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megthemewlingquim · 4 years

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Rest

Summary: The holidays exhaust you, mentally and physically. When you go to get up for a yet another early shift at work, Loki keeps you in bed via cuddle lock.

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Warnings: detailed descriptions of what retail workers go through when they have bad days at work taken from personal experience and the experience of the person for which I am writing this, crying, anxiety, feelings of loneliness, hurt/comfort.

A/N: This is a late Christmas present for @ragnarachael, to cheer her up after what has been (for her) a very hard and exhausting Christmas season. Anyone else who needs this can use it as a way to help themselves. I just wanted to cheer up a friend, so that she knows that she is in fact wonderful and good enough, even when bad days arise.

You wake up the morning after Christmas Day, and all you want to do is go back to sleep. The alarm clock reads 6:45 A.M, and it yells at you. It also blinds you, interrupting the darkness behind your eyelids with white light.

WAKE UP, WAKE UP, WAKE UP, WAKE—

You click the alarm off with a muffled groan. You struggle to move, your eyes betraying you and getting used to the darkness yet again. Your body betrays you as well, slowly getting used to the warmth the covers provide you. Sleep seems quite inviting. Those sleeps where you wake up earlier than you want, but then go back to sleep to get those last few hours in? Heavenly.

Also lovely when you have someone beside you to trap you in his arms as if to say, “Don’t go. It’s not time yet, and I still want you here.”

Sometimes, he says that literally.

Loki hates it when you have to get up early. He hates having the feeling of your body beside him be taken away by your job. Sometimes, your schedule is quite nice, with weekends off and shorter shifts on more days during the week to leave you with time for leisure. When it isn’t like that it’s horrible, with multiple days during the week but with longer shifts, and the weekends taken up as the cherry on top. In addition, sometimes you have to get up early. Very early. Like, being there when the store you work at opens to no one early.

This time, it is a Saturday, and you have to get up early. The day after Christmas.

You had had a two-day break with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Before Christmas Eve you had worked a couple of days in a row.

The holidays completely exhaust you. Christmas especially is probably the worst season to be a retail worker. You’re stuck at the register for your entire shift, waiting for the unhappy customers who, unfortunately, take their confusion and dissatisfaction on you, the person who has no control over what you sell, what you have sold out of, and your prices. Of course, this happens year-round, but due to the hectic nature of the Christmas shopping season, the general unhappiness of the human race is revealed even more.

Every day, your feet ache from standing for hours on end, and every day you go in, you dread working with people who don’t care about you and working for people who don’t appreciate you. On very special days, you are practically yelled at, and then you have to go into the bathroom on your break to cry your way out of your anxiety.

The only good thing about working today will probably be how the Christmas season is drawing to a close. This means less busy days, less busy people, fewer moments with your managers that leave you shaky and terrified.

With that thought doing a little bit to motivate you, you move to get out of bed.

However, you’re held back. Loki’s arms are around you before you can tell, and their grip from behind is warm and comforting - not at all helping you to get out of bed.

“Stay,” is what he pleads. Rather than hearing a groggy voice filled with annoyance at your movements, you hear one that is softer, quieter, “Stay here, please.”

“Loki,” you protest, fighting sleepily against his grip, “I have - I have to get ready, you know that. I—”

“No, you don’t,” he says, waking up fully now. His eyes open and, upon seeing you fidgeting against him, he lets go of you only slightly. “I don’t want you to go.”

“Why?” you ask, grateful that he has allowed you to turn around and look at him. You are not mad, just a little annoyed, but your tired brain is unable to let that show. “I’ll be home right afterward.”

He sighs, breathing in and out deeply through his nose. “Sweetheart, you’ve been working all week. You try so hard to mask what’s bothering you, but I know you, and I know how you are with these things. You’re exhausted, you fall asleep almost as soon as your head hits the pillows, and every day you have to go into that dreaded workplace, I see you as if you have a weight on your shoulders. I can tell, you dread working there with those people. You hate the schedules, you hate how they treat you. You hate the time spent away from home, from me. So, why do you keep going when it’s in your better interest to stay?”

“Money pays the bills,” you say with a sigh of your own.

“Do you know who you’re talking to? I’m a prince, and I was once a king. We’re married. If you take me up on one of my many offers, you’ll never have to work again.”

“Stop that,” you say. “Please. I appreciate it, but I can’t depend on you for that. I’ll feel bad about it.”

“You shouldn’t,” Loki says. “I want to do that for you.”

“I am aware, but I don’t want that for either of us. I’d rather play a part in our living.” You move to get up again, but that’s when Loki moves as well, taking you in his arms for the second time.

“Loki!” you whisper angrily, “I have to—”

“No,” he says, a little more stern now. “You do not have to go in today.”

“Why is that?” you huff.

“Because you need to rest.”

“Loki, please let me go, I need to go. I’m supposed to be in the shower already, that’s why I woke up so early.”

“If you will not accept my offer for our future, at least accept this. Accept the rest you obviously need and deserve.”

You have a hard time being mad at him. Yes, you’re annoyed but mad? Never. You sigh. “Loki. I have to work.”

“Do you want to?” he asks.

“No,” you say without hesitation. “Of course I don’t. But I know I have to. I’ll get in trouble if I don’t go.”

“So there are a lot of reasons you need to go, and those are all valid reasons, but you’re not thinking of one thing: your health.”

“I feel fine.”

“Do not try to lie to me. You’re not ‘fine’, as much as you’d like to convince both of us that you are. As I said before, you’re exhausted, and you’re mentally drained whenever you go. You often come home in tears, but you practically fall asleep as soon as we get to bed, so I cannot comfort you. How I wish that you would see this… I want to help you, to give you strength and rest and love, all things you deserve.”

“Loki—”

“I’m not taking no for an answer.”

All this time, Loki’s voice continues to remain gentle. It’s nice to see that despite your persistence, he is not mad at you.

You squirm, trying to get out of his arms. At this point you might even have to call into work, saying you’ll be late. Sorry, my husband wouldn’t let me out of bed. What kind of excuse is that?

His grip holds. “Stay,” he whispers, and suddenly you feel tears rising in your eyes.

You haven’t realized, all this time during the holidays, that you’ve missed him. You’ve missed your husband so much, but seeing him has been hard. With your long hours and your exhaustion and your anxiety, it has been extremely difficult to see Loki and to spend any time with him. He doesn’t seem concerned about this himself, not too much, but he only seems concerned about you, and that makes you feel even worse.

But still, he misses you, too.

“No,” you whisper back.

“Stay...”

Your eyes shut and the tears pour down. “No!”

“Stay here. Stay here with me.”

You stop struggling, completely breaking down and crying fully into your pillow. He lets you go, realizing how you are. Then, with a small, sad sigh, he turns you around to face him. You’re practically limp, motionless as you sob.

“Sweetheart...” he croons, his voice low and soft and everything you’ve been missing. “Sweetheart, c’mere...”

You cling to him, relishing in his touch as he draws you to him for the first time in what seems like years. Your breathing is choppy, rough, and you cannot seem to get yourself calmed down. It’s as if everything you’ve shut out from your mind these past few weeks has been completely unlocked and has come crashing down onto you.

All the while, Loki keeps you close, shushing you gently and rubbing your back in circles. He calls you the prettiest words and praises you as you cry:

“I know, my love, I know. I’ll take care of you. Of everything.

“That’s it, sweetness, let it all out for me.

“This is just one simple thing you need: a good, long rest and some time with someone who loves you. Just rest here with me. I have you here, and I’m not letting go of you.”

As you cry, you notice your exhaustion taking hold of you again. Though it doesn’t seem possible, the covers seem more warm and even more inviting, and the darkness seems to make your eyes even more heavy.

Loki’s hands keep themselves on the back of your head and on your back, all warm and strong and still infinitely tender. He kisses your cheeks and your forehead, all the while continuing to comfort you in the best way he knows how.

“I love you. I love you so much and it breaks my heart to see you this way. You deserve so much... and you haven’t been accepting anything for yourself. You need to do that, beloved.

“But don’t... don’t worry. My love, I’m here. Here to help you. For now, let’s stay here. Stay here together. You need this, and you know it. I love you so much, my dearest. I love you with all my heart.”

#loki x reader #loki fanfic #loki odinson #loki of asgard #loki #loki friggason #marvel #mcu #mcu loki #loki odinson x reader

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we-have-bangtan · 3 years

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Sexy Killer

Pairing: Kim Taehyung x reader

Theme: Crime au! fluff, angst, etc, etc.

Warning: None

A/n: Lamme know if you like it by reblogging the post!

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"For the record, killing people: not sexy," Taehyung signed as he looked own at Yn's bloody hands, pulling out a handkerchief, he handed it to her, turning away from the gruesome sight.

"But I am sexy, right?" Yn asked, following after him, a smile on her face as she trailed along. She was born for this life, it was one of the first things he had realized about her. She loved doing this, the feeling of a weapon in hand, slicing through the gut of anyone who dared to object to anything she said.

"Yes, you are sexy, but what you do is NOT sexy," He admitted as Yn hummed, skipping along as they head towards the car. Taehyung checked the time. Two more minutes, he counted each second. They were already in the car by the time the building exploded, glass shattering, and people screaming, it sounded like a successful mission to them.

"You're not very sexy either, you know," She taunted with a mischievous grin. He smiled as he maneuvered the wheel. He wasn't quite sure where they were supposed to go, he was hoping Yn would come up with a place to go.

"Where are we going?" Yn asked as she yanked at her hoodie, splattered with blood, tossing it out of the window into the field they were passing by. He shrugged, "I was hoping you'd know," was his reply.

They both decided to call the other members to see if anyone would be willing to give them shelter for the night. Stopping at a Walmart, the two of them walked in, wearing the extra pair of clothes they had bought with them.

Yn casually strolled around the store, her hands in her pockets, pretending to check the prices, she scanned for cameras and staff, planning her moves carefully. Taehyung was doing the same in the food and fuel aisle.

The two of them met at the back of the store, away from staff and cameras, none of them talking, a firm nod towards each other confirmed that they got everything they need. Yn was the one who went to the counter to get the stuff she picked billed.

A pack of gum, a chocolate bar, and lipstick. The cashier didn't seem to care about what Yn bought, only seeming annoyed for having customers so late at night. She took the 5$ note Yn shoved into her hand without saying a word.

Yn was quick to grab her things, heading towards the car that was waiting for her. "Did you get it?" Taehyung confirmed as he pulled out of the parking lot, Yn thought he looked very sexy with one hand on the wheel and the other on the back of her seat. Yn nodded as she sat comfortably as he pulled away from her to hand her the pack of Oreos he had managed to grab undetected.

"Yeah," Yn answered, pulling out the burner phone from inside her hoodie. They quickly activated it before thinking of who to call first. Yoongi was their first choice, of course, but his phone was picked up by his assistant, who informed them that he was interrogating someone and would be back in a while.

They decided to call Hoseok next, knowing that it would take ages for Yoongi to finish his interrogation. Hobi was a good man, always opening his doors for the two of them, giving them snacks and fresh clothes, and going the extra mile to make sure the two of them were comfortable. But the answer here was no, Hobi had a raid on his house last night and he had gone off the radar for protection.

Yn signed as she hung up after making sure he was okay. "Who next?" She asked, Taehyung thought for a moment before suggesting Jimin. Yn dialed the number, the phone rang for a moment before going dead. She tried again-still no answer.

There were similar responses from the other members, Jin was abroad, settling a deal and Jungkook was on a mission and Namjoon was busy with planning the net mission.

Taehyung signed deeply as Yn hung up after the call with Namjoon. They were supposed to get rid of the car soon and they couldn't do that if they didn't have a place to stay the night at. That was when he got an idea.

He quickly revved up the car, letting the engine heat up for a moment before taking the road up the hill. "Where are we going?" Yn asked, offering him a piece of gum. "What do you think of sleeping under the stars?" He asked, Yn's eyes widened, "Is that what we're going to do?" Yn questioned.

He just grinned at her before instructing her to take all their things which were scattered all over the car. Yn did as told while he drove uphill, rushing them out of the city and into the country side.

They came to an empty road with no houses in sight. Taehyung killed the engine, stepping out and going to the other side to help Yn with their things which included air pillows, a blanket along with snacks, weapons and explosives. He took Yn's hand in his as he led the way, leaving the car where it was. They climbed a tiny hill before deciding on a spot to settle down for the night.

It was in the middle of an empty path of grass, no sight of any people around them. The two of them set up their spot with ease, spreading the blanket and setting the pillows above. Yn dropped the rest of the stuff on the blanket, deciding to get rid of the car and then go to sleep.

The two of them went back to the car, a lighter in Tae's hand. He lit up a piece of paper, opening the fuel tank of the car, he dropped it in. Yn immediately stepped back and so did he as the car quickly caught flames. They went back to their little picnic, laying down on the blanket, they snuggled close to each-other, Tae's arm wrapped around her waist and Yn's leg on his, as they shared a pack of gummy bears.

Taehyung could feel himself go soft as he saw Yn struggle to stay awake. His insomnia meant that he would be up all night, but she was adorable for wanting to keep him company. He watched in amusement as Yn's head tilted to the side as she slowly fell asleep, using his arm as her personal pillow.

"I love you," He whispered as he toyed with her hair, sure, she was a dangerous woman, but to him she was pretty little Yn, a beautiful girl who made killing look sexy.

"They look cute, don't they"

*click, click, snap, snap*

"I think we should wake them up and get them home"

"Yes, I think so too"

Yn woke up at the noise, struggling to open her eyes, she pulled away from Taehyung's warm and soft body. "Morning sweet cakes, did you enjoy sleeping in Taehyung's arms all night?" Jimin asked, struggling to hold in his laughter at Yn's state of disarray.

Yn nodded, not really paying attention to the question to them. She looked like she wanted to lay back down. "Wake up," Jin grunted as he yanked Yn to her feet while Jungkook tried to get Taehyung to wake up.

Namjoon decided to pair them together more often.

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coffee-n-bagels-comic-universe · 3 years

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Major Updates to My Weird Idea (that includes my Nightside OCs)

Go check my previous post on this - HERE

This is mainly an update for @schizoauthoress , @the--blackdahlia , @spacelizardtrashboys , @enigmaticandunstable and @piratewithvigor and I personally think @nattinngrst might like this.

I went on a trip to the beach yesterday with my parents and my older brother (who I bored and annoyed with this idea and you'll see some of his influence in this here post)

Anything written in italics is meant to be taken as a joke as you read through this wall of text, sending good vibes as always, hope y'all are doing well.

The show is set in Canadian, Texas (real place: Wikipedia). I'm thinking of this show starting in the mid-to-late 90s (1996/1997).

I've managed to do several things with that weird sitcom idea, so, where to start, how about with the three potential titles:

1 - Neighbourhood Watch

2 - First Call

3 - First Round (Which my brother likes)

Here are some options for bar names, starting with the Cop bar:

1 - The Donut Hole

2 - The Roasted Hog (which my big bro suggested)

3 - The Sherriff's Outpost

And the Biker Bar:

1 - The Handlebar Inn

2 - The Steel Horse Saloon

3 - The Rebel Room

Next on the list of updates: Cast additions, character roles and (Finally after 2 days) Names for Everyone!!

I'll start with the Cop Bar's owner & staff:

Rosalina Asturias 'Rosa' (Played by Billie Martinez) an employee of the local cop bar. Didn't grow up in the town, moved here for work.

Violet Croft (Played by Eli Herne) an employee. Grew up in town, never left, has the hots for one of the guys in the local police.

Sunshine Crawford 'Sunny' (Played by Holly Di Antonio) an employee. Grew up in town, left for college and came back.

Roscoe Power 'Ross' (Played by Jimmy Hart) the loudmouth who owns the bar, grew up in town, used to be a car salesman.

Olesya Pavlovsky 'Olivia' (Played by Penelope Voronin) an employee who grew up in town and has immigrant parents, goes by 'Olivia' because she would rather you don't f*** up her actual name.

Winona Vance (Played by Sam Griffin Silver) an employee who moved here from New York, for unknown reasons, and doesn't really understand the small town, everyone knows everyone lifestyle.

Lavender Whittemore (Played by Victoria Lucifarian) an employee who grew up in England but moved to live in America, settled in Canadian, Texas due to her love of westerns.

Next: The Local Police Squad:

Sergeant Valentine Gautier 'Val' (Played by Bret Hart) recently promoted before the series begins but still on patrol duty, watches over his younger brother.

Corporal Buck Morris 'Buckshot' (Played by Davey Boy Smith) the gun loving corporal of the squad and the only one to have both 'work' and 'home' guns.

Captain Napoleon Cooper 'Crazy Cooper' / 'Captain Crazy' (Played by Jim Neidhart) the police captain, recently reassigned to Canadian, Texas as there were rumours abut him which interfered with his work in his previous location.

Officer Duke Gautier (Played by Owen Hart) the young, recently recruited brother of Sgt Gautier, often put on patrol alone to ensure less arguments, but always checked on by his brother.

Next: The Biker Bar's Staff:

Ozzy Rains (Played by Charles Wright) A biker and member of the staff who grew up just outside of town but loves his fellow staff members like family.

Brock Martel (Played by Henry Godwin) a biker and member of the staff who grew up on a local ranch and loves beer, football and the current Mayor's down-to-Earth style.

Vincent Gore 'Vinnie' (Played by Kane) the owner's son and a known fire loving 'freak' often protected by his surrogate family, the bar staff, Vinnie knows no better than 'ooh, cool looking fire' and must be restrained or have his hands swatted away to stop him burning himself trying to touch campfires.

Raven Knight (Played by Kirby Roussimoff) the only female staff member, but also the girl who does all the tough jobs when needed, has a side business of making and selling artwork, such as portraits to locals, has designed some of the bar staff's tattoos.

Harlow Gore (Played by Paul Bearer) the owner of the bar and a loving father to his son, took Murphy (Undertaker) under his wing when they first met and also treats him, and the rest of staff, like family.

Hunter King (Played by Phineas Godwin) Brock's cousin and a member of staff, taught Raven how to shoot a shotgun and his father owns a local tattoo parlour.

Sequoia Reed (Played by Rikishi) an employee and Frankie's (Yokozuna) cousin, also a surrogate cousin to Raven, having been best friends since childhood. Reed loves his job and his staff family and will defend both at any cost.

Lupe Zapatero (Played by Savio Vega) an employee at the bar and possibly the shortest member of staff, towered over by the tallest staff members but is not any less of a fighter because of his size, a former mechanic who loves nothing more than taking things apart and putting them back together while listening to metal / rock.

Murphy Graves (Played By The Undertaker) Manager of the biker bar and an excellent member of staff, has an outlaw rules vibe, as in he would say to the police "Your jurisdiction ends when you walk in my bar." Very protective of the staff, and the owner.

Frankie Wolf (Played by Yokozuna) the most relaxed and laid-back of the staff, Frankie would prefer to be in the kitchen making potential 'Culinary Masterpieces' as he would call them. Sequoia and Raven's (surrogate) cousin, views his staff mates as family.

