#and ya girl is a psychopath so as soon as something isn’t going her way

[filibusterphil]

Okay not to defend the hot irredeemable murderer but it is real funny Juliette is out here thinking that Elinor killed Theo to ruin her relationship. I’m sorry babe not everything is about your doomed Shakespearean love. Sometimes your sister wants to hook up with a hot hunter too and then his brother shows up and she thinks she’s been set up so she pisses off both of them and they try and kill her and so she moves out of the way and lets one brother kill the other then wipes his memory so she won’t get blamed or be roped into the mess that will inevitably come from getting a hunter killed.

[yet-another-fan-girl9]

Time Loop (3)

Summary: Bucky gets trapped in a time loop where you, the girl he has been pining for, die every day.

Warnings: Blood, injuries, language

Word Count: 1134

~*~

Third Time’s the Charm

Bucky sat up in bed, his mind reeling from the events that happened just a minute ago. (Y/N) died again. Right in front of him. He formed fists with his hands, nails digging into his flesh one. His metal one was working again. Was his day reset? Did he have another chance to save (Y/N)?

He stumbled out of bed and ran to the kitchen. Yes. Voices, happy voiced, rang down the hallway. Bucky slowed down as he entered the kitchen.

“Hey, Buckaroo!” Sam yelled from the table. “Finally woke up, huh?”

Bucky didn’t respond this time. He was too busy watching (Y/N) flit around the stove.

Scott walked by with his delivery to the table. Then Clint began choking on his food.

“Slow down there, buddy,” Natasha chuckled, patting his back.

“Need strawberries?” Bucky walked to the fridge without waiting for an answer from the girl by the stove.

“That would be amazing.” (Y/N) paused her pancake flipping to smile at him. Bucky smiled back but the sudden vision of her falling limp to the ground caused the smile to vanish.

He went through the motions of cutting strawberries silently. He didn’t look at the table when Parker spilled his juice, but instead quickly turned and grabbed (Y/N)’s wrist before it could touch the hot pan.

“Careful there, doll.” He couldn’t resist putting on the charm.

“Awe, thanks Bucky,” she chuckled. “I swear I hurt myself whenever I cook.”

“I know.”

Soon enough he sat by her side eating pancakes in the empty room. Even on the third day, the pancakes were still delicious, but if this weird time loop continued, he would have to become creative.

“Are you ready for the mission today?” Bucky initiated the conversation. It wasn’t something he would usually do and (Y/N) quirked an eyebrow at him.

“Yeah, I guess.” She shrugged and messed with the bits of pancake on her plate. “Kinda pissed that we had to do it today but when duty calls…”

Bucky grunted in agreement and resumed his usual silence. He was planning the mission in his head. How to get everyone out without any confrontation.

“Alrighty,” (Y/N) sighed as she stood up and stretched. Her shirt rode up slightly and Bucky struggled to avert his eyes. “I’ll see you at the hanger at… noon thirty?”

“Yep,” Bucky agreed, popping the ‘p.’ “See ya at noon thirty.”

Waiting for twelve-thirty, Bucky used F.R.I.D.A.Y. and his computer to try to find the man from yesterday. Unfortunately, he still had no name and nothing useful came up for his searches of ‘evil blond men’ or ‘psychopathic guys Belarus.’ Once he finally gave up, he only had ten minutes to look through ‘my days are repeating’ and ‘living the same day over and over.’ The only things that came up were ways to spice up your daily schedule, fictional stories, and movie recommendations.

Bucky was silent on the flight, for the sake of his teammates, but spoke up once again before they entered the warehouse.

“Can you do a scan of the nearby area, Tony?”

The suit’s head cocked to the side but Tony’s voice replied, “Sure.” After a moment he reported, “Nothing. The surrounding area is clear.”

“Right…” Bucky thought for a moment. “I just have a bad feeling.”

The search for the safe went the same as yesterday/ the last time. He didn’t directly go to the south-west corner, but he and (Y/N) made it there quicker this time around. Again, Bucky pulled her out of the way of the second bullet and he couldn’t help but think that she fit perfectly in his arms.

“Let’s grab it and go.” Tony grabbed the items in the safe.

“Wait,” Bucky said as they started walking towards the front door. “Isn’t the jet just passed this wall? Do we have to walk all the way around?”

He knew he was sounding crazy. Nat and (Y/N)’s raised eyebrows said so. If he was able to see Tony’s face, the billionaire would probably have the same expression. He was a supersoldier for fuck’s sake! Thankfully, (Y/N) came to his rescue.

“Yeah,” she whined and turned to face Tony. “I don’t wanna walk.”

“What are you looking at me for?”

“Can’t you bust a hole in the wall?” Nat joined in.

“Fine,” Tony grumbled and turned his suit’s repulsors towards the wall to blast a hole big enough for everyone to get out easily.

They all piled into the jet, Tony still slightly miffed, although it was only because Bucky who had the idea. (Y/N) collapsed on to the seat next to Bucky. She released a sigh and smiled at him.

“Thanks for saving us a walk.”

“Yeah,” he couldn’t tell her the real reason he didn’t want to be in the open. “Just wanted to get back as soon as possible.”

The quinjet left the ground and the platinum-haired man in the woods. Still, just like last time, Bucky felt uneasy. Was it just paranoia? He doubted that he wouldn’t feel comfortable until he woke up on Sunday.

They were about halfway home when things went south. Bucky and (Y/N) were relaxing next to each other while they listened to her music. The quinjet shook harshly and they looked at each other as if to ask ‘did you feel that’. It was too rough to be turbulence and the sudden feeling of the jet dropping confirmed the supersoldier’s fears.

“We have a problem,” Nat said from the front. Her voice didn’t reveal how big the problem was.

“What is it?” Tony equipped his helmet to converse with F.R.I.D.A.Y.

“Everything is shutting down. Nothing I’m doing is working.” The quinjet shuddered again and this time the lights flickered as it dropped.

“What can we do?” (Y/N) asked. Bucky took her hand to comfort her, but it was also to comfort himself.

“Nothing,” Tony grunted and removed his helmet. “Maybe we can jump out. I can carry us down. I’ve done it before.”

“The door won’t open. Even if we could get out, we’d be in the middle of the goddamned Atlantic.” Nat’s hands still flew over the console, trying to slow their descent.

“Oh, my God,” (Y/N)’s voice came out uncharacteristically small and shaky. “We’re going to die. We’re gonna fucking die.”

Bucky hugged her to his chest. He could fix this next time. Would there be a next time? He had never died before. Was he going to wake up?

He had to tell her how he felt.

Before it was too late.

~*~

Bucky woke up with a small crick in his neck and the feeling of cold water in his bones.

[storybookhall]

The Journey Pt.4- Survive

A/n- This is a difficult part to read.

Summary- while being tortured you start to lose hope, but your people never fail.

Trigger Warning- Detailed depictions of rape and abuse, death, strong language.

“Let me out you fucking bastards!” you scream, slightly hurting your own ears because of the echoes in that metal hell.

“ Ain’t nobody gonna hear ya darling, save those pretty vocal chords for later.” Merle almost purred to you, making your stomach turn.

“ Merle, what would Daryl say if he saw this. You really think he’d have ANY respect for you. He’d fucking hate you!!” you say getting aggited and spitting at him from your chair.

“ Listen here you bitch, you’re lucky the governor isn’t letting me have my way with you. You’d be bent over a table. Got that?!” he half yells as he grabs your face and squeezes your cheeks until they hurt.

“ Ain’t I fucking lucky.” You say under your breath.

Merle walks behind your chair and takes the bindings of your hands and feet. You stay put slightly confused as to what this psychopath is doing.

“Stand up” He hisses through his teeth and he looks at your body.

You don’t move. Partially in fear, partially because fuck him.

“ I said stand up you little bitch!” He yells as he cocks his gun and points it at your head.

You stand up and your legs begin to shake, but you lift your head not showing fear to this asshole.

“ Strip.” He said plainly while gesturing with his gun.

“ Please… Don’t.” you shakily say hearing the fear in your voice.

“ Oh no little girl, your chance to be nice is gone. Now strip” he laughs as he sees your face contort in disgust.

You begin to quickly take off your shirt as he gestures to you to slow down. So you slowly take off your shirt and pants. Keeping a strong face and never letting your head hang to the floor. You stand up straight in just your underwear and bra. 

“ Who the fuck said to stop?!” he barks in your direction and cocks the gun.

“ okay! Okay. Fuck.” You sheepishly say as you choke back tears.

Slowly stripping the last articles of clothing you stand covering your breasts with your hand pressing your legs close together. Still not showing weakness to Merle.

“ So what are you gonna do now, you gonna have your way with me like you said?” you try to say it confidently but it falls short.

“ No, no, no darling. The Governor said I can't remember?... That doesn’t mean my friends can’t have some fun. Come on in boys!” He yells and bangs on the metal door.

You watch 3 men stride in laughing. One of the men walks forward as you back up into the wall. As this is happening Merle leaves and shuts the door behind him. The two watching had their guns on you, in case you tried something. The man kept getting closer looking up and down your body licking his lips. He grabbed you by your hair and shoved you into the table so you were propped up for him. In a split second you kick your leg up and kick him in the balls, not hard enough… He dragged you back up by your hair and once you were standing he punched your face, hard. You begin to cry but he grabs you by your hair and shoves your face into the table.

“ Please stop! I’m begging you!” you exclaim screaming and fighting against him. 

He enters you hard and you cry out in pain, the first few minutes you continue begging. After a while you go silent and just stare into the wall as he has his way with you. Once he finishes he grabs you and throws you back into the chair putting your restraints back on, still naked. You prayed this was the only time. It wasn’t. For the next week they came in having their way with you. Until one day you hear a familiar voice in the unit next to you.

“ Please don’t hurt Maggie” Glenn pleads as you hear his captures walk out and close the door.

“GLENN GLENN!!!” You scream praying he hears you.

“y/n is that you?!” he says, sounding completely confused.

“ Yes it’s me. Oh my god you're okay!” You let out a tear at the sound of a friendly voice

“ Are you okay?” he asks, sounding worried.

“ Yes, I’m okay. Is everyone okay?! Is Daryl okay?” you ask through your tears.

“ We lost a few at the farm, but Daryl is alright.” He says hearing the pain in your voice. 

You smile for the first time in the last week, knowing he’s okay will keep you going. You hear footsteps walking up your door and thought today you’d fight back. Yell, scream, do anything you have to. As they walk in you lower your head.

“ Well hello beauty, seems like we'll have an audience listening in today.” Your assalent says loud enough for Glenn to hear.

“What are you talking about? Don’t fucking touch her.” glenn screams and you hear him fight his restraints

“ Too late for that.” He says proudly 

After undoing your restraints he slams your face into the wall between you and Glenn. 

“ Glenn don’t listen! I’m okay! Don’t get yourself killed!” You yell to him as your assalent starts to enter you.

Screaming in pain from no lubricant he starts going, grunting and enjoying himself as you scream and cry. Closing your eyes you pray for Rick Or Daryl or fucking anyone to save you. Once he was done, you heard Glenn crying loudly. Throughout the night you hear them doing unspeakable things beside you. Then you hear gunfire, you perk up in your seat. Knowing this could be them. You get slightly embarrassed for a moment knowing your savior will see you… all of you. You hear screaming in the streets and begin screaming yourself. The door next to you opened and you hear Rick yell that they found Glenn and Maggie. You start smiling wider than possible as you sit there knowing it's time to go home. 

“ The one next to us has y/n!” Glenn says to rick as he begins to open all the units.

Rick opens the door and walks in looking at you, avoiding your body. He takes off your restraints and sees how weak you are. Taking off his button up he puts it on you and helps you button it.

“ Come on y/n, stay close. Oh. we thought you’d like these back.” He hands you your father's bow and arrow as well as your pistol and knife.

“ Thank you Rick.” You say with a beaming smile, the biggest you’ve adorned in a long time.

You follow close behind Rick as you make your way out of woodbury, he has to help you walk out of the gates. As soon as you’re safe you drop to the ground exhausted. Rick insists on continuing to the cars. So using the last of your strength you get up and walk the road to the car. You hear the rest of the group making their way out of the wall, not able to see them yet. You get to the car and Rick get’s water and hands it to you. Drinking it down feverishly you thank him and wait for the rest of the group. As soon as Glenn gets to the cars he looks at you with the most pitiful look you’ve ever seen and gives you a hug. Michonne was up next, pulling you into a tight hug and lingered. Maggie came up and you both knew you went through similar things, so you express how sorry you both were and embraced. You then stood up out of the car and saw Daryl about 20 feet from you. Up until now you hadn't cried, but seeing him made you break down. He drops his bow and runs over to you holding you close to him as you both cry softly. You hold onto him tighter than you ever have and never want to let go. 

“ What the fuck did they do to you?!” He aggressively asks as he sees all your bruises and the fact that you have no clothes other than Ricks shirt.

You can’t bring yourself so say it so you said the only thing you knew was right.

“ It doesn’t matter what they did, I did what I needed to in order to survive.” you quietly say looking to the ground.

The whole ride back to the prison Daryl was watching you, protective as ever. As you start to yawn he picks his arm for you to lay on his lap. You fell asleep while he played with your hair.

“ I will never let anything like that happen to you ever again y/n” you hear him whisper seconds before slipping into unconsciousness. 

Daryl gently wakes you up once you pull up to the prison. You grin seeing your friends, no, your family waiting for you. Getting out of the car you look over to Beth and Carl while Judith is sound asleep in Beth’s arms. You walk up looking around for Lori, you missed her almost more than anyone. 

“ Where’s Lori?” you ask, still half asleep.

“ She didn’t make it…” Rick says as he places a hand on your shoulder

“ Oh my god… I’m so sorry.” you look at him empathetically, seeing a slight coldness you didn't recognize.

“ Carol will bring you to the showers and will get you some clothes to wear” Rick says, changing the subject quickly.

As you feel the water on your skin, you feel grateful to scrub off all of the filth of the last week. You begin scrubbing harder and harder, almost trying to scrub off the feeling of the hands all over you. You don't cry though, you finish washing up and you get dressed in black shorts and a light blue tank top. Throwing your dads crossbow over your shoulder and putting the gun in it’s holster you walk outside. You walk up to Rick and the others as you hear them planning a strategy for when they come. The crowd gets quiet as you approach.

“ y/n you should be sleeping” Carol says as she tries to usher you inside.

“ No… I’m gonna fight.” you state loud enough for everyone to hear

“ but…” Glenn began to speak but you cut him off.

“ No fucking butts! You don’t know what they did to me! I want them to suffer…” You raise your voice and make your point. 

a/n- Holy shit that was a hard one to write. As a rape survivor i want to do a little disclaimer. I am not glorifying rape, it’s a horrible thing women and men have to go through daily.

@aquariusfangirl​ @mysterious-398​ @onlydarylnormanfic​

[thehandsomeasshole]

@starttheanarchy from X

The stutter brought out a bark of laughter out of her, the child-like objection that was bemusing to her, finally get a reaction then just more annoyance. It was rare to have the chance to take shots back at the CEO considering most of the time her attention was on avoiding death rather then actually retorting.

"Ah-ah-ah," she shook her finger with each sound even though the sight was only seen by her. "I said scrap, pay attention. Or don't, you do seem to have the same attention span as a varkid. But their items have far more versatility for reuse, Hyperion is subpar in comparison to several others actually. Cheap shortcuts hidden behind pretty but also uninspired metal casings."

Staring at the half taken apart engine block and the strew of gears and bolts on the ground around her, Gaige decided that she was probably not going to be able to get anything else out of this without having to take a torch to the thing. Tools were tossed into the metal tool case, the loud clattering being easily picked up by her com. The spare pieces that didn't remain attached to the technical went into a bag that was slung over the mechromancer’s shoulder soon after. A once over of the area to make sure she cleaned up her mess, a habit from her junk yard picking days back on Eden, and she was slowly making her way back to the building that rested in the Dust.

"Only optic sensors? Seriously?" There was actual disbelief in her voice as she wondered just how the company could consider itself a lead in the realm of robotics. Low bar apparently. Though her lips pulled back into a snarl at the insult of calling her hard work junk. That was revolutionary technology in several fields that was put together in a backyard shed by her alone. It might not be sleek and clean, but it was amazing. And it was that simple thought that brought her next question.

"So what does that say about your robots and yourself if mine is making its way through yours like they are tissue paper?" She knew there was plenty of evidence of the sheer chaos that the mechromancer and her robot caused alone in Hyperion bases. And it was clear proof in her mind just how much more superior Death Trap was to any robot.

"Smart, sure say what ever you need to help yourself sleep at night pal."

He blinked in surprise as she practically scolded him, one brow cocking right up to his hairline.

Another laugh slipped past his lips, "Nah, you caught me. The whole time you've been bitching I've been, y'know, starin' at the pile of paperwork on my desk and wondering if the dead guy's family really needs to know. You ever get that? Probably not, you're poor and don't have your own company. The thing is: I'm screwed either way. If I don't tell 'em, I just end up having some crying, hysterical spouse running around asking after them. If I do, I have to go to a meeting with the board members just so they feel like they've done something by asking me 'was there anything anyone could've done?' and me telling them the same thing over and over just so I don't have to put fifteen people out of jobs and pay a ridiculous settlement fee to the family."

He scoffed, now barely even remembering he was still talking to Gaige, "You know what I got when my wife got killed? A slap on the wrist and they told me to get back to wo-..."

Jack froze, eyes wide and he looked at the echo. Oh my god. Oh my god. Please don't be listening. Please don't be listening. 

"Well, y'know, Hyperion isn't intended for reuse. Tediore's probably only good for spare parts cause you can just- y'know, shake one of their guns real hard and the parts just fall right out!" He laughed slightly, trying his absolute best to make sure the subject was well and truly steered away from his word vomit, "When you own your own company, cheap shortcuts are the only way to get everything done under budget. You're quick to bash on 'em, but if you could give your bot the exact same specs, everythin', but have him be lighter and easier to fix, wouldn't ya do it?"

"It's not just optic- No- What? Look here, kid. Why would I tell you, a dumb bandit who's out for blood she's never going to get, how exactly my robots tick and all the goodies we cram inside 'em to get 'em working as best as they can so you can steal them?" Jack, again, laughed at the mechromancer, "Or was that a sad attempt at goading me into spilling all the funky stuff we're working on? Tempting, truly, but no thanks."

A deep frown settled onto Jack's lips, "Ooh, baby, you do not want to start with telling me how many of my bots you've massacred." His eyes narrowed, "I could send a moonshot down when you're not expecting it and have it crush your little science fair project. How's that sound? Bad? Thought so."

"Alright, look, we're getting nowhere here. It's like we're insulting each other's children, for God's sake. Let's settle and just say we're both proud of our bots, even if mine are clearly superior." He huffed slightly, arms crossing over his chest and he let his feet drop back down to rest on the floor, "Just a shame you're wasting talent like that working for a bunch of bandits."

"Oh, and, please, kid. Is that coming from the girl who 'accidentally' killed one of her classmates? I'm absolutely smarter than you psychopaths." he laughed loudly, eyes returning to the tabs open on his computer, "I mean, it's incredible how hypocritical all you assholes are when you probably all have a higher kill count than I do. Y'all just stroll into my Hyperion bases and choose violence, don't ya? And every other camp you see, you run in guns blazing. Have you ever slowed down, even talked to a psycho? Granted, they talk consistent nonsense. A whole lot about meat puppets and poop trains.”

Jack grimaced slightly, “Alright, maybe psychos weren’t the best example. But,” the smile soon returned to his lips,"I just think it’s real cute y’all think you’re the good guys in this scenario. That’s all.”

[bisexualsforprompto]

Worth Chapter 3

(*DISCLAIMER: THIS CHAPTER USES VULGAR LANAGUE AS LILA IS A COMPLETE BITCH IN IT, I HATE HER AND SHE’S STUPID AND UGLY, WOW THIS DISCLAIMER TURNED INTO A RANT ABOUT HOW MUCH I HATE LILA)

Also yay! We finally are given the baddie of the plot, though it’s up to you to figure out who it is. Since I don’t want you to know who it is I’ll be referring to he/she as “you” (that’s a little trick I learned from Jennifer Lynn Barnes, my favorite author).

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Dark hair, blue eyes, and French. That was your MO. The skin tone didn’t matter, which is what had the GCPD so mixed up and frazzled. You laughed to yourself as you poured a glass of Chardonnay. There’d been a lull in your girls, mostly the French part. Last time was so...unsatisfactory. She was only a quarter French and she didn’t scream like the others. You disposed of her quickly, and even though she wasn’t what you had hoped you still took a lock of her hair and added it to your collection. You were missing the adrenaline, but you told yourself to be patient, a French class was coming soon. There’d definitely be someone there, maybe even international news. The justice league would probably thank you personally when they found out who the person behind the mask was who rid the world of its scum. You smiled to yourself, ‘I’d be famous worldwide and another French bitch would be out of the world for good.’

Kay wasn’t an early riser, neither was Marinette. That could only end disastrously, luckily, a certain Wayne family decided to call their friend’s daughter for a wake up call. Purely so she wouldn’t be late to their tour, although they did enjoy talking to her. Steph and Kay were very close friends, the closest out of the rest of the family, though Dick did enjoy Kay’s positive personality. Steph was extremely aggravated when she learned Kay was coming to Gotham because she was with Barbara and Cass for a girl’s week. Kay promised to make it up to her though.

So when Kay’s phone went off blasting “Candy Store” she immediately knew that the Wayne family was calling to wake her up. She smiled to herself as she turned off the alarm, it was nice to have people care.

“Oof what time is it?” Kay asked. “We woke you about an hour before you have to leave for the tour.” Said Dick. “Dope, thanks Dick! See ya soon!”

To be honest, Kay was afraid that she would sleep and nobody would wake her up, causing her and Marinette to miss the tour. She dug in her suitcase until she found her favorite shirt, it was the same color as her aqua blue eyes and it read, “Theatre is my sport” (side note I also own this shirt). She laughed at her friend who was still fast asleep, “Mari.” She said walking over to her friend and poking her.

Nothing.

“Mariiiii.” Kay said louder. “Marinette, Marinette, Marinette, MARINETTE!!!”

Still nothing.

“God I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do this especially so early in the morning…” Kay cleared her throat and leaned down to Marinette’s ear, channeling her inner Christine Daaé she sang the highest note she could hit.

Marinette shot up, rubbing her pounding head. “The hell? Why do I have a ringing in my ears?” Kay shuffled away with a guilty smile, “I mean- somebody may have sang an E6 in your ear, but in all fairness you weren’t waking up!” Marinette groaned and shook her head. “Thanks for waking me up, even though the means weren’t…what I was expecting. I thought I was going to miss the Wayne Enterprises tour for sure.” Kay giggled, “Honestly me too. Sounds like some shit Lila would try to pull. I wouldn’t worry too much though, Dick would never let us miss the tour.” Kay winked as she walked into the hotel room’s bathroom.

“Dick? Wait isn’t that the American word for-“

“Yeah but it’s also a name. Short for Richard. Bruce Wayne, the Wayne Enterprises guy is his father. Well Bruce adopted him technically. The Waynes are the family my mom and I know from Gotham, Damian, the guy I’m totally setting you up with, is the youngest family member.” Kay exclaimed, the bathroom walls were thin but it was still slightly muffled. “Right that random guy you were shipping me with.” Marinette laughed. “You got it!

“I’m excited for you to meet them, I bet you’ll love the whole family and vice versa. Damian should be coming with Dick on the tour, Tim, one of the other brothers, is working there, so we probably won’t see him. The girls are away and Jason is probably- well Jason’s probably still sleeping.” Kay laughed as she walked out of the bathroom in her favorite shirt, baggy jeans, and dark brown hair in long curls.

“What about Bruce Wayne? Oh my god is he coming?! If he is I have to choose a whole new outfit! AHHH NOTHING I HAVE WOULD WORK!!” Marinette panicked as she tossed her clothes across the floor. “Relax Mari! Bruce won’t care if you’re dressed up or anything. We might not even see him!” Marinette slumped, “I still need to dress up a little though.” Kay giggled, “Ok sure. Whatever you say.”

