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titriwrites · 5 years ago

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Polaroid Picture -- Chapter Thirteen

A/N: Huh, so what have you all been up to since April? *hides* I’m so sorry for the wait, but here, have a (hopefully) nice surprise on this lovely Sunday evening

Read either here on AO3 or under the cut :) And enjoy!

Chapter 13

Beth drives, humming along to the music on the radio, bobbing her head. It’s a warm day, and with the weekend approaching she’s in a good mood. Well, it’s not only the weather and the lack of traffic on her way – she’s taken the Friday off too in order to have one more day in Suffolk – that makes her happy today. It’s also that she hasn’t seen Diana in a few months, and she’s excited to be invited.

She wasn’t sure, Beth has to admit, about coming. It’s always been a little strange – at least her friends say so – to still be so close to her ex-husband’s family. But they don’t really understand. While they’re all close to their respective in laws, there’s something about knowing your boyfriend’s and later husband’s family almost as good as your own. They’d been so close, Tom, Emma, Sarah, Matt and Beth. There’d been sleepovers and ghost stories long before sex and love stories. And now with her own parents gone, Tom’s family became hers, and they adopted her and Matt with open arms.

It’s not her fault, really, that Tom’s been gone for so long to lose contact.

But she’s not thinking about Tom now. She’s enjoying the scenery, and then she’s going to enjoy the company of Diana, Sarah, Emma and their husbands and children. Beth laughs softly to herself. Jack and Yakov will possibly suffer a lot with all those women chatting and laughing away – though to be fair, there will also be cooking involved, and they’re almost always nice to the boys.

After half an hour longer on the road, Beth parks in the driveway of Diana’s home. It’s gotten even warmer, this Thursday quickly turning out to be lovely enough to spend some of the evening with a walk on the beach. Beth takes a deep breath as she gets out of her car. Goodness, she missed the smell of the seaside.

She’s not even fully reached the front door of the house, bag now in hand, when the door swings open and the shout from Sarah’s five-year-old daughter can be heard.

“Aunty Libby!” she shouts while running full speed ahead, her mother’s laughter behind her. Beth has learned not to cringe at the sound of the once so very familiar nickname. It’s not Violet’s fault her uncle – an uncle she probably doesn’t even know – used to call her the same. She simply couldn’t say ‘Beth’, and Diana, bless her heart, called her Libby once and it stuck with the little girl.

The little girl who’s now reaching Beth, who sweeps her up in her arms and twirls both of them around twice, shouts of joys coming from Violet. “Hello, Poppy.”

She scrunches up her nose. “That’s not my name.”

“Noooo?” Beth lips shape an ‘O’. “Really? Sorry, then I used the wrong flower. How are you, little Lilly?”

The girl in her arms giggles. “That’s not my name, too!”

“What? Just how many flowers are there then? Is it Rose? Or Petunia?”

“You’re silly, Libby.”

“Oh!” Beth pokes the little girl in the tummy, making her giggle. “I know. Hello, lovely Violet.” The smile on her face makes Beth almost cringe with how much it reminds her of Tom. Again, it’s not Violet’s fault. She simply resembles the Hiddleston part of her family a lot.

“Hello, Libby.”

They grin at each other as Beth carries her niece – she officially still is that just as Beth is her aunty, right? – back to Sarah and what Beth assumes is the rest of the family. And just as she thought, Sarah, Emma and Diana all greet the duo by the door. Already it’s a loud bunch, but Beth soaks it up and revels in it. There are hugs and warm words, Beth is putting down her bag, and in the background, she can hear Jack and Yakov presumably in the living-room watching what sounds like a movie.

Violet is still in her arms, she’s a bit heavier than the last time they’ve seen each other, which was probably three or four months ago. But it doesn’t matter, this heaviness. Beth’s so happy to see them all again.

But then she notices it. Emma and Sarah are exchanging glances, seemingly trying to convince the other to do something. Diana is the personified calm. Before Beth can ask about it though, Violet pipes up from her place in Beth’s arms.

“Can I sleep in your room, Aunt Libby?”

“Of course, you can if you want to.” Beth’s room is on the first floor right at the end of the hallway. She used to stay in there when she visited with Tom. It doesn’t look the same anymore, otherwise she wouldn’t be able to sleep there. Depending on how many people are in Diana’s house little Violet does have her own room though, on the ground floor with Sarah and Yakov sleeping in the former office. Maybe the parents were simply tired of it? “But don’t you want to sleep in your own room?”

“Don’t have one.”

“Oh?” Beth feels the mood shift. Emma’s and Sarah’s faces change, and this time there is a small flicker of something like cringing on Diana’s face. Blink and you miss it, though.

“Nah. Tom and Julia sleep there.”

Silence. Beth grins, then blinks. Huh? She’s heard ‘Tom and Julia’, but that can’t be. She’s tried not to even think those names for the last month. And yet, now it seems as Violet’s said them. Beth feels herself freezing.

“What?” It’s her voice filling the silence. Even the living-room seems to be quiet now. Or maybe Beth is just numb and deaf.

Violet’s got her sass from the Hiddlestons too, because she’s rolling her eyes now. “Tom and Julia sleep there,” she repeats. Slowly and a bit louder. Nope. Doesn’t sound better the second time around. Do they maybe know other couples with that name?

“Your…” Beth clears her throat. “Uhm…” She looks around. The adults exchange glances again, this time the sisters seem to send their mum looks that say ‘I told you so’. Beth still doesn’t know what’s going on. “Tom is here?”

***

Turns out, Tom is there. Not currently, and not for the past hours Beth’s been sitting in Diana’s kitchen, trying to decide whether she should just leave before Tom and Julia are back from their walk – so much Diana told her – or whether she can be brave and stay. But an entire long weekend with the two of them? No. Someone will be going to get killed that way. Or maybe both.

“Okay,” she sighs, sipping her tea and shooting a glance Diana’s way, who’s sitting across from her at the other end of the kitchen table. “Tell me again why you did it? And why you’re meddling with this?”

Diana actually has the nerve to look offended. “I don’t meddle. I simply invited my daughter in law.”

“Ex.”

“Not yet.”

“Diana.”

“Elizabeth.”

Beth opens her mouth to answer, maybe yell a bit, but she can’t go on, because in that moment there are noises at the front door. It’s the first time Diana starts to look a bit panicked and Beth watches with some sort of satisfaction, before her own panic sets in.

She doesn’t want this. She’s never wanted to see Tom – and most of all Julia – again, and now they’re going to walk through the kitchen door in less than 30 seconds. Maybe she can hide, or make a really quick exit through the garden behind the house? Or maybe hide in the garden? Yeah, running and hiding sound like good options now. Beth almost chokes on her tea, setting the mug down with shaking hands.

There’s laughter in the hallway, and the TV in the living-room is switched off. Of course, the family wants to listen in. A bunch of nosy people, the Hiddlestons and their partners.

And then, Beth catches a glimpse of Tom holding hands with his fiancée as they walk past the door, hanging up their jackets. Tom looks wary. Of course, he must have spotted the car in the driveway.

Then he turns his head, and suddenly Beth locks eyes with him. Her heart is beating fast, her mouth goes dry, and she can’t hear anything apart from her own breathing. Tom smiles, then blinks, then frowns, and in the end, he just looks shocked with eyes wide open, lips parted and his Adam’s apple moving as he swallows heavily.

Oh God. Damn, she should have left.

Before she can voice that thought or even think about anything else, Tom is approaching the kitchen with large steps, dragging Julia along with him.

“What—" Beth hears Tom’s fiancée, but there is no answer, because now Tom’s in the kitchen with them, looking from Diana to Beth, Diana and then Beth again.

“What the fuck is going on?” He goes from confused to angry in mere seconds, and although Beth has known him for more than twenty years now, she’s never seen him like that. Mad at her, yes, silent, brooding, disappointed, childish, all of that. But never once angry like this, veins pulsing, voice shaking along with the finger he’s pointing at her now, swallowing hard and going red and sweaty in seconds. “Why are you here?” he hisses. “What are you planning?”

“Tom—”

“No, Mum. I’m not talking to you at the moment.” He’s seething now, and despite the panic that settles in her gut, in her heart and in her brain, Beth hears footsteps approaching from the living-room. To listen in? Or to act quickly in case this goes out of hand? “I want to know what my ex-wife is doing here the same weekend we’re visiting.” He’s addressing Beth once more. “Do you even have any shame? Doesn’t this feel the slightest bit awkward for you?”

That’s it. That’s enough. But before Beth can stand up from the table and take her leave or even open her mouth to defend herself, Diana speaks up.

“I invited her. She didn’t know you’d be here, I haven’t told her. Don’t blame Beth for everything going on in your life, especially not the things going wrong. She’s a guest of mine.”

Beth swallows, and Tom does too. Behind him, Julia pipes up for the first time since they’ve entered the kitchen. “Well, this is lovely.”

“I want her gone,” Tom whispers, mostly to himself.

“Good,” Beth answers. “I want to go.”

“No!” It’s Diana, and she looks like she’s up for a fight to get her will. “I invited Beth over. Get over with it. I want Elizabeth here.”

“You want me to go then?”

Beth huffs. There it is, the childish side. Big, coming from someone who’s not cared about coming or going for the past six years.

“Don’t be stupid, Tom. I want both of you here.” With a glance at Julia, Diana clears her throat. “The three of you, of course. You’re all adults, you’re going to meet on more than this one occasion, I’m sure. If you meant what you said about visiting more often, there’ll be birthdays spent together.”

Beth glances at the couple. Still angry, still confused. This is going to be horrible. Worse than any family gathering she’s ever had to endure.

***

She stays. She’s actually staying in his mum’s house at the same time he’s there with Julia. Tom still can’t quite understand it. She must feel how uncomfortable this is, right?

And what has his mother been thinking inviting Libby... Beth, Beth of course, over? Tom believes his ex-wife when she says she wasn’t involved. She wouldn’t be that vile, and he can feel the awkwardness radiating off of her.

Julia isn’t any help at all, either. Tom almost feels like she’s bathing in this situation. Feeling smug, showing she’s with Tom now. Showing how Libby... Beth isn’t. He should say something. But should he really? Beth can leave too. She should, actually. It’s his mum’s house. He’s got every right to be here.

He sighs. He wanted to sit in his mother’s garden, relax, feel the sun on his face and not think about anything. That didn't work out so well. And yes, that's mostly Julia's fault. And maybe a little bit Beth's as well. Nah, that’s not true, and Tom knows that. But Julia went shopping. For him. And he doesn’t want to assume, but it could be possible that Julia maybe wants to show Beth who’s the boss of him now as well – not that there actually is one, thank you very much.

But yeah, anyway. Julia went shopping, he’s got new clothes – clothes he’s already wearing to make her happy – and then she went for a walk with his family. Well, at least she can’t see Tom’s pain then. He gets up and winces immediately. Damn it all to hell. Slowly, very slowly, he makes his way through the patio door and into the kitchen. Tom simply has to make it to his room, get out of the clothes and think of something to say to Julia. Maybe he could wrinkle it a bit? He glances at the fridge. No, no, she wouldn’t believe him if he said he used ketchup. For what anyway? Maybe he should fry some eggs?

Before Tom can make the – admittingly quite desperate – attempt to ruin his clothes, a voice stops him. He sighs. Of course, Beth didn’t go with them.

“I’m sorry, but how old are you?”

Huh? He looks at her, leaning there against the kitchen door leading into the hall. “Excuse me?”

Libby’s voice is full of laughter, her face looks like it’s almost splitting in two. “You look like a 12-year-old after a massive growth spurt.”

Tom looks down at himself. He knows what Beth means, but he won’t admit it for the life of him. “It’s fashionable now,” he tries to argue, “men wear it like this.” He was assured of it by Julia and the woman in the shop at least. He's not a hundred percent convinced, but what does he know about fashion anyway?

Beth shrugs, the grin still on her face. “Some men do, yes. But you hate short trousers. And you should. They look terrible, not just on you. Why would you wear trousers that are neither long nor really short? They don’t even reach your ankles.” She looks on sheepishly as she finishes. “Sorry, it’s really not my business.”

It’s really not. But Tom’s tired and he doesn’t want to argue with her. Doesn’t even want to agree with her, either. He just needs to make it down the hall, he’s in pain. So, he just shrugs and makes his way past her, wincing when his shoes – also new – make contact with the sore skin on his Achilles tendon.

Tom knows she’s going to say something just by hearing her take a breath. “Tom, you’re in pain.”

He shakes his head. “Nope, I’m not.”

“You’re limping.”

“It’s the way I’m walking.” He doesn’t want to be mean, he really doesn’t. But she’s right, and she’s not supposed to be. She doesn’t know him anymore.

Okay, Tom admits, even if it’s just to himself. Beth doesn’t need to know him to find out he’s in pain. He’s an actor, yes, but not in his private time. Well, not with Beth. Never has been.

She snorts, and Tom rolls his eyes. He’s almost out of the door, though. “That’s totally not the way you’re normally walking.”

He stops, can’t help the thought rushing through his head – and then straight out of his mouth, because apparently his body is betraying him now. “Ah, you’ve been watching me, huh?”

He blushes in time with Beth, and while Tom tries to make his way out of the room – finally – she stutters, “What? No! I haven’t been watching you. I’ve fucking known you for more than 20 years of my life! I... I... oh, fuck off, I haven’t watched you walk. That’s just creepy, Tom. For fuck’s sake.”

Okay, he stops again, making himself wince once more, but this? This is too good. “Yeah, well. That made me believe you,” he smirks. Tom turns, ignoring the death glare shot his way. “Shit.” He’s sure his Achilles tendons are already blistering.

Tom hears the, “Oh, for fuck’s sake”, but he doesn’t even have time to ask what might be wrong with her now, before he’s dragged to the guest bathroom by his arm, wincing and limping all the way, protesting too, because damn it all, this really, really hurts.

“What the heck is wrong with your feet, Tom?” she asks after she’s made him sit on the toilet seat. He looks up at her, almost sheepishly, feeling like a little boy or young man again, who somehow forgot to do the laundry or bring all the items on the shopping list.

“Nothing,” he mumbles, but then laughs out loud at the exasperated look on Beth’s face. “I’ve got blisters, okay?” Seeing her raised brow Tom continues. “I’ve got new shoes, because apparently mine don’t work with the new trousers. But you shouldn’t see the socks in them. So, I didn’t put them on. I’m barefoot in new shoes, and it hurts. Happy now?”

“Oh, Tom.” She laughs at him, but shakes her head, and Tom is torn between feeling incredibly stupid and happy it’s out and he’s not the only one thinking this was a bad idea. Because he knows that laugh. It’s not meant to be mean, actually she’s already thinking of solutions. She can’t really help herself, it’s just the way she is. “I’ll get you some plasters for that. And please, please promise me you get some socks for those shoes.” Tom nods. He’s too stunned to do anything else. “Alternatively, I can just burn those trousers and say it was an accident,” she winks, “it’s not like I can get on Julia’s bad side any more than I already am.”

And with that she’s gone, leaving Tom to sit on that loo, preparing to take off his shoes. Huh. She’s probably right about that. But he’s not sure if he should feel the way he does about it.

***

Beth hasn’t stopped smiling and grinning since yesterday. She also can't stop shaking her head at Tom’s stupidity. He looked like a teenager in puberty. After a massive growth spurt of course, in love with the most popular girl in school – not that she can relate, she's never been that – who makes him wear the ‘cool’ clothes. He’s never been like that, though, not when Beth knew him anyway. Well, she sighs, people change, and Tom certainly did. But they’ve already established that, right? Right.

She looks around the room, her things packed and ready to be taken to the car. The weekend has been nice, as much as it could with people in it, you don’t want to spend your time with. At least she got to see Tom’s family. Anyway, she can't change it now, so why mourn the time she couldn’t spend with them without Julia running around the house. Or the beach. Or the town. Plus, it’s Sunday, she’s going home today, she won't have to see the two of them ever again, if she doesn’t want to. For real, this time.

Beth takes her bag downstairs with her, where Diana, Sarah and Emma are sitting together in the living-room with biscuits and tea. The men are outside at the playground with little Violet, having said goodbye to Beth earlier. As she looks outside the window and into the garden, she can see Julia pacing on the lawn, her phone pressed to her ear. She looks somewhat excited. Good for her, Beth supposes.

But Tom doesn’t. His hands are tight in his hair, gripping it. He’s frustrated, and he’s also trying to say something. He doesn’t, though. Huh. And then Julia hangs up and comes closer. Beth looks away when they start hugging. No need to watch that.

“Beth?”

“Huh?” She looks around the room. Diana and the girls are grinning at her.

“See anything you like?” Diana asks, pointing outside, her head tilted.

“Just checked.” Her cheeks feel hot, Beth just hopes she doesn’t resemble a tomato.

“Yeah,” Emma pipes up, her eyes glancing Tom’s way. Beth won't look. She won't. “They've been out there for quite some time now.”

Beth shrugs. “Well, maybe they’ve got some things to discuss. They do have to leave eventually, right? Go back to Los Angeles. Or New York. Or, wherever. Don’t they have some work to do?”

Now, the three women Beth loves do dearly are looking at her again. “I don’t know,” Sarah answers. “Do they? I haven’t seen my brother in six years, he sure as hell didn’t inform me about his schedule.”

“Sarah,” Diana admonishes, “he’s tried really well these past few days. Violet adores him.”

It’s clear to see Sarah – and Emma as well – wants to add something, but she can’t, because while they talked, Julia and Tom have made their way back into the house. Julia is looking all giddy, almost bouncing on her heels.

“We want to tell you something!”

Tom really, really doesn’t look like he wants to tell them anything, to be honest. And all of the sudden, Beth isn’t sure she wants them to tell anything, either. Maybe she can just leave very quietly?

“Julia,” he tries, “maybe not now?” He glances Beth’s way, and her suspicions are confirmed. A quick exit is out of the question now, though. Maybe she can drown them out? Or maybe make the ground swallow her.

“Especially now! Elizabeth is part of the plan after all.” Well, that just sounds like shit now.

“Nah,” she says. “I’m not sure I’m part of anything to be honest. Also, I really need to get on the road now. Busy week ahead of me. You wouldn’t believe how many women decided to have their babies next week. Pregnant ladies everywhere.” Emma squeezing her fingers and Tom’s wide eyes make Beth stop her rambling. Yeah, she knows, she knows, no need to rub it in, that was bad. So, she presses her lips together and watches the car crash in front of her happening quietly.

“We’ve just been on the phone with Brian and Judy,” Julia starts her explanation, “they’re our publicists by the way, and they thought it’d be a great idea to go with the flow now, so to speak. And we think it’d be great as well! People got so used to seeing us here in the UK. First in Oxford, then London, and now here. It really would be fitting.”

While Beth feels the heat rising in her body, her heart hammering in her chest, her moth going dry and Emma’s fingers gripping tighter, Diana speaks up. “Excuse me, but I think I speak for all of us, when I say that I don’t have any idea what you’re actually talking about.”

“We’re having our wedding in Oxford, of course!” Julia is grinning, Tom is definitely not.

***

Tagging (oops, please let me know if I used the right list, it’s been a while :D) @devikafernando @itsliterallythis @justthelosersblog @avenger-nerd-mom @archy3001 @nuggsmum @majk78 @hakimo2015 @noplacelikehome77 @theheartofpenelope @mrshiddleston-uk @nonsensicalobsessions @messy-insomniac-bookgirl @pipolaki

#polaroid picture #beth + tom #chapter 13 #tom hiddleston fanfiction #real person fanfiction

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anotherkpopvictim · 4 years ago

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Into a New World (Through the Gate) - BTS OT7 Fantasy Story Chapter 5

(Gif source - btsville)

A/N: Dang...has it really been almost a month since I last updated? Sorry for the wait, but I hope you enjoy this. I had to spend some time figuring out where this story was going.

I decided to come up with a timeline because the next few chapters might be a bit confusing if you don't have a visual timeline with their ages and the flashbacks. Each chapter I will add a link to an updated timeline that includes new information from the previous chapter. You don't need to read the timeline, but if find yourself a bit confused about things while reading, it should help. This first one is very short, but each chapter they will get longer as more information is added.

Timeline - https://docs.google.com/document/d/19VsexNuIkbWRu6IuXSjYoRNImk7DtAc2ckW0erLUHRU/edit?usp=sharing

Relationship: BTS X BTS

Rating: T

Words: 3159

Hurt/comfort, fluff, fantasy

NOTE: I've added the present-day date (3501) to this chapter and the next few chapters as they will contain quite a few flashbacks. Flashbacks will be in italics.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Chapter 5: The Ties

Worldbuilding Note on Packs: A pack is simply a group of any number and mix of supernatural creatures. Most commonly, say on Earth, you would find packs made mostly of vampires and werewolves with the occasional witch or another being, while packs in Aurora (the fairy kingdom) are pretty much one hundred percent comprised of fairies. Creatures tend to stick to their homeland, but Earth is a bit of an exception as it is considered the center of all the worlds - a hub of sorts. Packs are comprised of all members of a polyamorous relationship (or sometimes simply a pairing).

A pack bond is initiated by exchanging bites on the neck. Depending on the number of packmates, these bites can sometimes overlap. As packs are considered soulmates, some of the members have a tug at their heartstrings upon meeting a future packmate for the first time - only some of them, however. These people of a pack are known as the Ties and tend to take on a leadership role as a pack grows. There is usually only one Tie for small packs, but larger packs can have more than one. Once bonded, pack members have a much easier time understanding each other's feelings and simply feel closer on another level. Ties usually feel an amplified version of this from the second they meet a pack member.

Finding all members of a pack can take anywhere from years to centuries, and it isn't uncommon for some packs to never find all of their members and consequently, some creatures never have a pack. Fate works in mysterious ways. If you are lucky enough to find all of your pack members, you will know because the Ties with feel an overwhelming sense of peace and settlement once everyone is bonded.

On another note, a were-pack is different from a pack. A were-pack is simply a community of local shifters, usually separated by city or village. While some big-city were-packs live with humans, smaller towns or villages of were-packs don't have close connections with humans.

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

September 8 3501, Present Day

"You really..." Hoseok trailed off, unsure of how to put into words the many things running through his mind at that moment.

"Jungkook was the last one to join our pack," Namjoon began, eyes on the fairy as he picked at the skin around his fingernails nervously. "His pack bond with us became obvious when he was turned and all of us had known him for a while and felt things for him, so it wasn't an unexpected feeling to have." The alpha took a deep breath, "But you, Hoseok-ssi, you came into our lives loudly and all at once. I was so worried about a stranger in the house that I ignored the pull inside of me that told me you were meant to be with us."

Hoseok still felt a little bit dumbfounded, so he just let an eloquent, "Wow."

"Do you think that fate has made a mistake, Hoseok-ssi?" Namjoon asked, analyzing his reaction. "Do you feel nothing for us at all?"

"Of course I feel something," the orange fairy replied genuinely. "I just haven't really had much time to think about my attraction to the six of you and what to do about it. It makes sense, though, that we're packmates." Hoseok couldn't help but smile, "I've always wanted to find my pack, you know? I just didn't have my hopes up after a hundred years."

The shapeshifter's lips spread into a beautiful, relieved grin, accented by his deep dimples that Hoseok was now just seeing for the first time. He wished he had been warned about them. "I'm glad you feel the same way."

"How old are you all, by the way?" Hoseok questioned, realizing that besides Jungkook, their ages were still unknown to him. "If we're going to be a pack, I should know who I need to call hyung."

Namjoon chuckled, "Well, Seokjin-hyung is the oldest. He's four hundred fifty-six years old." The fairy couldn't help but widen his eyes at the shapeshifter's impressive age. "He and I were together first. About a decade after we got together, we met Yoongi-hyung and Jimin, who had also been together for a few years. Yoongi-hyung is the second oldest of us at three hundred forty-two years old. I'm one hundred twenty-five years old, the next oldest."

"Not anymore," Hoseok said cheekily, despite his still tired body. "I'm one hundred thirty-eight years old. So I'm older than you."

The alpha's lips twitched, "I suppose I should call you hyung, then. If you'll allow me."

"Of course you can," the fairy replied. "Who's the next oldest?"

"Jiminie is ninety-eight," he answered.

Hoseok smiled thinking about the pink fairy. He couldn't wait to get to know the other better. "What about Taehyung-ssi?"

Namjoon continued, "The four of us were together for about sixty years before we became acquainted with Taehyung about ten years ago. He's now sixty-seven years old. Then we met Jungkookie as a human about eight years ago." The smile fell from the shapeshifter's face a little. "I would gladly tell you everyone's life stories, but I feel like that's better coming from them personally."

Hoseok hummed and dipped his head in agreement.

"Might as well start with us two," Seokjin announced as he stepped back into the guest room. He'd changed his soaking wet shirt for a comfortable and dry baby pink sweater. He smiled again softly in Hoseok's direction as he fluffed his warm brown hair. "It was quite surprising when Joon and I came to the realization that you were our packmate. Not much takes us by surprise these days."

"Are you two the Ties?" the orange fairy asked.

Seokjin nodded before dropping himself unceremoniously into the alpha shapeshifter's lap. The other instinctively moved to hold the omega by the hips, stabilizing him. The fairy both admired and envied the natural movements.

"So, how did you two meet?" Hoseok inquired.

"Well, we were born in different villages. I was from the large were-pack here in Seoul," Namjoon began.

"I lived in the were-shifter village of Rosewood, a couple of hours east of here," Seokjin explained.

---

December 3420

Kim Seokjin had lived in Rosewood for three hundred seventy-four years before he decided he needed a change of scenery. The small village was rather secluded and they barely saw humans more than a few times a month. While the omega wasn't unhappy with his home in Rosewood, he had heard many exciting tales of the big city, where the were-shifters intermingled with the humans every day. He'd felt a pull towards Seoul for many years, but ignored it in favor of his comfortable life in Rosewood. Eventually, however, as years passed by, the pull became too strong to ignore any longer.

His family had been hesitant when he'd announced his plans, but their doubts didn't deter him in the slightest. He'd made up his mind. Rosewood wasn't far from Seoul anyway, so he promised to keep in touch with them and visit often. He gave them all one last kiss on the cheeks before he left with nothing more than a single suitcase carrying his most valuable belongings.

The hustle and bustle of the city were jarring, but the immediate sense of right he felt upon arriving in Seoul quelled any anxiety he had. Seokjin approached one of the counters at the train station, where he could see a shapeshifter sitting at a computer. The information counter, known as a Connecter, helped new shifters connect with the local were-pack.

Kim Minseok was matched with him as a guide to the new city as he'd been a village boy himself. He was about a hundred years older than Seokjin, and also an omega. He was kind and had a sweet smile. The man helped set him up with an apartment and a part-time job at a cafe.

Seokjin was pretty much completely used to the presence of humans all around him by the end of the first week. The crowds and the subways and the mingling of supernatural creatures and humans - all of it turned out to be exactly what Seokjin had needed in his life.

During the third week, while Seokjin was working a late shift at the cafe, his whole world changed. It was close to dark so the tables were empty and the omega was doing his cleaning duties while pausing every once in a while to assist a customer.

The tinkle of the bell above the front door alerted him to another one. He set down the cloth he had been using to dry off a few mugs and turned to greet the customer. "Hello, welcome to T's cafe, what can I get for-"

Seokjin cut himself off with a gasp as he locked eyes with the person walking up to the register. A young alpha shapeshifter - he could tell by the aura surrounding the man - was looking back at him with wide brown eyes. He had blond hair almost long enough to fall into his eyes and was dressed casually in fitted jeans and a graphic t-shirt.

"Oh!" the alpha exclaimed, a hand shooting up to rest over his heart. "Holy shit, my heart is gonna beat out of my chest! What the fuck?"

The laugh that tore from Seokjin's throat couldn't be stopped, giddy and amused. "I think - I think we're packmates," he managed out, a little lost in the awe he was feeling.

The man's already wide eyes somehow managed to open even further and his jaw dropped. "What - really? Is that what this feeling is?"

"I've never felt it before, but I've heard many stories about Ties meeting each other for the first time and this is exactly as it was described."

"I'm Namjoon!" the alpha announced excitedly. A big smile was taking over his face and showed off a set of adorable dimples. "You think that we're Ties?"

"Seokjin," the omega replied, "And yes, I do. Only Ties would feel such an obvious, strong connection to each other upon first meeting."

"Wow," Namjoon breathed in awe. "I honestly wasn't expecting to meet any of my packmates so soon. I mean, I'm only forty-three!"

The omega playfully winced, "You make me feel so old. I've got more than three hundred years on you."

"That's not that old, hyung."

"Yah, I was joking! Of course, I'm not old!"

Namjoon let out a wheezing laugh as Jin feigned anger, hands on his hips and all. "Well, it's nice to meet you, hyung," he greeted once he had gathered himself together.

"So," Seokjin began, "You're part of the Seoul were-pack, huh?"

"Mhm," the alpha nodded in confirmation. "You must be fairly new here, I haven't seen you around before."

"I'm from the Rosewood were-pack," the older man replied. "Felt like I needed a change of scenery. Although, I suppose it could have been fate nudging us closer together."

Namjoon couldn't be more obvious with the heart-eyes he was making towards the omega. "Perhaps it was. Fate is a mysterious thing."

"Fate is a mysterious thing," Seokjin repeated in agreement. The two of them jumped when the timer on one of the coffee pots went off, signaling that the brew was hot and ready (maybe Seokjin was too as he was so caught up in the man before him). "Oh, right! What can I get for you?"

The alpha blinked and looked around like he had just remembered that they were in a cafe as well. "Um, uh...a caramel macchiato please, hyung."

And who was Seokjin to say no to those wide, heart-melting eyes? (besides the fact that it was his job and he technically couldn't even if he wanted to).

"Of course," the omega replied, punching the order on the screen in front of him. "I can't give you a packmate discount, unfortunately."

"That's okay, I don't mind paying for it."

Seokjin almost let out a gasp when Namjoon pulled a black card out of his wallet. He'd never seen a black card in his life until he came to the city, and he knew the significance of them. Namjoon was rich, and Seokjin didn't almost gasp because he was a gold digger, but rather because of all the rich people the omega had encountered over the last few weeks, both human and not, Namjoon didn't present himself as such a person at all. The others had been so...proper, but the alpha was so casual and sweet.

