#Thank you for making such a handy question thingy

[ezra-iolite]

Swiftwire Mutheru Bio- 2023 ver.

(Original template made by @stuckedwithstarscream, hopefully this will help me not make a SUPER LONG post about Swift for once. ;3; She deserves a proper bio. Original BLANK template can be found here: How to Build a Cybertronian)

Name?

Swiftwire Asya Zahara Mutheru of the Terran Maasai Tribe (Goes by Swift) [She/Her]

2. Age Level? (How long did your character exist?)

Young by Cybertronian standards, so to avoid suspicion Swift will usually claim to be 40 thousand years old, when really she's (currently) 45 in human years.

3. Alternative-Form/Vehicle Mode? (What´s the vehicle/animal they can transform to?)

An S-35 jet, which she most likely believes was stolen to make her body. She is unable to scan for a different jet for her alt-form due to her not having the scanning ability.

4. Where do they come from?

She was originally born in the far north of Maine in America, but has since rejected her birth nationality due to her past and considers herself a Maasai-Kenyan instead (her mother's nationality). She now lives in Vos on Cybertron and calls herself a Terran for simplicity’s sake.

5. Faction?

Autobot, but became neutral after she left her old job as a politician, scratching out her sigil upon belly plate as a symbol of her good faith but proof of her neutrality. She still wears it in memory of her adoptive father, Borealis.

6. Caste?

Mid-High Class: Post-War Politician turned Ombudswoman, but mostly works as an artist for income.

7. Personality traits?

Swift is entirely driven by her moral compass and instinctually follows her heart/spark over her mind, which has often led to her being a bit of an overbearing Mama Bear. However, when she isn't being the Mom Friend, she's usually dazzling the crowd and being a slightly vain “prima donna” the moment she enters a room. From her sparkly orange frame to her colourful Kenyan jewellery, Swift simply adores the spotlight and will happily help and support those she believes deserve to feel it too. Her lack of stage-fright also aids in her being all too happy to advocate for those who cannot voice their problems. Which is why she became an Ombudswoman of the Iacon Council after she quit her old job as a politician representing Vos, due to the racism and bullying she faced from the other Senators.

However, behind the loving, fanged smile hides a deeply rooted shame for what she is and the original purpose for her creation... which is why she is content to have lost her humanity over her sense of agency, even at such a hefty and traumatizing price.

(It's also worth noting that Swift is bilingual and will use any given chance to slip in a word or two of her native tongue, oftentimes calling those she cherishes "mpenzi" or darling, her catchphrase every time for everyone's nickname from her.)

8. What did they do before and during the civil war/War for Cybertron?

(Warning, this is a LONG read, so TL;DR: Swift used to be a human named Asya, but became a cyborg Cybertronian when she was killed to become the battery powering the spark of a reverse engineered protoform. If TALOS had won and Asya died at the hands of her own father, then she would have become Talos Alpha, a mechanical Hoplite or Spartan designed to kill all Cybertronians living on Earth, a dream Jeremy was determined to complete due to his hatred for the alien race, to finally gain his "perfect soldier". By sheer willpower or blind luck, Asya's soul held on and she lived to become Swiftwire, at the cost of her family.)

During the final few years of the Cybertronian war, Swift was originally a human on Earth, an eighteen year old at the time, named Asya Mutheru. Her loving mother, Gasira Mutheru, fell gravely ill and victim to the neglect of Asya's abusive father, Jeremy Omari, who was the head of a scientific-military division known simply as TALOS. He sent Asya away to a military boarding school the moment she was of age, forcing her to stay and be deployed as a soldier abroad, even after her mother died and had a funeral that Asya was forbidden to attend by her father to ensure she focused only on her studies and deployment. After serving her ten years and becoming a commissioned Sergeant, Asya left the army and returned home, now in her late twenties, and confronted her father for the cruelty he put his only child and baby-trapped wife through, before she came out as a transwoman during a shouting match. Their verbal fight quickly became physical and it ended with her beaten, bruised, scarred over one eye, and abandoned in a snowy forest to bleed to death.

That was when she met and was rescued by Borealis the White Wolf (Bori for short) and his fellow pack of Maximals; Minerva the Deer, who patched Asya up and taught her how to be wise and maternally kind, Artemis the Hound, who taught Asya how to defend herself physically and verbally while also teaching her the true meaning of loyalty, the slightly insane Beetlevise the Stag Beetle who taught her how to be silly and have fun by simply being herself around those she trusts, and Azure the Peacock, a proud mech who adored his appearance and eagerly helped Asya through her transition into a woman, and taught her how to love and be proud of herself and her accomplishments, no matter how small of a step forward they were.

They soon became her family, with Borealis treating Asya like a daughter while the rest of the pack became her aunts and uncles, who were soon joined by a pair of Decepticons who originally kidnapped Asya to trap the Maximal refugees as prisoners of war… Only to befriend Asya due to their similarities and learning that life could be better without the threat to their lives by their warlord. Those two Cons soon joined the pack, with Knockout becoming their medic alongside Minerva, and his Conjunx Breakdown becoming their scout and protector. And due to their similarities, Asya fell in love with both Knockout and Breakdown and began a romantic relationship with them both, forming her first polycule~

However, when the Cybertronian war was announced to have finally ended, Asya was kidnapped and imprisoned by TALOS on the orders of her father, who planned on using her as a battery for the spark of his life's work... Project Talos Alpha, the mythological robot of his obsession made real through stolen Cybertronian body parts and technology, including a vat of Energon supposedly from the Well of the Allspark. Determined to finally be rid of his runt of a child, he shot her three times but only grazed her arm and leg, while the third bullet cut open her head from the temple along the side, before he finally shoved into the vat in frustration at failing to kill her yet again and sealed it.

Swift still remembers the burning pain of her body melting and breaking apart, of seeing the world vanishing into a black void as silver liquid metal engulfed her, then nothing. It wasn't until Bori's voice woke her up, allowing her first memory with new eyes to be meeting the gaze of the wolf she loved as a father, sensing something imprinting within her as her own eyes turned blue, and her large, silver hands breaking the vat that held her as she spilled at the feet of her father and her maker. Instead of a first breath, her transformation from a blank, smooth silver shell into a newborn Seeker came with a scream and the ripping of metal flesh to make way for wings and wire dreadlocks. The moment she gained claws for hands, she used them to kill her maker and the one who caused the most pain in her life, the taste of copper still lingering on her tongue when she suddenly awoke back home with her Maximal family with no memory of when she passed out... But from what Bori told everyone, all Swift could apparently see was red, and nothing could stop the hunt until silence and human blood filled the empty halls of TALOS.

Her old life as a human, alongside Jeremy's lifetime of work, was now dead and gone, her body nothing but a cadaver with its soul still bound to it, hidden deep within the spark of a handmade Cybertronian Seeker, with all her scars transferred over during the experimental process of her growth, both the physical and the mental kind.

9. Did they experience a moment of great tragedy or trauma that haunts them?

The final attempt on her life from TALOS still haunts her to this day... For even after she embraced her identity as Swiftwire, since she finally looked feminine and had the defining features she always yearned for on the body she wanted as a woman, her past was still chasing after her to take away everything she worked hard to gain.

Only a few months after Asya became Swiftwire and finally learned how to walk and get used to her new height and needs as a Transformer, Beetlevise reported strange readings all around the mountain and underground cave they called their base and home, signals that were the same kind used by the technology created by TALOS. Before Bori could order Artemis to track where the signals were coming from, the tunnels leading to the central command room erupted in a fiery explosion, sending rock, metal shrapnel and flames everywhere. One by one, each pack member helped Swift get to the entrance of the cave before they each fell to the crumbling rock, fire and the explosions of the bombs hidden throughout the cave, before it was only her, Borealis and Beetlevise left alive.

When Swift and Beetle made it outside, the Seeker saw Bori holding up a fallen boulder that would have crushed them had he not stopped it, the flames of the cave slowly spreading behind him. Swift pleaded for him to let them help, but as the fire began to burn through Bori’s fur and he started to struggle against the weight of the boulder above him, her father simply smiled and told Beetle,

“Take her to the stars for me, brother. Our home deserves her spark.”

The flames vanished when the boulder fell and created a rocky avalanche, sealing the cave and their pack’s fate inside. The last thing Swift remembers of that day, and the same moment that haunts her dreams years later, was the sound of her own voice screaming as she pulled against Beetle’s firm grip to reach for the cave, her words echoing the entire forest as she wailed for her father,

“YOU PROMISED YOU’D STAY, BABA!! YOU PROMISED!!”

10. Did they experience a moment of great joy that´s still in their memory as a precious moment?

The happiest moment from her past was the day she had her first sparkling, and forming her now massive family of four spouses and eight kids… (Beware, another long one... there's a LOT of kids...)

Believing that she was infertile due to her being made by human hand, Swift’s dream of becoming a mother lingered in the back of her mind for the first few years she started living on Cybertron with her Conjunxes, Knockout and Breakdown, even more so after rescuing a teenaged Seeker named Conduit from surviving in the ruins of the Hydrax Plateau and adopting him as her son. In a twist of fate, after Conduit settled into his new life and began training under his fathers to become a medic like them, Swift and Knockout shared a moment together in a field of cobalt flowers to escape the chaos of their busy lives. A month later, the two found a second spark growing in Swift’s chamber, and Swift has never screamed as loudly with excitement and tearful joy as she did then. They named the little spark Sira, in memory of Swift's mother, Gasira.

However, when she was only in the middle of her second trimester, Swift suddenly felt a horrible pain as she began to bleed rivers of Energon from between the plates, her entire chest breaking apart plate piece by cracked plate piece. Conduit rushed her to the hospital where Knockout and Breakdown helped to deliver their daughter, but found that she was born without vocal cords, but was otherwise healthy for such a premature baby. And yet… For three full minutes after that, Swiftwire flatlined and became grey. When she returned to life thanks to Conduit’s electrical power shocking her very spark back to full brightness, Swift was left with permanent chronic pain and a scar of thin, lightning-like cracks all over her chest plates…. And the news that she would most likely never be able to have children again.

That was… Until she met Elbent and Verglaust (@tigracespace's OCs). After the miscarriage of Elbent’s firstborn child, Firefly, Swift began to use her political position to help the tiny Grounder in her research to bring back fertility to all Cybertronians, not just because she had fallen for Elbent… But because she too had miscarried a child she never even knew she had, one she named Hyacinth, who she lost only a week before she met Conduit. After that, the two couples became a married polycule that welcomed Ferrous and Indicolite into their family, making the headcount of kids add up to four. Many more came along through Elbent, Knockout and Breakdown as they played the role of the carrier to each child…

For after the twins from Verglaust and Elbent, Swift and Verglaust had Bori, a grey and turquoise dire wolf Beastformer that Knockout was the surrogate carrier to.

Then, after discovering that a child could carry up to four traits of CNA, Elbent became the carrier to hers, Knockout’s and Breakdown’s daughter equally, naming her Alexandrite after her purple frame that bore the blend of their three colours, before another colourful child was born between Elbent, Knockout and Swift; Empyrean, a spoiled brat of a daughter due to her sunrise ombre colours adding to the flawless beauty inherited from her sires, including Swift’s dreadlocks.

Finally, after begging her medically worried spouses, mostly Knockout due to his mother hen instincts, to stop worrying about her and allow her to simply try after all these years… Swift worked together with Verglaust and Breakdown to be the carrier of their final triple-CNA child, a white and blue dragon Beastformer named Grimfrost.

(In case you're stumped and need a recap of all the kids.... In the order of eldest to youngest: Conduit, Sira, Ferrous and Indicolite, Borealis, Alexandrite, Empyrean and Grimfrost) 11. Is your character able to drive a spaceship? Where did they learned it?

No, simply due to Swift having a jet form that’s able to traverse the depths of space easily. But she does take a ship when visiting other planets, simply due to how exhausting it is flying in lightyears by herself.

12. Did your character met one of the Cybertronian leaders? What were their thoughts about for example Optimus Prime or Sentinel Prime?

For a short time, she worked alongside Rodimus when he first became Prime, helping to finalize the details for the new council of Cybertron and attending the same congress meetings as him about the mundane issues across the planet, now that it was settling into a peaceful new era. But, she saw him less and less as he began his plans for his quest, his thirst for adventure and a legacy driving him out of the role of a political leader and into the spotlight of a celebrity seeking a legend. She does miss their playful banter and exchange in past-life stories of their shared experiences on Earth sometimes, but like Rodimus with the crew of the Lost Light, she found her life's meaning in her frame paintjob and canvas art studio, A Touch of Terra, and has never regretted leaving her old job since.

As for the more famous names... No, she has never met Optimus or Megatron or any other past Prime. But she has learned to hate the face behind the emblem she still wears due to the war doing more harm than good.

13. Best Friend(s)?

After marrying Knockout and Breakdown, it was originally Rodimus before he left Cybertron. Then it became Elbent and Verglaust before they formed a polyfidelity married group, or a polycule strictly between all five of them.

Beyond her family, Swift is close to her surviving uncle Beetlevise and is doing her best to befriend Elbent's friends, Nicole and Drillburst.

14. Greatest Enemie(s)?

Her birth father, Jeremy Omari, and all those who survived her mad slaughter of the TALOS group.

15. Preferred weapons?

Her Seeker claws, her fangs and her dreadlocks. Her dreadlocks have the ability to stretch to unmeasurable lengths and move like snakes, just like Medusa's hair, due to the fact that they're wires coated in a soft, rubbery casing that are connected to her brain. It takes only three of them to lift her up off the ground, and oftentimes she uses that ability to prank others by crawling up to the ceiling and popping down suddenly while hanging upside down. When used in fighting, they can be shot like javelins when kept straight, or like whips when allowing them to bend and move freely. Her main heavy attack is often an aerial one using her dreadlocks, where she will fly in jet form as high as she can go, then go back into her root/bot form and spin in either a curled up (Sonic the Hedgehog) ball or in a circle while standing as she falls back down, becoming a circular saw capable of cutting through armor if she has enough momentum and speed. Another ability they have, due to the Talos Alpha Project's design, is their ability to tap into any and all forms of technology with a computer or terminal, with each dreadlock bearing a port key of every known piece of technology Swift has seen in her lifetime... including the brains of Transformers. The last time she used this ability was when Conduit was kidnapped by protestors who demanded that Swift be removed from her seat in the council. After finding and capturing a protestor, Swift pierced his eye and searched his memories for where they hid her baby boy, lobotomizing him into a frozen but conscious state where his bodily functions were still working but he would be trapped in his own mind, unable to speak or move forever.

Out of guilt from the Mama Bear anger that drove her to such cruelty, Swift tried to destroy the dreadlock that bore the psychic patch needle, but found that if she had succeeded and damaged the interior of the dreadlock, she would suffer major brain damage and possibly die from the shock of the pain it would bring her... so now, under her full mop of dreadlocks, there is one with a tip that is black from fire damage, a dreadlock she has since sworn never to use again.

16. Do they have a team, a partner, or someone that´s often with them?

The entire MnM Gang or her polycule!! Knockout is the one who often spends the most time with Swift, but if it's not him due to work, then it's Elbent. But, no matter what, Swift always tries to spend time with all her spouses equally.

17. Do they have sibling(s)? How´s their relationship to them?

As far as Swift is aware, she has no siblings.... However, one of the few survivors of the TALOS slaughter was in fact Jeremy's son from another lover he had before Gasira died.... Swift's half brother, Zaire Omari. The two have no idea they are related through the same man that Swift killed before his eyes, and Swift has no intention on returning to Earth until she truly feels homesick enough to do so. But so far, she is happy where she is.

18. Do they have a sparkmate? How did they get to know each other?

Again, Swift has four Conjunxes. Knockout, Breakdown, Elbent, and Verglaust. See above for how they all met, but to put it simply here....

As Asya the human, she met Knockout first when he kidnapped her as a prisoner of the Decepticons. During her imprisonment, she stood her ground and was sassy and flirty with Knockout and Breakdown, until the three of them simply started speaking and growing closer emotionally until her rescue. After that, they began to meet in secret where their feelings grew and developed despite their species, until the end of the war came and Asya helped KO and BD to be free of the Cons and join her family. Their relationship soon became romantic, even before she became Swiftwire.

After the death of her family by the TALOS bombs, KO found an old ship and brought the surviving family members to Cybertron to start fresh amongst their own kind, where Swift first travelled around the planet for the sake of her mental health but instead both lost and gained her first child, before she returned to her family and moved to Vos to train as a politician for the sake of a better future for her children, and to help promote her vision of building equity for all, no matter a person's origins. During her training, she was told to hire a bodyguard, and the biggest one there who caught her eye just so happened to be Verglaust, a giant mech who immediately made her spark flutter with familiarity and attraction (cue Moto Moto song~) purely because he was a Beastformer, the only kind who had ever shown her love. Swift, KO and BD soon married, had Sira, and during a gala to promote her vote for becoming a Senator in the Iacon Council, Swift was introduced to Elbent on the day she lost Firefly. After KO and Conduit helped Elbent to deliver Firefly's stillborn body, Swift was finally able to reunite with Elbent and got told of what happened... The grief became their link to forming their bond, as Swift used her Senator position to become a patron to Elbent's research, and soon enough the two femmes fell in love and introduced the idea of forming a polycule.

Thus the MnM gang was born.

19. Overall Look?

(Right here~)

(Her earring needs a minor change, just to represent her spouses: Red for Knockout, Dark Blue for Breakdown, Light Blue for Elbent, Green for Verglaust, Orange for Swift ..... Also heels. She deserves killer heels that can echo with every step.)

20. Bonus: What´s the song that represents your character the most?

¬w¬ You know damn well why this works... We all know why, don't we mutuals?~

[harrywavycurly]

I love the banter with Niall and reader! Could we see how they talk on the phone or something? 😇

Hiii babes!! So happy you like their banter 😂 I will happily give you some random phone/facetime convos between the two of them! I hope you enjoy 💖

-find all things boyfriend Niall Horan here✨

“Why do you even read that trash?” “It’s not trash Niall it’s how I keep up to date on my celebrity gossip…oh god…why do they always use the most unflattering photos of me in these things?” “No such thing as an unflattering photo of you babe…definition of beauty you are…broke the mold they did when they made you…no one even comes-” “that’s enough thank you…oh guess what I just found out.” “Uh Harry has six nipples and an eleventh toe?” “No…but apparently we’ve been secretly married for two years.” “Huh and here I was thinking that I’d always remember my wedding day…” “oh and you’ll love this…I haven’t been seen drinking in a few weeks so that means I’m pregnant.” “Come again?” “I’m pregnant.” “You’re what?” “Oh god no…no like I’m just reading you what they are saying in the teen magazines Niall I’m not-” “you’re fucking pregnant and you’re telling me on FaceTime? What the-” “breathe Niall! In and out…deep breaths okay? I’m not pregnant…I’m just telling you that the world thinks I am because I haven’t been drinking-” “I can’t feel my legs…I’m gonna pass out.” “Jesus you’re so dramatic…” “I’m dramatic? You’re the one who cried and stomped your feet in the middle of a pub because they didn’t have anymore fucking chips.” “I was drunk and upset okay?” “Yeah well my secret wife just told me she was secretly pregnant so I’m also upset okay?” “That brings me to the question apparently everyone wants to know the answer to…why do you hide me so much Niall? Are you embarrassed of me?” “Oh right I hide you so much that I bring you everywhere with me and even talk about you in interviews and post you on my instagram…but yeah you’re my little secret…” “I love you…wanna hear about Brad Pitt’s newest love interest?” “I love you too…still not over him and Angelina splitting…that shit was messy.”

