#'so because we all work fine then why are *you* such a train wreck. why don't you brush your hair. clean your room and it'll all be fine!'

[uncanny-tranny]

About that thing re "trans men dont know what its like to be seen as predatory", I feel like everyone in the lgbt community generally agrees lesbians are treated as predatory by str8 women, gay men are treated as predatory by str8 men, I (as a trans man) used to think I was a lesbian and went throught life as one. Accordingly I was treated like I am predatory. I am now a gay men, and accordingly I am treated as predatory. On top of that, cis gay men treat me as predatory (scawy transes trying to get them to have sex w a vageenay boohoo) and women treat me as predatory every time I open my mouth about sharing some of their experiences (because me needing iuds at the obgyn inherently means I, as a man, inavde their man-free space). Literally all queer people are constantly treated as predatory by cishet society at large, everyone knows it and keeps saying it and is talking about it because its no secret and everyone is aware of it.

But the second the convo turns to how terfs hurt trans men? Suddenly, we have no idea what its like to be treated as predatory and suddenly the world sees trans men specifcially as helpless little girly victims.

And honestly? Even if it were the case that trans men and transmasculine* people were solely infantilized... it's still harmful. I was initially bringing up that because it's like... I guess the only narrative people want to hear about our suffering, I guess, because it's easier to digest. It's easier to look at it and write it off as, "well you're just infantilized, show me a real problem," and that's the issue - it's twofold. It is simultaneously the need to relegate the experiences of a diverse community into one box and then say, "well, it's just infantilization, who cares when [x] issue is more dangerous" afterward.

It is frustrating, at best, to not be heard. And I've found that so many people aren't just infantilized... I think a lot of queer people are, I don't think it's unique to us. However, people are almost surprised when trans men and transmasculine* people open up more, in my experience.

It's definitely more complex to include more trans experiences with transphobia and the intersections of things like rascism, homophobia, antisemitism, islamophobia, misogyny, ableism... but it is still important. In fact, it often informs in addition to how trans people are treated. Transphobia doesn't exist in a vacuum, and it often doesn't exist alone. That is why we need to have these complex discussions.

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for not wanting to play DnD with a teenager?

So I (22F) am in college and after classes I like to play DnD with four of my friends, Ricky (21M), Tara (21F) Lola (22F) and Julie (20F)

Well recently Tara's little sister Ashley (15F) has been hanging out at Tara's apartment, where we usually have our game sessions, after school. Like for about two weeks now. Tara says its because her mother got a new job and doesnt get off work until 7pm so Ashley stays at the apartment from 4pm till about 7:30pm when her mother comes to pick her up.

4 pm is when our game sessions start most of the time (depending on if any of us have night classes that day or not) which means we now have a literal child watching us play. And because of that Tara has asked that we tone down the game sessions to be more "appropriate" and we also cant get drunk until Ashley leaves (which is stupid because Julie is under 21 and we can drink around her just fine but whatever) frankly I didnt mind the constant audience since Ashley was far more interested in watching us play than watching TV or playing on Tara's switch.

Well apparently just watching wasnt good enough for the brat because when i got to Tara's apartment for a game, Ashley was sitting at our table, excitedly filling out a character sheet while chattering nonstop with Ricky and Lola (Julie wasn't coming this time she had the stomach flu)

I naturally asked what she was doing because she normally just watched. Ashley gave me a confused look and said that she was joining our game like we had apparently talked about in our groupchat the night prior. Ricky and Lola both backed her up and showed the groupchat.

I had seen the messages but I thought Tara was joking about adding a literal child that doesnt even have a learners permit to our game that we had been continuing for three months now. I naturally went to go confront Tara.

She said that I agreed to let Ashley join in and if I didn't want to play with her I could've just not come.

Is she fucking serious?

What kind of sane person would want to play with a literal child and its edgy as fuck character (like the character was a wolf necromancer dressed in all black with two random scars across its chest. You could smell the hot topic radiating from this cringefest)

Tara refused to listen to reason and instead insisted that Ashley can play just for tonight and if i didnt like it I could leave.

I had no choice to stay and play

It was so fucking miserable.

The brat was constantly making stupid mistakes and dragging the whole party down with her. We constantly had to stop so Ricky (our DM) could explain things that should've been obvious because Ashley was too stupid to actually figure it out. My character was having to bail her's out near constantly. It was getting to the point where I just wanted to legitimately slap Ashley. I didnt because Tara would absolutely murder me but oh the temptation was strong.

And the worst part? I was the only one who seemed to be upset that our game was being completely thrown off course. Ricky, Lola and Tara took all of Ashley's many many fuck ups in stride and actually seemed to be enjoying it.

I have no idea why, that game was a train wreck

After an hour of hell Ricky called it quits for the day.

Which was weird because we usually go well into the night most of the time. Once the game was over Tara grabbed me by the arm and led me to the kitchen.

She asked me what the hell my problem was because it was apparently MY fault the game went so poorly and not the literal child's.

So I let her have it.

I told her it was a stupid idea to let her dumbass sister play with us, that Ashley shouldnt be playing with adults and its stupid to expect us to bow to the whims of a fifteen year old. I told her I never wanted to play with stupid bitch ass of a sister ever again.

I left the apartment after that.

This morning I was removed from the groupchat and all my friends have blocked me

Except for Lola, who has been going off on me in dms all day, calling me a horrible person, transphobic, a bully and a bitch. Every name in the book. None of them are talking to me and Julie, who wasn't even there keeps calling me an asshole and says i should apologize

AITA? I dont think i did anything wrong but everyone else thinks I did

What are these acronyms?

[blueberry-pride]

DORM PLAYLIST SCREEN

Playlist screens are back and are here to celebrate over 800+ followers in the past year! Go to my page to see the specials. The Follower Event will be from March 1-25, 2023. Come celebrate with me!

Meaning behind each song:

Heartslabyul "Then she aimed at my chest with love in her eye."- This song overall is catchy, a jumpy song that I'd think would fit Heartslabyul as a whole. Having that whole talk about madness but at the same time just playing it off and like its normal for them. This song sounds mischievous to me, something I see all peeps from this dorm are capable of.

Savanaclaw "We like it dangerous, we like to see you sweat, turn up another notch, you ain't see nothing yet."- This dorm is known for living life on the more rugged and rough side of things, hard work and often times by physical means to get what they want. And just like their dorm leader, they have a few tricks prepared when you least expect it.

Octavinelle "I don't belong among the angels, and baby that's just fine with me."- I like to think Octavinelle students are opportunistic as a whole, see something they like? they'll take advantage of it before anyone does. They can be as nice and as giving as the generous Sea Witch just remember not to go too far into the deep end cuz they sure know how to.

Scarabia "Can we go back, this is the moment. Tonight is the night, we'll fight til it's over."- Honestly one of the best songs at a party sure to get everyone dancing which is why I wanted this song for Scarabia. I see this dorm as both fun and seriousness. Planning and carefully plotting so that they can give it their all and they would still have enough energy in the end. You can't contain them!

Pomefiore "Pop culture was in art now art's in pop culture in me."- I like to think each Pomefiore student has some form of creativity in them and they all would pursue it through hard work to have it in the image that they see fit. A song that I see fit this dorm (one of the reasons being because its freaking Lady Gaga) because everyone here wants to get recognition by showing their own kind of beauty.

Ignihyde "Looking to the ways of the ones before me, looking for the path of the young and lonely."- A dorm that revolves around updating and improving on pre-existing things so that it becomes more stronger and something to better even more so for the next gen of starry-eyed students. Though with their diligent work, it's not shock that this dorm is the most introverted out of all. Mostly focusing and tending to themselves with one another. (Another reason why I chose this song is because its from Wreck it Ralph with the tech and all)

Diasomnia "Tell you you're the greatest but once you turn, they hate us."- I could list a lot of why I chose this song for Diasomnia but generally, it's about the main theme which is...well, enemies. It even says on the wiki, that they have a track record of having students with a lot of magical capabilities. So in a school that trains wizards with said magic, it comes as no surprise that with their greatness comes with people trying to see them as competition *coughs* Savanaclaw *coughs*. But besides that, Diasomnia is a force to be reckoned with and I could see it with this song

[nottapossum]

1.9 Constant as the Stars above 🌟 ❤️💜

Summery: Angel talks to everyone except Pentious, Charlie, and Niffty.

⚠️TW: Lying, crying, feeling like a failure, making deals, Abusive relationships, possible manipulative behavior, hiding emotions, hiding one's true self. Lmk if I should add.

'You're not alone, together we stand

I'll be by your side, you know, I'll take your hand

When it gets cold and it feels like the end

There's no place to go, you know, I won't give in.' ~Keep Holding On, Avril Lavigne

~~~Charlie and Vaggie:~~~~

Vaggie leads Charlie to her office, where she can have a quiet place and some space to calm down. 

“Charlie? Sweetie, are you okay?” Vaggie asks as soon as she closes the door.

Charlie shakes her head and sobs. “Everything is falling apart! We're going to lose Angel!” She cries. “We can't do this without him! We can't! I won't-"

“Honey…we'll be fine. We still have Pentious, right?” Vaggie asks her. 

“I promised Angel I was going to help him!” Charlie explains, moving away from Vaggie. “But, I failed him, I fucked everything up!”

Vaggie felt a sharp pain in her chest… this wasn't on Charlie. “Babe, breathe, okay? I was the one who yelled at him, not you. If anyone failed Angel, it was me.”

Charlie shakes her head. “But-”

Vaggie holds her girlfriend’s shoulders. “No, this is on me, not you. I'll talk to him, make it right with him, and he'll want to come back.” Vaggie promises, moving some of Charlie's hair behind her ear in attempt to comfort.

“But, then what? We only have a few months left.” She says. 

“We'll figure it out.” Vaggie says. “You've come too far to quit now it'll be alright. We will be okay.”

“He's right…I'm a failure.” Charlie says.

“He?” Vaggie asks. “Who's he?”

Who said that to Charlie, she'll fucking kill them!

“Remember when my dad called earlier this week?” Charlie asks.

“Uh- yeah. What- what did he say?” Vaggie asks her.

She did think that call was…suspicious. Was Lucifer trying to get her to give up?

“I lied to you.” Charlie admits sorrowfully. “It wasn't him.” She sighs angrily, there were too many different emotions pumping through her. “it was Seviathan.”

 Your ex boyfriend? What did he want?” Vaggie asks her.

Charlie had told Vaggie about her ex, mostly mentioning small stories about what an asshole he was, but then would quickly change the subject because it always seemed to upset her to think about him. 

Vaggie never really asked questions about him… because she knew how upsetting it was for Charlie to talk about. 

“He told me he saw our ad and felt sorry for me.” Charlie says. “Because it was clearly a huge train wreck and wasn't going anywhere.” Charlie sighs, 

“He's wrong.” Vaggie says seriously. 

“I don't know why I care…I shouldn't.” Charlie says, wiping away some tears. “I'm sorry I lied to you. I just didn't want to talk about it, and I panicked. I just wanted to ignore it.” her breathing comes out in gasps and hiccups. ”But his words play in my head over and over again! Just like before, I can't get my brain to stop-!”

Vaggie takes her hand. “Hey, it's okay. I'm not upset. Some things are hard to face, I know.”

“I'm so sorry, Vaggie! I should have just told you the truth. You're not like him, you would never hurt me.” She says. “Or anyone for that matter.”

Vaggie cringes internally- this felt worse than losing her eye... “I… I forgive you, Charlie.” Vaggie says to her. “I don't want you to worry about that right now. I'm just sorry it happened.” She says. 

“But, what if he's right? What if it doesn't work?” She asks. “What if we fail?”

Vaggie takes her chin and looks Charlie in the eye. “But, what if it does work? What if you succeed?” Vaggie asks her.

Charlie hugs Vaggie tightly. ”Thanks, Vaggie.”

“I'm sorry I yelled at Angel.” Vaggie says. “I was being an insecure idiot, I shouldn't have lashed out at him like that. You've worked so hard and I may have blown it all for you.”

“You didn't.” Charlie says. 

“I'll make this right, I promise. I'll talk to Angel and convince him to give this another chance.” Vaggie promised her.

Charlie nods, wiping away a few tears. “Yeah, that would be good.” 

“Are you okay?” Vaggie asks.

Charlie nods, her horns suddenly becoming visible…

Which would mean one or two things. 

Either Charlie was mad at someone, or-

Vaggie smiles. “Is someone little?” she asks her.

Charlie's eyes widen and touches her horns, realizing she had slipped. “...mmm maybe a lil bit?” Charlie says, holding her arms. ”I'm sorry.”

Vaggie shakes her head. “No, it's okay. It's a good thing. You need a break, especially after a day like today. Maybe we should cuddle for a bit so you can relax, okay?” 

“No! We gotta talk to Angel!” Charlie argues.

“I will talk to Angel later, right now I have to make sure you're okay.” Vaggie says.

“Noo!” Charlie wines again.

“Charlie.” Vaggie says sternly. “Listen to me, sweetie, I promise I will find Angel and talk to him, but you need to take some time to calm down and let yourself be little. Repressing won't help Angel, will it?”

Charlie crosses her arms. “No..”

“I promise I'm going to take care of it.” vaggie says, “Just trust me, okay?”

Charlie nods, her thumb slowly making its way to her mouth. “Kay.” 

Vaggie gently takes Charlie's Thumb out of her mouth and takes her hand. “Alright, babygirl. Come on.” Vaggie leads her little one to the couch.

“M’ tired, Vaggie.” Charlie whines as Vaggie sits down and pulls her on her lap. “It was too much for today.” 

“I know.” Vaggie ran her fingers through Charlie’s hair. “Just relax. We'll take some time to breathe, and then we'll figure this all out.” She reassured. 

Charlie nods. “Okay.” Charlie was crying again softly, even though she was trying her best not to.

She knows it's okay now- 

She was safe…

Safe with Vaggie. 

And Vaggie is gonna make everything okay again, she always does.

Vaggie continued to pet her head gently to try and soothe her, but it didn't seem like enough to calm her little one down…

So, Vaggie did what Charlie always did for little ones, she sang: “Constant as the stars above, always know that you are loved; And my love shining in you, will help you make your dreams come true, will help your dreams come true.”~

Charlie snuggles closer to Vaggie and rests her head on her shoulder.

Vaggie smiles and continues: “The lamb lies down and rests its head, on its mother's downy bed. Dolphin plays in the moonlight's glow. And butterfly dreams of a violet rose.”~

Vaggie brushes hair away from Charlie's face and kisses her little forehead. “Dreams of a violet rose”~

Charlie’s breathing becomes slower and her eyes start drooping. “I'll cradle you in my arms tonight, As sun embraces the moonlight. The clouds will carry our songs tonight, Our dreams will run deep like the sea.”~

“Our dreams will run deep like the sea.” ~ Vaggie covers Charlie with the blanket that rested on top of the chair next to them.

Charlie makes grabby hands at the coffee table, wanting something inside. 

Vaggie knew exactly what she was after, so she grabs Charlie's spare pacifier from the drawer and hands it to her.

Charlie hums at Vaggie with gratitude once she puts her paci in her mouth.

Vaggie rocks her softly back and forth. “Constant as the stars above. Always know that you are loved. And my love shining in you, will help you make your dreams come true.” ~

Charlie's eyes fall and she starts to drift to sleep.

“Will help your dreams come true.”~  Vaggie sang the rest of the song.

Charlie was finally calm, snuggled up close to Vaggie.

Everything was going to be okay.