The omega continued on like he hadn't seen the black card at all, taking his payment and going about the familiar motions of making a caramel macchiato. "So, do you work, Namjoon-ah? Or go to school?"

Namjoon nodded, "I'm in school right now for business. My parents want me to run a branch of their company in the future, but I kind of have an idea for my own business running through my head."

"Wow," Seokjin said in awe. "In my were-pack, we didn't really have "jobs" like the city folks here do. I have no idea what I want to do for a career, so that's awesome that you have such a bright future career ahead of you."

"The Rosewood were-pack is a traditional one, right?" Namjoon asked. "So everyone just contributes what they can and no one has to pay for anything, correct?"

The omega nodded, "Yeah, we're pretty primal. We prefer to hunt but we buy human food as well. So some of us are hunters, some of us are cooks, some of us are builders. Coming to Seoul, the number of possibilities of work is kind of overwhelming."

"What did you do in your were-pack?"

Seokjin popped the lid on the paper cup and slid it across the counter to the alpha who immediately went to take a sip of the drink and promptly burnt his tongue. The omega ran to fill another cup with cold water and came out from behind the counter to shove it into Namjoon's face. "You idiot, it's still scalding hot!" he reprimanded.

The alpha half-winced, half-smiled sheepishly as he accepted the cool water, "Sorry."

"To answer your question though, I cooked and baked mostly. Sometimes I'd babysit the pups or assist the healer in the rare occurrence they were needed."

"You did a bit of everything," Namjoon noted thoughtfully. "Did you feel passionate about any of those things?"

Seokjin nodded as he smiled shyly. "Baking. I love to experiment and create different sweets. And decorate them."

"I'd love to try your baking sometime!" the alpha exclaimed. "My mom always tells me that I should stay out of the kitchen for the safety of everyone, so homemade food isn't something I have a lot."

The older man chuckled, "Well, I would very much appreciate your feedback on all my food - baking and cooking."

The two of them were so giddy, feeling high on the emotions of meeting another packmate. Their grins were wide and cheesy and their cheeks were beginning to ache, but neither of them could care less at the moment.

Namjoon hesitated for only a moment before he reached over and took Seokjin's hand into his own, reveling in the warmth and softness. "I look forward to that."

---

September 8 3501, Present Day

Hoseok smiled as he listened to the story of Namjoon and Seokjin's first meeting. Ties undoubtedly had the most overwhelming meeting of anyone in a pack, and the two shapeshifters' were a perfect example of that.

"That's so sweet," the orange fairy said. He could feel his mind and body wearing out quickly, but he did his best to keep himself together. "What came of your business career, Namjoon-ah? And your baking passion, Seokjin-hyung?"

"Oh, Namjoon has become quite the businessman since then," Seokjin replied with a fond look in the alpha's direction.

Namjoon grinned, "I own the bakery Seokjin runs, as well as the magic shop Taehyung and Jimin run right beside it. The supernatural creatures like us enjoy the bakery, and the humans appreciate the magic shop."

"Wow," Hoseok said, a little breathless as he felt his body becoming more and more exhausted. "That's perfect for you guys."

"Hoseok-ah," Seokjin began hesitantly. "Once you're healed, we would love to have you stay with us, but we don't want to assume that you will just because you're our packmate."

While the fairy was touched by their thoughtfulness, he didn't exactly have anywhere else that he was eager to go. "If I'm healed, I would love to stay here. Aurora isn't exactly welcoming to me at the moment anyway."

The omega clapped his hands together and bounced excitedly in Namjoon's lap, who held his hips tighter to keep him from falling. "That would be awesome! I'm sure Taehyung and Jimin would love your help at the shop, or if you would prefer, you could work with me!"

Namjoon pulled the other back against him and kissed his cheek with a chuckle. "Calm down, hyung. Everything is still new, so let's focus on getting him healed before we talk more about the future."

Just as the alpha finished his sentence, Taehyung appeared in the doorway to the guest room. Hoseok was relieved to see another cup of that familiar blue-green concoction in his hands.

"Sorry to interrupt," Taehyung said, eyeing the three of them with a raised brow at what he'd heard but not saying anything more.

"That's okay, Tae," Seokjin assured. "We were just talking."

Taehyung nodded and moved closer to the bed to hand the orange fairy the cup of energy elixir. "You must be needing more of this, I'm sure."

Hoseok drank the minty-tasting potion eagerly, reveling in the small but immediate boost of strength it gave him. "Thank you," he said.

Taehyung smiled back at him and took a seat in the empty chair beside the one the two shapeshifters were still sharing. "Well, I came to let you know that I have a possible lead on someone who can help you, Hoseok-ssi. Though if I'm being honest, I'm not sure if it's anything promising."

"You found a witch up for the challenge?" Namjoon inquired.

"Not exactly..." Taehyung admitted. "I found someone who might have met a witch once that might be able to help. They agreed to meet me tomorrow in the city."

"Hmm," the alpha shapeshifter hummed thoughtfully. "Sounds kind of sketchy. You should take someone with you."

"Well, Jimin's in charge of the shop tomorrow, and Seokjin's got stuff at the bakery to deal with, so it's either you or Yoongi-hyung, Namjoon-hyung."

"I'll talk to Yoongi and see what he thinks," Namjoon replied.

Taehyung turned back to Hoseok and gave him a sheepish half-smile, half-grimace. "I really hope this lead works out, Hoseok-ssi. I'm really not sure how long that energy potion is going to help you."

Hoseok nodded in understanding. "We'll keep our fingers crossed."

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A/N: Sorry again that this chapter took so long to be posted. I do hope that you enjoyed some backstory though!

And thank you to everyone who left comments on this story, it always keeps me motivated to hear your feedback <3 Let me know if there is anything you'd like to see in future chapters (like certain pairings or plot points) and I'll do my best to incorporate them in.

Ages:

Seokjin - 455

Yoongi - 342

Hoseok - 138

Namjoon - 124

Jimin - 98

Taehyung - 66

Jungkook - 30

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slashyrogue · 5 years ago

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Another inspired by Hugh monologue fic, this time Hannigram, because...of course I did.

on ao3 here: Waiting

___________

“It is day….two hundred and twenty two. The sun is shining, I’m drinking cheap beer, and you’re still not here.”

Will sighed, taking a sip of his beer, and smiled at his phone camera.

“You got away,” he said, trying not to let his voice waver, “I know you did. They’d be splattering it all across the screen on every single station if you were dead or captured.”

He hated how upset he was talking to what was essentially himself. Hannibal might never see these videos, or even care to watch them when he returned. They were a distraction, a compulsion, and if Hannibal were here he’d say a sentimental gesture.

Will smiled. “You’re too stubborn to get captured before we even shared a kiss. I mean, those few months we had….they were the start of something I know you want to be here to finish.”

There was an ache in his chest and Will felt tears that he didn’t want to let fall.

“So this is me saying for another day that I’m waiting, and if you don’t get here soon I’m gonna start buying dogs. They might ruin all your expensive rugs. Just throwing that out there. Goodnight.”

He ended the video blinking back tears, taking a long chug of his beer as the sound of nature echoed around the backyard of the secluded home he’d been living alone in for over seven months. The scenery was lovely this time a year but all it did was remind Will he was the only one here.

And maybe he always would be.

Will stuffed the phone in his pocket and headed for the house, hating how upset making these videos made him but knowing he wouldn’t stop.

Couldn’t stop.

If he stopped then it meant that he’d given up on Hannibal.

He’d done that before and promised himself he wouldn’t again.

The house inside was larger than it looked, immaculately and expensively decorated though Will had no use for the pretty things that shone around him.

This was meant for Hannibal to show off to him, to tell him silly ridiculous facts that he didn’t give a shit about but would’ve listened to like he did.

Will sniffled and wiped the tears from his face as he headed into the kitchen.

The kitchen was his least favorite room of the whole house because it would’ve been Hannibal’s favorite.

Every time he came into the kitchen he thought about Hannibal picking out every nook and cranny, excited at the prospect of one day making food there, which only made things worse.

The last day they’d shared together Will remembered Hannibal’s smile as he watched him eat the human steak he’d cooked to perfection. He’d spouted off the fancy ingredients he’d added to the meat and all Will had noticed was how happy he’d seemed.

Will had been standing on the precipice of finally giving into the warmth building between them, so close to ready, when the sound of a gun cocking ruined everything.

They’d been found.

Hannibal had gone over with him their next location in agonizing detail, forced him to memorize everything in case of emergency, so he’d known where to head next. But when they’d tried to run and someone grabbed Will all Hannibal could do was see red.

The rest of it was a blur.

Will only knew that when he got away into the woods, fighting for breath, he was alone.

And he still was.

He opened the freezer and took out a frozen pizza with a sigh, unwrapping and putting it onto the pan before shoving it into the oven at 400 degrees.

Hannibal would’ve been scandalized how often he ate frozen pizza.

He felt a tear fall down his cheek and laughed.

“Fucking pizza.”

Will pulled out his phone and pressed record again as he smiled into the camera.

“I miss your fancy food,” he scoffed, “Or at least you trying so hard to make everything fancy when all I really cared about was you. I never gave a shit about what you were feeding me. I just...fuck.”

He stopped the video, slamming his phone down just as a ding caught his attention.

Will had set his phone for article alerts that mentioned his or Hannibal’s name that were often just bogus clickbait but he checked every time.

This one was from Freddie, many always were, but the headline was what caught his attention.

HANNIBAL LECTER DEAD

He gasped, shaking his head as he read.

Hannibal the Cannibal was shot dead by police in a chase that has lasted months amid speculation and rumor. Jack Crawford confirms….

Will heard the phone hit the floor as it fell from his hand as tears flowed freely down his face.

“No, no, no,” he whispered, shaking his head, “No, no, Hannibal….”

There was a loud creak that echoed through the kitchen doorway and Will froze, sniffling as he stood. He slowly stalked across the kitchen for the knife block and pulled out the biggest butcher knife.

Hannibal was dead.

And now maybe he could take revenge out on whoever decided today was a good day to die.

Another creak, closer now, made Will bare his teeth before the kitchen door swung open.

He threw the knife before the intruder could get further and watched as they ducked just barely in time.

“If I had known you would be so upset with me I would’ve come through the back door.”

Will froze as Hannibal stood up with the knife in his hand.

“You….”

He frowned. “Will?”

Will rushed at him hard, pushing Hannibal into the nearest counter as he crashed their lips together. It was a rushed kiss, crass and nothing like he’d imagined but it was theirs. He felt Hannibal freeze up but then pull him closer, his hold tight as he tasted Will fully.

They parted for breath and Hannibal put his hand on Will’s cheek, wiping away some tears.

“Hello, Will.”

“You asshole.”

“You missed me?”

“Everyday,” Will whispered, kissing him again, “You....”

“I apologize for the delay,” Hannibal said, breathless, “Uncle Jack had been on my trail for some time and it was hard to get past him so I…”

“...faked your death,” Will said hoarsely, shaking his head, “I just read Freddie’s article.”

Hannibal pressed his cheek to Will’s. “I apologize for upsetting you.”

“It’s been seven months.”

“I know,” Hannibal said softly, nuzzling his cheek, “And everyday apart from you was worse than the last.”

Will pushed him back, sniffling. “You could’ve left me something! Some sign that you were okay!”

“Will, there was no---”

“Bullshit.”

“I did not want them to find you because of my recklessness.”

He sighed. “You’re so damn lucky I just saw the article now. If I’d had to think you were dead for more than a few seconds I…”

Hannibal smiled and came over to him again, putting his hand on Will’s hip as he pulled him in closer. “I’m quite happy to know you would mourn me so much, and that you...are no longer afraid of your feelings for me.”

“I wasn’t afraid before,” Will mumbled, putting a hand over Hannibal’s.

“Reluctant.”

“Maybe.”

“It’s comforting to know your stubbornness hasn’t changed.”

Will smiled. “Neither has yours.”

“Will, I…”

A loud beep went off and Hannibal turned to look at the stove. “You’re cooking something?”

“Yeah,” Will said, I…”

Hannibal moved to open the oven and Will almost stopped him but didn’t move.

“Frozen pizza? Will, this house gets fully stocked every month via grocery deliveries I myself have arranged. I know that there had to be something more appetizing than…”

Will grabbed him hard and pulled them into another kiss.

He felt tears on his cheeks as he did but Hannibal only growled, pulling him closer.

When they parted Will was smiling so hard his mouth hurt.

“I love you,” he said, shaking his head, “You…”

Hannibal’s eyes shone with tears as he smiled, reaching out to touch Will’s cheek.

“I love you too, Will,” he whispered, kissing him again, “But I will not allow you to put that monstrosity into your body. Throw it away and I will cook you whatever you desire.”

“What I desire is frozen pizza.”

“Will…”

He rocked himself against Hannibal who shivered. “If you want me to touch you again, step away from the oven.”

Hannibal stepped away and Will took out the pizza and set it on top of the oven, turning off everything before he looked at him fully. He’d grown out his beard since they’d been apart just enough to make him look a little different but exactly the same.

“I like pizza, and pizza didn’t leave me worrying about it for seven months.”

“Perhaps, I was….harsh in my judgement of your food choices.”

Will came up and pulled him into his arms again, reaching out to touch his chin.

““I like the scruff.”

“I thought you might.”

He pressed a kiss to Hannibal’s cheek and whispered in his ear. “I’m happy you’re here.”

Hannibal pressed their foreheads together. “So am I.”

#hannigram #season four stories #my writing #ao3 is down but it will be there eventually #inspired by hugh fics #not beta'd

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mirclealignr · 5 years ago

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Home?

(Perspective of cecilia)

My Novel - Chapter 2

Any and all feed back welcome <3

A/N: I’d love to know what you think (theories and feedback) about this and whether I should continue with it <3 likes, comments or reblogs or anything really are super appreciated 🤍

Word Count: 1899

My train arrived in the city at around midday. I wasn’t hungry, I’d eaten a little on the journey. And besides, I was so nervous to see Daisy and Albert again that I couldn’t have eaten anything. I barely ate what I bought for myself. I had half of my sandwich and picked at the crisps, the remnants of which were on the seat next to me which hadn’t been booked. I was glad for that, I was very fidgety, and anyone next to me would have become very frustrated with me. After everyone in my coach had stood up and retrieved their luggage, I too did the same. I collected my sandwich and crisps and put them neatly into my bag, careful not to spill any of it. I stood up and walked to the end of the carriage and pulled my two suitcases from the second shelf of the rack. I rolled each of them to the door and set them down on the platform in front of me before stepping onto it myself.

I looked around for Daisy and Albert but I couldn’t find them. No doubt they had managed to get themselves lost. They were both terrible with directions. Nearly five years ago when they were taking me to the train station instead of away from it, we got so lost that I nearly missed my train. I walked to one of the benches lined upon the platform and sat down, pulling my possessions close into me.

I turn to look at the clock, ten minutes has gone by. Perhaps they got the time wrong. I reach into my bag, and pull out my book. I attempt to read it, but none of the words are going in. I’m so nervous. I glance up from my book and see a woman, frantically looking around on the platform. She has shoulder length, golden brown hair, and it’s swaying behind her as she moves. She’s wearing a wonderful dress, it’s vintage, yellow, with a brown belt wrapped around her waist, and a blue denim jacket about her shoulders. It’s Daisy.

I stand up, anxious at what she might think of me. When I was younger, and living with her, my hair was very long and a dark brown, almost black. I had very pale skin and I was very skinny. Now, I had very short, light brown hair. Where I lived in Germany was always very sunny, so I was naturally tanned. I had grown into myself, my hips had broadened and I wasn’t so skinny anymore. I was slender, I had a fit physique. I was wearing a corduroy pink skirt with tights and a white Tee-shirt underneath my oversized leather jacket. We locked eyes, she saw me. She knew it was me. I looked a lot like her now. I looked a lot like my mother.

She rushed over to me, and crashed into my body, wrapping her arms around me. Oh how I have missed daisy. Her embrace was so intense, I thought I might cry, but I held it in. She was crying. She pulled away and took a good long look at me.

“You look so beautiful. You look exactly like your mother,” she says, tears in her eyes.

“Thank you. You look wonderful as well, you haven’t changed,” I say. I’m glad she hasn't changed. She’s still my Daisy. The Daisy I always remembered.

She doesn’t know what to say, I can see it. I don’t know what to do either. But it doesn’t last long, Albert comes running in after her and as soon as he sees me, his eyes widen. He walks over to me, he’s not running but he’s walking at a pace. He stops in front of me and takes me in, and then leans forward with his arms out. I lean into his embrace. Albert has been Daisy’s partner since she was nineteen. They married shortly after I turned eleven, putting them at twenty-one. And here we all are, nearly six years later.

“Hello Albert,” I say, smiling.

“Hello, Cecilia. You look great,” he says to me, patting my shoulder. I nod my head. Daisy begins to babble, all about my old room, the house, the village. I love her voice, I love hearing her talk. I almost forgot how it sounded. The voice in her letters gradually faded into my own. I’ve missed Daisy.

I don’t look out the window much in the car journey. I want to see it all for myself when I walk. I walk a lot, it’s one of my favourite things to do. The scenery in Germany where I lived was wonderful, but it held no memories for me. Walking here, back home, that would be different. Daisy asked me lots of questions about how I had been, what Germany was like and all sorts of extras. I had talked about a lot of it in my letters but I knew it wasn’t the same. So I answered them all. When we arrive at the house, I step out of the car and look at it. It’s the same. Made from stone, it stands tall and proud, the large windows allowing you to see into the wonderful interior. The garden was lovely as well, Daisy must have kept it up. It was a wild garden, tamed to her liking. There were dozens of buttercups and forget-me-nots and little bluebells. It was quite a sight to see. Towards the back she was growing three sunflowers. I always remembered telling her that I wanted sunflowers. I suppose she eventually got around to it. The bay windows were lined with fairy lights and the shutters had been repainted a lovely pale green. My bedroom was in the back of the house, so I couldn’t see whether any of it looked the same. I’m sure it did.

Albert took my suitcases from the back of the car.

“Bloody hell, what have you got in here?” He says, straining to lift them up.

“About the last five years of my life. I couldn’t leave anything behind,” I say. Daisy rushes over in front of me to unlock the door. She opens it and beckons me in. I was right, nothing had changed. It was still all very modern looking. All very sleek. There were photos and paintings on the wall in the landing and the living room. The cream sofa had been kept very clean over the years, as well as their cream chair. The kitchen was bigger than I remembered. The countertops matched the sofas, but the cupboards were a dark brown, contrasting very nicely.

“Are you hungry? No I suppose not. Would you like to see your room? Well I mean nothing has changed,” she gushes.

“Yes, actually I’d love to see my room,” I say. I can remember it as clear as day, but that’s not the same as seeing it. She leads me up the stairs, the wall beside them is filled with photos of her and Albert, me and her friends. And my mother and father. I hesitate next to their photo, but quickly regain my composure and continue up the stairs behind Daisy. She opens the door to my room and waits in the landing.

“I’ll leave you alone for a while, Albert will bring you your things,” she says smiling, and leaves. Just like that. I would imagine that she doesn’t know how to talk to me anymore. Talking to an eleven year old is very different to talking to someone who is nearly seventeen. I’ll admit, I’m not sure how to talk to her either. So, we don’t.

I look at my room. The walls are painted white and filled with posters, art and photos from my eleven year old life. The bed is barely two feet from the ground. I sit on it and it creeks under my body weight. I think a new one is in order. I gaze at my room, all the stickers on the furniture, all the childish books scattered across the room and and on the white bookcase. The little TV with a curved screen. I was not getting rid of that, it looked amazing. My vanity desk, made to look vintage. That would stay too.

Though it was my first day here, and I had only been back in the country a few hours, (including the train journeys) I wanted to clear it out and make it new. I wouldn’t be able to sleep with all these memories starring me in the face and suffocating me. It had to go. I start by ripping the posters of Olly Murs and JLS off of the walls. I hadn’t listened to them in a long time. I much preferred older music, or very unpopular modern music that no one had heard of. The wall stickers had to go too, and all the old art. I leave the pictures of me and my family up, they were staying exactly where they were. I walk up to a chest of drawers and open it. It’s full of all my old clothes. I pick out a few items I want to keep for sentimental reasons, and put the rest of them in a pile. A charity shop could make very good use of them. I walk over to the vanity and get rid of some of the brick-o-brack I had on top of it. In the drawer were old brushes and combs and hair ties. They would probably all go, I had all of that in my suitcase. I gather all my books and go through them. I decide to keep the Harry Potter series and The Lord Of The Rings. The rest would go. I should probably get The Hobbit as well, I’ve never read it.

I’d managed to keep much of my feelings in check since I arrived back at the house. But all that came crumbling down. I sit on my bed looking at old photos of me and my friends. Tears are streaming down my face, remembering them, remembering us and how happy we were. Who would’ve known that it would all come to end, and so soon after many of these photos were taken. There’s one picture of all of us down by the river that we used to go to all the time. It’s heartbreaking. There we all are, Alex, me, David, Evan and Bailey. I run my fingers across the print and linger on the figure of David. Poor poor David.

It was the summer of 2015 when David died. It was right before his twelfth birthday. They said he’d ‘had an accident’, and fallen into the river, banged his head and drowned. But we never went to the river alone. We never did that. We agreed never to do that, it was our place. We would never go alone, especially at night. And we were eleven, the thought of going to the river alone at night scared the living daylights out of us. We tried one summer to sneak out and go, but we got too scared and ended up turning around. We were all grounded for nearly a month. He would never have gone alone. They said the time of death was around midnight. He definitely wasn’t alone.

I wanted to go back. I wanted to see it.

Tag list: @chaotic-fae-queen @teenagereadersciencenerd @reallyreading

#lena story #my writing #my novel #original writing #original post #original work #original character #trying my best

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jddoesc25k · 5 years ago

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Hello pals!

It’s been a funny old time these past few weeks, and I haven’t had the brain to post about c25k when more important things are going on. Nevertheless we kept at it, so here’s the RUNdown 😉! Beware, this one has 5 runs, so it’s another long one.

Week 4 Run 2

Friday. I finished work later than expected today, just lots of things to do. I really did not feel like going running because I was feeling rubbish, but it was the last day we could do run 2 and have a break before then next one so we got to it.

As with run 1 this week, run 2 was 3m run - 90s walk - 5m run - 2.5m walk - 3m run - 90s walk - 5m run. It was quite a bit more running than last week and I knew that this week’s sessions were quite a push so we tried to pace ourselves to make sure we had something left for the 5min portions.

We were okay on the 3min runs but we were really counting down the seconds on the 5m runs (literally). Because we paced ourselves a little better, our chests weren’t as painful, but my calves were still giving me grief. Pat struggled with his feet but we both kept plodding on, really slowing down on the last run. Finally we finished and actually felt very accomplished in doing this run again. Very tired though!

Pat had said I should take a break and go for a run towards the end of my normal work day to try and revitalise myself and get my head back into work but I wanted to continue, so we had set off quite late.

I should have listened because I felt refreshed after this run, it was hard, but the extra effort seemed to burn off some of the rubbish feeling I had and I really felt the endorphins rushing about. Pat now has decisive power over when we go for a run haha!

Week 4 Run 3

Sunday. I took Pat for drive to his parents and had a socially distanced drink. We thought it would be nice to go for a run down the canal close to their house for a change in scenery as Pat was getting a bit fed up with the 5 min runs.

The canal was a good place for our first 3m run as it’s pretty flat so we didn’t find it too hard to keep going. I had to tell Pat to pace himself as he really found a fast stride at one point! I got a few midges in my nose as we were running which wasn’t ideal!

Soon the path climbed as we went past a lock or two. We jogged past one and kept a wide berth as there was a mumma and dad pair of geese with their gosling who hissed and flapped their wings at us. I was certainly glad we’d been training to move faster than normal in that minute, although my calves were already protesting that!

At the end of our second run, we had an incline up to a bridge which my calves really hated but luckily we got a reprieve shortly after and we turned into one of the neighbouring fields to make our way back to Pat’s parents.

Pat was really in his element leading me round the fields he had grown up playing in and it really took my mind off of the run watching him playing. He took us over stiles and through a mini wood (which I hated - I got MORE flies in my nose, mouth and ears 🙈)

We were soon on our final run, and although my calves and chest were hurting, the change to the scenic route was really enjoyable.

This week has been a hard one, but the runs slowly have gotten slightly easier and more bareable as we kept at it. I suppose practice makes perfect, even with running. I never believed my P.E. teachers about this, and I still don’t want to believe it now! 🤯

Week 5 Run 1

Tuesday Morning, breakfast and a cuppa demolished, and ready and raring to go. This week is 5mins x 3 with 3minute breaks in between, which is actually 1min less than the total run of last week. Just an extra 5min run, but we knew we could do that stint in one go because we had done it last week. Okay, let’s go!

We step out of the house and we are hit by a wave of heat. Okay...so this could be a little harder than expected. Probably should have had water instead of tea or coffee, but anyway, we go for it.

All 3 runs are sweaty and way harder than last week. With burning legs and chests, we tire easily and I struggle at about 3mins into each run. The 3minute breaks are way too short and we home in on any available shade. My belly is churning and I am basically shuffling along to the end. The final run, my legs are in agony before we even get half way. I am breathing very deeply to try and relieve the aching in my calves and quads* and in the final minutes I’m dizzy and can’t see very well, not just because of the sun in my eyes. We finish and I want to collapse on the floor, but I can see the shade up ahead and make a beeline for it. My legs don’t recover very quickly today at all. I now know I DO NOT LIKE RUNNING IN THE SUN!

As we finish our cool down walk, glad that it’s over, I look at the app to plan our next run and see that this week isn’t the same everyday as it has been for the last month. Nope, the next run is 8mins x 2, 5min break. Uh oh! After this run, I’m not sure I could do 8mins!! But...well, it’s only the same total time as last week, and has a 5m break, it might be hard, but doable?

I check the 3rd run of the week thinking it might be 2 9min walks or something and my heart stops. 20minute run, no breaks? That can’t be right! But it is...oh dear. I really don’t think that is possible. That’s a big jump! We’ve only run 5mins at once and this is FOUR TIMES that. And it’s an extra 4mins total time! How can they think we can do that so quickly??

I’m pleased we completed this run in the horrible heat, it really was a hard one to do. Unfortunately I also have a sense of foreboding that I haven’t had for the whole programme: we might not be able to complete the runs this week. But I then think about our first two weeks when we couldn’t even complete the first day of c25k and resolve to keep trying until we get there. We might have to repeat but we will do it eventually!

We’ve not come this far to only come this far!

*Pat told me that’s what they’re called after the run

Week 5 Run 2

Pat made the executive decision to run on Friday, not Thursday, I think the 8min runs were putting him off a little...So despite my warnings of pain on Sunday (we were going for a bbq at our friends’ house who we hadn’t seen for a while on Saturday night, I was driving, and Pat would be drinking. A lot. 🍻🍻🍻) we skipped Thursday and ran on Friday Night.

I was scared of today’s run. 2x 8minute runs! I’d been whittling about it since the sunshine nearly killed us on Tuesday, so we went after work around 20:30. My new sports bra had arrived earlier that day, and it fitted(!!) so I strapped them in and we got going. (Best purchase I’ve made this year by the way - they didn’t move! No pain! Woohoo!)

The weather broke earlier in the week, so it was quite cold on the walk out before we started running and we were basically power walking to get warm! We geared up for the 8 minute run, and I started feeling the burn in my legs just as Sarah said we were half way through the first run, so I decided to slow down a little and made a mental note to drink more water and STRETCH properly before Sunday! After a minute or two the burn had lessened and when Sarah said to slow down for our 5 min walk, I felt like I could have kept going, which struck me as odd.

Pat recovered quickly and said that he was almost bored of walking! Ready to get the next run over with I’m sure, hopefully not my company! 😂 We thought it might be a good idea for him to have some music on the longer runs anyway to keep him going.

We started the second run and my shins and calves were instantly remembering the last run. I slowed down even further and soon the pain eased a little. Our final stretch is a bit of a hill (it isn’t but it feels like one when you’re tired!) and at the half way point I was ready for giving up, and then it started to spit! 🙈 Luckily it was a false alarm, but it distracted us a little. Those last few minutes really were a drag, my legs were burning and my breathing was heavier than usual trying to get up that last hill, but we kept on going and we did it! I did walk a little weird for a minute afterwards, stretching will be needed next time!

We ended the cool down walk and were happy with what we had done. We then remembered our mission in two days - 20minutes on Sunday... how were we going to do that????

Despite our worries, we still commended ourselves. We ran for 8 minutes in 60 second intervals the first week of c25k and we had ran the same amount of time all in one go, TWICE, today. What an improvement!!

Week 5 Run 3

Sunday arrives. OH MY GOSH. THE DREADED RUN. 20 minutes...can we do it???

After a particularly rowdy night on Saturday, poor Patrick was hanging: McDonald’s was necessary, naps were mandatory and our tv viewing had to be drivel. At 6pm, I reminded him of his terrible decision on Thursday and we set about the slow rise from the sofa. I even “made” a salad to help along the process! Those of you who know us, know I’ve forgotten where the kitchen is, so this shows the level of Pat’s hangover.

We set off for our walk to a duet of encouragements from Sarah Millican and wails from Pat about his stomach. Soon the dreaded time came: our 5 minutes walking were up and we were to begin our TWENTY MINUTE run. We opted for a light jog as instructed, with the option to push a little if we felt we could and slow down if needed. We had decided that as we weren’t stopping and starting, we’d have no time to chat in between runs and listened to our favourite bands to cheer us on: Bowling for Soup for me, Tenacious D for Pat.

Pat always dislikes the first few mins of a run until his chest opens up and he feels he can breathe a little easier. Whereas I’m the opposite, the beginning feels easy and after a few minutes it gets harder. I didn’t feel too bad to start, I was a song and half in when Sarah told me we were a quarter of the way through the run! Earlier this week I was struggling with 5 minutes! How has this happened? I assumed I was going mad and continued....a few minutes later we started a very shallow incline so we slowed a touch to allow for it.

We kept checking in with each other and we were both pleasantly surprised to find we were both doing okay. Soon we were half way through our jog and feeling alright. Some calf burn for me, but after a while it seemed to go off as though my muscles had stopped protesting because they knew there was no point!