Marinette ended up going with a red sundress and she wore Kaaliki’s glasses she was given from Master Fu, in case Ladybug needed to be in Paris. They transformed into black plastic glasses with a thin rim.

“Cool shades Mari, since when do you wear glasses though?” Asked Kay popping a piece of waffle into her mouth. “Oh these just accent the piece.” Kay laughed, “You’re such a fashion geek.” Marinette threw one of her blouses on the floor at her, “You’re such a theatre geek.” Kay fell onto the floor in dramatic agony, “You’ve wounded me to my very core, how will I ever survive? Unless they get the fright of their lives.” Marinette rolled her eyes as Kay got lost in her own world singing songs from Beetlejuice and eating her waffle. “Come on nerd, we don’t want to be late.” Marinette said as she extended an arm, Kay promptly took it and stood up once more. “I mean, if we’re late that’s one less minute we have to spend with Liar Rossi…”

“Just come on!” Marinette laughed. The girls walked down the hallway until they arrived to the main lobby where the French class was chatting. Alya walked over to them leaving Lila who was fuming that Alya would leave her for Marinette. “Hey girl, can’t believe you woke up early for once. Hey Kay.”

‘No way in Hell is Alya choosing the weird new girl over me!’ Lila screamed internally

Marinette chuckled, “Yep. Without Kay I definitely wouldn’t have though.”

Lila huffed.

“Thanks for keeping my girl straight Kay!” Alya said giving Kay a playful nudge on the shoulder.

‘Oh that is it!!!’ Lila watzled over to the trio of girls. “Hi girls! Oh Kay! Almost didn’t see you! I forgot to mention earlier, people in Gotham don’t really appreciate fags, so maybe turn down your, you know, lesbian urges and stuff.”

Shock. Was all Marinette felt, then she saw red. She vaguely comprehended Kay holding her back, “Oh yeah Lila? I forgot to mention earlier that people in Gotham don’t really appreciate lying bitches, so maybe tone down your psychopathic tendencies.”

“Kay totally uncalled for!” Alya barked. “Are you kidding Alya?! Didn’t you hear what Lila said?!” Marinette screamed. Lila started to blubber, “I’m- so- s-sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt your f-feelings!” She wailed overtop the commotion, adding to the cacophony and causing all eyes to be on them, ‘perfect’. “See, you made her cry! Girl, I can’t believe you’d do this! I always gave you the benefit of the doubt but Lila was right, you are a bully!” Marinette huffed and Kay suppressed screams while still fuming. Alya stormed off, and Lila swooped into the conversation once more. “Kay, do you have a crush on me, or something? Is that why you’re acting this way?!” Kay scoffed, “Please, I have standards. You were right about one thing though, I am gay, but being gay isn’t an insult so I’d take your bullshit elsewhere, because the only insult you doled out throughout this conversation was that I could ever have a crush on someone like you!” Kay pointed at Lila to emphasize her point and before the class could turn on her she took Marinette’s hand and they walked out the double doors of the hotel and waited outside for the bus to arrive.

“Are you okay?” Asked Marinette, placing a hand on Kay’s shoulder. “Yeah fine, I just wish people were more tolerant, and you know that wasn’t exactly my ideal way of coming out to you or the class, but sometimes my mouth just starts moving and I can’t get it to stop.” Kay sniffed, “What’s wrong with me Marinette?” Marinette pulled in her closest, now one of her only friends, in for a hug, “Nothing Kay. Lila is the problem, remember one time when you said she was a- oh what was it? Magic? No, mythic?”

“Mythic bitch. Though honestly Heather Chandler is a step up from that-that” and it all came flooding out. Kay started to cry, something she hadn’t let herself do in a long time. Marinette knew full well why too, any Parisian had to hide their feelings. “I hate her so much Marinette and him too.” Marinette knew which him she was referring to, the one who made them slaves to their own emotions, Hawkmoth. “I know Kay. I do too. Maybe Ladybug will get it right one day.” Marinette felt a drop in her stomach. ‘If I can’t protect the ones I love from Lila how can I defeat Hawkmoth? Maybe...maybe Chat was right.’ Kay looked up, tears still welling in her eyes she wiped them away, Ladybug gave her hope. She was able to muster strength and a smile, Ladybug gave Paris hope, “Come on Marinette, she’s doing the best she can. Ladybug has saved Paris more times than I can count, she’s an amazing hero. One day Hawkmoth will be out of our lives for good, and it’ll be her doing.” Marinette sighed and felt warmth from her friend’s words, at least someone believed in her.

“Miss Kay,” said a proper voice startling the two girls out of their shared moment. “Alfred!!!” Kay grinned, “How are you! It’s been so long! What are you doing here?!” The man, Alfred let out a chuckle, “You’re rambling again Miss Kay, but to answer your questions: I am doing well, and while it has been long Master Bruce has sent me here to pick you and any of your friends up to take you to the tour.”

Kay’s eyes brightened, “Dope!!! This is Marinette,” she said motioning towards the bluenette who smiled and waved kindly. “I think we’re ready to go.” Alfred cocked his head a little, “There is no one else you wish to wait for?” Marinette and Kay shuffled their feet awkwardly, ‘don’t you have any other friends?’ Is what he meant. “Nah, it’s all good Alfred.”

Alfred gave a smirk, although he felt disappointed that Kay only had one friend, she was so sweet, he expected her to be the life of the party. “Oh- by the way,” Alfred started as Kay reached for the limo door handle, “We picked up a guest on the way. I think you’ll be happy to see her.” Kay have an awkward smile and a confused look to Alfred, she opened the door only to see her girlfriend.

“CHLOÉ!!!!!” Squealed Kay, throwing her into a tight embrace. “Yes, yes I missed you too Lené.” She returned the hug pecking her girlfriend on the cheek and seeing somebody she didn’t think she’d ever see again. “Dupain-Cheng!”

“Queenie?!” Marinette asked with a look of recognition, she almost didn’t recognize her friend, after all it had been a year and in that amount of time Chloé put her hair in two braids and had dyed them brown.

“You two know each other?” Asked a confused Kay, as she released her girlfriend to look at Marinette. “Yep. Dupain-Cheng was the only tolerable one in my old class.” Chloé gave her girlfriend a soft smile. Kay thrust Marinette into a hug, “You were the Girl Who Didn’t Believe Lila’s Bullshit! I should’ve known! Thank you for being there for my girlfriend!” Marinette blushed, “It’s not a problem. Chloé was there for me more times than I can count.”

Chloé rolled her eyes while giving a gentle smile, “That class is utterly ridiculous, you weren’t. Of course I was going to be there for you.” Kay wrapped both of them in a tight hug, Chloé still in her seatbelt, “Ahhh my two favorite girls in one place!” Chloé let out a chuckle and gave her girlfriend a pat on the shoulder. “Mmk Lené.”

“Wait Chlo, why are you calling her Lené?” Marinette asked. Kay reddened before burying her hands in her face. “Don’t you dare tell her!” Alfred let out a chuckle before driving off to Wayne Enterprises. “Miss Kay’s real name is Kaylené Khan. She’s embarrassed of it for some reason, a fact that Miss Chloé likes to tease her about.” Kay facepalmed, “Alfred!!!”

“You shouldn’t hide your name Lené. It’s beautiful.” Chloé said twisting her girlfriend’s dark brown hair. “I agree, though Kay is a pretty nickname.” Marinette said giving her friend a playful shove. “Yeah whatever. Let’s go meet your new boyfriend Damian!” Kay teased, “He’s going to be at Wayne Enterprises, isn’t he Alfred?” Alfred kept his eyes on the road while he responded, “Yes Miss Kay, but I have to say I don’t know what you’re talking about in regards to Miss Marinette and Master Damian.”

“Yeah Lené what am I missing?” Chloé demanded before looking out the side window of the limo.

“I’ve made the match of the century Chlo! Damian and Marientte would be the perfect couple!” Chloé scoffed, “No way you can get Ice Prince a girlfriend, though if it was anyone it would be Mari.” Kay smiled, feeling triumphant, “See Marinette it’s meant to be.” Marinette chuckled, “I haven’t even met the guy Kay!”

Kay started to swoon in her seat, “Oh my gosh, I’m going to witness love at first sight!”

Tag list (lemme know if you’d like to be added or I missed you, ps 54 tags?! Omg. Fricking Tumblr said I can’t do more than 50, so those of you on my list will be in the comments ASAP):

@legendaryneckjudgestudent

@interobanginyourmom

@beaversuenightly

@worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry

@mochinek0

@shamefullove

@emjrabbitwolf

@actual-disaster-human

@tog84

@thequestionablyhuman

@thyladyanput

@vixen-uchiha

@novicevoice

@2sunchild2

@zebrabaker

@chrismarium

@mycupisbroken

@winter-gardenflower

@dast218

@bluerosette23

@chocolatecatstheron

@anjuschiffer

@fertileleaf

@drarryismylife101

@zerotosiki

@littleredrobinhoodlum

@krispydefendorpolice

@octoberscorn

@18-fandoms-unite-08

@clumsy-owl-4178

@queenmj10

@shreky-boi

@magic-miraculous

@gingerdaile

@mooshoon

@ladylb

@eve-is-the-dawn

@bee-wrecker

@fiendsangelical

@captainmac6

@7-sage-7

@weird-pale-blonde-person

@st0rmy-w1th1n

@fatimaabbasrizvi

@mindfulmagics

@fics-by-maria

@miraculous-simmer7

@kuroko26

@severelyenchantedwonderland

@shewhoridesonrainbows

@shizukiryuu

@melicmusicmagic

[peachlolitasevillacourtstuff]

Stratos and Oona (story part 1)

I thank our friend Niko for helping me with this story.*It all starts in the current round house, President Sheros as he was always in his office, reading some news. among them stories about his brother's war veterans, that brought him a nostalgia and sadness to remember him* Sir.c: stratos old something wrong? *he said entering his office * * Obviously Tray was spying on them from his slug-cams * Stratos: oh old man, I'm reading some stories of the pac veterans, it brings me a lot of nostalgia to hear it Sir.c: I really remember that fatal squad I had, and many were injured and look, I still have scars from that * he said showing his scar on the shoulder of his arm * Betrayus: Uff, what a weak idiot..... Buttler: -_- Stratos: hehehe, that explains more your clumsiness, you even had an injury to your leg remember * he said a little teasing * Betrayus: *Disgusted face* Sir.c: yes yes, make fun, but at least you have worse scars .. * I affirm * Betrayus: *Bored* And I thought I heard "serious conversations". * after that at night when everyone had to sleep, stratos had already come out of bathing and dressing in his pajamas, at the time he was going to lie down on his bed * * The guards roamed for the Round-House, preventing intruders from entering * * after a few short hours, stratos was already sound asleep, however he felt a sensation in his left shoulder something familiar, as if it came from the past * "Dad!" Stratos: w.. what!? Cedrick: I can't sleep, can I sleep with you? Stratos: uh yeah right, lie on my side, why can't you sleep? Betrayus: Uff, he surely had some stupid bad dreams. cedrick: I don't know, I'm just not sleepy, * said snuggling up on top of his dad * Stratos: * that reminded him a lot of his little brother, and at the same time that love of war * Cedrick: * Hugs his daddy tightly * Stratos: Haha, there is drick, hugging me reminds me a lot of your uncle * whisper * *the next day* Pac: good morning Mr. President, everything okay around here? Stratos: yes, yesterday I was reading stories about veterans of the pac war. Cedrick: * Playing around with Spirale * Spiral: Be careful, Cedric! The monster is coming to devour you! * Growls and chases him * Cedrick: Oh no! * Chuckles and runs though the corridors * Pac: wow the boy created very fast. 😅 Stratos: thats right Stratos: now Pac: oh ok, a question, Mr. President, as was the mother of Cedrick * I asked him directly * Stratos: Uh!? 😨 Stratos: mmmhh.. I don't like to talk about Oona .. Pac: what its Oona? Stratos: my ex..lover Pac: because ex-lover doesn't mean ex-wife, was something wrong with her? Stratos: She died in an attack and it pains me to remember it. Cyli and pac: 😓😨 Cyli: oh Sir.c: sure you don't want to talk about it now? Stratos: I do not see it necessary, also there is a part of that story that is not appropriate for the 4, only you and me, Sir.c Cily:We are grow enough. Stratos: well you know how babies are made right? Cyli: yes... Yes, more or less Pac: Surely! Stratos: good come the 2 in private, Spiral, take care of my son while I go to talk to the boys. Spiral: ok.. Spirale: No, problem! *Goes to him* *inside the round house * Stratos: your name is Oona, my ex lover.. Pac: So, Mr. pres? Cily: uh.. were you in love once? Stratos: yea...* he said scratching his head a little * Pac: Well, it’s normal. but what happened? Stratos: It all started when I was still a soldier who was fighting against my own brother, Sir.c had been lethally read in a platoon, luckily I helped him take him to the infirmary, where they took care of him I saw him as he suffered, and he got some scars for it. Stratos: You're better * said a young stratos in his war uniform * Sir.c: yea.. *he said a little dizzy. Doctor: Excuse me, I need to take care of your friend. He has some internal bleeding. Pac: Woah..... Fortunately he survived. Sir.c: barely even in my nightmares I still feel that horrible pain in me, but still counting stratos. Cily: Aw. then? Stratos: ok.. After having been treated and stopping the euphoria, I started to get more injured, some of them were already dead, however I stumbled upon one of so many nurses. ???: oh, so, so sorry.. Stratos: don't apologize it was an accident! ???: You must be one of the soldiers against Commander Betrayus, I am Oona, I am not from Pacopolis by the way. Stratos: Yes, I am.....I’m Stratos Spheros. You? Oona: Oona, Oona winefrida Stratos: wow, a pretty name Pac: Oh, so she was? Stratos: of course I was a nurse in the war, I wasn't clearly around here. Cily: She must have been a caring woman to be a nurse. Sir.c: Jejejeje.. especially how good it must have been .. in the food supposedly, not that badly thought! Pac: *Chuckles Cedrick: She was good doing what? *Innocent face* Stratos: Wooah! Cedrick!? 😲what are you doing here, you should be with spiral Spiral: Sorry! He had run away! Cedrick: What were you talking about, dad? Stratos: you know adult stuff ..😅 Cedrick: What kind of adult stuff? I want to know too! :D Stratos: just go on playing with Spiral, but don't get dirty *he says taking him out of the room* Cedrick: okay * he said a little annoyed * Pac: *Chuckles* Curious the boy. Pac: get on with the story sir president Stratos: ok.. As the days progressed, and continue to have plans for the next ambush, and do my best without Sir.c I could not stop thinking about her, her skin was white, her pink eyes, her brown hair, and her beautiful smile distracted me from work. Spheria: stratos, thats good? Cily: That’s love True love, strong enough to make you forget the rest ~ * Chuckles * Stratos: maybe they'll keep interrupting me!? Pac: Oh sorry, Mr. Pres, continue. Stratos: well spheria got a little upset about my attitude exactly Spheria: Why? You look much more distracted than usual. Are you worried about something? Stratos: oh sorry sergeant * he said laughing * just kept thinking of someone specifically Spheria: *Nudges him* Oh really? Who is the lucky girl~? Or lucky boy. No prejudice. Stratos: literally Sir.c! remember that he is still injured Spheria: oh yea.. * said a little sad * Stratos: *Sigh* I hope he will recover soon. Spheria: I even more .. it hurts that that platoon was very sudden take a slight break, the war is making you very anxious Stratos: Thanks sergeant. * in the infirmary * Stratos: hello Oona: hello stratos what are you doing here, are you coming to visit Sir.c? Stratos: I don't really miss your beautiful voice Stratos: Are you busy? Oona: if very busy, there are many sick and wounded, I think it is not time for you to be here with me. Stratos: if you want, we'll see you tonight, if you can finish your shift? Oona: I will try, but take the opportunity to greet your friend, he is on stretcher 16 on the right Stratos: Ok... See ya tonight, ok? * Stratos went to the stretcher of his good friend Sir.c, he was resting from his injuries, he could barely move without importing the pain * Stratos: go Sir.c, you already feel better Sir.c: I still hurt about the emorrajia * he said in a weak tone * Spheria: *Comes too* Hey C., how are you? Sir.c: the scar from the operation still hurts, that platoon was crazy. Spheria: well at least you didn't break all your bones. Stratos: Speaking of which, you think that even an intern you can give us plans Spheria: Yes. I'm confident about it. *later at night* Oona: Hi Stratos, did you want to see me? Stratos: Oona skies are you done? Oona: yeah jeje Stratos: come with me I want to show you something * he says taking her hand and I take her to a place with a beautiful pond * Stratos: Beautifull, isn’t it? Oona: I don't know why, but it reminds me of a story they told me as a child Stratos: really coincidence hehe Oona: I lived in pac-europe, in fact I am a descendant of the ancient pac-celts. Stratos: Woah, cool. And what this story tells? Oona: seeing this lake reminds me of a story I have known since I was little, my name refers to that. Stratos: well tell me Oona: Once upon a time in a very large lake, where fairies lived among the largest trees, they always met during the day, so that the birds did not eat them, every night on a full moon they went out to celebrate their queen, they danced like the swans in that same lake, each one shone like the rainbow, at the same time the smallest and largest animal approached to hear their songs. Stratos: incredible story, hopefully when the war ends you can go home. Stratos: You miss it, right? Oona: I do miss my old home a lot, but the evil betrayus commander made my chance of returning home useless. Stratos: stupid lil brother *annoyed whisper* Oona: what?! Stratos: nothing! 😅 Stratos: Maybe it was the wind!😅 Oona: Listen clearly, you said stupid little brother !? Stratos: N-No no! You surely heard wrong! Oona: don't lie stratos tell me !? Stratos:...*Sigh*..Oona, Betrayus is my little brother. Oona: WHAT! That psychopath is your brother !? * said shocked * Stratos: Calm down, we are at war, and there is no other way I can stop him, I don't know why he does this! I just know ... I don't know why. 😧 Stratos: I’m really sorry that I didn’t tell you before. Oona: it doesn't matter now, alone, I think maybe I am lacking attention and love, that's all Stratos: you are the first person to tell me that! I know I did something wrong in the past! And I can't correct it anymore, and now he's killing everyone for pleasure ..😢 Stratos: Thanks for understanding me .... * Hugs her * Pac, cyli and Sir.c: AAAAAAWWW... 😢😢😢 Pac: *Sniff* This is so touching! Stratos: I admit to being a bad big brother, but she comforted me that night Sir.c: and you threw it away !? Stratos: NOOOW IDIOT!😠😖 *Pac and Cily holds the snickers* Sir.c: come on spheros we all want to hear that part !? Stratos: This is not the time! 😠 Well continuing with the story, she was very good to me, since then we began to see each other more often, even she knew about medicine and many things about nursing. Sir.c: hey stratos, who is your girlfriend? Stratos: what!? We are not only friends but she is very good at everything, apart from that she was one of the nurses who helped you heal. Spheria: So you two are a thing? Stratos: well maybe yes, but still nothing. Spheria: Well, I see in you that Cupid is very close 😅 Sir.C.: *Nudges her, snickering* Yeah, I think she’s right! Stratos: guys are making me uncomfortable! 😓 Oona: hi stratos, who are you, your war companions?😉 Spheria: yes 🙄 Sir.C.: Stratos, why don't you introduce us to your "friend"? Stratos: Oona introduces you to Sir.c and Sergeant spheria Spheria: I'm glad I am the sergeant Sir.C.: Heh, me too. spheria: hey are you coming with us my sister sunny made a delicious apple pie Oona: of course i'm delighted Sir, C.: Perfect! Let’s go! Stratos: *He already know they will embarrassing him* * they went to the pac shelter where her sister was sunny, a yellow sphere of glasses and at the same time her baby named pac, they looked very adorable, since their baby was looking forward to the apple pie * Spheria: Hi sis, I brought some guests. Sunny: oh great the cake will be ready in a minute Stratos: Hey Sunny. *Pats the little one* And hi little Pac. baby pac: baba..babu! GRRRRR! * Begins to growl at Oona because she thinks she's betrayus * Oona: uh, ok the little one Stratos: Heh, I think he confuses you with someone else.....😅 Sunny: well it must have been for you, since the commander is a white sphere, pac thought that you must be the Oona: 😓😖 Stratos: yes what a coincidence of destiny Oona: its cutie your baby <3♡ Sunny: aaaww, thank you Baby pac: 😐😡 Zac: Heh, yeah, thank you. Stratos: Zac, you’re back. Zac: oh who is your girlfriend, and why does she look like your brother Stratos: not my girlfriend 😡 Zac: 😅😂 sorry Sir.C.: Yes, she is. Stratos: Noow! 😤😡 Oona: Jajajaja! XD Spheria: *Chuckles* I was forgetting how fun is teasing Stratos. Stratos: shut up 😣😖 Oona: and tell me you are the last of your kind? Sunny and zac: yeah 😧 Sir.C.: Unfortunately, we don’t know why, the others like them had began to disappear. Oona: once I had a yellow neighbor, he was very old, but he died of age * he said very sadly * Stratos: however it must have been one of those few yellows * he said clapping his hands * Zac: Well, at least we are here. And especially the little one is safe. *Pats Little Pac* Oona: aaaw is so cute Baby pac: grrrr 😡 Cyli: Did you really have to growl at the white spheres!? Pac:🤷‍♂️ PAC: Yeah, it’s pretty weird, Mr. Pres. Sir.C.: But also funny. *Snickers* Stratos: I think Oona was very rude. but that was already in the past, and now you are more tolerable especially with my son, Do you remember that time when you met him and thought that my brother revived PAC: Oh. Hehe, yeah...Poor kiddo, I scared him... Stratos: maybe ... but let's continue we keep talking often, even though we started distancing ourselves during the following missions, but still we met again. Oona: are you going to fight again Stratos: yea 😓😧 Oona: please, don't get hurt, especially don't let death take you.😟😢 Stratos: Don’t worry! I’m strong! UwU Oona: please be very brave, and heard rumors that this squad will be brutal! 😯 Stratos: I neglected and survived this before, just like Sir.c... that phrase was my big mistake Pac: Uh? Why? Stratos: That platoon, as the rumors said, would be so brutal that very few were likely to come out alive. and look at this please * he says showing a scar on his knee from a grenade attack * Pac and cyli: 😨😲 Continue...

I thank our friend Niko for helping me with this story.

[eddiebaresgazebos]

The Creek

This is my original work and is inspired by Patrick Hockstetter from Stephen Kings IT. This story has triggering and dark themes and topics so if things like this trigger you i ensure you to NOT read this story. For those who decide to continue I hope you enjoy.

United states 1950’s location Bangor Maine. The summer heat beamed a golden ray of scorching light down upon the living beings below. Not many people knew about that sad little down named Derry Maine and the ones who did know refused to acknowledge it’ s existence. It was a beautiful hot summers day when Kathleen Turner a tall lanky preteen withholding a naturally pasty complexion, jet black locks that trailed her back and a unique shade of grey in her doe shaped eyes was currently finding things to burn with her new lighter and a can of hairspray that you could buy at any drug store for $1.40, Kathleen cared more for her new lighter like it were a new born never taking her eyes off it and always checking her back pocket to make sure some stanky little kid didn’t swipe it out of her pocket when she wasn’t paying attention which for the record was all the time. Kathleen Turner wasn’t your stereotypical idea of a teenage girl drooling over boy’s in the hallways, always so desperate for being on the cheer team or having that pre-Madonna attitude most if not all girls had. If anything Kathleen was the complete opposite always taking joy in causing others pain no matter the extent she had to go, always burning things with her lighter and the most alarming of all enjoyed killing and or torturing stray animals, long after the poor little critter’s life was taken away she would dump them in the creek deep in the woods happily watching the lifeless body drowning to the bottom of the creek.

