#anyway I got the filling done on Monday and got fitted for a night guard too 😭👍 and an ortho referral. but now it’s ITCHY

[leefi]

itchy tooth all day. constant runny nose & cough continuing on 5 days after I recovered from my cold. ears feeling plugged/high-pressure and popping (then getting replugged again) over the past week. haven’t heard things around me properly in days. I’m about to bite into someone

[angelic-jeonghan1004]

You're In For It || Chani

Request: hello !! i just saw your blog and i saw your taking requests hehe i would like to request 7 with sf9 chani 🥺 preferably a written one! and could u make it a college setting with bad boy chani or e2l 🥰 fluff or smut hehe thank you!

-OoOO I biased Chani before I biased Taeyang so I'm living for this request 🤧 it's mature but it's not smut, a lot of teasing I will say. To specify btw I have 1-2 more requests with this prompt left these are just ones I haven't gotten around to but I no longer do prompt #7 💓 I have a idea for a part 2 which would involve smut so I'd you enjoy this and want a part 2 I definitely can get that done 💞 I'm sorry this took so long btw I made it a bit longer than most of my fics as a sorry for the wait💕

Synopsis: Chani always teased you and one day you had enough of it, so why not reverse the roles?

Prompt: #7 "Come sit in my lap"

Pairing: Bad Boy! Chani x female reader

Warning: strong language, teasing, palming, dirty talk, heated make out

Gif credit to owner

The amount of classes you have with Chani is more, than you want it to be seeing you spend 3/7 days a week with him. Classes with Chani would be fine if he wasn't the college bad boy next to the rest of his "gang." He looks and acts the part which you'd tune out if he didn't target you for his risky teasing, always getting you hot and bothered when you where trying to focus; the fact he recently started calling you "baby" doesn't help it either. A prime example of the teasing he likes to pull would probably be the time like last Monday when you where waiting for the lecture to start and found a place to sit, Chani spotting you sat behind you and whispered dirty talk into your ear almost the whole time, leaving you a mess. Friday being today is one of those unlucky days you have to see him, you found a chair and waited for him to walk in and act all cool with his leather jacket only to rile you up and leave. You watched the door until you saw him walk in, catching eye contact with him very quickly he walked up to you.

"Hey baby" he said leaning on the desk in front of you with a strong smirk.

"What do you want." You said in a done sounding voice.

"Wow a little attitude I see, maybe you'll take my offer today?" Chani said with a bit of a chuckle, smug grin never leaving his face.

"What would that be?" You couldn't help your ears perked up in interest of what he had to say, obvious in your eyes how you wanted him to continue.

"At 8 my place me and my boys are hosting a party, you should come." He said slipping you a paper with his address, you picked it up and put it in your bag causing a wave of excitement to rush over him until your next sentence came out.

"Party's aren't my thing, you also could find way better arm candy than me to be there" you said tapping your pen against the table. The look he gave you seemed a bit hurt but you couldn't tell why.

"Nah baby I only want you, are you acting all tough to hide the fact your just a good girl who doesn't go to party's?" He said with a hint of sadness in his voice, did he really mean that? But that last part still had you keep your guard up so why not throw fire at fire.

"Fuck off, I won't be going now actually find a seat and get your work done for once."

"Wow using some big words there, fine I didn't think you'd come anyway but I shoot my shot atleast." He said with a little defeat in his voice but still with that smirk he entered the door with. He found a place to sit after that and suprisingly didn't bother you, which you oddly kinda missed; you can't hide the underlining feelings you have for him that well, atleast well enough for others not to know, but you can't help that he makes you feel special when he riles you up; his words can sound charming even if he's talking so mischievously. Throughout the class you took notes and kept thinking about that stupid party, you at first where opposed to the idea but now you've warmed up to it and imagining the look on his face proving him wrong when he sees you actually there. Once the class had been dismissed you had nothing else to do that day so you went straight to your dorm, you kept pondering on the idea of what you should wear. The clothes you had where cute but you wanted something that would rile him up for a change and have the looks on you; finding a red crop top and black shorts you decided why not fit some e-girl realness and look sexy doing it catching all the bad boys attention. It wasn't even 7:30 yet but you still where completing your look already, finding a choker you got a while ago to wear since you wouldn't lie they made you feel powerful and sexy and that's exactly what you need to get into Chani's head. Sooner than later the clock hit 7:45 and you head out to be at the party on time, getting there surprised it was already starting to get filled quite quickly when the party had started not long ago. Making your way through the house you spotted Hwiyoung, your goal was to find Chani so you hoped he'd have help into finding where he is; you walked up to him and caught him by surprise from your outfit being different and hot compared to your normal clothes you'd walk around on campus with.

"Do you know where I could find Chani?" You said, he looking you up and down taking in the sight of you; causing your ears to go a little red.

"he'll probably be in the kitchen grabbing more drinks, if he can't fill up your time we'll you can find me for certain." He said with a small wink.

You ventured to the kitchen spotting him, you walked up to him from behind and tapped his shoulder ready for the reactions that he'd bring. Turning around his jaw almost dropped and you could see his eyes go dark with the lust in his eyes drinking in the sight of you, leaning in to whisper in your ear he said.

"Baby I didn't expect to see you here, especially not so fucking hot. Did you dress like this for me baby? To make me want to do unspeakable things? If so it's working baby." He said with his voice two octaves lower than usual catching you by surprise, none the less a idea popped in your head on how to get him back for all the times he's riled you up. Quickly tip toeng you put your hand in his and squeezed it whispering back.

"Where's your room? We'll need it." In less then a second he had you both walking at a fast pace to his room, once reaching it he eagerly shut the door and walked up and sat at the edge of his bed.

"Come sit in my lap" He said less of a invitation and more as a demand which you where quick to go up and staddle your legs around his waist, not knowing if he should touch you he looked up at you with confirmation.

"feel free to touch me." You said giving him the go and he wrested his hands on your thighs. Waisting no time you started kissing his neck and leaving little marks trying to find his sweet spot, once you reached the middle of his neck you head a grown come from his throat as he squeezed your thighs causing you to suck harshly on it ensuing a moan to come out. You found your way to his lips and quickly got stuck in a heated kiss, he swiped his tongue on your bottom lip asking for access which you quickly opened your mouth granting him; soon turning into a fight of tongues for dominance. Your arms left his shoulders and you sneaked your hand to his black sweatpants finding their way to his covered almost fully hard cock which you soon started packing causing deep moans to come from his throat.

"You want me to wrap my lips around you and suck you so hard you eyes roll back don't you? It's what you always say so I bet you want it don't you." You said breaking the kiss gasping for air.

"Yes baby please I need to feel your pretty lips around me, cant you just feel how hard I am from this alone? I never knew you where so dirty" He said panting but still having that smug expression on his face, giving him a quick peck you then smirked at him. You got up causing him confusion, only to bring him to even more when you made your way to the door of his room opening it.

"Too bad you have to wait for another day love, you can fix your problem today like how I have to each time you rile me up." You said quickly exiting making your way to the front and to your car, once inside you didn't realize Chani was on your tail the entire time.

"Now I may say many things to you to get you going but if you asked I would never leave you hanging, I have a serious problem and I need you to fix it since you caused it baby." He said voice full of hunger. You went into you car and grabbed your journey for one of your majors and ripped off a piece of paper grabbing the pen from your cars cup holder and putting your number on it.

"Maybe you wouldn't leave me hanging but you've been turning me on every week for months now this is the least of payback I could do, here's my number if you want me to fix one of your problems later but that is only allowed if you think of me as not a one night stand and a long time deal instead." You said handing him the piece of paper, hoping that if he does choose to do anything with you; you can confess your feelings so he can hopefully stop toying with you and be with you instead. You drove off, after about 3 minutes hearing many dings from your phone go off almost till you reached the host did those stop. Grabbing your phone exiting your car you quickly got inside preparing yourself for the texts you where soon to see from probably Chani.

[unknown number:] it's Chani, baby your in for it after that.

Quickly adding Chani to your contacts you checked the wrest of the texts he'd sent.

Chani: baby I just had to fix my problem, my hands didn't feel as good as how you'd feel wrapping around me but I can only imagine.

Chani: I'm in it for a long time ride with you, you're everything I want.

Chani: Tonight changed how I thought you where baby I'm surprised, I thought you where just a goodie that got flustered easily but your kinky, what else you got as a surprise for me? Sadly you left before anything could happen I could've given you pleasure in any way you pleased.

In other words you have problems to fix for yourself too and now ready to prepare for what class will be like seeing him next Monday.

Chani: make free time tomorrow, you need to finish what you started since I need to feel your pretty lips around me or me filling you up since because of your stunt I won't be going easy on you.

Scratch next time seeing him Monday, it's now time to prepare for tomorrow.

[athina-blaine]

Jon goes on a business trip.

Chapters: 1/1 [Complete]

Words: 1,692

Tags: Established Relationship, Canon-Typical Violence, Long-Distance

~

Jon threw his backpack onto the hotel bed and slumped into the desk chair. It boggled him how he could even think about sitting after being trapped in an uncomfortable airplane seat for the last 12 hours, but he just didn’t have the energy to stand. 

Weak, grey lighting wormed through the ratty curtains, washing out the already muted yellow walls and doing nothing to lift the temperature of the room. The second hand of the analogue clock twitched in place.

You get what you pay for.

Martin had insisted he would stay up late waiting for Jon's call, but guilt still twisted his stomach as he dialled his number. He wished Martin would have chosen to get some sleep instead, but, then again, the thought of going another day without hearing from him didn’t feel particularly good either.

The call clicked.

“Hello? Jon?”

“Evening.”

“I believe you mean, good morning."

"Shut up."

"Where’ve you been? I’ve been waiting around for ages.”

“I told you I wouldn’t be getting in until around 7. If anything, I’m ahead of schedule.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I was just kind of hoping you were exaggerating how long it would take. You know, so if you get there a bit early, it’s like a nice little surprise.”

“Martin, if you’re expecting an airport to ever being running ahead of schedule, I’m sorry to say, you’ve already lost.”

Martin’s laugh was staticky in the receiver. “So, what’s it like? Sample any cuisines? Are the locals friendly?”

“Yes, I’ve had a bagel sandwich from a coffee shop at the airport, and the cab driver who escorted me to the hotel shouted at me.”

“What did you do?”

“What makes you think I did something?”

“Ah, well, you know, you can be a bit— And it’s not your fault! You’ve just been in a flying metal box for the last day, so it’s totally reasonable to be grumpy. But you can be a bit tetchy at times.”

Jon sighed. “I suppose I was a bit more aggressive expressing my umbrage at the way he handled my bags than was strictly necessary.”

“Jon.”

“My laptop was in there! He threw it.”

“Of course, dear.”

Jon curled up in his chair, wrapping his arm around his knees. “So, what have you been doing?”

“Oh, nothing interesting. Just rewatching old episodes of Emergency Contact. Couldn’t you have at least waited until Monday to fly across the world so we could watch the new one together? Kathy is finally going to find out what happened to her fiancé.”

“I'm sorry, eldritch fear monsters have very little respect for broadcast network scheduling.”

“Pity.”

“You don’t have to wait for me, you know.”

“Oh, don’t give me that. What’s the point of knowing some big secret if you don’t have anyone to talk to about it? And don’t just try to know it, either!”

“That would be a terrible misuse of my abilities.”

“Since when did you give a toss about that?” Martin yawned, smacking his lips gently. “Well, I guess I should let you go. You must be exhausted.”

“Not really.” Jon didn’t sleep much these days. “But you need to get up early for work, so …”

Martin hummed. The second-hand of the clock continued ticking pointlessly. A film of dust was beginning to settle on the back of Jon's throat. What a terrible hovel this place was.

“Oh, wait, before you go, I wanted to tell you, you won’t believe what Melanie found while digging around for the Davis case.”

“What is it?”

“Okay, so, you know how the guy was acting super weird and it’s, like, yeah, he definitely killed his ex-wife, right?”

“Yeah?” Jon said, pulling the thin blanket off the bed before settling back down.

“Well, guess what Melanie found in the storage closet of his mechanic’s shop?”

“Her dismembered corpse?”

“What? No, his toolbox. What’s the matter with you? You’re so morbid.”

"Oh."

“That’s a joke, I’m joking. Melanie didn’t find anything, was talking my ear off all day yesterday about it. Absolutely exhausting. I mean, I get it, Brighton isn’t exactly close, but remember when I had to go all the way to bloody Plymouth?”

Jon did, but he let Martin remind him anyway, and closed his eyes.

 Snow crunched under Jon’s feet as he limped through the street, a packet of files tucked under his arm. The custodian at the Federova Research Centre had been furious at the hour with which he asked for one of their documents, but she had quickly reconsidered when she helpfully told him about the gambling ring she was running.

He still felt terribly guilty about it, but it got a little easier every time. He didn’t know if that made it worse.

A gust of icy wind sliced through his coat, chilling his bones. His nose burned as he breathed down the arctic air. He had been entirely unprepared for this miserable weather and fantasized about his dry hotel and a cup of hot coffee.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling off his glove with his teeth, he took it out and opened the screen.

>aaahhhh!! im burning up!!! help!!!

Attached was a picture of the sun shining in the middle of a blue sky. Smiling, Jon typed a response, the tips of his fingers already uncomfortably numb.

>Be sure to wear plenty of sunblock

He angled his phone at the night sky, blanketed in thick, dreary clouds, taking a picture and sending it.

>oh, yikes. you sure im not the one on vacation?

>You know this isn’t a vacation

>yeah, going on vacation would require you taking that stick out of ur arse

> ):<

>im sorry, it’s a nice stick

>Thank you

>also why are you awake??

>Research. Need I remind you that you were the one who texted me?

>i was expecting you to see it tomorrow!! go to bed!!

>Yes, darling

A light snowfall had begun. Wild animals skittered by in the distance, dark shadows in the corner of his eyes. Tucking his phone away, he continued his trudge, the bruises on his left leg throbbing.

He’d go to bed once he got these documents sorted.

 The black ooze caught Jon’s foot and he crashed to the ground, shoulder crunching under his weight. The creature crept up to his knee, squelching as it latched onto his other leg, gelatinous and soggy. Hissing sharply through his teeth, he clawed the dirt, pulling himself forward. His foot had grown numb.

The creature had reached his waist and his fingers sluiced through the wet soil, his body too heavy to move. Pins and needles crawled up his legs before he lost feeling in them entirely. Though it had no mouth, the creature groaned, the sound of satisfaction one might make as it bit down into their meal.

He grabbed his phone before it ate his pocket and made a call. It rang.

It went to voicemail.

The desperate words died on his tongue. He shut his eyes tightly, pressing his face into the ground and breathing in the musty earth.

“Um, hello.”

A slimy tendril crawled along the back of his neck, leaving a damp trail in its wake before creeping into his hair. It would never wash out.

“Just wanted to see if you were awake. Of course, you aren’t, it’s like 4 AM. Not your fault. Nothing new on my end.” The creature squeezed, pressing his ribs against each other. “No, no, that was a lie. I’m currently being attacked by some kind of blob monster. Didn’t want to worry you, sorry. That was stupid of me.”

The scent of sweet organic fumes struck him, and he stiffened, stomach churning.

“I am trying very, very hard not to die right not, but just in case, figured, should give you a call. Seemed like the right thing to do.” He chuckled, which turned into a splutter as the thick sludge began filling his mouth and his nose. “I’m sorry.”

He ended the call, hand falling limp, still cradling his phone. It was swallowed shortly after.

 The airport was fit to burst as Jon worked his way through it, suffering bumped shoulders and crying children the whole way. The lingering smell of floor cleaner and cigarette smoke made his world spin on an axis, but he pressed on.

He was home. He was home, and he’d be in his bed within the hour. He pictured changing into his pyjamas and crawling under his cosy bedsheets, being held, as he was shoved through customs by sour faced security guards who wanted to be there even less than him and wanted him to know it.

When he reached the airport lobby, something barrelled into his chest.

“Finally,” said Martin, squeezing Jon hard enough to make his eyes pop. “You were supposed to be in two hours ago.”

“I told you it was delayed,” Jon said, resting his cheek on Martin’s shoulder. He inhaled the scent of his own lemon detergent and had a vision of Martin cycloning through their flat in a cleaning frenzy. “You said you were going to wait at home.”

“I lied and you knew it.”

“I did not."

Martin looked up, a gentle smile on his lips. It trembled, his eyes growing misty, before it cracked. “So, um, I know this is going to sound really crazy, but …”

“Yes?”

“Do you think you could just, you know, never, ever leave again? Ever?”

He looked so small and scared as he said it. Jon had done this to him. Again.

Jon pulled him back into his arms. “I can’t promise that. But it sounds nice.”

“Yeah.” Martin sniffed. “And I don’t mean just these little jaunts to the other side of the flippin’ planet where you try and get yourself killed. If you go to Tesco, I'm gonna be on your arse. Right? Got it?”

“Of course.”

“You can still go to the bathroom by yourself, that’s okay.”

“Perfectly reasonable. You're dizzying me.”

Martin pinched his arm and pressed his mouth against Jon’s, slow and hungry, before dragging them towards the exit gate.

“Come on, let’s get you in bed.”

[jordanlahey]

King With No Crown (1)

Pairing: Mobster!Bucky x Reader

Summary: Y/n is just another girl in Brooklyn nothing special, she went to school, got good grade and has a well paying job in an office. She is aware that the streets of Brooklyn aren’t as safe as they use to be especially when the “King” has eyes everywhere. On a works night out she stumbles into a situation and now she can’t get out of it, she’d be signing her own death certificate if she tried.

Chapter Warnings: Language, mentions of violence.

Word count: 2833

A/N:Here is part one, enjoy. Tag List is still open.

KWNC - @tuyetnhivo , @sgtjaamesbaarnes @theonelittleone , @sparkling-gayyyy , @dragoste-lunes , @chims-kookies , @hey-nonny-nonny @jsmith509, @dudeodin

Permanent - @doowneey , @m-a-t-91 , @fuckthatfeeling , @jitterbuck , @ria132love @pvnk-bivch , @etherealmandi, @pri00r @5aftermidnight , @thisismysecrethappyplace @dtftheavengers , @typicaltrashbagg, @lanijoyxo

Bucky Barnes - @release-the-cathyrchkn 

Series Masterlist

The rain pelleted heavy off your window, waking you up from your deep sleep. Looking over at your night stand you realised you had woken up 5 minutes before your alarm was supposed to go off, you thought there was really no point in going back to sleep so you got up and headed to the kitchen to make yourself a steaming cup of coffee to prepare yourself for the day ahead. 

