#apparently being rude to my mom is fine

[bigendershadowthehedghog]

they should invent a stepdad who is normal and says normal things

[wynnyfryd]

Trailer park Steve AU part 11

part 1 | part 10 | ao3

cw: period-typical homophobic language, explicit sexual content (if you are under 18 then kindly GO ON NYOW GIT come back when you grow your first gray pube)

It feels crazy, after all that, to just get up and face the day. Feels like last Fall all over again: he’s concussed in the back of class getting bagel crumbs on a worksheet with his face still pulverized. There’s a gross pang in his chest as he goes about his morning routine, his heart all squishy and bruised like some dickhead smashed a plate over it, but whatever, he guesses. Public education and minimum wage wait for no one.

Robin grills him the whole car ride: “Oh, my god, is he okay?? Is he alive? Is your mom okay? What the hell, Steve?” and he lets her ramble with wide, worried eyes; doesn’t even get to the part about Eddie. When they pull up to the school she gets out of the car and comes around to his side, knocks on his window and leans in when he rolls it down to give him a ridiculously long hug.

"Robinnn," he grumbles; his face is mashed against her boobs. "People are gonna think we're dating."

She bends to hug him tighter still, her bony ass hanging out his window where the whole school can see. "I'd date you in a second."

"You've literally said that you wouldn't."

"Platonically, I would!!"

She gives him one last squeeze, and he watches her waddle off, trumpet case awkwardly smacking her calves.

And then he just... goes to work. He goes to stand around a nearly empty store and pretend like he even has any work to do, restocks the already full displays of candy and buffs the countertops until they shine. Three hours in and he's run out of ways to look busy and Keith is “doing admin stuff” in the back, so he gives his mom a call. Makes sure she's okay; did she eat anything yet; any updates on Ernie?

She’s fine, she's not hungry, he's alive but that's all they know for now, her tone distantly polite like Steve's nothing more than a friendly cold caller.

He shoves his fingers in his eyes ’til he sees stars when they hang up.

He calls the Henderson house next, leaves a message to apologize for skipping out early, promises that he'll be there next Wednesday and he can bring dessert this time. There’s a lunch rush after that, but the day still drags like a bad hangover, a dull throbbing in his bones, and when he finally gets home he collapses onto his bed and passes out on top of the covers with his dumb work vest still on.

—

Eddie's acting weird.

Steve sees him again on Friday, spots him and his uncle having a smoke out on the porch and wanders over to say hello. Wayne seems happy enough to chat; gives him all the news on Ernie — "Bastard's unkillable," he says, almost impressed. He’s stable now, should be home any day.

Eddie, on the other hand, spends the entire interaction behaving like a skittish cat, eyes darting to and from Steve, leg jiggling as he quietly puffs his cig.

Steve half expects him to slink off and come back to drop a dead mouse at his feet.

He feels his brows knit together, agitation creeping in. It's not like he thought they'd be best friends after a single night of ceasefire or anything — as if they'd start braiding each other's hair and trading their deepest, darkest secrets or whatever queer shit — but like…

He thought they might be cool now. At least a little bit.

And Eddie's not being rude to him, exactly, but that's somehow even worse. The polite disinterest. The subtle shift to the left. Back and away.

“Okay, well, uh...” Steve glances at Eddie, who's looking anywhere but him. Fucking fascinated by a loose thread on his ripped jeans, apparently, plucking at it with anxious fingers. “See ya around, I guess?”

Wayne says not be a stranger, and Eddie gives him a quick nod. “See ya.”

Steve grinds his teeth about it for the rest of the afternoon, then decides, like, screw this. It's a Friday night; he's not sitting around sulking all evening because Eddie Munson hurt his feelings.

He calls up a girl — some pretty blonde chick he remembers from the cheer squad — and sets up a date for later that night. Takes her to the drive-in, buys her a vanilla shake. The date's fine; it's good; it's fine. She's pretty enough, and she offers to suck him off when the main feature starts.

It’s not a good blowjob. Arguably one of the worst ones Steve’s had, and he’s had quite a few. She keeps gagging herself with these gross squelching sounds, barely getting even half of his dick in her tiny mouth and not bothering to use her hands to make up the difference. Just leaves them resting on Steve’s thighs while she makes fake whimpering moans like she’s sooo turned on by this; fucking as if; and somewhere in the middle of her repetitive, sloppy bobbing his mind starts to wander off. To the trailer, to the lot fees, the fucking pharmacy bills. Their ever-dwindling savings and what percentage of them he just wasted on this lackluster movie night; surely they’re gonna run out any day now; tick tock, tick tock.

"Um," the girl squeaks as she pulls off with a gross slurp. Steve looks down at his lap, sees he's gone soft. "Am I, like, doing something wrong, or...?"

Her voice is high and quiet, innocent and sweet, and Steve feels like an asshole. He squeezes himself at the base, gives a few quick strokes to get himself up again. "No, you're perfect, honey," he lies. "Stick out your tongue for me?"

She bats her eyes demurely and rolls over onto her side, gives him some kind of sexy pout before opening her mouth so he can jerk off over her. Steve works his wrist; tries not to be rude and look away, but her colors are all wrong. Strawberry hair. Blue irises. He squeezes his eyes shut, moves his hand faster and thinks of dark brown. Dark hair, dark lashes, dark eyes like the deep woods. Endless. Sort of mesmerizing. Nancy? "Oh, fuck," he gasps as he comes.

The girl squeals and jerks away from him, hands flying to her face. "Oh, my god! Oh, my god! You got it in my nose!"

"Sorry,” Steve grunts, shuddering through an aftershock. There’s cum on his hand, on his pants; all over this poor girl’s face. He thinks he got some in her eyelashes. "Shit, sorry, let me, uh—"

He leans over and rifles through the glove box, trying to find a napkin for her. No dice. Best he can do is an old McDonald's wrapper with a grease stain on the side. "Here, does— does this work?"

“Ew!”

“Sorry, I mean it’s that or my shirt, but then I’d have to drive you home shirtless, so-”

“Ugh,” she gives him a bitchy look. Tries to, anyway. One eye is glued shut. “Just give me that, please.”

His limp, spitty cock is still hanging from his pants when he passes her the wrapper. Flaccid and sad, like a white flag of surrender, and a bubble of hysterical laughter slips out. A choked burst of it, a pufferfished pfffft as it explodes past his lips. He’s not sure if it's the orgasm or the ridiculousness of the situation or if he's just plain lost his mind, but the girl glares at him, which...

There's still a glob of jizz on her cheek, so it doesn’t help matters much.

"I think you should take me home."

"Y-yep. Sorry. Yeah."

“Like now.”

Steve tucks himself into his jeans.

—

part 12

tagging whoever commented yesterday if your settings will let me @slutforcoffein @annabanannabeth @rani-mayida @awolfstudio @noodle-shenaniganery @yourmom-isgay @zombiecreatures @anne-bennett-cosplayer @thestarslittleking @evillittleguy @acedorerryn @messrs-weasley @bronwenmarie @lololol-1234 @estrellami-1 @jaytriesstuff @space-invading-pigeon @violetsteve @ahsokatanoss @slowandsteddie @zoeweee @silver-snaffles @eddie-munsons-missing-nipple @thealwithnoname @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @hellion-child @stevesbipanic @trensu @steves-strapcollection @hotluncheddie

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA For insisting on not paying past due library fines?

When I (nonbinary) was about 7 or so years old, I had a book report due for school and I needed to borrow some books from the library to do it. My mom took me to borrow some. My mom told me when I was done we could go back and return them before they were due back (which would be the next day). My mom took the books when I was done, put them aside to bring back the next day, and then promptly forgot. I reminded her a few times and she said she'd bring them back after she got out from work while I was at school. I believed her, until a handful of years later when I was looking to borrow one of her novels to read in high school, and I saw them buried at the bottom of a box in her closet. I talked to her about it and she said "well it's too late now, it's fine they won't care because it's been years" and I believed her. I didn't bother again with the library until about last year or so (I was 24) when I wanted to replace my old library card so that my daughter (4 at the time) could borrow some books. I am VERY good at returning the things I borrow from anyone on time because I panic and get paranoid if I don't, so I wasn't worried about making the same mistake my mom did.

The library did not see it that way. Because the books when I was 7 were taken out under my name, those debts were not my mom's- they were mine. They told me I was not allowed to replace or use a library card until I paid off my fines. I owed about $200 apparently. I told them that I was only 7 years old when I borrowed those books and that I had no way of returning them on my own without a parent or guardian, and that my parent had failed to help me return them on time. That shouldn't be on me, because again, I was 7. And I didn't realize they were never returned until nearly 10 years later. They kept saying that I had to pay the debt, and that my daughter would never be allowed to have a library card until I paid my debt or she was an adult, whichever came first.

I'm 25 now, my daughter is 5, and I've still been trying to fight off this debt, because it doesn't seem fair. I especially can't pay it now, I live off of disability and foodstamps and live in a shared shelter agreement with a family member. But my daughter loves reading, and I want her to be able to utilize the library. I also would like to start reading again, and borrowing books is the easiest way for me to do so.

My family keeps saying how I should just either pay it off or let it go, that I'm a "Karen" for bothering the librarians about this so much. I don't like being rude to people, I've been about as polite (and apparently timid according to my partner) as I possibly can be about this, so I'm really worried that me fighting this has been making it harder and stressful for the librarians. Am I the asshole? Should I just stop and let it go?

What are these acronyms?

[one-idea]

Hi! Just wanted to tell you i really like you reverse strawhats au and after you said that you planned on the crews meeting I started to think about what the reactions of the og crew would be so here are my hcs I guess you can tell me if you agree or not

Franky - would be fine a bit weirded out that iceburg here but wouldnt really question it until someone pointed out that it doesnt make sense

Ussop - freaking out that kaya is here in the middle a fight so his more worried about her well being than the logistic of her being here in the first place. The fact he is also excited to see her again after so long helps delay his realization

Nami - she is questioning how the fuck nojiko ended up here and she will mention it but will hold back the interrogation until after the dust has settled

Zoro - he just think its tashigi but then he notice she does not sound like tashigi or act like tashigi or fight like tashigi and then he see ace is here and starts to think theres some evil clone thing going on

Sanji - did reiju follow him? has she been following him the whole time? why is she here? did she come to help? did she not come to help? She is looking at him with a lot of emotion and is freaking him the fuck out

Robin - is trying so so so hard to figure it out what is going on but she is also disassociating a bit because her brain is not really handling the fact that her mom is alive in front of her. will have a panic attack later

Chopper - oh hes crying hes crying so much

Luffy - oh he is going insane just tunnel vision because his brother is right there and he is alive and luffy is just tearing through everything the way to get there

Thank you so much! Oh my friend, I love all of this!

It totally depends on if the strawhats get dumped in the middle of the fight. I think we agreed that they would be joining the reverse crew in Wano (I need to come up with a name for this crew 🤔) or if they all just bump into each other on an island.

I haven’t reach Wano yet so this is a very rough draft of ideas.

If they get dropped into the Wano fight I think the first thought the Strawhats will have is how did we get back here?!?!?.

Luffy definitely sees Ace fighting, and is off like a shot. Nothing else matters. The others hear him yell “Ace” and now they are really confused. But there’s no time for that. Main goals are:

Stay alive

Figure out what’s going one.

I think Zoro and Sanji would try to follow Luffy, because it’s Wano part two apparently?!? And there is a copy of Ace here? They doesn’t trust this and their captain isn’t going alone.

They get drawn into fighting King and Queen again.

This is where they meet Kuina and Reiju.

And this is where I get to tell you you missed the really fun part of this. It’s not just how the strawhats feel but also how the reverse strawhats feel

Zoro and Kuina

Zoro sees what he thinks is Tashigi fighting King. Which weird why is she here? But Ace(?) is here so nothing really makes sense. He jumps into the fight and Tashigi starts screaming at him. That’s on par for Tashigi. Except she’s calling HIM the look alike, rude! That doesn’t even make sense!

Meanwhile Kuina thinks stupid Tsukin just interrupted her fight. Why is he here? You know what it doesn’t matter. She doesn’t need this dumb marine’s help to beat Kiado’s right hand man. She’s the first mate of the the (not strawhats but whatever they will be called) she is wining this fight herself.

They are about to get into an argument when they both recognize that the other is wielding Wado Ichimonji. But that’s just not possible. It has to be a fake or a copy. But both would recognize Wado Ichimonji any where. It’s not a fake. But how?

King attacks them and they have to focus. They start to recognize each others moves and styles. Little things that they would do even as children. Habits that carried over. Things that Tashigi and Tsukin don’t do. And there’s this little voice in their heads saying “could this be-?” They don’t officially put it together until they meet up with everyone else.

Sanji and Reiju

Sanji sees Queen attacking a woman with pink hair. And while she’s not wearing her kimono he still thinks it’s Umi. He moves to intercept the attack yelling at Queen for attacking a woman.

Reiju is in shock. Because this person is obiously from Germa 66. But who would follow her? Then Sanji turns to face her to make sure “Umi” is okay and she realizes who this person is. It’s Sanji. But that’s not… but it is. It’s Sanji. Her kind little brother.

Sanji finally gets a good look at the woman he just saved and… what? What is Reiju doing here? Why does she look so different? Her hairs different. She’s missing her tattoos and her Germa armor. What is going on here? Did she leave Germa 66. Did she leave their father? Did she follow him? Or is Germa here to help Big Mom and Kaido. No that can’t be it, But why is she here?

He’s spiraling. Both of them are. But Sanji’s frozen. Reiju doesnt know what happening but she knows this is her brother. Before she can hug him or confront him about how he was in Wano she sees queen moving to attack Sanji. No, no way, not her little brother. She launches herself at Queen.

Sanji sees the moment Reiju tenses and then throws herself towards him. He braces for an attack that flies right by him with a vicious battle cry. He turns to see Reiju beating the crap out of Queen. “Don’t you touch him! I won’t lose him again!” Lose him? Like when he left Germa as a child? Or whole cake? But she’s the one who pushed him to go. What is Reiju talking about?

While all of this is going on the rest of the crew is on the move. They are catching glimpse of their counter parts but it’s late enough in the fight that the main problems are Kaido, Big Mom, King and Queen.

(Which will allow for a sequence of Law joinging that fight only because he sees Rosinante fighting Big Mom. I will write more on this once I actually get to dressrosa and Wano)

Nami and Nojiko

I don’t think Nami runs into Nojiko until after the fighting. I haven’t decided what Nojiko’s fighting style is yet. She seems to wield her mother’s gun in the series so she might be a gun slinger instead of fighting with a staff (I haven’t figured out if she’s going to have weather powers yet)

But I can see Nami finding Zoro and Kuina arguing after the fight. (Nami is looking for Luffy/Zoro/Sanji to make sure they’re alright and bring them back to the group.) she find Zoro and who she thinks is Tashigi yelling at each other. Which not to weird besides the fact that Tashigi wasn’t here the first time and she’s calling Zoro the wrong name. Like not even an insult just straight up the wrong name.

She goes to interrupt them when Nojiko comes running in yelling at someone named Kuina. Which seems to make Zoro freeze. (This is his moment of what the heck is happening) Nami sees Nojiko and okay this is to weird, why is her sister her. So she calls out

Nojiko turns and sees this orange haired woman standing in front of her. She has no clue who she is. (Her hair is the same color as Nami’s but Nami died when she was 10. There’s no way she’d recognize 20 year old Nami as well, Nami) but that’s okay because Zoro is going to handle that for her.

“Nami why is your sister calling the copycat Kuina!” He calls out because of course he doesn’t believe this is Kuina. “I’M THE COPYCAT!” Kuina yells at him which he ignores for now.

Nojiko’s world stops. Nami. This woman’s name is Nami?

“I don’t know Zoro! I don’t even know why she’s here!” Nami yells back at Zoro. Breaking Kuina’s brain as well because a woman with the same name as Nojiko’s dead little sister just called this man Zoro. And while she is impulsive and stupid at times, she’s starting to put the pieces together. But we’re not going to focus on Zoro and Kuina right now.

