#HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS TURTLE SORRY. IT'S RENT FREE IN MY HEAD

[cyberdragoninfinity]

I would love to hear your thoughts about the fucked-up turtle (Terapagos)

"Now let's talk about the turtle. Can we talk about the turtle please, Mac? I've been dying to talk about the turtle with you all day."

Ok so. Short Answer Re: Thoughts About Terapagos:

WHAT THE FUCK. WHAT THE FUCK. WHAT THE FUCK. WHY DID IT DO THAT. WHY DID THEY [GAMEFREAK] DO THAT.

Long Answer Re: Thoughts About Terapagos [SPOILERS FOR THE SCARVIO DLC naturally. i havent seen Horizons so i dont rly know whats goin on with this little guy in the anime, just what we've got in the games]:

When the last little batch of new Pokemon in Indigo Disk leaked, about 12 hours or so-ish before the DLC dropped, I was at dinner with my bestie and we were looking at our phones like we were reading breaking world news. And I was looking at this tiny ass png of Terapagos's full Tera (Stellar) form.

And I immediately blurted out "holy SHIT it's turtles all the way down."

If you're not familiar with the phrase, check out its wikipedia page; here it's most relevant as a saying thrown around with regards to the philosophical concept of infinite regress, i.e. a series of elements (or questions begging an explanation) that that goes on infinitely with each member producing the next. So let's say the world rests on the back of a giant turtle--well, then, what does that turtle stand on to keep it from falling into the void? Why, another, bigger turtle, of course! But what about that turtle? Well, you're not gonna believe this, but it's turtles all the way down.

And here's the other thing about infinite regress: it's a logical fallacy, it's circular reasoning--honestly it's a little bit of a cousin to the "which came first?" chicken and egg argument. The question in these cases never truly gets answered, it just goes on and on forever. Bigger turtles on top of even bigger turtles.

It's a paradox. :)

So Stellar Terapagos, just look at that thing. Even its dex entries talk about how it looks like a planet, how it resembles "the world as the ancients saw it"--it's very much not only trying to evoke the World Turtle concept, but the symbolism of a classic paradoxical saying. So we've already got that going on with it, that already makes me bonkers. AND THAT'S JUST THE SURFACE LEVEL.

Cuz when we look at how Terapagos behaves, things start to go from "well isnt this guy a little weird" to "oh. oh this thing is kind of fucked up and terrifying, hello, what the hell is wrong with it" REAL FAST. Its two most stressed features we see in Indigo Disk are A.) its crystalline nature and how its the progenitor of Terastalization, but also B.) it is ferociously powerful and borderline uncontrollable. It's violent. It bursts out of a Master Ball and almost kills Kieran for daring to try and control it. Heath's illustration of its Stellar form in the Scarlet/Violet Book looks so otherworldly and almost cosmically horrifying. It has Weird Fucking Powers the game does NOT elaborate on (but I will; see more below.)

And also, hey, yeah, its Stellar Form looks like a stack of world turtles, but why the FUCK does its Terastal form also look like a goddamn dream catcher.

Personally I've been a big fan of the 'imagination theory' re: the Professors and the Paradox Pokemon and Area Zero, and folks have been arguing that Indigo Disk debunks that, but honestly I feel like we're loitering around some untold explanation that's even more bizarre. Terapagos is at least on some level tied to dreams and existentialism, and I really feel like there's more to Tera Crystals and Terapagos's relationship with them than what we've been told. Hell, its cry is even the noise we hear all game when we Terastalize our Pokemon, which produces its own myriad of questions (Are the Crystals some degree of alive? The Tera Crowns all do have Terapago's little turtle head at their base, too--does Terapagos physically or spiritually connect with a Terastalizing Pokemon? And what about that weird crystalizing the AI Professor does during its big boss fight? MUCH TO THINK ABOUT.)

Oh, speaking of Crystals--yeah. I can't NOT talk about the Indigo Disk Crystal Pool Postgame Secret when talking about Terapagos. ONE MORE SPOILER WARNING FOR THAT--SERIOUSLY GO TO THE CRYSTAL POOL AFTER GETTING THE DLC CREDITS. IT WILL BLAST YOU TO BITS. anyway.

Yeah so that's what I mean with Why Did It [Terapagos] Do That. The fact that you dont even need to have it in your party for the postgame Crystal Pool cutscene to trigger and for Terapagos to just pop out of the PC boxes on its own accord and warp space and time (and maybe even reality itself) to irreversible consequence, implying once again some great and uncontrollable power within this beast. Crazy Ass Moments in Pokemon History for CERTAIN.

And the thing that makes me most insane, thinking about Terapagos twisting time to allow you to meet the Professor, the Real Live Professor, to swap notes with them so to speak, the way it facilitates all of that, is the position it now puts the player and Scarvio itself in. If the Professor's research rests on the back of a white book given to them by a child, then what does the research of that white book rest upon? Ah, well, the expedition of Area Zero spurred forth by the fallout of the Professor's research. And what did THAT research rest upon, again...?

Turtles. The whole way down. Chickens and eggs and a paradox you're now responsible for. At the hands of a Normal Type Pokemon that tried to kill a 14 year old.

Terapagos scares the shit out of me. I love it so much. Why Did They Make It Like That <3

[zivazivc]

Reading the tags of your recent Kunoichi Turtles post that Female Casey has a bit of a flirtatious personality has led me to headcanon that when Lavinia starts crushing on David (I think that’s Mona’s genderbent name in your AU?) she goes to Casey for advice and tips on how to flirt with a boy but when actually trying to use the flirting tips on David she fails miserably (like that flirting lesson scene from the movie Jumanji), but unknowingly to Vinnie the bad flirting worked and David is smitten XD

AHAHAHA! XD I would literally cry from second hand embarrassment if an episode like that existed. Maybe, maybe, I can see that happening a few "episodes" after David's first introduced into the story, after Vin finally comes to terms with her emotions. Because in this version the relationship progresses slowly over the course of like a season and a half (a lot of that due to David only visiting when his job demands it), and Vin has cold feet like for most of that time lol

David is the one who gets smitten with Vin first in my story and starts making subtle advances while Vin is completely on edge and skeptical of them and needs a while to realize that he actually likes her in a romantic sense, for real, and doesn't have some ulterior motive. After that she's just very awkward and tongue-tied about it.

You know how Raph kept telling Donnie to give up on his crush because they're all giant mutants that won't ever get a chance at love? I wanted to put attention on that part from canon since the show didn't give me that with the canon Ramona. Raph being a teenage girl can only make that mind-set worse, giving him/her more insecurity and self-hatred. Especially since Vin is the biggest of her sisters and the least "cute" and feminine of them. So I don't see her making the first move in any situation, and I think she'd only flirt after it would be made clear the other person feels the same way.

Ahh, sorry, that got a bit serious maybe. The two actually have a really sweet and healthy relationship (y'know, in my head, where it's been living rent free for years now lol), Lavinia just has to work out some things first before she's angst free.

In this AU we first meet David in the episode Newtralized, where David and Sal are trying to arrest the Newtralizer. Slash is there (he's an all-time baddie in this version), Vin gets captured thanks to David getting in the way of the fight, David feels responsible and goes to save her -> bla bla bla -> Vin has a rescued princess moment that she doesn't know how to feel about...

I've been trying to make this episode into an actual fic for the longest time. On the topic of Casey, I'm showing you a short section from the wip. It takes place toward the end when they've all reunited. I think it's also a good example on why Vin would not go to Casey for romantic advice XD

.

.

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Casey leans in close to her face, her hooded eyes joining her friend’s thoughtful gaze on the young Salamandrian on the other side of the rooftop who is currently listening to his veteran commander going over what had happened while they were split up.

“Look at him standing there,” she says to her smoothly, almost whispering into her ear, “dark skin over toned muscle. Those abs, man.”

“Casey!” Vin cries out in shock and horror and swings around to face her friend’s smug smile.

“Like a chiseled renaissance statue,” Sofie helps with uncharacteristic coyness to her smile.

“Sofie, no!”

All four of the girls are grinning like Cheshire Cats at Lavinia’s discomfort, enjoying themselves way too much. Vin’s cheeks and nose are thoroughly covered in a deep blush and she hates that it’s there in the first place. She doesn’t even like the guy.

“David the Statuesque! That’s what I’m naming him.” Marie exclaims, sounding proud of herself for that one. “I was going to go with something more fun but since he’s your knight in shining armor—Literally!—I gotta be respectful.”

Vin can’t even hide her tortured grimace. Her shoulders sag and she sighs miserably. “I hate you guys.”

[tblsomedoodles]

(Sorry for asking a lot of the Donnie Au, it’s living rent-free in my head 😓) In the series, Donnie has a lot of centric episodes which could work well (in my opinion) with this Au:

Donnie gifts: rewatching the episode, it could show how Dee is way better trained and has more battle iq than his brothers.

I could also give a reason off why he made those gifts. I personally see it as him making the gifts as his way to both help them be better fighters and to keep them safe. (also does he still get captured by MeatSweats?)

The Purple game: I don’t think this episode would really change a lot, maybe bringing a motive for why Dee got obsessed by the game. (Maybe brings memories of him and Uncle Mikey playing but the again he wants nothing to do with past memories so…)

The Lair games: I think the change is more directed to Leo than to Dee, cause just like Angie, it’s Dee first Lair games so imagine how pissed Leo would be when all of a sudden his lost twin comes back and destroys his 5 year champion record, first try.

Breaking purple: this is one is just me but I could see Dee thinking back and remembering his Pops while looking for SHELLDON ( the junk yard scene )

Turtle Degan Nights: Ok so this episode could explore Dee’s feelings/relationship with rise splinter. (Prepare yourself it’s long)

Something about Donnies character is the fact that he lacks parental support and validation which is plays a big part in this episode (with him looking for ways to bond with Splinter and getting exited every time when he’s about to say proud). But Raphie (and the 03 gang) fix those problems, meaning he no longer has those needs.

How would that affect this episode?: would he still go or not? And If he does go, would he back down when arriving (since he’s no longer blinded with the idea of bonding with splinter [unless he is]) and giving his bottle up emotions (and that he probably misses Raphie), would that affect the moment he confronts Splinter.

(I’m sorry, this got WAY longer that I expected 😓Donnie has a plenty of centric episodes)

No apologies needed! He's been stuck in my head all day too lol

But yeah, for the Donnie's gifts, Dee definitely made them mostly to help. He knows leaders are supposed to make plans before fighting so a helmet that helps Raph make plans? Brilliant. Mikey keeps getting hurt when he's trying stunts he can't quite land yet so bubble suit? Perfect. Leo? He wasn't quite sure about leo, but his 'it's 4am and i haven't slept in 36 hrs' brain thought getting him to stop joking mid fight would need a taser so he built one. (then realized after the fact, ok, maybe the jokes weren't bad enough to tase him like that. and does awkwardly apologize.)

The Purple Game, you're right, would probably stay the same. Context wise, he gets hyper-fixated on it b/c it reminds him of home, but not enough to have feelings over it.

Lair games, oh definitely! Leo's just like, yeah i'm going to win again this year, and then doesn't. (which was definitely not Leo's plan to start so he never wagered his room.)