Soon we were down the “hill” and I found that my strides were opening up a little and was “running” a little faster than usual which felt great! We turned the corner to start our usual slightly steeper incline just as we were told we only had 5 minutes left to go! Where had the time gone?? We were doing well!

As we were running late-ish and it was cooler, we were sweating but doing okay because the breeze was keeping us at a good temperature. My new sports bra was doing it’s job and I was beaming because I never believed I could do anything like this! Pat was feeling the hangover a little as Sarah told us we had two more minutes left. My calves were really starting to burn, because of the hill I think now, not because of my fitness level (!!) and very quickly we were hi5ing at our mission completed!!

Yes, we were breathing heavy, our legs killing and sweat was running in our eyes but WE RAN FOR 20 MINS STRAIGHT!! Wooooohooo!!!

I didn’t believe her at the beginning of the run, but it’s just like Sarah M. said. We were fit enough, and this was a mental challenge more than a physical one, but I still couldn’t believe we did this!! Triumphant, we set off home for our warm down walk and a hot bath!

(Excuse the shiny face!!)

💖🦄JD🏃‍♀️🤯

#c25k #c25ktraining #couch25k #ouchmylegs #redface #runrunrun #sweatyselfie #week4run2 #w4r2 #week4run3 #w4r3 #week5run1 #w5r1 #week5run2 #w5r2 #week5run3 #w5r3 #sunshine

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beyond-the-mirror · 6 years ago

Text

Music of the Night

The long wait is finally over!

Just another V x fem!reader I decided to start. This story takes place in an AU where almost everything is the same except for a few details, which include the fact that V is basically the Phantom of the Opera of this universe.

Tagging @thedyingmoon and @minteyeddemon, I remember how excited you both were when I shared this concept, it’s a bit long but I hope you all enjoy it!

Without further ado, let’s start!

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Chapter 1: Hauntings

The imposing building stood before you, intimidating you and stealing your breath for a few moments.

“Calm down (Y/N). You got this, you got this.” You cheered to yourself to shake your nerves away, closing your eyes taking and deep breath before exhaling. Opening your eyes once more, you crossed the grand entrance with renewed determination.

This was it. This was the day you were finally able to achieve your live long dream: Performing at Fortuna’s Opera House.

Once inside the building, a receptionist signaled you to the backstage entrance, kindly thanking him you rushed to your meeting with Monsieur Lefevre, the current owner of the theatre.

Performers as well as backup dancers and stage crew members rushed everywhere you looked, apparently a dress rehearsal for an adaptation of Puccini’s grand opera Madama Butterfly was about to take place in that very moment, meaning that everyone was pressured to get every single detail perfectly before the première in a few days.

Disoriented and a little overwhelmed by the crowd, you became lost in your way to find Lefevre’s office.

“Excuse me miss.” You heard a soft feminine right next to you. Figuring it was directed at you, you turned towards the voice. A young woman stood in front of you, she was wearing a gorgeously tailored dress with tiny flower petals resembling small butterflies sewn to the fabric, the jewels she was wearing also shared a butterfly motif and her long auburn hair was styled in a simple yet elegant up-do.

“I couldn’t help but notice you looked a bit lost, are you looking for someone in particular?” Her voice had genuine concern towards you.

“Uhm yes actually! I have an appointment with Monsieur Lefevre.”

“Oh you must be the new dancer! His office is right this way, please follow me.”

You let out a sigh of relief once you arrived at the owner’s office. Thank heavens for this woman’s help, otherwise you feared that you would have arrived late to such an important meeting for your career.

“Thank you so much, you totally saved me there! My name is (Y/N) by the way.”

“It’s a pleasure, mine is Kyrie. If there is something you need help with or any questions that you may have, you are welcome to ask me anytime.”

A member of the stage crew then called for Kyrie, her queue to appear on stage getting closer. She waved at you and wished you good luck before departing towards the stage. Alone once again, you knocked on the office’s door and awaited for an answer before entering.

“Ah Miss (Y/N)! It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.” Mr Lefevre received you warmly, you shook his hand before also greeting the woman standing next him. “I’m sure you still remember Madame Trish here, right now she was telling me about your stunning performance in the auditions. I’m sure you are going to be an excellent addition to our company.”

“Oh no, the honor is actually mine Monsieur. Performing here has been my childhood dream, I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity.”

“Your skills and talent make you worthy of a spot here, you don’t have to thank us.” Trish placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder. “But enough of that now, let us show you around the place so you get to know it better.”

---------

The more you walked, the more you knew about the hectic schedule of everyone in the theatre, still that didn’t erase the starstruck look in your eyes. Trish explained with detail your daily schedule and activities, most importantly your dance lessons which will be imparted by herself nonetheless and that she will have zero tolerance for late arrivals, with exception of critical emergencies of course. Monsieur Lefevre kindly pointed out that although strict and a little frivolous, Trish was actually a very caring woman, her dedication was what made her the current choreographer and supervisor in charge of all performers.

At the end of your long tour, Monsieur Lefevre invited you to watch the rest of the rehearsal from the first row, with Trish now leaving to supervise everything. On stage you spotted Kyrie, who waved at you as soon as she recognized you. As you had deduced earlier, she was the main soprano of the theatre, when she started performing and singing as Madama Butterfly you were stunned by how spectacular her voice sounded.

‘Everyone here is so talented’. You pondered to yourself as you watched the entire scene, the backup dancers supporting Kyrie’s number and the stage crew operating the moving scenery and carrying the props. You hoped to fit well in this place.

During a break, your cellphone rang and you excused yourself to answer the call. After reaching a quiet enough place, you answered. It was a call from your mother.

Just a year ago, your father died from cancer, it was already on terminal stage when it was detected. Instead of taking chemotherapy, he wished to spend the little time he had left with you and your mother. You remember his last words towards you.

“My child, I know how you dream of becoming a singer. Hold on tight to that dream and never let go, one day you shall achieve everything you set your sights upon. I love you my angel of music, I shall always watch over you.”

His words gave you the strength to keep going forward and move on. Eventually your mother wanted you both to move out of Fortuna, but you decided to stay, wanting to become independent and start living by yourself. She respected your decision, and from then on, she would often call you to check on you.

After saying goodbye to your mother, you ended he call. However when you headed back to the stage you noticed that something felt odd. The hallway was empty, only the far away sound of the rehearsal could be heard, but for some reason you didn’t feel quite alone, in fact, you felt like you were being watched.

You glanced everywhere, but you didn’t spot anyone. Shrugging it off as your imagination, you continued walking through the hallway. It was then that you heard a whisper behind you, quickly turning around you thought you caught sight of a shadow rushing behind a corner. You took a couple of steps towards it, still not sure if what you saw was real or a part of your imagination.

“Hello?” you called out, but no answer came.

“(Y/N)”

Your heart almost leapt out of your chest. Trish was right behind you, having looking for you before finding you in the hallway. “There you are. Come, I want to introduce you to everyone.”

After getting to know your coworkers, you definitely felt welcome in this new little world.

---------

“So (Y/N), do you believe in ghosts?” The girl in the seat next to you, Nico, questioned you out of nowhere.

It’s been a couple months since you started working at the opera house. You and Kyrie instantly became friends and she introduced you to Nico, the stage crew coordinator who took care of every prop and moving scenery in the theatre. You would often hang out together, right now you were enjoying dinner at a small coffee shop downtown, you even found Trish along the way with Lady, a friend of hers who worked as a bounty hunter of sorts, she didn’t want to specify more about it but you respected the discretion. You five ladies had been having a moment of girl talk when Nico brought up her question about ghosts.

“I really can’t say I believe in them, I’ve never seen one myself but who knows? Why do you ask?”

“Well, just wondering in case you haven’t heard about the rumors.”

You looked at her in confusion until Kyrie decided to explain to you.

“I guess you haven’t heard them. People believe that a ghost is currently haunting the opera house, but so far no one’s been able to see it properly.”

“Yep.” Nico interrupted after taking a sip from her smoothie. “So far the only evidence are disappearing objects, props appearing in places they weren’t before, and some even claimed to have seen a shadow moving behind corners.”

A shadow moving behind corners?

“I personally don’t believe in such nonsense.” Trish stated nonchalantly. “Those might as well have been caused by careless crew members who would rather blame a ghost than admitting their irresponsible actions.”

“But what about what the concierge claimed the other day?” Kyrie continued with the conversation. “He said he heard a male voice in Box Four, which is odd because that box was empty that day, in fact no patron has requested that box in quite some time.”

“Maybe someone entered the box while security wasn’t looking?” You wondered aloud. It is true that you witnessed what Nico had previously said about misplaced objects and how sometimes you would feel watched although nobody was around but you, then again, Trish’s explanation actually made more sense than the existence of an actual ghost.

“Ghost or not, I hope whatever it was won’t cause you any trouble in the future.” Lady added in the hopes of changing the subject. “But enough of that, how about we instead talk about much more positive stuff?”

Though everyone in the booth agreed, you still had your doubts.

---------

It was just another day in the opera house, rehearsing and practicing your choreography for the next play. You were just finishing your dance lessons when you were approached by Nico.

“Hey there darlin’! Would you mind taking this props to the storeroom over there for me? Apparently a spotlight got damaged and I’ve got to check it out.”

After letting her know you didn’t mind at all, she gave you a thumbs up before leaving. Poor Nico, she really deserved a break.

After storing all the props away, you glanced around yourself. Noticing that the storeroom was empty, you decided to practice singing. After all these years, you still weren’t confident in your voice, and when your father died, it got worse, only singing when you were alone and sure nobody could hear you.

You started with one of your favorite songs.

“What if I were a snow storm burning,

what of I were a world unturning,

what if I were an ocean,

far too shallow, much too deep.

What if I were the kindest demon,

something you may not believe in

what if I were a siren

singing gentlemen to sleep.”

Suddenly the lights went out and the door to the storeroom slammed close, leaving you in almost complete darkness and making you let out a small scream of surprise. For some odd reason, the room felt much colder than before, goosebumps appearing on your skin.

A voice deep inside your heart told you, you were not alone in this room.

“I heard an angel singing, when the day was springing…” A dark male voice sounded from inside the darkness that surrounded you. You glanced around, looking for whoever was speaking, but you found nobody.

Was this the phantom that haunted the opera house?

“Mercy, pity, peace; is the world’s release. Thus she sung all day, over the new mown hay, till the sun went down and haycocks looked brown…” the voice continued, making shivers run down your spine. “Such beautiful voice, like that of an angel from The Creator’s celestial choir… a diamond in the rough that has yet to be polished, a flower that has yet to fully bloom.”

“Who are you? Show yourself!”

“Hush my divine angel, no need to fear. I am merely a patron of this fine theatre, one that has watched over its many successful plays in delight. And if you allow me to be frank, your voice is one of the most delectable I’ve heard during my stay here.”

Whoever this entity was, you had to admit his voice was having a calming effect on you despite how scared you were feeling. It was soft like fine silk and molten like pure honey dripping down.

“What do you want?” You inquired this mysterious ghost.

The entity chuckled deeply, one that you could feel rumbling in your chest. “You fear rejection, that’s why you hide your precious talent here, where no one but yourself can witness it. Alas, I have found you my shy angel, and now I’m afraid I can’t let you go.”

You took a few steps backwards hoping to find the door, however your attempt at escaping was thwarted when someone grasped your wrists from behind.

You let out a gasp. You could feel his breath on your neck “Running away from me? You hurt me so my child.” He spoke right next to you ear. The phantom’s presence was so overwhelming, and complete with his deep sensual voice you couldn’t help but blush and submit to him.

He slowly let go of your wrists, but you remained completely still. “I have looked after this opera house from the shadows since many years ago, its meaning a very important one for me. I have watched over you too, I have witnessed your determination, your fierceness to pursue your dreams and keep moving forward, they have warmed my heart deeply so.”

He turned you around, and though you couldn’t see him well, you could feel his eyes connecting with yours “I wish to help you achieve your dreams.”

You felt scared no longer. His embrace was so warm and safe, like a guardian willing to protect everyone that sought refuge. You still had your doubts though, who was this mysterious man? Was he really a ghost? A spirit tasked with protecting this building?

You closed your eyes. Without realizing it, you were already answering him “W-what do I have to do?”

A moment of silence. “Everyday, at 12 o’clock, this area is left completely unsupervised. I believe it is also the time all ballet dancers take an hour long break before continuing their lessons. At that time, you shall meet me here. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

Complete silence. Before you knew it, the presence in front of you disappeared and shortly after, the lights went back on. When you opened the door, the voice spoke again.

“I shall be waiting for you, my angel of music.”

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So there you go! The first chapter of Music of the Night.

We meet the girls Trish, Lady, Nico and Kyrie in the opera house and befriend them shortly after. I’m planning to add the rest of the DMC cast as well so stay tuned.

A few references in this chapter: The song reader sings at the storeroom is called ‘What If’ and it’s by Emilie Autumn. Also, when the concierge mentions hearing a voice from Box Four it’s a reference to the original play; however in the original it was Box Five, I changed it to Four since according to a japanese superstition, the japanese word for ‘four’ sounds almost identical to their word for ‘death’. Quite befitting to this story and V in particular don’t you think?

#devil may cry #phantom of the opera #au #dmc v #v x reader #v x you #fanfiction #fanfic #romance

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smolboiseavey · 6 years ago

Text

I Wanna Be Just Like You // Werewolf! Daniel Seavey x Reader

Summary: Daniel and Y/N have been dating for a couple months now and he decides to take her back to his family's pack in Seattle. After learning more about Daniel and the werewolf culture, Y/N gets frustrated because she can't seem to fit in.

I recommend you read Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice before reading this, but you don't have to read it to understand this one.

Warnings: literally like not much lol just some angst, violence and werewolves. Maybe some cursing too.

6,386 words (omg!!!)

Taglist: @gracenadinelimelight @softavery @katie-avery @seaveyssparkle @kvd963 @dagmara-mae @jennasgolden @helloatomicshadow @sfx-bands @only-stan-mendes @whydontwenorway

~~~

"How much longer until we get there?" You laid your head on the window, watching the scenery and snowflakes fly by as the car sped down the highway. Mountains lined the horizon, the sun casting brilliant orange and pink light behind them. You and Daniel were currently driving to his family's home town, making the 15 hour trip there on wheels.

Daniel let out a chuckle, one hand lazily resting on your thigh, his eyes trained on the road. "Maybe another half hour, love. We're almost there." He replied. You laced your fingers with his, smiling at him.

"So how do you like Oregon so far?"

"It's pretty." You say, turning back to the window. "Can we go for a hike sometime soon?"

"Definitely. Are you sure you'll be able to keep up with me, though?" He replied teasingly, making you scoff. "Just because I'm human doesn't mean I can't handle a little bit of exercise." He brought your intertwined hands up to his lips, planting a kiss on yours. "Sure you can." He chuckled, "Oh look! We're here."

Daniel turned to the left, driving into a small town. The buildings were very spread out, miles of forest behind them. Piles of snow lined the streets, a few people walking by here and there. The car came to a stop at a red light. "This is the town I grew up in." He said, breaking the silence. You smiled, looking through the windows at the location. "It's cozy." You replied as Daniel kept driving, the light now green. "God, it's been so long. You're gonna love it here, I promise."

You had just finished your current semester of school, so you were spending a month with Daniel in his home town for winter break. He drove down the road, houses looming in the distance. At the end of the path stood one house which towered over the others, brightness streaming out of all the windows. The sun was long gone, street lamps illuminated the pavement with soft yellow light. Daniel pulled up to said house, parking in the long driveway behind many other vehicles. "Ready?" He asked, his blue eyes bright with excitement and joy. You smiled, nodding in response. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"Well, come on now. Mom said to just come in, some servants will be out soon to take our stuff in." He said, taking his seat belt off.

"Servants?" You asked as you clicked the red button to your left, letting the polyester strap slide off of your body.

He nodded, confused at your confusion. "It's a normal thing? This is the pack house, where most of the leaders and their families live. So yeah, servants."

"Oh. So I'm guessing your family is..."

"My dad's the alpha." He said casually, opening the door.

Oh-

"T-that's cool." You stutter, getting out of the car and closing the door behind you.

Daniel started walking to the house, and you followed close behind. He waltzed right into the door, a wide grin on his face.

The house was very open, but cozy. To the left was the kitchen, where a few older ladies were bustling around cooking. To the right was a large staircase, spiraling up to the second floor. Children ran around the space, chasing each other through the halls. The soft hum of chatter and laughter filled the room. The room opened up ahead, couches positioned in a U-shape around a large flat screen TV. A few people sat there, deep in conversation. Large windows took the place of the back wall, revealing the midnight blue sky and silhouettes of the trees and mountains.

"I'm home!" Daniel announced loudly, smiling.

"Daniel?"

"Daniel!"

A swarm of people surrounded the two of you as you closed the heavy front door behind you. An older woman pulled him into a hug, planting a kiss on his cheek. "I missed you." She said, a smile tugging at her lips.

"I missed you too, mom."

"Did you bring a human with you?" A man asked suddenly, the room falling silent.

"Erm...yeah." Daniel grabbed your hand and pulled you closer to his body. "This is my mate, Y/N."

"Mate?"

"I thought his mate was that wolf he brought back last time. Charlotte, I think-"

"How did you know I'm human?" You asked.

The man chuckled, the deep sound filling the room. "Your scent, dear. It's quite easy to tell." His voice was stern, but his blue eyes were bright with amusement.

"Dad, stop teasing her!" Daniel groaned.

"Alright, alright. Come on everyone, let's give the couple some space." He said with a smile. The crowd slowly dispersed, only two people were left besides you and Daniel.

"It's nice to meet you, Y/N. Daniel has said many good things about you." Daniel's mom said with a smile.

"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Seavey." You replied, returning the smile.

"Please, call me Keri." She said, giving you a quick hug. "I'll be in the kitchen making dinner if you need me. You'll be staying in Daniel's old room, and all of your things should already be there."

"Thanks mom." He said as she walked off.

"Danny!" A small figure hurled at him, landing in his arms.

A tiny girl, no older than ten hugged his torso tight as he spun her around in circles. "Reese! You've gotten so big." He said with a laugh, holding her.

"I grew 3 inches!" She said to him, holding out three fingers. "I even changed into my wolf yesterday!"

"Oh really? Congrats!"

You smiled at the sight of Daniel and Reese, stepping back to give them space.

"Who's that?" She asked, pointing at you.

"That's my mate, Y/N."

She stuck her tongue out at you and turned back to him. "Why is she human?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why isn't she a wolf too?"

"She's just...a little different."

"Oh."

Well, isn't that reassuring.

"Mhm. She's like Aunt Keri."

Reese nodded thoughtfully, her face contorting into a serious expression. "Interesting."

Daniel chuckled, setting her back down on her feet. "Why don't you go play with Isla and Svea? Y/N and I still need to unpack."

"You're staying?" She asked excitedly, her eyes lighting up.

"Yep! For a whole month."

"Yay! Come play with us when you're done, okay?"

"I will, Reese. Now come on, they're probably waiting for you."

"Bye Danny!" She ran off with a smile on her face.

Daniel is so good with kids.

You couldn't keep the smile off of your face as you watched him usher her away.

He sighed, turning back towards you. "What?"

"What? Oh- nothing." You reply, your cheeks red with embarrassment.

"I know that look, Y/N." He said as you followed him up the stairs.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, come on Y/N. Don't deny it. What were you thinking about?" He pressed as you walked up to the third floor and down the hall. He walked past the rows of doors and windows before stopping in front of a door at the end of the corridor. He grasped the gold handle in his right hand, pushing the door open with ease. "I was just thinking." You replied as you walked in close behind him.

"Ah, exactly the way I left it." The spacious room was painted blue, a city skyline painted on one wall. A large bed was pushed to one side, a desk to the other. Two large windows let in some moonlight, illuminating the room with pale light. By the desk were rows of instruments, a microphone, and speakers, almost identical to his musical set-up at your house in LA. Daniel flopped down on the bed face first, letting out a loud, happy sigh.

“Come lay with me.”

You walked over to the bed, laying down next to him. He turned his face so that he was no longer facing the sheets and smiled at you.

“Don’t we have to unpack?” You asked, giggling. He pulled you onto his chest, wrapping his long arms around your waist. “We have time.” He replied, burying his head in your hair. “Let me spend time with my mate first.”

You smiled, drawing lazy circles on his shoulder.

“What’s it like being a werewolf?” You asked curiously after a brief moment of silence.

He stayed silent for a while, thinking. “It’s hard to explain.” He replied, “I guess it’s kind of like having a voice in your head that’s telling you what to do.” He laughed. “Oh, and the wolf thing. I don’t think I’d ever be able to explain that.”

You giggled, placing a small kiss on his cheek. “It’s okay if you can’t explain it, Danny. I just wanna get to know this side of you better.”

He nodded, drawing you closer.

Silence filled the room again, until you spoke up suddenly.

“What does it feel like to have a mate? In your perspective, I guess.”

“It’s the best feeling in the entire world.” He murmured, nipping at your ear with his teeth playfully. “But kind of annoying, at first.”

“What do you mean?”

“Having to wait so long, watching you date other people, not being able to be as close as I wanted to be for so long. God, seeing you with your scumbag ex made me almost lose it.” He let out a low growl. “I’m glad he left. Since you’re my mate, I can feel your feelings too. I could sense you were miserable with him.” He explained, “When you’re sad, I’m sad. When you’re happy, I’m happy.”

“Is that supposed to happen to me too?”

He shook his head. “You’re human, so your soul won’t feel it the same way mine does.”

“Oh.” You mumbled. “I’m sorry I made you wait so long. I wish I knew.”

“It’s okay, baby.” He replied, “I’d wait a million years for you if I had to.”

You smiled, kissing his cheek lovingly.

A knock interrupted the moment, making Daniel sit up. “God dammit Jack. What do you want?”

“Wow, Hello to you too Daniel. Dinner is almost ready. Come downstairs when you’re done doing um...whatever you’re doing.” Jack said with a chuckle, closing the door and walking out.

Daniel groaned, laying back down next to you. “I don’t wanna go all the way back downstairs. I wanna say with you.” He whined, playing with your hair.

You laughed, sitting up. “Come on, Danny. We should get ready and go.” He pouted and sat up.

“Fine, whatever.”

~~~

“She’s a quiet one. Now if Charlotte were here-“

“Myta, don’t tease her.”

“Y/N is just a little shy, that’s all.” Daniel said, standing up for you.

You sat at the large, round dining table, slowly eating your food as the families around you discussed whatever was on their minds.

“So when are you two going to have pups?”

You stopped eating immediately, almost choking.

“Dad!”

“You know, when your mother and I were your age we-“

Zach cleared his throat, stopping Daniel’s father mid-sentence.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you Alpha, but we’re trying to eat? I’d rather not talk about babies right now.”

“I agree with Zach. Luna makes good food.” Jack said, his mouth full.

Daniel put his hand on your thigh, rubbing small circles into your skin with his thumb.

“Are you alright?” He whispered to you, concern lacing his tone. You nodded in response, sending him a small smile. “Yeah.” You replied softly, lacing your fingers with his. He gave you a smile back, rejoining the conversation his parents were having.

“Are Corbyn and Christina coming soon?” Jonah asked, looking over at you from across the table.

“Yep, she texted me earlier. They’re driving up now.” You replied with a smile.

“Corbyn and Christina are your friends from LA right?” Keri asked. The boys nodded.

“Oh, Corbyn isn’t apart of your pack?” You asked curiously.

Daniel shook his head. “He’s from a pack in Virginia. We met him in LA.”

“Ohhh okay.”

The room filled with the comfortable hum of chatter as you all finished your meals with no further interruptions.

“Anyone want dessert?”

~~~

You sat in front of a ceiling-high window in the living room, a cup of tea from Keri in your hands as you gazed up at the stars. Everyone else had gone off to their rooms, resting for the day ahead. You, on the other hand, couldn’t sleep. You had gone out of Daniel’s room and went downstairs, where Keri found you. She was just about to head upstairs so she made ginger lemon tea for you to try to help your restlessness.

Maybe it was the change in time, keeping you awake or the occasional howls from the wolves outside, but it was mostly your thoughts keeping you awake.

Would they like me more if I was a werewolf?

Who is Charlotte? Would Daniel have ended up with her if he didn’t meet me?

“Couldn’t sleep, huh?” A voice sounded behind you, making you jump. You turned to find Daniel walking towards you, his face contorting with concern.

You shook your head as he sat down next to you, draping a plush blanket over your shoulders.

“No. How’d you know?”

He chuckled, wrapping his arms around your waist.

“I can feel when you’re not near me. Oh, and mom told me on her way to her room.”

You leaned into his chest, warmth radiating off of him. You took a small sip from the mug in your hands.

“Why couldn’t you sleep?”

You shrugged in response, your eyes drawing back towards the scenery outside.

He sighed, the moonlight making his blue eyes twinkle. “Come on, babe. You can talk to me.”

You shook your head, looking back up at him. “I was just...thinking. I’m not used to this whole werewolf thing yet, I guess.”

“Oh.” He mumbled, rubbing his neck awkwardly. “I know, it’s a little weird at first. You don’t have to stay the whole time with me if you’re uncomfortable.”

“No, no it’s fine. I just need a little time to get used to it.” You said with a smile.

“Okay.” He said, returning the smile with a toothy grin of his own. “Nothing else is bothering you?”

“Nope.”

He sighed, the smile falling as soon as it appeared. “You’re lying.”

“What?”

“Y/N, you may be good at hiding it, but you’re not going to get anything past me.” He chuckled. “When you lie, your heart speeds up a couple beats and you bite your lip.”

“Oh.”

“Come on, you can tell me. Spit it out.”

“Who’s Charlotte?”

He froze, his tongue darting out and swiping across his lips. He looked down, taking your tiny hands in his large ones. “She...was a friend. We were really close, and everyone thought we were mates, or that at least we’d end up together. Then I found out she was only close to me because she wanted to be Luna.” He blurted out, “She only talked to me because of my status. I ditched her a long time ago and haven’t seen her since.”

“I’m sorry I asked.”

“It’s fine Y/N.” He pulled you closer and placed a soft kiss on your forehead. “Lets go to bed now, yeah?”

You nodded, letting out a small yawn.

“Alright. Come on, sleepy.”

~~~

The next few days were quite uneventful, full of small conversations with family and watching Daniel train with the boys. You sat at the side of the field with Christina, watching as they playfully tackled each other.

“Daniel! Don’t hit me I’m wEAK-“

He laughed, running at Jack. “You’re not weak, Beta.”

“I’m weak compared to you, so sToP!”

“Cheeseitz, they’re so aggressive.” You said, shivering as snowflakes started falling from the light gray sky.

“Well duh, they’re werewolves.” Christina said with a chuckle, “You should see them when they’re actually being serious.”

Daniel grabbed onto Jack, pinning him down on the snow covered ground.

“Jonah! Help please.”

The older boy swooped in, pulling the curly-haired boy from Daniel’s grasp.

“Hey! Not fair.” He groaned, getting up.

Corbyn scribbled something down on his clipboard before walking over to the three boys. “Actually, very fair. You’re stronger than both of them combined, future Alpha. See, your endurance...” They continued talking about stats, looking over whatever data was written on the papers in Corbyn’s hands.

“Alpha?” You asked Christina.

She nodded. “You didn’t know Daniel was an Alpha?”

You shook your head. “I don’t think he’s ever mentioned it, besides the fact that his dad is one.”

“He’s always been so self conscious of his status.” Christina said. “We should go inside, it’s snowing harder and our puny human bodies can only last so long in the cold.” She joked, “I can tell you more about it inside.”

“Yeah, let’s go inside, I’m freezing.”

You walked inside with her, slowly peeling off layers of jackets the second you got inside and closed the glass door.

“So, what do you want to know?” Christina asked as you both sat down in the living room.

