#but I ended up leaving school an hour earlier than I planned so I dropped my teaching bag at home

[eggs-love-loki]

I’m getting a good grade in recovering from jaw surgery, something that is both normal to want and possible to achieve

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for not wanting to hang out with my boyfriend’s best friend?

My [33F] boyfriend’s [30M] (we’ll call him R) best friend (30s M) (call him D) is chronically late but also never communicates anything. I have ADHD and like I get it. I have all the patience in the world for people who are late if they communicate they will be late. But D will never communicate anything, ever.

R and D have a standing game night on Fridays where they go for dinner and play board games. D “normally” comes between 4-5pm. He picks up his kids from school at 3:30, drops them home with his partner and then drives over. It is a 30 minute drive. But in the past, both on regular Friday meetings, and for other meetups, he has been significantly late (3 hours, once!) without saying a word all day.

R wants me to join them on Friday evenings. I don’t have a traditional ‘job’ but I am a crafter with many things to do and also, as mentioned, I have ADHD. Part of that means I really need a specific time to go and do something otherwise I will just be stuck in like “wait mode” all day unable to do anything because I don’t know when I need to stop doing it. The first time I went out with R & D I did lose the whole day (no work done) because we could get no actual information from D on when he was coming, and he ended up not arriving until after 5pm.

I told D I didn’t appreciate not being able to properly plan my day, and that providing a heads up about these things is generally considered polite. I also made it clear afterwards to R that if D continued to not communicate anything and just “turn up whenever, at some point after 4, maybe” then I would not be joining them on board game nights. 

Today I once again only had “4-5ish, I guess” but by 4:30 not only was D not here but R had heard nothing from him, and suspected he had not even left. I told R I was not coming, I had already mostly lost the day - having stopped work several hours before - but I would at least be reclaiming the evening.

At 5:15 R called me to say that D had been arranging to have his partner come, and had been sorting out childcare (in the form of D’s mum). He at no point earlier in the day had said anything about this to R. In fact they hadn’t spoken at all. D then told R they would be leaving at around 5:45, so wouldn’t be here until at least 6:15.

I reiterated that I would not be coming. It was a boundary I set before and was very clear about, and was now enforcing it. D could have said much earlier that he was planning on inviting his partner, would have to arrange childcare, and would likely be later than usual. He chose not to do that, so I am choosing to not go.

R then got upset with me and said he would not be coming over to spend the night at my place the following evening (we have a normal routine on who stays where which days, and he knows unexpectedly changing that without any discussion at all will also mess with my ability to do things. The routine is important to me) because I was being unfair. 

I told him, again, it’s a firm boundary for me. People who won’t communicate anything at all when you have plans (even loose ones) aren’t respecting other people’s time. Even if that’s not the intention it’s still just… rude to the other person. Other people still have lives when you’re not there, and expecting everyone else to just be ready for “whenever” you feel like showing up without a word is not ok. Again, if it happens only once in a while because Shit Happens that’s different. But if it’s every time, with everyone, forever, then really you’re just a bit inconsiderate.

R says he doesn’t feel that way because he doesn’t have anything going on so it doesn’t bother him, so he isn’t upset with D (even though I have things on, so it does impact and bother me, his partner) but he is upset with me because I am “making him feel bad”. D’s complete lack of communication and lateness is not the problem, the fact I am annoyed about it and choosing to stay home is the problem. I said it is not fair to blame me for this turn of events when (unlike D) I was VERY clear beforehand that I wouldn’t be going if this happened, and that if nothing else he should still be at least a little annoyed with D for not respecting my time after I’d already spoken to him about it.

Instead of actually sitting D down and properly telling him “look I don’t have things to do but L does and it does bother her when you don’t communicate anything so it is messing with her work when you do this and that is not ok”, R then said he just won’t invite me to anything ever again. So I can’t be upset if he’s late.

AITA for refusing to go to board game night?

What are these acronyms?

[queen-of-deans-booty]

Right After All: Part Three

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~1.7k

Warnings: heartbreak, angst

Summary: Dean and Clarissa go on a small trip together doing something you know she won't like. When they come back earlier than planned, you panic when she says he's been injured.

Part One Part Two

Square Filled: local for @spnonewordbingo (deleted bingo)

Author’s Note: any and all comments are appreciated <3

x

After years of going to school and learning everything there is to know about being a nurse, you finally get to put your knowledge to the test. You still have a year left of school that your local hospital is helping pay for, but this internship will help you get experience for the job you want when this is all over.

Your parents are wealthy people who give you and your sister a good allowance to live off of, so you’re not worried about paying your bills while you go to school and do the internship. You don’t get paid for it, but it’ll be worth it in the end when you get to make your own money.

The other nurses were so friendly to you when you arrived that it made the fifteen-hour shift go by quickly. You still have five more hours to go when Sam walks onto your floor and over to the nurse’s station where you’re at.

“Sam!” you smile and hug the tall giant. “What are you doing here?”

“Just here to see you on your first day. I dropped Eileen off at her mother’s house and decided to stop by. Congratulations for making it here.”

“Yeah, it’s been a really crazy day but I’m glad I’m here. Just another year and I graduate,” you smile.

“It’s a good thing you work here because Dean and I might have to come here to get patched up after a hunt,” he jokes.

You look around the room to see if you can see the older Winchester, but it seems Sam is the only one here.

“Where is Dean?”

“Bunker. He and Clarissa are together.” Your heart sinks when you hear your sister’s name but you pretend like this doesn’t bother you. “When I saw them go into his bedroom after drinking, I knew I had to get out there if you know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I get it,” you sigh and grab some patient paperwork. 

“I don’t know why they’re together. They have nothing in common. I think he’s with the wrong twin.”

“Sam, don’t.”

“Why not? You two are better suited for each other.”

You have to get out of here. You can’t be hearing this shit because you know it’s true.

“Listen, I have to get back to work. Thanks for coming here.”

You quickly leave his side and continue with his work. The last five hours go by so slowly since all you’re thinking about is the possibility of you and Dean. When you get home, you drop your keys into the bowl by the front door and kick your shoes off. You change out of your scrubs into something more comfortable before walking into the kitchen. Clarissa is in there making herself something to eat.

“Hey, how was your shift?” Clarissa asks.

“Long and exhausting, but fun.”

“I don’t know how you do it. I could never,” she chuckles.

“How was your day?” you ask and grab a water bottle.

“Fun. Dean and I are going away for the weekend.”

“Doing what?”

“He’s surprising me. I hope it’s somewhere luxurious,” she grins. “I’m gonna go get ready.”

She leaves the kitchen with a flip of her hair, and you grab the open bottle of wine in the fridge. You take your extra-large glass and practically fill it to the top. You take this solo party to the couch where you put on your favorite TV show. Halfway through the show, someone knocks on the door. Clarissa still isn’t down so you assume this is Dean. Your heart races when you think about seeing him, especially knowing he’s kissed you twice.

You set your glass down so you can open the door and not look like an alcoholic. Dean is dressed in his usual clothing minus the three jackets he usually wears. He’s wearing a thin T-shirt that enhances his muscles. Damn, Clarissa really doesn’t know what she has.

“Hey,” you say. “Come in. Clarissa isn’t ready yet. She should be down shortly.”

Dean walks in and you close the door behind him. You two stand in the hallway awkwardly. You don’t know what to say to him after what happened a couple of weeks ago. He hasn’t kissed you again but you always feel his eyes on you.

“Sam told me he saw you at the hospital.”

“Yeah, he just came by to say hi.”

“I would have been there but I was with…”

“Yeah, I know. Sam told me.”

“So,” Dean clears his throat, “how did it go?”

“Really good. I’m going to help a lot of people.”

“I don’t doubt that,” he smiles.

You walk into the living room and sit on the couch with Dean following.

“So, where are you taking Clarissa?”

“Camping.” You tip your head back and let out a loud laugh. Maybe the wine is making you a bit loose, but the thought of your sister camping is hilarious. “What?”

“Camping? You must be out of your damn mind. She cries when her nails get ruined and you’re taking her where there is tons of dirt? All she wears are high heels.”

“I don’t know. This could be fun. She’s been interested in a lot of the things I’m into.”

“She’s not gonna like it.”

You’re not going to tell him that you love camping and to get off the grid. It’ll make things more awkward for you two.

“I think she will.”

