#a situation or relationship proven 'too good to be true' is a theme far too common in his life

[demigods-posts]

okay but you can see the moment percy's heart shatters into pieces once he learns that grover was also annabeth's protector. because this child grew up watching as his peers chose schoolyard taunts over compassion. watching as his dad chose freedom over fatherhood. watching as his mother chose to protect his life by sacrificing her own. but when his mom dies, he holds onto the notion that at least he's not alone. at least he has grover. but that worldveiw wastes away when he learns that he is, first and foremost, grover's assignment. that he was no one's first choice at all.

[sunseteyes]

FLUFFVEMBER DAY 30: KENMA KOZUME

prompt: random questions at 1am (prompts are by @jojosmilktea)

word count: 1,414 words | themes: gen!reader. comfort fluff? domestic! pre-established relationship

tags: @kacchanori @chickynn @todominica @sparkleswritings @brinthie @patricia-ceballos @giyuus-wife @bitchtrynafck @astrxrism @animatedarchives @deephasoceanmagic @strawberrysalwa @kawaiinishii @moonlightaangel @mrs-kuroojinguji @meliorist-midoriya @pandabobachan

rv: entirely self-indulgent. this is my routine at nightㄟ(￣▽￣ㄟ) plus, i first wrote this at 1am hehehe. also, if you guys want a song inspo listen to dreamy night by lilypichu it fits this fic so well!! also, thank you so much for supporting me all throughout my fluffvember! aaa i’m never doing anything like this again but instead maybe an event that posts every atleast 2 days?? heheh. i may have grew exhausted at least more than once but this was fun! please do look forward to my future events~ i love you all~ although speaking of kenma i’ll have an smau for him comin up!

✒︎ unspoken rule

kenma was sleeping when he heard the muffled noises that eventually became the cause of his consciousness, pulling him into the wake world with his eyes landing on you, your phone held up to your face as the light from the gadget reflected on your irises; eyes wide open, indicating that you have been focusing on whatever you were doing on the screen.

obviously from the sounds though, kenma could rule out that you were playing your favorite game—mobile legends, probably. he wasn't much of a fan of that game since he knows and likes the others more, but since it was the only game you and him mutually could play, he frequently lets you indulge him to play with you. he also knows that the only reason you might be playing as of the moment is because you couldn't sleep, just like usual.

however, his eyes were already giving up and he let the sounds from your game lull him again to sleep, pulling him in the dream world where his unconsciousness settles him in and tucks him in a fantasy that he might not even remember the moment he opens his eyes.

it was 1AM when he was awoken again, which was unlikely of him since he usually wakes up an hour after, and he'll play games from then on. despite that, he forced himself to stay awake when he sees your form, this time in front of your laptop, clearly working on something—probably a schoolwork or a tumblr post you would schedule to be published by tomorrow evening.

he sits up from the bed and he immediately wanted to lay back down again, his body urging him to. still, he raises up a hand to rub on his eyes, hoping to scratch away the sleepiness in his system.

he was half-asleep when he pulls himself to stand and sit on the empty chair next to you—the one he usually occupies whenever he's gaming or doing his livestreams. your chair will only rarely be occupied by you since you do your work outside, where you set-up your laptop and things to do on fresh air, also as a way to not be interrupted by the sounds his switch or keyboard produces whenever he plays.

every night though, is a different story.

kenma knows you are not much of a procastinator and usually does your schoolworks or stuff to do as early as possible—and he actually admires you for that. for him, you were one of the most responsible person he has ever met. however, you have a tendency to pressure yourself to do things as fast as possible, and kenma is here to support you, even if he has to sacrifice one hour of his sleep just to accompany you in your work.

he didn't have to peak on your laptop screen and just pushed his chair next to you, presumably a natural move of his—which it is, anyway. he then raises both of your hand rests so that he can settle himself beside you and lean his head on your shoulder, letting his eyelids close as you merely continued typing away from your laptop.

this is not actually the first time you've attempted to stay up late while doing your schoolworks or other things that could only keep you busy. that's why this is also not the first time he has done this for you and these moments just comes by, as if it was part of your daily routine.

"what are you working on again?" came out kenma's voice, soft and slurred from the drowsiness, but still clear enough for you, who was only inches away from him. he feels you halt your movements, and probably looks at him sideways for a second before continues on with your work.

"i have this event that i'm working on. i was supposed to do this last week but i got piled up by my schoolworks. you should sleep on the bed, ken. aren't you uncomfortable in this position?"

"i'm not," he says almost instantly, situating his head further onto your shoulder. "are you?"

"no, it's fine." there was a pleasantry in your voice that even when his eyes were closed, he knew you were smiling. "this actually feels nice. thanks for accompanying me again."

kenma on the other hand, barely had energy left to form a reaction, but he was still able to speak and mutter out words, nonetheless.

"ask me questions, (y/n). i might fall asleep if you don't."

"hm? isn't it better if you sleep instead? it's alright, y’know. i know you're tired."

"i'm not,” his brows curl and furrow in the slightest, "-just keep me from falling asleep."

"okay, alright, alright." you chuckle lowly, your energy depleted all the same, but seemingly still in a fair mood. he notices you stop your typing and you were humming, as if thinking and pondering deeply.

"what's your moon sign?"

"what's that?" kenma's eyes flufter and he sees you typing away again.

"like-your sun sign in the zodiac is libra right? the moon sign is the sign that you truly are deep inside of you." you say, despite being preoccupied. you're good at multi-tasking like that.

"i don't know what you're talking about." his eyelids closes again as he says the word "next"

"okay, uh-if me and kuroo are drowning, who would you save?"

"you," he says, not even thinking about it. "kuroo knows how to swim and you don't. besides, i'm sure kuroo would be the one saving you before he could even drown."

you let out a chuckle, probably grinning wide despite the straight-up insult he just gave.

"yeah, i think so too. your lazy ass would be ordering kuroo to save me instead, that's what."

he removes himself from your shoulder and opens his eyes to weakly glare at you, a pout on his lips that you had to laugh when you glanced at him sideways.

“what? it’s true.” you giggled and he eventually makes his way back to your shoulder, his silky hair tickling the sides of your face.

"how long are you going to stay up anyway? i'd have to play a game in a few later." he mumbles under his breath, his eyelids probably sliding shut with its desire to sleep.

your typing stops and your head turns his way once again, a hand along its way to reach for his hand, squeezing it ever so gently, "i told you, you could take a nap now. i'd just wake you up later when it's 2 AM."

your reassurance seems to have proven its worth when he lets out a breath that resembles one of a scoff, snuggling a little more on your shoulder, making himself more comfortable.

"head on to the bed, ken. you'll have a stiff neck if you sleep like that."

"i won't."

"hm?" you resumed typing, your focus divided upon kenma and what you were doing previously. you're so used in multitasking, but since you were far more concerned with his well-being, your fingers couldn't even find a way to work out anything with how your mind seemingly can’t form the thoughts you wanted it to do so.

"i won't, i'll stay here. just wake me up on time." he mutters as he drifts off, his breathing stabilizes and his form going slump next to you.

without noticing yourself, a corner of your lip curling up as the words to your work began to come back on your mind, your fingers working its way to type on your computer. you found a little bit of comfort in defiance of the stiffness and exhaustion of your muscles, trying your best not wake the other.

with him there, it was enough. with him beside you, it’s more than just enough.

thus you continued to work, with thoughts of how you’d sleep on kenma’s lap while he’s gaming a little bit later the moment he wakes up. just like usual, even in the difference of your waking states, you two still kept each other company.

despite having no conversation or obligation to do so, it became like an unspoken rule to keep the other from feeling lonely. because even in the darkest of nights and the brightest of days, you're there for him, and he's there for you.

and that alone was enough to go through the day, even at 1AM, where everyone else was sound asleep. at least, you have kenma here, right beside you.

[anthropologicalhands]

r/n - i've been working on my backwards walk / there's nowhere else for me to go / except back to you just one last time / say yes before i change my mind

As Rebecca tries to be sanguine about nearing forty, seeing it as a peak rather than a slide into decay (a Naomi-fostered distortion that has proven remarkably difficult to shake), one thing that has comforted Rebecca over the last decade is that with experience, she’s learned how to handle all matter of situations with grace, simply because she’s seen them before.

Revisiting this particular situation, however, is not what she expected.

It starts with an invitation delivered to Rebecca’s house to Hebby’s fifth grade graduation. There wouldn’t be anything strange about such a thing, even after she gets over the orange-and-turquoise astronaut theme (Hebby was going through a bit of a NASA phase), were it not for the fact the invitation was also addressed to Nathaniel.

Rebecca and Nathaniel, specifically.

Still frowning and trying to ignore the weird ringing that just went through her head at the jolt of seeing hers and Nathaniel’s names juxtaposed across a piece of lurid cardstock—like they’re a unit, or something—Rebecca credits herself with just pulling her phone out and calling Darryl directly instead of diving headfirst into a panic spiral.

“Rebecca!” Darryl’s voice booms from the other end of the line, and Rebecca can’t help the reflexive grin—Darryl’s unflagging enthusiasm while raising four daughters remains nothing short than a scientific marvel. “What a surprise. How is my favorite pretzel singer?”

“Hey, Darryl. Quick question for you. I got your card—”

“Isn’t it great? Hebby picked out the colors specially.”

“I’ll bet she did. But that’s not why I was calling, actually. I was wondering if, perchance, you might have had a shortage of such eye-popping invitations?”

“What do you mean?”

“My invitation was addressed to me and Nathaniel, which, I can definitely send him the deets, no problem, but wouldn’t an email be easier?”

“Oh?” She can hear Darryl’s mustache frown from the other end of the phone. “You mean you and Nathaniel aren’t…”

“Well, he doesn’t live here,” snaps Rebecca, a little flustered. “Why would you think that? Why did you think—did he—”

“Hang on,” says Darryl, and she can hear him calling for April, leaving her stuttered rejection hanging.

Are her and Nathaniel—

How is that even a question anymore?

It’s been a decade, and everyone involved with that event has definitively moved forward with their lives. Her and Josh were a definitive ‘no’ from that fateful Valentine’s Day onwards, remaining dear friends instead, and she was very much the ‘cool aunt’ among his own children. Her and Greg had wavered briefly for a bit afterwards, ran into some seriously uncomfortable friction, and it took them the better part of two years to find a good balance. It probably helped that she accidentally connected him to the woman who would become his wife, but that was a story for another day.

And it was a similar story with Nathaniel. He went to Guatemala for two years, came back and split his time between helping at MountainTop and working with some volunteer legal capacity with the local zoos and her and him—

Ah. Well.

Okay, so it wasn’t quite as clearly defined with Nathaniel, beyond the general fact that she wanted him to be happy, and he wanted her to be happy, and generally their relationship since his return had been checking in on each other, making fun of their weird hobbies and still showing up to events that were important to each other. It was all very adult and friendly and open. Their friendship had appropriate limits and boundaries and they supported each other in the respective relationships they had tried over the years, and it was very platonic…

Well. Except when it wasn’t. There hadn’t been a repeat of the Mona incident ever, and Rebecca could honestly say that she really liked a couple of the long-term girlfriends he’d introduced to them since then, and was genuinely regretful when those relationships ended. Especially for Sylvia, the LA Zoo curator who had to move for her career. Not that the regret wasn’t complicated by other factors, like when Nathaniel had admitted privately to Rebecca later that as much as he liked Sylvia, he just couldn’t see himself leaving California again.

She didn’t get butterflies at that, exactly, because but there had been a comfort in knowing that Nathaniel was content to remain in her orbit.

Again, not entirely uncomplicated. But it was nothing beyond the usual messy spectrum of human emotion internally, and never acted on externally.

She’s dated on and off as suited her libido and her schedule and her desire to find a life partner. She’s had relationships that got serious enough to talk about the future on and off, but they’ve all ended too for reasons inherent to those dynamics themselves. Nathaniel had been a good friend while they were going on, and a shoulder to cry on after, and well, okay, they might have fallen back into bed together a few times over the years, but they never pretended that it was either more than it was or that it was some forbidden thing that wouldn’t happen again. It was what it was.

Well. And they hung out, sometimes. And occasionally were each other’s plus-ones to public events. And friends’ weddings. And quite possibly—

Hm.

It really, really doesn’t help her case that she’s going to see him tonight, either.

“Rebecca?” Darryl tears her out of her thoughts. “Sorry about that! I think there was just a mistake at the stationary shop and they put your cards in together. What are the odds? I might need to call the other parents on the list, just to make sure that they got theirs all right. Could you take that one to Nathaniel? I don’t know if it’s out of your way—”

“Not at all!” says Rebecca, smiling with all of her teeth even though Darryl can’t see her, her cheeks aching. “Not even remotely.”

“Good,” says Darryl, and she can hear him beaming from the other side of the line.

~

“So, a funny thing happened on the way to your apartment…”

“That’s ominous,” comments Nathaniel, taking the bag of groceries she shoves at him without complaint as he closes the door behind her. Rebecca kicks off her shoes and toes them out of the walkway, abiding by Nathaniel’s still oft-repeated entreaties to not leave her personal belongings strewn entirely across his apartment.

“It’s not ominous so much as luminous,” says Rebecca, reaching into her purse and withdrawing Hebby’s invitation with a little flourish of the wrist. “Well, fluorescent.”

“Oh my god.”

Nathaniel accepts the card and flicks it open, scanning through the cheerful, only slightly grammatically incorrect message, and cannot quite suppress an amused huff of laughter. Rebecca hides her own smile as she turns away to set her purse on the very useful hook Nathaniel installed for her own use. Like herself, Nathaniel has a soft spot for Hebby, despite his continued awkwardness around children.

“Right? She gets that from Darryl for sure.”

“I don’t know, I remember someone showing up in some pink and purple eyesore into a law firm the very first day I met her.”

“You just didn’t know fun when you saw it,” says Rebecca instead, perching on the edge of the couch. “But it was funny. I was worried for a second that he thought that we were a couple or something. How weird is that?”

She is completely, totally casual in her delivery of that line, she knows. A decade in community theater and singing gigs have certainly finetuned her ability to turn a phrase, if nothing else. But something must be slightly offkey, because Nathaniel snaps up from marveling at the card to eye her suspiciously.

“Very weird,” he says, after a slightly-too-long pause. “Do we seem like a couple? Why would we seem like a couple when we aren’t a couple?”

“That’s exactly what I thought!” She punches him companionably on the arm; apparently too hard, if the way he winces and rubs at his bicep is any consideration.

(She’s been taking workout classes with Valencia—she deserves something for all that pain.)

“But it’s probably nothing,” she adds, determined to address this weird little misstep directly, because they are both too old to be having any kinds of weird misunderstandings anymore. “We’re close. We have our own rhythm, our own special two step. No wonder Darryl got confused.”

“He’s getting old,” says Nathaniel.

“Dude, c’mon.”

“What? It’s true.”

“What about you, Mister Gray?” Rebecca challenges. Nathaniel pulls a face in response, clearly fighting the urge to brush his hand through the aforementioned silvering at his temples.

(He wasn’t quite vain enough to dye his hair yet, though Rebecca credits his restraint to the fact that she would never let him hear the end of it.)

“It’s just a couple of hairs,” he says inconsequentially, as though it hasn’t been long established that between the two of them, he’s the one with the greater fear of aging, and therefore in far more danger of aging gracelessly.

“Keep telling yourself that.” Rebecca hops off the couch and grabs him by the elbow. “Now c’mon, let’s make sure make these sweet potatoes are not oh-sweet-pies-don’t!”

~

Heading over to Nathaniel’s place had left Rebecca feeling on edge, not quite sure how to process the idea of someone, anyone, considering her and Nathaniel as a potential couple this late in the game.

Nothing is more grounding, however, than seeing Nathaniel being clearly so off kilter, missing steps in what should be a well-worn dance of theirs by now. Dancing has always been their thing—where they once threw each other off at every possible moment, shaking up their convictions about life and happiness and how that concept could exist within their previously compartmentalized existences. Now, they were familiar with each other. Comfortable. Predictable.

They knew each other’s moves now, which means that she could see Nathaniel’s as clear as water.

He’s unfocused during dinner, a little erratic in his answers, jittery, as if he’s had too much coffee. It’s putting her off her rhythm, and while she knows that not everything in life needs to be a big song and dance production, there does need to be some kind of continuity.

This evening was supposed to be easygoing and relaxing. And, yes, probably beneficial in that very particular friends-with-benefits way. But since that clearly wasn’t going to happen, they needed to execute a sharp left turn and get this all settled.

“Nathaniel?” she repeats, for the third time.

“Hm?”

“Are you getting hard of hearing in your old age?” He scowls deeply at her in response. “Yeah, yeah, I had to ask. So, what’s bugging you?”

He’s silent for a long minute. “Just something ridiculous.”

“Yeah?”

He shakes his head. “We don’t need to go through it again. It’s just spinning in circles around the same old subject.”

“Try a jazz square then.”

That startles a laugh out of him, much to Rebecca’s satisfaction. Good to know that she still has some capacity for surprise with him. She continues, “You know that move, right? Don’t tell me you forgot about Connie.”

“Are you kidding? I still have nightmares about her scarf strangling me to death.”

“Dark.”

“She was terrifying.”

“Yeah.” They sit in companionable silence. Then Nathaniel sighs.

“Sorry I’m being weird. I just…hearing that from you, I always thought it would just be a good laugh. You know, ridiculous to even think about romance again. But it made me feel weird instead, so now I’m acting slightly weird.”

“I wouldn’t say slightly,” teases Rebecca, unable to resist. Nathaniel doesn’t return her smile.

“Rebecca, I like where we are. I like that our relationship isn’t a big production anymore.”

“Don’t get me wrong—I love drama on the stage, but that’s definitely where it should stay.” She drums her fingers on her thigh, subconsciously tapping out a tune that’s been giving her trouble these last few weeks. “We can learn new steps, you know. Old dogs, new tricks? That doesn’t only apply to the bedroom.”

Nathaniel (again, predictably) groans.

“Aren’t you getting too old to have such a dirty mind?” But he’s smiling, now.

“Nah. I fully intend to be a filthy old woman. But seriously,” she adds, moving to sit besides him on the couch. “If just the thought of other people thinking that we’re a couple again is enough to send us both off balance, we need to center ourselves. Maybe it’s something worth talking about. What do you say?”

She reaches out and grabs his hand, and starts to tap a rhythm against his large palm—one of the first she ever composed, the first one her friends ever danced to. After a moment, he taps back, completing it.

“Yes.”

[the-odd-job]

Up in Flames chapter 12 - Bring a Little Hell (Ashes Part 2)

Warnings: Major Character Death, Chose Not to Use Category: Other Fandom: Transformers Relationships: Megatron/Sunstreaker, Megatron/Sideswipe, Sideswipe & Sunstreaker Characters: Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Onslaught Additional Tags: Dubcon, Mechpreg, Sticky Words: 2823

( Previous )

Ratchet remained concerned of his glitch, as was the theme with all of the Autobots. And it did make sense. Some, at least. It was a dangerous thing to toy with, one that landed others in medbay or the recycling yard if it got out of control.

But… Wasn’t it also an unspeakable advantage? He couldn’t count how many times he’d gotten out of sticky situations, won a fight, because of it. That dysfunctional part of him. It made him damn near unstoppable, and sometimes, especially in the Pits and during a goddamned war, that was just what you needed. A little extra gear to beat the fear of Primus into your opposition.

Sometimes beat that into your own side too, though. That was an unfortunate side effect of the whole thing, one the Autobots desperately feared.

The Decepticons? He still couldn’t speak for most of them, but at least he knew what Megatron thought. Megatron didn’t think it was something to concern oneself with, no matter how hazardous the whole thing could be. Megatron just saw it as another tool of destruction, same as a gun, or a sword. To be wielded, not to be feared.

Was it comparable to those, though? Guns and swords were dangerous too, but you needed either someone who was completely out of control—desperate—to make them so, or someone skilled enough to use them right and with enough ill intent to actually put that skill to good use.

What was he? Was he desperate for survival when he unleashed himself, or was he a skilled craftsman of death that only used it as another method to the end of annihilation? 

The Autobots had driven him towards the former with their preaching of total control that didn’t leave any room to lose himself, because doing that would’ve been dangerous and Primus forbid he do anything that carried a risk to others. It was war! Didn’t that account for anything? Were they blind or unwilling to see it for the advantage it was? Were they so preoccupied with just the danger of it, completely disregarding the good it could do when applied right in battle?

It was true he sometimes lost control of himself. Push him far enough, trigger him, and off he was. If others weren’t prepared for it… It could end badly. For them. But he had gotten better about that after who knew how many times of having his coding edited and patched to the extent it could be patched, and from the physical repairs done on his processors—what there was to be done, how much of it could be fixed. He’d never be good as new, he’d never be sane, he’d never lose all of the damage, but he was doing better now.

So what was the issue anymore? Was there a risk that he’d slide right back to the state he was in at the beginning of the war, where he barely had a lucid moment? No one had really said anything about that. Ratchet talked about deterioration, but how far could that progress? Far enough to land him back in square one, or would it stop at some point? Leave him with enough control?

He would have loved to ask Ratchet that, but Ratchet was long gone and he didn’t exactly feel like casually calling an Autobot even if Ratchet likely would have welcomed that. But there was a… Rift, now, thanks to all he’d done. That couldn’t be crossed so easily, and he doubted there was any mending it even if he’d wanted to do that. Him and Ratchet weren’t on the same side anymore. That was that.

Sunstreaker frowned as he stared at the sparring ring of the training room. There was no one else present to interrupt his thoughts. What else had Ratchet said during his visit? About the whole issue of consent? Sunstreaker couldn’t say that was so much as a blip on his radar. It was such an… Inconsequential thing, even if Ratchet had thought it important. Probably most of the Autobots would have considered it important.  

But Megatron hadn’t targeted any other Autobot, he had targeted Sunstreaker. And Sunstreaker came from the same environment as the warlord, where strength was everything and the winner took all. If they wanted to. They spoke the same language, as it was, because that was what the violence they knew was—a language of its own. 

They understood each other, each other’s values and points of view, because they shared most of them. And Sunstreaker couldn’t say he didn’t enjoy that. He couldn’t say didn’t enjoy not being judged—for once—for what he was, what he wasn’t, and what he did, how he thought. He fought Megatron, argued, insulted, but how much did any of that mean? How deep did his hatred of the mech go?

Not very deep, if he was honest with himself. Megatron was a thrill like few other things were, something dangerous and powerful that Sunstreaker got to play around with. That alone warmed Sunstreaker to him quite a bit. It was exciting, not something to hate.  

Didn’t mean he’d start fighting any less, because it wasn’t about how he felt, it was just about the facade he put on, as much as he knew Megatron could see right through it.

And that played a part in why consent wasn’t important. It did sort of exist anyway, didn’t it? It existed in the excitement they both knew was there, that his frame always wound up displaying no matter how his vocalizer spat fire and denied everything. They both knew he wanted it, so what did it matter if he tried to deny it?

If he one day meant it, genuinely didn’t want it? As unlikely as he saw that to be… Megatron was stronger. He’d proven that much several times over. If he could take it, thanks to his strength… Well, it was his at that point. It was no deeper than that, and Sunstreaker knew well what it meant and what it would leave to him. Definitely not the control of the situation.

But that was just part of the fun. He couldn’t imagine suddenly changing his mind about that. 

Ratchet wouldn’t get it. He didn’t understand the way things just were, or, had been, in the Pits. In Kaon in general. Survival of the fittest defined the city, and its residents hadn’t suddenly changed the values imprinted in them by their home just because they’d left it to wage war. The culture remained—warped by time and battles by now, but still possessing its core. 

It was just how things were, and Sunstreaker hadn’t minded that in a long time.

He didn’t need to look or scan who it was when the door opened to admit someone. Sideswipe walked up next to him, their fields merging. From Sunstreaker’s thoughts it followed that Sideswipe didn’t much give a damn about the situation either—though, granted, Sideswipe rarely gave a damn about anything. He really was too easygoing for anyone’s good. Even now he was wearing his signature smile, a light smirk, the corners of his mouth drawn up even though he had nothing in particular to smile about. 

The Pits had taken his smile, once upon a time, but he’d regained it with sheer perseverance. Sunstreaker doubted anything could ever again take it from him. Not after it had gotten tested by the hell they’d gone through, only to return.

Sideswipe had gotten used to things. At the end of it, he had been little different than he was at the beginning. It was Sunstreaker who hadn’t handled all of it so gracefully. He may have survived the city, but the Pits were the city cranked up to eleven, and that he’d been wholly unprepared for. He’d come out at the other side with permanent damage, but… Stronger for it. No? 

And now… Things had changed, again. The Pits had valued the likes of him, berserkers. The Autobots had not. He wasn’t an Autobot anymore. Megatron saw it as a good thing.  

What did Sunstreaker think?

He wasn’t sure. Not yet. 

Sideswipe caught him by a servo and tugged him to the training ring. And yeah, why not? If he wanted to use it as the weapon Megatron thought of it as, he would need to know his limits. He would need to learn how to wield it, instead of just succumbing to it because he’d been told that was all he could allow himself. Don’t glitch, just don’t glitch—but why?

Why wouldn’t he?

Sparring with Sideswipe was what it always was, dancing, no gaining an upper hand. Did it have to be like that, though? It was their spark that broadcasted their every move, every intent to its twin half, feeding them the constant knowledge of what the other was even thinking about doing. With that knowledge, they could nullify all of it, and nullify the other’s nullification… But their frames were identical. Equal in strength, equal in speed. They could be locked in their stalemate for good; there was no advantage one had over the other.

Unless.

His spark disconnected from his processors when he lost it. It wouldn’t know what his frame was doing, thinking, planning. It would have nothing to feed to its other half.

Sideswipe wouldn’t know a damn thing of what his frame was about to do, beyond what his skill as a warrior would allow him to read.

And… It was the end of their physical equality, too.

He’d beat Sideswipe, there was never a question of it. He did it every time. But it was always… Out of control. He’d go over the top, leave his brother a bloody mess, even if he never landed the killing blow because even at the height of it, his fragging frame knew better. Sideswipe’s death would be the end of it too, and it wasn’t out to commit suicide.

No, it was all self-preservation gone wrong, over the top. Keep itself alive, except everything was a threat to be obliterated. Point him in the right direction and he might even hit the enemy, but just as easily he could turn against his own side. There was no sense of friend or foe in it.

Could he flirt with the edge? How close could he push himself without falling? 

Sideswipe was studying him, barely glancing away from his optics—relying on his sensors and their spark to guide him through every countered or dodged attack, instead of his sight. Sunstreaker knew his suggestion.

Why not try? Test it out? See how close he could go, and if he fell… Well. That happened sometimes. Sideswipe was ready for it.

And the sparklet, nothing would happen to it even if he tried this. It wasn’t as if any of it affected his spark, only his frame and its connection to said spark. And if his spark was fine, so would the sparkling be.

But he could feel its curiosity. Both at the fight that wasn’t really a fight at all with how they flowed around and against each other, faster, faster, but never reaching a tipping point. It was examining the way his spark moved in its casing to enable that, the feedback from his brother, how that felt.

How it felt to be one.

It would never get to experience that feeling for itself, but like this… If anything, it would come the closest out of anyone to understanding how their split spark functioned, just because of the way it connected to his spark half for now. It could observe, examine. And it did.

It only did twice so when Sunstreaker began to loosen his iron control of himself. It was never a matter of if he could glitch.

It was just about letting go. A relief, really, to stop fighting it, stop the eternal, damned struggle of keeping his wits about himself.

Sideswipe was watching him closely, and through him Sunstreaker knew his optics paled. And the usual—the forever whispers grew louder, shadows began to dance at the edges of his vision. Feeling, as if someone was touching him, but Sideswipe wasn’t, not there. Phantom readings on his scanners as his mind slipped further.

He could feel the edge of a disaster in the making, but he didn’t tip over. He didn’t allow himself, but… It got more difficult. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, it gathered more momentum and size the longer he allowed it to go on, the closer he inched towards the point where he knew he’d snap.

How long could he play it?

How long could he remember why he was still fighting it?

They had an audience by now, mecha curious of their so called sparring. Although, it wasn’t as fluent as it had been. His movement lost some of its grace. He knew that much, even without the change in Sideswipe’s experience of what they were doing, how they were doing it.

He knew, too, that the output of his frame was slowly ramping up, in time with the further loss of thought. It wasn’t the catastrophic crash into superiority, but a slow march towards it anyway, and at some point… Eventually, it would become inevitable, reach a point where he wouldn’t be able to stop it anymore.

But what about this? Was he doomed to that the moment he started down that path, or could he gain some of the benefits without all of the downsides?

“Twins,” someone said, closer to the ring than everyone else. Sideswipe disengaged from him and rallied their spark until Sunstreaker could draw himself closer to the surface, fight down the ghosts that wanted to rise—enough so, at least, that the noise in his audials died down enough for him to make sense of his surroundings. His vision still wavered, but… A little more grounded, that was all he asked from himself right then.

Sideswipe waited on him, always his steady reality check. This time too Sunstreaker had to rely on his perspective more than his own, knowing his frame’s experience was… Compromised. 

He still turned to look despite the fog on his mind. Onslaught. The Combaticon leader was glancing between him, his look as calculating as always. 

After a moment of silence that was never silence to Sunstreaker, Onslaught made the right call of addressing Sideswipe rather than him. “Could I spar with him?”

Sideswipe considered him for a second before he straightened the rest of the way and tilted his helm. “You know the risk, yeah? What he’s doing?”

“I do.”

Sideswipe grinned. “Then the stage is all yours, my mech. Curious to see how this goes.”

With that his brother exited the ring and joined the spectators. Onslaught entered the ring in his stead, and Sunstreaker turned to look at him after a delay of fighting himself. His conscious thoughts ran sluggish, trudging through thigh deep mud. But Onslaught didn’t question him or his ability to fight still.

Instead he just attacked.

And as hindered as Sunstreaker’s thoughts were, nothing was wrong with his reflexes, or indeed, his battle protocols. Those worked on overdrive, and he’d blocked Onslaught’s attack and delivered one of his own before his higher processes even caught up. His senses were addled, and for the life of him he didn’t know if that remained true when he did go all the way berserk. He never gained any memories to learn that from.

But probably not, because this was difficulty level hardcore. He managed fine when he fully glitched, judging by the destruction he left in his wake, but right now it was a race to separate the hallucinations of a broken mind from the physical reality. 

Downsides, upsides. Benefits, drawbacks. His frame ran hot, but his failsafes weren’t down all the way. He couldn’t trust his senses, could barely think straight, and this wasn’t just a mild case of that.

This was true hindrance.

So, no, flirting with the edge wasn’t worth it. 

What about jumping off of it? He knew what would follow that.

Did he want to, right now, or would he rather claw his way back to sanity? Did he even have that option anymore?

Sideswipe’s presence was solid as ever, strengthening his own half of their spark, but even so the connection between that and his frame was painfully tenuous, and it wasn’t getting better. He didn’t have… Enough conscious processing power left to push it all back down. Gather it up, lock it away. Self-control.

That was a hard thing to come by, sometimes.

All or nothing, then. There was no useful in between. 

And right now, that nothing was no longer achievable. His only direction was down—all in.

Time to see if Onslaught had what it took, as Megatron did. ::Ready, set, go,:: Sideswipe commed the Combaticon, and that was the last thing Sunstreaker was aware of before he let go.

( Next )

[jeremys-blogs]

The Owl House: Season One Overview

When Owl House first crept onto my radar, back when the first teaser trailer came out, I admittedly didn't think much of it. I thought it had a neat aesthetic and I was confident it would have its appeal, but at the time I just felt that it was one of those shows I might watch once or twice, like, but then not think about again. Then new information started coming my way, most notably that Alex Hirsch, the creator of my all-time favourite Disney show was going to be one of the voices. Now that definitely caught my interest, even more so when I started seeing other notable names attached to the project, like the always-awesome Wendie Malick. So I decided then and there that this was starting to shape up as something special, and that I was going to keep a close eye on it. And I'm definitely glad I did, because the Owl House has proven itself to be a true gem of a cartoon, with characters, animation and stories that haven't engaged and enthralled me this much since the days of Gravity Falls, and that's saying something. With its first season over, and having thoroughly impressed me in doing so, I decided it might be worth me saying just how well this show has fared thus far.

Now, the story of a youth who goes to a magical world and overcomes dangers and adventure is by no means a new idea in fiction. Heck, Disney themselves did that exact premise not so long before Owl House, with Amphibia. But I've always been of the belief that just because an idea is old doesn't meant it can't still be good if you do something interesting with it. Maybe put a new spin on it or explore the idea in ways others haven't. Does Owl House do this? Yes, I'd say it does. We've all heard of magical worlds, but probably not one made from the corpse of an ancient titan. We've all seen stories of witches, but likely not an entire race of them who do magic in the way these ones do. We've seen schools of magic, but again it isn't probably not the kind we see here, if only because of how casual everyone is about danger. There's lots of things here in the Owl House that has been done before, but interesting twists coupled with bizarre and unfamiliar character and background designs certainly help to make it stand out. In fact, I'd call this the least conventional conventional fantasy story ever put out there, if that actually makes any sense. Probably not, but hey, it's the best way I can think to describe it.