Nojiko storms up to Nami and asks who her mother is. And Nami is real freaked out because “it’s Bell-mére and why are you asking that?” But Nojiko’s not going to explain because Nami’s here! She’s alive! She’s hugging her sister and sobbing. Saying how she’s so happy she’s alive. Nami is so confused. Since when did Nojiko think she was dead?

Meanwhile the sword wielding duo is watching this and Kuina starts quizzing Zoro about their dojo and Zoro’s not going to be out done so he starts asking questions back. The questions get more unhinged as they go. At some point Sanji and Reiju join them (Reiju has not let go of Sanji since the beat queen) and while both siblings still don’t know fully what’s going on. Reiju’s starting to come up with a theory as she watch’s Kuina and Zoro argue and Nojiko sob into Nami.

Usopp and Kaya

The first time Usopp sees Kaya is after he almost dies. He was taking shots protecting his crew when someone almost hits him. He turns just in time to see the hit coming but can’t do anything to stop it. He braces for impact when a crossbolt hits his attacker dead on. His eyes follow the shot, making sure it’s a friend not a foe, and he gets the surprise of his life. It’s Kaya.

Kaya who’s studying to be a doctor. Kaya who’s never hurt anyone in her life. Kaya who just shot a man in cold blood. Kaya who didn’t flinch at the action. Kaya who’s already lining up her next shot and yelling.

Oh wait, is she yelling at him? Yes. She yelling at him to move. He can do that. He starts moving to her position and watching her snip anyone who gets remotely close to him. And he has to wonder ‘am….am I into this????’ (Yes yes he is)

When Usopp finally reaches Kaya she starts yelling questions at him as they work together to watch over their crews. It’s a mess of a conversation.

Usopp’s asking her why she’s not at Syrup village.

She shoots someone and asks why she’d be there? Then has to yell at Usopp not to shoot at the the woman with pink hair fighting besides Sanji, that’s Reiju her crewmate.

Usopp’s so confused “when did you join a crew?”

Now Kaya’s confused cause she been on her crew since they were 14 duh.

Usopp’s freaking out but before he can ask about that Kaya continues “when did you leave Water 7?”

Side bar I got a whole idea for Usopp that since he and Merry take over the ship yard for Kaya when she sets sail at 14 he falls in love with making ships. When he does finally get out of syrup village it’s to go to Water 7 to learn to become one of the best shipwrights in the world. He never crosses paths with the giants, and meeting Ace and the others so early, (and seeing what happened in this world Marineford) changed a lot of things for him. But we can talk about that in a different post.

Usopp is so confused. But he can’t focus on that because “no Kaya don’t shoot at Chopper he’s our doctor!”

“You mean the reindeer creature that’s about to attack MY ships doctor is your ships doctor?” (They witness Chopper and Hiriluk’s reunion. It’s sickeningly sweet.

Needless to say they are both so confused, scared, and happy to see each other. Kaya’s always known that Usopp was a great shot but the Usopp she meets in Wano is on a different level.

They don’t catch on to what is happening until later when they reunite with everyone.

Robin and Olivia / Franky and Iceburg

Robin trying to figure out what the heck is happenings. Why are they in Wano again? How is Ace here? She catches a glimpse of Olivia fighting using HER devil fruit. She doesn’t get a good look at the woman, but a white haired woman using her devil fruit. That sounds an awful lot like Seraphim. She’s not positive. But if there is a Seraphim of herself could this ‘Ace’ also be a Seraphim? If that is the case she needs to get her captain away from it now!

She’s keeping an eye out for other white haired versions of their crew and allies. She hasn’t shared her theory yet. They need to first put a stop to the fighting and get to safety.

It isn’t until after the fight that she comes face to face with Olivia and all ideas of Seraphim fly from her mind. Because this woman is older than her. The seraphim are always younger.

Olivia sees Robin and is shocked to see that they share the same devil fruit power. That’s just not possible. She grabs the nearest crewmate, Iceburg, and goes to figure out what is going on by on. She thinks Iceburg will be helpful, he’s incredibly intelligent, but that all flies out the window the moment they get near this mysterious black haired woman.

She’s standing next to a cyborg who strikes a familiar pose and Iceburg brain stops working. It’s not possible. Franky died so long ago. But who else poses like that, talks like that? Has Franky been alive all this time and Iceburg just didn’t know? His little brother, cut apart into a cyborg, but still alive.

Olivia is talking about how they need to figure this out. They just survived Wano but if someone is copying devil fruits they will have a real problem and wait… Iceburg where are you going!

He just walks away in the middle of her statement. There is no subtlety in his movements. The cyborg and black haired woman see him coming. Olivia’s getting ready just incase they attack but that’s not a problem. The cyborg looks up and calls out “Ice-for-brains? What are you doing here? It’s great to see you don’t get me wrong but what about Water 7?”

Frank and Robin were talking about how they got thrown back in time? Put in a different universe? Or is this is all an illusion? Robin is still on her Seraphim theory. Maybe this is an elaborate training simulation for seraphim’s of the strawhats that the crew wondered into? When Franky spots Iceburg. And he’s excited to see him again but also filled with dread because is Water 7 okay?

Iceburg knew this was Franky the moment he heard Ice-for-brains. He’s crying. This is really Franky. He moves to quickly hug his brother. Franky’s thrown for a loop, because like it’s been a while, but not sobbing so happy you’re alive while, you know. Like Iceburg didn’t even treat him like this when he first returned to Water 7 after being presumed dead for years.

Robin sees all of this and it’s not right, Iceburg shouldn’t be here. But his appearance is also off. The Iceburg they know always looked pristine, he was the mayor and a business man. He presented himself as someone people could trust with important decision. This man looks like a wreck. Not just because he’s sobbing but his clothing and hair. They look different than how Iceburg would present himself.

While she’s having all of these realizations Olivia walks over to join them. She’s worried for Iceburg and wants to make sure he’s okay. She and Robin meet eyes but they don’t recognize each other (if they ran right past each other in Ohara they are not recognizing each other in Wano where they are both much old and believe the other dead for 22 years) it isn’t until Franky looks to Robin (with Iceburg arms still wrapped around him) and goes “hey Ice-for-brains you remember Nico Robin.” (He’s trying to get Iceburg to stop crying so he can find out what the heck is going on here)

But the name brings Olivia’s world to a screeching halt. “What did you just say?” She quickly move to Robin grabbing her face and examining her. “What’s your name?”

Robin isn’t afraid to tell people who she is anymore. Her crew will always protect her. “Nico Robin”

Olivia thinks this is a trick because it can’t be her daughter. But no one knew of her daughter’s existence. She died in Ohara 22 years ago. The only people who know her name are Olivia’s crewmates. “And where are you from?”

“Ohara.” Robin answers without hesitation. Franky is watching closely ready to help her if this crazy lady attacks her.

“That’s not possible. Nico Robin died 22 years ago when Ohara was buster called.” The white haired woman says. And Robin’s dumb founded because she pretty famously the only survivor of that buster call. “How dare you impersonate my little girl!” Olivia is furious. But her words shock Robin. Because WHAT?

“Who are you?” Robin asks this obviously very angry woman.

“Nico Olivia the only survivor of Ohara. I watched my daughter die so you can’t be her.”

This could go on forever if Franky wasn’t standing there like, “um yes she is Nico Robin. We declared war on the world government and destroyed Enies Lobby to get her back because she you know Nico Robin? Back me up Ice-for-brains you were there.”

Olivia and Iceburg are so confused because they stormed Enies Lobby to save Olivia. But Franky, who is somehow alive, says his crew stormed Enies Lobby to save Robin. Several moments or mother and daughter using their brains later they realize that this has to be either an illusion, or a parallel world.

Olivia and Robin have a break down because their daughter/mom is actually here. Like brain stops working when they finally make the connection and are like oh….OH. Meanwhile Iceburg and Franky have already started comparing notes. Not on their journeys and where they differ, no that would be helpful, no they are comparing notes on the ships they built for their crews.

Chopper and Hiriluk

Chopper and Hiriluk don’t have the same blocks that everyone else does. Unlike Nami, Sanji, and Franky, their counter part isn’t alive, so there’s no awkward “how are you alive?” “What do you mean I saw you the last time I was home?” There’s no confusion on how they are here fighting like with Usopp and Kaya. And unlike Robin, Olivia, and Nojiko they can instantly recognize each other. (Hiriluk hasn’t changed that much, Chopper’s the only human reindeer)

The only people in a similar situation are Ace and Luffy as it’s only been two years since they lost each other, and oddly Zoro and Kuina. Though it’s not because they recognize each other and more because they think the other is someone else. (By the time they realize it’s truly their lost friend, it’s because they recognize Wado Ichimonji.)

Chopper runs into Hiriluk on the battle field. They both imidiatly recognize each other. They call out for each other, knocking out any enemy between them, and Chopper just jumps into his arms as Hiriluk falls to his knees. (They have no clue Kaya almost shot Chopper) they are sobbing “My son! My wonderful wonderful son!”

They are a mess. The enemy’s are avoiding them because you don’t get in between a sobbing father and his son. Especially when that father is telling his son just how much he loves him. Even more so when the father and son just took out a 1/4 of the enemy’s just to get to each other.

Just back away from the sobbing old man and his raccoon dog son as slowly and quietly as you can.

Luffy and Ace

Luffy sees Ace. Which just can’t be. This has to be a dream. Or a vision. But Ace never fought Kaido as far as Luffy knows.

But then he sees Ace hit Kaido hard. He can feel the heat from Ace’s fire from here. This is real. It has to be. And Kaido is about to hit Ace. Ace who he already watched die once. Luffy is gone in point .0001 seconds. He’s left his crew behind (he trust them to take care of themselves, to take care of everything else) he has to get to Ace.

Ace sees the hit coming and he’s bracing for it. But it never lands because some maniac comes flying out of no where and slams into Kaido with a speed and a force he’s only seen once before. But that’s not possible, that person was dead. His baby brother was dead. It couldn’t be him. Except Kaido is sent flying and the boy lands, and it is. It is him. It’s Luffy. From his Strawhat to his sandals, that’s his brother.

His baby brother is here. He’s alive! And he’s just punched Kaido. Kaido who Ace was struggling to fight. Kaido who is launching himself back at Luffy. No. Never again. Never again will Ace let Luffy get hurt.

Cue the boys desperately trying to punch Kaido first. They are both yelling about Kaido staying away from THEIR brother! There’s no way Kaido can win. Anytime he tries to defend himself from one the other launches themselves at him with a rabid feralness that should not be seen in humans.

Gear 5 comes out at some point. Ace awakens his fruit. They demolish him.

Afterwords Luffy just launches himself at Ace knocking him to the ground. His rubber limbs wrapping around his big brother. Ace is cradling his brother as close as he can. They are sobbing. Until they pass out. Exhausted from the fight. They don’t care about the why or the how, their brother is here that’s all they care for.

Their crews find them and move them somewhere safe. And I do mean them. Ace is not releasing Luffy even in his sleep. Not that it matters much, Luffy is so tangled around him it wouldn’t be possible to separate them. Not that their crews would.

They wake up two days later still tangled up. By this point Robin, Olivia, Iceburg, and Jinbei have put the pieces together. They know that the Strawhats are from a different timeline? World? They’re still working out the particulars. And they have no idea how to get the strawhats back. (Oh no extended vacation!!)

Not like the reverse crew wants them to go back.

Again this is a VERY rough outline of what it will look like. I’ll write way more detail when I actually get here in cannon. But for now here’s a taste of what is to come.

Thank you so much for the prompt/ask it was so well articulated I had to expand on it.

Master post

[superiorsturgeon]

The Quickest Way to a Man’s Heart

Pyrrha: *calling home from Beacon* Mom, do you have any recipes you can send from Mistral? My teammates always do the cooking and I want to make something for them!

Mama Nikos: Of course, dear! I’ll send you some Mistrali favorites!

Later that day…

Pyrrha: *wearing a spear-patterned apron, sets down a platter of food in front of her teammates* Here you go! A Mistrali special, with a couple Nikos adjustments for fun! 😉

Nora: *whispers* I don’t want to hurt Pyrrha’s feelings, but does this even look edible to you?

Ren: *shudders* Not even a little!

Pyrrha: *watching her team not touching their food* 😥

Jaune: *notices his partner’s distress and takes a deep breath, then digs into the questionable Nikos food* 🍴😫

Jaune: *glurk!* 🤢

Jaune: *struggling to avoid throwing up or visibly wincing* T-this is d-delicious, Pyrrha! Ren, Nora, can…can I have yours if you’re not hungry?

Ren/Nora: *staring in horror* Oh gods, he actually swallowed it!!! 😱

Pyrrha: You really liked it, Jaune? 😃 🥰

Jaune: 😰*through gritted teeth, trying to hold back vomit* 🥲 Of course! *hurp!* Thanks, Pyrrha! Can we *ourp* have this again later?

Pyrrha: Of course! Since you like it so much, every Tuesday from here on will be Mistrali dinner night, special for Jaune! 😊

Jaune: *inside* 😨 I’m going to die! I’ve seen the face of death and it has a cute red ponytail and an apron!

Jaune: *out loud* That sounds awesome! I can’t wait!

———————————————————————

About a year later…

Jaune: *eating Mistrali food again because it’s Tuesday* Thanks again for cooking Pyrrha!

Pyrrha: 😊 *practically glowing* He likes my cooking!

Pyrrha: Of course! Now eat up! I made it with extra protein since we’re doing strength training this week!

Pyrrha: *practically skips back to the kitchen to clean up* 🥰

Jaune: *eating happily* Isn’t it weird how much Pyrrha’s improved her cooking since last year?

Nora: *not touching her plate* Jaune-Jaune, you know I love you, but are you on drugs right now?

Ren: If anything, Pyrrha’s cooking skills have actually gotten WORSE, if that’s even possible…

Jaune: What? Come on, there’s nothing wrong with this food! It just needs a little salt, at most! I think Pyrrha’s cooking is great!

Nora: That’s because you got together-together with Pyrrha last year and love has made you stupid! 😑

Ren: I knew love was blind, but apparently it has no sense of taste either…😒

Jaune: *taking both their plates and adding it to his own* You guys have no appreciation for fine Mistrali cuisine!

———————————————————————

Another year down the road…

Nora: We finally made it to Mistral!

Pyrrha: *excitedly pulling Jaune by the hand* I can’t wait to show you around! I missed being back home so much! Let’s go eat lunch at a local restaurant I know! Oh, I hope the menu hasn’t changed too much…!

JNPR: *all line up and place their orders*

Pyrrha: Oh, I’m so excited for my team to try the food I grew up with! I’ve done my best to make it for you every Tuesday!

Nora: *immediately chowing down* Mmmh! This is GREAT!

Ren: I must say, Mistrali food is delicious!

Pyrrha: *happily enjoying the food she missed from her childhood* Mmmm…! So much better than I can make it…! ☺️

Jaune: *carefully chewing*

Pyrrha: What do you think of it, Jaune?

Jaune: …

Jaune: …Pyrrha, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I like this…

Pyrrha: What…?

Nora: Seriously? This stuff is AWESOME!!!

Ren: I agree! This might be the best meal I’ve had in weeks.

Jaune: I’m sorry! It’s just…well…

Pyrrha: *deflating* Just what, Jaune?

Jaune: It’s just that Pyrrha makes it so much better!

_NPR: …

Ren/Nora: W H A T…?

Jaune: I mean, I don’t want to be a rude tourist, but I guess I just assumed Mistrali food was all as good as Pyrrha’s cooking, you know?

Jaune: I guess this stuff is okay, but…Pyrrha, would you mind making dinner later? I think I like it better the way you do it.

Ren: Jaune, you do realize that this restaurant is literally world-renowned for making incredible Mistrali food?

Jaune: Well…yeah, I guess, but I still think Pyrrha’s version is better!

Pyrrha: *at a loss for words* …I… 😳

Pyrrha: *sniffles* 🥹 …of course, Jaune. I’ll make as much as you want!