All you can do is shake your head. Clarissa comes down with a suitcase full of items she won’t be able to use. You bet all your money that she has things she needs to plug in like her hair straightener and a curling iron. Everything she won’t be able to use. Still, Dean takes her to the car in hopes she will like where he’s taking her.

You’re left alone in your house with your thoughts. Why are they still together? She loves luxury and is very high maintenance while Dean works on his own car and doesn’t mind taking showers at a truck stop. Dean loves beers and Clarissa loves cocktails. Dean has no problem sleeping in his car while Clarissa needs a hotel room. You look down and realize your wine glass is empty so you go to the kitchen for a refill.

You wake up the next day with a slight headache, but it’s nothing ibuprofen won’t fix. It’s Saturday which means you have a day off from the hospital. You started your internship late in the week, and since you’re a Monday through Friday intern, you won’t have to go back until then. You can take the peace and quiet to study for your classes.

First, you have to get out of bed and do some light cleaning to help yourself wake up. After making your bed and brushing your teeth, you walk downstairs and clean the kitchen. Your wine glass and pizza boxes are still out, evidence of your night. Once cleared, you take a Clorox wipe and clean the counters and the kitchen island.

The front door opens and closes, and you stick your head out to see who it is. Not many people have a key to your place. The only thing you see is blonde hair, and you step into the hallway with a confused look.

“Clarissa? What’s going on? Why are you here? I thought you weren't going to be home until Sunday.”

“Yeah, we had to come back early.”

“Where’s Dean?”

“Your hospital.”

“What?!” your eyes bug out of your head in concern. “What the hell did you do to him?”

“It wasn’t my fault! He’s the one who slipped.”

“Doing what?”

“Carrying me up the hill. There was no way I was going to ruin my shoes.”

“You’re un-fucking-believable,” you groan angrily. You grab your car keys and phone and slide your Crocs on. “You just left him there?”

“He told me he didn't need me.”

You roll your eyes and leave the house without thinking that you still have your pajamas on. You speed over to your hospital and walk in, ignoring the many stares you’re getting for your attire.

“Y/N? What are you doing here? You’re not scheduled to come in,” your boss asks when she sees you.

“I’m not here to work. A man named Dean Winchester came in. What room is he in?”

Your boss looks over the papers and tells you his room number. You quickly head to the elevator to get to the right floor. You knock once to be respectful but you barge in without hearing their permission. Dean is sitting on the bed with a surgical intern stitching his hand.

“What are you doing here?” Dean looks at your attire and smiles. “What are you wearing?”

“Clarissa said you were in the hospital so I came right away.” The intern finishes with his stitches and leaves the room to give you two some privacy. “I told you not to take her there.”

“It’s just a scratch. I’ll be fine. Believe it or not, I’ve had worse.”

“That’s not the point, Dean,” you groan in frustration.

“Then what is the point?”

“You two are not right for each other!” you blurt out. If you’re going to do this, then you’re going to lay everything on the line. “She’s using you!”

“I happen to like her. A relationship is about compromise. You think she’s worse than she is.”

“Then why did you kiss me?” you shout. “Not once but twice. Answer me that.”

Dean gets off the bed and stalks over to you. You have to crane your neck back to see him but you’re not backing down now.

“That was a mistake. I was drunk the first time, and I thought you were Clarissa the second time.”

His words hurt you. Tears well in your eyes but you won’t let them fall.

“That’s bullshit.”

“It’s the truth.”

You nod once and take four steps away from him.

“Fine. Tend to her every need while she bleeds you dry. See if I care.”

You grab the doorknob and open the door, but his words stop you.

“Why do you care?”

You look at him with those same tears in your eyes.

“I don’t.”

When you put enough distance between you two, you let your tears fall. Maybe you’re not right after all.

x

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[burgundybmw]

Munson's Mixtape

Mixtape Masterlist

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Cunningham!Reader

Word Count: 2,663

Warnings: Mentions of drugs, Canon character death (RIP Chrissy), Discussion of the handcuffs, Mentions of abusive parents.

Summary: Chrissy has been acting weird, and like a good big sister Y/N drives to Hawkins from Notre Dame to check in on her. Only to find out she has plans to meet up with Eddie Munson. Things take a turn for the worse and now Y/N gets wrapped in to the horrors of Hawkins. Hey, at least she has the company of the guitarist she was sweet on back in high school for comfort.

Author’s Note: How is everybody feeling after Volume 2 dropped? A certain major spoiler popped on my phone as a Twitter notification so I haven't watched the last episode yet. Without saying too much, I'm personally gonna square up with the Duffer Brothers.

Track Four

The campaign was an overwhelming success. It was a bit touch and go towards the end, with most of the party falling to the infamous Vecna's curse. Only Henderson and Y/N remained, and while the rest of the group wanted to flee, they both decided to fight to the death. In the end, it was Y/N's roll of 20 that sealed the win for everyone. Eddie was ecstatic, not only did Y/N have fun playing with the party, it was her that won it all. The boys all huddled around her, cheering her on for the excellent win, and despite Eddie's brief flash of jealousy, he was happy for her. The smile she had on her face lit up the entire room, and Eddie wished he could write a million campaigns for her to win so he could see see that smile again.

The campaign finished up a bit earlier than the championship game, Henderson and Wheeler headed off to the gym to see what Sinclair was up to, and Jeff and Gareth got in their cars to head home. Leaving Eddie and Y/N behind.

"It was a great campaign Eddie, I had a lot of fun" Eddie turned to Y/N, adrenaline still high from the evening.

"Why thank you my fair lady, t'was an excellent win" Eddie bowed at the waist, opening his hand toward the champion of the night.

"I really needed that. School has been stressful and all of this stuff with Chrissy has been weighing on me. It was definitely needed" Eddie had completely forgotten the reason she was at Hellfire in the first place. So caught up with spending time with her, he neglected the plan they set forth all together.

"Yea well, you're welcome. Um, speaking of. We should quickly head to my trailer, get you set up before I swing back to get Chrissy." Y/N nodded, and followed him to the parking lot. When they got to her car Eddie opened the door for her.

"Why thank you Eddie, apparently chivalry isn't dead after all" as she got in her car Eddie couldn't stop the boyish grin on his face. He shut the door and raced over to his van. Mentally preparing himself for the evening ahead.

All of the light hearted feelings Y/N had during the campaign slowly began to dwindle inside of her. As she followed Eddie to Forrest Hills, the nerves began to settle in again. Knowing that within the hour she would have to confront her sister about what was going on with her, terrified to find out the truth. As she pulled into the trailer park Eddie instructed Y/N to park further away from his place, so that Chrissy wouldn't see it. Once parked, she hopped into Eddie's van to drive the rest of the way to his trailer. Y/N had never been inside Eddie's van before, only briefly catching a glimpse inside when he searched for the mixtape he made her. The smell of weed and motor oil remained, but she was surprised to see that there wasn't any garbage on the floor like last time.

Once they pulled up to the trailer, reality set in. She was about to go into Eddie Munson's home. Where he lived, ate, and slept. Y/N was about to have an intervention for her little sister. Her sister who has woken her up in a panic every night this week. It was overwhelming, she felt her chest begin to tighten, breath coming in and out a bit took quickly.

"Hey, are you okay?" Eddie asked, his big brown doe eyes staring into hers. Y/N took a deep breath, now wasn't the time to freak out.

"Yea I will be. Let's just get inside." Eddie nodded and got out of the van, walking on the other side to open the door for her. He did the same to the front door of the trailer, and Y/N was surprised to see what was inside.

The trailer itself wasn't very big, there was some mugs hanging around the place, a couch and old tv in the corner in between two doors she assumed were Eddie and Wayne's bedroom. It was cozy, and had a more lived in feel to it. Unlike her childhood home, where it looked like it was up for sale rather than occupied with a family of four.

"I know it's not the Ritz but.. hey it's home" Eddie said has he shut the door behind him. He looked embarrassed, but he didn't need to worry about it. Y/N didn't care.

"It's fine Eddie. Um, where do you want me?"

"The bedroom." Eddie quickly responded, but realized the implications of his statement as soon as he said it. "I mean, that's the best place to hide out when Chrissy gets here." Y/N nodded and willed the heat in her face to go away. Eddie walked past her to open the door to his bedroom, quickly picking up some dirty laundry that littered the floor.

"Sorry, didn't expect the company of a lady tonight. I would have cleaned up more." Y/N shook her head, unbothered as she took a peak around Eddie's space. The walls were covered with posters from different metal and rock bands. An amp was placed in the corner, his beloved electric guitar hanging on the wall beside it. To her right was Eddie's single bed. The sheets looked clean enough so she sat down, making herself comfortable. It was then she noticed something else on the wall besides posters.

