#again again again. my opinion. MY opinion bc i think its interesting

[koipalm]

my like i guess take/personal view of joker is that he's only able to help akechi because the other phantom thieves showed him kindness and love,

if we use the chain metaphor joker locked his heart away , he felt mad, betrayed and confused , and just to me joker at the start is a very just cold person,

but then he meets the thieves and little by little his chains begin to break then he meets akechi and a river suddenly overflowing, its very sudden and hard to control because he realizes he finally can allow himself to love

if that make sense fghgjkll;

i like that idea, but i also like the idea that its a two way street! im of the unpopular opinion that akechi likely wouldnt have done the same thing if he had been afforded the same thing in jokers shoes & circumstances. I say this because as joker people reaching out to you is just as important as reaching out to them and helping and spending time with them and connecting to them. theoretically in the game dynamics you could claim that joker is partially (or only) doing this to gain the confidante points and power up, but to me i only see that as a dynamic of the persona games. i really do feel storywise like joker is reaching out to others because he cares and wants to help them..... for example, even if the player themselves does not want to help a confidante, jokers dialogue options dont allow for that!

in contrast, i do think akechi was not in the worst possible position that he couldnt have "gone back" in a sense and reached out for help and helped other people too. of course, we dont have an inside look on akechi's life, but even at a more shallow look at things it does seem that he had options to turn back and he didn't. from his position as a detective, i think he would have had a lot of connections both from his work and even in the metaverse of finding people that could have helped him. i personally think that this mentality of akechis is interesting and kind of funny that he wanted revenge so bad that he was willing to forsake everything else. of course, its all up for interpretation....

but yeah, i really do think that his case was not necessarily a case of "i had to do this and there was no other choice because the adults made me" like mishima, but more of him actively, choice by choice, damning himself. of course, i dont think that his story can be divorced from adults using and abusing kids, but again, to me, PERSONALLY i see akechi as the type to throw others under the bus until the system eventually turns on him. in the end i also dont see akechi as genuinely remorseful of his actions, in that he actively grieves and regrets the lives hes taken. i think that he regrets the path that his life took and the fact that he was used in turn, but i think theres a kind of disconnect: he may regret that he killed, but i dont think he feels for the life that was lost, both with the mental shutdowns and the psychotic breaks, or the collateral damage.

even in third semester, (and while again. it can be argued that theyre shadows and not people, or that he is simply blowing off steam) it really does feel like he wants to cause harm. and i dont see a change like 'i want to hurt someone/something' -> 'im hurting someone/something because im pissed about being used by someone' BUT ONCE AGAIN. my personal opinion. i think hes a ruthless kind of guy.

in the end with all this being said, i cant be certain that in jokers shoes he would act similarly or that in better circumstances he would act as kind! that isnt to say that i think akechi was always doomed to be an asshole and he could never reach out and be kind, or hell that the system wasnt to blame for him turning out this way. but i DO think the system was not the only thing to blame! i think he made a lot of choices and felt that he had no other path or choice, so he didnt LOOK. but even at the end joker and the rest of the phantom thieves reach out despite ALL that he has done. he was irrevocably a murderer, and a hand was still extended....

[dailynakaharachuuya]

(just some thoughts about things, I think its rather long so you don't have to read ❤️❤️)

[broke-on-books]

I think the universe just hates me personally (can't find my scooby doo comics)

[simmonsized]

The point of epilogues fix-it fics is not fixing everything because it sucked, but saving characters from their own downfall out of love, because you want to believe that people care about each other enough to notice negative changes in their own friends

[cheesey-rice]

I feel like with the Internet and all our society is kind of entering this new phase in terms of nationality of like, people who kind of think Nationalist-ly or Globally/human-ly? Like a lot of our communities and important social spaces are not as restricted by like relative global position anymore and it's like very easy to get news about shit happening halfway across the world.