Breaking Purple, yeah i could see that being the case. Like he's looking for Shelldon and has the brief thought of "is this how Papa felt when i left?" before he buries it again.

And Turtle-dega Nights, oh that one would be fun. His differences in being raised (i know there's a word but idk what it is right now) would certainly effect this episode.

Like, for one, he does not want to go. At all. He actually resents Splinter for his original disappearance (logically he knows it's not his fault, illogically, that was his dad. Why couldn't he chase the cat away like pops had?) and he very much hates how little attention this guy has been giving his brothers (and him since he came back), b.c his lack of attention is very apparent to him after having so much of it back in 03. So he doesn't want to do this man any favors.

It's Mikey that talks him into it (b/c he's trying to get Dee and Splinter on better terms.) (so essentially, their spots are switched, Dee's the one going "I don't want to be here, it looks off" and Mikey's like "no, it's great! We're bonding with dad.")

When it's revealed to be a demolition derby, Dee is pissed and refuses to participate, eventually pulling the parking break like in cannon and full on yelling at Splinter (swears and all. He gives no shits) about how he tricked them and he was never going to trust him again and how he just wanted to go home to his pops b/c at least he doesn't trick him into bringing his creations to demolition derbies.

They have a little heart to heart while Mikey is freaking out in the background (b/c this was not how his 'get Dee to bond with dad' plan was supposed to go!) and things are a little better between them 1) b/c Splinter apologizes and promises to do better, and 2) shows he's serious by (like cannon) being willing to give up the trophy to take his boys home.

(Dee then decides the best course of action was to take out every single competitor in the derby so they wouldn't be stopped when they went home, thus (completely unintentionally, he swears) winning the trophy anyways.)

Thank you!

[tillthelandslide]

Jersey Love (Part 2) : Coffee Date

Hi everyone, here’s part 2 of Jersey Love, I really hope you all love it as much as I do. I am having a lot of fun writing this series... I love you all for all of the amazing support you have offered. Warning: 4.5k words haha - L

Tagged: @harrysthiccthighss @thereisa8ella @magdelen69 @henrythickcavill @hc-geralt-23 @kissthatlifeaway @darkbooksarwin @august-w-princess @speakerforthedead0 @pixie1484 @constip8merm8 @tigerbroadwaybaby @agniavateira @summersong69 @aestheticallywinchester @stephartrave @al-wiisa @henrycavillfanpage @intenselikes @anat2507 @ellixthea @aguspalazzo @1ookatthestars00

(if you would like to be added to my tag list, feel free to message me, if you are new to my blog then I post Henry Cavill fanfics and make Henry Cavill fake Instagram posts, my requests are open so feel free to request anything and I will try my best to make your vision come to life)  

Part 1

Coffee Date

The next day you and Henry had agreed to go out for some coffee. You agreed to meet at 10am but you arrived a little early to ensure you weren't late, you hated being tardy so often arrived way in advance. You went to this coffee shop a lot so the staff knew you and knew your order. A teenage girl called Jess had greeted you on your way in. She was your neighbour and she kind of became attached to you when you moved in next door, she referred to you as her cool older friend and you became her role model as she wanted to work with animals too. She led you to a table near the back of the shop. The shop was quite a new place and had a hipster looking decor, instead of the usual café chairs and tables, the shop had booths like a diner and Jess led you to one which seated 4.

"Would you like your usual Yn?" she said making you smile, she was such a sweet girl and was always so kind to you.

"I'm actually waiting for someone but thank you Jess" you said, making her smile and nod, she tucked her pad into her apron before beginning to speak again.

"Molly told me you have a date with Henry Cavill, is that true?" she whispered, making you laugh, Molly was the same age as you and owned the shop (she was the main reason you came to the shop), you told her that you had a date and she had asked who the lucky guy was. 

"It is. You're going to have to promise me not to freak out when he's here though" you said, making her nod, you knew she was a fan of Henry’s work, she had told you the first time you had met her. You remember asking her what it was like living in Jersey and she said “I like it here for now, but I want to leave when I grow up… grandma says nobody makes it out of Jersey...expect Henry Cavill”. She then went on to tell you how she had seen all his movies (her favourite was man of steel) and she couldn’t believe he grew up in Jersey, she has also told you that she had never met him before but wanted to.

A couple of minutes later, Henry had arrived, greeting the staff as he came in, you texted him before telling him where you were sitting so he came over to your straight away. You checked him out as he came in, your eyes scanning him up and down. His hair was styled perfectly, a few curls loose in front of his face which made him look even hotter, you swore he had gotten bigger and he was dressed very stylishly again, wearing jeans and a turtle neck and he had a pair of glasses adorning his face.

"Hello" he said, coming to stand next to where you were sitting, you placed your palms on the leather of the booth's seat, pushing yourself up so you were close to Henry as he placed a kiss on your cheek before sitting down opposite you.

"Hi." you said, leaning forward on your hands, admiring him just a bit longer.

"You look lovely as always" he said, making you blush again. You were dressed very casually in a cozy white cropped jumper, black skinny jeans and a pair of vans. Your hair was styled in loose curls, drooping behind your shoulders, two pieces at the front which always strayed from the rest framing your face.

"As do you. Very dashing" you said, making him giggle. Jess came back over saying hello to Henry who smiled and said hello back.

"Hi, welcome to Molly’s, my name is Jess and I will be taking your order, if you need anything, just call me over. What can I get for the both of you?" she said, pulling out her notepad, you always found the little introduction they had to say very cute, especially when she did it. You had insisted that she didn’t have to do it with you but you guess she did it because you weren’t alone.

"Hi Jess. Could I have a plain black coffee please?" Henry said, offering Jess a smile as he spoke, which made her blush, before he looked back at you.

"The usual please Jess, thank you" you said, still resting your head in your palms. Just when he thought you couldn't get any cuter. Jess walked away and you saw her wink at you and mouth "he's so hot" which made you giggle behind your hand.

"You have a usual" he said, sounding impressed.

"Yeah. It's shameful really" you said, pushing your hair behind your ear.

"Why's that?" he said, finding himself leaning forward too.

"I come in here way too much. It's on the way to work so I pop in to say hello and get my morning coffee. Molly, the owner is my friend… I think I pay their rent with how much I send here" you said, making Henry laugh, Henry loved how you had your own little routine.

"That's great. Bet they love you here" he said making you giggle.

"Hmm. Not sure about that… It is nice to know Molly though, she lets me try out new cakes she’s made… for free" you said making Henry chuckle.Jess then bought both your drinks over on a tray, placing the black coffee in front of Henry with a biscuit and some sugar and placing the other drink in front of you with a your favourite biscuit.

"Thank you, that was very quick." Henry said with an impressed tone. Jess blushed deeply making you smile widely.

"Jess here is the star worker of this establishment" you said, making her roll her eyes at you and chuckle.

"Thanks Yn, you only think that because I make sure they have your favourite biscuits everytime you come here" she said, smiling at you and making Henry chuckle at her which made her eyes sparkle.

“And I love you for it” you said, making Jess laugh before she walked off.

"She's my neighbour. And a huge fan of yours, I might add, don’t let her know I told you." you said, making Henry laugh before saying "It will be our little secret, she’s really sweet" which made you want to hug him because he was just so kind.

"What's that then?" he said pointing at your drink.

"It's my own little secret." you said, taking a sip, Henry raised his eyebrows at you, to which you copied making you laugh.

"Try some." you said, offering him the cup.

"Hmm I don't know Yn, you could be trying to poison me" he said, but then took a sip. You saw the look of pure satisfaction cross his face before he closed his eyes, humming deeply, his tongue flicked out along his bottom lip to get another taste. You clenched your thighs together at the sight.

"Oh that's good. What is it?" he said, making you shake your head and take another sip.

"You're really not going to tell me?" he said, chuckling, pulling your cup towards him and taking another sip.

"Hey, you’ve got your own!" you giggled, making him laugh and to which he said “But yours is better” before he pushed it back towards you.

"So what have you been up to besides work?" he said, drinking his drink and looking into your eyes. His concentration never on anything other than you.

"Nothing much really. Work has been super busy recently, I've only really had time to work out, eat and sleep. I make sure Jess comes over as much as she can." you said, making him smile, he was so interested in what you do.

"What have you been up to at work then?" he asked again, his hand resting against the table making you want to reach out and hold it.

"We've mainly been trying to enrich our current conservation projects and assessing if they're working and trying to figure out how we can improve them. I've also taken up some more keeper duties because one of the keepers is on maternity leave, it's fun but can be quite tiring, especially when I have a full day of meetings after" you said smiling, your job made you happy so you couldn't help but smile.

"That sounds amazing Yn." he said.

"What about you Hen? How was filming?" you said, you knew you asked this question last night but you didn't really get to hear a genuine answer.

"It was amazing. I'm so excited for everyone to see this. I've been a huge fan of the Witcher games for years and now the books too and playing Geralt was an honor. I chased down this opportunity and was over the moon when Lauren cast me" he said, making you smile at how passionate he was about it.

"Couldn't imagine you with white hair, yellow eyes and scars everywhere" you said, leaning forward and tracing where Geralts scars are in the games. You quickly pulled back when you realised how weird that must have been.

"Sorry. Just trying to picture it. I'm a big fan of the games too. And the books" you said quickly trying to recover from how embarrassing that was, seriously Yn, who the heck just touches someone’s face you thought, blushing a deep shade of red.

"I don't mind at all love. And really? That's cool, more stuff we have in common" he said, finding more things out about you that he liked.

"The trailer comes out soon so you'll see what I look like then, not trying to give too much away because I could get in trouble but I don’t have scars across my face like Geralt in the games does" he said, winking at you.

"Bet you still look hot though" you said, a smirk on your lips, you said it to see what reaction you got back.

"Obviously" he replied, you were glad he didn't tease you, but instead made light of it. Deep down he had butterflies at the fact you called him hot.

"How long are you here for?" you said, you had finished your drink but had your hands wrapped around it to keep them warm.

"Until the new year" he said positively, happy he was here for a couple of months.

"Wow that long huh? No filming to be done?" you said, you pushed your cup to the other side of the table, placing your hand against the table, the other rested in between your legs.

"Trying to get rid of me already?" he said, jesting with you. You shook your head and pushed your hand forward a bit more, wanting him to hold it.

"We've finished all the filming and press tours so I'm free as a bird for now" he said, grasping your hand in his, finally you thought, glad that he had the courage to do it because you sure didn’t.

"I'm glad. Many plans?" you said, glancing down at your cup before flashing your eyes back up into his, before he got the chance to answer your phone started ringing.

"Shit I'm so sorry, I'll turn it off" you said, making him shake his head.

"It's okay, answer it" he said, you pulled your hand from his, it instantly felt cold as you took your phone out from your pocket, Henry saw a picture of you and the guy from yesterday and saw the name "Lewis"

"Hey Lew. Can I call you back? I'm on a date with Henry" you said, looking at Henry and seeing him smile. He thought it must have been going well for you to tell someone about it so openly.