~~~Husk and Angel:~~~

Angel grabbed a bag and started shoving his clothes into it. 

His piggy, fat nuggets oinks at his spider with confusion. 

“We're going back to Val's, Nuggs. They don't need us here anymore." He explains to the small piglet. 

The pig suddenly gets really scared upon hearing Val's name, he squeals in fear and hides under the bed. 

Angel exhales. “That's fine, you can stay, they'd rather have you anyway…” he wipes away a tear.

Why the fuck was he crying? 

This was his fault! 

He did this to himself!

He fucked everything up- 

…like he always does.

But, he knew this wouldn't last- that they'd kick him out eventually! 

Give up on him.

'You are an important part of our family, Angel. But, you uh-'

'Constantly make us look bad, sexually harass the staff, and literally never once tried to improve.'

'That was so good, Sir Pentious. You'll get redeemed in no time!' 

Not that he can blame them...

It's not like he's never heard it before…

'You can be replaced easily, Angel Dust. Do you have any idea how many wh*res would love to be in your place?'

'You looked absolutely dreadful in these shots, baby. You need to do them over.'

'I've killed bitches for less than this attitude you're giving me! You're lucky you make me money!'

'Angel cakes, you're part of the family. You know I love you.~'

He's never been good enough...

For anyone.

Not his parents...

'Damn it, Tony. Why can't you be more like your brother?' 

'One day you'll meet a nice girl and settle down, and everything will suddenly make sense.'

His friends...

'Of course I like you, Tony. I just like other people more. It's not personal.'

Not even his siblings...

'Sei un deficiente!'

'It's just a sickness, Tony. There are people who can help you, they can fix you.'

No...

He couldn't be fixed...

He's always been fucked.

Just not the way she thought.

He died because the world couldn't accept him, and he couldn't take that…

because he wasn't good enough for it...

And one day, he'll die for real and no one will even care...

...

How did his life get so bad? 

It was never really perfect but-

Surely there was a time someone…liked him.

At least a little...

 Right? 

He hears a knock at the door.

"Go away." Angel says.

"It's Husk."

"Couldn't give a shit if I tried." Angel says in a mockery tone.

"I'm not here to criticize...I just want to make sure you're okay."

Angel scoffs. "Right."

"I mean it!” Husk sighs. “Just please open the door so we can talk this out?” He asks.

Angel takes a second to consider it...

He does want to talk to Husk...

Out of anyone else in the hotel, Husk was absolutely the most...

Well, he was the most nosey and judgemental. 

He shouldn't want to talk to Husk at all!

But he does…

And he hates himself for it. 

He walks over to open the door. "What?" Angel asks him.

"Can I come in?" Husk asks, sounding a little annoyed with Angel, but to be fair Angel was annoyed too.

The spider gestures for him to walk inside, and the cat does.

“I thought you were leaving.” Husk says. 

“I'm working on it.” Angel mumbles.

"Sure. Look, I don't know what just happened down there, but do you really think running away is the solution?" Hust asks.

“Here we go.” Angel sighs.

“I'm serious, what do you benefit from running away from your problems?” Husk asks.

"I'm not running away, I got kicked out! You were there." Angel says.

"That's bullshit. Sure, Vaggie was pretty clear about not wanting you here. But, the princess was just as adamant about you staying." 

"It doesn't matter!" Angel says, slamming his bag against the bed.

Husk sighs heavily and rests a hand on Angel's shoulder. “Look, why don't we just take a step back so we can figure this out, alright? Why did you need blackmail, what happened? What did Alastor do? I know you wouldn't have taken those tests without reason. Just tell me what's really going on.”

"He-  he just-”

Angel holds his arms...

He can't bring himself to say it…

Not after everything…

All the years of him making sure Valentino didn't know about him...

Making sure Vox and Velvette didn't suspect anything...

Just for Alastor to broadcast his secret to the world? He couldn't risk it!

If people know the Angel Dust was a little?...

It wouldn't be embarrassing- it would be dangerous.

And for Husk to know? The person he cared about the-

…

A person he cared about? 

No.

He couldn't let Husk know…

“They would have given up on me eventually, everyone does.” Angel says, turning away from Husk. “It's only a matter of time before Charlie realizes that she made a mistake by asking me to come here."

“I don't think she will.” Husk says. “And I think you know that too. You are just too scared to accept help because you're too afraid of rejection! You're rejecting them before they can you.”

Angel doesn't respond to that.

"Look, I understand. It's hard to trust people. That test exposes a lot about a person, and it's not always easy to accept." Husk sighs. “Believe me, I didn't exactly appreciate what the test said about me.” 

Angel looks at him with confusion. "What do you mean?”

"As you probably know, I'm what they considered a guardian." Husk says.

Angel looks over to him and nods hesitantly. 

He didn't mean to look at Pentious's test results, he only meant to find Alastor's. He didn't really see Vaggie's or Niffty’s...

But he actually looked for Husks...he wanted to know-

And he knew it was wrong to look, the least he could have done was ignore everyone else's results.

"Basically, I have this instinct inside to...protect certain people." Husk explains. "...and right now the only person I've felt protective of is...well, you."

Angel blushes slightly as he looks at Husk, but he doesn't know how to respond. 

What did that even mean?

Husk looked away from Angel, he hated this!

He hated to admit that he did feel for the spider!

That he did care…

Caring has never benefited him before. 

It has only hurt him…

But for Angel? It might be worth the pain. 

“I worry about you.” Husk admits. “Not only that but…I enjoy our stupid conversations, our late night drinking, I'd miss you if you disappeared.”

"Almost sounds like you care." Angel says.

"Of course, I care, you idiot! I'm your-” He sighs. “I'm your friend." Husk says. 

“I didn't think you had friends.” Angel says.

“Me neither.” Husk says. “But, I do. And as your friend, I want to see you succeed, and I want to see you heal. If you can't stay for yourself, can you at least stay for me?" Husk asks him.

~~~

'Did you really think I was going to spend eternity with you?' A voice echoes in Angel’s mind…

Every time he got too close to someone, his mind reminded him…

Reminded him where love got him. 

‘I- well…’ Tony hesitates. ‘I thought-’

‘Oh my God, you actually thought we were going to spend eternity together? Do you have any idea how long that is? We'd get sick of each other so fast!’ His lover said. 

‘I could never get sick of you.’ Tony said to him.

Tisk. ‘Well…’

Tony deflated. ‘Oh…’ 

'Of course I like you, Tony. I just like other people more. It's not personal.'

~~~

Angel looks down, still holding himself, that memory plagued him, it always had. "I don't know.”

Husk frowns and nods. “Okay, I just want you to know…no matter what you do, you can always call me, it doesn't matter if you're here, or what time it is…I'll be there.” He says. 

Angel nods. "Thanks, Husk."

Husk rests a hand on his shoulder before walking out of the room. 

Angel sighs...

Husk will want nothing to do with him once he learns the truth. 

The closer he gets to Husk...

The harder the rejection will be.

At the very least... he should apologize to Charlie...

For failing her...

And the others for taking the tests in the first place. 

Who cares who Alastor tells at this point? 

He was never going to make it to heaven anyway…

He doesn't deserve it.

~~~Alastor and Niffty:~~~

Alastor laughed as he walked back into his room.

‘Oh, what fun that was.’ He thought to himself. ‘I do adore the chaos.’

He hears a small knock on his door which causes his ears to perk up. Who could that be? 

He walks over and opens the door to find his small mouseling crying.

“Niffty? What's wrong, my dear?” Alastor asks.

To his dismay, Niffty runs over to him and climbs up his coat to wrap her tiny arms around his neck. “I didn't mean to ruin it, Alastor!” She cries. “I don't want to leave! They're nice here!” She says.

“We're not leaving.” Alastor says, not understanding her at all. “Why would you think that?”

“Because Charlie is mad at me! I didn't mean to make a mess.” Niffty cries against her Handler's shoulder.

Alastor resists the urge to roll his eyes, he knows his tiny mouse was genuinely upset, and therefore he needed to fix that. “Niffty, it wasn't your fault, Charlie isn't upset with you." He promises.

"Are you sure?" Niffty asks him.

Alastor nods. “I am. So, dry your tears, love. Everything is going to be alright.”

“But Angel- he's not really leaving, is he?" Niffty asks.

“Husk is talking to Angel right now, my dear.” Alastor says.

“He is? Is he going to make Angel stay?” Niffty asks him, wiping away some tears.

“Perhaps? I think if anyone can convince Angel to stay, Husker can.” Alastor says.

So long as he's not a complete idiot, it was clear Angel worshiped the winged cat.

Niffty nods. “Okay. But, if he fucks it up, will you make Angel stay please?” 

Alastor pets Niffty gently. “I can't make him stay, dear. He has to choose to stay here.”

“But you make me and Husk stay.” She says.

“Yes, but Angel isn't one of my souls." Alastor says. 

“Could you get his soul?”  Niffty asks him. 

“No, he's already taken.” Alastor says, setting Niffty down on the bed. “But, I'll tell you what. If Husk can't convince Angel to stay, I will talk to him myself. I've been told I can be quite the negotiator. Deal?” Alastor asks, holding out a hand to her.

Niffty grips only his pinkie with hers. “Deal!” 

“Alright. Now I have a question for you.” He says. “Are you regressed right now?” 

Niffty yawns loudly. “Kinda…m’ fuzzy.” Niffty explains. “Only half mouse.” 

Alastor nods understandingly. “How about you take a nap, it may help.” He suggests, petting her tiny head.

“Can I nap here?” Niffty asks. “I don't wanna be all alone.” 

Alastor taps his chin as he thinks it over. “I suppose that would be alright. But you actually have to get some rest, alright?” Alastor asks her. 

Niffty nods. “Okay.” 

~~~Husk:~~~~

Pentious walked out of his room with a small yellow box with a red ribbon around it.

"Hey." Husk says to him, he had just left Angel's room and saw the snake headed downstairs.

"Oh, hello. Husk." Pentious says, hiding his box behind him. “I was just about to…uhm. Check on Vaggie and Charlie. They seemed awfully upset. I'm not doing anything suspicious!” He says defensively.

Husk tilted his head, but chose not to question the snake. "Uh alright, I just wanted to ask how you are holding up? You know, after what just happened.” Husk asks him.

"I'm fine.” Pentious says. “I think... I mean, I wasn't exactly ready for all of you to know yet...but I suppose it isn't a bad thing…I do think I trust you.” The snake says.  “…most of you.”

Husk nods. “Well, I don't care what the test says, you're alright in my book. And you don't have to live your life based on some random test just because of what Charlie says.

Pentious looks away from Husk for a moment before turning back to him. “I appreciate that. But, I am not ashamed to be a regressor, I'm glad I do it. When I did, for the first time since actually being a child..I felt safe.” He admits.

Husk hums.

“Speaking of...How's Angel?” Pentious asks him.

“I'm not sure…I tried talking to him but I don't know if it did any good.” Husk explains. "If he does talk to you, will you try and go easy on him? I have a feeling there's a lot more to this he's not telling us."

“I am not mad at Angel. Well, not after thinking it over.” Pentious admits. “Whatever the reason...I'm sure he had one." He sighs. "Sure, Angel can be a little…much sometimes, but he's no monster. In fact, if I had to choose one soul to put my life in their hands…it would probably be Angel…I trust he had his reasons, and I trust him when he said that he didn't mean for all of this to happen.”

Husk nods. "Not sure of his reasons, but I do trust he has them...even if they're stupid."

Pentious nods. "Yes...well, I really need to talk to Charlie now." Pentious says. "Make sure she's alright."

Husk nods and watches as Pentious makes his way downstairs.

Husk decides to head to his own room.

~~~Alastor and Angel:~~~~

Alastor overheard Husker and Pentious's conversation…

That stupid bird-fucking-cat! He had one job! 

Well, it seems as though Alastor had to fix this himself…

Niffty was fast asleep, so he wasn't too concerned about her, he'd just have to be back before she woke up. 

No little one should have to wake up from a nap all alone after all.

He uses his shadow magic to appear in Angel's room. "Oh, Angel, dear?" ~ He greets in a sing-song voice.

The spider did annoy him to no end, but he needed Angel to stay here.

Because of his deal!

He has to keep Charlie happy...

Has nothing to do with him not wanting to disappoint Niffty.

Not at all.

“I don't want to talk to you." Angel says, arms crossed as he turns away from Alastor.

“You're in a fine mood.” Alastor rolled his eyes while his smile stayed the same.

Angel looks at him, glares at him, then turns away again.

"Come now, Angel. What's really troubling you?" Alastor asks him.

“You know exactly what, asshole! You couldn't just let it go, could you?” Angel asks. “What is with you, Husk, and Charlie not minding your own business anyway?”

“If it's easier for you to blame me, then go ahead. But, I wasn't going to tell anyone about you, you palooka. I couldn't possibly care less if you're a little."

"What?" Angel asks.

"I have more important things on my mind. I only wanted you to think I was going to.”

“What!? You're such an asshole.” Angel mumbles. “How could you-?”

“Oh please, you pester me all the time with your advances, it was about time I got you back.” Alastor says, rolling his eyes.

Angel drops the anger immediately. “I guess I did deserve it...” Angel admits sorrowfully. "I'm sorry."

“Think nothing of it, just stop this senseless self pitying and apologize to Charlie and then tell her you'll stay at the hotel.” 

“Why do you care if I stay?” Angel asks. “You've never cared what happens to me.”

“I don't care, but everyone else seems to. Charlie seems to believe your presence in the hotel is crucial to its success.” Alastor explains. “The princess of hell thinks you are worth her time. Clearly that says something.” Alastor says.

Angel doesn’t respond to that, he frowns and holds himself. She'd belive in anyone…

Alastor sighs internally, why can't people just hide their emotions properly? It's so easy! And Angel used to be so good at it too till Husker corrupted him with his sorcery he called 'friendship.'

Tisk.

"Unless there's more to this than you're letting on?" Alastor asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you really a little too?" Angel asks him, as if that was important for him to know.

Alastor ponders that for a moment. Could he trust the spider with that kind of information?

He supposed enough people know about him now that one more really wouldn't matter. Angel wouldn't be the worst one to know about him. He's not afraid of anyone Angel could accidentally tell.

But, just to be sure…

"You keep my secret, I'll keep yours. We got a deal?" Alastor asks, holding out his hand.

Angel agrees and shakes his hand...

The deal was binding.

"Alright, I do regress on occasion." Alastor admits. "But I may have exaggerated a bit on the test to mess with Charlie and Vaggy."

“Huh. Suppose you and I got more in common than I thought.” Angel says.

Alastor rolls his eyes. “You have no idea." He mumbles. 

There was a pause. 

“I can't tell anyone anything you say, and vise versa. So, you don't have to be afraid of me. Just say whatever you need to.” Alastor tells him.

The tension leaves Angel’s face… he’s right. He could say anything, Alastor has no choice but to keep it a secret.

"If you really do regress, you should understand why I wouldn't want everyone knowing about it." Angel says.

"Well, I understand why you wouldn't want me knowing about it, or anyone else. But the rest of the hotel?" He asks. "They care too much to use that information against you."

"I know...it's just- I don't tell anyone about me being a little...the only person who knows is someone who...can't be around very often."

"It may surprise you to know that I understand your situation. I once had a 'caregiver' who couldn't stick around for five minutes." Alastor explains. "But, once I met a better caregiver, regression became less...much."

"Do you ever feel lonely?" Angel asks him.

Alastor raises an eyebrow. "Do YOU?" Alastor asks him back.

"...sometimes." Angel answers reluctantly.

"Perhaps Charlie and Husker could help you with that?" Alastor suggests.

"But, what if I'm just too much for them to handle?" Angel asks.

Alastor chuckles. "My good man, as a difficult little myself, I guarantee you that if they really care about you, they'll learn how to make it work."

Angel doesn't look reassured, but instead more nervous.

Alastor sighs. 

This stupid fucking spider. 

If he wasn't forced to be here-

Smile, Alastor....

“How about this…If they do reject you for being a little, I promise not to. In fact, I'll go as far as to swear that if they do, I'll even be your…caregiver.” He says, barely getting the word out.

“Seriously?” Angel scoffs. “You'd be willing to do that?” He asks, not convinced in the slightest.

Alastor rolls his eyes. “Hah. No. Of course not! But, that's how certain I am that Charlie will not give up on you.”

"You put a lot of faith in her." Angel says.

"Someone should." Alastor shrugs. "She's never done me wrong before."

And she won't so long as he keeps playing nice...

Angel looks away for a moment, considering. “No offense, I'd rather find a turtle for a caregiver than to ask you." Angel chuckles.

"Fair enough." Alastor shrugs.

Angel sighs. "Husk is right...I do want to trust them, but- I've trusted the wrong people before, I don't want to go through that again- I- I...  can't go through that again." Angel says.

"Everyone has trusted the wrong person before, Angel." Alastor explains, holding Angel's shoulders, forcing the spider look him in the eye. "The gamble is part of the fun. If you never trust anyone, you're robbing them the opportunity to prove to you that they're trustworthy."

Angel raises an eyebrow at Alastor, confused as to why the radio demon cared at all.

"You can always go back to your master, but you won't always have the opportunity to redeem yourself." Alastor says.

"You don't even believe in the hotel." Angel says.

"Then pray tell, why am I here talking to you?" Alastor asks him.

Angel looks up at Alastor, so he offers his hand. 

And once Angel takes it, Alastor leads him out of his room.

“Wait a minute, where are we going?” Angel asks, but still follows Alastor through the hallway. 

They stop at the door and Alastor knocks. 

As soon as he hears the paws walk up to the door, Alastor disappears to leave Angel and him alone.

