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febuwhump · 29 days

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febuwhump 2024 survey results

has it been six months since febuwhump? yes. yes it has. nevertheless, here's the cold hard data (analysis) of the survey from febuwhump 2024: feb five.

firstly, this year was our most popular yet! with 1417 works in the official collection across 329 fandoms, we made (and shared) 103 fics more than 2023, and 770 more than my first year running febuwhump in 2021! this isnt even including all the art and fics posted to tumblr, or wasn't shared during the event, which would put our total so much higher!

the prompt list had 4000+ notes and i received 115 responses to the survey.

there were 62 people in the hall of fame, up from 51 in 2023.

the blog hit 2,683 followers, up from 1,946 at the end of the 2023 event.

across two independant check, based on the average word count of 2,000 words per fic in the 2024 collection, and aware of the multi-chapter fics (some of which were finished after the event), it is estimated that 2.8 million words were written for febuwhump 2024. which is just. fucking insane.

now, onto the survey results!

firstly: in what way did you participate in Febuwhump this year?

with extra write-ins not pictured, fanfiction was the overwhelming winner with 92 responses (82.6%), followed by original fiction (22.6%) and artwork (11.3%). interesting to me personally is the 4 responses who wrote poetry and the not-pictured 1 response who created web-weaving! which is very cool and i would like to see it.

fandoms

according to the survey:

the most popular fandoms written for were the star wars universe and legend of zelda universe (8/115 responses)

21 responses included original fiction

the majority of responses also referenced more than one fandom, meaning less people stuck to a single fandom or topic the entire time.

according to the collection:

21 anime/manga fandoms were represented

51 books/literature fandoms were represented, 12 being specific star wars subseries

24 RPF fandoms were represented, including bands and minecraft servers

the most popular fandoms written about in the collection were:

star wars (all media types) - 253 works

star wars: the bad batch - 80 works

torchwood - 66 works

original work - 56 works

my hero academia - 54 works

why and how

next, there were a lot of really lovely responses about why participants took part in febuwhump, a few favourite and repeated responses being that it seemed fun, they'd done it before and so wanted to do it again, and they liked to write about their favourite characters suffering. also, multiple people have been doing it for three of the four years i've been running it (of five total), and several were encouraged by friends!

the majority of participants discovered febuwhump through tumblr, the admin's tumblr, ao3 fics and discord servers. a handful said there's apparently a google doc floating around that houses a whump event calendar. i would be interested in seeing that if anyone's got it.

did you participate in Febuwhump 2020, 21, 22 or 23?

the majorty of respondants were new comers to febuwhump at 66.1% "no" to 33.9% "yes". the majority of comparisons to previous years referenced a noticably bigger community, more interaction on the blog, and the admin being more "confident" (oh, you guys), however several noted that the prompts felt more repetitive or samey this year than they did previously.

are you a Febuwhump completionist or participant?

a fairly even split, 51.3% of participants didn't finish compared to the 48.7% who did. however, only 88.1% of those completionists submitted to the hall of fame.

for those who didn't complete, the most common amount of prompts completed was 2 (13.6%), 3 (11.9%) and 12 or 6 (6.8%).

the most common place to share prompt fills was tumblr (74.8%), ao3 (72.2%), or choosing not to share at all (7%). several write-in responses said that they were planning to share in the future but hadn't yet. and while 76.4% of people submitted to the ao3 collection, those who didn't claimed it to be because the fics weren't ready to be shared on time, they weren't following the rules so didn't add to the collection, an inability to find the collection on ao3 (i swear i'm working on it) or shyness/fear.

what went well/even better if:

the only actual criticsm of the event received was that the blog was posting in a "spam"-like way, to the point that the participant almost unfollowed (and another suggested a reblog tag so it could be ignored easier if people didn't want to see the works throughout the month).

several comments asked for a later deadline for submission to the collection/hall of fame, which is going under advisement, but the current position is that by doing so, it makes the event a different event. there are no stakes to actually create once a day if, at the end of it, you actually get 2 weeks of extra time.

another couple mentioned there being too many dialogue prompts and vague prompts. this will be considered during the next voting period and prompt collation - potentially, if i allowed less dialogue prompts into the final 100 vote, less would make it through to the official 28, however the voting itself is out of my hands (unless voter fraud occurs once again).

the main suggestion for improvement (8 times out of 44 suggestions) was for an additional mod to help with reblogging more. (which imo flies in the face of the "spamming" from earlier, but there is surely a middle ground). this is likely to not happen, because i like running the event alone, despite the major burnout i receive every single year without fail. but thanks for your concern lol.

on discord:

31.3% of participants were in the discord server (which, this year, ignored the first year's 100 user cap and had 172 total users).

43.6% of people who didn't join the server did so because they hadn't heard of it, while the majority didn't join because they were either shy (the minorty) or don't use/like discord (the vast majority). i don't know if tumblr still does groupchats and if that would be a viable alternative, or if there is another forum/chat location that would work better (or to have in tandem), but i am open to suggestions.

of the people who were in the channel, most (33.3%) used it "rarely", followed by "most days" (25%) and "for half the month" (22.2%)

febuwhump 2025

the majority of responses wanted next year's colour scheme to either be red or green, but shout out to everyone who wanted orange, the person who said "children's hospital" and the other person who gave me this specific hex code: #4BEC13

which is vile, but also another vote for green.

finally, here are my favourite suggestions for febuwhump 2025's colloquial name. previously, we have endured febuwhump 2: electric boogaloo, febuwhump 3: tokyo drift, fourbuwhump and feb five.

febuwhump 6 suggestions:

fe6uwhump (which, i'll be honest, is a real contender)

"I don't know"

febuwhump 666

febuwhump: revenge of the sixth

"I don't know, sorry"

"febuwhump sex and make all the prompts kinky"

"??? i have been thinking about this for 10 mins"

febuwhump 6(9)

feBEEwhump

"i am bad at this"

"could not care less"

febuwhump feb five 2: electric boogaloo

apparently, i accidently made this a mandatory question and that made some of you mad :(

and that's the wrap up survey, six months late! any questions/queries/want to see some of that cold hard data? send me an ask. i'll actually respond to it i swear! (probably!)

#febuwhump #febuwhump 2024 #febuwhump2024 #survey #obsessed with everyone who was mean to me in this survey there were several of you lmao #legit send me asks about this i have THOUGHTS

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thedivinefish · 4 months

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TGIWednesday: Defining Shen disturbance

TGIWednesday News

TGIWednesday all! Remember that tomorrow is our Live Zoom event 💻 The theme is Body Clearings: Head to Toe Pre-register now & join us. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shen disturbance is a disruption of the mind that can have physical and emotional symptoms. Shen is considered the mind of the heart and is said to govern activities in the mental, spiritual, and creative realms. It embodies consciousness, emotions, and thought. 🤍 These are the folks you may see at parties being obnoxious, those that can't seem to ever stop talking or giving unsolicited advice. Condo Karen's, and in my case, the homeless guy that's at LA Fitness every day. Yes it sounds like a conundrum, but he has a membership and when in the locker room he is #expertlevel Chatty Cathy doll. I dread going in the locker room when I hear him droning on and on. 🙄 The other day I fished on it before I walked in there, and he barely said hello to me when his cell phone rang and he took the call and started rambling! I'm thinking who's calling him? But then at least he's not chewing my ear off about the mundane. Thank God for My Liquid Fish, Change made simple! 🎣 I hope today that peace and tranquility find you! Even if for only a moment, and in silence you feel grounded and at peace.

Reach out whenever we can help/contribute to you and yours in any way. View Calendar First, Then Pay and Schedule 15 mins | 30 mins | 60 mins | Appointments

TGIWednesday Video Download

~ FEELING GROUNDED AND AT PEACE ~

I believe, think, know and feel that I can feel grounded and at peace here and now. I am ready, willing and able to let go of over thinking and erratic vibes and trade them in for grounding and peaceful thoughts. I know when, where, how and why to ask for and accept guidance which allows me to feel safe and tranquil and so it is. I am asking in all languages and throughout all time lines and know that if you'll make a little daily progress the rest of your life will be the best of your life!

▶️ Watch here on YouTube - Please Like 👍 and Subscribe 🔔

LAST CALL - LIVE Zoom Event

Special Announcement! For the remainder of 2024, each month we will focus on the theme of Clearing the 7 Well-Springs of Life during our monthly Zoom event. Body, Mind, Spirit, Relationships, Health, Money, Work/Job/Career/Purpose

TOMORROW MAY 30, 2024 4:00pm ET | 1:00pm PT | 10:00pm UK Pre-registration is $22 30 minutes live | Includes replay access 👉https://calendly.com/jmh-calls/body-clearings-ywr Due by end of day today! Submit your 3 brief statements to change in the format below to [email protected] IMPT: All Darius YWR Season 27 Package B buyers are receiving this call free with your purchase. Look for a call confirmation email and reminders to send in your submissions in the coming days.

THEME: Body Clearings: Head to Toe 1) Check up from the Neck Up One of the clearing submissions from you can be about or include anything from the neck up. [No long stories, please be brief]. Suggestions include: stuck senses, sight, hearing, tinnitus, lack of taste, lack of smell, teeth issues, thyroid, throat, speaking, memory loss, hair loss, (you get the idea) 2) Torso / Main Body Clearing you from things like: shoulder pain, back issues, arm and hand challenges issues with blood circulation, organs, glands or systems, heart issues, lungs, acid reflux, indigestion, too much weight loss or gain. 3) From the Waist Down Items can include: elimination too loose or too constipated, sexual dysfunctions, bladder leakage, hips, knees, feet, adema, neuropathy, temperature of too cold or too hot, balance when walking, stamina. We want you to get the most out of the event and yet for it to be organized, and have a cadence or rhythm of clearings for everyone!

Pre-Register Here - $22

FREE Live Appearances

Watch and listen to hundreds of Radio Show replays for FREE here in the archives from the Jimmy Mack Healing Radio show.

https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack Own this e-book so that you can read inspiration every day!

MAY 29TH "Today I will remain childlike with my childhood friends and have a childlike state of mind. I will embrace that which is simple. I will find joy in the basics. I will breathe new life into my past and enjoy the now and know that the future will unfold with blessings."

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

From the Fish Box

MY DAILY PRAYER TESTIMONIAL

It makes me smile and feel supported. I guess spirit knows how to show me that I’m on the right track. We are going in the right direction. It’s changing in a positive way. My health is finally improving and opportunities are showing up. Just need to restore my brain Even on the way back last week driving through the mountains this big semi truck was right behind me for a while really closely. Big letters MACK right in my rear view mirror. I wish I could have taken the picture:) Thank you for your support." - Irene

What's On Deck?

We're in the homestretch working on the final touches for the newest release: Returning to Your Ethereal Restore Point PDF, MP3 and bonus clearings!

It's looking like a mid-June release and this thing really took on a life of it's own - I think you'll be really pleased with it. It's good for either the novice who just wants to listen and have things change and radiate higher in Energy, Frequency and Vibration. And the pros witll love it because it gives instructions on how to raise your energy and go above things. We're already getting in some amazing comments from our Beta testers.

Things people have said after listening to this:

"reinforcement of positive feelings"

"feels like a brain reboot"

"like a squeegee clearing gunk off your windshield"

"reminds me of my creative potency"

"it untangles the fish net of trauma and negative self-talk"

"relaxing and rejuvenating to listen to"

"easy to listen to but the impact is immense!"

"I definitely felt lighter each time I listened"

"If you had to choose one clearing track from Jimmy’s treasure chest...this would be it!"

"a powerful recording creating an instant positive shift in wellbeing, calmness, peacefulness, and lightness."

The Fish Market

Our online shop is getting a makeover! Get a preview now as you look over the 40+ audio titles in our MyBeliefWorks Audio Collections. Find a topic that addresses your issue(s) We had a lot of help downloading & channeling these over the years & they keep getting better and we are ALWAYS working on the next one. Don’t forget… you can share these with your immediate friends and family.

The Prosperity Collection The Body, Mind and Spirit Collection The Improve Your Life Collection

Browse over 45 Videos in the Zoom Replay Collection

The 5 Anchors Energy Process The Purple Rain Energy Process The Magical Golden Key Process TheNight Passage Sleep Process

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

Your name will be added to a special VIP Prayer list where Jimmy will use his intelligent computer software, src4you which runs 24/7, to delete the negative and increase the strength of the positive creating a higher probability of favorable outcomes for you. Looking for a new job? Going through a court proceeding? Upcoming surgery scheduled for you or a loved one? Need help selling or buying a property? Troubled times in your relationship? These are just some of the life at the crossroads events that are ideal for My Daily Prayer program.

30 Days of Daily Prayer (single month) - $99/month This $99 service is for ONE SINGLE MONTH of 30 DAYS ONLY. Click here After the 30 days, you will receive an email from Jimmy and have the opportunity to renew for an additional month plus update your list, but you are under no obligation.

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers.

**NOTE: Most clients save money and choose the auto-renew option listed below so they do not miss a single day of prayers PLUS they take advantage of the cummulative effects of this service over time. Monthly subscription - $95/month on auto-renew

Use PayPal for subscription Click here

Use Stripe for subscription Click here.

*Anytime prior to your next scheduled payment within the 30 days, you can cancel or pause this service via email request.

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

Could you use a private session? Are you feeling extra-crispy? If so, you can now Book Appointments... View Availability First, Then Pay 15 mins | 30 mins | 60 mins

Visit our Online Training Center "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" - Lao Tzu

All are welcome to CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT to access the NEW and IMPROVED My Liquid Fish Change Made Simple Basic Training Course. Anchors Away Masterclass: Sustain and clear and sovereign energetic field of dark energies and anomalies. Life Force Energy Masterclass: Enhance your fishing practice by approaching from a deeper, numeric level. MLF Mastery & Advanced Practitioner Certification Courses

Visit now, Click Here!

TGIFunny

Forward

Jimmy Mack | Appointments Transformational Healing of Body, Mind & Spirit, People, Places, Pets & Situations! View Availability First, Then Pay 15 mins | 30 mins | 60 mins Search FAQ Learn MyLiquidFish technique for FREE Clearing Audio Downloads and eBooks Get Certified in MLF Mastery or Practitioner Watch Free Videos on YouTube Radio Show Archives Healing and Grounding Mats ...enter code: MyLiquidFishfs at checkout for Free shipping! http://www.jimmymackhealingshop.com www.jimmymackhealing.com ©1996-2024 All Rights Reserved.

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.sandybidinger.com

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divinefishingtips · 4 months

Text

TGIWednesday: Defining Shen disturbance

TGIWednesday News

Reach out whenever we can help/contribute to you and yours in any way. View Calendar First, Then Pay and Schedule 15 mins | 30 mins | 60 mins | Appointments

TGIWednesday Video Download

~ FEELING GROUNDED AND AT PEACE ~

▶️ Watch here on YouTube - Please Like 👍 and Subscribe 🔔

LAST CALL - LIVE Zoom Event

Pre-Register Here - $22

FREE Live Appearances

Watch and listen to hundreds of Radio Show replays for FREE here in the archives from the Jimmy Mack Healing Radio show.

https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack Own this e-book so that you can read inspiration every day!

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

From the Fish Box

MY DAILY PRAYER TESTIMONIAL

What's On Deck?

We're in the homestretch working on the final touches for the newest release: Returning to Your Ethereal Restore Point PDF, MP3 and bonus clearings!

Things people have said after listening to this:

"reinforcement of positive feelings"

"feels like a brain reboot"

"like a squeegee clearing gunk off your windshield"

"reminds me of my creative potency"

"it untangles the fish net of trauma and negative self-talk"

"relaxing and rejuvenating to listen to"

"easy to listen to but the impact is immense!"

"I definitely felt lighter each time I listened"

"If you had to choose one clearing track from Jimmy’s treasure chest...this would be it!"

"a powerful recording creating an instant positive shift in wellbeing, calmness, peacefulness, and lightness."

The Fish Market

The Prosperity Collection The Body, Mind and Spirit Collection The Improve Your Life Collection

Browse over 45 Videos in the Zoom Replay Collection

The 5 Anchors Energy Process The Purple Rain Energy Process The Magical Golden Key Process TheNight Passage Sleep Process

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers.

Use PayPal for subscription Click here

Use Stripe for subscription Click here.

*Anytime prior to your next scheduled payment within the 30 days, you can cancel or pause this service via email request.

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

Could you use a private session? Are you feeling extra-crispy? If so, you can now Book Appointments... View Availability First, Then Pay 15 mins | 30 mins | 60 mins

Visit our Online Training Center "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" - Lao Tzu

Visit now, Click Here!

TGIFunny

Forward

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.sandybidinger.com

0 notes

365dailyaffirmations · 4 months

Text

TGIWednesday: Defining Shen disturbance

TGIWednesday News

Reach out whenever we can help/contribute to you and yours in any way. View Calendar First, Then Pay and Schedule 15 mins | 30 mins | 60 mins | Appointments

TGIWednesday Video Download

~ FEELING GROUNDED AND AT PEACE ~

▶️ Watch here on YouTube - Please Like 👍 and Subscribe 🔔

LAST CALL - LIVE Zoom Event

Pre-Register Here - $22

FREE Live Appearances

Watch and listen to hundreds of Radio Show replays for FREE here in the archives from the Jimmy Mack Healing Radio show.

https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack Own this e-book so that you can read inspiration every day!

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

From the Fish Box

MY DAILY PRAYER TESTIMONIAL

What's On Deck?

We're in the homestretch working on the final touches for the newest release: Returning to Your Ethereal Restore Point PDF, MP3 and bonus clearings!

Things people have said after listening to this:

"reinforcement of positive feelings"

"feels like a brain reboot"

"like a squeegee clearing gunk off your windshield"

"reminds me of my creative potency"

"it untangles the fish net of trauma and negative self-talk"

"relaxing and rejuvenating to listen to"

"easy to listen to but the impact is immense!"

"I definitely felt lighter each time I listened"

"If you had to choose one clearing track from Jimmy’s treasure chest...this would be it!"

"a powerful recording creating an instant positive shift in wellbeing, calmness, peacefulness, and lightness."

The Fish Market

The Prosperity Collection The Body, Mind and Spirit Collection The Improve Your Life Collection

Browse over 45 Videos in the Zoom Replay Collection

The 5 Anchors Energy Process The Purple Rain Energy Process The Magical Golden Key Process TheNight Passage Sleep Process

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers.

Use PayPal for subscription Click here

Use Stripe for subscription Click here.

*Anytime prior to your next scheduled payment within the 30 days, you can cancel or pause this service via email request.

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

Could you use a private session? Are you feeling extra-crispy? If so, you can now Book Appointments... View Availability First, Then Pay 15 mins | 30 mins | 60 mins

Visit our Online Training Center "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" - Lao Tzu

Visit now, Click Here!