Now I know what you are thinking. How has she never been caught? Well she has never been caught because the tall lanky girl named Kathleen Turner was smart about this, no not just smart that was an understatement Kathleen was overly smart having an IQ of 107 she was able to get away with such hateful acts because she flew under the radar. Appearing as the shy, polite girl to the adults nearby that always hands her homework in early and never getting into fights depending on who you’d ask Kathleen appeared as “a model student” but the truth was far from that if anyone was to snitch on the slender girl the adults would turn a blind eye to this truth because Kathleen was to “innocent and well behaved” not to mention the very little pieces of evidence that were left because Kathleen would dispose of any traces leading to herself planning everything 2 months before hand, carefully scribbling everything down in her diary she kept in the bottom of her school bag at all times in case she needed it. Searching deep in the woods for something to use her new lighter on the dark haired girl stopped immediately analysing her surroundings carefully turning her head slightly to a bush were she could hear a rustling noise, slowly taking a step forward the girl pulling a blade from her belt she stopped again not to alert whatever was behind the bush. Taking in a slow but silent breath Kathleen jumped into the bush catching a small snow white rabbit in her arms not long after catching the scared animal a sinister smile spread across her face, as quickly as she could the tall girl sat behind the bush holding the rabbit firmly whilst taking the new lighter out of her pocket with her free hand. Without thinking twice, the psychopathic girl set the rabbits tail alight laughing hysterically and watching in entertainment as the poor animal struggled in pain as the flames spread engulfing the entire rabbit turning its pure white fur a deathly black. Still smiling immensely at her work Kathleen picked up the lifeless creature dragging it on the floor by it’s foot arriving at the place were she disposed of any evidence the girl hoisted the corpse over her shoulder and into the creek watching vigorously as the burnt black rabbit sunk slowly towards the bottom of the water like the titanic before sinking into the icy cold water. Just as Kathleen was about to walk away still admiring her best work yet someone caught her eye hiding behind a tree near the creek’s water acting fast the psychopathic girl acted as if she hadn’t noticed the mysterious figure hiding and watching her closely dispose of a burnt corpse, soon Kathleen’s pace become slow as she came closer to the figure without thinking twice she pulled the blade from her belt still bloody from the countless hour of animals she had bludgeoned to death hoisting herself round the tree with one swift motion pinned down the intruder against to tree keeping her knife close on their throat.

“snitch and your dead! Now tell me did you see anything back there?”

Kathleen spat in a harsh and venomous tone the mysterious person didn’t respond back just smiled the same sinister smile Kathleen did when she carelessly tortured that rabbit

“What the frick are you smiling at?”

she practically screamed in the smiling boys face. The boy smiled even more at this before answering Kathleen several threatening questions

“Don’t worry sweetness I won’t snitch ya up to the coppers especially when you show no mercy to that pathetic little rabbit. I’m impressed truly.”

The boy gave another creepy smile whilst admiring the girl’s horrific definition of work.

“How the frick do you know about what I did to that rabbit? Have you been following me or what? Coz I won’t hesitate to bludgeon you and throw your pathetic lifeless body into that creek just like all the other countless animals I’ve gotten my hand on.”

Kathleen was raging with anger no way was she going to be caught because some lowlife stalked her, the boy laughed a truly evil spine-chilling laugh which made the girl smile a psychopathic smile

“Oh, doll that’s what I admire about you, you stay true to your word. But killing me isn’t going to help you especially since I know all the best places to get more worthless animals to torture.”

Kathleen withdrew her blade back from the boy’s neck putting it back into her belt

“You better be telling the truth coz if not you have no idea what I’ll do to you understand!” the girl yet again screamed in the boy’s face

“Swear down on my dead brothers’ life” this puzzled Kathleen never had she heard that kind of promise before but maybe she could find out what this meant later if what this boy was claiming was even true.

“Are you coming or what doll?”

the boy shouted back at Kathleen whilst walking in the opposite direction.

“What’s in it for me?” although the slender girl could not see this the mysterious boy smiled at her question

“You’ll just have to wait and see sweetness. It’s a surprise now come on.” For a while the journey was silent until the boy suddenly asked

“What’s your name” without hesitation the girl replied in a strong bold tone

“Kathleen”

“hmm nice name Kathleen what?”

“Kathleen Turner. Now since were getting to know each other on a full name basis tell me what’s your name?”

“Johnathan Ferguson”

After taking in his name Kathleen took mental notes on the boy analysing his intently Kathleen noticed that that Johnnie was tall and lanky like herself maybe just a little taller? He withheld a slightly ashy complexion, pale grey eyes with a slight hint of blue and long charcoal black hair that hid most of his face Without any warning the dark-haired boy immediately stopped without saying a word. “Johnnie? Why have we stopped?” Kathleen question in confusion, Patrick swiftly motioned his hand forward as if to say, “hey come this way” The tall girl complied soon standing right next to the slightly taller boy.

“So.. what happens now Ferguson? Coz I swear if your messing with me I’ll...”

“I know what you’ll do doll now shh you’ll scare away the prize.” This intrigued Kathleen suddenly she could hear the tapping of roofs on the woodland ground the girl only blinked once and In front of her stood a big chocolate brown dear with dangerous looking horns tick towards the start and piercing sharp towards the end. Kathleen didn’t have to be told twice she knew what this dear meant, she also now understood why Johnathan had taken her deeper into the forest to put it bluntly the two of them were going to hunt this dear down and have some fun although she had only met Johnathan a few moments ago Kathleen Turner liked the way he thought maybe after this they could make hunting down innocent critters their tradition. Their fun time. Johnathan gave Kathleen a nod signalling that he would go first then she would follow closely behind watching intently Kathleen focused on how Johnathan would take this monster of a dear down. . Johnathan being the tall lanky and stereotypical definition of a danger knew that the dear would not trust him on bit so as calmly and collectively as he could slowly walked towards the furry animal taking out his hand allowing the dear to smell him as a sign he wasn’t going to cause any harm the dear being gullible let the monster of a boy stroke it’s fur . Johnathan then nodded his head telling Kathleen to do the same. As the girl slowly walked towards the dear just like. Johnathan did she noticed the boy messing with something in his back pocket still petting the animal the tall boy put a knife towards to dears throat and just as Kathleen approached him pulled the blade across its throat a ear deafening scream roamed the forest making a few birds hiding up in the trees fly far away from the fear with a thud the dear was on the floor shaking and bleeding out

“I didn’t go to deep because I wanted to share the fun with you doll. What cha say? Wanna join me with this?” without a word the evil smile grew yet again on the girls face nodding at the same time by doing this the same evil smile grew upon the heartless dark haired boy it was no secret that both were in the stages of being psychopathic heartless mass murders both were smart about how they went about their business and with the two of them teaming up together nobody was safe.

Grabbing her beloved bloody blade Kathleen subjected the poor dying dear to several hours of torture. Johnathan watching with a beaming smile as if this was okay Soon after the girl quickly grew bored and pulled out her hairspray and lighter.

“Why don’t you join me? Your missing out on some fun” Kathleen’s voice squeaked in sheer excitement.

“Oh doll I never thought you’d ask.” Johnathan responded putting both hands over his heart as if he were flattered like a teenage girl when she received roses from her boyfriend for several consecutive hours the pair beat the half dead animal to death finishing with Kathleen setting the dear alight both teenagers stepped back watching the animal burn to smithereens and admiring their work

“That was so much fun Johnathan I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun in my life, not even when I did this by myself. You really know your stuff.” This made Johnathan respond in a toothy grin

“You’re not so bad yourself Doll maybe we can do this again sometime coz I’ve never met anyone like you... you’re like me doll... your real...”

“You’re the only think that’s real to me. . Johnathan You understand me... From now on it’s you and me till the bitter end.”

“Till the bitter end” Johnathan repeated

Nobody knew it but on that summer’s day in 1950 something two of the most heartless and ruthless psychotic killers were born to cause havoc for many years yet to come.

The Night was still and cold as the sinister duo make their way through the forest Johnnie taking the lead and Kathleen following. Both continued through the night until the dark-haired boy stopped without warning turning his head slightly as if he was listening out for something “Johnnie?” the girls voice was soft and hid a tone of slight confusion, the boy raised his arm up in response as if to tell her to keep quite the girl complied. At least 5 minutes passed until the both of them could hear snapping twinges and rustling in the distance not wasting anymore time the two teens gave each other that infamous sinister look, like before Jonnie took the lead taking his knife out from his belt Kathleen trailing behind with her sliver lighter and hairspray within the blink of an eye the slender boy pounced like a tiger after it’s pray. Jonnie pounced “Ahhhhh!” a fearful scream followed; Johnnie’s blade was on a young boys throat Kathleen recognised this boy to be Julian Hopper an annoying know it all in her History class “What cha doing out here Julian?!” The girl taunted the poor boy being held at knife point by a slender like monster. “i.i..i.i’m looking for night time animals, Mrs Douglas set us a project on it.. w.. what are you doing?” the boys voice was clear as day full of sheer paranoia and crippling fear this reaction however made the monstrous boy smile a skin crawling toothy smile, cold hearted intentions hid deep with his eyes. “Oh Julian didn’t your mother ever teach you to never leave the house alone especially after dark? Something bad might happen” a cold chuckle escaped the boys lips the poor boys eyes widened at this response everyone at school knew to never mess or even acknowledge Johnathan Ferguson he was different… dangerous and had all abilities to kill someone and get away with it if he really wanted to, his brain worked differently to everyone else nobody knew it then but if Johnathan was born a good few decades later who would have been diagnosed with Psychosis making the possibility of him to becoming a full on Serial killing psychopath more likely if gone undetected. The dark- haired boy without hesitation pressed his blade deeper into the boy’s throat but not so deep that it killed him “ahhhh!” another fearful scream followed echoing throughout the night Kathleen handed her lighter to the taller boy holding the fearful Julian Hopper down as Johnnie made his blade hot, placing the lighter underneath the blade causing the sliver to now turn a beaming deep orange “hold him down tighter this might get a little messy” not long after the words left the boys lips coldly the know it all called Julian Hopper was trying his hardest to escape with no luck the doe eyed girl had pinned in down good punching him in the face knocking him out enough for him to calm down and stop moving. Johnnie moved closer and lifted the boy’s shirt up and without a second thought slowly slid the scorching blade across the boy’s stomach “ahhhhhh!” the agonising screams brough the two cold teens to smile in amusement at their “work” “you wanna try it Kat?” the boy asked clearly existed the girl nodded in response and the two switched places this time Kathleen rolled up the boys pant leg and pressed as hard as she could moving so slow across the boys ankles, the girl did this so the boy couldn’t run away. Many hours into the night and Kathleen decided on how things should end taking back her lighter from her “friend” she covered the boy in hairspray setting him alight, the pair just stood there watching the boy burn away until the screams soon stopped telling the teens that Julian Hopper was now dead. Johnnie put out the fire and the both of them took the body to the Creek were they met throwing him into the water the two watched him sink like the titanic in 1912 “We did such a good job Johnnie and that was just amazing.” “it was amazing wasn’t it. Come on we gotta move outta this town I know for a fact that he’s gonna be reported as missing and the entire town is gonna be at my door.” “Where would we go Johnnie?”

“Castle Rock is only a few miles from here we can hitch a ride on the way there from the motorway outside of here” The two killer teenagers made they way to Castle rock were it is said that a kid once died there after looking for Blueberry’s to pick, the story goes that a 12 year old boy named Ray Brower set out one summers day with ones of his mothers best pots to pick blueberry’s however he went to far into the woods and stumbled onto the train tacks dying instantly from the trains impact. Several years later and Castle rock would now be a new home to Kathleen Turner and Johnathan Ferguson the most cold- hearted killers since Bob Grey.

[peterparkers7evilexes]

Lightless miles, miles and miles [Starker - darkfic]

Words: 3.6k

Summary: Peter has one rule that's helped him stay alive the past 5 years: Don't get in the john's truck. Or: The one where Peter's working a truck stop for cash when he catches one particular trucker's eye, and Tony has to have him.

Notes: Wazzup it’s ya bitch back with another dark fic who’s fuCKING SURPRISED!!!! Peter is in his 20s. Dark!Tony, sex worker!Peter. TWs for smoking (cigarettes), mentions of cheating, kidnapping. There will be non-con in the next part. DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT.

Also on AO3 here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17918384/

Peter has one rule that's helped him stay alive the past 5 years: Don't get in the john's truck. He'll suck cock behind the fueling station, let men fuck him up against their cargo, he even let one really hot driver handcuff him to a pipe in the bathroom and call him 'Mommy' while he fucked his face.

Peter likes what he does - sure, it was never in the plans but shit happened, and at least this way he gets a steady income, food in his belly, and an added bonus of maybe a couple of orgasms a day. So all that said, Peter has never once been tempted to bend or break his only rule. After all, he's heard enough horror stories of girls and boys like him who show up months later halfway across the country (as Captain Stacy never tires of reminding him every time she stops by the lot).

Luckily, most of Peter's clients are perfectly normal men with a normal amount of empathy, if a little on the kinky side. "Thank you for breeding my pussy, Mr. President," Peter says sweetly, batting his eyelashes at one of his regular clients, Ross.

Ross groans appreciatively and pulls out, using his soft cock to slap Peter's ass. "God, wish I could take you home with me," he sighs, not the first time he's voiced this desire.

Peter winks at him, pushing himself off the grimy brick wall and rolling the spent condom off Ross' soft dick. "And let me meet the missus? Don't you think it's a little soon, baby?" He lets Ross lean in and kiss him one more time, his breath stale from days on the road but the two crisp hundred dollar bills pressed into Peter's palm make his chapped lips taste a little bit sweeter.

He sees Ross off, the chug of his 16-wheeler raising up dust as he rolls back onto the highway. Peter sighs and tucks his earnings into his jeans, then makes his way into the cramped convenience store attached to the lot’s fueling station.

The bell above the door jingles, announcing his arrival and MJ looks up from her phone. "The usual, please," he says, leaning against the counter.

MJ rolls her eyes, spinning around in her chair behind the cash register to grab a pack of condoms and a fun-size bag of Skittles. "You're not cute, Parker. Also, that last guy looked like an extra hairy, stubbier Abe Lincoln."

Tearing open his pack of Skittles, Peter laughs and tucks the condoms into his back pocket. "Funny enough, he pays me almost double to call him Mr. President. Also he's nice, don't be rude. When's your shift end?"

"Ah." MJ's face twists into an apologetic grimace. "About that, Pete. I can't actually give you a ride tonight-- I'm sorry!" she cries, holding her hands up defensively at the hurt look Peter gives her. "My car broke down! But Gwen's giving me a ride if you want to come with."

Peter gives her a flat look, glumly shoving a handful of Skittles into his mouth. "Your girlfriend is turning out to be real inconvenient for business, MJ," he says as the doorbell jingles again.

"What business?" comes Gwen's voice from the door.

Peter spins around on his heel and smiles politely. "My burgeoning soap-making business, Captain Stacy!"

Gwen raises her eyebrows at Peter but comes over, leaning over the counter to give MJ a kiss. "That so, Parker? I'd love to buy something from you, help out a local business owner," she says, her bright blue eyes piercing into him.

"Ah, I don't think you'd be into the kinda soap I'm selling," Peter snorts, and when MJ snickers as well, Gwen gives her a chastising look.

"Don't test me, Parker," she warns. "There's only so much I can turn a blind eye to."

That nettles a bit. Like the cops have ever done anything but hurt him, all under the guise of protecting an orphaned, homeless kid. "Don't you have innocent children to drag from their only remaining families? Murders to ignore or something?" he snaps, his hands clenched into fists on the counter.

To his surprise, Gwen's face softens and she takes off her captain's hat. It always shocks him, seeing how young she really is when she lets down her walls like this - reminds him that they're about the same age, that if things had just... not gone to shit for him, maybe they would've graduated high school together, even become friends.

"I'm sorry," she says honestly. "I... Look," she sighs, combing a hand through her tight ponytail and meeting Peter's eyes with a firm sort of sincerity. "I just want you to be careful." When Peter purses his lips, she continues quickly, "I'm just saying, there's been a spike in people going missing from truck stops. So just... you know. Be aware, okay? Besides," she adds more lightly, reaching over the counter to punch MJ's shoulder and ignoring her indignant yelp, "MJ likes you, I guess. I can't explain it. And it'd suck if something happened to you, 'cause she'd be sad or whatever and she can't eat me out if she's crying."

MJ flushes pink but looks pleased. "You're a fucking psychopath, baby."

A little mollified, Peter shrugs his shoulders. “Message received, Captain Stacy,” he says placating, not really in the mood to argue with an officer of the law again - not tonight, in any case.

Through the smudged plexiglass window of the convenience store, he can see the headlights of a red 18-wheeler rolling in. He salutes Gwen and flips MJ off, shouting a goodbye over his shoulder as he walks back out to the dark lot.

The driver who steps out of the truck cab is about middle-aged, stocky build with a flannel rolled up at the sleeves and a baseball cap pulled down low over his eyes. The parking lot lighting is too dim and yellow to discern much of his features, but from what Peter can see, he’s definitely one of the more attractive men he’s met. Peter imagines a man with looks like that has got to have a wife at home - which means he’ll have been lonely on the road. Good odds.

“Hey sir!” he calls, approaching and waving his fingers at the man. He smiles as the man looks him up and down, dark inky eyes drinking him in hungrily. “How long you been driving?”

The man takes his cap off, sweeping his fingers through thick black hair as he looks Peter up and down like a piece of meat. “Little under twenty hours,” he says in a voice low and smooth, leaning against the cab of his truck. “You’re not auditing me, are you?”

Peter laughs, ducking his head and tugging at the hem of his shirt, revealing the sharp angles of his collarbones and not missing the way the man’s eyes flick down to watch the slow expanse of his skin. “I dunno sir,” he says with a shy little smile. “Do I look like a truck auditor?”

The man laughs, a handsome rich sound, and reaches in his flannel pocket to pull out a pack of American Spirits. “No,” he concedes, propping a cigarette between his lips. “Guess you don’t, kid.”

“Here,” Peter says, reaching in his jeans for a lighter. “Let me.” He steps forward into the man’s space and clicks the flint wheel, flame bursting forth from the tip. The man meets his eyes curiously but lowers his head, letting Peter light the end of his cigarette. As it catches cherry red, thin smoke rises from the end of the cigarette and the man watches him hungrily. Peter shivers, suddenly feeling like cornered prey.

“I’m Tony,” the man introduces himself, taking the cigarette from his lips and letting a smoky exhale vanish into the evening’s humid atmosphere.

“Hi Tony,” he says breathlessly. “You looking for any company tonight?”

Tony gives him a crooked smile, taking another drag. “You're sweet. What's your name?”

“Peter,” he says, licking his lips. “Can I?”

With a wry look, Tony reaches forward, gripping the back of Peter's neck in a firm, gentle hold and lifts the cigarette to his lips. “Pretty thing like you shouldn't smoke,” he murmurs, his voice low and and gravelly in Peter’s ear.

Peter shudders as he inhales, the acrid taste burning down his trachea. He holds it in his lungs, slowly exhaling through his nose, furls of pale gray smoke floating in the still air between them before it disperses in thin wisps. “So?” he presses, the remnants of cigarette smoke fading from his lips. “You wanna order me around some more, handsome?”

Tony gazes appraisingly at him, something flashing in his dark eyes. “No,” he says finally. “I can’t. But thank you for the offer,” he says politely, like they’re concluding a boardroom deal instead of discussing the commerce of Peter’s body.

Peter can’t lie to himself and say he isn’t a little disappointed. Something about Tony’s piercing eyes and the primal look in them makes his cock twitch and he feels certain that Tony would’ve been an excellent fuck. “Well,” he shrugs nonchalantly, turning to leave. “if you’re sure.”

“If it makes you feel any better,” Tony calls, halting him in his tracks, “you’ve made quite an elevator pitch. Can I buy you dinner or a bus ticket outta town or something?”

Peter turns to look over his shoulder, batting his eyelashes. “Why sir,” he says in an exaggerated, sultry voice, “are you trying to take me out on a date?”

Tony laughs again, his face open and surprised. He’s really handsome when he laughs, Peter notes with some glumness. “I got a route to keep, kid,” he says, rapping his knuckles against the red of his truck cab. “But if I just cost you a meal, let me at least make it up to you.”

Hands on his hips, Peter huffs out a breath. “Are you implying that I’m a hooker? How d’you know I’m not just really slutty and looking to get laid?” he teases, although he’s grinning back at Tony. He should get home, a stern voice tells him, and stop flirting with a mid-tier sugar daddy who won’t even fuck him.

“Hey, easy,” Tony smirks, finishing off his cigarette and crushing it beneath his heel. “Nothing wrong with making a living wage. Besides,” he leans forward, his eyes glittering beetle black and intent in the dim evening, “You're such a sweet, gorgeous little thing, I hardly imagine you'd have to resort to a truck stop to get laid.”

Despite himself, Peter chews at his lower lip, unconsciously leaning forward into Tony's space. The man smells good, like engine oil and cloves, and Peter thinks for a harebrained second about offering to fuck the guy, free of charge. That thought snaps him back. “Um,” he clears his throat, grateful the awful lot lighting can't give away his flushed face, “You're a real sweet talker, sir. But I'm not gonna take your charity. Thank you,” he adds earnestly with a smile.

Tony pulls his cap back on, tugging the brim low over his eyes again. “No problem, kid,” he says lightly. “Take care of yourself.”

Peter nods, walking backwards regretfully. “You too, sir. Drive safe.”

He continues watching over his shoulder as Tony goes to the fueling station seemingly unbothered by their interaction, before Peter remembers that he doesn't have a ride home.

“Damn you, Captain Stacy,” he swears under his breath. He could call a cab, but getting one all the way out in the middle of the freeway at this hour would cost him his next week's meals. He's better off hoofing it the two and a half miles back into town, he decides. Besides, he thinks, squinting up at the waxing moon above head, it's light enough outside that he can follow the road back.

As he walks along the wire fence of wheat fields that hem in the highway, Peter trudges home, feeling perhaps irrationally annoyed at Gwen Stacy. It isn't really her fault that MJ's car broke down, and he's sure that if he'd asked, she would've been more than happy to give him a ride home. But it's the principle of the thing, Peter thinks petulantly to himself, kicking a crushed beer can off to the side of the road.

As each set of headlights passes him by, he keeps an eye out for state troopers, hyper-vigilant since the last pair of clowns that picked him up had him cited for ‘public intoxication’ (untrue) and ‘trespassing’ (what's he supposed to do, walk on the highway?), and then thrown him in jail for the night for ‘resisting arrest’ (technically true). 

It's not like the local cops don't know what he's really doing at the truck stop in the middle of the night - they're not quite that dumb, unfortunately. It's only been a combination of a lack of hard evidence and Captain Stacy somehow keeping her guys in line that Peter's really been able to continue working in relative safety. He should maybe be nicer to her, a reluctant little voice says (that sounds suspiciously like MJ). She doesn't represent all the wrongdoing that the entire institution of law enforcement has done to him.

But, Peter counters himself, maybe kicking another beer can in front of him a little more violently than necessary, when Gwen's job is to literally stop him from making his livelihood, he can't let his guard down and get too cozy with any cops.

He's still mid-tirade when he notices a set of headlights that lingers behind him a bit too long. Peter grits his teeth, expecting to have to justify himself to the power-addled state troopers again, but as he turns around, he's blinded by the massive beams of a semi-truck. Instantly, Peter tenses as the truck rolls to a stop just behind him, the only other occupant on the lonely highway.

He can't exactly outrun an 18-wheeler, nor does the wheat field offer much coverage. As he's frozen in place debating his best move, the window rolls down and he hears a familiar voice.

“Kid? Do you need a lift?”

Tony kills the engine and leans out the window, his handsome face wrinkled in concern.

“No, no thanks,” Peter says reflexively, his muscles easing a bit. “I thought you were a serial killer,” he jokes weakly.

Furrowing his brow, Tony unlocks the passenger door and swings it open. “Get in. This isn't charity,” he adds knowingly with a reassuring smile. “It's for my own ease of mind, kid, seriously.”

Peter worries at his lip, looking anxiously up at Tony. “You really don't have to do this, sir--”

“Tony.”

“Tony. I can walk myself home fine, it's just another mile up--”

“Then it's not a big deal at all,” Tony interjects firmly. Another truck blazes by them then, blaring its horn indignantly at how haphazardly Tony's pulled over. “C'mon kid, hop in.”