“These are your options lover and if you don’t see one you like too fucking bad I’m not going to another shop.” “You talk so sweet to be Niall…oh is that a magnum bar?” “Uh…yes…yes it is…that the winner?” “Yes that’s the winner…oh is that cookies and cream?” “Nope…your eyes are messing with you babe.” “Did you just lie to me Niall James Horan?” “No….yes?…but only because I know you’re gonna make me pick one for you and I’m gonna end up picking the wrong one and you’re gonna be annoyed and…I just say go with the first one you saw and…and you know what? fuck it I’ll get both…I’m good for it.” “Yeah…you’re good for it.” “I’ve got a few spare dollars for the love of my life’s ice cream addiction…”

“Oh hello there my darling girl…I just got your little to do list thingy and I have questions.” “Okay lover of mine…what questions do you have?” “Number one…why the bloody fuck is this list called my lover’s list of things to try when all it has on it are errands you need me to run and like…chores and shit? That title would make one think this list is full of…other…things like…for the bedroom.” “Because you haven’t ever done anything on that list so therefore you’re going to be trying it…hence the name my lover’s list of things to try.” “I beg your fucking pardon? I have mowed the bloody lawn before thank you very much.” “Oh have you?…really? Wanna tell me when?” “Uh..when…I lived in that house in uhm L.A by myself…” “You’re so full of shit…you got half way down one side of your lawn and gave up because you didn’t have the blade dropped properly.” “Oh I love it when you talk lawn care to me baby…it’s so sexy.” “Did you see what was last on the list my little handy man?” “Uh no let me take a gander….Jesus fuck you can’t go writing things like that on a list I’m meant to take out in public.” “Sorry next time I’ll send it to you via email then is that better?” “You really want me to try that on you….again? It didn’t go very well last time…” “that’s because you have no patience and tried to rush it.” “Okay that’s….yeah I did do that but you can’t fucking blame me I was just excited.” “Do you have any other questions Niall or can I get back to work?” “Yeah uh…is this list in any sort of order or can I do them as I want?” “Do them in the order they are written please…and thank you.” “At this rate I’m not gonna get to the last one till bloody Christmas.” “It’s six things Niall…don’t be such a ninny.” “God I love it when you’re mean to me…just does something to me.” “You’re so annoying…I have to go now okay? I love you and I’ll see you when I get home.” “I love you too…have a good rest of your day my little pet.”

“Hello? Baby? Are you okay?” “Uh yeah I’m fine why?” “Uhm well I’m on hole six and you normally don’t call me while I’m golfing unless you’ve run out of snacks or you’re hor-” “as if I’m the one who calls you when I’m in the mood you’re the one who calls me Mr. Small Talk…” “Baby…please don’t be offended but…do you need something?” “Oh shit I’m sorry no…I was just on my way home from target and you know how I like to talk on the phone while I drive.” “Target huh? How much did you blow on pointless shit?” “That’s none of your business….but sorry I’ll let you get back to your little uh…game?…round?…session?…thing…” “it’s amazing how little you know about a sport I’m so involved in…” “awe you think I’m amazing? You’re so sweet Niall.” “How far from the house are you?” “Why?” “I can spare a few minutes to keep you company till you get home.” “I am pulling into our neighborhood…who’s winning?” “Why do you ask such rude questions like that?” “Ah…it’s Harry isn’t it?” “No…not by much anyway…I still have time to come back and kick his lanky ass.” “That’s my man! Kick that Styles ass.” “If I win what do I get?” “Uh you get to rub it in his face and add a tally to your side of the scoreboard in the game room?” “How about if I win I get a proper blo-” “oh look at that I just got home…have a good rest of your game…love you! Bye!”

[vicsy]

hi vicsy my love

i’d love to hear more about your thoughts and process behind writing evocatio because i think about your fic every time i see the ferrari logo ❤️

RIVER HI COMRADE!

First of all, the fact that my blasphemous creation lives in your head in any way makes me go ZOOOOOOM. Literally. I love you. Thank you for kind words, ALWAYS.

Now, to your actual question...

Evocatio was a totally different concept when I first thought about creating it. It wasn't even called "evocatio" at that moment. My only note about it was "the cars are alive??" and it was in the science fiction genre! I had a wild mashup of Tron/Pacific Rim and sort of virtual reality thingie where the drivers were real but the race wasn't; they had to be hooked up to the simulators but took real damage from the race. And they had to be connected to the cars in some neurological way. One team member was a "driver" and the other was a "guide" through the virtual reality track that changed constantly.

Honestly, I could never make this idea work properly, and when the Piarles exchange tolled around, I thought I could use it. But again, it didn't work how I wanted it to. Did not make the impact I was going for.

So I was struck by a thought: why not leave science fiction behind and move to myths, gods and legends cause I love that stuff so much? At that point, I didn't know that my giftee (@pinkierre hi!!) was into myths, too, so that was an amusing coincidence!

When I started to build this idea in my head, "evocatio" by Nothing but Thieves came onto the shuffle and it clicked.

But I will tell you this. The entire concept of this fic was built around that one scene in chapter two where Pierre dunks Charles in the ice tub in order to save him from potential death (then, he didn't know from what, he just knew Charles was overheated). The idea of having too much external/racing pressure and using ice to cool down was also present in the previous concept, so I knew I wanted to include that in any way. The desperation, the correlation between Pierre's cold fear and iced water, Charles' too-hot body in his subtly shaking hands.

So I started to build from that. Why was Charles feeling so bad and what happened to him? Ferrari happened of course. It was very fun to decide which god represented what and how racing was a universal way of worship and how every god only chose two champions, apart from other people simply praying for them in other ways they chose. The dramatic connection between Charles and Ferrari came in very handy – the story basically writes itself. Charles gives himself away and gets shit in return. Of course, later we learn it's because he basically is Ferrari but I wanted to emotionally torture him.

Pierre, on the other hand, was somewhat harder to write because he's an actual believer, unlike Charles, and in his eyes, gods are usually right even though after some tragic events and his run with the Red Bull, he should have questioned them properly. He never really did, not until he learned about Charles' condition and basically thought "that's some bullshit".

I knew I needed to go heavy on exposition and certain introspection right from the start but not overstuff the story. I decided to throw the readers head first into it, experience Charles' confusion and then explain in extensive worldbuilding what the fuck we are dealing with.

Evocatio started as a single chapter that quickly grew into a three-chapter thing because I needed to change the POV and some scenes didn't work just through the eyes of one character. So I came up with a structure that basically went now–past–future. It made sense to sing praises to the gods in Pierre's POV and put more focus on actual racing in Charles' POV.

I had literal chunks of scenes haphazardly written everywhere and the only I thing I didn't have tight to the very end was "the ending". Like, Pierre was always supposed to think Charles was fucking with Carlos, Charles was always meant to collapse after a race, they both were meant to lose control with each other. But where it led to? Good question indeed. I wanted right from the start to make Charles this "god-like" figure and use sex as a metaphor for worship. I really like the "near-death experience" as a trope to push two pining characters together. Especially in the Piarles case, because oftentimes you don't need to explain why they are in love – it's like a law of the universe.

But, oh, I had fun torturing Pierre with his feeling and conflicted questions of fate, belief etc. Like, he believed more in Charles' fate as Il Predestinato than Charles himself, he was really trying to go vroom vroom but the gods said "sort your shit out or perish".

The sacrifice for each team deity had to be somewhat connected to the team. Spilling blood for Ferrari was always in my head but using insomnia for Red Bull was an idea Briony suggested at some point! I really wanted it to be symbolic for each team and maybe if I write a sequel (maxiel in my head lmao) I could explore more of that.

I will be frank. I was dreading the smut part because I am not good at it as many others are. But it was an important part of the plot. I really messaged Briony "Charles gets on Pierre's dick and it fixes things" but it's so much more than that or the fact that I used the "racing gods" joke as inspiration.

On the subject of gods, I was struggling a bit cause I didn't want to make them super detailed and all-powerful but they needed to be imposing characters, not to be messed with. Which was funny cause Pierre, THE BELIEVER, was the one to defy them because of his love for Charles. I said SYMBOLISM. And most of the deities were inspired by team logos/lore and actual gods from the myths. It was really fun to come up with them starting from the most obvious (The Black Stallion, The Red Bull) to the less obvious (The Huntress, Trickster god, Sunshine goddess).

Lastly... the metaphors. I love them so much. Really. Most of the time I overuse them but for this fic? They never felt too much. I love expressing internal turmoil through metaphors. For Charles, I chose something more grounded, less mythical. For Pierre, I went all out on subverting existing myths to fit into the world. Personally, the one metaphor about returning with the shield or on it from the first chapter and the one about the Minotaur's labyrinth from the second chapter are my faves. I used them to underline the contrast in Pierre and Charles' thinking and attitude and how it changes when the truth comes out eventually in the final chapter.

Ok, I lied about "lastly"... The last chapter was the trickiest, I rewrote the track scene where the culmination happens, I think, four times. I needed it to be present in the moment, not just explaining what is happening and also it had to make sense and not be... cliche if I can say that? It came to me as I went on. The only thing I was 100% sure about was Nando's cameo as a demigod (Nandofuckery everywhere!). So I wanted to do I "happy" ending but also show that Charles realizes what he is and how coming together with Pierre fits into his new role doesn't fix everything in its entirety. He still struggles... but maybe I can express in a lil ficlet that is lying in my notes, waiting to be written properly...

In conclusion, this fic really started with me thinking "it would be really dope to put one of my faves in the ice bath while he is on the brink of death while the other character who is in love with him tries to not let him slip away" and ended up being a fucking MONSTROSITY full of religious imagery, complete blasphemy, some softness and, apparently, an outlet for my metaphor kink. I am not a religious person and an atheist, so it was truly an amusing ride. Even if some stuff of the story was so clear in my head, and other tortured me for days.

I did spend so much time writing this fic, blowing up deadlines but I just... couldn't bring myself to write faster. I literally questioned every line, spend a month with waking up and going to sleep with this fic in my head, compiling the playlist and having a lil breakdown, thinking I bit more than I could chew. But who am I if not an overachiever so I would have never backed out from doing right by this idea, this universe, the person I was gifting this fic to and, of course, the whole fandom. I am really glad I met all of you guys thanks to the exchange even though I still have war flashbacks about writing it for exactly (day to day) one month.

River, this got out of control, just like "evocatio" did at some point and I am sorry for so many words!! Though, I do hope you will find this ok. Thank you, again, so much for having so many kind words and thoughts about this fic. It means so much to me, you have no idea.

[unforth]

So, English-Speaking Danmei Fandom... (Part 2!)

...you saw my post yesterday and you’re like, “okay, I made a JJWXC account and now I know how much the thing I want to support costs, how do I do the actual money thing?”

Here, I’m figuring it out right now, let’s do it together. I AM STILL RELYING ON THE GUIDE BY SHOKO TRANSLATES. YOU SHOULD USE IT TOO. I have only the most basic idea wtf I’m talking about, and I only have that much because of this guide. That said, it seems to focus more on mobile, and I’m using desktop, so if you’re also on desktop my thing here might help you?

One, go to the payments page. Fortunately, they’ve made it pretty easy to find...

...by making it the one on that list that’s in RED. Handy, right? No, I don’t know what it actually says. Again, I don’t speak a lick of Chinese. I have some Japanese so sometimes I recognize characters but that doesn’t get me far, ha.

Once you click that (you have to be logged in, of course!) it’ll open up a new screen, with a list of payment options on the right. As far as I can tell, this is what the choices are:

I’m gonna take a stab at international credit card, since that’s...the only one of these I have??? I tried to figure out what the “shenzhouxing” prepaid card is but basically got no where.The Shoko Translates guide does NOT have instructions on this part, at least not for desktop? And the pages look pretty differently on desktop. Anyway. Here goes nothing...I’m mostly relying on C&P and Google translate. *sweatdrop*

So, there are two tabs, but I can’t C&P them and I have no idea what they say. However, the one on the right doesn’t have any boxes for entering stuff?? So I’m gonna stick with the left...OH. It’s a page for doing security questions. Oh god, um.

Alright. So. Put your password in the top box. For the security questions, what they say is basically irrelevant, except it’s worth noting that the default option is apparently not a question - it’s just “select one.” If, like me, you don’t know Chinese...just pick whichever questions, and put in answers you’ll remember. It doesn’t give a damn if your answers are correlated (though, the first one on the list has something to do with dad, and the second on the list has something to do with mom, I recognize those characters, ha. It doesn’t let you pick the same questions twice...and there are two near the bottom that I THINK might be “father’s birthday” and “mother’s birthday.” And one about elementary school. Sorry, I’m distractable. The point is, the questions don’t matter as long as they accept your answers! Yes, it accepts English ones, and no it doesn’t have anyway of knowing if your answers correlate to the questions at all. TAKE A SCREENCAP OF YOUR CHOSEN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND SAVE IT BECAUSE YOU’LL NEED THEM AGAIN!!! Do your pattern match thingy, then click the green button, and there’s another page which looks like it��s asking me to re-enter the same answers.

Click the green button on that second page, and there’s a new page with a single line of Chinese text:

“恭喜你，密保设置成功，点击此处跳转到用户基本信息页面”

which, according to google translate, is

“Congratulations, the secret security setting is successful, click here to jump to the user basic information page.”

Guess I’ll click the thing.

ALRIGHT. So, after doing all that, it takes me back to a home page? Awesome. Whatever. As long as it worked. Click on that red one in the navigation bar again, and NOW when you go to the “international credit card payment” one...

AHA THIS IS VERY PROMISING, lol. So, based on Shoko Translate’s guide, that place drop down menu with “17″ written says “USD” after it, and that it’ll get me 10,000 points. It looks like it processes payments through Paypal; based on my experience with Paypal, that means you may not need an actual Paypal account? But I’m honestly not sure, and I’ve had a Paypal account for 20 years, so I’m just gonna, ya know, use that.

A little window pops up that I’m assuming (blind guessing) is a “this will take you to another page/open a new window, is that a thing you want?” and I clicked the option on the right, and yep, it opened my Paypal. I’ve got a card on file, so...I’m just doing that. (I’d...better make sure I actually have $17 in my account... *another sweat drop*...okay yes I have like $80, wooo...oh, crap, I accidentally paid from my business account, sigh...well, there was def money in there but I’d better pay myself back...ANYWAY.)

Do the payment thing!

It redirects back to JJWXC!

It says something in big bold letters and I have absolutely no idea what! But then it loads, and it’s all the Chinese that I now recognize as my personal account page, and when I scroll to the bottom and...

...well I have no idea what any of that says but it sure as hell LOOKS like victory. Now to see if I can actually, ya know, buy a thing! I can’t afford to get everything I’d like to at once - I’m pretty broke - so I’m going to start with Tian Guan Ci Fu. It’s my favorite danmei novel, and one of my favorite books of all time, AND it’s by MXTX so even though I can’t buy MDZS on here, I can still support her. I linked to it yesterday in my previous post (which, again, is here).

Author: 墨香铜臭 

Title: 天官赐福

Direct Link:

https://href.li/?http://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3200611

Now...

1. scroll down to the chapter list and click on the first one that says [VIP] next to it. Click the chapter title.

2. the circled button is “select all”

3. a pop up checks if you actually meant to do that. click the one on the left to confirm.

4. scroll to the bottom, and...

5. ignore those two check boxes, you might think they’re a ToS confirmation or a “are you sure” but they’re actually about subscribing to the book (which is pointless, since it’s finished) at least according to google.

6. ...uh...shit...now I have to figure out which of these buttons actually does the thing...um...oh thank God, it’s in the Shoko Translates Guide. So, there are five buttons right below the line saying how many points I have. The first is “confirm purchase” so, ya know, just ignore the other ones and click it.

7. A dialog box popped up! It says how many I spent and how many I have left and a bunch of Chinese and two mystery buttons...thank God, again, for Shoko translates, apparently they’re “read now” on the left and “read later” on the right. I’m gonna “read now” just to see if it worked...

8. Well...it sure looks like a book??? I have the PDF translations (a copy from before it was removed, and no, I won’t share it), and, um...okay, so the first unlocked chapter is 21...oh hey, I see San Lang (三郎)! That’s, like, the only thing on this whole page I can read! lmao. Anyway, comparing, like, pagination, and the placement of the exactly one thing I can read, YES, this definitely worked!

SO.

This has been your second installment of “disaster dumb white person who speaks no Chinese liveblogs their way through figuring out how the HELL to buy danmei on JJWXC.” If this has been helpful to you, please REBLOG, SIGNAL BOOST, and more importantly, SUPPORT YOUR FAVORITE DANMEI AUTHORS!!!!!!

(I own TGCF. I’m so happy omfg. 😭 😭 😭 😭 )

(and as a reminder: I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. If you have a question that requires that someone know what they’re doing, DON’T ASK ME. Instead, try the Shoko Translates guide I linked at the beginning!!! Here, I’ll even link it again. USE IT. DO THE THING.)

[imkylotrash]

Hi! Love your writings of fate the winx saga. I would love a series of riven x reader! But I wanted to request a "dating riven would include", being a light fairy from Earth, who is a bookworm, a helper, like to help and make people laugh and happy, hates injustice, but has issues with some anxiety and depression.

Thank you, baby! Right now I haven’t got an idea for a Riven series but I might in the future 💛 So, I don’t really do the “would include” things instead I wrote you a little blurb thingy, I hope you like it. 

“Thought I might find you here,” Riven whispers plopping down on a chair next to you. He grabs a random book pretending to look through it but you know he’s watching you over the edge of the book. You’ve been hiding out in the library most of the day not wanting to spread your poor mood. You’ve always felt that fictional characters help you cheer up in a way that the real world can’t. Riven is, of course, the exception to the rule. 

“Bad day?” he asks. It’s been weeks since you late one night told him how some days are just harder than others. Some days you felt so depressed that even the thought of getting out of bed made you feel like you were suffocating. And he was great about it. He gave you space when you needed it and held you tight when you felt like falling apart. 

“I just needed a little break,” you reply. Even with no explanation, Riven understands better than anyone how life can get hard sometimes. 

“Stay or leave?” It’s the question he always asks on days like this. Do you want him to stay or go? 

“Stay,” you smile feeling slightly better. It took you by surprise just how understanding Riven was and still is with your switching moods but it’s something you’re forever grateful for. 

“I ran into Farah out there. She told me to thank you for the report you sent in on some sort of medicinal herbs? Apparently, it’s been really useful.” He grabs your necklace and shifts the chain so that the lock rests on your neck again. It’s a small gesture but it makes you blush nonetheless. 

“Thank you. I’m happy it could be of use.” 

“Always the helper. Alfea would be a glum place without you, you know that?” Riven says affection shining bright in his eyes. 

“There’s more than one reason for that,” you say snapping your fingers and creating a ball of light. That little spell has come in handy more than once. Riven can’t help but laugh at your horrible attempt at a joke. 

“Sometimes you say these things so casually and it turns out to be the funniest thing I’ve heard all day,” Riven chuckles leaning back so that the chair balances on two legs only. 

