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monthofsick · 2 years

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An unwanted Gift

Nov(emeto)ber 2022, Day 28: The token made a mess prompt

OCs: Isaiah, Luka

Not gonna lie, making a huge mess is one of my favorite tropes ever. Especially in a public setting! It's just straightforward gross goodness, even though poor Isaiah might disagree. I had lots of fun writing and it even fit the season.

TW: Vomit, illness

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Like every year, once fall had begun, the days until Christmas flew by in a timelapse. To avoid getting caught up in last-minute stress, Luka and Isaiah had decided to buy their presents early. They had planned a trip to a large shopping mall for maximum choice in a compact area. Conveniently, there was a direct bus stopping right in front of the mall. It was barely a 30 minutes trip.

Everything was fine when they met at the station close to their college. Isaiah was a bit tired, even more so than usual. Not a big obstacle to overcome if he could enjoy the rest of the holiday season without any hassle. The bus was surprisingly crowded for the time of day – other people probably had the exact same idea. Isaiah and Luka sat down at the two free middle seats in the back row for a bit of Christmas gift brainstorming.

About ten minutes later, Isaiah began to feel unwell. The burrito he had eaten for lunch weighed down his stomach like he had swallowed it whole. It triggered an instant anxiety that only added to the persistent queasiness. Isaiah had been carsick before and the driver wasn't necessarily gentle with his maneuvers. When Isaiah had covered the inside of Tiago's mother's car with his puke, it hadn't only been induced by his alcohol intake, but just as much by the winding mountain road. At least it was a much shorter ride today.

"So I found this awesome recipe for spiked mulled wine that we absolutely have to try, I'm getting winter bonfire Christmas S'mores party vibes, are you with me?" Luka's eyes were beaming, cheeks flushed. He was already in full blown festive mood and Isaiah would have loved to join in. He was a winter's child, way more comfortable in the cold than in summer heat. Snow was probably his favorite thing ever. If only it hadn't been for the brick in Isaiah's belly that demanded all of his attention.

"Oh… yeah… sounds great." It was a lame response, and Luka noticed. He gave Isaiah a slap on the back of his head.

"Don't tell me Mr. Freeze is turning into a Scrooge."

"Sure, I'm thinking tropical vacation this year." Isaiah rolled his eyes and instantly regretted it as a wave of vertigo washed over him. He should have probably looked out of the window, but there was a woman in the seat next to him. Staring rigidly in her direction would have been highly uncomfortable and borderline creepy. "It's just… I'm not sure about Tiago's present. He's still mad at me and I want to make things right without looking like a suck-up."

"I get it, man." Luka sighed and placed his hand on Isaiah's shoulder. "The guy needs to calm the fuck down, it's not like you barfed on purpose. Don't worry too much, he'll be fine once his mom allows him to borrow the car again."

"I hope so." Isaiah already regretted bringing back the vivid memory of being violently sick in a moving vehicle, even though it had successfully diverted Luka from his current issue. He was painfully aware of how full he was. The amount of food filling up his stomach, sloshing around in the gingerbread milkshake he had indulged in for dessert, added another dimension of threat to the unpleasant situation. If he couldn't hold it down, there was a lot that would come up. And this time, he wasn't in a car with his friends, but in a public bus full of strangers.

With a deep breath, Isaiah put a hand on his stomach. A subdued, but constant pain lingered in the back of his head. Had the driver turned up the heating system or was it just him breaking out in a sweat? The air was stuffy, almost viscous as it filled his lungs. Isaiah felt it gliding along his uvula. A sudden retch burst out of him and he tried to disguise it as a muted cough.

"You're not getting a cold, are you?" Of course, Luka had realized something was wrong – no surprise when he was sitting right next to Isaiah. The redhead looked up to check what station they approached. It was about ten minutes until they would arrive at their destination. Isaiah really didn't want to get off the bus and wait half an hour for the next one. It wouldn't make much of a difference anyways, he still had to sit through the rest of the ride either way.

"The air's just dry because of the heater", Isaiah tried to talk his way out once again. Actually, his mouth was anything but dry. There seemed to be a special offer on saliva today. With a straight face, Isaiah kept on swallowing and swallowing. His chest hitched with a burp, which earned him a disapproving glance from the woman at the window. "Sorry. Must be the beans."

"Would have been worse if it came out the other end." Luka grinned. There was no way he would miss the opportunity for a fart joke.

"I'm saving that for the way back", Isaiah declared with a strained smile. He felt sick to his stomach. The abdominal muscles under his hand clenched tightly, pushing up a sour liquid with the vague taste of cumin. Isaiah's eyes widened for a moment, then he pressed them shut and forced himself to swallow the vomit back down. Maybe getting out wasn't such a bad idea after all, but the next stop was nowhere in sight.

Lips pinched tightly, breathing in through the nose, Isaiah tried to stop his digestive system from shifting into reverse gear. It was hard to fight an automated process, especially when the entire muscles of his upper body worked together, contracting harshly to pump out his stomach. The rush of panic as the redhead understood that he was about to lose control poured an entire gasoline canister into the flames of his nausea. He would hurl in front of everyone in the bus and there was nothing he could do about it.

Or maybe there was. Unexpectedly, the vehicle came to a halt. Had they reached a station? No one got up and the doors didn't open, so it was probably just a red light. At least they didn't move anymore. Isaiah found new hope that the break would grant him enough recovery time to make it to the next stop without tossing his lunch. He didn't dare to part his lips, but he inhaled deeper and slower through his nostrils. It would be alright. He could do this.

Then the lights turned green and the bus accelerated with a sudden jerk.

The abrupt jolt hit Isaiah like a fist in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't even groan before a surge of thick liquid shot up his throat. His hands flew up to his lips just in time before his cheeks puffed out. Swallowing wasn't an option, the vomit had already flooded his mouth entirely.

"Isa?" Luka's voice, distorted by a static in Isaiah's ears. "Are you going to be sick?"

Isaiah couldn't answer. He desperately tried to hold it in, but more and more custardy fluid kept on coming up until finally, the seal burst. Creamy, light beige puke filled up the cup his hands formed in front of his mouth. It spilled over on top and splashed on Isaiah's lap. The woman sitting next to him screamed and recoiled in horror.

At this point, everything added to Isaiah's nausea. The movement of the bus. The warm throw-up covering his palms and seeping into his pants. The sour stench of rancid butter. Helplessly, Isaiah lurched forward and projectile vomited all over the floor. More people let out sounds of shock and disgust, some backed away to get out of the splash zone.

With eyes staring at him from every direction, Isaiah was shaken by a violent retch. Unable to control himself, the redhead noisily gargled up another fountain of puke. Grainy soup with lumps of beef, rice, black beans and whole kernels of corn cascaded from his mouth onto his legs, the ground and some of the adjacent seats. The spicy salad burned even more than on its way down, probably because of the gastric acid that accompanied it.

"There's some kid throwing up like crazy back here!", a man screamed through the entire bus, just in case anyone hadn't noticed yet.

"I know!", the driver yelled back. "Everyone's gonna get out at the next station, you can use your ticket at the replacement bus."

Part of the revulsion directed at Isaiah turned into annoyance. He trembled all over his body while his muscles wouldn't stop spasming rhythmically. A long, sickly belch bubbled up from his stomach, soon turning into a wretched gag.

"Mom, it stinks!", a little girl complained. "It makes me sick!"

"Pinch your nose, sweetheart", the mother tried to calm her, unable to hide her own nerves. "We can leave in a second."

"Drunk by lunchtime, that's why our country's in such a bad state", an elder man grumbled.

"Can you guys calm down for a second?" Luka put his arm around Isaiah's shoulders. "He's not drunk, he's sick, so leave him alone!"

"Yeah, some people should maybe stay away from public transport if they can't keep their food down", the woman next to Isaiah huffed snidely. She was pressed against the window to keep as much distance as possible in the confined space. The overwhelming feeling of shame wrung out Isaiah's stomach like a wet towel. A chunky mush was squeezed up his esophagus and plopped into the congealed puddle on his knees. Worst thing was, it didn't happen quietly – every bout of vomiting forced loud retches and sickening gurgles out of him.

Isaiah wasn't done spewing the vile mixture of minced burrito and milkshake as the bus finally came to a halt. Luka, who obviously had enough of the public humiliation, put both arms around Isaiah's upper body and dragged the puking redhead towards the door. With his mouth gaping wide open, Isaiah expelled a trail of vomit the entire way. He almost slipped in the barf he had projectiled over a remarkable area earlier. The sudden movement sparked another burst of nausea. Isaiah doubled over and hurled up a massive gush of bile and undigested food all over his shoes.

"Hang in there, Isa, we're almost in the clear", Luka encouraged Isaiah while he guided him out of the bus. To make things even worse, Isaiah's eyes were overflowing with tears. He felt horribly sick and embarrassed. He was covered in his own puke that stuck to his skin and drenched his clothes. And they were stranded in the outskirts of the city. There was no way a filthy, reeking mess like him could enter another bus – especially when he still hadn't finished throwing up.

Luka led his friend a few steps away from the station and the people that streamed out of the soiled vehicle. Supporting Isaiah with a hand on his chest, Luka bent him over even more.

"Don't worry about these assholes, just get it all out", he calmed Isaiah with a surprisingly gentle voice. Luka's hand firmly rubbed Isaiah's back as the redhead emptied himself on the lawn next to the sidewalk. "Yeah, that's it. You're gonna feel so much better once you puked it all up."

"Does he need a doctor?", the driver's voice reached Isaiah's ears through a rustling white noise. He stared at the off-white splatters below him, the bits of ground beef and corn and legumes. Gagging weakly, he added another mouthful of sick to the fetid mess. It wasn't much that came out of him, he had probably spewed most of his stomach contents inside of the bus.

"Thanks, I'll take care of him", Luka declined. He tried so hard to sound calm and collected that his suppressed anger was almost tangible. Isaiah choked up whatever was left inside of him, his tears dripping into the splashes of his upchucked meal. Even when he couldn't bring up anything more, he didn't dare to straighten himself again. The thought of facing the people who had witnessed one of the most mortifying moments of his life was too much for him. It was Luka who eventually grabbed him by the shoulders and raised him up. "Feeling any better?"

Isaiah shook his head, avoiding Luka's gaze. Luka pulled a crumpled package of paper tissues out of his bag and began to wipe Isaiah's lips and chin. Before he was done, he suddenly paused and put his hand on Isaiah's forehead.

"Okay, I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to feel that warm." He brushed back Isaiah's hair, then moved on with the cleaning process. "I knew there was something wrong with you. Didn't you notice you were about to explode with puke?"

"I – I thought I was sweaty because I felt nauseous." Isaiah's own voice sounded strange to him, shaky and husky. "Thought is was carsickness or something."

"It might have still been a good idea to tell me, you know? We could have left before you blew chunks all over the place."

"I know." Desperately trying not to break into a sob, Isaiah wiped his eyes before the tears could spill over again. "It's just… I mean… we were so close and… and… I don't know, you guys already joke about my weak stomach all the time. Now I didn't just ruin Tiago's car, but an entire bus."

"Stop it", Luka scolded him. He threw the dirty tissue on top of an already dangerously full trash bin next to them, then put both hands on Isaiah's shoulders. "You're sick. You're probably running a fever. I can tell that this feels like the end of the world to you, but it's not. You'll never see any of those dickheads again and I promise I won't tell Tiago and Thien. And now stop crying, you fucking idiot, it makes me want to hug you and I can't because you're covered in barf."

Against his will, Isaiah had to laugh. It quickly turned into another stifled sob as he remembered that they were still stuck far away from their dormitory.

"I feel like crap. How the fuck are we supposed to get back home when I'm like… like this?"

"Don't worry, I'm gonna call a fellow student. The guy still owes me one." Luka took out two more handkerchiefs and tried to wipe the worst mess from Isaiah's hands and clothes. "Probably gonna tell him to bring something clean so you can get changed… and a trash bag to transport this hazardous material you're wearing."

"You're so dumb", Isaiah mumbled, but he did feel a little better. Still dizzy and shaky and nauseous, but not as desperate.

"That's rich, coming from you", Luka grinned and took a moment to ruffle Isaiah's hair, even though he had fixed it just minutes ago. "Enough with the sad face now. You probably don't know, but I'm a great nurse. I'll get you back on your feet in no time."

"Wait, you… you really wanna take care of me?" Isaiah felt his freckled cheeks turn even warmer. His friends had always looked out for each other when one of them was dead drunk, but he hadn't expected Luka to stay with him when he was actually sick. "I mean… what if you catch it?"

"Then it's your time to repay the favor." Being somewhat done with his cleaning attempts, Luka disposed of the tissues and got out his phone instead to call for their pickup service. "Don't worry, I'll make sure he brings a barf bag, just in case there's anything left after you threw up the entire Niagara falls. And once we got you tucked up in bed, we can distract you with a bit of online shopping. After this, you definitely need a stress-free holiday time."

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Archive of our own: Up all night to get Bucky

tumblr: birdnamedenza

#submission #tw vomit #tw emeto #tw illness #nov(emeto)ber 2022 #novemetober 2022 #2022 day28 #fandom: original characters #prompt: the token made a mess prompt #birdnamedenza #one of my favorite tropes tooooooo so glad someone else agrees <3 #anyway i am unsurprisingly obsessed with this fic :D #these two might be among my favorites of your ocs =v=

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alexplayssimsnstuff · 5 years

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Bella Goth Disappearance FINALLY Solved!

Back in the day, I had originally subscribed to the theory that Bella was abducted by aliens that were set on her by the Caliente’s who then murdered her when she returned, and so I went in the game to do a walkthrough as to how I came to that theory. That’s when I found that I WAS WAYYYY OFF, there is a whole ass rabbit-hole here, and like a total Alice, I fell in it.

And, after 16 years of wondering and imagining different scenarios, I finally found out the truth. Turns out, we were ALL wrong, and the truth has been staring at us in the face the whole time.

Just as a warning, this is VERY dark and bleak and depressing. Bella wasn’t dealt a good hand, guys. What happened to her was all sorts of MESSED up.

Just for clarity, I do base this off of events that happen in the official sims storyline, because while the game is ultimately up to us to live life as we like, go ahead and do whatever with your game, there IS a story being told here, but in a way that doesn’t conflict with our own free will. It’s ingenious, really. This goes with the main Sims games released for PC and Mac. However, the console versions do provide a lot of insight to further details and situations. Specifically the Sims 2 for PSP, and the Sims 3 for the Nintendo DS.

So, first off, it has been verified what happened to her: In 2014, Twitter held an AMA for the SimGurus just before the release of the Sims 4. Someone asked the following question, and SimGuru Sarah responded.

It was later confirmed that Bella Goth of Lunar Lakes IS the Bella Goth of Pleasantview. She does look like the rest of the ghosts there with pale skin and yellow hair and eyes, and with that in mind, you can see for yourself…

That’s her, alright.

Okay, if she died on Lunar Lakes, there are still questions that need answers:

1. Did she ever go home?

2. Does her family know what happened to her?

3. How did she die on Lunar Lakes?

Well, she died of old age, that can be found out easily enough, but I found the answers to the other two: Kinda and no.

So, just to recap, I’m gonna review Bella’s life as we know it canonically.

Bella was born to Simis and Jocasta Bachelor of Sunset Valley. She grew up the road from her childhood best friend, and later, husband, Mortimer Goth, with her older brother Michael. She always had a sense of the macabre and dark and was known as “the best dressed girl in town.” Even then she wore a red dress. A more child appropriate red dress, but a red dress. She just came from an average suburban family who had a fascination for the not average. She’s still a child, and not a Goth yet. She still goes by the surname Bachelor.

Twenty-five years later, she shows up in the Sims 1 with her childhood best friend and now husband, Mortimer Goth, and they have moved into their own home, and have a daughter, Cassandra. Her in-laws moved out of their home in Sunset Valley and moved into what would later become the Goth House of the Sims 2 in the beginnings of what would be known as Pleasantview. Unless you got her a job, she was a housewife, and she was known to be athletic, elegant, and friendly towards her neighbors. I remember her often being the first to come and say hello to any new Sims I’d move into the neighborhood. Her brother, Michael, is also in town, however, there is no acknowledgement of them being siblings. A family tree system didn’t really exist in the Sims 1, and I’m sure they didn’t even think to make them siblings back then, but the fact remains that they have no relationship at this point in time. The only reason why it’s known that Cornelia and Gunther Goth are Mortimer’s parents is because it straight up says so in the bio. That and their names are the same, but anyway.

So far, things are simple.

That’s because in the 25 years between the Sims 1 and 2, a series of events occurs that really makes things interesting.

Michael joins the science career track. One can assume the reason why he settled into domestic living years after Bella had done so was because he was at grad school. Because he was graduated from grad school, he gets a jumpstart in the career and climbs the latter a lot faster than Mortimer does.

1. Scientist Sims contribute an invention into the Sims world. Michael’s invention was cloning technology. He cloned himself, and a test subject: Skip Broke.

a. Even though he died before it happened, arrangements were made so Brandi could be the next test subject and the first female subject, and when you start Pleasantview for the first time, she is pregnant with her own clone. The baby is always born a boy.

b. Michael’s clones have a 100% rate of being male, genetic identicals to those they were cloned from (Brandi’s just being a boy rather than a girl) and so far, a 100% rate of dying at the same time as the original. They are genetically identical, but wear different clothes.

2. Michael and Bella don’t really have a relationship in their adult lives because Michael leaves Pleasantview early on while Cassandra is still a child and moves to the city.

3. Mortimer follows after Michael, and invents the age reversal serum. Bella is the first test subject, and, the day of her abduction, she takes the serum until she reverts back to being a brand-new adult. Probably to allow herself to fit in her red dress as strikingly as she does, I don’t think an elderly woman could pull that off.

4. Cassandra enters private school.

5. Around this time, Gunther Goth dies. Bella, Mortimer, and Cassandra move out of their home and in with Cornelia to be with her in her last stages of life.

6. Michael marries Dina Caliente. It is speculated that, because of the age gap, they only marry for Michael’s money. But it is worth noting that Michael was Dina’s first serious relationship and she didn’t begin to cheat on Michael with Don until years later just before Michael died.

7. Alexander is born.

8. Shortly after Alexander’s birth, Cornelia dies at the same time Michael does.

9. Dina inherits Michael’s estate and moves in with Nina. They then move to Pleasantview.

10. Don follows them and moves the next day.

11. Bella goes to introduce herself to her new neighbor, Don. They get along, and Don gets the wrong idea and puts the move on Bella. Bella rejects him. He then runs off to go be with Kaylynn and is not there when Bella is abducted by aliens.

12. Bella is never seen again, but shortly after her abduction, a UFO crashlands in Strangetown, and reports that Bella is in Strangetown start rolling in. But, spoiler alert, that’s not the real Bella.

Then, after Bella’s abduction and before you start Pleasantview for the first time, the following happens:

1. Mortimer and Dina hit it off rather fast, and marriage is definitely in the picture when the game first starts.

2. Cassandra, Mortimer, and Alexander all age up on the same day 2 days after Bella disappears.

3. Cassandra goes to Don’s house to find out what he knows about what happened to Bella (jack squat since he wasn’t there) and that’s where they meet for the first time. Don tries to seduce her, probably not knowing who she is, and Cassandra, as much as you gotta love the girl, is naïve as all hell and thinks she won the jackpot and falls for Don quickly.

4. Alexander goes to private school

5. Mortimer retires

6. Cassandra gets engaged the VERY day the game starts.

That is an important thing to note because people like to speculate that Don had something to do with Bella’s disappearance because he made the moves on her mother and they were engaged and he didn’t want to jeopardize that by Bella opening her yap. This is NOT the case because Cassandra was still a teenager when Bella vanished. Don may be a hoe, but he isn’t a pedo. Chris Hansen doesn’t need to be called for this one.