"Are those handcuffs hanging up there?" she asked, and Eddie froze. He looked like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar.

"Ugh yea they are..." he stammered out.

"Why do you have handcuffs on the wall?" Had Eddie been arrested before? Were they some part of his look. She knew he liked to wear chains around his belt loops, maybe it was something like that?

"Well, ha, you see.. um.. do you want the honest answer or the PG-13 version?" Y/N's eyes widened at that, the dots slowly connecting in her mind. The previous heat in her face back in full force, and an unexpected shiver went down her spine.

"The PG-13 version." Y/N didn't think she could handle anything else. Especially while she was sitting here, on Eddie's bed, the place where he could be using those handcuffs, whatever purpose they served.

"I ugh... use them when certain guests come over." Y/N's imagination ran wild. Eddie used those cuffs, on people, plural. The little green monster on her shoulder made an appearance again, claws digging into her, laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation. So what if Eddie got laid? He was a grown man, he could do whatever he wants. So what if he had kinky sex, has brought people to the very bed she was sitting on. Wrapped the cold metal around their wrists, waiting for whatever Eddie was going to do to them next. Y/N needed to stop that train of thought immediately, now was not the time for girlish fantasies.

"Oh.. um cool?" A lovely rose blush graced Eddie's cheeks, he nodded fixated on cleaning up the place. An awkward silence filled the room, Y/N so desperately wanted to break it. She just couldn't stop thinking about those handcuffs on the wall.

"What time are you picking up Chrissy?" Y/N asked, something to fill the never ending silence.

"I should leave now, wouldn't want to keep her waiting. When I let her in just stay here till I come get you, then you ladies can um, talk it out." Y/N nodded, watched as Eddie walked out the door to his bedroom. After she heard him turn the ignition on his van, Y/N got up and decided to snoop around. She knows it's wrong to invade Eddie's privacy, but she really wanted to know what he's been up to for the past 2 years.

Eddie's room was very cluttered, there were cans stacked on shelves, magazines thrown over the place, his bookshelf covered with different knick knacks so you could barely see the titles. Y/N noticed a notebook resting on the edge of Eddie's nightstand and picked it up. It was filled with a variety of different notes, schedules for band practice, ideas for campaigns, song lyrics written on some of the margins. As Y/N flipped through the notebook the overwhelming sense of guilt returned, this was some type of journal for Eddie. She shouldn't be looking at it, knowing if he looked inside her diary she'd be mortified. But she just couldn't stop herself.

Once she got closer to the middle of the notebook, she noticed Eddie liked to draw a lot. There were so many sketches of just little things. Work ups of the Hellfire logo, cartoons of the teachers of Hawkins High, they were fun. Nothing too serious, very Eddie.

It wasn't until she got to the dead center of the notebook when she realized Eddie had some more serious art talent. There was a photo realistic drawing of his beloved guitar in pencil on one page, a drawing of DnD dice in charcoal. Y/N smiled to herself, Eddie was really good. She always knew he was a more artistic type of guy, maybe after he graduated from Hawkins High he could pursue art and music. Get out of Hawkins, move to some big city where people were more open to guys like him. As Y/N flipped through some more, she noticed that two of the pages were taped together towards the end, curiosity took over as she gently undid the old masking tape.

It was a watercolor piece. An elf with pointed ears, a long flowing navy blue and gold gown. She was sitting in a field of clovers with a book in her hand, and she looked beautiful. As Y/N looked on she noticed that herself and the drawing had similar features. Same hair color, skin tone, body type. Her heart started pounding in her chest as she looked at the elf girl in the notebook. There was no way this could possibly be her, it had to be a coincidence. Maybe she was a character from some fantasy book Eddie had read, she picked through her brain, trying to recall if there was anyone in The Lord of the Rings who was described in such a way, but she couldn't remember.

She couldn't think too much about before she heard a car pull up to the trailer. Y/N immediately put the book back in its place, patiently waiting for Eddie and Chrissy to walk in. She could hear them talking, but couldn't decipher any words. Before she knew Eddie opened the door to his bedroom.

"Okay Chrissy is in the other room, how do you want to play this?" Y/N should've taken the time Eddie was gone to think about how to confront her sister, but she was too busy being nosy and prying into his business.

"I think I'll just... wing it?"

"Wing it?"

"Yea I'll wing it." Eddie sighed, running his hands over his face.

"You know I've never been to an intervention before, but I doubt any them just wing it."

"Well I don't know! I've never done this before either!" The lights of the trailer began to flicker. Both Eddie and Y/N looked up and back to each other.

"What was that?" Y/N asked.

"The electricity here is shit, goes out all the time." Y/N nodded, she didn't have time to shoot the shit with Eddie. Chrissy was in the other room waiting.

"Okay let's just go." Y/N was the first person to walk out the bedroom, Eddie following quickly behind. Chrissy was standing in the center of the room, motionless. The lights around her were flickering, eyes milky and white. Something was wrong, seriously wrong.

"Chrissy? Chrissy what's wrong?" Y/N ran up to her sister, hands gripping onto her shoulders. She looked like she was in a trance, the lights were flickering more furiously now, and it scared Y/N half to death.

"Did you give her anything!?" Y/N shouted to Eddie.

"What? No! She was fine when I walked into the bedroom I swear!" Eddie began shaking Chrissy now too. The lights were going haywire, Chrissy's eyes were rolling into the back of her head.

"Chrissy.. Chrissy wake up! I don't like this!! Chrissy wake up!!" Eddie looked terrified. All of the sudden Chrissy's body began to levitate towards the ceiling. Y/N let out a scream.

"Chrissy!!" She tried to reach for her sister, pull her back down to Earth, but her body suddenly launched itself to the ceiling. Eddie was screaming now too. Y/N grabbed a chair from the small kitchenette to her side, she stepped on top and managed to grab a hold of Chrissy's shoulders.

"Chrissy please!! Come on!! Please I'm begging you please!!" Y/N had no idea who she was begging to, what the hell was happening to her sister. She refused to let go, pulling against her body with all she had in her. The chair suddenly knocked under her feet, and Y/N was hanging there by the strength of her fingertips. She refused to let go.

"Y/N!" Eddie shouted, but Y/N couldn't hear him. Her ears were ringing, panic settling deep in her bones. She felt Chrissy's bones breaking underneath her hands, warping in directions they shouldn't be in. Y/N took one last look at her sisters face, before her jaw dislocated, and both of her eyes ripped out from the back of her skull. Blood splattered on Y/N and before she knew it, both girls were falling to the floor.

Eddie was screaming again, Y/N still couldn't hear him clearly. The ringing in her ears was so loud, and the weight on her chest was heavy and cold. Y/N closed her eyes, pretending this was just a nightmare. Chrissy was fine, of course Chrissy was fine. She's always fine. Y/N was gonna open her eyes and she'll find herself back in her dorm room in Notre Dame. This is just a horrible, vivid nightmare. All of the sudden the weight on her chest begin to lift, and she saw Eddie holding Chrissy's body trying to get to her.

"Don't touch her!" Y/N yelled, tightening the grip on her sister. Eddie's face was filled with tears, eyes wild with panic.

"Y/N, she's... Chrissy is..."

"No! No! Chrissy is okay! She's fine! She's safe with me! Don't touch her! Don't take her away from me!" Y/N was crying now. Her hand running through Chrissy's blood soaked ponytail, something she used to do when they were little.

Whenever their mother was being especially cruel, both girls would hide in the bathroom on the second floor. Their mother would pound on the locked bathroom door, yelling at her daughters to let her in. Chrissy would cry, hold on tight to her big sister. Y/N would be terrified, praying that their mother wouldn't come in. She always had to stay strong for Chrissy, because Chrissy was always a bit sensitive. Easily scared. She couldn't afford to show weakness, scare her even more. Y/N would hold her little sister tight, and run her fingers through the ponytails she always wore. Try to comfort her as their mother's yells got louder and louder. Chrissy loved The Wizard of Oz, anytime they had a showing at the theater she would beg their parents to see it, Over the Rainbow was her favorite song. When their mother's screams would ring through the old wooden door, fists pounding away, Y/N would sing, and it always calmed her down. During the past few days, Chrissy called her every night when she woke up, and asked her big sister to sing for her again. It didn't matter what time it was, Y/N always did it. Y/N began to sing again.