Next: The Local Band (Named: Exoskeleton Samurai)/College Students

Quinn Thorn (Played by Jeff Hardy) the bassist to Ros' (Lita) vocals / lead Guitar and older brother Garth's (Matt) Drums, a face paint enthusiast and an English major in college who never seems to find time to study, but always has time to date somehow.

Roz Jerome (Played by Lita) the vocals and lead guitar for the band and an art major who actually studies, dating Garth (Matt) and met Quinn through him. Roz also studies Spanish and French.

Garth Thorn (Played by Matt Hardy) Quinn's older brother and the band's drummer, a major in psychology and a horror movie lover, Roz' boyfriend and almost totally devoted to her, even at the cost of his college work.

Next: The Local Townsfolk of Note:

Mayor Robert Sweet (Played by Jim Duggan) rarely seen, but apparently a good man with good ideas, helps out in volunteer projects and absolutely loves the town. Trying his hardest and people know this, and they love him. (did I meme correctly?)

Rusty Jarvis (Played by Mick Foley) the local hippie who has never left town, somehow managing to know both everything and nothing at the same town. (Very Dude Love with hints of Cactus Jack and Mankind) Does know how to fight when he needs to.

Redd Wayne (Played by 'Sycho' Sid Vicious/Justice) the local baseball/softball star, helps out at the local school/college teaching sports and likes Raven's artwork, he watches her draw when he can, runs the local little league & minor league baseball/softball games.

Earl Black (Played by Steve Austin) the most often seen regular at the biker bar, absolutely loves both the bar and the town, a hardworking guy who has befriended the entire staff (including Harlow and Vinnie) of the biker bar.

Lex Aston (Played by The Rock) a local struggling actor, teaching an acting class to pay the bills and an absolute ladies man, and for that reason he goes to the cop bar, to try and pick up one of the bartenders who works there, often favouring Rosa as she will jokingly flirt back.

Finally (for this section): The Degenerates and Their Benefactors:

Reign Yates (Played by Billy Gunn) Leon's (Road Dogg) best friend, often the getaway driver for the group and a scout for locations, often getting all the info on a place before telling Matty (H.H.H) and Dell (HBK). Often leaves town with Leon to get the heat off them. (and make out in secret)

Zelda Hooper (Played by Chyna) the only female degenerate but possibly the toughest, has a rap sheet as big as her arms, not to be trusted when around the other degenerates as she is usually the actual brains of the operation.

Matty Battle (Played by Hunter Hearst Helmsley) the co-leader of the degenerates, often protected by Zelda or Mark (Kevin Nash). does most of the talking but has the piss taken of him for his looks often by either other degenerates or locals who don't care for the degenerates.

Romeo Colombera (Played by Mike Rotundo/I.R.S) the right hand man of the mysterious benefactor, and often the lawyer for the degenerates as well as a taskmaster for them, telling them what the boss wants done and by what date.

Mark Rake (Played by Kevin Nash/Diesel) the tallest degenerate with a rap sheet as long as his leg, a former bouncer at a now closed nightclub, alongside best friend (and possibly boyfriend) Galo (Scott Hall) and now a bodyguard (when needed) for Matty and Dell (HBK, also boyfriends).

Leon Rose (Played by Road Dogg) best friend of Reign and a scout for the group alongside him. Has found every possible way to piss off other townsfolk and often in the most fights because of it, always on the police's radar for one thing or another and constantly leaving town because of it.

Galo Villalobos (Played by Scott Hall/Razor Ramon) the only (supposedly) Latino degenerate, raised in Canadian, Texas but his parents are from Cuba, Galo is a former nightclub bouncer (alongside Mark) Galo is known (for his ability to give minus fucks) as the most relaxed member of the group.

Dell Pain (Played by Shawn Michaels/HBK) the co-leader alongside Matty, a known flirt with people regardless of gender or sexuality, just to piss them off on some occasions. Dell grew up in town, knowing it like the back of his hand.

Giles Rennell (Played by Ted DiBiase) the mysterious benefactor of the group, bailing them out if needed, he stumbled across the group after seeing a police bulletin and decided to use them to cause enough chaos to guarantee a chance in the next mayoral election.

Zac Noel (Played by X-Pac) the shortest and youngest degenerate, Zac is often treated as the child of the group, being taught how to get away with crimes and trick the police into just letting him go by clerical error and tomfoolery.

Next on my list of updates: Season 1's episode list, episode titles, episode synopses, some spoilers, and the revolving door idea a bit further explained.

Series running order:

Biker bar episode

Cops on Patrol episode

Band/College Students episode

Cop bar episode (yes these are different)

Degenerates episode

(last episode of each season/series only) town meeting/town get-together (E.X: town hall meetings, the town getting together for a sports game or barbeque or restaurant opening)

1x01: Insert Coin to Start: The pilot episode of the series sees the local biker bar of Canadian, Texas installing two, brand new, arcade machines. After leaving for the night, the team finds the bar broken into and both machines missing with no evidence or possible suspects to the robbery. The team finds the machines relatively undamaged in an alleyway nearby. By the end of the episode there's still no suspects. B plot includes an argument between father and son, Harlow and Vincent which ends when Murphy gets involved.

1x02: Hot Pursuit: Newly instated chief of police Chief Cooper [Neidhart] makes changes to the patrol teams before tasking them with looking for any persons involved with (1x01)'s robbery and break-in, leading to a high speed chase later in the episode. B plot includes the squad coming to grips with the new, and much crazier, police chief.

1x03: Making Noise: Local band Exoskeleton Samurai [Team Extreme] are writing new music late at night while Roz [Lita] tries to study for a class the following day but, during a moment of quiet, they hear a break in a couple of doors down and attempt to see who it is. The group get a glimpse of Zac Noel [X-Pac] and Mark Rake [Nash] but not a full glimpse. Now aware of the local degenerates, the band try and forget about it and focus on their own lives until their apartment gets broken into when they're not there.

1x04: Donuts & Beer: The new cop bar opens on the other side of town, serving mainly (both savoury and sweet) bagels and donuts as well as beer (on tap and bottled), the fact it's slightly more risqué gets (both good and bad) attention on the place. Winona Vance [Sam] gets in a fight with Zac Noel [X-Pac] as she's locking up. Winona [Sam] being put in the hospital with a broken arm makes the rest of [Cop Bar]'s staff double down on getting justice for the near break-in.

1x05: Dirty Work: The first episode from the degenerates perspective. The degenerates are just causing general problems for the town without reason because it's fun' but it's quickly losing their interest as the heat on them rises. The end of the episode has Matty Battle [Triple H] receiving a call from 'Mister R' [DiBiase] offering him a deal.

1x06: Blue & Black: A brawl breaks out at [Biker Bar] following whispers that the people who broke in are in the building. The bikers who work at the bar threaten to hurt anyone who works for the rival bar if they try and mess with business while in the biker bar.

1x07: Captain Crazy: A rumour that the current captain was moved location and promoted to smooth over allegations that he may not be fully sane, Officer Duke Gautier [Owen] is determined to find the truth while Sergeant Valentine Gautier [Bret] and Corporal Buck Morris [Davey Boy] are determined to keep the peace and catch the local degenerates.

1x08: Broken Strings: following an argument with an ex girlfriend Quinn Thorn [Jeff] finds his guitar smashed and has to work odd jobs to buy another one (starting a potential series c plot). Garth Thorn [Matt] ends up in a fight with Galo Villalobos [Hall] which ends when Roz Jerome [Lita] smashes a table leg over the back of Galo's [Scott's] head, knocking him out and giving him over to the police.

1x09: Badges & Bottle Tops: Captain Cooper [Neidhart] stops by [cop bar] to talk with owner Roscoe Power [Jimmy Hart]. Meanwhile the Gautier boys [Owen & Bret] interrogate Galo Villalobos [Scott Hall] about what the degenerates are doing and why, getting no information about the mysterious benefactor over than he pays them a lot of money depending on what they do.

1x10: Paid off: The mysterious benefactor 'Mister R' [DiBiase] pays Galo's [Scott's] bail, getting him free for a while but side-lining him too. The benefactor remains hidden in shadow but Matty & Dell [Triple H & HBK] have a meeting with him to discuss money and the next job.

1x11: Written in Ink: the tattooed bikers on the staff encourage regular customer Earl Black [Austin] to get a skull tattoo on his back and even take him with them to the tattoo parlour they frequent, finding it to be burned to the ground with a 'freaks get lost' sign planted in the wreckage. Murphy Graves [Undertaker] dismisses the rumours that the arsonist is the fire fascinated Vincent Gore [Kane] and even gives him an alibi when the cops come looking for answers, putting blame on someone in town who knows about Vinnie's [Kane's] love of fire, which is nearly every person in town.

1x12: Sergeant Heartbreaker: Sergeant Gautier [Bret] is accused of flirting with the staff at [Cop bar] leading to a paid two day leave to get heat off of him while he's ordered to remain at home. Officer Gautier [Owen] and Corporal Morris [Davey Boy] are put on patrol together, leading to a high speed chase of Reign Yates, Leon Rose & Zelda Hooper [Gunn, Road Dogg & Chyna] after witnessing a mugging, assault and graffiti from the trio, the cops eventually lose them down a back road on private Giles Rennell's [DiBiase's] land they would need a warrant for.

1x13: Failing Grade: Quinn's [Jeff's] lack of sleep leads to him getting a fail on an test forcing him to do the semester again. Enraged by this Quinn [Jeff] considers leaving the school but is encouraged to continue following Garth [Matt] ending up in hospital following [1x12]'s assault and mugging on Garth & Roz [Matt & Lita].

1x14: Microphones & Megaphones: [cop bar]'s owner Roscoe Power [Jimmy Hart] installs a stage for local acts in the bar, leading to Violet Croft [Eli] performing later that episode (the closing of the episode into the credits) and the night before the first performance the bar is covered in graffiti, leading to a massive clean up effort from the staff and local volunteers (like Mick Foley & The Rock).

1x15: Trench Warfare: Romeo Colombera [IRS] the benefactor's [DiBiase's] right hand man and go-to lawyer gives the degenerates an list of jobs, run the police chief out of town by the end of the year, run the bikers out of town, and ensure that 'Mister R' [DiBiase] the benefactor wins the next mayoral election.

1x16: Fuelling Up: after closing up [biker bar] Raven Knight [Kirby] narrowly avoids being burned by her motorbike exploding in a ball of fire. Her boss, Harlow Gore [Bearer] tells her to take the week off, leading to her coming into the bar and sitting at the back of the bar, sketching the regular customers and having a long conversation with local sports star Redd Wayne [Sid].

1x17: Brothers in Arms: Together: the Gautier brothers [Bret & Owen] are put on patrol together leading to the arrest of Zelda, Matty & Dell [Chyna, Triple H & HBK] before the trio are bailed out, the brothers interrogate Dell Pain [HBK] (leading to a very 'basic instinct'-esque scene with Shawn in assless chaps and boxer briefs) who gives them no information on their behaviour and why they are doing the things they've done.

1x18: Night Time Fun: the band attends a college party, unknowingly with Zac Noel [X-Pac] also in attendance, leading to the trio being high and drunk and the Thorn brothers [Matt & Jeff] end up in a fight, almost being thrown out of college entirely for their actions the next morning.

1x19: Head or Hart: Violet Croft [Eli] and (officer) Duke Gautier [Owen] meet properly for the first time on a blind date, leading to them walking through the streets of Canadian, Texas at night. The date is quickly ended after Duke [Owen] spots Leon Rose [Road Dogg] spray painting [cop bar] and gives chase after handing Violet [Eli] his number.

1x20: Grunt Work: The degenerates have a group meeting about how to sabotage the town meeting, leading to Rennell [DiBiase] coming out of the shadows to lead the degenerates in a coordinated attack on the town hall. Leading to the degenerates waiting until the town meeting to begin the next day.

1x21: Town Meeting: Mayor Robert Sweet [Duggan] conducts a town meeting, leading to everyone airing their grievances with the degenerates recent spree of activity. At the end of the meeting, paint bombs hidden above the townsfolk go off all at once, covering everyone in bright, almost neon, green paint.

#Kayleigh's weird idea #any thoughts?

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sadachmesarthim · 3 years

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peter learns to shut the fuck up challenge

oh my god hi okay i’m (kind of) freshly back to tumblr and haven’t written content like this in over half a decade please be nice to me i am a broken 21 year old who can’t take criticism for shit

marvel cinematic universe: peter!centric, eventually starker

content: graphic depictions of violence, extremis!flash, selective mutism, brief talks of dying but it’s not that bad tbh, slightly aged up peter (he’s 18), use of slurs and derogatory terms, both in reference to self and someone else

summary: peter’s taken enough shit in his life. he lost his parents, he lost ben, he’s dealt with the number of shitty men may brought home - flash was like the cherry on top of the shit sundae. after a particularly bad day of taunting, peter is fed up, and decides to teach flash a lesson - but our baby boy is in for a big surprise when he discovers he isn’t the only freak kid at midtown tech.

............................................................................................................................

Peter'd been categorized as a loudmouth for years - by May, his friends at school, the Avengers he fought (and fought beside) in Berlin.

Never able to stop his nervous ramblings, his mouth tended to run away with him. He somehow never developed a filter, often getting himself into quite a bit of trouble. Usually his pretty face and quick thinking kept him from any real repercussions.

But there was one such instance he... couldn’t exactly get out of.

He'd been struggling with Flash's bullying for years. He'd called Peter names, hurled slurs, spat out indecencies - normally, Peter could take it. But after the bite... they all landed so much harder.

Peter didn't understand it - spiders didn't have emotions, did they?? Even if they did, that doesn't explain why he's so sensitive. If anything, you'd think the bite would make him aggressive, or argumentative, or angry - spiders were predators, not pussies. What was his problem?

He'd finally had enough one day at the end of his senior year. Flash was being particularly snide - excitement from graduation pushing his normal antics into overdrive.

"Oh come on, Penis. You gonna fight back one of these days or are you just gonna keep hanging your sad faggot head around town?" Flash followed him out of the school building, laughing at his own "joke".

What he wasn't prepared for was an actual answer to his question.

"Yeah, actually. I will."

Peter turned around, grabbing Flash by the straps of his backpack. He glanced around, checking for spectators, before shoving his bully into a secluded alley just ahead of them.

Flash, surprised (but not entirely put off), worked himself free of the backpack and slid behind the smaller boy. Sure, Peter was enhanced, but Flash still had a good head on him height wise.

"Finally decide to manhandle me back, huh Parker? That's so cute." Flash smirked, looking him up and down as he crowded Peter into the corner. "If you're feeling so big and brave, go ahead."

Peter looked up, confusion warping his soft features. Flash... wanted Peter to hit him? Why?

Before he could actually ask, he found himself collapsing on the ground, gasping for air. Flash drew his fist back, shaking off the punch he'd just thrown into Peter's side. He snatched his bag off the ground, tossing it away from Peter & beside a nearby dumpster.

"Christ, you look so pathetic down there! I almost forgot how small you were for a second," he laughed, taking a second to gloat. "Come on, Parker. What happened to finally fighting back?"

Peter'd always been a bit overzealous - I mean, c’mon, the kid grew up listening to stories about Steve Rogers for fucks sake, how could he not develop an underdog complex? He'd spent his childhood defending his family name, his teens protecting May from overzealous asshole boyfriends, and the most recent few watching over all of Queens.

So yeah, of course Peter was going to take this opportunity to kick some ass if he could.

He struggled to his feet and stumbled forward, regaining his balance and breath as he met Flash's eyes. The tiny success was short lived, though, as he felt himself flying backward and up into the brick wall behind him. What the actual fuck?

Peter's senses never failed him - and yet, they just had, twice in the last five minutes! What the fuck? How was Flash able to hit him without warning? How was Flash able to throw him?

The confusion must've been all over his face - Flash laughed as Peter crumpled & didn't attempt to get up again. He crowded into Peter's space, getting close to the little spider's ear.

"You really think you're the only special one in Queens, don't you Penis? You think you're the only one that can break a grown man in half?" Peter groaned, wincing at the pain behind his eyes. "Newsflash, freak. You're not special, you're not important, and you're not leaving this alley alive."

It was then, as Peter glanced back up, that Flash's eyes were glowing a sick green-grey unlike anything he'd ever seem. The senses that'd previously failed him so tragically now did a full 180, sending a wave of cortisol through his system. The need to runclimbswingescapego washed over him, the spider inside completely overriding the human.

As if he'd read Peter's mind, Flash quickly grabbed him by the throat, cutting off both his airway and any potential escape route. He squeezed hard, dragging Peter up the wall until they could look each other in the eye. He crowded closer, setting Peter's skin on fire in the worst way possible.

Peter was choking, clawing at the hand on his throat and trying to kick the monster in front of him away. Flash, annoyed, tightened his grip until Peter's hands dropped and his face turned purple.

Flash chuckled, dropping a now barely conscious Peter into a puddle on the rocky ground. He opted to trade his hands for the steel toed boots he'd so carefully laced up that morning, lips curling as the idea took shape in his head.

The first kicks landed on Peter's stomach, forcing air and blood from his mouth. The next were more stomps than anything, not aimed with any thought or finesse. Each landed heavier than the first, quickly pushing Peter toward a complete blackout. The spider was still screaming, but Peter couldn't do jack shit about it.

He lay back, resigned to his fate. I'm going to die here, he thought, desperately wishing he'd just kept his fucking mouth shut. A little bit of bullying was so much better than dying a week before graduation.

But, somehow, he didn't. Sure, Flash beat him all to shit - May had the hospital bill and the new grey hairs to prove it. But Peter lived.

It took Flash a while to get it all out of his system. The more pain he inflicted, the brighter his eyes got, slowly taking over any illusion of empathy his once brown irises had. He did, eventually, tire, and grow bored of kicking the same stunned spider. When he’d had his fill, he reached down for his backpack, hooking it onto his shoulder and smiling to himself.

Before leaving, though, he turned back to Peter, crouching down and settling mere inches from his face.

“Looks like I got Peter Parker to finally shut the fuck up.” Flash looked down at him as he rose, spitting on Peter’s face as a last hurrah before ditching him and the alley completely.

Peter crawled his way out of the alley after Flash left, blood soaking his shirt and face so swollen he was nearly unrecognizable. He dragged himself to the nearest shop, the kind (and very distraught) owner calling an ambulance the second she'd seen him.

............................................................................................................................

6 weeks later he was back to 100%, diploma in hand, ready to get the fuck out of Queens and up to Cambridge. He'd spent enough time being coddled, people hovering over him and tending to wounds he knew would take care of themselves. These took significantly longer, the extent of the damage worse than anyone thought - but he still healed, and was ready to stretch all eight of his metaphorical legs and get back to school.

The only problem? He couldn't speak.

Okay okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic - his vocal cords and tongue and everything still worked perfectly fine. But every time Peter opened his mouth, words failed him.

It was like Flash's hand was back around his throat, forcing air out of him and the words back inside. How the fuck was he supposed to go to school if he was effectively mute? Peter’d learned Italian in school, not ASL (a choice he was quickly regretting), but even if he had, he wasn't sure his hands would be willing to speak for him either. All forms of effective communication were stolen from him.