Another important thing to point out is that it’s not known if Dina and Nina knew Bella. At least, not well, since it can’t be established if Michael and Bella had a relationship at all. Despite the fact that they were friends when they were younger, Mortimer has no memories of Michael, and neither do Cassandra or Alexander. They never met their uncle.

ALSO, yes Dina and Nina do have alien ancestry. Their father was a result of an alien abduction pregnancy. But he was born human, so they’re not part alien. Which means they didn’t order ANY aliens to go and kidnap anybody. Why would they? They don’t know her. Not even normal alien sims do that, y’all are just racist.

It’s also worth noting that Mortimer is COMPLETELY fine with Bella being gone. He’s not heartbroken and he isn’t desperately trying to find her like the game tries to suggest. He’s strangely cool about it.

Why is Mortimer fine with Bella being gone?

Because they are no longer married and haven’t been since around the time Alexander was born.

And THAT, guys, gals, and nonbinary pals, is the BIGGEST part that y’all need to just remember. If you can only take one thing away from this part, take away the fact that they’re divorced. It’s S U P E R important.

Now, it is possible to bring Bella back with the Tombstone of Life and Death. She’ll only stick around for a short while because she has a death token that activates when you save the lot, go into Pleasantview, and reload the Goth House. She’ll disappear. Interesting to note that if she’s in the middle of doing something, like talking with a sim or cooking food, she doesn’t disappear completely until she’s done. She does turn see-through and it kinda glitches out…it’s really creepy. Give it a try, you’ll see what I mean. But when she’s done, she’ll disappear, and you’ll get a notification saying she died somewhere else and her spirit has returned to where she was buried.

However, if she dies this way, you cannot resurrect her with the resurrect-o-nomitron. It doesn’t matter who tries it, where they are, or anything. Grim acts like he doesn’t know anything about Bella being dead and even if the Sim COULD resurrect a sim, Bella is not listed.

Since we know Bella is buried in Lunar Lakes, this means she died sometime between the week of her abduction and Cassandra’s wedding where the game starts.

However, while you have Bella in your household, you’ll find she’s brought back with no personality points. She has no memories besides what happened to her children after the first load of Pleasantview. So let’s say that between loading the game and bringing back Bella with the Tombstone, Cassandra gives birth to twin boys. Bella will come back with memories that Cassandra had twins, and she will even know who her grandchildren are. (I use this example because in my most recent Pleasantview playthrough, Cassandra had twin boys named Hendrick and Caspian with Don Lothario.)

Bella will have NO relationship at all whatsoever with Mortimer. You can see before you bring her back on the Goth family tree that they are not married at that point, and Mortimer and Bella start their relationship over as acquaintances. If you let them progress their relationship naturally with no cheats, they actually fight a lot and do not get along at all.

Now, any townie and NPC created before Nightlife will have their turn-on and turn-offs randomized. But it seems to constantly make it so that Bella is never attracted to Mortimer and Mortimer is RARELY attracted to Bella. This is a consistent thing. Interesting to take into consideration.

It’s clear to me, at least, that there were some problems boiling up for some time before Bella vanished.

--they get divorced at around the same time Alexander is born

--they do not get along at all

--Mortimer is completely fine after Bella’s disappearance and isn’t the frantic husband he’s marketed to be at this point in time.

--Mortimer gets into a relationship with Dina Caliente extremely soon after Bella vanishes.

--If Bella does come back and Mortimer is still alive, they naturally do not get along at all.

Which is weird, right? They were always shown to be this desperately in love couple who couldn’t live without eachother. I remember them having a good relationship in the Sims 1.

Also worth noting, Bella is a romance aspiration sim. In the Sims 2, they tend to hoe around a lot. There are a few other adult sims in Pleasantview who are also romance aspiration sims.

1. Don Lothario (the epitome of the romance aspiration)

2. Nina Caliente

3. Daniel Pleasant

4. Skip Broke was also a romance aspiration sim when he was alive.

What is interesting is that while for the most part, romance aspiration sims like to hoe around, there is one exception to this rule so far: Nina Caliente. Nina Caliente’s only romantically involved with Don Lothario. Unless you have another sim start putting the moves on her, then it’s a whole other story. If it were a thing back then, Nina would have been a soulmate romance aspiration while the others would have been serial romantic aspirations.

Bella COULD have been the same way, but that wouldn’t make any sense with the myriad of problems with her relationship with Mortimer.

So, in conclusion, Bella had an affair. Mortimer found out about it, which caused them to, at the least, separate for a while. Then, Bella became pregnant with Alexander, which would have brought up an important question—who is Alexander’s father? Once Alexander was born, and as he got a little older, it becomes clear that he resembles Cornelia, therefore verifying that Mortimer is indeed his father. This would have caused them to try their relationship again, and Bella would have turned down Don in good faith to Mortimer.

Who did Bella have an affair with?

Don wasn’t in town yet, and they hadn’t met. Neither did she meet the Caliente’s yet. Which leaves two possible contenders for Bella’s secret lover: Daniel Pleasant and Skip Broke.

On one hand, Daniel was Bella’s neighbor. She knew the Pleasants, and was friends with Mary-Sue. Daniel had an affair with Kaylynn going on, so he definitely could have some action on the side with Bella, too. My only reservation on that would be that I couldn’t imagine her doing that to her best friend. But then again, she did have an affair on her husband, so who’s to say what her morals are.

Then, there’s Skip Broke. This one makes the most sense to me, personally. While she wasn’t close with Michael, that doesn’t mean she completely avoided him altogether. She would have heard about Michael’s cloning experiments and could have met Skip that way, or she came to say hello and that was how they met. There is a theory going around that Brandi found out Skip was cheating on her, and that’s why she killed him and took his insurance money.

Maybe I’ll do another thing on that because the Skip Broke incident happens to be another rabbit hole altogether.

So, we know that Bella had an affair with Mortimer and things weren’t going so well between them at the time of her disappearance. We know that the Calientes and Don are completely innocent, at least as far as her disappearance goes. (And Nina is innocent altogether, she just loves Don and is completely oblivious to the fact that he’s doing her sister and two other women. She is ALSO a victim here, you guys. Give some love to Nina Caliente, she needs it.)

She dies sometime in the week between her abduction and the first time the Goth household is booted up from old age on Lunar Lakes despite the fact that she was a brand new adult again thanks to Mortimer’s reverse age serum.

Then a UFO crashlands in Strangetown and shortly thereafter reports of Bella Goth being in Strangetown start swarming around.

And yes, this Bella is a clone—there are subtle facial similarities, she is not in the family tree at all for the Goth house, but other than that, she’s structured exactly like the Real Bella goes as far as her outfit, her personality, and her aspiration.

(The Wiki says it’s her despite the fact that it’s been verified she’s not, and it also has MANY discrepencies, saying she’s related to the Curious Family and they appear on her family tree, which is incorrect because Strangetown Bella’s family tree is COMPLETELY EMPTY.)

So, clearly, when Bella was abducted, something went wrong. But what?

Well, why would the aliens even abduct her in the first place?

They tend to go after sims who are wealthy, high-skilled, good-looking, popular, anything like that. Bella was ALL of those things. She was the epitome of the perfect sim to the aliens. They practically worshipped her and their queen took her name and appearance. (This is referenced several times, specifically in the Sims 3.)

So, if something were to go wrong, why would the aliens worship her unless she had been being watched for some time before her abduction?

And what went wrong that caused her to lose her memories, her skills, her personality, her youth, everything?

Aliens also do not abduct children, the elderly, and pregnant sims because their experimentation could go drastically wrong.

She wasn’t a child, and reversed her age so she wouldn’t be an elder for quite some time—

So the only thing that’s left is that she was pregnant when she was abducted and that was why things went wrong.

She wouldn’t have known this, and neither would the aliens—it’s possible that the baby was conceived that day, which helped Bella in the case where Don was hitting on her—she wouldn’t go cheating on Mortimer if she were trying to rekindle their relationship and they had made it to woo-hoo that day.

Also worth noting is that there IS another Goth on Lunar Lakes who happens to look exactly like Bella.

Anyone recognize her?

This is Mathilde Goth.

She is the long-lost third child of Mortimer and Bella Goth.

No, they don’t appear on eachother’s family tree, but they wouldn’t if Bella died shortly after giving birth to her and Mathilde was put in the orphanage.

Mathilde looks almost identical to Bella with the exception of her blue eyes. She also has a preference for blue where Bella preferred red.

Mathilde has no idea where her mother came from and the fact that she has a family on Earth who is just as oblivious to her existence as she is to theirs.

What happens to Cassandra and Alexander after they find out about Bella’s death?

Remember how I said scientist sims end up inventing something?

Cassandra’s invention is time travel. She makes a time machine and the first use is to send Don to the future after her, Dina, Nina, and Kaylynn find out that he was playing all of them. She then goes on to live her life. We don’t know how that looks yet, but she never finds out what happened to her mother and that she has a younger sister.

Alexander is greatly affected by his mother’s death. He has no memories of her being abducted by aliens. Normally toddlers remember things like that so it’s odd that he doesn’t when the rest of his family does. What he does remember is her disappearing, Mortimer being okay with it and getting together with Dina really fast after she vanished, and then finding out that his mother was dead.

Alexander is a child prodigee. He’s a smart kid. So, he would go with any other conclusion someone would go with that limited information: he believed Mortimer killed her.

Well, Cassandra still has her time machine after she uses it to get rid of Don. And as we all know, Alexander’s name shows up in the Sims 3 a few times despite the fact that he doesn’t exist yet. And, according to the Goth family tree, it’s not a family name of an ancestor of his, he is the only Alexander Goth.

Once again, we’re going to reference a console game. This time is the Sims 3 for the Nintendo DS. Alexander actually makes an appearance, and this time, he’s not alone: he’s married to a woman named Cecelia. The family bio says that their gloominess is BECAUSE of Mortimer. Alexander dyed his hair orange. Probably he was trying to bleach it and didn’t know what toner was. He doesn’t have that great of a relationship with Cecelia, as a matter of fact, she has a better relationship with Don Alto than she does her own husband.

Back in the realm of the PC games, Alexander wrote two books when he went back in time to the continuity of the Sims 3:

Baron Graff Van Gold, which comes with Supernatural,

And then there’s the one that appears in the base game.

Murder in Pleasantview.

To string it altogether, Alexander remembers her being gone, then learning she died. He suspects Mortimer was the one to do it but he never actually talks to his father about it. He doesn’t know anything about the abduction, if anything thinking it a ridiculous rumor. He grows up, gets married, and decides at some point in time to go back in time to try and prevent his mother’s death. So he and his wife go into the time machine and try to go back to when it happened, but instead get sent back wayyyy too far to when his parents are still children. What happens to the time machine? It breaks. He’s stuck in a period of time where Time travel wasn’t a thing and no one really knows how to help him and he sure as hell doesn’t know himself. Effectively, he’s stuck there.

So, he writes A Murder in Pleasantview to tell the story of what he thinks happens to his mother. He doesn’t know it’s really all for nothing, but at the same time, it is because of what ends up happening as a result. A result he probably didn’t even know would happen.

See, A Murder in Pleasantview is a best-seller. It blows up the world of 50 years before his time. Every bookshelf has a copy of this book, standard-load. Sims would have read this, and would be influenced accordingly. They would have made better decisions, not wanting this tragic thing to happen to them.

And yes, it does literally take the world by storm. Better decisions in the past truly make for a better future.

This is where the Sims 4 comes in. It is a different continuity, but it is different because they are aware of what Alexander believes to have happened to Bella. This would be why their personalities are so completely different, why the age gap between Cassandra and Alexander aren’t so extreme, why the Goths are so much more reclusive.

Alexander did something that inadvertently changed the future, eliminating himself and his circumstances entirely. He vanished suddenly, probably in a series of events identical to Back to the Future, where he is then allowed to live his life as a child with his mother in the picture, having no idea what he believed happened to her, nor knowing the truth. He erases his little sister altogether, but he can’t be blamed for that since he didn’t know she even existed.

What happened to his wife? Did she get erased like Alexander did?

No, actually she died. She tried repairing the time machine, failed, and was electrocuted to death as a result. She died young and is buried in the Goth mansion’s graveyard, confusing future generations because no one knows where she comes from because she has the surname Goth but they can’t find her on their family tree.

Lolita Goth was the wife of Alexander Goth.

Yes, it says she’s single, which means one of two things happened:

Either she tried repairing the time machine one last time after Alexander vanished and died,

Like Alexander’s marriage to Cecelia, they didn’t have the best relationship and they ended up getting a divorce, then, possibly with Alexander still around, did the same and died.

She clearly wanted to go back home to her time and wasn’t happy with Alexander for being stuck there.

And it makes sense that she would have been electrocuted with the time machine because there are no other objects in the Goth Mansion that would result in her electrocution.

Which would ALSO explain why the Goths of the Sims 3 can’t figure out who she is. You can’t list a descendent and their wife on your family tree if they don’t exist yet, can you?

Tragedy is just par for the course in the Goth Family, it matches their dark and dreary macabre air. But Bella’s story is just really extra sad. Imagine trying to repair your failed marriage, going to meet a new neighbor only for him to put the moves on you without invitation, then get abducted by aliens where their experiments go wrong, causing you to lose your memories, your personality, your youth, and then you find out that it went wrong because you’re pregnant, which you didn’t know about that either, and your kidnappers take a tissue sample from you, and then drop you on a strange planet far from home where you have no way to communicate to them that you’re there, but you don’t remember anyone but your children anyway, leaving you to have a baby you didn’t even know existed when you were abducted and live just long enough to name her?

The truth has been staring at us in the face since 2014, but we all missed it. Me included for the longest time. It’s been 16 years since Bella went missing, and we all had theories and ideas, but THIS is the truth, and it’s really. Messed up. Yeah, I found out what happened to Bella, but do I like it? No, not at all. Bella deserved better, and so do her children. Mathilde especially. She grew up in an orphanage never knowing she had a family who would have loved her so very much, only to become a mailcarrier on her home planet. Not that there’s anything wrong with being a mailcarrier, don’t get me wrong.

Dina Caliente is innocent, but seriously? Bye.

Nina Caliente is innocent, and really deserves better.

Don Lothario is innocent, but yet he sucks.

Mortimer Goth used to be my favorite out of the Goth family, yes, even over Bella. But after learning everything about him I have mixed feelings about the guy. I don’t blame him for not trusting Bella, and I don’t blame him for wanting to move on, but jeez, at least show a little genuine emotion, Morty, she was your childhood best friend, and, if nothing else, the mother of your children.

There was no plot to get rid of her and swipe the Goth fortune.

It was just poor timing on the alien’s end, and bad luck altogether.

So, yeah.

That’s what happened to Bella Goth.

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mythgirlimagines · 3 years

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It may be a little late, but here is this week’s talentswap! Consider this a Talentswap Thursday (Hey, the alliteration is still there!). Introducing Myth, the Former Ultimate Cosplayer!

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BACKSTORY AND TALENT

Because she was wracked with scoliosis as a kid, Myth only had anime and the manga her parents bought as modes of entertainment. Luckily, with many operations, Myth managed to get on her feet and out into the real world. But because of her past, Myth only has anime characters (particularly shoujo heroines) to model her behavior around. Myth eventually became famous around school for her skill in textile work, and eventually she started getting commissions from her classmates. But perhaps what she is best known for is her uncannily-accurate and self-made cosplay. If there is an anime convention going on somewhere, you can always count on Myth being there with a brand new cosplay. Myth is now currently making a living as a professional cosplayer and model, but she’s currently taking some time off to chaperone this year’s Ultimates and Jr. Ultimates.

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RELATIONSHIPS

Wyre Anon, Former Ultimate Magician

When Myth first entered Hope’s Peak, the first person to catch her eye happened to be a charming magician in a tuxedo, the ideal mysterious and male shoujo lead. Even after figuring out that this seemingly charming guy just happens to be a loud and rough-and-tumble girl, Myth’s admiration and slight crush on Wyre didn’t fade in the slightest, and they are only the best of friends, even in their adult years. Myth loves to be Wyre’s adorable assistant in her magic shows, and Myth usually lets Wyre model her crossplays (in which Wyre looks damn stunning in them). If someone messes with Myth, Wyre hexes them for life.

Outfit: A black top hat with a ragged red rose on the top, black eyeshadow, a black coat over a white dress shirt with a popped collar, black dress pants and matching shoes and cape.

Anon Scar, Ultimate Astronaut

Despite only being a teenager, Scar managed to ace both the physical and academic exams that the prestigious astronomical institute hands out to her, and is on her way to become a full-fledged astronaut. The intelligence and caring/maternal nature of Scar are unconvincingly covered up by the self-created facade of being an evil alien overlord, being sent down by her superiors to conquer the entire galaxy, starting with Earth. Myth loves Scar’s dark aesthetic and lets Scar model her dark and elaborate dresses and suits. Scar secretly keeps the edgy cosplay Myth created, for they make her feel “powerful”.

Outfit: A black scarf with star badges, a black and white jumpsuit, black boots with yellow soles, makeup from original design.

Fusion Anon, Ultimate Detective

Originally working at his grandfather’s detective agency, Fusion was exposed to crime and investigation, ever since he was little. Originally handling simple cases, such as lost pet and infidelity cases, Fusion stumbled upon and eventually solved an elaborate homicide that eluded even his grandfather, earning him his status as the Ultimate Detective. With Fusion’s wild hair, enormous appetite, and cheerful, yet protective (and almost paternal) attitude, Myth thinks that Fusion wouldn’t be out of place in a shonen anime. Fusion happens to also be a massive anime nerd, which lead to the cosplayer and detective bonding easily.

Outfit: An oversized grey overcoat, a blue vest over a white dress shirt and a red necktie, blue pants, and black loafers, glasses from original design.

Fusion Anon II, Ultimate Adventurer

Sightings of a mysterious girl with a flowing dress and a sunhat cropping up all over the world made international headlines, with many people making theories on the true identity of this mysterious girl, especially since she responds to all questions directed towards her with either memes or sarcastic remarks. That mysterious girl eventually became known as Fusion II, who was eventually given a place to stay at Hope’s Peak, and was given the title of the Ultimate Adventurer, for the sheer scope of her globetrotting. Much to the dismay of the globetrotter, Myth figured out about Fusion II’s nerdy side, and wouldn’t stop bringing it up.

Outfit: A white sun hat with a red ribbon, a red pashmina scarf, a white parka with light blue fluff on the inside, a flowing blue skirt and grey hiking boots, sunglasses from original design.

Just Anon, Ultimate Entomologist

Being regarded as a prodigy when it comes to studies of animals and nature, Janon specializes in and is a pioneer in the study of insects, having discovered several new and previously-undiscovered species of insects, thanks to his fool-proof method of insect capturing: sleeping in the middle of the forest and letting the bugs crawl all over him. Myth is rather afraid of insects and she regularly turns to the lazy, cynical and foul-mouthed insect expert if she encounters a creepy-crawly, much to the annoyance of the helmeted scientist, who just wants to go to sleep with his insect friends surrounding him.

Outfit: A helmet that resembles a rhinoceros beetle, a camo-colored hoodie and matching pants, dirt-stained boots, face mask from original design.

Sparkle Anon, Former Ultimate Anthropologist

As a devout lover of foreign cultures, Sparkle wrote books detailing both her experiences traveling and the philosophies and mysteries of the charming foreign places that she visits. Sparkle also happens to be a devout lover of anime, particularly magical girl anime, and Myth’s cosplay of the leading lady of Sparkle‘s personal favorite magical girl anime. When Sparkle heard that the famous cosplayer would be chaperoning the Kibo-Con trip alongside her, Sparkle fangirled, to put it lightly. Myth and Sparkle love to roleplay as the two leads of Sparkle’s favorite magical girl anime and pretend their fighting the monster of the week.