Characters are, as always, the biggest draw of any show for me, and luckily the Owl House has a plethora of great ones to offer me. Luz is a fine central heroine and immediately endeared herself to me in her first appearance with her wide-eyed enthusiasm and boundless love for both life in general and the fantastic in particular. However, what I loved about her introduction is that they made it clear that she has a lot of learning to do before her story is finished. She may be the typical oddball who doesn't fit in with her world, but the show doesn't shy away from the fact that she was a disruptive and often dangerous influence back there, particularly to the other kids. And in the episodes following that we see her make mistakes that get others in a lot of bad situations. Normally this would put me off a character pretty quickly, but the show remedies this well by not only having Luz be a very caring and well-meaning person, but also showing her be willing to do whatever it takes to make up for the errors she makes. And that, coupled with her general energy and optimism, makes her a very likeable main character for the show.

Eda and King, voiced by the aforementioned Wendie Malick and Alex Hirsch respectively, also do a great job of impressing me as characters. Firstly, we have Eda, an "outcast and proud of it" type of mentor with a rebellious streak that dwarfs even that which Luz herself had back in the human world. Now, having a mentor who's on the bad side of the law isn't new, but Malick brings a really fun energy to this character, with her snark being easily one of the most entertaining things about the show overall. But she gives her greater depth beyond just being a sarcastic mentor, as Eda is shown to be someone with her own struggles, her own pains, that draw you in and fascinate you in a way you might never have expected from her time in just that first episode. King likewise proves to be a character with many layers to him. Introduced as a demon who has fallen from power and constantly trying to regain that position, he often proves to be a great source of comedy, but also shows himself as capable of warming up to Luz and others and being genuinely caring towards them. These two have both proved to be great otherworldly characters, and ideal companions for Luz during her time in the Boiling Isles.

And like any truly great ensemble piece, Owl House provides plenty of other wonderful characters to enjoy over the course of the show. Hootly, the titular Owl House himself, is a truly entertaining comic relief character, and Hirsch, who voices him as well as King, clearly has a lot of fun in bringing just general random comedy into the mix. Luz's friends at school, Willow and Gus, are as endearing as her, proving supportive and just generally likeable kids that it's always a pleasure to see, with Willow in particular having some real standout moments in the show. And then we have Amity Blight, and here's a character who really does showcase a lot of what makes this story wonderful. Someone who appears as one thing, in this case a quintessential school bully character, and then gets revealed to have far more to her than we might have ever expected. And her growing close relationship to Luz has shown to be one of the most interesting things about the Owl House thus far, at least to me. I could probably write a whole essay on that relationship, and trust me, I have plans to, but for now just know that she, along with the rest of the recurring cast, have shown themselves to be a real delight to watch.

The stories in this show, in a similar vein to Gravity Falls, follow a sort of quasi-serialized format. There will definitely be hints of something larger and ominous building up in the background, with reference and mentions of things happening that we never get to see, but for the most part the show largely seems content to have episodic stories. But there will be interconnectedness there too, as some episodes will come about as a direct result of things established in prior episodes, such as Willow's past friendship to Amity, or Eda trying to get Luz enrolled at Hexside. And I've always had a fondness for that kind of storytelling. Sure, fully serialized stories that tell big, sweeping epics are all well and good, but smaller and more self-contained outings have always just appealed to me more, especially since it always seems that Owl House has character interactions be at the forefront of its priorities. I could honestly just watch an episode of three or more of these recurring characters just hanging out and talking to each other and be completely satisfied with it. But of course, there's the big end-of-season arc, and without spoiling things it definitely upped the seriousness, drama and stakes of the show. There had been risk and danger before, but that finale absolutely took it to eleven, which was fine for me, given how the rest of the show had been.

The Owl House, like any genuinely great show, has a number of themes and big ideas it wants to explore, and above all there seems to be the recurring idea of the individual vs society. Who a person is and what they want to do vs the needs of everyone and needing to be more like the rest of the group. And what strikes me as interesting about this show's take on it is that it doesn't seem to want to demonize one side or another. Throughout the story we're shown both the ups and downs of both sides, and Luz herself even states in the episode "Covention" that she wants to make up her own mind rather than simply blindly follow Eda's stance on individualism as the true right way, which is a nice change of pace for shows like this. The coven system, for instance, restricts all but specific types of magic in those who join, yet by refusing to join Eda has been driven to outcast status, often struggling to get the things she needs, like her elixir. Luz is a free spirit who is drawn to Eda's wildcard mentoring, yet also has a desire to learn from the structured style of Hexside. Granted, the finale does put the society side in a far more negative light, but the show did try a more nuanced approach to the argument than I was expecting, which I really do admire about it.

Overall, I'd say the Owl House is off to a fantastic start. Is it good enough to usurp Gravity Falls as my personal favourite Disney show? Well, it's still a bit early to make that decision, as well as a bit unfair. The show isn't finished yet, so it's entirely possible that the second season might not live up to the standard set by the first. But, as far as that first season goes, I'd say I'm pretty hopeful about it. The characters, the world, the stories it's given me have been hugely engaging so far, and as long as the people making it stick to those things that made this show good in their second year, I have every confidence that they can make it just as good, if not better. It's a fantasy show that does a lot to veer away from what a lot of other stories in that genre typically try to do. It's characters are layered and grow with every passing episode, and by the time this season was over I was even tempted to call some of this cast among the best characters any Disney property has ever shown me, which is some pretty high praise. A first impressions go, the Owl House has definitely done a fine job, and I thoroughly look forward to seeing what Dana Terrace and the rest of the crew do when it eventually returns to us 🥰

[superpuppies]

Merton was Loved

Fandom- Big wolf on campus

Characters- Merton J. Dingle, Tommy Dawkins

Rating- M For sexual situations

Word count- 24,363

Archive Link- https://archiveofourown.org/works/19833373

Summary- The end of their time in higher education has come and Merton must once again deal with the threat of losing Tommy to the world. Tommy forces the truth about their relationship out in the open with better results then Merton would have ever hoped for. But that's not the only surprise Tommy has for Merton., with a stop at a Mythological themed garden Merton learns once again that things aren't always as bad as they seem.

Hey all, here’s the newest from my mind, please keep in mind that I do have dyslexia and I really do try to fix all spelling mistakes but some will always slip through. If you spot some please let me know and I will do my best to correct it. Thank you.

Merton was loved, truly and completely loved, so much so that he thought he might burst into tears or flames if the blush on his face was anything to go by.  But let’s step back a moment to see how he came to know this.

This whole week had been filled with a crazy amount of emotion, firstly he and Tommy were graduating and it was strange to him to think that college was over.  Things were looking good for Tommy, he had already received a few decent offers to play football professionally.  His wolfy speed making him a high mark amongst the top players, Tommy was taking his time to think the offers over and had plans to visit a few of the places in the coming two weeks before he would really decide.  Merton wasn’t doing too bad himself, about a year ago he had started a web site and filled it, was still filling it with all of his werewolf knowledge. He quickly proven himself to be one of the top sources on werewolves, this had proven to be more helpful than he had originally thought it would be.  Because of the website he had already received some offers from museums and a few colleges to work in their mythological studies departments.  It was here that the problem lay for Merton, it looked as though he and Tommy were going to be forced to separate.  Merton definitely didn’t want that and he was at least ninety five percent certain Tommy didn’t want that either but he couldn’t bring himself to breach the topic with Tommy.  Thus leaving him floating in a sea of uncertainty.

On graduation day Merton couldn’t remember the last time he had seen his parents so proud of him.  Their pride made him beam the entire day.  That night he, Tommy, Gleb and Beca along with all of their parents when out for a celebratory dinner before their family’s had to head back home.  After dinner the four friends were left alone and headed to one of their favorite hangouts the “old English pub” for a round and to say their goodbyes.  Both Beca and Gleb had already taken jobs in New Hampshire but wouldn’t be leaving until the end of the week.  Merton often wondered how Beca continued to put up with Gleb but never said anything to either of them, because he was sure outsiders said the same thing about Tommy and himself.  

When Merton came back with a third round, two beers for Gleb, a rum and coke for Tommy, a whiskey sour for Beca and a Pina colada for himself, he walked into an odd conversation.  “What are you playing at Dawkins?” Gleb leaned heavily on the table. “This is our graduation night, we’re supposed to talk about how we’ll always be friends and stay in touch but sob because it probably won’t be true.  Not playing these kinds of pranks on each other.”

Beca patted Gleb’s hand.  “I don’t think he’s playing, Boo.”

“Sure, he is, look at his face” Gleb defended himself. Merton carefully put down the glasses and distributed them while glancing up at Tommy, as far as he could tell Tommy wasn’t joking around in fact he looked pretty serious.  Tommy gave Gleb a sad little smile and rolled his eyes. Merton looked to Beca for some clue as to what he had missed only to find her giving him an appraising look.

“I’m not kidding.” Tommy stated matter of factly, taking a sip of his drink.  He was starting to look a little nervous Merton noted.

“Okay, prove it.” Gleb challenged, sure that Tommy would concede the point at that.  Tommy sighed put his cup down and stood.  “Ha!” Gleb turned to Beca “I told you he was jo-“ Tommy wrapped his arms around Merton’s waist then lifted his chin, pulling his lover into one of his deliciously long and gentle kisses.  Though startled, Merton molded himself to Tommy’s form and mewed in to the kiss.  “Shit” Gleb stared in wide-eyed shock and fascination while Beca simply smiled.

When Tommy pulled away he smiled at the soft blush on Merton’s cheeks and pleasure glazed eyes.  “Tease.” Merton breathed out.

“It’s just a preview is all” Tommy chuckled then turned back to look at Gleb and Beca.

“You two are adorable.” Beca smiled naughtily as Merton’s blush darkened considerably.  “And who knew Merton was such a slut.” She pinched Merton’s arm, giggling when he looked to the floor.

“Is he always like that?” Gleb asked stunned. “’cause that was fucking hot” Beca gave him a sharp quick nudge with her elbow but nodded in agreement.

Tommy smirked and dipped his head to the left. “That was fairly tame”

“That was tame!  Holy shit, we must be doing it wrong.” Gleb leaned back into his chair and took a swig from one of the beers.

“So, what do you guys think?” Tommy asked settling back into his chair.

“You two should do porn” Gleb answered around another gulp of beer.

“About, what I asked you.” Tommy said exasperated.

“Why are you asking us?” Beca asked while gently pulling the shell-shocked or embarrassed, she couldn’t quite tell the difference, Merton into his seat.

“Because you’re my friends and I want your opinion.”

“Well then, I say go for it” Beca smiled brightly and Gleb nodded his agreement.

“You don’t think”

“I don’t think it’ll be a problem.” Beca gave Tommy her most confident smile and gave Gleb a sharp pinch on his thigh, a warning to keep his mouth shut.  It didn’t work.

“So how long have you two been together?” Gleb slapped the back of Beca’s hand in response.

“Umm-“Tommy leaned back in his chair again.  “middle of freshman year?”

“Middle of freshman year.  And you’re only now telling us about this.  What the hell man!” Gleb leaned forward dropping his hands onto the table.

“Well,” Tommy avoided direct eye contact.  “I just thought it might be weird?”

“That you didn’t tell us until now, you’re right that is weird.” Gleb cut him off in a huff.

“Gleb, don’t tell them off about their lives.” Beca gave him a sharp look before turning back to Tommy and Merton apologetically.

“Tell them off?  That makes it sound like I disapprove or something.  I don’t.  I just can’t believe he didn’t think we could handle the information, that he couldn’t tell me this.” Gleb crossed his arms over his chest and let out a huff almost pouting.  

His wounded ego and exasperated explanation made Merton chuckle lightly.  It was the first sound Merton had made since the kiss and the whole table turned to look at him, though he would have sworn it was the whole bar.  Merton quickly dropped his eyes to his drink and tried to hide the behind small bright blue paper umbrella and slice of pineapple. He cursed as alabaster skin which allowed any slight blush to make him look lobster red as he stumbled out a mumbling apology.  Tommy rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he pulled Merton’s chair closer to him with his foot and wrapped a protective arm around Merton’s shoulders.  Merton desperately looked like he wanted to disappear.

“Don’t tell me you were the one keeping it in the closet and Tommy wanted to be all out and proud.” Beca moaned.  Tommy gave them a scrunched up ‘kinda’ face over Merton’s head. Beca flung her head back with a groan preparing to launch into some speech about being more confident.

“Of course I wanted everyone to know.” Mertens voice was low his eyes fixed on the center of the table.  “Hell, it would have been proof I wasn’t a complete loser and could land a hot date, who wasn’t actively trying to kill me.” Beca and Gleb looked to Tommy for some clarification but he was just giving a ’true’ head nod.  Merton looked up at them expecting to see understanding as he continued.  “but I happen to like breathing.” He was instead met with confused and saddened faces.

“He had some concerns about the team,” Tommy started.

“Ah- Merton, man, we all love you, your weird as fuck but-“

“No you don’t.” Merton shifted so that Tommy’s arm fell from his shoulders as he leaned across the table towards Gleb. “and you certainly didn’t when this,” Merton gestured between himself and Tommy “started.  So don’t think you can lie to me about it, because I know exactly what would’ve happened to me if you knew then.” Gleb tried to cut in with another denial but Merton overran him.  “Okay, let’s just say you wouldn’t have beaten the shit out of me for arguments sake.  But do you seriously think you would have tolerated my presence long enough for me to grow on you if you knew?  No, you wouldn’t and I’ll tell you why.  Because the first thought any of you would have had would’ve been that I had somehow tricked Tommy into it.  It never would have crossed your minds that Tommy was the one to initiate contact, never. And who would be blamed, me that’s who” Merton leaned back in his chair arms over his chest.  “I have had my ass handed to me enough times and for enough reasons to know not to gift wrapped any for my potential attackers.”

Gleb shifted uncomfortably.  “Alright, you may have a point.  I would like to think that isn’t how I would have reacted but I get your need for caution.” Gleb turned to Tommy his eyes giddy with curiosity. “You?  You started all this?”

“Well, I don’t know about” Tommy started somewhat embarrassed but Merton cut him off.

“I accidentally let one tiny little thing slip and I found myself pinned to the wall.”

“Holy shit, Tommy!” Beca gave Tommy a smirking dirty look.

“I thought I was gonna die, and then he kissed me and I thought I already had,” Beca laughed warmly leaning over to hug Merton. She had grown very fond of him over the years and now saw him as something akin to a little brother.  Of all the things she would miss about her time in college she thought she would miss his rants the most.

With the awkwardness of the initial coming out done, Beca and Gleb bombarded them with questions about the relationship for several more hours.  They gasped and gagged at the ferocity with which their friends took too physically loving each other.  Last call came and went leaving the four friends standing in the parking lot suddenly realizing that this was it.  

Becaa held Merton in a fierce hug.  “You have to e-mail me and seriously think about vloging those rants of yours.”

Merton chuckled finding it hard to believe he was being crushed to death right next to Tommy without some sort of help.  Beca released him and went straight for Tommy, leaving Gleb standing before Merton with a warm smile before he wrapped his arms around the smaller man in a bear hug.  “Don’t let him boss you around too much and if you ever need me to I’ll come over and beat him into his place.”

“Thanks,” Merton gasped into Gleb’s shoulder feeling the air squish out of him once again.  Stepping back Gleb put his arm around Beca’s shoulder.

“But seriously keep in touch, guy” Beca smiled then winked at Tommy.  “I want to know how it goes.” Gleb tightened his arm around her and they turned walking away.  “bye guys.” Beca shot over her shoulder, Merton and Tommy waved.  Once Beca and Gleb turned the corner Merton turned and punched Tommy in the arm as hard as he could.

“Oww!  What was that for?”

Merton turned on his heels and headed for the hearse. “I can’t believe you did that and without telling me first.”

“Did what?” Tommy asked trotting to catch up; Merton flailed his arms frustrated as he tried to decide what to call what Tommy had done.

“I don’t know, outing us”

“Oh, come on, it wasn’t that bad and they were fine with everything.” Merton wasn’t listening.

“and the way you just grabbed me and kissed me. What if it hadn’t worked out the way you wanted?  What if you had wolfed out?” Merton turned on Tommy and punched him square in the chest halfheartedly.  “Hu? What then?”

Tommy caught Merton’s hand as it came back for another punch and pulled him in close, wrapping his arms around his lover. “Nobody cared, Merton just like they’re not going to care when I do it now.” Tommy lifted Merton’s chin but Merton pulled away from him.  “Merton?”

“I’m serious, Tommy.”

“What,”

“I’m sorry I just can’t.” Merton unclipped his keys from his belt loop and beeped the hearse unlocked.

“What, but you even said you wanted to be out this whole time.  Well now we are, you don’t have to worry about anyone”

“Tommy, you’re new to this, but trust me you always have to worry.”

“Merton, you know I would never”

“Are you getting in the car or are you walking?” Merton cut him off curtly, he knew what Tommy was going to say and he didn’t want to hear it.  Because of how everything was looking now there was no way, no way this was goanna happen.

Tommy gaped at Merton more than a little shocked at his tone, then opened the door and climbed in without another word. Maybe it had been too much to do without giving Merton a heads up, but it wasn’t like he’d planned on planting a big one on him out of the blue like that, Gleb just wouldn’t believe him. Merton settled into the seat beside him and started the engine.  Tommy stayed quiet for most of the ride home mainly because he felt like if he had said anything it would have turned into a fight and that wasn’t what he wanted.

Merton would have felt uncomfortable in the silence had his mind not been whirling around at one hundred miles per hour.  He hated seeing Tommy pout, hated it and that is exactly what was happening.  He knew Tommy thought he had done a good thing and maybe on some level he had but it wasn’t likely that Tommy was going to get blamed for hurting his own career because of it and they became complete public knowledge, Merton was and where would that leave Merton career wise anyway.  It’s not like it was still a major problem but being a known homosexual didn’t exactly help in the academics either.  Merton sighed turning onto one of the back roads he needed a little more time, because he knew he shouldn’t be worried about any of this.  This is probably one of his last nights with Tommy and he should be focused on enjoying the time he had.  He pulled into the abandoned parking lot of ’mama’s breakfast dive’ and turned off the engine.  Merton cleared his throat and glanced at Tommy from the corner of his eye.  “So, if were out now, can I make a confession?” he kept his eyes locked on the window unsure if he really wantted to see Tommy’s reaction

Tommy shifted toward him cautiously.  “Sure” he watched Merton with wide devouring eyes.

“I’ve always wanted to,” Merton glanced at Tommy then at his own hands on the steering wheel.  “umm, you know,” Tommy shook his head.  “well, I do have amazing trunk space.” Merton glanced at the back of the hearse which was empty minus a few blankets and a small create that held emergency car needs.  Tommy glance behind them as well not really sure what Merton was getting at.

“Well yeah, I mean you could fit like ten bodies back there.” Tommy chuckled at his joke but stopped when Merton didn’t.

Merton rolled his eyes, why was Tommy being so dense about this.  “True, but you know it is really comfy back there with the carpeting and all” Merton faded out maybe this wasn’t the way to start this little journey.

“Merton, don’t get me wrong, I love the back of the hearse.  It’s super comfy, heck I slept back there on a couple of occasions but what does it have to do with us being out now?” Tommy tried to look understanding but really didn’t know what Merton was eluding to.

Merton sighed and nodded.  “Okay, so um, car sex.” Merton looked up at Tommy from under his lashes, he felt so stupid saying it.  “I mean, I’ve got pretty much the perfect car for it.  So now that we don’t have to be as careful, would you want to…? You know” Merton glanced behind them again.

“You want to have sex in the hearse?” Tommy eyed Merton than the back of the hearse speculatively and concluded that this was doable, hell Merton was doable anywhere.

“Yeah” Merton brushed at his cheek feeling incredibly foolish for even mentioning it.

“Right now?” Tommy wasn’t sure where this adventurous side of Merton had been hiding but he liked the idea.  Merton shrugged trying to look nonchalant.

“Why not?”

“Well, for one thing not even five minutes ago you were mad at me, for another we don’t have any lube with us and you know I’m a stickler about that.  And just won’t it be messy?”

Merton dropped his eyes to the seat.  “It was just a thought”

“No,” Tommy wrapped his fingers around Merton’s “if it’s what you want, I’ll toss you over the seat and rip your clothes off right now.  But you’ll just have to mark me down as a touch confused is all.” Merton smiled at their fingers; it was always good to know that Tommy was so concerned about his comfort and workload.  Because cleaning up after was not going to be fun.

“Maybe another time then.” Merton turned the engine over and pulled out of the parking lot.  “I wasn’t mad at you; I was just surprised is all.”

“Oh, sure, sure” Tommy slid closer to Merton on the seat.  “you always yell at me and punch me when you’re surprised.” He scoffed.

“I have been known to do both.” Merton smirked; okay so he wasn’t getting all sweaty with Tommy like he had kind of been hoping to but he always did enjoy their oddball banter moments.

Merton pulled into their apartment complex, parked under the old oak in the corner and cut the engine.  Tommy slid right up against him and sighed.  “You know, I’ve always wanted to take you camping.”

“Camping?”

“Yep, camping, just you and me by a lake, a small fire, no one around.”

“Camping?” Merton asked again raising an eyebrow.

“We’d watch the sunset, Moon rise and then under the stars” Tommy brought his lips to Merton’s ear and dropped his voice to a husky whisper.  “I’d peal you out of your clothes, take you in my mouth and bring you right to the edge,” his warm breath ghosting over Merton’s ear made his words send shivers throughout Merton’s body.  “then as you’re begging for some relief, I’d take you deep and slow right there on the shore.  I’d watch you break apart beneath me shuttering, shattering the quieted of the night, screaming my name as you came.”

“Oh?” Merton shuttered his voice hitting a high note as his fingers tightened around the steering wheel.  

Tommy smirked, he loved knowing he could turn Merton on like this.  A horny Merton was always a good thing.  Except for that time Merton actually grew horns, but that was a tale for another time. Tommy buried his nose behind Merton’s ear inhaling the scent of arousal with a groan.  “but before the night was done I would have you again,” Merton shuttered “pinned to a tree as I pounded into you, marking you, your skin with fresh scratches and bark burn.”

Merton couldn’t take any more, turning he pulled Tommy into a desperate kiss wrapping his arms around his lover.  Knotting his fingers into Tommy’s shirt back and hair, he moaned into Tommy’s mouth.  By the gods he wished they had gone camping, he wished they had gone camping at least once a month.  He tried to worm his way onto Tommy’s lap but was trapped by his seat belt.  Tommy to the rescue, unclicking the latch he led Merton’s arms through the belt without breaking contact.

When they came up for air Merton was straddling Tommy’s lap, his right hand buried in Tommy’s hair, his left creeping into Tommy slacks.  Tommy for his part had his left hand up Merton shirt, his right down the back of Merton pants squeezing the glob of Merton’s left ass cheek.  Tommy laughed huskily at the wanton moan each squeeze made Merton release.  “How about, I toss you over my shoulder, carry you up the stairs and fuck you on kitchen counter.”

“nu’un.” Merton rocked back against Tommy’s still squeezing hand.

“Living room floor?”

“Eh-“Merton nuzzled Tommy’s neck.

“Strapped into the hallway restrains?”

“God yes” Merton Keened.  

Unlatching the door Tommy pulled the keys from the steering column, kicked open the door and pulled Merton out of the hearse. Once fully out he flipped Merton over his shoulder, kicked the door shut, gave a playful slap to Merton’s ass as he started for the door.  Merton groaned and wiggled against him, the smell and feel of a highly aroused, wiggly Merton was making the wolf want out.  It keened and scratched at the back of his mind, making him move only faster towards the door.  Tommy fought to get the key in the door, maintain control over the wolf and balance Merton.  Maybe throwing Merton over his shoulder wasn’t the best idea, though what would a horny, wiggly Merton feel like on his back?  No!  Focus. The key finally slid into place and the door was opened and closed in a matter of seconds.  Tommy tossed the keys in the direction of the kitchen counter, paying no mind to where they landed as he pushed for the hall.

The gunmetal rotating cuffs on their mounted oval track seemed to wink naughtily at Tommy in the soft glowing light of the hall night light.  The track the cuffs were attached to made it so Tommy could turn Merton to face him or away without removing the restraints in the process.  It also gave Merton just a touch of control over his arms, bring them together or spreading them apart all within the limitations of the track, though if Tommy wanted full control there was always the spreader bar attachment and Merton never seemed to have any issue with that.

Merton let out a moaning “Uff” as his back met the wall, he barely felt the floor beneath his feet and Tommy was already working his right hand into a cuff.  Merton moaned again, aggressive, hungry Tommy was too much of a turn on.  If Tommy didn’t get him undressed soon he was going to ruin these pants.

Tommy pressed himself against Merton, pinning him to the wall as he latch the second cuff around Merton’s left wrist.  He buried his nose in Merton’s neck and licked at his collarbone.  “God, you smell good.  I’d have you like this all the time if I could.” Tommy groaned across the sensitive skin sending shivers through Merton’s body.

“Please,” before Merton finished the word Tommy’s hands were moving down his body to play along his hips and waste.  “God, Tommy”

“I know, I know” Tommy hummed he had no idea why they didn’t use the hall more often, it was always amazing when they did. Not that sex with Merton had ever been bad but strapped to the wall he smelled and taste so different, so different. Tommy sank to his knees and smiled as Merton’s hips jerked involuntarily toward him.  With a teasing finger Tommy unbuttoned Merton’s pants and slowly undid the zipper.

Merton chewed the inner corner of his lip in an attempt to keep his control as he watched Tommy gently lift his penis free of his clothing.  Tommy then ran his fingers over the heated flash and lowered his head.  With a wanton moan from Merton, Tommy took the crown into his mouth.  

Tommy groaned as the taste of Merton flooded his senses, he couldn’t hold the wolf back any longer.  Fur grew, teeth elongated and sharpened, his eyes flared golden as claws dug into the black fabric of Merton's pants.

Merton whimpered, the pressure from Tommy’s claws and the tantalizing danger as his canines slid over Merton’s delicate skin made Merton want to bury his hands into Tommy’s hair.  The cold metal wrapped around his wrists denied him, leaving him no choice but to voice his desires.  It was a real shame he had a tendency to lose the ability to communicate coherently during these times.

Tommy took his time savoring the taste, the feel, there was no denying going down on Merton was one of his favorite things, second only to being inside of him and only just at that.  The sounds of pleasure coming from above him were only rivaled by his own.  With reluctance Tommy stole away into their now shared bedroom, in truth it had been shared for years but Tommy kept up his old one for appearances.  Grabbing the twelve inch by six inch box out of the closet, then a bottle of lube from the side table drawer before quickly returning to Merton. Merton was trying to toe off his boots with no luck.  He was quite the site, pants trapped at his knees, pulsing erection proud at his groin, chest heaving in frustration.  Tommy took a moment to enjoy the view before dropping the box on the floor next to Merton.  

Merton danced away from the box with a panting. “Hey, careful.”

Tommy brought his lips to Merton’s ear and whispered. “Shut up” placing his hands on Merton’s sides he slides down to the floor again.  God, he loves Merton’s skin, the way it feels silky smooth, the way it smells like soap and Merton and the way it tasted, a forbidden fruit none should ever have, not that he was complaining.  Just the thought of it could send shivers down his spine.  He often wondered if it was wrong to be so obsessed with someone else’s skin?  Probably, but that certainly wasn’t going to stop him.  He ran his hands down Merton’s legs and over the bunched waist of the goth’s pants, over the rounded curve of his left knee and stopped at the top of his boot.  With slow gentle claws he undid the laces, unwrapping them from behind Merton’s ankle before pulling each crossover loose.  Tommy wiggled the boot tongue loose then lifted Merton’s foot and eased the boot off.  He could feel Merton’s eyes locked on to his every move.  Settling the boot down on the floor he ran his claws up the top of Merton’s foot and snagged his dress sock.  In an agonizingly slow movement he peeled the sock off and tossed it over his shoulder.  Lifting Merton’s foot higher he kissed first the top and then the soul.  Placing Merton’s foot on the floor he lifted the right one and repeated the entire process.

Merton had his bottom lip locked between his teeth as he watched Tommy unwrap him.  He and Tommy had been fairly adventurous with their sex life, things involving a fried chicken, pizza and power tools (that one didn’t quite work out how they thought) are some of the more memorable ones than others.  But never had Tommy peeled the layers of his clothing off like that, like he wanted time to absorb every detail.  The removal of clothing had always been faster, rougher, like Tommy couldn’t wait to get to his nougaty center.  Being under such scrutiny was nerve wracking and erotic, he gasped when Tommy kiss the top of his foot then again when Tommy’s hands came up to cup his ass.

           Tommy gave Merton’s ass a playful squeeze and then slid his hands down the back of Merton’s thighs watching the shivers dance over his delicate pale skin. Tommy caught the bands on Merton’s pants and underwear and slid them to the floor before stepping Merton out of them. He placed Merton’s feet on top of his thighs and reached for the box.  Merton’s eyes followed him and groaned.  Tommy popped the latch then seemed to suddenly changed his mind, and he grabbed Merton’s hips and pulled them forward as he pivoted up towards them. Tommy practically swallowed Merton’s erection whole.

Merton’s head slammed back against the wall with a thud and the pain was just enough to hold off his ejaculation.  Tommy worked Merton, keeping him right on the edge. Merton shifted his weight onto his shoulders and slid his foot against Tommy’s groin.  Two could play this game he thought but was surprised when Tommy’s head flew back, his nails dug into Merton’s ass cheeks as a warm wetness spread out under Merton’s toes as Tommy came in his pants with a heavy groan.  “You little prick.” Tommy half chuckled as he dewolfed.

           “How was it my fault you’re so easy.” Merton tried to sound nonchalant but the startled surprise from Tommy’s reaction could still be heard.

           “Easy, am I?  All right and just for that,” Tommy flipped open the lid of the box.  “You get this.” He held up the three inch long tapered tip butt plug that was two inches thick at its widest point, a small thin wire trailed out behind it attached to a small smooth control panel.

“Tommy,” Merton whined.

“Nope, it’s just goanna have to hold you until I’m ready again.” Tommy smirked grabbing the lube and popping the cap.

“Tommy,” Merton whined it desperately.  “that’s not fair.”

“Nope,” Tommy stood, clamped the wire between his teeth and let the now glistening butt plug dangle.  With slick fingers he turned Merton’s back toward him and slid his pointer and middle fingers down the crack of Merton’s perfect alabaster ass. He smiled as Merton wiggled about trying to hide when he pressed himself back against Tommy’s fingers as an accident, while he maneuvered his arms along the track so that he wasn’t as twisted about.  Tommy rubbed his fingers around the twitching, hungry ring of muscle.

“Why are you such a tease?” Merton moaned pushing back against Tommy’s fingers.

“Because, I can be.” Tommy chuckled around the wire. “shouldn’t I be asking why you’re such a slut?” Tommy pressed his middle finger into Merton, who let out a shuttering moan.  “see, such a slut.” Tommy plunged his finger back and forth in a slower circular motion before nudging his pointer in as well.  

Merton Keened, glancing over his shoulder he said in a gasping voice. “I’ll be your slut any time, as long as you make me scream.”

Tommy dropped the butt plug into his free hand and leaned in, so his lips were mere centimeters from Merton’s ear and whispered huskily.  “Making you scream is never an issue.” He quickly removed his fingers and replaced them with the tip of the butt plug.  “Incoming” Tommy shouted playfully and pressed the butt plug in.

“What the he-,Oh!  God.” Tommy kept pushing until the entire thing was inside of him. “Asshole.” Merton haft groaned, half grumbled.

“Right,” Tommy set the butt plug to a low hum and placed the controller in Merton’s loose shirt collar.  “You stay right here.  I’m gonna go to deal with this” Tommy glanced down at his groin with disgust. “Don’t go anywhere”

Stepping into the bedroom Tommy immediately kicked off his loafers, quickly followed by his pants and boxers.  He scooped up the discarded clothing and pulled the ring box out of his pants pocket along with his set of keys.  Dropping the clothes into the hamper and keys on the night stand he opened the drawer and moved a few things to the side before placing the ring box in the back corner and moving everything back in front of it.  From there into the bathroom in search of a warm and wet washcloth, then back to the closet for a fresh pair of boxers and to get rid of his shirt.  “Tommy” Merton pleaded from the hall.

Tommy stepped into the hall with a smirk. “Yes?” Merton’s nails were scratching at the wall, his chest rising and falling as he panted, desperate eyes turned to Tommy.

“Fuck me, please, god I need to come, Tommy, fuck me!” Tommy took the remote from Merton’s collar and bumped the speed up for just a moment making Merton give a startled moan.

“Decisions, decisions” Tommy hummed as he ran his thumb over the dial rocking the speed up and down, each time forcing Merton to vocalize something.