TGIFunny

Forward

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.sandybidinger.com

0 notes

advancedthetapractitioner · 4 months

Text

TGIWednesday: Defining Shen disturbance

TGIWednesday News

Reach out whenever we can help/contribute to you and yours in any way. View Calendar First, Then Pay and Schedule 15 mins | 30 mins | 60 mins | Appointments

TGIWednesday Video Download

~ FEELING GROUNDED AND AT PEACE ~

▶️ Watch here on YouTube - Please Like 👍 and Subscribe 🔔

LAST CALL - LIVE Zoom Event

Pre-Register Here - $22

FREE Live Appearances

Watch and listen to hundreds of Radio Show replays for FREE here in the archives from the Jimmy Mack Healing Radio show.

https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack Own this e-book so that you can read inspiration every day!

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

From the Fish Box

MY DAILY PRAYER TESTIMONIAL

What's On Deck?

We're in the homestretch working on the final touches for the newest release: Returning to Your Ethereal Restore Point PDF, MP3 and bonus clearings!

Things people have said after listening to this:

"reinforcement of positive feelings"

"feels like a brain reboot"

"like a squeegee clearing gunk off your windshield"

"reminds me of my creative potency"

"it untangles the fish net of trauma and negative self-talk"

"relaxing and rejuvenating to listen to"

"easy to listen to but the impact is immense!"

"I definitely felt lighter each time I listened"

"If you had to choose one clearing track from Jimmy’s treasure chest...this would be it!"

"a powerful recording creating an instant positive shift in wellbeing, calmness, peacefulness, and lightness."

The Fish Market

The Prosperity Collection The Body, Mind and Spirit Collection The Improve Your Life Collection

Browse over 45 Videos in the Zoom Replay Collection

The 5 Anchors Energy Process The Purple Rain Energy Process The Magical Golden Key Process TheNight Passage Sleep Process

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers.

Use PayPal for subscription Click here

Use Stripe for subscription Click here.

*Anytime prior to your next scheduled payment within the 30 days, you can cancel or pause this service via email request.

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

Could you use a private session? Are you feeling extra-crispy? If so, you can now Book Appointments... View Availability First, Then Pay 15 mins | 30 mins | 60 mins

Visit our Online Training Center "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" - Lao Tzu

Visit now, Click Here!

TGIFunny

Forward

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.sandybidinger.com

0 notes

shinners03temptation · 6 months

Text

At some point, I am asking why is this happening into my life. Why? But aren't we all. Today I decided to check PRC FB page for my oath taking again.

Just a back story of why I havent had a chance to take my oath taking after my board exam... So originally it was scheduled on December 22, 2023 at Manila Hotel. I was having a hard time to go back again in Manila because of financial problems plus it was December meaning it cost more than the original fare since I cannot afford it and I have plans on the same date, which is my cousins wedding in Bacolod, I decided to postpone it. January came and one of my junior asked me if I would like to join her in upcoming oath taking in Cebu on January 13, it was again a bad timing since it's my lolo's wake and upcoming burial on 16, my relatives are all present and of course we need to be there too. I declined and tell her the reason why I cant go with her. Past after that week, I asked for another update on how it went, my junior told me it was an incorrect date and it was actually on January 25. I didn't know there was even a notice from the official page so I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Days past by and ask for another update and got a reply that she successfully had an oath taking. On February, I was asking myself whether there is still an oath taking I can take in and I know from the 3 of us who took the board exam the other one did not have a chance to take the oath as well. So we were messaging and giving updates if there is another oath taking again. It was February 15, I got a message from one of the passer of the board exam asking about the requirements, he said there is an upcoming oath taking in 17. So it was 2 days only and it was in Mindanao kinda far as well as Manila take note we dont know anyone from there so its scary to take risk plus the fare was high since it was rushed. Again, I declined. Here comes March, I tried to check the page on the first week and got nothing. Many attempts to have an update and got nothing. On this day, I decided to check for another update again and guess what, there is an update however the scheduled date was due already. 1 day past due, March 13 at 9:00 AM and it was already March 14 at 10:30 PM. In my frustration, I cried so hard at the coffeeshop. 4 months. It has been 4 months since I'm waiting for that virtual oath taking. I message my colleague about the news. And he knew it way before than I did, I felt betrayed and added into my frustration but then again if I was very calculated in the timeline when they posted it... They have post it 3 days ago so when you calculate it backwards it was around March 10 and on the website it says "The online registration will close 5 calendar days before the virtual oathtaking day." so what was that all about? How can we have time to register if they have posted it after they have closed the registration. Somehow my emotions subsided, I was really thankful for my boyfriend who helped me calmed down.

So I guess now, what I'm going to do is just wait for another scheduled oath taking probably on December. Focus on my career as of now and earn more.

#3-14-24 #oathtaking #motivation #RND

0 notes

love-fireflysong · 2 years

Note

Hi. I would love to see #65 for Chrashley 🥺❤️

65. One Small Kiss, Pulling Away For An Instant, Then Devouring Each Other

(ao3 link)

It had been a little over a week since the events on Blackwood Mountain. A little over a week since she had watched Josh (or what she had believed to be Josh) cut in half no more than two feet away from her and had become drenched in (what she had also believed to be) his blood. A little over a week since she had scoured all the many basements of the lodge with Chris for any trace of Sam. A little over a week since she watched the same lodge burn to cinders and ash in the early morning dawn, her fingers frozen in the snow and her ears ringing painfully from the sound of the explosion.

A little over a week and she hadn’t felt safe again since. Not when she was unable to leave the horrors of that night behind.

Horrors she still relived every night in her nightmares, as the deep, dark shadows under her eyes proved. Or at least, during the times when she was even able to fall asleep in the first place. According to the doctors who had looked over Ashley, while she was fine physically (aside from the angry black eye of course), her head was another thing entirely. The head trauma she had been left with had ended up being one monster of a concussion. Leaving her nauseous and unable to fall asleep most nights, tossing and turning in the dim light of her room as her ears still continued to ring.

But despite the heavy bags under her eyes, today was already shaping up to be a good day. While she'd certainly had nightmares, she had only woken up screaming twice instead of the usual four or five. Plus, she'd been able to fall asleep after each of them fairly quickly so she'd actually managed a combined few hours of sleep for the first time all week.

All of which was only improved by the fact that she'd actually been able to eat something this morning for breakfast. Which her mother seemed relieved about if nothing else, Saundra had made nearly all of Ashley's favourites to try and entice her to eat something after all. The issue had never been in keeping the food down though, but in getting Ashley to eat any of it in the first place. It was a vicious cycle: the concussion made her too nauseous to eat more than a couple of bites, and the resulting hunger would just make her more nauseous than before, and on and on. And yet, she had eaten a fairly large amount this morning. Almost a full plate of homemade belgian waffles—topped with berries, whipped cream, and actual maple syrup—with a side of seasoned hashbrowns, and a large glass of orange juice to wash it all down.

There had been some breakfast sausages as well—the big maple flavoured farmer's sausage even—but those had gone untouched. While they were an expensive treat that they could rarely get and she had always loved them growing up, she couldn't even look at them without almost hyperventilating now; not with her brain being flooded with images of pig carcass's strung up by chains and the fresh scent of blood filling her nose and mouth.

And yet, despite the near-panic with the pork, the rest of the morning had gone well enough that Ashley actually felt brave enough to leave the relative safety of her home for the first time since the mountain. It had taken a not insubstantial amount of time to try and convince Saundra of that fact though, almost an hour of begging and pleading and even then her mother had only barely relented. The fact that the place in question would be the Hartley residence meant very little to her, only agreeing after Ashley swore that they would turn around or leave the second it looked like she was about to start freaking out.

And yet, while she had agreed to any and all stipulations in a heartbeat, Ashley almost hadn't been able to even make out the threshold of her own front door. The second she had left the building, the sight of the thick and heavy layer of freshly fallen snow was nearly enough to make her want nothing more than turn right back around so she could bury herself under the protection of her blankets. Involuntarily, her body froze on the front step as she held her breath. The only reason she was able to move again after that was the realization that although the sky was fairly overcast, they didn't come out to hunt during the day and she was safe. Still, she tucked her head down onto her chest and all but ran to the idling car at the end of the sidewalk. Just in case.

The second she opened the passenger-side door, the warm air buffeted against Ashley as she practically threw herself in the vehicle. The warm air was like a wall, strong and thick enough that it made her feel at least marginally safe again and she let out a sigh of relief and was brought back to her senses just in time to see the suspicious and worried frown on Saundra's face.

"I'm fine," she tried to reassure her mother, and when the frown only deepened she doubled down. "Really Mom, I'm okay."

Clearly, Saundra didn't believe her or her shaky voice. "I just watched you freeze on that step with my own eyes. You looked like you were about to pass out until you suddenly bolted out of there. And not only were you acting like you were being chased the entire time, you were in such a hurry to get in here that you nearly landed in my lap. That's what I call the exact opposite of okay Ashley." She punctuated the statement by turning off the engine. "We're going back inside right now. I knew this was going to be too much for you."

Faster than even Ashley had thought possible, her hand had covered her mother's to prevent her from removing the key from the ignition. "Please Mom, don't make me go back inside. It was just a stupid moment of panic and it won't happen again. But I promised Chris that I would go over to see him today. I promised Mom! Just like you promised me that it was okay for me to go."

"No, I only promised it would be fine if you were truly okay, and you're very clearly not."

"Please Mom! I swear that I'm okay now and it won't happen again! Please!"

Saundra sighed. "I still don't think it's a good idea. Why can't he just come over here to see you instead?"

"Cause the doctor's said that he isn't supposed to leave his house for at least another week. He's not supposed to put any weight on his leg at all, and it's still too icy out for him to chance it even with his crutches." She was lying, but only just a little bit so she hoped that her mother wouldn't catch on. If Chris truly was housebound until further notice then he had never mentioned it to her.

Thankfully, Saundra saw only Ashley's desperation to go and see her best friend for the first time in nearly a week, and not the little white lie as she once again turned the key in the ignition and the car came back to life. "Fine. But I'm not happy with it, and I will turn the car around the next time I see you freak out like that again. And I mean it this time."

Ashley knew better than to fight her, so she only nodded gratefully in understanding. Until the act made the inside of her head feel like her brain was being tossed around her skull. Acting quickly to try and hide how nauseous the movement made her feel, she quickly threw her arms around her mother in a tight hug and repeated 'thank you' over and over again in increasing tones of relief.

Thankfully, the drive over to Chris's house was relatively short, if uneventful and quiet. In a few short minutes Saundra had parked in front of the house, and had quickly followed behind her daughter. Likely to see if Ashley would freeze yet again, but she needn't have worried. As they had gotten closer and closer with every minute on the drive over, it had been hitting Ashley that while it had been nearly a week since the horror on Blackwood Mountain, it had thus also been nearly a week since she had seen Chris. So the moment she had exited the vehicle, she had been so hyper focused on the door that would be the final barrier to seeing him again that she had managed to completely block out not only the snow, but all the long, spindly shadows cast onto it as well.

Ashley doesn't even hesitate once she reaches the Hartley residence's front steps, her finger darting towards the doorbell and pressing the button firmly. The quiet little melodiac chime she could easily hear even standing outside was so familiar that it set her even more at ease. Ease that was starting to fade the longer and longer she had to wait on the steps though.

The longer no one came to the door though, the more aware she became of the leafless tree just outside the house. The shadow being cast from its empty branches onto the snow below looked terrifyingly similar to long, razor sharp claws that could tear through skin as though it was paper. Only becoming more heightened of the wind whistling through the same tree, a sharp shriek that had the hairs on the back of her neck rising in terror. The sharp, bitter cold around her becomes a hand in her chest, wrapping its long, spindly fingers around her heart and squeezing the air from her lungs. Her blood had turned to ice and she was finding it harder and harder to breathe as the once familiar and idyllic view of the Hartley home turned into that of a burned out husk.

The only thing that kept Ashley rooted to the front steps and stopped her from panicking and running back to the safety of the car, was the tight grip on her phone in her pocket and, more importantly, the promise she made on it. So swallowing down the terror that's filling every inch of her, she does her best to remember that the burning building in front of her isn't real and hastily aims for where she knows the doorbell is to ring it once again.

She promised him. She promised, she promised, she promised, she promised—

Ashley's broken out of her thoughts by the sound of an unsteady gait on the other side of the door and then the click of the lock disengaging so it can be opened, and she doesn't think she's ever heard a more beautiful combination of sounds in her whole entire life.

"Oh, well this is certainly a pleasant surprise! It's wonderful as always to see you Ashley."

Even though Chris's father was smiling down at her with a wide, pleased grin, all Ashley could feel was confusion at Gabriel's words. Confusion that only made her feel small and her voice reflected it easily. "Chris didn't mention that I was going to be coming over today? He really didn't say anything about it?"

Immediately, the smile drops slightly. The already heavily wrinkled skin on Gabriel's face becomes even deeper as his brow furrows, leaning heavily onto his cane so he could look over his shoulder back into the house. "No," he finally admits slowly, "he never said a word."

Feeling like her heart is being slowly ripped to pieces in her chest, the sensation is only made worse by the fact that Ashley can feel her mother staring suspicious and mistrustful daggers into the back of her head.

"Ashley..." the warning in Saundra's voice would have normally had Ashley spinning to confront her mother in desperation (and likely sending her vision swimming until she blacked out right here on the Hartley's front steps), but instead she found her body locking up. Standing frozen stiff on the front steps as a primal sort of terror gripped her mind before she even knew it had happened, breath frozen in her lungs in her attempt to keep perfectly still and silent.

To protect herself from a monster that would tear her from limb to limb otherwise.

"You didn't lie to me about this, did you?"

And just like that, that terror from before was over. Replaced with something much more deep set and emotional as she finally (and slowly) turned to face Saundra with wild, desperate eyes. The already white-knuckled grip on the phone in her pocket is only becoming tighter. "I didn't! I didn't lie! I-I-I don't know why Chris didn't mention it, but I swear I didn't lie!"

Upon seeing the suspicion on Saundra's face only deepen, Ashley pulled out her phone with shaking hands and voice alike. Despite the frantic movements of her shaking hands though, it is with well-practiced ease that she turns on her phone and then taps onto the messenger app so she can show her mother her text thread with Chris. "I-I can prove it! Look, I got all of texts from last night here and—"

Her words and voice stop abruptly when she stares down at the text thread between her and Chris and sees and reads what's there, or rather, what isn't there. The hours-long conversation between them that had ended with her promising to go over and see him is completely gone. Instead, all she sees as the most recent text was a short message from Chris bemoaning the terrible cell and data service in the Pines and that he could already feel the withdrawals coming on.

A text he had sent a full week ago now, just after he had gotten off the bus that had stopped at the base of Blackwood Mountain. A text that she had received only a few short hours before her once planned night of sitting all snuggled up in front of the fire with a warm mug of hot chocolate in hand had turned into a night filled with nothing but showers of blood and screaming over the sharp mechanical shrill of buzzsaws.

"I don't... I don't understand." Just to make sure, Ashley shut down the app and reopened it and the text thread alike, but there was no change. The grey text bubble almost mocking her as she once again closed and reopened the text messenger, as though expecting that continuing to do so would deliver a different outcome to no avail. "I-I swear that they were there just last night."

A heavy weight of a hand on her shoulder has Ashley visibly flinching away with a startled gasp from whoever (or whatever) it was was that touched her, but it does at least break her out of the hopeless and repetitive wishes that maybe now would be different, that the texts that she still remembered so clearly would finally appear. Instead, she slowly turns with wide, scared eyes to see Gabriel still standing just inside the threshold of the door with his hand outstretched and hanging in the air.

She thinks that the smile he gives her was supposed to come out warm and reassuring, but there's far too much worry everywhere else on his face to make it believable. "Come on, what do you say we continue this conversation inside where it's warm?"

Saundra hurridly interjects before Ashley can even think of agreeing. "Absolutely not. We clearly shouldn't have even come in the first place. The only place that Ashley should be right now is home."

"Exactly. I couldn't agree more. And seeing as our home is her home as well, she'll be completely safe here." Gabriel takes a step to the side and places even more of his weight onto his cane as he loosely gestures to the inside of his house with his hand. An invitation for Ashley—if not both of them—to come inside as clear as day.

Saundra sputters indignantly. "Gabe! My daughter's concussion has apparently worsened to the point that she's started hallucinating!"

"Oh come now Saundra, you know just as well as I do exactly how bright and imaginative Ashley is. Better even! It was more than likely just a dream and she woke up convinced that the conversation had actually happened. And if she missed Chris enough to even dream about texting him of all things, then I see no harm in letting her stay."

"You really mean it?" Ashley whispered hopefully, successfully interrupting her mother before she could make another argument against the point. "I can still come in? Even though I didn't..."

Gabriel actually looks a little startled at her words, but it quickly morphs into a warm, paternal smile that manages to stop her right in her tracks. "Of course. I meant what I said earlier, just because we didn't expect to see you today doesn't mean that the surprise wasn't a wonderful one. No matter what happens, you'll always be welcome in our home Ashley." His expression falls as he turns just enough to look crestfallen inside the house. When he speaks again, it's with his voice so sad and low that she doesn't think she was supposed to hear it in the first place. "And honestly, I think that even just the sight of you would Chris a world of good alone."

That alone proves to Ashley that coming here was the correct choice. Whether or not it was because of a dream or a hallucination or whatever, this was absolutely, one hundred percent the right thing to do today. No matter what her mother thinks, Ashley refuses to leave until she can at least see and speak to Chris.

The second that she crosses the threshold of the door and into the Hartley home entryway, she can feel herself finally relax. The house is warm, almost insufferably so as per the usual, and she can easily hear what sounds like Lilith doing the dishes in the kitchen just down the hall. The old-fashioned wallpaper that adorns the walls and the well-worn rug beneath her feet fills her with a sense of security and calm. With almost no hesitation, she's toeing off her winter boots and placing them on the nearby shoe rack and shrugs off her jacket to hang it on her peg right next to Chris's coat.

Gabriel hadn't been wrong, walking into the house felt almost like coming home again. And yet, no matter how familiar and inviting the interior, Ashley couldn't help but still feel a little on edge. Like something was going to jump out at her at any second.

Behind her, she can hear Saundra grumbling under her breath even as she hands Gabriel her own coat, clearly not happy with how events had proceeded thus far. Ashley watches Gabe hang her mother's coat onto an empty peg as well, but noticeably not the one right after her own, not the one that had been Josh's peg. She tries to ignore the action as best she can, but still can't help how her heart sinks just a little in guilt at the sight, can't help the low boil of anger and hate that's starting to boil up either.

