#I still have to run it by my senior but we'll see

[the-stray-liger]

looking into a rageroom for the next team building activity because the last one was axe throwing and I could not book a ceramic painting class and live with myself

[queers-gambit]

Opening Night and Open Hearts

prompt: opening night - a mother's fear, a locked walk-in freezer, confessions through a thick metal door, questioning what's deserved, and a proposal at The Bear after hours.

pairing: Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto x female!reader

fandom masterlist: FX's The Bear

word count: 9.8k+

note: i think i give enough background for you guys to feel as if you don't need to read any other relating works, but i linked the fics that could be read as a small series (maybe?) also let author be lonely in peace

warnings: reader nicknamed Peach, established relationship, cursing, spoilers, fluff, angst, relationship angst, hurt and comfort, Carmy still (desperately) needs a nap, depiction of physical illness, boys are dumb and emotions are hard, reader-insert, depiction of toxic family, OC Carmy that grovels a lot, not edited!

⚠️ season two, episode ten spoilers

not necessary to read, but other relating works with Peach:

Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant

God's Plan part two: Two to Tango

Neon Sticky Notes

"Hi, yes, I can hear you - sorry about that, I was just making note of your reservation," you spoke smoothly into the phone, trying not to ogle your boyfriend wrapped in only a clean blue towel. "So, that's a party of four for Monsieur Claude Badeaux - all right, that's so lovely. I'm obligated to remind everyone that tonight's opening is a fine dining experience and the proper, corresponding dress code is being asked for. Are there any allergies I should make note of for your party?"

"Jean Paul has a tree nut allergy," you were told.

"All right, that's noted and highlighted: Jean Paul has a tree nut allergy. If there's anything else I could help you with?"

"Non," he chuckled. "I was surprised to see your invitation to this evening, though, mon cher. It's been so long, yes?"

"Well, it was my pleasure to extend the offer, we're ecstatic by your reservation," you chuckled. "We'll see you tonight, Monsieur, and should you need anything before then, you may call this number again."

You said your parting words in French, smiling at Carmy when you hung up and dropped your work phone. "Did I hear that correct?" Your lover asked with a broad grin, "Was that...?"

"Senior marketing advisor at The Washington Post?" You filled in for him. "Uh, yeah, I think it was, but you know me - I could be wrong."

"You invited someone from The Washington Post to the opening tonight?"

"Is that okay?" You asked, standing from the bed after making note in your datebook. "You look kinda - I don't know, shocked?"

"I-I am," he blinked at you, watching you gather his pristine clothing to hang on the closet door. "But in a good way - I can't believe you did this," he chuckled, wiping his mouth. "I mean - holy shit, Peaches."

You offered a toothy grin, "Figured I could pull a few of my own strings to help get the word out about your love-child."

This made Carmy snicker, "Hey, now. Tonight's important, don't make fun."

"I know," you nodded, leading him back into the bathroom to view your hair products. "Which is why I invited some important people and some not-so important people. I know this is serious, Carmy," you smiled at him, hoping to convey your support, "and I wanted to help in whatever way I could."

"You being there tonight is more than I could ask for," he chuckled, helping you onto the small bathroom counter. You squirted a bit of hair product in your hand, watching him flinch back a little, "Uh, I just don't want my hair greasy, Peach, you know? Not a good look and I'll sweat it out in the kitchen."

"I feel like I should be offended by you having no trust in me," you teased, insisting, "I know whatcha need, baby, lemme help."

Carmy smiled softly and held still, letting you run your hands through his curls to push everything back and away from his forehead in a stylish but manageable "do". There was a silent, serene moment as you and Carmy just existed together in a mundane space, his big, sad eyes watching your face as you worked. He wondered, "Think tonight's gonna be okay?"

"I think tonight's gonna be more than okay," you assured softly. "I think tonight's gonna go better than you're anticipating."

He sighed and planted his hands on either side of you, suddenly dropping his gaze. "I, uh... Sugar invited Mom t'tonight..."

"Yeah, I know."

"You know?"

"Sugar and I are still friends outside of us dating, Carmy," you smiled patiently, slowing your hands so you more toyed with his curls; pushing some strands behind his ears. "She needs someone as much as you do and I don't mind."

"But isn't that what Pete's for?"

"Yes, but you know, Pete's Pete."

Carmy snorted, "Yeah, yeah, good point."

"I don't know if she'll show up tonight, Bear, but whether she does or doesn't, it won't matter - you're not doing this for her. This is for you, Carmy, tonight's about The Bear opening - it's about you and this incredible, amazing thing you've done. Okay?" You caressed both his cheeks in your hands so he could only look at you directly. "If she shows, that's great," you whispered with a soft smile as your thumbs swept the apples of his cheeks, "and if she doesn't, it won't make tonight any less special. That, I can promise."

Carmy's forehead met yours, both pausing to breathe together; peace always a fleeting feeling as of late and being something you both capitalized on. You brought him in closer for an embrace, his face burying in your neck as your arms snaked around his to keep him as close as possible. His arms were tight around your waist, legs spread to accommodate him; both needing the feel of being close before that night's inevitable stressful event.

"Wow, well, don't you look all pretty! Wow, Peach," Pete greeted you when you scurried to the table with your friend in tow. "Oh, hi there!"

"Pete, this is my best friend, Danielle, and Dani, this is Pete, Sugar's husband."

"Hi, it's really nice to meet you," your friend greeted, the two instantly chattering as they both just blew past their introductions to instantly compliment one another's clothes. You smirked, knowing they'd get along famously, and looked around the brand new, packed restaurant.

"Hey, there she is, my pretty girl," Richie greeted smoothly, approaching your standing form to slide his hand around your shoulders.

"Hi, Cousin," you beamed, offering him a hug in greeting. "The place looks fantastic - it's so - I mean - just wow, Richie," you complimented. "You guys did such an amazing job. I need to tell Fak, too, this is - you guys should be so proud, it looks incredible. Hardly can believe what it was before this."

"It really is something, huh?" He grinned. "Hey, Pete," he nodded.

"Hey, Richie."

"And you must be the famous, the fabulous Miss Danielle?"

"That's me," your friend grinned. "You're Richie, right? Carmy's cousin who's not really a cousin but is as good as blood?"

"Yes, ma'am, the very same," he nodded with pride. "We've some drinks coming your way in just a moment, but I need to borrow Peach for just one second."

"Why do they call her Peach?" Dani asked, but Richie was leading you away as Pete was heard answering,

"Oh, because she mastered this peach cobbler with Carmy's mom, Donna, and she started the nickname..."

"What's wrong?" You asked softly with a smile as to not give the illusion to others that you were worried. "What can I do to help?"

"No, no, nothing too bad, you were just requested by the Frenchie-French guy."

"Oh, right, that's right, yeah, I can help with that," you sighed gently, smiling as you approached the table. Greeting the two men and women was easy, Richie impressed by your connections in the professional world. Tonight, The Washington Post didn't just dine with them - no, it was also the director of social media for three luxury, designer brands: Jean-Paul.

Yes, the man was so elusive that he just went by Jean-Paul. Fuck a last name!

Either way, it impressed Richie to hear the introductions. The two women were executives in their own companies, names Richie didn't catch because he was busy taking note of the way Mr. Frenchie-French was basically eye fucking you in front of them all.

"Well," Richie smiled stiffly, "tonight's incredibly special for us. In fact, uh, Y/N's boyfriend is the owner and head chef."

"Really?" Frenchie-French perked his brows, shifting his gaze over to you. "You always had a soft spots for chefs, non? For those who were versed in the culinary arts?"

"Well, mostly I appreciated a man in the kitchen simply because I burn water and would probably unintentionally starve myself," you teased easily, deflecting the man's subtle dig. "I'm actually here with family tonight, so, please, ladies and gentlemen, enjoy tonight - I know I'm biased when I say the food is exceptional, but I look forward to your own opinions."

"We will talk later, mon cher, I am sure there will be plenty to discuss," the Frenchman promised, kissing the back of your hand as you let Richie lead you away by your free hand.

You released a long sigh, muttering, "Bring them a bottle of real champagne, please, Richie, I had a few bottles imported just for them. Listen closely," you lowered your voice as you both paused on the side of the dining room, "bring them a bowl of thin sliced strawberries sprinkled in sugar and pop the cork at their table - it's impressive for whatever reason."

Richie pecked your temple and gave you a tight squeeze, "I got it all covered, girly. You all right? Look like you're gonna be sick?"

"Just men being men grosses me out, I guess," you sighed with a small shrug. "He's always had a thing for me, I figured I'd use that to get him here tonight - Carmy's work speaks for itself, but maybe he'd be inclined to publish an article or two for us if I play nice."

Richie paused you a few feet from your table, complimenting, "I hope Carmy knows he doesn't deserve you, Peach."

"You said years ago neither of us did," you smirked gently. "Said I wasn't relationship material, right? Remember?"

"I was wrong," he nodded. "I even said y'all would never be serious, but..." He scoffed to himself, "I've never seen that boy so crazy about anyone in his life. You've really changed him, Peach. I don't really know how to thank you."

"You can start by buttering up those flirty Frenchmen," you teased, giving his cheek a peck.

"On it," he winked, parting from your side.

Inside the kitchen some twenty minutes later, Richie approached Carmy, directing his attention, "Cousin?"

"Yo."

"Peach is on 17 with Pete."

"Okay."

"Go say hi."

"Yeah, eventually," Carmy nodded absently, never halting his work.

"Eventually?" Richie repeated with distain, something in his stomach twisting.

"Where the fuck is Josh!?" Carmy called into the kitchen, another chef echoing his concerns.

"Yo!" Richie barked as calmly as he could, "Just go say hi to your girl, Cousin."

"Yo, I'll go when I have a minute," Carmy deflected strongly. "I'm in the fuckin' shit, leave me the fuck alone."

"What? I'm saying - "

"I'll get there when I can get there!"

"I'm saying!"

"What?" Carmy barked.

"She's got important fucking people in that dining room, man," Richie scoffed, hands held up in defense. "Just for your ungrateful ass! Maybe the least you can do is go say fuckin' hi - even if you're fuckin' busy. She knows that, it'd be a nice gesture - or whatever fuckin' shit - I don't know! She's your girl!"

"Yeah! Exactly!" Carmy barked. "She's my fuckin' girl, she knows the fuckin' drill, I'll go say fuckin' hi when I get the fuckin' chance, Richie! Fuck's sake! Always tryna meddle and shit!"

"Jesus, fuck," Richie sighed, turning out of the kitchen with his hands waving Carmy off in defeat.

You were none the wiser, entertained by Pete and Dani's gabbing as Sugar was in-and-out, dealing with all the little things going wrong. These little things came to her in the form of notes left at the table subtly for her to go solve, you wanting to help but being shot down every time. Eventually, Carmy was approaching your table with a tray of food, shocking you slightly.

"Hey, Peach," He greeted softly, lowering the tray to balance on the table and lean over to kiss your cheek. "You look gorgeous, baby, wow," he complimented in a whisper, offering another quick kiss.

"Thank you, Chef," you smiled brightly, touching his forearm in a sign of affection. "What's all this you've got for us?"

He hummed and explained what he set on the table in front of you guys; eyes alight and cheeks flushed from the heat of the kitchen. He poured whatever sauce came with the main dish, smiling at Dani, nodding to Pete, then looking to you.

"I'll check on you later, all right, baby?" He mumbled, watching you nod. "I gotta get back," he whispered, "but thank you for being here, my pretty girl."

"No where else I'd rather be, Cream," you rushed, letting his lips find yours briefly.

"Stick around after, would you? When we close, just... Don't leave yet."

"Yes, Chef," you whispered against his lips with a grin. He gave one single more kiss before pulling away to stand upright.

"Enjoy," he bid the table before walking away.

"So, like," Dani trailed after making sure Carmy was out of earshot, "when's the wedding? 'Cause that might've been the cutest thing I've seen. I mean, opening night, he's cooking, but paused to come serve us? Serve you? And he's so soft with you, kissin' you, bein' all cute," she pouted dramatically. "I want a reason to wear a maid of honor dress, please."

"Hey, hey, chill on us. There's no wedding," you sighed with a small laugh, trying to play off how the subject made your stomach twist. "We haven't really talked about it, you know? No biggie."

"What?" She sputtered. "Wait, hang on. Y'all have been together - like - a stupid, ridiculous amount of time. The fuck you mean you haven't talked about it? What are y'all doing, just ignoring the elephant in the room?"

You shrugged lightly, "I don't know, we know if we ever got married, it'd be to each other, but that's really it. We know we want to be together, we know we want to marry each other, but there's been no serious conversation about it."

"Uh, does that sound right to you?" Dani asked Pete.

He shook his head as you all took dainty bites of food to savor the flavors (and save Sugar some). "When I knew with Natalie, I didn't hesitate."

"Well, Carmy isn't like you, Pete," you defended. "He's got a lot on his plate, too, you know?"

"You've said that since Mikey," Dani frowned, her voice quiet.

"With good reason, don't you think? Carmy's just - he's just going through a lot right now and it's a challenge, you know?"

"No, it's more like Carmy's got the emotional intelligence of a fucking teaspoon!"

"Hey," you snapped, "that's not his fault, he doesn't know much better, so watch your mouth."

"He does with you, like... He knows better when he's with you, when it comes to you, Peach," Pete offered softly. "Look, maybe Danielle has a point - it is a little weird. I mean, you guys have been together, what? Six, almost seven years? Creeping up on a decade of just dating - that's a long time. And didn't you guys do that weird little half-dating thing for two years before making it official? Don't you think that's enough time to know if you want to marry someone, and then, you know? Actually marry them? Or at least ask them?"

"Sure, maybe to other people, but Carmy and I have never been conventional, so, I don't see why we need to start now."

Danielle scoffed, "Look, God love Carmy and everything, but you're just wasting time now. He needs to either commit or let you find someone who can actually love you like you deserve."

"Oh, and Carmy doesn't?"

"Wasn't all that long ago that you two took a break 'cause he called you clingy - and some other unsavory terms," Danielle shrugged. "Doesn't really sound like someone who loves you unconditionally - the way you should be loved."

You sighed and sat back in your chair, "I appreciate the insight, but Carm and I are fine. Okay? We've got years under our belts, we don't want to fuck up what obviously works for us so chill out on the questions, okay? I don't have answers to them."

Danielle and Pete shared a look before the man got up to excuse himself to the restroom. You and Dani finished your meals before sipping your wine, waiting for Pete, but Dani sighed, "This lady's been staring in here for, like, ten minutes already. It's freezing, doesn't she want to come in?"

"Hmm? What're you - ?"

"This lady on the street," your friend pointed over her shoulder towards the window her back was now turned to.

When you peaked out, you gasped lightly when you saw Donna Berzatto smoking a cigarette. "Oh, shit!" You stood from your seat, rushing, "Okay, so, uh, yeah - just - can you just sit here for a second? I have to go handle that."

"Who is it?" Dani wondered earnestly.

"I got it, Peach," Pete told you, passing by the table swiftly with a hand patting your shoulder to keep you at your table.

"What the hell's happening?" Dani asked. "Who is that?"

"Nothing, no one, it's okay, I think that's someone we know, just, uh, hang on a second? We'll be right back."

"Sure," she nodded in confusion, watching you get from your seat and follow Pete out the door onto the blistering cold sidewalk.

"Hey, Mama Donna," you greeted happily, arms crossing over your chest to protect from the wind. "Have you been inside yet? We saved you a seat and all, but isn't this - just wow?" You grinned, trying to encourage her to say anything about her children's hard work.

"Oh, no, no, not you, too, Peach, why are you here?" She groaned lightly, looking upset and close to tears.

"I'm here 'cause of Carmy? I-It's opening night, yeah?" You offered in confusion. "Why? What's wrong, Mama D?" You worried, glancing at an emotional Pete.

"No, it's just, I can't come in, I can't, just no," she backed away, only now making you notice the way Pete cried. "I'm so sorry, Peach, honey, but I was never here. Okay? I-I'll call them later, I swear, I promise, I'll call them - but I-I-I wasn't here. Okay? You can't tell them I was here. I'm so sorry."

"Donna, don't do this," you begged, head shaking. "Don't, please. Just come in with Pete and I - just sit there for a bit. Just come in and see what your kids have done - Donna, it's so beautiful. You'd be so proud, but you should really see it for yourself - "

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I can't, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, not tonight, no, I'm sorry, I can't," she deflected in a rambling mumble, turning and hustling down the sidewalk with her head shaking like a Etch-A-Sketch.

You rounded on Pete, "What the hell was that? Pete, what just happened?"

"Um, I-I don't - I didn't mean to."

"Pete? What didn't you mean?"

"She didn't tell her mom about the baby," he rushed, tears falling. "Nat didn't tell Donna, Peach, and I think I just did - I think I just fucked up and told her."

"Oh, no... No, Pete, you didn't."

"I didn't mean to! I swear it was an accident!"

"No, I know you didn't mean to, honey," you rushed, opening your arms to bring him in for a tight hug. "Oh, you poor boy, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Pete."

He sighed, "I'm sorry, too, Peach."

"For what?"

"That... We fell in love with Berzattos and this is our new normal now, right?" He sniffled.

You half-smiled, "Yeah, something like that. But it's okay. See, where Donna's afraid to give her love, neither of us are. Sugar and Carm deserve that from us, right? To be authentic and just love them?"

He nodded, "Yeah, you're right."

"And that's all we gotta do... Is love them, Pete."

"God knows where else they'd get it," he huffed, wiping his face. "Hey, um, I'll be in, in a second - I just need a minute alone, I think, in the cold."

"Take all the time you need," you agreed.

"We're not - we're not telling them about this, right?"

You sighed, "No, I don't think so - at least right now. It might hurt them more, you know? To know Donna was here, but never came in. That she ran away... Again. It'll hurt, they deserve to be happy about tonight."

Pete nodded rapidly, looking like he was gonna burst into tears. Instead of going back inside, you just moved to Pete's side and stood there; producing a cigarette, lighting it, offering Pete a drag that he turned down, and the both of you just standing silently; one smoking, one crying, both processing.

"Wow, look at these gorgeous ladies! By far the baddest in the whole place! Yeah, man!" Fak teased as he approached you and Danielle after closing the The Bear officially. "What a privilege to have you both dine with us this evening! Ugh, truly an honor to see you both here," he praised comically, evening giving a small bow that his brother mimicked.

Your eyes rolled, "You're laying it on really thick when I already tipped you." He snickered with Theo. "Hey, seriously, though, tonight was incredible. I mean, it was all so beautiful, you should all be so proud."

"Oh, we are," Neil giggled, his brother hanging off his shoulders.

"Good," you teased. "Uh, is now an okay time to go back and see him? Kinda wanna offer my compliments to the chef directly, you know?"

"No," Fak answered instantly, "uh, well, probably not the best time."

"Yeah, probably not," Theodore echoed.

"I can sense you two ramping up to something," you sighed, "so, I'm gonna ask you skip all that and tell me what's wrong. Why can't I go see my boyfriend? He just had an incredibly successful opening night, I kinda wanna kiss him if you don't mind."

"Um, well, h-he didn't want you to worry, so, he said not t'tell you, but, uh... Yeah, no, Carmy's, like, locked in the walk-in freezer. Han Solo style."

"What?"

"Locked in the walk-in," Fak nodded rapidly, "yeah, no, the handle - like, the whole handle came off. He's locked in, Peach..."

"Oh, my fucking God," you breathed. "Are you saying he - he missed opening night? Neil!"

"Yeah, kinda... Well, sorta - I mean, technically, but - "

"Oh, Jesus," you breezed past them all.

"Mmm-mmm, the fridge guy's name is Terry," Tina corrected Carmy, flinching a little when he slapped the other side of the metal door he was locked behind.

"See, th-tha-that's what I'm talking about!" Carmy raged. "I'm so fucking distracted, and for what? For fucking what? 'Cause of a girl?" He chuckled ruefully to himself.

"Nuh-uh, don't do that, Carmy," Tina scolded. "That's not no girl, that's your girl, that's Peach - you don't lash out at her, baby."

"Yo, maybe - maybe I'm just not built for this. Right? Maybe that's okay! Maybe that just is. She'd be better off, Tina... I'm just - I'm not built for this."

But what Carmy didn't hear was Sydney asking Tina to cover her at the front because she needed to step out the back, get some air; Tina accepting and telling Carm to hang on a moment. Something he missed. While Tina took Syd's spot, Syd rushed outside, and you slipped in the kitchen door; Carmy being surrounded by shitty ripped tape and an entire side full of the flowers he had brought in for tonight - for you. It was a haunting reminder; something suffocating.

When you got to the walk-in, you were prepared to call out for Carmy, but he started speaking from within, halting any word on your tongue.

"I wasn't here b-because I was looking a-a-at fucking engagement rings when the fridge guy fuckin' called," Carmy ranted, your heart stalling in your chest. "Right? Like, what the fuck was I thinking? Like I was gonna get married? Commit to this relationship? Be h-her fucking husband or some shit? Have a fucking wife? I'm a fucking - I'm a fuckin' psycho!" He laughed a little, the tears springing to your eyes as his words disarmed your heart and emotional dam. "That's why! That's why I'm good at what I do! That's how I operate! I am the best because I didn't have any of this fuckin' bullshit, right? I could - I could focus and I could concentrate and I had a routine and I - and I had fuckin' cell reception, and Peach and I just had our own routine! We didn't need this extra bullshit, and now..."

You just listened, leaning on the freezer's door, tears silently leaking down your cheeks as you had the horrendous realization that you were what now slowed Carmy down. You were what currently stood in his way, when this whole time, you thought you were helping; making things easier; supporting him. No... No, his words rattled your heart to accept that you were now the bane; the object of his ire. You and your relationship was what was wrong and was causing Carmy hurt and professional complications.