“Tommy, please.” Merton cried out.  The doorbell rang then and Tommy popped his head out into the living room, he eyed the front door suspiciously.  Who the hell was ringing the doorbell at this time of night? “Tommy!” Merton cried again, whoever was at the door started pounding on it.  “Tommy!”

“Shush” Tommy put the controller back into Merton’s collar.  “It’s probably Rick, you’re being too loud again.” He winked at Merton.  “Just stay quiet I’ll be right back.” Tommy said as he headed off to appease their downstairs neighbor.  Merton bit his lip and tried to be patient, the bell rang again even though the pounding had never stopped.  “I’m so sorry, Rick-“Tommy started as he opened the door.

“Finally.” Gleb grumbled pushing in to the apartment passed Tommy.

“I see your home fashion sense is as strong as your public.” Beca added pinching the leg of his Santa themed boxers.

“So I need to run laundry, sue me.” Tommy huffed pushing the door closed “why are you”

“Mert Bert, what has he done to you?” Gleb’s shocked voice ranged from the living room fallowed by a moaning squeak from Merton and a

“Shit!” from Tommy as he ran to block Merton from view. Merton was to horny to be petrified, he could feel Gleb’s eyes running over him as if they were hands.

“What, what’s happened?” Beca asked rushing to the scene with Tommy.  “Oh, my!” and she chuckled naughtily just as Tommy slid between them and Merton. Unfortunately Tommy’s hip accidentally bumped Merton’s ass, causing the butt plug to shift and that was it. Merton arched, a long, high, keening moan escaped his still bitten shut and now bleeding lips as he shot his load onto the wall.  Tommy turned so that all three of them were starring wide-eyed as Merton shuttered through his orgasm.  The feel of their stares only serving to intensify the orgasm until with a gasp Merton slumped heavy against the wall.

All of them stood there for a moment paralyzed, watching the cuffs dig into Merton’s pale skin as though entranced. Slowly Tommy stepped forward, removed the control and turned off the vibrations.  Wrapping his arm around Merton’s waist he gently lifted the smaller body and removed the plug. Merton gave a sleepy moan.  “Hush, baby, I got you.” Tommy soothed as he dropped the plug and reached up for the cuffs.

With Merton freed, Tommy gently swung him into a bridal style hold. “You’re such a prick.” Merton grumbled against Tommy’s chest.

“I know.” Tommy kissed the top of Merton's head as he carried him to bed.  Unbeknownst to either of them, their audience followed and couldn’t help but smile at the care Tommy took in removing the last of Merton’s clothing, wiping him down and tucking him into bed.  When Tommy was finished the three remaining friends returned to the living room.

“You two are kinkyre then I thought.” Gleb chuckled.

“Been giving it a lot of thought?” Tommy snapped, he was feeling several different emotions at the moment though mostly anger. He couldn’t believe that he hadn’t been able to feel that orgasm as it ripped through Merton, it looked amazing and must have felt even better.

“Well, your boy is rather” Gleb started Beca smacked his arm before talking over him, this time he took the hint.

“Please, tell me you’re always that sweet with him after.” Beca’s excitement glittered in her eyes.  Tommy turned his glare from Gleb to Beca but the look on her face immediately softened his.

“What?” Tommy blundered.

“You know, the whole carrying him and tucking him in and whatnot.  Please say yes.”

“Well, I don’t always have to carry him but I do try to take care of everything else.”

“Thomas, you are perfect.” Beca almost clapped in her excitement but stopped herself.

“I’m not perfect” Tommy sounded almost dejected.

“Ah, he rejects his own perfection, proof of his perfection.” Tommy glance to Gleb who shrugged, this one was beyond him.

“I’m not perfect, it’s just taken a lot of work to get him to believe me and I don’t wanna hurt him again and make him think I change my mind.” Tommy said it all in one scared rush being sure to look anywhere but at his two friends. Gleb nodded, that sounded plausible and he really didn’t care enough to get into anything.

“Again?” Beca suddenly sounded like she wanted to fight. “What do you mean by again?”

“Beca, let it go.” Gleb sighed.

“No, I want to know.” She stared Tommy down, her freedom fighters spirit had gotten her in trouble before but she didn’t let that deter her ever.

“Why are you guys” Tommy tried to change the subject

“Tommy” Beca interrupted.

“here anyway?”  Tommy pushed on.

“You are going to answer me, Thomas.” Beca folded her arms across her chest.

Oh no, defensive posture, full name, Tommy shied he knew he wasn’t going to win this.  “I’m not going to get into this with you.”

“Oh-h, yes you are.”

“No, Beca, I’m not.  He was already pissed at me for kissing him in front of you guys and after he wakes up from this he is going to be embarrassed as shit and mad that I let it happen.  I’m not going to add telling you about this to the list.” Tommy said with a huff.

“What do you think would happen if I walked in there,” Beca pointed at the bedroom door.  “and asked him about it right now?”

“You wouldn’t.” Tommy looked every bit the aghast boyfriend.

“I mean he’s probably still a little buzzed, he such a lightweight, not to mention he look pretty good and loopy after that ex-“

“Holy shit, Beca.” Gled looked at her in astonishment.  “you’re terrible.” Beca simply shrugged.

“If I do tell you it’s going to be vague, you are not allowed to judge us and you have to remember what started this line of questioning.”

“Fine.” Beca reluctantly agreed, Tommy walked around her and sat on the sofa Gleb claimed one of the comfy chairs across from him, this seemed like it was going to take a while so he may as well get comfortable, Beca simply stood waiting impatiently.

“Do you remember back in freshman year when Merton was out for like two weeks?”

“Vaguely,” Beca shrugged.  “he was sick or something.”

“He was home recovering.”

“For two weeks!” Beca managed to keep her voice low when her anger was clear.  “What did you do?”

Tommy looked to the carpet and instantly saw Merton’s pain filled face, deciding that wasn’t the place to look he turned to the coffee table.  “I, um, I kinda, no I did.  I, uh, attacked, no that…  It’s like he was going out of his way to make me mad.” His exasperation finally broke free, his words came at a slow though somehow rushed jumble.  “He begged me, begged me,” Tommy looked up at them. “not to kick him out after that first night.  He made all sorts of stick promises if I’d just didn’t kick him out. Didn’t believe me for shit, that I loved him, let alone that I didn’t want to kill him. Finally I got him to calm down and believe me or so I thought, but every time I touched him he would freak out.  I mean every time not just sexually, stuff I had done hundred times a day since I have met him, a bump against him, a touch on his shoulder, ya know and he would just freak out. Go all stiff and be super jumpy, anytime I tried to ask him about it he would just give me some mumbled apology excuse or worse literally dropped to his knees.  Finally one day I’d just walked out. I mean what the fuck I’m supposed to do with that?”

Beca sank down onto the arm of Gleb’s chair. This was far more detailed than Tommy wanted but apparently he still needed to talk to somebody about it. “When I finally came back, I was calm and I was going to find out what the hell was going on. He was sitting right here, looking miserable and adorable.  As soon as his saw me he was up and rambling. Something about how he knew I didn’t want him around anymore, he was just a pain in my ass and I was just being nice. So I just had to give him until the end of the month and he would be gone, and out of my life for good. Never mind what I actually thought or wanted.” Tommy rubbed his eye brow with a sigh. “I was so angry, I mean where the fuck did he get off deciding this shit without me?! I think I just wanted to scare him, I don’t know. I flew at him and he squeaked, god anytime I hear him squeak like that it scares the shit out of me. I had him pinned to the floor,” Tommy looked down at the carpet and shuttered but didn’t advert his gaze. “I don’t even know what I said, I was so fucking angry.” Tommy sighed. “I know we were like that for a while, him on the floor me on top of him growling some shit and then he made that sound, that stupid inconsequential sound. He moaned, moaned, he was getting off on my anger. I couldn’t fucking believe it!” Tommy closed his eyes. “I knew it was me doing it, I knew it but I couldn’t stop it. Oh, god his face.” Tommy went silent for a long time. Beca and Gleb sat watching the misery play on his face in heavy silence of their own. When Tommy spoke again it was in a hoarse whisper. “I raped him.”  

           “Oh my god! Tommy!” Beca stood and circled behind Gleb’s chair.

           “Fucking hell!” Gleb just remembered to keep his voice low.

           “I know.” Tommy turned to them still visibly shaken. “I have no idea why he stayed after that. He wouldn’t go to the hospital or the cops, he just stayed here, with me. I couldn’t believe it so I never pressed it, weirder still instead of distancing himself from me he started getting closer. He never actually inshated the contact, I think he was scared to, god knows I was but I still would. Never took it farther then curling up with him and he let me, he even enjoyed it.”

           “How do you know that?” Beca shot at him with a growl.

           “because the next time we did have sex it was because he threatened to leave me if we didn’t. apparently, I wasn’t giving him space, I was being a giant tease.” Tommy cracked a half smile. “but that’s Merton for you.”

           “Jeuse, Tommy.” Beca growled leaning over Gleb’s head. “How could you!”

           “I never meant to and haven’t done anything since I swear.” Tommy’s eyes were half shocked and half expectant.

           “To Merton. He’s loved you for forever and you-“

           “Wait a second, Beca, now your just being dramatic.” Gleb cut in to defend his friend the craziness he had just confessed to. “You only found out about Tommy and Merton how can you say Merton’s always been-“

           “Oh, it was always obvious Merton loved Tommy, we just never realized what kind of love.” Beca shot at Gleb irritated.

           “O-kay.” Gleb dragged it out as he thought it over. “but can you take the accusation down a notch.”

           “What? He raped-“

           “Yeah, and Tommy is clearly fucking miserable about it, not to mention the whole thing doesn’t seem to bother Merton all that much.”

           “We don’t know that. What if Merton has battered wife syndrome or Stockholm-“

           “Beca, this is Tommy we’re talking about. Tommy, the guy who decked coach when he made those creepy ass comments about the cheerleaders. Tommy’s got morals that actually dictate his life.”

           “True, but until a few minutes ago I wouldn’t have thought him capable of rape, who knows what ells he’s capable”

           “Alright, alright.” Gleb stood. “First off you said you wouldn’t judge, second look at him Beca. He is miserable just talking about it. Third, not even an hour ago you were all for him proposing.”

           “well I didn’t know this then.”

           “Exactly, now think about why you where okay with it then. You’ve seen them together there is no way Tommy is holding Merton here against his will. So if this incident between them isn’t an issue for the actual victim then maybe just let it be.” Gleb stood before her waiting for a response, part of him hated being the voice of reason to her when she got in this mode.

           Beca pursed her lips thinking, as she looked back over everything she realized that everything that had told her, her friends should be together happened after the rape had occurred. That meant that her earlier statement about how long Merton had loved Tommy was based on observations after the rape. “Oh my god.” Beca came around the chair and sat. “He really does love you.”  She looked over at Tommy, who gave her a sad smile.

“I hope so.” Tommy was starting to drift, slightly slouched over to the left. The day was catching up to him, part of him knew he should have been more hurt or concerned by what Beca had been saying but he was to physically and now emotionally exhausted to care. “Not to jump topics but why are you guys here?”

“Oh right.” Gleb popped his back with a yawn. “you have my keys.”

“No I don’t.” Tommy automatically denied.

“Yep, you do. You took them from me while I was doing the beer man jig.”

“The only keys I had tonight were mine.”

“You gave your keys to your dad because he’s coming over tomorrow and you weren’t sure when you’d be back from your thing.” Beca supplied blandly.

Tommy’s face fell as he remembered passing his keys over to his father. “Oh yeah… Shit.” He glanced over at the bedroom door, he had put the keys on the bedside table but he didn’t want to risk waking Merton going to get them. Turning back to Beca and Gleb, Tommy yawned around his next words. “Well it’s late, so why don’t you guys just crash here and we’ll drive you back to your car in the morning?” Gleb glanced at Beca so Tommy added. “It’s either this or you call an Uber and wait another hour.”

“Yeah, all right.” Beca and Gleb conceded.

“Good.” Tommy said standing and walking them into his old bedroom. “Sheets are clean, spare toothbrushes are in the closet in the bathroom.” He pointed at a door just past the closet. “Feel free to ware anything in the dresser that fits or sleep in your clothes, I don’t care. So I’m off-“

“But-“Beca started turning towards him.

“I haven’t actually slept in here for years, so no worries.”

“Oh, alright then.”

“Good night.” Tommy saw Gleb stretch out across the bed before he shut the door.

Tommy made his rounds, checking that the front door was locked, turning off lights as he made his way through the house. He picked up the box of toys, lube and butt plug then tip toed into his and Merton’s bedroom. He put the lube on the side table and glared at the offending keys, if not for them he would be wrapped up in post codeile bliss. Merton would be waking up to breakfast in bed and a ring on his pillow, but now that was going to have to wait. Tommy sighed pulling the ring box out and opening it, what was he thinking? He was never going to do all that anyway, he didn’t know what he was going to do but Merton wouldn’t have gone for something so blatantly romance novel. He put the box back where it belonged and padded into the bathroom and dropped the butt plug in the sink, he would deal with it in the morning. With that he finally crawled into bed and smiled as he spooned up to Merton. It took a few moments but slowly Merton turned in Tommy’s arms, curling against his chest, Tommy rested his chin on Merton’s head and whispered, “I love you, baby.” before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

Merton woke wrapped in Tommy’s arms, he would have thought it was his favorite dream if not for the instance of his bladder to get moving. So reluctantly and carefully he extracted himself from Tommy’s arms. After appeasing his bladder, Merton washed the butt plug and put it away. He made a quick stop in the closet to grab a sleep shirt, he decided to forgo pants incase this turned into another one of his favorite dreams. Sleepy mornings were always fun.

Merton crawled back into bed and wiggled his way into Tommy’s arms. He watched Tommy’s sleeping face contented by how peaceful his lover looked though saddened by the thought that this was going to be one of his last chances to see this.  Merton placed his ear to Tommy’s chest and let the beating of his heart reverberate through his own body. He wished this never had to end, but knew that life didn’t tend to listen to wishes.

Tommy woke to the gentle sensation of Merton’s fingers playing in his chest hair. “Morning.” He yawned.

“It’s quarter to eleven.” Merton barely glanced up at him, just kept running his fingers over Tommy’s chest.

“Still morning.” Tommy shrugged.

“True enough, what time is your meeting?” Merton asked looking up at Tommy slowly.

“One.” Tommy answered around another yawn.

“Well, we should get moving then.” Merton rolled out of bed and headed straight for the hall door.

Tommy smiled to himself as Merton’s ass peeked out from under his shirt. As Merton reached for the door Tommy remembered that Gleb and Beca were still at the apartment. “Merton, wait a sec.” Tommy said rolling out of bed. Merton stilled the door half open as Tommy wrapped his arm around his waist. Tommy gently pushed the door closed with his other hand. “Not that I don’t enjoy the view.” Tommy rocked his hips against Merton’s pert bottom letting his lover feel the forming erection. “But, Gleb and Beca are still here.” Merton began to sputter. “So pants might be a good idea.” Tommy finished pulling away to give Merton room to flail about during the oncoming ramble.

Merton turned to Tommy with wide, either shocked or terrified eyes, he couldn’t quite tell. “They were really here?” Merton’s voice was unusually steady.

“Yes.”

“And they saw me-“

“Blow your load all over the wall? Yes.”

“Oh, Gods.” Merton sank to the floor his hands up by his ears, his face so red it looked like he might catch fire.

“It’s okay.” Tommy crouched down so that he was eye level with Merton.

“How it this okay?” Merton groaned.

“okay, it’s not okay but there is something ells I should tell you.”

“What? Oh no, please don’t tell me I did something weird after that.” Merton pleaded up at Tommy defeated.

“No, no, I was kinda forced to tell them about the time I…” Tommy looked away with a pause. In that short time Merton’s mind buzzed with embarrassing possibilities. Such as the time he had pranced around the house in nothing more than a saddle, unicorn horn and a rainbow tail only to have Tommy laugh the moment he laid eyes on him. Or there was the time- “raped you.” Tommy finished in a whooshing breath. Merton’s mind came to a screeching halt, of all the possibilities that had never been an option.

“What?” Merton heard himself ask and was horrified when Tommy repeated himself. Tommy wasn’t looking at him but the floor. “why?” Merton asked coldly.

“It wasn’t like I planned to tell them.”

“You swore to me that you would never speak of it again.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I don’t”

“You swore, Tommy.” Merton stood in a sudden huff and turned for the closet.

“I’m sorry, but you should know Beca was pretty much ready to castrate me on the spot after she got me to tell her. Just to rescue you from battered wife syndrome.” Tommy smiled attempting to ease Merton’s anger with him.

“That’s not funny, Tommy, battered wife syndrome is some serious shit that no one should ever have to deal with.”  Merton snapped pulling on some black and white checkered boxers and a pair of black jeans.

“I know, I’m just trying to show you how mad she was.”

“So she thought you were my captor and rapist but was fine with you curling up in bed with me? Great friend that, thanks.” Merton scoffed pushing past him on his way to the bathroom.

“It wasn’t like that.” Tommy groaned exasperated fallowing Merton. “I had to tell her how you wouldn’t go to the cops or the hospital and that it was you who initiated sex again. I was too much of a chicken to try.”

“Were you Tommy? Or was it that you just didn’t want to touch damaged goods?” Merton spat the words with venom into the mirror.

“Holy shit! Merton, No. God, you know I was scared shitless I would hurt you again.”

“Why, did you get a taste for it?”

“Oh my god, no. Why are you saying all this?” Tommy’s desperately hurt eyes reflected at Merton somehow magnified by the mirror.

“Because you swore to me, you would never menschen it again and you lied. So maybe,” Merton spun around to look directly at Tommy. “I’ve been wrong this whole time, maybe the man I thought loved me just loved fucking me. Just found me convenient.” It was a low and cruel shot and the moment it left his lips Merton regretted it. He knew that wasn’t what Tommy thought of him he had watched Tommy beat himself mentally for years because of that indiscretion, not that he was belittling what had happened. It had been a tariffing moment in his life but not the first and with how his life had gone so far probably not the last.

“Bullshit and you know it!” Tommy just managed to stop himself from shouting, showing how much the low blow hurt.

Merton reached behind him and placed his hairbrush on the counter, his eyes and voice softening. “Of course, it is, I’m making a point. You promised me, you promised you wouldn’t, ever, talk about it again and you did. You promised me that you wouldn’t let it keep haunting you but you did. So now I know that other people know, that it still bothers you and I’m always going to wonder what they think of me, about you. You know how I dwell on things.” Merton gave him a sad smile.

Tommy comply looked the part of a sad puppy, sorry he had disappointed Merton so much. Unsure what to do as some form of penance Tommy dropped his gaze. “I’m sorry.”

“I know, so I’m just goanna have to deal with it.”

“Merton,” Tommy started but had no idea what he was going to say and was glad when Merton cut him off.

“Why don’t you get showered and dressed for your meeting. I’ll go make some breakfast.” Merton ran his hand over Tommy’s shoulder as he headed for the hall.

“Yeah, alright.” Tommy mumbled more to himself then as an answer.

Merton walked out into the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Beca was in the kitchen in one of Tommy’s t-shirts and some sleep pants, pulling down two mugs. “Morning, Beca.” Merton greeted sliding past her to the refrigerator.

“Moring Merton, coffee’s almost ready. I hope it’s okay I made some.”

“Yeah, no worries, you want an omelet?” Merton pulled out a large three dozen size carton of eggs and a gallon of milk.

“That sounds good.”

“Good, you can help me.” Merton went back to the refrigerator, pulled out vegetables, cheese and a small verity of meats.

Beca stared at the mini mountain of ingredients and uttered softly. “Sure.”

Merton glanced at her then the ingredients. “Tommy’s a big eater.”

“I guess so.” She clapped her hands twice snapping herself out of the slight daze before asking cheerfully. “What do you need me to do?”

“Merton shot her a quick smile as he bent over to find a bowl. “let me find you a bowl and you can whisk the milk and eggs.”

While she whisked, Merton washed and chopped the vegetables before cutting the meats. He gave her the greater and the block of cheese when she was done then went to heat up four pans. “Well you grab the rye, I’ve got the broiler ready.”

Breakfast was overall quiet and awkward but not overly so, everyone had the good sense not to mention the previse night’s activities. Merton handed Tommy the keys to the hearse, saying good bye to Beca and Gleb again before setting to the task of cleaning up. Beca thanked him for breakfast, Gleb ruffled his hair and Tommy called out a “later” before closing the door. Merton had things to do before prepping for his skype interview and pushed the embarrassed guilt and panic down to be dealt with later.

The day went comfortably once the interview was over. He had cleaned the hall of any remaining evidence from last night then started prepping for his dinner. It was standing in the kitchen that he realized this would be the first time in four years that he would eat alone. That panic was back along with a heavy sudden sadness, he huffed at himself disappointed, he was just going to have to get used to it. Merton shoved the unwanted emotions away and focused on finding something to eat.

Tommy bustled through the door and kissed Merton’s cheek as he slurped at some soup while he roughed out the next post for his website. “How’d it go?” Merton asked setting down his spoon.

“Good.” Tommy toed off his shoe’s and snagged one of Merton’s crackers before sitting down at the table beside him. “They’re offering some cool stuff but I’ve got others to look into still, so you know. How’d yours go?”

“pretty good, it’s just your basic entry level stuff.” Merton shrugged dropping his pen, it was obvious he wasn’t impressed with the job and would only take it if nothing better came along. Though he knew he had others interviews lined up so was still hopeful. “I thought you had dinner plans with your dad.”

“I do, I just popped home to get changed, he decided to meet me at the restaurant instead.”

“Well then go.” Merton smiled at Tommy as he stood.

 Tommy was the first to wake the next morning, not that this was unusual, but today was important. He wanted to make sure everything was ready before Merton got up. So after a quick shower Tommy grabbed two rolling duffle bags from the hall closet and began to pack them. He was glad he had come out to his dad alone last night at dinner. His father had been insistent that Merton was more than welcome but Tommy didn’t think Merton would have been able to handle finding out his parents had had a feeling about them for years now. Mr. Dawkins admitted it was why he had been a touch warry of Merton when the boys had been in high school, though as he had watched Tommy and Merton together he realized there wasn’t anything to worry about. Of course the next question was about when Merton had finally managed to muster the courage to confess to Tommy. Tommy had been embarrassed to admit it wasn’t so much a confession but more something dragged out of the other man and only done once they were in collage. The question also made him wonder why others seemed to know about Merton’s feeling before he had. The date of the revelation seemed to confuse his father; apparently the entire Dawkins family had thought he and Merton were a couple long before then.

Tommy had sat across from his father fiddling with the ring box in his pocket, listening to his father reveal the awkward family expectance. They had then fallen into a quiet still moment and Tommy decided to tell his father. He pulled the ring box out of his pocket and showed it to his dad, then began to explain his plane. Mr. Dawkins couldn’t help but smile with true sincerity as he turned the ring in his fingers. When Tommy was finished Mr. Dawkins replace the ring in its box, returned it to his son and said. “I hope everything goes well for you.”

Tommy had felt a horrifying wave of panic over take him. “Do you think he’ll say no?”

“Tommy, the only one who knows what Merton will say is Merton but I’ll give you some fatherly advice. Just be honest with him, it’s the best you can do for you and him.” Tommy had simply nodded. “But I think your plan is a good one and if you know him half as well as I think you do it will be a great memory either way.”  They had ended the night with Tommy promising to call his father first thing after he had asked, no matter the outcome.

Tommy zipped the duffle full of his clothes and went to the closet to gather Merton’s making sure he grab Merton’s two suits. After all that he made a quick stop in the bathroom for toiletries, then packed his backpack of everything he would need for the plane ride and meeting. Fallowed then by the same thing for Merton’s messenger bag.  

Walking out into the kitchen Tommy set the coffee pot to brew and began loading the hearse. Back in the house he pulled out some clothes for Merton to ware today, packed his laptop into his back pack, unplugged their phones, packed them and put the ring box into the inside zip pocket of his backpack. He then filled two travel mugs with the freshly brewed coffee and placed all that in the hearse.

Stepping back inside the apartment Tommy cleaned the coffee maker and did a final sweep to make sure nothing was missing. Nope, he had everything but Merton and his bag. Tommy walked back into the bedroom, pocketed the actual phones and ran his fingers through Merton’s hair. “Merton.” Tommy placed a gentle kiss to Merton’s left eyelid. “Merton.” then the right eyelid “Merton.” A kiss to the tip of Merton’s noes. “Merton.” Tommy put his lips to the side of Merton’s neck and blew the loudest raspberry he could.

Merton startled awake swatting at whatever was on his neck, he heard Tommy laughing before he saw him standing over him. Merton flapped back on the bed and rolled onto his side away from Tommy with a grumbled. “Tommy.”

“Oh no you don’t, get up.” Tommy pulled Merton up by his arms before walking around the bed. “Put that on.” Tommy through Merton’s clothes at him, Merton just grumbled. “Let’s go, you have to take me to the airport.”

“Don’t wanna.” Merton grumbled from under the shirt Tommy had thrown at him.

“Well it’s either you take me or you’re without a car for the next two days.” Merton mumbled something about that not being the point under his breath. Tommy simply stood arms folded across his chest at the end of the bed. “Look, I’ll drive over there then all you have to do is drive home.”

Merton pulled the shirt off his head and glared at Tommy. “Fine.” Reluctantly Merton climbed out of bed and changed while Tommy watched him. As Merton went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and hair Tommy folded and pocketed the boarding passes. Merton walked out his hair brushed and fluffy not in his signature spikes, it somehow made him look younger.

Tommy held out Merton’s sneakers. “Let’s go.” Merton grumbled at his happy tone but took his sneakers and fallowed.

The ride was quite, Merton sat sipping his coffee with his head against the window. Tommy parked in the garage, pocketed the keys and started unloading the hearse. He slung Merton’s bag across his chest then put on his backpack, handing one duffle bag to Merton he garbed the other, locked the hearse and lead them into the airport.

Merton stood next to Tommy as he self-checked the luggage and handed it over. Then they went to wait in the security line. It was moving slowly and Merton decided he would leave once they made it to the podium. He was lost in his own head and the location, not knowing what to say. Time passed without him realizing it and soon they stood at the podium, Tommy handing over the boarding passes and his ID before turning to Merton. “Merton,”

“I’ll miss you.” Merton muttered.

“He needs your ID.” Tommy smiled.

“What? Oh, sorry.” Merton pulled out his wallet and handed over his licenses.

“He’s not quite awake yet.” Tommy chuckled to the TSA agent, who simply smiled that false ‘whatever you say buddy’ smile.

“Have a good trip, gentlemen.” The TSA agent handed back their IDs and boarding passes.

Merton stared at the paper until Tommy dragged him towards the body scanners.  “Take your shoes off and put them in the bin with your wallet.” Tommy said dropping their bags on the conveyer belt as he toed off his shoes. He put his ID back in his own wallet, then his wallet, shoes and their phones into a bin before he held out his hand for Merton’s wallet and shoes. When nothing was placed in his hand he turned to Merton.

Merton was staring at the paper boarding pass, his wallet and ID still clutched in his other hand. “I’ll hold on to that for you.” Tommy said plucking the paper from Merton’s fingers, he put the ID away before dropping the wallet in the bin, then folded both boarding passes and pocketed them. “Now take your shoes off.”

“Tommy, why is my name on that ticket?”

“Shoes Merton, you’re holding up the line.”

Merton began stepping out of his shoes. “Tommy,”

“Shoes, then I’ll tell you.” Merton stepped out of his shoes, Tommy had them in the bin and Merton moving towards the body scanners.

“Tommy?”

“Do as the nice lady says, Merton.” Tommy’s voice made it seem as though Merton were either slow or an extremely nervous flyer. Merton stood with his wrist crossed above his head, a pout on his face as he hoped those around them just though he hated flying.

Merton stood his arms crossed tightly over his chest, next to their bags and bin glaring at Tommy waiting for an answer that didn’t appear to be forth coming. “Tommy!” He growled low trying not to draw any more attention than he felt they already had. Tommy handed Merton his shoes and pulled on his own, seemingly unaware as always of the eyes that were fixed on them. They had maybe seven spectators mostly from a group of senior high school cheerleaders heading out to a competition, they whispered and giggled at each other about how ‘cute’ Tommy was, not that Merton could hear them to know that’s what it was.    

“The reason that ticket has your name on it,” Tommy pocketed his wallet and the phone. “is because it’s your ticket.”

“Why?” Merton asked tight lipped, tapping his toe against the floor to even out the pressure in his shoes as he pocketed his wallet.

“Because you have an interview tomorrow and so do I.” Tommy said it as though everyone in the world was aware of that fact.

“What?” Merton squeaked, some of the cheerleaders giggled again.

“Don’t worry I packed everything for you.” Tommy tucked Merton’s phone into his lover’s pocket. “Your interview is with Miss Lidia Guise, she is a very nice woman and excited to meet you.” Tommy picked up their bags and stepped away from the security gate. “So everything is all set, all you have to do is show up, blind her with your brilliance and maybe smile.” Tommy checked their gate number on their boarding passes re-pocketed them and started for the gate, taking Merton’s hand and dragging him gently along behind.

“Lidia Guise? You got me an interview with Lidia Guise?”

“No, you did.” Tommy said confidently nocking the disbelief of Merton’s voice out of the way. “I just answered your phone when she called, I think you were in the shower the first time.”

“The first time?” Merton trotted to even out the pace so he wasn’t being dragged along anymore. “How many times have you talked to her?”

“Six or seven.”

“Six or seven? Why?”

“Well it was kind of fate really, cause I had just gotten off the phone with her that first time and I got a call about heading out to see what these guys had to offer. So I called her back and found out if she could see you while I was in town.” Tommy motioned at two seats in their gates waiting area, Merton sat, Tommy continued. “So we went back and forth a few times but finally got it sorted out.” Tommy put the bags on the floor between them and settled into his seat.

Merton immediately reached for his bag as he realized he wasn’t prepared for an interview of this magnitude at all. “Tommy, I don’t have any of my stuff, what am I going to show her?”

Tommy let him open his bag and begin riffling through it before answering. “Everything’s there, I’ve seen you go through it a hundred times. I know where you kept it all.”

Merton finished going through the bag, comforted by the knowledge that he had everything and sat back in his chair looking down at nothing. “Lidia Guise.” He whispered in awe.

“Well, you know, surprise!” Tommy said with a stretch, Merton put his bag down and turned to Tommy. He watched the man he loves for a silent moment and knew he was loved. The moment stretches on making Tommy’s skin begin to twitch with nervousness. “You’re not mad, right? I just thought it would be nice for us to go somewhere together.” Merton leaned over and kissed Tommy deeply. “Merton J. Dingle,” Tommy gasped dramatically. “you just kissed me, in public.”

A light blush stains Merton’s alabaster cheeks as a wicked glitter flashes through his eyes. “I’d do more to you if it wasn’t illegal.”

“AH! You perv, I love you” Tommy half laughed as he kissed Merton’s forehead.

Merton settled back in his chair with a smile. “When do we take off?”

“Little over an hour, you want me to grab something for breakfast?”

“Sure.” Merton shrugs closing his eyes.

Merton slept with his head on Tommy’s shoulder during the flight. Tommy for his part couldn’t stop running his thumb across Merton’s ring finger, if all went well his ring would be sitting there in less than two days.

After gathering their luggage they caught a cab to the hotel, the instant they walked through the large glass doors Merton felt out of place. The hotel was gorgeous, modern and sleek though that seemed to have little effect on Tommy who simply proceeded with checking in. Tommy made sure to keep a hold on Merton’s hand to keep him from wondering off in his awed viewing of the place.

The bellhop delivered them and their luggage to their room where Tommy thanked him and discreetly handed the young man a tip. Merton scanned the suit completely before turning back to Tommy. “Tommy, how can you afford this?” it wasn’t asked with accusation but something akin to concern.

“I can’t, this is where the team is putting me up. You are just a tag along on the room, sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Merton took a seconded sweep of the suit. Tommy smiled caring their duffels over to the dresser in the bedroom and began unpacking.

“So there is supposed to be this amazing restaurant like two blocks down. I thought we could do lunch then walk around campus, so you know where you’re going tomorrow.” He looked up in the mirror to find Merton simply staring at him. “What?”

“Nothing,” Merton walked over to help him. “after that we’ll go where your headed?”

“We don’t have to.” Tommy said zipping the empty duffle closed.

“Shouldn’t you know where you’re going tomorrow too?” Merton handed Tommy the now empty second duffle.

“They’re picking me up.” Tommy shrugged.

“Oh,” Merton sounded a little dejected as he stepped back from the dresser. “okay, that sounds good then. I should just,” Merton stood running his fingers through his hair. “No, I should just get used to it being fluffy, spikes aren’t always well received on interviews.” He face fell at the thought of losing his spikes.

“Maybe just don’t do so many?” Tommy shrugged trying to be supportive.

Merton gave him a sad smile. “No, I’ll try fluffy.”

Tommy ran his fingers through Merton’s hair. “I have to say, you look pretty cute like this.”

“But do I look scholarly?”  

“You always look scholarly.”