“There was this fortune teller back on Earth who said I was a comedian in a previous life.” 

“I’m sure that’s true,” he smiles leaning in to give you a gentle kiss. 

[uncrownedmox]

Veil of Secrecy

Noun: The action of suppressing something such as an activity

Throughout the day Liana had watched Dean for signs of any other explosive memories or any other signs of discomfort but he seemed totally relaxed with Roman and Seth. Her would-be brother had cornered her once and asked about the bruise around her neck. His soft brown eyes spoke volumes of his disbelief of her rushed story of accidentally doing it herself. Larkin had come in after midway through their conversation, she said nothing. She helped Liana make lunch wordlessly but with one look she told Liana that she wasn’t buying her story either.

Dismissing Larkin and Seth’s disbelief over her cover story Liana watched carefully as Dean interacted with Roman and Seth throughout the day, noticing how as they spoke of past memories he commented more and more on them. Twice she fetched the Rosemary and Sage potion for him to drink, Seth always snarked out a laugh but Roman watched him like a hawk to make sure he drank it all.

It was late afternoon, Dean, Roman, and Seth were in the second bedroom putting together a crib for Sammy. Their male laughter could be heard echoing down the hallway into the front room and making all three women smile and making young Sammy giggle. Larkin as she pushes a toy back to Sammy scoots closer to Liana and whispers softly, “So what really happened to your neck?” Blushing as Katelyn laughed loudly Liana brought her hand up to massage her throat and look back at the hallway. Sammy suddenly lost interest in the truck he and Larkin had been playing with and moved onto some wooden blocks and started to clack them together.

Liana sighed and looked back at Larkin, “what makes you think anything happened?” Larkin looked at Sammy first then down the hallway then finally at her sharply. After a moment she spoke lightly, “Xavier was into some kinky crap from time to time. I got used to having bruises like that as well, Liana.” There was slight pain and discomfort in Larkin’s eyes but when Liana reached out to her she waved her off, “it’s in the past Lee. I have something way better now.” Nodding in hopes her friend slash sister knew if she needed to talk, then Larkin is looking at her dead on and giving her a wink.

Smiling brightly Liana knew it was just as Larkin said it was, the past. Swallowing, she shyly retold the story she had already told Katelyn. Afterward, she timidly asked Larkin her opinion, “how would you suggest I get him to do it again?” Larkin blinks in shock at her and it makes her blush but Katelyn is chiming in softly, “she is young Lark. She needs to find herself in her sexuality through experimentation, Jon as an experienced man should know this.” She feels her blush deepen, heat radiates with hot heat and she squeaks out. “It’s not like that, Katie. Due to how Mox came into his magic and other circumstances,” here her words stumble for a moment and both women look at her in question.

Taking a deep breath she tries to explain the best she can, “look at it this way. It’s not a split personality pre say but mood swings maybe? As Mox, he is serious about intimate things. Not saying there is no play or anything but you want ‘playful’ that’s ‘Dean.’' Looking at her sisters she sees Larkin is confused and Katelyn is somewhat lost. Sighing she murmured, “think of it like this. Ambrose,” looking at Katelyn because she knew the other woman would understand. “As my hard demanding lover and Mox and my gentler one. Dean is kinda a combination of both.” It takes Katelyn a moment but she only asks, “a playful hard fuck?” Larkin sputters and Liana winces at the language in front of Sammy. In the end, she only sighs and blushes, “si hermama.”

That makes Larkin cough, after she gets herself under control she mutters lightly, “I haven’t seen Jon as this Profeta or Ambrose thingy but I have heard him, and boy oh boy let me say this. That man screamed hardcore sex appeal. I mean by the voice alone I can easily imagine him as a Dom in one of those BDSM playrooms or whatever they are.” Liana blinks at her and Katelyn brings her finger up to tap her chin and questions, “si. Only he would use exotic toys.” Liana reaches for Sammy as he attempts to crawl too far away, bringing him back within their group she asks. “Can’t we just stick to something simple for now? Like handcuffs. I could possibly do those.” Larkin gives her a wide eye look then laughs, “Live dangerous sister! Besides, once you get him into some latex?”

Liana felt her eyes go super wide at the thought of Dean in latex, shaking her head. “I can’t see it! Tight jeans maybe.” Katelyn is laughing hard at her. Larkin is thinking about what she said then adds, “who cares what he wears. Just as long as he uses that voice again I would be putty in his hands.” Liana snickers at her comments but Katelyn turns the tables on their sister-friend. “Seth should invest in a ball gag for you. Since you like toys so much.” Larkin gives her an evil eye then shakes her head, “he would never. He loves how vocal I am!”

Before any of them could respond a male voice chime in, “that I do but when we are visiting one might be a good investment.” They all turn to see Seth leaning against the door jam, once they all see him he pops off the jam and heads into the kitchen. Larkin flops onto her back to watch him go and scrunches up her nose at him, he calls over his shoulder. “Don’t give me any sass woman.”

She pops back up and looks at them and they burst out laughing in pure contentment.

——————————————————————————————

The first time putting a crib together he was thankful to have Roman around to help, who was close to an expert on the matter by now. Looking at his older brother he murmured, “if Larkin is right and you Katie are destined with five-plus the three you already have.” Roman doesn’t even pause to look at him, “I am Samoan Uce. We normally come in large batches.” Seth snorts at that and snarky out, “between you guys it’s going to be a dozen or more.” Dean looks at the half-built crib knowing he would need it again in just a few months.

When they had first stepped into the second bedroom and laid out all the pieces and hardware for the crib their talk had been light and somber. Seth was however like an open book to both him and Roman, so when he had come back from the kitchen shaking his head and handing them a fresh cold beer. Dean asked softly but quietly, “she didn’t say anything to you about it?” He saw Seth was thinking about something, at the moment his younger brother was raising his beer to his lips. He stopped mid-motion and looked at him. “Who? About what?” Grinding his teeth together Dean sighed and took a drink of his own beer. Shooting Seth a haunted look after swallowing hard. “Liana, Seth. I thought she might have mentioned to you about the bruise, it is why you two have been staring a hole in me all day.”

Roman pauses in screwing a screw and innocently questions, “it wasn’t done in some rough foreplay?” Dean could actually hear the hope in his voice and shame flooded him and a blush warmed his face in an instant. Choking out as he lowered his eyes, “hate to break it to you Ro but I am not into that type of foreplay.” Seth actually laughs at his words and when he looks up Seth is looking out the bedroom door. “Here we are talking about choking foreplay and the girls are talking about using ball gags.” Dean blinks as he reaches for a screw to continue to help Roman in putting together the crib. Roman on the other hand laughs out, “might come in handy for your wife baby Uce.” Dean snorts as he finishes screwing in one screw.

Reaching for his beer and another screw as Seth snaps back playfully, “my wife is vocal, Reigns. Not my fault you don’t have Katie screaming the roof off the place.” Seth says it with such a straight face Dean can’t help but to laugh. Roman at first gives both his brothers an evil eye then just shakes his head. Then after a minute, he muses silently just how far this conversation has gotten off topic but is damned if he ain’t enjoying himself. And yet the question is still heavily lingering in the air, “so if she didn’t tell you Seth then how in the hell am I suppose to find out what happened?” Roman is reaching out for his beer and blinks slowly at him, Seth takes another swallow of his beer for good measure and puts the question to him. “Tried asking her yourself?” Rolling his eyes Dean snaps back waspy, “why detective Rollins I do believe you missed your calling in life.” Roman’s big frame is shaking from him trying to hold back his laughter and Dean is somewhat proud of that.

Seth on the other hand, “smart ass. See if I fucking help you again.” Roman finally loses it and laughs out loud, “you call that helping Uce?” Roman then looks at him, the laughter is dying out and there is a somber look in his blueish grey eyes. “Look Uce if it wasn’t some rough foreplay and she hasn't come clean on how it happened, you know.” Dean swallowed hard and nodded his own laughter, dying off. “I know Ro.” Swallowing hard, casting his eyes downward he choked out as he fought against the tears. “It had to be me, I mean it couldn’t be anyone else. They would’ve been,” he doesn’t finish so after a minute Seth murmurs. “They would have been dead before they had time to leave a mark. Plus you are the only one she wouldn’t fight.”

It broke him in a way he couldn’t voice but he managed to grind out, “it’s killing something inside of me knowing I did that to her and she won’t tell me about it.” When the crib was done, with Roman help of course Seth however wasn't done. “Listen, Dean, you’re Montana’s world. Right now you're handicapped because you don’t have all your memories.” Roman is nodding but he cuts Seth off, “I want to remember, Seth. I want to be the man she loves again.” Seth comes up beside him and slaps him in the back of the head, “stupid. You are THAT man.” Narrowing his eyes he opens his mouth but Roman hums out, “point and match to Rollins.” Fighting back actual tears he snarls, “this doesn’t help assholes.” Seth growls at him in open frustration now, “look dickward you asked her point-blank and she shut you down, right? Then fuck it and play hardball and GET your answers. We have seen you use magic to get what you want out of her before.” Seth takes a deep breath and adds, “she finds it charming, I think?” Roman snorts in amusement and adds, “more like a turn on probably?”

Dean glances between his brothers and sputters, “you two want me to force my way in?” Seth laughs out loud as he takes another drink of his beer. “I don’t think you can force her, Dean.” Fighting the rising heat on his face, choking out. “I can’t do what you’re suggesting, it’s not in me.” Roman tosses his screwdriver down in disgust and growls out, “yes it is! Dig deep and fucking find Ambrose. If you taught me one thing it's that she wouldn’t dare disrespect or lie to him.” He knows there must be confusion showing on his face because Seth is laughing like an idiot again but once he stops. “Look Deano, the fact is Montana loves you. All of you, but I agree with Roman. She is more relaxed with you whether you call yourself Dean or Mox. Just remember she was raised to respect the power and title of a Profeta.” Roman is humming in agreement and before he can question it further. “She will answer to Ambrose.” Looking at his brothers he sighed, “I hope to hell you guys are right!”

There is a smirk on both of their faces and Seth just hands him a fresh beer and asks, “So Deano let's talk about this lack of foreplay of yours.” Roman laughs grab a fresh beer and wait on his answer, “magic lil brother with Liana everything is always magical.” Roman bellows out a laugh but Seth is grinning like a madman, “does that go for the sex as well?” Dean lets a matching grin overtake his lips, “no Sethie the sex is out of this world." Seth is helping him pick up the extra bolts and asking, “like your seeing stars or more like mind-numbing, and your soul is exploded from your dick?” Dean is tossing the extra hardware in a ziplock bag but pauses to slyly ask, “Is that even possible?” Roman is rumbling, “hasn’t happened to me yet.” Smirking at their little brother, “sounds like you have a personal problem, lil brother.”

Seth laughs, “naw, not a problem at all I actually like the feeling, I recommend it! But a second-round is usually out of the question if done correctly.” Dean is shaking his head but deep down the darkness that was Ambrose was intrigued.

——————————————————————————————

It was around nine, and after the crib was done he had watched for a moment as Liana and the other girls had moved into the bedroom to make it. After dinner he watched as Liana tended to Sammy and put him down for the night, feeling accomplished and satisfied. He knew it was just a matter of months before she would be repeating this process with their own son and it made his heart swell with pride and love, so much love.

Once Sammy was down and softly snoring he and Liana retreated back into their living room. He was still nursing a beer, she still had an ice tea in her hand but once she sat down she stretched her back and it gave off a loud pop. Sitting his beer down on the coffee table he looped his arm around her neck, his fingers playing with her red-gold hair. She sat her ice tea down next to his beer and leaned more into him, smirking softly as he gently reached out to bring her on top of his lap. Her eyes light up and her hands came to rest on his shoulders, fingers caressing the sides of his neck. Closing his eyes at the simple touch he let a small moan work its way free from his lips as a reward when Liana started to shift and grind herself against his hardening dick. Muttering darkly, “you’re a damn tease sweetheart.” Smiling as she moaned when he placed his own kiss on her neck.

Pulling himself back before this got out of hand and he forgot what he was after. “Sweetheart, please. I would do anything,” with heavy-lidded eyes Liana pulls back and smiled sheepishly at him. She licks her lips and whispers, “please baby. I want you in me.” Moaning loudly because her words make his dick incredibly hard and the temptation was almost too great but he stayed focused. “No sweetheart, first you get one more chance to tell me how I hurt you?” Her beautiful honey eyes snapped completely open and stared right into baby blues in total disbelief. “Dean,” shaking his head he hardened his voice a little more, “you misunderstand me little girl I am not asking this time.” Her breath catches and Dean watches in fascination as her pupils dilate and her face flushes. It’s then he realizes Roman is right, the control was acting as a turn-on for her.

There is also a hint of stubbornness in her eyes that he sees, a willingness to defy and it moves something deep down inside of him. And yet, “last chance sweetheart.” He can almost hear her heart beating against her ribcage, sees her shake her head and her wide-eyed expression. He sighs softly and lets out what little magic he has currently stored up to bubble up to the surface, he expects a large amount of pain but there wasn’t hardly any and yet her reaction. “Stop it, Dean. Please don’t hurt,” he ignored her words instead he concentrated on making sure she didn’t feel any of the excess pain. The darkness was there in an instant, cold and dark, he felt the traces of the evil that lingered within and it had him second-guessing himself. Yet the sheer amount of deep soul-shattering love he felt for Liana told him that it out negated the negative traces he felt in his magic.

Closing down his thoughts and trusting in his magic, trusting in Ambrose and the love for Liana, that the darkness would protect her and get the answers he sought he found he couldn’t completely close his mind away. He found his thoughts and magic was becoming a merger with the darkness and personality. Something told him that as Mox he was never able to accomplish this, that the only time he was able to come close to this was when he was buried deep in the woman that was sitting on top of his lap. A soft murmur of “Dean,” broke through the darkness and brought Ambrose so he was more than willing to do as she commanded. “Liana,” he noticed her eyes were heavy was magic, his own voice coated must respond in kind. “Are you not my Sacerdotisa?” The question had her jerking backward and almost off his lap but his hands steadied her from her hips, his voice low and hot, “I think you are.” Bringing her forward he placed a sweet innocent kiss on her lips. Her eyes never left his and it made his magic hum, sharpening his magic he bit out. “Then you need to fucking act like it,” her answer was to scoot her hips forward more flush against him. A soft meow sigh escaped her lips.

The knowledge that this was arousing her made him harder but at the same time steeled his resolve in getting his answers. Her hands petted him gently through his hair, lips kissing him at his neck, her voice caressing him, “Dean.” Her tone was low and filled with so much desire and passion it had him slipping a hand down and to the side of her shorts and inside her panties to see how wet she was. His fingers found pure wetness, letting his fingers caress her core back and forth then removing them and bringing them to his mouth he moaned, “I will never get tired of tasting you little girl but tonight isn’t going to be about you.” At his words, Liana’s eyes flutter shut and she gasps out, “and you call me a tease.” Shaking his head he bit back a moan and was able to choke out. “This isn't about teasing, little girl. This is about you learning your lesson.” Watching as she licked her parted lips as he thrust his fingers back into her dripping wet heat.

Her hips started to twitch and move in rhythm to his fingers, his thumb brushing her clit ever so often had her buckling hard against him fast. As he watched, she rode his fingers and had her softly panting and gasping then he withdrew his fingers. Smirking as he brought his fingers back up to his lips, sucking them clean, watching Liana watch him lick his fingers clean. Her hips twitched as she watched him, her eyes held disappointment. Her fingernails dug into the skin on his bare shoulders, her small voice begged. “Mox please,” the nickname she tried hard not to call him stumbled out in her time of need but in his state of mind right now it didn’t matter to him, “think about it my Sacerdotisa. I can bring you to that sweet edge countless times, I can even.” He pulled her hips back from his crotch and unzipped his shorts and pulled his boxers down, his cock sprung free and he moaned as he ran a single fingertip down his length. All the while he watched Liana hungrily took in the site he was presenting to her, “I can even make you watch as I find my release, by myself.” Lowering his voice even more, “you and I both don’t want that, do we my sweet young Sacerdotisa, you would much rather we both find our pleasure in one another tonight, right?” At those words, he began to stroke his dick.

He kept his strokes light and unhurried, he tilted his head back- eyes closing because he didn’t need to see Liana to know she was watching his hand intensity nor that she would reach out to overlap his hand with her own. Widening his leg stance, without a second thought he removed his hand he was pleased to feel her continue to stroke him. “That’s right, baby. Nice and slow, depending on how stubborn you want to be, will determine who gets their release tonight.” At his words, she shifts and he knows what she is seeking. Raising his hands back to her hips he harshly tells her, “don’t!” Letting his eyes flutter open he muttered, “don’t make me punish you, little girl.” She whimpers and he feels her free hand on his chest. Her voice is small and filled with so much desire, “my Profeta. I want you, please.” A moment of soft ghosted words, “I am so wet for you Profeta Ambrose.” The sound of that name awakes something so hard and dark in him that he jerks her hips forwards. “Show me Sacerdotisa, show me just how badly you want me.”

Watching as she pushes off of his lap he can only moan as she quietly slips off her shirt then her bra, taking in just how swollen her breasts were he whispered, “your breasts, little girl.” his eyes lit up as she cupped herself and gently pinched her nipples hard, “Is this what you want Ambrose?” Her voice is timid and so soft he growled, “what I want is your ass bare and your legs spread open wide before me.” Her eyes glowed with her magic and he watched as she slowly stepped out of her shorts and solid white panties then make her way back to him. Hand on her elbow he yanks her body to him, moving to give her nipples a quick lick before laying her down onto the couch. Spreading her legs wide, watching her pant in desire, letting his eyes roam over her as he gazes at her core and the dripping mess she is presenting to him. Slipping to lower himself to her sloppy core he used both hands to pry her open and took a moment to stare in appreciation. Licking his lips because she is so soaking wet it almost makes him spill in his boxers. Then she is crying out softly as her hips jerk in his hands, “Ambrose please.” Humming he lowers his head but instead of a lick he takes her clit in hard long suck, it has her back arching, her moaning louder, her legs snapping around his neck in an instant.

Her hands come to bury themselves in his hair as she bolts upright when he flicks his tongue against her clit. The action causes more moisture to gather in his mouth, chuckling as he pulls back and she snarls down at him. Wiping at his mouth with the back of his hand, savoring her taste on his tongue he moaned as he let his finger dance at her entrance. Watching as her hips started to buckle harder and her moaning became louder. Letting his finger dip just barely within her drenched pussy, letting her work herself harder onto his finger just to the point when she was about to explode then he withdrew his finger. This caused her to snap, “no please. You just can’t.” Letting his magic glow in his eyes, coming to lean over her he snapped. “This is your lesson Sacerdotisa, not mine.” Shifting onto his knees he lets a hand go back to slowly stroking himself, Liana meows at him and thrusts her hips upwards, “give me what I want, Sacerdotisa. Give me my answers and I will give you your pleasure.”

There is a tightening deep down in his balls and he knows he is almost done for this round. Leaning down to place a kiss on her lips he murmurs, “I am about to cum Sacerdotisa. I had hoped when I did so it would be inside your hot wet pussy but I suppose you're letting your pride deny the both of us.” Her cry is so soul-deep that he almost stops this game he has started, but one looks at the bruise on her neck and continues. Images of her on her knees come crashing down in his mind and he knows in an instant that’s how he will finish this round. Shifting to stand up he reaches out and grabs her under her elbows watching as she reaches down to stroke his dick he rumbles out, “on your knee’s Sacerdotisa. I want your mouth on me when I cum and you will swallow every last drop.” Her answer is to moan and to drop to her knees, the moment her mouth opens and engulfs him he is lost. Letting his head fall back as she sucks him dry he can't help but thank the Gods for her, for making her his.