“Everything.”

~~~

“Wait wait wait. So you’re saying I have to-“

“Whatcha two talking about?” Daniel walked in, wrapping his arms around you as he sat down next to you.

“Not much.” Christina said with a smile. “Oh look, Corbyn needs me. I’ll be back.” She got up and walked out of the living room, leaving you two alone.

“You’re sweaty.”

Daniel laughed, rubbing his cheek on your shoulder. “I’ll rub my sweat all over you then.”

“Ew! Go shower.” You giggled, pushing him away playfully. He pinned your hands above you and peppered kisses all over your face.

“You’re not getting away from me anytime soon.”

He pulled you into a tight hug, wrapping his limbs around your torso, his dripping hair and neck up against your chest.

“Hey, Daniel?” A servant walked in, his tone urgent.

“Yes? What is it?” He looked up, slightly annoyed.

“It’s your father.”

The annoyance went away quickly and he got up from the ground.

“Please, follow me.” The servant walked out of the room and down the hall, Daniel close behind. You got up, curiously following them slowly.

“-yes, it’s very bad. The healers might not be able to do much this time, Alpha.”

“Don’t call me that. He’ll be fine, we have the best healers here.” The door closed, their conversation now muffled. You slipped in, closing the door behind you. Daniel’s father lay in a bed in the middle of the room, his eyes closed and his skin papery and pale. Keri sat next to the bed, her hand in her husband’s, a grim look on her face. Daniel sat at her feet, his head in her lap. Doctors and servants rushed around the room silently, the only sound came from the beeping of the heart monitor in the corner of the room.

Keri looked up at you and gave you a small smile. As you walked over to them. You sat down behind Daniel, wrapping your around around him.

“Is he going to be okay?” You muttered, concerned. Keri shook her head and let out a sigh. “No.” She replied sadly, “Jeff is strong, but he’s an elder wolf and has had too much contact with silver over the years. He’s a bit weak and won’t recover for a while.”

Daniel turned around, burying his face in your shoulder, his tears leaving stains on your shirt. “I don’t want him to go.” he mumbled.

“It’ll be alright,” you cooed into his ear softly, massaging his scalp with your fingers. “He’ll live, I promise.”

Keri looked down at her son with sad eyes. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but she kept her mouth shut. Her eyes drifted back to her husband.

A doctor walked over to you and Daniel and nudged your shoulder lightly. “You two should go.” He said, “Daniel needs some sleep, and it’s getting late.”

You nodded, getting up. Daniel got up with you, his movements sluggish as you walked him upstairs and to his bedroom. He stumbled into the room and collapsed on the bed as you closed the door. He looked over at you, his once bright eyes now a dull blue.

“Come here.”

You walked over to him and sat on the bed next to him. “Are you okay?” You asked, playing with a lock of his hair.

He shook his head.

“You know, your dad is in good hands. He won’t-“

“You’d think I’d know that, I lived here for 18 years. It’s not that.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

He shook his head again and took your small hand in his larger one. “Can you run me a bath, please?” He mumbled, “Like back in LA?”

You nodded, pulling him to his feet. “But talk to me, please? I can’t help you if I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

“Oh yeah, you’re not a wolf.” He muttered. “Fine.”

You frowned at his comment but quickly pushed your feelings away.

“Come on, you glum chum. You’re still sweaty as fuck from earlier.”

You dragged him into the adjoined bathroom, turning on the lights as you walked in. He plopped down on the closed toilet, watching you as you prepared a bath for him.

You got up after getting it ready, waiting for the water to fill the porcelain tub.

“So are you going to tell me what’s wrong now?”

He pulled his shirt off of his body and shrugged. “I guess.”

You let out a sigh and hugged him, his arms wrapping around your thighs and his head resting against your stomach. He nuzzled into your shirt lovingly as you massaged his scalp. “It’s not necessarily the fact that my dad is injured. It’s happened loads of times, he’s a strong wolf and always recovers. Besides, he’s got another like 100 years to live.” He tugged at his socks and pulled them off, throwing them into a pile of dirty clothes nearby. “It’s just the fact that he’s not strong enough to lead the pack anymore. When he steps down, I have to take over. It’s stupid.” You pulled away from him and turned off the water, the bathtub now full. You mixed in some bath salts as Daniel peeled away his sweatpants and boxers. He sunk into the water, only his head and shoulders sticking out. “Why don’t you want to take over the pack?” You asked as you sat down on the tile floor next to the tub. He sighed, leaning his head back on the wall. “Well first of all, we’d have to move here permanently and I know your family is in LA. Second of all, it’s so much work. I hate it. My stupid older brothers are off doing their own things so I’m stuck taking over the pack.” You frowned, pouring shampoo into your hand before lathering it into his wet hair.

“I know you don’t like it, but it’s your responsibility Daniel. How would your parents feel if you backed out?”

He stayed silent for a moment, thinking. He sighed, leaning into your hands as you washed his hair. “You’re right. I guess it’ll be fine.”

“You’re a natural leader, Danny. It really shouldn’t be too hard for you.” You rinsed the soap from his hair with water before getting up and retrieving a towel from the closet.

“Join me.” He said as you placed the towel on the counter.

You slowly stripped out of your clothes before stepping into the steaming water. You sat down on his thighs, pouring more soap into your hands and washing his body.

“You’re so spoiled.” You joked with a chuckle, running your hands over his chest.

“That’s only because people like spoiling me.” He replied, his eyes fluttering shut. “They just fall for my natural charm.”

“Yeah, sure.” You said, rubbing his arms, his biceps slightly bulging with muscle.

“Well you certainly did.” He said, his eyes opening again.

“That’s true.” You replied, “I guess you’re not that bad.”

He captured your lips with his, his arms around your waist. He pulled away, his eyes traveling up and down your body. “I’m glad you think so.” He mumbled, his eyes falling back on yours. He pulled you closer, chest on chest, your head on his shoulder.

“I’m gonna fill you up with my pups one day.” He muttered in your ear, his hand traveling down your back.

You felt your body heat up more despite the hot water surrounding you.

He chuckled, playing with a strand of hair that escaped your bun. “You’re so cute when you’re embarrassed.” He said, making you blush more. “Shut up.” He nipped at your neck playfully, his mouth suckling on your sweet skin.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Danny.”

~~~

2 weeks had passed since you arrived, everything seemed to have fallen into routine. Daniel usually woke up hours before you, sitting with his father in the morning before training outside for the rest of the day. You did your best to be useful, both you and Christina helping Keri with whatever you could.

“You do know you’ll have to take my place soon, right?”

“Wait, I have to become Luna?”

“You’re Daniel’s mate, aren’t you?”

You nodded, playing with the hem of your sweater.

She let out a small sigh, giving you a look of sympathy. “I know it seems a bit daunting, but trust me, you’ll do great.”

You nodded again, trying your best to believe Keri’s words.

The door opened, revealing a shirtless Daniel. Sweat dripped down his neck, his hair a disheveled mess. You smiled at him as he walked towards you. “How was training?” You asked him.

He flopped onto the ground in front of you and Keri. “Tiring.” He mumbled, “Mommy can I have some food please?”

She nodded and walked to the kitchen, leaving you alone with him.

“Being an Alpha is so much work.” He groaned, turning to lay on his back.

You chuckled and sat on the floor next to him, petting his hair. “My big, strong Alpha. You should take a break.” You mumbled with a giggle. He let out a small purr, leaning into your touch.

“Stopppp.” He groaned, trying to pull away.

“Why? You obviously like it.”

“True.” He sighed, “but if you tell anyone, you’re dead. No one can see me like this but you, okay?”

“Okay.” You chuckled. He turned his head to the side and placed a small kiss on your hand.

“Come on, let’s go get food.” He said, hopping up. “I’m hungry.”

~~~

“Would we be different if I were a werewolf?”

It was a late night, and you couldn’t sleep once again. Moonlight pooled on the ground where you sat next to the bed. Daniel laid half-asleep on the mattress, barely paying attention to what you said.

“No.” He mumbled, his eyes fluttering shut. “I don’t think so.”

He reached out weakly towards you, hooking his finger onto yours. You looked away from the window and at him. He slept peacefully, tiny grunts and growls leaving his parted lips.

“I just-“ you heaved out a sigh. “I’m just a bit frustrated, I guess? Even though I’m not the only human, I know almost nothing about the culture and stuff. How am I going to be a Luna if I don’t even know the basics?” You groaned, “Half of them probably don’t even like me.”

Silence. You and your dumb ass, you shouldn’t have said anything.

“Come here.” He mumbled, tugging at your hand with his finger. As you got up, he pulled you onto the bed and into his arms, your head on his chest, a hand in your hair.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, my love.” He whispered lovingly, nuzzling your cheek with his nose, just as he would in wolf form. “You’ll be great, I can feel it.”

“Yeah but-“

“No buts.” He mumbled into your ear, “if you’re still kind of iffy about it, you can talk to my mom. She was in the same situation as you are now.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to her tomorrow then.” You mumbled back, snuggling into his warmth. He smiled and kissed you softly. “I wish I could help you more, love, but I don’t know what it’s like being human.”

“It’s okay.” You smiled back, “we make it work.”

“Yeah, like always.” He said.

“Best friends against the world.” You replied with a grin.

“Of course.” He chuckled, nipping at your ear with his teeth. “Come on, my love, let’s go to sleep.”

~~~

The next day, you decided to talk to Keri while Daniel was out training yet again.

“Keri?”

“Yes, dear?”

“C-can you help me with something?”

She nodded and put her mug down. “Is something wrong?”

“No- well, yeah. I’m scared, and frustrated about this whole ‘becoming the Luna’ thing. Daniel said I should talk to you about it.”

“Ah, Daniel told me about that this morning. Why are you scared?”

“Well, I’m different. Do I really have what it takes? I mean, I barely know anything.”

“If it makes you feel better, I was in a similar situation as you’re in now. If you want, I can teach you everything you need to know.”

“Thank you, Keri.”

“Of course.” She smiled, “is that all that was bothering you?”

You shook your head. “Is there a way to turn into a werewolf?”

“Yes, but,” she sighed, “it’s extremely dangerous. If you want to become a werewolf, you need to be bitten by one on the full moon. Your body will end up rejecting it and you’ll die. Very few people survive torture like that.”

Well fuck, never mind.

“But I’m a human. Don’t they deserve a strong werewolf to take over as Luna?”

“Being a werewolf doesn’t make you a good leader. In fact, I’m human too.” She said with a chuckle, “I’ve seen you interact with the pack. You’ll be a good leader, Y/N.”

“You’re human too?”

“Yes. I grew up around werewolves, but I’m human.”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

“Don’t worry too much about being a werewolf or not, Y/N. That would be like saying you can’t lead because of your ethnicity. It’s about what’s on the inside.”

You nodded again, taking in every word she said. “Thank you.” You smiled.

“Of course.” She pulled you into a loving embrace, which you accepted with open arms. “You’re family.”

~~~

The full moon. A time where all the werewolves in the house went into the woods for a few days to keep the few humans around safe. This was a normal routine you had gotten used to over the few months, but Daniel was always hesitant on leaving.

“I don’t wanna leave you.” He mumbled, hugging your waist tightly. He rested his head on your stomach, a pout on his lips.

“Come on, bro. We need to go before it’s too late.” Jack said, poking Daniel’s arm repeatedly.

He sighed and got up from his knees. “Fine.”

“You’ll be back before you know it.” You told him, placing a small kiss on his lips. “It’s only for a few days.”

He squeezed you tight, kissing you back passionately. “Be careful, okay? Don’t go outside until we get back.” He murmured.

“Okay.” You replied softly, sinking into his embrace. “You be careful too.”

He nodded, smiling. “I’ll see you in a few days, my love.”

You pulled away and watched him join his pack members, all running off into the nearby woods.

Soon after everyone left, Keri shut all the windows and doors, enclosing herself, you, Christina and Anna safely inside. You all sat in a circle, watching the sunset and eating small snacks.

“Wait, Anna you’re human? But your brothers are all werewolves.”

She shrugged and smiled. “I guess I got more human than wolf genes.”

“Ohh, makes sense.” Christina replied, “well welcome to the human club.”

Anna laughed, taking another bite out of the cookie in her hands.

Silence filled the practically empty house, a large contrast to how it had been hours before. The sun sank deeper and deeper below the horizon, the full moon shining in the distance. Time quickly passed and soon enough everyone had gone to bed, leaving you alone in the living room. Like almost every night, you were up late and couldn’t sleep.

I wonder what Daniel is doing right now.

Of course, having to separate for a few days each month was normal, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt every moment that you were apart. You felt a sharp pang in your heart just thinking about it.

Is this how he feels all the time?

A low growling noise interrupted your thoughts. “What was that?” You mumbled to yourself, getting up from where you previously sat on the ground. You tiptoed towards the sound, confused.

You quickly grabbed the closest thing to you, which happened to be your steel water bottle, and made your way down the hall. This feels familiar.

A dark blur flew by, caught in your peripheral vision. It couldn’t have been anyone who was in the house with you, as they were all upstairs asleep. You dashed quickly towards where the blur went, bottle in hand. You saw it run back into the living room, so you quickly followed.

You hid behind a wall, catching your breath for only a moment.

Okay, on three.

One.

Two.

Three.

You jumped out from your hiding spot, swinging your weapon around wildly with your eyes screwed shut.

A low growl sounded from in front of you, making you open your eyes.

“Daniel?”

He was in his wolf form, of course, circling you. His once bright blue eyes turned to a deep blood red, his lip turned up into a snarl.

How did he get in?

You quickly backed away from him, the bottle in your hands pointed at him.

“Daniel…” you started, walking backwards towards the door.

He followed you, eyes trained on yours, stalking you as if you were a piece of prey.

“It’s just me, Y/N. Your girlfriend?” Your voice cracked as you spoke, making you cringe. “Come on, it’s okay bud.”

You bumped into a corner, effectively trapping yourself.

Daniel growled again, lunging towards you. You stifled a gasp as a pair of fangs sunk into your shoulder. You fell to the ground, blacking out from the pain.

~~~

“God, I’m so stupid!”

“It wasn’t your fault, dear.”

“But it kind of was, mom. I should’ve controlled him better, I can usually get him under my-“

“Daniel. Stop beating yourself up. She’s going to be okay. You can’t change what’s already happened.”

You laid neatly on a plush white bed, in a room you quickly recognized as one in the infirmary. Your left arm was wrapped in thick layers of gauze, two pools of blood slightly sweeping through. Your head spun, the bright fluorescent lights slightly blinding you.

“D-Daniel?” You croaked, weakly sitting up.

“You’re awake! Oh, god, lay back down please.” He replied, departing from his mother and kneeling at the bed next to you. He took your face in his warm hands and kissed you. “I’m so sorry.” He mumbled again and again between every kiss.

“It’s okay.” You mumbled back, resting your forehead on his.

He stroked your hair gently, looking at you with his beautiful blue eyes.

“What happened?”

He pouted and took your hands in his, rubbing small circles into your soft skin with his thumb.

“I-I bit you.”

“You...bit me?”

“Yeah. In my wolf form. You do know what’s going to happen to you, right?”

You nodded. “I’ll fight through it, okay? Everything’s going to be fine.”

“Everything’s not fine. I can’t lose you.” He whined. “The survival rate is like, 0.15 percent. It’s even lower if you get bitten by an Alpha and-“

“Daniel.”

“God, you’re going to be in so much pain for the next few days even if you do survive I’m so sorry-“

“Daniel James Seavey. You can stop rambling.” You interrupted, a smile growing on your face.

“Right. Yeah...everything’s going to be fine. I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you.” He placed another soft kiss on your lips, filling you with warmth and happiness.

“Also, what’s with you and attacking me with water bottles?”