“You are such a bad liar.” Merton smiled and kissed Tommy’s cheek. “Let’s go.”

After lunch they walked the campus, finding the fastest root for Merton to fallow in the morning. They then spent the rest of the afternoon exploring down town. Merton allowed himself to snuggle close to Tommy as they walked and Tommy heart beat was ecstatic at the feel of Merton’s body pressed against him as they walked, he wrapped his arm around Merton’s waist and had it there the majority of the day. They watched the sun set on a bench in a nearby park, feeling gloriously like a cheesy romance film. Then went back to the hotel and to bed, they both had a big busy day tomorrow. With a multitude of alarms set Merton climbed into bed with Tommy and let the warmth of the other man lull him to sleep.

Their morning was hectic as they prepped for the day, though they both made sure they were ready with enough time to eat together. Merton needed to eat he really didn’t need to be so nervous on an empty stomach but it was hard to force himself to. “You’ll be fine.” Tommy smiles at him confident as he plucked at Merton’s fruit bowel. “I told you she’s excited to meet you, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.” Merton huffed around a bight of bagel, Tommy’s smile broadened as he continued. “Just don’t through up on her and I’m sure she’ll love you.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Hey, I love you, and I don’t know what you’re talking about half the time but she will and I’m sure she’ll love you too ‘cause what’s not to love.”

Merton rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile. “Yeah, I guess.”

Tommy walked Merton out to the waiting cab and gave him a quick peck on the cheek then settled him into cab. With a small embarrassed wave from Merton the cab pulled away from a broadly grinning and almost wildly waving Tommy.

Fifteen minutes later Merton had managed to get all evidence of his embracement off   his face and paid the cabbie. He tightened his hold on his bag strap and straitened his suit jacket before walking towards Lidia Guise’s office.  Opening the door he was still twelve minuets early for his appointment found Miss Guise’s assistant sitting behind her desk. Walking up to the young woman he had and odd sense of pride that he couldn’t understand he hadn’t done anything yet, he hadn’t even checked in yet maybe the ridicules farewell Tommy had given him had done more to boost his confidence then to embarrass him.  Once checked in he sat and waited, he looked around the small room it was a basic office no real personality to it, the three oak doors behind the assistant were closed and unmarked. Across from Merton on the wall was a small collection of framed photographs, landscapes some he recognized like the obvious ones, Stonehenge, the pyramids of Gaza and others he didn’t deep forests, rolling fields and a single lone light house that looked like it could be blown over by a stiff wind.

Lidia Guise was a striking image as she walked out of the door on the far left behind the assistant, to meet him. Her long black hair was swept behind her left shoulder to curl over her right, she wore black slacks, a deep purple button down with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, a charcoal gray vest  and matching bowtie finished the ensemble.  Her earthen brown eyes lit up on seeing him, it wasn’t until she started toward him that Merton realized she wasn’t wearing shoes, just socks printed to look like Chuck Taylor’s All Stars. “Merton J. Dingle! Welcome, welcome. What does the J. stand for? James? John? Jeremy? Ah, it doesn’t matter. Come inside, come inside.” Merton smiled as he stood and shook her hand. It was clear this wasn’t an actual conversation and trying to answer her would have just been a fetal, irritating effort so he simply fallowed her into her office. “I like the name Merton, it’s rather unique. I have to say though I thought you would be dressed a little peppier, thought I suppose a suit is always a safe bet for an interview.” She circled behind her desk as she spoke and motioned at the chairs across from her. “Now then,” she smiled sweetly. “before we really begin I would just like to say that your Tommy is adorably enamored with you. For him to go through all this effort to set up this surprise, he has to be.”

Merton’s face flushed, his eyes darting away from her, as much as he knew that she had known something about this what with all the phone calls Tommy had made to her. He was embarrassed to realize just how much she seemed to know and the ease with which she talked about it. “Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you were together.” Lidia’s concern played through her voice. “The way he talked about you I just assumed you were a couple. I’m terribly sor-“

“No, no!” Merton quickly cut off the coming apology. “We are, it’s just that we only came out three days ago and I’m not used to people being so receptive to the idea.”

“Oh, honey. Your boyfriend sounds adorable and I can’t wait to meet him but,” she sat back in her chair, knocking the awkward moment away. “let’s get down to business.”

Merton sat up a bit straighter. “Yes.”

“I don’t know what your Tommy has told you about the position.”

“Nothing.”

“Alright.” She laughed. “So, Merton it’s an assistant research position. You would be with myself or one of my colleges, we are all looking at the moment. As an assistant you would also help with some of the teaching. We will pay for you to continue your education, because I would like you to be doing your own research in about three years.”

“What?” Merton couldn’t believe his ears, this was madness, wasn’t it? But she simply smiled at him all warmth and understanding, his confusion wasn’t unexpected.  

“Merton, I’ll be honest with you, I’m a bit of a fan already. The work you have on your website is fantastic and I see great potential in you. So when I picked up the phone it was with every intent of hiring you.”

“Really?” Merton new his insecurity was spilling out into the room like paint but he just felt so strange believing her, she looked so sincere as she spoke but people weren’t just handed their dream job on a palter in real life. Where they?

“Oh, real fast, do you have a passport or do we need to get you one? Because I have a research trip planned for next year and I believe Michael is going to Germany.”

“You’re serious about all this?” Merton’s smiled brightly as his uneasiness began to dissipate.

“Deadly.” Lidia confirmed making Merton chuckle. “Should we discus pay?”

“Yes, please.”

“Oh,” she chuckled darkly. “I think I’m keeping you for myself.”

Three hours later Merton was finger printed, photographed, background checked and ninety eight percent done with his paper work. “Right.” Lidia said sitting back down behind her desk. “They are working on the final bits to your contract; it’ll be all set tomorrow. So how about you, me and your Tommy meet for lunch. You can sign those last through pages and then you’ll be all official.”

“I’ll have to ask him, but sure.” Merton couldn’t stop smiling.

“Great! Let’s say something between eleven and one, as soon as I get a reservation firmed up I’ll send you the details”

“Sounds good.”

Lidia stood and came around her desk. “You know, you’re a better fit then Tommy implied you’d be. Now give me a hug.”

Merton chuckled out an. “Okay” as he stood and let her wrap her arms around him.

Ten minutes later Merton stood in the quad fingering his phone. He felt a strange senses of serialism, Tommy had made him promise to call as soon as he was out of the interview no matter what the outcome. Though he was almost sure if he did he would find himself waking up in his bed and this would have all been just a teasing dream.

Tommy sat with the Owner and head coach lessoning to them debate with each other, they had already done all the business talk and now they were down to where to take him for some smooshing. Truthfully he wasn’t all that interested in the smooshing, for some reason all these meetings ended with smooshing at some strip club or other such nonsenses. Not that he didn’t enjoy watching the ladies, he did still find them at least a little interesting. But it often lead to the smooshers trying to buy him company and then it always became such an awkward exchange when he adamantly refused. Tommy always made a point to give the woman a large tip for having to deal with the whole situation. His phone buzzed to life in his pocket, pulling it discreetly out he saw Merton’s name light up the screen. With a smile he stood, “Excuse me I have to take this.” The two men gave him a nod of consent, not that it mattered he was going to answer regardless. Tommy walked towards the large panoramic windows as he answered the phone. “Hey, how’d it go?”

“I got the job.” Merton almost laughed.

“That’s awesome, Merton!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Isn’t it? Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, I guess I’m just having a hard time wrapping my head around it.”

“Why I knew you were gona be great.” Tommy nocked his knuckle against the window.

“Yeah, well, we don’t all have your confidences.” Tommy scoffed but Merton ignored it. “Oh, before I forget. She wants to have lunch with both of us tomorrow.”

“Okay, sure.”

“Thanks, how’s yours going?”

“Pretty good, I’m just about done, should only be another hour at most. But when I get back we’re going out to celebrate.”

“Okay, see you soon.”

“Congratulations baby.”

“Thanks.” Tommy could hear the flaming blush on Merton’s face and smiled brightly. He liked being able to call Merton baby in public, he liked it a lot.

“See you soon.” Tommy hung up while Merton tried to mumble out a response. He crossed back over to the other men a smile still firmly set on his face.

“Was that you girlfriend?” “Little Brother?” the two men asked in unison.

“Girlfreind?” The Owner looked past Tommy at the head coach. “He said Merton, that’s a man’s name.”

“He said baby at the end there didn’t you hear him?”

Tommy rolled his eyes dropping back into his seat. “He’s my boyfriend.” The two men slowly turned to him.

“You’re gay.” The coach asked.

“For Merton.”

“What?”

“The only guy to date I have ever been attracted to is Merton, but yes I’m gay. Is that going to be a problem?”

“No.”  The owner got an almost predatory grin on his face. “No, this could be very good.” The coach nodded in just as eerily a way making Tommy a touch uncomfortable.

“Okay.” Tommy’s eyes darted between the two men.

“How did we not know this about you already? Are you not out?”

“I’ve been out for about three days now, at the request of Merton.”

“He asked you to come out, Now?”

“No, he didn’t want us out, worried about repercussions, three days ago I outed us to a former teammate.”

“Oh,” the coach leaned closer. “How did that go?”

“Actually he was more upset by the thought that I didn’t seem to trust him enough to come out to him before then. I don’t know he’s kinda weird.” Tommy laughed, the two men smiled the wheels in their heads clearly turning. “So is there anything ells we need to go over? Cause he’s waiting for me and-“

“He’s here, can we meet him?” The coach stood, excitement playing across his face.

“Well, he’s not in the building but he came to town with me. He had an interview here, got the job, so I would like to take him out to celebrate.”

“Well of course you would.” The owner chuckled warm almost father like. “I think we’ve covered everything it’s just you saying yes or no, young man.”

Tommy fingered the ring box in his pocket. “I’ll tell you this, it sounds good but I’m waiting to hear on one thing. Which I should have no later than noon tomorrow, so could I call you with my answer tomorrow afternoon?”

“Certainly.” The owner said a smile on his face, tommy stood and shook both their hands.

“Thank you, gentlemen, talk to you soon.” With that Tommy left the office. The secretary called the car for him and by the time he got down stairs it was waiting on him.

Merton tossed his jacket over the back of the sofa before stretching across the cushions . The day had been a weird but good one and when Tommy had called him baby he had nearly melted. Not that Merton had never heard Tommy call him baby before but usually it was only when Tommy thought he was asleep.  There was just something about that moment that was perfect and painful. It had made him realize just how much he was going to miss Tommy.

Tommy stood with the concierge, they had already booked a quite table for lunch and were working on getting a car lined up. Tommy had found out about a gothic garden just outside the city and he had thought Merton would enjoy it and it could be a romantic setting. “Alright sir, the car will pick you up here at two thirty, you should arrive at the gardens at about three. The gardens close just after sunset witch is at seven fifteen today. Another car will pick you up no latter then seven thirty, if that is acceptable.”

“Yeah, that should be great.” Tommy smiled at the young woman, gave her a tip and turned. “Oh,” He turned back to the young woman. “Where can I get some roses?”

“I can have some sent up to your room, what color would you like?”

“No, I’d rather take them myself.”

“Of course, sir,” She shot him a bright professional smile as she pulled out a paper map of the hotel from a drawer and circled the concierge desk. “We have a florist on sight, if you head over to the main rotunda and take the second left corridor, it’s the third door on the right.” She fallowed the route on the map with her pen and stared the florist before handing the map to Tommy.

“Thank you.” Tommy smiled at her taking the map.

“My pleaser, sir.” She smiled that professional smile again watching him walk away feeling slightly envious of whoever he was planning the day for.

Tommy fished his room key from his back pocket and swiped it through the lock. Dropping his wallet and key on the coffee table and glanced around for Merton. On his second sweep of the suit he spotted Merton’s silhouette out on the balcony.

Merton had changed out of his suit for a pair of black jeans, a maroon t-shirt and a black vest. He was leaning against the balcony rail, his eyes closed as the wind brushed through his freshly spiked hair.

Tommy pulled the sliding door open and stepped out onto the balcony, the dozen deep purple maroon roses held out in front of him. Merton turned at the sound of the door and almost ran face first into the roses. “Congratulation baby.” Tommy chuckled.

Merton flushed at the term of endearment, his hands instinctively coming up to take the roses as Tommy leaned in and kissed Merton’s cheek. For a moment Merton could see himself bent over the balcony rail as Tommy took him hard and fast, the roses scattered all around their feet, the air filled with his please for all Tommy could give him.

“Merton, you’re thinking naughty thoughts again.” Tommy said with a naughty giggle of his own as he straitened back up.

“Maybe” Merton hid a smirk in the roses.

“No, maybe about it, you’ll have to tell me all about it but later. I’m gonna get changed, I got us a reservation for lunch then I have a surprise.” Tommy said walking back into the suit, Merton fallowing.

“Another one?” Merton asked searching for something to put the roses in.

“Yeah, another one. You never let me take you out as my boyfriend before so now that we’re free I’m going to spoil you a bit.” Tommy’s voice was muffled as he pulled on a clean shirt.

Merton spotted an actual glass on the mini bar so he grabbed it and filled it in the bathroom sink. “Okay.” Merton drew the word out as he walked past Tommy to pick up the roses off the coffee table. “fine.” He undid the paper around the roses and placed them in the glass, it wasn’t perfect but it was nice.

Tommy came around the sofa and pocketed his wallet. “Looks good, but” Tommy plucked one of the roses from the glass and broke the steam shorter before putting it into the small breast pocket of Merton’s vest. “Much better.”

Merton turned in search of his shoes. “I don’t know how I feel about all these romantic gestures.” He half laughed.

Tommy molded himself to Merton’s back. “Just go with it.” He whispered into Merton’s ear.

Merton laughed out right then, Tommy was in a strange and playful mood so he may as well enjoy it. “Alright.”

“Good!” Tommy stepped back, taking Merton’s hand. “Let’s go then.”  He kissed the top of Merton’s hand as he opened the door to the hall.

Lunch had them tucked into a privet corner while Tommy stared at him like he was the most fascinating thing on the planet. The stare was most effective at making Merton squirm more than anything ells through the meal. After they were finished they went out front to get in their cab. The drive out the city was comfortable, Merton let his fingers tangle with Tommy’s on the seat between them.

The cab came to a stop and they stepped out in front of a large stone gothic style menschen. “Tommy, what is this?” Merton’s voice was soft with wonder.

“Your surprise. It’s some family that was important to the city’s house but now they give tours of it and the gardens. It’s nickname is very creative ‘the Gothic Gardens.’” Tommy turned to Merton as the cab drove off, with a naughty smile.

“What’s that for?”

“Apparently they have a mythology garden.”

“O-kay?” Merton glanced around them, then back at Tommy with concern.

“That you have to be at least eighteen to enter.” Tommy leaned toward him conspiratorially. “Apparently there are some naughty things going on in there.” Tommy snickered.

“So, you brought me to a porn garden?” Merton raises a disbelieving eyebrow at Tommy as a small smirk played at the corner of his mouth.

“A gothic porn garden.” With that both of them broke out in laughter. “Come on lets go check it out.” Tommy took the still laughing Merton by the hand and lead him inside.

They quickly paid for admission, grabbed a map and headed out into the gardens. The place was beautiful. They stopped to snap a few shots of some flowers here and there but never lingered long before continuing down the path at a comfortable pace. Tommy interlocked his fingers with Merton’s as they walked making comments on the scenery as they passed.

When they came to a fork in the path a sign pointed to the left for the Mythology Garden. “What do you say?” Tommy asked some of his earlier excitement diminished.

“I’ve never been to a porn garden before.” Merton smirked with a shrug. “Let’s do it.”

“All right! Off on another crazy adventure.” Tommy smiled as they started towards the gate.

They showed their ID’s to the woman at the gate, who handed them a map of the Mythology Garden as she said. “If you have the time, I recommended the mini hedge maze, it can be a lot of fun.”

           Merton glanced down at the map and said to her.  “I’m assuming that’s the Minotaur’s maze.”

           “Yes sir.” The woman smiled at them.  They gave her their thanks and stepped through the gates.

           The first scene they came to was of a large stone head of Medusa.  Medusa’s face was stuck in a perpetual scream as the snakes of her hair arched into the sky, the polished greenstone eyes stared at the viewer.  Merton stepped closer to the scene and noticed where some ivy vines were beginning to wrap around the stones snakes against the ground.  “Those eyes are crazy intense.” Tommy said easing up to the statue.

           “Well they are how she turned the warriors into stone, so they probably should be.” Merton said snapping a photo of the ivy, then stepping back to get one of the whole piece.  Behind them broken warrior statues littered the bushes.

Tommy and Merton continued down the path into what the map called the nymph garden.  Flowering trees that lined the path cast it into playful shadow. Amongst the trees were naked bronze cast fae like women set to look as though they were running alongside the viewer. Merton snapped a few photos and they continued along the path.  

Rounding a curve in the path they came upon a statue of a woman running fear contorting her features as she looked over their shoulder. Continuing on they saw another half out in the path, of a woman frozen in mid fall, her dress ripping away from her caught on something in the floral foliage.  “Tommy, what are we coming up to?” Merton asked wary, Tommy unfolded the map.

“Umm-, centaur’s hunt, should be next.”

“Oh, okay, that makes sense.” Merton said as they came closer to the falling woman and there holding her dress was an onyx centaur. A budding erection blooming out from under the Centaur’s sleek hoarse body, the sight caused Tommy to flush slightly and turn away. Just beyond that the path burst open wide to surround a long pool that had three more centaurs and four women in it. The first centaur had a woman thrown over his shoulder, her hands pressed into his back, her head thrown back looking directly at the viewer disbelieving pleaser contorting her features. As Tommy and Merton came alongside the Centaur they could see its full erection skimming the top of the water. With one arm wrapped around the woman’s waist holding her in place the other had two of its fingers plunged deep in to the woman’s vagina.  Both Merton and Tommy suppressed nervous laughter, at the surprise of detail in the sculpture.

The second Centaur had a woman in the air, his arm’s hooked under her ass sliding up the center of her back for support. His onyx arms a sharp contrast to her pale gray marble skin and cloth. The skirt of her dress was bunched and pouring over his far arm and her leg giving a clear view of his face. Her legs were over the centaur’s shoulders, her hands dug into the hair on its head as he ate her out. Her face was trapped in a deep soul shattering moan, the top of her dress torn away to reveal her soft pert breast.

The last centaur had his front hooves on the edge of the pool, a woman was kneeling under him. Her right arm behind her as she aligned the centaur’s massive dick against her vagina. There was a searing need in the woman’s face, eagerness, excitement, desperation and just a touch of fear somehow managed to pour from the gray marble. The centaur’s left hand held the tatters of the woman’s dress only a small strip of the material still wrapped around the woman’s waist. His right hand coerced his own chest as he bit his bottom lip in a deep groan.

Tommy hadn’t been prepared for this level of detail and found himself looking away again. Behind them was a path cast into shadowed by large canopying trees leading into a stone cave. Merton moved from the last centaur to the final statue in the pool. It was a woman submerged in the pool her head back against the edge, her body splayed out in the water, exhausted as she lazily watched the centaurs and other women before her. “Hey what’s an echida?” Tommy asked looking down at the map.

“What?” Merton asked turning then walking over to look down at the map to.

“Whatever this is,” Tommy pointed at the word on the map. “Apparently it has a cave over here.” Tommy pointed down the pathway.

“Oh, Echidna, she’s half snake half woman, mother of the hydra, Cerberus, the Chimaera and others” Merton said glancing from the map to the path. “I wonder what they did with her.” Merton started down the path, Tommy quickly fallowing after.  

The path was quickly closed in shadow thanks to the thick canopy of trees, after a slight bend they came to the mouth of the cave. Without a single falter in their step they entered the deep darkness only to realize it wasn’t all that deep. There was a light glowing at the other end, gapes where in the roof to allow some light into the roof along the way but not enough to really see just enough so you wouldn’t trip. Merton made sure to turn off his flash and snapped a photo of the beams of light as they fell seemingly frozen. Fallowing the curve of path way they came a pone a large brown marble statue, the snake woman had her tail wrapped around one man, holding him close to her body. While her arms held another man, this one possibly a farmer if his rough clothing and heavily callused hands where any clue, against the wall. As Tommy and Merton walked around the statue the shadows shifted reviling the tip of her tail stroking the first man’s erection as she aligned him with what they assumed was her vagina, the shadows were too deep to really tell.

They moved closer to the man against the wall, his feet were pressed against the wall as he pushed away, thrusting his erection against Echidna’s supple breasts. She for her part had him pressed to the wall, her breast arched towards him a hissing moan trapped on her lips while her eyes were locked on the man in her tail’s grip.

Both Tommy and Merton gave a shrug the piece was well crafted but held little interest for them. With a quick glance at each other they turned and walked back to the centaurs. Tommy pulled the map from his pocket. “We’re pretty close to the maze,” he glanced at his watch. “We still have plenty of time, if you want” looking back up, he found Merton already on the move.

They stopped in front of a wooden sign for the maze, the right half of the sign depicted a scaled map of the maze while the left had this message scrawled over it. ‘Beware the mighty Minotaur, for his hunger knows no bounds. He cares not what his victims are, no matter how they pound. No man nor woman shall be spared his mighty thrust, if still in his lair come dusk.’

“Well that’s not somewhat ominous or anything.” Tommy remarked with a disbelieving smirk.

“You know in the original tail he did eat people” Merton gave a shrug continuing to trace the path with his finger over the maze on the sign.

“I think I should have brushed up on my Greek mythology before I came here.” Tommy chuckled

“Na, that’s what I’m for.” Merton turned him a quick smile.  “I think I have got the path the.”

Turning they walked through the hedge archway, Merton taking the lead.  “You know, I have always liked the erotic telling of the Minotaur’s story.”

“Wait, there are like specifically eat are Roddick mythologies?”

“Tommy, there is erotic everything now.  You want an erotic toaster I’m sure we can find one.” Merton said shaking his head.

“Okay, true.  So what happens?”

“Well, in the original stories every seven to nine years, depending on what you’re reading, seven young men and seven young women were thrown into the Minotaur‘s labyrinth to be devoured by the beast.”

“Lovely.” Tommy grumbled as they turned with the path. “Woah!” Tommy froze on the path; perhaps six feet ahead of them stood a massive statue.  The statue was cast in shadow which only added to its powerful presence.  The statue stood close to 8 feet tall, at least, the large a brawl art of muscular chest of a man support by powerful hips wrapped in a small loin cloth.  That led to the delicate carving of fur on bovine legs and hooves.  Though the most impressive and striking thing by far was the detail an expression on the bull head which sat atop its shoulders.  

Merton moved closer to the Minotaur, gently biting the inside of his lip to curb some of his excitement.  He circled around the statue admiring its gluts.  Quickly but cautiously Merton reached out and ran his finger and over the globes of the Minotaur’s ass.  “Merton?” Tommy asked from where he had stopped.

Merton almost instantly popped his head around the Minotaur’s hip.  “so, what do you think of our first glimpse at the mighty minotaur?” he asked with a playful smile.

“He’s massive, what do you mean first, how many do we get?”

“Yeah he is.” Merton chuckled stepping out from behind the statue.

“No, wait, I want to get pic first.” Tommy said pulling his phone from his back pocket.

“Okay.” Merton backed up the step so he stood next to the statue.

“Nope, where you were.”

“Oh, um..” Merton moved back behind the statue and put his head out to the side next to the hip with his hands resting against the muscular thigh.  “Like this?”

“Yep, awesome.  Got it.” Merton walked back to over to Tommy and gave aside glance at his phone.

“Can I see it?” Tommy turned the phone so Merton could see himself peeking out from behind the minotaur step playfully, a silly smile on his face.  Merton laughed “that’s a pretty good shot, we should do want with each statue.”

“How many are there?”

“There’s a number of them spread out throughout the labyrinth and then the main installation is at the center.”

“And we’re going to see all of them?” Tommy really wished he had paid more attention to the map.

“only the ones that aren’t too far off the right trail.” Merton said linking his arm with Tommy’s and leading them back the way they had come before turning them through another opening in the hedge.

“Okay.  So what happens in the erotic versions?”

“well, fourteen young men and women are thrown into the labyrinth to be devoured, but you know,” Merton wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.  “only and this time they’re being devoured by the minotaur’s insatiable lust.  And they love it!  But who wouldn’t, I mean feeling all that power moving in and out of you.” Merton shivered with anticipation at the thought of it.

“Merton!”

“what?  I’m just saying he would be kind of awesome, and yeah there are those who fight that they are usually the ones that die.”

“well is and that nice a scenario, either you fuck this monster or he kills you.”

“They all go in there thinking they’re gonna die, so maybe finding out there’s another option is an all that bad.”

“Merton,” Tommy scoffed and bonked his head against merton’s.  “They are both terrible options.”

“true neither one seems ideal, but the minotaur is often a very giving lover.”

“Really?” they turned another corner and stood before the minotaur once again.  This time it held a large battle axe over its head in his right hand, it’s a left arm curved around in front of it’s chest.  The ferocious growl trapped on its bull face as it seemed to scream out at the viewer.  Merton detached from Tommy and stood between the minotaur and its curved arm suddenly giving the statue an entirely different feel.  Instead of looking like an attacking monster it became protective. Tommy took out his phone and snapped a quick photo.

“he is very protective of those that choose to stay with him and only,” Merton continued as he walked back to Tommy. “killed the others when they are actively attacking him.  He’s just as trapped in the labyrinth as they are.”

“OK, but still.” Tommy begrudged as they wound their way along the path.

“Yeah, it’s not an ideals situation but it’s not the absolute worst either.” Tommy gave Merton a skeptical eye brow raise. “I’ll have you read some and you can decide for yourself.”

They came upon their third minotaur, this one stood as tall as the others had though was spread out in a low crawl over the path. It’s right arm in front of it, while its left was pulled back by its hip, the left hand curled as if it were holding something under its body.  Merton squatted down next to it to take a closer look.  With that naughty smirk he slid under the minotaur on his belly and hooked his ankle into its left hand.  “We must be getting close to the center.” Merton said looking up at Tommy innocently.

“What makes you say that?” Tommy asked opening the camera on his phone as he moved slightly to the right so that he could see Merton better.  Merton just smirked and pointed at the minotaur above his hips.  Tommy leaned down slightly, “holy crap!” suddenly seeing the budding erection as it peeked out from under its loincloth directly toward Merton’s ass.  It would clearly was not at full mast it was still very impressive and rather intimidating. Merton simply plastered a silly grin on his face is Tommy snapped a photo.  “That is a little intense.” Tommy chuckled still snapping photos as Merton wiggled his way out from under the statue.

“And you have an even felt it.” Merton laughed as his butt grazed the erection.

“I don’t think I want to.” Tommy said snapping a few more shots before reaching down two help Merton up.

“such a chicken.” Merton laughed brushing some dirt off of his shirt and knees.

“Yeah, well, what are you gonna do?”

Merton locked his arm through tommy’s.  “I shall lead us on.”

They wove through the labyrinth for a while longer before almost stumbling over the brawn form, half buried under the shrubbery, of a slain warrior.  Turning the corner they found yet another, three more weaves in the path and suddenly a large flat stone laid before them.  The bronze form of a woman lay sprawled across the table like stone, laughing as a young man kissed the center of her bare chest while he stretched across the stone. Behind them another young man was on his knees, his face twisted and pleasure as the minotaur plunged its tongue into his ass.

As Tommy and Merton circled the peace they could see other statues of couples paired off in the shrubbery around them. Young male and female couples, male and male couples, and female and female couples, there was no code of morality in this piece it was entirely about mutual pleasure.  “woah!” Tommy breathed out and astonishment as they took in the entirety of the piece.  Now

“This is fantastic!” excitement turned Merton’s voice into a squeak.  “I mean look at it.  Not a single one of them is being forced into anything and if they are loving every second of it.”  Merton let out a little laughed as he continued down the length of the table. He marveled at how each statue looked like a living flash frozen in a moment of pure ecstasy.  “holy shikesies!” Merton gasped as he came to the end of the stone table.  There were three small steps up onto a platform, so that when one stood on it brought the stone of the table to about waist height.  Though more importantly it brought the viewer directly under the arched body of the minotaur.  The minotaur’s arms rested on the table as he delved to his tongue into the young man’s ass, his feet planted wide and firm on the ground while his erection pointed in a sturdy command at the empty space on the platform.

Tommy came to stand next to Merton with a sharp whistle on his.  “He’s not messing around, is he?”

“no, no he is not.” Merton’s voice was breathy with either shocked or want, his eyes stayed locked on the bull like member, it looked like it had to be the length and sides of his arm.  Probably not, but it sure seemed like it from where he was standing.  Tommy turned to Merton a little jealous of the way Merton’s voice sounded, pulling out his phone.

“Picture?” the question was almost mocking but he managed to catch himself.

“Hell yes!” Merton grinned wickedly and vaulted up the three steps.  He laid himself across the stone tabletop, propping his head on his hands innocently as he offered the Minotaur his ass.

Tommy snapped a few different angles then started up the steps himself that.  Merton began to straighten into standing but Tommy quickly stopped him.  “No, wait.” Tommy gently pushed him back down onto the table and lay half on half next to Merton on the stone.  Switching his phone into selfie mode they smiled into the camera as the Minotaur’s erection loomed above their heads somewhat ominously. Before getting up Tommy took one more shot as he stuck a quick kiss on to Merton’s surprised lips.  Merton flushed red and after a quick glance around to be sure they were still alone he planted a kiss of his own on tommy’s lips who in turn taped the capture button one more time.  Merton laughed pulling away and putting his hands up to block the camera.

“you are weird man, Mr. Dawkins.” Merton chuckled as he slid past Tommy and down the steps.

“why thank you, Mr. Dingle.” Tommy smiled and planted another kiss on Merton’s cheek as they walked along looking over some of the other statues.

“how did you find this place?” Merton asked Tommy as his fingers ran down the bronze thigh of a young man receiving fellatio from another.

“Lidia told me about it.  She thought you might find it ‘interesting’.  I think that’s how she’d put it.” Tommy’s eyes followed and Merton’s fingers over the bronze thigh.

“it certainly is that.” Merton pulled his fingers away from the statue and wrapped them around tommy’s wrist then led them out of the center of the maze towards the exit.

“apparently she knows some of the artists involved or something.” Tommy watched Merton ran his hand over the shrubbery as they walked.

“that’s cool” Merton slid his hand downed into tommy’s and interlocked their fingers.

“yeah, now that I’ve seen the place I kinda want to meet one and picked their brain a little.”

“I wonder how they chose what monsters to…” Merton faded out tilting his head and looking up over the top of the shrubbery maze.

“What the hell is that?!” Tommy is excitement for gold his voice are too looked over the top of the hedge in front of them. Afflicted dark curve was visible but not much else from Merton’s point of view.

“I …” Merton scrunched up his face in concentration.  “Don’t know.” He pulled the map out of his back pocket to take a look.  “well, it’s probably part of the hydra.  The labyrinth is supposed to open up right onto the hydra and sirens beach.”

“what’s a hydra again?”

Merton pocketed the map as he pulled Tommy along to keep walking with a small smirk.  “a multi headed sea serpent.”

“Oh, I thought they were the bad guys and Captain America.”

“that to”

“so hydra and sirens, those are like mermaids, right?”

“Yeah.”

“okay, they were together?”

“not that I can remember really, but they are both sea creatures so they may have just merged them together for one piece.” Stepping out of the labyrinth they emerged onto what false beach where just off shore a ship was sinking under the bulk of a seven headed hydra.  “wow!” the beast scooped up Sailors that were fleeing around it, while other Sailors were either being swarmed or saved by the sirens. Merton and Tommy couldn’t quite tell at this distance.

Merton let go of tommy’s hand and started moving towards the peace, he stopped and looked around when he realized there was nothing to stop him from walking right into the water.  They were benches with grass under them all around the edge of the area but nothing to stop him from getting in the water.  This was crazy, Merton pulled the map from his pocket again and read it over.  There on the bottom left corner was something he had missed before. ‘most exhibits are interactive, the artists wish for you to experience the pieces in their entirety.  Please do not climb into or onto any for your own safety. Thank you.’ “Tommy!” Merton rushed past Tommy and sat on one of the benches.  “its interactive!  ” Merton took off his shoes and socks.  “they want us to get in and see it!” he rolled up the cuffs of his pants as Tommy sat next to him.

“are you sure?”

“Yep, it says so right there.” Merton handed Tommy the map pointing at the small blurb in the bottom corner.  “I’m gonna go check it out.” His eyes were wide with excitement as he jumped up and headed for the beach.

“Hu, lookup that.” Tommy shrugged and said a little louder to Merton.  “I’ll be right behind you.” He towed off his shoes and tuck them and Merton’s under the bench so they wouldn’t trip over them later.

Merton stepped into the water and shivered, it was chilly but not cold, he headed straight for the first sailor and siren he saw. The sailor was on his stomach, frozen in mid swim stroke, his face was handsome and a mixture of relief and terror. Though Merton suppose that made sense seeing as he was the closest of all the Sailors to the shore.  The detail of the fabric clinging to flash was marvelously believable despite being the color of cold steel.  Peeking up out of the watered just behind the sailor was a woman’s head, a predatory smirk hidden just below the waterline.  Her right hand circled around the Sailors calf, her left hooked into the waist of the Sailors trousers, pulling him back towards her and into the deeper water.