To try and ignore that as well, Ashley shifts her attention to Gabriel's cane. Ever since Ashley had first seen both it and him when he had opened the door, something had seemed wrong and out of place for some reason. A reason that Ashley knows, and knows that she should know, but it's information that is unavailable to her right now. Just like a bunch of other knowledge and memories that she hasn't been able to access for a week now, the info itself is at the tip of her fingers but thanks to the effects of her concussion, hasn't been able to access again.

It's like her brain was filled with a thick fog that was hard for her to navigate, and the few times she had found the spot where the information she wanted was stored, it had been all but destroyed completely. Leaving behind the basic shape of a jigsaw puzzle that she recognized and knew what the finished picture would look like, but nearly all the pieces had been scattered to the floor. And every time she tried to put the puzzle back together again, would realize that she was not only missing important, core pieces but also found that pieces from other, random puzzles had been mixed in as well.

Ashley's stare must have been more intense than she had originally thought, because Gabriel notices it almost right away and follows her gaze down to his cane with a sad smile.

"Lil and I agreed that it would be best to postpone the surgery," he explains. "Our son's well being is far more important right now than this old man's health. Pain isn't too bad anyway as long as I keep taking my steroids. I'm used to it at this point so I can live with it a while yet."

Just like that, the thick, syrupy fog in Ashley's mind cleared for but a moment and the picture that lay behind it was whole and complete once again. She couldn't believe that she had ever forgotten about Gabe's upcoming hip replacement, and that the surgery for it had originally been scheduled for just yesterday morning in fact. Chris had been so worried about it that she couldn't even count the number of times that he had called her late at night to talk about the upcoming operation.

About how relieved he was that his dad was finally getting the operation he had sorely needed, but also how Chris felt bad he wasn't going to be able to help out with the recovery back home. He was stuck in his own dorm a nearly three-hour drive away after all, meaning that his mom was going to have to take on nearly the full brunt of the workload herself. Being the sole caretaker for the next six weeks at most when she was dealing with her arthritis.

"I'm sorry," Ashley whispers ashamed. Ashamed at forgetting something as important as this. Ashamed for being a part of the reason that Gabe had had to postpone the surgery in the first place. Ashamed that he had to postpone when he had been waiting almost a year and a half for the operation. Ashamed that he would now likely have to wait at least another six months on the waiting list until a spot opened up again.

Gabriel just waves off her apology with another one of his paternal smiles as he leads Ashley and her mother down the hall and into the kitchen. "There's absolutely no reason for you to apologize Ashley, no one could have expected what happened to you all on your trip. And I was the one to bring up cancelling the surgery anyways the second that Chris came back home. It was my decision to make and I don't regret making it in the slightest."

"Who was that at the door Gabe? Oh, it better not have been that nosy Shannon Bluman from next door again! If it was I do hope you gave her what for—oh my goodness! Ashley?!"

Ashley hears the crackly voice of Chris's mother before she even see's her. And even then, all she gets is a glimpse of Lilith once she turns the corner into the kitchen proper. His mother is drying her hands on a floral patterned towel that she immediately drops in shock before she's wrapping Ashley up in a warm hug.

Just like always, Ashley is reminded of how different, yet similar hugging Chris's mother is when compared to her own. Lilith's hugs are always over quick, but it's a tight, sure squeeze with hands that are shaky from age on her back. So different when compared to the loose yet long embrace that Saundra always gives, grip firm and steady the whole time.

And yet, while the actions may be at odds, the feelings behind the embrace itself are always the exact same. It's the same warmth and familial love that she's always felt from her own mother. So while Ashley may have been taken a little aback at the unexpectedness of the hug, she nonetheless returns it easily and gratefully.

When Lilith stepped back from the hug a short moment later, it was originally with a warm, bright smile that quickly vanished with a shocked gasp. Her blue eyes (the same exact blue eyes as her son in fact) widening in horror behind the thick lens of her glasses as she got her first good look at the condition of Ashley's face, and Ashley can't blame her.

Not when nearly the entire left side of her face is covered in ugly yellow-brown bruises, her eye still puffy and swollen from where Josh had punched her. The only colour in her pale face was from the deep, dark bags under her eyes from countless nights of waking up screaming from nightmares about long, sharp claws and the high-pitched whir of sawblades and blood. Her eyes themselves were no longer bright and clear, but almost dull and glassy from the concussion she had received and was still fighting the effects of even now. And even as she stands in the warmly lit and spice-scented air of the kitchen, Ashley's hunched in on herself, trying to make herself as small a target as possible to whatever may be out there.

Slowly, Lilith takes Ashley's face into her trembling, wrinkled hands. "Oh sweetheart," she whispered out horrified, "what happened to you?"

You should see the other guy, Ashley's mind mockingly answers back in a voice that sounds hurtfully like Josh's, cause oh man he really got his shit wrecked. Not that she can deny it of course, Josh had gotten off way worse than she ever did, and her stabbing him in the shoulder with a pair of sewing scissors had been the least of his problems. He had ended up being tied up and locked away in the shed in the freezing cold for everyone's 'safety', and that had all been before he had gotten dragged off by the cannibalistic monster that had once been his own sister. She didn't even know if he was still alive or not, but she hoped he was dead. For his own sake if nothing else.

No matter what he had done to her (and Chris) that night, no one deserved what had happened to Hannah.

Ashley says none of this obviously. She doesn't know if Lilith or Gabriel have been told the full story of what actually happened, and she doesn't want to be the one to tell them. "Where is he?" She asks instead, her voice shaking just a little as she does. "I just... I just want to see Chris if that's alright."

Immediately, the horrified look on Lilith's face changes to something much more sympathetic. "Of course, dear. He's just downstairs in the basement watching a movie right now—" there must have been something that crossed Ashley's face at that revelation because without even a pause Lilith is adding "—but I'll go with you if you don't mind waiting just another minute or two. I could use the help in bringing down some snacks for the two of you."

Lilith doesn't even wait for her answer, already rifling through the pantry until she brings out an ever familiar tupperware of cookies and hands it to Ashley with a motherly smile before turning around and digging through the cupboard by the stove and removing a plate. "That should hopefully do for now, but I can bring down some of my hot chocolate later on if you'd like as well."

Ashley can't help but smile wistfully at that. Lilith's personal hot chocolate was to die for, even if it took nearly thirty minutes to make. "That would be wonderful, thank you."

Saundra, it seems, has other ideas. "That won't be necessary Lilith. We only plan on staying for a few minutes anyways, just long enough for Ashley to say hi to Chris and then we'll be out of your hair."

"Nonsense," Lilith scoffs as she takes the plate and cookies back from Ashley to carry downstairs herself. "The two of you will be staying for dinner of course. It's not like we're not used to setting out an extra two plates every now and again, as I'm sure you're familiar with yourself."

"Lilith, please. I really don't think—"

Lilith ignores her. "Gabe? Do be a dear and put on a fresh pot of coffee would you? Oh, and there should even be some scones left over from what the Devon's brought over just the other day in the fridge as well. So if you could just pop those into the oven to warm them up for me I would appreciate it. I'll be back once I drop off Ashley and these cookies." She gave a deep sigh. "The three of us need to have a talk of our own and compare notes I think."

With that, she marches confidently from the kitchen to the stairs that lead to the basement, Ashley following closely on her heels. Ashley knows the way herself easily of course—knows the layout of Chris's house like the back of her hand truthfully—but her last experience in a basement has left her needing the escort as she does her best to psych herself up for the quick walk down the stairs.

She knows full well that her nerves and trepidation for this are completely stupid and nonsensical, and yet she can't help but hold her breath as she tightly grips the stairwell railing with a shaking hand, feeling the smoothly worn wood gliding underneath her fingers as she takes that first shaky step down. Can't help but feel relief when she feels not cold and cracked concrete that crumbles just slightly under boots, but soft, well-worn carpet through socked feet.

The warm air of the Hartley's basement is slightly cooler than that of upstairs, but is nothing like dry, stale air beneath the lodge. And when she can't stand to hold her breath any longer, the exhale doesn't appear as a warm fog as it condenses in the air. This basement isn't quiet and still with only the ominous rumbling of the water heater as it runs, instead she can hear the voices and music from a movie that Ashley can't place right away but familiar enough that it tugs at her brain in recognition. The basement is brightly and warmly lit, not so dark that it had nearly swallowed up the beams of light from her and Chris's flashlights, illuminating nothing except rotten fixtures and all the dust that floated around in the air.

By the time that Ashley finally reaches the bottom of the stairs, while her grip on the handrail is still tight, she isn't quite as scared as she had once been.

Right away, her eyes lock onto Chris lounging on the couch—seeing him before he notices her own arrival—and her heart can't help but ache at the sight of him. He's sitting stiffly in the corner of the couch, his bad ankle now protected by a thick cast and propped up on the cushion on the coffee table in front of him. He's still wearing his pajamas, wrinkled to the point that she can't help but think he's been spending most of his time down here napping on the couch in question. Despite that though, his eyes are almost sunken in his face and the bags underneath as dark as her own. His hair is such a mess that she gets the idea that he hasn’t looked in a mirror in sometime, and the uncharacteristic stubble across his jaw only confirms it.

Ashley's never been so happy to Chris in her life.

"I brought you a couple of treats, sweetheart. Thought you might actually enjoy these ones this time." It's hard not to notice the hope in her voice as she announces it.

Chris gives a tired and almost pained groan as he finally takes his attention off the television to respond. Only to watch as his eyes widened behind his glasses in shock as he finally notices Ashley standing meekly behind his mother. Immediately, he's grabbing at the nearby crutch and jumping awkwardly to his feet. "Ash?! What are you—"

Ashley isn't aware that she had even moved until she's already on the other side of the basement hugging him like it's the last thing she's ever going to do. Her arms are wrapped tightly around his neck and she's standing as high as the tips of her toes will allow her so she can hook her head over his shoulder. She's pressed against him as close as she possibly can, holding him tightly with her eyes squeezed shut so she can pay close attention to the feeling of his heart beating frantically against her own.

The thought that maybe she had acted rashly and that this was a bad idea doesn't even get the chance to form before there's a dull clatter of the crutch falling to the floor below. The next second Chris's arms are wrapped just as firmly around her back, his fingers clutching desperately at the back of her sweater as he somehow manages to hold her even closer. His own head tucks into the hair in the space where her shoulder and neck meet, stubble scratching lightly against her skin. The frames of his glasses are digging almost uncomfortably into her skin, but she can't bring herself to care when all she can focus on is his hot, shaky breaths against her neck.

And—for the first time since she came down from that mountain a week ago—standing in Chris's arms just like this, Ashley finally feels safe again.

"Are you...are you actually here right now?"

Despite the way that Chris's voice had trembled against her throat (or maybe even because of it), Ashley can't bring herself to speak. Instead, all she can manage is a shaky nod as she squeezes her eyes shut harder and only tightens the grip of her arms around his neck.

"Oh thank god," he mumbles back, and it sounds so close to a sob that Ashley nearly starts crying herself, "oh thank god." His own hold on her tightens as well in response, and she gets the feeling that Chris is scared that if he loosens his grip for even a moment then she's gonna vanish from right in front of him. It's a feeling that Ashley understands and agrees with wholeheartedly.

She's not sure how long the two of them continue to stand there holding each other, but she does know that it doesn't feel like long enough anyways. But, in the end, she can feel Chris starting to shake just from the exertion of trying to keep as much weight as possible off of his bad leg and Ashley herself is starting to feel sore from standing on her tiptoes for so long.

So, with great reluctance, she slowly unwraps her arms from around his neck and steps back, but only far enough so she can slide her arms down until her palms are placed flat against his chest. Chris, in turn, lets go of her sweater so he can move his hands and grip tightly onto sides of her shoulders—more in an attempt to keep himself upright than anything else—placing nearly all of his weight on her. Ashley doesn't mind though, not when it means that she can rest her forehead against the center of his chest and just breathe him in. She feels him gently rest his own head atop of hers.

Lilith is long gone by now unsurprisingly, having placed the cookies and lone plate on the table and left without a word. Ashley hadn't even noticed she had left.

"Why didn't you text, or even call? If I had known that you were coming..."

The laugh that Ashley tried to let out sounded too much like a wet hiccup to her liking. "Would you believe me if I said that I thought I did? That I apparently had a dream or something so convincing that I still don't believe that it didn't actually happen?"

"Well, sure wish that dream me had let me know that. Would have at least changed my clothes for you then. Maybe even showered…or shaved."

This time, the laugh that Ashley lets out sounds much more natural. "Oh wow, you really know how to make a girl feel special, huh."

She feels one of Chris's hands leave her shoulder—still making sure to keep most of his weight on her though—and place that hand overtop of her own that she's got placed over his heart, cautiously curling his fingers around it. Slowly, she backs off just enough so she can lift her head and look up into his face and at all of the relief and desperate joy that's openly broadcast for her to see.

She opens her mouth, though whether to apologize or say something else she isn't sure just yet. It doesn't matter in the end though, not when something has seen fit to jam itself into the side of her waist. And whatever that something is, it's alive and moving.

Immediately, Ashley jumps away with a scream and she finds herself tripping over her own feet as she falls to the floor with a flail of limbs. Scrambling backwards to hopefully try and escape whatever it is that had touched her. It doesn't work, not when she can see something white and grey out of the corner of her eyes as something wet and cold brushes against her cheek a moment later, and it only causes her to scream louder. By the time that Chris appears in front of her to calm her down, his hands carefully cupping her face and his eyes wide as he does his best to wipe away her tears, she's openly sobbing out nonsensical apologies in between screams.

"You're fine Ash. It's okay, it was just Toby. It's just Toby. You're okay I promise you it's okay. There's nothing down here that's gonna hurt you. It's just Toby, you're safe."

"What—? T-Toby?"

"Yeah, Toby. He wanted to say hi that's all. He didn't mean to scare you. See?"

True to his word, sitting between them is the Hartley family's German Shepherd. White and grey fur dotted across his dark furred muzzle and ears down low as he whines sadly, warm brown eyes staring at her even as he hangs his head low contritely. Hesitatingly, Ashley lifts a hand and Toby doesn't hesitate to stick his face into it, feeling his cold, wet nose before he starts licking her fingers.

Upstairs, there's a loud crash quickly followed by the sound of Saundra's frantic voice. "Ashley?! Ashley?! Are you okay?! Answer me Ashley!"

Chris is the one to respond, his hands still firm albeit gentle on her face as he turns his head to yell up the stairs. "She's fine, Saundra! Toby just spooked her, that's all. She's fine!"

"I'm coming down," she calls back. "I'm coming right down and then—what do you mean to just leave her?! You both heard her screams just as clearly as I did, I'm going down to get her and then I'm taking her directly home!"

That breaks Ashley out of what little panic from earlier that still remained, though it manages to send her into a completely different one; the exact same panic that Chris is currently experiencing as well if she has to go by what's reflected on his face. She can't leave now, not when she just got here. Not when they both know that her leaving would be the absolute worst thing either of them can think of.

"I'm fine Mom, really." Ashley hopes that her mother is far enough away that she can't hear the tears still in her voice. "Toby just wanted to say hi and I wasn't expecting it. I'm fine, I promise!" Please don't make me leave, she pleads in her own head. Please, please, please don't make me leave.

What answers back at first is nothing but silence from upstairs—which Ashley assumes to be because of an argument that Saundra and Chris's own parents are having—but then there's the thump of someone coming down the stairs to them. Her heart immediately drops straight down into her stomach.

A short moment later, Saundra appears at the bottom of the steps, taking in the sight of Chris sitting awkwardly with his bum leg out to the side and holding her daughter's face carefully in his hands, thumbs still wiping away any of Ashley's tears that might still be falling. Toby with his head now in Ashley's lap, whining in pitiful apology as she weakly scratches him behind his ears.

Ashley does her best to give her mom a smile to convince her that she's alright, but even she can tell that it's a weak, pitiful imitation of one at best. "See? I'm fine. I didn't mean to scare you Mom. I'm fine now, so please let me stay." Don't make me leave.

Saundra just continues to stare, eyes darting suspiciously between her and Chris, a frown starting to appear on her face. "...Fine," she eventually agrees, and both Ashley and Chris's shoulders sag in relief. "But this is your last chance Ashley. I mean it this time, one more strike and that's it. Anymore freak outs like that and we are gone, do you understand?"

Both Chris and Ashley are nodding their heads in agreement, more thankful than words could ever say. And Saundra must see how relieved and thankful they are, because all she does is give one last furrowed brow of contemplation before turning around and going back up the stairs.

The second that neither of them can hear her footsteps anymore, Chris turns back to her. "I'm sorry," he blurts out, "I should have warned you. I forgot that he was down here with me and I'm so fucking sorry."

Ashley doesn't say anything for a minute, just taking comfort in Toby's head in her lap as she continues to scratch at his heavily greyed muzzle. "I wasn't expecting to see him down here," she finally says, "I didn't even know that he could still take the stairs."

"He can't," Chris admits and Ashley isn't surprised. Toby is an old dog after all—a very, very old dog in fact—only a few years younger than her. “Dad got a couple of the kids from down the block to help him down, and they come back every few hours to let him out before helping him back down here again. Dad gives them a few bucks I think every time for it, but between you and me I think they're really in it for the cookies that Mom gives ‘em."

Ashley can't help but smile at that. Lilith's cookies are pretty great after all, she would know. "But why let him keep coming down here then? Wouldn't it just be easier to keep him upstairs?"

Chris just sighs. "Yeah, that's my fault. Ever since I got back home Toby's been super clingy, he doesn't like to leave my side if he can help it. But every time I was in the living room upstairs all I could feel was Mom and Dad’s eyes on me. And while I don't blame them for it, it just...it made me feel like something else was watching me too. It was making me jumpy and I was starting to freak out at every little thing, but my room just felt too small and stifling and I couldn't breathe so..."

"The basement," Ashley finishes for him. "The basement felt like the only place where you could be safe."

"I wouldn't say 'safe' exactly. I hadn't actually felt safe down here until—" his ears go red and he quickly drops his hands from her face. "I'm really sorry about what happened with Toby though. I knew he was being clingy with me and I should have expected that he would act the same way with you."

"It's fine. I understand completely, really." Ashley gently shoves Toby's head from off her lap (who whines in disappointment at the action) and stands up, walking over to where Chris's crutch had fallen to the floor. After clumsily helping Chris back to his feet, she hand it back to him without making any eye contact, her words coming out mumbled under her breath. "And I hadn't felt safe either until then."

Too embarrassed to even look at Chris anymore or see what expression he has on his face, she quickly walked over to the couch where he had been sitting earlier and sat down in the opposite corner. Looking directly at the TV and still not at Chris, Ashley finally gets a good look at exactly what he had been watching earlier. He hadn't bothered to pause the movie when she had come in so it took very little trouble for her to identify the movie in question. Especially when the scene that was playing was everyone, sans Cera of course, covered in tar from The Land Before Time.