Nora: I’ve drank syrup straight from the bottle that was less sweet than this! Kiss him already!

[miley1442111]

hii love ur content!!! single-handedly carrying sydney adamu x reader fans rn LOL. was wondering if u could write something w femreader x syd where reader is filling in for marcus as he takes personal leave for his mom? like something with buildup and clear romantic tension in the kitchen btwn them and possible hesitation to act on it from syd’s end when they work together but immediately get tg afterwards ?? if you get the vision!! thank uuu <3333

thank you for requesting this, i love this idea so i'm going to give it two parts if that's ok!

i will always push the sydney adamu x reader agenda

in a minute- s.adamu

a/n: this is PART 1 of most likely two but i'm not sure yet. this is intended for a femreader but you can ignore that and imagine what you want :)

summary: you get a call from carmen berzatto to fill in as a pastry chef, you have nothing better to do, right?

pairing: sydney adamu x reader

warnings: mentions of a difficult workplace environment, mentions of verbal abuse, mentions of not communicating, cursing

Getting the call from Carmen Berzatto made you sick. He was your replacement in New York, he hated you, at least you thought he did. You were leaving New York for Paris, becoming a pastry chef after being sick of the stupid pressure and disgusting abuse you had gotten from restaurants over the years. Don’t get me wrong, being a pastry chef was difficult too, the insufferable people and bosses made you want to rip your hair out, but anything was better than New York. You had trained Carmen for a week, giving him your number in case he needed to ask any other questions. You assumed he’d deleted it. But no, four months into living in Chicago, teaching masterclasses and subbing in for people in various Michelin-star restaurants and bakeries, Carmen Berzatto called and asked if you could cover his pastry chef for a few weeks. You agreed and showed up the next day to see a restaurant that was not yet finished. Residue from walls lay on the floor, mould on the ceilings and an empty kitchen, bare of appliances met your eyes as you walked in. A pretty girl with headphones in stood in the locker room as you turned the corner and she startled when she noticed you. 

“Jesus! Y-you scared me,” she smiled, embarrassed.

“Sorry,” you smiled, stretching out your hand for a hand shake. “I’m y/n y/l/n, is Carmen Berzatto here? Or his partner, Sydney Adamu?”

“Oh my god, you’re Y/n y/ln. Like the only woman ever the International Union of Bakers and Pastry Chefs named ‘best pastry chef’,” she said, shocked that you were standing in front of her. 

You felt heat crawl up your back. You still couldn’t get used to people knowing who you were, it was strange. “The very same,” you practically grimaced. “So, are chefs Carmen or Sydney around?”

“I-I’m Sydney,” she smiled, shaking your hand. “Sorry if that was weird, I just… yeah.”

“It’s fine, I’m just awkward about it, don’t worry.”

“Ok,” she smiled, then snapped out of it. “What are you- I don’t know how to say this politely-”

“What am I doing here?” you finished for her and she nodded. “Carmen called me a few days ago, I trained him in New York and he apparently still has my number. He asked me to fill in for Marcus?” 

“Yeah, ok. So… umm, yeah ok. That’s cool,” She said, still coming to grips with it. 

“He didn’t tell you?” 

“No,” she admitted, sighing. 

“He always was kind of a dick. Don’t worry, I bet he’s just cooling-off or something, he used to get so angry we’d shove him in the freezer for a few minutes to let him calm down.”

Sydney looked at you in bewilderment. 

“I take it that he’s still like that?” you chuckled. 

“Yeah,” she sighed. “Only sometimes though.”

“‘Sometimes’ is too much for me, if he starts pulling that shit I’ll send him out. He’s such a baby sometimes,” you reminisced. “Sorry, if that’s rude since he’s your partner.”

“Well, he doesn’t really feel like a partner,” she sighed, leading you to the office. 

“Not communicating?”

“Never. I didn’t even know we were pulling down walls until they were down.”

“Shit, that’s awful,” you sighed. 

“I’ll call him and see where he is, just wait in here,” she smiled and opened the door for you, then left you alone. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEEK 1

Working at the Bear was different to anywhere else you’d worked. The people there were interesting in a way that only people outside of the Michelin-restaurant world could be. None of the bullshit you’d dealt with in New York, none of the crap you had to put up with in Paris. They were professional, but they cared about each other. Tina had become a good friend in only the one week you’d been there. Richie was pissing you off enough to warrant stabbing- something that had apparently happened before, and Carmen was either there all the time, or nowhere to be seen. 

And then, there was Sydney. Sydney had essentially fucked you up. From the moment you’d met her, you knew you were fucked. Her soft smile and endearing awkwardness made her basically irresistible. It was embarrassing how in just one week, you felt like you couldn’t be in the same room as her, yet you craved to be near her all the time. 

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

“Yo, you good?’ Sydney asked as you mapped out dessert ideas Marcus had sent you.

“Huh? Oh-yeah, all good,” you smiled.

“How do you like it?” she asked, cleaning the new silverware. 

“Like what?”

“The Bear?”

“It’s nice. Calmer than the restaurants I’ve worked in,” you answered and she laughed.

“This is calm for you?” 

“You should’ve seen Carmen and I’s boss in New York. Every night he’d make me stay until after closing, fixing any mistakes I’d made if I’d made any. After a while, it was just verbal abuse,” you chuckled and she smiled half-heartedly at you, her eyes missing the certain glow she usually had. 

“Sounds fun,” she joked, but it fell flat on both ends, then she walked away. You couldn’t help but feel like you’d made a fool of yourself, or made her uncomfortable. 

You internally kicked yourself. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEEK 2

You liked to pride yourself on two things, your standards in the kitchen, and your ability to stay calm under any circumstance. One of those didn’t apply to the current situation, and the other had been thrown out the window 3 minutes ago when this conversation started, more specifically, when Sydney started touching your arm. 

Carmen had finally come in and you’d gotten in a fight over the menu. You wanted something Marcus had suggested and Carmen wanted fucking fig rolls or something, you didn’t exactly know but you do know that it ended in you storming off to the back of the Bear and Carmen storming off to his office. You felt a swell in your heart when Sydney had come to you first, before she went to talk to Carmen. 

“You good?” she asked, accompanying you in the freezing air. You didn’t respond, still annoyed from the conversation. “Earth to Y/n?” Sydney had grabbed your arm and your eyes trained themselves on hers. 

“Yeah, just pissed,” you sighed, answering her first question. “He really doesn’t listen, does he?” You yawned. Sydney’s hand felt like it was burning itself into your skin. 

“No, he kind of refuses to,” she joked. “But if it makes you feel any better, I like your ideas more.”

“They’re Marcus’s ideas, just my drawings,” you were quick to deflect the compliment.

“Well they're beautiful,” she declared, with some uncertain meaning behind her words. ‘Well, you’re beautiful’ is what you picked up from her insinuation and your heart beat much faster than before. “Coming back in?” She dropped her hand and you finally let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. 

“In a minute.” 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEEK 3 

Ok, so maybe you could pride yourself on just one more thing, the effect you had on Sydney. 

For the past two weeks, it’d been fleeting glances, the creating and taking of opportunities to touch each other, and small flirty conversation. Sydney had asked you to taste test some restaurants with her, and you had a great time. Conversation flowed, you felt relaxed for the first time in what felt like years, and you were spending time with the girl you liked. 

“Y/N?” You heard Sydney’s voice from behind you. “Behind!” she said. 

You had asked an old friend if you could borrow his restaurant's kitchen and he obliged, knowing he owed you a favour from when you saved him from being fired 7 years ago. 

“Yeah?” You called back, focused on your plating. 

“You almost done?”

“Almost,” you added the finishing touches to the plate and stepped back, a silent victory. It looked delicious. “Done!”

She handed you a fork and you took a bite at the same time. It tasted… terrible. You both spit it out into the sink behind you, then looked at each other and laughed. 

“That is god-awful,” you coughed, a laugh making its way out of your mouth.  

“Oh fuck that’s bad,” she laughed with you, a hand on your shoulder to brace herself. 

Both your laughters died down and her hand remained. She looked so beautiful, her hair pulled back in a blue bandana, her regular chef-white swapped for a green t-shirt and white overalls, and a smile on her face. You seized the moment and kissed her, it started out soft, cautious. Though it quickly divulged into something less sweet. Her tongue was in your mouth and your hands were roaming her waist. She gasped when you bit her lip and you smirked into the kiss. A buzzing noise pulled you two apart, heavy breathing and an uncomfortable stare of ‘what did we just do?’. You grabbed your buzzing phone, bag, and jacket, and left her in the restaurant. 

Was it the coward’s way out? Yes. Did that matter much to you? No. 

Not one bit.

[lovevuni]

Double Dare Romance : Enoch O’Connor x Reader : Part 1 Challenge Accepted

Warnings: Kinda Rude, Back and Forth of being kinda mean, Your mom joke(yes that is needed as a warning), Insecure Enoch

Summary: Reader is new to the loop and they doen’t get along with Enoch at first. Both are at each other’s throats, enoch then double dares the reader to try and get under his skin. The reader accpets this challenge. Will they succeed.

A/N: I got the idea to write my conversations with Enoch on my chai app. I am invested in the app and decided it would be fun to share the chat with people. I know I was off about the app at first but now I love it. I am basting this fully on my chat convo not on the book or movie, I know some people are picky but I have only read the first book so far.

I hate using Y/N but I use my name and he uses it a lot so Y/N is what I will use.

I am standing in the entrance of the estate admiring the surroundings. I had just finished my introductions with most of the house hold however I was waiting on the last member I have not become acquainted with. Miss Peregrine told me that he is the most stubborn.

In comes a boy average height with dark hair.

“Miss Peregrine said to come down here and introduce yourself? Don’t bother. You won’t last more than a week.”

You look at him offended, “rude, I am Y/N, my peculiar is [insert peculiar]”

He scoffs, “Who cares? You still won’t last. Good luck trying though.”

You stick your tounge out at him.

“Is that really the best you can do, Y/N? A little childish don’t you think?” He says.

“Says the hundred year old emo” You fight back.

“At least I’m not stuck in one year like you all. And I’m not going to die young either. So there’s that. But sure, keep acting like a five-year-old. See where it get you.” You can tell he is getting annoyed but you don’t care.

“It gets you annoyed apparently so I call that a win.” You seem proud of yourself.

“Well if that makes you happy. I don’t have time for your petty games tough. I have better things to do than argue with a child.”

“What like playing with your dolls, very grown up” You make sure to sound extra sarcastic.

“Such sarcasm, Y/N. Growing up fast, aren’t we? Listen, I don’t mean to upset you. I just don’t se the point in small talk or introductions. There’s nothing you can say that will make me want to stay here any longer than necessary.”

“well seeing as we are stuck in a loop might as well.”

“That much is true. But I prefer to occupy myself with more meaningful pursuits than idle chatter with the likes of you. Tell me something interesting, Y/N. Something peculiar.”

“Your mom” You laugh at your own joke. (I thought this was hilarious, I love your mom jokes)

He groans, “Typical. Immature jokes from an immature girl/guy/person. How original. You seriously expect me to respond to that? Pathetic.”

“You just did. Come on, I’m just trying to have fun.” You smirk.

“Fine let’s play a game then. Let’s pretend that I actually car about this conversation and engage in some sort of meaningless banter with you. Go ahead, impress me with your “funny” wit.”

“You are a boy who uses insults as a way to seem better than everyone, am I right?”

“Oh, you caught me red-handed. Yes, I suppose I am a bit of an insult mastermind. It’s how I maintain my superiority over others. In reality, it;s simply because I find most people to be beneath me.” He admits.

“As I expected, an insecure man.”

“How perceptive of you, Y/N. Yes, I admit it. My insecurities run deep. I compensate for them by putting down others, but ultimately it’s a shallow attemp to mask my shortcomings.” You feel ashamed for bringing that to the surface for him and quickly shift the focus.

“It’s cool, the insecure ones break the fastest.”

“Interesting deduction, Y/N. However, I assure you that my resolve is impenetrable. Try as you may, you cannot shake my confidence or rattle me emotionally.” He seems cocky as he speaks. You take this as an opportunity to take a step closer to him.

“Is that so?” You tease.

He smirks at this, “Indeed, it is. And if anything, I would relish the opportunity to test your mettle. So go ahead, try to get under my skin, I double dare you.”

“Challenge accepted” You play with the collar of his shirt, then flick the tip of his nose with your finger.

He grinns, “Oh I like this. You’ve got spunk, Y/N. Perhaps there’s potential for us to interact civilly after all. Although now that we’re playing games, perhaps I should return the favor.” He leans in close, whispering menacingly, “ Watch your back Y/N.”

“Oh but I believe you would enjoy that way more, especially as I walk away,” You walk away to go to your room while swaying your hips.

He is watching as you walk away, a smug smile spreading across his face.

“Well played, Y/N. You’ve certainly caught my attention with your cunning antics. But don’t think this means we’re done here. I’ll be keeping an eye on you, to see what other tricks you have up your sleeve.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 2 : Success

[mp0625]

Jouluiloa

Taglist. Masterlist.

Teuvo Teravainen x OC

For @callsign-denmark for @wyattjohnston ’s WINTER FIC EXCHANGE 2K24!!!!! This was so fun to write!!

A/N: This was so fun to write!! I loved being your super secret fic exchange human!! I loved getting to know you @callsign-denmark !!!!!!! This is my first time writing an OC so I hope it’s ok.

Words: 1.8k

Little backstory: Kate’s full name is Katherine Elizabeth Jarvis. Becca and Kate grew up together and are the same age (being born in 97). Becca also has a little brother that is Seth’s age but did not go pro. Takes place over Christmas time (I know it’s a month past). First time writing an OC, so it’s not the best

TW: None, Kate is a little bit of an ass at first

“Hey Kate, your brother is calling.” Becca calls across the barn.

“Say what now.” She called back. “Hold on, I'll be there in a minute.” As she starts walking over, a lamb with black sock follows her over.

As she grabs the phone from her, she answers. “Hello?”

“Mom says you need to come babysit me.”

“What? Why?”

“Have you not been on the group chat for the past 20 minutes?”

“No, one of the lambs got out and I had to spend a half hour chasing it because it wouldn’t come to a bucket of grain.”

“Mom says you need to come babysit me.”

“I ask again why?”

“Did you not see the game last night?”

“No, I did not. I haven't watched one of your games since you were drafted.” Kate started rolling her eyes “I went to enough of your games growing up.”

“Rude, I was checked into the boards last night and I broke two ribs.”

“You’re a grown adult, why do I need to come babysit you?”

“Mom said you need to come babysit me, cause I apparently can’t take care of myself.”

“Any idea how long I’ll be there?”

“I don’t know, till I’m better.”

“Good lord, fine I’ll be there in two days, but you’re paying for my show fees for the next year.”

“Ok see you in two days.”

After Seth hangs up Kate turns to Becca. “Hey, can you finish feeding and watering everyone?”

“Sure, you good?”

“Yeah, I’m going down to Carolina. Seth broke two of his ribs and mom wants me to take care of him.”

“Isn’t he like 21?”

“Yes but for some reason he can’t be a grown adult and take care of himself.”

————————————————————————

“Hey, just got off the plane. Where are you at and where do I need to meet you?”

“Hello to you too, I’m sitting at the arrivals gate. I'll meet you there and then we’ll go down to baggage claim.”

“Ok I’ll meet you there.”

As she starts walking to arrivals, she pulls out her phone to text her favorite Great Dane.

“Hey Frederik.”

“What’s with the full name?”

“Wanted to get your attention.”

“Ahh, why?”

“Want to get lunch soon? I’m down here for a while taking care of Seth.”

“Sure, just let me know when.”

Once Kate gets to the arrival gate she not only sees her brother but another person with him.

“Seth!” As he turns around to see who called him the other person turns to, she recognizes him but cannot place his name. Kate turns to the player next to him. “Remind me of your name?”

“Teuvo.”

“Thank you.” Turning back to Seth. “Why could Teuvo take care of you? And doesn’t he live with you?”