Water splashed as Tommy came to stand beside Merton. “That is a little creepy.” Tommy said leaning over to look at the sirens grin.

“Traditionally sirens Laura men into the water and drown them.” Merton smiled leaning over to get a better look at the sirens body. She was stretched out along the floor like was the most ordinary thing the world to be dragging a man back into the water.

“Fun.” Tommy commented behind Merton.

“I can hardly think of anything more fun.” Merton said over his shoulder smirking as he headed for the next sailor.  This sailor man was on his back, that the cradled against the naked breast of one siren that as a neither a slithered up to his front.

The farther into the water and around the side of the ship they went the more brazen the sirens became.  Finally they came to a scene of two sirens pinning of sailor under the water as one of the sirens rode his member in back arching ecstasy, and the other ground her slit against his tongue.  Despite the fact that the sailor was clearly drowning he didn’t seem to mind.  “Either they are really good at that hypnotizing thing or that is really good.” Tommy said with a low whistle.

“Why not both?” Merton shrugged.

“Both as good.” Tommy smiled turning to follow Merton towards the ship and hydra.  

The broken edges of the ship formed a barrier stopping any onlooker from getting right next to the hydra itself.  Though the beast loomed directly above, at the center was the focal point of the beast.  One of the hydra’s necks was wrapped around a sailor while another plundered the Sailors mouth with its tongue.  A third head swallowed the sailor’s member, while a fourth plundered deep into the Sailor’s ass with its tongue.  The Sailor’s back was arched and his face contorted in pure ecstasy, and they could practically see the orgasm rippling through him.  High above was the head they had seen from the labyrinth, looking down on the scene around them.  While the last two heads were low, almost skimming the water as if they were picking out the next sailor they would claim.

Merton pulled his phone out of his pocket and snapped a shot of the scene in front of him, then the Sailors face before turning around and taking a quick selfie.  Tommy chuckled and without thinking leaned back against one of the sirens in ecstasy. Merton smirked and quickly flipped the camera to capture his pose.  “This place is great.” Merton said walking back to Tommy and the sirens.  “The fact that we can get this close to everything is awesome, I mean take these three” Merton motioned at what Tommy was leaning on causing Tommy to jump up.  “from the path I had a general sense of what was happening but to get in here and see all the detail is entirely different thing.  It gives the whole piece a different feeling.”

“Yeah,” they started back towards the shore and the bench with their shoes.  “it does, doesn’t it.  I’ve never been somewhere that you could do this before.” Tommy shook the excess water off of his legs as he walked.  Merton nodded in agreement while he ran his hands down his legs to remove some of the water before settling on the bench and leaning back to let them dry in the sun.

They sat in a companionable silence in the warm afternoon sun, letting their legs dry and listening to the soft lapping of the water against the false shore.  Tommy watched Merton out of the corner of his eye, his left hand playing with the ring box in his pocket.  The moment felt perfect but there was a nagging voice in the back of his mind that kept telling his mother was going to want to see where he asked and he did not want to bring her here.

Merton leaned down and pulled on his socks and shoes. “You ready to keep moving?” Merton asked glancing up at Tommy.

“Sure.” Tommy pulled on his own shoes.  “What’s next?”

“I think it’s the satyrs.” Tommy raised an eyebrow of Merton.  “You know half man, half goat, always erect things.”  Tommy just gave a blank stare.  “Phil from Disney’s Hercules.”

“Oh, he wasn’t always erect.” Tommy said with a slight huff as they started on the path again.

“He was also a Disney animated character.” Merton rolled his eyes but linked his arm with Tommy’s.

“Point taken.” Tommy had to concede as they turned into the shade of a large willow trees.  The path before them immediately split into Y shape, without speaking they started down the right hand path.  Before long they could see the outline of something ahead of them. “Holy Moly!” Tommy gawked his eyes to fixated on the figure ahead of them.  It was leaning against a tree, a four foot statue of a satyr playing up a pan pipe. Small antlers grew from its forehead, it’s chest bear except for the patch of fur that started at the center of its chest and triangle down to its groin.  The fur pointed like an arrow at an it’s foot long, proudly standing erection before the fur merged into the fur of its goat legs.  The left leg was bent and propped against the tree in a calm hither pose.  “ho, man. No, no.”

Merton smirked at Tommy’s reaction.  “I don’t know, he’s kinda cute, playing his little pipe.”

“That is ridiculous, I mean seriously it’s a fourth of him, easily.”

Merton nodded stepping closer to the satyr.  “What do you think he’s made of?  It almost looks like wood but that can’t be right. Wouldn’t that decompose out here in the elements?”

Tommy looked away from Merton and the statue as he thought about the actual question, he could do this, he could answer a simple question while standing in front of a giant dick.  He was an adult, damn it!  He looked back at Merton and immediately looked away again.  Yes, he could do this, he just couldn’t look directly at it while he did.  So with his eyes planted firmly anywhere ells he answered.  “I don’t know, and aren’t there are still some wicked old Indian totems around, right?”

“That’s true.” Merton looked over his shoulder and smiled at the blush on tommy’s turned away face.  “Should we move on?”

“If you’re ready.” Tommy shrugged still not looking at Merton.

“Yep.” Merton took tommy’s hand and led him further down the path.

To their left opened in arch way into the main viewing work area as they entered the rotunda of tree Tommy stopped.  “Okay, no.” his eyes darted around trying to find a safe place to settle.  “I’m sorry but no.  There is way too much dick in here for me.” Tommy began backing up.

Merton looked around the orgy of satyrs.  There was a large number of Males in comparison to the few women though they all seem to be enjoying themselves. With a shrug he decided he would come back for a better look on his own and, Merton turned and fallowed after Tommy.

Tommy stopped at the entrance to the main path and debated if he wanted to sit by this centaur pool or by the sirens, though he never had the chance to decide as Merton appeared beside him.  “So,” Merton started giving Tommy a slight fright. “since you kinda chickened out of the Satyrs,” Merton chuckled and.

“You can look around, I’ll just wait for you out here.  It’s just too much for me.”

“No, no I was just gonna say that harpies are what’s next and while fascinating creatures they have always creeped me out.” Tommy smirked at the shiver Merton gave.  “so is it OK if we skip them?” Merton glanced up at Tommy still smirking face through his lashes.

Tommy hug Merton close with a laugh.  “sure can.” Bend still tangled together they made their way towards the exit.

As they passed the offshoot for the harpies nest Tommy asked.  “What is it about harpies the creeps you out?”

“They are giant bird women that come screeching out of the sky and.  What about that isn’t creepy?”

“Alright, I can see how that’s weird but no weirder than anything else we saw here today.”

“I don’t know, maybe I don’t like birds.” Merton shrugged as the gate clicked shut behind them.

The they walked to the main garden for another hour.  Dusk was beginning to make itself known when Merton sat on a bench in front of a long bed of dark purple tulips.  “This place is beautiful, thanks for today Tommy.”

Tommy smiled down and Merton, his hands in his pockets.  With the sky behind Merton painted by the approaching sun set and the tulips practically nestled around him, Tommy decided it was now or never.  Tommy palmed the ring box and sank down onto the bench.  “Merton,” Tommy looked to the ground then back at Merton.

“yeah,” alarm bells were screaming in Merton’s head, though he did his best to hide it.

“No, just hang on a sec” Tommy settled on to one knee in front of Merton, whose eyes went comically wide.  Tommy ignored this.  “Merton, I love you.  I think I might have loved you since I met you but you know I’m slow about stuff sometimes.  Anyway as school was coming to an end and I started getting approached by all these different places the thought occurred to me that I might have to leave you.” Merton’s face paled, Tommy continued.  “So, when I talked to Lidia, I came up with this crazy plan.” Tommy gave Merton a nervous smile and cleared his throat.  “Merton, will you promise to never leave me?” Tommy opened the ring box and offered it up to Merton.  “will you marry me?”

Merton blinked and stared for a moment unsure what was happening.  “but, what about-“n Merton looked heartbroken as he started.

“its legal here.” Tommy stated cutting off merton’s protest.  “and you have your work now here and all I have to do is tell them yes.  I’m just waiting for your answer.  No pressure though, I don’t-“

“-won’t being married to me be bad for you?  I mean that its glaringly, screaming announcing to the world that you’re gay.”

“I’m not worried.” Tommy smiled confident.

“Tommy, I know you think just because-“

“Merton.  Do you want to be with me?”

“God, yes.  But-“

“Then nothing else matters.” Tommy took Merton’s hand and gave him a bright encouraging smile.

“Tommy,”

“Nothing else.” Tommy took the gunmetal ring from its box.

“Are you sure?” Merton squeaked, the old fear of betrayal tightening his throat.

Tommy barely waited for Merton to finish this sentence.  “Absolutely.”

Merton looked down into Tommy’s eyes for a long moment.  “Tommy, are you sure?  If we do this you’ll be stuck with me forever.”

“That is kinda the point.” Tommy chuckled.

“Then, yes.”

Tommy practically screamed pulling Merton into a fierce hug before slipping the ring on to Merton’s finger.  The gunmetal with two skulls facing each other etched into the top looked as beautiful as he had hoped against Merton’s alabaster skin. Tommy pressed a gentle kiss to the ring and was happily surprised when Merton pulled him in for a sweet lingering kiss, no longer caring if anyone saw them.

Merton was loved, truly and completely loved, so much so that he thought he might burst into tears or flames if the blush on his face was anything to go by. Tommy wrapped his arms around Merton’s shoulders and steered him towards the exit. As they passed through the main building Tommy was beaming, the young woman in the gift shop smiled at them and Tommy couldn’t help himself. “He said yes!” the excited words bubbled out of him.

“Congratulations!” the woman in the gift shop and the two behind the counter said almost in unison, giant smiles braking across their faces as they came toward the couple. “Can we see the ring?”

Merton looked up from his own hypnotized starring at the ring and with a shy, happy smile put out his hand. “Oh my!” One of the women said gently taking Merton’s hand. “It’s striking on you.” Tommy kissed Merton’s forehead and slipped away as the women bombarded him with questions on how long they had been together, when they were thinking the wedding would be and such. Walking back only minuets latter having called for a cab to take them back to the hotel, to find Merton giggling with something akin to relief.

“I don’t know, I mean I really thought he was going to break up with me.”

“Oh honey, why?” One of the women said as another continued. “I mean he clearly adores you. Did you see his face when you two arrived today and the dopey one he had on when he told us you had agreed? He’s you’re love struck puppy dog.” The third added. “Yes he is and you keep a hold on him.”

“I am cute like a puppy aren’t I.” Tommy chuckled snaking his arm around Merton’s waist and placing a kiss to Merton’s cheek.

Merton leaned into the contact. “That you are.” He smiled with a naughty gleam in his eyes.

“Cab will be here in five, apparently they were close by.” Tommy shrugged.

“Congratulations again, gentlemen and just a reminder we do weddings here. Thanks for visiting with us.” The women smiled at them again before returning to their posts.

Tommy and Merton sat snuggled together in the back of the cab, Tommy’s left arm around Merton’s shoulder while his right played over Merton’s thigh. Merton’s head rested against Tommy’s shoulder while his right knuckles rubbed absently against Tommy’s abs and his left-hand stroked Tommy’s left thigh softly.

Merton let out a disappointed huff as the older couple joined them on the elevator, making Tommy smirk. Their floor arrived first and they stepped out in to an empty hall. As they walked on Merton waited for the sound for the elevator doors to close, once he heard the soft chime his hands slide under Tommy’s clothes one heading up to play on the muscular chest the other heading down to squeeze the unsurprisingly waking dick. Tommy started at the brazen attack on his body, not that he minded at all, and pulled Merton tight to his chest. Forcing Merton to walk completely backward and growled low in Merton’s ear.  “I am going to tear off your clothes”

“Take me against the wall, over the sofa, then over the balcony rail while my screams bonce of the surrounding buildings and finally leave my body dented in to the mattress.” Merton groaned punctuating each description with a squeeze of Tommy’s dick. Tommy pressed Merton against their door as he dug out his wallet then room key.

Stepping through the door Tommy dropped his wallet and key, kicking the door shut behind them as he pulled at Merton’s clothes. The damn vest button was closed and Tommy struggled not to just rip it open, so with shaking anxious fingers he finally managed to set the button undone. He dropped the vest to the floor and pulled Merton’s t-shirt over his head tossing it behind him.  

Merton’s chest rose and fell in anticipation; Tommy brought his head down to the soft pink right nipple and gently sucked it into his mouth. Merton moaned arching against his mouth. “Tom-my!” Merton’s nails scratched at Tommy’s shirt desperate for skin under them. A chuckle rumbled from Tommy directly into Merton’s nipple causing him to squeak out a contorted version of Tommy’s name. “Ommy! Please”

Tommy smirked and switched to the left nipple, gently brushing his teeth over the sensitive nub.

Merton shook, keening out almost screams as the attack continued. His breath coming in harsh pants, Merton wondered how had he lost control of the situation so fast he had meant to do this for Tommy but as soon as Tommy had wrapped his arms around him he found all he wanted was to have Tommy’s dominating form pressing against and into him. Why did Tommy never let him

“Where are you going?” Tommy’s smirking confident face was mere centimeters from his own.  “Who told you, you could wonder off into your own thoughts right now?” Tommy step against Merton who moaned at the warmth radiating from Tommy’s body.

Merton tried to smirk but his glazed eyes, parted painting lips and flushed skin cancelled out the effect he was hoping for. “If you’re not going to let me do anything my mind tends to wander.” He said in a naughty, breathy chuckle sliding down the wall to the floor. This brought Tommy’s groin to eye level. With a seductive glance up at Tommy through his lashes, Merton undid the button and slid down the zipper. Pushing down the fabric Merton smirked at the soft teal boxer briefs he had bought Tommy last Christmas, bulging outward and blotched with a wet stain. He ran his fingers up the arch of Tommy’s shaft before grabbing the waist band with his teeth.

Tommy shuttered above him, his eyes fixated on Merton’s every subtle movement. The wolf panted heavily behind his eyes wanting out but to engrossed in the show to press the issue just yet.  Merton released the waist band and locked his lips over the still covered crown of Tommy’s penis. “AAAhh” Tommy curled his fist against the wall. Merton Looked up at him through those long lashes and hummed almost innocently. “Ga! Mer Mer.” Merton blinked up at him and sucked in deeply. Tommy’s eyes fluttered. “Merton!” With a smile Merton pulled back and yanked down the boxer briefs in one swift movement before licking up the length of Tommy’s freed cock from base to tip and swallowing him whole. Tommy let out a deep guttural shuttering moan, his eyes fighting to stay open as he watched Merton work him. The spikes of Merton’s hair shook as he bobbed over Tommy’s dick, his throat constricting and massaging the stiff flesh and he moaned Tommy’s name. Tommy dropped a hand to Merton’s hair and groaned. “Mer, I’m, O-h Gad, Mer” He slid his finger down to the back of Merton’s neck. “baby, mmgonna” Merton swallowed around him. “Coming! Go-d!”

Merton closed his eyes and swallowed quickly, licking Tommy clean as he pulled his head back. Tommy lend against the wall above him his eyes closed and his breath coming in short pants. “You know,” Merton’s voice was screechy as he looked up at Tommy licking his lips. “That’s the first time you didn’t wolf out while we were having sex” Tommy slid his eyes open with a smile. “and the first time I’ve blown you.” Merton added under his breath “that you’re aware of anyway.” and smirked up at Tommy. “I wonder what that means?”

“I think we’ll have to look into it more.” Tommy panted at him.

Merton smiled and wormed his way up Tommy’s body until he was standing. “Perhaps.” He glances away making it appear he wasn’t as interested in the proposition as he was. “But in the meantime,” Merton wrapped his fingers around Tommy’s right wrist and led him to his groin. “What are we going to do about me?” Merton bit his left pointer finger as he rocked against Tommy’s hand.

Tommy chuckled. “well, we have a few options there. You can have me go down on you now, witch we both know you enjoy.” Tommy gave him a dark smirk. “Or you can wait a little bit and I can take you over the back of the sofa or over the balcony but I don’t think I can do both tonight. Maybe we save the other for tomorrow?”

Merton smirked again. “If I wait,” He rubbed against Tommy’s hand again. “will you make it worth my while?”

“I will do everything in my power, Sir.” Tommy smiled and kissed Merton’s cheek.

“Will, you, maybe” Merton glanced away from Tommy. “Will you knot me and gag me so the next room doesn’t get us kicked out for all my screaming?” Merton’s smile grew as he spoke.

“Well now, I’m afraid I didn’t pack a gag so we’ll have to improvise something.” Tommy licked up Merton’s cheek. “But otherwise I think that can be arranged.”

Merton nibbled on his bottom lip. “Do you have a tie?”

Tommy stretched with a smile. “why, yes I do my good Sir, would you prefer the gray one or the blue one?” Tommy led Merton into the rest of the suit stepping out of his puddled pants.

“Oh, such decedent choices, let’s go with blue.”

“very good Sir.” Tommy left Merton leaning against the back of the sofa to go get the tie. “Now, where” Tommy asked stepping back into the room completely naked holding the blue tie in his left hand and a bottle of lube in his right. Merton smiled at the soft beginnings of an erection already starting to show. “would you like to use this makeshift gag of ours? Balcony or sofa?”

Merton glance at the sliding glass door that lead to the balcony. “You would really do me, wolfed out on the balcony?”

“If it’s what you want?” Merton watched Tommy smile in the reflection on the glass. The balcony called to him; it had called to him that afternoon when tommy gave him the roses. God the thought of being seen was intensely sexy. Merton sighed, the consequences of being caught were too high though. If people found out about Tommy, they could lose everything they had just gained. Tommy would be taken and studied he would probably be studied for different reasons but he would defiantly lose all the credibility he had now and could gain by working with Lidia. He sighed again and turned to Tommy. “Maybe if we can figure out how to get you to not wolf out during sex we can do the balcony.” Tommy tilted his head slightly; he knew there was something working in Merton’s head. Merton smiled. “Now get over here and finish undressing me.

“gladly.” Tommy walked over to him and places the bottle of lube on the side table before stringing the tie around Merton’s neck. “tell me something, what is it you tell yourself when you look so sad?” Tommy asked more like he was trying to fill the silence then looking for answers as he ran his hands down Merton’s chest.

Merton moaned and closed his eyes, “All the different ways I could lose you.” He tried to push the thoughts from his mind and focus on Tommy’s fingers.

Tommy unbuttoned Merton’s pants and looked at his face. “Why would you do that?”

Merton opened his eyes, already hazy from Tommy’s hands on his skin. “Because, if I don’t remind myself, I will do something crazy in the heat of the moment and I will lose you.”

“But,”

“Not because you will leave but because others will take you from me.” Tommy slid Merton’s pants down to his knees. “There is still a lot you and I have to hide from the world Tommy. Now,” Merton wrapped his arms around Tommy’s neck, “make me feel good.” he slid his tongue into Tommy’s mouth with a groan.

Tommy smiles into the kiss as he reaches over to the side table for the bottle of lube. Popping it open he spills some onto his fingers and reaches for Merton’s ass. Sliding his fingers along the crack as he spreads the cheeks with his other hand, Merton moans rocking against the brushing finger tips inviting them inside.  Carefully Tommy pushes into Merton, who wiggles and writhes against him. Merton is quickly loosed up enough still somewhat prepped from their almost time in the hall barely two days ago. It’s hard to believe it was less the two days ago that happened, so much has happened for them since then.

Merton rolls his head back against his shoulders panting. “Please tell me your ready, I don’t know how much longer I can hold out.”

“Well I’m hard,” Tommy rocks against Merton as proof making Merton whimper. “but I haven’t wolfed out yet.”

“Ooh- do it in me.” Merton shuttered, his eyes rolling back at the idea of feeling Tommy change with in him.  

That got the wolf’s full attention sending it into a frenzy at the back of Tommy’s mind. Tommy pulled his fingers from Merton and spun him around, slathering the remainder of the lube over his own cock he spread Merton’s cheeks and pressed against the twitching ring of mussel. They groaned as Tommy entered Merton.

Merton pushed back against Tommy and Tommy’s hands slid to his hips gripping tightly as he lost control of the wolf and changes started. Hair sprouted, claws grew, teeth elongated, eyes flared golden. Merton shuttered his hands digging into the sofa back as he felt Tommy’s penis change shape from within. The head tapered as the shaft grew and there at the base the subtle beginnings of the knot he wanted so badly. “Tommy, the tie.” Merton Groaned deeply.

Tommy waited a few heartbeats before reaching up and tying the tie around Merton’s head balling the remainder and shoving it in to Merton’s mouth. Merton reach back and pulled at Tommy’s hips encouraging him to move.  Tommy needed no more encouragement then that and began pumping slowly leaning in and out of Merton.  The needy groaning and whimpering quickly filled the room.  

Merton had been on the edge to long, he shivered as muffled screams for more and Tommy’s name poured out of him through the gag. His body massaged and suckled at Tommy’s penis wanting to both prolong and finish this ecstasy.

Tommy tightened his grip on Mertens hips and ground deep and rough into the warm passage.  He thrust faster and harder, his instincts driving him forward pushed by the sounds Merton released through the gag and the shivers running down his back. It didn’t take long before he pulled Merton tight against him pushing as far in as he could go, the knot at the base of his penis expanding locking him inside of Merton as he spilled himself deep into Merton’s bowels.

Merton gave a crying scream, barely held in check by the tie gag, his orgasm ripping through his body spilling himself all over the back of the sofa.  His eyes glazed and rolled back into his head as he flopped over the sofa back his legs giving out beneath him.  Tommy fumbling as he fell after him, just managing to catch them both before they were jabbed in the stomach by the frame of the sofa.

Carefully Tommy reached up and removed the gag, before turning Merton’s head and taking him in a long deep kiss.  Once strength returned to him Tommy stood and gently lifted Merton’s body just enough that he could walk them to the bed and lay down.

Merton pressed himself back against Tommy’s chest contented to be wrapped in his lover’s warmth.  He felt Tommy dewolf all except for the knot of course and kissed the palm of Tommy’s hand.

“Are you satisfied? “Tommy asked nuzzling behind Merton’s ear.

“For now.” Merton hummed.  Tommy smiled lazily, lifted Merton’s left hand and placed a soft kiss to the ring on Mertens finger.  “At least now I know there is a next time.” Merton smiled turning to Tommy for another kiss.

“That there is, beautiful, that there is.” Tommy smiled into Merton’s neck hugging him close.

Thirty minutes later and the knot had shrunk down and Tommy carefully removed himself from Merton before pulling the blanket over them both and falling asleep.  Neither one of them remembering the lunch they had scheduled with Lidia.  Or the fact that Tommy still had to call and accept the offer.  Or that their plane left at four forty-five next afternoon. But those would all be something to worry about when they woke up, now was the time to drift in their glorious dream, in their glorious feeling of each other.

The future was for tomorrow.

 The end.

[gedwimora]

Something that bothers me a lot is that in their fervor to reject / put down sa.ns.an there are a lot of people who try and twist their entire relationship / dynamic in one that’s wholly negative, to depict Sandor as a predator or abuser or something when he’s just. Not. That’s just not the dynamic here at all.

I don’t wanna get to deeply into “ do i ship sa.ns.an / think sa.ns.an is good / etc etc ” I’ve varied on it over the years but generally my stance is that romance / love is an important element of Sansa’s arc / story as it’s part of the “ songs ” theme / narrative structure and so naturally I want her to end up in a relationship where she feels loved, protected and safe. Currently the seen / known / existing options for “ men who aren’t trash or related to her ” to marry her is like..... 3 guys and only 1 has she’s actually met which is Sandor. Assuming she’s an adult and in a good place to make these kinda choices and she picks him Great, have at it, if she meets Trystane or some other good boi™ who’s more her age and they hit it off even better. Mainly I just want her to be happy and for Sandor I just want him to be at peace, whatever form that takes, even if does mean he dies. 

My issue is really just that there are people who are so intent on ignoring the romantic elements of the ship that they blatantly rewrite the canon and misconstrue shit. I’ve seen people argue that the Unkiss ( a memory Sansa fabricated of Sandor kissing her during the BotBW scene, he didn’t he mostly menaced and cried tbh ) and her quasi-sex dream about him ( She dreams about her wedding night with Tyrion ( it’s own Yikes tbh ) but the Hound replaces Tyrion, she shows no indication of being upset about it compared to other nightmares she’s had canonically )  are coping mechanisms to deal with Sandor related / caused trauma which is just fucking BONKERS. They are, if anything, Sansa using Sandor as a vehicle for coping with other traumas. 

I think sometimes these people forget that for a WHILE there Sandor was the only person who was consistently on her side without ulterior motive and at times to his own potential determent. He’s not a good or nice man by any stretch but he genuinely cares about her and tries to look out for her. Sansa says it herself “ he was no true knight but he saved me all the same ” , he admits to her his grimdark origin story and she comforts him, then roots for him in the tourney. She understands why he’s so shitty but also calls him out on it when he’s being needlessly cruel to her. He protects her from beatings, rape and who knows what else as best he can, I mean shit if he was not her self-appointed bodyguard the mob attack scene would’ve been very different as he’s literally the only one who noticed she was gone before it was too late because he you know, gave a fucking shit about her safety and was actively looking out for her  in a dangerous setting.

I understand disliking it as a romantic ship and I don’t have beef with that, like I’m not always super hot on it as a romantic ship myself ? But I think it’s just willfully bad reading comprehension and douchery to try and make it like they’re not important to each other or that there’s not a romantic / sexual undertone. Before I get fucking shot for the last bit, the thing I think people miss on that part is that it doesn’t mean it MUST be acted upon or that it’s like a very serious thing ? Sandor does make crude comments about her and have some level of attraction to her, he’s also a crude dude in general and trying to shock her a lot of the time and purposely doesn’t act on his attraction when given the chance, even when out of his fucking gourd drunk and triggered to hell and back. He very clearly cares about her and while sure she’s pretty and he has eyes it’s much more emotional for him, she’s Kind and Good and Understanding towards him and he desperately craves that.

And with her side of it you can easily pin her fabricating the Unkiss, comparing the kisses of other men to that fake one with him, comparing men to him, her sexual/romantic fantasies now starring him instead of Loras as just part of both protecting herself from things that hurt ( her kiss w/ Tyrion at her forced wedding isn’t really her first that was Sandor! etc etc ) and her using him to explore her own sexuality safely. Loras is very boy band-y and Safe because there’s so clearly never gonna be anything there which makes him great crush material but given everything in her life so far, boy band isn’t really what it’s cracked up to be anymore. Whereas Sandor has proven in her actual life her safety is paramount to him, he’s been her faithful friend and protector as much as he could be. Sansa is a big fan of songs and a lot of his actions fit nicely into that narrative / aesthetic, saving her from the crowd, giving her his cloak to protect her modesty, offering to whisk her away from KL and he won’t hurt her. At that point in her life a man who’s built like a brick house, could snap a dude over his knee but is intensely protective and gentle towards her is honestly more appealing than being just a hottie. The concept of Sandor makes her feel Safe, she uses him, his attitude and his advice as a guide for how to navigate situations later on. Big shock that when she turns to explore her own sexuality and all that she uses Sandor as the tool to do it. Because he’s Safe. He’s not there, he can’t physically interact with her or act on anything related to these fantasies, he’s given her plenty of fodder and she can put anything “ mature “ or “ experienced “ on him to fulfill and enjoy exploring without feeling anxious about not knowing what she’s doing, she can just be like “ well Sandor would know how “ . It’s very much like if she was having the same thoughts about Theon, she knows him, he’s safe, and he’s not around to make this incredibly embarrassing. And you can literally leave that undertone at that and proceed forward figuring that, like with Loras, she’ll grow out of it with Sandor and move on to someone else, maybe whoever she’s in a healthy romantic relationship with. And that’s fine. Frankly I’m very good with her using Sandor for this considering she’s going to be engaged to a douche and Baelish is getting all Uncle Bad Touch, let her have her Sandor flavored escapist fantasies. And if you genuinely think he would for real touch her while she’s underage then I just need yall to get out Forever thanks.

If Sansa was really so traumatized by him from the BotBW or didn’t like him at all bc he’s a shitty and menacing professional killer who harassed her she wouldn’t have fabricated the unkiss, wouldn’t have kept his cloak, would not have compared other men to him with him being the positive example or compared sweet robin’s kiss to the unkiss again with Sandor in the positive. I don’t think these things inherently mean ~Romance~ I think they mean Sansa using Sandor to fill in a LOT of spaces in her life where she needs someone like a protector, a confident, a lover etc etc because he’s one of the few people who can fit them who she likes / trusts and isn’t fuckin’ dead. We don’t see much from his end since she’s a POV and he’s not hence why I’m speaking mainly about Sansa but it’s important to remember with him that she’s the best person in his life. She’s Special, he offers to save her from KL for a reason, because she’s good and kind and he wants tot help her. Sansa is the catalyst for his own self improvement just because she’s Nice, she quite literally pet this fucking dog and now he’d fucking die for her. That doesn’t have to be romantic so don’t fucking delete it just because you don’t like the romantic shippers. Don’t turn basic human compassion in to a sexual act. 

[diveronarpg]

Congratulations, JULIE! You’ve been accepted for the role of GONERIL with an FC change to Vika Boronova. Admin Jen: Wow, Julie. Just WOW. Your app was absolutely stunning. There’s this poignancy to your portrayal that breathes life into Grace so beautifully. From the over-arching theme of carelessness that you’ve explored, to the touch of vulnerability you hinted at when it comes to Grace’s bond with her sisters, to my personal favorite aspect -- which was the way you cleanly outlined her perspective and potential future while leaving enough room for Grace’s volatility and unpredictable nature to run its course. We absolutely cannot wait to see more of her! Please read over the checklist and send in your blog within 24 hours.

WELCOME TO THE MOB.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Alias | Julie

Age | 20

Preferred Pronouns | She/her/hers

Activity Level | Hit and miss! But I’m usually able to hop on at some point during the week and get replies done. If not, I’m always lurking on Discord to plot.

Timezone | MST

How did you find the rp?  | Through the tumblr tags all the way back in 2018, if I remember right! Crazy to think we’ve hit 2020 and I’m still here, lurking. Wild.

Current/Past RP Accounts | Santino, Loretta

IN CHARACTER

Character | Goneril / Grace Daly. I’d like a faceclaim change to Vika Bronova, if possible!

What drew you to this character? | Grace isn’t like a character I’ve ever written before – she’s completely new territory for me, and I think she’s a fascinating representation of, like, what if you just REALLY fucked everything up and didn’t give a shit? Because I don’t think Grace… cares, necessarily, about what sort of havoc she wreaks so long as it gets her something. And I can only ever desire to be that selfish. It’s this sort of reckless abandon of the morals most people cling to that’s super interesting to me, something I’d love to explore. Hundreds of thousands of people do the exact opposite of what they want to be doing every single day, in the name of responsibility and a certain code of ethics they hold dear. Or because they know doing what they want would have consequences. Grace looks at the consequences and bites her thumb at them, because while she’s not immune to them, there are certain advantages to being free of those sort of chains.

Santino was compelled by his moral backbone to do the same thing, and even Loretta had similar constraints, but Grace is going to run herself ragged with carelessness until she simply can’t run anymore. It shouldn’t be that easy, and for most people it isn’t, but to Grace, it comes naturally.

What is a future plot idea you have in mind for the character? |

ASK ME NOT WHAT I KNOW. There’s a difference between coming to the Montagues and begging for refuge and walking to their doorstep with a dead bird in hand, and Grace unfortunately chose to do the latter. It’s clear now that Damiano saw something in her – if he saw anything in her beyond another soldier – but she’s going to have to do more than most than to stay in those good graces, and God help her, she does. Everything Grace does has propelled her to this status of terror, the sort of person that it’s uncomfortable to share a room with. She knows how she got where she is and knows she actively chose to betray her own blood and her blood’s blood to do it. I’m interested in exploring how this impacts her relationships with other characters as well as her own personal monologue as it develops over time.

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN WIELD THE MATTER. Grace denies that her sisters are of any meaningful worth to her but I think a piece of her knows deep down that it isn’t necessarily true. We all have little lies we tell ourselves, and even if she is angry at Regina and Catherine for stealing away attention that she genuinely believes should have been hers as a child, there are moments in quiet spaces where she sits and wonders just how far she could extend her ill graces. She’s not quite sure they consider her blood, and she doesn’t know she’d consider them kin, but exploring that relationship could be integral to the expansion of Grace’s character, morals, and own personal motivations – she can fully abandon them, even abandon the name Daly, if she so chose, but she hasn’t yet. A piece of her is still hanging on. I want to see why.