He had less than a month before he was supposed to be in the MIT dorms and starting class. 90% of his prereqs required group discussion and verbal participation, so Peter was well and truly fucked if he couldn't figure this out.

Besides, what superhero couldn't talk? How lame was that? Half of his whole schtick was sassy one-liners. At this point, Spiderman was becoming synonymous with snark!

His first night back in May's apartment, he cried himself to sleep thinking about it. This sudden feeling - all grief and loss and shattered expectations he didn't even know he had... his whole world was suddenly gone, and he didn't know what the fuck to do.

The worst part?

He didn't even have the words to ask for help.

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hopevalley · 3 years

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Season 8, Episode 10: Old Love, New Love, Is This True Love

All right, so...like I said, work has picked up and my eyes feel like old marbles from staring at numbers (the woes of working in accounting I guess) so I want to get this written up and tossed into the nether before I lose steam and motivation to do it. The interesting thing about these little write-ups is that as the week goes on they just get harder and harder to write...

I do apologize in advance to those who like the long-winded write-ups. I’m just not up to it at the moment. Still feeling kind of bleh from the episode.

Let’s go back to an old format, shall we?

The Good

We might as well start out with the things about this episode that I enjoyed!

Gossip Hour with the Men was one of the best openers they’ve had on the show in a while. It was genuinely funny without being meanspirited. Nobody looked like the bad guy. Everyone just calmly talked about it alike it was a normal thing to maybe call off the wedding. Bill calling out Carson for giving marriage advice was pretty funny, Mike was a delight. I don’t know what to say. I’d watch a whole episode of The Boys just hanging around spending time together.

Florence’s worry that she’s ugly was...not a terrible idea for a storyline, but the actress is too good-looking to pretend to be ugly (I saw her in this pretty yellow dress on Instagram a couple years ago and she was smashing)? Also, it’s not like Ned is a handsomely aged gentleman (like Henry lol) so it makes even less sense for the characters. I think they should have gone with Florence feeling she’s “plain” and that dressing up Super Nice makes her feel uncomfortable because she just doesn’t feel like Herself and worries maybe it’s projecting a false sense of Who She Is or something? I guess overall I still liked that an attempt was made to add some depth to Florence and her difficulties in choosing a dress/hairstyle, so...it goes here.

Ned asking Henry to be his best man was nice, too. I can forgive the shoddy pacing and weird placement of this request (like I do with almost everything in the show) but only because the scene was just...so incredibly wholesome.

I like how Henry just casually is like, “Well maybe today’s just not the day.” I think it eased Ned’s mind just a little that he CAN back out if he really wants to.

I think it’s worth thinking about the fact that Ned and Henry would have always worked very closely, since the mercantile would have been a company store before the mine closed down... I like Henry and Ned as pals.

I’m glad the “investment” thing with Jesse and Clara’s savings was brought up in a way that...makes sense. And also, glad it wasn’t forgotten.

I really liked Molly and Florence in this episode. I’m a little sad Florence married Ned because I AM SORRY BUT I WANTED TO KEEP SHIPPING MOLLY AND FLORENCE TOGETHER UGHGHGHH

But their relationship is so good and maYBE Elizabeth will learn something from them.

Hey Elizabeth...you see that?

YOU SEE THAT?

Just saying.

And then later...

“You are the sister I never had, the mother I forever wanted, the friend I have always needed. From the depths of those dark and terrifying coal mines you’ve walked beside me, picking me up whenever I’ve stumbled along the way.”

AAAAAAAAA IT GOT ME.

I’m...really liking Fiona and Mike’s relationship, whatever it is. I kind of think they’re not headed toward anything romantic. Everyone thinks Mike is really into Fiona but at the end of the episode we realize he likes talking to her about business; it’s almost like they have this shared passion for numbers/ideas and he likes infodumping to her (and vice-versa).

I think they’re going to end up being “just friends” and Fiona will end up paired off with the man Elizabeth doesn’t choose. They hinted at Nathan briefly in this episode (with Allie’s hair), but who knows? I’m over trying to speculate on where the triangle is going at this point, but I actually like Fiona’s relationship with Mike so much that I’ll be disappointed if she fades into the background with Nathan or Lucas. Mike deserves more screentime.

Ned and Florence sharing their fIRST KISS. My husband got emotional over this. And I admit, it was starting to get to me, too. I can’t NOT root for them.

I said it before and I’ll say it again: I WOULD DIE FOR THE CANFIELDS.

The wedding was nice. I liked that Bill and Joseph officiated it together; it gives Joseph a li’l trial run of pastoring and finally Bill gets to use some of that power of his to officiate a wedding.

“Please, if you’d like” is such a Bill way to say that they may kiss LOL.

Also, I have to admit that I did enjoy Lucas calling Nathan out about Allie. She wouldn’t be caught in the middle if he’d leave Elizabeth alone AND HE IS RIGHT LMAO.

The last good thing: Elizabeth telling Nathan she doesn’t blame him for Jack’s death. Nice. Good. Thank you. He probably needed to hear that.

...THE BAD

Carson and Faith. UGH. UGHHHHHHHHHH. BREAK UP ALREADY I HATE YOU BOTH.

I appreciated that Carson had the ring ages ago, and I did like his conversation with Minnie—or more accurately, her advice to him. I felt like she was nudging him toward, “Remember why you became a surgeon in the first place.” If he became a surgeon to help people, then there’s no reason he can’t help people where he is. Sure, he might not be doing state of the art procedures but with Faith working alongside him, he can afford time to learn new things and go to doctor conventions or even take a specialized class now and then. No other doctor could get away for very long but he has that chance!

And he’ll arguably be doing more good in the middle of nowhere than in the city. All the doctors want to live in the city. Nobody wants to barely get paid for their time in the countryside.

We had a whole episode that made it clear that Faith and Carson don’t make a lot of money and do a lot of charity work. They also work for trade goods (mostly food). So it’s like...a pretty big difference in lifestyle?

Half the reason I can’t get invested in these characters is because I really can’t stand Paul Greene. He just...annoys me on every single level imaginable. But he’s a decent actor and I can’t help but feel that his character was a massive waste of space for the past few seasons through no fault of the man himself. Imagine introducing a character like Carson and then leaving him to rot before you try to make him interesting with a romance plot that nobody asked for.

Yes, some people really like Faith and Carson, but as a whole I think the fandom didn’t buy into them as a ship due to the lack of chemistry.

It really is a shame. This episode didn’t do a thing to endear me to either character. Please, Carson. I am begging you to leave town.

This one particular line of dialogue almost enraged me.

WE KNOW WE KNOW WE KNOW WE KNOW WE CAN SEE THAT FOR OURSELVES. WHY DID THEY HAVE ROSEMARY SAY THIS LIKE IT’S AN EPISODE OF A CHILD’S TV SHOW?

Elizabeth.........

How could Katie have...looked up to her? She was never in her class? That was? Never part of anything? It was just something they threw in here to force Elizabeth to make 1% more sense in the role she’s in but IT STILL DOESN’T WORK.

I felt like I was back in Season 5 again with Lori and Elizabeth putting their nose in everyone’s business except it’s just Elizabeth!! The whole plot, which was boring and contrived anyway, should have gone to Molly, since she’s Florence’s best friend and another woman from town that Katie would have known as a child.

AND ALSO, MOLLY WOULD HAVE KNOWN KATIE’S MOTHER AND WOULD REMEMBER THE GRIEF THAT NED STRUGGLED WITH.

I know they wanted to make Elizabeth give advice so that she’d Realize that she needs to, I don’t know, make better choices or something, but it was too on the nose for me and I hated it.

GinithePooh on Reddit made a good comparison to Elizabeth in this episode by saying she reminded them of Clippy from Microsoft Word, always popping up and offering to help when nobody really needs or wants advice.

To honor their incredible idea, I opened Photoshop and created this gem, which I will also be posting separately so that people can reblog it if they wish to.

I also don’t think I need to say also filed under The Bad is the fact that Elizabeth didn’t even apologize for being awful to Rosemary and then gave her unsolicited advice to other people for two days straight. I can’t believe they wrote that?

All I can say is that her apology to Rosemary, when it comes, better be good.

And I didn’t like this either:

I wish it had been followed up by literally anything: Nathan saying he’s sorry he didn’t tell her sooner or something to make the hand-holding actually be a little more innocent.

As it is, it just seems so deliberate?

Maybe the next episode starts off right in this scene and we’ll get that? If so, this might actually end up being fine. I just don’t think it is if it doesn’t get a little more direct attention.

& THE UGLY

I debated on putting anything in here, because I’m not ready to talk about my feelings on this matter, at least not fully. But I’ve been pretty quiet all season so far, and...eh, why not just mention things in advance? What will it hurt?

Let me preface this section by saying I’m biased and I doubt hardly anyone on this site will agree with me, so feel free to just ignore this part if that’s the case.

There are two things that I really didn’t like in this episode.

I hate the slanting toward Bill/Molly.

I like Molly just fine but I don’t like her with Bill. I’m biased as all getout and also worried about the future/potential Season 9 with regards to this. I don’t want to see it. Like at all. Why, you ask? You should know why if you follow me. I’m super transparent.

It’s because I like AJ AND I WANT HER BACK LOL.

John Tinker rewatched the series so we know he wouldn’t have missed that hanging plot thread—especially since he didn’t forget any of the other things that were brought up this season! So why didn’t she appear this season? The love triangle absolutely needed to be a focus or it would have never ended, so that’s part of it, but I’m also pretty sure Josie Bissett wasn’t interested in doing any filming last year during Covid. My only “proof” is that Wedding March 6 wasn’t filmed last year even though it was scheduled to be filmed, but it makes sense. Last year was chaos.

THAT SAID, Jack Wagner posted on his Instagram the other day that they are actually filming Wedding March 6 now, so... I guess AJ’s re-appearance in Season 9 wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise if they wanted to write it.

You’d think I’d be hyped about that, and I kind of am? But it doesn’t come without its share of worries, too. We just had the worst love triangle in the history of love triangles and I really don’t want another one, especially if it makes any of the characters in question look stupid or mean.

I fully admit a well-written love triangle could be a LOT of fun for them* (low stakes because they’re not front and center characters), but I saw how Nathan was written so far this season and I really, REALLY do not want to see that happen to Molly, Bill, or AJ.

Anyway, not a fan of the Molly/Bill stuff. No chemistry. I don’t want it.

*I would totally write a fanfic like this lmao.

And finally...the part that everyone will hate me for:

I DO NOT WANT TO SEE ABIGAIL COME BACK. And I specifically do not want her to come back ‘cause I do not wanna see Henry/Abigail happen.

I fully recognize that a lot of you like it and ship the heck out of it, and that’s...good. I’m glad you enjoy it. I loathe it, though, and I worry that all these hints (more like...mentions) are leaning toward...something. Like, either they’re:

1) Sending Abigail off/tying up that loose end with Henry (since nothing was ever clarified either way), or

2) Warming up the audience to receive Abigail back on the show.

I’m pretty into the idea of one-sided Henry/Abigail. Hindsight is 20/20, regrets, that’s all some juicy stuff to give a character like Henry. Some things can’t ever be made right again. He had too direct of a connection to the death of her husband and son for me to ever want to see them together. Forgiveness? Yes. A careful but meaningful friendship? Yes. Romantic relationship? Uh...no thanks.

I liked the Abigail mentions at first because I felt like...the character still mattered (as she should) but I’m at a point where I feel like they’re trying really hard to steer the fandom’s view a certain way and not knowing where it’s going is extremely unsettling to me.

I’ll probably talk more about the things that bother me when the season ends, because I’m hoping to have a better idea of where things are going to be headed, but for now just...know that I feel very apprehensive.

And keep in mind that I primarily watch this show for Bill these days, since all my previous faves (AJ, Frank, the old Abigail, Dottie) have exited, stage left. I also always really liked seeing Henry. So as you can imagine, seeing plotlines I hate for the only two characters I’m invested in? Is making me consider dropping the series next year.

My husband told me I should hate-watch it, but I don’t know if my heart can take it. I’ve been following this series for so long...it just...kind of hurts to feel let down like this?

But sometimes an ongoing series ends up going where you...didn’t want it to, and it becomes something that’s no longer right for you. I hope that doesn’t happen, but last night’s episode makes me feel like...it might be happening for real this time.

I guess if that holds true it’ll be back to fanfiction for me. Will that novelization I planned ages ago end up getting written? Will I write the best love triangle fanfic known to man? WHO KNOWS.

For now, we’ll all have to wait and see! Two more episodes left. I’m really curious to see how they resolve some of the open plots right now. :>

#when calls the heart #long post #character studies and information #analysis and meta discussion

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youngdumbamericanteen · 4 years

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Mabel bad?

Oof sorry for never answering you nonnie! I’ve been pretty busy lately haha. But the post you’re responding to is a bit...old. I now understand Mabel a bit more now as a person, however I do still dislike her as a character because her flaws I was talking about in that post are never meaningfully addressed.

This might get a wee bit long, oops. Click for a big Gravity Falls writing analysis/essay/thingy.

It’s good for characters to have flaws. Flaws that actually affect them and have consequences. Otherwise you have something of a Mary Sue that isn’t relatable and has a story that’s too easy and boring for the audience. The narrative punishes or addresses those flaws and they present a challenge for the character.

But at the opposite end, you have characters who have flaws that the narrative never addresses, which means the characters never have to grow. There’s two reasons this is bad. One, that you can have the same issue where they don’t face any struggle or grow as characters and it’s a boring story, or two, people don’t generally like to root for characters who they’d want to punch if they ever met them irl. You can have a story with main characters who are bad people, but you have to either make the character likable in other ways, present the situation so that the audience can gather that they’re in the wrong and either be rooting for their downfall or their growth, or have their actual story be compelling enough that the need to know what happens next outweighs dislike for the character. (And all of these things often require the story to be told from said bad character’s point of view.) Gravity Falls doesn't really do any of these things. Or rather, it tries but is ineffective for around 50% of the viewers.

Mabel is often presented as a pure soul, good of heart and just overall a good person. But she’s got flaws. She’s selfish and a bit inconsiderate, which is normal and not an unforgivably terrible thing, especially for a 13 year old girl figuring out her place in the world. All the Pines are a bit selfish, I think it runs in their genes. But the thing is, the show will treat her selfishness as perfectly fair and normal, with anyone her selfishness affects being shown as in the wrong. She often guilts people, mainly Dipper, into sacrificing things for her while rarely making any sacrifices of her own. She does it to other characters as well, but here’s a brief list of times Dipper has sacrificed something for Mabel (which I compiled with the help of this post on Quora):

Tourist Trapped: Dipper spends almost the entire time worried about Mabel’s safety and trying to protect her, while she just brushes him off and laughs at him.

The Hand that Rocks the Mabel: Dipper agrees to break up with Gideon for her.

Time Traveler’s Pig: Mabel insists that Dipper give up the reality that doesn't break his heart so that she can adopt Waddles, and when he initially refuses she purposely endangers the space-time continuum as retaliation.

Little Dipper: Mabel is very angry about Dipper making himself taller, even though Dipper would not have resorted to it if now for her teasing. She immediately demands and fights for the magic flashlight, causing it to fall into Gideon’s hands.

Summerween: Mabel drags Dipper out to go trick-or-treating in a costume he dislikes because she’d planned on them having a duo costume.

Boss Mabel: I shouldn’t even really have to explain this one, the whole episode is about her going on a power trip.

The Deep End: Mabel embarks on a rescue mission for Mermando, doing and using things that would lead to Dipper being fired from the pool job he loves, without consulting him at all. She hears his concerns and instead of just explaining she’s saving Mermando the first time, she completely ignores him and speeds off, destroying more pool property and ensuring he’ll be fired.

Carpet Diem: Dipper informs her of the the issues he has with her roommate habits, and she completely denies any fault, even though she and her friends had legitimately destroyed the room and the mini-golf course the twins had built. The two of them both overreact, and act selfishly throughout the entire episode, but she absolutely refuses to listen to him.

Boyz Crazy: This one isn’t Dipper but I still wanted to mention it because she is so ridiculously selfish throughout the whole episode, to the point where it’s to her and the people she loves’ detriment.

Dreamscapers: Again not Dipper or a sacrifice, but her worst nightmare is apparently losing her cuteness and becoming ugly. I dunno if that’s exactly selfish or anything but God did it make me wrinkle my nose in distaste.

Sock Opera: After promising to help Dipper with the laptop, she almost immediately abandons him for her crush of the week, then proceeds to ignore him for, and inconvenience him with, her puppet show, taking his things without asking and expecting him to be completely cool with all her actions. Bill literally mentions her selfishness to manipulate Dipper and it completely works.

The Love God: Dipper leaves Wendy and her friends in chaos to help fix Mabel’s mess.

Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons: Mabel, her friends, and Stan all make fun of Dipper and Ford and insist they should have full use of the living room.

Dipper and Mable vs the Future: This is one of the big ones that people talk about. Mable finds out that Dipper might want to stay as Ford’s apprentice and becomes incredibly upset because she dreamed of the two of them having fun in high school together. She sees Dipper and immediately makes it about her and her feelings, treating something he’d been dreaming of all summer (being The Author’s apprentice) as some direct attack on her happiness. She proceeds to literally give Bill the ability to start the apocalypse to avoid being separated from Dipper, all without having any sort of meaningful conversation with Dipper or considering his feelings.

Weirdmageddon Part 2: Escape From Reality: Out of all of these, this might be the one that gets to me the most. Mabel, seemingly knowing full well that she’s trapped by Bill, creates an imaginary fantasy land and refuses to leave just to spite Dipper for considering taking the apprenticeship. And despite doing all this, and attempting to convince him to stay with her, she creates an alternate “better” version of Dipper who’s “cool” and supportive and very, very, different from the real Dipper.

And this isn’t even mentioning all the times she just assumed she was completely in the right about something or had the moral high ground. Mabel frequently makes rush decisions because she thinks everything should be her way or how she thinks is right.

And I want to say again, none of these things are unforgivable. Honestly, a lot of the things on the list are pretty standard sibling things, and like she isn’t even always in the wrong. The issue is that I’m naming at least 15 times where Mabel has been selfish or forced someone to give something up for her, and she almost never learns her lesson or is punished by the narrative. There are also only 2 or 3 times I can think of where Mabel sacrificed anything for Dipper, and they were all times he was in actual danger or someone had to talk to her and say she messed up and needed to fix her mistake.

Dipper, on the other hand, sacrifices things for Mabel, faces consequences for his mistakes and his flaws, learns substantial lessons, apologizes, and rarely, if ever, repeats said mistakes. Now, this doesn’t mean that Mabel is awful and Dipper isn’t. I mean, Dipper does some pretty crumby things and has to be told he’s in the wrong or to apologize. And Mabel isn’t a bad person. Like legitimately, that is not what I want anyone to take away from this. She does genuinely love her brother and care about his wellbeing. She’s just a little selfish and unthinking sometimes, like anyone else.

Like I said, my issue is that it goes unpunished, and she repeats the same type of offense wayyy more than any other character. She’ll disappoint Dipper enough that he’d make a deal with Bill and then everyone will still say she’s the best and most caring person ever. That’s just annoying, honestly, or it is to me at least.