“I have no clue.”

~~~

The next few days were miserable for you. Even though you spent most of the day asleep, you were in constant pain and extreme discomfort. Saying that you’d be in immense pain was an understatement.

“Do you need anything, love?” Daniel asked for the tenth time today, sitting on the bed next to you.

“No, I’m fine.” You winced slightly from the pain in your chest.

“Feel any different today?”

“You mean besides the excruciating pain?”

“Besides that, love.”

“Kind of, but not really. Do you sense anything?”

He nodded. “You still smell human, but you have a different aura now. The boys think you’re going to turn into an omega, and it certainly feels like that.”

“What’s an omega?��

He chuckled and twirled a lock of your hair in his fingers. “An omega is the closest a werewolf can get to a human. They’re the lowest of the pack usually, and can’t change into their wolf form unless they’re in severe danger. They also don’t get affected by the full moon.”

“Oh-“

“Mhm. But the status thing won’t affect you.”

You hugged your pillow close to your stomach, letting out a small growl from pain. “How come?”

“Your growls are so cute.” He muttered, placing a small kiss on your head. “And you’re with me, dummy. You’ll be Luna.”

“Shut up.” You replied with a chuckle, plucking his forehead.

“Ouch! That hurt.” He whined.

“I’m glad you’re finally back.”

“Me too.” You said, smiling. “Being in constant pain for multiple days in a row sucks ass.”

Daniel placed a large hand on your stomach, radiating warmth from his skin. “I wish I could help you more.” He mumbled.

“Just being here is enough, Danny.” You replied, lacing your fingers between his.

He grinned and slid into bed next to you, pulling the white covers over you both.

“I love you.”

“I love you Danny.”

#daniel seavey #daniel seavey fanfic #why dont we #why dont we music #why dont we au #werewolf #werewolves #werewolf au #corbyn besson #jonah marais #jack avery #zach herron #au #fanfic #fanfiction #oneshot

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roger1na · 6 years ago

Text

careful ch3 - john deacon x reader

summary: you are a ballet student at the royal ballet academy. To pay for your tuition, you work part-time at the celebrity gossip magazine, Seven. One fateful day you’re sent to interview a band on the rise, Queen, post-concert and befriend the sweetest man on the planet.

word count: 2.3k+

warnings: swearing, cigarettes/smoking

author's note: thank you for being patient! i'm back in my groove after a few desperately stressful weeks and i'm super excited about this chapter and the next few ones!

[ch1] [ch2] [ch3] [ch4] [ch5] [ch6] [ch7] [ch8]

chapter three

Falling in love was so terribly easy, you thought. You wanted to drift into love, be slowly caressed into feeling romantic things. With John, you’d been pushed out of an airplane and the ground was approaching fast but you weren’t scared. You almost wanted to be taken into the embrace of the earth. It’s where humans are meant to be on, isn’t it? Feet planted.

Loud thoughts and bursting emotions stampeded in your brain after dancing. Your face was glistening with sweat and your updo had come loose, stray hairs framing your elegant face. When you danced, all your worries left you. There was just the music and the choreographed steps and the ache in your muscles. Once Tchaikovsky’s last composed note stopped though, real life came tumbling and left you more breathless than dancing ever did.

Particularly the colour of post-it note neon green kept coming up. It was a whole new level of fear that had stricken you when you had noticed it stuck to your desk telephone.

call me sometime!

xxx-xxx-xxx

The note was scrawled in messy handwriting and whoever had written it had had shaky hands for the way the letters peaked oddly. But they had forgotten to sign their name and for a moment you were extremely confused.

”Nat!” You called out to the office secretary, a small but dynamite woman with cat-eye lens and no time for anybody’s bullshit. She looked up and clicked her tongue.

”Yes love?”

”Who’s this from?”

”Oh some bloke.” She went back to her typing, acrylic nails click-clacking on the keys.

”Wow, yeah, can you be more specific?” You rolled your eyes. ”What’d he look like?”

She squinted her huge eyes and looked up to the right corner of her eyes trying to remember. ”Long brown hair. Sort of a big nose, but not in a bad way. Looked like he hadn’t smiled since birth.” Your heartbeat sped up and you held the note close to your chest. ”Why? ’Ave you got a bloke?”

”No! Shut up. Maybe.”

She grinned and set aside her work and leaned on her hands to get a better look at you. She pumped her eyebrows up a few times. ”Tell me more.”

”Sorry, I’ve actually got work to get to thank you,” you turned on your heel, trying not to squeal or scream or show any sort reaction to the little square piece of paper that had saved your morning.

”Ha ha. Run from this discussion for now, Y/N.”

And so you did. You locked yourself in the bathroom before carefully taking out your diary and sticking the note there, then casually as ever you continued your day, not thinking about it. Or pretending not to think about it. It never really left your mind. You imagined what’d it be like to roll those numbers into a phone. To hear his voice slightly muffled, slightly static, on the other end. And then you told yourself not to think about it because there was work and dancing and living to be done.

That’s how you ended up in the dressing room, clutching your diary and thinking of all the sappy things you’d like to say to him and framing the note with little hearts and stars and general squiggles, not really thinking much of it.

“Are you really going to keep writing sloppy romantic shit about him in your diary and never talk to him again?” Rose startled you, peeking over your shoulder.

You slammed the notebook shut, embarrassed that she’d gotten a glance at your innermost thoughts. “Shut up,” you bopped her over the head with the book gently. “It’s not easy. What do I say?”

“Hi, I’m madly in love with you but I’m too proud to admit it?”

”Shut up!” You laughed. ”’M really not.”

”That mushy shit-” she gestured to your diary vaguely throwing her hands around it, ”-that’s madly in love.”

“No, it’s not, it’s barely a crush.” You quipped back and held your diary tightly to your chest.

“A-ha! You admit there’s feelings!” She jumped around victoriously. A scarlet flush was spreading on your cheeks. Rose paused her celebration when she saw your embarrassed face. “What’s wrong? Is this the first time you’ve had feelings since, what, 1969?” She was joking around but your eyes were panicked. Her mouth formed a little ‘o’ when she realised.

“What do I do?” There was a certain urgency to your voice. Rose took pity on you, lacing your hands in hers.

“You goof, it’s going to go just fine.”

“Will it?”

“If you give me a light, I’ll promise you,” she had let go of your hands and was now fumbling in her bag for her trusty pack of Marlboro Reds, same shade as her lipstick. When you had tossed her your lighter and she was inhaling nicotine, you started making your way out of the studio.

“Listen, call him. You’re a total dork, he sounds like a total dork, it’s a match made in heaven.”

“I don’t call people, except for you.”

“That’s because you have no social life,” Rose laughed. She was such a breeze, floating along in life, dabbling in this and that. Part of you wished you were like her, the other part was glad to be a small, pocket-sized persona that could easily fit in anywhere quietly, no fuss, no show. “I get it, huge deal, he’s a fucking rock star, but I mean, how bad can it get?”

“I suppose,” you trailed off. The two of you had reached the stairs that lead to the underground, where Rose took the tube back home.

“Be brave for me, okay?” She kissed your cheek. “Ta!”

“I hate you, for being so right,” you called out after her. She glanced back at you over her shoulder and winked.

“Love you too, sweetheart!” Then the tunnel swallowed her and you were left alone with your mess of thoughts.

You took deep breaths to calm yourself as you caught one of the famous bright red double deckers of London. Right, it’s just a phone call, you told yourself as you got off on your stop.

Memories of him standing at the steps to your apartment complex’s front door made your heart beat faster. What wouldn’t you give to see that again? How he perfectly fit into the scenery, though he was impossibly tall and almost funny-looking with his long hair and crooked smile.

Your door creaked as you pushed it open and took in your apartment. The dumpy old couch your brother had given you. The dusty old curtains your mother had sewn up. The bright red rotary phone on a stand next to the couch that you had saved up for, for months. You liked the way it reminded you to keep striving and soon you’d have an interior design to match it, not just sad hand-me downs.

You took your sweet time getting ready. You brewed a cup of tea in a banged up kettle whilst whistling a tune. You set in a vinyl and danced to the music whilst waiting for your cuppa to be done.

When you had a cup of Earl Grey’s steaming in your hands you took the needle off the vinyl and silence settled into your house. You sat down on the couch, cringing at the noise it made in the desolation of a poor neighbourhood at night, in London.

Slowly, but certainly, you rotated the number into the phone and picked it up and put it to your ear, anxiety twisting your insides.

The line was ringing. You bit your lip nervously and played with the telephone cord.

First ring.

What if Natalie was just messing with you? Were they all in on a collective prank and she’d described your lunch date to get a rise?

Second ring.

What if he intended it for another Y/N? And Nat had handed the post-it note to the wrong person? There was one other one, in another department, another building but still.

Third ring. The line clicked. “Hello?” His East-England accent sounded marvelous through the phone.

“Hi,” you choked out, voice gone out of nervousness. You cleared your throat before repeating. “Sorry, hi.”

“Hey,” he laughed nervously on the other end. “Sorry, who is this?”

“Oh right! It’s Y/N.”

“Y/N! I’m so glad you called!” His voice deepened just slightly as he realised he didn’t have to be on guard.

“And I have half the mind to ask you the same thing. You didn’t sign your note!” You scolded him playfully.

“Shit, I’m sorry! How’d you know then, to call me?”

“Took a chance. And asked our receptionist.”

“Clever girl,” he joked. Your smile was wide and though your heart was palpitating, you were beginning to calm down.

“I was actually really nervous to call you.” You started.

“But I’m the least intimidating person you could talk to.”

“Yeah but, you’re you. What’s a twenty-something rockstar doing talking to me?”

“You make me sound old. I’m twenty-two, twenty-three in a few weeks.”

You almost spat out your tea. You could’ve sworn he was older. In the end he was only two years older than you. “What?”

“Oh, come on, am I some grandpa to you?” He complained sourly.

You started giggling uncontrollably and you heard him sigh on the other end. Sometimes, you can hear it when people smile. You swore you could hear the right corner of his mouth twitch up and his eyes wrinkle as he listened to you laugh.

“Alright, alright, calm down.”

You sighed and suppressed a smile that was trying to spread on your face. If the nosy neighbours were to glance through their window they’d think you were mad. “So, actually, how are you?” You started.

“The same. Cheered up when you called.” There was clanging in the background and somebody laughed and another voice complained.

“Where are you? Do you have roommates?” You felt your cheeks burning.

“God no, I’m at the studio. We’re working on our next album.”

“You gave me the number to your studio and not your house?”

“They’re the same. I bought the telephone, only natural that it’s my number.”

“Right,” you laughed and rolled your eyes.

“John, who’re you talking to?” A high-pitched, scratchy voice interrupted. “Is she pretty?”

You heard the scuffle of somebody covering the receiver with their palm before you heard John’s faint voice. “How d’you know it’s a girl?”

“You’re grinning like an idiot. Is it that dancer? What’s her name?” Somebody tried sounding out different names very similar to yours whilst another person kept disagreeing and suggesting your actual name.

“She’s the one who interviewed us, remember? Y/N Y/L/N.” The more reasonable voice finished.

“John?” You whispered into the receiver.

“Right, sorry about that.” His voice returned sheepishly.

“No worries but, it’s like, what, 9pm?”

“Nine forty-six.”

“Right, it’s late, why are you still working?”

“They’re arguing over something. I want to make sure they agree on something good in the end.”

You shook your head. “You need your rest. Have you eaten today?”

“You don’t need to worry, Y/N.” There was a triumphant ha in the background when he said your name.

“But I want to. You worried for me too.”

“I suppose,” he paused and you could hear him tapping on his bass, which you assumed was sitting in his lap. It made a hollow, plastic sound. “But I’m fine. Thank you. I hope you’re fine too.”

“I am, thanks. We’re rehearsing Swan Lake.”

“I have no idea what that is, if I’m being honest,” he chuckled. “But I want to see you dance. When do I get to see you dance?”

You smiled softly, blood rushing to your cheeks. “Soon, I hope.”

There was a yell in the background as somebody rushed to John who tried to keep the phone out of their reach. “Fred, fuck off, no you’re not-”

There was a small, whispered row, before John was back on the other end. He sounded slightly grumpy and a bit breathless, as if he’d just been in a fight. “Do you want to teach us dancing?”

“What?”

“Freddie is dying to learn about ballet and he’s hellbent on you teaching us.”

You giggled and you heard John scoff slightly on the other end. He was an adorably witty and grumpy man. He had a way of always seeming like the world was out to get him, but that he was absolutely too determined to get his shit done to let it bother him.

“Sorry yeah, it’s a stupid idea,” he mumbled.

“No, no! I’d love to,” you replied fondly. “When’s the best time? I’m free every saturday. Usually.”

“Brilliant, darling,” you heard Freddie’s yell into the receiver and the sound of John smacking the back of his head. “Next saturday alright with you?”

“Mhm,” you nodded.

“Right then Freddie, back to singing,” John shooed him off. More cursing filled the background. ”You're really okay with this? We’re all a bunch of dunces. And we’ve got eight left feet.”

You laughed. ”You’re a dork, John Deacon. Of course I’ll come. And I’ll have fun too.”

”Brilliant.”

“What do your new songs sound like?”

“So far, pretty good. We’re about half-way through, we’ll push the album through for the winter.”

“Will I get a signed copy?”

“We’ll see,” he teased.

“You are a piece of work, John,” you rolled your eyes before listening to him chuckle on the other end. His laugh was slightly bark-y, but not in an uncomfortable way. It sounded full of joy, with a mischievous edge to it.

”I’m going to start heading off to bed,” you whispered, after a moment of silence.

”Alright, sleep well.”

”I hope you come to a good agreement.”

”We won’t, but thank you.”

”Goodnight, John.”

”Goodnight, Y/N.”

You put the phone back before screaming into your pillow. What had you gone and done? You lifted your face to stare at the clock hung on the wall, hearing it’s ticking go too slow as you heartbeat accelerated.

“Rose is going to freak out,” you muttered.

***

taglist: @fourmisfits @deakysgirl @im-happy-at-home @obsessedwithrogertaylor @itsametaphorbriansblog

#john deacon x reader #deacy x reader #deaky x reader #joe!john deacon #joe mazzello #joe!john x reader #bohemian rhapsody #john deacon #deacy #deaky #i rlly hated writing this chapter bc it's like 90% dialogue #which is fine but it's hard to write smoothly yknow #anyway please tell me what you thought!#i had a stressful week and i hope that i can get ch4 out way faster than this #apologies!!!!!!!!!#careful - jd

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fightevilandthengetblownup · 6 years ago

Text

The Chats That Only Happened Cause /Someone/ Was Bored And Wanted To Do Chats

Set all after the last chat from https://fightevilandthengetblownup.tumblr.com/post/187458138693

Also all set post ‘mindwipe’ and post-Whispering being removed.

#1 - Anna decides she wants to Learn How To Hunt Again... Yeaaah... Also yeah, seemingly Anna just took it upon herself to /always/ show up once she knew where to find Jo >_>

<Anna> *Anna walks over to Jo’s house, there’s snow on the ground and she’s bundled up, walking as fast as she can because the wind coming of the lake is biting. She’s breathing hard by the time she gets to that end of town her, leg with the brace aches in the cold more than the other and she realizes just how out of shape she is as she stands on the door step, knocking loudly.*

<Jo> *Jo’d been moving in and out of the house frequently, not quite sure what to do or how to take the strange actions of the returned monster, so continuing to work on her own things in a day. Its while she’s inside warming up from the cold again that she hears the knocking, going to check the door and smiling at Anna when she sees her* “Hey, what are you doin’ here? I… come inside. Through to the kitchen?”

<Anna> *Anna smiles stepping inside glad that it’s warm and she wipes her feet at the front door before moving in the direction of the kitchen.* “Hello. I was wondering if you are busy right now?” *Anna holds up a case folder that she had tucked under her arm*

<Jo> *Jo looks between the file and Anna curiously as she shuts the door behind them, double checking that she couldn’t see Grey in the lounge or kitchen before shutting the door to the hall behind them as well* “I’m free if you’ve got something for me. Coffee?”

<Anna> *Anna nods at the offer of coffee.* “Well it’s more for you.” *She pauses as she moves to sit at the kitchen table, opening the file up and spreading the papers out.* “And me to work.”

<Jo> *Jo almost drops a coffee cup as Anna adds that she was looking to be part of it too. Turning the pot on and letting a new round start, she leans back against the counter raising an eyebrow at the redhead* “You want to work a case? Together?” *Letting out a laugh, Jo rubs the back of her neck before nodding* “Okay, hit me, what is it?”

<Anna> *Anna suddenly feels like she’s back presenting papers in college and she wonders if that’s an actual memory or a fake one but she clears her throat and she pushes the clippings of a fatal wreck a state over to Jo.* "Early this summer, some kids went off a back roads, down a fairly steep hill. One was killed the others lived, ever since then around the same time of the month people have started to have wrecks on the same road and the people say that it’s a teenage boy that runs them off the road.“

<Jo> *The choice of case makes Jo raise an eyebrow, smiling to herself when she can’t help but think Anna’s picked something up much the same way she picked her own first case - though not sure how much the other remembered of her own crash* "So, you think its a haunting? I’ve heard cases like that before, sounds likely. …so what’d you want to do about it?”

<Anna> “Well here is where this one gets muddy. The boy was cremated after a close casket funeral, he was pretty torn up. And the car was towed off to a scrap yard. So either something is still on that hill or in the car.” *Anna shows Jo the obit from the paper and then the police report with the tow company listed.*

<Jo> “Definitely would be. Unless Mommy’s keeping baby hair and teeth.” *Jo nods her head, looking over the pages as she pours out their coffees and moves over to the table with the other, sliding a mug over* “Shouldn’t be too hard - find the car and torch it, sow some salt and start a controlled little fire. Should work to get it done.”

<Anna> “It’s snowing, not sure how well burning the hill is going to work and what if the car has already been scrapped out?” *Anna takes her coffee thanking Jo and pouring a healthy amount of sugar and creamer into it.*

<Jo> “Shovelling snow is a fair bit easier than digging a grave, lemme tell you that - though you’ve got a point.” *Jo sighs, scrubbing a hand over her face* “Then you figure out where the scrap bits went and cleanse them too. Talk to Mommy about if she has any of little Johnny’s things that he was really attached to..”

<Anna> “So when are we going to leave then?” *Anna nods and smiles at Jo, pleased that it seems she was right that it sounds like this wreck spawned a ghost and Jo had agreed with most of what she thought.*

<Jo> “Uh.. when did you want to? There haven’t been any deaths yet, but I’d put money on that just being from luck.” *Jo smiles back slightly as she takes a mouthful of her drink, mentally tallying up how much salt, kerosene and salt rounds she had on her already. She’d figure she had enough on hand if need be*

<Anna> “It’s not like I have anything pressing to do, so when you’re ready. The next wreck should happen sometime tomorrow also.” *Anna is feeling more confident as she drinks the rest of her coffee, glad for the warm liquid.*

<Jo> “I’d just need to let Grey know, write a note or somethin’, then we can if you want.” *Shrugging a shoulder, Jo continues to look over the pages as though she might have missed something before jumping up to grab her own journal out of her bag near the back door to confer with it*

<Anna> “You and Grey are back together?” *She’s surprised and she smiles as leans back looking at Jo, as if expecting to get all the dirt.* “I guess we have a subject to talk about in the drive up.”

<Jo> “I… yeah, we’ll talk about it in the car.” *Jo flushes slightly, standing up as she spins her journal and one of her entries from an unusual ghost case around for Anna to look over before heading over to the fridge and the small note pad there* “Just need to grab the guns and some rounds from upstairs and we can go if you want to now. Drive isn’t very far, is it?”

<Anna> “Next state over, about six hours by the looks of the maps.” *Taking the journal she looks at the entry Jo hands her and she then starts flipping through the rest of it.* “Hopefully won’t take make than a day, it seems fairly simple.”

<Jo> “Yeah it shouldn’t be too long, home in the early hours of tomorrow at the latest.” *Jo tips her head back, finishing off the rest of her drink even as it burns, as she scribbles out a note saying where she’s gone and when she expects to be back before slapping it on the front of the fridge* “If you want to pack that stuff up and head outside, I’ll run up and get things, meet you out there, limpy?” *Jo teases slightly, washing out her mug*

<Anna> *Anna gives her a look as she calls her a name.* “Sure, wouldn’t want to strain the blond brain to make sure all the research is packed.” *She says as she folds up the journal and then starts to gathering up the papers, putting them all back in neat order into the folder.*

<Jo> *Letting out a laugh, Jo grabs a few cool soda cans out of the fridge and drops them into a small bag before opening the hall door and heading upstairs to get the few other items needed, actually thinking this could be a fun case - if only to see how the new Anna deals with things*

<Anna> *Standing up she goes the hall looking around, finding an empty pack and she puts the folder and the journal in it. She didn’t think there wouldn’t be any need for much other than salt and fire she zips it up and heads outside to wait at the car.*

<Jo> *It takes a few minutes for Jo to grab her shotgun and a spare for Anna, as well as the rounds she still had made up. Pausing, she grabs two knives as well fitted with iron blades before taking her coat off the back of her bedroom door and heading outside, unlocking the car and trunk to put the things away, settling into the drivers seat* “Ready for your second first hunt, Anna?”

<Anna> “If I wasn’t I wouldn’t have decided to do this again.” *Anna gets in the car and stretches out as much as she can, she’s more ready to just get out of the city for a while and this is a good distraction from everything.* “You aren’t trying to talk me out of this, why?”

<Jo> *Jo lets out a laugh at Anna asking why she isn’t trying to stop her as she turns out towards the right roads out of town, slowly creeping up the speed as they get out further* “Why would I? If you’re sure, its your choice and I guess it’s better you’re asking for help or for me to come along with you than go by yourself. That, and enough people have tried to talk me out of it in my life I don't want to do the same to you.”

<Anna> “Wow, that’s really logical and makes a lot of sense. I thought I would hear some thing about my past or whatever.” *Smiling she relaxes and reaches for the car radio.* “I used to be good at this so I hear, so why not.”

<Jo> “Nah, you’re just talking to someone who got repeatedly asked if I was sure this is what I wanted - theres other things out there for you Jo, you could do something different, go back to school, you’re better than this, and getting yourself killed on some dusty back road, that’s where you belong..” *Jo mimicks several voices, still smiling as Anna fiddles with the radio and they get past the outskirts of town* “You were good, Anna, and not just cause of what you were. Much more logical and calm headed than I was.”

<Anna> *Anna laughs listening to Jo.* “You are going to have so much fun when you have your own kids and get that paid back to you.” *Watching the scenery go by she’s not really caring about how good she was before because she wasn’t good enough to avoid being some demons toy.*

<Jo> “Oh god, please don’t talk about kids. I think Mom’d have kittens if she knew she was getting grandbabies.” *Shaking her head, Jo frowns slightly at Anna’s choice of music but not really caring as she finally gets to build up some speed*

<Anna> *Finding a clasical station she leaves it there and she smirks at Jo* “I don’t know, maybe it’s because the idea of having a bunch of small copies of you running around might be making her have kittens.”

<Jo> “Ha ha. I didn’t run her /that/ raggard.” *Letting out a sigh, the blonde shoots the other a look before laughing* “She can keep her kittens to herself though.”

<Anna> *Anna chuckles as she watches Jo squirm.* “Why don’t you and Grey hunt together? I would think that him being a monster would be an advantage in killing other monsters.”

<Jo> “He’s… weird. About how he, uh, hunts.” *Jo flushes slightly, having considered the idea a few times - especially since the months when the shadow was reluctant to go out himself - but knew it made the other much more uncomfortable than her* “He doesn’t like me watching when he feeds, even if he does have the advantage of being able to find them easier than me.”

<Anna> “He eats them? I thought they ate people? So he doesn’t eat you?” *Anna thought they were all the same and it’s interesting to hear that they can eat other creatures.*

<Jo> “The monster equivalent of tofu, I’m guessing.” *Jo smiles slightly to herself, almost amused by Anna’s reaction before shrugging a shoulder* “Grey doesn’t want to be a monster, doesn’t want to act like one. He..doesn’t want to hurt people; so he doesn’t feed on human energy as a choice. All the others I’ve met do, though if they want a body, then they feed on demons occasionally too. And, uh, he..” *Flushing slightly, Jo presses harder on the gas before continuing to speak, almost certain she was getting as red as Anna’s hair* “He doesn’t feed off of me usually. There’s… I’ve made him a few times, and he has some control issues when there’s a lot of emotions, so there's been some slips.”

<Anna> *Feeling the car getting faster and watching Jo blush she realizes how it sounds and she blushes some too clearing her throat.* “So, not all shadows can take a human? Grey and Gray fed from a demon? What do angels have to do to take a person?”

<Jo> *Jo nods, letting out a breath before glancing out the side of her eyes at the other* “If you’re worried about you, that’s your body - one hundred per cent Anna. As for other angels.. they have to get a person to say yes to letting them. Completely by their own free choice.”

<Anna> “I’ve already had that freak out, thanks. Have you ever seen what Gray or Grey look like outside of their body?” *She snorts, conversations now are so strange sounding if she ever stops to think about them.*

<Jo> “Haven’t actually seen Gray that way, but I was on speaking terms with Grey before the split and before he ever took on a human form. And I’ve seen it a few times since then.” *Jo smiles slightly, thinking back the the fuzzy memories she has of that time, though there were times she wasn’t sure if something was a dream or real given how blurry her time in Heaven even was*

<Anna> “Before the split?” *Anna tilts her head looking at Jo curiously. She knew they shared a name but she thought hearing them spoke of like they are twins or brother that maybe they came from the same litter or hatching or however they are born.*

<Jo> “Long story short, they were originally part of one another, a deal went haywire and Grey had a part of..well they call it a Vice, but it’s kind of like angel’s have their Grace and humans have their souls.. well part of that was broken and split off and that sort of made Gray. Out of all the bits of himself that was being denied by the changes in lifestyle Grey had.” *Jo’s a little fuzzy on how it all went down herself, but she knows how much of a struggle that was to begin with for Grey, and can recall just how dreadful both were before and after the split occured* “It’s confusing to think about, honestly, but their more like good and evil twins but..less good and evil divide.”

<Anna> *Leaning back she puts a hand over her eyes and she rubs them, feeling a headache starting.* “I’m going to learn to stop asking questions one day, really I am. So they are the same person, different aspects of personality, then why does both of them like you and only one likes me? Shouldn’t..you know what, never mind. I can live with knowing this and just dealing with it.”

<Jo> “Personality clashes, Anna. That’s all. I’d say its cause Gray doesn’t hold grudges, least not when he thinks he’s earnt what he’s got.” *Jo laughs loudly at Anna saying she’d learn to stop some day from asking questions, and figures that thats the easiest, least complicated answer she could give her.* “I’d just quit while you’re ahead on the question front, Anna.”

<Anna> “I’m going to eventually run out of things that I don’t know right?” *Hitting her head on the seat rest she realizes that she just asked another question. “Have I been shot yet? Because, shoot me, we can add that to the list of things that’s happened.”

<Jo> *Jo can’t stop giggling as Anna keeps asking questions, nodding her head* “I don’t think you got shot, that’s more my department and its not often we’re on the other end of something which handles a weapon like a gun.”

<Anna> *Sighing she closes her eyes* “Wake me when we get there? I think sleeping is safer than talking right now.” *Anna slouches down in the seat further once she’s scooted it back as far as it will go so she can spread her legs out.*

<Jo> *Jo bites back a joke about Anna’s comment from earlier to speak in the car, figuring letting the other sleep a while longer was better over all before turning the music down a little. The trip is a little shorter than Anna had estimated, if only because of Jo’s speeding through some more well known areas from her own travels and as they turn off the free-way into the back road towards the township Jo leans over to hit the other awake* “Hey, wake up sleeping beauty, you’ve got a ghost to hunt.”

<Anna> *Waking up startled she looks around and then at the clock in the car, rubbing her eyes* “You drive too fast, about as smooth as Dean.” *She says barely awake as she sits up and stretches, running a hand through her hair to get the tangles out.*

<Jo> *Chuckling, the blonde shrugs her shoulder with a grin on her face* “Remember how bumpy his rides are, then? I’ve got faith in my love that she’ll stay on the road - got a mechanic in town who helps me keep her in tip-top shape.” *Watching Anna try to wake up, Jo slows down as they get near the edges of town* “Be glad you got to sleep through most of it then.”

<Anna> *Looking at Jo likes she’s talking about a conversation she’s not been a part of she just shakes her head and she looks around and then reaches for the file folder.* “The wreck happened on the other side of town by article of the wreck the news reported on, it was a popular local cut through between towns.”

<Jo> *Jo blinks blankly back at Anna’s confusion, before taking a right when she sees the road sign for the junk yard* “Figure we go to the junk yard first then? Just to be sure?” *She’s fairly certain, given that the haunting is at the location, that the road is going to be the spot, but sometimes things aren’t that straight forward*

<Anna> *Anna nods and she gets the photo of the car out.* “It’s a blue Honda Accord, lil street racer. Are we going to ask to go look at cars like that because we need a part?”

<Jo> *Parking, Jo takes a quick glance at the photo before letting out a disgusted noise* “Yeah, that’s probably best, though if you can keep whoever runs the places attention if I gesture for you to..” *She’s actually thinking Anna might have been on to something about the car being taken apart for bits and figured finding details on where they might have gone might be impossible if that did happen*

<Anna> “Just keep them distracted? Okay I think I can do that, maybe.” *Anna climbs out, she’s stiff and she leans against the car stretching out for a moment, so she doesn’t move like an old woman.* “Are you going to go check the car?”

<Jo> “Yeah, shouldn’t be too hard to find. Bobby’s got a yard like this and something like that’d probably be in the newer vehicles..” *Locking the car and moving around to the trunk, she slips her lighter into her pocket and fills a small bag with some lighter fluid and salt* “See if you can’t find out if they sold any bits too.”

<Anna> “Alright.” *Walking into the office Anna smiles at the guy there behind the desk, asking him about cars that match the one they are looking for by making up a story about looking for a part to fix her boyfriends car that she might have wrecked and she wants to get it done before he gets into town and finds out since that car is his baby and she’s sure the car is in higher rank than her in her boy friend’s life, rambling and smiling and looking as dumb as she possibly can when describing the part she needs.“

<Jo> *Jo was glad most yards worked the same, newer stock to the front, older to the back and that it wasn’t too hard to recognise the make and model for the (in her view) dreadful car they were after. Looking around to see if there was anyone else looking around or working, she sighs happily when they aren’t before climbing up and into the car to look for any blood or parts left behind. The covers of the backseat where the boy had been were missing, and she’d assume they’d been too coated in blood to bleach out - probably been burnt which worked well enough in her book. There was a section of carpet and a small bit of the roof which looked bloody, and cutting them out, Jo pockets both pieces before triple checking for any more.*

<Anna> *Anna looks out over the yard nervously as the worker there is clearly not amused by her questions and her lack of knowledge but she keeps on asking questions and then distracting him when he starts to walk out to the car to check by describing something that’s totally not the original part that she asked for.*

<Jo> *So far no ghost, and moving behind an empty shell of a car a few feet from the Accord, Jo sets the pieces on the ground and douses them in fluid and salt before lighting them. When nothing seems to happen, she stomps out the flames with her boot before heading towards the small window of the office and waving for Anna to get out as she heads back towards her car*

<Anna> *Anna watches Jo get in the car and as the yard worker goes to get his coat because she finally shut up for two seconds she ducks out of the office, walking quickly back to Jo’s car, sliding in and shutting the door.* "Did you find anything?”

<Jo> “Some blood stains but no ghosts popped up to knock me out for setting them alight, so I’d hazard a guess that’s not the case. Wasn’t even the boy’s car so he probably doesn’t have that big a connection other than dying in it.” *Jo starts the engine and pulls away just as she notices the yard worker stepping outside to look for Anna. Turning towards the road of the crash, she shoots Anna a look* “Just how painful were you for him?”

<Anna> “Well let’s just say, if you ever need parts from this place, never send me to get them.” *Anna grins as she sticks her hands infront of the heating vents.* “So are we going to try and talk to the mother now or just go investigate the road?”

<Jo> "Noted, Anna and cars don’t mix.” *Chuckling, Jo considers for a moment before turning the car towards the road* “I want to check out what this thing is. And maybe if we head out to the road the boy might show up and try to scare us off if we get near the crash site?”

<Anna> “And it’s safe because you know it’s a ghost and you aren’t going to drive off the road startled right?” *Anna tightens her seat belt and looks up to see if the car has an ‘ohshitbar’ to hold onto.* “What if we can’t find anything to burn, how do we get rid of it then?”

<Jo> “Well depends on how the other crashes say he shows up, if he messes with the wheels and controls.. that won’t be pretty. But yeah, I don’t scare easy.” *Jo slows her speed down as she approaches the area* “Or we can pull over a little before and go hunting. If we can’t find anything, then it might be a specific type of ghost, which..could be more annoying but they’re rare”

<Anna> “Alright, it would be safer than driving in and risking a wreck.” *Anna can’t help but find this fun, it’s different to the things she’s been doing at it’s keeping her mind active.* “It was about half way down the slope on the steepest part before the car came to a stop according the police report.”

<Jo> *Jo nods, driving in silence until she reaches the top of the hill and pulling off to the side of the road at Anna’s suggestion that it would be safer* “Well, lets see how we go heading down there to look for something.” *Getting out of the car and grabbing two bags with kereosene and salt, as well as the knives, shot guns and ammo as discretely as possible, Jo hands one of the bags over as she slips one of the knives in her belt loop before offering out a gun and knife to Anna* “Mind you, getting shot with these is going to hurt like a bitch, but it’s easier than a normal gunshot wound, okay?”

<Anna> *Anna takes the bag but then she looks at the gun and Jo.* “I don’t know how to use those, you really want me to walk around with a gun?” *She was looking at the snow covered leaves and just hoping that she wasn’t going to bust her ass in front of Jo.*

<Jo> “You slash with the knife if Mr. Blair Witch shows up, and the guns loaded..safety is off, so just point and trigger if he gets too close. I’ve got faith even if your mind doesn’t remember your hands will.” *Jo shrugs a shoulder, having gotten a salt round to the back a fair few years ago and not too worried about getting the same if it happens even if it did end up bruised and sore for a long while. Heading down the slope, Jo’s glad the road seems less populated - probably due to the number of crashes recently, towards where Anna suggested the crash had been, keeping her eyes out for the boy*

<Anna> *Looking at the gun she turns it on the side, trying to find where the saftey is on it, she’s not comfortable at all with it and the knife and she wonders if she can just point and let Jo shoot things as she follows behind Jo. She’s struggling to carry the bag, teh gun and hold to the trees because it’s hard to tell if she’s got solid footing with her bad leg.* “If he’s just running cars off the road do you think he’s going to come after us walking?”