"Somewhere over the rainbow... way up high... There's a land that I heard of... once in a lullaby..."

Taglist:

@imchangkyunned , @creativedogs , @nightless ,

[just-dreaming-marvel]

It’s Always Been You ~ Daddy Daughter Dance

OUT OF TIME MASTERLIST

IT’S ALWAYS BEEN YOU MASTERLIST

The following is a one shot for my series Out Of Time and one of the endings, It’s Always Been You.

Word Count: 2,145ish

Summary/Request: Morgan asks her dad (Tony) to a daddy-daughter dance.

Notes: Hope that y’all enjoy this! Once I get further along in I’m From Brooklyn, Too, we’re going to have a daddy-daughter dance scenario with Bucky and Morgan!

Y/N was in the kitchen preparing dinner when she heard footsteps coming up behind her. By the way the footsteps were moving, Y/N could tell that her seven-year-old daughter was nervous about something.

“Mommy?” Morgan’s voice revealed her nervousness.

“Yes, dear?” Y/N responded. She stopped what she was doing so that she could give her daughter her full attention.

“Today at school they gave me this.” Morgan handed over a wrinkled paper to her mother. Y/N took it and ran her eyes over it. “It’s for a daddy-daughter dance they’re doing on Saturday.”

“Yes, it is. Are you going to ask your dad?”

“I want to but I don’t know if he’s busy. He and Uncle Steve have been in Washington DC a lot lately and I understand that they are helping others.”

“Oh, honey.” Y/N crouched down to be more at level with her daughter. “Your father will drop anything to spend time with you. You are the most important thing to him.”

“What about you? Daddy said that you and me were the most important things to him.”

Y/N smiled. “Yes, we both are, but there is something about a relationship between father and daughter. You are his favorite.”

“Really?” Morgan questioned excitedly.

“Really, and I am sure that your father would love to go to this dance with you. He is away until Friday night but we can find a fun way to ask him.”

“Yes!” Morgan clapped.

Y/N loved to see her daughter so happy. “Alright, we can discuss plans over dinner. Go wash up and you can help me finish getting dinner together.”

~~~

Morgan and Y/N tossed ideas on how to ask Tony to the daddy-daughter dance while they ate. Y/N enjoyed watching Morgan come up with ideas and seeing how excited she was. After the two of them had cleaned up dinner and come up with the final idea, Y/N put Morgan to bed. She was getting herself ready for bed when Tony called.

“Hey, honey,” Tony greeted, his image appearing on Y/N’s phone.

“Hey, Tones,” she smiled tiredly.

“Is Mo already in bed?”

“Yeah, just missed her. Sorry.”

“I’ll be sure to call earlier tomorrow.” Y/N nodded. “How are you doing?”

“Good. I’m tired. Being a stay-at-home mom is exhausting.” The couple laughed together. “I miss you.”

“You know, with your powers and FRIDAY, you could slip here for a few hours. Spend some time together in the suite I have at the hotel.”

“Doesn’t matter how powerful I am or how on top of it FRIDAY is, I’m not leaving Morgan alone. Sorry, Tony. We’ll just have to have a rendezvous when you come home.”

“No, come on, sweetheart. Just portal me home then. I miss you.”

Y/N laughed. “I miss you too, but now.”

“Please.”

“Nope.” She shook her head, enjoying the game she was playing with her husband.

“You’re mean.”

“And you’re worse than our seven-year-old.”

“I’m not!”

“I’m going to hang up now. I love you, Tony. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, goodnight.”

~~~

When Morgan arrived home from school the next day, she was bouncing with excitement. Y/N and Morgan quickly got to work decorating a poster that would ask Tony to the dance. Morgan painted it and threw glitter on it and stickers. The young girl worked so diligently and placed everything so carefully, that you might think she was working on the greatest masterpiece in the world.

“Do you think dad will like it, mom?” Morgan asked, holding it up to Y/N.

“Like it? I think he’ll love it!” Y/N responded. “Are you ready to go and deliver it?”

“Yes! Do you have the flowers?”

Y/N held up the bag of flowers. “Yes. Do you want me to hold the poster or are you good to hold it tightly?”

“I will hold it tightly.”

“Okay, take my hand.” Y/N held her hand out for her daughter to take. The little girl happily took the offered hand. “Don’t let go until we are completely on the other side, alright?” 

Morgan nodded. Y/N took a deep breath and opened a portal in front of her. Morgan squealed excitedly, she always loved seeing her mom use her powers. With a small smile at her daughter’s excitement on her face, Y/N led Morgan through the portal and into Tony’s hotel room.

“Are you sure daddy’s not here?” Morgan asked, looking around the room.

“I’m sure,” Y/N responded. “I have Uncle Steve informed of our plan and is currently distracting your father. We will be in the clear as long as we need.”

“Yay!”

Morgan let go of her mom’s hand and rushed over to the large bed. She giggled as she climbed on top of it and began jumping. Y/N shook her head as she let Morgan have her fun. When Morgan was done jumping, she asked for the flowers. Y/N gave her the bag of flowers. She started taking pictures as Morgan placed the poster in the center of the bed and scattered petals and flowers around the poster.

“Okay! All done!” Morgan exclaimed.

“It’s beautiful, Mo,” Y/N told her. 

Morgan rushed back to her mother and took her hand. Y/N opened a portal back to the house and they left.

~~~

“Goodnight, Rogers!” Tony said as he entered his private hotel room. “See you in the morning.”

Tony sighed as he shut the door. He was tired and just wished to be home with his wife and daughter. Walking into the room further, he flipped on the light. His brows immediately furrowed when he noticed flowers strewn around the top of his bed. Slowly moving closer, Tony saw that there was a handmade poster at the center of the bed. He smiled as he read the words on the poster:

DADDY! Will you go to the daddy-daughter dance with me?

Tears overwhelmed Tony’s eyes at the sweetness of the whole thing. He got his phone out and took a few photos of the bed. Deciding that he was done in DC, Tony quickly packed up (taking the flowers and poster with him of course) and headed to the airport.

~~~

Morgan was sound asleep in her room as Y/N sat on the living room couch, reading. As she read, she heard a car pull up into the driveway. Cautiously, Y/N set the book down and stood up. She moved to the door and out onto the deck. She was surprised to see Tony getting out of his car.

“Tony?” She called. “What are you doing home?”

“I needed to be with my girls,” he answered, coming up the steps of the deck.

“Did something happen?”

“Yes, I got asked to a dance and I want to give my answer in person.”

Y/N smiled softly at her husband, leaning in for a kiss. “I love you.”

“Yeah? Well,” he kissed Y/N’s lips again, “I am sure I love you more.”

“Mo is going to be so happy to see you home.”

“Yeah? Are you happy to see me home?”

“Ecstatic.” She moved closer so that her lips were brushing playfully against his ear. “Do you want me to show you how ecstatic?”

Tony groaned. “Please.”

~~~

The next morning, Tony was up before Y/N or Morgan. He wanted to make them breakfast. He didn’t have a great track record in the kitchen, but he wanted to do something nice for his girls. He grabbed chocolate chips and used them to put the word ‘yes’ in a large pancake for Morgan. Once the pancakes were finished and on the table along with orange juice, Tony went to go wake up his wife and daughter. He decided to bug his wife first, itching to just trail kisses up her neck. So that’s exactly what he did when he got to her.

“Tony,” Y/N moaned as she stirred awake.

“I love it when you moan my name,” Tony smirked against her skin as he kept kissing her neck.

“Why do you smell like breakfast?”

“Because I made breakfast for you and Morgan.”

“You did what?”

“Don’t be so surprised.” He gave a short kiss to Y/N’s lips. “Let’s go wake up, Mo. Can’t have her late for school.”

Morgan wasn’t in her room though when her parents went to wake her. She was already downstairs.

“Mom?” Morgan called as she heard footsteps coming downstairs. “Why does this pancake say ‘yes’?”

“Because it’s my answer to your question,” Tony replied, coming into the room.

“Daddy!” Morgan ran into her father’s arms. “You’re home!”

Tony chuckled as he picked up his daughter. “I wanted to come home and tell you that I would love to go to the daddy-daughter dance with you.”

“Yay! Mommy, did you hear that?”

“I did, sweetheart,” Y/N smiled as she responded. “Now we just need to go and buy you a new dress after school.”

“I get a new dress?!”

“Why of course you do,” Tony replied. “And you’ll also get me a new tie to go along with it. But you have to be really good at school today.”

“I’m always good at school, dad.”

He kissed her nose. “Of course you are.”