"I know. I hate to interrupt but Josie needed me to tell you that you don’t need to work tomorrow, she’s got someone to fill your shift on keeper duties, she said you’ve been working too hard." he said.

"That's great news Lewis, thanks for letting me know, tell Josie I said thanks too. I'm with Henry, can I call you back later?" you said making him laugh over the phone.

"How's it going? Fuck yet?" he said, laughing loudly making you pull the phone away from your ear and rolling your eyes at Henry making him laugh.

"Goodbye Lewis." you said hanging up and placing your phone back in your pocket.

"Sorry about that, my friend and colleague Lewis called" you said, tucking the same bit of hair that always falls in front of your eyes, behind your ear.

"Everything okay?" he said, his hand reaching out to hold yours again making your stomach flutter.

"Yeah, the keeper manager just wanted to let me know I don't have to work my keeper duties tomorrow" you said, squeezing his hand.

”So no plans tomorrow then?” he said, he raised his eyebrows suggestively making you smirk.

“That is correct yes, what’s going on in that head of yours Hen?” you said, giggling to yourself making his face light up. He loved how you already called him Hen.

“Would you want to go on a walk with me tomorrow? You can meet my dog and we could have a picnic” he said, you could see the excitement on his face and it made your heart flutter.

“That sounds perfect.” you said, squeezing his hand.

“I’m curious, what was your favourite character to play?” you asked making him smile, he loved that you were interested in him and he appreciated the fact you didn’t ask the same questions that interviewers asked.

“Ooh that’s a hard one. I’ve honestly loved them all for different reasons. Superman will always have a special place in my heart. I also loved playing August Walker, I had never really played a primary antagonist before so that was interesting” he said, the thought on his face was truly adorable and it made you smirk to yourself, a couple of lines appeared on his forehead when he thought and you wanted nothing more than to reach over and smooth them out but you decided against it.

“I loved Fall Out, Jess made me watch it and I have to say Henry.. The moustache works really well for you. Not many guys could pull that off” you said making him chuckle.

“Thanks, I grew to love it but was glad when it was gone” he said.

“Would you ever grow it back?”

“For the right role” he nodded.

“Shame” you said making him furrow his eyebrows again, the same creases appearing.

“Why’s that?” he said, leaning forward slightly, your faces close together.

“You looked really hot” you said, making him cough nervously which just made you smirk. He thought wow this girl really likes messing with me and leant back a little bit, not knowing what to say.

“Your fans sure think so.” you said, squeezing his hand.

“Haha, maybe I’ll grow it back” he said, making you giggle.

“Maybe not yet, Geralt with a moustache…I’m just not seeing it” you said, both of you laughing loudly.

“Do you want to stay here for a bit longer? Or we could go somewhere else?” he asked.

“We could go somewhere else?” you said making him nod.

“My car is just outside, I could show you my house, you can meet my cats” you said, making Henry smile.

“Yeah I’m up for that. Didn’t picture you as a cat person” he said making you chuckle.

“I’m both. I love dogs but I grew up with cats, when I moved here we agreed as a family that it's best if I am the one to look after our family cats” you said, making Henry nod along.

“Ready to leave then?” he said, making you nod, you called Jess over.

"Don't work too hard now okay? Still up for coming round on the weekend for a movie night?" you said, the both of you standing up. She nodded and hugged you tightly. 

“It was lovely to meet you Jess” Henry said, shaking her hand which made her blush again. The both of you then left, and you walked Henry to your car. It was a black audi and Henry imagined you driving something smaller but thought it was cool that you drove a car like this.

"This is me" you said, making him smile and walk to the other door, opening it and sliding in. You got in the driver's seat, turning on the engine, your music began to blast and you quickly turned it down, apologising for the noise.

"Nice car. Pictured you driving something smaller" he said, making you chuckle.

"What can I say? I'm full of surprises" you said, beginning to drive to your house. The journey was filled with the both of you walking about music, working out, filming, conservation, games, books... You arrived at your house, parking on your drive. You opened the door and Henry walked to you and smiled down at you.

"This is nice" he said as he looked up to your small house, you leant forward and placed your head on his chest, he leant down and kissed the top of it making you smile. His fingers grasped your chin and lifted your head so your eyes met. He slowly leant in a placed his lips against yours, you had missed this, missed the feeling of his soft lips against yours, missed how his tongue ran perfectly across your bottom lip, easing your mouth open slightly, you had thought about this a few times when he was away was and wondered when the next time you got to do this would be. You sighed happily against him now it was actually happening again. His hands grasped your waist tightly, lightly pushing you against the side of your car, you gasped as your back hit the car, his lips moving feverishly against yours, your hands were resting against his chest, running along it, down over his abs, resting on his hips. His tongue felt amazing against yours and you could feel him resting against your core. Kissing him was a surreal feeling, you had only kissed a few times but every time you felt the same way, it was new and exciting and you knew you would never get used to it. You pushed him away lightly, not wanting to get carried away, especially in front of your house where all your neighbours could see. His breathing matched you, deep and uneven.

"Sorry, just really wanted to do that. Have since I saw you yesterday" he said, his forehead resting against yours, his hand still on your waist.

"It's okay. We just shouldn't get too carried away" you said, placing a peck against his lips, he took a step back, creating some space between you to alleviate some of the tension.

You took his hand in yours, leading him up the small steps to your house, you took your key out of your bag, opening the door and stepping inside the threshold. One of your cats, Marley, instantly came running to the door, meowing up at you making you coo at him. You took a few more steps, turning round to see Henry closing your door, he leant down to stroke him.

“Hello, nice to meet you” he said, rubbing behind your cat's ears. You smiled down at him and his eyes met yours before he stood back up.

“That's Marley” you said, gesturing towards the cat.

“This is really nice.” he said, walking behind you into your living room.

“Thanks.” you said, moving your laptop off your sofa and gesturing for Henry to take a seat.

“Would you like anything? Some water? A coffee” you said making him shake his head, instead he grabbed your hip and pulled you towards him, making you squeal slightly in shock, he pulled you until you were sitting in his lap, your legs flicking to the side, his arms wrapped around your waist.

“There, that's all I want” he said, making you smile, your hand came up to his hair, fiddling with the bits that had fallen, the other grasping the back of his neck lightly..

“Think your hair is longer than before” you said, your voice coming out much quieter than you had intended it to.

“Hmm, maybe” he said, looking down at your lips again. You both gasped as your other cat jumped up behind the both of you, making Henry turn his head to see what it was.

“Jesus that scared the crap out of me” Henry said, making you both laugh.

“Meet Milly” you said, stroking her head gently.

“Hi.” Henry said, his own hand stroking her lightly. She jumped back down, strutting off into another room. Henry looked back towards you, his eyes instantly flicking down to your lips again making you blush.

“I can’t get enough of you” he whispered, his forehead resting against yours as his eyes closed. Your fingers were grasping the hairs at the back of his neck making him hum against you, he moved forward and inch, his lips barely touching yours. Everything felt so intense, every touch ignited sparks, every sweet word or compliment had you blushing, every kiss shook your core and you knew he felt it too.

“Henry” you uttered, making his eyes dart open, you looked into each other's eyes, his eyes flicked from yours to your lips before they crashed down against them. You gasped against him bruising your lips against his. It was messy and passionate, like nothing you had ever experienced before. His tongue became familiar with yours again, pushing against each other, he tilted his head, kissing you at a better angle, a more comfortable one, you felt him suck the tip of your tongue, the feeling was new but my oh my it felt good. You didn’t want to stop kissing him but you knew you would get carried away if you didn’t. You moved back slightly, placing sweet kisses against his lips trying to lighten everything. Henry’s head fell back against the sofa, he sighed deeply (clearly trying to calm himself down, you’ve only been on two dates Henry, calm down he thought to himself) before looking in your eyes again. His eyes were dark, the usual blue shade nearly taken up completely by darkness, he pulled you closer, his head resting against your neck and he placed soft and sweet kisses there.

"I liked seeing how you were with Jess earlier, it was really sweet, you can tell she looks up to you" Henry said, saying what was on his mind as he placed sweet kisses to your neck.

"She's amazing. Her parents aren’t around that much, they're both super busy and hard working because they both work in a hospital. So when I first moved here I went to introduce myself and she was on her own. I felt super bad so I invited her around here whenever I was free. It's nice, she's like the younger sister I always wanted but never had" you said, making you Henry look at you.

"I'm so impressed by you." he said, making you blush, not expecting that from him.

"Don't blush, it's true. I'm not easily impressed but I'm struggling to find a single flaw in you" he said. You were speechless not knowing what to say, his hands were cradling your face sweetly.

"I could say the same for you" you said, brushing your nose against his.

"I have many flaws, believe you me" he said chuckling to himself.

"I doubt that very much. I have some of my own too, but they make me who I am. I don't let them get me down but instead just try to be the best me I can be" you said, Henry had a dumbfounded look upon his face making you furrow your eyebrows at him.

"What?" you said, shrugging your shoulders at him and crossing your arms.

"You're just perfect. Even the fact you said that makes you perfect" he said making you laugh.

"You're in over your head Henry" you said, wrapping your arms back round his shoulders.

"Maybe, maybe not" he replied, kissing you sweetly.

"I had a really nice time today, it was good to catch up. Feels like we just picked up things from where we left off, it's nice, feels right" he said, you nodded letting him know you agreed.

"I had a really nice time too. And yeah I thought it might have been awkward or something but it wasn't. Feels right like you said"

"I should probably get back, Kal's probably driving my mum crazy" he said, you nodded and got up from his lap, he stood up shortly after you, placing his hands around your waist again to pull you in for a hug.

"Need me to drive you back?" you said, pulling back to look him in the eyes.

"That'd be amazing thank you, I walked to the café" he said.

On the drive back you decided to tell Henry what was on your mind.

“I know we haven’t known each other that long and we’ve only been on two dates… but i feel like this is where I’m meant to be in my life right now… with you, getting to know you” you said, glancing to the passenger seat where he was sitting.

“I’m so glad you said that. I feel the same way. I’m excited about this, I haven’t felt this way in a long time, I feel this need to be around you and if I’m honest I don’t want to fight it. Who knows what’s going to happen or where I will be in a month's time but I want to spend this time I have here with you ” he said, holding your hand as you drove, his words made your heart burst.

“Let's do it then” you said, looking over at him.

“Let's do it.” he said, kissing your hand.

You pulled up to Henry’s childhood home when instructed and placed the car in park, turning to look at him.

“Your childhood home is huge” you said, glancing at the house.

“We’re a big family” he replied, holding your hand. You lent against the headrest and Henry’s free hand came to rest against your face making you close your eyes and lean against him.

“I’ll see you tomorrow? I can pick you up at yours?” he asked, making you open your eyes and nod at him with a small smile on your face.

“Sounds perfect” you said, both leaning in for one last small kiss.

“See you tomorrow” he said, as he opened the door. You watched him walk inside, opening the door you saw his dog Kal jump at him, a look of pure joy and love on Henry’s face as he looked down at him and you smiled to yourself, this man is truly something special you thought.

Let’s do this you thought to yourself, Henry turned around and smiled at you, waving you goodbye. You didn’t know what this was going to be, but it was sure going to be spectacular.