Something you never wanted to contribute towards. You both always said if this relationship got to be too hard, you'd walk away. Better to feel anger than resentment; and now, you knew you had to walk away else risk that resentment fester.

Carmy started up again, "I don't need to provide amusement or enjoyment, I don't need to be someone's 'to have and to hold'. I don't need to receive any amusement or enjoyment, nor for someone to have and hold me... And I'm completely fine with that. Because no amount of good is worth how terrible this fucking feels." You were ready to open your mouth, but he finished by nailing the final nail in the coffin of your relationship, "It's just a complete waste of fuckin' time - entertaining what I know I shouldn't. Being in this relationship, trying to give what I don't have, wasting everyone's time."

You took your chance, speaking through your tears, "I'm really sorry you feel that way, Carmen."

"Peach?" Carmy rasped from behind the door, sounding more alert than he had before. "Baby? Hey, hey, Peaches? That you? Peach - hey. Hey," he sounded desperate as you backed away from the door, a fist pounding into the metal, "hey, no, Y/N? Y/N!" The seriousness settled over you both, Carmen understanding you heard a lot more than ever intended and once those words are out there, there's no getting them back. "Y/N, baby? Hey, no, no, Y/N - listen to me - hey, no, no! I-I didn't know you were there, baby, okay? No, Y/N, please - tell me you're there now, let me explain." He paused. "Let me explain! Please! C'mon, baby, please, let me fucking explain - tell me you're still there! Y/N? Y/N!"

You sniffled and walked away, feeling smaller than you ever had in your life. You barely noticed when the kitchen door opened, not until a figured dressed in black stopped you. "Peach? Hey, hey," Richie halted you - taking note of the tears. "What's wrong? What happened? Are you okay - who fuckin' did it?"

You just stared at Richie for a long moment, opening your mouth twice before sighing and smiling sadly. "I never wanted to be what got in his way," you whispered sadly. "I'm sorry, Richie."

"Peaches, hey, what's - "

But you reached up to kiss his cheek, "Tonight was so beautiful, Cousin, and I'm so fucking proud of you all. Thank you for everything - not just tonight, Richie, but everything you do." You smiled again, whispering, "Take care of him. Okay? He'll need you."

"What're you talking about? What's going on? Where are you going? Hey, where are you going, Peach, please?"

"Have a good night, Richie, I love you," you whispered, leaving out the kitchen door as quickly as you could. "Hey," you sniffled, approaching Dani with the Fak Brothers, "can we go now, please?"

"Are you okay?" Dani worried in shock.

"I'd really like to go, Dani, please," you rushed, throwing your coat on and smiling at the Brothers as if your heart wasn't in pieces. "Thanks again for tonight, you guys, it was magical."

"Peach? Wait, hey, are you okay, baby? What just happened?" Neil worried, watching you snatch Dani's hand, but pause when screaming was heard from the kitchen. Everyone stared at the door, Neil muttering, "The fuck are they...?"

"Now, Dani, please," you whimpered to your friend, who wasted no time in escorting you out of The Bear. The moment you were outside, you burst into sobs, Dani grunting a little as she lead you down a side alley to lean you on a brick wall and beg you to breathe normally.

"What the hell just happened? Hey, honey, you need to breathe," she smoothed hair off your face - but it was like you were drowning in the air with the way you gasped and gaped and panted and whimpered and choked yourself.

"I-I-I-I think - I think w-we're done, I think we're done, I think - oh, fuck - I think we just broke up," you sobbed, hands on your knees. "Oh, my God, Dani," you whimpered, "I-I think - I think we're done, Danielle, oh, my fucking God. I-I heard things tonight that I just - I can't not know, anymore! He said - fuck! He was just so candid, he didn't know I was there so h-he was sayin' things I have t-to now confront - and I really didn't fucking want to! He just - he doesn't want to really marry me, D, and-and-and he was apparently looking a-a-a-at rings - fucking engagement rings! But then he said that w-was the issue - he missed the fridge guy's call 'cause he was looking at fucking rings for me and this is why he missed opening night - 'cause the fucking fridge broke! Oh, my God, Danielle, i-i-it's my fault, it's my fucking fault, he missed the most important night of his life and it's my fault - "

You were cut off by your stomach lurching, emptying your insides onto the pavement. The delicious appetizer, the tantalizing main course, Marcus' fresh baked bread that was delightfully soft on the inside yet baked crisp on the outside, and every bit of the sweetened dessert - all wasted on Chicago bricks.

"Okay, okay, ah, shit, just get it out, babe, there you go," Danielle held your hair, catching you in a suffocating hug once you were done puking. "I've got you, babe, I've got you. You're okay, no, hey, this isn't your fault. I've got you, come on. I think we need pints of ice cream and the saltiest pretzels we can find," she pushed some hair from your sticky forehead, pouting dramatically, "maybe some Pepto? Few Saltines and ginger ale? C'mon, we're going back to mine, there's a good girl," she coaxed you from the ground and away from the wall, "c'mon, you're stronger than this. There's my girl, here we go, just one foot in front of the other - together, with me, just like that."

You sobbed, not knowing that Sydney and her father stood listening just a few feet away behind a set of dumpsters.

The moment the freezer's door was open and Carmy was free, he was sprinting around the kitchen to grab his coat, leave Neil in charge of closing, and racing out the door as the Fak Brothers yelled at him for hurting your feelings.

"Hey, hey, hey, Chef! Carmy, wait!" Sydney chased him outside.

"No time!"

"Wait! She went with her friend!"

Carmy came to a tripping halt, catching himself before he hit the pavement before whirling around to approach her, "What?"

"Her friend? She was with some girl tonight?"

"Yeah - yeah, yeah, yeah, uh, um, that's - yeah, that's Danielle," Carmy nodded. "Her best friend, yeah, they were here tonight, sitting with Pete and Sugar."

"Listen, Carmy, I heard them when they left the restaurant... Peach was really upset, like, more upset than I've ever heard, saying you two broke up? Or something? She cried so hard, Carm, she actually threw up, it sounded like she was in genuine distress. I-I didn't know if I should've intervened, but her friend was with her and helping."

"Shit - fuck - Goddamnit," he seethed. "All right, thank you - "

"I doubt they went to your place, I think I heard her friend saying they were going to her apartment."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, great, I know where Dani lives, thanks Syd!" Carmy bid, sprinting in the other direction - never bothering with the public bus system, just running into the night. Sydney was left to sigh on the sidewalk, Neil and Theo joining her before Richie followed - all watching Carmy disappear down the sidewalk.

"He's a fucking idiot," Richie shook his head.

"What the hell even happened?" Syd asked.

"Carmy mouthed off in the walk-in, Peach heard it all," Richie supplied. "You know the dumbass was gonna propose tonight?"

"What?" Syd blinked in shock.

"Yeah," Neil tacked on, "we had a whole plan and everything. Candles, soft music, flowers - there's a bunch of flower bouquets in the walk-in."

"I'm sure that was hard for Carm to look at," Syd sympathized.

"Doesn't excuse whatever he said," Richie snapped. "She looked devastated."

"She cried so hard, she threw up in the alley," Syd frowned.

"How do you know?" Neil asked.

"I heard her," the other chef frowned. "My dad and I - we actually both heard her."

"Jesus fuck," Richie seethed.

"I mean... Should we still set up?" Theo wondered to his brother. "What if they kiss and make up, like always? Carmy might still wanna go through with the proposal, right? You know?"

"Maybe," Neil trailed, looking at Richie.

"I don't fucking know," he sighed, hands on his hips.

"She thinks they broke up, I imagine whatever she heard was pretty nasty," Sydney frowned. "Think they'll really make up tonight?"

"Let's hope," Richie sighed. "That fuckin' idiot isn't gonna find anyone better than Peach. Fuck," he looked around the city street. "All right, fuck it, fine, let's fucking set up. Not like the jackass deserves it, but let's do it for Peach."

Neil and his brother grinned at each other, turning to hustle back into The Bear - leaving Sydney and Richie on the street. No words were exchanged, just silent shakes of their heads before they followed the Faks with the intention to help set up for a proposal nobody even knew if would still happen.

The cold night burned Carmy's lungs, but it was nothing compared to the feeling of suffocation he felt earlier when listening to one of your voicemails while trapped.

Your words were sweet as pie, as they usually were; a voicemail left when you were still at work, but feeling so excited to see him that night that you just had to call him. You reminded him of the adoration and love you held for him, relaying how proud you felt - and that you knew Mikey would be, too. You were always doing that, reassuring Carmy; and maybe that's why he felt so freaked out, he wasn't used to it. Even after almost 7 years together, he just wasn't used to what he didn't know he deserved.

Because Carmy didn't think he deserved anything remotely close to love, understanding, compassion, patience, and / or reassurance.

He had sobbed out loud as he locked his phone, not having the heart to delete your message. He often never did - he liked listening to your voice on long, hard nights; it brought him peace when the world felt too loud. He also kept whatever little notes you left for him, even going as far as to get a few of your hand-drawn hearts tattooed on his forearm. One for each anniversary you've shared together. He realized he never wanted to be without you and all his doubts and fear was him projecting his own incompetence towards this relationship; so, he locked his phone, he didn't delete your message.

The moment the fridge door had been opened, Carmy was out of there, shot off like a Roman Candle - your words of love and understanding still ringing in his ears as he was freed. He needed to apologize, and he needed to apologize right fucking now.

The whole run to Danielle's apartment, Carmy wasn't sure what to say to you; mulling over different ideas in his head. He tried to plan his speech, but the only thing he could think of was how much he loved you and that the ring in his pocket weighed a hundred pounds.

He pounded at Danielle's door. Carmy paced slightly as he waited, knocking frantically, and surely waking the neighbors - but that didn't matter. All that mattered was talking to you, something he was desperate to accomplish. When the door opened, your friend offered a stale look and shook her head, "Nope."

"Dani, please," he halted the closing door, "it's all a misunderstanding, I swear to God, please, just - let me try to fix this. Please, okay? I-I need her - I fucking need her and I have to fix this 'cause she's all that matters, okay? So, let me talk to her - please. Please, Danielle!"

"Yeah? The only thing?"

"More than anyone, more than anything - more than The fucking Bear, I swear to fucking God, Danielle! Just - Just one chance, please. I-I don't know how it all got so fucked, but please, I have to try - "

"Whatever you said in that freezer, Carmen, fucking gutted her, you hear me?" Dani stood in her doorway protectively. "Should've had your ass frozen for the hurt you caused her. How the fuck do you intend on making this right? Huh? It's been almost a fucking decade, dude, if you're seriously still afraid of commitment, just fuck off and leave her alone. Let her walk away 'cause I promise, there's a line of dudes who would love to put a ring on her loyal-ass finger - "

"Please, let me fix this," Carmy begged, sounding close to tears. "I need her, Danielle, please."

"It's okay, D," a voice whispered from behind Danielle, and when she turned, you were revealed - jacket and purse in hand, looking completely exhausted, drained, and disheveled. "I'm just tired, Dani, but we have to talk about this... So, I'll go home with him and call you tomorrow, okay?"

"You sure?"

"It's a decent walk, gives us too much time to talk," you shrugged, refusing to meet Carmy's bloodshot eyes. "Thanks for tonight, sorry I was such a mess," you whispered, hugging your best friend since pre-school.

"Girl, don't you ever apologize to me. But hey, look, I don't know, you were just drowning in your tears, like, five minutes ago. Sure you really wanna go? You can stay here as long as you'd like, girl, fuck him."

"Better to work it out now than later, I guess," you whispered, letting her kiss your cheek and see you guys out.

"She calls me cryin', Carmen, I'll kick your ass," She threatened as you moved down the apartment's hall. You might've snickered just a little, but the amusement was wiped clean when you rounded the corner and came up to the elevators.

Now that it was just you two, it was dreadfully awkward.

"Baby - "

"Just - don't talk for right now, Carmen," you sighed, shaking your head. "I'm still digesting all you said."

He frowned when you walked onto the elevator without a single emotion on your face, following you, and when on the ground floor, moved out to head home. It was quiet, it was awkward; only the sounds of traffic filling the space between you as you walked.

"Listen," he started with a long sigh, "you came in at the worst time, Peach, heard some shit you shouldn't have that I-I didn't even mean. I was just," he paused, sighing, "really angry and frustrated, fucking running my mouth 'cause I didn't know what else to do."

"Sounded like I came in at the best time since you're not very forthcoming with emotions. So, hearing your confession put a lot in perspective for me, Carm."

"I was just angry, Peach," he frowned, hands deep in his pockets. "Felt like I was self sabotaging myself, I wasn't sure what else to feel. So, I just lashed out. I didn't mean it, but I just felt like being angry... So fucking angry, baby, I just - I didn't know what else to feel."

"I don't know if I can be with someone like that," you whispered. "Someone who throws our relationship under the bus when he's angry, someone who's first line of defense is apparently to blame the relationship he's been in for over half a decade with the same girl. Someone you've known your whole life..."

"Peach - "

"If it's that easy for you to just disregard us, I don't think we should continue this."

Carmy took a breath and reached out to pull you to a stop. He dug in his pocket for a moment, then showed you the black velvet jewelry box. "I was gonna propose tonight, when everyone was gone," he explained when you took the box to open gingerly. "I think because that was on my mind already, something I was more than nervous to actually do, you're right, it did become my first line of defense to blame us - not just you, baby, but us. You and me... Mostly me, though," he chuckled sadly. "You're this perfect, sweet angel who just loves me out loud when I don't deserve it, and I'm... I'm just me," he sighed, eyes reddening. "And I know I'm never gonna be enough for you, I think I started to get in my head about if you said no. How I missed the call from Terry about the fridge 'cause I was picking out an engagement ring that you didn't even want, that you rejected - rejected me; and in turn, I missed opening night, and it all just - it got to a boiling point. Look, Peach, it's never been a secret that I don't think I deserve you... But I wanted to be the man that could at least give you an honest try of my best. You've stuck by me the past seven years when you should've ran for the hills, and I knew I wanted us for life years ago - but everything was still so up in the air. So confusing. So fucked up. I figured, after opening tonight, if things went t'plan, I could propose - prove to you that we're on our feet and there weren't any rugs to be pulled."

"What if things didn't go to plan?" You whispered.

"We're kinda living it now," he admitted, hand rubbing the back of his neck. "But even if tonight was all a total failure, I know I might've still done it because it's you, Peach. It's you... I've known for years you're who I want, I just never knew how to do this - to move us forward. You're my first relationship, hopefully my only relationship, and I just didn't know how to advance us. I think when things got real for me, my insecurities crept in, and I just reacted - I didn't think."

"We always said when this wasn't healthy or when this wasn't good for us anymore, we'd walk away," you reminded. "That we'd rather be sad or angry about a breakup instead of letting resentment fester from being together."

"It's still good for me, Peach, we're still good," he whispered, stepping closer. "Is it still good for you? Or did I lose you completely tonight?"

"I don't know, Carmy, you've been lashing out a lot lately. At me specifically."

"And with The Bear now open, I-I should be okay. You know? Back to normal?"

You chuckled dryly, "I see, back to your high walls? Emotional constipation?"

"Then maybe not normal," he corrected, "because I just needed to get us here, to tonight, to opening, and then show you that it's over. Show you that part of our lives is over and we only have more adventures to look forward to. Not ones like this, though," he gestured up the street, your eyes cutting over and realizing you were back at The Bear.

"Do you really think you're a psycho?"

He chuckled, "After tonight? Yeah, pretty convinced... Plus, I, uh, I saw in the freezer the way we're labeling things - and got angry about it. Angry about the way we were tearing tape and labeling things. It was so fucking stupid, but I just - I felt so crazy. I still do, I still feel like my head doesn't make sense and I'm a bit, you know... Crazy."

You nodded slowly, "Then how can you promise me this kinda shit won't happen again?"

"I don't think I can, but I can make you the promise that I am working on it; trying to identify when I feel reactive, trying to calm that down. I'm trying, Peach, I really am - it's just... Taking a lot of time," he sighed sadly. "And I know you don't have any more left to give me."

"I've already given you this many years," you reminded softly, "I think I could spare another or two if it meant you getting your shit together, that you get better, stop feeling so crazy."

"I don't deserve anymore time - "

"I think you need to step back and reevaluate what it means to be deserving because you always say that. That you don't deserve something - even as simple as time. Everyone deserves time and opportunity to figure shit out, Carmy, and you're no exception."

He nodded, "I'm... Trying." He took a long, deep breath, "I'm, uh... Going to meetings, you know, like, uh, Al-Anon and whatever."

"That's good, they're there to help," you nodded, stepping closer to take his hands in yours after closing the ring box and stuffing it back in his pocket. "Now, I think you need to do something."

"Anything, Peach."

"Take my hand, bring me back to The Bear, and go about your plan."

He froze in shock, blinking at you in earnest, "You really mean that?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"No, ma'am, and I think that scares me more."

"You'd rather break up? 'Cause at this point, Carm, we either move forward with this engagement and fucking work our shit out, or we break up. It's been almost a decade. It's your choice, you're the one who was saying he couldn't be someone's husband, that he didn't need to provide anyone nor have them provide you with anything. So, you tell me what you want to do - because all I know is that I love you, I want you for life, but not if you're going to resent me and regret moving our relationship forward. I don't need to get married, Carmy, but you can't keep jerking me around like you have been. So... Make a decision based on what you want - based on what's best for you. Not what's best for us, but put yourself first right now, Carmy, and make a decision about what you want."

With a nod of his head, Carmy cleared his throat and offered you his hand. When he felt you lock your fingers with his, he glanced up and down the street, then lead you across it. Up the sidewalk and to the front door of The illuminating Bear, he paused to produce his keys and then lead you inside.

The lights were dim, but a flip of the switch brightly lit up the newly constructed restaurant. He seemed nervous at your cool demeanor, watching you shed your coat and set your purse down; but his hand took yours again and lead you further into the place. He seemed nervous, but once in the kitchen, it was almost like Carmy's stress melted away.

"I was... I had this plan," he explained softly, leaning on one of the work stations with both hands in yours to keep you in front of him. "I have all these candles, right? Was gonna distract you in here," he looked around the fluorescent lighting, "while Richie, Fak, Tina, and the others set everything up. We'd hang in here after the place was closed down, you know, show you around the completed kitchen. And really casually, I'd ask if you were ready to go, so, we'd go out the front, and we'd walk right into the candlelight..."

"Yeah?" He nodded, thumbs running over your hands as he pushed off the counter. "Don't deviate from your plan now..."

Carmy smirked, "Wanna hear the boring kitchen stuff?"

"Of course, I do."

So, he lead you around in a tour of the kitchen; showing off the new office space that he invited you to take advantage of whenever you wanted. The sleek appliances were shown off, the vast fridges, freezers, new cutlery, state-of-the-art dishwashers. Everything, he showed you, knowing you helped him pick a lot of it out - it was still nice to see it all come together finally.

And then, slowly, he lead you out of the kitchen, but to your honest shock, the dining room was covered in lit candles and different bouquets of thick, gorgeous floral arrangements. "Oh, holy shit," you breathed, Carmy hiding his confusion much better than you.

You came to a slow halt in the middle of the room, the lights out and only leaving the candles to provide an ambiance. "I had this whole speech planned, too," Carmy told you softly. "Remind you of the day we met, how you saved me from those jackass bullies - remember?"

You smiled softly, emotions swirling in your chest, "First day of first grade, you had a Buzz Lightyear backpack and some kids were picking on you 'cause of it."

"And what did you do?"

You felt bashful remembering, but humored him by answering, "Pushed their faces in the mud at recess and made them apologize."

"You've been my best friend since that day," he nodded, bringing you in a few steps closer. "And when we got to high school, my feelings changed. You weren't just my best friend, but the girl I was madly in love with... Took me a couple years to buck up the courage to ask you out officially, though."

"Sure took your sweet time," you whispered with a smile, "but all good things to those who wait, right?"

"And I think you've waited long enough for a man to be who you deserve," he frowned. "All these years - it's been you at my side. You even - fuck - you even came over to Amsterdam for a bit because I was feeling overwhelmed and lonely. Sad, maybe even a little homesick. But you just - you just showed up like it was the most common thing in the world."

You chuckled through your tears, "Yeah, we had some good times on that boat, didn't we?"

He nodded with a softening smile, pushing hair from your face and behind your ear; pausing to hold your cheek carefully. "And when we came back stateside... You were still the only constant presence in my life. You were my family without blood, and I knew after that Christmas that you'd forever be my other half, and I'd spend my life conveying how grateful I am for you. I just - I never knew how to put it into words until now."

"What changed?"

"Realizing that I wanted to marry you years ago - and I should've. I know I shouldn't have drug my feet with us, delay our inevitable, because honestly? I couldn't see my life without you in it and I knew I needed you with me forever. Peach," he frowned, reaching for your other cheek, "we agreed when this wasn't healthy, we'd walk away - I remember that. But I need you to know, I'll never fucking regret you. I'll never resent you. You've been unwaveringly supportive and loving and... And I've been the luckiest man to experience it all. But now," he pushed himself a step closer so he was hovered over your lips, "I know that you deserve someone just as present in this relationship as you are. I knew once The Bear was done, I was done - I was done beating this bush around and wasting time. I knew what I needed to do because the idea of you not being in my life anymore terrifies me more than anything. I don't remember life without you, Peach, and I don't ever want to know what it's like. So," he cleared his throat, "here, in the restaurant I so desperately wanted to give up on so many times, but you always stopped me, I wanted to make this official. I wanted it to be here to show you that the past year of our turmoil - it's fucking over, Peach. We did it," he whispered, "and now, the next and only thing I want to focus on is us."

Carmy readjusted you both for a little bit of space, holding your left hand tightly as he lowered himself to a single knee; looking up at you with those big, wide, sad blue eyes that were growing redder by the passing second. The candlelight created a romantic atmosphere that cocooned you both in a warm embrace, the flowers around you projecting their floral scent.

