tory ignores them. ❛ i’m faster & more agile than most of you combined. i need to save my mate. ❜ she explains, like it’s the only option - & it sort of is. because of her jaguar side, she’s one of the fastest members of the pack as a whole - she knows she’s the only logical choice. nova, too, but she’s more brutal when it comes to fighting, even more so than tory herself. the pack needs her here, defending the pack & taking care of their enemies. tory can rescue ethan.

❛ i’ll go with you to get ethan, tory. ❜ ciro immediately speaks up. tory doesn’t protest. hellhounds are immune to any type of fire, even their own that they can naturally generate. they’re also much stronger than the average werecreature, which makes him perfect to clear any burning debris in the building that tory wouldn’t be able to get near, let alone pick up even with her strength. ❛ the building’s unstable, so we need to not focus on fighting anyone, just getting there. icarus, emma & charlie can cover us if anyone tries to stop us. ❜ he urges. the three in question suddenly teleport next to them, where they’d been fighting allison’s hunters seconds before. tory nods, then quickly turns towards robby.

❝ i’ll be okay. ❞ she blurts out to him, confident in her abilities despite the daunting task ahead of her. even in the middle of battle, tory thinks that robby’s never looked more handsome. she doesn’t hesitate before her hands come up, claws quickly flicking back into her nail-beds, leaving her regular human fingertips. she cups robby’s cheeks gently, looking into his eyes. ❝ i love you, robby. ❞ she murmurs, then surges forward to crush her lips against his own for a brief moment, the blood on her lips & her own resting in her own mouth be damned. just in case. she thinks to herself, then quickly pulls back. ❝ i’ll be back as soon as i can. with ethan. ❞ she promises him just as ciro makes his way over to them. his eyes are glowing orange, & he’s unharmed. the hellhound nods at robby, silently letting him know that he’ll protect tory no matter what.

[cyberspaceoddity]

Aight I've just seen the bojo update on covid in the uk

So many people are going to fucking die

[visixnaryx-archive]

.

[mylifetherant]

10 days in and this month is already off the shits, so lets have a recap shall we?

1) Boris Johnson finally buries himself under one too many lies and controversies, resigns in the most embarrassing and unprofessional manner possible. The Tory party then proceeds to eat itself alive as over 50 of its members resign as well. Despite this Boris refuses to fucking get out of the office, so england flat out discusses forcing him out.

2) ex-prime minister Shinzo Abe dies to the most batshit assassination since jfk, as some ex-navy nutter with an ax to grind builds a duct tape shotgun in his basement, wields it in broad daylight, MISSES HIS FIRST SHOT, and still manages to murk poor Abe while his security guards presumably take a nice well deserved nap. They later find a 5-barrel and a 9-barrel variant of these home depot hand cannons in the guys house, as his next target was presumably God.

3) Joe Biden, seeing assassinations are back in fashion, quickly drops an executive order to attempt to defends womans reproductive rights in a mediocre gesture thats probably too little too late. But its the thought that counts….right?

4) Elon Chunk loses 62 billion in Tesla stocks and tries to weasel out of his deal to buy Twitter, whining about the fact that they wont just hand him thousands of units of user data just because he asked them while waving around a few twenties. They respond by suspending his own account (the very thing he tried to buy them to protect), and reminding him that he signed a contract promising to close the deal, and theyre not letting him off that easy. Hilariously the ensuing lawsuit may actually end up bankrupting him.

5) Sri Lankan citizens storm their capitol and actually push out their corrupt government, and proceed to just throw a huge ass party and take selfies in a despots hot tub while eating all the food in his fridge. Leaders the world over are suddenly getting a strong reminder that they really should've payed more attention to A Bug's Life.

6) Despite how objectively hilarious it would be, Donald Trump refuses to complete this lovely shitstorm cascade by choking to death on his own spit. And frankly i think hes just being a poor sport about it

[cobrakaisb]

Imagine a Robby Keene x sister reader (and Miguel) taking care of the reader, that's has just had her first heart break (the person she was dating cheated)

y/p/n = your partner's name

"hey are you doing anything tonight?" robby asked, as the two of you stood around the kitchen table. "um i don't think so why?" you asked, raising an eyebrow at his question. "no reason. but tory and i are going on a date with miguel and sam if you and y/p/n want to come too," he said casually.

your breath hitched in your throat as tears welled up in your eyes. you tried to blink them away, biting down hard on your bottom lip to prevent you from letting out the sob building in your throat. you recently broke up with your partner, or well ex-partner now, since you caught them cheating on you. it wasn't pretty, and the break up was anything but mutally, but you weren't going to stay with someone who broke your trust. the breakup was still pretty recent, and basically an open wound.