After a few moments and she swallows she lets out a deep moan and cries out, “Ambrose please it hurts, so badly.” When he tilts his head forward again and looks down at her up-tilt face he moans at the sight of her. Her lips still have traces of his cum on them and there is such a desperate look in her eyes that his dick seems to forget that it should be going soft instead of hardening again. With a tight voice, reaching out to caress her hair. “Dry your lips Sacerdotisa,” watching as she licks at her lips, he moans again. He also notices her hand making its way between her legs, “I don’t want to punish you further Liana but you’re tempting me.” Her hand stills and she blinks up at him shyly and he nods in satisfaction but she manages to sob out, “please Ambrose it hurts.” Yanking her up he snarls out, “ you think I am enjoying this Liana? I want nothing more than to sink deep into you. The need to fuck you is driving me to a point of madness I didn’t know was possible.” Her body is shaking and he knows he needs to end this soon; she is too young to have been thrust into this lesson.

She moans, her voice is broken but she leans against him and murmurs, “yes please.” He tries to be kinder as he holds her, as he brings her in for a kiss. “Please what Sacerdotisa?” A moment of silence then a bare whisper, “fuck me, like before.” Her voice is so soft but her eyes are dark and lost to her need and desire. He growls in frustration he pushed too hard in one direction and it would cost the answers he wanted. Murmuring, he still tried, “like before?” She could only offer a whimper, “Sacerdotisa? Answer me, like before? Did I fuck you last night?” Her voice is painful and full of need, “ anything please just.” Raising his hand to cup her throat as he must’ve last night he asked, “did I punish you as I fucked you last night Sacerdotisa?” Shaking her head, she moaned and pressed harder into his hand around her throat, “just a dream, then you.” He backs her up until she hits the couch and falls, but she keeps his hand around her throat. “Then what baby?” He asks as he falls with her, careful not to hurt her, she instantly opens her legs for him and he blindly thrusts in.

She cums around him before he can bury himself all the way within her. Her voice is airy as she moans, “You, oh Gods you feel so good, Ambrose.” Leaning over her smaller body, “I am going to fuck you hard and fast baby. I need to cum again.” She sobs and her magic flutters in her eyes and her hips are thrusting against him, “you didn’t know me. Didn’t believe I was yours. You didn’t even wait.” Her words were mere sobs and her fingers were digging into his ass trying to get more of him within her. Grinding his teeth together he tries to fight against the pleasure and concentrate on her words but it was unless her body was too hungry and needful and he was too deep in the feel of her to care about the words she was groaning.

Moaning as the sounds of her cries of pleasure filled the room, he is grunting and her sobs of pleasure were louder than normal because he had driven her to such an edge. Then his balls were tightening once again, reaching out to cup her face he gave her a hard kiss as he surges harder into her. Murmuring hotly against her lips, “I am about to cum Sacerdotisa.” Then he feels it as she coats his dick and it triggers him to give a few chaotic pumps before he explodes within her. He is aware that she is mumbling something and he suddenly knows it’s the blessing, feels it when her body greedily takes every drop of his seed.

A few moments later, they both are still panting when he mumbles brokenly, “don’t ever make me do that again Liana.” Her breath is still coming out hot and jagged but she whispers shyly, “and if I want it like that again? Popping his head and raising himself onto his forearms he stares down into her magical glowing golden eyes in wonder and finds himself laughing. “Baby if you want fucked just tell me, I don’t need to go commando on your ass.” Her face goes flush but she reaches up and murmurs, “and if I want it like that again?” There is a moment, looking into her eyes before it registers with him what she means but when he figures it out he moans, “seems like my little girl likes a different form of play than I thought.” She only hums beneath him and places a kiss on his collarbone. He places a gentle kiss on her forehead.

It takes him a moment to gather enough strength to carry her to the bedroom and place her gently on the bed. As he shifts down beside her he quietly asks if she wants to wash up and she moans sleepily that she would in a minute he chuckles and curls up into his arms and blinks at him. “So we can do that again, like soon right?” Moaning he couldn’t help but smile, “next time I won’t cave in so soon little girl. Think you can handle it?” Her body stretches out against his and she wraps her arms around his neck, “I want to be the best Sacerdotisa for my Profeta. I want to serve him in all ways. The best ways.” His heart thunders at her words but she shifts in his arms and he realizes she is waiting for him to say something. Reaching out to caress her hair he mumbled, “then one lesson every night. No cry-offs baby.” Her answer is a soft snore.

Laughing lightly, he simply laid next to her petting her bare hip, and thought over their play. It never occurred to him to explore Liana’s sexual preferences before now, not that he himself had a wide appetite, no out of three of them that had always been Seth. Granted he and Roman had been the two married men and had lived vicariously through their younger brother exploits, then he had met Kayla and became domesticated. At least that’s how Jess and Renee had described it.

So, he had learned a few things tonight, Liana liked to be dominated and pushed to her limits. It told him several things about what must have happened the night before, smiling as he buried his hand in her hair his mind thought over how demanding his little lover was. Renee had liked to be teased and to liked her teasing light but Liana was hard and full throttle. Placing a light kiss in her hair and chuckling as she snuggled closer to him he mused at just how well she took her lesson tonight. Her words are whispering in his mind.

You didn’t know me- didn’t believe I was yours! You didn’t even wait.

Glancing down at her sleeping face he tried to piece her words together, to understand her desire soak riddle knowing the answer to his question was in those words if only he would tease them apart?

Just a dream, then you.

As he yawns, he knows for sure that he ain’t telling Roman and Seth about this. Cause Seth’s remark about coming so hard that your soul is exploding from dick isn’t that far off the mark.

You didn’t even wait. Just a dream.

Mumbled words said in a need to be satisfied but fuck it something was nagging him in the back of his mind. Closing his eyes, fingers combing her hair, body going lax as he starts to drift off then it hits him like a mack truck. You didn’t even wait. Just a dream. Followed by Renee’s question of ‘You don’t know what this will do to you, you honestly want to remember the years of torture you went through in that place?’ His breath caught in his throat as he jerks awake and bolts upright. Glancing as Liana sleepily moved to curl up around him.

Fucking hell!

Slipping from the bed quietly he slipped into the shower to wash the dread away. In the deep of the night, he had woken up from a dream, a memory, and had taken it out on Liana. He could feel his body wanting to shake but he supposed something, something from his time in the Tunnels was preventing him from doing so. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself under the hot water and let his mind chase the rest of what Liana had revealed to him tonight.

He didn’t jump when Liana slipped into the shower with him and wrapped her arms around him, swallowing hard he whispered, “did I force you, Liana?” He had forced himself to stare straight ahead and not turn to hold her but at his question, he felt her push herself away and snap, “Dean, look at me.” When he couldn’t bring himself to do as she requested she growled, “I said look at me, Profeta Ambrose.” Her words were laced with her magic and he felt his soul respond, his eyes lowering to her face as he waited. “You're my Profeta. I could never deny you anything, my heart, my soul, my body is yours to command. What happened last night was unexpected but did you hurt me? No! Did you surprise me? Yes! But I enjoyed it just like tonight, it was a new kind of pleasure and I liked it very much!”

Searching her eyes deeply he saw the truth in her bright beautiful eyes and moaned but nodded in acceptance. They finished their shower in silence and slipped back into bed, he was almost asleep when she whispered. “I really did enjoy it, baby.” Burrowing deeper into the sheets and into her he sleepy tells her, “we will see about that after you take another lesson or two?” With that, she hummed and shifted to spoon against him, and sleep claimed them both.

——————————————���———————————————

Sacerdotisa Ruby looked once more at the glass container that held the blood absorbing poppet, blood that was three quarters the way gone, it had been sad to kill the little nino but at this point with his mother was failing in controlling Profeta Ambrose and that made his life’s blood was more valuable to her that his life. Now a little of that life’s blood would power the poppet and let her gain power over the mother.

“I hope his death was a necessity Ruby,” glancing back, Ruby felt disgusted for the taller man, regardless if he was of her blood or not. “You have no power to question me nino,” of her blood or not the boy thought he was better than her, more powerful than her and she wouldn’t stand for that much longer. Humming, it was the man behind her that was the only way to get Liana back into the City, “do you bring me news of your sister nino?” Stilling when she feels hands at her hips, nimble fingers undoing the sash at her waist, she forces her body to respond to the seeking fingers and after a while, she feels a release glide down her thighs.

Hands bunch up her skirt and bend her at the waist in this action she lets her mind drift back to better times, when her brother ruled the City with an iron fist, to when he would take what was his and leave her spent and sometimes blooded in a heap on the floor. The boy behind her now is not even a pale comparison to the man her brother had been all those years ago regardless of that part of her brother's blood that ran through his veins.

There had not been another like her brother within the City since his death, that was until Ambrose. Jericho had been molding him nicely; he by far was still weak compared to her brother but more powerful than Bray and more than satisfying between the legs. That night in the cemetery even though he had not put any effort into their coupling had her body alive in ways she could only dream of now. Closing her eyes she let her body remember that night, trying to give something to the nino in exchange for the news that he would give her. Remembering Ambrose’s cock deep within her had her clenching around his dick and moaning, praying silently that the coupling would end quickly she chanted a blessing softly.

Feeling him empty in her, feeling him lean over her back, panting hotly against her ear as he whispers. “I have it on good word Sacerdotisa Rudy that Profeta Ambrose is taking my sister in like some kind of fucking stray. If that’s the case and if he so much as touches her I will kill him. No matter how much you like his dick.” Snapping around to face the nino she lets her hand fly, smiling icily when sees blood flow from his lower lip. “You will do no such thing, Bray is useless. To access the pools I need Ambrose. Therefore I need to restore his memories and his magic so he can fuel the streams.” She watches as he licks the blood from his lip, his eyes glowed a deep brown and for a moment she is reminded of her brother.

A smirk forms on his lips, “one chance Ruby. Don’t deny me in the matters of Liana, she will choose me and if you like I will let you watch when I take her to the pool and fuck her.” Laughing she can’t help but notice the lack of confidence in his eyes, “why would she choose you when she has someone like Ambrose? Someone that possibly could match her instead of leach off her? Someone that can give her untold pleasures instead of one-minute delights. I raised her better than that!” His scowl was dark but she pushed on, “you are not your father's son, Baron, your just a man playing pretend and the goal you have set forth isn’t in your league.”

Adjusting her skirt and sash she threw the last insult at him again, “my daughter would never choose a pitiful powerless man like you if she has taken Ambrose in between her legs, even if she was only to have pleasure from his pinkie finger it would be more pleasure your whole body could give her and trust me, my daughter will want her desires filled to the fullest.” With that, she swayed away from him and his thunderous expression.

——————————————————————————————

It’s around eight am and Dean knows he is dreaming again but there is no fog and the dreams don’t seem to reach in and tear at his very soul, he thinks for a moment it's because there is a small warm hand shaking him awake that or because his own Sacerdotisa has coated him in her magic, in her body, in her love and he is damn if he wants to explain that cause Sacerdotisa don’t share their magic and they sure as hell don’t love.

But mine does. It’s time to remember.

There is an image of a heavy metal door and when the whispered words of remembering hit him the door isn’t quite blown open but cracked open enough a person could walk through it. Memories not of his Sacerdotisa fill him but of Renee, when they met, their first kiss, the gentle way she had begged him to make love to her after he had returned from his first deployment, their wedding day.

Then there are memories of the day he stepped foot into the City the first time. Of Kai being struck down, of Cassidy dropping to his knees. Of the way Nox’s screamed. Then there is the biting memory of pain as Jericho starts his torture. As Sacerdotisa Lita demanded her lessons of pleasure.

Then the rapture of casting the spell ended Jericho. Seeing the pure horror on Sacerdotisa Lita’s face as she watched. The bliss for the next two months as he couldn’t feel his magic then pain as it came rushing back into his body. As Profeta Punk eased him back into it. As the Army finally found him and Cassidy, they proceeded to drill them for the nearly two-plus years of hell they had lived.

Then the shock awaited him back in Vegas. The rejection from his wife, at the feel of his magic, the cold hard truth at the feel of the new life that grew within her. A life that he had no part of making. Then the heartbreak of coming to the decision of leaving it, HER, all behind and return to the hell that had imprisoned him for two years.

The shock of seeing Roman and Seth stepping off of a chopper and into the City. The pettiness between his brothers and Cassidy. Then a letter from Montana, an offering of fudge. Sad honey-filled eyes haunt his dreams and make his cock hard all at the same time, then a blessing being cast. Pleasure filling his magic but his body staying empty- then there was a snap in his head.

The feel being encased in sweetness. The smell of oranges and the images of a young beautiful woman is reaching for him. And for his magic. As he sinks into her, her magic demands his and it makes him hard in new ways. The beautiful woman is moaning for him, coming all around his cock.

A soft sweet voice is calling out to him, “Dean, baby you need to wake up.” The voice calling out to him belongs to the voice that is moaning for him but it’s all wrong. He wants her to want him as a whole, and he knows (somehow) she is calling out to his weak pitiful side. “Don’t call me that,” there is amusement in her voice. “I cry your pardon Profeta Ambrose,” letting a smile form he knows she is playing now. She likes to play, play hard- hard and fast. Likes to fuck the same way too, “I need to teach to be dirtier baby.” She laughs as she whispers in his ear, “you can make me dirty anyway you want me.” Those words have him moving and rolling on top of her in a flat second, his sleep is long since forgotten.

Sadly, her eyes are laughing at him and her body is fully clothed from him. “The fuck Montana?” Her eyes are wide but her voice is questioning, “Dean?” Narrowing his eyes down at her he reminded her, “I told you not to call me that.” There is a pause and he wonders why she would ever call him by his middle name in the first place? His magic sparks at his right arms and it has her surging up in his arms, “Mox, baby?” Her voice cracks and is questioning him but he doesn’t dwell on it, instead he lowers her back down onto the bed and kisses her roughly.

There is a sound deep within the house that finally pokes his desire fogged mind and he pulls back, “Montana what’s?” Her eyes take a moment to focus and then she is snapping out from under him, “you’re a bad boy distracting me like that.” Smirking as he stretches out in the bed he lets her eyes drink him in, “Mox baby stop, we can’t.” Her voice is uncertain and she is nibbling on her lower lip, letting a hand rub his abs, watching her watch him. “Why not? Is Sammy awake yet?” She shakes her head and whispers, “Lt. Colonel Cena is in the front room, waiting on you.”

Sighing in disappointment he rolled to the beds edge and took his time in getting up, glancing up when Liana brought him a pair of boxers and shorts he smiled and nodded his thanks. Slipping them on when he was standing, he noticed Liana had slipped out of the bedroom and he listened as she started talking lightly to Sammy, glancing around he called out, “babe where’s my hiking tee.” The room, even with the air on, was hot and he wanted to wear as little as possible, she called back quickly, “dresser, left side, three drawers down.” Finding a white tee that had the sleeves cut off he tossed it on and smiled as his dog tags clinked together with the crystal necklace he wore.

Walking out into the living room he noticed that the former Major looked tired and beat all to hell and back, “sorry for the wait sir.” He felt Liana come up behind him, heard Sammy call out his morning ‘dada’, and felt a smile on his lips. Watching Cena nod in silent greeting he sat down and cocked his head when Liana plopped Sammy into his lap, “may I get you anything Colonel?” Cena smiled and shook his head and Liana nodded and went to the kitchen.

“I am sure that Rollin’s and Reign’s have explained the basics to you, LT Moxley?” Jon felt his core shift, sitting Sammy down on the floor he leaned forward, and with his magic brimming in his eyes he asked, “just tell me how the fuck do I get my City back from that greedy ass bastard?” A moment later LT Colonel John Cena smiled and leaned forward as well, “I am so glad you asked.” He could not stop his magic from sparking in pleasure.

——————————————————————————————

This story didn't want to be rewritten. I would nit pick it to death. I this point I am simply giving you this. Sorry. I am tired of staring at it. Plus with a new 4-month-old kitten in the house. Not much is getting done these days.

[fortisfilia]

Promised And Kept - Preface

Hello and welcome! I started doing short prefaces on Wattpad and I think they’re quite handy, so I’m doing one here too, before you being to read the story.

This story is a sequel to Promised. Reading Promised first is recommended, or else you won't know the characters and how they got here.

This book is a female reader insert, written mostly in second person but without the use of "Y/N". The "your name"-thingy pulls me out of the moment while reading, so I'm trying to avoid it. Just a personal preference.

As I did in Promised, I'm doing my best to avoid describing the reader's appearance completely. No descriptions of skin, eye or hair colour, hair length, race, height, weight, messy buns, blue orbs and so on. I also try to avoid describing eating habits and religious affiliation, but as the story plays in Great Britain, Christian holidays and stuff like that could be mentioned here and there. If you happen to find a mishap, where I describe the reader's appearance in too much detail, feel free to comment and let me know.

Just like in the first book, there won't be smut in Promised And Kept. Sorry guys. Yes, there will be some spicy scenes, but nothing explicit. Thank you for respecting that.

I'm very much aware that most of you do NOT like the "they become parents in the sequel" trope, so don't fret! Children will be a topic, but not in the way you might think. Just bear with me.

I'm planning to post one chapter a week, on Wednesdays 8 pm CET. If I won't be able to make it on time, I'll let you know in the Masterpost.

Any questions? Comment here :)

Have fun reading xx

[daeyeolss]

how I make my gifs: a tutorial

Hi everyone! Just in case someone asks in the future + for those curious, I'm here with a tutorial on how I make gifs! If you have any questions whatsoever, please do send me an ask! I’ll be glad to help! The gif I made with this tutorial is the one right here! 

So... let’s start this tutorial with the programs I use.

Adobe Photoshop 2020 - To make the gifs, majority of the work is done in this program.

TopazLabs (Topaz DeNoise 6 and Topaz Clean 3) - To "denoise" and "clean" the gifs, as the names would suggest. Links for download: Topaz DeNoise 6 & Topaz Clean 3

KMPlayer (an alternative would be PotPlayer, or any other video playing program that allows you to capture the frames) - To capture the frames. - I use an older version of KMPlayer, though I don't know which exact version that is.

Now let’s continue onto how I use these programs to create gifs!

Step 1: After you’ve downloaded the necessary programs, download your video. The way to get the best gifs? Quality videos. That’s the first step. For K-pop performances, I recommend this website (the hq files are in .ts form, KMPlayer should be able to open these). Bookmark it! It’s really handy :) Get the video you want to make a gif from and open it in KMPlayer (or PotPlayer or any other program, but for this tutorial I’ll use KMPlayer). Open your video in said program and look for the part you want to make a gif of. Then press CTRL+G (I apologize because I cannot for the life of me remember if this was a standard shortcut or not)

Step 2: After pressing CTRL+G, you’ll be met with this screen:

I’ll briefly explain the numbered parts, but before that, these are my standard settings and just make sure you have them all the same and it should be good!

1: This is where your captured frames will be extracted to. I have them extracted to the standard folder, but you can change this if you want to. You’ll need this folder later when opening the frames!