Fuck it - Tony isn’t technically a john, he didn't even want to fuck Peter. He nods to himself and makes his way to the truck, holding onto the tall door handle and carefully climbing the metal steps up into the cab.

It's nicer inside than he’s expecting. The black leather seats are well-kept and clean and every button and switch on the dashboard looks polished. There are signs of Tony's long hours on the road - crumpled receipts and empty coffee cups in a little plastic bag, a sun-faded photo of Tony and another man in army fatigues grinning taped to the dash. There's a thick, light-blocking curtain behind the front seats that's pulled aside, and Peter can see a bit of the sleeper cab from where he’s sitting. It's cramped but just as tidy as the rest of the cab, holding just a twin-sized bunk, an ice box, and some stacked, clear plastic drawers filled with clothing.

“Nice place,” Peter says once he's snooped his fill.

“You sure you're not an auditor?” Tony grins, locking the doors and turning the ignition.

“Pretty sure. Thanks for the lift though, seriously. It's really nice of you.”

As he pulls them back onto the highway, Tony looks aside at him. “It's my pleasure,” he says with a little smile.

“So, um, it's really not that far,” Peter says, leaning forward so he make out the signs in the glare of the truck’s headlights. “The next exit for Forest Hills is me. You'll take a right off the exit ramp and then a left.”

“Sure,” Tony says lightly, his voice harder to pick out as the truck picks up speed, rumbling loudly beneath them. He keeps one hand on the steering wheel while he digs around in the driver's door compartment for something.

“Um, it's coming up,” Peter says, realizing they're not slowing down as the exit ramp comes into view. They whiz by it. “Uh, Tony, that-- that was the exit,” he says, his voice polite even as alarm bells start humming in the back of his brain.

“Oh, did I miss it?” Tony asks with concern, his inky eyes flicking across to Peter.

Fuck. “It's okay, I can just hop out here,” Peter says quickly. “Can-- Can you pull over?”

Tony looks at him and smiles, and a chill shudders down Peter's spine. “It's okay Peter,” he says coolly as if they're discussing where to stop for breakfast. “We’ll keep going for a bit.”

Peter can see his hands beginning to shake in his lap, and he presses them tight to his knees. “There’s another exit ramp in about three miles,” he says as calmly as he can, forcing the tremble out of his voice. “Can you make a U-turn there?”

Tony doesn’t answer, just looks serenely at the road ahead, one wrist draped over the steering wheel and completely unbothered.

Moving as slowly as he can, Peter’s eyes flick to the passenger side door and he leans his head back a little, trying to see how fast they’re going on the dash. It can’t be more than 70 miles per hour, but it’s a long, hard fall to the ground, and the highway shoulder is hard, unforgiving gravel. He’ll be lucky if he only breaks a few bones.

They pass the next exit ramp and Peter tries one more time. “Tony?”

“Hm?” Tony doesn’t look at him, just keeps driving and staring at the road ahead.

“Pull over. Please.”

“I’m not gonna do that, sweetheart,” Tony says, low and composed. Fuck. Peter makes his move.

He grabs at the door and flicks the lock, but when he yanks at the handle, nothing happens. He yanks again - the handle clicks uselessly but the door doesn’t budge, and Peter scrabbles at the window, finding that this too won’t roll down. He turns to look at Tony, his heartbeat pounding in his ears and adrenaline racing in his veins.

Tony is looking at him now and his lips are curled up in a smirk, his eyes dark with that hunger again. In his other hand, he’s holding a thin, black taser and he clicks the switch in a clear threat, electricity sparking between the two needles. “I made this myself, you know,” he says offhandedly. “Delivers 100,000 volts per pulse with modified electrodes that make for a much more efficient shock, enough to paralyse a full-grown man for up to 10 minutes after a 5-second cycle.”

“Pull over,” Peter demands, pressing his back into the door and watching the taser warily.

“I had to have you,” Tony says, somewhat apologetically, his eyes flicking between Peter and the road. “I wasn’t going to. I let you go, back at the truck stop - God, it was hard, but I did it. And then, seeing you walking along the highway?” Tony laughs, a cold, cruel noise that makes Peter bite down a whimper. “It was like you were giving yourself to me. Laid out pretty on a platter.”

Peter is shaking so hard, he can feel his elbow trembling against the cold glass of the window, sure to leave a bruise. “Pull over,” he says again, his voice cracking, betraying his fear.

“You’re going to behave for me,” Tony says, smooth as silk, like Peter hadn’t interrupted him. He looks across at him, desire swimming in his dark pupils. “And in return, I promise you Peter, I’m gonna take care of you.”

Peter lunges. He throws himself across the cab and grabs at the steering wheel, but Tony is expecting him. The older man boxes him in the jaw soundly and, as he tries to reorient himself, Tony backhands him across the face so hard he tastes blood exploding over his tongue.

“You’re brave,” Tony growls, his voice feral and low. Stars swim in Peter’s vision and every little movement sends a jolting pain through his skull. He pushes himself upright against the dashboard and grabs at the wheel again - his fingers close around the black leather and he pulls - he can't tell if he's actually throwing the truck off the road or if the lurching is the dizzying nausea building up in his brain. He feels Tony's hand close, tight and bruising over his wrist. “I'm going to enjoy you.”

“Stop,” Peter gasps, and he feels twin needles piercing the meat of his thigh, then an agonizing pain shoots through him, locking up every muscle in his body. As he collapses uselessly across Tony's lap, his vision blurs out at the edges and the man's glittering black eyes meet his.

Tony grins, baring white teeth, and Peter slips under.

part 2

[fightevilandthengetblownup]

CHATS: More Dumpsters, More Fires 3

#1 - Jo and Anna talking sometime after Jo got back to the house after the collar/cast was put on (and yes the spoil is Jo suggesting what you think it is LOL)

<Anna> hows Jo?

<Jo> Jo’s okay… She got to go outside, she’s getting a little spoilt for her own good, and she’s mostly trying to ignore the never ending threat looming over head - kind of amused/looking forward to laughing at Gray’s expense whe n he figures out things

<Anna> she’s so mean and such a troll

<Jo> She really really is.

<Jo> “I call it taking joy out of the small things”

<Anna> “I call it being a bitch”

<Jo> “Not saying I’m not.”

<Anna> “I don’t like you.”

<Jo> “I’m getting that. You didn’t like me much first time around til we got drunk a lot.”

<Anna> “You..just you seem like your punishing me for things that I don’t remember and enjoying the fact that I don’t remember it and in general being mean spirited about the whole thing. If we were friends, this isn’t how friends act or at least how I was taught how friends act.”

<Jo> “Well, I’m sorry if it seems that way - that’s honestly not what I’m intending. I’m just… playing around, Anna. It’s what I do, and most of the time you wouldn’t get upset by it - give it back or smack me upside the head. I’m not exactly from the same background as you,especially not now..”

<Anna> “I don’t know you now! And you know this, this is why you come across as enjoing it because you keep doing it on purpose! I don’t know if you enjoy seeing me upset or angry but it’s just mean.”

<Jo> “Well I’m /sorry/! It’s a little hard for me to wrap my head around that this person I’ve known for over a year is /suddenly/ someone completely different. And no, I don’t. I would have a week ago, but right now? I don’t.”

<Anna> “How do you think it feels for me? To wrap my head around the idea that for a year I’ve just been bar tending and trying to find myself again after my parents were killed and now I’m hearing that I’m this total other person who is supposed to be me!”

<Jo> “…right. …… ….I shouldn’t play around like that should I? I was just pranking you Anna, I get bored cooped up in a room - especially when I really don’t want to be. I was kidding around - the only things that, yeah, are true are about the guy you’ve sort of been with. I was just mucking about, too much day time television.”

<Anna> “It’s okay..I just..I’m frustrated and confused and I was sort of glad to hear that I had a friend and then you just turn out like this and sad.”

<Jo> “…Sorry. I didn’t think you’d take me seriously, was a little farfetched on my part. …I didn’t mean to upset you; I’m not exactly good at the people thing and we are friends, Anna. Usually you just see through my joking around..”

<Anna> “Give me some time to get to know you and I will again..probably..maybe..”

<Jo> “Probably..  Still, I didn’t mean to upset you and I apologise for that..”

<Anna> “It’s alright..and I’m sorry for calling you a bitch…repeatedly”

<Jo> “Don’t worry, that’s pretty accurate most of the time.”

<Anna> “Do you need anything? I don’t mind bringing stuff by to you.”

<Jo> “I, uh…I get pretty well taken care of - stuff wise. Though, I wouldn’t mind getting to get out sometimes actually. The, uh, um… my company is a bit of a homebody, so if you wanted to swing by, go out and do something would be better, maybe.”

<Anna> “Are you able to walk like that?”

<Jo> “A little ways. If it weren’t for the hands I’d be trying to drive myself honestly.”

<Anna> “I could drive if you have a car.”

<Jo> “…you don’t know how amusing that is.”

<Anna> “Um..right..wreck ..you probably don’t want me driving.”

<Jo> “Nah, it’s more amusing you were unsure if I had one. …hunter. Car is kind of a necessecity.”

<Anna> “Oh..right..well just let me know when you want to go out and I can walk to your place if you give me a addy.”

<Jo> “I do-.. um, I, uh… …yeah, I.. think I could, um, do that… The address, yes, I can, um.. I think Harry knows it, I don’t really …know it know it… And I will. I will definitely.”

<Anna> “You..don’t know where you live? I’m the one with the head injury here.”

<Jo> “It.. it’s not that. It’s a little more complicated than that.. I.. can’t really give out my address much. Because, um… you can’t tell any of the other hunter’s about the place. I come to them, not the other way around. They’re… Grey doesn’t really.. well, I don’t give out my address often so I- the end of West 5th street.”

<Anna> “Okay. I’ll be over there as soon as I go scribble that down on the walls of the men’s restroom. ‘Hunters, if you are looking for Jo or a good time, come to the end of West 5th street.’”

<Jo> “Oh god, don’t even..! And how would you know if I were a good time?!”

<Anna> “You said that we were together and it was more than once so it must have been something good about it.”

<Jo> “And I said I watched too many soapies. Unless you’re wanting to have walked on the wild side with me… in which cause I’ll have you know I’ve got nothing but rave reviews.”

<Anna> *Anna coughs*

<Jo> “…but still, I doubt anyone looking for a good time would be dumb enough anyway. Have to go through Grey first.”

<Anna> “Possessive bf I’m guess..”

<Jo> “Not so much possessive as…. uh…”

<Anna> “So the collar isn’t a sign of that at all?”

<Jo> “Well, that wasn’t put on by him. It’s a long story.”

<Anna> “Okay…”

<Jo> “It’s a… challenge. By someone else. How long I can keep it on without freaking out… Grey isn’t so possessive as to..yeah. He’s not /that/ possessive.”

<Anna> “Mmmk.. So besides killing monsters what do you like to get out and do?”

<Jo> “Movies… running, pool.. I like target practice or just.. Mostly I’d say pool.  What do you remember that you like doing?”

<Anna> “Coffee shops, books, I like the water, botanical gardens. Pool is fun, I remember watching friends in college play. I guess you can’t really do that with the casts. What happened? I’m assuming a hunt went wrong?”

<Jo> “Coffee is good - there’s a nice one just outside of the city centre. And the docks - I’m down there a lot usually myself. I can’t with the casts though, no - should be off next weekend though which is good. Yeah..yeah you could say that. I just wasn’t expecting it, not as alert as I should have been and things went a little pearshaped.”

<Anna> “That sucks. I’m sorry. Still could have been worse I suppose.”

<Jo> “Oh, I’ve had worse, it’s no biggie really. Just kind of sucks - but I’ve never had someone arounf who’ll really..help out during before so it’s not so bad.

<Anna> "Well I guess that’s good. Grey loves you by the sounds of it.”

<Jo> *Jo laughs loudly*

<Anna> “He doesn’t?”

<Jo> “Just never thought I’d hear someone say that without it being mocking or concerned or with some sort of malicious intent behind it..”

<Anna> “I’m guessing that by someone you mean me?”

<Jo> “A little, but not specifically. There are a lot of people with opinions.”

<Anna> “Why, what’s so bad about him?”

<Jo> “It, uh… it’s complicated. He and you haven’t really ever gotten along, his family are… eccentric, I’m fairly certain my mom doesn’t like him because of it and there are some other…well.. people he knows who have some pretty interesting takes on our..relationship, is all… It’s not something he can change but I wouldn’t say its… bad…”

<Anna> “Wow. Well..I can’t wait to meet him..again and maybe this time we can get off to a better start be friends.”

<Jo> “I doubt that, but he might be persuaded not to try and set your hair on fire. ..That’s probably as good as it could get. He.. holds grudges.”

<Anna> *Anna blinks*

<Jo> “What can I say… we both have very voilate personalities?”

<Anna> “I..What did I do to him?”

<Jo> “I don’t actually know, honestly, or at least originally. …He’s very.. you both have very clashing personalities. Or had. And then something, which would make absolutely no sense to you now, happened which got him really hurt that could be tracked back to you so… it hasn’t really helped my few attempts to mend bridges.”

<Anna> *Anna just nods*

<Jo> “Plus, you were with his twin and they kind of hate one another.”

<Anna> “So..is his brother..does he have the same issues that Grey has? That no one likes him..and were? We aren’t together?”

<Jo> “Grey’s more on the outs with his family than on the outs with other people - he and Harry are really good friends actually, Harry is a little more dubious of /me/ than of Grey. While his brother… gets along every well with their relatives but.. he’s a bit of a dick sometimes - charming. But a dick.  I honestly don’t know, I don’t really believe anything about your relationship unless it comes from you.”

<Anna> “So..I’m dating the dick? and You’re dating the estranged grudge holder?”

<Jo> “I..wouldn’t say dating myself, but yeah that.. works. Pretty much that.”

<Anna> *Anna nods again*

<Jo> “…Any thing else?”

<Anna> “Not sure..I’ll pick you up this afternoon after shift?”

<Jo> “Sure, sure.. Works for me.”

<Anna> “Alright..see ya then”

#2 - Post-mindwipe I believe, Jo joking/taunting about Anna and Gray’s relationship just goes to melt down.

<Anna> so no other snark from her other than bitching about Anna’s perspective of her?

<Jo> Oh no, she’s snickering at the fact “I guess there are times porn and reality /do/ blend. Anna’s really going for that naughty catholic school girl thing.”

<Anna> *dies*

<Anna> Anna is huffing

<Anna> “I am not”

<Anna> “I’m allowed to feel..things.”

<Jo> “Are too, Saint Milton.  Really? God’s not going to send a lightening bolt down and strike you for wanting to engage in some highly energetic animalistic fucking with a mass murdering psychopathic monster?  …course, it probably would be worth the zap.”

<Anna> She’s doing her best impression of a fish out of water..

<Jo> Jo’s snickering her head off now.

<Anna> opening and closing hermouth while making noises as she tries to argue

<Jo> LOL Jo is getting a kick out of this

<Anna> “You..are not very nice”

<Jo> “I believe you’ve said that before.”

<Anna> “I….”

<Anna> *Anna huffs*

<Jo> “Can’t deny you want to fuck his brains out? It happens.”

<Anna> *Anna turns red* “I..I..Do you have to use such crude language!”

<Jo> “Well…can’t really call what he does ‘making love’, and I kind of do.”

<Anna> “No one asked you!”

<Jo> “No one ever asks anyone.”

<Anna> “You..are..I don’t know what you are..”

<Jo> “..a crude country bumpkin? Impossible? Radiant and fantastic?”

<Anna> “A bitch!”

<Jo> “…That works too.”

<Anna> *Anna huffs and crosses her arms*

<Jo> “Just telling the truth. It’s completely normal to want to break the bed, and the couch, and whatever paintings are on the walls…” *Jo smirks, trying not to laugh*

<Anna> *Anna just stares at Jo open mouthed* “No wonder you and Grey live in a run down house! You can’t have nice things!”

<Jo> *Jo gapes and squeaks offendedly* “Hey! We live there cause.. shut up, it’s perfectly fine! Who wants nice things when you can have fun?”

<Anna> “Obviously people who aren’t you! I mean would it kill you to paint the place? And cut the grass, it looks like an abandoned house. Have some pride of owner ship”

<Jo> “That’s the flipping point, Anna.. Hunter’s don’t really leave paper trails or have steady incomes, and neither do monsters.”

<Anna> “You own a bar!”

<Jo> “Technically it was my great aunt and uncle’s. And I /did/ live there with the other’s right up until your accident, so honestly - I’ll have pride in a home when I want to put down /actual/ roots.”

<Anna> “You have an answer for everything don’t you..”

<Jo> “…it’s easier than not.  I moved in with Grey, it’s his house and even then it’s technically no one’s, so…why make it look nice when it’s not even ours?”

<Anna> “Oh my God..you’re squatting there…that answers so many things about you..”

<Jo> “That’s… kind of what hunters do. Squatting or motels; I mean, I could /buy/ somewhere, sure but… ….what do you mean 'that answers so many things about you’?!”

<Anna> “You’re hiding behind this whole "this is what hunters do” line you keep using. Lack of roots, lack of relationship, would rather have random sex, you  have serious commitment issues.“

<Jo> ”….dah. Daddy issues, commitment issues, intimacy issues, a lifestlye that only appeals to the insane, self destructive or psychopathic… Hi I’m Jo Harvelle, and I’m a fucking mess.“

<Anna> "You know they make pills that help that.”

<Jo> “I don’t need medicating.”

<Anna> “Sure..most people with your issues think they don’t without medication.”

<Jo> “I don’t need medication, Anna..”

<Anna> “Sure you don’t.”

<Jo> “I just have the same problems your run of the mill stripper have, but I combat it with killin’ not exposing myself for cash. I don’t need a little pil to make it all better.”

<Anna> “Right…and how much do you drink and self medicate because you realize that is what you are doing, passing off hunting as coping instead of dealing with your issues. You know there’s numbers you can call and people you can talk too.”

<Jo> “…I grew up in a bar, how much do you think I drink? And I don’t self medicate..I treat wounds, sure, but nothing more than pain killers and other first aid shit really. ….Numbers I can call, right…I can’t get through a single conversation with a civillian without having to lie at least six times, Anna, so that’s bullshit.”

<Anna> “Whatever you say Jo.”

<Jo> “I dont want and I don’t need help. You’re just trying to avoid talking about how awkward you feel about wanting to run your tongue along those scars of Gray’s and everything else that goes with it.”

<Anna> “At least that’s a normal human reaction..unlike hiding behind "oh I’m fine I’ll just go kill something to get rid of the anxiety I’m feeling.”“

<Jo> "I said I don’t want help, I don’t want to change that okay? And I’m not sue how normal it is when you know everything you do about him but whatever helps you sleep at night.”

<Anna> “He doesn’t seem any worse than the rest of the people I’ve been talking too.”

<Jo> “Right. …I’m sure that’s totally the truth.”

<Anna> “And maybe there’s a reason I met him. Who knows, besides according to everyone I’m not much better than him.”

<Jo> “You met him because he was trying to control me and my behaviour. And if you meant that in a destiny type way, sorry to burst your bubble but fate doesn’t exist anymore.”

<Anna> “Oh good God you do have an answer to everything..”

<Jo> “Maybe I do, but thats actually the truth these days…”

<Anna> “Gee I’d forgotten that..”

<Jo> “Ha ha, funny.”

<Anna> “I thought so.”

<Jo> “Glad to see somehow you found a sense of humor.”

<Anna> “Hmph”

<Jo> “…Sooo… back to you and your feeling awkward about wanting to jump Gray. You know I think you still have that school uniform at the bar.”

<Jo> “I never did get asked to return it”

<Anna> “Why are you so interested in what I want, are you and Grey not having enough sex?”

<Jo> “I’m just amused that that hasn’t changed at all.”

<Anna> “I don’t think a lot of things have changed..”

<Jo> “You’re nicer. Not that you werent before…you just… got very focussed.”

<Anna> “Right..”

<Jo> “…when none of us were trying to kill the other’s partner things were pretty nice..”

<Anna> “So then explain now.”

<Jo> “Explain what? You and I were friends, Anna… when you weren’t trying to kill Grey and he wasn’t trying to kill you; and when Gray and I weren’t anywhere near one another. We actually were friends ya know.”

<Anna> “So..if how you’ve acted towards me is friends..I’m glad I don’t remember what were like as not friends.”

<Jo> “….those scars aren’t from the car crash. That might give you an idea…”

<Anna> “What part of I’m glad I don’t remember didn’t you get.”

<Jo> “Fine.”

<Anna> “I just..I don’t know..I don’t get why I want to punch you or choke you half the time..and then you start talking and if I remember you or not it’s like this slowly growing urge..”

<Jo> “…that’s kind of a normal reaction, Anna. Pretty much everyone wants to do that to me outside of my family…and even then. I mean, half the time yeah, even when we’re friends its like that..”

<Anna> “So why didn’t you make an effort to be friends again, that’s what I want to know.”

<Jo> “Because this is how we’re friends! We rib and teast and poke fun at one another, and then we get drunk or eat frosting and actually talk about proper issues, and then I feel uncomfortable with serious conversation and turn whatever we were talking about into a sex joke. That’s..just how it’s always been, Anna.”

<Anna> “Well thanks for letting me know AFTER the fact I already went through our 'friends’ way of hazing each other.”

<Jo> “I… I.. I didn’t… I thought you knew that, I mean I thought that’s how friends just /are/. I’m not good at the friends thing - I end up hopelessly pining after them for a few months or fucking them, so I really don’t think I have a good grasp on what a friendship /is/, Anna!”

<Anna> “Gee what gave you that idea. The fact that everyone ends up pissed at you or the fact everyone ends up pissed at you.”

<Jo> “Ha ha.”

<Anna> “I’m serious”

<Jo> “Well I dont exactly have that many friends so not everyone does.”

<Anna> “Again..I wonder why..”

<Jo> “Oh just fuck you.”

<Anna> “From what I understand we already did that and it didn’t work.”

<Jo> “It really didn’t.”

<Anna> “So is this being friends enough for you?”

<Jo> “Hardy hardy har har, you’re catching on well enough.”

<Anna> “Huh, now you seem pissy when I’m simply returning the affection you claim we share..”

<Jo> “Actually I’m more amused you’re playing along. Figured you would be more stickish than before.”

<Anna> *Anna rolls her eyes*

#3 - Not 100% sure context other than its after the above. Also, Grey should pay attention to the fact Jo was looking at these things and ~thinking things~ (this was about October after they’d started up, so like...shes been thinking a long while. this is before the whispering, or maybe during it)

<Jo> http://www.geekologie.com/2012/08/another-day-another-zombie-themed-engage.php        Its sad when  I find these things and the train of thought goes:

<Jo> 1. I can see Jo agreeing to things just because its ‘adorable’ when really its not

<Jo> 2. And then she’d be killed by Ellen

<Anna> lolol

<Jo> 3. At least its not a salt-n-burn fire side romantic comment

<Anna> Anna..*smacks*

<Jo> …what?

<Anna> she’s..missing having girl company..and she’s debating which is better for it..Ruby or Jo and she’s leaning more towards Ruby

<Jo> LOL  …/why/ is the question streaming from both Ruby and Jo right now

<Anna> “Jo’s sorta mannish…and Ruby..at least looks girly..”

<Jo> They are both laughing at her - loudly. Though Jo’s sort of offended which is just making Ruby laugh more

<Anna> lol

<Anna> Anna’s just sorta pouting..“it’s not my fault that they are the only choice I have for female friends..”

<Jo> “Ruby isn’t even a female.” “……………………….” “…”

<Anna> looooooool

<Anna> “she’s less butch than you”

<Jo> “/Gray/ is less butch than me. Doesn’t make him more of a female.”

<Anna> “So you’re the man in relationship?”

<Jo> “No! Well with you I guess I was, but no, I’m not….”

<Anna> “Guess that’s why I’m looking more towards Ruby..why do I want a second man in my life.”

<Jo> “If you can call what you do have a man.”

<Anna> “After the other night..He’s definately all man”

<Jo> “Good for you.”

<Anna> “Yes..he was..”

<Jo> “If you say so.  …How was it after though? Did he stick around for breakfast?”