~~~Angel and Husk:~~~

The door opens, and a winged cat answers.

“…Hi.” Angel says, looking at Husk with those huge, complicated eyes that made Husk melt internally.

Husk raises his eyebrows. “You're still here.” He says. 

“Yeah…Can we talk?” Angel asks.

Husk smiles and opens his bedroom door wider. “Always.”

~~~Pentious, Charlie, and Vaggie:~~~~

Vaggie was still cradling Charlie in her arms when they heard the knocking.

“Charlie, Vaggie? May I please enter the room? It's Pentious.” The snake asks on the other side of the door.

“Is it okay if Pentious comes in?” Vaggie asks Charlie.

Charlie nods, taking her paci out of her mouth so she can talk. “Is otay.”

“You can come in, Pen.” Vaggie tells him.

Pentious opens up the door and slivers inside. “Hello, my dears. Are you both alright?” He asks.

“Yeah, we're okay.” Vaggie says. “Are you?”

“Yes, I'm quite alright as well. I just wanted you to know, Charlie, that…well, I'm sorry the test didn't work out or help Angel in any way…but, it did help me-” 

“Before you continue, I should probably let you know that Charlie is currently little right now.” Vaggie explains. “Any big talk may have to wait til later.” 

“Oh really? How- how young is she?” Pentious asks, tilting his head.

Charlie looks at Pentious, confused by the question.

“How old are you, Charlie?” Vaggie asks her.

Charlie slowly raises three fingers happily, so proud of herself to know how big she is!

"Good job, little one." Vaggie praised, causing her little one to giggle happily.

Pentious thinks it over and decided that she’s probably old enough for this. “I made this for you to show my gratitude.” Pentious hands her his box.

Charlie takes it and looks at Vaggie for guidance.

"It's okay, go ahead." Vaggie says to her. 

So Charlie opens it and sees a small wooden snake toy painted in reds and yellows.

“I am eternally grateful for you, Charlie. You helped me become a better person, took me in. And you truly inspire me every day.” Pentious says. “I would be lost without you.” 

Vaggie smiles at Pentious…

The snake started off trying to kill them, and now he's so kind and-

…

Angel wasn't a bad person either, she knows that. 

He's just scared…

He's been through hell and made one mistake-

Sure, what he did was still wrong…but-

She lied to Charlie about being an Angel, she tried to kill Pentious…what made her any better? 

“Snek!” Charlie says, showing the snake to Vaggie by shoving it in her face.

Vaggie closes her eyes tight and flinches at the sudden contact,  then pushes the snake toy away gently. “Yes, I see it.” Vaggie chuckles. “What do you say to Pentious?” 

“Tank oo’ Pen.” Charlie says, reaching out to hug the snake tightly.

Pentious is not exactly sure what to do with the hug...but, he smiles at her and softly returns it as best as he can.“You are very welcome, my dear.”  

Pentious let go of her, and Charlie sits back down. "Snek snek snek. Daddy wa' a snek, gonna get all da apples!" ~ Charlie sings, playing with the snake, it was very well made, it actually moved like a snake when you played with it correctly. 

"Has Angel left yet?" Vaggie asks Pentious.

Pentious shrugs. "I don't think so, but Husk mentioned that he tried talking to him, it doesn't sound like it went well.” 

"Angel gon' stay, Vaggie?" Charlie asks her. 

Vaggie nods and pets Charlie's head. "Yeah, everything will be okay. Don't worry about it. Pentious, do you think you can watch Charlie for a bit while I talk to our strange spider friend?” Vaggie asks.

“Can do.” Pentious says, saluting. “The little princess is in safe and capable hands.” He promised. 

Vaggie nods. She kneels down beside the couch and kisses Charlie's forehead. “Be good, I'll be right back.”

Charlie is a little confused, but she doesn't argue. “Mtay mommy.” She says. 

“That's my good girl.” Vaggie says, kissing her forehead again for good measure. 

She loved Charlie so much!

She can't let her down!

She won't!

~~~Husk and Angel:~~~

“So…you're a little?” Husk asks him.

Angel and Husk are sitting on the bed, the room was pretty quiet, but not in an awkward way…in almost a comfortable way? 

He's not sure why, he usually hates the quiet.  

Angel hugs his legs tight to his chest as he nods. “I started regressing sometime in my twenties but didn't really know what it was…then many years later, ‘few decades in hell, I found a post on Velblr about it…explaining what it was.” Angel explains.

“It was something so pure, so non-sexual, something…safe.” Angel moved to hold his arms, he couldn't stop fidgeting. “It was so innocent and it made me feel…comforted. I hadn't felt that way since…well…before hell, and then some.” Angel says. 

Husk nods, humming quietly, he's not sure what he's supposed to say…he doesn't fully understand regression, he doesn't know what would be appropriate.

“I understand if you think I'm weird, if you feel differently about me…I know it's weird- it is weird, it's very very weird.” Angel says.

“It is weird.” Husk agrees. “But if it helps you…I think it's pretty cool.”

“R-really?” Angel asks. 

“Yeah.” Husk confirms. “This doesn't change anything either, I don't feel any different. I still care for you the same way.” 

Angel smiles. “Thanks, Husk.” 

“And if you ever want to talk more about it, I'd love to hear anything you want to share.” Husk says. “Learn more about your regression.” 

“Why?” Angel asks. 

“It's a part of you.” Husk says. “The real you. I would even like to meet your regressed self, if that's okay.”

“Husk, you would hate my regressed self.” Angel says. “He's loud, and whiney, and needy-”

“And how is that any different than regular you?” Husk asks. 

Angel rolls his eyes. “Funny.” 

“I honestly don't care what you're like when you're small, or how needy you get. Whatever it is you need, I'm here for you." Husk says.

Angel turns away from Husk, hoping the cat can't see his expression.

What was he feeling? 

Flustered? 

Giddy? 

“Nervous?”

He's not sure.

But it was a lot!

But it was..kinda good?

He felt safe with Husk.

It felt like…

He was home. 

But, he's not really sure if that's a good thing.

He's not sure if that was…okay.