Outfit: A brown overcoat draped over her shoulders Yasuhiro-style, a smaller brown jacket, dark blue gloves, a red-and-cream plaid skirt, black leggings, brown boots, glasses from original design.

Egg Anon, Former Ultimate Inventor, and Wet Sock Anon, Former Ultimate Pianist/Assassin

Despite the seemingly innocuous talents of the twins, Egg and Wet Sock are quite the devious duo, to put it extremely lightly. Wet Sock uses the alluring piano music that they play to shank people while they are in a trance and Egg invents the various weapons that are used in their twin’s assassinations. And that is ignoring the cursed comments that the two both sprout on a daily basis, that basically alienates them from practically all of their peers. While the cursed comments shatter the image of the “androgynous gentlemen” Myth thought they have, Myth simply adores the steampunk/mustache-twirling aesthetic that they both have. Egg’s Outfit: Black and brown goggles, a short-sleeved white shirt, black suspenders, short brown pants with a black tool belt, black and brown rocket boots.

Wet Sock’s Outfit: A black jacket over a white dress shirt and a red tie with a gold treble clef on the front, black pants, black shoes, glasses from original design.

Curious Anon, Jr. Ultimate Tennis Pro

As a student of one of the most prestigious schools in all of the country, Curious truly has it all: being cool-headed, helpful, rich, athletic, and just so darn adorable. Curious has a massive fanclub at their private school for precisely all of those things. Curious is famous all around the country, for both their affluential family and his unparalleled skill in tennis, despite both their age and their height. In her anime-inspired journey, Myth managed to find both the kind athlete and the oujo trope all in one. Curious is all too eager to help Myth model both her male and female cosplays, and Myth agrees with Curious’s fanclub on their looks.

Outfit: Hair tied back into a small ponytail with a green and yellow striped headband, a white tanktop, a green cardigan tied over their shoulders, green and red shorts, knee-high white socks, green and white tennis shoes.

Anon Nerd, Former Ultimate Child Caregiver

Having been born and raised in an orphanage, Nerd was accustomed to taking care of children, being prepared for just about any scenario that a child could find themselves in. But despite his prowess at taking care of children, Nerd’s personality isn’t exactly child-friendly, for he is foul-mouthed, foul-tempered, and despite caring for children 24-7, claims to hate children. Upon noticing the contrast between Nerd’s temperament and talent, Myth figured out that Nerd was the token tsundere love interest within seconds of meeting him. It helps that even the kids at Nerd‘s orphanage have taken quite the liking to having Myth as a mom.

Outfit: Tan cargo pants with child care supplies in each pocket, black, red, and white sneakers, dress shirt and tie from original design.

Eldritch Anon, Ultimate Aikido Master

Having been both born and raised at an isolated temple, with only his master to keep him company, Eldritch’s master taught Eldritch to never let his guard down against anybody, for they can and will take advantage of his small and weak build. This life-long message, along with Eldritch’s constant aikido training, resulted in a short but strong boy, who beats anything he sees as a threat into a bloody and bruised pulp, and to Eldritch, anything and anyone could be a threat, so he punches everybody just to be safe. Not even the adorable and innocent is safe from Eldritch’s paranoia-fueled pummeling, much to the wrath of Wyre.

Outfit: Hair in a long ponytail with a white Nippon Ichi headband, a black gakuran top over a white tank top, black pants, white socks, brown geta sandals that boost his height.

Dream Anon, Ultimate Artist

Because Dream was extremely creative but hyperactive and impulsive as a kid, Dream’s parents gave her a large canvas that she could draw on, and within 15 minutes, Dream made an indisputable masterpiece, much to the shock and amazement of her mom and dad. Dream eventually signed up for several art programs and became a master in practically all art forms, with sculpting and coloring being her two favorite mediums. Because of their similar talents and attitudes, Dream was basically the shonen answer to Myth’s shoujo persona, being hyper and boyish, in contrast to the bouncy and girly vibes Myth gave off.

Outfit: A black beret on her head, a pink and white striped sweater, blue paint-covered overalls, a tool belt with art supplies, pink slippers.

Iris Anon, Jr. Ultimate Maid

Despite her less-than-stellar past being raised on the streets, she was eventually found, cleaned up, and was adopted into an influential family as their maid. Iris delivers all service with a smile, whether that’d be cooking, cleaning, or simply entertaining guests and business partners of the influential family, making even the most stoic and ice-cold business magnates leave the estate with a giddy and amused smile on their face. Myth loved a girl who can pull off a classic French maid, and definitely tried sticking an eyepatch or a dragon tail and horns on Iris, when she wasn’t looking, but Iris was all too happy to model for her.

Outfit: A standard black and white French maid dress and black stockings with red Mary Janes being the only splash of color.

PURPL-3 (aka. Purple), Ultimate Robot

Having been created by only the greatest masterminds of robotic engineering, Purple was created to be a literate robot who could read and recite books for blind kids. Because of her very purpose, Purple has a massively large vocabulary and uses very old-fashioned and archaic terms in her daily speech. When Myth heard that she’d be chaperoning an actual robot, Myth thought she was having some sort of fever dream, but lo and behold, Purple arrived in all of her robotic and extremely timid glory. Myth internally thought that the world is becoming more and more like science fiction everyday, upon being aware of Purple‘s very existence.

Outfit: A black beret with a satellite antenna on top, pale metallic skin, purple helmet-like hair, and black armor-like plating.

This series centers around Myth, dazzling everyone with her skills as a cosplayer, and perhaps finding love with someone.

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PERSONALITY

Basically, after recovering from her scoliosis, Cosplayer!Myth decided to reinvent her previous shut-in personality, to be more appealing to others (which succeeded by the way). She chose to model her new personality after shoujo heroines. Despite being (seemingly) ditzy and a massive klutz, she compensates for that by being very kind-hearted and being like an emotional rock for her classmates and conmates. She’s very hardworking on her commissions, often sacrificing sleep to work on her costumes (she hides the eyebags with makeup). Just like with regular Myth, Cosplayer!Myth thinks a lot like a romance novel, often trying to woo her prospective love interest with shoujo tropes.

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APPEARANCE

Cosplayer!Myth has her naturally brown hair dyed purple and tied into two massive pigtails with two red bows with stars in the center. She wears contact lenses, and her outfit is a simple seira fuku with a white dress shirt, a light blue ribbon, a darker blue skirt, tall white socks, and black Mary Janes.

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Once again, I’d like to apologize for being late. But, I hope you like the talentswap anyways! Let me know what you think of this swap in your reblogs!

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surveys-at-your-service · 3 years

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Survey #398

“freedom is just man’s invention, & a soldier is just a slave”

What do you do the most when you’re online? Watch/listen to YouTube. Do you have a bobblehead? No. Have you ever spent your birthday alone? No, that sure would suck. Were you afraid of heights as a child? Actually no, but NOW I kinda am. Have you ever had a lead role in a play? No. Would you ever take a solo road trip? No, that sounds super depressing and lonely. Do the mountains fascinate you? Of course! So much history built into a magnificent, awe-inspiring piece of nature. Have you ever been insulted or called names by a significant other? Wow, no. I wouldn't tolerate that for a second. What’s your favorite movie battle scene? The fight between Simba and Scar is very powerful imo. Have you ever been to a same-sex wedding? No, but not because I'm opposed. I'd love to go to one and be the photographer. What’s your favorite Marvel movie? Probably one of the Spider-Man films. I don't remember which it is, and I don't want to spoil it by explaining what I do recall. Did you have a Walkman when you were a kid? No. What’s the most difficult experience you and a significant other have gone through together? Being long-distance when we really wanted each other's physical comfort. Have you ever attempted to pick a lock? Did you succeed? Yes, because Ashley locked her keys in the car. I don't remember if it worked, actually. Have you done the Bratz doll challenge for YouTube? No. I've seen a couple people do it, though, and it's both cool and creepy. Does the hospital in your town have a good reputation? NOOOOOOOOOOOO. What is your favorite nickname that you’ve had? "Bee" from Megan. Have you ever gotten a professional massage? No. I would be SO uncomfortable. If you had braces, do you wear your retainers still? No. :/ Well, the one you put in, anyone. I have a metal one behind the front row of my bottom teeth. If you had braces, have your teeth moved since you got them off? Yes. Do you know anyone personally who’s lost a child? I know way too many people who have suffered miscarriages. Do you take your medications regularly? Yes. What’s one luxury item you wish you could afford? An actually nice house. What’s your favorite thing to do in a swimming pool? Just kinda casually swim around. Have you ever been abused by a cop? No. What is one thing that you took to show-and-tell as a kid? My Snorlax plushy. Do you remember losing your first tooth? No. In the summer would you rather have the windows down or the A/C on in the car? I strongly prefer A/C. Have you ever been addicted to a game? What game? I had a long-time addiction to World of Warcraft for a couple years or so. I still play it now, but I'm not addicted to it anymore. As a matter of fact I get bored of it easily now. Which was better: the original The Lion King or the sequel? The original, but I love both very much. Do any of your grandparents have a tattoo? I don't know if any did. Do you believe that your pets feel love towards you? Roman, 120%. It is so obvious. Venus, no, as reptiles are literally incapable of experiencing that emotion. I do, however, know she trusts me. Are you proud of your body? FUCK no. Have you ever been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance? No. How do YOU believe the world & universe started? I don't know. I feel like MAYBE there is some sort of ultimate intelligence that formed the universe (maybe prompted the Big Bang, though I've always been dubious of that occurring naturally), but I don't think of this topic frequently at all. Does it really matter, after all? We're here, so just focus on that and live in the now. Have you ever stuck gum under a desk/chair? NO, that shit grosses me the hell out. When shopping at a grocery store, do you return your cart or just leave it? Return your fucking cart, please. It is NOT that difficult. What is one thing you’d never want your parents to find out? Certain places I've, uh, "done" things. When you were little, did you like Dr. Suess books? Yep. I seriously loved Green Eggs and Ham. What would you consider unforgivable? Rape is #1. Would you rather give your food to a homeless shelter or money to charity? Food to a homeless shelter, but I'd love to do both. What was your least favorite year of your life so far? 2016 was a fucking NIGHTMARE. Have you spent money on a game online? On one occasion, I asked if Mom would reactivate my WoW account, and when two expansions came out, I asked if she could buy them. I HATED asking. Thankfully, now, I'm rich enough in the game to pay for the "token" currency, which renews your subscription for a month, so I essentially play for free now. Have you been called a bad influence? Yes. Have any self-done piercings? Noooo. I only trust professionals. Ever pierced someone else? Again, no. Leave it to professionals, as well as someone without tremors. If you had a child with down’s syndrome, would you keep him/her? IF I wanted kids, of course I would. It really, REALLY bothers me when DS is the reason behind abortion. Mind you, I am pro-choice, but come on... Don't treat down's syndrome children as a curse. If someone tried to murder your child, do you think it would be wrong to expose them publicly and talk about it on social media? Of fucking course I would. I'd damn that person to hell myself. Is there a toxic person that you miss? I sometimes miss Colleen. Are you still contemplating going back to someone you shouldn’t? With Jason, yes. If he actually wanted me back (that will never happen, but anyway), I fear I'd say yes and probably would, realistically. When was the last time you had a new crush? When I realized I was bisexual. Do you want Jesus to come back soon? Back when I was a Christian, I was terrified of Judgment Day. I don't believe in it now. What is something you can’t wear because of your body type? I COULD wear whatever the hell I wanted, but I refuse to wear crop tops or strapless tops (or strapless bras). Oh, and thongs. No thanks. If you have curves, do you like them? I'm not curvy naturally, I'm just fat. Have you ever worn matching pajamas with someone? No, but that'd be cute. Has anyone ever mistaken you for being anorexic? No way. What fast food place do you avoid at all costs? Arby's, to name one. Are you afraid of deep sea creatures? Yes, especially giant squid. Have you ever agreed to purchase something on Ebay and got scammed somehow? Ugh, I got Ico THREE TIMES and they were ALL broken; they'd freeze in the first few minutes. Has anybody ever given you a promise ring? No. What is your favorite kind of cake? Red velvet. Honestly, have you ever eaten raw cookie dough? Yeah, multiple times. Were you outdoors or indoors more as a kid? I'd say it was a split down the middle. Have you ever had a relationship that began via text? Jason, Tyler, Juan, and Sara all began over text. Girt asked me out over Facebook Messenger. Do you think sloths are cute or ugly? They're cuties! What eyeshadow suits you best? I only wear black eyeshadow. Do you watch the show Wizards of Waverly Place? I did as a kid and really liked it. Have you ever been to the rainforest? No. I don't think I could handle the humidity, though I'd love to see all the beautiful wonders. Are you a member of any clubs? No. Would you shave your head with a friend who had cancer? If it was someone I was very close to and they were extremely self-conscious about it, I'd probably be willing to get very short hair, but I don't think I could handle no hair at all. How did you meet your pet? Roman was one of the kittens of Ashley's mother-in-law's cats. She has way too many cats and needed to get rid of the kittens, and I'd been wanting one like mad. I found Venus via the online reptile-selling hub called Morph Market, and I became VERY interested in the many, many ball python morphs, and when I saw her, I immediately knew that was my baby. Did/Do you have any PEZ dispensers? I did as a kiddo. What are some of the phrases in your personal ‘bingo’ card? "Mood," "can't relate," "hi, how are ya," "jinkies," "yikes," "oof," shit like that. Have you ever been through a trap door? No. Do/did you have to wear a uniform to your high school? No, only middle school. How many video games do you own? A whole lot. Have you ever visited a sex shop? No. Have you ever ridden a bicycle through a busy city? No, I'd be very scared to. Do you use Instagram? How often do you post there? I have two for my varying photography subjects. I post very rarely on both. Have you ever had a scary encounter with a wild animal? I have not.

#survey #surveys #random questions #lyrics: ''civilize the universe'' by ozzy osbourne

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middleinthenight21 · 5 years

Text

‘’Ain't that the worst thing you ever heard? 1''

@ravenfan1242 You are beautiful and I have no words

Thank you ❤❤

***

They didn't talk for a week, and that was enough so that the tension could be cut with the edge of a knife. She could feel it, his emotions were always easy to detect, his aura shone in different colors, marking the yellow tones representing happiness and joy, emotions that were difficult to achieve for someone who is half demon, whose control over her feelings and emotions contained her powers or these would consume her human side, and unwittingly would be liberating her father to destroy the world that for years participated in her salvation.

She was sitting next to him with the phone in his hand taking selfies for his social media and interacting with his followers, Raven had a book in her hands as she slurped a tea pretending that her mind absorbed every single letter, But she couldn't stop thinking about the moment everything broke down.

Were they too different for it to work? Should she have been surprised when everything went wrong?

She felt his indifference, as he also pretended not to have seen it and she could not blame him. Nor could she blame herself.

Sometimes she wondered what would become of her if she were a normal girl, if her fate wasn't a constant struggle, her worst nightmare ran through her veins and had imprisoned a demonic being destroyer of worlds in a glass resting on her forehead that responded to the name of her father, who was also the murderer of her mother and all the people who were part of her upbringing, What would happen to her if she was still that girl?

She had no right to forget all those people, who died on a childish whim.

She did not forget her heritage, going back to the worst-case scenario, but even with all that she could not help but see more. She glanced sideways at Garfield, who was resting on the sofa with a small smile on his face, tapping into his phone, felt a pinprick of emotion running through his body, his sadness resting between the layers, and she continued to dig as soon as she could contain it.

It wasn't hard to feel his emotions, Garfield was never someone who held back and lived every day as the last. Two drops from different ponds.

When they started dating months ago, everyone in the tower applauded. He was so happy that he wanted to post it on each of his social networks, but Raven had grimaced, because she wanted to keep her privacy to herself; no one should know. She wasn't ready for a public-domain relationship, she wasn't happy that everyone knew about her intimacy, so she wouldn't let him.

Garfield turned out to be a loving boyfriend, he wasn't afraid to touch her in front of the titans, when they watched movies he'd circle her shoulder resting his head against hers, After the missions he'd come over and put one hand down on her waist and smile happily for defeating all those bad guys by placing a kiss on her forehead, every time he had a chance to touch her he did, like she was something he could claim. Raven wasn't used to being touched, her last tokens of affection she remembered had been from her mother, before her life was completely transformed and ended in hell where contact with her father and half-brothers was as painful as the flames of fire, it had made her reluctant to show affection to her friends. She never initiated contact, nor desired to receive it, but Garfield was cut from a different cloth.

She was awakened by that feeling, that emotion of desire that she detected whenever the young man's thoughts moved away from reality, as if he were desperate for something or someone he would never have, and it was not her.

Raven figured it out. She was just hoping that one day she could forgive him, but she had understood, she didn't own his heart and she had grown tired of thinking that it would be Terra's life if she had given herself one more chance and stayed with them, Garfield would sigh every time he appeared in the halls, his emotions were strong enough for her powers to be detected from her room. It was different than what she noticed when they were together.

She remembered how his jokes and good humor could ease her reserved personality, cast his head back laughing like a little boy, as if he had never witnessed gruesome crimes and the deaths were only obstacles that jumped with a smile on his face, but there was a sadness in his eyes that he refused to reveal before her. Maybe his was a masterpiece until the two of them destroyed it.

He gave her flowers and let them die, she'd wanted him to open up, be serious for a few moments and tell her what was hurting him, but he didn't.

She wanted him to sit next to her and have a moment of peace, a space where he would walk away from social media and try to understand each other. Raven felt like she was the one who noticed the internal bleeding, she didn't mention it, and he kept giving out samples that didn't fill her heart anymore, she just felt cold every time he kissed her.

She knew he was doing his best.

Raven hadn't seen him until that breakfast. That morning she rose early, the sun hardly caressed the city, the fog covered the port and from a distance she saw the activity on the dock, small figures loaded the forests, collected the nets and filled containers with products of the sea; That tiny boat that took tourists along the coast of the city was hoisting their fictional pirate flags.

The steam from her tea burned her fingers, but she didn't care. It was a typical winter morning covered by a gray sky like a thick, spoiled soup, and the teenager sat in the chair facing the window in her pajamas, which consisted of a thin fabric blouse, shorts and thick woolen stockings.

She drank her herbal infusion, poaching on her tongue.

Turned off her father's voice, but her mind was restless and distant. She thought Garfield was probably still sleeping, seeing her consume tea would make him grimace and express how disgusting it is to drink hot flavored water; he would eat his yogurt with cereal and make so much noise until others would be bothered.

'Isn't it too early? ' Damian showed up in a sweaty sport outfit. Titus was walking behind Batman's son with his tongue hanging out of his muzzle, gasping, but he was still wagging his tail when he saw her in the kitchen "Come" He took the leash off his pet.

Damian had grown since he first arrived three years ago. His bones grew so big that Raven felt her pain at the first sprout of growth, his hair was short and dark black like the color of tar, his eyes green and his chin took a square shape; Anyone who saw him without his Robin costume would relate him to Bruce Wayne, it was his vivid image, except for the color of his eyes and the toasted tone, inherited from his Arab ancestry.

"Good morning to you too." After all this time she had to remind Damian of his manners. She drummed her fingers to the rhythm of a loose melody on the table. The marble brought the cold on her skin, it was like touching a snowflake "You want to take a cup of tea?"

He nodded, passing a towel around his neck to keep the perspiration away. His sweatshirt was broad in a black hue matching the pants, probably from a European designer whose surname she could barely pronounce.

They sat in front of each other in silence. They weren't very talkative people, Damian had been one of the few people who kept their emotions and feelings hidden behind an impenetrable wall, trained since childhood to be the perfect soldier and not make mistakes, never give the enemy the chance to use any emotion as a weakness, yet he was the person who understood most possibly because they had no social skills and had pasts from which they could not escape. Birds of the same feather.