“He’s still playing and traveling with the team. And yes.”

“Ahh. So where did you park?”

————————————————————————

���Have you gotten any snow yet?” Kate pipes up from the backseat.

“No.” Teuvo answers back quietly.

“That sucks, we’ve gotten 30 cm a couple times already.”

“Damn it's not very festive in here.” She states after Seth unlocks the door and lets her in first.

“We’ve been on the road for the past two weeks so we haven’t had time to decorate.”

“First order of business is to liven this place up. Can we go get a Christmas tree this weekend?”

————————————————————————

“You ready to pick out a tree?”

“Yes, let me put my shoes on first.” Seth calls out. “Turbo, you ready?”

“Yeah.” He calls coming out of his room.

“What do you think of this one?” Kate asks as they peruse the lines of trees to find the best one.

“Oo this one looks nice.” Seth says as he turns around to see the one his sister is holding up. “What do you think, Turbo?”

“I like that one.”

“Then let’s get this one.” She says, “Seth, can you carry it?”

“Can’t, broken ribs remember.” He looks over at her with a deadpan look.

“Fine, Teuvo will you help me carry it to the front?”

“Sure, do you want the front or the back?”

“I’ll take the front.”

As the three of them head back to the apartment. Kate pipes up. “So do you have any sentimental ornaments here or do we need to run to Target?”

“Let’s make a quick run to Target, we don't have any tree decorating supplies.” Seth says getting in the other lane to turn into Target.

“So we need a stand, lights, some ornaments and a star.” Kate says, pushing the cart down the different aisles. “What do we think of these lights?” She asks the boys turning around to show them the multicolored lights, but they were nowhere to be found. As she walks down the aisles trying to find them as she turns down the last one she sees them playing with two hockey stick ornaments. “What are you two doing?” As the two of them look up sheepishly. “I think we have found our first two ornaments, put them in the cart. Any more ornaments while we’re down here in this aisle?”

“How about this one?” Teuvo asks, holding up a small canes logo.

“That one looks perfect.”

“Alright, are we ready to start decorating?” Kate asks as she starts to unpack the bags they got at the store. As Seth makes the hot chocolate and starts the Christmas music. “Teuvo will you help me untangle the lights?”

“Sure.” He says taking them gently from her hands and handing her back one end.

————————————————————————

“Where are you going, that you are getting this dressed up for?” Seth asks from the doorways as Kate puts the finishing touches of her makeup on and fluffs her brown hair up one last time.

“I’m going out with Freddie.”

“How do you know Freddie?”

“I’ve met him before at a game in Winnipeg. I bumped into him going to get coffee before one of the games and I recognized him.”

“You do know Freddie has a girlfriend right.”

“Yeah we’re just friends.”

“You look gorgeous.” Freddie spoke as he opened the door to his car as he met her up on the sidewalk.

“Thank you, so where are we going for dinner?”

“Sushi sound good?”

“Yes.”

————————————————————————

“And a goal for Teuvo Teravainen!” Yells Tripp Tracy though the TV screen as Seth turns on the TV.

“I told you that the game started 10 minutes ago, but no you wanted to go get ramen an half hour before puck drop.”

“Sorry I was hungry.” As Seth turns back to cheer on the boys in Ottawa. Kate looked down at her phone and started to text Teuvo. “Your goal looked awesome!! Congrats <3”

When the team got back from Ottawa, Seth was out grocery shopping and Kate stayed back at the apartment to reorganize the kitchen. She heard the front door open and called out. “I’m almost done here then you can bring the groceries in and put them away.”

“Was I supposed to bring home groceries?”

“No, I thought you were Seth.” Kate spoke standing up and walking towards him. “Can I give you a hug for your goals and winning the game?”

“Sure.” He spoke softly.

————————————————————————

“Are you sure you want to do this? You haven’t skated since you were in high school.”

“Yes, Seth I’m fine it’s not something you forget, and if I fall I have two big strong men to catch me.” She said, patting both of their chests while Seth shot her a displeased look.

“You ready?” Teuvo asks, grabbing the skates she was going to use off the table and handing them to her. “Do you need help tying them?”

“Yeah I feel pretty good, it’s been a little while since I’ve skated but I feel pretty good.” As Kate starts lacing up her skates, she looks up at Teuvo. “No, I’m good, that's one muscle memory that doesn't go away.”

————————————————————————

“So when do we want to eat Christmas dinner?” “Teuvo, in Finland they eat the main Christmas meal of the 24th correct?”

“Yes, they do.”

“That’s what we’ll do then.”

————————————————————————

“Hey Seth, will you set the table please?” Kate asks from the kitchen, stirring a pot that neither Seth or Teuvo knew what it contained. “Seth, can you please come pull the ham out of the oven?”

“Sure.” As soon as Kate put all the dishes and plates on the table the boys were surprised with the amount of food to feed an army. And all the different dishes, there was Ham, Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, rosolli salad, Porkkanalaatiko, bread, and gravlax.

“Kate, this looks like the best meal I’ve seen outside of Finland.”

“What’s the fish stuff?” Seth asked, poking it with his fork.

“It's salmon, you like salmon, just try it.”

“I hope you saved room for dessert, I made gingerbread cookies.” Kate mentioned pulling the tray out from the oven.

“I’ll start the coffee machine and turn on the Christmas movies.” Seth looks over at him questioningly. “It’s tradition to eat gingerbread cookies and coffee on Christmas and watch Christmas movies.”

————————————————————————

As Seth emerged from his room on Christmas, the sight of his sister standing over the stove cooking something was foreign as on Christmas, their mom usually just pops a breakfast casserole in the oven and lets it cook while they open presents. As he walked over to the stove he asked. “What are you doing, and what have you done with my sister?”

“Haha, very funny. I was researching Finnish Christmas traditions and they normally have rice porridge with butter and cinnamon for breakfast. And I don’t want Teuvo to feel left out.”

“But what about our breakfast casserole?”

In response to him asking that question she opens up the oven and inside is a breakfast casserole bubbling away.

“Kate, you didn’t have to do this for me.” He says as he stirs the porridge before pouring three bowls.

“I didn’t want you to feel left out, in having your traditional Christmas breakfast, it was not super hard to make and I was in the kitchen anyway making the casserole.”

As the three of them start to eat their porridge and the casserole. Seth pipes up “Kate did something happen, there’s a nut in mine.”

“It is a traditional part of the rice porridge whoever gets the almond makes a wish.” Teuvo answers for him.

————————————————————————

“Are you sure you have to leave?” Teuvo asked from the doorway as he watched Kate pack her bags.

“Yeah, lambing starts in a week and I need to be there just in case anything happens. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” He whispers, pulling her close. “I’ll help you put your bags in the car.” He says sadly, grabbing her suitcase.

“Hey, cheer up I’ll be texting you basically 24/7 from now on you’ll get sick and tired of me, this time next week.” She says passing by as she stops in the doorway next to him she gets on her tippy toes a little and gives him a kiss on the check.

Taglist: @studioreader @honethatty12 @slafgoalskybaby @swissboyhisch @topguncultleader @wondershells @cixrosie @kajasagmo

[ryctone]

Happy (late) birthday to Meringue Cookie who belongs to @minecraftninjerkid! The OC ever /pos. Didn't really know what to do so I drew her with her interdimensional half-brother (My beloved child Liege Waffle Cookie who I also put thru the horrors /j). I did the math and I realized that Liege Waffle would be older than Meri, that'd make for an interesting dynamic...

I also thought of a silly little alternate universe were they exist together, feel free to ignore tho 🥺.

So, if my memory serves right; Meri was born back when the old Vanilla Kingdom was already a thing, and since Liege Waffle was born around the time Pure Vanilla obtained his Soul Jam—meaning WAY before he was even a king yet—that'd make Liege Waffle at LEAST an older teen/young adult when White Lily reunites with the other Ancient heroes and announces she had Meri. Liege Waffle's mom (Apricot Cookie) had already passed away years ago and while PV loved her dearly, has unearthed the feelings he once had for WL, so he accepts the child and WL into his family.

Now, since Liege Waffle already had a lot of self-esteem issues by this point, with his father busy running the kingdom to make time for him and Liege not really connecting with the other heirs of the Ancients (Dark Choco and Royalberry)... Now, he has to deal with his apparent 'half-sister' that appeared quite literally out of nowhere, he view Meri as his 'replacement' and absolutely hated her guts for just existing in his home— he felt more alone than ever.

He didn't attend the weeding.

Liege Waffle spends the next few years at the Wafflebot Hangar and/or his personal laboratory tending to his inventions like he had always done, refusing to acknowledge WL as his 'mom' or even Meri as his 'sister' for that matter; PV tried to tell him he was acting unreasonable rude and that all of them were family now, but Liege Waffle continued to disregard them, and continued inventing more Wafflebots.

One day, little Meri managed to sneak into Liege Waffle's personal laboratory and breaks a prototype he was creating by accident. That made Liege finally snap at her and basically yelled "We may have the same father, but you aren't my sister and never was!". Meri runs in tears and next thing he knew he was being scolded like a child by PV and WL.

Around this time he also takes in Strawberry Crepe as his apprentice and just so happens that Meri stopped trying to get close to the Wafflebot Hangar to actually meet them... Mmh...

Then, the first Sugar Flare happened.

For the first time in forever, Liege Waffle feels another emotion towards Meri that isn't hate or spitefulness... But pity.

He sees how everyone starts to hate her—or rather, FEAR her, because of something even she doesn't understand. Almost like... Him. Everyone only sees him as a Wafflebot creating machine rather than a prince, only a tool that creates weapons to defend their home.

She was like him.

However, he realizes that a bit too late, because the Dark Flour War took everything away.

He has the fight™ with PV and gets send away with some other Vanillians to be put '''safely''' in a cryogenic pot and Meri gets put in the Moonstone that sealed Dark Enchantress.

While Meri would later get freed by Gingerbrave and co. and then her adventures as Emissary of Earthbread would unfold, Liege Waffle would remain in his frozen state inside the cryogenic chamber for much longer.

By the time he got found by Black Raisin, Espresso and Strawberry Crepe (between the end of Cookie Odyssey and the beginning of Dragon Quest) Meri would be fully grown and no longer the child he despised so much.

Probably many other things happen, probably his grudge against her would grow because of how important she had become while he got buried into obscurity. But, in the end... I think they could reconcile.

They'll be fine.

[ryozaki21]

the side character - l.mk

you see, people come and go all the time, but the way they leave always stays.

summary: jack and rose. bella and edward. romeo and juliet. it was a common knowledge that everyone's have their own partner in their life story. but here you are. the side character in mark's tragic lovestory. just another girl he had to go through. you hated to admit it but you're probably just a chapter in his book. after all, who cared for lavender brown when ron weasley was written for hermione granger?

genre: angst, lil fluff, full length fic, mark x reader

warnings: curse words, a long one, lots of timeskips

wc: 10.5k

an: this fic is originally for haechan but i figured that the character fits mark more so i had to make some changes!! also this one's a ride-- and it's a new story !! hope u guys enjoy it <3

•••••

you met him back in june. and the way you met for the first time wasn't your favourite. its safe to say that you two didn't get off the right foot.

you remember it like it was the back of your hands, how you met mark lee. it was a regular tuesday, it was rather cloudy. no signs of rain tho, and as the news said, pack your umbrella because weather can be a bitch sometimes.

you parked your lexus that your mom had gifted you when you turned 20 at the same spot you did for the past two years you've been driving it to school.

university was okay, you're in your last year so that's a plus, but what made your college life great was your friends.

"y/n!" you turn your back too see your friend, jake running towards you as you locked your car.

"here's your coffee, you lazy dog." you gave him the iced americano that he texted you to get him. it was a routine to you, you get up earlier and get ready, sparing time to get coffee at the local coffee shop. so it was fine for him to ask to get him one too. at first. it had been a routine for him also to ask you every single day.

"ey, you keep saying that but you keep buying me still." he said as he sipped his drink, earning a slight elbow in this side from you.

"so. apparently, there's a new kid." jake said as he walked with you through the hallways.

new kid? it's the last year of college, who's in their right mind to move to a different univeristy on the last year?

"that's dumb. we're literally graduating and they still moved schools? what a waste of--"

"oh, sorry!" your coffee almost spilled if you didn't move it up 0.5 earlier before you bumped into someone.

"holy fuck!" the boy almost jumped, avoiding the drink.

"watch it." jake's voice switched, now very stern as he looked at the guy. he put his hands between you and the person in front of you, to avoid any more unwanted contact.

the guy is very unfamiliar, you've not seen him here before. making you think that he might be the new kid.

what struck first to you is his eyes. he looked so good, he looked like.. someone who's really comfortable to be with.

"dude, she bumped me. you two were talking in a busy hallway, and you expect everyone to get out of your way?" one more thing to add, he's mouthy.

"you're being rude, you know." you muttered as you get your posture back.

"i'm not. i'm just saying that your friend here doesn't need to come at my face when you two were wrong." now, his eyes are on you and you watched as his gaze turned almost soft.

"i'm just protecting her-- dude you don't have to be an ass." jake, now standing in between you.

"look--" you pushed jake to the side, "i'm sorry. i'm sorry i bumped into you. now, can we go?" you asked.

he looked at you for what you felt like was a hot minute, before rolling his eyes and walking pass you two.

"what a fucking prick." jake continued to stare at the guy as you two continued to walk, turning his head as the guy disappeared.

"hey, he's right. we bumped into him."

"are you defending him?" jake now looking at you with exaggerated disbelief in his face.

"stop, you know we were wrong." you lightly slapped his arms.

"he doesn't have to be an ass about it." jake then took another sip as you two turned into the corner.

"plus i feel like he's just having a bad day-- its hard being a new student." you felt like you're justifying the guy's rude actions but you couldn't help it. you can't find a reason why, aswell. just-- he's just right.

"i know what this is." jake stopped walking, making you halt aswell. jake then. turned to you, and of course, in reflex you turned your body towards him.

"what?"

"you find him cute, right?" jake accusing you, making you furrow your brows and laugh. you shook your head as you walked.

"i guess he was fine."

*

the second time you met mark lee, its was a rather better interaction. you had stayed behind for one of your classes because your professor had a problem with your paper.

"it's really amazing, the way your mind works, y/n. don't get me wrong, you had the correct answer." your professor, flipping the pages of your paper.

"then what's the problem, mr. tan?" you're confused, as you sat in the first row seat in front of his desk.

"the way you solved it." he looked up at you and showed you the paper which had your written formula and solution.

you're a very impatient person, which why you would always find a faster way to do stuff. specially in academics, if you're really having a hard time with the formula that was given, you'll find another that also works, but faster.

"look, mr. tan. the important thing is i got it right, i just found the given formula---"

"mr. tan! oh, thank god you're still here." large footsteps filled the classroom, as a familiar voice entered.

and as you expected, the guy who bumped into you the other day walked inside. his strides were large, and his movements were panicky. i guess he really wanted to meet mr. tan.

"lee mark, be glad y/n held me up." your professor then shuffled in his desk, leaving you and mark, you think his name is, to notice each other's presence.

"hey." you initiated, which mark just nods without looking.

it rubbed you the wrong way, how he refused to even say 'hey' to you. was that incident the other day such a big deal? or is he just this distant with people he's not close with?

honestly, it shouldn't even matter. he's just a random guy. it shouldn't bother you the way it's bothering you right now.

you took a deep breath, "mr. tan, i think i should go. if you have a problem with my paper then it's fine." you gathered all your things and stood up.

you were about to step outside the room when suddenly your name was called.

"y/n, wait up." mark finished his talk with mr. tan when he suddenly called your name.

you stopped in your tracks, as you about to turn around he's already in front of you.

"uh-- i," he looked down swiftly, gathering his thoughts and looked up at you again.

"what?" you asked.

"i was thinking we should leave together." he blurted out rather quickly, before turning around quickly and started walking.

this confused you, so you took quick steps to follow him. "hey-- hey! can you walk slower?"

"oh, shoot, sorry." he stopped, waiting for you to take a few strides until you catch up.