"So, I need to ask you something real important, baby," he whispered, his throat bobbing to restrain his emotion that clawed up his throat, "because if I don't, I don't think I could breathe again." He cleared his throat, pulling the ring box from his pocket and opening it to present to you officially. "Y/F/N Y/M/N Y/L/N... My sweetest Peach, I've loved you almost my entire life, you're my best friend, my most loyal and sweetest confidant. You make me want to be a man better than I was yesterday and never before have I ever seriously considered marriage - until you. Now? Now, I can't get the idea out of my head, so, my sweet girl," he took another breath, the tears in his eyes swelling and slowly dripping down his cheeks as you slowly got on your knees in front of him, "I need to ask you... W-Would you do me the honor? Of being my wife?"

"Carmen."

He grinned at you, both with tears down your cheeks. "Will you marry me, Y/N? I can't see my life without you in it, so... I want this, I want you for life. Y/N, will you marry me?" He paused, adding a meek little, "Please?" at the end.

With a deep breath, you slowly reached for his cheeks in a soft caress to wipe his tears; both just staring at one another for a good few moments before a face-splitting grin nearly cracked your lips. "Yes," you finally answered, "yeah, yes, yes, of course, I'll marry you, Carmen, yes!"

"Oh, thank fuckin' God," he laughed, letting you lunge forward to knock him backward in a hug - missing the candles arranged in a small circle for you two to stand in. Carmy laughed loudly, happily, giving you a tight squeeze as he mused, "Had my heart beatin' outta my chest for a second there, Peach."

"Oh, please," you laughed, "after all this time, you really thought I'd say no?"

He shrugged meekly, "Thought my most recent fuck-ups would've added to any reasons you might have to say no."

"Oh, spare me - you're my best friend, Carmy, you know I couldn't ever say no to you. Not without puking in nervousness."

"Can we maybe not talk about puke when we just got engaged?"

You laughed and nodded, "Fine, fine, fine, then put the ring on, please."

You presented your left manicured hand, watching Carmy almost giddily removed the band from the box, took a slow, deep breath, and then, the most beautiful ring was being slid onto your finger in an official show of your engagement. Of your undying love. Of your commitment, promises, and future together.

"YEAH!" An array of varying cheers and hollers of support and excitement rang out around you; startling both you and Carmy to look up. Richie, Sydney, Tina, Neil, Theo, Pete, and Sugar all hung in the bathroom's alcove - watching with splitting grins and cheering in celebration.

There was no time to question them as Richie lead the charge over; helping you to your feet for a giant, bear hug before gushing over your engagement ring. Neil and Theo popped one of the authentic bottles of champagne, pouring different flutes for those present.

"Calm down," Natalie scolded Richie lightly, "and move out the way, I want to hug my engaged bestie!"

You squealed with Sugar when her arms wrapped around you tightly, Rich moving on to congratulate Carmy - who apologized for his angry words earlier and thanked them for still setting things up. Richie promised it was for you, not Carmy, but still hugged the little shit with a laugh - indicating he was just joking.

"Let me see!" Natalie grinned, examining the ring Carmy chose and squealing again. "Oh, my God! Oh, it's so pretty! Oh, shit - sisters!" She gasped, holding your hands tightly, "We're going to be sisters - like, officially!"

"Sisters in law, but yeah, cupcake," you beamed at her, wiping your tears and giggling. "I can't - this just doesn't feel real," you told her softly, looking the few feet over to see Carmy with the lads as Sydney stood with you and Sugar. "Him proposing? I genuinely thought it wouldn't happen," you tried to laugh your nerves off, looking at your ring and fiddling with it.

"Yeah, right," Sydney laughed. "I haven't been around that long and even I knew this was gonna happen."

"Oh, please, she's right," Natalie grinned when you went to retaliate, "he first started talking about how he wanted to marry you when he was, like, 15. This has been the longest thing coming."

"Thank you guys for helping," you whispered with a smile. "It's all so beautiful."

"Happy to help for a good cause," Syd smiled, complimenting your ring as Neil called for a toast. Everyone was given flutes of champagne, Carmy's arm wrapping around your waist as each friend gave their own little speech, congratulating you both before the alcohol was being drained.

"Uh, and where are you two going?" Sugar asked about an hour later with a small giggle when Carmy wrapped an arm around your neck after helping you into your coat again.

"Gotta celebrate alone with my fiancé," he smirked, "later, guys! Don't forget to lock up!"

"Carmen!" You scolded with a small laugh, gaping at him.

"What? They got this," Carmy chuckled. "Thanks, you guys, see you tomorrow!"

"We can help clean," you told him as he lead you out of the restaurant.

"Nah, we've got bigger plans," he smirked at you. "Got plenty t'celebrate, yeah? Ever fucked as fiancés before?"

"No - but I hear it's some crazy sex," you whispered, locking your arms around his waist to stay close. Neither of you cared about the bus at this hour, opting to walk home in the cold - not that you felt it. Your love burned brighter than the cold biting your skin.

requesting rules and masterlist

The Bear masterlist

[hussyknee]

THE LEFTIST THIRD PARTY HAS WON SRI LANKA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

WE HAVE A PRO-LGBT, PRO-UNION, ANTI-ETHNOFASCIST, ANTI-IMPERIALIST PRESIDENT. MY ANTHROPOLOGY PROFESSOR IS GOING TO BE PRIME MINISTER. A COMPETENT ACADEMIC WHO HAS WORKED ON FEMINIST INITIATIVES AND RESEARCH ALL HER CAREER.

please please please please god don't let them fuck this up don't let them turn into a bunch of cunts to retain their new voter base don't let them fuck up the economy don't let them let the minorities down please please please they won't ever get another chance if they ruin this one we'll be stuck with more idiot corrupt nepo babies till we die please please please PLEASE LET THIS BE THE END OF THE EXECUTIVE PRESIDENCY AND PREVENTION OF TERRORISM ACT AND PERSECUTING THE NORTH please please please let them decriminalize being gay and not bury LGBT rights please please please let there be a god I can't take anymore of this shitshow please please please don't let hope be something that keeps pissing in our faces please please please please please please please

ANURA KUMARA DISSANAYAKE WILL BE THE NINTH PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA. TAKE THAT YOU TWO PARTY VOTING MOTHERFUCKERS.

Edit:

WHAT DO YOU MEAN FUCKING COLOMBO WENT TO THE IDIOT NEPO BABY???

AKD HAD 52%!!!!! HE WAS ALL BUT SWORN IN?????

THEY HAVE TO COUNT THE SECOND PREFERENTIAL VOTE FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN HISTORY??

There is a very real chance that nobody will get over 50% of the vote. That would be really, really bad.

Fuck.

I HATE YOU MOTHERFUCKING URBAN MIDDLE CLASS LIBERAL CUNTS SO MUCH. PLAGUE ON THE WHOLE DAMN COUNTRY. FUCK YOU.

Edit 2:

Ok so first counting gets AKD 42% and SP 32%. It's very likely the preferentional vote will put him over the 50% line.

It's so poetic that Ranil's greed for power ended up handing the country to the very Marxists that his uncle hunted like animals. You love to see it. 🥰

Edit 3:

So the preferential vote didn't give anyone a 50% majority and we're still at AKD 42% and SP 32%. But apparently that's enough to declare AKD President as per the Constitution. I don't think that's ever happened before. He was sworn in an hour ago.

Point of clarification: The NPP are not Marxists. Foreign news is just uncritically regurgitating the pro-government Red Scare propaganda. AKD and his JVP party used to be Marxists back in the '80s and '90s. They're now more very pro-union socialist. The NPP is their coalition, which is even more mildly social democrat and just happens to be a little more left than the other two. Calling them a Marxist is like how MAGA thinks the Dems are commies. 😂

I truly don't have great hopes that much will change, but there's a chance one or two important things might. Which is more than we've been able to hope for in decades.

See this post for a run down of the what's really been happening.

Edit 4:

I retract the "openly bisexual" part with many apologies. I completely misremembered. It wasn't AKD but JVP senior K. D. Lalkantha, who said in a 2018 interview is that he has also had same sex encounters with his friends as a boy and young man, and that he knows others who have had as well. And he specifically said he doesn't see the need to maintain a label for his sexuality. Still, the fact that his party allowed this in a country that still criminalises homosexuality, to a Sinhalese magazine, speaks to a commitment to LGBT rights. He also explicitly stated his support for women's rights, trans rights, polyamory, open relationships, explicit sexuality in media. It's impressively progressive for this country. The interview is in Sinhala and you can read it here.

Here's an excellent write-up of AKD's career, political outlook and creation of NPP in The Hindu by correspondent Meena Srinivasan, a journalist whose reporting I've always liked.

[therosietoesy]

Shout at the Devil

Warning: riding dick, smut, choking, spitting, hair pulling, unprotected sex, breeding, cream pie.

A/N: reposting my first ever Eddie fic

You and Eddie are a match made in heaven. Although everyone is confused on how the photo editor of the yearbook ended up with the resident freak. It happened during the summer before your senior year. You were at Hideout photographing the bands playing, it was then you were introduced to Eddie’s band Corroded Coffin. You were the last person he expected to see there but it created a friendship that was golden.

Soon Eddie asked you out and you were inseparable. You could not have asked for a better partner. He was beyond supportive of your dreams and you of his. Anytime Corroded Coffin played he made sure that you were their photographer nobody else could be but you. Which you truly appreciated and found beyond adorable.

It was a typical night that Corroded Coffin had a show to play that evening. You met Eddie at the hellfire club room they were playing their campaign before their show which their set wasn't till very later that night. It looked like they were cleaning up the session and getting ready to go for the show. Everyone else has left for the evening expect for Eddie who was waiting for you to arrive. “How was tonight’s session Dungeon Master?” You asked. He let out a chuckle “It was great, those dorks won’t know what hits them next session when the big storyline is introduced.” He pulled you into a hug and placed a kiss on your forehead. “Well, it sounds like you had loads of fun.” You replied. His eyes kept going back and forth between your eyes and your lips. “Why don’t you just kiss me Eds?” You joked and he finally pressed his lips against yours. A simple kiss turning to a heated make out session and he led you to the infamous Dungeon Master throne. He took his rightful place and pulled you into his lap continuing the heated kiss. We'll continue in kissing it turned into grinding on each other. Thank Ozzy you wore a skirt that day so you could really feel your cunt against the roughness of the denim of his jeans. He began to groan out your name “Y/n, please don’t stop.” You just giggled and continued your movement against his crotch. This kept going on for a few moments until his hands gripped your waist and stilled your movements all together.

“Babe.” He mumbled against your lips, you nodded in response. “Ride me, please.” He whispered softly. You never moved faster to remove each article of clothing, but a firm hand stops you from removing your skirt, you glanced up at him. “Keep it on” he spoke and you nodded your head in agreement. He removes your panties from underneath and lifted you up over his dick. Carefully placing you down on his dick and holding your hips letting you adjust. You both let at a moan of the feeling of being connected. A whine leaves your lips and you begin to roll your hips. Eddie hands hold on to your waist as soon as you start picking up your pace. Bouncing up and down over and over again moans flying from your lips. “Y/N!” Eddie started chanting your name over and over again like a beautiful song. One of his hands came to your neck and he started to apply pressure to your neck which made you open your mouth and his other hand held your jaw so that way he can spit into your mouth. “Swallow “ He grunted and you swallowed thus resulting you sticking out your tongue to show him and he groaned out at how obedient you are for him.

His grip started to get frimer and slightly painful in a good way. “Eddie, baby, please oh please.” You whined and picked up your pace.He started to tease and groan with how you felt wrapped around him. “Begging to cum already hun? You want to breeded don’t cha?” He quipped while running his hand through your hair and he yanked it. You moaned out a loud yes and kept begging him. “Eds, please breed me. Fill me up with your cum. I need it.” You whined and felt the glorious burn in your legs and stomach. He soon felt your pussy start squeezing him for what he’s worth and then his fingers fly to your clit to began to circle it to bring you over the edge. Shouting of his name “Eddie, Oh my fucking god!” as you came all over his cock. Thus he started bucking up into you faster and faster once he was close stopped his movements and held you in place as he released his cum into you and filling you up. Pants and sighs fill the Hellfire club room and soon enough soft laughter. “Wow, that was something babe.” Eddie remarked and held you close to him. You giggled, “I love you Eddie. Don’t forget you have a show to get to.” He groaned “Fuck, I don’t want to go.” “Common Rockstar, we gotta get going.” You said getting ready to climb off his lap. Once you both gotten up and stretched out, both began to redress and you slipped on your underwear while being bent over Eddie came and placed a slap on your cum filled pussy to remind you of this moment when you watch him on stage tonight and felt some of his cum leak down your thighs.

[melanieph321]

What about a Ruben one shot where he and the reader are a bit older and their oldest daughter is like 17 and she goes out to a party with some friends and ends up getting drunk for the first time and calls Ruben in the middle of the night, crying and feeling so bad about getting drunk and asking him to pick her up and he and the reader take care of the girl? Pleaseeee i love your writing 🙏🏻

Ugh, such a good request!

Please, let me have your babies, Ruben 😩😩😩

SEVEN DAYS OF REQUESTS (DAY 5)

Ruben Dias x Reader - Our Little Women

Enjoy!

Ruben is a girl dad and loves his job more than anything in the world. He had nine months to prepare for it. And even when you had your second child, he was there, prepared to be the best dad to two beautiful girls. He couldn't imagine a life where he wasn't a girl dad, and perhaps that's where he went wrong, his lack of imagination. Ruben had never imagined that his girls would one day become little women, and the realization hit him pretty hard.

"Dad?"

He was in your bedroom sleeping, when a crack of the door reveled your youngest daughter Emilia, with the homeline in her hand.

"What?" He groand, a bit grumpy to be disturb in his sleep, especially with you, fast asleep in his arms.

"Gigi is on the phone." She said. "But why is he she talking so funny?"

"What?" Ruben sat up, rattling the bed as he did. Gigi, short for Giorgina, was your oldest daugter. It was late. Very late for her to call, especially if she was having a sleepover at her friends house. "Come here." Ruben waved for Emilia in the dark. She was quick to rush over with the homeline, raising her arms for Ruben to lift her up into your bed, unhanding her the phone as he pressed it to his ear.

"Hello, Gigi?"

His heart raised when there was no response. However, there was a dimmed sound of music playing in the back.

"Gigi, can you hear me? This is your dad."

"Dad?"

Ruben exhaled. "Yes, dad. Where are you?"

"Dad." His daughter sobbed.

Panic struck Ruben, but he fought to remain calm for Emilia's sake. She was still by his side, her head pressed to his chest.

"Daddy?" She whined, perhaps reacting to how his muscles had tensed.

"Shhh, it's okay." Ruben assured. "I'm trying to talk to your sister. Gigi, can you hear me? Where are you?"

"Daddy." Giorgina sobbed. Ruben did everything not to fly out of bed and run down the stairs.

"Just tell me where you are baby and I'll come get you. Daddy will come and get you."

"I'm at some guys house." She sniffled "My friends and I thought it would be fun to go to his party since him and his friends are a bit older than us..."

"Define older." Ruben said through clenched teeth.

"I dunno, eighteen? They told us that they were seniors."

"Seniors!" He snapped but put a hand to his mouth so as not to wake you up.

"Yes, seniors. Dad, I know that I messed up by lying to you and mom, but can you come and get me? I've had too much to drink and I can't find my friends...."

"Okay, okay...." Ruben said, calming her down.

"Please dad, I'm so scared."

"I'll be there in a minute. Just text me your address and try to stay out of trouble."

Ruben got out of bed.

"Daddy, is Gigi gonna be okay." Emilia asked.

"Yes, baby. She's gonna be fine." He planted a kiss on top of her head. "You stay with mommy and try to get some sleep, okay?"

"Okay."

With that Ruben got dressed and rushed downstairs. He grabbed his car keys and drove to the adress that your daughter had texted him. She was seen standing outiside of the house, on the sidewalk, waiting for him in the nights cold. Seeing that your daughter was okay, Ruben did nothing more than to open up the passenger door for her, driving off as she got in.

"Dad, I'm so sorry that I...."

"We'll discuss this in the morning."

"But I wanna...."

"I said in the morning Georgina! When your mother is awake."

Ruben kept his hands on the wheel, ignoring the way his daughter crumbled in the seat beside him. He was never the one to raise his voice at the girls. You were often the one more comfortable doing so, but tonight....tonight Ruben doesn't know what he would have done if he hadn't found your daughter waiting for him by the sidewalk. He would have probably stormed the house, threatening every teenage boy up in there to tell him where she was.

Pulling up to your driveway, Ruben was surprised to see you and Emilia waiting.

"Is she okay?" You asked, your expression laced with worry.

"She's fine." Ruben got out of the car and walked around it to open the door up for your daughter. She could barely walk on her own two, Ruben had to help her inside.

"Where was she? What happened to the sleepover at Talia's house?" You asked.

"Apprently they decided that it would be fun to sneak away to a party."

"What?"

"We'll have to give Talia's parents a call in the morning and inform them."

Ruben walked passed you and into the house. Just then your daughter looked to be hit with sudden nausea.

"I think I'm gonna...."

She rushed to the nearest bathroom, and you could only hope that she made it to the toilet in time. Nevertheless you saw the expression on Ruben's face and reached for his hand as you approached him. "You did good baby."

He looked to you, a bit taken aback.

You smiled reassuringly. "Why don't you take Emilia upstairs, tuck her back into bed for me? I'll make sure Gigi is okay."

He nodded his head and beant down to pick Emilia up in his arms. She was halfway asleep by the time he got her tucked into bed.

"Am I in trouble daddy?"

Ruben was on his way to the door when she had him turn back around. "Why would you be?" He said, stroking her hair as he sat down by her bedside.

"I woke up mommy and told her that you went to get Gigi."

Ruben smiled. "That's alright baby. You did what you thought to be right."

"Is Gigi gonna be alright?"

"Of course she is." Ruben assured. "She is just feeling a little sick at the moment. She'll be all good tomorrow, you'll see."

"Okay, daddy."

Ruben bent over to kiss her cheek. "You have a good sleep now."

"Goodnight, daddy."

"Goodnight baby."

Ruben stood and walked over to the door. However he did not shut it until he was sure that his daughter had fallen asleep. He returned to your bedroom, running a hand down his tired face. He could hear you downstairs, taking care of your daughter as she was throwing up whatever she and her friends had consumed that night. Ruben felt betrayed. His daughter knew how he felt about alcohol. Not to mention that she was only sixteen years old, drinking should be the last thing on your daughter's mind.

"Hey?"

Ruben jumped as your arms wrapped around him. He had been sitting on the edge of your bed, deep in reflection. To deep to notice you slip back into your bedroom.

"How are you holding up?" You asked, moving to sit down beside him.

He pulled you in for a hug. "How is Gigi?"

"She's fine." You assured. "At least she will be in the morning."

He nodded.

"How are you doing?"

"Me?" He looked to you and frowned.

"Yes you? You seem a bit shook up."

Ruben sighed. "I don't know. I guess I'm just..."

"Yes?"

"I'm just...."

"Ruben?" Your hand stroked his cheek. "It's okay to be disappointed at her."

He looked to you, surprised that you had read his mind.

You smiled. "She's still our little girl even if she messes up sometimes."

"Yes, but..."

You pressed a finger his lips, silencing him. "No buts. You have the right to be disappointed at her."

He exhaled, admitting defeat.

You leaned in to kiss him, and despite his initial hesitation he warmed up to it, a hand traveling to the back of your neck, deepening the kiss.

You pulled back breathless, happy to see that Ruben didn't look so deep in thought anymore.

"I guess I never thought about it." He said, pulling his t-shirt over his head.

"Thought about what?"

You did not hesitate to lift up your arms as Ruben then tugged the hem of your own shirt.

"I never thought they'd grow up on me." He said, helping you undress. He pulled you down to lay beneath him, loving the way you giggled when he traced soft kiss up your body. He traced them all the way to the crook of your neck, moving on to the edge of your jaw.

"But they will." You said, cradling Ruben's face between your hands, meeting his eyes. "Our little women."

He smiled. "Yes they will, our little women."

[nonotnolan]

Spring Break

Simon let out a deep sigh as he dropped Aiden's bookbag onto the floor of his dorm room. "Alright, man, you're all set," he said, giving Aiden a friendly nod. "I've taken the last of your mid-term final exams. Unless there's anything else you needed for me to do while I'm in your body, we're clear to swap back."

The first time Aiden had approached him, offering $200 to swap bodies for an exam... Simon had thought it was some sort of prank. The magical amulet was very real, as it turned out. How Aiden had found the item was unclear, but Simon had quickly learned that Aiden had no moral qualms about inhabiting other people's bodies. He was the fifth generation in a long line of successful businessmen, and so the expectation that money could buy anything he wanted had been hard-coded into Aiden's personality. After all, it bought him admission to a prestigious college and membership into one of the most competitive fraternities. Why couldn't money also buy you the expertise that you needed to succeed?

He fidgeted with the collar of his shirt. "I... actually, I did have a proposition for you," he said, avoiding eye contact. Ever since Aiden had learned that Simon was a gay man, he had been requesting that their quick academic swaps last longer and longer. Aiden was still in the closet, and living Simon's life for an evening allowed him to experience the life he wanted to live while still maintaining his straight-laced reputation.

Simon crossed his arms in annoyance. "I mean, I was planning on spending most of my Spring Break playing video games, but I know you're going to make it worth my time. What were you thinking, the first weekend?"

"The graduating seniors of my fraternity always book an eight day excursion out to the Hamptons. My proposal is that you would attend the trip in my stead."

"Jesus fuck, Aiden!' he yelled, taking a moment to process what he had just heard. "Eight days? Are you serious? This is the first time we'll be swapped for more than 12 hours, and you're just giving me a whole-ass week? What happens if your brothers get suspicious?"