Part 3

[thefanficmonster]

And My Heart Burned In That Lodge

Michael (Mike) Munroe x Reader (female)

Warnings: Death, Grief, Dealing with loss, Heartbreak, Swearing

Genre: ANGST

Summary: None of them will ever be the same, who knows if they’ll even heal. However, the case is different for Mike. He’s left to be dealing with the guilt, grief and the haunting memory of his friend’s death. He’s angry with himself for all the wrong things he did and all the right things he was too much of a coward to do. Now, his only closure is talking to a gravestone, hoping the wind in the graveyard will pass the message onto the person who the words are meant for.  

Requested by Anon. Wish I could tag them, they have such amazing ideas ❤

PS - Sorry this is hella long, I got carried away LOL

I stand aside, watching as my friends place their flowers on her grave. I can hear their cries. For some odd reason I can’t find it in me to feel sympathy or the need to go over there and be with them. I can’t see how that would do anything but make me feel more miserable. Standing here, seeing this scene unfold in front of me, I can’t help but be reminded of how it all started.

Fuck Mondays, man. Fuck them from the bottom of my heart. Even worse, this is the first week of school after winter break so no one wants to be here. Even even worse, this is the first time I’ll be seeing Emily after out breakup. We broke up over text and while I’m aware that’s the worst way to break up with someone, I must admit it was the only way for a lot of arguing and awkwardness to be avoided. 

It’s the first time I’m coming to school alone in a while. Without Emily, the car was pleasantly quiet aside from the songs on the radio. Not gonna lie, it felt a bit lonely. Being single for the first time in what feels like forever is both liberating and oddly melancholic. I try to push the self-loathing and the depressing thoughts away as my eyes scan the hallway, looking for the group of familiar faces. My gang. We used to be ten people but we lost two girls during our winter getaway at the Washington lodge. Josh’s sisters, Hannah and Beth, went missing and are presumably dead, all cause of a stupid prank Jess, Emily and I concocted, convincing Matt and Ash to go along with it. In retrospect, I don’t know what we were thinking.

‘Seriously, Mike? From one depressing thought to another? Is your brain lacking serotonin today more than usual or what?‘ I mentally scold myself just as I spot two familiar faces - Sam and Ashley. 

It doesn’t take long for me to notice the rest of the gang - Matt, Jess and Chris - all standing near by, surrounding a girl I have never seen before. She sticks out immediately with her long H/C hair and shiny E/C eyes. Jess has her arm linked with the girl, a gesture really out of place for Jess. I mean, her and Emily are pretty close and I’ve never even seen them hug.

“Hey, man. How are you?“ Matt notices me first, lifting his head and smiling at me. His greeting leads the others to look in my direction as well, including the girl. I catch Jess lean down in and whisper something to her. I can’t hear what she’s saying but it clearly aggravates her. I have never received a dirtier look from a girl in my entire life. I usually have the opposite effect on women but I guess there’s a first time for everything. 

“Mike...” Jess steps away from the girl and towards me, “this is my best friend, Y/N. She just got transferred here.” She turns her attention back to the girl, “Y/N, this is Mike.” 

Y/N looks unamused as she outstretches her arm in my direction. “Nice to meet you” is what she says, but her expression clearly tells me she would like to see as little of me as possible. At least she’s polite, right? 

“Likewise.” The handshake is brief and, despite her obvious distaste for me, she still gives me a firm handshake. 

“Wait, you were transferred? I thought Jess said you came here cause you moved.” Sam furrows her brows in confusion. 

“Well, it’s really a chicken and the egg type of situation.” Y/N laughs, rubbing the back of her neck almost nervously, “We moved because I had to transfer.”  Yikes.“ Ashley comments, “Not to pry or anything, but why did you have to be transferred?“

Y/N looks me dead in the eyes, as if she’s sending me a message that I better not overlook, or so help me God I’ll be dead. ”Noses randomly broke when I was around.”

It hurts so much to look back on those times and not pick up on what I was feeling. I foolishly decided that if I can’t give the feelings a name or find them a purpose I should turn a blind eye. I wasn’t that ignorant, I could tell she was the cause, but I could never admit it.

And then there’s the situation with Jess...

“You hurt her, and I’ll kill you.“

I found Y/N by the bleachers and let me tell you, she’s quite the paradox. She’s a straight A, no nonsense, intelligent beyond her years girl. With all these characteristics, you’d think she’d know better than to smoke cigarettes. Wrong! She’s a smoker. Jess can never not complain about the smell of cigarette smoke, it’s a miracle these two get along.

To my ‘hi’ she responded with what looked to be an eyeroll and an annoyed release of smoke through her nostrils. Even though I know I’m not welcome to be in her proximity, I still decide to sit down a little ways away from her, for personal space and all that. Definitely not cause I’m slightly afraid of her. No way.

We just sit in silence until she hits me with the aforementioned threat. I am caught off guard. All I can do is stare straight ahead of me like a deer in headlights. After maybe thirty seconds of absolute confusion I manage to turn my head to look at her. “What are you talking about?” The question is supposed to sound harsh but compared to the way she spit out that death threat it sounded more like a whimper.

“You are such an ignorant asshole.“ She shakes her head, throwing her cigarette on the bench below her. She stomps on it and walks away. I can’t help but stare at her until she’s out of sight. I feel like I’m watching something non-human. A phenomenon you can experience once in a lifetime - if you’re lucky. 

She’s the complete opposite of Jess: grounded, smart, rational. The only time I’ve seen her be so unpleasant is around me. I catch her interactions with the rest of the gang. From afar, she seems like the nicest, friendliest girl. And then she catches a glimpse of me and her mood changes. I don’t know what’s her problem with me but I know it most certainly isn’t something I’ve done to her. She’s been like that since the first moment we were introduced, so either Jess has talked a lot of shit about me or she just hates people named Michael. I may never know.

I had no idea what she meant at the time and only found out three weeks ago. Speaking of three weeks ago, the group once again headed for the Blackwood Pines, trying to hide their uneasiness with make excitement. I was pretty hyped when I heard we were going because that also meant our friend Josh was finally starting to get better. He hadn’t been in a good mindset since his sisters went missing and we were all really worried for him but weren’t allowed to show it because he always insisted he was fine.

He wasn’t. He was as messed up as ever and served as only the prologue to the nightmare of a night we had to live through.

But before all that could happen, the night started off well. Better than expected. The eeriness of the mountain combined with the bad memories we had of the place we still there, we could all feel the tension, but we did a good job masking it with jokes and whatnot. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t really looking forward to go and not only because of what happened the year prior.

“Wait, wait, wait. Y/N’s coming too?“ I ask, looking at Josh with wide eyes.

The guy is clearly confused by my overdramatic reaction to him counting down the names of the ones who had already RSVPd ‘Yes’. “Is that a problem or something?”

I sigh, hiding my face in my hands. It’s embarrassing to admit, really. “She doesn’t like me, and that puts it mildly. She hates me.”

He looks even more baffled than before, “Why? What’d you do to her?”

“Nothing, for fuck’s sake. Not a single thing. I haven’t even had a proper interaction with her.“ Talking about this matter exhausts me, mostly cause I can’t even express half the things I’m feeling.

There’s been a time or two I’ve caught her looking at me but her eyes weren’t filled with that distrust I’m used to. She looks away quickly when we make eye contact, as if she can’t put the mean mask on in time and she has to look away to do a system reset. I sometimes catch myself looking at her without realizing. I try to tell myself I do it for the purpose of solving her. 

‘Who are you kidding, Munroe?‘

                                                                  * * *

And here I am, climbing up the mountain to the Washington lodge. I’ve made it a goal to use this getaway to mend things with Y/N. It’s the only way for me to get back to normal. To get my mind back since she’s recently been living in my head rent-free. I’m bullshitting, not just recently. She’s taken over my brain since day one. I can’t place what’s going on with me, I can’t find a term to label it with and I most definitely can’t find a way to stop it. So, I’ve come to the conclusion that if I can’t stop it on my own, she’ll have to do it for me.

Another thing - I’ve never felt nervous or self-conscious around a girl all my life. Never. My friends joke that I’m a ladies’ man and I’d say that’s pretty true. So I have a tough time understanding how I turn into an awkward turtle that’s missing confidence when she’s around.

Once we all get settled in and there’s a fire going, giving the lodge a cozy atmosphere, it’s every man for themselves. Everyone picks a activity they want to occupy themselves with and the living room of the lodge empties out, leaving me there alone.

I scroll stare at the screen of my now useless phone. The thing has no reception and no way of keeping me busy, leaving my attention to wander to the voices that are getting more and more distant as my friends walk out of the room.

I can’t help but overhear Jess say to Y/N, “You haven’t even set your bag down yet and you’re going for a smoke? Jeez, Y/N.”

“You say as though you don’t know me.“ Y/N laughs, the sound of a door opening following after her voice.

It’s such a nice sound, her laugh. I’ve never heard it before. I’ve seen her smile and seen her chuckle at someone’s joke, but it was never actually a laugh. Seems she keeps those for special occasions. 

If she’s in the type of mood to laugh, she’s in the type of mood to be civil with me. Before I can talk myself out of the on-spot decision, I mentally slap myself and get off the couch, walking to the door to the side deck.

“You’ve got this, she’s just a person” 

“Who’s just a person?“ her voice cuts through the silence of the outdoors.

‘SHIT I SAID THAT OUT LOUD‘

I decide to carry this all the way, no shortcuts. No backing out. Somehow, now that she’s standing in front of me - a cigarette between her fingers, her shoulders tense from of the cold - I find it easier to get the words out. She’s just as human as everyone else. The cold causes her to shrivel up. She’s addicted to tobacco. She’s not some riddle I need to solve, just a person I need to talk to in order to understand.

“You.“ I reply, “Why aren’t you wearing a jacket?“

She shakes her head, her shoulders trembling a bit, “It builds the immune system.”

“No, it makes you suffer.“ I shrug my jacket off, cautiously approaching her and wrapping it around her.

Surprisingly, she accepts it with a nod and a murmured ‘thanks’, holding onto it with the hand that’s not holding her cigarette. “Why were you reminding yourself that I’m just a person? Do I not look like one?” She scoffs, facing away from me to look at the snowy hills ahead.

“No, no, not that. You just make me nervous that’s all.“ 

She whirls around, giving me this look as though she has no idea what I’m talking about.

“Really? Why’s that?“ she puts out her cigarette on the wooden railing, focusing all her attention on me.

My hand instinctively goes up to the back of my neck, feeling my face start to heat up. “Well, you’re not really fond of me. And I don’t know why, and....” I trail off, sighing in self-disappointment, “And I wanna know why.”

Her expression turns the complete opposite, a smile spreading across her face. “It’s not about something you have done. It’s about what you might’ve done.”

Despite feeling slightly relieved, I am no less confused than I was a minute ago. “And what is that?”