This isn’t dunking on her, this is dunking on the writers. And they aren’t unforgivable either, I mean Gravity Falls was a masterful web of foreshadowing, character building, lore, plot work, and incredibly intelligent humor mixed with jokes kids would love too. I don’t blame them for dropping the ball on Mabel, and I don’t hate her or the show or anything because of it. I just want us to acknowledge this flaw of the show, and also have people get it when Mabel gets on my nerves a little bit.

#ask b #i adore mabel as a character/person #but as an example of writing? she's not so hot #gravity falls #gf #mabel #mabel pines #mabel salt #anti mabel #<< those are just in case

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liamgranger · 3 years

Photo

CHARACTER INTRO:

NAME: William Matthew Liam Granger

AGE: 26

OCCUPATION: Bouncing around minimum wage jobs / Freelance Photographer.

BIRTHDAY: September 20th, 1994 (Virgo)

HOMETOWN: Phoenix, Arizona.

FACECLAIM: Jacob Elordi

BACKGROUND:

William Matthew Granger was born on September 20th,1994 in Phoenix, Arizona. The middle child of the Granger clan, and quite possibly the most reckless one out of the bunch.

He was named after his father, and therefore, hates every part of it. He also doesn’t feel like a William, as it feels too formal for his liking. Therefore, he goes by Liam on everything. Also hardly, if ever, will respond to William; will absolutely never answer to the nickname Will or Bill either.

Their father left when they were all fairly young, he was about 6 years old at the time, and can’t quite remember the man. However, this doesn’t cease he’s hatred for said man. In fact, Liam isn’t much of a fan to either parent. As he feels that they both left their children to fend for themselves. When his mother passed, he seemed rather unphrased by it. Rather that was true or not, is up for debate. This would be the part most would come to realize that he isn’t exactly the most forgiving man.

Growing up, he’s always been fairly rebellious and outgoing. He enjoyed being different and not living by anyone’s rules. Which would cause fiction at home.

He enjoys art, he’s an incredible artist, can absolutely draw and paint, yet so few actually know that about him. He doesn’t tend to share that part of him with just anyone. What he is willing to share with others, however, is his photography skills. To ask him how he came into such a hobby, he wouldn’t really be able to give a straight answer. One day he simply picked up a camera, and he truly just never put it back down.

When he’s not making money off of those particular skills, he is usually found jumping from dead end job to dead end job. Anything that gives him an extra, more stable, income until he gets frustrated or annoyed with it, and just quits the job on the spot. Hes also made money off of testing his luck, in such things as gambling and drag racing.

Liam is very much for anything that makes him feel as though he’s alive. He enjoys living the fast life more often then not, and this has led him to some bad habits. He enjoys partying, and hasn’t quite grown out of that phrase yet. Rules, also, aren’t something he cares to follow often, especially because he feels as though rules are meant to be broken.

While a seemly careless and reckless soul, he’s actually not completely that. He does love hard, and despite most times budding heads with his siblings, he does love them. He also adores the hell out of his nephew, and even tho, Chloe can find herself worrying about that from time to time; in the end, he’d do anything for that little boy.

When most look at him, they do see a boy with no path in life, who’s gonna end up washed out. But the truth is he’s actually quite smart, when he applies himself, and he has dreams of being a big time photographer.

He is currently struggling with his sexuality, and may just be the one thing he’s not the most confident about in life. He hasn’t completely figured out how to deal with that part of him, but he has started to realize that he is attracted to men as well. Therefore, realizing that he may be bisexual. He finds himself quite uncomfortable with that, as he’s just not all that sure how accepting those around him would be to such a thing.

While a man who seems incredibly forthcoming with things, confident in the way he moves, and uncaring about others opinions; there are little things about him that is quite telling that he’s not exactly 100% those things. His sexuality, and his art being two of those things. They are extremely personal to him, and he doesn’t go out of his way to share either of those thing.

He is a chaotic soul. not necessarily in a bad way, however.

Also here’s his pinterest. I love these, definitely feel like they help give a more vivid picture<3

WANTED CONNECTIONS:

FRIENDS: While he’s quite out there, he’s absolutely a pretty nice guy over all. He’s not hard to get along with, as long as he doesn’t feel as though you’ve attacked him in some way. This could be long time friends, this could be party friends, honestly the list of any kind of friends is quite long and possible.

ENEMIES/I DON’T REALLY LIKE YOU: Despite being an pretty easy guy to get along with, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t bumps head in the past. This could also be a number of things as well, to be honest. They could’ve fought at a party, Liam could’ve quite honestly slept with their S/O. etc.

EXES/FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS/HOOK UPS (F/M/NB): Liam doesn’t have a very long list of exes, as he’s not too into the exclusive thing. so this could honestly be anything from a very short relationship, to a simple arrangement that ended on ok terms, or on bad terms. Could also just still be an ongoing thing as well. He is very much into having fun. (He would have way way way more female FWBS/hook ups over male ones.)

A HIGHSCHOOL SWEETHEART (F): He had, at least, semi serious relationship with someone back in high school, this could’ve been a long thing, it could’ve been a short thing. But either way, this didn’t end well. Mainly because he wasn’t even close to the all American teenage boy that a parent would want their daughter to bring home. So, either she ended it when he was actually falling for her/did fall for her. Or he made a stupid choice and cheated, or something that ended it. Either way, hearts were most definitely broken here.

THE BOY THAT GOT HIM QUESTIONING: In my head, for some reason, this was a really good friend of his, if not his best friend. They probably aren’t in contact anymore, as this would’ve been the first time it started clicking for Liam. And that would’ve caused him to pull away, completely.

CLIENTS: Anyone who would’ve or do need photographs taken.

FORMER COWORKERS: The boy’s had a lot of job, that he seriously just bounced from. So, this could’ve been how they met.

TRULY ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, FOR REAL. I JUST WANNA LOVE ON Y’ALL AND BE LOVED. OK THANK YOU

#( x. | about. )

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lovehotelreservation · 4 years

Text

Play Me Again

Summary: It was your dream realized. Your voice on the radio, top billing on countless music festival line-ups, a sea of people singing your lyrics. You did all you could to make this wish a reality.

Even at the expense of the success of the very musicians who served as your back-up band.

A hushed secret that they would never make you forget. Band AU

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: Reader/Mad Burnish (Lio, Gueira, Meis)

DO U EVER JUST WATCH CHARLI XCX'S SNL PERFORMANCE OF "BOOM CLAP" AND SUDDENLY HEAR "MAHARI YUWARE" IN THE BACK OF UR HEAD

BECAUSE I DID AND NOW THIS PIECE IS HERE

TY I HOPE U ENJOY

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

The stage was where a musician’s soul was meant to be bared.

And certainly, there was no better place to perform than at 4Fest, the premiere summer music festival hosted by the renowned Foresight Records, the record label owned by--and named for--acclaimed entrepreneur Kray Foresight. The legacy he built as a prominent pop music producer made him a renowned name across the world, countless smash hit singles and awards under his belt. It wasn’t long until he had the idea to start up his own record label, in addition to making investments in prosperous tech start-ups and becoming a brand ambassador to a multitude of luxury brands.

And given that he was the man who scouted you out, helped elevate you from your origin as a struggling musician, and ultimately made your dream career a reality, you knew you had to go all out for this performance.

Especially since you knew he was watching you from some lounge reserved for only the elites in the music industry and beyond.

After all, with the specially tailored dress meant for you alone delivered to your hotel room the night before, you knew he would be watching.

Much like how your back-up band kept their gaze on you throughout your set.

To your fans and the mainstream audience, your back-up band was just scenery.

To the underground indie rock scene, however, the trio were known as Mad Burnish.

Lio as the lead singer and guitarist, Meis on bass, and Gueira on drums.

For the longest time--ever since they were signed to Foresight Records--their mainstream debut album had been long in wait. Interviews and updates about the project ceased around the time you were suddenly on the forefront of new music trends--up until Lio announced on the band’s social media that they were taking a break from production on the album to instead expand their creative horizons by helping you--their fellow labelmate--as your touring band.

The update was meant to calm fans even as Lio’s blood was boiling the moment he sat down to type.

By the contract enforced by Kray, it was either be your ghostwriters and touring band, or risk getting blacklisted from the industry--both mainstream and indie.

The shadowy side of the music business.

Ultimately, you found yourself complicit when Mad Burnish’s debut single was published under your name instead.

Aghast as you were, you didn’t dare push back much or question Kray's decision.

Lio, Meis, and Gueira would never let you forget that.

Here, on the stage in front of thousands of attendees, you opened yourself up with each song you performed.

In interviews and posts online, you always expressed wanting to be open through your music.

But surely, there were some things you couldn’t reveal.

Gueira’s eyes were trained on your ass as his hands slammed his drumsticks down in a pulsing rhythm.

Would you ever let your fans know how he had you squealing that you were a slut for his cum while he was fucking your ass just a few days ago?

Meis looked to be as stoic as ever as his calloused fingers plucked at the strings of his bass, seemingly showing no reaction when you slinked up behind him for an embrace before swaying with him to the music.

It wasn’t likely that you would reveal how often Meis would punish you for your teasing antics during performances with hearty spanks to your ass and stuffing your mouth with his cock.

Passionate as his guitar stylings were, Lio made it look so easy as he played, his voice soon harmonizing with yours for the chorus of the very song that was supposed to catapult Mad Burnish to greater heights.

That bastard Foresight, that annoying loud-mouthed glorified groupie of yours who always showed up to any of your concerts--convenient since he was an EMT who worked festivals often--no matter who was around, you simply belonged to him.

A hateful love, a vengeful possessiveness, he wasn’t sure how to best describe how he felt towards you. But given how, during the recording of your album, he had admonished you for screwing up the melodies that had been meant for his voice by viciously fucking you in the recording booth--how he never allowed a day to go by without somehow reminding you that you compliantly took everything from him, Meis, and Gueira and that you would amend somehow--he wasn’t leaving your life anytime soon.

”Thank you, 4Fest! This was such an honor! I hope you enjoy this last song of mine!”

Gueira, Meis, and Lio all gazed at you.

Would the crowd ever know that on this very stage during the last soundcheck of the day, your mouth had been stuffed full of Gueira’s cock while you were made to take the long length of Meis’s dick in your ass, and the fierce grip of Lio’s hands on your hips had you meeting every single one of his ferocious thrusts?

Most likely never, but that wasn’t going to stop them from showing their ownership of you.

After all, here on the stage, you belonged to the crowd.

Anywhere and everywhere else, you belonged to them.

You should have been aware of this.

And thus was it said wordlessly to you upon the end of your set, expressed by the narrowed look in each man’s eyes before their expressions softened and brightened in the face of a photo op of you all together on the stage.

Since you were finished performing for the day, you were expected to meet with Kray soon, but you had time to spare beforehand.

Or at least, time was made on your schedule as you found yourself hurriedly ushered backstage to your reserved dressing room before you could be approached by Kray’s personal assistant, Biar.

”So, who was this outfit worn for again?”

The dressing room temperature was set at a cool level meant to help artists ease from their post-show energy--nothing too frigid.

But you couldn’t stop shivering.

Certainly, with how much skin your dress was exposing--a tie up front top that offered an ample view of your cleavage and a hem that just barely covered the curve of your ass--you had reason to be cold. But having just performed on the mainstage in front of hundreds of festival attendees on one of the hottest afternoons of the year thus far, you had every reason to still be warm.

And yet you continued to shiver nonetheless.

Because you could never get used to the piercing stare of fuschia eyes and the assertive touch of soft, nimble fingers that somehow resisted callouses despite years of strumming the guitar.

Even watching you tremble before him, Lio stood before you, emanating an authoritative aura that demanded your subjugation, despite your respective roles from his place as your backup guitarist to your position as lead singer.

A title that he once claimed.

That had now since been ripped away to be placed into your hands.

However, two others still firmly believed in and asserted Lio's original authority.

The small but pointed tip of a drumstick nudged against the front of your dress, dragging down to rub over your core through your clothes.

”’Ey--Boss wants an answer, sweetheart.”

You knew you couldn’t dare to break eye contact with Lio. But even without having to look down, you still knew Gueira was crouched before you, probably twirling a drumstick in hand while continuing to tease you with the other, all the while a big and broad grin was stretched across his mouth.

Feeling the prod of his drumstick through the flimsy but expensive material of your dress had your legs trembling, your knees weakening in response. Though, even if Gueira was to bring you to orgasm just by the expert handling of his drumsticks, you wouldn’t be falling to the ground in pleasure any time soon.

Not while the firm grip of Meis’s fingers--calloused, unlike Lio's, from over a decade of playing bass--maintained their ironclad hold on your wrists, keeping your arms raised up in the air. Though he typically carried himself quietly and utterly composed--whether during shows or on stage--you were more than familiar with how aggressive he could get in bed.

”Did you think we were going to let you go to him so quickly?”

Lio's voice was so low and dangerous in tone.

You noticed he didn’t mention Kray by name--a term that was practically forbidden to utter around the three.

But especially by Lio, who reached forward to delicately grasp your jaw, only for his grip to abruptly turn firm, the look in his eyes demanding an answer.

Hesitance was only going to worsen your ability to walk straight later on in the day.

Still holding his gaze with your own, you had yourself meekly remark,

”I wore this for you.”

Gueira smirked, as did Meis.

The serious look on Lio’s face did not ease in the slightest, but he let out an affirming scoff before planting his lips onto yours, dragging you into a kiss, with Gueira and Meis further sinking you into depravity as their hands began to tug and pull on your clothes.

You were going to go to Kray eventually.

You were probably going to link up with that groupie at some point this weekend.

But never were you going to leave them.

Even when the bindings of your contract with the band expired, you would forever belong to them.

#lio fotia #gueira #meis #promare #reader insert #Fic #super freaknasty writing

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dadolorian · 4 years

Text

Just like me- Part one

A/N: this is the first time i have ever shared a fic to tumblr. Credits: Thank you @oloreaa for being my Beta reader/editor !

Title: Just Like me Fandom: Prospect (2018) Ship: Ezra/Reader Warning: Talk of injuries/amputation. Ezra and reader get to know each other. Reader is an amputee. No use of Y/N. Word count: 3K +

MASTER LIST Request status AO3 Link Next part. - coming soon

Prospecting was a dangerous job sometimes.

You were proof enough for that.

Some would ask why bother with the risk, but they can not understand.

The thrill and joy of finding and securing your payload, the rush you got for a job well done, the chance to drift about to new and wondrous places, was more than worth the risk in your eyes.

And the pay, well, when you had a good job, the pay more than made up for the dangers of prospecting.

You could almost guarantee that after each run your account would be filled up with more points than what you started with. And once you paid off the rental of your pod and supplies, more often than not you made a decent enough profit if things didn’t go tits up.

It was fair to say you were a decent enough prospector, maybe not the most experienced,but you had a decent enough excuse for that. Until a few months ago you were in recovery, having injured yourself on the last run of jobs you had been on before your current drop onto the Green.

Arguably, you could have retired after your injury. Caused a big enough fuss to get some serious compensation, but that would have meant giving up chasing the rush.

At heart, you were a wanderer, a floater, and you couldn’t settle just yet.

Of course, after the accident you couldn’t just swing back to it. You needed to recover, and medical bills were expensive, not to mention you couldn’t let your employers get away with their gross negligence that caused the accident to begin with, so you had come to an agreement.

It worked out for both of you, you get to keep your lifestyle and be financially secure at the same time, and they didn’t have to go through a public court battle.

Your last, and most recent swing had been average, ending with a gig on the Green, you had just caught the ride back home.

Your routine getting back aboard was always the same, even after such a longtime. Say goodbye to your (temporary) partner, sell your Aurelac, drop your belongings in your bunk and take a shower.

Thanks to your hush contract, you had the luxury of a second class bunk this time around, not having to rely on sleeping in your drop ship. It was bigger, private, had its own bathroom and all free of charge for you. Some perks for not choosing to sue.

A new, and rather annoying addition to your routine now would be to check into the medical bay, the only reason your doctors had allowed you back to work was that you agreed to regular check-ups when you weren’t on a gig.

So, a few days later, having waited for after the rush of people docking to catch the last swing to die down, you made your way to the medical wing for a drop in appointment.

Even though the waiting room was empty, you were forced to wait.

You sat down at an observational window, passing the time by watching the stars as the ship flew by them.

Lost in the view for an unknown amount of time, the sound of the door caught your attention, that familiar hiss of them opening and shutting.

You turned to make eye contact with the other patient… another amputee, just like yourself. You took note of his face, a small scar on the left cheek, the prominent nose, a streak of blonde in his otherwise dark and slightly scruffy hair, square jaw, and short facial hair. He was certainly handsome, even with his slightly disheveled appearance.

His right arm was gone, you noted, just below the shoulder. His stump was well bandaged, you didn’t feel guilt about staring at his injury, you were one in the same after all, but he seemed to mind.

He tried to subtly turn himself away from your inspection so his left side was facing you more, a little self-conscious over his injury, it would seem.

You gave him a warm smile, trying to ease his embarrassment a little by pulling up your right pant leg to show him your prosthetic.

A silent way of telling him you were one in the same.

It seemed to have worked, for he visibly relaxed a little, returning your smile as he found a place to sit close by after checking in.

He hesitated, looking like he wanted to ask you something. He was lost in his thoughts for a short while before you decided to speak first.

“Recent amputation?” You asked, giving him another smile.

“Yeah, happened less than a cycle before catching the swing back,” he said

You nodded to yourself “Looks pretty fresh. You don’t look quite comfortable with it yet either”

“No, indeed I am not.” He sighed “May i ask... if I were to inquire about your own heretofore displayed impairment, would you have any issue in disclosing what had caused your own injury to me?” He asked , eyes roaming over your face, small crooked smile tugging at his lips

Did he swallow a fucking thesaurus? You thought to yourself, leaning back in your window seat. “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours first.” Tilting your head, you looked him in the eyes.

“I asked first,” he pointed out.

“Yeah, you did. Seems rude to ask my story without offering yours first,” you said, the smile that was on your face letting him know you weren’t actually bothered.

“Very well,” he said, sitting back into his chair, getting comfortable by throwing his one arm over the back of it. “I was shot by a little bird. Scared kid who was completely justified in her actions, so I do not find myself with much blame towards her." Something like regret flitted over his face, but it was quickly gone as he launched himself into the story." I had originally been the cause of her predicament becoming much direr than it currently was, so she fired upon me in what she believed to be defense despite my lack of intentions to harm her."

He then gestured to his shoulder, and gave a half shrug as his brows drew together." Sad truth is it became inflamed , dust had entered my wound and I was not able to treat it accordingly. Before I knew it, infection set in and I eventually had to make the onerous decision to amputate it before it spread to the rest of my body.” Smile wry, he made a gesture at you like 'What can you do?', the corner of his expressive eyes crinkling slightly.

“You did it yourself?” You winced.