Aiden just rolled his eyes. "Please, we both know I'm massively unpopular in the fraternity. They'll probably find you to be an improvement. Father allocated $20,000 for the week, plus travel and lodging. Anything you don't spend is yours to keep. What do you say?" Seeing his own body make Aiden's characteristic smarmy grin was still a really weird experience.

"I... Jesus, dude..." Simon would never be able to understand Aiden's detachment from the value of money. "I still can't believe you want to be me so badly. I mean... okay, look... that's tempting as hell, but... it was weird enough knowing that you've taken my body out to the bar scene. I don't know if I'm comfortable letting you live my life for over a week. What if you run into someone I know?"

"Oh, I wasn't planning to stay around here," he said, growing more excited as he began to sway Simon. "I've been preparing this trip for a few months by withdrawing Father's allowance and saving it up in case you said yes. If you give me your body for a week, I'll be flying out to San Francisco. Anyway, don't sell yourself short, this body is fantastic."

Simon shook his head in disbelief. "I mean... I want to argue, but I'd have to be an idiot to leave that much money sitting on the table. Alright, you've bought yourself a Spring Break trip." He picked Aiden's bag back up off the ground as he mentally steeled himself for a week in the life of an out-of-touch social scion. "Alright... do I need any extra information to pull this off, or...?"

Aiden hopped to his feet and wrapped him in an awkward bear hug. "Oh, you're the best. I'll forward you the trip reservations, and I'll change the PIN to my debit card so that you can just use that. See you in a week!"

"Yeah... see you in a week..." Simon echoed. He pulled out Aiden's phone, and scrolled down to the one person in the Fraternity who knew about Simon's secret, Aiden's roommate Grant. "You were right," he said, once Grant picked up the phone. "Aiden offered a swap over Spring Break and it was too good to turn down."

"Hah! Called it!" Grant said, with a triumphant laugh. "I told you you he would. I made certain to emphasize how much pussy all of us were going to be chasing out in the Hamptons, just in case he was on the fence about it."

Simon couldn't help but laugh. "Aiden really hasn't figured out that you're gay after all this time, has he?"

"Of course not, that would involve him paying attention to someone other than himself. And it had better stay that way-- dude's annoying enough without him having some sort of puppy dog crush on me. Anyway, I hope you're ready for a week of rampant debauchery in the Hamptons. Aiden's body is sexy as fuck when literally anyone else is inside of it. And we both know how sexy my body is."

The incoming text message was the only reason Simon realized that Grant had already hung up, but he was not about to complain about receiving a pic like that.

[kelcemenow]

Sweet As Sugar.

Pairing Travis Kelce x Reader

Words 7657

Warnings This will have a little bit of everything in it! Fluff, angst, strong language, mentions of alcohol and smut. I also should have probably done a better job of proof-reading so there may be some spelling or grammar mistakes here and there.

I got this Anon request a while ago and I think I'm going to do something a bit different with this. It's such a long period of time passing so you'll see how I've covered all of that time without the plot moving too fast or being too much of a slow burn. I hope it reads well and you enjoy it! "Would you write a sugar daddy travis kelce au smut? Where the reader (female) is a broke college student who meets travis at a bar one night? Both of them slowly fall for each other, and it eventually ends with Travis asking for the reader's hand in marriage."

JANUARY

You carefully poured some vodka into your flask and stuffed it into your handbag. The taxi outside honked it's horn for the second time so you looked over your reflection in the mirror before running out of the door, your Goodwill heels clacking against the floor.

"Hurry up, bitch!" Mila called out of the taxi.

You laughed and quickly shuffled in next to her, making sure your dress didn't get caught in the door, "I was filling my flask."

"Girl, if you're broke, I can give you money? I've told you this!"

You shook your head, "No, thank you, but I'm not loaning money from a friend. It gets messy. We'll still have a good time tonight!"

"If you won't let me loan you any cash, will you at least let me buy you cocktails?"

You checked over your makeup in your compact mirror, "Now that you can do."

When you arrived at the club, Mila grabbed your hand and pulled you towards the centre of the club. You were both cheerleaders and struggling through your senior year of college, meaning your dancing skills often earned you some free drinks. As the music pumped into your ears, you began to sway and grind your hips to the beat, raising your arms in the air. You noticed that you had both caught the attention of a small group of men at the bar, so you accentuated your movements more. Mila held onto your hand and pulled you to face her, her eyes flickering over to your newly acquired audience. You smiled and raised your eyebrows before strutting over to the bar, making sure they could still see you.

"Two Manhattan's please." You smiled as the bartender got to work with making your cocktails.

Suddenly, your nostrils were filled with an almost spicy scented cologne and you sensed someone close behind you.

"I'll get these." His low voice gave you shivers.

You glanced over your shoulder to see a incredibly handsome man, dark, broad and tall, holding his gaze with the bartender. His eyes were intense and brooding, narrowing slightly as he watched the drinks being made. Being only inches away from, you studied his face and noticed a well-kemp and tidy beard and short buzzed hair. His jawline was soft yet strong, and his skin was lightly sun-kissed. Everything about his physical appearance turned you on but you wiped all thoughts from your head, reminding yourself that you weren't looking for a relationship.

"Actually, make it three."

He still hadn't looked at you, which drove you crazy.

"I'd have had you down for a Sex On The Beach."

Your comment caused his eyebrows to jump upwards. He quietly cleared his throat, finally turning his head just enough to meet your eyes, "I prefer a Suck, Bang and Blow."

Your clit throbbed instantly, your knees weakening at the same time. You smiled and picked up your drink, watching quietly as he did the same.

He leaned closer to your ear, "Let me know if you want to try one sometime."

Your breath caught in your throat, a mixture of shock and amusement. You watched as he walked back to his group, his ass and thigh muscles straining against the fabric of his pants. A heat washed over you and you shook your head, picking up Mila's drink and making your way back to her.

"Works every time!" You sang as you approached her, holding up the two cocktails.

Mila widened her eyes and took the glass in her hands, taking a delicate sip from the end of the straw. "Mmmmm, nice. Who's the lucky guy?"

You turned to your right, pointing out the tall stranger, "He's absolutely gorgeous. We had a little flirt." You shrugged your shoulders.

Mila smiled broadly, "A flirt? Is that so?"

"Yeah. He's cute." You pinched the straw in between your teeth, your eyes sparkling.

"Then what are you doing still standing over here? Go and talk to him, give him your number?"

You breathed a laugh, "You think I should?"

Mila placed her hand on your shoulder and playfully pushed you away, "Are you fucking blind? He's a God and he's obviously interested. Go...now!

Laughing, you turned your head again, immediately making eye contact with your admirer. He was practically undressing you with his gaze, scanning every inch of your body. You threw Mila a wink before strolling sexily towards him.

He stepped away from the group a little, placing his hands in his pockets. You paid extra attention to his outfit and you noticed that he was dressed impeccably. An expensive suit covered his clearly toned body and you spotted a gold watch adorning his wrist.

You were sweating by the time you reached him, but you tried not to let your nerves show on your face. In silence, you held out your hand with your palm facing upwards. The man looked down at your hand with some confusion but after a couple of seconds, produced his cell phone, the contacts app open. You tapped your number onto the screen, saving it as Y/N and walking away swiftly. With your back turned to him, you closed your eyes and took a deep breath, grinning from ear to ear.

Mila grabbed you when you were back within touching distance of her, "The digits and disappear? A classic!"

______________________________________________________________

FEBRUARY

"So, you took your time to call me." You ran your fingers gently along the rim of your wine glass.

Travis looked down at the table, quickly looking back up with a smile that made you almost melt on the spot.

"Well, there's so many numbers in my phone, I didn't know to look for your name, especially considering I didn't know it."

You blushed a little.

"I was looking for Beautiful Girl In Aura but that wasn't there."

You tipped your glass towards Travis before bringing it to your lips, "You're smooth, I'll give you that."

Travis sipped his wine and placed the glass back on the table, his body language relaxed, "So, what is it you do?"

You swallowed, "I'm a student. I'm studying psychology."

Travis nodded his head and raised his eyebrows, "Interesting."

"Is it?"

"I think so."

There was a short silence before Travis picked up his glass again, "Don't you want to know what I do?"

You smiled, "Okay. What do you do?"

"I own a large international chain of luxury hotels, golf and spa resorts."

You froze for a second, "Wow."

Travis leaned forward and rested his forearms on the table, "I think we can help each other?"

You fiddled with the edge of your napkin, curious and anxious, "You do?"

"Sort of like a business arrangement, I suppose."

"You want me to...work for you?" You questioned.

Travis smirked, "Not exactly. So, when I explain this to you, just know that you don't have to say yes. This can be on your terms as well as mine."

Your brow furrowed further, "Travis, I'm not following."

"Hear me out. I'm proposing that in exchange for your...company, I can provide you with financial compensation."

Your expression stayed unchanged, "You want to pay for me to go on dates with you?"

"Basically, yes." Travis leaned back into his chair, "It's a win win. I want to spend time with you, have you in my company. You're a student, times are hard for everyone but I could help with that. Wouldn't you like to have your student loans paid off? To have nice dinners out, to have nice things?"

Your jaw dropped open a little, "Well...yeah but-"

"Then say yes." Travis smirked again.

You closed your eyes as you repeated what Travis had said, "Why does someone like you, looking the way you do and being who you are, feel the need to pay for girls to date you?"

"Sure, some people think it's like that. But I like you, Y/N. You're interesting, funny, intelligent and absolutely gorgeous. I want to help you."

"And that's all it is?"

"I take you out a couple times a month, maybe three times, I wire you some money, I buy you gifts, pay for things? No funny business, nothing shady, all on your terms."

You couldn't help but to laugh, "I'm sorry but this is crazy."

Travis slowly picked up his glass and took a large gulp of wine, watching you intently and waiting for your response.

You realised that he was being deadly serious and as your palms began to sweat, you opened your mouth slowly, "And you don't want anything else out of this other than my company."

Travis shrugged his shoulders, "All on your terms, baby."

The corners of your mouth moved into a smile and you exhaled a short laugh, "When do I start?"

______________________________________________________________

MARCH

You waited anxiously on the front steps of your apartment, your hair moving gently in the early spring breeze. As you held onto your coat and pulled it further across your chest, a large shiny black car pulled up to the curb in front of you. You waited until the back window of the car lowered down, revealing Travis. You smiled and he winked at you, opening the door and moving along so that there was a space for you.

As you carefully climbed into the back of the car, the familiar spicy scent from 2 months prior hit your senses.

Travis looked to you and smiled, "You look beautiful."

You felt your cheeks deepen as the car pulled away, "Thank you. You look really good too."

He did. A simple white button-down shirt was tucked into light grey trousers. He appeared much more relaxed than your previous encounters and although you had been texting back and forth in the meantime, he was still a complete stranger to you.

"Thank you very much." He cleared his throat, "I got you something."

You shifted in your seat, "Oh Travis, thank you but you-"

He held out a finger, "Ah ah. I wanted to. Call it a preview of what's to come. And a thank you."

"A thank you for what?"

"Doing this? I suppose?" He produced a large square velvet box, "Here."

You took the box in your hands and your fingers felt the edges. It was clearly jewellery, something you had never received as a gift and you wondered if you were ever going to get used to being showered with gifts, expensive ones at that.

"Well, are you gonna open it?"

You smiled and opened the box slowly. Sitting in the centre of the box was a white gold chain holding the most exquisite round cut diamond you had ever seen. It glittered perfectly, causing you to gasp loudly.

"Oh my God, Travis. It's beautiful!"

Travis grinned, taking the necklace out of the box and motioning you to turn around. You lifted your hair from your neck and as Travis closed the clasp, his fingers grazed your soft skin, sending a shiver down your spine. As you turned back to face him, you touched the diamond that was now resting at the top of your cleavage.

"This is amazing, thank you so much." You instinctively leaned closer to him with your arms out, "Can I give you a hug?"

He scratched the back of his neck, "Sure!"

You reached your arms over his shoulders and his took you in from your waist. The hug was slightly awkward from your positions in the back seats of his town car, but he felt tough and safe, his scent stronger than ever. His facial hair rubbed against your cheek and you swore you felt him squeeze you a little tighter. Your heart began to beat faster and harder and you were worried that he'd be able to feel it against his chest.

You slowly pulled away and looked into Travis' eyes for second, feeling your stomach flutter before he broke his stare to glance out of the window.

"Oh, we're here."

You licked your lips and retrieved your purse, trying to slow the speed of your breathing as the car stopped outside of the most beautiful looking restaurants you had ever seen.

Travis must have noted your expression, "Well, I had to impress you for our first proper date."

The word made your heart skip, "Date?" You repeated.

Travis smirked, almost nervously, "Well, it is a date, I suppose."

______________________________________________________________

APRIL

"And there's no sex at all? No kissing, no fooling around? Nothing?" Mila stared at you intently, holding her cup of coffee to her chest.

You shook your head.

She sat back into the sofa, her eyebrows raised high, "Wow."

You pressed your lips together and waited for Mila's next question.

"And are you attracted to him at all?"

"Well, yeah. He's absolutely gorgeous. But I get the impression he's not into the whole idea of a relationship. He's so busy and successful, he probably doesn't have the time for anything serious or long term. I think he like's having female company but this way, he doesn't have to deal with all of the politics. There's no strings, no stresses."

Mila nodded her head as you spoke.

"He said it's all on my terms, but I obviously want to respect his wants too."

After a moment of silence, Mila put her cup down on the coffee table and leaned across to you, "Are you sure you won't get attached?"

You shook your head, "I don't think so. It's a business arrangement." You repeated Travis' words and you heard his voice in your head, causing you to smile.

Mila raised an eyebrow, "Oh no. I know that smile!"

You laughed, "What? It's fine! I know what I'm doing."

"Yeah, I'm sure you do!" Mila fell back onto the couch, "You're a Sugar Baby!"

"No way!"

Mila rolled her eyes, "Yes, you are! He's your Sugar Daddy and you're his Sugar Baby. It' a whole thing now, I read about it a couple of weeks ago. I just didn't think it was genuinely possible, yet here you are!"

"Will you stop? It's not that deep."

"Not yet. Just you wait, soon he'll be all you can think about. You'll be at his beck and call, your life will completely revolve around him."

You sighed and took a sip of your coffee, your mind begrudgingly fixed on Travis.

______________________________________________________________

MAY

"I'm telling you, this is the best ice cream in the city."

Travis shook his head, "I don't know, I've tried my fair share of ice cream!"

You handed him the small tub with a plastic spoon dug into the side of the perfectly rounded scoop, "Trust me."

You watched with anticipation as he spooned a generous amount of ice cream into his mouth, his tongue lapping at his top lip to savour every morsel.

He swallowed and looked into your eyes, "You're right, this is the best ice cream."

You laughed and patted his chest, "I told you!" You spooned your own ice cream and he nudged you playfully as the pair of you walked side by side in the cool evening.

"Alright, alright. I'm a man who can admit when he's wrong!" He looked down at you and smiled, "So, how do you think your finals went?"

You tipped your head to the side, "I actually think they went well. I felt really confident coming out."

Travis flashed you a broad smile, "That's great! You'll have done amazing, baby, I'm sure of it."

You felt your cheeks blush at the nickname. He had never called you that before but it felt so natural to hear him say it.

You brushed past it, not wanting to make a big deal out of it, "I hope so. I want to go to grad school eventually, so it's really important that I do well."

"I have every faith in you." Travis winked as he devoured another spoonful of ice cream.

"Did you do the whole college thing?" You glanced up at him.

Travis shook his head, "I dropped out after my freshman year."

You raised your eyebrows, "Oh really? How come?"

"I think that way of learning suits some people. It didn't suit me at all, I'm much more hands on, more practical." Travis stared straight ahead, "As soon as I dropped out, I started working my ass off, I built my career from the bottom and soon after, I bought my first hotel."

You smiled as you listened to him speak, his face content.

"My Mom was so proud of me. It was her idea that I branched out internationally too, but I swear she only suggested it so she could have vacations whenever she wanted." He laughed, "Eventually, my empire grew and grew and I was named one of the richest men in America."

You swore you noticed a switch of emotion.

"And that's sometimes the problem, women are only interested in me for my money. When they look at me they see Travis Kelce, owner and CEO of Kelce Hotels and Resorts, instead of just...me." He spooned the last of his ice cream into his mouth.

You fiddled with your spoon, scraping the bottom of the tub, "Travis-"

"Oh, before I forget..." He mumbled through his mouthful, "I've already sent you your money for tonight."

You looked down to your empty tub and nodded, "Thank you, Travis."

"No, thank you." He swallowed quickly, "I really like spending time with you."

You stopped to throw your tub into the trash when Travis placed his hand on your shoulder and turned you to face him, "Wait."

Your eyes blinked as you stared up at him, "What?"

"You've got a little bit of ice cream there."

Travis leaned closer to you and brought his thumb up to the corner of your mouth. He paused for a second, almost hesitating before gently rubbing the ice cream away. You looked down at his hand, watching as he kept it there, slowly moving to hold the side of your face. You brought your eyes back up to meet his face, shifting your focus between his eyes and his mouth as you watched his lips part slightly. You stuttered a breath and smiled a little when you felt his other hand find your waist, sliding around your lower back and pulling you in even further. Your bodies were now pressed together and as you relaxed into his hold, Travis tilted his head to the side and lay a gentle yet quick kiss onto your lips. Your eyes fluttered closed and you stayed still, unsure of what to do.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

You opened your eyes to see Travis looking down at his feet, frowning and shaking his head a little.

"No." You said plainly, "No, it's fine."

Travis looked up, his expression hopeful.

"Kiss me again."

"What?"

"Kiss me again." You repeated.

Travis stuttered a breath before kissing you again, this time with more pressure. He lingered there for a moment before letting his lips move across yours with haste, deepening the kiss further. Impulsively, you brought your hands up to his face, one of them holding the back of his head. You had wanted nothing more but to touch him, to feel his body around yours and now that it was happening, you swore your heart was going to beat out of your chest. A heat quickly started to rise up in you, a wanting that you didn't know you had. Your fingers floated down to his neck, your nails dragging along his skin.

Travis smiled into the kiss before pulling away, "Wow." He spoke in a quiet and content whisper.

"You know that sort of thing will cost you extra."

Travis threw his head back and laughed before taking your hand and continuing your walk towards the lake beach, the romantic light of the sunset shining off of the water.

______________________________________________________________

JUNE

"Really?"

"Yeah, really. I have to go there anyway for some business meetings. I'm thinking of opening up some hotels over there." He ran a hand through his short beard, "I figured I could make a vacation out of it and thought you'd like to join me for the week?" A smile crept on Travis' face.

"Do you...want me to join you?"

Travis laughed, "Of course! You can relax and sunbathe by the pool, sip cocktails during the day and then have delicious dinners with me at night."

You looked upwards, thinking, "That does sound good."

"All expenses paid, I'll get you everything you need. Tickets, hotel, clothes...everything."

You felt a flutter, "Would we be sharing a room?"

"Oh, no. We'd be in the same suite, but we'd have separate rooms." Travis retrieved his cell phone from his pocket and began scrolling, his attention now diverted.

You felt a pang of disappointment in the pit of your stomach which you quickly dismissed, "I'd love to, I really appreciate it Travis."

"Don't mention it. You've worked so hard with your finals, you deserve a break. Call it a thank you."

You smiled and ran your fork across your plate, feeling somewhat deflated. You were grateful for Travis' kindness and generosity but you couldn't help hoping that this would be a sign that he was willing to get closer to you. Ever since your kiss, he had almost took a few steps back from you. He seemed slightly distant and although you still kept up with your arrangement, he was behaving differently.

"You want to go shopping for some new outfits? I can pick you up tomorrow? Maybe grab some lunch too?" He shoved his cell phone back into his pocket.

You blinked quickly, clearing your throat and the disappointment in the pit of your stomach, "Uh, yeah sure. Thank you."

______________________________________________________________

JULY

The Greek sun warmed your skin as you relaxed on your lounger, your eyes gently closed. You could hear the waves lapping against the rocks nearby on your private beach and beads of pool water ran down onto your shoulders from your recent swim.

You stretched out a little further with your hands above your head when something shaded your face from the sun. You opened your eyes to see Travis standing over you.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't want to disturb you...I thought you were asleep."

You sat up, shielding the sun from your eyes with your hand. You couldn't help but notice Travis' eyes were awkwardly shifting around you, glancing at your body. You smiled, sweetly, "No, I was just relaxing. You know, with my cocktail?" You lifted your Mojito and took a sip.

Travis laughed and rubbed his palms together, "Sure...yeah."

You noticed that he looked somewhat tense as he sat down on the lounger next to you.

"I...errr...wanted to talk to you about something."

You dropped your sunglasses onto your face and swung your legs around so that you were facing him, "Sure, is everything okay?"

Travis smiled, "Yeah. Everything is fine. It's just...I've been thinking."

"Okay?" You said slowly.

He breathed a nervous laugh, his eyes fixed on the sand underneath his feet.

You leaned forward and place a hand gently on his knee, "Trav, what's up?"

His eyes moved to your hand and his mouth moved into a smile, "See, that right there." He pointed to your hand, "I have this feeling in my stomach whenever you touch me, it's like something I've never felt before."

You were motionless, apprehension washing over you and stopping you in your tracks.

"I-I told myself not to fall for you. I made a promise to myself that this would strictly professional, that I didn't want to put you in any uncomfortable situations. But I've broken that promise."

"I don't understand?" You removed your hand quickly and rested it on your own.

"I think that we should stop whatever this is."

Your eyebrows lowered and your nose crunched upwards, "Because you're falling for me?"

Travis finally looked at you, "Yes and I-"

"Travis...I'm falling for you too."

His eyes almost glazed over as he straightened his spine immediately. His lips curled into a smile, "Really?"