“Break my best friend’s heart.“ She looks a lot more serious now, “You really had no idea she was head over heels for you just a month ago. You were so oblivious and she was so whipped...“ frustration radiates off of her, “I just didn’t want her to get hurt.“ She closes her eyes, stabilizing herself before finishing her statement, “I didn’t want to hurt her.“

“Wait, what?“

The hurt that paints itself on her face is contagious. I feel it too and I don’t even know what’s causing it. “She always told me about you. Mike this and Mike that. She made you sound like the best guy in the world. And...I really wanted to be let down when I met you, but you were nothing but nice to me and to the other people in the group. But you were also such a jerk from time to time. You are just too...Fucking forget it.” 

In a blink of an eye she puts my jacket over the railing and runs inside the lodge.

“Y/N, wait!“

Needless to say, running after her was the best decision I’ve made. I didn’t get her to admit to anything, but at least we lied down the armor and agreed to give each other some time to get to know one another. Drop aside the assumptions and give a this acquaintanceship the chance to become a friendship. 

Sadly, all good things come to an end way sooner than we want. The rest of that dreadful night I witnessed her transform. When everyone was freaking out, she held them and comforted them. I saw the fear in her eyes but she never let it shine through in her actions. She was the one still holding it together even after she saw that disgusting creature. Her and I were the ones to turn that sanatorium upside down. We were with Josh in the mines. We were the ones to see the Wendigo first. We were by each other’s side the entire time. We had each other’s backs. 

I’ve never felt such a connection with someone. I was experiencing the most intimate understanding with a person in the worst moment of my life. It was bittersweet. The poison mixed with the cure.

Even when she knew her death was approaching, her only reaction was a single tear. A single crystal drop running down her cheek.

We can make a break. We can run right out of this hell hole and turn it to ash, all we need is for this fucking to focus its attention elsewhere. Thankfully Chris, Ash and Emily have made it out already and they’re safe. However, Sam, Y/N and I are trapped. The silent looks we exchange are laced with fear and panic. We have to calculate our next moves down to a millisecond and we don’t even know what those next moves should be.

Suddenly, a sharp pain starts spreading from my hand shoulder. My adrenaline is no longer doing a good job blocking out the pain of the fingers I had to sever. I slip up, letting out a hiss. The pain is just that unbearable.

That thing turn at the speed of light, letting out a screech and heading in my direction. My whole body is tense I couldn’t move if I wanted to but my arm is in such a horribly painful position, I think I’ll faint if I don’t readjust it.

“HEY!“ The voice comes from opposite me and my heart drops.

Sam’s next to me. It’s not her. It’s Y/N. 

The Wendigo loses interest in me as soon as it hears her yell turning and heading straight for her. It all starts sinking in. Now that it’s facing away, Sam and I can make it out. But she can’t. It’s over for her. There’s no way she’s leaving this lodge.

I catch her eyes from across the room. Her posture says a fighter, but her eyes scream ‘petrified’. She knows it too. She knows it’s game over. A single tear rolls down her cheek, shattering my heart.

That’s the last vulnerable moment, however. She turns her head, deciding to go out without showing a glint of fear to that piece of shit. I don’t have to look at Sam or tell her what to do. We’re both aware that we’re about to make it out, losing Y/N in the process.

It happens in a split second. Y/N spits at the Wendigo and then next thing I see is her laying on the ground in a pool of blood. 

The dash out of the lodge is a blur. The last thing I remember is sitting outside of the burning building, staring at the flames. The lodge wasn’t the only thing burning. Years of memories; history; wendigos; and my heart burnt in that lodge.

I see the group leave the graveyard. I struggle to move forward, my limbs heavy. I feel gravity is a lot stronger all of a sudden. 

I didn’t go to the final goodbye. I knew it wasn’t her. There was nothing left of her to bury. Sam told me they buried things that reminded people of her and objects she cherished. 

Well it’s time I give my goodbye.

I shrug my jacket off - the same jacket from that night - and put it around the gravestone like I put it over her shoulders. There’s a box of the cigarettes she smoked in the inner pocket.

“I hope you felt what I felt, Y/N. I hope I didn’t have to say it for you to notice it. I wish I knew...cause now it’ll haunt me for the rest of my life.” I can’t stop the tears, I’m too weak and I’ve been holding them back for far too long. “I’ve never believed in an afterlife. But I really hope there is one, just so we can meet again.” I scoff, shaking my head, “Who am I kidding, I’m probably going to hell.”

I believe that’s where I deserve to go, anyway. I’m the reason she died. And I will never let myself live that down. I will never forgive myself. A flame like no other burnt out so mine could keep burning.   I will make sure it haunts me till the day I leave this world behind.

[atinytokki]

The Windy Road

vi. The Folded Bluebird

The three month anniversary of the Song family’s arrival in town passed without incident to Mingi’s great relief.

Since that first week in the new house things had calmed down and started looking up.

His parents had a stable trade business going, Minseok had a job serving drinks at the pub he spent so much time at, and Mingi and Bosung played after school just about every day. 

A couple of months in, Mingi had been holding his breath, waiting for the day his parents sat them down and explained that they’d be moving again, just like they always did when the weather got cooler and the term was halfway up. But each day came and went with not even the faintest notion of packing and leaving, and on their three month anniversary, Mingi felt assured enough to put away his suitcase.

It was a momentous occasion.

“We haven’t stayed in one place that long in at least the past five years,” he explained to Bosung as they walked home together, swinging their school bags carelessly and kicking colourful leaves out of their way.

“I’m sure you did when you were a baby,” Bosung pointed out. “Travelling with a three month old doesn’t sound very safe.”

“Well, of course,” Mingi scoffed. “But I don’t remember it. The longest I remember staying somewhere was that strange little farm town west of here. The bugs were huge so I mostly stayed inside.”

“You’re such a scaredy-cat,” Bosung giggled at him and linked their arms as they approached their street. “Are you coming to help finish the building project? The Heo family is moving in tomorrow and some things still need to be finished.”

Something else that was different for Mingi— other new people moving in. Being even newer than the Song family was a feat given how often they relocated, and Mingi was having a lot of mixed feelings about the idea.

Still he nodded as the pair passed by both of their cottages and stopped at the end of the street. It was where a brand new house was being built, everything fresh and shiny for the family moving in. Some tiles needed to be fixed on the roofing before it was deemed ready, so both the boys carefully made their way up to where Bosung’s father was already working.

“You know how to handle the tiles properly, right Mingi?” The man asked as Bosung immediately got to work. Being the son of an architect came with its perks. For a fleeting moment, Mingi was jealous.

“Of course!” Mingi lied quickly. “I’ve definitely done this before.”

If the man saw through his dishonestly, he didn’t say, but Mingi noticed the way he slowed down his work speed so Mingi could watch and copy what he was doing. 

By sunset the work was finished, and the boys sat, satisfied, on the newly tiled roof and looked out at the stunning view of the sea below them.

Mingi always thought of Hongjoong when he saw the ocean.

It had been a few weeks since he’d seen him, but most of the time if they saw each other it was at the beach.

Part of him felt guilty about neglecting the older boy, but really it was no one’s fault.

Hongjoong had a lot of responsibilities placed on him by his relatives and little time to play, and Mingi was busy with school and Bosung, so Hongjoong naturally fell through the cracks.

Mingi cringed as he thought back to last month when he’d tried to get the two to meet before learning they already knew each other from when Hongjoong used to attend school, before Mingi’s arrival. They had been neighbours and classmates, even though that wasn’t the case anymore.

It was easy to see that living with his extended family at Jangwon Hall changed things for Hongjoong and kept him cooped up there much more than he’d like, so Mingi felt relieved when he found him at the beach every once in awhile, free for a chat or a picnic.

“I heard one of the Heo family’s children is our age,” Bosung broke into Mingi’s thoughts casually.

“Really?” Mingi perked up. Three whole friends at once? That would be nothing short of a miracle. “I hope they’re nice.”

“Me too,” Bosung sighed contentedly. “We’ll be the three neighbours and friends.”

“But nothing will change between us, right?” Mingi asked after a pause. He hated to sound desperate, but he’d gotten invested in this friendship against his natural instincts, and he’d hate to see anything destroy it. “We’ll still be best friends.”

“Of course!” Bosung laughed, punching him lightly on the shoulder. “We’ll always be best friends.”

...

Mingi heard her before he saw her.

As he neared the schoolhouse, a laugh rang out and immediately caught his attention. It wasn’t a laugh he recognised and it was quite loud for so early in the morning, when he was practically still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

A new girl sat a couple of seats away from his, with a pretty red ribbon in her braided her, laughing at something Bosung told her.

The pair perked up when Mingi entered and made their way over to him as he dropped his bag on his desk. 

“Mingi!” Bosung called. “This is Heo Dahye. Dahye, my best friend Song Mingi. He’s the one who lives a couple of houses down from you.”

Heo Dahye.

The new neighbour, a classmate their age... and somehow, Mingi hadn’t considered that she’d be a girl or that she’d be this pretty.

“Here, I made you this,” she broke into a smile and pulled something out from behind her back, shoving it into his hands. It was a little paper bluebird, crafted delicately from folding paper and decorated with colourful ink. It was cheery and pleasant— just like Dahye.

“Th-Thank you,” Mingi finally got out, returning a shy smile and setting the bird on his desk so it was facing him. It was like a little treasure. “Welcome to Panhang, by the way.”

“I got one, too!” Bosung interrupted, breaking the spell as he waved a red folded bird in Mingi’s face. “Isn’t she talented? I suggested she try making a sea turtle next.”

Dahye chuckled again before becoming distracted by the school mistress’ appearance and rushing off to give her a special folded bird of her own.

“She seems a lot more excited about moving here than you were,” Bosung prattled on as he took his seat. “Anyway, I asked her if she wanted to go sailing some time next week, just the three of us, since she’s never been on the ocean before. You can handle the boat, right?”

Mingi suddenly blanched and thought back to his first day at school. He still hadn’t come clean about his complete inability to sail after that first conversation with Bosung, and it looked like now he was finally being tested on it. But now that Dahye was involved, he couldn’t just fess up and let someone else go with them in his place.

“Y-Yes, I can do that... if you can find a boat for us to use...” he smiled weakly and opened up his textbook as class began, panicking internally.

Now he had Dahye and Bosung to impress with his famed boating skills, and if Bosung was looking to show off as much as it seemed he was, there was no way he’d rent them a small, easy-to-use, canoe type vessel.

Mingi spent all day chewing his lip and looking for a solution before remembering— Hongjoong’s parents had been fishing when they died, which meant he most likely knew how to fish too, which meant he most likely also knew how to sail.

Suddenly, Mingi had a plan. 

While the three of them walked home, he peeked at the cliffside and hoped Hongjoong would be there. After making a flimsy excuse about needing to study, Mingi waited until Dahye skipped off to unpack and Bosung was gone to run down to the beach and pace in the sand at the place Hongjoong usually met him.

It was almost an hour until the older boy appeared, surprised to see Mingi waiting for him.

Mingi wasted no time, grabbing him by the arms and whispering in a low voice, “Hongjoong, I need you to teach me to sail by next week or my friendships are over and my reputation is destroyed.”

“Oh...” Hongjoong whispered back, removing himself from Mingi’s grip before looking around. “Why are we whispering?”