But, he did like it.

~~~Vaggie and Angel:~~~

Vaggie walked upstairs and knocked on Angel's door. “Angel?” Vaggie calls out. “I'm not gonna yell again- I just want to talk…if you can hear me, I just wanted to apologize.” 

“Okay, if you don't say something, I'm going to open the door…” Vaggie says. She waited a few seconds before opening the door. 

“Angel?” Vaggie asks, but doesn't see him. 

She walked over to Husk's room, maybe he can have an idea. She knocks on the door and the cat answers. “Can I help you?” He asks her.

“Angel isn't in his room, do you have any idea where he might be?” Vaggie asks him. 

Husk looks behind him at Angel who stands up to look at Vaggie.

“Oh thank fuck, I thought you left.” Vaggie says with relief.

Angel crosses his arms awkwardly. “I thought that's what you wanted.” He says, a bit confused.

“Can we talk in the hall please?” Vaggie asks.

Angel shrugs. “Yeah…I guess.”

Angel walks towards the door, and Husk smiles at him, an attempt to comfort him maybe? Angel wasn't sure. 

Vaggie walked through the hall and sat down on the top of the staircase. 

Angel sits next to her, rather reluctantly, scooting as far away from her as possible. “So…uh-” Angel isn't sure where to start- explanation? Apology? Should he ask where Charlie is? Was she okay?

“I'm sorry I yelled at you, Angel.” Vaggie says. 

“What?” Angel asks. “You're sorry? But I'm the one who-” 

Vaggie doesn't let him finish. “I get so insecure about being a little sometimes.” She admits. “My old friends, they weren't exactly the kind of people I could open up to…Charlie was the first one I knew I could trust since ditching those old friends. I got defensive and lashed out at you instead of talking to you, and I'm really sorry.” 

“I get that…” Angel says; He's known to lash out at people when he's upset. “You have nothin to apologize for…I should have just talked to Alastor, it wasn't right to get everyone else involved…I'm the one who's sorry, your reaction was justified.” Angel says. 

Vaggie disagrees, but she doesnt want to sit and argue with Angel all day. “Well, everyone makes mistakes, Angel. But, we can get through this. Let's just take today as a lesson, to be more understanding and respectful of others in the future. Second chances is what this place is all about after all.” She says, rubbing her arm awkwardly. 

Angel nods. “Sounds good…” he awkwardly rubbing his arm while Vaggie fiddles with her hair, none of them are fans of these awkward emotional conversations. And they've hardly spoken to each other at all- this was whole new territory.

“Angel, I don't know what you go through every day, I don't know what's going on… but, we can handle it. It's okay to talk if you want to. Even if we can't really fix it, we can at least be there for you. Especially Charlie, she's an amazing listener if you give her the chance, I guarantee you, she can make this a safeplace for you.”

Angel sighs, deciding maybe he should talk now? “It's not easy to talk about,” Angel admits. “I was scared, because I know if I took that test, Charlie and you would know that I'm a little too…I'm not sure if I'm ready to face whatever that says about me.”

Vaggie grabs his shoulder. “It doesn't say anything bad about you. Trust me, I know what you're going through. It's not easy to trust people, especially when you have had a bad experience trusting before. But, we're willing to listen, we'd never force you to do anything you're uncomfortable with, and-” Vaggie pauses until Angel looks at her, “we will be there for you, whatever you need. We want you here…I want you here.” 

Angel blinks a little faster, not really expecting this from Vaggie…

“I promise you, Angel. We won't let you fall.” Vaggie swears.

'Keep holding on'

Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Just stay strong'

Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you

There's nothing you could say (nothing you could say)

Nothing you could do (nothing you could do)

There's no other way when it comes to the truth

So keep holding on'

Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Hear me when I say, when I say, "I believe"

Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny

Whatever is meant to be will work out perfectly.'

~Keep holing on, Avril Lavigne

Possum: The song Vaggie sings is from Barbie as rapunzel 💜

Sorry for the late update! I tried so hard (and got so far) to finish this chapter on time!

I tried updating earlier but so many new ideas for this chapter kept arising, and then I had no ideas because they were all overwhelming me and then I thought it was good enough to post- then decided it absolutely was NOT!

Hope this chapter was alright. I stayed up every night since the last update working on it lol

I'm not sure how I feel about it...I think I like it alright, but im too tired to tell

But I hope you all like it!

I am so tired. Lol 😆

I need to sleep but my body doesn't know how!

I'll sleep when I'm dead in hazbin he'll.

Actually...I'll probably write fanfics from there too lol

Oh! Also confirmed Niffty is a mouse pet regressor hahaha! Okay- bye!!!

Tag: @todayimfour @trophyxtissues2 @ask-dusty-boy @dex-dawn @abby5577 @babiegurlmuffin 💕

[lillsisamarshmallow]

Angel | Mafia!Jimin x Reader {Teaser!}

Summary: Together forever, at least that's what they thought. When Jimin suddenly breaks up with Y/n, she is desperate to know why, but why wont he tell her? Y/n does her own investigation into why he suddenly cut off all contact, but will what she suspects be the truth?

Word count: 573

Warnings: Swearing, Let me know if I missed any!

Masterlist

If you enjoyed this work, please like, reblog, maybe leave a reply or even follow if you feel like it, it is much appreciated!

Taglist (Open)

@shadowyjellyfishfest @marblemoonstones  @jinseartharmysmoon

If I missed you or you would like to be added please let me know!

The car jumped as it went over another bump in the uneven track, jolting Jimin around, his hand still grasped around the handle above him, he kept his eyes straight ahead boring into the back of the driver's seat. The ride to their location had taken a turn into the bush, tracks from previous vehicles lead the way through the thick and dense forest, despite the rough ride it wasn't until the man beside him spoke that Jimin finally tore his eyes away from the headrest in front of him.

Turning to the side, Jimin's eyes met with the taller man, whose broad chest barely fit under the seatbelt that was wrapped around him, his long black hair and dark eyes, accompanied by his dark turtlenecked top and black coat. "Are you alright? You seemed spaced out." The man asked as he smiled.

Jimin already knew what he was going to say, the same thing he said every time someone asked this question in the last 2 weeks. "I'm fine, just tired Namjoon." Jimin gave his friend a fake smile as he responded, trying to seem more together than he really was, because the truth was, Jimin had been a wreck for the past month, he wasn't getting any sleep and kept going out on jobs to distract his mind, and when they wouldn't allow him, he would spend hours training, giving himself something else to focus on, anything else to focus on, anything, but you.

"Don't give me that shit, Jimin. I know something is up, we're almost there so tell me before we arrive." Namjoon responded half laughing at the start before his toned turned serious. "Is it about Y/n?"

Jimin sighed feeling defeated, they were both stuck in a car and now Namjoon wouldn't let it go. "It's just, I can't sleep, I can't eat, and I can't get her out of my head." Jimin confessed. "It's feels like I'm constantly drowning in my mind, something keeps pulling me down further and further. I wish it didn't have to be like this."

"I know, but you know this is how it has to be. It's too dangerous for her, we know what could happen if she gets too involved."

Jimin grunted in agreement and turned to look out the window, his sign of saying that this conversation was over, Jimin went on this mission to stop himself from thinking about you and now you were the only thing on his mind, and this wasn't helping. All Jimin wanted to do was stay holding you in his arms and tell you everything was going to be okay.

Oh how he'd wish that he was with you, still lying in bed after the alarms had gone off, slowly watching as the morning sun lit up the room around him, tucked in bed with tangled legs, the feeling of your chest slowly rising and falling against his own as your breath fanned over his neck, he wanted to whisper sweet nothings into your ear and tell you that everything would be okay, that he'd always be here with you, but he couldn't, he wasn't, instead of spending his days with you, he was forced to be here, away from you.

Namjoon seemed to take a hint and dropped it before letting Jimin know that they were arriving.

Hopefully this job would distract him from the only thing playing on his mind, you.

A/n: A teaser?! Wow, omg, she finally posted 😮 Hello! This is a teaser for a imagine that I've been working on for a while, it's inspired by 'Angel Pt2', it's also a completely new way of writing that I've never tried so hopefully it comes out well. I'm mostly done with the writing and I just need to edit it and maybe add a little bit more, but it should be out soon!

[polyamzeal]

Public Breakup Post

On my personal Facebook I posted a long post about my recent breakup. I am going to cross-post it here as a record of the rawness of polyamorous breakup. I appreciate all sympathy given but honestly I have talked to people a lot about it already. I honestly hope this is more of the opposite that it can help other people going through a breakup or hard times to have something relatable to connect with. Also totally fine if you skip this one and keep on scrolling.

When I first became polyamorous I came to the realization that my relationships are my business. I don’t need to be public about them. I purposely limit how much I post about partners on social media. That is privileged information that I only share with people I trust. If someone wants to know about my relationships they can message me privately. But this time it feels appropriate to share a bit more than usual, so I am making a conscious effort to share for a number of reasons. One of the worst parts of polyamory I always say is the breakups. The last two breakups I stayed mostly or completely quiet about. Those partners were closeted, and combined with that, most people didn’t even know I was dating them or how much they meant to me. Furthermore the most common response a monogamous person will have to a polyamorous person with another partner while going through a breakup is, “What is the big deal, you still have a partner so you aren’t single.” This is incredibly hurtful and inconsiderate. The other common response is for them to say, “See, polyamory doesn’t work”, as if countless monogamous breakups across history wouldn’t show that monogamy doesn’t work. So most of the time it is best to just keep breakups secret and not talk about them. Which really sucks and hurts a lot. But I had a breakup recently, and it seems fitting to not keep this one secret and make it public. It was hard, painful, and I have questioned it ever since. My ex is a great person who I still love very much and want the best for them. I don’t regret the relationship and I have many fond precious memories of it. But recently it had just felt “off” in ways that are hard to explain and recognize. Plus we have both had a lot of personal stress outside our relationship as well. There was still a lot of happiness and great times mixed in but also just a lot of stress and anxiety. I wasn’t happy like I used to be and I just felt like I wasn’t getting what I wanted out of the relationship anymore. I am also sure what I wanted has definitely changed since the beginning, also in hard to explain ways. It felt like I was asking for too much out of the relationship. I needed to take a step back and breathe. Focus on my own mental health a bit before I could figure out that particular relationship. Get better at communicating all those hard to explain emotions and expectations. Learn about how I have changed and what I want out of relationships has changed. Sadly, I knew I couldn’t do that while still being in that relationship. It feels unfair to them but I needed to put my own emotional health first before that relationship. One reason I am posting all this is because of society overdramatizing breakups. It makes for good entertainment the more of a dumpster-fire train-wreck a breakup is. But not all breakups need to be like that. Society has told us that if a relationship breaks up then it is labeled a “failure”. THAT IS BULLSHIT! A relationship isn’t deemed a success based on how it ends. The Multiamory Podcast has an important saying as part of their relationship advice, “It is okay to break up.” Also ‘The Polyamory Breakup Book’ by Kathy Labriola gives a ton of examples why people might break up without it being all one person’s fault or someone being bad. A lot of times things just change. People change. I treasure and value that relationship so much. I feel so lucky it happened. They had a positive impact on my life and I hope I did on theirs too. I am sorry that our relationship had changed to this but I am also hopeful that this change will be an evolution, not a downgrade. That right now this is what is best for us and hopefully the future will be bright for us.

[baronetcoins]

So. The US has a speaker of the house(*). If you've seen the memes floating around for the past few days, you might find yourself wondering: how did that happen? Buckle in folks, this was a bit of a ride.

(*) for now

When we last left our... main characters, Kevin McCarthy had failed an 11th ballot to be elected speaker, down 20 Republican votes when he could afford a maximum of five defectors. The house then voted to adjourn until 12 eastern time on January 6th. Overnight, some deals happened, because for the first time since day 1 there was a significant movement in votes. Round 12 saw 14 of the representatives who had previously been defectors voted for McCarthy—not enough to give him the speakership (lmao, imagine?), but enough to prove his chances of victory weren't entirely dead. Important for later, three representatives were absent—Ken Buck (R-Colorado), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), and David Trone (D-Maryland).

Round 13 went much the same in actual voter count, with one more of the never-Kevins peeling off to vote for McCarthy, though it was the first round in which there was not another republican candidate formally nominated. Trone came out of his voluntary surgery to vote for Hakeem Jeffries, and there was a motion to adjourn so the republican caucus could continue haggling, which passed. Setting the house up to reconvene at 10 pm eastern time, and some of the most dramatic hours we've seen in this whole glorious train wreck.

Signs suggested Kevin was feeling good—when asked why he felt confident he had the votes to clinch this, he responded "because I count." Two of the more notorious never-Kevins (Boebert and Gaetz) seemed open to negotiating. The press reported Buck and Hunt would be returning for the evening vote. A cart loaded with giant boxes of Five Guys burgers rolled into the speaker's office.

The hours pass. 10 pm rolls around, and the air is thick with anticipation. The house chaplain offers a prayer in which she suggests the gridlock may finally be over. Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina) gives a nominating speech for McCarthy with not one but two jokes that fell extraordinarily flat, all the while wearing a bow tie.

Now, the votes for speaker are conducted as roll call votes. The poor, probably underpaid, long-suffering house clerk reads off the name of each representative in alphabetical order, then goes through a second time calling the name of any representative who didn't vote the first time. This takes... a while, but what it means is that when you know who's vote to watch, you spend a while in anticipation of that person's name being called, listening to the alphabet.

The other thing to understand, as this gets deep into the weeds, is a little more of the nuts and bolts of how the count works. The speaker of the house is elected by a majority of the votes cast—that is to say, the number of representatives-elect who vote for a name instead of not voting or voting present, divided by half, plus one.

M = [ (# reps elect - # of reps elect not voting - # of reps elect voting present)/2 ] + 1

The US House, while normally filled with 435 reps, currently has 434, due to one death. 212 of those are democrats, the remainder are republicans. If all 434 vote, the threshold for a majority is 218 (434/2, +1). If, say, two members vote present and everyone else votes, the threshold is 217.

The remaining detractors were Biggs, Boebert, Crane, Gaetz, Good, and Rosendale. Biggs, first on the list, voted for a non-Kevin guy, Jordan. Boebert, second in line, voted present. This was a difference that got audible applause from the chamber. For one brief, beautiful, shining moment, it seemed like we might have a resolution. And then Crane votes for Biggs, which. Fine. Kevin can spare a few losses. And then, Gaetz doesn't. vote. Not voting present, which is a different thing. He just lets the first round skip him. Good votes for Jordan. Rosendale votes for Biggs. At which point, the math is as follows. 434 congresspeople, 432 votes, 217 to win. McCarthy has 216 votes. It all comes down to Gaetz: if he votes for McCarthy, Kevin wins. Anything else, and we're doing this again.

Gaetz. Votes. Present.

At first, this gets cheers and claps. And I look at my mom, who's watching the vote with me, and wonder "what the fuck?" The reaction makes me doubt my math. The floor is in chaos. Pretty quickly, it seems people realize that McCarthy is not, in fact, speaker of the house. Kevin runs back towards Gaetz and starts "negotiating" (fig 1)

Fig. 1: things get heated

A democrat heckles from the distance, yelling "On your knees!" To Kevin as he approached Gaetz. There are calls for order. Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, has to be physically dragged away from Gaetz (fig 2)

Fig. 2: lol, and furthermore, lmao

All this, followed by a motion to adjourn until Monday that at first appears to be successful, until Kevin runs to the front to tell members to change their votes. It appears a deal has been struck—and ballot 15 proves it. All the remaining holdouts vote present, lowering the threshold to 215, and allowing Kevin's 216 votes to take him over the line. Truly, our long national nightmare has come to a middle.

What does this mean? Probably bad things. The rules package and committee assignments are yet to be formalized (that'll come on Monday), but expect the house ""freedom"" caucus to be more or less running the show (*) (*pending a long and bloody battle over the rules, which is, IMO, still on the table).

I could go through the speeches, but it's 2:30 am and I've got a flight tomorrow so I would literally Rather Perish so instead, to conclude, i'll leave you with this.

(3: source)

[eriexplosion]

Vibrating excitedly because it's time for Battle Scars and I am READY.

Obsessed with this opening honestly. Everything is happening at once. Everyone is yelling. Echo is just trying to get the hyperdrive back online. Omega has named the lizard. (Interesting that it IS Ruby and she picked the name... but when we see it with Roland, the name is in fact Ruby. So either she DIVINED THE NAME or Roland hadn't named her yet and somehow the Ruby name got passed to him and he's like. Yeah this is a Ruby. Great instincts kid I will surely never meet!)

Also crawling onto Wrecker's face, he is ALREADY HAVING A BAD TIME. IT'S GONNA GET WORSE.

Successful Cid job tally: 1 failed, 2 successes

Hunter's very doubtful UH-HUH... THE KID. is so cute.... I miss him, season 2 Hunter is SO FUCKING DEPRESSED. LIKE LITERALLY ABOUT TO LAY DOWN AND SLEEP FOR 200 YEARS DEPRESSED.

Cornered introduced them to Money and Bribes, Battle Scars introduces them to CREDIT CARD DEBT.

TWENTY CARTONS OF MANTELL MIX. JUST BEEN PUTTING IT ON CID'S TAB THE WHOLE TIME.

Bolo and Ketch trying to fight Rex is SO fucking funny. Boys you won't win that one. Go sit down.

I'M SORRY I AM NEVER OVER TECH PIPING UP WITH "THAT'S NOT HER UGLY SIDE?" DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF CID. ABSOLUTE LACK OF SHITS TO GIVE. LOOK AT HIS FIELD OF FUCKS AND NOTE THAT IT IS BARREN.

We do love Rex's poncho disguise. Nothing says stealth like having your EXTREMELY DISTINCTIVE ARMS ON DISPLAY.

"Being dead in the Empire's eyes has its advantages" sounds like another line that could come back with Tech.

CUTE SMILES <3

Rex immediately kneeling down to talk to Omega is adorable but when she gets way into his personal space he looks SO NERVOUS AND ANXIOUS. AND THEN SHE TELLS HIM HE HAS WRINKLES.

Tech very casually like OUR INHIBITOR CHIPS DON'T WORK EXCEPT IN CROSSHAIR like yes Wrecker is having migraines, etc, but it's probably fine. Genius that cannot conceive of his family continuing to dwindle so he just assumes Wrecker will be okay probably. He has to be right?

Still seeing Rex go for his blaster for them hurts me.

HUNTER STANDING IN FRONT OF TECH THOUGH WHEN THINGS GET TENSE. HE PROTECT.

I don't want to bury anymore of our brothers.

Listen I do still think it's funny that Rex unlike Cut has Zero Reaction to Crosshair being missing and apparently has not asked, but I do think that it would be interesting to get him talking about the chips with Crosshair. Rex has no reason to lie to make him feel better. You can't resist the chips and Crosshair isn't special in that regard.

Wrecker thinks he's nervous about the surgery now but soon he gets to see that the surgery suite is also a complete wreck!

Obsessed with this shot WHY does Tech looks like he belongs in blurry bigfoot footage?

Rex not mentioning Ahsoka makes so much sense actually he has no idea what might make their chips suddenly activate so best not to mention the help he got from a former Jedi

So Wrecker starts out getting attacked by a lizard, has a horrifying migraine, has to go across a terrifying pit on a cord which immediately breaks, smacks him into a wall, and dangles him upside down by one leg to fish for some sort of horrid creature. AND IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE FOR HIM FROM HERE.

Tech complaining about the cleanliness again like he didn't live in some sort of biohazard train wreck in a bed that looks like this

God the way Omega is already worried about being left all alone in Battle Scars. Baby, I want you to have your whole family back so bad more than I've wanted anything ever. Also Hunter's response here is "You're stuck with us for the long run" and I just feel like it would be exceptionally mean spirited to have that and then have Omega alone at the end like a lot of theories predict.

God the moment that Wrecker grabs Tech is still the most fucking chilling thing. And obviously the chip was already activating but I wonder if it's what Hunter was talking about, saying 'at least we helped the Padawan escape' that finally pushed it over the edge.

THE MUSIC CUTTING OUT WHEN WE ZOOM IN ON WRECKER'S PUPIL EXPANDING.

Someone pointed out ONE TIME that when Wrecker is pinning him to the wall Hunter tries to tap out by tapping his wrists twice and I can never again NOT notice that. Trying to get through to Wrecker but Wrecker's not in right now. It's just the fucking chip.

HE WAS JUST GOING TO MURDER THE FUCKING CHILD.

Chipped Wrecker is terrifying and honestly vital to see before we get to Reunion. The viewer NEEDS to understand just how unbeatable the chips are in order to understand Crosshair's character arc, we need to see it in someone that we know is completely trustworthy and good in order to see how much it Does Not Matter how good you are.