Your cheeks flushed and you nodded your head quickly, "Yeah. I really am. There's this feeling I get from you, a protected and safe feeling...I can't describe it."

Travis shifted himself onto the edge of the lounger, moving closer to you and taking your hands in his, "You don't understand how relieved I am to hear you say that."

You entangled your fingers with his, exhaling a laugh, "I could say the same thing."

"I have a meeting in an hour...how about we head back to the room?"

You stood up, Travis doing the same with his face only inches away from yours, "Sure. Mine or yours?" You raised an eyebrow.

"Very funny." Travis said quickly, before lifting you over his shoulder, your legs kicking in the air as you squealed loudly with delight.

______________________________________________________________

AUGUST

You could feel his eyes on you as you carefully chopped the vegetables for dinner. After a few moments, you placed the knife down onto the counter and turned around, your arms crossed.

"Can you stop?"

Travis smiled and looked down at his phone, "Stop what?"

"You're staring at me, I can tell."

Travis shook his head, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

You laughed, "Travis?"

He flipped a page, his eyes looking at you from under his brow, "Yes, dear?"

You tipped your head to the side with your eyebrows raised.

"Okay fine!" He threw his phone down onto the sofa and made his way towards you, his hands wrapping around your waist, "But how can I not? You're stood in the kitchen, wearing my shirt and nothing else, cooking food for me. It's so unbelievably sexy."

"It's sexist!"

Travis laughed and laid a kiss on your neck, his lips lingering and his hand starting to move to your ass.

"Mr Kelce, do you want me to make dinner or what?"

His face was still nuzzled in your neck, slowly moving down to your chest as he hummed, "I can think of something else I'd rather eat."

You ran your hands over his shirtless back, tipping your head back and closing your eyes as his mouth latched to the skin just above your breasts. Your gentle moan turned into a gasp when Travis picked you up and spun you around, laying you down on the kitchen island in the centre of the room. His shirt that you were wearing lifted up slightly, displaying your neatly shaven pussy to him. His eyes glinted as he connected his thumb with your clit, watching you intently as you squirmed on the counter top.

"That's it, baby. My good girl."

His words only spurred you on, your writhing and moaning growing more intense by the second. With one hand, he pulled the bottom of the shirt up even further, his eyes admiring what was in front of him.

"You're so wet. Look at you, getting wet for Daddy."

You closed your eyes tight as you felt your pussy throb harder and harder. Travis loomed over you with hunger in his eyes. He dragged his fingers over your wet folds and flicked at your clit every now and again, your thighs twitching from the sensation. You pulled at the shirt fabric covering you and balled it up in your fists. Your nipples hardened with the growing pleasure fluttering in your core and as you pulled further at the shirt, they peeked out from underneath. Travis responded by grabbing your left breast with his large hand as his mouth made it's way to gently lick your clit. His tongue quickly replaced his fingers and you cried out a guttural scream.

Travis smiled as he sped up his pace, frantically licking and sucking at your pussy. You ground against his face, your heels digging into the hard, cool, marble. You were beginning to feel yourself come undone but before you could fully release yourself, Travis pulled at your thighs, sliding you to the edge of the worktop. You squealed gently, turned on by his strength. His arm slid underneath you and he lifted your back so you were sat up, his face buried in your neck. Your legs were spread and your pussy was pressed against his crotch, a wet patch forming on the front of his light grey shorts. You reached down and pulled at his waistband, exposing the top of his pubic hair. Travis responded by removing his shorts completely, throwing them over your shoulder to the other side of the room. Your hands immediately grasped onto his dick, squeezing slightly and taking pleasure in the fact that he was already hard. A drop of precum leaked onto the side of your finger and without breaking eye contact, you placed the finger into your mouth, sucking the liquid from it. Travis' eye widened and a growl escaped his lips.

You grinned with your finger between your teeth and massaged his cock with your free hand, running your thumb over his sensitive head with every stroke, causing Travis' hips to buck forward. He took your face in his hands quickly, pressing his lips to yours with force. and kissing you passionately. Your hand began to stroke faster and faster and Travis' moans were filling your mouth. As the intense pleasure built up between you, your teeth clamped onto his bottom lip. Travis hooked each arm under your knees and pulled you even closer, his dick rubbing against your wet folds. You watched as he thrusted slowly, the sounds of your entangled genitals filling the room. His cock was grazing your clit, spreading his precum and your wetness across you both. He held onto you tightly as he quickly adjusted his hips so that his head was pressed up against your entrance. You held his stare as you felt a growing pressure inside of you slowly filling you up, your lips parting as you gasped.

Travis grunted as his hips began snapping forwards, your knees either side of your face and your legs over Travis' shoulders. You squeezed your eyes shut as you whined through the slight pain of your pussy being stretched with this new position. Travis held onto you as he picked up his pace a little more, pressing his forehead to yours and watching as you approached your orgasm. Your eyes flew open suddenly and you felt the knot in your stomach snap. Your vision was blurred with tears and a gush of liquid covered you both. Travis smiled as he looked down, stopping for only a moment before resuming his rhythm.

"Did you just squirt for me, baby?"

You squeezed your eyes closed and silently nodded your head.

"Tell me what happened, I want to hear you." He grunted.

"I squirted...for you." You whined, desperately trying to ride out your high through Travis' relentless fucking.

Travis hummed and you noticed that his rhythm was becoming unpredictable. His forehead was glistening with sweat and his eyebrows were furrowed, indicating his effort. You leaned your head forward, resting it against Travis' shoulder. You could feel the pleasure building up inside of you again and in an attempt to stop yourself for screaming, you sank your teeth into his tanned skin. Travis' head flew backwards and he gave one deep thrust into you before his legs began to twitch and his muscles clenched. You could feel his cock pulsating inside of you, pumping his cum into your pussy.

You both stayed still for a moment, your synchronised heavy breathing the only sound. Slowly, Travis removed his arms from you, kissing your parted lips and letting your thighs rest on the counter top. He looked down to see the pool of his cum forming and wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Can I finish making dinner now?"

______________________________________________________________

SEPTEMBER

With a hand, Travis helped you out of the car. Once you were stood, he placed a hand on your lower back and guided you towards the front door of his house.

"Thank you again for tonight, Travis. It was beautiful." You smiled.

"Baby, you don't need to keep thanking me." Travis kissed your hand, "I just want to treat you."

When you reached the door, Travis turned the key in the lock and motioned for you to walk inside.

"Such a gentleman."

Travis laughed and closed the door behind him, "You go and get us some drinks from the kitchen, I need the bathroom and then how about that foot rub I promised?"

You smiled and hummed, turning towards the kitchen. Travis always had a well-stocked bar; beers, spirits and champagne. But it was a bottle of red wine that took your fancy tonight. You retrieved two glasses from the cupboard above your head and searched for a bottle opener, kicking your heels off and enjoying the feeling of the cold flooring against your aching soles.

Two strong arms snaked around your waist and the familiar feeling of stubble rubbed against your cheek. You smiled and cuddled into him, his large frame wrapping itself around you.

"Lost something?"

"Yeah, I don't know where you keep your bottle opener." You said as you scanned the open drawer in front of you.

Travis laughed, "You're telling me that after all of the time you spend here, you don't know where anything is?"

"Hey! I found these all by myself!" You held up the glasses in front of his face, "Besides, you always get the drinks."

"Maybe I'm spoiling you too much!" He kissed your cheek, "You go and make yourself comfortable, I'll bring the bottle opener."

You walked into the living room, the sounds of Travis clattering in the kitchen echoing in. You moved towards the couch and glanced at the coffee table when something made you stop.

A small pile of $100 notes were neatly placed in the middle. As Travis arrive into the room you pointed towards them.

"What's this?"

Travis looked down at the money, "Oh, I didn't wire you anything but I had some cash laying around so I thought I'd pay you with that?"

A stab shot to your stomach and you could feel a redness growing in your cheeks, "P-pay me- excuse me?"

Travis gently placed the glasses and the bottle of wine next to the money, "Well, yeah. Wait, is there a problem?"

You exhaled a small breath, "I don't know, I didn't think there was, but maybe there is."

Travis took a step towards you, "Baby, what have I done?"

You could feel a lump forming in your throat, "You've made me feel cheap, Travis."

"Hold up, I don't understand why you're upset?"

"Exactly, you don't understand." You blinked away a small tear.

Travis shook his head, "But we agreed to this, this was the arrangement. You said-"

"Was Travis, was." You ran your hands through your hair, "I thought things had changed, and I thought you felt the same way."

"I didn't think-"

"No, you didn't. You didn't think, Travis." You could feel yourself getting louder, "Maybe you should think before telling someone that you're falling for them. Maybe think before you have them stay at your place for weeks on end. Think before making me feel like we had moved on from just you being my Sugar Daddy."

"Y/N, listen." He held his hand out.

"No, you listen. I thought we could have been something real. But I'm obviously still just something else that you bought." You picked up the money and pushed it into his chest, "Find someone else to pay for."

You stormed to the kitchen to collect your heels and your purse, quickly making your way to the front door.

"Y/N, wait...don't go, please." Travis called out, trying to follow you.

You slipped your feet into your shoes and slung your bag over your shoulder, "Leave me alone, Travis."

Travis held onto the door frame and watched you descend down the large steps, "At least let me get you a car?"

You turned to him, a scowl plastered over your face, "I don't need anything from you anymore, Travis."

______________________________________________________________

OCTOBER

A soft knock sounded on your bedroom door, causing you to groan and roll over in your bed.

"Sweetie? I'm coming in whether you're decent or not." Mila said through the door.

You buried your face in your pillow as you heard the door click open, "I knew giving you a key was a mistake."

Mila sat on the edge of your bed, "You have to leave your apartment at some point, you know."

"No I don't." Your voice was muffled by the pillow.

You felt Mila shift on the bed, "I did tell you not to get attached."

You quickly flipped over to face her, "I'm not really in the mood for 'I told you so' at the minute."

Mila narrowed her eyes at you and tilted her head to the side, "Babe, when was the last time you plucked your eyebrows."

You groaned and collapsed back into the bed, pulling the blanket up and over your face, "How could I have got it so wrong?"

"You can't blame yourself for any of this. He made you think it was going somewhere. He drew you in, made sure you were falling for him and then let you down. He did this, not you. He's an asshole."

"You wanna know what the biggest problem is?" You could feel your voice trembling, "He's not an asshole. He's the most amazing man and the most amazing thing that had ever happened to me. And I'm not talking about the money and the gifts or any of that. I mean, that's how it started but after a while, that stuff didn't matter anymore. He was kind and sweet and funny and holy shit, he was amazing in bed. He made me feel...perfect."

Mila laughed as she reached over to wipe away the tears that were rolling down your cheeks.

"I just thought the Sugar Daddy thing would stop after the holiday. You know, after that day when we told each other how we felt and then we slept together and it felt...different. It started to feel like a real relationship."

"Has he contacted you?"

You shrugged your shoulders, "I don't know...I blocked his number. I've barely looked at my phone to be honest. He keeps sending flowers though, but it just reminds me that he thinks he can just buy me stuff and everything will be okay."

Mila shook her head, "You really liked him, didn't you?"

You squeezed your eyes shut, releasing another tear.

Mila sighed, "I'll go and get the wine."

______________________________________________________________

NOVEMBER

You pulled your hair into a high ponytail and zipped up your hoodie before grabbing your purse and leaving your apartment. Your footsteps echoed in the stairwell and you took a deep breath as you opened the front door of the building, almost squinting at the morning sun.

You skipped down the concrete steps and turned right onto the sidewalk when the sight in front of you made you stop. Travis was walking towards you with two tubs of ice cream in his hands. He looked tired and nervous and when he looked up and saw you, his face immediately softened.

You opened your mouth to speak but you made no sound. Travis took a tentative step forward, holding one of the ice cream tubs out to you.

"So...someone told me that this is the best ice cream in the city."

You lifted your eyebrows, "Oh yeah? Who was that?"

Travis looked deep into your eyes as he made his way closer to you, "The most wonderful woman I have ever met."

You pressed your lips together and nodded your head, "Sounds like someone you wouldn't want to lose." You noted that his eyes looked bleary.

"I am so sorry, Y/N. I should have never made you feel the way I did." He cleared his throat, "You are perfect, in every way and you were right, we did have the beginnings of something amazing. I'm an idiot for fucking it up but I was hoping that..."

You waited as he trailed off, blinking tears away from his eyes.

"I was hoping that you could let me show you how much you mean to me." He breathed a laugh, "I've been a mess without you."

You smiled meekly, "Yeah, I didn't want to kick you when you were already down but you look like hell."

Travis glanced down at the floor, "I can't sleep, I can't eat, I can't focus on anything but you."

You could feel a wave of emotion washing over you and the butterflies started to build up in your gut. It had been almost 2 months since your fight and all you had wanted was to see him but your head was telling you not to. But looking at him in front of you now, every feeling came flooding back.

You slowly took a step towards him, glancing down at the ice cream and opening your mouth. Travis smiled and closed the gap between you, scooping the small plastic spoon and pushing a dollop of ice cream onto the corner of your mouth.

You closed your eyes and exhaled a small laugh. Looking up, Travis beamed at you and pulled you closer to him, his warm scent bringing back familiar goose bumps onto your skin. He bent down slightly and his mouth connected with your skin, removing the ice cream with a kiss. Your arms instinctively wrapped around his neck and he lifted you off of the ground with ease. You pressed kisses into his cheek with desperation and his arms held onto you tightly, as if never wanting to let you go again.

______________________________________________________________

DECEMBER

You turned to Travis with furrowed brows. He was fidgeting and his gaze was unsettled, a worried expression on his face.

"Is everything alright?" You said with a hand on his thigh.

Travis whipped his head to face you, "Yeah, everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be?"

Your eyebrows lowered further, "Because...you're being weird."

Travis cleared his throat, "No, I'm fine. Are you fine?"

You smirked, "Yeah, sure."

He smiled at you and took your hand in his, which you noticed was shaking slightly. You stared out of the window and as the car pulled into a parking lot, you recognised the location.

"This is the restaurant we came to for our first date."

Travis smiled at you and squeezed your hand before stepping out of the vehicle, rushing around to the other side so he could open the door for you, helping you out with his arm.

You made sure your gown was falling correctly, pulling the satin material and smoothing over your hair.

"I thought this would be the best place." Travis said nervously.

Your expression of confusion returned, "Best place for what?"

Travis stayed silent, guiding you into the restaurant with a smile. As you walked quietly, you noticed hundreds of bouquets of roses surrounding a single table in the centre of the room. The restaurant was empty, aside from a string quartet in the corner and candles filling the room.

You gasped and took a small step back, your hand covering your mouth. Travis held tightly to your other hand, pulling you further into the room.

"What's all of this for?"

Travis turned to face you once you had reached the table in the middle of the room and held onto both of your hands.

"I was going to wait, but I don't think my nerves can take it." He said quietly.

You watched with bated breath as Travis looked around the room and gave the string quartet a nod who immediately began playing their instruments.

"I always thought that I didn't need anyone by my side. I always described myself as fiercely independent and somewhat of a lone wolf. I built my career myself and always assumed my life would stay that way. But then I met you."

He stared deeply into your eyes as you felt your chest begin to rise and fall quickly.

"I never thought that I would be so happy dedicating my time to someone else...and not for any other gain than pure happiness. You have changed my life and I want to spend every waking minute with you...if you'll let me."

Your jaw dropped as he lowered himself to one knee, reaching into his pocket for a small navy blue box. He stared up at you with a hopeful expression and clung to your left hand.

"Y/N, I love you...more than I thought I could love anyone. You make me a better person and I cannot imagine living the rest of my life with anyone else."

Tears begin to build up in your eyes and you listened to Travis' words.

"Y/N, will you marry me?"

You wiped away the moisture from your cheeks, trying hard to steady your rapid breathing, "Yes...yes, oh my God yes!"

Travis leapt up and cupped your face with his hands, kissing you with immediate passion. You held onto the back of his head, rubbing his stubbled skin with your fingers. He held you for a while before pulling away, opening the ring box and presenting the most beautiful diamond ring, the stones set in a delicate white gold band. Either side of the diamond were two fire opals, its colours shifting in the light.

"Travis, it's so beautiful."

He held onto the ring between his fingers, "May I?"

You smiled and held out your left hand, your ring finger prominent. The ring fit you perfectly and once it was settled on your hand, you gazed down at it with glassy eyes. You took a deep breath and looked up to Travis.

He smiled, "Can we have some dinner now? I was so nervous for this, I haven't eaten all day!"

You laughed and kissed him before settling into your seat, the string quartet serenading your first meal as a fiancé.

______________________________________________________________

I'm sorry this took so long to post but as you can see, it's rather long and I wanted to do it right! I really enjoyed this format and I hope everyone else did too! My requests are open and I'll be continuing to work through the requests I already have but please keep them coming! To be included on my Taglist for future fics, just let me know!

Taglist @rd14 @dandelionwrites8 @keiva1000 @fantasywritersstuff @caelipartem @anacarangel @she-lives-in-her-dreams @kkrenae @kristencochefski1125 @countrygirl120983 @charmed2000 @nouis-bum @cixrosie @delicateearthquakellama @wordsaresimple-imnot @amylouwho9 @queenisa17 @talicat713 @luvvtrent @purecinnamonextract @savaneafricaine @caelipartem @beyxgrande @caitdaniels @ezgirl1108 @vir-tual @lightsoutstyles @macey234 @s294749w @kelcemesoftly @calirindo @livinginmyfantasies @bernelflo @secretmywritingfictionlawyer @killatravtramp @there-goes-thefighter @unicornblueberry @calirindo @tjkelce87 @kristinamae093 @kmc1989 @ajbird18

[baby-yongbok]

My Savior?

Yandere!Hyunjin x Sadodere!BangChan x Fem!Reader

Genre: Angst, non idol

Warnings: Yandere, Manipulation, Jealousy, swearing, Stalking, obsession, mentions of murder, physical abuse (towards reader), threats (towards reader), description of injuries, possessiveness, gaslighting. If any of these tags trigger you than PLEASE do not read or continue with caution! (Sorry if I missed any tags)

✨Masterlist ✨

Word Count: 1922

Note: Hyunjin and Third Person POV

Summary: You and Hyunjin go way back. You've know each other since your senior year of university and your friendship meant a lot to eachother, you just didn't know that it still meant a lot to Hyunjin. He values you as more than a friend and your boyfriend Chan is anything but happy about that. Chan plans to let you know just how unhappy he is with you trying to rekindle your friendship with Hyunjin but when things get heated a certain someone is there to 'save the day'.

Hyunjin's POV

There she goes again, switching those fucking hips so hard. She clearly likes the attention it brings her, the men around her breaking their necks to get a better look at her beautiful --

" Hyunjin?" Fuck, she saw me. I was going to try to surprise her.

"Y/n, hey." I've been practicing my surprised face for a moment like this one. It's pretty hard to be 'surprised' to see someone that you see everyday. "What are you doing out here? Don't you live across town?"

"You know I can't resist Ron's coffee, what about you? It's been forever since I've seen you, where have you been?" To answer your question, yes, I do know that you can't resist the coffee here. You've been coming to this cafe every Saturday and Wednesday after yoga class since our senior year of college. I'm honestly surprised that you stuck with Yoga for two whole years. You've always been bad at committing to things.

"Oh, you know, I've been around. Been doing a little bit of everything, a lot of freelancing."

"That sounds great, I know it can be a bit challenging for photographers to make a living out here but you're so talented I know that you'll find a permanent spot soon." She's smiling, so I can't help but to do the same. She's so cute and foolish. I'll never settle at one job, I need to be close to her. I made a promise never to be more than two miles from her at all times just in case--.

"Y/n." Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. No, no, no. Not him, what the fuck is he doing here.

"Chan, hey, I thought you'd never show up. This is Hyunjin, we went to Uni together. Hyunjin, this is my boyfriend Chan." Oh, I know who he is, Bang Christopher Chan, twenty-five years old, born October third which makes him a libra. I could go on and on about your cute little scumbag here.

"Nice to meet you." I offer my hand to him and his icy stare meets my burning one. He doesn't budge, you can barely tell that he's breathing. You wanna be a tough guy? Two can play that game.

"Chan" Y/n nudges him in his side and he serves her a disapproving glare. Running my hand through my hair I smile over at y/n.

"It's fine, some people have a hard time containing their jealousy when they're around me."

"Come on, y/n, we'll be late." Late? You don't have anywhere to be. She would've put it in her Google Calendar.

"Uh, right. Well um, Hyunjin it was awesome seeing you. Text me sometime." He grips the back of her neck and guides her past me just as she went in for a hug. I'd be lying if I said it didn't take everything in me not to snatch her from him. She doesn't need someone like him, always so cold towards her. Does he even have a heart? How could you not smile at the sight of her short curly hair, her bright eyes and crooked smile. How could you resist such a ravishing woman? It takes everything in me not to step out of her closet in the mornings and fuck her right over her desk.

Before I could say my goodbye the cafe door closed behind them and Chan looked back at me with a smirk. My jaw clenched at the sight, he thinks he's got her. He thinks he can take her from me, he thinks this is goodbye. It is far from goodbye, it's see you later. Maybe, tonight.

Third person POV

"Why would you tell him to text you later?" The echo of Chan slamming his car keys down on the table in the main hallway echoed through the quiet apartment. Y/n trailed in behind him, annoyance evident in her eyes and tone.

"I told you a thousand times, I was being kind. Hyunjin and I haven't seen each other in a year and a half. We were best friends and I've missed him." That's all she had to say to trigger him, he turned swiftly, caging her body against the hallway wall with his arms on either side of her body. He leaned down to her, inches away from her face and snarled.

"You what?"

"I- I said that.. I missed.. him." A smirk plays upon Chan's lips, it deepens into a smile as he processes what she just had the nerve to tell him.