“I don’t know, I’m just nervous,” Mingi whined, pulling at his hair. “Why did I have to tell Bosung I was good at sailing, and why did he have to remember it and bring it up to Dahye...”

“I take it something happened?” Hongjoong ventured hesitantly, watching as Mingi flopped down in the sand.

“This new girl moved in and she’s amazing but Bosung decided to be a show off and offer up my nonexistent sailing skills to impress her. I can’t believe I singlehandedly ruined my own life. Unless...”

“You want me to help you?” Hongjoong summarised for him, sitting down along side him. “You know, it takes more than a couple of days to become an expert.”

“Teach me how to fake it then?” Mingi squeaked, embarrassed. Here Hongjoong had probably been hoping they could catch up and play around for the first time in awhile and Mingi was begging impossible tasks from him instead.

Predictably, Hongjoong’s eyes dropped and he pulled his legs up to his chest with a sigh, gaze on the water as usual. “Mingi, I... don’t want to go back out there.”

It made sense. These waters were dangerous at times and full of particularly bad memories always.

“But you’re always here on the beach,” Mingi pointed out. “Haven’t you been out on the water since... that night?”

Hongjoong shook his head vehemently and inhaled a tremulous breath. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly after a pause. “I just can’t.”

Mingi swallowed the guilty lumps bunched up in his throat and nodded in understanding.

“However,” Hongjoong continued, turning to face him again. “I can teach you what I know from on dry land.”

A smile slowly grew on Mingi’s face and he leaned forward with expectation. “Do you mean it?”

Hongjoong nodded and beamed as Mingi tackled him in a hug. “It won’t be easy, but as long as you don’t sink, you should be fine.”

Mingi gasped and pulled away. “Don’t joke like that!”

Hongjoong ignored his comment and got to his feet. “Alright, listen up. Lesson one is starting now.”

Mingi grinned from ear to ear and raised an arm in mock salute. “Yessir!”

...

When the day arrived, Mingi felt like his heart would pump out of his chest.

“My parents said not to go too far out,” he prefaced as he inspected the boat, recalling the names and functions of all the sheets and ropes he had spent day and night studying about. It wasn’t just an excuse either, his mother still worried when it came to the sea.

“That’s fine by me,” Dahye chirped agreeably, peeking out from under the rim of a cute little sun hat, decorated with her trademark red ribbon.

Mingi let Bosung do most of the entertaining as soon as they were out on the water, focused on keeping them afloat and checking the weather.

There were a thousand and one things to be on top of and the time passed by quickly, gathering clouds sending them back to the beach when their afternoon was spent.

Relieved and resigned never to lie again, Mingi walked home with his friends and paid special attention to the way Dahye smiled at him in thanks.

“You did well for a first-timer,” she nudged him slyly as soon as Bosung had broken off when they reached his house.

“Wh-What?” Mingi spluttered, glancing around. “I don’t know what you mean. You’re the first-timer, not me.”

“Actually, I only said I’ve never been on the ocean. My father owned a riverboat service in the town we came from,” she giggled. Their pace slowed down as they neared Mingi’s cottage. “Besides, I saw you practicing on the beach with that other boy. I don’t remember seeing him in class, what’s his name?”

Pretty, talented, and smart. Mingi could feel his cheeks getting warm the longer she stared at him.

“Uh, um, right, that’s Hongjoong. Kim Hongjoong, he lives at Jangwon Hall up the beach from here. Actually he used to live in my house— well, it’s a bit of a story.”

“I’ve got time,” Dahye smiled warmly and clasped her hands behind her back as they sauntered up the path towards her place.

“I’ll walk you home then,” Mingi offered eagerly, feeling something flutter in his chest.

He didn’t quite know what it was, but it was the start of something exciting.

...

A/N: Hey guys! It’s been awhile since updating this one and suddenly we’re halfway through it?! (According to the outline that I may or may not follow, anyway) Well, I hope you liked it and don’t forget to give some love and have a nice day :)

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[btsimaginefactory]

At the Beach with BTS - Moodboards and Scenarios

{{i’m sorry that these are messy but it was so hard trying to paint the picture without the board looking too busy and iM SORRY. It’s less “oo aesthetics” and more that these are to give you pics for your mind. But I hope you’re still into this💖}}

Seokjin

“Are you happy?”

You smile gently at Seokjin words, twining your fingers with his as you both sit on the riverbank. More than a dozen stripped box turtles, all in various sizes and ages, paddle cutely at the edge, waiting for more pieces of carrots to be throw from their generous new friends. “I am so happy Seokjin.”

Seokjin’s smile gleams in the light of the sunset, and he leans to kiss you on your temple. He’d wanted to go to the beach with you for a long time, and now you finally had the time. Seokjin rented a house situated strategically between the secluded shoreline and the marsh. What had drawn him to this beach was the privacy, yes, but it was also the beautiful variation of landscapes and an abundant amount of wildlife. In the morning you watched wild horses play on the beach from your balcony, naming each one and giving them elaborate back stories, narrating their interactions. Seokjin was startled by how close they came to the house and how at peace they seemed living side by side with humans.

Almost every afternoon was spent under the umbrella on the sand with packed lunches; idly fishing for minnows before letting them free again as you watch the vibrant sunset over the horizon, and nights spent counting endless stars.

“Listen I’m telling you, THAT one is the big dipper,” you stress.

“No, it’s not because that star should be over there if it’s the big dipper!”

“...Jin you can’t just move stars around to prove yourself right.”

Several days the two of you went to local shops, exploring all the beautiful and wacky things you could find. He was especially drawn to a hobby shop that had all kinds of intricately made sculptures from shells and driftwood. Seokjin commented that he liked he couldn’t find any two alike, and in that same way he could never find someone exactly like you who he loved so much. A slap is quickly delivered to his arm at his gushy words, making him laugh, but getting a kiss from you in the end.

Yoongi

“Yoongi you do realize coming to the beach in the winter kind of defeats the purpose of coming to the beach,” you sigh, looking out the sliding glass doors of your hotel room overlooking the ocean shore. He’s already outstretched on the giant king-sized bed, humming in satisfaction when you come and kick his leg.

“Ow sheesh,” he exclaims, eyes meeting your crestfallen face. “Okay well, I did in fact plan this very carefully and invested many hours to make things perfect.” 

He rolls over and leans down to his bag, pulling out some pieces of paper and holding them in front of his gummy grin. You have to squint, but the bright letters of a pamphlet for a well know indoor water park is undeniable.

“NO WAY,” you gasp, snatching them out of his hands and rifling through the packet. “Are you serious?”

He nods.

“Really really? As in you’re actually gonna play with me and not be a lazy potato chip?”

“I am! I promise,” he laughs. “Why do you think I spent so much time picking stuff out for us to do? Don’t you see the view,” he gestures dramatically at the balcony. You can’t help but laugh and pull his cheeks in for a kiss, making him look very pleased.

Yes it was true you’d agreed to go to the beach with Yoongi during the dead of winter, but the surprise and lively atmosphere you found was exactly what the two of you needed. The hotel was connected to the water park by an indoor bridge, and surprisingly, Yoongi cared the giant inflatable unicorn proudly each day, bopping you in the head with it constantly. After swimming and playing, and him throwing you down one to many insane waterslides, you crash in the hotel room with warm comfort, room service, and movies.

Yoongi kisses your forehead and smiled as you lay in his arms. “So should we do the same thing tomorrow or should we go see some of the other things around here?”

Hoseok

When you were looking for a place to rent at a nearby beach online, Hoseok was immediately drawn to the strip of brightly colored buildings on the boardwalk. “Let’s go there! That’s so pretty! And there’ll be lots of places to go.” And so you did, spending loads of time in different shops, buying way too many souvenirs, and an equal time relaxing on the beach.

It was probably a bad idea to suggest a sandcastle building competition because 3 hours later you realized you’d both spent the whole day building a mini-utopia; giving up the competition after signing a treaty to no more sand thrown and opting instead to build your own joined kingdoms. Hoseok desperately tried to save one crumbling wall as the tide came in, but sank to his knees in defeat, promptly having a wave crash over his head from behind as if to add insult to injury. He comes crying to you as you laugh at his dripping wet, salty face, but is sure to trap you in a hug to get you wet as well.

“Baby how about we just shower and order takeout,” he suggests when you arrive at the condo, panting after climbing the 3 flights of stairs.

“How can you be tired from that, you literally can dance nonstop for way longer,” you huff, throwing a towel in his face.

After taking a soothing shower together, the two of you crash on the bed with your take out and TV, while finding all the little red areas you missed with sunscreen where each of you were now burned. “See I told you-you should have put some behind your ears,” he scolds and you simply cover his face with your hands.

“Shh, shh, shh, don’ worry ‘bout it.”

Namjoon

It was the best surprise you’ve ever gotten in your life. When you told Namjoon you were staying at the beach with your family, expressing that you wished he could be there to experience it with you, he decided to do just that. After secret communications with your family, seemingly out of the blue he shows up at your door and you almost knock him over completely in your enthusiastic hug. You introduce him formally to your family, and they immediately like him, if only by the way you glowed around him. They realize quickly he must be an incredible person and one who was absolutely good for you.

Being able to share this important time with him was everything; watching him grow comfortable with everyone, and hiding in embarrassment at all the stories they spilled from your childhood; everything felt so at home about him. The next day you were dragging him out of bed much too early to spend it all with him on the beach. Needless to say he was terrified when you warned him about not swimming in the ocean because of sharks, but he excitedly dug for sand-fiddlers and mole crabs, putting them in a bucket and examining them before letting them free again. That very evening, you two were lucky enough to watch sea turtles hatch, lining up with the other people watching, and giving them a protected path to the ocean as Namjoon squeals in delight.

Every night was filled with good meals and laughter, playing in the heated pool under the stars, and cuddling up in bed sharing stories, relishing that you had him there in the flesh. He pushes your hair behind your ear as he cradles you in his arms. “I wish I could stay here with you forever.”

“Me too Namjoon,” you say with a sad smile, trying not to even think of this time together ending.

“But we will soon.”

Jimin

It wasn’t Jimin’s most favorite idea when you told him you had booked a shared home at the beach; he didn’t know if he felt comfortable staying with strangers. It was an older couple who, after their children grew up and left, opened up a section of their house for travelers so they could share this place with people from all around the world. Jimin agrees though, and in only a few hours of being there, he was so glad that he did.

When you arrive at the bungalow nestled in the seaside forest, the couple takes you on a tour around the house, and more importantly, outside on one of the many trails. After getting over that initial little bit of awkwardness, you and Jimin didn’t turn down a single activity they suggested, for all of them were so perfectly new and exciting. You slowly watched Jimin come out of his shell, bouncing around like the happy, adventurous boy you loved. His favorite part was kayaking through the marsh and inlet, canopied by tall, vibrant trees, and hundreds of different species of birds chattering amongst the reeds.

“Woah look at that one,” Jimin yells in a hushed voice, pointing at a bright white, gangly crane fishing at the bank. “Did you see how it just snapped it’s beak in there and grabbed the fish? It was so fast, like whoosh! I could probably do that.”

“... Jimin what are you even saying?”