<Anna> “He didn’t stay for breakfast but he did stay till I woke up the next day.”

<Jo> “Aw how cute. So how long did the honeymoon last before whatever sent him packing without even grabbing a bit of you for snacking on the go?”

<Anna> “The threat of Crowley I guess”

<Jo> “Strange that such a 'manly’ guy as him would be run off by the overgrown demon.”

<Anna> “How come I’ve never ran into Grey outside of his house?”

<Jo> “Because. And he’s not being run off by anyone, especially if he’s staying in the one place, wouldrn you say?”

<Anna> “Right..surrounded by traps and iron..which wouldn’t stop Crowley..I guess that means that he’s simply afraid of normal demons. You really wish to throw stones at Gray for being afraid of Crowley when yours won’t even come outside?”

<Jo> “Actually its traps and salt, theres no iron in our house.  And most of those are there because of the fact that, oh hey, I’m a hunter and he’s a monster and it’s second nature to protect ones home. As for throwing stones, I said that your’s is afraid to be with you because of Crowley not that he’s afraid of Crowley - theres a difference. Grey isn’t.”

<Anna> “Gray doesn’t strike me as being happy domestic housewife..he’s never said anything to make me believe that we lived together all the time. So why should I expect it now?”

<Jo> “I never said he had to be, I was just musing on the fact you say he’s leaving because of the threat of another man coming in to take his turn.”

<Anna> “there..no one else has a turn!”

<Jo> “And yet he had to leave in case Crowley showed up. Unless thats not why he left, so either you’re waiting for the wannabe god-demon to show up to see how his little /pet/ is going, or Gray left because he didn’t want to be around you after getting what he wanted. Or some other reason.”

<Anna> “Why are you making it sound so bad that he didn’t want to be around if Crowley did show up? He couldn’t stop him, Gray would have been killed and Crowley has no interest in killing me. So why are you trying to twist it to make it sound bad.”

<Jo> “I’m just intruiged is all - doesnt really sound like a typical Gray-like response. ..his kind are really quite territorial you know.”

<Anna> “Tell you what, if you want to know so bad, ask him.”

<Jo> “…Nah.”

<Anna> “Well if you don’t want to ask him then stop being a bitch.”

<Jo> “But you’re fun when you puff up and get red.”

<Anna> “You are such a bitch..”

<Jo> “Think you already said that. And I prefer bitch to butch, so I’m cool with it.”

<Anna> “Maybe you’re a bastard then being you’’ve been the man in all your relationships.”

<Jo> “I am not the man in my relationship at present, so there.”

<Anna> “Right…”

<Jo> “It’s true.”

<Anna> “Whatever.”

<Jo> “… …………do you have any idea how much I hate that word…”

<Anna> “yes.”

<Anna> “but whatever”

<Jo> “Fuck you.”

<Anna> “But you’re fun when you puff and get red. So whatever Jo..”

<Jo> “Oh God, you’re horrid, you know that right?”

<Anna> “Whatever..your hate of this word is interesting.”

<Jo> “…. Why do you say that..”

<Anna> “I’m seeing what you get out of making someone upset. Trying to understand why you feel this is proper entertainment at the expense of others.”

<Jo> “I dont try to upset people, I play with them. Theres a difference.”

<Anna> “oh so you play..with no reguard to how that playing effects them. Does your interest if Gray leaving me relate to the fact you were abandoned by your father?”

<Jo> “…Excuse you? I am not the one between us who was abandoned by their father!”

<Anna> “My father loved me, raised me, encouraged me to be whatever I could be in life. Your father put hunting above you and was killed by it. Isn’t that why you have such a problem committing to people?”

<Jo> “Oh you think that if you want to about your own father, but don’t you talk 'bout my dad like that. He was a good man. ….I…shut up, I don’t have problems commiting to people..”

<Anna> “Is that why you keep everyone at a distance? Playing with them? Keeping us at both a physical arms length and an even further emotional one? How did Grey slip past your defenses or can you just leave him at anytime, abandoning him too?”

<Jo> “My father has nothing to do with it.. You can’t be too open in this lifestyle.. …/I/ don’t abandon people, shut up.”

<Anna> “Please, you turned to hunting instead of taking of your clothes. You’re surrounded by men who could be old enough to be your dad and you’re constantly working to prove yourself to them. Do you seek out their praise when you do a hunt well?”

<Jo> “…I wou-..I dont even…  …Maybe normal men my age bore me? They don’t know anything about the world and what’s really out there, and regardless of your suggestion - if a hunter lives long enough to get to that age they’re usually pretty decent men. It’s a /shame/ my father had what happened to him happen so young is all. There are plenty of hunters I talk to my own age, or close enough to, Anna. And I don’t need /anyone’s/ approval, god dammit..”

<Anna> “I see. And you’re wall of not being to open in this life? How does that hold up to the fact your father and your mother were open enough to get married, have you? Even after his death you’re mother stayed in the life, helped other hunters. She even gave them beds to sleep on at the roadhouse, tended them when they were hurt. I’ve heard hunters talk about it. Why do you have to be so guarded?”

<Jo> “There’s a difference between being on the road and being in the life the way Mom and hell, even Bobby a lot these days, are. ….And they were in love, people do things like get married and have babies when they’re in love. They were younger than I am too, so hey, maybe I’m just jaded like the other guys my age or near enough..”

<Anna> “But not you? You can’t be open to that because of the fact you’re a hunter? And how is being a hunter on the road and at a bar different? You still put yourself in danger. Why do you have so many walls? Open, playing, your stubbornness, why don’t you think you should have friendships and relationships that are closer than the arms distence that you keep everyone at?”

<Jo> “I… could get married and have babies one day, maybe. It’s not completely out of the realm of possibility.. On the road you can’t let your emotions get to you, at a bar.. you can be nicer and more open. Though you’re more likely to get hurt from friends never showing up again too.  I do too have closer friends than that! And maybe I have a lot of walls to keep other people better off, hmm.”

<Anna> “Who are these closer friends? Are you not here as much as on the road? You have a home with someone, you aren’t living a nomads life. And would you say that "protecting” others by not letting them get close to you is for their own good out of your concern for them or from your need to control things?“

<Jo> "Dean.. Sam.. Grey.. …you. I didn’t mean to, it wasn’t my idea and then things got that I needed to be researching more than hunting at present but when that’s taken care of I’ll be on the road more than no again, sure..  I am not a control freak, if either of us were that would be you. I don’t like..I don’t want to hurt people so I’m not going to let them close enough to be, dah.”

<Anna> “You would call us close? Interesting because to me, from my perspective we are hardly anything but close. And it’s nice and controlling that you want to take away my choice at what risk to take being your friend, if we were that close to begin with. And you are going to abandon Grey by taking off and only stopping in on occassion. Isn’t that what you remember of your dad? The random visits?”

<Jo> “We /were/ close, maybe not now but we were before..things happened.  …you know nothing about my dad, Anna, nothing at all.”

<Anna> “I don’t have to know anything about your dad. You present as your typical 'little girl lost’ case. But whatever Jo, you keep playing with people and spending all that energy into keeping them away instead of building healthy relationships.”

<Jo> “Excuse fucking you, I am nothing of the sort. You and your psychobabble, which I really haven’t missed, really only sees what you think you see. I’m not like that and my dad was not like what you think. I’m not going to abandon Grey if I’m off hunting, /he/ understands my life and doesn’t want to force me to change it like you used to. I have plenty of very healthy friendships, maybe just not the same sort /you/ think people should have.”

<Anna> “No you see, you dont get to decide for me what’s something I’m sensative about and what I’m allowed to get upset about when you decide to use it for your ammunition. You don’t get to decide what hurts me and what doesn’t. If you don’t care to respect my feelings then screw you and your feelings about certain subjects. Keep playing these games Jo and next time we’ll have a nice long chat about how it’s your mother’s fault for not leaving the hunting life and taking you away from it.”

<Jo> “You know what, fine. You tell me plain and clearly 'Jo, you’re upsetting me with what you’re saying’ next time and I will back the fuck off. Your verbal and facial cues are kind of all off from what I’m used to, Anna, so I’m sorry if my mucking around upset you - maybe not calling me a bitch, which really doesn’t seem to be getting your point across if that’s what you’re using FYI, and telling me to stop would work better for your female sensetivities. As for blaming my mother, I get the feeling you two would /really/ get along these days, given she tried her best to take me from it regardless of not moving.”

<Anna> “Always someone else’s issue and fault isn’t it. It’s my fault for not expressing the fact your hurting my feelings even though a blind person in a dark room could see that you are. It’s my fault for thinking that calling you a bitch wasn’t clear enough and that I have to resort to a long drawn out way of explaining to you. I’m sorry Jo that my physical expressions weren’t enough of a clue to you and your insensative 'playing’ to tell you to stop. Next time I’ll be sure to maybe cry with going all red and puffing up since obviously none of those things are enough for you.”

<Jo> “You know what? They’re not. Because before they didn’t mean you were hurt, just getting pissed off! So sorry that when you got your hard drive wiped and replaced with the catholic school girl persona the self righteous hard ass left with it and the cues got rewired. Calling me a bitch was generally common place for all variety of things, so no, not very clear. Just fucking spit it out in future or just say /stop/. Jesus fucking christ!”

<Anna> “That’s it, keep blaming me. Even when you’ve known now for how many conversations that I’m not that other Anna..it’s still my fault that you can’t rememeber it. How do you hunt if you can’t keep that simple bit of information straight? Isn’t that the sort of thing you would have to be able to spot? Personality shifts in people? It’s okay though, I accept the fact that it’s all my fault and never yours. I’m sorry for making things so hard on you Jo.”

<Jo> “Well it would make a fucking change for once - it being you to blame and not me, but then again you can’t remember /that/ either, so there goes that little victory over blameless Anna.   There is a big difference between noticing things in strangers and noticing the same cues on someone you know but them being /completely inverted/ on themselves. And you say you’re not that other Anna but the more we talk, the more obvious it is it wasn’t just her Her Royal Fucking Grace-fulness side that was like this.”

<Anna> “Whatever..I’m so over taking the blame for this other person who I don’t know. I’m so sick of hearing what a horrible person I was but then hearing about other things and turning hte other cheek to them, all while I’m being punished for being something I’m not.”

<Jo> “You weren’t a horrible person, you were as horrible as I am. So that’s up to you to decide what that means.”

<Anna> “Well then according to Ruby I must have been a really horrible person.”

<Jo> “…Excuse me?”

<Anna> “I mean..I didn’t drug anyone did I? That was only you correct?”

<Jo> “…I didn’t want to..”

<Anna> “It doesn’t matter. That happened to the other Anna..not me.”

<Jo> “Right, because you’ll forgive what anyone else did to the other Anna. I totally believe that.  …Though that..had been cleared up, before you start to think otherwise.”

<Anna> “No I don’t forgive, it just didn’t happen to me. It happened to her.”

<Jo> “…right.”

<Anna> “I don’t remember you. I don’t remember Gray. But whatever she felt for you, I feel and I trust that  because I feel like I should be able to trust you with my life and that I should be your friend but then you do these things that make me want to scream.”

<Jo> “I think this is the point where I point out that’s kind of what my and..her friendship was like. We hunted together, trusted one another to watch our backs, and while some stuff happened and it was…really not good between the two of us for a while, I was going to be willing to put that stuff behind us after this whole..Crowley thing. Same as she was probably, hopefully. Things are different in war time, you know the saying.  But yeah..made y-her want to scream a lot of the time too. It’s not really that strange.”

<Anna> *Anna shrugs and heads for her apartment.* “Just remember I’m not her. I don’t know our history. It’s weird to look at a total stranger and feel something close to love for that person and you dont know why.”

#4 - Anna blaming Jo for the Whispering again

<Jo> Hows Anna doing in deciding if she wants to talk to Gray yet still?

<Anna> she doesn’t know but shes okay with talking

<Jo> *nodnod* That’s progress, right?

<Anna> maybe lol

<Anna> hows Jo?

<Jo> Jo’s more mopey than angry, been eating frosting since her bakings been burning, and just very weird. So progress lololol

<Anna> awwwwww

<Anna> Anna thinks Jo should still get over it

<Jo> Understandable.   Jo’s not sure its something you can ‘get over’, and she’s feeling sort of really bad for treating Anna like she had about not remembering things or being freaked out.

<Anna> “okay let me put it this way. How many other people are you going to find that’s going to put up with your ass? And willing to go to such extremes because he cares?”

<Jo> “Probably none, with all things considered. But going to extremes isn’t a very good thing, especially when it restricts someone you’re supposed to care abouts freedoms.”

<Anna> “You should know all about going to extremes from what I hear.”

<Jo> “What is it you hear then?”

<Anna> “Careless, reckless, gets the job done but is sloppy.”

<Jo> “Doesn’t mean I effect anyone but myself usually”

<Anna> “You effect everyone that cares for you, idiot. Grey most off all.”

<Jo> “I haven’t died since the last time, I think I’m doing okay, so maybe I just dont get why people are worrying”

<Anna> “……………. maybe Grey should have tweeked your IQ level when he was in there.”

<Jo> “Why? I have…barely even gotten close yet again. I don’t get why it effects everyone that cares about me how I do my job, because the job gets done and I get out mostly unscathed. I’m not a complete moron, I don’t take on what I can’t do myself.”

<Anna> “Do you even hear yourself? You judge things as being okay by how close or not close you get? That mentality worries every, you aren’t a cat, you don’t get nine lives.”

<Jo> “Maybe not, but I’m on my second one, so who knows maybe I am. I judge it that way because..well, that;s the easiest way to. I might break some bones one hunt, I’m not dead. I might get a concussion or have a large amount of blood loss, but I’m not dead. I’m still moving, I’m still breathing, I’m fine.”

<Anna> “And what happens when you don’t care about being dead anymore?”

<Jo> “I keep doing the same thing I’m already doing until I’m not any more?”

<Anna> “and what about the people you leave behind”

<Jo> “People die all the time.. you learn to live with it.”

<Anna> “You learn to live with it? Have you ever mourned anyone as an adult? Not as a kid?”

<Jo> “Not I’m guessing in the way you’d mean.”

<Anna> “then think about that, and I’m going to guess Grey and Gray have a longer life than us..”

<Jo> “Uh… longer than me, that’s for sure.”

<Anna> “So they get to the time you have..and then Grey gets to mourn you for the rest of his life and if you act careless, you’re taking time away from him.”

<Jo> “Are you applying this same theory for yourself? You realise you somehow got the most psychotic, murderous, uncaring creature I’ve ever met to feel something for the first time ever and you’re not even trying to patch things over or work out the kinks or help him get over the woman he fell in love with?”

<Anna> “Turning this on me isn’t a good way to get out of this conversation and he’s not the only one trying to get over tht other woman. But the point is I plan on being around whenever the time is right for us to talk if at all again.”

<Jo> “Sure it is, I’d much rather talk about you than me. I’m not /planning/ on dying.”

<Anna> “You aren’t doing anything to make anyone feel assured by that claim either.”

<Jo> “Why not? I don’t want to die. How is that not reassuring?” (sorry was making lunch)

<Anna> “Just..never mind you’ve never been in the place where you have to worry about someone. I don’t know how to make you relate.”

<Jo> “I try not to worry about others anymore. I swear it aged my mother ten years and then another ten after.”

<Anna> “Clearly.”

<Jo> “Course that’s a lie though.. I worried about the..other Anna? Is that what I should call you, er, her, um..”

<Anna> “I don’t know and you cared enough to hurt her. So..”*Anna shrugs*

<Jo> “That was a case of caring about my /mother/ more so than my not caring about her.”

<Anna> “Is all conversations like this? With Grey? You justifying your actions with the attitude that you’re in total control and not at fault at all?”

<Jo> “I’m not saying I wasn’t at fault there, I very very clearly was - but I was saying that I worried about her before. A lot.  …I dunno. Probably?”

<Anna> “And you wonder why he just did something like that?”

<Jo> “I told him I wouldn’t lie to him and say I wouldn’t do something reckless in order to get rid of Crowley…”

<Anna> “And the rest of the time?”

<Jo> “…I’m not going to promise not to put myself in danger to save others.”

<Anna> “What about because it’s a rush and there’s no one in danger?”

<Jo> “Sometimes if you don’t rush to get the job done, it’ll get out of reach and then someone could get hurt or worse later.”

<Anna> “Do you really hunt to save people or do you do it because like simply like it?”

<Jo> ���…Why can’t it be both? Why’s everyone seperate them out as the only answers. I want to save people, I want to help people and I like to do both those things, but, yeah, I like hunting outside of that as well.”

<Anna> “Because you hide behind saving people like a shopping addict hides behind needing just one more top or it was on sale.”

<Jo> “Well I don’t. I want to stop other people losing their families, I want to do something which makes me happy too.”

<Anna> “Sure..but maybe you should start by saving Grey’s only family first.” *Anna walks off*

#5 - Post-mindwipe and post-Jo/Grey making up

<Jo> *missed that LOL*

<Anna> Soooooo

<Jo> ooooooo..?

<Anna> “Can I drive the car?”

<Jo> “No!”

<Anna> *Sigh*

<Jo> LOL

<Anna> =P

<Anna> “Jo”

<Jo> “…It rhymes with my name, and starts with an ‘n’.”

<Anna> “nacho?”

<Jo> “…You suck. You suck so so bad.”

<Anna> *Anna grins*

<Jo> “Not gonna happen.”

<Anna> “So we don’t ever go out for Mexican?”

<Jo> “God, can you just… Just go make friends with Grey or call up your guy or something. Annoy someone else too!”

<Anna> *Anna looks innocently at Jo.* “What am I doing to annoy you? I’m just asking questions, how am I supposed to know that we don’t go out for Mexican.”

<Jo> “Fuckin’ God and Mother help me.” *Jo rubs the bridge of her nose* “What were you going to ask /other/ than that you can drive then?”

<Anna> “If you wanted to go out for coffee.”

<Anna> “And not Mexican it seems.”

<Jo> “So long as theres some cake included..”

<Anna> *Anna laughs quietly*

<Jo> “I like sweets, alright. Shut up.”

<Anna> *Anna ticks off on her fingers* “Sweets, no nachos, no driving for me..”

<Jo> “Sounds about right”

<Anna> “I can see how you and Gray are alike, he says I’m also annoying.”

<Jo> “Yeah, but I’m sure he means it much more affectionately than I do.”

<Anna> “No not really, he sounded about as annoyed as you do.”

<Jo> “Yeah, but he /always/ sounds annoyed. …Mostly.”

<Anna> “Not always but when I’m teasing him like I am you right now, he does.”

<Jo> “That’s because you suck.”

<Anna> *Anna smiles* “I don’t remember, do I?”

<Jo> “Oh no, I think you know pretty well right now.” *Jo shakes her head, rubbing the back of her neck with a laugh*

<Anna> *Anna just smiles staring at Jo*

<Jo> “Coffee, cake. No car.”

<Anna> “I can drive while you eat your cake.”

<Jo> “/No!/”

<Anna> *Giggles*

<Jo> “You touch my sweetheart, I’ll touch yours.” *Jo teases back, sticking out her tongue*

<Anna> “But I don’t have a sweetheart.”

<Jo> “Gah! I will go, buy you something, make you enjoy it and it become important to you and /then/ touch it!”

<Anna> “That sounds dirty.”

<Jo> *Jo raises an eyebrow* “That’s really not dirty by my standards, angelcake.”

<Anna> “Clearly I have higher standards than you.”

<Jo> “/Clearly/.”

<Anna> “Jo.”

<Jo> “…What?”

<Anna> “Are we going for cake and coffee or are we going to stand about talking about touching things.”

<Jo> “…Fine, we’ll go for coffee and cake. You’re going to have to walk though.” *Jo shrugs a shoulder, fiddling with her jacket buttons*

<Anna> “Why do I have to walk?”

<Jo> “Well, someone blasted a shot gun round through my car window and they’re not being exactly quick at getting it fixed.”

<Anna> “Oh well, I have coffee here, I’ll just stay in where it’s warm.”

<Jo> “…You don’t have cake do you?”

<Anna> “Yes, I make pancakes sometimes.”

<Jo> “Fine, I’ll just bring some stuff around 'nd make my own.”

<Anna> “Alright but I don’t have fire insurance.”

<Jo> “Ah ha, I’m good in a kitchen. You can ask anyone. Except my mom.  I’ll be around soonish then.”

<Anna> “The door will be unlocked.”

<Jo> *Jo hangs up and stuffs a few things into a plastic bag before heading out, glad to have already thrown on her jacket and scarf thinking they were going somewhere else. It takes a while to walk, but when she gets there she just heads in and straight towards the fridge* “Please tell me you have better than my coffee at least. I ran out of filters yesterday.”

<Anna> *Anna has the heat up for Jo as she comes in and makes a bit of a face as Jo tracks snow across the floor.* “I have some stuff from the local coffee shop down the road and I have some of that necter sweetner instead of sugar.”

<Jo> “Anything better than instant is good with me. Though that’s awesome.” *Jo kicks her shoes back towards the door as she pulls her coat and scarf off, throwing them over the back of one of the small chairs after digging out Anna’s milk, eggs and butter* “You got any particular allergies to anythin’, Anna?”

<Anna> “No, not that I know off. Do you? Is there anything I should not buy when we are out together?” *Anna takes a mop and quickly cleans up the floor before throwing a towel infront of the door to block the draft coming under it.*

<Jo> *Jo bites down a smirk at Anna’s cleaning as she unpacks her own mmixing bowls, meausring jugs and other utensils, before starting to measure out from eggs and butter before pausing* “Where’s the flour? And no I don’t, I’ll eat basically anything. The more meat the better. Or sugar. One or other.”

<Anna> *Anna chokes as is Jo makes a comment about eating meat and sort of blushes.* “I’m sure, you do and flour is to your left, top of the cabinet in the white container.”

<Jo> “…What? What the heck were you just thinking?” *Jo gives Anna’s flush a curious glance, though her lips quirk up in the hint of a smirk as she’s certain she could guess. Turning to grab the container, struggling for a second to grab it out before spinning back around to continue adding vanilla essence and a mixing up some buttermilk before mixing together, feeling about in her bag for something*

<Anna> “I wasn’t thinking anything..” *Anna leans back against the counter not being used as she watches Jo with a bit of a raised brow.* “You are far more domestic than I would have pictured you.”

<Jo> “Uh huh, then what was the blush about, Anna dear?” *Smirking still, Jo gets the limes she was after out, quickly grating the rinds into the mix* “In pretty much this one and only way.” *Finishing the batter, she grabs four spoons out of the cutlery drawer before offering two out to Anna as she gets the baking tray and cupcake liners ready* “Help me with this?”

<Anna> *Anna shakes her head* “I’m not blushing about anything!” *Taking the cupcake liners she turns around starting to seperate them out and lay them out in rows.* “So did you learn this from your mom? Did she bake for all the other hunters?”

<Jo> “Mhmm, you sure Anna? You /sure/?” *Chuckling, Jo quickly squeezes and mixes in one of the limes’ juice to the batter before begining to spoon in to the liners, leaving two of the spoons for Anna to join in* “Mom cooked for them all, but I’m not the greatest chef about the place. I always had a sweet tooth so she showed me the ropes as a kid and I’d bake while she made more substantial things.”

<Anna> “I’m totally sure. You’re the one talking about how you like your meat.” *Anna smirks as she dips a finger in the bowl quickly, tasting the batter as Jo measures it out in the cups.* “I’ve never met your mother right?” Did d she know about us?“

<Jo> "Oh that’s what that was about? Well, I am a fan of a nice piece'a meat..” *Smiling, Jo whacks the others fingers when she goes for another taste, topping up each of the cupcakes until the batter was gone other than the remainder around the edges of the bowl. Pushing it and the spoons across to Anna, Jo sprinkles a tiny bit of salt on top of each cupcake before slipping them into the oven, and sucks her fingers off* “You have actually, though she’s spending most of her time down with Bobby these days. She knew, she didn’t really approve but she doesn’t approve of a lot of things.”

<Anna> *Anna yelps as Jo whacks her fingers but then takes the bowl, licking the spoon as she shakes her head.* “Well as long as you keep your meat out of the cupcakes we are good.” *Putting the spoon the sink she runs a finger around teh bowl.* “So your mother and Bobby are a couple?”