[berrymeter]

i understand ppl steering clear from musicals for all kinds of reasons but goh youre missing out

[vaugarde]

also ig this is a bit of a hot take for mlp? but i don’t think i’m opposed to the idea of starlight glimmer being redeemed. like the whole point of the show is that friendship wins the day, so many characters being redeemed makes sense for the show’s themes and such. nor do i necessarily think she should have to suffer to earn her respect back. 

i do think the way it was handled was still awful tho like the entire bit with her town forgiving her instantly was a whole joke

[flavia8]

Just finished reading Horimiya.... it was such a slog XD

It started off alright, but around the halfway mark it dropped A LOT in quality. There's so many dropped plot threads, the pacing is wonky, the character development is lacking. LIke I genuinely wanted to quit reading it and the only reason I didn't was bc a friend recommended it to me. I cannot say I'd ever recommend it to anyone. It sucks bc it was a genuinely sweet and funny drama/romance/slice of life but then it got so boring! The characters got so stagnant and nothing really happened to progress anyone's development after a certain point at all? So many things were introduced and then dropped, never to be mentioned again. People may be like oh it just became a slice of life, so thats why it has no plot after a certain point. However, that excuse is hollow because slice of life stuff does have plots, simple ones yes but they do have them. It's like the series cannibalized itself. The characters lost dimension and stuff repeated over and over. Almost nothing got truly resolved. It was so annoying to read.

[cryptidapprentice]

ugh

[phantom-does-a-thing]

I love reading over fics from... a year ago (holy crap) and just noticing small things that I've changed with my writing and its so interesting.

[dykeserket]

..

[ja3yun]

i am on a jay bender and have been obsessed more and more as the days go by. what do u think would he be like as a bf? 🥹

jay has been bias wrecking me like crazy and this will not be good for my health but lets go: again there is smut so mdni!!

jake vers. | sunghoon vers. | heeseung vers.

first and foremost, he is putting his soul effort into you from the moment of your first date. when he is looking for a girlfriend, its a long term deal, not a fling or a quick summer romance. jay dates to marry. it can come across a bit 'whoa' but listen, he wouldn't be overbearing about it! he just wants to know that when he finds a partner that the effort he puts in will be worth jt.

dates when you're in the talking stages/getting to know will be very thought out, each detail will be meticulously planned based on your interests. he would love taking you to museums, dinner, camping, i think any date in which he could sit down and speak to you would be ideal for him. jay values connection over everything else so getting to know you during these dates and momentsnare crucial.

once you are in a relationship he is all you could ever ask for!! he is supportive, loving, affectionate, headstrong, and everything in between. i can see him really working hard to maintain a positive and steady paced relationship. he won't rush into things, knowing that the relationship has infinite time to blossom and develop - it's like a good meal, you don't scoff it down but savour it.

although steady, he is affectionate and always with you any chance he gets. jay is sooo romantic, more romantic than any of the others. his heart is so big that he has infinite love to give you, he will work you around his schedule, no matter how tired, he will always make time out of his busy day to see you. if he is on tour or really can't see you for whatever reason, he is facetiming you or calling you.

more under cut

when he comes to visit you, this might be controversial bc a lot of people don't see him as a yapper but i think he tells you everything about his day, particularly how he felt about everything (tired, excited, whatever). i think he would feel so comfortable with you and trust you so much that he confides in you about everything. i do think he would hold some things back, just as a way not to worry you - like his knee, i think he would play it off as no big deal even if it hurt really bad that day; worrying you isn't on his list.

jay is so used to looking after others and independent that he is either going to go two ways: babying you or asking to be babied. if its the first one, i think it comes second nature to him, he would look after you and make a fuss, doing acts of service like tying your laces when they come undone, making sure you don't go overboard when drinking (i need him for that), and generally care about your well being. OR he is going to come to you to be looked after. he would want a partner sensitive to his feelings, someone who can have open conversations about them and validate him. something about him tells me that he likes to be pampered by his partner; sharing baths where you cuddle and wash him, massages, make him dinner when he has had a long schedule, i do think he would love a face mask night in w you. its all about give and take with him, but he definitely loves to give a lot more.

as i've mentioned, he is headstrong and has core values. if you don't allign, he will literally try and persuade you to see his side of things. he loves to argue and debate, not in a mean or offputting way but rather in a 'i have this opinion, tell me yours and we'll discuss it' kind of way. loves to learn and expand his mind regarding knowledge so if you are knowledgeable about the world or certain things, he would love to listen and learn, possibly going as far as researching the topic on his own time. again though, you aren't changing his mind on his values but he will understand your point if you share them in an articulate manner. if you respect his opinin, he will respect yours!