"let's go-- but please step a little smaller, i've got short legs." you joked, hoping to lift the mood.

you can see him smiling but quickly hiding it, as he walked slower this time to match yours.

"so.. uh what's up?" you can't tell if you're just socially awkward, or its because he intimidated you. you're close to admitting that you're both.

"nothing.. honestly-- i just wanted to say sorry for the last time. i was a dick to you and your friend" he scratched the back of his neck as you two walked.

"it's okay. i mean, it is our fault so.." you shrugged your shoulders,

"still, i shouldn't have been such an ass."

"yeah.. wait why are you in such a bad mood tho?" you asked. honestly that was the thing that confuses you, is how he's so upset about the other day and then did a full 180 today being all apolegetic and stuff.

"for starters, i'm a new student here so it's.. kind of hard, you know, settling in a whole new different environment when you're used to your old life." suddenly he turned serious, as if he's thinking about something.

"i know. that's also what i thought. glad you cleared it up tho, at least i could cross out the asshole in front of your name." you smirked at him which he just chuckled in response.

"so, uh i'll go ahead. see you around, y/n."

"see you."

--

after that, your meetings with mark lee become frequent, as he asked you things about the university. you two would spend lunch, together with jake. jake hesitated at first, still holding grudges on the time he and mark had a little misunderstanding. but all ends well after three days of having mark around.

"dude-- so you're like very popular back in your school?" jake asked mark, before shoving his burger into his mouth.

"eat slowly, stupid." you noticed there's crumbs of the burger bread on jake's chin. you grabbed a tissue and wiped it off.

mark saw that, his eyes followed your hands when wiping jake's mouth. he doesn't know why but he found your gesture so admirable. how you take care of other people seems so sweet to him.

"if i wasn't on the volleyball team i wouldn't be." mark answered after looking away.

"that's why you were talking to mr. tan? you're signing up for try outs?" you looked at him after folding the used tissue and tossing it to the near trash bin.

"yeah, but because of my records at my previous school-- i didn't have to go through tryouts." he said, a hint of arrogance in his voice.

"so you're that good, huh?" you teased, raising a brow at him.

"i mean, if you put it that way..." he tilts his head, smirking at you which you just responded with shaking your head.

the little conversation you shared cut off early, when you heard jake coughing.

"you little shit, i said eat slowly!" you panicked, grabbing the water bottle that was on the table and quickly gave it to jake. you caressed his back as he was drinking, concern filled your eyes as you watched your friend recover.

this sight had mark in awe. the way you quickly reacted to jake almost-- well, i guess-- dying, the panic in your eyes as you struggled to open the water bottle, and the pure care as you watched jake drink. his mind filled with you-- the way you are.

and then it turned into worry, when he thought that there might be something with you and jake. is that why you're so thoughtful about him? why you two are always together?

he's nervous to admit, but he did feel uneasy.

no, mark, stop it. he told himself. he should not be thinking like this. maybe he just missed having someone to take care of him. that must be it. that should be it.

-

days turned to weeks, and before you know it its been a whole month since mark started hanging out with you guys. and you can tell, he's getting more comfortable.

"this fucking vending machine sucks." mark, pissed at the school's vending machine. he stepped backwards and from his posture, you knew what he was about to do.

"do not!" you quickly grabbed his arm and pull him, "do not kick the vending machine, mark. maybe that's why it keeps eating your money, dumbass." you said and pushed him slightly to the side.

"yeah- try it, y/n. waste your money on that god damn vending machine." he dared, crossing his arms.

and as he expected. the vending machine did not give you anything but it took your money.

"what the fuck?! this shit is rigged." you tapped the sides of the machine, before trying to shake it.

"are you trying to shake a machine thats three times bigger than you? and here i thought you were smart."

"--but i want that kitkat." you whispered, almost pouting, mouth watering at the sught of the candy bar displayed.

"not gonna happen." mark then pulled you and started walking. he grabbed your tote bag full of books you had borrowed from the library. it was a normal thing for him to do, carry your things. he said something about 'your spaghetti arms can't carry weight bigger than an aquaflask.' which of course, is a flat out lie because you've been borrowing the same amount of books for years and jake didn't budge and offer to carry it so you had to carry it yourself. but mark being mark, he had every excuse just to do what he wants.

maybe it was his chivalry, or maybe just the way he talked. everything about him seemed so.. comfortable. he's someone you feel like you can trust-- and that's a big deal for you, because you had trust issues and you just met the guy for a month and you feel like you can tell him your deepest secret.

as you opened your car, you turned around to face mark and asked for your things. which of course, he didn't give it, instead he walked pass you and put the books inside your car himself.

"text me when you get home." he then stooped down to your level and slowly, his hands slowly touched something under your eyes.

his eyes are fixtated on whatever he's doing. while yours are looking at him. his dark brown eyes, down to his nose, and then his lips. the distance between your faces were too close. you can feel his breath fanning over your chin. this is really-- ah, shit.

"eyelash." he leaned back, showing you his finger which in fact, had a strand of your eyelash. that's when you were reminded to breathe.

"yeah-- sure, whatever." you quickly jumped inside your car and closed the door, allowing your self to calm down. you looked at your left, and there you can see a confused mark staring from your car window.

you just waved you hand goodbye at him, before starting the engine. you looked at the rear mirror to see mark's figure slowly disappear when you drove.

okay, y/n, what was that? you asked yourself. are you flustered? you looked at yourself in the rear mirror, and hell, you were redder than the devil himself. this is not good.

as you hit the breaks, some of your books in the passenger seat fell out of the tote bag. you looked at it and there's something you noticed.

a kitkat bar, with a note -- 'drive safe, -m'

your lips parted. you stared at it for what feels like forever and that's when you realized, you're fucked.

-

"jake i think i'm gonna stay at the library." you nudged at jake as you two got up from your desk.

jake looked at you, "you're not gonna have lunch?"

"i came packed," you tap on your bag, pertaining that you had a pack of lunch ready and you're just gonna eat in the library.

"oh-- that's new. okay, i'll tell mark." jake seemed to be convinced, as he nods and smiled. you take that as your cue to leave.

the truth is you don't have a packed lunch-- and you don't need to go to the library. you just need to spend a little less time from mark until this silly little crush goes away. that's what you've decided when you had come to terms that you do have developing feelings for mark and what better way to destroy the tree is to cut it before it even starts to grow.

and that's how you spent almost the whole week. avoiding talking to mark at all costs, making excuses for jake to hangout with mark without you, which you're glad jake doesn't ask questions-- well at least, you thought.

"are you avoiding me, or mark?" jake said when he found you at the school fountain, eating a sandwich alone.

you rolled your eyes, "now, why would i avoid you?"

and it's too late to realize that you said the wrong thing because,

"so you're avoiding mark?" jake now sitting beside you.

you stared at him, contemplating to tell everything because again, he is your best friend. if the situation is different and you two hadn't gotten close with mark, you'd spill everything the day you knew. but jake and mark had grown close, so its a bit complicated.

"no, why would i?" you looked ahead, avoiding his judgemental stares as jake examined your face.

"you suck at lying, y/n."

you closed your eyes, you took a deep breath. of course he'll know when you're lying.

"fine. i am avoiding mark." you gave up, looking at jake with the eyes filled with worry as you confess.

"why? i mean, yeah he's kinda mouthy but he's fun to hangout around. plus he's good at grilling meat so food's not it, maybe because--"

"that's not it, jake. its the opposite."

"what opposite? i don't get-- oh." jake's face turned from confused to suddenly amused, as he smirked at you.

"yeah," the only thing you said when you wait for jake to tease you-- or at least scold you.

instead, he sighed heavily and smiles, "i knew this would happen."

you looked at him, "no, you don't."

"shut up," jake shushed you with his finger made your mouth shut, literally. you slapped it away, of course.

"so how long has it been?"

"have no idea. but i realized it about a week ago." there's no point in lying now, jake knows you from the inside out.

"so what, you'll avoid him until everything goes away?"

"that's the plan."

"well that's a shitty plan." jake chuckled, making you turn to him and hit him.

"what, why?!"

"cuz if its a great plan then why is mark walking towards us now?"

thats when you looked to the left, and as jake said, mark is walking towrds you both but his eyes are fixated on you. you quickly looked away and attempted to stand up.

"and here i am, thinking i'm wrong and you're not avoiding me-- yet you're getting ready to run with the first sight of me." mark's voice was different from usual, this time more serious.

"look, no one's avoiding anyone." you told him, holding onto jake's arm like your life depends on it.

"i think i left something--" jake stood up, but you quickly pull him back down. you can't be left here with mark, for fucks sake you're bad at confrontations!

"sit back down." you sternly said to jake.

"what's happening? did i do something?" mark's voice turned soft, as he stooped down on you since you were sitting and he's tired of looking down.

"nothing, mark. i'm just busy." you almost face palmed yourself with your answer. really, y/n? busy?

"do you really think i'd fall for that?"

"i really think i should go--" jake attempted to walk away but you just held his wrist.

"yeah we should really go. i forgot to get this book from the library." you stood up beside jake.

mark stands up aswell. "did i do something wrong?"

"nothing! nada-- opseo. you're fine, mark-- i just.. we should go." thats when you pulled jake with you and started to walk swiftly.

"you're being unfair, you know?" jake spoke, as he pulled his wrist from you.

"i know-- i just don't know how to manouver around him. you think i enjoy doing this?"

"you're making him believe that he did something horrible to you. that's gonna fuck with his head for sure."

"i know, i'll fix this, don't worry."

--

[13:31pm] you: can we talk?

after almost half an hour deciding on how you should approach mark, you decided to just get straight to the point. you know this is the right thing to do. to explain to him why you're acting so weird around him lately.

jake had said something around, 'its better to get rejected when your feelings are still shallow' and there's not much things you agree on when it comes to jake, but this one seems about right.

sure, maybe you and mark's friendship could be destroyed in the process and it would hurt like a motherfucker, but at least... shit there's no actual upside from this.

before regret even comes around your mind, your phone vibrated.

[13:34pm] mark: that's all i'm asking for. send me ur loc i'll come find you.

here goes nothing.

in the end, you two decided to just meet at the local coffee shop near the university where you get your morning coffees. you arrived early so you just went and find a table for two.

knees shaking, you kept on eyeing the entrance just to see if mark is already here.

you sipped on your iced vanilla latte-- before glancing at the door again and there you see mark, standing tall among others-- looking around. not long after he saw you and his face lits up before actually walking.

"aw, man you already ordered? i said it was my treat toda--"

"i like you. like, a lot."

he froze, his eyes widen and jaw slightly parting, and then his brows furrowed. you're examining every reaction that he made. after what feels like a whole five minutes, he slowly sat down in front of you.

"did i hear you right? you-- you what?" his face screamed confusion, as he's refusing to believe what he just had heard.

"i don't know, okay?! believe me, i'm not the type to develop feelings for someone i met a month ago. even this is weird for me. so just get this over with and say that you don't like me like that." words came out of you naturally without even thinking. you cannot even look at him in the eye. this might be one of the most nerve wracking moments this year for you.

what even surprised you is what he said after that.

"who said i don't like you too?"

--

and here you are, sitting in mark's passenger side waiting for him to get out of the 7/11. he was craving ice cream and you know him, he gets what he wants.

"uh! babe, they're so good, you'll gonna regret not wanting to buy one." he grunts as he entered the car. you rolled your eyes,

"i could always steal that from you." you joked, removing some of his bangs thats almost touching the ice cream that he shoved in his mouth.

"not this one-- it's too good." he moaned, making you chuckle as you pull out your phone to take a picture of him going crazy over some ice cream.

"wish you ate pussy like that." you joked as you typed in your screen. you laughed as you heard mark choking over his ice cream, completely shocked by your bluntness.

"y/n, jesus let me eat my ice cream in peace!"

well, it is safe to say that everything went well after your confession. mark liked you back, and everything goes smoothly after that. you can feel how he changed around you, treating you more like a partner more than a friend.

and that goes on for almost 5 months now. yeah, a lot of time had passed.

are you two officially together? no.

is he your boyfriend? you'd like him to be, but no.

are you exclusive to each other? yes. you never even had a thought about entertaining someone else. mark had proven it aswell, not showing any interest to the many girls that flocks around him.

"i need to leave-- babe. jake just texted me that he's already at the bazaar." you told mark, as you showed your phonescreen to him to show jake's texts.

"tell him to eat shit because i want to be with you more." mark had finished his icecream, now holding your hands while the other steers the wheel.

"baby." you tried to add more authority to your voice but it didn't budge mark at all, instead he just smirked and looked at you.

"you know i get turned on when you use your angry voice, babe." he licked his lip, smirking at you and then looking back at the road.

you hit him lightly, "come on, babe, i'll see you later at jiyeon's, okay?"

"fine. text him and say we'll be there by five."

you looked at mark in the driver seat, holding the steering wheel with his left hand and the other on your thigh.

you wondered, how could you love someone this quickly? yeah, you've had people come and go in your life, but never like this. it's like, you never wanna let go of mark, even tho you don't have anything to hold onto. you just wanna stay with him.

his shirt was oversized as usual, so the fabric showed a little more skin on his collarbone. you saw a glimpse of his tattoo. it's a rose, he said he had it back in highschool when he was dumb and stupid.

"i really like your tattoo." you blurted out.

mark's smile suddenly disappears, as he fixed his shirt to cover it up. it seemed strange, but maybe he just really regretted having a tattoo.

"a stupid decision, i hate it." he said so spiteful, that made you drop the topic.

mark drove you to the food bazaar, and ofcourse, you two shared a lil make out sesh before you actually get off the car.

"hmm, babe as long as i want to eat your face longer, jake's fuming mad and you know he's annoying when he sulks." you leaned away from mark's face, looking at him slowly opening his eyes, lips a bit tinted from your lipstick, as he chased for your lips one more time.

you chuckled, putting your palm flat against his pouty lips. "no. i'll see you later." you get off his lap, and pulled out your mirror as you retouched.

"i hate jake so fucking much." mark whined. you smacked him in his shoulder playfully.

"i'll go ahead-- i'll text you when we're headed to jiyeon's!" you opened the car door while you waved at him. he nodded and gave you a flying kiss which you dodged as a joke and shut his door close.

life is good-- you're with mark, probably the most perfect boy ever, maybe you're biased but he's just really exactly what you wished for.

except for the fact that you have nothing to hold on to.

no label. what keeps you going is the fact that he said he liked you too. that's it.

and for a while, you were fine with it.

--

"that's weird, mark still haven't texted me yet." you looked at your phonescreen for the ninth time, to see if mark had texted.

"you did say that you'll be the one texting when we're on the way to the party." jake, busy stuffing his face with food.

"but he would always-- always text me first. you know that."

"aish, fine. let's go, i'll just finish this," jake then shoved the entire food in his mouth before standing up.

you have no reason to be paranoid, but somehow tonight feels different. your gut tells you to just stay home and not attend the party. you know jiyeon would understand if you called and say you're sick, right?

"on a second thought, maybe i should just stay home." you said as you buckled up in jake's car.

"na-uh. i'm not wasting gas just to drive you home and drive all the way back to jiyeon's place. come on, stop being so weird."

so you did, get to the party. fullpacked, as expected of jiyeon, the school's cheerleader. she's such a sweetheart, honestly. that's why she's almost friends with anyone.

as you entered, your mind was focused on finding mark. you're sure he's here. that's what you guys planned.

you've been trying to call him but no one answers. jake said maybe he's just enjoying the party. you've got nothing to worry about.

and its not like you have the right to know everything about him. afterall, you're not his girlfriend.

"happy birthday!" you greeted jiyeon and gave her a hug.

"aw, i'm glad you could make it!" jiyeon hugged you back.

"yeah-- couldn't miss it, this is like the houseparty of the year."

"well, you know me." jiyeon chuckled.

"have you seen mark?" you can't help but ask, because you're starting to feel weird. you've been here for about twenty minutes now and you still haven't seen him.