2: Like it says, this is the image format. I use PNG in the highest quality, as the name would suggest, for the quality.

3: These are the amount of frames the program captures. Say you put in every 2 or 4 frames, you’ll get more choppy gifs. To get the smoothest gifs, put “every frame” (this in turn will increase the gif size as the amount of frames will obviously be bigger).

Once you’ve put in the correct settings and you’ve put the slider where you want the capturing process to start, press “start” (now, before you do this I recommend putting the video on mute as the audio will start to get kinda demon-y the longer you record lol save your ears pls). Then, when you’ve captured all the frames you need, pause the video, press CTRL+G again and click “stop” and close the pop-up/program.

Step 3: It’s time to open up Photoshop! Then go to File > Scripts > Load Files into Stack... (for older versions/another version I used in the past this one didn’t work and I had to use the “Load Multiple DICOM Files...” instead. It should work similarly though, if I remember correctly).

You then get a little pop-up that looks like this:

All you have to do here is click “browse” and navigate to the folder where your captured frames have been saved in. Select all the frames you need, wait for them to load in and then click “OK”!

Step 4: Depending on the amount of frames you’ve selected to load in, as well as the beefiness of your PC/laptop, the frames loading part might take a little while. Photoshop is importing every frame as a separate layer into one file, so just... grab a drink or something and wait a bit! When you’re done waiting, if you haven’t already, go to Window > Timeline. This will show you the animation timeline. For older Photoshop versions this is slightly different (I believe it’s called animation). Then click “Create Video Timeline” and click the 3 squares on the left bottom side (in older versions it’s on the right bottom side, not sure). 

Step 5: After you’ve done all that, you’ll want to select all your layers. You can do this by pressing ALT+CTRL+A or going to Select > All Layers. With all the layers selected, you have to go to Layer > Arrange > Reverse. You only have to do this if you used the “Load Files into Stack” option!

Step 6: After reversing all your layers, you’ll want to go to the three lines you see in the following screenshot, and click “Make Frames From Layers”.

As the name suggests, this turns all the layers into frames. I don’t know why but the first frame will always be 5 seconds long, so to make it easy on yourself when you want to check your gif while editing, just put that on 0 for now. You can do that by clicking the seconds under the frame and clicking “No delay”. After this, check to see if you have the right frames and if you need to delete some (you can do this at any point in the process but I didn’t know where to put it in the tutorial oops).

Step 7: Time to crop the gif to the correct size! For this gif I’m using as an example, I’m making it specifically for Twitter, so the sizes aren’t that obvious (for Twitter I usually use a width of 850 px to keep it sharp, for long size gifs (more height than width for example), I add a background so that it eventually still becomes 850x850 pixels). There’s many posts on Tumblr about the correct sizes for gif/photosets, but a brief rundown of my most used sizes: one gif spanning the entire width of the post has to be 540 px in width. Two gifs next to one another need to have a width of 268 px. I use these dimensions the most! For others, you can Google! 

Step 8: After you’ve cropped the gif, you can do either of two things: either you first add the coloring of your choice and then sharpen the gif OR you do it the other way around. I usually switch these two around depending on how sharp the gif already looks before sharpening because I can’t stand looking at 2 pixels while coloring (lmao). For this one I’ll do the sharpening first.

The whole sharpening process is actually quite simple but you need to make sure that you do the following little steps in the right order or else it won’t work! Select all the layers (CTRL+ALT+A or Select > All Layers) and then click this little thingy:

Then you’re going to Filter > Convert for Smart Filters

If you don’t do it in this order, your gif will end up... well, not being a gif and not moving. If that happens, track back in your history to see if you did it in the correct order! :)

Step 9: The actual sharpening process! After clicking the “Convert for Smart Filters”, you’ll want to go to Filter again and find the Topaz Labs tabs. Personally, I usually do it in the order of DeNoise first and then Clean, but this is a personal thing, really.

I recommend playing around with the settings to see what fits the gif but here are my go-to DeNoise settings (tip: save these as a preset so you only have to click that for faster giffing!):

And my Clean settings:

Press OK when you’re done with these and then go to Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen. These are my SS settings (just copy these, and again, save as a preset!):

Depending on how sharp you want the gif to be, you can input the same settings or go to this in the layers and change the percentage.

Now that we’re done with these... it’s time to flatten it! Just follow these little steps:

And then you wait. Again. I know.

Step 10: After playing the waiting game, you’ll click the three little squares again and do the same thing you did earlier: “Make Frames Into Layers”. Delete the first frame. Add a coloring of your choice (can be a PSD, can be your own coloring, etc. this is honestly just... playing around with things and see what it can do). After you’ve done coloring, select all your frames (same lines as previous screenshot except now you’ll see a “Select All Frames” option, click it!) and change the time to whatever you like (I usually go for 0.05, 0.06, or 0.07. Again, just play around with this!! Try different things!) 

Step 11: Final step! Saving :) I use shortcuts a lot to make things faster so either press ALT+SHIFT+CTRL+S or go to File > Export > Save For Web. Not much to do here, just copy the following settings and save the file!

!!! NOTE: After making a new gif today I realized there’s a weird dotted border on the top of my gifs, it’s a bit difficult to explain but I had no idea what it was. Turns out that the reason why this showed up was because, as shown in the screenshot below, I had “Transparency” selected. If you’re experiencing this too, UNSELECT the transparency and it should be all good!

Also make sure that the “Looping Options” is set to Forever, or else your gif will play only once and then stop!

Tip: While making gifs for Twitter I at one point noticed that if I added in a white background, no matter what I’d do, it’d show up as yellow-y in the preview box. After googling I found that going to the options (1 in the screenshot) and then clicking “Sort by Luminance”, then double-clicking the lightest color (not the transparent one, 2 in the screenshot) and selecting white (or FFF) will get rid of this! This likely won’t be that useful for Tumblr gifs but just in case you ever want to have a white background...!

Then just... save, and upload to Tumblr! :)

Final note: Tumblr has a mix gif size of 3MB. If you have a gifset of 4 gifs you want to upload, all 4 gifs can be max 3MB each. Keep this in mind! If you’re over 3MB, delete a few frames and try again, or resize/crop your gif!

As it turns out, Tumblr has increased their gif size to 8MB, however, the quality tends to get compressed with larger gifs like that so per recommendation: keep them below 5MB! (thank you @yeoli​ for letting me know!)

I hope this helped! If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message and I’ll try my best to answer them.

[iconsumeheadcanons]

persona characters autism headcanons!

hi im autistic and i started my day with sun so now im !!!!!!!!! some of these headcanons are from elsewhere on tumbr, but i dont know where :(((  so i am hoping someone out there knows that n that everybody knows that i love them <3

(also go check out mollypaup and i think hypeswap if you havent already! they post some good stuff autism+adhd hc too!!! i think.. oh! and thieves-in-the-palace!!!)

P5

Joker

there was some artwork from someone on tublr..where they pointed out that he doesnt really talk outside the metaverse so--hes hyperverbal as joker and just near nonverbal as akiren

he stims ALL THE TIME. that phone thing, the pencil thing, the little tappy tap of his foot, pulling at his bangs when hes embarrassed/smug. someone get him a fidget spinner. he’ll prob learn to do tricks with it

he probably sucks at focusing in class, like i know its just the game design but hes always surprised out of his daily “star out the window at the nearby office building” when his teachers ask him questions

mona mentions when the pt is at Wilton for the first time (after they run into shido) that joker eats like shit, and that could have multiple causes at the start of the story of course, but when i first played i thought that joker was a picky eater and that the variety (and amount of food) at the buffet would be an Ordeal...

tho mona makes that comment bc joker looked pale after having a little ptsd moment from shidos voice, but i didnt know that the first time i played

maybe when joker makes a face at ryuji putting so much ginger in his gyudon? joker probably does not like pickled ginger lol

his favortive foods are all spicy, which is why the curry he makes for his friends is always ‘overly spicy’, and why kasumi makes him a curry bento and joker kept going “...?” .... “....?!”

overly reflective glasses have been a great plus for him bc now he never has to make real eye contact every again!

mona Soft. play with Ann hair. maybe Braid. nice

puns (Gorou the Goroumet)

he has so many options to be straight up rude sometimes in game. he probably no clue on his own, which is why he defaults to Not Talking. people probably mention his constant scary face, which is just him being nonexpressive, squinting at all the fucking bright lights, and Tired

executive function who? we do everything last minute folks

high pain tolerance, which is why he was the kid that was always climbing trees in elementary school to get basketballs unstuck from the branches

his sixth sense lets him see treasure and possible places to climb/crawl bc 1. Shiny? Steal it. Steal it Now. and 2. Could i fit in that? Time to Find Out

probalby a bit of a klepto too oops. he’ll return it tho!! but he has to do it dramatically or he’ll die

cant sit properly to save his life

smells and touch are Great, they can keep him grounded when his brain goes off to police or dead rivals or guilt or

if a friend hung out with him and gave him total reigns of the agenda, he would choose to nap on the floor while his friend does something off to the side quietly

hyperfocuses on handy tasks (i.e. lockpicks, coffee brewing, cleaning, his part time jobs) and some things like movies and books. everything else is a tossup

his (normal) navigation app is his most used app bc he still doesnt know where hes going, even though he only goes to the same few places in the city

hates being sweaty, literally cannot stand it. probably double exhausted during the summer

but Needs Compression so hes often Struggling

Futaba

paraphrase from p5d “i have no motor skills so i cant play rhythm games :(” need i say more? (i will regardless)

echolalia all the time, from anime, memes, the PT

those headphones she wears all the time? noise cancelling ear protectors babey

only talks about her interests, “normal” talking is Not Easy, but she is still communicative w others despite her worries. shes not “hard to understand” at all but she feels the anxiety nonetheless

only talks informally, cannot talk ‘politely’ with out imitating someone around her

shes had meltdowns and anxiety attacks in game :( i relate so hard

Technology. thats it

def had an egypt phase that pops up every few months. probably came from yu-gi-oh

has Immune to Bright Lights buff.  joker is very jealous

“Time to make like a tree and leave!” and 30 other iterations

video game metaphors are the only ones that makes sense to her

probably relates hard to robot characters in anime for their general androgyny and confusion about human emotions and connections

probably gets told that shes “too smart to be on the spectrum” by teachers >:( she fails their classes on purpose

wakaba’s autistic too that just how it is

the Connection that she establishes with Joker is so Warm. my life goals include adopting an older brother like futaba has lsdkfjslkfj

also eater of 5 foods only, i mean, she brings cup ramen to the beach. i just really admire her...

hides in small spaces for comfort

doesnt she have like uhhhhh hyperthymesia or something like that?

Yusuke

art

his entire social link is learning how humans work, which i relate

talks seriously all the time

“sarcasm? who is that? are you saying I was sarcastic?...how?”

cant remember to take care of his body, and madarame did not help with that either

lot of uncomfortable staring, hes overdoing the eye contact thingy

infodumps all the time, doesnt know hes doing it

needs a lot of support even if he doesnt think he deserves it. no one ever complains about helping him out tho

visual stims my friends

he didnt know that you could look up pictures on the internet but he does know you can stream live videos of waterfalls and fluffy animales!!

I am certainly in the mood

for something salty today.

he and joker are scared of math. numbers do not interact

Yusuke, futaba, and akiren are a trio and i know this bc their first day of non-thievery interacts is Akiren clearing Futabas room w/o permission, futaba hyperfocusing on destroying medjed, and yusuke rearranging futabas figurines so they are more visually appealing

morgana is a support friend for all of them bc igor knows they need it

P4

Souji/Yu

yes, he mostly wears gray semi formal clothes bc parents tell him to, no, he will not changes this

Schedule or Death

“sorry, could you repeat that?” “huh? oh yeah, i was saying that--” “yeah that’d be cool.”

cats, fishing, he just likes to be quiet. you can literally spend a day at the beach just to think if you want, and that is what yu want

has a lot of scripts for things (of which he shares with nanako!) but if he runs out he just stops talking..

inaba is a godsend bc its so fucking quiet and warm

he Yearns to hold his friends hands, but he shies away from a lot of touch (excepting yosuke, teddie, and nanako)

Cooking and Cleaning makes the world better. he and joker vibe together with this

unlike akiren, he strong arms any executive dysfunction into Be Productive or Else. his punishment is feeling the pure anxiety of having to make up for ‘lost time’. (another symptom of his workaholic parents)

writes everything down, notes are very neat, has pages dedicated for bad doodles when hes not feeling his usual Super Classroom Focus

Cannot handle secondhand embarrassment (most often caused by yosuke) and will quietly slip away to random cats or origami folding

hungry, crunch crunch folks. probably needs chewelry bc he used to chew on his shirt collars when he was younger.

cleans up after everyone in the food court, constantly worries about them accidently hurting themselves. likely spends half of group conversations watching peoples hands

he canonically eats expired food, nanako plz help your brother

really clumsy, but people only notice after they decide that he is a cool person

video games are too chaotic for him

exhausted every night from the pure amount of masking he does, if a friend spends the night (or is like yosuke) they will know his more comfortable weirdo self (tho everyone knows hes a weirdo eventually)

hyperempathetic, sometimes just understands animals and children better than peeople his age or older

Yukiko

her jokes

she and souji get in ‘trouble’ together, she and joker commit crimes together

she and chie have to coordinate outfits, its important

actually understands metaphors, but does not understand people

like me, had no clue that creepy kid was flirting with her

she is very angry when she has meltdowns that might involve slamming doors and shouting. her parents call these ‘tantrums’ and ‘unfitting for a polite daughter’ but really thats because her meltdowns tend to be caused by arguments w her family after a long day of school and TV world traipsing

the metronome meme, except hers goes between Loudest Person in the Room to Quietest Pin Drop in the Planet. she is completely unaware of this

her atmosphere brightens when chie appears. that is not only the lesbian energy within her, but also because chie is like her Favorite Person

Cannot wear Pants. No (tho she wants to try it! but she puts them on and her soul instantly squashes)

happy flappy lesbian! watch out!

Naoto

the pouty face. all the time lskdfjlasdkf

hes really snappy sometimes and i love that for him. he and akechi should fight just to see what would happen (please read Bang Bang Shoot Shoot on AO3)

“do not touch me or my hat, thank you”

no one has ever seen him shutdown and no one ever will (except for his grandpa)(and kanji)(and rise)

probably likes certain food textures and will stand for nothing less, probably feels embarrassed about his preferences with friends

constantly jumps between ‘everybody hates me so i should act like them so they dont hate me’ to ‘i refuse to be anything but very comfortable as myself, and i dont care that im making you upset sir’

he and souji are the king and queen of subtle stims, but for unhappy reasons :(

does not make jokes. cannot joke around. understand? yes, do? no.

loose clothes are the only good clothes, but all tags and obtrusive seams will be obliterated by kanji tatsumi

not very empathetic so he probably comes off as an asshole to strangers (like when he throws away his classmates confession letters without reading them) but he tries so hard to sound comforting when his buds are struggling.

his understanding of others emotions/reactions come from his learning as a detective, which seems cold+clinical to others, especially compared to souji, whos completely unexpressive but very introverted people person

P3

Hamuko/Minako/Kotone

big personality!! very people-oriented!! koromaru and her are buddies!! when shes having a real bad time, shes very quiet and expressions turn off

interrupts herself in the middle of conversations all the time. no one knows where shes coming from. her brains is thousands of km ahead of her body

bouncey legs, swingin arms, twirlly skirt, little somersaults! when will she stop? never!

very obvious music stims with her hands and arms! people are like “oh there she goes! happy as usual!” shes listening to minatos heavy metal playlist

switches from exhausted to excited within milliseconds. no one can predict, not even her

SEES has to ask her for context all the time cuz she’ll just continue shit from 2 weeks ago without warning

professionals will assume shes very childish bc of how chipper she is, but she is beyond mature for her age and only feels comfortable enough to have serious conversations if a person has proved themself able to handle it

collects every little thing. her room is a mess and she has to get rid of most of it every time she moves :(

hates cleaning! smells bad, feels bad hhhhhgggg

dont let mitsuru-senpai see her bedroom

gets lost in the middle of conversations with others bc shes thinking about a story connected to one(1) word that was said earlier

 no sense of time and place, she just sees her friends and goes “ah, this is the right place, then” but junpei and akihiko are also lost so now theyre all screwed

Minato/Makoto/Sakuya

no talkies, no walkies

his story in the movies is him literally learning how to function around people he cares for

doesnt get jokes, expressions, body language, empathy, subtlety, metaphors, physical contact, or eye contact. aigis is probably the only person he truly understands right away

he is still nice to people because he doesnt see a reason not to be, but also he has very limited energy so only his senpai and old people get his most polite-kindnesses

cannot describe feelings for the life of him. the team wont know hes injured or sick until hes passed out

everything is too loud, time to drown it out with my loud ass music

rocking and chewing stims, ryoji is the first person to point him out for these subtle stims (not accusingly of course, just general pure curiosity and love for the uniqueness of humanity)

likes to cover his face with whatever is available, lives like a bat in a dark dry cave

will wear anything that has pockets and his blue/gray/black palette

sleepy at all times bc he never has much energy

when he was younger he probably needed a lot of support, especially after his parents died, because he wouldnt communicate like a neurotypical and would shutdown for hours in the middle of school without warning. probably missed a lot of lessons and field trips out of pure overstimulation

eating at all times. no preference, just whatevers closest

his meltdowns probalby include humming whining noises and curling up in a ball, which makes people want to touch him, but that is the LAST thing he wants. put a blanket on him! play some music! do not talk and do not expect him to speak

aigis is the only person who can touch him normally bc her hands are cold and he likes cold

never nude, feels mmmmmmmmm without clothes and probalby wears a full robe in the hotsprings

will not do things that take more than one step w/o someone else walking him thru it, which Same

[silence-burns]

Please Hate Me //part 20

Fandom: Marvel 

Summary: Based on "Imagine having a love/hate relationship with Loki." by @thefandomimagine​

Loki certainly had many virtues, but unfortunately, even such a great person couldn't have an infinite amount of patience. Some things were not possible, even for gods. 

"May I repeat my inquire on where are we going?" 

"Yeah." 

You were still focused on the food stuffed in your arms, happy in your own little headspace. Loki was carrying some of the bags too, although when you managed to hand it to him, he didn't notice.

"So, where are we going?" 

Of course he wouldn't lose patience. He was not some short-tempered brute, and especially not a blond one, last time he checked. So the edge that could have been heard in his voice for just a brief moment was only a result of a very long and stressful day, most of which was your direct fault. 

"To get you some clean clothes. Pretty sure you didn't bring any pj's with you." 

"And what is wrong with my current attire?" 

You stopped at the entrance to what Loki supposed was a gym, and gave him a very meaningful look, with special attention given to a dried stain on his chest, in various intriguing shades of disgusting. 

"Forget I asked," he sighed, allowing in his great wisdom to let the issue pass for now. He followed you to the lockers on the left wall. "But why here?" 

"There are always fresh clothes here, so we're getting matching sweatpants." 

That stopped him dead in his tracks, although most of the dramatic effect was lost when you didn't, and therefore missed it. He considered repeating the gesture once you turned back to him. He really didn't like the confidence you looked through the greyish pile of clothes with. 