Both had made an involuntary connection by saving each other.

There were uncomfortable silences, he was not easy to deal with and preferred to maintain distances before interacting, he had heard the whispers saying how creepy she was and did not fit in the middle of the group, In spite of being a heroine, there was an aura of mysticism and rarity that she couldn't shake off.

Damian turned out to be the least social Robin, keeping his appearances in the alleys of Gotham, patrolling and fighting criminals since he was a child, a stranger. He listened to the news in the online newspapers, testimonies from apparent nearby sources, and home video footage of witnesses as the team ended up with a criminal showing Robin's distance from the Teen Titans.

A few weeks ago, a video had gone viral that showed him after a battle where Damian was wounded, and Starfire came up to help him stand up but rejected her by waving his arm. The others weren't surprised, it was just Damian being him, however, people made it a topic of discussion whether or not Robin was a jerk to his peers, None of them would have found out if it wasn't for Garfield who expressed his dissatisfaction at seeing Robin in trends and not his name, but seeing what was going on, he told the team.

Damian snapped his tongue over the subject and went to his room. The whole drama moved people into twittering on Twitter about Robin's bad behavior towards the team, Justice League even with Batman himself showing blurry pictures of his fight a few years ago with Batman and before you know it Robin was canceled on social media without having any.

Garfield calmed things down by sending a friendly Tweet, but it was too late, and Robin's name was already tainted.

Now Robin was dealing with the constant images and videos taken on missions criticizing what he did. It would be easier if Damian was an anonymous person, but he's the son of one of the most powerful billionaires in the whole world and people were obsessed with knowing who he was dating and how the years made him into someone desirable in the eyes of teenage girls there were constantly photos of his body being on social networks under yellow titles such as: Bruce Wayne's son is already a man, look at his picture, Incredible!

Damian took a hard sip of his tea.

"How was the warm-up? "

He shrugged "I guess good."

He finished taking the last sip of his hot drink and got up to wash his cup.

"Do you have the first edition of David Copperfield?"

Raven raised an eyebrow, now curious. She turned around leaving her cup still soaped and her wet hands dripping on the floor "Have you read David Copperfield? "

He frowned analyzing the cover and back cover. The book was covered by a thick soft green fabric to the touch, had stains and pages fattened with a yellowish tone, plus a permanent old aroma, Raven had gotten it in a used book store and cost her two months' savings, but it was worth it.

Damian nodded and her heart leapt from emotion, but quickly neutralized "Yes. A few years ago."

"What did you think?"

"It was fine."

Frowned "I love your emotion."

Raven turned around and finished washing her cup by taking advantage to store the few dishes from the dinner the night before. Okay, maybe David Copperfield can be just ''It was fine'', but it's a book that needs to be analyzed more deeply and had more meaning.

"It's not bad" She froze "In fact, it's a good book, although a little childish for my taste and we all know that David wasn't going to stay with Dora."

She smiled "I have to agree with you. I think David always knew that the right one was Agnes, but he doesn't belittle Dora or that he didn't love her."

Arms around her waist stole the words she was about to say. She looked down, encountering green limbs, which left her quickly to kiss her hair muttering between yawns a greeting.

Looking at him, he was still in his pajamas and judging by his messy hair he had just woken up.

"Hey, Damian, you're all over the internet."

He folded his arms wincing at the sight of Logan, if there was one thing Damian hated was lazy and noisy people, Garfield getting up late and stirring the refrigerator in search of his favorite yogurt was the combination.

"Am I still canceled?"

Her boyfriend smiled with his mouth full of dried cereal "Robin, of course he did. Damian Wayne, heir of Wayne Enterprise, went out for a run with his pet, it was so adorable and hot that you're all over the gossip pages."

He picked up the phone showing a collection of photos of Damian jogging through a city park accompanied by Titus, in some photographs he was shirtless shaking his clothes from his pet's hair, in others he gave the dog a bottle of water to drink, Which drove the internet crazy.

"Worse."

And walked away.

Garfield shrugged, brushing the subject aside. Raven hugged the book on her chest and waited for him to finish breakfast, the silence was a monster that consumed her inside and wanted to break this, but she didn't know how.

She looked at his face, wondered if he noticed it too.

It made her feel like she was crazy, like she saw things that were never there. Raven wanted to know why they were keeping this thing afloat when it clearly leaked from the start, because he didn't see it, because Garfield kept clinging to it, she wanted to ask, but he was never that open.

He smiled at a post and slid his finger down, surely sharing with his followers.

Raven let the relationship go first, before it ended up destroying them both. He didn't love her.

It was a painful but powerful truth and she had refused to understand it until then.

No matter how much her heart was broken, she could not replace anyone or love a person who gave his heart to another. She'd made mistakes in her past, her road to hell had been full of good intentions, yet she wouldn't do that to him, she wouldn't do that to herself, In her time on earth he learned a thing or two about relationships and hers was doomed to failure from the beginning.

The others had known it. When the demonstrations of affection ended, they understood that the story had an end.

Not all couples are like Dick and Kory, who in spite of time and distance kept sticking together, going back to each other at some point; Raven had seen the connection to the minutes of seeing them facing each other, felt the nerves, lust and love floating between the heroes, like a thread that was electrified with every touch. She knew it.

When she was a child she had not believed in love, that of myths and legends that were so tragic and passionate that culminated with the death of lovers, nothing but explanations of natural phenomena, however, she did not expect herself to understand it in a bad way.

***

Walking down the street carrying the grocery bag for that weekend, they were heavy packed with a collection of products of different shapes and sizes that struggled to escape from the cloth bags.

It would have been a good idea to be accompanied, so I could share the work with someone else. She volunteered to make the purchases trying to get away from the tower, even for a while and did not accept the offers of her companions.

She wanted to be alone for a few minutes, but she didn't expect how difficult it would be to walk the streets with two bags loaded to the brim. The fabric was strapped through the circulation of her fingers, and her limbs were pulling as if she was carrying the bluntest weight in the world. She snorted, reminding herself that she should exercise more in the future.

An apple fell from the bag rolling into an alley and cursed.

'"Girl idiot, you deserve everything that happens to you"

"Shut up."

A figure cleared up next to her and was familiar. Damian was dressed in civilian clothes (which is strange) he wore a sweatshirt three times his size, some loose pants and on his face a white mask that made others think he wanted to get away from a potentially dangerous illness, but he never got sick. She never saw him once.

This covered outfit was given to be nothing more than a disguise so that no images of him would emerge and then she thought about what people would say if Damian Wayne were close to a stranger in an activity as casual as carrying grocery bags. She could feel the annoyance, caution and irritation of her friend, which was normal in him, but this time it was directed outward, towards anyone with a cell phone in their hands.

She genuinely felt sorry for him, for Robin was an identity where he had always felt comfortable and allowed him to go unnoticed. Damian always preferred action to conversation, privacy to public demonstrations and didn't ask for recognition; she looked at him sideways wondering what it felt like to be embedded in a family of vigilantes, the weight on his shoulders, to bear an inheritance so great that he could not escape. Raven could relate to that.

She remembered something.

"Weren't you on patrol?"

His eyes turned to the apartment building, a white-colored concrete block; it looked like a residence for wealthy people. She was able to feel his reluctance to talk about the issue of patrols.

"It's no longer so simple" He folded his arms "Every time I fight criminals, I only see the cameras pointing at me. People make work difficult."

Robin's name was currently repudiated, she found it somewhat strange since the reception of the previous Robin was good, and every child wanted to be Batman's helper. Boy Wonder.

She adjusted one of the bags over his shoulder with a grimace.

"You're popular on Twitter."

"Being canceled is not the same as being popular," he snarled. His voice behind the mask sounded thick "Before I can avoid it a new act is already being added to a thread. People have a lot of free time."

She gave herself a few minutes to think "Garfield calls it cancellation culture."

He made a face when she mentioned that name.

"I heard you broke up."

Raven put her head down. It had been three weeks since that conversation at breakfast, the wound was not fresh, but it was still there; she wondered if she had made a good decision. The doubt haunted her every time she heard him laughing with Jaime while they were playing video games and watching him approach other people giving out hugs, but it wasn't so painful anymore. She made peace with not having him in her life.

She was surprised that Damian brought up the subject of her previous relationship, not that he was very interested in the Titans' love life, and when they announced the relationship he put on an expression of boredom. Raven didn't expect any reaction, he never got along very well with beast boy barely withstanding his screams.

They were friends, so he'd have something to say, wouldn't he?

Damian always had an opinion.

"We did," she replied.

They passed by some shops where big posters were displayed announcing discounts, apparently wanting to get rid of last season's products. Jump City was located at the beginning of the summer, the rays of sun burned the skin of its inhabitants and dyed the city of an apparent atmosphere of festival proclaiming in each of the local media the upcoming events and fairs.

A group of teenagers was making their way to a clothing store. One of them pointed at Damian's face with her cell phone, and he hid his face in the sweatshirt, walking faster, holding her arm, and got into a car parked a few blocks away.

He looked back "We lost them."

She had not realized the extent of the people's persecution of Damian. She glanced at him sideways as he took off his mask showing his sculpted jaw, his face was free of imperfections and he looked like something from an old film where he played the gallant protagonist.

In Azarath there was a word to describe how precious and charming beyond words, that beauty that hurt and made you wonder if something like this could exist, she had not found a translation or a word that could describe that feeling, so she left him as he was Arratax sounded in her head when she looked at his profile. Raven knew that Damian was conceived and trained to be perfect, designed, but that didn't stop her from feeling a pinprick of anger, for a demon's daughter, someone with unholy blood, beauty escaping from her hands.

"I hate this."

Raven arranged the bags in the back seat of the car. You could feel the aroma of new leather, the interior is luxurious and well cared for, it was probably a car made to withstand high speeds, last generation, probably exclusive.

"Do you think someone filmed you?"

He put his hands on the steering wheel "I don't think so, but they did take pictures of me."

She grimaced.

"I'm sorry" Raven apologized for all the shit that was going on, even though she had nothing to do with it.

Damian stared at her for a few seconds with a frown, as if he were figuring out the meaning behind her words, measuring whether there was a double intention. He started the car quietly and headed for the Titans' tower.

She looked out, the buildings and houses passed through her vision in a blink of an eye and leaned her head against the glass. She closed her eyes, quietly repeating a prayer taught to her by the monks, a plea for tranquility and new beginnings.

After months of a stormy relationship, a painful breakup and change after that, she needed some peace. For the first time in a month she really felt calm, yet it still seemed to her that this summer had been cruel, full of ups and downs.

She started it by being in a stable relationship, or at least that's how she classified it, if they'd told her she'd break up with Gar, she wouldn't have believed them because everything was fine. What an irony.

"Whatever," he said. His fingers tapped softly on the steering wheel like he was sending out a message in Morse code "It's not like it matters."

Raven bowed her head.

In her hands rests a book, she had not been able to finish it during these three weeks, unable to focus her attention on words. She kept the stories of Edgar Allan Poe clinging to her chest, as if to guard the letters.

"Have you read The Raven?"

"I think we all have. It's the writer's most popular story."

Damian folded through the intercept; his greenish gaze fixed on the road. There was something comforting about talking about books while he was driving, an atmosphere hovering over the two, a soft, protective mantle.

"I read it for the first time in the library."

She had to imagine that the Wayne mansion had its own library, after all Bruce Wayne was known to be a billionaire who visited charitable events talking about current issues with powerful people. He may be a playboy, but that didn't make him a fool.

His library probably had first editions and collections that would cost houses.

"What's your favorite?"

He glanced at her sideways, it was a fleeting glance. His brow was still wrinkled in a frown, and his mouth twisted in a grimace, like a pouty child when he was rebuked. Damian didn't like to talk, rarely had he shared with the Titans beyond the missions, so they saw him with a book in his hands, name a certain character or quotes were surprised, But Raven knew it, saw the momentary interest every time he watched her read or made sure she wasn't disturbed.

He was full of surprises.

"Oliver Twist."

His gaze relaxed and for a few seconds his mind escaped, as if flying in a different direction. She didn't need to be empathetic to understand that it was a private memory.

The rest of the journey was peaceful, but Damian gradually became more bitter, spoke less and frowned more, as if a being were returning to his body.

Damian Wayne's exhibition and Robin's cancellation had only made him distant (more than usual), he realized how his friends could find themselves in the tabloids and media for more than missions if they were discovered by his side. Damian Wayne captured attention for his heritage, Damian Al Ghul was destined to lead the world's most powerful league, Robin is the companion of one of the most popular and beloved heroes, who is also part of Justice League, But the Damian who drank tea cups and added brown sugar reading poetry, won prizes at the fair for children and was amazed at the taste of sweets, enjoyed the silences and whispering conversations; that Damian didn't appreciate it.

Raven sighed as the car pulled up in front of the Tower of the Titans.

Back to reality, it was said. She had pretended to be a lonely evening, she wanted to engage her thoughts in something other than that fateful morning, in her failure of love that her father mockingly reminds her of declaring that demons fell in love, that it was her fault and doomed to destroy everything, just like she was meant to destroy the earth.

She had been angry, tired and hurt, and the walls of her room already threatened to drive her crazy. Normally she would be in her room meditating, drinking tea or reading a book, but not anymore.

She needed to get out.

She seriously considered making up an excuse to be away for a while. She looked upon the city, the rays of the sun reflected on the windows of the buildings like lit candles, and the mountains were dyed a pastel pink shade.

The first stars appeared in the sky. It was getting dark.

"Thank you for the ride."

She felt the need to speak, though she knew she would get no answer from Batman's son, so she got out of the car with the grocery bags. "You're welcome."

Raven stopped wondering if she heard, but the car was already pulling away.

***

In her head everything went well, he called her and replied with a smile, but it was all a montage.

A montage she wanted to erase from her head.

Garfield would knock on her door, offer a smile in peace and feel the world fall at her feet. His heart would pound into his chest, his fingers would itch to get her close, to taste her skin, and how it would feel to say she was his. The worst lie ever.

She sat on the floor of her room facing the window, the city was a dark painting filled with thousands of lights turning on and off. The sight comforted her, sheltered her heart and she remembered why she was doing this.

Raven turned off the light and remained silent, just looking out.

She had been described as a lonely person with whom she was difficult to deal, her past was a chain she could never cut, could learn to wear the chain and share when she weighed the chain. A few years ago, she had said she had a bad judgment, believed that she had not changed at all.

She wondered if she would ever learn from her mistakes.

Love was not for her; she was much better off alone; no one had to deal with a demon's daughter. As much as she hated her father and would ignore each of his words, she recognized that he was right in a sense, people like her were not meant to be loved, for others to give them their hearts.

I could live with that.

***

After that mission Robin's name echoed on social media, apparently someone had taken a picture of the moment the superhero hit Beast Boy in the stomach after he yelled in his ear. Damian's reaction was bad, he didn't like surprises, so every time someone managed to scare him, he would respond with blows.

That's not what they said on Twitter.

Garfield was a beloved titan, as much as his peers rolled their eyes when they saw him doing live on their social media and posting everything that happened to him was not a world opinion, his more than five million followers lived for each of his interactions, So, they didn't react well to the image.

Garfield tried to calm the situation, But the photograph of Robin's fist crushing his stomach and the justification he gave was enough for his followers to believe he was some kind of martyr and make petitions gathering signatures so that the Boy Wonder would no longer be part of the Titans.

"OMG… Robin assaulting another of his companions, what a surprise'"

"Beast Boy is a love. He doesn't deserve this''

''We should all cancel Robin. I don't understand how Batman can have him as a partner, and even the Titans, he just shouldn't be there''

''Beast Boy is a very calm person, he's never bothered anyone, but Robin treats him very badly #JusticeforBeastBoy''

The hashtag became a worldwide trend with the video going around the world. The Justice League intervened saying that Robin is just a boy and that his action did not reflect on the Titans, and Batman found himself contacting Starfire.

Damian rolled his eyes away from the situation. In the last few days he was quiet, spent his days training or patrolling being invisible, a shadow appearing to save them and disappear in smoke.

In the few moments he was in the tower he was absent when he heard any comments about social media, Starfire had suspended the posting of photos on the tower or other titans, as well as the mention of a certain team member.

Garfield protested, but Kory's frown was enough for him to nod.

Being around Damian had only caused her emotions to overwhelm her.

The teenager was a tide of anger and frustration, she felt it in his veins, like a monster waiting for a provocation to come out. His emotions were there, deep down he was affected by the situation, had something else to show besides latent anger.

She was not mistaken when she said that inside he is a noble and generous soul, she still believed he was that person, but sometimes she would like to do more than just scratch the surface.

Interrupted her meditation by paying attention to his blade by tearing apart a hologram. He was not wearing his uniform, only a pair of shorts and a loose T-shirt revealing his arms, his frown falling drops of sweat and holding the sword stronger than necessary. The last time he was like this was after a discussion with his father about a mission.

"You've been gone five hours, Damian."

He didn't pay any attention. "It's okay. Ignore me."

Raven was not in the mood to put up with Damian's mood, could normally bear his rough edges and understood that none was easy to deal with, however, this time she preferred to walk away.

She headed for the exit.

"Are you still reading Edgar Allan Poe?" He frowned.

She was struck by surprise, took a few moments to understand his words and process a response.

Was he stopping her?

"Yes" She turned. He looked into her eyes but bowed his head and the sword swung in his hands without purpose. "I almost finished the stories."

Damian sighed.

He ran a hand through his hair. His face is covered with sweat, small drops descended on his forehead and he put the sword in the holster; he walked towards the controls and for a minute she thought he would reschedule the program from the beginning, but he took a book out of a backpack.

Raven wanted to look away, she sensed it was a book she planned to read, but the title made her look back at the play. She recognized it wherever she saw it, she'd been looking for it for days on the internet sighing disappointed at the price.

The first edition of The Raven had been sold out, yet the price was enough to make her pocket hurt. The book is dark, of a worn color, on the cover a raven on a pillar with the title barely standing out from a yellowish shade, and its pages thickened over time.

"How?"

He shrugged "Family Library."

Oh.

"Keep it" He paused "If you want it… "

Only Damian could make accepting a gift sound like an order. She made a mental note not to underestimate his detective skills, however, by her lips slipped a smile against any thought of exhaustion about the behavior of the younger Wayne.

He handed her the book, while he was away with the sweat on his forehead with a towel. She stared at the work passing one hand across the cover feeling the softness of the paper, as well as the relief of the title and the dust accumulated between its pages, as if it were awaited by Raven for a long time in the most hidden place in the world.

"Thank you very much, Damian."

He did not respond, but she could feel his shoulders relaxing and the tension seemed to leave his body. The emotion came to her like a wave on a quiet day, a softness that invaded her spirit and almost let out a sigh.

There was something intimidating about the scene, Raven holding a book leafing through its pages like devouring its contents, Damian drinking water and wiping sweat from the body.

They had a good relationship, they went through a few moments of roughness when they met and that is that the circumstances could not have been worse, but they were forged since then. She begged him to stay away, now she just wanted to keep him close.

Her heart was forming new strings around him, handled by the worst puppeteer she'd ever met in her entire life. She put that feeling away before it came up, it was just excitement for the gift and nothing else.

You want to take advantage of the boy. Her father's voice roared in her head, a tone of mockery and the smile disappeared from her face, Are you that easy, you filthy witch? Demons devour love, feed on feeling, and make it worse. We are made for this, ungrateful. When are you gonna learn?

Raven frowned at that.

She stared at the book, it was so beautiful that in a few seconds it became a sign of uncertainty, a reminder of the fate of all this. She wanted to return it, just like the little injection of feelings that shook her heart and nip it in the bud like a rotten thing before it branches off elsewhere and she couldn't do anything, just cry in the dark at the end.