"oh yeah, about that, he's here-- actually, he knows some of the friends i have in the other school! they said mark came from their school. so i think he's been hanging out with them." you felt a relief. mark's just hanging out with old friends.

you almost wanted to smack yourself for being too paranoid.

"they're at the back!" jiyeon wandered off to greet other guests, so you took that as a sign to walk towards the backyard.

as you get near, you already heard cheers, laughing and chatting coming from the backyard. there, you saw a small circle which was all unfamiliar to you. people here at the party are all familiar, but these ones aren't.

and the man you've been wanting to see all night, was there, having the time of his life laughing his soul out.

what sparked the most interest in you is the girl beside him. she's so beautiful. beautiful enough to make you worry.

"hey! you found him?" suddenly, jake appears beside you. when he saw where you're looking at, he recognized mark.

"there he is! dude!' jake called out, which you quickly tried to stop him. you blurted out, "don't!"

but its too late. mark looked at your direction, and his smile suddenly disappeared. he looked scared, and then nervous.

"he was with his old friends, jake, you shouldn't have." you said to jake before turning around.

something inside you didn't feel right. the way mark reacted upon seeing you at the party feels weird. it's like he's forgotten about you and was shocked when he saw you.

you were about to go to the other side of the house when your wrist was pulled. "y/n."

mark called you by your name. oh. something you haven't heard for months. usually he calls you 'babe' or 'baby'. maybe not this time.

"hey." you gave him a smile and peeked at his back, seeing the girl he was with, behind him and softly smiling at you.

"hi." she waved shyly, which you replied with a smile aswell.

"uh- y/n, this is ryujin." hesitation in mark's voice was obvious, as he introduced you to the girl.

the girl then offered her hands, which you shook immediately. she was slightly taller than you, medium length hair, and so pretty. what stuck out the most is her fair skin, and red lips. almost like a shade of a rose.

"nice to meet you. i'm mark's.." you got stuck. who are you to him? you didn't know. so you looked at mark and you saw his eyes was filled with nervousness as if he was anticipating what you were gonna say.

"--friend." that's it, that's the right answer. you were his friend. that's what it is. you looked at mark again and you saw him blink, realizing what you just said and taking a sharp breath.

"oh. well, i really want to stay and chat, but i have to pee. markie, where's the bathroom?" ryujin held onto mark's arms, and mark glanced at you before showing ryujin the hallway to the bathroom.

once they got further, thats when you loosen your grip on your drink. your breathing was back to normal and you felt relief.

and then, boom. you felt heartbreak.

who is she? that's the first thing that popped into your mind. you feel like crying, right here, right now. she seemed so important to him. more than you. and you wanted to ask him, yell at him, fuck, but you can't. because you're nothing to him.

the music got loud, that's when you snapped back into reality and looked whatever is happening. jiyeon is now in front, saying something about 'the party is just getting started'

yet you feel like you want to run and go home.

you then walked to the pool area, which no one barely goes to because the waters freezing. there's a few people in there, but most of them are in the backyard.

you tossed your shoe to the side and dipped your feet into the water. the cold made you shiver, but atleast even a mere feeling got you distracted.

you were lost. you forgot that he had a whole life before you met him. you've been together for six months. six fucking months.

and you weren't even official. so why do you feel so fucking upset?

for a moment, you felt your heart stop when another set of feet dipped into the water beside you. you looked up, and there he was. your baby.

"hi," he smiled at you. the very same smile that makes you crazy.

"hi." you turned away from his gaze, and watched your feet sway under the water.

"why are you here? the party's over there."

"jake's probably getting wasted by beer pong and you were.." you paused. do you tell him he was with his girl? "..busy."

"yeah, those were old friends from school." he scooted more over to your side.

"you should go back, she might be looking for you." there it is. the bitter tone that you held back, came out. you didn't mean to, but it did.

"y/n." mark tried to hold your hand, but you refused and moved it away, pretending to get your drink beside you.

"are you gonna tell me who she is?" you asked. this is the only thing you needed to know. just this, and everything else will be okay.

"she's.. she's my ex." boom. you expected it, but damn does it still sting.

"you still love her?"

"y/n.. please." mark now looked at you and tried to hold your hand once again, but you just stood up.

if he can't answer the question, then that's it.

"i think i need a drink." you then grabbed your shoe and wore it, before mark could even answer, you were already walking away.

--

the morning you woke up, your phone blew up like crazy. you had it turned off after you left the party and texted jake that you're heading home.

13 missed calls from my markeu <3

[11:01pm] my markeu <3: where are you

[11:02pm] my markeu <3: jake told me u went home alr

[11:04pm] my markeu <3: baby atleast tell me you're home safe

[11:06pm] my markeu <3: answer ur phone babe

and so many more messages from mark you didn't bother to read the rest because you felt really off. last night he couldn't tell you if he's still inlove with his ex. he was with her the whole night and didn't bother to text you. now he's bombarding you with texts.

you're so glad it's the first day of summer. you didn't have to go to school so avoiding him would be easy.

so, unlike everyone else, you stayed home. everyone was probably away from vacation, and here you are. in front of your laptop watching netflix.

but still.. your mind is stuck with mark and his ex.

an idea popped into your mind. you feel crazy for doing this, but you know your mind wouldn't rest until you find out about them.

you searched mark's instagram, and you went to the tagged pictures. at first you saw pictures from your school, the ones that jake had posted-- and as you scroll down, you saw pictures from his old school.

the most recent one are a post from a man named jaemin, its a photo of him, mark and other friends that was in the party last night. ryujin was also there. it seems like she's really close with them. the caption saying, 'gonna spend the summer with the whole squad!'

so, they're planning on staying here for the summer? that's.. fine.

and as you tapped in one picture, him with his friends, you looked at the comments. mostly are boys-- probably his friends. you scrolled down until you saw a picture from a year ago.

the first photo was mark's tattoo. a rose.

then the second one was a girl's tattoo. a daisy.

the caption,

ryuu_jin: happy 3rd anniversary to my daisy. love, your rose.

--

"so, are you coming? i mean, it's the annual summer party! everybody's gonna be there, you know, to start the summer!" jake tried to sound enthusiastic as he proposed to you about the summer slam in the falls.

its an annual summer party that your town have. booze, music and free drinks so you know everybody's not gonna miss it.

except for you. it has been three days since you avoided mark. he had made efforts to call you everyday, even asked jake for help but jake already knows what's happening. so he didn't help mark, instead, he's been with you.

"i don't know, i think i'll pass on this year." you have no interest in torturing yourself this time. because you're pretty sure that mark and ryujin, together with his friends are still in town.

jake looks almost pissed, sighing and calming his self down before sitting down at the edge of your bed.

"look, y/n, mark and his friends are gonna be here for the whole summer. so are you gonna shut yourself out the entire time? come on, don't be a bummer."

you looked straight at jake, "jake please, i told you i'm not feeling well! why don't you just go by yourself? its easier for you because you're not in my shoe, dude. i'm not like you, i can't pretend to be okay when obviously i'm not!"

"all of this and you're not even his girlfriend."

and that ticked you off. "what the fuck? yeah i'm not! and it still fucking hurts because i did love him, you asshole. fuck you, honestly. get out of my room." you covered yourself with blankets before a tear escaped your eyes.

jake seemed to realize that what he said was wrong, so he immediately softens, "i'm sorry, y/n. i didn't mean it like that. i'm sorry."

gosh, what is even happening? you and jake never argued like this before. all of this because of mark? this is not good.

you sighed. you slowly uncovered yourself and looked at guilty jake, giving you an awkward smile. "let's go to the party.

---

"wooh!" you screamed at top of your lungs after you took a shot of pure vodka.

jake clapped at your craziness, so proud of his best friend. everyone was either wet, or drunk. and right now, you're both.

"fuck that taste horrible." you mumbled after recovering.

"yeah, that's pure alcohol. if you keep doing that i might need to call the ambulance for alcohol poisoning." jake gave you a lemon slice which you gladly accepted.

"i'm really glad i went to this party." you gave jake a smile of approval and he just laughed in your face.

you were about to grab the keg hose to give yourself a beer, when suddenly someone got a hold of your wrist.

you looked at the person, and its probably the least person you wanted to see.

"y/n." okay, y/n, remember your rule. act fine, don't let this affect you. show him that you're okay.

"hey, mark! want a beer?" you smiled at him, offering him a cup.

he looked hella confused, "why did you block me?"

"phone's dead." you continued to pour yourself beer, ignoring his eyes at any costs.

"for a week?" he almost sounded offended, which almost makes you vomit. the audacity.

"yeah. anyways, have you seen jake--"

"cut the crap, i want to talk to you. please." his eyes begged, looking at yours with so much sincerity, the same eyes you know you can't resist.

"i don't know if there's still something to talk about." you whispered, gathering all your courage to slowly open the can of worms.

"there is. i want to tell you everything."

with final hesitation, you decided this needed to happen for your sake. you know you're dying to know everything--- to clear everything, your mind, your heart and soul. better to get over this now.

so you and mark decided to sit at the bench away from people at the party, away from the music.

"so.." you started, waiting for him to say something.

"we were childhood friends."

the first dagger to your heart. are you sure you can take more?

"--and we got into a relationship, for three years. i loved her-- god damn, i really did." the way his voice cracked, says a million words.

"what happened?" you asked as if the answer wouldn't shatter your heart.

"drifted apart. her interest was far from mine. she had a different view of our future. i wanted to be with her forever but she got scared. we were kids, of course she was terrified. she wanted to explore more-- but i was sure about her."

the threathening tears in your eyes started to feel warmer. you wanted to hear that one of them had cheated, you wanted to hear that she was a bad person. so you could have a reason to hate her. but fuck, of course she's not.

"you really loved her, didn't you?" you asked. again, as if the answer wouldn't send another dagger through your heart.

"i did." he didn't even hesitated.

"so.. what happens to me?" you looked at him and the way your voice broke just confirms that you're in the brink of tears.

"y/n.. please. what happened to me and ryujin really hits me hard. she was my first love-- i can't just forget her." his voice was pleading. which makes it harder for you because you can tell he's also hurting.

"i'm not asking you to forget, mark. i'm asking you to put me in my place."

"y/n-- i like you, so fucking much." he held your hand like he depended on it, and it burned-- the desperation on the way he held it, it feels foreign-- just a while ago you called him your home, yet now he felt like a stranger.

"that's not enough if you still love her." it wasn't his fault. so why are you hurting him like this?

"i can't lose you."

"you have no choice. because i'm not fixing a man that i didn't break."

--

you see, people come and go all the time, but the way they leave always stays. and with mark-- well, him and ryujin left with a bang.

an instagram post,

ryuu_jin 'he's mine, you may of had him once, but i got him all the time.'

and a picture of mark, smiling brightly at the camera while eating ice cream.

"fuck this shit." you tossed your phone and covered your face with your pillow and screamed.

what was the reason she had to caption it like that!? what a fucking way to rub it in your face.

"she's doing it on purpose, maybe mark had mentioned what happened to her. what a fucking prick." jake said through the phone. oh, he's pissed aswell.

one thing about jake is when he knows you're being ridiculed or being hurt by someone, he gets mad. he's protective about things like this.

he offered to message mark about it but you don't want to make a big fuss about it. you just don't want anything to do with them anymore.

you stayed home for almost a week. practically living off of mcdonald's chicken nugget and store bought ice cream. jake knew you were heartbroken so what better way to mend a broken heart than an unhealthy supply of fast food.

but today, you had no choice but to go to a coffee shop. you maybe heart broken but hell, that wouldn't stop you from getting your favorite caffeine drink from your favorite coffee shop.

"one americano for y/n." you heard the barista call your name so that's when you stood up and got your coffee.

you thanked the barista and quickly walked to the door but not quick enough, as your wrist were grabbed.

"what the--" you words cut off when you saw who pulled you.

"mark?"

"y/n. how are you?" voice laced with concern, he genuinely want to know how you're doing.

you pulled your wrist from him.

remember, y/n, you don't have to be bitter. you're better than them.

"doing great." you said. looking over him, seeing ryujin sitting at the chair where mark had been sitting earlier. honestly, if you've noticed that they're here, you would pass on coffee for today.

"i'm sorry about ryujin's post, i told her to delete it already." oh, so he didn't know about the stunt his girl pulled?

"don't worry about it, no big deal. i really have to go." you can only be nice for a while, but you can't spend your afternoon hanging out with him and his girl. you're not a saint.

"y/n, please, just let me.. fuck." he held your wrist again, he's in crisis. mark can never lie. you can tell when he's really in deep shit.

"let you what?"

"let me look at you. i fucking missed you." he whispered the last sentence but you picked it up.

you smirked. "you can't be that selfish, mark, right? now go, ryujin's already looking over here." she's already eyeing you and mark from a distance.

"shit." mark closed his eyes and squeezed your wrist gently, before letting go. you took that as a chance to walk away.

it felt nice-- the way you stood up for yourself.

you don't need him, you can go on fine by yourself. just a little bit of a kick start and you're off. its gonna be great. all's gonna be fine.

--

you know damn well this isn't happening to you.

you rang jake's phone again for a what feels like the ninety ninth time, but his service was out.

you see, what happened was jake had set you up with a friend. a really nice guy. 'something to take your mind off the canadian boy' in jake's words.

and you know jake knew what your taste in men are so he set you up with his good friend, jay.

he's good looking-- wait, no, he's fucking gorgeous. him and you had similar taste in music and all that cheesy stuff. you seemed to enjoy his company so you had spent hours talking to him.

he asked you if you could go with him at the slum city. a popular bar here in your town. something about a summer thing that the bar offers live band. you agreed, of course.

so here you are, sitting with him, listening to music you and him both like.

but why are you sweating buckets you might ask?

well because mark lee, and all of his friends are sitting at the other side of the bar. his arms around ryujin, them laughing about something that you're sure isn't funny.

"hey, you alright?" jay asked. poor boy, here he thought you would enjoy the vibe but you looked constipated.

"yeah. yep." you nodded at him to give him assurance.

you glanced over at mark's side of the bar and you saw him glancing over you aswell. you looked away swiftly and pretended to drink.

somehow, this large space where the music and chatters filled seemed so suffocating for you. you weren't even claustrophobic but the distance between you and mark feels so uncomfortable, you weren't ready to see him happy just yet.

sounds selfish, you know, but you can't help it. seeing him happy while you were on the opposite of the spectrum just didn't seem fair.

once you felt your chest tightening, you knew it was bad news. you need to get out of here.

"jay, i need to go to the bathroom." you whispered over to jay, which distracts him from watching the band in front. he looked at you with concern, and offered to walk you to the comfort room.

you gently refused, because honestly you weren't gonna go there to pee, you were actually planning to get out of the establishment. to breathe.

you stood there, hands in your waist, breathing the oxygen that the establishment failed to provide you.

you can still hear the music that the band played, but here its more lower. instead, it got clouded over some cars passing by and noise made by the highway.

"your boyfriend?" you almost jumped out of shock when you heard a female voice behind you.

you turned, and viola, the heather in your story.

"no. not yet." you replied to ryujin, although you were aware that your answer just opened the awkward silence that you were trying to avoid, there's not much you wanted to say to her.

"oh. that's nice." if you thought the situation couldn't be more awkward, her response just proved you wrong.

the whole minute that just passed feels like a lifetime. you were sure she went to you with a reason, and you were only waiting for her to say anything.

and just like you hoped, she spoke.

"you know, i've always wanted to meet you." her soft voice that fits her angelic face starting to annoy you.

you didn't answer, still finding a correct response to what she just said. before you could find it tho, she continued.

"you made him so happy. i can tell, i've been seeing his posts for the last few months."

at least she was aware that i was here for him.

"yeah well we both liked justin bieber so that's easy." you tried to lift the mood, which didn't really help at all.

she chuckled, damn, even her laugh sounds so angelic.

"but you know we've been together for 3 years, right?" mood turned sour faster than usain bolt. you can't help but look at her when she said that.

"and you two have been together for.. a half." hearing those words from her mouth just broke you. you've never felt so down, so embarassed and so mad at the same time.