"You shouldn't say things that you don't mean, Y/n. That makes you a liar and no love of mine is going to be a liar. You do not miss him." A stiff laugh spills from Chan's lips causing y/n to shiver and squeeze her eyes shut. She knew that Chan could get jealous to say the least but he's never come off this… Intense. "Listen, baby, I don't want you talking to him okay? I think that's a simple request and I expect you to follow it. Am I clear?"

The silence that followed Chan's question seemed to worsen the situation almost instantly, slamming his hands against the wall he inches closer to her until they are practically sharing the same breath. "Am I fucking clear, y/n?"

"Yes." Her answer is firm and rushed, it's also a lie. She knew that if Hyunjin were to message her, she'd answer. How could she not? Their friendship goes so far back it would just be rude to ignore him.

"Good, pet." Backing away from her Chan turns his attention towards the living room. "I'm Ordering thai, I'll get your usual "

Y/n stood there, shaken and silent as she watched Chan walk away. Little did she know that Hyunjin had seen the whole thing, it was moments like these that he was thankful for installing those nano-cameras a year ago. It was times like these that Hyunjin was tempted to burst through the front door and save her from him, but he knew he had to wait just a little longer.

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

"Who's that?" Y/n's phone chime triggered Chan to speak for the first time in almost two hours. The two had been sitting in the living room in silence flipping through channels until they came across a Criminal Minds marathon. Pressing her home button, y/n checks her phone then shrugs her shoulders seconds after.

"Just an Instagram notification. " Her gaze settles back onto the TV screen but Chan's is fixed on her.

"Are you sure about that?" Y/n's eyes quickly meet Chan's before she averts her gaze to his chest.

"Yes, Chris, I am sure." Her tone, that's what did it. That's what got him started, what caused the corners of his lips to curve into a cynical smile. The violent exhale that followed caused y/n to squirm in her seat a bit, fear bubbling in her stomach.

"I thought I just told you..." Lifting himself and swiftly leaning over y/n like a shadow, Chan grasps the front of her neck and pushes her head back slightly cutting off her air supply. "I don't fucking like liars, and yet, here we are.

The small gasps that y/n managed to let out filled the room along with the noise of a car commercial on the TV. Chan's eyes bore into hers like he was searching for something he hasn't been able to find for years. Like he was waiting for her to look the least bit sorry. Releasing his grip on her neck he swings his arm and the back of his hand sweeps across her cheek harshly causing y/n to shift in her seat. Grabbing a handful of hair he pulls her head back to look him in the eyes and his disturbing yet amused face has shifted to an icy stare.

"How many times am I going to have to telling you the same fucking thing?" His voice was calm yet bitter. "Do I have to beat it into you? Maybe fuck you into submission? Solitary confinement, maybe."

Y/n's heart was beating at nearly a million beats per second but that was nothing compared to Hyunjin's. The sound of Chan's words rang through his head like a church bell. Today was the day that he had to go and save her. Before he knew it he was out of his car and across the street. The sound of y/n whimpering spilled from the cracked window and he used that as his green light. It was almost like he could hear her calling his name in each cry.

Using his copy of the key that he made, Hyunjin busted into the apartment closing the door behind him and rushing to the living to find a half dressed y/n with red marks in a uniform pattern down her back. Her tear littered face turned to look up at him and he felt his heart flutter and sink all at once.

"What the fuck are --" before Chan could finish his sentence Hyunjin had charged at him. Hands balled into fists and ready to fire. Pinning Chan to the ground, Hyunjin had the upper hand for a while. Landing punches in places that were sure to bruise later and remind Chan of this day, this moment.

"What the…" Y/n's voice trailed off into a whisper of silence as she crawled away from the altercation scrambling to her feet. She watched, confused and in pain from the punishment that Chan administered seconds ago.

Chan managed to push Hyunjin off of him and land a strong punch to his nose. The two scrambled to stand and stood across from each other, smirking.

"How fucking dare you touch her like that." All Chan did was chuckle darkly and shake his head slightly.

"I was wondering what it would take for you to come out of hiding." Hyunjin's eyes widened, he knew?

"Now what? Gonna save the day? Take her from me and run away to the land of butterflies and rainbows? " Chan glares at Hyunjin with a cocky grin as he wipes the blood from his nose.

"You don't deserve her, it's me that she needs. I'd never harm her, that's all you seem to know how to fucking do." Chan claps sarcastically causing Hyunjin to snarl aggressively.

"How sweet, but you're missing one key piece…" taking a step closer to Hyunjin, Chan sticks his hands in his pockets. "I'm not letting her go. She's mine, she belongs to me. I won her before you did and I don't plan on letting her go anytime--"

"I'll take her from you, I know her better. I can love her better than you ever imagined you could. " Turning around to face a frightened y/n, Hyunjin smiles. "Baby, let me finally take care of you… I've been here everyday since senior year waiting for you."

"W- what do you mean everyday? You've been.. in my house?" Y/n's visible trembling breaks Hyunjin's heart but he's too far past his capacity of emotional vulnerability to aid her at the moment.

"Of course, Darling, I've been here all along. Watching you sleep, eat, and get hurt by this monster. Now is finally my chance to protect you from him. I'll do whatever I have to do to get you away from him."

"Kill me, that's what you'd have to do. And even then I'd find a way." Hyunjin and Chan stare at each other almost as if it's a game and y/n is the prize.

"Murder, eh? I can do that."

[xetlynn]

Twilight- The Switch of Daylight: Chapter Nine, Hot and Cold

(Alice x Reader x Jasper)

Eight | Nine | Ten

Days have passed since I've seen Sam. Weirdly I feel like I need to be cautious around him now.

Bella noticed how short I've been with everyone, like I'm in the room with everyone but mentally I'm far... far away. She's been trying to convince me to go to the Rez with her to help her and Jacob fix up the bikes she got from the neighbor. Well she secretly got them. Charlie doesn't know.

I've declined every single time but for some reason today I feel like I just need a reason to get out of the house. "You really want to come?" Bella smiles at me as I pull on my leather jacket that I haven't worn in a while. "Yes, don't make me change my mind." I point a finger at her, causing her to chuckle. Leading us out of the house, she convinced me to drive my bike with her on the back. Something I wasn't entirely sure on doing but she's my older sister. I have to have some sort of respect in her "seniority." Even if it's only a 10 and a half month difference.

I give her my helmet since she's still human. When I take off I feel her grip my waist and I laugh to myself. "It's not funny, you have to warn someone before you do that!" She shouts over the sound of the wind hitting us. "It wouldn't have been as funny!" I admit to her, I feel her jab my side. She mumbles a "whatever," I speed up, getting closer to the rez.

We get to the garage that Bella directed me to. She trusted me to hear everything even though she couldn't herself. I park in a quick motion, letting Bella off and give me my helmet back. "Woah, I get the privilege of having both Swan sisters with me today?" Jacob teases as he pokes his body out from the garage. "Yeah, don't get too excited." I tell him, following Bella inside after putting my kickstand up, making sure it doesn't slide in the dirt. He puts his hands up in defense, we go over to the two bikes that look pretty good.

"You guys are doing fucking amazing." I comment, admiring the bikes. "Thank you, thank you." Jacob does a tiny bow, his hair slightly getting in his face. Then I remember things Sam said about him. About how he could be next turning into a wolf. My face scrimmages at the thought. About the fact that me being here could also be the reason he would turn into one.

"Earth to [Name]." The two wave in my face, shaking me out of my thoughts. I smile at them. "Yes?"

The rest of the day, they show me what they've been doing, showing how I can help as well. Quil and Embry pass by a few times. I watch how they all mess with Bella. How happy she looks compared to how she was just weeks ago. The nightmares also seem to be calming down. The slightest bit.

The next day I decide to join them again. We end up staying later than what we did yesterday. "Quil keeps asking to come over. I think he likes you a little too much." Jacob suddenly speaks up as we were walking to her truck. I'm not leaving with her, I have some things I need to do but I just want to make sure she gets home safe.

"Tell him I'm not into the cougar thing." Bella half-heartedly tells him. "What is it with you and age? I mean that Cullen guy was young, didn't seem to... bother you." You can tell he instantly regrets his choice of words, especially mentioning Edward. I notice her spirits shift. "Alright, we'll see you tomorrow Jacob!" I jump in, patting his back as Bella forces a smile.

"Goodnight Jake." She waves to him and gets in her truck. We watch as she drives off.

"I can't believe I said that." He curses at himself, kicking the dirt once her truck is out of sight. "It's okay, she knows you didn't mean anything by it." I rub his back, he flinches away from my touch out of shock.

"Dude, your hand is hot." He hisses. My eyebrows furrow.

"Hot?" I try to feel it myself but it's just the normal ice cold feeling it's always had since I turned.

"Yeah, are you running a fever or something?" He comes up to me, touching my forehead but when he does he tilts his head. "Now you're cold. What the heck?" He flips his hand over a few times, feeling my forehead. I laugh, shoving him away. "I think you're going crazy." I ruffle his hair to piss him off, and like usual it does. "Hey, that's messed up." He goes to fix it as I snicker.

"I gotta speak with your dad, I'll talk to you later." I punch his shoulder, jogging towards his house. I glance back to see him still fixing his hair, heading towards the garage.

My hand was hot? Maybe it was just so cold it felt hot? I open the front door to Billy's house, his head turns my way and he raises a brow.

"What can I do you for, [Name]? You got more questions?" He doesn't move his wheelchair my way so I take it as a sign to go over to him. "Not exactly? Do I feel hot to you?" I ask him, putting my hand in front of him.

I watch him as he takes a deep breath, slowly going to grab at my hand. I feel the usual flinch most people do as they feel the coldness of my skin. "No... why do you ask?" He looks up at me, letting go of my hand. "Jacob said my hand was hot when I rubbed his back. Maybe it was just overly cold and confused him?" I lean against the wall. "You're definitely not hot right now." He mutters, staring at the ground. The tv plays in the background. "If it happens again let me know." He tells me. "What does it mean?" I carefully question.

"Nothing good, that's what." He's angry. I start to rub my arms in anxiousness. "I'm sorry." I say, his eyes snap towards me. His eyes soften at the sight of me.

"There's nothing to be sorry for, [Name]. It's just a very unfortunate circumstance for you." He makes eye contact with me and I can tell he's mentally apologizing.

That night, Bella had another nightmare. Charlie and I rush up from our spots in the house. Her screams fill our ears, Charlie turns the light on, both of us going to either one of her sides. Gently shaking her. Her eyes open, tears streaming down her face. I help her sit up, sitting on the bed with her. She's told me the coldness I have soothes her when she wakes up. As if I'm him when she feels my hand on her arm.

Charlie hands her the glass of water, she takes a drink of it and I watch him pull the dream catcher from her bedpost.

"This thing's not working very well." He grunts. "It's... not as bad as it was." Bella whispers. "Yeah right. I know what it's like, you know. When your mom left me. I had a hell of a time. Imagined doing all kinds of crazy things, just to stop the pain." He admits to her, Bella avoids his look. She curls into my touch, I hold her a little tighter.

"But hanging out with Jacob seems to help get your mind off things." He states, more questionably though. "He's been keeping me afloat." She agrees. "That's good. He's a good guy." Charlie hypes him up, I roll my eyes while smirking, knowing it would give the kid a bigger ego.

He leaves the room and I go to do the same but Bella tugs on my arm. "Please stay with me." She pleads, I nod, plopping back down on the bed.

"I'm sorry for using you as a body pillow." She mumbles, cuddling into my side. It reminds me of when we were kids. Even though she's older I always was holding her. Protecting her. Our dynamic switching when certain things happen. "It's okay. It's better than being alone. The night time is the worst." I share with her. "I'm sorry." Is all she says before she closes her eyes, falling back asleep.

"We got lucky at the dump. You know how much a new crankshaft goes for?" Jacob informs us as Bella drives along the La Push cliffs. I'm in the middle as Jacob sits by the window, he studies a greasy motorcycle crankshaft. "Sure, I spend all my free time on crankshaft-dot-com." She sarcastically responds. "I think that's a porn site." I speak up, Jacob agrees with me with a laugh.

"These bikes are gonna be rolling soon. Where should we ride first?" He asks Bella, changing the subject. "Someplace sunny." It then clicks in her head that I wouldn't be able to go. "Like there's any place sunny around here." Jacob comments. "Actually I think around here might be good." She falls back on her word.

Then I see Bella look int he distance of the cliff. I glance over to see Sam, Jared, and Paul rough housing. "Isn't that Sam Uley?" She points ahead. "And his cult." Jacob bitterly says. Then two of the guys throw Jared over the cliff, Bella slams on the brakes.

Jumping out of the truck. Jacob and I follow after her. "Oh my god! Stop them!" She runs toward them. Jacob and I burst into laughter, which slows her down.

"They're not really fighting. Bella. They're cliff diving." He assures her. "What, on purpose?" Bella looks over at us.

"Scary as hell, but a total rush." Jacob nods his head. "I did it when I was apart of their supposed cult." I bump Jacob as I walk closer to Bella. We watch Paul take a running start, flinging himself in the air. "Most of us jump from lower down." Jacob bumps me back. "Think I could?" Bella asks us,s till staring at them. My eyes widen. "Man, first motorcycles, now cliff diving?" He questions my sister.

"You said it was a rush."

"Maybe on a warmer day. And not from the top. We'll leave the howling off to Sam and his disciples." Bitterness. We both look at him.

"You don't like them." Bella states. "They think they run this place. Acting all bad ass, calling themselves "protectors." Jacob scoffs, putting his hands in his pockets. "What are they protecting?"

"The tribe, the land, their right to be jerks. Embry used to call them hall monitors on steroids; now look at him." Jacob points at them. Bella and I look closer to see Embry, now with short hair.

Another turned... my face falls. "That's Embry? I didn't recognize him. What happened to him?" Bella looks back at him. "He missed some school- then out of nowhere. He's following Sam around. Same thing happened with Paul and Jared. They weren't even friends, now Sam owns them. Sam keeps giving me this look, like he's waiting for me or something. It's kinda freaking me out." Jacob tells us, well more to Bella. If only he knew what was really happening between them.

"Maybe you should just avoid them." Bella says.

"I try but..." I watch her observe him them hug him reassuringly. "Hey. If it gets worse, we'll go to my Dad. Or you can come stay with us." She looks at him, then he glances over to me and I nod, agreeing with her.

"Thanks." He holds onto her. "If this is how you're going to react, I'll freak out more often." He smirks, ruining the moment for Bella.

She playfully shoves him. I then look over to the cliff again. Sam is already directly staring at us.

Once he makes eye contact with me though he dives over the edge.

Masterlist

A&J M.L.

Taglist: if you want to be added lmk

@stevenandmarcslove

@steh-lar-uh-nuhs

@kisekihany

@aureliacorvina

@l3ejm

[doumadono]

EMERGENCY REQUEST

So I love your stuff and ofc take your time. Im really sorry to inconvenience you with this request but I'm just very stressed.

I recently moved into a new house with my family and we have been slowly moving things in for months. Apparently the landlord left the door unlocked after he came in to make some final repairs and someone broke in and stole some stuff. Nothing huge, some tools, a toaster oven, drill bits. We didn't think they stole anything else and my family didn't see a reason to make a report till I started looking for one of my boxes I moved previously and it was gone. It had all my cross country stuff in it and I know it's not important to anyone else but CC is my LIFE. I've been running for almost 5 years So all my medals, plaques, times, banners, numbers, memorabilia from courses are gone. And I don't know what anyone would want with any of it. None of it was worth any kind of money but all of it means so much to me emotionally. I SUCKED my first year and it took so much effort to EARN everything. I'm scared they are gonna start melting down my metals or try to pawn them. I know it sounds vain and maybe it is but I was so proud of everything I've accomplished in cross country. I had a mental break down for about 30 mins to an hour and idk what to do. CC helped motivate me to recover from my Annorexia and one of those metals I won right after I got out of the hospital. Im 4'10 (I am a senior in highschool) Im already at a disadvantage considering my legs are half the size of everyone else's. I had to work so hard to be where I am now and all my reward for my work it's just gone because someone was bored? Wanted to make some extra cash?

Do you think If/when you have time you could write MHA comforting someone who's going through this? Maybe Shoji or Amajiki? Or whoever you want and think would fit. Im sorry again I know it's vain to want all of it back but it just meant so much to me.

Shoji & Amajiki with a friend who lost their CC stuff

EMERGENCY REQS MASTERLIST

Shoji

Shoji, noticing your distress, approaches quietly, acknowledging the pain without pressing for words.

With his calm demeanor, he approaches the friend, his extra limbs extending to offer a gentle, reassuring touch.

He speaks gently, "I heard what happened. I can't imagine how hard this must be for you. Take your time, but if you want to talk, I'm here."

Shoji respects your initial silence, patiently waiting for you to open up when you're ready.

He remarks, "Your achievements in cross country are a part of who you are. Losing them is like losing a piece of yourself, I bet but you still have the memories."

Shoji invites the friend to a quiet spot in the school, away from prying eyes, where they can share their feelings without judgment. "Sometimes, finding solace in silence can be more comforting than words."

Shoji suggests, "Let's work on a plan together. We'll search for your items and, if needed, involve our friends for more support. Even if the physical items are gone, your achievements and the strength you gained through cross country remain."

Amajiki

Amajiki cautiously approaches, "I heard about what happened. It's okay if you don't want to talk, but I'm here for you."

Amajiki silently sits with you, understanding that words may not be enough to express the depth of your pain.

He softly says, "Your achievements are not just medals. They're a reflection of your strength and resilience. No one can take that away."

Amajiki's gentle demeanor encourages the distressed friend to open up slowly, sharing the pain and memories associated with the lost stuff.

Amajiki softly suggests involving the authorities, realizing the emotional value of the stolen items. "I think it's important to let the authorities know. They might be able to help recover your belongings, and it's okay to ask for help."

Amajiki spends quiet moments with the distressed friend, acknowledging that sometimes, silent companionship speaks louder than words.

[bomberqueen17]

followup: countertops

OK pictures under the cut but before you judge me, understand that i went into this remodel saying "i don't want everything white and gray!!!!" and then one at a time we considered our options and realized the best options were... whites... and grays...

but! the white countertop has SPARKLES in it, and as I tell the saga I will tell you the inside scoop the countertop installer gave me, as to WHAT THE SPARKLES ARE MADE OF.

i would put in a little video of the sparkle but i can't figure out how to upload videos anywhere so just imagine it. you can kind of see it in some of the still images.

[image description: a young man in a gray hoodie and orange gloves rests my not-yet-installed stainless-steel sink on the top of the cabinets in front of my windows, which don't yet have countertops.] These guys rolled up at 8:15 and politely introduced themselves, Devin and Isaac. My buddy Max had already rolled in, but Jim had planned on arriving at 8:30 and was running late.

Devin said to me, excitedly, "Did they tell you? We did it seamless!" There had been discussion of whether the corner section would have to be fabricated in two sections or whether they'd be able to do it in one.

They asked Max about some technical details, but Max demurred, "Jim knows about it, I'm just here to help," and they said "ah we'll wait for Jim" but then they were like "well we can just get started" and as it happens they'd just about finished before Jim finally rolled up, LOL.

They installed the sink first, as it's an undermount and so way easier to do before the counter goes in.

But the counters-- they just-- set them down, checked the level, checked the measurements everywhere, and then just put silicone around the edges underneath and on top. That's literally it. I asked if it was ever more complicated and Devin was like ah yeah if we have to level it there's a whole thing, but. I mean. Jim did this so I knew it'd be this easy, that's why you're first for us today.

[image description: an expanse of speckled white countertop, with reflections from the lights. You can kind of see a speck here and there of the sparkles. the color is somethingorother-snow, because it does glitter like snow.]

I admired the glitter, and Devin said, "Guess what the sparkle's made of!"

"Glass," I hazarded.

"Close," he said, "but no." When nobody else had another guess, he said, "CDs! It's made of CDs." This is a quartz-like-composite kinda thing, which means it kinda looks like stone and is shiny like stone (instead of matte like Corian etc) but won't shatter your plates quite like stone and is easier to maintain.

I texted this to the family groupchat, and VegMan said (my sister must have read it aloud to him, he's not on the family groupchat) "Oh, AOL CDs?" and I texted it to Dude separately and he wrote back "That's like 750000 free minutes of AOL!" and when I repeated these jokes to Devin, Isaac, and Max, they all kind of looked politely blank. "Oh no," I said, "you're too young."

"I was born in 2001," Devin volunteered, and Max laughed and said "same". (I do not think Isaac is any older.) "They used to give me video game CDs in my Happy Meals though so I know what you mean."

I've lived in this house since both of you were four years old, I thought, but did not say. "In 2001 I was..." "Adulting," Devin said helpfully. "You... could call it that," I said, thinking back to my senior year of college.

They brought in the little chunk of counter that's going over next to the fridge, and then the bigger chunk that's the sink counter. Then they brought in the big one they'd managed to do seamless, the L-shaped chunk that goes from the stove around the corner to the expanse in front of the bay window that will be our dining area. Devin and Isaac planned out where they'd go and how they'd get it in the door, because they knew it was heavy. Then they got in the door and Devin said "Max! Max I know I don't know you but I need you to help me!" and Max hustled over and grabbed the heavy end, because it really was too heavy for Devin, and Isaac had the other end so he couldn't help.

It was a strain for both of them, but they carefully got it up onto the cabinets, and slid it painstakingly into place, and Devin took a moment to recover.

[image description: a person in a gray hoodie is sitting on the cardboard-covered floor of a white room with gray cabinets, applying silicone from a tube to the underside of the white countertop]

They checked the levels and measurements and made sure there were no gaps and then they just... glued it. Like not even really glued it they just applied a bead of silicone around all the edges, and that's that.