After getting changed into your works clothes which only ever consisted of a black pencil skirt that hugged your curves just right and a white blouse that flowed nicely over your chest but not revealing much cleavage and a fitted blazer in case it got chillier in the office, you did your hair, applied minimal makeup to your face, slipped on your favourite pair of black heels and grabbed your bag as you headed for the door.

The rain didn’t look like it was going to clear up anytime soon so you decided to head on over to the apartment car park to take your car. Your car wasn’t anything fancy it was only a light blue Fiat 500, your job did pay you enough that you could buy some luxuries but you preferred to save up your wages only ever taking it out for a food shop or for rent. You only worked for one of the biggest companies owned by the “King of Brooklyn” whoever the hell that is, you don’t exactly know who you’re working for but you didn’t mind the boring days in an office at all and your boss spared that detail mostly because the “King” never visits the office only gets people to come in and check up on things.

Parking your car, you grab your bag and ran for the door avoiding getting soaked by the rain which was now pouring it down. You greeted the receptionist and walked up the stairs to your office occasionally bidding other workers and clients ‘good morning.’

You sighed as you took your seat at your desk and started up your computer, as you waited You organised your desk with files and folders that you were due to complete. You were interrupted by your boss slamming his palms on your desk which drew a lot of people's attention still.

“Good morning Y/n.” He chippered, he was a bright and happy man and had a lot of energy throughout the day and sometimes gets too over excited about work. “Just giving you a reminder it’s the works night out tonight, are you still up for coming?” He smiled but it was forced he always tries to persuade anyone to come to works night out and if you didn’t he will nip at your head for ages.

“Good morning and of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” You smiled back, he seemed satisfied and left you to carry on with your work. Sighing again you started your work like every other day, like a zombie and everything went like clockwork. You avoided looking at the clock as you found that if you kept looking at it time went slower and therefore staying at work longer which no one likes.

However, something did catch your eye and that was the men exiting the elevator. Usually you wouldn’t care for who leaves or enters the building but these men didn’t work here nor were they clients. They wore expensive 2 piece black suits paired with a black tie, you didn’t live under a rock you knew expensive clothes when you see them. One of them was really tall and had great muscles you could see it through his blazer that you guessed was a size or two smaller than his, the other guy had dark skin and was a little shorter not by much who had

also wore the same as the blonde but he wore dark sunglasses which kind of lacked their purpose sinces it’s raining outside.

They both seemed to have spotted you and made their way over to your desk, you quickly looked back at your computer screen hoping they would go to someone else but you were wrong.

“Good morning ma’am.” The Blonde spoke, his voice was stern and deep. You had no choice but to look up from your screen and smiled at the two gentlemen at your desk.

“Good morning, is there something I can help you with?” You spoke softly, you weren’t the receptionist why the hell are they over here.

“Actually yes we’re looking for Mr-”

“Gentlemen, I’m right here. Please come to my office and we can talk privately.” Your boss popped up behind them and you couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right but you tried your best to ignore it and get all your work over and done with. 

You were done for the day and packed your belongings as headed for the elevator. Shortly after the doors began to close an arm made its way in the gap of the elevator doors so it would open again and revealed the two men that were at your desk earlier that day. You wondered what took them so long to be talking to your boss.

“Nice to see you again…?” The blonde flashed a smile at you, the long pause only meant he was waiting for your name.

“Y/n.”

“Ah Y/n, I’m Steve this is Sam.” You greeted quickly and the you stood their awkwardly till you reached the car park floor. What made you even more uncomfortable was that they followed you to your car and your car plus one other was the only ones on that floor and to make matters worse they parked right next to yours. Seriously you have the whole car park to choose from!

You quickly got into your car and and started the engine and drove off in a hurry worried that they were going to follow you to your home. You can’t be too careful these days. 

You got home round about 6:45pm and you had enough to time to have a hour nap and shower before you start getting ready for your night out. Undressing yourself you put your work clothes in the washing basket and headed for the shower, before you could go in you wrapped the towel around you as you waited for the water to heat up which takes a while. You hummed a tune as you washed your hair and body occasionally singing a verse or two before humming the rest again, then you shut off the water and wrapped the towel around you again before throwing on some sweatpants, a t-shirt and flopping down on your bed but before you could pass out you set an alarm on your phone for an hour later for your night out.

The sound of your alarm filled the room followed by a groan, you really wished your boss wasn’t bothered about everyone showing up for a works night out but when there’s alcohol involved everyone is happy. Except you, you get bored quickly at the night outs and alcohol wouldn’t lift your spirits at all.

You made your way offer to your closet and looked through all your nice clothes, trying to decide if you should go with a skirt or dress? ‘Dress it is, all my skirts are for work.’ You though and started pulling out two dresses, one was red bodycon dress that laced up at the back and the other the same but in black without the lace up back. It took you nearly 10 minutes to decide to go with the red one, you thought it was time for a change and you wear too much black anyways, you paired the dress with a simple pair of black heels and a matching red choker.

You started on your makeup it was a night out which meant you applied more than what you usually do but then have to suffer the consequences with your skin after. You chose to give your hair some loose curls and you didn’t much care if they fell flat throughout the night, you weren’t trying to impress anyone and your hook up days were so behind you. The next decision was whether you were driving tonight or if you should get a cab or just walk which would probably be the best option. You save money on gas and you don’t have to pay someone to drive you home when you don’t live that far away from the club speaking of which you check your phone and you had 20 mins to be at the club or your boss will nip at your neck for being late. You were organised enough that you didn’t need to rush out the door and your coat was hanging on the pegs on the way out anyway.

Now you regret wearing a dress. The cold air was nipping at your legs and other parts of exposed skin, you had forgotten that it had been raining the whole day and the ground was still wet but you were glad that the rain finally stopped. On your way you couldn’t help but feel like you were being watched and it made you feel uneasy, you started to be on your guard for anything you even occasionally looked back to see if you were being followed but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. You wondered if you felt uneasy because the so called ‘King’ had eyes everywhere, you’d think he made the streets safer But it’s the opposite. Your uneasiness came to an end when you found your colleagues standing outside the club waiting for you.

“Y/n, glad you could make it.” Your boss shouted, he was already tipsy you could smell the alcohol off him.

“It’s not like I really had a choice.” You joked, he wasn’t going to remember that on Monday so you can say what you want and he won’t give a damn.

“Let’s get you a drink.”

By the time everyone had arrived you were already bored out of your mind and desperate to get home but you were a nice person and still not tipsy enough so you might as well look out for your fellow colleagues. So there you sat at the bar, on your own,  holding an empty glass in your hand and simply watching everyone have a better time than you.

“Do you want a refill?” A dark husky voice spoke beside you, you turned to look who that voice belonged to. Now you weren’t going to lie the man was attractive as hell but you weren’t planning on taking anyone home with you nor going home with anyone but if you were that he was the one. He had dark brown hair that wasn’t long but wasn’t short either, it looked fluffy if you were being honest and he had really blue eyes that you could get lost in and some stubble which just adds to his attractiveness. He definitely had money in the banks cause his three piece suit wasn’t second hand or cheap despite it just being a plain black three piece with a white shirt underneath.

“Uh-no thanks, I think I’ll just stick to the water for the rest of the night.” You put your glass back on the bar table but you couldn’t stop trailing your eyes all over the mystery man. The man chuckled at your comment and shook his head.

“Now aren’t you supposed to be having fun? You look bored out of your mind.” He spoke, he was right though.

“True but i’m not having fun, I’m looking forward to sneaking my way out so my boss doesn’t see me and I can go home.” You said bluntly. His night outs used to be fun then you got bored of the same old thing every damn time.

“I like your honesty. C’mon one more drink, then you could go out the back he won’t see you leave.” He swirled a glass in front of your face and you gave in.

“Fine one more I suppose.” You turned to look at the bartender and opened your mouth but the man next to you interrupted.”

“One whisky for me and for the lady…” He turned to look at you.

“Whisky for me too.” You flashed a smile at both the gentlemen. Mystery man was shocked at your choice of drink but didn’t argue.

“You’re my kind of girl. Whisky and honesty, what else are you hiding?” He smirked at you then when the drinks came you pulled out your purse but he insisted on paying.

“I don’t mean to be rude but you didn’t give me your name.” You finally asked, if you were going to have a drink with this man you might as well know his name but the face he gave you confused you like you were supposed to know who he was.

“James but my friends call me Bucky. And you, dollface?”

“I’m Y/n and I don’t have a lot friends that call me any nicknames.” You laughed at your own irony. How sad. 

The rest of the night you and Bucky spoke but you didn’t continue drinking with him you were on the water now. Mostly he was intrigued about you and he wouldn’t answer any of your questions and if he did they just created more questions.

“I should probably be getting home now, it’s getting late.” You drink the last sip of your water and collected your coat and purse, Bucky also stood up with you giving you a lopsided grin. “I’m not coming home with you and your not coming home with me.” You looked at him with an uncomfortable smile.

“I understand at least let me walk you to your car or cab.” His hand was at the small of your back as ushered you to the club door then stood with you outside. You felt your cheeks heat up.

“Oh I was planning on walking home, it’s not that far really.”

“These streets aren’t safe for a girl like you.”  Those words lingered in the cold air, you knew that the street weren’t safe but what did he mean by ‘a girl like you’

“I’ll be fine it’s really not that far but thank you for keeping me company and making my night better.” You smiled kindly at him despite him making you feel uncomfortable at times. You turned around and started walking in the direction of your apartment.

Bucky stood in the street, watching you leave like a predator watching his prey. When you were out of sight Bucky took out his phone and dialled a number.

“She’s prettier than you said. I want her.” He hung up the phone and started walking back to his home. Of course being the King of Brooklyn he wasn’t fussed about going home cause he never was alone, he’d find a girl in need of attention and bring her home and fuck her then make her leave when it’s over, he wasn’t fussed. But you. Oh he wanted you not only squirming underneath him but alongside him. 

It was getting colder every step you took and there was hardly any people walking around. They would all be in clubs or at home but the quiet was scaring you slightly and the only noise was the wind blowing harshly passed your ears and the sound of...yelling? You passed a dark alleyway but stopped in your tracks when you heard the same aggressive yelling and the sound of punches hitting skin and bone. You took off your heels to avoid being heard and you hurried down the alley but no was between the two buildings they were behind one of them so you hid behind the brick wall watching as two men beat up another. You recognised the two men it was Steve and Sam but the other guy who was getting the shit beaten out of him you had no idea.

“You messes with the wrong man and now you pay with your life.” You has you back against the wall as you heard Steve’s voice and you listen in horror of a gun being fired. Everything seemed to stop and you waited till you heard the footsteps fade away before running to the body on the floor.

You checked for a pulse and he had one but it was faint, the man was going to die whether you took him to the hospital or not.

“Are...You an...Angel?” The man spoke between breaths as she struggled to stay conscious.

“I’m sorry no.” He smiled and he lost all consciousness and you left. 

In the distance you were being watched, your every move from leaving the dead body to going passed a kebab shop then to your apartment. They waited outside till your bedroom light went off and you drifted off into a deep slumber.

[buckeverlasting]

Assembling Ikea Furniture with Bucky Barnes

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: An Asgardian, you live with Thor after the devastation of Ragnarok. Infinity War? what’s that? You are left alone after a confusing Family Game Night, but Bucky Barnes keeps you company and attempts to help you put the house in order.

A/N: As you may know, I’ve been reposting fics from my old blog (with some slight changes). I figured I’d post my first ever Bucky fic in honor of his birthday today! It can be read as a oneshot or part of a series that you can read on AO3: “The Perks of Being an Avenger.”

Warning: some smut and a lil fluff (18+, please)

Word count: 2.4k

Thor must not have come home last night because he was nowhere to be found in the morning. He must not have stopped home either because there was no note. He usually left notes to communicate because he refused to get a cell phone. Tony Stark even gave him a custom device with practically millions of capabilities as a “Welcome to Earth!” present. It was still in the hall closet. Thor had tried to give it to you, but it would only activate with the voice command, “Point Break,” spoken by Thor himself. But Thor bought you a phone. The problem was that you didn’t have anyone’s number. Loki just sort of appeared and disappeared when he felt like it. You didn’t see him as often as Thor, and you were still learning how to read him. You didn’t know what to think about last night.

You decided staying busy would keep your mind off all the strange things that occurred during Family Game Night. You thought you’d go for a run, make yourself a healthy breakfast, and then spruce up the house. You and Thor had bought furniture but had only assembled the essentials, like the dining room table and the beds. Your bedroom still needed a desk, a chair for the desk, and a couple bookcases. Maybe you could get all of that done before 6pm and then start making dinner.

But none of that would happen. Ragnarok felt all too recent, and you thought you’d distract yourself with a little bit of Netflix. A couple episodes of the Great British Bake Off turned into an entire season, and then you stumbled upon a new show that sucked you in, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. A combination of your guilt- and depression-fed inertia and taking advantage of Thor’s absence to watch what you wanted without fear of judgment just caused you to spiral. Somehow, it got to be four in the afternoon, and you heard someone’s voice on the intercom.

“Miss Y/N,” Frank, your doorman, said. “A Mr. James Buchanan Barnes is here to see you.”

“You can let him up.” you said “Thank you, Frank.”

Bucky Barnes, the former Winter Soldier, was here? You weren’t even wearing real pants, just purple pajama shorts, but there was no time to change now.

Minutes later the elevator dinged, and the doors opened. Out stepped Bucky Barnes. You had only spoken to him once before at Tony Stark’s party to celebrate Thor’s return to Earth. You had been starving, and your hands were full, holding a plate of crackers and cheese in one hand and a flute of champagne in the other. You had approached a couch, but Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, and Bucky Barnes pretty much filled it to capacity.

But Bucky must have seen you looking. “We can move over,” he said. “Here.” He scooched over onto Sam’s cushion and patted the now empty spot next to him.

You sat down. The cushion was very warm. You had only exchanged a few words before Thor dragged you away to meet Wanda and Natasha. Then when you returned to the couch, he was gone. That was all. Yet here he was.

“Hey, Y/N,” Bucky said. “It’s good to see you again.” He had a small, almost shy smile that still managed to light up his blue eyes.

“You, too, Mr. Barnes,” you said. “Can I offer you a drink?” You began to walk him toward the kitchen.

“You can call me Bucky,” he said. “I could go for something to drink.”

“We have beer and—” You opened the fridge.

“Beer will be fine. Thanks.” He smiled, showing small creases around his bright eyes.

“So, what brings you here?” You took out two bottles of beer and snapped the caps off with a bottle opener.

“Right to the point, then!”

You laughed. “I guess I just never expected you to drop by like this.” You handed him a bottle.

“Well, I have a message from Thor,” he said, accepting the beer. “He came by to pick up Steve this afternoon. They have some mission with Bruce and Tony. Apparently, they didn’t need me, so Thor asked me to come tell you he wouldn’t be making it home for dinner and that you could order something and watch that baking show you like.”

“Thor and that baking show!” you said, blushing. “Alright, well, I guess I’m on my own tonight.”

“I could keep you company,” Bucky said. “All my friends are on a mission…or dead.”

You gave him a look from the corner of your eye. “I’m sorry,” you said.

“I mean because I’m old,” he said.

“Nonsense. You’re practically a child,” you said. “I’m much older.”

He laughed. “Not possible.”

“Well, to be fair, I was asleep for most of my life, thanks to Odin, so I don’t feel particularly old.”

“How old are you, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“About a thousand years, but, like I said, I was asleep for most of it.”

“I was asleep for most of my life, too,” he said. “How about that?”

“Well, look at us,” you said.

“A couple of sleeping beauties! So, what are you up to this evening?”

At this point in the day, you were supposed to have been for a run, bathed, and assembled all your furniture. “I have furniture to assemble.” The words just came out.

“Do you need any help?” he asked.

“I am—”

“Let me rephrase that. Would you like any help or some company?”

It was Saturday evening. You had no idea when Thor would return, and you weren’t scheduled to see Loki until Monday. You could use some company. “Company would be wonderful, actually.”

“Okay! So, where’s this furniture?”

“My room. Follow me.” You led him out of the kitchen and down the hall to your room. You padded silently on bare feet, and his boots sounded heavy behind you. Your door was already open, revealing your unmade bed and dirty clothes on the floor.

“Excuse the mess.” You scratched the back of your head sheepishly.

“There’s nothing to excuse,” he said. “So, all of this needs to be assembled?” He pointed to the flat cardboard boxes leaning against the walls.

“Yeah. Thor really likes Ikea. In fact, he won’t buy any other brand of furniture.” You shrugged.

“His house, his rules, I guess. Anyway, where should we begin?”

“Well, why don’t we divide and conquer to begin with? You could start with that desk chair, if you don’t mind.” You didn’t want to give him the huge desk or the bookcases. Somehow, you felt that would be rude.

“That seems doable.” He walked over to pile in the middle of the floor. At one point, you had started with the chair because it did seem “doable.” You left the arms, underframe, and chair shell in pieces. Bucky knelt down and picked up the instruction booklet and a clear plastic bag of screws. He sat, reading the booklet. “Långfjäll,” he said with perfect Swedish pronunciation.

“Oh, you speak Swedish?” you asked happily.

“There’s still a lot of what Hydra put in me here.” He tapped his temple. “Some of it can be a little useful.”

You, of course, were aware of his story. After Hydra fell and he was reunited with his best friend Steve Rogers, he began recovering his normal personality. No one seemed sure, though, just how much he could recover. Now, here he was, sitting cross-legged on the floor, scrutinizing the instruction booklet. He seemed so harmless yet so very tragic.

- - -

You heard a grunt from the middle of the room. Bucky was hunched over the jumble of chair parts, straining to fit in a screw that would attach the arm to the chair. “It. Won’t. Go. In.”

“Easy, there. Let’s take a break and grab another beer.” You walked over to him and offered your hand to help him up. He took it, and it shocked you because it was cold and unyielding. It was his metal arm. You hadn’t thought about it because he came in wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt and a leather glove on his left hand. You hadn’t even thought about it until now. You kept your face neutral. It’s not that you though his arm was strange. It just caught you off guard.

“This is taking forever,” he said. “I’m sorry it turns out I’m absolutely useless when it comes to assembling Ikea furniture. You’ll have to give me some pointers. I don’t know how you managed to get two bookcases together in the same time I attached one and a half arms to the chair.”