~~~

Morgan wouldn’t allow Tony to come along to shop for dresses. He played more hurt than he actually was, but he understood that she wanted him to be surprised. At the store, Morgan found a sparkly pink dress with a matching tie for Tony. She was so excited to see her dad in the tie she picked out.

On the day of the dance, Morgan didn’t let Tony see her as she got ready. Y/N helped Morgan get all dolled up. Tony got dressed in a black suit and pink sparkly tie and waited at the bottom of the stairs. Steve had arrived home and was standing near Tony to take pictures.

“Are you ready, Tony?” Y/N asked from the top of the stairs.

“I’m ready whenever, Mo is,” Tony responded.

“Alright, here she comes.”

Morgan was all smiles as she walked passed her mom and down the stairs like a princess. Both Steve and Tony quickly had tears forming in their eyes. Y/N slowly followed behind Morgan, giving her the space to be in the spotlight. When Morgan had reached the bottom of the stairs, Tony got down on one knee to be more at the girl’s height.

“Wow, Mo,” Tony started, “I always knew you were a princess. You look beautiful.”

“You think so?” Morgan questioned, seemingly nervous.

“I know so. I got you something.” Tony dug into his pocket and pulled out a silver bracelet engraved with ‘I love you 3000’. 

“Is that for me?!”

“Yes. Hold out your arm.” Morgan held out her left arm and let Tony place the bracelet around her wrist. “There, now your look is perfect. Are you ready to go?”

“Yes,” Morgan nodded. She turned around and hugged her mom. “Love you, mom.”

“I love you, Mo,” Y/N responded. “I can’t wait to hear about all the fun you have with your father. And make sure to keep an eye on him.”

“Hey!” Tony exclaimed.

Morgan giggled. “I will,” she replied before hugging Steve and then heading out the door with Tony. Steve and Y/N watched them drive away from the porch.

“She’s getting too old,” Steve complained. “We can’t let her grow up anymore.”