Wordlessly, Chris joins her on the couch and once again elevates his leg onto the coffee table with a grunt. "Um, I can change the movie if you want? Or we can play a game or something? I wasn't really paying much attention to the movie anyways, I just...I just needed something, um, easy to watch, you know?"

She does, Ashley understands completely. He needed something easy to watch that didn't come packed with blood or screams. The type of films that Josh would make them watch.

The type of films that would remind him of not only Josh, but what he made Chris go through.

"Actually, can you restart the movie if you don't mind?"

Ashley hasn't even started explaining why she wants to watch a children's movie from nearly thirty years ago (not that she's even sure why honestly), but Chris doesn't even hesitate. Reaching out for the remote that rests on the arm of the couch and starting the movie over from the beginning for her.

As the movie runs through its opening story narration, Ashley finds herself making her body small again. Curling up her legs to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. She even tucks her chin into her chest so only her eyes are peeking out over her knees.

On the other side of the couch, Chris resumes his previous position easily enough, except he’s sitting much more stiffly than before. He's also firmly keeping his eyes on the movie as the narrator talks about the ‘search for the Great Valley'. Firm enough that it's obvious even to Ashley that he's clearly forcing himself to watch the movie and not let his eyes drift over to her.

As all of this is going on as well, Toby keeps wandering between them, whining as he stares imploringly at the empty couch cushion in the middle. It's clear that he wants up, wants to join and sit with them to offer some comfort, but he'd been too old to jump up on the couch two years ago and Chris too injured to help him up right now. And Ashley’s too worried about injuring the geriatric German Shepherd to even try. So instead, with a tired groan of old joints, Toby just curls up on the floor directly between them. Head resting on crossed paws so he can watch them both.

Chris and Ashley both sit in silence as they watch the movie play on. Watching the hatching of Littlefoot and his introduction to his mom and grandparents. It isn't until Littlefoot's mother grabs at the lone treestar that remains high up in the treetops that Ashley finally finds it in her to speak again.

"Your mom brought down some cookies," she says, gesturing towards the tupperware on the coffee table with a weak nod of the head. "She said she might even bring down some hot chocolate later too. The good stuff even."

Chris doesn't even smile. "Yeah, I'm not..." he sighs, then changes courses. "I haven't really been eating a whole lot Ash," he finally admits. "I know I should, but I don’t want to. Everything I eat I keep throwing back up later, and it all looks the same coming back up. It all looks way too similar to what came out of that old guy when he... when I saw him..."

Chris swallows roughly, squeezing his eyes shut as his breathing grows shaky for a moment. Well, that certainly explained why Lilith had only grabbed one plate and not two to bring down. "Don't worry about me though, you can have some if you'd like. I'll definitely eat something later at supper though, I just...prefer not to eat unless I absolutely have to right now."

"Yeah, I'll probably just skip out on the cookies too. It's probably for the best anyways. This is most likely what your mom's been paying those kids I think, and the last thing I want to do is deny any of them their hard earned wages."

Ashley's terrible attempt at a joking smile dropped. "And, well, I haven't been all that hungry either to be honest. I know I should eat and all, but with the way that my head is right now the sight of food just makes me feel so nauseous that I haven't been able to eat much in the first place. Was really starting to scare Mom, I think. Only reason she even agreed to let me come over today was solely because she watched me actually eat breakfast this morning. I don't think she would have let me leave home otherwise."

Chris gave a forced laugh. "Yeah, that sounds like Saundra all right. Think my own parents would be over the moon if I even tried to leave the basement right now, let alone the entire house."

Ashley laughs weakly along with him, but then the two of them fall into that awkward silence again. Watching the movie play out as Toby continues to sleep between them and letting out the occasional soft sore and grunt.

When the earth starts cracking after the earthshake, separating Littlefoot from his grandparents, Ashley starts to hear the telltale soft tap tap tap of Chris tapping his finger against the arm of the couch. She doesn't mention it, more than patient enough to let him figure out the proper words to say and work up the courage to ask whatever it is in the first place.

It isn't until they're both watching Littlefoot's mother explain exactly how to find the Great Valley and that she'll always be with him before dying, that he finally asks.

"Hey, Ash?" She gives him a slight hum of acknowledgment to let him know that she's listening. "Why didn't you ever call? Or even text?"

"I already told you," she weakly chuckles, "the dream I had was so convincing that I honestly thought I did."

Chris shakes his head firmly. "No Ash, that's not what I meant. You didn't text me at all over the last week. Why?" His voice goes small and broken, and it makes her feel small and broken in turn. "Did I...did I do something wrong?"

Ashley wants to do nothing more than reach out to him, but she doesn't. Instead, all she does is tighten her arms around her knees. "You didn't do anything wrong, I swear. It was just...you lost your best friend, Chris. I thought that I should maybe give you some space to grieve."

For the first time since they sat on the couch to watch the movie, Chris finally turns to look at her. "What? But Josh was your best friend too—"

She interrupts him with a firm shake of her head. Firm and fierce enough that she has to grip her head in her hands as the world seems to swim around her. It feels like her brain is sloshing around inside so her laugh comes out sounding more wet and far closer to a sob than she had originally intended. "I don't think he was anymore though Chris. I don't think he thought so for a while now."

"Ash—"

"No, you don't understand Chris. The things that Josh did to us that night? Did to me? He tied me up in a shed Chris! Hung me up and forced me to watch as he made you choose who to kill. He made me try and convince you that I was worth more to you than your best friend since elementary school! Made sure that I would be covered in his blood after he was cut right in half only a couple of feet away from me, and leaving me with the constant, horrible reminder that that was almost me. That it could have easily been me.

“And then he did it again! Knocking us both out and daring you to point that gun at me and shoot if you wanted to live. It doesn't even matter that the traps were supposed to be completely harmless and that no one was supposed to get hurt. He made me be the bait twice Chris. Twice!

"Those aren’t the kind of things you do to your best friend Chris, those are the kind of things you do to the person you hate with every fibre of your being."

On the other side of the couch, Ashley catches his absolutely distraught expression as he weakly tries to reach out for her. She ignores him, now that she's started she can't seem to stop. Finally getting out what feels like every nasty thing she'd been unable to tell anyone else.

"And to make matters even worse, he hit me so hard that I haven't even been able to read or write anymore Chris! And I've tried—I've tried so fucking hard, I promise!—but reading just leaves me wanting to puke and trying to write is even worse. It's like I forgot how to even hold a pen or pencil, and the words are such a jumbled mess in my head anyways that it doesn't even matter! The couple of times I managed to actually just copy a few words down, my penmanship was so bad that I couldn't even read what they were supposed to be. And the couple that I could read I had misspelled so horribly even with the guide that I almost broke down screaming. I forgot how to spell 'of' Chris! Of! It's the most simple and basic word in the whole world and I couldn't even remember how it was supposed to be spelt!

"Josh tried to take you away from me Chris, and when that didn't work he took away the only other two things that I've ever been good at or loved in revenge."

"Josh didn't...Josh didn't take me away Ash. I'm right here, I'm still right here."

"But he did! Even though he did such horrible, awful, mean things to us, you still demanded to go back and save him anyways. And I love that about you, Chris. I love that about you so, so much but you almost died Chris! You had to watch another person die right in front of you and now you can't eat or leave the basement or-or-or—"

Ashley turns to look at Chris in desperation, tears pouring down her cheeks as she chokes out "I almost watched you die trying to save Josh, and that alone makes me think that he didn't deserve it. And I hate that I think that! I hate, hate, hate it so much but you coming back alive was so much more important than anything else in the whole entire world."

Next to her, Chris is silent. Staring at her with so much heartbreak in his eyes as the movie continues to play on forgotten.

"But the worst thing? The absolute worst thing? I miss him so, so much Chris and I hate that I do. And I hate that I hate that."

"Yeah," Chris finally says, admitting to the air as he looks not at her but at the cast on his ankle. 'Yeah I hate him a little bit too. I miss my—our best friend even after all that shit he pulled and I hate myself for that.

"Because I think that most of all, I hate myself. I hate that I hope he's dead because the alternative is so much worse. That death would be a mercy compared to living on those...those things. I hate myself for not noticing that Josh had gone so far off the deep end that he thought he had to pull that prank on us. He was my best friend—our best friend—and I didn't even notice! Some friend I was, huh?"

Ashley's ready to bring up that that wasn't his fault. That no one, not even his parents or his therapist, had noticed Josh's downward spiral until it was too late. But before she can Chris is already continuing.

"And now, I even hate myself for letting you through all of that alone this week, because I should have reached out to you too. But I was too scared thinking that the reason you hadn't spoken to me since we got back was because you had regretted everything that happened between us at the lodge after all."

Finally, Ashley does reach over all that empty space between them, cautiously placing a hand over his forearm. "No, Chris, no. I-I..." she took a breath. "I regret a lot of things from that night, but I regret how it happened, not that it did. I regret that it took me so long to tell you how I really felt, and that it happened during that awful trap. That it would have been so, so easy for you to think that I had only said all that in order to try and save my own skin, that you didn't think I was being genuine. I regretted kissing you when I did because I had only done so out of pure selfishness. All so I could know what it would have been like to kiss you even once, just in case the absolute worst came to pass and you never came back."

Slowly, cautiously, Ashley shifts from her corner of the couch to the middle (careful not to disturb or accidentally kick Toby at all as she does so), all so she could be closer to Chris. And just as cautiously, she moved her hand from his arm so she could cup his face in both hands—his stubble scratchy against her palms—angling his head so he was looking right at her. She feels his own hands rest lightly on the curve of her waist at the same time. "So I want to do a do over if that's okay."

She doesn't even bother to wait for his acceptance, she takes the fact that he had almost immediately leaned into her hands as confirmation anyways. "Chris, you're my best friend, have been for years now. There's no one else in the whole entire world that I trust as much as you. There's no one else that I wanted to spend nearly every second of every day with. I've liked you almost since the day we first met, and I kissed you because I was selfish and had wanted to for years. I really, really like you Chris Hartley. I always have."

Already close enough that their noses are nearly brushing, Ashley just decides to close the remaining distance between them. Not even giving Chris the time to respond back before she’s kissing him softly. The kiss itself is gentle, with her palms warm on his cheeks and him leaning in to kiss her back just as gently. It's everything she had ever imagined kissing Chris would be like and it's perfect.

She hates it.

She hates it because this is what their first kiss should have been. Shared shyly in his basement as a nearly thirty year-old children's movie played in the background. Kissing almost sweetly now that their true feelings had finally been revealed after all this time. This is exactly what they had deserved their first kiss to be like, but instead what they had gotten was a kiss shared in desperation.

Terrified that he wouldn't be able to come back to her while a confession that neither had intended or wanted lay heavily between them. Both their faces covered in so many bruises that it had made the kiss almost painful. Both her wrists encircled by a thick friction burn and the small, angry burn on Chris's jaw from holding that gun resolutely to his skin still bright red and shiny. The air around them smelling of nothing but blood and fear.

Ashley knows that in time she'll forgive Josh for a great many things. That he had been sick and if he had been in his right mind then he never would have thought he'd had to pull that prank in the first place. But this? This she knows is never going to be one of them.

After only a couple of seconds she pulls away from the kiss, her heart aching for what she had unknowingly lost. At the one last thing Josh had seen fit to take away from the both of them. And when Chris finally opens his eyes to look at her, all Ashley can see in his eyes is the exact same heartbreak that she feels now.

Neither hesitate. The second that Chris's eyes had caught hers, the two of them are kissing again with a frantic desperation. Ashley's arms are wrapped tightly around his neck once again and his around her waist, holding each other as close as they possibly can.

It isn't long until she lets out a sob into his mouth—mourning what she'll never be able to get—but neither of them stop. If anything, the kiss has only gotten more desperate than ever as Chris has got one hand buried into her hair and she's clutching fervently at him. Both are crying now; hot, bitter tears that pour down their cheeks and make the kiss wet and sloppy, but neither care.

They're both too desperate to overwrite that awful kiss that never should have happened. Desperate to make themselves a kiss that wouldn't come stained with the memories of Josh in every crevice.

The two of them continue to kiss like that until they can't anymore, until they're crying so much that kissing becomes impossible. Until all that they're left with is Ashley with her mouth against the burn on Chris's jaw so she can feel his pulse thrum loudly underneath her lips, sobbing out "it's not fair" over and over again as they continue to clutch each other close. Until she can feel his hands fumble underneath her shirt so he can feel her shaky breaths as she continues to inhale and exhale with every sob, can feel the bare skin of her waist underneath his own trembling hands as he holds her closer and closer to him.

They hold each other just like that until exhaustion sets in and they fall asleep, long after the movie had finally ended.

---

When Ashley awakes later on, she doesn't know how long she's been asleep for. The sky outside the small basement window is dark, but that means little. It being the middle of winter means it could be anywhere from 6:00 PM to 7:00 AM for all she knows, but she thinks it's only been a couple of hours at most with how she's feeling. Her head is heavy and eyes sore from crying, but her body is sluggish as well and doesn't want to move just yet.

It's an idea she can get behind wholeheartedly right now, what with the way she had fallen asleep cuddled up to Chris's chest. He was still sleeping as well, his breathing steady as soft and warm puffs of air continued to slightly brush her hair as he held her close.

Blearily, she noticed that someone at some point had come downstairs, turning the television off and draping a heavy quilt over the two of them. She appreciated it, pulling the blanket up higher so it covered them both once again even as she knew what their position would have looked like. What with her face tucked into his shoulder and her lips on his jaw, his hands tucked firmly underneath his shirt and fingers resting heavily onto her waist.

But even despite the uncomfortable position that they had both fallen asleep in, Ashley didn't want to leave it. She hadn't felt this safe and slept so easily in what felt like ages. She would have gladly spent the rest of her life crammed onto the couch with him like this if she could.

And Ashley realized that she did, that she didn't want to be anywhere else tonight. It would take quite the fight with her mother—and she wasn't even sure if Chris's own parents would go for it either—but she refused to go back home unless he was coming with her. Either she stayed here with him for the night, or he stayed the night with her, and she knew without even asking that Chris would be fighting for it just as hard.

But that was a problem for later. Right now, with Chris's heart steadily thumping against her own, all she wanted was to fall back into that sweet, blissfully dreamless sleep from before. Placing her lips back over the burn so she could feel the slow, steady thrum of his pulse that matched in time with his heart, she curls back up into him. She feels Chris's hands tighten around her waist for just a moment, drawing her in closer to him with a low mumble into her hair.

Almost right away, Ashley falls back asleep feeling the safest and soundest she's ever felt in her life.

#my writing #asks #nick-furcillo #until dawn #chris hartley #ashley brown #chrashley #with bonus first time characterization of my version of the hartley and brown parents!#plus the hartley dog #woo!#also josh may not be present in the fic itself #but by god if he isnt here in spirit and influencing literally everything anyways lol #DONE!#the last of my prompts are finally done!#and it only took me *checks calendar* 22 months!#better late than never i guess?#anyways i hope you enjoy your belated bday fic from me kenzie lol #now if none of you mind im going to bed now cause i am so tired

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lizbotw · 4 years

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it’s only sharing a disgustingly sweet milkshake at the local college town diner after both of your evening classes that suna graciously provides the answers to the math homework.

the spongy pencil eraser is easy for you to sink your teeth into as you puzzle over his handwriting. “you know,” you mumble around the nib, trying to figure out if that’s a 5 or a 6, “i never know why you do this to me every week.” this time the drink with two plastic straws floating in an unhealthy heaping of whip cream is a syrupy strawberry flavor.

rintarou tips forward to sip at one of them and in your peripheral, chunky pink-coated fruit pieces travel up the clear tube and disappear between his lips. he releases the straw with an annoying ah that makes you frown, even if you weren’t concentrating in the first place. “aw, don’t tell me you don’t like hanging out with me.” he feigns hurt.

a well placed sip of your own allows you to avoid having to answer that—you have a personal rule of never being sappy in the presence of calculus. if you didn’t like him, suna knows you wouldn’t be hanging out with him—there are just some things you can’t do, even if it’s for the sake of your grade. none of this has to be said out loud of course, but he decides to be annoying and ask anyway.

actually—well... maybe hanging out is... not exactly how this appears to bystanders.

sharing a drink like this, you two probably look more like a couple on a (terribly cheap) afternoon date, rather than two broke college students that split meals to save money and believe that sharing answers for homework isn’t cheating, it’s collaboration.

ha, as if it would ever be different—things like the former never come true. maybe in movies, but that’s about where the line is drawn.

as if he knows what you’re thinking, suna raises an eyebrow at you over the glass, a smile playing on his lips—the same stupid look he always gives you. it feels particularly worse this evening.

it’s hard to avoid eye contact with him mere inches away, but you manage when a car painted a very interesting shade of red rumbles past the fingerprint covered window. you’re grateful for the distraction.

the subject changes when you realize suna has terrible taste when it comes to ordering milkshakes. “what flavor is this?” you spit out the word as though the very concept of calling this a real flavor is more disgusting than the drink itself, smacking your lips and screwing up your face at the excessively saccharine, artificial strawberry aftertaste.

this is no ordinary strawberry milkshake. no, this is a so-bad-only-suna-rintarou-would-order-something-this-horrible-(and-not-necessarily-on-purpose-either) strawberry milkshake.

“valentine’s valor,” he states matter-of-factly like those words mean anything to you. you stare at him until he elaborates. “their valentine’s special,” he clarifies and is gifted with a sarcastic thumbs-up from you in thanks—it is pointedly ignored and suna slings an arm over back of his seat. “dunno the exact flavor though. forgot.”

it tastes like the embodiment of pink, you decide. valentine’s valor. what a stupid name. there are a million and one better words that start with v... you can name at least five with a little thinking. you should ask them to hire you as part of their marketing team, you decide.

maybe it’s fitting title though. you certainly need valor to even think about taking another sip of that... concoction—which you do because you are obsessed with getting your money’s worth.