<Jo> “Because, we’re coming to get rid of him and in my experience they don’t like tha- get down.” *Jo’d just crossed towards where she could see the recent skid marks of several car crashes when she notices a figure roughly ten feet back from Anna. Drawing her gun, Jo fires off a round and smiles when the boy seems to disappear* “Okay.. obviously something is here then. Did you want to look while I..?” *She waves her gun before firing another shot around the same place, cursing when the boy vanishes before hand and the round explodes against a tree*

<Anna> *Anna only ducks after the round explodes on the tree near her, her ears ringing as she looks around wildly not having seen anything.* “I..that was ..you don’t have to shoot at me!” *Scrambling to get back up she’s mostly sliding down the hill now on her ass towards the tree that was clearly scarred by the wreck, her jeans and hands soaking wet from the snow.* “Jo, near the road!” *Looking past Jo she can see the outline of a person.*

<Jo> *Jo lets out a laugh watching Anna, though the direction gets a quick response, lining up the boy in her sights as she keeps an eye on him. He’s young, that much is obvious, and seemingly not sure which of them to go after* “Anna, try looking for something, I’ll keep him off you.” *Firing another round, she’s glad to see it hits and scares him off only to end up flying backwards at an unseen push*

<Anna> *Anna watches Jo get shoved and she’s scrambling trying to get the saftey off, her hands are cold and she’s more than a little freaked but finally she gets it off and she raises the gun trying to shoot but nothing happens and she looks at it, realizing she has to cock it. When the ghost appears again she shoots in it’s general direction.* “Are you okay?”

<Jo> “Just look for something!” *Jo shouts back as she sits up with a groan, fingers going for her ammunition to refill her shot gun as the boy vanishes and reappears again towards the road* “I’ve got this.”

<Anna> *Anna gets to her feet, wincing as she rushes through the underbrush, looking around and then she spots a piece of red material. Scrambing to get it she’s shouting at Jo that she found it, a baseball cap with blood on it when she feels something shove her the moment she grabs it.*

<Jo> *She was looking around for where the boy’d vanished to when Anna shouts, spinning around to catch sight of her going down from the ghost on her back. Swearing, Jo aims another shot at the ghost’s back, firing quickly and mentally crossing her fingers that Anna wouldn’t get hit as she approaches* “C'mon Anna, hurry up and torch the fucker.”

<Anna> *The shot explodes close to her and she curls up covering her head, hearing Jo screaming at her and she fumbles for the pack, trying to get it open and she’s got the salt out, dumping it over the hat but as she’s reaching for the lighter fluid the pack is thrown away and she screams as she looks up at the bloody boy standing there, his face crushed in.*

<Jo> *Seeing Anna get pulled away, Jo slips and slides her way across to the hat Anna’d lost hold of before flicking her lighter and dumping it ontop of the frabric, hoping it’d catch alight without the lighter fluid - smiling as the tag at the back catches fire and the rest follows suit, turning to see if the ghost would burn up*

<Anna> *The ghost makes an awful sound as it goes up in flames and she turns looking at Jo with wide eyes, she’s sweating like she’s just ran a marathon in summer and fact Jo is smiling is bewildering.* “He’s gone?”

<Jo> “Dead gone.” *Jo grins widely as she moves over to help Anna up, bag back on her back and knife back in her pocket* “Not too hard for your first hunt, was it?”

<Anna> “It’s not as hard I guess as having to dig the grave up.” *Anna takes the hand up and she makes her way to her pack, she’s going to be so sore from this but she feels like she did something at least this time.* “Hardest thing now is getting back up this hill I guess.”

<Jo> “Nah, you stay here. I’ll go get the car and we’ll head home.” *Jo sets down her gun and bag with Anna before heading back up the hill, tossing the knife into the backseat when she gets there before driving slowly down the hill to where the other was standing, more than ready to head back home now that the dusk was falling and getting cooler again* “I’ll drop you home, okay?”

<Anna> *Throwing the stuff in the trunk she happily climbs in and she nods* “Sure, home sounds good. I’m sure you and Grey have a lot of making up to do and I think I have a date with a hot bath.” *Now that the adrenaline is wearing off she’s feeling exactly how cold she is and every little scratch and bruise. Closing her eyes she drifts off again on the way back.*

#2 - Another where Anna was bothering Jo about wanting to hunt. And at the end Anna yet again asks about Grey vs Gray... (Jo was always going to answer the same way as she does, but also embarrassed about answering correctly)

<Jo> *Jo’d startted to make three different lists of hunts, some for herself, the list on the fridge for Grey and a smaller list of hunts she thinks that Anna might possibly be interested and capable of coming along on. The struggles of her leg damage hadn’t escaped the blonde’s notice, but she figured that that wouldn’t stop her from going on any if she was actually interested. Heading to the other’s

<Jo> apartment, Jo knocks once sharply, waiting outside rather than heading straight in like she used to as she is glad to be out of the cold outdoors as she waits*

<Anna> *Anna is napping when she hears the knock, the trash can is full of tissues and she’s down to using a roll of toilet paper now as everyhing that’s been backed up has starting to come out with teh cold breaking up. Getting up she shivers not sure if the apartment is cold or if she still has chills, with the blanket wrapped up around her she makes her way to the door and opens it up.* “Hey Jo.”

<Jo> “Hey… you alright?” *Jo’s eyebrow shoots up when Anna answers the door wrapped up in blankets even as the warmth of the apartment basically hits her in the face. Moving inside and shutting the door behind her, the hunter smirks to herself seeing the piles of tissues* “I’m going to guess not too good?”

<Anna> *Blowing her nose she goes back to the bed and sits down on it and curls up on it.* “I’m fine, it’s better now, should be over it in a couple of days. How have you been?”

<Jo> “Mostly alright. Better than you at least.” *Jo smiles to herself, grabbing the back of one of the chairs at the kitchen table and dragging it across to the bed before flopping down in it. Resting her ankles on the edge of the bed, she smirks slightly at the other* “Well then, I should come back in a couple of days then. I have some things you might like.”

<Anna> “You have cupcakes?” *Anna grins and as she pulls the blankets up around ehr more and she looks at Jo expectingly.* “Or is this about the hunt? Going to tell me what I need to do better?”

<Jo> “Not on me I don’t. I’ll remember to bring some next time I’m over if Grey doesn’t steal them all..” *Laughing, Jo shakes her head and digs in the pocket of her winter coat before tossing a small notepad towards Anna* “I actually started keeping a list of hunts I thought you might be interested in joining me on. Mostly ghosts at present..”

<Anna> *Anna comes out of the mound of blankets enough to pick up the notebook looking over it before looking at Jo with a stupid grin on her face.* “Really? So you’re willing to go with me again? Or take me hunting with you again?”

<Jo> “Yeah, I am. For the things I think you’d like or be up to, definitely.” *Jo smiles back at Anna, leaning back on her chair legs, stretching* “If you want to work with me, yeah.”

<Anna> *Anna nods and she looks over the notebook.* “I do, I had fun, in a weird, this could kill me sort of way. I did something though and it felt good to not just be the one on the sidelines or needing to be saved.”

<Jo> “I know exactly what you mean.” *She nods her head, finding her balance easily.* “Well, I’m happy to work with you, Anna.”

<Anna> “Was it like before? When we worked together?” *Anna watches Jo balance and she looks to see if Jo falls back she’s clear of busting her head on the table. She doesn’t say anything but there’s a vague memory from a nightmare she had a couple of nights ago about a rawhead.*

<Jo> “Sorta?” *Shrugging, Jo runs a hand through her hair as she tries to think about the differences between the past hunts and the most recent* “Never were that good with a gun, actually. So I figure we might need to work on that on and off hunts; but yeah it was near. We used to work well together when we weren’t fighting over who was doing what..”

<Anna> *Anna nods and she puts teh note book down and she blows her nose, throwing the tissue at the can.* “Can we find a hunt some place warm?” *She looks sheepish about the gun suggestion, not really liking this part of hunting, she’s just not comfortable with them and they’re loud.*

<Jo> *Rocking back with her heels, Jo watches Anna with a laugh as she blows her nose* “We could, yeah. I’ve got a few friends down south as is so I’ll see if they know anything. That, or we’ll try not to be out of houses instead.” *Snickering, she pushes back a little far as she imagines Anna trying to relearn shooting and lets out a shriek as she falls back*

<Anna> *Anna’s head jerks up as Jo shrieks and she watches the blond woman’s arms pinwheel as she tries to stop the backwards decent but it doesn’t help and Jo lands on her back.* “Graceful. Are you alright?” *She’s trying to not laugh but she’s failing.*

<Jo> *Jo blinks in silence for a few seconds before laughing loudly* “I’m good, I’m good.” *Pushing herself back up, she sets the chair back up again, leaning against it as she rubs her lower back* “Grace is your department, not mine.”

<Anna> “Then we both fail in it.” *Anna laughs, coughing as she does and she sniffs wiping her nose.* “At least you can can get Grey to kiss your booboos. Tell him the chair was possesed and tried to eat you.”

<Jo> “Yeah, I don’t know about that.” *Jo shakes her head, flushing slightly as she continues to rub at her back before standing up straight* “Did you need another toilet roll?”

<Anna> “I’m good, I think. Did you want me to research these hunts you have wrote down?” *Anna grins at Jo’s blushing, enjoying being on the otherside of it for once.* “You might want to get Grey to ice that down for you, a bruise there isn’t going to feel good later.”

<Jo> “If you could, that’d probably be good. I’ve only just been able to pick a pattern for some hauntings so I’m not sure who yet..” *Noticing the other’s grin, Jo ducks her head and shakes it again* “It’ll be alright, I wouldn’t want to bother him with it, Anna.”

<Anna> *Anna just nods and she puts the notepad on the table beside her, getting up to get her laptop so she can research while under her blanket mound.* “When do you want to go on the hunt Jo? Soon as I have the research done?”

<Jo> “Whenever you’re better or the researchs been done, yeah.” *Jo smiles slightly, sitting down gingerly*

<Anna> “Need a pillow?” *Anna teases as she watches Jo ease herself down in the chair. She was still sore from the hunt and it showed but at least it was from a hunt and not a falling chair.*

<Jo> *She waves off the offer, shaking her head* “Nah, I’m good.” *Rubbing the back of her neck, Jo squints at the look on Anna’s face, trying not to smile at the teasing*

<Anna> *Anna laughs at Jo’s look and she opens up her laptop booting it up.* “So, are you wanting something harder than last time? And possibly easier than the chair?”

<Jo> “I’d think something harder than the chair might be far out of my level..” *Jo jokes along, shaking her head* “Take your time though, like I say - we’ll go when you’re healthy again, nothing worse than hunting with a cold honestly. But yeah, most seem to be more active ghosts; figure we’ll work our way into some of the things which require more tangling..”

<Anna> “More active? Like haunted house?” *Anna has started files for each case on her laptop and she tosses Jo her notebook back after copying all of the information.* “Do they all like to do the whole grab and toss like the last one?”

<Jo> *Tucking the list back away, Jo shakes her head* “Yes and no on the haunted house. Most ghosts /do/ haunt houses; but that ghost was relatively new. Most ghosts have decades to learn all the tricks. And yeah, the tossing is a regular thing. Some have a lot worse habits though; some can even jump you.”

<Anna> *Anna looks up, confused look on her face.* “Jump you? Like demons or the monsters? Why would a ghost want to do that?”

<Jo> “Well… you know what ghosts /are/, right? Like, how some people end up as ghosts while others pass on and either go to Hell and become demons or go to Heaven, right?” *Jo leans forward, resting her arms across her knees as she looks back at the other*

<Anna> “People that don’t move on, I know that much Jo.” *Anna nods but she never thought about them doing more than just throwing you around or killing people.* “I know some have a goal or some are sort of stuck.”

<Jo> *Jo shakes her head, smiling slightly* “Most aren’t staying because they’re stuck or have a goal. They just don’t pass on, and then they become angry. Or they’re already angry and that’s why they don’t move on..” *Shifting slightly, she begins toying with the end of her hair as she watches Anna* “But some when they become mad, they want to do more than toss and shove and kill through normal ways. Sometimes they latch onto people like them, kindred spirits almost, and take over them and control like a demon or monster. Other times they just want to get out or get control of something too.”

<Anna> *Anna nods listening, taking it in* “I wonder what happens to them since they missed their chance to go upstairs or downstairs. They are just souls at that point.”

<Jo> “Well, what would you do if you couldn’t communicate with anyone you loved; watched them mourn and miss you; maybe one day forget you? Eventually leave where you were trapped for eternity, or worse, watch them die there too..” *Jo shrugs a shoulder as she speaks, pulling at a split end* “Eventually you get depressed, then angry, and then you want to make other’s hurt like you too..”

<Anna> “I was just wondering if we destroy them totally since they don’t move on and we burn them is all.” *Anna yawns closing her laptop as she looks at Jo.* “You were dead, what was it like?”

<Jo> “I don’t know what happens to them…they disappear? Most wouldn’t go to Heaven if they had the option of passing on..” *She looks surprised when Anna asks her what dying was like, dropping her hands between her knees as she thinks what to say* “I..what do you mean? It hurt, I died, I don’t remember the between time from here to Heaven. Most of that’s a fuzz now, but it was pretty… standard life, memories.. stuff.”

<Anna> “So you know you were dead but you don’t remember it? It’s like you just woke up alive again?” *Anna tilts her head looking at Jo curious now.* “What made you go back to hunting if that’s what killed you?”

<Jo> “Remember bits, I remember how I died but not chosing to pass on or stay around; guess cause I got cremated fully, salt and all, I didn’t really have anything to tie me anyway. And I remember what Heaven /is/ but not much of my time there..” *Jo pulls a face slightly, flushing as she tries to remember most of it and comes up with a lot of blanks* “I’m a hunter…”

<Anna> *Anna just lays back and thinks about it.* “I know we knew each other, hunted before but how did we meet?” *She knew how her and Gray met but she wasn’t sure other than she and Jo knew each other on how they met and what made them hunt together.*

<Jo> *Rubbing at her neck, the blonde woman stares at the other even as she flops backwards, thinking about it* “I think we met when I was still dead. One of the perks of being an angel, I guess, is being able to travese both Heaven and Earth.. Its the only answer I can think of, because I knew we were hunting together when I came back to life. You… you used up a fair bit of what Grace you had left to help me back then..” *Jo keeps back what she remembers about the first while back on Earth, that the whole original problems with Crowley so far as Anna was concerned came from her entanglement with the demon..*

<Anna> *Anna watches Jo thinking back, getting lost in thought. The idea of knowing her in heaven and not here first is a strange idea but she’s slowly understand that strange is her normal now. Looking back Jo’s still lost in though and she smirks asking casually wondering if Jo will answer.* “Who’s better in bed, Grey or Gray?”

<Jo> *Jo’s not paying attention when Anna speaks, the question not really registering until she’s answered* “Dunno, Gr-. …I…wait, what? Why are you asking that?!” *She flushes as brightly as Anna’s hair, blinking at her in shock, glad she cut herself off quickly enough*

<Anna> *Laughing she lays there watching Jo turn red, she’s not sure why she’s asking but at the time it sounded like a good idea and she raises a brow.* “What was that Jo? You sort of stopped midsentence?”

<Jo> “I… I don’t even know what you’d count as better!” *Jo bites down on her lip, feeling her blush get slightly deeper as she tries not to laugh alng too*

<Anna> “Better, you know, who you liked more.” *Anna yawns as she laughs before blowing her nose and she pulls the covers up more, she felt wiped out but seeing Jo’s expression is worth it.*

<Jo> *Shaking her head, Jo leans back before hissing slightly and sitting upright instead* “Given I wasn’t bleeding or tied to anything and get very well taken care of; I’d say Grey…” *Pulling her hair back from her face, she stands up to go check on Anna’s radiator*

<Anna> *Anna laughs watching Jo lean back on her sore tailbone and then confess to Grey. She takes pity on her and she just yawns again as Jo gets up to mess with something. She’s going to say something but she’s forgotten what it was and she just blinks slowly before falling asleep*

<Jo> *Jo was half expecting a further inquisition, not sure she wanted to give any more explanations of things given the awkwardness around at the moment; but when she can’t make the room any warmer, she turns around to see the other asleep on the bed. Shaking her head, Jo goes to set a glass of water and some flu tablets on the bedside before heading home*

#3 - More of the Same

<Jo> *Jo figured Anna’d had enough time to recover, at least enough for some practice outside of town. Rocking up at the redhead’s door, she tucks her scarf into her jacket as she knocks on the door, leaving the rest of her things in the car*

<Anna> *Anna looks up from her laptop hearing the knock. She’s dressed in sweat pants and a few different layers of shirts, she’s starting to understand why the rent is cheap, the heating barely works so she’s been infront of her oven with the door down all morning. Opening up she smiles seeing Jo.* “Hey.”

<Jo> “You up for some target practice?” *Jo asks happily, looking a little too interested in the idea of going out to shoot things*

<Anna> “Sure, let me get my coat.” *Anna grins seeing Jo looking like a kid that’s about to go to the toy store and she grabs her coat and keys off the back of the chair.* “So, by shooting you mean guns right?”

<Jo> “Yep, I figured we’d get some practice in before the next hunt.” *Jo heads out to the car, starting the heater as she guns the engine waiting for Anna to lock up and get in* “Theres some out of the way fields outside of town we can use”

<Anna> *Locking up she gets inside the car, holding her hands up to the heater.* “You know, I could just be in charge of throwing the lighter. You could do all the shooting. It’s loud.”

<Jo> “What happens if I get knocked out? Or pinned down? Or we get seperated?” *Jo teases back, pulling out and heading towards the edge of the city* “You get used to it, and you need to learn how to do it.”

<Anna> “Just don’t get knocked out, pinned or seperated.” *Anna smirks making it sound so simple and she sits back relaxing as Jo drives. “It’s mostly just shotguns right?”

<Jo> *Letting out a laugh, Jo shakes her head as the car builds up speed and they angle towards one of the less used routes out of the city limits* “I guess you can get away with just shotguns, but one day I’ll get you good with handguns and stuff too”

<Anna> “You’re just asking to get shot aren’t you? It’s not like I’m ever going to hunt anythign that needs silver rounds, I doubt I could move well enough for that kind of hunt.” *Anna sits up and grabs the ohshitbar as Jo speeds up turning off the main road.*

<Jo> “That… well, at least you know you wouldn’t. Guess we’ll just stick with the shotguns.” *Jo smirks to herself watching the other’s grip on the handle and steps down harder for a few seconds before slowing down again*

<Anna> *Reaching out she grabs the dash and she cringes* “You know to teach me to use a gun I have to live to make it to the shooting range!”

<Jo> *Laughing again, she slows down further until she’s going much slower than she normally would but probably closer to what Anna would be comfortable with* “Yeah, okay, okay. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

<Anna> “Who taught you to drive?” *Anna grins relaxing as they go further out into a snow covered area that is away from the city.* “And did your driving instructer survive?”

<Jo> “Well, the main ones survived past my learning how to do it at least.” *Jo jokes slightly, though her mirth is slightly lessened before shaking it off* “They were better than yours at least.” *They reach the turn off for Jo’s chosen spot, mostly just the land far from the popular road areas and far enough away from any houses that no one would get there and interupt*

<Anna> “I can drive, safely, without breaking the laws and sanely thank you very much.” *Anna smirks as she feels the road get rougher, clearly having left the paved part and she reaches down zipping up her coat as the snow starts to fall again.*

<Jo> *Pulling over and parking behind a row of trees, Jo warms her hands over the heater for a few moments before shutting off the engine and leaning into the backseat to grab her bag* “Yeah yeah, you ready to learn something today?”

<Anna> “First aid for a gun shot wound?” *Anna teases as she gets out, pulling the hood of her coat up over her hair and she grins to Jo as she looks around the area Jo’s found.*

<Jo> “You’ll only have to learn that if you hit my sweetheart.” *Jo pats the roof of the car in explanation before shifting the bag up on her shoulder and reaching out to grab the other woman’s wrist as she steers them to walk along the tree line until their further away from the car and towards a rundown old stone wall.*

<Anna> *Anna raises a brow as Jo implies that she might accidently shoot the car, she doesn’t tell Jo the car is safer than the person because no way is she walking out of this place.* “So why Duluth? What was it about this place that we decided on?”

<Jo> *Shrugging, Jo sets down the bag, reaching in and pulling out two pairs of worn, fingerless wool gloves - holding a pair out as she pulls on the other* “The bar. I used to work there before my old home burnt down and my mom came and found me. I figured you wanted somewhere stable, I wanted somewhere hunters knew to go..it worked out.”

<Anna> *Taking the gloves she puts them on nodding, it made sense and she rubs her hands together as a wind blows across the open area.* “They didn’t have hunter bars in say, Hawaii?”

<Jo> “I wouldn’t know, haven’t left the mainland before.” *Jo lets out a laugh as she fumbles about in the bag before pulling out a few brightly coloured pieces of fabric and plastic of different sizes and visibility* “It was somewhere I knew would be safe.”

<Anna> “Safe, doesn’t really sound like any place is safe from monsters or demons really, I guess there are places less dangerous than others.” *Anna watches Jo and looks around in the bag, noting the different kinds of ammo and the two shot guns.*

<Jo> *Shrugging, not really having any defense to that, Jo grabs the pieces and goes and sets them at varying levels and patterns along the wall. She used to go target practicing with Ash where they’d use his leftover beer cans each time he finished one, but she doubted Anna could fire straight or she could drive straight if they went that way. Coming back, she offers one of the shot guns to Anna as well as a handful of salt rounds* “First things first - the ones you’re going to be after most. Try the yellow targets..”

<Anna> *Anna takes the rounds and the shotgun and sort of looks at Jo and then between the items. Hitting the targets didn’t sound that hard but first she had to figure out how to get the ammo in the gun. Pocketing the rounds she shifts her weight onto her good leg as she starts looking the gun over, trying to figure it out.* “So, maybe you should show me how to load the gun first?”

<Jo> *Jo tries not to snicker as she watches the other, nodding when Anna finally asks for the guidance, amused that it didn’t come straight away. Using the other gun, she checks the safety on the side before leaning the barrel against her thigh as she gently slips one round against the loading flap and pressing until the click of the shells rim moving past the magazine catch. Doing the same with another two rounds, Jo then pumps once to load and points the end of the barrel towards the ground away from the both of them, much slower than she normally would and then looks at the other* “And /then/ try the yellow targets..”

<Anna> *Anna watches Jo and she then takes her own gun pointing it away and she attempts to do what Jo did by checking the saftey and fumbling with it till she finally cracks it open so she can load it. Once the ammo is in she snaps it back and she holds it away from her before turning to the targets. * “Yellow targets..” *Looking down the barrel at the sights she cringes as she squeezes teh trigger.*

<Jo> *It takes biting down on her lip to not react to Anna’s fumbling through the steps, though she didn’t have to help before Anna had it loaded which surprised her a little. When Anna cringes and fires, Jo tilts her head when she sees the round explode a few inches away from the largest yellow target.* “Good first try..” *Setting her own gun down carefully, Jo moves over to reach around and reposition the other’s stance, pointing the gun again* “Try to put your feet in the way you want to shoot, to start at least. Now…try like this, and don’t flinch.” *She presses against Anna’s finger, as the gun’s lined up, waiting for the other to pull the trigger*

<Anna> *The sound is loud and that’s what Anna doesn’t like, she jumps and looks to see where she hit as she hears Jo say good try. Jo helps her and she bites her lip as Jo stands beside her, pulling her arms up, pushing her legs out to a more steady position. The not cringing part might be hard as she squeezes the trigger again, feeling the kick not as bad this time.*

<Jo> *This time it hits the edge of the plastic, cracking one side of it.* “Hey, you got a hit. Try again.” *Jo steps back, crossing her arms as she stands back to watch* “And /don’t/ flinch!”

<Anna> *Anna fumbles with the gun again, struggling to open it without grabbing the hot part of the barrel to reload it as Jo steps back and she mouths quietly “And don’t flinch” as Jo says it.* “Easy for you to say.”

<Jo> “Hey, stop.” *Jo steps back towards her pre-loaded gun, checking the safety again before offering it to Anna* “I’ll do the loading on the hot ones; you just work on getting your shots.” *She takes the half packed one off of Anna as she steps back* “It’s not hard to do either. Try breathing out as you take the shot”

<Anna> *Taking the fresh gun Anna looks down at her feet, getting back in the position Jo showed her and she raises her arms up, pushing her shoulders back as she aims. Breathing out slowly Anna tries to not flinch as she shoots again.*

<Jo> *The shot is closer to the centre, enough that if it werfe a ghost they would have vanished for a time. Smiling, Jo nods her head as she reloads the gun in her hands* “Good work, Anna. …try the red cloth on the end next.”

<Anna> *Anna looks down the wall, the cloth is moving and she frowns as she moves to get a better angel on it. She takes her time aiming again, carefully lining up and as she breathes out again firing the second cartridge but the wind picks up and she totally misses the red cloth*

<Jo> *Jo’s got her eye on the cloth, watching it flutter and as it falls down slightly she can tell the winds about to gust when she hears the gun fire. Letting out a laugh, the blonde offers the newly filled gun as she watches Anna’s reaction* “At least you didn’t flinch that time?”

<Anna> *Anna huffs at Jo and takes the other gun, her fingers that are exposed feel cold and she aims again, thinking she’ll have it when the wind moves the cloth again making her miss.* “Oh for fu..” *She stops mid swear as she looks at Jo like she’s supposed to make the wind stop.*

<Jo> *Laughing again, Jo reloads quickly before letting out a sigh* “Okay, watch me.” *She twists her body and feet towards the target, raising and lining up her sights as she focusses. Breathing slowly, she stands stock still for a long moment watching the changes of the wind and how the fabric waves; until suddenly firing and catching the end of it* “Just…take your time, okay?”

<Anna> *Watching Jo, she can’t help but huff at how easy Jo makes this all look and she wonders how good she was before with this stuff. Anna takes the gun and she waits, trying to time the wind so it’s not working against her as she squeezes off another shot, barely catching the end of teh cloth.* “I kinda got it.”

<Jo> *Jo smiles watching the other woman, before nodding and smiling wider when it catches as well* “Kinda is good enough sometimes, just a bit of salt’ll stop a ghost.” *She waves her hand for the other woman’s gun* “C'mon, into the car to warm up a bit and we’ll start again in a few minutes..”

<Anna> *Anna hands over the gun and she rubs her arms, feeling them ache from firing the gun. The idea of getting warm sounds good, going for a second round doesn’t sound so good and she looks at Jo.* “I can shoot, we don’t have to do a round two do we?”

<Jo> *Laughing, Jo tosses the keys to the other, resting the guns down gently before following into the car and rubbing her fingers together in front of the heater* “A few more, yeah.”

<Anna> *Anna grumbles as she cranks the car and turns the heater up to high* “So how like accurate do I have to be on hunts?”

<Jo> “The times you’ve hit each you’d be pretty alright. ..Advantage if you decide to stick to spirits is it doesn’t require quite so much accuracy.” *Jo continues to smile at the others grumbling, cheeks flushing bright red as the change from cold to heated air hits her face*

<Anna> “My arms hurt, I just got over being sore from the hunt.” *She knows she sounds whiney but Jo’s clearly enjoying this more than her even though she’s having some fun, mostly annoying Jo.*

<Jo> “Uh huh. Well, you want to do this - constant soreness is something you’ll get used to.” *She can’t stop the smirk at Anna’s almost whinging tone as Jo continues to move her fingers - the cold weather getting to the breaks from not long ago in a small ache she hopes will be this winter only*

<Anna> “No wonder you move like an old person sometimes.” *Anna slouches down in the chair turning the heat onto the feet setting and she stretches.* “Speaking of old, how long do like monsters live?”

<Jo> “Ha, ha. ..Depends on the monster..” *Jo continues to rub at her few recent injuries, twisting her ankle and glad that none of the areas that hurt last year hurt this year* “Though I get the feeling you didn’t mean in /general/.”

<Anna> *Anna shrugs, just wondering as she turns the engine off.* “The wind isn’t blowing as much, maybe now I can hit the damn red one.* *Climbing out of the car she can feel the cold make her legs ache that had just been under the heater.*

<Jo> "Try to reload straight off this time.” *Jo stays in the cab for a few moments, hoping out and traipsing along after the other once she sees her standing ready to shoot. Seeing the red fabric not moving at all and hanging limply, she can’t stop the small smirk before she chimes out as Anna goes to fire* “I think the boys are around two hundred and fifty..”

<Anna> “Talk about robbing the cradle..” *Anna tries to not think to hard about the age difference and she takes aim with the reloaded shotgun, breathing out she fires and without the wind she hits one side of the red cloth*

<Jo> “The other Anna was older, so she was sort of robbing the nest. Though glad someone else is, mentally, younger with me.” *Jo snickers, watching and grinning widely when Anna hits the cloth without the movement* “Try for the blue plastic this time.”

<Anna> “What do you mean mentally younger?” *Anna looks back glaring at Jo some and she grumbles about bossy old hunters as she reloads the shotgun before looking at the blue targets, they are the furthest away and her first shot is wide, missing totally*

<Jo> *Smiling as she watches the other miss, Jo offers the other gun like before as she shrugs* “I mean that someone doesn’t have over the number of years they look a memories too finally.”

<Anna> *Not sure if Jo is insulting her or not she just ignores her and fires, barely hitting the blue target.* “So, moving and far away, means basically I’m not hitting it.”

<Jo> “Yeah, pretty much.” *Jo watches on, absent mindedly reloads the other gun as she waits* “It just takes practice..”

<Anna> “Practice..well, I can hit the wall at least. I could be missing that totally and the targets.” *Anna grins some looking back at Jo pointing out the bright side of her being a bad shot.*

<Jo> “True, but you could also be hitting the targets.” *Jo teases back, smirking slightly before shifting her weight as she rolls her ankle* “Least you’re still not jumping.”

<Anna> “Maybe I need a bigger target, go take a jog down the field.” *Anna jokes as she sets the gun down rubbing her hands back and forth trying to get some feeling back in fingers.*

<Jo> *Jo frowns slightly before shrugging and setting the gun she has next to Anna’s feet* “That’s a good idea.” *Stealing herself, she runs back to the car and grabs one of the blankets from the car and wraps it around herself before jogging out* “Go ahead, give it a whirl!” *As she shouts, Jo spins herself, letting out a laugh as her blanket, jacket, scarf and hair fly out around her*

<Anna> *Anna just stares at Jo and she shakes her head.* “I am not going to attempt to shoot you! My luck something would happen and I would kill you even though it’s just salt and then not only would I be going to jail I would have a pissed off monster at me that already doesn’t like me!”

<Jo> *Laughing, Jo waves at Anna as she gets near the wall, hopping up on it and grinning like a child as she starts to move along the top* “Oh c'mon, I only brought salt with me, I’m not going to die, and if I do you can tell Grey I was askin’ for it! Just shoot, Anna”

<Anna> “No! I am not shooting you!” *Anna stares at Jo and she fights with the gun to get it back open to take the shells out, forgetting to put the saftey back on.* “I think the cold has shrunk your brain if you think this is a good idea!” *Anna is yelling down at Jo when the gun goes off and she screams in surprise when the sound of glass is heard breaking when the salt rounds hit the car*

<Jo> *Jo’s opening her mouth to shout back when she hears the sound of the gun followed by the glass shattering, spinning around too fast to look and falls over the back of the wall. Without a seconds hesitance, she pops back up looking across the distance towards the shocked other woman and then on to her ‘sweetheart’ and lets out an inhuman noise as she flings herself over the wall towards the car*

<Anna> *Anna carefully places the gun on the ground and she backs away as Jo makes a scream that doesn’t sound like anything a human should be able to make. She wants to ask if Jo’s okay from falling but the way Jo is running she’s guessing she is and wonders if she should use Jo’s distraction to put distance between them.* “I..well..it’s just a car right? A little paint, new window, good as new.”

<Jo> *She’s not even aware that she’s basically growling as she sprints past the other to the car to look over the damage, fingers shaking as she looked over the car and getting louder at Anna’s comment* “YOU SHOT MY FUCKING CAR!”

<Anna> “I didn’t mean too, it just happened. Calm down Jo, you were fine with me shooting you and it’s not like you can’t fix the car.” *Anna holds her hands up in a calming manner like when you’re trying to pacify an angry child.*

<Jo> “You shot my fucking car!” *Jo screams again, staring at the broken window before spinning around on the other woman* “I told you to shoot me! Not the car!”

<Anna> “I didn’t mean too! And look at this way, now you have a good reason to repaint it and get rid of that ugly blue color!” *Anna’s trying really hard to not laugh as she watches Jo come apart over the car.* “At least I didn’t hit the engine?”

<Jo> *Letting out a strangled noise, Jo tugs at her hair before stalking over to pick up the guns, leaving the targets behind as she shoves them and the blanket into her backseat* “Get in, we’re done for today.” *Settling into the front seat, she pulls her scarf up over her nose and mouth, fumbling in the glove box for some sunglasses*

<Anna> “Um the one side is still loaded Jo and I don’t know if the safety is on, not sure you want it going off in the car.” *Anna points out Jo is clearly pissed at her and she goes over, opening her door, raking the glass out of her seat onto the ground.* “I didn’t mean too, you know.”

<Jo> *Hissing, Jo reaches into the back and shoves the door open, standing half in and half out of the car she turns towards the wall and fires the gun towards one of the targets now further away and hitting straight through the still floating red target. Shoving the gun into the back again, Jo starts the car as she slams the door, waiting for Anna*

<Anna> *Biting her lip hard she meekly shuts the door, not saying anything else to Jo as she slouches down feeling a few pieces of glass she missed under her legs and ass. It’s going to be a cold ride back but she isn’t going to dare complain.*

<Jo> *The slight slush under the wheels sprays up behind them as Jo pulls back onto the roads and puts her foot down, feeling the wind sting against her cheeks and hair despite the protections she’d put on. After a few miles, she turns towards Anna and nods her head to the glove compartment* “Theres more glasses in there, you could use the fuckin’ blanket too.”

<Anna> *Anna is holding on for dear life wondering about her chances of making it by walking back to town as Jo drives like she has a demon after her and she’s just nods as Jo screams above the sound of the wind coming into the car.* “I’ll be okay till we get back to my place.”

<Jo> *Nodding, Jo continues to grumble under her breath quietly as they finally get back into town, her fingers feeling like ice on the steering wheel as she slows down as she gets closer to Anna’s apartment. Pulling over out front, Jo lets out a sigh as she reaches out to touch the broken glass before looking across at the other woman* “We won’t be able to go until I’ve got this fixed, but I’ll let you know when we go.”

<Anna> *Anna’s teeth are chattering and her face feels raw as she nods, getting out and walking stiffly to her apartment. She’s got a date with the shower and then her bed and blankets.* “Sorry..really didn’t mean too ya know, shoot the car.”

<Jo> *Jo nods, leaning through the front window as Anna gets out and heads inside* “I know. I’ll see you later, Anna..” *Shivering, she turns away and heads back towards home - already planning to thaw out in the shower and in front of the tv*

#4 - Might have put this one up already, Grey won’t be happy cause Jo bakes for others...

<Jo> *missed that LOL*

<Anna> Soooooo

<Jo> ooooooo..?

<Anna> “Can I drive the car?”

<Jo> “No!”

<Anna> *Sigh*

<Jo> LOL

<Anna> =P

<Anna> “Jo”

<Jo> “…It rhymes with my name, and starts with an ‘n’.”

<Anna> “nacho?”