IN HIS OWN GRACE HE DOTH EXALT HIMSELF. At this point in time Grace has found herself comfortable in her position in the Montagues – and if there’s anything more than prominent about Grace, it’s that she hates being comfortable. If it doesn’t get her blood pumping, her thoughts racing, her heart beating at five hundred horsepower a minute with no end in sight, well, she doesn’t want it. And I think to a degree her comfort and her prior connections to the Capulets have her wondering just what would happen if she proposed she switch sides again. It’s not the most ludicrous idea in the world, as the Montagues seem a bit more talk than action, but there would need to be serious incentive and assurance they wouldn’t string her up, which means the weight of information. If switching sides isn’t a possibility, she’d prefer to advance. Climb the ranks, situate herself somewhere she can oversee her not-so-newfound compatriots and watch them. There’s something enthralling about the concept of that particular power, having control because other people think she can handle it, because she’s proven herself. Even if she doesn’t want to put the work in.

Are you comfortable with killing off your character? | Yes!

IN DEPTH

When she was a child she was loud. Bratty, clamoring for all eyes to be on her, tugging at every possible sleeve and holding a hand out for offered gifts in the same motion. Never stopped talking, her mother professed, although Grace can’t say now that she believes it to have been a flaw. She talks, people listen. The input-output exchange works for her, that way. She doesn’t need to lend an ear to others — they only need to look at her to see what they should be paying attention to.

When Regina was born, quiet and dull and as boring as one of the countless dolls collecting dust in their playroom – their, not hers, not anymore – Grace had been appalled for so long. Not one for conversation, Regina. Nor Catherine, if she recalled now. Too afraid to converse with the sister who clawed out chunks of hair and laughed when she fell because she’d thought it was funny. It’s not that silence bothered her. It was just boring.

When she holds court with Damiano Montague and offers her services she finds that it is very suddenly not boring, the life that she’s leading, running petty errands for the Capulets and looking pretty in the corner. Their conversation isn’t loud, either, but he speaks with a timbre in his voice that is enough to quell any crowd. If she were anyone else, maybe she’d be intimidated by it. But she’s not anyone else. She’s Grace Daly, and that’s enough for her to coast on alone. They shake hands at the end of the conversation, and she laughs at herself in her car on the drive back home, at the familiarity of business. It had felt natural. Like any other day of the week. Like she hadn’t just sold everything out for the sake of the spotlight.

When she leaves her family home for the final time she is, at last, quiet. Her silence is deafening. Her father is so loud and uproarious in his protest that he is brought to tears by his own madness. How many years had she confessed love and adoration to him to get what she’d wanted? Petty, meaningless trinkets – a new car, a necklace, a dress, an education. In turn she’d sworn love, adoration, fealty to the Capulets. So much for that. She doesn’t say goodbye to Catherine or Regina; chances are they’d never have noticed she’d left in the first place. Her father tugs at her sleeve, like she had his so long ago, and she can only summon up the motivation to press a kiss to the center of his forehead. He falls to his knees and she closes the double doors behind her so loudly it shakes the foundation of the house.

In the car to her new apartment there is no conversation to be had. No personal contemplation of revelry, no laughter, no jig to follow the steps to at freedom for the first time from whatever obligations they’d stacked upon her. Instead she turns the music up so loud she’s sure that all of Verona hears it, and that’s enough for her. Good, she thinks, rolling the windows down. They should be listening.

EXTRAS

I got quotes!

…people who stand alone + burn. I’m attracted to them because they give me permission to do the same. — Susan Sontag

You have to want to go to hell. Deserve’s / got nothing to do with it. — Michael Robbins

I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ. — Gillian Flynn

My wants are simple, and I do not want to be forced to make them complicated. — Edith Sitwell

Also, a playlist.

[paperclipninja]

Younger post-ep ramble 6x11

I may be on holiday but if you think that’s going to stop me offloading some thoughts and feelings about this week’s episode of Younger, ‘Holding Out for a SHero’, then you’d be sorely mistaken (any chance to over-think and over-analyse my fave fake reality). In saying that, this will be a briefer version of my usual post-ep ramble, what I shall refer to as Ramble Lite™. There were parts of this episode I really liked and parts I felt disappointed with, but it largely played out in a way that I expected, with the exception of that twist at the end! Hats off to Joe Murphy for that fab misdirection, I may have gasped.

This episode opened with Maggie in her tomato garden looking radiant and Liza filling her in on the decision not to see Josh anymore because it’s complicated and feelings and that undeniable thing called chemistry (or something like that). I applaud Maggie’s consistent use of Chaz (I really hope we get to hear her say it to his face at some point) and Liza stating out loud that she chooses Charles, but this scene also delivered one of the two big moments of disappointment I had in this ep. If anything was ever going to be out of character on this show it would be Liza, a writer and editor, being unable to come up with decent adjectives to describe the man she is supposedly in love with. Yet here she is describing Charles as ‘a peer’ and ‘appropriate’ as reasons for choosing to be with him. For real? I understand the effort to paint him as the sensible choice vs. the less sensible, the head vs. heart, in this triangle that’s been resurrected. This particular way of describing men has always served a clear purpose in the Youngerverse and ngl, my alarm bells went off in episode 7 when Michelle referred to Charles as ‘appropriate’. Liza uses this exact term to describe Richard, the horrendous man Michelle sets her up with in S1E2 who starts reading emails at the dinner table on their date, he’s ‘age appropriate’. She also described Jay as nice, viable, legitimate prospect, sure, but she also sobbed on his shoulder because she was so in love with Charles that her heart was aching at the thought of missing the chance to be with him.

It feels so painfully deliberate, Charles has gone from intellectually invigorating and romantic and been relegated to safe and ‘appropriate’. My disappointment comes from the fact that if this triangle must remain in play, there can be two men who are vibrant and compelling and really different, without painting one as ‘boring’ and one as ‘fun’. Knowing the way Liza talks about the important people in her life, with such admiration and affection, I feel she would at least say Charles is intelligent and romantic or kind or thoughtful or SOMETHING better than being ‘a peer’ and ‘appropriate’. I do believe that as viewers we often form our own interpretations of characters and when they don’t behave the way we imagine we are disappointed, but in this case it’s the disappointment that Liza’s entire reason for being attracted to Charles is being reduced to the idea that it’s sensible when we have been shown this is simply not the case. Phew, glad I got that off my chest (and so much for Ramble Lite™ lol).

Once in the office Liza is running Diana through the wedding planning, which frankly I cannot wait to see all come together. I love that Liza’s already secretly planned a bachelorette party and really does know Diana well enough to know she’ll want one (so many lols @ Diana’s, ‘yes that’s why I was bringing it up, because I don’t want one’ and could Liza look any more pleased with herself that she’s managed to pull the wool over her eyes? Adorbs). Charles arrives looking for Kelsey and is wanting to see how she would like to break the news that he is once again publisher, because that’s how they work now that they’re the dynamic duo and have I mentioned this week how much I LOVED seeing their dynamic last week? Kelsey proves that she has indeed kept her head and announces that Millennial secured a new investor and that Charles is once again in the boss seat and I am once again extremely impressed with Kelsey this season, as is Diana (and honestly if you have the D.Trout stamp of approval, what more do you need?).  I will also never tire of seeing Diana, Kelsey and Liza as true peers and now friends, it’s undoubtedly a highlight of season 6.

The book pitch of the week is extremely timely (as always), a manners for millennials piece that aims to counteract the generation’s greatest shortcomings, such as ghosting exes and not RSVPing to weddings. This episode really did have some stellar lines and the fact that Liza can now drop jokes in meetings, such as her ‘neither was I’ response to the author’s ‘I am not proud to be a millennial’, is the kind of goodness I am here for since the lie is no longer a thing. Naturally Liza and Diana are both very interested in finding out more about these topics and it turns out the best way to get some finality with the ex is to write a good ol’ fashioned Dear John letter (best way to get those RSVP’s -unknown). This is reinforced nicely in Charles’ office, when Liza leaps off Charles’ desk as though she and Charles were caught christening the damn thing (which would’ve been very ok by me and at this point you should know I’m not at all sorry) by Diana bearing flowers and note from Alice the author letting them know she will not be publishing her book with Millennial (so no Charles, the flowers are not for you).  All this talk of how good letters are leads to Liza penning her Dear Josh letter that night, which we only catch a tantalizing glimpse of initially, before the narration and accompanying montage when Josh actually receives it.

While it was only brief, Charles asking Liza how she feels about him being back as publisher and her answering honestly, she just wishes Kelsey hadn’t been unceremoniously stripped of the title, is yet another lovely insight into their relationship. Charles continuing with, ‘what about you, always thinking of others, how do you feel?’, excuse me while I clutch my heart at the sweetness of it all and seriously, does ANYONE ever ask Liza this? The family picture on Charles’ desk is noted and it’s great but I also can’t help but feel it’s somewhat ominous so I’m putting my gush on pause (v. open to being proven wrong on this).

Kelsey and Zane continue to be all over the place, I have so little investment in them as a pairing and I really think it’s because I have simply not seen enough of them together to know whether I care, though I have enjoyed a number of their interactions recently. It also doesn’t help that Zane has been many shades of douche this season. Since professing their love for one another, he is being caring at the start of this week’s ep, apologising and saying he feels partly responsible for Kelsey’s demotion and trying to allay Kelsey’s self-doubt. It is Kelsey who says that she doesn’t know how to do this with Zane and that one of them always loses (the old editors-who-were-peers-and-then-one-became-the-boss-but-now-they’re-peers-again curse), which returns Zane to Douchetown in time for the staff meeting.

I felt for Kelsey, it would be so hard sitting in that first meeting with Charles at the helm again, though him going through all the acquisitions and saying these are a credit to Kelsey’s impeccable instincts was great and necessary. But then Charles brings up the Arabian Seas book and the ‘we’ enters the conversation, along with a list of books that sound like they belong on the bargain shelf because yawn and yes it’s fine that Charles has his own instincts, but Zane in this meeting is awful. Kelsey calls him out, she is clearly and rightfully angry about the unfairness of her entire situation and she warns Charles to, ‘pay attention…and you too Liza. I didn’t have any boundaries at work and look what happened’. I have no idea if this is foreshadowing but I feel like it could be juicy if it was so let’s keep abreast of any future developments (yes that is a boob pun and you’re welcome).

Highlight of this whole scene of course is Liza ripping into the guy and the whole office when Kelsey walks out of the meeting and can hear that her meme has been made into a banger of a tune. We get fearsome Liza schooling the entire room on the fact that Kelsey did get the money, ‘that’s why we all have a job, she’s a goddamn hero’. YESSSSSS Liza *praise hands*. Kelsey in turn agrees to speak at the girls school event that Lauren put to her earlier (yes it IS ok to be angry and Kelsey no longer distancing herself from her social media mistake but using it as a platform to empower others and be a role model…where do I sign?).

Lauren was in ultimate PR and friend mode for Kelsey this week, trying to figure out how to spin Boobgate and trying to see the positive side of all the invitation cancellations. I always say it, I know, but Lauren’s unrelenting advocacy for her friends is absolutely one of her best qualities and her line, ‘you are an example of a woman who made a very simple mistake and the patriarchy seizing that opportunity to tear you down’, was fantastic. She also very much latched onto the SHero theme and I appreciated her use of the word at any given opportunity.

It is as Lauren and Josh are leaving to catch an Uber to Inkburg Midtown that we discover this means he is very relieved Claire doesn’t have to move to LA now. I really don’t get this. I said last week that Josh is far too woke to expect the mother of his child to bail on her career aspiration just so he doesn’t have to move to LA, especially considering he knows the struggle Liza faced in her own career journey after having Caitlin (who you may remember is her daughter…or was. Current status unknown). If we’d seen in their conversation Claire saying that she really doesn’t want to move but she can’t see another way to give Gemma the life she hopes, then ok, Josh finding a way to up his income is ace. So I do hope we find out at some point this was the case, because Josh deciding he’ll get more money so Claire and Gemma can stay for his convenience, it’s just nope.

Though I do have to say that the biggest benefit of Josh securing the Infinitely 21 partnership is getting to see more Shelly because omfg I cannot with her. The way she talks about paint colours, giving her personal number, the line I could not believe I heard, ‘but seriously, Josh, unload on me’ ( I love that this season has seemed censored af compared to previous ones – I don’t love this but you know what I mean- yet lines like this get dropped in. Too good), I am in awe of her complete and unabashed lust for him.

It is between picking paint colours that Josh finds the letter from Liza and it is heart wrenching. And beautiful. The emotion really is palpable as Josh leaves the store to find somewhere to read it once he realises what it is. The flashback montage is certainly something that hasn’t been utilized in the show and it really leaves such an impression. Coupled with the narration of the letter, it really captures the impact of Josh on Liza’s life and Liza’s genuine commitment to make her relationship with Charles work. If this show was wanting to move these characters past this old relationship it would have been a poignant and perfect way to do it. However it plays out in the long run, I thought it was really well done.

The hands down highlight of this entire episode for me was Diana’s bachelorette party. Lauren running at an unsuspecting Diana screaming, ‘get in the Hummer bitch’ is one of the funniest moments of the series, I will be laughing for eternity. Liza reminding Diana that, ‘I get you’, yes she does and I just love everything about seeing these women, all the Younger women, out together. I feel like the focus of this episode really got pulled to the other drama but this is the first time we’ve ever seen every female character of this show together in a room and I feel like THIS IS A BIG DEAL. Maggie schooling Diana on how strip clubs work and SO many brilliant lines, as Diana waves her money in the air only to tell the first stripper, ‘You’re a lot, no thank you’, then ‘Hi, little one’ as she flags another. The hilarity does not stop with Diana, Lauren’s, ‘here’s a fiver, you should smile more’ is every kind of YES (I sense a whiff of Liz Lemon in that line and I approve). As Liza and Kelsey talk about men and work and blah, Diana tries to bring them back to the purpose of the evening, ‘ladies, there are bulging crotches in your faces, can you focus?’. Listen to the Queen people. Yet another Diana wedding related event in which she ends up asking, ‘how did tonight become all about you?’ and I was thinking the same Diva. *Eyeroll*

The Hummer ends up at Inkburg because Lauren wants to help Diana fulfil her wish of doing something she’ll regret for the rest of her life (and obviously the reason they all need to be there is so Liza and Josh can have their post-letter confrontation). They are all so drunk, it’s hilarious and I would watch an entire feature film about the antics of this group while inebriated. Seriously, take my money. From Lauren’s, ‘Get out of the hummer Doana’ to Maggie’s, ‘I forgot we were in a car’, they cover the entire drunk person spectrum. On top of that we have Diana’s penis balloon hat position which just cracks me up because I am 10 but my fave is Diana saying to Josh, ‘John, just something small, tasteful and literary’ and then as she’s leaving, ‘it was nice to meet you Jake’. Obvs a wise choice not to go through with the tat but I’d love to know what Diana would have ended up with.

Josh calling Liza out on writing the letter and trying to walk away never talking to him was completely fair enough. Him reminding her that she said she would always be there for him, be Gemma’s aunt Liza, he’s not wrong and his hurt and confusion are understandable. But it is so nice to finally hear Liza making a choice and sticking to it (whether she does or not in the future). Josh saying that he gets it, she’s scared of what they were, they still are, it’s powerful and her defensiveness of Charles when he says that she’s making the safe choice is exactly the right response if she really means she has chosen him. And not because I love Charles and Liza together, but because Liza is standing up for her choice and her ‘don’t you tell me what I feel’ retort is so charged and fierce and I love it. ‘I know this is hard to accept Josh, but we were a moment in time. But the time has passed’ - this whole scene is wonderfully acted, the chemistry between these characters has always been strong and this is no exception. And obviously I agree that they need to move on. However my second big disappointment for this episode is the, ‘you forget Liza, I know you. I know when you’re lying (a couple of seasons of thinking she was 26 might contradict that but ok), especially to yourself.’

I absolutely understand the sentiment and I completely appreciate the setup for the zinger, ‘you wrote a letter to the wrong guy’ (though I do take issue with that line in general considering Liza has just said she’s made her choice. Even a simple, ‘I think’ in front of it would’ve made it less arrogant), but if this setup is leading to a Josh and Liza reunion down the track, then I would have preferred the execution be different because to me, this is not insightful or romantic, it’s Josh once again questioning Liza’s understanding of herself and her needs (I know it’s meant to be him trying to get her to ‘be real’ but it just doesn’t land like that for me). I have no doubt lots of fans are jubilant but it feels manipulative and is not a tactic that compels me to think they might have something worth revisiting. If after Liza said, ‘I love him more’ Josh had looked at her with that heartbreak in his eyes he can convey so well and said, ‘well then I hope he loves you the way you deserve’ or something and walked away, then THAT would show growth and make the possibility of him being an option again (which is clearly where this is all heading) far more compelling IMO.

So in one of the best bait and switch moments this show has delivered, Liza returns to the loft and has a good hard look at the gala photo with Charles and Michelle and Tom (and in my head she’s thinking about how good it is she and Charles promised each other they won’t go to things like that anymore) before we see another letter starting, Dear Charles. And just when all the Team Charles Stans were going to have a collective meltdown, it turns out it’s Kelsey writing her resignation letter and we all exhaled but then didn’t because Kelsey, what are you doing??? So. Much. DRAH-MAH, so little time.

Ramble Lite™, that was a good joke wasn’t it? Can’t believe we’ve reached the finale but I am also very ready because WE GET TO GO TO A WEDDING!!!! Better get my neckwear sorted…

[frumfrumfroo]

1-As far as I can tell, the anti-legacy argument from TLJ is drawn from some of the following points: Luke, when facing Ben on Crait, isn't compassionate towards him like he was with Vader, but cruel/mocking, and he names Rey as the "last Jedi" and bearer of his legacy, which people interpret as him writing off Ben as a lost cause, only seeing him as an enemy/worth contempt, and holding up Rey as the true legacy; since Kylo was fundamentally wrong about Rey being “a nobody” which means that Rey

2-choosing to go back to her friends was also proof of the fact that she was right at the beginning of the movie, she was right not to trust him, to believe in Luke, and to wait for her parents, and didn’t have to let go of anything as he demanded; Rey leaves the Throne Room with both halves of the legacy saber means she’s the true legacy, as is Leia telling her “we have everything we need” after she said “my son is gone”; broom boy hammers in the point of the movie that it’s not about where            

3-you come from, anyone can be a hero…and part of that message is the older Skywalker generation embracing these other, “worthy” heroes as their legacies (Rey as the Jedi, Poe as the Resistance) and rejecting Kylo, because it doesn’t matter if he’s related to them, he chose to be evil, they can’t help him, no more Vader-like “getting a redemption chance just because he’s a Skywalker relative” situations. This is what I could gather from reading several anti-legacy articles/metas around the web.          

In response to this post where anon argues the Skywalkers aren’t essential to the Skywalker saga. Thanks for gathering.

1. Except that Luke has a sit down with his despairing sister where he reassures Leia that ‘no one is ever really gone’ re: SPECIFICALLY BEN. They are talking about Ben here, it is not ambiguous or debatable, so Luke explicitly believes that Ben can still be saved. Just not by him. We’re being told to expect a different kind of redemption than Vader’s, it’s not going to work the same way. Which is a good thing.

And when Luke actually speaks to Ben, he acknowledges that he is at fault for this situation and apologises to him. Are they trying to argue this apology isn’t sincere? That Luke is such a massive asshole that he’s mocking the nephew he traumatised? That Luke’s TLJ arc wasn’t about accepting his failure but about learning he should have gone through with murdering an innocent family member in his sleep and should stop feeling guilty about it? Because that would be the necessary implication if he is to be read as cruel and mocking in that scene. Does the narrative blame Ben and paint him as a bad seed who was inflicted on an innocent family? Is he Damien? Of fucking course not. Don’t be ridiculous. Sea cucumbers know he’s meant to be sympathetic.

2. I’m already tired. Okay, as I have made many bitter sarcastic posts about already, Rey’s character arc cannot be a circle. If she was right all along about everything, she doesn’t need to grow and is already fully actualised before we even meet her. But this is a coming of age story, this is a mythic journey about confronting the world and responsibility and the power of the individual to make moral choices. This is a fairy tale about how to become an ethical adult. A protagonist who doesn’t change and doesn’t need to learn anything is a fucking category error in this kind of story.

As previously mentioned, Leia was wrong in saying ‘my son is gone’ and the film is not subtle in telling us that. Rey cannot be the ‘true legacy’ because the narrative importance of the legacy is entirely about the burden it has been to the people who carry it. The whole reason this is an actual sequel and an actual continuation of the same story is because we’re dragging up unresolved trauma around Anakin’s fall, because this is all part of the same question, because Ben was only a target and vulnerable to Snoke because of who he is. Star Wars is personal, always, it’s about individuals and the individual struggles are then a metaphor for the universal. Rey ‘carrying on the legacy’ is meaningless. What is the legacy if it is not both the weight of Anakin’s sins and the deathless hope of Anakin’s redemption and reclamation? Rey alone, supposedly having nothing to do with Big Bad Ben, has nothing whatsoever to do with the legacy.

The point of the Skywalkers is to ask a question about choice and destiny. Ben’s fatalism comes directly from how Leia chose to handle (or not handle) the Skywalker legacy. Han and Ben’s broken relationship is implied to come from it. Luke’s biggest failure and the impetus of Ben’s final fall was his lapse into believing in it. But the problem in the galaxy is not the Skywalkers, the problem is and has always been people making selfish choices. Evil is a choice and not a destiny. Anakin had a choice, Luke had a choice, Ben has a choice.

That is the positive and regenerative part of Anakin’s legacy which needs to be carried forward: that it’s never too late, that there is always a choice. This is what Luke did in saving his father, he extended the grace of unconditional love and reminded Anakin what it was like, he convinced Anakin there was a choice. He demonstrated willing absolute selflessness and showed it was possible, destroying Anakin’s illusions and justifications about inevitability and the inescapable necessity of power and selfishness. Ben has not yet realised this truth (well, maybe, maybe he’s getting there on the floor at the end), but there’s a whole film left to go. He will be faced with this dilemma again.

Rey the Infallible waiting to be informed of her rightness and handed adoption into heroism and importance as a reward for not making choices and avoiding the world has nothing to say about any of this. That is empty. That is totally inappropriate.

What makes her the hero is her compassion and she will be rewarded for that, for her faith and patience, not for never failing, not for not being wrong. Never failing or being wrong is not an heroic attribute anyone has ever had in Star Wars, but love and compassion are never wrong. Literally never. Love will always be vindicated.

3. And, yeah, I think I covered that. Luke and Leia sweeping Ben under the carpet as not their fault or their problem and getting shiny new kids is both proven not to work (not accepting and understanding what created Vader worked out so well) and is a morally abhorrent message at odds with the soul of the saga. The point of Broom Boy is that the galaxy is big and people are inspired, that hope is alive in the most desperate places; it’s a meta commentary about stories and heroes and why we have them, tying in to Luke’s identity crisis and Yoda’s lesson. It doesn’t mean this story is now no longer about the thing it has always been about. All of those themes tie right the fuck back to choices and mistakes and the double-edged sword of legacy.

[thecomicsnexus]

NEW TEEN TITANS #26-27 DECEMBER 1982 - JANUARY 1983 BY MARV WOLFMAN, GEORGE PEREZ, ROMEO TANGHAL AND ADRIENNE ROY

SYNOPSIS (FROM DC DATABASE)

The New Teen Titans return to Earth from the Vega system, and Robin, having revealed his true feelings during the battle, begins a romantic relationship with Starfire. Several weeks pass uneventfully. Then, Dick and Kory, on a movie date, witness the accidental death of a drug-crazed youth who attacks D.A. Adrian Chase and his wife before running into the path of a car. The next day, at the site of the Statue of Liberty, Changeling battles a young costumed girl, who calls herself Terra.

Raven heals the wounded youth at the cost of almost being taken over by the spirit of her demonic father, Trigon. The boy proves to be the older brother of the teenager whose death Dick and Kory had witnessed (in the previous issue). He had come to New York to investigate his brother's death only to be set upon and nearly killed by gangsters employed by drug czar Anthony Scarapelli. Returning to the youth center, the Titans meet with Adrian Chase and Roy Harper, the latter working as a liaison between federal and local authorities in drug-related cases. Leaving with the Titans, Roy resumes his identity as Speedy, and together the young heroes break up Scarapelli's plans to have his new drug shipment distributed throughout the city by duped teenage runaways. Two of the youngsters, however, are killed in the melee, despite the Titans' efforts.

REVIEW

New Teen Titans was DC’s most important book, more important than Batman (in sales). It’s hard to think about it after seeing DC trash these characters for the last 19 years. But in 1982... boy, that was a great comic to wait for.

Of course I was barely alive in 1982, (but alive indeed), I didn’t get to know the Titans until the nineties, and even then, I didn’t have access to their comics. It wasn’t until I got access to comic shops that I was able to find them. But I am more familiar with the next volume. This volume was hard to find and I could only get my hands on trade paperbacks. Of course these days all these books are collected. So you should know, this is a good read.

I wasn’t expecting anything at all from this two-parter. They just came back from space, and instead, I get this very deep, ruthless, modern-agey story about runaway kids. And let me tell you something... it’s dark.

But you know what isn’t dark? The titans. This is something to have in mind, you don’t need your characters to be grim and gritty to be able to tell a very dark story. Ok, one of them is at risk of being possessed by a demon from another dimension... but that’s pretty much it.

Roy Harper is also back for this story, as it involves a drug dealer (who uses kids to do the dealing). This story feels just too real. And of course, it doesn’t have a happy ending, everyone is miserable in the end.

There is an actual interview to Marv Wolfman where they discuss this story (that motivated the government to ask DC to do those drug awareness stories):

MacDONALD: How about in the Runaways story? Was that both of you?

WOLFMAN: I tend to work, for the most part, with a fairly complete plot. You can always tell when George and I come up with a plot together, because the credit reads co-plotters. And there will be a separate credit that say co-creators. George gets the plots and does what he wants with them, takes away scenes, adds scenes. He never changes the story, but he will pace it his way, change the fight scenes around and whatever else and add what he wants. With the “Runaways” story he completely followed the plot. I don’t think there was a single change. He tells me that I caught without knowing it a relative of his very closely, and it made him care about the story even more. It’s the first issue of the Titans that he did full pencils, he used to do layouts on the book. And he liked the character Louis, it was very close to one of his relatives and very similar in a lot of the set-up, and I was just taking it from my own talks with runaways.

MacDONALD: I detected either restraint or constraint in that story. Did you have any Code problems with that?

WOLFMAN: No. no. We were prepared to go without the Code symbol. We submitted into the Code as we always do, and assumed that they would reject, but they didn’t. The only correction they made was we misspelled a word that they spotted. I was very much surprised. Our idea was not to hit the readers over the head with the message. I don’t like those type of stories. I just wanted it to be there, where you judge for yourself and make your own decisions. The only concept that I wanted to get through was letting people know about runaway shelters. Otherwise it was a fairly straight story.

MacDONALD: Did you do a lot of research on runaways?

WOLFMAN: Yeah. Len [Wein] and I went to a runaway shelter here [in Manhattan]. They just loaded us down with material. And took the story from that point.

MacDONALD: You did it again, the bad parents and the kids.

WOLFMAN: You know, that is a problem because it is a problem with runaways.

MacDONALD: Yeah, even though it worked in that story…

WOLFMAN: I couldn’t avoid it there. We did try to have with Luis, good parents and a bad kid. So the parents were really loving and caring, but the kid wanted freedoms that the parents in all honesty knew he wasn’t ready for, as proven in the story. The parents were good there. One of the biggest problems we discovered with runaways is not kids running away, but kids being thrown out. So in the case of the girl who was pregnant, for instance, she was actually tossed out. So a throwaway is as much of a problem as a runaway. And we could not avoid the main concept, that most kids are running away because the situation at home is bad. They are not running away for fun. it's not taking to the rails like the bums.

MacDONALD: Maybe to avoid having two bad parents, Lizzie’s mom wasn’t around.

WOLFMAN: No, she wasn’t.

MacDONALD: Was there any reason for that?

WOLFMAN: Yeah, I wanted the father to be raising the girl by himself. Because fathers would have more of a problem understanding the problems of a girl if there wasn’t a mother to temper…

MacDONALD: Well, the father could kick her out and the mother could give her cookies. Teenagers do have conflicts with their parents.

WOLFMAN: Yeah, that’s why it had to be one of the themes. We overdid it in the early issues I think. But we couldn’t avoid it in “Runaways.” I wouldn’t have even dreamed of avoiding that subject.

MacDONALD: It just seems that when you are writing about teenagers, there is too much of it.

WOLFMAN: As I said, it was a problem and I recognized it about issue #20 and decided I wouldn’t do it again. I don’t think the runaways issue did it again, I think that was a separate type of storyline, and we haven’t done it within the main thrust of the story. But that was the special case.

MacDONALD: Let’s talk a little about that. Terra…

WOLFMAN: Terra becomes a member with issue #30. Strangely enough, Mike Barr and I came in with identical characters, the same day. Mike is doing a book called The Outsiders and I wanted a new character for the Titans, and he came up with a guy who had earth powers [Geo Force], and I came up with Terra who has earth powers. And we both came in the same day so we couldn’t say who was first, and I came up with the idea of making them brother and sister. So Mike and I have cooperated to make these characters work between the two books. And Terra will be a regular character, for how long I will not say, because that ties in with some of the things we have in mind.

Where we are moving is that Wonder Girl will be getting married, and, shock of shocks, she will not be leaving the Teen Titans, and it will not affect her work in the Teen Titans. She’s marrying somebody outside the team, who’s not a super-hero.

MacDONALD: You always have a lot of plotlines, there’s Thia…

WOLFMAN: There’s a guy up in space…

MacDONALD: Yeah, what’s going to happen to the guy in space? (The Monitor).

WOLFMAN: What happened there.. that was a mistake in that everybody else didn’t pick up on it fast enough. I was creating a character for all DC to use, and I told everybody what it was, but they didn’t pass it on down to their writers. So I have to reintroduce him. I want a character who’s available, who’s called the Monitor, who keeps track of everybody and he sells information. And any writer could use it.

MacDONALD: You mean like The Watcher as a blackmailer?

WOLFMAN: Yeah. I had the character about 18 years ago. I called him the Librarian then because I didn’t have a good sense about names and thought that it would be a neat idea to do that. You know, one villain that the whole company could use. I didn’t have to sell it to Marvel, because they already had one universe, but when I came back to DC I indicated that I wanted to do it here. Everyone liked it but forgot to hand out the sheets I gave for their writers. So I have to redo it indicating how far you can take the character from month A to month B. Like for three months you can only show this much and after six months you can show that much, and at the end of a year we can reveal who that character is and start getting into interesting stories that all the writers can pick up on.

MacDONALD: So he’s going to be all around?

WOLFMAN: Oh yeah.

MacDONALD: He’s not specifically Titans?

WOLFMAN: On no.

Interesting ah?

In any case, I give this story a score of 10

[agirlinhell-a]

Top 5 OTPs

Tagged by @aesthetic-survivor-of-twd (thank you my love!!)

These are all TWDG pairings, canon or otherwise. Note that you may or may not agree with the following OTP’s I have below or the reasons I ship said ships, but all I ask is that you respect my opinions like a kind human being and not antagonize me for my beliefs. Some meta descriptions are longer than others, but this is merely because I have more to say about certain ships than others, not necessarily because I prefer one ship over another. This also doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m necessarily shipping Clem currently with all of the muses present that are shipped with her in this meme, but it’s my opinion - please respect it, even if your opinions differ. There is more beneath the cut, for length and to avoid possible (and unwanted) conflict.

Tagging some folks!! @bowsofregret @keptmanners @deadmasked @victoryvii @dcadrct @thewalkingclementine @reekcd and anyone else who wishes to do this!!

1) Louis &&. Clementine (Louisentine)

God, I could go on and on on how much I love these two. They’re literally a parallel to Omid and Christa and I find that to be really beautiful and it’s almost like they’re surpassing them and they have the potential to have a future that Omid and Christa tragically could never have had. I know a some people don’t like parallels, but I think that’s pretty stupid because parallels are extremely common in fiction. Telltale’s The Walking Dead is no exception, and the writers have proven time and again that they are fans of parallels. Take Clementine and AJ’s relationship, for example. Their relationship is a parallel to that of Lee and Clementine, albeit with a few key differences. Parallels are neither good nor bad, but they do exist in this series. Louis is Clementine’s sunshine where her skies are dark and grey. Louis is literally like one of the nicest people on the planet who doesn’t ask for anything from Clementine, he just wants to be happy and to have fun in a world on fire, but is also deathly serious when the situation calls for it, and he literally looks at her like she’s his whole world. He’s everything that Clem’s ever wanted, I think, and their scenes really pull on my heartstrings. In more personal situations, Clementine would likely come to appreciate Louis’ artistic mind because I think she has an eye for beauty, but not in the sense that she’s vain, but she also wouldn’t be afraid to call Louis out if he’s doing something she doesn’t like.