it is obvious but he is cooking for you!!! he will prepare your favourite meals and also let you venture something knew. he doesn't always like to do it on his own though and will set up fun little 'cooking classes' to teach you. he can be a bit bossy but it looks hot on him so you never mind it. you will buy him silly kitchen gags like 'kiss the chef' apron etc. which he hates but he wears because it makes you laugh.

will also play guitar on quiet nights in, just as backing music, not to impress you or gain attention. he would just strum the guitar while you read or whatever you like to do. it will be the backingtrack to your conversation and i think he would cherish the calm and easiness in the air.

you must get along with his family. no question about it, he is so close to them that if they didn't like you, it would really impact your relationship. i think he would try and persuade his parents and try his absolute hardest to help you all get along; he might plan meals or day trips with you all to bond you. same goes for your family, whatever parental/guardian/sibling you have, he wants to impress them and get along with them. he is a family man through and through.

speaking of which, would talk marriage and kids with you quite early on, just to establish if this is something you are wanting. i think for sure marriage has to be on the table but kids are a tricky one, i feel like he understands that it is you who would be carrying the child/or/adoption would always be a choice. it can't just be his decision, he loves you so much that he would settle for being an uncle rather than a dad if you truly didn't want children (please be real core <3)

kisses: i think he loves to kiss you but not randomly, like he won't grab your wrist and spin you around to lay a smooch, he is the type to nuzzle your nose and tell you how beautiful you look. his kisses are soft and gentle, his tongue tender against yours as he devours you completely. hands ALL OVER your body when he kisses, loves to feel you on his finger tips. secretly, along with quality time and gift giving, i think physical touch is a love language for him.

bowchikawowow: rough and sensual. jay is going to do everything you like because as your relationship grows, he is going to make sure that he knows every little pleasure point on your body. LOVES to hear you moan and encourages it. 'let me hear you, baby' and 'do you like that?' are constant sentences in the bedroom. doesn't do quickies, likes to go for as long as possible. he is terrible for edging you, pushing you to the edge of tears while he withdraws his touch, his smirk would be plastered on his face. he would tell you how good you are for him, 'just a little more, my baby can handle that, right?' and ofc you would say yes!! kisses all over your body, lips all over your chest and tummy, loves to just feel you (again, physical touch).

aftercare is so important to him but i think because he already likes to look after you, it would be so normal. makes you tea, kisses and cuddles, words of affection and admiration; whatever you need, he will do it!

again, these are my opinion and if you disagree you are more than welcome to let me know what you think!! i love hearing opinons 🙏🏻

[urwonnly]

— ꩜ ENHYPEN BF HCS !

# maknae line ver.

# genre : fluff

# format : bulletpoint

# warnings : none :3

# note: idk how i feel abt these... i hope yall like them LOL wanted to get these done so i could start working on smth else (hehehe >:p) anyways pls leave feedback if u enjoyed!! xo, ki

# disclaimer(s): these r my opinions, they are not meant to be an accurate portrayal of any of them. this is me being delusional lmao

# tags : @hoonigiris @kimsohn.... once again, i lover u guys <3

⟢ SUNOO

he is your number one confidant; so genuinely supportive and is always there for you

he is So Shy at first, you will have to be patient with him because doing anything slightly romantic will make him blush and cringe into himself 

loves to be spoiled/doted on LOL…. its the key to his heart 

also likes to take care of you but more so as moral/emotional support; he listens to you when you're sad even though most of the time he already knows what you're upset about before you tell him. he just wants to be there for you all the time 

he is so full of love </3 even before you two were officially dating he knew he loved you as a person, as his person 

you two make it So obvious that you're together; always being right next to each other, holding hands, locking arms, giggling and messing with each other 

heart on his sleeve; he doesn’t ever hide how he feels about you and he expects you to do the same with him

your connection rly is very special; he understands you on a level no one else rly does