"i think we're good," you managed to choke out before leaving the table and heading into your room. robby watched your retreating figure. he noticed you swiping at your eyes and the way your shoulders shook, but he wasn't very good at comforting people, that was your job, so he did the only logical thing, called miguel.

"and she just walked out?" miguel asked, trying to get the full story from robby. the two were stationed in the living room, trying to come up with a possible reason for your "crying" (because they didn't really know if you were crying, it was just an assumption). "yeah. right after i mentioned the triple date," robby explained. miguel nodded, eyebrows furrowed as he thought about a possible explantion for your behavior. as far as he knew, you and your partner were happy, but maybe that changed? "let's just go talk to her," miguel suggested, and robby agreeed.

when they apporached your bedroom door, with all intentions of knocking, they momentarily froze. inside they could hear the quiet, muffled sobs, proving the crying theory. immediately they were on high alert, they hated to see you cry. "y/n? can we come in? it's robby and miguel," miguel said, gently knocking on the door. they heard a gasp, and the sound of scrambling feet as the door opened.

"hey guys! what's up?" you asked, trying to seem cheery and casual, but your bloodshot eyes and tearstreaked cheeks gave it away. "everything okay? we know you've been crying," robby blurted out, and miguel hit his shoulder, giving him a look. "i," you started, but stopped when a new wave of tears came over you. "no. y/p/n and i broke up," you said, wiping at the tears streaming down your face. miguel and robby frowned at your words, miguel immediately pulling you into a tight hug. "i'm so sorry," he mumbled. "yeah y/n/n, that really sucks," robby added, rubbing your back in what he hoped was a soothing motion.

"getting cheated on really sucks. i just don't understand. was i not good enough?" you sobbed. miguel and robby stiffened at your words. "no. you're perfect. they're the problem not you, okay? you're amazing and anybody would be lucky to have you," miguel assured, pulling back just enough so that you could see the sincerity in his eyes. "yeah. they're an asshole for doing that," robby agreed, fist clenched by his side. you nodded, sniffling as you wiped at your eyes and running nose. "please y/n, don't feel like you aren't good enough because you are. you're kind and funny," miguel started and then robby continued, "and so smart. you're also the best friend and sister anyone could ask for." "so the real problem is y/p/n, not you," miguel finsihed.

you were overwhelmed by emotions. they were both so sweet and the best brothers you could have asked for. "thanks guys," you mumbled, pulling them both into a tight group hug. robby and miguel smiled. they knew you weren't going to forget everything overnight, but with time you'd heal. and if robby, miguel, and hawk paid y/p/n a little visit, then you didn't need to know.

[yamahex]

Not The Right Time Pt. 5

Summary: You and Jack go out for the first time in six years.

A/N: Ooo drama yall…

The energy in the room shifted at the presence of Tori.

“How the hell does yo ass manage to pop up everywhere, damn.”

She put her hand on her waist.

“Y’all know you love me.” Everyone in the room looked at each other with a awkward expression.

“Now you know damn well, none of us has ever said that shit Tori.” You choked out a laugh breaking the silence. She turned to you and walked over.

“Now who’s this little lady?” Riah clung to your leg, almost as if she could pick up some negative energy from her.

Jack stood next to Tori.

“Our daughter.” Her head snapped towards Jack then you.

“Daughter?” You nodded. And a fake smile appeared on her face.

“How cute. What’s your name sweetie.”

“Riah…” she said lowly.

Everyone in the room felt awkward making Jack escort Tori out.

“Alright Tori it’s time for you to go.”

“Kicking me out again Jack?” He nodded and they both turned, making they’re way to the door. “I need to talk to you before I go.” Jack groaned and followed her outside.

“So does anyone else thinks she weird or is it just me?” You asked making the group laugh.

“Hell yeah, ever since Jack and her had their little thing she’s been on another level for real.”

“What do you want Tori?”

“So this is the reason you broke shit off with me? You got another girl pregnant?!”

He sighed and rubbed his hand over face.