"What in the Nine Realms convinced you that I'm going to put something so hideous anywhere on me?" he almost spat, remembering the state of your sweatpants when he met you in the Tower's kitchen a few days ago. 

"You don't have anything else to wear," you reminded him, taking out some trousers and eyeing his figure. Getting the right size was not easy. 

"I'd rather bite my hand off than wear those." 

"Then start with the bracelet hand, so we can part at last." 

Loki frowned. 

"The thought is appealing but unfortunately I don't plan on losing any body parts anytime soon." 

"And since we both agree that's fair, might we proceed with our journey?" You gestured to the exit, gray bundle secured under your arm. 

"What did I do to deserve being stuck with you?" he growled, but followed. 

"You… actually kinda know that. It was, you know, a big thingy on my planet in the past few—" 

"That was a rhetorical question. That means you don't have to answer it." 

"I actually know what that means." 

"How could I have misjudged you. My humble apologies." 

"Apologies accepted," you said, nodding. 

You stopped in front of door almost identical to the row of others through the corridor. 

The Tower was a huge building, even by Loki's standards, but he was glad he hadn't lost his sense of direction yet. He wasn't planning on sneaking out in the night, but it would be below him to just ignore the structure of the place he was forced to stay at for some time. One can never know when such knowledge will come in handy. Especially on such a treacherous planet. 

You let him go in first and locked the door behind you. It didn't look like anyone would bother you that evening, but one could never be sure. 

"What is this?" Loki looked around with a conflicted wince. The place was barely the size of the bathing room in his asgardian chambers. 

"I sleep in here sometimes." You put the food down on the bedside table, turning the lights on. "Did you forget you refused any of the free rooms I showed you earlier?" 

"How could I have forgotten such hideous broom closets?" Reluctantly, he put the rest of the food there too. 

You shrugged, "At least it's got a shower." You opened the bathroom door. "And if you don't want to sleep in the corridor, you're gonna use it, stinky boy." 

"Call me that one more bloody time and I'm gonna pee in your sink," he snarled and snatched the bundle of clothes from your hands before slamming the door closed. 

You looked at your empty hands. 

"You took my set too, but that's fine. Check what size fits your ego best!" 

The response came in asgardian, but you had a fairly good sense of what it meant. 

You proceeded to hide some trash from the most visible places in the room while also wondering if an asgardian asshole knew how to use an earthly shower. 

The asshole, in fact, did. He might have been a little surprised by strawberry scented shampoo, but the rest was pretty familiar. 

The clean, warm water did wonders to his sore muscles. For a moment (and not a brief one) Loki wondered if he could just stay there, and ignore the rest of the world. Or at least the part he had to stay in. Thank the Maker he wasn't claustrophobic, or he'd suffocate in that puny excuse of sleeping quarters, although he still wasn't sure how he was supposed to get through the night if you were stubborn enough to stay too. Maybe if he knocked you out, he'd earn a few peaceful hours, but that was a long shot. 

Just to make sure, Loki tried to slip the damned bracelet off his hand, hoping the water and soap would loosen its tight fit, but to no avail. 

He missed his magic. He could feel it burrowed in his flesh and bones, waiting for his command as it always did. It felt so easy to just grab a handful of it and shape it to his liking—but he couldn't grip it anymore. Through whatever Stark and Strange combined to create the bracelet, it prevented Loki from reaching his magic. The frustration drove him out of the shower, the water no longer calming. 

The rags he was forced to wear didn't do much in terms of improving his mood. The gray was dull and nauseating. The fabric was not even soft and didn't have any semblance of proper tailoring. He might as well be wearing a potato bag. 

He was going to make you pay. 

Loki looked at his filthy, bloodied suit. It would take a lot of work to get it cleaned up, and he didn't feel like doing it at the moment. It had been a long day and the last thing he wanted was to invest more time on that. He left it on the floor. There didn't seem to be any better place in the tiny bathroom. 

By the time he left, your arms were full of clothes you had deemed not filthy enough for next washing, but too clean to put back in the drawer. You were almost ashamed how much it turned out to be, but in your defense, you rarely visited the room. 

"What?" You asked as Loki eyed the pile. "I'm busy all the time." 

"Can't you have anyone clean it up for you? Or are they too scared to enter?" Loki sneered, dramatically wiping off some dust from the higher shelves. 

"I don't like people touching my stuff," you shrugged and disappeared into the bathroom. 

For a moment, Loki listened to your movements, but it didn't seem you planned on coming out anytime soon. 

He looked at the door. 

Just because he left the suit, it didn't mean he left his favourite lockpicking kit too. 

Loki didn't believe in luck; he preferred to take matters into his own hands.

Taglist: @writerjmlove @drakonwild @eeveesjourney @lokislilcaribbeanprincess @oatballsoffury @inumorph @ejectur @nerdybabywrites @twhgirl @nikkoliferous @unlikelygalaxygiver @multifandomreaderinsertfanfics @dreamingofonceuponatime @iamfelixc @bluebunnlee @effmigentlywithachainsaw @sadwaywardkid​ @ravenclawpossum​ @waitforthehurricane​ @absentmindeduniverse​ @unicorniorosacomefrutillas​  @toboldlyscream​ @waitforthehurricanrose​  @cluelessnitwhit​ @iamverity​ @absentmindeduniverse​ @the-corruptor​ @just-another-romantic​ @breakawayfromeveryday​  @oh-no-a-whovian​

[hegglespeggles]

How to write an essay you could not care less about in 10 steps

Hello. I have an essay to write.

I am also, (unfortunately) the kind of lazy, apathetic burnout who will only do my FUCKING work if I get really worked up. Usually that ends up meaning all of my papers are spite-fuelled tirades but my profs seem to like them so fine. I hope you find this particular raging tirade useful.

Today, I would like to educate the 4 of you that will actually see this on a fine art I have perfected over the years. Writing a paper, about which, you do not give a single, solitary, crumb of a fuck about. This is (you may have guessed) and excellent way for me to procrastinate doing a paper that *I* do not give a single solitary crumb of a fuck about. For best results, I recommend doing this NIGHT-BEFORE-PANIC like, a week in advance so you can fix all the NONSENSE that your more reasonable brain will undoubtedly find. But if it’s the night before and you are shit outta luck, this will get ‘er done. And with practice, you can even pull good grades outta these bitches.

 Dissociating? I gotchu. Woke up the day of the deadline to feel like absolute utter garbage? Search no more friends.  

  FAILING GRADES ARE BETTER THAN ZEROS JUST FUCKIN DOOOOOO ITTTT

1.    Go get the prompt.

I fucking mean it. Even if you are like 1000% sure you know what the prompt is asking, go to the FUCKING assignment, and copy that shit into your word document. Got the assignment on paper? TYPE THAT SHIT UP MOTHERFUCKER.

(Do you see what I fucking have to deal with)

Boom?

BOOM.

Congratulations, you now have a document, and whats more, there are WORDS in it!! You aren’t starting from scratch anymore kiddo. Fringe benefit, you always know EXACTLY what the assignment wants because its fucking Staring You Down. Not saying you have to do exactly as it says, mama didn’t raise no BITCH and I aint scared of fuckin CALLING PROFS OUT but if you wanna break the rules you gotta know what they are first

(Disclaimer: I have also been kicked out of class on numerous occasions for fighting with the prof and had full classes where the lecture WAS me arguing so maybe take my opinions of conformity with a grain of salt.)

2.    Math THE FIRST

I know, this is an essay and not a fucking calculus test. But some of this shit is USEFUL OKAY

Take the paper in question. How long does it have to be? Mine is 5 pages. A page is generally accepted to be 250 words (double spaced because we FUCKING LOVE OURSELVES) so 5 x 250 = 1250 wds. That’s the goal. That’s the pinnacle. That’s your new holy grail.

Time to split this bitch up

  3.    Yarrrrrr, CONTENT

And finally, we get to the part that is the reason why you are being an absolute bitch baby about this essay (maybe. I might be projecting. Your life is your life and im sure youre doing your best.) I Hate this part, but now with our magic number we don’t need to pull 5 pages out of the ether.

This part really requires you to know your vibe. Is this something that you have a lot of little opinions (read: evidence) about or like, only 2 or 3 big bois? Look deep into your soul and figure out which is the easiest for you to shit out, a rant or a list. a  great way to do this is to WRITE ANYTHING YOU GOT OUT

Here you can see I’ve put all of the thoughts I have about the question into a list, slapped some standard “opening” and “closing” shit around it so I can FUCKING FIND IT AGAIN and given it a good hard look. Whats the common thread in all of my opinions? That the prompt is fucking stupid and makes no sense is asking 2 different questions. Congratulations: you found your thesis. This essay, like many of my essays, bears the thesis “this is a weird question to be asking” (which falls under my broader category of “bitches aint shit” essays.)

Congratulations you have the bare bones of your skeleton.

  4.    MATH THE SECOND

 The magic number returns. All hail our glorious leader. 1250 right?

So heres how I break this down. Break off a small chunk at the beginning. For this essay im gonna split off the 250. Split that baby in half. Congratulations, now you have a word count on your opening and closing. Personally, I know I like a lil extra space at the end to get all ranty, so Imma split this puppy up 100 for my opening and 150 for the closing. WARNING: You will think that you will be able to write enough in your opening and closing to take up lots of space. You will feel the urge to give them both the same amount of words that you give your points. This is misguided and foolish. Not only will you 1) not be able to do it but 2) even if you did, that’s like getting a sandwich which is all bread. No one wants that. Don’t be that dude. Fight the urge.

 RIGHT SO. We’re still left on the other 1000 words.

If you have an idea that like, is bigger than the others, go ahead and give that puppy more of the word count than the others, fractions are your friend here and you wanna think about how much of your final product each of these babies will be. If you, like me, are an utter buffoon with no clue what youre doing, open your calculator up. Divide the remaining word count by the number of points you have. Congratulations. Youre doing the essaying.

If this is enough to get you started, GREAT! See you at step seven. BEFORE YOU GO I would like to give you this tip

5.    CITE YOUR INFORMATION AS YOU ADD IT IN.

It doesn’t need to be a full citation, just literally a footnote with something that will help you remember where its from and for the love of god WHAT PAGE IT IS ON. The you of 3 hours from now will thank you.

  6.    Filling in the skeleton

 I don’t know about you, but I cant exactly riff off of a single sentence. Like, I know what the VIBE of my point is, but like, I cant pull it out of a hat. The name of the game here is whittling down your arguments into thinner and thinner chunks that are easier and easier to bullshit. This is how you avoid that “burning building found in flames during Brooklyn fire” bullshit that memes. You don’t wanna meme. You wanna pass. So, figure out what the things you are gonna say and in each bit, keep track of how many words you are gonna write. EITHER

a)      You put how many words you think you can write on any point beside the point as you go and just keep developing points and shuffling word counts around until it matches the total for that section

or

b)     You evenly breakup the word count between all the points and keep breaking them down until you look at a subject and a word count and go “yeah that’s doable. I can do that.”

I prefer the second so LEGGO.

Ta-Da!

7.    Write ‘er up

Ahhh glad to see we’re all back together again. Try-hards who can ACTUALLY bullshit papers, glad to see you’ve rejoined us! This is the part where you take all that shit you’ve broken up into nice little chunks and you turn it into something worth reading. You can do it. I believe in you. Try and keep your citations in place.

I like to do this as a question answer thingy, like an exam, so halfway through writing mine is gonna look like this

 The handy part about the numbers is that it gives you a frame of reference for how your bullshit is going. Realized you had a lot more to say here than you thought? Dope! Less bullshit somewhere else, take it out of a weaker point. This point didn’t give as much as you thought it would? Split the difference elsewhere! This way you have checkpoints and you can see how your essay is going

And then you can go ahead and delete your skeleton work. Its time. Its served you well. For extra drama, whisper menacing nothings to it as you send it into the darkness. Personal favourites include “no one will mourn you,” “your fate belongs to me,” and “so this is what you have come to”

  8.    Citations

Theres like a million ways out there to find out how to do your citations and its gonna depend on what kind of a paper you are writing. I use Chicago most of the time, including here. My advice? Use a site like, bib.me or something to do your bibliography, and then plaster that in the bottom of your document. Use that as the building blocks to do your footnotes. Let Purdue Owl be your guide. Purdue Owl Style Guide Is A Mighty Friend Indeed.

 Also your welcome for that, “putting the page numbers in as you put the info in” shit. That took me alarmingly long to figure out. It’s a wonder theyre giving me a degree.

  9.    Proofread that shit, ya bougie bitch.

If you wanna be time effective, getting a friend to proofread while you do your citations is a great way to go. If you have a few days, put your paper away and come back to it. If you are out of friends and time then https://www.paperrater.com/ is your last hope.

  10.       Slap a title page on that shit and GET IT SUBMITTED

 No joke, I have been using the same template for a coverpage all through highschool and my undergrad. There is only one title page and every time I write an essay I take the title page from the last paper I wrote. There is no beginning. Only title page. Title? Topic of paper: point of paper. For example, If I had to title this screed I’d call it Essay Writing: An exploration of mediocrity. slap the date and your name and the course and instructor on there and BAM. YA DONE.

 Anyway submit that shit an go to bed youre done goodnight

EPILOGUE

I’ve gotten this essay back, and when I wrote it, I was barely a human being. Barely capable of human speech let alone a coherent argument. I would forget the end of the sentence by the time I typed out the beginning. But I still for a 70%! is it the best mark I’ve ever gotten? no! but it is a hell of a lot better than the 0% I would have gotten if i hadnt done this. I get it. And i hope this helps. 

[mrluntthehandsome]

"Lunt, I have a question for you. You're good with technology, right? You've got that new... Handy... Pod thingy? So obviously you know computers. Anyway, I think I erased all my phone contacts again. Is it still possible for me to get them back? And if not, I'm gonna need to put your info back in there again. I keep getting texts and not knowing who they're from! Were you the one texting me something about... eggs?"

Nezzer... Again, man?? If I could face palm, I would. You gotta stop hitting the shiny red buttons on your phone. That’s the delete button. If you give me your handypod, I’ll put my number back in and everyone else’s back in.  And I asked you about eggs because of a game I’m playing now. Y’know the one with the animals and the debt? Ellen wanted to know if you had any eggs you weren’t using so she could make stuff. But thank the good Lord above that’s over now, so don’t worry about it. And the other half of those texts were me objecting to putting on the bunny suit for Easter Sunday but it’s obvious you ignored those, because I still had to do it! 

[gottagobuycheese]

Tag Thingy

Thanks @silent--sonata for indulging my terrible sleeping habits XD

(fyi this will probably be unnecessarily long and rambly, so it’s going under a cut (EDIT: whelp the song list got a little out of hand, I’d apologize if I were even remotely sorry)) 

Rules: Answer 17 questions & tag 17 people you want to get to know better  

Nickname: Cheese (or Lactose Wedge, or Dairy Product of Unspecified Origin and Purpose)

Zodiac Sign: Gemini! 

Height: 160.5 cm/5′3″ (Bubbles I refuse to believe you’re actually that much taller than me) 

Hogwarts house: Somewhere between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff allegedly, both of which I’d be honored to get sorted into, but honestly I’d just be stoked to get sorted at all 

Last thing I googled: I think it was something along the lines of “how to speed up audio playback in GarageBand,” but but my train of thought was derailed before I actually looked at any of the results so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (and on a related note, thanks again for the magical audio editing @imperiousheiress!)

Song stuck in my head: The end credits to Legacy of the Wizard (which is SUCH a jam, thank you for enlightening me @jessicafish) Following and followers: 227 (goodness just looking at that number is stress-inducing) and...104?! When the HECK did you all get here??? I think just last summer I was happily floating about in the 50′s. Anyways, to anyone I have not said hello, hello! Hope you enjoy your stay, and I am sincerely sorry if you expected Quality Original Content, or even just regularly scheduled other people’s content. Sadly, neither of these things tend to happen here. 

Amount I sleep: During the school year it’s usually anywhere between 30 minutes and 6 hours (DON’T EVEN START BUBBLES YOU HAVE NO RIGHT), usually landing in the 3/4 hour ranges if I’m smart about it, but now that I am on Unofficial Break, it’s usually at least around 6 hours (except today was 3 because Avatar is an excellent show and the weirdos in this house have regularly scheduled breakfast at 9-something every morning). Sadly my sleep schedule can only be forced to tolerate normalcy for so long before careening back in the other direction, so we’ll see if this is just a blip or if we’re back to normal mid-Atlantic Ocean hours!

Lucky number(s): I wouldn’t say these are necessarily favorite numbers, but I do like 2 and 9. But come to think of it, second attempts at Official Things do tend to go better for me than first attempts, so maybe there’s some merit there after all! Dream Job: Don’t think I’m really cut out for dreaming anymore, haha (unless you are a theoretical future employer in which case I am Extremely Full of Ambition and Passion). The bed-adjacent metaphor has been made, and not to brag, but I can sleep on pretty much any surface. Currently studying my Not Favorite aspect of STEM (was there ever a favorite or did I just like being good at things sometimes) and learning how to People™ properly (and also learning a gazillion convoluted drug names like what the heck dude, did you just fall asleep on your typewriter coming up with these), so I’ll take whatever place hires me and pays me enough not to depend on my parents for everything, I suppose. In an ideal world, that would entail a job where I could make friends, and even more importantly, a job where my shortcomings would not cause Massive and Irreparable Harm, but I don’t think this line of work really meshes with that last one, so I guess I’ll either have to get my shit together™ extremely soon or fake my death, adopt an alias, and flee to a completely new place with no ties whatsoever before trying to get another, less high stakes job. 

(Though I guess, less cynically, I like helping people well enough? And stories are fun! Maybe there could’ve been something with that. Not that there still can’t be, mind, but there’s still a long way to go between Here and There)

Wearing: Black shorts. Navy t-shirt. Brown some-specific-kind-of-jacket-I-forgot-the-name-of jacket. Is it summer? Is it fall? Am I in middle school? Who can say, but they are COMFY so sadly I have no cares to give

Favourite song(s): way way WAY too many to list here, and I do not have them all organized in a handy playlist separately, but to name a few (and these are not necessarily the MOST favorite okay, it doesn’t mean I don’t love stuff not on this list, it means you can’t force me to pick between my children and I am going to find at least one quick thing from a few things I like before I need to hit post and go back to looking like I’m being studious, and also things I think you should listen to right now, but for everything I’ve linked assuming I mean the whole OST), here’s a spam of links in no particular order: 

LoZ Wind Waker - The Great Sea (aka the epitome of optimism) 

Undertale - NGAHHH!! (I was about to link more but then I realized it’d be the whole soundtrack lol) 

LoZ Breath of the Wild - Hateno Village (Night) 

A:tLA - Peace (bad call BAD CALL NOW I HAVE EMOTIONS) 

Legend of Korra - Final Scene/Ending Theme (MISTAKES WERE MADE MISTAKES WERE MADE) 

Kung Fu Panda - Oogway Ascends (I feel like I’m taking you on a whole little album journey now XD) 

PMD: Explorers of Sky - Dialga’s Fight to the Finish (aka the Gotta Shower Fast song) 

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Pursuit ~ Cornered (aka the HURRY UP AND PACK UR SHIT YOUR FLIGHT LEAVES IN THREE HOURS song) 

Apollo Justice: A New Trial Is In Session (very underrated soundtrack imo) and also Apollo Justice: Telling the Truth (because these two are very closely associated in my head and it’s getting harder and harder to narrow things down so maybe I should stop lol) 

Your Name: Katawaredoki (in which I am forcibly thrown heart first into the bedroom of my second apartment at approximately 12-something A.M.) 