She watched Damian, the boy was at the height of his reputation, each of those people who took the time to write comments against him hated him, repudiated his image and wished him out, as Damian Wayne was no better, the world was leaning at his feet and was haunted by magazine photographers starving for an update on the life of the Prince of Gotham's son, So much so that it affected the teenager's personal life by avoiding going out, and when he did, he tried not to be recognized on the streets. She felt that people should see him beyond titles and flaws.

Do you want to ruin this one too?

"What is it?"

He put the towel aside and came over. When there was something that aroused his curiosity, he demanded an answer and was content with nothing but the truth, she felt exposed and overwhelmed, perhaps it was because of her father's voice that no matter how much it cost her he was right, she never learned from her mistakes.

Put an end to it before the prologue is written and ends badly.

Raven retreated in one step, then two, but Damian continued to approach.

"What is it?" he repeated.

She opened and closed her mouth like a fish, unable to utter a single word, but what would she say? what if this was just a nice gesture and she was confusing everything, she didn't want to ruin a friendship by a prick of confusion.

She Looked into his eyes. In a second her whole mind lit up completely and she realized that that feeling was not unknown, his green eyes brought her hope and strength in the moments when the world was falling apart even when they were just getting to know each other, they had seen so many bad things, they could have opted for a life of pain and destruction, but here they were waiting for the best, that kind of familiarity embraced her and made her entrails turn.

The feeling was not new.

They were inches away. She raised her head squeezing her lips out of sheer nervousness, wanted to divert attention to whatever it was, but Damian's eyes were demanding, being empathetic she felt his anxiety about knowing what was going on, It was almost as if he was calling her and emitting a magnetic force that made it impossible to lie to him.

She embraced the book on his chest "I…'

"You're all over social media, Wayne"' Jaime stopped dead. He appeared holding a cell phone and showing the teenager casually conversing with a waitress in a restaurant; the latino exchanged a glance between the two and scratched his hair, insecure "I'm sorry."

Damian frowned and rolled his eyes as he processed the words. He collected his belongings with angry grunts, probably tired of all the media scandal surrounding his life.

He made a grimace of discomfort.

"Brother, everyone is linking you to the waitress and all the girls are suffering," said Jaime. He had pretended that the words were a mockery, but no longer knew if his friends would take it as a joke, in any case, not that he had a sense of humor; he would swear that he was not welcome "Rae, you should read the comments."

She looked away from him.

Raven shrugged "I'm not interested."

"I don't want to know anything!" Damian put his backpack on his back and walked to the door in strides "I can't order coffee anymore" he snarled.

Garfield showed up with his tablet accompanied by Conner "Look what they did to Robin…"

Damian pushed him, and he slammed the door so hard he sent a draft of air. Beast Boy backed away issuing complaints, the device almost slipped between his hands like butter.

Conner laughed, gripping his stomach, mocking his friend.

"What's wrong with him?"

Raven sighed.

Sometimes she was surprised at how dense the three are, Jaime could be calmer, but as for the feelings and what his companions experienced, he was totally unaware of it, while Garfield only saw the truth if he came face to face and danced to it.

About Conner, well, she doubted he saw anything but his own vanity.

"He's frustrated," she said.

Garfield and Jaime exchanged glances, finally shrugged, while Conner continued to mock his friends for a reason that eluded her knowledge. She was used to people reacting like that when she spoke, as they related it to her powers and her mysterious aura, they assumed that she saw something that others did not, in some cases it was real, in others the problem was them.

Raven stared at the book.

The gift in her hands, the beating of her heart, the fire in her cheeks, which would burn to ashes.

She wasn't meant to love.

#damirae #fanfiction

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gender-chaotic · 4 years

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Oh boy b**tleba*bes talking about stuff they have no clue about lmao

Warning talk mentions of b**tleb*bes, over sexualization of minors, and a bit of adult stuff.

Im goldenbeetle shipper whos been here a while now and is a proud drinker of loving barbara maitland juice not gonna deny our community has some issues mostly in the past with leaving babs out of fics and art and focus more on adam and beej as well as more adult content. But this is something myslef and many people IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY has been speaking out about for a long ass time now you can search the tags for posts adressing leaving Barbara out including by myself so jot that down, so we dont need b**tleb*bes who barley know anything about our community telling us about our content especially when some of y'all openly mock our ship and made it clear you do not care about it, thanks. many of us especially more recently add barbara in, ive seen so much goldenbeetle content that includes babs including again my own content, ive purposefully drawn solo babs and beej so if you're saying there no content that includes her or just beej and her you're very VERY wrong, come to me or most shippers we can provide lots of golden beetle content with babs and even just babs and beetlejuice. Not to mention a few of your own b**tleb*bes have made beetlejuice and adam content and usually leaves Barbara out and focuses just on adam and beej but go off i guess lol.

Many people draw barbara also draw her based off her actresses' who are both women who don't have very large breasts on top of that gena davis' dress for Barbara did not reveal much, kerry's showing a bit more with a deep neckline still covered alot of her body. Many people arent drawing babs with big knockers and sexy clothes because were trying to repress her sexuality and make her dress like she's in the handmaids tale, shame women for being sexy, its because barbara and adam are canonically a white bred suburban couple who are "vanilla" its their personailty, i drew babs with smaller breasts and more "canon compliant" for a while before i changed it up. Obviously you CAN draw barabra and even adam as sexy and babs with big tiddies, i draw barbara with larger breasts now, and show her cleavage and I've been doing this for a while and i have draw PLENTY of sexy and pin up style babs as well adult content with her beetlejuice, and adam, I've also posted it on here so again y'all dont know what you're talking about. I know others who have drawn sexy barbara and barbara with larger breasts just because its not common and YOU haven't seen it doesn't mean its not out there.

Have y'all seen art of anyone oc's like including self ship oc's with beej?? many of them are sexy and/or have pretty bug breasts (not complaini g btw yall are doing gr8 i love your oc's) or other adult female characters in the show I've seen of art thats sexy of miss Argentina and delia as well as art of them with larger breasts and dressed more "sexy" because that's their character, dress more revealing and prefer to be "sexy". Ive also never been attacked or seen any other "anti" attack a creator for making sexy art or big breasted versions of female characters that are canonically adults in beetlejuice, this includes myself who has openly posted suggestive content of babs even on here infact Ive seen people actually like that stuff they just don't make it themselves so claiming "no one is allowed" to draw barbara sexy or adult content of her is also a huge load.

Not to get too personal but speaking from experience as a person who developed at a very early age i got my first real bra at 7 or 8, had D-DDD breasts throughout middle school and highschool, currently has g-h cup breasts, has been overly sexualized my entire life by people of all ages because of this, and also deals with ALOT of dysphoria because of It am A-ok with representation of women with larger breasts, including suggestive/sexual art of them, women of all body types including their breasts but that's the thing i highly doubt y'all care about large breasted women I've seen the argument when talking about the over sexualiztion of large breasts

"well you dont care about women with big breasts we exist too!"

"Dont erase our body breasts!"

I get it! But its pretty clear this argument is usually only being presented to tokenize us and then someone will draw a big tiddied lady with wide as birthing hips, a dumpster truck ass, back that looks like it son the verge of breaking, and a waist that varies from size skinny to "holy sh*t did all your organs get sucked out???" If yall really care about women with big breasts draw women of differing body types with big breasts, draw them chubby, fat, ACTUALLY curvy, give them stretch marks, a double chin, ect. You fucking cowards say were mysoginists for "not giving barbara big tiddies"

Most of b**tleb*abe adult lydia art looks like a mix of jessica rabbit, elvira, and morticia addams with the same 2 or 3 body types over and over again, infact ive run into plenty of b**tleb*bes art where lydia has either has big tits or like a B-ish cup ("aged up" lydia thats looks almost exactly like her teenage self canon(s)) not really an inbetween but you "totally care about women with large breasts" its not tat you only care about adult lydia to make her ooc, project onto her and make her to sexy goth queen many of us wanted to be when we were young and watched beetlejuice, ship her with beej so she can be his big tiddy goth gf its TOTALLY about ""feminism"" uh huh....

And where has YOUR sexy barbara art been hmm? b**tleb*bes draw so little art of barbara or either maitlands other than to be in the background and react to beej and lyida's shenanigans, or scold them because babes portray the maitlands or way more protective and prude than in canon, and the little art I've seen babes draw of her isn't sexy big tiddy babs. I have at most seen a handful of deetzland fics with adult content including barbara and that's it. Its very clear many of yall care mostly about lydia and beej especially boinking be honest now. So dont bring up our ship or barbara as a "gotcha antis".

And lastly Lydia, i dont think any of us are saying she cant grow up, we literally just think its gross to sexualize a character who is a minor in canon and age her up solely to be with a canon adult. Ive seen "antis" draw adult lydia in a tasteful way and develop her as she grows up because they're interested in her charcter and no one has taken issue with it at all. Lydia in all canons doesnt have big honkers in any canon either, yes minors can have breasts, even larger ones. I mentioned above that was me, and you can have a character who is a minor who looks more developed than others where its not gross and sexualized (jackie lynn thomas from svtfoe is an example, mami from madoka isnt really sexualized in canon from my memory) i think representaion of all body types abd breast sizes is important for young women but lydia isnt one of those characters even in canons where shes 15-17 and going through puberty.

Let lydia be a child jfc, stop being creepy and getting pissy when people draw lyida with the same breast cup in canon and make her look like the average teen/tween she is, that isnt misogyny its treating a character who is a minor appropriately.

The ACTUAL misogyny is over sexualizing and aging up a tween/teen character soley to do the horizontal monster mash with a adult charcter, write her so that she really only cares about said adult character and the spawn that pop out of her from him, she dies young but parents and friends who cares shes got beetlejuice!, Forget the entire life she leaving behind too, and giving her the body of a pixar mom or h*ntai protagonist a majority of the time.

Your performative white feminism is showing.

#beetlejuice #beetlejuice the musical #oops opinion time #oops opinion time!#fandom discourse #beetlejuice discourse #discourse #ship discourse #shipping discourse #sorryfor the rant/popping #working on requests and art #but rae darkemess demntia raven way openei #opened* her mouth to spew more word diarehha

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ambrossart · 5 years

Text

PAPER MEN

— CHAPTER 6

SUMMARY: All Evelyn Tozier wanted to do was make Derry High School a safer place for her kid brother. Well, somewhere between kissing Patrick Hockstetter and telling the principal to go f*** himself, things got a little off track. Now she’s stuck in the middle of a bizarre love triangle with two of Derry’s most troubled teens while her little brother and his friends hunt down a creepy, child-eating circus clown. This year, summer can’t come fast enough. PAIRINGS: Henry Bowers x Tozier!Sister; Patrick Hockstetter x Tozier!Sister WARNINGS: violence, profanity, sexual content, bullying, sexual assault, physical abuse, emotional abuse, all kinds of abuse, trauma, mental illness, implied/referenced self-harm, child death, angst, lots of angst, recreational drug use, underage drinking, underage sex, love triangles, toxic relationships, slow burn, slow build

WORD COUNT: 3,714

MASTERPOST

MASTERLIST

“Where’s your brother?” Evelyn heard her mother ask for the fifth time.

For the fifth time, Evelyn put down her pencil. Then she sighed. Her math homework would have to wait.

“He’s probably at the arcade,” she said, grasping the first thought that came to her mind. “Got sucked into another battle for some unreachable high score or something.” Street Fighter was her little brother’s latest obsession. He was determined to beat Grant Elmhirst’s top score. Fat chance of that. Grant was a camper. The guy practically lived at the arcade, and his pockets were always stuffed full of brass tokens. “In any case, I’m sure he’ll be home soon.” Richie never missed a homemade meal, even if it was something gross like tuna casserole.

“I hope so…”

Maggie Tozier was elbow-deep in soapsuds while a pot of water boiled on the stove. She leaned back to look at the clock. It was almost six. Strange, it wasn’t like Richie to be so late, not on a school day. He would usually come home around three-thirty and dig through the fridge for a snack, maybe even make himself a ham sandwich if that day’s lunch was especially unappealing. Then he would sit at the table and tell Maggie about his day while she scraped off egg and burnt-on grease from the morning’s dishes. She’d laugh at his jokes, pretend to understand them, and when he was finished, she’d take his dirty plate, and he’d run out the door again.

But he should have been home by now. Something wasn’t right.

Maggie threw down the sponge and rushed to the phone, her hands still dripping with soap. She dialed the Denbroughs’ number.

“Sharon, hi, it’s Maggie.” She twisted her finger around the coiled cord until the tip turned purple. “Hey, my kid isn’t over there, is he…? Oh, no, everything’s fine. He just hasn’t come home yet is all, and I thought he might be… Okay, yeah, I’ll try there next. Thanks. Buh-bye.”

She pushed down the switch and called Sonia Kaspbrak. If Richie wasn’t with Bill, then he was probably with Eddie.

“Hi, Sonia, sorry to bother you while you’re cooking, but I was just wondering if Richie was at your house. He hasn’t come home yet, and I’m starting to get a little concerned… Uh-huh… Okay… Wait, I’m sorry, what…? No, he doesn’t normally do this. He knows better than to… Oh, come on, you can’t be serious. I certainly do not let my kids run wild.”

Steam started seeping out from the pot. Evelyn got up and dumped in the noodles, gave them a stir, and set the timer for eight minutes.

“Look, my kids are perfectly well-behaved, okay? And you know what, I don’t appreciate you telling me how to raise my children. In fact, I don’t think you’re qualified to give anyone parenting advice, you crazy, judgmental bitch!”

Maggie slammed the phone on the hook and clawed through her hair with both hands. “My god, that woman is insufferable! Absolutely insufferable! Did you hear her? She had the nerve to call me a bad mother. Me!” She put her hands on her hips. “You know, Marge, if you didn’t work so much, maybe you’d have a better hold on your kids. Well, I’m sorry I have to work to put food on the table! Unlike you, I don’t get to sit on my ass and watch TV all day!”

Evelyn held in a laugh, but a small giggle escaped anyway. “Wow, let it all out, Mom. Tell us how you really feel.” She set the oven to 425.

“Oh, no.” Maggie sank into the nearest kitchen chair. The guilt was hitting her now, sitting in her stomach like a pound of spoiled beef. She felt like she was about to throw up. “Oh, I can’t believe I called her a bitch.”

“A crazy, judgmental bitch.” And everyone wonders where Richie gets his trashmouth. Her little brother would be so proud.

“Did I really say all of that out loud? Shit.” Maggie dropped her head into her palms. “She’ll never forget that.” Sonia Kaspbrak knew how to harbor a grudge better than anyone. When the boys were in elementary school, she shunned Maggie and Wentworth for a whole year just because Maggie dared to criticize her potato salad at the summer potluck. It was bland and watery, and it made her husband sick, so Maggie refused to apologize for something so silly. “Well, I don’t think Eddie will be allowed over here for a while, if ever.” She lifted her head and said in a pained voice, “Sweetie, can you take the wine out of the fridge, please?”

Evelyn grabbed the leftover chardonnay from Friday night’s dinner and poured her mother a generous glass. It was gone in three big gulps, vanishing before her eyes like one of the magic tricks her brother used to perform in the living room. And, poof, it’s gone, ladies and gentlemen! Have you ever seen anything so amazing?

Evelyn hated seeing her mother like this. “Do you want me to go look for Richie? I will if you want. I’ll go right now. I’m sure he just lost track of time.” Richie didn’t carry a wristwatch. He used to, but he kept breaking it.

“You’re probably right.” Besides, her husband would say, what kidnapper would want our son? Five minutes of his yapping and they’d drop him right back on our doorstep. You know I’m right. Sorry, Mags, looks like we’re stuck with the kid.

Maggie would have laughed if she wasn’t so close to tears. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just… you know, with everything that’s happened…”

“With the Durseys.” Evelyn understood. “You don’t have to apologize.”

It was around this time last year that Gracie Dursey went missing. Evelyn had seen her that afternoon while she was sitting on the porch and lacing up her skates. Gracie had wanted to come with her. (I’m good now, Evie! I almost never fall.) Next time, Evelyn promised. Next time, she and Gracie would do a couple of laps around the neighborhood and then get some ice cream at Barton’s. Mud pies were her favorite.

The kitchen timer beeped. Maggie Tozier got up to drain the pasta.

“I still feel guilty,” Evelyn said. “I know I shouldn’t, but I do. I should have just taken her with me.”

When she got back, Gracie was gone. Her pink tricycle was sitting at the end of the Durseys’ driveway, but Evelyn hadn’t thought much of it. She just assumed Gracie had forgotten to bring it in again.

“You couldn’t have known,” her mother said. “Nobody knew. Nobody thought it could happen here.” Derry was a safe, quiet town. That’s why she and Went decided to move there when Maggie found out she was pregnant. Everyone said it was a great place to raise children.

Raise them for the slaughter.

No. Maggie Tozier pushed that thought away.

“They moved today,” Evelyn said. “I still can’t believe it. Every time I look across the street, I expect to see their car out there. Stevie shooting his basketball. Gracie riding her tricycle, ringing that bell that drove everyone crazy.” (Ting!… ting-ling… Ting!) “Dad wanted to break the darned thing off.”

(Ting!… ting-ling…)

Click.

The front door was opening. Evelyn let out a relieved sigh. “That’s probably Richie.”

“It sure as hell better be.” Maggie closed the oven door and stormed out of the kitchen. Evelyn followed a few steps behind, knowing her little brother was about to get a good ripping. “Richard James Tozier, you had better have a damn good reason for being so—”

Both women gasped when they reached the entryway.

The front door was still open, letting in the evening breeze. Outside, a car engine revved and tires squealed. Richie shut out the sound with a hard slam of the door, throwing all his weight against it. Then he stayed like that for a while, with his forehead pressed against the door, back trembling, shoulders heaving as he panted. When he finally stepped away, a small smear of blood remained on the white paint.

Weird, Evelyn thought, it almost looked too bright to be blood. Was this another one of Richie’s dumb jokes? She was waiting for the punchline.

Her mother put her hand to her mouth. “Richie, what happened?”

His glasses were gone. Funny how that was the first thing Evelyn noticed. His face just didn’t look right without them.

“I, uh, fell off my bike,” he said, squinting. He lifted his chin to show off the scrape. “The chain came off again. Stupid piece of shit.” He choked out a laugh, then winced and clutched the left side of his face. A bruise had already started to form where his hand was, and his bottom lip was swollen and split at the left corner.

“You fell, huh?” Maggie put her hand on her hip. “And, what, the ground punched you?”

Richie nodded, sniffed, and rubbed his bloody nose with his fist.

Maggie Tozier looked like she had more to say, but all that came out was a heavy sigh. “Well, I hope you punched it back.” She put her arm around his shoulders and guided him toward the stairs. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up. I think I still have your old glasses in a case somewhere. Sure hope I do, or else you’ll be bumping into walls until we can get you a new pair.”

The stairs creaked as they went up together. Evelyn stayed below, haunted by the red mark on the door. It got bigger and bigger with every blink of her eyes.

“I think I might’ve sprained my wrist,” Richie said quietly.

“All right, we’ll take a look at that, too.” Maggie hugged him close. “I’m just glad you’re okay. You had me worried sick, you know. Did you walk all the way home?”

Evelyn suddenly remembered the car outside, how it had sped off in such a hurry.

“No,” said Richie, “I got a ride.”

David and Tabitha Criss lived five houses down, in a small cape cod with white siding and a glossy red door. It looked the same as when Evelyn was a kid, right down to the flower beds and the basketball hoop that no one ever used. Victor had never taken to sports, but Mr. Criss sure liked the way it looked in the driveway. He thought if he left it there long enough, Vic might one day pick up the ball and decide to give it a try. Eight years later, the ball was still in the garage, half-deflated and tucked in the corner behind the lawnmower that Mr. Criss had yet to fix.