matching. couple. items.; skincare headbands, pj sets, phone cases, hoodies

he immediately buys anything he sees that reminds him of you; and he sees in you in everything

all in all, sunoo bears his heart to you and hopes that you do the same with him

⟢ JUNGWON

such a sweetheart </3 a lover boy through and through

i imagine u guys were friends first and then ended up developing feelings later 

gaslights himself into thinking you’re not into him like that LOL

you will have to be very straightforward with him bc it will take him a minute to fully believe you but once he does, he’s wrapped around your finger

he enjoys someone he can just be comfortable with; you lean on each other equally and allow yourselves to just relax in the others presence

wants someone to enjoy his youth with; doesn’t ask for much but for you to just be a steady person in his life 

the two of you grow together as a couple; you’re there for his achievements, he’s there for yours; he supports you and you support him; its an equal exchange with him 

always wants to talk to you; it doesn't even matter what about he just likes hearing your voice and seeing your face light up when you get on a topic of interest 

facetimes/video calls you everyday, leaves you voice messages when he's busy, sends you silly selfies to say he misses you and hopes you do the same 

also takes a lot of pics of you; he doesn't know how an entire album of you sleeping ended up in his phone….. he doesn't know who did that pfft nope

teases you lovingly, anytime you blush or get shy he makes it worse by calling you cute or saying things like “oooh why’s your face so red?” with a little evil giggle (your payback is calling him cute any chance you get and watching how shy he gets about it) 

at first, he's not very physical in his affections but as time goes on and you become more comfortable with one another, he starts to initiate physical affection more often;

he tucks your hair behind your ear, links your pinkies together randomly, wraps an arm around your waist, holds your hand but usually only when it's just the two of you; around other people its a lot more subtle

⟢ NI-KI

your best friend, ride or die for life above all else

dating him is fun and silly and easygoing; he eases your worries because you can just be yourself with him and vice versa 

nothing is ever too serious with riki, you enjoy each others company even if all you do is sit at home and play video games 

he always shows interest in you and the things you like and loves when you do the same for him

if you tell him you're trying to learn japanese for him his heart swells a bit; loves to share his culture with you even in little ways 

move nights, game nights, and arcade dates are a Must 

isn't the most affectionate around other ppl (bc his hyungs Will tease him) but when its just the two of you, he can be very loving

…most of the time though he just likes to mess with you affectionately; starts tickle fights out of nowhere, pokes you when he feels like you're not paying attention to him, copies your mannerisms and is constantly teasing you

you two are almost always bickering about something; he thinks its funny when you get fake annoyed at him 

teaches you choreo!! its probably one of his favorite things to do with you (even if you're not very good at it) 

when i think riki i think high school sweethearts; meeting each other in the hallways between classes, innocent pecks on the cheek before you part ways, silly banter, study sessions that you both give up on halfway through

thinks you’re cute but never says it; it’s not hard to tell though with the way he ruffles up your hair at random moments and is always giggling at you

he isn’t the msot emotional/romantic but deep down he really cares about you and wants you to be happy; when he does show moments of sentimentality it takes you by surprise

but you’re also not very lovey dovey so when you start to tear up you have to turn away and pretend you’re fine (riki stares like a deer in headlights if you actually start crying but will try his best to comfort you)

[etoilesbienne]

out of curiosity, what are the common qEtoiles mischaracterizations, and the accurate characterizations you wished people used more? Sincerely, an English speaking fan who is re-learning French!

honestly i kind of consider it a mischaracterization when people like... make etoiles into this team leader who always knows what to do and move things forward. or like that he has a bad attitude to like... match his fighting skills. or like the dark knight brooding warrior. he says he is these things. these are lies. he lies about himself constantly. i wouldnt trust a good 2/3 of the things he says about himself to be true. you read him clearer through his actions than his statements.

in my opinion etoiles is more like. sturdy second in command. he's not there to lead, he's there to fill in the holes where they pop up. he's there as cover. he's quick witted in shortchange scenarios, but that is so not the same thing as a genuine strategist. in another expression, if someone is a leader, the leader is a doctor, etoiles's role is more like... the EMS team in an ambulance. He's not there to fix your problem, he's there to keep your problem covered until you can get someone else to fully fix it. but that doesn't mean his role is any less important when he's needed.