<Jo> *Snickering, Jo turns to Anna’s cupboards and grabs another bowl for her to start the frosting* “I don’t think I would ever try to mix my two favourite things like that. …I..don’t know? Sure? They’re my mom and Bobby. They’ll let me know if anything turns serious; so I’m expecting a call any day now.” *She laughs, smiling as she mixes some butter with the icing sugar before grabbing out the bottle of tequilla from her bag*

<Anna> *Anna raises a brow as Jo get the tequilla out of the bag obviously intending it to go into the icing.* “So then your totally cool with the idea of your mom and Bobby..ya know..doing it.” *Turning around she turns on the water and begins washing the bowls so that there isn’t anything piline up.* “I guess that’s cool that you would like your step dad if they ever get married.”

<Jo> *Measuring out a little more than she thinks the reciepe quite calls for, Jo continues to beat and mix the mix as she turns to watch the other, pulling a slightly face and pausing for a sip of the drink for herself* “I’d rather not /think/ about it, but.. Bobby’s a good guy. He’s always treated me and Mom well and its not like I couldn’t have seen it comin’ eventually.”

<Anna> *Anna laughs watching Jo take a drink as she talks about marriage and step dads.* “Well still it’s good that she’s happy. How would Bobby feel about having Grey as a step son-in-law with him being a monster and all?”

<Jo> *Jo almost drops the bowl, her grip slipping for a second and catching it only at the last second as she spins back around to face the other way as she starts whisking again at double the speed* “I just want Mom to be happy, she deserves it these days…” *She studiously avoids commenting on the other’s question, flushing brightly*

<Anna> *Anna raises a brow as she dries her hands off from washing the dishes, Jo’s usually not clumsy and she sort of smirks.* “Everyone should be, I’m sore Bobby and Grey will get a long well.”

<Jo> *Setting the bowl down, Jo takes another mouthful from the tequilla bottle, hissing slightly at the taste more than the burn* “First time they met Bobby shot Grey. Course, first time my Mom met Grey she also shot /at/ him. ….Mom’d have the same issue as Bobby, probably more, about what Grey was - Bobby…was..well, he’d be a bit of a hypocrite to be angry about me bein’ with one.” *Shrugging, Jo starts to mix up the icing again, getting the mix slowly but surely more light and fluffy* “Though I don’t think they’d be ending up with any son-in-law’s at any point.”

<Anna> “Too bad, I was just thinking that with all the shootings as first meetings we could do a double shotgun themed wedding. It would be cute and I’ve helped with other weddings at my parent’s church so I could organize it.” *Anna reaches over trying to get a taste of the icing as she watches Jo.*

<Jo> “I.. …Last time this ever got mentioned, it was well known I’d be the one with a shotgun on them, and I don’t think that’s the greatest…idea. Things are just..” *Jo sighs, not stopping Anna from stealing a taste before squeezing in some of the lime juice and sprinkling in a fair two pinches of salt* “Things aren’t exactly normal, right now.”

<Anna> “Things not being normal is an understatement but as long as things have a chance to become normal then there is hope.” *Anna smiles at Jo as she takes a glass and pours herself a shot of the alcohol.* “I think it would be worth it just to see you all dressed up like a girl for once anyway.”

<Jo> “Well, I have plans. Hopefully..” *Jo pulls a face at Anna, taking the bottle back and swigging a mouthful before setting it back down again* “Next time, I’m going to wear a dress over here. Get your girly fantasies of seeing me all pretty for you out of the way.”

<Anna> *Anna snorts* “You don’t have too make a special effort on my part.” *She wonders if Jo’s going to be sober by the time the cupcakes get done.* “So besides baking and shooting things what else do you do?”

<Jo> *Measuring out a small cup of the liqiud, Jo sets it to the side as she starts to mix up the icing again carefully folding in some of the lime rind but keeps a quarter of it untouched* “Oh no no, much easier for me to wow you with my feminine charms without going through all the trouble of organising a wedding.  …I mostly do research, help out other hunters, keep tabs on the bar. Work on making new weapons and such if I’m bored, build some things sometimes, work on my car and watch tv or movies mostly.”

<Anna> “Wow, you really are a tomboy.” *Anna chuckles as she steals another taste of the icing, licking it off her fingers.* “We could go out shopping at some point, there are a couple of malls it looks like or maybe catch a movie. I’m not sure how good I would be at building weapons.”

<Jo> “At least you’re not callin’ me butch.” *Jo laughs, watching Anna before just holding the whisk out to the other woman instead as the timer on her phone goes off and she checks the cupcakes, smiling when they’re the right amount of springy to the touch* “Neither of those sound like a bad idea. Except for the weapon work, I’m not letting you near my workspace. But a movie or shopping could be fun.”

<Anna> *Taking the whisk she happily takes care of the icing as she smirks at Jo, watching the blond woman happily cook away.* “Just don’t park the car next to it and I’m sure everything would be fine.” *Steping out of Jo’s reach she turns to wash the whisk once the icing is gone.*

<Jo> *Jo makes a sharp noise at the joke, shooting the other a dirty look as she begins to brush a small amount of the alcohol over the top of each of the cupcakes until the cup she’d set to the side was empty* “Like I say, shopping or a movie. Probably much less dangerous for /everyone/.” *Smirking back at the other, Jo leans against the counter setting another alarm for when she can start icing*

<Anna> “It was just one shot and I didn’t even hurt the car that bad, it was a flesh wound.” *Anna teases her more and she grabs another drink, the tequila burning going down.* “Let me guess if we go shopping, we have to go to the gun store after the shoe store right?”

<Jo> “I guess I’m going to go ahead and paint it black with just a /hint/ of red next time then?” *Jo snickers back, continuously pressing at the top of one of the cupcakes before going to start making up her typical DIY piping bags* “Nah, I have a guy I go to for most of mine, or at least the ones I care about. Make most of my own salt rounds and order the silver and iron from him; so no gun stores necessary. …Might need to go to the comic shop or game store though, I’m trying to understand what the hell Harry goes on about more.”

<Anna> “Oh! I found the gun I want, I bet you could modify it. I was looking online and there’s one that’s pink with Hello Kitty on it and another that’s purple with a unicorn.” *Anna is saying this with a totally straight face as she watches Jo make her own piping bags, remembering her mother doing the same.* “Harry once spent a whole afternoon explaining the mechanics of a game, not sure what it was.*

<Jo> *Jo blinks back at Anna, face twisting into a horrified and disgusted look as she tries to invision that such a thing exists before shaking her head* "Ah ha, no.  But yeah, Harry’s strange. And Grey used to play a lot of video games though..I don’t know, I haven’t spotted him doing it recently but I figure its easier to learn in advance.” *Setting down the bag, she starts to cut the lime with rind into little wedges for decorating*

<Anna> *Anna bursts out into laughter at Jo’s expression as she describes the guns she saw online and she spares Jo the girly looking protection gear she saw as well.* “Those two seem like they would get a long really well, Harry really likes his games and comic books, he once spent a whole shift giving me a lecture of Marvel vs DC.”

<Jo> “Trust me, they do. Swear its like watching two teenagers, except they have very stupid thoughts that Spiderman and Iron Man are better than Batman.” *She can’t help but snicker to herself, knowing exactly what that lecture sounds like after several rounds of it with the geeky researcher. Feeling the top of the cupcakes again, she decides to just ignore her timer and start piping out icing*

<Anna> “Oh lord you are one of them too.” *Anna grins as she tries to make a grab for the first cupcake Jo finishes.* “How did Harry get into this life, he seems so far removed from someone who would be a hunter.” *Pausing she looks at Jo.* “He is human right?”

<Jo> “You thought any differently?” *Jo lets out a laugh, giggling to herself as she smacks Anna’s hand before studding the top of the icing swirl with a small slice of lime and then handing it over* “Harry’s definitely human. He and his friends were always into ghosts and they…did, you know those reality ghost hunting tv shows? They were doing one. But..online and not really popular.”

<Anna> “And just when I thought he couldn’t get any more of a geek.” *Anna takes the lime off that Jo put on there and sets it aside as she peels the paper off the cupcake and takes a bit. It’s really good even though she’s surpised how much it tastes like the drink.* “This is good Jo!”

<Jo> “Yeah well, he didn’t really appreciate my calling him and his friends hackjobs the first time we talked, but he’s actually pretty good at this stuff. Guess it sort of appeals to the geeky side, right?” *Smiling at the other’s reaction, Jo continues to make up the rest, putting a sliver of lime rind on some while wedges on others and sprinkling a small bit of salt ontop each* “Yeah? Well, I have had a lot of practice. Should have asked what you like first but..I had the stuff for these ones.”

<Anna> *Anna doesn’t say anything else till the cupcake is gone and she’s licking her fingers.* “Next time strawberry maybe?” *She’s relaxed and she’s really enjoyed just hanging out with Jo lately, it’s nice to have a friend again.* “Oh maybe chocolate with cherries and rum.”

<Jo> *Scrunching up the baking paper piping bag as she finishes, Jo smiles back at Anna as she tosses the sheet in the trash before picking up a cupcake herself* “I could do that. I’ve been trying to make a cherry cola rum one but haven’t quite got the right amount of cherry to cola yet. Though chocolate would probably be easier, actually.”

<Anna> “Oh chocolate and strawberries, that would be so good.” *Anna thinks the colo and cherries sounds good too.* “I’ll help you test out any thing you want to try, you can use my kitchen anytime. If you ever get out of hunting, you should open a bakery.”

<Jo> “I think you and Grey are going to be fighting over my baking now.” *Laughing, Jo makes her way through her cupcake, holding the wedge of lime in one hand as she licks up the icing before squeezing the juice over the top of the cake and eating the rest* “We’ll if we do go shopping, can always come back and try out some things after. …A bakery? That’s..a funny mental image, Anna, gotta admit.”

<Anna> “I think you could do an amazing business, do it after hours, serve these with the drink they match. And Grey can bite me, I call dibs on anything you bake.” *Anna takes the lime wedge and squeezes it onto the cake part before biting into it.*

<Jo> “Next thing you know, Harry’ll hustle in and try to get me to make themed cupcakes for things like new movies or DnD stuff.” *She chokes on a laugh at Anna saying Grey can bite her, coughing as she takes a mouthful of her own cake as she has the mental image* “I think he might have already, but you’re welcome to battle it out. Or I’ll just make seperate batches for each of you!”

<Anna> *Anna’s head snaps up as Jo says Grey already has and she has a look of panic on ehr face.* “Wait, please tell me that we haven’t he..Grey, your Grey and I ..oh my God I am the town bicycle. Did Harry and I? I thought it was just you and Gray, my Gray..” *Anna reaches for whats left in the bottle.*

<Jo> *Jo stares back at Anna before collapsing into laughing again, holding out a hand* “No! No no no! I meant he already called dibs! You’ve only been with me and your monster, and Dean but I didn’t know back then.” *She shakes her head, trying not to flush as she tries to think about any of what Anna suggested*

<Anna> “Oh thank heavens..I..just I am not like that!” *Anna blushes as Jo is laughing at her and she thinks this is karma for the car.* “You could have just said that he called dibs..”

<Jo> *Jo shrugs, still laughing to herself before her phone goes off. Looking at it confusedly and realising it was a call from a different hunter, she steals another cupcake and packs up her things - still joking with Anna and promising they’ll work out another day to hang out soon - Jo heads off towards the bar to make sure the book needed was ready for the other before heading home again*

[supersleepygoat]

Agree to Disagree

Pairing: Dean x Reader

Summary: You and Dean bicker about books.

Word Count: 847

Warning: Fluff.

A/N: I wrote this because of THIS post. I love that Dean is well read but doesn’t need to flaunt it. He is a genius and I love low-key-book-nerd-Dean. Thanks @arses21434 the Wizard of Oz idea! I had to keep it a drabble or else the angst would have seeped in. I know this is utter garbage. But, I have a lot of angst coming your way soon, so I thought I’d write a mini-palate-cleanser.

“You’re not serious?” Dean asks with skepticism.

“You can’t judge me. He’s not all bad,” you defend yourself.

“The dude locked his wife in the attic just because he could. He drove her insane, then locked her away like it was her fault!” Dean agrues with bewilderment.

“I’m not saying that I agree with him or even like him all the time. There is just something alluring about Mr. Rochester and I will admit, I was rooting for him and Jane.” Jane Eyre is one of your favourites. But, you made the mistake of trying to explain to Dean that you actually like Rochester. He now thinks you are insane.

“Seriously though, you can’t honestly believe that that book has a happy ending. If you read between the lines, you’ll see that even Jane Eyre, the very girl who made the choice to go back to that creep, doesn’t believe that that’s a plausible happy ending!” Dean continues to argue.

“First of all, we all know you’re a sucker for subtext,” Dean rolls his eyes at you and you giggle before continuing. “All I’m saying is, that just like Jane, he had me hooked too. Plus, they had a supernatural connection. She heard him calling her even though they were miles apart. I thought you’d appreciate that part, at least.” You say as you poke his arm.

“The guy is still a douche. Next, you’ll tell me you think that that psycho Heathcliff should have gotten his happy ending with Catherine too.” When you don’t respond, Dean looks up at you. You are biting your cheek and darting your eyes away from Dean. “Oh, come on! Seriously Y/N?”

“Heathcliff is an asshole… I’ll give you that. But, he loved Catherine. He never would have done the sketchy things he did, if they both got over their shit and would just be together!”

“What is it with you rooting for the psychos to get their happy endings! The guy kidnapped a young girl and her glorified babysitter, so the girl can marry her cousin and he can take control over the moors!”

“I already admitted he was asshole! I’m just saying he had a hard life. He was constantly denied and rejected and it would have been nice if him and Catherine were allowed to be with who they actually wanted to be with.”

Dean narrows his eyes at you. “I hope your infatuation with and sympathy for psychopaths doesn’t extend past the pages of a book, Y/N.”

“What can I say? I like my men like I like my windows… slightly unhinged,” you say with a shrug.

“You know that if a guy like Rochester or Heathcliff ever comes sniffing round, I will rip their lungs out before they even have a chance to worm their way in with you.” Dean’s tone is no longer light and teasing. “You deserve better than that. You deserve better than some creep who will lock you in an attic or marry your sister-in-law just to piss off your husband. You deserve more.”

“They’re just stories, Dean.” Your voice is hesitant. Why is he taking this so seriously? But more importantly, does he actually believe what he’s saying?

“True. But, I know you, kid. I know exactly what you think you’re worth and the kind of guy you think you deserve. But, you have no idea what I think you’re worth. If you knew-” Dean laughs to himself before taking a sip of his beer. “If you saw yourself the way I see you, then you wouldn’t be wasting your time rooting for losers.”

You don’t know how to respond. At best, your mouth gapes open and shut a few times. But Dean isn’t looking at you, he seems overly interested in the label of his beer bottle.

“Are you two fighting over Brontë novels again?” Sam asks as he enters the library.

“No,” you defend yourself.

“Yes,” Dean replies at the same time. “We’re agreeing to disagree. But, I think she is coming around to see things my way,” Dean says offering you a soft smile.

“Why don’t you two stick to less polarizing subjects. Dean, did you ever tell Y/N/N about what happened when Charlie came to visit?” Sam asks before wandering down the library to look for a specific book.

“What happened?” you ask turning back to Dean.

“What do you think of the Wizard of Oz?” Dean answers your question with another question.

“Don’t hate me, I know this is an unpopular opinion. But, I think the movie is overrated. The books on the other hand, they had so much more to offer,” you state your honest opinion.

Dean stands up and walks over to the cabinet on the other side of the room. He filters through the drawers and pulls out a wooden box. “Well then, I think I have something that may interest you.” Dean opens the box and holds up an ugly looking key. “I’d say the Emerald City is as good a place as any for a first date. Don’t ya think, sweetheart?”

Another A/N: I know that in the show Charlie took the key to Oz and it was subsequently destroyed. But, this is my failed attempt at writing fluff so sue me for going off-canon.

Forever Tags:

@phonegalhelp @mogaruke @arses21434 @spn-ficfanatic @winchestersister55

[genelizatierney]

Six movies I can always watch!

I was tagged by @hildy-dont-be-hasty & @thevintagious. Thank you, the both of you! <3

1. Pride & Prejudice (2005) dir. Joe Wright

This is mainly a comfort film now but for so long it was my ultimate favourite (like....I mean, it���s still probably within my top 15, or maybe even 10). The cinematography is breathtaking, the story flows beautifully (listen.......we can fight about the differences between book and film and BBC miniseries ‘til the cows come home but my opinion will not budge a smidge), I could listen to the OST forever and the love story *heart-eyes* I adore it.

2. The Sound of Music (1965) dir. Robert Wise

I grew up watching this, like.........it’s literally the first film I remember seeing, other than The Wizard of Oz. If any movie ran through my blood, it’d be this one!! It really doesn’t need to be said why this movie is so beloved and what makes it so special. Simply: fantastic movie, fantastic performances, fantastic music, that all stick with ya. Also, Julie Andrews.

3. Vertigo (1958) dir. Alfred Hitchcock

This has become my favourite movie of all time, which is really great because it’s one of those few movies with a plot so damn twisted and complex, it’s - for lack of a better word - vertiginous lol A rewatch might mean you catch something you never caught in previous watches, and it may change your whole outlook on the entire film. And that’s what makes it so fascinating! Not to mention the amazing cinematography & use of colour in it, the breathtaking soundtrack, and stellar performances by the two leads (who are also faves of mine), Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak (srsly though, when are we gonna stop sleeping on Kim’s performance in this film????).

4. Leave Her To Heaven (1945) dir. John M. Stahl

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen this movie and I only watched it for the first time last October!! Light and love of my freakin life Gene Tierney, in what was the best performance of her career (let’s not even lie about that), masterfully plays the obsessive psychopath Ellen Berent and she is absolutely captivating, easily outshining the rest of the main leads. The story leaves you feeling sick but fascinated, especially with a couple of the most iconic scenes in the history of cinema. And oooh boy, is this film gorgeous to look at!! Easily was within my top 3 first watches of 2017. Easily.

5. The Secret Garden (1993) dir. Agnieszka Holland

Goooosssshhhh, I love this story and film to absolute bits! It tears my heart up and puts it back together. The kids in this offer up some stellar performances. Like really. And watching the character of Mary Lennox thaw and learn and grow as the movie progresses is one of the most heartwarming movie experiences.

And last but certainly not least...

6. The Philadelphia Story (1940) dir. George Cukor

Couldn’t have a complete fave movie list, short or long, without a Queen Kate Hepburn flick (or 20) in it somewhere! I ADOOOOOOORE THIS MOVIEEE!!!!! And can watch it anytime, anywhere (once watched it in the middle of a uni campus because I was way too sick to go to class -- and I livetweeted it! lmao). I’m absolutely dyyyyying to own this baby on bluray (SOON!!). The script is so damn witty, I could cry. The film’s genuinely hilarious and the acting is superb — I mean, when you have Queen Kate, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart, you ain’t getting anything less, you know?? — and I would gladly lay my life down for Tracy Lord ok bye

I tried to keep this list from being 100% Old Hollywood but like... 4/6 OH films isn’t 2bad right?? lmao To be honest, up until I buried my head into the OH burrow, I could count genuine favourite films (like....the ones that REALLY left an impression on me) on one hand lol so thank you to OH for reviving my love of film!

Honorable mentions to...

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Vivacious Lady (1938)

Laura (1944)

Cover Girl (1944)

Rear Window (1954)

Young at Heart (1954)

Bell Book and Candle (1958)

I’m gonna tag @rebeccabreeds, @historrias, @chrstianslater, @vicalbert, @jonstarkgaryen, @ritaahayworths, @nelltiscowitz, @anastasiasromanovs!!

[survivingthejungle]

never fade away, part vi

i cant tell you how many times i’ve re-written this just to have it all be deleted again. too many times.

i have a bad sunburn and it huuuuuuuurts like a mf.

let’s get this show on the road.

_____________________________________________

You knew, deep in the back of your mind, that no matter how smoothly your life had been going since you got home, something would eventually come along to mess it all up again. To reference an overused quote, “Nothing gold can stay.” You were indescribably happy every time you hung out with friends at a party or went for a car ride. You’d all sometimes even go exploring in old abandoned warehouses and take pictures. Such is the life of a high schooler on summer break. This, for you, was the calm before the storm.

Every once in a while, you’d wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, adrenaline rushing through your veins, heart pumping out of your chest. The copper-haired teenage psychopath who held you captive for weeks still had yet to make his way out of your nightmares. Sometimes, in the few seconds after you shot up from bed, you were paralyzed with the fear that he might be hiding in the dark corners of your room, and that he was going to kidnap you again- or worse. But your eyes would adjust and you would see that it was just you, the gentle humming of the fan in your room, and your dog sleeping soundly at your side; you would snuggle into the 10-month-old Australian Shepherd tightly and fall right back asleep.

You had gotten the dog, named Sadie, not long after the incident. Being a herding breed, she was very protective-a quality your parents valued (as they trusted she would grow into your personal guard dog, of sorts). She had a few months of being trained by a professional under her belt before your family adopted her, so she was not completely clueless on how to protect and alert you to danger if she sensed it. Your mother felt much more at ease knowing that you were being watched after, especially after you had flat-out refused to stay home and lay low for a while (“I’m not going to hide for the rest of my life mother. I’m not going to let the possibility of danger keep me from living my life. I’m not afraid of what’s out there.”)

You’d gotten in the habit of taking Sadie on walks, which is what you were doing the day the walls of your calm, normal life shattered once more. One decision to take a shortcut down an empty alley had changed the rest of your day. Sadie’s ears perked up and she stopped dead in her tracks before turning around and barking furiously. You whipped around suddenly and were met with the image of a small, greasy man with a smile that made you uneasy, and a tall man in a police uniform with a bloody bandage wrapped around his entire face and… copper hair. There was a chance it wasn’t the boy you guessed that it was, because come on, he was dead!- but you weren’t willing to take that chance. You sprinted off in the opposite direction as fast as your legs would carry you, Sadie as your side, seemingly trying to guide you to safety.

(Excerpt from a conversation you never heard: “Oh-oh my God! It’s her! I never imagined it would be this easy-!”

“Who? What are you talking about? Who’s ‘her’?”

“Going into the alley! Right there with the dog! That’s (y/n)! The two of you were meant to be together! See, we- the cult, that is- we tried to get her to join, since she’d been your… well, your… well, we couldn’t ever get her to tell us about your relationship. We all just assumed she was your girlfriend- after all, you had kept her with you for a few weeks, you seemed pretty possesive, too- but she wouldn’t ever talk to us… We all just guessed she was traumatized after watching you… die… Although-“

“Hey man, shut up. Tell me the rest of the story when we get back… Help me grab her, would you?”)

What you weren’t expecting in this unrealistic, nightmarish experience was actually making it safely to the next street over and finding help.

It didn’t happen, either.

There was suddenly a strong grip around your stomach, effectively lifting you off the ground, leaving you kicking and screaming for help. A cold, pallid hand left your side to roughly grab your face and hold it still. You were staring directly into the eyes of the bandaged and bloodied face, and you were terrified beyond words. “Hm,” he said in a croaky, gravelly voice you almost were familiar with, “You do look pretty familiar… Oh! Of course! I remember you now! Hey, how ya been-” His half-hearted greeting was cut short by Sadie gnawing on his left calf. (“Good girl”, you thought.) “Ow!” He rolled his eyes and tried to get a hold of his gun and shoot her, but before he could aim it, you were wildly pulling his arm away from her.

“NO! STOP!” You screamed, at the top of your lungs. “SADIE, RUN!” You half expected her to not move a muscle, because this was not a movie, and she probably didn’t even know that command, but to your surprise and relief, she bolted in the other direction. “LET ME GO!” You continued to shout, “GET OFF ME! STOP IT! G-” You were muffled by his hand covering your mouth.