“God Tori what the fuck is wrong with you?! Tell me you’re not being serious right now. Riah is six years old, I was with Y/N way before I even met you. On top of that I ended things with you months ago!”

Tori began to cry making Jack scoff.

“But Jack I-“

“You’re crazy as fuck and I don’t want anything to do with you.” He turned back and went into the room.

Upon walking in he noticed you in the recording booth, hold Riah as she sang into the microphone. He watched from the outside and laughed along with everyone.

A couple hours went by and you and Jack sat on the couch while the guys played around with Riah.

“Let me take you out tonight.” You turned to look at him shocked. “You being for real?”

He chuckled.

“Yeah why wouldn’t I be?” You shrugged.

“I mean it Y/N, let’s go out to dinner. You can dress up real fine and we’ll have a nice night.”

“What about Riah?”

“We can watch her.” You turned to look at the guys.

“Really?

“Yeah we’ll be fine Y/N.” Urban reassured you. Your head turned to look back at Jack.

“Okay then, I’d love to go out with you.”

You and Jack walked out to the lobby, after saying goodbye to Riah and the guys.

“Send me your address and I’ll pick you up in a hour.”

“Sounds good.”

When you arrived back at your house you gave your mom a brief rundown about the introduction and how Jack wanted to take you out on a date. This would be the first date you’ve been on since having Riah and you were honestly a little nervous.

You decided to wear a simple red dress with black heels and your hair down. Not wanting to go overboard you did a simple beat with matte red lipstick.

The door bell rang and your mother opened it.

“Hello Jackman.” He became nervous and flashed back to the first time he took you out.

“Hello Miss L/N.”

“Please take care of my girls this time.”

His heart hurt.

“I will, I promise.”

You walked out to face Jack and was met with his lustful expression.

“You look-wow.”

“Must be good if you’re at a loss for words, but thank you. Shall we?” You grabbed onto his arm and he nodded.

“Have fun!”

The car ride to the restaurant was filled with you two bantering and catching up for the millionth time.

“So your mom never settled down again?”

“Nope she mainly focused on taking care of me and Ri. When grandma died she left us her house along with a good amount of money, that allowed me to put Riah into school.

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to keep apologizing Jack. You’re here now.” He took his hand off the wheel and held yours.

Once you made your way to the restaurant the evening went perfect, y’all had good food, good dessert and throughout the night, his eyes never left you.

“ I wanna get back together.” You almost choked on your drink.

“I’m serious, I never stopped loving you and being with you and Ri this past week have really confirmed it.” He reached across the table to hold your hand.

“Please just give us a chance, and I swear I’ll make up for everything.” You looked in his eyes.

“What about your career? I don’t want to be put on the back burner again.”

“You won’t be, you and Riah can stay here in Vegas or move in with me. I’ll fly you guys out, bring you on tours. I want us to be a family, for real.”

You processed his words.

“I want us to be a family too, let’s do it. Let’s get back together.” Jack got out of his seat and hugged you. A couple tears spilled from your eyes, making him cup your cheeks and wipe them with his thumbs.

“Hey now we don’t want to ruin this pretty makeup. At least not this way.” The both of you chuckled and he leaned down to kiss you.

After paying the both of you drove back to the studio excited to share the news.

“Urb we bout to head out and get some food to bring back real quick, you good?”

Urban looked up from playing with Riah.

“Yeah we’re good, don’t forget to bring us back something.” Nemo nodded then the group of boys left.

“This just means I get to be your favorite uncle!” Riah laughed as he tickled her. Urban really felt the urge to smoke real quick, and usually he would just do it in the studio. But he didn’t want to do it around Riah.

All the sudden Tori walked in to the studio again.

“Man Tori what are you doing here?”

“I forgot my damn wallet Jesus.” She bent down to pick up her wallet which was under the recording table. She looked at Urban seeing he was itchin to smoke.

“Urb you look like you’re feining right now.”

“I’m cool, I just want to smoke but I’ll wait till to the guys get back.” A devious idea appeared in her head.

“I’ll watch her.”

“No absolutely not.”

“Jesus Urban I’m not gonna kill her or anything. Just take like 2 minutes and come back.” Urban looked down at Riah feeling guilty. “I’ll be back in 2 minutes, okay Ri?” She nodded, letting him get up and walk out of the room.

Tori walked up to Riah.

“Hey sweetie.”