Evelyn felt weird standing in front of the house now. The last time she visited, she wasn’t even tall enough to reach the tiny brass knocker.

This time, she decided to ring the doorbell.

“Just a minute!” Mrs. Criss called from inside. Her voice sounded exactly the same: light, sweet, and melodic. When she was a kid, Evelyn was convinced that Tabitha Criss was secretly a Disney princess. It was her go-to Halloween costume, after all.

But the woman who answered the door looked nothing like the cheerful princess from Evelyn’s memories. She looked exhausted and overworked, ready to pull out her hair at any moment. Mrs. Criss was wearing a dirty kitchen apron over a mustard yellow turtleneck that seemed a size too small for her now-chubby frame. She still wore her hair the same: long and feathered like one of those classic bombshells from the seventies, only now it was thinner and peppered with tiny specks of grey.

“Evelyn,” she said, her tired brown eyes sparking with life. “Wow, what a pleasant surprise! Look at you, all grown up and so tall and beautiful… Gosh, I almost didn’t recognize you!”

She had to say that, Evelyn thought, because that’s what adults did. Her aunt and uncle said something similar at Thanksgiving, and it made her feel a little awkward.

Evelyn forced a smile. “Sorry to bother you, Mrs. Criss—”

“Oh, it’s no bother. I’m just finishing up dinner. I’ve got chicken roasting in the oven and garlic mashed potatoes on the stove.” The smell was wafting out of the kitchen. It made Evelyn’s stomach growl. Mrs. Criss must have heard it because she immediately invited her to stay for dinner. “I made plenty, and we’d be more than happy to have you.”

It was a hard offer to turn down. “Thank you, but I have dinner waiting for me at home, actually. Tuna casserole.” Evelyn cringed a little as she said this. Her mother never was much of a cook. “Anyway, I was just wondering if Victor was home.”

“Oh.” She sounded disappointed. “Yes, actually, he came home just a bit ago. Went right up to his room because that’s what he does now.” She started laughing, but Evelyn didn’t get the joke. “Feel free to head on up. I’m sure you remember the way. Oh, but please take off your shoes before going upstairs. I just shampooed the carpet.”

Evelyn saw Vic’s dirty boots sitting on a rug near the door. “Sure thing, Mrs. Criss. Thanks.” She took off her shoes and placed them next to his before heading upstairs.

The stairway wall was covered with framed family pictures: Mr. and Mrs. Criss on their wedding day, old black-and-whites of long-deceased relatives, and of course, childhood portraits of their only son. Halfway up was a picture of Victor in the second grade. He had a horrendous bowl cut and a gap-toothed smile, but he looked happy, happier than she’d seen him in a long time. Evelyn couldn’t remember the last time she saw a genuine smile from Vic. Now he just always looked annoyed.

She took a left at the top of the stairs and opened the second door.

“Oh, sorry—”

At first, Evelyn thought she had accidentally stumbled into the wrong room. It was as dark as a cave and had this earthy, musky, almost skunky smell that made Evelyn’s nose wrinkle at her first whiff. She covered her nose with her sleeve and poked her head in. The walls were a dingy green and covered haphazardly with posters of bands that Evelyn didn’t recognize, and there was a guitar propped against the wall, but Vic didn’t play the guitar.

At least she didn’t think he did.

Then she noticed the teenage boy hunched over on the side of the bed. A plume of white smoke escaped his mouth as he glanced her way.

“Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding me…” Vic threw his head back and sighed. “What do you want, Evelyn?”

Evelyn saw the glass pipe in his hand and scoffed. “Of course you’re a stoner now. Why am I not surprised?”

Vic could hear the disappointment in her voice. On any other day, that might’ve shattered him, but today he simply didn’t care.

He took another hit.

“Does your mom know you smoke?”

“Obviously not.” Vic sounded smug. “What, you gonna tell her?”

“Maybe,” Evelyn threatened, but instead she walked in and closed the door.

Vic stayed on the bed, watching her tiptoe around his room like she was afraid to touch anything. Her arms were tightly crossed over her chest. That made him snicker. He didn’t blame her for being uncomfortable. Hell, I would be, too. He hadn’t been in her room since he was twelve, but now he found himself wondering what it looked like, if she still had that floral bedspread and all those stuffed animals she couldn’t sleep without.

Probably not. Vic had thrown out his toys, too.

He relit his pipe. “Sorry about the mess. If I’d known you were coming over, I would’ve tidied up.”

“It’s fine. I won’t stay long.” Evelyn shooed away the smoke when it crept her way. She didn’t want the smell to stick to her clothes.

“You wanna sit?” Vic asked, motioning toward the spot next to him on the bed. Evelyn scrunched up her face like he’d said something crazy. Was that such a weird offer? It wasn’t a problem when they were kids, but maybe it wasn’t appropriate now. Vic scratched his head. “What are you doing here, Evelyn?”

She turned away from the poster she had been staring at. “You know why I’m here. I wanna know what you guys did to my brother. He came home looking like someone beat the shit out of him.” And he got a ride, too. That part bothered her the most.

Vic snuck in a few more puffs before setting his pipe aside. “I’d rather not talk about that.” Not now. Not when he was finally starting to forget.

Evelyn took a step toward him. “Is that why you’re smoking, Vic? Feeling stressed? Maybe a little guilty?”

Her voice was getting louder, too loud for Vic to handle in his current state. He rubbed his forehead and said, “Look, I don’t wanna talk about it right now, Evelyn.” Today had been particularly exhausting. He just wanted a couple of hours to himself before he had to do it all over again tomorrow.

But Evelyn was never one to let things go. “Vic, please tell me you guys didn’t put him in that trunk.”

Vic’s eyes widened and his mouth went dry. “The trunk?”

(You’re gonna go for a little ride, buddy.)

(No! No, please!)

(Unlock the trunk, Belch.)

“Yes, the trunk, Victor!” Evelyn shouted. She was right in front of his face. “Did you guys put my brother in the trunk of your car?”

(No way, man. I’m not driving around with a kid in my trunk. Are you fucking crazy?)

“Did you?”

(I SAID, OPEN THE FUCKIN’ TRUNK!)

“Answer me, Vic!”

“NO!” Vic yelled, pushing himself to his feet. Evelyn staggered back. “I didn’t do anything, okay?”

Vic had tried to leave. He had walked away and left them all behind, but they caught up to him anyway. They pulled up along the side of the road, and Henry made him get back in the car. Vic had no choice but to sit there and listen to Richie Tozier screaming and pounding from inside the trunk. It went on forever, but…

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Exactly.” Evelyn gave him a light shove. “You didn’t do anything, Vic!”

There was a knock at the door. “Victor?” his mom called from outside. “Is everything okay in there? I heard raised voices.”

Vic ran his hand through his hair. “Everything’s fine, Mom.” He tried to sound calm. “Sorry about the noise. We’ll keep it down.”

“You two better not be fighting. Dinner’s almost ready. I made roast chicken!”

Vic rolled his eyes. “Okay, Mom, I’ll be down in a little bit.”

“Okay, okay. Evelyn, are you sure you don’t want to stay? It’s a lot of food for two people.”

Evelyn’s voice broke when she tried to answer. “No, thank you, Mrs. Criss. I gotta be heading home soon.”

“Well, all right…”

They waited for her to leave. Then Vic sat back down on the bed and prepared another bowl.

“I should call the cops,” Evelyn said, glaring at him. “You guys went way too far this time.”

“So go to the cops.” Vic didn’t care anymore. “Go ahead and tell them everything. But you know what’ll happen if you do. Do you really wanna get him into more trouble?”

Vic already knew the answer. The look on her face said it all. He gave his lighter a flick.

“You know, I’m really disappointed in you, Vic. Sometimes I feel like I don’t even know you anymore.”

“That makes two of us.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know what it means.”

“Whatever.”

Evelyn was halfway out the door when Vic spoke again.

“So, do your friends know?” He took a big hit from his pipe while Evelyn stood in the doorway, silent. Vic looked her way and blew out all the smoke. “I’m thinking no, huh? Good call. Don’t think they’d be too happy to hear you’re fucking around with Henry Bowers.”

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

Maybe not, but Vic knew what he saw. He couldn’t get the image out of his head.

“Hey, I’m not judging you. Do what you want, kid, but at least be honest about it, you know? Quit acting so innocent. It’s getting kind of pathetic.”

Pathetic?

“Fuck you,” Evelyn spat, backing away. “I can’t believe I actually thought we could be friends again.”

Vic shrugged. “We were never really friends to begin with. Jimmy’s the one who wanted you around, not me.”

Vic knew that would hurt her, but still, he wasn’t prepared for the shitty feeling that came after she slammed the door.

Mrs. Criss heard Evelyn coming down the stairs. “Evelyn, is that you?”

Evelyn wiped her runny nose on her sleeve. “Yeah, I’m leaving, Mrs. Criss. It was real nice seeing you.”

“It was nice seeing you, too! Hold on, let me give you a proper goodbye.”

“No, I really have to go.” She didn’t want the woman to see her all puffy-eyed and splotchy. “I’ll tell my mom you said hi, okay? Maybe you two can get together soon. Have lunch or something.”

“Oh, that’d be nice! You should all come over for dinner sometime. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

“Sounds good.” Evelyn shoved her feet into her shoes and reached for the doorknob, but just as she was about to turn it, a terrible yet tempting thought entered her mind. She was too angry to ignore it.

She released the doorknob and walked toward the kitchen. “Hey, Mrs. Criss?”

The woman was busy mashing potatoes by hand while her chicken rested on a cutting board. She stopped when Evelyn came in and smiled. “Did you forget something, sweetie?”

“Yeah, actually.” Evelyn sucked in a breath. “Your, uhh, your son is upstairs smoking pot.”

Mrs. Criss’s smile seemed to have gotten stuck from the shock. It was tight and stretched to the point where it looked uncomfortable. Then, suddenly, her right eye started to twitch.

Evelyn nodded. “Yeah. Thought you’d wanna know.”

_____________________

PREV // CURRENT // NEXT

#it fanfiction #henry bowers #henry bowers fanfiction #patrick hockstetter #patrick hockstetter fanfiction #bowers gang #belch huggins #richie tozier #the losers club #it chapter one #it chapter two #paper men #victor criss

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crowdedimagines · 5 years

Text

Bachelor - David Dobrik

word count:1752

“Are you sure you’re cool with this babe?” David asks, leaning over the edge of the couch so he could look at my face.

“Of course, David.” I laugh, rolling my eyes, “It’s for charity! It’s a good thing you’re doing, I’m not going to be mad about this.”

David was asked by a local charity to participate in a bachelor auction. We had yet to let our relationship go public, we had no reason to tell them no. Both of our fans are none the wiser to our relationship being more than friendly. To the world he really was an actual eligible bachelor.

“Okay, I’ll go tell them that I’m in.”

He walks away to make a phone call, agreeing to participate. I’m not typically the jealous type, but thinking about David taking someone else on a date makes me slightly nervous.

A couple of weeks pass and suddenly it’s the night of the auction. Natalie and I and a few of the guys are going for fun. We want to support David, and I want to see who buys him for the night.

“So what date did you plan?” I ask as David drives to the location.

“Nothing too special, don’t worry.” He laughs looking away from the road to glance at me.

Our friends know about our relationship and find it slightly weird that I’m letting him do this. I trust him and it’s for charity. It’s not that big of deal, right?

“Okay, I have to go backstage.” David presses a kiss to my cheek and runs off.

“Good luck!” I yell, hoping he heard it.

We all find our seats, there’s more people here than I thought there would be. Lots of young men and women.

“You are a better girlfriend than I would be.” Natalie says before taking a swig of her drink.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Honey, you are letting any of these young ladies take home your man tonight. In front of you.” Zane explains what Natalie was insinuating.

I didn’t think about that. It didn’t even cross my mind that I was going to have to watch them leave together. Watch whoever they are get my boyfriend for the night.

“I’m sorry!” Natalie places a hand on my arm, “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just meant that you’re a really trusting person.”

I nod and before I can say much else the auction begins. Several guys get auctioned off, varying in fame. David was supposed to go around the middle of the show, a few higher celebrities still after him.

“And next we have your favorite vlogger, David Dobrik!” The auctioneer cheers, women scream and yell like they have been doing all night. David walks out, strutting his stuff on the runway.

“David has night planned to release your inner child. With arcade games, laser tag, and then pizza back at his home.”

The crowd gets loud once again. I roll my eyes and David catches it, I didn’t know he was looking at me. He had been posing dorkily this whole time. He points to me and starts dramatically dancing. I can’t stop laughing now that everyone knows he’s trying to capture my attention.

“Let’s start the bidding.” It commences, “Five hundred dollars to start.”

“Five hundred.” A woman raises her paddle.

“Eight hundred.”

I didn’t expect so many people to pick up so quickly, not that I doubt David. He’s an attractive man who planned a cute date. The women are totally eating up the show he’s putting on.

“Two thousand dollars.” One lady finally stands, grabbing everyone’s attention.

I look over to the person who is likely to win now. She looks a little older than us, but not creepy old. She pulls at her dress, trying to show off more skin. She’s practically looking at him like a meal.

David looks at her and then looks back at me and whispers a single ‘help’. I shake my head no, there’s no way he’s backing out now. He pleads with his eyes in the direction of our table.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I mutter.

“Baby, are you gonna make him go with her?” Heath asks with raised brows.

“Two thousand dollars.” The auctioneer repeats.

“Going once, going twice-”

“Three thousand dollars.” I reluctantly hold up my paddle, the paddle that I hadn’t planned on using.

“Three thousand dollars.” The auctioneer repeats.

The woman glares at me and I simply shrug back at her. She quickly grabs her purse and starts looking inside it. Before she has the chance to jump in with another offer, my sale goes through. She lets out an annoyed huff once he yells sold.

“I can’t believe he made me do that.” I turn back to face the rest of the table.

“I can, the lady would’ve eaten David alive.” Natalie looks back at her, she’s still glaring at us every couple of seconds.

The rest of the bachelors go through and soon enough they all come out and find their dates for the night. David comes out and walks over to our table.

“Thank you thank you thank you.” He pulls me in for a hug.

I laugh and hug him back.

“She had such a crazy look in her eyes.” He shivers for a second making me laugh harder.

“Alright casanova, let’s go.” I smack his shoulder lightly with my clutch.

“M’lady.” He does a weird bow and takes my hand in his to lead back to his car. He walks around and opens the door for me, something he hasn’t done in a few months of dating. He begins driving to the arcade.

“You know, my girlfriend would be pretty jealous right now.” David says, starting a little game for the night. Looks like we don’t know each other.

“Girlfriend? I thought that was a bachelor auction?” I ask, playing along.

“Yeah, she’s pretty chill though. She’s great for letting me do this.”

“Yeah, you sound lucky to have such an amazing girlfriend.” I tease. David breaks for a few seconds to laugh at the comments I’m making about myself.

“Yeah, she’s pretty great.”

We finally get there and David buys tokens for us to start playing games.

“So, how long have you lived in L.A?” David asks.

“A few years. I moved out after I graduated, wanted to follow my dream.” I smile.

“What’s your dream?” David is moving the crane around on the game while still asking questions like we are getting to know each other.

“Acting, first and foremost. Right now I just like making videos for my fans.”

“Youtube? I thought I had seen you around before.”

I breakout in a laugh, finally cracking for a second.

We move on to play several other games.

“Laser tag?” I ask.

“Lead the way.” He gestures with his hand for me to go.

We walk through the arcade filled with kids and teens on a Friday night. The laser tag room is in the back.

“Do you guys want to be on the same team?” The worker asks. He walks over to a wall of vests and guns for the game.

I smirk at David before answering, “Different teams.”

“Oh, so you like competition?” David asks, pulling on a smirk for himself.

“I live for competition.” I bite my lip. It’s fun starting over like this, as if we don’t know so many things about the other.

“Me too.” He gets red while I grab blue. We walk over to our teams and they explain the rules before we go in.

“I hope you like losing.” I say with a laugh before running away from him. The whole room is decked out on neon. I think it’s supposed to look like an alien planet. I’m more focused on shooting anyone associated with the color red.

I get several kids, which makes me feel slightly bad. I’m an adult, it’s not exactly fair. I haven’t seen David yet. I make it over to the red territory.

“David.” I sing, knowing that he’s close by.

Suddenly someone picks me up by the waist and spins around. I scream with laughter.

“David, put me down.” He laughs too before setting me down, he presses me right against the closest wall.

We’re both breathing heavy, he’s leaning against me heavily.

“So, how would your girlfriend feel about this?” I ask, looking down at our bodies touching.

“I’m not sure she would mind.” He leans in closer.

“I don’t think she would either.” I lean in close, our lips brush against each other. Instead of connecting our lips I shoot him.

“You’re evil.” David mutters as we walk towards the exit.

“Awe, someone’s a sore loser.” I pretend to pout with him.

We finish up a few games before getting back in the car to go home.

“That was fun.” I smile, I reach over to run my hand through his hair. It’s something I know he loves that I do.

“Yeah, I loved it.”

We make it home, Natalie and the others came back here.

“The pizzas are on the counter.” Natalie informs us from the couch.

“How was the date?” Mariah asks.

“It was fun!” I smile, setting down the stuffed animal David won for me on the pool table.

“Y/n plays dirty!” David complains.

I roll my eyes before biting into a piece of pizza. We walk into the living room to join everyone else.

“David is just a sore loser.”

“So was it worth three-thousand dollars?” Zane asks laughing.

I look over at David.

“I would have to say yes. David is worth more than that anyway.” I admit.

“Awe, baby.” He pulls me into his chest to kiss the top of my head.

“That’s cute.” Natalie comments.

“I know, way to make Natalie and I sad about being single.” Zane steals the pizza from my hand to take a bite.

“Hey! You can’t steal from my girl.” David yells at Zane.

“What are you going to do about it?” Zane asks, taunting David with the pizza as he bites it.

“Where’s my paintball gun?” David gets up and runs to go get it.

This is my life with David. It’s never about releasing your inner child because David still is a child at heart. It’s part of why I love him so much. He makes him chasing Zane around the house with a paintball gun feel so normal.

#david dobrik imagines #david dobrik imagine #david dobrik x you #david dobrik gif #david dobrik x reader #david x reader #david dobrik x read #david dobrik #vlog squad #vlog squad imagines #natalie mariduena #zane hijazi #the bachelor

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craigorytuckerr · 5 years

Text

Guten Nacht, Krampus!

I apologize for the delay, but this is my Craig and those guys secret santa for @ladies-man-donovan! They wanted the guys enjoying a movie and having a sleepover, but my mind got this funny idea and lets just say they somewhat enjoyed the movie ;) Lightly based on the time I was at the nail salon getting my nails done and they put Krampus on and I was forced to watch the entire movie. I hope you enjoy and sorry again for the delay!!

It was a silent Christmas tradition between the four of them. It started when they were kids, but now that they were in college…well, who were they kidding? Now that they were in college, it was the best time of their lives to have this tradition. The weekend before Christmas, Craig and his friends would all get together to have a sleepover and watch movies…bad movies. The catch of this entire tradition? It had to be bad Christmas movies. Each year it was one person’s responsibility to select what they believed to be the worst Christmas movie for them to watch together, and that said person this year was none other than Jimmy.

“I-It’s shit! My-My mom stopped on it l-l-last week and it was h-horrible!”

“I don’t fuck with it! No way no how are we watching that!”

Of course, the one to protest a Christmas horror movie would be Clyde.

“You mean to tell me you’re actually afraid of Krampus?”

Leave it to Token to ask the logical question that was on everyone’s minds.

“Yes! Look, my mom was-like-half German and she would tell me about Krampus all the time when I was little! I don’t fuck with Krampus! I don’t care how bad you say it is, I am not watching this movie!”