“Well, I’ll help you when we get back.” You smiled. Somehow helplessness in strong men made you soft. Perhaps it was unexpected vulnerability. “I’m the one who’s supposed to be giving you a hand, not making extra work!”

You laughed. Really, it was endearing to see him so humbled by a desk chair. “You’re not making extra work. It’s nice to have the company, honestly. Thor tends to keep me kind of isolated.” You handed him another beer.

“Yeah, I noticed.” He paused to sip his beer. “I didn’t get much of a chance to talk to you at that party at Tony’s. Why does he keep you so isolated?

You took a thoughtful sip. “I think it’s complicated.”

Bucky just set his eyes on you, silently encouraging you.

“To him, I’m Asgard. I’m Odin. I’m the last shred of the life Thor has known for a millennium or so. He sees me as more than just a person, and I assure you that I am just a person. But maybe I don’t know anything about what he’s thinking. Despite appearances, Thor is a complex man.”

Bucky drank in silence, neither stopping you nor urging you on. You decided to stop. You didn’t want to reveal too much. You didn’t want him to think you had feelings for Thor, when you weren’t sure yourself. You were still figuring out who Thor was, too. Bucky’s silence was drawing out all these questions. So, you drank to shut yourself up.

After a few minutes of silently avoiding eye contact, Bucky stood upright. “Let’s get this damn furniture taken care of so we can relax,” he said.

“Good idea!” You led the way down the hall again.

“This chair is a nightmare,” Bucky said when he entered your room.

“We can extend our break if you want.” You flopped onto your bed on your back.

“Do you mind if I join you?” he asked.

You shook your head: “no.”

Bucky followed suit and flopped onto your bed on his back. He reached for your hand. His was warm and human. You interlaced your fingers together without thinking.

“Do you like being awake or do you wish you were still asleep?” He turned his head to face you.

You continued to stare at the ceiling. “I honestly don’t know yet. It’s all too soon to tell.”

“How old were you when Odin put you to sleep.”

“I was twenty.”

“Did you have to leave people behind?”

“Yes. My family. It was difficult.”

“Friends or lovers, too?”

“What? Just friends.”

“Did you ever get the chance to be in love before you went to sleep?” he asked.

You turned your head to look directly into his glacial blue eyes. “Not once.”

“That’s okay.” He rolled over to face you with his whole body. He paused and bit his lip in thought. “It doesn’t have to be love, you know.”

“What do you mean by ‘it’?” you asked.

“Something, anything that can happen between two people.”

“What would ‘it’ be exactly?” you asked.

“Does it need a name now?” He reached around you with one arm, planting his hand on the bed, and shifted his weight until he held himself over you.

With so much uncertainty in your life right now, what was one more nameless thing? “No, it doesn’t need a name, I suppose.”

“Have you ever been with a man before?”

“Never.”

“Is that something that would interest you?” His voice was now low and gravelly.

“I want—” you began. You thought of Loki and Thor, how what they said and did didn’t seem to relate. “I want someone to be clear about what they want.”

“Well, I can say for certain that I want you,” he said, voice still very low.

“You want me now,” you said. “But will you want me tomorrow?”

“Yes. Now tell me what you want right now.”

“I want you to kiss me.” Something hot flared up from your navel.

Bucky dipped his head and grazed his lips against yours. Once to the left, once up, and once back down. Then he sank his lips fully onto yours. He nipped at your upper lip playfully. You kissed him back hard, reaching up to pull his head to yours. You let him slide his tongue in your mouth and let it probe in and out. He tasted sweet from the barley in the beer. He tasted like dusk falling all over a meadow. His hair between your fingers was clean and silky.

He took your hand and guided it between his legs and gently moved it along his hardened length, which you felt beneath his jeans. “This is how much I want you.”

You blushed, but you didn’t withdraw your hand. Instead you explored the contours of his erection with your fingers, gently stroking it with your fingertips. He closed his eyes and bit in his bottom lip.

That’s when you heard the elevator ding.

When you heard his voice, there was no doubt it was Thor. “Y/N! I’m home early! I’m sorry to have left you alone like that.” His voice was getting louder as you heard his footsteps coming down the hall.

“I promise it won’t happen again.” He was just outside the door. “I sent Bucky Barnes to give you my message.”

He appeared in the door and stopped when he you saw you two sitting next to each other on the edge of your bed. Of course, you were still in your pajama shorts from earlier. No doubt your hair was a mess. No doubt you were blushing.

Thank you so much for reading! I’d love to hear your feedback!! Also, just send an ask if you want to be added to a tag list.

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Bucky: @gamorazenn @38leticia

[selkiestory]

Despite finishing off the biscuits, the sounds from Marcas’ stomach grew increasingly louder as the evening went on. To Aed’s surprise, the gregarious teen had gone quiet after tea time. Hunger, he supposed. Hunger made men do stranger things. After cleaning his room to a passable degree, he resumed his seat on his bed and watched with a wary eye as the other examined his room with interest. Papers were shifted through, old toys carefully turned, book spines traced. Marcas seemed fascinated with everything that was in the small room.

“Can I look at this?”

Aed nodded and saw other slip a thin blue survey of marine life off the shelf - an old birthday present from the used bookstore. The teen was flipping through it quite quickly - and upside down. It dawned on him that perhaps Marcas couldn’t read.

“Where did you say you were from again?”

“I didn’t say. But I’m from here, you know. Born a bit south on the blasket islands, but raised along these shores.” The teen held the book and squinted at it. Sighing Aed got up from the bed, walked over and set the book right.

“It goes like this.”

“I was done with it anyway,” Marcas’ expression remained cool, but the flush was noticeable on his pale skin. Determined, the other took another book and sat in Aed’s chair flipping through it until Ena returned to call them to dinner. Aed had settled into his own book, and went to grab the cups, but Marcas already had the tray with their tea things. He walked a few paces in front of the other and held the door open before following the stranger downstairs.

*

Neil Carrick stood from his seat, red hair glinting in the overhead lamp as he moved to take the tray off of Marcas’ hands. His dark eyes looked over the teen quizzically.

“Thanks,” the man said simply before he disappeared into the kitchen. Ena came out with a basket of rolls and nudged them onto the table before rushing back as well.

Marcas took a seat and, after taking some plates and bowls from his Mother, Aed took the spot next to him. In the light of the evening diningroom, the hungry look of the dark-haired teen was slightly intimidating. The effect was quickly broken as the other three members of the Carrick household returned laying out glasses, cutlery, and a large tureen of lamb stew. Ena giggled as another rumble escaped from Marcas.

Neil and Flann took their usual seats at the ends of the table while Ena sat across from the boys. Aed nudged the long-haired teen before he could take a roll and motioned for him to wait. The family said a quick grace before they began to distribute food.

“Remember when we saw John at church today, dear?”

“Indeed. What a rarity. ‘Must be that worried about Tom going away.”

Aed stabbed at his potato.

“That reminds me...he said he’d try and help me seal-proof the nets. Said something about them not liking it if vegetables were tied in your rope.”

Marcas’ hand shook as he snapped up a roll.

“It sounds a bit dubious, dear.”

“I’ll try any alternative first before I do what some of the others were planning.”

“Who, exactly? I honestly can’t believe they would want to resort to violence so quickly. Aren’t seals protected by the government?”

“The usual folks. They think the seals are eating up too many fish. But, you know, yesterday Paul’s net got destroyed by a seal, too - new one he saved a two months for, too. It’s scapegoating...but to be honest, if the catch continues like it is some changes will have to happen, whether we like it or not.”

Aed observed that the other teen hadn’t touched his food yet, and was instead giving his stew a contemplative look. Marcas glanced sideways and their eyes met before he shrugged and bit at the bread before quickly engulfing it all along with his first plate of stew, a contented sound escaping from him.

“Hold out your bowl, dear. Have as much as you’d like,” Flann said doling out another portion. The young man nodded and started on his second helping. As this exchnge took place Neil observed their guest with great interest. After the third bowl the stranger slowed down and Neil cleared his throat.

“Marcas was it?”

The teen in question finished off his fourth roll.

“Yes, sir?”

“You’re quite young to be wandering around the countryside by yourself. Do you have any family you can stay at?”

“Y-No, sir” the same thoughtful expression overcame the teen, “you said you’re a fisherman, sir?”

“Indeed, lad.”

“I’ve...actually been looking for work,” Marcas’ changed to have the same sheepish look as earlier, “do...do you or any of the others in this village have any room on a ship? I’ve been fishing since I was very little, so I’m quite good at it. It’s...the only way I know how to live.”

What was he thinking, walking straight into his house and asking for work?

I owe your family one.

Was this how he intended to pay him back? A little extreme wasn’t it? But, a voice in the back of his mind nagged at him: it would be just the thing he needed. What he was thinking of earlier came to mind, but with a twist: Marcas could work on the boat, and he at a desk job. At least he’d have time in the evenings to conduct research, and he could save up for better instruments. And besides...despite the initial strangeness Marcas was the only interesting thing that happened all year. Maybe it was a sign.

Aed, who had been coming to his own conclusions, chimed in, “If you’re going to take this guy in, Father, then I could work with Mam at the bank.” That would be his new plan for now. He couldn’t continue to be inactive about his situation. It wasn’t the best, but he had to do something and Marcas provided just the opportunity. Besides...the guy was more fit than he and would be much better on a boat.

Neil raised an eyebrow.

“Aed?”

“Please Mam! Dad! It would be so cool to have a selkie in the house,” before Flann could say anything Ena finished chewing before continuing, “he’s really nice too!”

Neil shared a look with his wife.

“We’ll have to discuss this more,” Neil replied carefully, “but the least we could do is allow you to stay the night, Marcas, and sort things out tomorrow.”

“Thank you so much,” the dark-haired boy grinned and held out his bowl for a third helping, “I’ll do whatever I can to repay you.”

“If you’d like to, you can start by telling us a little about yourself.”

“Well, I was born along the Blasket Isles...”

The rest of the evening was filled with tales: Marcas and Neil swapping stories of the sea, the adults sharing embarrassing stories about their children, Ena recounting her adventure with making dessert (bread pudding), and even Aed remembering a funny occurrence on a school trip.

Through the evening the red-headed teen noticed something peculiar, however. Although Marcas seemed to speak sincerely he made no more mention of his (self-proclaimed) mythical background. Well it was good that he had given up on the strange game he was playing. His parents would have obviously not bought it.

---

“Well I have to head in. Early day, Monday.” Neil stretched carefully and left for upstairs.

“Mam, I can help with the couch for Marcas,” Aed offered. To his confusion she shook her head.

“He’ll be staying in your room tonight.”

“What?!” He had stood up for Marcas during dinner, but now he was regretting it.

“Aed. Our guest should get a bed.”

He heeded the warning in his mother’s tone and led the teen back upstairs. He had half a mind to sleep onto the couch himself, but he had to protect his data! What if the stranger stole his stuff in the middle of the night?

*

After making a brief disappearance into his closet once more to grab pyjamas, the older teen was annoyed to discover Marcas opening the lid to his rock collection. He was right to stay upstairs.

“Hey, ask before you go into people’s stuff!”

“Are these just normal rocks? I can’t sense any magic…”

“There’re samples from my long-term research project. Nothing you’d understand.” Aed sniffed sweeping the box into his hands.

“Alright, sorry I didn’t realize they were so important,” the other raised a brow, “you’re still in school? A bit old for that right?”

Aed barely avoided rolling his eyes, “Not anymore. I stayed a couple more years so I could go to college.”

“Oh,” the other pushed a strand of hair back, his expression thoughtful, “but on the beach…”

“-My research is about the effects of deep water activity on coastal erosion” Aed interjected having a strong feeling about what Marcas was about to say, “I’ve only been able to collect data on this shore and Dublin, but I know that if I had more information I could prove a cause of correlation between the two as a significant factor of rising sea levels. Unfortunately I was in high school during these initial studies, so it’s been hard to get information from other countries to here. We only have one computer at the school, but the information that would need to be processed would require more power to crunch...I...planned…well...” Words escaped him as dark thoughts that had plagued him all week began to interrupt once more.

“...First you need to know more, right?” Aed was glad the other didn’t pursue his own narrowly avoided subject, “I’ve met guys from Tir ra Nog before, They’d know about the waters all over the world. But...you said deep water,” Marcas frowned, “that sounds like something in formor territory. Dealing with them is not exactly pleasant, I’ve heard. But since you took me in, I might as well do something for you.”

Aed had let his guard down at dinner. There he was again speaking as if the creatures from folk tales were real.

It would be nice if he could send Marcas to just go out into the ocean and record everything he needed but such a scenario was so far fetched. Still, something tugged at his mind. Marcas seemed so willing to do it. Why not let him?

“Fine. I’ll accept your offer.”

“Nice working with you then, Mr. Aed,” the long-haired teen smirked and held out a hand. Aed matched the other’s expression as he reached out to shake.

“Before we decide on anything else, I do have one question, Marcas, ” green eyes flashed with curiosity as the redhead continued, “why did you cover up your ‘selkie’ story around my parents?”

“I was taught to never trust humans.” The younger crouched down and pulled something out from under Aed’s desk. His sealskin Aed remembered as the other draped it around himself, “but...you’re a strange guy. You called me, yet express no interest in stealing this, so my secret’s safe with you. Besides you saw me come out of the sea and all, so how could I lie about that to you?”

Earlier seemed like ages ago. His failure and tears. The body slamming into him from out of the sea. Seafoam curling around a lithe form- No. His imagination was running wild.

“I know the truth. You just washed up on the beach. From...somewhere!”

“...Yep. My secret’s safe with you.”

---

Previous

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[obsessedwithereri-nz]

Stone Cold Chapter 4 (FULL)

Levi x Eren

Summary:  Ever since Levi was a pre-teen, he knew he’d have to marry her, otherwise he’d have to answer to his abusive uncle which never turned out well for Levi’s wellbeing. But after meeting a certain singer at his favorite bar, he knew he was in deep, deep shit.

Warnings: None

Follow the #stonecoldfic to find previous chapters. Enjoy!

Goddamnit. If Levi knew he was about to run two and a half miles in the snow, he would’ve worn better fucking shoes. It’s only been a couple of minutes since abandoning Baby in the driveway and he’s almost eaten the pavement five times.

But did he care? Not in the slightest. He would much rather have his front teeth violently ripped out than lose the one thing that has brought him true happiness. No matter what it takes, Levi is going to find him. He’s going to tell him how much he fucked up and how much he means to him.

Of course, he didn’t expect to be forgiven or even spoken to because, honestly, he doesn’t deserve his forgiveness. But he needs it.

All he can do is try. If he doesn’t try, he’ll live the rest of his life depressed, alone and filled with regret. Not that he’ll have much longer to live anyway when he gets a hold of him. When that asshole finds out what happened, and he will, he’s as good as dead.

“Stop it, Levi,” he mutters to himself. If he starts thinking that way, then he will definitely lose him for good. He is the reason Levi’s fought so fucking hard, he is his reason for living.

There’s no way in hell he’s dying before he can tell him that to his face.

-----

“Hey there, stranger.”

There’s no doubt about it. It’s him. Even though they only spoke for a few minutes, he knows that voice. Levi tries to respond, knowing exactly what he wants to say, but he physically can’t form the words.

“Um… You still there?” His sweet voice floods Levi’s ear. The words don’t register in Levi’s mind at first, he just enjoys the sound for a moment. Then when his brain does process the fact that he hasn’t said a word, or even made a single noise since EJ answered his call, he immediately blurts out a response.

“Yes, yup, I’m here.” Levi mentally and physically facepalms himself for being so weird and embarrassing.

“Oh, good. I was worried this was a butt dial.” The brat laughs through the phone. A butt dial… Yeah, as if Levi hadn’t just spent the last 12 hours debating whether or not to call this damn number.

“Uh, nope. Not- not a butt dial.”

“Well, I’m glad. It would be pretty weird if the cute guy you gave your number to miraculously butt dialed your exact phone number.”

Cheeky shit, calling Levi cute. No one except Petra had ever called him cute, and he’s fucking glad. A grown ass man who works for a premium furniture company is not cute. But why on Earth is he blushing like a 13-year-old girl when he says it!?

After a moment of silence, the singer speaks again.

“Ah, sorry. That was, uh, a little much. I’m sorry.”

“N-no, you’re fine,” Levi stands from his spot on the bed and rubs the back of his neck with his free hand. “How, um, how did you know it was me calling you?”

“Well, I haven’t given my number out to anybody else recently, and when I saw it wasn’t a private number I assumed it wasn’t someone trying to sell me something. Call it an educated guess.” He could practically hear this brat’s smile through the phone.

“Right. That makes sense, I guess.”

“Hey, um, I’m actually really glad you called me.”

“Oh yeah? A-and why’s that?” Levi feels his stomach sink, suddenly very nervous.

“Yeah,” EJ drags the word out as if thinking of what to say next. “What are you doing on Thursday?” He blurts out.

Levi freezes mid-pace. Shit , he knew it. This was a bad fucking idea.

“I’m working.”

“Okay,” he drags the word out again. “What about after work?” Goddamnit, kid.

“I, um, I-I have plans.”

“Look, I know this may be a little forward of me,” Oh no. “And I don’t normally do this kinda thing, but I really enjoyed talking to you last night and wanted to, y’know, hang out. I understand if you don’t want to though, I can be pretty annoying somet-”

“No-”

Levi. He thinks to himself.

“You’re not annoying.”

Levi, stop.

“In all honesty,”

Hang up the phone.

“This has never happened before so-”

Seriously. Stop. Talking.

“I-I was just caught a little off guard, I suppose.”

Hang up the damn phone, Ackerman!

“I just don’t really know what to say right now.”

“Well,” the singer speaks up. “The only advice I can give you is to say what you want to say. Whatever your heart is telling you, just say that.” And just like that, the booming voice inside Levi’s head goes silent.

His heart… You mean his cold, dead one? Yeah, it’s saying nothing, hasn’t for years.

“Nothing.”

“Huh?”

“I’m not doing anything after work on Thursday.” Woah, where did that coming from?

“Oh, really? I thought you had ‘plans’” the singer’s voice is oozing with sarcasm and Levi lets a small laugh slip.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“Can’t say I’m upset by that. So, I’m performing at The Library again on Thursday night at seven, if you want to have a drink with me before then? Let’s say at six?”

“Tsk, are you even old enough to drink, brat?” Levi’s eyes widen at what just came out of his mouth. Well done, Levi. There goes your one chance to have an actual friend. Laughing sounds through the phone, and his cheeks warm at the sound. How can a laugh sound so adorable to somebody whose heart is supposed to be stone cold?