Etoiles is also, like, so very much a team player if he respects and trusts a person. And it is so easy to have his respect and trust. His trust starts at 100% for everyone. he's also so very very very good at reading people (gesture to the bbh clip where bbh moves his mouse slightly downward and etoiles calls him out on being depressed). He read Mousey as enjoying dungeons and pvp way more and wanting to hang out with her. He's also one of the only people who like continuously runs in the girlies group and makes all of them pvp with him and they all love it so he keeps coming back to pvp with them. Thats how he started his whole thing with Tina and pvping with her constantly. Reading other people also, he loves finding other pvpers so he attacks roier constantly now bc he knows roier can pvp.

What else OH Etoiles loves whining (and this is because Rayou loves whining) that dude will just complain constantly. You haven't seen an etoiles stream if youve never seen him whine. Can't say I'm not kind of endeared by it. With this too he loves over explaining things (RIP armor powerpoint wish you couldve been given...) because he wants to help everyone....

OH and he's very over exaggerated too in replying to people in a complaining way and a self deprecating way and also likes to try to push the envelope with people and he does all of that to try and get a laugh out of others. like he's well aware people find him going "Oh so you don't give a shit about me and want me to die ? you want etoiles to die ?" fucking hilarious and also loves complaining in the first place thats why he does that. if your etoiles isn't complaining and whining then it isn't etoiles. the self deprecating thing is... its interesting bc he does have full faith in his abilities but will never say it out loud unless its trying to reassure someone who is worried. pushing the envelope is so specific he won't do it too much and its like........... from what ive seen (correct me if im wrong) heavily directed at non francophones where if they laugh at something wack he's done he'll try to do it again to make them laugh more. shoutout to the time he made bbh laugh so much when he cursed he didn't get languaged by bbh so he kept cursing to try to make bbh do it again. the dudes a total people pleaser.

smaller thing ive talked about extensively already (u can prob find it in my q!etoiles tag if i remember i'll edit a link to the posts in here soon lol) etoiles hates losing he looooooves winning he's very intense about it lol. its cute!

on a final note even if you don't become deeply unwell about etoiles like i am i think this highlight clip video has like everything he's like condensed into like 11 minutes. You should watch it. It's a good starting point.

[shadowdaddies]

Could you do the classic (in my opinion lol) “if I catch you, I fuck you scenario” with Rhys in Hewn city? I just know this man would have the time of his life teasing and chasing you through the halls.

it’s a classic for a reason 😎 I like the idea of doing this with Rhys bc he would make it interesting with his daemati abilities. This was fun to write, thank you anon

Hide and Seek

Rhys x Reader

Warnings: SMUT, predator/prey, light bondage, rough sex, minors dni or I'll send Bryaxis to live under your bed

You took a deep breath to try to settle your nerves as you set off down the avenue. You and Rhys had a bet: he gave you a ten minute head start once you arrived in Hewn City, and then he had ten minutes to find you. If Rhys found you within the ten minutes, he’d fuck you wherever he found you. 

You were running through the dark walkways as you scanned for any place to hide. With the silver bobbing faelights reflecting against the dark stone of the mountain, it was proving difficult to find a place in the open that you wouldn’t be easily seen. You snuck into the castle, pausing for a moment at the doors to the throne room. No, that would be too obvious. You continued on, becoming breathless and disoriented as you took in the dark artworks of beasts surrounding you. You stopped at the intersection of two hallways, trying to determine if the statue of the great, scaled black beast would be an adequate hiding spot. You turned around; which direction had you just come from? 

“Darling, your ten minutes are up. The hunt begins now,” Rhys’s voice purred in your mind. You panicked, questioning everything as you ran down the nearest hallway. What were you thinking, going into his own castle to hide from him? You opened the first set of doors you found, and quietly slipped into the room. You immediately realized you were in the council chambers. With the exception of the same beastly pillars from the castle halls and the large blacked-out glass table in the center of the room, there was no place to hide. Rhys’s voiced again echoed in your mind, “I can scent you, my love. Have you been lurking around our castle?” 