Craig hummed low in his throat as he ate his popcorn, enjoying Clyde’s tantrum more than anything.

“It’s Jimmy’s year to pick the movie, dude. What he picks is what he picks.”

“Craig, c’mon, you know I’m a wimp!”

“I would’ve said pussy, but yes.”

“Mean, but-!”

“Clyde,” Token pinched the bridge of his nose as he stood, grabbing the DVD case from Jimmy. “Just suck it up and hide behind a pillow if need be.”

“What?! No-no c’mon, guys!”

“C-Clyde, buddy, y-y-you’ll be fine! Snuggle u-up with me.” Jimmy teased, lifting his arm up as an invitation for Clyde. Seeing it was obvious he wasn’t going to win this fight, Clyde whined low in his throat, swallowed his pride, and plopped himself on the couch next to Jimmy.

“I hate you guys…”

“No you don’t.” They all said in unison, Token and Craig shifting on the other couch to try and get comfortable. The movie started up, the first twenty minutes or so pretty tame, but things quickly started to grow…uneasy.

“Oh that’s right, Krampus, like, steals kids.” Craig said nonchalantly, Clyde sputtering from behind his blanket.

“YES that’s why I hate this concept!”

“What if Krampus stole you as a child?”

“CRAIG!”

Blinking at the shout, Craig went to speak but shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s a legit question.”

“That insinuates that Krampus is real and I don’t want to think about a world where that’s true.”

“Oh! That kid is super dead.” Token laughed, Clyde’s eyes widening as he dared looked at the screen. Sure enough, he looked just in time to see one of the kids get dragged up the chimney.

“NO! No no no no-okay-I can’t-!”

“J-Just put y-your blanket up, dude!” Jimmy laughed, grabbing Clyde and tugging him back down as he stood up.

“I can hear it!”

“Clyde, it legit isn’t that scary. Just give it a chance!” Token snickered as he motioned to the screen. “Look! They got weapons now…somehow.”

“They’re in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, they’re white, and their familial instincts are kicking in. They definitely have guns.” Craig said around a mouth full of popcorn.

“Okay-I-okay. If I can make it through this movie, what do I get?”

“I’ll buy you a case of beer.” Token said as he grabbed a fistful of popcorn from Craig.

“Hmm…okay…deal.” He spoke through gritted teeth, but Clyde would do anything for free beer. Lowering his blanket, Clyde kept the fabric fisted in his hands as the movie progressed, trying to hide his fear as time went on.

“O-Oh! You-You guys will love t-this next part. It-it’s so cheesy.” Jimmy pointed to the screen for emphasis, making sure everyone was paying attention as the kids went up the steps to check on their sister who’s been missing for some time now,

“Why did they send the kids up if the thing hunting them wants to kill kids?” Craig asked. Token let out a laugh, stretching his arms above his head.

“For the drama, Craig. Don’t you know anything about Hollywood m-?”

“WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!” To everyone’s surprise, it was Craig that screamed this time and not Clyde.

“…oh my god.” Clyde whispered, everyone looking at Craig, who quickly scrambled behind the couch.

“Are you not ALARMED at the fact a JACK IN THE BOX is EATING that CHILD?!” His voice was high and squeaky, panic settling in as he peaked over the back of the couch.

“Craig, he isn’t that scary!” Clyde mocked, and he really wasn’t, but then he remembered that Craig really has a distaste for clowns.

So…this made sense.

“What the fuck do you mean he isn’t that scary?! Look at him! He-oh my god-he’s a snake! Who in Hollywood thought this was-?!”

“Ew! Ew! EW oh my gOD, I HATE THAT!” Token grimaced as a creepy looking angel doll opened her mouth, long and pointed tongue coming out to lick at the woman’s face.

“G-Guys, c’mon!” Jimmy gasped out, laughing harder at his friends than the movie at this point. Everything escalated so quickly, the movie continuing on at a pretty quick speed which, in return, made for some great reactions from Token and Craig.

“So, Omi just sacrifices herself to Krampus?!”

“Now they have to run through the snow?! Fuck that!”

“He is shooting in the snow and nothing is-OH MY GOD he’s dEAD!”

“The kids made it! They-WHAT?! The car isn’t star-RUN! NO! OH MY GOD!”

“So, they’re just in HELL now?! Wait! They’re fine?! It was a dREAM?!”

Clyde had forgotten all about the movie and was more focused on watching his friends that are usually so well put together…well, fall apart. Finally, after a long two hours (at least for Token and Craig), they were all settling in to go to sleep, Token and Craig still holding onto one another.

“When do you want to get me that case of beer, Token?” Clyde teased as he stood, grabbing Jimmy’s crutches for him.

“Ah…eventually.” He whispered, Craig running his hands down his face.

“Why was that stupid ass movie an emotional rollercoaster?”

“B-Because it-it is shit but entertaining s-shit.” Jimmy chuckled.

As Clyde dragged the two air mattresses over, he took a moment to watch as Token and Craig carefully tucked their blankets up to their chin on their respective couches. After helping Jimmy lower himself to the mattress, he nodded his head behind them towards their friends, Jimmy snickering as he saw them.

“Anyone need anything before I lie down?” Clyde asked as he moved to turn the lights off.

“No.” Craig and Token said together, trying to hide their gasps as the lights turned off. Before lying down, Clyde made sure to give each of them a kiss on the cheek, making sure it was very wet and sloppy.

“Gross, dude.” Craig groaned.

“Ew, what the fuck?!”

Clyde settled himself onto the mattress next to Jimmy, sighing as he closed his eyes without a care in the world.

“Guten Nacht, meine freunde! Krampus liebt dich!”

#craig tucker #token black #clyde donovan #jimmy valmer #craig and those guys secret santa #craig and those guys #south park #south park mention #south park fanfiction #about me #my post #my text post #my fanfiction #my writing #one shot #crowded-skies

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screensirenfic · 5 years

Text

Black Leather - Chapter 26

So maybe today had passed slower than most days at Charlie’s, but that had everything to do with the fact that replacing brake pads was a bitch of a task to do, and nothing to do with the fact that every waking minute waiting for Billy felt like an hour.

I mean; I couldn’t stop grinning the whole time like an idiot, but that wasn’t because of Billy. I was just happy and shit; and...

Fuck; who the hell was I kidding?

Billy had managed to turn me into a giggling school girl by just asking me on a date.

It was stupid, and dumb, and childish; but fuck, if I wasn’t the happiest girl in Hawkins right now.

Even the fact I had to strip and replace the rotors by hand couldn’t put a damper on things; the black grease that coated my arms up to the elbows, a minor setback on what otherwise could’ve been the perfect day.

Magic By The Cars was playing on the radio, and I hummed along with it happily; hands steadily working at tightening some callipers beneath the truck whilst my mind was half a world away; daydreaming of sun kissed smiles and bright blue eyes.

I heard some heavy footsteps by my legs, and my heart immediately skipped a beat.

It could’ve easily just been Johnny come to make another half assed joke about the limited reach of my arms, but I could still hear his angle grinder halfway across the shop.

I couldn’t keep a smile from my face, because damnit; he was early, but I wasn’t gonna complain. He’d been occupying my thoughts all day, and I couldn’t wait to get in his car and...

My train of thought got cut short as a foot landed on the bottom of my creeper board, right between my legs, then began to slowly roll me out from under the car.

“I thought we agreed six thirty...” I protested as I lowered my tools to get a good look at him, even though the protest was more token than anything else.

Excitement and something deeper coiled in my stomach as my head surfaced from beneath the chassis, then dropped away like a pile of bricks at the last moment.

There was pretty boy standing at the foot of my board, hands on his hips waiting for me to emerge, but not the one I’d been expecting.

“Steve..?” I said; the word halfway between a question and a statement as I took in the familiar sight of too high hair and luxury sports casual.

“And kid I don’t know...” I continued; my eyes trailing from the figure of my best friend, to a kid about three heads shorter, but with enough curls to match Steve in hair height, if not for that stupid hat.

Since when had Steve taken up babysitting?

“Not that I don’t appreciate the visit, but why the hell are you here?” I asked; pretty sure I hadn’t agreed to do anything with Steve tonight, and very concerned that my two prospective pretty boys might run into one another and start shit again.

Steve looked at the kid for a sec; a look of uncertainty passing over his face, and I began to wonder exactly what brand of shit he’d managed to drag himself into.

There was no way in hell that Steve would be here for any other reason than a service on a weekend.

That, or maybe there was something serious on his mind, but then why the hell was the kid here?!

“You got a minute...” Steve asked, and though I probably should’ve refused considering the insane amount of overtime I was supposed to be doing anyway, Steve looked concerned, and I owed enough to him these past couple of weeks that I should be there when he needed me.

“Yeah. Sure.” I agreed, putting down my tools on the floor beside me.

Steve held up an open hand, and I took it, allowing him to pull me to my feet with minimal struggle. I grabbed the rag off the truck’s hood, wiping the grease from my arms before asking;

“So do you wanna do this in the car?”

——————————————————-

This was insane.

I had to be dreaming. I must’ve breathed in too many gas fumes back at the shop, and I was currently unconscious, because there was no way any of what Steve just told me was true.

“So let me get this straight...” I said; my voice still not managing not to drip with incredulousness as I sat in the middle of the backseat of Steve’s BMW, the chassis vibrating slightly as we tore down deep county roads.

“You decided it was a good idea to go into some creepy old basement...” I began, my eyes immediately fixing on one Steve Harrington, who I honestly believed was some sort of realistic hallucination, because I still didn’t buy a second of his bullshit story.

“Because some kid who’s friends with Nancy’s brother told you there was some monster down there?” I continued; my attention switching to the kid in question sat in the passenger seat who I now knew was called Dustin; and played Dnd or something with Mike Wheeler.

“Not thought. There was. I trapped it down there.” Corrected... Dustin, spinning round in his seat to see me, and hold on; why did the twelve year old get to ride shotgun?

I spun my focus back to Steve, unwilling to have a debate on what was real and what was imaginary with a literal child.

“Okay. So you went down there, planning to do Christ knows what, but it had already escaped and left behind its skin...” I continued to repeat what I’d been told; a mixture of disgust and disbelief colouring my words, because if this was some kind of practical joke; it was gross and Steve was so dea—

“Yes; yes. I know; I thought it sounded crazy too.” Steve interrupted; his voice filled with chargrin, as if my disbelief was something he’d expected, but really didn’t have the patience to deal with; and maybe Steve wasn’t making this shit up.

“So now we’re going to ki—“ I continued; only to be interrupted by the kid.

“Ah, ah, ah...” He interjected; because this so called “baby demogorgon” had been his pet; and what kind of fucking idiot takes a look at a fucking demonic slug and thinks it’s cute?!

I sighed, restraint wearing thin, before continuing my train of thought before the kid had a chance at raising any more helpful observations.

“And we’re going to catch this thing with a nail bat and some pastrami; and how exactly was this plan meant to work?” I trailed off into a question, because although Steve wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, I’d at least expected something a little better than lure it in with lunch meat then hit it over the head with a baseball bat.

“It’s the best I could come up with on short notice...” Steve defended himself; sounding less than convinced on his “master plan”.

“Besides not all of us are the spawn of Sonny & Rico...” He began to make a cheap cop joke about my dad; only for the child mega mouth on legs to come flying in with another comment.

“Wait; you’re the Chief’s daughter?!” The kid exclaimed as if it wasn’t one of the most well known facts of the town.

“Yeah...” I replied, before quickly returning to the conversation at hand, because usually when people got worked up about my dad; it was for one of three reasons, and considering this was a twelve year old boy I was talking about; it probably wasn’t about being stood up at the movies.

“Wow; that’s wicked awesome. You know; I hadn’t even realised, but now that I think about it—“ The ki... Dustin began to ramble again,; and hero worship it was, but I really didn’t have time for this.

“That’s great, kid; but can we go back to the fact that there’s a baby monster who might possibly try to kill us!” Steve interrupted before I got the chance, ending up near yelling at the kid; and I was finally beginning to believe that this all wasn’t a hoax.

“Back to your plan...” I restarted; knowing now would be a good time to get this show back on the road before I had to break up a cage match between an annoyingly dumb brunette and an equally annoying child genius, who still wasn’t smart enough to follow basic horror movie logic.

“Harrington; this is half baked, even for you.” I stated matter-of-factly; Steve not at all deflated against my slight insult.

“I’m open to suggestions.” Steve admitted with a sigh, not knowing that was the exact opening I was waiting for.

“And I’m open for business...” I countered with a grin, leaning forward between the seats, because Steve Harrington may be a noble dunce when it comes to well thought through plans, but I was a Hopper; and if there was one thing a Hopper could do, it was battle strategy.

“Take a left up on ninth.” I instructed; Steve taking the turning without argument , because he trusted my judgment when it came to this sort of shit.

If we were gonna take down this fucker; we were gonna need meat, lots and lots of meat.

#stranger things #stranger things 2 #stranger things fandom #stranger things2 #stranger things oc #original character #fanfiction #fanfic #strangerthingsfanfiction #strangerthingsfanfic #jim hopper daughter #hopper daughter #Billy Hargrove #billy hargove x reader #billy hargrove fanfiction #steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #dustin henderson

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incorporval · 5 years

Text

hi hi everyone ! i’m kacchan , ya know , like the insufferable gremlin from bnha ! i try not to be as insufferable & i cry a lot easier than the other kacchan ! n e way , i’m twenty - three & am from canada so that puts me in the cst timezone ! i go by they / them pronouns ! fun fact about me : i am the oldest out of twelve siblings ! now , onto ruuska , who’s like a lil spooky fae creature where i intended a creepy lil ghost person so ... n e way ! i would luv to plot & u can reach me on d*scord @ shounen anime protagonist#7316 !

A BEDTIME STORY

☾ — ◦ ❈「 never leave any stone unturned when venturing into the wild area ! poke your head in every nook & cranny , there’s all sorts of treasures that you could find ! always check the den in the watchtower ruins ! you never know what will be in that nest ! yes , nest ! you see ... years ago , a child was found in that den ! the child has since called it their nest ! 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 the story goes a little something like this ... don’t worry , it’s not that scary at all ! a gym challenger was training in the wild area . she had a knack for ghost - type pokemon so she would often camp near the watchtower ruins . it was a rainy day , but you know how that doesn’t stop gym trainers in the slightest . she checked in the den to see if there were any treasures & instead found a child ! they were eating a pile of berries as though they were a pokemon themself ! before she could get too close , a wild gastly challenged her & drove her away ! 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 when the gym challenger nursed all her pokemon back to health , she went back to the den but the child & the gastly were gone . instead , an antidote was left . i think it was an apology . because , the gastly was actually the child’s companion , you see . the gastly was just protecting its master . 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 the gym challenger always checked the den every time she went back to the wild area . but the child was never there . she’s found all sorts of different treasures inside , though . it wasn’t until she camped in the nearby woods months later & was cooking something real sweet that she saw the child again ! the child was attracted to the scent of her cinnamon rolls . they ate with their hands & pulled with their teeth . when they had their fill , they pulled out an antidote from the folds of their rags to give to the gym challenger . 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 the gym challenger managed to coax the child back to motostoke . the gym challenger fell in love with such a strange little child who always had a gastly following them . once in the city , the gym challenger washed them & clothed them, fed them & taught them . however , she heard other gym challengers mention that the little creature who would give antidotes in exchange for berries left the wild area . it helped out other gym trainers as much as it helped her , see . she went & captured one of the wild area’s treasures & everyone was the lesser for it. 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 the last gift that the gym challenger gave the child was a name . ruuska . yes , that ruuska ! the gym trainer at the stow - on - side gym ! ruuska was found at the watchtower ruins & taken in by one of the gym challengers who lived there ! with her , they learned how to read & speak ! for years , even after they found a home , they would travel & leave antidotes on window sills in exchange for sweet berries & cinnamon rolls . they would climb trees & howl in the middle of the night just like when they were a child . i heard that if you don’t show your resolve as a pokemon trainer & they’re out , they’ll find you & spook you so bad that you’ll jump out of your skin ! ruuska’s as quiet as a ghost when they want to be . 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 oh dear ... am i hearing that right ? ruuska is leaving for crystelia ? i’m glad for them but ... i am going to miss hearing the stories of ruuska , the little keeper of watchtower ruins . i hope they adjust well to life there . they aren’t all that adept at city life. even though they’re eighteen now , they still don’t have a very good grasp of money or courtesy . it’s no wild area , that’s for sure . 」

PERSONALITY

☾ — ◦ ❈「 ruuska roh is a ghost - type gym trainer who was raised by ghost pokemon until they were about six or seven & was found by a gym challenger when she was training ! the gym challenger at the time only was about 15 or 16 but ruuska hails her as a sort of parent ! 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 ruuska was allowed to come & go with the gym challenger , as she was often travelling , too ! it’s not like ruuska couldn’t survive on their own but the gym challenger really wanted them to have a home ! thus , the stories of ruuska coming during twilight to leave antidotes as tokens of kindness spread across galar ! 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 ruuska speaks in third person & often in very simple language . big words confuse them & they aren’t all that adept in media & technology . when crystelia sent out their plea for help , ruuska was quick to volunteer because they knew what it was like to feel helpless . they didn’t want anyone to feel the same . 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 they are extremely curious & love to learn , though it takes incredible patience to teach them anything . they have no manners nor any concept of personal space , though it can seem endearing from their constant apologies . they have trouble understanding other people’s emotions , as survival never called for complexity . they are agile & quick . their battle style is feral & almost cruel , very unlike their docile appearance otherwise . only when a winner is declared do they return back to a cheerful although rather dim person . they hold no ill will towards people who best them & often will give berries to their victorious opponents as a sign of submission . those who lose against them will receive antidotes , no matter what . 」

POTENTIAL PLOTS

☾ — ◦ ❈「 unrequited crush : not on ruuska , i luv luv luv unrequited crushes on my muses’ part . i THRIVE on that shit ! give ruuska someone to have a crush on & they don’t understand such feelings & act out like the child they used to be when they’re around them ! 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 friends / rivals from galar : ruuska was quite well known because of their origin story & their fae - like nature . they like the concept of friends but not everyone can be . a classic rival plot where they always end up arguing because maybe ruuska scared them while they were camping or they didn’t take too kindly to ruuska’s brash nature in taking things . 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 master / tutor : ruuska is not the smartest in very well anything . because of this , they need a lot of guidance . so , people who can help them by teaching them about technology , finances & common etiquette would be most appreciated by ruuska ! 」

☾ — ◦ ❈「 i am always down to BRAINSTORM ideas , too ! i luv coming up w headcanons & listening to ramblings so pleathe , let’s work something out together ! 」

#crystelia.intro #☾ — ◦ ❈ files / roh ruuska.#pretty sure ruuska is a changeling BUT nothing has been confirmed

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constantlyirksome · 6 years

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Are you Cool Enough to Join the Umbrella Academy? (Season 1, no spoiler review.