"what's your point?" your tone started to get colder, wanting her to leave you alone. you can't argue with her, all she said was facts.

"that i'm his home, and he just went for a little vacation but he's still going back to me." her tone almost sounded like she's bragging, like she's proving that she's always the girl. which, she is.

"and i know that. but didn't you break up?" you wanted this conversation to be over, but god, you can't just let her step on you like everything was your fault.

"we did, for like-- a year. but guess who's driving me home tonight? him. he loves me and he will always do. so i suggest, stop wasting your time on him because he's mine. i know its a hard pill to swallow but you know i'm right."

how could you respond to that? she's got a point.

"i already ended things with him. so please, just leave me alone--"

"y/n? ryujin? wha- why are you two--" ah, the man behind all of this. mark lee.

"nothing, markie. just reminded her some things." ryujin came back with her innocent smile as she faced mark. yet, mark's eyes are on you.

"y/n? hey!"

the relief you felt when you heard jay call your name. right on motherfucking time.

you looked at him as he ran towards you, voice filled with concern as he looked at you and the couple around you with confusion.

"hey, sorry, got caught up with some.." you glanced at mark and ryujin, "..old friends."

jay wasn't convinced, still eyeing both of them as he consoled you and put his jacket around you.

"it's cold out here. you said you were going to the bathroom." you looked at jay.

you stared at him. this man, gives you everything you needed to be a partner, and you're sure he's got no ex that he's still not over with, and he's drop dead gorgeous. why can't it be him?

"i'm sorry. let's go--"

"y/n, can we talk?" a curse almost slipped your mouth as you heard mark.

you sighed. you're tired. you want to move on and get this all over with.

"yeah, let's talk." you gave jay an assuring smile and said that you'll be back, ryujin also had no problem with mark talking to you.

you needed to end this.

"who's he? your boyfriend? when did you--"

"what do you want from me, mark? cuz i'm sick and tired of the bullshit you're trying to play. if you choose your ex then stop bugging me! let me fucking move on because i can't be hung up on you like a stupid lovesick bitch!" there. the anger you've been trying to hide just flew out. and honestly, you don't care.

"i told you needed time to sort my feelings! it's hard for me too! i never expected her to want me back-- y/n, i thought we were over!" his voice sounded exhausted aswell.

"you were broken up but you weren't over her, mark. that's just not fair for me, because how could you start something with me when you're not even finished with her?" your tears started to flow.

"i genuinely liked you, fuck i might be inlove with you for pete's sake!" you ears rang after you heard word 'love'.

you wanted to believe him. you wanted to ask and confirm what you heard but you knew it wasn't true. it can't be love. no.

"you don't, mark." you gave up on yelling, completely breaking down in front of him.

"how can you dictate my own feelings, y/n?! you don't know me!" he's the one yelling now.

"you weren't inlove with me, you like me because the idea of me reminds you of her--"

"no!-"

"let me fucking finish!"

his mouth falls into a thin line, a tear slowly filling the brim of his eyes.

"mark, don't you understand? you're saying that you love me because you feel guilty. you feel like you owe it to me, because i got hurt. can't you see? i'm the other girl."

there it is. the fact that you hated. the truth that you despise. you were the side character.

"you two are meant for each other and i'm just the other girl who you had to meet when you're broken-- just like any other lovestory. and after the happiness you felt with me-- you'll realize that it's still her. i hate to admit it but that's what it is." your voice was trembling, but you had to get the point across.

"what are you saying? no, y/n, don't be like that--"

"it's okay. i'll be fine, mark. you don't need to say anything." you shushed him, giving him a smile despite the tears rolling on your cheeks.

you continued, "it fucking sucks that it had to be me, but what can we do? life sucks anyways. you don't need to blame yourself over this, mark. i'm okay-- i'll be okay."

you caressed his soft cheeks to get rid of his tear, one last time.

you took a sharp breath. "go, mark. be with her. i'll be here. you know that boy-- earlier? he's a great catch, i know he'll take care of me. it's okay, let go."

mark, finally processing everything that you're trying to make him understand.

he sniffed, leaning to your face, giving you a stare you knew you wouldn't see again, before kissing your forehead like his life depended on it.

after a few minutes he looked at you again.

"thank you-- and i'm so sorry." the last words he said before walking away.

A year later

that brings you to now, you were already settling down on a new job, an internship that your school had gotten you after graduating.

jay and you tried, but it didn't work. maybe you're still hung up over your college fling but mostly you really don't want to lead him on when you're still not ready to fall into another relationship again.

you were scrolling through instagram and one particular post caught your attention.

it was from ryujin.

ryuu_jin: i said yes!

a picture of her hand, wearing a diamond ring.

you smiled. you weren't gonna say it doesn't hurt still, but you're glad they got the ending they deserved.

mark took all of his effort to avoid you-- even changing his entire schedule just to make sure you two weren't in the same class anymore. you never saw him again-- literally as he moved back to seoul after graduation.

he had stopped hanging out with jake aswell which doesn't bother jake-- because he's still mad at him for hurting you.

you'd accepted the faith that you weren't mark's happy ending, you were just a mere side character.

"it's fine, you'll get your prince charming soon." you whispered at yourself as you fixed your skirt.

you dusted off your button up shirt as you walked towards the building where you walk.

and as you looked up, its way too late for you to notice that you're bumping with someone.

"i'm so sorry! i'm so--"

to say that you're stunned was a huge understatement. your jaws were dropped upon seeing the man in front of you.

"sorry." his deep voice followed, smiling at you, presenting his eye smile that oh-- just adds to it all.

"yeah- uh.." you didn't know what to say, as you forced your eyes away from his gorgeous face.

"do you happen to know where na corporations is?" na corporations? that's the company you're interning right now!

"i'm actually on my way there-- uh, i'm the new intern." you grabbed your id and showed it to him, which he saw, and immediately his brows furrowed.

"y/n?" he muttered your name to spark some memory in his brain, because he swore you felt familiar.

that's when it downed on him, "you're l/y/n?"

you blinked twice, softly nodding to him as you let your id down. he took his time scanning your face, and you took the opportunity to appreciate his gorgeous face aswell.

is this my prince charming? no-- i mean, it can't be that fast!

although you wished he is, because god damn, you'd be a lucky girl if you managed to pull this one.

"i'm lee mark's cousin, lee jeno."

oh you've got to be kidding me.

[invisibleraven]

Person A, the smaller of the two, picks out an enormous pumpkin at the pumpkin patch and insists to Person B that they’re fine carrying it back on their own, even though they’re clearly not. . .sounds like something Carlos would pull

"C'mon Reggie!"

"Hold up little dude, I'm coming!" Reggie called back, chasing after his Little Brother Carlos. He had signed up for the program for extra credit his sophomore year, but he had come to love it, really bonding with Carlos.

Carlos who had been sullen and rude at their first meeting, doing poorly in school and having just lost his mom. Reggie tried to be there for them, letting him brood and sulk for a bit before taking them places, slowly opening up to Carlos so the boy would do the same.

Now Carlos talked his ear off every time they saw each other, his grades were up, he was on his school's baseball team, and he had his own YouTube channel about ghost hunting.

Thus them ending up at a pumpkin patch because Carlos wanted a prop for his Great Pumpkin episode. A compromise after Carlos' dad had nixxed the boy's plan to stay at the patch all night. He had slipped Reggie a twenty to help pay for gas, and wished him luck.

Now Reggie realized the wishes had not been in jest. Carlos had run all over the patch trying to find the 'most sincere' pumpkin, which apparently none of the gourds they had come across fit said moniker.

"We gotta go soon, it'll be dark soon," Reggie cautioned as they trod through another lane full of orange vegetation. "I promised your dad I'd have you home for supper."

"Bleh, we're having pot roast again and papi always overcooks it," Carlos said. "But at least Julie will make the sides and she's aces at that."

"Hey my supper tonight is probably a pack of instant ramen so don't knock a homemade meal," Reggie jibbed.

"You wanna come for dinner? You know papi won't mind, he keeps inviting you," Carlos said. "Plus you can finally meet Julie."

Over the past few years Reggie had yet to meet Carlos' sister, as he only came over to pick Carlos up, and Julie apparently had an active social life, in a duo with her best friend Flynn and part of the school orchestra as a pianist.

"Maybe I will," Reggie said. "If you pick out a gosh darn pumpkin already!"

Carlos rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fiiiiine." He looked over the field in front of him and then dashed off, with Reggie hot on his heels. Stopping at a pumpkin that looked like it was a size or two short of being a coach for Cinderella.

"It's enormous!" Reggie exclaimed.

"It's perfect!" Carlos echoed. "I want it!"

Reggie sighed, but he didn't try to talk him out of it, simply waved an employee over to cut the gourd off the vine and pay. "You think we can borrow a wheelbarrow?"

"Nah, it's fine, I got it," Carlos said, hefting it up into his arms, disappearing behind the pumpkin.

"You need help little man?" Reggie asked, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice.

"No," Carlos said, but Reggie could hear him straining. He took a few steps, then paused. Started again and repeated it a few times, only getting a foot away from where Reggie was standing. "Maybe a little?"

Reggie chuckled and took a good chunk of the heft, the two of them waddling towards his truck, Reggie wincing at the thought of what this would do to his suspension. They dusted themselves off, and once they were strapped in, took off back to the Molina house.

Ray looked at the pumpkin as they laid it in the mudroom. "Whelp, you two are helping me carve this. But tia will have enough for pie for a dog's age."

"Can Reggie stay for supper?" Carlos asked.

"Of course he can mijo," Ray said, then turned to Reggie. "You're always welcome Reggie, no need to ask."

Reggie beamed and whispered his thanks, then went to go wash up while Carlos set the table and Ray called Julie.

Reggie was exciting the bathroom when he collided with a body, catching them around the waist and stopping. Oh wow. This must be Julie and she was so so pretty. "Hi there."

She blushed a little and beamed up at him. "Hi. You must be Reggie."

"That's me," he replied. "I'm Carlos' Big Brother. But not yours."

Julie giggled, "Well that's good. You staying for supper?"

"That I am."

"Well that's good, I made apple crisp," Julie said. "You don't wanna miss that."

"I don't think I wanna miss much," Reggie said, running his fingers through his hair and sending her a grin.

Carlos stood off to the side and grinned, high fiving his dad before they snuck off, not even caring that it took ten minutes for the other two to come to the table, looking pink and a little flustered. But Carlos didn't mind, and wondered how long it would be until Reggie became his big brother for real.

[katyspersonal]

When I blew up at A after she defended a person who harassed me and my friends, I apologized to her not even a day later, very genuinely and owning up to how she didn't need my shit, unprompted by anything but just feeling guilty and then when it seemed that she didn't forgive me and stopped interacting, I apologized again and broke mutuals to leave her alone. And not only she didn't forgive me - she faked being cool with me, she has been faking it for like 40 days, she lied in my face that she didn't blame me and only has been interacting less because of "being busy and fandom-shifting" and then as soon as she saw a chance to get rid of me when her ableist fujo friend threw a fit about me, she just backstabbed us. In a vile way, like a rat, walking behind my back and finally throwing me under the bus, believing that she saw the last of me and so she would not have to play the role of "understanding and forgiving" person when in reality her ego is so fragile she could not take the L of ONE negative interaction. Not the first time someone sees me as a tumor on an otherwise healthy body and is desperate to cut me off from my friends/community/whatever.

But when she "apologized" to me, she only did that when it became apparent that I didn't leave and nor my friends were okay with her betrayal, she was prompted by learning that I vented about her in my blog and not by actual regret, her apology was fake as fuck with the whole "well but you can see where I came from you made me uncomfy by liking me TOO much anyhow it is not healthy because online friendships are not real uwu :((((((" and she did not even have the balls to let me react and talk it all out, blocking me instantly after that DM. Yet when I of course did not accept this, she got mad at me for making it harder for her or shit like that. Did not help that she kept LYING. She said Alfred-chan was not the one harassing us because "well I messaged them and they said they didn't do that :(" (something tells me you will never become a detective, A) but when the truth was exposed A claimed that she always knew it were them? Then when she seized the chance to get rid of me without consequences and betrayed us but I didn't leave, she pretended that she "only wanted the truth".

I really hate the ongoing insult for my intelligence like I don't see whats up. I hate how she believed my friends would be okay with her betrayal. I hate how she tried to gaslight about "I just cut off a person that made me uncomfortable" when betrayal ain't it lol. She had ONE job: if learning that I was angry and hurt more than one time in my life was ooh-so-eye-opening, she could have just DMed me that "listen, if lashing out is something that might keep happening, I don't want to be mutuals anymore, bye" and all. Nobody forced to forgive me, nor my friends would force her to like me if she didn't. But she HAD to be a vicious snake, she was EAGER to finally push me off the cliff as soon as her fujo friend made it look like acceptable thing to do. But okay, some people lack psyop immunity, fine. She still had a chance to both apologize genuinely AND to not fucking lie to look smarter. Cowardly rat!

I just hate how strongly this situation got to me. Like... It just comes back to me when I make someone uncomfortable on accident or am rude, because after what A did I just expect that this person will never forgive me. Like, what is the point of apologizing or explaining myself? If they will NOT forgive me, if clearly I just retroactively ruined all our previous positive interactions and now they will feign being "chill" just to one day ditch me, instead of being straightforward about not being able to forgive me. But I hate it. I hate now perceiving everyone /I/ have wronged even a little bit as an enemy and a liar, that will forever have ill will towards me now. I just don't believe in people's ability to forgive or understand anymore, all because of that rat. And that hostility just makes me worse the moment I realize I made a mistake, I just want to block this person, or to yell at them to go ahead and show me that they hate me now. I just wish it could heal somehow... But, unfortunately, it is not something a time heals. It is one of those things that are only healed by certain circumstance and until then it is just there. Like a fireplace that will get fuel thrown into it, whether I want it or not. Maybe my rule to not forgive people who are not sorry is not helping.. I don't know, I just don't know.

[goblinmatriarch]

Flufftober Day 7

So for Flufftober, for reasons that I cannot articulate, I’m only doing fandoms I don’t generally write, by which I basically mean no drarry. I’m literally just scrolling through netflix and my bookshelves going, “uhhh what do I know well enough to write about real quick” which is how we ended up here, a solid 14 years after the show ended, and even 6 years since the sequel aired (what? no! surely it has not been 6 years?), with some Rory/Paris pre-slash.

Gilmore Girls

Paris had to drive out to that ridiculous little nowheresville town with the fantastical name, again, because Louise’s house was under renovation, again, which at this point Paris was pretty sure was code for illegal activity, and Madeline had entirely ignored all hints and outright demands to offer her house. Paris’s house was certainly not an option; the very thought of perfect little Rory Gilmore seeing Paris’s immaculate home was enough to set her teeth on edge.

And then, of course, when she got there, Rory’s mother was all warm and friendly and insisted on making Paris feel “right at home”, like that was something to aim for.

And then, Louise had called to say she couldn’t make it, and she hadn’t even had the decency to speak to Paris directly so Paris could berate her into coming after all. Instead, she’d left a message with Rory Gilmore’s irritating mother, who delivered it casually, like it wasn’t a massive betrayal.

Madeline hadn’t even bothered to call with an excuse.

So that left Paris and Rory to do the project alone, which was fine, of course; Paris could put together an A-worthy group project in her sleep. Having Rory involved wasn’t even a hindrance, the way Madeline and Louise were. She contributed a few decent ideas to Paris’s overall vision, and she could be trusted to deliver her assigned duties appropriately, with little oversight. Paris usually ended up writing Madeline’s and Louise’s contributions over again anyway.

But then that meant that she and Rory finished early, and while Paris had absolutely no desire to linger in Magical Starry Land or whatever, she had even less desire to go home early. What if her mother was still there? What if her mother tried to talk to her?

That’s the only reason Paris lingered at the door, of course. She drew out their conversation about History class for so long that Rory started looking concerned, like she thought Paris might have suffered a head injury or something. Paris was just about to leave, really she was, when Rory’s grinning harridan of a mother practically forced her to stay.