“Naw, Little lady who shot me became quite the welcomed, albeit reluctant, ally. Managed to do it all herself, cool as a cucumber." He huffed to himself, amused, before continuing: "Wish I could say the same for myself, I was wracked with nerves during the whole procedure.” He looked at you, a self-deprecating tone in his voice that was offset by the hawk-sharp look in his eyes.

“Ah, well at least you’re not bullshitting your bravery,” you huffed, before backtracking to what he said, eyes becoming wide as saucers. “So, you were conscious?” You asked in shock.

“Regrettably so. We did not have the luxury of professional medical facilities such as this.” He gestured around.

“I’ve heard some nasty amputation stories over my time recovering, and it’s always the ones where they are conscious that bother me the most,” you explained, feeling ever so slightly queasy at the thought.

“And…what about yourself?” He asked.

“Unfortunately for you I am not allowed to tell my whole story." You smiled at him, holding up your hands. "An unnamed private business was responsible for an accident in which I can’t disclose legally. Had to sign a lot of papers,” you sighed at that, unable to keep your annoyance out of your voice, before continuing. ”What I can tell you was I was in an accident involving machinery. I broke everything below my waist, most of it was healed, but my right leg was the worst. Completely crushed. When I was pulled out, the limb had undergone some extreme tissue damage." You paused for half a second, mind wandering. "They tried to save it, but there was nothing that could be done,” you explained with a slightly dismissive shrug. His brow was furrowed, looking at the prosthetic slightly exposed at the ankle in thought. “You seem to handle it quite well” He said eventually. You took a closer look at him. Bags under his eyes, avoiding prolonged eye contact with you, lethargic body language. It was recent for him, you concluded, he was still traumatized. Not that you blamed him. “A lot of people say that, ” you said, wanting to give him some hope and comfort, his eyes seemed so sad, you couldn’t help it. You wanted to be the support you had needed yourself when you were in his position. “It’s gotten easier, but I can’t lie and say I’m not still affected by it anymore. There are days where I continue to struggle. But each day gets easier. They will get easier for you too.” You looked him straight in the eyes, face serious. You needed him to understand that you were not simply saying things, that it was something that you had experienced yourself. He gave you a skeptical look, silently challenging that notion. “I know, I know,” you sighed, looking down to the floor before meeting his gaze again. “It’s hard to believe right now, but it’s true. You’ll struggle, but that means you’ll learn and adapt. You’ll get there.” Giving him a big smile, you hoped that some of your words will stick. .

“If I can be honest, I’ve already gotten sick of hearing those words of encouragement from my doctor. It seems so hollow and disingenuous when he says it, like a fallacy. It feels infantilizing to have him repeat his mantra over, and over again, and frankly, I struggle to believe it." He scoffed slightly, before quieting. Looking at you, head slightly tilted, he continued. "But coming from you, someone who has been in my own shoes, so to speak, I feel inclined to believe there is some truth behind those words, even if I do find myself skeptical about them,” he said, brows drawn together, eyes roaming across your face. . You shrugged lightly. “It usually helps, knowing someone who’s gone through the same thing. A friend.” “And is that what you are offering me? A friendship?” He asked, an amused smile gracing his lips and a curious look in his tired eyes.

You shrugged again “I think that depends on you. But, at the very least, I can be an understanding ear, and I'm willing to listen. If you’re interested that is.”

He cocked his head slightly at you, a small smile playing around his lips, “I…” he began, choosing his words “ I appreciate the offer. It would be nice to have someone who will listen to my long-winded nammerings without judgment or pity.”

“No pity… just…sympathy, compassion,” you offered.

“I think, then, I would like that very much. So long as you promise not to grow weary of my contemplation's”

You gave him an amused huff. “I think with the way you talk, it would be very hard to be bored.”

“Very well, annoyed then.” He smiled and you laughed at his small joke.

You were content to sit there and chat to him more about anything and everything, but unfortunately for the two of you your conversation was interrupted by the receptionist calling your name. “That you?” He asked. “Yup” You sighed standing up reluctantly. ”It was nice to meet you…?” “-Ezra,” he supplied. “Ezra,” you repeated, testing it out. It suited him. “I hope I can see you around then, I mean it, having someone who understands how to help would really benefit you.” “I know, thank you. I’ll have to take you up on it soon.” He smiled, giving you a small wave as you left the waiting room for your check up.

It surprised you to find him waiting outside the medical wing for you when you finished with your appointment. He was leaning back against the wall trying to look nonchalant. “How the fuck did you get out before me?” You asked with a smile, pleasantly surprised. He had a small smile of relief on his face,“I only went for a bandage change,” he said, waving his stump a little to show. “I hope you are not too put off by my waiting here. I fear i may come across as overzealous.” “It’s fine, don’t worry about it” You smiled, shaking your head in indication you didn't think that way of him. “Sorry you had to wait so long. If I had known you were waiting I might have tried to hurry things along.” “It’s not a problem," Ezra insisted "I didn’t really have plans to do anything, and I was hoping for a better chance to talk to you." He gave a boyish smile, and you could not help but being charmed a bit. "Perhaps in the mess hall, if you would be so inclined to join me?” You nodded in understanding and agreement. “Fair enough, I suppose. How’s it healing then?” You asked, motioning to his stump. “As well as it can be. My doctor is worried about my exposure to further infection so it's being heavily monitored. Daily changes at the moment.” “That gets boring fast,” you said, motioning for him to follow you as you made your way to the mess hall. “I am very much in agreement with you there, I must say," He said "I have only been on board for a few days and I am already finding myself bored and frustrated with the routine,” Ezra sighed slightly, annoyance in his voice. “Just wait until you get a prosthetic. Then you’ll be in there for ages,” you snickered before you realized something. ”Are you wanting a prosthetic?” You asked. “I don’t think I would be able to even consider choosing not to invest in one." Brows furrowed, he looked at you. "I can not even fathom how i would be able to continue on in my career without the use of my arm.” “Quite the investment, if you want one good enough to act as a full replacement. I would have to imagine they would cost more than a prosthetic leg.” “That's what the doc said. I am a little overwhelmed with decisions because he keeps showing me all these different options that I cannot quite distinguish from each other." Frustration was written all across his face and in his voice. "I had not realized it would be so complicated.” He sighed, sounding a little dejected. “I’d be more than willing to offer my help in that then,” you offered, “It's best to figure out your needs and work backwards from there.”

“You are surely a godsent from the heavens themselves,” he chuckled, you ignored the way his compliment and laugh made your stomach flip. “I am simply wise counsel,” you joked, making him chuckle more. “Either way, your offers of help in all kind of regards is much appreciated. I do not feel quite so daunted towards my own recovery now." Ezra smiled at you brightly, and you smiled back. "I thank you for your kindness, a rarity i fear in this line of work sometimes.” “Not wrong there,” you sighed knowingly as the two of you entered the mess hall. It was quiet, given the time of day, a little too early for those wanting their lunch that wasn’t from a ration or nutrient pack. You preferred it like this anyway.

The food wasn’t amazing, neither of you were first class citizens but it was damn better than the food you were all able to store on your pods and ships. A hot meal of any kind was sought after on these kinds of trips, even if it was just hot mush.

You filled up your tray alongside Ezra, watching him curiously as he easily filled his tray as he pushed it along, the hard part would be maneuvering to a table. You weren't going to offer him any physical help, not yet at least. Giving him the space to learn and adapt would do him better than to dote on him. You remembered how frustrating it was, but you also remember how equally frustrating it was to be physically dependent on others.

You would not offer him help with physical things unless he asked.

Regardless, he managed it, balancing his tray on one arm as the two of you made your way over to an empty table. You pulled your chair out and he kicked his out before you both sat down.

“I think I like coming here earlier,” he said, looking around. “Less people means less well meaning individuals offer to help me out,” he said, tucking into whatever food he had piled on his tray. “I hope that doesn’t make me sound ungrateful. I appreciate help but I do not want to be treated like someone completely invalid, the idea of not being able to take care of myself physically is a wretched notion.” “No, I get ya,” you said, understanding. “You need to do things for yourself. You value your independence, and when people dote on you like that, you feel pitied, your independence feels invalidated. You start to resent the ‘help’ because of it.” “A perfect way to describe the mix of feelings I have found myself with over these past few days,” he agreed, looking at you, chewing on his food “Just wait until you get your prosthetic” You smiled “You’ll be able to hide it well under a long sleeve and no one would be able to tell” “Well if you are any indication to go by, i am more than willing to believe that," He said "If i had not known you were missing a part of yourself beforehand, i would not have been able to tell just from watching you walk. It's impossible to notice at a glance” He complimented, smiling, eyes dropping slightly wistfully. “Thank you, I was fueled purely by spite in my recovery” You said, your smile growing. He laughed “Why, I am truly inclined to believe you." He grinned at you, smile sharp and endearing all the same time. "I shall take that to heart in my own recovery and take inspiration from you.”

There the two of you sat in the mess hall with him what felt like hours. You found him so easy to talk to and could not help but be entertained by the way he spoke and whatever story he told you. You had found yourself hanging onto his every word, and when you spoke he made you feel like the center of the universe. Your conversations drifted between your shared physical disabilities as well as more personal topics, to get to know each other a little better. You spoke about the places you had visited, the difficult jobs, and your shared love of books. You couldn’t remember the last time you had such a pleasant conversation with another prospector. Most of your interactions were your temporary partners or hostile ‘competition’, there was never any opportunity to share in such deep conversations.

When the two of you reluctantly parted ways, you made sure to let him know where to find you in the second class quarters should he feel inclined to want to speak to you again.

He assured you very much that he was definitely interested in seeing you again. You felt like a teenage girl at that and as you said your goodbyes, hiding a bashful smile as he promised he would come find you again soon.

#my fic #JLM #prospect #prospect 2018 #ezra #ezra from prospect #ezra x reader #ezra x you #ezra x ofc #ofc

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queen-of-my-goofball-army · 4 years

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Fruits Basket HCs

If you haven’t been able to tell from my blog, I REALLY love Fruits Basket. I have this immense love for these characters and I want to share the different headcanons that I have for each of these fantastic characters. I’m going to cover a lot of ground so I apologize if this becomes really long. To make this easier for myself this first part is just going to be my six favorite characters (Momiji, Tohru, Kyo, Kakeru, Hatori and Hatsuharu).

Momiji:

* The mental health side of things for Momiji is that in my non-professional medical opinion (to quote the original show) he has really high levels of ADHD. He learned to combat this by taking gymnastics lessons as a young boy while everyone else was doing karate he was learning to be bouncing ball.

*This one is a pretty much canon one but I love this idea; Momiji is genderfluid. I love the idea of Momiji hanging around Ritsu and learning about fashion from them. I also just really love the idea of Momiji in a cute little skirt with shorts underneath (don’t judge me I just really love the idea of it.)

*Number one touchy friend!! He’s constantly a ball of energy and will hug and cling to all of his friends if they indulge him. He loves affection both giving it and receiving it.

*He is surprisingly a really good baker!! I love the idea of him making friendship cupcakes for Tohru after everything happened just to thank her for all her help (She wouldn’t accept them but offer to share them with him instead.)

*He learned violin from Ayame. I like to think that out of all the Sohma’s he is the most musically inclined. If you want to learn how to play an instrument go to Aya he’ll help you out fam.

*How he learned German and started using that as his main language was in elementary school right after what happened with his mom happened (I’m trying to keep this as non-spoilery as possible so that my friends can read this too). He wanted something that reminded him of her but wasn’t painful. So he decided to learn another language and Hatori helped him.

*He is probably one of the most likely to spoil his future children. He’ll give them the childhood that he was never technically given. If those children wanted something they were going to get it whether or not it was their birthday they want it. Plus he has the money to get them whatever they want!!

Tohru:

*So space cadet Tohru is canon and I am of the personal belief that a little bit of ADD which is why she always needs Yuki’s help with school. Most of these HCs are going to be a little bit mental health related mostly because that’s how I see them.

*If Tohru had the ability to go to college it would be to become a professional chef. She loves cooking for other people and making people happy. Professional chefs to me are the types of people that love to make others happy which is why she cooks for others.

*She is definitely the hug friend. What is the hug friend you may ask? It is a person that can give the best hugs. She is constantly getting hugs from Uo-chan and Hana-chan and to me she just seems the type that would give the best hugs in the entire world.

*She has always been interested in being in a relationship someday. When she was little she loved Disney movies and would fantasize about one day finding her own personal Prince Charming.

*At first in dating Kyo, Tohru gets flustered by EVERYTHING. This poor girl is always blushing around the love of her life.

*Her favorite subject in school will always be cooking but she is surprisingly good at history!! She loves learning about the past mostly because she is one of the few people that found it interesting.

*As a mom she is the most doting parent, the type that kids get embarrassed by at sleepovers.

Kyo:

*My first HC for our favorite cat boi is that he has autism. Hear me out, when I was in middle school I struggled immensely when it came to relating to people and understanding how they felt. I had undiagnosed aspergers at the time and found that he was one of the few characters that wanted to be better at dealing with his emotions and people. Having that relatability now that I’m older has been a huge help.

*The most surprising HC that I have about Kyo is that he loves to write. Usually it’s just little things that irritate him throughout the day. It’s how he learned to officially get his anger calmed down so that he wouldn’t yell anymore once Hajime and his kids were born.

*As a kid Kyo never had ice cream. It’s the same thing with the pancakes where he had never had sweets that wasn’t fruit. Tohru is appalled by this and one of their first dates was to get him to try ice cream (his favorite is mint chocolate chip)

*Growing up he was alone a lot but I think that he would find companionship in books and literature. I feel like he’d be really good at school like in the original where we see him pouring over books to study. (The best way to get him to do well is of course a little competition.)

*Kyo is a hella overprotective dad once his kids are born. This is obvious but if he has any daughters those future boyfriends, run just run.

*Once the curse is broken he is constantly trying to make up for the years where he wasn’t able to get physical affection. After he gets over his own flustered tsundere habits with Tohru they became easily the closest couple. He finds that he loves having his hair pet (if he purrs he’ll deny it until the end of time)

*I think that out of all my favorites Kyo would be the best listener. You got a problem, no matter how stupid it is, Kyo will do his damndest to help you out. That’s just who he is especially when it comes to those he loves.

Kakeru:

*Kakeru’s mental health theory is that he has ADHD just like Momiji combined with dyslexia so he sometimes has a hard time reading things and needs help understanding what exactly he’s looking at for homework.

*Him and Kimi always start prank wars that could go on FOREVER. If nobody stops them they can just go at each other for days. Eventually either Yuki or Machi will get too exhausted of their antics and force them to stop. These prank wars usually happen about once a month on the second week. They all fear this time of the month and whenever it happens it usually lasts for about three days.

*Definite anime lover this boi!! He grew up watching the classics and it’s just something that stuck with him.

*Before he became chaotic Kakeru TM he always hid this part of his personality but now that he’s older he is very open about his love for anime.

*He wasn’t close to Machi until after she was kicked out of the family house. Before then he was almost indifferent towards her existence but when that happened he realized that he wanted to make her feel better whether she wanted it or not.

*He is the best cuddler fight me on this. I feel like once you got him calmed down he would always be down for cuddling his S\O.

*This one is pretty common amongst the fandom judging by how many people ship him with Yuki but I think that he’s not bisexual he’s pansexual he just loves people!!

Hatori:

*I don’t have a mental health HC for Hatori really other than PTSD (which let’s face it almost all of this cast of characters has.)

*Before he met Kana he knew next to nothing about popular culture. His music taste was stuck in the 50′s and to her that was an absolute travesty!! Who hadn’t heard of Queen, Elton John or David Bowie?! She made it her goal to get him into modern things so that he could understand her. At the time he didn’t really understand a lot of the things that she liked. However, once she left him he learned to appreciate modern music and film.

*Something that I really love about Hatori is the thought that he would be a fan of musical theater. It’s something that not a whole lot of people know mainly Shigure and Ayame and Aya always gets him tickets when a show he likes comes to town.

*He can’t cook to save his life!! Literally the type of person that would somehow burn water and he doesn’t have the time to cook everyday but usually Momiji will bring him food that he makes.

*Definitely a romantic at heart no matter how much the idea of love has hurt him in the past. He loves making Mayu happy at random intervals. From buying her random bouquets of flowers to planning things on a larger scale he just loves making her happy.

*As a parent he’s the type to definitely be overprotective especially when they aren’t feeling well. His kid fainted at school? He’s already there trying to find out what went wrong and keep them at home with him for a few days until they get Dr. Tori’s clean bill of health.

*As much as he bitches and moans about Ayame and Shigure’s annoying tendencies he couldn’t ask for two better best friends. \

Hatsuharu:

*Mental health HC is that he’s bipolar thanks to the other dark personality even though most of the time he’s white it’s something that after everything happens Hatori insists he gets an official diagnosis of.

*He loves grunge rock. The first time he discovered Nirvana Kurt Cobain became his instant hero. Not a way to live his life but someone that he was inspired by. His second favorite band is All Time Low (I’ve never heard any of their stuff this one is for my best friend who is an absolute Haru-stan)

*He got his tattoo as his own way of rebelling against his family order. I think that his parents (we only really ever hear of his mom) being strict on him. That’s where the multiple piercings came from as well. Whenever he would hit a low point before middle school he would get a new one.

*He is actually a really good cook and entirely capable of taking care of himself since his parents are often too busy for him.

*He got into gaming by accidentally seeing Shigure playing a dating sim (Fight me on this one I dare you say that Shigure the pervy bastard doesn’t play these things)

*He is definitely the romantic type as we see him bringing Rin flowers to cheer her up. He might be a little bit stiff at first and awkward but once he gets used to the person you bet your ass he’ll just cling to you as we see with Yuki much to his everlasting annoyance.

*He’s an amazing artist!! He loves to draw just about anything that he can get his hands on. It’s something that he does now when he hits a low point instead of wrecking things he learned the proper way of coping with his problems.

Whew!! Sorry about the length on this guy but I really wanted to do this while waiting for the dub to catch up. I will make more if people want more of them!!

#headcanon #Fruits Basket

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himbowelsh · 4 years

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Hi 😊 Would you mind terribly doing the valentine's alphabet for Spina? I could really use some Spina content in my life.

valentines day alphabet ( accepting! )

A : AFFECTION. how does your muse show affection?

Spina’s a hugger. A bear hugger, to be exact. He hugs when he’s happy, hugs when he’s sad, and when trying to cheer someone up, his go-to response is to hug them. Just being around Spina means accepting the risk of getting hugged at some point. Thankfully, he gives good hugs, and also has the sort of presence that just reassures people. Spina’s go-to affection is physical affection, but he’s pretty versatile if a friend needs something else. (This man has stayed up all night with Babe watching bad movies, just because Babe was too upset to go to bed but didn’t want to be left alone.)

B : BOUQUET. does your muse like flowers? which ones are their favourite?

He knows what sorts of bouquets to get for different occasions; when his Grandma was sick in the hospital, he brought her a new bouquet every week, so not only does he know what flowers to choose, but the neighborhood florist knows him. Ralph can get a good deal on a nice arrangement for a birthday or anniversary, but should not be left to grow plants on his own without supervision.

C : CHOCOLATE. does your muse like chocolate? which one is their favourite?