“I really wish we had a choice, Steve,” Y/N replied. “I really do.”

~~~

Steve was asleep on the couch with Y/N watching tv beside him when Tony and Morgan came home. Tony entered the house with a sleeping Morgan in his arms.

“Looks like you wore her out,” Y/N laughed lightly as she went up to the two.

“She definitely got my party genes,” Tony commented.

“Great. I can’t wait for that to be a problem.” 

The couple went upstairs and into Morgan’s room. Tony carefully placed Morgan on her bed while Y/N grabbed pjs to slip her into. Y/N worked quickly so that Morgan wouldn’t wake. She gave her daughter a kiss on her forehead before she and Tony left the room.

“Thank you for taking her, Tony,” Y/N said as they headed into their own room. “It meant a lot to both her and me.”

“Well, she is my daughter and I promised to take care of her and not let her down,” Tony responded, pulling Y/N into an embrace. “Just like I promised to take care of you and not let you down.”

“You’re doing a great job, Tony. The best.”

“Only because I have the best wife at my side.” 

[itsthestutterforme]

“Not A Chance” (Billy Hargrove x black!reader)

Summary: You and your family left your abusive father in the middle of the night and drove for hours until you came across a small town called Hawkins.

Notes: all mistakes are my own, GIF is not mine, mentions of abuse

Part Two

—

The first place you went was a motel. Once you showered, you ordered some Chinese food and went to the pharmacy while your brother, Jordan and your mom were sleeping. Jordan wasn’t feeling well so you went to buy some medications.

As soon as you stepped foot out of the car, you felt a chill roll through you. Staring down at your arms, you could see the goosebumps litter your skin. You knew you should have brought a sweater. You opened the door to the pharmacy, triggering the bell to jingle.

And of course when that happens, everyone’s eyes were on you. Your patience allowed that for only two seconds before I said, “Can I get my face back?” The majority of them went back to what they were doing except one boy.

He was an older teen, close to your age. He had curly, blonde hair and mesmerizing blue eyes. You could only imagine how many women fell for those eyes. You brushed off his gaze and good God how is it colder in here than it is outside?

You made your way into the cold and flu aisle. You took a bottle of Tylenol in your hands and stared down at it for a moment. You had no idea what his symptoms were. You should have asked that before you left.

“Hey there,” you a voice say. Looking to your left, you saw the same teenage boy from earlier. “Not feeling well?” he asks, motioning to the bottle in your hand. You glanced at him once before grabbing a bag of cough drops and a bottle of liquid anticongestant.

“Not much of a talker, are you?” “Nope,” you finally spoke as you went around him and beelined to the cash register. The older man scanned the items and placed them in a small brown paper bag.

“Your total will be twelve dollars and sixty cents,” you grabbed your wallet from your back pocket when the same boy dropped a twenty and sent you a wink when you glared up at him. “You can keep the change, man,” he tells the cashier.

He opened his arm and motioned to the door. You grabbed the brown bag and walked towards the door. “What do you want from me exactly?” “I’ll let you know,” “How do you know I’ll even be here?” “You never really leave Hawkins, darlin’.” He hops in his car and turns it on, giving you a wink before pulling off.

“This place is weird,” you say to yourself.

**

Here you were, standing at the entrance of Hawkins Middle School that was across the ways from Hawkins High School. You can’t entirely complain. Indiana seems like a better place to lay low than California like originally planned. It’s less expensive too. Your mom got a job at the diner and you got a job at the CD and vinyl shop.

“You okay?” Jordan says and you nodded. “Hey,” he adds and you looked down at him. “He’s not going to find us here, right?” He asks. “You shouldn’t be worrying about stuff like that,” you pulled the door open and he walked through the door. “Have a good day at school,” he says over his shoulder.

“You too,” you said softly before letting the door close and walking across the street. Letting out a huff of air, you walked through the propped door to see the floor full of students. You have the stereotypical jock flirting with the cheerleaders along the lockers. The group of nerds in one corner and alternative rock emos in the other.

As you passed a smaller hallway, you made eye contact with the boy from the pharmacy. A wide smirk made it’s way on his lips and you picked up your pace. And just as you were a few feet away from your first class, you were dragged into an janitor’s closet.

How did he end up in front of you for this to happen, you have no clue. But here you were. “Hey sweetheart,” there’s barely any distance between you two. You could practically taste his cologne that could make any ordinary girl weak in the knees.

“What do you want?” You asked, noticing his hand an inch next to your head. “To talk, of course.” “The person you’re talking to has to be interested in you for that to happen,” “And you’re not?” “No,” you took a step forward and weaved your way out of his grasp.

“You’re a tough one. That won’t last long.” “Oh yeah? Don’t waste your breath, mullet.” “It’s Billy,” “Don’t care,” you said before closing the door behind you.

[handysolution]

The T.A. (Part two)

“Alright ms. (Y/n). Are you ready to go over the schedule?” He asked you when you returned, and you nodded. He stood up from his side of the desk and walked around to your side. He dropped a journal in front of you.

“Okay, so this is all of the upcoming plans I have for the near future.” He said, and leaned over you. He flipped the book open and started going over the plans. He was so close you could smell him. You shifted uncomfortably in your seat. He didn’t seem to take notice.

“The notes are a little unorganized, as you can probably see. I tend to be scatterbrained.” He said, and you nodded quietly.

“I can organize it for you and even put it in your phone calendar if you want,” I said, and he looked down at me.

“You can do that?” He asked, and you giggled a little. He rubbed his temples, “I can’t keep up with these new technology things.” He sighed.

“I’ll help you. It’s not too hard,” you said, and he nodded. He handed you his phone. You helped him set it up, him leaning over your shoulder the entire time. You couldn’t lie, he made you nervous. As many of the girls in your class already knew, he was very attractive. You had caught your thoughts wandering during his lecture before. You pushed the thought out of your mind.

Helping him get the schedule together was certainly a task as he didn’t have much of a schedule at all. Just a couple sticky notes in this journal that seemed to be mostly nonsensical.

“Are you hungry?” He asked, and you nodded, “I think I’m going to go out and get some food. Is Chinese good with you?” He asked.

“Sure.” You said back, and he went to go get it. This left you sitting alone in his office. It was rather small and a bit cramped. He had books and papers laid out everywhere. With him gone, you thought it might be a good idea to help him organize a little bit.

You began stacking the books on the bookshelf and hanging the papers on a bulletin board he had in there. You took a step back to admire your handy work when you heard the door open behind you.

“Wow. You can actually walk in here,” he said, and his disposition seemed softer than earlier. He held a to-go bag in his hand.

“Yeah, I thought it might be better to have you organized,” you reasoned. He sat down behind his desk and you took your spot in the seat across from him. He got you sesame chicken as requested.

As he ate rice from a small to go box, you began to small talk.

“So, how did you end up going to school here?” He asked, and you finished chewing before speaking.

“I have always wanted to be in the F.B.I. and this felt like a good choice, I guess. This has been my dream since I was a kid,” you chuckled, and then got a little more serious, looking down, “but now that I’m actually here… I guess it’s a little lonely.” You didn’t look up to make eye contact with him and you felt so stupid for saying that. You had always been an oversharer.

“I’m sorry. You aren’t from here, I take it?” He asked, and you nodded.

“I’m from a small town about five or so hours from here. Growing up, it was just my dad and I so it was hard leaving him. I don’t know anyone here,” you said truthfully. He didn’t seem to mind your venting.

“I’m sure you will make friends here,” he said. You hoped he was right but knew he probably wasn’t. You weren’t the type for parties or drinking, really. Not your scene.

“I can definitely relate to not fitting in. I was really young when I went to college,” he reminisced, and you finally found the courage to look up at him. He was looking down into his rice, and you admired him for a second. His jaw line was strong, and his face looked tired. There were wrinkles and bags around his eyes. That didn’t make him any less attractive though.

“Yeah, well I’d better get going. I have to go read the notes from the lecture I missed,” you said, and threw the remnants of your food in the small bin next to his desk.

“Miss (Y/n),” he said, and you turned around. He was looking at his sweater that you still had on with a pointed look.

“Oh, right, sorry,” you said, and you felt your cheeks heat up. You took it off and handed it to him with a thank you. You left his office with your face turned down as you hurried to your dorm to change.

[missroller15]

The Side Effects Of Failed Scheduling and A Cute Brunette

Hello, I’m back and got another corny fluffy fic for you guys! I’ve posted about it before but that was just a snippet so I got the full thing here. I’m kinda nervous to post it but I found it too fluffy not to post so I hope you guys like it and it’s absolute mess so prepare for that as well :) 

Rory Gilmore liked organization. This was a known fact. She worked hard to maintain this tranquility in her life. She planned, she made lists, she double-checked her double-checking. It worked but some days, no matter how hard she tried, life denied this planning. 

There is one memory, in particular, that at times filters back into her mind. Though it is a little bit fuzzy, there was a warmth about the memory she loved. It was a lazy Tuesday afternoon when around noon, the phone rang. Rory hadn’t been doing much, simply reading and reviewing her school work while Lorelai would hopefully be coming back from work in about an hour. She picked up the phone, pleasantly surprised to hear the receptionist from the dentist. “Hello, is this Lorelai Gilmore?” 

“A variant of some sort, yes.” Rory replied, with a tease in her tone. The receptionist ignored the subtle joke and immediately responded, “Alright, I’d just like to confirm that you will be able to make it for your dentist appointment today?” 

“Oh, yes. I-” The receptionist curtly hung up, leaving Rory shocked for a moment before she just shook her head, put the phone down and was about to walk back to her room when the phone began dialing again. She sighed, “Hello?” 

Her mother greeted with an almost bittersweet tone. Rory‘s stomach almost lurched. “Hey babe, I’m sorry but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it to the appointment today–” 

Oh no. “Mom, but-” 

“I know, I know! I’m sorry, I know we had a plan but a family showed up a day earlier than their reservation. Ask Luke, he’ll drop you off and pick you up, love you!” 

“Fine, but don’t be surprised if you find bloody cotton balls on your pillow tonight.” Rory mumbled into the phone. 

“Hold on, lemme get this down for Bram Stoker. It’ll be a big hit-”  

Rory quickly threw out a goodbye before ending the call and dialing Luke’s. She began pacing around, her nerves tempting to overflow. Whenever a plan was thrown off-course, it rattled her a bit more than she ever liked to admit. This wasn’t too bad, it couldn’t be. Hopefully, Luke wasn’t too busy.. What if he was? What if today was an important day for him? What if she ended up having to walk? How would she get there on time by foot? Or— Rory, calm down. It wouldn’t be too bad, this’ll get fixed quickly. It’s fine. She took a deep breath. “Hello?”

Her blood ran cold. That was not Luke’s voice. Jess repeated, “Hello?” 

Rory, talk! Talk! 

“Alright, hanging up now.” 