“Hello…”

“You wanna go get some snacks out of the vending machine?” Riah’s eyes lit up having been hungry for a while.

“Okay!”

Tori peeked her head out of the door to see Urban outside. She held Riah’s hand and led her to the vending machine.

“So where’s your mommy and daddy at?”

“Daddy took mommy on a date.” Tori bit her lip in anger.

“A date, how sweet!” Once they got to the vending machine Tori pulled out some dollars from her wallet. “Pick whatever you want.”

Riah reached up and touched the buttons.

“Hey Riah, how would you feel about having a sibling?”

You and Jack pulled up to the studio and saw Urban outside. “Hey y’all, how was date night?”

Jack grabbed your hand and placed a kiss on it while looking at you.

“That good huh?” All three of you chuckled.

“Where’s the guys.”

“They went to bring back food.” Something wasn’t right.

“But someone’s with Riah right?”

“Yeah I left her real quick in the room with Tori.”

“Tori?! Urban why the fuck would you leave my baby with a stranger?!” You ran into the building.

“It was only for a couple minutes I didn’t think it would be that bad.” Both the men trailed behind you and waited as you opened the door to the room.

Nothing. No one was there. Your anxiety rose and tears threatened to fall.

“Where are they Urban?!”

“They were in here a minute ago!” The three of you turned around to the sound of steps. Tori held Riah’s hand and walked up to the group.

You ran up to Riah and held her in your arms.

“Mommy what’s wrong?”

“Baby you can’t walk off and not tell anyone, especially with strangers!” Tori scoffed and Jack walked up to her with anger on his face.

“What the fuck are you doing here Tori?”

“I forgot my wallet.”

“So why the fuck are you walking around with my daughter.” Her arms folded over her chest.

“She was hungry so I got her some snacks from the vending machine.”

“Stay away from us Tori, I mean it.” Jack turned around and you picked up Riah then started walking to the exit.

“Jack!” They two of you turned back to face Tori.

“I’m pregnant.”

To Be Continued…

Tags: @nye18 @moody4world @slut4jackman @kalaharlow @skybridgerton @yonduismarrypoppins @divalicious-jessa-blog @primadxna-girl @letmebeyoureuphoria

[middleearthpixie]

Seven Days ~ Chapter Twenty-Six

Seven Days -  Modern Tolkien AU

Firefighter Frerin Durin died in a fire set deliberately. But after he helps his brother, Thorin find happiness, Frerin is offered a second chance. He has to prove himself worthy by righting the one major wrong in his life. Otherwise, history will repeat and he will die for good this time. The catch? He has seven days in which to do this and isn’t even certain what his major wrong is.

At least, he doesn’t know for long. 

Syd Prescott has known Frerin since high school. She spent one night with him and then he vanished from her life. Now, he claims he wants to make it up to her, to right was he realizes was his major wrong. But can she trust him? And can he prove to her that she can before it’s too late? 

Pairing: Modern!Frerin x OFC Syd Prescott

Characters: Frerin, Syd, Alex, Nico, Tori, Dave Brewer,

Warnings: None

Rating: T

Word Count: 3.6K

Tag List: @mrsdurin @i-did-not-mean-to @lathalea @linasofia @fizzyxcustard @legolasbadass @kibleedibleedoo @xxbyimm @arrthurpendragon @exhausted-humxn-being @rachel1959 @laurfilijames @sketch-and-write-lover @sherala007 @enchantzz @knittastically @notlostgnome @myselfandfantasy @medusas-hairband @guardianofrivendell @jotink78 @frosticenow @quiall321 @dianakc @msjava1972

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

Syd shook her head as she and Alex sat in Alex’s Bug, staring up at the outside facade of Bloomingdale’s at the Cranford Falls Mall. “No, I don't know if it’s a good idea or not, Lex. All I know is Frerin swore one of the women working at the Galleria was Tori.”

“So, we’re going to what? Confront her? Drag her out behind the dumpsters and kick her ass? What?”

“I don't know,” Syd snapped, her stomach twisting into knots. “I’m sorry, Lex. I—I just don't know what I’m going to do. I don't know if I’m going to do anything yet. I just want to see her for myself.”

“You know what she looks like?”

Syd nodded. Tori’s image was burned into her brain, the smug smile she offered Syd as she knelt alongside Frerin’s body in that smoke choked warehouse forever seared into her memory. “Yeah, I know what she looks like, but she won’t look like her.”