Like... in it’s casual form, he’s not a fan. Ralph isn’t gonna go buckwild over some Hershey bars. But chocolate cake? Maybe some hot chocolate on a snowy day? Oreos? Completely different story. Ralph isn’t crazy about chocolate, but he really loves chocolate things. (He has tried to do a somersault for a back of Oreos, and it has not gone well. He broke Bill’s mom’s vase and was banned from her home.)

D : DATE. what is your muse’s ideal date? where / who with / etc?

He... likes bowling, for some reason. Not only is it a great opportunity to have fun with his partner, he loves the atmosphere, is delighted by the horrible junk food... and gets to show off, because Ralph is an outstanding bowler. There’s no pressure to bowling; it’s an easy way to have a good time and get to know someone, with plenty of opportunities to goof around.

E : EMBRACE. does your muse like hugs? what are their hugs like?

Ralph Spina was hugged enough as a child, okay? Physical affection isn’t just something he’s cool with, he loves it --- so long as it’s coming from someone he knows, not some bearded stranger in a Walmart. As stated before, he gives really great hugs. It’s like... being hugged by hot chocolate.

F : FLIRT. is your muse good at flirting? how do they flirt?

Oh no. Nooooo. He is a bad flirter. It’s not even for lack of trying, either; he just tends to come on either too dorky or too friendly. He tries to hit on someone, and next thing he knows they’re having an intense conversation about the person’s recent car troubles. Ralph never leaves bars with new contacts, but he has given out plenty of numbers --- for local mechanics, bakers, handymen, etc. He’s just too friendly. You’d think it’d work to his advantage, but it doesn’t. (He does have an arsenal of really corny icebreakers and pick up lines, but he’ll only break those out on special occasions. Dorky.)

G : GIFT. is your muse good at gift - giving or do they struggle to get it right?

He’s more comfortable getting silly gifts than serious ones, cause he always feels like he’s getting something wrong. When he puts his heart into a gift, though, the person he gives it to can’t help appreciating the effort.

H : HEART. is your muse quick or slow to give their heart away?

He’s quicker to fall in friend-love than romantic-love. There’s just... so much more to worry about with romantic love. Honestly, Ralph would do best in a friendship-gradually-turned-romance, because then everything evolves naturally; he’s already with someone who likes him, who he knows and feels comfortable around. Ralph’s heart doesn’t have to be won, he gives it away freely... but falling in love is a whole other ball game.

I : I LOVE YOU. does your muse find ‘i love you’ easy or hard to say?

Ehh, he’s gushy about it. It’d probably come out by accident the first time, around six months into the relationship --- but if his partner reacts well, Ralph takes it as encouragement. He’ll say it a hundred times. A thousand. He loves saying it. He’ll say it to get out of doing something he doesn’t want to do, to make his partner smile, to end a petty argument... these are three of the most powerful words in the human language, and Ralph tosses them around like silly putty.

J : JEALOUSY. does your muse get jealous in a relationship?

Nah, not jealous --- he gets insecure. It’s not something he’d be able to ignore, seeing his partner get cozy with someone else. Ralph would take it hard. Instead of being angry at them, he’d internalize it, getting mad at himself. Even if it’s something he knows they should just talk about, he’d avoid the topic with his partner, hating the fact that he’s not enough for them.

K : KISS. is your muse a good kisser? why / why not?

First things first --- Ralph doesn’t kiss, he gets kissed. He’s rarely confident enough to make the first move himself, so it usually take someone pulling him in and just laying it on him. At first, he’ll stand shock-still, uncertain what to do... then he’ll melt into the kiss all at once, pulling his partner close as he realizes exactly what’s going on. Ralph isn’t an adventurous kisser at first, but gets more playful as time goes on. He likes tiny love nips, getting his partner to giggle, and he loves it if they can sit on his lap, so he can wrap his hands around their waist while kissing them. He’s not demanding; he’ll gladly accept whatever kisses his partner gives him.

L : LOVE. who does your muse love?

The answer really should be family first, but Ralph’s honestly closer to his friends. His parents disagree with a few of his life choices, so, much as he loves them, it’s his buddies he goes to for emotional support. Babe and Bill are great for a night out, Gene and Renee are great for a night in, Julian’s... well, Julian’s great if you want your night to end with a small fire or a trip to the emergency room, but he’s also great in general. Ralph loves lots of people, but he could go on for ages about his friends.

M : MOONLIGHT. is morning or night a more romantic setting?

No... no getting up in the morning. Whoever invented mornings had a vendetta against sleep, and Ralph ain’t about to humor them. Sleeping in while snuggled up against a partner is plenty romantic, thanks, and there’s always time to do more later on in the day.

N : NAUGHTY. what is your muse like in bed?

You gotta understand, Ralph gets into his own head a lot. He’s a little self-conscious, so it’s easy to overthink what he’s doing; he doubts himself. He’s got a couple of kinks he’s really eager to try out (really into voyeurism/pushing his luck in unconventional places) but his partner’s comfort is foremost for him. He’ll check on them multiple times, asking how they’re doing. If his partner’s smiling or laughing a bit during the act, Ralph is more confident --- having them too serious just makes him nervous. He’s not too confident in his own body, so being complimented during the act would make him melt. He keeps up a steady rhythm, and is surprisingly good at holding out for a long time --- until he’s at least pushed his partner over the edge.

O : ODE. does your muse have a way with words?

On the contrary. When he likes someone, he can get tongue-tied to all hell. A crush once thought he was choking on a piece of shrimp; he was just trying to ask her out.

P : PARTNER. what does your muse look for in a partner? looks / personality?

Someone who isn’t high-strung ---- laid back and able to go with the flow, taking some time just to enjoy life. Ralph would need a partner who gets along with people as easily as he does, probably an extrovert; someone with a sense of humor; a great storyteller; somebody fun. He really needs someone to laugh and be goofy with, but also someone who can be serious in a crisis. They’ve got to have

Q : QUESTION. would your muse ask the big question or expect their partner to?

He would absolutely be willing to ask (unless his partner beat him to the punch). Ralph’s big thing, though, it that he wants a proposal to remember --- it’s gotta be good for his partner, cause that’s what they deserve, right? So he’d agonize over picking the right ring, probably cycling through a dozen or so choices before a very annoyed jeweler convinces him to buy something. Then he’d have to practice the proposal a dozen times, planning out different ways to do it... which is all great, until his partner walks in to find him kneeling in front of the bedroom mirror with a ring out, proposing to his own reflection. That takes some explaining... but in the end, everything works out.

R : ROMANCE. is your muse a romantic or a cynic?

He’s got a romantic cheeseball heart, but that doesn’t mean he’s stupid about it. Ralph’s been burned before. He knows love can hurt, and only idiots rush into it without being prepared. He wants to be the romantic flowers-and-candles guy, and in a relationship he will be, but if it blows up in his face he’ll end up blaming himself for doing something wrong.

S : SWEETHEART. did your muse have a childhood sweetheart?

He spent several years head-over-heels in love with Nancy Drew. His older sister was a fan of the books, and Ralph was a fan of the pictures on the covers. Swore he was going to marry Nancy when he grew up and everything. No one knew how to break it to him --- he had to figure out what fiction meant on his own.

T : TRUE LOVE. does your muse believe in true love?

Ralph’s seen it firsthand, growing up with his parents. If couples exist with the audacity to swap spit while their kids are in the room, yeah, true love’s gotta be out there somewhere.

U : UNREQUITED. has your muse had their heart broken?

He’s had a few instances of liking someone hard, when they just didn’t feel the same way. Ralph didn’t resent them for it, and he tried not to dwell, but it still stung, man.

V : VALENTINE. how does your muse feel about valentine’s day?

As a kid, it was always an excuse for his parents to have a night out, while the Spina kids got to stay home, watch crappy movies, and eat too much chocolate. As an adult... it’s an excuse to stay in, watch crappy movies, and eat too much chocolate. He loves Valentine’s Day.

W : WEDDING. would your muse get married? why / why not?

Sure! He likes the idea, but wouldn’t be devastated if his partner didn’t want it. To Ralph, it’s more important to just be with them, not to put a legal ring on it.

X : XOXO. does your muse use / like pet names?

Absolutely, but he hardly ever uses them seriously. “Honeybuns”, “sugar plum”, “babydumpling”... they’re all designed to get his partner to turn an alarming shade of red in public. Even if they occasionally get him smacked on the shoulder, it’s worth it. He just can’t take pet names seriously.

Y : YOURS. does your muse get protective easily?

He’s a lover, not a fighter... but Spina loves hard. If someone he cares about is in trouble, he’s not afraid to step in --- and usually has his buddies behind him to back him up. His buddies, all substantially better fighters than he is, and perfectly willing to throw the first punch. Spina’s flavor of protectiveness is all about the folks at his back, but he won’t let anyone mess around with people he loves.

Z : ZZZ. how many people has your muse slept with?

He wishes the number were higher. Maybe about... 4 - 5? Ralph is no master seducer, but if someone comes onto him, he’s not about to say no.

#by 'buddies' in that last one i absolutely include gene #eugene roe could be freaking feral in a fight and this is a position i strongly maintain #ralph spina #headcanons #fromcrossroadstoking

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chickensarentcheap · 4 years

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Best Part of Me -Chapter 9

Warnings: none

Tagging: @innerpaperexpertcloud, @c-a-v-a-l-r-y, @alievans007, @thunderintheshadows

They don’t speak on the drive into town; the tension that hovers over them thick and suffocating. Tyler can’t remember the last time he’s felt this agitated with Ovi. If he’s ever felt this way. Where every little movement the kid makes or even the slightest clearing of the throat or a small cough is enough to sever that last shred of sanity. And when out of the corner of his eye he sees Ovi’s fingers begin to tap against his knees, he snaps at him to ‘knock it the fuck off’. It’s never bothered him that badly; even in Dhaka it had only been a minor annoyance. But Ovi hasn’t done it in years; stopping almost immediately after that’d taken him to Colorado. Where his life had been simpler and less stressful, and he wasn’t looking over his shoulder ninety nine percent of the time and his nerves were no longer as raw and fragile. And it’s more irritating that he’s slipping back into old habits than the actual habit itself.

“It just annoys me,” he explains, his tone softer. Apologetic. And he knows he isn’t on edge just because of the fallout from the night before. It’s been three days since he’s taken the Valium, always cutting them out when he feels as if he’s doing better and no longer needs them. Then having to suffer the consequences not only when he’s off the med, but when he starts back up and has to deal with the brutal side effects all over again. “What are you so nervous about anyway?” he asks.

“You,” Ovi readily admits.

“What do you think I’m going to do to you?”

He shrugs.

“If I was going to lose my shit on you, I would have done it while we were still in the driveway.”

“I know you’ll still pissed,” Ovi says. “I can tell.”

“Yeah? How?”

“You’ve been doing twenty over the speed limit since we left the house. Your knuckles keep cracking because you’re holding the steer wheel so tight. Just like your jaw keeps popping because you’ve got it clenched so hard. And have you ever looked in the mirror when you’re mad? At your eyes?”

“Not exactly.”

“You don’t even have to say anything. It’s all on your face. It’s all in your eyes.”

He’s been told that before. Many times. That he doesn’t even have to utter a word; that one look is enough to let someone know to either tread lightly or just avoid him altogether. It isn’t something he’s exactly proud of. It may have come in handy while on the job, but in his personal life it’s been pure and utter hell. His own wife having to often walk on eggshells because she can just tell when it’s been a bad day, or those demons are getting ready to surface. Of all the people who shouldn’t have to feel that way, it’s her. The person who’s been by his side through the lowest of all the goddamn lowest and has seen him at the darkest points in his life. Who’d put her own ass on the line back on that bridge in Dhaka, sticking by him and keeping him alive even though there was a very real chance that both of them could end up dead.

“I get it. You’re mad,” Ovi sighs. “And you’ve got every right to be. I shouldn’t have caused problems last night. After dinner. With Esme.”

“You think that’s what I’m most pissed about?” Tyler scoffs. “The fact that you upset her?”

“I know how protective you are. I know you don’t like people overstepping when it comes to her. That you don’t like to see her upset.”

“I don’t. I fucking hate seeing her upset. Especially when she cries. But we worked through all that last night and put it behind us. She’s dealing with some stuff. Stuff her and I are going to work on together and make sure she gets through. Trust me, it wasn’t just Chloe opening her big goddamn mouth that caused issues.”

“That isn’t the way I wanted it come out,” Ovi sighs. “I wanted to tell her myself. I didn’t want her to find out like that.”

“I didn’t want her to find out at all. There was no reason for her to find out about it. Once I told you that I wasn’t interested, that should have been it. And you should have told Chloe to keep her mouth shut. Now Esme’s ready to throat punch her and I don’t think that’s the hill Chloe wants to die on. You know how Esme gets.”

Ovi’s eyes widen as he nods. It takes a lot to get Esme to the point of losing it, but he’s been there when it’s happened, and it isn’t a pretty sight. How a little thing like her can have that much rage and vengeance inside of her is both impressive and terrifying.

They find an empty parking spot across the street from Ovi’s restaurant of choice; a newly opened sports bar that features traditional pub fare and twenty different domestic and foreign beers in tap. Tyler can smell it the second they step through the door, the powerful mixture of various types of alcohol. And it makes him nauseous and triggers the craving. It’s been intense the last four days, and Ovi’s announcement of wanting to try his hand at the job had kicked things into high gear; he can practically taste it on his lips. But it’s more than Ovi and the job. So much more. The cutting of the Valium cold turkey, the rapid approach of Millie’s six birthday and the dreams he’s been having of her and Austin, the pain that never seem to cease despite taking those meds religiously.

They’re offered a seat at the bar that Tyler declines and suggests the sparsely populated outdoor patio. There are two reasons: he can avoid breathing in the scent of booze and seeing people enjoying their drinks, and his back won’t be to the door. He can’t break himself of the habit. For years...decades even...he’s had to sit facing any entrance or exit. It’s safer that way; no one can speak up on you and try to put a bullet in your head or slit your throat. It’s happened to a few mercenaries that have stepped on the wrong toes: letting their guard down and meeting an untimely and gruesome end. He wonders if he’ll ever get over it. The need to always have his guard up. If one day he’ll get up in the morning and the hyper-vigilance won’t exist anymore. If he’ll sleep through the night without even the lightest of noises immediately wake him. If he won’t constantly be on the lookout for even the slightest hint of danger or find something suspicious in even the smallest of action. If he’ll stop viewing everything he sees...everyone he comes across....as a potential threat.

The waitress seems disappointed when they both opt for ice water as opposed to beer. Booze makes the bill higher, which in turn makes her for a bigger tip.

“Yeah, well my sobriety is a little more important than helping you out,” he informs her, and she gives him a sympathetic, understanding smile and has the gall to lay her hand on the top of his bicep and actually give it a slight squeeze. And he frowns as he watches her head back into the restaurant, shaking his head when she gives him a long glance over her shoulder before disappearing inside.

“Everywhere we go,” Ovi laments. “Everywhere."

“You think you have it bad. I’ve got strangers trying to feel me up all the time.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t look like that,” Ovi suggests.

“Or maybe you should step up and take one for the team and get your game on. I’ve got a wife to keep happy. She likes the way I look. You’ve just got Chloe and anything’s a step up from that. So....”

Ovi ignores the cheap shot and flips open the menu in front of him. “So what’s going on?” he asks. “With Esme? Is she okay?”

“Not really,” Tyler admits. “But she will be.”

“Is she sick or...”

“Look mate, I know you’re worried. I know how close the two of you are. How much you love her. But I love her more. And I respect her. Which means I can’t tell you. It’s personal. And we’re dealing with it.”

“But she’ll be okay, right? Like she’s not going to die or anything like that?”

“It’s nothing like that. I promise. It’s just personal and she’s struggling and it’s something we need to deal with. That I have to help her with. She’ll be okay. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Ovi sighs and begins drumming his fingers against the tabletop. Stopping and giving an apologetic smile when Tyler glares at him. “Sorry,” he moves his hand to his thigh. Out of sight, out of mind. “I just worry,” he says. “I don’t want anything bad happening to her. She didn’t give birth to me, but she’s still my mom. She’s the only mom I remember having. I don’t want to lose that.”

“She’s going to be fine,” Tyler assures him. “You just have to trust me. That I’ll help her through things.”

“I do,” Ovi says. “Trust you.”

“Yeah?” he sips his water. “So why didn’t you trust me enough to come to me sooner. About the job. That’s why we’re here, right? You want to talk about it in a public place because you know I won’t lose my shit on you.”

“Maybe,” Ovi sheepishly admits.

“I don’t know what more you want me to say. You know how I feel about it. You think it’s a terrible idea. That I think you’re way too good for that life. That you deserve a lot better than that.”

“So did you,” Ovi points out. “You deserved a lot better than that. But you still went into it.”

“I deserved shit. I was a fucking mess. Addicted to booze, addicted to pills, I’d abandoned my own kid when he was dying. I was a horrible fucking person and I deserved everything fucked up that the job entailed. I didn’t give a shit if I lived or died. I just didn’t have the balls to pull the trigger myself. Figured if someone did it for me, it was an easy way out. And if I did survive, I’d get paid for doing it. Win win, don’t you think?”

“I think that’s the most fucked up thing I’ve ever heard,” Ovi says. “You made some mistakes. You were in a bad place. Especially when your son was sick. Doesn’t mean you had to pay for those decisions with your life. That’s just...I don’t know...wrong."

“It’s where I was at the time. It’s what I felt I deserved. And if I’d died in Dhaka...” he shrugs. “...I died.”

“That’s messed up. You’ve paid for your mistakes. For your bad decisions. When you got me across the bridge. One good thing erases all the bad. You didn’t have to do it, but you did. You could have just left me in the street. When you knew there was no money. But you didn’t. You still put yourself on the line to get me out of there. A bad person doesn’t do something like that. And you can’t convince me otherwise.”

He’d been looking for an absolution. Redemption, even. To wipe his slate clean. Some days he feels as if he’s found it. That he’d been given a second chance to be a good person; blessed with a wife and five amazing kids and a peaceful, comfortable life. Other days he feels as if he’s still stuck in the same nightmare. Guilt that plagues him, dreams that haunt his sleep, a brain that won’t let him truly rest.

“I just want to try it,” Ovi says. “The job. Just to see if it’s my thing.”

“It isn’t something you just ‘try’. You either go in balls to wall or you don’t go in it all. You want to try something? You want excitement? You want to test your adrenaline? Go bungee jumping or cliff diving or sky diving or shit like that. Don’t go into the job. Because it isn’t excitement you’re going to find. It’s death. And lots of it.”

“I like the idea of the risk. The danger.”

“All of a sudden you get off on having a gun held to your head? Or having to fight off a group of guys in a dark alley? Or constantly wondering if there’s a sniper getting ready to put a bullet in your brain? Fuck that. You’re smarter than this. Way too smart to think any of this is a good idea. And if it’s Chloe putting this bullshit in your head...”

“It’s not Chloe,” Ovi interjects. “It’s not. It’s me.”