“valentine’s day was half a week ago?” your mental calendar helpfully supplies.

the clatter of pans in the back kitchen somehow mingles charmingly with the way rintarou throws his head back to laugh—a scene straight out of a movie really. you decide you hate him in the moment. “right you are. want a prize?” ugh. you stick your tongue out at his tone.

great. as if to add insult to injury, of course you’re sharing an out-of-date love holiday special with suna of all people. valentine’s was four days ago and this is where you are on a thursday night. the sticky upholstery of the booth seat, ripped and fraying at the corners, squeaks and groans and attaches itself to the fabric of your jeans as you shift around, suddenly hot. what a strange situation to be in, you think. this has to be a metaphor for life—then again, you’d been thinking this whole... thing has been a metaphor anyway.

yup, ever since suna sat next to you in a calculus II lecture all those fated months ago and took pity on how much you fucking sucked at math, up until the present where he takes slightly less pity on you but does enjoy emptying your dorm mini-fridge and making you pay for his milkshakes—all of it. this entire thing with him. one big stupid metaphor.

the specifics of how you came to have a routine like this are certainly murky, but two things are for certain—one, your calculus grade is certainly a lot better than it would have been otherwise, and two, you have one friend more than you did at the start of the school year. (that last one is kind of a big deal, you think. the college social scene is brutal. the word friend has started to become more disappointing than exhilarating lately though.)

rin reaches to your left to pick at the fries you’d ordered as a side—you’ve learned not to try and stop him. “also,” he adds, mouth full, “you’re totally getting me a new pencil after this.” yes, true, the pencil you’re currently leaving frustrated teeth marks all over isn’t yours. very easy to forget in the moment. you’ve probably destroyed 15 of his pencils by now for the 15 weeks of the last semester—only 7 so far for the current one. you do the mental math.

instead of drawing in the sharp lines of the differential equation that should be going in the question box, you lightly trace in the curves of a 2 and then another one next to it in the corner of the worksheet, graphite underlining them both in one swoop. the horribly thin paper of the school library’s printer is scratchy as you write but soon you flip the pencil over and under your fingers to tap the eraser (that has seen better days) just below what you wrote. “this is pencil number 22.”

suna leans over to look at the number as if you hadn’t just told him what it said. what an idiot. “glad you’re keeping count.” he settles back into his seat. “when can i expect my reimbursement?”

“you’re funny,” you say, without a hint of humor in your voice. the pretty 22 you had written now has flower petals growing off of the sides as you get distracted doodling along the edges of your work. it’s quiet for a moment as he watches you, or maybe as he takes the chance while you’re distracted to shove more french fries down his throat—either option is plausible and you don’t lift your eyes to check.

something occurs to you.

“rin.” you take an extended pause in between the words as you continue drawing, just to annoy him. you don’t continue speaking until he grumbles in acknowledgment (you try to hide your smile). “do you ever doodle in your notebooks?” now that you thought about it, suna was surprisingly pretty straight-laced when it came to class—you couldn’t ever recall him ever slacking off to the degree that meant his pages were filled with hearts and stars and flowers and suns and atomically inaccurate animals and tiny people in different colored ink. your work was always certainly the more vibrant out of the two (perhaps that could explain your grades and how you understand like... nothing in your lectures, but you decide correlation does not equal causation).

“waste of time,” he says around another mouthful of fries, another one already halfway there to his mouth.

suna is also surprisingly negative at times—but the blue book flipped open to his homework says maybe he’s just a liar though. you squint at it.

“it’s still pretty early but we probably should get out of here soon,” suna says, pulling his phone out from his pocket to check the time and leaning his elbows on the table. “i’ll walk you back. your roomie doesn’t leave the gym until 9—before you ask, yes i’ve been keeping track. it’s not stalking if it’s for my own sake.”—rin is, of course, referring to the long standing rivalry between him and your (very nice, might you add) roommate you don’t really understand but which has cumulated in him deciding he would avoid them as much as humanly possible purely out of spite. (“the only person i like in dorm 302 is you,” he’d told you one time and the throwaway sentence maybe made your heart flutter more than it probably should’ve.)

the bell above the front door jingles behind you as another patron enters. rin glances up at the sound and then returns to his phone with a bored bat of his eyes, probably scrolling through twitter or replying to texts, and picking at his teeth with a toothpick (where did he even get that?).

you try to get back to work (copying) but something in your gut tells you there’s more to his notebook than the messy handwriting and crossed out words that meet the eye.

with suna distracted, you take the chance to carefully slide the book towards you and then, in a single quick swipe, pull it into your lap under the table, already leafing to the back pages—everyone knows that’s where the real secrets are—not sure what to expect. a flash of color makes you pause and you flip back to a page that has the corner folded into a tiny, crisp triangle.

whatever you were thinking suna had stashed in the back of his calculus notebook certainly does not match up with what’s staring you in the face currently. sparkly, gel-inked hearts in neon colors glitter under the fluorescent overheads. in each of them, written in capital letters neater than you thought possible for suna, is your initials, a small plus sign in the middle, and then S.R. (for none other than suna rinatoru) next to it. it instantly makes sense to you. “rin, what the fuck.” one side of the book dangles from your hand, pages fluttering, and you hold it up for him to see, other hand flying to cover your mouth because you don’t know whether to laugh or pretend to be mortified or what.

it’s very amusing to watch how suna goes from a disinterested stare, to widened eyes, to reaching over the heaps of school supplies to attempt to grab the book from you, frantic. you hold it just out of reach. “what are you—” an old lady at a table shushes him when he half-screams. “—give that back,” suna whisper-yells instead in the greatest verbal equivalent of tiny caps you’ve ever heard.

“not a chance.”

he looks like he wants to lunge across the table and pry his prized possession from your meddling hands, but also has half the mind not to make a scene. getting kicked out and then subsequently banned from his favorite diner all on a noise complaint and disorderly conduct accusation was not ideal.

you hum, flip back to your place, and observe the drawings covering the lined pages. you shoot him a venomous smirk over the edge of the cover, one that’s more theatrics than anything, and say with all the satisfaction of someone who knows they have all the power, “oh, this is gold.” he deflates and you feel grateful he doesn’t see right through your facade because oh man are you sweating inside right now. what the fuck? no way suna rintarou is drawing little hearts with both of your initials in it like a lovesick middle schooler. no fucking way. you almost want to tell him that you did the same thing once when the thoughts about him had gotten especially bad (you felt guilty afterwards though, thinking you never had a chance with him, but... now... if he’s doing the same—well, that kind of changes everything).

suna is utterly defeated you think—doesn’t even try to defend himself, just slumps in his seat with a groan. you at least expected a “i can explain!” from him, a last attempt at dignity, not the resigned “i’m never going to live this down, am i?” he mumbles after a few seconds. well, either works for you.

“nope,” you quip, maybe a little too cheerfully because the response you receive is a distressed wail and him banging his head against the table. the old lady shushes him again. you chuckle at that (it feels a little wobbly though because once again, freaking out here) and flip the page. you stop.

this one has similar perfect little hearts drawn all over it, but there are other things. cute, standard shaky drawings of misshapen dogs and volleyballs and other things you never thought suna would take it upon himself to create but all of which make sense are there. but there’s something else. little scribbles in the corners with your last name swapped with his and even him trying out his name with your last one—all of them are scratched out but not so much you can’t read them. a list on the right in a very tiny font that makes you think he was embarrassed even penning the words is titled “date ideas?” (the question mark is in red and the dot is a heart) and has several popular spots around town written down in the local lingo of unofficial names for them.

“listen... please let’s forget about this.” rin’s voice is muffled and he’s still faceplanted. “it’s fine if you don’t... you know... yeah.” if you don’t feel that way, he means. true, the doodles were a pretty good indication of his feelings.

what to do...

well... you take pity on him, let your lips upturn and your eyes soften to reflect the sentiment, and shut the book with a quiet thud. you slide it back across the table from where it came and back to him silently. you give it a resounding pat when suna peeks up at you, expression saying it all—he was so going to get you back for this. you stick your tongue out—acceptance of the challenge. and just like that, you’re friends again—maybe that’s what’s so great about suna.

as you get ready to leave and slowly begin the trek back to the dorm buildings with him, street lamps glimmering a pasty yellow, there’s no awkward tension, no need to ask questions, no verbal wonderings about what ifs between you two. it’s just joking and shoving each other around and challenges to see who can run to the next tree the fastest in the middle of the chilly february night. you know, maybe for now you’ll keep your own thoughts a secret.

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craftypeaceturtle · 3 years

Text

Distanced, part 1

Summary: A group chat fic! How shall these useless students cope with daily life.

Note: This is my first attempt at anything even remotely like this! I have no idea how this will turn out so feedback is greatly appreciated! Intrulogical.

Next part here!!

MESSAGES: To Remus Prince (Presentation)

Tuesday, 16:15

Hello. This is Logan Sanders from Prof. Smith’s seminar. Do you have any suggestions for how we should go about completing the upcoming assessment?

Remus Prince: who dis

I literally just stated it. Logan Sanders.

I wear the tie.

Remus Prince: OHHH

Remus Prince: Well 1stly

Remus Prince: What’s the best planet in the solar system?

Pardon?

Remus Prince: i LitERaLlY JuSt stAtED iT

That has nothing to do with anything, we just need to get through this project.

Remus Prince: if u want to work then u have to answer

Jupiter.

Remus Prince: cool.

Remus Prince: You’ll do.

Remus Prince: My name is Remus.

I know. We did actually swap phone numbers. We in fact discussed which topic we would be doing for over fifteen minutes in the seminar. So we have indeed met. If you continue to be obnoxious then this will be a easier project.

MESSAGES: To Remus Sanders (Presentation)

Tuesday, 16:22

Why did you ask that question?

Remus Prince: I asked my brother that question and he answered earth

Remus Prince: I’ve had trust issues ever since

Roman’s favourite planet is Earth?

Remus Prince: HAH

Remus Prince: ye he’s an idiot

Remus Prince: I’ve gotta test everyone now.

Remus Prince: You passed btw

Remus Prince: WAIT!

Remus Prince: Do u know Ro?

Yes, he is my friend and roommate.

Remus Prince: What was ur name again????????

You can literally scroll up and reread it. I refuse. You got into university for a reason and so you can manage my name.

Remus Prince: jk

Okay then. Do you want to discuss how we should go about creating this powerpoint?

Remus Prince: what’s there to ‘discuss’?

We can separately conduct our research however it is regrettably better to meet up in person to practise not only giving the presentation but also the construction of the presentation itself.

Remus Prince: man you just love sending essays huh

I have written out longer messages. I don’t understand the point of sending a sentence at a time and risk getting interrupted. Plus at least my texting doesn’t seem all like an assault of constant notifications.

Remus Prince: fair

Shall we say that we should aim to get our presentation research finished by two weeks (15th). That leaves us another two weeks to construct the powerpoint, gather more research if necessary, then practise presenting.

Remus Prince: k

GROUPCHAT: Goths, Emos, and Remus

Tuesday, 16:26

Octopussy: can I vent for a sec

Octopussy: So! I’m just sitting here. Y’know. Vibing.

Octopussy: Then out of nowhere the nerd from my class starts messaging me about the group project that’s due a month away

Octopussy: like wtf

Octopussy: nice to know the nerd thing isn’t just appearance

Vigilant: help

Octopussy: he made a big deal about meeting up as well to do this!

Octopussy: No one in the class even cares!

Octopussy: No one is even remotely

Octopussy: Not even close

Octopussy: To thinking about that project right now!

Octopussy: We’ve got ages!

Vigilant: oh sweet jesus

Octopussy: Like! We’ve got a month!

Octopussy: AN ENTIRE MONTH

Octopussy: Like he also wants to meet up as well to practise

Octopus: Like ew.

Top-Hat-Gay: Are you done?

Octopussy: ye

Octopussy: he’s a dick

Vigilant: oh thank god

Top-Hat-Gay: Ha, as if you believe in god.

Vigilant: If it stops Re from not spamming us then I’ll believe whatever.

Octopussy: rude

Vigilant: bitch

Top-Hat-Gay: On an actually important note, which one of you last used my nail bag?

Octopussy: me!

Octopussy: you need more green

Top-Hat-Gay: No I fucking don’t!

Top-Hat-Gay: There was an entirely new bottle in there!

Octopussy: I said what I said.

Top-Hat-Gay: I hate you.

Octopussy: Thank bby

Octopussy: ALSO!

Octopussy: I found out the nerd also lives with Ro.

Top-Hat-Gay: So?

Vigilant: hE’S FORBIDDEN

Top-Hat-Gay: Wait so the nerd is Logan?

Octopussy: He is!

Octopussy: not that it seems to be having any effect on Ro. he’s as dense as a brick.

Top-Hat-Gay: I saw him today going into Remy’s.

Vigilant: Why are we even talking about him

Vigilant: Like who gives a shit.

Octopussy: dunno

Octopussy: just thought it was weird

Top-Hat-Gay: Maybe you should switch partners. Especially if he wants to meet up at some point.

Octopussy: nah

Octopussy: not worth it

Top-Hat-Gay: A teacher wouldn’t care. They only want to see good grades. They won’t mind moving stuff around for you.

Octopussy: He seems harmless.

Vigilant: you literally called him a dick after one conversation.

Octopussy: he is a dick

Octopussy: he seems stuffy but just a nerd through and through. He’s not going to be a prick or anything.

Vigilant: This isn’t really about him. He already got you talking about you know who in your first ever conversation. Maybe you shouldn’t hang around him.

Octopussy: I just thought it was interesting

Octopussy: It doesn’t mean jack shit

Octopussy: Not everything I talk about has some grand meaning.

Octopussy: I just thought it was weird that this nerd I share my classes with also lives with my bro.

Top-Hat-Gay: And that’s perfectly fine Re.

Octopussy: soz V

Octopussy: didn’t mean to blow up in your face

Octopussy: just annoying to feel psycho-analysed

Vigilant: soz

Octopussy: okay!

Octopussy: that’s proof enough!

Octopussy: we can behave to each other so ice cream plz!!!!!!!!!!!

Top-Hat-Gay: JESUS CHRIST I SAID THAT AS A JOKE LAST YEAR

Octopussy: I will eat V’s posters unless you give us reward good boy icecream

Vigilant: chocolate pls

Top-Hat-Gay: jesus do you lot know how long it takes for me to put on my cape to go shopping

Vigilant: yes

Vigilant: we are precisely aware of exactly how long it takes

Vigilant: that’s why we don’t go shopping with you

GROUPCHAT: THE FAM ILY

Tuesday, 16:38

Pat-on-the-back: Heya guys, are we all in for dinner tonight?

Logan.S: I am.

YourHopesandDreams: I will be in at 7. If you could be so compassionate to push your meal back until then, I would be truly indebted to you.

Pat-on-the-back: Fine by me!

Logan.S: I am agreeable.

Pat-on-the-back: Also Lo! Are you finished with your work?

Logan.S: I have finished my to-do list so I am available if I’m needed.

Pat-on-the-back: No, you’re all good! I just wanted to check. It sounded like you were doing work for like four hours straight.

Logan.S: It took three hours thank you very much.

Logan.S: So what are we doing for dinner?

Pat-on-the-back: I was thinking lasagne!

Pat-on-the-back: also! Don’t think I’ll notice that change in topic!

Pat-on-the-back: I thought we all agreed on two hour stretches of work with a 15 min break at least. I mean... it’s even written on our calendar! There’s no way you forgot, did you Mister!

Logan.S: It’s fine Pat.

Logan.S: Just let it go

Logan.S: I needed to get it done

Logan.S: I don’t need to be babied.

Logan.S: I’m taking a break now. I’m okay.

Pat-on-the-back: I know, I’m sorry. I just want to make sure. As long as you feel okay then everything’s alright! How was your work anyway?

Logan.S: Fairly ordinary actually. I had to go through some of my notes and rewrite a couple of pages then I had to organise a group project due the 2nd of March.

Pat-on-the-back: Sounds productive!

Logan.S: Thank you.

YourHopesandDreams: Ew. Group project. Who’s your partner?

Logan.S: We are in entirely different courses, why do you think you would know them?

YourHopesandDreams: Everyone knows the drama students know everyone.

Logan.S: I’m working with Remus.

YourHopesandDreams: You should ask to swap partners.

Logan.S: I won’t do so unless I have a genuine reason. I’ve not had any interactions with him previously and while he did seem half-hearted and obnoxious in his messages, he seems harmless. If he messes everything around then I will but I won’t make a fuss unless I have reason to.

Pat-on-the-back: That’s fair but please make sure to tell us if he pulls anything.

YourHopesandDreams: Your loss.

MESSAGES: To Nerd

Wednesday, 3:02

hey u awake

Nerd: What on earth are you doing up at 3am?

Soz

Wrong number.

MESSAGES: To Nerd

Wednesday, 3:12

Nerd: What is your favourite planet?

wha

Nerd: I figured it would be fair to ask your test to you. For all I know you could be as uncultured as your brother.

can we not talk about him

I dunno really

I wanna say pluto because they deserve it

but I kinda like saturn best.

Nerd: Any reason why?

Just kinda interesting

Big, lots a moons, ring.

It’s just a cool planet.

Nerd: Fair enough.

Do you have a reason to like jupiter?

Nerd: If I’m being honest, my science teacher absolutely adored Jupiter. I don’t know why but that memory of him ranting about how cool it was just really stuck with me. I was only about 8 years old. But I found myself agreeing with him. Back then my fascination was a lot more childish. I thought it was fascinating that since Jupiter was a gas planet it hadn’t been blown away yet. I grew up from that view but the interest never left.

ew that was almost cute.

Nerd: I concur that was very unprofessional.

WAIT

HOLD ON

Why hasn’t Jupiter blown away!?!?!?!?!??

Nerd: Excuse me?

8YR OLD YOU IS A GENUIS

Nerd: There’s no atmosphere in space!

But there’s pressure and junk isn’t there?

Nerd: The pressure is pulling the mass into the centre which keeps the planet whole.

Do you think we could step on Jupiter?

Nerd: I don’t know.

I thought you knew space!

Nerd: I do biology! To get into a biology degree, I did a bunch of biology based subjects! Why would I know anything about space?

I dunno.

I guess if you look like a nerd people just presume.

Nerd: I’ve personally found it’s the confidence. If you act confident enough then everyone presumes you know exactly what you’re doing and you’re in control, no matter how out of place you look.

I’ll drink to that!

Wait, in what situation would you have learnt this!?!

Nerd: I have a bad habit of accidentally going to the wrong class and just going along with it rather than anything else. Although I should say I did fantastic in that architectural history class. But this habit has caused some awkward situations. I have also impersonated a store manager to explain why me and my friend were there when really he ran into the warehouse searching for a kitten.

HAH

That’s brilliant

Using your nerdy powers to overthrow society.

Does this mean you’re a liar?

Nerd: I call it ‘managing life’.

HAH

Sounds about right.

Why are you awake at this time?

Nerd: I could ask you that.

#sanders sides #logan sanders #remus sanders #My writing #roman sanders #patton sanders #Janus Sanders #deceit sanders #virgil sanders #group chat fic #fluff

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angelsndragons · 4 years

Text

Clay Timeline

Or our best guess at it, really. I am trying to reference Matt primarily because it is his world and because Taliesin has admitted to being fuzzy on some details, owing to Caduceus’ own navel-gazing/not paying attention to said details. There is also the chance that Matt swapped things around in the background in the six irl months between Dust and Clay and Family Shatters.