“Chill out, would ya? God, the one person I wasn’t planning on killing tonight, and THIS is the thanks I get.” You were being thrown into the backseat of the car at this point, followed by the one who had carried you there. “You know where we’re going,” he noted to the other man, and shoved him in the driver’s seat. You, of course, were already clawing at the other door to get it to open, not a clue in the world as to what your plan would be if you really got out. “Jeez, would you- Would you stop that? Do you /want/ me to drug you?”

“NO! Let me OUT! GOD! I am not about to be kidnapped AGAIN by the same ginger freak! YOU SHOULD BE DEAD! WHAT THE FUCK! Get AWAY from me! LET ME GO! Get AWAY from me! YOU RUINED MY LIFE, YOU ABSOLUTE FUCKING NARCISSIST!” He said nothing in response, only grabbed a hold of both of your hands, and started tying them together using a wad of fresh gauze tape rolled up and laying on the floor. You figured that was the same thing he had used to bandage his face as well.

“Not that I’m against it or anything, but unless you want me to gag you as well, I’d suggest shutting the hell up. ‘Kay babe?”

You just sharply nodded, and shrunk away from him and as close to the door as possible. Sinking into the backseat of the car, you looked out through the window and were met with the view of an industrial park. “Hey, uh…” Jerome started, directing his words towards the gross little man driving. “What’s her name again?”

“(y/n),” the man offered.

“Right, (y/n), uh… What have you been up to since I died?”

You were absolutely incredulous. “Are… Are you joking with me right now? Is this a joke? Dude seriously?” He nodded. “Oh my God. Well if you NEED to know, I was in a psych ward for 6 weeks after I finally escaped because I had “severe mental trauma”, my body rejected solid foods for 9 days because YOU refused to feed me anything other than apple sauce and yogurt, and I had 3 different psychology professors fighting over who got to use me in their next case study. I also had to catch up on 4 weeks worth of school on my OWN time because the American public school system is shit, and no one at school talked to me for 2 weeks because they all thought you might have fucking brainwashed me. My life was JUST starting to go back to normal! I got my driver’s license-“

He seemed to be interested in this. “You had a birthday? You’re sixteen now?” You nodded. “Wow. That’s really a shame. Can’t believe I missed my girl’s birthday.”

“Fuck off. I’m not your anything.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll come around eventually.” His face (or, rather, lack thereof) lit up in a split second as he turned to you. “Ooh! I got an idea,” he grinned as the stolen police car you were in stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse. "Y'ever been to a carnival?”

“What? No,” you replied. He and his greasy friend both got out of the car before he walked over to your side, open the door, and pulled you out by your bicep.

"Don’t even think about runnin’, babe. That won’t end well.”

_________________________________________

there will be another update on the way soon. i forgot how much i love writing??? wtf???? i know this isn’t very good and im sorry for making you wait so long for such shitty writing but please be patient w me and i’ll have better stuff on the way.

in the mean time i’ve missed you all how have you been??

in the other meantime no worries to my other request i’m working on them

lastly please, as always, do not hesitate to send me a request if u want me to write anything!!! i love u all my friends also if ur in the usa, please have a fun and SAFE (!!!) fourth of july tomorrow. goodnight friendos catch u on the flippity flip

[ob-se-ss-io-n]

Moonstone (Part 1)

First attempt at a Merle/OC bit. Part 2 coming soon!

Addie was sitting on a stool, sorting a basket of laundry when the Dixon boys got back from their run. She caught Merle’s eye for less than a second before he tromped off into the cellblock. Sighing, she mentally chastised herself. For the last day and a half, Addie had very meticulously planned for this moment. She would–very casually, mind you–wave to Merle when he returned from the scavenging trip. She would wave, smile, and maybe even throw in a hello. She had routed every conceivable scenario except, it seemed, the possibility that she would be completely tongue-tied and forget how to behave like a normal human. Shaking her head, she re-focused on the task at hand: laundry. Forget Merle Dixon, Addie. Stop acting like a psychopath and focus. Honestly, if you asked her, Addie couldn’t tell you what it was exactly that drew her to Merle. He was crude, distasteful, violent and tactless. By all accounts, he was the exact opposite of her. One would imagine that living in this post-apocalyptic hellhole would toughen a girl up, but in reality, Addie was just as boring as she had ever been: a girl with a heart that longed for adventure and a cautious mind that held her back from it.

She was wrenched from her introspective thoughts as Daryl Dixon stalked across the room and tossed a badly wrapped brown paper package into her lap. It was gapping and covered in tape.

Chuckling, she held it up and examined it. “You wrap this yourself, Dixon?” (She marveled silently at how sharp her wit could be around the youngest Dixon—why couldn’t she keep herself from stuttering and babbling around the one that she actually wanted to impress?)

“Pfft. No.” He scratched the back of his head. “It’s from Merle.”

Addie jerked her head up, blushed scarlet and looked back down at her lap. Suddenly she couldn’t wait to open the scruffy little package.

“Right, thanks, Daryl. Tell him I said thanks, will you?” She cleared her throat, trying as hard as she could to keep a level voice and ignoring Daryl’s smirk.

“Tell him yourself.” Daryl mumbled. Hoisting his crossbow over his shoulder, he turned and walked away.

Carol walked over and put a hand on Addie’s shoulder.

“That’s from Merle?” She raised an eyebrow.

Addie shrugged as she attempted to peel the tape off.

“Geez, I can’t get this thing open!” She huffed in frustration. Sighing, she put it down and looked up at Carol. Feeling the sudden urge to confide in her, she swallowed.

“I’ve been trying to talk to him for weeks, and he doesn’t even—he won’t even look at me! And now…I mean, it’s nothing, right? It’s just some stupid prank—it’s probably a condom or something. It was probably Daryl’s idea anyway. Or he just wants to get in my pants. When he does speak to me, that’s all he talks about anyway. “I can show ya a good time, sugar.’ ‘If ya ever get tired of walkin’ around on them virgin legs, give me a holler.’ I mean, for Heaven’s sake!” Addie threw her hands up in the air. Carol gave her a small smile.

“Addison, Merle Dixon isn’t some ‘romantic, sweep a girl off her feet’ guy. He’s more of a pump and dump kind of man.” Carol gave her a wry smile and Addie wrinkled her nose at the older woman’s less than tasteful analogy. “Honey, Merle doesn’t know what to do with a girl that won’t just jump into his bed. It’s all he’s ever known."

Addie nodded. “But do you think—I mean, what does this mean?” She gestured to the tape-covered bundle.

“For what it’s worth, I’ve never seen Merle Dixon give anyone a gift.” Carol said, squeezing Addie’s shoulder.

“Thanks, Carol.” Addie whispered.

Wordlessly, Carol handed over her knife. Addie slit the package open and a necklace fell out. Moonstone, on a silver chain. Addie’s breath caught as she held it up, watching the milky blue stone dance in the light.

She thought back to the conversation she had been having with Carol and Beth, over a week ago. They had been discussing jewelry, and their favorite gemstones. Carol confessed that she had always loved Rubies, and Beth preferred Sapphire. Moonstone had always been Addie’s favorite, and she told the girls about an oval necklace that she’d had when she was sixteen. Moonstone. Merle Dixon had been in the room, leaning disinterestedly on the wall, cleaning his gun. Addie had assumed that he hadn’t even cared enough to tune in. Had he been listening?

“Damn.” Carol whispered. “Wouldn’t have expected that from Merle.”

Swallowing, Addie stood up, clasping the necklace around her neck. “I should go thank him.” She said. Her heart was thumping wildly, and her stomach fluttered. Carol nodded, and gave her a knowing smile. “Good luck, honey.”

———

Addie’s footsteps echoed down the cold, cement hall as she made her way to Merle’s cell. The curtain was pulled and she hesitated for a moment before knocking.

“Piss off, Darylina.” Merle growled from behind the curtain.

“It’s Addison, actually.” She bit her lip nervously. No response. She took a deep breath and smoothed her shirt. She was a good girl. She went to church every Sunday before the world fell apart. For Heaven’s sake, she didn’t even curse. What was she doing here?

“I, uh, I just wanted to thank you in person. For the necklace. But I don’t want to bother you, so I’ll just leave you to it. Well, thanks anyway.” Addie sighed and turned around. She had taken about three steps when Merle pulled the curtain open, growling in frustration.

“Come on in, girl.”

Their eyes met for a moment before he disappeared again. Addie’s heart felt like it was pounding out of her chest. Surely he could hear it clanging against her ribcage. She made a conscious effort to control her breathing as she stepped into Merle’s cell. He was sitting on the bed, smoking a cigarette. He motioned to a metal folding chair opposite the bed. She sat down nervously, fidgeting with a strand of hair. The tiny cement room smelled like a combination of stale smoke, whiskey and sweat. It smelled like him.

“I just wanted to thank you for the necklace.”

Merle snorted. “Ya said that already.” His southern drawl made Addie’s chest feel tight. “But if you came to express ya gratitude, I got a few ideas in mind.” He laughed coarsely.

Addie flushed a deep red and looked away quickly. She forced herself not to think about how toned his arms looked in that dirty white tank top.

“How did you know that moonstone was my favorite?” Addie blurted out, betraying her thoughts.

“Girl, I don’t know what the hell kinda rock that is.” Merle rolled his eyes.

Addie swallowed. “You didn’t overhear Carol and Beth and I? The other day, we were talking about it and I—well, I thought you might have heard that’s all.” She fell silent, feeling foolish.

“I don’t give a damn about y'all’s girly shit.” Merle fiddled impatiently with his prosthetic arm. Was it her imagination, or were the tips of his ears turning red? When he looked up at her, she forced herself to hold his gaze. His eyes wandered down her small figure and he groaned inwardly. Damn, she looked good. She was wearing a dark red flannel over a black tank top and a pair of skinny jeans that fit her in all the right ways.

“Anyway, I just came to thank you.” Addie fidgeted with the necklace. “It’s beautiful, and I…really like it.” She finished lamely.

“Enough of this mushy shit, girl, I got things to do.” Merle rubbed his stubbly jaw.

“I’ll get out if your hair then.” Addie smiled. “I’m sure Carol’s wondering where I am.” She stood up and walked to the entrance of the cell. She had one hand on the curtain when she turned back to look at him.

“You wanna thank me properly for that, you come find me.“ Merle drawled with a grin. “Put them pretty lips to good use.” He waggled his tongue at her suggestively. Addie’s mouth dropped open and she blushed furiously for what seemed like the millionth time. He laughed raucously at her embarrassment.

“I-the girls are-I should go.” Addie stuttered, still red as a tomato. She pushed the curtain aside with shaky hands, closing it again behind her.

“Necklace looks good on ya, sugar.” He called after her, amusement evident in his raspy voice. Addie pushed herself against the wall, breathing heavily.

Shaking her head, Addie tried in vain to banish Merle from her thoughts. What’s the point? she thought suddenly to herself. The world had ended, after all. Why shouldn’t she have a little fun? Merle Dixon was misogynistic and disgusting and not the least bit interested in her unless it was for a quick lay. So why did the sound of his laugh make her knees weak? Why did she want more than anything to wrap her legs around his waist and kiss him until her head spun? Addie didn’t want to be careful anymore. She knew he’d be on watch tonight, on the roof of the prison, most likely. Feeling daring and adventurous and not at all like herself, she pressed a hand to her mouth to hide her smile. Her mind was made up. Before this short, uncertain life was over, she promised herself that she would kiss Merle Dixon.

[eyfuckyouman]

Jerome Valeska- Homework

The high school that was in Gotham(which had the original name of Gotham High), had a football tournament with a neighbouring school. Julia wasn't exactly what you'd call 'athletic', she didn't participate in any sort of sports clubs of any kind. But she had a keen eye for journalism. She did help to run the school's newspapers and, every year, she, with along a couple other people, designed the yearbooks and other offical stuff like that. Julia was frequently asked by the head of year to go along to one of the matches to really get a detailed overview of what happened. She never did, because she figured she could ask  her friend, Angie, who was a star cheerleader, what went down. But sometimes Angie wasn't very reliable. So she eventually decided to tag along to a game. "Julia, wanna come sit with us on the bus?" Angie asked as her and the football team started to board the iconic yellow school bus. Julia shook her head. "Thanks, but i'm going to the back, catch up on some homework and what-not." She said while pointing to her dark red backpack. Angie looked a little disappointed, but flipped her beach blonde hair back and gave Julia a little smile. "Ok, see ya around. Can't wait for you to see my amazing cheerleading skills!" She joked, but made rather serious eye contact with her. "Yes, yes Angie, i'll write something about the cheerleaders." She assured her friend. "And...?" "And i'll comment on how excellent your kicks are." Julia rolled her eyes while smiling. "Thanks boo!" Angie nuzzled Julia into a hug, Julia looking a little surprised, but patted her back gently. Angie then hopped into the bus to sit with the other cheerleaders. Julia was just about to walk in as well until the footballers of the school shoved pass her, almost knocking her over. She grumbled, pondering whether to make a big deal out of it, but decided against it. She plodded to the back of the bus, and slumped in the uncomfortable chair, sighing, and then pulling out a green textbook. ============================================================================== Julia was so caught up in her work that she couldn't notice the bus being hijacked by the recently let out psychopaths; to be fair, her black beats headphones blasted music in her ear to the maximum, which probably wasn't very smart. Just as she was about to write the word 'the', the book was yanked from her hands and thrown randomly, hitting the head of one of the team. She abruptly looked up, to be met with an unexpected view. Jerome Valeska. One of the murderous psychos that was busted out of Arkham Asylum.  He was a redhead, around the age of Julia, and green/blue eyes, the same ones staring at her paired with a sinister smile. Jerome was scarily close: you could notice the freckles dotted around his cheeks. 'Gingers', she thought rudely. "Well that's just unfortunate, you missed out on the big show." He spoke eerily. Julia couldn't comprehend what he was saying; she paid more attention to the fact that she could probably die. Sweat fell down her forehead in rain-drops. His smile then changed into a frown, and his eyebrows arched. Jerome then got up from his crouched position and threw his hands back. "What, are you not gonna say anything? Come on," he growled, glaring at her like she was a piece of meat,"speak, i dare you." Julia was doing that thing where her throat was spasming, barely being able to breathe. She could almost cry. The way he saw death as if it was nothing. Sickening even. Jerome was starting to get impatient, tapping the tops of the crappy chairs with his fingers, slapping his thighs in a rhythmic way, running a hand awkwardly through his gelled hair. "You're boring. I think i'm just gonna kill you." He said lightheartedly while pulling out his pistol. Julia's eyes widened in shock and she almost screamed "Wait!" To which Jerome had her at gunpoint, with a scowl. And those piercing eyes filled with chaos. It was just then she realised all the cheerleaders and footballers that were handcuffed to the seats with duct tape on their mouths, soaked in gasoline -but strangely with interest in their eyes- were looking at them. How the hell did she miss getting covered in gasoline? And why was she still intact? That's what she'd ask Jerome, even if it did kill her. "Uh... Um, h-how come e-veryone is handcuffed a-and," she paused to regain her composure, "has duct tape over their mouths, but i'm fine?" She breathed heavily: like getting your exam results back. He smiled a coy smile. Not exactly what she expected. He relaxed his eyebrows, which sent an all-clear sign to Julia. He loosened his grip on the pistol. Jerome was about to reply, but then the distinctive sound of police sirens rose as cop cars came into sight on the right. He groaned and muttered in annoyance. But a glint of a good idea sparkled through his eyes. He looked back at Julia, grin as wide as the Cheshire Cat, "who knows? You're coming with me." He demanded. Julia shook her head skittishly but he grabbed her arm and dragged her along. Before she was out of the bus she caught a glimpse of her friend Angie, in the same state as the rest of the people on that bus. Julia saw the worry that filled her eyes. As soon as she stepped out of the bus, the sound of a gun cocking was heard and the feeling of a cool gun was harsh on her temple. She felt a presence behind her grip her by the shoulders and her back touching a chest, which she could only assume it was Jerome's. Julia could feel his breathing on her neck. 'Oh, so he is alive. Thought he was a vampire or something.' "He looks like a male prostitute, what with his suit having black fabric around his crotch looking like a thong." Julia spoke aloud, not realising that her thoughts were spilling to her mouth. "Excuse me?" Jerome pulled her hair to bend her head to the side more and aimed the pistol by her neck. Julia cursed. "Did i s-say that out loud?" She squeaked at him, to which he nodded slowly, and then burst out laughing like a maniac. She gulped, looking ahead to see GCPD cars. No surprise that the men that stepped out of the central car were the Detectives Jim Gordon and Harvey Bullock. They displayed a look of determination while ironically walking uncertainly. Harvey nudged Jim and he said something inaudible for the Maniax and Julia to him. Jim nodded. And Jim looked to the little fiasco with steady hands. "Jerome, release the hostage and the bus now. If you all willingly do so, we can arrange to shorten all of your stays at Arkham. We're only telling you this once." He offered to the Maniax, Jerome scowling. He shuffled around a bit which made Julia's position more unbearably painful than before. It had now come that he had his right arm clutched tightly around her, his nails digging into her forearm. The pistol was still pointed at her neck though. "By how much?" Jerome asked with a sharp intake of breath before. Julia's face grew flustered, but she couldn't pinpoint the reason why. It wasn't because she thought he was attractive, did she? No! No. He was a murderous, crazy ginger. That isn't the best combination that a girl could want. But, he had charisma and charm. That's what any girl would want. "I'm sorry?" Harvey yelled because there was a distance between the sides. Jerome lowered his head and glared daggers. "I said, by how much!" He shouted at them. She could feel the tension growing. Julia was almost certain that some people were going to die today. She felt tears brimming already at the mere thought of it. Jim Gordon stared at them for a bit, then quickly conversed with Harvey before looking back. Harvey stopped him and pushed him gently to the car because he knew that someone was going to fire a gun. Gordon eventually yelled, "six months!" Julia knew that wouldn't have been satisfactory for Jerome, or the rest of the Maniax for that matter. "Ha. Ha ha. Ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" He continued like that for a minute "Are you kidding me? Six months off a life sentence? Ha!" He bawled, the other three escapees joining in, "you're a joker, Jimbo! Boys?" He looked to them again, halting their chuckles, "Shoot to kill" he orders, and they fire their guns. Jim and Harvey sprint to opposite sides. As Julia witnessed the shattering of a car window, and the outing of a nameless cop, she couldn't bear the situation, couldn't bear the pistol by her jugular, couldn't bear the firm arm wrapped around her. And she lost it. She started to sob and wail and bawl and cry, and Jerome stopped chuckling and gazed at her. "Hey, what's wrong Julia?" He asked softly. If she hadn't been crying, she would've realised that he used her name, even though he never asked. "J-just leave me be! I want to go home! I don't want to die!" She choked out. He slowly took away the pistol from her neck and pulled her back to the doors of the coach. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked at her sincerely. "Hey, don't cry now. Life's a joke and i'm the jester. It doesn't help to be down all the time. Lighten up!" He groveled while Julia just stared at the ground. He looked out into the distance in frustration. 'It was going to take a bit more effort to calm down a wailing woman' he thought. And thought. He didn't quite mind her, even if she was a little nervous. He was quite content with his decision to leave her dry as soon as he first saw Julia tucked away in the corner of the bus. He did like how her wavy ink black hair, no matter how untidy it looked. And he liked how her lime green eyes was in clear contrast with her pale skin, that held an unfortunate amount of acne. Maybe if she would smile like he did she'd look out-of-this-world pretty. He came up with an idea. "Hey!" He exclaimed while moving his hands to her upper arms, "why don't you help me set your school bus in a flame? It could look real gorgeous." Jerome winked. Julia stared at him in horror. She could never do such a thing. Burning the others alight. It was unmentionable, disgraceful, prepost- 'It sounds kinda awesome.' She inwardly thought. "No! I can't and i won't. Im not a killer!" She told Jerome and herself. "Suit yourself. But you're still my hostage, so you can come and watch." He told her as he dragged her again by the forearm to a little corner where a jaggedy trail of gasoline started. He pulled a lighter out of his back pocket, smirking in her direction, and ignited it. Well he tried. It was out of fuel. "Ugh, this is embarassing. Anyone got a light?" He called to the rest of the team. And one of them ran up to him eagerly. He looked frail and harmless, but Julia knew that he was anything but that; He was just shooting the cops. He passed Jerome a ready lighter. She glued her eyes to the flame: when it sparked out of the lighter in Jerome's hands, when it reacted to the gasoline, making a crooked line slowly leading to the bus where the team was trapped. She saw how Jim Gordon desparately sprinted to the bus. Jerome threw the lighter to the side, and grabbed her hand. "We're going!" He said excitedly, rushing to the van he came in, she assumed. "But-but I can't leave! There are people in there!" She cried to Jerome as she was pushed in the seat of the van. "Yeah, but did ya really care about 'em anyways?" He merely slammed the door in her pleading face. She tried to escape but he had thought one step ahead and locked the car until he could get in. She bashed the door helplessly. "Wow, you should maybe put your seatbelt on. Wouldn't want to break your beautiful face, would we?" He climbed in while she rested her head on the door. "Didn't even let me finish writing my word." She spat at him. He cackled loudly and placed a kiss on her cheek as she sat back up. And, much to her dismay, she blushed. Yeah it's not very fluffy or smutty sorry. I just felt like a retake if somebody was there that Jerome fancied. Ha i think im a good writer :3

[theartificialdane]

Galactica, part 239

In this Tatianna wakes up, Fame hosts dinner, Trixie has a problem, Bianca isn’t sure, and Max goes to sleep.

Thank you @veronicasanders @samrull and @toriibelledarling

“Uuurgh…” Tatianna groaned as she opened her eyes, her world spinning, the ceiling completely white. Where was she? She reached out with her hand, touching something cold and hard, but her chin was resting on something fluffy and warm. Wait. She recognised that stain, the purple splat that looked kinda like a dinosaur from when Allison had tried dip dying and horribly failed at it. She was in her bathroom. Tatianna sat up, her bones aching. She was lying next to the toilet, a two big fluffy towels acting as pillows and blankets. Had she really partied that hard last night? She had been at a rooftop party with Morgan and Tyra, some guys buying them drinks, but how many? Her mouth tasted like kebabs, and she faintly remembered making it home, and Allison holding her as she threw up everywhere. Tati groaned, annoyed that of course she remembered throwing up on her roomie’s pyjamas pants, and not any of the party she had been at which had to have been awesome.

“Ah, you’re awake.”

Tati whipped her head around, and came face to face with… Sutan, the man sitting against the wall, his shirt rumpled and his hair a mess.

“Done puking?” Sutan smiled, and Tatianna felt her face go beet red, only the shade of her skin saving her from total embarrassment.

“Please tell me you just got here,” Tati croaked, the thought of Sutan sitting with her her all night while she threw up simply mortifying.

“Allison called me around 3 am and I barely grabbed Violet before I got here.” Sutan told her. 

“Jesus Christ.” Tati shook her head as Sutan chuckled. She allowed him to take her hand and help her to the sink, where she splashed some cold water on her face and brushed her teeth.

“You should eat something,” he said. “I can’t have you losing any more weight, and if you’re gonna throw up again, at least there will something in your stomach.”

Tatianna nodded weakly, the toothbrush hanging from her mouth. She definitely didn’t feel like food, but he was probably right. Dry heaving wasn’t fun either. In the living room, Violet and Allison were sitting on the sofa, drinking tea and clicking through Allison’s laptop, going through the latest photo shoots she and Tati had done together. 

“Hi..” Violet smiled, not really meeting Tatianna eyes, the girl still dressed in what Tati could only assume was from the day before. “Are you okay?”

“Hey,” Tatianna said.

“Feeling any better?” asked Allison.

“I guess. I’m so sorry. Especially to you, Violet, I’m sure I ruined your night. I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t worry. I’m glad you’re okay,” Violet said with a small smile.

“Honestly, I have no idea what even happened. I remember being at this party with the girls, and I was excited because I hadn’t seen them for awhile and we were dancing and then there were these guys buying us drinks but I don’t think I had more than 3, to be honest, and then we ditched them to go get food, and then everything is basically a blur.”

Sutan and Allison exchanged a look. 

“I haven’t really been drinking that much. Have I really turned into that much of a lightweight that I can’t have 3 or 4 drinks without blacking out and throwing up? Or maybe it was food poisoning?”