There was no option to go back into the hallways now, where Rhys would surely find you. You decided your best bet would be to hide under the table, where your reflection was at least hidden, and wait him out. “Not in the throne room, I see. What a shame, you do know how I love to take you on the dais,” Rhys taunted as he flashed memories in your mind of him fucking you on the floor, over the throne, against the pillars; you watching your reflection in the obsidian walls of the room. A shiver made its way up your spine as you were overcome with a wave of arousal. 

You heard slow, measured footsteps nearing the doors of the chambers, too close for your liking. Before you could devise an escape plan, however, the room went black. You suddenly felt like you were floating, suspended among the stars. You basked in the peacefulness of the sensation for a moment, until you felt hands grab around your ankles and pull. You screamed as your surroundings came back into focus. You were back on the floor of the council chambers, Rhys on his hands and knees above you, caging you in as he gave you a feline smirk of amusement. “Five minutes and twelve seconds, darling,” he said as he leaned down to kiss you. 

The kiss was surprisingly gentle, Rhys slowly massaging your tongue with his own as he poured love down the bond to you. You moaned and arched into his touch, causing a smile to form on his lips. He sat up, pulling you with him by your waist as he stood in front of the table and sat you down atop it. He stepped back to assess you, a predator sizing up his captured prey. You squirmed under his powerful stare, anticipation building in your core at what was to come. 

With a flourish of his hand, you were completely bare before him, to cold air of the room causing you to shiver, and you felt your warm arousal seep onto the table between your legs. Rhys noticed it too, locking in on your center with a feral intensity. He swallowed, licking his lips as he removed the belt from his pants. “Your wrists, darling,” Rhys purred at you, nodding his head towards your hands that were resting against the table. You lifted them up together for him, knowing what was coming next. He wrapped his belt around your wrists, securing them snugly together before lifting them above your head. “Keep these up here while I enjoy my reward, love,” he whispered as his eyes roved over your exposed body once more. 

He laid you back against the table, pulling you forward to where your legs were hanging over the edge. Rhys ran his hands in teasing circles up your legs, getting close to your center before dragging them away and further up your body, earning a frustrated huff from you. He chuckled, enjoying your obvious need for him. He continued roaming over your body with his fingertips, pausing to flick each of your nipples harshly as you moaned, desperate for more of his touch. Rhys continued to admire your body, kissing and sucking to leave marks all over your torso. You were writhing underneath him, dripping all over the table when you snapped, “gods, please just fuck me Rhys!” 

Rhys promptly stood up, arching an eyebrow at you with an expression of pure amusement. “Impatient, are we love? The fifteen minutes it took me to get to you was too much?” he cooed with fake sympathy as he towered over your form. “I won’t be gentle, darling,” he said, looking in your eyes as one hand idly stroked your hip. You found yourself feeling overheated despite the frigid temperature in the room, begging, “I don’t want gentle. I need you now, Rhys.”

“Well, who am I to deny my High Lady of her requests?” Rhys hummed as his clothes disappeared. He wasted no time lining himself up at your entrance. “Fuck, you’re dripping for me,” he  growled, swiping his free hand under his length to swipe your excess arousal from the table and sucking it into his mouth. He moaned at the taste of you, and something snapped inside of him. He moved both of his hands to your hips and pushed himself fully into you, immediately starting to pound at a relentless pace. The sounds of your collective moans and skin against skin echoed through the stone of the castle. “Fuck, harder Rhys,” you whined, wanting to have him as deep inside of you as possible. Wanting to be consumed by him. He grunted, flipping you over on your stomach so you were bent over the table, his hand wrapping your hair around one fist while he brought the other down to rub your clit. You reached your orgasm almost immediately as you screamed his name, clenching around his cock as he continued pounding into you. 

After a few moments, Rhys ground out that he was close to finishing. You felt him twitch inside of you just as the glass table cracked beneath you and split in two. Rhys quickly hauled you up by your chest before you could fall, slipping out of you as  his release spilled over your back. You both stood in silent shock for a moment before you turned to look at Rhys, and both of you burst out laughing. 