“So, how will you know, then?”

“I just think I’ll know. And I know that sounds ridiculous, but I also know you know what mean.”

“Yeah,” Alex said with a sigh, “I do.”

They sat there in silence for a few more minutes. Syd didn't want to move, didn’t really want to go into the mall because she didn't doubt for a moment Frerin saw Tori and she didn't doubt for a moment she would recognize Tori even if she wasn’t the same woman Syd remembered from the fire. As she told Alex, she would just know. 

“Syd,” Alex shifted on her seat to look over at her, “what are you going to do if we see her?”

“I have no idea. I just—I need to see her myself, to see what I have to deal with.”

“You gave Frerin a nazar, right?”

“Gram gave him hers.”

“What?”

Syd nodded. “That’s how I know she is taking it—and Frerin—seriously. She didn’t hesitate, Lex, but took us upstairs and gave it to him.”

“And did he put up a fight?”

“No. He wears a St. Florian medallion.” Syd paused for a moment. “You know, he told me the night he died, he wasn't wearing it. So, I’d say he believes.”

“Thorin has a St. Michael medallion in his truck.”

Syd looked over at her. “Frerin never takes it off. He sleeps in it, showers with it, it’s always around his neck.”

“So, why did he take it off that night, then?”

He glanced down at her as he tucked it back beneath his shirt. “She didn't like when it hit her—” He stopped, mindful of Gram’s presence—“I just took it off.”

He’d looked so uncomfortable when he’d said it, with Gram offering up that knowing look Syd had seen so often and having met Lisa, she could hardly say she was surprised by his reason. “His girlfriend at the time didn't like when he wore it during sex. It’s on a fairly long chain and it… swings kind of wildly at times.”

“Syd?”

“It’s hit me a few times, but it’s not like it hurts or anything. It just kind of bounces off my chin or the end of my nose. No big.” She shrugged, then turned back to look at Bloomie’s once more. It was probably only her imagination, but she could almost see the darkness descending upon the mall. How on earth did Tori find her way to heaven, as Syd assumed that was where Frerin had been? He was a firefighter, a selfless occupation according to the power he referred to as the Big Guy. Where else would a firefighter go?

Her thoughts slid to Frerin and she hoped he was all right. He was on the opposite side of town, but the haze from it was visible in the distance. A sigh touched her lips, but she held it at bay. She couldn't wait for this to be over, for them to be rid of Tori and able to get on with their life.

“He asked me to marry him, Lex,” she said softy without looking away from the mall. 

“I know. You told me this.”

“No, I mean, he just wants to do it now.” Now she looked over at her sister, whose expression remained neutral. “And I do, too.”

“You’re going to elope?”

“I think so, yeah. We can do a wedding and all that later if we want, but I kind of like the idea of him and me going to Aruba and getting married on a beach or something.”

“Syd, you’ve been a couple for like ten days.”

“I know, but it’s weird, because it just feels like we’ve been together forever. And it feels right.”

“When something is right, it’s right.”

“It is.”

“That’s what Thorin said when we first started seeing each other,” Alex told her. “And I know what you mean about feeling like you’ve been together forever. I felt that way with him as well.”

“You promise you won’t say anything?”

“I promise, Syd.” Alex reached over to clasp her hand and gave it a squeeze. “You ready to go in?”

“No. But I have to.” Syd squeezed back and then released her hand to open her car door. The wind sweeping the parking lot was a frigid blast that nearly yanked the door from her grasp and as she climbed out of the car, her hair whipped about her face, wrapping about her head. 

She swept it back, then closed her door. Alex climbed out as well, dropping her keys into the pocket of her too-big Lands End coat. “So, what are we even doing?”

“I don't know just yet.” Syd peered at her over the Bug’s roof. “I think I first want to see if she is even here today. Frerin said she was working at Harper’s.”

“Why was he there?” Alex shot her a knowing look.

Syd smiled. “Christmas is coming and he is a guy. He thinks jewelry is the law. But, that’s really not important now, is it?” 

“No, I don’t suppose it is.” Alex glanced at the mall’s innocent pale stone exterior, a frost cloud forming as she exhaled. “I’m kind of scared, Syd. I mean, what if something happens?”

“We run?” Syd came around the Bug’s nose and slipped her arm through her sister’s. “I really don't know. But, let me just give you a heads’ up—don't let her touch you.”