“Bullshit. Because you’ve never once talked about any of this since she came along. Tell her if she has a death wish, she can go out and do the job. Get her to commit. Don’t let her throw you to the wolves, mate. Don’t let her make you think you’ve got something to prove or that this is the only thing that will ‘make you a man’. Because that’s shit and we both know it. That’s not what makes a man a man. Killing people. And it doesn’t matter if they deserve it or not.”

“You don’t think I can handle it, do you.”

“I know you can’t. And that’s not a slight on you. Some people are made to do the job, and some people aren’t. Some people are made for bigger and better things. And you’re one of these people. You’re made for bigger and better things. Why would you want to settle for anything less?”

Ovi shrugs. “I want to do some good. After what you did for me in Dhaka....”

“I did what I had to do, mate. What I wanted to do. You don’t have to prove anything to me. I don’t expect thanks. And I don’t expect you to spend the rest of your life showing how grateful you are. I just want you to happy and live a good life. A good, long life. And that won’t happen if you get into the job. There’s rarely a good ending, trust me.”

“You’ve been given a good ending,” Ovi points out.

“And I’ve probably used up all of the good luck that can come to one family. So about we not test it, yeah? How about you just forget about all of this and find something else to do with your life. Go back to school. Get an education. Get into a real career. I’ll pay for it. No hesitation. Just don’t do the job. That’s all I’m asking. That you do not get into that life.”

Ovi nods slowly as he considers Tyler’s words; eyes riveted on his menu, chewing nervously on his bottom lip. “I have a confession to make,” he speaks after several minutes.

“I don’t think I like the sounds of this.”

“I’ve been talking to someone. About all of this. For a while now. Someone that’s still in the business and could answer all my questions and lead me in the right direction. Someone that wouldn’t freak out and threaten to beat my ass.”

“Someone who would encourage you to do stupid shit you mean,” Tyler concludes.

“I needed to talk about it. With someone who wouldn’t get upset about it. Who doesn’t have the history like you do. So...” his voice trails off.

Tyler’s eyes narrow. “What the hell did you do?”

That's when he feels it; a presence lingering off to his right. A familiar scent. A firm hand that falls on his shoulder. And he doesn’t even need to look back. He just knows.

“Hey Nik.”

****

“You look good,” she says in way of greeting, her hands massaging his shoulders. “The retired life suits you.” He’s considerably bigger now; wider, stronger, a brick wall of muscle. The time he’s both devoted to the gym and living cleaner makes him feel healthier. And happier.

He smirks. “I’d say it’s good to see you, but...”

“I wasn’t expecting a warm welcome. At least not from you. But it’s good to see you, Tyler I’m glad life has been treating you well. Of all the people who want a happy ending, you're the one who actually deserved it.”

“What are you doing here, Nik? I know it’s not just to stroke my ego.”

“Ovi invited me,” she gives his shoulders a final squeeze before sliding around to the other side of the table, waving down the waitress before slipping into the empty seat alongside of the younger man. “So we could talk. We haven’t seen or talked to each other in six months. I was starting to worry about you.”

“You mean you were starting to get nosy,” Tyler retorts. “Wanted to see if my life had fallen apart. If maybe my wife had taken off with my kids yet. Kyle doesn’t keep you up to date on this stuff? I am married to his sister.”

“Kyle’s been very adamant about keeping his loyalties to his sister. The last time Esme and I spoke, things didn’t end very well. She was stressed, you were on your way home, and she was worried about how to help you. Things were a little...harsh...between us.”

“For a reason,” Tyler points out. “I know exactly what you talked about and what she said to you. We don’t keep secrets. So cut the bullshit, Nik. What are you doing here?”

“Would you believe me if I said I missed you?”

“I’d believe you if you told me you missed the things I can do for you. And I’m not talking behind closed doors, either. So don’t get your hopes up.”

Ovi shifts uncomfortably in his seat; thankful when the waitress comes to take Nik’s drink order. It lifts the tension and the hostility, at least temporarily.

“Last time we talked, things didn’t go so well,” she address Tyler. “You told me to never contact you. Never to just show up out of the blue, never to text you, never email you.”

“Yet here you are so for some reason. Tracking me down where I live. Which I’m pretty sure I told Kyle to never mention to you. So you couldn’t just show up.”

A smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth. “You of all should know if I have ways of finding things out. You’re harder than most, I have to admit. You know how to cover your tracks. You barely leave a footprint. Still holding onto certain things, I see. Trying to exist but seem like a ghost at the same time. Old habits die hard, don’t they, Tyler.”

“You have no right being here, Nik. I asked you to stay away from me. No. I told you to stay away from me. I finally have a life. Somewhere quiet and peaceful where I don’t have to constantly look over my shoulder and I know my kids are safe. And you...” he stares pointedly at Ovi. “...what the fuck, mate? You knew I’d cut ties with her. With everyone involved in the job. Yet you go and do this?”

“Ovi thought it was a good idea that you and I talk,” Nik speaks for him. “We haven’t touched base in a long time. It’s a good idea, don’t you think? If we get used to one another again? I am marrying your brother in law.”

They’d gotten the invitation a month ago; thick ivory card stock with gold leafing on the inside of the envelope and the invitation itself covered in dried, pressed flowers and ornate calligraphy done in rich cooper colored ink. It hadn’t been much of a surprise; Kyle had already created an entire Facebook page just to document their journey as an engaged couple. And while they’d tried to be happy for Kyle’s sake, there was a lingering bitterness towards Nik that neither of them could let go of. She’d worked too long and too hard trying to destroy their marriage, why would they want to have anything to do with hers? So the invitation sat on the top of the fridge collecting dust and they never spoke of it again.

“And you’ll be living in Colorado or wherever the hell you’ll drag his ass too and I won’t have to do have anything to do with either of you. I don’t care if you’re marrying him or not. As long as you stay away from me, stay away from my wife, and stay away from my kids.”

“That’s not the way to treat a relative is it,” she coyly remarks, then gives a nod of appreciation to the waitress as she returns with her martini. “The baby’s beautiful by the way. Congratulations. Kyle’s shown me the pictures. She looks just like Esme. I’m looking forward to meeting my niece.”

“You’re not going to get close enough to meet her face to face, so...”

“Can’t you two just stop?” Ovi pleads. “Enough. Enough with this going back and forth. That’s not what we’re here for.”

“What are we here for?” Tyler asks, as he leans back in his chair and places his clasped hands on his stomach. “And don’t give me some bullshit, Nik. Just say what you want and get out of here.”

“Ovi asked me to come and talk some sense into you.”

“More like he wanted me to just cave in and agree with what he wants to do. Not going to happen. So if that’s what you’re going to try and do, you’re wasting your time and you should just get on the next flight out of here and...”

“I’ve been recruiting him,” she says. “I’ve been recruiting him for about a month now. After he contacted me wanting information about the job.”

Tyler’s eyes narrow. “What the hell are you doing, Nik? And why are you doing it? We both know that he’s not job material. That he wouldn’t last a day out there.”

“He’s tenacious, has a lot of energy, he’s smart.”

“Too smart to get involved with this. There are a million and one better things he could be doing with his life. And being tenacious and having a lot of energy doesn’t mean shit when you’re out there. When you’ve got to make the quick decisions in order to keep yourself alive. He doesn’t have what it takes. He doesn’t have it in him to hurt people. He killed Gaspar and that fucked him up for years.”

“He was a kid then,” she reminds him. “And if I remember correctly, I’m the one that said calling Gaspar wasn’t a good idea. I tried to talk you out of it, but you were so determined that he’d help you out because you’d saved his life. How did that go for you, Tyler? Trusting him? It didn’t take long for his loyalty to you to disappear, did it. As soon as there was ten million put on the table. Ten million for him and Esme, right? That was the deal. Most men would have taken it.”

“What can I say, Nik?” he smirks. “I’m not most men.”

“He would have killed you to get to them. He wouldn’t have stopped until you were dead. And if Ovi hadn’t have picked up that gun...”

“He was fourteen years old and it fucked him up,” Tyler angrily interrupts. “It doesn’t mean if has what it takes to go out there and kill people. You’re smarter than this. Both of you are. So I don’t know who is brainwashing who, but...”

“You made me a promise, Tyler,” she says. “We made a deal. That I’d start a second branch and you’d run things.”

“That’s before things ended the way they did. Once I walked away from New Zealand, that was it. Fuck our deal. It meant shit after that.”

“I’ve offered Ovi a job. A position with my team. As a mercenary.”

“You’re out of your fucking mind, Nik. You’re both out of your minds. This is a bad goddamn idea and you know it. I gotta get out of here before I say or do something I really regret. I’ve got places I’d rather be than sitting here listening to this bullshit ”

Ovi throws his hands up in a mix of disappointment and exasperation and Nik instructs him to stay where he is as she hurries after Tyler, who easily escapes the patio just by swinging one leg over the makeshift fence, then the other. She has to leave through the restaurant itself, and he’s already across the street and using the keyless remote to unlock his truck.

“You owe me this,” Nik growls, and lays a hand on the driver’s side window, forcing the door closed when Tyler tries to open it.

“I owe you shit. I’ve given you enough. I almost gave you my fucking life. Isn’t that good enough for you? You were perfectly fine with leaving me on that bridge to die.”

“That’s not what happened, and you know it.”

“It took you twenty minutes to come back. And you only did it because Yaz said he was going with or without you. You weren’t just going to leave me there; you were going to leave Esme there. Do you know what would have happened? Once Asif sent more people down there and saw that she was alive? Do you know what they would have done to her? I wouldn’t have been as quick and painless as a bullet in the head. They would have made her suffer and you knew it and you still left her there.”

“It all worked out in the end, didn’t it? The two of you. Marriage, five kids. You got your happy ending, didn’t you?”

“Because that’s what makes it all okay, yeah? That things didn’t get worse. We were expendable. Once you got Ovi, you didn’t give a shit about either of us. You could keep whatever money you got. Two less people to have to share it with. Or were you that pissed about what went down? Those five days in the hotel. You knew what was going on. Did it piss you off that bad? That you’d just leave us there to die? Did we need to be punished, Nik? You needed to get even because it wasn’t you I was fucking.”

“Fuck you, Tyler!” she snaps, and he catches her by the wrist before the slap can even connect with his face. His fingers biting straight through the flesh and pressing painful against the bone.

“What do you want?” he hisses. “Why are you here? You won’t be happy until you completely fuck up my life? Until my wife leaves me and takes my kids?”

“That’s not it. At all.”

“Then what is it?” he snarls. “Quit wasting my fucking time and tell me.”

“I want your help,” she struggles against his grasp “With Ovi.”

“I’m not giving you shit.”

“I want you to just listen to me....and ow!” she lays her forearm against his chest and tries to shove him away. It’s as successful as trying to move a brick wall with your bare hands. “You’re hurting me!”

“Try to hit me again and I won’t hesitate putting you on your ass, understand me?”

She nods, then takes two steps back once he releases. “I just want you to listen to me. Five minutes. That’s all I’m asking for. I don’t to bring you back into the job. I just want you to help me with Ovi. I’ve given him a spot but on condition. He needs training. Lots of it. I can’t send him into a situation without him knowing how to handle different weapons, hand to hand to combat, how to assess situations and problems before they arise.”

“I’m about five seconds away from washing my hands of this. Of you, of him, of this goddamn bullshit mess. This is a mistake. A huge mistake. And I’m not going to just sit back and watch you fuck his life up. He doesn’t have it, Nik. And I know you see that. I know you see what I do. Why the hell push it? Why encourage when you could be helping him make his life better, not worse.”

She places her hands on her hips, regarding him with her head cocked to the side. “Why are you so against him doing this?”

“You’re actually asking me that? After everything he’s been through. After everything he saw in Dhaka. After living with us for five years and seeing my marriage nearly fucking destroyed because of the job. You have the nerve to ask me that? He’s better than this. And he deserves better and I’m not going just sit here and watch you screw up his entire life.”

“You can’t stop him, Tyler. He’s a grown man. He can make is own decisions.”

“He can’t even talk for himself and you think he can go into a place like Dhaka and handle shit? Enough with the bullshit, Nik. This ends. Right here. Right now. This is a mistake and you know it. And the fact you would even prey on him like this...”

“I didn’t prey on him,” she interjects. “He contacted me.”

“And you could have told him that you weren’t interested and to never call you again.”

“And then what? Him find someone else? Someone that doesn’t have nearly the same experience? That would have ended badly, and you know it.”

“This is going to end badly!” Tyler snarls. “Because he doesn’t have it and you know it and I know it. For fuck sakes, Nik. Enough.”

She remains steadfast. “You can train him.”

“Like hell I can!”

“You’re the best mercenary I’ve ever had. There’s no one that can train him the way you can. I know you think you’re probably rusty and you...”

“That’s not what I think. That has nothing to do with it. I’m not saying I can’t do it. I’m saying I won’t do it. I’m not getting involved with this. I’m done.”

“You don’t actually have to go on a job,” she informs him. “It can all be done right here. There are gyms, there’s firing ranges, there’s an entire beach at your disposal you can use to your advantage. I’m not trying to bring you back. I just want you to help.”

“I’m not helping you, Nik. I was done helping you six months ago. And I love the kid like he’s my own, but I wouldn’t let any of my boys get into the job so I'm sure as fuck not going to let him. What the hell is wrong with you? That you’d even have the nerve to come to me with this?”

“He’s your son, Tyler. Maybe not by blood. But...”

“Yeah. He is. Which is why I’m not helping you. I told his old man I’d take care of him. Not throw him to the fucking wolves!”

“So you’d rather I just send him out there with no training?” she challenges.

“I’d rather you give your head a fucking shake and realize what a huge mistake you’re making.”

“This is what he wants, Tyler. He wants a chance to prove himself.”

“To who? You? To his girlfriend? Who is just as delusional as you, by the way. The two of you should meet. You’d make a great pair.”

“You ever stop to think he’s trying to prove something to you?”

“What the hell does that mean? What does he have to prove to me? When have I ever made him think he has to?”

“You may not have made him feel that way, but he does. He thinks he has to fill your shoes. Take up where you left off.”

“That’s bullshit. I’ve never made him feel that way. And I never would.”

“It’s how he feels. He feels he needs to live up to something. That he needs to prove to you that he’s good enough. That he’s worthy of being your son.”

“Jesus Christ, Nik,” Tyler laughs. “That is really reaching. Are you just making this shit up as you go along?”

“I can send you the text messages. The emails. That he sent me when I asked him why he wanted to do this. That way you can see for yourself that what I’m saying is the truth. He feels he owes you something. For saving them. And for nearly dying while doing it.”

“He doesn’t owe me anything. It was my job.”

“It was more than that you and you know it, Tyler. It stopped being about the job the second Mahajan screwed us over. It was all about Ovi from that point on. Because somehow saving him meant you were saving yourself. That you’d find forgiveness for the mistakes you’d made. He saw what you went through. Not just during Dhaka, but after it. And he feels guilty for that. He wants to make it up to you.”

“He has nothing to make up for. I did what I had to do. Nothing more, nothing less. We both know that he can’t hack it. The job. There’s no way.”

“He deserves a chance.”

“A chance for what? Getting shot in the fucking head?”

“He’s going to do this whether you like it or not, Tyler. Don’t you think he deserves a chance to make a real go of it? To survive his first day.”

He sighs. “Of course, I do.”

“If you train him...”

“I can’t. I can’t encourage him to do this. I told Esme I’d do everything I had to to stop him, not help him.”

She smirks. “That’s what it comes down to right? His safety and his life isn’t worth more than her trying to control you? She hasn’t done that enough? When she made you walk away?”

“We’re done, Nik,” he yanks the driver’s side door open.

“We’re done when I say we’re done,” she shuts the door once again. “You’re going to let her call the shots? Still? It wasn’t enough for you to just walk away? She has to control everything else too?”

“I made the decision. I’m the one who left. She was the one who told me go back to New Zealand and when I got there, I realized I couldn’t do it anymore. I left willingly. Because my wife and my kids are the most important things in my life, and it was time I showed that to them.”

“And Ovi isn’t important to you? He's not important enough to save his life?”

“I’ve already done that once. And I wouldn’t have to do it a second time if you weren’t encouraging him to do this shit.”

“And if you weren’t encouraging him to prove to you that he’s worthy of your love. Of being one of your kids.”

He shakes his head and gives a dry laugh. “I’m going home, Nik. To my wife. I’m done. I’m not letting you drag me back into this. You find someone else. I’ve shed enough blood for you.”

She relents, holding her hands up in surrender as she backs away from the truck. “You’ll regret this Tyler.”

“Yeah?” he tosses the door open and climbs into the truck. “Add it the list”

#tyler rake #tyler rake fan fic #tyler rake fan fiction #extraction #best part of me #chris hemsworth character

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fractionallystruckout · 4 years

Text

Second String (Part 2)

(Part 1 - Part 2)

Inspired by @rainbowjunko's great drawing of Jun and Tetsu playing guitar and bass, respectively.

AU: rock band!AU

Also on AO3.

Jun's band practices every day except Monday and Thursday. Yuuki shows up on Monday.

—

Jun stood with the door open, staring at Yuuki on his front step.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. "It's Monday."

He was pretty sure. He hoped it was or the date he'd written on every receipt at the bookstore was wrong.

"I know," Yuuki said, easing some of Jun's concerns. He shifted the bag on his shoulder. "I was wondering if I could practice here."

"Why here?"

"I live in a 1K and the walls are thin."

Jun wanted to say no.

It was Monday, that much was confirmed. Monday was Jun's day to catch up on everything that had fallen by the wayside during the previous week like grocery shopping and laundry. It was why he was standing in front of an unexpected guest wearing a threadbare shirt and a pair of old sweatpants. Yuuki's neatly pressed office attire, including an expensive looking coat, made Jun feel underdressed in his own home which was ridiculous and annoying.

He wanted to say no.

His stupid, stupid dream said otherwise.

You'll only be better if he gets better.

"Fine," he said, stepping back in reluctant invitation. "Come in."

Yuuki nodded and stepped inside, setting his case down so he could take off his shoes. Jun watched him put shined dress shoes down next to his own scuffed boots. Yuuki picked up his case and moved towards the stairs, pausing for a moment to glance at the hallway leading to Jun's kitchen.

"You know the way," Jun said, pushing Yuuki on the shoulder.

They went downstairs, the short trip lit only by ambient light falling down from the entryway until Jun reached out to turn the lights on. Everything was still set up from their practice yesterday, for their practice tomorrow. Yuuki stepped over the cords strayed across the floor as he took up his usual spot, stage left of Miyauchi's drums.

Jun leaned against the wall.

"There's a metronome in that box somewhere," he said, pointing to a box in the far corner behind Miyauchi's seat. It was a mess of cords and tape and anything else that didn't have a proper place. "If it's dead, there's a pack of batteries in the closet."

Yuuki looked up from unpacking his bass. "You're not staying?"

"No," Jun said, shaking his head. "It's Monday."

The day Jun caught up on everything he hadn't had time for during the previous week.

The newest issue of his favorite shoujo manga was calling his name.

Not that Yuuki needed to know that.

"Have at it," he said, starting back up the stairs. "Give a shout if you need anything."

Yuuki nodded. Jun heard him searching through the box as he left.