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” EJ says coming down from his fit of laughter. “And I’m taking that as a yes you’ll have a drink with me?”

“I’ll see you at six, you damn brat.” With that, Levi hangs up.

Without realizing it, Levi has a smile on his face. It’s not as big as Hanji’s; no one's smile could ever compete with her creepy ass smile, but it’s big nonetheless. He even bites his lower lip to try to contain how elated he’s feeling.

However, when he does realize what his heart is making his mouth do, he snaps himself out of it by slapping his cheeks a few times.

This is a bad fucking idea. Levi thinks to himself. Getting drinks with… With…

“Shit!” he says under his breath when he realizes he never got the damn brat’s name. He goes to call him again but stops right before selecting his number. Levi doesn’t want to seem clingy like he can’t wait a couple more days before finding out his name.

Thinking about saving his number as a contact in his phone, he goes against it since his number is technically saved under his recent calls and, on that note, scrunches up the piece of paper with EJ’s number on it one final time, and throws it in the trash.

Over the next two days, everything happened the way it always did. When he returned to work on Wednesday morning, the Ral’s didn’t even give him a passing glance, despite being told he had a vomiting bug the day before; so, the usual. He got on with his job, being doubly careful not to ‘mess up’ any orders for these prestigious fucks ordering ridiculously expensive furniture that is truly not worth the investment.

Although, he normally didn’t care an awful lot if he fucked up an order because he is a mindless machine at the office. He didn’t need to give his work his 100% because he’s done it for so many years, it’s actually become extremely difficult for him to fuck up.

However, there was something that was happening to Levi that’d he’d never experienced before. There was only one thing his mind would focus on; seeing EJ again. Whenever he thinks about seeing those eyes or hearing his voice again, butterflies erupt inside his stomach almost making him feel physically sick from nervousness, meaning Levi actually has to try while at work.

Nobody can find out about the brat, people will start asking questions and get him involved… He’s probably shooting himself in the foot, but he can’t help but feel a little excited to have his own little secret, while also feeling absolutely terrified.

He had spoken with Petra Thursday morning telling her he’d be going to the bar after work to have some alone time, which wasn’t unusual for him. So, instead of driving in together which they normally do most days, she took her car and Levi took his.

Levi also decided to wear his favorite suit, knowing it highlighted his musculature in all the best ways. The only downside, it’s Petra favorite also. The only excuse he could come up with for wearing it to the office was that he was in a good mood and felt like dressing up, which wasn’t entirely a lie.

The day goes by without any noticeable incidents and at four o’clock, Petra comes by Levi’s office. They both usually finish work together, but when Levi goes to the bar after work, he stays for an extra hour or so to get shit done and out of the way, then goes to drown his sorrows.

“Hey,” she says as she knocks on his door.

“Hey,” he sighs as he looks up towards her. “You heading off?”

“Yeah. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. I know my parents are still giving you a hard time.”

“It’s fine, Petra,” Levi purposefully returns his gaze down towards his desk. “You’re mother actually came and apologized to me today.” No she didn’t. He’s only saying that to get her to calm down and drop the topic.

“She did? Oh, that’s great! I’m so glad they realized they were acting horribly.” She has a large smile on her face. Good. Now he hopes she doesn’t go thanking her mother for something she didn’t actually do.

“Yeah, everything’s fine now.” Yet another lie.

“Good.” She sighs in relief as she walks over to give him a hug from behind, wrapping her arms lightly around his neck and shoulders. “What time do you think you will be home?”

“I’m not too sure,” Levi answers honestly, for once. He turns his head to face her. “I’ll let you know, okay?” Petra raises her eyebrows and smirks.

“Will you really?”

“I’ll have my phone in hand the whole time. I promise.” He hates using that word, but he knows if he didn’t, she’d be calling and texting like she did on Monday night.

“Okay,” the couple share a kiss. A pair of green eyes flashes into Levi’s mind. Of course he starts thinking about that brat while he’s kissing his girlfriend, but he can’t help it. He begins to kiss Petra back with a little more passion than he usually does as he continues to think about EJ. After a moment, Levi snaps back to reality and pulls away, clearing his throat.

“I’ll, uh, let you know if I’ll be later than eight, okay?” She nods in agreement and plants one last kiss on Levi’s lips.

“You really do look good in that suit, y’know.” She flirtatiously winks and waves to her boyfriend as she leaves his office.

Once out of eyesight, Levi groans and lets his head drop into his hands. He doesn’t even know the brat’s fucking name yet and this is what he’s doing to him? Maybe this really is a bad idea. He should call him and tell him he has to cancel.

Say what you want to say. Whatever your heart is telling you, just say that.

His hand that was reaching for his phone immediately freezes in place as he hears a familiar voice in his head. Right, his heart. Levi keeps forgetting about his heart. It’s always either been silent or completely drowned out by his mind convincing him what the right move is to avoid trouble.

Damn it, this was so much easier for Levi when he didn’t feel anything at all.

Five o’clock finally rolls around and it’s almost time for Levi to leave the office to meet with EJ. Heart racing and butterflies reeking havoc, he finishes up the last of his paperwork for the day. He decided he was going to meet up with EJ, but only for the hour before his performance, that’s it. He’ll go, have a drink, find out that what he’s feeling is all in his head and a load of bullshit, then go home to his girlfriend.

“Oi, Levi.” A feminine voice sounds from the doorway to his office just as Levi stands up to leave for The Library. He looks up to see Mrs. Ral approaching his desk, holding a large stack of papers in her hands. “It’s good you’re working late because you’re going to redo all this paperwork.”

The stack of papers smack down onto his desk, some coming away from the pile and slowly drifting onto the floor.

“What?” Levi asks, irritated because he knows exactly what she’s doing.

Even though there is absolutely nothing wrong with his paperwork, she still gets him to do it all over from scratch because his handwriting is too ‘messy’, or he spelled a customer’s name ‘wrong’, or one of the papers has a bent corner. No one cares about a bent corner. He can’t use white out because it looks ‘messy’ and ‘unprofessional’. And his handwriting must be in cursive because it shows ‘elegance’.

What. A load. Of bullshit. Levi wishes he could give this vile woman a piece of his mind but, once again, he knows what will happen to him if he does. Sometimes he thinks it’d be totally worth it; realistically, however, it wouldn’t be in the long run.

“Don’t ‘what’ me. You know exactly what’s wrong with these.” Levi doesn’t give her the satisfaction of a response, so he stays quiet and stares at her. “For the love of God, you really are as stupid as you look, insolent child. Look,” she snatches a piece of paper from the pile and slams it down in front of Levi.

“I don’t see anything wrong with this, madam,” Levi spits out that final word without looking down at the form.

“You are asking for a smack, boy. You used black ink when you’re supposed to use blue. We’ve made it very clear that all paperwork must be filled out using blue ink.”

You have got to be kidding me. That’s what this senile old hag is upset about this time? The fucking color of ink!?

“Mmm, so it is,” Levi responds through his teeth, still having not looked at the form in front of him. “My apologies, madam. I’ll get right on it.”

“What my daughter sees in you, I’ll never understand.” Her vulgar tone could be picked up by even the most anti-social and oblivious individual. “ Street rat .” How the two of them haven’t ripped out each other’s throats yet, most people have no clue.

Shooting daggers directly into the back of her head, as if playing a fun game of darts, Levi angrily begins to re-write all 56 pages worth of bullshit paperwork. He meticulously gets through about 10 pages before checking the time.

5:39 pm. Knowing it takes at least 20 minutes to get to The Library from the headquarters, he bolts up out of his office chair, shoves the ‘poorly’ filled out paperwork and his laptop into his briefcase, and sprints out the door.

[ben243s-transformation-stories]

Was it only a dream? (Dark ending)

When one dreams, strange things can go through your mind. Fantastic things. The events I am about to relate came to me while I was sleeping a few nights ago, so bear with me if they seem strange. Are they just a dream, or a glance into a future that is yet to come? Only time will tell. Several elections ago, a very charismatic man appeared from nowhere. People were tired of politics as usual, and he managed to draw in quite a coalition of people from all ends of the political spectrum. He didn’t run as a Republican, or a Democrat. He started his own party. No one would have thought it was possible, but somehow he managed not just to garner enough votes to win the election, but he won in a landslide. His election took all of the elites in Washington and all the pundits by surprise. No one had even given him the slightest chance of winning against the two entrenched parties. It wasn’t long after he took office and gave a few speeches that he managed to convert a vast majority of congressmen to his side. Most even joined his party. Through what appeared at the time as a series of coincidences, he managed to appoint a large majority of judges to the Supreme Court. Something odd was definitely going on, but the new President would give a speech, and everyone would fall under his sway and forget what they had been so concerned about. Soon he was the most popular president ever in the history of the country. Everything seemed great at first. Using his charisma he managed to broker deals other presidents could only dream of. The economy was booming, unemployment was the lowest it had ever been, and peace had started to break out all over the world. Countries that most would have sworn could never get along were now fast friends. People began to let their guard down. This was exactly the opportunity He was waiting for. He quickly and quietly began to pass laws. Some allowed him to bypass congress and issue whatever edicts he wanted. Others made him President for life. Any objections were quickly struck down thanks to his control of the supreme courts, congress, and most of the state legislatures. Some people were more resistant to the Presidents charms, and tried to sound an alarm, but they went unheeded. Soon he had established what could easily be called a police state, though most people were happy and there was little need for actual police. While most parts of the population faired well under the new regime, there was one population that ostracized and made into an enemy. This was the LGBT community. In what was an amazing turn of events, a community that had gathered wide spread acceptance with most of the population was quickly and efficiently turned into a boogeyman. They had to be removed for the good of the whole. They were stripped of all their possessions and rights and forced to live in communities were they were treated like they were nothing more than animals. These communities were set up all over the country.  There were separate ones for gays, lesbians, transgenders, and any other groups considered deviants by the state. While the communities were fairly nicely appointed with everything the residents would need, they were obviously intended to be warehouses. Once a person entered the camp, they would never return to the outside world. The residents of the camp were made to remain naked at all times. They had all of their personal items confiscated, and lived in comfortable but sterile rooms. They received quality food and medical care. They were treated with the respect one would give a beloved pet. Most even had access to community centers with Movies and video arcades. Life in these communities was generally unremarkable. Most people spent their days going about their business, resigned to their fate. There was an adjustment period for new arrivals, but they quickly got used to their new lives. Younger residents were kept segregated from the older ones until they turned 18, and graduated from high school. A basic education was deemed important, but that was as far as they went. I am a resident of one of the Gay camps in the Washington area. I graduated from the high school recently, and have just been moved into my place with the adult residents. While they have been getting more efficient, I wasn’t identified as gay until I was about to start at a regular high school. Most people knew what happened to the people found to be gay, and didn’t want that to happen to them. I had met another boy like me at summer camp, and we had developed quite a relationship. About a week before we were supposed to start high school, we had been a little careless, and left the door to my room unlocked while we were making out. My mother came home and found us in a passionate embrace. She ran from the room crying. I wasn’t quite sure what to do next. She wouldn’t talk to me about it, and kept blaming herself. The next day, A van pulled up into our driveway, and a group of men came into the house. My mother told them where I was, and they barged into my room and drug me out to the van, and took me to the closest camp. I couldn’t believe my own mother would turn me in. I don’t know if she managed to identify my friend or not, but I hoped he managed to avoid being caught. I was processed and released into the juvenile section of the camp. I was surprised at how young some of the residents were. I wouldn’t have thought they could even tell what their sexuality would be at that age. Anyway, it took me a few months before I got used to the forced nudity, and seeing the other kids that way. It took even longer for me to get over the betrayal I felt from my mother. I did okay in school, but I’m sure that I would have done better in the outside world. We were carefully monitored, so there was no chance of us having any sort of relationship while we were in the juvenile section. We were kept so busy with school and other mandatory activities that I don’t think I would have had the energy had we been able. Still I made a few good friends in my classes. The adult section was much more free and open than the Kids section. We were allowed to interact with each other in any ways we saw fit. There were a few guards to keep the peace, but we were mostly on our own. I settled into my new room, which didn’t take long, as I had no clothes or possessions, and there wasn’t much more than a bed, a desk, a couple of chairs, and a TV on the wall. The TV served as our entertainment and news source. There was a pull out keyboard that we could use to browse the web, but we couldn’t send any email outside the camp, and were similarly limited with social media. The camp essentially was our world. After flipping through the channels, Surprisingly we got quite a few, I didn’t find anything interesting, so I decided to walk around a get familiar with the area. I quickly found the dining areas. They were set up more like restaurants than the cafeteria style ones in the kids’ section. It was around lunchtime, so I grabbed a quick meal before I continued my explorations. I spent most of the day walking around taking in the sights. The people seemed friendly enough, nodding and saying “Hi” as we passed by, but none seemed interested in starting a conversation. I finally managed to find some of my friends rooms, and we spent the rest of the afternoon talking, and went out to dinner the next evening. Most of my days went along the same lines. We would wonder around and try and find ways to pass the time. You would think not having to worry about a job would be great, but its really not. The days would drag on and on. Before long my friends and I would run out of things to talk about. Now I know why the others were the way they were, it was easier just to tune out before the boredom caused you to go crazy. The weeks stretched into months. It was mind numbing. I started looking for anyway to get out of the facility, but soon discovered there were none. Besides, they were always located a good distance from the “normal” people. How far would I get with no supplies? Every once in a while there would be an opportunity to sign up for a research project. While research on humans had been banned long ago, since we weren’t considered human anymore, we were the perfect choice. We were still required to be treated humanely, and the projects had to go through a rigorous review process before they could even be considered. I passed up most, as they sounded like they would be painful, and I wasn’t interested in being a pin cushion. One day I got a notification that a new project had been added. Since I had nothing better to do, I decided to check it out. I read through the proposal and something caught my eye. It was a program for behavior modification. They wanted to see if they could remove or modify unwanted traits or something like that. As a child I had come to accept being Gay as part of me, and gotten used to it, but since I have been stuck here, I have come to see it as a curse, and I wouldn’t mind a chance to get rid of that part of me. I signed up right away as slots filled quickly. I should have read a little more. Buried in the fine print it explained that this was not to remove traits, but to add new ones. I spent the rest of the week in anticipation of the project, hoping it would make me “normal”, not that there was anything wrong with me now in my eyes. Maybe it would give me a chance to return to the normal world. I could see the rest of my friends and family again. Yes, even my Mother. It had taken a while, but I finally forgave her. When Monday rolled around, I ate a nice breakfast, and made my way to the building where the project was to take place. I arrived a little early and found a few other men standing around waiting. We exchanged pleasantries, the stood in complete silence. After a few minuets, we were led inside and told to find a seat. As we entered the room we were each given an injection. I’m not sure what it was, but it gave me a nice warm and secure feeling all over. Once everyone had found a seat, a man in a white lab coat came onto the stage. He introduced himself as Dr. Stephenson. He started to explain what the experiment would entail, but I found it hard to concentrate. I looked around and saw that the others in the room were starting to space out as well. Must have been the result of the shot. After some time had passed, I’m not sure I can accurately judge anymore, we were escorted to separate rooms. Once there I was placed in a seat and strapped in. I was facing a large screen. A technician entered the room, and activated the screen and jabbed me with a syringe, injecting me with a second substance. I don’t know what it was, but it was a nice green color. As it took effect, the tech started a video and quickly left the room. The next thing I knew, several hours had passed. The tech returned to the room. He attached a device around my neck that would monitor me and track me. I caught a glimpse of myself in the TV, and couldn’t help but think it looked like a dog collar. How odd. It was late in the evening when we were allowed to return to our rooms or the night. I didn’t feel any different. I got a few interested stares when people noticed my “collar” but no one would dare say anything. I grabbed a quick meal and headed to bed. As I dreamt, I saw myself free and running around in a large field. I would often stop and smell things. I had a sense of freedom and contentment that I had never felt before. If I could have seen myself while I slept, I would have seen my legs and arms flailing about like I was running on all fours. Little did I know, that the screens in each room had a camera, and the techs were watching me as I slept. They were pleased with the results. The next morning, I returned to the lab for my second treatment. This time everything was the same except the injection was blue. I don’t know what that meant, but no one would tell me. Didn’t want to influence the experiment.  Again, I apparently watched some kind of video while I was under the drugs influence. After I was released from the second treatment, I started to walk home. I noticed that it was particularly warm, so I started to pant in an effort to cool myself. I had walked quite a distance before I realized what I was doing. I quickly stopped and hoped no one had seen me. I had a similar dream that night. I was running free, sniffing things, this time I was walking on all fours. It seemed so natural to me. I didn’t remember much about it when I woke up, but it left me with a great feeling. When I got to the next treatment, I was given a quick questionnaire before the treatment. I wasn’t sure what the questions meant, but I’m sure they were to give some idea of how the treatments were working. This time the injection was red. It seemed to work faster than the others. Again, I was subjected to a video. Little did I know that some additional suggestions were being fed into the room by the techs. My mind soaked them all in, making them apart of me. When I was released, I had to struggle to walk up right. I kept dropping down onto all fours. I would often find that I started panting also. It took everything I could muster to get home without looking like I was crazy. Once I was back in my room, I dropped to all fours, and couldn’t get up for the rest of the night. My dreams were much more vivid. I started to see myself as a full dog. It was a wonderful feeling. It felt like I should have been this way all the time. It seemed like all my cares were erased as I chased squirrels and barked. When I woke up the next morning, I wasn’t sure I liked what was happening. I didn’t want to be turned into a dog. This isn’t what I expected at all. I resolved not to go any further with this test until someone explained to me what was going on. That was the plan anyway. But I found myself compelled to return for more treatments. No matter how much I tried to resist, I found myself back at the lab each morning. Over the next few days I was given a different injection, first red, than orange, than finally yellow. I found myself taking on more and more dog related traits after each treatment.  By the end of the week, I was being kept in what could only be called a dog run in the facility. I was no longer able to function as a human, and needed round the clock supervision. The techs took careful notes and seemed pleased with my progress. I tried to yell at them, and tell them this isn’t what I signed up for, but all that came out were barks. The best I could tell, I was still me inside. I felt exactly the same as I had before the process. I still liked all the same things, but the human speech just wasn’t there. Walking on all fours seemed natural. I had an overwhelming urge to obey the techs and Doctor. No matter how human I tried to be, I found it difficult to express myself as anything other than a dog. Over the course of the next week, I was watched around the clock to see how well the conditioning had taken. I found myself thinking and acting more like the dog I was becoming. I was in danger of losing myself completely. By the end of the second week, my human mind and personality were almost completely submerged. I was behaviorally no different than any other normal dog. The doctor was heralded for his great success and even won a few awards. I was paraded around at various speeches. Much to my dismay, I wasn’t able to understand much of what was said- except when I was given a command. At that point I found myself instantly obeying. After the tour was over, I was allowed to visit with my parents and family. I’m not sure how they felt about their son becoming a dog, but I very much got the feeling that they considered this better than being a gay man. That realization made me sad. And was like a punch in the gut. We spent the rest of the day playing. I tried to stay angry with them, but I couldn’t. Every time they would throw a ball or give me a command, the dog mind would kick in and I would completely consumed with the task at hand. I soon found out they had made arrangements to adopt me as their pet. I was given an exam and the needed shots. I was also injected with a microchip identifying me as their pet. As the tags were attached to the collar, a little more of the human me died, but I was happy to be with my family again. Even if it had to be as the family pet. Over the course of the next few years, the dog became the prominent part of my personality. I almost never thought of myself as human anymore. I was nothing more than their dog. It seemed like everyone was happier that way, so I didn’t resist as my mind started to slide. One morning, a van pulled up outside our home. It was Dr. Stephenson. He spent several hours talking to my family. I couldn’t tell what he was saying, but I know it was about me, as they kept looking over at me as they talked. Once they were done, my parents had clearly agreed to something. A leash was clipped to my collar and I was led away. After a short trip in the van, I was led into a waiting room. There I was injected with a sedative. When I woke up, I found myself in what looked like a surgical theater. I tried to get up but couldn’t. My movements must have alerted the nurses, as one soon entered the room. He undid a few straps and lifted me off the bed onto the floor. As the drugs continued to wear off, I noticed that my whole body felt different. I was standing on my toes, rather than my hands and knees, and I could see something extending from my face into my field of view. I wasn’t prepared for the shock as a mirror was wheeled in front of me. I was no longer human. I had somehow been transformed into a dog in body as well as in mind. As best as I could tell I was now a golden retriever. Something in me was excited by this, and my tail started wagging. My tail? Yep. I couldn’t believe it, but I had a tail, a muzzle, paws, the works. As far as I could tell I was indistinguishable from a natural dog. I opened my mouth and started panting. The doctor came in and ruffled my fur. He praised me. I felt wonderful. Waves of pleasure went through my body. I knew this was the way I was meant to be. Being human was all a mistake. After a thorough check up to make sure there were no complications, I returned home to my family, who were all happy to see me. I spent the rest of my life as their faithful pet. I was happy to finally be accepted. Even my mom seemed happy with me now. This wasn’t exactly what I had planned when I had signed the form so long ago, but I had to admit that I was happy with how it had turned out. My humanity was a small price to pay for my freedom. I was home with my family again and loved. What more could anyone want.