Sutan put a hand on her shoulder. “Tati. I think it’s possible that you had more than alcohol last night.”

“What? What do you mean? I don’t do drugs. I mean I used to smoke with Adore in college but not anymore.”

“No, sweetie, what he’s saying is that maybe someone slipped something in your drink,” Allison explained gently.

“Oh.” Tati’s mouth went dry and her stomach dropped. She felt small and stupid. Of course that’s what had happened. 

Allison saw the expression on her face and immediately jumped up, putting her computer on the table and wrapping Tati into a hug. “It’s okay, you’re okay now.”

“I’m such an idiot.”

“No, you’re not. This can happen to anyone. Thank god you stayed with the girls and got home safely.”

Tati buried her face in Allie’s hair, trying to let the older girl’s comforting arms ease her feelings of shame and embarrassment. 

“Can I?” Tati felt a cold palm touch her back, Violet gently stroking her. It felt nice, very very nice and grounding.

Sutan smiled, happy that his girlfriend was such a beautiful, sensitive soul. Not only had she rolled with the punches without complaining, but not here she was actually comforting the young model. How the fuck had he gotten so lucky? He pulled out his phone, telling Tati, “I’m sending you the name of a doctor. I really think you should go and get checked out today. I want to make sure that everything is okay. She can give you a blood test and if needed, something to help detox. And if your friends need to go, she’ll see them too.”

“Shit, I should call them.” Tati prayed her friends were okay. She vaguely remembered seeing Morgan’s boyfriend show up towards the end of the night. Maybe?

“Call me later so I know you’re okay,” Sutan said. “You have that fitting tomorrow morning for Free People, and the go-see with Rag & Bone.” “I’ll be fine for those, I promise.”

“This is why you’re my favorite,” Sutan said with a wink, taking Violet’s hand, pulling her up from the couch as if she weighed nothing. Tatianna couldn’t figure out why Violet was looking at her as she did, the expression on her face both tender and also beyond embarrassed, not that Tati understood why. Violet wasn’t the one that had just spent the entire night puking. 

“I’ll talk to you later.”

“Yes sir.” Tatianna smiled, and Sutan gave her a half hug, the man talking to Allison, the two of them quickly hashing out Tatiana's schedule for the day.

“Bye, Tati...” Violet smiled slightly. “I borrowed your bed, I hope that’s okay.”

“Yeah, sure, whatever.”

“Okay..”

Sutan had gone to the hall, ready to leave, so Violet leaned in, Tati expecting her to go for a hug, but the other woman had apparently aimed for an air kiss, Violet’s lips bumping into Tati’s cheek which made Violet pull away as if she had been burned. “I-Feel better soon.”

Tati smiled at her. “Thanks, Vi.”

*** “Does anyone want more wine?” Fame asked. Raja held her glass out, nodding gratefully as Fame filled it from the bottle of pinot in her hands. Bianca quickly downed the rest of her glass, holding it out as well, and Juju laughed. Fame looked around the table at her friends. “Thank you for agreeing to come here instead of our usual girl’s night out. I wasn’t really feeling up for the nightclub thing.”

“Sure, blondie. You’ve made way more high maintenance requests than a dinner party,” Bianca commented.

Fame rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I appreciated your support.”

Raja laughed. “Is Charles feeling any better?”

“Yeah, a little. I think he must have eaten something weird at your mom’s house. You know I love mani, but she’s got way too many trinkets lying around.

“Talk to me when your three year old poops out a tiny gold heart,” said Juju. Raja giggled, sipping her wine. “Maybe you should pay more attention to your kids.”

“Maybe you can bite me.”

“As I was saying…” Fame continued, “I really appreciate the support. After that whole mess with Patrick’s mother--”

“Yeah, yeah, glad you finally realized the Orange County cunt was as two-faced as I always said. Told ya so. Can you pass the beet salad?” Bianca said, giving her an affectionate shove on the arm.

Fame obliged, fluttering her lashes. She looked up when the doorbell rang.

“Did you order something?” asked Juju.

“No? That’s weird. They probably just have the wrong apartment.” She started to get up, but Raja touched her wrist.

“Don’t bother, just ignore them, they’ll go away.”

Fame shrugged and sat back down, the group continuing to chat, listening to Juju tell them a story about a parent-teacher conference that nearly turned violent when Detox accidentally insulted the liberal sensibilities of Kelly’s UES private school. They were so wrapped up in each other’s company, that no one heard the front door open. When a man’s shadow passed over the dining room door, Juju let out a scream, grabbing onto Bianca’s arm in terror.

“Don’t shoot!” called an amused voice.

Fame turned around, surprised as she saw her husband walk into the livingroom.  “Patrick! What in God’s name are you doing here?”

“I just came to get my gym shoes. I’m going rock climbing and I--”

“So you’re just gonna waltz in here like everything is cool? To get shoes for some kind of extreme sports situation with your little girlfriend?” Bianca barked. “Are you some kind of moron?”

“What are you--”

“You should leave, Patrick.”

“Hey, no need to make a fuss, Raj.” Patrick turned to Fame. “I didn’t even think you’d be home. You’re usually out on Thursdays--”

Raja stood up, cheeks flushed with anger. “You have no idea how much shit you’ve caused! Please leave Patrick, this is the last time I’ll say it.”

“This is still legally my hom-”

“NOW!” She slammed her hands down on the table, causing everyone to jump, and Patrick’s eyes narrowed.

“Hey, relax. I was just--”

“No, the psychopath is right. Get the fuck out, Patrick,” Bianca added. “Okay? This is not the time or place, especially given your mom’s little lawsuit plan.”

“My… What the hell are you talking about?”

“Just GO, Patrick!”

“Alright, that’s ENOUGH!” Juju cried, everyone falling silent as they watched the petit woman. “Can you all shut the fuck up? Would you look at what you’re doing to Fame?” Juju pointed towards Fame, all of them, including Patrick, seeing how distressed, worried and embarrassed Fame seemed. “And by the way, Patrick was our friend for years, so if he says he doesn’t know what you’re talking about, can we give him the benefit of the doubt for 5 seconds? Yeah, divorce is shitty and awful, but no one here is a monster, so maybe let’s not treat him like one?” Juju crossed her arms and sat back down, clearly annoyed with the entire situation.

Bianca and Raja looked at Fame, the tears rolling down her cheeks, and then at Patrick, who looked both distraught and confused. Raja sat back down, sighing, and Bianca unclenched her fists, chagrined. 

“Sorry,” Bianca said softly.

Patrick cleared his throat. “Yeah...well...me too…”

Raja nodded.

Patrick took a step forward. “I really didn’t mean to ruin your night.”

Fame closed her eyes. “It’s fine.”

Sighing, Patrick said, “I needed new shoes anyway.” Patrick turned around and left, the front door closing behind him.

The room fell silent as he walked slowly to the door. They heard it close behind him. Bianca placed a hand on Fame’s back, Raja held her hand. “I’m okay,” she whispered unconvincingly.

“We know,” said Bianca.

“Sorry for making it worse,” Raja said.

Juju shook her head. “You all need a lesson in diplomacy. You’re a bunch of fucking jackals.”

“We’re loyal!” Raja said, squeezing Fame’s hand.

Fame brushed a tear off her cheek.

“Blondie, please don’t cry,” Bianca begged her.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t APOLOGIZE, that’s worse!” Bianca scolded.

“I’m sorry.”

Bianca threw up her hands in dismay, then pulled her in for a tight hug. “Jesus Christ, stop it.”

Fame laid a head on her shoulder. “This fucking sucks.”

“I know, blondie.”

Raja and Juju joined in, enveloping the two of them in a group hug, and after a few moments, Bianca pushed everyone off.

“Alright, enough of this maudlin shit. Let’s go out.”

Raja started to whine, “I thought tonight was supposed to be a chill--”

“CHANGE OF PLANS! Roll with the punches.” She looked at Fame. “Right?” Fame nodded. “Yeah, I need some loud music and handsy assholes.”

Juju high fived her. “Sold.”

***

“I can’t believe you took the rest of the turkey.” Trixie dumped down on the couch as Pearl booted up the playstation.

“You snooze you loose my mate.” Pearl smiled and took a swig of her beer. “You mean because my infant son needs a nap?”

“Isn’t he like 6 months or something?”

“So?”

“Is that still an infant?”

“Maybe, but that still doesn’t make it okay.” Trixie placed his feet on the table, Pearl choosing Grand Theft Auto, the title screen and opening tune so very familiar to him. “My turkey to mustard radio is all wrong.” Trixie picked up his sandwich, taking a big bite. The two had been keeping the leftovers in the freezer, waiting for Katya and Laila to go grocery shopping and for Max at Ruby’s place, their leaving the duo with some much needed bro time as Pearl had come to call it.

“You’re literally the only person I know that cares so much about Thanksgiving leftovers.”

“If it’s that’s stupid, why don’t you trade me your sandwich?” 

“No way. I’m not an idiot bro.” 

“Come on-” Trixie reached out, but Pearl pushed him away, laughing as they fought over her plate until Pearl finally pushed Trixie away, the two settling in to play. The night went by in a flash of good friends, proper beer, improper use of almost every option in the game, and Trixie ended up happy and full with not only his own, but also half of Pearl’s sandwich.

***

Fame leaned on Bianca’s arm as the older woman called a car to go home. Raja and Juju had left a few hours ago, Bianca staying behind to drink the last of the wine, since she genuinely wasn’t sure if Fame would have been able to handle being left alone. 

Bianca typed in the address of her apartment building, finally feeling like she could go home, when Fame slurred, “I’m coming too.”

“You can’t come home with me. Courtney will be home from her gig in the morning and she’ll go fucking ballistic if you’re at the--”

“Believe it or not, Bianca, not everything is about me trying to fuck you,” Fame slurred.

“Since when?” Bianca winked.

Fame rolled her eyes. “I need to go to the Plaza.”

“You wanna go see your ex husband? In this state?”

“Yeah.” Fame hiccupped.

Bianca shook her head. “Well, okay. But this is a terrible idea, and when it blows up in your face, I hope you--”

“Just shut up and order the damn uber, B.”

“Yes, miss,” Bianca said, imitating Fame’s office staff.

“Good girl.” Fame slapped Bianca lightly on the cheek.

***

“So.. Do you want to talk about it?” Ruby looked at Max, the man pulling on his pyjamas. Ruby couldn’t help but smile; Max was so cute. She had never seen an adult wear actual pyjamas before, but somehow the blue set just seemed cute on her tall, British elfman.

 “Talk about what?” Max sat down and crawled underneath the covers, Ruth jumping onto the bed, quickly curling up on Max’s lap. 

They had spent the day exploring Brooklyn, Ruby buying chocolate milk for both of them as they visited thrift shop after thrift shop, Max buying funny hats and old t-shirts in mustard yellow. It was the most perfect of days and Ruby nearly forgot what was bugging her all the time, pushing it to the very back of her mind. 

“Do you want to have sex again?” 

Max’s head shot up, his cheeks going pink. Ruby felt her stomach clench. She had expected the reaction from Max, but that still didn’t make it any less stressful to talk about. That was exactly why she put off this conversation. Seeing Max uncomfortable made Ruby uncomfortable too.

"Like... Right now, or?” 

Ruby shook her head. “No, not right now. Unless you want to? 

“Maybe?” 

Max wasn’t looking at her, but Ruby wanted him to take his time, to share with her what he was comfortable with. She was learning to be patient. “It’s kinda... It’s weird, sorry.” 

Ruby smiled and took Max’s arm, wrapping it around her as she leaned against Max’s chest. “We’re okay.”

She wasn't sure if she was, but that had to be enough for now.

[mermaidsirennikita]

Book Roundup -- April 2017

I completed by challenge of reading 50 books in 2017.... today.  Admittedly this is usually a pretty low bar for me, but I don’t wanna go any higher than 50 just in case I suddenly get super fucking busy or my speed-reading powers deactivate.

Anyway.  Most of the books I read this month were honestly mediocre to poor, but I did discover two books towards the end of the month ( “Feast of Sorrow” and “Crazy Rich Asians”) that not only introduced me to new authors but pretty much thrilled me.

So, without further ado:

The Night Mark by Tiffany Reisz.  3/5.  Still mourning the death of her first husband, Faye ends up divorcing the man she married for convenience and heading to coastal South Carolina in an attempt to resume her former career as a photographer.  After learning the local legend of a lighthouse keeper’s ill-fated daughter in the 1920s, she accidentally ends up in the water--and wakes up in the body of Faith Morgan, said ill-fated 1920s girl.  This book is definitely a romance novel, and it’s a lot of fun.  As with any romance novel, there are some random choices that are kind of done, and the plot is somewhat convoluted, and the time travel aspects of the plot don’t always make sense....  But it was fluffy.  It made me happy.  It made me homesick, for that matter.  If you’re looking for a quick, somewhat mindless read with some nice sexual tension-filled scenes, go for it.  (If anything, I feel like this would have been improved with a few more sex scenes.  To be honest.)  It’s note quite peak trashy time travel romance novel a la Jude Deveraux’s Knight In Shining Armor, but it’s good.

Love for Sale: A World History of Prostitution by Nils Johan Ringdal.  4/5.  A non-fiction history of prostitution spanning from ancient myths to the present day.  The book does a good job of covering the East and West--though more attention is paid to Europe than anywhere else, Asia gets a good amount of attention.  At certain points, it does get a bit dry.  But it does the job, and is very interesting and informative.

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett.  4/5.  In this YA contemporary, Bailey moves to California, not telling her Californian longtime online penpal, Alex, that she’s done so.  (She has confrontation problems.)  Upon beginning a museum job, she falls into a love-hate tension-filled relationship with security guard Porter, not realizing that he--of course--is Alex.  This is pitched as a modern-day You’ve Got Mail, so I don’t think that’s a spoiler.  Honestly, I was so pleasantly surprised by this book.  I was beginning to think that YA contemporaries just weren’t for me anymore, and something about the chemistry and characters in “Alex, Approximately” just got me.  Certain dramatic backstories were a bit much, but ultimately the chemistry between Bailey and Porter sold this book for me. They felt like actual teenagers who were actually into each other, and lately I feel like the YA I’ve been reading is too sugary to accurately portray that.  Overall, this is a definite summer/spring rec from me.

Marriage Most Scandalous by Johanna Lindsey.  2/5.  This was a pretty typical historical romance bodice ripper, about this dude who killed his best friend by accident in a duel years back?  And is now a sort of mercenary detective type?  So years after said accidental murder, his father’s ward comes a-knockin’, all grown up and such, and she thinks his dad is being targeted by someone evil.  Of course they have to pretend to be married to figure out what’s afoot, and you can take it from there.  I don’t think I like Regency bodice rippers as much as I do like... Viking romances, or Highlander stories.  I feel like bodice rippers should be set in “rougher” times so the extreme fuckery going on is easier to dismiss as part of the fantasy.  Plus, idk, some viking dude capturing the self-insert heroine and teaching her the ways of erotic love is just sexier to me than a dude named Sebastian having a secret identity as the Raven.  I never said I wasn’t problematic.

Literally by Lucy Keating.  1/5.  Annabelle is in the midst of upheaval in personal life when she meets the perfect boy, Will--and finds out that she’s actually the main character in a story by the author Lucy Keating.  K.  This could have been good, but it’s pretty much ruined as soon as Lucy Keating introduces herself.  She’s referred to as Lucy Keating for the whole book; Annabelle thinks about how beautiful she is and her cute clothes; she’s all ambiguous and strange and self-adoring.  This was one of the most uncomfortable, awkward books I’ve ever read.

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli.  3/5.  This YA contemporary is about Molly, a girl whose insecurity about her weight--and inevitable comparisons to her beautiful twin, Cassie--has her constantly crushing on people that she finds unattainable.  After Cassie falls head over heels for Mina, Molly feels pressured to like Will, Mina’s cute and sweet friend.  But she also likes--perhaps more genuinely--Reid, who is, like Molly, overweight and maybe a bit uncool.  This is less a romance--or I was less interested in the romance--than a story about Molly and Cassie growing up and apart.  Molly’s insecurities are driven in part by her comparing herself to Cassie; at the same time, the main reason why she doesn’t want to like Reid is that she thinks he’ll pull her further from her twin.  That’s a super interesting, real conflict.  The romances I found less compelling.  The book includes a lot of diversity, but at a certain point it did feel a bit... checking the boxes-esque?  Like, Molly thought back to this boy she crushed on, and specified that he was a trans boy even though it added nothing to the story and really served more to set him apart, in his two paragraphs of page time, as “special” compared to the cis boys Molly had crushed on.  I get what the author was going for, but it came off as a bit awkward sometimes.  Overall however, this is a very earnest and sweet read.

Given to the Sea by Mindy McGinnis. 2/5.  Khosa is the latest in a long line of women “given” to the sea--she’s destined dance into the sea as a sacrifice to prevent it from swallowing up her homeland.  Before she does that, of course, she needs to give birth to a daughter who will follow in her footsteps.  Trouble is, Khosa is afraid of being touched.  Aaaaaand that’s pretty much what I got from this.  The story has an interesting mythology and I liked the sort of writing style McGinnis was going for, but that’s it.  I kind of debate even giving it a 2/5 for that.  There were too many narrators (Khosa, the prince type guy she met, and his adopted sister I got but there was one guy whose presence as a narrator I never understood) and the plot was very... vague.  I got that Khosa was doomed to be sacrificed and needed to get knocked up, but everything else was extremely hard to understand.  And I was trying.  I really tried.  It just never got there for me.

The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda.  2/5.  I really enjoyed Miranda’s previous thriller, “All The Missing Girls”, but this one just... numbed me.  It seemed like a much more standard “what happened to the missing/dead person” story than “ATMG” was, and it never clicked.  

My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier.  4/5.  Che (yes, named after THAT Che because his parents are The Worst) is a teenager moving from Australia to New York.  Also, his little sister Rosa is fucking psychopath.  Rosa has been wrong since she was a baby, but Che is the only one in his family who acknowledges this--ironically, because his parents are always occupied with hippy-type projects that are meant to save the world.  Che knows exactly how dangerous the unfeeling Rosa is, and how easily she manipulates everyone around her.  And of course, she catapults the family into disaster.  This book was pretty chilling at times.  For that matter, it actually had explanations for things that bothered me--why Che’s parents were so shitty, for example.  Threads like those would have been dropped in another book, and I appreciate Larbalestier following up on them.  It’s a really effective thriller; perhaps the most convincing part of it is how much Che loves his sister, despite everything.  The book isn’t quite scary, but it is creepy--and quite sad at points.

The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi.  4/5.  From 1968, a serial killer terrorized the hills surrounding Florence.  The killer would spy on couples parked to have sex--a common practice in Italy, where people usually didn’t leave their parents’ homes until they married--shoot both of them, and often mutilate the women’s bodies in a sexually motivated manner.  There have been a number of suspects, some of which have been convicted then exonerated.  Italian journalist Mario Spezi had been following the case for decades when he met American thriller novelist Douglas Preston.  Forming a friendship, the two began researching the murders, leading to both of them tangling with the Italian authorities (including the prosecutor who botched Amanda Knox’s case; and if you didn’t think she was innocent before you read this book, you probably will after).  The book is divided into two parts--that detailing Mario Spezi’s investigation of the murders as they happened, and then what happened after Preston got involved. Preston describes Florence and the unique Florentine attitude well, but honestly I got frustrated with him a lot.  He seemed so ~shocked~ that the Italian authorities didn’t function in the same way that they do in America.  I figured that out pretty quickly after landing in Italy for my year abroad, and I was 20 at the time.  Also, like...  it wasn’t hard to keep my head down.  I get Preston’s motivations, but his story is less interesting than Spezi’s, which isn’t surprising.  Am I 100% sure that they found the true killer?  No, but their guy seems more likely than anyone else who’s been a suspect.  This is a very gripping, very interesting true crime story that I definitely recommend.

Feast of Sorrow by Crystal King.  4/5.  Thrasius, a young Roman slave, is bought by the patrician Apicius due to his exception skills in the kitchen.  Apicius wants to become the gastronomic adviser of Caesar Augustus, and he believes that Thrasius is his ticket to fave.  What follows is the decades long saga of Thrasius as he helps his often-capricious master and bonds with Apicius’s family, particular his master’s wife, Aelia, and his daughter, Apicata.  But Apicius’s ambition and hunger for renown knows no bounds, and he drags Thrasius and his family into the depths of Roman politics with him.  So this book was actually a really, really compelling read.  King has a talent for description, and as a recurring backdrop of the drama is cookbook(s) that Thrasius is helping Apicius put together... I got hungry fast.  King also has a talent for creating that sense of the Roman world, beyond the famous people.  She created an environment that felt real and everyday to me, while at the same time keying in the drama when she needed to.  I will definitely be picking up her next book, especially if it’s historical fiction.  I couldn’t put this down.  With that being said, there were a couple of things that kept this from being a 5/5 for me.  One was Thrasius’s romance with fellow slave Pallia--it felt very plot-device-y to me; I mean, you do need to give Thrasius a motivation to stay with his master even when he’s a dick (beyond his own life) and yes having him fall in love with a woman brings in the possibility of Babies as an added motivation, but also...  I kinda wish that Thrasius had fallen in love with a dude.  His chemistry and sex scenes with Pallia felt super forced, but his scenes with other men were more... interesting.  Towards the end of the book, the melodrama got dialed up a little too much--like I know it’s not Feast of Sunshine and Daisies but holy shit.  Some fact-checking proves, though, that King did her research and the goriest parts of the book did happen.  So overall, I’d highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read an entertaining novel of Ancient Rome.

The Last Neanderthal by Claire Cameron.  3/5.  This novel takes the perspective of Girl, a young female Neanderthal who, due to a sudden turn of events, ends up alone in the wilderness with Runt, a strange young  boy her family adopted.  At the same time, it tells the story of Rose, a pregnant archeologist who has discovered two unique skeletons and is racing against the clock to finish her project before her baby comes.  This is very much what you might call a feminist read--it’s about different aspects of women’s lives, how much has changed, how much... hasn’t.  What I found particularly interesting was the look at sexism--particularly towards women who choose to become mothers--in the academic world of archeology.  Unfortunately, I can’t say I super liked the book because Girl’s side was... well, kind of a downer.  It’s realistic, but strict realism doesn’t always make the best story; and at any rate, who knows how realistic it is? We’re talking about Neanderthals here.  Also, I feel like some people will really appreciate the degree to which Claire Cameron describes things, but like.  Dude.  Once we start talking in detail about the smell of a Neanderthal’s cervical fluids, I’m kinda out.  But I gave it three stars because it is well-written and it is an interesting angle to take, it’s just not for me.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan.  5/5.  American Born Chinese (ABC) girl (but not really) Rachel Chu has been dating the charming Nick Young--her first Asian boyfriend--for about two years, and finally agrees to spend the summer with him in Asia as he stands as the best man in his friend’s wedding.  Nick is charming, kind, and handsome--also, he’s mega-rich, as Rachel only discovers upon arriving in Singapore and meeting his family, including his formidable mother Eleanor.  Nick hails from not one but two different elite clans in Singapore society, and not only is his mother plotting against no-name Rachel--so are all the women who want to get their claws into him and his bloodline.  There are several different, super-interesting subplots going on too, but that’s the main story.  And it’s great.  This book is the perfect blend of insightful social commentary--from someone who would actually know what’s he’s talking about, rather than an outsider white author--and catty drama.  Rachel is probably not the most interesting character here, but she’s supposed to be the good girl, and she’s not bland.  She’s smart and sticks up for herself, even if she’s a bit naive.  Nick is a decent guy, if not perfect--he’s ignorant to the complications of his own world because... it’s his world, and he’s a man and therefore not privy to many of the machinations the women perform.  The two most compelling characters are Astrid, Nick’s beautiful cousin who’s just beginning to recognize the cracks in her marriage, and Eleanor, his mother.  Eleanor is AMAZING, the perfect mom from Hell without being a caricature.  Her concerns go over the top, but they stem from a valid place, especially when you take cultural norms into consideration.  Also, she’s being played by Michelle Yeoh in the movie so... I’m hype.  Loved this.  It was one of my longer books of the month, but I sped through it in two days.