“Why?”

“I think that might be how she is able to take someone over.”

“Like that movie? That old one that was on television not too long ago? With the demon?”

“Kind of. Only, that wasn’t a demon, he was an angel and that’s why I think she can do it as well.”

“She’s an angel?”

Syd nodded, giving a tug on Alex’s arm to start them toward the mall. “Frerin died, right? And he’s a firefighter, so that’s a selfless profession by nature, which means he’s already got a leg up on most people, so to speak. So, I think had he not been given the chance to come back, he’d have been made an angel as well. And that’s what I think Tori was supposed to be.”

They stepped up onto the sidewalk, which was gritty with salt scattered all along it, leaving jagged whitish outlines and markings all along the concrete. “Frerin told me she was a teacher who died in a school shooting, but what if it wasn't the sacrifice people think it is? What if she died trying to keep herself from getting shot and not one of the kids?”

Alex had been reaching for the door handle and stopped halfway, her arm still extended, and stared at her. “What?”

“What if she wasn't trying to shield her kids, but get out of the classroom or wherever she was?”

“Damn, that would be cold.”

“Yeah, and it would probably get you into heaven—if that’s what it is—at least at first. And he said he thought she was his guide, but it turns out he was hers. So… my guess is she’s a fallen angel or a fallen angle in training or whatever she’d been called before officially achieving angeldom. And yes, I’m pretty sure I just made that word up.”

“A fallen angel moves through people by touch.” Alex sighed softy as she grabbed hold of the door and tugged. “So, we can’t let anyone touch anyone. Do you know how difficult that could be?”

“Yep. Be careful.”

“Be careful, she says.” Alex rolled her eyes. 

“I know. I know…But try, okay?”

They made their way through Bloomingdale’s, avoiding any and all contact with any other people. When they stepped out into the main walkway, Alex looked over. “Harper’s?”

Syd nodded. “Harper’s.”

“Okay.”

The mall was relatively empty, mostly young mothers pushing strollers and old people power walking, and avoiding them all was simple. Still, as they neared the entrance to Harper’s, Syd’s heartbeat sped up. Frerin didn't tell her what Tori looked like now, but somehow, like she’d told Alex, she had the feeling she’d just know. 

As they neared Harper’s, the nazar nestled against the hollow of her neck seemed to grow warmer, which gave Syd pause. That had never happened before, just as it had never felt like it hummed against her.

“I promise you, Syd, I won’t take it off. Hell, I took off St. Florian and died in a fire. I’m not stupid enough to make the same mistake twice.”

St. Florian. St. Michael. Nazar. All amulets to ward off harm and she wondered how many firefighters and cops wore them, but never gave a second thought to them having any sort of power? She knew the power they were supposed to have, but always considered it with a bit of skepticism. After all, she and her sisters wore nazars on a regular basis, and yet, she’d never stopped to think it was anything more that superstition.

But now, the small glass disk had grown warmer still and she knew the same happened to Alex’s when her sister looked over and said, “You feel it, don’t you?”

Syd nodded. “Be careful, Lex.”

“You, too.”

Harper’s was quiet at not quite eleven in the morning. Three saleswomen stood at various intervals behind the long rows of glass displaying glittering stones of every color and substance. Syd’s mouth went dry as she and Alex crossed the store’s threshold. The nazar went hot then, humming hard enough that the vibrations rippled through her.

At the far end of the displays, nearest the mall’s interior, stood a willowy woman with a mass of curly dark hair and intense dark eyes and as Syd caught those eyes, the nazar grew almost unbearably hot.

Tori.

The woman’s nameplate identified her as Christina, but Syd knew those eyes, for they were the same ones that had locked with hers in the smoke-choked second floor of a warehouse and the smile that Christina offered up was almost identical. Her aura was a smeared mess of grays and shades of black. Syd had seen it in the warehouse, but at the time attributed it to the smoke and haze of that massive fire. But now she saw how wrong she was.

They were the colors of evil.

Those dark eyes widened and an almost lupine smile curled Christina’s lips. “Do you ladies need any help?”

Alex looked over at Syd, and then to Christina and Syd knew Alex felt the nazar’s reaction, because her hand almost moved toward her neck. She caught it in time, saying, “I think we’re just browsing, thank you.”