Update as of 130/131: No one can keep track of the Clays and it is hysterical. You know you have a problem when the Lorekeeper has to ask for a family tree.

~545 - Molaesmyr falls to whatever corruption or experiments its elves were running. This corruption is eerily similar to that of the corruption found in Aeor, a floating city once known for having god-killer weapons. Ref. EGtW and the timing of Ludinus Da’leth founding the Cerberus Assembly in A Game of Names.

~735 - The Corruption of Molaesmyr begins assaulting the Blooming Grove. Ref Caduceus and the Clays saying the corruption within the Savalirwood began overtaking the temple about a century before the start of the game.

~715-755 - Caduceus Clay is born. Taliesin has said he is anywhere between 80-120, however the lower numbers have come up more frequently. What is also interesting is that the reference age for Caduceus settled into early 20s/23, down from mid 20s/23-26.

826 - The Gorgon comes to the Menagerie and petrifies the inhabitants. Ref Family Shatters, Eremus Stone confirms he was frozen ten years ago.

826-827 - Constance and Corrin leave the Grove together. Ref. Family Shatters, Constance confirms that they left around 827. Also reference Calm before the Storm.

828 - The last of the Clays leaves the Grove. Ref Family Shatters, Caduceus says that Clarabelle left eight or seven years previously. Also Ref Within the Nest, Caduceus says that one of his sisters was the last to leave, heading East.

- Okay, so Taliesin talks like they left one by one once they had their visions but we know that is not strictly true because of Constance and Corrin. Either way, this timeline lines up with Taliesin’s ‘once every six months the next one would leave’ comments; you can accommodate more individual trips by adjusting the time of year they left. For example, put Constance and Corrin later in 826 for leaving pairs or put them earlier for the rest of the family leaving individually. Remember that the Exandrian calendar only has 11 months.

---Update from Episode 130, Calm before the Storm. Caduceus says that after Corrin and Constance left, Calliope left by herself, followed by Colton (who may have left with Cornelius), Cornelius, and finally Clarabelle.

We also know that the Family Shatters Clay pairs probably did not travel together exclusively throughout their journeys.

- Constance and Corrin arrive separately at the Kiln. They also leave separately, lacking the residuum they need. This was ‘a few years ago,’ according to the Dusts. Ref Jeramiss Dust in Clay and Dust.

- On a maybe relevant note, Corrin is the Clay who comments on Uthodurnian food, stating she likes it a lot better than the Empire’s food in Family Shatters.

- Constance and Corrin arrive at the Menagerie together and are petrified. They came hoping the Stones might have some residuum to use at the Kiln. Ref Family Shatters, Constance confirms they came together and that the trip took ‘quite a few months.’

- At some point, Colton also arrives alone at the Kiln. He leaves like his mother and aunt do, confused and lacking materials. Ref Clay and Dust. Note that we do not know if Colton got there before or after his mother and aunt, he is simply brought up later in the conversation, as though it was easier for Jeramiss to remember Constance and Corrin than him.

- Colton is found with Clarabelle inside the Menagerie Cave, protecting her from something.

- Clarabelle is the most visibly confused of the Clays re Caduceus’ apparent age. She also is not panicked or defensive like Colton is when he awakes. I would guess her lack of darkvision meant that she did not see the statues or the gorgon when she entered the Cave, even if she brought a light source.

- Calliope has a single residuum seed on her when she is restored, indicating she too went to the Kiln at some point and had residuum on her when she did so. Ref Calliope Clay, Family Shatters, she straight-up tells Beau she got it at the Kiln.

- Notably, she is found with Cornelius, who has residuum glass on him but no seed. He states that he got confused when Caduceus shows him his residuum seeds.

- Also notably, Cornelius had spotted Constance and Corrin before he was petrified, indicating that he and Calliope arrived after them.

835, Fessuran 22 - Mollymauk Tealeaf dies.

835, Fessuran 23 - Caduceus Clay has visions of eyes in the trees, sky, spring, and stones in the Blooming Grove. He then sees nine butterflies.

835, Fessuran 24 - Caduceus Clay joins the Mighty Nein.

836, Thunsheer 25 - Cornelius, Calliope, and Constance Clay reunite with Caduceus. Corrin, Clarabelle, and Colton are found but are unable to be restored due to a lack of spell slots.

836, Thunsheer 26 - The Clays reunite as Clarabelle, Colton, and Corrin are all successfully restored. They begin their trek back to the Grove.

Update as of 131: Reani totally dished the deets on the Nein while she escorted the Clays home. Reference Clarabelle asking about the Xhorhaus’ tree when no one mentioned it around her in 96 or 130.

836, Brussendar 19: The latest date the Clays make it home; Jester checks in with Calliope on this date and confirms that they have planted the seeds. They probably have been back for a while at this point, as Colton and Corrin are on a supply run on Brussendar 31 during Calm Before the Storm.

Speculation on the timeline below -

Updated as of 131: Matt and Taliesin apparently mixed up which sister is the crafty one, aka which one made the armor. Clarabelle is the sensitive artist while Calliope is the warrior but according to 130 and 131, Calliope made Caduceus and her own armor (which honestly was my thought the whole time, the two of them being a matched/equal and opposite set, but the idea of Clarabelle making her siblings’ matching armor is too dang cute). Obviously Calliope can be a warrior and make her own stuff, in fact, it is probably smart on her end considering she wants to go out on her own.

The fact that Calliope has a seed but no residuum and her father has residuum but no seed and seemed confused by Caduceus’ indicates to me that Calliope and Cornelius met up at the Menagerie not too long before they were petrified. Calliope did not have the time to explain to her father how she got the seed or perhaps that she even had it in the first place. I lean towards lack of time because she, like Colton, seems really gung-ho about being the hero of the family/Grove. It seems weird to me that she wants that validation but would withhold the seed from her dad.

Given that Calliope does have a seed but was not mentioned at all during the stay at the Kiln, I wonder if she came in behind Caduceus and made it to the Kiln after the group reforged the sword and left. I thought that Caduceus mentioned he wanted to leave a record of his time there but I cannot find it at the moment. Maybe someone else will or maybe that was all in my imagination. If she actually did come in behind Caduceus, that means that she was aging for the vast majority of her time away from the Grove, as was her father if they met up at the Menagerie. CritRole Stats tells me that the Nein were at the sanctum on 18 and 25 Misuthar, while the Clays are reunited on 25 Thunsheer, two months later. It would be a tight schedule for Calliope to make across the entire freaking continent in that two months but considering that Matt has said that Molaesmyr is only a few days to a week from the Sanctum and the fact that she is a badass, it might be possible.

I think we can reasonably say that Clarabelle found the Menagerie first and that she probably came alone. Colton found her statue when he came and tried to protect it before he succumbed. Or Clarabelle and Colton met up at some point and she wandered off for a hot second before being petrified.

Out of universe, I think Matt just flubbed with which sibling made it to the Kiln and flubbed the girls’ introductions; I think he meant to have Clarabelle and Cornelius together outside and Colton and Calliope inside, esp given the potentially poetic imagery of Calliope and Colton being that close to saving their home before they are taken out of the game. But if mistakes were made, they have yet to be clarified so until then, we just have to deal with what canon gave us.

#caduceus clay #clay family #caduceus meta #my meta #long meta #i seriously word vomited #ran out of steam #but overall good with this #calliope clay #clarabelle clay #look there is a major story #behind each of the clays #and how they got to the menagerie #i feel like there are so many pieces missing with their story #and that folks are just unable to see the subtle horror #and general them-ness

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joysmercer · 4 years

Text

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 7: A Timeline

Season 6 Finale: Wednesday, 5/8 to Wednesday, 5/15/2019

E1 (“MANHUNTER”): Thursday, 6/6/2019

E2 (“CAPTAIN KIM”): Friday, 6/7 to Monday, 6/10/2019

E3 (“PIMENTO”): Tuesday, 6/18 to Thursday, 6/20/2019 + Thursday, 6/27/2019

E4 (“THE JIMMY JAB GAMES II”): Friday, 6/21/2019

E5 (“DEBBIE”): Saturday, 6/22 to Sunday, 6/23/2019

E6 (“TRYING”): Monday, 6/24/19 to late January 2020

E7 (“DING DONG”): Day 1 to Day 3, mid-March 2020

E8 (“THE TAKEBACK”): Friday, 3/27 to Monday, 3/30/2020

E9 (“DILLMAN”): around 4/10/2020

E11 (“VALLOWEASTER”): Thursday, 10/31/2019 + Friday, 2/14/2020 + Sunday, 4/12/2020 to Monday, 4/13/2020

E10 (“ADMIRAL PERALTA”): mid-May 2020 + around 6/17/2020 + Friday, 6/26 to Saturday, 6/27/2020

E12 (“RANSOM”): Day 1 to Day 3, mid-August 2020

E13 (“LIGHTS OUT”): Day 1, around 10/20/2020

explanations for the dates are under the cut!

Things to keep in mind:

The B/C-plots, for the most part, are not included in the calculation of the times here, because they rarely have the same number of days as the A-plot.

I didn’t take weekends into consideration unless otherwise noted. There is a weekend squad, but we know that the regular detectives also sometimes work weekends (enough so that on more than one occasion, Holt has rewarded them with “weekends off”).

Time-stamps within the episode are used as guidelines, but not always as the rule, unless there is a specific number of days given.

7x01-early 7x06 all have to happen in June so that they can start The Amy Way in July. Please refer to 7x06 for the explanation for the dates on these episodes.

Season 6 Finale: 5/8-5/15/2019

Has to start and end on a Wednesday; two or more weeks must pass until 7x02.

7x01: 6/6/2019

As per Amy's period in Trying, it has to be at the beginning of the month.

Continuity: Since patrol cops spend “6 months on the same beat,” which Holt is still doing in December, assume that when Debbie says it’s his “first week on the job,” she means his current beat.

Continuity: her period technically is supposed to start somewhere between 6/2 and 6/7. Assume when she says it’s “late,” she means by just a few days. After all, for the July calendar to be accurate, it can’t be late by more than a week.

7x02: 6/7-6/10/2019

Day 1 – cold open // Day 2 – they meet Cpt. Kim // Day 3 – Party // Day 4 – last scene

Kim got an “email from two weeks ago” from Wunch. Cold-open is on 6/7, a Friday (because Rosa has the weekend off and, therefore, wouldn’t be there to meet Wunch on Day 2 of the episode). The timestamp on the last scene—Day 4—says that it's a Monday.

7x03: 6/18-6/27/2019

Day 1, 6/18 - cold open

Day 2, 6/19 - visit Pimento’s doctor; Pimento spends the night at Charles’s

Day 3, 6/20 - HR seminar + Pimento in hospital

Day 10: “One Week Later” from Day 3.

Per the cold-open, Amy is ovulating during this episode. Also, Jimmy Jabs are on 6/21.

Continuity: The Masked Singer finale/premiere dates don’t make sense. But the contestant they mentioned didn’t even exist in season 1 of TMS, so it’s excusable.

Continuity: The last scene takes place during “Trying.” Roll with it.

7x04: 6/21/2019

14 days since Rosa last took a vacation—7x02—and a Friday because Amy skips a seminar that was probably wasn’t scheduled for a weekend.

Continuity: Rosa and Jocelyn had apparently been dating “a year” at this point. It was probably shorter than that.

Continuity: This episode most likely takes place before Trying: Jake mentions Amy being more, erm, adventurous now that they’re trying to conceive, and that doesn’t really fit in with the overly-scheduled sex UD-ing that was happening from July 2019 and onwards. Plus, the stress/potential injury that such a competition would bring definitely doesn’t fit in with The Amy Way.

7x05: 6/22-6/23/2019

Debbie steals the cocaine at end of 7x04; assume 7x05 is the day after. The final scene is the day after the rest of the episode.

Continuity: They mention Debbie’s journals from “this year,” and specify that they were written on “August 21.” Assume this means August 2018.

7x06: 6/24/19 - late January 2020

On the calendars in the war room, “Menstruation” lasts about five days and starts around the 4th of every month; “Ovulation” starts around the 15th of every month and lasts about a week. Amy presumably took a pregnancy test at the very end of every month—not only were these scenes always followed by calendar flips, but she would have to take the tests at least two weeks after ovulation but before she got her period.

The calendar invites/The Jake Way happen in June—so Amy still has to be ovulating at the start of the episode—because they start The Amy Way in July.

The Amy Way fails for the last time in December. The pregnancy test she takes before Hitchcock announces that his girlfriend is pregnant was late December (around 12/30). The next test she would take—the last scene in the episode—would be late January (around 1/30).

Assuming it isn’t a false positive (which is unlikely, considering her doctor would have double-checked this before putting her on fertility medication), the earliest she can get pregnant would be mid-February.

7x07: lasts about a week and ends mid-March 2020.

Has to be after 2/14 but before 4/12, based on Holt’s uniform changes in Valloweaster.

It’s very likely that Amy’s just a few weeks pregnant here since she wasn’t suspicious at all until her doctor brought it up; if the hormones messed up her cycle a bit and she got pregnant mid to late-February, she was 3-4 weeks pregnant in this episode and wouldn’t have noticed until taking the test.

Continuity: I’m assuming that the “Ebola Doctor” was Craig Spencer. He contracted the virus in 2014, so “six years ago” makes sense.

7x08: 3/27-3/30/2020.

Since it’s Holt’s first day back, this episode is relatively soon after 7x07, but with a week or two in between to account for paperwork and official promotion procedures.

Day 1: Friday (The bachelor’s party is over the weekend)

Day 2: Saturday (heist)

Judy’s friends were clearly arrested at nighttime, and that + the change of clothing indicates that Jake and the Judy’s had to have come home the next day.

Day 3: Sunday (Jake comes home)

Day 4: Monday (last scene)

Continuity: The screen on the computer that one of Judy’s men hacks into says “Last Login: March 27 2015.″ Since this episode obviously takes place in 2020, just ignore that.

7x09: ~4/10/2020

Earlier than June—Terry’s kids are still in school (Spring Semester). Also probably(?) a Friday, since Terry’s kids have a concert and it’s unlikely they’ll have one in the middle of the week.

The Friday before Easter (7x11) is April 10.

7x10: Mid-May 2020 (cold open), ~6/17/2020, 6/26/2020-6/27/2020

Cold-Open: pregnancy reveal and end of 1st trimester.

Day 2: Jake tells his father that they’re having a sex-reveal party “Next Friday,” indicating two Fridays after this day. Therefore, this conversation happened around June 17, 2020 (The Wednesday that is approximately 18 weeks from mid-February).

Day 3: Friday, Day of the party (June 26)

Day 4: Amy finds out; day after Day 3 (June 27)

Continuity: The entirety of 7x11 takes place before this one.

7x11: 10/31/19, 2/14/20, and 4/12-4/13/2020

7x12: Day 1-Day 3, Mid-8/2020

Day 1: Cold Open

Day 2: find cheddar

Day 3: B- and C-plots end

Shakespeare in the Park is usually held in Prospect Park over the summer. Halfway between 7x10 and 7x13 is the end of August; I made it mid-August so it’s still technically “Summer.”

Continuity: Amy’s only 6 months pregnant in this episode and her baby shower is the weekend after. However, in season 5, Gina also had her baby shower at around 5/6 months, so this isn’t unusual for these characters. Plus, this is Amy we’re talking about—she probably had a registry ready to go within days of finding out about the pregnancy.

7x13: Day 1, late-10/2020.

The elevator expiry is listed as 12/20/2020 and it was inspected “4 months ago.” elevators in New York are inspected every 6 months, which means that the last inspection was 6/20/2020 and it is now (mid to late-)October.

Later in the month (10/20/2020* or later) matches up with Amy getting pregnant in mid-February: her due-date would be mid-November, and it makes sense for her to start maternity leave about 3 weeks beforehand.

Continuity: Amy going on leave so early explains why she didn’t have a maternity bag stashed somewhere in the precinct—we all know that she would have had one had she been working right up to her due date. Also, although Amy’s FOMOW would make her want to stay at the precinct right up until she gave birth, if her doctor recommended her to take rest earlier (which is likely, given how stressful/strenuous her job is…), she would have followed those orders properly.

Thank you to @feeisamarshmallow for talking through this with me!