Have you heard the one about the astronaut, the talking monkey and the violinist? Last week Netflix released it’s newest superhero offering, “The Umbrella Academy,” originally an indie comic written by Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance fame. Published by Dark Horse Comics, this is one of the first adaptions from an independent publisher, untethered to the Marvel or DC cinematic universe. Publishers aside The Umbrella Academy has enough unique style and story element to attract anyone suffering from SHFF (SuperHero Film Fatigue.) The story revolves around a family of six siblings, born across the globe to mothers who weren’t pregnant the day before, who all possess certain super human talents. Brought together by a careless billionaire scientist who wanted to build an army of super children, the now estranged siblings have to come together once again when their dear old dad kicks the bucket. As family secrets are revealed, tensions between the group become palpable, as they struggle to deal with past traumas, while trying to come together to save the world from a deadly fate. For the most part the six siblings are all very unique, from both each other and a lot of the other types of heroes you’d see from the Big Two studio. There’s Luther (Tom Hopper), an astronaut with super human strength. Alison (Emmy Raver-Lapman) is a glamorous movie star, who has built her life using her power to persuade others to do what she wants. Diego is an expert knife thrower who still moonlights as a vigilante. Klaus (Robert Sheehan), the family’s black sheep, is a drug addict who can talk to dead people. Vanya (Ellen Page) is the only sibling with no evident superpowers and is told by her father often and at length that she is nothing special. Number 5 is a time and space traveller who disappeared when the group were little, and he reappears in the present, looking just like the 13 year old who disappeared decades earlier. There was a seventh sibling, Ben (Justin H. Min) who died mysteriously while 5 was absent, and is now a ghost who can only talk to Klaus. He was the strongest, able to conjure ancient beasts from his skin to smash up bad guys. The central plot revolves around an upcoming apocalypse prophesized by five to happen in one week. Sometimes this main plot point becomes a little thin in early episodes as the siblings are distracted with their own troubles, and a clear way forward isn’t really established until mid way through. The second half pushes forward hard and fast as the apocalypse approaches, and relationships begin to splinter. While the first few episodes lack clear purpose they act as a good six origin stories, which help the season feel like both a beginning, there’s enough action and intent to make it a possible stand alone if there are no more seasons. As superpowers go the group have a pretty stacked deck. In a team there are usually a few cool powers and a few trained assassins, or a super genius. The members of the Academy however are all strong, powers honed by their strict father to be the perfect weapons. Super strength isn’t anything new but Luther makes up for it with a super ego and a super sense of self-importance. Diego is the Hawkeye of the group power wise personally if I had siblings who could conjure the dead or teleport, throwing knives would seem pretty lame. Each sibling carries on their own side story, the outlines how their powers have in some way or another ruined their lives. Obviously Ben had it the worst because he, well, died but most of the others have highly compelling stories. Alison used her powers on too many wrong people, leaving her personal life in shambles. Klaus, so haunted and terrorised by the dead, had to take up drugs to drown out the noise. Number 5 was ripped away from his family and spent, let’s just say, a lengthy amount of time trying to get back, and is now being hunted down by time cops Cha-Cha (Mary J Blige) and Hazel (Cameron Britton.) Diego and Luther however lack any sort of story worth getting teary over. Perpetual man children who never grew out of wanting to be the hero, they spend much of the season bickering, swinging their metaphorical dicks around and generally not helping the situation. While David Casteñeda does an admirable job of injecting Diego with some much needed heart, Luther’s character falls flat in almost every category. You almost want to root against him the way he mistreats people and feels sorry for himself. (Fake looking muscles and a weird sub-plot with incestuous undertones don’t help at all. Technicalities or no, the uncomfortable relationship between Luther and Allison is creepy and makes both characters slightly off-putting. While Aidan Gallagher plays Number five with a perfect mix of teenage snark and a world weariness that comes only after you’ve seen some shit, it’s Page and Sheehan who carry much of the seasons emotional heavy lifting. Sheehan, known mainly for his roll as the scene stealing Nathan from the show Misfits, once again steals the show as Klaus. Kooky yet troubled, hilarious yet haunted, the actor is mesmerising as he stumbles, high usually, through life. Without knowing his full backstory you can tell, through glances or certain lines, that this character is deeply disturbed, and not just a token junkie. He also is one half of the most touching, if not woefully under-developed, relationships toward the end of the series as Number 5’s time hopping shenanigans start to affect his siblings. Ellen Page, (think Juno) as Vanya is the character most grounded in reality, having grown up “normal” Page is perfect as a tired, shunted sister, the perfect person to stand in the middle of some of the seasons juicer plot points. Having written a book about her mistreatment as a child, Vanya is alienated from the rest of the family, is while sometimes morose also very raw. Page wearily moves through scenes with characters that are far whackier, but still holds her own. When the main story focuses, and Vanya takes centre stage, her inner turmoil and fractured relationships make for some of the seasons most gripping scenes. The world in which the siblings live is bleak, grimy and wild. Most scenes take place in run down diners or hotels, or in the decaying facades of the family mansion, with just enough colour and intrigue to keep the show from becoming depressing or drab. During flashback scenes the group, as children, wear matching school uniform in a kooky, Tim Burton like house. There are scenes on the moon, in glamorous Hollywood events, and gnarly apocalyptic wastelands that keep the settings fresh. The influence of comic writer Gerard Way comes through in the children’s uniforms, the matching black umbrellas and the architecture of the mansion, you can sometimes see how the comic was created by the same man who sang the Black Parade. Costuming does an excellent job chiselling out the identities of the siblings. The glamorous Allison in her red carpet dresses, the unassuming Vanya in her drab denims, and he badass Diego who wears all black. However, Klaus beats them all, as in every scene he’s wearing a new whacky ensemble, perfectly matching feminine and masculine, none of the pieces like skirts, flowy jackets or crop tops seemingly go together, but it works. Cha-Cha and Hazel steal their costumes straight out of Fortnite, the contrast between their cop uniforms and their giant animal head helmets is hilarious and unsettling. While the plot sometimes stretches a little thin between characters, The Umbrella Academy succeeds in breaking the traditional superhero tropes by imbuing the characters with more depth, personality beyond gruff tortured crusaders, and individual styles that both ground them, and elevate them so that they remain sympathetic. Not out as actual heroes since their teens, their humanity makes every fight or drama more climactic. As the apocalypse comes closer and the tension builds, it’s never actually certain that the siblings will actually win against whatever or whoever causes the apocalypse. The future of the show, whether it will get renewed or not, and the future of the world may remain uncertain it’s definitely worth exploring the futures of each of these characters. How will they and their powers grow? Will we ever find out how Luther got to the moon? Why was their dad such a dick? Watch this new season and you will definitely want to find out. Also their butler is a talking monkey named Pogo.

#The umbrella academy #umbrella academy #tua #vanya hargreeves #ellen page #klaus hargreeves #robert sheehan #diego hargreeves #david castaneda #number 5 #aidan gallagher #alison hargreeves #luther hargreeves #ben hargreeves #the white violin

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greetings-from-the-suffer-puppet · 7 years

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age doesn’t matter.

I’m fifteen years old, and American. Next year, I will be eligible to get a learner’s driving permit, have a relationship with an eighteen-year-old, and go on testosterone. These are things where age is a deciding factor.

But those aren’t what this post is about.

This post is about what happened to me between the ages of nine and thirteen, because there’s this misconception that toxic relationships are dependent on age.

I’m not talking about abuse. We’ve all heard of child abuse cases, we’ve all heard about poor living conditions. Those affect people of any age.

We hear about teenagers whose families are great and who live in good homes, but who end up in bad situations anyway - teenagers who are old enough to make their own, fully informed decisions. Not kids. Children are supposed to be protected from that.

I was a child when I entered the relationship that has left me with permanent trust issues and triggered the upswing of my depression. I was nine.

So was the girl that hurt me.

I don’t want to undermine the horror of domestic abuse or abusive relationships. That’s not what I’m telling this story for.

I’m telling this story because everyone assumes that an abuser has to be an adult, or at the very least a teenager. Thirteen-year-olds don’t go on the news for physically abusing their crush. Eleven-year-olds aren’t reported to the school administration for emotionally abusing a “friend”.

Except when they are.

This is a true story. I wish to any higher power that I was making this up, but I’m not. This has scarred me, and I’m going to carry the impact of what happened for the rest of my life.

I’m not putting this under a read-more, but I am putting warnings so you can decide for yourself whether to read on or not.

Warnings for bullying, depression, self-loathing, mentions of self-harm/thinking about self-harm, suicidal thoughts, manipulation, toxic/unhealthy relationships, and... and emotional abuse.

I’ve never called it that before.

To the people who were involved, if any of them ever find this:

I haven’t forgiven you. I hope I never will.

When I was nine years old, a new girl came to our school. I’m going to call her S.

She had six outfits to her name that she wore in different combinations. She always smelled strange and even though we didn’t share classes, I knew she wasn’t terribly smart. As a whole, the sixty kids in my grade either ignored her or directly bullied her.

I pitied her. So did my friend J. So, a few months into the school year, we made a deal to attempt to befriend her.

We treated the idea like a job. Neither of us actually liked her - there were reasons no one wanted to be around her - but we pitied her and no one else was willing to make the effort, so we kept at it.

And then J quit. Literally. She went up to me and said “I can’t. She’s so awful. I can’t do this anymore.”

The two of them hated each other’s guts for the next two and a half years.

I didn’t give up.

I should have. I really should have. But I was young and I still believed that people were mostly good. I still trusted that anyone I met on the street was more likely to greet me with a smile than a threat.

I kept talking to S. I kept hanging around with her. I listened to her. I sacrificed time with my real friends for her.

All the school’s anti-bullying videos were circulating and I myself was watching my sister be invited to things I was passed over for. I was sympathetic. I wanted this girl to be helped, and it was clear that no one other than me was going to do it.

The summer came and passed, and I went back to school no wiser about the pit I was slowly sinking into.

I was ten years old, and suddenly S was in all of my classes. I no longer had an escape.

My best friends were no longer in my classes. My sister had never once been in a class with me at that school. My only friends that year that I could still see on a daily basis were J - yes, the J who S considered her mortal enemy - and two other girls, mutual friends of J and I. We’ll call them N and E.

Every day, I went to school and S was there. Every lunch, she followed me. Every recess, she dogged my footsteps. Every bit of time I had to be with my real friends, she would try to steal.

At some point she handed me a tourist-shop shell. She’d written “FRIENDSHIP” on it in black Sharpie.

“Keep this with you,” she told me. “It’s to show how good friends we are!”

I put it in my backpack. I never found it after that. When I told her I couldn’t find it, she yelled at me and pouted. I apologized again and again. She told me we were still friends, so I was forgiven.

Please remember that I was ten. I didn’t see the red flags going up. I didn’t know what to look for.

Even now, five years later, I’m still going back over those memories and recognizing things I didn’t at the time. I had never even considered the creepiness of that shell until my cousin compared it to her experience with a stalker ex-boyfriend. Here, have this token of affection... and if you ever tarnish it, you’re tarnishing our relationship, and you need to beg for forgiveness.

My depression was kicking in. My self-loathing was at a new high. I was going home and taking stock of all the things in my house that could kill me. I was in no shape to fight back against what S was doing to me.

I didn’t even realize that I needed to.

Things got worse.

S and J never stopped being at odds. They had screaming matches, hurling insults at each other whenever the teachers weren’t around. I was constantly treated to barrages on the other whenever I was in earshot of one of them. They’d fight, and it would fall to me to mediate.

It wasn’t an easy choice to make on who to support, though. J wasn’t a good person either. She was selfish and bossy and cruel; she was all the worst parts of becoming a teenage girl in a five-foot three-inch package. (Of course, the height absolutely lessened my intimidation of her. Of course. Not like she was the only girl taller than me in our grade, or that she’d taken scissors to my favorite shirt the year before without my permission, while I was wearing the shirt. Not like she was constantly demanding attention or insulting other friends. Not like she looked down her nose at me whenever I wanted to read something she didn’t like.) In fact, at some point during that year I and N confronted J about her behavior, essentially saying “You’re being awful and we’re not going to be your friend until you get your crap together”. (E, who’d never liked the drama, lurked quietly behind us.)

I really was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

It wasn’t an easy choice. S was clingy and off-putting, but J was arrogant and shallow. But J had N and E on her side - girls who had their flaws, but were leagues better than my other options - and so when it came down to it, I was on her side.

I think that made S more angry. It makes me wonder if she’d have still done what she had, if I’d come down on her side more often.

At some point that year, I did something immensely stupid.

The school had an event, and I met S’s mom for the first time. S wasn’t there, but my sister and my mother were.

We got to talking about S. S had told her mother about me, of course. I was still the only friend she had - sure, my sister and her friends were kind to S, but they were kind to everyone - and she was clearly excited as hell to have me.

“Your daughter’s kinda clingy,” I said, ten years old and buzzed on sugar and feelings things I didn’t understand. “Like... she goes way overboard. I get that I’m the only friend she has to talk to, but it’s... it’s a lot, you know? I wish she’d lay off a little. I barely have any time to spend with my other friends.”

My sister and mother acted like I was crazy for saying that to S’s mom. I’m not going to say they were wrong.

S approached me the next day. “My mom said you told her I was clingy? That you wanted me to leave you alone! I know she’s lying. She lies all the time. You didn’t say that, right?”

“No, I didn’t,” I said. (I still wonder what might have happened if I’d told her the truth.)

“I knew she was lying,” S said. She was smiling at me. I could see my friends behind her across the playground.

“Uh-huh,” I said.

I didn’t know what I was doing at the time. I was ten. The only ten-year-olds who learn these things are the ones who come to school with bruises.

I know what I was doing now, five years on.

My mother had set up meetings with one of the teachers at the school to talk about the situation with S and J. It helped to talk, but nothing changed.

I’d told my sister and my mother and to other friends. Mom could only be there at home, and my sister and friends were in other classes. They couldn’t help me.

The school had done nothing. My family couldn’t do anything. My friends couldn’t - or wouldn’t - do anything, either.

I was reaching out to the only source I had left: the mother of the child causing my problems. Deep down, below conscious thought, I knew that if I could get S’s mother to take my side, her daughter would have to leave me alone.

But that’s not how it went. S’s mom didn’t take my side, and I didn’t stand up to S by telling her the truth.

So it went on.

That summer was the summer I discovered fanfiction.

Suddenly, the internet exploded with possibilities. Suddenly, I could hide from my problems by diving into interpretations of my favorite fictional characters.

Fanfiction was one of three main escapes I had from S and J that year.

The other two were special school programs. AMP picked a few kids from sixth grade who passed their tests and dropped them into a middle-school class on Pre-Algebra, skipping sixth-grade math entirely. TAG piled a dozen kids from various schools into a bus every other day and sent them to another school for a few hours to explore other aspects of education.

S was in my classes again, but that didn’t matter. I was only in school half the time, and even then, we were on different levels of the curriculum. I had to see her often, but she rarely had the time to speak with me.

My best friends - my real friends - were in my classes again too. A couple were even in AMP and TAG with me as well.

Sixth grade was off to a far better start.

S realized she was losing me, I think.

I wasn’t quiet about the fact that I was going to a private school for the next chunk of my schooling. After this year, I was never going to see S again.

She was louder that year. She yelled at J more. She got into more fights.

I kept pulling away. I wasn’t out of the pit yet, but I’d been thrown a rope and a whole bunch of people were pulling me up.

The final straw came in the spring. It seems so small and petty, now, as a teenager who’s seen how terrible humanity can be, but S writing “I hate [best friend’s name]” was the cruellest thing I’d ever seen her do.

She could do what she wanted to me, and I’d take it. But insult my friend, and I was done.

I stopped approaching her (not that I’d had to since fourth grade; she always barreled toward me whenever she saw me). I stopped talking to her.

(I started pulling back from J, too. I was tired of friends that weren’t worth my effort.)

That left S standing at a crossroads.

She could accept the inevitability of change - we were going separate paths and she’d crossed a line I couldn’t forgive her for - or...

Or she could cling harder, and cross a line so extreme that I’d never considered the necessity of drawing it.

Every year, a pair of jugglers performed at my school. The graduating sixth graders (eleven-year-olds) would perform as well. I finished my act, went offstage, and circled around the auditorium to stand in the back and watch my friends perform.

I don’t know where S came from. She was just... there, suddenly, next to me, grabbing my arm.

“Can you come to the bathroom with me? There’s something I need to tell you.”

I don’t know why I said yes. I shouldn’t have said yes. I should have pulled away and walked away and left her there.

But I didn’t. I said, “Okay,” and followed her into the girls’ bathroom.

Five years on, I believe that I wasn’t really thinking that night. If I’d been firing on all cylinders, I wouldn’t have done what I did. I wouldn’t have gone along with her and I would have recognized the marks for what they were and I would have fucking left without spilling my soul out to someone taking advantage of me.

But I was tired and jittery from my performance, and I’d had a lot of candy, and I was feeling like being kind.

(And people wonder why I’m the cynical, sarcastic twin. What the hell has kindness gotten me in the past few years?)

She pulled up her sleeve and said “I’m cutting myself.”

She didn’t warn me. She didn’t say it shamefully or tearfully or like a challenge. She said it... bluntly. A fact.

(It wasn’t a fact.)

It wasn’t a cut she showed me. It wasn’t even a damned scar.

It was a bruise.

For gods’ sakes, it was a bruise. I was eleven, not four, I knew the difference between a bruise and a cut, but -

...but I believed her.

I don’t know why. There is no explanation I can offer you for how my brain accepted her bald-faced untruth.

If that was all that happened in that bathroom, I might have been okay. Shaken and startled, yes, but the therapy I’ve been attending for the past year and a half could have dealt with the aftershocks of that moment.

But that wasn’t all that happened in that bathroom.

I’d been dealing with my depression for two years by then, entirely by myself. Never once had I told anyone about the voice in my head that constantly told me all the ways I was a bad person, or the sometimes urge to take one of the knives from our butcher block and find out how much pressure it would take to split my skin, or the list of ways to die that ran through my mind on days I’d done badly in school.

Abruptly faced with someone whom I believed to experience the same thing, how could I keep quiet?

“Don’t tell anyone.”

“I promise.”

I came home. Went to bed. Went to school. Went to TAG. Tried not to cry on the bus home. Got off the bus and fell into my mom’s arms, sobbing out the (edited) story of what happened that night.

(My mom wouldn’t know about my depression for another two years.)

My mom called the school. In another week or two, I was called to the principal’s office for the first time in my life.

I stood up from my desk with the classroom gaping at me in shock. I walked out without a word or a backwards glance.

The principal said a whole lot of words in that meeting.

Most of them don’t matter.

The only thing that matters was the point of the meeting, the message she rambled over in sentence upon sentence instead of the four words she could have used.

“S lied to you.”

She was eleven. So was I.

She was so desperate to keep me by her side that she’d shown me a bruise she’d gotten from falling off her bed and told me it was a self-inflicted wound.

She was so desperate to keep me hers that she claimed to be doing one of the most horrific things someone can do to themself, and managed to pick the one thing that would resonate with me the most.

She’d figured out by then that it was pity that kept me with her. What better than self-harm to induce pity?

For so long, that was what I focused on taking away from this. The betrayal. The lie. The desperate clinginess - damn near bordering on obsession - that made me feel like a favorite doll instead of a person.

But my trust and my faith in people weren’t the only things that S ruined that night.

For the first time in my life, I had told someone about the darkest parts of me. For the first time in my life, someone knew about the voice in my head and the pit in my stomach.

And it was someone who didn’t deserve my secrets.

I did my best to avoid S after that.

She kept approaching me, though.

She never once apologized. All she ever said about the matter was “Why did you tell?! You promised you wouldn’t tell!”

I graduated. I never saw S again.

But that’s not the end, because with my luck, of course I run into the same kind of shameless manipulator two years later in my new school.

#personal #about me #in which adrian has issues #in which adrian gives their two cents on toxic friendships #manipulation #my childhood #adrian's various childhood traumas #toxic relationships #unhealthy relationships #self-harm #references to self-harm #depression #self-loathing #suicidal thoughts #please be careful reading this #it's not under a readmore because i know tumblr fucks up links a lot #but i'm absolutely serious about these tags #i don't want to hurt anyone with this story #so tread carefully please #feel free to reblog or reply or... anything #this wasn't just written as catharsis #it was written as a reminder that toxic relationships and emotional abuse do not have an age cap #young children have the capacity to be terrible people #little-kid friendships can scar you as badly as adult ones #suffering is valid no matter what age you experienced it at or how old the person who made you suffer was #okay i'm going to bed #i hope this helps someone somehow someday

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