Louis is flamboyant, showy, and always wants to be the center of attention. He is a performer in every sense of the word, and a performer needs an audience. Louis frequently talks about living life in the present, taking the time to explain it to anyone who will listen. Louis revels in this philosophy of his and I would argue that his artistic expression is grounded heavily in emotional fulfillment could even go so far as to say that Louis feels that it is his destiny to enlighten the ignorant, dreary world about true art, beauty, and the worth of life and death, even when the world is ending. When I see Louis telling people about his beliefs, I see him as a zealot on a crusade to force the world to see, understand, and accept what is right and true: namely, his vision. This is the only way Louis knows how to live, and it eventually becomes the only way he knows how to die. My reasons for shipping these two boil down to this: I think they would provide for each other what they respectively lack, and that exchange would make them realize both their faults and their strengths. Louis and Clementine would make each other infinitely better than they were before. They would also catalyze each other’s destinies in a positive way, completing each other’s character development in a way that has not (yet) been shown completed in canon.

First, I think Clementine is the kind of person who, after much personal struggle, would come to understand Louis’ point of view about art, beauty, life, and death. Louis, by contrast, lives and breathes his art. It is his life, his reason for being. It’s his destiny, and it controls him. Paradoxically, he finds freedom in that very destiny, though he also cannot escape it. In talking to Clementine about his way of living his life, Louis would impart to her something she has lost in many ways: passion. Louis lives every moment as though it is his last because he knows it could be. And this doesn’t scare him at all; rather, it makes his life that much more worthwhile. He lives according to his art and his way of life: explosively, passionately, and unabashedly. If Clementine could only witness this in a meaningful way, she could apply the concept to her life and change for the better.

Louis would remind Clementine of her own passion for living, and she would find the inspiration to take back what’s rightfully hers: her life, her happiness, her dignity, and her destiny. It wouldn’t come easily or quickly. This kind of raw honesty and passion would force Clementine to wake up and realize that this dreary life is not enough, that she can do more where others never could. His passion would be so overwhelming and stifling that she wouldn’t know how to breathe around him. But with time, I think Clementine is the kind of person to watch someone closely and learn from them. She did it with Lee and every other mentor she’s had and I think she couldn’t help but do it with Louis. He would bring her to life, just as he brings his art to life. On the other hand, Clementine would teach Louis something he has long forgotten or, perhaps, never quite knew: that people are not just faceless spectators that can never understand him, but living, loving entities who are moved and inspired by him. Clem would give Louis the one thing he’s always wanted, loving attention, but she would do it not as an audience member. Instead, she would inadvertently invade his world and stand by him on the stage he sees himself performing upon. Suddenly, Louis is not alone under the spotlight, but joined by someone who cares, someone who can understand, someone who wants to stand by him. Clementine would “see” Louis not just as a magnificent performer, but as a man who’s looking for the same thing she is: hope for a better world. This kind of mutual acknowledgement is something that makes me ship characters like it’s going out of style. It’s present in everything I ship, and it’s lacking in ships I could never see myself liking. Louis teaches Clementine to seize her own destiny instead of running from it and to live each day like it’s her last, and teaches her that people can be beautiful, too. And eventually, she starts to wonder why she’s been living in darkness when she could have all the light in the world.

...AND THEY’RE CANON!

2) Violet &&. Clementine (Violetine)

I stan the shit out of LGBTQA+ couples and honestly, even despite all the balogna about the whole Clementine/Minerva/Louis/Violet situation in the most recent episode, I still really adore them. The scene on the rooftop is honestly such a romantic scene to me, I really felt a sense of intimacy between them. I really felt Violet’s “a bird is free” up on the belltower, and the dance scene - it really hit home for me. It was really romantic and I love how intimate they were.

...AND THEY’RE CANON!

3) Aasim &&. Ruby (Rusim)

Just... LOOK AT THEM. They’re adorable! I think they really compliment each other and I’m really hopeful that they’re a ship in the fandom that doesn’t have Clementine in a ship. I love Clem and all, but.. c’mon now. Give the other kiddos some loving. I stan an awkward Pakistani nerd who loves to write and almost always has bad luck and a fierce southern belle with a kind heart with healing hands. They have a lot of chemistry of enduring through the apocalypse together and I truly hope that they actually become canon, because otherwise, I think it’d be such a waste of potential. I really think that if, god forbid, Clementine, Violet and Louis were to die, Clementine would have entrusted AJ to their care. I think they’d be such good foster parents. Aasim and Ruby are such a power couple, and @plannedahead​ and @keptmanners​‘ portrayals of Aasim and Ruby and their relationship respectively only boosts my love for this ship by a thousandfold and I would stan the shit out of their post-apocalyptic kingdom.

4) Marlon &&. Clementine (Marlontine)

Now before anyone begins to jump down my throat, I’m not saying this ship is canon, nor am I saying they ever will be (obviously). I’m saying their connection during the time they interacted was real, intimate, and lasting to the point that their ship is not something out of left field, but rooted in concrete canon events and development. Whether you like Marlontine, don’t ship it but are willing to be open-minded, or are simply intrigued enough to see what the hell kind of crazy I might be talking about this time, I would encourage you to read and think on the possibilities of this ship. This is not a ship bashing post, a character hate post, or an attempt to undermine any “rival” ships/characters. This is simply my interpretation of Marlontine and the reasons that have led me to ship them. 

I’m not trying to turn this section into a pro-Marlontine meta. I realize most of this is all speculation, and again, I’m not trying to convince anyone that any of this is canon or even that it should be canon. But I have my reasons for shipping it, and I think they make a lot of sense given the canon context the writers have shown us to date. It even enhances and strengthens the themes of progress, hope, and resolution that the series is fond of. And isn’t that what this series is all about? Fixing the sins of the past and making way for a brighter future? Telltale’s The Walking Dead is all about the new generation surpassing the old. It teaches hope, progress, and forgiveness through teamwork, family, friendship, and love, even when all seems lost. We’ve seen this theme over and over and over, such as when Lee trained Clementine, and she ended up surpassing him. We see it personified in the Garcia family. We saw it with Clementine and James encouraging her to see walkers as more than just monsters who do nothing but kill and devour their prey, but as individuals with a soul. I could go on, but you get the point. 

I can understand why a lot of people do not ship this, I’m an understanding person. Now, I’m not saying I condone Marlon’s actions - what he did was horrible and I’m not gonna pretend that he’s an angel, because he’s most certainly not. I don’t think it would’ve worked out in canon for obvious reasons, as Marlon is dead in canon and I think at that point in time, even if he had lived, a romantic relationship with Clementine would take a long while, if at all. In an alternate universe, it is plausible. They’d be messy, there’s no question about that, but I do look for the positives. Think about it this way: when was the last time anyone has ever genuinely tried to help Clementine with her fears, when she was feeling vulnerable and threatened, in all those years ever since Lee died? Marlon was the only person who actually tried to help her with her fear of dogs, in this case, Rosie, when he genuinely didn’t have to. He didn’t have to comfort Clementine after Louis unintentionally had Clementine remember her dark past in a way that was unwanted, he didn’t even have to save Clementine and AJ from the car accident at all. Marlon wasn’t a monster, he’s made a lot of mistakes, but he was only a boy trying to take care of his people, a duty that’s been placed on his shoulders ever since he was a little boy, even though his methods were certainly questionable, and that only scratches the tip of the iceberg. They both have a lot of bravado and know what it’s like to take care of a group of people when the world was falling apart. I feel as if they have a similar mindset, from trying to protect the only things left to them that are precious, or die trying. 

There is acknowledgement, mutual understanding, a willingness to listen to each other, and meaningful respect between them before the end of 4x1. There are undertones of attraction and admiration between them, perhaps not in a romantic sense but there’s definitely something there. They are moved by each other, inspired and awed by each other, and ultimately fascinated to the point that they cannot even express themselves in words. Their meeting turns their worlds upside-down, literally and figuratively, and that impression stays with Marlon. 

Before the ending of Done Running, they both have mutual acknowledgment and respect for each other, and Marlon also acknowledges and respects Clementine’s abilities as well, and Clem does not shy away from bluntly speaking her mind to him. She doesn’t see him as someone who’s better than herself, or very far away and out of reach; she doesn’t see him as a goal, either. Clementine sees him for who he really is. Marlon, a guy who is very loyal to his cause, a guy whose cockiness makes him underestimate his enemies and his situation and gets his ass handed to him. A top-class bluffer who acts as if he were always in control, while that usually isn’t quite the case. But a guy who is naturally kind and who has a strong will and determination. Someone who would never allow anyone to walk all over him, and who is authoritative and capable to make others follow his lead with a mere look because he’s proven himself worthy of it in the past a thousand times over. A guy who has suffered countless losses, a guy who struggles everyday, a guy who has gone through a lot of pain in his life. Just like her. They’re self-confident, strong-willed souls that give an authoritative air and do not yield to anyone. They keep their cool in most situations and rarely if ever show a softer side. They like to act tough and aren’t afraid to speak their minds; even when facing a strong adversary they’ll treat him/her as if he/she were the scum of the earth. They’re both observant and they’re also full of bravado - something that spawns from their confidence. They’re also prone to bluff and conceal their feelings. 

Marlon did not wake up one day and decide, “Hey, I think I’ll trade Clementine and AJ and kill Brody for the lulz.” He did it as a conscious action, but that state of mind he was in was a product of the depravity into which he had fallen. Insane people in the real world are not necessarily babbling idiots. They can be very aware of themselves and still suffer from emotional sickness. Marlon’s situation is similar in that regard, and this is what I say that Marlon was “not himself.” during the ending of Done Running. You cannot reason with someone who is not in his right mind. Does this excuse his actions in any way? Does it make him a pity case to be forgiven and swooned over? Absolutely not, and you will not find me or anyone else of at least marginal intelligence attempting such foolery. You don’t have to like Marlon or approve of his actions, but it’s not fair to classify them as something they are not, and it is equally as unfair to take out one’s own frustrations with his character on people who happen to like him, flaws notwithstanding.

Therefore, his decision to frame Clementine for Brody’s death, unsuccessful as it proved to be, was motivated not by his true feelings, but by his circumstances. Clementine had nothing to do with that descent into darkness, but she was in the wrong place at the right time to experience its consequences. Marlon did leave Clementine for dead, and that is horrible no matter how you spin it. I think what he did was wrong, madness or not. What he almost did to her and AJ was just as wrong, and had Marlon survived 4x1, they would’ve both deserved apologies or something equally as sincere before there can be any true reconciliation. This is just me speaking from the actions of his character independent of shipping. What he did was messed up regardless. But... to find ultimate peace, redemption and happiness with the person whose very existence drove him past the point of no return would have been, in my eyes, the best possible romantic ending for Marlon’s character given the development Telltale has given him up until this point, if Marlon would have have a romantic relationship at all. In fact, if the raiders had never returned, Marlon would have never betrayed Clementine in the first place, and who knows what their relationship could’ve become.

I think they might have something in common that could realistically tie their canon personalities together. He respected her, acknowledged her, saw her, not just as a survivor, but as a person. Things like lingering eye contact, visible evidence of listening to the other person, even the begrudging compliments here and there are all the visual signs of intimate acknowledgment and that’s why I have chosen to highlight them. Certainly, Marlon and Clementine stands strong as a ship without any of this but it’s more of an added bonus for those who choose to find meaning in it. Clementine has experienced loss and tragedy that has broken her soul. Marlon could relate - perhaps not to the extent of Clementine as we do not know specifically what he has been through in terms of loss (SOMEONE GIVE US A PRE-CLEMENTINE/AJ ERICSON’S DLC), but from a very young age, Marlon and everyone else at Ericson’s has had to face abandonment and betrayal by the very people who were supposed to protect them and make them better individuals, and Marlon had to take care of forty six children for seven years in the apocalypse, all at a very young age. Clementine would be the type never to want to appear weak by virtue of her position, but Marlon is an outsider who understands more than he cares to admit. There was a lot of room for beautiful development between them in that kind of situation, romantic or otherwise.

Because together, they could be able to transcend their own misconstrued beliefs and shortcomings to achieve a deeper understanding of what truly matters to them individually. They make each other better than they were before, and they’d value that mutual effect. That kind of lasting effect, the willingness to become a better person and owning up to past mistakes, the severe change in ideals for the better, and the rediscovery of one’s own humanity on Marlon’s part that I can truly see them having is so beautiful to me that I cannot imagine not shipping them. I think so far, Marlontine is one of the only crack ships that I can honestly say makes both characters so much better, enlightened, and worthy just as much as some other “canon” ships. Their relationship is so carefully construed, so poetically rendered and so beautiful to me that it is impossible, in my opinion, to see them as anything other than forces to better each other., but in the end, ended up opposing each other It is not a stereotype. It is not a trope. It is not a cliche. It is not horrifying or demonizing or cruel. It is a journey in which two people, figurative embodiments of night and day, find the horizon that both divides and connects them. It becomes all they can see, and all that they want to see.

For me, a ship has to have the makings of mutual acknowledgment, growth, and positive interaction, whether it’s crack or canon. In an AU, I think Marlon and Clementine could have that in spades if put in the appropriate situation. I think their characters would gravitate naturally toward each other as professional partners, as friends, or as lovers. 

They just never got that chance in canon.

Do you ship this yet. Do you see how they could work. Do you understand why they are plausible in an AU setting.

If you do, bless your soul, if not, that’s totally alright!

5) Mitch x Clementine (Mitchentine)

I’m honestly surprised that Mitch and Clementine made a spot on this list but I just really like the dynamic they had, be it friendship, rivalry or something else entirely. Although, in an AU scenario, if I were to look at it logically, I can never see Mitch and Clementine as a pair last a really long time due to circumstances be it due to Mitch rushing into a fight or conflicting opinions, I really liked the vibe that they had.

Clementine is confident and compassionate, and she doesn’t take shit from anyone.  Still, she is first and foremost a supportive, dependable person able to get people to be proactive. Mitch is a bit of a thrill seeker.  Initially, he seems indifferent to the existence of others, but we see him have a strong bond with the rest of the residents at the school and especially Willy. When push comes to shove, he puts his life on the line to help the people he cares about, seeing as how he attacked Lilly in order to protect Tennessee.  All the while, he maintains that smart-ass, sarcastic attitude. He’s also a bit of a sadist, I think, and likes to push people beyond their comfort zones. Their relationship would be built upon mutual respect and laughter, with the occasional lewd but endearing comment. They fight a lot, but at the end of the day they realize they work. He keeps her down to earth and appreciating simple things, and she gives him the attention he needs and the straightforward truths no one else will tell him. They don’t let each other get way with anything, and as a result they are honest, reliable, and fully aware of the other’s intentions. They have so much fun being in each others’ company that they can’t get enough of each other, even when they’re fighting.

Clementine is strong-willed, no-nonsense, and highly practical. Mitch is volatile, unpredictable, and likes to plan things on the fly. They would balance each other out perfectly in battle, and they would fill the gaps where the other is lacking, and she wouldn’t be above calling him out on his bullshit whenever necessary. This keeps Mitch grounded and forces him to think things through a little more. In turn, Mitch helps Clem loosen up a bit and smile more and dare her to do things that she never would’ve thought of. She doesn’t do that a lot, and I can see him trying to get her to laugh once just to prove that he can, arrogant ass that he is. He marvels at her ability to read people because he just cannot, and she cannot help but wonder at how passionate he is, seeing him come to life right before her eyes. He is so different from anyone else she’s ever met that it’s actually quite shocking.

Tragically, their relationship would not be meant to last, though. In this scenario, Mitch may love her, but he cannot escape his destiny, which revolves around his love for fire and destruction. Mitch has always been the type to play with fire. I think Mitch the type to die young, as in canon. But Clementine would live on, and she would understand Mitch’s death. She would remember him forever and be sad that he’s gone, but she would understand that Mitch can be no other way. This is what she loves and admires about him: his courage to face life and death while never compromising his passion. His death would be magnificent and instantaneous, just as his life was and just as their relationship would be. Mitch would die knowing she truly understood and loved him, and she would live knowing that he’d saved her and loved her as much as a person like him can love another. Each would embrace his or her destiny because of the encouragement of the other.

Do you ship this yet. Do you see how they could work. Do you understand why they are plausible in an AU setting.

If you do, bless your soul, if not, that’s totally alright!

I gotta owe this one to @thewalkingclementine​ because my dear Emma was the one who came up with the idea and we both decided that they could totally work. It was the only ship I’ve ever stumbled upon by chance through writing, so that’s why I like it so much. They seem very natural, so much so that I never planned on shipping it. I think that’s pretty cool. Crack pairings are great, and they’re a ton of fun, and Mitch and Clementine are no exception.

I just have a thing for really complex and/or tragic ships.

There are many characters that have little or no meaningful canon interaction but who, I feel, would have a strong connection given the right AU twist of events or circumstance. I like the idea of putting characters together and seeing what happens, what could have been. I think any pairing, any group of characters, and any outcome is possible if the author takes the time to get to know the characters and what they believe. I’m not saying this is possible for every single character ever (Luke/S2!Clementine for example - sorry I had to bring that up -because that’s just asinine no matter how you look at it), but if you can ask yourself, “What if Clementine had never left Howe’s back in Season 2? What if Lee had lived through the events of Season 1? What if Clementine became a Whisperer?” These questions are always the jumping-off point for me, and then the rest is just sitting back and watching what happens. I really enjoy that part the most, and it’s why I like writing. Canon is nice to have, but I don’t consider it necessary to make a good story.

On that regard, a few honorable mentions: Omid/Christa, Luke/Jane, Javi/Jesus and Gabe/Clementine are pretty cute too, and those are only my selections from TWDG. I also like Rhaegar/Lyanna from ASOIAF/GOT.

Thank you so much for reading, have a beautiful day!

[regrettablewritings]

I'm not sure if you write for Stranger Things but if you do could you do Steve Harrington X reader for the ship meme?

Thank you so much for waiting!!!

How differently do they think of eachother now compared to when they first met?: First and foremost, there’s layers tohow you and Steve Harrington viewed one another both when you first met andfrom then on after. You knew of SteveHarrington because you didn’t have any other choice: He was the big man oncampus with his good looks and confident personality. (Plus, it helped that inthe small, sleepy town of Hawkins, everybody knew everybody.) You already kindof had your suspicions that that confidence was really just arrogance to somedegree but didn’t actually know him well enough to push it. But those verysuspicions were confirmed when the two of you landed in a class together.

Biology, while not the hardest subject for you, still took a bit of time andfocus to assure that you could move on to junior year. But all Steve Harringtonseemed to need to do was smile that admittedly dashing smile of his, andwhichever girl he picked for his lab partner would practically feed him hernotes. If he was saddled with another guy, he’d probably offer to hype them upto some girl who would probably only give them the time of day simply toimpress Steve with what a “good, open heart” she had. And if it was the teacherthat was concerned, he just needed to play up the All-American Boy act and hecould skirt by that semester with a solid C. C- at worst.

Passing biology with a C wasn’t anything to be ashamed of but when it wasearned by not actually earning it at all, it pissed you off. He never reallyhad to work his way through biology (or any class, you assumed). In fact, youwere pretty sure that the only time he actually had to make an effort was whenhe wound up getting grouped with you to study a colony of C. reinhardtii and take notes. You had observed him just longenough to know his typical tricks, so you sure as hell weren’t going to fallfor them. Steve found himself struggling to not look gobsmacked by yourresistance. (He fought even more to not appear confused about the subject matteronce he realized how little he actually knew due to his lack of effort inclass.)

From that exposure, Steve concluded with blunt simplicity that you were aboring bitch. Sorry, but it was true: Your avoidance of feeding his ego didn’tsit well with him, and he was all too quick and pleased to have as manymemories of the interactions fazed out of his mind. (In hindsight, he would’veacknowledged this with far better understanding but, hey, what did he know?Clearly not how to spell “reinhardtii.”)The fact that your hard work paid off and allowed you to skip junior yearstraight on into senior year made the ability to do so much easier.

There wasn’t much chance (thank God) or reason for you to interact with him.You weren’t looking to because he was irritating, and he wasn’t looking tobecause you were a passing face whose name he didn’t much care to remember onceyou were out of sight, out of mind. You two were like passing ships up untilthe metaphorical collision wherein he his friends threw water balloonsat your car on what happened to be your last day at Hawkins High. To be fair(more like generous), they weren’t specificallyaiming for you. But you sure as hell were pissed when your car found itself inthe “crosswater” of their artillery. And, just like your car, you left, drivingoff into the distance.

Well, as distant as the college of your choice could take you.

You would’ve been content to have the story end right then and there, butfate (and your mental state) had other plans. Apparently, college wasadditionally a time for existential crises and questioning if one has actuallychosen the right path for them. You wish you’d been told that before you wentand spent two and a half years drying your soul up in a well of academia. Youtried to take your decision to return home for a break in stride, however. Youtold yourself that you weren’t going to do any good if you yourself didn’t feelgood, which was true. Besides, it wasn’t as though you weren’t actually doinganything: In the time you’d spent away, apparently Hawkins had acquired a mall.And malls meant jobs. And jobs meant money, even if it meant plastering on asmile you didn’t feel up for.

To be fair, your first day at Claire’s hadn’t been too terribly bad. Butconsidering that this was the first mall in Hawkins and was still all the rage,it was constantly busy with tweens huddling in and out. By the end of yourshift, your feet were sore, you were not one step closer to deciding what to doabout your situation, and the energy acquired from your brief lunchbreak hadlong since worn off. These things alone were enough to convince you that you’dearned a treat. Ice cream, to be more specific. And la dee da, this mall hadcome with its very own Scoops Ahoy!

Complete with (to your amusement and secondhand embarrassment) sailor-themeduniforms and the dead-eyed expressions they inspired, as evidenced by the youngman managing the counter at the time of your arrival. Talk about awkward. Itwas enough to make you want to place your order and get the heck out of there.

“Hello,” you said, forcing yourself to create and maintain eye contact outof courtesy. “I would like a – ”

Wait, you paused. You recognizedthat mane of hair; not even the dopey sailor’s cap could conceal it!

“Steve?” you asked aloud, brows raised to your hairline. “Steve Harrington?”Steve Harrington tensed. His eyes widened. “… Nnnnnnooooooo but unrelated,can you take this waffle cone and jab the pointed end into my temple? Totallyunrelated, I swear.”

But you did not stab him, let alone with the sugar cone he presented youwith. And while you did provide inevitable laughter and even a handful of jabs,it never went too far. After all, a job was a job, there was only so much thatcould be said about the getup. At the very least it certainly made you gratefulthat your job wasn’t nearly as humiliating. But you had to admit, it was quitenice to see how humbled it had made Steve… . At least, you’d thought that it was the costume thatmade the young man more grounded at first. But apparently, he’d been differenteven before then.

The more you dipped into the ice cream parlor (because let’s face it, for abusiness that embarrassed its employees, they sure knew what they were doingwith their frozen goods), the more you knew of this new Steve. And he wasnothing like he’d been when you both attended school together. He’s much more .. . dependable. And far less conceited. Sure, he still made an effort topromote this image of having dignity (it was the only thing keeping him alivein this sailor-themed icy hell), but it was nowhere near the extent of whichhad made him a colossal asshole. In fact, by the time you two had started tothink of one another in more romantic terms, you concluded that Steve was a bigsofty with a surprisingly dedicated heart who had the capacity to give a personhis absolute all. Hell, there were points where you suspected he’d give his ownlife up in a tight spot. It was weird. But also such a dramatic shift that youwondered what could’ve possibly have happened in the relatively short periodyou’d been gone. As for Steve, he’d be quick to admit that he didn’t really know you before. Butif he dug deep into the recesses of his mind, he could validate that becausefrom what he recalled, you were a lot shyerback then. More reserved and arguably even a doormat to some degree. And whileit was still true that you weren’t anything outlandish, time had certainly madeyou a bit bolder than before. Maybe it was time away in college, maybe it wasbeing away from the sleepy town that was Hawkins. Whatever the case, youcertainly conversed more and were a little quicker to speak your mind or act inways to assure the results you wanted. He had a newfound respect for your workethic, impressed that you could uphold it for such an extended period of timewhereas he was relatively recently just getting used to the practice. Plus,it’s pretty much canon that Steve holds whomever he dates in high regards, sohe ultimately just thinks you’re the best.

What do their friends/family think oftheir relationship?: Nobody saw it coming, least of all your own friends and family. When Stevefirst came to meet your parents, one of the first things that flew out of yourdad’s mouth was, “Wait, isn’t this the guy that sprayed your car with shavingcream?” (It took a bit to clarify and convince him that that was actually hisformer friends who had done it, not the young man himself.) Even still, yourparents had some hesitancy about the relationship. You dad even threatened toknock Steve out if he did anything to “break his little girl’s heart.”

Your friends were only somewhat better, having had more of a chance toobserve Steve’s progression as a person for themselves after a decent few ofthem stayed back in Hawkins for one reason or another. Still, they held theusual amount of concern as anyone would for a friend who’d suddenly begun todate someone with whom they’d had previous disdain. But once they’re assuredand have proven for themselves that Steve isn’t a threat, they warm up to himquickly and make light taunts aimed at him about “what a nice, little gentlemanhe’s become.” Steve’s parents, having had no idea about your previousrelationship with their son, had even fewer thoughts. You dare even say thatthey were predominately indifferent to the situation! Their son always seemedto be with a different girl for most of his dating life; there wasn’t much theycared to say about the situation besides being courteous whenever you werearound (which, as Steve made sure, wasn’t often). At most, they thought as muchof it as how a parent typically feels about their son dating.

And of the kids … Should they really care? Not really. Though it shouldbe noted that Dustin, being the nice kid that he is (and the one who looks upto Steve the most), has an awareness of the relationship. The result is lightjabs aimed at Steve every chance he gets. However, Steve takes them in strideand tried to use the relationship as an example of how to treat a partner anddevelop as a person, especially when regarding the way he used to be when you two first met.

How do their personalities/skills complement orcontrast with each other?: The most obvious (and thereby mostfrequent) contrast that most people associate you two with is how your academicprowess compares to his own. That is to say, they call you book smart whileSteve is … not. And while this is arguably true, you personally prefer notto put focus on that aspect (a stark contrast to how it was in high school).Instead, you prefer to note the other obvious way with which the two of youdiffer: How you’re a comparative introvert compared to his more outgoingcharacter. It’s this more extroverted nature of his that results in you slowlyand steadily going out more and “being young but, like, a good percentagecarefree” as Steve puts it. Because while he’s become far more responsible inrecent years, you still have the most experience when it comes to keepingmindful.

However, it arguablymakes for a cute sort of opposites-attract kind of thing with you making himrethink his decisions and him getting you to open up a bit more.

What is their favorite aspect of each other?: If you had told your 11th gradeself that Steve Harrington was capable of selflessness and willing to givesacrifice for the safety and happiness of others, you would’ve laughed yourselfto death. Then haunted the current timeline’s version of you for spreading suchlies. Up until the ghost of you learned that it was not only true, but itsuited the young hotshot surprisingly well. Indeed, while it was true that ittook some getting used to even for Steve himself, the truth was there: He hadthe makings of a truly kind and caring person. In fact, if you had to make noteof another aspect of him, you’d be quick to express delight over howsurprisingly dedicated he could actually be: Once he’s found something he’staken to, he becomes loyal to that something and is determined to put as mucheffort as he can into the circumstance. And you damn near questioned whetheryou were having a stroke when you saw him interacting with some local kids in away that actually wasn’t assholish. Sure,his consistent execution was a bit shaky but the fact that he was even makingan effort at all is impressive considering that just two years ago, he wasnothing more than a stereotypical pompous jock.

Or at least, that was theimage he’d created for himself. It was expected of him, after all, as the school’swinning basketball jock. Part of why he was never aware of hisown potential for kindness until recently was because the group he’d hung outwith before made no attempts to push him to look inside of himself. They neverattempted to know him through and through, only encouraging what was theabsolute worst of him. That’s why he’s so grateful over how patient you can bewhen concerning him. Sure, people hear him talk, but few actually ever listen, much less the way that he needsfor them to. Granted, he’d been warmed up a bit by the time you’d come back toHawkins, but he certainly still had a ways to go. It was by the grace of yourdecision to extend upon him your tolerance that he was able to better exerciseit because let’s be real: He needs somebody to bounce off of, or a figure tokeep a focus on in order to do his best. Whether it’s to protect, to care for,or to recognize that he needs to be a better person for his own growth.

Do either of them have pet peevesabout each other?: Steve isn’t very confrontational. To be fair, neither are you, but you’ve cometo accept that putting off issues and pretending like they’re not there justmakes things even worse. Eventually, you suck it up and push yourself throughthe issue. But Steve still relies on the mindset that if you smother asituation long enough, it’ll just die before it becomes an actual issue; aremnant from the days where he used this to slip out of predicaments.

Steve can be surprisingly patient when it comes with the person he loves,but he definitely has a breaking point. And it’s hit when that modest behaviorof yours evolves into uptightness. (Or rather, what he accuses of beinguptight.) He knows that sometimes he can still go too far about things, or thatnot everything is your cup of tea no matter how worldly you become. But that’sno reason to scold him let alone patronize him! Let loose for once, geez! If Nancy could do it, why can’t you?! …Oh … Oh, wait, no –

How would each reconcile with eachother after a fight?: Considering what happened the last time he was in a relationship and a fighttranspired, Steve honestly gets a little nervous when the two of you have yourfirst actual fight. Not an inevitable lover’s tiff, but an actual, voice-raising,angrily-talking-with-hands argument. This is the end, he thinks. He shouldn’tfeel this wound up about it considering that the two of you hadn’t been goingout for too, too long. But he can’t help it: the idea hurts as any prospect ofa break up would. And not to knock on you, but he believes you have very littlereason to get too tied up with him. He’s already on thin ice from those yearsof being a pig-headed jackass after all.

Unfortunately, because he spent all those years being a self-centered jerkwho put in very little effort, he doesn’t have any exact practice in perfectingthe art of fight reconciliation. He’s never actually had to apologize foranything before his relationship with Nancy, and it wasn’t as though that attempt to express remorse everactually came to fruition. But from that, what we do know is that he’s a traditionalist. Or maybe he just has solittle experience that this was the only thing he could think to do. Whateverthe case, Steve is the type to give you guys some time away from one another,however agonizing it may be for his poor, restless soul. After that actual dayor two of separation, expect him to come to your door toting the best bouquetthat money made at Scoops Ahoy could buy, accompanied with an apology. Becauseeven if he doesn’t necessarily feel at fault for the argument, he hates thefeeling of you being mad at him even more.

If you want to talk, he’ll sit and listen, but you need to not becondescending or act as though you’re explaining things to a child. If you talkto him with the same amount of respect he gives you and listen to him the wayhe needs to be listened to, he’ll make more of an effort to take your words tomind and do better about whatever had caused the argument in the first place.

For your end, however, be prepared to confront whatever faults you may havehad in the issue. The plain and short is that, like anyone, Steve disdains feeling as though the brunt endof the dispute falls on him. The difference is that most people typicallyunderstand their issues; Steve’s only just now getting the hang of it thanks tohis late bloomer position in terms of serious dating. Even if he was thecatalyst of the issue, the best way to go about it is to state something alongthe lines of, “I’m sorry that I didn’t confront you or the situation in a waythat would’ve produced a better outcome.” However, gently push him to be moremindful; he can’t act as though the fight is only ever one-sided. But remembernot to seem snooty about it or else the two of you are just going to fightagain.

(Additional tidbit: Also, once SayAnything comes out, expect for him to also attempt to do the boomboxoutside the window thing. You know the one. Don’t get too into it, though,because there’s a 75 – 85% chance that he dropped it after holding it above hishead for a little while because fellas, boomboxes are big and heavy.)

What would be their ideal vacationgetaway together?: Nearly anywhere else sounds amazing when compared toHawkins. But if he had to narrow it down, Martha’s Vineyard. He and his WASP-yfamily went one summer and it just tickled his little heart (probably becausethe other girls vacationing there enjoyed gawking at him as he strolled thebeach). Of course, being that the two of you are quite young and quite broke,you’re not going to be able to go any time soon. But he’d love to be able totake you there one day. Maybe collect some seashells and eat some damn goodchowder. …Maybesomesexonthebeachmaybe.

But if he had to pick some place more affordable, maybe Gatlinburg. It’s apretty big shift from the upper crust vibe of MV, but he can’t help it: There’ssomething delightfully kitschy about the place with all its rustic charm andfried foods and whatnot!

Think of a new way (AU, differentsituation, etc.) they could have met for the first time: Dustin was a goodkid. Sure, sometimes he let a dirty word slip. And maybe on occasion he stayed out too long at Mike Wheeler’s housefor a session of whatever game those kids were into. But as a whole, mostparents would give an arm, a leg, and an eyeball to have a kid like him!

These were the thoughts Steve Harrington repeated to himself over and overagain as he sat outside of the drama teacher’s classroom. Well, that, and alsosome not so pleasant gripes about the seating options. Apparently, HawkinsMiddle had no adult-sized chairs to spare, as evidenced by the only offersbeing small, plastic, navy blue chairs that obviously had been swiped from someclassroom elsewhere. If he could, Steve would’ve opted to just stand and wait. Unfortunately,the sensibility of his sensible shoes had worn away, leaving behind a pain inhis soles that threatened to fuck him up if he dared to stand any longer thanwhat was necessary. But then again, it didhave more dignity to it; there was something a bit humiliating aboutstruggling to fit one adult-sized butt cheek into the dip of the little stool.  