“It’s Rory.” She blurted, racking her brain for more to say. Silence lingered for a couple moments. He went quiet. She was about to say more when noises came on from the other side. 

There was a muffled conversation in the background but it was too low for her to hear so she cleared her throat extra loudly. The noises continued before quieting again. Jess’ voice returned. “Yes?”

“Where’s Luke? I need him to help me out with something today.” 

“He’s not available at the moment. Any chance you’d enlighten me on what you need him for?” 

Rory was not planning on telling him she’d be going to the dentist. She didn’t need pointless questions, especially if they came from Jess. The more time she spent talking to him, the more she knew she’d want to continue. “It’s nothing you’d find interesting. Can you get him, please?” 

“Oh, I’d beg to differ.” He chuckled, an adorable one— No! Her cheeks flushed as she drowned out any thoughts like that. Any thoughts of Jess’ laugh or his smile or pretty eyes. Remember the main problem at hand, Rory! 

Her eyes darted to the clock quickly. There was still about an hour and a half so she still had time. Jess didn’t have to know. She could just head over and ask Luke. Then, that would mean she’d see Jess in person. That couldn’t happen either. She didn’t know what it was about him but she knew it wasn’t a good idea to be near for too long. Just talking over the phone sparked a flustered feeling within her.

“Hey Rory, if you really need Luke, he’s free now.” 

Jess’ voice interrupted her train of thought, a sigh of relief escaped her lips as she heard Luke’s voice come to the phone. She quickly explained the situation, hoping Luke will be able to help. “Uh–Sure, I guess. What time?” 

Rory felt her chest lighten once she finished up giving Luke the times and directions. It was almost funny how much she freaked out before. This issue got fixed quickly enough, just like she knew it would. 

                                                       •••••••••••• 

Pick her up and drop her off, that’s all and you come right back. Luke’s words played back in his mind as Jess sat in the truck, waiting for Rory. It was relatively simple and he knew she’d be fine but there was always that ‘what if’ 

No. No, he wasn’t going to think like that. That is, until Rory stumbled out. Her hand lifted up to shield her eyes from the sun as she glanced around, her legs wobbling a little bit. 

Jess immediately jumped out, heading toward her direction. Her eyes met his and it was the first time in a long time that he felt scared. Rory’s doe eyes were gone, replaced by this distant gaze that seemed to look into the deepest depths of his soul. Her trembling hands gripped onto his shoulders. “You’re not Luke,” she slurred, wiping away the saliva that dripped from the side of her mouth . “Where’s he?” 

Jess pried her hands off and slung one of her arms over his shoulder to help guide her to the car while the other mindlessly turned to pick at her sweater sleeve. “He’s at work and so is your mom apparently, so you’re stuck with me.” He mumbled, not expecting a response. And to no surprise, he didn’t get one. Just Rory turning to him as she sat down in the seat and smiled. Jess bit back his own smile as he started the car. It wasn’t fair what her smiles did to him. 

As he drove, Rory didn’t stop chatting once throughout the entire ride. All from Jane Austen’s worst book to her mother’s questionable Halloween costumes, even how Luke’s burgers were unmatched but just a little bit less salt would make them perfect. It wasn’t difficult to follow for too long since she’d switch every few seconds.  Jess tried his best to keep the conversations short as he didn’t want her to use too much energy to talk. He’d lost the number of times he told her to just try to rest but it failed every time. Rory would just fold her arms across her chest and huff in frustration before remembering another subject to chatter about. 

There was a moment where she did go quiet. Jess had thought she’d finally fallen asleep but turned to find her staring once again. That distant gaze wasn’t there anymore but an analytical one. A curious one. A Rory one. His favorite kinds. 

He glanced over and her cheeks immediately tinged pink but the gaze stayed. It was drowning, too tempting. Jess blinked quickly, turning his focus back. Rory let out an annoyed mumbled noise. “You don’t like it. You don’t like me. I wish … would.” 

His eyes jumped back to her. “What?” 

She dragged her eyes back to him. “Nothin..” was the last thing she said before her eyes slowly fluttered shut. 

That definitely wasn’t nothing but it couldn’t be taken too seriously. Could she have meant “I wish you would.” No! No way. This was Rory on anesthesia. There’s no way she would’ve actually said that, it doesn’t mean anything. Especially when I don’t even understand what she said. Jess tried to reason as he pulled up to the house. This is not what you’re supposed to be thinking about, Jess! Focus. 

He left a dozing Rory in the car and ran up to the door. He found a note taped to the door handle. To no surprise, every detail went to plan. Just a little misstep on who would be doing all this was the mistake, he chuckled to himself. 

Key in the plant! Thanks, Luke. - Rory 

The key was there, as she stated so he opened the door. Then he went back, opening the car door. Rory was out cold. She wouldn’t be able to move so Jess quickly scooped her up in a bridal style. Her hands tightened around him as her face nuzzled in against his neck, sending his stomach into backflips.  He leaned down to set her down on the couch but his breath hitched when Rory’s hand grabbed his sleeve. Her eyes fluttered open for a second. Her eyebrows furrowed in the most impossibly cute way. “No.”

Jess felt his face flame up for a second. She didn’t want him to go. But it definitely wasn’t a good idea to stay either. Looking down at her, an idea came to mind that would possibly fix the dilemma. It was risky but worth a shot. He quickly grabbed a pen and opened the book he had tucked in back pocket to the inside of the back cover. He made a small T-Chart, biting his bottom lip in thought. 

Jess would always find Rory doing them when he went to clean up the table she and Lorelai sat at. There were even small napkins that had them scribbled on days, she didn’t have a clean sheet of paper on hand at the moment. It was something admirable, if he was truly being honest with himself. 

Organization, stability, really anything down that lane wasn’t something Jess was typically accustomed to. Moving to Stars Hollow alone was the first step towards something of stability, even if he didn’t want to say it out loud. Now here he was, sitting down on the floor beside one of the most organized people he’s ever met. She turned curiously when she noticed him writing. Her eyes lingered all over the page before one of the cottons that the dentist had given her fell from her pocket and hit the ground in a small squish interrupting the quiet. The realization hit him. Rory is supposed to be taken care of and he was here. 

A pro. Just the one pro he needed to convince him. 

He had to stay. 

At least, until he knew she’d be perfectly ok and well enough to keep herself standing. Jess tossed his book in the seat across from the couch where Rory was and went into the kitchen to grab a napkin. He picked up the cotton ball with a grimace and tossed it in the trash can by the kitchen. Water. She needs water. He ran to the cupboard, quickly opening and shutting them, to find the cups. Jess finally found one when he heard his name called. 

“Are you ok?” He said returning to the living room, trying to hide the alarm in his tone. Rory wasn’t looking at him but to the book he had tossed in the seat across from where she laid. She pointed her finger at it, a frown rested on her lips. “Dunno, if I hearda that one.” 

Jess raised an eyebrow as he picked it up. Handing it to her, he smiled. “You wanna read it while I get you some water?” 

She nodded and he handed her the book while he returned to the kitchen to get the cup. He quickly filled it and grabbed one of the sink towels too. Just in case. He returned to find Rory, sitting on the couch. 

Her fingers flipping through the pages delicately. The light shined in at such a pretty angle, right behind her, he couldn’t help but stare for a moment. Her brown hair was down, framing her face as her eyebrows slightly furrowed. Her blue eyes drinking in the words on the page of the book. Maybe, even his notes in the margins. 

“Hey I got the water. How are you feeling?” 

She gave him a thumbs-up, shyly smiling and taking the cup from his hand. She took a large gulp right before setting it down and closing the book. Jess frowned slightly. “Not your thing, huh.” 

“Read it to me.” She said, her cheeks flushing. 

“What, you want me to-” He spoke softly, a bit astonished. 

“Yes. Yes, please.” She interrupted, just as softly. He let out a small laugh, surprised at what he was about to do. 

That day, he sat down next to her on the couch and read to Rory Gilmore, her head leaning against his shoulder as she listened intently. It was a good day. 

At least Rory likes to remember it that way, not that she could remember that much clearly. That day, however, did show her what she felt all along as she got to know Jess Mariano. He was something special. 

Something special indeed. And to think, this is what the side effects of failed scheduling and cute brunette resulted in. 

[duffy-is-daydreaming]

Very belated Martyshka status update 😅

So this is kind of embarrassing, but it’s high time I get around to explaining why I dropped off the map for so long. Tl;dr, a lot of awful life drama came up all at once right as I was trying to finish chapter 16, and I lost all my writing mojo for a couple months while I was sorting everything out. I’m starting to feel good about writing again, and chapter 16 should finally be out next week!

Abbreviated story under the cut:

Back in June, I found myself wrapped up in quite a few unpleasant life developments. Family drama, increased work load, trouble with school plans, financial anxiety, etcetera. When I wasn’t doing my part to try and manage all of these things, all of my free thought space was taken up by the need to decompress. Try as I might, I couldn’t sit down and work on Martyshka for more than half an hour at a time without it adding to my stress, which is NOT what writing this story is supposed to feel like. I knew that if I kept trying to force myself to write, I would start to resent it, and that would be the end of Martyshka. Thus, I decided to put this work on the back-burner until I could get back out to school, wrap up my most pressing tasks, reestablish my routine, and find the clarity of mind to continue writing. I absolutely should have made a post like this earlier as a heads up, and I apologize for not doing so. I think I was just embarrassed to suddenly be abandoning the schedule I’d been able to hold myself to so well since I started this story last November.

Things have gotten significantly better in the meantime. I’ve been seeing a therapist, I got back to my own apartment, and I’m settling back into a healthy space. Back in July, I was able to join one of my professors from last semester and some other students on a two-week camping trip to Grand Teton National Park, and that time away from the city did me wonders. I feel reinvigorated mentally and physically, and after reevaluating my schedule and writing habits, I think I’m ready to get back into Martyshka.

The update schedule will probably change a few more times over the next few months as I start my senior year of college. I’m anticipating having chapter 16 done and uploaded by next Sunday, and chapter 17 will hopefully be up by mid-September, if not sooner. Thank you all so much for your patience, and I’m sorry again for any fear of fic abandonment my silence might have caused. I promise you, I still fully intend to see this fic through to the end; it’d be a disservice to my very exciting plans and all those who’ve helped me form them to leave them unaccomplished.

That’s about all for now, so enjoy some lovely pictures from my camping trip while I finish chapter 16. I’ll see you all next week!

[apex-academy]

Chapter 5 Trial: What You Are in the Dark (#35)

Five days ago, Monochap provided our motive: if no murder took place by the end of today, our loved ones would be killed. We immediately rejected the possibility of that happening... but a couple of us couldn’t put it aside so easily. With the group agreeing to a lockdown, getting all the supplies together wouldn’t be an easy task. The killer would have to wait until after curfew for any chance to sneak around. 