The thing with this show is that I've always felt like it REALLY understands where it's going with its narrative. Whatever else people might think about it, it does understand how to lay the groundwork to support the themes and family dynamics and it does feel completely sketched out.

Omega honey shaking him will not make Wrecker wake up faster please give him some breathing room.

EVERYONE FALLING ASLEEP AROUND WRECKER. MY HEART.

The way Tech pops straight up from being completely conked out in a chair KILLS ME.

They went so far as to shave like a quarter of Tech's head for the surgery but they didn't touch Hunter's at all. He allowed exactly one (1) square inch to be shaved off and he immediately hid it under his fucking bandana.

The animation is so detailed though, they left hair stubble behind even.

Here Wrecker eat Omega's pocket mix that she has been carrying for who knows how long.

Hunter saying he's still figuring out what's best for his squad. End of season two he still doesn't have it yet.

Rex mysteriously fucking vanishing into the fog is so funny, that is exactly how to exit the screen. Just fade into the fog like a mysterious unicorn.

And of course the Doom Ending to lead into Reunion.

[sparkylurkdragon]

This has been A Week. tl;dr car wreck at work that I was involved in as a passenger, don't worry we're all fine but have to deal with The Shitty Supervisors, more behind the cut. Take that as a content warning for vehicular accidents and ableism.

As a review, one of my jobs is on a cardboard recycling crew for a local charity that has a job-training program which employs disabled people. I'm on recycling because I have mobility and stamina issues.

On Monday, we were driving around and I was vibing with my earbuds in, dozing, when I felt a jolt and got thrown forward against my seatbelt. I woke up and went "what did we hit?!" then looked around and saw: We had been hit.

Some dude in a pickup had smashed into our trailer. We don't know what was up with him yet, but it was very clearly his fault. Our supervisor swerved so he hit the unoccupied trailer and not the fucking full van of people and probably saved our lives.

So. One police report, fire ambulance that thankfully had no injuries to treat, and the supervisor going home to take the week off later (he is as far as I know physically fine but obviously pretty fucked up mentally about the whole thing), and those of us on recycling crew were given the option to go home without pay or join the landscaping crew for the rest of the day. Given that I can't physically do the landscaping work, home I went.

So! Upon our return the next day, they did find stuff for us to do around the mill, but we had to deal with The Landscaping Supervisors. They range from Mildly Annoying (the one who worked with us directly) to Smarmy Jackass.

You know the voice. The very special "I'm not disabled so I'm a superior being" voice. The kind where you know if they thought they wouldn't get in trouble they'd say "now run along little [r-slur]." This is how Smarmy Jackass sounds. I know that it's a charity employing disabled folks and some of us do need things broken down more than others, but there's a way to do that and not talk to us like we're fucking toddlers.

What fucking blows my mind is that, again, a lot of the recycling crew have mobility problems. Landscaping crew was using their van to do recycle's work, but only took one of the recycle team?? The rest of us stayed behind and sorted wood in the mill or did janitorial work?? The latter of which is actively dangerous for me because I'm immune compromised?!

I had to put my foot down and say "look I'm not trying to avoid doing my fair share but I Kind Of Can't Do The Bathrooms and I Kind of Can't Stay Standing Long Enough To Vacuum Or Do Much Sweeping Or Mopping," and even that got a Hiding Exasperation kind of look and a "well... we'll figure something out". To her credit, Mildly Annoying did figure it out and gave me stuff I could do, but.

Why not. Why not let the landscaping crew 'rest.' And take us recycling guys. Out on our route. Why is this hard.

One of the recycling guys did ask Smarmy Jackass this, and got a whole Lecture about how aren't we lucky the Big Boss let us work at all this week, we could've just been sent home with no pay, that van is Landscaping's Van and we are doing recycle a favour by doing your work for you.

(I did bring up Smarmy Jackass' behaviour to Mildly Annoying today, but it was in the context of me getting pulled aside for yelling over the din of the landscaping crew in the mornings to tell a dude who got up in my face to point at my shirt that no I'm not wearing a Marvel shirt, and being told "well tell him you can't hear him next time". He??? Couldn't hear me??? Because I was masked??? And landscaping is loud as fuck in the mornings???

Uuuuugh why is there no polite way to tell people to leave you alooooone I'm confident I would've got talked to if I'd said that, too.)

Being around the guys vocal stimming with fart jokes and competitive posturing all day does get annoying sometimes in a conflicting access needs way, but at least I can put my headphones in about it. This was unbearable.

...So. That's my week. Still have work at the retail place tomorrow but shit, man, at least I've mostly got the ableism to my face trained out of those folks.

[not-goldy]

can I ask you a question, now this is 4th time this week I'm seeing someone on ig claiming it was Tae who made BTS famous. But is it really? From what I'm seeing it's their songs and contents different from other kpop groups, amazing rapline which most kpop groups lack, JK being a terrific vocalist, JM being the best performer and being naked IT BOY, Joon speaking English to navigate through western interviews made them famous. So I don't see where Tae comes in this equation 🤔 If I have to choose 3 main members bts can't do without it will be Jimin, JK and Joon. Because imagine a concert one of them is not performing.. it will be disaster compared to Yoongi or Tae or Jin not performing.

This is both heartbreaking and intellectually stimulating. Let's get into it🤣

Performance wise, i don't think you can do without Hobi, JM, JK and Tae in my humble opinion. Especially in that particular order😩

To that end I'll distinguish between dancers and dance influencers. Hobi JM JK Tae are dancers but Hobi JM are the dance influencers. Their unique dance background influences and inspires the performances bts put out.

We can't compare mere dancers with dance artists I'm sorry. Tae Kook are great dancers but Hopemin are the dance artists of the group and without their input and vision and artistry BTS would be STB.

Vocal wise, you can't do without Jin, Hobi, Jimin and Tae💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀(in no particular order. I'll expatiate further on this hold on)

Visual wise, you can't do without all of them these days🥴

I mean exhibit A

Its embarrassing to say but- daddy pappito🥵🥵🥵🥵

Makes me want to crawl under his desk obediently🥴

But back in the day??????? Back in the day visuals was jx Jin, JM and may be Tae I'm sorry. Jm was half way in between boy, non-binary, and stud- thank God for their glow ups🤣🤣🤣🤣

I say JM was a visual because he looked more cut chiseled and met the ideal male body beauty standards which is why hybe constantly over sexualized him.

I recall Joon saying they all worked out thinking they were going to flaunt their bodies only to be told by the company JM was the only one who was going to display his body- even though he didn't want to and felt some way about it. Jin had the face, and broad shoulders, JM had the abs🥴

These days they are all visuals in their own right.

Jk is the vocal lead yes and carry most of their songs true.. but sometimes I feel Jin Hobi and Tae could easily replace him on most songs and they would be just fine😩😩😩😩😩😩😩

This is not to belittle his efforts contribution and talents at all. It's just sometimes I feel they share certain lines to certain members just so no one is left out but honestly sometimes they are just vocally redundant 🥴

Especially considering the genre of music they choose to make which really doesn't require diverse vocal ranges.

Tae does so well with low notes, Jimin and Jin do so well with higher notes. Jk cannot replace Tae or Jimin- he can do what they do, but sometimes even he complains he struggles with certain notes because if Jimin and Jin.

Tae has equally ever complained its hard to harmonize with Jm's high note.

I'm not playing favorites when I say, JM has one of the most unique voices in BTS. He and Tae to me have very different very unique vocal ranges so really they are core pillars of the group too. By that I mean we can't do without them. If this was a game, I wouldn't eliminate either one of them.

But of course, back in the day none of these members had developed their voices and talents. Jimin was but a rapper and hadn't spent much time training his voice to sing.

So within the context of their early days, JK was the vocal king of BTS which earned him lead.

Then there's Hobi and all rounder. Super underrated that one. He can sing sing, rap and dance and these days he's a visual- stage presence is impeccable, he's unproblematic, kind, generous- BTS 2.0 is going to be chaotic cos some of us are getting bias wrecked already🤣

Jk is an all rounder much like Hobi. Which means you either save him and eliminate all the others off the board or you can eliminate him and the others much like pawns will fit right into his shoes- and depending on their individual limits they can either become bishops but never Queens 🥴

Most times I feel wow, Hobi could easily double as a vocalist because he sings well, and he has a beautiful singing voice too.

So I place him on the same scale as JK😩

If I had to rank characters on the board, Hobi would be my Queen for Sure- chess reference if you play chess.

When I hear BTS, really I can't think of them as anything but 7 member group.

They will struggle without Suga's musical genius, without Hobi's dance mentorship, without Namjoon's leadership. So to me these three, Suga, Hobi, RM are quite fundamental to the day to day functioning of the group. Let's call them the core pillars of BTS.

These three alone however may not necessarily make for a global boyband on their own

For Tae, he was the fan recruit executive who could easily turn fans. He was likeable relatable, funny and a joy to watch- personally I'm trauma bonded to him especially after his Naana passed and the while hybe hiding him before debut bit🤧

As he matured he mastered the art of pleasing fans also. He knew very much what the audience wanted and he gave it to them- he's still good at giving it to them- my Fan service King🤭 Remember he kissed Jin and said he knew fans would love that? He knows us, he understands us, he's one of us 🥴

He was very popular among fans, even to this day on IG he has the biggest following out of all the boys and BTS back then was of the view putting him on thumbnails would yield high clicks. Joon ever said that to JK if I recall- unless the translations were off then🥴

BTS have a view it's Army that has made them, they rarely talk about their hard work and talents and how that is what has opened so many doors for them.

So when Joon talks about JM and Tae he's talking about in different senses I feel. For him, his talent and efforts inspired BTS to broaden their scope, take on certain songs and performances that shaped and defined them and got them their breakthrough.

Tae also helped build their fanbase and attract rabid loyal fans.

I feel that this discussion ought to be viewed in context- in the context of 7 boys from different backgrounds with varying strengths and weaknesses being held to different beauty standards.

I mean imagine hybe signing Jin on because he's beautiful- remember Joon told Jin he wanted to hear he's handsome from him because he is the most handsome out of the group?

Jin is the ideal Kdrama lead Character in kpop frfr however that's not what attracts people to him🥴

These boys, young insecure being told daily this person or that person ought to be center cos they look better than yall or they dance better than yall- you should understand how that shapes their understanding of what made them successful. But truth is they all had a part to play in their journey to success and none of them was dispensable.

For JM he's there because he's a unique dancer, yet vocally they didn't know where to place him. He wasn't even signed on to sing from the beginning but imagine if he hadn't decided to switch and just remained a rapper- hybe would have had to toss him out at some point for sheer lack of passion for rap🥴

If suga had stayed in his comfort zone and not danced......... that that I like that 😭😭😭😭

They've pushed their own limits, refined themselves, found their places in the group and I think they each bring so much to the table severally and jointly that it's impossible to attribute the success of the group to just one individual.

That said, I think for some members, their role in the group should never be understated. The dance directors Hobi, Jimin, the song producers (Suga, RM), and the social engineers (Tae, JM) whose love, kindness, patience, understanding and humanity kept them together for so many years as a group. Left to the ghetto ninjas like Jin and JK they wouldn't talk to eachother let alone vibe cos who has time to nurture relationships when they could be playing video games all day of their lives🥴

[autumnmobile12]

This scene was a train wreck.

So they all were pretty sure the Female Titan was Annie before it got to this point, right?  They had a meeting and everything, didn’t they?

And Plan A was capture and interrogate?  Back her into a position where she would have been desperate enough to violently lash out and cause catastrophic loss of life to the military and civilians?  The plan was lure her underground where she hopefully wouldn’t cause much damage?

Shouldn’t Plan A have been diplomacy and negotiation?

In this situation, the Scouts should have tried to negotiate.  Offer amnesty for her crimes in exchange for information.  It would have dishonored the people who’d died, sure, but the Walls were in a position where they were in dire need of information.  Sue for peace, compromise, find out what the enemy wants, uphold your end of the bargain (because if another Shifter is captured, you need their confidence you’re going to keep your word,) and most importantly, figure out the Shifters’ motives.  What do they want?

“Remember, whatever the price...I'll beat it! I like living! Tyrion Lannister”. ― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones (or is this line not in the books?)

...

Throughout this part, both Armin and Eren are trying to reason with Annie...

...and Mikasa steps in and says she's heard enough and starts threatening her?

First time I watched this scene, when Mikasa steps up and shouts she's heard enough and there's no point in continuing, my immediate thought was, "What the fuck? We're done talking already?"

Annie wasn't even doing anything. She was just standing there. She wasn't saying anything aggressive. She wasn't even reaching for that ring she used. All she did was confess she found Marco's ODM gear, implying she knows what happened to him, as well as admit she doesn't know why she spared Armin. The ball was entirely in Annie's court. She still had an opportunity to say, "Fine, let's talk," until Mikasa opened her mouth.

If either Armin or Eren had any sense, they should've rounded on Mikasa and told her to sit down and shut up. "If she's not attacking yet, neither are we."

To sum up, the Scouts needed information. They identified a mole working for the enemy. The enemy's motives are at this point unknown. So they needed Annie's cooperation. Nobody is going to cooperate when they're being threatened like that. No wonder she started laughing and chose violence.

As far as I'm concerned, until Annie actually made a move against them (whether it was a verbal threat or shifting into titan form,) they still had a chance for diplomacy. No bets were off until that happened. There was no logical reason to threaten her.

The Scouts shot themselves in the foot that day.

[adri-2022]

Fourth of July

Fandom: Chicago PD

Characters: Jay Halstead x FemReader / OC William "Liam" Halstead/ OC Hazel "Elle" Halstead/ Will Halstead

Warnings: Slight swearing/ fluff/ comedy?

Word count: 1511

Jay Halstead Materlist

A/N: Hey my beautiful people here is another original imagine. I hope everyone is doing ok. Portraying William “Liam” Halstead is Walker Scobell and portraying Hazel “Elle” Halstead is McKenna Grace. Sending love 💕

Don't be afraid to leave your comment!

———————

July 4ths weekend was finally here a very celebratory date for some to say the most. But for a lot of people, it wasn’t much of a celebration, it reminded them of the nightmares they had to encounter at nights. That was the case for the Halstead family, Jay had served in the rangers almost 11 years ago, to this day he still struggled. He had to leave you and his family for a whole year in his last deployment, each day after he came home showed he was trying his best for his family. He still had some ptsd, minimum, but still there hence why you were currently on Jay’s truck on your way to the family cabin. You had planned to have some family time in a remote place where you could share and shelter your husband and spend time with your family.

The road trip had just started, it was Friday, July 3rd afternoon, you planned to get there by midnight at most. Why so late? Obviously, it had to be this late at noon because your husband had worked today and so did your brother-in-law. So, it was the perfect timing to pack bags and head there before the 4th of July itself.

“So, mom when was the last time you came to this place?” your son William Halstead -Liam for short- asked. And yes, you had named him after your brother-in-law much to your husbands dismay -Will doesn’t need his ego raised hon- those were the words your husband so kindly tried to persuade you with, safe to say they didn’t work.

“Well, it was right before you were born. So that would mean almost 12 years” you said squinting your eyes at the realization of it. Jay on the other hand whistled under his breath before looking at you with raised eyebrows. It had been that long? It felt like yesterday.

“We need go more often” Jay said while keeping his eyes on the road, to which you hummed before going back to your book. Ever so often he glanced back lightly to make sure his brother’s car was still following him. You followed his eyesight and chuckled quietly.

“They’re fine baby” you said quietly, reaching your hand to grasp his, giving a light squeeze.

“I know” Jay said looking between you and the road, making you shake your head amused by his behavior. Well, you had to hand it to him, Will was not the best of drivers and he had precious cargo with him.

“Dad is it true that if you use too much conditioner you can turn blind?” Liam asked breaking the silence, this made both you and Jay share a look, squinting your eyes at the comment, what the hell were they teaching him at school.

“Well, tha- first of all who told you that?” you asked turning slightly to look at your son, a confused look on your face.  

“Uncle Adam” Liam said, trying to hide his amusement. Even Liam knew his uncle was bullshitting him, but he just wanted to spice this road trip even if it was at his uncle’s expenses.

“Of course, he did. I’m going to kill that asshole” “Jay Halstead” you exclaimed, Jay raising one of his hands in surrender while Liam laughed. There was something about Liam’s laugh, it was contagious and the definition of joyous. Jay always said that he got the best of you, but in some aspects, you knew Liam was Jay’s spirit animal.  

“He is” Jay defended himself. Making you sigh,

“Yeah, he is” you said giving in, knowing he was right. Adam was the definition of a train wreck mixed with a man-child. Sometimes you even thought that he was dropped as a baby.

“So. Why are we like taking a road trip to this cabin?- Dad are you secretly a serial killer?” Liam said raising an eyebrow accusing his father.

“Woah god! Wh- no!” Liam was a curious kid.

“What. Just stating the facts” Liam shrugged his shoulders, you could basically hear the smirk on those words. Oh, that smirk you knew where he got it from, and it was coming to bite you in the ass. You took charge in answering the question.

“Well to answer your question Mr. I’m stating the facts. We are basically taking this trip because…your dad…well- he’s afraid of fireworks” you muttered, pursing your lips and trying to not laugh, hearing Liam’s giggles.

“What. I am not!” Jay defended himself, hands going everywhere as he tried to talk.

“Oh, you so are dad” Liam continued to tease his father, making Jay shake his head with a slight smirk on his lips. Turning to you he raised one eyebrow, an amused look on his face before pointing a finger at you.

“You see what you do” “Me!” “Yeah you! I love how my wife and son plot and make fun of me during this lovely, forced road trip” you both argued between laughs.

Unknown to you Liam was looking at both of you with a smile on his face. He loved his parents and how you both could show your kids how love should look like. That’s something you both agreed when you found out you were pregnant. To always have a healthy relationship and teach them what healthy love looked like. Liam knew the real reason for the trip but he wasn’t about to put his dad on the spot, he knew how much his dad struggled with his ptsd. The walls at home were thin, which let Liam hear how his dad would pant for air after a nightmare and how you both would walk out to the backyard porch to talk.  

Just then Jay’s phone rang, Will’s name popping on the screen of the truck. Jay answered it at the second ring not wasting any time. From the other side of the line two voices could be heard,

“Father of mine. Could you tell your brother to not drive like a maniac” you daughter Hazel Halstead -Elle for short- voiced through the speakers, making you all giggle.  

“I’m not driving like a maniac Elle. It’s called defensive driving” Will argued back, making you roll your eyes.

“Will. We all know it’s bad driving” you argued back, hearing as Elle and Will started arguing in his car about his awful driving skills.

“Alright. Alright! Children can you behave!” Jay interjected in his dad voice, making the line go silent. You glanced at him hiding your laugh with a cough. The line was silent for a couple of minutes before it was broken.

“Elle dad’s afraid of fireworks” Liam exclaimed. A gasp was heard from the car, while a groan was heard from yours.

“I knew it!” she said between giggles.

“Elle I’m not! Don’t listen to your brother” Jay exclaimed back at his daughter who was laughing.

“Oh, you so are dad” she exclaimed back, voicing the exact same words your son had said a couple of minutes ago. -I guess twins think alike- you thought, there was no arguing that. To this Jay groaned,

“Will, can you just drive safely please. You have precious cargo aka my daughter in your car. Don’t make me pull you over for child endangerment” Jay said pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I am driving safely” “The hell you are. I have come close to death like three times dad” Elle argued back to her uncle’s answer.

“Oh god give me strength. This is going to be a long weekend” you muttered under your breath, to which Jay mouthed ‘It was your idea’ with eyes wide in an accusatory manner. This made your mouth drop while squinting your eyes at him -how dare he- you thought.

“It’s alright. I’ll give her some sleeping pills, so she doesn’t talk for the rest for the trip” Will’s comment was met with your daughters gasp,

“Dad did you hea-” Jay reached over to the screen, cutting the phone call, before sighing.

“Well, that was awkward” Liam commented, making you and your husband close your eyes for a moment taking a deep breath. Indeed, it was going to be a long weekend.