“Well, if you change your mind,” those dark eyes slid in Syd’s direction, as flat and cold as river rocks, “just let me know.”

“We will.” Alex moved closer to Syd and under her breath, muttered, “I don't like it here. There’s something… off… about her.”

“That’s Tori.”

“No shit?”

“No shit.” Syd looked back at Christina. “We’ll let you know.”

“He didn't buy anything, you know.” Christina’s voice was almost oily. “You’ll be disappointed.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Syd caught Alex’s elbow. “Let’s go.”

“Thank you,” Alex whispered as Syd steered her toward the mall’s interior.

“Sydney…” Christina’s voice, sickly sweet and equally malicious, floated across the store toward them, “you little fool…”

Alex’s arm stiffened beneath Syd’s fingers and Syd whispered, “Ignore her.”

“Syd, she—”

“Ignore her.”

“Sydney, don’t run away… you know it’s pointless, don’t you?”

Syd ignore the sweet singsong voice, steering Alex out of the store. They didn't look back, didn’t slow their pace, but instead hurried back through Bloomingdale’s and it wasn’t until they were back in Alex’s car that they spoke.

“What the fuck was that?” Alex burst out, staring at the building once more. 

“That was Tori.”

“How did no one else hear her? How do they not think she is completely nuts?”

Syd shook her head, Christina’s taunts still ringing in her ears. “I don't know. I need to sit down and talk to Gram to figure out what we do next.”

“We need to drive a wooden stake through her. Or shoot her with a silver bullet maybe.”

Syd shot her a look. “She’s neither a vampire nor a werewolf, Lex. I don’t think either one’s going to work.”

“Maybe we do both.” Alex turned over the Bug’s engine. “Then we cut off her head. And then set her on fire for good measure. I bet Thorin would shoot her for me if I asked.”

“You’re insane,” Syd told her flatly. “She’s already dead, remember. Not undead. Dead.”

“So why hasn’t some reaper come and dragged her sorry ass back to Hell?”

“I don't know. And that’s why we need to talk to Gram.”

****

It was almost noon by the time the fire was out and Engine Two rolled into the Felix Number Nine Diner where Frerin sank into the booth with a tired, “I need coffee.”

Nico ran a hand through his hair and winced. “I need a shower. And so do you, Durin.”

“Yeah, I know.” Frerin glanced over at him. “A nice hot shower, with my girl.”

“Oh, now that sounds like a plan.”

“You know it.”

“What sounds like a plan?” Brewer dropped into the booth across from them, and slid to the far end to leave room for Holly.

“We’re gonna take a shower with Durin’s girl.”

“Yeah, I don't think we need you there, Zarelli,” Frerin told him with a tired laugh. “Syd and I will be just fine on our own.”

“Well, that’s no fun.” 

“Cry me a river.” Frerin shook his head and turned his attention to the menu.

A waitress came over to their table then. “What can I get you all?”

Brewer and Holly ordered full breakfasts, but Frerin and Nico only wanted coffee. None of them said much as the waitress brought first coffee, then breakfasts, and that general quiet held out until they returned to the station.

In the locker room, Frerin peeled off his smoke and sweat-stained turnout, and the clothing underneath and padded into the showers to stand beneath a hot, needling spray. 

“You okay, Frerin?” Nico joined him in the showers, thrusting his face into his own spray. 

“What?”

“You okay? You seem a little out of it.”

Frerin ran the bar of soap over one arm and nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just up late with my girl last night. I was supposed to be on the bench until next week, remember.”

Nico grinned. “Must be nice, having a warm body to cuddle up to.”

“It is.” Soap foamed across his chest and down the other arm. They were the only two in the showers, although he could hear Brewer and the others as they came into the locker room. A few minutes more and each shower head would be taken. “Can I ask you something?”

“What’s that?” Nico set his own soap on the ledge and reached for a bottle of shampoo to squeeze a small amount into his open palm.

“Do you believe in angels and demons?”

“What?”

“You heard me,” Frerin ran the soap along the back of his neck, then his underarms, “angels and demons, ghosts and spooks and things that go bump in the night. You believe in that stuff?”

“I’ve seen things I can’t explain,” Nico said, his hands going still in his hair. “So, yeah, I guess so, why?”

“You think Syd and her family are a bunch of charlatans?”

“Truth?” Nico shook his head. “No. My sister had a reading done by the oldest one. What’s her name?”