“It’s because you don’t believe in me, that's why I can’t grab a fish out of the water with my bare hand.”

You have to stop your eyes from rolling all the way back into your head as he giggles. When you return to the house, you’re all gathered around a fire pit in the backyard to eat dinner, eagerly telling the couple all about where you were from. You fall asleep on his shoulder as you lay beneath the stars, peacefully breathing in the salty air and wondering what tomorrow will bring.

Taehyung

“Greece?!”

“Greece!”

You can only pause. “Greece?”

Taehyung nods in confirmation. “Greeeeeece!” He’d seen a picture float across the internet somewhere of this beautiful resort, and he immediately knew he had to take you. Taehyung is one who is always ready for an adventure and travel, so he expects you to be the same. The resort is at the foot of a mountain, the bright blue sea as a backdrop, making the large sanded smooth white buildings look majestic and nothing short of magical. You have a cabin to yourselves, one in front of a small private pool that glowed purple in the evening; one that you convinced him to go skinny dipping in. It’s easy to have fun with Taehyung, even in a foreign place, but he takes special care to make the trip especially romantic and appreciative. He pampers you like royalty and announces that you are going to be his official model for all his pictures he had yet to take.

“Wow you are a natural,” Taehyung chuckles as he snaps a picture of you posed beneath a twisted tree. “I didn’t even have to tell you what to do.”

“Practice makes perfect I suppose, and so does such a handsome teacher,” you say, pecking his lips. The day is spent on the sand under a large tent, and yes you did have to wait before starting to drink your fancy drink because he wanted to photograph it all, but with his cute grin how could you say no?

Jungkook

“Jungkook don’t you think this is a bit much,” you ask, setting your bag down in the foyer just as Jungkook runs past you around the expansive dining room.

“No no of course not! We’re only young once; when else would we have this opportunity? Come on,” he grabs your hand and pulls you along, peeking in every room as if looking for something. After ‘oo-ing’ and ‘aw-ing’ at the bright coral walls and happy paintings, you head downstairs to find perhaps the biggest reason your boyfriend rented this particular beach house.

“Oh my gosh now I get it,” you say, holding the bridge of your nose but getting equally excited as you’re greeted with a giant arcade room. A flat screen tv, new video games as well as classic arcade games, a ping pong table, and even a pool table were all sitting shiny and tempting and Jungkook is giggling like a kid in a candy store.

You barely have time to reach him before his eyes meet something outside the window in the backyard. “Oh. My. Gosh. There’s a jet ski,” he whispers, instantly bolting towards the door with you yelling behind him.

“Jungkook for God’s sake please don’t kill yourself!!”

You’d thought it was a little wasteful to rent a three-story house with 8 bedrooms for only the two of you, but he quickly washes away your worries with the private pool and access to the dock with a jet ski and kayaks, as well as running around the large house and screaming your lungs out just because there was no one there to stop you. The house was at the end of a small, private cul de sac, and a mere golf cart ride to the shore. It was quieter than you would’ve imagined you’d enjoy, but as you sit on the crows nest overlooking the inlet, watching Jungkook photograph the sunset, you couldn’t imagine anywhere else on earth you’d rather be.

{{I’ve actually experienced three of these imagines AND IF YOU CAN CORRECTLY GUESS WHICH THREE, YOU GET *spins roulette wheel anxiously* ... ah... ha ha... apparently to punch me in the d💫}}

-Admin Chaejeong

[tmntstorystopnsfw]

Through thick and thin part 8

Eventual X rating

As it turned out, Shannon was available, having just finished Sunday brunch with her parents. It was her SUV that they all packed into, the turtles in the back seats and Dee in the front so no one would see the four huge mutants. They drove a couple of hours to get out to the country to a place the turtles had discovered years ago.

“This is really cool.” Shannon said as their short hike through the woods ended in a deep and clear spring pool that fed a creek.

“Last one in’s a rotten egg!” Mikey yelled, bolting for the water.

“Not fair!” Dee yelled back as she tried to hurriedly strip out of her shirt and jean shorts. For once though, she wasn't the only one who had to do so. Shannon was right next to her, struggling to get out of the tee shirt that had caught on one of her earrings. Dee laughed and helped her unhook it before they took off to the swimming hole together. The water was deliciously cool and the girls came back up laughing.

“Sorry about my super pale skin. I'm sure I'm reflecting light.” Dee said a while later as they basked in the sun on the dry rocks at the edge of the swimming hole. The guys were taking turns swinging into the water off of the rope swing tied to a tree. They were whooping and laughing as they displayed impressive acrobatics before splashing into the water.

“You’re fine.” Shannon said. “Nothin’ a little sun can't fix.”

“It does feel amazing.” Dee sighed, resting her head on her folded arms and enjoying the warming rays on her back.

“I know. I don't get to relax like this very often.” Shannon replied.

“Work keep you busy?” Dee asked.

“If it's not work, it’s my family or my friends. I feel like I'm always running.” She answered.

“I know how that is.” Dee said.

Shannon rolled to her side, propping her head op on her hand. “What line of work are you in?”

“Physical therapy.” She answered. “It's a pretty good job and I love my patients but sometimes it feels like all I do is work.”

“Same.” Shannon nodded. “It's hard turning down shifts when you know they need you.”

“One day maybe we’ll be better off and we’ll have some time to ourselves.” Dee said.

“Raph says you make pottery. Can't you just do that?” She asked.

“I could but it would really fuck up my hands. The clay dries them out and if I do a lot of pieces in a short amount of time, they crack and bleed and it really just sucks. Besides, I worked hard to get to where I am. I like my job, I just wish I had a little more free time.”

Shannon nodded, her eyes traveling over to watch the boys playing in the water. “I feel bad for them.” She said.

Dee’s eyes came open and she rolled and sat up so she could see what Shannon was looking at. The boys seemed to be having a great time. “Why?” She asked.

“It must be hard to live underground, figuratively and literally. I couldn't imagine a life where I couldn't go wherever I wanted whenever I wanted. Could you imagine what it would be like to have to sneak out just to feel the sun on your face?” She replied.

Dee thought about what she had said and admitted to herself that she hadn't thought of it that way. She was right. Knowing the freedom she had to be with humans, she couldn't say she would be okay if she suddenly couldn't anymore. “I don't really think it bothers them so much just because it's always been this way for them.” She said. “I do wish they had a better home though. Living in the sewers isn't something anyone would pick willingly.”

“You picked it willingly.” Shannon pointed out.

“I know, but that's because I want to live with them. They make it worth it.”

“Why live with them?” She asked Dee. “Why not just rent a nearby apartment and visit like April does?”

“I'm saving money this way.” Dee said. “Besides, I really like that someone’s usually just down the hall if I need them.”

“I wish I had Raph right down my hallway.” Shannon said. “I’d need him every night if you know what I mean.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

Dee chuckled, though she couldn't help but flush a little at the implication. “You want him in your bed huh? You know we’re all virgins right?”

“Even you?” She asked. Dee blushed even deeper and nodded. “Why? How old are you?”

“I’m twenty-three and really that's not the point. I was really shy in high school and in college I was working so hard on getting my degree. There were dates and parties but there was just never anyone that measured up I guess.” She shrugged. “I don't just want to do it to get it over with either. I want it to be with someone special.”

“No shame in that.” Shannon said. “It's good to have a standard and stick to it. I’m curious though, if say Leo or Donnie wanted to would you do it?”

Dee’s eyes wandered over to where Donnie was climbing out of the water, dripping wet and glistening in the sun. “Leo told me he thinks Donnie and I would be a good match.” She admitted.

“So you would hop into bed with him?” Shannon asked.

Dee fiddled with the strap of her bikini top. “I… don't really know how I feel about it.” She said.

“You think he’s hot?” She asked.

“Yes.” She said. “But there have been a lot of hot men in my life and I think all of the turtles are good looking.”

“So what is it about Donnie that has you hesitating?” She asked.

“I don't want to ruin anything between us. I don't want him wanting me just because I'm the only one available.” She said.

“He could ask any girl on the police force for a date.” She pointed out.

“He said police girls weren't his type.” She shot back.

“We have secretaries, forensic scientists, HR reps, and janitorial staff. Not to mention not all police girls are the same. Sounds like an excuse to me.” Shannon said.

“You’re right. Maybe I should suggest that to him.” Dee mused.

“Are you deliberately trying to sabotage any chance you have with him?” She asked.

“You know what, if he asks me on a date then I will go on one with him but I want him to know he has other options. I really think he should try a date with someone else too. Maybe get to talking to some of the other women at the station. I think he’s just really shy or maybe he’s just oblivious. I'm not sure. Do you think any of your coworkers would want to try a date with him?” She asked.

“The turtles are like the biggest girl topic in the station. I guess there's just something about massive, well muscled, masked, ninja mutants. People are curious. I know a few women who would jump at the chance.” She said.

“You should try to get some of them talking to him.” She said.

“If you say so.” Shannon said. Their conversation ended abruptly as the turtles came to bask in the sun alongside their female companions.

The day had been a great one, Raph reflected as he crouched on the edge of a building, patrolling for any sign of criminal activity, especially in the form of the foot clan. They had gotten to swim all day almost. Raph had even managed to get Shannon alone in the branches of a towering tree to watch the sun set. They didn't see much of the sunset as Shannon had eagerly wrapped herself around him and kissed him silly. He was really starting to appreciate this making out thing. She had promised him another date that coming Thursday, as she had that day off before her weekend to work. He spotted a drug deal going down on the corner and reported it to the police along with a license plate number. He only ever interfered in crimes where someone was being victimized. The drug deals could be taken care of by the police without him risking too much exposure.

For most of the night he patrolled the streets, communicating with his brothers via radio but as the sky began to lighten, he decided to call it quits. There was no sign of the foot that night. He swung by April and Casey’s place, peaking into the windows to make sure his Niece and Nephew were fast asleep. He had learned a long time ago not to check into April and Casey’s room. He had only had to catch them doing it once before he vowed to never look again. All was well there and so he decided to head for home but he found himself dropping onto the fire escape outside of Shannons window. Her light was off. He knew she was working second shift today. She probably wouldn't be up for a while. He watched her sleep for just a little while before finally heading home to get some sleep himself.

Dee rolled over in her sleep, restless in her dream. She was dreaming of their day in the sun. Soon, everyone else faded away and it was only her and Donnie in the water. He had her pressed back against the rocks, her legs wrapped around his shell and her arms wrapped around his neck as his lips pressed against hers. Cool hands ran over her skin. She jerked awake, almost as if her subconscious didn't want the dream going any further. She laid back against her pillows when she realized she was home in her own bed. She sighed. Her mind was being overactive, that was for sure. Maybe her feelings about him were a little more than what she felt for the others.

Leo wandered into Donnie’s lab where he was watching some YouTube video. Donnie looked up, surprised to see Leo. “Expecting someone else?” Leo asked with a grin.

Donnie paused the video. “What's up?” He asked, ignoring Leo’s question.

“I'm curious.” Leo said. “How do you feel about Dee?”

Donnie looked shocked. “She’s a really good friend.” Donnie answered.

“Is that all?” Leo said. “You don't think about her as more than that?”