It had been an hour since Liam fell asleep, silence surrounding the truck, it was already dark outside. You were looking out of the window into the woodsy view when you felt a hand slip into yours. This made you turn towards your husband who was stealing glances at you with a sweet smile on his face.

“You alright babe?” you asked smiling slightly towards him, squeezing his hand.

“All good. Just thankful” with that he raised your interwind hands to kiss the back of yours this made you move slightly towards him leaning in for a loving kiss, Jay smiling into the kiss before pulling away and turning his gaze back on the road. You leaned your head on his shoulder, which made Jay sighed in content; it would be a long weekend, but it was going to be in the best way possible.

[barikinbear]

Part Three: We’re Okay

T-C*ST DNI PLS AND THX

@ilivelikeimtrying

Same old song, eighty second verse, a little bit louder, a little bit worse.

Leo was hurt again. He’d probably thrown himself in to the line of fire, no regards for his own safety, only thinking of himself.

Raph would scold him, he’d brush it off. As always.

But when Raph and Donnie got to the alleyway behind Big Mama’s hotel, where Mikey, April and Casey were huddled in a circle on the ground, what greeted him was so much worse.

Leo was covered in blood. The stitches in his shoulder had burst open, horrible dark red liquid flowing out. His eyes were barely open, and his skin was deathly pale.

“What happened?” Raph demanded, dropping to his knees beside April.

“We were just trying break up a fight between two yokai.” April’s voice was tight with panic, her hands shaking. “One of them lunged at Leo with a knife, a-and he didn’t move. He was too slow, and-”

“We have to get him home,” Donnie cut in. “Now.”

Raph scooped Leo up into his arms, trying not to wince at the slimy blood on his skin.

Mikey held on to Leo’s hand, probably more for his own comfort. Leo was still half unconscious.

“It’ll be okay, Mikey. He’s been through worse.” Raph had meant it to be reassuring, but Mikey flinched, looking away.

Stupid. Mikey didn’t need to be reminded of that right now.

Raph wanted to take it back, to make up for his careless words, but Leo’s injury needed dealt with now.

Raph carried him into the turtle tank, laying him on the floor. April jumped into the driver’s seat while Casey knelt on the floor next to Leo’s still body.

Raph watched, all noise around him fading as Casey pressed gauze into Leo’s wounds, bright red soaking through the white bandages.

Why didn’t Leo move? He knew how to dodge a knife attack. Something was very wrong with this picture.

“The bleeding is slowing.” Casey’s voice broke into Raph’s thoughts. “He should be fine.”

“Fine? He’s covered in blood and he’s barely conscious! How is that fine?” Raph snapped, gesturing to his little brother’s wrecked form.

Wasn’t Casey supposed to be trained in this kind of thing? Anyone could see Leo was not fine.

“Raph.” Donnie laid a hand on Raph’s shoulder. “He’s just sleeping.”

Sure enough, Leo’s breathing was deep and even, chest rising and falling smoothly.

“I knew he was pushing himself too far,” Mikey said, an edge of something like anger in his voice. “He wouldn’t listen to me when I told him to rest. He was too tired and weak to even dodge a knife.”

They fell silent as Mikey’s words settled over them. Leo laid there so calmly, like his family wasn’t staring at him with pain and tears in their eyes.

They finally reached home. Raph gathered Leo in his arms again, careful not to wake him.

“Bring him to the med bay. I’m going to have to stitch him up again.”

Raph followed Donnie, forcing himself to look ahead and not at the dried blood on Leo’s skin.

“At least we have the numbing cream this time. Hopefully he won’t wake up,” Donnie said, prepping the needle and thread.

“Yeah, for his sake and ours.” Raph laid him on the cot and set to work cleaning the dried blood off Leo’s shoulder and arm.

He swallowed the tears back as he worked, a painful knot forming in his throat.

This was his fault. He’d pushed Leo to the edge. He’d pushed him to be a better leader, to put his team and family before himself.

And in doing so, nearly killed him.

Now his little brother was once again injured, blood staining his skin, because Raph couldn’t undo the damage he’d done.

Leo stirred right as Donnie was finishing up the stitches. His eyes fluttered open, and a groan escaped.

“What happened?”

“You got hurt. Again. Because you were too tired to get out of the way.” Raph fought to keep his voice under control. He couldn’t cry. Not now.

“Oh.” Leo glanced down at the black stitches marching across his shoulder and down his bicep. “Did anyone else get hurt?”

“No, we’re all fine,” Donnie said, answering before Raph could. “But you are not. You’ve been doing too much lately, and you ended up hurt because you’re too worn out. You were so exhausted you didn’t even wake up when I stitched you up.”

Leo shrugged his good shoulder.

“I have to work hard. I’m the leader, it’s my job to keep you guys safe. I can’t do that by slacking off.”

“Is that right?”

The three of them collectively jumped at the sudden voice. Splinter stood in the door way, arms crossed.

“My son, you cannot lead your team effectively if you’re not taking care of yourself. So until your shoulder heals, no training of any kind. And,” Splinter came over and took Leo’s hand in his. His eyes were kind, his voice extra gentle. “Until you can learn to give yourself proper rest, you will sit out future missions. Raphael will lead the team in your stead.”

Raph’s heart stopped. Leo’s eyes hardened.

“It’s not about me. That’s what everyone kept telling me, so now that I’m actually listening and putting my team first, I’m still doing it wrong?” Leo’s anger was barely concealed. His clenched fists were trembling at his sides.

“It’s not like that, Leo-” Raph started to explain, but Leo jumped off the cot and shoved past him.

“Wait!” Raph reached for Leo’s arm, only to have his hand smacked away.

“I hope you’re happy, since this is clearly what you wanted all along.” Leo’s eyes were cold, hard as steel. Raph stood there, speechless.

Leo hated him. And who could blame him?

Tears flooded Raph’s eyes, blurring his vision. If he had been able to see clearly, he would’ve seen Leo’s hard glare falter. He would’ve seen the heartbreak on Leo’s face as he turned away and left his family behind.

How could things have gone so wrong?

Leo buried his face in his damp pillow. He didn’t know if it was sweat or tears or both at this point.

He’d done everything. He’d given everything. And it still wasn’t enough. Not enough for Raph, for Dad, for Donnie or anyone.

They didn’t want him as their leader anymore. He wasn’t good enough.

New sobs wracked his aching body. His shoulder stung. He hadn’t even taken painkillers before collapsing in bed.

What was he gonna do? How could he face his family knowing he had no place on their team?

The exhaustion finally took hold and dragged him into a fitful sleep. His last thought before succumbing was of Raph’s tear filled eyes.

Raph couldn’t sleep. He’d tangled his sheets in knots before finally getting up. He might as well check on everyone else while he was up. Do something while he was doing nothing.

Donnie, Dad, and even Mikey were sound asleep. Mikey had the worst time sleeping these days. Raph smiled at the sight of his baby brother’s peaceful face and gently closed his door. Whatever sleep Mikey could manage was a blessing.

Now for Leo. Raph slowly made his way to Leo’s room.

Part of him hoped Leo was awake. He wanted to talk things out, to make it right between them again.

If Leo would allow it. Raph had wanted to scream when Dad declared him the temporary leader.

It was for Leo’s own good, but Raph knew in the long run it would only serve to drive him and Leo further apart.

A strangled cry echoed from Leo’s room. Raph took off, all thoughts of being quiet abandoned.

He threw open Leo’s door. Leo was curled up in the fetal position on his bed, his heartbreaking cries cutting Raph to pieces.

“Leo, hey, it’s okay, I’m here.” Raph knelt down beside Leo’s bed and laid a hand on his elbow. Leo immediately froze.

Several seconds went by.

“Leo? Talk to me.”

A sniffle, a gasping breath.

“Why aren’t I good enough for you?” It was barely whispered, but it made Raph’s skin go cold.

Oh no. No, no, no.

He pulled Leo’s hands off his face. His eyes were wide, unfocused, like they were after a really bad nightmare. It seemed the more tired Leo was when he went to bed, the worse they got.

Raph tried not to imagine what Leo had seen in his nightmares tonight and wrapped Leo up in his arms. He sat on the floor with his back against the bed, cradling a sobbing Leo against his chest.

“Leo, you are good enough. You always were.”

Leo shook his head, whimpering. It might not do much good trying to talk to him in this state, but Raph had to try. He couldn’t let Leo stay this way.

“Nothing I do is good enough. I can’t do this anymore.” Leo’s voice was painfully quiet, muffled against Raph’s neck.

How could he explain this? Raph had never wanted to make Leo feel this way. He just wanted him safe. To take care of himself like he took care of everyone else.

“Leo, listen to me. When you sacrificed yourself to save us, I realized what I’d done wrong. I’d pushed you too hard. I wasn’t understanding of your fear of being the leader.”

Raph rested his head on Leo’s scalp, gently rubbing circles on his back.

“And I thought it was too late, that I’d never get to make it up to you, but then Mikey saved you, and I got a second chance. To be more patient, to listen to you instead of lecturing.” His voice cracked on the last word.

“And I’ve failed you again. I’m so sorry.”

For several minutes, neither brother said a word. They cried together, huddled on the floor in the dark, their old bond starting to grow back.

“You didn’t fail me,” Leo whispered, his voice hoarse. “You were trying to help me. I thought you still didn’t trust me, or you thought I was too weak to be the leader. I’m sorry I didn’t realize that sooner.”

Raph chuckled softly, wiping away the last of his tears.

“Better late than never.”

Raph grabbed Leo’s blanket off the bed and draped it over them both. Leo shifted closer, snuggling into his big brother’s warmth.

Raph’s tired eyes drifted shut. For the first time in months, he felt at peace.

They’d be okay. One day, they’d sleep without fear of what they’d see in their dreams. And they’d heal together.

Thanks for reading! I hope you all enjoyed our little story arc. The link to part two, written by @ilivelikeimtrying is at the very top, and part one is right here 👇

[luckyshotwrites]

Ch. 85 // Idiocy // Day 59

Contents (Warnings): Lynette starts her training (slight angst, vore mentions, character and monster info as always). Read full chapter on A03

Wordcount: 2,138 (Sorry, I've been busy with some irl problems and new puppy!)

Song I correlate to this Chapter: Not found yet!

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

(Nov. 25th, Friday)

Lynette

We were still off for Thanksgiving 'weekend'. Work resumed tomorrow, Saturday. So, Wicks took it upon himself to stage our training today.

That's why I was a bouncy, nervous wreck. I never used a weapon to fight someone before. 

I also wasn't thrilled to see Garter coming along. Not because I disliked him, I liked Garter, but I didn't want more people to witness my incompetence.

I don't want them laughing at me later. 

A hand gently caressed my back, rubbing it rough and reassuringly simultaneously. It jostled my sweater. "It'll be fine. We are going over the basics today. You need to learn how to handle a knife first."

Knife? Wicks hadn't mentioned what the weapon was until now. I can't imagine a stab wound would do anything against them. They could use reversal magic and then crush me into dust.

I didn't like the idea of being a tub of protein powder.

Lev. My mind whirled back to the blender incident. I knew I'd be okay. I didn't end up injured, but I'd never want that to happen again, even if I had the shrink potion.

The umber-skinned male came into view. There was always a cheer in his smile, "If you do good today, we can get ice cream too."

It's a very tempting incentive. I had to act like it wasn't—Wicks remained on standby. He waited to joke with me about being excited for some ice cream. 

I held it back. "That sounds lovely."

"You're trying too hard, Lentils." Wicks whispered to me.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I raised my chin and crossed my arms. 

"And if you fail today, no ice cream," Garter said. 

"What!"

Wicks pulled his arm back, "Yep. You even have to watch us eat it."

Garter pulled back when the elevator dinged for our floor. "Good idea, Boss. We get ice cream regardless. I like it."

"That's not fair," I whimpered. How can they be so cruel? 

Wicks stepped out first. The elevator itself already looked to be of a higher class with the mirrors behind us and the sheer size, capacity, and trim. However, the inside of the building itself felt eerily imposing. Everything looked to be made from wood, polished and gleaming with an invitation I didn't ask for.

The space felt so vast I imagined it'd fit at least two Naga's comfortably, plus I could see there were several halls that looked to branch in different directions as if they were at the center of a maze.

And worst of all, it was quiet. I didn't hear much coming from any direction, except a light tapping that I couldn't see the owner of.

Another subject that made little sense, despite the ornate details done to the walls and grand arches above, there are no chairs, tables or artwork. Nothing.

I barely took a few steps outside, before Garter threw his head in front of me. "Don't worry, I can sneak you some ice cream if you do badly."

He's sweet. 

"Thanks," I whispered back. 

The mystery behind the tapping was solved.

Garter and I moved out of the way for the thin, stalky male, much like Garter, to scramble forward. He went straight for the elevator. I ducked under the long rolls of papers.

They look like building schematics. Is this place new?

"Oh, sorry!" Their voice left in a timid croak. He flipped back to face us—he huffed, and his short chestnut locks spurred out as rushed as he was. 

"You okay, Zetsu?" Wicks put a hand on my arm and pulled me closer, unconsciously. 

He nodded, then heard the elevator door closing, and blocked it with his foot and body. It made his papers fall from his arms and onto the ground. "Ah!" Garter got the door for him while Wicks and I helped clean up. 

"I'm sorry my head has been spinning lately." I piled a few scrolls into his arms.

Wicks loaded the last scroll, "I also thought you were leading us to our block today?"

His loose smile dropped, "Yes! Good thing you caught me, ha, ha..." he let his head fall to the side. He muttered more apologies under his breath. "You're in block D, and the training weapons are out. I just got called upstairs." He bowed his head, "Thank you, Wicks, and..."

He stopped his bow. His vibrant violet eyes, which reminded me of Zilla and Zane's, inspected every inch of me. I felt like they picked at every detail of me. 

"I don't think we've met?"

"She's a new recruit," Wicks said. 

I was told to pretend Wicks and I didn't know each other and I was a rank, classless.

"Well, hello, I'm Zetsûboooooooo," he attempted to put his hand out to me and almost dropped them all again. I threw my hands against him to help keep them in place. He fixed his grip. "Thank you, and call me Zetsu for short."

"I'm Lynette, nice to meet you, Zetsu." I shared a smile, "No handshakes are necessary. You worry about getting to where you got to go with all of those intact."

As I said that, the elevator door Garter was holding open beeped. 

Zetsu threw himself back into it so it could close. "Okay! Thank you, and nice to meet you too, Lynette!" The door closed after.

"Is he a friend of yours too?" I asked Wicks.

"Kinda..." Wicks shifted his gaze. Garter pulled back from the elevator in toe. 

"Did something happen?" I asked, absentmindedly tugging at his hoodie. Is he dangerous? He seemed fine? I'm not the best judge of character, am I? My head scrolled back to Claudia. I would have never known...

Wicks peered down and gently put his hand on mine. "I'll tell you later." 

Garter walked ahead of us, leading. I released his hoodie. Should I be worried? Did I meet some kind of terrible beast? Why would Wicks not want to talk about it now? Were they something to him before.

My eyes widened, and I gasped, "was that the person you were dating? IT wasn't a LIE!"

Wicks stopped in his tracks. He flicked his head to me immediately, utterly confused.

Garter quickly got to us. He used my head as an armrest and encroached upon Wicks's face. "YOU WERE DATING SOMEONE?!" 

The anxious befuddlement grew on my brother's face. "What are you..." he trailed off. Put his lips together to keep his mouth shut and backed up. 

"You were lying to me!" I exclaimed. Garter was still using my head as a rest. 

He yelled out, putting his hands over his face. "I'M SORRY! I couldn't think of anything else to say that might sound plausible! I couldn't tell you the truth yet."

The fingers he tangled with his hair pulled more strands out, and it fell over his face.

His best friend finally let me move freely. "You shouldn't lie about a bond mate if you're embarrassed. I'm without one, but I carry it with pride." 

"It wasn't for that, Garter!" Wicks pushed himself ahead. "No more talking about this, especially not in the halls. Let's get your training started." 

...

Wicks

I can't hurt her. He didn't realize how hard it would be to simply grab Lynette out of things. 

He constantly hesitated and retreated from any slash she did.

Thus, he called a break so she could keep going over the feel, weight, and motions he taught her. 

"What's the matter, Boss?" Garter questioned. His friend loved getting up close and personal with people and to make himself their "height". Every time you do that, I feel smaller...

"What did I say about-" Wicks cut himself off and exhaled. He wouldn't argue about the 'boss' nickname today. He pressed his back further into the wall. "I'm so afraid I might hurt her."

Garter looked over at Lynette, who had her back to them. She was determined, to say the least, even though her form was subpar at best. Especially when she stood before Wicks or Garter with the training weapon. Her hands shook like a chihuahua outside in a thunderstorm. 

"You put a cloak on her; she'll be fine." Garter gave two thumbs up as reassurance. 

"yeah." Wicks bit the bottom of his lip. I would never go that hard on her, but I don't know why I keep imagining it. "I don't know."

Garter stood up straight. He tilted his head to stare at the high ceiling. Then, a bright grin peeled open his lips, his very subtle incisors were shown. "Let me take over. I'll gladly train her!"

What?! "Garter-"

He didn't even let Wicks rebuttal. 

The tall lad made his way across the grounds and to Lynette. "Hey Lynette, I will be your training partner today instead of Wicks!"

Wicks glanced back and forth between her and Garter. She looks tiny. 

The Oni of the mountains waved both of his hands at him when he saw Wicks's concern. "It'll be fine, boss—I'll go super easy on her! Trust me!"

Lynette peered at her big brother. He wouldn't dare... Garter had a track record of hunting smaller prey. They got most of those urges out with training, yet he still falls victim to it occasionally.

The only reason I even brought Garter was because I promised him we'd get some training in today. "Sounds good." Wicks shouted back. He said it for Lynette's nerves and gave the go ahead to Garter. I'll trust him.

Wicks thought, though he intently watched every motion Garter made. 

So far, his best friend didn't purposefully try to break the cloak; instead, Garter never gave her a chance to strike him. He'd quickly grab her out of a strike, pin her down, disarm her, or hold her arms up so she couldn't attack him.

He's just bullying her. 

Wicks sighed, he undid his ponytail entirely. He pet at his straighter hair. He gathered a few things so far. I should start training her in basic combat too. If she knows how to properly move and hit someone, she'd be more effect with a knife. She's relying on the strikes too much.

Garters tease echoed out in the empty, magic enfused steel room, "Do you like getting caught?"

"No!" Lynette whimpered with slight frustration. "I just never fought anyone before!"

Garter returned her knife after he poked her stomach with it, "Weird. Where I came from, you learn to fight as soon as you can walk." He waited for her to get back into a stance. He did the same. "How about I call you what we do to those who haven't learned to fight yet."

"An insult?"

He snickered, "a ginkoose, which translates to a child with newborn strength." 

Lynette shook her head in protest, "It's not my fault you guys are stronger than me—you guys are monsters."  

"In human cases, most monsters aren't much stronger or faster than humans." Garter laughed and pounced at Lynette, "So you're using excuses~!"

Lynette avoided him and continued to do so. Garter gave chase. It's going better than I thought it would. 

And, of course, as soon as Wicks thought that, he noticed Garter's black hair shifting white and flaring with volume.

Wicks pushed off the wall and ran at them, specifically for Garter. "HEY, GARTER, STOP, DON'T YOU DARE!" He couldn't let his friend try and eat Lynette.

Wicks got to Lynette, yanked her out of the way and took the force of Garter's hand as his case broke. He slammed back into the wall, it wasn't that hard, so at least Wicks knew Garter didn't lose all sense of, 'being gentle'.

Once the Oni realized his mistake, now standing at thirty or so feet tall, his four arms out and one pinning Wicks to the metal wall, he let out a nervous chuckle from between his giant fangs.

"I went a little overboard huh?"

"You think?" Wicks asked with an eyebrow raise.

"Are you okay?" Lynette got closer.

Wicks shot her a glare, warning her not too.

Garter didn't let his grip go, "does this technically mean I win since I trapped you?" His best friend said, "and if it does that mean I can eat you?"

A dastardly laugh broke out of Wicks vocal cords, he stared at Garter, "you're in direct contact with a magus, I'm not unconscious nor even trying to use any magic. Then, after trying to get my sister, you have the audacity to ask me if you can eat me?"

"Yes?" Garter said, plainly.

There was a long pause before Wicks noticed the seriousness on Garter's face, accompanied by the innocent puppy dog eyes. Wicks flailed his legs, "YOU AREN'T GOING TO CONVINCE ME, NOW PUT ME DOWN BEFORE I MAKE A SNACK OUT OF YOUR ENERGY!"

...

Hey, you, thank you so much for reading. I'm glad I put out a story that people can enjoy! I hope you continue to enjoy it as WE have a LOT more to go! YOU BETTER KEEP PROSPERING! (Nonnegotiable, as always~).

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What I’d do for a Livable Income (Synopsis/Chapter - List)

[lillsisamarshmallow]

My Angel | Mafia!Jimin X Reader

Summary: Together forever, at least that's what they thought. When Jimin suddenly breaks up with Y/n, she is desperate to know why, but why wont he tell her? Y/n does her own investigation into why he suddenly cut off all contact, but will what she suspects be the truth?

Word count: 3.9k

Warnings:  Swearing, Violence, Blood, Gore, Breakup, Verbal Argument, Angst, Let me know if I missed any!

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If you enjoyed this work, please like, reblog, maybe leave a reply or even follow if you feel like it, it is much appreciated!

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@shadowyjellyfishfest @marblemoonstones @jinseartharmysmoon @uniquesuitcasegothcop @hrtsj1m @ownthesunshine @loumin

If I missed you or you would like to be added please let me know!