“Teddy?”

“Yeah, Teddy. And when she came to dinner that Sunday, she told us Teddy knew stuff no one else outside our family could possibly know.” He thrust his head under the spray to rinse the shampoo, adding, “And she talked my mom into having a reading done and the same damn thing happened. So, yeah, I I think they’re doing something over there.”

He straightened shoving his wet hair out of his face. “Why?”

“Because, I—”

Brewer and two others came into the showers at that point and Frerin bit back the rest of his sentence. Nico gave him a puzzled look, but let the matter drop as they both finished showering and reached for their towels.

Back in the locker room, Nico sank next to him on the bench before their lockers. “What’s going on, Frerin?”

Frerin shook his head. “Not here, man. Too many ears.”

“Something to do with your girl?”

“Kind of, yeah.”

“Everything okay?”

“With Syd?” Despite the weight on his mind, Frerin smiled. “Everything’s great with her.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“Not here. Swing by later and I’ll fill you in.”

Nico looked puzzled, but nodded just the same. “Yeah, what time?”

“Let me talk to Syd first. Riley and I are staying with her for the time being.”

Nico’s heavy dark brows pulled low. “What?”

“It’ll make sense later. I promise.” Frerin looked up and for a moment, wondered if he was making a mistake in telling Nico any of this. For all he knew, it wasn't even Nico sitting there beside him, but Tori instead.

His gut twisted. Damn it all, he hated this. He just wanted this over with for good. Wanted it over for good and to begin the next stage of his life, with Syd. 

“Frer?”

“Let me talk to her first.” Frerin dragged his navy blue henley over his head and bent to tug on his boots, all the while feeling the weight of Nico’s stare burning into him. “What?”

“You’re sure everything is okay, because you’re not yourself, man.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve got a lot going on.” He stood and rake his fingers through his damp hair. It was getting too long and annoyed him. Same with his beard. Maybe it was time for a change. Normally, he’d wait until spring to shave off his beard, but maybe it was time to do it a little sooner. 

“Frerin, you sure—”

“I’m sure.” He slammed his locker shut, twisted the combination lock, and tossed his towel into the laundry bin. “Let me just talk to Syd about it, since it’s her family’s house and I’m just a guest there and I swear it will make sense when I tell you. Just… humor me, okay?”

Nico shrugged. “Sure, man. Let me know.”

“You just have to promise you won’t think I’ve completely lost my fucking mind.”

Nico snorted. “Not a promise I think I can keep, Frer.”

“Try.” Frerin shrugged into his jacket. “I’ll see you later.”

“Hope so.”

Frerin dug his keys from his jacket pocket and made his way out into the frosty air. He was dead tired, the exhaustion seeping into his bones, but Christmas Eve was ten days out and he looked forward to it, despite everything going on around him. It was the first Christmas in a long time he looked forward to, actually.

It was a clear, sunny day, the light sparkling off the snow that still covered the ground. More snow was predicted in the next coming days, so it looked like they’d have a white Christmas. In spite of everything, that brightened his mood a little. Ever since he was a kid, he loved when it snowed for Christmas. There was just something about seeing everything white and magical.

Magic.

He sighed as he tugged open the Jeep’s door and climbed into the driver’s seat. Before he was given this second chance, he’d planned to spend Christmas with Lisa. He’d thought about proposing to her, she’d definitely been hinting at it, but something kept stopping him. Of course now, he knew what that something was, but then, he couldn’t explain it. Couldn’t explain the hesitation. The reticence. The feeling that it just wasn't right. It was the universe telling him to be patient. To wait. That Lisa was not the woman he was meant to be with, but in time, he’d cross paths with the one who was.

He’d correct his greatest mistake.

He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and his fingers brushed velvet. He caught the small box between his thumb and forefinger and tugged it free, then finagled the small clasp on the front. 

The sunlight sparkled off the ring tucked into a bed of black velvet inside the box. The tanzanite set in white gold split that light into flashes of red and blue and white, sent them bouncing off the Jeep’s interior. 

This was what stopped him from asking Lisa to marry him. She wasn't the one for him. That woman was Syd and this Christmas, he was not only going to ask her to marry him, but if all went well, they’d spend New Year’s on a beach in Aruba, exchanging vows and moving on to that next stage as a married couple. 

If all went well.

And he hoped like hell it did.