<Jo> “…You suck. You suck so so bad.”

<Anna> *Anna grins*

<Jo> “Not gonna happen.”

<Anna> “So we don’t ever go out for Mexican?”

<Jo> “God, can you just… Just go make friends with Grey or call up your guy or something. Annoy someone else too!”

<Anna> *Anna looks innocently at Jo.* “What am I doing to annoy you? I’m just asking questions, how am I supposed to know that we don’t go out for Mexican.”

<Jo> “Fuckin’ God and Mother help me.” *Jo rubs the bridge of her nose* “What were you going to ask /other/ than that you can drive then?”

<Anna> “If you wanted to go out for coffee.”

<Anna> “And not Mexican it seems.”

<Jo> “So long as theres some cake included..”

<Anna> *Anna laughs quietly*

<Jo> “I like sweets, alright. Shut up.”

<Anna> *Anna ticks off on her fingers* “Sweets, no nachos, no driving for me..”

<Jo> “Sounds about right”

<Anna> “I can see how you and Gray are alike, he says I’m also annoying.”

<Jo> “Yeah, but I’m sure he means it much more affectionately than I do.”

<Anna> “No not really, he sounded about as annoyed as you do.”

<Jo> “Yeah, but he /always/ sounds annoyed. …Mostly.”

<Anna> “Not always but when I’m teasing him like I am you right now, he does.”

<Jo> “That’s because you suck.”

<Anna> *Anna smiles* “I don’t remember, do I?”

<Jo> “Oh no, I think you know pretty well right now.” *Jo shakes her head, rubbing the back of her neck with a laugh*

<Anna> *Anna just smiles staring at Jo*

<Jo> “Coffee, cake. No car.”

<Anna> “I can drive while you eat your cake.”

<Jo> “/No!/”

<Anna> *Giggles*

<Jo> “You touch my sweetheart, I’ll touch yours.” *Jo teases back, sticking out her tongue*

<Anna> “But I don’t have a sweetheart.”

<Jo> “Gah! I will go, buy you something, make you enjoy it and it become important to you and /then/ touch it!”

<Anna> “That sounds dirty.”

<Jo> *Jo raises an eyebrow* “That’s really not dirty by my standards, angelcake.”

<Anna> “Clearly I have higher standards than you.”

<Jo> “/Clearly/.”

<Anna> “Jo.”

<Jo> “…What?”

<Anna> “Are we going for cake and coffee or are we going to stand about talking about touching things.”

<Jo> “…Fine, we’ll go for coffee and cake. You’re going to have to walk though.” *Jo shrugs a shoulder, fiddling with her jacket buttons*

<Anna> “Why do I have to walk?”

<Jo> “Well, someone blasted a shot gun round through my car window and they’re not being exactly quick at getting it fixed.”

<Anna> “Oh well, I have coffee here, I’ll just stay in where it’s warm.”

<Jo> “…You don’t have cake do you?”

<Anna> “Yes, I make pancakes sometimes.”

<Jo> “Fine, I’ll just bring some stuff around 'nd make my own.”

<Anna> “Alright but I don’t have fire insurance.”

<Jo> “Ah ha, I’m good in a kitchen. You can ask anyone. Except my mom. I’ll be around soonish then.”

<Anna> “The door will be unlocked.”

<Jo> *Jo hangs up and stuffs a few things into a plastic bag before heading out, glad to have already thrown on her jacket and scarf thinking they were going somewhere else. It takes a while to walk, but when she gets there she just heads in and straight towards the fridge* “Please tell me you have better than my coffee at least. I ran out of filters yesterday.”

<Anna> *Anna has the heat up for Jo as she comes in and makes a bit of a face as Jo tracks snow across the floor.* “I have some stuff from the local coffee shop down the road and I have some of that necter sweetner instead of sugar.”

<Jo> “Anything better than instant is good with me. Though that’s awesome.” *Jo kicks her shoes back towards the door as she pulls her coat and scarf off, throwing them over the back of one of the small chairs after digging out Anna’s milk, eggs and butter* “You got any particular allergies to anythin’, Anna?”

<Anna> “No, not that I know off. Do you? Is there anything I should not buy when we are out together?” *Anna takes a mop and quickly cleans up the floor before throwing a towel infront of the door to block the draft coming under it.*

<Jo> *Jo bites down a smirk at Anna’s cleaning as she unpacks her own mmixing bowls, meausring jugs and other utensils, before starting to measure out from eggs and butter before pausing* “Where’s the flour? And no I don’t, I’ll eat basically anything. The more meat the better. Or sugar. One or other.”

<Anna> *Anna chokes as is Jo makes a comment about eating meat and sort of blushes.* “I’m sure, you do and flour is to your left, top of the cabinet in the white container.”

<Jo> “…What? What the heck were you just thinking?” *Jo gives Anna’s flush a curious glance, though her lips quirk up in the hint of a smirk as she’s certain she could guess. Turning to grab the container, struggling for a second to grab it out before spinning back around to continue adding vanilla essence and a mixing up some buttermilk before mixing together, feeling about in her bag for something*

<Anna> “I wasn’t thinking anything..” *Anna leans back against the counter not being used as she watches Jo with a bit of a raised brow.* “You are far more domestic than I would have pictured you.”

<Jo> “Uh huh, then what was the blush about, Anna dear?” *Smirking still, Jo gets the limes she was after out, quickly grating the rinds into the mix* “In pretty much this one and only way.” *Finishing the batter, she grabs four spoons out of the cutlery drawer before offering two out to Anna as she gets the baking tray and cupcake liners ready* “Help me with this?”

<Anna> *Anna shakes her head* “I’m not blushing about anything!” *Taking the cupcake liners she turns around starting to seperate them out and lay them out in rows.* “So did you learn this from your mom? Did she bake for all the other hunters?”

<Jo> “Mhmm, you sure Anna? You /sure/?” *Chuckling, Jo quickly squeezes and mixes in one of the limes’ juice to the batter before begining to spoon in to the liners, leaving two of the spoons for Anna to join in* “Mom cooked for them all, but I’m not the greatest chef about the place. I always had a sweet tooth so she showed me the ropes as a kid and I’d bake while she made more substantial things.”

<Anna> “I’m totally sure. You’re the one talking about how you like your meat.” *Anna smirks as she dips a finger in the bowl quickly, tasting the batter as Jo measures it out in the cups.* “I’ve never met your mother right?” Did d she know about us?“

<Jo> "Oh that’s what that was about? Well, I am a fan of a nice piece'a meat..” *Smiling, Jo whacks the others fingers when she goes for another taste, topping up each of the cupcakes until the batter was gone other than the remainder around the edges of the bowl. Pushing it and the spoons across to Anna, Jo sprinkles a tiny bit of salt on top of each cupcake before slipping them into the oven, and sucks her fingers off* “You have actually, though she’s spending most of her time down with Bobby these days. She knew, she didn’t really approve but she doesn’t approve of a lot of things.”

<Anna> *Anna yelps as Jo whacks her fingers but then takes the bowl, licking the spoon as she shakes her head.* “Well as long as you keep your meat out of the cupcakes we are good.” *Putting the spoon the sink she runs a finger around teh bowl.* “So your mother and Bobby are a couple?”

<Jo> *Snickering, Jo turns to Anna’s cupboards and grabs another bowl for her to start the frosting* “I don’t think I would ever try to mix my two favourite things like that. …I..don’t know? Sure? They’re my mom and Bobby. They’ll let me know if anything turns serious; so I’m expecting a call any day now.” *She laughs, smiling as she mixes some butter with the icing sugar before grabbing out the bottle of tequilla from her bag*

<Anna> *Anna raises a brow as Jo get the tequilla out of the bag obviously intending it to go into the icing.* “So then your totally cool with the idea of your mom and Bobby..ya know..doing it.” *Turning around she turns on the water and begins washing the bowls so that there isn’t anything piline up.* “I guess that’s cool that you would like your step dad if they ever get married.”

<Jo> *Measuring out a little more than she thinks the reciepe quite calls for, Jo continues to beat and mix the mix as she turns to watch the other, pulling a slightly face and pausing for a sip of the drink for herself* “I’d rather not /think/ about it, but.. Bobby’s a good guy. He’s always treated me and Mom well and its not like I couldn’t have seen it comin’ eventually.”

<Anna> *Anna laughs watching Jo take a drink as she talks about marriage and step dads.* “Well still it’s good that she’s happy. How would Bobby feel about having Grey as a step son-in-law with him being a monster and all?”

<Jo> *Jo almost drops the bowl, her grip slipping for a second and catching it only at the last second as she spins back around to face the other way as she starts whisking again at double the speed* “I just want Mom to be happy, she deserves it these days…” *She studiously avoids commenting on the other’s question, flushing brightly*

<Anna> *Anna raises a brow as she dries her hands off from washing the dishes, Jo’s usually not clumsy and she sort of smirks.* “Everyone should be, I’m sore Bobby and Grey will get a long well.”

<Jo> *Setting the bowl down, Jo takes another mouthful from the tequilla bottle, hissing slightly at the taste more than the burn* “First time they met Bobby shot Grey. Course, first time my Mom met Grey she also shot /at/ him. ….Mom’d have the same issue as Bobby, probably more, about what Grey was - Bobby…was..well, he’d be a bit of a hypocrite to be angry about me bein’ with one.” *Shrugging, Jo starts to mix up the icing again, getting the mix slowly but surely more light and fluffy* “Though I don’t think they’d be ending up with any son-in-law’s at any point.”

<Anna> “Too bad, I was just thinking that with all the shootings as first meetings we could do a double shotgun themed wedding. It would be cute and I’ve helped with other weddings at my parent’s church so I could organize it.” *Anna reaches over trying to get a taste of the icing as she watches Jo.*

<Jo> “I.. …Last time this ever got mentioned, it was well known I’d be the one with a shotgun on them, and I don’t think that’s the greatest…idea. Things are just..” *Jo sighs, not stopping Anna from stealing a taste before squeezing in some of the lime juice and sprinkling in a fair two pinches of salt* “Things aren’t exactly normal, right now.”

<Anna> “Things not being normal is an understatement but as long as things have a chance to become normal then there is hope.” *Anna smiles at Jo as she takes a glass and pours herself a shot of the alcohol.* “I think it would be worth it just to see you all dressed up like a girl for once anyway.”

<Jo> “Well, I have plans. Hopefully..” *Jo pulls a face at Anna, taking the bottle back and swigging a mouthful before setting it back down again* “Next time, I’m going to wear a dress over here. Get your girly fantasies of seeing me all pretty for you out of the way.”

<Anna> *Anna snorts* “You don’t have too make a special effort on my part.” *She wonders if Jo’s going to be sober by the time the cupcakes get done.* “So besides baking and shooting things what else do you do?”

<Jo> *Measuring out a small cup of the liqiud, Jo sets it to the side as she starts to mix up the icing again carefully folding in some of the lime rind but keeps a quarter of it untouched* “Oh no no, much easier for me to wow you with my feminine charms without going through all the trouble of organising a wedding. …I mostly do research, help out other hunters, keep tabs on the bar. Work on making new weapons and such if I’m bored, build some things sometimes, work on my car and watch tv or movies mostly.”

<Anna> “Wow, you really are a tomboy.” *Anna chuckles as she steals another taste of the icing, licking it off her fingers.* “We could go out shopping at some point, there are a couple of malls it looks like or maybe catch a movie. I’m not sure how good I would be at building weapons.”

<Jo> “At least you’re not callin’ me butch.” *Jo laughs, watching Anna before just holding the whisk out to the other woman instead as the timer on her phone goes off and she checks the cupcakes, smiling when they’re the right amount of springy to the touch* “Neither of those sound like a bad idea. Except for the weapon work, I’m not letting you near my workspace. But a movie or shopping could be fun.”

<Anna> *Taking the whisk she happily takes care of the icing as she smirks at Jo, watching the blond woman happily cook away.* “Just don’t park the car next to it and I’m sure everything would be fine.” *Steping out of Jo’s reach she turns to wash the whisk once the icing is gone.*

<Jo> *Jo makes a sharp noise at the joke, shooting the other a dirty look as she begins to brush a small amount of the alcohol over the top of each of the cupcakes until the cup she’d set to the side was empty* “Like I say, shopping or a movie. Probably much less dangerous for /everyone/.” *Smirking back at the other, Jo leans against the counter setting another alarm for when she can start icing*

<Anna> “It was just one shot and I didn’t even hurt the car that bad, it was a flesh wound.” *Anna teases her more and she grabs another drink, the tequila burning going down.* “Let me guess if we go shopping, we have to go to the gun store after the shoe store right?”

<Jo> “I guess I’m going to go ahead and paint it black with just a /hint/ of red next time then?” *Jo snickers back, continuously pressing at the top of one of the cupcakes before going to start making up her typical DIY piping bags* “Nah, I have a guy I go to for most of mine, or at least the ones I care about. Make most of my own salt rounds and order the silver and iron from him; so no gun stores necessary. …Might need to go to the comic shop or game store though, I’m trying to understand what the hell Harry goes on about more.”

<Anna> “Oh! I found the gun I want, I bet you could modify it. I was looking online and there’s one that’s pink with Hello Kitty on it and another that’s purple with a unicorn.” *Anna is saying this with a totally straight face as she watches Jo make her own piping bags, remembering her mother doing the same.* “Harry once spent a whole afternoon explaining the mechanics of a game, not sure what it was.*

<Jo> *Jo blinks back at Anna, face twisting into a horrified and disgusted look as she tries to invision that such a thing exists before shaking her head* "Ah ha, no. But yeah, Harry’s strange. And Grey used to play a lot of video games though..I don’t know, I haven’t spotted him doing it recently but I figure its easier to learn in advance.” *Setting down the bag, she starts to cut the lime with rind into little wedges for decorating*

<Anna> *Anna bursts out into laughter at Jo’s expression as she describes the guns she saw online and she spares Jo the girly looking protection gear she saw as well.* “Those two seem like they would get a long really well, Harry really likes his games and comic books, he once spent a whole shift giving me a lecture of Marvel vs DC.”

<Jo> “Trust me, they do. Swear its like watching two teenagers, except they have very stupid thoughts that Spiderman and Iron Man are better than Batman.” *She can’t help but snicker to herself, knowing exactly what that lecture sounds like after several rounds of it with the geeky researcher. Feeling the top of the cupcakes again, she decides to just ignore her timer and start piping out icing*

<Anna> “Oh lord you are one of them too.” *Anna grins as she tries to make a grab for the first cupcake Jo finishes.* “How did Harry get into this life, he seems so far removed from someone who would be a hunter.” *Pausing she looks at Jo.* “He is human right?”

<Jo> “You thought any differently?” *Jo lets out a laugh, giggling to herself as she smacks Anna’s hand before studding the top of the icing swirl with a small slice of lime and then handing it over* “Harry’s definitely human. He and his friends were always into ghosts and they…did, you know those reality ghost hunting tv shows? They were doing one. But..online and not really popular.”

<Anna> “And just when I thought he couldn’t get any more of a geek.” *Anna takes the lime off that Jo put on there and sets it aside as she peels the paper off the cupcake and takes a bit. It’s really good even though she’s surpised how much it tastes like the drink.* “This is good Jo!”

<Jo> “Yeah well, he didn’t really appreciate my calling him and his friends hackjobs the first time we talked, but he’s actually pretty good at this stuff. Guess it sort of appeals to the geeky side, right?” *Smiling at the other’s reaction, Jo continues to make up the rest, putting a sliver of lime rind on some while wedges on others and sprinkling a small bit of salt ontop each* “Yeah? Well, I have had a lot of practice. Should have asked what you like first but..I had the stuff for these ones.”

<Anna> *Anna doesn’t say anything else till the cupcake is gone and she’s licking her fingers.* “Next time strawberry maybe?” *She’s relaxed and she’s really enjoyed just hanging out with Jo lately, it’s nice to have a friend again.* “Oh maybe chocolate with cherries and rum.”

<Jo> *Scrunching up the baking paper piping bag as she finishes, Jo smiles back at Anna as she tosses the sheet in the trash before picking up a cupcake herself* “I could do that. I’ve been trying to make a cherry cola rum one but haven’t quite got the right amount of cherry to cola yet. Though chocolate would probably be easier, actually.”

<Anna> “Oh chocolate and strawberries, that would be so good.” *Anna thinks the colo and cherries sounds good too.* “I’ll help you test out any thing you want to try, you can use my kitchen anytime. If you ever get out of hunting, you should open a bakery.”

<Jo> “I think you and Grey are going to be fighting over my baking now.” *Laughing, Jo makes her way through her cupcake, holding the wedge of lime in one hand as she licks up the icing before squeezing the juice over the top of the cake and eating the rest* “We’ll if we do go shopping, can always come back and try out some things after. …A bakery? That’s..a funny mental image, Anna, gotta admit.”

<Anna> “I think you could do an amazing business, do it after hours, serve these with the drink they match. And Grey can bite me, I call dibs on anything you bake.” *Anna takes the lime wedge and squeezes it onto the cake part before biting into it.*

<Jo> “Next thing you know, Harry’ll hustle in and try to get me to make themed cupcakes for things like new movies or DnD stuff.” *She chokes on a laugh at Anna saying Grey can bite her, coughing as she takes a mouthful of her own cake as she has the mental image* “I think he might have already, but you’re welcome to battle it out. Or I’ll just make seperate batches for each of you!”

<Anna> *Anna’s head snaps up as Jo says Grey already has and she has a look of panic on ehr face.* “Wait, please tell me that we haven’t he..Grey, your Grey and I ..oh my God I am the town bicycle. Did Harry and I? I thought it was just you and Gray, my Gray..” *Anna reaches for whats left in the bottle.*

<Jo> *Jo stares back at Anna before collapsing into laughing again, holding out a hand* “No! No no no! I meant he already called dibs! You’ve only been with me and your monster, and Dean but I didn’t know back then.” *She shakes her head, trying not to flush as she tries to think about any of what Anna suggested*

<Anna> “Oh thank heavens..I..just I am not like that!” *Anna blushes as Jo is laughing at her and she thinks this is karma for the car.* “You could have just said that he called dibs..”

<Jo> *Jo shrugs, still laughing to herself before her phone goes off. Looking at it confusedly and realising it was a call from a different hunter, she steals another cupcake and packs up her things - still joking with Anna and promising they’ll work out another day to hang out soon - Jo heads off towards the bar to make sure the book needed was ready for the other before heading home again*

#yay chatlogs

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lostsummerdayz · 6 years ago

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Otakon 2019 In Review - The Language of Cosplay and Music

The legacy of famed artist, Nujabes, bridges two nations and two cultures together many years later

By. Nay Holland

Hello and good morning! Good afternoon! Good evening! Wherever you are reading this across all of the seven seas, or in the comfort of your own home, Lost Summer Dayz is here to bring you an exclusive report! A report none other than Otakon itself! This was my second time attending Otakon, with my first being way back in 2012, when it was still held in Baltimore.

There were several firsts for me the past weekend. It was my first time ever being inside Washington instead of passing through. Secondly, it was my first time attending the convention within the Washington venue. As such, I was coming into this convention, excited on what it would hold for me. For several reasons. Did Otakon live up to my hype that I had built up for it in my mind? We’ll find out now!

Our Otakon 2019 story begins earlier within the month of July, contrary to the day of travel. I had first heard the news of Otakon via a suggestion of the group I am affiliated with, the Geeks of the Round Table. What made me dead set on wanting to attend the event, however, were two major reasons.

The first reason was the Tribute to Nujabes concert and the chance to see quite possibly one of my favorite Japanese artists, MINMI. The second reason was to also meet my actual muse for getting me into Japanese music, Taku Takahashi. Everything else would have been a bonus, and the entire experience was indeed a giant love letter to the culture. But! I am getting way ahead of myself here!

Nessa and Leon from Pokemon Sword and Shield credit: bunsonbunscosplay

Knowing this, I’ve purchased the tickets to Otakon and VIP for the concert, and twiddled my thumbs waiting for this eventful weekend to arrive. Sure enough, on Thursday, July 25th, the morning did come. Meeting up with my fellow cohorts, we embarked on our bus ride to the event! At least, we would have, had the bus not arrived an hour late, thus making the trip a six hour trek. (The ride back was way more palatable, thankfully!)

The moment we arrived at Union Station we were greeted by panhandlers.

It was at that moment I realized, we never truly left New York after all.

Okay, so, D.C is different enough from NYC, but within the first thirty minutes of us walking to our hotel, I felt a sense of familiarity from the city. Aside from the White House that loomed in the distance, I grew accustomed to the city streets. It was just like walking through New York, but smaller. We’ve arrived at our hotel and once settled in, I departed to pick up my badge.

This was the main reason why I wanted to arrive at the con the day before the official first day. Thursday is considered to be “Day 0”, yet with the amount of staff assisting attendees, the abundance of cosplayers both inside and surrounding the venue, and the overall hustle bustle, one could easily assume that this was “Day 1” instead. There was so much activity that I stayed around for a few minutes after I had picked up my badge, just to take in the atmosphere. It was truly the calm before the storm.

Day 1, Friday. The gates were let wide open and Otakon commenced!

The Nujabes concert wasn’t until 8 and I had to be on the line by at most, 7, so I had about a good twelve or so hours to take in the Otakon experience. One of the first things I did was head to the game room, as per routine for any convention.

Ran by the lovely people at Tokyo Attack, the lineup for the arcade portion of the game room ranged from Gundam VS, to Dance Rush, DDR, Pump It Up, Sound Voltex, Nostalgia, Pop’n, Chunithm, BeatStream, and others. There wasn’t a IIDX machine once again, but with a star studded cast of niche Japanese rhythm games, I couldn’t complain.

I literally couldn’t believe they had IDZ. First time EVER seeing it in person!

At two, there was a Tekken tournament that I did participate in, that deserves a mention briefly!

Oh boy, here comes Nay a.k.a “Cereal K.” plugging in his Tekken experience at any event he goes to again!

Alisa from Tekken credit: sugarc0maa

In my defense, it wasn’t the main reason why I came to Otakon! Remember when I said “bonus”? This was the “bonus” albeit, I didn’t get too far in the tournament itself. I was one win away from top eight if that's any consolation, but, overall all who I played against were really good and I enjoyed my time hanging with my good friends in both the Tekken scene and the Otakon staff!

Annie from League of Legends credit: gbudnyjr

With still more time to kill before the Nujabes concert, I took more pictures of cosplayers throughout the convention. You’ll see pictures of them throughout the article spread across all three days, with their information underneath for you guys to check out! Part of the magic in attending conventions are the cosplayers. I’ve said this in my Castle Point article if you’d like to hear more of my thoughts, but, in a large scale convention like Otakon, you’ll never know who you might end up meeting.

One particular cosplayer however deserves a special mention. What started out as asking for a photo of her cosplay, due to the overall rarity of seeing a Tekken cosplay aside from the Alisa cosplayer in the tournament earlier that day, ended with a kindled friendship over the course of the weekend. Known as Kawaii Kiki Cosplay on Instagram and Facebook, Kiki has been cosplaying since 2013, yet has been attending Otakon since roughly 2009. I was able to sit down with her briefly to have a conversation as she was open and friendly to share her story with me.

Straight from the DMV area herself, her cosplay ventures began in 2013, when a Sailor Moon group cosplay was in need of a replacement senshi. She answered the call, and the rest was history. Being a graduate of the Art Institute, she’s able to utilize her academic knowledge into her cosplay for optimal effectiveness. For example, when I first met her on Friday she was cosplaying Asuka from Tekken. Being recently introduced to the Tekken series, she was able to capture the character well. As we spoke several attendees exclaimed in excitement as they, too, asked for her photo. It was these reactions, that made the cosplay worth it.

“Cosplay for me, is like one in costume wearing a Disney Princess outfit in Disney world for kids. I want my cosplay to enact a similar excitement for those who see me. I want to make others happy with who I’m cosplaying as,” she reflects.

It isn’t about how much you know about your cosplay, but rather, how much you are able to bring joy to others for wearing said cosplay.

There are some personal favorites that Kiki has in her arsenal, such as another Asuka cosplay she wore for the second day of Otakon. This Asuka was from Evangelion, with the outfit made to appear similar to Asuka’s Eva 02. Lastly, she carried around a stuffed version of the iconic Pen Pen along with her. Perhaps her most favorite cosplay and convention experience was her appearance in Blizzcon last year, when she cosplayed as Leah from Diablo 3. The excitement of being around those who enjoy the same medium as her, while also cosplaying as an important character from said game, was enough to enhance the experience for her.

If any of you guys reading this have the chance, please give her some love! She’s a really amazing cosplayer and woman to hang around with and it was my pleasure to talk with her. Follow her at Kawaii Kiki Cosplay!

To round up Day 1, we have the Tribute to Nujabes concert. From the beginning, the message was clear. It was not just an ode to a legendary man, but an ode to hip hop.

The MC EyeQ blessed the stage, following Maryland’s own Substantial, then Shing02.

Seeing Substantial and Shing02 live, performing songs that I had listened to since my high school years gave me a sense of euphoria. At the time, over ten years ago when I was a sophomore in high school, I would listen to Nujabes during my lunch breaks in school. This was back during a time when I still used the pen and paper to write. Lyrics, fiction, whatever came to mind. Listening to the backdrops that Nujabes laid out, with rappers such as Substantial and Shing02, who would bless that very stage, tuned out life’s many inconsistencies at the time.

Coping with my grandmother’s passing, failing classes due to woes back at home, and overall trying to get a grasp of my existence. His music, along with the lyrics of everyone on that stage, helped me get through high school. To see them live and perform was what my teenage self would have wanted. I felt like I was fifteen again.

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Being the opening act, EyeQ shuts it down while backed by DJ Okawari beats.

And then there was the final set. Adorned in an intricately designed kimono with long flowing hair comparable to a goddess herself, Minmi emerged basked in light. She took to the stage singing Shiki no Uta, the original ED to Samurai Champloo, and as the song ended, she shed her garment to reveal a flowing yellow tracksuit.

This was her way of saying “The gloves are coming off.” She had our attention, and we were under her spell for the next hour.

Performing some of her hits including Sumertime!!!, Hibiscus, and one of her recent singles, #Yacchaitai. Following these songs, the scene shifted once more as she pulled up a piano and started singing slower ballads. These included a cover of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You,” Who’s Theme, and Sha Na Na. The last song was all the more powerful considering that Sha Na Na, originally a Dancehall classic, was sung in a ballad.

I’ve been a huge fan of MINMI for almost as long as I’ve been a fan of Nujabes and those who had graced the stage. She brings special mention because for a while, during my college years, I was growing accustomed to a new phase in my life. A new scenery in college, new friends, old ones moving from the city, long lasting relationships coming to a close, and overall I felt alone.

I first heard of MINMI through Samurai Champloo and a dear friend of mine who was unable to make it to Otakon with me, Devin Harris, had got me into her outside of the anime.

There’s this Japanese used book store called Book Off where I was able to find used CDs of hers, and since then I’ve been hooked. My knowledge of the Japanese language is limited, but, even through her music I could sense the energy and influence that Western music had on her. It was a different type of energy she brought with her, even hearing her as guest vocals on songs such as m-flo’s “Lotta Love.”

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MINMI performing her cover of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You”

She can bring out the energy, but also allow her audience to cool down as well. She can be the hype of the party as well as the emotional support. Dedicating her final songs to the tragedy at Kyoto Animation, she made me feel a wide range of emotions. Very few musicians I’ve had the pleasure of listening to, have had the range that MINMI has.

For me to be able to have a chance to see her live was a treat. For me to meet her after the concert and tell her these things and more, was the icing on the cake.

Day 2 began with meeting quite possibly my biggest influence in Japanese music, Taku Takahashi. You may notice a pattern at this point, with Nujabes, Substantial, Shing02, and MINMI all being music of my adolescence, and Taku does not break away from this mold. Being a third of the trio of talented artists known as m-flo, m-flo as a group exposed me to music I would have never known existed outside of New York.

I was just thirteen at the time during middle school. I already felt like an outcast because my, then, budding tastes in anime and “nerd culture” caused me to be the odd one out. I was into DDR at the time, so I would join several online communities where we would talk about music from DDR. M-flo was one of the groups brought up. While technically not being in DDR at the time, their songs were featured in beatmania IIDX, a rhythm game I mentioned earlier. When IIDX was in its infancy, it was possible to link a IIDX machine and a DDR machine, known as “Club Versions,” to allow players to play IIDX songs on DDR machines. This was how I found out about m-flo.

I liked their style of hip hop and how familiar it sounded to me, despite the language barrier. From the beginning, they always had a style to blend Western Hip Hop with a local flavor to call it their own. They were one of the pioneers of the Japanese Hip Hop renaissance period, and I would be introduced during the tail end of it. Just as I was getting into m-flo, they were starting their “m-flo loves” series, in which their next three albums, Astromantic, Beat Space Nine, and Cosmicolor, would feature heavily on collaborators. One of these collaborators as I’ve also mentioned earlier, would be MINMI.

LSD ❤ ☆Taku Takahashi!

I’ve been an m-flo fan for a very long time. Not just as a group, but for their solo careers as well. From the rapper, VERBAL, being a consistent feature on Nujabes’ earlier works as L-Universe, his collaborations with Pharrell, and his fashion career. From the singer, Lisa, with her solo career and independent projects. Lastly, there’s Taku Takahashi himself.

Of the three I resonated with him the most, considering how many works he had become a part of over the years. From his works with House Nation, DJing, collaborations and remixes independently. To his recent features on IIDX and his musical works in anime which includes Panty and Stocking to his most recent being Carole and Tuesday. To list everything that these three had done independently as well as a group, would double the reading length of this article. Needless to say, to have a chance to meet one of the hardest working artists in the business, who started as an inspiration for my music tastes as well as learning more about Japanese culture, made me starstruck. Pun intended.

After meeting him, there was the Nujabes tribute panel to accompany the concert from the night before. Seeing everyone on the panel, most of whom I had met either the night before or a few hours prior and hearing their stories, left me with a deeper understanding on the influence that Nujabes had.

There was also a lot that I’ve learned involving some of the work that went into the songs for Samurai Champloo. Back on the subject of MINMI, the inspiration for “Who’s Theme” was more personal than I had initially thought.

I had always had speculation that “Who’s” was meant to be “Fuu’s,” as the main character in Samurai Champloo was arguably Fuu. Somewhere there was a loss in translation and Fuu was mistaken as Who due to the way Fuu sounds in the native tongue. She mentioned that the song was, indeed, “Fuu’s Theme,” but her inspiration for writing that song was putting herself in the character of Fuu.

There are some minor spoilers for Samurai Champloo here, but, Fuu’s goal in Samurai Champloo was to find a “samurai who smells of sunflowers.” Ultimately, the “sunflower samurai” was Fuu’s father, and the loss of her father was her driving force to find her against all odds.

MINMI read the script of Samurai Champloo and it instilled an emotion inside of her that she could relate to. The feeling of loss, the feeling of separation from one’s family. Feeling what Fuu felt, she used Fuu as a muse to write the song. This brings a new meaning to the song itself, as you can feel the words that are being said by her.

This was a point that everyone at the panel brought up. It was a question I’ve had since middle school, which was finally answered that very day.

“How can I, who does not know Japanese, appreciate the music? How can I, who does not know Korean, influence my musical choice for many years to come?”

Aside from Japanese music, I was also getting into Korean hip hop and R&B at that time as well. Despite the language barriers, when it comes to music, we all have an ability to feel an emotion. Happiness, sadness, it doesn’t matter what language it’s spoken. Music is a language we feel. Nujabes’ ear for music tastes, whether he wanted to go for the urban sound or a more traditional one, was an ear that understood the universal language of emotion. Everyone in that room, be it on the panel or as an attendee, had felt that language spoken to us in one way or another.

Later on that night, everything came full circle. I was able to go to the Otakon rave and see Taku perform his set. Remember when I said that MINMI was a collaborator with m-flo during their “loves” series? He had brought her out as a guest during his set and she performed the song she collaborated with m-flo, “Lotta Love,” live.

A vast majority of the crowd may have been introduced to her that night, but it was an energy that was felt. The music alone was enough to make everyone dance and have a good time, further answering my question. I left that night, no, I left that weekend in a state of content.

While I never had the chance to meet Nujabes when he was alive, he lives in in his music. He lives on in the memories of those he had worked with, those he has influenced, and those who listened to his music. I left D.C with a value that was priceless than any merch. Although the weekend came and went, the memories I made, the people I got to experience, and the stories I got to hear, will resonate with me for the rest of my life. Rest in Power, Jun Seba As a bonus, this was probably the hypest part of the night. Watching Shing02 and all who had performed, perform a cypher to Battlecry backed by Team Red Pro breaking. Blood was left on the stage that evening and it was a massacre of beats and lyrics.

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See you next year, Otakon!

#otakon #otakon2019 #nujabes #journalism #writer #article #anime #convention

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rkcheri · 6 years ago

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◆ V-LIVE: ON AIR WITH CHERI ✌️ ━━━━ • • • ﹅ 럭스 ∙ MAY 15TH ! ❪ ﹡* ❫

TW › FOOD, EATING .

come the fifteenth, schedules have been rearranged, dished out and at point blank: it was do or die. but less seriously, of course. when they're told that they were to each have v-lives, by themselves, this month, mijoo isn't sure what she wants to do from the get-go. v-lives were better when they were all together, in her opinion. and while she didn't think she was boring, she also knew it would have been more fun if someone like dabin or yena was by her side. someone who'd liven up the silences that could come when mijoo ran out of things to talk about. and she knew she couldn't talk expressively and blatantly about herself on air. that was a no-no.

at least manager kyu would be there to keep her out of trouble.

the fifteenth is a day she looks forward to in the morning, when she finally figures out what she should do. and while it's not the most original, it was something she enjoyed doing. and since they weren't promoting this month, the strict diet she had been under the last few months was void until the next hint of a comeback. ( at least that was what it had meant to mijoo; not exactly a free for all but close enough )

she tells the manager come lunch time, the directions of a nearby cafe that she had searched up online the night before. a small excuse to get out of their dorm and breathe in the nice seoul air and it's warmer weather. summer was coming fast and mijoo wanted to get out, even if it meant being seen. if her manager was with her, then it should be fine, right?

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the ride to the cafe is a short one, a little after one that afternoon ; mijoo requests for a more secluded area of the establishment to open up shop. watching with intrigued eyes as manager kyu set up the phone on it's stand at the table before taking her place in front of it. the schedule for her v-live chimes in and before she realizes it the doorway to the v-live is opened and she can see the numbers pile up; watching as those who were in the know turned up to watch her.

it was still a weird feeling, having others out there ( in the world, far and wide ) watching her as she did something as mundane as eat.

but here they were.