* baby Mac could definitely be either a Libra or a Scorpio :)

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piccadilly-lilly · 4 years

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“The predicament in which Isolde and I found ourselves seemed fictional, fantastic right from the start. 　 We met while I was on holiday behind the Iron Curtain. I was a Swedish student working for my doctorate in political science. She was a medical student from East Berlin: beautiful, slender with dark hair and smiling eyes. In a few days we were in love and, three months later, visiting her at her flat in East Berlin, I asked her to marry me. 　 "But that is impossible," Isolde said, her eyes brimming with tears. "The authorities would never let me leave the country." 　 I refused to take no for an answer, and finally convinced her that she must try to escape. On a map, we examined the communist borders stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea and considered how we'd slip out. By that time (July 1965), all the standard means of escape such as a break through the Berlin Wall, were too risky. 　 Suddenly, to my own astonishment, I heard myself say, "I'll fly you out Isolde." 　 Her eyebrows shot up. "But I didn't know you were a pilot." 　 "I'm not," I admitted. I had never been in a cockpit in my life. But I will go back to Sweden and learn to fly, and then I'll fetch you." Isolde looked at me as if I were crazy but before the evening was over, she agreed that a small plane was our best chance. 　 The trouble was that, within an hour of my first lesson in Stockholm, I learned that flying definitely was not my strong point. My coordination was poor, my depth perception and sense of balance wretched. 　 But I kept at it, and eventually I was learning how to execute ludicrously inept landings. My instructor, however, was not encouraging. My persistence in flying too low over the treetops (one day I would have to fly that low to get in under the Communist radar beams) especially upset him. "Higher, higher!" he'd shout. "We don't want to lose our plane!" 　 It took me nearly a year, 40 training hours in the air, to get my pilot's certificate. One August day in 1966, I got the precious document. I also succeeded in obtaining a tourist visa valid for two entries to Czechoslovakia, which we had decided was the country best suited for the rescue flight. 　 Next morning, Sunday, August 14, I took the train to Vienna and on Monday drove from there to the nearby check border in a hired car. The frontier police examined my visa and painstakingly checked my car and luggage. I made myself relax. How were they to know that my real mission here was to find a suitable out of the way field in which to land and pick up Isolde? 　 I selected an abandoned pasture north of Bratislava and about 25 miles east of Vienna, near a point where the sombre, wooden guard towers were a little farther apart than usual. 　 Although there were no Cessnas - the only plane with which I was familiar - available in Vienna, I learned that I could hire one in Salzburg, 155 miles away. I took the train there, and proved to an inspector at the airport that I could handle the plane. Then I managed to navigate the little aircraft back over the unfamiliar landscape to Vienna. 　 Everything was now ready. From Salzburg I had sent Isolde the coded telegram she had waited so long for. "MAGNUS ARRIVES AT 16.40 BRUNO." In the Swedish calendar, of which Isolde had a copy, each day has a special Christian name. Magnus was the following day, Friday, August 19 and I was asking Isoldeto meet me at the railway station in Brno, Czechoslovakia. 　 On Friday afternoon, I sped by car to Brno, 68 miles away. Isolde was there at the station. In our joy at being together again we forgot for an hour or so that the night held any problems for us. 　 By dinner, our laughter was hollow, our smiles frozen. We were aware that we might be celebrating our last meal. After dark we drove to the "escape field." I switched off the lights before leaving the road and crossed the pasture in the dark. 　 There was no time to waste. At any moment the tower's searchlight, slashing about in circles just 330 yards away, might spot the car. 　 "Hide there in the trees until morning," I told Isolde. "I"ll come just before dawn. When you see my plane, wave your scarf to show me where you are. And remember , whatever happens, I love you." 　 Back in Vienna two hours later, I was far too excited to sleep. instead, I wrote a letter to my parents in Sweden, telling them for the first time about Isolde, and asking for their understanding in case anything went wrong. At about 3 a.m. I checked out of the hotel and went to the airport where I explained that "urgent business in Salzburg" required me to take off just as soon as it was light. But I had hardly settled in the cockpit when the sky was split by jagged forks of lightning, followed by tremendous thunderclaps. Then the rain began to fall and I was unable to take off. 　 For two more hours I fumed and fretted, waiting for the storm to abate. Finally, at 8 o'clock sharp, I was cleared for takeoff. 　 Once outside the traffic pattern, I dived to treetop level to slip under the radar surveillance at the border. Hedge-hopping, I followed the main railway into Czechoslovakia, swept in between the two guard towers I'd chosen and skimmed over the empty pasture at an altitude of only 65 feet. 　 No familiar jumper, no waving red scarf. Isolde was not there. I banked, and rolled back towards the two guard towers. Terrified, I fully expected the soldiers, plainly visible on the towers, to open fire. But I had caught them off guard. 　 Safely back in Vienna I was utterly exhausted and worried sick about what might have happened to Isolde. There was only one thing to do. I hired another car and rushed back to Czechoslovakia, to the Bratislava hotel where we had planned to meet if anything went wrong. She was there, safe though badly shaken. 　 In her hiding place she had been drenched with rain, frightened by unfamiliar night sounds, and terrified when, at dawn, she had heard a burst of shots from the near-by border. Remembering our agreement that I would arrive shortly after the dawn she was afraid something had happened to me. Yet she had waited for me until full daylight, only then had she left her hiding place and found a road where, eventually, a motorist picked her up. 　 Despite her ordeal and knowing that a second attempt might be twice as dangerous, Isolde was eager to try again. "What other chance will we ever have, Hans?" She asked. 　 The following morning we set out north along the border searching for a new "escape field". We found it near the little town of Mikulow. It was well marked by a small lake and a tall pine grove which I believed I could easily see from the air. 　 I left Isolde there about 3.30 p.m., again promising to pick her up at dawn the next day, Monday August 22. 　 On the way back to Vienna I stopped briefly in several towns to make small sketches of the distinctive church steeples in each. These, I hoped, would help lead me back to the meadow. It was late afternoon when I stopped at the airport. Because the airport people were still friendly, I knew the Czech authorities had not lodged a complaint about my illegal morning flight. 　 Trying to sound casual, I asked the meteorologist, "What about the flying weather tomorrow, good?" 　 "No," he said. "Low hanging clouds are moving in early tonight." This meant that with my limited experience, takeoff and landing might be impossible by morning. The news hit me like a blow in the stomach. If all our efforts were not to be in vain, I would have to act quickly. It was now 5.30 and soon it would be getting dark. 　 I rushed over to the flight operations desk and tried to keep my voice level as I said, "I'd like to take a little exercise flight just to see the sunset." "Alright," said the flight dispatcher, but since you are not cleared for night flying you must be back by dusk-no later!" I knew I couldn't get back before dark, and I've never flown at night. But there was no time to worry about it. I dashed for my plane and took off. 　 Following the church steeples I'd sketched, I found my stretch of frontier, dived to an altitude of only 30 feet and leapfrogged a hill between two guard towers. Suddenly, right in front of me and less than 100 yards away, was a third tower I hadn't seen before. I missed the tower top by what seemed inches. A soldier opened his eyes wide with terror as I practically flew into his open mouth. 　 But the near-miss disorientated me. Where was the little lake, the tall pine grove where I had left Isolde. Circling, I found one lake, then another, but neither was ours. I broke into a cold sweat the light was fading fast. 　 With shaking hands, I took out my map and saw that there were only three lakes in the whole area. Climbing to get a broader view, I suddenly saw it, and saw to my enormous relief, OUR field beside it, our pine grove… and a tiny figure frantically waving a red scarf. 　 it was certainly one of the worst landings I ever made. I came in too high, overshot the field and had to break heavily to stop. Without a word Isolde jumped into the seat beside me. Almost instantly we were roaring up into the dusk in a take off as bad as the landing. I could almost hear the sound of machine-gun fire as I spiralled up as fast as I could. It was now quite dark and all the familiar landmarks had vanished. I did the only thing I could: took a compass heading of the opposite direction from which I had come. 　 Luck was with us. After some 20 acutely anxious minutes, we spotted in the distance a cluster of jewelled lights – Vienna! – then the straight, beaded string of lights that marked the airport runway. I made my approach just as if it were daytime. When I thought the runway lights whizzing by looked big enough, I pulled up the plane's nose and made an amazingly smooth landing. 　 One last hurdle remained: the airport authorities must not see Isolde or back she might go. We had planned for her to slip away into the darkness of the big field. But just as she was getting out, a car from the control tower board down on us with blazing headlights. 　 "Hide!" I whispered. Isolde scrambled back into the baggage compartment and disappeared just before a furious air control officer pulled up. 　 "You've put us to a lot of bother tonight," he snapped. "We even contacted Czech Air Control to see if they'd seen or heard you." My heart sank. "They said they had, but only over Austria, and that's a good thing for you, mister. You can get into serious trouble blundering across the border!" 　 He drove away, and I taxied the plane to a hangar. As an attendant blinded by my lights, opened the hangar door, I told Isolde, "Quick run for it." She did, without being seen. I met her outside the field and we drove jubilantly into town. 　 Next morning I sneaked Isolde back aboard and flew her to West Germany, where I landed in a field and let her out. After returning my plane to Salzburg I rejoined her. It took her a month to get her papers, and on her 25th birthday she arrived in Stockholm. We were married in the white stone church where I'd been christened, and we left on our honeymoon by car. I no longer fly planes.”

-Hans Christian Cars, from a translation of “Flykten över järnridån”

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waywardnerd67 · 4 years

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TFWB - Chap 24 The Winchester Chronicles

Summary: Jared has a special signing of Jensen’s NYT Bestselling book at his renown bookstore. Characters: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Rachel Sanderson (OFC), Reader Pairing: Jared x Rachel (OFC) Warnings: Fluff/AU Word Count: 1197 Squared Filled: Bookstore AU A/N #1: This is for @spnfluffbingo card

Check out: The Family We Built Masterlist

Jensen looked at his calendar seeing he had an appointment with a new client scheduled by his assistant Kat. He called her into his office before she left for the day.

“Who is this new client? I’m taking a step back from the firm, remember?”

She narrowed her eyes at him, “I remember. Trust me, you will want to take this appointment. I wouldn’t have scheduled it if I didn’t think it would be a great fit for you. Now I’m going to leave because I have a hot date with a Winchester tonight. Have a great night Mr. Ackles.”

He laughed as she left his office leaving the door ajar. Most of his firm had read his debut novel, The Winchester Chronicles, by now. A few senior employees asked for him to sign it and a couple of braver interns had as well. He needed to check in with (Y/N) to see how it was selling around the country. He looked up when there was a knock on his door and saw Jared walking in.

“Hey, what’s with the monkey suit?” Jensen motioned to Jared’s nice charcoal suit and navy tie.

He sat down in front of his desk, “I’m your appointment Mr. Ackles.”

Jensen stared at his best friend for a moment surprised deciding to play along, “Oh, well okay then. What brings you in today, Mr. Padalecki?”

“I wanted to approach you about having a book event at my local bookstore. You see, your novel has just hit the New York Times Bestsellers list and I would love to have an event to celebrate that remarkable feat.” Jared held up his phone with the website pulled up and zoomed in on his novel.

He took the phone from him staring down at his name and novel title with the number ten by it, “Holy shit…” He looked up as his friend smiled widely at him then went back to his business face.

“Now, Turn the Page Books and More, I feel is the perfect fit for this event. We can have a limited book signing and reading. We would work with your agent for promotions and have your novel featured in our front window display.” Jared pulled out an official contract placing it on his desk, “Of course you’ll want your agent to read over that and once it’s signed we can begin preparations.”

He was impressed by all the work Jared put into this and reeling from the news of being on the bestsellers list, “I will have my agent read over this after myself and have it back to you by the end of the day tomorrow.”

Both men stood up, “I appreciate this opportunity Mr. Ackles and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed your novel. I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow.” Jensen stepped from behind his desk to shake Jared’s hand.

“Thank you.” He pulled Jared into a hug, “Now stop being such a damn good business owner and let’s gather everyone to celebrate.”

“Damn right because this is fucking awesome! Congratulations buddy.”

A month later, Jensen was standing in front of his mirror trying to decide on if wearing a tie was too much or not. It was his first event of any kind for his novel and his stomach was buzzing with nerves.

“Hey there handsome.”

He turned around to see (Y/N) standing in the doorway wearing a simple flowy white dress. She walked over standing in front him, slipping the tie from around his neck. It was the simplest thing but from her it made his heart race.

“You look beautiful, (Y/N).” He said softly as she smiled.

(Y/N) walked into his closet pulling out a more casual yellow and gray plaid button down, “The Oxford is a little too much for this event. You need to be approachable and not the CEO of an investment firm.”

Jensen unbuttoned his shirt, slipping it off and trading it for the one she was holding. He noticed her eyes traveling the length of his body as she sucked in a breath seeing him in only a plain under shirt. A smirk curled on his face as he put the other shirt on.

“Thanks.” He looked up to see her looking away walking towards the door. He took a deep breath remembering his promise to her.

Jared’s bookstore was located on 6th Street, which was a popular bar hopping, shopping part of downtown Austin. He first drove past the front of the store to see a line wrapping around the building of people holding copies of his book. He could not believe the amount of people there for his book and looked over to (Y/N) who was smiling from ear to ear.

“And you thought there would be no one here.” Her sing-song tone made him chuckle as he parked behind the bookstore.

Rachel was waiting outside for them pacing as she rubbed her swollen belly. Jensen said a silent prayer that she did not go into labor during this event. Not for his sake but for Jared’s since he knew his best friend had been freaking about this event all month.

“Finally! Jared is driving me crazy and I need you to calm his ass down before I kill him.” She ranted as Jensen leaned down kissing her cheek.

“You look gorgeous Momma now relax and I’ll handle the mad man.”

She sighed hugging him, “Bless you, you wonderful man.”

Before going inside Jensen looked back to see Rachel and (Y/N) having some kind of intense conversation. Curious, he made a mental note to ask her about it on his way to drop her off back home. He found Jared easily losing his mind trying to make everything perfect. After a few stern words and a smack on the face, Jensen finally got him to calm down.

The event went without a hitch. Meeting fans of his book was an experience he would never forget. Hearing how the Winchesters’ story helped them through some dark times and give them hope meant everything to him. A few young ladies flirted with him as well as a few older ones. He would smile politely, signing their books and then would scan the room for (Y/N). When his eyes would land on her everything in the world felt right again.

When it was time for the reading, Jared surprised him by reading one of his favorite parts in the book, “Chapter 22 - The Wayward Sons…”

***

Watching Jensen with his fans and hearing some of their stories was an amazing experience for her. (Y/N) remembered all the fangirls talking about how hot Jensen was and the jealousy raging through her body. Any time a girl would flirt with him, she had noticed his eyes scanning the room until they found her and then he would smile at her. That is when Rachel’s come to Jesus talk about her feelings for him would echo in her mind.

Make your move or you’re going to lose him to some other woman and I refuse to let that happen. You’re in love with him now tell him.

If you enjoyed this story then check out my Masterlist!

My Nerd Herd: @waywardbaby @ladywinchester1967 @akshi8278 @ericaprice2008 @deans-baby-momma @spnbaby-67 @dean-winchesters-bacon @carryonmywaywardcaptain @-lovepeacenhope- @destiel745 @carribear31 @srsllydunnodoncare @whimsicalrobots @thisismysecrethappyplace @starstruckzonkoperatorbat @adoptdontshoppets @mrswhozeewhatsis @bella-ca @drakelover78 @imascio08 @pisces-cutie @dwgrl1903-blog @mannls @the-salty-asian @winchesterprincessbride @xostephanie @superromijn @witch-of-letters @time-travel-bouqet @screechingartisancashbailiff @myinconnelly1 @sister-winchesters99 @thekatherinewinchester @maddiepants @tumbler-tidbits @sandlee44 @destielhoneybee @jerkbitchidjitassbutt @thefaithfulwriter @stoneyggirl @supernaturalginger @emoryhemsworth @wednesdayismyfunday @team-free-will-you-idjiot @atc74 @cosicas-cuquis @casseythebee

#spnfluffbingo #tfwb series #jensen ackles fanfiction #jensen ackles fanfic #jared padalecki fanfiction #jared padalecki fanfic #ofc #reader insert #fluff #au

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purplesurveys · 3 years

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1192

Have you ever tried a colorful macaroon? Maybe you mean macarons? I’ve never seen a macaroon with food coloring before.

Do you say macaroon or macaron? It depends on what I’m referring to because they’re two different kinds of food.

Do you know what a macaroon is? Yes, they taste terrible.

Would you rather go to Paris or London? Both sound a bit too boring of a trip for me tbh, I’d rather go to other European cities.

Which national flag do you like the best? I’m not that into flags to have a favorite...I like how Nepal’s has a unique shape, though.

Name 3 celebrities people say you look like. Lucy Hale, Anna Akana, and a local celebrity you wouldn’t know about.

^Do you agree? I never saw myself looking like Anna but that’s actually the most common one I get, so I just might not know my face all that well. The only one that’s agreeable enough with me is the last celebrity I mentioned.

Do you know anyone who looks like Taylor Swift? No, especially not on this side of the planet.

Have you ever been betrayed by a best friend? Yes but that was like back in the fifth grade. I’ve been very selective of my friends ever since.

What color is the sweatshirt that you wear the most? Black.

Do you have a mirror in your room? No. I don’t really feel as if I need it.

What was the last thing you painted? I last painted on a paint-by-numbers kit, but it’s been a while since I took up the hobby. I want to get back around to it someday, but proably not any time soon as I find it a tad bit time-consuming.

Do you correct grammatical errors online? Not other people’s, but yeah I edit my posts whenever I catch a typo or grammar error. I also edit survey questions if they aren’t in proper grammar, just so other people who’d want to take the same survey won’t have to deal with it and point it out anymore.

What’s the last thing you made out of clay? I’ve only done pottery once, and that time I was taught how to make a vase. I wasn’t able to see the end result though since they still had to bake it and everything, and I was only staying in that town for a few days.

Do you go for days without washing your hair? No, I absolutely hate that feeling. My hair starts getting itchy after a day or so of not washing it and it feels irritating, so I feel the need to shower everyday.

When is the last time you had scrambled eggs and bacon? Maybe around a week ago? It’s something my parents make regularly for breakfast, alongside other local breakfast dishes.

Do you like bacon bits on your salad? I don’t really eat salad but sure, I’ll take some bacon in mine.

What is your favorite salad dressing? See above.

What is your favorite kind of soup? Not a big soup person either. I suppose I’m most enthusiastic about miso soup, if anything.

Do you eat a lot of soup? Not at all. I don’t think I ever purposely ordered it at a restaurant either; I only consume soup if it already comes as a freebie with my order.

Do you collect Mason jars to use for crafts? Nope, was never a hobby of mine. This reminds me that I have a mason jar filled with date receipts and love notes on tiny Post-Its from my last relationship, though...I literally can’t remember if I’ve since thrown it out, but I also haven’t seen it in a while...hm. I guess I’ll try looking for it later today and throw it away if I do find it still lying around in my room.

What’s a trend that you never caught on to? Remember when I said streetwear like, literally a month ago? Lmaoooooo I’m into it now. That’s why I’ll just skip over this question HAHAHAHA I always end up being obsessed with the things I swear off in the beginning :((((

What’s a trend that you haven’t caught on to yet, but you want to? Vlogging? It’d be nice to make a video or two of my own.

Do you type fast? Very. My co-workers recently started sharing this typing speed website that we’re all free to try out and so far I’m the official reigning champion haha. No one has beaten my WPM record yet.

Did you learn to type through a computer program for kids? Yes. I never adopted the ‘standard’ finger practice though; I type only with my index and middle fingers.

How many years were you homeschooled? I was never homeschooled.

If applicable, what’s a youtuber you would love to collab with? Louise Pentland.

Do you think you’re successful in life? Not quite there yet, but I’m comfortable with the way I’m working towards it for now. It’s nice to be doing things that I know will lead to something in the future.

What color is the tree outside your window? If you mean the leaves, then green.

What color is your rug, if you have one? (not carpet, rug) I don’t have one in my room but the main one we have in the living room is brown.

What do you take for pain? I take a Biogesic pill for headaches. If I get muscle sores/strains, I rub Katinko on the spots that hurt.

Which pharmacy do you use? I never need to go to those but I can always take a drive to the nearby Mercury Drug.

Do you reapply nail polish when it starts to chip? I don’t wear nail polish at all.

What is this month’s calendar picture? I don’t use a calendar.

What was the last thing you ate? Sushiiiiiiiii. I made a very impulsive and rash decision to buy THREE ORDERS of sushi yesterday. I hadn’t eaten all day and I also had a crappy at work, and my clouded judgment thought buying 24 pieces of maki was the way to go. I’m still in the stage of trying to convince myself I deserved it anyway.

What are your favorite things to put in tea? I don’t drink tea tea, but when I buy milk tea I always go for chocolate flavors. I also don’t like pearls in my milk tea.

Do you wish the Unicorn Frappuccino was a regular drink at Starbucks? I never go for customized drinks, so I don’t care at all about this.