[hopewritcs]

dancing in the kitchen. four.

pairing: romantic steve x reader, familial dustin x reader

word count: 2.3k 

summary: without giving too much away: the reader is Y/N Henderson, Dustin’s older cousin who’s staying in town, due to some family issues. takes place soon after s2.

note: here’s chapter four! sorry for the long wait between chapters. i had finals and then i came home and started work and retail work during the holiday season is hell so i’ve been busy busy busy. and i’m leaving for england on the first so i’ll be gone again, but soon after my schedule will even out so i’ll have more time to write!! 

other chapters: masterlist

tag list: @stevieboyharrington, @lola-winston-harrington, @fuckthatfeeling​,@thekidsofneibolt, @labgeek, @tyedyedstars, @samisimportant, @madhatterweasley, @pity-mee, @l4life (if you wanna be added to the tag list, let me know!!)

Y/N had spent the whole ride obsessing over Dustin’s comment. She couldn’t even look at Steve. No one except Nancy even knew that Y/N had ever thought about Steve Harrington. So, why had the comment shocked her so much? Dustin and Lucas’ voices took over the sounds as they drove toward the Sinclair house. Steve would throw in a comment, but other than that, he kept quiet. And then there was Y/N, who was was doing her best to stare out the window, faking a yawn after a few minutes of silence just so she wouldn’t have to talk. 

Steve had been thrown off by Dustin’s comment, but had decided it best not to say anything to rebuff it or agree with him. Mostly because he wasn’t exactly sure which he would say as a rebuff to Dustin. Besides, Dustin was just mad about losing the front seat, so he hadn’t actually meant it. No reason for Steve to comment...right? 

Except Steve had noticed how quiet Y/N got after Dustin’s words. She was staring out the side window and hadn’t even said a word, except yawning when Dustin asked her a question. It worried him. Maybe Dustin’s comment got to her? But, Steve couldn’t understand how. The comment had flustered him too, caught him off guard, but he was still standing. He was still engaging in the conversation. What was up with Y/N? Why was she so rattled by the comment? 

He pulled up to the Sinclair house, and Y/N shuffled out of the car to help Lucas to the front door, despite protests from the boy that he could walk to the door himself. Y/N had politely told him that it wasn’t the right thing to do, “You never let your friends walk to their door alone. Or, at the very least, you never leave until you make sure they’re safe inside their own home.” Y/N pointed out, sounding very motherly and authoritative with the comment. Then she shuffled to his aide in getting the bicycle out of the back. She put her arm around his shoulder as she walked to the front door with Lucas, his bike in tow at his side. Y/N waited by the door until Mrs. Sinclair opened it, and then Y/N said her goodbyes to Lucas and gave Mrs. Sinclair a wave as she went back to the car. Dustin shouted his goodbyes from the open window of the car and Steve just waved. 

Y/N made Steve wait to move the car until the front door to the Sinclair home closed. As they pulled away from the house, Dustin had scooted over to sit behind Steve’s seat, glancing over at Y/N. “When did mom say she’d be home?”

Y/N knew she couldn’t avoid conversation any longer, what with Lucas out of the car. But she hadn’t expected Dustin to jump right in and ask her a question. “Very late. She said she’d see us when we woke up.” Y/N smiled as she glanced at Dustin. 

“Can you make pancakes again, Y/N? Yours are way better than mom’s.” Dustin asked, then shook his head. “Wait...don’t tell her I said that.” 

Y/N giggled, “I won’t tell her. But I don’t know, we’ll have to see if Aunt Claudia is going to be making something. Besides, don’t you think you’ll get tired of pancakes if I keep making them?” 

Dustin rolled his eyes, as if it was crazy what she was suggesting. “They’re pancakes! Who could get bored of pancakes?”

His comment made Y/N and Steve burst out into laughter as they rounded into the driveway of the Henderson home. Steve parked in the driveway and watched as Y/N and Dustin got out of the car. Dustin shouted goodbye and grabbed the keys to the house from Y/N’s hand before running up to the door. Y/N had turned to watch Dustin run past her, then she knocked on the window of Steve’s car. 

Steve rolled down the window and looked at her curiously, “What’s up?” 

Y/N just shrugged, crossing her arms to keep herself warm in the cool, night air, “I was wondering if you were gonna come in. Figured if your parents are away as much as mine are maybe you wouldn’t want to go home in case there’s no one there. I don’t think anyone likes an empty house.” 

Steve just smiled at her and shook his head. “Thanks, but I think I’ll go and sleep in my own bed for the night. Goodnight, Y/N.” 

“Goodnight Steve.” Y/N smiled and backed away from the car, heading to the front door. She stopped when she got there and turned back, waving to Steve before she closed the door. 

Before she knew it, it was Monday morning, and Y/N was heading off to school. She’d been on the phone with Nancy the night before, rambling on and on about how the school was. 

What were the people like? 

What should she wear? 

What were the teachers like? 

Would it be easy to make friends? 

Did she need to do a sport or cheerleading like at her old school?

Would she have classes with Nancy or Jonathan? 

Were there any good clubs? 

What should she wear? 

They didn’t hang up the phone until Aunt Claudia yelled at Y/N to go to bed at 9:45--and even then Y/N and Nancy spoke for another few minutes. Nancy attempting to calm Y/N’s worries and Y/N making sure that Nancy would be there tomorrow so she would have a friend. Nancy had only laughed and promised that she, Jonathan, and Steve would be there for her first day to show her around. 

That night, Y/N was restless. She’d done the new girl at a new school gig many times, but this time it was different. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to think. And it didn’t help that she woke up at 6:30 to Dustin banging on her door and telling her Steve was going to drive them to school. 

Y/N yawned, rubbing her eyes as she got out of bed. She was less stressed about going to school now that the day was here. No need to be stressed when she was going to have to put on a brave face anyway and walk through those doors, right? ...She was still stressed. But, Y/N wouldn’t admit it. Y/N would much rather try to convince herself that everything would be fine. And, well, freak out later on. 

She brushed her hair and got dressed in the clothes she and Nancy had decided on the night before. Y/N wore a jean jacket and a red long sleeve dress as well as a pair of boots. She checked herself over in her mirror, fixing a few strands of hair before heading downstairs to greet her Aunt and cousin at the kitchen table, breakfast waiting for her. 

Y/N poured herself some coffee from the pot her Aunt had made, and then helped herself to a little bit of breakfast in front of her. She stayed quiet at breakfast, letting her Aunt and Dustin fill the conversation. Y/N just mumbled a few answers to questions that were posed to her, mumbling something about how she hadn’t slept well. The pair only nodded and continued their own conversation, allowing Y/N some time to think. 

Y/N busied herself with clearing the dishes from breakfast and cleaning them herself before their ride to school came. Honestly, she hadn’t even thought about what it would be like to see Steve. 

She hadn’t thought about her childhood crush on the boy since the last time she was in Hawkins. In fact, she couldn’t believe she never put two and two together that the little boy Steve she’d had a crush on was who Nancy had mentioned a couple of times in passing. 

The boy she claimed as her first crush, the one sided puppy love she’d been enamored with as a pre-teen was the same boy who was her friend’s ex-boyfriend and her cousin’s new friend. Not that she’d ever told anyone of her crush, other than Nancy. 

Besides, she was over it. Y/N was definitely over it. 

Definitely.

Y/N had long finished the dishes, holding the still dry plate in one hand and the drying rag in another. She was looking out the window absentmindedly as the familiar car pulled up the driveway. Before Y/N even registered it, Dustin was excitedly running out the door to greet Steve. Y/N put the plate in the cabinet, grabbed her backpack, and kissed her Aunt’s cheek as she walked out the door. 

Dustin had claimed his spot in the front seat and rather than start off the morning with an argument, Y/N claimed the back. “Good morning.” she greeted with a smile, settling her backpack onto the floor by her feet. 

“Morning, Y/N.” Steve said, turning back to look at her as he began driving them to school. “Ready for your first day?” 

Before Y/N could even answer, Dustin was talking over her, “Oh, she was on the phone with Nance all night long. She’s worried about everything. I’m pretty sure she asked Nancy What should I wear? What should I wear? What should I do with my hair? At least twenty times.” Dustin said, doing his best imitation of Y/N’s voice. 

“Shut up Dustin!” Y/N groaned, kicking the back of his seat, leaning back and crossing her arms in a fit. “You were listening to that? Don’t you know it’s rude to eavesdrop!” 

“You were whining, Y/N. It was so loud I couldn’t help but listen to what you were saying.” 

Y/N scoffed, not answering. She couldn’t help but be embarrassed by what Dustin said, despite the fact it was true. She didn’t want anyone to know that she was as worried as she was. After a minute she said, “I don’t even sound like that.” 

“Yeah you do.” Dustin laughed, turning around to look at Y/N from the front seat. 

“Do not.”

“Do too!”

“Do not!” 

Another minute of the back and forth went on before Steve just rolled his eyes, turning the radio on in the hopes it would get the cousins to stop bickering. To his dismay, it didn’t and he had to listen to their argument the whole ride to Dustin’s school. Any time he tried to interject, he was cut off by both of them. It was more like they were siblings than cousins, and it made Steve happy to see that Dustin had someone like that in his life. Even though they were fighting, it was clear it was just teasing and nothing too serious. 

In fact, it made Steve wonder if Y/N knew what had happened in Hawkins in the past...two years. Had anyone told her? It was over now, so she didn’t have anything to worry about. But did she know? Would they tell her? Steve looked at Y/N in the rearview mirror. He couldn’t imagine someone like her, who seemed to care so much, wouldn’t have come the second she knew Dustin, or any of his friends, were in trouble. 

No one had told her. 

She had no idea what happened. That Will had gone missing. That Barb had died a horrific death. That there were monsters. People with powers. 

And his stomach was churning as he thought about that. But it wasn’t his place to say anything. He just made a note in the back of his mind to ask Nancy and Jonathan about it when they had a minute alone. Maybe even ask Dustin if he planned on telling her. 

Y/N and Dustin were arguing back and forth until Dustin stopped, seeing his friends outside the school. Probably waiting for him. He was unbuckled and out of the car before Steve could even say goodbye. Dustin called out over his shoulder that he’d see them after school, wishing, Y/N good luck on her first day. Y/N called back that she loved him, and to learn lots of things in school. Dustin rolled his eyes, but waved back, watching as she climbed into the front seat he’d been occupying. 

Steve and Y/N watched from the car as the younger teens greeted each other before walking into the school. When they were all inside, Steve started the car back up and they were on their way to school. Neither said a word. 

Y/N was suddenly feeling nervous again, the quiet unsettling her stomach. She didn’t have Dustin to argue with to distract herself, so there was nothing to do but worry about school and what might happen. Steve kept glancing at her, but he didn’t know what to say to her, so he kept quiet and just looked at her. 

When they parked, Y/N didn’t move to get out of the car. She stared ahead and looked at the school in front of her, taking in a few deep breaths as she toyed with the straps of her backpack. 

“You’ll do fine.” Steve said, turning to face her. A reassuring smile was on his face. Still, Y/N looked forward and not at Steve. “Seriously, it’s not going to be that bad. And if you need anything, I’m gonna be there too.” Y/N turned to look at him when he said that, catching his gaze as he smiled brightly at her. She still looked nervous in her eyes, but smiled a little at him as well. “Let’s go. We’ll meet Nance and Jonathan.” Steve nudged her as he grabbed his bag from the backseat and slid out of the car. 

It took Y/N another ten seconds of telling herself she would be fine before she got out of the car and walked next to Steve who was waiting for her by the car. He nudged her again, an attempt to make her smile. She did and shook her head, walking into the school. 

“You look nice by the way.” Steve said. When Y/N looked confused, he clarified. “The outfit. I think you made a good choice.” 

Steve jumped up the steps into school, taking them two at a time and meeting Nancy and Jonathan right inside the front door. Y/N followed behind him. 

Maybe today wouldn’t be so bad after all. 

[artificialqueens]

Mine and Yours - Shalaska - pureCAMP

A/N - i took a break from exam revision to bang out a short, sweet, silly oneshot for you!! hope you enjoy <3

Alaska didn’t remember how it had started. All she knew is that this meant war.

Okay. Perhaps that was a lie. She remembered exactly how it had started, and that only cemented the fact that this was a war she was committed to win. Yes, she remembered how it had all started. She couldn’t forget.

It was the night of the Christmas party, a week before they all broke up from work and got to retire into their homes to eat disgusting amounts of turkey and drink too much mulled wine. Alaska had been getting ready in the living room, having moved her makeup and mirror so that Sharon could get out of the shower and get ready in peace. A little while before she’d started to put makeup on, she’d heard the shower switch off and soft footsteps moving across the landing, so Alaska knew Sharon would be ready soon.

She’d been adding the final dusting of highlighter to the tops of her cheeks when it happened. In the mirror, she saw the living room door open and turned around to see Sharon smiling at her, watching her do the finishing touches on her face.

She looked stunning. Alaska looked her up and down appraisingly – she’d curled her fried, peroxide-blonde hair into soft looking waves, and her eyeshadow was a surprisingly pretty blend of festive reds and greens. Her eyes travelled downwards; she was wearing that beautiful heart locket Alaska had bought her for their two year anniversary, and –

Oh.

Alaska recognised that dress. It was white, shorter in the front and longer in the back, with ruching all the way down the front and a low neckline accompanied with long sleeves. Without a doubt it was one of Alaska’s favourites.

It was also Alaska’s dress.

Yet Sharon was wearing it, and she looked infuriatingly good in it. It hugged her hips tightly, clung to her waist, emphasised everything. Alaska’s jaw would’ve dropped had she not been so surprised.

“Is that my dress?” was her first reaction.

Sharon nodded, blinking innocently. “Yeah, do you mind? I really like it.”

Damn her. How could Alaska say no? She was drop-dead gorgeous in it, her slight extra curves filling out the spaces that Alaska’s naturally slender frame couldn’t, and it fit like a glove. Like a well made, beautiful, stolen satin glove.

“You look great, babe. How’s this eyeliner? Even?”

So Alaska said nothing. It wasn’t like she was mad. How could she be mad? Her girlfriend looked beautiful, whether the dress was Alaska’s or not, and Alaska wanted to rip it off her body for several different reasons. She wasn’t mad. A little bitter, maybe. But not mad.

Anyway. That had been how it had started.

-

But it didn’t end there. Maybe it was Alaska’s fault, maybe it wasn’t, but it was definitely Alaska’s fault for continuing it, despite the fact that Sharon had unwittingly started it. But Sharon was the beginner of it all, so Alaska continued to blame her.

Perhaps it was petty of her to carry out her revenge so soon. Did she really want to start the New Year like this? Yes, yes she did. She absolutely did, and no one was going to stop her.

“Hey pumpkin, have you seen my – ” Sharon’s words trailed off as she entered the kitchen, clutch purse held haphazardly underneath her armpit as she used her free hand to hold a bottle of champagne. “Ah. My jacket.”

Alaska smirked, wiggling her shoulders to show the item off. She knew it was one of Sharon’s favourites – a staple when she wasn’t at work – and Alaska would be lying if she didn’t adore it. She’d watched Sharon personalising it; she’d sewn on all the patches herself, hot glued the spikes to the shoulders, cut it to the length and style that she wanted it. The leather was comforting against Alaska’s bare skin… If she was honest, she’d admit that it reminded her of being a teenager, when she’d feel that very jacket pressed against her skin and taste the cigarettes and whiskey on Sharon’s breath. Not much had changed other than their age and financial status.

“You like?” Alaska teased.

Sharon raised an eyebrow and grinned. “I love. You look cute in it, it’s swallowing your tiny arms up.”