"Is it really that easy?" I asked, and Devin laughed and said "if it's not perfectly level we have to shim it, and there's a whole lot of complicated stuff we gotta do then, but the reason I put this job first is I know Jim put these cabinets in so I know they're level. And if they're level then yeah this is all that's gotta happen."

They look so good. They sparkle like snow. The room is a sea of neutrals.

[image description: from my living room looking into my kitchen, with the stove pulled out awkwardly into the middle of the floor, one man is standing to work on the counter near the sink and another man is sitting on the floor checking the underside of the counter in front of the window.]

Jim showed up as they were finishing, checked on a few things, signed off on the job, and then he and Max set to tiling the backsplash. Which I will cover in a separate post because this is enough for right now. But.

The counters!!! I wish I could figure out how to make a gif out of a little video on my phone because the SPARKLE. Yeah the white countertops and white walls and white ceilings are a bit much but understand two of the walls and all of the window trim are getting painted some bright color or other, so it won't be like this forever.

[flyingwargle]

bokuto hasn't been home in a month because of a series of away games, but he finally gets the chance when the team's last match is in tokyo before a four-day break. he waves goodbye to his teammates as they board the bus that'll bring them back to osaka and turns to walk toward the nearest train station.

"keiji! i'm home!" bokuto shouts as he enters the apartment. a flurry of footsteps follows, and his boyfriend appears in the hallway.

"welcome back, kou." akaashi's still in his pajamas, bedhead unruly, tired eyes bright with love as he approaches to embrace him, lithe arms wrapping around his waist. "i thought you weren't going to be back until tonight?"

"we managed to finish the team meeting last night, so the others left this morning. you're still in your pjs!"

"not for long. i have to leave for a meeting soon."

bokuto pulls back to frown at him. "it's a weekend! are you overworking again?"

"i know, but my seniors want me to meet a mangaka that's visiting. he lives in ibaraki and doesn't come to tokyo often." akaashi gives him a reassuring smile. "it won't be for long, i promise."

they enter the bedroom - bokuto to put his bag down and change into sweats, akaashi to change from pajamas to business casual. they head into the living room, where bokuto immediately sees changes from the last time he was home. "i forgot you redecorated!"

the changes are subtle - akaashi's desk is closer to the window, the couch pushed further away from the brand new tv. another new addition are the low shelves along the wall, countless framed photos adorning the surface, manga volumes crowding the rows. all are udai's works.

bokuto kneels and pulls out the first volume of mateo attack, the protagonist drawn in his full splendor on the cover. "did you buy these?"

"no, the printing press gave them to me. these are the first editions, so there may be printing errors that make them unsuitable to sell. i offered to take them instead of recycling them." akaashi sips his coffee. "you haven't read mateo attack yet, have you?"

"i didn't have time," bokuto says sheepishly. he's been saying he would, ever since it began serialization. "but now i do! it's better than just sitting around while you're gone."

he places the first five volumes on the coffee table and settles on the couch with the first one, pulling the blanket over his lap, arranging the pillows behind him. when was the last time he read like this? contrary to popular belief, bokuto does read by listening to audiobooks, morning runs and long commutes accompanied by tales of fantastical worlds and thrilling plots. the team has a bi-monthly book club (since that's how long it takes for them to finish a book), where they alternate between fiction and nonfiction. only one manga series has been recommended so far, a tragic yaoi oneshot that ended in unrequited love. everyone called their significant others afterwards, bokuto included. atsumu just laughed at them, and then cried. hinata comforted him.

"should we cook tonight?" akaashi asks from the kitchen. "or should we go out?"

"let's go on a date! wasn't there this sushi restaurant nearby you wanted to try?"

"i'd like that. i can call later to put in a reservation. the quality is above standard, so we'll need to dress appropriately."

it sounds like a pointed comment, but bokuto brushes it off. he has all day to style his hair and put on something that isn't polyester. "what time will you be done?"

"no later than three. we can eat at six?"

"okay! i'll just read, maybe go for a walk and find lunch later. mya-saam opened his shop nearby, right?"

"two stops away, just outside of the station. i can text you directions."

"i know how to use google, keiji!"

his boyfriend chuckles. "he's usually here on the weekends. i'm sure he'll be happy to see you."

as he turns to finish cleaning, bokuto settles down and opens the first volume. in his youth, he followed quite a few manga series but never finished them. maybe this will be the one that he'll see through all the way.

the art is pretty cool. the story is also about an underdog player who strives to win nationals in volleyball, which makes it better. he flips through, following the panels, making sure to appreciate the details before he moves to the next page.

it isn't long before his eyes grow heavy, and he loses focus. he blames the strenuous routine that he had for the last month catching up to him. lowering the book over his face, he lowers his arms across his chest, closing his eyes.

silence washes over him. slippers slide over the hardwood floor. a presence approaches, quiet and affectionate. the blanket slides over his upper body. the barest chuckle tickles the air around him. "i'm heading out now."

there's a kiss on the book over his face. then, in a whisper, "i love you. see you soon."

his footsteps retreat. a few minutes later, the front door opens and closes. that's when bokuto lets his blush overwhelm him, pressing the book against his face, kicking the couch like an overexcited high school boy.

that's who he is, though. keiji isn't the most affectionate person in the world, limiting his touches and love declarations. instead, he shows it through his tone, how he gently scolds bokuto for skimping on nutrition or going too hard on weights. he shows it by diligently picking up his call, no matter the time of day, and asking if he's eaten. he shows it by watching his games, wearing his jersey, proudly telling everyone that he's bokuto koutarou's boyfriend.

and bokuto is damn lucky to have him. he closes the book to press his lips where keiji did, smiling to himself. he's looking forward to tonight.

--

inspiration: this fanart of bokuto reading meteo attack!

[iodotsys]

I did not know you and nana have an ZADR AU,,, (⸝⸝⸝╸▵╺⸝⸝⸝) I want to see,, 👉👈 What does his and your Zim and Dib look like? maybe,, a drawing, thank you Great Wise Poop

Me and @banana-zim have an AU called Debugged! Its an irl RP we've been doing since July 2021, before we even entered the fandom. A LOT has changed since we started so the characters are a bit updated. XD

A small synopsis is that Zim has been avoiding Dib for nearly two and a half years now for some reason unknown. No matter what Dib does, Zim runs away, seeming in horror and pain at the sight of him. Until they are forced to go on a senior trip to a summer camp and are trapped in the same room together. Then, Zim can not longer keep his secret from Dib.

Shenanigans happen and they end up with the Resisty. There's a lot of pain and torture and horrible horrible things that happen in between. Also some rather fishy stuff that the new Tallest is doing.

We had even started a comic of it about two years ago, but it was put on hiatus because of some life stuff.

We even have a playlist for it!

I don't think we'll ever continue with it in comic form, since this was before I took my band and paintings seriously. BUT!!!

I think perhaps. Mayhaps.

Banana and I can continue it in a fanfic form~ I mean, our RP is still ongoing and we have zero intention of stopping, so may as well document it for fandom consumption, right? :)

[blindrapture]

MONDAY JULY 25TH, 2011 (Avoidance)

8:32 AM I don't want to get up today

8:35 AM Donnie's up. Hey Donnie, can we have a look further into the city today? Just you and me. "Sure. Uh.. anything in mind?" There'll be, like, a City Hall of some sort, right? Maybe we'll benefit from trying to talk to the 'other side.' The people in power here. "Mr. Diplomacy, over here. What if there's Fears there? Like, dangerous ones." Then we turn and leave? "And have them follow us here." Well, we're not gonna know unless we try. And, honestly, I… "...yeah?" ...I just. Want a change from the RAF for a bit. "Aww, did something happen yesterday? Did you get in an argument?" No. Maybe I'm.. partied out? <:D ...she patted my head. .w. "We can have a look around. Meet some new people." kissss Donnie, you're an angel, and it never feels right to leave your side. "Awwww!"

8:50 AM We had breakfast. No Cody this time; he's still asleep. <.<;; But we did talk with Heaven, and she gave us directions to City Hall, the "People's Palace." And she wished me luck with finding Bones!

9:14 AM Short drive. San Francisco has good streets. I'm impressed. Man, look at that building! People's Palace, indeed. Majestic, grey, greek-like. Naked lady carving up at the top. "Probably a symbol of democracy or something." Yeah. America!

9:15 AM I'd expect there to be more people here. This city's, y'know, relatively safe. And people love to just mill about; it's one of our favorite pastimes. "Well, we've been seeing a lot of people who don't like the old authorities that much. Maybe the people who did left the city?" Then. Who are the RAF trying to fight? "The Fears." I dunno. Something feels off.

9:16 AM It's... deserted. Yet the lights are on. Someone must be in here. Hello? … HELLO? … that triggered a coughing fit from down this hall.

9:17 AM Little office. Big man. Gotta be in his 40s, 50s. "Hmph. You won't find much to steal in here." We're not looking to steal, sir! "You'd be the first, then. Even the scoundrels who used to work here were ripping the carpets up on their way out. And I trust that rabble by the park even less." donnie "The world's ending. People are gonna panic." "Quite." sigh "I just always liked to imagine we were a more virtuous nation than that. And I mean the whole nation, not California. We're a state, dammit. Nothing's going to change that." Yeah. ..uh. "Yes, who are you? Why did you come? To listen to me talk?" Maybe?? I'm.. Jordan. "I'm Donnie." I came here to learn a little more about.. the way the city is run? "I just came along; I'm good with whatever." "You came here to learn about civics? Huh." stroking his mustache "Maybe the youth isn't lost." Do you know why money is still a thing here? What's this Z currency? "That is still one of the most suspect things to happen in all this Rapture nonsense. The change happened overnight. "Some senior investors and advisors came to the Palace one night earlier this month, and I mean senior, some of the most respected in the nation. They stepped into the Mayor's office, unannounced, unaccompanied, and spent a heated hour shouting profanities, then swiftly left in silence with stormy faces. "Do you know what they had said? "'The dollar is gone.' "That's right. Just like that. It was a demand from 'higher up,' they said. Higher than Congress. Higher than the Senate. Higher than the Supreme Court. Higher than the Pentagon!" W. Who. Who was it from? O: "One of them." he pointed, sinisterly, for effect. donnie "The Fears?" "One of them." Surely some people tried using the dollar anyway, right? Even just for a little purchase. "Of course people tried! We were the first to, as this building was the first to hear of it. But another change happened on that same night: Shortly after the investors and advisors left, the red sky vanished, and that army began patrolling our skies." The Ants of the Sky…

"The ANTS. Yes. ANti-finance Territorial Sentries. They know what we are doing in here. Anyone who spends so much as a penny, on any transaction, is hunted down within minutes. Gunned down... where they stand…" now he's looking off into space. I'm. I'm sorry. You must have seen a lot of this. "My colleagues dared the gods. I would have joined them too, had I anything to buy that night. I didn't believe in the demand. But blood speaks louder than decree." What the fuck. What's the point of it? What kind of scheme makes this make sense? ..he's shaking his head. forehead on his hand. "What bothers me is.. the Mayor obviously knew. He had that talk with the advisors. He didn't tell anyone. He let the rumor spread that it was just a demand. He let his staff exchange money. He had to have known. Why didn't he talk to us? Why did he just let us find out?" ... >_< donnie "Then. Then the Z? Did that just.. arrive one day?" "Delivered in secure vans. Stolen, I have no doubt. If anyone knows where they came from, they haven't told me." ..donnie "I'm sorry. Thank you for sharing what must not have been easy to recall." "These storied walls deserve a witness. After all our nation has been through, these walls deserve that much." So you really believe in this place. "And what it means. I feel I owe it, as I didn't do my due diligence when the sky was... real." I understand. Do you want to be left alone? "Yes. I have much to do. Archival work is never done." Th.. thank you for your time.

9:29 AM back in the car. just sitting here. What the fuck was that. Was that real. "At least we know those Ants are dangerous." But why the fuck is this happening this way? That Ant stuff is something I'd expect from Xanadu. But he says a Fear is responsible? "They're Fears, babe. They're bad. Remember the Harlequin? Would this really be that out-of-place for her to do?" I don't know! In terms of severity, sure, she was horrible! In terms of ambition, she was a terrorist! But what's with all the blue sky business? Why Z? Is Z a Xanadu currency, or did the same Fear give it to Xanadu? ..she's rubbing my back. "It's a world of trauma out there now. It kinda already was." Everything just raises questions. All this gunning-down... I feel like my brain's gonna explode. Why are the RAF... what are they doing? Are they just doing a takeover? Are they walking into a trap, the same situation that that government ran into? It doesn't sound like any human actually runs things here. "Why don't we go back to the house and.. ask them? Talk it out. You like talking it out." Talk to Cody? "And Heaven. The leader." I... yeah, okay. We can try.

10:10 AM The house is empty. They'll be off doing their.. secret plans. hnnng. "Then we can go off and do our plans until they get back." Our plans? "I mean the Derek thing. I think it's time we tried really driving around the city. Maybe we'll find places where the graffiti is more common?" It's.. worth a shot.

2:35 PM We've been driving slow. Looking for graffiti. There's been a lot of markings, symbols, tags. Some memes we've seen before. Occasionally a person nearby, who we'd ask about Bones. No luck. Not a clue. We're stopping for lunch. We still have some beef jerky from the rabbit hole. We're gonna sit on a bench and eat.

2:42 PM Some bikers just sped by, roaring without mufflers. Huh. Hadn't seen that yet. I'd kinda been expecting bikers in all this. I wonder where they're going. Maybe we should get bikes too.

4:24 PM Alright. Finished our cruising. I mean, we weren't exactly thorough with it. We just went on a graffiti tour of the city, that's it. "I'm sorry, babe. We'll find him." Yeah. I know. I don't like this city.

4:39 PM When we got back to the house again, this time Tiger and about half a dozen of others from the Party House were gathered on the front steps, listening to Heaven talk from her door. We pulled up and got out of the car, and that's when we saw it: Hanging from a window of the RAF house, limbs tied with flag cord, Winston. With a nasty gash in his neck. It's the modus operandi of the Masked Massacrer, and Heaven corroborated that, as she saw a man in a Jesus Christ mask skulking around nearby and chased him off before noticing Winston herself. Dammit. I mean dammit. We just saved him.

4:45 PM We're all going back to the Party House for a wake.

5:10 PM Tiger couldn't stand it.

5:18 PM When it came time to play some of Winston's favorite songs in memorial, the first one to come on was "Solitude." Candlemass. Holy shit, that was... crushingly awkward. Not many people were willing to listen to it right now.

5:24 PM Someone brought out the alcohol. Heaven left. I think she'd normally frown upon underage drinking, but.

7:58 PM screams "FEAR AT THE DOOR!" oh jesus. another zombie? I'll fucking get it. hang on. head's swimming. I got this.

7:59 PM Holy crap! it's not a zombie!! it's fucking EAT! "Rael, we" shhh IT'S OKAY EVERYONE! I'M GONNA TAKE THIS OUTSIDE! IT'S GONNA GET UGLY! I'M SORRY! c'mon c'mon

8:05 PM okay I think we're far enough away. and this is a good alleyway. none of them will come looking. but just in case, if they do, put me in a headlock. just in, y'know. just in case. "That is a strange plan. Is it just you this time?" Yeah. Donnie's.. I think she went home hours ago. I like your Camper. :) She has blue hair... "I see." I am drunk... I apologize... "Rael, if it makes you comfortable and focused, you may say what you like to me. But I have to talk to you." Holy shit. Please, please talk. I'm all ears. "Can I trust that you will take in what I have to say?" I'm writing it all down! So I will be reading it again in the morning. Or whenever I'm sober. "You... hm. You know by now not to decode the Ciphers." Yes! "This was a surprise to me as well. When I advised you to pursue the sixth Cipher earlier this month, I only knew what I had read in your journal. And I only know the reality now because I read your newer journals. I suspect I may have learned about this on my own had I been in regular conversation with the other Fears, but Rapture has taken up all of my concentration." You really want to stop it. "I do." I do too! If at all possible. For a human like me.

"But there is a complication in the Cipher matter. Someone else has heard about the Ciphers, and not the most up-to-date information. Someone else is going after the seventh Cipher." Someone. Someone else. This is bad, right? "Yes. This is something that must be prevented at any cost." Are you the one who told someone else about the Ciphers? "Not.. to my knowledge. It might be possible that the wrong Camper spoke at the wrong time, but when I talk to myself, I do not go over every detail." You talk to yourself? O: "Don't you?" Only all the time! "..I think I like you drunk. You're so easy to read." I don't think I like being drunk, though. Being drunk is nice when I'm still drinking, but then when I'm not drinking, it's one long ride to sobriety. So. Gotta stop someone from going for the big video game boss battle. Do we know who? "I believe so. I first noticed other people discussing the Cipher in Texas, and I followed the rumors as they spread westward. With birds, I traced their source to a group on motorcycles. They have entered this city, and so I cannot follow them so easily anymore, as suspicion of Fears is greater here. Speaking candidly, I was taking a risk coming to see you at all." Aww, you risked for me.… "I risked for the world, Rael. You're my human emissary in this. You can go where Camper can't." I'm your emissary…

"I need you to find these motorcyclists and stop them. Or lead them out of the city where I can act unobstructed." Got it. I can do that. I can do one or the other. "You will have to act fast; it is not safe to stay in the city for much longer. The Archangel is amassing the undead, and a horde of them will hit in a few days." The Archangel... that's the gas mask one. The zombies. A horde? A few days… Y'know, the RAF have something planned for Wednesday. I don't know what it is, but they're working hard at it. "...Anonymous." Yeah. RAF are Anonymous. "Rael, Anonymous is allied with the Archangel." .....what. 'allied with' like, they're neutral towards each other? "They are working for him, delivering his will." How do you. How do you know? "My birds have seen. That adult woman you are staying with leaves the house every day, and her first stop is always to the same construction site, where Death meets her for updates on their plan, not unlike you and me right now." This is huge. This is.. sobering. "I am glad you are returning to your senses. I'll understand if you have trouble believing my information." No, I.. I didn't like the vibes here anyway. Too many things weren't adding up. Plus, I'm pretty sure Cody shot a kid in the head. "Which one is Cody?" The adult man. Do you follow him too? "Of course. But I don't think I should tell you what I have seen." You don't? "It concerns a subject that humans generally do not like to know." Worse than working with Death? Worse than shooting a kid? C'mon, EAT. Don't I do things for you? :C Aren't I your emissary? "And it concerns Donnie." ........read you loud and clear. o_e "I'm sorry." No, no, it's. I get it. On all counts. They have a history. And I don't think it was resolved. And, like. I've been really friendly with you, and there's no way she likes that. "I'm.. sorry." Please. EAT, you're. A friend. I shouldn't have asked. It's not your fault. "I don't want to impact you like this." I know. Unfortunately, this is.. the kind of thing that just happens, with feelings, sometimes. And definitely with drinking. Wow, that was a sloppy move on my part. "Feelings. I think I fear my feelings more than I fear the changes coming to our world." Heh. You and me, both.

8:13 PM "...at times like these, what should I do?" To achieve what? "Making you smile at me again." ..… hugggg

(Attached: "A Fear’s appearance, you know, is important. If we want humans to listen to us, we have to play up our powers, make ourselves look more important than we are. This is why the slender man wore a suit, why Death wears a gas mask, and why I keep my beard long and my book large– we want humans to fear us, we want to appear formidable. Salmacis, however, has a soft spot. It refuses to acknowledge any of them, but the apocalypse brings them out of her. And one of these soft spots of hers is the idea that humans will be more likely to assist if they feel they can trust her, rather than fear her. So over the course of the apocalypse, when it realized it needed to take some serious action to convince lots of people in so little time to help, it experimented with lots of different looks and approaches before it settled on giving her Camper blue hair– usually through wigs or hair-dyes– and overall blue colour schemes for clothing. And that all started here. Her first blue Camper was complete accident. It was just the nearest one to Jordan at the time. California, am I right?”)

[PREV LOG] [TABLE OF CONTENTS] [NEXT LOG]

[taylorswiftandx]

Taylor Swift and Will

Note: huge thank you to @meandmypagancrew for collaborating with me on the lyrics for this post!

'Taylor Swift'

Tim McGraw: And there's a letter left on your doorstep and the first thing that you'll read

Picture To Burn: My daddy's gonna show you how sorry you'll be

Teardrops On My Guitar: I'll bet she's beautiful, that girl he talks about

Teardrops On My Guitar: I'll put his picture down and maybe get some sleep tonight

A Place In This World: I'll be strong, I'll be wrong, oh, but life goes on

Cold As You: Just walk away, no use defending words that you will never say

Tied Together With A Smile: Hoping it will end up in his pocket but he leaves you out like a penny in the rain

Stay Beautiful: They watch him as he's walking home saying, "Does he know?" Will you ever know?

Stay Beautiful: If what you are is a daydream I'll never get to hold, at least you'll know

Stay Beautiful: Will you stay beautiful, beautiful, beautiful?

Mary's Song (Oh My My My): We'll rock our babies on that very front porch

Mary's Song (Oh My My My): I'll be eighty-seven, you'll be eighty-nine, I'll still look at you like the stars that shine in the sky

Invisible: She'll never notice how you stop and stare whenever she walks by

'Fearless (Taylor's Version)'

Fifteen: Hoping one of those senior boys will wink at you and say, "You know I haven't seen you around before"

Fifteen: We'll be out of here as soon as we can

Fifteen: But in your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team

Love Story: I'll be waiting, all that's left to do is run

Love Story: You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess

Love Story: Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess

Love Story: Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone

Hey Stephen: Of all the girls tossing rocks at your window, I'll be the one waiting there even when it's cold

White Horse: I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet, lead her up the stairwell

You Belong With Me: And she'll never know your story like I do

Breathe: 'Cause it's tragedy and it'll only bring you down

You're Not Sorry: And you're thinking we'll be fine again but not this time around

The Way I Loved You: And he calls exactly when he says he will

Change: And I'll do anything to see it through

Change: Because these things will change, can you feel it now?