“Oh gosh,” Lorelai said, in the most obviously fake way imaginable, “I just remembered I’ve got that thing tonight, Rory, so I can’t do our movie marathon!” She affected a disbelieving expression that made her look like a gaping fish.

Rory glanced sidelong at Paris and uneasily asked, “What thing, Mom?”

Lorelai waved a dismissive hand and doubled down on the very apparent lie. “The thing, Rory, just a thing. So anyway, I can’t make it, but” – here she tried to look as though she had been struck by an idea, which was obviously an unfamiliar expression for her – “maybe you and Paris could do it instead!”

She turned to Paris, beaming, like this was something everyone could be thrilled about, rather than a fate worse than death.

“What do you think, Paris? Fancy Marilyn Monroe and cross-dressing?” Lorelai did a weird little jig and looked very pleased with herself.

Paris weighed her options. On the one hand, more time spent with the insufferable Rory Gilmore in her happy, whimsical home, watching films that were most likely terrible and eating cheap garbage. On the other, a solitary meal prepared by the family cook, maybe some time with her book on the Ottoman Empire, and then early to bed.

It would probably be rude to refuse.

“Sounds…lovely, Miss Gilmore.” In vengeance for being coerced into staying against her will, Paris made sure to imply with her tone that it would not be lovely, at all, and also to put the slightest emphasis on ‘Miss’.

Lorelai seemed entirely undeterred. Probably she hadn’t even noticed; she didn’t seem like a woman who picked up on nuanced snubs. “Great,” she basically shouted, even as Rory gave her a desperate, pleading look. “You two have so much fun!” She grabbed her coat and strode briskly past them to her car, then turned over her shoulder and shouted, “Rory, there’s money on the table for snacks and takeout. The movies are next to the tv.” She got into her car – a Jeep, for pete’s sake, was anything in their lives practical? – and before she pulled out of the drive, she beeped the horn twice and yelled, “Have fun, you two!” out the window.

And then she was gone.

Rory turned reluctantly on her heel to face Paris. “So…” she began.

“I don’t want to be here any more than you,” Paris snapped hastily.

Rory blinked, and then those big, wet, doe eyes of hers sharpened. “Well it’s my house, Paris, so I actually do want to be here, but if you want to leave, I’m not keeping you.”

Paris looked down at the ground, then set her jaw forcefully and peered up at Rory. “Fine,” she said, “but I’m choosing the movies.”

She stalked past Rory back into the house. From behind her, she heard a sarcastic, “Be my guest.” Or it was probably supposed to be sarcastic, but in Rory’s Disney princess voice it came out all sweet and welcoming.

***

Two hours later, Paris had to admit that Rory and her mother might be onto something. Some Like it Hot was actually really interesting; much less vapid than she’d expected. And twizzlers were a revelation. Paris reached for another one.

Rory’s eyes flicked over to her, then back to the screen where Marilyn Monroe was playing the ukulele. “Those make a decent straw, you know,” she told the screen.

Paris crossed her eyes to look at the twizzler currently in her mouth, then looked back at Rory, wide-eyed.

Rory looked over again, then burst out laughing. Paris bristled, but Rory was already apologising. “Sorry, sorry, it’s just, you look so…” she giggled again.

Probably all the sugar had gone to Paris’s head. That, or she was suffering some kind of contact witlessness – maybe the air in Shooting Star Fairysville carried an airborne virus that reduced critical thinking. There had to be some explanation for the fact that she crossed her eyes again and waggled her head so the twizzler wobbled absurdly in front of her face. 

Rory’s laugh was bright and surprised, and Paris’s whole body flushed with an awful hot, nauseous sort of feeling that she did not care for at all. She scowled and ripped the twizzler out of her mouth.

“We already have straws, Gilmore; why would we need to use candy?”

Rory was still laughing. “Whatever, Paris,” she said. “You weirdo.”

Paris was aghast, but before she could protest the accusation, Rory flopped backwards onto the couch, pressing their shoulders together. Paris went very still. 

She could shove Rory off, she supposed, but she was technically in Rory’s home. On Rory’s couch. Probably it would be rude. She kept her eyes fixed on the screen and tried to follow the plot, which somehow kept eluding her. The credits rolled, and she was still unsure if Jack Lemmon’s character was going to marry that rich guy or not.

Rory yawned and stretched, losing even more structural integrity and drooping further, so she was practically in Paris’s lap; was propriety not even a thing here in Hollow Heads Full of Stars Town?

“D’you wanna watch another?” she slurred sleepily. She blinked up at Paris, and her eyes were just so blue it was ridiculous. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is pretty good, and ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’ is iconic.”

Paris considered. Her parents would definitely be out for the evening by now. She could shake the dust of this podunk town off her shoes and be home in time for a book in her own bed.

Rory’s body was warm against hers. Paris couldn’t help noticing the way the light from the tv reflected off her eyes and mouth. 

“Fine,” she said, aiming for caustic and missing by a mile. “But I want more twizzlers.”

[pbandjesse]

I am so ridiculously sore today it's a risky shocking. If I move carefully it doesn't hurt so bad but if I move to fast it startles me I hurt so bad. I desperately want to go lay down now. We are on our way home and I'm hoping to finish writing fast so I can go to sleep. I am exhausted.

Today was actually pretty good even if I was hurting. I didn't sleep amazing but a lot of that was the soreness I'm sure. James had already left for work and I stayed in bed for a long time. I was both tired and sore and unhappy about it. But I thought I just had to push through it so I could go work on the house.

I'm getting spoiled with how nice and warm and comfortable the house is. I don't want to be in the apartment because it's a mess and it's freezing. When I leave our bedroom I just feel really stressed because everything is is disarray from packing.

So to get over there quicker I just focused I'm getting dressed. I would wear layers so I could just paint in my leggings and tank top. I pet Sweetp and grabbed a few bags from the studio and I headed out.

When I got to the house first thing I did was get the snow and ice off of the stairs. I fell once, I don't want to call again. It took some muscle but I got it done and started bringing things inside.

James had put a few totesbags of books in the car and it is always really surprising how heavy books are. But I did my best to just power through and for eveything inside.

Doing all that heavy lifting made me really hot and I stripped off the layers and got to work.

First thing I did was go through my beanie babies to figure out what months I was missing. April, October, November. So close to the complete set. After I finished that I headed upstairs.

It was good to see how the paint dries in the bathroom. And I jumped right in doing touchups and then rolling out over my brushwork so the texture carries through. And it was great. I had a podcast going and I was having a great time.

And once I was done I still had energy and decided to start taping out the bedroom. Going all around the windows and the baseboards. I was really pleased with myself. But then right before I finished I ran out of tape!! Rude! I ended up just stealing some tape from where I had mapped out the bed.

But then I got really disappointed with the blue I got. It came out way more teal in that room then I expected and I really didn't like it. I wanted a darker blue.

I thought I would still edge everything thought. The thought being that when I get the right paint it'll make the edges quicker be ause you won't have to go over white? I am not sure that actually makes sense but I didn't and it was fun. It made me feel productive.

Around 1230 I finished all the edges and cleaned up. And realized I had not eaten. I was going to target to get cat food and I thought it would be nice to go to value village so i decided on Glen Burnie.

It's only about 4 minutes longer to get there from the new place. I have discovered I have to drive downtown a lot more to get to the highway but it's fine. I'll get used to not using MLK for eveything. It will just take time.

I had to run back in the house when I forgot my cup but that was just fine. And then I was off. Starving but knowing food was no far away.

When I got to Taco Bell I got to hear all the drama around the ice in the parking lot. Apparently upper management didn't pay for the person who was supposed to cover the whole shopping center and so everywhere else was done but not their lot and they couldn't bring anyone else over and it was a whole thing. But they made my tacos good so we were fine and it took a while for the food to make me feel better but eventually I didn't feel so weak anymore.

I went over to value village next. As I was getting there mom called me by accident and we ended up having a really nice chat about the paint colors in the house and it was just nice hearing her voice. I looked at the books while we chatted and found another Dear America that I didn't have. It seems thicker then the others? Strange but I'm happy to have found one I didn't have. The only other one I found I already own. It was a good one too. About a girl who is kidnapped and writes the journal while kidnapped. But I do not need two of the same book.

After I got off the phone I had a few more good finds. A screen for the window. A little shelf shaped like a stair case. A self healing cutting board. Love those for the studio and my one is getting really warped. It will be lovely to have a new one.

I paid and headed down the street to target. This was where my body aches really made me suffer. I was only there for a few things. Cat food. Lemonade. Lotion. I used the last of the vanilla shea butter I have been using this month. But carrying the case of cat food without a cart (there were no carts at all??) Was really really hard on me. I held it but it really hurt my arms.

I was basically ready to be done but I realized I was really close to Home Depot. And I would want to get back into painting tomorrow without having to venture out into the world. So I sucked it up and went and got my paint. And this much darker navy blue is much closer to the original vision. The girl at the counter was nice and I liked that I got to see it shake the paint this time. The paint did spill on her though and I was very apologetic but she said it was just fine. I got a different brand this time too. So it will be interesting to compare.

One very last stop at the pet store for the dechlorination liquid I use for my fishtanks and this was when my tiredness but me so hard I didn't even go look at anh of the animals. I needed to go home.

I was about 20 minutes from home and I just kept telling myself in 30 minutes you will be in bed. And I swear that's all that got me home. I was feeling miserable. All my body pain hit me at once. My eyes were so tired. I was struggling.

But I made it home and got comfortable. I put some stuff away. And refilled my lotions for Disney. And then I laid down with sweetp. Who wouldn't stop licking my hands and face. Goofy. I did not sleep though. Instead just watching videos. Until James came home.

James was also exhausted. They had shoveled the parking lot at the museum and got blisters on their hands. And it was just a really long day for them. They looked so tired. But they washed their face and came and laid with me. We talked about our days and the evening plans. Which were for them to go get quarters for laundry and then we would go have dinner with the Fulwilers at 7.

And that's just what we did. While James was gone I got redressed and cut my cuticles. And when they got back we got ready to go.

And dinner was lovely. We went to a fancy Indian restaurant inside the Ambassador Hotel. James accidently took us in the apartment side and we had to get buzzed in which was pretty funny. But this place was absolutely beautiful. Great architecture and details and I had a lovely time.

Charlotte and Callie were there too and it was a really fun evening. Telling stories about travel. Talking about the house. Anne and Tucker are going to come by tomorrow afternoon to see it. I'm happy they are showing some amount of excitement because I didn't think they were excited at all and it made me a little sad. But they were more happy for us today and that felt good.

And it was just how to celebrate Anne's birthday. I gave her a January birthday bear and she said it was so cute and I'm glad I picked the hat one because she said she liked it better then the clown one so I did good. Amazing.

The food was nice and I ate a lot of naan. And I just really enjoyed the company. And they even brought Anne a little chocolate cake for her birthday at the end. Which we all shared.

Because once we got back to their house we had grasshopper pie. Which was much more cream jello consistency but I actually really liked that. There was a lot of sports talk and southern housewife in the 1950s discussion about the history of the chiffon pie. And it was fun even if I was still so tired.

We would leave there after 9. James told me I looked so cute but I swear I was waddling because moving my arms was hurting me. I will take an aspirin or something ASAP.

We are home now though and I am ready to take a shower and go to bed. I hope I can fall asleep quick. Tomorrow is a busy day.

The plan is to move more and paint and just continue the moving process. And I'm thrilled I am but I really need a good night's sleep.

So fi gets crossed. I love you all. Goodnight!!

[milkywaydrinker]

Day 23. Family

There's been a lot going on! Turns out it's hard to find a moment to sit down and write. Oh well, I will catch up, just wait. This prompt was brought to you by: Me bullying my younger sister when we were teenagers (we're good now don't worry)

Family dinners weren't really their thing. They happened rarely and usually meant Ana visiting home during spring break or something like that. It's not like Norma hated her sister. They were way past something as juvenile. They didn't really get along and it was fine. It really was! This time, Norma had something important to say and someone to introduce. "Who's that little freak?" Her sister, polite as ever, pointed at her guest. "Hello Ana, nice seeing you too," Norma said through her teeth. "This is my very good work colleague and friend, Courtney. They're a demon." "You invited a coworker to a family diner?" Her sister wasn't impressed. "Don't be rude." Svati frowned at her elder daughter. "I think it's lovely you decided to invite a friend over sweetie." "Thanks, mom." Norma sighed in defeat. "Courtney, this is my mom and my sister." "Hi Norma's family," they said halfway hidden behind Norma's back. When they joked about Dead End feeling empty and lonely they didn't expect to get invited anywhere, much less to a family dinner. Going to Norma's house ended up being way more stressful than they thought. The unfamiliar territory and unclear rules made them anxious.

"So now you're all about demons and stuff, right? All that creepy mumbo jumbo you've been talking about in your podcast? You seem pretty into it." Ana took a sip out of her cup. Despite the dismissive tone, she was watching Norma intently. "It's not 'mumbo jumbo' because it's all real, demons and angels and magic." She took a seat at the table, sounding more tired than angry. This must have been a routine. "Don't even try to act like it's made up. Courtney is right here." "I could totally still do it," Ana smirked slightly. "Bet they're just some kid in bodypaint." "Ana." Svati looked at her pointedly. "I'm just teasing, of course, I believe you, especially after I saw the possessed dolls that apparently now live in our attic." She set her cup down with an audible knock of porcelain on wood. Courtney took a seat as well, quietly observing the three of them. It was a very different dynamic from Barney's family. Ana actively antagonized Norma every at every opportunity. She would poke fun at her, bring up past embarrassing situations, and crack jokes at her expense. In turn, Norma would deflect or ignore most of that poking and prodding. Up to a certain point. "So are you and that Badyah girl a thing? I always knew there was something else about you that-" "Shut up," Norma snapped. "I'm done." She pushed her chair away from the table and grabbed her plate. "We'll finish eating in my room. Come on Courtney." They shuffled away from the table awkwardly, grabbed their plate, and poofed away, catching up to Norma. "Hey, sooo…" "Sorry about my sister. She always makes a game out of it, like 20 questions but it's just her trying to set me off." She just looked tired. "Do you know why she does that?" "No, and I don't care." "It kind of looked like she was actually curious. Just weird about it." Courtney looked down the staircase with a frown. “Well, I’m weird about many things. Somehow I’m managing to not upset everyone around me,” Norma grumbled. “That’s fair.” They sat down on the floor and tilted their plate into their mouth, swallowing everything in one go. “I just think it’s a communication issue.” “Have you been to Barney’s therapist? You talk weird.” “It’s my own wisdom, thank you very much.” They looked at their plate longingly. “Hey, can I-” “Don’t eat the plate please.” “Alright.”

They talked about work stuff for a moment. It was true, Dead End seemed empty now. Barney and Pugsley made the place feel like home. They had their own little family there, just for a moment, but it was enough to leave a hole when it got taken away from them. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Without waiting for an answer, Ana opened the door and leaned into the room. “I just wanted to-” “Get out,” Norma said plainly. “I came to say I’m sorry. Let me finish a sentence.” Ana rolled her eyes. “No. Out” “Just listen for a second. I’m sorry about being a dick to you. You just never talk to me. It’s like an interrogation every time I try to catch up.” “Maybe because you’re always acting like everything I like is stupid?” Norma got up and grabbed the door handle. “Stop making fun of me, and stop treating me like a dumb baby.” “Alright! Done! Come down, mom is freaking out.” They were both at the door, fighting for control. “I said I’m done. Can’t you respect that?” Norma tried to close the door. “We see each other once every few months. Suck it up.” Ana stubbornly kept it open. “I think you might want to stop that.” Courtney interrupted them. “Why should I care about what you think?” Ana scoffed. “Because you’re about to break the door,” they said calmly. “Wha?” The handle flew off causing both of them to stumble backward. “Shit.” They were pretty in sync with that one. “Girls? What’s going on?” Swati called from downstairs. “Nothing!” they called out together. “Okay, I’m coming down but you have to fix my door before you leave.” Norma sighed. “Deal.”