“Where is this coming from?” Donnie asked.

“Just answer the question.”

Donnie rubbed his neck a little self consciously. “I can't say I’ve never thought of her like that.” He admitted.

“Maybe you should ask her out.” Leo said.

Donnie sputtered. “Are you crazy?” He asked.

“You guys hang out all the time. Why not?” Leo asked.

“She probably sees us as brothers!” Donnie said. “I don't think she’d see any of us in that light.”

“Shannon told Raph that Dee finds us attractive.” Leo said, shooting down donnie’s argument.

“Really?” Donnie asked.

“Yeah. Just think about it. If Shannon wants to make out with Raph, maybe Dee wants to make out with you.” He said and then promptly left.

Donnie stared after him for a minute, his mind racing, trying to figure out what he should do, or if he should do anything at all. He turned back to his computer but wasn't really able to get anything done the rest of the day.

[fullyjenanigans2]

MAY 25, 2010

I copy-pasted all my notes on Facebook. I decided to save and post them here on my site just to remind myself and you my reader that we all go through a lame-corny-erroneous-grammar-cringe-worthy stage of our lives. And it should be ok 🥰 we embrace our flaws. I intended to post the original entries. Yes. No editing! Thus, pardon me for all the mistakes. I believed that I was correct during those times. 😊

From a perpective of a 23 year-old me. 

Entry #9

WiFi..*sigh*

May 25, 2010 at 6:49 PM

i woke up early this morning (although the sun was already peeking at my window)..which was not really normal for me..during weekends and vacations, (or if there's no classes and walks should i say) i get out of bed very late..well, it's because i go to bed very late, too..(babawi ng tulog siyempre..hehe) 😊 i woke up this early for no reason at all..(not even the-early-bird-catches-worm purpose..trip lang..haha!) okay, it was also because of the hot heat..whew..para akong nasa mini oven! the hell! haha! =)

i was alone at the dormitory because my dorm mates went to work (of course, it's a weekday!)..and since i don't have a seminar and a class to attend to, i might as well spend the whole day on my own..huhu.. (ehe)

i prepared my breakfast..a mini bowl of oatmeal with a lot of powdered milk and two medium-sized mangoes..yum! 😊 i sorted out some of my things and my dorm mates' afterwards..(sipag-sipagan lang..hehe)..sweat to the fullest and drank lots of water..=) i didn't actually get tired, i just got sleepy so i went back to bed..hehe..i slept for 20 minutes (i guess?) and awakened by a bad dream (can't remember what was it all about anymore..hehe) and hot heat again..i tried to go back to sleep and there, i had a three-hour sleep..yey! =)

i then decided to take a bath and thought of eating at the carinderia downstairs..and i changed my mind instantly..it's not that i don't like the food there..i guess the mouse potato in me kicked off my head and made my brain think of eating at McDonald's and enjoy the WiFi there..hehe..so off i went! =)

i just ordered a medium cheeseburger meal (changed the drink into pineapple)..i am a bit excited so while i am eating my cheeseburger, i turned on my laptop (which i just borrowed from a friend..hehe) and clicked connect (since it didn't connect automatically).. i tried connecting several times and even ate as slow as a turtle fearing that i might be sent out..haha..but i failed..i spent more than an hour there with a defeated purpose..and so here i am, renting a computer at a shop near my place..*sigh* (hindi naman ako determinado di ba?haha) not all free WiFi zones are helpful i therefore conclude..whew..

i just wanted to include in this note..

i typed this note twice..at the first one, the internet connection went out after the last word was dashed off..it annoyed me a lot..ggrr! few people here at the shop even worsen the feeling..sorry..but they don't know how to consider the others around..(or perhaps i am just irritated and something came up..and of course, nobody told me to go here..hehe) this isn't really a good day at all.. *sigh*

okay, i'm done with this mouse potato and WiFi thingy.. i'll hit the logout button after this..whew..i still need to cook for dinner anyway..

[followtheukulele]

Mexico - Post #2

Ok, so moving on from Mexico City we went south, taking long buses rides and also flying to save time. Even for Brazilian standards, Mexico is huge - if you're wondering, it's the 14th biggest country in the world - and the distances might take their toll on your free time.

This second part of the trip was the best for me, CDMX was awesome, but for someone that is used to live in big cities it doesn't feel so unique and enjoyable as the other ones... so I'm sorry about all the pictures I'm about to post, but it wouldn't be fair to skip such amazing memories.

Oaxaca (01-03 Mar)

I was surprised to google and find out that the capital's population is around 300k and not the 100k, or even smaller, as I’d imagined. I’m not exactly sure what, but something really reminded me of the countryside of Sao Paulo, which kind of felt like home to me since I was born there. I only carry the most magical memories of this place, there was even a night where we came across this event at the city centre, where people were dancing - most of them were elderly, slowly following this old and awesome kind of music that I can’t seem to recall what it was - and the energy was just amazing. Also, there’s plenty of places to eat, good options to go out and things to see, even though the best thing to do there is just to take a walk around its charming streets.

Árbol del Tule: On our way to Mitla, we stopped to see this amazing and gigantic tree, it’s thought to be the widest one in the world, with impressive 58 meters of circumference and more than 2.000 years of existence (no one knows it’s age for sure). It was just a quick stop but it indeed left a permanent impression, this good feeling of being in the presence of such an ancient form of life that is still vigorous (a nice difference from all the tombs we would see until the end of the trip).

Mitla: A much smaller ruin than Teotihuacan, but the most important one from the Zapotec culture. I recall two interesting facts that will stay with me from this visit: 1) the main buildings have these stone mosaic decorations that at first sight might look ordinary but in reality were made with a Jenga-like stone stacking technique - I know my architect friends are going to kill me for saying that - but it's an easier way to understand what the grecas, as they are called, are: "polished stones arranged without mortar"; 2) the beautiful red color that decorated the whole site and is still quite visible. We, or at least I was used to imagine these ruins in the past in the same yellowish color that the ruins display today, which is a pretty ignorant thing to do as painting these sophisticated buildings that were the heart of a 500k people (wow!) civilization was probably the most basic thing for this intriguing society.

Hierve el Agua: The famous stunning "rock waterfalls" formed by the same process stalactites are made of: water saturated with calcium carbonate (thanks, google!) deposits grain by grain over the years. And in this case, it made it look like a gigantic waterfall. Also, where you take the pictures from - the famous "amphitheatre" located just in front of the "waterfalls" - there are natural and artificial pools - which were cold enough for us not to get in, even though many people did (yes, yes, I'm an accountant, what did you expect?). The last thing worth mentioning are these small water springs around the area that bubble, making it seem to be really hot, but it's just due to the pressure, unfortunately.

Monte Albán: I think this would have been the most impressive archaeological site that we visited if it wasn't for the jungle in Palenque. It’s huge, it’s well preserved/recovered, the tour is very interesting and you can spend a lot of time walking around the structures. It is possible to see where they played the "pelota", some sort of antique "soccer game" which was actually a ritual and - no one is quite sure if it was the winner or the loser of the match - but someone would end up losing his head, literally. The goal of the game was to put the ball - the 3kg to 4kg ball - through something that resembles a stone Donut, that was located way above what you would expect. And the most curious thing is that they played mainly with their hips, hitting the ball fiercely enough to make it reach its impressive goal - it looks so unpractical that it made us question if the interpretation of how the game was played is accurate.

San Cristobal (04-06 Mar)

The bus trip to San Cristobal was very long (11 hours if I recall correctly), curvy but actually punctual and somehow comfortable. And even if it wasn’t, it would have been worth it. For me, San Cristobal is a lovely city with two of the attractions I've liked the most. Oaxaca and San Cristobal fight in my heart for the best Mexican memories and will be what I recommend the most to whoever is going to visit the area.

Cañón del Sumidero: Having the same age of the grand canyon, this place amazed me as much as people tell me they were amazed by its American contemporary. Full of alligators, birds, covered by a relentless sunny rooftop and with walls reaching a thousand meters high - yeah, 1km above your head - this place is a wonder to navigate in the river below. At the end of the journey through its waters, you reach a Dam that produces "just" a bit more than 30% of Mexico’s hydro electrical energy, just so you can figure it’s size.

Palenque: Here’s my number one attraction in Mexico. Do you like to visit ruins and learn about history? Do you like nature and the jungle? Do you like Indiana Jones? If so, please visit this place and do it with a guide! It’s totally worth it.Imagine all the cool stuff described above, but being "devoured" by nature, surrounded by small monkeys that make it sound like King Kong it’s around. Imagine that you can go up and reach the pyramid’s top - In Chichen Itzá, for example, you can’t - and look at this epic fallen empire. Not sure if I made myself clear, but the atmosphere here is impressive and I can’t stress it enough.

Tulum (07-11 Mar)

Cenote Dos Ojos: If I recall correctly (a.k.a googling it now because I forgot) a Cenote is a natural pit formed by falling stones that undercover the water that was underneath it. Now, from my actual experience (and this one is true) I can tell you that there are many things that make the "Dos Ojos" unforgettable: the beautifully blue coloured water, the submerged tunnels that open in chambers crawled with bats and the fact that you can dive around and see fishes and the natural formations.

Mayan Ruins: Ok, so far we had visited ruins in arid regions, within the jungle and on the top of mountains, so what were we missing? Visiting one on the beach, of course! After all, this one is located in the Mayan Riviera... If it wasn’t for the Indiana Jones scenography in Palenque and the wonderful day we had there, I guess this would have been my favorite site. Differing from the other ones, the Mayan Ruins are really close to Tulum, which boosts the energy levels when visiting it. Imagine these ancient buildings that almost resembled a modern condo structure, including a "ball court", a social centre, a market and the most perfect ocean view. There’s even a building with four "windows" that perfectly aims the sunlight every time the seasons change. Amazing! And it has lots of animals around to make it even cooler. It’s a must see!

Akumal: A beautiful beach area where you can swim with turtles. Even though recently the authorities made the swimming area smaller to preserve the animals food (people were damaging too much the plants that they eat), you can still see and get really close to these huge turtles. The view and the color of the water are mesmerizing. The one thing I didn’t like though was the lack of infrastructure. There’s basically a couple of restaurants that charge you a lot for anything and then kick you out of your table as soon as you’re done eating.

Chichén-Itzá: Another huge ruins site, with an iconic pyramid and "ball court". Don’t get me wrong with the "another", Chichén Itzá is amazing, huge and a must-see if you’re in the area. The only thing that bothered me a little bit was that it is way more touristic than the others, there are a ton of people selling stuff inside as you walk from one building to another that kind of affects the experience for me.  And if you’re still struggling on how to pronounce it, my good friend Bruno gave me the best tip: it sounds just like "Chicken Pizza". Thanks for that, man!

Cozumel: Not going to go into details here as this is super famous and well known. It’s a charming island in which you can eat, enjoy its welcoming streets, go scuba diving or snorkeling aaaand rent these lovely old Volkswagen beetles to drive around the island.

Ok, Guys, that’s almost it for Mexico, I’ll just post the links afterwards,

Hope you have liked it and see you soon - from Africa next time.

Cheers,

Ivo