Is there a coffee shop in your town that’s better than Starbucks? Possibly, but I may not have checked it out yet. For now, I like buying from Starbucks.

Do you frequent any coffee shops? Back in college I used to alternate between Starbucks and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; I’d go several times a week to either because coffee shops were the best place to study at.

What’s your favorite Lisa Frank character? I was never aware that there were characters lol. I thought it was only her.

Which Disney character looks the most like you? Raya for sure, but before her, I felt a big connection with Moana.

Did you go to Disney World or Disneyland as a kid? No, I haven’t gotten to go yet. It would be nice if my first time could also already be a trip with my own kid in the future :)

Do you live with a demon? Talk about creepy question lol. No.

Who has the best personality on youtube? Who cares? < I mean, same. I’m sure they all put up a show to some extent - I don’ think anyone would ever know the answer to this...but personally, those whose personalities I find really endearing would beeeeee Grace Helbig, Kelsey Impicciche, Kelsey Darragh, and Andrew Ilnyckyj.

What are some of your goals for this year? Stay employed, be better at my job, collect more BTS albums.

Does it feel like spring yet? We don’t have spring, so I don’t know what that would feel like.

What do you do to celebrate Earth Day? I don’t wait until April 22 to do something for the planet.

How do you celebrate Easter? I don’t.

Have you ridden your bike yet this year? I can’t ride bikes, haaaaa.

What does your bike look like? The family bike has some blue and grey on it. Not that I ever practice riding it.

What is your favorite place that you’ve lived? I like the house that we live in now. I like that we have a rooftop and that we don’t live with extended family.

Do you shop at Aeropostale? No, and I’m not sure we have Aeropostale shops here. The only reason we ever got Aeropostale items of clothing in the past was because relatives living in the States would occasionally bring home a box of pasalubong for us here in the Philippines.

What’s the last thing you wore from Aeropostale? Idk, probably a shirt. Have you ever been to a church that just wanted your money? Aren’t all churches like that? < Can agree and can confirm. My local parish has been undergoing a ridiculously extravagant renovation for years now and the thing is that the renovation is meant to be so fucking fancy they clearly can’t afford it, so they’ve been pooling money from churchgoers for years now as well. When we could still physically attend mass I used to keep myself from laughing everytime one of the church staff would come up on the podium and ask for money again.

Who is someone you are struggling to forgive, if applicable? I don’t struggle to forgive. I just don’t forgive. If someone does me wrong I just do my best to block them out of my memories, get into the mindset that they never existed, and live peacefully from there.

Have you ever had someone try to intentionally bully you to suicide? I don’t think so, at least not intentionally. My mom always did it unintentionally though, especially in my tween and teen years. She was always very harsh with her words and actions (she still is, but we don’t butt heads as often anymore). I didn’t have a very good emotional foundation mainly thanks to her and I had to claw my own way to get to be the much more stable self I am today.

What’s your favorite type of cereal? Sweet ones.

Who are your favorite kids that you’ve babysat? I never babysat kids outside of younger relatives.

Who is your favorite cousin? My eldest cousin from my mom’s side. I’ve always viewed him more as a brother than a cousin since we did live under the same roof for nearly a decade before my family moved to our own home.

Does one side of your family live in another state? My family is spread out everywhere, dude. I have relatives living in another town, another city, another province, another region, another island, another country. Idk about cultures but that’s generally how Filipino families are to begin with.

What states did your parents grow up in? I’m not saying that.

Do you want kids? If yes, how many? It would be nice. I just don’t know if I’ll ever be able to find someone I would want to marry and have a family with. It definitely seems bleak, but then again I’m 23 lmao. I’m not in a hurry.

What’s a craft that you’ve seen online that you don’t think will work? Most of the shit that that 5 Minute Crafts channel or whatever they’re called puts out.

What, if anything, are you severely allergic to? Grass.

Have you ever had an allergic reaction to an insect? Nopes.

How do you react to bee stings? I’ve never been stung and I hope that never happens to me.

Is there a good hospital where you live? I’m not so sure; I don’t take trips to the hospital frequently.

What’s your favorite kind of tea to drink in the spring? I never drink tea. Never been my...cup of tea? Hahahaha.

What are your favorite biblical names for girls? Elizabeth and Eden.

…for boys? Luke, Noah, Jacob, Seth.

What color nail polish do you usually wear in the spring? Again, I never put on nail polish.

What’s your favorite color that you’ve dyed your hair? I haven’t tried dyeing my hair either :( It’s something I want to explore, though.

Do you ever eat ice cream in the winter? We don’t have winter but yeah, I’m not opposed to having ice cream when the climate is on the cooler side.

How often do you wash your sheets? Every month or so.

What was the name of the biggest bully in your high school? No one got away with pulling that kind of shit in my old school.

^Did everyone hate her/him? -

^Were you his/her target? -

#survey #surveys

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maryellencarter · 4 years

Text

Queer asks copied from @corelliaxdreaming :

1. Is your family accepting? -- Hah. No. My bio-family is not accepting at allllll, so I went and got myself an internet family instead.

2. What is your sexuality? -- Weird. The strongest part of my identity is Aromantic. I seem to be pretty much allosexual, maybe bisexual; most of the people I find myself attracted to are men within a fairly specific category (physically fit to muscular, at least as competent as me, kind, and often a bit dorky; I also have a weakness for clever hands and sexy voices), but the women I'm attracted to cover a much broader range of appearances and personalities. I fall pretty much in the category of the one Tumblr post that said something like "Being bisexual means you're attracted to three specific fictional men and all women", even though the attraction to men... feels... more attraction-y? I'm still really struggling to figure that difference out.

3. What is your gender identity? -- Sort of genderfluid, sort of genderqueer, sort of maybe agnostically agender? I used to ID really strongly as a trans man, and then after a year or so of being accepted, I found myself turning female. I bounced back and forth for a lot of years but seem to have settled down at a point where it doesn't especially matter to me most of the time. Which is a lot more comfortable than hurtling around to different points on the gender spectrum without warning.

4. Favorite color? -- Blue. Royal blue, mostly. That really deep sky blue you get sometimes during the fall. A bunch of really bright colors.

5. When did you find out your sexuality? -- Oh, it's been a process. For a long time I identified as asexual. It took me years to figure out I was actually romance-repulsed, and more years to figure out I had any attraction to women. I'm still sort of confused by that part. Like I mostly just want to look at them being pretty, but I also definitely want to look at their boobs? Maybe touch some boobs? I'm honestly not sure.

6. What do you wish you could tell your past self? -- Oh lord. Sexuality and gender wise? I'm not sure young me could have been hurried along the process of self discovery. I'd really like to tell her she was being abused and gaslighted and that she needed to take her great-aunt's offer of a free ride and major in geology *before* she broke her health, and maybe also tell her she needed a CPAP machine, but she might just think I was a temptation of the Devil. Also I'm not sure if the CPAP machine was an option before Obamacare. Or the psych meds she needed, either.

7. Have you changed labels since realizing you were queer? -- Oh yeah, all over the place. Asexual, trans, genderqueer, biromantic (for about a week), aromantic allosexual bisexual maybe pansexual... some people apparently even count PCOS as an intersex condition, since I have a lot more beard and chest hair than is normal for perisex women, to the point that I always have to explain to a new doctor that I'm not in fact on testosterone, my body just does that. I've never quite felt right claiming the intersex label, but I've tried on a lot of others. I think my header may still say "queer on every conceivable axis".

8. How was your day? -- Um. I got stuck wandering Cracked.com for most of it. Then I drove up to check out my pulmonologist's office, which doesn't *say* they're closed for the pandemic, so I guess I'll go up again on Thursday and poke them about whether my appointment still exists. Then I went and wandered around a very large very dead mall on that side of town, hatched a bunch of pokeymans, then came home and ate some split pea soup.

9. Do you have any queer friends irl? -- I don't have *any* friends irl, and it's kicking my ass. I have like one or two coworkers I could hypothetically hang out with outside of work if we weren't so all-fired busy. But if we're talking "friends I have seen irl at some point", I'm pretty sure they're all queer. They might also be limited to @tigerkat24 and one other person who doesn't use Tumblr, I'm not sure.

10. What's your favorite hobby? -- Probably knitting. It's soft and squishy and brightly colored, and it can be as brainless or as complex as I could possibly want.

11. Who's the best queer icon in your opinion? -- I honestly don't have an opinion. I've always been too far outside the community to figure out whomst the options were.

12. Which pride flags do you like the most design / color wise? -- Pansexual. I'd probably have a lot more pride merch if I IDed as pan, but it just never feels like it fits quite right.

13. Do you wish you could change any pride flags? -- YES. The aro flag is the exact same colors as the agender flag, just in a different arrangement, and it pisses me off because you can't distinguish aro merch from agender merch unless it's specifically flag shaped / has the stripe arrangement. I liked the yellow/orange/green/black aro flag, I found it much more cheerful, but apparently it was too similar to something Rastafarian. But you can't find alloaro flag merch at *all*, even though it has the green and yellow, which I like.

14. Are you openly out? -- Can't really help it, since I legally changed my name to a distinctively masculine one back in the day, and I do not remotely pass as male. So anybody who both sees or hears me and knows my legal name, knows there's *something* queerish going on. (I go by a gender neutral name these days, but haven't yet been arsed to change it legally because it's an entire hassle and a half.)

15. Are you comfortable with yourself? -- Mneh. I'm not *un*comfortable with my gender and sexuality, particularly. Sometimes I wish I could pass as male, sometimes I wish I could have cute cleavage. Sometimes I tie myself in knots with my feelings about women.

16. Do you experience dysphoria? -- I used to, very strongly. It hasn't been very aggressive lately.

17. Bottom, top, or verse? -- *shrugs* I guess I'd be a switch or "verse" because I'm down for whatever.

18. Are you femme, butch, or neither? -- I swing wildly between wishing to present Extremely Butch in a lumberjack style, which is impractical in the Southwest, or wishing to present Extremely Femme but being unable to do so, and tying myself in knots over the inability. (I can't wear femmey shoes due to my stupid feet, I can't have pierced ears as they get infected and the one pair of nice lightweight handcrafted earrings I paid $50 for is gone with the rest of my shit, I'm too lorge to find any nice dresses or be able to like try on prom dresses and stuff, I have a tendency to break jewelry as I'm extremely rough on my possessions... etc.) In practice my gender presentation is Fat Slob. :P

19. Do you bind? -- Not technically, but I do wear cheap sports bras which tend to flatten rather than lift or shape.

20. Do you shave? -- Only by necessity. I shave my face when I remember, because my beard looks extremely douchey and rather like pubes. Occasionally I shave my cleavage if I'm trying to present femmey. I pretty much never shave anything else unless the hair is getting Smelly.

21. If you could date anyone you wanted, who would it be? -- Um. Good question. The thing is, I am fairly strongly romance-repulsed, but I do want and enjoy queerplatonic relationships, so I would draw a distinction here between "dating" someone and being "in a relationship" with them.

22. Are you in a relationship? -- Yes, in fact.

23. Describe your partner. -- @camshaft22 . Um. She's very much the Hobbie to my Wes. She's very snarky and dies a lot and I love her very much.

24. Have you ever dated anyone of the same gender? -- Given that we're both genderfluid, I would say I'm in a relationship with someone of the same gender, yes.

25. Dated anyone of another gender? -- I've never dated or been in a relationship with anyone else, so I guess the answer is no.

26. Tell me a random fact about yourself! -- I always use this one, but I once lived in four different states (mostly non-contiguous) within a calendar month.

27. Do you own any pride flags / merch? -- No. I used to have a whole-ass collection that I added to every Pride, and then I lost all my damn shit and haven't had the heart to start looking again. Well, I have a rainbow necklace Kat sent me which is pretty nice. Can't wear it till my damn sunburn heals, though. :P

28. Have you ever been to a pride parade? -- Yes, when I lived in Bisbee. They have quite an excellent Pride which draws people from as far off as Denver.

29. Any advice to someone who isn't out or is exploring themselves? -- Take your time. It's okay if things change. You don't have to solve yourself all at once. It's more important to find people who will accept whoever you turn out to be.

30. Pineapple on pizza? -- I've honestly never tried it. Part of me feels like I should, in order to develop an opinion, and part of me feels like I'm just as happy being outside of that particular debate.

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romewritingshop · 4 years

Text

Wake up Parker! - Chapter 6: Sleepless in Brooklyn

Relationship: Peter Parker x Tall Older Reader (Peter is 22 and Reader is 26/27)

Warnings: Disappointment

Word Count Total: 1241 (This Chapter)

Summary: Peter Parker is a student in the city of Brooklyn. He’s lazy, spoilt and he procrastinates a lot. He meets a woman named (Y/N), She’s recently moved to Brooklyn for an independent life. Something Peter is fascinated by. Over the course of a few months, Peter needs to realise that he has to grow up and become responsible for his life.

Tagged: @bggerbtch

WAKE UP PARKER! MASTERLIST

Sent @ 12.01 p.m.

Hi 'My First Brooklyn Friend '.

How are you, Mr. Photographer? I hope you’re great. I was remembering you today and so, here I am! Anyhow, here’s the news: Or here’s the tea? Is that how you say it? I don’t know.

Yesterday, I went to the magazine office for my first interview today. Remember ‘Brooklyn Nights’. Pete, it was amazing! Some places have such a character that you immediately connect with them. Do you know that feeling? I felt like I belonged there. I had a meeting with the creative director, Steve Rogers.

It went off quite well actually. Steve was kind and caring. He’s also Head Photographer there. I remember you saying you liked the photographs in this magazine. If I get this job, you should come visit the office sometimes.

My final interview is in a few days, with the magazine editor, James Barnes. Keeping my fingers crossed, that goes well too!

That's it for now.

(Y/N).

Sent @ 13.21 p.m.

Hello 'New Girl in the City'.

Good to know that you had an interesting day. Because I’ve just had the worst days of my life! Mr. Stark’s office is a prison! The people around me come to work at the same time and leave at the same time.

I think they even sleep in the clothes they’re wearing! Don't they get bored? You're so lucky you're not stuck with a thousand pages of company history. The offices sound awesome and I’m sure you’ll do great in your interview with the editor.

Later,

Peter

Sent @ 19.32 p.m.

Dear Pete,

I'm sorry that you're not enjoying work. But I'm sure it'll get better. Just keep at it. Take me for instance. Remember how terrified I was when I first came to Brooklyn? I couldn't even take a walk by myself! And now I've been all over Brooklyn, Peter! I’ve been to museums, parks, cafes, the library! Everywhere!

I wake up and walk out of Wanda’s apartment, without thinking about where I'm going or what I'm doing, just aimlessly walking. And the funny thing is that I don't feel scared anymore. In fact, these days, I feel like I'm finally free! Wanda looks at me like I’m crazy but she doesn’t get how I feel. And then ... last night.

It was fucking awful! I was sleeping calmly in the Wanda’s spare bedroom. Something crawled up my leg and sat on my stomach. I woke up and saw a huge fucking rat! What the fuck! It was like the size of a cat! It was awful. Wanda didn’t even know she had rats in her apartment. I can't live in her apartment anymore!

It's time I found a place of my own. I’ll let you know how that goes.

Till then.

(Y/N)

Sent @ 8.21 a.m.

Dear (Y/N),

Wanda really gets the award for friend of the year! Honestly this is what happens when you hang out with Wanda Maximoff. At least you can continue your next step in independence which is living alone in a house.

I asked Mrs. Stark and she recommended me a good estate agent:

212-555-6139

That's the number for Peter Quill. The best agent in Brooklyn, apparently. Mrs. Stark recommended him, he’s the one who helped us find our house.

Also, it's time you got a phone so I could invite you to rocking parties! Brooklyn’s night life is just as exciting as the day! Let me know how house hunting goes. Your emails are the only best things to read in my days at the office.

Take care,

Peter.

Peter sent the last email and sluggishly packed his bag for the office. The party at Flash’s house was off the hook. The hangover was unbearable. Peter rubbed his head and reminded himself to wait till Friday to get drunk. Michelle phoned him to remind him to go to work. He swung his bag over his shoulder and got a cab to work. He dragged his feet into the lift and took the long slow ride to the floor. A few minutes later he got to his desk and dropped his bag beside him. Resting his head on his forearm.

“Peter! Wake up.” He sat up to see Mr. Stark and Mr. Hogan besides his desk. Mr. Stark was looking much more lively and fresher than Peter, in a dark suit and colourful tie. Mr. Hogan looked disappointed with Peter. “Peter. It's Wednesday. I'll see you in my office in half an hour. Get up. Also clean your face before you come in.”

Mr. Stark disappeared into his office, followed by Happy. Peter felt a little distraught as he checked the calendar on his phone. There was a reminder for Peter to read the big stack of documents. He glanced to the left side of his desk to see the huge stack of history. Peter was royally screwed. He could try bullshit and say he wants to work in creative or the marketing department. However, he knew that Tony would ask him so many questions, just to catch Peter out. A soft ping rang on his email and Peter knew it would be (Y/N)’s email.

Sent @ 9.59 a.m.

Dear Peter,

Thank you so much for Peter Quill’s number. You're a saviour! Some of the apartment ads were annoying and misleading so this number really helped. Peter recommended some really nice apartments. I'm going to look at some today.

Wish me luck.

(Y/N)

Peter leaned back on his chair. (Y/N)’s looking at apartments and Peter’s about to enter Hell. He glanced at his screensaver of the car. She was a beauty. He really enjoyed (Y/N)’s company and he wanted to be there when she was looking at apartments. It sounded so much more fun than what Peter was about to do. Then Peter had a thought.

Tony stepped out of his office and straightened his blazer. Hopefully Peter’s gained some life experience in his week-long reading. He was followed by Bruce Banner. He was one of the engineers for the new security AI. Still needed a name for that alarm. Bruce informed Tony that they were close to completion and could go for a test trial soon.

“Sounds good Banner. We can run the trial at my house. I can install the software and test it.”

“What if it short circuits and causes a power outage?”

“That’s the whole point of the trial. We can check for bugs and glitches and fix them before the product screening next month. Banner, you’ve done an amazing job and I trust your hands. We can talk more of this later. Right now I’ve got a meeting with my son, Peter.”

Bruce gave a nod and stalked away into the elevator. Tony strolled to Peter’s cubicle, announcing.

“Alright Peter, let's go …” He noticed that Peter’s cubicle was empty, save for a small post - it note which read:

Sorry Mr. Stark,

Something came up. Can we postpone, for tomorrow?

Peter

Tony sighed and scrunched up the small yellow paper. Peter threw a curveball at him and Tony felt like an idiot for believing that Peter would do the work, let alone stay more than a week. Tony went into his office and began taking a look at the sales pitch the marketing team came up with for the product launch next month.

CHAPTER SEVEN: THIS IS THE ONE!

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