Digimon Adventure 01: Butterfly (MASSIVE 90′s childhood anime feels, and also Last Summer Before Everything Went to Shit feels (on a general scale I mean, not personal)) 

Pokémon: Lugia’s Song multitrack cover by Jordan Moore (would that I could have a talent of that musical talent) 

Pokémon the First Movie: Tears of Life (great now I’m on a Pokémon music spiral GUESS IT’S CHILDHOOD NOSTALGIA HOURS NOW) 

PMD: Blue Rescue Team - Farewell and Run Away/Fugitives (you CANNOT make me choose between these guys okay, my brain WILL explode, and whoops now I want to link the whole ost) 

Palette by A Dear Friend (wink wonk) 

Pokémon: Alpha Sapphire - Fortree City (wow talk about mood whiplash)

Detective Conan: Main Theme (I can’t find the specific version since there are so many, but it’s a Good Theme) 

Super Smash Bros.: Brawl - Opening Theme 

Pokémon Colosseum - Relic Forest 

Song for Lindsay by Andrew Boysen Jr. (oh great now it’s time for marching band feelings I guess)

Mt. Everest by Rossano Galante 

Deltarune - Field of Hopes and Dreams and A Town Called Hometown (orchestrated) (aka the Lots of Work To Do song) and You Can Always Come Home and Don’t Forget (hey guess what I wrote a bunch of fake extra verses for) (also it looks my pathetic attempts at narrowing things down are getting even more pathetic so I’ll wrap up soon XD) 

 Guild Wars 2 - Fear Not This Night (never actually played this myself but my friend got me addicted to the music) 

Lord of the Rings - May It Be (Enya) (aaaand now I miss choir, THANKS BUBBLES) 

Lion King - Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Multilingual) by Travys Kim (aka how I remembered how fun these things are) 

Original Song by Anonymous  

(The urge to add all the other songs I’m not adding is so strong but I’ve got so much work to do so just assume I mean all Nintendo music from any game I’ve played, all Ghibli movie music, every musical I’ve ever heard, and even more) 

Random fact:

Apparently as early as the 17th century, you could guess that a child would have a shortened life span if their foreheads tasted salty. Yes, there is a specific reason, and yes, you may already know what it is, and thankfully no, that life span projection no longer holds true, assuming access to Modern Medicine! 

Favourite Authors: Okay I have not read enough various books of enough various authors to be able to answer this, so I’m just gonna go with a few books instead. They are not necessarily all-time favorites, but I enjoyed reading them very much at the time and more often than not go back to them for comfort reads: The Martian, any of first three Harry Potter books, and The Rise of Kiyoshi. (That last one’s not really a comfort read but I am drowning in Loving Kiyoshi juice so here we are)

Favourite Animal Noises: Certain kinds of birds (UNLESS it’s some ungodly hour of the morning and you’re trying to sleep)? Ooh, and crickets! 

Aesthetic: A slob, but like...a comfy slob. An incredibly disorganized hermit who is happy to mill about in the uncontrolled entropy. (Are we talking about what aesthetic I give off, or what I like to look at, visually? Because I like space, and water, and mountains, and forests, and forests ON mountains, OOH and forests on mountains at night where you can see space, perhaps reflected in a body of water. Or just water, idk. Different things are pretty to look at at different times)

WELL THAT ONLY TOOK FOREVER SORRY FOR THE OBSCENE LENGTH 

@pachelbelsheadcanon @averybritishbumblebee @shingeki-no-korra @sailorlock @yeswevegotavideo @soultheta @queenerdloser @ifeelbetterer @rogueofdragons @peppervl @amadness2method @mutalune and anybody else who wants to do this! This isn’t seventeen, and I don’t know if any of you have already done it/been tagged, but I hear people moving around upstairs so that means this break is over XD. And ABSOLUTELY no pressure to actually do this, this is pretty much just me wishing you well! (and YOU of course, my dear reader! I hope everything’s going all right, or if it’s not, that it does soon)

[brokenmusicboxwolfe]

Hey, it’s a tag thingie!

I was tagged by @trippy-weasley Thanks!!! I haven’t seen one of these in ages.

1) NAME: Stephanie

2) NICKNAMES: Well, Mom calls me “Little Flower” or “Flower”. Pop used to call me “Teffie Weffie”. Sometimes folks have called me “Steffie” or “Steff”. 

3) ZODIAC SIGN: Sagittarius Despite not buying into such things, I kinda like I lucked out with this one.

4) HEIGHT: Ah, good question. My driver’s license has always said 5′ 10″, but I suspect it’s more like 5′ 9″ or even 5′ 8 1/2″. I’ve never bothered to figure out. I’m not short or tall but just “me” height.

5) LANGUAGES SPOKEN: I’m ashamed to say only English in any actual functional way. I know words from a random assortment of languages, enough I can often figure out the gist of what’s being said but not enough to have a conversation.

6) NATIONALITY: American, or should I say “US citizen”. We are hardly the only country in the Americas, despite our collective ego.

7) FAVORITE SEASON: Autumn

8) FAVORITE FLOWER: I kinda have two. Aesthetically I love poppies, but simply can’t seem to grow them. But despite not liking yellow, I adore dandelions. They are entirely edible, so they are useful. They go to see in one of the most of  magical ways (and yes, I do blow on them as an adult). And they are incredible survivors. I refuse to call them “weeds”!

9) FAVORITE SCENT: wisteria in full bloom, a stuffed turkey roasting,  oddly my pig Ryoga (yes really, with his mix of pig skin, cedar, and apples)

10) FAVORITE COLOR: Red, but specifically some of the darker shades. More burgundy that a yellowy fire engine red.

11) FAVORITE ANIMAL: All of them? No really, “animal” covers way to many species and there is something amazing about all of them.  I used to say “wolf” to the question, but if I’m homest. that’s really because of my last name. 

12) FAVORITE FICTIONAL CHARACTER: Are you kidding? There are way, way, way too many characters I love! I could literally list hundreds.  I will say that as little girl the book character I identified with the most was Alice from Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass, but it was less about depth of character and more like “YES, that’s how I feel all the time!” Still do,TBH.

13) COFFEE, TEA, OR HOT CHOCOLATE: All of them! It really depends on my mood at the moment. Today I happily drank all three. 

14) AVERAGE SLEEP HOURS: Sadly it seems down to five hours. This is NOT good! By nature I’m an 8hr gal, but various stresses have created a cronic insomnia that is driving me nuts!

15) DOG OR CAT PERSON: Both!!!! I never have quite gotten why people expect you to be one or the other. I have a dozen cats, six dogs and a pig. I love them all.

16) NUMBER OF BLANKETS YOU SLEEP WITH: Totally dependent on the weather. I like snuggling up under a pile of blankets, but my house isn’t climate controlled. It can vary between six and none depending on whether it is 13F or 95F.

17) DREAM TRIP: Everywhere, preferably without ever having to come back! I’ve always been that way, always saying “I just want to keep going and never stop” when a trip neared it’s end. There is always more to explore and coming home depresses me. Mom always said what I need is a TARDIS!

18) BLOG ESTABLISHED: 2015

19) FOLLOWERS: 3,339 as of today. What percentage are real folks that look at what I post I dunno. I mean, there could actually be 10 of you! LOL

20) RANDOM FACT: (About me, I assume) I have only deliberately killed an animal, other than a biting insect, once in my life. It was a mercy killing of a a young rabbit another animal had mauled. The injuries hadn’t killed it, but it was absolutely going to die, and die painfully. It’s suffering was terrible to watch. I was a kid and only had a large stick handy, so it was a very up close act. I don’t really regret my choice, since my blow was a quicker death. It did confirm that I’d really rather not kill if I don’t have a damned good reason.

Sorry to end on such a dark note, but I’m in a bit of a sad mood right now and it was the first thing that came to mind,

I’m supposed to tag people here. I REALLY hate to make people feel pressured! I once asked folks to tell me if they want to do these things, but the list would be outdated now even if I could find it. Still, I’m pretty sure that @runningbarefootthroughtheforest @omegadalek @kimikokat were on the list. (I hope! I don’t want to tag folks from the “do not tag” list I never made! LOL) But if any of the rest of you feel like it, consider yourself tagged!

[lolabean1998]

This Better Work Part 3

Sweet Pea X OC

Summery; Hey guys, not sure how well this is going to go but I originally put it on Wattpad so its way long, but hopefully its not horrendous. Let me know what you think! So, it follows the story line kind of, it’s not exact but I have tried and it follows my OC Ali as she navigates through the hell that is Riverdale. Whilst struggling with financial, social and romantic difficulties, she has the added pressure of keeping up with school work and bonus of being thrown into the frightening world of the criminal underground.

Side Note; None of the gifs or pictures I use are mine, I’m not talented or smart enough to even begin an attempt at making my own. Thank you to those who have such abilities and if you don’t want me using them then please let me know so I can remove them for you. 

Word Count;  4,525 (Give or Take)

Masterlist   Part-1   Part-2

The next couple of weeks were filled with Black Hood scares, investigations and lots of homework. Ali had somehow managed to maintain her usual workload. Whilst balancing her free time between helping Betty investigate the Black Hood and aiding Cheryl in coping with the horror of living with her mother.

"So, Ali. Are you able to make some time in your busy schedule to come to the little soiree I'm holding tonight?" Veronica asked as the girls made their way to cafeteria for lunch.

"I'd love to Ronnie, but I have so much homework to catch up on and I promised Izzy I'd take her to her friends house for a sleep over." Ali apologized. "But I'll be coming to the open house thingy." Ali promised with her signature, unbreakable smile.

"Ok, I guess since you have SUCH a busy schedule and you have managed to squeeze in the MAIN event, I can let you off the hook." Veronica exaggerated playfully as they took their seats either side of Archie. 

"Hey Arch, you looking forward to the party tonight?" Ali asked politely pulling a large box of pasta salad from her bag and digging in. Archie and Veronica watched in amazement as she began to inhale her food. 

"What? I'm hungry, Don't Judge Me." Ali defended innocently, her stomach growling angrily as she spoke. 

"See" She cried pointing to her well-toned stomach.

"It's just amazing how such a tiny girl can eat so much!" Archie chuckled shaking his head. Betty sat opposite Ali as Archie spoke, a grim look holding her delicate features hostage.

"Hey Betty, you ok?" Ali asked through a mouthful of pasta. Frowning when Betty nodded giving her a false smile. Ali knew she had been under a lot of pressure with the Black Hood lately. But something had clearly changed for the worse. 

"Can we talk? I need to run something by you about the Blue and Gold if that's ok?" Ali improvised thinking quick on her feet.

"Uh yeah sure shall we go there now while you have some free time?" Betty suggested knowing how busy Ali was. Ali nodded packing away the rest of her food and jumping to her feet. Linking arms with Betty as they made their way to the room for the Blue and Gold.

"So, you want to tell me what's bugging you?" Ali asked as they entered the small room, closing the door behind her and perching on the edge of a desk giving her blonde-haired friend a concerned look. 

"Come on Betty you can tell me anything. I'm hardly one to judge. You of all people should know that." Ali smiled straightening out the light grey vest she wore under a baggy cream cardigan, her ripped, pale blue skinny jeans showing off her muscular legs.

"It's the Black Hood. He's been contacting me. Threatening to hurt my friends if I don't do what he tells me." Betty sighed looking down at her feet, rubbing her arm as she spoke. 

"He says I have to sever all ties with my friends, or he'll do it his way." Betty looked as if she was about to burst into tears, causing Ali to leap off the desk pulling her friend into a bear hug.

"No matter what happens. No matter what you do. I will always be here for you. Let him try and come after me. See what happens. I didn't take 12 years of MMA classes for nothing." Ali comforted her friend, talking into her jumper as she spoke. Betty pulled away wiping a tear from her eye.

"Ali I can't put you or anyone else in that kind of danger. I just don't know what to do any more. He wants me to destroy my friendship with V." She sobbed leaning back on the desk behind her.

"If he's threatening V then she'll understand. For now, I think you should do as he says. He's a wild card Betty and I don't want you getting hurt. As far as everyone is concerned, we had an argument and are no longer friends. The only time we talk is when we're working on the Blue and Gold or you're helping me in the garage on a school project for extra credit." Ali planned taking control of the situation for Betty. She clearly needed the support. 

"Everyone knows I'm crazy hard working and friendly to everyone, so it won't raise any suspicions. If the Black Hood does see through our smoke screen. Let him come after me. I have both Malachi and the Serpents protection. I'm covered." Ali winked, she made sure she covered all basis when she put a plan together. Betty stared at her in shock and curiosity when she mentioned Malachi and the Serpents.

"Who's Malachi?" She questioned tilting her head slightly, her eyebrows knitted into a puzzled frown as she crossed her arms. 

"Oh, Ghoulies leader. I'm the only one that does a good enough paint job apparently." Ali answered brushing it off casually. Betty's face dropped at her statement. "What?" Ali frowned defensively.

"You're insane. You've gone completely mental. Ali you can't be friends with 2 rival gangs. Its going to end in mayhem." Betty declared.

"I'm not. I'm friends with the Serpents and the LEADER of the rival gang. If it ever came down to it Malachi would turn me to the hounds without a second thought. The Serpents however have taken us under their wing. They would never betray us." Ali explained like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Betty nodded slowly as she wrapped her head around it when the bell rang signalling the end of lunch. 

"Care to walk with me to chemistry?" Ali asked offering her arm. 

The day of the open house was a rush of last-minute preparations. Ali had dropped Izzy off at the Lodges place early so she could get ready with Veronica. Whilst Ali whizzed round on her bike picking up some last-minute things.

"Thank you for helping on such short notice Ali. I hope it wasn't too much trouble." Hiram Lodge thanked Ali as she handed him the box of expensive champagne.

"Oh, not at all. Always happy to help. I hope Izzy hasn't been too much trouble." Ali smiled politely, following the man inside to be greeted by Hermione Lodge, Izzy and Veronica who were all sat on Veronica's bed getting ready.

"She's been a star helping us get ready. Thank you, Ali." Hermione Lodge answered looking up from styling Izzy's hair. She had put it up in a very stylish fish tail plait with a few loose strands curled to frame her face, she wore a pale blue dress that ended just below her knees matched with an adorable pair of silver ballet flats. 

"Why don't you jump in the shower whilst we finish up here. Then we can help you get ready on time." Veronica suggested pointing towards the door to the bathroom. Ali smiled giving her a salute as she bounced into the bathroom. 

After a quick shower and being prodded and poked as the girls styled her hair and did her make up Ali was finally ready. Her hair had been curled and pinned to the side, so it fell elegantly over her shoulder. Showing off the black, backless, halter neck dress she wore with a pair of red ribbon heels. Veronica had given her subtle smoky eyes and classic red lips to match the red nail varnish on her surprisingly well-maintained fingers.

"Ali you look amazing!" Izzy beamed looking up at her sister. The girls all stood back to admire their handy work only to be interrupted by Hiram Lodge, who had knocked on the door to tell them their car was waiting down stairs.

"Now are you sure you'll be ok riding you're bike to the venue. I don't want you crashing and ruining your dress." Veronica teased as Ali swung herself onto her bike carefully tucking her hair into her helmet so it wouldn't get ruined.

"I'm sure V. I'll be fine besides, I can't turn up to the ball without a date and I only have eyes for Harley." Ali smiled brightly patting the handle bars of her bike before speeding down the road towards the Venue.

"You're sisters a crazy person." Veronica whispered to Izzy as they got in the car.

"Now who might you be?" A handsome dark-haired boy addressed Ali, who was stood awkwardly at the side of the large ballroom looking for her little sister.

"Hey, I'm Ali." She smiled offering her hand to shake, containing a cringe as the boy took her hand bringing it to his lips and kissing it. Maintaining eye contact the whole time. "You must be Nick St. Clair, Ronnie's told me so much about you." 

"Good things I hope." He grinned returning Ali's hand.

"There are bad things too? She had me under the impression that you were a good boy!" Ali replied, smiling her cheeky bright smile.

"You know, several people have warned me about you Ali Masters. You and your contagious smile but I had no idea it was so hypnotizing." He flirted stepping a little closer. He had that aura about him that sent the hairs on Ali's neck standing on end. He reminded her of Malachi, the way he looked at her like a meal or chew toy. 

"Care for a drink?" He offered calling over one of the waiters with a hand signal.

"A drink sounds pretty good right now. I'm not used to being quite so dressed up. I feel like I'm on display." Ali joked, although she was being very serious. Nick handed her a drink smiling innocently at her. She knew that smile all too well. She had used that smile plenty of times herself. It was the innocent smile of trouble. 

"Thank you but I don't trust drinks handed to me by strangers. I hope you don't take offence to this. But I'd feel much better if I got my own." She smiled apologetically placing the glass on the table and grabbing another glass from a passing waiter.

"By all means, whatever makes you comfortable." Nick replied holding his innocent grin, however there was a glint of disappointment in his eyes. Ali had been stood talking to Nick for a few minutes when Izzy came skipping over looking very pleased with herself. 

"Hey Izzy, what are you so happy about?" Ali grinned looking at her sisters happy face. 

"Oh, Izzy this is Nick St. Clair. Nick this is my little sister Izzy." Ali quickly introduced.

"I just met Mr. and Mrs. St. Clair and they said I looked lovely and that I was one of the nicest girls they'd met." Izzy beamed proudly, making Ali and Nick chuckle.

"And why wouldn't they say that? You're the prettiest girl here." Nick complimented her. 

"Mind if I steal little Izzy here for a dance? I'll be good I promise. Wouldn't want to upset the big sister." He joked waiting for Ali to give him the all clear.

"Hey, it's not me you've got to worry about. I mean sure I'll kick your ass if you hurt or upset her." Ali paused placing a hand on his shoulder and leaning in a little. 

"But who do you think my sparring partner is? I'm not the only Masters with more than one black belt." She winked sending them onto the dance floor. Nicks face turning a slightly paler shade. 

Her phone buzzed with a message from Betty, 'Sending Archie to do it, don't think I can face Juggie.'. 

"Bugger! Betty what have you done?" Ali muttered to herself as she made her way quickly towards Veronica. 

"Ronnie, thank god. Somethings come up that needs my urgent attention. I'll be back as soon as I can, but can you keep an eye on Izzy. She's dancing with Nick for now. Is that ok?" She hurried, Veronica nodded looking over to where Ali was pointing on the dance floor.

"Yeah, no worries I've got this." She confirmed looking a little worried for Ali. 

"Thank you!" Ali called back already jogging to the parking lot where her bike was. Cursing her heels as she went. Throwing her Helmet on as she swung herself onto her bike and speeding off in the direction of Jugheads trailer. 

She came to a swinging halt outside Jugheads trailer just as Archie was storming off. Leaving Jughead a broken shell in front of a young group of Serpents. She heard him yell something to the group. But it was hard to make out what he said with her helmet on. Jumping off her bike she threw her helmet to the ground, sprinting towards to boys. She may not like wearing heels, but she can certainly run in them. This isn't the first crisis to arise during a formal event.

"Juggie, JUGHEAD." She called but he ignored her calls. 