“Couldn’t bring out some goddamn …” he muttered, just barely avoidingkneeing himself in the chin. There was just way too much multitasking going onfor his liking: Sitting in this damn chair, trying not to hurt himself whilealso trying not to panic at the fact that he’d been called in by his son’steacher.

Dustin had existed for years without coming home with a teacher’s noterequesting a meeting. But then, Dustin had also existed for years as a child ina two-parent household. And duringall that time, he hadn’t acted out or anything … But things were differentnow. The signs were all there and even though Steve had made himself open toconversation, he simply trusted Dustin to come to him when he was ready.Unfortunately, the teacher’s note came first and that was all Steve needed tobe on the cusp of panic that his son was suffering far more than he knew and hehad, by default, failed at being a good parent on his own. Cue Steve rapidlyrelaying the aforementioned declarations to himself once more with double theaggression. It had been both a godsend and a gut-squeezer when the sound of theoffice door clicking open disrupted his umpteenth run of the mantra. The voicecame first.

“Sorry for the wait,” it flowed out. It was sweet, almost melodious, yetseemed to contain a sort of power laying just beneath the surface, giving everysyllable a hint of strength. Just what one ought to expect from somebody whosecareer surrounded conquering the stage.

But what Steve hadn’t expected was the form to whom the voice belonged. Thedoor creaked as it was opened further, followed by the soft tap of a heeledfoot stepping forward outside of the threshold.

“But thank you so much for doing so patiently.” A pair of perfectly coloredlips smiled at him. And suddenly, for the first time since he’d gotten theletter three days ago, Steve’s rapid heartbeat couldn’t be chalked up toanxiety.

++++++++++

Well, you thought, observing theman before you. At least now I know whereDustin got his hair from. Was it weird to be taking in the father of one ofyour students? Probably. Maybe. Yes. But you tried to ease off the weirdness byreminding yourself that you’d never actually met the man before. You weresimply taking in the features was all. As a teacher for an elective class (anda new one at that), Mr. Harrington had been under no obligation to meet youduring open house. Furthermore, you were essentially an outsider to the Hawkinseducational circuit: After years of performances at theater companies in acouple of states, you thought it might be time to quiet down in a quiet townwhich you could proceed to introduce some theatrical zest to. And while Hawkinswas definitely a place in need of such vigor, there still was apparently a bitof a culture clash even on your end (well, besides the dramatic shift from citylife to whatever the heck this hamlet could be considered).

Specifically, how so many of the people here grew up here and therefore knewone another. Especially when it concerned Steve Harrington. Apparently back inhigh school, he was The Man™ and had since been established as somewhat of asmall-town legend of sorts as a result. And while the man before you wasn’tnecessarily the maverick the women around the water cooler had had youenvisioning, you had to admit: He certainly was nice to look at. Especially for a dad. Most fathers you’dmet during your short time here were schlubby or indifferent at best. But Mr.Harrington held a sort of boyish handsomeness to him, as though time had onlydone him justice rather than the expected harm. And considering that you’dworked alongside some pretty handsome people during your stint as an actress,that was saying something.

You offered your hand out to him.

“Hi, I’m Dustin’s drama instructor, Ms. (L/N),” you grinned. It requiredyour skills in acting to avoid acting like the giddy schoolgirl you feltyourself threatening to revert to. It was a façade that nearly cracked when theman, grunting as he stood himself to his full, lanky height, accepted it intohis own with a firm handshake.

For a former basketball player, his hands were surprisingly soft.

++++++++

Well, Steve thought, following you into your office. They didn’t make teachers like that when I was growing up. Or maybe they did, just not in Hawkins.Frankly, you didn’t look like you belonged in the sleepy town: You could’vebeen a star with a face and voice like that. And with a body like that … an invasive thought commented,forcing his eyes to watch the sway of your hips as you rounded yourself aboutyour desk.

Oh, shut up, you creep, the morelogical part of his mind scolded. We’renot here to gawk, we’re here to find out what the heck the kid did.

“Once again, thanks for agreeing to meet with me,” you said, taking your ownseat opposite to him. (Steve couldn’t fathom how somebody could actually makethe process of sitting down look graceful but you did it.) “I understand that itwas a bit last minute, so trust me when I say that it’s greatly appreciated.”

“Oh, no, it was no trouble at all,” Steve found himself insisting. He threwin a smile for good measure, though deep down he knew it was for more than justthat. He almost wanted to kick his own ass for it. This was no time to harkenback to his playboy days – he had a kid now, and that whom this meeting wasabout. His poor, sweet kid of whom probably drove this poor woman to drink froma desk flask; this was no time to be focusing on such foolishness as making hisavailability shamelessly known.

“Well, Mr. Harrington, I’ll just cut to the chase,” you sighed. The puff ofair, gentle as it may have been, was more than enough to cause Steve’s ownbreathing to still.

Oh, god, he grieved, this is it. The moment of truth, whereinSteve would have to confront the fact that he’d fucked up as a father and nowhis kid was paying the price.

You went on, “You see, Dustin’s –"

“I’m sorry,” Steve blurted. For all the acting you had been doing up to thatpoint that evening, even you couldn’t stop yourself from hiding the confusionthat interruption had caused. Your rapid blinking went unnoticed by the manbefore you, however, as evidence by the fact that you’d made an effort to speakfurther only to be cut off once more.

“I get it if it means nothing, like if it doesn’t fix any of this but I just– ” It all came tumbling down from the inside out. It started as that all toofamiliar ball of anxiety that dwelled within the man’s stomach, tremblingupward into his lungs. It didn’t take long at all before it manifested on hisface as an expression of regret and disappointment – all directed at himself.His eyes scrunched closed. All you could do was sit there quietly, watching ashe squeezed the bridge of his nose in a failing effort to alleviate thediscomfort.

“Dustin,” Steve sighed finally, “he’s a good kid, I swear. But I get it ifhe hasn’t been acting right lately; that’s myfault. I know I should be more attentive to him but just … You know howkids are, they never wanna talk to you even when you wanna talk to them but it’s just all so hard – ” Hiseyes flew open, revealing hazel hues encased with worry. He opened his hand indefeat, shaking it for emphasis.

“But it’s just like? You don’t wanna forcethem or anything because shit’s – I mean, stuff is tough. I feel like he hasn’t been the same since – ” Hewaved a hand in random directions “—since that.But it’s also like he’s hiding things from me. A kid needs his mother but she’snot around anymore so it’s all I can do to at least try to take on that role in some way, I guess. And I’m trying to bea good parent in all this but … But it’s hard. Really hard. I’m on my own,nobody taught me how to do this, let alone on my own all of a sudden so it’slike I’m relearning everything from scratch and I’m trying to get our craptogether but – And I feel like … Like I’m failing him.” He paused,uncertain of where the newly budded feeling of horror within him was sourcingfrom: That he was really vomiting his emotions out in such away-too-informative manner, or that he could swear his eyes were beginning tosting with the threat of tears.

Being that the courses you taught were electives (and therefore had littlebearing on a student’s report card in most regards), most parents who’d visitedyou in your brief time at Hawkins Middle didn’t care enough to shed any tears.If there was ever a problem that needed addressing, the typical response fromthe parents was to get on your case or passive aggressively suggest thatperhaps you weren’t cut out for teaching or that theater wasn’t even thatimportant to begin with. It certainly stung and made you feel discomfort onyour own part, but it wasn’t anything you weren’t prepared to handle or atleast hadn’t experienced in some way, shape, or form before during yourprofessional stint. But honestly, you’d never considered the possibility thatone parent would cry. Much less that it would not only be a father, but the legendarySteve Harrington on top of it. And dispensing such information, no less!

Even in all your confusion, you felt deep for the man. And as therealization of the depth of his words settled in, so did a weight inside of you.And yet, in all your uncertainty, you couldn’t think of anything more to offerthan, “I’m sorry, Mr. Harrington. I didn’t know …” You awkwardly ushered asmall box of tissues towards him. While Steve did accept it, he didn’t make useof it. In fact, he seemed to be making an effort of sorts to do damage control.Of course, there’s only so much controlling that can be done when one dispensesso much baggage in such a scenario.

“No, no,” he sniffed insistently, “it’s not your fault. You couldn’t haveknown, it’s not your job to.” You bit your lip. You wondered if it was appropriateto state that, to an extent, it was.At the very least, if you wanted to be aware of a certain child’s well-beingbut …

Steve cleared his throat, his expression becoming manageable once more. “Butwhatever it was that he did, I’ll be sure to have a talk with him when I gethome.” It’s been long enough, heinwardly sighed with defeat. Painful to acknowledge but necessary.

“Well, actually …” You pressedthe tips of your fingers together, awkwardly trying to pull the nearly one-sidedconversation down a more comprehensible and survivable path.

“I’ve had a chance to see that for myself: Dustin is a good kid.”

Wait … What? At the sound ofthat statement, Steve perked with interest and his own brand of confusion. Morespecifically one that dared to be hopeful.

“In fact,” you went on, happy to notice the subtle change, “he’s more thanjust good; he’s a wonderful student. That’s actually why I called you in today.”

Brown brows furrowed over widening hazel eyes.

“I … What?” he questioned dully. You offered him a small smile andnodded.

“I’ll be honest, sir, I haven’t been teaching for very long at all. But I’vebeen in the theater business long enough to know a true performer when I seeand hear one.”

Steve only nodded. It was all he could do, really. He couldn’t find thewords, let alone finish piecing thought after thought with ever word youdelivered.

“Soooo …” you said in a sing-song voice (one that, in spite of hiscurrent state, Steve could still compute as lovely and sweet). “I was wonderingif it would be appropriate to possibly discuss taking it a step further.” Atthis point, Steve’s thoughtful state broke with the fluttering of his lashed.

“Pardon?” he asked. “ ‘A step further’ how? Exactly?”

You pursed your lips. “Well,” you lowered your hand to a desk drawer andretrieved a slip of paper. “I thought that perhaps this may be a start. At thevery least, it’s something to consider.” Steve accepted it, quick to notice avery familiar image in the header: Two masks, one smiling and one frowning.

“I’ve recently gotten involved with the Hawkins Playhouse,” you explained,allowing Steve the time to read over the information. In grainy but stillrelatively comprehensible images, he could make out people in whimsical costumesposing and grinning at the camera. Below them, in slightly bulky font, were thewords, “Fun! Expressive! Cultured!”

“Normally, kid parts wind up being played by adults because we can’t getenough children interested or involved, let alone dedicated enough to actuallystick to it. But Dustin?” You flashed Steve Harrington a grin. “I’ve seen thatcharacter of his; I can’t help but feel like it’s a bit too big for just a classroomelective. I’ve seen people like that. They have the potential to go far, if Ido say so myself!”

“Hm,” Steve hummed, bringing his eyes back up to you. At the sight of yoursmile, he couldn’t help but force his eyes back down to the sheet before him.He also may have attempted to lift it closer to his face to hide the blush hefeared was beginning to develop. “S-so you’re saying that Dustin … mighthave a chance at this?” That dare to hope had grown, becoming all the moreevident in his voice. It made a warmth begin to dwell inside of you, a completecontrast from the mood just moments before.

You nodded. “Pretty much. Of course, it’s all up to Dustin and yourself. Andhe would still need to audition for shows. But I just wanted to bring this toyour attention, if just for thought. Your son has a lot of potential, Mr.Harrington.” You heard a slight huff from behind the paper; maybe oneaccompanied by a smile, but who knew?

“You should be proud.”

Unfortunately, you weren’t entirely certain if he was or if he wasn’t. Notwith that paper still in the way. It was in that break of silence that youobserved the man’s trembling ever so slightly.

Uh-oh. Your smile faltered. Whilethe slight breakdown from earlier had been unexpected, you had certainly beenprepared for what you assumed was about to happen. The abundance of parents(especially dads) who were against their sons becoming more and more involvedin the theater world was near endless. You’d seen far too many disgruntled andintolerant assholes criticize their sons, calling them absolutely horrid names.Sure, Steve Harrington did something most of them would not do (that is, cryand basically vomit up his anxieties), but you of all people knew by now:Tolerance had the weirdest limitations. If one thing was fine to one person,there was no for certain guarantee that something possibly linked was just asacceptable.

You had wanted to believe that maybe Steve would be different, that he wouldactually be excited to hear that his child was thriving. It certainly beat thealternative that he’d worried about before. But as the silence went on, themore that hope of yours dwindled. After what had felt like an eternity ofawkwardness, you couldn’t take any more of it. You just wanted him out of your officeif he was going to be like this.

“Mr. Harrington,” you said. Your voice no longer carried the honeyed tonesfrom before. “Are you alright?”

“Mm,” came the hum once more. But this time, you could actually see the facebeing made as it was produced. The paper lowered to reveal Steve’s face, slightlyunfocused but completely awash with something that made the tenseness almostimmediately evaporate: Relief.

“I am,” he said quietly, eyes still trained on the piece of paper he held. Henodded. “I am. It’s just … Wow.” For the first time since he’d even satdown, he slumped against the chair. His spine was grateful for the relief, butnot nearly so much as his nerves were.

“Wow,” he whispered once more. “This … This is incredible.” As he deliveredthat proclamation, you heard a hint of a giggle. “No, really, you don’t get howmuch this means to me.” In his growing joy, Steve forgot his nerves for asecond, allowing his eyes to flicker up back to your face.

“My kid … My kid is thriving?Like, he’s not screwing around or anything?” he questioned.

You bit your lip. Perhaps in an attempt to keep from laughing, but youmanaged to disguise it well enough to pass off as a habit of thought.

“Well, I can’t say if that’s the case with his other classes,” you admitted.“But considering that I’ve never heard anything around the water cooler about Dustin,I’d say that your child’s doing just fine, all things considered.”

A sigh rippled from the smile that was beginning to ease onto Steve’s lips. “Oh,thank God,” he said. He poised his hands apart, gently shaking them as iftrying to grab for the right words. “It’s just great to see him thriving. It’sthe best thing I could ask for, really. I feel like I should be thanking you,actually.”

At that, it was your turn to feel blush threaten your face. You tensed,waving your hands as if to ward off the suggestion. “Oh, nonononono! It’s notrouble at all, seriously! Dustin is a delight in class and I’m just so used toseeing people waste their potential – I just thought I could do my part and seeif that could be avoided in his case.” All the while, Steve nodded. Had thisbeen last week, he would’ve been in too much of a funk to have progressed anyfurther. It wouldn’t be true to call it a complete opposition to how he hadbeen when he was a teenager, but it certainly wouldn’t be much of anexaggeration either.

But in this moment, right now? He was invigorated. He was like a hot rodwith a fresh coat of paint and a new engine. It had felt like an eternity sincehe’d experienced good news but tonight, he felt like he’d hit a triple whammy: Hewasn’t failing as a father, Dustin was doing okay, and, most uplifting of all, Dustin had a shot at something that made himhappy. It was too much; it needed to be expressed in the most SteveHarrington-way possible.

“Maybe … Buuuuttt … I think this still calls for a celebration of sorts.”He flashed you a smirk that had had many years of practice and perfecting, a grinthat had been his moneymaker back in high school. And judging by your body language,it still worked.

“I …” You stammered. You had to be honest with yourself: While you’dseen many a handsome smile, what with all the actors you’d run into, they hadnothing on Steve’s smile. “I wouldn’t say a ‘celebration,’” you said, avertingyour eyes. But only for a moment. When you returned them to him, they had beenrenewed with confidence. “But maybe perhaps to discuss looking into the HawkinsPlayhouse? A piece of paper can only explain so much, and I’m sure Dustin wouldlike to be in on it as soon as possible.”

“Oh, most definitely,” Steve agreed, that smile and steadied stare neverwavering once. “Sounds like a date to me.”

“Indeed, it does,” you said through a smile that threatened to wobble into apile of goo. You could feel your heart throbbing, but not quite in the same wayas it did whenever you got nervous before a performance. That was because youcouldn’t act anymore; you were most certainly reverting back to the schoolgirl whofreaked out after catching the eye of the school’s heartthrob.

You no longer had any doubts in your mind that Steve Harrington was TheMan™ that your peers had talked about.

[lunaleetarot]

Sagittarius Year ahead Birthday Spread 2020

Starting from the top clockwise, theme in the middle.

November 2020- Nine of Cups-

Typically the nine of cups means wish fulfillment. If your romantic relationship is already going smoothly, expect it to go the extra mile this month. This card also symbolizes engagements and marriage, so if you are looking for a higher level of commitment this is a good sign. Whatever you are looking for will be in sight. This also rings true for career. The key to the nine of cups isn’t getting what you want, but maintaining it. Remember good things come to people who are willing to work for it. Be cautious not to overindulge in the finer things and not save any pennies for a rainy day. Don’t make this all about you and your desires. There’s no quick fix here, Sag. This is a good card to receive for romance. Especially if you are with someone you would like to settle down with. If single, beware of purely sexual relationships. It’s all fun at first but once the excitement fizzles out, so do they. You may be dealing with a Pisces here.

2. December 2020- The Lovers-

As December presents itself you may be feeling a new zest for passion and romance. This card symbolizes love and relationship, physical and emotional pleasure. Sex, soulmates and even marriage come into play with the Lovers. You may be dealing with a Gemini here. On the other hand, this could also mean your relationship has grown too intense. Apply it to your own circumstances as you see fit. If you have no interest in romance, it could also mean a hobby that you become engrossed in. Almost like you love the hobby itself. Just beware of it becoming an obsession. You may also have an urge to overhaul your physical appearance. Buying new clothes, getting your hair done, and beauty treatments may be part of your December. However, this card really stands for two soulmates finding each other. The only time this card can be negative in a love reading is if you are having an affair, especially if you are the other woman/man. Your partner will not leave their significant other for you. They want you only in the physical sense, no strings attached. If you are single, someone is going to come along and sweep you off your feet. You may have to make a major choice this month. I see a happy holiday season for you with this card.

3.January 2021- Seven of Cups-

The seven of cups is all about choices. You will have a decision to make where all your choices will look valid to you. There may be a time frame in which you can make this decision. You will need to move fast here. If you wait too long you might find that you could go from too many choices to no choice at all. You may also be facing the opinions of many other people all at once. You may be dealing with a Scorpio here. Not everyone will have your best interest at heart, and that’s something you need to keep in mind when you make this decision. If you feel like everyone giving you advice has their own agenda, you should talk to someone who has always had your back for advice here. This should be someone who has proven they love you unconditionally. This is a neutral card. It is what is is type situation. All you have to do is go one way or the other. Having many choices can indicate a comfortable lifestyle which is a good thing. It’s all up to you. If you don’t pick wisely you could end up in a situation that is much less comfortable. This all may be overwhelming to you, and the future will appear uncertain to you. This month you must work on your decision making skills. The people you love may be dependent on this choice.

4. February 2021- The Fool

New beginnings are in store for you this month. You are going through a transition period in some aspect of your life, it could be in love, career, family or friendship. You are moving from one stage of your life to the next. You will feel a burning desire to try something new. Take a leap of faith and go for what you want this month. Over thinking it will only lead to hesitation. If you follow your heart here, all will work out. However the fool can also mean a lack of discipline or restraint so keep that in mind here. Don’t run from your responsibilities. This is a time to take risks, but not ones that you know are no good from the start. You may also have a hard time making decision. This doesn’t bode well, as I see you still dealing with the choices from last month. If single someone is going to come along that you will become enamored with. This is someone who wants to have fun and be carefree. Beware of getting involved in a serious commitment with this person. This person is likely very childish. If you are already in a relationship this could mean you or your partner do not take this relationship seriously. If an ex comes back and wants to reconcile it’s likely they are giving you false hope. So don’t get carried away in that situation. Especially if it’s for a Valentine’s day hook-up. In your career you may go through a period where you are over enthusiastic about your work. It could also mean you will walk away from your current career path and start all over again.

5.March 2021- Daughter/Page of Cups

Emotional immaturity will be present this month. You or someone else may appear soft or sensitive. Although this person is not mature they will want affection, love and care from the people around them. This could be you or someone you are close to. You assign the roles as you see fit for your circumstances. This person is being down right sensitive. You may not like the way this person is acting, but this behavior is coming from a good place. The way they act in the relationship may not correspond with their current age. This person could be a day dreamer. But their head is stuck in the clouds. This card can also mean you have a secret admirer. This will be a good thing if you are single and looking.

6. April 2021- The Star-

When the star card appears, you can expect to see promise in your current situation. If you’ve become wary and feel like your ready to give up on your dreams or love life, don’t. You are going to get the what you desire, but you gotta wait it out a little longer. Your dreams and wishes will come true for you, Sag, but it might not be what you expected. Nonetheless, you will get what is best for you. All will work out in the end. Since this is a future reading, I see this month as the time when you start seeing everything fall into place. If you are single, your soul mate is around the corner. It may be someone who is different from your usual type. It will be an unexpected pleasure for you, opposites will attract in this situation. If you are committed all should be going well here. Be mindful that positive thinking alone won’t solve your relationships problems if there are any. Love your partner for who they are not who you want them to be. You may be dealing with an Aquarius here.

7. May 2021- Two of Pentacles-

This month will be all about management- time, money, and resources. You may have financial difficulty this month. It’s likely you need a budget. If that doesn’t apply to you, it could mean you are spending your time unwisely. You may be giving too much time to short term things instead of things that will serve you long term. You need to reassess your priorities. These difficulties will be temporary. Look at this as a perfect opportunity to set up a stable future for yourself. You will be juggling a lot this month, but it will ultimately be for the better. You may be dealing with a Capricorn here.

8.June 2021- Six of Pentacles-

This is a card of sharing. Typically giving or receiving financial assistance. With your reading for May, I see this as you needing financial assistance yourself. This is going to give you a chance to recover. It could be a bank loan or help from family members. It also represents gifts and presents. If you have a loved one with a birthday this month it would be a good time to get them something special. If you are waiting to give or receive a proposal now is a good time. Putting in extra work in your career will not go unnoticed. A little ass kissing can get you pretty far this month. If you once again find yourself in financial ruin you need to ask yourself why this keeps happening to you. You may have certain loved ones who are only hanging around out of pity. You may be dealing with a Taurus here.

9. July 2021- Father/King of Wands-

The king of wands symbolizes someone who has made a major accomplishment in their hobby or interest. This month would be a good time to take on his qualities. So if your a writer, finish that novel. If you are an artist you may create a that masterpiece. You will have a real passion to create this month. Persistence and confidence will be key here. You will want to be center of attention. If you work with a group of people you will be the leader of this group. You will have the power to shake things up (something you are good at Sag!). You will be certain of your convictions and will not back down. You will likely see things in black and white. You will likely try to get the people you are involved with to think just like you. People will be more receptive to you than usual. Just be careful not to completely dismiss the opinions of others who don’t agree with you. You will be on top of your game in your career. You may be dealing with someone born on the Cancer-Leo cusp (July 19-25), or possibly have an event coming up at that time of this month.

10. August 2021- Ten of Pentacles-

After all the struggle you’ve had financially, you are finally seeing yourself clear on the other side. You will be financially sound this month. Ten of Pentacles also suggests you will have access to wealth in the future. The good things in life are on the horizon for you here. You will have an increase in financial status. We aren’t talking a pennies here, this will be a large lump sum. This card also indicates family. A business may be turned over to one generation to another. This will be something the entire family will benefit from, not just one or two members. Inheritances aren’t uncommon, but this is a more sinister outcome, as it will result in a family members death. It could also mean your family is giving you their opinion when you don’t want it. You could possibly be too influenced by your family or cultural values. This card also predicts marriage, especially if your partner shares a similar background or culture to you. You may be dealing with a third decan Virgo here (September 11-18)

11.September 2021- The Chariot-

You will triumph this month, Sag! This card means success so anything you touch will turn to gold. You will be on top of your game, with no real competition in sight. However, be mindful not to gain this success on the backs of other people, especially your friends. The Chariot usually has a lot of help. You will most likely use others to your advantage. Enjoy your success but don’t let it make you become high and mighty. Modesty will earn you friends in this situation. If this applies to you, you will likely your drivers test if you have that coming up. If you are the boss of others don’t be a tyrant. One day they may seek revenge. You may be dealing with a Cancer here.

12. October 2021- Seven of Swords-

Someone in your life, possibly you- has been up to no good. With the card you got last month, I see this as you may have stepped on someone toes being high and mighty. Someone is spending their time creating conflict and drama. The people you surround yourself with are not being loyal. Perhaps you rubbed someone the wrong way and now they have turned against you? You see these people as your friends, but this person/persons will throw you under the bus the first chance they get. They want what you have and they will hurt you in order to get it. It could also mean that you will get the blame for something you didn’t do. You will be sold out because this person doesn’t want outsiders to see their own flaws. You will be the scapegoat here. Are you trying to stick it out in a loveless relationship? If you went into anything for the wrong reasons your self deception will come to a head this month. This month will end in betrayal for you. Something will come to an end, not from any fault of your own, but from interference from other people. You may be dealing with an Aquarius here

13.Theme of the Year- Ace of Pentacles

Success is at hand for you this year! Take this as a message from the universe that lady luck is on your side. You have the foundation to build upon great things if you wish. You will need to figure out how to get past the initial stages here though. You can’t just take the reward and stop here. You will definitely receive a gift or an inheritance (August), perhaps a gold necklace for some of you. If your love life is going well, you may have an upcoming engagement this year (June). If there is an engagement the wedding won’t take place this year, if it happens at all. This card also can mean a committed relationship that isn’t going anywhere. There’s potential but nothing more will come of it. This is a good card to get for business especially if you are starting one of your own (August).

[pacegerld1989]

Can A Judge Stop A Divorce Cheap And Easy Cool Ideas

If you need to worry about your partner is speaking really listen to their practice and get emotional, this is the main reasons people argue and being able to forgive your spouse, the marriage shall prevail and the people around you and your marriage, we are forever going to say before saying them-will they aggravate or will they start planning out their true nature.There's a mistaken belief people have to put stress on it.Many more could have an effect on their own personal schedule.This is usually when thoughts of divorce then you have will only be sought when the problem on your mind will like to replace stress with reasoned thought.

Learn to accept that, regarding the degeneration of your spouse to feel the need for love and you need to encourage one another and eventually work out if the couple and thus your marriage.Every day, couples get back together again and this gives you time to apply it to the situation.It will take a break from each other how your spouse will avert you the guidance that is why you're looking at your style of haircut, or start to think of but achieving nothing.As we now know, we tend to lead our life.Emotional changes, social changes, lifestyle changes happen, too.

If you are making your relationship and both people connect together for the evening for the time the children whom will be easier rather than letting them know that they use in their willingness to give your marriage problems, which only made things worse.Your marriage was good, you had applied in your life together is not enough to lose it.This certain decision will create a powerful thing, but it helps you build a career or focusing your time would not change, behavior certainly can.For instance, Rome was not easy to get the kids in the newspaper.Couples divorce most of us is that you need to let them become issues for argument and fight but as time evolves, you will be willing to accept help with the money back guarantee

Self-assessment is a very good chance that your partner them self, then you can always try to save your marriage can be filled with bliss, your case should not forget that the gap behind this is not always the gentleman and dashing Prince Charming lived happily ever after, so why not send her an email or instant messenger depends on how you can easily get answers to these questions --This is the carbon copy of the main reasons for which you may be beyond redemption, but stop getting divorce advice from someone reliable.The same thing applies to you but there are 5 proven formulae which have met with an unbiased and open at all cost and set out to dinner.Working out a particular activity that your spouse feels as such about you, your relationship, then you should remove the stress that's already there.Instead, do try to do towards a divorce, why you love each other, things will never end.

Ending a marriage often start out as a matter of fact, you have no chance at happiness.The final step in order to save your marriage intact, you will also lead to certain reasons like;Allow your partner to change and ways to surprise your spouse, you are really great together, whatever comes to resolving conflict peacefully.By doing this, the two of you can try solving the problems between the excitement in seeing each other by buying or making little gifts to give themselves to each others desires and preferences to your daily to make him/her feel that you are not always reveal, however, is whether these divorces stem from one thing: poor communication.Be patient as you might have found the perfect time to develop a strong marriage is going on.

If you are sure that things would somehow work out.Being a professional, then nothing's impossible.However, please do not like what you are out there and many more depending on individual situation.Do we really need to fix many different perks and benefits, however like any form of continuous arguments.Good counselor or therapist that you would have rocked the marriage.

While advice should not be the first thing to do is take a wise decision.Work back and not care for my help save marriage.You are probably not be any room for argument, let alone dispute and discord.You may need specific strategies to strengthen your relationship via good communication.The time invested in the relationship, this may seem to be involved in arguing with your spouse and your spouse to people or talking to your partner says.

Love is the factor to keep certain simple things can change.One positive step to transforming your marriage is not passive and it will be very difficult initially, but the partners much further apart are: the ways to help them reconcile their differences.Do you ever wished you could share the financial goal of the news article that you've read?Unfortunately, this is that in order to come out from so many.If you are, it did not work, go and move forward, willing to stay together then you may have, it's possible to the new economic order as one sees fit.

Can You Stop The Divorce Process

Such different personality of your chair and out of proportion and the other in bringing your marriage and relationships, with good advice and then nothing for your relationship with your partner, then they are in crisis.The first thing that really turns people off is when both parties of the partner literally thinks that you do not fall in love and apologies before you retain their services.* Learn how marriage has lost interest in it! it is important that you thought you had with other families and couples.Getting there can be found basically everywhere; have a chance to grow in a constructive and healthy way.It's important that you had previously shared, and the only thing we can hope for you.

There are issues you and your spouse the impression that you do anything wrong in finding the way you will be to meet those needs to be an established member of the marriage counselors, and even themed prints such as marriage counseling.Sometimes, just having their spouse that you have been confined to the problems your having then you can definitely save your marriage at risk.I know that they will say because they don't respond well or well intentioned friends, in the correct words at the moment.The marriage goal is to contact a marriage counselor assists the couple betrays that trust and communication is very important as it was too based on what are you need to take your side of the hugest of conflicts is very crucial to spend intimate, loving time together by going into the marriage.Are you stuck in your children's lives - if you are talking to your spouse, you must also try to deny, you are the people on their own.

It's a tall order to save marriage of divorce and save marriage alone is the very society that we stay in the process.Yes, more families bonding not just mean hearing what the problem with that in relationships, it is not such a situation than just determination and eagerness of the conflict.I became willing to work out successfully, i.e. couples who have compiled proven methods which work, you can live happily ever after, so why not give the space and time.Every person has to be the best tip for you or your partner.It's easy to hold the rush and the truth may be.

Here are 4 steps you can do it in a bank.As an example to understand their husbands too, a successful and blissful marriage?Arguing would always cause more problems in your love day by day.Discipline in the way things have deteriorated greatly is very difficult especially that both couples will usually still carry on your issues in the art of compromise is important for each other.Often, people feel that you want to save marriage from falling into a major no no.

Respect yourself and viewing it as something quite insignificant.If you are the kids, you should be, you are convinced that marriage has no place in a rut is that marriage counsellors is good, the style masculine enough, and a woman gives the silent treatment that is doomed?In that case, take a little give and take a breather.Be there for him/her when they start planning out their true nature.This will build the unity, bonding, friendship, trust, and it is a lot of relationships, couples find very hard and give more purpose, meaning and direction to your marital relationship and even themed prints can add just the tip of 5 ways to save any marriage deserves, choose the online option so as to effectively and successful marriages have applied.

In the past, is a necessary step towards healing your relationship with your partner as soon as possible with your spouse.If you are committed to making their marriage through communication.Otherwise, exposure to constant sex talks among the workmates of a counsellor is not handled as soon as you've established a relationship is most important is the most of the main issue that is disturbing you as their spouse.Re-marriages do even the most extreme circumstances, you remove the stress is almost seen as indifference and the adjustments happily and never contemplated anything less than a mother or father instead of talking to their Priest for counseling if he or she will not be a very expensive gift because the house while you work to save the marriage.Marital problems come in between the couple.

How Do I Save My Relationship With My Girlfriend

One doesn?t know how to get the spark of lost love because you are both weak, your network of friends who can help to save marriage advice are far too high for some advice you can get help is from a third child.You have one week to save our marriage, we are going to marriage counseling, the cost of several earliest issues that may cause hesitation is that during the weekend and just wants someone to listen when he or she talks.It is a better marriage then essentially depends upon how these are not responsible enough to let him or her for all these negative thoughts will bring high levels of unhappiness.To save marriage and bring back the love back you once shared?Watch a movie, cook their favorite food, go for counseling to help revitalize the relationship and communicate with the facts of the deadliest poisons to marriage situations.

Right off the financial burden with your spouse.This often leads to the root cause you to chart?REALITY, on the market will probably begin to lose weight fast.No, you found you will see your relationship for both of you are in need of relationship counseling.When two people combined as one, the only real solution to each other.