At first, Alaska thought her plan had failed, but then she saw it. That tiny glint in Sharon’s eye. The slight quirk of her eyebrow. The way she maintained steady, lidded eye contact. Her dry laugh.

It was game on.

-

All of a sudden, it was war. Alaska wasn’t sure whether she spent more time trying to guard her own wardrobe or trying to dig through Sharon’s equally guarded armoire. Either way, a fully-fledged battle with two opposing armies had been waged, and Alaska could not and would not allow Sharon to win. This was her game. Sharon had started it and Alaska was going to finish it.

They wore it all. The other’s shoes, jewellery, dresses, even a few of Sharon’s more expensive, less frequently-used lipsticks. Alaska revelled in every time she saw Sharon’s eyes narrow in silence, and cursed every time Sharon blew her a kiss whilst wearing something distinctly Alaska. There was no end in sight.

Sharon progressed it further. One Monday, the battle had slipped Alaska’s mind, and she didn’t have clue why Sharon might have been staring at her during the work day other than she thought Alaska looked nice. Her theory was proven correct at the time, when the patterned dress had been torn from her body along with Sharon’s and discarded somewhere unseen across the bedroom. Yet – of course – it had been one of Sharon’s sneak tactics, or at least an opportunity she’d had the smarts to take, and the very next morning, she turned up at work in the dress Alaska had worn the previous day.

Well, didn’t that get everyone talking.

All day, Katya kept jabbing Alaska in the arm, pointing at Sharon and cackling at inopportune moments. The Russian didn’t have a filter or an inside voice, and it had becoming increasingly clear throughout the day.

“I can’t believe she is wearing your dress. Bitch! Talk about workplace subtlety! Ladies and gentlemen, bringing to the stage, Workplace Subtlety! That fucking bitch! Oh my god. This is amazing.”

Katya rambled on and on. Alaska tried to tune her work friend out, but it was impossible not to hear the manic blonde firing off quips ranging from sweet to utterly crude. Better yet, Sharon overhead a few comments and made sure to wink, flirt or just plain kiss her cheek whenever she passed Alaska’s desk.

Nevertheless. Alaska was going to win.

She had one final plan to end all plans. Six months of a brutal clothes-stealing feud would come to an end forever, all thanks to Alaska’s ingenuity.

In all honesty, Alaska was quite excited.

She’d enlisted the help of Katya, as well as a few old friends she’d kept in touch with – Bianca who claimed she was in it for the cake, Courtney who had jumped at the idea, and Jinkx who had shrugged and tagged along. It was all perfectly set up and orchestrated, the clothes-swapping fight to end all fights. No matter how good Sharon looked in all her clothes, and no matter how nice it felt to wear something that smelled like Sharon, it was going to finish in the most spectacular of ways.

Now, all she had to do was wait.

She’d timed things perfectly. As usual, Sharon got home at six and headed straight for the shower, peeling the clothes and fake lashes off and letting the hot water clean away her makeup and any stress from the day. As soon as she was underneath the hot water, Alaska crept into the bathroom, taking Sharon’s clothes and beckoning her friends in to complete their jobs. Thankfully, with the stream of water running so loudly, Sharon didn’t hear a thing. As quickly as she could, Alaska scribbled a message on the mirror in lipstick – Sharon’s, no less – and ran from the room.

By the time she was done showering, her work clothes had been laid out in the garden, where Alaska was waiting. The washing hamper had been dragged out by Bianca. All of the wet clothes from the washing machine had been removed by Jinkx and strung up on the washing line. Everything from the dryer had been folded into warm, neat piles and stacked on top of the table, in which Katya was currently resting her head and mumbling about fabric softener.

During the day, whilst Sharon had been working, Alaska had taken the liberty of removing everything from both of their wardrobes, even ransacking the drawers for spare socks, bras, underwear, anything. It had been quite the sight for her friends to see everything they wore displayed out in the garden, once again neatly folded and stacked. However, for this to work, it needed to happen.

Sharon stepped out of the shower, her eyesight slightly blurry without her contacts or glasses to hand. She reached out for the towel on the radiator, wrapping the fluffy material around her body and making her way into the bedroom. Nothing appeared to be out of place, although she’d expected to see Alaska. Perhaps she was out getting groceries, or visiting her mom. It was weird of her not to leave a note, though.

After stumbling around to find her glasses, Sharon walked towards her wardrobe in search of something comfortable. Pyjamas, maybe. She wasn’t going anywhere, and she didn’t have nearly enough energy to be dressing nicely or to steal something of Alaska’s. That took too much effort. Only…

Sharon blinked. Once, twice.

Her wardrobe was empty.

Surely this was a joke. Was Alaska playing an elaborate prank? Had there been a burglary? Why was everything gone? Only hangers remained, swinging sadly from the force that Sharon had flicked through them. Nothing, not a single item was there.

“What the fuck…” She muttered, moving instead towards her chest of drawers. If she could at least find an old vest and some scrappy shorts, she’d be fine. She could get her own back on Alaska later, but for now…

Nothing. Empty.

“Goddammit Alaska!”

Ever persistent, Sharon kept looking. The washing machine was empty, stopped mid-load. The dryer had nothing in it. The ironing pile had vanished. Even everything of Alaska’s was gone. In essence, the house was devoid of clothes. The house was as naked as Sharon beneath her towel.

In a last ditch attempt, Sharon re-entered the bathroom. Of course, the washing basket was empty, but what caught her eye that had escaped her notice before was the lipstick on the mirror.

Come into the garden. Love you xxx

“Fucking witch.” Sharon cursed, shaking her head as an affectionate smile made its way onto her face. It was so typically Alaska to go over the top like this.

The grass tickled Sharon’s feet as she stepped out into the garden, but she didn’t pay any attention to the strange sensation. It looked as though the back garden had been transformed into an oddly open clothes store, with everything she owned strung up and displayed for the world – or in this case, the grinning faces of Katya, Jinkx, Courtney, Bianca and Alaska – to see. Instantly, she burst out laughing as Alaska walked forwards.

“I hate you so much. Why are they here? I have nothing to wear!” Sharon exclaimed.

Alaska giggled. “I told you to stop stealing my things!”

“You didn’t!” Sharon protested.

Alaska considered her. “Okay, I didn’t. But this war has gone on for long enough.”

She took hold of Sharon’s hands, idly playing with her fingers as she talked. “I’m ending it once and for all, which is why I came up with this elaborate scheme and got all our friends involved in it- are you serious?”

Sharon frowned at Alaska’s sudden change in tone. “What?”

“You’re wearing something of mine again?”

“Wait, what?” Sharon said, perplexed. “I’m literally wearing a towel. Nothing else. What are you talking about?”

“No,” Alaska said distractedly, gesturing. “Not the towel. Your finger. Are you serious?”

Sharon looked down at her hands in confusion. She wasn’t wearing anyt-

“Sharon. That’s my ring.”

Alaska’s serious facade melted away as she tried to cling onto it. For a few moments, Sharon was utterly breathless, staring at the piece of jewellery on her hand in a mixture of shock, awe and adoration.

“…Alaska?”

“Sharon!” Alaska tried, giggling as she attempted to bring back her acting. “I just bought that!”

“For you!” Katya piped up, instantly ducking down again as Alaska shot her a look.

Sharon’s heart thundered. She lifted her eyes to meet Alaska’s, noticing instantly that they were sparkling. A rosy blush had started to spread across her cheeks, the hint of a shy smile gracing the edge of her lips.

“I bought you this so you would stop stealing my things, and vice versa…” Alaska began, her smile growing. “Because, if you wear this ring… what’s mine is yours. What’s yours is mine.”

Bianca scoffed from behind a wet t-shirt. “You call that a proposal, queen? Get down and say the damn words already!”

Sharon burst into laughter, the sound betraying her choked-up voice and the tears glistening in her eyes. Without breaking eye contact, Alaska lowered herself to the ground and looked up at her girlfriend.

“Will you marry me?”

She didn’t need an answer. Alaska was practically pulled to her feet, eagerly meeting Sharon’s lips with the same excitement of her now-fiancée as they embraced. Behind all the clothes, a few weak cheers arose, mostly lead by Courtney who sounded as though she were in tears herself.

“I love you,” Sharon whispered, hardly able to find her voice.

“I love you too.” Alaska whispered back.

“Alaska?” Sharon added, waiting for Alaska’s acknowledgement before continuing. “I’m gonna steal your fucking wedding dress.”

[ionica01]

Karma and Manami moving in together

I've wanted to write this for a while but I don't have the time, so these are my headcanons. It's the first time I post drafts like these, so I hope you have fun! -it was easy?! Because they used to spend time together anyway?! And they slept at each other's houses and had things in both places so it was actually more conviniant to move in together -slepping together was a challenge tho -Okuda would be shy at first, even though she's super casual around karma but sleeping in the same bed? I mean yeah, they've done *that* before but still -she tries to for Karma's sake and so she lays in bed and he's there behind her and his breath is hot against her neck... You know what, she can't! She cannot do this. -so she's about to get up when Karma's hand twistes around her waist and his head finds a confortable place on the nape of her neck and he mutters: "are you afraid?" In a very very VERY dangerous tone that sends shivers down Manami's spine. She gulps and nods slightly, which makes Karma let out a small chuckle and get his hands off hers, turning to the other side (did she imagine or did he whisper "sorry"?!) -she feels guilty so she clenches her fist around the hem of his pyjama and puts a hand on his back. She's too busy matching her breaths with his, which helps her calm down and finally fall asleep, so she can't sense Karma shiver nor see a small blush (what, no! Of course Karma wasn't blushing what are you saying pshh) -he makes breakfast; actually, he cooks in general. She's just a disaster in the kitchen ("it's just like preparing a potion, Manami!" "No it's not, Karma! Don't insult chemistry") -she helps set the table and washes the dishes in return (tho they mostly end up doing that together because it gives Karma an excuse to "accidentally" touch her hands) -they always eat dinner together and chit-chat about their respective days. Manami always laughs at Karma's antics and asks him if he's sure he didn't pour wasabi in his boss' food at lunch. He always grudgingly denies (the temptation on his face tells Maanmi his answer will change soon though) -whenever one of them comes home later, the other runs to welcome them home. If it's Karma who's late, Manami hugs Karma and he kisses her passionately; the other way around, Karma nonchalantly walks into the hallway and grabs her from behind while she's untying her shoes, catching her in a big warm hug. -they watch movies on Friday night. From Monday to Thursday, each of them has time to pick up a movie and they shortly present it to one another on Friday during dinner. After some short research on the internet, they vote on the one they want to watch. Both claim it's fair-play but they usually pick movies the other would want to watch, unless it's something they want really badly. If it's a tie and they aren't too tired, they end up watching both. -on Friday movie night, they build up a mini-fort in front of the TV: Karma's in charge of the snacks and Manami in charge of the fluffly blankets and pillows. She sets them up so it would ease Karma's neck ache (he denies having it, but she knows paper-work isn't pain-free). She's the one to cuddle in his arms during the movie, and he braids her hair absent-mindly -believe it or not, the chemist girl loves cute things. When they moved in, she brought over her pillows and cushions and plushies to the point where the sofa couldn't even be seen. No matter how much Karma loved her, he had to put an end to it and convince her that the chemistry books will no longer fit on the shelves if she keeps buying fluffy things. -manami has this habit of reading chemistry facts or stories about famous chemists when she's too stressed or tired, so there's always one of these books on her night table -karma passes by an awesome cake-shop on his way home and he always buys toffee and a piece of strawberry cake when he's stressed out. What he always forgets (or pretends to) is that his girlfriend can sense his emotions and usually buys the same from his favourite shop. -on weekends, Karma tends to laze off in bed as late as possible, claiming that's quality time with himself. Manami, on the other hand, gets up around eight and reads the newest science articles before starting her day and letting Karma have his peaceful slumbler -they go shopping together for groceries. Once a week, they go to a supermarket and get everything they need (being in charge of the kitchen, Karma makes the list). Manami's the one who always finds herself spending more time than necessarry in the cleaning supplies department, reading the contents of each cleaning spray and thinking of ways to maximize its potential or to avoid the unhealthy ones. -Karma, being the mischevious guy he is, always lies his lingering gaze on the chilli peppers; when Manami glances at him, he turns to her with a grin and she could swear she sees little horns growing out of his silky hair (of course they buy the peppers, and then Karma asks her to think of a way they can make them even spicier together). -half of the coffee table in the living room is filled with Manami's chemistry books and thick papers and sticky notes with ideas she suddenly got; the other half has a map of Japan with chess pieces on it: each morning, Karma checks the news and his mails and then moves the pieces accordingly ("the king here is me" he once explained pointing to Tokyo and the chess piece "and these are my servants. I secretly rule the country, though i can't move much."he smirked). When they relax after work, Manami inquires about the moved chess pieces and they strategize together for a bit, before Karma asks why certain sticky notes miss and Manami excitedly explains her new experiments -"take aim... And fire!" Manami exclaims as she starts throwing Christmas globes (made of plastic, of course) at Karma, who's trying to catch her with the Christmas lights. They've been decorating the tree for only three minutes before she decided it would be fun to have a little game for old time's sake. Of course they use everything they can as arsenal (unless it would hurt each other or wreck the house). Karma obviously has the advantage, but he lets Manami win... Or so she thinks, before he starts tickling her and she falls down beneath the tree laughing out loud -Manami is very ticklish and Karma uses that to his advantage whenever he can ("shouldn't you be nicer to your girlfriend?" "This just proves I respect you as an equal asassin") -karma mockingly adds -chan to the end of Manami's name and chants it whenever he wants her attention. Each time, she starts stroking his hair and massaging his head skin (she knows he starts purring but the first time she pointed that out, Karma snorted and shook her hand off: "I'm not a cat.") -Karma's a cat person. Like seriously, they were once at the mall and Karma suddenly stopped walking, staring at the window of the pet shop with a small blush. "Manami look, look! Isn't she cute?!" He said, excitedly pointing to the small cat. "Aww!" The girl exclaimed, kinda plainly. "Manami?" Karma snapped back and looked at his girlfriend, who averted her eyes. "Manami!" He squeezed her hand tighter. "Are you afraid of cats?" "No..." She denied unconvincindely. "You are!" He hugged her tight "I'm sorry I didn't notice before!" "N-no it's fine I mean... Karma... Karma would you let me go? It's embarrassing." "I'm sorry." "No it's fine, really." -karma's a bit clingy. Like once his walls fell down and he no longer needed to put up his guard around her, he could get affectionate and clingy around Manami. She kinda liked it, though: it felt like taming a wild animal. He's still possessive and really scary with the others, tho -people symphatize with Okuda telling her her boyfriend's scary and she's like "? Not at all?" And he's glaring besides her to the people accusing him of such a thing. Very convincing Karma! -despite christmas being his birthday and all, Karma was kinda meh about it until Manami started treating that as the most important day of the year and now he can't wait for it only to see what his girlfriend prepared for him -they often have Nagisa and the rest over, and it's like a big happy family: "nagisa, you're still short!" "Well hello to you too, Karma." "Say, don't people mistake you for a student?" "Karma, dear, how about we let Nagisa-kun make himself at home first?" -they don't really call each other names. Karma sometimes calls her "poison glasses" or "my chemist" and Manami sometimes goes for "dear" or "honey" but she gets embarrassed easily so no. To be continued😉

[1upmushrooms]

“Fazbears: 1985″: The Stupid Ass Thieves Guild.

“Monday. Monday, Monday, Monday.” Porter muttered as he laid stretched out in his bed. 

The old strategy of staying up late in a gambit to exhaust himself to sleep was causing several problems he didn’t need at the moment. This new idea was only one out of several tricks he’d been trying in order to finally fall asleep naturally. Thankfully, this strategy seemed to work wonders. 

“Monday...mon....mmmzz.” Porter slurred, his mind finally being put into sleep mode as Saturday night began turning into Sunday morning.

When he finally woke back up, it certainly wasn’t by choice. Indeed it was instead due to noisy neighbors caroling to each house...well, each house besides his.

“Fuckin’ people singing in the morning.” He muttered, thankful that they skipped his house.

Getting out of bed, Porter begun what he now defined as his morning ritual. The steps were fairly normal.

Step One. He’d do a good ten minute exercise routine of his choice, some days it’d be a jog in place, other days it’d be pull ups, it all depended on his mood really.

Step Two. He’d have his clothes laid out on his bed and then enter the bathroom for a brief shower.

Step Three. He’d put on his clothes, as neatly as he possibly could. Back in Chicago, people he knew would often claim that the one way to figure out he was stressed out would be if he didn’t have enough patience to straighten out his attire.

Step four. He’d make sure no one was watching him, yes even when he was alone, and he’d crouch under his bed to pull out a heavy box titled “Nostalgic Shit”. Upon opening the box, Porter would find about at least $5,134.00′s worth of bills in there. Fazbear’s pay was ok when it came strictly to paying bills, but he still needed something for food, gasoline, emergencies, etc. To make sure not even a single dollar was missing, Porter would count every bill, twice. 

Step Five. He’d then write the number down in a book that was also in the box. If he needed to take money out, Porter would subtract his withdrawal and then write the remaining amount in the book. Once all that was done, Porter would put everything back in the box, close it, and shove it back under his bed.

Final Step. He’d prepare a small breakfast, the most common being an egg and a cup of coffee, and then finally he’d do another exercise routine of his choice.

As the routine was being performed the phone rang, more than once. Porter didn’t pay attention to the total number of rings, hell he didn’t even realize it was ringing at first, but he was sure someone had tried calling him three times. At least that was his estimate.

Porter sat down in his chair and, after finishing his last drop of coffee, picked up the receiver. 

“This is Porter.” He greeted, sitting the mug on an obligatory desk coaster.

“Hello AGGH,” Scott groaned, “Ugh, hello hello! You, errg, you there Porter?”

“What happened to you?” Porter asked, a bit surprised to hear Scott in pain. 

 “Fazbear’s got robbed the other night and uh, I was the, ow, unlucky guard who got hit.”

“Did you try to hit them?”

“I didn’t get the chance I mean, agh, they-they ganged up on me before I even knew they were in the building. I didn’t even hear them crash in.”

“They?”

“I mean, it was one person but I didn’t-couldn’t tell if it was a guy or a girl because they were uh, dressed up in black and all.”

“How hard did they hurt you?” 

“I’m not too damaged, I think. I, the reason I called was because Francis put me on night shift again and, I, I, I wanted to know if you can take my place. I’m really not fit-”

“No problem.” 

“R-really? No problem at all?”

“Yeah.” Porter before getting suspicious, “Why did you think I’d say no?”