Running a hand through his hair and chuckling, Rhys consoled, “well, that table was older than I am. I guess it’s time we redecorated.” You gave him a mischievous smile as you leaned up to kiss his cheek and said, “maybe something more sturdy to fuck on next time.”

[catladyoftheyr]

Too Sweet (Ch. 2)

Harvey x Reader

Ch 1 ~ Ch 3 ~ Ch 4

Summary: this is based off Harvey’s 2 heart event in the game! I wanted to expand on it and add a little tension after their little meetcute. You go to visit George and Evelyn but Harvey is in the middle of a private session with them. You get caught in the middle of everything.

A/N: cliffhanger ending I guess bc I’m tired lmao. Not exactly fluff but not really angst either.

Word count: 722 it’s Smol

The end of spring had come around in the valley and the shift toward warmer weather had left you feeling rejuvenated. You were slowly settling into a new routine, making your way into the chicken coop to collect their eggs. The hens bobbed around affectionately at your feet and you bent down to ruffle them softly as you scattered feed. After the chickens were tended to you filled your watering can, still straining from its weight.

After you were satisfied with the progress on your morning chores you sat on your porch and admired the view. It was so quiet in the valley, no car horns or pounding construction. You noticed your tulips had bloomed and recalled Evelyn mentioning they were favorites. You gathered a few flowers as gently as possible, wrapping a pale ribbon around the stems to hold your makeshift bouquet in place. You laid the bouquet in a basket and started on your way into town.

Passing by the bus stop you noticed a patch of leeks that had sprouted. You added them to your basket, careful not to damage the flowers. Evelyn had mentioned they were her husband’s favorite in passing, and you’d grown fond of him as well. You found your mind wandering as you followed the path toward the elderly couple’s home. You thought about stopping by the saloon to buy Harvey a coffee, and to find out what Gus liked so you could properly thank him for his work.

Evelyn had made a point to tell you multiple times to let yourself in when you visit, no need for knocking. You turned the knob and stepped into the living room. You quickly realized you’d stumbled into something private. George and Evelyn were seated in the room, listening intently as Harvey preached about the importance of a balanced diet. Before you could turn to leave you heard the doctor’s voice call out.

“This is a private session. You can’t be here.”

“Sorry! I didn’t realize you were here. I was just leav-“

George cut you off mid-sentence as you tried to back out the door. “Wait just a minute. I want a second opinion. “

Harvey let out an exasperated sigh. “George please. I’m your doctor. I'd appreciate it if you’d trust me. I went to school for eight years; I'd like to think I’m qualified when I tell you to eat less sodium.”

“I think Harvey’s right, George,” you added sheepishly. “I’m sure he has your best interest at heart. Besides, there’s plenty of healthy options that taste great. I brought you some leeks” you raised the basket meekly. George’s expression softened.

“I suppose you’re right. I’m sorry for fighting you, Doc. And I appreciate your kindness toward little old me. Thank you for the leeks, they’re my favorite.” You said your goodbyes and apologized again for interrupting before setting the basket down on a table and leaving.

Your cheeks burned red when you walked into the sun again. You cursed silently for not knocking, or for dropping by so early. You’d never been so embarrassed. Harvey must think I’m a fool and a stalker you thought to yourself as you paced around town with no destination in mind. You turned back and walked toward home. You felt the tears well up in your eyes and prayed no one else would try to make conversation today.

You slid to the ground in the chicken coop, back against the wall with your head in your hands. Tears began to run down your cheeks while the morning's events ran through your head in a loop. You cried quietly for a while before you felt gentle pecking. You scooped the hen into your lap and laughed softly. “I screwed up today, Scramble.” The chicken looked at you inquisitively. “I totally blew it with that cute doctor. I walked in on him with a patient.” Scramble clucked sympathetically while you pet her. “I’m serious, I made a fool out of myself today. He’s never going to take me seriously now. He probably thinks I’m a total loser.” Your other hen cooed as if to respond from across the room. “You’re right, Henrietta. I don’t need him or his stupid mustache.”

“You think my mustache is stupid?” The coop door opened and Harvey stood in the entrance with a hurt expression.