~~~

The car jumped as it went over another bump in the uneven track, jolting Jimin around, his hand still grasped around the handle above him, he kept his eyes straight ahead boring into the back of the driver's seat. The ride to their location had taken a turn into the bush, tracks from previous vehicles lead the way through the thick and dense forest, despite the rough ride it wasn't until the man beside him spoke that Jimin finally tore his eyes away from the headrest in front of him.

Turning to the side, Jimin's eyes met with the taller man, whose broad chest barely fit under the seatbelt that was wrapped around him, his long black hair and dark eyes, accompanied by his dark turtlenecked top and black coat. "Are you alright? You seemed spaced out." The man asked as he smiled.

Jimin already knew what he was going to say, the same thing he said every time someone asked this question in the last 2 weeks. "I'm fine, just tired Namjoon." Jimin gave his friend a fake smile as he responded, trying to seem more together than he really was, because the truth was, Jimin had been a wreck for the past month, he wasn't getting any sleep and kept going out on jobs to distract his mind, and when they wouldn't allow him, he would spend hours training, giving himself something else to focus on, anything else to focus on, anything, but you.

"Don't give me that shit, Jimin. I know something is up, we're almost there so tell me before we arrive." Namjoon responded half laughing at the start before his toned turned serious. "Is it about Y/n?"

Jimin sighed feeling defeated, they were both stuck in a car and now Namjoon wouldn't let it go. "It's just, I can't sleep, I can't eat, and I can't get her out of my head." Jimin confessed. "It's feels like I'm constantly drowning in my mind, something keeps pulling me down further and further. I wish it didn't have to be like this."

"I know, but you know this is how it has to be. It's too dangerous for her, we know what could happen if she gets too involved."

Jimin grunted in agreement and turned to look out the window, his sign of saying that this conversation was over, Jimin went on this mission to stop himself from thinking about you and now you were the only thing on his mind, and this wasn't helping. All Jimin wanted to do was stay holding you in his arms and tell you everything was going to be okay.

Oh how he'd wish that he was with you, still lying in bed after the alarms had gone off, slowly watching as the morning sun lit up the room around him, tucked in bed with tangled legs, the feeling of your chest slowly rising and falling against his own as your breath fanned over his neck, he wanted to whisper sweet nothings into your ear and tell you that everything would be okay, that he'd always be here with you, but he couldn't, he wasn't, instead of spending his days with you, he was forced to be here, away from you.

Namjoon seemed to take a hint and dropped it before letting Jimin know that they were arriving.

Hopefully this job would distract him from the only thing playing on his mind, you.

~~~

It was early morning and the sun started to shine through the curtains, groaning, I rolled over to face Jimin, his blond hair fell over his face as he slept, I could see the blankets moving with every breath he took. He must have snuck in again late last night, something that had become almost a ritual at this point. I wiggled myself closer to him, Jimin was always really warm so I used his warmth to keep me warm too, I pulled my arms into my chest and snuggled my head in his chest trying to soak up his warmth, my movements must have alerted him as he began to stir in his sleep. 

Jimin was always a light sleeper, even the smallest of noises woke him up so it was no surprise that my attempts to get comfy and warm had woken him up, I looked up at him just as his eyes opened, he looked tired, but alert before locking eyes with me, a small smile spread on his lips as he moved his arm to wrap around me, pulling me closer into his body.

"Morning, Angel." He said with his slightly gruff morning voice, he shuffled around a bit creating some more space between our faces so we could properly see each other, but he kept the rest of our bodies close as can be by tangling his legs with mine.

I gave him a sleepy smile and closed my eyes before opening them again, I moved my face up to his and planted a small kiss on his lips. "Morning, Baby." I said before shrinking back down and looking up at his giddy smile.

"Can I have another one?" He pleaded at me with his puppy eyes.

"Of course, you can, my love." I said as I caressed his cheek before moving myself towards him again, my lips made contact with his before separating again, going back for more, I kissed the side of his mouth before doing the same to the other side, then I moved back down again looking up at him. "Better?" I hummed.

"Hmmm, well," He pretended to think as he looked up. "I think you missed a spot." He smirked at me. I giggled at his antics before pulling him down to my level, I pressed my lips to his cheek before littering more smooches all of his face, if I had been wearing my lipstick, he would be covered in it. Eventually I stopped and moved us apart, we locked eyes for a few moments before we both erupted into a fit of giggles.

"I love you so much, Angel."

"I love you too."