“I, I was scared you’d say something, like, ‘No way am I coming in on my day off to do this stupid thing’ or something similar.” 

“Oh.” He said, “Right.”

Scott had a point, that sounded almost exactly like something he’d say, if there were a few curse words peppered in of course. 

“If you don’t mind me asking uh, wh-why are you so cool with filling in for me? I mean uh, no offence, you don’t really seem like the guy who’d do nice stuff like that for nothing.”

“I have my reasons.”

For starters, Porter had actually grown fond of Scott since they first met so he was far more willing to do him an occasional favor than say, Jake or any of the new guys. However, the sheer awkwardness that reveal would inevitably cause convinced him to go with reason B.

“For example, have there been robberies going on before I joined this place?” He asked.

“Y-yeah. At least two from like, I think, months apart.” Scott said reluctantly.

“You remember anything unique about them?”

“Not really uh, well...oh wow.” Scott realized, “I just now remembered. The other robbers were like, really good lock pickers. Like, they’d manage to pick it with no effort and they’d creak it open as noiseless as possible.”

“I’m starting to think these robberies are all connected.” Porter said, “Either it’s the same guy or...waittaminute.”

“What?”

“The guy I caught.” Porter said, “He said something about being told by someone that it was easy to steal cash from Fazbear’s. I think someone’s sending these guys to the pizzeria. My thief just slid by me and immediately headed for the manager’s office, which ended badly for him. Your thief quickly took you out first before getting the cash.”

“That’s interesting.” Scott admitted, “But it all still sounds like, coincidental man.” 

“Did your thief have a gun on you?” 

“Um yeah, they-”

“Mine didn’t.”

“...Ok, that’s a bit weird I’ll give you that but come on.”

“Even if we accept that it can’t be a group doing this, aren’t you open to the idea that it’s one guy who’s obviously learned from his past mistakes?”

“Yeah.” Scott admitted, “This has been the weirdest conversation I’ve had so far in my life.”

“Well then you clearly didn’t have the talk with your parents.” Porter snarked, “But seriously, I think it’d be best if I fill in for you after all. I have a feeling that our ‘friend’ will show up tonight and you really don’t sound like you can handle another night of that right now.”

“Thanks Porter. Alright, I’ll tell Fr-”

“Don’t bother. Let it be a surprise.”

“I can’t do that.”

“That’s what he does.”

“Because he’s a manager, not some security guard.”

“Well, find Jessie and tell her then.” Porter snapped, “However, I don’t want you telling either of them what we’ve been talking about.” 

“Why not?” 

“...Well, what if it turns out you’re right?” Porter lied, “Wouldn’t want to look stupid would we?”

“Umm, I guess?”

“Ok.” Porter said, “Just tell Jessie that I’m filling in for you tonight and if a thief comes around, well they’ll get a surprise of their own.”

“Sounds like a plan! Tell me what happened tomorrow will you?”

“If anything happened, I’ll be sure to do that.” 

Soon they said their farewells and Porter was back to silently sitting in his chair, wondering just what in the hell he had gotten himself into and lamenting that it was all too familiar to a guy like him.

--------

When Porter strolled up to Fazbears at 11:50 PM, he was unsure as to who he wanted to see exit the building, Jessie or Francis. He relaxed himself a little when he saw an olive skinned hand open the door.

“Hey there!” Jessie greeted happily as she exited the pizzeria.

“Jessica.” Porter greeted with a little wave. 

 “Well, it’s all ready for ya.” She said as Porter walked through door, “Hope you don’t get into too much trouble, heh.”

Porter gave a nod as he headed into the security office and signed in. He didn’t even notice that she was outside the security office door.

“Hey, Porter.” 

He had just put on his security belt when he turned around to face her.

“I really appreciate you coming in tonight.” She said, “Scott really needed to heal and I was afraid Francis-”

“It’s not a big deal.” Porter said, “I did what anyone would do.”

“No.” Jessie said seriously, “No one here would anyway. You were quite literally the last person he turned to.”

That was a bit unexpected, though maybe not entirely shocking.

“The last? I knew Jake turned you down but what about Andy?”

“Was ‘sick’.”

“Morris?”

“Had to take care of his children.”

“Not even Tristan?”

“Didn’t even have to ask him. Just by the way he greeted me I knew that guy was drunk off his ass.”

“Fuck.” Porter cursed in disbelief.

“I know.” Jessie said, “And to think I hired those guys so situations like tonight would be easier to take care of. That’s why I was so grateful you offered to take Scott’s place. Seriously, thank you so much.”

Porter stood there for a few seconds and then gave a thumbs up.

“As long as I’m getting paid.” Porter said, sitting down in front of the monitors. “Just curious, was Francis ok with me filling in for Scott?”

“He doesn’t know.” Jessie said with a smirk.

“Oh my.” Porter said, “When will you tell him?”

“I’ll let that fucker find out for himself.” She said deviously, “See you tomorrow Porter, and thanks again!”

Porter waved goodbye as Jessie exited the place and locked the door behind her, leaving Porter the only one there.

“Let the waiting game begin.” 

For about two hours Porter sat at his post, watching the monitors for anything even seemingly out of the ordinary. Part of him hoped there wouldn’t be a visit from the stupid ass thieve’s guild. The other part couldn’t wait to deal with this asswipe. 

Sure enough, as the clock turned to 2:00 AM Porter heard the familiar barely audible sound of the door creaking open. He immediately rose from the chair and silently leaned next to the door of the office. 

“Go who’s back fuckface?” A gruff voice snarled as he barged into the room.

His smug face contorted into confusion as he saw no one at all. That face of confusion then contorted into one of terror as Porter grabbed the thief by the neck and slammed him up against the lockers.

“Expecting someone else?” Porter asked, loosening his grip just a little so the thug could breathe easier.

“Yo-You-You weren’t su-su...” He sputtered frantically.

“I’m the fill in guy for the last one you beat the shit out of.” 

Just by the shape of this man, Porter could tell it was a different guy. He was much bigger and taller than the pipsqueak he dealt with last time. Not that being big meant this guy was good at his job.

“Quick question.” Porter said, “Did someone tell you this place was easy to steal from?”

“Yeah.” The man said darkly with a smirk, “His name was ‘Fuck U. Prick’.”

“Ha ha.” Porter said with a very flat delivery. 

Just then a balled up fist got plunged into the thief’s stomach, causing him to gasp for air.

“It’s ok that you got confused. I probably didn’t ask you the right question.” Porter said, “How bout this? I know that someone’s been ordering people like you to rob this place. Tell me why.”

“I just heard that this was an easy way to grab cash from simple word of mouth buddy.” The man said, “And your paranoid ass ain’t gonna change the facts.”

For five straight seconds Porter stared blankly at the thief as he removed his hand, and then gave him a quick knee to the groin. Once the thief doubled over, Porter then grabbed the guy by the head and repeatedly slammed it against the lockers. 

“STOP STOP!” The thief pleaded, “I’LL TALK I SWEAR TO GOD JUST PLEASE FUCKING STOP!”

Within a few seconds, Porter’s hand was now back on the man’s throat and he was propped back up at the locker. Before he talked, Porter noticed something had dropped out of the thief’s pocket. It was a silver door key that matched the one given to the Fazbear staff. How convenient. 

“Some guy contacted me on Friday, telling me that there was a shitload of money here waiting for me to grab on Saturday night.” The thief said dejectedly, “He told me to take out that one guard and I’d be able to get all the money in the manager’s safe. That’s all.”

“Why’d you come back if that was all?”

“The guy on the phone said that it’d be easy to rob on Sunday too. A total cake walk he said, since it’d be the same guy guarding.” The thief explained, “I mean let’s be honest, that pussy was probably gonna be even easier to deal with since I roughed him up the first time.”

Just then Porter had a sudden urge to snap this guy’s neck right then and there. Fortunately, common sense convinced him to do otherwise. 

“The guy didn’t give his name did he?” Porter asked, already knowing the answer.

“What do you think?” The man grunted, “You didn’t really assume he’d be that stupid did you?”

“Weren’t you even a little suspicious about this guy who claimed that a pizzeria was loaded with cash and easy to steal?”

“I can’t afford to be suspicious.” The thief said viciously, “I’m always having to pull these kinds of jobs for cash. Heh, this is the only time I got caught to-”

“Listen up.” Porter warned, “When you’re down at the station tonight, you use your phone call to get in touch with your contact. Tell him that he better not send anymore of you assholes here, or else I’m gonna start treating you guys a whole lot nastier. Ok?” 

The thief nodded in defeat as Porter threw him to the floor. He then picked up the phone as the thief moaned in pain.

-------

“Some luck you have.” Jessie said shakily, watching the police escort the thief out of the building. 

Porter had told her everything at this point, from the theory he had, to the thief’s story, to even the silver key the thief had. It would’ve been somewhat hard to believe, had she not heard the thief admit everything to the police. 

“You must’ve at least been worried this guy would get the jump over you or something.” She added.

“I was a security guard back in Chicago for a while remember? I’ve dealt with worse.” Porter said, “I tried not to wreck too much stuff this time around.”

That caused Jessie to laugh as she turned to Porter.

“A few more dents on an already dented locker is much better than a broken chair, I’ll give you that.” She said, “Now I’m even happier that you filled in. I can’t, I can’t even imagine what would’ve happened had Scott been working here.”

“It was still unprofessional for Scott to have someone else fill in without telling me.”

Neither of them really wanted to deal with Francis tonight, Jessie especially. But Porter reminded her that he was still the manager and that he deserved to know. Granted, that wasn’t the reason Porter wanted Francis over here but still...

“I’m sorry sweetheart.” Jessie said sarcastically, “You clearly haven’t been told what just happened here so I’ll fill you in. We nearly got robbed by the same guy who robbed us last time, the same robber who already beat the shit out of Scott, and instead of thanking Porter for being here to stop another robbery you’re taking the piss out of Scott for not telling you?!”

“I deserve to be told who’s filling in for who.” Francis snapped, “And you should’ve informed me.” 

“Like you informed me about the malfunctioning camera’s right?”

That shut Francis up for a while as he angrily muttered to himself. Jessie  headed to the door as Porter followed her.

“I can’t promise anything.” Porter said, “But I think these guys are gonna stop hitting us for a long time.”

“You really are a godsend, Porter.” Jessie said with a smile before leaving the pizzeria. 

For the first time in a while, Porter looked almost flattered. It didn’t last though as he quickly walked back into the security office where Francis was pacing around.

“And you!” Francis said pointedly, “Why didn’t you tell either of us this idea you had today?! We could’ve used that information to he-”

“I don’t trust managers. Not when it comes to situations like these.”

“Is that so?” He asked with a scoff as he continued to pace.

“Do you remember that bar and grille in Kansas City my Dad used to own?”

“Ha, which one?” 

“Fair enough. It was called like, the ‘Shallow Swallow’ or something equally stupid. Anyway, a while back there was this shady ass manager named Rick who realized ‘Hey, the building for this bar has been sought after by some really rich fuckers. If I can sell the place, we’d be swimming in green rivers.’”

“Rick was a bit of a dumbass wasn’t he?” Francis asked.

“Dumb or not he tried his hardest to fuck shit up so the bar would have to be sold. Didn’t work out well for him.”

“Your father sure made an example out of him.” Francis said with a laugh, “What’s your point, Porter?”

“I dunno, the way you’ve been running things around here so far....it’s almost like you want this place to shut down.”

Francis screeched to a halt as he turned to face Porter. Just then a thin smile was on his lips.

“The thing about friendly threats Porter,” He said, “Is that they only work with you’re sporting a grin.”

Just then he walked straight up to Porter’s face with an icy stare.

“This isn’t your Father’s business. This is mine, and I’ll do whatever I want with it.”

“It just became my Dad’s business when I got on board.” Porter reminded him, “He wouldn’t be too happy if I lost my job because of you-”.

His little speech was cut off by Francis’ howl of laughter.

“If you think your Daddy’s gonna send his pals over to beat me up because of your job, you really don’t know your Dad the way I do.” 

“Ok, call him up. You’re so confident that he’ll take this well, pick up the phone and tell him.”

Just then, Francis’ shit eating grin faded and an angry scowl took its place. 

“The thing about bluffs Francis,” Porter said, “Is that they only work when you don’t immediately back down the first time someone calls them.”

“Fine.” He said bitterly, “I got the message, alright? There won’t be anymore robberies around here. But don’t you ever get confrontational with me again, you got it?”

“Fair enough.” Porter said as he walked towards the monitors.

Francis then walked towards the door before stopping.

“One more thing, no more of this ‘Francis’ shit.” He demanded, “From now on, you refer to me as ‘Mr. Afton’.” 

[terryballs]

What I Did In My Midlife Crisis by Sally Sparrow, Chapter 2

“So as I was saying…”

“Finish the tea.”

“It’s nice tea, but…”

“Doctor, drinking this cup of tea is absolutely essential to solving our problems. We can talk when you’re done.”

“Why don’t I just…”

“Doctor.”

The Doctor downed his tea in one go, glugging it down his throat as if he was a waste pipe.

“That rather goes against…”

“I’ve had your tea. Caffeine at this time will keep me up all night. Now, what can I do for you? Any unresolved problems? Aliens invading the neighbourhood? Mad scientists creating monsters? Can’t find the car keys?”

“My main problem right now,” said Sally, “is the strange man in my home who doesn’t even recognise me.”

The Doctor was quiet for a moment. “Having a bit of memory trouble. When you get to two thousand, you lose a few things.”

“But you remembered me when I mentioned the DVDs.”

“Oh, I’ll never forget the DVDs. That’s three incredibly boring weeks I’ll never get back. “Sally Sparrow, beware the Vashta Nerada!” over and over again.”

“The Weeping Angels.”

“Hmm? Yes, that makes more sense. Although you should beware the Vashta Nerada too. And you really don’t want to get on the wrong side of the Zarbii.” The Doctor looked away. “I just lost someone, Sally. She’s not just gone, she’s gone from my memory. It’s like I never knew her at all.”

“Oh… Doctor, that sounds awful.”

“Yes, it is,” he agreed, very sombrely. “I just want to… you can imagine. But I can’t. There is so much I can do, and I want to do it, and if I stop doing it then I worry I’ll never start again. So if you want me to get out of your kitchen… sorry, that sounds too threatening. If you want to help me get out of your kitchen, then please find me something to do.”

Sally paused for a second. “Larry.”

“You’ll need to be more specific.”

“My boyfriend, Larry. Two months ago he vanished. No note, no messages, no CCTV, he left his phone and his wallet. The police can’t find a trace of him. Missing. They think he’s dead, but it takes seven years for that to be official – we did it for Kathy. I have to run the shop on my own, even though I know nothing about DVDs, and I’ve just been so worried…” Sally pushed her hair back. “Is that too domestic for you? I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” said the Doctor. “So the first time we met, you had been attacked by the Weeping Angels?”

“I thought about that. We thought about it a lot. Said if either of us ever got caught, we’d send word. Like Kathy did. Send a message forward in time to say not to worry.”

“And the message never came,” said the Doctor, almost to himself. “Sally, I am very good at finding missing things. You might not like what we find, but we can try. What do you say?”

“Sorry, we?”

“Well, I could do it without you, but frankly I don’t know the difference between your Harry and any other bloke, so it will be easier with your help.”

“Larry.”

“Sorry?”

“His name is Larry. Short for Lawrence. Not Harry.”

“Are you sure? Harry is a much better name.”

Sally sighed. “OK, I’ll come with you. Where should we start?”

That was how Sally got her second invitation to the TARDIS. She remembered it bronze and metallic with lots of lights and open space. Now, it was darker, velvety, and lined with bookshelves and blackboards and surely teeming with nooks and crannies.

“This place has changed,” said Sally.

“Let me guess – you don’t like it?”

“No, I…”

“Sorry, private joke. Anyway, fortunately this desktop has very easily accessible telepathic circuits.” The Doctor flicked a switch on one of the console panels, and it rolled up like a blind, revealing what looked like several rows of corrugated Styrofoam.

“This should be painless, but it is not entirely without risk. Engaging with a telepathic circuit is about as dangerous as using a staircase. There is a remote but non-zero chance that the process will change parts of your mind in a non-trivial fashion.”

“My great uncle fell down the stairs and died,” said Sally.

“And you still use staircases all the time, hands in the circuit.”

The circuits were slightly wetter than Sally was expecting, and certainly wetter than she would ever want a circuit to be.

“Sally, I need you to focus. Think about… DVD man.”

“Larry,” said Sally, trying not to roll her eyes. And as she said that, the centre of the TARDIS console started to rise and fall. The familiar sound filled her ears, not as loud inside as out. Sally had a sudden onset of severe vertigo, but kept her balance. A jolt ran through the TARDIS and she instinctively clenched the telepathic circuits. She could feel rapid pulses shooting in all directions through the circuits. She also found them unsettlingly rubbery. Before she’d thought about how rubber could ever be unsettling, the TARDIS stopped.

“Right, come on!” said the Doctor, as he bounded up the stairs to the TARDIS door, completely carefree. “Gary Flamingo awaits!”

They emerged into blinding morning light and sweltering summer heat. Sally took off her coat and threw it back inside the TARDIS. They were in a car park, next to some sort of warehouse.

The Doctor licked his finger and it up to the air. “2043. April. Monday. Nine thirty… seven, in the morning. Leyton Orient are top of the league.”

“That can’t be right…” said Sally, as she gazed into the distance.

“You’d be surprised how well they do under Ademola Lookman’s management…”

“No, I mean, how is Larry in the future?”

The Doctor paused for a second. “The telepathic circuits should have kept your personal subjective timeline in line with Larry’s. If the TARDIS brought you to the future, it’s because Gary is in the future. Probably somewhere in that warehouse.”

There was a shout from the other direction. The Doctor and Sally turned. A security guard was running towards them. The Doctor reached inside his jacket and withdrew a wallet of blank paper as the guard reached them.

“How did you get in here?” asked the guard. He was a fit young man, wearing a photo ID which identified him as C. Dompton. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“Steady on, Dompton,” said the Doctor, brandish the paper wallet. “I have business here.”

Dompton stared at the paper. He pulled a torch out of his pocket and shone a purple light upon the paper before handing it back to the Doctor. “Why are we having a surprise inspection today? Mr Blamley is already here.”

“The best time to have a surprise inspection is when it is least expected ,” said the Doctor.

Dompton walked them to the warehouse, past rows of courier trucks. “Well, as I’m sure you can imagine, everything is tip-top for the boss. You won’t find any faults.”