"FORSYTHE PENDLETON JONES THE THIRD DON'T YOU DARE IGNORE ME!" She screamed running over to where he had now stopped. Frozen like a statue. She never used his full name. 

"Another one of your Northsider friends. Oh joy." One of the serpents snarled sarcastically from behind a very angry looking Sweet Pea.

"Shut it snake or I'll turn you into a shoelace." Ali snapped glaring viciously at the group.

"Easy Princess, in case you haven't noticed we out number you 10 to 1." Sweet Pea warned. But Ali was in no mood for playing games.

"Then I suggest you save your selves the humiliation of getting beaten up by a single cheerleader and Shut. Up." She snapped, venom dripping from each word. 

"Don't be rude, give a girl some privacy." She commanded flicking her wrists towards them and pulling Jughead out of earshot. 

Sweet Pea bit his lower lip when he saw her bare back. The way it glowed in the evening sun. There was something about this girl that challenged his control. He'd only seen her a few times since the water fight night. Passing glances when she'd drop by the Wyrm to drop something off for her mother but every time he saw her it felt like his blood turned to pure sunlight.

"Dude you're staring." Fangs muttered under his breath nudging Sweet Pea's side. Pulling him back to Earth and his depressing reality. A girl like that would never fall for a guy like him.

"No I'm not. Shut up Fangs." Sweet Pea growled under his breath.

"Jughead you have to listen to me. Archie went way out of proportion there. She's not breaking up with you. Just... asking for some space. She has some stuff she needs to figure out is all." Ali tried to explain without giving it away. She knew that if he knew the real reason, he would only make things worse for himself. 

"Look Ali I get that you're trying to protect my feelings. But she made it clear when she sent Archie. It's over between us. Now you need to go. You can't be here." He snapped before storming off leaving Ali stood alone by her bike.

"God damn it Jones. I am not wearing the shoes for this." She muttered angrily under her breath. Jogging back over to where the group of Serpents were now trailing off behind Jughead. Ali managed to catch up with the last of the Serpents when one of them stopped, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back.

"Where do you think you're going Princess?" The boy hissed, his grip getting tighter as she tried to pull away.

"I really don't have time for this." Ali sighed feeling very annoyed and a little threatened. She grabbed the boys wrist digging her nails deep into his flesh drawing blood. The boy let out a pained yelp and punched her. He had a strong swing and caught Ali clean on the side of her face causing her to yell out in frustration. Her cry rang clear in Sweet Pea and Fangs ears and the pair immediately bolted to the other side of the trailer to find Ali slamming the boys face hard into her knee. The side of her face bleeding and a bright red hand mark on her wrist. 

"God dammit. I am supposed to be clean and presentable." She growled as she let the boy fall to the floor. Her voice shaking with rage, body slumped against the side of the trailer trying to control her trembling limbs. The boys hurriedly rushed over to her, signalling one of the other Serpents to check on the unconscious boy.

"Ali cat are you ok? What happened?" Fangs asked walking her over to the steps so she could sit down. Sweet Pea following close behind.

"I was trying to get to you so I could make sure Juggie would be ok. That you'd look out for him. But he grabbed me and when I tried to break free, he hit me." Ali choked, fighting back the furious tears that were threatening to ruin her make up. Ali never cried. She never allowed herself the luxury of showing her vulnerable side and she sure as hell wasn't about to let a bunch of Southside Serpents see it. 

"I'm so sorry Fangs. I just got spooked when he grabbed my wrist. Is he ok?" Ali asked with concern, glancing over to the boy who was slowly coming too.

"It's fine Princess. He had it coming any way." Sweet Pea replied. His voice was deep and chalky but something about the way he spoke made Ali feel as though he cared. "What happened to your back? Looks like you got hit hard."

Fangs moved her slightly so he could look. Spotting a pale blue mark the size of a large fist just below the left side of her rib cage. Ali shook her head waving it off. She had calmed down now and just wanted to get cleaned up and go back to the Open house to dance with Izzy.

"Look guys I'm fine it's nothing honestly." She stood up putting her usual bright smile back on and turning to face the pair. 

"Just promise me you'll look after Jughead, I know he's joining the Serpents. Toni told me. I just need to know that he's going to be ok and that someone else has his back as well. Then I can get out of your hair." She begged, her smile as bright and warm as always but her eyes were broken and desperate.

"I promise he'll be ok. Now you better go. Cinderella can't be late for the ball, now can she?" Sweet Pea replied almost smiling. Fangs had to stop his jaw from falling to the ground when Sweet Pea spoke.

"Cute. I'm no Cinderella but thank you." Ali retorted heaving a sigh of relief.

"You sure about that? All work and no play, sounds a lot like you if you ask me!" Sweet Pea remarked raising an eyebrow at her.

"Yeah but I don't need a prince charming to rescue me. Plus, I love my job." Ali called back before disappearing down the road on her bike. 

"Sweet Pea in case you've forgotten. We don't even know if Jones is going to survive tonight." Fangs reminded him as they made their way back to their bikes.

"He'll survive. He doesnt have a choice." Sweet Pea growled determinedly.

Ali arrived back at the open house just in time to catch Veronica, Josie and the Pussy cats performing. She waved at them as she made her way over to her little sister. Izzy looked up at her sister shaking her head and pulling a face wipe from her cream purse and handing it to Ali when she saw the blood on her forehead. 

Ali smiled accepting the wipe and cleaned the blood from her face. Mouthing a "Thank You" to her as she did. Looking back up at the stage she noticed a sudden wave of horror crash over Veronica's face as the girls gaze fell on the exit on the far side of the room. She turned to see what had her friend in such a state. Her heart froze when she saw her best friend looking very limp and out of it being carried by the one and only Nick St Clair.

"Izzy come with me NOW." Ali commanded pointing towards the exit Cheryl had just disappeared through. Izzy didn't even question it. She just followed her sister as she fought her way through the crowds. Bolting towards her bike the minute they were free from the mass of sweaty bodies. Closely followed by Veronica and the girls. Ali threw Izzy the helmet on the handle bar. Since Izzy had come by car her own helmet was still at the Pembroke. But Izzy's safety was far more important than her own. 

The girls flew down the road towards Nick's hotel skidding to a sliding halt and tearing into the building. Veronica and the girls hot on their heels. Ali's heart was racing a million miles an hour as she charged up the stairs. She knew that even in heels she was faster than the elevator. Cheryl was her closest and best friend in all the world if anything happened to her there would be hell to pay. Ali's wrath would put God AND Satan to shame. Veronica  was well aware of this as she bolted to Nick's room. She had to stop Ali from killing him. Even if he did deserve it. 

Ali slammed into the door but it was locked. Josie and Izzy quickly began looking for a way in. But Ali was already seeing red. With one ferocious kick she sent the door flying, splinters of wood soaring everywhere. 

Even in heels Ali put most men to shame when it came to kicking doors down. The girls were impressed. They crashed into the room tearing through it to Nicks bedroom. Where Ali found him stripping himself of his blazer and climbing on top of a very unconscious Cheryl. Ali wasted no time in throwing him to the ground. 

Dragging him to the next room before proceeding to punch him relentlessly. Blood covering her knuckles as she pounded his once handsome face with the wooden knuckle duster hair slide she always wore. Josie, Melody and Valerie struggled to drag Ali from the boy with the help of Izzy, who held her in a firm headlock. They were almost certain if she'd carried on, she'd have killed him. Veronica sat beside Cheryl checking her over. Wrapping her in a blanket as she slowly came too.

Izzy had managed to drag Ali outside the hotel room and was now struggling to hold her down. The others had left her with Ali so they could kick Nick in the balls several times for good measure. Ali's eyes had turned terrifyingly dark and she was becoming increasingly stronger by the second.

"Ronnie I can't hold her much longer!" Izzy shouted her voice wavering with fear of what her sister might do if she got free. 

"RONNIE SHE'S GETTING LOOSE!" Izzy screamed desperately pinning her sisters hands between her shoulder blades. Gripping as hard as she could with her knees as she sat on her sisters back holding her down. Josie ran out leaping down to pin Ali's inhumanly strong legs down whilst Veronica called the only person she could think of, Sheriff Keller. Within minutes of her hanging up there was the familiar sound of police sirens outside and Sheriff Keller bolted up the stairs followed by 2 of his strongest Deputies.

"Be careful with her. The only reason she's still down is because that's her sister holding her. If it was anyone else, I dread to think what she'd have done." Sheriff Keller warned as the deputies made their way hurriedly over to the girl on the floor. Flinching at every growling roar she let out. It wasn't the first time she'd been put in a holding cell to cool down. It was a rare occurrence that she lost her temper as savagely as this. Thankfully for the Sheriff it had only happened once before. However, to this day no one knows the full story behind what provoked such a full-blown flick of the switch. She had been found covered in blood sprinting down the road leading to Riverdale from Greendale barefoot. 

"She's not in trouble, is she? I just didn't know what else to do." Veronica panicked watching as the men struggled to control Ali who was now handcuffed and being dragged down the stairs as she fought to get back to Nick and finish what she started. 

"No, she's not in trouble. She'll stay in a holding cell for the night until she's cooled off and I'll deal with this mess tomorrow. For now though, I need to make sure my men aren't mauled to death getting her there. Is that ok? One of my deputies will be here in a minute to take statements and what have you." Sheriff Keller answered looking worriedly towards the staircase Ali had vanished down.

"I understand Sheriff Keller, we've got it here. Thank you for coming so quickly. I don't know what we'd have done if you hadn't arrived when you did." Veronica admitted before turning and making her way back to Cheryl leaving Sheriff Keller to deal with Ali.

The journey to the station was short but eventful. Ali had spent the whole journey trying to kick through the windows. It was well past midnight and apart from the occasional drunken ramblings, the station was surprisingly quiet. Until Ali arrived. 

The moment she felt the grip of one of her escorts loosen on her arm, she swung herself up wrapping her legs around the guys throat heaving him to the ground with a loud thud. Sweeping the legs from underneath her second escort as she spun herself back to her feet ready to take on the three officers charging towards her. Completely unaware of the pair of eyes watching from the shadows in a nearby cell. Ali was quick to jump on the shoulders of the first officer using the wall to launch herself higher, swinging herself down slamming the man, beer belly first to the floor. Before leaping up to kick the second man clean in the chest sending him crashing against the wall and head butting the woman behind him as he fell.

"Ali I'm sorry but you leave me no choice!" Sheriff Keller called apologetically before aiming his taser and firing at Ali who released a groan as she stumbled to the ground. Fighting the unbearable electric pulses with all her might. Once the Sheriff was sure she was completely out he quickly picked her up carrying her to the nearest empty cell and placing her carefully on the bench. Throwing a small blanket over her and a lumpy pillow under her head. 

"That was some fight you put up there!" An impressed voice applauded when Ali's eyes finally started to flutter open.

"Do you have to be so loud? I just got tazed in the ass and hit my head on the way down. I'm in enough pain without listening to your dumbass comments." Ali groaned covering her head with the scratchy blanket she had covering her.

"All I'm saying is those guys didn't stand a chance against you. Keller didn't even try he just pulled the taser out." The voice continued sounding amazed by Ali's performance.

"You, my friend, are a Master of the fucking obvious." Ali stated, drawing out the sentence to make sure they heard each and every syllable. Her strong English accent ring clear a whistle as she spoke.

"Easy tiger. It's not very often I dish out compliments." The voice chuckled. 

"What's a Northside Princess such as yourself, doing in a jail cell anyway? Shouldn't you be dancing the night away with Prince Charming?" The moment Ali heard those words she knew exactly who was talking.

"Oh god! I should've known it was you. Aren't you supposed to be doing some weird boy scouts initiation for Jug?" Ali groaned turning on her side to try and get comfortable.

"Got caught fighting after initiation." Sweet Pea replied nonchalantly.

"Well that was stupid. What did the guy do to warrant that?" Ali asked still trying to get comfortable but failing miserably with the pillow.

"He was disrespectful to a friend and then accused me of going soft. So, I proved him wrong. What's got you all riled up anyway?" Sweet Pea asked moving to lean against the bars separating the two cells.

"But you are soft. I can't see why Fangs would require a marshmallow to stand up for him." Ali answered, her voice deep and croaky from all the screaming she had done earlier. Making it worse as she sat up to try to mould her pillow into some form of comfortable shape.

"It wasn't Fangs I was defending and I'm not soft." Sweet Pea replied shortly watching as the girl struggled to get comfortable. "You haven't answered my question."

"Oh please, you're softer than puppies. Also, Toni can fight her own battles. So, why'd you step in?" Ali snorted slumping back against the wall finally giving up all hope of ever getting any sleep.

"Try this and answer the question Princess." Sweet Pea instructed taking off his Serpent jacket and folding it up before passing it through the bars of his cell to Ali. Ali gave the boy a confused look but accepted the jacket without hesitation after a stern glare from Sweet Pea.

"One of Veronicas old New York pals, Nick St. Clair, drugged my best friend and tried having his way with her. We got there just in time to stop it but barely." Ali reported emotionlessly. Lying back down using the perfectly folded jacket as a pillow, which was considerably comfier than the actual pillow. Sweet Pea could sense there was something behind her lack of emotions. Something about her body language and the way she spoke told him she was hiding something. Not from him, from herself. 

"Do you want the pillow? Its a piece of crap but its the least I can do." Ali offered pushing the pillow through the bars as she spoke. Sweet Pea nodded in thanks folding up the pillow and getting comfortable on the floor along the partitioning bars.

"Sounds like that Nick guy is a piece of work. You get any good hits in before they hauled your ass here?" Sweet Pea asked staring up at the ceiling, his eyes half shut.

"Not enough." Ali yawned, rapidly dropping off to sleep. A blanket of warmth wrapped around her as she inhaled the sweet scent of engine oil, leather and liquor from the jacket beneath her tired head. 

"Good night Princess." Sweet Pea muttered before closing his eyes and allowing himself to drift off to sleep.

[meggiejolly]

Late Night Comfort

Fandom: Clearwater Bay Series, Kate Lattey Books Pairing: Jay Evans/Alec Harrison  Word count: 1200 words AO3 link Summary: Alec comes over late to escape another fight with his Dad.

It was pretty late when Jay heard someone at the door. In England, she probably would have been scared it was a burglar or something, but why would anyone make their way all the way to this run down tiny house outside of town and decide to try and steal something? So she made her way downstairs in her pyjamas to check who wanted to visit so late at night. Maybe her dad had come home from his conference thingy a day early. Or maybe it was Alec and one of the ponies was in trouble. God, she hoped it wasn't that. Finn and her had been doing pretty well with their training and there was a competition coming up in two weeks that she was really hopeful about.

Chewy was still asleep when she walked by him, what a guard dog he was. Dad suspected his hearing was getting worse, so she probably shouldn't blame him.  He woke up though, when she opened the door and jumped up to greet Alec happily, who was standing in front of the door.

"Alec? What's wrong? Is Finn ok? The others?"

Alec looked very tired and weary, but he nodded. "Yeah Finn and the other ponies are ok, can I come in?"

Jay nodded, still confused what was going on, but stepped aside to let Alec inside. "If it's not the ponies what is it then?"

He sighed and let himself fall onto the couch. Chewy sat down in front of him, seeming to sense his distress and Alec started scratching the big dog’s ears.

"Had a fight with my dad and needed to get out. Can I sleep here?"

Jay knew better than to ask any questions, Alec never wanted to talk about his fights with Liam or give any details of what happened.

"Yeah of course. Dad's not here, so you don't even have to endure the discomfort of this old thing."

She kicked the couch that was known for it's uncomfortable mix of hard lumps and spots so worn out that they offered no support whatsoever. Her dad would probably mind her letting Alec sleep in her bed, but she didn't. After all they had shared the big bunk in the Harrison’s truck.

Alec nodded. "Thanks.”

She smiled at him. "You want some tea or something?"

Tea was still her cure for most things. Nothing looked quite as bad after a cup of strong tea with lots and lots of sugar.

He just shook his head. "Nah, I'm mostly just tired."

"I'll get you a shirt from my dad to sleep in. Yours has horse and dog hair on it." Alec only shrugged as a response and she went to get a shirt.

When Jay came back, Alec was still cuddling Chewy who seemed to be about to nod off again. She threw the shirt at him and he went to the bathroom to change. Not that she hadn't seen him without a shirt before. The truck really wasn't spacious so they had seen each other in a lot of states of undress during their trips to different competitions. After that first night alone together in the truck, she had never really thought about it again.

Jay grabbed a bottle of water for him from the fridge because she knew he liked having one handy at night and went upstairs to her room to wait for him. Maybe lying in the dark next to each other would make him talk about his problem, just like it had with Natalie.

When Alec came upstairs, they went to bed and laid there next to each other in somewhat awkward silence. Things didn't get awkward between them a lot, unless they had a fight and it made Jay uncomfortable.

“I think Chewy was very disappointed he wasn’t allowed to come upstairs as well,” Alec eventually broke the silence.

Jay laughed. “He always is when I’m home alone. But he knows that he snores and I can’t sleep with him here.”

“Does your dad let him sleep in his room?”

Jay shrugged. “Sometimes. But you know how Chewy is, he wants to be included.”

She felt Alec nod beside her. “Yeah, we used to have a cat like that. Wanted to be part of everything we did. It was kind of funny.”

“Pets are like that aren’t they? It’s so weird now to think that I never had any until I moved here. Now I can’t imagine my life without animals around.”

Alec shifted beside Jayme to lay on his side facing her, “I can’t imagine your life in England at all. I know you’ve told me about it, but I have never lived anywhere but here. Surrounded by animals, farm lands, lot’s and lots of sheep and the bush.”

“It’s a completely different world. I could have never imagined living here back in England. I never would have come here if Dad hadn’t said I could have my own pony.”

“I’m glad you did.”

Jay turned over as well to smile at him.

They ended up talking in the dim light for hours, comparing their very different lives up until they met, about every single pony they had ever ridden, about mates from school and trips they took. They completely avoided all topics concerning dying mothers or horrible fathers, however.

Eventually, they moved on to future plans and while Alec had big dreams of someday taking over the farm and maybe going onto horse breeding, horse training or a riding school, Jay realised once again that all future plans she had ever had fit her life in England much more than her life here.

“I don’t know what I want to do. My grandparents want me to come back to England to go to university there, but I don’t know. Maybe I’ll want to stay here. Working with horses sounds a lot better than going into business or something fancy like that.”

Something in Alec’s smile changed. “You could stay here and we could run the farm together.”

The idea left her with a warm feeling. “What about Pip?”

Alec shrugged and his lips tightened slightly. “We could all work together. But I think she might not stick around much longer.”

That was getting too close to dangerous subjects, so Jay decided to drop it. Instead, she gave him a big, warm smile and said: “Staying here and working with horses with you sounds like a perfect plan.” She yawned and grabbed her phone off the bedside table to check the time. “Oh wow, it’s 4:30 am. We should really get some sleep.”

Alec nodded. “Probably. Thank god tomorrow is Sunday.”

Jay nodded. “Yeah. Sleep well Alec. That was a really nice talk.” And without thought she kissed his cheek before turning away to lie on her right side like she always did.

She didn’t even realise what she had just done until after she got comfortable and it seemed too late to turn back and find out his reaction.

But a few moments later, she felt Alec move closer and put his arms around her.

With a smile Jay, snuggled up against him and quickly fell asleep in his arms.