But the first person to go out after curfew was actually Mahavir. Oblivious to the trap Aidan laid for rulebreakers, he seized the handle of the hallway door...

...and the broken glass taped to it. The pain and surprise made him cry out, catching the killer’s attention—not only were they still awake at that hour, but their room was nearby. 

Once they figured out what happened, the killer secretly followed Mahavir into the school, being careful not to hurt themselves, too. Upstairs, they swiped some tools for their plan from study halls, including their own, which they were sure to leave unlocked... but the actual murder weapon came from the teachers’ offices. It was an innocuous desk toy, only harmful when swallowed.. But the killer was planning to trick someone into doing just that. 

The next morning, they put their plan into action. Other people were in the kitchen with them preparing the dozens of meals for the day. That chaos, combined with the tiny size of the magnets, meant the killer was able to slip one into Kaichi’s food without anyone noticing. One magnet wouldn’t do much of anything by itself, but the killer had opportunity to lace every one of his meals with their “poison.”

A prime opportunity to muddle the future investigation came when Aidan announced his game demonstration. The killer volunteered to join the group, but they had no interest in the main event. Before they joined us, they looked through their dorm room... 

...for their own personal sleep aids. Sometime during the demonstration, they found a chance to slip some into Aidan’s food. Once we had our dinners, it started to knock him out fast. But in the haste to get things wrapped up, the killer dropped the vial into the game box, accidentally leaving us a vital clue.

That night, the killer was still safely in their own room when...

...the magnets throughout Kaichi’s system finally tore him apart from the inside. He was already dead before the killer entered his unlocked room with knife in hand. Shielding themselves with the comforter nearby, they stabbed Kaichi repeatedly, both to draw out the magnets and to fabricate a more obvious cause of death. They left behind some magnetic sugar pills they’d assembled to throw us off, then left to stash the knife and Kaichi’s key in a classroom.

But something drew their attention while they were outside the dorms. Tsunyasha, injured earlier that night, was lying listless on the floor. Seeing her as a friend rather than a threat to the plan in her condition, the killer guided her to the Nurse’s Office to patch her up. Only then did they return to their room to wait out the rest of the night.

The next morning, the killer met with the rest of us as we began to gather in the hallway. After a while, Tsunyasha, Aidan, and Kaichi still hadn’t shown up. Tsunyasha hadn’t left the Nurse’s Office, so of course we couldn’t get hold of her. Since Aidan was drugged, he wasn’t coming to the door, either. Mahavir and I knew how to get into his room, so we split off from the rest of the group... exactly like the killer wanted. That left them in the group that would find Kaichi’s door unlocked and walk in on his body. That way, it wouldn’t be suspicious if they were listed on the Monofile—even if we saw through enough of their plan to realize they were the first to see him dead.

Does that sum it up...

...Yuki Kurokame?

[NEXT]

[mun-of-orchid-and-friends]

A quick little update~

I appreciate the asks I have the pictures ready for them I just have to get them done today (Dec. 14) this morning I have to go on a field trip with my oldest child and I forgot my sketchbook at home to take the pictures but being off today means I can at least do it this afternoon once I get home. (No guarantee but I do plan on trying)

Also the new DLC dropped just a few hours before midnight here where I'm for Pokemon scarlet and violet and I was wanting to finish my team up before I even started it. My Boyfriend couldn't find time to finish his Pokedex so he asked me to do it on my days off... which I tried. He still needs 35 more to finish the regular dex making it manageable for him to get the shiny charm (although with how many shiny he's already encountered I don't think he needs the charm 😆😂)

I'm still trying to get my bills caught up as I transferred to a new job that pays more ($11 per hour) and allows me to work the morning shift while my kids are in school. The past couple of days I've had to leave early due to boss's orders as labor was high but that's okay because they'll be times where I've tried to find myself to get busy and there be something that I can't do or they have enough people doing enough jobs, again I'm making $11 an hour I think I can afford to go home just an hour or so early from work to be able to be ready to get my children from school... That's more than I can say for my last job. Working at this job I have to wait at least two whole weeks before getting paid my first check so I'll have to get all my bills paid on the 20th but with the hours I've been working and showing the commitment that I can do what needs to be done it's actually a fairly simple job for $11 an hour, not the easiest job but I'm getting paid more for having to deal with everything and that's something~

I just wanted to update y'all as to why I haven't answered asks yet or have done anything else spectacular as of late... As I stated earlier right now I'm waiting to go on a field trip with my oldest child as per request of her teacher, my oldest child tends to be excited and forget to stick in line or stick with the group and rather than expect the teachers to do their best to keep in line with all the children I figured I would do my parental duty and come escort my child to behave herself on this field trip, as a parent SHOULD! (I'm not saying that everyone's a terrible parent for not escorting their kid or supervising them, but it just seems that you see more online parents neglecting their kids or expecting others to raise them... My mental state is "I had fun making the child, now I should take my responsibility in caring for the child" LOL there ARE good parents out there)

I'm not saying everyone can be a parent, if you choose not to have kids that is your choice and it is understandable that you are focusing on you at the moment or you feel like you are not parental material or you have fully decided not to have kids and that the world will still continue on without you having kids, it's definitely not the end of the world if you decide not to have kids. Children are a full-on responsibility that you have to be mentally physically and financially able to care for, they do not come with manuals, they do not come with all the mannerisms they are to have, they are like puppies you have to train them... I know this is like a whole big rant but if you've read all the way through this then I appreciate the time you took to read all of this or I'm happy to have at least killed some time for you since you're trying to waste time reading all this hobgobble 🤣 it's kind of obvious I'll sometimes go on a rant when I just want to simply put out there an update.

In any case if you've read this far I'm happy that you shared your time with me and or I was happy to kill some time for you, but as soon as I get back into the routine of working while my kids are in school and then enjoying the time in the afternoon with them while working on several projects everything will be hunky dory, hopefully with the New Year things can get into a routine and I can be able to get back on track~ the reason I say New Year is because the kids will be out of school for a couple of weeks and things are going to get hectic while I'm at work 😅

If you've read this far I hope you have a wonderful day and stay safe~💐☃️

[dzpenumbra]

10/23/22

So today was... well things just didn't really go as planned. I wanted to go skating, it seemed like a nice day. Then I just got... really insecure, and depressed. Again. That whole "well it's the weekend and the place is probably gonna be packed with kids and I just don't want to deal with it" thing. I know it's just an excuse really. I know for a fact that if I had one person even remotely interested in going with me, I'd drop everything and spend the whole day there. So... that sucks. But... I blew it off. I just said screw it.

I decided to work on the sleeve of my hoodie instead. The second I put my hoodie on my desk, started up some videos on YouTube for background noise and got my pen out... my mom called. I was already pretty stressed. I keep seeing my brother online all day every day and it's kinda just fucking with me. Like taunting me, dangling social contact right out of my reach. It does a number on me.

I was pretty upfront about it, I said everything I said here. How I'm frustrated that I have like just over 3 weeks left here and no one seems to want to do anything. And I keep saying "no one" as if it's more than one person, as though there's a list. I'm pissed that my brother can't hold his grudge until like... next month. Just put it off then. Send me off on a good note for fuck's sake. But no, we're just gonna do this silent treatment avoidance shit.

I'm legitimately angry about this, and I'm shocked at how many people do this kinda stuff. I'm just really tired of it.

So my mom could feel my frustration, my anger, and her defenses were primed. We started talking about my cat's follow-up appointment on Monday and... it just didn't go well. I really just wanted someone, anyone to demonstrate a desire to be part of my life. Like... an eagerness. Like looking forward to spending time with me, not making me work for it. It's a very precious commodity to me and very rare. I often feel like my cat is the only one in the world who is glad to see me. Sound like depression? Probably is. But there's truth behind it too, which makes it even more depressing. Yay.

So... that conflict stretched out for like... 4 hours. I played Session for like 30 minutes in silence while she processed thoughts on the phone with me. I didn't do what I talked about yesterday. I didn't just walk away. I sat there. I spoke my peace. I waited through the silent section. I tried reason over and over. It worked eventually. But man, it ate up my entire day. By the end of it, it was like... 10:30? And I cooked dinner... So before I knew it, it was like 1 AM and I still hadn't gotten any work done.

I literally drew one line around the cuff of my hoodie today. And it just makes me feel like it was a total waste. A beautiful Saturday in late-October and it was like... me begging for someone to be kind and show an interest in spending time with me, then recovering with some food and Minecraft. Then getting ready for bed again.

I was scared to smoke again today. I'm really getting tired of all this. It's so cyclical. Like... I'm afraid after not smoking for like 3-4 days that I'm just gonna get hit hard and freak out. So I was planning on smoking earlier in the day and playing Minecraft, or working on the hoodie, or both. But the fight happened instead, and I was worried that would kinda... pollute my thoughts, leave a bad taste in my mouth, that sorta thing. So... another tincture night.

And... the fear of fear is back again. That fucker is a real bitch.

I'm clearly very cranky. I just want things to be better.

I did try looking for RP servers - Minecraft specifically today. I'm worried with Minecraft that... it attracts a younger audience... and I really feel like if I get on a server I'm just going to be stuck around a bunch of high school drama kids or something. Which is weird, to be honest. I'm literally twice their age, it's... odd. But I'm not seeing any like... 30+ RP servers for Minecraft. Maybe I'm not digging deep enough?

I guess it's sorta the same problem I have with the skatepark. And random queuing for Overwatch. And streaming. It's not as noticeable when you have a friend or two with you, it's easier to push past. But when you're alone and you just get stuck hanging out with actual kids... it's just really uncomfortable for me. They're not peers. Like I struggle to find intellectual peers my age, let alone half my age. So... yeah. Not really sure what to do anymore. Starting to reeeeeally feel my age.

I can feel how grumpy and depressed I am. I should really just go to sleep and try to get a fresh start tomorrow. Wish me luck.