~~~

The sound of bones breaking, and pain laced screaming let Jimin know he was doing his job correctly, dropping the barely conscious man, Jimin continued to walk through the mostly abandoned building, wiping his bloody hands on a handkerchief, people were running everywhere, parents, children, elderly. Jimin could pick out his men amongst the chaos and somewhere there was Namjoon too, Jimin kept his gun close to him so he could easily use it if necessary.  

The building was dilapidated and in the back of his mind he was nervous that it could collapse at any second, but he pressed on, he had to complete the mission, he had to do something. He kept himself composed and focused, but in the back of his mind, slowly creeping up on him, he could fell it, the weird sense of tension and unavoidable stress that was ready to take him and pull him back under and into the depths.

"Damn it, Namjoon." Jimin hissed under his breath, frustrated that the taller man had brought you up and now he couldn't stop thinking about you.

Jimin had to keep reminding himself why he was here and not with you, seeing the parents with their children reminded him of the life he could never have with you, the life he wanted with you, the one he had to give up. Sometimes Jimin would wonder where you were or if you were doing okay now, you hadn’t tried to reach out to him for a while, had you gotten over it? Or did something bad happen?

Jimin shook his head, trying to get you out of it, he had a job, a mission, and he needed to complete it.

Noticing a group of men holding other hostages, Jimin stopped on his path to nowhere in particular, thankfully due to the amount of people he was able to slip out of sight and behind a beam, turning to face the group, he held his gun up aiming at the targets, he had to make sure he didn't accidently hit the wrong person, Jimin's finger pulled on the trigger, five shots, five hollowing sounds as each bullet met its target, its destiny, five thumps as five bodies fell to the floor, five steps and he was on his way.

~~~

My eyes widened at what Jimin had said. “What?” I said, giving an airy laugh at the end, thinking he was joking or playing a prank that the others had put him up to.

“I have to break up with you.” He said, staring into my soul. Those words, he said them again, but they still didn’t seem real.

“What do you mean you have to break up with me?” I asked in disbelief while stepping closer. “Did I do something wrong? We can talk this out surely.”

“I can’t stay with you. It’s not… safe… for you.” Jimin mumbled the last part, tears were starting to build in my eyes, but I wouldn’t let them fall until I knew it was real.

What did he mean it wasn't safe? Safe as in it was too risky? Did he really think that low of me? No, he wouldn't. “Safe? Safe? You want to break up because I’m not safe? What kind of excuse is that? Jimin, I-”

“No! Y/n, we can’t keep doing this, I’m sorry…” Jimin turned around as he slowly started walking towards the door. I ran towards him and tried pleading with him to stay, telling him that we could work this out if we just talked about it, I tried to hold him back, but he was too strong. I fell backwards and landed on my ass as he was standing in the doorway.

“Please, Jimin.” Big fat tears were welling up in my eyes before falling down my cheeks and landing on the wooden floor beneath me. Why was he doing this? I don't understand. Why won't he talk to me? “W-why are you leaving me?” I started chocking on my words.

He didn’t even turn around, he didn’t even have the decency to help me up and to give me a proper reason, he faced out into the hallway as he spoke before he shut the door behind him, leaving me all alone in our apartment.

“I have to do this.”

~~~

Their men had rounded up the organizers of this ring and had them all tied up on some spare chairs that were laying around. Both men had finally met back up after taking care of their own business, now taking care of some business together.

“So, Jaehyun is still making money off of silly little rings like this huh?” The older man spoke while looking at one of the men who was tied up. The silence temporarily filled the room at the men’s refusal to answer to Namjoon and instead just teasingly smirk at him, but what a mistake that would be, the empty silence was soon filled with agonizing yelps and groans as Namjoon had punched the man in front of him in between his stomach and chest, getting his diaphragm.

“Still want to stay silent?”

The man grunted and huffed as he struggled to breathe due to his spasming lungs, he was too slow to say anything as Namjoon wound up and hit him again this time right in the face causing the man to yell out again.

“Looks like you should start talking.” Namjoon smirked as he pushed his hair back with his clean hand and flicking the blood of his work hand. Jimin turned to the guy in front of him and started questioning him.

“You’re sick you know that? Now tell me, where is the next drop?” Jimin asked, eyeing down the man. He didn’t say anything, but his face showed how scared he was of the man in front of him. Jimin sighed and smirked before he shrugged off his suit jacket, he just bought it, he didn't want to get it dirty. He swung the jacket onto his right hand before extending out. Jimin stared the man down as one of his men took the jacket from his hand and quickly paced a crowbar in its placed, Jimin backed up a bit. Now was this a little much for the first time? Probably, did Jimin care? Absolutely not, he didn’t mean it at first, but he couldn’t help himself. Jimin swung the crowbar back and the man’s face lit up in fear as he realized what was happening, he started shaking his chair, and yelling, trying to move away, but it was too late, Jimin swung down with full force, bringing the crowbar down on the man’s legs. Blood squirted all over the floor and the man sitting next to him, as well as Jimin, he felt the blood splatter on his face and hair, you could hear the contact the bar made with the bones, the man’s scream was enough to burst ears drums, a very girly scream for a gang member.

“Tell me where his next location is!” Jimin half yelled and smirked at the man who was still screaming as he put his weight onto one foot and turned slightly to the side in a playful manner. That feeling from before that settled itself permanently in the back of Jimin's head, the tensions, like a giant shadow over his mind, it was growing, expanding, until it had Jimin is its clasps, a loss of reason and almost reality overcame him, it was like he had slightly lost control of himself.

Before the man could get a single word out, Jimin wound his arm back up and swung it back down with all the force he had, once again the blood splattered everywhere, coating itself over Jimin’s shirt and pants which he had only got a day before, that pissed him off even more, Jimin didn’t ask the guy again, his arm came back up as the man kept crying for him to stop, but he didn’t listen, Jimin bought down the crowbar with all his might and frustrations, his anger and his sorrows, his guilt.

~~~

I felt empty, but that was the normal for me now, 6 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes since Jimin closed that door, 6 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes since I lost my everything. I laid on my empty bed that I once used to share with Jimin, we even picked it out together after he insisted, he moved in with me, I slowly raised my hand that had my phone in it, even that felt too heavy to lift, and I checked my notifications again, nothing from Jimin.

I raised my other hand over to my phone and pressed the phone app and selected recent. On the top, it said, ‘Mochi 🐶’ (294), I pressed on his name again and the phone started dialling, maybe this time he’ll pick up, maybe he was just busy before.

The phone rang out as I dropped it from my hands, I squeezed my eyes shut as I was overcome by a wave of sadness and heart ache that only half moved on, I scrunched my legs up, trying to make myself small, stuck in my thoughts I started thinking back to that day. ‘I have to do this.’ What did that even mean? He had to do this. Was someone blackmailing him? Or maybe… no, he wouldn’t do that to me. Would he?

I thought back to all the weeks before that day, I racked my memory trying to find any patterns of behaviour, something that changed, something I could have picked up on…

Then I remembered, the day before, when we were cooking, I told him how much I loved him, but he didn’t say it back…come to think of it, he had been acting weird the past few weeks, like something was bothering him.

3 weeks ago, we went to a restaurant on that shady side of town, Jiyoon told me they had great food there, which was only half true, but the whole time we were there Jimin didn’t touch me, or even walk close to me. He kept looking off, like he was searching for someone…someone else.

Or 5 weeks ago when we had a movie night, we watched his favourite movie, but the whole time he kept checking his watch, sometimes he didn’t even hear me. That night… he came home late that night…

This whole time? I should've I seen this coming, he was acting weird for weeks, but I just thought it was stress, but he knew, he knew he was going to leave me, all this time…

Was he okay? Maybe something was wrong, and I didn’t know? or maybe...

As if even possible, my heart broke again.

~~~

Jimin couldn't see, couldn't see through all the rage and anguish as he kept swinging, couldn't see through the guilt, couldn't see through the red, the red blood that had soaked the room and himself, he had given up on keeping his shirt the soft white it once was, now soaked and stained a deep red, the wet material clung to his skin tightly and you could see the outline of his toned chest that laid underneath the fabric. The swinging was useless and this point, information lost because he couldn't control it, but he didn't stop, he couldn't get himself to stop as his mind was flooded with what had been happening.

Jimin hated himself for how he left you, and you must have hated him too now, at first you kept trying to find him, phone calls, going his house, even calling his friends to see if he was okay The first time you caught him he did his best to avoid talking about, he asked you to go home and stay safe, but you kept coming back, again and again and again, until the last time, where Jimin-

Torturing himself by remembering these things as Jimin kept swinging, eventually someone yelled his name causing him to lose focus and momentum. He pulled away and spun himself around, dropping the crowbar as he walked before stumbling slightly, profanities left his mouth loudly, he yelled and raised his hand up to his head and he dropped down before standing back up again and turning around furiously.

He saw the disfigured body of the man that was once in front of him, crooked limbs, unrecognizable face, and sizeable gaping absence, platted over the floor was the man blood, along with other things. Jimin didn't feel sorry for the man, but it was unfortunate that they now had less sources for information, sighing, Jimin picked up the discarded crowbar before setting his sights on the next man inline, as he stalked his was over someone decided to block his way.

The older man stood in front of Jimin with a stern looking on his face, Jimin could see the caring nature behind them, Namjoon grabbed hold of Jimin's crowbar, Jimin knew what Namjoon was going to say.

"Jimin, I can handle this, you can leave."

"No." Jimin responded quickly. "There's nothing wrong, I'm fine. Let's do this,"

"Jimin." Namjoon said. "Go home."

~~~

My arms hurt as I banged them against the door hardly before moving them down to try the handle.

"Jimin! Jimin open the door!" I yelled out frustration before stuffing my hand in my bag as roughly searching for some keys, yanking them out I struggled to fit it into the keyhole. I twisted the jumble of metal hoping that I had chosen the right one, and finally, something was going my way, I forcefully pushed open the door and made my way inside, I kept yelling out his name until I saw him round the corner from his stairs and turn to face me.

"Y/n, what are you doing here?" He asked, clearly surprised. "I told you to stop, just move on already." He sighed as he rolled his eyes and walked towards me, I made my way towards him too, as we got closer, he suddenly stuck out his arm, preventing me from getting closer to him.

"What-Jimin? Come one, let's stop this and we can go home." I tried to reason with him. "I'm sorry that I didn’t see it before, but please let me help you." I said softly while reach my hand out to caress his face. he looked at my hand then back to my eyes, he hesitated before pulling away, I could see it in his eyes, he wanted to let me hold him, he wanted to let me embrace him and he didn't want it to be like this, but something was stopping him, telling him he couldn't, the battle behind his beautiful brown eyes was showing and I wished I could join the fight, but I couldn't.

I went to push myself closer to him and wrap him in a hug, but he pushed me further away before backing up, and wiping his upper lips on the back of his hand.

"Angel-Y/n." He corrected himself. " I told you it’s not safe and we have to do this." He yelled at me, making me flinch, I could see it in his eyes, the battle was hard, and he was getting angry, but he still cared.

"What I don't get, is why?" I said softly while looking down, I heard him scoff before he shoved himself past me knocking me on the shoulder, as he got past, he kept walking towards the door, but I stayed facing away from his, I started rambling about how I just didn’t understand why he couldn’t talk to me about it, why wasn’t he letting me help, what’s wrong? Staring at the floor my vision started to become distorted due to the tears pooling on my eyes before dripping down, leaving dark spot on my white shoes.

"Y/n." He spoke, clearly gesturing for me to leave. "Oh my-" He cut himself off before letting out a yell of frustration. "Argh! It’s not safe and I told you-" He began to say before I cut him off with my own words.

“Have you moved on? It that what it is? You cheated and couldn’t deal with the guilt?” I said sternly as I looked up, resorting to the last thing that went through my mind, I didn’t want it to be true, I need it to not be true.

“No, no, no-” He began to stutter and got defensive, he sounded hurt that i would suggest such a thing.

I turned around and stomped my way over to him, looking up into his eyes. "Then what is it? What can I do to make you happy again? I'll change, I'll get rid of that stupid picture on the wall that you don't like!"

"Y/n, no. You don't have-"

"I can start spending more time with you o-or I can-"

"There's nothing you can do! I'm fine, I didn't leave because something was wrong!" He fired back at me.

“Then tell me what it is!”

“I don’t love you anymore!”

~~~

A/n: My Jimin oneshot is complete! I hope you guys enjoyed it, honesty I'm not so sure how I feel about it. I currently have no plans to make a part 2, but if enough people want a 2nd part then I would be happy to write it, I do have some ideas, and I'm not sure if I would continue with the same style (Switching povs) I might just stick to one pov, but I did enjoy the new writing style. If you liked this please remember to like, reblog, reply or even follow me, if you feel like it, it is much appreciated 🫶 ! I hope you all have a lovely day or night and Thankyou all for reading! 💜

[desertfangs]

☕️ + Daniel's madness

So, I 100% believe Daniel's madness was caused by Armand's suicide attempt and Daniel believing that Armand was dead. That was, in my mind, the catalyst that sent him spiraling.

I think he had some obsessive and anxious tendencies as a mortal and he was an alcoholic who basically drank himself to death. And think he was affected by the whole Akasha debacle like the rest of them, but I whole-heartedly believe he was sane and fine as a vampire, more or less, until then. Scattered and distractible? Sure! A little off-kilter and quick to laugh? Absolutely.

But I don't think he was really unwell or having problems until grief and regret hit him like a wrecking ball. We know he and Armand split sometime before, probably in a gigantic, very unpleasant fight, and things were said. So there was probably a lot of guilt, too. All that stuff combined just sort of broke him.

I do think it's why Marius knows he's going to be okay. Because it was an acute onset of madness caused by this horrible event, it's the kind of thing you can recover from (unlike a more chronic condition).

I also think he just needed a distraction and a focus, hence the models and train sets. He needed something to occupy his mind so he could heal and not obsess over the things that sent him spiraling in the first place.

Like so much else in this series, your mileage may vary. We don't get a canon explanation and I'm working backwards here. Daniel was never mad to me until B&G was published, so then it became, okay, well, what happened? He probably thought Armand was dead...That would definitely cause problems for him mentally! It was just the logical leap many of us made, but it's definitely not the only explanation you can extrapolate from canon. It's just the one I use in my personal fanon.