He walked past his kitchen, letting out a heavy breath as he sat down at the small table next to his bed. In terms of space and rent, Jun technically lived in a 1DK but he'd given up the bedroom to use as a practice space, shrinking his actual living space down to a single studio room. It was fine on most days. He didn't spend a lot of time at home not practicing or sleeping.

More importantly, it was what he could afford.

Jun pushed away the meager remains of his dinner - day old fried rice from the convenience store Ryousuke worked at - and picked up his manga.

He heard the metronome start up below him, sharp electronic beeps measuring out a quick beat. He shook his head at Yuuki's insistence on always playing at full tempo. He chose to ignore it in favor of finally finding out which of the suitors Mariko, the manga's heroine, would pick. The climactic decision was coming and he was only pages away.

Yuuki started to play, pulling Jun's eyes down to the floor.

He could hear the low notes of Yuuki's bass. He could hear the rhythm and the constant beep of the metronome.

He could hear Yuuki being wrong.

Jun lasted ten minutes and two pages before he threw the manga onto his bed and marched downstairs.

"They're upbeats!" he shouted, taking the stairs two at a time. Yuuki looked up at him as Jun stalked over to where he stood, pointing at the rhythm in the music. "Upbeats," he stressed.

Yuuki frowned. "I know."

Jun bit his tongue.

He knew Yuuki knew. They played a surprisingly good set only two days ago. That didn't make waiting for the rhythm to sink in any less tortuous.

He picked up the metronome and turned it off before tossing it carelessly at the box. The beeping was starting to hurt his head and he could only tolerate one persistent annoyance at a time. He grabbed his guitar, keeping his back to Yuuki as he plugged into an amp.

Jun eventually met the subtle question in Yuuki's gaze.

"Next time, bring food," he said, pointing a pick at him.

Yuuki nodded easily.

"Okay," Jun said. "From the top."

—

Jun remembered to put on better clothes before answering the door the following Monday.

There wasn't a lot to choose from. He still hadn't done laundry but the jeans he wore all day and a relatively clean shirt made him feel better when faced with Yuuki's neat, pressed professionalism.

Yuuki stood on his front step, holding his case and a plastic bag in either hand. He held the bag out to Jun.

"Ryousuke said you like oyakudon," he said.

Jun laughed which made Yuuki frown, his hand dropping a little.

"Do you not?" he asked.

"I do," Jun said, holding his hand out to accept Yuuki's offering. He stepped back to let Yuuki in, peeking into the bag as Yuuki took off his shoes. There were two bowls and two sets of chopsticks. "I'm just surprised Ryousuke told you the truth. Saying I like goya or something just to mess with me is more his style."

Yuuki picked up his case. He frowned hard like he was struggling with a rhythm.

"Do you not like goya?"

Jun scrunched up his face. "I hate it."

"I see," he said.

Jun shut the door, suddenly feeling uncomfortable being the topic of conversation. He glanced down at the bag in his hand, the floor, and then the hallway to his kitchen.

"Do you want something to drink?" he asked, changing the subject. "I have water and... water."

"I'll take water," Yuuki said, without a hint of judgment. "Thank you."

"Sure," Jun said. "Go ahead. I'll be right down."

Yuuki nodded and headed downstairs.

Jun went to his kitchen and set the bag of food down on the counter. He searched through his limited collection of dishware, selecting two cups that were the most presentable, meaning clean and not cracked. He filled them with ice and water before grabbing the bag and going down to the practice space.

Yuuki had cleared a stack of books and magazines off a neglected end table and placed it between the couch and a chair. Jun set the cups down on the table and began unpacking the food. He handed Yuuki a bowl and chopsticks before taking the other for himself and dropping into the chair.

Jun was three bites in when he had to stop.

"This is really good," he said.

Yuuki set down his water. "It's from a shop in the train station by my office," he said, as if he was considering it for the first time. "It's very popular."

"I can see why," Jun said. Yuuki smiled as Jun ate vigorously, too caught up in the satisfaction of good food to be bothered with polite pacing. He paused about halfway through and sat back in his chair. "Thanks for dinner."

"Thanks for letting me practice here."

Jun shrugged. His letting Yuuki practice wasn't exactly altruistic. If Yuuki got better, the band would be better. It was all in service of Jun's dream.

He set his bowl down and looked at Yuuki.

"So, what else do you do?" he asked. "When you're not butchering our music?"

Yuuki frowned.

Jun laughed.

—

Yuuki liked routine.

He was consistent and predictable. Jun could set his watch by him, if he wore a watch.

It was something Jun learned, gleaned, picked up over time and shared meals eaten in their practice space. He also learned that Yuuki had a degree in management and had been at his job since he graduated from college. He liked it well enough, it paid the bills. He learned Yuuki had a younger brother who was still in college. They talked regularly, on Thursdays, coincidentally, which was probably the only reason Yuuki didn't show up asking to practice on those days too.

But most of all, Yuuki liked routine.

It was that preference towards routine that brought him back to Jun's front step, week after week, Monday after Monday, always with food in hand. After oyakudon it had been curry, paitan ramen, yakitori, and shio salmon.

Today it was okonomiyaki.

And beer.

"Don't make that face!" Jun said, pointing at Yuuki.

In Yuuki's defense, the range of his expressions was small but Jun could tell. He had the advantage, the high ground, standing while Yuuki sat on the couch. He also had years of experience with people's opinions on shoujo manga.

He could tell.

"What face?" Yuuki asked.

"That face," Jun said, stepping up to the end table that separated them, pointing at the amused tilt to Yuuki's mouth. "That 'shoujo is for girls' face."

"But it is? It's in the name."

Jun groaned, his body drooping in disappointment.

"A target demographic doesn't define the entire audience!" he said, gesturing a bit too widely given the beer in his hand. "They're still good stories, they just focus more on people than action. It's like a kids movie," he argued, approaching the table again. "Are you never going to see another kids movie just because you're not the target audience?"

Yuuki blinked, the amusement subtly falling off his face.

"No," he said slowly.

"Exactly," Jun grinned. He took a long, victorious drink from his beer. "It's the same thing."

Yuuki stayed quiet as Jun returned to his seat. He had no rebuttal for Jun's bulletproof argument.

Jun dropped into the chair as he surveyed the remains of the food. He turned at an angle, throwing his leg over the side arm, giving him leverage to reach across the table and pick a neglected piece of pork off Yuuki's plate. He righted himself as he put it into his mouth.

Yuuki didn't seem to notice the theft.

"Do you have a favorite?" he asked.

"I can't pick just one," Jun said, between chewing.

"Which would you recommend?"

"It depends on what you're looking for."

Yuuki frowned, which was a weird response.

It made Jun want to press his finger to Yuuki's brow to see if the crease would go away.

"What's your favorite manga?" he asked instead.

"Lone Wolf and Cub."

Jun laughed.

"Of course it is," he said, not noticing when his laughter floated almost into giggle territory. He tried to take another drink, peering into the bottle when it came up empty. He put it down on the table with the others. "You seem like the type that likes sword fights that go on for a hundred pages."

"It's a story about sacrifice and determination-" Yuuki started.

"It's people fighting with swords," Jun moaned, dragging the words out.

Yuuki smiled, which was a weird response.

Jun narrowed his eyes at him.

"If shoujo is more than just a genre for girls," Yuuki said calmly, "then Lone Wolf and Cub can be more than just people fighting with swords."

Jun stared at Yuuki as he considered his argument.

The stark professionalism that gave Yuuki an untouchable air was gone, shed slowly, piece by piece, over the passing weeks. His tie was gone, the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, and his long sleeves were folded up to his elbows. Jun could see his watch, the calluses on his fingers, the flex of his forearms as he turned his beer in his hands. He could see the flush of alcohol that warmed Yuuki's face, the color running down his neck to where lines were still drawn.

It made Jun wonder if Yuuki felt as warm to the touch as he looked.

"I guess you're right," he said, turning his attention away. Having nothing to do with his hands, Jun crossed his arms over his chest. "Maybe we can swap later. You can read some shoujo and I can find out what's so good about sword fights."

Yuuki laughed, brief and soft.

"I'd like that."

"Me too."

Jun glanced at him, feeling his face warm when Yuuki smiled.

He blamed the alcohol.

"Although I expect you to take good care of my books, Yuuki," he said, forcing the usual edge to his tone. "Some of them are out of print."

"I will," Yuuki said with a nod, unquestionable as always. He looked at Jun for a moment before adding, "And Tetsu's fine."

Jun fought the smile trying to overtake his face.

"Jun's fine too."

#fanfic #TetsuJun #AU #rock band!AU #Second String #Fitz fic #Personal opinion: Jun is wrong about bitter melon (goya)#I just needed a food for him to hate and had a lot of trouble coming up with one #And I know a lot of people who don't like bitter melon #Also Jun shouting about upbeats is so funny to me #I can't explain it

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stellar-alley · 4 years

Text

Everfalls

•Chapter 12•

This is based off of the artwork by oceanteeeth on Instagram! Also shout out to my Beta super.rose.cosplays!

Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

(Summary: After some investigating, Stanley finds Bill has been doing some shocking research of his own. Eddie struggles to pack for a sleepover and requests Richie's aid. )

“Hey Bill” Stan greeted with a smile when Bill opened the door.

“Hey Stan” Bill returned the smile as he stepped aside to allow Stan to come inside.

Stan and Bill had made plans to get together after school that Friday to work on their project for religion class. An hour before Stan left for Bill’s house, he received a very odd call from a frantic Richie and Eddie. He requested that Stan do some digging and see if Bill knew about their secret. Stan, of course, needed context, which he received after threatening to not help at all.

Yes he agreed to look around, as he was already going to Bill’s house. Though he didn’t tell them that he didn’t believe them. Yes they’re supernatural creatures and he should be used to believing random shit by now. But Bill was a good guy, he’s known him for as long as he can remember, so he cannot imagine him betraying his friends like that.

Bill led Stan into the kitchen where they usually set up to work. As Stan began to unload his bag he heard the rumbling of feet running down the stairs. The two turned towards the stairs that led to the second floor just in time to see Bill’s younger brother, George, charge towards them.

“Stanley!” He exclaimed, jumping to hug Stan.

Stan was taken aback by the sudden force as the kid hugged him. But he soon straightened up and returned the gesture.

“Hey Georgie, how’re you doing?” Stan smiled down at the kid.

“Good!” He beamed up at Stan before turning to face his older brother, “Billy can I have some choky milk please?” He asked with a tilt of his head, he looked like a sad puppy.

Bill took a moment to think as if he hadn't already made up his mind. “I guess that’d be al-alright” he said as if it was a special occasion.

Georgie pumped a fist into the air and cheered. Then he ran to the kitchen to retrieve his favourite cup from the cupboard.

Bill happily shook his head as he opened the fridge and took out the big jug of chocolate milk.

Stan’s brow furrowed as he watched Bill take a second jug out of the fridge. “Why two?” he asked.

The older brother began to pour his brother a cup, he handed it to the kid before he turned back to Stan. “W-Watch” Bill instructed as he took the cap off the second jug. Bill ducked down to grab something from one of the lower cupboards and screwed it onto the jug. Once it was secure he grabbed the handle and tilted the jug upwards and began to drink straight from the bottle. That’s when Stan noticed that Bill had replaced the normal cap with the iconic orange gatorade cap.

Stan’s jaw dropped in fake shock, “Holy shit” He laughed. Bill lowered the jug, the usual milk mustache he would’ve received if it was the normal cap was nowhere to be seen. He did a little bow as if he had just presented his secret talent. Though the gesture was small and in no way intimate, Stan’s heart still found a way to beat a little faster in his chest. He might've denied it when he was with Richie but Stan knew deep down that he had feelings for Bill. The two teens had known each other for a really long time, and they always shared a connection, like they always knew what the other was thinking.

Bill gestured the other, normal, jug to Stan, “W-Want some?”, just like that, he read Stan’s mind.

Stan and Bill had about half of their project. Their religion teacher had told them to research a separate religion and make a poster board display that showed all of their findings. So of course, as Stan is Jewish, they decided to do Judaism. They had everything drawn and written up, now all that was left to do was glue it onto their poster board. But Stan couldn’t find his glue.

“Big Bill, do you have any glue? I think I forgot mine” Stan asks.

Bill looked up from the title he was writing in long flowy cursive letters. “Yep I sh-should have some in the spare room on the desk” Stan nodded and stood up then made his way up the stairs to where the spare room resides.

Stan slowed his pace once he reached the top of the stairs, Hm, when was the last time I went into Bill’s room? Not since his dad passed…. Ever since Zack Denbrough’s passing, the Losers have usually agreed it’d be best to get Bill out of his house and try to get his mind off of the things worrying him.

First things first he went into the spare bedroom and retrieved the glue.

Afterwards the curly haired teen found himself standing before his best friend’s bedroom door, suddenly worried about what state of disarray his friend’s room might be in. Stan shook his head, he tried to shake off his worries but all he did was knock a couple of his golden curls into his face. He mentally cursed out his hair that he had let grow out.

Without wasting anymore time, Stan sighed and pushed the door open. He was happily surprised to see that Bill’s room was fairly tiddy, with his window open it created a nice breeze that blew in. His bed was made and the floor was clean. The only thing that was a little messy was Bill’s desk, covered in random papers and books. He looked up at the wall behind the desk, his jaw dropped at the display that had set up.

“Shit…” Stan gasped, Richie was right.

He could barely believe his eyes, surprised that he didn’t notice it sooner. The wall looked like a background from a detective movie, pictures and newspaper clippings taped to the wall and laced together with various pieces of yarn. Quickly he snatched his phone out of his pocket and began snapping pictures.

There was a picture of a white rabbit in the middle of an empty field, newspaper clippings, some from his dad’s death, others from other cold cases. Eddie had his own corner, with a picture that Bill must’ve secretly snapped during school in the middle. Surrounding the headshot was the same picture of the rabbit and a picture of an open field, and various other notes that Stanley didn’t have time to read.

The sound of Bill’s voice made Stan freeze in place. “Find it?” Bill shouted out from the bottom of the stairs.

“Yep!” he tried to keep his voice steady as he relaxed his shoulders. Stan stole one last look at the fucking Buzzfeed unsolved board before heading back downstairs.

“W-What took you so lu-long?” Bill questioned while Stan reclaimed his chair beside him.

“Nothing, just thought I saw a spider” Stan shrugged, using his arachnophobia as an excuse. If Bill was suspicious he didn’t mention it, he simply nodded and got back to his writing.

Another 20 minutes went by and the boys had half of their project finalized and glued onto the board.

“Would you w-wanna come over to-tomorrow for a sleep-over?” Bill’s voice sounded soft, vulnerable almost.

It made Stan’s heart melt. “Yeah! That sounds like fun” he tried so hard to keep his voice from sounding too excited.

“Okay, good…” Bill sent Stan a warm smile before he continued, “I’m gonna see if the rest of the g-gang wants to come.” Stan’s gut twisted, of course it wouldn’t be just us. “Y-You guys have done so much for me, ah-and I wanna repay you gu-guys”.

“Oh, Bill you don’t need to do that. It’s what friends are for” Stan forced a smile.

“I-I know… But still, it would be fu-fun” He smirked over at the other boy.

“With Richie coming? Yeah it’ll be chaos” Stan mused, which got a little chuckle out of Bill. Seeing that reaction made Stanley happy, either way, as long as he’s happy, I’m happy.

The Losers Club

Bill: Sleepover @ my place tomorrow night?

Beverly: FUCK YEAH!

Mike: Sounds fun!

Ben: I’ll be there.

Richie: Should I bring the good stuff?

Stan: Richie no one is going to smoke weed with you.

Bev: Speak for yourself

Bill: guys no smoking in my fucking house

Richie: fine…

Eddie clicked out of the conversation as he wasn't interested in listening to them argue about drugs. Instead he opened up his chat with Richie

Trashmouth <3

Eddie: Are you going to the speelover?

Richie: yepperoni Richie: you?

Eddie: Not sure, I’m kinda suspicious of Bill

Richie: i know… but if everyone else is there then we should be safe

Eddie: Yeah you’re right

Richie: i know

Eddie: Can you come over?

Richie: you good?

Eddie: No.

Eddie’s phone immediately went off, vibrating and emitting his annoying ringtone. He swiped to answer the call. “Richie?” He asked.

“Eddie are you okay?” The wolf’s voice sounded worried.

“What? Yeah I’m fine I just-”.

“Cause you said you weren’t okay-”

“No, no, not like that. I’ve never been to a sleepover before and I have no clue what to pack” Eddie explained, he glanced over at his backpack and wondered what he’d bring.

“OH thank god, don’t scare me like that. I thought you were in trouble” Richie let out a heavy sigh. “Wait what do you mean you’ve never been to a sleepover before?” Eddie could practically see the confused look on his face. “Did you not have sleepovers in The All Lands?”.

“No asshat we had sleepovers, I just wasn't allowed…” Eddie’s voice drifted off, recalling a time when his mother used to control every aspect of his life. He shook it off before it could get to him, “So can you come over or not? If you get ready beforehand we can go together” he suggested.

“Yeah sounds good. And hey, don’t worry about Bill okay? This’ll be fun!” Richie cheered, “See you tomorrow Spaghetti”.

“Richie that’s not my name” Eddie drew out the A. He let out a small sigh, “Bye Trashmouth” then he hung up.

Richie hummed while he inspected Eddie’s room, hands on his hips, “You’ll also need toiletries, like toothbrush and stuff.” Richie said as Eddie popped his head up from under his bed where he was retrieving his pajamas.

“Yep I got them already. Hey Rich?”

“Yeah Eds?”

“Grab me my fanny pack over on bay window”

“A fanny pack? Dude no one uses those anymore” Richie tried to stifle his laugh as he retrieved the pack from the bay window.

“Well I use it, so shut it” Eddie said, but his voice held no anger.

Richie held his hands up in defence “alright alright” he chuckled as he tossed it into the backpack Eddie was preparing for the sleepover. Eddie stood up and dusted off his pants. “Okay I think you should be good” Richie went over the mental checklist he had created.

“Okay… And you’re sure this is a good idea?” Eddie raised his eyebrows questioningly.

“Yes, for the hundredth time, we’re gonna be okay” Richie walked over to put a comforting hand on Eddie’s shoulder.

Eddie sighed and leaned into Richie’s touch. “Alright, fine”.

“C’mon, it’ll be a blast,” Richie said with a smile.

Word Count: 1864

GUYS, WE'RE HALFWAY THERE! I started posting this story way after I began writing it so I've always been about 10 chapters ahead of the updates LOL. And I'm pretty sure I have about 2 chapters left to write, so we're halfway there! Ah I'm kinda sad cause this story is my literal pride and joy but IT'S SO FRICKEN GOOOOD! Okay enough about the future, let's focus on the present. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and are excited to see what happens next because trust me, shit is about to go down next chapter (; But also like, comment, share this chapter as it shows how much you care and it inspires me to keep writing!

And don't forget to check me out on Instagram @Stellar.Cosplays if you want to see more of my real life and some behind the scenes content!

That's all for me, until next time

So Long and Goodnight.

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