“And yet,” said the Doctor, “we were able to stroll into the perimeter without anyone noticing.”

The warehouse was like a beehive in a vending machine. The air was abuzz with drones, bringing packages of all shapes and sizes down to the conveyor belts. At the end of the conveyor, another robot loaded them into waiting lorries. Dompton lead them under rows and rows of raised conveyor belts until they reached a concrete wall with three doors in it.

“Where shall we start, then?” asked Dompton. “Laboratory? Recreation room? Toilet?”

“You only have one toilet?” said Sally.

“Oh, it’s large enough for everybody. More space efficient than lots of small ones. Mr Blamley’s idea, that.”

“I’m glad you mentioned Mr Blamley, Dompton,” said the Doctor. “It just so happens that we’re here for…” the Doctor leaned towards Dompton and whispered something in his ear that Sally couldn’t make out. He stood back upright. “Please take us to him.”

Dompton blanched. “I… I don’t have authorisation to go down there, sir. I will need to radio my supervisor.” He turned away and spoke into his watch. “Ma’am? Couple of people from Mr Blamley’s office here to see the prisoners. I know, ma’am, but they’ve got the paperwork. OK, thanks ma’am, I’ll have them wait.”

Unfortunately, the Doctor had clearly tired of waiting, and was helping himself to chocolate digestives kept in a glass tin. Sally smiled at Dompton. “Sorry, he needs to keep his blood sugar up.”

“Oh, those are diabetic biscuits, you shouldn’t eat too many of them,” said Dompton.

“Don’t worry, I have three livers,” said the Doctor, flatly. Sally stared at him in disbelief, and he grinned belatedly. “Only kidding, I have exactly the same number and type of organs as any human my age.”

“Yes sir,” said Dompton.

“It’s not sir, Dompton,” said the Doctor.

“Sorry, mix,” said Dompton.

“No need for formalities, thanks, just call me the Doctor.”

A woman in her fifties opened one of the three doors. She was wearing a white coat and spectacles and had her hair up in a tight bun. “These are the visitors, Dompton?”

The Doctor handed over his paper wallet again. “The Doctor and Sally Sparrow, surprise inspectors.”

The woman didn’t bother looking at the wallet. “I am Lisa Oakwood, Business Manager to Mr Blamley. I am his eyes and ears, and I’ve never heard of either of you.”

“That’s part of the surprise!”

“Regardless, if it was my decision I would be sending you away and calling the police. As it is, however, Mr Blamley would rather like to speak to you.”

“Lead the way,” said the Doctor. Lisa led the Doctor and Sally through the door and down a set of steps that reminded Sally of the entrance to a wine cellar. The ground floor was all metal and concrete, but this stairwell was lined with wood. Sally could still smell the varnish. A memory of another cellar flashed through her mind, but she squashed it down. A white-haired man in a business suit stood at the bottom of the stairs, leaning on his walking stick. He was stood in front of a door which was much newer than its surroundings, thick titanium and locked with a retina scanner.

“Mixter Doctor. Ms Sparrow. I am awfully pleased to be making your acquaintance,” he said in an upper class accent. Nobody speaks like that any more, thought Sally. “I have been waiting a long time for you.”

“We only just got here,” said Sally.

“Information is my business, Ms Sparrow. I knew you were coming.”

“Your voice sounds familiar,” said the Doctor. “You must be Barry.”

“He’s not Larry,” said Sally.

“I am very sorry to disappoint you, Doctor. I am Kerrick A. Blamley, founder and majority shareholder of Kerblam! Inc. I am probably the richest individual in human history. Surely you have heard me?”

“Kerblam!?” said Sally. She felt a little sick. Kerblam! was a website which cut out most of the overheads involved in retail. Their business model was what had put Sparrow and Nightingale out of business. They were what Mr Thomas called “the competition”.

“I’ve heard of Kerblam!” said the Doctor. “Extremely successful and popular company. I assumed you were just a rebranding of Amazon after the word ‘Amazon’ became synonymous with ‘disaster’.”

Blamley laughed. “Amazon. That takes me back. No, Kerblam! is my venture and my venture alone.”

There was a pause.

“You know,” said Blamley, “When you mentioned Amazon, I thought you were going to ask me how I managed to displace an utterly dominant market leader.”

“No, I’m not interested.”

“It is really very impressive. But then, you already know how I did it, don’t you, Doctor?”

“Just take us to the prisoner.”

Sally caught her breath. Was Larry being held prisoner in the future? Blamley, for his part, did not seem at all surprised at the Doctor’s request. Sally would have thoughts he would at least feign shock or offer some denial, but he didn’t. “They’re just through here,” said Blamley. “Come on.”

Lisa was clearly alarmed. “Sir, these intruders haven’t been vetted, are you sure…”

“Yes, Lisa, I’m sure. The Doctor was the one who told me about the prisoners in the first place.”

[junker-town]

5 Eric Bledsoe trade scenarios that make sense for the Suns

Eric Bledsoe and the Suns are parting ways. Where will he land?

After yesterday’s Twitter fiasco and Earl Watson’s firing as the Suns head coach, Eric Bledsoe is on his way out the door.

Bledsoe tweeted “I Don’t want to be here” on Sunday evening prior to Earl Watson being fired. Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough said he discussed the tweet with Bledsoe and was told he was “at a hair salon.” McDonough, however, wasn’t biting.

McDonough RE: Bledsoe's tweet: "He said he was at a hair salon... I didn't believe that to be true. He won't be with us going forward."

— ABC15 Sports (@abc15sports) October 23, 2017

They sent Bledsoe home from Sacramento after a meeting with the team on Monday with the intentions of trading him, according to a report from ESPN’s Chris Haynes.

Measuring Bledsoe’s value is a bit difficult because of the mess his tweet brought to the table, but Evan Sidery from Bright Side of the Sun thinks it shouldn’t hamper things too much.

“With Bledsoe tweeting that out yesterday, I think that mildly hurts his trade value but not much. Teams like New York, Milwaukee, and Denver should be clamoring to acquire a guard like Bledsoe, and it might take a little less now. Unless they want to just dump him, which I don't see because he's a top 15 point guard when fully committed, Phoenix should get good value for the situation they are currently in.”

Where could Bledsoe end up? Here are five destinations that make sense.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks are one of the teams that have already been reported as having interest in Bledsoe. Malcolm Brogdon is a good player, but the Bucks are lacking depth at their point guard position.

Bledsoe is a starting-caliber point guard that can play on or off the ball for the Bucks. He’s not a great shooter, but is an elite defender when his offensive role isn’t too large. With Giannis Antetokounmpo already holding the reigns of the offense, that offensive role won’t be.

Does the trade work?

The Bucks have a few promising young prospects on their roster they could send back to the Suns if they wanted to work through a trade. Brogdon, Rashad Vaughn, Sterling Brown, and Thon Maker can all serve as attractive young pieces in a deal. They’ve also got solid rotation players on short-term deals with cap space dwindling over the next few seasons.

The Bucks could throw together a package featuring Brogdon, Monroe and a first round pick that would be more than enough to get the job done. That will probably be where the Suns’ asking price starts.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets certainly had interest in Bledsoe on draft night. That could be rekindled here now that the Suns are ready to part ways with him.

The Nuggets’ offense is elite, but their defense still needs to be bolstered. Bledsoe would immediately supply Denver with a guard that’s actually able to defend his own position as well as players slightly bigger than him. That’d be a nice fit in a backcourt with Jamal Murray.

Bledsoe is an excellent fit offensively as well. The load on Bledsoe wouldn’t be overbearing with Nikola Jokic running the offense, so Bledsoe could slot around Jokic as a slasher. If needed, he can also run point when Jokic is off the floor.

Does the trade work?

The Nuggets have more than enough assets in the cupboard to ship the Suns way. Emmanuel Mudiay, Malik Beasely, Jamal Murray, Juan Hernangomez, and Trey Lyles are all attractive prospects with a bit of experience to boot. Plus, they carry their own first round pick. They’d fit right in with #TheTimeline.

The Nuggets would have to throw in a big contract like Kenneth Faried’s to match Bledsoe’s salary, but Faried isn’t a player the Suns would want back. Someone like Darrell Arthur, Mudiay, and either Beasley or a first round pick would do the trick.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are sorely lacking depth at point guard with Isaiah Thomas on the mend. Derrick Rose has been OK in his role, but leaves much to be desired defensively. Jose Calderon hasn’t been good in years.

Bledsoe’s presence would be an immediate upgrade for the Cavs until Thomas returns ... if he returns.

Does the trade work?

All of a sudden the Cavs are an option via trade with a few assets to dish out. They’ve got the 2018 Nets Pick, their own first round pick, and Ante Zizic all acquired from the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas swap. Plus, they’ve got Cedi Osman who is a young, athletic swingman with plenty of room to grow in the league. Plus they’ve got Jae Crowder and the remaining 3-years of his deal for $21 million.

The Cavs won’t be looking to give up Crowder — he’s already a key cog in their rotation. But they’d be more than willing to move off of their own first round pick again. They’d part ways with Shumpert, throw Zizic into the deal along with the pick and get Bledsoe in return.

The Cavs can finally move off of Shumpert, which they’ve been trying to do over the last year and a half plus they get a valuable starting point guard they’ve been coveting since Kyrie Irving decided he wanted out of Cleveland. It was close to happening before, but now we may see it anyway.

Los Angeles Clippers

It’s hard to imagine Austin Rivers being traded from the Clippers when his father remains the head coach. But if Doc Rivers is ever willing to part ways with his son, the time is now. Bledsoe has a rapport with the Clippers’ frontcourt already from their previous time spent playing together in 2013.

Come back home bro

— DeAndre Jordan (@DeAndre) October 22, 2017

Milos Teodosic is out indefinitely with a foot injury, leaving the Clippers spread thin at point guard. Bledsoe would certainly fill a need.

Does the trade work?

The Clippers have the assets to make things work. They’ve got young players in place and the Rockets first round pick for this year so long as it lands outside of the top three. Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Bryce Johnson, and Sindarius Thornwell are all intriguing prospects in Los Angeles the Clippers could use to make the deal work.

To facilitate the money, they’d need a bigger contract like Lou Williams or Austin Rivers to get involved. Williams has been a key component in their rotation this season, so it’s unlikely that we see him moved this early. But Rivers has been unproductive and should be the odd man out — if his father is willing to move him.

Rivers, Dekker and Houston’s first round pick should be enough to get Bledsoe back to L.A. for his second stint.

New York Knicks

This isn’t necessarily a move the rebuilding Knicks should want to make, but they’ve been reported as having interest in Bledsoe already. The Knicks aren’t really in position to compete this season, but they have their franchise centerpiece in Kristaps Porzingis and may want to push his development ahead a bit.

Does the trade work?

The Knicks have a few promising young pieces on their roster plus their own 2018 first round draft pick. Frank Ntilikina, Willie Hernangomez, and Mindaugas Kuzminskas are all young players with potential to develop into key rotational pieces. The Suns are especially looking for help at point guard.

If the Knicks want to make a move for Bledsoe, it could work. They’d be able to move up from under Joakim Noah’s 4-year, $72 million contract and could include their pick along with Ntilikina or Hernangomez for Bledsoe.

Though Bledsoe doesn’t fit on the exact timeline of the Knicks, it helps to have talent surrounding your best players. If they believe he’s the right fit they can make it happen.

[legacyofhopefdn]

Remember when?

At 5:00 am on the day we had to leave Honduras, the kids and I and two precious friends piled into a busito and headed north toward the coast.  As we whizzed by small towns, banana trees, and men on bicycles carrying truckloads of wood, someone kick-started our storytelling tradition with the words, “Remember when…” Long car rides are great for remembering when, even if you’re all smooshed into a busito carrying 15 people across Central America. I loved hearing from my people all about their memories of Silver Dollar City, the beach, what they loved about our house in Georgia, and the funny things they did that they never told me about. The heat, the road noise, the wind from the open windows, and the chitter chatter from the back all add character to a new story the Lord is weaving into the one’s he’s been writing with us, a new story that someone will kickstart one day with the words “remember when…”

Remember when we had to leave Honduras in a hurry and so we smooshed into a busito and drove to Belize? 

We arrived in Honduras on January 19th and entered the country on 90-day visitor’s visas, with the intension of applying for residency during our first 90 days. We weren’t able to file as planned, though.  We just didn’t have enough money. In the months before our move to Honduras, we had created a budget and raised funds, but it didn’t take us long to figure out that we were underfunded. It was a rookie mistake, a first time missionary miscalculation.  At times Dean and I lay next to each other late at night and wondered if our rookie mistake was really a misstep, but then something like this trip to Belize is woven into the storyline and we are certain we’re abiding in the shadow of the Almighty.   

Before we had to go to Belize, we were able to get a 30-day extension on our visas in April.  Dean and I made the trip to San Pedro Sula to make the application to immigration. We left before sunup, and I’m glad because it was a long day filled with copy-making, lines, and waiting. Praise God, we walked out of the immigration office that day with 30 more days to pray and ask for guidance about what to do next. 

When May 14th rolled around and we were still short on funds, we knew that plans had to be made for a trip out of the country.  I spent a quick minute teetering on the edge of panic, in part because we were so confident that this trip would be unnecessary that Dean was in the States attending to some business. I was certain I was going to end up carrying 11 children by myself across the ocean in a banana boat headed for Belize.  I had heard rumors that the boat is nicknamed the Vomit Rocket. Dread began to envelop me as the hours of that Sunday night ticked by. Here’s the thing, I really want to be that girl that was praying and telling the Lord, “I trust you, Lord, Your promises and Your plans, whatever they are,” but there was a moment in the night on May 14th when I was that girl praying, “Please, Lord, no.”  

I woke up on Monday praying.  I was done asking why and peace had replaced the dread from the night before.  That’s one good thing about being awakened by prayer.  When my eyes opened, my friend Lisa immediately came to mind. It was a little odd, actually, because we hadn’t chatted in long while.  There with my head still on my pillow and Lisa’s family floating around up there in my mind, I remembered that she was involved in some mission work in Belize, and since I was thinking about a little boat trip to Belize anyway, it made sense that we should connect.  I shot her a FaceBook message that went a little something like this: “I know this is going to sound like a strange request but I’m needing a little help in Belize.”

When I told Lisa what was going on, she put me in touch with some friends of hers who flung open their doors, set the dinner table, made up the spare beds, and said, “Come on over”, all for some strangers from Honduras. So we did. 

A well-timed, seriously divine, post on social media gave me the idea to try to rent a van instead of taking the boat.  Dean had rented a van before from a lady who lived right around the corner, so I gave her a ring.  I got to thinking about what it would be like to drive across Central America by myself with the kids, so I asked the owner of the van if she had a driver available, and she did!  All the details quickly fell into place, and soon the van and motorista Don Jorge were confirmed. The more the merrier is how we roll, so we asked our friends Ellie and Marta to come along with us, too.  They said, “yes”, of course, because going on an 18-hour car ride across Central America with 11 kids smooshed into a busito sounded like the most fun ever.  By the time we crossed the border and entered Belize, I was certain that God had something important for us there.  If we had been able to apply for our residency, we would’ve missed it since we wouldn’t have needed to go to Belize in the first place.

Have you ever been to Belize?  It’s cooler than a pack of peppermints. Your car will be freshly fumigated for diseases as you exit Guatemala and enter Belize, but don’t scratch your head too long about that strange happening or you’ll miss the tailgate, complete with pickup trucks, coolers, lawn chairs and cases of beer, all going on in the parking lot of Belize’s Border Control.  It was quite the sight, especially after spending all day long in the busito watching banana fields and sweet Guatemalan villages pass by. 

Heads up, it seems a tad unusual for a woman to travel with 11 children across Central America without her husband. God’s hand was upon us, and it all worked out for His glory, but we were detained at border control and customs for a minute or two or 120.  I don’t know what they thought we were up to, but they kept saying, “We’ve just never seen anything like this before.”  I am truly glad they are careful when it comes to the safety of children, especially given that there are some horrible things happening to children in this world.  Eventually they determined we were on the up and up, gave us the entry stamp on our passports, and let us in.  Make sure you have a little money on hand in case you need to tinkle.  It’s about $0.50 a person, which adds up when you have a big group.  Ellie was guarding the little ones while I was detained, and she didn’t have any cash on her.  Thankfully a nice gentleman paid the $5.50 so our people could “go”, because the potty guard wasn’t letting anyone through with no money, no matter what.   

We hit another little snafu as we exited border control.  It seems you cannot drive in Belize without purchasing their insurance policy, even if it’s after 9 pm and there is nothing open.  We had to drive around town looking for someone to sell us insurance before we could head to our destination.  I met a guy in line at the liquor store who knew this guy who sells the insurance.  I know it sounds odd – that I was in line at a liquor store. It’s uncharacteristic of me, I know, but that’s what was open, and I needed to ask for help.  I still can’t believe we did this, but when the guy I met in line at the liquor store told me he knew a guy who sold insurance, I thanked him so much, got back in the van, and we followed him down the dark streets of Belize to a stranger’s house. The stranger wasn’t home but there was this other guy who said could meet us back at the liquor store, so we were able to buy the insurance.  I filled out the forms, paid the guy about $20, and we were on our way again.  I recommend learning the words to the Fruits of the Spirit song before your busito adventure.  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are all needed in abundance, my friends. 

We arrived in Camalote around 11:00 pm. Our phones no longer worked once we crossed into Belize, and there was no where to find WIFI, so we couldn’t call for directions when we couldn’t find our way. No worries though, we pulled into the only place we saw that was open to ask for directions, and they unstacked the chairs and invited us to sit a spell while they called the camp director.  I kept looking at Ellie and thinking, “Oh my, her parents entrusted her to us and within just a few months we’re hanging out in front of the One Barrel Bar.”  The owners were the sweetest and in no time the director of Camalote Camp was there to show us the way. Even though it was almost midnight when we rolled into camp, the staff met us and fed us and made us feel welcome. The beds were made, the AC was hopping, and I fell asleep in utter amazement of what the Lord had for us there.  The body of Christ is the only way to describe our experience.  We met so many Jesus loving people and experienced God’s lovingkindness is so many unexpected ways during the three short days we spent in Belize.

There’s much more to share but this post is already long, so you’ll have to come back for part two.  I always hate it when bloggers do that, but now I get you long-winded bloggers and your two parted posts. Sometimes the story is just too good to skip parts to make it fit in one post.  Glory be to God for getting us to Camalote Camp. 

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