Change: These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down

Change: This revolution, the time will come for us to finally win

Change: And we'll sing hallelujah, we'll sing hallelujah

Change: Tonight we'll stand, get off our knees

Change: But we'll stand up champions tonight

Jump Then Fall: And every time you shine, I'll shine for you

Jump Then Fall: The bottom's gonna drop out from under our feet, I'll catch you, I'll catch you

Jump Then Fall: When people say things that bring you to your knees, I'll catch you

Jump Then Fall: But I'll hold you through the night until you smile

Jump Then Fall: And every time you shine, I'll shine

Jump Then Fall: And every time you're here, baby, I'll show you, I'll show you

Untouchable: You gotta come on, come on, say that we'll be together

Come In With The Rain: I'll leave my window open 'cause I'm too tired at night to call your name

Come In With The Rain: Just know I'm right here hoping that you'll come in with the rain

Come In With The Rain: But I'll leave my window open 'cause I'm too tired at night for all these games

SuperStar: When my world wakes up today, you'll be in another town

SuperStar: And you'll never see you sing me to sleep every night from the radio

The Other Side Of The Door: And I'll scream out the window, I can't even look at you

The Other Side Of The Door: I'll say, "There's nothing you can say to make this right again"

Mr. Perfectly Fine: Mr. every single day until the end I will be by your side

Mr. Perfectly Fine: And someday maybe you'll miss me but by then you'll be Mr. too late

That's When: And that's when, I'll be waiting at the front gate

That's When: I'll let you in and, baby, that's when

Don't You: I heard she's nothing like me, I'm sure she'll make you happy

Don't You: So I'll walk out of here tonight, tried to go on with my life

Bye Bye Baby: This is the last time I'll drive this way again

'Speak Now'

Mine: You say we'll never make our parents' mistakes

Mine: You said, "I'll never leave you alone"

Sparks Fly: Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around

Sparks Fly: I'll run my fingers through your hair and watch the lights go wild

Dear John: And you'll add my name to your long list of traitors who don't understand

Dear John: And I'll look back in regret how I ignored when they said, "Run as fast as you can"

Mean: Someday I'll be living in a bit old city and all you're ever gonna be is mean

Mean: Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me and all you're ever gonna be is mean

Mean: Trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you

The Story Of Us: I'm starting to think one day I'll tell the story of us

Never Grow Up: And no one will desert you, just try to never grow up

Enchanted: I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

Enchanted: My thoughts will echo your name until I see you again

Innocent: Time turns flames to embers, you'll have new Septembers

Haunted: He will try to take away my pain and he just might make me smile

Last Kiss: I'll go sit on the floor wearing your clothes

Last Kiss: So I'll watch your life in pictures like I used to watch you sleep

Long Live: One day, we will be remembered

Long Live: Will you take a moment, promise me this, that you'll stand by me forever

Ours: They'll judge it like they know about me and you

Ours: And you'll say, "Don't you worry your pretty little mind"

Ours: I'll fight their doubt and give you faith with this song for you

Ours: And any snide remarks from my father about your tattoos will be ignored 'cause my heart is yours

Superman: And you smile and say, "How are you?" I'll say, "Just fine"

Superman: I always forget to tell you, I love you, I'll love you forever

Superman: Go save the world, I'll be around

Superman: Come back, I'll be with you someday, I'll be right here on the ground

Superman: But I hope someday you'll take me away and save the day

Superman: And you'll leave, got places to be, and I'll be okay

Superman: Don't forget, don't forget where I'll be

Superman: I watch superman fly away, I swear I'll be with you someday

Electric Touch: Just breath, just relax, it'll be okay

When Emma Falls In Love: When Emma falls in love, I know that boy will never be the same

When Emma Falls In Love: She'll call you out, she'll put you in your place

When Emma Falls In Love: Now he'll be her shelter when it rains

I Can See You: Hide away and I will start behaving myself

Castles Crumbling: You don’t want to know me, I will just let you down

Foolish One: Chances are I will talk myself to sleep again

Foolish One: I will block out these voices of reason in my head

Foolish One: The voices say, “You are not the exception, you will never learn your lesson”

Foolish One: You will take the long way, you will take the long way down

Foolish One: It’s delicate, but I will do my best to seem bulletproof

Foolish One: When my head is on your shoulder, it starts thinking you'll come around

Foolish One: And maybe someday when we’re older, this is something we'll laugh about

Foolish One: You will learn the hard way instead of just walking out

Foolish One: I'll get your longing glances, but she’ll get your ring

Foolish One: You will say say you had the best of intentions and maybe I will finally learn my lesson

Foolish One: Ooh, you will learn the hard way now

Timeless: We'll have a cardboard box of photos of the life we’ve made and you'll say, “Oh my, we really were timeless”

'Red (Taylor's Version)'

State of Grace: And I'll never be the same

Treacherous: I'll go anything you say if you say it with your hands

Treacherous: Two headlights shine through the sleepless night and I will get you, I'll get you alone

Treacherous: I'll follow you, follow you home

I Knew You Were Trouble: No apologies, he'll never see you cry

I Knew You Were Trouble: A new notch in your belt is all I'll ever be

22: Everything will be all right if you keep me next to you

22: You don’t know about me, but I'll bet you want to

22: Everything will be all right if we just keep dancing like we're 22

Stay Stay Stay: I'll be loving you for quite some time

Sad Beautiful Tragic: Good girls, hopeful they'll be and long they will wait

The Lucky One: They'll tell you now, you’re the lucky one

The Lucky One: Another name goes up in lights, you wonder if you'll make it out alive.

Everything Has Changed: You'll be mine and I'll be yours

Everything Has Changed: All my walls stood tall, painted blue, but I'll take them down, take them down and open up the door for you

Everything Has Changed:  All my days, I'll know your face

Starlight: You'll spend your whole life singing the blues if you keep thinking that way

Ronan: Out of this curtained room in this hospital grey, we'll just disappear

Better Man: You’re talking down to me like I'll always be around

Nothing New: Lord, what will become of me once I've lost my novelty?

Nothing New: And will you still want me when I'm nothing new?

Nothing New: How long will it be cute, all this crying in my room?

Nothing New: She'll know the way and then she'll say she got the map from me

Nothing New: I'll say I’m happy for her, then I'll cry myself to sleep

Nothing New: I wonder if they'll miss me once they drive me out

Nothing New: And will you still want me, will you still want me, will you still want me when I'm nothing new?

Babe: This is the last time I'll ever call you, babe

Message In A Bottle: Where were you while I’m wondering if I'll ever see you again?

I Bet You Think About Me: I'll bet your friends tell you she’s better than me

I Bet You Think About Me: I don’t have to be your shrink to know that you'll never be happy

Forever Winter: I'll be summer sun for you forever

Forever Winter: Live my life scared to death he'll decide to leave instead

Forever Winter: I'll be your summer sun forever

Run: Give me the keys, I'll bring the car around

Run: There’s a chain ‘round your throat, piece of paper where I wrote, “I'll wait for you”

Run: Ooh, we'll run

Run: I'll sing like no one cares

Run: There’s a heart on your sleeve, I'll take it when I leave

Run: Say you'll never let ‘em tear us apart and I'll hold onto you while we run

All Too Well (10 Minute Version): I was never good at telling jokes but the punchline goes, “I'll get older but your lovers stay my age”

'1989 (Taylor's Version)'

Blank Space: Got a long list of ex-lovers, they'll tell you I’m insane

Blank Space: We'll take this way too far

Blank Space: It'll leave you breathless or with a nasty scar

Blank Space: I’ve got a blank space, baby, and I'll write your name

Blank Space: But you'll come back each time you leave

I Wish You Would: I wish you knew that I'll never forget you as long as I live

Bad Blood: Now did you think it all through? All these things will catch up to you

Wildest Dreams: Say you'll remember me standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset, babe

Wildest Dreams: Say you'll see me again even if it’s just in your wildest dreams

Wildest Dreams: Say you'll see me again even if it’s just pretend

How You Get The Girl: She'll open up the door and say, “Are you insane?”

How You Get The Girl: Broke your heart, I'll put it back together

This Love: And I could go on and on, on and on, and I will

I Know Places: And they'll be chasing their tails trying to track us down

I Know Places: Lights flash and we'll run for the fences

“Slut!”: Love to think you'll never forget

“Slut!”: I'll pay the price, you won’t

“Slut!”: We'll pay the price, I guess

Now That We Don’t Talk: I guess I'll never ever know, now that we don’t talk

Is It Over Now?: If she’s got blue eyes, I will surmise that you'll probably date her

Sweeter Than Fiction: There you'll stand, ten feet tall

Sweeter Than Fiction: There you'll stand, next to me

Sweeter Than Fiction: I'll be one of the many saying, “Look at you now, look at you now, now”

Sweeter Than Fiction: I'll be one of the many saying, “You made us proud, you made us proud, proud”

Sweeter Than Fiction: You know that I'll be there time and again

'reputation'

…Ready For It?: Touch me, and you'll never be alone

…Ready For It?: And we'll move to an island

End Game: With four words on the tip of my tongue, I'll never say it

Don’t Blame Me: I'll be using for the rest of my life

Look What You Made Me Do: Maybe I got mine, but you'll all get yours

Look What You Made Me Do: I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams

Gorgeous: Guess I'll just stumble on home to my cats

King Of My Heart: And all at once, you are all I want, I'll never let you go

New Year’s Day: But I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day: I'll be there if you’re the toast of the town, babe

New Year's Day: Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you

New Year's Day: And I will hold on to you

'Lover'

Cruel Summer: We say that we'll just screw it up in these trying times

Cruel Summer: And if I bleed, you'll be the last to know

Lover: Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand?

Lover: And you'll save all your dirtiest jokes for me and at every table, I'll save you a seat, lover

I Think He Knows: I think he knows when we get all alone I'll make myself at home and he'll want me to stay

I Think He Knows: We could follow the sparks, I'll drive

Miss Americana And The Heartbreak Prince: Boys will be boys, then where are the wise men?

Miss Americana And The Heartbreak Prince: And I'll never let you go ‘cause I know this is a fight that someday we’re gonna win

Death By A Thousand Cuts: I ask the traffic lights if it'll be all right

Death By A Thousand Cuts: But I'll be all right, it’s just a thousand cuts

Soon You’ll Get Better: Ooh, soon you'll get better

Soon You’ll Get Better: Ooh, you'll get better soon

Soon You’ll Get Better: I'll paint the kitchen neon, I'll brighten up the sky

Soon You'll Get Better: I know I'll never get it, there's not a day that I won't try

Afterglow: Tell me that we'll be just fine even when I lose my mind

ME!: I promise that you'll never find another like me

ME!: I know you never get just what you see but I will never bore you, baby

Daylight: I'll tell you the truth, but never goodbye

Daylight: Things will never be the same

'folklore'

My Tears Ricochet: If I’m on fire, you'll be made of ashes, too

My Tears Ricochet: We gather stones, never knowing what they'll mean

My Tears Ricochet: And so the battleships will sink beneath the waves

Mirrorball: I'll show you every version of yourself tonight

Mirrorball: I'll get you out on the floor

Mirrorball: You'll find me on my tallest tip-toes

Seven: We'll move to India forever

Seven: And just like a folk song, our love will be passed on

August: Will you call when you're back at school?

Illicit Affairs: Tell your friends you’re out for a run, you'll be flushed when you return

Mad Woman: They strike to kill and you know I will, you know I will

Mad Woman: And you'll poke that bear ‘til her claws come out

Betty: Yeah, I showed up at your party, will you have me, will you love me?

Betty: Will you kiss me on the porch in front of all your stupid friends?

Betty: If you kiss me, will it be just like I dreamed it, will it patch your broken wings?

Peace: But I’m a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm

'evermore'

Willow: Wait for the signal, and I'll meet you after dark

Champagne Problems: How evergreen, our group of friends don’t think we'll say that word again

Champagne Problems: Soon they'll have the nerve to deck the halls that we once walked through

Champagne Problems: But you'll find the real thing instead, she'll patch up your tapestry that I shred

Gold Rush: And the coastal town we never found will never see a love as pure as it

Gold Rush: 'Cause it fades into the gray of my day-old tea 'cause it will never be

‘Tis the Damn Season: So I'll go back to L.A. and the so-called friends who'll write books about me if I ever make it

‘Tis the Damn Season: And I'll be yours for the weekend

Happiness: There'll be happiness after you, but there was happiness because of you

Happiness: I hope she'll be a beautiful fool who takes my spot next to you

Happiness: There'll be happiness after me but there was happiness because of me

Happiness: You haven’t met the new me yet, and I think she'll give you that

Dorothea: You know, you'll always know me, Dorothea

Dorothea: Ooh, I guess I'll never know

Dorothea: Ooh, and you'll go on with the show

Coney Island: Will you forgive my soul when you're too wise to trust me and too old to care?

Ivy: So tell me to run or dare to sit and watch what we'll become

Cowboy Like Me: We could be the way forward and I know I'll pay for it

Long Story Short: Your nemeses will defeat themselves before you get the chance to swing

Evermore: Can't not think of all the cost and the things that will be lost

Evermore: To be certain, we'll be tall again

It's Time To Go: When keeping it how it is will only break their hearts worse

It's Time To Go: Sometimes walking out is the one thing that will find you the right thing

'Midnights'

Anti-Hero: One day, I'll watch as you’re leaving 'cause you got tired of my scheming

Anti-Hero: I'll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror

Anti-Hero: One day, I'll watch as you're leaving and life will lose all its meaning

You’re On Your Own, Kid: I play my songs in the parking lot, I'll run away

Vigilante Shit: Sometimes I wonder which one will be your last lie

Labyrinth: I'll be getting over you my whole life

Karma: ‘Cause if you dare, you'll see the glare of everyone you burned just to get there

The Great War: And we will never go back to that bloodshed, crimson clover

The Great War: I will always be yours 'cause we survived the great war

The Great War: I vowed I will always be yours

Bigger Than The Whole Sky: So I'll say words I don’t believe

Glitch: You don’t live in my part of town but maybe I'll see you out some weekend

Karma (feat. Ice Spice): Thinking it'll save ya, now you switching up ya behavior

Karma (feat. Ice Spice): Promise that you'll never endeavor with none lesser, ever, ever

Other Songs written by Taylor

Beautiful Eyes: In only a little while, I'll cry

Beautiful Eyes: Just as long as you’re mine, I'll be your everything tonight

Beautiful Ghosts: Visions of dazzling rooms I'll never get let into

Beautiful Ghosts: I'll never wander London streets, alone and haunted

Beautiful Ghosts: So I'll dance with these beautiful ghosts

Best Days Of Your Life: ‘Cause I'll be there in the back of your mind

Both Of Us: Someday I will be strong enough to lift not one but both of us

Carolina: Lonesome I’ll always stay

Carolina: And there are places I will never ever go and things that only Carolina will ever know

Carolina: But the sleep comes fast and I'll meet no ghosts

Christmases When You Were Mine: That'll have to be something I just say this year

Christmases When You Were Mine: I'll bet you got your mom another sweater

I Don’t Wanna Live Forever: Been sitting eyes wide open behind these four walls, hoping you'll call

I Don’t Wanna Live Forever: I don’t wanna live forever ‘cause I know I'll be living in vain

I Heart ?: And I'll bet you thought you beat me

I Heart ?: I'll be fine if you just walk by

I Heart ?: And when you’re home all alone at night, you'll still wonder why

I Heart ?: And I know someday you will wake up and smell the breakup, realize that we won't make up

I Heart ?: And you'll know you didn’t beat me when you look down and see I got an I heart question mark written on the back of my hand

Safe and Sound: I remember tears streaming down your face when I said, “I'll never let you go”

Safe and Sound: The sun is going down, you'll be all right

Safe and Sound: Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound

Safe and Sound: Just close your eyes, you'll be alright 

The Alcott: How many times will I do this and you'll still believe?

The Alcott: I'll ruin it all over, I'll ruin it for you

The Alcott: I'll ruin it all over and over, like I always do

You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home: You can say goodbye and you can say hello but you'll always find your way back home

Official Alternate Releases

Picture to Burn (2006 Version): That’s fine, I'll tell mine you’re gay

Lover (feat. Shawn Mendes): I'll sing love songs to you when we’re eighty

Lover (feat. Shawn Mendes): Look in my eyes, they will tell you the truth

Anti-Hero (feat. Bleachers): Taylor, you'll be fine

[oceansprompts]

Daredevil: Cutting Edge Quote Starters 3

quotes taken from the Marvel novel, Daredevil: The Cutting Edge (1999) by Madeleine E. Robins // adjust pronouns and lines as needed.

Come on, let's go hide from the painters.

Let me have five to get a cup of coffee, then I'll start returning calls, okay? I promise.

Nothing more than crushing piles of work. The usual. What's up?

I always like to know what I'm up against.

I wanted to play. Get a really tough problem and come up with an elegant solution.

You'll have to make this the "For Dummies" version.

Heartbreaking. You expect setbacks, but we were so close!

I mean, it worked ⸺ it just had this damned baggage with it.

Well, I'm over it. Grieved, moved on.

Turnabout and all that. I mean, I think it would be poetic justice, don't you?

Made me feel like I was thirteen years old, watching the senior prom queen in the hall in high school.

So you think because she's a babe that she's capable of planning murder?

Ow! Be careful! You don't know your own strength!

If I were afraid of you, would I be sitting here?

Let me uncomplicate things.

Let's talk about it before you do anything more like that.

No one is going to challenge me and get off easily. He taught me that.

We're walking a very fine line, don't upset the balance.

I promised: nothing unless we consult.

I was in the middle of a major negotiation, something that had really gotten bollixed up.

I was still in Big, Tough [name] mode when we meet, and I'm afraid I really wasn't very civil.

No, actually, I felt so bad about the way the meeting ended, I wanted to see if we could meet again.

Somewhere neutral, so I won't be tempted to bring my baggage along with me.

How about a cup of coffee in the Village, about five-thirty? Do you know the Coffeteria on 12th and Broadway?

Thank you so much, I really look forard to proving I'm not the monster I'm sure I seemed the other day.

Reduces me to a screaming hormonal pulp?

Partner, this whole business is so convoluted, it makes my head hurt.

Oh, that's right. Make it all about you, why don't you?

Well, I did it, didn't I? Walking around in the middle of the night with no more sense than a tennis shoe.

I don't want to hear you fretting about me getting in trouble.

It's my fault for not using the brains God gave me and letting you drive me all the way home.

Normal? How can things ever be normal when someone has played tic-tac-toe on your face with a Bowie knife?

Don't you think you ought to relax a little?

You were kind'a attacked by a very big guy with a knife. He's what you have to worry about.

I might as well get right up there on the bandwagon with her.

Garbagey talk show. Ouch. A sign of his interest in talking to the press? Tact, tact.

You really don't like being challenged at all, do you?

If I had my knife, you'd be down on your knees parying, you nobody, you nothing...

I have to do something, and this is what I can do.

My point is, I love you, and I don't want to have to bring you flowers at St. Clare's.

Be careful. That shiner is just beginning to fade; you don't need another, and I do need you. Okay?

Once again, it's all the fault of the guy in the tights, jeez.

You and your delicate sense of humor!

Too tired, too much to carry. I'll come back tomorrow and get them.

It's as tired as I am.

A quiet evening, thank God.

Okay, genius, what now?

If you promise not to shoot me, I'll tell you who did it.

If you try running, I'll catch you and we'll just play harder when we get where we're going.

Just crack the window an inch, please. Or I'm going to be sick all over you and the upholstery, and you can deal with the stench.

What are you gonna do, kill me?

That's it, that counts as your last wish. If you want to make a statement ⸺ I don't want to hear it.

Come on, I'm doing the best I can.

God, if ever you could hear what I was thinking, now would be a good time.

Stay alive, [name]. I'm here.

What are you, Iron Man?

Okay, so I can find you, but you're still made of spun adamantium or something. Why didn't that punch flatten you?

No wonder you like it ⸺ a very "you" kind'a statement

Look, I'm going to close my eyes and rest for a while, don't let anything exciting happen while I'm out, okay?

Are you sure you're supposed to be scolding me in your weakened condition?

I was just trying to distract you from telling me you were right about it.

I hadn't planned on scolding you about that until you were strong enough to fight back.

A man without fear, huh? You looked a little edgy there, last night.

A man without fear can dive off the Condorde into a damp paper cup without blinking... but not the thought of life without you.

You say the absolutely perfect thing sometimes. You really do.

I never know whether you're as clumsy as you seem, or just playing a very, very crafty part. Well, you're not dead yet.

It must be tied to the chromosomes, some elusive girl thing about ties.

Don't antagonize the big guy right now.

And if you had a brain in your head and hadn't kept going off on your own ⸺

If I go in now, I'll only attract attention and endanger you.

That the way you treat all your dates?

I'm going to have to keep hurting him, damaging him, until he stops, until I've done so much damage he can't go on. Can I fight that way?

Gotta stop this now. Tired, and I think I broke a rib. Okay, big boy!

Who did they think they were, Dr. Jekyll or something? Cripes!

Cosmic irony: man with no sympathy has a heart that beats sympathetically.

Hey... I'm one of the good guys, right?

Look at me. I look like... the Hulk's baby sister. And it's going to get worse.

It was grotesque. He looks like a monster. He used to be so beautiful.

I'm not stupid. I played a risky game and I lost. I lost it big and I'm going to wind up a monster.

Tell me about the colors.

Tell me what you hear.

I think they want us front and center to be thanked.

Anyone here ever ask you what the most beautiful word in the English language is, you can tell'em: home.

That's a couple of bad guys down.

Hey you, having a good time?

With you? Always.

We could rent a movie, then curl up on the couch together and ignore it.

That sounds good. We could even forget the movie.

Even better, I love you a lot.

That is what keeps me going.