a hand rises mid-air, as she readies her greeting; a smile on her face, interest written all over her face as watched the number of people who came into the live increase. "hi everyone!" she waits a bit before she begins to clear her throat in an exaggerated fashion before bowing her head and raising it all the same. a small finger waggle here, a wider grin there. "ladies? let's go! hello, i'm luxe's cheri."

"i know you're wondering where i might be but shht!" a finger presses firmly to her lips, another grin; as she slyly looks around. "that's a secret."

she laughs, "i'll give you one clue though," a hand moves to grab the menu, effectively hiding the name of the cafe with her palm before revealing it to the camera. "i'm at a cafe. i thought we all needed a nice change of scenery and what would be better than one of seoul's iconic cafe scenes. i'm sure you've all seen them in the dramas."

mijoo smiles before she sets the menu down, beginning to leaf through it as she tries to find something she that would pique her taste buds. "today, i've decided i wanted to recreate my own dream-cafe drama experience and that's why we're here. i hope everyone is having a good day --" she peeks upwards to spy the comments, watching as some begin to filter into the chat saying that it was, instead, nighttime where they were -- "or, night. yah," her eyebrows furrow, lips turned into a pout. "if it's night time you guys should go to sleep! i'd still love you all if you weren't here. please go to sleep if it's night time for you, rest is more important!"

to which the replies come in hordes of protests, things like i'd rather stay up with cheri and it's worth the eye-bags. the latter comes in english and it's things like this that make her laugh and she's shaking her head, a finger wagged in front of the camera. she presses her lips together to hide her grin, as she replies in english: "nothing is worth the eyebags, love, but okay, i'm not going to push it."

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her words switch between korean and english when she reads the comments ; thinking it'd be better when it came time to conversing better with their fans. as english was more widely known, she hopes that it allows her to get closer to her fans in this way. but primarily, the korean tongue is what she's been used to for the past five years, that even times when she means to speak in english, the korean word comes up instead and she's laughing because oops, that was not what she meant to say.

"ahh -- the food is here!" she says as she spies from her peripheral the waiter with the plates she had ordered prior to the beginning of the vlive. they set it down off camera, allowing mijoo to introduce each one for the fans.

"i didn't order a lot because i was afraid i'd waste the food, and since that's never good, i only got three things." she says, holding up the three fingers she was to use while explaining the dishes. "first!" she moves her hand off-camera to retrieve the green and pink ombre iced drink. "this is a matcha-strawberry milk tea, no straw because --" again, she reaches off camera -- a small gesture that has manager kyu handing her the special item she had requested be brought with them today. she plops the item into her drink: a silver metal straw that begins to mix the colors of pink and green slightly, "we're trying to save the environment, guys! and what better way to save the environment than by cutting back wastes such as using plastic straws, and no i'm not sponsored by mother earth but we are living here, we should be a little nicer to her, right?"

it might be a hot topic around the world, but only recently had mijoo took note of it. after stalking countless instagram pages, coming across video after video about the climate changes and how dirtied the oceans' waters were, mijoo felt inclined to do something. even if it was something little like this, especially since she realized how many straws went to waste whenever she asked their manager to order her coffees before each schedule.

and while she couldn't exactly cut out her caffeine addiction, cutting out plastic seemed like the next big alternative.

"okay, next is like a small appetizer thing and if you've known me for a while now, you'd know that i ... much like the rest of the 6 million, thousand, billion people in the world -- loves ..." she reaches out for the plate, "potatoes! these are sweet potatoes with honey, though. i know in america they're not usually served with honey but ugh, even though the potatoes are already sweet, adding honey is just --" she pinches her index finger and thumb to recreate the finger-heart as she presses them to her lips in an exaggerated way. "so good. i hope you guys get to try this out whenever you get the chance!"

"and last, and sadly least, but still very, very good is the -- drum roll please!" she looks pointedly at her manager to which he sends her the pleading of eyes. mijoo knows the look well but at this point, she was too far gone to tone it down. so, she does it herself; fingers tapping along the marble of the table top before she pushes the plate in front of the camera. "it's this cafe's renowned spaghetti alla carbonara! when i looked up the cafe last night, i just knew this was what i wanted to order. doesn't it look good everyone?" she stands a little to move the camera, reversing the face camera to the back camera in order to show the pasta a little more in it's glistening creaminess.

returning the camera back into its holder, mijoo presses her hands together almost too excitedly, hand already attached to the fork at the side as she moves the plates, one by one to be viewed. "잘 먹겠습니다!"

but rather than diving in, she looks to the camera one last time, "if it's lunch time for you as well, please go ahead and eat as well. let's talk like friends!"

it's one last invitation before she twirls her fork for a bite of the spaghetti. but once lips close over the fork, she's mmming and she's sure she must have descended heaven. had it really been this long since she's had food this good?

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

time had passed since she finished her meal, in record time, too. while she hadn't meant to stuff her face in front of her fans, could it be helped when she was surrounded by good food?

not that they seemed too bothered by it, all while she was eating, they were commenting that they were happy to see her eating well. and for mijoo, that was enough. self-validation was fine, but if her fans were also okay with it -- then that was just the icing on top of the metaphorical cake.

"it's almost the end for us, guys. and i know it wasn't that long but i really hope you enjoyed the v-live!" she smiles, fingers pressed into her cheeks as she watches the comments. "yah, you know i can't give anything away but please know that we're always working hard for you. aaaaa -- nd that's all i'm going to say." and it really was, manager kyu's glare in the background made sure of it.

"i can say, though, that we've got so many things in store for you guys so please wait patiently for us to return!" finger hearts galore. never before had mijoo been the type to fall for aegyo, and she knows the likelihood that their fans would be the same was zero to none. even at fan-meets, it was expected, but here she was willingly doing it for the fans.

this was, after all, all for the fans.

their fans.

"i love you guys," she blows a kiss to the camera as she waves, "until we see each other again!”

#luxe:may19 #( * ✦ ∙ 럭스 › l u x e . )#tw: food #mentioned:#rkxayah #rkyena #﹡npc ❪ 럭스 › MANAGER KYU ❫#solo #vlive:luxe

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musicalmukebox · 7 years ago

Text

Let’s Get (Back) Together | l.h. (8)

Ctto of the gif!

AU: Parent Trap Dad!Luke

Summary: A strong love which led to a strong marriage and twin daughters. Yet in the end, it didn’t turn out so well. You strongly refuse to encounter him ever again. But what happens when both of you coincidentally send your twin daughters to the same summer camp in Florida after 10 years?

Word Count: 5.7k

Warnings: swearing, mentions of alcohol and usage

A/N: Almost there!!

I don’t own Parent Trap and its ideas. It’s only used as inspiration.

1 / 2A / 2B / 2C / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15

Feedback/Questions/Others? Here.

2020, Sydney

“Don’t think that way, babe. They are going to love you.” Luke reassures you, driving to his parents’ home and placing his hand on your thigh so you’d lessen your freaking out session.

Ever since you and Luke have been planning this trip so you could relaxation from working at the set for your upcoming film “Constant” and meet his parents, it was nerve-wracking. Oh, and yes you’re finally making your debut in the movie industry!

You really wanted to show to them that you were just as empowered, determined and loving as their son and not a social climber of some sort, especially since you are a struggling actress. Happily, they loved him and how he made you happy. You get now what Luke felt when he met your parents last month, all the nerves going crazy and overthinking too. Now you wished the same for yourself, especially since this trip will involve staying over at the Hemmings residence.

“But Luke, in case you forgot, I am the same girl from the Valentine music video who got really fucking frisky with you! Not a good impression honestly.” You blurt out, pressing the button to slide the car window open so you could use your e-cigarette and let the strawberry scented smoke out your lungs. You let your head out a bit to feel some of that cool breeze, just letting yourself go.

“You don’t have to use that thing all the time when you’re stressed, you know?” Luke pointed out, taking a short glance at you then back at the long road. You let a slight chuckle while taking a swift smell of that sweet aroma before facing yourself to Luke. “That’s pretty hypocritical of you, love because you also brought yours. But you are right, truly there are other ways get some stress relief.” You purr, trailing your fingers up his thigh near his hardened crotch, twitching more as you keep going. His grip on the handle tightened, more at the sight of your lips puckering up that e-cigarette and exhaling with a “pop”. Note also that he’s other hand was gripping your thigh, squeezing it repeatedly.

“Fuck, Luke.” You moaned, letting your body lie further on the chair whilst smoking.

“Babe, as much as you look fucking good in that dress and desirable to fuck right now, we’re almost at the house.” He says, controlling himself before he lets his dominance take over and lets his hand go from your thigh and putting them back on the wheel. “Tease.”

It took another 10 minutes before Luke’s car parked by the driveway of his family home, excited to be reunited with his loved ones after a while. Exiting the car, he ran up to his front door and knocked, being a man of good manners. You, on the other hand, followed right behind him, hands sweaty and overthinking everything.

“They’re going to find a flaw on you, and hate you.”

“You’re not good enough.”

“You still have time to back out and run!”

Luke easily notices your droopy eyes, slowed walking and quickened breathing, which were all too familiar. As you reached his side, hands on your pocket, his hands held your waist, moving your bodily position from facing the door to facing him. You were still looking down until his finger lift your chin, your eyes locked with his.

“You calmed me when I was nervous to meet your parents, and to our happiness, they liked me. My parents will adore you because you are amazing, okay?” He reminds, sealing it with a short peck which matched the timing of the door being opened by a splitting image of Luke, yet he was much taller and scruffier, also his hair was tied back.

“Luke, mate!” He smiled, pulling your boyfriend in for a heartfelt hug. “Getting buffer now, I see?”

“Maybe more than you now since I’ve quit drinking, Jack. Well sort of.” Luke half jokes, holding his laughter. The man, whose name happens to be Jack, rolls his eyes in annoyance and jokingly, laughing along. “You wish, Luke. Oh, and hello to you.” His focus changed to you, looking up and down.

“(Y/N), this is my older brother Jack. Jack, my girlfriend, (Y/N).” Luke introduces you both, further making you both acquainted to each other. You were already preparing yourself to what’s going to occur, whether they will act fake or nice to you. Expecting the worst, you were surprised when Jack brought you in for a friendly hug.

“Nice to finally meet you! Come on in!” He invites you inside, slowly entering the open and big house they have. You could smell the aroma of vanilla spread all throughout, reminding of Luke’s house in LA. You also noticed the different pictures hung on the walls, like family, individual and scenery shots, in which the latter are taken by his mother, Liz. Oh, meeting her in person got you the most wrapped up, especially she is the main woman of the household which is male dominated. Despite this, there was one photo that stood out the most was a young and chubby looking school photo of Luke.

“Aww, baby boy.” You cooed, trailing the glass frame and acting affectionate. Luke “You looked so cute and innocent here, love. What happened?”

“Oh haha, real funny. It’s not as worse as your photo as a devil for Halloween circa 2004.” He strikes back jokingly, mentioning an embarrassing memory from your childhood because your costume got dirtied by mud when you accidentally tripped on some excess cloth from your pants since the costume was too long.

“We don’t speak of that humiliating memory, loser!” You spanked him on the shoulder, the memories of that playing in your mind. “Oh, c’mon it was funny! Also, you were being mean!” He retaliated by grabbing your wrists in defense.

“Ooh, you are so smitten, mate!” Jack teases, giving him a pat on the back. “Oh, he is huh?” You give him a smirk, flattered. Luke blushes pink, shy to express his admiration and love towards you sometimes because he likes to keep it to himself. But with you, you’re an exception.

After looking and teasing Luke about his old pictures, Jack led you and Luke to the living room, where a young woman and little boy were playing with trucks and action figures on the floor.

“You’ll never get away, Loki!” The young boy holds up a Spiderman figure, playing his character. “Try me!” The young woman plays back, holding up a Loki figure, striking it at the Spiderman. They begin “fighting”, only ending in a fit of giggles wherein also the woman carried the young boy up in the air.

“Mommy, I’m flying!!” He bubbled, his toothy smile melting your heart due to the cuteness. “Woah there, little Max has grown a bit!” Luke says as he makes his way to the woman, putting down the little boy still holding his action figure and then lightens up at the sight of his tall uncle. “Uncle Pukey!” He exclaims, his tiny legs running over to the tall man who picks him up high in the air. As he brought him down, Luke kneels down to reach his height.

“How you been, Max?” He asks, messing his hair a bit. “I’m happy now you’re here! Also, I just turned 4!” He puts up four fingers, giving him a toothy smile that lightened up your mood before running back to his toys. Yet it kind of gutted Luke because he’s missing out on his nephew’s life. Hopefully, he’ll never be like that to his future kids.

Welp.

“He’s getting a bit tall now, I see.” Luke adds, his attention to the woman lying on the couch in tiredness. “Turning into a handful too.” She says, regaining her strength and stood up again. “Missed you, you Jack wannabe.”

Luke chuckles, his arms opening for her for a hug. “Missed you too, Celeste.” As their hug ends, Celeste beams at the sight of you, her energy boosted.

“Oh my, you must be (Y/N)!”

“Hi, you must be Cel-” You prepared your hand to shake, yet instead, she gave you a warm hug which you didn’t expect. “Love, shaking hands is so formal. Besides, I can tell that you’re really nervous by the way your eyes crinkle and breaths quicken.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“I can read people pretty easily, not to brag or anything. Oh and yes, I’m Celeste, Jack’s wife. ” She introduces, looking from top to bottom. Much to your cluelessness, she likes you and your reservedness.

“Wow, it’s about time you’re here and didn’t greet me first!” A much older-looking and shorter woman enters the scene, crossing her arms at Luke, who is stationed at the floor with Max and playing with him.

“Sorry, mum. Couldn’t resist playing my favorite nephew.” He jokes before standing up and giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“Do you mean your only nephew?” Jack says, showing off his common sense. “Shut up, Jack.” Luke responds, getting everyone annoyed because Max was in the room, wherein there is zero tolerance for swearing.

“Clean that dirty mouth of yours, mate.” Jack reminds, covering little Max’s ears, making him squirm a lot. “There is a child here.”

“Some things don’t change with you, hun.” The older woman comments, before changing her attention on him to you. You couldn’t decipher what she was thinking at that moment nor if she sensed bad or good vibes with you.

“Ah, you must be (Y/N)!” She smiles as she approached you. You did the same thing with Celeste and reached out your hand shake for formality. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Hemmings.”

“Call me Liz, love. You are as beautiful as Luke described.” She declined the handshake to give you a hug. This family is very affectionate, you noticed. Unlike yours, wherein they were pretty strict with Luke at first, yet they warmed up to him in the end.

“Oh, thank you. You are just as lovely, Liz.” You didn’t know to reply at first yet you couldn’t help blush while remaining humble.

“Liz, is Lewi here?” An older and much shorter man joins the scene, right behind Liz.

“Yup! And brought a special someone.” She answers, giving a kind and genuine grin, which is a sign of acceptance. Well, so far.

“Oh, (Y/N)! I’m Andy, by the way, great to finally meet you!” He introduces himself, wherein based on everyone you’ve met so far, he must be his dad. “Hi, dad.” Luke gives Andy a hug before standing right beside you, his arm on your waist.

“Luke has told us so much things about you.”

“Really like what?” You asked, curious as to what your boyfriend must’ve shared. Were they bad? Good? Funny?

“How about we eat first then let’s talk.” Liz instructs, her arms inviting us to the dining room where various food and beverages are served. “Come one, everyone, let’s eat!”

Nodding, everyone gathered at the long dining table, satisfying their hunger and thirst through Liz’s cooking and catching up, especially on Luke because he’s the only one living in LA aside from you. Also, his other brother Ben caught up to you guys for dinner, along with his family. His wife’s name is Kara and has two kids: Jacob, who’s 6 years old, and Lily, who’s 3. Happily for you, Ben had a liking for you like everyone else, which made dinner much more enjoyable.

It was as if your worries have gone away whilst eating dinner, especially when everyone asked you different questions, which you answered truthfully. Celeste pointed out how odd it was how you met but quoting her, “a great result because you make Luke really happy.”

Andy admired how you managed to still graduate even if you changed career paths. “Being able to speak a different language is an advantage whether you’re acting or not.”

As for Ben and Jack, they find it incredible that you’re there to “keep him grounded and help him get through media” especially since you are a rising star.

“I like (Y/N), uncle Pukey. She makes you happy.” Max says at the table as he drinks his orange juice from a sippie cup. Everyone aww’d, and your heart has never been happier.

As dessert, which was cake, was being eaten and wine was drank by everyone still at the dining table, Liz began getting dirty plates for her to clean. Seeing how many they were, you offered to help her out. “Yes sure, love. Thank you.” She thanked, strengthening the grip on the plates on her hands so they don’t fall.

Getting the remaining plates, you stayed beside her whilst washing quietly in order to have a fast pace and still catch up with the others at the table.

”He really loves you, you know?” Liz began, capturing your attention away from the plates and facing her.

“I do, and I love him just as much, Liz.” You say, your nerves creeping up back to you, tilting you head to where Luke was at the dining room. The chandelier light shined at him, wherein his eyes crinkled and smile widened, laughing afterwards.

“It warms my heart for him to find someone like you, who doesn’t let others like the media define him for you and keeps him grounded. Just the way he talks about you in the past, just wow you got him smitten.” She shares, lovingly and with relief. “As his mother, all I want is the best for him always. Don’t ever hurt him, alright?”

“I won’t ever, Liz. Your son is the best thing I’ve ever had in this tough life, and he makes me really happy.”

2034, Los Angeles

“She looked like an angel.”

“Luke, stop. She ended things and hurt you.”

“It was like she never aged a bit.”

“Shut up, Luke! You’ve moved on right?”

Those were some of the many rivaling thoughts running through Luke’s mind as he was washing his face repeatedly in the restroom, trying to forget that strong connection from earlier. He felt nervous, most especially at the fact you are living and breathing in the same area. Some 10 year separation, huh? Things get weirder when he recalls Rebecca, well actually Stella, back in Sydney asked him what he would do if he sees you again. He said he’d say hi and talk, but as of now, he can’t think straight. Now, he kept pondering on other things to distract himself, like what shirt will be changing to for the afterparty, whether to do a note change in the band’s performance of Valentine later, and if Sierra saw her earlier.

For the latter, if she did, things will most likely not go well.

Wiping his face on some paper towels, he ran fast to the band’s dressing room, aware that he will be stepping on stage in a little while. His phone started ringing and vibrating with numerous texts and calls. At last, he found the door labeled “5SOS” and opening it, he sees his fellow band members practicing on their respective instruments and having conversations with their kids and wives. “Finally, you’re here!” Sierra cheered, reaching over to him for a peck on the lips. “You got everyone worried! And your shirt’s a bit wet too.”

“Don’t scare us off like that, mate. You’re our frontman, we will fail without you!” Calum says, concerned. “Fuck, did someone get your blazer or something?” Michael cusses, shocking Crystal. “Michael!” She protested, covering the ears of Beatrix, who was beside her and talking to Scarlett about . “There are children in the room.”

“Mom, let go!” Beatrix groans, removing her hands and carries on with Scarlett. Rebecca, the real one, was busy talking to Alex, “catching up”, and as she saw Luke, she was ecstatic. “Dad!” Running to his side, she gives him a tight hug, a hug almost a month overdue.

“So peppy over there, poppet? I just saw you a while ago.” He comments as he kneels a bit and wrapped his arms around her. “Honestly, it felt longer, dad.” Rebecca says satisfied, finally feeling more at home and contented to talk with her accent too.

“Becks love.” Sierra called out, disrupting the moment much to Rebecca’s dismay. As an aunt, she was okay but now after what’s been happening, she’s not having it. She discreetly observes her body language and facial expression. She kept tapping her feet and her smile was crooked as she held her phone out. Impatience, like she wanted something and didn’t wanted you in it. “Oh yes? Sorry, Sierra.” Rebecca answers, giving her an innocent grin and still hugging Luke from the side.

“Well, Becks, do you mind if you take a photo of your dad and me? You know, more photos for the wedding, the better.” She asks politely, handing the phone to Rebecca and going over to one side of Luke, putting her arm on his waist and vice versa. “Oh okay, sure.” As the device was in her hands, she discreetly smirked as she had an idea. How fast or slow can Sierra crack? Upon doing this, it was so she knows what she was in for if Sierra was her step-mom.

Mare.

Round 1: It was dropping her phone “accidentally” on the floor while Luke and Sierra were fixing themselves a bit for the photo. “Oh shiz, sorry Aunt Sierra.” She frantically picks it up to sell the character, sliding left on the phone to access the camera. From afar, she can see her annoyance in her eyes, rolling them, and the hand on her waist crumpling a bit.

“I-It’s fine, Becks. Just take the picture since your dad is almost going on stage, yeah?” Stammering, Rebecca captures the moment, putting down the phone camera. “Yay, thanks Becks!” Sierra runs over to Becks’ side, opening her phone to check the photo. “This is amazing! What do you think, Lukey?” She says in approval, handing her phone to Luke. For a second, Rebecca grimaced over that nickname of her dad.

“I-It l-looks great. Nice one, poppet.” He compliments, walking to the other side of the room to get ahold of his guitar. He was still out of focus, searching for any distraction because the picture taking didn’t really help and with Rebecca in the room, he couldn’t stop thinking about you because she’s half of you.

“Dad, are you okay?” Rebecca cuts him off from his thoughts, her blue eyes identical to his looking fretful. “You’ve been acting weird since you got here, like you saw a ghost or something.” Does a ghost of marriage past count?

“I just needed my guitar.” Luckily, his guitar was just at fingers touch, gripping on it and putting on the strap around his figure. “Smooth move over there.” She jested, nodding her head up and down. Luke continues his gaze at her, the nodding of head reminding him of something you would do.

“Shut up, Luke! You’ve moved on right?” One thought repeated.

“5 minutes until performance, boys!” A man, probably one of the organizers, announced in the room upon opening the door, instigating the boys to gather what they need before heading out. Luke grabbed one of the many picks he had and took a gulp of water to refresh him before the performance. Surely he’s used to it, but the tables have now turned since he saw you, and also that you will be watching him. If only he had a drink, but he’ll get to that later at the afterparty.

Lord, help him.

“Why did I choose to wear heels again?” You complained right after you stepped out of the vehicle with Timmy, facing once more the familiar flashing lights of different cameras and the paparazzi screaming your name and blurting out of context questions. Timmy was right with you to get through that horde and enter the after-party venue, where there will still some photographers, but consensual ones. The lights were dim, numerous private booths and tables near the dance floor, different artists performing, all sorts of alcohol and food being served. Tempting as it was, you just recovered from your previous indulge from a while ago and taking a rest.

“I believe we have found our table, babe.” Timmy says, his finger pointing to a table with the label “Cast of Take Me or Leave Me” by the right side of the stage. You just wanted to hold his hand, but it cannot be so you settled on interlacing your arm on his, which is a sign of respect and chivalry that would not be easily suspected. As you both directed your steps to that spot, you then recalled that you were to meet up with Rebecca, or Stella now, and Gina as soon as you entered the venue of the after-party. “Sorry babe, wait.” You pause your movement, bringing your phone out and dialing Gina’s number. Placing the device by your ear and letting it ring, you then hear shuffling and soft voices in the background. “Hi, Miss (Y/N). How may I help you?”

“Hey, Gina. Where are you two? I figured that we would meet up here at the after-party to, you know, discuss.” Your voice softened, most especially on your emphasis on the word discuss, looking around the venue in hopes of finding them yet the lighting was too minimal and only neon lights were dominant. “Oh, we’re at one of the lounges near the bar, the third nearest. Rebecca almost passed out because she’s dehydrated.” Gina professes on the other line.

“Shit, I’m on my way there.” You panic before hanging up and turning your back on Timmy. “Babe, wait up!” He stopped you, his hand gripping on your shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“Y-Yeah. Got some old friends here and I’ll just say hi if that’s okay.” You lied, ready to run and get some water at the bar. You weren’t much of a secret keeper towards him, but this one is just not too easy to tell at the time. For Timmy, he was thinking to accompany you, yet he is reminded of your relationship which is very private so he shrugs the request. “Oh, okay. I’ll be with Cami and Miles over there. Be back soon, alright?”

“No problem, babe.” You give him a kiss on the cheek before heading your way to the busy bar. Different people with different requests who cannot control their impatience. Yet when you made your appearance, one bartender instantly was available for you.

“Miss (Y/N) (Y/L/N)! What would you like for this evening?”

“Not to sound like a bummer, but I’d like water please. It’s for my daughter.” He nods at your request and gives you cold bottled water from the cooler below the table. “Here you go, miss. Enjoy your night.” As you thanked and tipped him with a 10 because you were feeling friendly, you searched for that third lounge nearest to the bar, which happens to be the most isolated too. When you did, which was a burden for your feet, you knocked first out of courtesy.

“Miss Rebecca Hemmings!” You called out, just wanting to get everything over and done, mainly that just hours ago, you were eye to eye with your ex-husband, fully speechless. This was someone whom you’ve loved yet damaged you. You needed him out for good because it was too much.

The door slowly opens to reveal two identical girls by the door. Duh, you have twins, but it’s not likely to already see each other this fast, right? “Hold up, I’m beginning to see double.” You blinked numerously.

“Well mom, you are.” The girl in the dotted dress confirms, smiling as she looked at her other sister for a second and using her Australian accent to remind you that it was Rebecca. As for the girl in the leather-like dress, it was Stella, whom you’ve mistaken earlier as Rebecca, thinking she was just wearing a jacket. You were ecstatic, they were together at last and you weren’t tipsy anymore

“Oh my God! You both have found each other, and are so beautiful.” You gushed, bringing in them for a hug. That last time they were together were when they were a year old, in separate baby baskets in which afterwards, Luke took Rebecca and you took Stella. They were so unaware of what they were going to face, or rather miss out. But now, time to snap back to reality.

“Now, you two have explaining to do!” Out of the blue, a woman with red hair and light brown eyes pops out from the door. Familiar looking you thought of her. “Hold on, loves. Maybe it’s best that we head inside so no one gets suspicious.” She reminds, her arms directing the twins to go inside which they easily follow. Afterwards, she focuses on you. “Hi miss (Y/N), I don’t know if you remember me, but..” Her voice and face were very familiar, and then memories of the past played in your head of this woman and how she once took care of Stella for over a year.

“Oh my, Felicia! It’s been so long.” You give her a short hug before you entered inside the cold lounge. Felicia grins at your kind action. “I knew I always liked her.” She tells herself, checking around the vicinity if anyone was watching then closing the door gently.

“First off, I already just saw your dad when he was going backstage with your aunt Sierra, taking these cutesy photos like best-friend style kinda. He was very dumbfounded, like he had no clue that “Stella” and I were going to be both here. And between the both of you, you didn’t tell him that I was going to be here, huh?” You confronted in frustration while stood in front of the two girls seated at the couch, her palm on her forehead and pacing the room back and forth.

“You saw him already?” Stella gasped, concerned that everything was bound to fail already before the meeting. It would be too soon. “Surprisingly yes, like we locked eyes so deeply, and I can sense that he viewed me like a ghost, like the ghost of marriage past. Well true.” You coincidentally matched your analogy as you explained what happened. As you were about to add on, Gina barges in the room holding water bottles.

“Here guys, the water bot – Oh hello everyone, hi Miss (Y/N).” She awkwardly greets, placing the bottles on the table beside her. Short background, it was just her and the twins a while in the room before she left to get water for Rebecca, then Felicia followed afterwards because she had to give Luke’s extra shirt for the after-party. As Gina waves at every single person in the room, yet paid more attention on the eyes of the unfamiliar red-haired, snow white-skinned woman in the room. The eyes of Felicia.

“Hi! I’m afraid we haven’t met personally, but I’m Gina. Nice to finally meet the woman Rebecca speaks highly of.” Gina approaches Felicia, shaking her hand. “Hello! Likewise, love. I’m Felicia.” She shakes back, making a bold move by kissing her hand. “Lovely to meet you.”

Unconsciously, their grasps prolonged as well as their staring at each other. You caught from the moment that they were slightly interested in each other, but this wasn’t the right time to pursue it.

“Ahem.” You coughed, waking the girls from their mini moment and back to your talk towards the twins. “Sorry, miss. Continue on.” Gina apologizes, putting some strand of her brown hair behind her ear, still flattered by Felicia’s action and not to mention that she is right beside her feeling just as giddy.

“Let us now change the topic. You are going to tell me right now why we’re here and also without telling your father.” You say with conviction, in dire need of answers and no more secrecy.

Yet Gina interrupts the talk again. “Excuse me, miss (Y/N), now since this is a family topic, Felicia and I will be heading out.”

“I agree, miss (Y/N). Now shall we, Gina?” The two take small steps towards the exit. Suspicious as it is, you figured that those two maybe hiding some information too.

“Wait!”

Everyone froze. You took in some deep breaths because you were mentally preparing for what you are about to ask and the answers that will roll along with it, which will just bring you more overwhelm and stress. “Is there something I don’t know that you all do?”

Silence, Stella was looking at Rebecca, pestering her indirectly through her hand movements to say something. Rebecca sighed, her heartbeat racing fast. “Mom, Dad’s getting married.”

“What? To who?”

“Aunt Sierra.” Stella admits, frowning at the name without hesitation.

You couldn’t believe your ears. You prayed hard hoping that it wasn’t true yet no joking nor smiley expressions came from your girls to back it up, which just confirms the fact.

“That bitch.” You yell, clenching your fists and ready to punch the wall. Your adrenaline was rushing through veins without any pauses and willing to snap at anyone who tries to stop.

Here’s the thing. Sierra has always been mean to you behind doors since the day Luke introduced you to her back in the day, saying that you weren’t good enough for him and that you should leave him for someone else. Although you never hide anything from Luke, this was something you just can’t tell him. This was because Sierra has established close friendships with the boys for years, which is also good for the music industry and you wouldn’t want that to be ruined over the fact that she didn’t like you. Besides whatever she said, you could care less. But now to marry Luke? This is different, and you felt betrayed.

“I never told anyone about this, but Sierra and I never liked each other because she says I’m never good enough for your father and that he deserves better.” You hissed, tightly gripping on one of the pillow from the couch. Rebecca and Stella are beyond scared as they have never seen you this enraged about anyone, making their way to you with water.

“Mom, are you jealous?” Stella questions, directing you to sit down and just relax by the softness of the couch, even for just a little bit.

“No, love. I-It’s just that if your father was to find someone else after me, it would just not be her.” You elaborated, desiring your e-cigarette so badly yet it is in the possession of Mark because Rebecca told him to keep it away from you. Oh great.

Funny enough, it was like you switched roles: the twins were asking the questions and you were answering them. “Since you and aunt Sierra were never ever in good terms, why didn’t you tell dad?”

Taking a breather, “Sierra’s a singer like your dad and has been friends with him too for years, longer than my and your dad’s past relationship. Also it was good for business he says.”

“Well mom, this is terrible, and she is quite awful, and this can’t push through! The only way he won’t marry her is if – you tell her Stella, you both know each other more.” Rebecca switches positions with Stella who was seated beside you. “Is if he sees you again.” She finishes her twin’s sentences, with a hint of hope things could get better.

“You’re not setting us up now, are you?” You implied, raising one brow.

“Actually, we are. You both are perfect for each other.” Rebecca stated frankly, defending her stand just so you can get more of an idea. As you were to counteract her point, you could see at the corner of your eye Gina and Felicia tiptoeing to the door so they can leave.

“Hold up.” You halt, facing them. “Do you guys know this too?”

“What no, this is outrageous!”

“No no no, I’m clueless about this!”

Their voices were a pitch higher, kept shaking their head and raising their brows. You could easily read people, and based on that, you undoubtedly knew they were lying. “I smell lies from you both.”

Defeated, they gave in. “Technically, yes.”

“Yes, and it was so sweet.”

“Stella told me this and I’m a die-hard romantic.” Gina gushed, her brown eyes lighting up and heart so warm despite the situation they were in. “Omg really? So am I!” Felicia replies at her, astonished and feeling giddy as she gazed at the brown-eyed girl again.

As much you appreciated at how close those two were getting, you needed to get through the reality of this situation, to get through unfinished business once and for all. Standing up much stronger and taller, you spoke up once with more conviction and discipline.

“Let me say this loud and clear, girls. Luke Hemmings and I have nothing in common, well anymore. He said that I held him back, and I agreed with him. Besides, if he’s liked Sierra when we were together, then so be it. I’m already happy with your uncle Timmy, more than your father made me feel. Your father and I, our relationship just happened so fast, and ended the same way too.”

Drained, Stella gives her input. “Mom, I love uncle Timmy and all, but you and dad had something special, which led you to having us.”

She was right without a doubt, but sadly, that something has ended and neither of you are interested with mending that ever. The only thing you want to settle with him would be the bonding time of the twins. “I know my loves, but unfortunately, times are different. When we finally get to talk later, I will explain to him that I am here for one reason only, which is to switch you back. Understood?”

“Yes, mom.” They agreed, bowing their heads and laid on the couch, unhappy with the result. This was a huge setback for their plan, but hey, setbacks lead to a big comeback! That’s what’s keeping them positive.

“Alright, now excuse me, I will be looking for Timmy and get another drink, maybe the photographers and some of my other friends need pictures too.” You say in relief before leaving the room to do such. At least that’s settled, right?

Having clever twins would think otherwise.

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